Page 86 of 212
104
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mr. Lo, the important point which you made will be studied by the Select Committee. I know that the Select Committee has the matter under consideration.
MR. T. S. Lo (in English):-Thank you for your assurance.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
105
MR. R. H. LOBO, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND ABATTOIRS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-
The alterations and improvements at the Abattoirs which have so far been effected are:-
1. the installation of transfer devices for dropping viscera into proper chutes
2. the installation of conveyors for removing viscera from washing tables to collection points
3. the improvement of lighting in slaughter halls especially at the meat inspection points
4. the installation of additional carcase droppers in the cattle slaughter halls, and
5. the removal of tethering poles in the cattle lairages. As a result of these improvements, it is possible to save 8 labourers previously required for manual drops of viscera into the chutes. The working conditions for staff, particularly in meat inspection, have also improved. The cattle slaughtering capacity in each abattoir has increased from 45 to 60 animals per hour. Risk of strangulation of cattle in the waiting lairages has been overcome.
Other major alterations and improvements as recommended in the Final Report of the Abattoirs Working Party, in which MR. FORSGATE played a large part, include:
(a) further mechanization of both abattoirs by installing fully mechanized scalding and de-hairing tanks, a fourth mechanical descender, and rising sections in the pig-dressing conveyors;
(b) installation of a third pig slaughter-line for both abattoirs; and
(c) modernization and development of the By-Products Plant.
Tenders for work to effect these alterations closed last week, and it is expected that, if everything goes well, work can be completed by the end of 1974.
(7) MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE asked the following question (in English):-
Hong Kong Cricket Club Site
When will this land be handed over to the Council for development in accordance with sketch plans submitted to the R. & A. Select Committee some time ago?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):
This question relates to the Hong Kong Cricket Club site and its development as public open space.
The Recreation and Amenities Select Committee approved sketch plans for this site at its meeting on 16th February, 1973 and agreed to a two-stage development because of anticipated Mass Transit requirements which, as then stated, were expected to take up the southern one-third of the area after its evacuation by the Cricket Club.
It has since been confirmed that the Mass Transit requirements will now affect the whole site, from 1975. About three years are needed to complete the works, after which it is hoped that the ground will become available for conversion to public open space in accordance with the sketch plans already approved by the Select Committee.
(8) MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE asked the following question (in English):-
Abattoirs
What effect have the alterations and improvements to the Abattoirs had on the efficiency of their operation?
MR. FORSGATE (in English):-I am glad the Select Committee are getting on with the good work. I have no supplementaries.
Page 86 of 212