HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As ill-luck would have it, heavy rain fell at midday on the 7th, and as was anticipated, the ground became a quagmire. The stall-holders appealed to the Inspector in Charge of Hawkers and Markets (Central District) who on his own initiative and with commendable promptitude called out his staff and a cesspool emptier vehicle to pump off the flooded area and dig drainage channels. The staff were withdrawn at 9 p.m. that evening after everything possible had been done to alleviate the state of the ground. The Hawker's Association has since expressed appreciation of the action taken by the staff. The Association took what might be described as a "calculated risk" in the choice of this site. I have no doubt that both they and the Council will bear this experience in mind on future occasions, but if the Association is prepared to take this calculated risk in order to increase the number of sites available there would seem to be no reason why the Council should not allow them to do so.
MOTIONS.
THE CHAIRMAN moved:—
"That the Conservancy (Amendment) By-laws, 1959, be made under Section 4(1) of the Public Health (Sanitation) Ordinance. No. 15 of 1935.”
He said: I do not propose to speak at length on this motion. The proposed charges have been discussed at length in committee, and will I think be generally welcomed, since they abolish the three varied rates now in force and permit half-yearly payments instead of an annual payment.
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN seconded.
MR. Y. K. KAN:-Mr. Chairman, I think I am correct in saying that this matter came about as a result of a question raised by me at the Law Revision Committee some months ago on what seemed to me to be a disparity in the charges, conservancy charges, in respect of different premises. Speaking, sir, as a Member of the Conservancy Select Committee, I was somewhat disturbed by the fact that arrears of conservancy charges had been allowed to mount up, the chief defaulters as far as I remember were the schools, and the reason for the default was that the conservancy charges were too high. If that is the case sir, the present revision would remove any ground for such charges being in arrear and I would like to have assurance from you, sir, that every step will be taken in the future so that the charges would not be allowed to go by default.
CHAIRMAN:—
I should be very happy, sir, to give you that assurance.
The question was put.
The Motion was carried.
ADJOURNMENT.
CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business of this meeting, gentlemen, and the Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 7th April.
CHAIRMAN:-This is the last meeting of the Council year and four of our elected members have come to the close of their present term of office. Three of them will know tomorrow whether they will be with us next meeting. Mr. Philip Au will not be with us for he has decided not to stand. He took office in May, 1953 and I feel sure that thus has spent almost six years as a Member. Members will join me in wishing him a well-earned rest. (Applause).
MR. P. D. AU:-Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for your kind words. I would like to take the opportunity of thanking you and my colleagues for their very kind and generous co-operation which I have received during the past six years.
There is still very much to be done in this Council and I am sure you all will continue the good work. (Applause).
MR. FUNG PING FAN:-On behalf of my colleagues and myself I would like to associate myself with your remarks in wishing Mr. Philip Au good health and happy days after leaving this Council. No doubt he has been most co-operative and hard working and a very reasonable man and we know we shall miss him in this Council.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As ill-luck would have it, heavy rain fell at midday on the 7th, and as was anticipated, the ground became a quagmire. The stall-holders appealed to the Inspector in Charge of Hawkers and Markets (Central District) who on his own initiative and with com- mendable promptitude called out his staff and a cesspool emptier vehicle to pump off the flooded area and dig drainage channels. The staff were with- drawn at 9 p.m. that evening after everything possible had been done to alleviate the state of the ground. The Hawker's Association has since ex- pressed appreciation of the action taken by the staff. The Association took what might be described as a "calculated risk" in the choice of this site. I have no doubt that both they and the Council will bear this experience in mind on future occasions, but if the Association is prepared to take this calculated risk in order to increase the number of sites available there would seem to be no reason why the Council should not allow them to do so."
MOTIONS.
THE CHAIRMAN moved :—
"That the Conservancy (Amendment) By-laws, 1959, be made under Section 4(1) of the Public Health (Sanitation) Ordinance. No. 15 of 1935.”
He said: I do not propose to speak at length on this motion. The proposed charges have been discussed at length in committee, and will I think be generally welcomed, since they abolish the three varied rates now in force and permit half-yearly payments instead of an annual payment.
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN seconded.
MR. Y. K. KAN:-Mr. Chairman, I think I am correct in saying that this matter came about as a result of a question raised by me at the Law Revision Committee some months ago on what seemed to me to be a disparity in the charges, conservancy charges, in respect of different premises. Speaking, sir, as a Member of the Conservancy Select Committee, I was somewhat
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
257
disturbed by the fact that arrears of conservancy charges had been allowed to mount up, the chief defaulters as far as I remember were the schools, and the reason for the default was that the conservancy charges were too high. If that is the case sir, the present revision would remove any ground for such charges being in arrear and I would like to have assurance from you, sir, that every step will be taken in the future so that the charges would not be allowed to go by default.
CHAIRMAN :—
assurance.
-1 should be very happy, sir, to give you that
The question was put.
The Motion was carried.
ADJOURNMENT.
CHAIRMAN :-That concludes the business of this meeting, gentlemen, and the Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 7th April.
CHAIRMAN :-This is the last meeting of the Council year and four of our elected members have come to the close of their present term of office. Three of them will know tomorrow whether they will be with us next meeting. Mr. Philip Au will not be with us for he has decided not to stand. He took office in May, 1953 and I feel sure that thus has spent almost six years as a Member. Members will join me in wishing him a well earned rest. (Applause).
MR. P. D. AU :-Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for your kind words. I would like to take the opportunity of thank- ing you and my colleagues for their very kind and generous co- operation which I have received during the past six years.
There
is still very much to be done in this Council and I am sure you all will continue the good work. (Applause).
MR. FUNG PING FAN :- -On behalf of my colleagues and myself I would like to associate myself with your remarks in wishing Mr. Philip Au good health and happy days after leaving this Council. No doubt he has been most co-operative and hard working and a very reasonable man and we know we shall miss him in this Council.
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