5.24. During October the Division was called upon to take action in connection with a large scale land-slide which occurred in Fat Kwong Street, Kowloon, threatening a number of near-by buildings. It became necessary to advise the Housing Authority to evacuate persons from the lower floors of near-by low-cost housing buildings, and at one stage when privately owned buildings were threatened it was necessary to apply for temporary closure orders in respect of the lower floors of them.
5.25. One building already closed by the Division collapsed as demolition was being commenced. This was found to be due to the method of construction of an old party wall and underlined the hazards of dealing with old and dilapidated buildings, where serious defects in construction are hidden.
5.26. Ten adjoining post-war buildings which had previously been the subject of repair orders because of the condition of their reinforced concrete structure had to be closed for demolition because deterioration was found to be so far advanced that repair was not practicable.
5.27. The repair of inadequate and defective private drains and sewers which became a responsibility of the Division last year proceeded and a total of 53 orders were served. In a number of cases it has fallen to the Building Authority to carry out the work in default of owners and this has proved to be a complex matter when a large number of co-owners have been concerned.
5.28. The Division served 107 Redevelopment Notices and 65 Redevelopment Orders under the Demolished Buildings (Redevelopment of Sites) Ordinance and advised on the granting of extensions in the period allowed for compliance with Orders previously issued.
5.29. The maintenance of buildings reverted to the Crown continued during the year and a number of such buildings were demolished by the Division. Demolitions of or alterations to buildings required in connection with road improvements were also carried out for other sub-departments during the year.
Staff
STAFF, TRAINING AND WELFARE
5.30. At the beginning of the year the Office was still very much under establishment in the Building Surveyor/Assistant Building Surveyor grade.
62
5.24. During October the Division was called upon to take action in connection with a large scale land-slide which occurred in Fat Kwong Street, Kowloon, threatening a number of near-by buildings. It became necessary to advise the Housing Authority to evacuate persons from the lower floors of near-by low-cost housing buildings, and at one stage when privately owned buildings were threatened it was necessary to apply for temporary closure orders in respect of the lower floors of them.
5.25. One building already closed by the Division collapsed as demolition was being commenced. This was found to be due to the method of construction of an old party wall and underlined the hazards of dealing with old and dilapidated buildings, where serious defects in construction are hidden.
5.26. Ten adjoining post-war buildings which had previously been the subject of repair orders because of the condition of their re- inforced concrete structure had to be closed for demolition because deterioration was found to be so far advanced that repair was not practicable.
5.27. The repair of inadequate and defective private drains and sewers which became a responsibility of the Division last year pro-. ceeded and a total of 53 orders were served. In a number of cases it has fallen to the Building Authority to carry out the work in default of owners and this has proved to be a complex matter when a large number of co-owners have been concerned.
5.28. The Division served 107 Redevelopment Notices and 65 Redevelopment Orders under the Demolished Buildings (Redevelop- ment of Sites) Ordinance and advised on the granting of extensions in the period allowed for compliance with Orders previously issued.
5.29. The maintenance of buildings reverted to the Crown continued during the year and a number of such buildings were demolished by the Division. Demolitions of or alterations to buildings required in connection with road improvements were also carried out for other sub-departments during the year.
Staff
STAFF, TRAINING AND WELFARE
5.30. At the beginning of the year the Office was still very much under establishment in the Building Surveyor/Assistant Building Sur-
62
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.