engineering staff being engaged full time on emergency duties in connection with the rescue and investigation work in all the affected areas. They were at that time particularly involved with the investigation into the structural aspect of the collapse of Kotewall Court at Kotewall Road as a result of the landslide, and in the surveillance of the Peak area where some slope movement was observed.
5.20 Measures to clear the backlog were taken towards the end of the year. Messrs. Harris and Sutherland, consulting Civil and Structural Engineers, of London, were engaged by the Government to assist in checking structural plans submitted for approval by authorized architects. Progress of the work has since been well maintained.
5.21 The establishment of the Civil Engineering Unit enables the office to give a more thorough and detailed check on proposed and existing site formation and foundation works. During this period, the Unit dealt with 396 cases, a monthly average of 66. In addition, the Unit has dealt with a number of cases requiring substantial repair of damage sustained during the June rainstorms. The Unit is also currently involved, in conjunction with consultants, in the preparation of a guide for authorized architects to ensure every precaution is taken to avoid future landslips etc. and to provide a sensible basis for the full and safe utilization of building land.
5.22 Due to the high pressure on the staff of the Office resulting from the effect of the June rainstorms, general increased activity in the building industry, and shortage of staff at professional levels, little progress has been made in dealing with unauthorized building works during the year. However, in January, following a survey of 952 units of a large residential block in King's Road, 357 notices under the Buildings Ordinance were served on the respective owners, requiring them to remove all the unauthorized works and to restore the building to the condition in which it had been certified for occupation.
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS DIVISION
Chief Building Surveyor:
K. B. O'SULLIVAN, B.Arch., A.R.I.B.A., M.R.I.A.I.
C. H. RILEY, A.R.I.C.S. (Acting)
5.23 The year opened with the Division pursuing its stated role of the removal of danger by demolition or repair of buildings, with a number of emergency incidents due to collapses or fires.
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