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A-In the matter of roads I have got two overseers--Mr. FRANKLIN and Mr. FARRELL--and under them again I have got one Chinese foreman in the City--LI SING -employed specially there, and two Portuguese foremen, and another Chinese fore- man who is employed outside the City.
Q-You have two overseers (Messrs. FRANKLIN and FARRELL), and Messrs. NEMO, PORTIERO, NEAVER, LI SING, ane U PAT?
A-Yes.
Q-What is the extent of the roads in Hongkong?
A-Exclusive of the New Territory, there are about 120 miles of roads and
streets.
Q-That is in the Island proper and old Kowloon ?
A-Yes.
Q-What extent of roads come under you in the New Territory?
6
A-None at present.
7
Q-What about the new road to Taipó ?
A-That is looked after by Mr. HUGHES.
8
Q-It doesn't come under you ?
A-Not except to pass the monthly accounts.
Mr. HUGHES returns the measure-
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ments.
Q--How many members of this staff aid you in the work of roads, and how many in looking after the telephones?
A-Mr. FARRELL alone aids me in telephone work. We do the whole work between us with four linesmen.
Q-And the other members of the staff ?
A--They have nothing to do with telephones.
1
Q-They help you entirely with roads?
A-Only with the roads.
2
Q-Does Mr. FARRELL help with the roads at all?
A--Yes, he helps on the roads as well.
3
Q-In your opinion, is that staff sufficient for the roads?
A-No.
4
Q-What addition do you consider necessary?
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A-We want one Assistant Engineer and one European Overseer more to devote their whole attention solely to the maintenance of roads.
Q-With regard to the roads, you must be aware there has been a great deal of dissatisfaction expressed-and I think very properly-with regard to their condition. How do you explain the unsatisfactory state of the roads?
A-It is due to several causes.
Q-Kindly let us know the causes.
A-There are no foundations to any of the roads. They were cut out of the hill in the early days, and macadam was laid on the top without any foundation, and the consequence is that so soon as we put inacadam on now it wears into holes on account of having nothing to support it underneath. Then again we have to use very soft
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