18. Rents have not yet been fixed by Government but are likely to vary in accordance with the situation and general amenity of each estate. The systems of day to day management will be the same as that now carried out in Housing Authority Estates and it is aimed to maintain it on the same high level. The Chief Housing Manager and the Secretary have both put in a tremendous amount of extra work in the organization of this scheme and both deserve commendation.
19. The staff of the Authority is not large and there is practically no reserve to fall back on when emergencies occur. Important changes in the administrative staff have taken place during the year, including a change of Secretary due to Mr. COLLARD's appointment as Assistant Director of Immigration and the Accountant, Mr. S. K. NG, being transferred to other executive duties. During Mr. FIRTH's absence on leave for over six months Mr. Donald LIAO took charge of the Architectural Section whilst the administrative side of that section was carried out by the Commissioner.
20. With the increase in the number of estates, management work has likewise increased. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in obtaining staff of the right calibre for training locally as Housing Assistants as well as in the recruitment abroad of experienced Housing Managers.
21. With the advent of the Government programme of low cost. housing built by the Public Works Department and to be managed by the Housing Authority, staff will have to be recruited and trained rapidly. Experienced Housing Managers will be required to supervise the new estates and to train the local staff and the greater part of this training must be done on the job. A scheme of study and training is already in existence, but the career prospects for the Housing Assistant grade must be made more attractive if the best material is to be obtained. Housing management is a comparatively new career in Hong Kong, but it is a most interesting and absorbing one well within the capability of the local secondary school graduate. The opportunities are tremendous for the right people if they are prepared to study and work hard. In five years' time it is hoped that Hong Kong will be able to start producing its own trained, qualified and experienced Housing Managers.
22. At the end of the period under review 9,382 units of accommoda- tion were in course of construction representing contracts valued at $21,049,741.46. During this period the Authority spent $35,294,787 of its revolving fund and by the end of the period 1,296 flats and 108 shops had been completed and occupied.
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