76. I consider the Government is much indebted to the members of the Committee for the care and attention they have bestowed on the subject of their enquiries and, on the other hand, the Committee is considerably indebted to the Public Officers for their assistance and co-operation toward effecting economies. I feel sure Your Lordship will appreciate the exertions they have both made to deal thoroughly with the question of Retrenchment.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble Servant,
William Robinson
Enclosure. 2
16
THE HON. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
The following is a brief statement regarding the construction of the new Central Market, explaining the reasons for delays which have occurred in its progress:
1. Foundations.-The Contract for excavating the site and putting in the foundations was begun in May, 1890. A large storm-water drain, which crossed the site, had to be diverted. The diversion was carried out by the Water and Drainage Department and, being attended with considerable difficulty, was not completed until the end of October, 1890.
About half the area covered by the Market, the total area being nearly one acre, is made ground and a great deal of piling had to be done in consequence. The tidal water also found its way into the trenches and retarded the progress of the work.
The foundations were completed in August, 1891, 16 months after commencement, which cannot be considered unreasonable under the circumstances.
2. Basecourse.-As some delay had occurred in the preparation of specifications, &c., for the superstructure owing to the various opinions respecting the design, the Contractor who had executed the foundations was instructed to proceed with the granite basecourse, 5 feet in height above the foundations.
Wherever granite is freely introduced into a building in this Colony, my experience is that slow progress is the result and in this portion of the work 8,900 cubic feet of granite were used. I may also state that the Contractor, who had previously performed large contracts for this Department in a most satisfactory way, signally failed in this instance to show any energy in carrying on the work. In cases of this kind, it is almost impossible to transfer the work to another Contractor owing to the guild which exists among the Chinese Contractors.
The basecourse was completed in August, 1892, 12 months after commencement.
3. Superstructure. The superstructure, which was entrusted to another Contractor, was begun immediately on completion of the basecourse and is now nearing completion. It is highly probable that it would have been completed ere now had progress not been seriously interfered with by the Plague.
Considerable delay also occurred in the transmission of some of the fittings required from England.
4. Internal Fittings.---The fitting up of shops, stalls, &c., was entrusted to the Contractor for the Superstructure so that both works might proceed simultaneously. Serious delay has occurred in connection with this part of the work owing to the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon proposing some alterations in the arrangements at the eleventh hour.
5. With regard to the sum of $270,000 in the Estimates, this is the cost of the building only.
6. When the old Market was removed, a temporary structure was erected to accommodate the stall-holders at a cost of $20,000, from which an annual revenue of over $20,000 is derived.
WILLIAM CHATHAM, Acting Director of Public Works.
30th August, 1894.
76. I consider the Government is much indebted to the members of the Com- mittee for the care and attention they have bestowed on the subject of their enquiries and, on the other hand, the Committee is considerably indebted to the Public Officers for their assistance and co-operation toward effecting economies. I feel sure Your Lordship will appreciate the exertions they have both made to deal thoroughly with the question of Retrenchment.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble Servant,
Wiliam Robinsoy
Enclosure. 2
16
THE HOX. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
The following is a brief statement regarding the construction of the new Central Market, explaining the reasons for delays which have occurred in its
progress :---
1. Foundations.-The Contract for excavating the site and putting in the foundations was begun in May, 1890. A large storm-water drain, which crossed the site, had to be diverted. The diversion was carried out by the Water and Drainage Department and, being attended with considerable difficulty, was not completed until the end of October, 1890.
About half the area covered by the Market,the total area being nearly one acre,-is made ground and a great deal of piling had to be done in consequence. The tidal water also found its way into the trenches and retarded the progress of the work.
The foundations were completed in August, 1891, 16 months after commencement, which cannot be considered unreasonable under the circumstances.
2. Basecourse.As some delay had occurred in the preparation of speci- fications, &c., for the superstructure owing to the various opinions respecting the design, the Contractor who had executed the founda- tions was instructed to proceed with the granite basecourse, 5 feet in height above the foundations.
Wherever granite is freely introduced into a building in this Colony, my experience is that slow progress is the result and in this portion of the work 8,900 cubic feet of granite were used. I may also state that the Contractor, who had previously performed large contracts for this Department in a most satisfactory way, signally failed in this instance to show any energy in carrying on the work. In cases of this kind, it is almost impossible to transfer the work to another Contractor owing to the guild which exists among the Chinese Contractors.
The basecourse was completed in August, 1892, 12 months after commencement.
3. Superstructure. The superstructure, which was entrusted to another Contractor, was begun immediately on completion of the basecourse and is now nearing completion. It is highly probable that it would have been completed ere now had progress not been seriously inter- fered with by the Plague.
Considerable delay also occurred in the transmission of some of the fittings required from England.
4. Internal Fittings.---The fitting up of shops, stalls, &c., was entrusted to the Contractor for the Superstructure so that both works might proceed simultaneously. Serious delay has occurred in connection with this part of the work owing to the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon proposing some alterations in the arrangements at the eleventh hour. 5. With regard to the sum of $270,000 in the Estimates, this is the cost
of the building only.
6. When the old Market was removed, a temporary structure was erected to accommodate the stall-holders at a cost of $20,000, from which
an annual revenue of over $20,000 is derived.
WILLIAM CHATHAM, Acting Director of Public Works.
30th August, 1894.
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