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Q-Are you satisfied that the engines are satisfactory now?
A-No, they are not. We are kept so busy pumping to the Peak that I would like to have an overhaul of the engines now-some time this week.
Q-Have you have an opportunity now?
A—Yes, I have an opportunity of taking one half at a time.
Q-Are the Kowloon engines satisfactory? You were in charge of them for many years ?
A-Yes, I erected them and was in charge of them till October last year. Q-Were they then satisfactory?
A-Yes.
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Q-Who is in charge of them now?
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A-Mr. KYNOCH,
Q-Speaking from your experience have you any improvement to suggest?
A-I should say we ought to get a bigger and more satisfactory pump for the Peak. It is not big enough for the consumption there.
Q-I suppose the consumption has increased very much?
A-Yes, it has increased greatly. A large proportion of the Regiment is up there and they cause a considerable consumption and several new houses have been erected.
Q-You have heard of numerous complaints that have been made, especially with. in the last month on account of the intermittent supply. Is there any way of getting over the various difficulties that have arisen ?
A-I have been up at the Peak at six o'clock in the morning. I am trying my best to meet it and they were getting on all right, until the other day a complaint came in from Summer House, down at Mount Kellett. I was told there was no water there and I went down to see what was the matter. I ordered the water on for three- quarters of an hour to the lower house and three quarters to the higher and that is working all right now.
Q-No trouble?
A-None, so far as I am aware.
Q-The experience is somewhat novel this year and the difficulties greater?
A-Yes.
Q. -Things are working smoothly now. There were complaints also about Mor- rison Hill?
A-Yes. The first was on account of the big draw off at Wanchai, so we lessened the taps drawing off. It could not get up to Mr. MASTER'S place. Since then we are getting a valve shut so as to allow Mr. MASTER to get a supply. I have been informed that there is again no water but that is owing to the Sanitary Department. They are using a great deal of water for disinfecting Chinese houses. That is probably what is keeping it from Mr. MASTER'S house.
Q-You have taken an interest, Mr. Ross, in the general question of the water supply of Hongkong?
A-I have.
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Q-What, in your opinion, would be the best thing to do in order to provide against these droughts we suffer from?
A-It is a difficult thing to say.
Get more storage.
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