Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 271

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Q-There is no doubt that in some Chinese houses they simply turn on the tap, every tap in the house, when the water is about to be cut off?

A--That is so.

Q-Would it not be better to make them go to the streets and draw the water off in buckets?

A-Yes, but I don't see that we can do that.

Q-Why can't you do that? You surely can have an Ordinance in case of

emergency?

A-We e can in the case of waste.

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Q-But it is waste?

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A--What we have been doing so far is to take individual cases where we find waste, not en bloc.

Q-If you did that, there would be a great saving?

A--Yes, and the distribution of water would be more general.

Q-I think it would be very simple to do that?

A-I think there would be a great outcry. The trouble we would get would not be with the people who waste the water so much, it would be with the owners of the property, who, to a large extent, are Europeans.

Q-What have they to do with it?

A—The tenants apply to them.

Q-The Chinese in their own country always go out to the street for water?

A--Yes, it seems to me to have been a great mistake to give them water into their own houses, at all. Personally, I should like to see the water taken out of Chinese houses.

Q-If it could be done, it would be a great gain?

A-Yes. Probably the number of street fountains would have to be increased.

By Mr. Master.--There would be no hardship if there were plenty of hydrants? A--The only people who would grumble would be the landlords, on account of the deterioration to their property.

By the Chairman.—Is it not in human nature to prefer to have the water at hand than have to go out for it and carry it up four storeys?

A-Yes.

By Mr. Master. If you put a great many taps on the street would it be a great hardship on the occupants? Would it prevent a great waste of water?

A-It would of course minimise the waste.

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Q-How long will it take to complete these reservoirs at Tytam?

A-Two years.

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Q-Then with regard to this catchment near Tytam, has anything been done at all towards the making of a reservoir there, or is it simply an idea?

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A-Rough plans have been got out. It is simply a question of detail plans. are making some additions to the catch-waters now at Tytam and Wong-nai-ch'ung which ought to give us a further yield in dry weather.

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