previously been paid by shops in resettlement blocks. There was some opposition to the introduction of the new rents, particularly from those shopkeepers whose shops were in the higher grades, and all shopkeepers in the top two grades were, therefore, given the opportunity to appeal individually against the increase in rent. The appeals were heard during the month of February by special panels composed of members of the Urban Council and certain Government Departments. Tenants who were able to show that the increased rents would cause them hardship were authorized to pay the rent for a lower grade for a varying period, in most cases either eight or fourteen months subject, in some cases, to a further review.
60. Hawker bazaars are provided in all large estates. They consist of rows of concrete stalls where hawkers, other than those selling meat and fish, can ply their trade. A number of shops close to each bazaar are reserved for meat and fish dealers. The bazaars are run by the Urban Services Department which in some cases allocates the stalls by ballot. In order to do away with the unsightly awnings which hawkers usually erect over their stalls, it is proposed in future to provide covered bazaars, and at the end of the year a design for such covered bazaars was under consideration.
61. A multi-storey estate is administered by a staff of Area Officers supervised by an Assistant Resettlement Officer. He in turn is respon- sible to an Administrative Officer assisted by two Resettlement Officers who are in charge of all estates. An Area Officer is normally respon- sible for two multi-storey blocks with a population of between 4,000 and 5,000. In larger estates an Area Officer who is designated as second- in-command assists the Officer-in-charge with general administration work and another is responsible for stores, sanitation and the supervision of the labour force which cleans all blocks, streets and open spaces lying within the estate boundary. There may also be an Area Officer in charge of rent collection.
62. An Area Officer's first duty is to teach his settlers to observe simple rules of hygiene. Another side of his work is to settle disputes, particularly between families which may have to share a room. It is also his duty to see that the settlers observe the conditions of their tenancy cards. These conditions are made as simple as possible, the most important being that the rent must be paid each month in advance on the rent day; that the tenant may not transfer his room to any other person or sublet any part of it; and that he must not allow his room to be used for any illegal purpose. There are also special conditions
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