1887-1903
321
COLONIAL REPORTS—MISCELLANEOUS.
11
successful would improve the varieties already in the market and also supply new kinds. He mentions Agave sisalina as a plant likely to succeed, and states that though sisal hemp is not of such good fibre as Manila hemp it will probably repay cultivation.
Great difficulty has been experienced in the attempt to prevent tree-cutting, but before effective measures can be taken to stop the practice the Land Court will have to decide the validity of the various leases under which it is alleged that the Chinese Government granted the owners power to cut down trees growing on their property. If such rights are established it may be necessary for the Government to purchase them in cases where the trees are of importance to the health of the New Territory.
PUBLIC WORKS.
I attach a report* of the Director of Public Works on the work done by his Department in the New Territory during 1900.
The main road in course of construction between Kowloon and Táipó, which when completed will be about 16 miles in length, has now reached a point 11 miles distant from Kowloon. From this point on to Táipó there is a passable foot-path. The plans for the last 5 miles are being completed in the Public Works Department and it is hoped the road will be finished this year. It is intended ultimately to extend this road beyond Táipó to the frontier.
The road to Kowloon City, 1.4 miles in length, was completed early in 1900, as was also the cross-road leading from Tái Shek Ku to Yaumati. Both these roads have proved of great value as main arteries for traffic.
Telephone communication was extended to the temporary Police Station at San T'in, and also to Shat'aukok, so that the telephone communication between the various Police Stations in the New Territory and with Victoria is now complete.
Permanent Police Stations have been completed and occupied at Au T'au, at P'ing Shán, and at Shat'aukok near Starling Inlet, while a station at Saikung on Shelter Bay is in course of construction.
An iron and concrete bridge of two spans of 15 feet each has been built on the Saikung Road just beyond Kowloon City, and the attention of the Public Works Department has also been engaged by the renewal of the Kowloon City Pier and the construction of a causeway to connect the hill on which the temporary official quarters at Táipó now stand with an island close up to deep water.
I attach photographs, prepared by Mr. Gale, Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department, which show the nature of the works that have been undertaken.
The temporary quarters at Táipó are only matsheds and not well suited for their purpose. It has been thought advisable
* Not re-printed.
1887-1903
321
COLONIAL REPORTS—MISCELLANEOUS.
11
successful would improve the varieties already in the market and also supply new kinds. He mentions Agave sisalina as a plant likely to succeed, and states that though sisal hemp is not of such good fibre as Manila hemp it will probably repay culti- vation.
Great difficulty has been experienced in the attempt to prevent tree-cutting, but before effective measures can be taken to stop the practice the Land Court will have to decide the validity of the various leases under which it is alleged that the Chinese Government granted the owners power to cut down trees growing on their property. If such rights are established it may be necessary for the Government to purchase them in cases where the trees are of importance to the health of the New Territory.
PUBLIC WORKS.
I attach a report* of the Director of Public Works on the work done by his Department in the New Territory during 1900.
The main road in course of construction between Kowloon and Táipó, which when completed will be about 16 miles in length, has now reached a point 11 miles distant from Kow- loon. From this point on to Táipó there is a passable foot-path. The plans for the last 5 miles are being completed in the Public Works Department and it is hoped the road will be finished, this year. It is intended ultimately to extend this road beyond Táipó to the frontier.
The road to Kowloon City, 14 miles in length, was completed. early in 1900, as was also the cross-road leading from Tái Shek Ku to Yaumati. Both these roads have proved of great value as main arteries for traffic.
Telephone communication was extended to the temporary Police Station at San T'in, and also to Shat'aukok, so that the telephone communication between the various Police Stations in the New Territory and with Victoria is now complete.
Permanent Police Stations have been completed and occupied at Au T'au, at P'ing Shán, and at Shat'aukok near Starling Inlet, while a station at Saikung on Shelter Bay is in course of construction.
t
An iron and concrete bridge of two spans of 15 feet each has been built on the Saikung Road just beyond Kowloon City, and the attention of the Public Works Department has also been engaged by the renewal of the Kowloon City Pier and the construction of a causeway to connect the hill on which the temporary official quarters at Táipó now stand with an island close up to deep water.
I attach photographs, prepared by Mr. Gale, Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department, which show the nature of the works that have been undertaken.
The temporary quarters at Táipó are only matsheds and not well suited for their purpose. It has been thought advisable
• Not re-printed.
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