CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 25

that the indent reached us

on

the 16th July 1909. The

24

3.

Colonial Secretary states that work on the building for

which the steelwork was required ceased at the end of Oct-

ober, presumably because of the non-arrival of the steel-

work. It would appear therefore that the arrangements made

by the Colonial Government were such that the steelwork ought

to have been delivered before the end of October. To effect

this it should have been shipped from England near the end

of August; that is to say little more than six weeks were

available for the preparation of drawings and specifications,

invitation of tenders, construction of the steelwork, inspec-

tion, and delivery on board ship. In no circumstances would

this have been practicable. The Secretary of State will pro-

bably concur therefore in our opinion that a part at all events

of the difficulties of the Hong Kong Goverment were due to the

indent having been forwarded much too late.

5. I enclose for the inspection of the Secretary of State

the original indent. You will see that it contains no intima-

tion of special urgency. The covering letter is equally

silent. The words inserted, "at the earliest possible date"

are an ordinary phrase, commonly used by Colonial Governments in their indents, and would not be held to justify the special

and perhaps expensive steps which are possible when great speed

is essential. The first intimation of urgency which we re-

ceived was the Colony's telegram in November, after which not a

moment was lost.

Є.

It will be noticed that the printed form provides

blank for the insertion of "Date by which shipment should be

"made (if a particular date is necessary for special reasons)".

That