CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12] — Page 638

COPY.

Enclosure 1.

C.5 635 3207

PECO Tew 30 JAN

MEMORANDUM.

1. The plans submitted by Messrs. Aston Webb and Ingress Bell have been considered by His Excellency the Governor and by His Excellency's directions laid before the Executive and Legislative Councils.

2. The designs have been approved and adopted by Government, but the attention of the Architects is called to the following observations.

3. It is noted that the variations, additions and alterations suggested in a report from the Director of Public Works dated the 16th November, 1898, have been attended to in a satisfactory manner, and the arrangement of Courts and officers, storage and record rooms, entrances &c. are now such as were desired.

4. It is possible some slight alterations in detail may be considered advisable during construction, such as setting back the prisoners' dock to a greater distance from the Judge's Bench and the seats for the Bar, but these details can be attended to locally.

5. It is noticed that on the ground floor sash windows such as are used in England are provided for; these are never adopted in the East, and it is preferable that all should be French windows.

6. The Canton red bricks are quite good enough for foundations, interior walls and backing to granite-faced walls. For any situation in which bricks are used for facework, good bricks can be obtained from Amoy.

7. The joinery in the various rooms and courts, and the staircases will be made locally owing to the cheapness of labour in Hong Kong as compared with England, and teak timber will be used throughout; detailed drawings are required.

8.