method adopted has been to open ad hoc registers when an estate is under construction. For the Ma Tau Wai Estate additionally the income group was narrowed to within the limits of $400 to $600 a month.
118. In the first ten days after the advertisement inviting applications for the Ma Tau Wai Estate, 24,360 requests for forms had been received. Subsequently 16,856 completed forms were returned for the 1,624 flats available. It was no easy task to sort and classify this large number. Frequently one heard the question 'what do we have to do to get a flat?' from those who did not get an allocation. This sometimes meant that the management staff had outwitted an applicant's cunning, but more often it was a genuine cry of distress at once again being unsuccessful.
119. This raises the question as to whether the completion of one application form followed by a long wait on the list with re-registration at intervals might not be a less harassing method than the present system which produces disappointment at repeated unsuccessful applica- tions. The waiting list with re-registration at intervals would certainly give the management staff a better opportunity to understand the real needs of the genuine applicants and to provide some data upon which plans for future estates could be based.
120. Owing to the additional investigation necessary at Ma Tau Wai, opening the list for the Choi Hung Estate (First Phase 3,865 flats) and Wo Lok Estate, Kwun Tong (896 flats) was delayed until mid February, 1962. Within two weeks, 44,633 requests for forms had been received and by the closing day at the end of March, 27,459 completed forms had been returned.
121. During the year 5,074 visits were made and 15,580 interviews given at the office.
NORTH POINT ESTATE
122. The external redecoration of this Estate in December, 1961, four years after completion, not only preserved the fabric but also im- proved the appearance of the Estate and encouraged tenants to follow their landlord's example and to redecorate the interior of their flats.
123. A system of routine annual inspection of flats was started during the year. The ready co-operation of tenants proved the value of building up a good relationship between management and tenant. On the whole the flats inspected have been well looked after, as only a few minor items were found to need repair. A number of families were found to have additional children or servants who had not been reported
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