Sessional_Paper_1903 — Page 81

No. 7.

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

at a Meeting held on the 17th September, 1903.

PRESENT:

The Honourable the Director of Public Works (WILLIAM CHATHAM), Chairman.

the Colonial Treasurer (ALEXANder MacDonald THOMSON).

19

91

Sir CATCHICK PAUL CHATER, Kt., C.M.G.

5

2

CHARLES WEDDERBURN DICKSON.

GERSHOM STEWART,

Bacteriological Institute. (438# C.S.0.).

The Chairman explained that in consequence of the inability of the Public Works Department to undertake the work, the preparation of plans and estimates &c., had been placed in the hands of Messrs. LEIGH & ORANGE, Architects. Preliminary Plans had at first been prepared by them for a building in accordance with the Bacteriologist's ideas, the cost of which, he estimated roughly at $60,000. After communication with Singapore and Shanghai, amended plans on a reduced scale had been prepared. He now laid the plans before the Committee, the cost of the work being estimated by the Architects at $40,000. The site was in the upper portion of the Taipingshan Resumed Area adjoining Caine Lane.

It was unanimously agreed to recommend that the work be carried out in accordance with the amended plans and estimate.

Gunpowder Depôt on Green Island. (C.O.D.).

Plans which had been prepared for the construction of a new Gunpowder Depot on Green Island, in substitution for the existing Depôt on Stonecutters', were laid before the Committee. The estimated cost of the entire work, including quarters for the staff employer in connection with the Depôt, the preparation of the site, &c., was $107,000. The average revenue derived annually from the Depôt during the past five years had amounted to over $21,000.

After full discussion, it was unanimously agreed to recommend that the work be undertaken. The Committee also recommend, in connection with the establishment of the Depôt there, that restrictions be imposed with regard to landing on Green Island.

Establishment of a Convict Prison on Stonecutters' Island. (58‡ C.O.D.).

(1505

The proposal to construct a Convict Prison on Stonecutters, on the site to be rendered available by the transfer of the Gunpowder Depôt to Green Island, was then considered.

bers.

The papers which were asked for by the Committee on the 20th July had been circulated to mem-

The Chairman laid the plans before the Committee and explained that, though it was intended only to erect two blocks of cells, capable of accommodating 246 prisoners, in the first instance, the entire site available for the Prison would be enclosed with a high boundary wall, so that future blocks of cells could be added as occasion arose without interfering with the occupation of the Prison. The estimated cost of the work now proposed was $236,000.

Before coming to a decision on this matter the Committee desire that an estimate be prepared and laid before them showing the probable annual working expenses of the proposed Prison together with the actual working expenses of the existing Gaol and whether any saving is anticipated in the latter item in the event of the new Prison being constructed. The Committee also desire to receive a com- parative statement of the estimated working expenses if a Convict Prison of equal accommodation were constructed on a site on the Island of Hongkong, say, below Victoria Battery, instead of on Stone- cutters'.

The Committee then adjourned.

Laid before the Legislative Council this 1st day of October, 1903.

R. F. JOHNSTON,

Acting Clerk of Councils.

25-6.10.03.

W. CHATHAM, Chairman.