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66
Progress Report of
Works Branch up to 27.10.
ENGINEER BOARD: At further meetings, the rates for labour have been debated and final agreement is expected in the near future. Return of materials stored in godowns are being circulated to all services.
ESTABLISHMENT:
War: There has been little betterment in the position and urgent representation is being made to bring about an improvement, failing which a serious breakdown in the running of the Works Branch may occur. Some further local appointments have been made on a purely temporary month to month basis. Civil: A trickle return of officers to all
grades still continues.
FINANCIAL: A Minute has been addressed to the C.F.A. setting out the position with regard to work undertaken on requisitioned properties occupied by Services other than Civil Affairs.
INDUSTRY: No request for help other than application for materials which have been reported in various godowns, have been received, except from the Taikoo Sugar Refinery, whose appeal for help to examine their bomb damaged premises has been referred to the firm of Leigh & Orange.
LABOUR: Labour seems to be coming forward in greater numbers. This is probably due to the high rate of remuneration now being paid.
PORT: Ferry peirs have been receiving attention, both at the Vehicular Ferry and the Tsimshatsui Ferry. Repairs are also in hand at the Mongkok and Shamshuipo Ferry piers.
Preliminary investigation of the Aberdeen Ferry pier
indicates it as being beyond repair.
Materials for repairs of the ferry and other piers are in short supply, particularly so in regard to structural timber. Demands have been submitted and early importation is urgently needed.
Work on four (4) refuse piers in Hong Kong and three (3) in Kowloon is completed and work continues on others.
QUARTERS:
Government:
Nothing further to report.
ROADS: Besides all the clearances undertaken, service repairs have been done at many points, but the lack of bitumen is a source of worry.
RAILWAYS: The schedule of one train per day has been broken, due to the necessity of moving Chinese troops and baggage. Four (4) trains a day have been engaged in this work.
The line is on a revenue earning basis as from Saturday, 27th. October, 1945. Inspection of bridges is about to commence on the return to duty of the Chinese assistant engineer.
The tonnage carried in the last 14 days amounts to approximately 450 tons UP and 2,300 tons DOWN.
SURVEY BRANCH: There has been recovery of one or two survey instruments which had been hidden by officers of this department. The recovery of the office record of Bench Mark Values as at 1941 is a valuable find.
TRANSPORT: Lack of transport particularly in regard to trucks is causing concern.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.