CO129-519-2 Estimates for 1930 19-9-1929 - 19-9-1929 — Page 190

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

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it must be apparent how intensively building operations are proceeding especially at Kowloon Point. At the present building rate the few remaining open spaces will have disappeared within the next few months, and the mistake which is apparent in the congested districts of the Island will be perpetuated in Kowloon.

While on the subject of sanitation it becomes my duty respect- fully to invite your Excellency's attention to the serious obstruction of public thoroughfares at Kowloon--and the same may be said of similar conditions obtaining on the Island-by licensed stallholders for the sale of food-stuffs that should be kept within the limits of the markets or shops especially licensed for the purpose. There is flagrant abuse of the conditions attached to these licences. A drive any afternoon through the thickly inhabited districts will convince the most unobservant that certain roadways on the Peninsula as well as on the Island have been converted into open market places by the advantage taken by permittees in exceeding the privileges conceded under the terms of their licences. This abuse of privilege makes it difficult for sanitary regulations to be enforced, not to speak of the serious obstructions to traffic.

Pursuing further the subject of sanitation, I must once again urge upon the attention of Government the intolerable nuisance created by market gardeners in various localities in New Kowloon. Again and again have I been approached to make representations to the Sanitary Authorities for the abatement of the very objectionable practise of the use of human manure by market gardeners in the vicinity of dwelling houses. I must not, however, fail in my apprecia- tion of the successful efforts exerted by the officers of the Sanitary Department, under the direction of the Head of the Department, in mitigating the nuisance in some cases, especially a recent one at Shamshuipo. But the persistence of permittees in reverting to the insanitary and offensive practice when vigilance is slightly relaxed calls for the immediate cancellation of the permits. Notorious offenders can be found any day within the Kowloon Tong Estate.

Much disappointment has been felt with the recent statement from the Honourable Colonial Secretary in this Council that unattend- ed cars and motor-cycles will not be permitted in future within the square outside the Star Ferry Pier. On behalf of motorists I am appealing to your Excellency for a reconsideration of the projected scheme of arrangement whereby the privileges now enjoyed by them will be completely removed. One of the great advantages enjoyed by Kowloon motorists is the ability to reside in suburban areas away from the congested districts in the City. A contributory factor of that advantage is the ownership of a car in the case of a family man and of a motor-cycle in the case of a bachelor. Under the new parking scheme forecasted by the Government it will become difficult for owner-drivers to enjoy the benefit of suburban residence unless at an increased expenditure, and it must be remembered that many men with families and young men in this Colony are not blessed with too much of this world's riches. With many, despite appearance,

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