Presumably Therefore Thearers
افته المنية
be sought
In his telegram at (9) the Governor has asked for authority to engage a firm of boring experts (Messrs. Le Grand, Sutcliffe and Gell) to conduct preliminary investigation on the site of a dam in connection with the Tai Lam Chung water scheme.
,
the
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Mr. Kenrick has see a very full report by Mr. Woodward (lla), the Head ofater Works Division of the P.W.D. in which details are given of the reasons for this scheme and the work that had been done up to the outbreak of war. (Miss Whyte has summarised this in in her minute of 8th July). On pages 8 and 9 of Mr. Woodward's report an account is given of the circumstances in which preliminary investigations at Tai Lam Chung Valley were carried out, first by the Colonial engineers in '38 and subsequently by the firm of Binnie Deacon and Gourley in 1939. This firm reported on their inspection and selection of the most suitable dam site and advised upon the general scheme. Apparently however the Colonial engineers did not agree with the advice of Messrs. Binnie Deacon and Gourley and recommended that further investigations should be made at an adjacent site known as the "water fall site". The telegram from the Governor at (9) now seeks authority for these further investigations which he suggests should be carried out by Messrs. Le Grand, Sutdiffe and Gell at a cost of roughly 25,000.
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There seems every reason to press on with the development of this water works scheme and, if the Governor is satisfied that further investigations by boring experts is desirable, that we should approve the proposal and instruct the Crown Agents to make the necessary arrangements with the firm of Le Grand, Sutcliffe and Gell.
The question of how this scheme should be financed referred to in paragraph 2 of (9) must be considered in relation to the general discussions which we are about to have with Mr. MacDougall and with the Treasury on the financial position of Hong Kong. In a subsequent telegram the Governor has said that he does not wish to raise a loan until next year.
I send on however in advance of discussio on the financial implications for general approval of the Governor's proposal and I pass through Mr. J. B. Williams in case he wishes to offer any comments on this development scheme.
As regards Mr. Woodward's report enclosed with No. 11, it will be seen from X on page 9 that he has already prepared two previous reports which have been sent out to Hong Kong and on which no doubt the Governor has based the proposal contained in his telegram at (9). I have not for the moment been able to confirm whether or not a copy of this report has been sent to the Governor.
If not (?)a copy of this report might be sent. Governor's proposal is approved, a copy of Mr. Woodward's report should be sent to the Crown Agents and they should be informed that he is available for consultation.
In any case, if the
Aluta
w to
25.7.46