CO129-511-20 Hong Kong Water supply- report by Committee for Imperial Defence 28-10-1928 - 28-10-1928 — Page 18

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Report of D.P.W. 14.3.28.

3.

The Aberdeen and Shing Mun (first section)

statement 17.9.28.

schemes would, therefore, bring the total supply of the Colony (Hong Kong and Kowloon) up to the estimated peace

time requirements for 1932.

On the other hand, the full peace time requirements

both of Hong Kong and Kowloon could also be met

by completing the first and second sections of the Shing

Mun Scheme, and abandoning the Aberdeen Scheme.

Also, even if the Aberdeen shem were completed,

it appears fairly certain that after 1932 the second section of the Shing Mun scheme would have to be undertaken

to provide for the growing population of Kowloon.

Governor's 4. Shing Mun is, however, outside the defence area,

and in the absence of the Aberdeen scheme Hong Kong

Island would, if invested, be limited to 7.25 million

gallons per day, while the leased territory might be

deprived of the whole of the Shing Mun system and have

available a maximum of 2.5 million gallons per day.

5. In a telegram dated 25th September, 1928, the

Secretary of State for the Colonies authorised the Colony

to proceed at once with the Aberdeen scheme, and to

complete the first section of the Shing Mun scheme.

Officer Administering the Government, however, telegraphed

on 6.10.28 that the Unofficial Members were much opposed

to the Aberdeen scheme and favoured proceeding with the

two sections of the Shing Mun scheme. It was pointed

out that supplies would be available from Kowloon 'by

the Shing Mun scheme) before the Aberdeen scheme could be

finished, and that the Aberdeen scheme could only be

carried in the Legislative Council by the Official vote

-4-

The