Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 552

456

Gathering-

grounds and

reservoir sites to be

reserved on New Terri-

tory.

Conclusion.

18

54. I do not, therefore, consider that the scheme of bringing water, across the har- bour from the New Territory, is one that should be contemplated at present, or until all the resources of the Island have been fully developed. I am, however, decidedly of opinion that all available sources of water-supply, within the New Territory, should be carefully studied, not only as regards Hongkong, but with regard to the territory itself. When settling the land, gathering-grounds and reservoir sites should be reserved, so that they may not be found to be occupied, when they are wanted.

55. The conclusions which I have arrived at may be summarised as follows:- (a) The works recommended by Mr. COOFER, as urgently required, have

been carried out, with good results.

(6) The works suggested by Mr. COOPER, as future or deferred exten- sions, have not been constructed. In one sense this is well, for sub- sequent experience has indicated that some of the works that he proposed in 1896, would not have realised the results which he anticipated. Mr. COOPER based his calculations on but four years' observations. Now there are ten years of records to guide one. (c) I have come to the conclusion that increased storage, alone, that is with the existing gathering-grounds, will not effect any material increase in the supply. What is required is an increase of gathering- ground, with an appropriate proportion of additional storage.

(d) The must suitable site for future extension is the Taitam-tuk valley

below the present Taitam dam.

(e) The water, collected below the Taitanı dam, will be at a low level and

must be pumped up, into the Taitam tunnel.

(ƒ) One great advantage is presented by the adoption of pumping, and that is that an appreciable relief may be attained, in a short time. Had pumping works existed, last September, below Taitam, at least 30 millions of gallons could have been pumped into the tunnel, during that month, and about half as much in October.

(g) The present supply is, were it properly distributed, sufficient for the wants of the existing population. There is, however, no margin for any material increase.

(b) The time has, therefore, arrived for preparing a comprehensive scheme for the ultimate and full development of the sources of supply in Hongkong, commencing with the Taitam-tuk valley.

(i) The necessity for the introduction of an intermittent supply, with all its evils, would be obviated or at least rendered much less frequent were waste and extravagance repressed.

(j) In my opinion, universal meterage is, in the present case, the only efficient and equitable means of preventing waste and extravagance. I, therefore, recommend that the law be altered to the form in which it was originally drafted, and that meters be introduced, in every case in which there is an internal service.

(4) The price of water, supplied by meter should be increased. () As some years must elapse before works of sufficient capacity can be constructed to obviate, entirely. the occasional necessity for an inter- mittent supply, I recommend that the arrangements be made as described for improving that system, and reducing its evils to a minimum.

() As a means of restriction, rather than to introduce intermission, it would be better to shut off all house-services, other than those provided with meter, leaving the people to obtain water from the public fountains.