HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
and if that has not already been done in your booklet I think this matter should be included.
CHAIRMAN: -Yes, Sir.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
In view of the illegal shades obstructing light and ventilation in other areas besides those in Ka Shin Street, will the Chairman state what steps are taken towards them in fairness to all concerned and consistent with the Council's policy regarding these matters?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
Action is taken against such shades under the Ventilation By-laws, which forbid anyone to erect or maintain a shade which obstructs light and ventilation in domestic premises, workplaces or barber's shops.
The procedure followed is that when a Health Inspector discovers a shade on routine house inspection or any other visit, or when a complaint is made, he reports it to his Senior Health Inspector who, if he is satisfied that there is a contravention of the By-laws, issues a letter requiring removal of the shade. If the shade is not being used for habitation seven days' notice is given, but if the shade is used as part of a dwelling place three months' grace is allowed. If the warning letter is disregarded the offender is prosecuted.
In the first six months of this year, the number of warning letters issued was 136. Fourteen offenders were prosecuted.
Ka Shin Street is but one of many areas which are being dealt with in this way. It received publicity because it was a serious example, but areas like it will be dealt with as the opportunity arises, and action against individual cases is being taken all the time.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question :-
Is the Chairman aware of pavement obstruction and illegal trades operating in Tai Kok Tsui, and can he inform this Council when can he detail the special cleansing squad to clean the whole area?
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THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows :
The staff of the department are well aware of the pavement obstructions in Tai Kok Tsui, and action is being taken continually against offenders. During the last six months 212 summonses were taken out in this area for offences against Section 22(1) of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, that is for obstructions to scavenging or street sweeping operations. These obstructions arise mainly from stock in trade, or storage of materials, of shops and factories or workshops. Prosecutions are undertaken against the owners of such obstructions, where they refuse to co-operate by removing the obstructions to enable cleansing activities to be carried out.
It is not proposed to detail a cleansing squad to this area as a special measure. The area is part of the West Kowloon Squad's sphere of operation, and is visited regularly about every two months. The Squad was in fact operating in the Tai Kok Tsui area from the 22nd to 31st August. During this period 1,433 notices to remove obstructions were issued, and 38 lorry loads of obstructions were seized and removed by the Squad.
MR. WATSON:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary question? Can you give us any sort of indication of what was the result of the 212 summonses?
CHAIRMAN :—I shall have to enquire and circulate a written reply.
MR. CHEUNG WING-IN asked the following question:-
A number of public beaches in Hong Kong and Kowloon such as Turtle Cove and Chung Hom Kok have no tents, shelter or facilities for changing.
Will the Chairman state why in such cases no beach contracts have been invited for the provision of tents for hire to the public?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
There are several reasons why no tenders have been invited for the erection of tents for hire on these beaches. In many cases the beach area is so small that the erection of tents for hire would seriously reduce the area available to beach users in general. In other cases the beach is already partly occupied by family and club bathing sheds.
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