previously buried in the Colony's urban area being removed to a new cemetery in the New Territories in specially-fitted railway wagons. addition, new burials are conveyed daily by rail, a distance of 18 miles.
In
14. The department is greatly indebted to the Thai Government and its Forestry Industry Organization for the provision of 22,727 Mai Yang sleepers and 3,322 bridge and crossing timbers. Without their valuable assistance the 6-year re-railing programme could not have been continued. There is good reason to hope that further supplies will be made available.
15. In the workshops, with the arrival of the 18' planer in February, 1951, the rehabilitation of the shops, except for lighting, may be con- sidered as complete.
16. The austerity 2-8-0 locomotives have been found expensive to maintain and but for the fact that they were obtained from War Office surplus at a book figure, such expenditure would have been a matter for greater concern. But apart from locomotive maintenance costs, the standing-in-steam time has unavoidably always been considerable on this short line: hitherto it has been justified by a combination of local and through running. If there is to be no resumption of through running in future then consideration must needs be given to the eventual retirement of steam locomotives for local traffic and the adoption of either diesel- electric or diesel mechanical forms of traction.
17. During a visit by the General Manager of the North Borneo Railway in March, it was found possible to assist him with some much- needed bridge material, old rails and fishplates. Prices were agreed on and the sum of HK.$201,649.36 was duly received, but too late to be reflected in the current accounts. Further assistance is being afforded in the manufacture either in our shops or under our supervision of urgently needed parts when procurement from the United Kingdom would take too long.
18. In December, at the request of the Police Department, which provided the necessary funds, the Railway Border Bridge was totally enclosed with steel plates in order to afford protection to foot passengers who were robbed by gangs operating from Chinese Territory. The thieves climbed up on to the under-girders of the bridge and slashed baggage with razor blades while others snatched wrist watches and jewellery openly. On one occasion when the British Police endeavoured to stop them they were pelted with stones, bottles and nightsoil.
19. All members of the staff have worked well. In particular, the large increase in traffic threw consierable extra work on all stations and operating staff and they are to be commended for the efficiency and
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