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public markets in the urban areas. Re-building of the Tang Lung Chau Market was well advanced, alterations to Wan Chai Market were nearing completion and plans were drawn up for a new market at Kowloon City and for extensive alterations to Sai Ying Pun Market.
In areas of rapid development such as resettlement estates, marketing needs have been met by hawker bazaars and fresh provi- sions shops and eight such bazaars are in use at various resettle- ment estates. In the bazaars at Wong Tai Sin and the Tai Hang Tung Village Resettlement Estate in Kowloon, the layout of pitches was adjusted for the purpose of making the bazaars more attractive to hawkers. Towards the end of 1961 the temporary market at Tung Tau Village was demolished, the needs of the inhabitants being met by fresh provisions shops and hawker bazaars in a new resettlement estate.
Hawker Control. By the end of 1961, the Hawker Control Force had almost reached its approved strength of 320 men of all ranks. The recruitment and training of constables at the training school at Brick Hill was accelerated to meet the growing commitments and expansion of the Force, and the length of the training course was increased from 12 to 14 weeks to improve the general standard of the recruits.
Control operations were extended to the Wan Chai and Central districts of Hong Kong and parts of the Yau Ma Tei district of Kowloon. As more transport and accommodation become available the aim of the Force is to extend its activities to cover all major hawker concentrations in urban areas of the Colony. Most of the supervisory staff in the Force are at present seconded from the Police.
Public Latrines and Bathhouses. Five new combined public latrines and bathhouses were built during the year in densely populated areas, making a total of 128 in the urban districts. One additional latrine was opened. Twenty nine bathhouses, at which hot and cold water is provided free of charge, were used by 3,123,000 people during the year, a daily average of 8,556 patrons.
Cleansing and Conservancy. By the end of the year about 4,000 persons were employed in the daily collection and disposal of refuse, and on street cleansing.