Accommodation on Shore for Boys' Training Establishments.-The training establishment at Shotley Point (Harwich) is virtually completed, with the exception of a new swimming bath, which will be finished in 1907-8. The principal new works provided for in 1907-8 are :- Hong Kong.-New storehouses. Osborne, R.N. College. New Infectious Hospital. Shoeburyness.-New three-tunnel butt. PROGRESS UNDER NAVAL WORKS ACT. (a) Enclosure and Defence of Harbours. Malta Breakwater.-The minor works connected with the scheme, including wharf walls and diversion of sewage, have been completed or are well in hand. Better progress is now being made with the main contract work, viz., the St. Elmo and Ricasoli breakwaters, the latter, i.e., the short arm, being almost finished. The extended date for the completion of the whole of this contract is 1st October, 1908. Gibraltar.-The commercial mole is now completed. It was originally arranged for the Gibraltar Colony to share in the use of the entire mole, but Naval requirements now necessitate the Admiralty appropriating the greater portion of it for their exclusive use. Dover. The Admiralty Pier extension, the reclamation, and the eastern arm are completed, with the exception of some minor works on the heads. The greater part of the South breakwater is also completed, and the necessary dredging is being proceeded with. (b) Adapting Naval Ports to Present Needs of Fleet. Deepening Harbours and Approaches.-The whole of the work provided for in this item has now been finished, with the exception of the contract dredging at Plymouth and Haulbowline, which is almost completed. Provision is made in Vote 10, 1907-8, for working Admiralty plant engaged upon the special dredging still remaining to be carried out at Plymouth and Portsmouth. Keyham Dockyard Extension.-The works under the main contracts are practically completed, and the new Docks, Locks, and Basins are in use. Some of the buildings are in course of construction, and arrangements are being made for the erection of the remaining buildings. Gibraltar Dockyard Extension.-The three Docks are completed and in use, and the Dockyard Extension works will be completed during 1907. The water storage tanks on the east side of the Rock are also nearly finished, and the residences for officers and artisans are well advanced. Hong Kong Dockyard Extension.-The tidal basin and wharf walls, the deepening of basin areas, approaches to wharf walls, etc., the buildings for the engineering and constructive Departments, the graving dock, etc., are nearing completion. The works contingent upon the dock, comprising pump wells, culverts and penstock shafts, caisson, engine and boiler house, western sea wall, etc., are well advanced. Incidental services, including reclamation, drainage, latrines, water and fire services, railways and crane roads, etc., are being proceeded with. Colombo Dock. This dock, carried out under the Colonial Government and partly paid for by the Admiralty, is completed with the exception of certain incidental services which are under consideration, and of the North Guide Pier which is being proceeded with. The dock is now capable of being used by H.M. ships. Malta Dockyard Extension.-The contract work for the two new docks is completed with the exception of a few minor incidental services. The new shops, stores, factory, etc., included in the reduced scheme for the Dockyard extension are being proceeded with, some of the buildings are practically completed. Bermuda Dockyard Extension.-This work, including the contract for new breakwater, wharf walls, etc., is now completed. Simon's Bay Dockyard Extension.-The dock, East breakwater, East and West piers, and necessary dredging are all well advanced. Coaling Facilities and Fuel Storage. Plymouth.-A scheme for the establishment of a coaling depot on a reduced scale (comprising re-construction of wharf, extension of quay, railways, water supply, etc.), has been drawn up and the work started. Provision is made in Vote 10, 1907-8, for completing it. Portland. The contract work of extending the coaling jetty has been completed. In connection with the storage of oil fuel a concrete jetty and two additional tanks have been completed. Provision has been made in Vote 10, 1907-8, for further tanks for oil fuel storage. Malta. The coaling scheme has been completed. Hong Kong.-The coaling jetty at Kowloon has been finished. The coal sheds are being proceeded with. Schemes for the storage of oil fuel at other stations have been under consideration, and provision is made in Vote 10, 1907-8, for starting work. Chatham Dockyard Extension.-The contract work for the new river wall at the Upnor Entrance is practically completed. Sheerness Depot for Torpedo-Boat Destroyers.-The following are the main works comprised in the scheme: Extension of Nos. 4 and 5 docks, caisson at No. 2 Dock, electric shop, mast shed, torpedo tube store, etc., dock pumping station, new engine end boiler house at Navy well, and zincing shops. The whole of these works are now practically completed. Naval Establishment at Rosyth.-(Preliminary Works.)-Arrangements have been made to obtain a permanent supply of water; the scheme (including new reservoir and mains) is being carried out by the Dumfermline District Committee, and is well advanced. A railway line to connect the proposed Naval establishment with the North British Railway has been practically completed by the Railway Company. Railway connections with the Company's system inside the Admiralty boundary have been provided. Borings have been made and an experimental cylinder is being sunk in order to obtain information necessary for determining the method of construction to be adopted for the wharf walls, etc. An item for the Naval Depot, Rosyth, has been introduced into Vote 10, 1907-8, and money provided for the production of plans based on the investigations already carried out. NAVAL BARRACKS, ETC. Chatham.-A scheme has been approved comprising gun drill and stripping shed shooting-instruction shed, lecture room and offices, loading-teacher shed, armourer's workshops, etc. The work has been commenced. Devonport. The approved scheme includes gun drill and stripping shed, shootinginstruction shed, loading-teacher shed, additional men's block, barrack courses shed, lecture rooms and offices, armourers' workshop, etc. All these works are in hand and some of them are approaching completion. Portsmouth. The extension of the gun drill battery is practically finished. Keyham Naval Barracks.-Contracts have been let for new gymnasium and cart shed, stables, etc., and Squash Racquet Courts, and the works are practically completed. Magazines. Chatham.-Two new magazines at Chattenden and certain improvements at Upnor and Lodge Hill have been completed. A new laboratory at Chattenden is practically finished and a shell-filling laboratory at Upnor is in hand. Two additional magazines at Chattenden, and works connected with the disposal of sewage at Upnor and Chattenden, are about to be started. Portsmouth. Two additional cordite magazines at Priddy's Hard are in hand and approaching completion. Plymouth.—Additional shell stores are being proceeded with at Bull Point. Malta.-The additional magazine accommodation is approaching completion. Coast Guard Ranges and Royal Naval Reserve Batteries.-The Coast Guard works already approved are approaching completion. Torpedo Ranges.-The extension of the torpedo range at Horsea Island has been completed. Arrangements are being made for the provision of an additional range elsewhere. Electric Light and Power in Naval Establishments.-Contracts have been let for generating stations, machinery, and other works involved in the installations of electric light and power at the Cape of Good Hope, Chatham, Gibraltar, Malta, Plymouth, Portland, Portsmouth and Sheerness. The station at the Cape of Good Hope has been completed, and the work at the other establishments is well advanced. T. 23rd February, 1907. |