Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 233

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32. Miscellaneous. In consequence of representations made by the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade as to the obstacles presented in dealing with fires by the large fixed sunshades overhanging the footpaths in Jervois Street, a number of the leading shopkeepers there were interviewed and had the circumstances explained to them with the result that all the sunshades have now been made movable.

EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC WORKS.

33. Improvements, Recreation Ground, Happy Valley.—A considerable area of the extension of the Recreation Ground was turfed over and rendered available for use towards the end of the year. The delay in undertaking the diversion of the nullah where it crosses the extension has been due to the non- arrival of ironwork ordered from England in connection with the work, which is probably accounted for by the Engineers' strike.

34. Slaughter House, Sheep and l'ig Depôts, including Pier.-The pier constructed for the landing of cattle, sheep and pigs, arriving at the depôts, has been completed.

35. Gaol Extension. The alterations of the old gaol buildings have been begun by pulling down the Wing, (known as D. Wing), which projected in an oblique direction into the south-west yard. This will admit of the erection of a convenient workshop, containing two floors, where the manufacture of matting, &c. can be carried on by the prisoners. Good progress is being made with the conversion of the associated cells into single cells and other minor improvements, the work being performed as far as possible with prison labour. A systein of mains and hydrants has been laid throughout the old and new gaol premises for the purposes of fire extinction.

36. New Water Mains.-Small extensions only have been made to the water mains in the City.

37. Sewerage of Victoria.--The connection of house drains to the public sewers and small extensions of the latter to provide for such connections have been carried out under this heading. An old storm- water drain in Wing Lok Street which had been rendered obsolete by recent works has been taken up.

38. Water Supply, Kowloon-Consequent on the extension of Station Street to Mongkoktsni, a water main has been carried to that village and fountains have been fixed from which the inhabitants can obtain a supply of good water. All liabilities in connection with the erection of the Pumping Station Buildings have now been discharged, some delay having been caused with regard to the final payment in consequence of some legal proceedings against the Contractor.

39. Taitan Waterworks Extension. The raising of the Bye-wash Dam for a total height of 10 feet above the original level of the overflow was brought to completion in the early part of the year. Small granite piers have been built on the top of the dam, with grooves cut in them for the reception of sluice- boards, by inserting which an additional depth of 2 feet 6 inches of water may be impounded. Without the boards, the capacity of the reservoir is now 388,000,000 gallons; and with the boards, 408,500,000 gallons.

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40. Road from Victoria Gap to Mount Kellett Road. The portion first undertaken, from "Tre- verbyn" to

to The Homestead," was opened to traffic in the beginning of September and the construc- tion of the remaining portion, from Victoria Gap to Treverbyn," was begun towards the end of November, since which date substantial progress has been made with the work. In conjunction with the formation of the road, a suitable area is being levelled for the accommodation of chairs and it is proposed to erect a permanent structure on this site as a shelter for the chairs and bearers. The road will have a width of 23 feet from " The Gap" to " Treverbyn where it bifurcates into roads 15 and 13 feet wide respectively, (the latter being the old road), and with the exception of a practically level por- tion opposite the Peak Hotel, will have a uniform gradient of 1 in 20 throughout its entire length.

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41. Water and Drainage Works, Miscellaneous. Numerous minor works have been carried out under this heading, the following being a brief summary of the more important:---

(i) Taikokisui and Fuk Tsun Heung Improvement Works. Both these villages have been laid out with properly kerbed and channelled streets, which undoubtedly constitute a great step towards converting them from insanitary rookeries into something approaching model villages. No proper communication with them exists at present, but it is hoped that the construction of a good road will be undertaken soon, to be followed by the introduction of a proper water supply obtained by extending the Kowloon Waterworks.

(ii) Shaukiwan Waterworks.-These works comprise intakes from three streams, the gathering grounds of which are free from buildings and other sources of pollution; a covered service reservoir, capable of containing 228,700 gallons; 1.40 miles of cast iron mains, vary- ing in diameter from 5 inches to 3 inches; 19 public fountains, conveniently placed for the supply of the inhabitants; and an overseer's bungalow. They were completed early in the

year.

(iii) Aberdeen Waterworks.-In 1893, some works of a very limited nature were con- structed for the supply of water to certain parts of the village. These have now been greatly