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DR. BELL:- If that is the case, Mr. Chairman, what are people in Kowloon expected to do if they wish to have cremation?
CHAIRMAN:- As you know, Dr. BELL, the Diamond Hill Crematorium is only capable of taking a few cremations daily, and there must be already diversions to Cape Collinson. Cape Collinson also attracts more cremations because facilities there are so much better and sought after. As far as I can see if my supposition about the site being used for the new Crematorium is correct, then the answer is: anyone who wishes to have a cremation must use Cape Collinson. They might also, for the comparatively short time that the new Crematorium would take to construct, consider the alternative of coffin burial.
DR. BELL:- Mr. Chairman, I am grateful to you for saying that you will refer the matter to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council. Could you also refer all the supplementary questions that have been asked? May I, with your permission, say that I think it is a very costly process for people to have to cross the harbour just because there is no Crematorium in Kowloon. With the size of Kowloon and the number of people living there and, therefore, I expect, the increased number of deaths that occur in Kowloon compared with Hong Kong, I think there is a great deal of urgency to have this built.
CHAIRMAN:- Yes, Dr. BELL, but I hope that my remarks have made clear that everything turns upon what is exactly the site of the new Kowloon Crematorium.
(3) DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question:
Is the Chairman aware that during the washing down process of the Central Market steps at Queen's Road Central, pedestrians are having to wade through dirty water all over the pavement, and are liable to get splashed by this dirty water. Can steps please be taken to improve the method by which this washing is done, or can drainage channels be made at the sides of the steps to prevent the present inconvenience to pedestrians?
MR. WILFRED S. B. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
The Central Market is normally washed down at 9 a.m., at 12 noon and between 6 and 8 p.m. These times have been selected for the cleansing of the market itself since they are the slackest periods for business, but I agree that the work should be organized so that it does not inconvenience members of the public walking along the pavements outside.
A new arrangement has therefore been introduced with effect from 8th June under which floors inside the market will continue to be washed down with well-water as at present, but the water will be removed by way of the drains in the central courtyard and not out of the entrances to the market. The cleansing of the steps will in future be done separately by swabbing them with mops and not by washing them down as at present.
Provided that this new arrangement works satisfactorily it should not be necessary to construct new drainage channels, though this will be kept under review.
Market Staff have also been reminded that even inside the market washing down must be conducted so as to cause the least possible inconvenience to members of the public.
—Thank you.
DR. BELL:
(4) Mr. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
On a number of occasions in the past, I have asked whether it would be possible to have an Oceanarium for Hong Kong. Can the Chairman advise what is the present position in regard to the building of an oceanarium for Hong Kong?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
Members may recall that in answering a previous question on this subject from Mr. CHEONG-LEEN in December, 1964, the Chairman referred to a proposed visit by a consultant, at the invitation of the Hong Kong Tourist Association, who was being engaged to examine the feasibility of establishing an oceanarium here.
Members are aware from the consultant's report, which was made available to the Council, that he concluded that an oceanarium would not be financially viable if it were operated as a private enterprise. In view of this, I am told that the Government is now considering whether it would be justified in providing limited assistance, mainly in the form of a free grant of land, if a non-profit-making body wished to sponsor the scheme.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, does Mr. SALES know approximately how long has this report been in the hands of Government?
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