Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 788

KOWLOON PUBLIC RECREATION GROUND.

689

58. In 1898, His Excellency the Governor, Sir H. A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G., foresaw the necessity of providing additional recreation grounds, and after discussion of the subject he requested me to submit a report on the most favourable site for a Park at Kowloon. This report was forwarded on January 12th, 1899-C. S. O. No. 120. It contained a recommendation for the formation of a large Park of about 90 acres of land, part of which was to be taken up by a new road that should open out on one side of it a large area of land that would be made available for building sites for a good class of houses. In the event of this scheme being considered too ambitious or of there being then insurmountable difficulties in carrying it out, I submitted an alternative plan which would allow of a Park of about 11 acres being made at first. This large scheme would necessitate the removal of Military, Navy and Police rifle ranges and the forfeiture or exchange of other Military interests.

At the time there were difficulties in carrying out either scheme, but in the early part of 1900 the Honourable F. H. MAY, C.M.G., who was then Acting Colonial Secretary, brought up the subject for re-consideration, with the result that the lesser scheme was sanctioned.

Changed conditions having made still greater claims for extended recreation grounds and the probabilities of their acquirement having become more hopeful I made a request in January of this year for a further re-consideration of the large scheme and it received the warm support of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government-Sir WILLIAM J. GASCOIGNE, K.C.M.G. It is hoped, therefore, that during the present year a very large portion of the main scheme will be sanctioned and that plans and arrangements for laying it out can be put in hand. This land would provide public golf links and lawns for tennis, bowling, foot-ball, croquet, &c., in combination with an ornamental Park.

The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G., suggested at the first meeting of the Corona- tion Committee that this work should form a permanent Memorial of the Coronation of His Majesty Kind EDWARD VII and that the grounds should be named King's Park.

WESTERN DISTRICT PARK.

59. The upper portion of this land was laid out in 1898 by the Public Works and the Botanical and Afforestation Departments, the former making roads and re-distributing a large amount of soil, and the latter continuing soil re-arrangements and carrying out the turfing and planting. Part of the money for the work was provided by the Government and part by the owners of property in the

district.

In response to a desire of residents in the neighbourhood the Government decided last year to extend the work to the portion of land on the north side of Lower Richmond Road, and $10,000 for this purpose was included by this Department in the Estimates for 1902. This, however, I found was much in excess of what was necessary and the sum was consequently reduced to $5,000. The work will again be carried out jointly by the Public Works and the Botanical Departments, the former having the heaviest portion in hand.

The maintenance of this Park, for which no additional sum of money has been provided, will rest with this Department and the expense will be defrayed by the Forestry Vote, which is sufficient for the purpose at present.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING OF THE BOTANIC GARDENS.

60. In June of last year His Excellency Major-General Sir W. J. GASCOIGNE, K.C.M.G., communi- cated with His Excellency the Governor reporting an offer of Lieutenant-Colonel TEVERSHAM, to allow his Regimental Band to play on certain days in the Botanic Gardens for the benefit of the Public. In consequence of this it was decided to make provision for lighting the Gardens by electricity for which a sum of $800 was placed on the Estimates for this year. An examination of the proposed arrange- ments have, however, revealed some weak points which require further consideration and, if eventually adopted, perhaps certain modifications. In the meantime satisfactory arrangements can be made for lighting by other means.

REVENUE.

61. The particulars of Revenue collected are given in Appendix F.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary,

&c.

&c.,

&c.

CHARLES FORD, Superintendent,

Botanical and Afforestation Department.

* Sauctioned in June by the Secretary of State for the Colonies.