315. The increase in the rate of meter installation is largely attributed to the Housing Authority's Low Cost Housing Estate at So Uk where 2,899 meters were installed.
Workshops
316. Workshops staff carried out 1,846 separate items of work, which included 80 orders from other departments. This work at times overtaxed the resources of the workshops with the result that 58 orders had to be executed under contract by local firms. This compares with 36 similar local contracts let during the previous year.
317. More than half of the meters in service required attention and to limit the amount of work carried out on overhauls a large number of an entirely new type of meter was ordered. This meter requires very little maintenance due to a new design concept, many additional meters can be installed without substantial increases to workshops equipment and staff.
Distribution Mainlaying
318. Work continued on extensions to serve new development, replacement of defective pipes, enlargement of undersized mains and alterations necessitated by road reconstruction.
319. A total of 212,548 feet (40 miles) of pipes varying from 2″ to 27″ in diameter was laid. The materials used were chiefly galvanized steel for sub-mains up to 3″ diameter, cast iron up to 18″ diameter, and steel over 18″. In addition, appreciable quantities of asbestos cement pressure piping were used, particularly for the distribution of salt water.
320. The more important mains laid during the year included the following:
Hong Kong Island
(1) Chai Wan Resettlement Area—1,900 feet of 18″ main and the relaying of the existing reservoir outlet in the new access road.
(2) Harcourt Road (through old Naval Dockyard)—2,500 feet of new 12″ distribution main.
(3) Bowen Road Service Reservoir—450 feet of new 24″ outlet.
(4) Kennedy Road—2,700 feet of 18″ main connecting to (3) above to improve distribution in Wan Chai.
(5) Aberdeen Access Road—1,000 feet of 24″ main replacing the existing 18″ in conjunction with road reconstruction.
Kowloon and New Territories
(1) Cheung Sha Wan Road, Cheung Wah Street, Un Chau Street, Tonkin Street—7,200 feet of 18″ main to improve distribution in Tai Kok Tsui and Sham Shui Po.
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