79
The Editor,
VARIOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST
The Hong Kong Building Service Ltd., Morning Post Building,
Local.
Dear Sir,
From the data given in the January-February 1949 issue of your periodical "The Hong Kong and Far East Builder", the tabulated summary of activities of the Building Authority's Office for 1948 were as follows:
No. of plans received:
3041
No. of houses, etc. covered by plans received:
4724
No. of plans approved:
4695
No. of houses, etc. covered by plans approved:
8500
on the
We would appreciate greatly your information following three points:
1. Why is there such a big disparity between the No. of
plans received and the No. of plans approved?
2.
Is any rehabilitation work included in the list? If any, how many plans were for rehabilitation and how many were for new buildings?
3. What are the prospects for 1949?
Hoping to be favored with your reply and thank you for your kindness in giving us the information.
Sincerely yours,
T. C. C.
It is with considerable pride and satisfaction that we call the attention of our advertisers and readers to the fact that this magazine of ours is growing with every indication of soundness and vitality. Our first number, just a few months ago, contained 56 pages; this issue is 80 pages, even with the "Buyers' Guide" eliminated. Our circulation is also increasing in a most gratifying manner.
Readers will note that we have eliminated the "Buyers' Guide" from the magazine itself in order to make way for more interesting illustrated articles. However, the "Buyers' Guide" is being published in the form of a supplement, which will be issued with the June and December numbers, complete with directories of Architects, Plumbers, Electricians and Con- tractors.
DOUGLAS APARTMENTS
our
In the description of this fine block of flats in January/February number we omitted to mention one of the interesting features, the water heating system. In the bath- rooms thirty-four “Ascot” Multipoint Gas Water Heaters are installed. They are connected to both basin and bath taps, the turning on of the tap automatically giving an immediate flow of hot water.
In the kitchens twenty Sink Water Heaters are installed. The whole of the installation was supplied by Humphreys, Boyle and Co. Ltd., Dina House, Duddell Street who are the Hong Kong agents for Ascot.
Editor's Reply
(1) You will notice that the number of plans approved far exceeds the number of plans received during the year. You are undoubtedly aware of the fact that activity with respect to building work started rather suddenly in the begin- ning of 1947, and soon reached such a volume as to completely swamp the depleted Building Authority's Office. It absolutely impossible for the existing staff to cope with the terrific number of plans submitted for approval and the delays which resulted were the subject of considerable criticism.
was
The figures for 1948 simply show that the Building Authority's Office was rapidly overhauling their back log of work, and in point of fact there is now very little delay in getting plans passed.
(2) Considerable amount of rehabilitation work was in- cluded in the list; however we collate our summaries from monthly reports which we obtain from the B.A.'s Office, but which are of such an abbreviated nature as to make it im- possible to give any accurate reply to this question. The scope of "Rehabilitation Work" may include a few windows and doors replaced, or complete demolition and rebuilding of a former structure.
(3) Your third question is a very difficult one to answer. We presume you mean, what are the prospects for new build- ing work in Hong Kong during the coming year. The political situation is bound to affect the plans for construction work which are now being prepared, not because of any fear as far as Hong Kong is concerned, but because of the reluctance on the part of financial interests to enter into commitments with disturbances, or with the threat of them, within the area of their operation.
It is our considered opinion that money invested in build- ings and real estate in Hong Kong is as good an investment as can be made anywhere in the world. There is yet very little sign of any slowing down of actual construction work, and land sale records discloses ready transfers at favourable prices for such properties as are placed on the market.
The Asbestos Cement Sheet has for years been an extremely handy and useful item.
Turners Asbestos Cement Co., Ltd., have been using their ingenuity in producing many new designs of corrugation, and the necessary fittings, which enable some most interesting architectural effects to be achieved, not only with exteriors but with interiors of residences. Their excellently produced booklet contains photographs and drawings which should suggest many applications to the designer.
Although there appears to be no shortage of mild steel reinforcing bars on the Hong Kong market it is interesting to hear of a steel which exceeds the B.S.S. requirements for reinforcing steel. Gourlie & Co. (H.K.) Ltd. have shown us the U.S. makers' claims for their reinforcing bars,
The figures given are €5,000 pounds per square inch yield point and 100,000 pounds per square inch ultimate tensile strength. These bars are, furthermore, deformed, having formed in them reversed double helical ribs, interrupted by two diametrically opposed longitudinal ribs. The makers claim that this type of deformation so increases the bond with concrete that hooks at the ends of the bars are unnecessary. We are told that the cost per pound is the same as that of normal U.S. reinforcing bars.
NEW ELECTRICAL ACCESSORY
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
One of our Hong Kong readers is studying Sanitary Engineering and is keen on getting in touch with other students for the purpose of organising mutual study, particularly in the subjects of mathematics and mechanics.
If any of our Hong Kong readers are interested and will write to the Editor. Hong Kong & Far East Builder, we shall be pleased put the parties in touch with each other.
Our congratulations are extended to Mr. R. Eyre, A.R.I.B.A., of Messrs. Palmer & Turner, Singapore, on his appointment as Hon. Secretary of the Architects' Institute of Malaya.
The retiring Secretary was Mr. Philip M. Barnes of the P.W.D., Singapore,
The many friends of R. M. (Tubby) Woods, the popular Acting Executive Engineer of the Drainage Office, will learn with regret of his departure to assume an executive position with the North Borneo Department of Public Works, but will, we are sure, join us in congratulating him on his new appointment and wish him every success and happiness,
We have just heard of a new electrical accessory, the CLIX Footpress Switch Socket a foot operated accessory properly designed for foot operation. As will be seen from the illustration, the usual dolly has given place to a press- button set to an angle at which downward pressure throws the switch alternately into the "ON" and "OFF" positions. Clear indication of the state of the circuit is given by a simple, infallible device which exposes a red signal when the switch is "ON" and a green when the switch is "OFF", The socket has resilient tubes capable of receiving any B.S. plug, and shutters to prevent inquisitive children or others gaining access to live metal; the plug is of the CLIX Flexipin construction which guarantees perfect spring-pressure contact while per- mitting easy, smooth entry and withdrawal; the 15 amp. Q.M. & B. switch mechanism and the socket are assembled permanently on the front-plate, which is fixed to the box by four corner screws.
These switches are being marketed by Major Hawes of the Kent Engineering Construction Co., 317 Prince's Building, Tel. 33539. A large quantity of them is expected to arrive in Hong Korg about the end of May.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.