CIP.
W. R.
4.4.38.
sect on
1. You bong tro. of memo. by financial weld hgulate
which he proposes proceeding with
the lines
of which
2
6 on 53604/35
Sue 53687/37.
as an unde funchent
branch
duectly exponath to the Directn.
n P.W.
ть
The previous history and system of the
water services in Hong Kong is described on pages 34
40 of the 1934 Report.
Briefly, the water services
have up till now been undertaken by the P.W.D. as
part of their ordinary services, and the revenue and
expenditure on water have been aggregated with the
general revenues of the Colony. The previous method
of payment for water was that water was supplied
direct to all rated property, and each property was
entitled to a "free allowance" in respect of 2% of
its rateable value. All water above this allowance
was charged for at a special rate.
The water problem in Hong Kong has always
been a difficult one, and generally there has been a
shortage of supply which has necessitated restriction
of consumption in most years.
fairly recently been completed, but it has been found
that a still further extension, which will probably
cost some 3,500,000, will be necessary in the near
future.
Large works have only
-
The memorandum enclosed in the despatch now
recommends the setting up of a Water Department more
or less independent of the P.W.D, and the showing of
water revenue separately in the Colony's Accounts.
This is as recommended in the 1934 Report, but the
Water Department is to be under the general control
X of the P.W.D. as, "having regard to the great importance
of water to the Colony, it appears desirable that the
final responsibility for it should rest with the
D.P.W.
the senior engineering officer in the
Government Service".
Revenue and expenditure on water will be
shown