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Certain improvements and re-arrangements were carried out at Tsat Tsz Mui Quarry.
Certain electrical works, thirteen telephones etc. were installed for Shing Mun Valley Scheme.
Fifty-six buildings in various places were either rewired or had electric joints installed for the first time.
The usual maintenance to Wireless Stations, Telephones etc. was carried out. Two self supporting wireless masts were erected in the Hung Hom Reclamation and the Broadcasting Set was transferred to new building on the same Reclamation.
8. Buildings Ordinance Office.-The building industry continued to evince considerable activity throughout 1933 but failed to reach the level of the previous year and noticeably receded from the high peak reached in 1931.
The total number of plans approved for new works was only slightly less than for the previous year.
The number of new buildings covered by such plans shows an appreciable decline; this is particularly noticeable in Chinese tenement property. The falling off in the number of European houses erected does not truly reflect the amount of new accommodation provided The type of development tended towards the provision of flats three, four and in some cases five storeys high. These flats afford the accommodation hitherto provided by the erection of the detached and semi-detached houses which had figured largely in the Returns of the preceding three years.
Buildings of a non-domestic or commercial character shew an increase over the Returns of the preceding year.
Amongst the more important buildings completed the following are noted:-Emporium and Restaurant in Queen's Road Central. Bank building and office in Des Voeux Road Central, School and Quarters for the Salesian Society on Island Road, Chapel at Shaukiwan, Theatre in On Yan Street, Cinema in Boundary Street, two knitting factories, one on Tai Po Road and one at Ma Tau Wai, a leather factory in Pak Tai Street, a factory in Kai Yee Street and Printing Works at Ma Tau Kok, School in Waterloo Road. Building for Aged Women and Sisters Quarters at Ngau Chi Wan, and the Hong Kong Brewery erected at Shan Tseng Bay.
European type flats of moderate rental have been a feature of the past year's construction although Chinese tenement property is still the largest factor.
The number of European houses completed during the year is 259. The number of Chinese houses is 832.
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On the Praya East Reclamation, 147 Chinese houses were erected, making up to date a total of 973. The new Sailors' Home and Seamen's Institute and a large Chinese hotel were both completed during the year under review. The Royal Naval Canteen is still in course of construction.
The number of water flushed sanitary appliances approved during the year armounted to 3,622.
9. Fifteen fires occurred causing structural damage which necessitated action by the Public Works Department. Loss of life was occasioned in two instances where the buildings were of the old type of construction with wooden floors and stair- cases. It is pertinent to note that in no case where fires have occurred in the modern tenement houses constructed of reinforced concrete floors, roofs, and staircases, have casualties occured nor has the fire even attained serious proportions nor extended beyond the floor upon which it originated.
10. Reclamations were in progress on the following lots in Hong Kong. I.L. 2918, I.L. 3538, I.L. 3539, I.L. 3540. A total area of about 207,000 square feet is embraced in the above works.
Reclamation works at Kowloon include K.M.L. 52 and K.M.L. 102. The total area involved being about 200,000 square feet.
Chapter XIII.
JUSTICE AND POLICE.
I. THE COURTS OF HONG KONG.
The Supreme Court of Hong Kong consists of a Chief Justice and one or more other judges. At present there is one other judge.
2. The jurisdiction of the Court is regulated by a number of Ordinances but generally it may be said that the Court exercises a Summary Jurisdiction in all actions where the claim does not exceed $1,000 and an Original Jurisdiction in all actions where the claim exceeds that amount.
3. In addition to the above the Court exercises Admiralty, Probate, Divorce, Bankruptcy, Lunacy, Criminal and Appellate Jurisdiction.
4. The following is а brief summary of litigation and matters dealt with during the year 1933 :-
2,787 actions were instituted in the Summary Jurisdiction and the amounts for which judgment was given totalled $501,580.51.
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