CO129-318 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [7-10] — Page 456

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Sir,

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Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 19th. June, 1903.

In reply to your letter of the 6th. May (which should I think have been dated 6th. instant) I am directed to point out to you that you appear to be labouring under a misapprehension when you state that the question of the type of permanent way for the Electric Tramway which you have begun to lay in Hongkong has not been finally settled.

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The Director of Public Works has never entertained the proposal made by the Company you represent that the permanent way should be constructed with only stringers of concrete under the rails. Mr. Chatham has always insisted upon a concrete bed being laid under- neath each line of Tramway extending 18" outside the rails on either side, wherever the Tramway is laid over other than natural ground.

On the 4th. December last, Messrs. Leigh and Crange

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on behalf of the Company which you represent deposited a cross-section shewing such mode of construction. Such cross-section was duly approved by the Director of Fublic Works under section 13 of Ordinance No. 10 of 1902, and your Company is therefore bound to execute the work in ac- cordance with such approved cross-section, subject to such modifications as the Director of Public Works has since formally communicated to you. Furthermore the said cross-section shewed a double

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line with centre poles and space of 6' 6" between the lines of Tramway, the whole of such space to be covered with concrete 6" in depth, and the construction has actually been begun on the above principles as approved in the cross-section.

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Now your Company is well aware that the Director of Public Works originally advised concreting the whole surface between the tracks and that till the said cross-section was submitted on behalf of fold Harkwood, Esq.,

your.

Resident Engineer, H. Elec.Trays.