694216-1875-Praya-Reconstruction-Report-of-Commission- — Page 3

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 22ND MAY, 1875.

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14. The Praya East will, nevertheless, require to be repaired, and as it is not exposed to the worst effects of Typhoon or other storms, we recommend that the same style of structure as that proposed for portions of the City where reclamations may hereafter be made should be adopted, and which would, in this instance, cost $20,000.

15. Lastly, as to the method for raising the funds for executing those works (not including piers) which we have recommended. The total sums required, according to our estimates, are as follows:-

Repairing, and where necessary, rebuilding sea-wall from Gas Works to White's Lane,...$ 55,000 Rebuilding sea-wall from White's Lane to Government Wharf,. Increasing width of Praya Central,.... Repairs to Praya East, Contingencies,

105,400

12,500

20,000

19,100

$212,000

16. It is with great diffidence that we make any suggestion in this matter, but we venture to hope that in whatever way the money may be provided, no additional taxation in the present state of commercial depression throughout the East, will be levied.

17. We would respectfully recommend that the Secretary of State be moved to sanction the money being borrowed at interest from the Special Fund and that the debt be paid off by means of a Sinking Fund, created by annual instalments from the ordinary Revenue of the Colony. From the annexed table, it will appear that instalments at the rate of $15,000 per annum will allow of the debt being cleared off in 15 years, and if the expenditure can be met in this way the present generation of residents will not be called upon to pay more than their fair share of the cost of the necessary works to which this Report refers.

18. In conclusion, we desire to press upon the Government the importance of placnig whatever work is undertaken in connection with either repairing or building the sea-wall, or making reclamations, under the entire control of the Surveyor General. The responsibility attaching to the efficient execution of the Contracts should rest upon that officer, and the Community would thereby have a guarantee that the funds were properly expended, which could not be obtained if the work was placed in the hands of private persons.

CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH.

C. MAY.

P. RYRIE.

H. LOWCOCK. J. M. PRICE.

COUNCIL CHAMBER,

Hongkong, 6th May, 1875.

Note.

I regret my inability to concur in the necessity of the advice proffered in the last paragraph of this Report, as no Government Works carried out with Public Funds can come under any other direction than that of the Public Works Department, and the latter has not asked to be relieved of this responsibility.

J. M. PRICE, Surveyor General.

No. 99.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

His Excellency The Administrator has been pleased to appoint WILLIAM WILKINSON TOLLER, Esquire, to act as Crown Solicitor during the absence on leave of EDMUND SHARP, Esquire.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 20th May, 1875.

CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.