SOCIAL SERVICES
addition to these domestic dwellings, 143 shops and 42 factories or workshops have been built. The principle of cottage industry is encouraged; 270 cottages are used for this purpose and over 600 persons gain a means of livelihood thereby. These cottage. industries comprise a variety of trades but embroidery, rattan- work and hand weaving predominate.
Further progress has been made in the provision of educa- tion for the children in these areas and there are now twelve schools operating. There are also eight welfare centres and thirteen churches of various denominations.
Since January of this year, as a result of organized clearances of squatter colonies, 2,379 squatter huts have been removed. Squatter patrols removed a further 9,292 huts or shacks, mostly from roof-tops or previously cleared areas. Many of these illegal structures were of stone or brick con- struction. These huts or shacks housed an average of nearly 5 persons each.
Gardens
The Gardens division of the department of Urban Services consists of two sections, one of which is concerned with prac- tical horticulture, and the other with botanical work throughout the Colony.
The horticultural section, in adition to serving in a public advisory capacity, is responsible for the maintenance and development work of the Botanic Gardens and Government House Grounds; all public recreation areas; children's play- grounds; most grounds attached to Government schools, offices, hospitals and quarters; the Protestant cemetery, and the grassed areas of the airport. In the upkeep and development work of these areas, which now total more than 370 acres, a staff of 133 skilled gardeners and groundsmen is engaged, with the services of a further 167 unskilled workers.
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