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90. One of the greatest difficulties in the way of slum clearance is the numerous separate ownerships. Resumption of suitable areas progressively will overcome this difficulty. Occasions may arise however where one area is being dealt with and owners in another area wish to rebuild. Reverting to the previous illustration of a block of eight houses; if they are under eight different ownerships and it is desired that only six houses be erected on the area then compensation might be paid to two owners and the remaining six allowed to rebuild with wider frontage and shallower depth but each with the same area of land that he possessed before. Alternatively, the eight owners might be pursuaded to pool their resources and build six houses between them, each taking shares in proportion to the value of his original holding.

91. It is possible however that the land on which the block is built may be required for open space, or a new road, in which case it would be necessary to resume the whole area. To reduce cash compensation to a minimum land of equal value in new settlements might be offered in exchange. On occasion it may arise that a number of blocks may have to be dealt with in order to make rebuilding opera- tions fit in with the redevelopment plan. The same procedure on an enlarged scale might be adopted.

92. It is highly desirable that all Housing Finance should be kept separate from general Colonial Accounts. For new building work it has been suggested that the general public be invited to buy shares, but for slum clearance the money for compensation would have to be supplied by Government. The costs for com- pensation cannot possibly be estimated until a re-development plan and clearance programme have been prepared. It does not seem possible to commence actual clearance work for some years. In preparation for the time when the preliminary work has been completed, and actual operations are possible, it seems advisable that Government should start a Housing and Slum Clearance Fund, with an annual contribution of as much as can be afforded. By this means, if the resume, re-plan and re-sell " policy be adopted, there will be sufficient funds available to pay for the first resumption. A proportion of the purchase price will be recovered on resale and thereafter the annual contribution to the Housing Fund will be required to make up the losses on each area dealt with. The rate of progress will depend on the annual contribution available for use, but it would be advisable to accummulate approximately $2,000,000 to enable the first resumption to be made.

Planning.

93. Much could be written on the subject of planning, but it is a technical subject best left in the hands of a permanent planning authority. It is only necessary here to deal with general considerations having a bearing on this report.

94. The planning of the individual tenement to suit the needs of the people has been dealt with, but only in connection with the existing types and one alter- native. There are a number of possible alternatives which might be considered, such as hostels with communal kitchens, dining rooms, lavatories, etc., and cubicles for the tenants, arranged for family or individual use. For individual tenements there is room for investigation and experiment regarding details, such as the question of staircase or balcony access (see Plan No. 4), removal of sewage, refuse and smoke, the insulation and use of flat roofs and any modifications in existing by-laws, which may be desirable for improved types of dwellings. (The suggested new design on Plan No. 3 Type B does not conform to the existing by-laws). The use, source, cost and availability of different building materials and the capacity of the building trades to cope with a building programme are subjects which also need investigation.

95. The clearance of slums involves the settlement of the dispossessed surplus elsewhere. Sites for new settlements must be found and planned.

There are several possible areas in the New Territories such as Shatin, Tsun Wan, Un Long, Taipo and Fanling, but before development can be commenced the questions of water supply, communications, flood prevention, drainage and sewage disposal and in some cases reclamation must be given serious consideration. Slum clearance itself means large scale replanning of developed areas, affected by innumerable