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Dr. LEE also referred to the question of street obstructions. These are of many types including builders' debris and earth works, materials spilling over the boundary of Crown permit storage areas, goods placed by shop-keepers on pavements, road-side workshops, hawker paraphernalia and squatters in scavenging lanes. The removal of such obstructions requires co-operation among several departments and inter-departmental meetings have been, and will continue to be, held to find ways of dealing with the problem. A number of joint cleansing operations involving the removal of obstructions have recently been undertaken by the Cleansing staff with the Hawker Control Force and Police, particularly in hawker areas. These operations have relieved the congestion in these areas to the advantage of traffic, housewives and hawkers alike. I should like to express my thanks to the Commissioner of Police for the considerable initiative shown by himself and his officers in this matter.
Mr. WATSON and Mr. MARDEN referred to the possibility of using salt-water for street cleansing. The question has been considered on several occasions in the past. There have been many objections. It has been estimated that the life of the street washing vehicles would be reduced by half as a result of the corrosive effect of sea water. There is also the possibility of damage to bituminous macadam road surfaces and the corrosion of re-inforcing bars in porous concrete surfaces. The effect of salt-water on metal manhole covers, drains and railings is also a factor, and there is little doubt that private vehicles parked in roads cleansed by salt-water would be affected by salt-water splashed onto them. Salt deposits left after the evaporation of water tend to make road surfaces slippery. However, the possibilities of using salt-water for street cleansing are being re-examined by the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee.
Mr. MARDEN also referred to the accumulation of refuse in the harbour. There seems to be little doubt now that rubbish breaking away from Gin Drinker's Bay has contributed to this problem. Other sources include illegal dumping of refuse from the shore, junks and sampans in the harbour area, and merchant ships discharging rubbish within or immediately outside harbour limits.
The measures being taken include the construction of a new 1,500-foot boom at Gin Drinker's Bay to contain floating refuse breaking away from the face of the dump. The boom should be in place by the end of this month. The seaward approach to the dump itself will be closed after the proposed incinerator at Kennedy Town has been brought into operation next year. And of course action is taken by officers of the Urban Services Department to prosecute persons dumping refuse in the harbour.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As regards clearance of harbour refuse, the Marine Department is operating three scavenging sampans which work round the central harbour collecting floating refuse. I understand that the Director of Marine is considering the employment of additional sampans. In addition, he is experimenting with a locally built motor catamaran designed to sweep through the water with a retractable apron, which can be lifted at the front to tip refuse collected into a storage bin on the craft. If successful, this will be the forerunner of other scavenging catamarans.
Mr. MARDEN also referred to the possibility of the Urban Services Department assuming responsibility for harbour cleansing. This possibility is being considered in the department at present. The main consideration in this context would, of course, be to show that control of harbour cleansing could be carried out more expeditiously and efficiently by the Urban Services Department. In the meantime, we will continue to co-operate with the Director of Marine in any matters affecting harbour cleansing.
There is one last matter. The Honourable F. S. LI made reference to the apparently high charges for sites in private cemeteries, but perhaps he was not aware—as I have been informed by my friend the Secretary for Chinese Affairs—that the cost of preparing grave sites on, for example, the steep Cape Collinson hillside is over $1,000 a site, even though many sites are prepared at the same time.
Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I express to you my warm thanks for the valuable services which you have rendered to the people of Hong Kong and for your effective part in our administration. Surely, for a civic body such as this, the justification for its endeavours lies in the progress made towards a better society. By your efforts in the hopeful struggle towards improved conditions for even our humblest citizens you have earned the approbation of all. (Applause).
The motion for the endorsement of the Statement of Aims for 1964 was moved and seconded at the last meeting.
The question was put.
The motion was carried.
ADJOURNMENT.
CHAIRMAN: That concludes the business of this meeting. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 4th February, 1964.
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