Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 420

324

(192)

3350

1

♡

Q-Do you agree with Mr. CHADWICK as to separating the Water and Drainage Departments from the Public Works Department?

A--No, I do not. It would give rise to a great deal of trouble here. I may say that it is common enough at home in large cities, but the conditions at home are so dif- ferent from those prevailing here, that you have to adapt arrangements of that sort to the conditions.

Q-You say you are against Mr. DANBY'S suggestion to make a Land Department, but is it true there is no survey of Hongkong and the City of Victoria ?

A-There is no correct, absolutely correct, plan of the City.

Q--Would that not be attended to if you had a proper Land Department?

A-It could be attended to equally with us.

Q-If you got an increased staff ?

A--Well, it is a special matter to make a survey of the City. It would not be a thing you could take in hand with any ordinary staff. It would be necessary to have that specially done in the same way as the New Territory is being specially surveyed.

Q-If you had the necessary staff, would you recommend its being done?

4

A-I would be quite prepared to do so.

5

By the Chairman.-You would have to get a special staff?

6

7

9

AAAA

A—Yes, I would have to get a special staff.

Q-Would that be costly?

A-It would cost a good deal of money.

By Mr. Shewan.-With regard to the price of water, is there any difference between the Peak and below ?

A-None.

Q-Do you charge the same rate?

A--Yes, we charge a universal rate for water.

Q-Do you give them the same amount of water for the money at the Peak?

A-Yes, just the same.

By the Chairman. With regard to the water, Mr. CHATHAM, do you not think it would be a good thing now, while this question is very much en evidence, to have a thorough enquiry as to whether it would be advisable to bring water at once from the other side, or do you think the reservoirs on this side would be sufficient to meet our requirements for some time to come?

A-I think Mr. CHADWIC proposes to recommend a very big scheme down in Taitam-tuk, at the outlet of the valley which contains the present reservoirs, which, of course, would involve pumping. That would give us

That would give us a large supply. It is impossible to say what it would give, but that, I think, is the first thing that should be carried out. Mr. CHADWICK is also going to look at the New Territory with a view to future water supply.

Q-So you are not in a position to say whether it would be advisable to have a scheme for utilising the water on the other side by bringing it across the harbour, or to exhaust our sources on this side first?

A-I think we should exhaust this side first and then go to the other side for water, but, before any very long period passes, it would be well to consider a scheme for conveying water from the other side.

Page 420Page 421