CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 735

Copy.

733

Enclosure in Sir M. Findlay's No. 2631 Commercial, 29-11-16.

Copy of letter from

Messrs Hans Kiaer & Co.

to

Sir M. de C. Findlay,

dated ovember 25th, 1916.

I

Referring to our letter of 31/8, in which we stated that we had two ateamers building at ongkong, which required some plating etc. and after waiting until 21/9 we decided to get these materials etc. from America at an extra expense of 210,000 for each ship in order to get some ready, thus re- leasing plates and materials, which had already been ordered

by the builders the tongkong & Whampoa Dock Co. of ongkong

in "ngland.

Since then we are in receipt of your favour of 21st

October stating that the materials could not be supplied then

but might be available in about two months.

We have just now received the following telegram from

Hong kong: "Gover me rt states neutral new buildings granted

delivery provided chartered ritien firm half market rate,

dock and we have applied local Goverment cable to home author-

ities regarding applications recommend you support same

through Lorwegian Legation London,"

I

As we already in ours of 31/8 have stated, that we

are willing to charter to a British firm we find it very hard

to do so at half rate of freight, when we in order to get the

ships ready at all under the war, agreed to release the writin

materials plates etc. and pay extra 210,000 for each ship and we pray

therefore in consideration of the above that you will kindly

take the matter up for further consideration and grant us de-

livery of the ships without any such conditions.

Awaiting to hear from you.