2
I asked the President if it was true that the Company had decided to build a branch line to Sanui, and, if so, if this was not contrary to the Interprovincial Construction Rules promulgated by the Government.
Sir Chentung replied that a Resolution in favour of constructing the line referred to had been passed unanimously at the recent meeting of shareholders, that the Board of Communications had been petitioned on the subject, and that he personally thought permission would be given in view of the fact that the Company were making good progress with the main line, and that the construction of this small branch would not interfere with or retard in any way the completion of the main undertaking.
The proposed route of the new line is from Fatshan via Shekwan, Chanchun, Tailiung, and Kongmun to Sanui, roughly about 50 miles due south of Fatshan and a few miles west of Macao.
The line presents no serious difficulties of construction, and will run through an exceptionally rich and prosperous country.
Asked if such a line would not clash with the proposed Macao-Canton Railway, for which I understood the Portuguese held a Concession, the President said it undoubtedly would, but, as far as he knew, the Portuguese Concession had never been granted, and, he added, was never likely to be. The line would virtually be an extension of the Canton-Samshui Railway, over which the Company hoped eventually to obtain sole control by buying out the interests of Hunan and Hupeh.
Sir Chentung informed me that he was not at all satisfied with the way the Company's accounts were being kept, and said he was seriously thinking of engaging a foreign auditor, who would exercise a general supervision over the Railway's expenditure and income.
I suggested that a chartered accountant, similar to the one employed by the Canton-Kowloon Railway Administration, would probably meet his requirements, and at the President's request I promised to make inquiries for a suitable man.
Sir Chentung informed me that his period of mourning would expire in February next, when, at the express request of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, he would resign his position in the Railway Company and re-enter official life.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
H. H. FOX.
Page 474
DOMESTIC.
C O
33035
9 08
No.
No. 33035
(Subject.)
Affairs of China
Sends
China Railways
prints of further conf. corresp.
(Minutes.)
Past duplicates with off
32381 & attributable
Previous Paper: 32387
Subsequent Paper: 10
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2
I asked the President if it was true that the Company had decided to build a branch line to Sanui, and, if so, if this was not contrary to the Interprovincial Construction Rules promulgated by the Government.
Sir Chentung replied that a Resolution in favour of constructing the line referred to had been passed unanimously at the recent meeting of shareholders, that the Board of Communications had been petitioned on the subject, and that he personally thought permission would be given in view of the fact that the Company were making good progress with the main line, and that the construction of this small branch would not interfere with or retard in any way the completion of the main undertaking.
The proposed route of the new line is from Fatshan via Shekwan, Chanchun, Tailiung, and Kongmun to Sanui, roughly about 50 miles due south of Fatshan and a few miles west of Macao.
The line presents no serious difficulties of construction, and will run through an exceptionally rich and prosperous country.
Asked if such a line would not clash with the proposed Macao-Canton Railway, for which I understood the Portuguese held a Concession, the President said it undoubtedly would, but, as far as he knew, the Portuguese Concession had never been granted, and, he added, was never likely to be. The line would virtually be an extension of the Canton-Samshui Railway, over which the Company hoped eventually to obtain sole control by buying out the interests of Hunan and Hupeh.
Sir Chentung informed me that he was not at all satisfied with the way the Company's accounts were being kept, and said he was seriously thinking of engaging a foreign auditor, who would exercise a general supervision over the Railway's expenditure and income.
I suggested that a chartered accountant, similar to the one employed by the Canton-Kowloon Railway Administration, would probably meet his requirements, and at the President's request I promised to make inquiries for a suitable man.
Sir Chentung informed me that his period of mourning would expire in February next, when, at the express request of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, he would resign his position in the Railway Company and re-enter official life.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
H. H. FOX.
Fer er ludividual.
weign
1908
Sept
previous Paper.
Ponits to Gov. See 9 Sep 1 32387
2006-11-7.
& Lt1-340-
256-11-07
subsequent Paper.
10.
HONG KONG
474
DOMESTIC.
C O
33035
9 08
No.
No. 3 3 0 35
¡R=C2
(Subject.)
Affairs of China
Sends
China Railways
prints of further conf. corresp.
SR>
(Minutes.)
Past duplicates with off
32381 & attirebate
Pea
919
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