455
17
A very large staff would be required for examining the test-meters. The in- convenience to the consumer would be great, because the penalty for wanton waste. is to discontinue the supply for a month. It would be out of the question to provide each house with a test-meter. The system must be applied by blocks or It may happen that the waste takes place in one or two houses out of groups.
large block of tenements, in which case inmates of all the houses in 'the block would be punished, by shutting off the supply, on account of the misdeeds of a few.
meterage
mended..
49. The general introduction of meters, in connection with every house-service, Universal would, I am convinced, be far more effective and cause less inconvenience to the recom general public. The cost of the necessary stock of meters would be considerable, but it would be an interest-bearing asset, as the meter-rent would be so fixed as- to over maintenance, interest, depreciation and sinking-fund. I therefore unhesita tingly recommend the introduction of meters, in every case in which there is an interțial house-service.
The landlord might be empowered to add meter-rent and extra water charge to any existing house-rent. He might also have the option of having the service, dis- connected if he did not care for the responsibility connected with a meter. Tenants might enter into direct agreements with Government as to payment for water and of meter-rent. I may mention that the Municipal Council of Singapore have, as I am informed, decided to introduce meters generally.
Kowloon and
Districts-
water,
50. In accordance with Ordinance 19 of 1897 meters are used, in the case of Meters in all house-services in Kowloon and in the Hill District. The quantity allowed-15 in the Hill gallons per head per day-is so large, and the price,, namely, twenty-five cents per effect of 1,000 gallons, is far too small to exercise any deterrent effect. The price should be price of at least fifty cents per thousand, as recommended by a Committee of the Sanitary Board, appointed 18th April, 1890, and composed of N. J. EDE, Esquire, the late J. J. Francis, K.C., and myself. I think, moreover, that it would be well to providė. an ascending scale of charges, the details of which may be considered, when the meter principle is adopted or otherwise.
51. I have inspected the Kowloon water-works and find that they have been Kowloon carried out in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. Naturally, water is a scarce coin- water supply. modity in Kowloon, owing to the great increase of population, and small area of gathering-ground that was available, at the time these works were undertaken. It is satisfactory to note that the supply is holding out as well as could be expected, considering the drought that has hitherto prevailed during the current water-year.
this
supply.
possibility of
tory.
52. I have not yet inspected the site of the proposed Kowloon Water-works, Proposed or have I examined the plans. When I have had the opportunity of going into new Kewloon
question, any remarks that I have to make, will be submitted in a special report 53. It has been suggested that a supply of water, from the New Territory, could as to the be brought
over to Hongkong. Such is doubtless the case, but it would certainly be obtaining a a very costly work. The area of gathering-ground, on the slopes of the hills im from the mediately facing Hongkong, is not great and there do not appear to be any good New Terri- reservoir sites, at the necessary elevation, on this face. Indeed, the proposed reser- voir, about to be constructed for the supply of Kowloon, is close to the ridge-line and will derive most of its water by means of catch-water drains, from the North slopes of the hills, that is to say, on the sides furthest from Kowloon. Further North again, there appears to be another available site. This will, however, necessitate a conduit nearly 20 miles long. Then, conducting the water across the harbour, by a submerged syphon, will be difficult, though by no means impossible. It will, how- ever, certainly be costly. If a bridge or tunnel be made for general communication purposes, then the problem would be simplified.
*
to report.
Since the above was written, I have made a preliminary inspection of the site, but am not yet in a position