1957 — Page 37

58

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Page 37 of 115

59

MINUTES.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 7th May, 1957, were confirmed.

CHAIRMAN :-Ladies and Gentlemen: we have with us today two new Official Members to whom I would like to bid a warm welcome: Mr. McDouall, Secretary for Chinese Affairs, and Mr. Inglis, Director of Public Works. We hope that their service with the Council will be a long and enjoyable one. (Applause).

DR. GOSANO :-Mr. Chairman, the Unofficial Members would like to join you in your words of welcome.

PAPERS.

THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers :--- (1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of May, 1957.

(2) Annual Departmental Report for the year 1955/56 of the Commissioner for Resettlement.

MR. LI YIU BOR starts to address the Council on Item 3.

MR. A. DE O. SALES :—On a point of order, Mr. Chairman. Are you still on Item 2 of the Agenda?

CHAIRMAN: -We have passed Item 2.

MR. SALES ---I thought you were considering Paper (1) before Paper (2). I rise under Article 8, paragraph (3) of Standing Orders, Mr. Chairman, with reference to the Annual Departmental Report of the Commissioner for Resettlement. It is an excellent Report, well presented-

CHAIRMAN:-Excuse me, Mr. Sales. I don't think you are in order. That does not come under Standing Order 8(3). The Report of the Commissioner for Resettlement is not a Committee proceeding before the Council at the moment. It is a question, I think, of Standing Order 6(5): "Any Member who desires to address the Council on a paper or report laid before the Council in accordance with paragraph (1) (d) or (g) of Standing Order 5 shall give notice of motion in accordance with paragraph (1) of

this Standing Order." These papers were laid in accordance with Standing Order 5 and if you wish to ask a question or move a motion you must give notice. Only the Chairman of a Committee or the Chairman of the Council laying the paper on the table may address the Council.

MR. SALES :---Sir, I abide by your decision, but I consider that a report of a Committee of the Council is in reference to the proceedings of that Committee.

CHAIRMAN :-I am not entirely in agreement with you on that, but we will leave it as it stands.

QUESTIONS.

MR. LI YIU BOR asked the following question :-

"Complaints have been received from residents of Sham- shuipo that the temporary latrines and bathhouses erected in the middle of Cheung Sha Wan Road cause તે nuisance to public health. Will the Chairman, Urban Council, indicate the earliest date when these wooden structures will be demolished?

If it is not possible to remove them until the fire-victims at present living on pavements are re- housed, what steps will he consider taking to abate the nuisance?"

THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply:

"There are 40 double-compartment latrine units placed at intervals down the middle of Cheung Sha Wan Road. These structures, which were erected for fire victims who were forced to take shelter in the neigh- bourhood, are cleansed and maintained regularly. The contents of the pans are removed three times a day at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 12 mid-night. At each removal the pans are washed and disinfected. As this is a wide road, and as the pans are cleansed frequently, it is not considered that these latrines cause any danger to public health, although, in- evitably, their presence does cause some smell.

It

is expected that the fire victims in this area will be removed in the next four to six months. It will then be possible to remove the latrines."