Estimates-1956 — Page 44

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147.

Police. The first stage of the new Police Headquarters was completed during the year. It is proposed to defer the second stage for the present in view of the large number of more urgent works which it is desired to put in hand. Work on the new Western Police Station has been delayed but provision is included for the completion of Stage I during the year and for work to be started on Stage II. It has not been found possible to start work on the Eastern Police Station extension during the year but the programme of work provides for its completion next year. There has also been some delay in putting in hand the work on the Yaumati Police Station extension but it is now hoped to complete the work during the coming year. Fan Ling quarters have been delayed for a year and work is unlikely to com- mence before the latter part of next financial year. This project now includes a new Fan Gardens Depot required by the Public Works Department. The only new item in the Police building programme is a new Police Post on Hay Ling Chau where it was found necessary to establish a Police Post in 1953 in temporary accommodation.

148.

Prisons. It has been found necessary to remove from the Draft Estimates, temporarily, the provision for the Maryknoll married quarters in view of the need to proceed with more urgent works. Provision for the assembly and communal dining hall at Stanley Prison has been brought forward from the current year.

149.

Public Buildings, etc.

The provision of $500,000 for the new City Hall covers work on plans, etc., to be proceeded with during the year. It is unlikely that any construction work will be possible during 1955-56. Token provision of $100,000 has been included for a Municipal Swimming Pool at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay.

150.

Social Welfare. Provision is made for the completion of the Remand Home and Camp for Disabled Destitutes during the early part of the financial year. The completion of the resettlement housing at Shek Kip Mei, Tai Hang Tung and Tonkin Street formerly provided for under Head 19-Miscellaneous Services-is now transferred to this Head, together with token provision of $10,000,000 for an extended programme of resettlement housing approved in principle during the year.

151.

Roads and Bridges. Work on the New Territories bridges programme is expected to be completed during the forthcoming year. The provision of $4,000,000 for reconstruction of public motor roads represents a continuation of the existing programme for improving roads which are no longer adequate for the traffic which they have to carry. The remaining items are brought forward from the current year with the exception of Ma Tau Kok Ferry con- course which represents the final stage of the work on a new pier at Ma Tau Kok.

152.

Reclamations and Piers. Most of these items are in respect of the continuation or completion of works already in hand. The Stewart Road Ferry Wharf is required to accommodate the new ferry service between Wanchai and Ma Tau Kok due to come into operation later in the year.

It is proposed to build this wharf near Stewart Road, one block west of Tonnochy Road. The only other new item is the Hung Hom Reclamation, Stage I, covering an area from Holt's Wharf to Hung Hom. It is proposed to divide the scheme into a number of stages, the first of which would comprise the extension of the covered nullah from the Coffin Reception Depot to the sea front. A considerable amount of reclamation fill is already in place from public dumping and from the site development for the Hong Kong Housing Society project at Hung Hom.

153.

Drainage. The provision of $250,000 for sewer replacements and a similar amount for nullah decking represent a continuation of the existing programme for these works. The replacement and enlargement of existing sewers is essential in order that they may adequately serve the present and foreseeable needs of continuous building development. Good progress is being made with the Yaumati intercepting sewer and outfall and it is hoped that this project will be substantially completed by the end of the financial year.

154.

Water Supplies. Work on the Tai Lam Chung Scheme Stages I and II should be more than half completed by the end of next financial year. Other works on which substantial progress has been made include the Tytam Shaukiwan supply, Kowloon supply and Cheung Chau supply. New work to be commenced during the year includes Stage III of the Tai Lam Chung Scheme (catchwaters, etc.) and a new supply for Tsun Wan. Token provision of $100,000 is included for an investigation into the possibility of constructing a further reservoir which will be necessary to cope with the continued and increasing demand for water.

155.

Airport. The contract for the new airport is expected to be let shortly and the Consulting Engineers estimate that expenditure of $15,589,000 will be incurred during the next financial year.

Her Majesty's Government has agreed to make available an interest-free loan of £3,000,000 ($48,000,000) towards the cost of this project, representing nearly half the total, and $8,000,000 is provided in the Revenue Estimates as the expected receipts for next year.