Sessional_Paper_1927 — Page 9

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New Territories.

BUILDINGS.

With the exception of the lighthouse at Gap Rock, and the Ping Shan Land Offices which sustained some material damage, ten other buildings comprising six Police Stations, a School, the Land Office at Taipo, the Scouts' Matshed at Tai O Village, and the Island Quarters at Taipo escaped lightly.

COMMUNICATIONS.

Roads.

Four roads were affected, of which the Coastal Road, which extends from Laichikok to Castle Peak and beyond, received the most damage, but considering its length and its liability to severe damage by flood, the actual harm done may be considered as slight.

The aerial lines only were affected.

Telephones.

DRAINAGE.

Little damage resulted, the small expenditure necessitated was due to the retraining of a nullah.

WATERWORKS.

The repairs involved were due to the removal of numerous landslips on the Access Road to Shing Mun Valley, the deposit of silt and debris from the Conduits and the area of the Waterworks.

At the very outset, owing to the extent and nature of the damage done, the impos- sibility of completing the work of reparation by the 31st December, 1926, was realized and accordingly the sum of $300,000 had to be provided in the Estimates for 1927, vide page 79, item 37, to complete the repairs still remained to be done in the Island of Hong Kong.

In the Kowloon Peninsula, certain reinstatement work was also left unfinished at the close of last year which will have to be completed in 1927, and for which a revote of approximately $25,000 is being applied for.

The principal items of work to be completed in 1927 appear below under their res- pective categories:-

In Hong Kong Island.

BUILDINGS.

The rebuilding of the servants quarters at the Peak Hospital with the necessary repairs to the bank.

COMMUNICATIONS.

Roads.

Fifteen roads and paths still require to receive attention, of which the new road from Conduit Road to Robinson Road is the most costly work entailing an estimated cost of $13,000.