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PUBLIC WORKS, EXTRAORDINARY.
38. New Law Courts.-The contract for the construction of the foundations up to ground level was in progress during the year. In order to admit of the work being carried on, the Praya Reclamation office had to be taken down, being rebuilt on a new site to the north of the Queen's Statue. A matshed was erected as a temporary office during the reconstruction of the more permanent building. А portion of the old Praya wall, which crossed the South-east angle of the site, had also to be demolished. It had been anticipated that piling would not be required over this area, but some trials showed that a layer of soft mud occurred a few feet below the foundation of the old Praya wall and piling was accordingly resorted to. Up to the end of the year, 1,148 piles had been driven, and a large proportion of the cement concrete foundations and granite footings had been put in.
39. Governor's Peak Residence.-Good progress was made with this building and, by the end of the year, it had been completely roofed in and the plastering and internal woodwork were well advanced. The laying of the wooden floors and the construction of the ceilings, which are also of wood, had nearly been completed. The erection of an entrance lodge, chair shelter and other offices was in progress.
40. No. 7 Police Station.-The buildings were roofed in before the close of the year and the wooden floors laid. The ironwork for the concrete floors of verandahs, &c., was in position and plastering was in progress.
41. Ner Shrd, Sheep and Swine Depôt.-It was decided to afford the increased accommdation required by adding an upper storey to one of the existing sheds, as no site was available for a new shed within the boundaries of the Depôt. contract was entered into and work begun before the close of the year.
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42. Public Latrines and Urinals. Two latrines, each containing 40 seats, situ- ated respectively at Sookunpo Market and at the junction of Queen's Road West and Belcher's Lane, which were begun in 1900, were completed. Two others of the same size, situated at Hing Wan Street, Wanchai, and at Yaumati (adjoining Kowloon Inland Lot 760), were begun and completed during the year. Another, containing 50 seats, at the junction of Kennedy Street and Market Street, Yaumati, was begun before the close of the year. Urinal accommodation was provided in conjunction with several of the latrines, and a room for an attendant.
43. Fence round Cricket Ground.—A sum of $1,066 was contributed towards the cost of the new iron fence round the Cricket Ground, which was obtained and erected by the Cricket Club.
44. Completion of Gaol Officers' Quarters.-The buildings consist of 3 main blocks, with kitchens and servants' quarters adjoining each. At the close of the year, one block was practically ready for occupation, while the remaining two were in a forward condition, being roofed in and having most of the floors laid as well as the plaster- ing and other work about completed. Great delays have occurred in carrying out the work owing largely to the dilatoriness of the contractor.
45. Police Station at Tui 0.—It was decided to proceed with the erection of a Police Station at Tai 0, Lantao Island, in preference to the one at Tsun Wan provided for in the Estimates, the vote for the latter being applied towards it. A contract was let for the work, but, in its early stages, the contractor abandoned it and it became necessary to make other arrangements to carry it out. The contract was eventually taken over by the contractor's surety, and work was resumed, but, owing to the delay caused in this way, very little progress had been made up to the end of the year.
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