4.
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As to my work, and no further steps will be taken by the Survey Department in the colony, until I learn the result of the recent communication between Mr Rawlinson and Miss Price.
3. I acknowledge your letter on the subject. I venture however to suggest that you let me know the results by telegraph, so that as little further delay as possible may take place in getting plenty of water for extinguishing fires and for providing an ample supply for domestic consumption. Whilst the majority of the European houses have the benefit of direct connection with the mains, by far the greater number of the residences of the Chinese are dependant on the street hydrants in the city of Victoria for water.
Though the water-rate Ordinance does not, of course, provide that each ratepayer is to be supplied at his own house with water by Government, but only makes provision that a constant supply of pure water should be maintained for the city of Victoria, as far as the Chinese districts are concerned, is done almost entirely by public hydrants, — yet in a town...