Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 718

598

96. Connaught Reception.-Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught accompanied by Princess Patricia visited the Colony, arriving on the 6th and departing again on the 10th February. Stands were erected on Blake Pier, where an address of welcome was presented to Their Royal Highnesses on landing, and in the vicinity of the Queen's Statue in connection with the unveiling of the statues of His Majesty the King and H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, the ceremony being performed by the Duke of Connaught shortly after his arrival. The statues themselves were the gifts of Sir C. P. Chater, C.M.G., and Mr. J. J. Bell-Irving to the Colony. The statue of the Duke of Connaught, which had hitherto occupied a site in the centre of the plot of land to the south-east of the Queen's Statue, was moved to a new site in Connaught Road opposite the base of Blake Pier, where it has been decided to allow it to remain permanently. The sum of $3,490 was expended by the Public Works Department on the arrangements referred to above, being charged to a vote of $6,209 which was taken under the heading "Miscellaneous Services to cover the entire cost of the arrangements made in connection with the visit of Their Royal Highnesses.

ADVANCE ACCOUNTS.

2)

97. Metallic Circuiting.-This work was continued throughout the year and was practically completed. The expenditure during the year amounted to $11,486.40. As previously explained, the necessity for carrying out this work arose from the introduction of Electric Tramways on the overhead system.

98. Rider Mains.The only expenditure incurred under this heading was for clerical and other assistance in issuing accounts to owners of property for work executed in affording their houses a supply of water by means of the rider mains.

The following is a statement of the entire work done in the Rider Main Districts

MAINS LAID (Lineal Yards).

:

Cast Iron.

Wrought Iron.

4"

3"

31"

3"

21"

2/

15"

3,127

548

29

3,707

613

40,193

1,631

or 28.35 miles in all,

CONNECTIONS MADE, EXEMPTIONS GRANTED, ETC.

No. of Tenements

Connected.

No. of Exemptions Granted.

No. of Tenements left unconnected.

Total No. of Tene-

7,291

77

521

ments in Rider Main Districts.

7,899

The total amount collected from owners of property was, ...$222,069.96 The actual expenditure on the work was,....

Showing a balance of,..

212.802.13

.$ 9,267.83

A sum of $28.06 was written off as irrecoverable.

STAFF, &c.

99. Leave granted, Appointments, Resignations, &e.-The following Officers were granted leave exceeding one week's duration :-