1910 Public Works Department Annual Report

(The full document is available at HKGRO: http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/a1910/113.pdf. Thanks to Herostratus for help with supplying the text below.)

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31. Collapses

There were 3 serious collapses involving the destruction of 10 houses and causing the loss of several lives in each case. The following are brief particulars of them:-
 
98, 100 and J02 Jervois Street. 
Consequent upon an outbreak of fire, the party walls between these houses collapsed on September 4th and the floors and roofs and the greater portion of the front and rear walls also fell. In this case 7 persons were killed.
 
11, 13, 15 and 17 Morrison Street,
The front and party walls of Nos. 13 and 15 collapsed on September 17th, bringing down with them the floors and roofs and, a little later, the party wall between Nos. 15 and 17 fell bringing down the floors and roof of the latter house. Subsequently, portions of the flank and front walls of No 17 fell and, in consequence of their dangerous condition, the party wall between Nos. 11 and 13 and all the rear walls were demolished. Some damage was caused to the Old Western Market premises by the collapse of Nos. 13 and 15. The initial collapse caused the death of 9 persons, 8 being killed outright and 1 dying as the result of injuries received. The site of the buildings was resumed by Government in connection with the reconstruction of the Old  Western Market, which is about to he undertaken.
 
13, 15 and 17 Aberdeen Street.
On November 28th, a portion of the party wall between Nos. 15 and 17 suddenly collapsed bringing with it the floors and roofs of these houses and causing the death of 6 persons.
 
The Coroner held an enquiry into each of the above cases, with the result that the following verdicts were returned: -
 
Jervois Street.
The jury found that in the case of the six men death was due to asphyxiation caused by the collapse, and in the case of the seventh man the cause of death was unknown.
 
Morrison Street.
The jury found that the death of the Chinese was due to the collapse of the building; and that the collapse was due to defective walls; that there was no negligence on the part of the Public Works Department, but that the inspection should have been more thorough.
 
Aberdeen Street.
The jury returned a verdict of death from accidental causes.

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36. Principal Works by Private Firms

Messrs. Butterfield & Swire completed various works in connection with their shipyard at Quarry Bay and the erection of quarters for their employees both at quarry Bay and at Shaukiwan West.
 
The additions to the Standard Oil Co.’s Works at Lai Chi Kok referred to in last year’s report were completed during the year.
 
The reconstruction of the Southern portion of the Hongkong Hotel (South block) was completed in December but some further alterations are still in progress.
 
Work on the extension of the Hongkong and Whampoa. Dock Cos No. 1 Dock at Hunghom was carried on during the year and was nearing completion
 
Work on the Hongkong University buildings was commenced and considerable progress was made. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone was performed by His Excellency the Governor on the 16th March
 
Amongst other works which have been completed or commenced during the year, the following may he mentioned

Works Commenced

Cinematographic Theatre (“Victoria”) on PRML 14, Des Voeux Road Central.
Chinese Theatre on IL 1853, Kam U Fong.
Weaving Factory on K.I.L. 571, Saigon Street, Kowloon.
Small-pox Hospital on K.I.L. 1264, Tai Shek Ku,
Additions to Electric Light works. H.H.I.L. 226, Hunghom,
36 Chinese houses on I.L. 427, Spring Gardens, Wanchai.
3 Houses on P.R.M.L. 14, Connaught Road Central.
5 Chinese houses on I.L. 767, High Street.
11 Chinese houses on l.L. 796 R.P., Pokfulam and Battery Roads
12 Chinese houses on K.I.L. 1079, Shanghai Street.
4 Chinese houses on KIL 964, Shanghai Street.
8 Chinese houses on.K.I.L. 17, Sham Shui Po.
1 Chinese house on K.F.L.’s 1335 and 1336, Ngau Chi Wan.
2 Chinese houses on K.l.L.'s 1255 and 1210, Hok Un

Works Completed.

Seaman’s Institute on M.L. 295, Praya East.
Hospital and 4 European houses on Q.B.I.L. 7, Quarry Bay.
Steel tank gasholder on I.L. 834, Queen's Road West.
Cinematograph Theatre (“Empire”) on IL. 1869, Des Voeux Road Central.
Swimming bath at Murray Pier for Victoria Recreation Club.
Rope Factory Extension on LL. 906, Smithfield Street, Kennedy Town.
Godown on ML. 239, Kennedy Town
Club house for Corinthian Yacht Club, Praya East.
Godown on LL. 1573, Bowrington Road.
Pavilion on K.I.L. 535, Nathan Road, Kowloon.
Sorting shed on K.M.L. 88, Kowloon Point.
Pavilion on Polo Club Ground, Causeway Bay.
Steel pier, West of N.K.M.L. 2 (for Union Water Boat Co.)
14 Chinese houses on 1.L. 796, Yuk Ming Street,
4 Semi-European houses on M.L. 296, Praya East.
3 Houses and godowns on LL. 1588, Whitfield.
6 European houses on K.I.L. 522 RP and K.l.L.. 548. Section A, Nathan Road.
4 Chinese houses on SM L.’s 5 and 6, Shaukiwan
5 Chinese houses on S.1.L. 418, Shaukiwan
6 Chinese houses on 5.1.11. 377, Shaukiwan.
2 European houses on R.B.L. 6, Sections H and I. Gough Hill Road, Peak.

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75. Additions to No. 2 Police Station

This work consisted of the demolition to a large extent of the old building. which was two stories in height, and the reconstruction and rearrangement of it as a three-storied building throughout, a fourth storey being added over a portion of it. Considerable difiiculty‘ was experienced in connection with the foundations of the east wall which abntted against the gable wall of the adjoining house. The latter wall, including its foundations, was discovered to be of inferior construction, but its condition was not such as to justify the service of a notice for its demolition and the owners declined to undertake its reconstruction. By modifying the design to some extent and exercising special precautions, the diflioulties were overcome and the foundations and wall of the new building were successfully constructed without injury to the adjoining house. The work was nearly completed by the close of the year, only some of the finishings, colour washing and painting remaining to be done.
 
The building contains at charge room and 3 cells, quarters for an Inspector, comprising 3 rooms, a kitchen and bath and store rooms, quarters for 3 European Sergeants and 4 European Constables, (3 rooms, kitchen and bathroom}, 15 Indian Constables (2 rooms, kitchen and bathroom), 1 Chinese Sergeants  rooms) and 15 Chinese Constables (1 room, kitchen and bathroom), besides the necessary latrine accommodation and a room for coolies. Verandahs are provided on all floors on the North front and balconies on the South and
West fronts.
 
Accommodation is provided for 37 extra men over the number who could be housed in the old building.
 
The walls are built of Canton red bricks, generally in lime mortar, rough-cast externally and plastered internally. The floors of the rooms are of 1&1/4” hardwood on hardwood joists, which are generally exposed, ceilings being only provided in the case of the Inspector's Quarters,  which are situated on the top floor, and of the Charge Room and European Constables‘ room. The floors of the verandahs, balconies, kitchens and bathrooms are of reinforced cement concrete covered with cement or salt-glazed tiles. The floor of the partial fourth storey is of reinforced cement concrete, covered with asphalt and salt-glazed tiles.
 
The roof is partly of double pan and roll tiling on hardwood rafters and partly of reinforced cement concrete. The steps of staircase are of granite, the landings of reinforced cement concrete and the handrail and balusters of wrought iron. 
 
The building is lighted throughout with electric light.
 
1910 Estimates,  $12,000.00          Total Estimates  $18,000.00
1010 Expenditure, $11,424,66      Expenditure to 31/12/10,  $11,424.66

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80. Prison Extension

A site for the construction of an additional block containing 78 cells was obtained by pulling down the old offices and a portion. of the hospital immediately within the inner entrance gates. The demolition of the old buildings and the necessary alterations to provide office accommodation elsewhere were carried out by prison labour, the materials being supplied by the Public Works Department.
 
A contract for the erection of the new block of cells was let in January and the building was completed and handed over to the Prison Department on the 15th December: It is three stories in height and is constructed of Canton red bricks, built in lime mortar and pointed in cement mortar, and roofed with double bam and roll tiling laid on hardwood rafters. The ground floor cells are floored with hardwood boarding laid on hardwood fillers, embedded in cement concrete, and the corridor floor is of cement concrete finished off smooth with it layer of granolithic 1" thick. The floors of the remaining cells are laid with two layers of hardwood boarding with felt between them. The stairs are of timber and extend continuously from the ground to the top floor. The looks for the cell doors are of the special type manufactured for such purposes and were obtained from England.
 
1910 Estimates $18,000.00           Total Estimates $20,500.00
1910 Expenditure 17,319.18        Expenditure to 31/12/10: 17,319.18

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— P 43 —

KOWLOON.

• Chatham Road (temporary route), - - - -    4
• Salisbury Road,    -    --    --    --    --    3
• Approach road to Mortuary, Yaumati,    - -    1
• Shanghai Street,    -    --    --    -    - --    2
• Fife Street, -    1
• Argyle Street, -    -- -- --    -- -    2
• Nelson Street, -    -- --    --    -- -    1
•  (Total) 14
• 1910 Estimates, ------- $1,500.00
• 1910 Sup. Vote, -------    600.00
•  (Total) $2,100.00
• 1910 Expenditure, ------    2,067.00

92. Triangulation Survey of Colony.—A description of the work accomplished will be found under paragraph 15 of this report. The designation of the Vote has been altered from “Permanent Marks for Traverse Survey Points in New Territories ” to that given at the commencement of this paragraph.

• 1910 Estimates,     $5,000.00 Total Estimates,... $11,000.00
• 1910 Expenditure, ... 1,138.59 Expenditure to 31/12/10,     2,238.37

93.    Green Island and Kowloon City Piers.—These piers were completed in September and October respectively. With the exception of the fenders, which are of Yacal, they are constructed entirely of reinforced concrete. The piles, which vary from 12" X 12" to 14" x 14" and from 15 3/4 to 37 1/4 feet in length, were made in Hongkong and were conveyed to the works when properly set and driven in the usual manner. The walings, bracings, deck beams and decking were all made in situ and, owing to the small range of tide and the infrequence of suitable tides, the work was a somewhat tedious one. It is however hoped that the additional trouble involved will be compensated for by the greater durability of the material employed compared with the timber hitherto used.

Green Island pier is L-shaped, is 90 feet in length and has an area of 1,350 square feet. It is provided with one set of steps and a pair of davits for hoisting a boat used in connection with the Gunpowder Depot.

Kowloon City pier is 149 feet long and has an area of 2,950 square feet, being provided with two sets of steps at the outer end, which is widened to accommodate them. To obviate unduly increasing the length of the pier, 21,608 cubic yards of mud were dredged in order to deepen the approaches, the seabed being comparatively level in the vicinity. The cost of the dredging was defrayed from the vote “Dredging Foreshores”,
 

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— P 44 —

The use of Kowloon City Pier as a regular place of call for two launches running a ferry service to that district was sanctioned subject to payment of $20 and $15 per month respectively.

The amount actually expended during the year was $19,594.72, but a credit of $12,306.18 was obtained by returning into Store the plant referred to in last year’s report, thus reducing the amount to $7,288.54.

• 1910 Estimates,    $18,000.00 Total Estimates,...$34,734.00
• 1910 Expenditure, ... 7,288.54 Expenditure to 31/12/10     34,146.08

94. Miscellaneous Works.—The following are the principal items of expenditure under this heading, representing in some cases only a part of the cost of the works in consequence of their execution extending over more than one year:—

• Western Market: —    $    $
  • Constructing fruit market on open space behind old Harbour Office (completed),    3,734
  • Closing opening on first floor of new Western Market with iron gratings, -    -    -    291
  • Enclosing verandah openings of do.,    -    -    148
  • Converting North vestibule of do. into two stalls, - -- -- --    --    119
  • Providing two new counters in do.,    -    -    86
  • Erecting cubicles in fitter’s room in do., -    72
  • Wire netting to windows and gates of do., 144
  • Erecting matshed in old Western Market, 415
  • (Total)    5,009
• Royal Square:—
  • Removing statue of H.M. King Edward VII to permanent site, -------    459
  • Laying out and turfing area adjoining King Edward’s statue, - -    -    -    -    1,171
  • Arrangements in connection with the unveiling of statues ceremony, performed in 1909, - -- -;     534
  • (Total)    2,164
• Imports and Exports Office :—
  • Erecting timber building for office adjoining new Harbour Office,    -    -    -    1,628
  • Do. timber shed for waiting room, -    177
  • Electric light fittings, fans, etc.,    -    -    -    227
  • (Total)    2,032
• Low-lying area at junction of Nathan and Jordan Roads, Kowloon,—filling in,     1,636
• Rifle Range in King’s Park, Kowloon,—Extensions : $2,498—$1,093 contributed from Volunteer funds,     1,405
• Slaughter Houses, Kennedy Town,—Addition to Shroffs' quarters,     1,317
• Sookunpoo Market—reconstructing drainage and relaying floors, etc.,    ------    1,253

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95. Royal Square.—It may be useful to record here that the old building which had been used as an office in connection with the Praya Reclamation work and was latterly occupied by some of the Public Works Department staff was demolished in the beginning of the year, a sum of $100 being received for the materials. The statue of His late Majesty, King Edward VII, was then moved to its permanent position adjoining the Central Avenue and a bamboo fence was erected to enclose an area, which was laid out and turfed by the Botanical and Forestry Department, corresponding with the Northern plot of garden belonging to the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. The area between the new plot and the Hongkong Club, which had been occupied as a contractor’s yard in connection with the erection of the new Post Office, was vacated and cleared of matsheds and building materials at the close of the year.

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99. Improvement of Tai Hang Village

The improvement of the old portion of this village, which had formed the subject of complaints by the Sanitary Board, was undertaken. The work consisted of the entire demolition of the old houses and the pig-sties, the filling in of the sites so as to raise them to a maximum extent of about 6&½ feet, the laying out of new roads and lanes and the proper drainage of the area. The villagers were compensated for the demolition of their buildings and were given improved sites on which to erect sanitary dwellings. In all, 48 houses, 8 matsheds and 73 pig-sties have to be dealt with and, of these, 18 houses, 1 matsheds and 15 pig-sties were demolished during the year and practically reconstructed by its close

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102. Kowloon Waterworks Gravitation Scheme.

A contract for the completion of the Main and Byewash Dams of the Storage Reservoir was entered into with the Kang On Firm in January and was completed on the 1st December. The work done included :
 
Cement Concrete:     1,000 cubic yards
Lime Concrete:    3,100 cubic yards
Ashlar Masonry:    21,300 cubic feet
Rubble:        730 cubic yards
 
With the completion of this contract, the Kowloon Waterworks Gravitation Scheme, authorized in December 1901, (aide Sessional Papers Nos. 50/1901 and 27/ 1902), was brought to a close and it may be of interest to give here a brief account of the works executed.
 
The Scheme, as carried out, included the following works:
 
(i.) A Storage Reservoir of 374 million gallons capacity with a natural drainage area of 438 acres.
(ii) A Caretaker’s Bungalow.
(iii) Two Catchwaters, one intercepting the drainage of an area of 400 acres and the other of an area of 28 acres.
(iv.) A Clearwater Channel.
(v.) A Main from the Storage Reservoir to the Filter Beds.
(vi) Three Filter Beds having a total area of 2,400 square yards.
(vii) A Main from the Filter Beds to the Service Reservoir.
(vm) A Service Reservoir of 2,183,000 gallons capacity.
(ix.) A Main from the Service Reservoir to Yaumati and sundry extensions of the distribution system in Kowloon Peninsula.
(x.) Miscellaneous works.
 
(i) Storage Reservoir.—This has been formed by the construction of a main dam across the valley of the Lai Chi Kok stream a little beyond the 5-mile stone on the Tai Po Road and an overflow dam in a depression to the South of the main dam. Both dams are constructed of masonry and concrete.
 
The main dam is curved on plan with. a radius of 240 feet. Its length. on top is 600 feet, its height from the lowest part of the foundation to the top 112 feet and its maximum thickness 72 feet.Four draw-offs, fitted with the necessary valves, are provided at the levels of 375, 395, 415 and 435 feet above Ordnance Datum respectively, (permanent overflow level being 448 feet above Ordnance Datum), and are connected with a 10" cast iron stand-pipe fixed in a well which is formed in the dam. From the bottom of the well, a culvert extends to the outer face of the dam, in which are laid a 10” main which is joined up to the stand-pipe and a 12” scour pipe which served the purpose of enabling the height of the water to be controlled during construction and is now available as a washout for the reservoir.
 
The dam is composed almost entirely of cement concrete, faced on the inner side with granite ashlar masonry and on the outer side with granite rubble masonry. In the top 21 feet and at both ends, where the dam extends well into the hillsides, lime concrete has been substituted for cement concrete. Immediately behind the ashlar masonry of the inner face, cement concrete of special quality, (proportions 1, 1&1/2, 3), varying from 5’ 0” thick at the bottom to 2’ 0” thick at the top, has been used for the purpose of ensuring water-tightness. As an old pathway across the hills to Sheng Mun and Tai Po crossed the site of the reservoir and therefore became submerged, it was necessary to make other provision for it and this has been done by forming a path, 9 feet Wide, on top of the dam, which is at a level of 454 feet above Ordnance Datum. 
 
The following are the quantities of material used in the construction of the dam:
 
Cement concrete:    36,740 cubic yards.
Lime concrete:        4,420 cubic yards
Ashlar masonry:     64,520 cubic feet.
Rubble:         1,750 cubic yards.
 
The overflow dam is l40 feet long and 23 feet high from the lowest part of its foundation to overflow level, the path already referred to being carried across it on a bridge 9 feet wide supported on granite ashlar piers. The overflow comprises 10 openings, each 10 feet wide, all of which are provided with iron sluices, by means of which an additional depth of 2 feet of water in excess of that held up by the dam can be impounded. Below the overflow dam are two “water cushions ” to break the fall of the water and beyond them a channel, varying in width from 120 feet to 60 feet, has been cut for a distance of 300 feet and lined with concrete and masonry. Clockwork recording gear has been provided to register the extent of any
overflow which may occur.
 
In addition to the provision made for it in the case of the two dams, the diversion of the old pathway necessitated the formation of 1&1/2 miles of new path, varying in Width from 6 feet to 4 feet. It consisted merely of a cutting in the hillside of the width stated with the necessary cross drains where required.
 
The construction of the reservoir also entailed raising the level of the main road to Sha Tin and Tai Po for a distance of nearly half a mile to an average extent of 1 foot 6 inches.
 
(ii.) Caretaker’s Bungalow: This is built on a site within 100 feet of the Tai Po Road, where it commands a view of both the main and overflow dams of the storage reservoir. The main building contains 5 rooms, 2 bathrooms and verandahs and is designed to accommodate a caretaker and any officer whose duty may require him to reside temporarily in the locality. Suitable Servants’ quarters are also provided. With the exception of a stone base, 4 feet high, the walls are of Canton brick in lime mortar, faced with Amoy bricks. The floors of the rooms are of teakwood on hardwood joists and the floors of verandahs of cement tiles on cement concrete.
 
(iii) Catchwaters: The natural catchment area of the reservoir, as already mentioned, is only 438 acres, the yield from which would be insufficient to fill a reservoir of such capacity in years of low rainfall and it was therefore necessary to supplement it by means of catchwaters. The main catchwater commences near the east end of the reservoir. Passing under the Tai Po Road it is carried for a distance of 2 miles along the Northern slopes of the Kowloon range of hills, terminating at the stream which flows northward from the Lion’s Head or Kowloon Pass. It intercepts the water from an area of 400 acres and, except where crossing stream-courses, is cut entirely out of the solid. Commencing with a cutting in solid rock through a gap in the hills, it has an average width of 21 feet and depth of 7’ 6", diminishing gradually to 15 feet by 8 feet at its upper end. A small V-shaped channel is formed at one side to carry the dry weather flow; sand pits, extending the full width of the channel, are constructed at intervals of 200 feet to intercept any grit that may be carried by the water during rainstorms and overflows are provided at most of the points where any considerable streams enter the catchwater. A path, 6 feet wide, has been constructed on the outer bank of the catchwater and is carried across the overflows by concrete bridges, The bottom of the channel is lined with cement concrete 4” thick and the sides with lime concrete of the same thickness. The catchwater has a fall of 1 in 2,400 and when running full it is calculated that it will carry 20 million gallons an hour. This capacity was provided so that it may in future be extended to intercept the water from a further area of 600 acres, or 1000 acres in all, and it is designed to carry a rainfall of 1” per hour from the last-mentioned area. A clockwork recorder has been provided to register the depth
of the Water flowing in the catchwater.
 
The second catchwater, which is 500 feet long, with a sectional area of 7 square feet, intercepts a stream with a drainage area of 28 acres near the Caretaker's Bungalow and discharges into the Reservoir at the Byewash Dam.
 
(iv) Clearwater Channel: To avoid drawing water from the Reservoir when, after heavy rains, it may be too turbid to be easily filtered, a channel has been constructed to intercept a portion of the flow from the Catchwater in addition to the Waters of a natural stream and convey them into the main leading to the filter beds This channel extends from the Catchwater to the overflow dam, contouring the hills on the South side of the reservoir and just above top water level. It is 2,000 feet in length, has a sectional aroa of 2& ½ square feet and a fall of 1 in 1,200 and is lined throughout with concrete, the bottom being of cement and the sides generally of lime concrete. Where spurs of the hill would cause any considerable detour, they have been out through, 15" stoneware pipes being laid to conduct the water between the points where the channel ends. An intake has been formed in the bed of the catchwater from which the water is conveyed in 12” cast iron pipes into the channel and the waters of the stream already mentioned are intercepted in a similar manner. From the Overflow Dam, where the channel terminates, the water is conveyed in an 8" cast iron pipe, which passes through the dam, crosses the Overflow Channel in a diagonal line and extends down the hillside to the main gauge basin on the pipe-line leading to the Filter Beds.
 
(v) Main from Storage Reservoir to Filter Beds: - As already mentioned, the 10” stand-pipe, with which the draw-off pipes from the reservoir are connected, is continued by a main of the same diameter through the culvert in the main dam, whence it extends down the gorge for a distance of 800 feet to an open gauge basin.From this point an 18"’ cast iron main is laid at a gradient of 1 in 1,000 to another gauge basin at the filter beds, a distance of 3,200 feet below the main dam. The main is carried down the right bank of the Lai Chi Kok stream for a distance of 1,400 feet and then, turning nearly at right angles, it crosses the stream on a bridge of steel girders and stone piers and passes through a spur of the hills in a tunnel 356 feet long constructed on the “cut and cover” system finally discharging into the gauge basin at the filter beds. A branch on this main has been provided so that water may, when necessary, be passed to the Filter Beds at Lai Chi Kok from which the supply for the shipping is drawn. The tunnel already mentioned is 6' 0" high and 7’ 6” wide, space being provided in it for another line of 18” pipes when found necessary. It is lined throughout with brick in cement 18” thick.
 
(vi) Filter Beds: These are situated immediately below and to the North of the gap in the Kowloon range of hills, through which the Tai Po Road passes. A considerable amount of excavation had to be done in levelling the site for them. The beds are three in number, each 105’ 0” x 70’ 0”, giving a total area. of 2,400 square yards. They are formed of lime concrete, finished with cement rendering round the sides and with a layer of cement concrete on the bottom. The filtering material consists of 3’ 6” of sand on 1 foot of broken stone. The water is drawn off through adjustable outlets, by means of which its level may be maintained constant, and passes through Venturi meters which record both the rate of flow and the filtering head. The levelling of the site, which will accommodate 3 more beds of the same size as those already described, entailed excavation to the extent of 83,000 cubic yards. The work included the erection of a small stone building to accommodate 3 coolies employed as caretakers.
 
(vii) Main from Filler Beds to Service Reservoir: Immediately after leaving the Filter Beds, the main enters a tunnel 802 feet long, thus avoiding a long detour round the Western end of the ridge which terminates at Lai Chi Kok. This tunnel is of the same dimensions as the one already described but, as the main portion of it has been out through hard rock, only the ends are lined with 18” brickwork in cement. Gn leaving the tunnel, the main follows a track which has been out on the hillside so as to enable it to be laid on the “hydraulic gradient” of l in 1,000, till the Tai Po Road is reached at a point close to the 4 mile stone. From here it is laid in the road until it reaches the meter-house at Kowloon Tong, whence it is carried direct to the Service Reservoir. Where it crosses stream beds, the main is carried by steel joists on stone piers, provision being made for its duplication when required. From the Filter Beds to the Service Reservoir the distance is 2&1/3 miles, of which 3,100 feet consist of 1.8” pipes at a gradient of I in 1,000 and 9,300 feet of 12” pipes having a “hydraulic gradient ” of 5 in 1,000.
 
(viii) Service Reservoir: Thle Service Reservoir is built on the summit of a hill to the north of Kowloon Tong Village. lt is circular in plan with a top diameter of 155’ 0” and depth of 20' 0". The bottom and circumferential wall are of cement concrete and the roof of cement concrete vaulting supported on brick arches and stone piers. The capacity of the reservoir' is 2,183,000 gallons and its top water level is 255’ above Ordnance Datum.
 
(ix) Main From Service Reservoir to Yaumati etc: From the meter-house at Kowloon Tong, where the total supply is measured and recorded by a Venturi meter, a 12" main is carried along the Tai Po Road and Shanghai Street to Yaumati where it connects with the old distribution system at the Yaumati pumping station now disused. A 6” branch main is taken off it en route and is laid generally along the boundary line of British Kowloon to Kowloon City and another branch main, 5” diameter, to Taikoktsui and Sham Shui Po. The extensions of the distribution system.included an 8” main from the Yaumati Theatre along Gascoigne Road to Hunghorn, the substitution of 7” and 6” mains for the old 4” in Canton Street, Salisbury and Chatham Roads and part of Austin Road and sundry 4” mains in various parts of the peninsula where no mains existed previously. Ball fire hydrants were fixed on the mains in -all developed areas and street fountains were provided where required. The extensions and enlargements of the distribution system etc comprise in all 7 miles of new mains, 3 miles of substituted mains of larger diameter, 158 Fire Hydrants and 65 Street Fountains.
 
(x.) Miscellaneous: This is comprised the election of 32 concrete boundary pillars on the hills to demarcate the catchment area; the construction of temporary intakes on the streams crossing the Tai Po Road to augment the supply to the peninsula while the new works were under construction; the laying of a temporary main at Yaumati for the same purpose ; the cutting of a road from Cheung Sha Wan gap to the bay to give general access to the works: the erection of a temporary bamboo pier in the bay; payment of the Engineers’ commission and part of the overseer’s salary and also compensation to the villagers for land which was thrown out of
cultivation by the works.
 
Cost of Scheme: The following is a statement of the cost of the various works included under the scheme
 
(i) Storage Reservoir:                    $622,499.48
(ii) Caretakers Bungalow:                $18,478.24 
(iii). Catchwaters:
    -Main Catchwater 2 
miles long: $161,468.64
-Second Catchwater 500
Feet long $2,400                $163,868.64
(iv,) Clearwater Channel:                $7231.00    
(v.) Main from Storage Reservoir to Filter beds    $60,723.35
(vi) Filter Beds                        $68,496.40 
(vii) Ma-in from Filter Beds to Service Reservoir    $65,745.61
(viii.) Service Reservoir                $67,639.31
(ix.) Main from Service Reservoir to Yaumati and
      sundry extensions of Distribution System        $74,490.05 
(x.) Miscellaneous Works                
(a) Engineers‘ Commissions: $63,724.47
(b) Compensation for land 
thrown out of cultivation: $4,755.16
(c) Pier in Cheung Sha Wan 
Bay: $1,000.00
(d) Boundary Pillars demarcating 
Catchment area: $576.00
(e)Temporary Intakes above Tai Po 
Road and temporary main at 
Yaumati, etc., to augment supply 
during construction of new 
Works: $4,845.28 
(f) Overseer's Salary: $5214.00
(g) Sundries: $8,536.16
 
$88,678.07
 
Total Cost:                        $1,237,850.15
 
There is still a balance of $11,292.43 due to the Kang On firm in connection with item (i), but this amount, is included in the above statement and a credit of $18.00 for unused stores which have to be returned has also been allowed for. There are also of certain matters in connection with Mr. Tsang Keng’s contract for items (i) and (ii); which are at present the subject of arbitration and the figures given for those items have to be altered when the award is made.
 
Execution of Scheme: The whole of the works described above were designed and supervised on behalf of the Government by Messrs. Denison, Rem & Gibbs. The reasons for entrusting the work to this firm were the inadequacy of the staff of the Public Works Department and the fact that Mr. Gibbs, whilst occupying the position of Assistant. Engineer in the Public Works Department, prior to joining the firm mentioned, had investigated and reported upon the possible sources from which it supply of water for Kowloon Peninsula could be obtained,  the scheme in question being evolved from his report.

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