Companhia das Aguas de Macao, 1929-1948

Component identifier:

Subseries 4-2

Content Summary:

A private venture, Companhia das Aguas de Macao (the Macau Water Works Company or 'Watco') was established in 1930 to supply water to Macau, which had an inadequate water supply with a very small catchment area. Braga was effectively the Companhia's founder, and became its General Manager in 1934. He retained the Companhia's correspondence files, located in this subseries.

A memorandum (File 23) explains the original water works proposal to build a retaining wall enclosing a bay on the relatively undeveloped north-eastern coastline of Macau, which would then be used for water storage. A treatment plant was also to be provided. By 1934, the Companhia had gone into liquidation, but after much effort was recapitalised, and in 1936 the new reservoir and treatment plant were opened. Braga remained General Manager of the Companhia until 1946, when he moved to Hong Kong.

Papers in this subseries include correspondence, reports, speeches, minutes, memoranda, legal documents, financial documents, architectural plans, research material and photographs. Among the correspondents are the Banco Nacional Ultramarino, William Boby, Chang Kam Sing, Chow Sin Kum, Charles Ferguson, G.A. Figueiredo, F.J. Gellion, Carlos Leitao, W.G. Let, Henrique Nolasco, J.M. Noronha, Carlos Roza, Fred Roza, R. Schwab and the Siemens China Co.

Transcripts of speeches at the 1936 opening of the water works are found in Subseries 4.1. Further photographs of the water works are held in the Library's Pictures Collection (nla.pic-vn3099673).

[35 files]

Immediate source of acquisition:

The bulk of the Braga Collection (including manuscripts, pictures, maps, newspapers, serials, periodicals, monographs and ephemera) was purchased from J.M. Braga in 1966. The component held in the Manuscript Collection at MS 4300 appears to have been formally accessioned as the J.M. Braga Papers in 1975. Several small additions have been made since the original instalment of papers was received. Most of these additions were transfers to the Manuscripts Collection from other collection areas, including a file of newspaper cuttings in May 1975, a set of microfilm reels in 1984, a file of manuscript material in 1985, lists of the Braga Collection in 1994, and two files of assorted printed material and other papers in 2009. As well, several small additions have been made by members of the Braga family. In 1992, various Braga family members donated a copy of the eulogy and order of service for Augusta Braga's memorial service, and in 2002 Angela Braga donated photographs of medals and decorations awarded to J.P. Braga, together with photocopies of early writings of J.M. Braga and eulogies for J.M. Braga and his grandson Michael Braga.

Subjects:

History

Names:

Braga, J.M. (José Maria)

Contents

Access and use