HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
request with any personal recommendation from me. I would prefer, myself, to leave the matter entirely to the Committee in which, I am sure, you as well as myself have the fullest confidence.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I would be very happy to do so.
Dr. R. H. S. LEE asked the following questions :-
"Is the Chairman aware of the general state of un-cleanliness and untidiness of the district of Taikoktsui and in particular, the enormous pile of refuse, earth and rubble obstructing Beech Street ?"
"Can the Chairman further say how long this condition has been allowed to exist, and why no action to remove such well-known sources of fly breeding and other nuisances ?"
"Is there a time limit for contractors to remove earth, rubble and refuse left adjacent to public thorough-fares after a particular construction work is finished where such constitutes a nuisance under the Public Health (Sanitation) Ordinance?"
THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply:
"Earth and rubble are an unavoidable by-product of rapid building development such as has for some time been taking place in Taikoktsui, and such accumulations add considerably to the difficulty of scavenging. Our street-cleansing staff do their best to overcome these difficulties, and I cannot agree that refuse or sources of fly-breeding have been left for any length of time without any action being taken to remove them. Having said this I should add that it may be possible to arrange closer liaison in this particular district between our staff and the staff of the Public Works Department with a view to minimizing these difficulties, and I have now arranged with my friend the Director of Public Works that responsible officers of both departments should pay a joint visit in the near future. I shall be glad to keep you informed, Sir, of such progress or improvement as may become possible as a result. In reply to the last part of your question, the Building
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Ordinance Office does not issue a permit to enter into occupation until the site has been cleared and the half road fronting on the site reduced to proper levels; the Council of course retains the authority to take abatement action if a nuisance arises in the meantime. I will ensure that the possible need for such action is borne in mind at all times."
DR. LEE:- May I ask a supplementary question? Sir, in respect to the point mentioned in your reply that you, Mr. Chairman, do not agree that refuse or sources of fly breeding had been left for any length of time without any action taken, may I ask you, Mr. Chairman, that you yourself should personally arrange a visit to these streets and the environment in Taikoktsui to see for yourself.
CHAIRMAN :- I must confess, Dr. Lee, that I have not in the short time since my return had the time. I had fully intended to do so before this meeting but pressure of business intervened. I do intend to do so at the earliest possible moment.
DR. LEE :- I would like to ask a supplementary question to Question 5. I have followed that pile of rubbish and rubble at the corner of Nanchang Street and Tai Po Road for more than six months. Will the Chairman please instruct the staff to have it removed at the earliest possible moment.
CHAIRMAN :- I would prefer to assure you that I will take all steps to have any necessary action taken. Whether it is a matter for my staff to remove, I am afraid I cannot answer without notice.
MR. LI YIU BOR asked the following question :-
"Complaints have been received from residents of Shamshuipo that the filthy conditions on that part of the nullah in Nanchang Street between Taipo Road and Lai Chi Kok Road cause a nuisance to public health. Will the Chairman, Urban Council, indicate what steps will be taken to abate the nuisance?"
THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply :-
"This Nanchang Street nullah carries the surface water from the whole Shek Kip Mei area, an area which contains large numbers of squatters and some rapidly
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request with any personal recommendation from me. I would prefer, myself, to leave the matter entirely to the Committee in which, I am sure, you as well as myself have the fullest confidence.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-1 would be very happy to do so.
Dr. R. H. S. LEE asked the following questions :-
"Is the Chairman aware of the general state of un- cleanliness and untidiness of the district of Taikoktsui and in particular, the enormous pile of refuse, earth and rubble obstructing Beech Street ?"
"Can the Chairman further say how long this condition has been allowed to exist, and why no action to remove such well-known sources of fly breeding and other nuisances ?"
"Is there a time limit for contractors to remove earth, rubble and refuse left adjacent to public thorough- fares after a particular construction work is finished where such constitutes a nuisance under the Public Health (Sanitation) Ordinance?"
THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply:
"Earth and rubble are an unavoidable by-product of rapid building development such as has for some time been taking place in Taikoktsui, and such accumulations add considerably to the difficulty of scavenging. Our street-cleansing staff do their best to overcome these difficulties, and I cannot agree that refuse or sources of fly-breeding have been left for any length of time without any action being taken to remove them. Having said this I should add that it may be possible to arrange closer liaison in this particular district between our staff and the staff of the Public Works Department with a view to mini- mizing these difficulties, and I have now arranged with my friend the Director of Public Works that responsible officers of both departments should pay a joint visit in the near future. I shall be glad to keep you informed, Sir, of such progress or improve- ment as may become possible as a result. In reply to the last part of your question, the Building
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
139
Ordinance Office does not issue a permit to enter
into occupation until the site has been cleared and the half road fronting on the site reduced to proper levels; the Council of course retains the authority to take abatement action if a nuisance arises in the meantime. I will ensure that the possible need for such action is borne in mind at all times."
DR. LEE:-May I ask a supplementary question? Sir, in respect to the point mentioned in your reply that you, Mr. Chairman, do not agree that refuse or sources of fly breeding had been left for any length of time without any action taken, may I ask you, Mr. Chairman, that you yourself should personally arrange a visit to these streets and the environment in Taikoktsui to see for yourself.
CHAIRMAN :-I must confess, Dr. Lee, that I have not in the short time since my return had the time. I had fully intended to do so before this meeting but pressure of business intervened. I do intend to do so at the earliest possible moment.
DR. LEE :-] would like to ask a supplementary question to Question 5. I have followed that pile of rubbish and rubble at the corner of Nanchang Street and Tai Po Road for more than six months. Will the Chairman please instruct the staff to have it removed at the earliest possible moment.
CHAIRMAN :--I would prefer to assure you that I will take all steps to have any necessary action taken. Whether it is a matter for my staff to remove, I am afraid I cannot answer without notice.
MR. LI YIU BOR asked the following question :-
"Complaints have been received from residents of Shamshuipo that the filthy conditions on that part of the nullah in Nanchang Street between Taipo Road and Lai Chi Kok Road cause a nuisance to public health. Will the Chairman, Urban Council, indicate what steps will be taken to abate the nuisance?"
THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply :-
"This Nanchang Street nullah carries the surface water from the whole Shek Kip Mei area, an area which contains large numbers of squatters and some rapidly
Page 77 of 115
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