Sessional_Paper_1935 — Page 100

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merits of its defects and though it may occasionally affect the Colony adversedly, it is a welcome sign of the prosperity that good government should bring in its train and is in fact a justification for the foundation of the Colony.

Chapter X.

THE WATER PROBLEM IN HONG KONG.

1. It was with considerable diffidence that the Commission approached this large and difficult problem. So complex and many sided is the water question and such is the volume of authoritative expert opinion and argument supporting every side that the amateur explorer who, in a limited time seeks to cut hasty steps to a swift solution moves in constant danger of annihilation beneath avalanches from unsuspected quarters.

2. So far as can be ascertained, prior to 1902 there were only two systems of Government operated water supply in Hong Kong, direct main to house supply and street fountains. Meterage was unknown, the direct main to house supply being paid for in an inclusive rate which at that time was 13% of the rateable value of pro- perties in the Colony.

3. By an Ordinance dated 15th August, 1902, the system of meterage was first brought into force. Under this Ordinance it was provided that the Water Authority must within a specified time disconnect the main service to tenement houses and should not reconnect any new service without the previous consent of the Governor in Council.

4. It is clear from the "Objects and Reasons" attached to the draft Bill that the object of this section was two-fold. The Government was endeavouring to reduce water wastage in the overcrowded poor districts of the town and they were at the same time conscious that meterage would impose a heavy burden on the landlord who. would in nine cases out of ten have to pay for the cost of excess consumption.

5. This Ordinance was the subject of a petition stressing the undesirability of a return to conditions involving a non-direct house supply and urging the adoption of an alternative scheme then known as the "Chadwick Scheme" but which is now commonly referred to as the "Rider Main System".

6. As a result of this petition the Rider Main System was introduced on the Island in 1903, at a cost of $222,000, which was paid for by the Chinese com munity. Under this system tenement houses were subjected to partial or total restric- tion of supplies in times of water scarcity, but, subject to such restriction, enjoyed a direct house supply service freed from any cost beyond the rates.

7. From 1903 until 1932 the Rider Main System for Chinese tenement houses worked parallel with the systems of metered supply and street fountains. In 1932 it was abolished and the present system of universal meterage was introduced?

8. It would serve no useful purpose for this Commission to re-open the dis- cussion of the rights or wrongs of the decision to abandon the Rider Main System. The matter was fully debated at the time and the arguments for and against the decision may be found in the pages of our local Hansard. It is, however, pertinent to record that the physical constituents of the Rider Main System had reached a stage where there remained no alternative between abolition and complete renewal, that the main argument put forward by Government in favour of abolition was that this System was wasteful and difficult to operate in times of water scarcity, and that it was definitely stated and maintained by Government that the introduction of universal meterage was not for the purpose of raising revenue but to secure a more equitable and less wasteful system of distribution.)