233
F. One hundred and thirty-seven (137) sets of plans and particulars, in duplicate, of lots were furnished to the Land Office
for the preparation of leases.
Boundary stones were fixed to 73 lots.
G. A sum of $10,390.00 was realized by the rent of Crown Land in the vicinity of the Race Course for the erection of Booths
and Stands during the Race Meeting.
H. The number of squatters' licences on the roll of 1st January, 1899, was 1,176 and the fees recoverable $3,405.21; 8 were written off during the year, leaving 1,168 on the roll at the close of the year. The recoveries amounted to $3,393.83.
I. It should be noted that the Acting Superintendent of Crown Lands, the Land Surveyor, and the Land Bailiff have been largely engaged on work beyond that of their respective offices. If this course is to be continued in the case of the Land Surveyor and Land Bailiff, the proper work of these officers must suffer even if it has not done so already.
WORK UNDER THE BUILDING ORDINANCE.
6. Plans have been deposited to the number of 549-29 for European dwellings, $9 for Chinese houses, and 431 for miscellaneous structures-an increase over the preceding year of 122 plans; all of these require to be carefully examined in the Public Works Office.
7. Certificates have been granted under Section 53 of Ordinance 15 of 1889 for 288 houses, permits given for the erection of 98 verandahs, and for 19 piers over Crown foreshore or the bed of the harbour.
8. Notices relating to structures in a dangerous condition have been served in 29 cases.
9. One thousand and seven hundred (1,700) notices and permits of a miscellaneous nature have been issued.
10. Fifty-six (56) permits have been issued for the erection and repairs of monuments and enclosures in the Colonial Cemetery, the fees for which amounted to $236.50.
11. There was great activity in building operations throughout the Colony during the year. The new and extensive premises and workshops of the Green Island Cement Company at Hok Ün were completed, also the very large buildings of the Hongkong Cotton Spinning, Weaving and Dyeing Company at Causeway Bay. The Dock Company's premises at Hunghom were largely extended, large Match Factory was also built near Hunghon, and numerous large blocks of tenement houses there, and at Yaumati.
12. The principal building completed in the City was the very handsome block of Offices, now known as Queen's Buildings, on the Reclamation near Pedder's Wharf consisting of four floors and containing sixteen suites of Offices.
The handsome Offices of the United Telegraph Companies next the Hongkong Club were com- pleted and occupied during the year, also a large block of buildings adjoining it on the East, next to Messrs. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE'S Offices.
13. Building of godowns and of Chinese houses on the new Reclamation has proceeded rapidly. 14. A large number of handsome European houses were completed, or nearly so, in the new district lying between Kennedy Road and Bowen Road, where land was eagerly sought for this purpose. In spite of this the supply is not equal to the demand, and rents continue to rise.
One fine European residence was completed and occupied in Barker Road, and four more are in process of erection.
WATER SUPply.
15. In 1899 the rainfall was again considerably below the average.
72.70 inches of rain were
measured, against 57 inches in 1898, the average of previous years being 92.
Mr. CROOK, Executive Engineer in charge of the Water-works, reports as follows:-
MAINTENANCE OF WATER-WORKS.
CITY OF VICTORIA AND HILL DISTRICT,
. Particulars of the quantity of water supplied to the City and Hill Districts during the year 1899, will be found in
Appendices A, B, C.
The total quantity supplied was 1,161,805,000 gallons filtered and 44,700,000 gallons unfiltered, giving a grand total of 1,206,505,000 gallons. Monthly reports from the Government Analyst shew the water supplied to have been consistently of excellent quality.
b. In consequence of the small rainfall during 1899, it became necessary to introduce the intermittent supply to the City
froin April 1st to May 10th, and again from May 26th to June 7th.
c. Twenty million seven hundred and seventy-two thousand (20,772,000) gallons of water were pumped to the High Level Districts of the City, and 22,308,000 gallons to the Hill Districts during the year, giving a graud total of 43,080,000 gallons pumped. This is equivalent to an average daily consumption of 56,910 gallons in the High Level and 61,120 gallons in the Hill Districts.
d. The number of meters in use at the end of 1899 was 328 in the City and 131 in the Hill Districts—a large increase on
1898 and previous years.
e. The quantity of water supplied by meter was:—
Filtered-Trade,.
Unfiltered,
Domestic, Hill Districts,
yallons. 117,425,000
62,645,000
16,276,000
44,700,000
Total,......
241,047,000