Sessional_Paper_1897 — Page 523

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HONGKONG.

No.

REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF PUBLIC WORKS DURING THE HALF-YEAR ENDING 30TH JUNE, 1897.

No. 547.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE, HONGKONG, 10th September, 1897.

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SIR,-I have the honour to submit the following report on the work of this Department for the first half of the current year.

ANNUALLY RECURRENT WORKS.

1. Repairs to Buildings.-A very considerable amount of work has been entailed under this heading on account of the ravages of white ants. Wherever practicable, the use of timber is being dispensed with, and repairs are being effected in such a manner as to avoid a repetition of the damage by these destructive insects in future. The following are the principal works executed:

Repairs to Police Stations---Central, and Nos. 3 and 8, also those at Yaumati, Shaukiwan,

Victoria Gap, Stanley and Aberdeen.

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Western and Hunghom Markets.

Government Offices.

Slaughter-House at Hunghom.

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Public Laundries.

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Kowloon Observatory.

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Harbour Office and Peak Signal Station.

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Officers' Quarters, Victoria Gaol.

Civil Hospital, Kennedytown Hospital, and European Lunatic Asylum.

2. Maintenance of Telegraphs.-A line has been constructed from the Police Station at Victoria Gap to the summer quarters of the Captain Superintendent of Police, which puts this residence in communication with the Central Police Station. Four lines have been renewed between the Telegraph Companies' Office and the Central Police Station.

3. Maintenance of Public Cemetery.—The Cemetery has been maintained in a satisfactory condi- tion. The concreting of the paths and construction of steps leading to terraces laid out within recent years is in progress.

4. Maintenance of Praya Wall and Piers.—A matshed shelter has been constructed at Wardley Street Wharf with the view of inducing some of the numerous parties which go afloat in the summer evenings to make use of this wharf and so relieve the traffic at Pedder's Wharf. The pier and shelters at Tsimshatsui are undergoing general repairs.

5. Maintenance of Lighthouses.-Gap Rock Lighthouse has been painted and colour-washed and similar work is in progress at Green Island.

6. Dredging foreshores.-The dredger has been employed in connection with the Praya Reclama- tion Works except for a period of 7 weeks when engaged at the Kowloon Wharves performing some dredging for the Godown Company.

7. Miscellaneous Works.-The following are the principal items executed under this heading:·

Constructing balconies at the Inspectors' Quarters, Central Police Station.

cells at Hunghom Police Station.

latrine at Public Laundries.

matshed at Mount Gough Police Station.

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troughs and tying-up arrangements in the Inspection Shed at the Pig and

Sheep Depôts.

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approach path to Medical Staff Quarters and fencing in the grounds of the

Civil Hospital along High Street.

three matsheds at Kennedytown Hospital.

8. Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in Victoria.-The roads generally have been maintained in a satisfactory condition except that portion of the Praya where the Reclamation Works are in progress,/ and the roadway is undergoing alteration both as regards width and level. Jubilee and Queen Victoria Streets have been laid with concrete so as to avoid the frequent repairs which were neces- sitated with macadamized surfaces owing to the somewhat steep gradient of portions of these streets.