Appendix S.
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY,
(British Section.)
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1920.
1. The steelwork and roofing materials for the platform awnings at Kowloon arrived early in the year, when a Contract for the erection, including drainage, was entered into, and the work is now completed. The lighting arrangements for the platforms were carried out by the Public Works Department. The platform awnings are of steel frame construction, roofed with corrugated asbestos cement sheeting, and provide a very necessary shelter from the sun and rain to a considerable portion of the platforms, as well as to the east side of the concourse.
2. Good progress was made in the construction of the new wharf for Kowloon Station Yard which is built of reinforced concrete, the longest piles being 55 feet long. The wharf is 150 feet long and projects 50 feet from the sea-wall. There are six tiers of stairs which facilitate the transfer of cargo to and from local craft at any state of the tide.
With the exception of the cast iron stair treads, the wharf was completed at the end of the year.
3. Owing to the dilapidated condition of the old iron wharf at Blackhead's Point acquired by the Railway in 1906, it was considered advisable to dismantle it rather than spend a large sum of money on extensive and possibly unremunerative repairs. It was consequently sold and has since been removed.
4. The Electric Turret Clock for Kowloon Station Clock Tower arrived in the Autumn and the work of installing was at once begun. Unfortunately, however, progress has been seriously delayed owing to the non-arrival of necessary drawings and instructions from the makers.
5. The repairing of Government Motor Cars and Motor Fire Engines is now undertaken by this Department, and a brick building has been erected in the Locomotive Yard to serve as a workshop for this purpose.
6. An iron building has also been erected near the workshops to accommodate the newly acquired electric welding plant which must necessarily be outside the workshops proper.