177. The information gained from these investigations proved invaluable in the preparation of plans for the various schemes and prompted the decision to let a similar contract for site investigations elsewhere in the Colony. This 12-month contract, awarded in March, covered investigations by three methods, namely, hand excavated well holes, percussion bores and penetration bores or probes.
178. When it became apparent, during the course of investigations in the Lai Chi Kok and O Pui Shan areas, that development on the scale originally envisaged could not be carried out economically, new and more modest plans were prepared. The alignment of the projected road through the area to link Tai Po Road with Castle Peak Road had also to be reconsidered to avoid excessively steep gradients and a difficult crossing of Butterfly Valley. The new proposals provided for a re-alignment to the north of, and parallel to, Wing Hong Street.
179. In January a fire devastated a squatter area in Valley Road, Hung Hom rendering some 10,000 people homeless. Immediately afterwards work commenced on the formation of access roads and the preparation of a scheme to develop the area for Low Cost Housing. Preparation of tentative plans for other Low Cost Housing sites included schemes for Ngok Yue Shan and Hang Mei at Kwun Tong.
180. Plans were prepared for the formation of an area at Tsuen Wan to accommodate the Kwan Mun Hau and Ho Pui villagers who are at present occupying land scheduled for reclamation. Other plans prepared included proposals to develop further areas at Kwun Tong to provide additional filling material for 96 acres of reclamation.
Kwun Tong
FORMATION WORKS
181. The contract for the terracing of Ngau Chai Ridge for housing sites progressed rapidly. The dumping in the reclamation area of surplus material from this hill, together with spoil from other Government and private works in the Kowloon area, provided an additional 48 acres of land, bringing the total area reclaimed at the end of the year to 155 acres.
182. Contract work advanced on the formation of Hip Wo Street to revised lines and levels. Other contract work commenced in February for the reclamation of a portion of seabed in front of Ngau Tau Kok Village to provide land for the remaining section of the new 120 feet