B. O. Work.
Q 28
27. Private Streets.—Re-surfacing and other repairs under the provisions of Section 186 were carried out by this Department at the cost of the frontagers in certain cases.
28. Improvements, &c., of Private Streets.—In connection with improvements to private streets, footways under verandahs, balconies, etc., apportionments were made in 95 cases involving 277 separate accounts, which totalled $22,845.08.
In addition to the above, numerous accounts were dealt with in connection with drainage work, shoring and other sums, which were recovered from owners of private property or their contractors.
29. Improvements, &c., of Public Streets.—The policy of requiring houses, when undergoing reconstruction, to be built at a higher level where necessary in order to provide for the future raising of certain low-lying areas in Hongkong and Kowloon has been continued. In some cases, arrangements were made allowing the ground floors to be retained at their former levels upon owners giving an undertaking to raise such floors when the raising of the street is carried out.
30. Footways.—Attention has been given to footways under balconies and verandahs, any necessary repairs being carried out by this Department at the cost of the owners of the property from which such verandahs and balconies project.
31. Typhoon and Rainstorm Damages. The exceptionally heavy rainfall throughout the year, particularly during the months of June, July and August, resulted in a number of minor and some large landslips of importance, amongst which should be mentioned:—
(1.) The landslip at Bowen Road, including I. Ls. 2237, 2238, 1523 and G. L. 11, resulting in the breaching of the Conduit.
(2.) A heavy fall at the rear of I.L. 2299, Kennedy Road.
(3.) Collapse of retaining walls on I. L. 2354, Stubbs Road.
There were fortunately no casualties as the result of the above landslips.
Serious damage was done to the Race Course and Recreation Grounds at Happy Valley as a result of large quantities of loose earth being washed on to the low-lying areas from the building sites in course of development along the Stubbs Road.
The cemeteries were also affected to some extent.