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Street Ferry Pier at Yaumati, and another contract was awarded in October for the construction also in reinforced concrete-of the Pier opposite Queen's Statue Square.
A reinforced concrete pier at Cheung Chau (Dumb-bell Island) was completed and opened to traffic,
Valley o
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MISCELLANEOUS,
Two small foot-bridges were constructed, one at Siu Hang near nling and the other at Siu Lek Un near Shatin.
Aga" light towers were erected at the following places
Lain Tong Island, Channel Rocks, and Tong Ku Island. Plans were prepared in connection with the installation of a Wireless Station at Gap Rock, machinery and plant was obtained, and the work of erecting the mast, etc.. commenced.
Plans were also prepared for the construction of a water-boat dock to the East of Lai-chi-kok, but the contract for its construc- tion had not been awarded by the end of the year under review.
Considerable progress was made with the hydrographic surveys required by the Consulting Engineers in connection with the report they are preparing on the development of the harbour.
The total amount expended on Public Works Extraordinary was $3,053,525.11 and on sanually recurrent works $938,582.38.
RAILWAY.
The installation of the electric turret clock and 1-ton hour bell was completed in March and the clock started on the 22nd, since when perfect time has been kept.
Three more sidings were laid at Kowloon Station as layby 8, but these have not yet been connected to the signal cabin.
The old temporary station building at Hung Hom was con- demned, and an operating cabin of brickwork substituted, which provides only accommodation for the point levers for the sidings. and living moms for the staff. This station is closed as a passen- ger station now but the marshalling sidings remain.
A brick building was erected at the workshops for the installa- tion of three rotary convertore and the necessary switchboards, for converting high tension alternating current from the China Light & Power Co.'s supply, to direct current for the workshops
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motors, etc. The machinery for this purpose was taken over from
/TH the Company on its vacating its premises adjacent to the locomo- tive yard and removing to a new site about a mile away. The rotary convertors are not, however, of the most economical type and may have to be replaced.
In preparation for the building of the new over bridge to the north of Yaumati Station. the embankment was widened and ballast laid later for carrying the necessary railway deviation round the site of the new bridge during construction.
ay brickwork latrine w-built at Taumati Station to place the old iron-one.
Early in the year new rails were laid through Beacon Hill Tunnel (2,403 yards). The time occupied by this work was 30 nights, 7 lengths of 36 feet each being renewed each night.
The siding at Shatin Station was connected to the loop line at the far end and now forms a second loop which has proved very useful. A low temporary wooden platform of old sleepers was erected between the main line and No. 1 loop.
At Taipo Market Station a small open shelter consisting of a tiled roof on reinforced concrete columns has been provided for the convenience of consignors of live pigs and fresh fish, while waiting for trains,
At Fanling Station the road approach to the goods yard was completed.
Since the train service has necessitated a train being stabled each night at Lowu to form the first inward train in the morning, it has become necessary to provide siding and stabling accom- modation at this point. During the year spoil was tipped to form an area for yard and sidings, and work was commenced on a single line running ahed 150 feet long of brickwork with a tiled roof. The work, however, was not completed at the end of the year.
The 8-foot span bridge at mile 16, referred to in my last report, was doubled as proposed, and no fear of further flooding at this point need be anticipated.
The road bed at mile 16 where passing over a band of clay was taken up, drained and reballasted by night work. This place has given much trouble each year, owing to the moist nature of the subsoil during the rainy season.
Many of the steel bridges were given their periodical repainting; the steelwork of the workshop buildings was also gone over, repaired where necessary and painted.
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