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(14) MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK asked the following question:
I have received complaints that the corner of Blue Pool Road (between house No. 95 and No. 111) leading up to Maryknoll School is being used for the indiscriminate dumping of rubbish; several residents living thereby have suggested that this area should be converted into a small playground for children or rest area. Can the Chairman please advise whether steps can be taken to meet the suggestions of these residents?
THE CHAIRMAN, Urban Council replied as follows:-
The area of land referred to, which lies between Nos. 95 and 111, Blue Pool Road, is Crown Land and has been reserved as a site for a Local Officers' Housing Co-operative. In January of this year members of the Co-operative were authorized by Government to proceed with their scheme, so there is no possibility of its being developed as a recreation area. Until development begins the beat labourer for that section of Blue Pool Road will keep the area clear of rubbish.
(15) MR. CHEUNG WING-IN asked the following question:
Is the Chairman aware that the residents of Tai Ping Village, Chai Wan, are suffering from severe water shortage due to the drying up of nullahs and wells? Although mains had been laid over 6 months ago in connection with a scheme to provide the residents with tap water, no connection has been effected. Will the Chairman please give reasons for the delay in the provision of street hydrants and indicate when the supply will be connected?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
The answer to the first part of the question is that the residents of this village are normally dependent on six wells and several streams for their domestic water supply. As a result of the prolonged dry spell, all the streams and most of the wells dried up. Up to the end of last week, the villagers were getting their water either from the two wells that were still productive, or from the standpipes at Block 13, Chai Wan Resettlement Estate. Since the weekend rain, four wells and one stream are in use. As to the second part of the question, no mains have been laid in the area with a view to providing the village with a standpipe supply. About six months ago some work
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was done on the water main serving and belonging to the military installation at Little Sai Wan which runs near the village.
The question of installing standpipes in squatter and other areas has been under consideration by the Water Authority and other departments concerned. Their recommendations on the principles which should be adopted were forwarded to the Secretariat earlier this year and are receiving active consideration.
(16) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
(a) Are there any licensed bars in the Resettlement Estates? Do the terms and conditions of tenancy preclude the operation of bars?
(b) If not, has the Board of Licensing Justices any jurisdiction over such Estates without prior consultation with this Council?
(c) Would you ask the two relevant Select Committees to consider whether it would not be advisable to take appropriate measures now to acquire the necessary powers so as to prevent the Board licensing bars without the consent of this Council?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
The reply to Part A of the question is that there are no licensed bars in resettlement estates. There are, however, some licensed "general restaurants" in estates which are also licensed to sell liquor for consumption by their customers on the premises. The form of licence prescribes that no bar shall be kept on the premises. This condition may be waived by the Board of Licensing Justices if an applicant seeks to have a bar at an enhanced fee, although no waiver has in fact been sought or granted in any estate. On the other hand, the special conditions of tenancy for business premises in an estate include a clause that the type of trade carried on in the premises must be one that has been approved. Keeping a bar is not an approved trade and therefore anyone doing so would be in breach of the conditions and his tenancy would be liable to termination.
In answer to Part B of the question, it follows from what I have said that the Board of Licensing Justices does have
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