Sessional_Paper_1930 — Page 106

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With a view to handling the water efficiently, a motor pump was fitted at. Tank No. 12 Praya East to pump from lighters into this tank, from the tank gravita- tion was effected by 4-inch balance pipes to Tanks No. 11, 13 and 15. A portable pulsometer pump was also fitted at No. 13 Tank, balance pipes were also fitted for the Western division of our Tanks, i.e. from No. 7 to the Douglas Wharf Tank which. meant that all these Tanks could be pumped up at once and this was generally effected from ships and lighters at Douglas Wharf.

The Douglas Steamship Co., Ltd., brought forward regular supplies in their vessels "Hai-Ning" "Hai-Ching" and "Hai-Yang" from Foochow, this water was run into ballast tanks at Foochow direct from the river and was pumped into the Western Tanks from the vessels alongside their Wharf, free of cost.

The river steamers "Paul Beau" and "Charles Hardouin" controlled by Woo Hay Tong, Esq. also brought large quantities similarly run into ballast tanks direct. from river near Wangmoon, a small charge was made for pumping which brought the cost to 15 cents per ton.

These were the cheapest sources of supply and I place them on record as being very convenient and quickly arranged in case of emergency.

The supplies from Shanghai, Manila and Singapore cost much more owing to the initial cost of the Water at these ports, the prices being .50 cents at Shanghai, .25 centavos at Manila and $1 at Singapore; the cost at Keelung was .50 sen and at Haiphong, 1 Piastre. Owing to these heavy costs, arrangements were made to stop these supplies and to further concentrate on the local supplies which had not been worked to full advantage, particularly Tsun Wan and Sham Cheng. A List is attached which sets out the quantities in tons carried "freight free" by the various Shipping Companies and I trust that some acknowledgment for the services so willingly rendered, will be made to those concerned.

MEETINGS --Bi-weekly meetings were held in Mr. E. W. Carpenter's Office at the Public Works Department, these being attended by Messrs. E. W. Carpenter, Government Water Emergency Officer (Chairman). A. B. Purves, Water Authority, S. T. Williamson, Controller of Imported Water Supplies and H. S. Rouse, Secretary.

I consider these Meetings were most important as the water position was dis- cussed in detail and this was the means of enabling the Control Office to forecast and determine when it was necessary to launch out on the schemes which would have meant so much expenditure when definite commitments had been made. Minutes of Meetings are attached.

Owing to the very changed water position in the Colony we were able, on the 31st July, to stop the importation of water and to redeliver to Owners all craft that were engaged on the transportation of water; we were also able to close the Control Office on the 17th of August. There are, however, still a few minor items outstand- ing which are being attended to from Mr. Rouse's Office in the Public Works De- partment.

A total of 65,364 tons or 14,647,776 gallons was the amount handled by the Control Office.

The total sum expended by the Control Office amounted to H$182,147.85 this covering tank construction, cost of water, transportation charges which includes lighter hire and bulkheads Sham Cheng and Tai Shui Hang supplies, "Fu Kwang” hire and disbursements and also cost of temporary moorings; several credits are due in connection with the above but these cannot be determined until decisions have been made regarding dismantling of Tanks and Pipe-lines.

In conclusion, I wish to place on record my appreciation of the very great as- sistance given me at all times by the Consultative Committee, Messrs. R. Sutherland O.B.E., W. G. Goggin and J. M. McHutchon. Frequent Meetings were held in the Control Office and many further discussions took place at different times. Minutes of Control Office Meetings are attached.