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sider each one, and report upon it to the Finance Committee; and no vote should be asked from Council until the fullest details of every nature had been obtained and considered during these preliminary stages. When money has been voted by the Council on a definite Government statement and on the strength of carefully prepared detailed plans, no material change should be permitted to be made without reference to the Public Works Committee, and without the consent of the Council obtained thereto. Such a course as this would secure to the public an efficient and effective control over the inception and execution of extraordinary public works, and over the expenditure thereon, a control which it is impossible for the Council effectually to exercise except through the medium of the committees named.
The practice of sanctioning and commencing new works before detailed drawings, designs, plans and estimates have been carefully prepared cannot be supported and should be discontinued. We further recommend that before sanctioning further new works those already authorised—the many important public works already commenced—should be pushed on to completion.
We beg leave to make the following observations regarding the undermentioned public works.
Central Market.—The Surveyor-General stated in Finance Committee that contracts have been entered into for the foundations but not for the superstructures—approximately about $37,000. It is almost impossible to make a fixed contract for the cost of laying the foundations, because so much depends upon the nature of the foundation. It was not let for a lump sum but it is nevertheless a contract. It would be impossible to say exactly what the amount would be. The work is paid for according to how much is done. I do not know how you could let it for a lump sum until you know what you have to do. I have endeavoured to explain that when the contract is let under the system of measurement it is the engineer in charge who measures up the work. The engineer in charge of the work is responsible for all measurements of which he has charge, etc.
We are strongly in favour of contracts being made for a lump sum. The colony is committed to an unknown and unlimited expenditure if the contract sum is not fixed beforehand.
We would urge the imperative necessity for all measurements being made by the engineer—not by the overseer—and that the rule be not in any one instance departed from.
We cannot but regard the increase in the estimate from $235,000 to $270,000 proposed to be spent on this work as excessive and extravagant, and are decidedly of opinion that a reduction in the amount, consistent with efficiency and the colony's requirements can be effected.
Gap Rock Lighthouse.—We heartily approve of this very desirable and necessary work, and earnestly hope it will be pushed on to completion with all possible despatch.
Praya Reclamation.—Site for proposed New Western Market—We are sorry to observe that little progress is being made with this work, though it was commenced as long ago as 1888. We recommend that the undertaking be proceeded with, with as little delay as possible, so as to permit of the construction of the proposed new western market. A return on the heavy outlay to be incurred would then be obtained, and a considerable sum would be realised for the site of the present western market.
New Roads and Preparatory work, Kennedy Road Sites.—We earnestly hope that the difficulties with the military authorities will soon be got over, to enable the proposed work to be proceeded with with a view to disposing of the desirable building sites which will be then opened up.
Gaol Extension.—The erection of a new gaol is in our opinion undesirable and unnecessary inasmuch as the present building has proved in the past most healthy and it is in good repair. We think it is capable of extension in such a manner as to provide for all necessary requirements. Being informed that the two commissions which last sat on the question had arrived at the conclusion that there is overcrowding we therefore recognise that it may be necessary to extend the present gaol and we will be prepared to vote the money for an extension in due course. We have not voted the money for the requisite additions as the sum required is unknown and no definite scheme has been determined upon nor have plans so far as we know been prepared.
We have reason to believe there are a large number of mendicants who make their way over to the colony from the mainland of China. There seems to be a consensus of opinion in favour of devising some system whereby criminals could be deported with some reasonable guarantee that they would not be able to return to the colony and further that nothing but whipping for the worst class of native criminals has any deterrent effect whatever.
The separate system or solitary confinement seems to be an unknown quantity. All are not agreed that it is the most deterrent. Its reformative effects are more or less a speculation. It will be unwise to experiment on a large scale in this direction until more is known about this system's effects.
Cattle Depot Extension and New Slaughter-House—Pig and Sheep Depots. In the estimates for 1889 the estimated cost was $74,000. It has now risen to $100,000; and the Surveyor-General thinks that this amount will be a close approximation to the actual cost.
The present system re pigs and sheep certainly requires to be improved, and we regard a new slaughter-house as absolutely necessary.
We cannot, however, but think that the sum proposed to be spent is on altogether too extravagant a scale.
Public Laundries. We think the proposed experiment scheme worthy of a fair trial. It has been strongly recommended by the Sanitary Board.
The pecuniary risk is small, while the possible advantages to be derived are great.
Civil Hospital Staff Quarters—We think it well to quote the Surveyor-General's own words from his letter of 17th June last to the Acting Colonial Secretary, para. 10:
"The increase in the estimate of the quarters for the hospital staff from $43,000 to $75,000 is thus accounted for. On my arrival I found the foundation practically completed to the level of the ground floor. On these foundations, an expenditure of no less a sum than $12,800, had been incurred. The designs were prepared and it was practically impossible to deviate from them to any considerable extent without incurring additional expense in altering the foundations. As the Government was committed to the work there appeared no other course open than to complete them as economically as possible and the contract was let by public tender. I can, however, but regard this building as altogether on too large and extravagant a scale for the purpose for which it is intended."
If feasible we strongly urge the conversion of part of the new quarters, which are to cost such a large sum, into an addition to the hospital.
Police Station, Kennedy Town—We recommend that this station should be occupied as soon as possible. The building is to cost upwards of $41,000, and the Surveyor-General reports that it is a work of primary importance. If not occupied the building is certain to deteriorate and ultimately further expenditure will be necessary.
Reconstruction of Governor's Peak Residence.—We are of opinion that a new summer residence at the Peak is necessary, the present one being wholly unsuitable. The vote of $40,000, passed in Finance Committee, on the statement of the Acting Colonial Secretary that "we must vote the amount on the principle, and that in this case we are asked to vote for a principle," we sincerely trust will not be increased later on, as we are given to understand that neither the site nor the building has been decided upon, and therefore the amount.
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sider each one, and report upon it to the Finance Committee; and no vote should be asked from Council until the fullest details of every nature had been obtained aud considered daring these preliminary stages. When woney has been voted by the Council on a definite Government statement and on the strength of carefully prepared detailed plans, no material change should be permitted to be made without reference to the Public Works Committee, and without the consent of the Council obtained thereto. Such a course as this would secure to the public an efficient and effective control over the inception and execution of extraordinary public works, and over the expenditure thereon, à control which it is impossible for the Council effectually to exercise except through the medium of the committees named.
The practice of sanctioning and commencing new works efore detailed drawings, designs, plans and estimates have been carefully prepared cannot be supported and should be discontinued.. We further recommend that before sanctioning further new works those already authorised-the many important public works already commenced -should be pushed on to completion.
We beg leave to make the following observa. tions regarding the undermentioned public works.
Central Markel.—The Surveyor-General stated in Finance Commitee that contracts have been entered into for the foundations but not for the superstructures-approximately about $37,000. It is almost impossible to make a fixed contract for the cost of laying the foundations, because so much depends upon the nature of the foundation. It was not let for a lump sum but it is neverthe- less a contract. It would be impossible to say exactly what the amount would be. The work is paid for according to bow much is done. I do" not know how you could let it for a lump sum until you know what you have to do. I have endeavoured to explain that when the contract is let under the system of measurement it is the engineer in charge who measures up the work. The engineer in charge of the work is responsi- ble for all measurements of which he has charge, etc."
We are strongly in favour of contracts being made for a lump sum. The colony is committed to an unknown and unlimited expenditure if the contract sum is not fized beforehand.
We would urge the imperative necessity for all measurements being made by the engineer- not by the overseer--and that the rule be not in any one instance departed from,
We cannot but regard the increase in the es- timate from $235,000:tọ $270.000 proposed to be spent on this work an excessive and extravagant, and are decidedly of opinion that a reduction in! the amount, consistent with efficiency and the !colony a requirements can be effected.
Gap Rock Lighthouse.—We heartily approve of this very desirable and necessary work, and Barnestly hope it will be pushed on to 'comple-' tfon with all possible despatch.
Prayd Reclamation.- Site for proposed New Western Market-We are sorry to observe that listis progress Em bein Mads with this worki though it was commenced as long ago as 1888. We recommend that the undertaking by pro- corded with, with as little dolay as possible, s0 as to permit of the construction of the proposed new western market. A return on the heavy onflay to be incurred would then be obtained, and a considerab'e sum would be realized for the site of the present western market.
New Roads and Prepáratary work, Kennedy Road Sites.--We earnestly hope that the diff. culties with the military authorities will so be gotover, to enable the proposed work to be pro- ceaded with with a view to disposing of the desir able building sites which will be then opened up, Gaol Extension.—The erection of a new gaol
is in our opinion undesirable and unnecessary inasmuch as the present building has proved in the past most healthy and it is in good repair. We think it is capable of extension in szek a
Tanner
manner as to provide for all necessary require- ments. Being informed that the two commis sions which last sat on the question had arrived at the conclusion that there is overcrowding we therefore recognise that it may be necessary to extend the present gaol and we will be prepared to vote the money for an extension in due course. We have not voted the money for the requi-. site additions as the surd required is unknown and no definite scheme has been determined upon nor have plans so far as we know been prepared. We bave reason to believe there ard a large number of mendicants who make their way over- to the colony from the mainland of China. There seems to be a concensus of opinion in favour of devising sonic system whereby crimin- als could be deported with some reasonable guar antee that they would not be able to return to the colony and further that nothing bat whip- ping for the worst class of native criminals bas any deterrent effect whatever.
The separate system or solitary confn-meut desins to be an unknown quantity. All are not agreed that it is the most deterreat. Its reform- ative effects are more or less a speculation. It will be unwise to experiment on a large scale in this direction ndtil more is known about this system's effects.
Cattle Depot Extension and New Slaughter- House-Pig and Sheep Depots. In the estimates for 1889 the estimated cost was $74,000. It has now risen to $100,000; and the Surveyor-General thinks that this amount will be a close approx. imation to the actual cost.
The present system re pigs and sheep certainly requires to be improved, and we regard a new slaughter-house as absolutely necessary.
We cannot, however, but think that the sum proposed to be spent is on altogether too extra- vagent a scale.
Public Laundries. We think the proposed ex- perimentscheme worthy of a fair trial. It has been strongly recommended by the Sanitary Board.
The pecuniary risk is small, while the possible advantages to be derived are great.
Civil Hospital Staf Quarters-We think it well to quote the Surveyor-General's own words from his letter of 17th June last to the Acting Colonial Secretary, para. 10:-
The increase in the estimate of the quarters for the hospital staff trom $43,000 to $75.000 is thus accounted for. On my arrival I found the foundation practically completed to the level of the ground floor. On these foundations, an ex- penditure of no less a sum than $12,800, had been incurred. The designs were prepared and it was practically impossible to deviate from them to any considerable extent without in- curring additional expense in altering the foundations. As the Government was commit- ted to the work there appeared no other course, open than to complete them as economically as possible and the contract was let by public ten-· der. I can, however, but regard this building as altogether on too large and extravagant a scale for the purpose for which it is intended."
If feasible we strongly urge the conversion of part of the new quarters, which are to cost such a large sum, into an addition of the hospital.
Police Station, Kennedy Town-We recom- meud that this station should be occupied as soon as possible. The building is to cost up- wards of $41,000, and the Surveyor-General re- ports that it is a work of primary importance. f not occupied the bailding is certain to do teriorate and ultimately further expenditure will be necessary.
Reconstruction of Governor's Peak Residence. -We are of opinion that a new summer re- sidence at the Peak is necessary, the pre- sent one being wholly uusuitable. The vote of $40.000, passed in Finance Committes, on the statement of the Acting Colonial San- retary that "we wust vote the amount on the principle, and that in this oase we are asked to vote for a principle," wo sincerely trust will not! be increased later on, as we are given to under- stand that neither the site nor the building has been decided upon, and therefore the amount.
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