Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 284

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The total length of single track is 14 miles which is laid in 94 miles of route, the track is laid to a guage of 3′ 6′′ with rails of the girder type weighing 86 lbs. per yard. Each rail joint is double bonded with No. O. S. W. G. copper bonds.

The line is worked on the overhead trolley system, the pressure on the trolley wire being 500 volts. The generating station, centrally placed, is fitted with two continuous current, direct connected railway generators of the multipolar type, compound wound giving a potential of 550 volts and making 100 revolutions per minute and are keyed direct to the engines which are of the horizontal cross compound type, each being equal to a maximum brake load of 557 brake horse. power. The boiler power is supplied by two double drum "Babcock and Wilcox" water tube boilers each having 3,654 square feet of heating surface evaporating 12,000 lbs. of water per hour, working at a pressure of 160 lbs. per square inch.

Twenty-six cars in all are provided for the passenger traffic since running com- menced, the traffic in spite of drawbacks has been operated in a successful manner. The maintenance of the track will however be a source of constant trouble, the concrete apparently not being able to stand the incessant wear and tear of 'ricksha traffic.

Interference by induction with the Government Telephone system is being caused, but the matter is under the consideration of the Government who have powers to deal with the matter under Ordinance 10 of 1902.

The Naval Yard Extension.

The general reclamation here is approaching completion. The walls of the tidal basin and the sea walls are, in great part, ready for the coping. The dock bottom is nearly completed and the dock walls are well advanced. The reclama- tion, West of the dock, and the diversion of the Albany Nullah are finished.

Extension of Naval Hospital, Mount Parish.

A new wing has been added to this building and completed during the year.

Duplication of Mount Parker Tramway.

This cable car route at the Tai Koo Sugar Refinery has been doubled during the year.

Messrs. Butterfleld & Swire's New Docks and Shipyard, Quarry Bay. This Shipyard is still in progress.

The side walls of the Graving Dock being completed for two thirds of the length and the remainder in progress.

Excavation of "Dumpling" is well advanced, and that for the Entrance is being proceeded with.

The Coffer-Dam enclosing the Entrance of the Dock is completed and the Coffer-Dam for the Slipways well advanced. The excavation for the Slipways is also being proceeded with.

The General Excavation for the site of the yard has been carried on through- out the year and very good progress has been made; a large quantity of rock and decomposed granite has been tipped into the sea for the Reclamation, which is also well advanced.

Sharp's Memorial Hospital, Mount Kellet.

This building has been rapidly pushed forward and is now nearing completion.

The New Military Hospital, Bowen Road.

This building has been in progress for over two years and is now nearing completion.

New Military Prison.

This building situate to the East of Garden Road was also commenced this year and good progress was made with it.

Tramway to the Peak.

A Bill was read a first time in the Legislative Council on 22nd September, 1904, for a second Tramway at the Peak, which is proposed to be constructed from the foot of Ice House Street through the Botanical Gardens and Glenealy Ravine and up to a point near No. 6 Police Station, Victoria Gap.