- 22
some shoals obstructing the approach to it, the Company contributing $12,000 towards the cost. A considerable proportion of the dredg ing had been completed by the close of the year.
The work of providing scavenging lanes was continued, com- pensation being paid where necessary.
Some small areas of leased Grown land were resumed in order to improve the alignment of certain streets.
Some progress was made with the Shamshuipo Improvement Scheme, which involves the entire demolition of the old village and the erection of new houses and other buildings on good, wide roads.
The construction of extensive additional filter beds and of a large service reservoir for the supply of the western section of the City, which was commenced at the close of 1914, was continued, the levelling of the site being completed and the excavation for the service reservoir commenced by the end of the year,
The construction of an additional filter bed in connection with the Kowloon Water Works was begun.
The total amount expended on Public Works Extraordinary was $1,839,882.01 and on works annually recurrent $558,448.03.
Railway.
The building of the new Terminal Station at Kowloon las made satisfactory progress daring the year and it is expected to he opened to the public probably about April next.
A thoroughly up-to-date mechanical interlocking signal appar atus has been installed in Kowloon Station Yard by the Railway Signal Company, Limited, and all signala within station limits as well as the Holt's Wharf level crossing gates are now controlled from a cabin situated at the north end of Kowloon Station Yard.
Repairs of a substantial nature to the embankment pitching on the coast line between nailo 7 and 14 have now been completeci and no further trouble may be expected from this source in the near future.
Owing to the late delivery from England of the permanent way materials required for the extension to the Locomotive Yard, this work has been delayed. The enlarging of the Paint Shop and Locomotive Shed was commenced and brickwork carried to roof level in readi- ness for the steelwork ordered from home which had not arrived at the end of the year.
The three new Main Line Locomotives ordered from England in 1914 arrived in the Colony in May and were erected and have rendered satisfactory service since they were taken over by the Traffic
23 -
Department. During March eight new coaches were added to the rolling stock, and underframes for four additional coaches were received during the year, and two coaches were completed and handed over by the contractors and the others were well in hand at the end of the year.
The year's expenditure chargeable to Construction Account was $638,995.11.
The working expenses amount to $207,266.97 and when compared with gross receipts show an increase the percentage for the previous year being 7525 while for 1915 it was 8647; this is due to the decrease in earnings and to anforeseen heavy expenditure on repairs to Manager's House, the widening of the Platform at Sheung Shui Halt, and the erection of an additional Shelter for passengers at that Station, all of which have been paid for out of Revenue. The amount to be paid for rout for the use of Shum Chun Station was agreed during the year and a sum of $10,478.81 was paid over to the Chinese Section being rent for accommodation for the period October, 1911, to June 30th, 1915.
The
from revenue derived
Local Traffic amounted to $129,094.83 or $2,286.59 less than 1914, and the earnings of Through and Joint Sectional Traffic were $207,622.20 or $18.ÏLLAL below the previous year; this was mainly due to the decrease of 47,153 in the number of passengers carried as compared with 1914 which was an abnormal year owing to the depreciated Chinese Government notes being for some time accepted at face value by the Railway (Chiuese Section). The Fanling Branch earnings amounted to $7,052.05 or $438.24 less than last year.
The excess of earnings over expenditure for 1915 was $16.508.11.
1911. 1015.
Passengers booked by Stations in British
Territory to Stations in China, ...277,612 271,382 Passengers booked by Stations in China
to Stations in British Territory, ...353,722 Passengers travelling on the British Sec-
tion, Main Line, Passengers travelling on the British Ser-
tion, Fanling Branch.
320,839
..215,527
257,030
48,097
47,928
VI. GOVERNMENT AND AIDED INSTITUTIONS,
(a.)-HOSPITALS.
Government Hospitals consist of the Civil Hospital, to which is attached an isolated Maternity Hospital, the Victorin Hospital for Women and Children, and the Kennedy Town Infectious Diseases Hospital. There is an Observation Station capable of aeronnaodal- ing 1.500 persona in the event of an outbreak of infections disease on board a ship arriving in the Harbour.
429
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.