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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
With the object of ensuring that all consumers should have an adequate supply, but that metered consumers should retain the advantage of having their water delivered through the house taps, the Waterworks Engineer, Mr. Newhouse, has evolved a scheme to overcome the present difficulties at a comparatively small cost.
It is proposed, in the case of the Central and Western districts of Hong Kong, to utilize the existing isolated trunk main in Caine Road, and connect to it a series of temporary subsidiary mains running down towards the harbour and carrying a large number of street fountains. In the case of the Eastern District of Hong Kong and the Kowloon districts, it is proposed to isolate certain suitably placed trunk mains and connect to them a large number of street fountains.
It would then be possible to give a supply to these subsidiary fountains during the period when all other supplies are cut off.
On completion of these alterations it is proposed to give one period of full supply to the whole community, including the foun- tains, on the existing mains, and thereafter as long a period of additional supply as possible through the new subsidiary fountains.
By this method full control of the supply will be regained, distribution will be more equitable and any immediate necessity for the importation of water and the erection of tanks should be obviated.
If approved, the necessary works will be carried out as expeditiously as possible. It is hoped that this system of supply will be brought into operation in a week or ten days.
The number of the new street fountains to be fixed on the new subsidiary mains and trunk mains will not be less than the existing number of fountains on the present supply mains.
By reducing the hours of supply to metered services it is anticipated that a 12 hours supply can be given through the new fountains on the subsidiary mains.
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.-I take it, when the Director of Public Works said just now that "the number of new street fountains to be fixed on the new subsidiary mains and trunk mains will not be less than the existing number of fountains on the present supply main," he meant that the number of fountains altogether would be double?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.-Yes. During the period that the meter supply and the subsidiary supply are on.
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