Coming then to the probable needs
THE CHINA MAIL. of the Colony as regards drinking and washing purposes, we should regard an HONGKONG, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1874, average of 10 gallons as sufficient. No doubt the European portion of the com-
THE AMENDED WATERWORKS munity use very much more, but the
PROJECT.
average must be calculated on the whole TRE readiness evinced by the Surveyor with the desire of H. E. the Governor population; and with every sympathy General to do all in his power to meet to teach the natives better habits, it will, the feeling of the community regarding the cost of the water supply scheme, has habits of Chinese coolies become assimi- we fear, be a very long time before the undoubtedly caused a favourable im- pression. He has at least shewn that Four gallons per diem is as much as lated to those of European gentlemen. no desire to glorify his department at even the cleaner inhabitants of the native the public expense has prompted him to
advocate a costly scheme, and his latest quarter use per head; let us say five, amendment deserves careful considers and that would still leave a similar tion. The document in which he specifies verpins on over 90,000 individuals to the possible reduction on the original to the benefit of the European quarter. estimate having been already published
Of course, this must be accompanied in full, we need deal only with its net with a really efficient supply of salt result in discussing it. As the case
water, for public sanitary purposes and
the
it.
would be sufficient.
now stands, a sum of £233,000 is asked for use in cases of fire, But, granting for, to furnish a constant allowance, all that this latter could be secured, it year round, of 15 gallons of water certainly seems that ten gallons per head per head; and the only two questions to be settled (assuming this to be the Governor stated in Council, that when It is no doubt quite true, as H. E. the lowest estimate) are: Does the Colony he arrived in Hongkong the necessity of absolutely require the water, and, cau a better water supply was a foregone the Colony afford to pay the money for conclusion. But its most ardent advo cates spoke and wrote with the proviso We are reluctantly obliged to say that that the expense should not be over we share the opinion expressed by the whelming. If, therefore, there be any unofficial members as regards the latter hope of obtaining a cheaper supply, all question, while by no means satisfied as the year round, by utilizing the sea regards the former. Or, to put the water for sauitary purposes, such an matter more accurately, while we be idea certainly seems worth consideration. lieve a supply of water to the extent It may indeed then be found possible to named to be a necessity, we do not be give up the Tytam project in favour of lieve that it must necessarily be fresh Aberdeen. It has been universally ad- water. It would certainly seem to us mitted that the only objection to the that the suggestion of Mr Ryrie as to former is its cost, but there can be no raising salt water to flush the drains and doubt how strongly that objection weighs put out fires is worth serious considera- in the public mind. It must not be tion. The points to be aimed at are: forgotten that, for a long series of What is the smallest efficient supply of years, a vast number of houses have water for potable and lavatory purposes been paying taxes for which they only and, what supply of sea water at did not receive even the faintest a high level would be sufficient to do all!
equivalent. Owners therefore naturally that is necessary in the way of flushing fear the imposition of yet higher taxes drains, watering streets, and in fact doing of which, at best, it would be some years every thing which rather requires water before they could reap any benefit. If as a liquid mechanical force than as an Mr Price can possibly hit upon a plan article of diet or a solvent. As regards which will supply a sufficiency of water this point no very great difficulties are
for the purposes named, at a reasonable presented. A very small reservoir at
cost, he will be one of the greatest bene. a bigh level, fed by a steam force pump factors the Colony ever had. We quite
on the Praya would amply suffice for all necessary purposes.
The reservoir sympathise with all he has said about need not be large, inasmuch as it would doing the work thoroughly; but even a be quite a matter of indifference if it good thing may be bought too dearly. became nearly empty every now and It is much to he regretted that the then, provided it was filled in time for Council have not said: "Tell us what periodical needs. Nor need the cost of can be done for £150,000," As it is the Buch a construction be very heavy. One Surveyor General is quite right in re- holding some 10 or 20 millions of gallons, commending a thorough scheme. It has would probably suffice, and the dam yet to be proved that so able an engineer would be almost the only expense, as the as he has shown himself can suggest nothing within the means of the Colony, pipe service would be very limited.
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