Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 948

The only remedy appears to be to resort to macadamizing as in the case of the City roads.

24. Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in New Territory.-There is nothing special to record under this heading. The roads-taking the term in its ordinary acceptance in the New Territory are still very limited in extent.

25. Maintenance of Setters. The sewers were maintained in good condition, though in several instances some trouble was caused by their being penetrated and becoming filled to a considerable extent by the roots of trees. During the course of the year, it was necessary to repeatedly clear a channel in the flat portion of Albany Nullah, which runs through the Naval Yard, in order to prevent the formation of a stagnant pool adjoining some of the Military buildings on the South side of Queen's Road. This portion of the nullah is being diverted to the westward in connection with the Naval Yard Extension Works.

26. Gas Lighting, City of Victoria.-The total number of lamps in use on the 25th December was 845, only 10 of which remain fitted with ordinary burners, all the others having incandescent burners. This shows an increase in the number of lamps of 88, as compared with the preceding year, which is principally accounted for by the lighting of streets and lanes over land held under lease from the Crown. Power to introduce lighting into these places, many of which are practically public thoroughfares, was first conferred by Ordinance No. 34 of 1899, which was after- wards incorporated in the Public Health Ordinance (No. 13 of 1901). In accord- ance with the provisions of these Ordinances, the cost of providing the lamps is charged against the owners of the property abutting on the street or lane, whilst the subsequent lighting and maintenance of them is defrayed by Government.

27. Electric Lighting, City of Victoria.-No change has been made in the number of electric lamps, which remains at 75. The service has been satisfactorily main- tained by the Electric Company.

28. Gas Lighting, Kowloon.-Only one lamp was added during the year, bringing the total number to 168. The Gas Company carried out its contract for the light- ing in a satisfactory manner.

29. Maintenance of Public Kerreation Grounds. The diversion of the nullah along the West side of the Wong-nei-chong Recreation Ground from a point near the Grand Stand to where it falls into Bowrington Canal was completed early in the year, the old course being filled in. Some alterations were made in the allotment of the grounds to the various Clubs, in order to avoid, as far as possible, any over- lapping which would interfere with the enjoyment of the various games simulta- neously.

30. Maintenance of Clock Tancer--There is nothing special to record under this heading.

31. Forming and Kerbing Streets. The principal amount of work performed under this vote was in Kowloon, where $15,243 was expended out of a total sum of $18,313. The amount was distributed principally between Hunghom, Yaumati, Mongkoktsui and Taikoktsui, at all of which building operations were in active progress. In the City the only items worth mentioning are the streets to the East of the Bowrington Canal, the formation of which was undertaken towards the close of the year, some lanes in the rear of houses at Causeway Bay and Leighton Hill, streets at Tai Hang Village, and lanes adjoining the American Mission Chapel in Taipingshan, which were concreted or channelled and drainel as required by circumstances.

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