Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 539

443

of my ap-

13. Shortly after Mr. COOPER's appointment as Director of Public Works. Resignation feeling that the work, which I was called upon to perform, no longer justified the pointment of payment of an annual salary, I resigned the post of Consulting Engineer.

Since that time, I have had no regular communication with this Colony. One or two matters have indeed been referred to and reported on by me, notably a pro- ject for increasing the water-supply, the new water-supply for Kowloon, with requisitions for stores, appointments and other minor matters. I may here add that the question of insanitary dwellings, did not come before me, in 1899-1900. I was fully occupied with other matters.

WATER SUPPLY.

Consulting Engineer,

for a final

14. The present scarcity of water, which according to all rules of probabilities, Proposals may be expected to be prolonged for some time, renders it obvious that prompt project to steps should be taken to augment the present supply, and,' what is yet more im- be deferred. portant, to take measures to prevent waste and extravagance. It would unduly delay the submission of this report, were I to attempt to make herein, any definite proposal, as to the works to be undertaken, for the definite augmentation of the water-supply, so as to meet the requirements of an increasing population. Before any reliable scheme can be submitted, surveys and other investigations must be made, which will occupy more time than I can now place at the disposal of the Colony. In this report, therefore, I will limit myself to suggesting works and operations which can be carried out promptly, and I shall merely indicate the general lines on which future extensions should be carried out, according to the evidence now before

me.

have been

15. In a report, dated 9th May, 1896, Mr. F. COOPER, C.E., C.M.G., recom- Works that mended the immediate execution of certain works. He also described certain other carried out works, the execution of which might be deferred to some future date. In a report dated 17th September, 1896, I supported Mr. COOPER'S recommendations.

since 1900.

16. In his report of 9th May, 1896, Mr. COOPER made the following recom- Mr.COOPER's mendations, as to the works required to meet present requirements:---

recommend- ations in 1896.

(a.) Catch-water channels, in connection with Taitam Reservoir, bringing P. 17, paras.

in water from adjacent Gathering-grounds, not draining directly to Report of the reservoir.

134-138,

1896.

(b.) A reservoir to contain 33 million gallons, with a long catch-water

channel, at Wong-nei-chong Gap.

(c.) Additional filter-beds at Bowen Road; with a service-reservoir, so designed as to afford an additional supply, by pumping, to the Hill District.

(d.) A service-reservoir at the Peak.

17. The whole of these works are now completed. The hydraulic motor and pumps, at Bowen Road, have been erected, and the rising-pipes have been laid. A second service-reservoir is under construction, near to the summit of Mount Gough, A service-reservoir has also been constructed, at an elevation of 650 feet, to supply the upper zone of the City. This reservoir replaces that originally constructed, near Belilios Terrace, a site now occupied by buildings.

Proposed works have

been ex-

ecuted with

additions.

18. The Taitam dam has also been raised, so as to give an additional depth of Increased 12′ 6′′, thus increasing its capacity from 305 millions of gallons to 406 millions. This capacity of work was in hand, when Mr. COOPER reported, and was finished in 1897.

Taitam Reservoir.

19. Table I shews the effect of these works. The total supply for the year Effect of from all sources-Pokfoolum, Taitam, from collection from the streams, intercepted new works, by the conduits, and from all other sources-has been increased from 1,109 millions of gallons in 1892, to 1,287 millions in 1901. The consumption per head per day