567
shortly
be superseded.
I have the honour to be, My Lord,
Your Lordship's Most donkent
Humble Servant,
Gwillised estate
REPORT ON THE PROPOSED DRAINAGE OF HONGKONG.
SIR,
The HON F. STEWART, L.L.D., Colonial Secretary, &c.
Hongkong 14th November, 1888.
I have the honour to address you with reference to the remarks of His Excellency the Governor, at a Meeting of the Legislative Council, held on the 12th November 1888, on the proposed system of drainage for the City of Victoria.
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"The Daily Press of the 13th November reports as follows:-
The Report on the Separate Drainage System.
"The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the report on the separate system of main drainage by Mr. COOPER and an accompanying letter from the SURVEYOR GENERAL."
Governor's
Council, 12th
"His EXCELLENCY--With reference to this report on the main drainage R. E. the system, I trust the members after reading it will come to the conclusion. I have Speech at the done, that in the absence of any authoritative opinion to the contrary, the opinions Legislative of the gentlemen who have made the reports are very strong presumptive Nov. 1898. evidence that this drainage system is necessary and desirable for the colony. There are only two officers that we know of competent to express an opinion on this scheme. They express a strong opinion in its favour. And though of course we may vote the money here, it does not necessarily follow the drainage system now recommended will be carried out. I am sure in such an important matter, the subject as a whole, with all the facts and opinions expressed here, will be referred to the highest engineering authorities in England, and the result will very much depend on their verdict. I have seen opinions unfavourable to this scheme in the public press coming from persons who claim to be able to express an opinion upon it. I don't know how far that may influence public opinion here; of course that depends on the weight of the supposed author's authority; but all I can say is that the Government cannot be influenced by it in the slightest degree unless that person, whoever he is, comes forward with his professional name and states his objections like a man. If there are any strong objections to the scheme and any one of adequate professional authority comes forward to state those objections, not only will I send them to the Secretary of State, but I have not the slightest doubt they would receive due consideration. Until that is done, whatever weight it may have with the public, it cannot be regarded by the Government. If anybody really and honestly feels that there are these objections to the scheme, I say it is his bounden duty as a man to come forward over his own name and and sign his objections. As to the vote connected with this, I say if the Council are of opinion it is desirable to pass it, that only means that it places the Secretary of State in a position to lay the matter before the highest authorities in England, and places us in a position to carry out the scheme if their opinion is favourable. I say distinctly that as far as unprofessional man can form an opinion on the subject, these reports are in my opinion conclusive, and I believe hon. members will form a stronger opinion in its favour the more carefully they read the reports."
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