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HEALTH
A further 760 tons collected in Kowloon each day was conveyed by vehicles for controlled tipping at Gin Drinker's Bay, Tsuen Wan. Construction of a second incinerator for Kowloon has begun and a third one is being planned. The composting plant installed at Lai Chi Kok converts 45 tons of refuse into compost weekly. Refuse collected in the New Territories (about 350 tons daily) is mainly disposed of, by controlled tipping, at Gin Drinker's Bay, Chau Tau, Ngau Tam Mei and Shuen Wan.
Efforts are continually being made to secure public co-operation in reducing the problem of litter through educational campaigns and prosecutions. Dogs' latrines are being set up at suitable sites in the urban areas to minimise the extent of fouling of streets by dogs.
The nightsoil collection service continued to diminish as pre-war property is replaced by modern buildings with waterborne sanita- tion and the number of nightsoil pans serviced was half of what it used to be a decade ago. 16,550 gallons of nightsoil were collected daily from 15,580 floors with dry latrines and from 2,258 temporary latrine compartments on building sites and squatter or licensed resettlement areas. Thirty-four specialised vehicles and three tanker- barges are employed on this service and, since the maturation plant operated by the Vegetable Marketing Organisation closed down, all of the nightsoil collected has been disposed of by dumping into the sea outside harbour limits.
Eleven public cemeteries (two closed) and three public crematoria are directly controlled by the Department and 28 private cemeteries and one private crematorium are under its general supervision. Three funeral parlours and 30 undertakers are licensed by Urban Council to arrange funeral services. In addition, Government provides two funeral depots for the performance of last rites and also transportation of deceased persons in coffins to a public cemetery or crematorium for interment or cremation; such services are rendered free of charge.
The Hygiene Division of the Urban Services Department is principally responsible for the maintenance of environmental sanitation and for the hygienic control of all types of food business and food and drink. A system of regular house-to-house inspection