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Letter to the Editor, from A. FINDLAY SMITH, Owner, Peak Hotel

The China Mail - No. 9014 - April 4, 1892

Sir,

As my name has been mentioned publicly in the report of the annual meeting of the Austin Arms Hotel Co., Ltd., which appeared in your columns on the 2nd inst., I trust you will do me the favour of permitting me to prevent any further misconception of my acts and motives in connection with this company, by stating the following facts.

Having been asked by a neighbour to join the Board of the newly-formed Austin Arms Hotel Co., Ltd., [China Mail, 28 Sep 1888] I at first refused, but consented on his pressing me, as I told him at the time, 'for the sake of good neighbour ship,' and as I did not wish to be unfriendly to a rival hotel. The Peak Hotel had then been running six months or more, and the gentleman who asked me to become a director of the new undertaking knew what I naturally did not keep a secret, that I intended disposing of it to a Company, but in the plans I drew, it was only intended to enlarge the existing building, by adding first 10, and afterwards 20 bedrooms, and the usual public rooms. My modest design might have escaped the jealousy of what afterwards turned out to be a very powerful rival, but they were not adhered to by the Company who bought my property.

I am not responsible for any of the other directors joining the board of the Austin Arms Hotel Co.

I attended a preliminary full meeting of the board of the Austin Arms Co., the vendor being present, at which the proposal to take over the two lots of land was voted for; and also a second meeting at which, as far as my recollection serves me most of the shares were subscribed for. It then became evident that some of the members favoured doing things on a scale which would involve an expenditure of money much greater than the capital, a course I did not think commendable. I then retired and shortly after left for Europe to join my family.

Mr. Nowrejee seemed to be pretty much of my opinion in regard to expenditure, and also retired. I excercised my own judgment in selling the 20 (?) shares I held, and the best price I could obtain,

Yours truly,

A. FINDLAY SMITH