M 17
maintained evening stations at convenient points and the Sea Scouts undertook the difficult task of provid-ing facilities for the junk population in the harbour.
A noticeable feature of the year was the great demolition, activity in demolition of Chinese houses. The figures re-erection, available show that 865 houses (or 2,264 floors) were erection. demolished; this is 5% of the total number of Chinese houses as given in last year's return. Against this 832 new houses (or 2,578 floors) have been completed dur-ing the year.
Of these some 50% were erected on ground previously unbuilt on, the balance being re-erections. The result seems to be that owing to the delay that must occur between demolition and re-erection little benefit as regards housing accommodation had been gained during the year. There were, how-ever, about 2,000 floors in course of erection in Kow-loon on 31st December, 1923.
The year witnessed a further considerable expan-sion on both sides of the harbour. In Hongkong houses of European type are to be found scattered all along the South side of the island; a model settlement at Quarry Bay is replacing notorious slums and Whit-field has a strong claim to inclusion in the City limits.
In Kowloon familiar farm lots have been given over to the builders, and the Indian goat-herd of Austin Road and the watercress growers of Ho Man Tin have been pushed further afield. Sham Shui Po now desig-nates a modern town and Kowloon City shrinks behind a facade of brand-new tenements. The buffalo wallows of Kowloon Tong contract daily and a granite drain threatens to bridle the wandering streams of Kowloon Tsai. The frontiers of the town are being pushed for-ward and it is well to remember that in a tropical country new ground cannot be won except at a price. The price is recorded under the heading Malaria in the Mortality return.
The great increase in the number of the living brings with it a similar increase in the number of the dead. The death roll this year exceeds 15,000 as com-pared with an average of 10,000 for the previous decade. For the vast majority of these burial space has to be provided within the Colony. The dead of past years occupy some 200 acres and at the present rate alone an additional 15-20 acres is being absorbed each year. In default of any other space-saving device, rigid system of exhumation appears to be the only solution. In certain cemeteries it has already become
a
M 17
maintained evening stations at convenient points aud the Sea Scouts undertook the difficult task of provid- ing facilities for the junk population in the harbour.
A noticeable feature of the year was the great Demolition, activity in demolition of Chinese houses. The figures re-erection, available shew that 865 houses (or 2,264 floors) were erection. demolished; this is 5% of the total number of Chinese houses as given in last year's return. Against this 832 new houses (or 2,578 floors) have been completed dur- ing the year.
Of these some 50% were erected on ground previously unbuilt on, the balance being re- erections. The result seems to be that owing to the delay that must occur between demolition and re-erec- tion little benefit as regards housing accommodation had been gained during the year. There were, how- ever, about 2,000 floors in course of erection in Kow- loon on 31st December, 1923.
The year witnessed a further considerable expan- Expansion. sion on both sides of the harbour. In Hongkong houses of European type are to be found scattered all along the South side of the island; a model settlement at Quarry Bay is replacing notorious slums and Whit- field has a strong claim to inclusion in the City limits.
In Kowloon familiar farm lots have been given over to the builders, and the Indian goat-herd of Austin Road and the watercress growers of Ho Man Tin have been pushed further afield. Sham Shui Po now desig- nates a modern town and Kowloon City shrinks behind a facade of brand-new tenements. The buffalo wallows of Kowloon Tong contract daily and a granite drain threatens to bridle the wandering streams of Kowloon Tsai. The frontiers of the town are being pushed for- ward and it is well to remember that in a tropical country new ground cannot be won except at a price. The price is recorded under the heading Malaria in the Mortality return.
The great increase in the number of the living Cemeteri s. brings with it a similar increase in the number of the dead. The death roll this year exceeds 15,000 as com- pared with an average of 10,000 for the previous decade. For the vast majority of these burial space has to be provided within the Colony. The dead of past years occupy some 200 acres and at the present rate alone an additional 15-20 acres is being absorbed each year. In default of any other space-saving device, rigid system of exhumation appears to be the only solution. In certain cemeteries it has already become
a
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