CO129-513-6 Hong Kong water supply- schemes for development and improvement 25-1-1929 - 2-8-1929 — Page 83

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Report on proposed Scheme for Cross Harbour Pipe Line.

In my original report on the Shing Mun Valley

Water Scheme dated 8th April 1924, under the 1st Section,

I included a pipe line across the Harbour to make the Shing

Mun Water available on the Island.

As the Waterworks Office was very fully occupied

with Contracts under the 1st. Section of the scheme and I was proceeding to England on leave and to deal with home contracts for pipes and filters, it was decided to submit the Cross Harbour Pipe to the Consulting Engineers in London.

Subsequent to my report of 8. 4. 24 borings and

prickings were made in the harbour for the use of the Consulting Engineers and the results obtained were embodied in drawings which were forwarded to England.

A comprehensive scheme was prepared by the Consulting Engineers and tenders were invited, only two, however, being received. On going into these tenders on my return from leave, late in 1925, I suggested, that, as the tenders received appeared very high, and that the full capacity of the proposed scheme would not be required for some years to come, my original suggestion of laying the pipes on the harbour bottom might be considered, as I was still of opinion that my original suggestions were perfectly

feasible and financially sound.

Owing to the financial stringency and general

exodus from the Colony following the 1925 Boycott considera- tion of the Cross Harbour Pipe Line Scheme was indefinitely

postponed.

With the return of prosperity and considerable increase in population the problem has become an increasingly urgent one calling for early settlement and at Government's request I now give my proposals in a more definite form.