June 4, 1898.]
reach the boundary; while the cross road from Yaumati by the wells is carried on to the road on the East.
WATER WORKS.
Mr. Cooper's able and exhaustive report of 1896 on the water supply goes very fully into the works that may be necessary to meet future requirements. On the completion of Wonguei- chong reservoir, the additional reservoirs des- cribed in paragraphs 155 to 159 of Mr. Cooper's report should be undertaken, in view of the rapidly increasing population of the city.
RECLAMATION WORKS,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE. REPORT.
expenditure of $4,000 to $5,000 will provide means for 25 washermen at a time to wash clothes in clean water.
MR. CHATHAM,
Under the heading of departmental and personal "the following reference is made to Mr. Chatham-
During the period that elapsed between the departure of Mr. Cooper and Mr. Ormsby's arrival, Mr. W. Chatham, Senior Executive Engineer, acted as Director of Public Works, and on him fell the arduous duties connected with the Jubilee Celebration. His service during the six months he held the appointment met with the high approval of His Excellency Sir William Robinson, and his connection with the Jubileo Celebrations was deservedly re- cognised by the presentation of a gold medal”
THE POST OFFICE IN 1897.
The report by the Hon. A. M. Thomson'. Postmaster General, on the British postal ser- vice in Hongkong and China during the year 1897 is published in the Gazette, from which we make the following extracts :-
The first work of this description to be pro- vided for in the early future is at Taikoktsui. Surveys have not yet been made, but a mere inspection of the locality makes it plain that such a work would not only be easy of execution but very beneficial, and probably extremely re- munerative owing to the large extent of land to be reclaimed for a comparatively small ex- penditure. Stoue and earth for the work are close at hand, while the levelling of the bills immediately above the Taikoktsui village would make it possible to lay out that locality in the way that Yaumati and Mongkoktsui have been treated, and satisfactorily provide for the boat-
Compared with 1896 the amount of inter. building population of the colony, hitherto fre-
national correspondence shows an increase of quently shifted from place to place, and occupy-ched and 103,310 received; 15,360 newspapers 100,740 ordinary letters, and post cards despat ing foreshore as squatters wherever it has been permitted. If a large proportion of the work- ing coolie population of Hongkong can find quarters and inducements to live at the Kowloon side, in well drained, airy streets, built as they are being built with modern ideas of sanitation, and with the experience of the errors of the past before our eyes, instead of in the dangerously over- crowded rookeries of China-tow in Victoria, the benefit to the majority of the population of the colony will be great. The reclamation of the foreshore beyond Arsenal Street to East
Point is a work bound to follow on the com- pletion of the present works to the west, say. in three years' time. Owing to the shallowness of the water, the cost would be much less than the cost of the reclamation to the west, and the work is certain to prove remunerative, but it is a large question and how it should be under- taken and financed requires much considera- tion. In connection with the construction of the Victoria Jubilee Road, a very useful and profitable work can be done near Aberdeen, namely, the reclamation of the tidal flat adjoin. ing the existing road to Little Hongkong. This salt water marsh or tidal flat is credited, without much reason, with causing fever in the locality, and even in somewhat distant parts of the Peak District. However this may be, it will certainly be an advantage to reclaim it, to keep out the tides, and after it has been sweetened by being kept for a time as a fresh water lake, turning it into rice fields. work can be done as part of the new road at little or no additional expense. The area that can be reclaimed is from 30 to 40 acres.
MISCELLANEOUS.
This
Among miscellaneous works to be done, when funds are available, may be mentioned the erection of a clock tower at the base of the New Pedder's Wharf, and the removal of the existing structure in Queen's Road, where it is of little or no use and a serious impediment
to traffic. In the position proposed and ap- proved for the new tower, it would be useful to the whole population and to the shipping in the harbour, especially if well lit up at night. It is therefore to be hoped the necessary funds will soon be forthcoming. The cost is estimated approximately at $30,000. For such an object possibly some of the wealthy citizens of the colony may come forward and provide the means, and while perpetuating their names earn the gratitude of not only this but of coming generations.
Something should be done towards providing a pure water supply for villages outside the system in Hongkong and Kowloon. This can be done by sinking new wells at some distance from the dwellings, and lining them with con. crete or masonry in cement for a certain depth, and then closing the existing wells which are usually close to the houses or pig-sties, unlined and receiving all the surface washings and
sewage.
An estimate and plan for washing tanks in the Nullab at Tai Hang will be submitted for consideration. It is roughly estimated that an
and other articles despatched and 278,720 re- ceived; 38,910 registered articles despatched and 650 received. Local correspondence despatched post cards, and 9,930 registered articles; but a shows an increase of 1,39€ ordinary letters and decrease of 1,740 newspapers and other articles. While that received shows a decrease of 45,060 &c., but an increase of 1,980 registered articles. letters and post cards and 17,070 newspapers,
The monthly sale of stamps at Hongkong, as compared with 1896, shows an increased sale of $19,476.04, the average monthly sale being a $13,500 in 1896. little over $15,000 as against a little under
The revenue and expenditure for the year, compared with 1896, shows a net increase in the revenue of $23,336.16 and in the expenditure of $18,799.12 the balance of revenue over ex- $4.537.04 above that shown in 1896. penditure being $61,536.20-ap increase of
Office was established, and a conference was In February last the Imperial Chinese Post held in May between representatives of that administration and of the Straits Settlements and myself.
of correspondence, &c., were discussed and Agreements for facilitating the transmission subsequently given effect to.
I inspected the British Postal Agencies in China finishing with Hoihow in January last later last year an inspection by an officer in the and found everything satisfactory, although
carefully administered as it might have been. Local Audit found that one branch was not s0
A contract was made with the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company in May for the carriage of mails between the three ports, and as a result I was enabled to deal with the question of Chinese correspondence which had formerly been smuggled out of and into the colony. I estimate the increase of revenue on that account at about $5,000.
The question of accommodation is more press. ing than ever, since there has been a very large increase of postal business in the last two or three years. The following comparative table of revenue during five years will show this in- crease almost exactly: 1893,...
1894,.
1895,.
1896,. 1897,
...$167,600 192,170
244,450
245,280 268,600
The experience of the first four months of exceed $320,000. the current year shows that the revenue will
440
represent anything to Government specially on the subject. As an instance, the compradore is paid only $480 while he has to find security for $1,000, handles over $200,000 of Govern- ment money per annum, and is responsible for the conduct of the Chinese staff of over 36 ser-
vants.
The postmen too, who are supposed to be able to read and write Chinese to a certain extent, get very meagre pay-not more in a great many cases than a house coolie, and it is there- fore not a matter of surprise that the local delivery service is not so perfect as it might be, were better educated men engaged.
As an instance of improvement arising_from state that the Registration Branch is now per- proper provision in the above rospect I may
forming its work with as perfect accuracy as can be attained, no trouble as in the past having arisen for a good few months on account of loss of letters or other articles. I therefore hope that Government will press on the construction of a new office without delay.
the subordinate officers though as
I may also call attention to the salaries of have had no complaint I did not consider it necessary to
VICTORIA RECREATION CLUB.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
THE NEW SITE.
The annual general meeting in connection with the Victoria Recreation Club was held on the 31st May in the club gymnasium. Commander W. C. H. Hastings presided, and he was supported by Messrs. R. K. Leigh, G. L. Duncan, T. H. Reid, E. Bischoff, W. H. Potts (bou. treasurer), and W. Machell (acting
in their hands for some time, and he proposed hon. secretary). There was a fair attendance.
The CHAIRMAN said they had had the report
to take the usual course and take it as read. Before moving the passing of the accounts there were just a few words he had to say with re- ference to the new site. The existence of the For some time they had been negotiating club depended upon the new site being obtained.
with the naval authorities, who had been most kind. The warmest thanks of the club were due
to Commodore Holland for his
kindness and activity on their behalf. (Hear, bear). The committee had finally decided to hand over all the negotiations to Mr. Leigh, who was in possession of all the details. It had been mentioned from time to time that
com.
the bar profits were very considerable there. As a matter of fact they were their principal stand by, and as a matter of fact also there was no place in the colony where they could get a cheaper drink.
Of course they could reduce the price of the drinks. If members were prepared to come down with an annual subscription of $25 it could be done, but not otherwise. He thought they had much better go on as they were doing, and he thought the members would be of the same opinion. (Hear, hear.) With reference to rule 15, it was not altered last year by an oversight, With reference to rule 29, the proposed alteration was merely to put the committee on the same footing as every other
The club committee in the colony. mittee were elected by the members, and they could trust them to see that no mem- bers remained in the club who were not a credit to it. In reference to the new President, it was proposed to allow that to stand over until the arrival of Sir Henry Blake in the colony. Dur ing the year the secretaryship had been in the hands of Messrs. Fritz Lammert, Armstrong, Reid, and Machell, to all of whom they owed their warmest thanks. They especially owed their thanks to Mr. Machell. (Applause.) He took up the post in October last, and worked them through a very successful regatta and athletic sports. It was proposed to hold the usual launch excursion when the state of the tide did not permit of bathing. He should be glad to answer any question before moving the adoption of the report. He would ask Mr. Leigh to say a few words.
Mr. LEIGH said that in order to ex pedite matters it was decided to leave the negotiations as to the new site in his hands, They would see the following in the report sigued by himself and Mr. de Souza and Mr. Armstrong as Bath-House Sub-Committee –
TA
Negotiations have been carried on during the year with reference to a grant of land out of the Naval Reclamation to the V. R. C. on which new club premises can be built." Since this was written he had had a further letter which only confirmed his opinion that they would be able to bring the negotiations to a successful termination. If what was now proposed was granted, and he thought it would be," he could only say that the club would have a very fine property on which to build bath-house, club, and gymnasium, and the site would be handed
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