123
*98. Suggestions that the Government should encourage the manufac ture of bricks, tiles and lime in the New Territories, and that investigation of suitable clays for brick-making be made by the Government, are made in letters (10), (23), (24), (27), (30), (31), (32), (35), (39), (41) and (49) in Enelo- sure 1. We support these suggestions.
99. In letter (30) it is stated that if a lime-kiln is built at Tsun Wan, lime can be produced by piece work at about 30% below market price.
Manufacture
of bricks.
iles and lime.
Lime-kiln suggested at Tenu Wan.
bamboo and
* 100. We agree with the writer of letter (23) in Enclosure 1, that the Growing of Governinent should encourage the growing of bamboos and fir-trees in the New Territories, as these two articles are extensively used for scaffolding.
101. Cast reinforced concrete for doors and window-frames is suggested in letter (24) in Enclosure I, and Mr. Lam Woo supports the suggestion. Steel frames for windows are recommended in letters (10) and (36: in Enclo- sure 1, and also by the Committee on Labour-Saving Devices (Enclosure 4).
That Committee also recommended-
(1) Decollite laid on concrete for flooring, as being cheaper than
timber, especially in offices, lavatories and verandahs:
(2) Terrazzo as a substitute for tiling; and
(3) Beaver woods for ceilings, as being an excellent substitute
for China Fir or Teak.
102. In letter (24) in Enclosure 1, it is suggested, and the suggestion was confirmed by Mr. Lam Woo, that rain-water pipes in cast-cement are cheaper than cast-iron pipes.
Sub-Head (3)—Measures for Decreasing Rental.
* 103. In addition to our recommendations in paras. 33 to 35 for the restriction of rents by conditions of sale, where land is sold by the Govern- inent cheap and withont auction, we are clearly of the opinion that the Rents Ordinance should be continued until such time as the supply of houses meets the demand, and until the state of affairs in the neighbouring Provinces of China is sufficiently settled to put an end to the periodical large influxes of Chinese refugees from China to Hongkong.
*104. We also consider that the Government should forbid by legislation the demolition and reconstruction of houses which are stated by the Building Authority to be in either good or fair condition, because we consider it both inequitable and unjust to the tenants for the Government to allow their eviction from premises which are in good or fair condition, and because also of the following reasons:
1 Such eviction of tenants throws au extra demand on such premises as may be vacant, with the result that the tenant in many cases is forced to pay a larger rent for his accommodation; and 2) Such reconstruction must tend, by competition for skilled labour and building materials, to increase the cost of erecting new build- ings upon laud which has not been previously built upon.
105. Instances of the threatened eviction of tenants from premises which are reported by, the Building Authority to be in either good or fair condition appear from the items marked with a red cross, in Enclosure 5. In this connection we also invite attention to letters (5) and (27) in Enclosure 1.
fir-trees.
Casi
reinforc
concrete
doors, &c.
Decollire for Hooring, ste.
Cast-cement rain-water pipes.
Continuation of Rents Ordinance
recom
mended.
Legislation to check demolition
recom-
Concrete cases of ejectment from houses in good ar fait condition.