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minutes and at the Bonneil table, Mr. Price wrote on the 25th of September, 1880, to say there could be no connection between the Fire Brigade Water-Supply, and the general Water-Supply. Finding, however, that the Government plan of amalgamating the two schemes met the approval of various members of Council and the best local authorities, I again requested Mr. Price, before his departure on leave of absence, to carry out the instructions of Government with as little delay as the work of his office required. But on the 16th of December (a few days before he left Hongkong) he wrote to the Acting Colonial Secretary to reiterate his opinion that "the fire tanks scheme and the general Water Supply cannot be amalgamated in one scheme."
Now, however, that Mr. Price has handed over the business of the Survey Department to Mr. Bowdler, I do not think there will be much difficulty in getting the views of the Government carried out. I am clearly of opinion that to deal with the supply of water for extinguishing fires and the supply of water for drinking purposes as a part of one general question, would be more economic, and would be also more efficient. When the Survey Department has prepared a general scheme, I shall lose no time...