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"It would appear therefore that water tanks at or
"near the Fraya will in all probability be required and
"it does not appear too early to deal with the matter," and the question of tanks on the Praya to be supplied with
water brought fra Kowloon by boat is now under consideration.
8. The deficiency in the rainfall this year has
demonstrated very forcibly the need for increased water supply on Hong Kong Island and has added weight to the demand on the Goverment that measures to increase the supply should
be undertaken without delay. The Cross Harbour Pipe undoubtedly appeals to the popular mind. It had been approved both locally and by the Secretary of State and affords the quickest and cheapest means of increasing the supply on the Island; and while the uneducated part of the population could not be expected to appreciate the advantages of the Aberdeen Schaue over the Cross Harbour Pipe it is interesting to note that the educated section, including all the Unofficial Members of Council, is almost unanimous in demanding that the Aberdeen Scheme be postponed until the use of the Shing Mun water has been made possible in Hong Kong by the construction of the Cross Harbour Pipes. Unless Ly advisers and I misread the popular feeling entirely the Aberdeen Scheme can only be passed through the Council in the face of united Unofficial opposition, while a decision to proceed with the Cross Harbour Pipe will be received with universal approval. It may well be that the Cross Harbour Pipe and the Aberdeen Scheme will ultimately both be required as Hong Kong develops and it seems to me to be wise policy to proceed at once with the Cross Harbour Pipe and not to antagonize unofficial opinion which has shown itself in recent years so anxious to co-operate with the Government in all matters of importance to the Colony.
9.