Kr
-29-
211
Sub-heads 26 to 29 are all rehabilitation
items concerning water supply, and they would have been a fair charge against Loan funds had sufficient balance been available. Sub-head 31 provides for a new Waterworks' workshop in Kowloon, which is very necessary as the existing workshop, besides being inadequate in size, is in a very bad condition.
The sum of $1,200,000 has been provided under sub-head 32 for the reconstruction of a bridge at Au Tau, which has collapsed, as neither the roads nor the bridges in the New Territories were designed to carry the very heavy Military vehicles which are now passing over them. The bridge is at present only open to light traffic and, ponding its reconstruction, the Military Authorities have erected a Bailey bridge alongside. They cannot however afford to retain this structure there indefinitoly.
In regard to sub-head 36 it will be some considerable time yet before plans can be prepared for the new abbatoir at Kennedy Town, as it will first be necessary to obtain technical advice in regard to the machinery to be installed. The sum of $100,000 provided is for the completion of the reclamati on. The sum of $60,000 included for the Ma Tau Kok Slaughterhouse is in respect of an incinerator wich is badly needed there.
Sub-head 37 provides for the erection of two markets of a light type of construction, which are considered very necessary. One of these will be situated at Kowloon City and the other at Hung Hom. They represent the init ial stages of a programme for the construction of additional markets of this type which will be spread over a number of years.
Sub-head 39 relates to the provision of offices and quarters for Health Inspectors at Aberdeen, and at Ma Tau Kok for the North East district of Kowloon. It is ooviously uneconomical for a Health Inspector to be sent out from Victoria to Aberdeen every day, and it would be much more satisfactory if he could reside near his work.
Under sub-head 43, provision has been made for the commencement of work on a new block of central Government offices. Departments are now scattered all over the city and a sum of approximately $750,000 is expended in rents. It is estimated that a central block of offices can be built for a sumof about $8 million, so the interest represents a great deal less than is now being paid in rents. Such a scheme would therefore be a sound investment and it would also effect considerable economics in messengers, cleaning expenses, etc. Moreover there would be a greater degree of co-ordination in Government work, as instead of sometimes inadequate tolephone conversations, officers would, without loss of time, be able to discuss problems face to face with representatives of the department concerned. The building of the new offices will meet a need which has long been felt. The block will stretch across the present Secretariat