CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 186

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but he declined to consent to the appointment of "egsrs.

Barry as consulting engineers to the line.

Yesterday I had a long interview with Fis

Excellency Liang Shih-yl at which the whole question

vas discussed in detail. As on previous occasions, he

fave me clearly to understand that the Chinese Covern-

ment were much disappointed with the advice they

received from Messrs.Barry in connection with the

Shanghai-Nanking railway, the estimates of which had

been rexised at least three times and had always proved

insufficient. He politely but firmly declined to sanction

their appointment as consulting engineere, but he was

otherwise prepared to adhere to the promise he had

previously given me that he would follow, as clearly

as possible, the practice of the Torthern Railways.

Although they could not be designated consulting

engineers, Yesere.harry would be entrusted with the

inspection of all materials ordered in England and

would receive remuneration on the usual terme.

I pointed out that this did not quite fulfil the

condi ions obtaining on the "orthern Railways, where I

understood two London Tirms received annual retainers

of