189
INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS.
50. The work of this branch is regulated by Ordinance 15 of 1889, the Amending Ordinance passed during the present Session, and Ordinance No. 4 of 1888.
51. During the past year plans for 22 European houses, 149 Chinese houses, and 64 for miscella- neous structures have been deposited, also 142 plans for alterations to existing buildings, making in all 377 under Section 69 of the above mentioned Ordinance.
52. One hundred and fifty-five (155) buildings have been certified under Section 53 of Ordinance 15 of 1889.
53. Permission has been given to erect fifty-two (52) Verandahs and three (3) Piers over Crown Land.
54. Notices have been issued to remove or repair dangerous structures in one hundred and seven- teen (117) instances and to remove verandah enclosures in one hundred and eighteen (118).
55. One thousand and forty-five (1,045) miscellaneous notices and permits for the erection of scaffolding, opening roads, &c., &c. have been issued.
56. Fifty-five (55) permits have been issued for the erection and repair of monuments and enclo- sures in the Colonial Cemetery. The fees received amount to $302.33.
57. The above returns compared with those for the year 1890 shew an increased activity in building operations.
58. All plans deposited have been numbered and the registers are complete up to date.
EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC WORKS.
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59. The Central Market. -The construction of the foundations for the New Central Market was completed in August last and the contractor has been allowed to proceed with the superstructure to the level of the plinth.
60. I regret to
that owing to the various opinions expressed respecting the design of the superstructure no design was definitely settled on till late in the year.
say
61. Since September last the completion of the necessary details for the carrying out of this work have received my careful attention, and I trust that active operations for the completion of the super- structure will be commenced shortly and that before another year passes more satisfactory progress will have been made with this important building.
62. Gap Rock Lighthouse-Good progress has been made with the construction of the lighthouse on the Gap Rock situated in the China Sea at a distance of 30 miles from Hongkong.
63. The buildings consisting of Tower, European and Chinese Quarters, and house for condensing apparatus have been completed with the exception of stair railings, a small portion of joiner's and painter's work and special fittings for oil tank.
64. The lantern which will contain a revolving light of the first order has been erected and the erection of the revolving apparatus and lamp is in hand. The level of the focal plane of the light above mean sea level is 140 feet and in clear weather will be visible at a distance of about 20 miles. The lantern and light apparatus were obtained from Messrs. CHANCE BROTHERS of Birmingham.
65. The apparatus for condensing sea water is in progress and now very nearly complete.
66. The steam tender Fame has made 153 trips conveying workmen to and from the rock with provisions, water and materials for their use. The Fame has proved most suitable for the work and has been maintained in good order.
67. Reclamation in front of Marine Lots 240 to 246 Kennedytown.---A Contract () dated 26th November, 1887, was entered into with Mr. TSANG KENG for the construction of the Praya Wall (1,410 lineal feet in length) including foundation, raising the level of the reclaimed ground, and the construction of storm water drains and other works necessary for the completion of this reclamation except roads.
68. Prior to the commencement of 1891 the rubble foundations had been completed, 127,000 cubic yards of earth filling and 5,000 cubic yards of concrete deposited and 70,000 cubic feet of ma- soury set.
69. During the present year 81,000 cubic yards of filling and 5,000 cubic yards of concrete have been deposited and 13,362 cubic feet of masonry set.
70. Owing to the continuation of the settlement at the southern extremity this work has not yet been completed, but as the settlement now appears to have ceased the remaining portion of the wall will be proceeded with and should shortly be completed.
71. Training Albany Nullah and Branches.-The work of training the Albany Nullah and branches has progressed considerably and is now nearly completed.
72. The Albany Nullah 15 feet by 9 feet was completed in September last and Branch Nullah No. 1-3 feet 6 inches by 4 feet 6 inches-in August last.
73. Nearly the whole of the excavation for the training of branch nullah No. 2-3 feet 6 inches
by 4 feet 6 inches-is completed and about 313 lineal yards of the masonry work have been constructed.
74. The walls and invert of the Albany Nullah are of masonry backed with concrete.
75. The walls of the branch nullahs are of sirailar construction and the inverts are formed of concrete.
76. A substantial stone bridge 15 feet 6 inches in width with ornamental stone parapets has been constructed over the Albany Nullah for the purpose of carrying the Kennedy Road. This bridge replaces the wooden structure destroyed by the storm in 1889.
77. New Roads and Preparatory Work Kennedy Road Sites.-A contract was entered into with Mr TSANG KENG in October, 1890, for the construction of the MacDonnell Road contouring the hill side between the Kennedy and Bowen Roads.
78. This road is 586 lineal yards in length and 20 feet in width situated at a level of 272 fect above sea level and is carried over the Albany Nullah by a substantial stone bridge and the Hong- kong High Level Tramway by an iron arch bridge.
79. Most of the excavation and embankment necessary for the construction of MacDonnell Road has been completed.
80. The bridge over the Albany Nullah with the exception of the iron railings was completed in November last.
$1. The abutments and wing walls of the bridge over the tram line are completed and the iron work is nearly ready for erection.
82. Re-construction of Praya Bridge over Bowrington Canal.-The necessary wrought-iron girders for the reconstruction of this bridge having been obtained from England, a contract was entered into with Messrs. CHAN A TONG & Co. for their erection and for the masonry work required; and with Messrs. FENWICK & Co. for the construction of cast and wrought-iron railings in November last.
83. This bridge is 19 feet wide and has three spans of 29 feet 6 inches.
84. On examination it was found that the foundations of the piers and abutments of the old bridge had been considerably undermined. These have now been protected with sheet piling and a concrete apron laid.
85. The tops of the piers have been levelled ready to receive the girders.
86. Satisfactory progress has been made by Messrs. FENWICK & Co. with the iron railings. 87. Improvements Recreation Ground Happy Valley. A contract was entered into with Mr. Foo SIK in July, 1890, for raising the area known as the "pond" about 44 acres in extent to the same level as the remaining portion of the ground was raised to in 1888. This work was completed in April last. 88. In April last a contract was entered into with Mr. TSANG SAM for the sub-soil drainage, including the laying of about 2,000 lineal yards of drains, and for turfing this area. This work was completed in October last,
89. The total area available for recreation is now upwards of 27 acres.
90. Cattle Depôt Extension.-An agreement for the preparation of the site for the extension of the Cattle Depôt at Kennedytown was eutered into with Mr. TSANG KENG in July last. This work was completed in October last and a further contract was entered into with Mr. CHEUNG NAM for the erection of the building. The amount of this contract is $6,035 and the time for completion is May This work has made satisfactory progress and there is every probability of its being completed within the contract time.
next.
91. Slaughter House, Sheep and Pig Depôt.-The preparation of the site was commenced in October, 1890, the contract having been secured by Mr. TSANG KENG.
92. 31,000 cubic yards of excavation and 4,500 cubic yards of masonry and concrete work in retaining walls have been completed, and the site will shortly be ready for the commencement of the buildings, the specifications and detail drawings for which are now being prepared,
93. The area of the site is 92,430 square feet.
94. Slaughter House, Kowloon.-This building which is situated about mile from the village of Hung Hom and near the rifle ranges is being erected by Mr. TSANG KENG under contract (4). The amount of which is $5,750 and the time for completion February next.