1958-1959

DRAINAGE OFFICE

Chief Engineer, (Acting), J. Alexander, B.Sc. (Eng.), A.M.I.C.E.

GENERAL

166. The removal of some 64,300 tons of silt from nullahs and culverts proved to be one of the more expensive items of maintenance. Much of this consisted of debris from site development and quarries that had been washed down into drainage channels.

167. The following table lists the work carried out, including main intercepting sewers, stormwater culverts, sewer and stormwater pipes:

Kowloon & Island New Kowloon New Territories Total New drains laid (length in feet) 33,565 59,173 16,745 109,483 Replacement of defective drains (length in feet) 6,549 6,721 13,270 Connexions provided 849 1,554 266 2,669 Chokes cleared 3,545 5,059 297 8,901

168. There was a substantial increase over the previous year except in the case of replacement of defective drains. The big increase of over 48% for new drains laid can be largely explained by the main intercepting sewers and culverts constructed in Kowloon and the Island whilst considerable lengths of piping were laid in Tsuen Wan and Kwun Tong.

RESETTLEMENT (DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL) AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

169. In the Jordan Valley, the completion of drainage works involving the re-training of the river and the culverting of branch watercourses enabled site formation and development of the resettlement estate to begin. The office also completed drainage and road works in the Wong Tai Sin Resettlement Areas A and B. At Kwun Tong major re-alignment of the streamcourses by means of nullah training and culverting of branch streams commenced as a necessary preliminary to forming the site of the new resettlement area, and a new drainage network initiated the second stage of Lo Fu Ngam Resettlement Estate. Site formation began for the northern half of the Fung Wong Village Development Scheme in accordance with the Town Plan, to provide formed sites for village-type building development. Work started on the main outfall sewer for the Jordan Valley Resettlement Area which includes about 500 feet of temporary sea outfall.

170. Further drainage work at the So Uk Housing Estate was carried out.