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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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fleet, which now totals 1,944 units, have been such as to suggest that his present facilities are rapidly approaching saturation. Consideration is therefore being given to the possibility of setting up additional servicing workshops under his control to deal principally, if not solely, with Urban Services Department vehicles. Wherever possible, such facilities would be sited on locations convenient for use by the Department.
Proposals for night servicing were approved about two months ago, but it has not so far been possible to recruit the necessary staff to the Public Works Department workshops. In November, shortly prior to the recent accident, a proposal was made for the servicing of refuse collection vehicles at commercial garages. This has now been approved. Consideration is being given in the Urban Services Department to the desirability of appointing a more senior and technically qualified officer at our vehicle depots to supervise the daily maintenance of the large and growing departmental fleet of vehicles and to arrange transport service schedules.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:—Mr. Chairman, about the lorry which was the cause of the unfortunate accident referred to in Question No. 9, was that particular lorry overdue for servicing by any chance?
CHAIRMAN:—Sir, I personally feel that it would be improper for me to make a statement on the subject before the inquiry, which, I imagine, is likely to be held on this particular accident.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:—Mr. Chairman, with regard to that portion of the reply which makes reference to the rapidly approaching saturation of facilities, does that mean that saturation has already been achieved?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:—I would say "No", Mr. Chairman. The Government Electrical & Mechanical Engineer has two workshops—one in Hong Kong which was completed about 7 or 8 years ago, and one in Kowloon, completed about 2 years ago and in each case allowance was made for future expansion. The time is coming when there will be further expansion.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:—With regard to the last sentence of your reply, Mr. Chairman, how long do you estimate it will take the Department to arrive at a decision?
CHAIRMAN:—This is a matter which was raised recently by my friend the Director of Public Works and by the Government Electrical & Mechanical Engineer, and it is still due for discussion between the Urban Services Department and the Public Works Department.
DR. LEE:—In the first part of the last paragraph of your reply, Mr. Chairman, you mentioned some difficulties in recruiting. Is that due to salary difficulties or is it due to lack of trained staff?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:—I would say a combination of both, primarily because people are not often keen on night work when they can get day work.
MR. WATSON:—Mr. Chairman, to what extent are the drivers of refuse vehicles capable of routine daily checking of their vehicles?
CHAIRMAN:—I imagine, Sir, that they can do simple checking, but I would wish to look into the matter as I do not have the precise knowledge on the point which you require. I will let you know later.
MR. WATSON:—Thank you.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:—One last supplementary, Mr. Chairman, which, with your permission, I would like to direct to the Director of Public Works. Pending a decision arising out of what has been said in the last sentence of your reply, Mr. Chairman, does the Director of Public Works... Shall I put it in another way? Has he considered recommending to the Urban Services Department that all heavy vehicles should avoid using Wyndham Street which has a very steep gradient, until such time as a senior officer is appointed to supervise daily checks?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: I have not considered that point but it is one on which we are having several discussions—the Urban Services Department, the Government Electrical & Mechanical Engineer and myself. This problem is certainly one which could be discussed at our next meeting.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:—Thank you.
(11) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
In April 1964 I took up with the Commissioner for Resettlement the question of the poor bus services, particularly on routes Nos. 11 and 6-B, for residents living in the Wong Tai Sin Estate. At that time, the Commissioner undertook to draw this matter to the attention of the Advisory Committee on Public Transport. I was also advised that the position would be reviewed every six months, in view of the large increase of Resettlement population planned in this neighbourhood within the next few years. Will the Commissioner for Resettlement