!
6.
;
ACA
to have all: the bridges, embankments, roadbed and other work of a
to
similar nature carried out ready to receive the engineering
can
459
equipment when it wil be obtained. An investigation showed that
we could not do better than place ourselves in the hands of these
two leading and reliable Firms.
I think it is important to state that not only the
promotors but also the Solicitors, Consulting Engineers, the Oerlikon
Co. and Messrs Blackwells have persevered with this matter under
the most adverse circunstances relying on the good faith of the
British Government. It has involved six years of hard work and
It will therefore be realised that we
considerable expenditure.
regard with consternation a communication received from Hong Kong
(copy enclosed) to the effect that His Excellency the Governor is
unable to grent the six months extension asked for by the Solicitors
and that the Agreement is rescinded and cancelled as from January
29th, 1918. Experts in England who have been consulted as to the
present position cannot find suitable language to express their
astonishment at and dissaproval of, the action of the Colonial
Government in this matter under far conditions and point out that
the enormous increase in cost, if the scheme is forced through now,
will militate against its ultimate success.
The promotors feel convinced that had His Excellency the
Governor had before bin the statement new made he would most
certainly not have sanctioned such drastic action to be taken
particularly without consulting the Home Government. Nor is it
seen what advantage will acceue to the Colony for it is certain
that no other parties could do more than has been done by those at
present interested. The Oerlikon Co. when appealed to stated there
are only two Firme in the World with the necessary experience to handle this special matter and the ether Firm, they knew, would be
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