AnnualReport-1927 — Page 624

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24. At all level crossings the gatekeepers lodges were over- hauled, and cattle scares repaired or renewed. The level crossing at Taipo was taken up and relaid to suit the newly diverted roadway at this point.

25. A block of offices was built at the locomotive yard at Hung Hom for the Chief Mechanical Engineer and his staff in substitution for the original offices and sub-offices situated in various parts of the Workshops. This work included a new. approach and gates on the Chatham Road side, and draining and surfacing the surrounding yard.

26. At the Workshops a quantity of wooden longitudinal sleepering to the engine pits was replaced with concrete owing to dry rot in the timber.

27. The engine drivers quarters in Chatham Road were renovated as also were some of the minor quarters for watchmen.

28. Two concrete ashpits each 22 feet long were built in the main line at Shum Chun Station on behalf of the Chinese Section for the convenience of the through express engines.

29. Various steel bridges were repainted as well as all mile- posts, grade and notice boards along the line.

30. 3,769 hardwood sleepers were renewed in the main line, and 1,432 new wooden sleepers were adzed and bored in

readiness.

31. No concrete sleepers were made pending reconsideration of their suitability as a substitute for hardwood.

32. In October, Major J. P. S. Greig, R.E. and Mr. W. R. Davidson, Assistant Chief Engineer of the New Zealand Govern- ment Railways, were asked by the Government to consider this question and submit a joint report, which proving favourable, negotiations for resuming the manufacture of concrete sleepers were begun.

33. The new engine shed at Sha Tau Kok on the Fanling Branch Line was only begun in December and will be completed early in 1928.

34. The Fanling Branch Line was operated throughout the year, running and maintenance charges being reduced to the minimum, but there is little hope of this line being able to compete against the newly introduced motor traffic between Fanling and Sha Tau Kok,

35. In May washouts occurred at Mile 3, the result of stormwater being diverted by the new development works at Kowloon Tong Estate. The train service was interrupted for some hours.