XN000022-1974-05-13 — Page 5

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MONDAY, MAY 13, 1974.

HOUSING SECRETARY INSPECTS KOWLOON CITY BUILDINGS ******

THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. IAN LIGHTBODY, TOURED KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT THIS (MONDAY) MORNING TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE MANAGEMENT PROCESSES OF VARIOUS TYPES OF BUILDINGS IN THE

•AREA. HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MR. A.F. NEOH, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER CKOWLOON CITY).

MR. LIGHTBODY WAS FIRST BRIEFED BY MR. NEOH, ON THE VARIOUS TYPES OF BUILDINGS AND MANAGEMENT METHODS IN THE DISTRICT AS WELL AS THEIR MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.

THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO ORIENTAL GARDENS AT PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WHICH IS A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WITH A TOTAL OF 192 UNITS. THE BUILDING IS MANAGED BY A PRIVATE ESTATE MANAGEMENT COMPANY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN OUNERS' CORPORATION. THE SERVICE IS EFFECTIVE WITH GOOD SANITARY AND SECURITY CONDITION AS WELL AS ADEQUATE OPEN-SPACE AND CAR-PARKING FACILITIES.

AFTERWARDS, MR. LIGHTBODY WENT TO LUEN MING HING INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AT 36, MOK CHONG STREET, TO KWA WAN. IT IS MANAGED BY AN OWNERS' CORPORATION. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE IS NOT SATISFACTORY. MR. LIGHTBODY DISCUSSED WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OWNERS' CORPORATION PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH COLLECTION OF MANAGEMENT FEES, DISPUTE OVER USE OF COMMON LORRY PARKING AND LOADING AREA.

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MR. LIGHTBODY CONTINUED HIS TOUR TO MEI KING MANSION, STAGE 1 AT THE JUNCTION OF MEI KING STREET AND LOK SHAN ROAD IN TO KWA WAN. THE BUILDING IS A CONGESTED COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, WITH OVER 700 UNITS. IT IS MANAGED BY AN OWNERS' CORPORATION BUT THE SERVICE IS NOT QUITE EFFECTIVE.

MR. LIGHTBODY SAW THE VARIOUS MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS SUCH AS ILLEGAL EXTENSION AND OBSTRUCTION, INADEQUATE LIFT FACILITIES AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS CONFRONTING THE RESIDENTS OF THE BUILDING. HE WAS ALSO BRIEFED BY MR. NEOH ABOUT THE VARIOUS MEASURES TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION INITIATED BY C.D.O. KOWLOON CITY) AND THE OWNERS' CORPORATION.

BEFORE WINDING UP HIS VISIT, MR. LIGHTBODY CALLED AT WHAMPOA CHINESE BUILDING AT MING ON STREET, HUNG HOM, A COMMERCIAL/ RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WITH 120 UNITS MANAGED BY A LANDLORDS' AND TENANTS' ASSOCIATION.

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