Buildings have been kept la repair.
Lighting.—The lighting of the con-session streets still leaves much to be desired; the oil lamps being wasteful, giving insufficient light needing repairs. The opinion that electric lighting should receive the consideration of the electors. With thi W, estimates for " complete electric plant are being invited, and it is hoped to lay them before the general meeting.
Fire Engine.—The fire engine is in fair order, as well as the hose. Some new appliances for use at fires are needed.
Fires.—No fires occurred in the Concession, and only two, comparatively small, in the vicinity: namely one in the 8.N.R. Yard, and another on the West Gate street.
Drainage. Il the drains have been periodically flushed and disinfected as far as possible. The main drain extension work, had been postponed in view of the foreshore Reclamation Scheme Being still under consideration; but recognizing the urgency of this sanitary measure the Qouncil have bought a supply of concrete pipes which will be laid down over the foreshore from the mouth: of the drain to the river; thus it is hoped that the nuisance and danger to health arising from the exposed drainage matter will be materially abated, As the entire sewage of the extensive Chinese suburb lying south and east of the British Concession flows through this tone narrow conduit, the question of diverting a portion into other channels deserves the earnest attention of future Councils, Roads.—The Bund, with the footpath, are being picked up, graded, and led; the larger part of the cost! to|being carried forward to next year's account, Bund Frontage and Jetties—The Bund stone facing requires small repairs; and the permanent cargo jetty 6 has suffered somewhat from gales and the cargo boat traffic. They now being repaired, and a new to replace the eastern one, is te bei run out to tow water mark; also a piece of the foreshore between this and the old jetty is being filled in for the convenience of handling cargo. order to avoid the annual expense for temporary extension of the Municipal jetty, it is advisable to carry it out in solid form to the water's edge, in the same manner as the cargo jetties; its appearance as s summer resort for residents might be further improved by planting shade trees along the The Canton Guild have promised contribution of $500 towards the upkeep of the public jetties, stipulating, however. that this shall not form a precedent.
Gates.—Repairs to the south-east, and south-west gates have been mad the other barrier gates will need attention during the coming year.
Water Supply.—Early in the year a Water Power Station was constructed at a cost of Tls. 1,460, on the urgent recommendation of the Municipal Health Officer, giving s constant supply of the cleanest water procurable from the river with the means at hand. Although far from being an ideal. measure, it is admitted to be an improvement upon the former method of a water-boat.
Under the circumstances to be regretted that' this new system is not receiving more support.
Sanitation. Obitnuary.—The Council have to deplore the death of their Health Officer, the Into Dr. J. A. Lynch, who fell a victim to " fa 3 fever," contracted in gratuitously attending the destitute refugees who swarmed in the—neighbourhood. He had been for some twenty years attached to the Municipal staff, during which time he rendered valuable services in his department. His successor, Dr. Urbanék, was appointed last' autumn, and is now inaugurating many useful reforms in Municipal sanitation. Among others, he urges the immediate necessity of founding a hospital for both foreigners and Chinese. It is sincerely hoped this Institation will meet with ungrudging support. A sunny of Dr. Urbanck Report is appended.
Trees.—The Works Committee are in correspondence with the Shanghai Municipal Council for a small supply of shade trees to fill up gens in the streets. Native Benevolent plain—
Society, which undertook the impound—ing and disposal of Chinese ownerlesss dogs infesting the. Concession, dis—continued their useful work, and so far no other humane method has been devised to rid our streets of these pests. The matter is now being taken up sain, and should not be lost sight of. Berd during the year. The—There have been four
ground has been kept in repair, the paths metalled and drained, flowers planted, and the trees pruned, etc. The caretaker's house has been re-roofed and generally repaired.
Extra-Concession Roads.—The care and upkeep of these roads was taken over from the Recreation Fund for convenience sake, a certain portion of the voluntary subscriptions being paid into the Council against the expense. The Chairman had for a time immediate charge of the work, and later the Municipal Secretary, as above mentioned. A Municipal constable continues to patrol the Maloo, and another policeman had been engaged for duty on the Camp Road. A special grant from the Manicipal funds enabled the Committee to build a hut for the roadman and the policemen and a piece of ground has been leased on the above road for eight years at a small monthly rental. Through the kindness of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway Administration plentiful supply of ballast has been obtained from the tunnel shaft; this has been found sufficient to metal the whole roadway from the South exit of the Maloo to the Victoria Park, providing an excellent road, dry in all weathers. The Council are further under great obligation to Mr. Paxton and the Committee of the Central China Famine Relief Fund, who placed at their disposal a large' number of refugee men, by which means the unsightly slopes of the Camp and Ladies' Mile Roads were covered with grass turf, and they were also employed in carrying the ballast from the tunnel shaft for use. The principal roads have been kept in order throughout the year.
Although not strictly within their province, the Council cannot close their Report without a reference to the condition of the so-called Gap Road, and a hope that means may te found to out a good level road, of not less than 20-ft. in width through the Ching ("hi Ling Gap, leading from the Maloo South-westwards towards the Chinkiang Railway Station. This road is even now altogether too narrow for the traffic will be still. more congested when line is opened to Nanking. Although an alternative road to the station will be provided by the river, this Gap road will always be preferred by Chinese coming from the suburbs. As buildings are rapidly going up on each side of the roadway, no time should be lost in moving the authorities to take the work
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.