CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905 — Page 114

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the

The Gauge of the railway is proposed to be 4' 8", ruling gradient (except as hereafter mentioned) is not to be steeper than 1 in 100, and the minimum radius of curve not

less than 660 feet but it is to be clearly understood that wherever possible without unduly enhancing the estimated first

cost of the Railway flatter grades and curves of larger radius

are to be adopted.

Mr Bruce will commence his work by investigating the

"Eastern" route and will in the first instance examine that

portion of it immediately to the North and East of Kowloon,

where a range of hills has to be crossed and will most care-

fully consider the relative merits of doing so by an open

railway with gradients not exceeding 1 in 40 as proposed by

Mr P.T. Large and by tunnelling through them with grades not

steeper than 1 in 100 having regard both to capital cost,

and

to economy and facility of working and convenience of traffic

hereafter. Mr Bruce will immediately he has gone over the

ground embody the result of this examination in a telegraphic

report to the Consulting Engineers in London in such a form

that the Consulting Engineers may be able to transmit their

views on the matter to him by cable before he is ready to

place the complete reconnaissance surveys and the information

relative thereto before the Governor.

Mr Bruce will then proceed with the remainder of the

Eastern route and on the completion of the investigation of

that route Mr Bruce will return to Kowloon by the Western

route making all necessary investigations by the way.

On the completion of the investigation of both routes

Mr Bruce will prepare general plans, sections showing gradi-

ents and comparative estimates and submit the same on behalf

of the Consulting Engineers to the Governor of Hong-Kong.

While engaged on the reconnaissances of both routes Mr

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