HONGKONG.
209
No. 16
94
No. 288.
REPORT OF THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR 1898.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE, HONGKONG, 16th April, 1894.
SIR,-I have the honour to forward you the following report on the works carried out by this Department during the past year.
ANNUALLY RECURRENT WORKS.
2. Repairs to Buildings.-The following new buildings were completed in 1892 and therefore became chargeable to this vote for maintenance and repairs during the past year:
Lair Shed and Fodder Store at the Cattle Depôt.
Kowloon Slaughter House.
Public Laundries.
Quarters for Civil Hospital Staff.
Quarters and Offices for Superintendent of Botanical and Afforestation Department. Vaccine Institute.
Additions to Government House.
Additions to the Magistracy.
Block House at Sham-sui-po.
3. The total number of buildings of all descriptions now in charge of this Department is 132 áñu' the whole of them, with the exception of Mountain Lodge and Crosby Store, have been maintained in a satisfactory condition. The former of these is practically abandoned and the latter is approaching such a condition that extensive repairs will be necessary if its use is to be continued as at present.
4. The following are the only works of an exceptional nature that have been found necessary during the year :-
Re-drainage of Superintendent's Quarters and out-buildings at the Gaol. (C.S.O. 3.) Construction of a new roof over the old Police Station and Harbour Office at Aberdeen.
(C.S.O..)
Construction of a new roof over the Registry of the Supreme Court. (C.S.O. 2989.)
5. In accordance with the practice inaugurated last year, the following list shows the expenditure under the various sub-heads :-
Department.
(1) Government House, Government Offices, Supreme Court and Botanical
Department,
(2) Police Stations and Magistracy,
(3) Gaol,
(4) Educational (Schools),
(5) Sanitary Board (Markets, &c.),.
(6) Medical (Hospitals and Asylums),
(7) Miscellaneous,
(8) Harbour (Office, Quarters and Powder Magazine),..
Total,
Amount.
.$7,012.41
5,496.56
3,180.02
1,853.37
1,483.08
3,096.36
1,630.29
1,009.44
$24,761.53
6. Maintenance of Telegraphs.--The substitution of telephonic for telegraphic instruments has been completed, the only instruments of the latter class remaining being those for working the Gap Rock and Observatory lines. The telephone lines in Kowloon and the line from Causeway Bay to Shaukiwan have been reconstructed throughout and the renewal of the line from Shaukiwan to Cape D'Aguilar is now in progress. In connection with the renewal of lines, iron posts are being sub stituted for those of wood.
The cable between Hongkong and Kowloon was broken on the 29th September by the anchors of the S.S. Tai Lee, which fouled it during the storm of that date. With considerable trouble the ends of the broken cable were picked up and successfully spliced without the assistance of a cable ship and communication by it was restored on the 20th November. During the interval between the