ENG-1978 — Page 152

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HOUSING AND LAND

expired and the properties reverted to the Crown. Ex-gratia compensation was offered to the former owners of these properties and all eligible tenants were offered rehousing and given ex-gratia compensation. The cleared sites will be developed and managed by the Urban Council as open space areas.

In order to improve the general environment and market facilities in the Sheung Wan district, the government plans to acquire 13 private properties in connection with the Urban Council's proposal for the complete redevelopment of the existing Western Market, and the associated widening of Morrison Street abutting the pro- posed market complex. The complex, which is expected to be completed in 1982, will include a modern market, a district library, indoor games halls and other facilities for Urban Council activities.

The 36 properties resumed in 1977 in connection with the Hong Kong Housing Society's Urban Improvement Scheme at First and Second Streets, Sai Ying Pun, were cleared by July, 1978. The amount of compensation paid to former owners was settled either by agreement or by reference to the Lands Tribunal. All eligible former occupiers were rehoused and given ex-gratia compensation. The site will be developed as a modern complex comprising housing and a shopping area. It will also provide much needed community facilities to cater for the requirements of Sai Ying Pun residents.

The construction of the Canal Road Flyover Extension will necessitate the dis- placement of the existing Canal Road Hawker Bazaar. In order to facilitate this clearance and also to provide additional market space for the relocation of ‘on street' hawkers, new market premises are being constructed on two sites bounded by Bowrington Road, Wan Chai Road, Chi Shing Lane and Chan Tong Lane. The two market sites will be linked by a pedestrian bridge across Wan Chai Road. The resumption, clearance and demolition of all properties involved in the scheme was completed during 1978. Construction of the new markets commenced and they are expected to be completed between May and August, 1979.

Acquisition for Public Purposes

The acquisition of private properties in the urban areas and the New Territories is often unavoidable if public works projects are to be implemented. In particular, the new town development programme involves the acquisition of large areas of agricul- tural land. Acquisition is carried out either by negotiation or by invoking powers under the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance or, in cases of private properties required for the Mass Transit Railway, the Mass Transit Railway (Land Resumption and Related Provisions) Ordinance. If agreement cannot be reached on the amount of compensation, both ordinances make provision for such cases to be referred to the Lands Tribunal for determination. The tribunal was established in 1975 under the provisions of the Lands Tribunal Ordinance.

Large areas of land required for development in the new towns in the New Terri- tories are acquired by exchanging the land surrendered to the Crown, for land exchange entitlements conferring the right to develop sites in the new development

areas.

The Streets (Alteration) Ordinance and the Public Reclamations and Works Ordin- ance enable the government to undertake public works projects which may affect