HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1954
Built of reinforced concrete and 235 feet long by 68 feet wide, it will, like the new modern ferry piers referred to above, have electrically operated ramps and lifts which can be raised or lowered to suit tidal conditions which will facilitate the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers. A new ferry service will run from this pier to Wanchai on Hong Kong Island and will assist in the dispersal of cross harbour traffic.
At Ping Chau Island where matches and lime are produced, a new reinforced concrete pier was built from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds. Com- munication with this island had been greatly handi- capped by the lack of landing facilities, and the ferries calling there formerly had to discharge their passengers and cargo by means of sampans and other small craft. The design of the new pier follows that of piers built in previous years at Cheung Chau Island, Tai O, on Lantao Island, and Tai Lam Chung as part of a develop- ment programme for the New Territories.
Various reclamation schemes in progress within the harbour were greatly assisted by, and co-ordinated with, extensive site formation being carried out for the construction of low-cost housing.
The cities of Victoria and Kowloon and the larger villages on the Island and in the New Territories are fully sewered. Water closets, however, are not yet in universal use and many of the older buildings still use the conservancy system. However, a main drainage scheme including pumping stations and proper outfall works has been planned and was in course of construc- tion at the end of the year.
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