CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 71

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

8

Hukuang Railways Loan, 5,500,000l. at 5 per cent., twenty-five years.

SCHEDULE of Payments of Interest and Repayments of Principal.

Years.

Interest.

Principal.

Total Principal Repaid.

Principal still Outstanding.

3

£

£

£

137,500

1

137,500

137.500

2

137,500

137,500

3

137,500

137,500

4

137,500

187,500

5

137.500

187,500

6

137,500

137,500

7

187,500

8

187,500

137,500

137,500

9

137,500

137,500

10

137,500

137,500

183,800

11

366,600

187,500

183,300

128.335

12

188,800

783,200

128,335

188,300

119,170

18

188,300

129,170

183,300

1,099,800

5,133,400

4,760,800

4,400,200

14

110,005

183,300

110,005

183,300

1,466,400

4,033,600

15

100,840

183,300

100,840

183.300

1,883,000

3,667,000

91,675

16

188,300

91,675

188,300

2,199,600

3,300,100

82,510

17

183,800

2,566,200

82,510

183,300

2,933,800

18

73,845

183,300

73.345

183.800

2,932,800

2,567,200

19

64,180

183,300

04,180

3,299,400

2,200,600

183.300

20

35,015

183,300

55,015

183.300

3,666,000

1,884,000

21

45,850

183.300

45,850

183,800

4,032,600

1,407,400

22

36,885

183.300

36,685

183,300

4,399,200

1,100,800

27,520

183,300

23

27,520

183,300

4,765,800

18,355

24

183,800

18.355

183.300

9,190

25

9,190

183,300 184,800

5,182,400

5,500,000

784,200

367,600

2 2 2 2 A

9

If the output of the Han Yang iron-works proves really insufficient for requirements, more can in that case be purchased from the countries of the contracting banks and other countries, in order to obviate delay. If on the other hand the output of the Han Yang iron-works is sufficient, more rails can be purchased from them, All purchases will still be executed in the manner laid down by article 18 of the agreement.

Further, as regards engineers and other technical employes on the various sections, it shall be within the discretion of the director-general to appoint either Chinese or Europeans, or, on account of their familiarity with the survey of the line, he may take into consideration the appointment of Japanese, provided always that such persons are suitable through possessing some knowledge of the language of the engineer-in-chief.

Again, since this loan is raised by the Chinese Government with the object of furnishing the necessary capital for constructing Government railways, the chief and branch bureaux established by the two provinces shall be entirely under the control of officers deputed by the director-general; and if amongst these officers it is found necessary to employ gentry they shall act as deputies in all respects under the orders of the director-general.

Article 14 of the present agreement stipulates that two days prior to the issue of a requisition upon the loan funds, the managing director of the railway or his repre- sentative shall in addition thereto issue statements in duplicate clearly setting forth the objects of such requisition one copy of which shall be handed to the bank and one to the auditor. The intention of this stipulation is that the managing director and the auditor shall each fulfil his responsibilities within his own province, and further that the auditor shall be enabled to discharge to the full his duties as auditor.

If the auditor is of opinion that in any requisition there are disbursements which should not be made, he shall be entitled on the one hand to apply to the managing director for specific information and to discuss the matter with him, and at the same time give notice to the bank temporarily to suspend the issue of such funds. As soon as he shall have satisfied himself by enquiry that the payments are actually such as are permissible under the terms of the agreement, he must at once notify the bank that they are to issue such funds accordingly. He shall not intentionally delay or obstruct matters to the hindering of important work, and it shall be imperative upon the auditor to act in all respects in conformity with the conditions of the present agreement which be must neither infringe nor pervert.

A further point to be noted is that the Chinese officials acting in this business are in no way entitled to any commissions whatsoever, and the banks shall not privately offer them gratuities. If it should be discovered that private offers of gratuities have been made, the banks will be held liable to a heavy monetary penalty.

Again, whereas the details of existing practice on the northern section of the Tien-tsin-Pak'ou line have been found to be satisfactory, and have been submitted to the director-general and approved by him, they may be adopted as far as possible, and a copy of the memorandum in ten articles which has been drawn up by that administra- tion shall be appended to this letter.

The foregoing particulars have been expressly and explicitly referred to and set down in this letter because they are not dealt with in sufficient detail in the agreement itself, and they are to be loyally observed by each party. Copies of this letter are hereby made in quadruplicate, one to be held by each party.

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

Subsidiary Arrangement respecting Article 18 of Agreement.

BY article 18 of the agreement it is provided that at rates and qualities equal to those of German, English, French or other foreign materials, preference shall be given to Chinese materials and goods already manufactured in China, in order that Chinese industries may be encouraged.

Now the most widely used railway materials are sleepers and rails. China produces much timber, and therefore Chinese sleepers should be purchased if of suitable quality.

As regards rails, it is agreed that one half shall be purchased from the countries of the contracting banks or from other countries and one half from the Han Yang iron-works.

Inclosure 3 in No. 1.

Memorandum respecting existing Practice on Northern Section of Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway. (Translation.)

THE original Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway Agreement was made as complete as possible, after careful deliberation, and involved no loss of China's sovereign rights. The general principles have been recorded therein, but the details of operations have not been inserted in the agreement. A general statement of the actual practice at present in force on the northern section, is set forth under the following heads :---

1. The Managing Director, subject to the control of the director-general and assistant director-general, has general authority over the affairs of the whole section, including the appointment of the Chinese and foreign staff, the regulation of salaries; dismissals, promotions, the distribution of rewards and punishments, the arrangements for carrying out engineering work of every kind, as well as the Chinese and foreign

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