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Restoration of Public Services
4.
Apart from its military duties, the main contribution in the initial stages towards the restoration of law and order by the R.A.F. was the assumption of control of the various public facili- ties which had been left in a deplorable condition by the Japanese. In this respect, the principle responsibilities accepted by the R.A.F. were the power station at Kowloon, the water-works, telephones and the Kowloon-Fanling railway. In addition to these responsibilities the R.A.F. provided the bulk of the Colony's M.T. As time went on M.T. became available from other sources but even at this date over one-third of the total vehicles belonging to the R.A.F. in Hong Kong are still employed on municipal services and work not directly concerned with the R.A.F.
5. In connection with the maintenance of these facilities, a con- siderable amount of work was done in cleaning, repairing and re-building plant and machinery and in training Chinese civilians in the maintenance and operation of equipment. The policy which was adopted was that the R.A.F. should hand over the responsibi- lity for operating these public services progressively as the Company owners were able to find local labour to take on their commitments. This progressive hand over is now almost complete although the R.A.F. still provide a proportion of skilled super- vision in the power station in addition to their police duties, and responsibility for the provision and servicing of municipal transport.
Accommodation
6. The question of providing accommodation for the R.A.F. in Hong Kong has always been a problem and is likely to remain so until such time as a policy regarding the strength of the post-war garrison of Hong Kong has crystallised and the necessary con- struction work to implement this policy is completed. The strength of the R.A.F. in Hong Kong since Setpember, 1945, has averaged some 4,400 personnel of all ranks. The total R.A.F. owned accommodation available for this force amounts to space and facilities for approximately 250-300 officers and airmen at Kai Tak. A solution had therefore to be found in requisitioning. Unfortunately, requisitioning immediately introduces a further problem. The restoration of trade and business in Hong Kong depends upon accommodation being made available for the staffs of the firm and organisations concerned. Whilst living accommo-
dation is requisitioned by the services, civilian staffs cannot return to Hong Kong and hence the business houses are unable to re-establish themselves at the speed which the plans for the re-habilitation of Hong Kong demand. There is no immediate solution to this problem but nevertheless the situation is being eased by the construction of temporary hutted accommodation and the dilution of the R.A.F, as a result of Age and Service releases.
Ping Shan
7. In his original directive the A.O.C. Hong Kong was charged with the responsibilities of selecting a suitable site for the development of an airfield to V.H.B. standard. The choice of suitable terrain for such a project is somewhat limited but, nevertheless, a promising site was found in the Ping Shan valley some 18 miles north-west of Kowloon. As soon as provisional approval was gained from the Chiefs of Staff for the development of this site, work was initiated at Ping Shan. Fortunately, this coincided with the release of airfield construction personnel from guard and police duties in Kowloon. The most noteworthy development was the opening up of a granite quarry within 2-mile from the runway site which was capable of a daily output of seme 600 tons. Meanwhile, an alternative airfield project was advocated by an Advisory mission comprising representatives of the Air Ministry, Civil Aviation and the Colonial Office. This site would conform in greater measure to the very high standards required for aircraft of the future, but this can only be achieved at double the cost in time and money. As a result, it was necessary to suspend all major development until a decision on the alternative proposals had been made. It appeared therefore, that the chances of Hong Kong possessing a modern airfield at an early date were rapidly dwindling. In the meantime A.C.S. personnel were being drafted home in conformity with the terms of release and repatriation. At the end of March a decision was reached by Air Ministry that all work on the Ping Shan site was to be discontinued and that the project at Deep Bay was a matter for the future, which might be embarked upon after further consideration. As a result of this decision, the Airfield Construc- tion Wing was disbanded on 30th April and orders were given for the re-instatement of access roads and other developments which interfered with agricultural ground. This was to be
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