299
52. Byewash Reservoir, Tytam.-The formation of the site of this reservoir entails the construction of a very considerable length of dam, about 480 feet in all. The foundations for the dam turned out to be much less favourable than was ex- pected, the rock being in a very decomposed state in many parts, with open joints between the more solid masses, whilst in other places, where the rock was good, fissures occurred through which water flowed freely. It was consequently found necessary to carry the foundations to a considerably greater depth than was antici- pated and to adopt measures for filling in the joints and fissures. To effect this, holes 2 inches diameter and from 4 to 6 feet deep, were drilled in the foundations, in which wrought iron pipes were inserted to the extent of about a foot and carefully wedged and filled in round about. Liquid cement grout was then poured into the pipes, which were from 11 to 30 feet long, in order to afford pressure for forcing the cement into the fissures. The process proved satisfactory in overcoming much of the leakage through the joints.
The excavation of the foundations over a length of about 280 feet was practi- cally completed and a portion of them was filled in with cement concrete by the end of the year.
The new bungalow in connection with the reservoirs was nearly completed.
53. City and Hill District Waterworks.
(i.) Main connecting High Level Service Reservoirs.--The 6-inch wrought iron main referred to in last year's report was completed. It was found necessary to re-arrange portions of the old mains at the foot of the Peak Road with which connections were made to enable the new motor to be utilized for pumping into the high-level service- reservoirs on the Peak Road and in the upper part of Glenealy. (ii.) Service Reservoir on Mount Gough. The excavation to form the site of the reservoir was completed at the close of the year. A considerable amount of rock was met with in the course of the work.
(iii) Main to Service Reservoir on Mount Gough.—The laying of the 3- inch wrought iron main from the Bowen Road Motor to the Service Reservoir was nearly completed.
54. Kowloon Waterworks.--The assent of the Secretary of State to the large scheme referred to in last year's Report was received in January and Messrs. DENISON, RAM & GIBBS were at once instructed to proceed with the work.
(i.) Storage Reservoir.-A contract for the construction of the storage reservoir, including a caretaker's bungalow, was let to Mr. TSANG KENG in May. Fair progress had been made with the excavation of the foundations for the main dam by the end of the year as well as with the cutting of a trench of great depth into the hillsides against which the dam abuts. The rock in the bottom of the dam is of a very jointy nature intersected with veins of decomposed stuff which can be easily dug out with a pick.
Some paths in connection with the work had been cut, a face-wall at top-water mark and extending some distance below it had been built and the construction of the bungalow was in progress. (ii.) Main to Storage Reservoir.--A contract for laying about 34 miles of 12-inch cast iron main, with connections to the old intakes above Cheung Sha Wan; for constructing several new intakes ; and for taking up the temporary 4-inch main which was laid in 1900 to the old intakes, was let to Mr. WONG A CHI in April. The laying of the new main was sufficiently advanced by the be- ginning of October to admit of its being utilized in place of the 4-inch main for conveying the water from the old intakes to sup- ply Mongkoktsui and Yaumati. By the end of the year, three miles of it had been laid and two new intakes completed, whilst several others were well advanced. A watchman's bungalow at the intakes was about completed and the whole of the old main had been taken up, the pipes being cleaned and returned to the Government Store.