Page 78 of 195
124
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
This ancient form of exercise has become very popular among local residents and on any morning can be seen being performed by a growing number of people in the Council's parks, gardens and sitting-out areas.
The former Recreation and Sports Service organized the first Tai Chi class in the urban area in 1975. The classes are targeted at middle-aged and elderly participants who regard Tai Chi as a means to improve their physical and mental health while giving them a chance to socialize with their peers.
In view of the good initial response, classes were soon organized in all urban districts. Subsequent requests from Tai Chi class participants led to follow-up courses in Tai Chi Practice and Tai Chi Sword being introduced in 1978 and 1983 respectively.
During the current financial year, 264 classes are being organized for no fewer than 11,700 participants. The classes are run on a district basis to suit the different characteristics of different districts. The Council is planning to maintain the same level of provision for Tai Chi classes in 1986-87.
The fitness programme and Tai Chi are only two of the numerous popular sports, fitness and recreational activities financed by the Council at district level. Other activities include badminton, table tennis, swimming, tennis, squash, mini-soccer, football, volleyball, basketball and sports activities for disabled people.
While it is not possible for me here to cover each and every sports activity in which the Urban Council is involved, I would like to stress that the Urban Services Department is now reviewing these widespread programmes to maximize all available resources and manpower for the purpose of sports promotion.
In closing, may I take the opportunity to thank the members of the Working Party on Hawker and Related Policies for their hard work and dedication in taking a critical yet practical in-depth look at our hawker problems, and producing a well thought-out Report with recommendations on improving the hawker situation in the long run.
The Working Party began its important task at the beginning of last year and showed perseverance and patience in the ensuing months until it had fully examined the problems from every angle, only after which did it attempt to formulate its wide-ranging recommendations.
I am sure I speak for the Council in thanking Mrs. Tu and Messrs. Lau, SULKE, KWAN, LEE and TONG for their greatly appreciated efforts towards helping to solve one of the community's biggest problems, the hawker problem.
(Miss Cecilia L. Y. YEUNG arrived during the Chairman's address.)
PAPER
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 78 of 195
125
The following paper was laid on the table:—
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of November 1985.
QUESTIONS
1. Mr. Walter M. SULKE asked the following question (in English):—There have been complaints about diesel engined U.C. vehicles smoking. Well adjusted diesel engines should not smoke and particulates in diesel engine smoke are injurious to health. Could I please have an assurance that drivers of our vehicles are instructed to report smoke as soon as they see it in their rear view mirrors and also could I be told what steps are being taken to improve maintenance so that our vehicles will not break the law which prohibits smoke emissions from diesel exhausts?
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):--This question concerns complaints against diesel engined Urban Council vehicles giving out smoke.
It is primarily the responsibility of the drivers to report vehicle defects (including exhaust smoke emission) as soon as these come to notice and it is practicable to do so. Instructions have been given by the Department to all drivers that they should pay particular attention to exhaust smoke, both when starting from cold at the start of the day's work and during the course of normal running. This is part of the first-line daily check which is supplemented by routine servicing and inspections carried out at regular intervals by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (E.M.S.D.). Our drivers have been advised to take prompt action in reporting vehicle defects immediately they occur and supervisory staff have also been instructed to step up supervision over vehicle maintenance checking. Refresher training courses on a driver's responsibility, emphasizing the importance of vehicle care and maintenance, are being organized.
In addition, visual tests for checking exhaust smoke emission are regularly carried out in the Department's depots. Should evidence suggest that black smoke is being produced, the vehicle in question is withdrawn immediately from service and sent to the E.M.S.D. for attention where a full exhaust-emission analysis, using a Hartridge smoke tester, is performed.
MR. SULKE (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I am afraid the system is not working too well. I was following a refuse collection vehicle yesterday, U.C. 1,000, on Tai Hang Road which was smoking merrily. Will the department please make doubly sure that our drivers are aware of their responsibilities?
Page 78 of 195