The Commissioner of Public Works pointed out that for reasons Jeconomy the inspecting staff of the Buildings Omtice has been reduced recently to below the previous establishment and that although new building work 'Is below the average of the past decade the existing staff is fully occupied. © To cope systematically. with' unauthorized additions to Chk nese style dwellings only would require the monthly inspection of 80,000 Chinese houses and a very large Jadditional "staff of Inspectors. To start at once on a comprehensive scheme with regard to existing houses might arouse opposition which would fend by impeding rather than further ing the Housing Committee's. desire proceed with the work gradually jon educative and persuasive lines rather than by coercion. He sug gested that for a more prudent ap-[proach to the problem the minimum additional staff required would two additional Assistant Clerks of Works. After a year's trial on this basis it would be possible to decide whether a more comprehensive attack with an increased staff was wa ranted.
With regard to the subjects recommended by the Housing Committee for further study it was pointed out that some of the subjects are already being handled by various Depart ments of the Council and that most not all fall within the sphere of tone or other of the Departments, It was accordingly suggested that a subcommittee should be set up consist Ing of the Commissioner of Public Health, the Commissioner of Public Works, Miss B. M. Hinder, Head. of the Industrial Section, and the Secretary "(or their representatives) to] study and report upon the various subjects specified by the Housing Committee as requiring further study.
was appreciated that some of these; subjects were outside the scope of the Council's direct. activities and that any work done would have be confined to the obtaining and pub-cation of information,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.