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No. 95.
No. 123.
HONGKONG.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR 1894,
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE, HONGKONG, 19th March, 1895.
SIR, I have the honour to forward you a report on the work of this department during the past year. Owing to my absence from the Colony during the greater part of the year, I have to acknow- ledge my indebtedness to Mr. BowDLER, (Special Engineer, Praya Reclamation), the Executive Engineers and the Superintendent of Crown Lands, for much of the information contained in this report.
ANNUALLY RECURRENT WORKS.
2. Repairs to Government Buildings.-The only new building added to the list during the past year was "The Belilios School for Girls," which was completed and taken over by the Government in December 1893.
The total number of buildings of all descriptions in charge of the department is 129.
3. Extensive repairs or alterations have been executed in the following:-
Government Civil Hospital, Women's Hospital, European Lunatic Asylum, Police Stations Nos. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, Shaukiwan Police Station, Peak Signal Station and Officers' Quarters, Gunpowder Magazine Stonecutters' Island.
4. It is a matter of some regret that no practical steps beyond the preparation of plans and estimates have been taken to provide a suitable hill residence for the Governor, and that the Govern- ment have again to enter into a further lease of "Craigieburn" at an increased rental.
5. The Post Office, Treasury, Supreme Court and Crosby Store, though no longer equal to the demands of the Colony, still remain in the occupation of the departments concerned, and have been maintained and rendered, as far as possible, capable of meeting the increased accommodation required. It is, however, now becoming a generally recognised fact that the accommodation provided, specially in respect of the Post Office, is by no means adequate for the requirements of this Colony, and His Excellency the Governor recently appointed a Committee to enquire into the advisability of concen- trating the several Government departments in buildings on the New Praya Reclamation. Since my return in October last this project has received my careful attention, and general plans and approximate estimates have been submitted to the Committee. It is, therefore, to be hoped that before long this Colony may be provided with buildings more suitable for its requirements than the present ones, the erection of which dates back to its early days.
6. The expenditure under the various sub-heads has been as follows:-
(i) Government House, Government Offices, Supreme
Court and Botanical Department,
(ii) Police Station and Magistracy,
(v) Sanitary Board (Markets, &c.),.
+
.$ 3,819.16
5,591.95
1,338.88
510.87
3,101.46
3,490.01
1,309.36
(iii) Gaol,
(iv) Educational (Schools),.
(vi) Medical (Hospitals and Asylums),
(vii) Miscellaneous,
(viii) Harbour (Office, Quarters and Powder Magazine),... 1,574.38
(ix) Typhoon Damages,
Total,...
608.95
$21,345.02
The whole of the buildings have been kept in a satisfactory state of repair so far as their age and condition admit.
7. Some of the Police Stations notably No. 7, Queen's Road West, and No. 2, Praya East, will soon have to be replaced by new buildings and increased accommodation provided.