1929-07-26 — Page 5

41

HARBOUR PIPE-LINE DISCUSSED.

SIR HENRY POLLOCK'S QUESTIONS.

DANGER OF DAMAGE FROM SHIP'S ANCHORS.

VANCOUVER'S SCHEME AND REPORT CONSIDERED.

When the Legislative Council met yesterday, the Hon. Sir Henry E. Pollock, K.C., asked a number of questions dealing with the water supply and the harbour pipe line scheme. The official replies indicated that only a single pipe line would be laid at first "in the nature of an experiment

It was suggested that the scheme might tarn out far from satis- factorily on account of the difficulties confronting the engineers, the deleterious effects of the strong tides here, and the danger of damage to the pipes from ships' anchors.

CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPORARY CHANNELS.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1929.

CASINO ON THE

'HIGH SEAS..

AMAZING STORY OF EMPRESS LINER.

BANKER'S " SALARY 10c,

A VOYAGE,

An astonishing story was revealed. in the Summary Court yesterday afternoon before Mr. Justice J. R. Wood, when Lau Kwok Ching, who fire- was variously described as men's boy" and "assistant to the No, I stoker, formerly on the s.s. Empress of Australia, and now of the Empress of Russia, claimed

WATER FOR SIX MONTHS.

RESERVOIRS TOP 700 M.G. MARK.

The rain appears to have cleated' off for the present and the Royal Observatory staten:-

а

A weak anti-cyclone covers Japan. Pressure is relatively low in trough extending from Tongking across North Luzon to the Pacific.

Local forecast:-E, winds, mode- rate, fair.

There was, however,

D

EMERGENCY REGULATIONS.

BILL PASSES FINAL READING.

NOT TO OPERATE YET.

A warning that the water criais not entirely passed was uttered by Sir Joseph Kemp, K.C., the Attorney-General, at yesterday's meeting of the Legislative Council when the Ordinance giving the Government certain powers during a period of emergenty passed the satia- third and final reading.

Details of the Ordinance appear-

will be remembered that one clause dealt with the abolition of

" and the Attorney- allowance General stressed the fact that the Government did not intend to carry

$391.60 on a promissory note sign- factory gain of 20 million galloned in these columns last week. It

ed by Lau Sing, No. 1 ätter on the Iormer vessel.

411

yesterday, although less than quarter of inch feil. The The defence was that the money in question was a gambling debt total storage in Island reservoirs incurred on the Empress of Au- is now 704 million gallons and

tion of 4.1 million gallons a day supplies will last about 175 days or until the end of January. More,

free

at the time, ner without due warn ing in the future.

tralia in 1926, and that the plain-at the present estimated consump-out the provisions of the Ordinance tiff, Lau Kwok Ching, was in renity the banker who was running the gambling (fantan) on board the ship. He had, as firemen's boy, age and his keep. This casino an the lower deck was, it was stated, patronised by the crew and by passengers of the 3rd and 4th

At question time, Sir Henry complete success. To construct two nominal salary of 10 cents per vo- however, can be exported from with regard to the water supply had!

Pollock asked with reference to the statement made by the Honourable Colonial Secretary, at the last meet ing of this Council, to the effect;

that,

and

"In connection with the Dragon's Back West catchwater, a temporary channel dealing with over 150 acres of the area to be drained by that; catchwater is being made and will be completed this month, such temporary catchwater is nearly one mile in length and maximum capacity will have a of ten million gallons per day "; would the Government (in view of the extreme importance of col lecting into Tytam Tuk reservoir as much rain-water as possible dur- ing the present rainy season) •con- sider the advisability of promptly constructing other temporary catch waters either from the Dragon's Back or Mount Parker, or else where, which would drain yet fur

pipe lines will commit the Colony to an expenditure which is unwar rantable in view of the many doubts which still hang over the scheme "; will the Government state

(i) What are the many doubts which still hang over the scheme?

(L) Is it not the fact that many pipe lines have been success fully carried over the surface of the bottom of Burrard Inlet, Vancouver, at both the First and Second Narrows? (iii) Will the Government commu. the nicate promptly with Municipality of Vancouver, with the view of ascertaining by what methods that Muni cipality has accomplished the laying of pipe lines across the said Narrows and whether those methods have beer successful?

Special Joints Required.

In reply, the Colonial Secretary said the pipe line is to be laid along the bed of the Harbour. It will be exposed to the risk of dragging anchors, and of ships inadvertently dropping their anchors in the proximity of the pipes even though

classes.

Mr. F. C. E. Rendall was for the defence and L. D. L. Streilett for the plaintiff.

springs and streams and with a little more effective rain there should be enough water to see us through the next dry season.

Situation Improved But ----. Sir Joseph said that the situation improved very much since the Coun- cil last met, so much so that it was decided not to make the regulation contained in the Ordinance for the abolition" of the so-called **free At Kowloon there are 338 million allowance" operative at present. It may well be necessary, he point- gallons in the reservoirs, 12 millioned out, to put the regulation in Judgment was entered for the plaintiff, Mr. Justice Wood. rc-gallons was gained yesterday and force in the near future but this marking that the defence that the the supply from the Shing Mun river would depend Arstly upon the rain- money was a gambling debt would continues, to be satisfactory.

fall and secondly upon consumption. have been a sound ode il it had

"If we get a very dry August, and the minimum rainfall is under been substantiated. The fact that

inches, the Government may have the defence had not been disclosed

to re-consider making the regula until the last minute had weighed with him in coming to a decision.

- * A Man of Property."

The first witness cailed was the wife of the plaintiff, representing her husband, who was at the time at sea in the Empress of Russia. She is a respectable looking woman whose smiling confidence in the box gave weight to her evidence. She stated that the defendant had, in her presence. berrowed $300 from her husband on the 17th February, 1923, which he had promised to repay when he returned from his next voyage. Later he said he had no money to pay and bad on August 4, 1926, signed a promissory note, also in bor presence, which had

Peak Supply.

Starting on Saturday the Peak District supply will be increasedition. to eight hours instead of four hours at present allowed.

The hours of supply will be:—

8 a.m. to 1l a.m.

4 p.m. to 7 p..

THE DRAINAGE OFFICE.

HAPPY VALLEY WELL DEVELOPMENT.

According to the weekly report of the Drainage Office there is not

On the other hand if we have a moderate rainfall but a heavy consumption of water, on account of the relaxation of restrictions, it will probably be necessary to make the regulation. It is, therefore, necessary that economy with regard te the use of water shall still be exercised by the community."

17

The Attorney-General pointed out further that if the Government found it necessary to make the regulation within the current quar. tar, the new prices would apply to all water used during the current quarter.

May Be Abandoned.

ther and larger areas in its neigh the area is a prohibited anchorage. been drawn up by her daughter. much of importance to communicate went or, "is therefore, suspended!

bourhood into that reservoir ?

Not Economical.

The effect of corrosion and abrasion have still to be experienced: also the effect, of typhoons upon the shore connections of the pipe line at each end.

Special joints are required and only experience can show if the type selected will prove the best pos- sible,

The Colonial Secretary replied that it is not considered economical to construct further temporary chan. neis in the vicinity of Dragon's Back or Mount Parker. The channel now under construction is relatively The beat method of laying the easy and economical owing to the pipes can only be discovered by the proximity of the principal stream experience to be gained in laying

the first pipe, to Tytam Tuk reservoir. Any other channels constructed as suggested would have to drain into the present channel which has Д maximuml capacity of 10 million gallons per

(i) Numerous submarine water pipe lines have been laid in various places including the place referred by Sir Henry,'

She had kept the note.

she said that her husband was Cross-examined by Mr. Rendall, assistant to the No: 1 stoker, she did not know what his wages were and did not trouble about that as he had property and she collected the rents. She and her husband owned the house they lived in, sad they also had property in the country, the income from which was more than sufficient for their needs, so that they invested a certain amount in house property in Hong

Keng.

Asked why if he was a man of property her husband was willing to ship as assistant to the No. 1 etoker, she said that the chief would be lost by overflow and would couver authorities was obtained his men and her husband also several months ago and carefully helped him to lend money to the Dot reach Tytam Tuk.

studied, but it was not considered stokers."

Serious Disadvantages. day. Their principal yield therefore i (ill.) Information from the Van-stoker was too busy to look after

"

4

A

since July 17. The water situation has become much less acute, and it has been decided that the pro- vision of further wooden chlorinat- ing tanks for nullah supplies may be allowed to fall into abeyance. Several such tanks are on hand, and can be installed at short notice if the situation becomes worse.

The larger work of drawing the well in Happy Valley is, however, being proceeded with, as it is felt that, quite apart from question of the supply of potable water, the scheme will afford a valuable source of water for the highly important purpose of house cleansing.

WATER CONTROL OFFICE REPORT.

..THE TANK SERVICE.

The following is the amount of water handled by the Water' Control Office and placed in the tanks along the Prays Wall-

Tone. Gallons. From Laichikok.. 380-

33,120 Tain Was... 910 203,340 Steamers, Wangmcon, etc......... 10,8692,434,658 Total......12,150 2,723,618

""

Sir Henry then asked with refer-necessary, in view of the information The daughter, a plump and smil- ence to the Colonial Secretary's received, to alter the details of theing young woman, gave corrobora statement at the last meeting of the projected scheme for Hong Kong. tive evidence of having written the Council to the effect that "trol

The experience of the Adminis body of the note and witnessed the engineers have already been asked tration Board of the Greater Van defendant's signature. for, would the Government state couver Water District has shown Gambling Every Night. on what date those two additional that the laying of pipe lines across The defendant in the witness-box engineers were asked for?

the bed of a harbour subject to acknowledged the promissory sete The reply stated that a requisition' strong sides--which are also a fea- which was stated to have been sign for two engineers for the Water ture of our harbour-has serious dis-ed in his own cabin on board the works Sub-Department was address-advantages. Constant movement of as. Empress of Australia on August ed to the Secretary of State on sand and gravel by the force of the 4, 1926. when she was anchored in. March 2, 1990, and a request was tides causes serious abrasion of the Hong Kong harbour. He was due made that the services of Mr. Hen-pipes. Then again, pipes are some- to sail for England and it was the derson might be utilised in selecting times broken by the hurried casting custom with regard to gambling the officers.

of ships' anchors in sudden emer- debts incurred on steamers, that if gencies. This risk, of course, in- debtor creases with the steady increase in before he went to another place he No large quantities of water were The next question asked, with the volume of shipping.

had to sign a note, otherwise he handled from ships in transit, but reference to the following state-

The Administration Board of the would not have been allowed to tht Paul Best and Charles Hut ments of His Excellency the Gover- Greater Vancouver Water District carry on gambling.

Cross-examined by Mr. Strellett, Hai Yang, of the Douglas S.. Co douin; the a.s. Hai Ning, Hai Ching, nor at the lant meeting of the is not altogether satisfied with its Council:-

cross harbour pipe lines, and is con he said that his salary was $80 a

water which was pumped direct into per voyage. The debt was at first the tanks. The m.v. Fa Kwong 880, then he went on gambling

ton Biver and Wangmoon. every night of the voyage until it brought in 6,415 tons from the Can- had reached 8381.60. He had not paid a part of this debt when the voyage was ended because as I was No. 1 atter be gave me credit."

I

Uncertain Results,

Was unable to pay up

This temporary proposal," he for the time being and it may be abandoned altogether. On the other hand, the present emergency is not entirely over and, may even laat until next summer's rains.

"I am, however, authorised to say on behalf of the Government that if at any future time after the abolition of the free allowance is present" emergency has ceased any contemplated, an opportunity will be given to the Legislative Council to discuss the proposal before any active abolition takes place."

Although the Government were not proceeding with the active en- forcement of the regulations at pre- sent, it was proposed to continue with the enactment of the Ordin- ance. There was much in the Bill of general importance and which was desirable, he continued, quite apart from any question of the re sent emergency or the abolition of

free allowance,

As a matter of fact, free allow- ance could be abolished by the Government in Council at the pre- sent moment even without the Or- dinance.

No Comment.

more

LADIES AND

CHILDREN'S SHOES

LAST TWO DAYS

OF SALE

TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW

INSPECTION

INVITED

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

thout

ELECTRIC

Columbia Neues RECORDS

cess

Scratch

NEW QUEEN'S "HALL ORCHESTRA.

.9369-70-SUMMER DAYS SUITE.

£340-41-PETITE SUITE DE CONCERT

Krconna.

2 RECORDS. 9513-14-15-SCHUBERT'S UNFINISHED

SYMPHONY

3 RECORDS. 5058-59 WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE

'Excoana.

The Anderson Music Co., Ltd.

For instance, the Bill proposed ROUND THE COURTS. to bring the penalties for water

offences up to

adequate standards. Also, what are recog nised as the best practical regula- tions against wasteful consumption, namely," meter readings," with contained in the, Bill,

WELLINGTON STREET OPIUM DIVAN.

When Revenite Officers raided 125,

EX-DETECTIVE FINED.

. A fine of $1,000, or in default six months hard labour, was im posed by Major C. "Willson on an ex-detective of the Hong Kong Po lice who was convicted on a charge of possession of nine taels of non- Government opium.

"In any future emergency." he concluded, "the Bill makes it pos- sible for the Government to carry Wellington Street, on Wednesday out. what I call the Hon. Dr. Tao's scheme for dealing with the water they found a small quantity of opium in the drawer of a mah the Attorney-General and seconded the premises except an old woman, supplies at street pumps."

carriers. The Bill, which was proposed by jongg table. There was no one on

"We propose also without delay to sidering the feasibility of boring a month, and that of plaintif 10' cente/brought a total of 1,790 tops of by the Colonial Secretary, was pass who was obviously not the owner

carry the pipe line across the har- pressure tunnel hour, a single pipe line in the first Details of the laying of a pipe place, because it is really in the line at Guayaquil, Ecuador, where nature of an experiment. We are conditions are similar to those of not quite certain of the result, but Hong Kong Harbour have also been we are all hoping that it will be a 'received and considered.

MISPRINT IN SESSIONAL PAPER.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S

CORRECTION.

MERCANTILE BANK OF

INDIA

EXTENDED AUTHORITY TO ISSUE NOTES.

At the meeting of the Legislative The Ordinance extending the Council yesterday the Colonial period authorising the Mercantile Secretary made the following an- Bank of India, to issue bankuotes within the Colony passed the final reading at the meeting of the Legislative Council yesterday.

mouncement:===

"I desire on behalf of the Gov. vernment to express my regret that the Honourable the Senior Unoffi cial Member should have been mis- Ted in his remarks in Council on "Thursday laat zegarding the Shing Mun Water Scheme, by a misprint which had inadvertently erept in to. 'Sessional Paper No. 4 of 1999 The telegram from the Secretary of State reading as follows:

Tanks cleaned during the week by coolies under the control of the Government analyst were Nos 8, 9 and 11 brick, and No. 9 steel tank, near Douglas" Wharf.

Reports of water taken from the taps at the tanks by Dr. Minett, Government bacteriologist, were ex cellent.

Questioned as to whether he made advances to the Etter's crew under him, he said that it was the custom on board the Empress of Australia that, the foreman of each crew should make advances to the

All negotiations with regard to men under him, as the vessel car charter of consting vessels for the ried go compradore. He had not Tytam Tuk service are being held in oftea, lent money because HS & abeyance. matter of fact fitters don't often A mall interest want advances." was charged on such advances. If

ed without comment.

dit.

The Council then adjourned sine of the table. Revenue Officers were confronted with the task of finding the owner, and so they decided to acize the table and take it to the Revenue Office, there to avait a claimant.

WEDDING AT ST. JOSEPH'S.

BARKER-WATTS.

At St. Joseph's Church yesterday morning, Miss Mary Watts, MA of the Education Department, daughter of Mr. Augustine Watts and the late Mrs, Gertrude Waite, Barker, of Messrs, Gibb, Livingston was married to Mr. Paul England

Co.. son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Barker, of Manchester P

The bride, who was gives away by Mr. Paul Baskett. wore a

Revenue Officer A. W. Grimmitt, who prosecuted, asked at the pre- rious hearing that a serious view eased had used two small girls as opium

Accused

WAS arrested following a raid on his house in Fook Sau Lane.

be taken of the case because the ae-'

WONGNEICHONG SQUATTERS,

Before Mr. E W. Hamilton, a Chinese man and three women were charged with trespassing, on Crown land at Wongnofcheong. The defen- dants, it was explained, were among In due time a Chinese appeared the large number of villagers who had been removed from Wongnei to claim the table and he was taken cheong some time ago, and the into custody. Mr. A. E. Hall vào | Government had provided another defended the man at Central Magi-site for them. They however, in- stracy yesterday contended that the sist on returning to their old

habitation. the table was a sign of his in fact that the man had gone ta elain

nocence. He pleaded guilty to pos sessing the opium, but explained that the place was used as a meas

were fined. 810 each or in defanit, fourteen days' imprisonment. The remaining woman, who had been previously fined for a similar offence was ordered to pay 825 or

The man and two of the women

gown of cream georgette, with veil and aaumber of people, went that, to go to prison for one month.

of old lace. Mr. E. L. Groome was thebest. man and Miss Evelyn Baskett and Miss Betty Evans act- ted as flower girl

he had not sufficient money to meet which he was employed had come the advances to his crew he could to Hong Kong and left again,

Judgment was given for the plain borrow from the heads of other departments. He denied that he tiff. bad borrowed money from the plaintif even though he knew him. C.P.S. OFFICIAL'S VIEW.. to be a man of property: He had Capt. Holland, the marine super- The Rev. Fr. Byrnem, S.J., off- told his solicitor that the note intendent of the Canadian Pacife cinted, the Rev. Fr. Biganti was at teferred to a gambling debt the Line, said that in big ships like the organ, and among thote present day that the writ was served on the Empress liners & good many were Mr. F. Ralpha, Acting Direc "makcee learn boys" and other tor of Education, Mr. T M. Hazle was dated the 13th October, 1928, Mr. Strellett pointed out that if oddments were shipped atarigg, the Rev. and Mrs Moe Evans The fact that the date was given the defence had been disclosed nominal wage and their keep and other friends of the bride and in the Sessional Paper as the 18th earlier the plaintiff would have ob. Where you've got Chinese you'll bridegroom. With reference to the Shing of October, 1995. did not come to tained leave of absence to attend have gambling," he added, with a A low intimate friends of the Mun Scheme second section, Iray notice, until it was referred tont the Court. It had not been dis-smile." We do all we can to stop young couple were subsequently agree to the details being worked by the Honourable the Senior Un-closed until after the vessel on it, but you know what people are, entertained to tiffin but no recep

(Continued at foot of next column), and not the Chinese only foot of next column), official Member. last Thursday."

tion was held.

out immediately, as it is obvious that this will be required before long in any case,

him."

A fine of 8180 was imposed.

QUEEN'S

ROAD RAID

ENDANGERED OTHERS.

A Chinese accountant pleaded A fine of 2100 or one month's hard guilty before Mr. 1. 8. Whyte labour was imposed by Mr. E. W.math at Kowloon Magistracy yer Hamilton on a Chinese woman who terday of possession of 68 sticks of pleaded guilty to possession of dynamite without a permit. De opium at 404, Queen's Road. It fendant said that the watchman. was stated that a man was found was late in taking the surplus bugily engaged in boiling opium | dynamite back to the quarry. Point- when Revenue Officers raided the ing out to defendant that he had place. The belief was expressed endangered the lives of many pod that the woman ran the place as ple, his Worship imposed a fine of a opium, divan.

850 or one months hard labour,

?