Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 79

No. 1.

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS

PUBLIC

OF THE

WORKS COMMITTEE

at a Meeting held on the 19th February, 1904.

PRESENT:

The Honourable the Director of Public Works (WILLIAM CHATHAM), Chairman.

the Acting Colonial Treasurer, (LEWIS AUDLEY MARSH JOHNSTON).

"J

11

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Sir CATCHICK PAUL CHATER, Kt., C.M.G.

CHARLES WEDDERBURN DICKSON.

The Honourable GERSHOM STEWART.

ABSENT:

Kowloon Waterworks,-Catchwater (C. S. 0.04).

The Chairman explained that when the scheme for the Water supply of Kowloon, which is at present being carried out, was prepared, plans showing the surrounding country were not available, and consequently the area from which water could be collected by means of a catchwater could not be definitely ascertained. It was assumed however that there would be no difficulty in arranging for an area of 400 acres, and the estimate submitted by the Engineers (Messrs. DENISON, RAM & GIBBS) was based upon that assumption. The estimate for the catchwater amounted to $40,000.

From plans which were now available and which he submitted to the Committee, it was found that it would be possible to construct a catchwater along the northern slopes of the Kowloon range of hills as far as the Shatin Pass Valley. This catchwater would be about 5 miles in length and would intercept the drainage from an area of about 1,000 acres.

It was estimated that the cost of constructing the entire catchwater would be $120,000, or, if the portion required to intercept the drainage from an area of 400 acres only were constructed of such dimensions as to admit of the complete scheme being carried out at some future time, the cost was estimated at $95,000.

It was not necessary to carry out the entire scheme at once so far as present requirements were concerned, but there would be an economy in doing so as it would be simpler for the Contractor to carry out the whole work simultaneously than in two or more sections at different periods.

The Committee unanimously agreed to recommend that the entire scheme be carried out at once and, as it appeared likely that the storage reservoir would not be large enough to contain the water which would be rendered available, they also recommended that steps should be taken to increase its capacity.

The Committee then adjourned.

Laid before the Legislative Council this 14th day of March, 1904.

R. F. JOHNSTON, Acting Clerk of Councils.

W. CHATHAM,

Chairman.