Sessional_Paper_1891 — Page 196

40. I have deemed it desirable to have returns prepared showing the number of men employed weekly on Government works. Much difficulty was at first experienced in obtaining these returns with any degree of accuracy, as it was not the practice of the Department to keep them in the past. The numbers have gradually increased during the year until during the months of November and December they varied from 3,000 to 3,300. It would appear that latterly this Department has been the largest employer of labour in the Colony. These returns do not include the men employed pre- paring stone in the quarries nor those on water and drainage works. If to these were added natives working on the fortifications under the Royal Engineers, in the Naval Yard, and for other Govern- ment departments, it would be seen that a very considerable proportion of the native labour of the Colony is dependent on Government work.

ELECTRIC LIGHT.

41. I may add that the Electric Light Company have during the year constructed their works at Wanchai and 50 Arc Lamps each of 2,000 candle power have been installed in the central portion of the City. They were first lighted on 1st December and will shortly be supplemented by 25 additional lamps, making a total of 75, which will suffice to light the main streets in the central and eastern portion of Victoria.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

The Honourable

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.

S. BROWN,

Surveyor General.