1958

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

The proposal by Mr. Lee that this Council should take over the management of beaches in the New Territories is one which will require very serious consideration, and I would hesitate at the moment to forecast Government's reaction to it.

Mr. Sales spoke on the general question of cemeteries and Dr. Lee also referred to the possible establishment of a public cemetery for Chinese, for permanent earth burials. The problem of the very large area of land for such great projects may well be insurmountable. Both members are I think familiar with this problem which is currently being discussed in Select Committee.

Dr. Lee and Mr. P. D. Au both referred to the use of rooftops in Resettlement areas as schools, and I can advise that this question is to be considered by the Select Committee when it meets tomorrow.

Mr. Watson's challenging statement on Resettlement merits careful consideration. Mr. Cheong-leen's proposition went considerably beyond the province of this Council but in view of his special request it will be forwarded to Government.

The question of scavenging subsequent to Typhoon Gloria, to which Mr. Sales referred, was the subject of several questions in this Council and there is nothing I can add to the answers that were given by my predecessor.

Mr. P. D. Au and Mr. Brook Bernacchi touched on the subject of electoral procedure. There was a rather challenging statement made by Mr. P. D. Au. I think I should explain that payment of tax is only one of the ways in which voters can be qualified, and I would refer you to section 15, of the Urban Council Ordinance. Mr. Au's statement may possibly be misleading as it might be taken to have implied total exclusion of the persons in question from the right to vote. Government in fact has under active consideration the method of compiling and keeping up to date the electoral roll.

Mr. Y. K. Kan spoke of basements. This problem is not one capable of an easy solution. If we let people live in that way we are accused of causing slums and if we get them out we are accused of robbing them of their homes. No doubt the Select Committee will take note of this.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

There was one more point made by Mr. Bernacchi on the question of air conditioning. We have asked for a higher priority. I cannot say what the position is at the moment.

I am advised by the Assistant Director of Health Services that the question of the training of Health Inspectors has been very thoroughly examined departmentally. Opinions have been sought from the Superintendent of Sanitary Services in submitting a series of recommendations which will increase the efficiency of the training course. This matter will be taken up with Government very shortly.

In conclusion-I have done my best to answer these points-I would like to say that today's debate has brought home to me most forcibly, on the occasion of my first presiding over this Council, the very wide field of operations and very varied responsibilities of the Council.

I look forward to taking part, I hope for some time to come, in these interesting activities and to giving my support to the plans outlined in the statement which forms the subject of today's motion. (Applause).

The question was put.

The Motion was carried.

ADJOURNMENT.

CHAIRMAN:-Council is adjourned to the 6th May.

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