During the letting period three flats which had been fitted with furniture designed by the architects were on show and found to be most useful in showing prospective tenants how the space provided could be used to the best advantage. One of the building contractors later took over one of the Authority's shops on the Estate in order to supply tenants with similar furniture.
151. A temporary estate office has been set up in six shops and here all matters relating to tenants and their flats are dealt with as they arise including the organization of rent collection, supervision of cleaners, maintenance and all tenancy matters.
152. Rents of the 30 shops were fixed on a commercial basis taking into consideration the advantages of the different sites. Each shopkeeper can take the tenancy of the flat above, if he wishes. The majority have done this and some have installed a spiral staircase from the shop yard to the flat balcony, provision for which was made during the con- struction of the building. Lettings were made as varied as possible and include general stores, rice and grocery, clinics, laundry depot, chemist, cafe, stationery and books, a bank, bakery, electrical equipment, furniture, kindergarten and a school for the deaf and dumb. Two shops have been let to the Postmaster General for a branch Post Office.
153. The playgrounds adjacent to Azalea House equipped with slides and climbing apparatus have proved most popular among the children of the neighbourhood for whom there is little provision else- where, as well as among the children of the Estate.
Maintenance
154. A maintenance contractor was appointed in January 1961 to carry out work on the Authority's estates working on a Maintenance Schedule previously drawn up. Repairs are ordered and recorded and the accounts checked in the estate office to ensure that points to which an individual tenant's attention is drawn are not overlooked. Any major or structural items are dealt with in consultation with the Housing Architect.
155. Typhoon Mary caused slight damage to the Authority's estates which cost approximately $6,000 to put right. There were two small fires on the North Point Estate, one being an unusual one probably caused by a firecracker being stuck into an expansion joint on the eve of Chinese New Year. It was not dangerous, though there was intense heat in some areas of walls and proved to be of more interest to the
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