19
Increased labour costs also have a boaring on the general increase in exponditure under this Hoad.
243
Head 29.
Public Works Extraordinary
Estimato 1948/49
Rovised Estimate 1947/48
Approved Estimato 1947/48
Actual Expenditure 1946/47
$9,628,500 913,440
7.000
>
1,321
Hitherto, since the reoccupation, it has boon possible to moct practically all capital expenditure from loan funds, but a stage has now been reached when, instead of repairing and replacing buildings and installations which existed before the war, it has become necessary to cmbark on ontirely new schomes which were not in opcration in the pre-war period.
Provision is included for now markets at Tai Po and Cheung Sha Wan which are urgently required, and for the partial reconstruction of the Ma Tau Kok Slaughterhouse which has been the subject of complaint by the Health authorities. An office, with quarters attached, is to be built for the Health Inspector for the Abordeon district who, at prosent, is forced to reside in the city a nd thus wastos ruch valuable time in roaching and returning from his work. Provision has also been included for the continuance of the work on preparing sites for fixed pitch hawkers with a concrete or tarmac surface in localities whoro they do not interfere with traffic.
Owing to the greatly increased attendanco, it has become noccssary to construct additional classrooms at the Central British School, which is open to children of all races who have a sufficient knowledge of the English languago .
Provision is included for the construction of a new headquarters for the Volunteer Defence Corps which is essential if the Force is to be roformed on a satisfactory basis. A start is also being made on the construction of much needed sub post offices though it will only be possible to build one of these during the coming year.
Quarters for Medical officers attached to the Kowloon Hospital are also being provided for. Those officers arc at prosont housed in requisitioned buildings which the owners arc unwilling to lease or scll to Government at a satisfactory prico.
It has been decided to build a now Tuberculosis clinic in Kowloon. This disease presents a serious problem, and to combat it cffectively will prove very expensive. Further comments on this matter will be found under the Mcdical Department Hoad.
•
The provision of $5,000,000 for Kai Tak compensation relates to the payment of compensation in respect of land compulsorily taken over by the Japanese for the extension of the acrodromo runways They paid no compensation for the land. though some was paid in respect of buildings which wore demolished. The runways aro still in use and the question of payment of compensation for the land is under discussion with the Secretary of State.
Sub Heads 14, 15 and 16 all rolato to road widening or extension schemos. The first at Causeway Bay involves the raising of the road, and it is necessary to undertake this work
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