CO129-419 - Individuals - 1914 — Page 187

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I have now to state that, I deemed it advisable

at that date, having regard to the delay, not to consider the conduct of Mr. Chatham. I had but one object in view to complete the building for occupation.

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I needed every assistance when the works were left in my hands to complete, but I regret to state that every obstacle was placed in my way.

Indeed, in one of H.E. the Governor's minutes re- lating to other work that I was dealing with, he even com- mented upon the unnecessary amount of work that had been done - yet such was done under the instructions of Mr. Chatham.

22.

It was my contention for many years that the Con- tractor for the work had been overpaid by Mr. Chatham, this was verified on completion of the final accounts by the fact that, a sum of $ 15.854.58 represented overpayment a to the Contractor, out of which the Government only held security to the amount of $ 2.500.00, which had been de- posited by Mr. Chan a Tong when he signed the contracts, thus leaving a sum of $ 8.354.58 of Public funds to be accounted for.

I submit that the following loss of Public funds has resulted in carrying out the work:-

Overpayments to contractor as

referred to above.

$

C.

8,354.58

?

Loss of interest on invested

capital, say $ 1.440.000.00. This sum even at 3% repre-

sents a loss of $ 48.200.00

per annum, say the average of

the above amount for a period

of three years.

129,600.00

Continued 137,954.58