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7.
(b) PIERS.
Such development that has taken place in the New Territories since the British occupation has been almost entirely determined by and dependent on road communications. The backwardness of the islands and of the more inaccessible places on the mainland is largely due to the absence of adequate communications. These places, inaccessible by land, could be made accessible by sea if adequate pier facilities were provided for ferry-boats, launches and junks. More than 20 piers are required in the Territories, at least half of which should be capable of accommodating modern ferry-boats and launches that can be expected to ply in these waters in the next few years. The estimated cost for the construction of these 20 piers is £160,000 covering a three-year programme. It is suggested that the sum made available now should cover the first two years. Approximate sites for these proposed piers are shown on the accompanying map; no priorities are indicated.
Recommendation No. 2
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£100,000
8.
Cisiatie Petroleum Company ?
=62,500
9.
10.
(c) FERTILIZER FACTORY.
The establishment of a large factory for the conversion of city nightsoil into a safe fertilizer for the farmer is considered an urgent necessity as the production of vegetables in the Colony is largely dependent on the supply of fertilizer available. Following the resumption of the unfinished A.P.C. reclamation at Tsun Wan, three acres at the south-east corner will be set aside for this factory. The output of city nightsoil is approximately 150 tons daily. The capital cost of a plant to utilize the entire supply is estimated to be approximately one million dollars. This includes provision for 25 concrete maturation tanks; 17 three-ton trucks fitted with tanks;' a short pier, pumps, pipes and fittings;
a proportion of the cost of a branch road to the site; quarters for staff of 33, and garage and workshop for 17 trucks.
It is proposed that in 1948 a portion of the plant be erected to utilize fifty tons of nightsoil daily and that in 1950 the plant be completed to cope with the full amount. In the intervening period experiments will be carried out on the manufacture of fertilizer from nightsoil and city garbage. The results of these experiments should show whether it is desirable to complete the scheme as originally designed for nightsoil only, or to modify the scheme for the utilization of nightsoil and garbage. If the latter is eventually approved, the capital cost of the installation will be increased considerably.
During the past year the Japanese-built night soil unit at Castle Peak has been in operation. The matured night- soil has been sold to the farmers at a price slightly in excess of running costs but which does not cover the cost of transport of the night soil to the site from the city, which is borne by the Harbour Department. In the scheme now put forward it is proposed that the matured nightsoil, or other fertilizer produced at the factory, will be sold to the farmer at as low a price as possible in order to facilitate food production. Revenue will cover running costs, maintenance of the factory and the depreciation of equipment and of transport. It is not intended that the scheme should be run to produce a profit for Government.
Recommendation No. 3- £62,500
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Private notes are available after approval.