THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1987
10
PROGRESS MADE ON HO CHUNG RIVER CLEAN-UP
****
FOLLOWING A RECENT VISIT BY SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, THE GOVERNMENT NOW FEELS THERE IS SOME REAL PROSPECT OF IMPROVEMENT TO THE NOTORIOUS HO CHUNG RIVER.
FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES, THE HO CHUNG RIVER HAS BEEN HEAVILY POLLUTED BY COLOURED AND HOT EFFLUENT FROM FOUR BLEACHING AND DYEING FACTORIES. AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED WITH THREE OF THE POLLUTERS CONCERNED TO CLEAN UP THEIR DISCHARGES EITHER BY INSTALLING NEW WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES OR BY PUTTING THEIR EXISTING FACILITIES IN PROPER WORKING ORDER.
ONE FACTORY, HOWEVER, HAS NOT YET AGREED TO THE CLEAN-UP AND FAILED TO ATTEND A RECENT MEETING TO CONSIDER THE MATTER. THE AUTHORITIES HAVE RESOLVED, THEREFORE, THAT UNLESS THEY RECEIVE SATISFACTORY PROPOSALS SHORTLY, RE-ENTRY PROCEEDINGS WILL BE INITIATED AGAINST THE FACTORY CONCERNED.
THE SITE VISIT WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR PETER MANN, WHO WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (WASTE AND WATER), MR JOHN BOXALL.
+AS WE HAVE TO USE THE UNWIELDY PROCEDURE OF RE-ENTRY UNDER THE LEASE CONDITIONS, THIS HAS INVOLVED A PROTRACTED AND TIME CONSUMING EFFORT BY THE OFFICERS OF MY DEPARTMENT, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE TO GET AGREEMENT TO CLEAR UP THIS ENVIRONMENTAL BLACKSPOT, MR BOXALL SAID.
+ IF THE EXISTING LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE WERE APPLIED TO THE WHOLE TERRITORY IT WOULD BE FAR EASIER AND QUICKER TO CLEAN UP THIS TYPE OF SITUATION. AT THE MOMENT IT IS LIKE HAVING TO FIGHT WITH YOUR HANDS TIED BEHIND YOUR BACK, HE ADDED.
MR MANN ADDED THAT HIS POLICY BRANCH WAS CONSIDERING WAYS OF SPEEDING UP THE APPLICATION OF CONTROLS TO AREAS OTHER THAN TOLO HARBOUR.
/11