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16. Further areas of vacant Railway lands were let on short leases for timber yards, and a small plot was leased to the China & Japan Telephone & Electric Company for the erection of a cable-tank.
17. In connection with the Harbour Improvements, it became necessary to alter the position of the submarine cables crossing to Kowloon, and four cable houses were built in the Kowloon Station south verandah to receive the terminals of the cables belonging to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, the China & Japan Telephone & Electric Company, the Military Authorities, and the Government. Permission was granted to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company to connect their cable with aerial lines over Railway lands onto their existing poles to Canton which follow the Railway from Mile 14.
18. In view of frequent damage by typhoons to the Government and Railway telephone overhead wires alongside the Railway, it was decided to substitute an underground cable for the aerial wires, and commencement was made during the year between Tai Po and Taipo Market Stations.
19. On several occasions motorists ran into and damaged the gates at certain level crossings. In order to obviate closing the gates sooner than necessary, two mercury contacts were indented for and installed on trial. These contacts are situated some half mile or so away from crossings on curves, and actuate electric bells in the gatekeepers' lodges on the passage of approaching trains.
20. About 80 feet of brick side-walling was built in Tai Po Tunnel to support the arch, as the original rock walls are weathering fast in patches.
21. Four rails were renewed in Tai Po Tunnel to replace others badly corroded through water dropping from the roof.
22. Several lengths of rails were renewed at Kowloon Station in the tracks over which salt fish is loaded. The flanges of these rails were corroded right through in places.
23. 3,527 sleepers were renewed in the track. Of these 847 were of wood including 137 crossing and bridge timbers, and 2,680 were of concrete.
24. Less attention was given to maintenance work on the Fanling Branch Line in anticipation of its being taken up by the end of the year, as mentioned in last year's Report, but progress with the new road has been delayed and more attention to the railway track may be necessary in 1925.