CO129-534-6 Loans for public works 24-2-1931 - 11-8-1932 — Page 49

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on account of its stebility, it is peculiarly suitable. This form of taxation is in my opinion calculated to raise the essential cost of living, and I deprecate

too rapid an increase if it can be avoided.

8. I note Your Lordship's instructions that

further work on the second part of the Shing Mun Water Works scheme should await the further consideration of

the question of putting waterworks generally on a

satisfactory paying basis. This matter is receiving

my immediate attention, and I hope to address Your

Lordship further on the subject in the near future.

I am entirely in agreement that this should be done,

but it will take some time for a scheme to have full

effect, as it entails a more or less universal installation of meters. Progress has already been

made in this direction, and 1,523 meters have been

installed this year, while further installations will

proceed as soon as money is made available for the

purchase of additional meters. In view of the

greatly improved financial position, and my undertaking to proceed with an adequate scheme of water charges, I trust that Your Lordship will approve generally of the extended scheme being proceeded with at once. Colony suffered very seriously indeed in 1929, owing to a great shortage of water, and any repetition of that year's experience would be a calamity.

consulting engineers have clearly shown that the present supply will in a very few years be inadequate, and I consider it essential that the extended scheme should be

taken in hand as soon as possible.

This

The

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