HKG-CAR1844-1886 — Page 237

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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941

STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.

shower further slips occurred; these continued to advance until the 19th June, when a slip more extensive than the former so far injured the hill that no less than half an2 scre was ruptured in such a degree as to force over the retaining walls at its base, and destroy some premises adjoining, whereby one man was killed and others injured. This slip naturally affected the school-house, and in so great a degree that it was considered advis able to pull it down to save the materials; accordingly these were sold by auction on the 4th September, producing the sum of 411. 13s. 4d, and before the whole were removed the greater portion of the site was destroyed.

Arrangements were accordingly made for the prevention of further damage to the hill by the resumption of all the ground unbuilt upon so as to stop further cuttings at its base, and a report and estimate has been submitted for rendering it more permanently secure, and so as to save the upper part of Hollywood Road; danal asakustia, nasit înt cr

The debtors jail, Report and Estimate, No. 5; of 1851, was completed during the year, and I trust it will be considered useful, and supply all the wants such a building is required to provide for; expenditure amounted to 2487, a' balance, however, remained upon the contract amounting to 78% 5s. which I have exacted as a fine for non-completion of the work according to the proper time; the contractor gave me the greatest possible trouble and tried every means in his power to scamp his work, but I ain happy to say the whole as finished is as complete and substantial as I could wish; -pak tað 207 to

The erection of the treadwheel under Report and Estimate, No. 5, of 1853, was com pleted during the year, and although the work was one of considérable difficulty, it acts remarkably well, and is easily regulated to suit one or ten men if placed upon it. The power is, however, applied to no useful purpose.-- the

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Police station at Wongneichung, Report and Estimate, No. 19, of 1853 was completed, it provides accommodation for three Europeans, six Indians, and one Chinese constable; it has been satisfactorily executed, and now that there is an almost certain prospect of a town springing up in the immediate vicinity, it is satisfactory to find that the position has been well chosen. Payment on this account was made amounting to 1354-

Boat-houses for the harbour master and police, Report and Estimate, No. 20, of 1833, which provided for the accommodation of the crews also was finished during the year, and payment of balance due was made amounting to 2381. 68. 8d. This work has been satis- factorily performed, and I have no doubt it will be found suitable, and provide for all the present wants of the service.

The Post Office had a thorough repair during the year, under the authority of Report and Estimate, No. 22, of 1853, payments on account of which amounting to 132. 1s. 1d. were made. The course of this repair and the mode of carrying it into effect were explained in my last report.

Trivial repairs to sundry Government buildings, amounting to 811 48. 4d., were made under Report and Estimate, No. 24.

At the town of Stanley, the police station was repaired, and the roof raised, and the whole better ventilated and drained, under the authority of Report and Estimate, No. 2, of 1854, for an expenditure of 204. 16s. 8d.

Repairs to the inagistracy were effected under Report and Estimate, No. 27, of 1853, amounting to 19. 118. 8d.

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Upon some of the public roads, trees to a limited extent were planted, Report and Estimate, No. 1, of 1854, and payments made amounting to 152, this service is extended as circumstances appear to demand annually.

Upon the alteration which took place by placing a police instead of a military guard at the gaols, it became necessary to provide a kitchen, the latter guard not requiring one, it did not form part of the plan for the guard-house; the service was executed for

· 10%. 8s. 4d. under Report and Estimate, No. 8, of 1854.

Repairs to the police stations in Victoria, under Report and Estirante, No. 26, of 1853, ainounted to 10%. 8s. 4d.

A variety of services, which, strictly speaking, are of a miscellaneous nature, I am obliged to charge either under the head of "construction" or "repair;" and under that of the former, for buildings account, I made payments amounting to 19L. 17s, requi- sitions Nos. 2, 3, and 8 for protection to Government buildings, the purchase of flags, watchmen, coolie hire, &c.; "under the latter head, upon requisitions Nos. 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11, I made a variety of repairs to the following buildings:-Government offices, police stations, gaols and governor's residence,-anounting in the aggregate to the sun of 571. 98. 6d. Thus the total payment made on account of buildings, whether under con- struction or repair, amounted to the sum of 4,5894. 56. 932.

Drains

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Under Report and Estimate, No. 12, of 1853, I constructed a drain on the steep slope of the hill from Government House Road to Albert Road, for the sum of 60%. This drain carries a large body of water from the upper level, and was intended to preserve tho heavy.embankment adjoining from injury by the fall of water over its surface. The service was effected with considerable difficulty, as it was inade: over treacherous soil, partly in cutting and partly in filling, and, as was anticipated, it received soine damage before it was finally completed. It is placed at an angle of 60 degrees, and the velocity of the water is consequently excessive. I have reduced the quantity of water that formerly found exit there, and thus lessened the danger of failure.

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