No.311
Sir,
Government House,
Hongkong, 16th August, 1901.
85
In reply to your Despatch No. 215 of the 28th of last June, I have the honour to inform you that I referred the letter of Mr. Ormsby, which formed the enclosure in your Despatch to the Acting Director of Public Works who is of opinion that it describes the situation accurately and calls for no comment.
2. The great urgency of the work may be judged from the fact that a short time ago the supply of water available from the old sources was barely sufficient to meet the demand. This was due to the exceptionally small rainfall during June and July, which amounted to less than 8 inches as against an average of 31 inches, but it illustrates the precarious condition of the present supply and the necessity of completing the proposed works without delay. As the resident population of Kowloon is constantly on the increase, any failure of the water-supply would constitute a grave source of danger and it is for this reason that I have been anxious to avoid any further delay in having the much needed works undertaken. There are hundreds of new houses in course of erection at Kowloon and I foresee great difficulty in maintaining a regular supply of water even if the rainfall...
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
&c...