Sessional_Paper_1925 — Page 7

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No. 1925

2

HONGKONG.

QUEEN'S PIER-ENTRANCE PORTION,

CONTRACT No. 62 of 1922.

CONTRACTORS: MESSRS. YAU HING & Co.

2nd Quarterly Report ending 31st December, 1924.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor on the 26th February, 1925.

With reference to the Quarterly Report of 30th September, the late for completion of the Contract was extended from 30th June to 4th October.

The Contractors gave definite assurance to finish the work within this extended period, while they were informed that in default the penalty would be enforced.

As the Contractors made no serious effort to fulfil their obligations, Clause No. 25 of the Conditions of Contract came into operation, with a penalty of $100 for every week after the expiration of the extended time allowed.

The progress during the month of October was very slow and actual building opera- tions were again suspended from 17th to 23rd inclusive.

On investigations of a protracted nature being made it was apparent that the Con- tractors had once again failed to fulfil their assurances in regard to financial matters.

The progress during the month of November was unsatisfactory, though a very slight improvement was shown towards the end of the month.

The Contractors and representatives of the Building Contractor's Association on behalf of the sub-contractor for the Mason Work, submitted suggestions and proposals for entering into an agreement whereby the latter would be guaranteed payment on the completion of the Contract.

After negotiations and conference had taken place the proposals were embodied in an Agreement which was signed by the Contractors on 3rd December. The Agreement was submitted and approved by Government.

A satisfactory improvement in the carrying out of the Contract was shown during the month of December and night work was undertaken to expedite the work, however there appears to be a tendency towards inferior workmanship.

The work at present is practically completed up to the level of the Main Cornice and the value of the work actually built is approximately equal to three quarters of the value of the total Contract.

HAROLD T. CREASY,

Director of Public Works.

9th January, 1925,