558
65. Kowloon Roads.-Two contracts were undertaken out of this vote; one for lowering the summit of Robinson and Austin Roads, extending the former to the Yaumati Theatre and completing that portion of Gascoigne Road between Robinson Road and Station Street, and the other for forming roads in the vicinity of the Disinfecting Station. Both works were nearly completed at the close of the year. That first-mentioned included the lowering of the summit of the roads named by 4.25 feet, the consequent regrading of portions of them, the extension of Robinson Road, 100 feet in width for a distance of 2,050 feet and the com- pletion of the southern branch of Gascoigne Road, 100 feet in width, to its junction with Sixth Street. The other included the formation of about 500 yards of roads, 50 feet in width, between Robinson Road Extension and the Disinfecting Station. Part of the length mentioned constitutes the half-width of a future main thoroughfare, 100 feet in width, leading to Kowloon City.
The expenditure on the respective works was :-
Extension of Robinson Road, including lowering summit, &c. Forming Roads in vicinity of Disinfecting Station,
$10,493,57
$1,700.00
66. Road across King's Park. The expenditure under this heading included work done on some small branch roads adjoining Gascoigne Road and the payment of a balance due ou the contract which was completed in 1904.
67. Extension and Reconstruction of Albany Filter Beds.-Operations during the year were confined to levelling the site, constructing the necessary retaining wall next the Peak Tramway, and erecting new quarters for the watchman and coolies employed at the beds. A considerable mass of rock was encountered at the south-east angle of the site, the removal of which occupied a good deal of time and delayed the work, but the various items men- tioned were well advanced by the end of the year.
68. Kowloon Water-works, Gravitation Scheme.- Good progress was, made with the various sections of the work, with the exception of the main dam which progressed rather slowly.
(1.) Storage Reservoir.—The main dam was constructed to an average height of about 400 feet above Ordnance Datum, or 48 feet below overflow level. The excavation of the channel for the bye-wash or overflow was well advanced. The following are the quantities of material deposited in the main dam during the year :--
Cement concrete,
Rubble masonry facework, Ashlar
..16,100 cubic yards.
*
550 ....18,000 cubic feet.
(ii.) Tunnels, Site for Filter Beds, &c.-The tunnel through the Kowloon Range was pierced in October and the brick lining was in progress at the close of the year. Instead of having recourse to tunnelling for piercing the spur met with a little to the north, the Contractor preferred to make an open cutting, which attained a maximum depth of 111 feet. The requisite level was reached in December but the cutting required widening be- fore the brick lining could be put in. The 18" pipes were laid all the way to the south face of the tunnel and some portions beyond the tunnel were also laid.
(iii.) Catchwater and Clear Water Channel.-A contract for the construction of a catchwater. 8,300 feet in length, was let to Mr. Li A PING in March. The length to be constructed was subsequently extended to 10,400 feet, or practically 2 miles, the work being designed with a view to its ultimate extension to about 4 miles in length. Where it enters the reservoir, the catchwater has an average width of 19′ 9′′ and depth of 8′ 0′′, diminishing gradually to 15' x 8' at 10,400 feet. The gradient is 1 in 2,400 and overflows are arranged at stream crossings. A path, 6 feet wide, is being constructed alongside the catchwater.
The Contract also includes a clearwater channel along the south side of the reservoir to intercept some of the water conveyed by the catchwater and conduct it to the gauge- basin without passing into the reservoir. This is found beneficial during rainy weather when the water in the reservoirs often contains fine matter in suspension, which causes trouble in filtration, whilst the water in the streams is running clear. The channel has an