This
mean very definite reduction in cost in the Colony where there is no adequate machinery for handling large logs which have to be sawn by hand is a matter for the importer, but local buyers could assist by specifying scantlings and ordering to size. The setting up of one universal wood working machine in the Colony would help considerably to satisfy the market with joinery at a considerably reduced cost. In other colonies, for example, Kenya and North Borneo, Government operates on success- ful lines, timber processing plant for their own and the public's benefit.
(e) We are unable to suggest methods for reducing
the costs of other locally produced materials. (vi) Adequate Public Testing facilities for available materials are necessary. This would allow of economic design on the part of engineers and architects. Unless certified test results are available, limiting design specifications are enforced under the Buildings Ordinance. This applies particularly to concrete and steel and prohibits advantages obtainable with better classes of concrete and steel to British Standard Specification.
Possible alternative materials or methods of con- struction also will require testing before the Building Authority can reasonably be expected to approve of their use.
C. TRANSPORT
(a) With the increased amount of road transport available, the setting up of more repair facilities and improvement in roads we consider the cost of road transport should become more favourable.
(b) To enable builders to make full use of available road transport we feel Government might give thought to the provision of adequate road facilities particularly in the hill districts.
(c) The increasing use of lighters for water transport will
have a beneficial effect on costs.
(d) We consider that the use of power driven water transport will reduce the time element of the present high costs of water transport.
D. LAND
The high cost of land may be reduced by making available economically developed areas with a view to stabilizing the land market, by publicity with maps showing land available for sale, by expediting sales of land, and the inclusion of new buildings under rent controls.
(1) We recommend that Government should develop and sell "ready-to-build" sites on properly planned areas. This would ensure better and more economical use of available land while the formation of roads and laying of essential services would be more economical as a result of co-ordinated planning with better possibilities of the extensive use of mechanical plant.
(ii)
(iii)
In order not to tie up too much capital in premia at prevailing high rates of interest we recommend that Government should recover the cost of these 'ready-to- build' sites not on premium but on an enhanced crown rent. In support of this suggestion we attach in Appendix XIII an extract from "The Straits Budget" dated 22.1.48 which indicates that such a practice has been adopted in Singapore.
We suggest that the substantial areas of land which at present are let under permit and as such are not fully developed, might be put up for sale. This would materially increase the amount of land at present avail- able and tend to lower prices. Generally, the public is not aware of the availability of such land, and publicity in the form of a map showing building land available should be displayed in such a public place as the Public Relations Office.
(iv) We consider it economically unsound to buy land for dwelling purposes at the prices set by private sales or at public auction. At such prices, public in the lower and middle income groups are automatically excluded from sales of land suitable for home building and even though they would possibly be prepared to bid the upset prices at public auction they would be outbid. We recommend therefore that Government should con- tinue the sale of land by private treaty for bona fide home building and that greater publicity should be given to this policy. Furthermore, we consider that immediate steps should be taken to expedite the sale of Crown Land.
(v)
The widening of rent restrictions to include new build- ings would assist in discouraging speculators who recover excessive prices paid for land by the extortion of key money and the charging of exorbitant rentals.
E. FINANCE
(1)
=
(ii)
The question of high interest charges for building loans is outside our province. We do consider however that there is a definite need for setting up a Housing Commission of Authority similar to those set up in the United Kingdom (local Council Housing schemes) and in the U.S.A. whereby loans are made available for houses for the lower income groups.
Much can be achieved to reduce interest charges by the speedy settlement of accounts, increasing speed of building and by avoiding delays in supply of materials by placing orders as early as possible.
65
g.
MECHANIZATION
The greater use of mechanical plant and appliances will reduce building costs, decrease labour problems and give better control of materials and speed of construction.
(1)
(ii)
(iii)
Government should indicate the advantages which would accrue from various forms of mechanization in increas- ing outputs, speed of construction and decreasing costs, by disseminating technical and industrial data contained in H.M. Stationery Office and other official publications. Contractors might be encouraged to form an associa- tion whereby such information might be circulated, and methods of applications discussed.
It must be left to private enterprise to accept and develop the use of the various modern mechanical appliances which may be suited to local conditions. While it is conceded that the value of machine tools and plant cannot be so economically applied to indivi- dual house construction we are of the opinion that the local contractor has in the past been far too conserva- tive in his approach to constructional methods. The use of small hand power tools particularly in the carpentry and painting trades will reduce building costs on small projects.
(iv) To spread the high capital cost of purchase of mechanical plant, we suggest that local contractors should be en- couraged to set up a machine and plant hire organisa- tion for their mutual benefit.
G.
IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION METHODS
Skilled labour has become a relatively expensive item of building and it is considered that the building industry will eventually seek to reduce this item by introducing new con- struction methods, better organisation and by increasing the speed of building. Hong Kong has reached the transition stage between a hand and machine era, the benefits of which are not yet fully appreciated by the local building industry.
(1)
(ii)
Improved construction methods will achieve increased output and speed of construction. The engineer or architect and the contractor are jointly responsible for their adoption. It is a Government responsibility to disseminate data and encourage exchange of ideas on up to date and proven methods.
Improved works organization and execution are the concern of the contractor who may or may not care to adopt or experiment with new ideas. We are therefore unable to indicate the reduction in costs that can be attained by improved methods other than those which can emanate from the drawing board. It is however obvious that in the great majority of cases, much effort now wasted could be saved, thus resulting in lower costs. On the pure design side of construction we are able to indicate reductions in cost that can be made by standardization and more up to date building regula- tions.
THE
"OTTER"
AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC
WATER STORAGE HEATERS
CAPACITIES:
From 11⁄2 to 30 GALLS.
BRITISH MADE, WITH THERMOSTATIC CON-
TROL & PATENTED
ELEMENT
ANTICOR- ROSION ARRANGE-
MENT.
STOCK
AVAILABLE
Sole Agents:
SWIRE & MACLAINE LTD.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
1.CONNAUGHT RD, C. TEL.. 30331.