170
HEALTH
Public Latrines and Bathhouses. Three public latrines and another three combined public latrines and bathhouses were built during the year in congested parts of Hong Kong and Kowloon. In all there are 141 public latrines and 32 bathhouses in the urban areas. Hot and cold water is provided free of charge for a limited period daily at the bathhouses which were used by 4,144,770 persons during the year, a daily average of 11,356.
Cleansing and Conservancy. The amount of refuse collected was, by the end of the year, about 1,250 tons a day. The collection and disposal of this substantial quantity of refuse involves some 4,500 workers together with street cleansing services. Household refuse is collected twice daily in congested areas, elsewhere once daily. The service utilizes a transport fleet of 102 vehicles. All refuse collected in Kowloon is transported by road to a reclamation area at Gin Drinker's Bay for disposal by controlled tipping at the foreshore. Refuse collected on Hong Kong Island is transported by sea, using nine barges, to the same dump. Dumping added approximately 97,000 square feet to the reclamation during the year. Streets are swept daily from two to six times depending on locality and congestion. Twenty-one street washing vehicles were employed to wash roads, scavenging lanes, gutters, foot-paths and hawker areas. A conservancy service collected and disposed of night-soil from 31,500 floors with dry latrines, approximately 1,100 workers, mostly female, with 46 tanker vehicles and three tanker barges being employed. The service is free.
Cemeteries and Crematoria. There are five public cemeteries and two public crematoria under the direct control and manage- ment of the Urban Council. Also one crematorium and a number of cemeteries are under private management. The three new private cemeteries at Cape Collinson area-the Chinese Permanent, the Roman Catholic and the Muslim-have been brought into service. The private Buddhist cemetery in the same area is being developed. The Director of Urban Services acts as local agent for the Com- monwealth War Graves Commission, on whose behalf he is respon- sible for the Sai Wan War Cemetery and the Stanley Military Cemetery.
Pest Control. The work of the pest control section includes con- trol measures against rodents and miscellaneous insects and regular fly control at the Colony's refuse dumps. The staff of this section