CO129-409 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [1-3] — Page 386

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accompany have. 2.

Messrs. Shewan Tomes & Co.,

Agente,

Green Island Cement Co., Ltd

Hongkong,

ARRÁBIETY

384

20th February, 1914.

CANTON.

Dear Sirs,

Referring to your letter of the 18th instant

enclosing copy of a letter addressed by Fr.Jamieson to Sir Henry

May, we regret to see that Mr.Jamieson is of opinion that the

contractors are to an extent responsible for the delay in the

settlement of the limestone question.

We can hardly agree with this, as quite recently

a contractor was in to see us and he said he can get no satis-

faction as to the tax payable from either the local Magistrate

or the Civil Covernor. When he applies to the local Magistrate

he is told that he cannot settle the tax, if any, and is re-

ferred to the Civil governor. He gees to the Civil Governor who

in turn refers him to the local "apiatrate. We do not see there-

fore how any blame can be attached to the contractors.

As to Bonding & responsible foreigner to the

limestone district, we would willingly do this if we thought

that it would avail anything. We think H.".Consul has far better means of finding out the exact position of affairs than we have, and we do not think any foreigner could obtain more information from the local Kagistrate than the contractors are able to do.

Yours faithfully,

sd.

Showan Tomes & Co.

fioneral Managers.