126. A number of voluntary agencies rebuild or convert their own buildings in cottage areas; the division is responsible for examining and approving the original building plans and any subsequent alterations.
127. The establishment of licensed areas normally involves the prep- aration of plane surveys. The division is responsible for the general layout of these areas, including the levelling of sites for the erection of huts, construction of paths, steps, drainage and latrines and, in consulta- tion with the Water Authority, the provision of water supplies. It is also responsible for their subsequent maintenance. Expenditure on works in licensed areas amounted to $230,000.
128. The clearance and resettlement of squatters to make way for permanent development sometimes involves the clearance of patches of cultivation. The division is responsible for preparing accurate topo- graphical surveys for ex-gratia crop compensation and disturbance allowances.
Electrical Section
129. The electrical section is responsible for the maintenance, altera- tion and improvement of all electrical installations in estates, factories and cottage areas, and also for new electrical installations for other departments which maintain offices in estates. Technical advice and inspections of tenants' electrical installations are also carried out in order to ensure that they are safe.
130. The improvement of living standards has led to a rapidly- increasing demand for more electrical supplies in estates as tenants buy more electrical appliances. This extra loading has caused frequent break- downs in supply and as a result the switchgear and rising mains in 12 Mark IV and 9 Mark I/II blocks had to be uprated during the year at a cost of $82,000. The programme for installing moulded circuit-breakers in factories made good progress, and by the end of the year over 1,100 had been fitted.
131. The frequency of lift breakdowns in Mark IV and V blocks has been reduced through closer supervision of lift maintenance and improve- ments to lift design. Ventilation fans and overload devices have been installed in 142 lifts.
132. The programme for replacing manually-operated switches for public lighting in estates by automatic time-switches had been nearly completed by the end of the year. 19 estates have been fitted with the
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