of commonly used permanent way material purchased from abroad varied from 11% to 71% when two consecutive orders were compared.
44. Perhaps the most pressing problem to the Way and Works Section was the shortage of staff in the lower echelon. It was difficult not only to attract suitable candidates to fill the vacancies but also to retain the services of the existing staff. The number of staff leaving on resignation and retirement during the year exceeded the number of staff recruited. At the end of the year the staff in the grades of labourers and platelayers was 20% below strength. Under the existing pay structure the manpower problem would seem likely to persist. In order to main- tain the railway tracks to a reasonably good standard, the staff had to work overtime although this was only a palliative. Consideration is being given to the introduction of more mechanization in track main-
tenance.
45. The problem of corrosion caused by corrosive liquid discharged from cold storage wagons of the Chinese Section was still a matter of concern for the maintenance staff. Since the beginning of last year all new rails were painted with a view to prolonging their service life against corrosion. A small quantity of galvanized fastenings had been ordered for trial use.
46. Track. The following works were carried out during the year: (a) The main line track was maintained to a good standard. All fishplates were carefully inspected and greased. 965 lengths of 95-lb. rails and 9,370 timber sleepers were renewed. 1,730 cubic yards of stone ballast were replenished.
(b) 830 pairs of fishplates, 2,790 numbers of fishbolts and 4,280 numbers of dogspikes were replaced and 34,100 numbers of Macbeth spikes were used on the main line.
(c)
One set of 1 in 10 turnout, one set of 1 in 8 turnout and one set of 1 in 8 crossing were renewed at Hung Hom. 4 sets of 1 in 10 crossings were renewed at Hung Hom, Tai Po Kau and Sha Tin. One set of 18-ft. switches was renewed at Kowloon Station Yard.
47. Formation and Line Protection. The embankments and cuttings along the main line were well maintained. 2,830 cubic yards of earth were sent out by ballast trains to repair the shoulders of the embank- ments along the line.
All the mile, kilometre and gradient posts were repainted.
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