Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 569

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few dwellings, by no means too sanitary in character. The non-occupation of this district is, I understand, due to the fact that the Government cannot find tenants who are prepared

prepared to pay the price per square foot that the Government paid for this district. It is said that the tenants are not forthcoming because of the very moderate, I may say insufficient, restrictions as to height and open space that the existing law requires.

tion of Tai-

101. It seems to be undesirable that so valuable a site as Taipingshan, should Re-occupa- remain so long unoccupied. It is of course out of the question to allow buildings pingshan. of the old and insanitary type to be erected thereon. Rather than allow it to be unoccupied, it would be better to build sanitary buildings and let them for what they would fetch. It has however been suggested to me that Taipingshan affords an excellent site for much-needed public buildings. It would, I am informed, be the best possible place for the Proposed Medical School, owing to its propinquity to the Civil Hospital, the Alice Hospital and the Tung-Wa Hospital.

Again, it would be an excellent spot for some dwellings of the subordinate staff of Government officials. These persons now have the greatest difficulty in obtaining quarters, at rents that they can afford to pay; that are consistent with decency, self-respect and health. Having had some experience in selecting subordi- nate officers for Hongkong and elsewhere, I am prepared to say that I feel certain that competent well-conducted men cannot be obtained far less retained for the salaries now offered, as long as house-rent and living is as costly as it is. If good quarters were provided, similar to Married Sergeants' quarters, it would greatly facilitate matters. One of the first questions asked by candidates is whether quarters are provided, and what is the cost of living. If I could assure them that free quarters are provided, and describe their character, I could often secure the services of competent men who now refuse to accept employment.

of staff.

102. Most of the defects which I have described are due to the insufficiency of Insufficiency the Public Works staff and to repeated changes which take place there. Much diffi- culty has been experienced in the preparation of this report, by the absence of proper record-drawings and surveys. I am sure that none of the Engineers, who have held the post of Director of Public Works, failed to appreciate the necessity for proper surveys and records, and the fact that they are wanting is, to my mind, proof positive that the Department has for years past been undermanned. I have, however, expressed my opinion fully on this matter in another place. I shall hope to make some further suggestions on this point in a special report.

103. The following is a brief resumé of the conclusions which I have arrived Summary. at, with regard to sewerage, drainage, scavenging and house-construction :—

(a) The Sewerage System has been carried out, in general accordance with

the principles laid down by myself in 1890.

(b) On the whole the system is working well, though there are some

defects, not however difficult to remedy.

This is not sewage,

(r) Deposit accumulates in the low-level sewers.

but road detritùs and other solid substances, which ought not to enter the sewerage system.

(d) The entrance of improper solids into the sewers is principally due to two causes-want of care in scavenging, and improper construction of the sewer-gulleys.

(e) Sewer-gulleys ought to be trapped, and provided with close-barred

gratings.

(ƒ) Flushing is sufficient in the upper and steeper parts of the Sewerage

system.

(7) More use should be made of the water of Nullahs for flushing purposes,

but this should be reserved mainly for the Drains.