Disquiet at Pokfulam Estate with management committee

The treasurer of the MC complained of not being able to get access to the accounts. She eventually resigned but before doing so sent out a note to all owners saying that she had never seen any bank statements or any bank records since becoming treasurer despite making frequent requests. She also said she was prevented from seeing other important documents such as contracts, and tender documents.

The initial chairman resigned in August and she was eventually replaced by Eunice Tang Kit-ying. Minority owners say that the MC made exaggerated claims about aggressive and threatening behaviour and used this as an excuse to exclude owners from management committee meetings.

In an unusual development owners at the estate were surprised to learn one day that without the knowledge or consent of owners the MC had purchased an insurance policy that interferes with their existing contracts. The policy not only covers the common area, but owners' individual properties.

Lai See contacted Tang who said that the MC had not done anything wrong, and that the actions of the MC were permitted under the terms of the Building Management Ordinance, which is supposed to regulate the actions of owners' committees. More often than not it causes more problems than it solves, and is an increasing source of frustration among owners. The government has yet to summon the political will to deal with the problems in a meaningful way.

Photographer Terry O'Neill who rose to fame in the 1960s documenting the fashions, styles, and celebrities of that period will be in Hong Kong later this month.

O'Neill has taken numerous photographs that have become iconic of people such as Frank Sinatra, Brigitte Bardot, Elton John, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Michael Caine, along with our picture of Roger Moore. He socialised with these people and lived the life and was for a time married to Faye Dunaway.

He'll be signing books in Bookazine on the third floor of the Prince's Building between 12.30-1.30pm on April 24 in addition to attending a number of invitation only events. He will also be visiting the Picture This Gallery on the 13th floor of 9 Queen's Road, Central, which will be exhibiting and selling his photographs for three weeks.

Thanks for all the fish

So after four and half years this is the last Lai See I will be writing. Thanks once again for your support and good wishes.

Those interested in reading more can find me at howardwinnreports.com In the words of Douglas Adams, "So long and thanks for all the fish."

Watch this space

Lai See takes a break from today as the South China Morning Post bids a fond farewell to Howard Winn after almost five years in his second stint as the tongue-in-cheek column's chief steward. Lai See's irreverent take on the city's corporate captains, wealthy elite and bemusing business decisions will be back. Watch this space.