Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 614

516

As to the

ter of the

of Hongkong.

At the present moment, it is not practicable to present well-considered reports, plans and estimates. Yet it is necessary to act with promptitude. I have, therefore, endeavoured to devise a programme of work that is certain to produce a benefit, proportional to the expenditure, while leaving ample margin for modi- fications in future design, should further investigations render it desirable so to do.

The expenditure which I have recommended is, I feel convinced, certain to effect, at an early date, a material improvement; and, most probably, will be a first step towards further advances.

16. It must not be supposed that the works which have herein been suggested, finite charac- will provide Hongkong with a "practically unlimited supply of water," a phrase water-supply but too often used at the opening of new water-works, and one which was current in 1889, when the Taitam Water-works were opened. Its fallacy was fully demonstrated during the following year; when, but for some welcome rain, during the dry-season, the stock in the reservoir would have been nearly exhausted, before the commencement of the rainy season.

Deductions

to be drawn from the

above mentioned

-considera- tion.

Further, I assert that all the supply that can be obtained, within the Island of Hongkong, is finite. Speaking somewhat at random, I doubt the possibility of inuch more than doubling the present supply, from all sources, by works within the island, of practicable character. There are certain remaining gathering-grounds, notably that draining to Saiwan, whose waters might be utilised. By all means, therefore, let such gathering-grounds be surveyed, and reserved for future use. Again, there are some valuable sources, which may someday, have to be abandoned. I find that, during an ordinary water-year, about one-sixth of the annual supply is derived from streams intercepted, along the courses of the two conduits. If the northern slopes of the hills, above the conduits, are built over, then these streams may have to be abandoned. Again, many now advocate the abandonment of Pokfoolum, some urging this step, on account of the excellent building-sites which would be liberated, others on sanitary grounds. I do not, of course, advocate such a step, though I am decidedly of opinion that works at Taitam, should take precedence of any at Pokfoolum.

17. From the preceding considerations, the following deductions may, logically, be drawn. The Island of Hongkong can only provide water for a finite population, the exact number of which I am not prepared to state. The population, therefore, must be kept within bounds. Now there is no serious difficulty in so doing. In Hongkong the population does not increase, by the excess of births over deaths. It grows in proportion to the number of dwellings. Each new house is promptly filled to overcrowding. The measures which have been recommended, for the prevention of overcrowding and the construction of insanitary dwellings, tend in the right direction. As the land belongs to the Crown, it is easy to restrict the number of leases granted. I understand that it is proposed to undertake Reclamation to the Eastward of the Naval Yard. If this Reclamation be occupied by insanitary monstrosities, like the dwellings recently erected on the Praya Reclamation, then the population will increase largely, under extremely insanitary conditions. All future industrial establishments, involving the use of large quantities of water, such as Sugar Refineries, Paper-works, Dye-works and the like, should only be permitted on the mainland. Pressure should be brought to bear, on minor establishments of this character, which do not possess independent supplies, to remove to the mainland, by increasing the price of water, supplied by meter. In short, Hongkong should be, as far as possible, reserved for commerce, properly so called, whilst Kowloon and the New Territory, should be the industrial centre.

Lastly, Waste of Water must be strictly prevented. Though the present water-consumption, per head and per day, is reasonable, it can, certainly, and must be reduced. If the consumption had been reduced to within the amount which has