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V.-PUBLIC WORKS.

The principal public works in progress during the year were the Tytam Tuk Water-Works (1st Section) commenced in March and consisting of a Storage Reservoir with a capacity of 194 million gallons, 2 sets of Engines and Pumps capable of lifting 14 million gallons a day each with 18" pipe line; the construction of a new 20-foot road tò accoinmodate the mains of the Tytam Tak Water-Works and improve the road communications of the Island; the Kowloon Water-Works, previously described, on which good progress was made; the New Law Courts, Harbour Office, Western Market, Bacteriological Institute, Disinfecting Station at Kowloon, Gunpowder Depôt at Green Island; the further extension of the Cattle Depot, and the foundations for the New Post Office and Government Offices. A commencement was made with Quarters for Officers at Taipo, and a Public School at Yaumati. Another Bath-house for both sexes in the western part of the Town was completed. An area in Kau U Fong, Victoria, recommended by the Sanitary Experts for resumption, was purchased by the Government at a cost of over $220,000. Good progress was made with the scheme of 100-foot thoroughfares in Kowloon, the road through the King's Park being completed and portions of several lots resumed for the extension of Robinson Road northwards. About $40,000 was spent on Nullah Training in the Colony and $20,000 on the re-construction of street gullies to improve the City drainage system. A beginning was made towards improving the lighting of the Harbour approaches by arranging for the transfer of the 1st order light at Cape D'Aguilar to a new Tower on Green Island. Reclamation was undertaken at Tai-kok-tsui, in conjunction with a private- owner, by which that locality will be much improved. New Rifle Ranges near Kowloon were constructed by the Military Authorities at the expense of the Colony. The laying of a heavy specially wound cable for telephonic purpose across the Harbour was successfully undertaken during the year. The work of laying Rider-Mains was also commenced.

The total amount expended on Public Works Extraordinary, exclusive of the Praya East Reclamation and Rider-Mains, was $1,264,351.30 and on works annually recurrent $532,751.85.

VI.-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

(a.) HOSPITALS.

Government Hospitals consist of the Civil Hospital to which is attached an isolated Maternity Hospital, the Victoria Hospital for Women and Children, the Kennedy Town Infectious Diseases Hospital, and the hulk “Hygeia" used mainly for the treatment of small-pox.

The Civil Hospital contains 150 beds in 19 wards. 2,585 in-patients and 13,106, ont-patients were treated during the year 1994. 223 cases of malarial fever were admitted as against 346 in 1903 and 349 in 1902. The Maternity Hospital contains 4 beds for Europeans and 4 for Asiatics. 61 confinements occurred during the year with 2 deaths. The Victoria Hospital, opened in Novem- ber, 1903, by Sir HENRY BLAKE, is situated at the Peak and contains 41 beds. During 1904, 111 patients were under treatment. Kennedy Town Hospital con- tains 26 beds in the main building. In 1904, 87 cases were treated, of which 78- were plague and 5 cholera. On the “Hygeia” 40 cases were treated, of which 32 were small-pox.

(b.) LUNATIC ASYLUM.

The Asylum is under the direction of the Superintendent of the Government Civil Hospital. European and Chinese patients are separate, the European portion containing 8 beds in separate wards and the Chinese portion 16 beds. 166 patients of all races were treated during 1904, and there were 13 deaths.

(c.) THE TUNG WA HOSPITAL.

This Hospital, opened in 1872, is mainly supported by the voluntary subscrip- tions of Chinese, but receives an annual grant of $6,000 from the Government. Only Chinese are treated in this institution which takes the place of a poor-house-