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TANKER "FU KWANG":-This light-drafted tanker was time chartered from the Asiatic Petroleum Co. (N.C.) Ltd at the rate of Taels 500 per day with delivery and redelivery Shanghai. She was taken over on June 14th and redelivered to Owners on the 2nd August; 21 trips were made and the vessel delivered 24,755 tons of water into tanks. She was held up occasionally in Hong Kong owing to congestion through water not being drawn off quickly enough from the tanks on the Praya— under favourable conditions we found that it was possible for her to make, a trip a day. Captain J. C. Daily and his Officers did all that was possible and were instru- mental in procuring much valuable information in connection with samples and taking cargoes from the various points indicated on the chart previously referred to.

The cost of the water brought in by this vessel was approximately $1.70 per ton-this price however, includes the charter-hire for 10 days being time taken on the voyage from Shanghai and returning to that port, as the charter was fixed with "delivery, redelivery Shanghai”.

Mr. W. G. Goggin of the Bank Line, Ltd. acted as Charterers' Agent for the M. V. "Fu Kwang" and much was done by him in getting the most possible out of this vessel. An abstract of this vessel's working is attached.

"UNION WATER-BOATS" :-These vessels averaging about 240 tons dead- weight, did excellent work; 2 were chartered by the Control Office and 5 by the Water Authority they were employed in transporting water from Tsun Wan and also on receiving ex ships from outside sources.

HOLT'S LIGHTERS-5 steel lighters averaging about 300 tons deadweight were chartered by the Control Office, wooden bulkheads were fitted and in operation the lighters were found to be satisfactory but the bulkheading costs were rather expen-

sive.

HONGKONG & KOWLOON, WHARF & GODOWN Co., LTD.:-13 wooden lighters were taken over from the above Company, 10 heing of 125 tons and 3 of 100 tons deadweight capacity; they were fitted with wooden bulkheads and gave good service but were found to be on the small side and not so efficient for the carriage of water as the steel lighters. The tug "Perla" and launch "Jadestone" were also chartered from this Firm; the tug "Perla" did much in reducing towage charges to a minimum on one trip she towed 1,200 tons in lighters from Tsun Wan, this proving to be the cheapest method of transporting water from this source, working out at well under 10 cents per ton.

LIGHTER "VERMONT":This lighter of 450-tons deadweight, belonging to the Standard Oil Co., was chartered and was found to be most efficient; this vessel was specially designed and fitted with bulkheads for the carriage of liquid cargoes which meant that further bulkheads were unnecessary and expenditure in this direction was obviated.

The Lighters were used mostly for taking delivery of water from incoming ships and discharging into tanks on the Praya, they were all hired at a flat rate basis. of $2.50 per ton per month, Hull insurance on "W.A." terms being effected by the Control Office for Government account.

All local craft were redelivered to Owners as on the 31st July and insurances cancelled from that date.

TANKS Altogether, 21 Tanks were erected on the Praya, the Control Office had charge of 11, (5 on Praya West and 6 on Praya East), the Water Authority had 10. There were 6 Steel tanks, 3 Cement-concrete and 12 Brick Tanks.

The Steel and Concrete Tanks were the most satisfactory, the Brick Tanks gave a great deal of trouble through leaking and cracking. Attached is Plan show- ing position of Tanks, those handled by the Control Office are numbered No. 7 east- ward to No. 15).

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