547
The Worthington Engine at Bonham Road Pumping Station, which was installed in 1891 and had since been used for maintaining the supply to the Hill District, was entirely dismantled and underwent thorough repairs and renovation in the P.W.D. Workshop. It was in course of re-erection at the close of the year and will in future be maintained as a reserve in case of the new engine requiring to undergo any considerable repairs.
All the motors were kept in a good state of repair. The introduction of the system of supply by Rider Mains in the western portion of the City restricted the use of the one at Bonham Road Pumping Station during the latter part of the year.
The number of meters in use at the end of the year was 782 in the City and 156 in the Hill District, or a total of 938, as compared with $15 and 151 in 1904, or a total of 966. The decrease in the number of ineters in the City is due to the application of the Rider Main system, to which all premises are connected unless it is ascertained that their consumption exceeds 450 gallons per day.
The quantity of water supplied by meter was :—
Gallons.
Filtered-Trade,
.131,013,000
Domestic (City),...
.101,489,000
(Hill District),
12,782,000
Unfiltered,..
10,800,000
Total,
.256,084,000
This shows an increase of 33,875,000 gallons in the quantity of water supplied by
meter over 1904.
New services were constructed, old ones altered and improved and others inspected and connected to the mains to the number of 812, whilst 46 supplies for building purposes were laid on.
The number of inspections of house services was about 4,000. Advantage was taken of the issue of notices with regard to the Rider Main system to call attention to defects in services, so dispensing with the issue of special notices for the latter.
Water from the nullahs was made available for street watering at 10 points throughout the City, thus, to a great extent, obviating the use of salt water, which has been found to affect the roads injuriously.
37. Maintenance of Water-works, Kowloon.-Pending the completion of the tunnels in connection with the new works and the laying of the main through them, it was not possible to render available any further sources of supply. The water from the Cheung Sha Wan Intakes was distributed to Mongkoktsui and Yaumati and the pumped supply obtained from Wells Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in the Kowloon Valleys to the remainder of the Peninsula at present served with water. The supply, especially that obtained from the first-mentioned sources, was inadequate to meet requirements during the dry months.
The total consumption for the year amounted to 185,690,000 gallons, of which 77,876,000 gallons were derived from Chenng Sha Wan Intakes and 107,814,000 from Wells Nos. 1, 2 and 3. The average daily consumption amounted to 508,000 gallons or, taking an estimated population of 74,200, 6.9 gallons per head. These figures show an increase of 16,662,000 gallons over, the consumption during 1904. Details are given in Appendices H. and J. The analyses made by the Government Analyst showed that the water was of excellent quality.
The pumping machinery, buildings, &c., were maintained in good condition throughout the year.
There were 280 meters in use at the end of the year, an increase of 33 over 1904. Private services were constructed, altered, or repaired in 64 instances, whilst 14 building supplies were laid.