623
the year I
10703
this being finished, the Clerk of Works was enabled to give more time and attention to the Road above alluded to.
Annual Reports in my previous have dwelt at considerable length upon difficulties and dangers we have had to encounter in executing work at a distance from Victoria; the difficulties, more particularly the getting access to our work, have been much improved by the opening of the Roads, so that the same time and fatigue are not now necessary; thus much of the danger is avoided, but it is and ever must be great in this climate, where exposure has never been done with impunity.
I have to record the death of one of the Overseers employed upon that Road, Mr. Lowrie; and two of the others went into Hospital with fever, and were subsequently discharged from the employ.
In Victoria, the completion of some services to the Gaol, together with the erection of the Coolie Stands, sundry contingent works to Buildings, in repair or otherwise, at the Harbour Master's Pier, the extension of plans and Estimates for such, and the duties of supervision occupied a very considerable portion of our time, the greater part of this however falls upon the Clerk of Works. In addition to which his services were necessarily demanded in visiting the Roads and superintending their repair, which, from the want of shelter along the Road, was only performed fortnightly up to July last, when further repair or maintenance it was indispensably necessary to stop; in alluding to this circumstance, I cannot but express my regret at it, for although repairs to Roads are heavier here than in many other places, I am confident the total annual repairs would not exceed £500 for 30 miles of Road.