XN000022-1974-01-22 — Page 7

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Tuesday, January 22, 1974

MORE ESTATE CARETAKERS RECRUITED

The Housing Department is recruiting more caretakers to provide

a resident service for tenants of public housing estates.

About 50 recently joined the department to boost the present

establishment of 220 and another 100 are taking up post in a couple of weeks'

time.

Mr. Frank Carroll, Deputy Director of the Housing Department said

the move would improve management in both new and old public housing estates.

"At present, the caretaker service is available only in the newer

"When we have housing estates during day light hours only," he said.

recruited all our men, we will be able to extend the service to the alder

estates and switch to a 24-hour service."

Apart from the 150 who have just joined or are about to join the

department, recruitment is continuing for another 300.

"It is commonly known that housing estates can be better managed and

tenants' needs more properly looked after with a caretaker system. As well as

patrolling, dealing with emergencies and keeping the estates in good order, caretakers will also provide a very useful service by bridging the 'communication

gap' between tenants and the managerial staff," Mr. Carroll said.

New recruits must learn their work properly before being put on the job.

Normally, they will be attached to experienced men of the department

for about a month before going on the job.

They will also be given a chance to attend a 15-week course for estate

caretakers at Morrison Hill Technical Institute where they will learn general

management methods, fire fighting, first aid, plumbing and lift maintenance as

well as other subjects.

M