XN000022-1995-04-24 — Page 12

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S for H visits public housing estates

The Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic Wong, today (Monday) took a close look at the day-to-day activities of the Housing Department in managing and producing public housing and in clearing and rehousing squatters.

Accompanied by senior Housing Department officials, Mr Wong visited a squatter area at Diamond Hill under clearance to make way for the construction of home ownership and public rental flats.

Mr Wong next called on the Kai Lok Temporary Housing Area in Kowloon Bay to see for himself the conditions of a conventional THA.

The full-day programme also took him to Tse Wan Shan where an extensive public housing redevelopment programme is underway. Mr Wong also took time out to visit a family at Tsz Man Estate and sample flats of the new harmony block at Tsz On Court.

He concluded the visit with a tour of the Lok Fu Shopping Centre.

End/Monday, April 24, 1995

Closure of illegal rooftop structures on Kingland Apartments

The District Court today (Monday) issued a closure order for the illegal rooftop structures on Kingland Apartments in Mong Kok.

Upon execution by the Police, Buildings Department staff and the Government contractor started preparations for the demolition of the illegal structures.

"Our prime concern is building safety," Assistant Director of Buildings Mr Lok Che-leung said. "The Building Authority has a duty to safeguard public interest.

"These illegal structures pose a threat to safety. Many of them are in an advanced state of dilapidation. Some are two storeys high. Some sit on water tanks. Some are erected on the cantilevered rook canopy which was not designed for this purpose," Mr Lok said.