XN000022-1973-06-27 — Page 4

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Wednesday, June 27, 1973

NGAU TAU KOK CLEARANCE IS OVER

The clearance operation at Ngau Tau Kok involving the demolition

of some 148 industrial undertakings, 31 shops and more than 40 domestic

huts has been successfully completed ahead of schedule.

The Public Works Department is now preparing the site for the

construction of the main maintenance depot of the mass transit railway.

About 360 eligible domestic residents from the site have already

moved into public housing estates at Lam Tin, Sau Mau Ping and Kwai Chung

and another 120 ineligible domestic residents have taken up licensed area

accommodation in Junction Road,

Some 85 eligible factory operators have re-established their

undertakings in government factory units in Kwai Chung and Kwun Tong. Over

350 flatted factory units were allocated to them.

Factory operators who were not eligible have been referred to the

New Territories Administration for help in finding suitable sites to re-establish

their business.

More than $186,000 has been paid to 17 shopowners.

Commenting on the operation a Housing Department spokesman said:

"An important factor in the smoothness of the clearance was the co-operation

we had from residents, proprietors and workers in the area.

"It was particularly gratifying that heavy machinery was moved from

the site by owners making the job of demolishing the structures so much easier,"

he added.

Note to Editors:

Photographs of the cleared area are

boxed this evening.

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