103. A number of voluntary agencies rebuilt or converted their own buildings in cottage areas; the section is responsible for examining and approving the original building plans and any subsequent alterations.
104. This section is also responsible for the preparation of the general layout plans for licensed areas and supervision of the works, which include the construction of paths, steps, drainage, latrine/bath platforms and chain link fencing. During the year, a project to provide roads for Kwun Tong Class III licensed area was under construction. Most of the work-concrete kerbs, road foundation, flat channels, hardcore bottoming, and underground drains-is being carried out by this section while the roads are being surfaced by the Public Works Department. This section is also responsible for the repair of rainstorm damage and the usual maintenance of these areas. Expenditure on works in licensed areas during the year amounted to $272,000.
105. This section also prepares quantities of materials which are required for minor improvement works in squatter areas. The materials are generally supplied to the squatters by the Government and the actual works are undertaken by the squatters themselves. In some cases, however, where the work involved is beyond the technical capacity of the residents, this section carries it out.
106. The clearance and resettlement of squatters to make way for permanent development sometimes involves the clearance of patches of cultivation. This section is responsible for preparing accurate topogra- phical surveys for ex-gratia crop compensation and disturbance allowance.
ELECTRICAL SECTION
107. The electrical section is responsible for the maintenance, altera- tion and improvement of all electrical installations in estates, factories and cottage areas, and also providing new electrical installations for other departments which maintain offices in estates. Technical advice and inspection of tenants' electrical installations are also carried out in order to ensure that they are safe.
108. The improvement of living standards has led to a rapidly in- creasing demand for more electrical supplies in estates as tenants buy more electrical appliances. This extra loading has caused breakdowns in supply and it has therefore been necessary to carry out a programme for uprating the switch gear and rising mains in estate blocks. A total of 54 Mark III and Mark IV domestic blocks were uprated during
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