Thursday, November 19, 1970
"But from the outset, the blocks were conceived with a view to
conversion and improvement in later years. The early blocks had only
communal water supplies and washing facilities. Electricity was provided
only for the public areas. Now each room is designed as a self-contained
living area with all the basic amenities already installed.
"We build now to 16 storeys and free more ground space for public
use; schools, restaurants and welfare premises are provided in separate
buildings, and this building which I am opening to-day introduces a further
improvement of greater living space for each person.
"In sixteen years 23 estates have been built housing 1.2 million
people. This great programme of resettlement which began in 1954 is
characteristic of the hope and energy that have inspired the people of
Hong Kong to overcome obstacles, shortages and deprivation and with
sole resource
S
our
our people - to create a thriving, vigorous, forward-looking
community on barren hillsides and land reclaimed from the sea.
"I would like to pay a tribute to-day to all those who have
contributed to the progress we have so far made: to the members of the
Urban Council who from the start have been closely associated with the
planning and execution of this programme; to the Housing Board whose patient
deliberations have provided valuable and timely advice on the direction and
content of Government's Housing policy; to the architects and engineers and,
in particular, to two individuals who personally have contributed so much
to the success of the building programme; lir. Michael Wright, now our
Administrative Commissioner in London and Mr. Colin Branwell who has been
/the architect
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