191
There are 10 bridges, all of which are built of granite masonry, with brick arches faced with granite, the spans varying from 10 to 17 feet. All bridges and retaining walls are provided with parapet walls of granite masonry, whilst other parts of the road are protected by iron railings where necessary.
The pathway before referred to commences near the bridge across the main stream on the road from the Peak to Aberdeen and joins the Jubilee Road near the No. 10 Bridge already mentioned.
The work was carried out for the Committee by Messrs. DENISON, RAM & GIBBS, Engineers, Mr. LI A PING being the Contractor. The total expendi- ture, including all charges, was $115,272.27, the amount expended under the contract being $106,146. These figures include the sum of $524.25, which was paid by Government.
88. Plague Account-Various works, intended for the mitigation of Plague or for operations in dealing with the outbreak of that disease which occurred dur- ing the year, were carried out, the cost, which amounted to $4,812.61 being de- frayed from votes under the control of the Sanitary Board. The following were the principal items:-
Fitting up hot-water tanks and bath-houses in connec- tion with His Excellency Sir HENRY BLAKE'S experimental blocks,
Supplying fuel for ditto,
$2,255 327
Temporary mortuary and other mat-sheds at Yaumati, 1,391 Mat-shed in Taipingshan for coolies engaged upon
Plague work,
upon l'lague work,
Mat-shed at Central Police Station for men engaged
217
212
89. Alterations of Roads.-The diversion of the Shaukiwan Road past Messrs. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE's Shipyard at Quarry Bay was sufficiently advanc- ed to admit of turning the traffic over it and closing the old road in December.
The question of carrying out certain alterations and exchanges to enable the traffic to be diverted from the Praya in front of the Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company's premises at Kowloon was re-opened and satisfactory progess was made towards a settleinent of the matter, but it had not been finally disposed of by the end of the year.
Arrangements were also made for the surrender to Government of portions of Kowloon Marine Lot 33 and Kowloon Inland Lot 210 for the purpose of widen- ing public roads and the boundaries of a number of lots were re-adjusted to admit of the extension of Robinson Road, Kowloon, northwards.
90. Surfacing Private Streets and Lanes.-The amount of work done under this heading was comparatively small, the total expenditure, which was apportion- ed among the owners of the properties abutting on the streets or lanes dealt with, amounting to $2,502.26. Practically all the work of this nature throughout the City and in Kowloon has now been satisfactorily completed, though repairs or renewals will, no doubt, become necessary from time to time.
91. Harlech Road and Road between Wanchai and Wong-nei-chong Gaps.- Work on these roads was resumed by the Military Authorities and was about completed by the close of the year.
92. Electric Tramways. The laying of the tramway was begun in April and was well advanced by the close of the year. The track is a double one from Ken- nedy Town to Causeway Bay and a single one beyond the latter place to Shauki- wan. A short length of double track extends froin Praya East to the Grand Stand at the Racecourse, Happy Valley. With the exception of a considerable section past the Gas Works, auother in Arsenal Street and along the whole extent of Praya East, and a third at Quarry Bay, practically the whole of the track was completed. Some delay in proceeding with the sections mentioned arose through want of rails. Good progress was made with the erection of the Company's Power Station and Car Depôt on the east side of Bowrington Canal. The Company obtained the sanction of the Governor in Council to improve the grading of a portion of the road eastward of No. 5 Bridge at Quarry Bay, and this work was well advanced.