Sessional_Paper_1906 — Page 665

540

The diminution in the number of new buildings for which plans were deposited indicates a depression in building operations, though there was a large increase in the number of plaus for the alteration or extension of existing buildings. This increase is however in great measure due to the enforcement by the Officers of the Sanitary Board of those provisions of the new Ordinance which require the opening out of back-yards or the enlargement or insertion of windows in existing houses.

14. Certificates.-The following certificates for new buildings were issued :-

54 for domestic buildings under s. 53 of Ordinance No. 15 of 1889.

211

11

"

,

21 non-domestic buildings.

11

s. 204 of Ordinance No. 1 of 1903.

These figures show an increase of 22 in the number of buildings certified, as compared. with 1904.

15. Notices and Permits.-Notices relating to structures in a dangerous condition were served in 169 cases whilst 1,058 permits and 260 notices of a miscellaneous nature were issued. These figures show a decrease of 47 in the dangerous structure notices and an in- crease of 203 in those of a miscellaneous nature, as compared with 1904.

16. General Remarks.-No damage of any importance was caused to buildings by typhoons or rainstorms during the year. Much attention was given to the quality of the mortar used in the erection of the varions buildings which were in progress with the result that, out of 29 samples taken, 7 were found to be deficient in lime. Prosecutions were successfully instituted in all these cases and resulted in the infliction of fines amounting to $1,700. It is hoped that these prosecutions will have a salutary effect in improving the quality of the mortar used throughout the Colony.

The Naval Yard Extension and Messrs. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE'S Shipyard Works were in progress throughout the year. In the case of the former, the reclamation, outer quay wall and tidal basin were practically completed and substantial progress was made with the construction of the graving dock. Several of the buildings connected with the scheme were in progress, some delay being caused in the case of the pump-house by the failure of the timbering just as the excavation for the pump-wells, about 70 feet in depth, was nearly complete 1. In the case of the Shipyard Works, the reclamation and levelling of the site made good progress and the inner portion of the graving dock was completed; work on the entrance, for which a very heavy cofferdam was required, being in active pro- gress by the close of the year.

The remaining large blocks of buildings on the Praya Reclamation cast of Pedder Street, including Hotel Mansions", "King's Building", "York Building" and "Royal Building", were completed during the year. A great many of the leading firms of the Colony--business, commercial and professional--are now housed in these and other build- ings occupying the area indicated. The buildings have an imposing appearance and com- pare favourably in many respects with similar buildings in our large home cities.

Other works worthy of mention are Sharp's Memorial Hospital, Mount Kellett, and the new Military Hospital above Bowen Road, both of which were nearing completion at the close of the year. Work was begun on the erection of the buildings to form the premises of the Hongkong Milling Co. in Junk Bay. The Star Ferry Co.'s new pier opposite the end of Salisbury Road, Kowloon, was constructed during the year and was nearly ready for traffic. It will afford a much more convenient point of arrival and depart- ure than the old pier, both for the ferry steamers and for passengers and vehicles, being clear of the Kowloon Wharves with all their obstructions afloat in the way of cargo-boats, lighters, etc. and ashore in the way of rails, trucks and masses of cargo constantly being inoved to and fro. The new pier also affords much better accommodation and protection from the weather than the old one.

The reclamations at Kowloon and Blackhead's Point and of Kowloon Marine Lot 83 at Hunghom mentioned in last year's report were practically completed, whilst those of Marine Lot 285, at North Point, and of Kowloon Marine Lot 85, at To Kwa Wan, made good progress. The following further reclamations were in progress:-

New Kowloon Marine Lot No. 2, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon Marine Lot No. 87, Yaumati, Sai Kung Marine Lot No. 2, Junk Bay,

Aren, sq. ft.

345,928

145,350

653,400