Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 303

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Water-works.

84. (Item 33). Albany Filter-Beds, Alterations and Repairs.-A contract was let in June to Messrs. SANG LEE & Co. for a part of the excavation. The main difficulty with this work in order to carry it out at an economical rate is to find suitable tipping places for the excavated materials. Terraces have been formed with this material near Macdonuell and Kennedy Roads. These will be turfed and channelled in readiness for the rainy season.

It is the intention to enlarge the existing filter beds and construct que new bed, this will necessitate the removal of the watchman's bungalow. There will be an increase of two-thirds of the filtering area over the existing filter-beds.

85. (Item 34.) City and Hill District Water-works (1896 Scheme).—The Mt. Gough Reservoir contract (a part of the Scheme) was described in the last Report. It was finally settled up in April. The works have proved satisfac- tory after the six months' maintenance. The water from this tank supplies the eastern portion of the Peak District.

86. (Item 35.) Kowloon Water-works Gravitation Scheme.-Fair progress has been made on the various sections of this work which is being carried out under the supervision of Messrs. DENISON, RAM and GIBBS.

(i.) Storage Reservoir.--The concrete work on the main dam was commenced on the 6th January and by the end of the year the dam had been built to 373 feet above Ordnance Datum (the lowest part of foundation being 342 feet). The work done during the year comprises 9,600 cubic yards of cement concrete, 9,200 cubic feet of dressed masonry and 100 cubic yards of rubble masonry.

A commencement was made with the excavation for the bye-wash dam and about 3,000 cubic yards of soil were removed.

The Bungalow was completed and is now occupied by the Overseer in charge

of the work.

A road diversion about 1 mile in length which will take the place of the present path crossing the site of the Reservoir was put in hand and the earthwork completed.

Indents have been prepared and forwarded for the outlet gear for valve well and for the sluices and recording gear for the Bye-wash.

(ii.) Service Reservoir near Kowloon-tong.-The contract date for the com- pletion of this work was 30th June. A bonus was offered for earlier completion with a view to making use of the reservoir during the summer rains, the offer however did not produce the desired result and the work was not completed till 10th August.

The reservoir is circular, 150 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep, it has a capacity of 2 million gallons, top water level is 255 feet above Ordnance Datum.

It is now being used in connection with the supply to Kowloon.

In connection with this work a meter-house was built near the Tai Po Road and the Venturi Meter fixed there to measure the whole supply to the Peninsula.

(iii.) Tunnels, Site for Filter-Beds, fe. This contract comprises the levelling of a site for the Filter Beds and laying an 18" cast iron main from this site in one direction to the Storage Reservoir, and in the other direction to connect with the 12" main already laid under Contract No. 2, and the necessary cuttings, tunnels and bridges.

The levelling of the Filter-Beds site has been completed with the exception of a little rock cutting.

The deep cutting, on the pipe line from the Storage Reservoir which had attained a depth of 80 feet was partially filled in by the collapse of the shoring during heavy rains in August, the loose soil has now been mostly cleared away and the cutting recommenced.