CO129-315 - Public Offices & Others - 1902 — Page 277

and in spite of the fact that öd. per mile was the minimum fare he obtained a concession for the Camps Bay Tramways Company, Cape Town, for 50 years.

In reviewing the question of the life of the concession we would ask you to kindly consider the fact that

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owing to the length of life of the concession the Promoters have

1 only met Sir Henry Blake's wishes by bringing down the fares

2

to the very low standard pointed out above, but have also agreed

to pay the Government the royalties provided in Clause 47 of the Ordinance.

As you know, in this country where the traffic is assured and not problematical as in Hong Kong no royalties whatever are paid.

It is now very common indeed for concessions for light railways in this country to be granted for at least 42

years.

We would also ask you to bear in mind that the cost of installing a line in the Colony of Hong Kong is at least 25% greater than installing a similar line in this country.

When these facts are brought to his notice we cannot believe that the Colonial Secretary will insist upon reducing

the life of the concession.

You will see that the Government have the right at

the expiration of 50 years to acquire the undertaking at its

then value. These are practically the same words as are used in

the 43rd section of the Tramways Act of 1870. Upon the rulings

which have been given under this clause, the "then value" meana

simply the value of the materials in the road.

Concrete. At a tramway inspection in Birmingham on Monday

last, our Mr Dickinson had the pleasure of meeting Colonel

Yorke, the inspecting officer of the Board of Trade, whom we

understand reported upon the question of the concrete foundations

for the tramways in Hong Kong, and he then mentioned the matter

to him.