December 30, 1901.]
my request, submitted a complete estimate of the cost of the new Kowloon Waterworks Gravitation Scheme.
2. In forwarding to you their letter of the 14th instant, which contains the estimate re- ferred to, I desire to point out the following essential points of difference between the scheme now proposed and that contained in Mr. Gibbs's original Report of the 8th January, 1900.
(i). The dam is of masonry and cement conerete as recommended by Mr. Chadwick, instead of an earthen bank with clay paddle
core.
(ii). The site of the dam has been altered as proposed by Mr. Ormsby, being now located 30 feet lower in level in the bed of the valley.
(iii). The height of the dam has consequently been increased from 65 feet to 93 feet, top-water being maintained at the same level as formerly. (iv). The capacity of the reservoir has like- wise been increased from 120 million to 310 million gallons.
(v.) The estimated available supply has been increased from 590,000 to 1,575,00 gallons per day:
3. Before comparing the original and present estimates, it is well that I should lay before you the figures showing the enormous increase in population which had cocurred in Kowloon arising out of a development which had far exceeded all expectations, merely stating that the scheme is designed to supply the entire Peninsula, with the exception of few small straggling villages, from Kowloon City on the East to Sham Shui Po on the West, and will include these two populous, places which are situated in the New Territory,
4. According to the Census of 1897, the Ciril land population of British Kowloon number 27,158, to which must be added the Military and Naval forces stationed there, numbering, say, 900, and the population of the important villages of Kowloon and Sham Shui Po in the New Territory, as given in the Commissioner's Report, amounting to 3,500. The floating population in the adjoining portion of the Harbour was given as 7,624, making a grand total of 39,182
5. Taking the Census of this year, which ha just been published, the corresponding figures are found to be as follows:-
Civil population of British Kowloon, Military and Naval Forces, Kowloon City and Sham Shui Po, Floating population near the Kow.
loon shore,
Grand total,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPOŘT.
Item.
(1) Storage Reservoir (2.) Catehwater
(3.) Main to Filter Beds (4.) Filter Beds aud
Bungalow
(5.) Main from Filter Beds to Service Reservoir (6.) Service Reservoir at
Kowloon Tong
to and Extension of Distri- buting System (8.) Service Reservoir at Kowloon City
(7.) Connection
(9) Fire Hydrants
(10.)
Original Present
Scheme. Scheme.
on
55,0 0
6,000
3,000
5,000
existing system Purchase of cultivated
groundl
|
(11.)
Road diversions
---
393,000
517
SUMMONING OF CHINESE ORDINANCE. The ATTORNEY GENERAL-I beg to move
$150,000 $489,000 the following motion as to Ordinance No. 40) of 6,000 49,000 1899:-" Whereas by section 5 of the Summon- 16,000 24,000 ing of Chinese Ordinance, 1899 (No. 40 of 1899), it was enacted that the said Ordinance should 20,000 31,000 only continue in operation for the period of two years from the coming into operation of 72,000 100,000 the said Ordinance and for such further pericd or periods as might from time to time be deter- 60,000 70,000: mined by resolution of the Legislative Council: It is hereby resolved by this Council that the Sammoning of Chinese Ordinance, 1899, shall 70,000 bo continued in operation for the further pericd of three months from the 30th day of December, 7,00 1901 (iuclusive). This Ordinance has now been in operation for nearly 2 years and I understand 4,000 has worked very satisfactorily. It cannot be put into operation without the direction of the 8,000 Governor, as he alone can direct the Registrar- 5,000 General to make the enquiries referred to therein. 848,000 It is not, therefore, surprising, knowing how carefully matters of this kind are considered by His Excellency, that no complaints be dispensed with 13,000 13,000 have been brought to the knowledge either Total $ 38,000 835,000 of the Registrar-General or the Attorney- 11. In comparing these two estimates, it General of any harsh or undue exercise of the must be borne in mind that nearly two years very necessary powers conferred by the Ordin- have elapsed since the original scheme was pre-ance. At present, as it was only to continue in pared, and that during that period there has operation for 2 years and such further period been a great increase in the cost of labour and as might be determined by resolution of this materials in the Colony, an increase which I Council, it would expire on 30th instant. It estimate at 35 per cent.
is however desirable that the Ordinance should 12. I have already indicated the great chan-continue in fores for some time longer and my ges which have been made in the scheme, but present resolution is to continue it for 3 will recapitulate them here with reference to months. This will enable the Registrar the various items of the estimate which have General's report on its working to be considered been affected by them.
so that it may be considered later on whether a further extension will be necessary.
The REGISTRAR GENERAL seconded, and the motion was agreed to
Allow for value of
machinery, &c. to
Item (1). An alteration has been made in the site of the dam causing an increase of 30 feet in the height of it, aud masonry and cement con- crete have been substituted for earth and clay puddle in its construction.
for intercepting a stream from a side-valley Item (2). The original proposal provided only
below the dam; the present scheme provides for the Kowloon range of hills, intercepting the a large catchwater along the Northern slopes of
drainage from an area of 400 acres.
Item (3). Owing to the reduction in head, resulting from constructing the dam lower down the valley, the main to the Filter Beds has had to increased in size.
43.614 12,950 Item (4). Filter Beds of more than double 8,902 the area originally proposed are required to
deal with the increased supply which is con 11,558 templated under the new scheme.
61,244
or an increase of nearly 70 per cont.
6. From the foregoing statement, it will be gathered that, not only is a much larger scheme proposed than that originally contemplated, but such a scheme is absolutely necessary. 'The interval between the Consus of 1887 and that of 1901 is about 4 years and an equal period will elapse before the proposed works have been completed. Shonld the same rate of increase continue, the population to be provided for in 1905, when the works will have reached com- pletion, will be about 112,000.
Taking the very moderate allowance of 10 gallons per head per day, the daily supply required will be about 1,120,000 gallons. That is to say, the original scheme would only have given about half the supply required whilst the new scheme will have a reasonable margin to carry on with whilst further works are being constructed. 'That further works will have to be undertaken soon after the completion of this scheme there can be little doubt.
3. Mr. Ormsby suggested in his Report that the dam should only be carried to a height of 8 › feet in the first instance, leaving to a future date the raising of it to the full height. With the experience gained in Hongkong and the facts stated above, before me, I strongly deprecate such a course and recommend that the dam be carried to its full height forthwith.
9. There is no doubt whatever that, had the Tytam dam been originally built to its full height, Hongkong would have been spared some of the water famines from which it has
suffered.
10. Turning now to the estimate, I give below the relative cost of the original and present schemes.
SALARIES OF CIVIL SERVANTS. His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR-Before there is a matter I wish to say a word or two we proced to the orders of the day, gentlemen, about - namely, a telegram I have received In Cctober last the estimates of expenditure from the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
went home and at that time we were aware that in the Straits Settlements, and the Federated Malay States an increase had been granted in the salaries and emoluments of the officials. However there was no provision made for any increase here further than that recommended at the time by the Committee. A short time afterwards I received from the Secretary of State a copy of the despatch that had been sent to the Straits Settlements in ап- swer to the representations made by the Saits Settlements and Malay States. The Secretary of State had determined that in future all appointments the emoluments of which were over $12 0 ib year shall Item (11). The road diversion is rendered be paid in sterling, as also the salaries of the necessary by the alterod position of the dam European police, pri on warders and other which will interfere with the old path leading subordinate positions occupied by Europeans to Tai Po and other villages. The original site appointed from home, but as regards the
Items () to (9). The increases are required to cover the enhanced cost of materials and labour only.
Item (10). The amount originally stated was merely assumed; that now stated is based upon actual survey and measurement.
of the dam caused no interference with this path. present holders of these there were certain ex- 13. With regard to (10) "Purchase of ceptional advantages at present such as the cultivated ground," I may mention that compen-advantage of officials rec-iving when they are sation was paid for cultivated land required for on leave their half pay at 3/3 a dollar, aud the construction of the Tai Po Road generally pension at the same rate. at the rate of cent per square foot or $436 per The COLONIAL SECRETARY--4/- on leave and асге. I consider this amount altogether exces-3/8 on pension. sive and have taken a rate of $225 per acre or about cent per square foot in the estimate now submitted.
14. To summarize the matter, the scheme now proposed will give a supply of over 1 million gallons per day, which it is anticipated will be fully required within a few years after the works have been completed.
HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR Yes, Well, the Secretary of Stats felt that he could hardly interfere with these advantages enjoyed by the present holders. So as far as the present holders of these were concerned, they received the option whether they would have their salaries in future paid in sterling at what the practical valuation of the sterling was, tak- 15. I therfore submit that the entire scheme ing into consideration the possible advantage to be now undertakon and that I he authorized pension pay. but that they would have the to call for tenders for the dam and contingent alternative of an increase not on the pay works, the estimated coast of which, including but that while actually serving in the Colony materials to be supplied by the Government, is the compensation allowance for exchange $505,000. The balance of the estimated coast is should be given on the whole instead of the be absorbed by the mains, service, reservoirs, &c., half salary. That increase was not to which will form separate coptracts. imperative that the works should be undertake
It is calculated in either their leave or their pension
but was to be a purely local increase while without delay and that the present dry season they continued to serve in the Colony, during should be availed of to the greatest extent the lifetime of th present holders. Well, when possible. I have the honour to be, Sir,
that came before me, in that despatch the Secretary of State informed me that he did not at present propose to increase the salaries of the officials in Hongkong until he as satisfied as to the financial position of
Your obedient Servant,
W. CHATHAM. Acting Director of Public Works. The Honourable The COLONIAL SECRETARY,
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