ENG-1982 — Page 223

PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

Buildings

163

The building boom experienced in preceding years tailed off considerably during 1982; labour costs increased to a lesser extent than the previous year and basic material costs stabilised. During the 12 months to mid-June 1982, the cost of labour increased by 12 per cent compared with 15 per cent and 16 per cent for the corresponding periods of 1979–80 and 1980-1 respectively. Basic material costs increased by 7.5 per cent which was the same increase as recorded for the corresponding period of 1980-1 and compares with an increase of 20 per cent in 1979–80. Tender prices, however, decreased by six per cent compared with increases of 24 per cent and 11 per cent for the corresponding periods of 1979–80 and 1980-1 respectively. This decrease, while material and labour costs continued to rise, reflects a general slackening off in the building industry and has made tendering much more competitive - as emphasised by the increased number of tenders submitted during the year. Capital expenditure on government building projects through the agency of the Building Development Department in the financial year 1981–2 rose by 65 per cent over the previous financial year.

One of the most notable projects partially completed by the Building Development Department during the year was the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin opened by HRH the Duchess of Kent in November. This 1 400-bed hospital will also comprise the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical School and a nurses training school, a polyclinic and staff quarters. Other major medical projects in progress include a 1 600-bed hospital in Tuen Mun, an additional 660 beds at Queen Mary Hospital on Hong Kong Island, and the major Yung Fung Shee polyclinic in Kwun Tong.

The end of 1982 also saw the emergence from scaffolding of the distinctive Hong Kong Coliseum which has been taking shape for several years on a site overlooking the harbour at the Kowloon-Canton Railway terminus at Hung Hom. When open in early 1983, the indoor stadium will seat 12 500 people who will be able to watch a variety of sporting events and other entertainment in the arena and on four large, suspended replay screens.

The year has also been notable for the number of judiciary projects underway. Magis- tracies in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin and Fanling were at various stages of construction, and the superstructure of the new Supreme Court in Central District was substantially complete. A short distance away in Statue Square the old Supreme Court building, built in 1912, was renovated and prepared for temporary re-occupation. The building had been vacated and shored up when it was feared that deep excavations for the adjacent Mass Transit Railway station would affect its structure. However, no permanent damage was sustained and the future use of the building is now under discussion.

Two other buildings of historic importance were also undergoing works of a different nature. Murray House, which had stood on a Central District site since 1843, was carefully demolished, the materials being stored temporarily until a new home is found for the building in the former Victoria Barracks. Also at the barracks, contracts were being prepared to renovate Flagstaff House, formerly the home of the Commander British Forces in Hong Kong, and to convert it into a museum of Chinese ceramics, scheduled to open in 1984.

There was expansion in the programme of military works with site formation for a major new regimental barracks on Clear Water Bay peninsula and planning for further development in HMS Tamar, the headquarters of British Forces in Hong Kong. In accordance with the new policy on refugees, a closed camp was constructed on the Chi Ma Wan peninsula on Lantau Island and work commenced on another camp on the nearby island of Hei Ling Chau.