Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 302

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Rifle Ranges, Kowloon.

75. (Item 27.) Construction of Butts.-The new Military Butts behind Kow- loon City were constructed by the Military Authorities at the cost of the Govern- ment and practically completed by the end of the year. (See para 7.)

76. (Item 28.) Diversion of Roads-Rifle Ranges, Kowloon. It was found necessary to divert the old road through the Rifle Ranges and accordingly this was arranged for. This road is 6 feet wide and about 2 miles long with a gradient of about 1 in 10. It starts from the main road near Kowloon City and runs up the Eastern slope of the ridge to the immediate West of the Rifle Ranges until it reaches an elevation of about 337 feet above sea level and then meanders along the summit of the hills for about 700 yards dropping to a gap at the 300-feet contour and then rising again to 550 feet. From this point the path zig-zags up the face of the hill to join the existing path. Stone culvert and drain pipes are provided to accommodate various streams and a length of rubble wall was necessary on the last section. The ground in parts was very loose and repairs to the road were necessary in the latter part of the year. These were put in hand but after a length of 2,162 feet was done the work was stopped until after the next rainy season that it may be seen to what extent the road will need reconstruction owing to the loose and sandy nature of the soil.

77. (Item 29.) Resumption of Private Property for Rifle Ranges.-The pro- perty resumed in connection with these Butts amounted in value to $9,026.15.

Roads.

This

78. (Item 30.) Road across King's Park (K.I.L. 652 to Sixth Street).— This work, begun in 1903 and described in para. 70 of Director of Public Works Report, 1903, was completed in November, 1904. The road is 3,000 feet long and 100 feet wide, the total cost being $39,946.29. The work also included a nullah alongside 10′ 0′′ by 5' 0" with stone walls and concrete invert. road will probably be designated Gascoigne Road and forms the first section of the 100-foot road across the Peninsula to the East of Robinson Road Extension which. was also taken in hand under the vote "Forming and Kerbing Streets." (See Para. 30). Arrangements were made to light it electrically from January, 1905.

Portions of certain Lots were resumed in connection with this extension of Robinson Road, viz., Kowloon Inland Lots 1011, 69A, 79, 80 and 81, and paid for from special votes. (See also para. 2.)

79. (Item 31.) Road to Lai-chi-kok.-This rond was roughly surveyed and pegged out, but in view of litigation in the neighbourhood under Land Court rulings it was decided to postpone its construction.

80. (Supplementary vote.) Tai Po Road.-There was a great deal of trouble in the past over getting this work finished by the original Contractor, CHUNG YUNG, and the work was finally taken out of his hands and given to another Contractor to finish in 1903. The last mile was finished in 1903 and Contract No. 25 of 1901 for miles 14, 15, 16 and 17 was completed in March, 1904. The original Con- tractor died in 1904 and his executors finally accepted the statement made out by the Public Works Department. The expenditure during the year was $4,486.29 from a re-vote and the total cost of the road (17 miles) has been $233.329.95 or $13,333.14 per mile.

81. Harlech Road and the Road between Wan-chai and Wong-nei-chong Gaps were completed by the Military and formally handed over to the Colonial Government. The latter road being styled "Black's Link."

82. Private Streets Improvement.-Repairs were effected under this head to the following:-Chiu Loong Street and the lane between this street and Li Yuen Street.

83. Alterations and Exchanges in connection with Praya at Kowloon, (see para. 89 of Report 1903).-These schemes were successfully arranged and received the sanction of the Secretary of State.

Arrangements for the resumptions necessary for the 100-foot road (Salisbury) projected to run right across the Peninsula were put in hand. The Star Ferry Pier will be moved to this point and so passenger traffic into Kowloon will not be interfered with by the goods traffic of the Godown Company on the Praya, which will be handed over to them on certain terms.