1955-1957 — Page 15

MARINE DEPARTMENT LIBRARY

depending on the amount of concrete work in hand, but this number rapidly increased until nearly 2,700 workmen were engaged there. Certain difficulties arose over the electricity supply required for operation of hoists, concrete mixers, vibrators, etc., and as there was no spare capacity on the service cables in the area, two cables were laid from the nearest sub-station. During the dry months there was some trouble in obtaining sufficient water for concrete mixing, and a special supply had to be provided.

Tenders from sub-contractors and nominated suppliers were invited in April 1956, and contracts awarded three months later (for details see Appendix VI).

A certain amount of time was lost in October 1956, because of the rioting in Kowloon, when about a quarter of the workmen were absent: the delay was quickly made up, however, by working overtime. When the lower floor formworks were dismantled it was found that although, on the whole, the structure was in a satisfactory condition, some honey-combing in beams and slabs had occurred, and this had to be made good. There was also some difficulty over deliveries of reinforcing steel from Europe in November 1956, due to closure of the Suez Canal, but this was overcome by the contractors, who obtained sufficient quantities to tide them over from Japan. Deliveries of lift installations also caused anxiety from the same cause, and some ship- ments had to be made around the Cape of Good Hope.

By the end of March 1957, the R.C.C. frame of the estate had been entirely completed, except for the Assembly Hall, water tanks, and lift housings; brickwork was completed up to 9th floor level, and internal plaster up to the 6th floor. A number of variations in the general contract were accepted, and the contractor notified: the nett result of those so far authorized amounted to a saving of $426,045.48. About 95% of the work connected with water supply pipes, and 75% of the soil and waste pipes to flats had been completed, together with all the electrical conduits to the structure. Two wells had been dug to provide a water supply for the gardens and grounds, and to augment the flushing supply.

CADOGAN STREET ESTATE

(Architect: Mr. T. S. C. Feltham, A.R.I.B.A.)

The Authority's second estate is at Cadogan Street, Kennedy Town, overlooking the western part of the harbour. The gradients of the site,

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