urban areas, is the Urban Council. An important part of the work con- sists of preparing papers on policy matters, drafting replies to questions asked at meetings of the Urban Council, and answering individual Council- lors' letters on individual cases and on a variety of subjects. The manage- ment of estates involves the division in many complex problems such as the assessment of domestic shop and factory rents, the cleansing of estates and hawker control. 'Organization and methods' work to improve efficiency, and the constant endeavour to improve management techniques without employing professional housing managers are other essential functions of the division's headquarters. Close liaison is maintained with the Government Architect's Office of the Public Works Department, especially in matters of detail arising from the opening of new estates. This has been particularly important towards the end of the year under report, when the first blocks at no fewer than five new estates were nearing completion. The division must also maintain liaison with the Police, Urban Services and other departments which are closely involved with the work of the Resettlement Department.
CHAPTER VII
WELFARE IN THE ESTATES AND COTTAGE AREAS
62. The resettlement estates and areas, with their large concentrations of people, present both a great need and a great opportunity for welfare work of all descriptions. Apart from the many activities already in opera- tion, the department receives applications all the year round from welfare organizations and missionary societies for the allocation of more accom- modation in which to carry out a variety of projects.
63. In the cottage areas, voluntary agencies have built schools and welfare centres on sites provided by the department for which they pay a nominal fee of $2.50 per quarter. The activities of various bodies in the Ngau Tau Kok Cottage Resettlement Area are typical of those to be found throughout these areas. This large cottage area, constructed mainly between 1952 and 1956, now has an authorized population of some 8,400 persons (over 3,000 familics) occupying 1,416 domestic structures. When it first opened, it was very much on the outskirts of town, but with the development of New Kowloon over the past ten years the sur- rounding area has become densely populated. Here the main social and educational work is in the hands of the Maryknoll Mission which runs one primary school in two sessions providing a total of 1,782 places,
22
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.