HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.
CHAIRMAN:-Ladies and gentlemen, the meeting is called to order. Before we proceed with the agenda, I would like to welcome back amongst us Mr. Paul Tsui in the capacity of Acting Secretary for Home Affairs.
MINUTES.
The minutes of the meeting held on 7th October, 1969 were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of October, 1969.
(2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical Report for the period 1st July, 1969 to 30th September, 1969.
(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations during the period 1st July, 1969 to 30th September, 1969.
QUESTIONS.
CHAIRMAN:-Questions. In this connection, if the Commissioner for Resettlement and myself appear to be making a number of replies to-day, it is because the Chairmen of the Select Committees are not here.
(1) MR. Woo Po-SHING, in the absence of MR. B. A. BERNACCHI, asked the following question:-
I have been asked to ask this question by a resident of a resettlement estate. He asserts that in each resettlement block there are about 60 to 100 dogs although the keeping of dogs is against resettlement regulations. The stool and urine discharged by these dogs give rise to a sanitary nuisance and sometimes the dogs attack small children. He also alleges that the dogs bark all night because some of the residents in the resettlement areas go to bed very late whereas some get up very early so that there is never absolute quiet in the area any hour of the 24 hours. He alleges that this barking of dogs keeps the tenants awake at night. Could the Commissioner for Resettlement look into these complaints, report whether he is satisfied of the position vis-a-vis dogs in resettlement estates or if not what measures he proposes taking in the immediate future?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
The problem caused by dogs in estates has already been considered twice this year by the Resettlement Management Select Committee. In general, it has been agreed that no action will be taken against estate tenants who keep dogs, provided these are kept under proper control and do not constitute a nuisance to other residents. Where, however, specific complaints about serious nuisances are received such as biting, action has been taken in the past by the department to have the dog removed by the tenant, and this will continue to be the practice. The main action is however directed against strays. The dog catching units of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department pay regular visits to estates, and this has resulted in 1,228 stray dogs being caught in estates during the year ended September 1969.
(2) DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG asked the following question:-
I have noted and have received complaints about people leaving multi-storey car parks without paying before collecting their cars. This makes it necessary for these people to stop at the exit, leaving their cars, to settle payment. In the meantime their cars are blocking the exit. This is particularly so in the Star Ferry Car Park. Can anything be done to prevent this?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-
There are notices prominently displayed in all car parks requesting car owners to pay their fees at the desk before they collect their cars. These notices are also printed on every parking ticket issued. The very great majority of users of multi-storey car-parks abide by these instructions, and co-operate to make the outward flow of traffic as smooth as possible. It is only a very small minority, who appear not to be familiar with the procedure, who collect their cars first and pay as they drive out. When this happens they may indeed sometimes cause a temporary blockage.
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