Le Rendezvous to Commissioner of Public Works. Shanghai, October 13, 1939. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-14-3263 (0639). 

We beg to bring to your Honourable attention that we are the tenants of the houses Nos. 948, 950, 952 Bubbling Well Road, these houses are owned by the Real Estates Agencies at 233 Nanking Road Room 307, Mr. Specular is the Manager. 

As you can see from your files that the construction of these houses are very cheaply built, they are practically bungalows. 

Now the Real Estate Agencies has allowed a certain third pary to build very huge advertising boards upon the roofs of these houses, so we jointly beg your Honor to send you man to our address to inspect the existing condition as we mentioned above, so that you will see that it is centeralny endangering not only the safety of the tenants in the houses but also the general public. 

On the 5th of October 1939 at about 1 P.M. when the workmen were erecting big wooden poles for the advertising structure, they had broken the ceiling of the house 952 right through where is a Chinese restaurant and several persons were dining in there, so a considerable damage was caused which had already refered to the Real Estate Agencies for compensation. Just this point, Sir, it is a very good proof that these houses are not strong enough to held such big advertising boards, and what will happen if the winds blow a bit harder? 

As the houses are very cheaply constructed so the roof leaks very badly when rains. Now what is going to become of the houses after such huge things are buildt upon them? All tiles are broken. Hope this will meet with your honorable consideration. 

[p.2/2] May we humbly request you to make an order to the Real Estate Agencies that the advertising stands on the roof to be removed immediately.

[PWD Report]: CL 2851. Refers to Gen. Perm. 900. Work not carried out, permit expired, applicant withdraws his complaint on a visit of Insp. Lin.