Is rank that spring or well water should be preferred?
Comedy
The only remedy resorted to, and I was of opinion with success, was forbidding the use of filled water, and supplying the newly-raised troops with water from the Canton River.
The position I allude to as having the best water, in Hong Kong's vicinity, is at East Head Quarry, from whence the staff of the garrison at Cowlson, the Battery, and the village, as well as Green Island, are visible.
It is a three-pipe stream marked on the plan, and conducted by a drave or aqueduct, across the Quarry hill, to the Cottage, where it is led through, at pleasure, for domestic purposes.
Vessels can be close to the beach in 3 and 3½ feet of water and fill rapidly with hoses.
There is also a fresh water pond round the Bluff, where boats can enter at high water; the greenish water had been considered impure.
Wood and Coals. Good wood cannot be procured in Hong Kong, and at one period the vessels composing the Expedition experienced great difficulty in obtaining the necessary supply, which was eventually remedied by the destruction of the rafts placed across the river.
As the spars constituting these rafts were fir, the coals were expensive, and, being required for Steamers, could have been procured; the Purser paid 17 dollars per ton for those purchased for the use of the Forge. The price had been as high as 20 dollars.
Marine Stores generally bore an enormous price. From the great demand after the Typhoon, and the mercantile shipping connected with the Transport Service in China, it is probable that the market will now be glutted, particularly if the Stores for the Army are included.