CO129-356 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [4-6] — Page 493

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

Conclosure.

COPY.

479

Honourable Colonial Secretary,

The letter in which the Consulting Engineers corrected the errors was their No.72 dated 26th September, 1907, I forward you a copy of same paragraph 2.

Paragraph 3 of His Excellency's minute requires explanation as follows. It is very difficult to compare the cost of heading driving the first year with that of the second year and give comparative figures. They must be considered in a general way. Suppose two works A and "B" are being carried out and that "B" is found to cost double what "A" does but that "B" can be assumed to be four times as difficult I think it is quite justifiable to say that "B" is being carried out much cheaper. This is what is happening in the tunnel.

How much more difficult the tunnel was in 1908 over 1907 is a matter of opinion and I claim that far more value was obtained for $1 in 1908 than in 1907 taking into account the different circumstances.

Besides the natural difficulties met with as the heading got further into the hill (such as hardness of rock) there were difficulties due to length of lead and the fact that the heading material had to run the gauntlet past other works such as break-ups. To put a numerical value on these difficulties would be impossible in order to compare with costs.

His Excellency is still of opinion that I should have foretold the increase sooner and more accurately after a year's experience. I have stated in more than one minute that the material passed through in the first year was no guide as to what was passed through

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Conclosure. COPY. 479 Honourable Colonial Secretary, The letter in which the Consulting Engineers corrected the errors was their No.72 dated 26th September, 1907, I forward you a copy of same paragraph 2. Paragraph 3 of His Excellency's minute requires explanation as follows. It is very difficult to compare the cost of heading driving the first year with that of the second year and give comparative figures. They must be considered in a general way. Suppose two works A and "B" are being carried out and that "B" is found to cost double what "A" does but that "B" can be assumed to be four times as difficult I think it is quite justifiable to say that "B" is being carried out much cheaper. This is what is happening in the tunnel. How much more difficult the tunnel was in 1908 over 1907 is a matter of opinion and I claim that far more value was obtained for $1 in 1908 than in 1907 taking into account the different circumstances. Besides the natural difficulties met with as the heading got further into the hill (such as hardness of rock) there were difficulties due to length of lead and the fact that the heading material had to run the gauntlet past other works such as break-ups. To put a numerical value on these difficulties would be impossible in order to compare with costs. His Excellency is still of opinion that I should have foretold the increase sooner and more accurately after a year's experience. I have stated in more than one minute that the material passed through in the first year was no guide as to what was passed through
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1 Conclosure. COPY. 4 479 Honourable Colonial Secretary, The letter in which the Consulting Engineers corrected the errors was their No.72 dated 26th September, 1907, I forward you a copy of same paragraph 2. Paragraph 3 of His Excellency's minute requires explanation as follows. It is very difficult to compare the cost of heading driving the first year with that of the second year and give comparative figures. They must be considered in a general way. Suppose two works *A* and "B" are being carried out and that "B" is found to cost double what "A" does but that "B" can be assumed to be four times as difficult I think it is quite justififfable to say that "B" is being carried out much cheaper. This is what is happening in the tunnel. much more difficult the tunnel was in 1908 over 1907 is How a matter of opinion and I claim that far more value was obtained for $1 in 1908 than in 1907 taking into account the different circumstances. Besides the natural difficulties met with as the heading got further into the hill (such as hardness of rock) there were difficulties due to length of lead and the fact that the heading material had to run the gauntlet past other works such as break-ups. To put a numerical value on these difficulties would be impossible in order to compare with costa. His Excellency is still of opinion that I should have foretold the increase sooner and more accurately after a year's experience. I have stated in more than one minute that the material passed through in the first year was no guide as to what was passed through
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1

Conclosure.

COPY.

4

479

Honourable Colonial Secretary,

The letter in which the Consulting Engineers

corrected the errors was their No.72 dated 26th September,

1907, I forward you a copy of same paragraph 2.

Paragraph 3 of His Excellency's minute requires

explanation as follows. It is very difficult to compare

the cost of heading driving the first year with that of

the second year and give comparative figures. They must be considered in a general way. Suppose two works *A*

and "B" are being carried out and that "B" is found to

cost double what "A" does but that "B" can be assumed

to be four times as difficult I think it is quite justififfable to say that "B" is being carried out much cheaper. This is what is happening in the tunnel.

much more difficult the tunnel was in 1908 over 1907 is

How

a matter of opinion and I claim that far more value was

obtained for $1 in 1908 than in 1907 taking into account

the different circumstances.

Besides the natural difficulties met with as

the heading got further into the hill (such as hardness

of rock) there were difficulties due to length of lead

and the fact that the heading material had to run the

gauntlet past other works such as break-ups.

To put a

numerical value on these difficulties would be impossible

in order to compare with costa.

His Excellency is still of opinion that I

should have foretold the increase sooner and more

accurately after a year's experience. I have stated in

more than one minute that the material passed through

in the first year was no guide as to what was passed

through

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