-
493
There were 313 meters in use at the end of the year, an increase of 12 over 1906. Private services were constructed, altered or repaired in 57 instances and 13 building supplies were laid on.
56. Maintenance of Aberdeen and Shaukiwan Waterworks.-A satisfactory supply of water was maintained throughout the year at Aberdeen and Shaukiwan, the total consump- tion amounting to 6,030,000 and 18,248,000 gallons respectively or about 16,000 and 50,000 gallons per day. Details are given in Appendices K and L.
The supply to Sai Wan Battery, which is included in the Shaukiwan returns, amount- ed to 4,965,000 gallons for the year.
There were 6 meters in use at Aberdeen and 9 at Shaukiwan.
57. Maintenance of Laichikok Waterworks: Water Boat Supply -The total quantity of water supplied during the year amounted to 97,363.000 gallons or an average of about 267,000 gallons per day. Details are given in Appendix M.
In addition to the supplies to water boats there are now services laid from these works to the Standard Oil Company's premises and to the Brewery which is in course of erection.
58. Water Account.-The work done under this heading consists of the repair and general maintenance of meters, in addition to which new meters are charged against it.
The following is a detailed statement of the expenditure under the Vote :-
Value of 185 new meters, Cost of fixing same,
Repairs to meters,
$ 12,471.08 3,605.37 3,910.13
Total,
$ 19,986.58
The total number of meters examined and repaired during the year was 535.
PUBLIC WORKS EXTRAORDINARY.
59. Law Courts.-The necessary alterations resulting from the provision of a third Court were made and the whole of the walls of the building were completed up to the level of the second floor. The colonnade, which practically surrounds the building, was complete l up to the level of the main cornice and a considerable portion of the cornice itself was set. The stones composing the architrave of the co'onnade vary from 14 to 15 feet in length, whilst each stone weighs from about 3 to 3 tons. Dressed granite aggregating 28,218 cubic feet, was set in the work and good progress was made with the carving of the massive stone figures, &c., which will adorn the pediment on the west front of the building. Granite balusters to the number of 50 were prepared, bringing the total of these ready for fixing up to 350.
The average number of masons employed daily was 147.
Most of the steelwork for the second floor was set and the concrete forming the ceilings of the first floor corridors was laid.
Tenders for the joinery and fittings required to complete the building were called for before the close of the year.
60. Post Office.-The whole of the walls of the building, except those of the verandabs, had reached a height of from 44 to 74 feet above the level of the first floor and all the frames for the doors and windows on that floor were fixed. The verandah walls were completed to the level of the first floor and some of the moulded base for the balustrade on that floor was set. The dressed granite set in the work amounted to 22.504 cubic feet and a considerable quantity was prepared ready for setting. Granolithic balusters to the number of 800 were moulded, bringing the total number ready for fixing to 1,800.