70
71.
324
abundant and the distance not more than four miles I am of opinion with the Colonial Secretary that this locality presents many advantages for furnishing water for the City; but as I have before reverted to the subject in this report I would add that I cannot come to a satisfactory conclusion in the existing divergence of opinion as to the course best to be pursued. I have only to recommend thorough investigation of the matter. Meanwhile I am happy to say the number of Fire Engines in the Colony belonging to Europeans and Chinese is considerable, and that a little improvement in the organization of the force attending in cases of Fire would greatly add to the public security.
Part of the City is far from the sea and this advantage ought to be made more available than it has hitherto been.
43.
My views as to the desirableness of adding the Houghtons, the small peninsula opposite Kowloon to the Colony, it will have been seen, are in perfect accordance with Mr. Macgowan's. It will not, I fear, be so easy now to negotiate for its transfer as it would have been some months ago when we obtained land for the Whampoa Consulate; but I am strongly of opinion the sooner the question is discussed with the Chinese,