Sessional_Paper_1894 — Page 347

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2. Another prolonged dry season has been experienced which necessitated the introduction of the intermittent system of supply. The rains ceased October 19th, and from that date to May 16th (a period of 208 days) when the wet season set in there was a rainfall of 5".035 only. This is one of the lowest on record.

The average rainfall for the last 30 years from November 1st to May 1st (a period of 181 days) is 12.98 inches. Last season only 4.305 inches fell between these dates.

3. The following table gives particulars respecting the hours of supply and the average con- sumption per head per diem during the time that the water was turned on intermittently to the City.

Month.

Average Consumption per head per diem.

March,

March,

March,

April,

April,

May,

May,

Date.

Hours of Supply.

Daily Consumption.

1st to 13th

Constant.

3,176,700

16.7

14th to 23rd

5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

2,739,200

14.4

24th

to

6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

1,927,000

10.1

4th

5th

to 8th

6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

1,555,600

8.2

9th to 16th

6 a.m. to 8 a.m.

1,287,200

6.7

4. In working out the last column in above table a population of 190,000 has been taken which includes the boat population and adds 3 per cent. per annum to the numbers given in the Census of 1891.

This shews the consumption per head in the most favourable light as there can be no doubt that the boating population use a smaller quantity per head that the residents in the City.

5. Special arrangements were made during the period of intermittent supply to turn on the water immediately in case of fire. Europeans were stationed night and day at the Garden and Bonham Road motor houses, and these motor houses were placed in telephonic communication with the Police Stations.

The only case of delay was in the fire at Queen's Road West and Bonham Strand situated at the extremity of both the Tytam and Pokfulam systems and where the water had to pass through the whole length of mains before reaching the scene of the fire.

6. The special work of ascertaining the consumption in every tenement or block of tenements which was started last year in order to locate and check waste had to be discontinued in March on the introduction of the intermittent supply; this work has not been started again as owing to the Plague and exodus of Chinese no fair check on the consumption can be obtained. The necessary preparatory work is, however, going on so that a start may be made so soon as a normal state of things is again

reached.

7. Having regard to the droughts experienced in 1891, 1893, 1894, and the waste of water and consequent necessity of introducing the intermittent system of supply, there can be no doubt as to the advisability of increasing the storage capacity, and plans are now being prepared for this work which will be submitted so soon as they are completed.

8. There is but too abundant evidence that the Chinese do not recognize the value of the water and fail to appreciate the privilege accorded them of having it laid on to their houses. No further concession in this respect should on any account be granted, indeed the time will come when it will be necessary to amend the existing Ordinance so as to prohibit services in Chinese houses unless they themselves assist in checking waste by exercising greater care in closing taps and keeping them in. repair.

9. I attach a table shewing the monthly consumption during the present year together with the water drawn from each reservoir and that collected from the streams.

H. P. TOOKER, Esq., C.E.,

Acting Director of Public Works.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

J. R. CROOK,

Water Authority.