November 13, 1905.]
MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNOR SIR. M. NATHAN.
/
Downing Street, 3rd November. SIR.I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 319 of the 26th of September with regard to the suggested Trust to carry out schemes for the resumption of insanitary areas and the improvement of the City of Victoria.
I agree generally with your views on this matter, and approve your proposal with regard to the issue of Special Reports.--I have, etc., ALFRED LYTIELTON.
Dr.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT, TO MAY 18T. 1905.
Taipingshau.
To amount spent on resump-
tion of property includ-
ir
ያ
c.
g all costs, fees, etc... 821,268.32
Amount spent on construc-
tion of roads, sowers, etc. 123,059.47
-
Lower Lascar Row.
To amount spent on resump-
tion of property includ-
ing all costs, fees, etc... 36,950.00
Amount spent on construc-
tion of roads, sewers, etc.
Kru-u-fong.
1,147.79
(Now in progress.)
To amount spent on resump-
tion of property includ-
ing all costs, fees, etc... 237,156,50
Amount spent on construc-
Cr.
tion of roads, sewers, etc.
3,187.50*
Total amount expended
By amount received from
sales of land.
By sale of building material, earth deposited in Praya Reclamation, etc.........
Receipts
Receipts (salvage land not
yet dealt with)...
Financial deficit
Total
U
k
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
$31
adoption of measures for its improvement. † share of the manœuvres was alike creditable During their visit a fire occurred which to each individual member; and the skilled practically destroyed a number of houses near instructor, Mr. R. Hudson, an ex-unit of the the junction of Lower Lascar Row and Ladder 5th Dragoons and a South African cam- Street. It was considered that an opportunity paiguer. The restlessness of the China pony was thus afforded of improving the nighbour- is well known, and the instructor of the hood, which was a congested one, and Messrs. corps realised that if the troop was to soquit Chadwick and Simpson formulated a small itself with credit on parade, it would be scheme, which they submitted to Government, necessary to train the ponies to stand fire This scheme was only partially carried out, a Consequently at the drills at Causeway Bay portion of it, which involved the payment of they were trained to face salvos of crackers, the heavy compensation without any commensurate result being evidenced at the review when ranks benefit to neighbouring properties, being were kept during the crack of rifle and the abandoued. The expenditure on the portion boom of cannon. A noticeable feature of carried out was $38,097.79, the entire area the parade was the absence of Naval representa. resumed being devoted to the formation of a tives, which was no doubt owing to the with. street about 32 feet wide between the houses drawal of the China squadron: many officers in fronting on Queen's Road and those fronting uuform, however, were on the ground · ́as on Circular Pathway.
spectators. The mules and horses from Kow. Details of the areas resumed an expenditure loon had been shipped to Hongkong on the involved are given in the annexed tables.
previous day, and early yesterday morning the Kan-U-Fong Resumption. The task of form troops from the other side were landed here, so 94,327.70 | ulating and carrying out improvement that preliminaries were arranged and the various
schemes in a systematic manner was first under-regiments were on the ground punctually. taken in 1903, when a start was made with a densely-built block lying west of Aberdeen Street and between Wellington and Gough Streets and known as Kau-U-Fong. South and West, and eight in On Wo Lane were rosumed in addition to two in Aberdeen Street and three in Gough Street, and all of these were entirely demolished. A new street 30 feet in width, has been constructed and it is proposed to dispose of the surplus land for building purpo es. The scheme is not quite completed so a completo and accurate statement of the cost cannot there-
38,097 79
240,300
$1,222,769,58
C.
171,398,50
19,930 87
191,324.37
Nil.
Xil.
1,031,445.21
* Estimated further amount require 1 to complete work, $18,500.
REPORT ON SCHEMES UNDERTAKEN FROM 1894 TO 1905.
fore be given. The figures available are, how- ever, given in the annexed tables,
W. CHATHAM, Director of Public Works.
THE KING'S BIRTHDAY.
THE HONGKONG CELEBRATIONS.
British and
Nov. 9th was the sixty-fourth anniversary of the birthday of His Majesty King Edward ..$1,222,769.58 | VII., and throughout the Empire the occasion was celebrated, Hongkong not being a whit behind other parts in its manifestation of loyalty. The weather was all that could be desired, and most inviting to holiday makers. All Governerment offices, exchauge hauks, schools and the majority of mercantile houses were clos d. The city displayed a profusion of bunting, while the majority of vessels in port, both
Foreign. dressed ship in honour of the occasion. The Royal Standard fluttered from the flagstaffs of Government House aud of Headquarters House, while the Union Jack was hoisted on the hospital ship Meaner. The greater number of Hongkong residents were to be seen trekking to Happy Valley at an early hour in the morning where the troops were to be reviewed by H.E. the Governor. Ricshas were at a premium. while the tramcars, which followed each other in quick succession were literally packed.
course
of
Taipingshan Resumption.-The serious out- break of plague in 1894 gave rise to the first resumption scheme undertaken for the purpose of improving the sanitary condition of the City of Victoria. During the
the epidemic, the inhabitants of a large area in the Taipingshan District were evicted, accommoda- tion being provided elsewhere for those who liked to avail themselves of it, and, after resumption of the property by the Government. the area was entirely cleared of buildings and laid out afresh in building lots with streets and lanes suitably arranged. Owing
to
the irregularity and steepness of the ground, the operations involved were of a very extensive and costly nature. Numerous high retaining walls had to be built, streets and lanes formed, and sewers and storm-water drains constructed to suit the re-arrangement of the building lots. The various works were not completed until 1899 and the expenditure on them, after deducting various credits for materials sold or deposited as filling in the Praya Reclamation, amounted to $103,128.60. The cost of resuming the property, including all charges, was 8821.268,32, making the total cost of the scheme $924,396.92. The amount realized by the sale of building lots up to the present time amounts to $171,393 50.
A considerable proportion of the land rendered available for building purposes was utilized for the creation of public gardens or devoted to other public purposes, this reducing area intended for sale and largely augmenting the financial loss on the scheme.
Full particulars of the scheme are given in the annexed table.
the
Lower Lascar Row Resumption.-No further resumptions on sanitary grounds were under taken until 1902, when Messrs. Chadwick and Simpson visited the Colony to report on its condition from a sanitary point of view and advise the Government with regard to the
|
The Valley. with its natural beauties, presents a picturesque appearance at all times. but on such occasions as yesterday the scene presented could only be done full justice to by the brush of the skilful artist. The mist which more often than not obscures the scene to spectators on the summits of the surrounding hills was absent. Large groups of people on Bowen Road, and even ou the higher levels, were discerned from the race course witnessing the evolutions of the troops. The course itself presented the animated appearance it wears on race days. Flags flattered from the grand stand, from which a large number chose to watch ev. nts. The favoured few had chairs provided on the tracks, while the course was lined by a large crowd, even the top of the black rock being utilised by athletes. The troops as they were lined up in the ring displayed a solid front and with their bayonets glistening in the morning sun, presented an imp sing spectacle. An innovation at a local review was the ap. pearance of mounted troops and mule batteries on parade. The H.K.V.C. troop of 25 members, mounted on China ponies, proved a great attraction to the onlookers, and the manner in which they acquitted themselves in their
Major-General Villiers Hatton, the General Officer Commanding, took command of the troops, which were drawn up in two lines facing the S.W. Shortly before ten o'clock, the Governor arrived, when the Royal Standard was unfurled, the massed bands played a verse of the National Anthem, and the troops came to the salute. His Excellency, who WES accompanied by his aide-de-camps. Captain Smith and Captain Arbuthnot Leslie, two Indian officers, and Captain Armstrong of the H.K.V.C. (who was honorary
was mounted on aide-de-camp)
a China pony, and wore
dark
grey frook suit. He rode on to the ground and minutely inspected the troops. This was followed by the feu de joie. The 2.95 guns of the H.K.S.B. R.G.A on the right of the line, opened fire, each gun in succession telling vigorously as it belched forth its salute of many happy returns the surrounding hills taking up the refrain, and echoing and re-echoing it far and wide. After- wards the troops discharged their rifles to the same tune, and then, the division having fixed bayonets, gave the Royal salute. Sub- sequently the massed bands struck up the National Authem, and the troops, removing their head dresses gave three ringing cheers for His Majesty. Immediately afterwards, the chief spectacular event of the parade occurred. The Governor accompanied by his aide-de-camps, having taken up his position at the saluting base, neath the Royal Standard, was after- wards joined by the General Officer command- ing, where they witnessed the march past. To the stirring strains of the regimental bands, the various battalions marched past in quarter column in the following order :-
Mounted Troops (H.K.V.C). Royal Garrison Artillery. Royal Engineers.
2nd Royal West Kent Regt. H.K.S.B.R.G.A.
Hongkong Vlunteer Corps. 119th Infantry. - 129th Baluchis.
The men marched very steadily and their per- Å formauce evoked favourable comment. noteworthy feature was the salating of the colours borne by the standard bearers, of the Royal West Kents, the H.K.S,B.R.G.A, and the 119th Infantry, while the advance in Review Order afforded another picturesque scene in the interesting events of the, morning. The Royal Salute practically concluded the programme, and the various battalions were marched off to their respective quarters, where most of them found the wherewithal to drink
a health unto his Majesty."
To-day (Friday) will be observed as a holiday by the troops in the garrison. '
GENERALS RECEPTION.
In the course of the afternoon Major General Villiers Hatton, the General Officer Command. ing, held a reception at headquarters, which was largely attended. The callers included His Excellency the Governor and his A.D.C.'s, several naval and military officers and many civilians.
GOVERNOR'S LEVEE.
At Government House in the evening His Excellency entertained some fifty guests, mem- bers of the Legislative Council, heads of
departments, etc., at dinner.
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