XN000022-1974-01-31 — Page 5

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Thursday, January 31, 1974

DIRECT POWER SUPPLY FOR ESTATE HANKERS

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Hawkers in the Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate are now able to get

electricity supply direct from the power company through arrangements

made by the Housing Department.

The scheme is part of a continuing programme to improve living

conditions in the older public housing estates.

The work includes the installation of several power distribution

rooms at the three temporary hawker bazaars on the estate to enable

the 500-odd hawkers trading there to obtain legal electricity supply.

It costs about $27,000. Wiring installations to individual stalls

at a cost of $150 per stall were met by the hawkers.

!

Before this was introduced, hawkers had to rely on illegal electrical

connections which not only created a fire hazard, but also exposed tonants

in the estate to the risk of electrocution.

Mr. Frank Fraser, Chief Maintenance Surveyor, said the project

formed part of a long-term environmental improvement programme being

implemented in the 25 older public housing estates.

"The bazaar at Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate now looks much more

orderly than previously, We are planning to introduce this to all hawker

bazaars on our estates" and we have put aside $350,000 this year for the

programno," he said.

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