232. The preparation of water accounts due to the loss of so many meters and to other meters not having been properly maintained during the occupation, caused considerably increased work on the Office Staff, it being necessary to average some 70%, compared with 20% pre-war, of the water consumptions.
233. It has not been possible to prepare an accurate Statement of Expenditure as the costs of some materials and stores and other charges had not been finalized. Owing to the loss of records it has not been possible to prepare an accurate Statement of Capital Expenditure of Waterworks provided under Public Works Extraordinary from Loans and from Surplus Balances. No expenditure was charged to Loan funds during the year.
234. The Renewals and Improvements Fund which was established in 1939 by annual contributions of 2% on the capital cost of works built under Public Works Extraordinary and from the Colony's surplus balances showed a credit balance of about a million dollars in December 1941 but this was lost as a result of the occupation of the Colony. The Fund was re-established during the year by a contribution of $391,898.00.
235. Although records have been lost the average consumption of water in 1941 was estimated to be about 30 M.G./D. compared with 28.18 M.G./D. for the current year. By the end of 1941 the minimum water resources had been increased to 27.5 M.G./D. by further construction since 1939 when the corresponding resources were 25.4 M.G./D. The population was estimated to be below that of 1941 but as restrictions in the hours of supply had to be imposed from September 11th 1946 to the end of March 1947 and the average consumption for the year was 28.18 M.G./D., a deficiency of resources still exists. Although preparations are being made to increase the water resources by the development of the Tai Lam Chung Valley Water Scheme many years must elapse before any benefit can be available therefrom and consequently with the probably increasing population a period of greater restrictions of the hours of supply is to be expected.
236. The eleven months under review have seen the re-establishment of the water supply services to a standard very close to that which existed in 1941. This has involved strenuous efforts on the part of the Waterworks Staff which has suffered from the loss of capable officers through retirement and other causes, and whose 1941 strength remains practically unchanged.
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232. The preparation of water accounts due to the loss of so many meters and to other meters not having been properly maintained during the occupation, caused considerably in- creased work on the Office Staff, it being necessary to average some 70%, compared with 20% pre-war, of the water consumptions.
233. It has not been possible to prepare an accurate Statement of Expenditure as the costs of some materials and stores and other charges had not been finalized. Owing to the loss of records it has not been possible to prepare an accurate Statement of Capital Expenditure of Waterworks provided under Public Works Extraordinary from Loans and from Surplus Balances. No expenditure was charged to Loan
funds during the year.
234. The Renewals and Improvements Fund which was established in 1939 by annual contributions of 2% on the capital cost of works built under Public Works Extraordinary and from the Colony's surplus balances showed a credit balance of about a million dollars in December 1941 but this was lost as a result of the occupation of the Colony. The Fund was re-established during the year by a contribution of $391,898.00.
235. Although records have been lost the average consump- tion of water in 1941 was estimated to be about 30 M.G./D. compared with 28.18 M.G./D. for the current year. By the end of 1941 the minimum water resources had been increased to 27.5 M.G./D. by further construction since 1939 when the corresponding resources were 25.4 M.G./D. The population was estimated to be below that of 1941 but as restrictions in the hours of supply had to be imposed from September 11th 1946 to the end of March 1947 and the average consumption for the year was 28.18 M.G./D., a deficiency of resources still exists. Although preparations are being made to increase the water resources by the development of the Tai Lam Chung Valley Water Scheme many years must elapse before any benefit can be available therefrom and consequently with the probably increasing population a period of greater restrictions of the hours of supply is to be expected.
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236. The eleven months under review have seen the re- establishment of the water supply services to a standard very close to that which existed in 1941. This has involved strenuous efforts on the part of the Waterworks Staff which has suffered from the loss of capable officers through retire- ment and other causes, and whose 1941 strength remains practically unchanged.
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