691303-1877-Central-School-Report--c--as-to-Site-for--Tree-Planting-Report-as-to-Time-Ball-Regarding-the-Establishment-of-a-Breakwater-Report-on-the-Erection-of- — Page 2

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 17TH NOVEMBER, 1877. 501

are constantly on the move, and who would, therefore, have to be continually going up and down stairs can scarcely be conceived. Drawing D, containing a profile of the ground, clearly shows the unfitness of such a declivity for a house site.

7. Site IV. Rangel's Labyrinth and adjoining premises.-This is the block contained between Sing Wong, Aberdeen and Staunton Streets and Hollywood Road. pink. Seven-eighths of the property belong to the estate of the late Mr. RANGEL; the remainder to It is shown in Drawing E coloured Messrs. SIEMSSEN & Co., to Mr. DORABJEE, and to some Chinese. The whole makes a fine large arca of 72,000 square feet, situate on a slope by no means steep and which can be levelled at a comparatively moderate cost. As regards neighbourhood, Mr. STEWART is of opinion that no better can be found in Victoria. The land and houses, which are very dilapidated, have been assessed at $50,000, but as a portion of the material contained in these old houses, is saleable, this sum may be reduced by about two or three thousand dollars. If this site happen to be selected, the expense of its purchase may be almost entirely recovered by the sale of the present school site and buildings and the Bamboo Garden adjoining, which together will realize about $40,000.

8. Site V. Inland Lots Nos. 263, 764 & 698, and vacant lands adjoining. These are situate on Queen's Road nearly opposite to the Ko Shing Theatre. This site is perhaps the least favourable of any, and is entitled to consideration only because the larger portion of it is already Government property. Drawing B shows the Crown portion of the land coloured red, the adjacent lots Nos. 263, 764 and 698 owned by private parties being coloured green. These may be bought for about $12,000. As regards situation, there is no objection, unless perhaps it be that pointed out by Mr. STEWART in the close proximity of the theatre.

9. Site VI. Messrs. Augustine Heard & Co's old offices opposite the City Hall.-These, and the ground on which they stand, are for sale, and it is, I believe, acknowledged that for public reasons, the Government should, if conveniently possible, endeavour to acquire the property, but whether the latter is convertible into a Public School is a matter apart from the impolicy of allowing it to pass into other and perhaps native hands. My instructions limit me to a report upon the best site for a school independently of other considerations, and I, therefore, have to deal with this site entirely upon its merits relatively to those of the preceding sites. The land and buildings are worth about $20,000, though more than double this amount is, I understand, asked. The property is divided into two portions, the lower is on a level with Queen's Road and has an area of 14,475 is on a level with the Cathedral and is supported by retaining walls 30 feet high. It has an area of square feet. The upper 15,422 square feet. The main building is three stories high, its basement comprises strong rooms and servants' quarters. The first floor is divided into eleven offices, seven of which are in the interior of the building proper and four in the verandahs. The second floor consists entirely of dwelling rooms. The building is generally dilapidated and its internal accommodation is such as to preclude its being turned to any use other than that for which it was originally designed. The cost of rearranging the rooms would be more than the dilapidated condition of the structure perhaps justifies. Moreover, the foundations of the main building have settled and the walls are cracked in many places. The front wa.., which was taken down and rebuilt about two years ago, again show signs of settlement the arches and chunam floor being cracked in several places. The whole of the roof timbers and the flooring are of common China fir, and considering their age, there is reason to fear that they may require renewal at no distant date, more especially as there are traces of white ants in many places. The only material of the present structure which could be utilised in a new building would be the bricks and stone, of which a large quantity is available.

As I know it is the intention of the Governor that the new school, if built at all, shall, to the fullest extent, meet the requirements of the Public, I am, after due and careful consideration, unable to recommend to His Excellency these offices of Messrs. HEARD & Co. as they at present stand, and as it is evident that to accommodate the number of classes required by Mr. STEWART, the premises must be entirely rebuilt, I would respectfully submit that they are not entitled to the first rank among the various sites which I have here had the honour to bring under your notice. Besides the absence of a play-ground, I should point out another demerit which is the somewhat dangerous position of the building which overlooks a perpendicular precipice.

10. From a sanitary and financial point of view, Site I on Bonham Road would have been decidedly the most advantageous, but deferring to Mr. STEWART'S objection on account of its distance from town, site IV (Rangel's Property) appears to me to be the next best.

11. The table appended hereto recapitulates the cost involved in the acquisition of each site, and in the levelling of the same to prepare it for the foundations of the new building.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

J. M. PRICE,

Surveyor General.

The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary.

&c.,

&c.,

&c.