436
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
46
sidiary currency continued; the Government withdrew from circulation and demonetized $780,000 of subsidiary silver coin and $30,000 of bronze coin. Exchange averaged 1/9-6727 for the year and stood at 1/8-1/3 on December 31st.
Public Works.-The new Time Ball Tower was completed and brought into use. A section of the new Land Office at Tai Po was completed for the use of the Assistant Land Officer. The new Slaughter Houses and Animal Depôt at Ma Tau Kok, Kowloon, were completed and brought into use. The extension of P.W.D. Offices was carried out. Wanchai School was extended and its accommodation practically doubled. Saiyingpun School was also enlarged by the erection of an additional storey. The Quarters at the Victoria School had another storey added. The European Quarters in Mount Gough Police Station were considerably enlarged. The Transvaal Coolie Emigration Depôt was purchased for a Quarantine Station and buildings, etc., put in order. Staff Quarters in Government Civil Hospital were extended. Obelisk at Kowloon in memory of the French sailors drowned in Typhoon 1906 was unveiled. 12 New Fire Alarms were installed in City. Nathan Road was extended from Market Street to Kowloon Farm Lot No. 2. In New Territories the Kowloon City Road was extended from its point of intersection with the Military Roads to its point of bifurcation to Customs Pass and Chin Lan Chun Village. Blake Pier Permanent Shelter was completed. New Service Reservoir at West Point was completed: capacity 3,558,000 gallons; also a new 8" rising main.
Legislation.-22 Ordinances (9 amendment) passed. The principal matters dealt with were-public health and buildings, fire insurance companies, foreign corporations, breweries, chemists and druggists, and theatres. Public Health and Buildings bill passed after much debate and permanent Head of Sanitary Dept. created (result of Commission). Chinese Emigration Ordinance 1889 amended and "assisted emigrants" recognised, affording additional protection and safe-