Water Supplies.
42. The city's water supply is, though qualitatively excel- lent, quantitatively totally inadequate. This necessitates an interrupted, and for a large part of the year an extremely limited, supply and the utilization by a large part of the popula- tion of other accessible supplies such as wells, streams etc. Preliminary construction work on a new reservoir in the New Territories, which when completed will provide the city with an adequate supply, has been initiated, but there can be little doubt that the present inadequacy of the public supply is an important contributing factor to the current high prevalence of intestinal infections.
Squatters.
43. These unauthorized occupants of vacant Crown and privately owned land are ubiquitous and are met with virtually everywhere in the Colony. They live in the most insanitary circumstances and their presence constitutes one of the Colony's major public health problems. Their resettlement is a gigantic task but considerable progress in this regard was made during the year. Areas for resettlement have been set aside and a non-profit making organization, partly financed by Government, has erected simple houses in those areas to which squatters are moved by the Resettlement Officer. Such houses may be purchased by the occupant outright for $1,600 (£100) or by hire purchase at a monthly rental of $35. In the resettlement areas roads have been constructed and public water supplies provided and, in addition, in certain areas electricity has been installed. Public latrines have also been provided.
44. Difficulties have however been encountered in persuad- ing squatters in some cases to enter the resettlement areas, as their present shacks have been erected near their places of employment and their removal to relatively remote resettlement areas raises problems of transportation. It is clear that arrangements for employment in, or near to, the resettlement areas is very necessary and that the clearance of temporary factories, established in these squatter areas, to the resettlement areas must form an essential part of the resettlement scheme. Certain resettlement areas have been provided for those who
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can afford to build a house. In these areas the settler is permitted to build his own house from such materials as he can obtain but he has to site it according to a plan which has as its purpose the reduction of fire hazards to a minimum. These areas, too, are provided with roads, public water supply and public latrines by Government.
45. Public health staff devoted much energy throughout the year endeavouring to improve sanitary conditions in the aquatter areas, and as much time as possible was spent on health education of the inhabitants.
46. The total number of persons resettled during the year was approximately 35,000.
Rural Health
47. The year under review has seen a continuation of the steady development of the New Territories. This has shown itself in two forms-gradual building of new houses in market towns-some replacing old ones and some breaking new ground, and the building of residential bungalows in certain areas.
48. An excellent liaison is maintained with the Military Authorities in keeping their establishments free from fly and mosquito nuisances. Attention has also been directed to rodent control in and around these establishments.
49. Several important public works were completed during the year. Coolie lines and a hospital were built in preparation for work to start on the new reservoir at Tai Lam Chung. Two new markets were built at Sai Kung and Sha Tau Kok respec- tively.
Conservancy.
50. A scheme of nightsoil distribution has been brought into operation by the Agricultural Department. This means that supplies of matured nightsoil are available in greatly increased quantities, and greater control is exercised over the distribution and storage.
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