Page 071
...
Page 169
remark except that the number is rather large especially in the Fan Ling Sub Division where the rolling and undulating nature of the country is very deceptive.
There are a good many irrigation culverts also as the irrigation is very complicated. Sometimes water is collected a mile away and led round the hills in well-bunded channels to the land to be irrigated.
Fencing.
Under this Main Head, I have allowed for fencing both sides of the line up to the South side of the hills with a 5-wire fence. I have also included a similar fence round all the station grounds as well as an unclimable fence for all platforms.
I have allowed for a wall round Kowloon Station Yard as being the safest.
Telegraph.
I have allowed for 24 feet poles, 24 poles per mile with 4 lines in metallic circuit (8 wires). This is absolutely necessary for any line in the vicinity of Kowloon on account of the electric light installation.
Track.
The item for ballast is very high. This is due to the exorbitant rates asked in the Colony for breaking ballast. Stone crushers are useless for keeping down rates as they are more or less boycotted by the coolies. Such is the experience of contractors who have tried them. I hope to have bottom ballast on most of the line before the rails are laid.
For Permanent way the estimate is for 85 lbs. rails on Australian hardwood sleepers. The rate for these in the estimate is 7/- each (seven shillings). If, as suggested in my General Letter No.23 dated 9th February, 1907, other kinds of eucalyptus besides Jarrah are admitted, the rate will probably be much reduced.
I have allowed 5 miles of sidings for Kowloon Station Yard; this might be sufficient for engine shed roads and goods sheds, but won't go far in the way of a siding to the Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company premises.
...
Page 100
...
Page 152
...
Page 316
...