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50. Kowloon Water-works. These works are being carried out under the supervision of Messrs. DENISON, RAM & GIBBS. Fair progress was made with the various portions of the scheme hitherto undertaken.
(i.) Storage Reservoir.-The excavations for the main dam, which included 10,300 cubic yards of rock and 23,500 cubic yards of earth, were practically completed at the close of the year. As the rock in the foundations, though hard and close, was of a very jointy nature, numerous holes were drilled in it, pipes being in- serted into which cement grout was run with the object of filling up any fissures. Large quantities of broken stone, rubble and sand for the concrete hearting and of dressed granite for the facework had been collected ready for use in the construction of the dam. The bungalow for the caretaker was completed with the exception of painting, colour-washing and minor details. (ii.) Main to Storage Reservoir.-The works executed under this Con-
tract were completed in July. They comprised the laying of about 3 miles of 12-inch cast iron main, with connections to the old intakes above Cheung Sha Wan; the construction of 5 new intakes, making 9 in all; the erection of a watchman's bungalow at the intakes and the taking up of the 4-inch main laid in 1900. (iii.) Service Reservoir near Kowloon Tong.-A contract for this work
was entered into with Mr. TUNG SHING in February.
The reser- voir is sunk almost entirely below ground level and is constructed principally of cement concrete with granite pillars and brick arches to support the concrete vaulting which forms the roof. It is circular in form and has a capacity of 2 million gallons. About half the brick arches already mentioned were completed by the end of the year.
(iv.) Tunnels, Site of Filter Beds, &c.—A contract for the items men- tioned and for the laying of a mile of 18-inch cast iron pipes was entered into with Mr. WING ON in July. About half of the excavation requiring to be done in levelling the site for the filter beds was completed, the quantity of material removed amounting to 45,000 cubic yards. This was deposited to form a large flat area adjacent to the site of the beds. Instead of tunnelling through a spur of the hills in order to lay the main from the storage reservoir to the filter beds, it was decided to make an open cutting through it which will attain a maximum depth of 110 feet, the length being about 450 feet. The quantity of exca- vation done in this and in the open cuttings at the two ends of the tunnel through the main range of hills amounted to 8,500 cubic yards. The latter cuttings extend into the hill a distance of 200 feet at the south end and 120 feet at the north end, the remaining distance of about 560 feet having to be tunnelled. Actual tunnelling had progressed for a distance of 20 feet at the south end and 40 feet at the north end, the rock being met with some distance in in the case of the latter. The distance remain- ing to be done, which promises to be through solid rock, amounts to about 500 feet. Twenty-two tons of 18-inch pipes were delivered on the site of the works and a considerable portion of the track along which they are to be laid was completed.
51. Disinfecting Station, Kowloon.-Inspector's Quarters at Kowloon.—A con- tract for the erection of these buildings on a site at Yaumati was let in October. On setting out their positions on the ground, it was found that some of them would be in too close proximity to a quarry and it was therefore considered advis- able to select another site in the neighbourhood. A suitable one was found a little way east of the Pumping Station, some squatters who cultivated a portion of the area having to be compensated. Work was begun at the close of the year.
52. Extension of Cattle Inspector's Quarters. Very unsatisfactory progress was made with this trivial work, great difficulty being experienced in getting the Contractor to carry it out properly. It was however nearly completed, little remaining to be done except plastering, painting and colour-washing.