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Owing to the extensive reclamations carried out along the foreshores of the Kowloon Peninsula, it has become necessary to raise the levels of some of the areas built over during earlier years.
A scheme has therefore been carefully prepared showing the proposed levels. of existing and future roads and in the case of all houses now being erected or re-erected care is taken that the ground floors are kept at a suitable height so that the roads may hereafter be raised to the proper levels. The drainage of Kowloon will thereby be greatly facilitated and improved and the risk of flooding during rainstorms will be obviated.
28. Footways:-The footways in that section of Graham Street lying between Holly- wood Road and Staunton Street were re-graded and re-surfaced throughout, the cost of such portions as are situated underneath balconies being charged to the frontagers in accordance with the terms of their balcony agreements.
29. Typhoon Damage. Fortunately, there is but slight damage to record under this heading, the Colony having escaped visitation by any storms of great severity. The follow ing houses were however damaged to such an extent by the storm of the 14th September as to necessitate their partial reconstruction :-
Nos. 5 & 7 Tank Lane.
No. 184 Queen's Road East (Spring Gardens).
No. 154 Praya East.
30. Collapses.-The following collapses occurred during the year irrespective of Typhoons:-
CITY OF VICTORIA.
Hongkong Hotel (verandah of South-east wing-all floors).
No. 146 Queen's Road Central (portion of main room, 2nd floor).
No. 12 Albany Street (cross wall at rear).
KOWLOON.
No. 67 Station Street South (Balustrade and Verandah Beam).
No. 10 Main Street (roof).
No. 63
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(,, ).
ABERDEEN.
The only collapse of any importance was that at the Hongkong Hotel which caused the death of 5 of the Chinese servants. An inquiry was held with respect to it, the finding being that no fault or negligence could be attributed to any one, and that no evidence had been forthcoming to show what actually caused the collapse.
31. Tests of Mortar.-Attention continued to be given to the testing of mortar, 181 samples being taken from works in progress and, though still on the average below the standard desirable, the results of the tests are better than formerly.
32. General Remarks.-Water was admitted to the New Admiralty Dock on the 15th June and substantial progress was made with the removal of the cofferdam and the closing of the gaps in the quay walls. The various workshops, &c., which are of an extensive nature, were all practically completed.
Water was admitted to Messrs. Butterfield & Swire's new Dock on the 22nd June and the erection of the various offices, workshops and stores was in a forward state.
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