1841-1886
PAPERS RELATING TO
work a few years ago, The good results we all observe from the tree-planting, justify this increased expenditure. On the whole, gentlemen, I think you have no reason to be dissatisfied with the expenditure you have voted, and with the mode in which it has been laid out. There are certain works, which I was anxious to see carried out some years ago, with which at that time the Surveyor-General expressed his inability to deal until the repairs to the Praya Wall had been completed. Four years ago I pointed out the necessity for a new gaol on Stone Cutters' Island. That is a matter which has been pressed very much upon my attention by the Government, and the Earl of Kimberley has now expressed an opinion that that is the only suitable site for the gaol. The new Observatory at Kowloon is a work of Imperial as well as of local importance. The plans and estimates for a new Water Police Station at Kowloon have been laid before Her Majesty's Government. As to the water supply scheme, before I proceeded some months ago to Peking, I instructed Mr. Bowdler to carry out what is known as the Tytam scheme. He asked me to get him some skilled workmen from England for certain technical details. I telegraphed for them, and in the meantime a question has been raised by a gentleman now in the Colony, Mr. Chadwick, as to going back upon the still more expensive scheme, in contrast to the later Tytam scheme, and he is about to report upon the matter to Her Majesty's Government. The Water Police Station has been delayed by a reference, very properly made, to the Surveyor-General, who is now in London. The plans of the Observatory have been referred to eminent scientific authorities in London, and I am awaiting instructions before beginning the work. The question of the gaol is also before the Secretary of State, and having been referred to the Surveyor-General, the question has arisen as to the number of prisoners to be accommodated. When last I addressed you upon the subject, I thought we should provide accommodation for 750, and upon that subject the question has arisen as to how far it might not be desirable to have the gaol on Stone Cutters' Island made to accommodate say 600 or 700, and a lock-up on this side of the harbour for 100 or 200.
Sanitation.
Mr. Chadwick is about to report to Her Majesty's Government upon some questions connected with the sanitation of Hong Kong, questions which have been brought to the notice of Her Majesty's Government, as appears in the instructions given to Mr. Chadwick, by representations—constant representations, as Lord Kimberley says—by the Officer in Command of the Troops as to the condition of the Chinese houses, and the system of drainage, which he imagined was injuriously affecting the health of the troops under his command. The sanitary state of this Colony is
649