Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 199

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15. Dredging Foreshore.-The dredger during the year has been at work for 221 days, mainly engaged in dredging operations at Causeway Bay.

The quantity of material dredged during the year amounted to 21,681 cubic yards, 19,855 cubic yards being deposited in the Reclamation and 1,826 outside Green Island.

16. It was necessary during the year to lay up the dredger for 82 days for repairs, the cost amounting to $5,022.84.

17. Miscellaneous Works.-The following are the more important works carried out under this heading, and expenditure thereon including outstanding liabilities, viz. :-

18. Removing silt from the Pokfulam reservoir.-Towards the end of the dry season, advantage was taken of the reservoir being nearly empty to remove a considerable quantity of silt at a cost of $766.19.

19. Retaining Walls, Glenealy Ravine.-C.S.O. 25. Owing to the slips that have taken place in the upper part of this ravine during recent years, it became necessary to build retaining walls to prevent further occurrences of this nature and consequent danger to the buildings in the immediate vicinity of the ravine. These have been completed at a cost of $4,425.80.

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20. Boat Slip, Police Basin, Kowloon.—C.S.O. 133s. Owing to the recent introduction of steam pinnaces for the use of the Harbour Police, some provision became necessary for landing them in a sheltered place during typhoons. This has now been afforded by the construction of a slipway in the Police basin at Kowloon at a cost of $1,919.87.

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21. Retaining Wall, Inland Lot 509-C.S.O. 234. In accordance with the instructions of Government, the retaining wall on the southern boundary of Inland Lot 509, Seymour Road, which collapsed during the latter part of last year carrying with it the lower portion of the Seymour Road, has been rebuilt at a cost of $3,688.08.

22. Retaining Wall, Mount Gough Road.-A somewhat serious slip occurred during the typhoon of 1894 in the Mount Gough Road necessitating the construction of a retaining wall and concrete slope which has been completed at a cost of $965.27.

23. Jinrickshas Shelter at Kowloon.-C.S.O. 148. A jinrickshas shelter has been constructed in front of the Wharf and Godown Co.'s premises, Kowloon, for the accommodation of 10 jinrickshas, at a cost of $446.20.

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24. Additions to the Reformatory.-C.S.O. 1873. In accordance with the instructions of Govern- ment, separate cell accommodation and cookhouse have been constructed in connection with the West Point Reformatory at a cost of $900.

25. Addition to Cape Collinson Lighthouse.-C.S.O. 13. Quarters for a European are in course of construction at Cape Collinson. Expenditure during 1895, $467.65.

26. Repairs to Taitam Filter Beds.--C.S.O. 2014. Early in the year, serious leaks developed themselves in these filter beds apparently owing to the settlement of the inverts. These were repaired at a cost of $1,503.03.

27. The Boundary Wall between Kowloon Marine Lot No. 10 and the Police Dock Compound-has been completed, C.S.O. 17, at a cost of $806.99.

28. Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in Victoria.-The work under this heading has been mainly confined to ordinary repairs.

The main thoroughfares on the lower levels have been surfaced with macadam where required, and the steep streets liable to damage in heavy rains repaired with concrete.

Six of the old timber bridges on the Kennedy Road have been removed and substituted by bridges constructed of iron rails and cement concrete.

The timber bridge near Wongneichong Village has been similarly treated.

29. Maintenance of Roads and Bridges out of Victoria.-With the exception of the repair and improvement of the Magazine Gap Road, Pokfulam Road to the Peak and Mount Parker Road, the work under this heading has been confined to ordinary repairs.

30. Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in Kowloon.-The only works other than those of ordinary repairs done during the year were the forming, macadamizing, kerbing and channelling of Elgin Road, which had for some time been delayed pending the completion of the New Barracks, the concreting of the footways on the Praya and in Chater Street adjoining the Wharf and Godown Co.'s premises, and the substitution of a bridge constructed of wrought iron rails and concrete for one of the old timber bridges on the Hung Hom Road.

31. Maintenance of Water-works.-The water-works both in the City and Hill District have been maintained in a satisfactory condition.

32. The rainfall during the past year was the lowest ou record, being only 45.84 inches, or a little more than one-half the average for the last 40 years.

33. It was found impossible to continue the constant supply during the whole of the year owing to the scarcity of water.