Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 626

622

(8)

14. The Public Works Stores are so intimately connected with the Public Works Offices that we have considered the condition of and accommodation afforded by the present buildings and yards.

At present the stores are located in three separate buildings, viz., Crosby Store, No. 3A, Blue Buildings, and Wanchai Store.

Crosby Store was originally purchased by the Military in 1857 and sold by them to the Colonial Government for $35,000. The portion facing Queen's Road was, until recently, occupied by the Education Department, but owing to its dilapid- ated condition had to be vacated in 1894 and offices are now rented elsewhere for this department.

The remaining portions of the building are still used as Public Works Stores, but their dilapidated condition admits of their being used only to a very limited

extent.

The Store at Blue Buildings consists of the upper floor of House No. 3a. Praya East and is rented from the Land Investment Company.

The Store at Wanchai is very limited in area and its construction is only of a temporary nature. It occupies a reclamation in front of Marine Lots 117 and 118 Praya East.

We are of opinion that the present stores should be vacated and the whole of the stores located as far as practicable on the same premises. The area required is about 40,000 sq. ft.

15. In view of the foregoing facts we recommend :—

(a) That the present Government Offices at St. John's Place be retained,

the upper floor being devoted as at present for the purposes of the Council Chamber, the Colonial Secretary's Department and the Local Auditor, and the ground floor placed at the disposal of the Sanitary Board and the Education Department.

(b) That new buildings be erected on the Government Reclamation in front of the City Hall for the various departments enumerated in the proposed particulars and conditions of competition. (Ap- pendix B.)

(c) That the Harbour Department be accommodated in a suitable build- ing to be erected on the new Reclamation in front of the present Harbour Office.

(d) That suitable premises be obtained for the purposes of a Public

Works Store.

FINANCIAL.

16. The estimated cost of providing suitable accommodation for the Court House, Registrar General, Treasury, Post Office, and Public Works Department on the Reclamation in front of the City Hall is

..$700,000

The estimated cost of providing a suitable building for the Harbour Department on the Reclamation in front of the present Harbour Office is

110,000

The estimated cost of obtaining suitable premises for a Public

Works Store is

90,000

Total,.......

.$900,000

17. If the foregoing recommendations are carried out, the site occupied by the Court House and Crosby Store will be available for sale and should realize, say, $250,000.

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