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critically dry years, it is necessary to have further
sources available in time for the rains of 1935.
4. Mr Gourley investigated closely the scheme
outlined in the report by Mr Henderson of the 8th April
1924, and his further report on the 31st March 1930. It
will be remembered that the first instalment of the scheme
has been carried out and the primary object of Mr Gourley's
visit was to determine whether the second instalment of the
proposed scheme was the best way of augmenting the
existing supply. It is satisfactory to note from
paragraph 39 of the Consulting Engineer's report that the
scheme in principle is good and that the works so far
completed have been well laid out. The principal feature
of the second instalment is the construction of a dam in
the Shing Mun Gorge. This dam will be of considerable
height and in fact higher, we believe, that any dam
previously constructed in the British Empire, although
several dams of greater height have been built in
America. The success of any dam depends primarily upon
the foundations which support it, and the exploration
of the foundations had not proceeded sufficiently far
during Mr Gourley's visit to determine definitely whether
the selected site was entirely suitable for the
construction of a dam of the height proposed. It is
thought however, that the site will be suitable, but a
definite decision on this point cannot be reached until
the rock has been further exposed. This work is in hand
and definite approval of the scheme cannot be given until
the trial trenches have been completed. Upon completion
of the Shing Mun dam and reservoir, the Consulting
/Engineers