8.
9.
CONFIDENTIAL # 2 機密
But an unimpeachable sign of mounting expectation among
Walled City residents for a legal household supply is that of the 2216 families visited by CDO(KC) and Kowloon City Police Division staff in September 1973 in the course of the water survey, 1915 families (86%) asked, without any prompting, if Government would give them a metered supply.
There is also the ever present, and possibly increasing, pressure from outside the Walled City for improvements to what is generally acknowledged as a long neglected area. A number of local newspapers, in particular the China Mail, and the Sing Tao Chinese papers (i.e. the Jih Pao and Man Pao, and the Express) have shown a continuing interest in the Walled City, and frequently ask CDO(KC) for situation reports. UMELCO has shown keen interest following the visit of the Hon. Sir Y.K. KAN and Mr. Lobo in May 1973. Members of Parliament have also shown interest in the Walled City, and at least two international publications, one a Japanese publication, and the other, the London-based Sunday Times are preparing feature articles on the 'City'. The Walled City's residents' demand for a household water supply will inevitably draw support from this widespread interest in their welfare.
10.
11.
The time now seems ripe to consider whether this mounting demand for a household supply should be met. The considerations are twofold the first is one of policy, and the second, of technical feasibility.
M
Dealing with the second consideration first, the reader is referred to the following extract from the notes of the first meeting held with departmental representatives, on 25th June 1973, to discuss environmental improvements in the Walled City:
CONFIDENTIAL # 3