341
iii. as the fact and the entire postponement of Lending school schemes are separate matters, furthering
The Waterworks, it appears from Sir J. Hennessy's speech in Council, have been postponed pending the duration of the sewage question.
In brief, the original Estimates seem to have provided for a system of water drainage, and Sir J. Hennessy is now insisting on a different system. A report on the whole question is to be expected. But it would be well perhaps to press Sir J.H. for the subject is one and must not be much longer delayed. Upon this hangs the dire question, a really burning one in Hong Kong.
iv. The Breakwater, it seems, is at last in hand. At least so I gather from the item in the Estimates: $1000 for "Sinking Fund for Breakwater (money to be taken from Special Fund)," and from Sir J. Hennessy's statement, in par. 9 of his despatch, that the Surveyor General will, now that the Praya Works are nearly completed, be able to prepare plans for the Breakwater.
Here is a point of detail in the returns (P.W.D.) to which I should draw attention. It appears (from the Assets and Liabilities return) that the Praya Wall had cost $2,438,859 up to 1 July 1880. The amount of the advance from the Special Fund