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five facing east. The former were occupied in September, and the latter in October.
7. The permanent way materials required for the extension to the locomotive yard not arriving till late in the year, very little work could be done on this project. The conversion of the paint shop into a locomotive shed was however commenced and brickwork carried up to roof level in readiness for the steelwork ordered from home, but as this did not arrive a temporary palm leaf roof was erected to enable the building to be used.
8. The erection of the new running shed has been delayed as difficulties were experienced on account of the war in obtaining satisfactory tenders for the steelwork, and further, because possession of the necessary land could not be obtained until recently. New designs for this shed are in course of preparation and probably timber roof trusses on reinforced concrete columns will be adopted.
9. The platform at Sheung Shui station was increased by a width of fifteen feet and the station accommodation doubled.
Very extensive repairs were also carried out to the manager's house which has now been put in a state of thorough repair, the cost of the above being charged to working expenses.
10. The three new Main Line locomotives ordered from England in 1914 arrived in the Colony in May and were erected and have rendered satisfactory service. These engines are fitted with Wakefield's mechanical lubricators to the valves and cylinders and also with tail end rods to the pistons, which is an improvement on those previously purchased.
11. Locomotives Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 have all been thoroughly overhauled during the year but no painting could be carried out as the paint shop had to be used as a running shed; this however will be done as soon as the paint shop is completed.
12. During March eight new coaches were completed and put into service, and underframes for four additional coaches were received from home on which two third class coaches have been erected; the remaining two, a first and second class composite and a restaurant car, are well in hand.
13. A revision of the time table was made in June including the addition of a midday express to and from Canton. These trains have proved popular and the time table generally appears to meet the requirements of the Travelling Public.
14. On July 9th a washout occurred on the Chinese Section between Shek Lung and Shek Lik Kou which necessitated the suspension of through traffic for two days. A temporary footbridge was erected and the service maintained by the transfer of passengers at this point until July 31st when the repairs were completed.