CO129-206 - Public Offices & Others - 1882 — Page 498

£

as a Board

stands in the same relations towards the Company

Board of Trade Inspector in this country would towards English Tramway companies. Such work as is set forth in this clause has to be seecuted in England subject to the approval [; not "reasonable approval], _ of the Board of Trade, and the same forms of language may be Employed in the case

be Smployed in the case of Hougtory. The introduction of the adjective "reasonable" tends to weaken the Surveyor General's power and authority to protect the public, as the Company may proceed to execute works, Even if he had with held his appro

·ral, on the plea that his inability to selend his

approval is in their opinion - unreasonable. This word "reasonable" occurring so often in the Hong Kory Statutes, has been before much misunderstanding and contention. Section J. In tenth line after the word "rails" add

the words: "Sleepers and substructure". Section 11. Subsection 1.

now The cause

In first line;

off

after the word "notice", add the words "in writing".

Subsection 11. In the second line,

after the word "Except" and the words "with "The authority = "" In the third line of the same ", for The same reasonsgiven in preceding paragraph.

Subsection omit the word "reasonable

last

Section 13. In line omit the word "reasonable" "

Section 14. In the third line omit the word.

reasonable"

»

龄

ey

492

Note. Sections 12, 13, and 14. allow the Company to repair that portion.

de ell

7

the public streets pied by the tram, while the Surveyor General will repair the remaining partions Either side of the tram. Here we have divided control and authority in the maller of repairs along the same streets. This

on

is objectionable as pointed out in my letter to the Secretary of

State of 10th February 1882, paragraph Leaded" Maintenance","

way

It was doubtless unfortunate to have relegated The Construction of the City tramways to the Company as there would have been less chance of friction Lad the practice now become so general in English towns been followed, and the tramways been bright by the Colomal authorities and leased to the Company. I In this

both the original construction and the subsequent yearly repairs would have bean in the same hands. This course however not having been adopted I have some hesitation in advising the transfer of the duty of repairs to the Colomal Authorities. Probably the wisest plan will be to accept Sections 11, 12, 13, and 144 as they stand subject only to the few verbal Amendments I have pointed out, and to watch their operation closely with a view to their lepeal and substitution by other provisions throwing the work of repair on the Surveyor Equeral interely, should Experience make this alternation preférable.

fais 6.7 of.

D

2785

The

Rul

Section 15. In second line after the word "and" and the words: "up to their,

up to their proper level" ""

Section 16. Supplement this section by the