November_1970 — Page 4

Measuring 32 metres long, 616 metres wide and 3 metres deep, the craft draws only 30 centimetres of water unladened and 2.5 metres when fully load- ed.

Mr. Ayus Isarasena, manager of CMMC, said at the launching that the construction method used could produce a wide range of craft at costs up to

350-ton capacity ferro-cement barge

60 per cent. cheaper than the equivalent in steel or wood. Ferro-cement, he added, was maintenance free, fireproof, immune from attacks by sea borers and the boat needed no annual dry docking – the longer it stayed in the water, the stronger it be-

came.

Yearly construction bill will

soon top HK$2,000 m.

In two or three years the construction industry in Hong Kong will be responsible for HK$2,000 million worth of work a year at current prices divided roughly between the public and private sectors as compared with HK$1,500 million worth in 1965/66, about HK$700 million last year, and HK$900 million this year.

These figures were given by Mr. R. C. Clarke, acting director of public works, to support his view that it would not be wise to add to such costs by stipulating quicker completion of routine highway contracts through double shift or overtime work.

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Mr. Clarke was replying to a Legislative Council question concerning completion periods. He said the time to complete a particular project was depen- dent on the amount of work involved and its com- plexity, which could be reduced in some cases by bringing in more plant or labour and by overtime, or two or three shift working all adding to the cost. Normally the time for completion was calculat- ed on the basis of single day shift working, but where time was not so important the contract period was occassionally left open for the contract- or to specify in his tender offer, with a view to reducing costs.

In another Legislative Council reply, Mr. Clarke refuted a suggestion that new supply of land for private building had been kept short by govern- ment to enable high market values to be maintained.

He said during the period 1965/68 when land was not fetching high prices, the government had continued to offer sites by auction at regular inter- vals. No less than 73 of the 161 lots offered for sale during this period had been withdrawn for want of a bid. These sites, which could have been bought at upset prices, had since been sold, some at many times their original price.

He added that he could not accept the theory that high cost of land led to high rents. It was the growing population and increased prosperity that led to a demand for more accommodation, and a willingness and ability to pay high rents that was reflected in the current high land prices.

$$70 million Singapore Waterfront plan

Singapore's waterfront will be reshaped with a decision by The Ocean Steam Ship Co. and Capital and Counties Property Co. to go ahead with the construction of a S$70 million building complex

Ocean Building, Singapore

including a 28-storey office tower - on a 6 130 sq. m site along Collyer Quay.

The aim is to have the 118.8 m tall building open by the end of 1973. It will contain over 39 480 sq. m of office space and 1 480 sq. m of shop- ping area. To be known as Ocean Building, the pro- ject involves pulling down the existing structure and other adjacent buildings. It also incorporates Prince Street which has been purchased from the Singapore Government.

Far East BUILDER, November 1970

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