Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 297

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A new contract with somewhat more stringent terms as to the provision of granite for the carrying on of the work was entered into with Mr. CHAN A TONG Junior, in December.

49. (Item 7.) Tsim-sha-tsui Market.-There was no vote on the 1904 Esti- mates for this work though noted therein.

50. (Item 8.) Wanchai Market Extension.-This work begun in April, 1903, was completed early in the year at a total cost of $4,327.91, giving accommodation for 27 new stalls.

51. (Item 9.) New Western Market.-Fair progress was made with this work during the year, the walls to North and South block being built 12 feet 3 inches, and walls to Market 12 feet above ground floor level respectively.

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The main arches to principal entrances on North and South frouts were practically completed at the close of the year.

The cast iron columns and steel work to floors were delivered on the site during the month of December.

52. (Item 10.) Post Office.-Work on the Foundations contract was com- menced at the end of 1903, and at the end of 1904 all the excavation had been done and 1,385 piles driven out of a total of 1,722 to be put down. Some delay was caused by a ship with a load of pites being wrecked. Great difficulty has been met over these foundations owing to the freedom with which the sea water finds access to the excavations through the loose rubble foundation to the Praya Wall and Culvert on the East side of the works. Difficulty was also experienced in getting the piles in the East trench down to a reasonable depth owing to the presence of the loose rubble under the culvert. This has necessitated some modification in the foundation plan, iron joists being introduced into the concrete base to tie the shorter piles in with those which have gone down to the full depth. The necessary plans and specifications, &c., were prepared by Messrs. Denison, RAM & GIBBS and tenders for the superstructure will probably be called for in April, 1905.

53. (Item 11.) Prison on Stonecutters' Island.-Beyond preparing drawings nothing could be done here until the new Gunpowder Magazine at Green Island was completed as it was intended to construct this Prison on the site of the present Gunpowder Magazine.

54. (Item 12.) Public Bath-Houses, Pound Lane.-This work begun in 1903 was finished in March. The total cost was $10,593.94 including was fittings subsequently put in. The bath-house has accommodatiou for 28 men and separate cubicles for 10 women. There is a hot water installation, and quarters for the caretaker. It has been much used by both sexes since its opening.

55. (Item 13.) Public Latrines and Urinals.-Two public urinals were erected in Connaught Road of 8 divisions each, one opposite Marine Lot No. 54 and one opposite Marine Lot No. 224, and a public urinal of 8 divisions was erected in Upper Station Street: The urinals on the Praya are of granite with tiled floors and walls. That in Upper Station Street is of brick with tiled floors and walls. They are all fitted with earthenware urinals and automatic flushing tanks.

A public latrine with 20 seats and 2 urinals was erected on the West side of Bowrington Canal. The building is of brick and plaster and the urinals are fitted with an automatic flushing tank.

56. Under a special vote a public urinal asked for by the Sanitary Board, close to the Chair Shelter at the Peak, was begun in July and was nearly com- pleted at the end of the year. This structure is of the granite rubble type with dressed stone facings. It has an independent water supply and is specially carefully drained owing to its position.

57. (Item 14.) Public Mortuary, Hill Road. The work was started in 1903 and completed in May; at a total cost of $17,603.73, a full description of them is given in the previous year's Report.