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purer than in the neighbouring streets. The provision of the King George V Play- ing Fields is a step in the right direction, but does not go far enough. There should be many more such parks. (Paragraph 104).

15. In view of the foregoing conclusions we recommend :---

(i). That a permanent Town Planning and Housing Committee be formed to advise Government on Town Planning and Housing matters.

(ii). That a permanent Town Planning and Housing Sub-Department of the Public Works Department be created to carry out the work mentioned in Para- graph 14 (xiii).

(iii). That, when that preliminary work has been completed, it should be subject to review and criticism by an acknowledged expert from England.

(iv). That Government should encourage and, where necessary, assist the estab- lishment, by charitable organizations, of "settlements" in the slum areas.

(v). That Government should consider the erection of experimental quarters for their Asiatic employees. While the provision of these quarters will, in a small degree, increase the amount of available accommodation, their special value will lie in enabling experiments to be made with a view to devising a more satisfactory type of dwelling.

(vi). That Section 167 Sub-Section (3) of the Buildings Ordinance of 1935 be deleted, and the following two sub-sections be substituted :-

(3) The provisions of Sections 6 and 116, so far as they relate to authorized architects, shall not apply in any case in which the Building Authority shall so decide.

(4) Buildings in accordance with type plans, approved under Regulations, prepared under the direction of the Governor in Council, and contained in Schedule O, may be erected in any part of the Colony (Note: Schedule O will, presumably, be prepared by the Town Planning and Housing Committee).

(vii). That Government shall as soon as possible put forward proposals for the provision of parks in suitable areas.

16. We cannot close this report without a reference to the valuable services rendered by our Secretary, Mr. W. H. Owen, and to the enthusiasm and ability which he has shown throughout this enquiry. Mr. Owen has made a special study of the subject of housing and town planning, and Appendix II is only one of a series of memoranda which he has drawn up for the consideration of the Commission. We recommend that suitable acknowledgment should be made of his work in this

connexion.

We have the honour to be,

Your Excellency's most obedient servants,

R. A. C. NORTH (Chairman),

R. M. HENDERSON,

R. H. KOTEWALL,

LI SHU FAN,

J. J. PATERSON (subject to reservation),

R. R. TODD,

G. W. POPE (subject to reservation), G. G. WOOD.

HONG KONG, 11th October, 1938.