HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
VICE-CHAIRMAN:-There is a full-time watchman employed there who opens up the building whenever required. There is a yard at the back which is particularly watched from the point of view of mosquito breeding.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Is this full-time watchman on the Government payroll, Sir?
VICE-CHAIRMAN:-Yes, he is, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. He is working with the Public Works Department.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, how long has this building been closed?
VICE-CHAIRMAN:-I think that was made clear in the answer—14th August, 1964. It was actually closed on 15th July, 1964, but handed over by the Medical Department to Government on the 14th August, so it has been closed for very nearly two years.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, since there is such a serious shortage of public amenities and recreational facilities in the Shau Kei Wan area, isn't it a great shame that this building, this three-storey building, has been closed for two years, and a full-time watchman on the Government payroll stationed there simply to watch it and see that it is closed?
SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS:—I entirely agree, Sir. Still, if Mr. CHEONG-LEEN can help us to cut through the legal difficulties, I would be delighted. It is a shame. It should have been made available very much earlier, but there are very serious difficulties.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, can the Secretary for Chinese Affairs state whether there is any truth in the rumour that Government intends to put this site up for auction fairly soon?
SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS:—As trustee, I have never heard that rumour from any source, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: I am glad to hear that statement coming from the Secretary for Chinese Affairs. Now, can the Secretary for Chinese Affairs also indicate how soon legislation can be enacted to cut the Gordian knot?
SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS:-No, Sir, far too risky. I cannot. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Is legislation being contemplated, then?
SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS:—Yes, that is one way. Another way might be to go to the courts; it depends which is the quicker and the more effective. We are looking into it.
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MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you, Sir. I take it that the Secretary for Chinese Affairs is taking the maximum steps possible to cut this Gordian knot.
(14) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
Is the Chairman aware that the several thousand people living in Aldrich Bay in Shau Kei Wan are living in the most deplorable conditions from the point of view of general sanitation and public health:
(a) What are Government's plans to resettle the people living in Aldrich Bay?
(b) What is presently being done to collect refuse, provide public latrines, eliminate the mosquito nuisance, and to offer recreation facilities for the residents and their children who were born and bred in Aldrich Bay?
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
I am aware that living conditions in Aldrich Bay are far from desirable, and I am informed by the Commissioner for Resettlement that there are no immediate plans for clearing squatters who have settled there.
2.
The area is very unhygienic, but definite efforts are being made to keep it clean and free of mosquitoes, etc. under extremely difficult conditions. An Anti-Mosquito Gang makes a complete survey of the area twice a week, and a refuse collection vehicle calls twice daily to clear refuse. Large dustbins are provided by the Department for the use of the squatters. These are situated at convenient points and are emptied twice daily by Urban Services Department labourers.
3. The area lacks latrines; the residents at present use the Nam On Street Public Latrine, which has 30 compartments and 22 showers, and is some 200 yards away. A definite effort is being made to provide temporary latrines within the area, but this is complicated by the congestion of the squatter structures. Surveys to select suitable sites for latrines in the area have been made by the staff of the Urban Services Department in consultation with representatives of the Kaifong Association and representatives from the area in question. Ten sites were selected but met with objection from the residents, and the structures built on these sites are now used exclusively as baths.
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