'ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1860-61' [‎30r] (55/164)

PUBLIC WORKS.
[Bombay']
6. The chief portions of the Harbour Works done during the year have
been:—
1. Opening Quarries on Hands Hill and laying down 1 mile 36 yards of
railway and sidings from thence to the Sind Railway, over which it is
proposed to convey the whole of the stone required. The immense
importance of good arrangements at the Quarries will be understood
when it is stated that it is proposed to quarry, load upon trucks, and
haul to the works, the large amount of 589 tons of stone per diem.
2. Two acres and three-quarters, making altogether 4§ acres, of land form
ing the approaches to the Napier Mole Bridge have been recovered from
the marsh, filled to the proper level, and prepared for use as service
ground. Mud dams have been raised to shutout the tide from the
site of the abutments of the bridge. In excavating for the abutment
at the north end a quicksand was met with, which has rendered
a coffer-dam, now in course of construction, necessary. Pontoons
and guides for screwing in the piles have been prepared, and
Traveller Cranes put up. Most of the material for the Bridge, and
a large amount of plant, has arrived, and upwards of eighteen
hundred tons of iron work have been landed and stored.
3. The site of the Native Jetty and Quay has been nearly enclosed by a
mud bund to shut out the tide; the ends are left open at present for
the convenience of the trade. 550 lineal feet of permanent quay wall
have been built, and 230 feet of temporary quay in lieu of that por
tion of the present quay which the mud dam will ultimately enclose.
7. The extension of the Custom House Jetty affords much greater facili
ties for landing and shipping goods than have hitherto been provided. It is
stated that, as now constructed, the sand does not accumulate as formerly, and
that there is an increase in the depth of water at the pier head.
8. The Luckkee Pass may be said to have been completed, a very
trifling amount of work remaining to be done at the end of the year, which
will be finished before the close of the season.
9. The works on the Mittrow Canal were greatly delayed by the re
striction placed upon expenditure at the opening of the season, and the late
period at which sanction was given for the larger amount, as arrangements
could not be made for obtaining a sufficient supply of labourers. The expem
diture has amounted to only Rs. 59,542. The revenue derived from the last
Khurreef crop was about Rs. 11,000, and it is expected that this year the
revenue will exceed the expenditure. It is desirable to carry on this very
promising work, so as to render it thoroughly efficient with as little delay as
possible; and the grant accorded by the Supreme Government of Rs. 1,20,000
5 p 17