XN000022-1972-05-16 — Page 4

Tuesday, May 16, 1972

BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS

Nos. 42 And 44 First Street, Hong Kong

The Building Authority today declared No. 44 First Street to be

in a dangerous condition and No. 42 First Street liable to become dangerous

and ordered demolition,

In a statement issued this morning the Principal Government

Building Surveyor said that these prewar buildings were inspected following

a report from another Department.

No. 44 First Street is three storeys and access to the upper

floors is by means of a staircase from the ground floor of No. 42, now a

single storey building.

No. 42 appears to have been originally a three storey building

but the upper floors were demolished during or prior to the war

is no record of such demolition.

there

There are severe fractures in the exposed party wall at first and

second floor levels and the brickwork of the rear wall of the kitchen

block is bulged over the laneway. In addition much of the structural timber

is decayed and in a defective condition and there is a risk of collapse.

Due to a fracture in the brick arch of the front wall, No. 42 is

liable to become dangerous during or after the demolition of No. 44.

Notices of intention to apply for Closure Orders in Victoria District

Court at 9.30 a.m. on June 29, 1972 were posted today.

15