858
16
64. Railing in Openings in Sheds at Animal Depôts, Kennedy Town.—-In con- sequence of several alleged thefts of pigs from the depôts, it was deemed desirable to fill in the openings round the sheds with iron bars. The work was taken in hand and completed by the end of the year.
65. Yaumati Nullah.-In accordance with the arrangement made with the owners of Kowloon M. L. No. 48 and adjoining Inland Lots, the side wall of the nullah immediately north of the Pumping Station was constructed out to the line of the new Praya. Several subsidences of the outer end took place, but these were made good and the work satisfactorily completed.
66. Leper Village near Au Tau.-Wooden huts, 12 in number, were erected on a small hill near Au Tau Police Station for the accommodation of a number of lepers who had formerly occupied some miserable hovels on swampy ground in the neigh- bourhood. The huts were enclosed with a bamboo fence. The expenditure was defrayed out of the "Miscellaneous Works" vote.
67. Alterations to Rifle Ronge at Tai Hang.-A number of minor alterations were made in the butts, &c., of the new range in the valley behind Tai Hang Village. The cost of this work was also defrayed out of the "Miscellaneous Works" vote.
68. Plaque Accoun.-On the initiative of His Excellency the Governor, tem- porary matshed bath-houses, to the number of 18 in all, were erected in various parts of the City and Kowloon. Separate structures containing fire-places and large iron pans for heating water were provided adjoining each bath-house, and wooden tubs were supplied for bathing in. These places were extensively used by the Chinese, there being a difficulty at times in maintaining the supply of hot water required. The use of them was discontinued towards the end of the year, principally on account of the scarcity of water and introduction of the intermittent system of supply and eventually all were removed, several having been accidentally destroyed by fire.
A temporary matshed hospital was established in Kowloon on a hill north of Mongkoktsui, at a cost of $1,378, including rent paid for the site during the year.
Several alterations were carried out at the Disinfecting Station in Caine Lane, including the provision of a boiler for the supply of hot water. The cost of these was $1,730.
The total expenditure under this heading was $39,398.60, which included a sum of $33,616 on account of the bath-houses, supply of fuel, attendants, &c.
69. Choir Shelter at Victoria Gap.-This building was fully completed early in the year. It is divided in two sections, one of which is for the accommodation of public chairs, whilst the other is for private chairs. The former is entirely enclosed, large sliding doors being provided along the front, whilst the latter is left open in front. A small latrine is provided in a corner of the building. The walls are of the blue stone obtainable in the neighbourhood, with granite dressings, and the floors are laid with cement concrete, the roofs being tiled in the usual way. A space is left in front of the shed, clear of the road, on which the chairs can stand during fine weather.
70. Sewerage of Victoria.-The small expenditure under this vote, which has, now been closed, was for making drain connections to houses.
71. Typhoon Damages.-The various repairs of damages to roads, matsheds, &c., detailed in last year's report as having been caused by the typhoon of the 9th- 10th November, 1900, were carried out.