Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 124

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188. A Contract No. 1

was entered into with Mr. TSANG KENG in July last for the construction of the wall above the level of the concrete blocks, filling in the foreshore and other works necessary for the completion of this section. Fair progress has been made with the preparation of the stone required for the wall at the quarries and 66,057 cube yards of filling have been deposited.

189. Re-construction of portions of the storm-water drains in Queen's Road West, Eastern and Centre Streets has been rendered necessary by the reclamation of this portion of the foreshore. A Contract No. for the execution of this work was entered into with Mr. TSANG SAM in September last and the work is being proceeded with.

190. Section No. 3.-The rubble foundations for the wall and earth backing were completed by Mr. TSANG KENG under Contract No. 1 in June last, and the levelling of the foundations for concrete blocks is being proceeded with.

191. A Contract No. 1 for the construction of rubble foundations for the prolongation of the existing storm-water drains in Sutherland Street, Queen's Street and Bonham Strand West was entered into with Mr. TSANG KENG in March last. This work is completed.

192. The filling in of the foreshore below Datum in this section is being performed by the Hopper Barges. A Contract No. 1 for excavating and filling the barges was entered into with Mr. TSANG KENG in April last, and 68,117 cubic yards have been deposited by Hopper Barges and Junks from Dredger, &c.

193. Sections Nos. 4, 5 and 6 have not yet been commenced, but it is proposed to proceed with the eastern portion of No. 6 as far as Pottinger Street early this year.

194. Section No. 7.-The rubble foundations for the wall over a length of 1,157 lineal feet and for 1,797 lineal feet of storm-water drains together with the necessary earth backing for same were completed in December, 1891, by Mr. TSANG KENG under Contract No. 9.

195. The construction and laying of the footing courses and plinth were also completed by Mr. TSANG KENG in December, 1891, under Contract No. T

196. The construction of the wall, filling in the foreshore and other works necessary for the completion of this section are being satisfactorily proceeded with by Mr. CHAN A TONG under Contract No. The wall and filling in has practically been completed and the construction of the roads will be proceeded with as soon as the gas, water, and sewer pipes have been laid.

197. The construction of the storm-water drains in Ice House Lane and Murray Road rendered necessary by the reclamation of this section have been completed by Mr. CHAN A TONG and Mr. Tsang KENG respectively under Contracts Nos. TT and TT.

198. It is proposed to proceed early next year with the completion of the western portion of this section in connection with the work of reclaiming the eastern portion Section No. 6.

199. A Contract No. 5 was entered into with Mr. CHAN A TONG in November last for the construction of a pier opposite Ice House Street. This pier is for the purpose of accommodating ferry and other traffic now plying from Pedder's Wharf during the completion of this section and the eastern portion of Section No. 6.

1 1

GENERAL.

200. Contract No. 2 has been entered into with Mr. CHAN A TONG for the construction of a pier at Causeway Bay for the purpose of affording facilities for the loading of barges and junks with filling to be obtained from the adjacent hills.

201. During the past year 240 tons of cement have been received from the Green Island Cement Company for use in the foregoing works.

202. Reclamation in front of Wharf and Godown Premises, West Point-This work was completed by Mr. TSANG KENG in April last.

203. Concrete Blocks and Plant.-1,354 concrete blocks have been made during the past year. Of these 672 have been faced with granite ashlar for the front of the wall. 1,241 blocks have been temporarily placed on the foundations of the wall on Section No. 2 on the top of which rails have been laid and the eight-ton travelling crane run over 600 lineal feet whilst proceeding with the further laying of blocks.

204. The contract with the Dock Company for the construction of two Hopper Barges was completed and the barges taken over in February last.

205. The whole of the plant has been maintained in a satisfactory state of repair without involving any extraordinary expenditure.

206. Old Praya Wall.-The Old Praya wall has been removed in front of the Wharf and Godown Premises at West Point and in front of the eastern portion of Section No. 7.

207. Appendices.-In Appendix L will be found a statement shewing generally the amount of work executed in the more important items up to the 31st of December, 1891, and during the past year. In Appendix N will be found a statement of accounts. The outstanding liabilities amount to $37,570 and are chiefly on account of the money retained pending the completion of the term of maintenance under the several contracts in progress during the past year.