# 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 13 February 1990, 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 February 1990.
# QUESTIONS
1. MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in English):-- Some time ago I asked that Gateball be introduced in Hong Kong by the Urban Council as a sport, to be promoted particularly among the elderly.
Since some progress has been made in the development of this sport in the urban areas, and in the New Territories jointly in cooperation with the Regional Council, will it be possible to promote this sport further in Wan Chai District where there is proportionately a larger senior citizens population?
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question asks that since progress had been made in the development of Gateball in the urban areas and the New Territories whether it is possible to further promote this sport in Wan Chai District where there is proportionately a larger senior citizens population.
The Council's district recreation and sports service has organized gateball since 1988-89 with 4 pilot projects in Wong Tai Sin, Yau Tsim, Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po districts attracting 353 participants. In 1989–90, 9 projects were organized for 726 participants. In view of its increasing popularity, especially among the elderly, 18 projects are planned for 1990–91 for an estimated 1,410 participants. All these activities are district-based and organized for residents of the individual urban districts.
Moreover, the Council's Lei Yue Mun Park also organizes gateball activities for the campers including senior citizens aged 60 years and over. 26 such activities were organized in recent years for some 2,250 campers. For 1990-91, it is planned to organize 50 gateball activities for about 4,000 campers including the elderly.
In conjunction with the Regional Council, the Evergreen Gateball Association and the Hong Kong Christian Service, the Urban Council organized a 'Gateball Promotion Scheme for the Elderly' in 1989–90. This organized territory-wide promotion scheme for the elderly received an overwhelming response and attracted 4,500 participants. The Council's Sports Subvention Office will again jointly organize a similar promotion scheme in 1990–91.
As for Wan Chai District, 1 gateball activity was organized in 1989-90 for 59 elderly participants. However, for 1990–91, it is planned to organize 3 projects for about 280 participants. Depending on demand, more activities could be planned in the course of the year.
2. MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN asked the following question (in Cantonese):- 'Karaoke' is a very popular entertainment for people in Hong Kong nowadays but unfortunately it also generates a lot of noise which may be unbearable to some people, particularly at night. Excessive noise may affect the health of people who are deprived of the privilege of having a good sleep. I would ask whether the Council can make licensing conditions to control noise in licensed premises, such as restaurants and lounges?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):—Mr. Chairman, this question asks whether the Council can make licensing conditions to control noise pollution in licensed premises, such as restaurants and lounges, especially those which operate 'Karaoke'.
Formerly the Council had limited authority to deal with noise from air-conditioning or ventilating systems under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132). Since the coming into operation of the Noise Control Ordinance (Cap. 400) and the repeal of the relevant sections of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance on 1 November 1989, that authority for control of noise pollution has been transferred to the Director of Environmental Protection.
There are specific provisions under section 13 of the Noise Control Ordinance to control noise generated from commercial premises which is a source of annoyance to any person and the Director of Environmental Protection is empowered to serve noise abatement notices.
With respect to food premises licensed by this Council, the primary objective of licensing is to maintain control with respect to hygiene standards and to ensure the supply of clean and wholesome food to the public. The provision of facilities to customers to conduct their own Karaoke entertainment bears no direct relevance to the hygiene of the premises, and it is therefore neither the responsibility nor within the jurisdiction of the Council to impose licensing conditions to control noise.
In so far as it concerns premises licensed to sell liquor which are also a source of annoyance through late-night operation, the Liquor Licensing Board does...
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