Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 235

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In Hongkong, two new streets have been formed on Inland Lot No. 955 in order to divide it up into building lots; a pathway has been formed and concreted between Kennedy and MacDonnell Roads, giving convenient access to some of the building lots in this neighbourhood; and a portion of the Western Praya, beyond the termination of the Reclamation Scheme, has been formed and kerbed and concreted, this work having been rendered necessary in consequence of the raising of the Praya wall which had subsided considerably at this point. Some improvements have also been made in the ap- proaches to the Government Offices, and a number of public lanes throughout the City have been properly formed and surfaced.

46. Quarters for Gaol Staff-The resumption of the land required for the purpose of erecting these quarters was only completed towards the end of the year. It is hoped that before long a com- mencement may be made with the erection of the buildings.

47. City of Victoria and Hill District Waterworks-Substantial progress has been made with most of the works included under this head, some of them having reached completion.

The following summary gives an account of the progress made:-

(i). Reservoir and Catchwater, Wongneichong Gap.-The dam has been constructed to a sufficient height to admit of the fixing of the lowest draw-off valve, the culvert from the valve-well has been completed and the wash-out valve and pipes fixed in it. A large amount of excavation has been done inside the reservoir, which will have the effect of materially in- creasing its capacity. The catchwater and path adjoining the same have been completed for a distance of about three-quarters of a mile.

(ii). Catchwater, West of Tytam Valley. This work has been completed, the water collected from the streams having been turned into Tytam Reservoir on the 8th November. The catchwater consists of an open channel, 13 miles long, of varying section, increasing ultimately to an area of 10 square feet before the reservoir is reached. The gradient, 1 in 100, is uniform throughout the whole length. The channel is constructed with lime concrete, the bottom pitched with stone and the sides plastered over with cement mortar. The valley im- mediately adjoining the reservoir is bridged by two steel pipes, each 18 inches in diameter, supported on granite pillars, and a bye-pass pipe has also been provided so that, when the water in the reservoir is muddy and the streams are running clear, the latter may be drawn off into the tunnel without entering the reservoir. Overflows have been formed at intervals in the length of the channel to permit of the escape of exceptional floods without injuring the work. A path, 3 feet wide, follows the catchwater the whole way and is continued for a distance of 1 mile beyond the end of it, where it joins the Wongneichong catchwater path. The two 18-inch pipes are capable of discharging into the reservoir over 1 million gallons per hour, a quantity for which the channel is amply adequate.

(iii). Filter Beds and Service Reservoir. This work has nearly been completed. It includes the construction, on a terraced site below the Bowen Road, of 3 filter beds having a combined area of 1,661 square yards and a covered service reservoir capable of containing 720,000 gallons, together with the necessary connections to the Tytam aqueduct and the distribution system of the city. The filter beds are constructed of lime concrete faced with rubble masonry, and the service reservoir of lime concrete faced with brickwork in cement mortar. The reservoir has been almost entirely constructed below ground level and is covered with brick arching built in cement mortar supported on brick pillars and arches. It is pro- posed to erect quarters for an overseer on a site adjoining the filter-beds, and provision has been made for the establishment of a motor between the filter-beds and reservoir, which will be required in consequence of the large number of houses now being built along MacDonnell Road.

(iv). Peak Service Reservoir.--This work was completed early in December. Hitherto the Hill District has been supplied from small iron tanks which only contained about one day's supply aud, in the event of any serious breakdown of the pumping machinery or main, the whole district would have been deprived of water, other than that obtainable from wells, until the necessary repairs could be effected. The service reservoir now completed is capable of containing 409,000 gallons, equal to about 10 days' supply for the present population. It is situated a little way below the Peak Signal Station, top water level being 1,751 feet above sea level, is covered over and is almost entirely below ground level. Cement concrete has been largely used in its construction, the walls being faced with rubble masonry, (for which an abundant supply of stone was obtained on the site), and the roof formed of brick arching built in cement mortar. Quarters for an inspector have been constructed near the reservoir, and cominunication by telephone has been established with the Government system.

(v). New Mains in the City.-The new water mains along Robinson, Caine, Bonham and Queen's Roads, and in Wyndham, Aberdeen, Staunton and Second Streets were completed in June last. They comprise a length of 2.2 miles of cast iron pipes, varying in diameter