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PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
extended and were becoming more selective in the contracts for which they were prepared to tender. Indications are that although tender prices have not yet attained the peak of the 1974 boom, it is extremely probable that this level will be exceeded early in 1978.
The weather was extremely dry for most of the year, enabling work on most govern- ment projects to progress satisfactorily. However, towards the end of the year, a shortage of labour, particularly in the New Territories, caused a number of contracts to fall somewhat behind schedule. Maintenance work on buildings continued to expand and, for the most part, construction of buildings for the Property Services Agency of the Department of the Environment progressed satisfactorily. Private quantity surveyors and, to a lesser extent, private architects and consultant engineers continued to help in the public building programme.
During the year, expenditure on public housing and associated building work amounted to $142 million and, on all other projects, to $384 million.
As part of the 10-year housing programme, seven housing blocks providing accom- modation for 33,594 people were completed. Also completed were two welfare halls, five 24-classroom estate primary schools, three kindergartens, part of a commercial- communal complex at Tai Hing Housing Estate, and two restaurants and one work- shop block at Shek Kip Mei.
By the end of the year, work was progressing on 17 domestic blocks at five public housing estates which, when completed, will provide 72,989 individual units of accommodation. Four 24-classroom estate primary schools, five kindergartens, one welfare hall and four large commercial-communal complexes also were in the course of construction. The second stage of a fishermen's housing project that will provide accommodation for 1,728 people displaced by the High Island water scheme was under construction. In addition, planning or preparation work was in progress on the balance of the conversion and redevelopment of Shek Kip Mei Estate which, on com- pletion, will provide a further 23,657 individual units of accommodation.
Of the varied projects completed during the year, the most notable on Hong Kong Island were a radar equipment building on Mount Parker, a fire station at Chung Hom Kok, a swimming pool complex at Aberdeen, stores and departmental quarters at Pok Fu Lam for the Urban Services Department, and married soldiers' quarters and squash courts at Stanley Fort.
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Among the buildings completed in Kowloon were: the extension of the terminal building at Hong Kong International Airport, including new arrival and departure facilities and a computerised baggage-handling system; a technical institute at Cheung Sha Wan; a Prisons Department Reception Centre at Lai Chi Kok; a swimming pool complex and park at Tai Wan Shan; the first phase of the second stage of Kowloon Park in Tsim Sha Tsui; the second stage of Hoi Sham Park, To Kwa Wan; a Gurkha sergeants' mess; a new telephone exchange at Osborn Barracks; and several other buildings for the Army.
Work completed in the New Territories included: a secondary technical school at Ha Kwai Chung; a ship fire-fighting training aid at the Fire Services Training School at Pat Heung; an ambulance depot at Kwai Chung; sub-divisional fire stations at Lei Muk Shue and Tsing Yi Island; a temporary fire services workshop at Kwai Chung; a clubhouse for the staff of the Castle Peak Hospital; staff quarters for the