Sessional_Paper_1901 — Page 705

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4 overseers of buildings, an overseer of the cemeteries, an overseer for the Recreation Ground, and a few native foremen. The principal overseer of Government Buildings (Mr. Gowenlock) resigned. and his appointment was not filled up at the time. It was not until the 1st November, 1900, that an assistant overseer was appointed locally and he was put upon Government Building work. meantime the principal overseer on roads in October, 1900, went home on sick leave and died on the passage home.

His place was not filled up until a few days ago. I was left with one overseer for roads and telegraphs in the Colony, one for telegraphs in the New Territory until the beginning of 1901. was then given the assistance of an assistant overseer. He was a sick man and could do very little. He was taken ill in February, 1901. I was again left with one overseer for roads and telegraphis until about the middle of the year when I got the assistance of Mr. Carroll who was formerly overseer on sewers. He worked with ine for about a month and gor sick and had to go home on leave. then again was left with one overseer on roads and telegraphs. Just recently another overseer was appointed on roads and two more Portuguese foremen. When Mr. Crisp arrived, Mr. Xavier handed over his duties under the Building Ordinance to Mr. Crisp. Mr. Ormsby told me to do this.

WILLIAM CHATHAM sworn and examined by Mr. BOWLEY:

L

I am Acting Director of Public Works. I was absent from the Colony from May, 1900. to Marchi. 1901. I have never had anything to do with the Building Ordinance except as Acting Director of Public Works. I had nothing to do with these houses until after the collapse. I have inspected the remains of the houses since the collapse. I am of opinion that the cause of collapse was due to the bad construction of the party wall between the two houses. The addition of the new storey helped to contribute to the collapse. The foundations of this party wall have been opened. The foundations appeared to be good, strong enough to hear the weight of the wall. The ground under the founda- tions was good. If I was consulted as to the feasibility of adding another storey, I would have examined the walls carefully, knowing that the building was an old one. I would examine the walls externally first to see the nature of the material and the bonding of the walls as far as it was visible. It would be necessary to remove the whitewash. I would have considered it necessary to have examined the walls internally. I would then consider what weight would come on the walls if added to them. It would have been a prudent thing to do to open the foundatious. Light smith's work would nor have created any effect on the wall, if he had no machinery attached to the wall. The taking down of cross wall and altering the staircase would have a disturbing effect on the walls with which they were connected.

F. A. HAZELAND,

Police Magistrate discharging the duties of Coroner.

Exhibit A.

THE BUILDING ORDINANCE, 1891,

Notice of intention to commence works.

Hongkong, 3rd November. 1900.

To the DIRECTOR DE PUBLIC WORKS.

of

I hereby give you notice pursuant to The Building Ordinance. 1889, as amended by Ordinance No. 7 of 1895. my intention to commence the following works, viz.:

To make additions and re-build cross wall; add verandah : in accordance with the accompanying plans,

No. of Lor. Inland Lot No. 1 Section A remaining portion,

Name of Street. Cochrane Street.

No. of House. 32.

Special or material particulars.--

Name and address of owner, or occupier, or agent. Co. E. M. Hazeland.

(Signed)

CHAN TSUX CHEUNG,

Signature of owner.

(Statement of Capacity in which the party signs.)

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