THE HONG KONG AND FAR EAST BUILDER
Panoramic view of Leighton Hill which not only shows the pleasant situation of the blocks of flats but illustrates the
scenic beauties of Hong Kong.
LEIGHTON HILL FLATS
A considerable amount of controversy has been raging concerning the construction of the Government flats at Leighton Hill. The matter has been so thoroughly threshed out during the past few months that little remains to be said. The principal objections raised by the public can be summarised as follows:-
a) That the planning has not taken full advantage of the
site.
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That the cost of the building is greater than could have been obtained by private builders.
That the accommodation furnished is too sumptuous for the Government servants they are designed for.
The Government's reply to the first two criticisms was made by Hon. Mr. V. Kenniff, Director of Public Works, at the meeting of the Legislative Council held on 2nd December in which he says:-
"At the Leighton Hill site there existed before the war accommodation for 14 families of Government officers. These buildings had been completely wrecked.
"The area of the site is approximately four acres, and in accordance with the Government's policy of securing full development of all available building land, and in order to provide accommodation for the greatest number in the shortest time, a scheme was prepared to erect on the site three blocks of flats. Detailed examination of the air raid tunnels known to exist under the site revealed that those on the south portion of the site had collapsed and were in a dangerous condition. Since plant to deal rapidly with the back filling of tunnels was not available it became necessary to omit the third block and concentrate on build-
ing the two blocks which have recently been completed. These provide accommodation for 26 families in place of the 14 families of pre-war days. The south part of the site having an area of about 1 acres remains available for further future development when the tunnels have been filled, though it is unlikely that the foundations there will be suitable for buidings as high as the present block of flats.
"In pursuance of the policy of housing the greatest number of persons, the flats were designed to provide accommodation for married families with children. There are 18 flats with 3 bedrooms, and 8 flats with 2 bedrooms. In addition to the bedrooms, each flat has a dining room, sitting room, kitchen and servants' quarters. It will no doubt be conceded that such accommodation is not extra- vagant for normal living conditions of a family. In order to economise on the furniture, built-in cupboards have, where possible, been provided.
"The figures of cost which were published in the Press of October 30, 1948, are substantially correct, in spite of them being described as "curious figures" in a subsequent newspaper editorial. It is quite true that the figures published do not include the value of the land on which the flats are built. The taxpayer has not to pay for that, and land values are never taken into account in calculating "building" costs. The figures, however, do include for all normal services, such as are found in any ordinary residence, e.g. water, electricity, etc.
"The amount of $3,800,000.00, which is a round figure, comprises the following items which as stated earlier in this reply are partly estimated:-