CO129-595-9 The British Military Administration of Hong Kong- report- 1946 11-7-1946 - 2-9-1946 — Page 120

160

Port Works:

Deterioration in the structure of

Piers has been marked in many cases and in some has progressed beyond the repairable limit. Several piers will consequently have to be demolished and what serviceable material as may be found will be utilized for repair work elsewhere.

Priority for repairs was given to refuse piers and to those used by ferries, but repairs to the vehicular ferry have not been completed. Rehabilitation of piers for ocean going vessels has been under the control of Port Executive Committee and is being carried out mainly by personnel of the R.A.F.

No report has been received as to the necessity

for dredging the harbour, it being understood that accretion

is not marked, though some may perhaps be expected in the vicinity of wrecks.

Airport: No work has been undertaken by the

Civil Affiars Branch in connection with the aerodrome at Kai

Tak where the R.A.F. is in comṇand. Close liaison with

Air Headquarters is being maintained in connection with the

projected new airfield at Pingshan and the necessary

resumptions to enable certain villages to be transferred are

progressing satisfactorily.

A.R.P. Tunnels: Over and above the length of 12 miles of A.R.P. tunnels, constructed prior to hostilities, many others were driven by the Japanese. Several of these

have been found to endanger roads and buildings, both Government and private

•

Where danger is acute, remedial

work has been done. It may be stated that it will be

necessary to keep these tunnels under observation and to effect

repairs and consolidation for a number of years.

Railway: It is satisfactory to report that services have been resumed between the Colony and Canton, if only by one "through" train each way per day. Through the cooperation of the staff of the Chinese section of the line a not inconsider- able amount of rolling stock has been recovered but the

Page 120Page 121