CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12] — Page 575

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period that has elapsed since the line has been opened,

that there is no undue risk of the Hongkong section not

paying working and maintenance expenses and interest on

capital from the proceeds of local traffic. Further as

you have already been informed, when the Estimates for the

year 1906 were under discussion in the Legislative Council

on the 21st. ultimo a strong wish was expressed by the Un-

-official Members that the construction of the Hongkong

section should not be delayed pending negotiations with

China with regard to the construction of the Chinese

: |

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section. As you are also aware from my Despatch No. 257

+

dated the 16th. instant the Legislature has already sanc-

-tioned by Ordinance No. 11 of this year the raising of the

necessary funds to carry out the work.

14.

In these circumstances I have the

honour to request that you will give directions to the

Consulting Engineers, to whom a copy of Mr. Bruce's report,

estimate and plans goes by this mail, to take the necessary

steps for proceeding with the construction of the line

with the least possible delay.

15.

In the meantime the action report-

-ed in my Confidential Despatch of the 5th. September is

proceeding

# ho 40905. § No. 35%

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