Sessional_Paper_1928 — Page 78

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PROGRAMME OF WORKS & ESTIMATES, Contd.

Com-Com

Estimated Estimated

mence.

plete.

Estimated Production.

Cost.

Work.

Time to

Remarks,

Year.

Year.

construct. Mill. Galls.

3

per day.

Brought forward...

3.62

4,876,000

Kowloon Byewash

Reservoir...

1930

1932

13

.66

600,000

Shing Mun Scheme

(2nd Section)

1932

200,000 {

Money required in 1932 only.

Improvements to Distribution.

H.K. Mains etc. North Pt. Tank Kowloon Mains Kowloon City Tank... 1930

1928 1932 5 years.

180,000

Does not include.

1929 1930 11 1928 1932 5.

100,000

Praya East.

95,000

1931 11

100,000

TOTAL

4.28

$6,151,000

When it is remembered that the existing Water Supply of the Colony has cost approx. $14,000,000 and that a further sum of approx. $6,000,000 is re- quired to bring it up to requirements in 1932, a gross return in 1927 of ap- prox. $1,100,000 (nearly half in tax) cannot be considered adequate.

The present Waterworks system of finance is in my opinion out of date and I would propose reorganization on the lines suggested in my reports to you on this subject dated 21. 9. 27 and 13. 12. 27.

If my suggestions were carried out and my estimates proved even approxi- mately correct, then a large proportion of the money necessary for the forego- ing proposed works would be provided from new revenue and the waste of water would be considerably reduced.

Throughout this report. I have tried to understate rather than exaggerate the need for large waterworks extensions but it must be evident from the figures given that such extensions are an urgent necessity and should not be further delayed.

During the last eight years the Colony has only experienced one year with rainfall below the average as against an approx. average of one year below the average in every two.

The one bad year was 1922 when approx. 70 inches of rain fell as against a minimum recorded rain fall of 45.83 inches in 1895. Such good luck cannot be expected to continue indefinitely.

A plan showing existing Waterworks, with possible extensions and pro- posals, accompanies this report.

(Sd.) R. M. HENDERSON,

Chartered Civil Engineer,

M.INST.C.E., M.I.MECH.E., M.INST.W.E.

20th February, 1928.