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Another scheme of considerable extent was undertaken in connection with the block of buildings bounded by Aberdeen Street, Gough Street, Queen's Road and Wellington Street, a block which was specially commented upon by the Sanitary Experts in their Report on the question of the Housing of the Population of Hongkong, dated 14th May, 1902. This scheme included the resumption of 37 houses, in order to enable roads to be opened out in place of the narrow lanes which intersect the block. Action was taken with regard to 25 houses, but negotiations had only been concluded in the case of 2 of them by the close of the year, the amount of compensation paid being $16,300. In the case of the remain- ing 23 houses, the Governor in Council having declared that negotiations had failed, formal notice was given under the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance (No. 32 of 1900) that they were required for a public purpose. Unless the owners come to terms within four months from the date of the notice, the question of compensation will be referred to arbitration, the houses becoming the property of the Government without further delay.
Only one case occurred in which compensation was awarded for the provision, under Section 180 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, of a public scavenging lane in the rear of a house, the amount paid being $1.650. Several other cases were considered, but, owing to the irregularity in the depth of the neighbouring houses and the configuration of the ground which they occupied, it was decided by the Sanitary Board that it would be impracticable to arrange for a lane which would be of service for scavenging purposes, and the provision of one was therefore waived.
In several other cases, where the property would be injuriously affected by the provision of the full area of open space required by the Ordinance in addi- tion to a lane, a modification of the requirements as regards open space was granted on condition that a lane should be provided without payment of com- pensation.
73. Governor's Peak Residence.-The sum expended under this heading was partly for some small additions and alterations which had to be carried out and partly the balance retained under the contract for the erection of the building until the expiry of the period of maintenance:
74. Police Station at Tai Q.
Additional Accommodation at
The Sheep and Swine Depôt.-These two works were completed in 1902, the expenditure appearing in connection with them being only the sums retained during the periods of maintenance in accordance with the terms of the contracts.
75. Cattle Crematorium and Refuse Destructor. This work was completed in February. It comprises a one-cell crematorium for destroying the carcases of animals which die of disease and a one-cell destructor intended to be used for disposing of the rubbish removed from houses where cases of Plague had occurred. A ramp is provided to enable the dead bodies of animals, &c., to be conveyed to the platform from which they are deposited in the furnace. The apparatus is covered with a roof and otherwise enclosed, a large sliding door being used to close the entrance to the platform.
76. New Derrick at Gap Rock.-The site of the new derrick is about 15 feet above mean sea level and 170 feet south-west of the site of the old one at a point where a spur of rock with almost perpendicular faces and deep water alongside juts out into the sea.
Under favourable conditions the light-house tender "Stanley" has approached close enough to be discharged by means of the derrick, thus obviating the necessity of transferring the stores destined for the light-house into a small boat. Except in very stormy weather, a landing can always be effected at this point though it is occasionally found advantageous to use the old landing place. The derrick standard is of wrought iron, let into the solid rock; the frame of cast iron, capable of revolving and fitted with single and double purchase gear and the jib, which has a radius of 40 feet, is of wrought iron and tubular in section. conveyance to Gap Rock, the jib was made in 4 sections, which were bolted together by means of wrought iron collars and brass bolts. The old derrick, which is still useful under certain conditions of wind and weather, was moved a distance of 15 feet seawards.
For