ENG-1959 — Page 218

178

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

The Authority's third project is at So Uk, Kowloon. The site formation contract which began in February 1957 was seriously hampered by rainy weather during 1958 and was not completed until January 1959. Three-quarters of this cost was met from Colonial Development and Welfare funds. Four private architects, working as a consortium under the chairmanship of Mr. Eric Cumine, F.R.I.B.A., were appointed to design the buildings on the estate, working to a master plan designed by Mr. Cumine. Piling of certain sections started in February 1959, followed shortly after by the commencement of building work. The first block of the estate is likely to be finished by May 1960. The whole estate, which will be completed towards the end of 1961, will eventually house over 32,000 people in about 5,300 flats at monthly rentals ranging from $37 to $112 exclusive of rates. The estate includes two 24-classroom schools, and the total capital cost of the scheme will be in the region of $50,000,000. This 19-acre site slopes from north-to south and the blocks, most of which face south over the harbour, will be on different levels and so enjoy adequate light and air. There will be plenty of covered play areas and open recreation space.

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In September Messrs. Palmer and Turner's plans for the de- velopment of the Clearwater Bay Road site by the Authority were approved by His Excellency the Governor. This scheme, the biggest to be undertaken by the Authority, will provide accom- modation for over 43,000 people in 7,630 flats. In addition to numerous recreational areas within the estate three 36-classroom Primary Schools and two 30-classroom Secondary Schools will also be provided. A bus terminus is to be located at the entrance to the site. A site clearance programme has been drawn up and it is hoped that building work on the first phase of the scheme will commence towards the end of 1960. The whole project is expected to cost approximately $52,500,000 and will be ready late in 1962 if work goes according to plan. The Authority's fifth project at Ma Tau Chung, Kowloon, is now in the early planning stages and a site investigation has been undertaken to determine the nature of the soil and its load bearing capacity. This estate, the first to be designed by the Authority's own architectural staff, will contain about 2,000 flats and accommodate some 12,000 people.