Inclosure in Canton despatch No. 79 of July 23rd. 1930.
4.3
No.687/7/19,
MANAGING DIRECTOR'S OFFICE
CANTON.
12th July, 1930.
To
The Engineer-in-Chief,
Dear Mr. Stratton,
On July 3rd I have sent the following
cablegram to the Purchasing Commission:-
*I have inspected the whole track of this Railway
and found out that there are more than 100,000 sleepers should be renewed immediately. As the sleepers from Manila was delayed, we were com- pelled to enforce the speed restriction of our trains on June 27th. We are suffering from @X- tremly heavy loss due to this restriction. The Apitong aleepers cost more than HK.44.00 per piece and they have an endurance of only four years, whereas the sleepers from New South Wales can last 18 years and cost 8 shillings (about HK.$6.50). We understand that due to recent silver slump, the latter type costs more than the former, but, when endurance is counted, I am sure that you will not fail to see the great margin of difference. There- fore, I request you to order from the Bowden Co. 20,000 New South Wales sleepers, which is much better than the Taanania sleepers, We have found the said firm very dependable as we had several transactions before",
I received a telegraphic reply of
July 7th from the Furchasing Commission which reads:
*Your cablegram of July 3rd was duly received.
have wired to Bowden Co. asking for reduction of price. The sleepers weight averagely 57 lbs per aubie foot. lease prepare to meet the payment".
For this radiogram, I give the
following reply on July 6th:
"I have received your wire of July 7th and I am
puzzling over your request for preparing to meet the payment: when I was in Nanking last April with Mr. Loo of the Commission to consult with Minister, who had given the promise of making payment for us for sleepers; and we will pay to the Ministry monthly instalment of $20,000, including $10,000 for Apitong sleepers, until the total payment is made. I have notified you about this arrangemani on April 25th. The instalment beth for May and June were accordingly remitted and we received your receipt of May for same. Therefore your last telegram does not seem to agree with our former
rangement,
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