ENG-1972 — Page 133

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LAND AND HOUSING

The main control work carried out during the year was the completion of a system of precise control points for the proposed mass transit railway scheme. This control was used to provide very accurate surveys in areas where development could conflict with proposals of the mass transit scheme and also as a basis for the accurate large scale surveys of the proposed station sites carried out by the consultants for the scheme. Also, should the scheme proceed, the actual setting out of tunnels and associated works will be based on this same control.

Control work generally has been greatly speeded up by the use of electronic distance measuring equipment which has also enabled the work to be carried out with greater precision than ever before.

Title Survey

This section is responsible for delineating and recording all property boundaries, surveys for surrenders, grants, sales, exchanges, leases, etc. There was once again an increase in land dealings, with the number of plans produced for title surveys increasing by more than 10 per cent over the previous year's figure. Part of this increase can be attributed to the rise in land value with property owners becoming more boundary conscious, particularly in the New Territories.

Mapping Survey

Surveys are carried out for the preparation of plans and maps of the whole ter- ritory at different scales and their subsequent revision at regular intervals. Due to the increase in title work, and the necessity of employing some mapping parties for this work, not as much progress was made during the year with the revision of large scale maps as was hoped. Investigations into improved methods of ground survey together with greater use of aerial photography are being carried out and it is hoped that this will result in increased production in 1973.

Approval was given during the year for the purchase of a 'Wild' RC 10 air survey camera to be installed into the newly acquired RHKAAF twin-engined 'Islander' aircraft. First results from using this camera were most encouraging, showing a very high standard of vertical photography. Details are now being finalised on the draft for a new air survey mapping contract which will include items for the plotting of engineering works, including volumetric work.

Cartography

This section is responsible for the production of plans and maps at different scales for both mapping and title purposes.

Coverage of the urban areas was completed at the new 1:2,400 and 1:4,800 scale plans. Design work is now in hand for a 'street series' map at 1:10,000 scale to replace the existing eight inches to one mile series and it is expected that the new series will be available in early 1973. A second edition of the 'countryside series' was published in February and is proving very popular. A second sheet in this series, Mainland West, is now being drawn and should be published in early 1973.