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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 27TH SEPTEMBER, 1890.
REPORT ON THE PROPOSED DRAINAGE OF HONGKONG. (Plates accompanying this Report are not printed.)
HONGKONG, 14th November, 1888.
SIR,—I have the honour to address you with reference to the remarks of His Excellency the Governor, at a Meeting of the Legislative Council, held on the 12th November 1888, on the proposed system of drainage for the City of Victoria.
"The Daily Press" of the 13th November reports as follows :—
The Report on the Separate Drainage System.
"The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the report on the separate system of main drainage by Mr. "COOPER and an accompanying letter from the SURVEYOR GENERAL."
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945
Governor's
Legislative
Nov., 1888.
“HIS EXCELLENCY-With reference to this report on the main drainage system, I trust the members after II. E. the "reading it will come to the conclusion I have done, that in the absence of any authoritative opinion to the Speech at the "contrary, the opinions of the gentlemen who have made the reports are very strong presumptive evidence that Council, 12th "this drainage system is necessary and desirable for the colony. There are only two officers that we know "of competent to express an opinion on this scheme. They express a strong opinion in its favour. And though "of course we may vote the money here, it does not necessarily follow the drainage system now recommended "will be carried out. I am sure in such an important matter, the subject as a whole, with all the facts and opinions expressed here, will be referred to the highest engineering authorities in England, and the result will very much depend on their verdict. I have seen opinions unfavourable to this scheme in the public press coming "from persons who claim to be able to express an opinion upon it. I don't know how far that may influence public opinion here; of course that depends on the weight of the supposed author's authority; but all I can say is that the Government cannot be influenced by it in the slightest degree unless that person, whoever he is, comes forward with his professional name and states his objections like a man. If there are any strong "objections to the scheme and any one of adequate professional anthority comes forward to state those objections, "not only will I send them to the Secretary of State, but I have not the slightest doubt they would receive due "consideration. Until that is done, whatever weight it may have with the public, it cannot be regarded by the "Government. If anybody really and honestly feels that there are these objections to the scheme, I say it is his "bounden duty as a man to come forward over his own name and sign his objections. As to the vote connected "with this, I say if the Council are of opinion it is desirable to pass it, that only means that it places the
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Secretary of State in a position to lay the matter before the highest authorities in England, and places us in a position to carry out the scheme if their opinion is favourable. I say distinctly that as far as an unprofessional 'man can form an opinion on the subject, these reports are in my opinion conclusive, and I believe hon. members "will form a stronger opinion in its favour the more carefully they read the reports."
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On reading the above speech I ventured to address you the following letter:-
HONGKONG, 14th November, 1888.
SIR,-Having read with great interest the speech of His Excellency the Governor, in which he mentions his wish to receive any suggestions relating to the proposed scheme of drainage for this City, I beg to mention, that as a professional man of ten years experience in this Colony, partly in the Government Service and partly in private practice, and taking a keen interest in the affairs of the Colony, I see some points in which my opinion differs. from that shewn forth in the plan as at present proposed.
In order to enable me to submit my ideas, I should be glad of the permission of His Excellency the Governor to be furnished with the detailed plans and estimates of the proposed scheme, on receipt of which it will be my endeavour to carefully study the same, and to the best of my ability offer such suggestions as I may think will be of use to His Excellency the Governor.
Letter from Mr. Honourable the
Leigh to the
Colonial Secretary.
The Hon. F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Colonial Secretary, &c.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
(Signed)
R. K. LEIGH, Assoc. Mem, Inst. C.E.