Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 949

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32. Extension of Gas Lighting.--Three new lamps were erected in St. Francis Street, and 3 in Belcher's Street, whilst fittings were supplied for several lamp-posts erected on the Praya Reclamation and elsewhere.

33. Drainage Works, Miscellaneous.—The principal work done under this head- ing was the extension of the storm-water drains along the north and south boundaries of Kowloon Marine Lot 49, rendered necessary by the reclamation of the lot. This work was to be carried out by the purchaser of the lot according to the Conditions of Sale, but, as it was found desirable to increase the size and alter the form of the old drains, which were to be extended, arrangements were made for a lump- sum payment by the purchaser, the work being subsequently carried out by this Department. Good progress had been made with the work by the close of the year, the expenditure amounting to $4,892.

Some storm-water culverts at Hok Un Kok were extended at a cost of $1,511.

The remainder of the work consisted of small extensions of sewers and drains. in the City and Kowloon, of the following aggregate lengths :-

City-6" pipes

.lin. yards 90

City-9" pipes

City-12" pipes

Kowloon-6" pipes Kowloon-9" pipes

..lin. yards 183

..lin. yards 13

....lin. yards 43 ..lin. yards 136

34. Water Works, Miscellaneous.—The principal item of expenditure under this heading was in connection with the construction of catchwater from Wanchai Gap along the southern slopes of Mount Cameron in order to divert the water from a couple of streams to the north side of the hill where it could be intercepted by the Tytam Conduit. The work was not completed by the end of the year. A sum of $2,000 was spent upon it.

Other considerable items were for the diversion and raising of the main in Hunghom Road, Kowloon, to the West of Hunghom, in order to suit an alteration in the road, and the laying of a main, 3" in diameter, from No. 1 Police Station for some distance along the road on the east side of Happy Valley for the supply of two considerable blocks of houses recently erected there.

The construction of small channels alongside Tytam West and Wongneichong Catchwaters to convey to the reservoirs the dry-weather flow of the streams, which has hitherto been lost through evaporation and other causes, was begun, but no expenditure had been incurred in connection with the work up to the close of the year.

35. Maintenance of Waterworks, City and Hill District.-In-consequence of the timely advent of the rains, it was unnecessary the introduce the intermittent system of supply during the early part of the year. Arrangements had been made for curtailing the supply, commencing from the 7th April, * but the circumstances just mentioned permitted of the full supply being maintained.

The rainfall of the year, however, proved very deficient, amounting only to 55.78 inches, which is the second-lowest on record. If the months which are regarded as constituting the wet season-namely, May to September inclusive-be taken as suggested by Mr. CHADWICK, in his Report of the 10th April, 1902, the rainfall is the lowest on record, amounting to 39.91 inches as compared with an average of 65.42 inches for the past 17 years.

* Through a misunderstanding of orders, these were actually put in force for two days, the first of which was a public holiday.