1946-1947 — Page 14

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46. The manufacture of small parts and repairs to equipment have been carried out for the following organizations and Hong Kong Government Departments:-Chinese Ministry of Communications, Medical Department, Royal Observatory, Public Works Department, Urban Council, Police Department and Government Land Transport, as well as the Royal Air Force.

47. The work of restoration has necessarily had to be carried out to less desirable standards than heretofore largely due to the shortage of suitable timber and other materials, and as regards timber in particular, the situation will need careful watching as that used is liable to attack by white ants, making further repair work necessary within a comparatively short period. Nevertheless, a great deal has been done in making available rolling stock safe to use.

The various statistical tables are included at the end of the report.

WAY AND STRUCTURES.

48. The Department has been fortunate in that no serious accident has occurred on the Main Line, in view of the fact that the Permanent Way is now 30 years old and no mainten- ance had taken place during the Japanese occupation period. This satisfactory state of affairs is mainly due to the vigilance of the Permanent Way Staff and the co-operation of the Traffic and Locomotive Departments.

49. From the date of re-occupation practically no stock of spare serviceable Permanent Way materials was available, and owing to shortage in the local market materials were difficult to obtain. An Administration Circular was issued calling on all staff engaged in Traffic movements to be extremely careful because in the event of extensive damage resulting to the Permanent Way material might not be replaceable.

50. Rails in some sections of the main line have worn to more than 50% of the area of the head. No less than 17 cracked rails were replaced at various places between Sept. 1946 and March 1947. Thirty-five lengths of worn-rails on the outer- side of the curve at Mile 10 were interchanged with those on the inner-side on 24.12.46. This change was a somewhat desperate expedient to keep the line in reasonable running order until new rails could be secured.

51. Up to the end of May 1946 many rotten sleepers in important places, such as rail joints and curves, had not been changed, because sleepers for renewal had not yet arrived.