and Appendix 4. Such has been the rapidity of change in Hong Kong that many of the cottage areas which were set up in what were then outlying districts have become surrounded by multi-storey urban develop- ment, and all but the most remote areas are likely to be required for permanent development in the years to come.
61. A new cottage area at Fo Tan, close to Sha Tin, the cost of which was partly met by a donation from the Community Relief Trust Fund, was completed at the end of the year. This area consists of 176 domestic units, housed in 13 two-storey blocks, 14 shops and staff quarters and an office. The first intake into Fo Tan started in February 1968 and when the cottages are fully occupied they will accommodate around 1,200 people.
62. Fortunately it was a year free from major storms or fires. However, for a period of three months during the summer the supply of water was limited to 4 hours a day, and the residents of cottage areas were obliged to queue at communal stand-pipes; they put up with this in- convenience patiently under the guidance of the cottage area staff.
PRIMARY EDUCATION AND WELFARE
63. The cottage areas contain many schools and welfare facilities, which pay a nominal fee of $2.50 a quarter for their sites. The activities of the various bodies working in the Ngau Tau Kok cottage area are typical of those to be found elsewhere. Built mainly between 1952 and 1956 in what was then a rural area, this is one of the larger cottage areas; its present authorized population of 7,370 consists of 1,318 families, who live in 1,234 individual structures. The principal social and educational work is in the hands of the Maryknoll Mission which runs a primary school which by holding separate morning and afternoon sessions has a total of 1,800 places; and a clinic, a handicraft training centre and a welfare centre with a children's library.
64. Although Ngau Tau Kok is particularly well-served, there are many denominational and secular educational and welfare activities in the other areas. At the time of writing this report, the 15 cottage areas had between them 37 schools with primary places for 18,191 pupils, 20 small welfare centres, 13 clinics, and 3 boys' and girls' clubs.
65. After the disturbances in May 1967 a kaifong extension scheme was started to strengthen and expand the kaifong movement in the estates and cottage areas and to develop closer relations with residents.
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