Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
on the following day this had been patched up with wood, and coloured to imitate the stone, which, if not discovered in time, would eventually have caused the destruction of the entire bridge in a few years. In such cases, where a wilful system of scamping work is adopted, I invariably condemn a large portion of it; and although this mode causes some delay and inconvenience to the public in certain cases, it is the only means I have at present of obliging the contractors to execute sound and satisfactory work; but I find they never try that plan of cheating again.
The expenditure on roads undertaken by the department, both in construction and repair, amounted to 698l. 1s. 9d.; upon bridges, 145l. 16s. 8d.; upon sundry miscellaneous services 314l. 19s. 8d. The whole together, with 455l. additional grant for the completion of the cathedral, amounted to 1,613l. 18s. 1d.
The supervision of convict labour is entirely executed by myself, the Indian sergeant of the guard acting as overseer. A daily return is made of the number of men employed, and the nature of their work, to enable me to bring the value of it to account in my annual return for the Blue Book. I have to report most favourably of the conduct of the sergeant Chorepah, who is very attentive, and makes the men perform as satisfactory work as can be expected.
The Chinese overseer and coolies have given also equal satisfaction.
The supply of tools and their repair during the year amounted to 271l. 12s. 7d. The work performed, including breaking stones, I estimate in my return upon works at 2964l. 6s. 3d., which gives a rate of 9 per cent. upon it, and may be considered by no means heavy; but many of the wheelbarrows and some other articles are now in a bad state of repair, and a new set of the former is much required. Occasionally carpenters and blacksmiths are included amongst the convicts, and if I had means of employing them and could establish a good workshop, either within the gaol or at the Government offices, the repairs would be executed at a smaller cost; but, as stated in my last report, if I had an established free labourer, a carpenter and generally useful man, he could be employed most effectively in executing repairs himself to the various buildings under my charge, or as overseer upon works too large for one man, or where I could not send a convict unguarded.
In the deeds registry department thirty-nine memorials have been registered, affecting forty-three lots, twenty-nine of which were for absolute sale, and seventeen of these were prepared in the office for Chinese. This service is performed by Mr. Power, in addition to his ordinary work as book-keeper and clerk; and I have to report that he continues to execute the whole of the work devolving upon him, both as regards the careful preparation and registry of land deeds, as well as in the work of accountant, in the same satisfactory manner as reported in former years.
The number of leases written and issued from the office amounted to twenty-nine. Land giving a yearly rental of 1314l. 12s. 8d. was sold, upon which a premium of 436l. 19s. 2d. was paid. The grants of land were seven in number (two of which, for religious and educational purposes, were rent-free), paying a rental of 51l. 17s. The rental upon land resumed amounted to 450l. 6s. 8d., and reductions in rent authorized by the Right Honourable Lord Grey, 270l. 11s.; making a total reduction of 720l. 17s. 8d.
The rent-roll at the end of the year was 10,696l. 5s. 3d., being 5974l. 7s. 2d. less than the previous year.
The fees derivable from leases and registry of memorials amounted to the sum of 99l. 0s. 2d.
I have much pleasure in stating that my own health has not suffered during the year; and the lameness which caused me so much trouble before has not returned, thus enabling me to perform my various duties in the office from ten till four, as well as those devolving upon me in the superintendence of works, convict labour, and other services in the city, connected with land, in the mornings and evenings, without difficulty or inconvenience.
I have completed a portion of the map alluded to in my last report, connecting the colonial property with the cantonment; but the other map, of the new houses and improvements in the town, I could do nothing to. The short time I have to work, and other services on hand, and particularly those consequent upon the late disastrous fire in the Lower Bazaar, which rendered necessary the entire change and re-allotment of the greater portion of the area, extending over about eight acres and a half, and the superintendence of the houses in course of erection, entirely prevents me from devoting my time thereto,—at any rate for this cold season. I must remark, however, that the work is not of absolute necessity, as the plan originally made by me is sufficient for all purposes connected with operations in land, and therefore no inconvenience results from the delay.
In conclusion, I have to state that it is my desire to render the services of my department as efficient as possible in the execution of all work demanded from it, and trust that his Excellency the Governor may be pleased to accord his approval thereto.
(Signed)
I have, &c. CHARLES ST. GEORGE CLEVERLY,
Surveyor General.
Page 185
Page 186
1
Enclosure 4.
Census of Hong Kong, 31st December 1851.
166
266
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
on the following day this had been patched up with wood, and coloured to imitate the stone, which, if not discovered in time, would eventually have caused the destruction of the entire bridge in a few years. In such cases, where a wilful system of scamping work is adopted, I invariably condemn a large portion of it; and although this mode causes some delay and inconvenience to the public in certain cases, it is the only means I have at pre- sent of obliging the contractors to execute sound and satisfactory work; but I find they never try that plan of cheating again.
The expenditure on roads undertaken by the department, both in construction and repair, amounted to 6981. 1s. 9d.; upon bridges, 1451 16s. Sd; upon sundry miscellaneous services 3141. 19s. 8d. The whole together, with 4551. additional grant for the completion of the cathedral, amounted to 1,613, 188. 1d.
The supervision of convict labour is entirely executed by myself, the Indian sergeant of the guard acting as overseer. A daily return is made of the number of men employed, and the nature of their work, to enable me to bring the value of it to account in my annual return for the Blue Book. I have to report most favourably of the conduct of the sergeant Chorepah, who is very attentive, and makes the men perform as satisfactory work as can be expected.
The Chinese overseer and coolies have given also equal satisfaction.
The supply of tools and their repair during the year amounted to 271 12s. 7d. The work performed, including breaking stones, I estimate in my return upon works at 2964. 65. 3d., which gives a rate of 9 per cent. upon it, and may be considered by no means heavy; but many of the wheelbarrows and some other articles are now in a bad state of repair, and a new set of the former is much required. Occasionally carpenters and blacksmiths are included amongst the convicts, and if I had means of employing them and could establish a good workshop, either within the gaol or at the Government, offices, the repairs would be executed at a smaller cost; but, as stated in my last report, if I had an established free labourer, a carpenter and generally useful man, he could be em- ployed most effectively in executing repairs himself to the various buildings under my charge, or as overseer upon works too large for one man, or where I could not send a convict unguarded.
In the deeds registry department thirty-nine memorials have been registered, affecting forty-three lots, twenty-nine of which were for absolute sale, and seventeen of these were prepared in the office for Chinese. This service is performed by Mr. Power, in addition to his ordinary work as book-keeper and clerk; and I have to report that he continues to execute the whole of the work devolving upon him, both as regards the careful preparation and registry of land deeds, as well as in the work of accountant, in the same satisfactory manner as reported in former years.
The number of leases written and issued from the office amounted to twenty-nine. Land giving a yearly rental of 1314. 12s. 8d. was sold, upon which a premium of 436. 198. 2d. was paid. The grants of land were seven in number (two of which, for religious and educational purposes, were rent-free), paying a rental of 511. 178. The rental upon land resumed amounted to 450L. 69. 84d., and reductions in rent autho- rized by the Right Honourable Lord Grey, 2704. 11s; making a total reduction of 7201. 17s. 81d.
The rent-roll at the end of the year was 10,6961. 5s. 34d, being 5974. 7s. 21d. less than the previous year.
The fees derivable from leases and registry of memorials amounted to the sum of 991. Os. 21d.
I have much pleasure in stating that my own health has not suffered during the year ; and the lameness which caused me so much trouble before has not returned, thus enabling me to perform my various duties in the office from ten till four, as well as those devolving upon me in the superintendence of works, convict labour, and other services in the city, connected with land, in the mornings and evenings, without difficulty or inconvenience.
I have completed a portion of the map alluded to in my last report, connecting the colonial property with the cantonment; but the other map, of the new houses and improve- ments in the town, I could do nothing to. The short time I have to work, and other services on hand, and particularly those consequent upon the late disastrous fire in the Lower Bazaar, which rendered necessary the entire change and re-allotment of the greater portion of the area, extending over about eight acres and a half, and the superintendence of the houses in course of erection, entirely prevents me from devoting my time thereto,-at any rate for this cold season. I must remark, however, that the work is not of absolute necessity, as the plan originally made by me is sufficient for all purposes connected with operations in land, and therefore no inconvenience results from the delay.
In conclusion, I have to state that it is my desire to render the services of my depart- ment as efficient as possible in the execution of all work demanded from it, and trust that his Excellency the Governor may be pleased to accord his approval thereto.
(Signed)
I have, &c. CHARLES ST. GEORGE CLEVERLY,
Surveyor General.
Page 185Page 186
1
Enclosure 4.
Census of Hong Koxo, 31st December 1851.
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