XN000022-1973-04-11 — Page 3

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Wednesday, April 11, 1973

In this regard, approval would shortly be sought from the Finance

Committee for the employment of private consultants to carry out a comprehensive

study of potential landslide areas in urban areas.

"This study will not only consider measures which may be required to

make the areas less susceptible to landslides but also whether any restrictions

on development need to be imposed."

An interim guide on the problems of hillside stability in Hong Kong,

with particular reference to both temporary and permanent site formation work,

was also being prepared by consultants in conjunction with the Building Ordinance

Office, he said.

Private Consultants

This guide was expected to be ready by next month at the latest

and would be distributed to both government and private architects and engineers

involved with these problems.

Agreement had also been reached with other private consultants who

had very specialised equipment available in Hong Kong, said Mr. Robson.

Together with a geophysicist, backed by an experienced civil engineering

team, they would be engaged to identify any specific building site that might

be suspect so that, if necessary, works could be ordered to make them safe.

In addition, proposals were now being considered to strengthen the

Civil Engineering Unit seconded to the Buildings Ordinance Office and to make

it a permanent feature.

Reporting on the progress of remedial work at the landslide sites,

Mr. Robson said that for all practical purposes, all work carried out by his

department had been completed, except at Sau Mau Ping and at Po Shan Road.

/On the Island,