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the Governor in Council. Under the arrangements approved for this scheme, it is for the Medical Association to nominate the doctors who will be allocated these premises.
CHAIRMAN: Mr. BERNACCHI, it is quite clear to me from Mr. BARTY's answer that I should not have permitted that question. I thought it was going to be something about "other facilities for young people". It turns out to be a question about medical clinics in Resettlement Estates.
MR. BERNACCHI: With respect, Mr. Chairman, I think the young people out-number the old people in Resettlement Estates.
(10) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:
Could the Chairman inform the Council whether a flushing system could be installed at the beach toilet which is situated near to I.L. 38 at Stanley Beach?
The CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-
The installation of a flushing system in the toilet at Stanley Beach will be submitted by the Department for inclusion in the Public Works Programme 1968-69. This will be considered at the next meeting of the Public Works Sub-Committee in December 1967.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for your very short and comprehensive answer. (Laughter). May I ask you, how much money would be needed to install a flushing system in this very small toilet?
CHAIRMAN: I am sorry, Sir, I do not know. The present accommodation is for something like 10 people.
MR. HU: Would it cost a very little amount of money?
CHAIRMAN: I have said, Sir, I do not know.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, what is the earliest possible estimated time to install this flushing system.
CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hu, it is never wise to estimate these things, but if it passes into the Public Works Programme for the next financial year, then, since it is a comparatively small item, I would hope that it would be completed in that financial year.
MR. HU: That means it will be completed in the year 1968-69.
CHAIRMAN: Mr. WRIGHT?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: Could I ask where the lot is, I am not quite sure. Is this the one along Stanley Beach Road?
MR. HU: It is very near to Inland Lot No. 38.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: I do not know where Inland Lot 38 is. If it is the one in Stanley Beach Road, it was built with the drains in. It was not provided at the time with a flushing system because there was no sewer in the road. As far as I know there is still no sewer in the road, and at that time the Medical Department objected to a septic tank. So I myself would perhaps not go so far as the Chairman has gone, as if we have to build a septic tank the Medical Department might object again.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I should make my position very clear to you. It is a very small toilet. The urinal already has a flushing system, but the other part, a very small cabinet to which I really refer, is not installed with a flushing system.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: I think, Mr. Chairman, the present flushing system of the urinal simply flushes into a tank which is pumped out periodically, it does not go into the sea or into any public sewer.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, the position is that the owner of Inland Lot No. 38 has just bought this land from Government, and he is now in the process of erecting a new building. He has noticed that the public toilet is beside his new lot, and it is not very hygienic, because there is a smell coming from this toilet. He, of course, wishes to have this toilet removed.
CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hu, are you asking a question or making a speech? (Laughter).
MR. HU: I am sorry, Mr. Chairman, it is just that I want to make my position clear to you.
CHAIRMAN: You are not allowed to make your position clear, save by asking questions.
MR. HU: Very well, Mr. Chairman, so really you do not know when this flushing system can be installed?
CHAIRMAN: That is correct, Sir, the facts are these. It is a small building and the Urban Services Department intends to ask for the installation of a flushing system. It would appear reasonable to suppose that the item would be included in Category D of the Public Works Programme next year, but I was not aware of the fact that there is no sewer. If there is no sewer there, then the future of this flushing system is very indefinite. If I may continue, with reference to the owner of the Inland Lot, he complained to the Department some weeks ago and an inspection was made and we found that there was no smell.
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