No. ///
Hongkong.
Sir,
C. O.
14031
365
Government House, 21 AN 04)
Hongkong, 14th March, 1904.
I have the honour to inform you that I have authorised the construction of a dam to store the water which flows from a stream at Lai Chi Kok in New Kowloon. The stream is convenient for the supply of water to the shipping in the harbour and is of considerable volume. Owing to the absence of a dam, however, a great deal of the water is wasted by leakage and evaporation. The Director of Public Works estimates the yield at about 250,000 gallons a day, which at the present rate chargeable for unfiltered water, namely 25 cents per 1,000 gallons, represents $62.50 per day or $22,800 per annum. The works about to be constructed will include a small dam to store the water while it is not being drawn off into boats, some filtering apparatus, and a pipe to convey the water to the boats. The execution of these works will make it possible to disconnect all water-boat supplies from the City mains, thereby economising water in Hongkong, and to turn them over to Lai Chi Kok, each firm engaged in supplying water to shipping having its own meter and valve.
2.
The work will in all probability be of a very remunerative nature. It is estimated to cost $13,000 including...
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P.,
&C.
&C.