CO129-533-4 Hong Kong Water Supply Scheme 28-1-1931 - 20-1-1932 — Page 68

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critically dry years, it is necessary to have further

sources available in time for the rains of 1935.

4. Mr Gourley investigated closely the scheme

outlined in the report by Mr Henderson of the 8th April

1924, and his further report on the 31st March 1930. It

will be remembered that the first instalment of the scheme

has been carried out and the primary object of Mr Gourley's

visit was to determine whether the second instalment of the

proposed scheme was the best way of augmenting the

existing supply. It is satisfactory to note from

paragraph 39 of the Consulting Engineer's report that the

scheme in principle is good and that the works so far

completed have been well laid out. The principal feature

of the second instalment is the construction of a dam in

the Shing Mun Gorge. This dam will be of considerable

height and in fact higher, we believe, that any dam

previously constructed in the British Empire, although

several dams of greater height have been built in

America. The success of any dam depends primarily upon

the foundations which support it, and the exploration

of the foundations had not proceeded sufficiently far

during Mr Gourley's visit to determine definitely whether

the selected site was entirely suitable for the

construction of a dam of the height proposed. It is

thought however, that the site will be suitable, but a

definite decision on this point cannot be reached until

the rock has been further exposed. This work is in hand

and definite approval of the scheme cannot be given until

the trial trenches have been completed. Upon completion

of the Shing Mun dam and reservoir, the Consulting

/Engineers