EC/254/25.
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35
22nd December, 1951.
The site at Tsun Wan which has been suggested is spoken of as being reclaimed land and this normally implies special foundations, while new night soil barge leading stations seem to be required at These Hong Kong and barge receiving stations at the Tsun Wan end. and other factors of the cost outside the actual mechanical plant but which form a part of the complete scheme may prove to be considerable. A measure of technical uncertainty still exists and whether the investigational work and subsequent design are handled by a Consulting Engineer or by a Group such as Mitchell Engineering, a visit to the site will be necessary.
Mention has been made above of the apparent lack of collation of the accumulated scientific data on the subject and, in view of this, it may also be found necessary before a considered opinion could be given, to spend some time in examining the results of the exploratory and experimental work that has already been done at a number of different places.
The Representative of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government mentioned that it seem not unlikely that some collaboration with a suitable qualified scientific Advisor might be found desirable.
It is doubtful if a recommendation for the installation of a full scale plant of the size envisaged could confidently be made before a pilot scheme had been put into operation and found to be satisfactory.
It is doubtless already appreciated that if the Mitchell Group is commissioned to undertake the work they will ultimately be operating in the dual capacity of Consultant and Contractor.
Yours sineerely,
Francy Boom
P.S.-
Before Dr. Herklots goes to Hong Kong he may think it worth while to see Dr. Key, the Senior Chemical Inspector of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, with whom Foxlee and I discussed the matter.