Sessional_Paper_1900 — Page 247

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A water barrel under the down pipes from the roofs, or a small reservoir in the nearest ravine would be a simpler and far cheaper arrangement, for use during the summer.

In the dry season, the bath water should be collected in a small reservoir for daily use in the garden instead of running to waste. It is better suited for the purpose than the filtered water." 46. The leasing by China to Great Britain of the New Territory, by which the area of the Colony was increased by about 400 square miles, and the taking over of the same in April was undoubtedly the principal event of the year in the Colonial history. Considerable expenditure became imme- diately necessary in connection with the temporary housing of Troops and Police, making prepara- tion for hoisting the Flag, landing stages and approach roads, constructing Telephone lines, and in the commencement of the main road to Tái-pó.

The actual Expenditure up to 31st July was $35,753.89.

47. The total Expenditure incurred during the whole year, under the different sub-heads, was as follows:-

Buildings,

·

Landing Stage and Approaches, Preparations for hoisting the Flag,

Telephone Lines,

Main Roads,

Sanitation,

Survey,

Miscellaneous,

Topographical and Cadastral Survey,

$ 39,798.08

1,660.68

424.46 3,763.93

67,093.49 511.99

601.94

2,455.69

1,206,44

$ 117,516.70

48. The cost of matsheds for the Military and Police amounted to $11,624.41.

49. A large permanent Police Station was built at Tái-pó containing 12 rooms besides kitchen and out-offices, with accommodation for 5 European and 32 Indian or Chinese Constables, the expen- diture brought to account during the year being $7,650.

50. Two other permanent stations of a different design were nearly completed, one at Autau, an important position lying between Kam-tin-hü and Un Long and in sight of both, at the junction of the Pat-Heung and Shap-Pat-Heung valleys; the other at Pingshan commanding that important village and the valley lying between Castle Peak and Deep Bay.

51. These buildings have been well built, and are not expensive compared with similar work in Hongkong, but the contractor professes to have lost money over them, and it has been found impos- sible to get any Hongkong contractors to undertake work in the New Territory at the same prices. The establishment of Police Stations in the Territory was distasteful to, and opposed by, the inhabit- ants, who at first threw every obstacle in the way of selecting suitable sites and, after this failed, rendered no help in the construction.

52. On the new roads, the inhabitants came out freely to work, and by the end of the year it was evident that a much better feeling towards the English prevailed. The Tai-pó road passes through some good rice fields and vegetable gardens, little or no difficulty was experienced in settling terms of compensation with the owners, who seemed after a time to realize that the road had to be made, and would not be stopped, or its course altered for any ordinary obstacle. This remark also applies to the rather numerous graves on the hill sides, a little gentle persuasion always ended in the removal of the grave from the line of road to some new site.

53. The inhabitants generally seem to be pretty well off and the expectation that crowds of hungry villagers would flock to the works and be glad of less wages than the Hongkong cooly usually receives, was not realized. In fact higher wages are demanded, and have been paid by the

contractors.

54. The villagers are not slow to appreciate the advantages of a well traced road on easy gradients, and the old mountain paths through gaps in the ridge 800 to 1,000 feet high, seem to be less and less used.

The old path to Kowloon City from Hunghom is abandoned in favour of the new and direct road. 55. There is no doubt that nothing will tend so much to improve and develop the New Territory as good highways, the inhabitants will come more frequently to Hongkong, bringing their surplus produce for sale, and taking back with them goods which in former times seldom if ever reached the remote villages, as well as knowledge gained from their own observation of the effects of civilization and progress.