ENG-1958 — Page 86

66

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

offset the shortage of flat land, the Government is levelling hilly ground and using the spoil to reclaim land from the sea. The largest of several such schemes is at Kwun Tong, also mentioned in Chapters 1, 3 and 14, where some 140 acres of industrial land will eventually be provided. By the end of the year industrial sites totalling 1,767,180 square feet had been sold, and a number of sites for the housing of employees who will wish to live near the new factories made available to employers on concessionary terms.

Water conservancy schemes, such as the recently completed project at Tai Lam Chung and the new scheme at Shek Pik on Lantau, are helping to alleviate the chronic shortage of water.

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HEAVY INDUSTRIES

Shipbuilding and Repairing. This section of industry is mainly centred on two large establishments which together have an annual new building capacity of 80,000 gross tons and can accommodate vessels up to 500 feet in length on their building berths. Major repair work, including the complete rewinding of large motors, and all types of engineering, electrical, sanitary, refrigerating and underwater work can be carried out. General civil engineering and construction work is also undertaken. During 1958 repairs were carried out on 1,535 vessels aggregating 4,800,000 gross tons, as compared with repairs carried out in 1957 on 1,630 vessels aggregating 8,770,000 gross tons.

Other yards are concerned with the smaller types of wooden and steel craft such as ferries, lighters, yachts, launches and native-type vessels.

There are six granite dry docks in the Colony, the largest being 787 feet overall and 93 feet 4 inches wide. Two stationary ham- merhead cranes each with a lifting capacity of 150 tons, and a crane barge with sheer-legs of 40 tons lifting capacity, are available. Other facilities include foundries which can handle castings up to 30 tons, ocean-going towage and salvage vessels, and a fleet of harbour repair launches.

Throughout 1958 shipyards in the Colony were kept constantly busy. A cargo vessel of 5,863 gross tons was delivered and a sister ship launched for the same owners; a number of cargo, passenger and special purpose vessels ranging in size up to 2,100 gross tons