switchboard and control gear for the pump units in the salt-water pump house located in the Hung Hom reclamation area; 7,400 feet of 30-core cable for remote control of the salt water pumps from the hospital and the main switchboard for the boiler plant.
7.13. In accordance with the recommendation made by Urwick, Orr & Partners in their report on the Electrical section, investigations on whether some of the services could be performed more economically by contractors were carried out. Tenders were called for the following services:
(i) Maintenance and operation of electrical systems, including stage lighting and cinema projectors in the City Hall.
(ii) Maintenance of approximately 35,000 electrical appliances and pieces of equipment.
(iii) Painting of traffic light and traffic island installations.
(iv) Traffic aid installations.
7.14. An analysis of the tenders tended to show that the direct labour system was less expensive than if the work were put out to contract.
MECHANICAL SECTION
7.15. The Mechanical section was responsible for vehicles of all types ranging from Mini-minors to armoured cars, plant from 40-ton boilers to rice cooking stoves, and items of general engineering equipment from parking meters to crematoria.
Vehicles
7.16. Examples of the design and contract construction of all-metal vehicle bodies were:
(i) Seven ambulances for the Fire Services Department, equipped with stretcher gear, full medical facilities and running water;
(ii) one light ambulance for the Medical and Health Department;
(iii) one broadcasting van for Radio Hong Kong;
and (iv) one emergency relief van for the Social Welfare Department, equipped for registration and provision of immediate relief services to victims of disaster.
7.17. Vehicles built to standard body designs included side car bodies, 15-cwt. pick-up trucks, light vans, police vans, a passenger bus and 3-ton covered lorries.
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