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not actually based on sanitary grounds (though still to a great extent necessary for completing the sanitary requirements) costs only about $7,000 out of the $40,000, while by it an addition of some 18 acres is made to the Recreation Ground and a great public improvement is effected.

There is one other reason which renders it very desirable not to postpone this scheme.

In the spring of last year a newly formed club, called the Athletic Club, applied for a lease of the Bowrington Gardens about 7 acres in extent which they proposed to convert into tennis courts, running tracks, &c., and apparently overlooking the contemplated scheme of adding these gardens to the public Recreation Ground, Mr. FLEMING promised the Club a lease of the gardens for 7 years at a nominal rent. Objections having been raised by other clubs to the grant of this exclusive right to one body a compromise was made with the club by Mr. FLEMING, by which on the general extension of the Recreation Ground by the inclusion of these gardens and neighbouring roads, &c., a smaller plot of about 2 acres at the extreme north-eastern corner of the new ground should be leased to them, while they should be allowed to make and use a cinder track for bicycling on the public ground without retaining any exclusive rights to the area enclosed in it.

This having been accepted by the Athletic Club, and agreed to at a meeting of all the Clubs interested in the extension of the recreation space of the Colony, the speedy completion of the whole scheme is desirable with a view to fulfil this engage- ment, which I trust will meet with Your Lordship's approval.

plan.

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The plot of land to be leased to the Athletic Club is marked x on the enclosed

12. I trust that I have sufficiently explained the nature of the proposed improvements, and that the scheme which Mr. FLEMING took considerable pains in elaborating to the satisfaction of all parties, a scheme in which I take a great interest, and which I consider will not only improve the health of the neighbourhood but the health of a large proportion of the Naval, Military, and Civil population, by amording increased means of recreation, will meet with Your Lordship's approval.

13. I find that the Slaughter-House at Kowloon first appeared in the Estimates in 1889, and that the sum of $3,000 was quoted as the estimated cost. No definite scheme had, however, at that time been prepared.

The matter has since been fully considered by the Sanitary Board and the increased amount of $6,500 was inserted in this year's Estimates to meet the increasing requirements of the Peninsula, where, I may mention, there at present exists no public abattoir for its population of some 18,000.

14. The building of the Public Laundries, the urgent necessity for which is admitted on all hands, has recently been begun. The washing operations of the native laundrymen on the hill sides above the town have long been a public nuisance and a danger to health.

15. No decision has been arrived at in the matter of re-constructing the Governor's Peak residence.

16. Mr. BROWN reports that the proposed extension of the Shaukiwán Market is rendered necessary by the insufficiency of the existing accommodation for actual requirements, and I trust that Your Lordship will not withhold your sanction of this work.

17. I enclose for Your Lordship's information copies of the Surveyor General's Report on the work done by the Public Works Department during the year 1890.

I have, &c.,

G. DIGBY BARKER.