455
21. With the exception of Tsimshatsui the population is nearly exclusively Chinese, and I am of opinion an average of 10 gallons a head per diem will, with care, suffice for the requirements of the population.
22. Taking the minimum supply obtainable from the present source at 100,000 gallons per diem, we have, therefore, enough for the supply of a population of 10,000 persons.
MEANS AVAILABLE FOR INCREASING SUPPLY DURING THE DRY SEASON.
23. There can be no doubt whatever that under ordinary circumstances during the months of June, July, August and September, the yield of the drainage area No. 1 (95 acres in extent) discharging into this valley will be more than ample to meet all probable requirements of the Kowloon peninsula for some time to come.
24. In order to increase the daily quantity of water available during the dry season two courses are open, viz. :--
(a) The selection of one or more valleys and constructing works similar to those already
described.
(b) The construction of a Storage Reservoir.
25. The first of these methods was proposed by Mr. CHADWICK in his report dated May 14th, 1890. The valleys edged Blue, Green and Red and numbered 2, 3, and 4, respectively, are specially suited for such a purpose not only on account of the apparent quantity of water obtainable from them and their close proximity to the one already selected edged Brown and numbered 1, but also to the fact that the main conveying the water from valley No. 1 must run through valley No. 4 into which valleys 2 and 3 discharge, rendering the interception of the water from these valleys easy of accomplishment.
26. The entire drainage area is 322 acres. The dry weather yield of a portion, viz., valley No. 1 95 acres in extent has been found from actual experiment to be not less than 100,000 gallons per diem. The dry weather flow obtainable from valleys Nos. 2, 3 and 4 will probably not be less than 66,000, 66,000, and 106,000 gallons per diem respectively. It is, however, not improbable that the yield of valley No. 4 will be somewhat in excess of that above stated owing to its lower elevation and its closer proximity to the sea.
27. Situated within these valleys are cultivated lands held under the form of tenure known as "squatter's license," the holders being tenants at will of the Crown, and in one case in valley No. 4 land, coloured red on Plan, has been sold as a Farm Lot No. 3. It is evident that cultivation in these valleys must cease as the works extend. Though I do not anticipate that it will be necessary to utilize valley No. 4 as a collecting ground for the present, yet this valley should be carefully reserved for such a purpose and care taken that no further rights of any description be granted. So long as the water is conveyed in iron pipes laid with water-tight joints through valley No. 4 I see no reason to disturb the present cultivators in this valley.
28. The second method for increasing the dry weather supply, viz.: by the construction of one or more reservoirs and storing the water during the rainy season would be a very much more expensive means than that of carrying out works similar to those already executed in valley No. 1, and I can only recommend it on such works failing to meet future requirements. I have, however, deemed it advisable to refer to this method, as the available sources of water supply in British Kowloon are extremely limited and should a large increase in the population occur exceptional measures appear necessary for providing a public water supply.
public water supply. From the observations made of the yield of the Pokfulam drainage area I am of opinion 60 per cent. of rain falling over a catchment area in this district could be collected in a reservoir. A catchment area of 100 acres would therefore provide, if adequate impounding reservoirs were constructed, a daily supply of over 300,000 gallons, the yearly rainfall being taken at 90 inches. Suitable sites for such reservoirs exist in valleys Nos. 1 and 2. It is unnecessary for me at the present moment to go into the further details of this alternative, my object in having dealt thus far with it is to show that if the valleys numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 are reserved for water works purposes, it would appear that ample provision for the extension of the waterworks, should future occasion arise, exists in these proposed reserved areas.
QUANTITY OF WATER REQUIRED.
29. As shewn in sections 20 and 21 the requirements at the end of 1891 were not less than 132,000 gallons per diem.
30. There has, however, recently been quartered at Tsimshatsui a regiment of Indian troops numbering about 1,000 strong; and it is, I believe, intended to erect permanent barracks for the accommodation of these troops on the site known as the Whitfield Barrack site.
31. From the consumption of water at present obtaining within the Military Cantonments in the City of Victoria I am afraid a consumption of 10 gallons per head will be considerably exceeded but the strictest economy should undoubtedly be exercised in the consumption throughout the British Kowloon, and all water laid on inside private property or Imperial or Colonial Institutions measured by meter.