CO129-206 - Public Offices & Others - 1882 — Page 489

483

5. On these points, we beg to advise that no reclamations, such as are suggested, should be at present taken in hand, but as they may at some future date be advan- tageously carried out, the present sen-wall from the Gas works to White's Lane should be repaired, and where necessary rebuilt, in accordance with the plan given in Appendix B. The estimated cost of this work is $55,000.

6. From White's Lane (near the Central Fire Brigade Station,) to Government Wharf, the Praya will have to be wholly rebuilt. It runs along the most valuable property in the Colony, opposite which no reclamations are ever likely to be made. It is the portion which invariably suffers most during Typhoons, and has never yet been built sufficiently strong to withstand the terrible effect of these severe storms. 7. We consider it of the utmost importance, that this work should be under- taken with the full intention of its being, as far as professional skill, experience and foresight can provide, a final work. The whole Colony is interested in a stop being put to the heavy expenditure which is nearly every year incurred in repair- ing this its most frequented thoroughfare, and all possible means should be adopted in order to make it a truly permanent structure.

8. The foregoing recommendations refer to what we consider a work of absolute necessity, but at the same time, we would urge the advisability of increas- ing the width of the Praya in this portion of the City so as to allow of a roadway of 60 feet instead of 50 feet, for the unceasing and teeming traffic which takes place along it. The opportunity is now given for this valuable improvement, and having regard to the extensive and permanent nature of the undertaking which the Colony has to enter upon, the additional cost of this work, which is estimated at $12,500, cannot be considered unreasonable or excessive.

9. The Surveyor General has submitted to us a plan (vide Appendix A) for the sea-wall in this locality, and having personally inspected the styles of building hitherto adopted in the Colony, and having ascertained, by the light of experience, their faults and deficiencies, we would recommend it as one which is likely to combine durability with great strength.

10. The cost will necessarily be large. It is estimated at $105,400. This will not, however, be excessive if it will obviate what has already been mentioned, viz., the annually incurring large expenditure for repairs. It is from this point of view, that the matter should be considered as being the most economical course to follow.

11. The next proposal relates to the erection of a Praya in front of the Naval Yard and certain Military buildings. It was thought that not only would this be a great public improvement, but would materially benefit, and, so to speak, resus- citate the Eastern portion of the City. Further, the Naval Authorities, who, for inany years past had steadily opposed this scheme, have now cordially approved of it under certain conditions which would readily be granted. There seemed, there- fore, every prospect of the Colony having at last a continuous roadway along the whole sea-frontage of the City, apparently facilitating its tradal operations and beautifying its

appearance.

12. It is, however, with great regret that we find ourselves unable to advise the construction of this work in the present condition of the Colony. We have had the advantage of consultation with those most deeply interested in property in the Eastern portion of Victoria, who possess also an extensive knowledge of the state of trade both in Hongkong and China, and we find that there is a strong and unanimous opinion, that no such result as that specially desired, and which alone would justify the Government in undertaking the work, would accrue.

13. They consider, and we concur with them, that the building of the pro- posed new Praya would have no appreciable effect upon the value of property along Praya East. If, therefore, this public improvement (and it can only be looked at in such a light), is to be carried out, we think that it should be taken in hand only when the financial condition and prospects of the Colony are sounder

D

and more satisfactory than they are at the present time. The estimated cost of the work is $150,000, which would be an enormous sum for the Colony to expend on an unremunerative improvement. But should the Imperial Government, out of consideration for the great and patent benefits to Imperial property which would result from the proposed reclamation, be willing to give pecuniary assistance towards the attendant expenditure, the question would assume a different position, and should meet with the earnest attention of the Colonial Government.

14. The Praya East will, nevertheless, require to be repaired, and as it is not exposed to the worst effects of Typhoon or other storms, we recommend that the same style of structure as that proposed for portions of the City where reclamations may hereafter be made should be adopted, and which would, in this instance, cost $20,000.

15. Lastly, as to the method for raising the funds for executing those works (not including piers) which we have recommended. The total sums required, according to our estimates, are as follows:----

Repairing, and where necessary, rebuilding sea-wall from Gas Works

to White's Lane,

Rebuilding sea-wall from White's Lane to Government Wharf, Increasing width of Praya Central,.

Repairs to Praya East,.

Contingencies,

$ 55,000

105,400

12,500

20,000

19,100

$212,000

16. It is with great diffidence that we make any suggestion in this matter, but we venture to hope that in whatever way the money may be provided, no additional taxation in the present state of commercial depression throughout the East, will be levied.

17. We would respectfully recommend that the Secretary of State be moved to sanction the money being borrowed at interest from the Special Fund and that the debt be paid off by means of a Sinking Fund, created by annual instalments from the ordinary Revenue of the Colony. From the annexed table, it will appear that instalments at the rate of $15,000 per annum will allow of the debt being cleared off in 15 years, and if the expenditure can be met in this way the present gene- ration of residents will not be called upon to pay more than their fair share of the cost of the necessary works to which this Report refers.

18. In conclusion, we desire to press upon the Government the importance of whatever work is undertaken in connection with either repairing, or building the sea-wall or making reclamations being placed under the entire control of the Surveyor General. The responsibility attaching to the efficient execution of the Contracts should rest upon that officer, and the Community would thereby have a guarantee that the funds were properly expended, which could not be obtained if the work was placed in the hands of private persons.

COUNCIL CHAMBER,

Hongkong, 6th May, 1875.

CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH.

C. MAY.

P. RYRIE.

H. Lowcock.

J. M. PRICE.