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Hon. Col. Sec..
I have the honour to forward a report by
Mr. Henderson on the Shing Mun Valley Scheme.
2.
The report shows that by the full develop- ment of the existing water supply of the Hongkong and kowloon Waterworks an approximate yield during the dry weather period of 11 million gallons per day for Hongkong and 4 million gallons per day for Kowloon would be available whilst with the completion of the works now under construct ion it is estimated that 9 million gallons and 24 million gallons per day respectively will be available during the dry weather period.
3.
The graph attached to the report indicates that with an unrestricted supply the demand is rapidly approaching the total dry weather supply that will be
available.
4.
Under the circumstances, owing to the abnormal development of Kowloon, it becomes a matter of some urgency that early steps should be taken to augment the water supply on the Mainland,
5.
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The full development of the Shing Mun Valley Scheme will not be necessary for some years, but a commencement with a portion of the 1st Section of the Scheme should be made as precaution against a shortage in the Water Supply during a possible drought during the next two
or three years,
6.
If immediate sanction could be obtained for this portion of the lat Section of the Scheme, and the work were commenced at once, it could not be completed before June of 1926. I would therefore urge that this part of the scheme may be let on Tender and undertaken at once pending the consideration of the whole Scheme.