Sessional_Paper_1894 — Page 343

HONGKONG.

339

No. 26

94.

REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DURING THE FIRST HALF-YEAR 1894.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of

His Excellency the Governor.

No. 600.

PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 31st July, 1894.

89

SIR,-In accordance with instructions contained in C.S.O. 13, I have the honour to forward you a brief report upon the progress of Public Works during the half-year ending 30th June, 1894.

ANNUAL RECurrent Expenditure,

2. Repairs to Buildings.-All Government Buildings in occupation have been satisfactorily main- tained.

3. The following buildings have been wholly or partially repaired, painted and colour-washed :-

Government Civil Hospital.

Women's Hospital.

European Lunatic Asylum.

No. I Police Station.

No. 3 Police Station.

No. 7 Police Station.

Officers' Quarters, Stonecutter's Island.

4. The building known as Crosby Store, divided into-

(a) A Store for this Department,

(b) Offices until recently used by the Educational Department, (c) Quarters for Mr. SILVA, Chief Clerk in the Post Office,

is fast approaching a ruinous condition, and the question of abandoning or repairing this structure admits of no further delay.

5. "Mountain Lodge" is also fast falling into ruins; its sale and demolition might be worthy of consideration before the material of which it is constructed is absolutely valueless.

6. Maintenance of Telegraphs.-The telephone line to Cape D'Aguilar has been reconstructed throughout, the old wooden poles have been substituted by iron ones. (C.S.O. 28.)

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7. The establishment of telephonic in the place of telegraphic communication between the several

Police Stations and other Government buildings has so far proved a success.

8. The working of the lines along the Shaukiwan Road has from time to time been interfered with by induction from neighbouring Military wires, but alterations in the positions of both the Colonial and Military lines have, to some extent, mitigated the evil.

9. Maintenance of Public Cemetery.-The Public Cemetery has been maintained without any exceptional expenditure, the number of interments has been 45.

10. The space available for burial is now rather limited and ere long the question of extending the Cemetery must claim the attention of the Government.

11. Maintenance of Praya Wall and Piers.-No exceptional expenditure has been incurred under this heating, the usual repairs have been executed.

12. Maintenance of Lighthouses. With the exception of the Gap Rock, repairs to which were rendered necessary by the Typhoon of October 1893, none of the other lighthouses requiried special

attention.

13. The work of restoring the damage done to the Gap Rock Lighthouse is fast approaching completion.

14. Maintenance of Disinfector.-The building and apparatus are in a satisfactory state of repair. 15. Dredging Foreshores.-The Dredger has been mainly employed at Causeway Bay. 30,389 cube yards of sub-marine materials have been removed and deposited: 24,470 cube yards outside Green Island, and 5,919 cube yards on Reclamation. The Dredger and machinery have been satisfactorily maintained.

16. Miscellaneous Works.-The principal works in hand or completed under this heading are:- (a) The reconstruction of the south end wall of the Magazine at Stonecutter's Island and

works in connection therewith. (C.S.O. 04.)

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(b) The general repairs, painting, alteration of drains, &c., of the Superintendent's Quarters,

Victoria Gaol. (C.S.0.1)