I found these mentions in The Public Works Department's annual reports. (Click the year to see the report.) Comments added in [[ ]]
1922:
- 189. [[This is the entry for the "Kowloon Tong Development Scheme", and describes the resumption of land, and a contract given to excavate and fill land in the area.]]
1923:
- 41. Principal Works of a Private Nature. [[Includes a note, "The erection of houses on the Kaulungtong Estate was commenced."]]
196. Roads. [[This section has a couple of entries related to Kowloon Tong, neither of which suggest that development was moving very quickly.]]
(h.) Extension of Roads in Kaulungtong Development Area.— It was not found possible to proceed with this work during the year ; there was consequently practically no expenditure under this heading.
(j.) Waterloo Road extension (100 feet wide) Section between Kowloon Boundary to foot of hills S.E. of Tunnel (estimate for 50 foot width).—This work was referred to in paragraph] 185 (f) of last year’s Report and is being carried out in conjunction with the Kaulungtong Development Scheme.
Towards the end of the year, a start was made with the cutting through the hill at the Kowloon Boundary end.
197. Training Nullahs: — [[This also refers to several items of work in Kowloon Tong. I think item (a.) will be the big nullah down the centre of Waterloo Road when it is finished.]]
(a.) One side-wall and invert of nullah on Eastern side of the Kaulungtong Development Scheme.—This work was referred to in paragraph 18b (a.) of last year’s Report.
As it is being carried out in conjunction with other items of the scheme, it was not thought desirable to push on with same until the end of the year when piling operations were started and good progress made.
b.) Kaulungtong Development Area, diversion of stream West of Railway.—This work consisted of diverting all stream and water courses that formerly drained from the West to the East of the Railway on to the Development Area. The diversions were satisfactorily carried out by filling in low-lying areas, channelling and making a heavy cut through a low-lying hill spur.
By the end of the year, the work was completed.
(c.) Kaulungtong Development Area, connection of stream North of this area to main nullah.—This is being carried out in conjunction with other items of the scheme, which is not yet sufficiently advanced for this work to be commenced.
200. Kaulungtong Development Scheme:— [[The main point of interest is the last line, "At the request of the Kowloon Tong and New Territories Development Company, an area of about 14 1/2 acres of formed land was handed over to them in November for development." It suggests the building work began around that time.]]
(a.) Resumptions.—This work was referred to in paragraph 189 (a.) of last year’s Report.
Certain resumptions were effected during the year by the District Officer (South), particulars of which will be found in the Land Officer’s Report for 1923.
(b.) Excavation and filling.—-This work was referred to in paragraph 189 (b.) of last year’s Report.
Good progress was made during the year, 532,000 cubic yards of hill cutting being completed and deposited on the low-lying areas of the scheme, and the whole brought to formation levels.At the request of the Kowloon Tong and New Territories Development Company, an area of about 14 1/2 acres of formed land was handed over to them in November for development.
[To be continued...]