Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 475

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COUNCIL CHAMBER,

SIR,

HONGKONG, January 4th, 1884.

The Commission appointed to enquire into certain charges of corruption which have recently been

publicly made against Officers of the Public Works Department consider it desirable to invite all persons

who can supply any evidence or information on the subject matter of this enquiry, to do so. The Commis-

sion will be specially glad of your co-operation and trust you will attend before them.

The Commission propose to take evidence privately, this being in their opinion the best mode of

eliciting the truth. Any information or evidence that you may be able to furnish will, therefore, if you

desire it, be treated as of a strictly confidential character.

The Commission will be glad if you can make it convenient to meet them at the Council Chamber on

Saturday, the 5th instant, at 2.45 P.M., or at any one of their following sittings as you may arrange with me.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

R. FRASER-SMITH, Esq.

Similar letter to

S. M. FRASER-SMITH, Esq,

SIR,

ARTHUR KENNEDY TRAVERS, Secretary.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

HONGKONG, January 8th, 1884,

In reply to your letter of the 4th instant, I beg to state that I cannot attend any meeting of the

Commission of Enquiry as it is at present constituted, being of opinion, for many reasons, that two members

of the Commission are very much in the wrong place.

ARTHUR K. TRAVERS, Esq.,

Secretary.

SIR,

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

STUART M. FRASER-SMITH.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

Hor GKONG, 9th January, 1884.

After giving your letter of the 4th instant careful consideration, I regret that I cannot see my way to give any evidence before the Commission as at present constituted.

As Mr. LISTER and Mr. BULKELEY JOHNSON have already publicly expressed their confidence in the

Public Works Department, it is impossible they can be regarded either as independent or impartial in a

public inquiry which ought to be beyond suspicion.

ARTHUR K. TRAVERS, Esq.,

Secretary.

Public Works Commission of Enquiry.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

R. FRASER-SMITH, Editor.