312
2246
X
2250
1
( 180 )
By Mr. Thurburn.-The one below, it seems to me, would be a valuable one because even although it does not actually hold as much as Taitam, there is a stream, even at this time of the year, and there is always one running, be the weather ever so dry for ever so long.
A—I suggested that it should be put well into the valley so as to get a still larger gathering-ground.
By Mr. Master. Having regard to this, do you think any steps could be taken with regard to the flushing of drains by sea-water?
A-I think the time is at hand when sea-water will have to be used for the flush- ing of drains. The drains are working well just now. One of the principal sources of obstruction are the Banyan trees. One of the inspectors came to me this morn- ing with a root that long-(two feet). One of these banyan trees had pushed through the drain. If there is the slightest moisture they will grow. I know myself that else- where I have had to take out the drain and put in iron pipes very frequently.
By the Chairman.-But even with the long drought we have had, do you find the drains satisfactory?
A-I think they seem to be fairly satisfactory. There doesn't seem to be more inconvenience than has come to my notice at other times.
Q--But still you think it will be necessary to consider the necessity of flushing with sea-water ?
A-I don't think it is necessary just now, but it will have to be kept in view. That is, if the population is to increase on account of the reclamation at the east end, it will have to be considered.
By Mr. Thurburn.-Do you think the separate system has been a success ? There has been a good deal said against it in the newspapers and elsewhere.
A-I will say this that if called upon I would do the same again. It was always attributed to Mr. COOPER that he was the cause of the separate drainage system. Mr. COOPER certainly made a design but I sanctioned it and I am responsible. I saw it in the papers that Mr. COOPER introduced it. He made the first scheme and I am quite responsible for its introduction, but I would not hesitate to do it again on the same principle.
By Mr. Shewan. -I always understood you introduced the separate system but Mr. COOPER did not carry it out fully-did not introduce the flushing properly which was part of your scheme. I understand that it is part of the scheme-the most important part that you must flush them ?
A--I believe there is an abundance of flushing tanks. I have seen a list of them.
By the Chairman.-It is very interesting to have Mr. CHADWICK's views, but this is outside our enquiry. We shall have the benefit of his views on that matter in a report with which he will furnish Government.
Witness.-I introduced it elsewhere, in Kingston in Jamaica, which is another tropical place. I have no reason to regret having introduced it there, and I think the Governor will also say the same thing. He was there while it was constructed and after it was opened; in fact, he opened the works.
By Colonel Brown.-I might ask you, if the collecting area was limited, would the population of the Island be also limited ?
A-I think so. What I have always urged in this place is that the water-supply is necessarily limited. We have no glaciers, or nountains or lakes to fall back upon and therefore care must be taken. The area of Hongkong is small and the number of places is limited.