HONGKONG.
409
No. 34b.
91.
QUESTIONS ASKED, BY HON. T. H. WHITEHEAD IN COUNCIL ON THE 26TH OCTOBER, 1891, AND THE ANSWERS THERETO
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, on the 26th October, 1891.
NEW CENTRAL MARKET.
(1.) In view of the statement, made by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, at the last Meeting of Council, to the effect that further delay in the matter of the proposed New Central Market involves large and continual loss to the Revenue such delay must certainly be avoided, will the Government lay upon the table a report shewing the amount of work done to the said proposed New Market since 17th August last to 30th September, 1891, and its present condition, and inform the Council-
(1.) The amount of work done in the construction of the New Central Market between the 17th of August and the 30th September was the preparation of about 2,000 cubic feet of granite for the superstructure.
(1) If plans and designs for the proposed New Central Market have been decided upon ;
(1) Plans and designs have been decided on.
(2) If so, which have been selected-whether those of the Honourable the Surveyor General which were disapproved of by Sir Wm. Des Voeux, or those of the professional Architect (Mr. H. W. Wills) sent out from England to Hongkong at the request of this Govern- ment by the Crown Agents, prepared by him at the special request of Sir Wm. Des Vœux;
(2) The plans prepared by the Surveyor General with slight' modifications including the suggestion of the Public Works Committee have been selected. The Government is not aware that Sir WILLIAM DES Vaux expressed disapproval of Mr. BROWN'S plans, as regards which he stated in Legislative Council on 12th February, 1890, that "his impressions were all in their favour."
(3) Has Chang Kee's tender referred to in the Resolution of the Honourable J. J. Keswick of
21st July last, or the tender of any other contractor for the superstructure or building of the proposed New Central Market over the foundations been accepted;
(4) If so, what is the amount of the tender accepted?
As negotiations are not yet completed it is considered inexpedient to reply to these
questions at present.
(5) Whether the plans and detailed statements have been prepared for the whole building complete in every respect, or whether the objectionable system has again been followed of preparing plans, etc., for only a part or portion and leaving the additional aggregate cost a totally unknown quantity.
(5) Plans and Elevations of the building have been completed but the details of the
internal fittings, such as, stalls, &c., are not yet ready.
(2.) Will the Government lay on the table a complete statement or return of the amount of monies expended
to 30th September, 1891, and the sums then due although not expended—
(1) In the purchase of the site for the proposed New Central Market;
(1) Reply will be found in the attached tabular statement.
(2) In the preparation of the ground and foundations;
(2) Reply will be found in the attached tabular statement.