CO129-513-6 Hong Kong water supply- schemes for development and improvement 25-1-1929 - 2-8-1929 — Page 101

"The linking up of the water supply on the mainland with the Island of Hong Kong has already been authorised and work on the mainland is already in progress to effect the joining up of the Shing

No Scheme Too Large. With the experience of the past before us and at the present rate of Kowloon's expansion, no scheme of water supply can be con- sidered too large or any section of it unnecessary. It was after pro- longed deliberation that the unoffi- cial members of this Council urge Mun scheme with the water system the immediate commencement of in the City of Victoria. But the the works specified in both the Re- actual method of laying the pipe solutions "apart from any other scheme in contemplation.' Permit me, Sir, to emphasize the last phrase in the preamble to the Re- solutions. It was added on ad- visedly so that there may be some elasticity in undertaking works not specifically provided for in both Resolutions.

Kowloon Tong.

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Intimately bound up with the larger question of the water sup- ply to the Colony generally is that of the Kowloon Tong supply. On the representations of residents of this Garden City, I have been ask- ed to submit their case for urgent and sympathetic consideration at Your Excellency's hands. Theirs is an independent supply for flush- ing and gardening purposes over which the Government has no con- trol. In practice the arrangement, which promised a constant supply of water even in the driest season,' has been found to be far from satis- factory. For some time past no water has been available to re- sidents on the first floor of houses within the Kowloon Tong area. When water did come, it only came in driblets. Subscribers to Kowloon Tong Scheme have been clamouring for "Water, water, and yet more water in a dry district of the Colony not by virtue of a Prohibition Law but by reason of an arrangement which does not function to entire satisfaction. This is a matter of such great im portance to public health that feel that all that is needed for my "constituents at Kowloon Tong is to bring it to the notice of Your Excellency in order to claim prompt attention from the Govern- ment. I beg to support the Re- solutions before the Council. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.

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the

under the Harbour has been a mat- ter of considerable discussion.

"The Director of Public Works has recently submitted to the Government a very full report by the Water Engineer on the latter's

proposal to lay the pipe along the bed of the Harbour at a cost of some $300,000 and this proposal has received Your Excellency's ap- proval.

Ready In A Year,

"It is now proposed to send the Water Engineer to England to ex- plain his proposals in detail and, after obtaining the concurrence of the Secretary of State, to order the materials and return to Hong Kong in the shortest possible time.

If the Secretary of State's ap- proval is obtained it is hoped that the work will be completed by the before January next end of the present year and that the water from Shing Mun will be delivered to consumers in Hong Kong.

"We must not disguise from Gurselves the fact that the water

supply available from Shing Mun

cannot, without extension of the Shing Mun Works, suffice for both Kowloon and Hong Kong. Inves- tigations are already in progress Shing Mun scheme by means of as to the possible extensions of the

storage reservoirs."

considerable time, he continued, This investigation would take a but there was which it was possible to proceed at one reservoir with

once, and that was the so-called Byewash reservoir below the pre-

sent Kowloon reservoir referred to

in the second part of the motion. This reservoir did not form part of the original Shing Mun pro- posals but was intimately connect- ed with them and its construction "The Government welcomes the was of so comparatively simple a motion which has been proposed by. that the speaker was authorised to nature and its utility so obvious the Honourable the Senior Unoffi- say that His Excellency fully ap- cial Member and I am authorised proved of the construction of this reservoir, and, in view of the to say that the motion has the urgency for increasing the storage fullest support from the Govern- on the mainland, had given ment," said the Colonial Secretary. Byewash reservoir to be commenced instructions for work on the

"As Honourable Members are forthwith. The cost was estimated aware, the seriousness of the situa- at $600,000 and the storage capa- tion as regards the water supply city at 200 million gallons.

The Government welcomed the of the Colony is well known to the unanimous support of the Unoffi- Government and the matter has cial Members to the proposals set received constant consideration out by the Senior Unofficial Mem- ber and Members could rest assur- throughout the whole of the pasted that the works would be carried year.

also

to completion with the least pos- sible delay. (Applause).

The resolution was adopted un-

"It is a great satisfaction to me that the motion has been passed unanimously," commented His Ex- cellency.

Honourable Members are not unaware that Your Excellency animously. has been dealing with this subject in London, and it is a matter of great satisfaction that it has be- come possible at this first meeting of Council after Your Excellency's sine die. return, to announce a definite step forward toward that improvement of the Colony's water supply, which is so urgently needed.

The meeting was then adjourned

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