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Extensive illuminations of public buildings in connection with the Peace Celebrations were carried out on the nights of the 18th and 19th July.
The total amount expended on Public Works Extraordinary was $2,235,002.95 and on Annually Recurrent Works $822,509.87.
Railway.
The roofing of the passenger platforms at Kowloon remained again in abeyance throughout the year owing to the non-arrival of the steelwork but a consignment of this material has recently arrived from England.
Borings were taken over the site for the new wharf for Kowloon Station yard, and plans and specifications prepared. Tenders were invited and a contract has since been entered into for its construction.
The brickwork shelter at Taipo Station for the accommodation of passengers and goods from Sha U Chong referred to in my last report has been extended as originally intended, and the additional accommodation will be appreciated by passengers arriving and departing by the Sha U Chong Launch during the hot weather and rainy season.
At Shatin Station a siding the full length of the Station Yard has been laid which facilitates the crossing of trains at that station.
The new permanent station building at Shum Chun station for use of the British Section was completed by the Chinese Section and occupied by the British Section during the year.
The through train service was interrupted on the 14th and 15th of July owing to strikes in Canton affecting the Locomotive Department employees of the Chinese Section, and again by the Typhoon on August the 22nd.
The Local Traffic has improved under all heads when compared with the previous year. The advance in passenger and goods earnings is due to increased traffic and the sundry receipts are somewhat larger owing to the inclusion of storage charges on rails and fastenings belonging to the Imperial Government.
Through and Joint Sectional Traffic Receipts amounted to $302,327.74 or $36,632.96 in excess of 1918.
The Gross Receipts for the year were $490,092.77 as against $433,274.43 for 1918 an increase of $56,818.34. The balance after paying working expenses stands at $73,060.63.
The Through and Joint Sectional Passengers carried were as follows:-
1917. 1918. 1919. Passengers booked by Stations in British Territory to Stations in China 309,394 307,494 344,716 Passengers booked by Stations in China to Stations in British Territory 352,008 323,642 354,699