(O.C.P.Y.)
No.
Enclosure 2 to Confidential despatch of 16th November 1909
Your Excellency,
41029
363
RECD. Hong Kong!
NOV 06
Four causes are specified in the Chief Resident Engineer's letter for the unsatisfactory progress made with the work. They are:-
(a). Exorbitant prices charged by local contractors.
(b). Sickness.
(c). Poor quality of labour.
(d). Insufficient plant.
The C.R.E. states (para. 2) that Contractors cannot be persuaded to start work during May to October.
In the case of the "City Water Works Extension" referred to in my Notes of the 12.9.08, the Contract (amount $495,000 or, say, £50,000) was signed on the 13th March, 1904. Temporary quarters for the men and sheds for storing materials had to be erected and consequently none of the actual work was begun until some weeks later. The following is a statement of the number of men employed on the work during the months referred to by the C.R.E:-
Month | Average daily number | Rainfall inches
May | 565 | 7.70
June | 444 | 19.64
July | 684 | 7.22
August | 503 | 27.34
Sept. | 489 | 9.77
Good progress was made with the work during the period referred to, though sickness was very prevalent.
In the case of the Kowloon Water Works, which are situated in the locality of the Tunnel Works, the principal Contract ($608,700 = say, £52,000) was signed on the 20th May, 1909. Fair progress was made with the work during the ensuing months.
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