received from the Consulting Engineers together with a detailed report on a scheme for a new reservoir at High Island in Rocky Harbour to develop the water resources of the Sai Kung Peninsula.
1.05. A new design for resettlement housing blocks was completed during the year. This design is based on an increased allowance of space per adult to make the space allotment in resettlement estates equal to that provided in Government Low Cost Housing.
1.06. Proposals for the re-organization of the Crown Lands and Survey Office into three branches divided into seven divisions were implemented during the year. Re-organization of the Electrical and Mechanical Office was also started and a scheme for the re-organization of the Civil Engineering Office was prepared. These re-organizations will result in more efficient use of staff and allow for expansion to meet increased work programmes.
1.07. Expenditure on Public Works Department non-recurrent and recurrent items, excluding personal emoluments, totalled $391 million compared with $447 million in 1967-68. Although there was a significant increase in recurrent expenditure, the expenditure on Public Works Non-Recurrent dropped from $361 million to $292 million. The financial difficulties of some contractors, resulting in temporary delays on works, and low prices contributed to the fall in expenditure on building works but the main reason for the drop in expenditure on Waterworks and other Civil Engineering schemes was the completion of major projects and the re-appraisal of programmes for the next few years. Further factors in the slowing down of Civil Engineering works were the difficulty in filling vacancies in the establishment for Engineers and the increasing complexity of carrying out works in the congested urban areas aggravated by the increasing traffic volumes, which makes it necessary for works to be carefully phased and carried out in stages in order to reduce interruption to traffic. Administrative and legal procedures, which are necessary to protect private rights, also require more time when works are carried out in the heavily built-up areas.
1.08. The official opening of the Plover Cove Reservoir in January by His Excellency the Governor marked the formal completion of this major water scheme which increased the water storage capacity in the Colony threefold. The Reservoir became operational earlier in the year and had collected some 28,000 million gallons of water by the commencement of the dry season in October 1968. This, together with water
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