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By the Chairman. Have the roads at Shanghai foundations?
A-They have foundations. They have put in for the road bed hard burned blue brick the same as clinkers. These are put on the bottom and a kind of concrete on the top and well rolled.
Q-Do you think that kind of road would be the most suitable for Hongkong?
A-I think so.
By Mr. Shewan.-One witness said the roads would never be satisfactory un- less we put in foundations. Do you approve of that and hand-packing?
A-I certainly do not. The noise of traffic over it would be sufficient to con- demn it. You would not be able to talk. Property would depreciate with the great noise of the traffic.
By Mr. Master-But they would be covered the same as they are now ?
A-We have not got sufficient traffic for that.
By Mr. Sheran.-Which would you recommend-to put in this or wood pavement?
A-I am not in a position to say. It is worth while to try it.
Q-Before going in for these expensive foundations ?
A-Yes, the same as they use in the Strand.
By the Chairman.-Is there any other suggestion that you could make to the Commission which you think would be of use to it in its enquiries?
A—Yes, there is one I thought of when coming up here this afternoon. It is a new appointment altogether. I think that, with all respect, it should come under the Public Works Department, and that is the appointment of an electrical engineer. You have not got such an officer now, and under the Tramway Ordinance certain things have to be reported or referred to an electrical expert, as representing the Government, and there is no one in the Colony qualifie for the position. Electricity in this Colony will
i by and by become a very important factor, we have no one here, and who should make such an appointment except the Government? Electrical tramways are not started yet, but they will be in the near future, and telephone wires, telegraphic wires, electric lighting and especially electrolyses, will all require attention, and there is no properly qualified Government official we can refer to as an expert or authority. All kinds of electric motive power will be coming to the fore in shops and manufactories, and you should have a good man well up to date in all these subjects, and, I think, he ought to be attached to the Public Works Department and work with the Director of Public Works. There is no one here who can take it up,
Q-Do you think there would be sufficient work now for an officer of that kind, or are you referring to the immediate future ?
A-I think if he came as soon as work is cominenced on the tramways there will be any amount of work for him. His experience and advice would be required by, and be of great value to, the Government, not so much after completion, but during the actual construction of the work.
Q-Do you think it is possible to obtain in Hongkong a man to fill this office? A-There is no one sufficiently qualified.
By Mr. Shewan.-Are you of opinion that the means for storing and supply- ing water in this Colony are defective?
A-I am.
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