1946-1947 — Page 17

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61. Station buildings had been abused and neglected during the period of Japanese occupation. Much material and labour were required to put them right, especially the Yaumati station building where the gutters, ceilings and other wood- work had been looted. As timber was expensive and difficult to obtain, old tunnel-shorings were used. Painting was done by the Permanent Way Departmental painting gang, and by the end of the year the station buildings at Yaumati, Shatin and Taipo had been overhauled. Those at Fanling and Sheung Shui are now receiving attention.

62. The rehabilitation of the European Class “A” & “B” Quarters under semi-austerity conditions was carried out and supervised by Messrs. Palmer & Turner, a local firm, and was completed in August 1946. The repairs to the native Staff quarters were carried out departmentally under semi-austerity conditions. The only woodwork obtainable at the time for joists, windows and doors will not last long and must be renewed with suitable hardwood within three years.

63. To alleviate the housing difficulty, 7 Nissen huts were erected at Hung Hom to accommodate those of the Loco Department staff who are on call duty.

64. Before the war, the maintenance of the Workshops buildings were under the control of the Chief Mechanical Engineer. Since the re-occupation of Hong Kong, this Department was called upon to rehabilitate them and take over their future maintenance. The majority of roofing sheets were found to be rotten, lead flashings were stolen and 740 sheets of large glass were either broken or missing.

Five different contracts were carried out for the repairs of the workshop buildings. 3133 sheets of roofing, 700 pieces of large glass as well as other material were renewed. The Erecting Shop, Machine Shop, Carpenters Shop, Wagon Shed and Running Shed were repaired. The Paint Shop still remains to be done.

65. A new latrine of the pit-type was erected at Yaumati Station. It was constructed of cement concrete and brick masonry. The old latrines at out-stations were of the bucket- type, and were built of steel-work which had corroded during the Japanese occupation period. The structure has been the subject of favourable comment from the Health Officers of the Colony, and with certain minor improvements it is suggested that it be made standard for other similar erections in Hong Kong and Kowloon.

66. Land. During the year, permits for land at Hung Hom Reclamation for storage purpose had been issued to the following:--