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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-But there is a health danger, is there not, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN:-To a certain extent.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-To what extent?
CHAIRMAN:-I am unable to say.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you.
MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question:-
"I have been given to understand that the part of New Nullah Road near the end of Mongkok Road in Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon, has for a long time been left in a very filthy condition because of the large quantity of refuse dumped there by people in the neighbourhood.
Will the Chairman inform this Council what steps will be taken to abate this serious menace to public health?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
"This concerns an alleged nuisance in the area of the undecked portion of a nullah in New Nullah Road, Tai Kok Tsui. Although most of the nullah in this road is decked over, there is a stretch of about 150 yards still uncovered near its end in the Yau Ma Tei typhoon shelter. Access to this stretch is not easy but a certain amount of refuse is undoubtedly dumped there. A recent visit however revealed no great accumulation of such refuse although there was a certain amount of silt in the nullah itself, not to mention a strong smell.
This portion of the nullah was scheduled to be decked this year at the same time as the rest of the nullah but, along its sides, there are many private timber yards and structures regarding the clearance of which there has been some difficulty. However, clearance is now scheduled for 22nd November, and, once that operation is over and funds have been made available to the Chief Engineer, Drainage Works, decking can commence, but will take nine months to complete as the construction of a central wall will be slow because of tidal effects.
It would be very difficult indeed at present entirely to prevent dumping of refuse in this area, but I shall see what can be done in this respect. A cleansing gang from this department clears refuse regularly from the nullah itself, and I shall do my best to ensure that in the meantime no refuse is allowed to accumulate and cause a nuisance."
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHAN SHU-WOON asked the following five questions:
"1. Mr. Chairman, I visited the Western Slaughterhouse recently and I found that seven hundred thousand pounds of bacteria infested pork were destroyed last year and that the swine merchants had lost about eight hundred and forty thousand dollars when the market price of pork was at $1.20 per pound. Is the Chairman aware of this matter and take measures to compensate the loss incurred by the swine merchants? Is it possible to set aside a certain sum of the income derived from the sale of products such as animal feeds and oil made from those destroyed swine as a partial compensation for the merchants?
2. I understand, Mr. Chairman, that the swine merchants have to pay a two-dollar fee for every swine slaughtered at the slaughterhouse regardless of the outcome of his swine as to whether or not it is to be destroyed. If the swine is found to be bacteria infested or sick, the merchant concerned is bound to lose a great deal of money because he has to pay his two-dollar fee anyway. Does the Chairman consider this practice as unreasonable and take measures to refund the two-dollar fee to the merchant whose swine has been taken away and destroyed?
3.
4.
5. In view of the shortage of meat delivery vans, I am informed that much damage is done to the meat when the coolies put it on their shoulders and keep on waiting until the vans arrive. The meat might lose its freshness and taste while being exposed in the sun or in the open. Will the Chairman state when will this inconvenience be abated?
Mr. Chairman, I understand that there are only six inspectors who are responsible for the health inspection of swine and cattle at the Western Slaughterhouse. Is it possible to increase the number of inspectors to eight so as to improve the efficiency of operation there?
Is the Chairman aware of the unhealthy conditions prevalent in and around the Western Slaughterhouse where polluted water and rubbish are frequently found here and there and the carcases of the sick or infested cattle and swine are in lack of proper quarters for temporary storage, thus causing offensive smell and the presence of a large number of flies in that area; and take measures to remedy these undesirable conditions?"
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