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This arrangement was carried out, with great skill and care by the Public Works staff.
Shortly before my departure heavy rain occurred. As to what has happened since then, I have no information as I was away.
7. I was directed to report as to the best means of augmenting the water-supply. Several projects were considered, one of which was to lay a submerged pipe across the harbour, and bring water from the newly acquired Territory of British Kowloon, where a capacious reservoir was about to be constructed.
I considered that this project was open to objection for the following reasons. To lay a pipe, a mile or more in length, in deep water, is, though not impossible, difficult and costly. But the most important objection was the fact that, within the newly acquired Territory, very few suitable sources of supply existed. It appeared that the new works in Kowloon would little more than suffice for the wants of the population of the New Territory, which had materially increased since the Annexation, and which seemed likely to grow still greater under British rule.
At any rate, it did not seem desirable to undertake a work of such magnitude until all sources of supply within the Island of Hong Kong had been fully developed.
8. In the interval between my second and third visits to Hong Kong, the then Director of Public Works, Mr. F. Cooper, submitted an exhaustive report upon the matter of developing the various available sources of supply within the Island of Hong Kong. He suggested numerous reservoirs, one of which, that at Wan Chai Gap, had been constructed when I arrived in 1902.