THE
Although many of our readers are aware of the fact that this magazine was published for many years before the war, not many people realise that the first number appeared as long ago as January, 1935. As a product of the Far East, it is dependent for the in- terest of its subject matter on the amount of building work that is being carried out, and for its financial stabi- lity on the number of readers it can reach.
The sixteen years since 1935 have been trying ones for us in this part of the world. We have had our good mo- ments, but in the main it has been a period of uncertainty, of danger, of disillusion and of disappointment, and we, who are responsible for this journal, have shared all the trials and tribula- tions of the period and the place.
In spite of all our difficulties how- ever, we have succeeded up to now, with a very occasional miss, to carry on uninterruptedly until December 8th, 1941. Since August, 1948, when we re-
EDITOR'S PAGE
sumed publication, we have been striv ing to bring out a bigger and better book in spite of the very serious limitations imposed upon us by the in- accessibility of the majority of our pre-war readers, first on account of exchange restrictions and later because of other reasons.
We have to confess, however, that since the beginning of this year condi- tions got completely out of hand and 16 result we have been unable to proceed with our regular publishing schedule of an issue every two months. Our readers will not be interested in knowing the whys and wherefores of our difficulties nor do we intend to
worry them with excuses and com- plaints. They will undoubtedly be aware of the fact that the paper market, in common with other commodities, jump- ed out of control. The supply became so curtailed and the costs so prohibitive particularly on the type of high grade art paper which we use, that it created difficulties which we have only recent- ly managed to cope with.
Our regular and casual readers have during the past few years expressed so much appreciation of the appearance and make-up of our magazine that we were loathe to make any changes in the format. However, under pressure of economic necessity, which left us with the alternative either of increasing ad- vertising and subscription rates or reducing the size of the pages, we reluctantly decided on the latter as the lesser of the two evils. We hope that this change will meet with our readers' approval and will eventually prove, because of the convenience of the smaller size, a popular one.
Now that we have resumed publica- tion we shall make every effort to maintain a regular sequence and it will be our constant endeavour to provide the same high standard of production as has earned Our publication the popularity and support it has enjoyed in the past.
THE COLONY'S DEVELOPMENT
Unmistakable and physical evidence of the progressive spirit of the Colony's administrators, not only to rehabilitate but to plan for the future growth and development of Hong Kong, is pro- vided by a comprehensive review of public buildings now under way and a formidable list of others at present on the drawing boards, which was re- leased by the Government Public Re- lations Office.
This programme is by no means in- dividualistic. It embraces many facets of the Colony's eivie administration-- health, defence, revenue, fire fighting, police and residential quarters for Asiatic and European members of Government.
Of buildings now in course of eree- tion, priority has been given to the Kowloon Hospital. As 2 matter of urgency, the Architectural Office was requested last September to prepare a scheme for additional wards. The building now being put up consists of two 36-bed wards, sub-divided by parti- tions into bays. Each bay will take six beds and has a private verandah attached on to which the beds may be wheeled in fine weather,
Perhaps next in importance of the current building activity concerns the Royal Hongkong Defence Force, which is tied up with the Central Government
Offices scheme. In order that the site for the latter could be cleared by September, 1951, it was necessary to provide alternative accommodation for the Headquarters of the Royal Hong- kong Defence Force. The site of the old Civil Service Cricket Club at Happy Valley was eventually chosen.
Owing to the complete unsuitability of the present Revenue Station at Sheung Shui, the Department of Com- merce and Industry will shortly have a new building, conveniently situated for vehicular traffic to and from the Border at the Fanling crossroads.
This was started in March and is due to be completed in August, AC- commodation provided comprises offices, a godown, a flat for the Officer-in-Charge and quarters for 30 resident staff.
Other work in hand includes the now Albany Flats, a contract for which was signed at the end of April last. The site is just above the Botanical Gardens and the block, which is due for completion at the end of December next, will comprise 14 flats, each con- sisting of a living room, dining room, two bedrooms, one bathroom, with kitchen and servants' quartrers.
A densely populated area at Cheung Sha Wan is being provided with two new public latrines. They are at pre-
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sent in the course of erection. Pro- vision is being made for the addition of an extra floor to accommodate bath- rooms at a later date.
Of building work envisaged for the immediate future, perhaps the most ambitious concerns the new Govern- ment offices and the erection of a modern and suitably equipped fire station at Kowloon. Two new police stations are also included in the pro- gramme as well as a block of 375 flats for Asiatic members of the Police Force.
Preliminary designs have been pre- Central pared for new
Government Offices to be accommodated on the site extending from Garden Road in the east to Ice House Street in the west. Provision has been made for the demolition of the existing buildings on the site and the erection of the new
buildings in three stages. Stage I comprises the eventual P.W.D. wing which will occupy the former Defence Foree site. Stage II comprises the new Secretariat building together with a Council Chamber and will occupy the present Secretariat site. Stage III comprises the erection of the largest block and, when completed,
other will accommodate
Government Departments at present housed in rent- rd offices.
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