Q 28
With regard to reconstruction, the "desirability certificates granted have been fewer, but a large number of applications had to be dealt with and inspections made, as is shown in the tabulated statement on page 29.
Whilst the restrictions relating to rebuilding of existing houses are partly accountable for a curtailment in private building operations, a more important factor during the period under review was undoubtedly the disturbed conditions which marked the latter half of the year.
Attention is drawn to a graph embodied in this report, which should be of interest as indicating the numbers of plans approved and houses certified during the past twenty years, especially during the last five years.
24. Plans. The following is a tabulated statement showing the number of buildings, etc., for which plans were deposited during the year, the figures for 1924 being given in a parallel column for purposes of comparison :-
Buildings. 1924. 1925. Increase. Decrease. European houses, 413 201 212 Chinese houses, 2,497 475 2,022 Buildings and Structures other than the above, 251 171 80 Alterations and additions to existing buildings, 2,071 1,631 443 Verandahs, 1,748 322 1,426 Balconies, 396 82 314 Sunshades, 23 14 9 Areas, 1 1 Piers, 4 4 Wells 2 2 Total, 7,496 2,946 4,550This decrease in new housing accommodation is accounted for in a large measure by the fact that building speculators had realized that the supply of Chinese tenement houses had apparently overtaken the demand. Further evidence of this can be found in the reluctance shown by many lessees to fulfil their building covenants. The strike of June and the financial stringency which has since been felt have also adversely affected building development.