HONG KONG PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Summary of Progress for October, November & December, 1949.
ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE
Queen's Garden Flats-The six months maintenance period ended on 30th November.
King's Park Flats-The contract was completed on 31st October, and the flats were occupied during November. Several minor works were carried out. Estimates for the provision of an additional pump to the water supply system were obtained and forwarded to the Hon. Director of Public Works for approval.
New Residence for Hon. Colonial Secretary-Sketch plans and a report have been prepared and submitted to the Colonial Secretary for consideration.
Proposed New Secretariat & Government Offices-Plans and report for the outline of a scheme providing accommoda- tion required were forwarded. It was agreed that the first stage should be the wing designed to occupy the lawn of the present Defence Force Headquarters and to house the present Secretariat.
Police Stations-Very satisfactory progress was made on the Bayview and Hunghom Police Stations. Progress on the Shaukiwan Police Station is still behind schedule due to the original delay in the excavation work, but the contractor is making every endeavour to speed up the work.
Contract was let for the Kowloon City Police Station, and work commenced on 9th November. Work is proceeding rather slowly due to encountering running water during excavation for foundation.
Revision of estimate was made for Police Stations, New Territories, for submission and approval.
18" scale, 1/2′′ and full size details were nearly com- pleted for the Asiatic Police Married Quarters.
Schools-The proposal to rehabilitate King's College Primary School completely was abandoned, and an alternative scheme and estimate was prepared for partly demolishing and partly rebuilding and modernising the school to accommodate 500 pupils, which latter scheme was approved; contract for partial demolition is out for tender, and a drawing office has been erected on the site and working drawings are in hand,
It was hoped to have completed by the end of September sufficient classroom and lavatory accommodation in the tem- porary La Salle College buildings to enable the La Salle Authorities to commence school work, but due to heavy rains during August and September progress was delayed and the classrooms were not completed and handed over until 15th October. The remaining blocks were handed over for occupa- tion as and when they were completed. The whole scheme is now nearing completion and, with the exception of the playground and turfing, should be ready by 9th January for the new school term. A plan and estimate was prepared for the proposed hostel and working drawings commenced. It was found that insufficient funds were available to enable the building to be erected on the maintenance schedule rates, and it is proposed to prepare sufficient drawings and specification to obtain lumpsum tenders.
Sketch plans were prepared for the Queen's College, Causeway Bay, and approval received; whilst preparation of working drawings and specification for the Vernacular Primary School, Gap Road, are in hand.
The levelling of the playing field for the Hunghom School was completed in mid-November, and turfing will be carried out at the beginning of the next rainy season. The hall extension and the surfacing of the playground for Hennessy Road School were completed early in December,
A contract was let on 14th November for the clearance of the former Queen's College site, and work is proceeding satisfactorily.
Miscellaneous-A scheme was prepared and estimate submitted for proposed alterations to the Second Court, Supreme Court, but nothing further has been heard and no additional work has been carried out.
The building on Murray Parade Ground for Troops Welfare Canteen was completed and handed over on 14th December. Work was also completed on the H.K.D.F. Hul on Murray Parade Ground.
Tenders were received for the Marine Licensing Station, Cheungchau, but owing to high cost specification had to be revised, drawings altered and documents prepared for letting this contract in early 1950. Working drawings for Marine Licensing Station, Aberdeen and Yaumati, were started.
Sketch plans for proposed Post Office at Shaukiwan were prepared and a report on new site north of Shaukiwan Road was submitted. Sketch plans, estimated cost and report for proposed new Fire Station. Kowloon, were submitted for approval.
were
Revised sketch plans for Kowloon T.B. Clinic prepared, approved by the Director of Medical Service, and working drawings are in hand.
BUILDING AUTHORITY'S OFFICE
Tabulated Summary of Activities-Oct., Nov. & Dec. 1949
Total Oct. Nov. Dec.
812 268
284
260
1345 1270
432
488
425
417 453
400
No. of Plans Received
No. of Houses and Other Buildings
covered by plans received
No. of Plans approved No. of Houses and Other Buildings
covered by plans approved
1926 656 744 526
143 Domestic Permits were issued for 97 European type houses, 102 Chinese type houses, 3 Blocks of Flats, 4 Apart- ment Buildings, Staff Quarters, 1 hotel, 1 nursing home, 1 infants hospital, 1 orphanage and 8 other additions to existing buildings.
In addition, 50 occupation permits were issued for non- domestic buildings; these included 5 godowns and stores, 10 factories, 5 workshops, 1 cotton mill, 1 restaurant, 2 garages, 1 petrol service station, 1 boiler house, 2 schools, 1 assembly hall, and others.
60 dangerous buildings notices were served affecting 74 houses; 83 notices affecting 92 houses were served under Section 104 & 126 of the Buildings Ordinance 1935; 81 notices affecting illegal structures, with 5 prosecutions. 114 inspections and reports were made in regard to structural stability of premises to be licensed by other Departments, 151 tests and inspections of drainage system to various districts were also carried out.
CROWN LANDS & SURVEY OFFICE
During this quarter under review, 61 applications were received for the purchase of Crown Land, including extensions to existing lots, exchanges, grants, etc., 6 lots were sold by Public Auction realising a sum of $333,800.00 and 1 lot amount- ing to $4,500.00 was sold by Private Treaty. Extension of time for completion of Building Covenants was granted to 18 lots, fines being imposed in each case. 218 permits were issued for temporary leasing of Crown Land, the total annual fee amounting to $158,944.00, Extensions were granted to 3 lots, whilst new Crown leases were granted in respect of 5 lots. 1 free grant was made and 1 lot was surrendered to Crown and 90% of premium refunded.
Routine survey work, setting out of sites for sale and town planning and the reconstruction of records and permanent survey marks were continued.
DRAINAGE OFFICE
Works executed on private account included 56 orders issued and 60 sewer and or stormwater connections made on the Island during this period, while on the Mainland the figures were 43 and 89 respectively. In addition, Government sewers were extended by 443 ft. on the Mainland. The rebuilding of the nullah decking at Factory Street, Shaukiwan, to take an additional tram track was in hand.
In respect of works contingent on land sales, 18 orders were issued and 10 sewer and or stormwater connections were made on the Island, while on the Mainland the figures were 20 and 21 respectively. In addition, Government sewers and stormwater drains were extended by 807 ft. and 215 ft. respectively on the Island, and by 2144 ft. and 1173 ft. respectively on the Mainland.
The second section of the Fo Pang Valley, consisting of 439 ft. of 60" culvert and 293′ of 48" culvert, was completed. The original aqueduct, which was carried across the Railway on 18" rolled steel joists, was completely rebuilt in reinforced concrete. The joists will be cut out by the Kowloon-Canton Railway at a later date. Repairs were carried out to 142 ft. of 18" and to 40 ft. of 12" stormwater drain at the upper end of the Valley.
In addition to the above, general maintenance work pro- gressed satisfactorily during the period. The clearing of sewers, stormwater drains, nullahs and channels, totalling 1868 chokes, was carried out by direct labour. In addition, 137
CROWN LANDS & SURVEYS OFFICE
Land Sales November & December, 1949.
DATE
LOT No.
LOCATION
28 11:49 R.B.L.641
12/12/49 R.B.L.613
19/12/49 N.K.I.L.3578
Island Road, Stanley
Deepwater Bay Road
Tai Po Road
(Sq. Ft.) AREA
UPSET PRICE
SALES PRICE
20,000
30,000
$40,000
60,000
$40,000.00
60,000.00
3,615
36,150
76,000.00
39
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