968
between the scheme now proposed and that contained in Mr. GIBBS's original Report of the 8th January, 1900.
(i). The dam is of masonry and cement concrete as recommended by Mr. CHADWICK, instead of an earthen bank with clay puddle
core.
(ii). The site of the dam has been altered as proposed by Mr. ORMSBY, being now located 30 feet lower in level in the bed of the valley. (iii). The height of the dam bas consequently been increased from 65 feet to 95 feet, top-water being maintained at the same level as formerly.
-
(iv). The capacity of the reservoir has likewise been increased from 120
million to 310 million gallons.
(v). The estimated available supply has been increased from 590,000 to
1,575,000 gallons per day.
3. Before comparing the original and present estimates, it is well that I should lay before you the figures showing the enormous increase in population which had occurred in Kowloon arising out of a development which had far exceeded all expectations. merely stating that the scheme is designed to supply the entire Peninsula, with the exception of a few small straggling villages, from Kowloon City on the East to Sham Shui Po on the West and will include these two populous places, which are situated in the New Territory.
4. According to the Census of 1897, the Civil land population of British Kowloon numbered 27,158, to which must be added the Military and Naval forces stationed there, numbering, say, 900, and the population of the important villages of Kowloon City and Sham Shui Po in the New Territory, as given in the Com- missioner's Report, amounting to 3,500. The floating population in the adjoining portion of the Harbour was given as 7,624, making a grand total of 39,182.
5. Taking the Census of this year, which has just been published, the cor- responding figures are found to be as follows:-
Civil population of British Kowloon,
Military and Naval Forces,
Kowloon City and Sham Shui Po,
43,644
2,950
8,092
11,558
Grand total,..
66,244
Floating population near the Kowloon shore,
or an increase of nearly 70 per cent.
6. From the foregoing statement, it will be gathered that, not only is a much larger scheme proposed than that originally contemplated, but such a scheme is absolutely necessary. The interval between the Census of 1897 and that of 1901 is about 4 years and an equal period will elapse before the proposed works have been completed. Should the same rate of increase continue, the population to be provided for in 1905, when the works will have reached completion, will be about 112,000.
Taking the very moderate allowance of 10 gallons per head per day, the daily supply required will be about 1,120,000 gallons. That is to say, the original scheme would only have given about half the supply required whilst the new scheme will have a reasonable margin to carry on with whilst further works are being constructed. That further works will have to be undertaken soon after the completion of this scheme there can be little doubt.
8. Mr. ORMSBY suggested in his Report that the dam should only be carried to a height of 80 feet in the first instance, leaving to a future date the raising of it to the full height. With the experience gained in Hongkong and the facts stated above, before me, I strongly deprecate such a course and recommend that the dam be carried to its full height forthwith.
9. There is no doubt whatever that, had the Tytam dam been originally built to its full height, Hongkong would have been spared some of the water famines from which it has suffered.