CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914 — Page 185

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All money and no work was the evident motto:

Chan a Tong's idea of a Contractor was apparently

to sign building contracts, sublet everything, devote little or no attention to the work and then expect to make large profits.

It is obvious that the Contractor's letters were plausible excuses from beginning to end, containing promises that have never been fulfilled, and which, in my opinion, he never had any intention of fulfilling.

The applications he made to Mr. Chatham should

have been refused.

For full particulars relating to the advances, I beg to refer you to my letter of the 20th July, 1911, to the Hon: Colonial Secretary of Hongkong.

20.

I pointed out in my letter to you of the 30th Jan- uary last, that the New Post Office Buildings were occupied during May 1911, one month later the then existing matters in connection with the New Law Courts reached the end; I merely cite this paragraph to shew the continual strain I was subjected to.

The Contractor having obtained all the available money then ceased work, and the works were at a standstill

for several weeks.

As late as the 16th June, 1911, the Government

of Hongkong obtained possession of the site, and the work was left with me to complete after many, many years of vexatious delay and serious public comment during such

period.