CO129-509-15 Water supply- development scheme 30-1-1928 - 17-1-1929 — Page 34

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7. 11. 28.

We now enclose a copy of a further letter

dated 7th November from Mr. Fairley, from which it

will be seen that Messrs. Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth & Company's Contract rates agree very closely with the figures which he originally

submitted, and that he does not wish to modify them.

5. It would appear from the enclosed letters that the cost of constructing a pipe subway is likely to be somewhat less than the amount tendered by Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth & Co., for laying pipes in a trench in the harbour bed. Apart, however, from a reduction in cost a pipe subway appears to be preferable for the following reasons:

(a)

The pipe lines will be readily available for inspection and repairs.

(b)

(c)

It will be possible to provide facilities for carrying gas mains and electric cables through the subway. In this connection we understand that the Gas Company at Hong Kong are most anxious to connect their works on the island with their works on the main land and would probably be willing to pay a considerable sum yearly by way of wayleave for the facility of a pipe line through the subway.

The information gained in constructing the subway would prove of great value if at some future date it is found necessary to construct a vehicular tunnel between the main land and the island.

6.

Before the construction of a subway could

be attempted it would be necessary to make a detailed survey of the site and to sink a considerable number of borings along the line of the proposed subway.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient servant,

Was wichhart

for Crown Agents.