without obtaining prior approval, control of machinery is a constant problem.
82. There have also been difficulties over the electrical installations which have become inadequate in some factories because of the tendency of tenants to install bigger and more powerful machinery once they become established in good premises with security of tenure at a moderate rent. It has therefore been necessary to install additional rising mains in several factories over the past few years, and towards the end of the year under review it was decided that moulded circuit breakers be installed for each tenant, the cost to the tenant being related to the amount of electricity he requires. By this means it is hoped to reduce the increasing number of electrical failures caused by overloading and to share the cost of any additional rising mains among those wanting a bigger supply.
CHAPTER IX
WORKS DIVISION
83. The Works Division's main task is the maintenance of resettle- ment estates, factories, cottage and resite areas. Estate buildings in particular suffer from considerable wear and tear because of the high population density, and 142 major repair jobs were necessary during the year. In addition, a phased programme of improvements to the older blocks was started, and 48 blocks repainted. The department employs a maintenance contractor, whose work is supervised by the Works Division staff. As mentioned in Chapter VIII, electrical failures in resettlement factories due to overloading occurred with some frequency during the year, and the electrical section, which is under the control of the Senior Electrical Engineer of the Public Works Department's Architectural Office, was kept busy. This section also deals with day to day electrical complaints from domestic and shop premises in the estates. During the year, expenditure on maintenance of estates amount- ed to $1,270,000.
84. In cottage areas, maintenance of buildings is confined to those owned by Government. In these areas, the Division's chief commitment is normally to maintain paths, steps, surface drains, terraces and hill slopes which are liable to serious damage during typhoons and periods of heavy rainfall. The Division is responsible for designing and carrying
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