Hongkong, July "The building industry' continued to evince considerable activity throughout 1993, but failed to reach the level of the previous year and noticeably "receded from. the high peak reached in 1931," reads the re-ort of the Colonial Secretary on the Social and Economic Progress of the People of Hongkong, for_ 1938.
"The total number of plans approved for new works was only slightly less than for the previous year. The number of new buildings covered by such plans shows an appreciable decline; this is particularly noticeable in Chinese tenement property. The falling off in the number of European houses erected does not truly reflect the amount of new' accommodation provided, for the type of development felided towards the provision of flats three, four and, in some cases, five storeys high. "These flats. afford the accommodation hitherto provided by the erection of the detached and semi-detached houses which figured largely in the returns of the preced~ Ing three years, Buildings of a non-domestic or commercial character, the report goes fon to tell, show an increase over the returns of the preceding year. Among the more important buildings fare an emporium and restaurant in Queen's Road, Central; bank bulld-ing and ofice in Des' Voeux Road, Central, several "schools, "a factory' and a printing works, and the new Hongkong brewery.
European type Mats of mo yentai have been a. feature of the ast year's construction, although Chinese tenement property is still the largest tactor. The number of can houses' completed during the year is 259, while there were 832 Chinese nouses built in. 1933.
'On the Praya East' Reclamations, 147 Chinese houses were erected, making a total fo date of 973. The new Sailors' Home and Seamen's 1 stitute and a large Chinese notd were both completed during the ye under review. The Royal Naval Cai teen is still in course of construction.
Fifteen fires occurred causing, structural damage which necessitated faction by the Public Works Department. Loss of life was occasioned in were, the government have decided to extend the regulations regarding licensing of dogs, as well as the Jmuzaling provisions, to the mainland areas of the New Territories.
Even the new regulations have not seemed entirely adequate, or they jate not being carried out, for sooner had instructions for there pre-Jeautions been issued than a private lof the Ist Battalion, the Lincolnshire Regiment, was bitten by his dog while he was playing with it.
Dogs may. not be brought from the New Territories into Kowloon or the Colony, but every day or so there is an owner who either does not know. the law, Jevade it, who ends up at the Central /Magistracy.
The question of inoculating all, Jdogs nas come up, but thus far the GiMeulty of the procedure, as well the expense, has kept the authories from deciding on this course,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.