Sessional_Paper_1930 — Page 90

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The work of collecting and storing imported water was one of the main branches of the comprehensive scheme for the amelioration of the conditions brought about by the drought and since this was dealt with by the Executive Sub-Committee of the Shipping and Landing Sub-Committee it will be convenient to review their activities.

Prior to the formation of the Executive Committee, the Shipping and Land- ing Sub-Committee were using the Naval Tug "Cherub", which had been made avail- able by the Admiralty, and had chartered the 1,000 ton Tanker Motor Vessel "Fu Kwang" from the Asiatic Petroleum Company, and this vessel was engaged upon her first trip to Wangmoon when a further examination of the suggested working of that source of supply was being made on 26th of June by Messrs. E. W. Carpenter, R. Sutherland, J. Ch. A. Gundesen, Capt. R. P. Thomas and Mr. S. T. Williamson who visited Wangmoon in the Government Tug "Kau Sing". Mr. Gundesen was present in order that the Netherlands Harbour Works Company might be in a position to ten- der a price per ton for bulk delivery of water to the tanks in Hong Kong. They ultimately tendered $1.30 per ton but this was not accepted. The above gentlemen formed the opinion, in view of delays which might be caused through Customs for- malities, difficulties of towage in stress of weather and the limitation of draught of craft which could cross the bar at Wangmoon, that it was desirable to abandon the scheme of lighterage and seek other sources of supply which would permit of access by vessels of the "Coaster" type.

Negotiations for the acquisition of such vessels were started, it being realized that such craft would be able to proceed to Tytam Tuk where arrangements were put in hand for laying down the necessary berthing buoys and providing a floating pipe line to connect into a sump which would feed the pumps of the Pumping Station and so permit the water to be carried through the supply mains to the city.

The substitution of the Canton River for Wangmoon as a source of supply was made after an examination which revealed many positions from which suitable water could be obtained. Samples from these positions taken at the worst state of the tide, i.e., at flood, gave results on Salinity and Bacteria tests which were satis- factory and better than those obtained from the Wangmoon water. It was also found that the depth available at these new points of supply would admit of vessels of even deeper draught than the "Coaster" type being used. Inquiries were thereupon insti- tuted with a view to acquiring vessels of the larger "Tanker" type, both under char- ter and by purchase, as it was known that the use of larger vessels would give a lower cost per ton of water delivered into the sump at Tytam Tuk. This cost would not have exceeded 35 cents per ton which figure compared most favourably with cost of water that could be bought at any of the out-ports.

Rain fell in such quantities on and after July 11th as to remove all anxiety, rendering it unnecessary to put these plans into operation. It also became possible to redeliver M.V. "Fu Kwang" to her owners on 2nd August. The vessel made 21 trips bringing over 24,700 tons of water to the Colony, whilst the Admiralty Tug "Cherub" made 16 trips to bring 2,249 tons of water

The expenditure under the Water Controller amounted to over $182,000.00 which covered the cost of all transportation charges for 65,300 tons of water, brick tanks, fittings and pumps for these, hire and bulkheading of lighters and recondition- ing craft before return to owners. Fuller details of costs etc. are included in the report of the Water Controller (Mr. S. T. Williamson) which is attached as Appendix "G".

Other sources of supply on the Mainland at Sham Cheng and on Lantao at Tai Shui Hang were piped to the foreshore for loading into lighters and the latter supply was used by the Police Patrol Launches. A supply at Plover Cove, New Territory was examined but was found to be not sufficiently large as to warrant development, and the same proved to be the case at Tai O, on Lantao.

Although it was necessary to notify the Agents for Shipping firms in the Colony that they should make arrangements to have their vessels watered at ports other than Hong Kong, it was found possible to supply the Naval and Military es- tablishments with reduced quantities and also to give to unwarned shipping such sup- plies as would carry them to their next port of call.

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