C. O.
19916
De 24 SEP 36
No. 7 Carteret Street,
Westminster.
"September 1896.
509
RE HONG KONG WATER SUPPLY
To the Crown Agents for the Colonies.
RECESSITY FOR EXTENSIONS,
QUANTITY OF WATER TO BE PROVIDED.
Gentlemen,
(1)
I have studied the Report of the Honourable the Director of Public Works Hong Kong, on the proposed extension of the City of Victoria Water-works, and have the honour to report thereon, as follows:
(2)
As to the necessity for extensions there can be little doubt. It is true, that in a previous report the Director of Public Works has shown that, by a rigid application of the Water Ordinance, the consumption of water may be greatly reduced, by the prevention of waste. So much so indeed that in a report replying to the same, dated 7th August 1894, paragraph 18 page 4.
I was able to show that a very moderate reduction in consumption, one quite practicable without undue restriction, would have obviated the necessity for giving an intermittent supply. Had the Water Ordinance been strictly enforced from the beginning, the necessity for extensions might have been deferred, but not altogether obviated. The growth of the population has to be met, as well as an increasing legitimate use of water.
(3)
The Director of Public Works proposes to provide, ultimately, a supply of 15 gallons per head per day for a population of 266,000 or at the rate of