1891-05-06 — Page 8

OUR PUBLIC WORKS.

The following report on the operations of the public works for the year 1890 was presented to the Legislative Council on the 30th ulto. :-

SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Hongkong, 28th February, 1891.

PRAYA RECLAMATION,

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1891.

TRAINING ALBANY HULLAH AND BRANCHES AND

PREPARATION OF KINNEDY ROAD SITES. To. A contract for this work was entered into on 4th October last and the work has since been pushed rapidly forward. The masonry of the Channel for the Albany Nullah is neatly com. on the Kennedy Road is in regress, and the plated as far as the Tramway Station, the bridge small storm channel west of the Tramway is well advanced. I am urging the Contractor to wash on with this important work, with a view to its completion if possible before the rainy season

3. There are four separate Reclamations now In progress, viz., :=m

(a) Reclamation included in

Ordinance 16 of 1889 (8.) Reclamation in front of Wharf and Godown Co.'s Marine Lots Nos. 98 to 105, West Polat........................ (c) Reclamation in front of

Sailors' Home

9,191 Ilocal feet begins. ..

· Mr. Chater's Marine Lots NOL. 240 to 246, Kennedy Town

592

480

11

IMPROVEMENTS—RECREATION GROUND-HAPPY

VALLEY.

I. A contract for filling in the round pond or lake was entered into on rith July last, and although considerable dificulties have been encountered in obtaining the large quantity Making a continuons length of 10,263 lineal feet. (64,000 cubic yards) of material required to fill

(d) Reclamation in front of

In this pond, without interfering undaly with the old Chinese cemetery, and private property, rapid progress has been made and the work is approaching completion. About 15.130 square Yards of the area within the Race Course have been returfed, but it need hardly be said that the unusually protracted drought has severely tried both the old and new turf. It is proposed to push on as rapidly as possible with the diversion of the canal, and other work remaining to complete these Improvements, which when carried out will very nearly double the area avallable for purposes of recreation

Total..

11

........................11,673 lineal feet.

equal to a 1-5th miles 3. Contracts were ict in the spring for the formation of the rubble mound which forms the base of the Harbour wall for Section No. 2 and a portion of Section No. 7. and subsequently for Section No. 3. The work contracted for has an aggregate length of 1.001 feet. The work was actually begua in February last, a memorial Flone to commemorate the inauguration of the new Praya having been laid by his Royal High ness the Duke of Connaught on and April last. On 31st December the rubble mounds of Sections Nos. a and 7 were well advanced, about 206,000 cubic yards of stone having been deposited.

4. It having been decided to substitute blocks of Portland cement concrete for the granite foot. ing courses of the Praya wall, it became necessary to order the plant required for Hiting, transport ing and setting these blocks. Accordingly an. 8-ton travelling crane, with the necessary ralis and other appliances, and a supply of cement, were requisitioned from England through the Crown Agents, and a steam tug of twenty-seven horse power, two block barges, cach capable of carrying sixty-five tons, and a floating pontoon B-ton crane have been contracted for locally with the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company: The steam tug and black barges are nearly completed, and it is anticipated that both the floating and land crane will be complete and ready for work in May next. As the blocks will require about 3 months to set prior to being placed in the work, arrangements will shortly be made to commence the fabrication of the concrete blocks; and thus provide a sufficient stock to allow the work to be pushed on rapidly,

The progren made with the Reclamation In front of the Wharf and Godown Company's property has not been so great as might

10

reasonably have been expectante footings. the delay in putting in the granite Now, however, that these are laid, and the work Is above low-water level there is nothing to prevent this reclamation being carried on regularly and it should be completed to about nine months,

6. The same remark applies to the Reclama- tion in front of the Sailors Home, Much time was lost lo putting in the foundation courses but now that these are completed this reclamation which iles to the westward of that. belonging to the Wharf and Godown Company should be completed at about the sme time.

7. The reclamation in front af Mr. Chater's marine lots Nos. 240 to 146, Kennedy Town, has progressed satisfactorily, and but Hittle remains to be done to this extensive reclamation, wbich will be completed early in the spring. The total area of land reclaimed, including that occupied by public wharver and roads, is about 8.55 acres.

IF-PUBLIC WORKS EXTRAORDINARY. CENTRAL MARKIT.

1

8. A contract for the foundations and retaining walls was entered into with Mr. Trang Keng on 23rd May last, and the work was forthwith commenced. Fairly good progess has been made. It has been found necessary to pile the whole of the trenches on the north, or Fraya side. Up to 31st December 386 hardwood piles had been driven and there remained to drive about 200. A requisition for, the columns, floor girders and beami was forwarded to the Crawn Agents in lune last. The detalled drawings of the superstructure are nearly completed, and tenders will shortly be called for, so that the Contractor may be in a position to commence operations early in the spring immediately after the completion of the foundations.

CAP ROCK LIGHTHOUSE.

9. Although all preparations had been pre viously made, it was only found practicable to effect a permanent landing, and establish a detachment of workmen on the Rock, on 21st

March last. From that time to the present steady progress has been made. Two derricks were fixed-one on the eastern and another on the western side of the rock, which have greatly facilitated operallons, and allow landing to be effected when otherwise it would be altogether Impracticable. The fint operations undertaken were to form convenient approaches from the Le places to the summit of the rock, and to

suitable quarters for the workmen_em«. ployed, Substanital brick coolle quarters bave been erected capable of lodging 100 men, while on the upper floor there is a suitable apartment for one European foreman. A brick water tank capable of containing 5,600 gallons has been constructed closely adjoining the c coolia The preparation of the site for the lighthouse was then proceeded with, in which operation it was found necessa

blasting about to remove by 1.000 tons of hard metamorphic rock. The foundation stone of the Tower was laid by the Officer Administering the Government' on rat September last, and the erection of the Tower and Light-keepers' quarters bas since pro- greased steadily. The basement floor which contains a permanent water tank to hold 13,000 gallons bas been completed, and on 31st December the masonary had reached the lovel of 4 feet above the Tower platform. The number of workmen employed on the rock has varied from 50 to 95. Notwithstanding the heat and glere from the bare surface of the rock, the health

|

CATTLE, SHEIP AND PIG DEPOTS, AND SLAUGHTER-HOUSES.

17. The are a required for the extension of the Cattle Sheds is nearly prepared, but the work has been greatly delayed owing to the refractory nature of the trap rock which it has been necessary to blast."

Drainage Department have rendered it necessary to break up the surface. As almost every strect in the City will in the immediate future have to be opened up twice, once for water, and once for drains, it is evident that for some time to come, the maintenance of a fairly good surface most

carriage road from West Point to Aberdeen has prove a work of no small difficulty.

30. Of the district roads outside the City, the been metalled throughout. All the roads on Hongkong Island have been maintained in good condition, with the exception of the bridle road from Aberdeen vid Stanley to Shaukiwar, and the pathway from Shaukiwan to Cape D'Aguilar, I have recently gone over the road from Aberdeen to Stanley and thence to Shaukiwan with a view to its repair. This road, about miles in length, which, was ordinally well laid out, has been neglected for many years. The Palice Inspector at Stanley told me that the portion from thence to Aberdeen had not been repaired since 1874. The traffic on this road it is at present very small, but as it may be expected to increase in future, I hope to be able to arrange shortly to put it into an efficient state of repair. With regard to the track from Shaukiwan to Capo D'Aguilar, as the com- monication with the Lighthouse is carried on by water, and this part of the Island is almost uninhabited, any considerable outlay on this track would, I think, under present circumstances be hardly justifiable,

13

31. The roads and streets in the Kowloon now in good pair throughout. A new road Peninsular have been greatly improved and are called Chater Road is being formed by heavy cutting at the back of the Tsimshatsni Police Station. The road from Yaumati and Tsimshe taul to Hang Hom which was previously only a truck across the Bands, almost impracticable track heavy rain, has been formed slong, the shore of Hung Hom Bay for a distance of about a mile-tbos bringing the thriving industrial with the western part of the Peninsuls and the

sumclently advanced for the purpose than public Kowloon ferry, No sooner was the new road jinrickshes, which bad hitherto not existed in Kowloon, were introduced, and are now plying regularly for bite.

VIII-ELECTRIC LIGHT.

47, I may add that the Electric Light Com. any have during the year constructed their works at Wanchal and 50 Arc Lamps each of ceo candle power have been installed in the central portion of the City. They were first lighted on 1st December and will shortly be total of 75, which will suffice to light the main applemented by as additional laraps, making a streets in the central and eastern portion of Victoria

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

S. BROWN, Surveyor-General.

THE GOVERNOR AND THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS

OF COUNCIL.

น

MH. KESWICK WITHDRAWS.

The Hon. J. J. Keswick has requested us to publish the following letter, which speaks for itself:-

Hongkong, 3rd May, 1891.. Excellency my respectful request that you will SIR-I have the honour to convey to your be good enough to expunge my name from the letter addressed to you by the unofficial members admission and expression of my regret that it of Council on the 24th lime, with the frank contains certain passages which appear to imply disrespect, though they were certainly not so intended by me. It la conceivable that in the midst of personal affairs one may happen to commit oneself to the substance of a letter with- out sufficient consideration of the terms used i

I may be permitted to add that had the letter my knowledge of your Excellency, that it would have met with the respectful consideration due.

With regard to the payment of the increased salaries, I recognize that an initial error was made by myself in the amendment on the motion in Council, which, with more time for reflection, I would have omitted, proposing instead that the question should be postponed until the consideration of the next estimates; for I take for granted that the payment this year of the increased salaries that may be sanctioned by the Secretary of State will not preclude their reconsideration in future,

*

of cargo boats are dis Cargo boat certificates .....................nd Shipping seamen

provede Examination

of Survey of steamers

maxters

magan

་་་ ་་

Registry fees.................................... Medient fees for emigrants Licenses for steam launches........... Survey certificates for launches Licenses for Chinese passenger ships Billa of health

875.234.37.

From this it appears to my Committee that, the expenditure mentioned by his Excellency not "principally maintained out of the ordinary taxation of the Colony."

perhaps arises from the "harbour launches 'old' or 'now' to the name of some cities, but expenditure, if it is not included in the harbour not infrequently, there is no waining of the Some of these changes maré establishment, not being specifically stated in alteration. the Gariffs, and the harbour police, which no doubt due to a laudable impulse to exchange doubtless la merged in the general police an inconvenient situation for a better one. expenditure of the Colony. If you will kindly Some are to be credited to geomancy, in Oriental refer to the revenues derived by the Harbour countries always a powerful factor in politics! Gereffe, the following will be found --- Master's department, taken from the same affairs and still others are due to superstition, pruch mà lenda to the demolition of a city wall and Emigration brokers.

1.400.00 have occurred within it, and ma

its transplantation when several cases of parricide funk licenses....

27.197.75' Registry of boats

Of some of the preceding? remarks, Kan-tang 4.631.50, 6.372.50 Chow, in this province, I andinteresting.example. This fa'a'very ancient place, which is marked on 1,192.50 10,810 00 Mr. Oxenham's Historical Atlas as in existence 1.ro | during the time of the Spring and. Autumn 2.135.00)

Annals, représenting Chinn from 731 to 510 BC. 9.060.87

178.00 A city, which was perhaps built before Rome. 13,096.75 was founded, ought to have some claims on the Occidental traveller, although he is not a pro-

·422′′50′′ 995.00 fesalarial antiquartan. But he is met at the 335.00 quiset by the same difficulty which every- 2,177.00 where confronts bim in China, that there is | no one can tell him what he wants to know, and no books" from which to gain Informa tion."" It' in. true, that every walled city in theoretically the subject of a volume of Historical Records (called a Chih) but these are generally difficult to procure, and often wholly out of print, The political disturbances of the past half In instituting these comparative figures, some centery have been so many and so serious, that further items of expenditure, such as the salary in many instances city records have not only not of the Government Health Officer, say. $2,000been revised, but the originals have been lost per annum, are applicable to these receipts, and, in the Taiping rebellion. This seems to be the Case in Kao-tang, for although such a volume mny, be added to his Excellency's total, of $80,000.

is accessible by pulling the proper wires, the blocks from which It was printed are said overtook the city at its capture a little more to have perished in the terrible ruin which than thirty years ago. The rebels had just devastated Linching, and there was ample warning of their impending arrival, so that all the population deserted the city, at the advice felt himself to be "between the devil and the deep sea. If he abandoned the city which he was set to govern, he was undope; if he remaised, be was a dead man. Realising the hopelessness of the dilemma, he behaved with the dignity of a Confucianist, bred in the teaching of the Classics, which teach that "The scholar, trained for public duty," seeing threatening danger, is prepared to sacrifice his life.” Alons of all the inhabitants of the city, the magistrate remained in the city, the gates of which were left wide open! He seated himself in the public ball dressed in his robes of office, until the rebels | actually entered the courts of the yamên, when he threw himself into a well in the back part of the premises, and was drowned.

of the Slaughter-house and Sheep and Piglage of Hung Hom into direct communication been in respectful terms, I am quite sure, from added to the totals on their respective sides of for cotamiare)of the district' magistrate, who

13. A contract for the preparation of the site Depo's, inciading, extensive excavations and retaining walls, was entered into on 4th October last and the work is being pushed forward, Plas Are prepared for the superstructure, and tenders wil be called for so that the work may be put In hand as soon as the preparation of the site is aufficiently advanced.

14. Plans have also been prepared of a small Slaughter-house for the Kowloon Peninsula, and a site has been selected in Hung Hot Bay, cast of the Ride Range. It is proposed to commence the work forthwith, immediately a contract has

been entered into,

· PUBLIC LAUNDRIES.

15. On the recommendation of a Committee of the Sanitary Beard a site for the first expert- mental block of public. laundries has been approved near the junction of the Kennedy and Wanchal Gap Roads. The working drawings have been prepared, and the buildings will be commenced as soon as the site is cleared.

PUBLIC LATRINES,

tion in Victoria, two have been fixed at Yaumati 16. Two public latrines are in course of erec

and two are now being erected at Hung Hom.

CIVIL HOSPITAL STAFF QUARTERS.

17. A contract for this extensive block of buildings was entered into in November, 1889, and the masonry is now approaching cam pletion. The progress made has not been altogether satisfactory, some delay having arisen In "obtaining the fine dressed granite ashiar facings, I have not failed to urge the Contractor to complete there buildings as early as possible.

CIVIL HOSPITAL-COOLIE QUARTERS,

18. The house for the accommodation of the numerous Chinese servants attached to the Hospital was contracted for in January, 1809. This buliding is well advanced and should be completed early in the spring.

LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR, CHINESE, 19. A contract was made for these buildings on 25th April last. Good progress has been made, they are now roofed in and they should be completed ready for occupation early in the summer.

POLICE STATION—ABERDEEN, 70. A contract was entered into and there buildings were commenced on 28th October last, Fair progress has since been made.

POLICE STATION-QUARRY BAY,

21. A ulite having been selected in consultation with the Captain Superintendent. of Police on the rising ground forming the western boundary of Quarry Bay, the working drawings were pre- pared, the contract let and the work was com menced on 19th November last.

DISTRICT SHOOL-SAIYINGPUR, 22. A convenient site for this school house which is to serve for the western district of

of Schools, a contract was entered into and the Victoria, having been selected by the Inspector work was commenced on 17th September last. The foundations have been completed and the walling is progressing satisfactorily.

:

NIW WING TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE. 23. The new wing, which includes a ball room 60 feet by 40 feet, supper, card and billiard rooms and other accessories, is situsted, at the eastern, end

Government House. The

contract is dated 15th April last. The work has been pushed on with much energy, and but little remains to be done to complete the work.

.

QUARTERS FOR SUPERINTENDENT, BOTANICAL DEFARTMENT,

24 Working drawings have been prepared and tenders obtained, and it la proposed to commerice these buildings forthwith,

NEW PIER--KOWLOON POINT.

15. During the early past of the year the old pler was removed and a new and improved pier of hardwood was constructed to take its place. NEW PIER FOR POWDER MAGAZINE-STONE

; CUTTERS' ISLAND,

26. The old pier which was in the last stage of decay has been removed and the construction of a new timber pler of hardwood 176 feet long and 10-feet wide was commenced on 95th November last.

1

THE GREAT ST'EM OF MAY, 1889.

37. The repairs to damage done by that storm were finally completed la August fast at a cost of $106,899; my estimate sent in shortly after the storm occurred beving amounted to $112,783.

IV-LAND SÜRVEY BRANCH,

12. Mr. Malach having returned from leave on 14h December, 1889, was placed in charge of this branch of the Department with Mr. Prosser, as Assistant Land Surveyor.

33. There has been very little demand for land during the year owing doubtless to the reaction from the over-speculation of 1888-89.

34. During the year lease plans have been prepared for one Marine Lot and 2a Inland Lots Victoria, 4 Rural Building Lots, 32 Inland Lots Kowloon, t Marine and 2 Inland Lots Quarry Bay 3 Inland Lots Aberdeen, making a total of 64 lease plans prepared. Besides this special surveys have been made of the village of Wang-Bel- chong for the purposes of the Land Commission and much has been done to fill in the blanks on the Robinson and Bonham Road levels, the map of Victoria by a survey of the lots above

35. The want of a complete survey of the Colony is one of our greatest needs, and it is greatly to be desired that the new survey which has been sanctioned by Government may be commenced forthwith and pushed on as rapidly, as practicable.

V-SQUATTERS,

to

The increased salaries this year have, however, been voted, and on maturer consideration I think it fair, right, and expedient that they should be paid, although I still maintain as 'strongly as ever that were the Secretary of State to sanction

to any large extent, the proposed increase it would be inexpedient to continue to do so pentanealy.

Having thus expressed my views on the salaries question I do not feel that, it is necessary for me to enstitute any letter for the one from which I have withdrawn.

The immediate prospect of the cessation of your Excellency's official relations with the colony, which I, in common, I believe, with the whole community most sincerely regret, will, I feel sure convince your Excellency that I have no other motive in the course I now take than that of repairing to the best of my ability an unintentional wrong.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

J. J. KESWICK.

K.C.M.G.

་

THE UNOFFICIAL MEMDERS EXPLAIN.

As compared with the foregoing the appended letter, signed by the rest of the Unofficial Members, is especially interesting:-

36. The issue of squatters' licences devolver on the Surveyor General, During the year 2,966 licences have been issued the fees on which amount to $tor. I have on various occasions cailed attention to the unsatisfactory state of the To his Excellency Sir G. William Des Voeux, so-called "Squatters" question and a “Squattere Commission" has been appointed Investigate titles to land and grant lesses where a good claim can be established. The term "Squatter" is somewhat loosely applied and is frequently used as including all the Chinese Inhabitants of the villages who do not hold land under Crown lease. Now a con-

Hongkong, May 4th, 1891. SIR-With reference to our letter dated the siderable proponton of the inhabitants in the older villages are entered on the "Rent Roll" thus 24th April, and to your Excellency's comments showing that the holdings of which they are in thereon, we beg to express our most sincere possession were held by them or their pre-regret that anything which it contains should decessors at the time of the British occupation,

have caused you any pain or annoyance. We regret further that you" should have interpreted These people cannot therefore be called "Squatters" in any true sense of the word. Certain passages as disrespectful and as calcu After those entered on the Rent Roll come lated to cast any imputations. persons holding land'under squatters' licences. The squatters licence is nothing more or less than an annual tenancy with power of removal on a month's notice. It is in my opinion desirable that an inquiry should be made as to what extent It is desirable to continue thé avstem of squatters' licences and whether in certain cases a more certain tenure with security, for improvement might not be granted with advantage."

‚VE-INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS.

37. The following is a list of the number of buildings for which plans have been deposited and which have been completed during the year 1890

Plan Buildings depceitad, completed.

14 42 204

European Houtes.................................... Chinese Houses Factories, Godowns, and Miscel-

laneous Structures

Total ..........

188

4%.

29

269 275

During the year, 1,165 notices and permita have been issued through the Inspector of Bulid- ings.

VIL-STATE.

38. At the commencement of the year the water and drainage works were detached from the Surveyor. General and converted Into a separate department. Mr. Cooper, however, continued to assist in the work of the Surveyor General's Office until the arrival of Mr. H. F. Toober, Executive Engineer, in April last. Mr. W. Chatham, Executive Engineer, arrived on 22nd May, and Mr. L. Gibbs, Assistant Engineer, and Mr. C. H. Gate, Chlef Draughtsman, on roth November, These reinforcements have enabled me to commence several of the new works referred to in the earlier portion of this ment of others, I beg to record my satisfaction report, and to prepare for the early, commence. with the panner in which both the old and new Members of the Staff generally have performed their duties,

39. The general health of the Officials of the Department has been good matill the latter part of the year when an unusual anomat of sickness occurred which has somewhat, retarded the

operations of the Department.

Permit us to earnestly assure you that our letter was not so intended, and with every respect due to your Excellency were all of the opinion that the lnferences drawn by you are scarcely deducible from our language, and we submit that our letter should not bear the interpretation pat upon it by your Excellency.

There was nothing further from our thoughts than to be in any way disrespectful or in the Toast degree discourteous, and we now Individually and collectively, emphatically disclaim and absolutely disavow any such Intention. Our solo object was to prolect the interests of the ratepayers of Hongkong, Your Excellency having taken exception to several of our expressions we beg to ask you to consider them in the sense you have read them, as being withdrawn from our letter. -

We have the honor to be, Sir,

Your Excellency's most obedient

humble servants,

(Signed) P. RYRIK.

Ho Kai.

H

T. H. WHITEHEAD. His Excellency the Governor, Sir G. W. Des

Voeux, K.C.M.G.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

AND THE GOVERNOR.

The following letter has been forwarded by the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce for publication

Hongkong, May 1st, 1891. S12-With reference to his Excellency the Governor's written speech, published in the local reported as follows- papers of yesterday, in which his Excellency is

from lights, it seems to be forgotten that besides #But as regards the alleged surplus revenue lighthouses there are other costly services, such as the Harbour Master's establishment," harbour. launches, barbour police and the Observatory

60,000 per annum, which are maintained for lovolving an aggregate expenditure of some the benefit of shipping, and which are princi pally maintained out of the ordinary taxation

of the colony"...

I am directed by my Committee to call attention to the following figures, which are taken from the Government Gariffs of the 11th April last, · The disbursements specified by his Excellency appear there to be as follows t

*** Harbour Mäster ..............................$50,766.67 Observatory......................................... 15,000.94 $65,767.61

judging from these selected items, is self- Still, sufficient remains to show that shipping supporting. For the Harbour Master's depar), ment is used is other ways for the general purposes of the Colony, outside of shipping: while if the Light Dues and their upkeep be the account, say expenditure $5.172.38.. receipts $31,878 40, taking for the latter item be twelve months of 1889 which embrace the normal collection before the increase sanctioned lait Year, shipping not only fully disburses the cost of all special services incurred for its purpose but contributes a very handsome ford to the general revenue of the Colony,

I am to add that my Committee think no time should be lost in, correcting what appears. to them to be misleading statements, if the figures here quoted represent all items of public receipts and expenditure connected with the shipping of the Colony, otherwian a very falte Impression may be generally formed of the matter if allowed to go forth as it is, uncontradicted.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

(Sd) F. HENDERSON,

Secretary.

· MR. DEANE ON THE OFFICIAL. SALARIES,

Mr. W. M. Deane, Captain Superlatendent of Police, at present acting as Colonial Secretary writes on the above subject to bis Excellency the Governor as follows:

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hongkong, and May, 1891 Sir,-As there appents to exist a considerable aimount of misapprehension as to the increases proposed to be made to the salaries of civil ser, wants, I append a'table which was drawn up on the completion of the Estimates for this year.

The so-called Increase of 35 per cent, is arrived

at in this manner,

The salaries of the pilncipal officer and senior clerks were fixed in sterling by Ordinance Nol 13 of 1860,

By a proclamation dating as far back as 1845 the rate at which sterling was, to be paid was fixed at an ad. (Incidentally. I may mention that during all this period the market value of the dollar was generally 48, 66, and over)

** The Talpings occupled the city thus easily gained; for many months, and destroyed almost every ancient landmark in and about the walls. One of these was a hill called Chi Ming Shan, or the Mountain, of the Crowing. Cock. "Each morning before any of the gallinaceous fowis had given waiping of the coming of the day, a golden cock within this mound witered the fist sound of this nature 'and 'as soon as this signal was given every other cock, hastened to follow. Of this famous place, nothing remains but a heap of rubbish.

Another landmark was an ancient pagoda, which had legendary connection with the Tate of the city, but of which nothing remains but the base. One of the most singular tales told in connection with this city is of the former existence of a large fountain, which burst from an underground spring, and which is said to have resembled the one in the south-west suburb of the capital of the will not it, this spring was absolutely snuffed province.Bat at some time which tradition out, in exactly the same manner as a candle is put out by an extinguisher. According to uniform tradition; a huge kettle was placed over the bubbling fountais, and the water, unable to maki ts escape, retreated into the earth, and was never more seen In testimony of the existence of such a stream, large chindels which it once occupied are still to be seen, bridges (all in ruine) by which it was crossed, and the posts between which the flood made its way into the city and out again; the wall; as is canal in such cases, baving no sont gate.

spent several hundred

Now taking as an example a salary in the above list fixed at £800, this at 48. ad. is equal to $3 840. At the time that the recommends. What motive could have led to this supposed tion for the general increase of salaries was 'cfficement of a beautiful flowing stream of pore made the value of the dollar was about 38. rd,|| Water, no one is at the trouble to suggest. Tut 800 at 35. d. is equal to $4,189 Thirty-fire all are agreed in the statement that within the per cent, on $3.841.18 $1,34450 The two added past three or four years, a district magistrate together amount to 850 year, lexer than the hoochee is to discover are alte of the stealing pay at the rate of exchange of the day, tápls

sip effort It is also to be observed that several modis former spring, which he wished to bring back. Ecations and restrictions have been made, the Rain. Every one'says that the motives of this result of which is that few officers obtain the fall official were of the beat. He had on possible value of the proposed Increment." A difference chlect but the good of the city. He employed a based probably on the expense of passages to large any of men digging for a long time but and from England is made between officers who be totally falled And why? Because the come from there, and officers in the service who people, who could have told him where to dig, are of local habitation-ike latter only receive would cot, but on the contrary purpeely misled cent, to a Widows and Orphans Fund, ev 20 per cent; increase, and have to pay 4 per him and why did they do that? Because.

they Another important element is that the increase is based on salaries as they existed in 1875ml and any increases since then have to be taken Into account to reduce the final balance, asseg

In conclusion, what the Civil Service practi-enacted by the Kho-l'ang, people," without their cally obtains is what has been granted, to the sister services, Navy, Army and Consular, viz, that their salaries shall be paid, at approximate rate of exchange for the day, instead of at the arbitrary rate of aja,

were afraid that if they should dig in the right place, and bring the water back, the result would be to flood some of their land, and poll the wheat crop for the next year. So the effort failed, and the money was wasted, and an excellent rehearsal "of the future filstory of "Refern" in China was

being aware of

The streets of this ancient city are sunk far below the level of the surrounding country, liko those in the vicinity of Peking and other Chinese places of former, colebrity. The traveller can

I have the honour to be, Sir, ju dozlats! || "bard'y fall, to be impressed with the thought of

Your most obedient servant, ponizyta

the mighty past, of which such a place has been

M. DEANE Chek fizess. When his historical reverence has most extreme pointy, he is more or Acting, Colonial Secretary.

The Governor disposes of the shore by the following minute (— „Rigidan viagra

„told by a venerable man in (who evidently knows, what be is this is pot after all the true ancient For that lies atxty if to tha¦ sõid Colonial Secretary,--I have no tiërs to verify | KaD-VAŋ all the facts adduced; but at the same time it ward, and has nothing whatever to mark it but is clear to me that this letter contains matter slight ridge of earth | ald deserving of the consideration of the community, The grain tax in our region has been collected and I therefore authorise its publication:"" (at; lau),mkorṛthey magistrate has spent three G. WILLIAM DES VEUXmas long at the market-town on the river AUSSURE HAn reason for the long-delay:WAS His Excellency localte right; Mr. Deane's the high price of millet, and the unwillingness letter and detailed statistics contain matter

tion will throw a great deal of light on what we collect (nine or ten thousand picule in grain, community, and on close and careful investiga mast de asepresent rates. It is customary to deserving the very serioas consideration of the of the people whose crops have failed, to pay (out-in buying@grain, so much money as they

cannot but regard we are now alluding to the which testo be delivered at the granary on recent ridiculous and unwarranted

11heigrivoravili hon the requisition has been official salaries as one of the most, monstrous ever known. After carefully going through Mr the district city Many local constables were and bare-faced Jobs that even this Colony, bumet, soother notification: Is lassed requiring haremainder to be paid for in rooney, at Deano's figures, wo hall hero spisething si verely beated, because the people were pertinent to say not only on the afect of official All holding of alding for others to pay salaries, but also regarding: certain highly paid grain, that they themselves might take advantage offices which are either acre, inccures or of the option of aylaggio Honey The reaso incumbrances to effective government, Made for the diffrence in cont the fact that

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to false measurements, each bushel is delivered really amounts to a boshel and a 'third, This WESTERN SHANTUNG accomplished by heaping up the gala, hill no Tore can be piled on the measure to the cas t'the yamén, the rate, 'strange to say, one from which there is said to be no

by all employed has been exceptionally good, which may be in part attributed to the care taken to provide proper lodging, and to maintain

III-PUBLIC WORKS RECURRENT, AU

46. I have deemed it desirable to have TELUIDE them in good sanitary condition, as also to ensure a regular supply of food and fresh water.

REPAIRS TO GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. prepared showing the number of men employed No serious interruption has occurred to the pro- 18. Besides ordinary repairs to the Govern. weekly on Government works. Much difficulty gress of the work except during the gale of 16th October Isat, when an exceptionally heavy san

ment buildings, generally, Government House was at first experienced in obtaining these

› as has been thoroughly overhauled and repainted returns with struck the rock and recoiled on the water tank externally. The Government Offcepite the practice of the Department to keep them in the situated 68 feet above sea-level. The weight Supreme Court, the Central Police Station, and past, The grabers had grad the more ed of the wave broke the cover of the tank, and the Civil Hospital have also been painted during the year until daring the months of

It is a matter of frequent observation with y admitted a certain quantity of salt water. On this

travelle's in China, that its ancient cities are news reaching me, immediate steps were taken to externally. As the flat roof of the great central November and December, they varied from senddown a supply

hall of the Victoria College leaked badly, it was 3,000 to 3,300. It would appear that latterly

been em

disappointing. there greatest the same gale a pen siderable quantity of dressed found necessary to regrove the lead covering and player of Labour to the Colony,There seems The Observatory expenditure shows an Lucrease dificulty in identifying sites, and when dise granite, bricks, and sand was washed off the results. The Light-houses have been thoroughly do not include the men employed pre. of $7,216.05 on the previous year, over 50 per situation of some place of historical interest. Is rock, and the derrick on its eastern face was repaired and the landings, and approaches at paring stone in the quarries nor those on pent, and though classed by his Excellency as ascertained, all that presents itself to the cudona carried With this exception the work has Green Island and Cape D'Agullar have been water and drainageworks. If to these were maintained for the benefit of shipping, may gaze of the investigator is a moond of earth, and *ing the fortifications: fairly be charged to the inhabitants of the colony mosaic of broken tiles and bits of brickardt worlding" proceeded regularly and west-sodeat,.or greatly improved. 1. other unusual incident. The progress made

under the Royal Engineers, in the Naval Yard, as regards some portlong while so far, the bene, a There is a strange propensity on the part of the refecte much credit or Mr. J, R. Mudle, the

and for other Government departments, it would 6is derived by shipping from this establishment | Chinese to move their clilas koput, sometimes të Executive Engineer in charge, and Mr. Donald

be seen that a very considerable proportion of may be very humbly estimated, respekty great distances, so that it is cêten only the name. Feasar, Foreman, who has resided continuously

the native labour of the Colony, is dependent on The difference; botwaan; his : Hacullency's which is continuous. ✅ Occasionally the record o od the rock since April last, bet befann okk),

Government work,

-pstimats of some $80,000 and the aboru silount .. tale fact is preserved in tise sddition of the word:

Katka

· REPAIRS TO ROADS, DA SMO 29. The roads within the City have been maintained in good condition except in places where the extensive operations of the Water and

Howing

the regions most severely flooded ether, remitted for a year, in otónin, LAK', wasʻzemitted," bat thich is always paid in money,

in thei

H