82
The plant in operation at the end of the year under review consisted of three 5,000 k.w. turbines all comparatively old and not in the best of condition. The boiler plant in use had been restored to fair condition but it had so far been possible to repair only the low pressure boiler plant. Repair of the main substations and distribution equipment had been satis- factory although some of the repairs effected were of a temporary nature only since replacement equipment was still awaited from the United Kingdom. The services provided for the public were similar to those existing before the war but the rates charged had increased as follows:
Lighting Power
Cooking/Heating..
1941. 18¢ + 10%
1946. 71.28 ¢
7¢10%
27.72 ¢
5¢ + 10%
19.8 ¢
Bulk power was also available at special rates dependent on load conditions and consumption.
At the end of the year rehabilitation of plant was still continuing although some equipment ordered from the United Kingdom had still not been delivered. The existing high pressure boiler plant together with one 12,500 k.w. turbo- alternator were undergoing major repairs and a new 20,000 k.w. turbo-alternator with a new large high pressure boiler equipped for oil burning were on order.
Gas.
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company, which supplies domestic gas to consumers on both sides of the harbour was first established in the Colony in 1861. During the Japanese occupation the company's plant was at first worked by the Japanese until stocks of coal were exhausted and was then left to stand idle for the last two years of the war. At the time of the re-occupation the equipment was in the same condition of neglect and under-maintenance as that of the other public utilities. Many mains and supply pipes were broken or choked with earth and street lighting equipment had suffered severely as the Japanese had removed most of the lamp posts for use as scrap and had discarded the lanterns. The plant was brought into operation in January, 1946, and the service to the public was gradually extended as mains and piping were replaced. By the end of the year the supply in the Kowloon area was normal but some of the distribution system on the island of Hong Kong had still not been repaired. Street lamps had been replaced in the most essential positions but many were still missing. Some domestic appliances had been recovered and repaired and further supplies, for which there was a considerable demand, had been promised from British factories.