ENG-1955 — Page 145

108

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

the Colony was subject to almost annual occurrences of plague (see History Chapter).

Approximately 2,300 people are employed on the col- lection and disposal of refuse and on street cleansing, utilizing 52 refuse-collection vehicles, 6 street-washing vehicles, and 18 barges specially constructed for the removal of refuse. Street-washing vehicles were diverted from normal day-time operations to convey mullah- and well-water to markets, slaughterhouses and garages for washing-down purposes, as a measure of main water conservancy. A regular service has, however, been maintained for the cleansing of street gully- traps and the nightly washing of roads and footpaths.

The amount of refuse collected daily is steadily in- creasing, and now amounts to 1,650 cubic yards. All refuse is removed daily by specially-constructed barges to the Council's dump in Gin Drinkers' Bay. The old refuse dump near Kun Tong was closed down in September to allow for intensive reclamation and industrial development in that area. The dump at Gin Drinkers' Bay should have an existence of at least 10 years. (See also under Public Works, Chapter 14.)

Special arrangements had to be made for cleansing and providing temporary latrine and ablution facilities in streets in which some 50,000 people sought temporary shelter after being rendered homeless by fires in various squatter areas.

Although many new'buildings and houses with the water- carriage system are being erected each year, there has been a 5.3% increase in the demands on the conservancy disposal service, which maintains a daily service for more than 50,000 floors, and employs a staff of over 1,400.

A new type of conservancy vehicle, designed to improve on the present system of conveyance by manual labour, has undergone satisfactory trials, and the financial aspects of introducing such vehicles for general use are under con- sideration.

The amount of nightsoil collected during the year exceeded 90,000 cubic yards. Most of it is delivered by barge to Tsun Wan, whence the Vegetable Marketing Organization arranges distribution to farmers throughout a large part of the New Territories. (See also Production Chapter.)

Constant attention is given by various advisory com- mittees, consisting of professional and technical officers, to