Q 12
at the Peak. Sand and boulders were removed from nullahs at Wongneichong, Sookunpoo, Shaukiwan, and Tunglowan. The 48" culvert in the Colonial Cemetery was repaired to a length of 100 feet.
Expenditure
$33,384.39
51. Maintenance of City and Hill District Water Works.-- The year opened with a constant house supply in all districts but on 16th January all Rider Mains were closed and a constant street fountain supply substituted. With the exception of three days at Chinese New Year (4th-6th February) when the Rider Mains were opened, this supply was in operation until 6th May when the total quantity of water in the island reservoirs was 666 million gallons. In view of the possibility of the rains not setting in until mid July, as happened in 1929, restrictions of increasing severity were imposed on all districts commencing on 7th May. Fortunately heavy rains set in at the beginning of June and on 15th June a constant street fountain supply was reverted to, there then being 1,029 million gallons in the island reservoirs. The incidence of the restrictions was greatly reduced in the more congested districts by the provision of a new street fountain system through which a satisfactory supply was maintained without turning on the general city supply. Before the rains set in a supply of eleven hours per day was being given through the new fountains although the general supply to metered properties was only available for 3 hours per day. Altogether 335 new fountains (in groups of five) were installed, in addition to 306 old fountains also in use. Further reference to this new fountain system is made in Paragraph 195 of this report.
On 7th November, as a precautionary measure, the constant supply was reduced to one of ten hours per day, the hours of supply being 6 A.M.-11 A.M. and 4 P.M.-9 P.M. By the early imposition of this restriction it is hoped to avoid more drastic measures in the following spring, even if the rains are somewhat late in commencing.
During the year a constant supply was maintained for 273 days. On eighteen of these days a constant house supply was given, whilst on the remaining 255 days a constant street fountain supply was available.
The mainland supply was in operation for 234 days between 1st January and 28th November, during which period 651.28 million gallons were delivered, equivalent to an average daily supply of 2.78 million gallons. At the end of the year there were 117 street fountains in use.
The cross harbour pipe continued to function satisfactorily during the year, the leakage registered by the check meter being negligible.