42
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Questions Regarding The Water Supply
HON. MR. H. W. BIRD, in accordance with notice previously given, asked-
"In view of the widespread want of confidence in the purity of the water supply of the Colony, will the Govern ment give reassuring information on the following points :-
----
1. How does the purity of the water compare with that of London (or any large British town) and what is the exact comparison from a bacterio- logical and clinical point of view?
2. Is the water analysed chemically and examined bacteriologically at regular intervals at the following points? (1) Nullahs entering reservoirs. (2) Reservoirs.
(3) Filter beds.
(4) Actual tap supply.
If so could the exact results be stated for the water supplied from Pokfulam Reservoir during the last few months? Is it a fact that the water from Pokfulam Reservoir is used at such a rate that it is not stored for a proper length of time?
3. Is there any question whatever of the filter beds being overworked in order to cope with the amount of water re- quired!
4. If the filter beds are overworked or are not supplying a really high quality water, is it not possible to use some more efficient methods of filtration ?
5. If filter beds are working efficiently
what is the reason of
(1) the present brown coloured water
supplied from taps?
(2) the addition of chloride of lime?
6. Is there any necessity to boil and filter the water supplied from our taps? If so, why?
7. What arrangements are made for the correct addition of chloride of lime, and is it satisfactory when the water tastes of chlorine !
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied | 1. The standard of purity in force in Hongkong was only adopted after correspondence with eminent special-
ists
in England. Particulars of British towns are not available.
2. (1) The answer is in the negative.
(2), (3) and (4) The answer is in the
affirmative.
Early in July a report was received from the Bacteriologist that the Pok- fulam water was below standard, pre- vious reports having been very satis- factory. Additional chlorination was at once undertaken, and more recent testa show that the water is now above standard.
During the rainy season it is im- possible to state what storage period is obtained from any reservoir owing to the new water mixing with the stored water.
3. In the summer time on full supply the filter beds have to be worked at an undesirably high speed. The pre- sent restrictions in districts supplied from Pokfulam are due to the neces- sity for the relatively slower filtra- tion of Pokfulam water.
4. Slow sand filtration as in operation
in Hongkong is the general type of filtration in use in London and most large English towns and is consider- ed the most suitable type under cer- tain conditions. Large extensions to the Hongkong filter beds are at pre- sent under construction and tenders have been invited for the extension of the existing filter beds at Kowloon and the supply of fast gravity filters for both Hongkong and the mainland.
*
5. (1) Some of the water being dealt with at present is of an excep- tionally muddy character carrying very finely divided kaolin in sus- pension. To eliminate entirely this fine silt would require very slow filtration or probably precipita- tion.
(2) As indicated in the answer
to
question No. 3 the capacity of the present filter beds is insufficient to meet the increasing demands of the Colony, and a speed of filtra- tion which would ordinarily be considered undesirable is render- ed necessary. Chlorine is added, as in London, in order to sterilise the water, without so far as can be avoided giving it a disagree- able taste.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
43
6. The boiling of water supplied from make another monetary grant, as it did the taps though it may be considered so generously in the case of the Swatow desirable is not essential. Unless typhoon disaster two years ago.
I am sure that I am voicing the feeling of honourable members when I say that we deeply sympathise with our neighbours in the great calamity that has befallen them,
boiling and filtering are properly supervised they are likely to become a source of danger rather than a protection.
7. Chlorine solution is added to the
water in definite quantities.
HON. MR, HOLYOAK-I rise to second
Water tasting of chlorine is harm- the motion proposed by my hon. friend. less for drinking purposes.
The Floods in Kwangtung
H.E. THE GOVERNOR-The hon. mem- ber Mr. Kotewall has my permission to bring forward a financial motion.
HON. MR. KOTEWALL-Sir, I beg respect- fully to move the following resolution:
That this Council approves of the grant of the
of Fifty thousand Dollars for the relief of the distress caused by the recent floods in the Pro- vince of Kwangtung."
sum
In submitting this resolution I need scarcely dwell upon the widespread dis- tress caused by the disastrous floods. Re- presentatives of the Tung Wah Hospital and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, who were sent up to Canton to make enquiries, have reported that owing to the great difficulties in obtain- ing supplies of food from the more fortu- nate parts of the Province, the conditions of the sufferers are worse than those in the disaster of 1914. The Hospital and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at once took steps to raise a public sub- scription, and they have made satisfactory arrangements with the Merchants' Volun teers' Association of Canton for the con- veyance and proper distribution of food. So far, $21,000 has been received from the Chinese abroad, and about $90,000 raised locally. A sum of $20,000 has been remitted, and 3,500 bags of rice have been sent to the Merchants' Volunteers' Association in Canton, and more food is being sent up. Large as is the amount which the Tung Wah Hospital and other public institutions have been able to raise, it is far short of what is needed, and I venture to express the earnest hope that should we unfortunately find that further assistance is needed from Hong- kong, this honourable Council will readify
HON. MR. CHAU SIU-KI-I beg, sir, to support the motion and to endorse the remarks made by my hon. colleague.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR I have no hesitation in accepting this motion, but in accordance with custom it is neces- sary to ask the approval of the Secretary of State to a grant of money outside the Colony. I shall have no hesitation in recommending the Secretary of State, if this Councial approves, that we make this grant of a sum of $50,000 on the un- standing that if this amount is insuffi- cient it will be open to this Council to make a further grant.
The motion was agreed to.
Libels on the Colony Resented
X
HON. MR. HOLYOAK in accordance with notice previously given moved the following resolution:-
"That the following resolution be for- warded to the Secretary of State:
}
£
That having regard to the announce- ment by the Press that an Advisory Body has been appointed by the Secre- tary of State for the Colonies to advise and enquire into the Maisons tolérées' and Social Hygiene in Hongkong amongst other places, the Unofficial Members of this Council welcome any enquiry which has the object of im- proving the conditions of life in and upholding the good name of the British Empire and Colonial Possessions, but resent the fact that the inclusion of Hongkong in this enquiry should have resulted from malicious, misleading and exaggerated representations to the Government which have been widely circulated in England for some time past.'