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DR. LEE:-Can the Chairman give details of the actual number of Chinese books purchased, as distinct from those donated, and also of the number of English books?
CHAIRMAN:-To deal with the English books first, about 8,000 have so far been received, but none is yet completely ready for public loan. In addition, some 9,000 English books are on order.
As regards Chinese books, there are just under 14,000 in the Library's possession, but these are mainly from the Kotewall Collection. In addition, it is hoped to purchase another 5,000 Chinese books before the opening of the City Hall.
DR. LEE: In other words, no Chinese books have so far been purchased?
CHAIRMAN: Some, but not many.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
"Since the adoption of the Sherriff-Baker system of nightsoil removal, can the Chairman state what savings in terms of staff and finance does this represent, and like every well-managed public utility, can he recommend that this reduction should be passed on to the subscribers in the form of reduced charges for conservancy fee?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
"The advantages aimed at in the adoption of this system were speedier collection, reduction of smell nuisance, better health precautions against gastro-intestinal diseases, and, after the initial capital expenditure on tanker vehicles and barges had been incurred, savings in annual operating costs.
It would not be possible, without a disproportionate expenditure of effort, to produce details of savings actually resulting from the adoption of the scheme, in the form of a profit and loss account. There have been savings resulting from the fact that since the inception of the scheme in 1957 to its completion in October this year, the number of conservancy labourers has fallen by 403. On the other hand, the number of more highly paid Foremen, Gangers, Special Drivers and Semi-skilled male Labourers has risen by 108 in the conservancy service.
The net savings on personal emoluments have been offset by a number of factors, perhaps the most important being the decline in revenue from conservancy fees as more premises change over to flush sanitation. The salient fact is that the conservancy service is running at a substantial financial loss, and in the circumstances I do not see how a recommendation to Government for a reduction in the present fees could possibly be justified."
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, as a supplementary, when you say that "it is running at a substantial loss", you are endeavouring to calculate the cost purely on the basis of the conservancy fees paid as against the number of men employed in the service. You are not, I take it, endeavouring to balance the budget of the Council on the basis of what, in other parts of the world, would be the normal Council revenues?
CHAIRMAN:-No, Sir. As I understand it, the estimate of the deficit on this service is based on the actual cost of the service, that is, overheads, including staff, vehicles, etc., set against the revenue collected. From memory, I believe that the deficit is in the region of $1 million a year at the present time.
MR. BERNACCHI:-A further supplementary, Sir. Do you not consider that the rates, for instance, which are charged here should form part of the funds available for these conservancy services?
CHAIRMAN: I would like to look into that matter.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
"Residents of Kau Man (Teach-the-People) Village in Shau Kei Wan have expressed concern at the lack of playground space in their village; will the Director of Urban Services please advise:
(a) Whether any space can be found for a playground for the children in this village; and
(b) If space for a playground is available, how soon can work commence on the site?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
"Kau Man is the local name for Fu Tau Wat Cottage Resettlement Area, which is on the hillside about 400 yards above Shau Kei Wan Road. The inhabitants number roughly 1,400. The area is due for development as a low cost housing estate by the Housing Society in about 1964. There is a small level open space there which could be made into a playground, but in view of the low density of population and the impending development of the area, it seems to me to be extremely doubtful whether the
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