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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :-
"For many years past, one or more persons have lost their lives annually at the Lai Chi Kok Beach; will the Chairman advise to what extent lifeguard and life-saving facilities have improved this year over last year?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
This question concerns life saving and equipment at Lai Chi Kok Beach.
"There has been no increase in 1958 in lifeguards or lifesaving equipment at Lai Chi Kok beach compared with 1957.
Urban Services Department staff there comprises one Overseer, 6 life-guards and 3 Sanitary Coolies, whilst life-saving equipment comprises--
1 catamaran
1 life line with reel and life belt
3 life buoys
1 Riley rocking stretcher (for artificial respiration)
1 lookout post
2 alarm bells.
Fatalities at Lai Chi Kok have for the most part been of persons who have hired boats and gone swimming at a considerable distance from the beach, well beyond the bathing area patrolled by lifeguards.
In 1954 there were 4 rescues in the beach area and 1 fatality; in 1955 5 rescues and no fatalities; in 1956 there were 4 rescues and 2 fatalities, and in 1957 4 rescues and 3 fatalities. The figures for fatalities include those in areas not covered by the beach guards.
I do not think that an increase in the number of life-guards or life-saving equipment will necessarily reduce the number of fatalities at Lai Chi Kok, which is a popular bathing resort. It is unfortunate that many of the persons who bathe there are indifferent swimmers, tending to swim in areas well removed from the patrolled beach. Unless all bathing in the area is prohibited except close to the Lai Chi Kok beach, it would not be possible to prevent all fatalities."
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MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary question?
CHAIRMAN:-Yes.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN :-On item 3 of your answer in which you say it is unfortunate that many of the persons who bathe there are indifferent swimmers. It appears to me that it is the duty of life guards to help indifferent swimmers. I wonder if you could refer to the Select Committee concerned the suggestion that the patrolled area of the beach could be extended.
CHAIRMAN :—I shall be pleased to do that Mr. Cheong-leen.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN :-Thank you.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :-
"I have received complaints that our beaches, particularly Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay, are becoming increasingly untidy; I have sent to the Secretary, Urban Council, photographs submitted by a member of the public showing parts of these two beaches littered with discarded newspapers, empty ice-cream cups and cans, cigarette packets, and other refuse; what steps have been taken, or will be taken, to improve the tidiness of our beaches?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
This concerns litter on the beaches.
"Bathing beaches controlled by the Urban Council are patrolled by lifeguards, whose primary duty is the saving of life but who are also required to clean the beaches. These lifeguards have been reinforced this year by 15 Sanitary Coolies who are solely concerned with cleaning the beaches, and I am doubtful whether it can be said that there has been a deterioration in their general condition.
The last few weeks have of course been exceptionally hot and the crowds at beaches larger than normal, and these circumstances have focussed attention on the problem of litter.
Page 59 of 139
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Page 59 of 139
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :-
"For many years past, one or more persons have lost their lives annually at the Lai Chi Kok Beach; will the Chairman advise to what extent lifeguard and life- saving facilities have improved this year over last year?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
This question concerns life saving and equipment at Lai Chi Kok Beach.
"There has been no increase in 1958 in lifeguards or lifesaving equipment at Lai Chi Kok beach compared with 1957.
Urban Services Department staff there comprises one Overseer, 6 life-guards and 3 Sanitary Coolies, whilst life-saving equipment comprises--
I
catamaran
I
life line with reel and life belt
3 life buoys
I
Riley rocking stretcher (for artificial respira-
tion)
I
lookout post
2
alarm bells.
Fatalities at Lai Chi Kok have for the most part been of persons who have hired boats and gone swimming at a considerable distance from the beach, well beyond the bathing area patrolled by lifeguards.
In 1954 there were 4 rescues in the beach area and 1 fatality; in 1955 5 rescues and no fatalities; in 1956 there were 4 rescues and 2 fatalities, and in 1957 4 rescues and 3 fatalities. The figures for fatalities include those in areas not covered by the beach guards.
I do not think that an increase in the number of life- guards or life-saving equipment will necessarily reduce the number of fatalities at Lai Chi Kok, which is a popular bathing resort. It is unfortunate
that many of the persons who bathe there are indifferent swimmers, tending to swim in areas well removed from the patrolled beach. Unless all
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99
bathing in the area is prohibited except close to the Lai Chi Kok beach, it would not be possible to prevent all fatalities."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary question?
CHAIRMAN:-Yes.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN :-On item 3 of your answer in which you say it is unfortunate that many of the persons who bathe there are indifferent swimmers. It appears to me that it is the duty of life guards to help indifferent swimmers. I wonder if you could refer to the Select Committee concerned the suggestion that the patrolled area of the beach could be extended.
CHAIRMAN :—I shall be pleased to do that Mr. Cheong-leen.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN :-Thank you.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :-
"I have received complaints that our beaches, particularly Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay, are becoming increasingly untidy; I have sent to the Secretary, Urban Council, photographs submitted by a member of the public showing parts of these two beaches littered with discarded newspapers, empty ice-cream cups and cans, cigarette packets, and other refuse; what steps have been taken, or will be taken, to improve the tidiness of our beaches?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
ל
This concerns litter on the beaches.
"Bathing beaches controlled by the Urban Council are patrolled by lifeguards, whose primary duty is the saving of life but who are also required to clean the beaches. These lifeguards have been reinforced this year by 15 Sanitary Coolies who are solely concerned with cleaning the beaches, and I am doubtful whether it can be said that there has been a deterioration in their general condition.
The last few weeks have of course been exceptionally hot and the crowds at beaches larger than normal, and these circumstances have focussed attention on the problem of litter.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.