time to recruit and train the operators, to set up the photographic darkroom and to streamline certain administrative procedures, and the unit only came into full production towards the middle of 1976. The demand for photogrammetric plotting from Civil Engineering Office, Highways Office, the New Territories Development Department and from within the Branch itself has been large and a works priority schedule had to be drawn up to cater for the situation. Generally, the machine plot production has been on schedule.
7.41
To meet its heavy commitment more expeditiously, the unit requested an additional stereoplotting machine. This was duly approved and the ordering put in hand.
7.42
Since early December, 1976, the Unit operated in two overlapping shifts. However, this applied only to the photogrammetric technicians and operators. Little administrative difficulty was encountered due to the loyalty of the staff concerned.
7.43
Visits to the Unit were organised for P.W.D. professional officers, surveying and cartographic staff so as to allow them to gain an insight of the work of the Unit. This arrangement proved to be very popular and about 500 persons visited the Unit. However, this also disrupted the production appreciably and subsequently the Unit had to decline further visits to the disappointment of many intended visitors. It is hoped that similar visits can again be arranged when pressure of work has been reduced somewhat.
Mapping Surveys
7.44
In 1976/77, the Branch continued the production of territorial maps at various scales. Engineering, land and building development, generally speaking, call for detailed large scale maps, while overall planning for large areas tends to focus requirement on the smaller scales.
7.45 The basic map coverage of the future will be mainly the 1:1,000 detail sheet once metrication is taken into all areas now mapped at 1:1,200. The 1:1,000 sheet continues to find favour as the sheet on which to commence detailed development planning.
Compilation of 1/1,000 from 1/600 and 1/1,200 scale sheets
7.46
1/1,000 sheets are prepared from reduction and enlargement of 1/600 and 1/1,200 sheets respectively. Imperial unit contours are removed and metric unit ones added.
7.47 Production has lagged due to shortage of staff and only 190 were completed during the year. However, even if additional cartographic staff becomes available, production will be limited by the supply of metric contours from the Photogrammetric Unit which is largely engaged on work for engineering development.
7.48
At the end of the year a total of 414 sheets had been prepared.
1/600 scale sheets
7.49
With the 1/600 series for the Mainland completely superseded by 1/1,000 sheets, the only remaining 1/600 sheets cover the less intensely
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