Page 103 of 194
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, in regard to the third paragraph of the Commissioner's reply, does he infer that the position is fairly serious?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I made no such inference, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Referring to the first paragraph of the reply in which he says there have been only six convictions, am I to gather from his reply that the situation is not serious?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I do not necessarily wish to imply that the position is not serious. What I wish to imply is that the number of cases which have come to the attention of the staff is not large.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-From information and complaints which have come to me from residents of the estates I would say that the situation is quite serious, and I therefore would like to suggest that at the next meeting of the Management Select Committee a representative of the Commissioner of Police be present to discuss this matter further. Could I have an assurance that steps will be taken to have this done?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-If you would like a representative of the Commissioner of Police to be present I will ask the Commissioner of Police if he will be so good as to send one.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I think so, Mr. Chairman. I made that suggestion in all seriousness.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Certainly.
MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question:
In view of the large number of water tanks in the urban area, will the Chairman advise this Council:
(a) whether these tanks are regularly inspected by the staff of the Urban Services Department, and
(b) what steps have been taken to ensure that they do not become breeding grounds of mosquitoes?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
Water storage tanks are regularly examined at the time of house inspection, and more frequently if complaints of a mosquito nuisance have been received from the vicinity. Under By-law 6 of the Wells and Water Storage By-laws all tanks are required to be covered. Since the 1st January this year mosquito breeding has been found in 2,674 tanks and they have been treated by oiling. During the same period 1,693 statutory notices were issued to owners of premises to provide covers for water storage tanks.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
TRIBUTE TO THE HONOURABLE G. M. TINGLE, CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, I understand that this is your last meeting. May I wish you goodbye and good luck on behalf of the Elected Members. Although your office in the chair was of a temporary nature during the absence on leave of Mr. KINGHORN, you have discharged the duties of that office with efficiency and courtesy. I understand that you will be going to an appointment entirely away from the Urban Services Department and would wish you every success in that new appointment. (Applause).
MR. K. A. WATSON:-Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Appointed Members, may I join with Mr. BERNACCHI in our appreciation of your work. In the months that you have held the chair many serious issues have been raised and on occasions you have had to be firm. But I am delighted to say that on all occasions the velvet glove was well in evidence. May I assure you that should you ever return to the chair of the Urban Council you will be warmly welcomed. And I also join with Mr. BERNACCHI in wishing you good luck in your new appointment. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN:-Ladies and gentlemen, I feel I must rise to acknowledge the very kind words which I have just heard. It is, of course, a privilege and an honour to be the Chairman of the Urban Council, even for a short period, and I would like Members to know that I have considered it a privilege and an honour. It is also not exactly a bed of roses. (Laughter). But I have been supported by excellent staff, and Members have shown considerable forebearance, kindness and co-operation. I would cite in support of this statement one instance: there was a Council meeting recently, and the next morning after it was over I received a telephone call from Mr. SALES, and he informed me that I had got away with murder. (Laughter).
In conclusion, may I say that although I shall not be here for next month's meeting, when the first Tuesday in November comes around I shall be thinking of what is going on in this chamber. (Applause).
ADJOURNMENT.
CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business of this meeting. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 5th November, 1963.
PRINTED BY JACK RANYARD LEE, ACTING GOVERNMENT PRINTER AT THE GOVERNMENT PRESS, HONG KONG
188
189
Page 103 of 194