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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
Ladies and Gentlemen, before taking the first item on to-day's agenda, I am sure members will wish me to congratulate Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN, Mrs. Elsie ELLIOTT and Mr. Solomon RAFEEK on their success in the recent Urban Council Election.
Members will also wish me to welcome Dr. H. W. WYILE, who is no stranger to us. As members are aware, Dr. WYILE has taken over the duties of Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services from Dr. COOMBES. (Applause).
MR. SALES: —Mr. Chairman, may I, with your permission, and with that of my colleagues on the other side of the table, the Elected Members, say how much all of us wish to be associated with your congratulatory remarks, not only for the elected members, but also for Dr. WYILE upon his appointment to this Council. (Applause).
## MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 2nd May, 1967 were confirmed.
## MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR
CHAIRMAN: —Ladies and Gentlemen, I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to convey to the Members of this Council his appreciation for your unstinting support in recent weeks. His Excellency wishes in particular to acknowledge with thanks the statement of support for the Hong Kong Government which was issued by the Unofficial Members on the evening of May 16th. This was one of the very earliest of such statements, which later totalled over 550, and the speed and forthrightness with which it was made were not only impressive, but, Sir David states, most encouraging to Government, and no doubt to citizens at large, at the time.
## PAPERS
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following paper:
Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of May, 1967.
DR. BELL: —Mr. Chairman, as acting Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee I would, with your permission, like to say a few words on behalf of that Committee. I and Members of the
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Committee would like you to know, Sir, that we were very impressed by the manner in which the Cleansing Staff of the Urban Services Department carried out their duties quietly and efficiently throughout the disturbances which took place last month both in Kowloon and Hong Kong. It was most remarkable that by as early as 7.30 a.m. on the morning following the Kowloon riots, everything was cleaned and tidied up in the streets, so that practically no trace of the riots could be seen and residents were able to go about in normal tidy streets. I believe that cleansing operations were carried out under very trying and difficult conditions and often at personal risk to the staff. I consider the efforts of the staff not only helped maintain morale, but played an important part in permitting public transport to continue operating. This was very important in Hong Kong where we have trams which could not operate unless the tracks were cleared of stones and other obstructions.
I and my Committee wish, on behalf of this Council, to express through you and publicly, our sincere thanks to all staff from Labourers upwards and to ask you to convey our congratulations to them for doing such a splendid job. (Applause).
CHAIRMAN: —Dr. BELL, I shall have the utmost pleasure in conveying your remarks to the staff concerned.
MR. LI: —Mr. Chairman, I rise as the Chairman of the Resettlement Management Select Committee to extend my congratulations to the staff of the Resettlement Department for the way in which they carried out their work during the recent disturbances. I think their loyalty and hard work have earned them the appreciation of the whole community of Hong Kong. (Applause).
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: —Mr. Chairman, I shall be very happy to convey those remarks to all ranks in the Resettlement Department.
MR. SALES: —Mr. Chairman, it would be remiss of me if I did not on this occasion make a statement concerning the City Hall and the Parks and Playgrounds.
First, the City Hall. It was splendid the way that the City Hall remained open to all shades of opinion. Regardless of the colour of the thoughts that were made known to the public, the City Hall was available as a medium through which the public of Hong Kong could express their views, and for this I am sure Council would like me to congratulate the Management on the extreme and scrupulous fairness with which they provided the facilities that are available in the City Hall,
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