Sessional_Paper_1892 — Page 361

357

HONGKONG.

No. 26

8185

92

REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DURING THE FIRST HALF-YEAR 1892,

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor, on the 16th November, 1892.

No. 708.

PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE, HONGKONG, 10th August, 1892.

SIR,-Adverting to C.S.O. 473f, I have the honour to forward you a brief report on the progress of the Public Works during the first half of this year, viz. from January 1st to June 30th.

ANNUAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.

2. Maintenance of Buildings.--No works, with the exception of the small extension at the Magistracy, which is now completed, of special moment have been executed in connection with the maintenance of buildings. Such works as Painting, Colouring, Washing and general repairs have been duly carried out. The expenditure on these works including the sum of about $10,000, paid on account of liabilities outstanding at the end of last year amounts to $19,620.92.

3. Maintenance of Telegraphs.--No works requiring special reference have been carried out though a good deal of information has been obtained with a view to improving the telegraphic system in the

future.

Expenditure $748.89.

4. Maintenance of Public Cemetery.--The sum of $1,073.01 has been expended in the general upkeep of the Cemetery.

5. Maintenance of Praya Wall and Piers.-Ordinary repairs have been executed and the reconstruction of the Yaumati Pier has been completed.

Expenditure $3,698.99.

6. Maintenance of Lighthouses and Disinfector.--The Lighthouses and Disinfector have been maintained in a satisfactory state of repair, the expenditure on the former has been $911.43 and on the latter $227.39.

7. Dredging Foreshores.--27,964 cube yards of material have been removed from the harbour at a cost of $4,405:38. The Dredger and machinery is in a satisfactory state of repair.

8. Miscellaneous Works.--The sum of $2,791.97 has been expended under this heading of account mainly in respect of the construction of a Block House at Shamshuipo and the construction of a road and repair of embankment at Causeway Bay, both of which works are now completed.

9. Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in Victoria.--A good deal of work has been executed in the Central district and Upper levels of the City where the construction of the new sewers and water mains have been completed, and the roads and streets in these districts are now in a satisfactory condition,

Expenditure $21,272.42.

10. Maintenance of Roads out of Victoria.-The road and bridge at Wongneichong Village damaged by the rain storm of 1889 have been repaired. New bridges have been constructed on the Little Hongkong new road. The road from Aberdeen to Stanley repaired and new bridges referred to in my annual report at Deep Water Bay and Tsinshuiwan rebuilt. In the Peak District the Plantation Road and Mount Gough Road have been concreted and general repairs executed on most of the roads and bridges in the outlying districts.

Expenditure $17,906.20.

11. Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in Kowloon.-General repairs have been executed for an expenditure of $3,131.38.