CO129-459 - Individuals - 1919 — Page 585

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11 The Drive,

Golder's Green;*;*41, 19

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

28th, July 1919.

570

;

sir,

Gor

With reference to your letter 55042/1919 of 14th June I have

the honour to inform you that Mr. Bowley, of Messrs Dennys and

Bowley the Promoter's solicitors in Hong Kong, has arrived in

England bringing with him Colonial Government letter 1988/1913

dated 11th June 1919. From this and my conversation with Mr,

Bowley, it would appear that the only thing which is preventing

the scheme proceeding is that the National Electric Construction Co.

"cannot be regarded as satisfying the requirements of the Government"

This is the first intimation the Promoters have received that

there was any question of this kind, though the letter of the

Company, forwarded for consideration, was dated June 1918.

It will be obvious that the suitability of the Company for

handling this scheme, and carrying out the contract for the tramway,

is not less important to the Promoters than to the Government and

before putting the proposals before the Company originally they

satisfied themselves on this point. In view of the Hong Kong

Government's letter a long conference was held with the Company

today and the original opinion as to their ability to finance and

carry out the scheme to the satisfaction of the Government, was

It would therefore appear that the Hong Kong Govt:

has been misinformed, or is under some misapprehension, and it is

essential to get the whole matter cleared up satisfactorily without

delay. I should therefore be much obliged if you would kindly

inform me exactly in what way the Company is considered unsuitable

confirmed.

by

E