Z/E.254/17.
17
COPY OF LETTER FROM MESSRS. BINNIE, DEACON & GOURLEY, TO THE CROWN AGENTS.
Artillery House,
Gentlemen,
Artillery Row,
Victoria Street,
Westminster, S.W.1.
28th February, 1940.
Hong Kong Water Supply.
Tai Lam Chaung Valley Scheme.
We are much obliged to you for your letter of the
26th February (Z/E254/17) informing us that it is desired that one
of the partners should visit Hong Kong early in March.
We have given careful consideration to the information
which you kindly sent us on the 20th instant, with the following
result.
There are two suggested sites for the main dam, referred
to hereafter as the Upper and Lower, a considerable amount of
information having been obtained with regard to the former by means
of boreholes put down to ascertain the depth to which foundations
would have to be carried.
The Upper Site is attractive on account of its elevation
above sea level (330 ft. T.W.L.) and the large capacity of a
reservoir which could be formed by means of a main dam having a
maximum height of about 180 feet and a length of about 1,800 feet.
A subsidiary dam would also be required, but we have received no
information with regard to this work.
The construction of the main dam would involve a very
large expenditure owing to the dimensions of the work and the depth
to which foundations would have to be carried, as at two points
suitable material for foundations had not been reached at a depth
of 150 feet from the surface, one of these boreholes indicating the
presence of a major dislocation of the strata.
We should not therefore recommend the construction of a dam
at this site if a more favourable one could be found.
The Lower Site: The construction of a dam at the proposed
Lower site would necessitate pumping the water to a greater height.
The/