XN000022-1976-02-16 — Page 5

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1976

DISTRICT OFFICE SAI KUNG HELPS TAI WOR PING FIRE VICTIMS

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THE 33 FAMILIES WHO WERE MADE HOMELESS IN LAST MONDAY'S FIRE AT TAI WOR PING ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG.

DEPENDING ON THE IR CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY ARE BEING OFFERED PUBLIC HOUSING, FLATTED FACTORIES, OR LICENSED AREA SITES. IN SOME CASES THEY MAY REBUILD ON THE SITE THEY OCCUPIED BEFORE THE FIRE. THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ALSO PROVIDED MONETARY RELIEF.

THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SAI KUNG, MR. ROBERT UPTON, SAID HE AND HIS STAFF HAD VISITED THE AREA OF THE FIRE AND CARRIED OUT SITE INVESTIGATIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CLEARANCE DIVISION OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL CASES. THE PROCESSING IS STILL CONTINUING,

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS PROVIDED RELIEF ITEMS INCLUDING BLANKETS, HOT MEALS AND MILK POWDER.

EX GRATIA PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE TO FAMILIES REBUILDING DOMESTIC STRUCTURES ON SITE AT THE RATE OF UP TO $1,250 FOR THE FIRST FIVE MEMBERS OF FAMILY AND A FURTHER $250 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL MEMBER. EACH PERSON WILL ALSO QUALIFY FOR A GRANT OF $100 FOR RE-EQUIPMENT PURPOSES AFTER DOMESTIC REBUILDING.

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE SITE FOR DISTRIBUTING HOT MEALS IS THE CLOSEST POSSIBLE FOR THE MAJORITY OF VICTIMS.

THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT SAYS FACTORY OPERATORS, WHO DO NOT OPT FOR A FLATTED FACTORY, WILL RECEIVE COMPENSATION AT THE RATE OF $6,000 FOR SURVEYED WORKSHOPS BETWEEN 50 SQ. FT. AND 300 SQ. FT. AND AT THE RATE OF $20 PER SQ. FT. FOR FACTORIES OF OVER 300 SQ. FT.

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