工務司署年報 Public Works Department Annual Report 1949-1950

732

SESSIONAL PAPER NO.

OF 1951

HONG KONG

ANNUAL REPORT

BY THE

A DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST MARCH, 1950.

NORONHA & CO., LTD..

GOVERNMent Printers & PubBLISHERS.

CONTENTS.

Page

1. Administration

2. Architectural Office

3. Buildings Ordinance Office

Crown Lands & Surveys Office

Drainage Office

6. Electrical & Mechanical Office

Port Works Office

Roads & Tunnels Office

Town Planning Office

10.

Water Works Office

11.

Statement No. 1-Revenue & Expenditure for Water Works

12.

Statement No. 2-Waterworks Renewals & Improvement Fund

ANNEXURES

I. Comparative Statement of Expenditure from

1934 to 1949/50

II. Comparative Statement of Expenditure for

1948/49 and 1949/50

III. Comparison of Expenditure for 1948/49 and 1949/50, showing Sub-departmental Expenditure for 1949/50

51-53

IV. Table showing Estimated Cost of Work appearing in the 1949/50 Estimates, and Progressive Expenditure

54-57

V. Table showing Funds Allocated and Progressive

Expenditure (Rehabilitation Loan)

58-60

VI. Colonial Development & Welfare Schemes

TABLES

I-VI Waterworks Statistics

62-67

;

ADMINISTRATION.

1. This report covers the activities of the Public Works Department for the financial year ending 31st March, 1950.

2. In addition to a Headquarters comprising the Adminis- trative and Accounts Office and the Town Planning Office there are eight sub-departments viz:—Architectural, Buildings Ordinance, Crown Lands and Surveys, Drainage, Electrical and Mechanical (including Transport), Port Works, Roads and Water Works.

3. Headquarters and six of the Sub-Departments had their accommodation at Lower Albert Road but due to lack of office space there the Water Works and the Electrical and Mechanical sub-Departments continued to occupy premises some distance from Headquarters.

4. The total establishment for the Department, pension- able, non-pensionable and temporary at the end of the year amounted to 790 (675) made up of 74 (61) professional technical officers, 84 (80) subordinate officers, 15 (14) clerical officers of Executive Grades, 168 (168) junior clerical grade and 195 (162) junior technical grade and 254 (190) junior non-technical grade. In addition there was an average of 3,088 daily paid staff. The bracketed figures represent the posts filled against the establish- ment at the end of the year. During the year 117 vacancies were filled comprising 1 Director of Public Works, 1 Waterworks Engineer, 1 Executive Officer Class II, 2 Engineers, 1 Architect, 1 Quantity Surveyor, 2 Inspectors of Works Class II, 2 Building Inspectors Class II, 3 Waterworks Inspectors Class II, 1 Quarry Superintendent, 1 Assistant Quarry Superintendent, 1 Land Bailiff, 2 Assistant Land Surveyors Class II, 1 Assistant Engineering Surveyor Class II, 1 Mechanical Overseer, 17 Fore- men Class I, 29 Foremen Class II, 2 Junior Meter Readers, 1 Timekeeper, 1 Town Planning Architect, 3 Assistant Engineers, 1 Crown Lands Officer, 2 Woman Confidential Assistants, 2 Head Survey Coolies, 6 Survey Coolies and 32 Temporary Clerks.

5. Pressure on the Department continued unabated. Normal maintenance and recurrent programmes of work were continued and many new works were in the planning stage or under construction. This applied not only to Government build- ing and engineering projects, but to private works and work for the Services, all of which reflected in varying degrees on the volume of the work of the Department. A more detailed com- parison of expenditure with previous years is contained in Annexures Nos. I to VI at the end of this report.

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ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.

Public Works Recurrent.

6. Maintenance of Government Buildings:-The normal recurrent maintenance programme was commenced at the begin- ning of the year, the aim being to repair and redecorate throughout every Government-owned building once every four years. Buildings, other than quarters, will in addition be colour- washed once internally during the four years period. Mainten- ance contracts for a period of twelve months were let in September by competitive tender. "Programme" work was carried out during the year at the following buildings:

Police Stations-Central, Pokfulum, Lok Ma Chau, Sheung Shui, Lin Ma Hang, Ta Ku Ling, Ping Shan, Tai 0, Yaumati, Mong Kok, Shamshuipo, Kowloon Headquarters, Wanchai Gap, Eastern (No. 2).

Schools-Ellis Kadoorie, King George V, Yaumati, Un Long, Cheung Chau.

Markets Sookunpo, Tai Hang, Lockhart Road, Quarry Bay, Shek Tong Tsui, Central.

Hospitals-Sai Ying Pun, Lai Chi Kok, Tsan Yuk.

Quarters Caine Road, 534 The Peak, 150-156 The Peak, "Courtlands", Custodian Lodge-Government House, Indian Quarters-Stanley Prison.

Miscellaneous-Taipo

Land Office, Cheung Chau Fisheries Building, Lai Chi Kok Female Prison, Eastern Fire Station, Hung Hom Government Store, Ping Shan Land Office, Public Latrines.

Maintenance of Non-Government Buildings:-In view of the limited funds available, expenditure was restricted to urgent essential repairs only. The following buildings were amongst those which received attention during the year; Treasury-Prince's Building, Mong Kok Fire Station; 46, Macdonnell Road (Hostel), Kennedy Road Junior School, Buxey Lodge (Hostel), Police Headquarters (Oriental Building), Taipo Chinese Dispensary, Taipo Government School, Wanchai Health Centre, 5c, Broom Road.

Alterations and Additions to Government Buildings:· The buildings in which more important work was carried out are as follows: Lai Chi Kok Hospital--water storage tank; King George V School-gymnasium floor; General Post Office-

partitions to form offices for Medical Department; Colonial Secretariat-work in connection with movement of offices; Custodian Lodge-extra kitchen and bathroom; Government Stores Bungalow-baths, heaters, fire; Colonial Secretariat— enlarging cypher office; Man Kam To Police Post-kitchen and bathroom extension; Sai Ying Pun Hospital-partitions to form dental clinic and office; Shamshuipo Police Station-showers; Ashley Road Clinic-roof repairs; Hennessy Road Garage— widening of entrance; Harcourt Health Centre-new benches, cupboards, sinks; Public Works Department Traffic Kiosk—--new kiosk; Supreme Court shelving; Lai Chi Kok Prison-wire mesh in visitors' room; Queen Mary Hospital-minor alterations to babies' bathroom; King George V School-boarding; Mental Hospital-protective grilles to cell windows; Royal Observatory -extra lavatory accommodation.

9. Alterations and Additions to Non-Government Buildings:-Owing to limited funds, essential work only was carried out. The more important work included: Windsor House-alterations to Inland Revenue Office; Telephone Exchange Building-partitioning to form offices for Education Department; 46 Macdonnell Road-new bathroom; Wanchai Maternity Hospital-new sinks and drying racks.

10. Maintenance of Lighthouses: --Lighthouses received their customary annual external painting and general repairs.

11. Maintenance of Cemeteries:-Repairs were carried out to buildings at the Colonial Cemetery and Kai Lung Wan Cemetery.

12. Minor Works:-Sundry minor works were carried out at Anti-Rabies Inoculation centres, North Point Camp and at the Cenotaph.

13. Preliminary Investigations:-Funds under this vote head were used generally for trial holes, test loads and pre- liminary surveys.

14. Reinstatements on Re-entered Property: -No work was done under this vote.

15. Typhoon and Rainstorm

Damage:-Considerable

minor damage was caused to Government properties by the typhoon of 8th September 1949 and supplementary funds were needed to complete the necessary repairs,

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16. Works executed on private account: -A number of small jobs were carried out by this office under this head.

17. Security Measures:-Security measures were carried out at a number of buildings.

Public Works Extraordinary.

18. Taipo Market:-This item was referred to in para- graph 17 of last year's Annual Report. The expenditure consisted of payment of contract retention money.

19. Extension to King George V School:-This work was referred to in paragraph 18 of last year's Annual Report. The only expenditure incurred was the release of the contract reten- tion money.

20. Workers Schools:-(a) Hong Kong and Whampoa Docks Memorial School-Hung Hom. Plans were prepared and a contract let on 6th July, 1949 and work completed by 11th November. Accommodation was provided for five hundred pupils in 12 classrooms and a practical room, staff rooms, care- takers' quarters, changing rooms with showers and an assembly hall-cum-gymnasium. Separate playgrounds exist for boys and girls. The construction is semi-permanent and consisted of brick piers, panel walls of hollow concrete blocks and timber roof. (b) Hennessy Road School. Plans were prepared, a contract let on 14th June, 1950 and work completed on 1st September. Accom- modation was provided for 500 pupils in 12 classrooms, a practical room and staff rooms. Construction was of the semi- permanent type as described for (a). An addition was made later to include the existing Salvation Army Building which was converted into an assembly hall.

21. Fire Station, Kowloon:-Sketch plans, report and estimate were prepared during the year for a station at the junction of Argyle Street and Waterloo Road but further pro- gress was deferred pending the finding of a more easily develop- ed site. The accommodation was to consist of offices and space for ten appliances together with firemen's quarters and six flats for officers.

22. Hong Kong Defence Force Headquarters:-This item was referred to in paragraph 19 of last year's Annual Report. Nothing further was done on this project. Temporary wooden structures comprising two drill halls, changing and shower rooms and store were erected on Murray Parade Ground and completed on 14th December, 1949.

23. Additions to Kowloon Hospital:-This item refers to additional staff quarters. Sites were chosen and estimates given but nothing further was done owing to pressure of work on higher priority items.

24. Tuberculosis Clinics: --Plans were prepared and working drawings completed for a clinic adjoining Kowloon Hospital at the junction of Argyle Street and Waterloo Road. The scheme comprises a waiting room, X-Ray department, con- sulting rooms and staff rooms.

25. Marine Licensing Stations: -(a) Cheung Chau: Plans were prepared and a contract let on 4th January, 1950. The accommodation comprises offices, seamens' quarters and two flats. (b) Yaumati and Aberdeen: Working drawings were completed for schemes providing similar accommodation.

26. Police Quarters: -The site is that of the old Queen's College at the junction of Aberdeen and Staunton Streets. Working drawings and bills of quantities were prepared for two blocks, one of eight and the other of seven storeys high, for married Asiatic Police Quarters which provide living accom- modation for 140 constables and 28 N.C.O.s with garage accommodation.

27. Sheung Shui Police Station, Additions: -The work, which was completed, consisted of the enlarging of cell accom- modation and the charge room.

28. Broadcasting Studios, Electra House: --This work was done by the private architects for the new Electra House.

29. Prison Camp:-This scheme was referred to in para- graph 55 of last year's Annual Report. Owing to pressure of work in the Architectural Office private architects were com- missioned to carry out the project but no decision regarding actual construction had been taken by the end of the financial year.

30. Caroline Hill Garage Storerooms:--This work was deferred.

31. Central Reclamation Scheme:~A suggested layout for the area was forwarded.

32. Black's Links Quarters, Mount Nicholson:—This pro- ject was referred to in paragraph 58 of last year's Annual Report. Work was completed on 14th June 1949. A separate block of servants' quarters and storeroom was provided.

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33. Bathing Beach Pavilions:-This scheme was referred to in paragraph 30 of last year's Annual Report. Working drawings were completed and tenders called during the year but the work was deferred as it was decided to have the development carried out by private enterprise.

34. Kennedy Town Abattoir:-This scheme was referred to in paragraph 54 of last year's Annual Report. Revised sketch plans and a report were submitted during the year for the building on a new site at Kennedy Town. These plans were not acceptable to the Chairman of the Urban Council as accommoda- tion was inadequate. A large site in the same area was agreed but no further plans had been prepared.

35. Lethal Chamber for Animals:—A contract was let and completed during the year.

36. Ma Tau Kok Slaughterhouse: This scheme was re- ferred to in paragraph 27 of last year's Annual Report. A contract was let and work completed. The scheme provides for 1,200 pigs in lairages and 50 dogs in separate kennels.

37. Offices and Quarters for Health Inspectors:-This scheme was referred to in paragraph 28 of last year's Annual Report. A contract for offices and quarters at Shamshuipo was let and the work completed during the year. Sketch schemes for similar buildings at Aberdeen and To Kwa Wan were pre- pared.

38. Public Latrines:--(a) Gutzlaff Street: This scheme was referred to in paragraph 29 of last year's Annual Report. The building was completed on 24th July, 1949. (b) Junction of Garden Road and Queen's Road: Sketch plans, report and estimates were submitted but work did not proceed owing to the site being used for other purposes.

39. Wo Hop Shek Cemetery: -Staff quarters were started and completed.

40. Furniture Workshop:-This was referred to in para- graph 31 of last year's Annual Report. The work, which in- cluded an extension to the original contract giving office accom- modation in addition to workshop space, was completed during the year.

41. Additional Court, Supreme Court:-This was referred to in paragraph 56 of last year's Annual Report. The work was completed during the year.

WHERE

I a

Queen's Gardens Flats.

with

King's Park Quarters.

(10-18

Bay View Police Station.

Peak Pavilion Flats,

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42. Chief Justice's Residence:-Sketch plans were pre- pared for a residence for H.H, the Chief Justice but, owing to pressure of work, it was decided to commission private architects to carry out the work.

Rehabilitation Loan.

43. Leighton Hill Quarters:-This work was referred to in paragraph 33 of last year's Annual Report. The Contractors were called in at the end of the six-months' maintenance period to carry out extensive repairs to defective work, chiefly plaster.

44. Peak Pavilion Quarters:-This scheme was referred to in paragraph 34 of last year's Annual Report. Various bills were paid during the year.

45. Queen's Gardens Quarters:-This scheme was referred to în paragraph 35 of last year's Annual Report. The building was completed on 31st May, 1949. (Seven weeks ahead of schedule).

46. King's Park Quarters:-This scheme was referred to in paragraph 36 of last year's Annual Report. The building was completed on 31st October, 1949 (103 weeks ahead of schedule).

47. Kowloon City Police Station:-This scheme was re- ferred to in paragraph 37 of last year's Annual Report. Working drawings were completed during the year and a contract let on 9th September, 1949.

48. Bay View Police Station:-This scheme was referred to in last year's Annual Report. Working drawings were com- pleted during the year and a contract let on 4th May, 1950. At the end of the year the contract was ahead of schedule and near- ing completion.

49. Hung Hom Police Station:-This scheme was referred to in paragraph 38 of last year's Annual Report. Working drawings were completed during the year and a contract let on 25th August, 1949. At the end of the year the contract was ahead of schedule and nearing completion.

50. Shaukiwan Police Station: ~This scheme was referred to in paragraph 40 of last year's Annual Report. Working drawings were completed during the year and a contract let on 14th June, 1949 and completed on 21st March, 1950,

51. Polico Block House, New Territories:-These schemes were referred to in paragraph 41 of last year's Annual Report. Working drawings were completed during the year and contracts were let on 26th January, 1950 for the Sai Kung, Sha Tin and Castle Peak Stations. Tenders were called for the Tsun Wan Station. It was not possible to make a start on the Kam Tin site owing to its temporary use for another purpose.

52. King's College:-This was referred to in paragraph 43 of last year's Annual Report. A contract for the rehabilita- tion of the existing shell was let on 6th March, 1950. Accom- modation will be provided for approximately 600 pupils together with assembly hall, gymasium and swimming pool.

53. Vernacular Primary School, Queen's Road, East:-This was referred to in paragraph 44 of last year's Annual Report. Working drawings were completed during the year and contract let on 2nd March, 1950. Accommodation is provided for 300 pupils together with workshops and laboratories for temporary use by the Junior Technical School.

54. Kowloon Junior School:-This was referred to in paragraph 45 of last year's Annual Report. Owing to pressure of work, private architects were commissioned to carry out the project. The site is on the west of King George V School. Accommodation is provided for about 300 pupils together with nursery classroom, assembly hall, offices and caretakers' quarters. Work proceeded satisfactorily.

55. Minor Works:-No work was carried out under this head.

56. Temporary Offices, Public Works Department: --This item was referred to in paragraph 47 of last year's Annual Report. The expenditure this year was the release of contract retention money and the provision of roof insulation.

57. Workshop and Garage, P.W.D.:-This scheme was re- ferred to in paragraph 48 of last year's Annual Report. No work was carried out.

58. Restoration of Damaged Government Buildings:-A big programme of work was carried out to the full extent of available funds, the following buildings receiving major attention:-Quarters-Stanley Prison quarters, Taipo White House, D.O., N.T.'s. Bungalow—Taipo, Ventris Road quarters, Wongneichong Road quarters, 150-156 The Peak. Miscellaneous -Gough Hill Police Station, Green Island Magazines, Western Market, Ping Shan Land Ofce. Schools-Belilios Girls' School in Ellis Kadoorle School Building, Peak School.

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59. Restoration of damaged non-Government Buildings: Work under this head was kept to a minimum. The principal buildings receiving attention were: No. 90 Waterloo Road, Hung Hom Chinese Public Dispensary, Canton Road District Watch House.

60. Restoration of Lighthouses:~A minor rehabilitation work was carried out at the following lighthouses: Green Island and Blackhead.

61. Clearance of Débris and Dangerous Structures:-Work under this vote head was carried out at the following:-Civil Service Club, Hawkers' Licensing Office, Old Bayview Police Station, Bowen Road Peak Tram Station, old Queen's College site.

Works not appearing in Estimates.

62. Queen's College:-A scheme was prepared and working drawings were completed and tenders called for on 18th March, 1950. The site is at the junction of Causeway Bay and Tung Lo Wan Roads. Accommodation will be provided for 900 boys in 24 classrooms, three science laboratories, demonstration room, geography room, assembly hall, tuck shop and staff rooms.

63. Peak Wireless Station:-A new building was erected at the Peak Wireless Station to house very high frequency radio equipment together with accommodation for five operators. A contract was let on 16th May, 1949 and completed by 7th November, 1949.

64. Offices and Laboratory for Deep Bay Survey Party: A contract was let on 21st January, 1950 and completed by 15th February, 1950.

65. North Point Camp:--Accommodation was provided in temporary wooden huts for 360 refugees. The scheme included staff quarters and offices and a school. Work was completed on 15th June, 1949.

66. Welfare Canteen:-A temporary wooden structure was erected on Murray Parade Ground comprising restaurant, kitchens, recreation rooms and servants' quarters.

67. La Salle College:-Plans were prepared and a contract let on 25th July, 1949 and completed by 16th January, 1950. The site is to the west of King George V School. The accom- modation provides for 1,000 boys in 25 classrooms, three labora- tories, demonstration rooms, geography room, library, tuckshop, assembly hall.

68. Photographic Laboratory, North Point:-A temporary structure for the Registration Department was completed by 11th September, 1949.

69. Residence for the Colonial Secretary: --Sketch plans were prepared and approved and progress had been made on working drawings by the end of the year. The site is on Barker Road, immediately East of the present Victoria Hospital Flats. The accommodation to be provided consists of living room, dining room, study, three bedrooms, and servants' quarters.

70. New Government Offices: -Tentative site plans were prepared for this large project on a site stretching from Garden Road to Ice House Street.

71. Sha Tau Kok Police Station: -Sketch plans have been prepared for a station to accommodate 68 constables, six N.C.O.s, five detectives and two sub-inspectors. Two 2-bedroom flats are included in the scheme.

72. During the course of the year, sketch plans, reports and estimates were prepared for the following schemes, which were deferred for various reasons:-(a) Rehabilitation of Peak Villas to provide two bungalows. (b) Alterations to Second Court, Supreme Court to provide additional office accommodation. (c) Block of 12 one-bedroom flats at Macdonnell Road. (d) New Temporary Offices, Kowloon for D.O., N.T., Fisheries, Agricul- ture, Civil Aviation. (e) Additional storey to Secretariat Build- ing. (f) Shaukiwan sub-Post Office. (9) Radio Sonde Station. (h) La Salle College Hostel-dormitories, study and recreation rooms. (i) Severn Road Houses:-Two schemes-one for three detached and another for six semi-detached houses.

BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE.

73. The reconstruction of old buildings and the erection of new buildings of both Chinese and European types continued and more accommodation became available for the increasing population. The demand for housing, however, was still in excess of the supply, and there were no signs that building works were decreasing.

74. In all, 5,091 plans were approved in respect to 8,619 buildings of which details are as follows:

234 plans for

316

417 European type houses, 864 Chinese type houses.

32 Workshops and factories. 62 Godowns and stores.

4 Office buildings,

;

75.

7 plans for ·

200

3,974 4

7 Churches.

3 Theatres.

101 Temporary buildings,

72 Site plans.

304 Repairs.

6,603 Alterations and additions.

4 Schools.

3 Hotels.

2 Film studios.

1 Salvation Army Headquarters.

1 War Memorial Centre.

1 Amusement Park.

89 Demolitions.

1 Nursing Home.

1 Hostel.

47 Minor non-domestic buildings.

Occupation certificates were issued for 502 European type, 666 Chinese type and 222 non-domestic buildings.

76.

470 miscellaneous permits were issued.

77. Miscellaneous notices issued comprised 225 for 309 dangerous buildings, 19 in respect of emergency shoring, 290 in respect of 342 drainage nuisances and 610 for removal of illegal structures. There were 33 prosecutions.

78. 942 drain tests were carried out in various districts.

79.

Miscellaneous inspections carried out consisted of 739 in respect of licensed premises, 30 in respect of collapses and landslides and 15 in respect of fires,

CROWN LANDS AND SURVEYS OFFICE.

Crown Lands.

80. Revenue: The total amount of revenue billed, which included $179,217.15 collected by the District Commissioner, New Territories, as compared with the previous year was:-

1949/1950

1948/1949

Premia on land sales etc.

$5,885,458.98

$4,782,653.75

Boundary Stones and

Survey Fees

11,862.00

26,754.88

Permit Fees

937,336.04

2,069,196.47

Plans sold to the public

2,899.50

2,444.00

$6,887,556.52

$6,881,049.10

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81.

A detailed comparison of premia derived from land sales, extensions and conversions with the figures for the pre- vious year is as under:

(I) Sales by Auction

1948/1949

1949/1050

Hong Kong Kowloon

$1,093,680.00

$570,200.00

50,000.00

New Kowloon

1,705,460.00

125,400.00 775,600.00

New Territories

119,468.00

72,074.00

(II) Sales without Auction

Hong Kong Kowloon

1,568,790.00

927,914.00

148,560.00

48,001.00

New Kowloon

340,095.00

1,484,640.00

New Territories

9,001.00

3,337.00

(III) Extensions granted

Hong Kong

298,154.10

259,027.45

Kowloon

36,370.66

3,360.00

New Kowloon

69,482.50

99,950.20

New Territories

14.00

(IV) Conversion & Exchanges

Hong Kong

143,718.25

39,852.50

Kowloon

10,099.00

8,616.50

New Kowloon

7,196.00

11,760.00

New Territories

57,889.97

41,536.10

(V) Extension of Terms of leases

Hong Kong

57,577.50

186,763.00

Kowloon

169,917.00

142,608.00

New Kowloon

New Territories

$6,885,458.98

$4,782,653.75

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82.

Permits:-Permits issued for the occupation of Crown Land for short periods were of a miscellaneous character. Some details are as follows:-

(a) In Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Kowloon 776 new permits were issued and 285 permits were cancelled for various reasons. The total number of permits in force at the end of the financial year was 3,428 and fees collected amounted to $2,006,940.42.

(b) Four temporary pier licences were issued and annual rent amounting to $2,802.60 was collected during the year.

(e) One Military Encroachment Permit was issued

at a nominal annual fee of $1.00.

(d) In the New Territories, excluding New Kowloon, the permit fees collected amounted to $62,256.05.

83. Drawing Office:-The number of plans prepared was 30 sets for sales, 166 sets for leases, and 51 sets for surrenders. 686 tracings and 7,569 sunprints were produced and 8 survey sheets were traced. 1,988 plans were supplied to Government Departments, and 156 prints supplied to the public realized $2,444.00.

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84. The "Copycat" printing outfit produced 3,543 prints and the "Photostat" reproduction outfit produced 4,148 prints.

85.

Two maps in colour, one covering Hong Kong and New Territories, the other the Hong Kong-Canton-Macau region were produced for the Annual Administrative Report. ·

86,

Surveys.

Trigonometrical Surveys:-Fifteen minor stations in Hong Kong and one minor station in the New Territories were revalued during the year. Five beacons were rebuilt. Iron tripods were erected on one main station and four on minor stations on the Island.

87. Observations were made on seven main and twenty three minor trigonometrical stations on the Island and two main and five minor stations in the New Territories.

88. Revenue Surveys:—Surveys were made for lease plans for 76 lots covering 231 acres. In addition 103 lease plans were prepared but not reported complete pending payment of fees for boundary stones. Surveys were also made for renewal of leases at 16 lots covering 134 acres and for surrenders at 49 lots covering one acre. 246 lots covering about 144 acres were set out, and 639 boundary stones were fixed to mark 147 lots.

89. Picket Boxes:-38 new picket boxes were fixed, two were renewed and 75 were revalued. Three milestones in the New Territories were valued,

90. Land Surveys:—Surveys were carried out over 28 acres of land occupied by the Services and over 114 acres of land occupied by Government Departments. In addition tra- verses with a total chainage of 115,587 feet were completed.

91. Colony Survey:-New survey of 2,283 acres with a chainage of 196,372 feet and the revision of the survey of 26.6 acres with a chainage of 21,935 feet were carried out.

92. General:-In connection with road widening and rebuilding schemes 42 areas or alignments were set out. In addition 220 building and frontage lines for 88 lots were checked. 38 areas covering 812 acres were surveyed in con- nection with adjustment of boundaries.

93. Contour Surveys and Levelling:-Contour surveys covered over 2,213 acres with a chainage of 156,225 feet. Spot levelling was completed over nine acres and levels were

re-established on eight milestones, two picket boxes and three bench marks. The yearly computation of mean sea level recorded it to be 3.93 feet above Principal Datum.

94.

Survey Sheets: -40 new sheets on a scale of 1/600 and 17 on a scale of 1/2400 were taken up.

Valuation and Resumption Office.

95. As from 16th April, 1949, the Valuation and Resump- tion Office was merged with the Crown Lands and Surveys Office.

96. Valuations were made during the financial year in respect of 1,600 hereditaments with a total estimated value of $40,522,282.00. The valuations were made for the purpose of resumption for street widenings and other town planning developments and improvements, for the purchase and sale of property by Government, for renewal of Crown Leases, for estate duty, and for exchanges and other purposes. In addition Depreciation Fund contributions and premia by instalments were computed, as well as tables to assist rapid calculation of lease renewal terms. Over half of the hereditaments valued were for Government departments other than the Public Works Department.

97. Compensation on Resumptions:-Cash compensation paid out under the Airfield (Kai Tak) Extension and Reversion Ordinance, 1948, amounted to $3,187,467.08 for 708 lots or pro- perties. Cash compensation paid for resumption under the Rehabilitation Loan was $172,983.06 for 28 lots, and paid under the same loan by the District Commissioner, New Territories, for resumption in New Territories $10,382.87 for 106 lots. Arbitration fees amounting to $2,000.00 were also paid.

Drainage OFFICE.

General.

98. Good progress was made on the re-establishment of the records of the Government drainage system, the majority of the pre-war records having been lost during the period of the Japanese Occupation.

99.

A comprehensive record of private flushing supply intakes and their catchment areas was compiled for all nullahs.

100. Considerable re-organization and improvement in the filing system and the general routine of the office was carried out.

101. Throughout the year work was continually hampered through the tardy delivery of pipes from the United Kingdom.

Public Works Recurrent.

102. Maintenance of Sewers and Stormwater Drains: The sewer and stormwater drainage systems of the Colony were maintained in a satisfactory state. 386 repairs were carried out, 1,086 broken and unserviceable manhole covers, gratings and traps were replaced and 7,070 choked were cleared. De-sludging of the septic tanks at Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay and Kai Tak was carried out during the year; that at Kai Tak presented a certain amount of difficulty in view of its loca- tion under the floor of a restaurant. In order to prevent pollution of the bathing beaches by the septic tank at Repulse Bay, arrangements were made to chlorinate the effluent before it is discharged into the sea. Work on the construction of tanks to enable this to be done was put in hand.

103. Typhoon and Rainstorm Damage: -No typhoons were experienced during the year and no major damage was caused to drainage works by rainstorms. Minor damage how- ever was caused to a sewer and a stormwater drain near the seawall at Sai Wan Ho and repairs were carried out. The major part of the work under this head involved clearing the deposits of sand and silt from the various nullahs in the Colony.

104. Works Executed on Private Account:-The work carried out under this head was very considerably in excess of that which was anticipated. The following major works were carried out partly on private and partly on Government account:-Nullah training at Ming Yuen: Restoration of storm- water drains through the Hong Kong & Whampoa Docks Company's property at Hung Hom: Nullah extension at the Waterboat Dock, Lai Chi Kok. Minor works carried out and charged against private account included the strengthening of the nullah deck at Factory Street to take an additional tram track, the cutting of nullah walls to facilitate crossings by the various public utility companies and the following connections to, and extensions of, the Government drainage: -475 sewer connections, 77 stormwater drain connections, 1,489 feet of extensions to sewers and 1,435 feet to stormwater drains.

Public Works Extraordinary.

As in the case of Works Executed on Private Account, owing to the rapid build- ing development, work under this head was considerably in excess of that anticipated. The following were among the major works carried out:

105. Works Contingent on Land Sales:

Hong Kong:-The un-trained section of the stream- course at Ming Yuen had given rise to serious complaints re- garding flooding and, with the development of Inland Lot 1705 on its east bank, the opportunity was taken to construct a con- crete stepped nullah 8 feet wide by 6 feet deep. This work was put in hand towards the end of the last financial year and completed during the year under review, a length of 310 feet in all being constructed. At Shing On Street the nullah 10 feet wide by 8 feet deep was extended by 25 feet to meet new develop- ment. Building development at Jardine's Lookout necessitated the laying of some 2,500 feet of 6" sewer in Tai Hang Road. This work was put in hand but owing to the shortage of pipes only 900 feet were laid during the year. 378 feet of 6" sewer were laid in Electric Street to serve newly constructed property on Inland Lot 2837 below Kennedy Road. Considerable delay was experienced owing to the necessity for the resumption of the private section of the street. A system of stormwater drains centred on North Point Road and having an outfall through the property of North Point Wharves Ltd. was laid to serve the area covered by Marine Lots 430 and 431, 747 feet of 15", 88 feet of 18", 178 feet of 24" and 248 feet of 33" culvert being constructed. In addition the following sewers and stormwater drains were laid:-335 feet of 6" sewer in South Bay Road to serve Rural Building Lots 404, 428, 431 and 436. 410 feet of 6" and 30 feet of 4" cast iron sewer in Middle Gap Road to serve Rural Building Lots 537 and 562. 235 feet of 6′′ sewer in Tai Hang Road serve Inland Lots 6358-6361. 327 feet of 6" sewer in Wongneichong Gap Road to serve Inland Lot 6071. 445 feet of 6" sewer in Po San Road to serve Inland Lot 6070. 70 feet of 6" sewer in Electric Road. 215 feet of 9" stormwater drain in Des Vœux Road and Sai Yuen Lane. 250 feet of 6" sewer in King's Road north of Inland Lot 2366. 90 feet of 9′′ stormwater drain in Robinson Road. 150 feet of 6" sewer in the scavenging lane at the rear of Shaukiwan Inland Lots 425-429. 244 feet of 6′′ cast iron зewer in Black's Link.

120 feet of 15′′ and 53 of 27′′ stormwater drain in Garden Road between MacDonnell Road and the Waterworks Pumping Station.

Kowloon:-The sale of New Kowloon Inland Lot 3547 necessitated the construction of 181 feet of nullah wall to the west of this Lot, and 265 feet of invert 40 feet wide. With the exception of a short length occupied by a temporary out- fall, this completed the construction of the nullah which will eventually discharge into Lai Chi Kok Waterboat Dock. A tem- porary outfall consisting of a lime concrete apron and a baffle wall to divert the flow from the dock was also constructed. With the reduction in width of Ma Tau Wei Road it was neces- sary to take up and relay the existing sewer in the realigned carriageway. At the same time extensions of this sewer and of the stormwater drain were laid westwards to serve new development in the area. This involved the laying of 840 feet of 15", 175 feet of 12”, 250 feet of 9" and 660 feet of 6" sewers; and of 565 feet of 18′′ and 130 feet 12" stormwater drains. The construction of a network of stormwater drains in the Cheung Sha Wan area, put in hand during the last financial year, continued. 335 feet of 39", 850 feet of 18", 300 feet of 15′′ and 110 feet of 6" drain being laid during the year. In order to enable flushing closets to be installed in property served by a sewer which previously discharged into the Tsap Fai Street stormwater drain an extension was laid connecting it to a sewer in Cheung Wah Street. 608 feet of 9" stoneware pipe were laid. Reclamation work at Kun Tong necessitated the training of the existing streamcourse through Cha Kwo Ling Village, 442 feet of 42" diameter cement concrete culvert being con- structed under the new roadway. The grant of a piece of land at Yu Chau Street for the construction of a Social Welfare Centre rendered it necessary to realign the old Government sewer which previously crossed the proposed building site, 450 feet of 9" and 50 feet of 6′′ stoneware sewers being laid. 400 feet of 39′′ cement concrete culvert were constructed in Tin Kwong Road as the first stage in a scheme to pick up a stream which at present crosses land scheduled for building develop- ment. It was necessary to extend the Carpenter Road storm- water drain in order to enable public dumping to take place and at the same time to prevent flooding. 450 feet of 54′′ cement concrete culvert were constructed. In addition the following sewers and stormwater drains were laid:-284 feet of 9′′ and 300 feet of 6′′ sewer in Anchor Street. 76 feet of 6′′ sewer in Gillies Avenue. 280 feet of 9" sewer in Fa Yuen Street. 200 feet of 12′′ and 390 feet of 6" sewer in Pratas Street. 270 feet of 6" sewer in Fuk Lo Tsun Road. 330 feet of 9" sewer in Grampian Road. 487 feet of 12" sewer in Poplar Street. 400 feet of 6′′ sewer in an Un-named Road adjacent to Hung Hom Stores. 400 feet of 21" stormwater drain in To Kwa Wan Road. 95 feet of 24′′, 221 feet of 21′′, 200 feet of 18", 190 feet of 15′′ and 200 feet of 12" stormwater drains in Shung Ning Road. 40 feet of 12′′, 84 feet of 9′′ and 152 feet

Lada de mate van

of. 6* sewer in the vicinity of Sung Wong Toi Road, 198 feet of 6" sewer in a scavenging lane off Fat Tseung Street. 170 feet of 9′′ sewer and 280 feet of 24′′ stormwater drain in Nga Tsin Wei Rond. 295 feet of 12′′ stormwater drain in Hum- phrey's Avenue. 200 feet of 15′′ stormwater drain in Kowloon City Road. 255 feet of 9′′ stoneware sewer in Soy Street. 945 feet of 15′′ cement concrete stormwater drain in Hau Wong and Lion Rock Roads. 400 feet of 21" cement concrete storm

water drain in Kowloon City Road.

106. Causeway Bay Road Widening:—The work of recon- structing the section of Tai Hang Nullah under Causeway Bay Road and of constructing a system of stormwater drains, put in hand last year, was completed. In addition the nullah walls between Causeway Bay and Tung Lo Wan Road were raised to form a through grade between these roads.

107. Fo Pang Valley:-In order to enable the development of a site for a school to proceed, the streamcourse in this Valley was trained by the construction of a concrete culvert, 1,345 feet of 60" diameter and 258 feet of 48′′ culvert forming the main stormwater drain. At the top end of the Valley where the stream crosses the Railway cutting, the original brick aqueduct carried on 18′′ x 6′′ steel beams was replaced by a 48" diameter reinforced concrete box culvert spanning 30 feet. This enabled the steel beams to be cut out and the headroom over the track to be increased by 18′′. In addition branches consisting of 29 feet of 18" and 63 feet of 15" concrete culverts were constructed to replace existing channels.

Rehabilitation Loan.

108. Anti Malarial Works:-At Repulse Bay the nullah between Rural Building Lots 366 and 367 was extended from Beach Road to the sea, while at Telegraph Bay the nullah train- ing undertaken just after the war was completed by the con- struction of some 500 feet of branch channels together with catchpits and grilles. Complaints from the Malariologist regarding mosquito breeding at Kowloon Tsai led to the con- struction of some 5,000 feet of channelling in sizes varying from 9′′ to 36′′. The filling of rock pools at Stanley was carried out by the Malariologist with the aid of Prison Labour.

109. Restoration of Sewers and Stormwater Drains:

Hong Kong:-The old stormwater drain in Po Shan Road was found to have been laid with insufficient cover under the side channel and to be in a very poor condition. It was replaced by 210 feet of 9′′ and 210 feet of 12′′ stoneware pipe

under the carriageway. The 6" sewer from Coombe Road at Wanchai Gap, which was damaged by substance of the spoil tip, was diverted clear of the bank, 340 feet of cast iron piping being laid. It was found that the granite slab covers of the old stormwater drain in the upper section of Garden Road were continually breaking under the heavy traffic. It was accord- ingly decided to relay this in 12′′ diameter pipe, 270 feet being laid from the Peak Road junction eastwards. As a result of the dumping being carried out at Wanchai Gap, it was found necessary to reconstruct the old stormwater drainage system and, as there was found to be a certain amount of pollution by sewage, to divert it clear of the Waterworks Catchment Area, 125 feet of 3 feet X 3 feet 'U' channel, 577 feet of 36" diameter concrete culvert and 165 feet of 27′′ concrete culvert being constructed. 550 feet of 42′′ diameter concrete culvert were constructed in Pokfulam Road and First Street to replace the old stormwater drain in Pokfulam Road which was found to be not only badly damaged but to run under private buildings.

Kowloon:-By the construction of the Kai Tak Nullah the Japanese cut various sewers in the Kowloon City area, the sewers being permitted to discharge into the nullah, most of them at a considerable distance from the outfall. This led to repeated complaints and it was accordingly decided to construct an intercepting sewer within the nullah. 1,370 feet of 33" and 184 feet of 18" diameter concrete culvert were constructed during the year. The reconstruction of a large stormwater drain under the Hong Kong & Whampoa Docks Company's premises, Hung Hom, put in hand during the last financial year, was completed, 540 feet of 48" diameter cement concrete culvert being constructed during the year.

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ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE.

Electrical Section.

Public Works Recurrent.

110. Maintenance of Government Buildings:-Electrical installations were maintained in good order in over 205 build- ings: 895 fans and 4,879 light and power points were tested, repaired or replaced. The installations in 13 buildings were rewired, involving 2,715 points in all.

111. Maintenance of Non-Government Buildings:―This was kept down to a minimum and only essential work was done.

112. Alterations and Additions tó Government Buildings:—— Work was carried out in 67 buildings, the total number of points involved being 935.

113. Alterations and Additions

Non-Government Buildings:-Work was carried out in 31 buildings, the total number of points dealt with being 173.

114. Maintenance of Light Houses:-The installations in 3 light houses were maintained in good order, the number of points involved being seven.

115. Maintenance of Refrigerators and Air Condition Plant:-323 refrigerators and 40 air conditioners were main- tained in good order.

116. Maintenance of Lifts:-40 lifts were maintained and kept in good order, nine ropes on five lifts were renewed.

117. Maintenance of Vehicular Ferry Piers at Jubilee Street, Jordan Road, Sham Shui Po and Mongkok:-The elec- trical installation of eight hoists and two vehicular ramps was maintained in good order.

118. Maintenance of Traffic and Street Signs:-25 traffic control lights and 880 tramway island beacons were maintained in good order.

119. Maintenance of Sea Wall and Piers:-Electrical in- stallations on five Public Piers were maintained in good order.

120. Maintenance of Typhoon Masts: -15 Typhoon Masts were maintained in good repair.

Public Works Extraordinary.

121. Government Buildings:-New electrical installation at 27 Government Buildings was carried out involving 4,371 points in all.

122. Security Measures:-Special security work was carried out at 44 Police Stations and seven Waterworks instal- lations involving 429 points in all.

Rehabilitation Loan.

123. Restoration of Damaged Government Buildings: The electrical installations in 32 Government Buildings were replaced involving 712 points in all.

124. Replacement of Instruments and Workshops| Ma- chinery: -Electrical equipment including a frequency meter and miscellaneous workshop equipment were received.

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Mechanical Section.

Public Works Recurrent.

125. Maintenance of P.W.D. and Transport Pool Vehicles:-The number of jobs carried out on all Government vehicles during the year by the Mechanical workshops was 8,386 repairs, 1,749 servicings and 2,021 tyre repairs.

126. Maintenance of Plant:-The plant and equipment of the Electrical & Mechanical Workshops and P.W.D. Construc- tion Plant was maintained in good running order.

127. Maintenance of Harbour Plant and Equipment: 710 jobs were carried out on the service, overhaul and repair of mechanical plant on charge to Port Works Office.

128. Maintenance of Quarries and Road Plant:-1,540 jobs were carried out on the service, overhaul and repair of mechanical plant on charge to Roads Office and 79 electric motors were maintained in good running order.

129. Running Expenses of Motor Vehicles:-The expendi- ture for petrol, oil, grease and drivers' wages for the running of pool vehicles was charged to this subhead.

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Rehabilitation Loan.

130. Motor Transport:-One Saloon Car was purchased during the year.

General Review.

131. This office continued to fulfil its function of installing, maintaining and repairing electrical equipment in all Govern- ment buildings and installations, maintaining and overhauling Government vehicles and mechanical plant and equipment, and undertaking a wide variety of electrical and mechanical work for practically every Government department.

132. It was not possible during the year to finalize plans for the construction of a new building to house the combined elec- trical and mechanical workshops, offices and stores, and, until this is obtained, the difficulties of supervision and complete co- ordination of the two sections will remain. The question of a suitable site is the main cause of the delay with this project.

183. A small amount of most essential re-organization at Caroline Hill Workshops was carried out. This included the setting up of an engine overhaul shop to deal with the complete strip down and re-build of all types of engines; an engine running-in and test bed built around a motor-generating set for use in conjunction with the engine overhaul shop, and enlarge- ment of the carpenters' shop in order to accommodate the work- ing machines and personnel of both sections. At Kowloon Depôt development included the fitting up of a new paint shop, extensions to the workshop hard standing area, and the con- version of a small office building into living quarters for the senior foreman within the precincts of the Depôt.

134. On the electrical side, in addition to the handling of the complete electrical installation in the new Government flats at King's Park and Queen's Gardens and the new Furniture Workshop, a notable event was the laying of a 6.6 KV, 3 core submarine cable between Hong Kong island and Green Island. A 50 KVA step-down transformer was installed on Green Island and low-tension feeders were connected to supply the light- house, signal station and quarters. A combined effort with the mechanical section was the testing and installation of the fog horn signal set complete with all generating and ancillary equip- ment on Lam Tong Island.

135. The staff of the Mechanical Section was fully occupied looking after the items of mechanical, construction, and quarry plant operated by Government and, in addition to handling the installation of the generating set at Lam Tong and a number of other diesel driven lighting sets at police out-posts, this sub- section was also responsible for the assembly and putting into service of a Ruston 19 RB self-propelled Excavator which arrived from England completely dismantled.

136. A 600 cubic feet per minute Broom-Wade Air Com-. pressor was also rebuilt and installed at Hok Un Quarry with an 125 H.P. electric motor driving unit for which the electrical section manufactured new slip rings, brush gear and a complete starter unit to replace the original gear which was looted during the Japanese occupation.

137. On March 31st, 1950, the total number of vehicles in Government service which were being regularly serviced, main- tained and overhauled by the workshops was 739, comprising 189 cars, 436 lorries and 114 motor cycles. A large percentage of these are ex-Army vehicles obtained from the British Military Administration and they are now in urgent need of replace- ment. The work involved in keeping these old and worn vehicles running until new vehicles can be obtained is imposing a heavy burden on the workshop's resources. In this connection

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it has been essential to organize extensive body rebuilding, and complete engine and transmission overhaul programmes. During the year 57 vehicles were disposed of as they were beyond economical repair.

138. When new vehicles are sanctioned, particular atten- tion is being paid to the fitting of special bodies to suit the job for which they are intended and, except for ordinary passenger cars, only the chassis and power unit are now obtained from the manufacturer, the bodies being built on them locally. In this respect two totally enclosed all-metal Night-soil Bucket Carriers were designed for the Urban Council and constructed in the workshops mounted on Karrier CK3 chassis. In addi- tion, Insulated Meat Delivery Vans for the Urban Council, a Delivery and Sorting Van for the Secretariat Despatch Service, and a standard type of 6 seater Utility van for general Govern- ment service were designed by this office and constructed by a local contractor. Owing to the unsuitability of locally avail- able timber, and in conformity with the modern trend in vehicle body, building, all bodies are designed for all metal construction.

139. The pool of vehicles and drivers maintained by this office for the use of all Government Departments was well used, and a sub-pool was inaugurated during the year, operating from the Colonial Secretariat Building. This has proved very satis- factory and it is proposed to extend the activities of the pool further during the coming year.

140. During the year under review a total of 348 applicants were tested for appointment with Government as car and lorry drivers, and 235 passed and were engaged. A shortage of lorry drivers manifested itself during the year, and it was not found possible to keep up with the number of drivers resigning. The position remains acute, particularly with respect to the Sanitary Department who operate a large proportion of specialized vehicles.

141. The re-organization of the stores section has pro- ceeded smoothly and is now considered to be as compact as the physical separation of the workshops will allow. A suspense account to which the cost of labour and materials are charged in the first instance, and later recovered by transfer from an appropriate vote, has been instituted. This has enabled the stores to maintain at the workshops a stock of raw materials and spare parts which considerably facilitates the prompt execution of jobs.

PORT WORKS OFFICE.

Public Works Recurrent.

142. Maintenance of Sea Walls and Piers:-General Main- tenance was carried out on all sea walls and piers in the Colony.

148. Maintenance of Vehicle Ferry Piers: -Jubilee Street and Jordan Road Piers were maintained in a fair state of repair. All external walls of both piers were given two coats of "Snowcem" cement paint.

144. Maintenance of Harbour Plant and Equipment: This plant and equipment was maintained in a satisfactory con- dition.

145. Dredging:With two dredging units in operation some 269,701 cubic yards of spoil were dredged and deposited at Kun Tong. Work was carried out at the following points: Fleming Road, French Street, Saigon Street, Shamshuipo, Wan- chai and Whitfield Dust Boat Stations, Nelson Street Nullah Outfall, Kai Tak Airport, Proserpine Rocks, Fleming Road and Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter.

146. Foreshore Dumping:---The dumping of spoil from new building development steadily continued throughout the year at Aberdeen and Staunton Creek. An area of about 130 acres was reclaimed at Staunton Creek. The North Point dump could not be re-opened as the protective walling was not sufficiently advanced. Public dumping at Hung Hom reclama- tion continued.

147. Maintenance of Kai Tak Airport:—In order that the existing runways could remain serviceable for traffic the work of patching large areas was carried out under the Maintenance Contract. This work amounted to approximately 70,000 square feet of concrete and 31,000 square yards of tarmac and was completed by the end of February.

Public Works Extraordinary.

148. Central Reclamation Scheme:-Borings were made to ascertain the nature of the harbour bed and sketch plans were prepared of alternative schemes for this reclamation.

149. Hung Hom Bay Reclamation Scheme:~To enable the designs and estimates to be prepared, investigation of the nature of the submarine foundations by borings was carried out in Hung Hom Bay.

150. Rafts for Beaches:-The rehabilitation of two rafts at Repulse Bay and two at Shek O was carried out.

151. Improvements to Dust Boat Stations:-Financial ap- proval to carry out alterations and improvements to the five dust-boat stations at French Street, Saigon Street, Kweilin Street, Whitfield Street and Fleming Road was obtained by the Chairman of the Urban Council. As these improvements were urgently required to accommodate a new improved type of refuse-boat this work was done under the Maintenance Contract.

152. Construction of Seawall-Aberdeen Reclamation:- Funds were provided by a grant from the Colonial Development and Welfare Scheme for the construction of 580 lineal feet of seawall and the formation of a reclamation at Aberdeen for the Fisheries Department. Work commenced on 21st February, 1949, and was completed by the end of January, 1950.

153. Kai Tak Airport:-(a) Construction of Perimeter Fence--The contract, comprising some 3,150 lineal feet of chain link fence together with all necessary reinforced concrete posts, and barbed wire was completed in July. (b) Concrete Run- ways-Rapid deterioration and failure of the concrete runways surface under the ever increasing loads led to the letting of a contract for some 267,000 square feet of concrete surface. This work was completed in December. (c) Bituminous Resurfacing to Runways-The contract, comprising some 200,000 square yards of bituminous surface and 40,000 square yards of feather strip was awarded to Messrs. Gammon (Malaya) Ltd. Work commenced on 16th November and slow progress was recorded due to various causes. (d) Construction of Taxi Track and Drains a contract to provide a taxi track from the hardstand- ings to the turning button of 13 Runway (to avoid the necessity of aircraft taxi-ing along the unsurfaced portions of the runway) and necessary drainage work was let to Messrs. Wa Hing Con- struction Co. Work commenced in January and was almost completed at the end of the year.

Rehabilitation Loan.

154. Plant and Equipment:-During the year, the follow- ing equipment was received:-Spare Parts for cement guns, guniting equipment, Pegson rammers, concrete mixers and Bamford tractor mower, Ferrodo brake lining and steel chains for use on “Priestman" Dredger and Tynes for Dredger Grab, complete Optical Theodolite, and Diving equipment including an 18-H.P. combined propelling and air compressor diesel engine.

·--

155. Reclamation Works at Kun Tong and North Point: A negotiated contract, estimated to cost $5,600,000 to be com- pleted in two years, was signed on 8th January, 1949, with Messrs. Netherlands Harbour Works Co. By the end of the year under review, 60% of the whole of the work was completed, progressing smoothly to schedule. A total of 5,300 lineal feet of foundation trench for sea walls at Kun Tong and North Point and a 100 feet wide nullah at Kun Tong had been completed for a total quantity of dredging of 445,000 cubic yards. The dump- ing of washed dredged sand in the trenches for foundations of the same three sections was also completed for a further total of 523,000 cubic yards. For the protection of the sand sub- foundation, a total of 49,000 cubic yards of granite rubble was quarried and placed under water.

156. Staging on Kowloon Naval Yard Camber:-Under the terms of the Encroachment on Admiralty Property, the work of rehabilitation of the staging was let on contract and completed in August.

157. Guniting:-Guniting repairs to the reinforced con- crete superstructures of Queen's Pier and Jubilee Street Ferry Pier were carried out departmentally.

158. Repairs to Marine Department and King Shan Piers: These two piers, sited within the area of a projected reclamation scheme, were reconstructed in timber and the work was completed. in November.

159. Construction of New Hardstandings at Kai Tak Airport:-The Airport traffic has increased over the past three years and the problem of dispersal has become more and more acute. This contract, providing some 34,000 square yards of additional temporary hardstanding, was awarded to Messrs. Wan Hin & Co. Work commenced at the end of the year.

General.

160. Beacons ; —Three concrete beacons at

Rambler Channel and two navigational beacons on the north foreshore of Shamshuipo anchorage to determine the limits of the proposed Fairway through Yaumati Bay were erected at the request of Marine Department.

office instituted and

161. Testing Laboratory:-This developed a laboratory on a limited scale for the carrying out of tests on aggregates, cement, concrete, bitumen and soil as used by the various offices of the department.

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162. Cross Harbour Passenger Traffic:-Ways and means, supported by tentative designs and estimates, were examined for a solution of the acute problem of relieving the congestion exist- ing in the annual transport of some 80 million passengers by the two Operating Companies. A new ferry service between Tonnochy Road, Wanchai, and Jordan Road, Kowloon was inaugurated on 12th November, 1949 by the Hong Kong & Yaumati Ferry Co., Ltd. Work of converting the Tonnochy Road Pier into a ferry pier commenced on 29th September, 1949 and was carried out under the Maintenance Contract.

163. Current Observations:--Tidal Observations off Holt's Wharf, Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock, North Point Quarry Wall, Wanchai Praya and Jubilee Street Pier were carried out with the old type of floats. With a modified type of float observa- tions were taken off Tsim Sha Tsui, North Point and South Bay.

164. Miscellaneous:-The establishment of an automatic tide recording gauge and the taking of vehicular traffic census for information and record were part of routine works, as were the location, sounding and submarine examination of under- water obstructions on behalf of the Marine Department.

165. Reclamation Schemes, Survey Parties;-(a) Land Borings:-Investigating the possibility of obtaining spoil from neighbouring hills for a large scale reclamation project at Tsun Wan, some 3,100 lineal feet of bores were sunk with two rigs in the field, while a contour survey of the terrain was carried out by a survey party. (b) Submarine Borings:-Investigations of submarine foundation conditions were carried out at Marsh Road, Cheung Chau, Tai O, West Point and North Point to pro- vide data for the design and estimates for tentative schemes in respect of piers and reclamations at these sites.

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ROADS AND TUNNELS OFFICE.

Public Works Recurrent.

166. General:-The continued increase in the number of vehicles, especially in the case of the Military, on all roads in the Colony in conjunction with deterioration as a result of lack of maintenance during the Japanese occupation resulted in a heavy programme of work being undertaken and completed. The weather was on the whole better than average and only a small amount of typhoon and rainstorm damage occurred. The current maintenance contracts showed decreases in per- centage rates above schedule prices as compared with those in force at the end of last year. The quarries maintained adequate production and a noteworthy performance was given by the old

rehabilitated tarmacadam plant at Morrison Hill. The road plant, consisting principally of steam and motor-driven rollers, gave good service, but it became apparent that more motor rollers of the heavier weights fitted with scarifying tynes were necessary. The Huber rollers continued to cause anxiety owing to their poor braking power and they will require replacement within the next two or three years. During the year there was great activity on the part of the public utility companies installing new or rehabilitating existing services.

This was reflected in a great increase in the number of trench reinstate- ments. Roadworks in city areas were delayed by the necessity of compliance with Police traffic arrangements as a result of the greatly increased volume of traffic. Furthermore, many of the utility companies found it necessary to take the opportunity to examine their services before the new road surfacing was laid, and this resulted in further delays.

167. Maintenance of Approaches to Government Build- ings:-Repairs were carried out to the approaches to Maryknoll at Stanley, Gough Hill Police Station, Tytam Police Station, Mt. Nicholson Bungalows, Government Sand Depôt, Shaukiwan Fisheries Syndicate, 406 The Peak and Central Police Station on the Island. On the Mainland approaches were repaired at King's Park Quarters, the temporary La Salle College, Sai Kung and Shatin Police Stations, Lai Chi Kok Hospital, Kowloon Police H.Q. and the Kowloon Government Garage in Ma Tau Wei Road.

168. Maintenance of Footpaths and Drainage Connections: Footpaths were repaired in Robinson Road, Victoria Street, Monmouth Path, Hollywood Road, Garden Road, Kennedy Road, Caroline Road, Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road on the Island, and in Kowloon in Battery Street, Kwan Choy Street, Sai Yeung Choi Street, Tai Nam Street, Prince Edward Road and Arthur Street.

169. Maintenance of Government A.R.P. Tunnels:-Minor repairs were carried out in many tunnels, particularly in con- nection with drainage systems and portals.

170. Maintenance of Quarries and Road Plant:—Supplies of crushed aggregate and tarred materials were maintained at satisfactory level. Mobile crushing units were installed at Hung Shui Kiu Quarry and the production of crushed aggregate, small in quantity but good in quality, proved a useful asset for maintenance works and military projects in this area of the New Territories. Messrs. Marsman's contract for the opera- tion of Morrison Hill Quarry was extended for six months. A contract for removal of overburden at Hok Un Quarry was

In operation at the end of the year. This contract will enable blasting operations to be conducted with less danger to houses and traffic in Chatham Road. Production for the year was:

Hok Un Quarry

Morrison Hill Quarry

Hung Shui Kiu Quarry

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Aggregate. 40,510 Tons

Tarred Materials.

73,303

2,375

25,928 Tons 24,935

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Road plant was maintained in a satisfactory working condition throughout the year by Electrical and Mechanical Office.

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171. Maintenance of Roads and Bridges:--The principal works completed on the Island were in Johnston Road, Stubbs Road, Queen's Road West, Tung Lo Wan Road, Garden Road, Hollywood Road, Caine Road, Bonham Road, Morrison Street, Connaught Road West, Tsung Shau Lane, Macdonnell Road, Tai Wong Street East, Wyndham Street, Arbuthnot Road, Stone Nullah Lane, Hennessy Road, Third Street, Cape D'Aguilar Road, Barker Road, Black's Link, King's Road, Shek O Road, Aldrich Street, Shaukiwan Road and the Island of Aplichau. In Kowloon streets repaired included Temple Street, Fife Street, Austin Road, Ki Lung Street, Lung Kong Road, Castle Peak Road, Navy Street, Humphreys Avenue, Canton Road, Poplar Street, Nullah Street, South Wall Road, Taipo Road, Clearwater Bay Road; and in the New Territories Taipo Road, between 12-14 milestones, Castle Peak Road, between 22-23 mile- stones, Ching Lung Tau Causeway, Castle Peak Causeway, Taipo Market, and Un Long Market,

172. Maintenance of Traffic and Street Signs:--The car parks, pedestrian crossings and traffic lines were marked out to police traffic requirements, and all traffic signs were maintained.

173, Street Lighting: ---The number of lamps illuminated at the end of the year was:-

Hong Kong

Kowloon

New Territories

Electric.

Gas.

1,059

619

1,253

172

105

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174. Maintenance of Cemeteries:-Repairs were carried out as requested by the Urban Council,

175. Maintenance of Dumps: The Wanchai Gap and Waterloo Road dumps were closed in the course of the year. Dumping was permitted for a few months in Blue Pool Road. The Kowloon Ĉity dump continued in operation.

176. Minor Works:-These consisted of removal of spoil or boulders from various sites in the Colony.

177. Reinstatements on Re-entered

Property:-Small works were carried out in Queen's Road East and Stone Nullah Lane.

178. Typhoon and Rainstorm Damage:—Major repairs in- cluded a new retaining wall in Bridges Street, repairs to cuttings in Plantation Road, Coombe Road, Barker Road, Mt. Kellett Road, King's Road, Peak Road and Wanchai Gap on the Island. In Kowloon repairs included Police Recreation Ground, Bound- ary Street, Maryknoll College, Ho Tung Road, and the roadway adjoining the sea wall at Lai Chi Kok Beach. In the New Territories the causeway wall on So Kun Wat was reconstructed and repairs were carried out in Gill's Cutting, Taipo Road, Sai- kung Road, Tai Wai Bridge, revetment and walling to Shing Mun River.

179. Works Erected on Private Account:-The number of works carried out during the year was 450, consisting mainly of footpath paving beneath balconies and footpath crossings to private garages.

Public Works Extraordinary.

180. Roads and Paths, New Territories:--Construction was commenced on two new roads, the first being Lam Tsuen Valley Road, 5 miles long, from Taipo Shui Wai to Kam Tin; the second, Fun Shui Gap Road, 44 miles long, from Fanling to Kam Tin.

-The

181. Security Measures at Police Stations, etc.: security walls in the West Point and Kennedy Town district were repaired. "No Entry" signs were erected on approach roads to reservoirs.

182. Works Contingent on Land Sales:-The main items completed included works in North Point Road, Tong Shui Road, Java Road, Blue Pool Road, Electric Road, Link Road, Leighton Hill Road, Tsoi Tak Street on the Island, and on the Mainland in Ma Hang Chung Road, Lung Kong Road, Fa Yuen Street, College Road, Shanghai Street, Chatham Road, Flower Market Road, Woo Sung Street, Castle Peak Road, Argyle Street, Ma Tau Chung Road, Kowloon City Road, Pratas Street, Lion Rock Road, Kadoorie Avenue, and Kwai Chow Street. There re- mained a considerable amount of work to be carried out in the Kowloon and New Kowloon districts.

GERI SM

ett

id.

ew ced ai- ing

· of

inly s to

tion

suen

Tin; iling

-The strict roach

Lam Tsuen Valley Road.

items

Road,

ighton

inland

Street, Market et, Ma 1 Rock ere re- in the

81 -

183. Causeway Road Widening:-This work was completed early in the year.

184. Mt. Kellett Road Widening:-The widening of this road to take two way traffic to just beyond the Matilda Hospital was completed.

185. Roads, Footpaths and Bridges:-Streets reconstructed on the Island were Lower Lascar Row, Kau Yu Fong, Upper Station Street, Wilmer Street, Jubilee Street, Po Yan Street, New Street, Chung Ching Street, Stanley Main Street, and in Kowloon, Shantung Street, Anchor Street, Tai Nam Street, Port- land Street, Man Ming Lane, Wing Sing Lane, Arthur Street and part of Kweilin Street and Shanghai Street.

186. Quarries and Road Depôts:-The quality of stone supplied from Morrison Hill Quarry, the sole source of supply for the Island, was not up to standard owing to the poor rock encountered, and it was therefore decided to rehabilitate the prewar quarry at Tsat Tze Mui. Towards the end of the year a contract was let for the site formation and construction of office buildings and foundations for new quarry plant. New modern screening and tarmacadam plant had arrived by the end of the year.

187. Wo Hop Shek Cemetery:-Extensive terracing was carried out.

188. Chief Justice's Residence-The widening of the exist- ing access to the site of the new Chief Justice's residence and roadworks except for the final surfacing were completed.

Rehabilitation Loan.

189. Clearance of Débris and Dangerous Structures:-A small amount of clearance in various sites in Kowloon was completed.

190. Cemeteries:-New paths and drainage channels were laid in No. 8 Urning Cemetery, Kowloon..

191. Demolition of Defence and Other Works:-Contracts were let for repairs and for filling sections of the A.R.P. tunnels in the Mt. Parish, Mt. Shadwell, and Blue Pool Road sites. 34 Japanese tunnel sites on the Mainland and 36 on the Island were filled, and the portals sealed in masonry. Demolition work and the rebuilding of a new retaining wall in the Botanic Gardens were also completed.

}

IS 32

1o 1925 Públič Recreation Areas: Footpath and turfing re- pairs were carried out on the Tregunter Path playground.

11935 Quarries and Road Depôts: The Tai Hang Road Depôt was rebuilt and now houses both the Tai Hang and Wong Nei Chong gangs.

194. Roads, Footpaths and Bridges:-Reconstruction works were carried out on the Island in Queen's Road Central, Con- naught Road Central, "Murray Road, Hennessy Road, Conduit 9 Road, Peak Road, Amoy Street, Tai Wong Street East, Lee Tung Street, Spring Garden Lane, Russell Street; First Street, Second Street, Third Street, Water Street and Pokfulam Road. On the -Mainland a section of Shanghai Street was re-constructed, re- Palignment of Castle Peak Road at Tsun Wan Road, and the

reconstruction of a section of Nathan Road was put in hand.

13195 Street Lighting and Traffic Signs:—On the Island new street lamps were installed in Battery Path and Colonial Secretariat grounds, and in Wyndham Street, Connaught Road Central, Arbuthnot Road, Babington Path, New Street, Po Yan Street and U Lam Terrace. On the Mainland 135 new electric lamps were erected. A contract was let for the erection of new traffic signs made necessary by the introduction of the new ---traffic regulations, notably in connection with the establishment of the Silent Zone within the City of Victoria. The erection of the signs was completed before the end of the year.

196. Other Works: -Cape Collinson Road was repaired at the request of the RIA.F., and Capé D'Aguilar Road in connec- -tion with the new wireless-telegraphy station.

197. Summary:-The following areas of surfacing were laid during the year:

Tarpainting

Tarmacadam

Tartops

·· ́ Drymacadam

Concrete surfacing

Granolithic paving

.. ́ ́170,000 square yards.

169,000 "

... $480,000

193,000

69,000 "1

fr 66,000

TOWN PLANNING OFFICE..

198, Sir Patrick Abercrombie's Preliminary Report was published in September and has guided the work of the office.

199. Increasing pressure of redevelopment in the Colony, has rendered the preparation of Interim Outline Plans urgently necessary to guide development in the urban areas of the Colony,.... and work on these proceeded.

200 Large-scale, traffic layouts for dealing with the n increasing congestion in Victoria, also received active con- sideration in close liaison with the Traffic Department.

201. On the mainland, a layout plan for Tsun Wan was:5 approved and during the year a number of factories have been built in the area. The final plan for Luen Wo, a new market village near Fanling,, was approved and development started. Plans were under discussion for other New Territories villages. In the urban area building has been encouraged on the lines of the Abercrombie Report, particularly in the industrial area to the west of Kowloon Bay and in the residential area along the northern fringe of Kowloon.

WATER WORKS OFFICE.

General

202. The Waterworks continued to be administered on a self-supporting basis, the cost of operation, including the fund- ing and interest charged on Loans and Contribution to the Renewals and Improvement Fund, being balanced by revenue from the sale of water.

203. Rainfall for the year as recorded at the Royal Observatory was 81.63 inches which was 19.12 inches less than for the preceding 12 months and 2.63 cinches less than the period, 1884-1938:3

204. The total consumption of water from the Waterworks excluding New. Territories villages was 12,286 million gallons.or a daily average of 33.65 million gallons. This was 10%. more, than in 1948/9 in spite of the fact that severe restrictions in the hours of supply were in force throughout the year with the exception of (a) two days at Chinese New Year and (b) two days in July. Even with these severe restrictions the position in regard to storage, at the close of the year gave rise to anxiety, the reservoirs having then dropped to about 40% of full capacity.Jo with a probable two months to go before the commencement of the rainy season.

205. With the rapid increase in population distribution difficulties continued even although an extensive mainlaying programme was carried out. This was due to the fact that large areas of the city are still served by old mains and service reservoirs of inadequate size to meet the increased density of population and many more new mains and increased service reservoir capacity are still required. Filtration capacity also proved inadequate and an attempt to maintain full supply in July had to be abandoned as the demand for water far exceeded the capacity of the filters as well as of the distribution system. The completion of the new rapid gravity filters at Eastern (Stubbs Road) (see paragraph 226 of last year's Report) in November improved the position somewhat in regard to filtration but filter capacity will still be inadequate to maintain full supply during the next hot season if the population remains at its present level.

206. The purity of the water was maintained at a high standard, the majority of samples tested showing B. Coli absent in 100 c.c. Isolated cases of local pollution occurred and

remedial measures were carried out.

207. Waste detection continued by house to house inspec- tion only, no staff being available to operate the waste detection meter system. The preparation of the detailed plans necessary for the operation of this system was, however, in hand at the close of the year.

208. The position in regard to the repair of water meters continued to be satisfactory although handicapped in Kowloon by the lack of proper workshop facilities. Approval was given, however, towards the end of the year for a new workshop in Kowloon.

209. Survey work and stream gaugings for the Tai Lam Chung Valley Scheme continued, but approval to proceed with the Scheme was still withheld.

210. To meet the demand for water by the Military Authorities in the Fanling area a new Intake and Filters were constructed on the River Jhelum near Hok Tau Village and about five miles of pipe line laid to the Fanling cross roads.

211. New slow sand filters were constructed at Wong Nei Chong Reservoir so that filtered water could be supplied to the Shou Son Hill area. All Island districts supplied from the Waterworks now have a filtered supply.

212. In view of the large population now in the Colony various schemes were considered for augmenting the supply in case of emergency.

213. The re-establishment and revision of records of all kinds was continued.

214. Approximately 18,000 letters to and from the public were dealt with during the year, and investigation into water supply was dealt with in regard to some 280 applications to purchase land. Ja bas

15007,

Public Works Recurrent.

215. Headworks and Trunk Supplies:-The main details of storage in the impounding reservoirs are as follows:-

Storage in Million Gallons

Date

Remarks

Gravitation

Pumping Reservoirs Reservoirs

Total

Island

1st April, 1949

445.10

746.07

1,191.17

1st April, 1950

447.48

700.40

10th June, 1949

337.10

331.87

1,147.88 668.97

Decrease 42.29

M.G.

Minimum storage for the year.

9th Sept., 1949.

22nd-25th Sept.,

1949.

653.76

1,708.79

2,362,55

28th Sept., 1949

8th Oct., 1949

Mainland

1,397.45

1,258.40 972.83

1st April, 1949 1st April, 1950 23rd May, 1949

11th Aug., 1949 8th-14th Sept.,

1949. 16th Sept., 1949

18th Sept., 1949

20th Sept. to

4th Oct., 1949

1,397.45

.. 1,258.40 972.83

8th-9th Oct.,

1949

12th Oct., 1949

eí

7 22

3,608.25

Maximum storage

on 7 days i.e. all

reservoirs full.

Decrease 139.05

M.G. Minimum storage for the year.

Maximum storage

on 28 days i.e.. all reservoirs.

full

Further details are given in Tables I and 11.

-86--

216. Periods when, water was lost by overflow were

Reservoir.

Overflow Periods.

ISLAND.

Tytam-Tuk.b.......................... 45 days, between 8th and 24th August, 1949. **

Aberdeen Lower

Pokfulam

Kowloon Byewash....

Jubilee.

1st and 2nd Sept, 1949. 8th and 14th Sept.,,1949

17th Sept., 1949

21st Sept. and 2nd October, 1949: 8th and 13th October, 1949

116,days,,between 28th June and 21st October, 1949

20 days between, 25th and 28th June, 1949

16th and 17th August, 1949---

1st Sept., 1949, ai

9th Sept., 1949

11th and 12th Sept., 1949-

21st and 28th Sept., 1949 8th October, 1949

16th November, 1949

MAINLAND..."

62 days between 6th and 23rd August, 1949-

25th August, 1949

31st August and 5th Sept., 1949 8th Sept, and 14th October, 1949

82 days between 16th and, 30th July, 1949

1st and 27th August, 1949 31st Aug. and 4th October, 1949 8th and 12th October, 1949

217. After consideration of various methods of dealing with the leakage through the 30" Scour Valve at Jubilee Dam --- (referred to in paragraph 199 of last year's Report) it was decided to refer the matter to the Consulting Engineers for the Dam-Messrs. Binnie, Deacon & Gourley. Their recommenda tion was that the Bombay representative of Messrs. Glenfield & Kennedy, Ltd., the manufacturers of the Valve, should go to Hong Kong to advise after inspection on the site. Arrange- ments were made accordingly and a Mr. Cunningham duly++ arrived in October and prepared his report. His | suggestion was to fix the new replacement valve in the Recorder House at the downstream face of the Dam and then seal. up the defectiveis! valve permanently by placing a steel chamber over it and con- -- creting the chamber in. This proposal was accepted and by the e end of the year all the necessary designs had been prepared and the materials fabricated in preparation for carrying out the work when the water level in the reservoir reached its lowest level, probably in April,1950, ml

218The damaged 21 cross harbour main (referred to in paragraph 200 of last year's Report) was replaced by a new 50 foot length" "with an expansion ¦ joint. The pipe was pro- tected by concrete sheathing and lining Preparations were in hand for the replacement of the corroded muntz metal joint covers by cast iron covers! The welding up of leaking joints on the 24" Shing Mun Trunk mains was continued throughout the year.

NO MAT

219. Pumping Raw Water:-During the year 2,901 million gallons of raw water were pumped out of a total consumption of 12,286 million gallons. At Tytam Tuk a fracture occurred on the suction box of No. 4 engine. A new casting was made by Messrs. Lee Tung Wo, tested and put into use. A second fracture occurred' later on the H.P. valve chamber of No. 3 engine. An attempt was made to repair by welding but this proved unsuccessful and towards the end of the year tenders were invited for the manufacture of a new casting.

220. Preparations were in hand for the installation of stand-by Perkins diesel engines, purchased locally, at Aberdeen Upper and Lower Pumping Stations.

221. Filtration and Treatment: Some 12,310 million gallons of water were filtered at twelve filtration plants. New rapid gravity filters at Eastern and slow sand' filters at Wong Nei Chong were brought into use during the year.

222. During the year samples of water were examined regularly by the Government Pathologist and by-the Government Chemist Details of result are given in Table IV.

223. Pumping Filtered Water:-A total of 1,144 million m gallons of filtered water were pumped out of a total consumption ** of 12,286 million gallons

to Ire

DLAN

224. A stand-by Ruston diesel engine was installed at Garden Road Pumping Station. This engine was a pre-war engine which was surplus to requirements.

use.

225. The new Eastern Pumping Station was brought into A description of this station is given in paragraph 255.

226. The new Diesel engine plant ordered under Indent *No.-48/48 for Pokfulam Road Pumping Station to replace the steam engine plant had not arrived by the end of the year.'

—

227. Distribution:-The total quantity of water consumed during the year was 6,877 million gallons on the Island and 5,409 million gallons on the Mainland, (excluding New Ter- ritories) a grand total of 12,286 million gallons. Included in the Island consumption was 2,425 million gallons supplied from the Mainland which was 35.3% of the total Island consumption. The total consumption was 12,286 million gallons or 10% more than in the previous year. Assuming an average population over the year of 2,000,000 the consumption per head per day for all purposes was about 17 gallons. Further details are given in Tables I & II & III,

are:

228. Details of the supply given throughout the year

Hours of supply per day

16 hours (6 a.m.-10 p.m.)

24 hours

16 hours (6 a.m.-10 p.m.)

17 hours (6 a.m.-11 p.m.)

15 hours (6.30 a.m.-9.30 p.m.)

12 hours (6.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m.) & (4 p.m.-9 p.m.)

24 hours.

12 hours (6.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m.) & (4 p.m.-9 p.m.)

1st April-18th July 1949

19th July-20th July 1949

21st July-11th August 1949

12th August-31st Oct. 1949

1st Nov. 1949-12th Feb. 1950

13th Feb.-15th Feb. 1950

Period

Total No. of days

109

104

16th Feb.-18th Feb. 1950

19th Feb.-31st March 1950

A full supply was thus maintained for 5 days only compared with 173 days in 1948/49.

229. Service Reservoirs and Mains: -General mainten- ance and washing out of all service reservoirs and mains was continued. A new 6′′ cement concrete Invert was laid in the old 750 foot tank above Po Shan Road to render it watertight. At Shek Li Pui Service Reservoir the 24′′ steel main, which is laid on the Invert of the south half, was concreted in to check the corrosion of the steel. Repairs numbering 2,154 to mains, valves and hydrants on the Island and 896 on the Mainland were undertaken.

230. Waste Detection and Prevention: The preparation of detail plans for waste detection areas was continued. To- wards the end of the year a senior Waterworks Inspector was engaged full time on this work and in arranging for night

surveys on the distribution system.

House to house inspection continued throughout the year and 1,601 notices to alter defec- tive services was issued. Fittings totalling 24,389 to be used on inside services by Licensed Plumbers were tested and stamped in the Workshops. 23 new licences and 227 renewals of old licences were issued to plumbers after investigation of their knowledge and workshop facilities. One licence was can- celled for infringement of the Regulations.

231. Maintenance of Buildings':—General maintenance of Water Works Quarters and other buildings was carried out by the Architectural Office.

232. Maintenance of Water Meters:—At the end of the year there were 16,851 meters in use on the Island and 13,048 on the Mainland. The number of meters repaired and tested was 15,731 on the Island, and 8,312 on the Mainland. Of these 5,316 on the Island and 2,941 on the Mainland were repaired on site without removal, the remainder being repaired in the Workshops. Four meters on the Island and nine on the Main- land were tested under Regulation 7 of the Waterworks Ordinance, and 61 on the Island and five on the Mainland were found to be unfit for further service. Details of the number of metered services and meters in use in the Colony are given in Tables V and VI.

233. Maintenance of Workshops: -The manufacture and repair of various articles required for the maintenance of water works pumping plant, machinery, valves, hydrants etc. and for other Sub-departments and Departments was continued. total of 945 orders was dealt with, 874 being for water works. In addition 10,415 meters were repaired in the Island Workshop and 5,371 in the Mainland Workshop. The annual inspection and overhaul of boilers in Government buildings was continued.

Public Works Recurrent Miscellaneous.

234. Minor Works:-Boring work at Wong Nei Chong Reservoir was completed and some of the leakage planes were traced. No remedial work was carried out during the year as no grouting plant was available.

235. Minor improvements were carried out to the supply to Mountain View, The Peak, and at upper Tai Hang Village where pressures were inadequate.

Fyr

236. Turfing and channelling were laid at Eastern Filters and Wong Nei Chong Filters to prevent erosion, and under- growth was cleared round the Service Reservoir which supplies Queen Mary Hospital.

237. The chlorine cylinder storage space at Eastern Filters was enclosed to protect the cylinders from the direct rays of the sun.

238. Improvements were made to the sandwashing arrange- ments at Pokfulam Filters.

239. The 650 foot Service Reservoir was connected to the Peak supply so that in the event of a breakdown of the Bowen Road Pumps the supply to the Bowen Road Military Hospital could be maintained.

240. An overflow was constructed at the gauge basin at the outlet of Tytam Tunnel to deal with the possibility of a sud- den closing down of Eastern Rapid gravity filters.

241. Preliminary Investigations:—At Shek O further trial wells were dug and pump tests carried out. In view, however, of the early incidence of rain results were inconclusive.

242. Trial pits were excavated at Red Hill near Tytam Tuk in connection with the proposed new Stanley Filters.

243. Survey work was carried out in connection with pro- posed new Service Reservoirs at the Albany, Bowen Road, Kowloon City, South of King George V School and above Lai Chi Kok.

244. Running Expenses of Motor Vehicles: -The cost of operating Waterworks Vehicles was charged to this sub-head.

245. Typhoon and Rainstorm Damage:-Repairs to Shing Mun Catchwaters under Contract No. 7/49 (referred to in para- graph 219 of last year's Report) were completed satisfactorily. Landslides were cleared during the year at the following places:-Shing Mun Catchwater, Kowloon slow sand filters, 750 foot Service Reservoir, Pokfulam Conduit and Filters and Mt. Davis Tunnel. Repairs were carried out to damaged fencing at the 750 foot Service Reservoir and at Chai Wan Filters. roofs and windows of Tytam Tuk Pumping Station, Bullock Lane Depôt, Garden Road Quarters and Elliot Quarters suffered some damage and repair work was carried out by the Architectural Office.

The

Public Works Extraordinary.

246. Causeway Bay Road Widening-Replacement of Water Main:The laying of 1,818 feet of 18 inch diameter main on a line and level to suit the new road lay-out was completed in June, some 1,800 feet of old 12′′ piping being recovered after the new main was put into use.

247. Filters and Chlorination Plant:-The construction and laying of the new 24′′ Bowen Road main (referred to in paragraph 227 of last year's Report) was completed during the year. The total length of the new main was 14,420 feet. The final amount of Contract No. 1/49 was $166,524.00 and of Contract No. 15/49 $562,928.00.

rl 248. -- Pumping Plant:—Work on the new slow sand filters at Wong Nei Chong Reservoir (referred to in paragraph 235 of last year's Report) under Contract No. 10/49 was satisfactorily completed in November at a cost of $129,181.90. 2,532 feet of new 6′′ asbestos cement piping was laid between Jardine's Lookout Service Reservoir and Wong Nei Chong Filters and 2,752 feet of 8" asbestos cement pumping main laid from Eastern Pumping Station to Jardine's Lookout Service Reservoir. 5,250 feet of 8" steel piping ordered under Indent No. 95/48 were strung out between Pokfulam Road Pumping Station and the Peak Reservice Reservoir but pipelaying was not commenced as the Victaulic pipe joints had not arrived. A new electrically driven centrifugal pump with a capacity of 160,000 gallons per day was ordered under Indent No. 356/49 as a standby for. pumping from Eastern Pumping Station to Jardine's Lookout where the consumption is increasing due to building develop- ment. A new Diesel-driven centrifugal pump with a capacity of 600,000 gallons per day was ordered under Indent No. 524/49 for Albany Pumping Station where the existing pumps are all electrically driven.

249. Waterworks Workshop: -Tenders were under con- sideration at the end of the year for the construction of a new Waterworks Depôt and Workshop under Contract No. 8/50 at a site between Argyle Street, Sai Yee Street, Bute Street and the Railway. Approval for this work was not given until February 1950. Plans for a new workshop at Bullock Lane were under consideration.

250. Stanley Water Supply:-This work was referred to in paragraph 222 of last year's Report. The piping ordered under Indents Nos. 16 and 18/47 arrived during the year and 2,863 feet of 8" steel and 7,650 feet of 8". Asbestos cement piping were laid between Tytam Tuk Pumping Station and Stanley Mound

Service Reservoir. Designs were prepared for the new Rapid Gravity Filter House and Service Reservoir but delivery of the Filters under Indent No. 453/48 was not due until May 1950.

251. Fanling Water Supply: -To provide for the increased demand for water in the Fanling area due to building develop- ment and to the presence of a large number of troops it was decided to augment the supply by constructing an Intake on the River Jhelum above Hok Tau Village, roughing Filters with attendant Quarters near the Intake and a pipe line to Fanling crossroads to link up with the existing supply. Contract No. 78/49 for the Filters and Quarters was signed with Messrs. Sun Kee & Co. for the sum of $42,797.10 and work was nearing completion at the end of the year. Work on the Intake and pipe line was completed, 22,357 feet of 6′′ Asbestos cement piping (obtained from Japan) and 1,310 feet of 4′′ cast iron piping being laid. An old irrigation dam on the River Jhelum which was in a bad state of repair and which might have been adverse- ly affected by the new Intake higher up was repaired by a local contractor under the supervision of the District Commissioner, New Territories, at a cost of about $25,000.00.

252. Replacement of Conduit at Shing Mun: No work was carried out as delivery of the 36" steel piping ordered under Indent No. 207/48 (paragraph 223 of last year's Report) was not due until the middle of 1950. Consideration was given to the method of transporting and laying the piping.

Rehabilitation Loan.

253. Motor Transport: -No new vehicles were purchased during the year.

254. Catchwaters and Conduits:—In conjunction with the resurfacing of Nathan Road between Waterloo Road and Argyle Street 143 joints on the 24" Shing Mun Trunk Mains were welded up to reduce the risk of leakage. The work was carried out by Messrs. J. P. Inglis & Sons under contract at a cost of $54.00 per joint. New window frames ordered under Indent No. 269/48 (paragraph 225 of last year's Report) were fixed on the valve tower and recorder house, Jubilee Dam. A toe wall was constructed to retain the embankment of Jubilee Reservoir between the low gap and the guard house.

gth 255. Filters and Chlorination Plant:-This work was re- ferred to in paragraph 226 of last year's Report and work under Contract No. 37/48 comprising the new rapid gravity filter house and the new Pumping Station were completed satisfactorily in October at a cost of $624,892.10.⠀ The departmental work of

Eastern Rapid Gravity Filter House.

MEL-FEL EFF

fixing the new 8 million gallons per day filtration plant obtained under Indent No. B4/10 was completed in January and this part of the plant was put into use in February. The transfer of the existing 3 million gallons per day plant from Bowen Road to the new Eastern Filter House was not quite completed at the end of the year. The installation of the pumping plant in the new pump house

was completed departmentally, including the transfer of the four existing water turbines from the old pump houses. This pumping station now contains the following units (a) To pump to Middle Gap, Jardine's Lookout, and Tai Hang-Four water turbine driven ram pumps using the head between the new Filters and the existing service reservoir; one diesel driven centrifugal pump with a capacity of 160,000 gallons per day. (b) To pump to Bowen Road, Albany and Elliot:-one electrically driven centrifugal pump with a capacity of 5 Million Gallons per day and one diesel driven centrifugal pump with a capacity of 7 Million Gallons per day. The station commenced operation in February.

256. Mains and Hydrants:-New distribution mains vary- ing in size from 14" to 18" in diameter to supply new building development and to replace mains of inadequate size were laid to a total length of 88,788 feet on the Island and 42,013 feet on the Mainland. Mains removed or abandoned totalled 61,759 feet.

257. The more important localities in which mains were laid were King's Road, Repulse Bay, Stanley Village, Shou Son Hill, the Peak, Caine Road, Staunton Street and Queen's Gardens on the Island, and Tsun Wan, Argyle Street, Boundary Street, Nathan Road, Castle Peak Road, Carpenter Road, Mission Road, South Wall Road, and Kai Tak Airport on the Mainland.

258. Meters:-A total of 3,077 new meters were received against indents with the Crown Agents, tested, registered, and put into use.

259. Office Equipment:—Accessories for addressograph equipment, costing about $500, were received during the year under Indent No. 468/48.

་

260. Pumping. Plant:-New 8" and 6" asbestos cement piping was obtained under Indents Nos. 175/47. These mains were to replace the existing 5" and 4" pumping mains to Jardine's Lookout and the 650 foot tank which had become inadequate in view of the increased demand for water.

261. Staff Quarters:-The new European Staff Quarters at Eastern Filters, referred to in paragraph 237 of last year's Report, together with the workmen's Quarters, were completed satisfactorily under Contract No. 37/48 at a total of $164,830.90. Other works carried out under this Head were the electrical installation (by Electrical and Mechanical Office) at Eastern Filters Quarters and turfing and trimming slopes at these Quarters.

262. Tai Lam Chung Valley Scheme-Preliminary Investi- gations:-The recorder referred to in parargaph 238 of last year's Report was installed at the main weir on the Tai Lam Chung Valley stream to enable data to be collected in regard to run-off from the catchment area. Survey work for the pipe line, filters, pumping stations and service reservoirs continued when staff was available. Borings were made on the proposed site of the Filters but similar work for service reservoirs sites in the Lai Chi Kok area was suspended owing to lack of funds.

263. Workshop, Instruments and Equipment: -Five new weir recorders were obtained under Indent No. 57/48 and in- stalled at the Gardens, Yaumati Hill, Pipers Hill and Kowloon Tsai Service Reservoirs to replace those lost during the war. The Kearns boring machine and the Herbert Edgwick lathe, referred to in paragraph 241 of last year's Report, were installed at Bullock Lane Workshop. Two new Dean, Smith & Grace lathes, one 10" one 83′′ ordered under Indent No. 98/47 were received during the year and these were also installed at Bullock Lane Workshop. Two mobile electric welding sets, a heat treat- ment furnace and a tool setting and grinding machine were ordered through Government Stores for local purchase towards the end of the year.

Renewals and Improvement Fund.

264. New Pumping Plant for Tytam Tuk Pumping Station:-The equipment referred to in parargaph 242 of last year's Report had not arrived by the end of the year and no work was carried out. Several queries from the Crown Agents were dealt with and a survey of the pumping station was carried out and plans prepared. A 30,000 gallon storage tank for Diesel oil fuel at Tytam Tuk with a delivery pump was ordered under Indent No. 471/49. It was decided after consultation with the oil companies that the oil would have to be delivered by sea and that the tank should be erected near the existing pier.

265. Improvements to Tsun Wan Water Supply:-This work was referred to in paragraph 243 of last year's Report. 3,401 feet of 6′′ asbestos cement piping were laid during the year to complete the work.

Other Works.

266. Pedestal Hydrants:-12 new pedestal hydrants on the Island and eight on the Mainland were fixed in positions selected by the Chief Officer, Fire Brigade. The cost was charged to a Fire Brigade vote.

267. Trial Borings:-Boring was carried out at Leighton Hill Government Quarters to assist the Roads Office to locate underground cavities. 30 bores with a total footage of 1,898 were drilled near Tsun Wan for the Port Works Office in con- nection with a reclamation scheme there. A commencement was made with borings at the site of the proposed new Airport at Ping Shan. These works were charged to the respective votes concerned.

268. Squatters' Camps: -A water supply was laid to the new squatters area at Ho Mun Tin and charged to an Urban Council vote.

269. Resurfacing of Roads: -A number of alterations to water mains and services were carried out in conjunction with road resurfacing works as a charge to Roads Office votes.

270. Government Buildings:-A large number of minor works on water supply to Government Buildings were carried out and charged to Architectural Office votes.

271. Military Camps :-Water supply was laid on to many military camps, particularly in the Fanling area and at Mt. Davis, and the cost charged to the Military Authorities.

Revenue and Expenditure.

272. Statement No. 1 shews the Revenue and Expenditure for Waterworks for the year. Statement No. 2 shews the state of the Renewals and Improvement Fund.

273. To collect Revenue, chargeable water accounts were sent out quarterly and supplementary and miscellaneous accounts were rendered as due. Approximately 125,000 accounts

were dealt with during the year, compared with 120,000 in 1948/49. Due to the provision of more new meters and to the more rapid repair of existing meters only 10% of water accounts had to be averaged compared with some 30% in 1947/48 and 15% in 1948/49. The same rates as those in force in 1948/49 were charged for water during the year under review, viz: $0.80 per unit of 1,000 gallons for trade and domestic purposes, and $2.00 per unit for shipping and construction purposes.

- 274. 5,200 accounts were issued during the year for work done for consumers on House Service Account.

275. 6,630 Forms F (guarantee to pay water charges) were received and dealt with:

276. 5,740 demand notes for deposit to ensure payment of water charges were sent to consumers

A. P. WEIR,

Acting Director of Public Works.

(

ITEM.

Estimated Cost

Brought forward

Police Force

11. Police Quarters

12. Sheung Shui Police Station, Additions

12A Security Measures at Police Stations, etc. (Special Warrant No. 13 for $730,000)

12B Taikoo Rifle Range (Special Warrants No. 56 for $9,150 and No. 162 for $2,111)

12C Police Post at Kai Tak (Special Warrant

No. 162 for $40,000)

Expenditure

up to 31-3-49

7,000,000.

11,000.

Headquarters

Archit

253,010.26

1,21

}

{

Post Office

13. Broadcasting Studios, Electra House ...

150,000.

Prisons Department

14. Prison Camp

1,000,000.

Public Works Department

15. Caroline Hill Garage Storerooms

50,000.

37,162.66

16.

Kai Tak Airport

2,600,000.

17.

Works Contingent on Land Sales

3,170,000.

474,829.94

18.

Kai Tak Compensation.......

5,000,000.

439,682.20

19.

Replacement of Boundary Stones

30,000.

13,516.05

20.

Causeway Bay Road Widening

1,471,000.

548,632.48

21.

Mount Kellet Road Widening

500,000.

22.

Roads, Footpaths and Bridges

850,000.

23.

Quarries and Road Depots

500,000.

24.

Filters and Chlorination Plant

1,000,000.

25. Pumping Plant

450,000.

26.

Waterworks Workshop

250,000.

· Carried forward

$1,766,833.59