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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to order.
## MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 1988, were confirmed.
## PAPER
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 May 1988.
## QUESTIONS
1. MR. PETER C. K. CHAN on behalf of The Hon. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in English):---Complaints have been received to the effect that the offensive smell coming from the Wan Chai Market at the Queen's Road side is becoming increasingly intolerable; what improvements can be made to ameliorate the situation?
DR. ELSIE TU, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS, replied as follows (in English):-This question concerns complaints about offensive smell coming from the Wan Chai Market at the Queen's Road side. It asks what improvements can be made to make the situation better.
There was a small refuse storage area in the lane at the eastern side of the market adjoining Queen's Road East. This was provided for the convenience of market lessees so that they could readily take their refuse away from their stalls. The area was cleared 4 times each day and the refuse removed to the RCP on the other side of Wan Chai Road opposite the market. To eliminate any offensive smell that might have arisen during temporary storage of refuse, this temporary refuse storage area has now been removed and the screens taken down. Market lessees are now advised to take their refuse to the RCP across the road direct. The place is now in order.
2. MISS VICTORIA Y. CHAN asked the following question (in English):—With the advent of the summer season, will our Council be launching a campaign against dripping air-conditioners?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-This question concerns action against nuisance arising from dripping air-conditioners. It asks whether a campaign would be launched with the advent of the summer season. The short answer to the question is 'yes'. In fact, an education campaign known as 'Get Your Air-conditioners Ready for the Summer' is well under way. This Campaign, launched in early May, aims at drawing the attention of the public to the need to eliminate nuisances such as noise and water-dripping caused by improperly installed or ill-maintained air-conditioners. A TV-API on this issue is being screened from May through September. 13,000 posters and 50,000 leaflets providing information on the proper installation and maintenance of air-conditioners have been distributed to the public through various organizations such as Mutual Aid Committees, Incorporated Owners Associations, CNTA District Offices, management offices of large private housing projects, commercial complexes, shopping arcades, hotels, suppliers of air-conditioners as well as restaurants. In addition to information given on the leaflets on how and where to make enquiries and lodge complaints, a 24-hour hotline (5-8916443) is also maintained to answer public enquiries.
MISS VICTORIA Y. CHAN (in English):-Mr. Chairman, do you know whether there have been any prosecutions against the offenders, if so, would you off the cuff know the number of prosecutions taken and the result?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the straight answer to this question is that no offenders have so far been prosecuted. For the year ended 31 March 1988, a total of 1000 reports of dripping air-conditioners were reported and investigated. Out of this number, only 577 cases of nuisance notices were issued. According to the existing legislation under section 127 of Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, offenders are given a nuisance abatement notice and that offender has to comply with the notice within 7 days. Failing to do such, the offender will be prosecuted. So far, after the issue of nuisance notices, all the notices were complied with. So no cases were in fact prosecuted in court.
3. MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):—Please could I receive an explanation why the lights in certain cemeteries and crematoria such as Cape Collinson and Diamond Hill are switched on 24 hours a day as this appears to be a waste of power?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied (in English):-The question asks why the lights in certain cemeteries and crematoria such as Cape Collinson and Diamond Hill are turned on 24 hours as such appears to be waste of electricity power.
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