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private methods of disposal or domestic latrines (almost certainly dry ones) and so provide extra work for the department.
If the Conservancy By-laws were again amended to exempt such domestic premises from payment of conservancy fees, it would be reasonable to assume that there would be a large-scale attempt by members of the public to avoid fees by claiming that other facilities than the conservancy service were used for the private disposal of night-soil. The prime object of the Urban Services Department in this respect is to ensure a proper and hygienic disposal of night-soil. Where no water-closet is installed, it is important for health reasons that disposal should rest exclusively with the Council's conservancy service and should not be left to private devices. The latter usually consists of emptying old tins or other receptacles down storm-water drains or surface channels, with consequent nuisance and potential health risks.
You will appreciate therefore the health need to press the conservancy service upon occupants of domestic premises without water-closets."
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:
"(a) Is it now the Resettlement Department's obligation to clear former Crown land permittees who have failed to vacate after expiry of their permit?
(b) Is the Commissioner aware that in several such cases where the Resettlement Department have granted the occupiers a period of grace within which to move out, the Public Works Department have already instructed the China Light and Power Company Limited not to supply electricity?
(c) Is the Commissioner aware that many of these persons given a period of grace are small factories or other businesses dependent upon electric supply and that the effect of the Public Works Department action is to render nugatory the assistance of the period of grace granted by the Resettlement Department?
(d) Would the Commissioner liaise with the Director of Public Works to ensure better co-ordination and to prevent this type of anomaly from continuing?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
"(a) The clearance of structures formerly held on Crown Lands permits is primarily the responsibility of the Public Works Department. The Resettlement Department undertakes such clearances only when the structures are on land required for development and when requested by the Public Works Department.
(b) I know of no case where the occupants of such structures, having been allowed additional time to move by the Resettlement Department, have then had their electricity supply cut off at the request of the Public Works Department.
(d) Whenever former Crown Land permit areas are cleared, there is close liaison between the officers of the Resettlement Department and of the Public Works Department."
MR. BERNACCHI:-First supplementary, Mr. Chairman. I take it from the Commissioner's answer that the clearance of the factories at Tai Kok Tsui are no concern of the Resettlement Department.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-That is correct. They are cleared by the Public Works Department.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Including the ones that are not at present cleared, but are to be cleared after the Chinese New Year.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I don't know the answer to that one off hand.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Secondly, the words "the Resettlement Department undertakes such clearances only when the structures are on land required for development and when requested by the Public Works Department"---is the word "and" conjunctive or disjunctive? In other words must both these conditions exist or does it sometimes happen that the Resettlement Department is requested to clear even when the land is not required for development purposes.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I am not quite sure whether it should be conjunctive or disjunctive, but both conditions are in force.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Is it either/or or must there be both conditions.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Both conditions.
ADJOURNMENT.
CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business of this meeting. Council stands adjourned to Tuesday, 2nd February, 1960.
The
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