64. In seven newer estates, Sau Mau Ping (part), Tsz Wan Shan (part), Ham Tin (part), Ngau Tau Kok, Shek Lei, Pak Tin and Shek Pai Wan, contract cleansing has been introduced for a total of 47,557 rooms. This system, whereby the cleansing of the blocks is done by private contractors selected by tender, is better than direct labour in new estates since the staff start work earlier; refuse is collected door-to- door; and the refuse rooms are under the control of the contractors and are kept locked. It is also cheaper than employing direct labour. During the year agreement was reached with the Government Tender Board to use an approved list of experienced contractors for larger estates of over 5,000 rooms. Sau Mau Ping Stage I, containing 4,286 rooms, was converted to contract cleansing, and this system is being gradually extended to all the later estates.
65. However, a problem which arises with contract cleansing, in which mainly female labour is employed, is that the estate has no direct labour which can be called upon for non-cleansing jobs, such as the removal of obstructions and abandoned articles left by tenants. To meet this problem special cleansing squads are sent out from Headquarters on a regular schedule to undertake anti-nuisance work in the estates. During the year 612 visits were made, and 5,860 lorry loads of refuse removed for burning.
66. Recreation areas are included in all resettlement estates: pitches for football, basket-ball, children's playgrounds equipped with swings, slides and other equipment, and rest gardens and sitting-out areas. During the year, the cleaning of these grounds was taken over by the Department, but their management still remains with the Urban Services Department. The tree planting programme undertaken during the year was not a success as most of the young trees were destroyed by children. Improved methods of care are now under discussion with the Urban Services Department.
RELIEF OF OVERCROWDING
67. When the Mark I estates were first occupied in 1954, it was decided that the 120 sq. ft. rooms should accommodate five adults (two children under ten counting as one adult), at a density of 24 sq. ft. for each adult. It was not an easy decision to accept such a high density, but bearing in mind the very large number of people who had to be resettled, the heavy public expenditure involved, the need to keep rents to a minimum, and the high densities in existing private domestic
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