Resettlement_Department_Annual_Report_1965-1966 — Page 46

typhoons and heavy rainfall. The division is responsible for designing and carrying out minor public works to improve the amenities of cottage areas and the following works were carried out during the year: a recreation ground and aqua privy at Shui Ngau Ling, New Territories; a playground at Tai Wo Ping; guardrails and fencing in various cottage areas; mains water supply at Fu Tau Wat. A total of 469 government- owned cottages were repainted during the year.

100. A number of voluntary agencies own buildings in cottage areas. The Division is responsible for examining and approving their original building plans and any subsequent alterations. Schools and welfare organizations that are allocated accommodation in estates invariably have to carry out alterations to, and decoration of, their premises before occupying them. These alterations require the approval of the Division, which supervises all such work.

101. The Division also prepares plans and estimates and supervises the construction by the Maintenance contractor of various works within the estates for other government departments. During the year, the division supervised and approved 11 works of this nature.

102. The establishment of resite areas normally involves the preparation of plane table surveys. The Division is responsible for the general layout of these areas, including the levelling of sites for huts, construction of paths, steps and drainage, and for the provision of water supplies in consultation with the Water Authority. Schemes for pump- ing mains water up to Jordan Valley, Chai Wan Hill and Mount Davis resite areas were designed by a consultant and temporary pumps were installed during the year. It is expected that these schemes will be completed in 1966. A 12 feet wide road (with passing bays) approxi- mately 2,500 feet long was constructed at Mount Davis resite area for further development there. Improvements to general drainage were carried out at Morrison Hill, Ma Chai Hang and Hong Ning Road resite areas. Expenditure on all works in resite areas during the year amounted to $729,050.

103. The clearance and resettlement of squatters to make way for permanent development sometimes involves the clearance of patches of cultivation. The Works Division is responsible for preparing accurate topographical surveys for ex-gratia crop compensation and disturbance allowances of which the Department paid out $461,418 against the details obtained from these plans.

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