P.W.R. New Territories.
Q 50
The substitution of macadam for decomposed granite on the Tai Po Road, mentioned in last year's Report, was extended southwards for a further distance of 760 feet along with the necessary cement concrete channelling. Some bends in this portion of the road were also improved. Improvements, consisting of the laying of cement concrete channelling and easing of some of the bends, were also carried out on that portion of the Tai Po Road extending between the 3rd and 5th milestones.
The new road from Tai Po to Fanling, approximately 4 miles in length, was taken over for purposes of maintenance.
85. Maintenance of Telephones, Mainland.--The lines and instruments were maintained in good order. All telephones and electrical signalling apparatus on the British section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway were also maintained in good condition. The telephone alarm systems at Au Tau and Ping Shan were kept in working order.
In view of the rapid deterioration of the iron wire, hitherto used for the lines extending through Nos. 3, 4 and 5 tunnels on the railway, wires of Phosphor Bronze were substituted.
A telephone line was constructed to the new Police Station at Lok Ma Chau.
The wiring of the Tai Po Island Quarters for bells was renewed, the cost of the work being defrayed from the "Maintenance of Buildings" vote.
86. Maintenance of Sewers, Nullahs, &c.,-Mainland.-The sewers and trained nullahs at Shamshuipo and the concrete channels in Kowloon City were cleansed and maintained in good order.
The details of expenditure under this heading are as follows:--
Labour for cleansing operations, $367.56
Repairs, $33.29
Tools for cleansing operations, $
General incidental expenditure, $400.85
Total, $400.85
as against $316.82 in the previous year.
87. Maintenance of Chinese Cemeteries.-The work carried out under this heading has already been alluded to in paragraph 42 of this Report.
88. Typhoon and Rainstorm Damages,-Islands in Southern District. There is nothing special to report under this heading.