CO129-572-14 Proposed reorganisation of water services 7-4-1938 - 3-4-1939 — Page 2

CIP.

W. R.

4.4.38.

sect on

1. You bong tro. of memo. by financial weld hgulate

which he proposes proceeding with

the lines

of which

2

6 on 53604/35

Sue 53687/37.

as an unde funchent

branch

duectly exponath to the Directn.

n P.W.

ть

The previous history and system of the

water services in Hong Kong is described on pages 34

40 of the 1934 Report.

Briefly, the water services

have up till now been undertaken by the P.W.D. as

part of their ordinary services, and the revenue and

expenditure on water have been aggregated with the

general revenues of the Colony. The previous method

of payment for water was that water was supplied

direct to all rated property, and each property was

entitled to a "free allowance" in respect of 2% of

its rateable value. All water above this allowance

was charged for at a special rate.

The water problem in Hong Kong has always

been a difficult one, and generally there has been a

shortage of supply which has necessitated restriction

of consumption in most years.

fairly recently been completed, but it has been found

that a still further extension, which will probably

cost some 3,500,000, will be necessary in the near

future.

Large works have only

-

The memorandum enclosed in the despatch now

recommends the setting up of a Water Department more

or less independent of the P.W.D, and the showing of

water revenue separately in the Colony's Accounts.

This is as recommended in the 1934 Report, but the

Water Department is to be under the general control

X of the P.W.D. as, "having regard to the great importance

of water to the Colony, it appears desirable that the

final responsibility for it should rest with the

D.P.W.

the senior engineering officer in the

Government Service".

Revenue and expenditure on water will be

shown