HONGKONG.
No. 1904
TYTAM TUK WATERWORKS SCHEME FOR CITY AND HILL DISTRICT SUPPLY.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.
[No. 483.]
(Governor to Secretary of State for the Colonies.)
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 22nd October, 1903.
SIR,With reference to Sir WILLIAM GASCOIGNE'S despatch No. 165 of the 28th of April, 1902, in which an indent was forwarded for a set of pumping engines to be used in connection with the Water-works recommended by Mr. CHADWICK in his report of the 18th of April, 1902, which was forwarded to Mr. CHAMBERLAIN in Sir War. GASCOIGNE'S despatch No. 199 of the 13th May 1902, I have now the honour to transmit for your consideration the enclosed copy of a report from the Director of Public Works, supplemented by a letter enclosed under flying seal addressed to Mr. CHADWICK, in which Mr. CHATHAM Owing to the neces sity of carrying out additional trial works before the site of the dam of the proposed low level reservoir can be decided upon, proposes to proceed at once to the cons- truction of a dam at the site No. 4 referred to in Mr. COOPER's report of the 9th May 1896, and in the 6th para of Mr. CHADWICK's report of the 18th April 1902,
2. If this is approved it will mean that the reservoir at No. 4 site will be constructed before the reservoir on the low level. Mr. CHATHAM is satisfied that there is sufficient gathering ground in the locality which can be used directly or by means of extensive catchwaters to enable both reservoirs to be filled in a season of average rainfall.
3. That the valley and its adjuncts must with the growth of the Colony be used to the fullest possible extent goes without saying. No extra expense, beyond the comparatively trifling item incurred on the suction main referred to in the 18th para. of Mr. CHATHAM's report, will therefore be ultimately incurred.
4. In the meantime the reason for utilising first the No. 4 site is that, owing to the difficulties experienced as the low level site, it is evident that no water can be gathered there for pumping purposes until the lapse of probably three years from the present date, whereas if the dam at No. 4 site be at once proceeded with, pump- ing by means of the engines ordered from home can be comnienced, it is anticipated, during the dry season 1904-1905.
5. It is necessary here to explain that the pumping plant referred to in para. 6 of Mr. CHATHAM's report is a purely temporary arrangement devised by Mr. CHATHAM to pump the dry weather flow of the streams into the Tytam con- duit. The plant was purchased locally.
6. The necessity for increasing the water supply is very urgent and while the large low level reservoir is designed to meet future requirements, it is urgently necessary that since immediate advantage cannot be taken of such a reservoir, measures be adopted to provide for present necessities.
I have therefore strongly to recommend that Mr. CHATHAM's proposal be approved and paid for out of the sums voted for the Tytam Tuk Scheme of which practically it forms a part.
7. I shall be glad to receive your decision in this matter by telegraph in order that full advantage may be taken of the dry season in proceeding as rapidly as possible with the work on the dam.
I have, etc.,
HENRY A. BLAKE,
Governor.