Resettlement_Department_Annual_Report_1959-1960 — Page 34

reasonable conditions of his tenancy. If, as is often the case, he previously rented accommodation in a squatter area from a squatter landlord his new rent will almost certainly be less than he was paying before. To that extent he may be better off financially, but the problem of earning enough money to keep himself and his family alive will probably still be his main pre-occupation since the majority of the residents in multi-storey estates are under-employed.

79. If, therefore, the term welfare is used in its broadest sense the biggest need of the average settler is regular employment. It is for this reason that the policy is to make available as many ground floor rooms as possible for combined business and domestic purposes and, as already mentioned in Chapter IV, the relaxation of the Urban Council's normal licensing requirements has enabled settlers to open restaurants, cafes and shops for the sale of fresh meat and fresh fish. At one time ground floor rooms for shops and workshops were allocated only to settlers who had previously been running businesses in squatter areas, but eligibility has now been extended to other categories of squatters or settlers. The fact is accepted that the financial backing for such businesses may come from outside and that the profits may also to some extent go to persons not eligible for resettlement. So long as the settler to whom the premises are allocated continues to live and work in them the main object, that of assisting settlers to earn a living, is being achieved.

80. Although the work of building and administering resettlement estates and areas is to some extent welfare work, it is not the function of the Resettlement Department to provide welfare centres or to run boys' and girls' clubs, schools or clinics-for all of which there is an urgent need. This is left to other Government departments, or to the voluntary agencies which play such a very large part in providing schooling and welfare facilities of all kinds in every part of the Colony.

81. In the cottage areas schools and welfare centres have been built by voluntary agencies, on sites provided by the Department. A nominal permit fee of $2.50 per quarter is payable for the sites occupied by these buildings. New projects completed during the year under review included the Church World Service Community Centre at Chuk Yuen, containing a children's club, library, milk bar, clinic and facilities for adult education; a new office and headquarters for the Chuk Yuen Resettlement Area Kaifong Association; a 24-classroom extension to the Lok Tao School at Ho Man Tin; and a 3-classroom primary school built by the Assemblies of God Mission at Tai Wo Ping.

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