PORT WORKS OFFICE
Chief Engineer, H.W. Forsyth, B.E., A.M.N.Z.INST.E., A.M.INST.C.E.
General
217. The work carried out by this sub-department is conveniently classified into four main heads:
(a) Maintenance of seawalls and piers and miscellaneous dredging work
(b) New construction
(c) Design of future works and routine investigations
(d) Materials Testing Laboratory.
Maintenance
218. The majority of the repairs and maintenance of the public piers and seawalls in the Colony was carried out by a Maintenance Contractor. This work consisted largely of the renewal of fendering systems, minor repairs to handrails and the pier structures, the painting of steelwork, etc. and other small works. A small direct labour force was also employed for minor painting works, and for the routine cleaning of landing steps of marine growth etc. to render them safe for public use.
219. Typhoon and stormwater damage necessitated minor repairs to the pitched slopes protecting the Causeway to Kellet Island, to Tai Lam Chung pier and Tai O pier and to the old seawall in the Causeway Bay Canal.
220. The department's two dredging units, each comprising a tug, grab dredger and three hopper barges continued to give good service. Fortunately, maintenance dredging in the harbour is only required at the stormwater outfalls where silt, eroded from the hills, collects. These deposits were cleared and certain minor dredging works were carried out for private
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