72.
73
16
will allow the erection of the Central Police Station being proceeded with. It is with regret that I have to record the death on the 10th Ultimo of Sir John Bowring, late Governor of Hong Kong.
14.
Water works are progressing steadily towards completion. They have required a longer period than was originally thought sufficient. This is principally owing to the difficulty of getting, at this distance from England, castings and pipes to meet exactly the various exigencies of the Island's formation. This will be easily understood if we take into consideration that the Reservoir is placed at a distance from the Town, by direct route over the Hill, scarcely exceeding two miles, while the distance by the road along which the pipes are laid is more than double, owing to the contour of the Hills it traverses.
The main pipes have been laid down in the Town and the value of this service has been amply proved; it being ascertained that by simply screwing a hose on to the fire plug, water can be thrown over any of the Houses in the vicinity, a fact the great utility of which requires...