own homes. An analysis of premises valued for rates over the last 3 years shows about half of new flats were occupied by their owners, although some were afterwards partly sub-let.
The review adds that the future position will also be influenced by the supply of new housing becoming available from other than private sources. The Housing Authority and Housing Society expect to complete some 5,365 units against 4,503 com- pleted last year. In addition some 8,000 Govern- ment low-cost housing units are expected to become available compared with 4,300 completed in 1968.
HK$22m. incinerator opened in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Laichikok incinerator and compost plant - the largest of its kind in the world was opened last month. It cost HK$22 million to build and will burn one third of the colony's 2,000 tons of refuse daily.
This is second large refuse incinerator in Hong Kong. The first was completed at Kennedy Town in February last year and a third is being planned near the Laichikok plant.
Mr. Michael Wright, director of public works, said at the opening that within a few years all Hong
Laichikok incinerator
Kong's rubbish would be disposed of by burning. The Laichikok plant was, he said, an excellent example of industrial building and added distinction to the coastline of the harbour.
Haigh, Zinn & Associates, London, were the consulting engineers for the project. John Thomp- son Ltd., UK, supplied the plant, which was erected by Chung Wah Engineering Co. Ltd. The contrac- tors were Wah Hing Construction Co. (building) and Gammon (HK) Ltd. (foundations).
Malaysia to build vocational schools
The Malaysian Government is to spend M$4.7 million in 1969 on the construction of vocational schools to train industrial workers. Six new schools are to be erected and seven rural vocational schools will be converted.
In addition more than M$4.2 million is to be spent on extension projects and the purchase of
furniture for the Kuala Lumpur technical college and for construction of the Ipoh polytechnic. The Ministry of Education has set aside more than M$36.1 million this year for buildings, furniture and equipment and the alienation of land for educational purposes.
PWD using computers for flyover design
Speaking at the recent annual dinner of the Engineering Society of Hong Kong, the Governor, Sir David Trench, said that Hong Kong engineers had been quick to recognise the advantages of speed and accuracy that computers offered over manual methods.
The P.W.D. was now using computers for the design of flyovers and bridge beams, for analysing traffic data and for programming and progress control of major projects. Shortly the department hoped to introduce a computerized expenditure control system, and already used programmes for the quality control of concrete.
Sir David said that although Hong Kong had not yet entered the realms of nuclear energy, this source of power had certainly not been overlooked.
"The engineers studying the feasibility of de- salting sea water to supplement our water reserves have already been in consultation with the power companies on the long-term possibility of using nuclear energy to provide power for a combined desalting and electricity generating plant," he stated. "However, for the short term, they have been con- tent to suggest a mobile research plant, followed by a full-scale pilot plant that is fairly conventional except for the fact that it would be by far the largest desalting plant yet attempted anywhere in the world."
Firth starts private practice
Former Commissioner for Housing in Hong Kong, Mr. J.R. Firth, has started private practice at Caprice, Rambledown Lane, West Chiltington, Sussex, as a housing, planning and development consultant.
He has been retained since February this year by Camus (Great Britain) Ltd. as consultant for overseas development and in this capacity he will undertake research on the housing situation in 25 countries in the Mediterranean area and the Middle East. He will compile reports on the housing needs of each country and will advise Camus on how their industrialised building system can be adapted to local conditions.
HK$30 million project by Housing Society
Squatter huts on the hillside below Tiger Balm Gardens at Lin Fa Kung, Tai Hang, Hong Kong Island, are to be replaced by a HK$30 million low- cost housing project, due for completion by 1973.
The Hong Kong Housing Society is promoting the scheme, which will accommodate a population of 17,026. Most of this accommodation will be in
Far East BUILDER, April 1969
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