STAFF
26. The establishment of the Housing Division is shown in Appendix III: the most important staff changes that have occurred during the period under review (in date order) are as follows:
(i) On 15th April, 1958, Miss J. Hua, M.S.H.M., the first Chinese member of the Society of Housing Managers, was appointed as Assistant Housing Manager. Unfortunately she left the Authority's employment on 15th September, 1958, on her forthcoming marriage and subsequent departure for Malaya. (ii) On 15th September, 1958, Mr. J. R. Firth, A.R.I.B.A., A.I.A.A., was appointed as Housing Architect. In this capacity he acts as a liaison and co-ordinating officer on the Authority's building contracts and will form the nucleus of an architectural section.
27. In August 1958, the Chief Housing Manager, Miss E. Bedwell, F.S.H.M., visited Singapore to compare the organization and methods of the Singapore Improvement Trust, particularly with regard to tenant selection procedure, management, etc., with those of the Authority.
28. Five more Housing Assistants, an Apprentice Architect, a Main- tenance Officer, as well as a number of clerks and outdoor staff, have also been engaged. The staff of the Authority now total 88.
29. Difficulty is still being experienced over recruitment of manage- ment staff, and a special sub-committee has been set up to consider both short and long-term training requirements, with a view to filling the Authority's needs by local recruitment. This will entail the organization of a comprehensive training scheme, acceptable to the requirements of examining bodies. The need for skilful and sympathetic management of its property and tenancies is fully appreciated by the Authority. Great attention is paid by all the administrative and management staff to their contacts with applicants and tenants, to establish confidence through a sound landlord/tenant relationship.
FINANCES
30. The Authority's projects are financed by means of loans (to be amortised over forty years) made available by Government from the Colony's Development Fund. The Authority is at liberty, if it so wishes, and subject to Government approval, to borrow money from other sources, if this becomes necessary. The necessity has not yet arisen, and
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