Sessional_Paper_1887-1888 — Page 342

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13. The scheme does not present any serious engineering difficulty. The design of the proposed new breast-wall may be the same as that adopted in 1877 • when the Praya was re-built. Pierre-perdue foundations may be used provided the blocks on the outer slope average at least a yard cube. This form of founda- tion would be inadmissible if the work were exposed to the impact of ocean waves, but the harbour of Victoria is land-locked, and in the absence of any offing or reach of sea, there is no undue exposure to high waves capable of clawing down the rubble mound. An embankment-wall on pierre-perdue foundation that in England might be classed as a better sort of river-wall, may, as far as I am able to judge at the moment, be ventured on, but this point will require careful investigation. It is an important point, for the adoption of the expensive form of ordinary founda- tions for sea-walls exposed to the ocean, ie., piles with concrete in mass, or con- crete in blocks lowered into place would so seriously add to the cost as to dis- courage the Marine Lot-owners from embarking in the scheme.

14. In 1865 this Government built a short section of 900 feet of Praya wall in the vicinity of Wing Lok Street, and founded the masonry in 20 feet of water on a pierre-perdue mound. This wall has stood over 20 years, without so far indi- cating any sign of weakness. Settlements there have been as was to be expected, but the coping was raised and the level has always been maintained. This wall withstood the great typhoon of 1874, and was one of the few sections that showed no injury to the foundations, and it may be accepted therefore as practically de- monstrated that the storm-waves in the harbour of Victoria have not the force to undermine the pierre-perdue substructure if built to an adequate slope with large blocks. An additional circumstance favourable to pierre-perdue foundations is the fact that the sea-bed is silting up by reason of the great quantities of detritus washed down every year, (during the tropical storms of summer) from the moun- tain range behind the town, and that there are no tidal currents in the harbour likely to be induced by the change of coast line or likely to scour out the sea-bed.

15. The Lot-owners expressed wish to be allowed to carry out the reclamation themselves through their own Engineers cannot be entertained. The Government must insist on the work being executed by its own Engineers for the reason that the subsequent maintenance of the structure will remain as a permanent charge on the Government and not on the Marine Lot-owners. It is the Government there- fore that is most interested in securing a degree of stability that will preclude any later recurring outlay in maintenance.

16. The great business activity of the port, and the yearly increasing shore- traffic require that a wide marine roadway should be made. I would stipulate for nothing less than 75 feet of width, but of these 75 feet I would allow the owners of frontage to utilize 10 feet with their verandahs and arcades over the public foot-path (ie. Government land) leaving 65 feet for vehicular and chair traffic and. for the landing and embarking of cargo.

17. The proposed City tramways could not be conveniently built along the proposed new embankment, for the cars would have to run athwart an incessant cross traffic between the lighters and the warehouses. The tramways would be far better placed along the present Praya which would become an inland thorough- fare. To admit of double-lines of tramway without danger of inconvenience to the public a minimum width should also be stipulated for in respect of this thorough- fare. I would insist on a width of 75 feet again allowing the frontagers on both sides 10 feet for their verandahs and arcades over the public footpath, and leaving 55 feet from kerb to kerb for the tramways and carriage traffic.

18. A glance at the map will show that the proposed new reclamations will form nothing less than a new town, and the repetition in this new town of the narrow lanes that disfigure the old town should be carefully avoided. We want wide streets for light and ventilation and to prevent the spread of fires. Wide streets are all the more a necessity to us, that there is a tendency now among builders, owing to the increased value of ground, to add to the height of houses, and it is certain that four and five storied houses will become the rule. In laying out new streets these eventualities should be considered. Taller houses and in- creased traffic demand that no main artery of traffic be less than 75 feet wide and no cross street of any importance less than 40 feet wide.