Sessional_Paper_1929 — Page 47

C. 8. O. 8 in 3245/22.

HONG KONG

Shing Mun Valley Waterworks Scheme.

No. 4 1929.

The Honourable The Colonial Secretary,

I have the honour to forward a report by Mr. Henderson on 8. 4, 24. the Shing Mun Valley Scheme.

2. The report shows that by the full development of the existing water supply of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Waterworks an approx- imate yield during the dry weather period of 11 million gallons per day for Hong Kong and 4 million gallons per day for Kowloon would be available, whilst with the completion of the works now under construction it is estimated that 9 million gallons and 24 million gallons per day respectively will be available during the dry weather period.

3. The graph attached to the report indicates that with an unrestricted supply the demand is rapidly approaching the total dry weather supply that will be available.

4. Under the circumstances, owing to the abnormal development of Kowloon, it becomes a matter of some urgency that early steps should be taken to augment the water supply on the Mainland.

5. The full development of the Shing Mun Valley Scheme will not be necessary for some years, but a commencement with a portion of the 1st Section of the Scheme should be made as a precaution against a shortage in the Water Supply during a possible drought during the next two or three years.

6. If immediate sanction could be obtained for this portion of the 1st Section of the Scheme, and the work were commenced at once, it could not be completed before June of 1926. I would therefore urge that this part of the Scheme may be let on Tender undertaken at once pending the consideration of the whole Scheme.

7. The approximate estimate for the full development of the Shing Mun Valley Scheme is $17,000,000.00.

8. The Low Level Sections of the Scheme estimated to cost $6,500,000.00 might well be deferred for the present, and the Gravit- ation Sections alone could be considered and proceeded with in due The Gravity Sections are estimated to cost approximately

course.

$10,250,000.00.

9. The portion of the 1st Section of the works recommended to be undertaken without delay is estimated to cost $2,000,000.00 and consists of: -

Access Road-Pineapple Pass

Intake Dam & temporary Conduit