XN000022-1977-07-07 — Page 6

+

5

THURSDAY, JULY 7, 1977

+SCATTERED SHOWERS LIKE WE EXPERIENCED IN MAY AND JUNE THIS YEAR GIVE TIME FOR THE WATER TO SOAK INTO THE GROUND AND FOR THE GROUND TO GET DRY BEFORE THE NEXT SHOWER ARRIVES AND RESULTS IN LESS WATER RUNNING INTO THE RESERVOIRS,+ MR. WONG SAID.

+THUS WHEN THE RAIN FALLS, THERE ARE LOTS OF LOSSES BEFORE THE WATER CAN GET INTO OUR RESERVOIRS.+

MR. WONG SAID THAT THE PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF HONG KONG'S FRESH WATER IS RAINFALL, WHICH SUPPLIES ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT OF WATER CONSUMED. THE REST COMES FROM CHINA AND THE DESALTING PLANT.

AT PRESENT, THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS A TOTAL OF 16 IMPOUNDING RESERVOIRS, WHICH ARE FED BY CATCHMENT AREAS COVERING ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL AREA OF HONG KONG.

-

108, DES VOEUX ROAD WEST ROOF STRUCTURES LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS *******

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ON THE ROOF OF NO. 108 DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON JULY 15 WAS POSTED TODAY.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, MR. H. MCATEER, SAID THAT FOLLOWING THE RECENT FIRE IN THIS BUILDING WHICH HAS ONLY ONE STAIRCASE, INSPECTION HAD REVEALED THAT UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ON THE MAIN ROOF OBSTRUCTED THE MEANS OF ESCAPE REQUIRED TO THE ROOF OF THE BUILDING.

IN ORDER TO REMEDY A DANGEROUS SITUATION IT WAS NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE, TO RESTORE PROPER MEANS OF ESCAPE TO THE MAIN ROOF.

16