1957-1958 — Page 21

Over 2,000 panes of glass were broken, either by callapsing scaffolding or the force of the wind, which caused many window sashes to be sucked in.

Provision was originally made for the installation of telephone lines to the public buildings, estate office, shops, and call-boxes. After occupation of the estate started many requests were received from tenants for the installation of telephones in their flats, but the Hong Kong Telephone Company was unable to meet these requests, due to a shortage of cable pairs.

Negotiations were concluded with the Urban Council about licensing requirements to be met by the tenants of shops operating as cafes, restaurants, food shops, etc. In February 1958, as a result of advertise- ment in the local press, over 1,100 inquiries were received about the leases of the shops, and 452 tenders were subsequently returned by the closing date, 3rd March, 1958.

Eighty seven site instructions were issued during the course of the general contract, enabling savings of $287,655.95 to be effected.

OPENING CEREMONY

H.E. the Governor, Sir Alexander Grantham, G.C.M.G., performed the opening ceremony in the Assembly Hall on the morning of 25th November, 1957, in the presence of a large and distinguished gathering. Following the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, the Governor, accompanied by Lady Grantham and other guests, carried out an inspection of the clinics, school, Post Office, and representative flats. The ceremony received considerable publicity in the local press. The first letters notifying successful applicants for tenancies were posted by the Governor in the estate Post Office immediately after the opening ceremony.

LETTINGS

At the end of the period under review over 1,300 flats had been occupied, and tenancy agreements executed in respect of another 150. Some difficulty was experienced in filling the larger flats, the rents of which are $138 a month, for seven or eight persons, and the tenant selection policy was temporarily modified, by raising the upper income limit to $1,400 a month, to expedite lettings.

FLATS

The estate contains 1,955 self-contained flats, of different sizes to accommodate from three to eight persons. Rents vary from $60 to $138

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