We should be doing a good turn to the Colony. Rawlinson's estimate will necessitate a loan - what at 50r &c will require a water rate of £10,000 or £12,000 to cover the Colonial Government's actual annual loss. I think it might be worth while to ask Rawlinson at what rate we could obtain a competent engineer to go out for six months. Or shall we ask the War Office whether they can recommend us a competent R.E. for the task. I think one could be obtained who might, with the instructions contained in Rawlinson's report, be able to do the work, and we be glad of a salary of £1000 for a year, his passages out & home?
I cannot think that the Hongkong Government have contemplated the probability of an expenditure of £200,000.
Page 6.8.2
16/12/72
Mr. Rawlinson says that to afford Hong Kong a supply of 1,500,000 gallons per day would cost at least, including £25,000 for additional works in the East, about £200,000.
We have now a reservoir with a perfect ... this, the present supply from 150 Pokfulam is sound, and the quantity is very nearly that required. I imagine that if the filtering conduit is made effective (it is 10 months) a greater supply will be obtained than 500,000 gallons per day, and that the further expense will only be £200,000.
Mr. Munson tells me that the Pipes have been down 20 years, one choked with ... and that they burst, as at that time it had no customers to paint the inside of the pipes.
I would send this out to the Colony, saying that when the new Surveyor General is appointed, he will be placed in communication with Rawlinson &c to prepare the full reply to the Government as soon as possible after his arrival in the Colony.
But before this is done, I would send Mr. Munson's report to the Office.
Page JOB
becomesJOB
is kept as is, assuming "JOB" is a valid page marker or reference in the original document. However, typically, it should be formatted as per the page numbering rule if it indicates a page number. Since "JOB" doesn't follow the "Page XX" format, it's left as is.