658288-1889-Bill-Reclamation — Page 2

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 20TH APRIL, 1889.

A BILL

ENTITLED

An Ordinance to carry out a scheme for the Reclamation of the foreshore opposite the City of Victoria.

HEREAS the foreshore of the Harbour of Victoria

Wisin process of silting up to the detriment of the

health and commerce of the Colony, and it is expedient to put a stop to such process and to provide a deep water frontage; and whereas the area of level land for building and for roads and quays and open spaces along the sea front of the City of Victoria is insufficient to meet the growing wants of the Colony, and it is expedient to enlarge the same: Be it enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows:-

1. This Ordinance may be cited for all purposes as The Praya Reclamation Ordinance, 1889.

2. The works authorized by this Ordinance and all works for the effectual and convenient carrying out of the same are declared to be works for the improvement of the Colony and for a "public purpose" within the meaning of that term as contained in the Crown leases of lands in the Colony.

3. Subject to the provisions and for the purposes of this Ordinance, it shall be lawful for the Governor to carry out the works authorized by this Ordinance according to the plan and drawings deposited in the Land Registry Office signed by the Surveyor General and countersigned by the Governor, and such plan and drawings shall remain in the said Office and shall be open to public inspection at con- venient hours.

In carrying out the works it shall be lawful for the Governor to deviate in respect of details to any extent that shall not materially alter or affect the general design set forth in such plan and drawings: Provided that the area of land to be disposed of for building as shewn upou the said plan shall not be unnecessarily diminished.

The works shall be commenced forthwith and shall pro- ceed without unnecessary interruption or delay until com- pletion and the Governor is hereby authorised to appoint a competent officer to superintend and a competent staff to assist in carrying out the said works and to procure and obtain such plant, machinery materials and things as may be necessary for the said works. The salaries of such officer and staff and the cost of such plant, machinery, materials and things shall be defrayed as part of the costs of the said works in manner hereinafter provided.

4. The works authorized by this Ordinance comprise the following, that is to say:

(a.) The making of an embankment, along the harbour front of the City of Victoria with all necessary and convenient walls, drains, wharves, piers, landing places, approaches and other conveniences and works; such embankment to commence Westward at a point upon the sea-shore opposite Marine Lot No. 188 and marked upon the said plan, and to terminate Eastward at a point opposite to Murray Pier; the said embankment to be constructed in whole or in greater part upon the bed or foreshore of the harbour.

(b.) The making upon the said embankment of a public road-way not less than seventy-five feet, and the widening out of the present Praya road- way to a width of not less than seventy-five feet, with all necessary and convenient approaches to the same.

(c.) The reclaiming and enclosing and filling up so much of the foreshore and bed of the Harbour as lies between the present Praya Wall and the intended embankment, to such heights and levels as may be determined by the Governor.

5. For the purpose of effecting the works authorized by this Ordinance it shall be lawful for the Governor to remove, destroy, alter, divert, stop up, or enclose such streets, drains, vacant ground, wharves, piers, landing places, and other things as shall in the judgment of the Governor be necessary to be done for the purposes of this Ordinance.