M 9
SCAVENGING.
Approximately 316 tons of refuse were received daily at the refuse depots from the City of Victoria, Hill District, Shaukiwan, Quarry Bay and Kowloon Peninsula. About 5 tons daily were collected from Kowloon City and dumped on waste ground. The cost of the service in Hongkong (including Shaukiwan and Quarry Bay) and Kowloon is shown in Appendix 1 attached. Table 3 shows a comparison with last year, but owing to various expenses connected with Scavenging having been met out of a special "Strike" fund, the comparison is of little, if any, value.
Outlying villages of Stanley and Taitam, and Aberdeen and Aplichau were scavenged by contract at a yearly charge of $350 for the first two and $180 for the latter two. The contractor has the privilege of receiving nightsoil in each case in addition.
9.—REFUSE REMOVAL.
The bulk of the refuse from the City of Victoria and Kowloon was barged away to sea as hitherto. Some 9,980 tons were dumped at Cheung Sha Wan where a reclamation is being gradually formed.
Appendix I, Table 2 shows cost of removal from Victoria, the Hill District and Kowloon Peninsula. Figures for the last two years will be found in Table 3; but owing to the exceptional circumstances prevailing during the "Strike" period they are of little comparative value.
Barges were delayed on no occasion by weather conditions.
S.D. 3 broke down once. Launches were hired during repairs at a cost of $360.00.
10.—NIGHTSOIL REMOVAL.
The contractors for the removal of nightsoil from Victoria and the Kowloon Peninsula, Shaukiwan and Quarry Bay, Aberdeen and Aplichau, Stanley and Taitam respectively carried out their work satisfactorily.
During the year the monthly payment due from the contractor was reduced by $1,526.08 in respect of flush-closets opened in Victoria and $1,345.82 in respect of flush-closets opened in Kowloon and owing to circumstances connected with the strike the contractor was relieved of all payment of fees for one month amounting to $2,518.00. The total deduction amounted to $19,477.21 for Victoria and $13,872.04 for Kowloon.