ENG-1946 — Page 126

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all remaining plant had been neglected and allowed to fall into disrepair. Many plans and records were lost though some had been preserved throughout the occupation by the Chinese staff.

The European waterworks staff were able to leave the internment camp in late August, 1945, before the relieving force arrived and thanks to their efforts a continuous water supply was provided during the confused days of the Japanese surrender. Rehabilitation of plant and equipment proceeded steadily during the early months but the collection of revenue was difficult as there was no record of consumers and many meters had disappeared. By the end of 1945, 16,000 con- sumers had been re-registered and meters were being repaired or replaced as far as available supplies and materials allowed. One of the missing rotary pumps was found on the top of the highest mountain in the Colony where it had formed part of the equipment of a Japanese radar station. Other temporary pumps were installed where necessary. 70,000 feet of main pipes were laid on the Peak and in outlying areas. Filtering plant and catchment systems were overhauled, and fire hydrants were made serviceable.

By the end of 1946 fair progress had been made and throughout the year the supply was interrupted only by the imposition of water restrictions made necessary through inadequate rainfall (the development of water resources has always lagged behind demand in Hong Kong, and such restric- tions are common even in normal circumstances). The repair of the neglected slow sand filter-beds was still outstanding and much replacement equipment including meters was still awaited. A good deal of work remained to be done before the water supply services could regain pre-war efficiency.

Electricity.

In 1941 the generating plant of the Hong Kong Electric Co., which supplies the island of Hong Kong, had consisted of two high steam pressure turbines and five low pressure turbines,, giving a total generating capacity of 54,000 k.w. On the re-occupation of the Colony it was found that 10,000 k.w. of plant had been removed and a further 20,000 could not be made serviceable until replacement parts could be obtained from the makers. Rubbish, rubble and dirt were piled high in the generating station and this had to be removed before it was possible to examine the plant itself which had not been in operation for several months. The plant appeared to have been run until it broke down without any attempt at maintenance or repair; two boilers had been removed by the Japanese and of those that remained two were clogged with ash and sawdust through having been fired with wood fuel; boilers and pipework were pitted and corroded through the use of impure water; of the ancillary plant, one large circulat- ing pump, two of the latest boiler feed pumps, and some of