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GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
HONG KONG 16th APRIL. 1924.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
HONG KONG, 2nd SEPTEMBER, 1924.
Sir,
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 suffici- ent 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 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.
Sir,
With reference to your despatch No. 181 of the 13th June,
1924, I have the honour to inform you that all the details of the
subsequent sections of the Shing Mun Valley Water Works Scheme
are not yet completed but when these are obtained, the question of
referring them to a Consulting Engineer for confirmation and approval
will be duly considered,
I have etc.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
J. H. THOMAS, M. P.
&c., &c., &c.
I have etc.
(Sd.) R. E. Stubbs.
Governor, &c.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
II THOMAS, M, P,
&c.
&c.
(Sd.) R. E. Stubbs.
Governor, &c.
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