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9. Maintenance of Roads and Bridges out of Victoria.-A considerable amount of work has been performed under this heading. The following roads have been re-surfaced:-
Shaukiwan to Stanley.
Stanley to Deep Water Bay for a length of two miles.
Wongneichong to Tytam.
Bowen Road to Magazine Gap.
Queen's Road to Wanchai Gap. Victoria Gap to Pokfulam. Wanchai Gap to Aberdeen. New Aberdeen Road.
In addition to the above, the road from the City to Pokfulam has been blinded for nearly the whole distance.
10. Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in Kowloon.--The principal roads have been re-surfaced and the roads generally throughout the Peninsula have been maintained in good condition. Com- munication has been largely developed by the construction of proper roads in Kowloon, and it is now possible to traverse the greater part of the Peninsula by 'ricksha, a performance which was quite impossible four or five years ago.
11. Maintenance of Waterworks, City of Victoria and Hill District. It is satisfactory to be able to record that a constant supply of filtered water has been maintained to the City and Hill District during the past dry season, in consequence of the extensions to the Tytam Waterworks which have already been carried out. The catchwater round Mount Parker has proved to be a valuable auxiliary to the supply. Particulars of the quantity of water derived from the various sources will be found in appendix A.
12. Maintenance of Waterworks, Kowloon.--The supply in this case has also been constant and the works already carried out have so far proved sufficient, though the demand is rapidly overtaking the supply. Particulars are given in appendix A1.
13. Maintenance of Waterworks, Shaukiwan.--This is a new feature in the reports of this Depart- ment and affords another indication of the improved state of affairs which is gradually being introduced in the villages. The supply of water from fountains was begun during the month of June, 1896.
14. Maintenance of Waterworks, Aberdeen.-The same remarks apply in this case also though some works of a limited nature existed formerly, having been undertaken when the Paper Mills Reservoir was constructed in 1893. The supply has now been placed on a more satisfactory footing, filter beds and a service reservoir have been constructed and the works have been extended so as to bring the water within easy access of all the inhabitants of the village.
15. Maintenance of Sewers.-The sewers have been maintained in a satisfactory condition both in the City and in the various districts and villages where sewerage systems have been introduced.
16. Lighting of City of Victoria and Kowloon.--The contracts with the Gas and Electric Com- panies have been satisfactorily carried out. A considerable number of the gas lamps have been fitted with incandescent burners, effecting a marked improvement in the lighting of the neighbourhoods where this has been done. A new contract has been entered into with the Gas Company for a period of five years, commencing from the 1st July, 1897, (C.S.O. 7917).
17. Maintenance of Public Recreation Ground.—The ground has been maintained in good order. 18. Clock Tower. The necessary repairs have been made and the clock has been maintained in good order.
LAND SURVEY BRANCH.
19. Land Sales.--During the half-year, two land sales have taken place, the area sold being 165,047 square feet, the premium realized $18,715 and the annual Crown rent $1,270.
20. Extensions of Lots.-Extensions aggregating 17,487 square feet have been granted, the premiums amounting to $2,378.50 and the annual Crown rent to $105.88.
21. Land disposed of without public auction. An area of 2,450 square feet was granted to Messrs. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE as an extension of Inland Lot No. 1336, but was afterwards converted into a separate lot (Inland Lot No. 1406). The premium paid was $122.50 and the annual Crown rent is $4.00. A piece of land on the northern slope of Mount Davis has been granted for the purposes of a cemetery for the Eurasian community, subject to a nominal Crown rent of $1 per annum.
22. Re-adjustment of Boundaries and Crown Rents.--Priucipally owing to the expiry of the period during which Crown rent at reduced rate was payable for certain lots in Kowloon, pending their development, an increased annual sum of $457.11 will be received in future on account of the re- adjustment of boundaries and Crown rents.