CO882-6 — Page 246

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

TLC.O. 882

6

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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the Island has been defrayed from the vote of $10,000 for Island expenses and on the mainland from Municipal fees which were not, as now, paid into the general

revenue.

The expenditure for lighting and scavenging has increased owing to the transfer of property from the Naval and Military Authorities to the Colonial Government, which has a larger area than formerly to light and cleanse.

10. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

In last year's estimates the cost of the Engineering Establishment was estimated at 5

per cent. on expenditure and a sum of $4,400 was inserted in the estimates, which was reduced by you to $3,200. In view of the withdrawal of the Royal Engineers from Weihaiwei, it is necessary to provide for a Civilian Staff. I have addressed you on this subject in my despatches No. 24, of the 26th May, and No. 57, of the 23rd September last.*

In addition to the Staff provided for in the Estimates, arrangements are being made by which the services of the Admiralty Civil Engineer can be utilised when necessary. No special provision has been made for defraying his expenses, but his consulting fee can be debited to the cost of any work regarding which his advice is obtained.

11.-MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.

The items under this heading are the same as those which were approved in last year's estimates with the following exceptions :-

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(A) Lighting Harbour:-This increase is due to the Chief Engineer being granted £50 a year instead of £20 as he now discharges not only the work of inspecting the Lighthouses but also takes charge of the Lighthouse Stores and checks their supply, issue and expenditure.

(B) Mail Services:-I have given full details regarding this increase in my despatch No. 59, of the 14th October, 1902.†

(c) Launch Service:-There is no regular communication between the Island and the mainland, this Government and the community being at present entirely dependent on the courtesy of the Military Authorities who run a launch two or three times a day. This is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs and, so far as this Govern- ment is concerned, will not be remedied until it has a launch of its own, for which I have estimated this year. It will require some time to build a launch, so in the meantime I have inserted in the Estimates a sum of £240, which amount, if given as a subsidy, will, I trust, induce private enterprise to run a launch regularly throughout the year. Speedy communication between the Island and mainland, whilst absolutely necessary for administrative purposes, will be a great boon to the public and will help to make Weihaiwei more attractive during summer as a place of residence.

(D) Telegrams:-The estimate of £100 is based on the expenditure for telegrams during the current financial year.

12.-PUBLIC WORKS.

Roads:-As I pointed out, soon after my arrival, the roads already constructed here did not appear likely to wear well. My anticipations have already been fulfilled. I understand from those who have been resident here for some time that this year has been an exceptionally wet one. As a consequence the roads have suffered more than they might have done during an ordinary year. But making every allowance for the exceptional nature of the weather, it seems evident that, if the roads are to last, they must be constructed on lines different from those hitherto adopted and better arrangements must be made for surface drainage.

Roads extending for more than 30 miles have been constructed, only a few miles of which have been properly metalled. During the heavy rains this year the roads have been washed away in some parts and seriously damaged in others. The bridges also have suffered owing to their dimensions not being sufficient to cope with the sudden rush of water. As a result a considerable outlay will be required to make them fit for traffic.

* 97737 and 45294; not printed.

†48543: not printed

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In my opinion the best policy to adopt will be to gradually improve the present roads until they are all in a satisfactory condition instead of making new roads of the same temporary kind as those previously constructed, which become in the long run more expensive than a properly made road on account of the constant outlay, required for repairs.

I have accordingly inserted in the Estimates a sum of £2,500, which will be expended on the improvement and maintenance of the roads at present in existence on the mainland and Island.

Repairs and Alterations of Buildings-The number of buildings in the posses- sion of the Colonial Government has been considerably increased by the transfer to it of property formerly belonging to the Naval and Military Authorities. To maintain and improve where necessary these buildings as well as those previously in the possession of the Colonial Government I estimate that a sum of £500 will be required. Sanitary Improvements:-No steps have hitherto been taken to effect sanitary improvements in this dependency. In last year's estimates my predecessor applied for authority to expend a sum of $70,000 on building a native town on the Island of Liu Kung. I do not consider such a scheme necessary, being of opinion that money can be spent with better results in gradually improving the sanitary condition of the native towns on the mainland and the Island. As a first step in this direction, I propose to spend a sum of £1,000 on sanitary improvements during 1903-1904.

Building Sea-wall on Island:-A portion of this sea-wall has already been constructed by the Naval Authorities and it is important that this work should be completed.

Cemetery on Mainland and Island:-A cemetery on the mainland has been laid out, but it still requires to be much improved. The only cemetery on the Island is the Naval cemetery, which is gradually being filled up and which the general public is only allowed to use by the courtesy of the Naval Authorities. It has, therefore, been necessary to select a site for a general cemetery which will have to be properly laid out. By an expenditure of £500 it is hoped that the work required in connection with either cemetery will be much advanced during 1903-1904.

13.-LAUNCH.

At present this Government has no boat of any kind belonging to itself and has to rely entirely on the Naval and Military Authorities if it ever requires a boat. This is neither a satisfactory nor a dignified position for a Government to occupy. Although I have always had to use a borrowed craft, and had to return the visit of the Governor of Kiaochow in his own boat, I have refrained from calling attention to this matter until I felt justified in recommending the necessary expenditure, and especially as it was probable that the launch now belonging to the Military Authorities would ultimately he handed over to the Colonial Government. But if there is to be a garrison here, the Military Authorities will not be able to spare their launch, and even if that were possible, I do not consider that that launch would be suitable. It is by no means a new boat and seems to be frequently in need of repairs. Moreover, it is not of this waters. for these

The coast line the style of launch territory is to a great extent exposed to the open sea and even in sheltered parts a larger craft than that now owned by the Military is required in order to effect a landing.

necessary

It is unnecessary to point out how frequently, apart from ordinary harbour work, a launch may be required to reach quickly outlying portions of the territory. So convinced am I of the necessity of a proper launch that I have deemed it advisable to defer the building of a Government House until a suitable craft has been obtained. It will take some time to build a new launch, but as soon as I receive your approval of these estimates, I propose to request the Governor of Hong-Kong to call for tenders, as launch building has become a speciality in that Colony.

14.-STORES, &c.

These will be required in connection with the various public works.

15.

In conclusion, I desire to state that in framing these Estimates I have made every effort to reduce expenditure as far as possible without impairing efficiency