CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6] — Page 277

274

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rect from Mr. Hicks a printed description of his non plus

te Clinical thermometer on which was quoted the trade

40/-

J

price 40

per dozen 60 less 38 per cent discount.

Indent No. 34 of 25th. November 1896 was framed thereon.

The instruments arrived in que course and in explanation

of the charge, higher than that specified in our indent, the

Crown Agents forwarded to the Colonial Secretary a copy of

a letter they had received from Mr. Hicks dated 9th. Ja-

nuary 1894, in which the following passage ocetrs:-'I can-

I

not understand how your crrespondent at Hong Kong arrived at the price of 40/ per aczen", a statement which cannot

be reconciled with the printed quotation in his list and thi

later explanation set forth in the Secretary of State's des

patch which is to the effect that higher Liscounts are

allowed conditionally. Two questions here present themselve

(I) Does Mr. Hicks allow 35 per cent or even higher dis-

counts on quantities of gross and Upwarus; and (2) aoes

he ignore the universally recognised custom in wholesale

dealing of charging, in the absence of any engagement to

the contrary, half gross quantities at gross rates ? We are

in the habit of indenting for 6 aozen Clinical thermone-

An

ters twice a year and to secure a extra 10 per cent als-

count an annual inuent could of course be prepared in future.

I cannot understand why the Crown Agents failed, when ME.

Hicks called at Downing Street on the 9th. January 1894

to obtain in full a statement or his best terms and the

conditions under which they applieu in the case or the

most favoured wholesale customers.

9.

In the circumstances the Government of this Colony

might