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159. During the year 1890 6,006 cubic yards of rubble and 31,987 cubic yards of earth filling were deposited.

160. The work was completed in December except the upper layer of concrete behind the wall which must stand over till the new channel is completed and the road concreted which work is now in hand.

161. During 1891 685 cubic yards of rubble, 31,102 cubic yards of earth, 1,517 cubic yards of concrete were deposited, and 25,419 cubic feet of granite ashlar set.

162. In November last, a contract (f) was entered into with Mr. CHAN YING CHEUNG for the removal of the old sea wall, constructing roads, foot-paths and gullies.

163. The amount of the contract was $5,900 and the time fixed for its completion February, 1892. 164. The old sea wall has been removed and 20,160 square feet of road formed and levelled.

165. Reclamation in front of Wharf and Godown Co.'s premises, West Point. In April, 1890, a contract () was entered into with Mr. TSANG KENG for the construction of the Praya wall, including foundations, 592 lineal feet in length, raising the level of the reclaimed ground, constructing the roads, channels and storm water drains. The Government undertook the supervision of this work on behalf of the Wharf and Godown Company.

166. During the year 1890 80,626 cubic yards of rubble and 60,641 cubic yards of earth filling were deposited.

167. This work with the exception of the roads and footpaths is now nearly completed.

168. During the year 1891 1,393 cubic yards of rubble, 47,284 cubic yards of earth, 1,744 cubic yards of concrete were deposited and 33,849 cubic feet of granite ashlar set.

169. In November, 1891, a contract (1) was entered into with Mr. KAM LUM for taking up the old Praya wall.

170. The amount of this contract was $1,200 and the time fixed for its completion December, 1891.

171. This work has been completed.

CONCRETE BLOCKS AND PLANT.

172. The late Surveyor General in his report dated the 28th of December, 1889, recommended the adoption of two courses of concrete blocks 8 feet by 4 feet by 3 feet to be laid on the rubble found- ations at a level of three feet below low water south-west monsoon.

173. For the purpose of weighting the foundation and as far as practicable reducing further settlement after the permanent work has been commenced the concrete blocks are to be laid on the rubble foundations as soon as they have been completed to within 3 feet of low water level over a base of 16 feet and carried up to a height of 6 feet above proposed coping level. On the completion of the settlement these blocks are to be removed, the rubble foundation levelled and the two courses of blocks above mentioned permanently set. Upon these the masonry wall will be constructed.

174. Sir JOHN COODE in his report dated the 18th of March, 1890, approved of the late Surveyor General's recommendation and further advised that these blocks be faced with granite built in during their preparation on the exposed face.

175. A contract was entered into with Mr. YEE HING for the construction of these blocks on 7th July, 1891.

176. During last year 579 blocks were made of which 441 have been deposited on 140 lineal fect of the foundations of Section No. 2. Accurate observations are being taken of the settlement that from time to time occurs in the rubble foundations after depositing the blocks.

177. The levelling of the foundations and depositing the blocks are being done departmentally. 178. The site selected by the late Surveyor General for the construction of the blocks is situated

at the western end of the existing Praya along which a tramway has been laid.

179. An 8-ton travelling crane has been obtained from Messrs. RANSOMES & RAPIER of England for the purpose of removing these blocks from the yard and placing them on to the block barges which are then towed by the steam tug Praya to alongside the rubble foundations. A Floating Steam Der- rick is then used to place the blocks on the foundations and they are accurately adjusted by divers.

180. The Steam Tug, Floating Steam Derrick and two Block Barges, each capable of carrying 12 - blocks, about 75 tons, were made by the Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Company at their works in Kowloon,