Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841–1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
defects in portions of its drainage, it must not be placed to insufficient construction, but to the causes enumerated above; and when these are remedied, and the filthy customs of the Chinese are in some degree abated, that district thickly as it is populated may become as clean as any other in the city. I must, however, remark that with the increased number of buildings, increased drainage is demanded as well as a more perfect construction of streets, some of which, although having houses therein, have never been drained or even formed; this, however, the Hon. the Lieutenant Governor has taken into consideration, and I am at this date preparing reports and estimates for the whole of such services as I consider imperatively necessary for the improvement and health of the city; and I trust they will be carried into effect now that the prosperity of the colony is increasing so rapidly.
During the year two land sales have been held, comprising an area of four acres, producing a rental of 492l. 5s. 3d., and premium 5,650 dollars; and as only six small lots were resumed during the year, yielding an aggregate rental of 23l. 9s. 5d., the rent roll amounted to 11,250l. 6s. 1d.
It was apparent, however, at the termination of the year, that the demand for land was steadily increasing, and this has been fully proved by the result of subsequent sales.
It is a question now of very considerable importance, in which direction to extend the city; there is little or no really available ground for the erection of such houses as the Chinese require in the rear of the city, as the ground is so steep, and thus the extension of the city westwards is what I most strenuously advocate, as it gives us a more extended sea frontage, which is of such vast importance, and in its rear is a large vacant area of 100 acres, and though rough and rocky is of suitable inclination for streets, and in no way inferior to the space upon which the present city is erected. Unfortunately, however, the proposed erection of a battery at the west end of the city interferes with this scheme, which I much regret, as I feel convinced an equally suitable site for a battery is obtainable, viz., at the old battery at the naval stores; it was the point originally determined upon for the defence of the western entrance to the harbour, and if such a work is really required I confess I should prefer seeing it erected there, as from its position it would command not only the entrance referred to but have an extensive range of the harbour to the eastward; whereas the battery in its present position has a mass of houses on its immediate right, and is thus prevented from employing its fire in that direction; however, this is a subject for the consideration of the Government.
Should this area not be devoted to the extension of the city, my attention has been turned to the necessity of concentrating it; and with this view I think it desirable to make a further addition, by the reclamation of the ground from the sea in front of the Bouham Strand, and to cut down the hill called Possession Point. This hill stands on a base of about 300 feet square; and the whole of this space is occupied by one single house—a police station. By the removal of the hill, accommodation might be provided for upwards of a hundred houses; and with the extension of the land seawards, an additional frontage of 1,800 feet is obtained, which would give in a double row 240 houses, or 310 houses in all—giving accommodation to at least 3,000 Chinese. The hill would be cut down for nothing; the former area would be sold by auction, and an assessment would fix the rate for permission to the tenants to extend their frontages, and occupy the latter.
If neither of these plans can be carried into effect, measures must be adopted for the establishment of a town east of the Albany Godowns. A portion of this area I have attempted to sell on two occasions, but with no satisfactory result. A few houses are built in the neighbourhood, but are occupied by boat builders, and people of no wealth or benefit to the colony.
On this area, however, the Lieutenant-Governor proposes to form the necessary streets preparatory to the next land sale, and this service also engages my attention.
The duties of the department, in carrying into effect the public works during the year, are fully set forth in my report upon that subject.
Within the office I had, in consequence of the absence on leave of the accountant and clerk of deal registry, nearly the same difficulties to contend against as reported last year. Mr. Reinhard, who then held the acting appointment, was removed to the Treasury on the 30th April, and until the month of October I had merely the services of a young lad who had never been in any office before, and however willing he might have been to execute his duties in such a satisfactory manner as he or I could wish, was unable to do so; neither his education nor abilities permitted it. I cannot, however, but express my satisfaction at the desire he always evinced to comply with the requirements of the office and accede to all my wishes.
At this period Mr. Power, the regular clerk, arrived and resumed his duties; the arrears he had to bring up were very considerable, as indeed in the keeping of the office books I was obliged merely to post up such services as were actually necessary, and keep all the current work distinct therefrom, as with such a variety of changes as I had during Mr. Power's absence it was impossible to effect the work with any accuracy or satisfaction. To execute this service, and at the same time carry on the ordinary increasing work of the office, was a task by no means inconsiderable, and I have now, as in all former reports, to express my entire approbation of his conduct.
The transactions in land, as registered in the office, are as follows:—49 memorials of absolute sale of property, affecting 57 lots; 14 memorials affecting mortgages on 25 lots;
222
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841–1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
defects in portions of its drainage, it must not be placed to insufficient construction, but to the causes cnumerated above; and when these are remedied, and the filthy customs of the Chinese are in some degree abated, that district thickly as it is populated may become as clean as any other in the city. I must, however, remark that with the increased number of buildings, increased drainage is demanded as well as a more perfect construction of streets, some of which, although having houses therein, have never been drained or even formed; this, however, the Hon. the Lieutenant Governor has taken into consideration, and I am at this date preparing reports and estimates for the whole of such services as I consider imperatively necessary for the improvement and health of the city; and I trust they will be carried into effect now that the prosperity of the colony is increasing so rapidly.
During the year two land sales have been held, comprising an area of four acres, pro ducing a rental of 4921. 58. 3d., and premium 5,650 dollars; and as only six small lots were resumed during the year, yielding an aggregate rental of 23l. 98. 5d., the rent roll amounted to 11,250L. 6s. 1ąd.
It was apparent, however, at the termination of the year, that the demand for land was steadily increasing, and this has been fully proved by the result of subsequent sales.
It is a question now of very considerable importance, in which direction to extend the city; there is little or no really available ground for the erection of such houses as the Chinese require in the rear of the city, as the ground is so steep, and thus the extension of the city westwards is what I most strenuously advocate, as it gives us a more extended sea frontage, which is of such vast importance, and in its rear is a large vacant area of 100 acres, and though rough and rocký is of suitable inclination for streets, and in no way inferior to the space upon which the present city is erected. Unfortunately, however, the proposed erection of a battery at the west end of the city interferes with this scheme, which I much regret, as I feel convinced an equally suitable site for a battery is obtain- able, viz., ut the old battery at the naval stores; it was the point originally determined upon for the defence of the western entrance to the harbour, and if such a work is really- required I confess I should prefer seeing it erected there, as from its position it would com- mand not only the entrance referred to but have an extensive range of the harbour to the eastward; whereas the battery in its present position has a mass of houses on its imme- diate right, and is thus prevented from employing its fire in that direction; however, this is a subject for the consideration of the Government.
Should this area not be devoted to the extension of the city, my attention has been turned to the necessity of concentrating it; and with this view I think it desirable to make a further addition, by the reclamation of the ground from the sea in front of the Bouham Strand, and to cut down the hill called Possession Point. This hill stands on a base of about 300 feet square; and the whole of this space is occupied by one single house-a police station. By the removal of the hill, accommodation might be provided for upwards of a hundred houses; and with the extension of the land seawards, "an addi- tional frontage of 1,800 feet is obtained, which would give in a double row 240 houses, or 310 houses in all-giving accommodation to at least 3,000 Chinese. The hill would be cut down for nothing; the former area would be sold by auction, and an assessment would fix the rate for permission to the tenants to extend their frontages, and occupy
the latter.
If neither of these plans can bo carried into effect, measures must be adopted for the establishment of a town east of the Albany Godowns. A portion of this area I have attempted to sell on two occasions, but with no satisfactory result. A few houses are built in the neighbourhood, but are occupied by boat builders, and people of no wealth or benefit to the colony.
On this area, however, the Lieutenant-Governor proposes to form the necessary streets preparatory to the next land sale, and this service also engages my attention.
The duties of the department, in carrying into effect the public works during the year, are fully set forth in my report upon that subject.
Within the office I had, in consequence of the absence on leave of the accountant and clerk of deal registry, nearly the suno difliculties to contend against us reported last year. Mr. Reinhard, who then held the acting appointment, was removed to the Treasury on the 30th April, and until the month of October I had merely the services of a young lad who had never been in any office before, and however willing he might have been to execute his duties in such a satisfactory manner as he or I could wish, was unable to do so; neither his education nor abilities permitted it. I cannot, however, but express my satisfiction at the desire he always ovinced to comply with the requirements of the ollice and accede to all my wishes.
At this period Mr. Power, the regular clerk, arrived and resumed his duties; the arrears ho had to bring up were very considerable, as indeed in the keeping of the office books I was obliged merely to post up such services as were actually necessary, and keep all the current work distinct therefrom, as with such a variety of changes as I had during Mr. Power's absence it was impossible to effect the work with any accuracy or satisfaction. To execute this service, and at the same time carry on the ordinary increasing work of the office, was a task by no means inconsiderable, and I have now, as in all former reports, to express my entire approbation of his conduct.
The transactions in land, as registered in the office, are as follows:-49 memorials of absolute sale of property, affecting 57 lots; 14 memorials affecting mortgages on 25 lots;
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