CO129-386 - Public Offices & Others - 1911 — Page 386

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Sir,

.384

The Eastern Extension Australasia & China O

Telegraph Company, Limited. 37141 Electra House Finsbury Pavement. London, E.C.

17th November 1911.

Referring to our recent interviews with

Mr Fiddes respecting the Kowloon Telegraph question, I now, as arranged, have the honour to submit the following historical statement of the case, together with the views of my Board of Directors thereon, in order that the Colonial Office may make a further communication to the Hongkong Government on the subject.

As you are aware, the Agreements made, with the approval of the British and Chinese Governments, between the Chinese Telegraph Administration and my Company in 1883-4, provided for the Administration being granted the requisite facilities for connecting their Canton Landline with Hongkong, and working it in that city, in return for the Company receiving landing and working facilities in China (Shanghai). The former facilities were to consist of two land wires through the British territory of Kowloon, connected with two cables across the Strait, joined on to two land wires in Hongkong. At the place of junction of the Administration's and the Company's land wires near Samsuipoo, a brick house was to be built by the Company provided with a table on which

The Under-Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

(the

Downing Street,

S.W.

i