No.456.
Secretary
Admiralty.
Copy
Confidential.
Sir,
C. O.
30175
Commander-in-cil3},!!!
51
China Station,
5th
June
1902.
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M
The drought at Hong Kong had already caused serious inconvenience in the Dockyard, which must have been closed in part had not rain come when it did. I
submit that the matter calls for earnest and early con-
sideration. No confidence can be placed in the action of
the local Hong Kong Government, to which annual shortness of water must be well known and which has taken no efficient
measures to improve the state of affairs. It may be mentioned that the great reservoirs with which the foresight of a private firm, Messrs Butterfield and Swire, had provided their rising dockyard never gave out during the drought. They were able to supply the local Government with water in the worst period of the famine.
I have etc.....
Cyprian A. G. Bridge.
Vice Admiral.
Igent