ENG-1968 — Page 246

178

PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

The final report of the Water Resources Survey, which continued into its fourth year was awaited. In the meantime, the development of the extensive catchment areas on the Sai Kung peninsula is being investigated.

BUILDINGS

The pace of new building work recovered to approximately the level attained in 1966 and although there was restriction on the use of explosives for blasting purposes this did not materially affect the progress of building work generally. Private architects, quantity surveyors and consultants continued to play a part in the public building programme and a steady output was also maintained in the construction of new buildings for HBM Ministry of Public Building and Works and in the maintenance of existing British Forces buildings. Expenditure during the year amounted to approximately $64 million on resettlement estates and their asso- ciated schools and factories; $39 million on government low-cost housing; and $52 million on all other projects.

Twenty-two 16-storey resettlement blocks, seven 20-storey, one 12-storey and one 7-storey government low-cost housing blocks were completed, providing accommodation for 138,000 people. Seventeen 24-classroom primary schools were completed in resettle- ment and government low-cost housing estates.

At the end of the year work was continuing on 25 resettlement blocks and 46 government low-cost housing blocks (which will provide accommodation for 307,000 people) in addition to 31 estate schools, providing a total of 744 classrooms. During the year eight single-storey restaurant buildings and an estate welfare centre were completed and two further welfare centres and four estate administra- tion buildings were under construction. Preparatory works were in hand on nine sites for estates with a future total capacity of 240,000 people and planning was in progress to provide accommodation for a further 147,000 people on eight new sites. Improvements in elec- trical wiring and the provision of individual water supplies in the early resettlement blocks were well in hand.

On Hong Kong Island completed projects included an abattoir at Kennedy Town which was opened in September, conversion of