390
5.
The above survey deals with all those works
to be undertaken by the Public Works Department which are at present to be foreseen but, as I stated before, it is impossible to forecast future requirements exactly and there may be other matters of urgency arising at any moment. For instance, since I began to write this despatch, we have had severe rain-storms which, coming after a period of exceptional dryness, have done damage to roads, etc. which I fear may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair and of course we are always liable to have all our calculations upset by such a calamity as the typhoon of
1906.
6.
I stated above that I could not express any views at present as to the full scheme of harbour development but there are some important works already being dealt with by the Port Development Department to which it is necessary to refer.
on
I would refer you to the Heading 'Fort Works Extraordinary' on page 89 of the Estimates for 1925, which I would make the following observations, omitting the unimportant items.
(1). Ferry Piers. This vote provides for the construct-
These ion of new piers for the harbour ferry services.
are essential in order to provide for the new and improved types of boats which are now being introduced e.g. ferries carrying vehicles.
The work cannot be proceeded with until certain amendments have been made in the Foreshores Ordinance, and also the plans are not yet complete but when these preliminaries have been settled it should be taken in hand and pressed on as rapidly as possible. The total cost, including the necessary buildings connected with the piers, will probably exceed $2,000,000, most of which will probably be required within the five years. There will
be