Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 273

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WORK UNDER THE BUILDING ORDINANCE.

11. New Ordinances.-The new Ordinance referred to in last year's Report (No. 1 of 1903 as it became) was finally passed in February, coming into force on the 21st of that month. After being enforced for a brief period, it became evident that its provisions with regard to cubicles were too drastic and that it would be necessary to modify these in order to meet the requirements of the humbler section of the Chinese population. An amending Ordinance was accordingly passed in December which altered the definition of a cubicle so as to render it unnecessary to provide a window or skylight specially for such a structure apart from the windows or skylights lighting the room in which it is situated, prohibited the construction of such cubicles in houses hereafter erected or re-erected and permitted only two cubicles and in some cases only one, to be maintained in any room of an existing house. The requirements of a greater floor-area and cubic space per occupant were made applicable to all houses; the term " external air" was more clearly defined; cubicles, lobbies and landings were excluded from the definition of a room"; and sundry minor amendments, principally bearing upon the administration of the Sanitary Department, were made.

The effect of the new Ordinance, whilst imposing additional responsibilities upon those authorized under its provisions to practise as Architects has been to largely increase the duties and responsibilities of the Public Works Department. In the case of numerous matters, powers of modification or exemption are vested in the Governor in Council and, in numerous others, similar powers are vested in the Director of Public Works as Building Authority. Applications coming under the former class, except as regards the provision of back-yards, &c., which are dealt with by the Sanitary Board, are almost invariably referred to the Director of Public Works and have to be investigated and reported on by him and, in consequence of the great variety of conditions prevailing in the City, almost every case requires to be specially considered. Even in the case of matters coming within the purview of the Sanitary Board, the Director of Public Works must, in his capacity as a mem- ber of the Board, make himself acquainted with the circumstances of the various cases and is generally expected to express his opinion whenever any peculiar condi- tions occur. Under previous Building Ordinances, no question of compensation arose, but under the new Ordinance a number of provisions are specified with regard to which compensation has to be paid and all such matters have to be dealt with by the Public Works Department. Finally, the new Ordinance contains a much greater amount of detail affecting the construction and arrangement of buildings than any previous Ordinance.

12. Plans.-Plans were deposited during the year for the following:-

European houses,

Chinese houses,

24

330

126

....1,045

Total...

..1,525

Buildings and structures other than the above, Alterations and additions to existing buildings,

There was again a considerable decrease in the first two items, the new houses for which plans were submitted numbering only 354 as against 500 in 1902 and 952 in 1901. The third item shows a decrease of 244 as compared with 1902, and the fourth item an increase of 326, the latter being doubtless the outcome in great measure of the enforcement of the provisions of the new Ordinance.

13. Certificates.-Certificates for 432 new buildings were issued under section 53 of Ordinance 15 of 1889* and for 2 new buildings under section 204 (1.) of Ordinance 1 of 1903, a decrease of 503 as compared with 1902.

14. Verandahs and Balconies.-Permission was granted for the erection of 151 verandahs and balconies.

15. Notices and Permits.-Notices relating to structures in a dangerous con- dition were served in 151 cases, whilst 1,526 permits and 83 notices of a miscella- neous nature were issued.

* Vide section 204 (2.) of Ordinance 1 of 1903.