MINUTES.
In Coffins
C.8.
This is a large scheme to cost $17,000,000 of which the first sec-
tion will cost £2,000,000. It is said to be urgent. It does not seem wise to adopt so large a scheme without the best technical advice and the Waterworks engineer who is advising appears to be an engineer in the service of the Colonial Government at a salary of £620-700. In view of the urgency the Secretary of State may be unwilling to refuse leave to proceed wit the first section. This does not seem to involve large dans such as scre of the later sections require, but it would seen desirable to have a comme- tent opinion on the scheme as
a whole, for which purpose a consulting engin- eer would have to be sent cut from this country at least, as far as we know, there is no one Aere ith suf- ficient local knowledge to advise.
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May 28th, 1924.
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15 sylors.
MINUTES NOT TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE.
!
N° 163.
Sir.
23724
49 MAY 24
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
212
HONGKONG.
16th April, 1924.
16046
With reference to your telegram of April 5th, I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a report by the Water Works Engineer on the Shing Mun Valley Scheme together with a copy of a covering minute by the Director of Public
Works.
2. The water supply from existing sources is barely sufficient for the needs of the present population in the most favourable circumstances: a spell of dry weather of any duration involves the restriction of the supply of water and a prolonged drought, such as occurred last year, gives cause for very
considerable anxiety.
3. The population of the Colony is increasing very rapidly and it is in my opinion essential that steps should be taken as soon as possible to provide for adequate supplies of water in the future. The Scheme now proposed will provide for
our needs for many years to come.
It is admittedly expensive but the expense is unavoidable and, as the cost of labour and materials is continuously increasing, it will only be increased by delay in beginning the works. I would urge therefore that the first part of the scheme should be completed without loss of time and I should be very glad to receive by telegraph your approval of
this scheme.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
J. H. THOMAS, M.P.,
&c. .
80..
&c.
I have the honour to be,
Bir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
7. E. Stabl
Governor, &c.