130. Attention has been directed during the year towards improving the general appearance of the estate by paying greater attention to plants and shrubs. While admiring the thriftiness of tenants who purchase cabbage when the price is low and sun-dry it for use later, this custom had to be discouraged when many tenants spread out about 30 catties per family along the corridors and common parts of the Estate.
131. The duties of a Housing Assistant are many and various, but fortunately they are not often called upon to discourage a suicide. This task was recently dealt with successfully by a Housing Assistant to whom it was reported that a man was in danger on a roof top canopy.
SO UK ESTATE
132. As reported last year the first flats on this Estate were occupied in May, 1960. During the year a further 1,054 flats have been occupied, making in all 3,895 families with a population of approximately 23,000 housed there at March 31st, 1962.
133. The eagerly awaited Estate Office was completed in October, 1961 just in time to provide a suitable rendezvous for the visit of H.R.H. Princess Alexandra in November. For nearly two years the management staff had been occupying temporary accommodation and working in very cramped conditions. The removal made possible the conversion of this space into the 6 shops for which it was originally intended. The new Estate Office specially designed for the purpose stands in a central position and fits comfortably into its surroundings. Her Royal Highness graciously planted a Crataeva Religiosa (Silver and Gold) tree at the main entrance to commemorate her visit.
134. To meet the demand for additional space in which to run kindergartens, formerly only catered for in shop accommodation, it was decided to provide three specially designed centres in the blocks still under construction. The kindergarten in Gladiolus House comprising 3 classrooms, a playground and residential flat, was completed in March, 1962 and attracted 197 applications. To solve the problem of selection in the most impartial and economical way, the Commissioner for Housing drew the reference numbers to decide priority of investigation.
MA TAU WAI ESTATE
135. Tenants started to move into this Estate during February 1962 and it is expected that the 1,624 flats in the first phase will be completely occupied by the end of June, 1962. The simplicity of design has made
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