5
previous September, the year 1928 having a rainfall of only 71.16 inches as compared with 107.87 in 1927 and an average annual rainfall of 85.73. Practically no rain had fallen since August 1928 and the position became increasingly serious until on July 11th only 41,000,000 gallons remained in the island reservoirs. It is calculated that under normal conditions the average daily consumption in the Island is 12,000,000 gallons, but restrictions on the supply had been gradually imposed with increasing severity so that by the end of the drought the actual consumption from the reservoirs had been reduced to 3,000,000 gallons a day. These restrictions were more acutely felt by the inhabitants of the more densely populated lower levels. Conditions in Kowloon were also serious, but of shorter duration, and on June 8th the total storage in the mainland was only 76 million gallons. In order to alleviate their sufferings as far as possible a Water Emergency Committee was appointed at the beginning of June, to assist the Government in devising and carrying out schemes for augmenting the reservoir supplies.
To this end water was brought from out-ports in ships and from the Canton River in a specially chartered tanker and H.M.S. "Cherub"; in addition various small streams in the New Territories were tapped and their yield brought in by lighters and water boats. These supplies were placed in large tanks situated along the waterfront from which the population of the lower levels, mainly Chinese, were permitted to draw. A special Water Shipping Committee was in charge of the transport of such supplies and had evolved schemes for further augmentation when the long expected rainfall in July removed the necessity for these emergency measures.
The unprecedented drought had, however, the effect of emphasising the urgency of increasing the normal supply, and the preparations already begun for the cross-harbour pipe line were hurried on with the utmost speed and it was anticipated that by April 1930, the Island would be in a position to draw extra supplies, if required, from the mainland reservoirs. The construction of the new Aberdeen reservoir was also expedited.
One of the most serious fires recorded in the history of the Colony occurred on March 11th when the King Edward Hotel was almost completely destroyed by fire. The disaster was the more serious owing to the loss of life. Altogether ten persons were killed, including six Europeans, and five persons were injured. Amongst the latter were General Chan Ming Shü, Chairman of the Kwangtung Provincial Government, and his wife who were in the Colony on a short stay on their way to Nanking.
His Excellency the Governor Sir Cecil Clementi, K.C.M.G., was absent from the Colony on short leave in the Philippine Islands from October 1st until October 28th. During his absence the Honourable Mr. W. T. Southorn, C.M.G., acted as Officer Administering the Government. The Honourable Mr. W. T. Southorn, Colonial Secretary, was absent on short leave from the 29th May to June 22nd, 1929.
5
previous September, the year 1928 having a rainfall of only 71.16 inches as compared with 107.87 in 1927 and an average annual rain- fall of S5.73. Pactically no rain had fallen since August 1928 and the position became increasingly serious until on July 11th only 41,000,000 gallons remained in the island reservoirs. It is calculated that under normal conditions the average daily consumption in the Island is 12,000,000 gallons, but restrictions on the supply had been gradually imposed with increasing severity so that by the end of the drought the actual consumption from the reservoirs had been reduced to 3,000,000 gallons a day. These restrictions were more acutely felt by the inhabitants of the more densely populated lower levels. Conditions in Kowloon were also serious, but of shorter duration, and on June 8th the total storage in the mainland was only 76 Mill. Gall. In order to alleviate their sufferings as far as possible a Water Emergency Committee was appointed at the beginning of June, to assist the Government in devising and carrying out schemes for augmenting the reservoir supplies.
To this end water was brought from out-ports in ships and from the Canton River in a specially chartered Tanker and H.M.S. "Cherub"; in addition various small streams in the New Territories were tapped and their yield brought in by lighters and water boats. These supplies were placed in large tanks situated along the water- front from which the population of the lower levels, mainly Chinese, were permitted to draw. A special Water Shipping Committee was in charge of the transport of such supplies and had evolved schemes for further augmentation when the long expected rainfall in July removed the necessity for these emergency measures.
The unprecedented drought had, however, the effect of emphasis- ing the urgency of increasing the normal supply, and the prepara- tions already begun for the cross-harbour pipe line were hurried on with the utmost speed and it was anticipated that by April 1930, the Island would be in a position to draw extra supplies, if required, from the mainland reservoirs. The construction of the new Aberdeen reservoir was also expedited.
One of the most serious fires recorded in the history of the Colony occurred on March 11th when the King Edward Hotel was almost completely destroyed by fire. The disaster was the more serious owing to the loss of life. Altogether ten persons were killed, including six Europeans, and five persons were injured. Amongst the latter were General Chan Ming Shü, Chairman of the Kwangtung Provincial Government, and his wife who were in the Colony on a short stay on their way to Nanking.
His Excellency the Governor Sir Cecil Clementi, K.C.M.G., was absent from the Colony on short leave in the Philippine Islands from October 1st until October 28th. During his absence the Honourable Mr. W. T. Southorn, C.M.G.. acted as Officer Administering the Government. The Honourable Mr. W. T. Southorn, Colonial Secretary, was absent on short leave from the 29th May to June 22nd, 1929.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.