COFY
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Enclosure 1.
C.O. 14089
384
21ER 04
Public Works Office,
Hongkong, 27th January, 1904.
The Honourable
Sir,
I have the honour to forward you a letter
which I have received from Messrs. Denison, Ram, and Gibbs regarding the catchwater which it is proposed to construct in connection with the Kowloon Waterworks Scheme.
This catchwater will contour the northern slopes of the range of hills which forms the boundary of New Kowloon and it has been found on investigation that it can be extended so as to intercept the drainage from a very large area, at least 1,000 acres.
The position is very fully explained in the enclosed letter and I would merely add that the interception of the water from these slopes will be the most economical way of increasing the water supply of Kowloon and that within a moderate space of time works for this purpose will require to be carried out. The starting of the proposed railway to Canton would certainly hasten the necessity for it and might even render its execution immediately necessary.
The question to be decided is therefore whether the catchwater is now to extend a distance of about 5 miles, intercepting the drainage from an area of 1,000 acres, or whether it is to be limited to about 2 miles, thus curtailing the drainage area to about 400 acres. In the latter event, it would still be necessary to construct the catchwater so that it could eventually be extended the full distance, the two alternatives I have mentioned being those numbered (3) and (4) in the enclosed letter.
The Acting Colonial Secretary.