1841-1886
151
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS. 307
lieu of the timber platforms, which it was found quite impossible to preserve from rot and the ravages of the white ants.
Report and estimate 1 of 1850 authorized the construction of three bridges; the two small bridges, of 17 feet 6 inches and 12 feet span respectively, I experienced no difficulty in forming with the old materials (bricks) belonging to the Bungalow, abandoned by the proprietor and pulled down by Government, expenditure £371. 10s.; but the large bridge I found it impossible to complete according to the original intention, viz., in two semi-elliptic arches of 30 feet span, and was consequently obliged to build two additional piers, and form four segmental arches of 13 feet 9 inches span; these were completed more satisfactorily and the superstructure was finished, both spandrils and parapet, with the dressed stone belonging to the Bungalow, and only suitable for such work, the whole costing the sum of £1067. 5s.
In the early part of the year, and before the above work was found to be absolutely essential, a repair, amounting to £47. 12s., was obliged to be made to secure portions of the framing and platforms,
Drains.
The final payment on account of the drain or brick sewer to join the Ordnance sewer, report and estimate 8 of 1847, which it was found so difficult to ... in consequence of the extreme hardness of the rock through which it had to pass, was made during the year. This service must have entailed a considerable loss upon the contractor, and I was at last compelled to execute the work by day's labour, charging the expense against the balance due.
Repairs to drains in the whole city only amounted to £21, 7s. 3d. (Req. 39.)
Marine Works.
During the gales of the latter part of the year 1849 several large boats caused considerable injury to two of the piers in Tapingshan, and upon one of which a fast boat was entirely wrecked; the repairs demanded amounted to £111. (Reg. No. 28); the other one was repaired at an expenditure of £52. (Req. No. II),
Supply of water to Government house and offices was executed under the superintendence of the Royal Engineer department; the sum of £151. 15s. 1d. having been paid on account, the remaining sum was paid in the early part of the present year.
Buildings.
At the Court-house the sum of £1567. 5s. was expended in the furniture and fittings for the Court-room, which was permanently arranged, giving the necessary accommodation applied for by the Chief Justice, together with the formation of a skylight, which was also arranged for the better ventilation of the room, which was much required in hot weather with a crowded Court. The heavy entablatures to both fronts of this building show some symptoms of failure, portions of the cornice have fallen down; but as I believe the greater part of the projections have been formed with teak wood, it is probable there is no great decay in the framing to render any repair necessary.
The tower of the cathedral was completed during the year for the sum of £6977. 18s. 4d., and the total payments made on account of the whole building amounted to £12,067. 5s., this sum, however, formed part of the private subscription.
For the protection of the Albany Godowns, a large building abandoned by the proprietors, the sum of £30... has been expended.
Also in pulling down the Bungalow in the Wongneichung valley, resumed by Government in removing to store some of the building materials which were being stolen by the Chinamen, an expenditure of £301. 10s. 4d. was made. With some of the above materials and others supplied from collected stores, and upon the requisition of the superintendent of police, approved of by his Excellency, I built a boat-shed and stabling for the police, rearranged the accommodation, and built new cells at the central station, repaired and whitewashed the kitchens, and built proper drains therefrom to the main sewer in the street, the whole being performed for the sum of £311, 5s.
Two prisoners effected an escape from the gaol by placing a plank upon the lean-to roof of a privy, and thus gaining the summit of the wall dropped therefrom into the road, a height of 22 feet: in consequence of this a chevaux de frise was placed thereon 3 feet high, as well as for further safety an inner guard established, rendering the whole more secure, the above service cost £154. 13s. 1d. (Requisition No. 14).
Sundry repairs and painting were made to the flagstaves at Government house and offices, amounting to £77. 19s. 8d. under Requisitions 36 of 1849, and Nos. 3 and 9 of 1850.
The east side of the verandah to the Bungalow on Hospital Hill was rendered more secure against typhoons by removing the large jalousies, and filling in between the columns with brickwork, and inserting an ordinary-sized window instead, also in bracing and strengthening a portion of the north front of the verandah; a part of this service was performed by the tenant, the remainder was executed by Government at an expenditure of £101. 8s. 4d.
The several police stations in the city, four in number, exclusive of the central station, were thoroughly whitewashed, repaired, and painted (the latter service not having been performed for three years) for the sum of £347. 13s. 7d.
The other police stations in the island, viz., at Aberdeen, Stanley, and East Point, underwent no repairs during the year; but on my inspection at the beginning of this year I had occasion to note several dilapidations, particularly at Aberdeen, but most of these are not strictly chargeable to Government, and notice to that effect has been given to the superintendent of police.
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