254/4.
No. 7 Carteret Street,
Westminster.
London, S.W.
19th February, 1903.
BUNG-KUNG #PAPERWORK# ORDINANCES.
MEMORANDUM
on
THE PROPOSED WATER ORDINANCE NO. 29 OF 1902.
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423
Obvious logic-
ation.
1. When I visited Hong Kong in 1882, for the purpose
of enquiring into, and reporting upon the sanitary condition
of the Colony, one of the most serious defects noted, was
the inadequacy of the water-supply. The Pokfulam Reservoir
was then the only source of public water-supply.
At this time, a considerable quantity of water was obtained
from wells and from the streams, flowing down the hills.
The daily quantum of water, which the said reservoir afforded,
was but small, and the deficiency in quantity was
aggravated by the defective system of distribution, then
in force. The Tytam Reservoir was projected, but its
construction was opposed by the then Governor, the late
Sir John Pope Hennessy, K.C.M.G. The reason for opposition
to a work, the necessity for which was so obvious, has
never been clearly ascertained. A special report was
therefore submitted, recommending the construction of the
Tytam Reservoir. It was, however, evident that, even
with the additional quantity of water, which the new works
might be expected to afford; waste and extravagance must
be checked, by appropriate Legislation. On my return to