HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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of about 69,509 persons in the population estimated by the Census and that estimated by the Water Authorities and it makes a great difference in the computation of consumption of water per head per day. I mention this because by looking at the water consumption report one may be led to think that a good deal of water has been wasted. But as a matter of fact the high rate of consumption per head per day was due to an under-estimate of the population.
I trust therefore that the Government will see its way of conceding to this request of the Chinese Community by agreeing to this amendment.
HON. MR. T. N. CHAU. As the motion now before Council is one which I think principally affects the interests of the Chinese community, or I should perhaps say the interests of the poorer classes of the community, I feel I would be failing in my duty if I did not venture to signify my entire agreement with the amendment introduced by the Hon. Dr. Kotewall.
My senior Chinese colleague has, to my mind, made out a very strong case on behalf of our constituents, and as he and the Hon. Dr. Tso have dealt so very fully with all the aspects of this difficult problem, I do not think there is much that I can usefully add.
However, in support of my senior colleague's contention, in refutation of the allegation made by the Hon. Colonial Secretary that the average daily consumption of water on the island is about 30% higher than that on the mainland, I would like to point out also that the Hon. Colonial Secretary when making the comparison, had omitted to take into consideration the important fact that the whole Peak district uses the water supply for flushing purposes, and I am inclined to think that the amount of consumption in that direction must be somewhat considerable.
That the rider main system will have to go one day, I think we are all of one mind; what we differ on is only the question of time for its abandonment, and in view of the convincing arguments advanced by my two senior Chinese colleagues, all of which I strongly endorse, I submit that the two years' extension asked for is not at all unreasonable, and which I hope will be conceded to.
With these few remarks, Sir, I beg to support the Hon. Dr. Kotewall's amendment.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.-The provisional acceptance by the Chinese members of the principle of the abolition of the rider main system might well make it unnecessary for me to make any further reference to the arguments brought forward by the Hon. Dr. Kotewall in the earlier parts of his speech for the retention of the system. It would be necessary only to deal with the possibility of postponing action for the abolition of the system for two years, but I would not like to pass over the earlier parts of
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