C 7
33. The last obstacle to the scheme of general renovation and reconstruction, decided upon by the Committee in 1931, was removed at the beginning of the year under review when the old latrine adjoining Hollywood Road was demolished and replaced at Government expense by a larger and more modern one in a more retired corner of the Ground. Plans were prepared and approved and the tenants of the stalls were given notice to quit at the end of December so that the work of demolition and reconstruction could be put in hand at the beginning of 1934.
YAUMATI PUBLIC SQUARE.
(Table XXX).
34. During the course of the year, after the Government had decided upon the site of the new Kowloon Magistracy, it became possible to take in hand the long overdue reconstruction of the ramshackle and insanitary stalls on this popular Square. The old stalls have been replaced by substantial structures of brick and concrete, the alleys between the rows of stalls have been surfaced with concrete and efficient drainage has been provided. Although the number of stalls is now smaller than it was before the reconstruction, the new stalls command considerably higher rents than did the old ones and it is hoped that a large increase in the income from this source will be available for Chinese charities.
PASSAGE MONEY FUND.
(Table XXXI).
TRANSLATION.
35. The total number of translations made in the department during 1933 was 926 as compared with 1,208 in 1932. 378 of these were from Chinese into English and 548 from English into Chinese. In addition, a large number of translations made in other Government departments were sent to this office for revision.
General:
1933
LABOUR.
36. Labour conditions in the Colony during 1933 were quiet. The level of wages has been mainly unchanged but unemployment has been more marked. The problem of unemployment has not, however, become acute as in Western countries because the unemployed in this Colony have the simple remedy of returning to their native districts in China where living is cheaper. The boom in the building trade showed definite signs of slackening off towards the end of the year but hundreds of coolies have found employment at Shing Mun in the construction of the Dam and will continue to find employment there for several years to come.