1941-09-09 — Page 2

PAGE 2- HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

HEIL HAWKINS !

Heil Hawkins. We met. How mcetaser your honest countenance once more,"

"Welcome home, Mr. Gerald, May I venture to observe that you appear remarkably bronzed and fu? And to that, Mr. Gerald, dr. we owe this masticon of unexpected leave?

To the fact, Hawkins, that I have been promoted. I have my stripe The men who stands before you is a real live Acting I ance-Corporal -unpaid)."

"I congratulate you warmly, Mr Gerald. Doubtless you purpose Fo celebrate the occasion in the apprai trul manner

"I do, Hawkins, and in a big way Turn out the cellar while I go in the phone and heat up a few of the lads. Let there be enough festivity te float a battleship."

"Very good, Mr. Gerald."

And Hawkins, sce that there's plenty of Ruse's Lime Juice. Can'ı isk hangovers in wartime, you koow.

Rose's for Gimlets, and

to wind up the evening. Atterr- thm to detail, Hawkins that's what makes the goud soldier." "No I donered, Mr. Gerald, when they made me Quartermaster- Sergeant m the latter half of

1917

There's nailing ariats about Rose's Ume Juice for Rose's and joy the pure juice of the

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GENERAL

PURCHASES OF PINE SLEEPERS CLOSELY QUESTIONED A.R.P. COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

AT AT THE

PURCHASES OF OREGON PINE SLEEPERS MADE BY MESSRS. MARSMAN'S HONGKONG CHINA LIMITED, BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 1940, AND JULY 19, 1941, AT PRICES FROM $2.90 TO $6.15, were closely questioned by the Commission appointed by Government to inquire into certain matters in connexion with the Air Raid Precautions Department, when Mr. W. L. Carman, Managing-Director of Messrs. Marsman's, gave evidence before the Commission yesterday afternoon.

The morning session of the public hearing was devoted to Mr. Chung Yuk, mana- ger of Sang Tai and Company, building contractors, who, in the course of his evidence, admitted that neither his firm, nor Messrs. Sang Lee, had any experience in the manu- facture of concrete blocks, nor the necessary facilities for the making of such blocks prior to tendering for the work.

The Commission comprises Mr. Justice P. E. F. Cressall (Chairman), Mr. 1. C. F. Bel-

bad were found to be in shape and so his firm cancelled the order,

Later, went on Mr Carman. he lamy and Mr. S. Hampden-thought they might be able to use Ross with Mr K. M. A. the sleepers for cutting up Barnett as Serretary.

8

into i

planks, and again decided to pur Mr G G. N Tinson appeared chase some especially when

Wing Commander A

found that the market price then H Mr Edgar was only $3,20. and Stle Perkins.

for Mr Davidson

was present

bought another 6,000 trom the Tal Lee Chan at $6.15-Yos.

In this Tai Lee Chan the same company as the Tai Lee? -I don't think so, but I am not

sure.

So is that within the space o

between they eight months.

Nov. 19 1940 to July 18. 1941. the price of sleepers had risen by $3,117. Yes.

You have, at the bottom of the

Some time after they had com

Curman personally and for Messrs munleated with Messrs. Jardine's list. a list of timber merchanta of the with whom you previously dea) they saw Mr. K. C. Lang. Marsinan's

who with I would like you to clarify National Development Co.. wanted them to purchase a large this point before I make a state-

ment. quantity of sleepers

The next sixth public hearing will be held in the Connell Cham bar al 10 30 am toda v

COST AS PLANKS

:

ONLY FOUR FIRMS

When the sitting was resumed yesterday afternoon. Mr Davidson

It the list of Limber merchants Not knowing the quality of the sand that there were noe or two points he womid like to make. Oni sleepers, Marsman's decided to bay with whom you previously deait Friday, he said. the Commission. only 2,000 at $2.90 each, a yard. with there are only four Brms--i!;

we take Tai Lee and Tal ler Chan when over ruling 118 submission and to send them down to a tim

The cost

at one you purchased timber from by the ber mill to be cut up that : question asked

on the tunnels Chairman was irrelevant, replied as planks, would then be only $1 3% since the work That "the revelance is this We as compared to $1.90 for new tim-started?-- Yes. jhove to inquire into the placing of ber.

contracts by the ARP and P.W.D. Chairman. Were you never ap and we have to make a cunpreproached by anybody direct from hensive report of our findings re the Ministry of Communications?

ording whether Government has Personally, I was not, but I do not

done

know

been overcharged for work and whether the work done has been. been ap to standard

Mr Davidsm the referred to the temos of reference and sub mitted that the question was not relevant to the inquiry and that the supe of the terms of reference did not ever the question

The Chairman replied that he did not agree with Mr. Davidson

Tut come I that the question did

generally under the standard and quality of the work,

EXTEND TIME Agreeing with the Chairman, Mr Davidson nevertheless submitted That the question did not come within the scope of the terms of reference, and the asking of num erous irrelevant questions unly! ended to extend the time taken for the inquiry

The Chairman replied thai everything in connexion with contracts placed by, or on be- half of the A.R.P. would be in- quired into, even if the inquiry was to last six months or ten

years.

others whether the

havi

Are you absolutely sure? - Yes Witness later said that he was j not quite sure as he might have sent someone to the Ministry of Communications. He was, however, sure that he had not seen anyon from the Ministry personally.

No.

Have they ever quoted to you"

The Wing Ta Chien are down

here for $105,691 31. the Ta Lee i

Chan for $114,704 81, Wong Tonk

Ke $42.086 92. Song 14m $183.

271.93. and the Kwone Hip shing

$13.175.62? Yes

If we assume that all the sleep- jers belonged to the Chinese Que

ernment then it is also correct to

tlose that

firms askume

yu bought from must have obtained! their sleepers through the Chinese Government? Yes

Are you quite sure You have never been approached by anyone from the Chinese Government?. Quite sure. As a matter of fact, we approached Jardine's and ward quoted $3.20.

to

Mr Carman. you also promised ascertain make inquiries to

Do you, or do you not know, that all the sleepers, at that time, be longed to the Ministry of Com- munications?-As I say. I am not sure. I have heard that General whether there is anything in writ

the PW.D. permitting | Chan Chal-tong had bought up all log from the sleepers for making into cases you to sub-let your contract? Yes.

Papers produced 1.

$3.20 PER SLEEPER Jardine's quoted $3.20 per sleeper. Why did you not buy from them?... I did not buy because the quality was unusable.

Would it be correct to say that when eventually you did decide to buy you paid more than Jardine's price?—No, I paid $2.90.

Pressed on this point, witness said that he bought the first lot at $2.90 and the last lot at $6.13 each as the demand for sleepers a: the time was such that the price WIL. was considerably increased,

Addressing MT Carmar.

the

asked: At Chairman

Jast the hearing vou promised to supply us with particulars of your purchases 1 timber Have you got the docu- ment here? Yes.

After looking over the docu-ness agreed that had his firm bought from Jardine's he would not ments, the Chairman asked if one

of them was a list of timber pur- have paid such a lot for the sleepers, but went on to explain chased up to Aug 15 last Mr. Carman's reply was in the affirma- that at that time he did not know how long the work was going to of last as the original agreement was

only for 9,000 feet of tunnels for i

tive.

Chairman. From the start the job?--Yes

Can you tell me what kind of $450,000 timber you have purchased?...- Various kinds.

Do you ever purchase Oregon A very small amount.

nine?

How much-Sandakan hard

Chairman. What was Mr. Llang's price to you 7----$2.00.

And you did not buy from him? We bought from Tai Lee.

SUB-LET PART

This is a list of your sub-con

Have you got anything tractors

in writing about permitting you to sub lei part of this job? I have a letter signed by Mr Campbell (Produced).

This is a Works Order made to Wong Shi-kee op Nov. 20, 1940, w carry on some work, and signed by Marsman's and countersigned by Is that what you! Mr. Campbell. cali an authority to sub-let?- Sometimes we call for tenders.

Witness was further ques tioned on the matter of sub-tet and, on his producing a docu- ment in connexion with a ten- der called for by Marsman's, was asked by the Chairmau whether it was correct that the bigher tender was accept- ed. In this case.

said the Chairman, Lee Tal quoted $20.50 per cubic foot against the Wing Co.'s $24. The con- tract was awarded to the at-

ter.

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The Chairman: When were you Do you know that the Concrete; Products was refused a contract to put on what is known as the ma- make concrete blocks for the AR.P. for works list by the PW.D,? Was by Capt Hobbs?--I didn't know. it in 19357-Yes.

I mean minor works. I don't

What was mean major works,

What was the first contract you Does it not appear strange to that one P.W.D. engineer You

in 19357-I don't remember got now but I think we had a contract should give them a contract for work on a tunnel, while another with the Government before 1935.

them j P.W.D. engineer refused

do not think it contract?--I strange at all.

You have seen the type of blocks that contract you got before 1935? -Works such as the making of used? Yes.

at Shing Mut Reservoir. And that should be one of the roads

built the filter bed at specialised work of the Concrete We also

Shek Lau Pul. Produets, Ltd.?-Yes.

At any rate in 1935 did you not get a contract for the building of servants' quarters at Queen Mary Hospital worth $95,000?-Yes.

con-

Does it not appear strange to you that one P.W.D. engl- neer, Mr. Campbell, should give the Concrete Products a tract for specialised work on a tunnel, while another P.W.D. engineer refused them a con- tract on another specialised work,

when they especially quoted a lower price?--Yes, at a lower price. The Chairman

then

In the same year you also got a contract for the building of Chi- nese and Indian staf quarters at Stanley Prison valued at $227,500? -Yes.

Regarding concrete arches made Why did you not buy from the by the Concrete Products, Ltd., Development Co.7-We witness agreed that the purchase wood first and Oregon pine second. National

Where is the quantity shown?-gave them the order but as it was prices were, for Hongkong, $3.20 The quantity of Oregon pine? I too small for them to handle it for the first lot, $3.10 for the am sorry I have not got it down. they turned it over to Tai Lee. second, and $3 for subsequent lots,

After that what was the next Have you got a list of Oregon When the bill was presented by whilst for Kowloon, the prices were pine purchased?--Yes.

Tai Lee, we refused it but were $3.30, $3.20 and $3.10. respectively.

contract you got?-Building a Po Jice Station at Takuling. And when you say hard wood told by the National Development The total purchase was $114,000.

Asked who the Concrete Products

informed you mean Sandakan harg wood? Co. that our order had been hand-

What year was that?-After we were, Mr. Carman said that they Sanakan hard wood and Australianed over to the Tai Lee. hard wond.

On Dec. 24. 1940, you bought from were specialists in concrete pro-Mr. Carman that, as there were had completed the work at Stan- Pang Chik-fan at $3.36. Have you duets. Because of Marsman's large still some more questions the Com-ley Prison.

What

was the value of that $90,000 and With reference to the prices any idea from whom he bought the holdings in that firm, they were mission would like to put to him,

appointed General Managers with it was proposed that they should contract?-Between Mr. Henry Graye as the manager. adjourn until 10.30 a.m. today. The $40,000, here: the price of Oregon pine is sleepers?-NG,

After that, did you get any for a board-foot, and for, Sandakan

Mr. Carman said that no tenders Commission hopes, said the Chair- hard wood per cuble foot?—Yes. On Feb. 11. 1941, you bought 3,500 were called for the supply of con-man, to complete the taking of more contracts?The next con- What do you mean by price ex from Kwong Hip-shing at $3.90.crete arches as there was no other witness' evidence during the mom-tract bad something to do with (Witness firm in the Colony expable of ing session. yard per piece?'-Mr. Carman ex-I do not know the firm. plained that the original design of went on to explain that there were manufacturing these arches.

the of brokers for the tunnela 'was ' x 6'.

'a number There were then a lot of sleepers sleepers through In the Colony and 'Marsman's de- brokers.)

THE PRICES

NUMBER OF BROKERS

MORNING'S SESSION

[the playground at Queen Mary

of

Hospital. That contract was worth about $2,000.

Chairman.Who instructed you Mr. Chung Yuk manager

Don't worry about amal con- one of the to give the contract for concrete sang Tui & Co.. building con-

arched to the Concrete Products, tracters, was the first witness tracts. I am talking of big con- tracts I cannot think of amy called yesterday morning. elded to buy 2,000 places. They On Mar. 20, you bought from the Ltd.?-Mr. Campbell.

Did you have anything in writ-

In reply to the Chairman, Mr. others. looked at those alcepore in storage Kin Leo frm 6,000 at $5.202-

Chung said that his firm was

CONTRACTS IN 1940 and, when Mr. Stockes arrived at The Kin Les are contractors to the ing?--I will try to find out.

And how long has the contract formed about 11 years ago and, Would it be correct to say that Hongkong, he made EL careful P W. D. for work in Kowloon. I

have no idea where they got the with Concrete Products lasted? besides himself, there were nine aince you completed the work at examination of those found,

partners whose MEN were N Stanley you get no contract from aleepers nor the price they paid for Bince last March,

Wong-sht (woman), Ng Hang-nin, Government until you made con- them. The deal was arranged by

Ng Suk-gulu, Oran Choy hing.crete blocks?--In 1940 we did some Mr. Campbell.

sing Tuk-ching, Luk Whe. Chung work in connexion with No. 7 Tun. Tok Fang-chi and Cheng Police Station to the extent of

Of these partners. only $20,000. Do I understand that it wie Wan.

Was that before or after you' really Mr. Campbell who approved Chung Tam, Luk Whig and him On July 18, you bought 4,000 from the contract with Concrete Pro self wore in Hongkong, the others started making concrete blocks? the Tal Les Chan. The price was ducts, Ltd. for the making of being in the country or elsewhere. Before

All three partners hore archon for the A.R.P. tunnels?

Cont'd Page 5, Col. | $0.15.-—Yos,

working in the firm. The following day, July 19, you Yes.

They learned that, while the Bloopers were the property of the Chinese Ministry of Com- munications, Messrs. Jardins, Matheson's

the were

sole agents. On approaching that firm, they were told that the price was $3,20 each ex-yard, which prion was accepted. But, examining those they were up- poned to purchase the sleepers

On May 15, you bought another 11,000 pieces at $0.20, Was this also arranged by Mr. Campbell?~~- Yes.

STILL IN PORCE

Is it still in toren? Yes. And how much lo there at

to

be done?-I cannot say off-hand.

ATD