P.W.E. Hongkong.
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PUBLIC WORKS EXTRAORDINARY.
89. New Magistracy.-Good progress was made with this work, very little remaining to be done at the end of the year, except the fittings of the two Courts and other finishings of a similar nature.
The building occupies the site of the old Magistracy, adjoining the Central Police Station and the Gaol, its principal front being towards Arbuthnot Road, and, in addition to providing the accommodation required in connection with the Magistrates' department, it contains quarters for 2 married Police Officers and 30 Indian Police. The level of the site is, on an average, 21 feet above Arbuthnot Road and, as the land to the eastward of Arbuthnot Road falls sharply away, the building occupies a conspicuous and commanding position. It contains in all four stories, the lowermost of which is, owing to the configuration of the site, a partial basement.
The accommodation provided is as follows:--
Partial Basement.--7 store-rooms, ranging from 270" × 14'0" to 15'6" × 14'0"; 2 small strong-rooms for records; 2 prisoners' waiting-rooms; 3 cells, each 13'0" × 12'6"; 4 rooms for servants, averaging about 15'0" × 9'0", a kitchen and latrines.
Ground Floor.-First Court, 50'0" × 30'0"; Second Court, 35'0" × 25'0"; hall, 36'0" × 14'0"; two magistrates' rooms, each 20'0" × 13'0", with lavatories attached: two witnesses' rooms, each 16'0" × 10'0", also with lavatories attached; two offices for the clerical staff, each 20'0" × 12'6"; a fines office, 15'0" × 13'0" and lavatories for the staff.
First Floor-Upper parts of Courts, (the Courts occupy two storeys in height); two solicitors' rooms, each 20'9" × 13'4", with lavatories attached; a dormitory and mess-room for Indian Police, the former capable of accommodating 12 men; a small room for a non-commissioned Police Officer; two kitchens and a lavatory.
Second Floor.--Two sets of quarters, containing 3 rooms each, besides bath-room, stores, kitchen and servants' quarters, for married Police Officers; a dormitory for Indian Police (18 men) and a large lavatory.
The basement and ground floor extend over the entire site, but, at the level of the first floor, a central well, measuring 36'0" × 14'0", which is situated over the hall on the ground floor, is introduced, around which the two upper floors are arranged. A staircase, entered from Arbuthnot Road, is provided for the use of the Magistrates and solicitors, whilst separate staircases are provided for access to the Police Officers' Quarters, the Indian Police Quarters, the servants' quarters and the basement. Stairs from the