18
37. Tests of Mortar.-Attention was given to the testing of mortar, 228 samples being taken from works in progress. In no case was the mortar found to be sufficiently below the accepted standard to warrant the taking of legal proceedings.
38. Prosecutions for Defective Building Work.-Legal proceedings were taken on account of defective work in 5 cases in each of which a conviction was secured, the fines imposed amounting to $260.
39. Prosecutions for other nuisances.-Legal proceedings were taken in 71 cases for non-compliance with notices issued in connection with nuisances reported by officers of the Sanitary Department. In 66 of these cases fines were inflicted amounting to $873.
40. Testing Drains. --Fees amounting to $150 were collected on account of additional inspections of drains necessitated by carelessness or negligence on the part of the parties concerned in carrying out the work. This shows an increase of $70 over 1912.
41. Modifications.---Written modifications of various sections of the Ordinance were granted in 134 cases under the powers conferred by Section 265b. This shows a decrease of 87 compared with the previous year.
42 Applications and Appeals to the Governor-in-Council under Section 265b.-Applications for modifications of various sections of the Ordinance were made to the Governor-in-Council in 12 cases. Of these 9 were granted but certain conditions accompanied the grant in 3 out of the 9 cases. In 3 cases in which dissatisfaction was felt with the manner in which the Building Authority had exercised his discretionary powers, appeals were made to the Governor-in-Council. One of the appeals was granted and the other two were partially granted.
43. Cemeteries.-Owing to vacancies in the staff and to pressure of other work, no progress has been made in connection with the surveys of Chinese Cemeteries. The necessary surveys for keeping the records of new grave spaces in the Colonial Cemetery up to date were made.
Work in connection with the forming of new terraces, etc., to afford additional grave spaces was carried out at the following cemeteries :-Mt. Caroline (Sections A, B, C and D); Kailungwan (Sections A, B and C); Ma Tau Wei (Section A and Plague Section); Chaiwan (Section A); Aberdeen (Section A); Kowloon Tong (Section B); Sai Yu Shek (Sections A and B); and Hau Pui Loong (Section A and Plague Section). In addition, various paths were surfaced and other works were carried out at Mt. Caroline, Kailungwan and Kowloon Tong. For particulars of expenditure under this heading see paras. 114, 115, 117 and 137 of this Report.