33. Tests of Mortar.-Attention was given to the testing of mortar, 169 samples being taken from works in progress. Though still not up to the standard desirable, in no case was the quality found to be so inferior as to warrant a prosecution.
34. Prosecutions for Defective Building Work. There were no cases of a serious nature in which it was found necessary to take legal proceedings for defective work.
35. Prosecutions for other Nuisances.-Legal proceedings were taken in 161 cases for non-compliance with notices issued in connection with nuisances reported by officers of the Sanitary Department. In the case of 118 of these fines were inflicted.
36. Cemeteries.-Surveys for the purpose of defining the various sections in which each Cemetery has to be sub-divided were put in hand, but owing to vacancies on the staff the progress made was not satisfactory. The large new Cemetery at Kai Lung Wan was completely surveyed and a detailed plan prepared. Some sections of the Colonial Cemetery were also mapped and a start was made with the survey of Mount Caroline Cemetery.
Work in connection with forming new terraces, &c., to afford additional grave spaces was carried out at Mount Caroline, Kai Lung Wan, Aberdeen, Kowloon Tong and Ma Tau Wai Cemeteries.
Exhumation was carried out in accordance with the usual practice at Ma Tau Wai, Sham Shui Po and Aberdeen Cemeteries.
Questions having arisen as to the procedure adopted in carrying out exhumations, provision was made in the Public Health and Buildings Amendment Ordinance of 1909, specifying the action to be taken. Six months' notice of intention to carry out exhumation has now to be given and such notice in respect of a large area in Mount Caroline Cemetery was published in the Government Gazette of September 10th, 1909. When cleared, this area will be laid out in terraces for future burials and it is intended to carry out a regular system of burial and exhumation in proper rotation at stated intervals.
37. Principal Works by Private Firms.-Messrs. Butterfield & Swire continued work on the sea-wall of their Shipyard at Quarry Bay and the erection of Quarters for their employees at Shaukiwan West. The latter were approaching completion.
The Standard Oil Company's works at Lai Chi Kok were completed during the year. Some extensions however are still being made.
Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co.'s new premises in Pedder Street were completed in September.
Work is still in progress on the reconstruction of the southern portion of the Hongkong Hotel.
Work on the extension of the Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Co.'s No. 1 Dock at Hunghom was carried on during the year but is not yet completed.