1959 — Page 22

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 22 of 107

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

He apparently did not know that this Council had already had the necessary new legislation drafted for action by Government. Hence I have found it necessary to make the above statement here to-day in order to keep the public informed that this Council has not been un-mindful of the urgent need for a revision of the law relating to matters within its purview, and that it has done all that is within its power.

With the above remarks, Sir, I have much pleasure in supporting your motion. (Applause).

MR. CHAN SHU WOON:---Mr. Chairman, I wish to take this opportunity to express my thanks to you and other Members for their kind words about my returning to this Council and many thanks also to the electors for their confidence and support by returning me to this Council. No doubt, I will redouble my efforts to serve the people of Hong Kong and to fulfil the pledges as outlined in the platform of the Reform Club of Hong Kong.

After reading your Statement of Progress, I should say it is commendable. It shows progress in many fields. But aside from these, there are a few points I would like to mention.

Firstly, the Council, in its present form, is too limited in its organization. How to enlarge the scope of the Urban Council, whenever possible, has been our outstanding problem to be solved. I support Mr. Bernacchi's opinions that all the workable governmental departments which have anything to do with Urban activities should be put under the administration of the Urban Council. I do not think there should be difficulties arising from these proposals if and when the government gives its approval and increases budget outlays for such purposes.

Secondly, I wish to point out the fact that there are only a limited number of schools on the rooftops of the Resettlement Estates. I wish to suggest that the Council should promote these roof-top schools by giving them sufficient subsidies, this enabling the large number of illiterate children to have a chance to go to school in the Resettlement Estates. I have visited the Estates and I have found that many rooftops which are suitable for schools are still not in use. On the other hand, there are still numerous children deprived of their schoolings. The reason is simple. Their parents are poor and cannot afford to pay tuition fees. Besides, the restrictions on these schools are many and the tuition fees are limited to $3.00 per month per pupil. As the school income is limited, it is impossible to obtain sufficient equipment for the schools and to improve the teachers' standard of living. I understand that many teachers are being paid less than $100 per month. I, therefore, recommend that the Council or the Education Department is to be requested to subsidize all these roof-top schools. The amount of subsidy should be varied proportionately with the number of admitted students. By so doing the fees will be at parity with those of government schools. And the teachers' standard of living will be much improved.

Thirdly, on account of the rising prices of commodities of daily necessities, the wage-and-salary-earners' standard of living is greatly affected. Therefore I would suggest that the basic pay for the employees of the various governmental departments should be reconsidered and readjusted. It also would be advisable for this Council to set up a committee to collect data in connexion with the costs of living in Hong Kong so that an over-all policy on wages and salaries can be formulated to meet the present situation.

Finally, I urge very strongly that Council should take action to reduce the rates imposed on the Estates. I have received many complaints saying that the present rates of the flats of the Housing Estates are much higher than those of the ordinary premises. I think many of us here would agree with me that this is unfair and the residents of the Estates would be pleased to learn the reason for such assessments and estimates. Since the sole purpose of erecting these Estates is to provide low-cost premises for those less fortunate, so that they may afford to pay reasonable rentals and live more comfortably, the Government should re-consider to take immediate action to cut the rates of the above-mentioned flats to the same level as imposed on any other ordinary premises. I think the tenants of the various Estates will be happy and the housing problem of this congested colony would be greatly eased. With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I have much pleasure in supporting your motion. (Applause).

DR. A. M. S. BELL:--Mr. Chairman, the improvement of environmental Sanitation and City Cleansing (the two undoubtedly go together) has been one of this Councils main aims for many years. I think it would be true to say there has been not so much an improvement over the past decade as a "holding of our own" against the terrific odds of millions of people living crowded together, so many of whom are oblivious or ignorant of any civic responsibility with regard to environmental hygiene and sanitation. But I would also say that there is still much more effort required by the Urban Services Department in regard to the removal of dirty awnings over back lanes and scavenging lanes under cover of which even food preparation for restaurants takes place and on top of which is usually heaped all the variety of rubbish which is so commonly hurled from upper story windows.

One other factor, which of course does not encourage the average citizen of Hong Kong to be conscious of environmental hygiene, is the state of most of our roads and streets. They are not in nearly such

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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Page 22 of 107 28 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL He apparently did not know that this Council had already had the necessary new legislation drafted for action by Government. Hence I have found it necessary to make the above statement here to-day in order to keep the public informed that this Council has not been un-mindful of the urgent need for a revision of the law relating to matters within its purview, and that it has done all that is within its power. With the above remarks, Sir, I have much pleasure in supporting your motion. (Applause). MR. CHAN SHU WOON:---Mr. Chairman, I wish to take this opportunity to express my thanks to you and other Members for their kind words about my returning to this Council and many thanks also to the electors for their confidence and support by returning me to this Council. No doubt, I will redouble my efforts to serve the people of Hong Kong and to fulfil the pledges as outlined in the platform of the Reform Club of Hong Kong. After reading your Statement of Progress, I should say it is commendable. It shows progress in many fields. But aside from these, there are a few points I would like to mention. Firstly, the Council, in its present form, is too limited in its organization. How to enlarge the scope of the Urban Council, whenever possible, has been our outstanding problem to be solved. I support Mr. Bernacchi's opinions that all the workable governmental departments which have anything to do with Urban activities should be put under the administration of the Urban Council. I do not think there should be difficulties arising from these proposals if and when the government gives its approval and increases budget outlays for such purposes. Secondly, I wish to point out the fact that there are only a limited number of schools on the rooftops of the Resettlement Estates. I wish to suggest that the Council should promote these roof-top schools by giving them sufficient subsidies, this enabling the large number of illiterate children to have a chance to go to school in the Resettlement Estates. I have visited the Estates and I have found that many rooftops which are suitable for schools are still not in use. On the other hand, there are still numerous children deprived of their schoolings. The reason is simple. Their parents are poor and cannot afford to pay tuition fees. Besides, the restrictions on these schools are many and the tuition fees are limited to $3.00 per month per pupil. As the school income is limited, it is impossible to obtain sufficient equipment for the schools and to improve the teachers' standard of living. I understand that many teachers are being paid less than $100 per month. I, therefore, recommend that the Council or the Education Department is to be requested to subsidize all these roof-top schools. The amount of subsidy should be varied proportionately with the number of admitted students. By so doing the fees will be at parity with those of government schools. And the teachers' standard of living will be much improved. Thirdly, on account of the rising prices of commodities of daily necessities, the wage-and-salary-earners' standard of living is greatly affected. Therefore I would suggest that the basic pay for the employees of the various governmental departments should be reconsidered and readjusted. It also would be advisable for this Council to set up a committee to collect data in connexion with the costs of living in Hong Kong so that an over-all policy on wages and salaries can be formulated to meet the present situation. Finally, I urge very strongly that Council should take action to reduce the rates imposed on the Estates. I have received many complaints saying that the present rates of the flats of the Housing Estates are much higher than those of the ordinary premises. I think many of us here would agree with me that this is unfair and the residents of the Estates would be pleased to learn the reason for such assessments and estimates. Since the sole purpose of erecting these Estates is to provide low-cost premises for those less fortunate, so that they may afford to pay reasonable rentals and live more comfortably, the Government should re-consider to take immediate action to cut the rates of the above-mentioned flats to the same level as imposed on any other ordinary premises. I think the tenants of the various Estates will be happy and the housing problem of this congested colony would be greatly eased. With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I have much pleasure in supporting your motion. (Applause). DR. A. M. S. BELL:--Mr. Chairman, the improvement of environmental Sanitation and City Cleansing (the two undoubtedly go together) has been one of this Councils main aims for many years. I think it would be true to say there has been not so much an improvement over the past decade as a "holding of our own" against the terrific odds of millions of people living crowded together, so many of whom are oblivious or ignorant of any civic responsibility with regard to environmental hygiene and sanitation. But I would also say that there is still much more effort required by the Urban Services Department in regard to the removal of dirty awnings over back lanes and scavenging lanes under cover of which even food preparation for restaurants takes place and on top of which is usually heaped all the variety of rubbish which is so commonly hurled from upper story windows. One other factor, which of course does not encourage the average citizen of Hong Kong to be conscious of environmental hygiene, is the state of most of our roads and streets. They are not in nearly such 29 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Page 23 of 107 17

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17 Page 22 of 107 Page 22 of 107 28 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL He apparently did not know that this Council had already had the necessary new legislation drafted for action by Government. Hence I have found it necessary to make the above statement here to-day in order to keep the public informed that this Council has not been un- mindful of the urgent need for a revision of the law relating to matters within its purview, and that it has done all that is within its power. With the above remarks, Sir, I have much pleasure in supporting your motion. (Applause). MR. CHAN SHU WOON:---Mr. Chairman, I wish to take this opportunity to express my thanks to you and other Members for their kind words about my returning to this Council and many thanks also to the electors for their confidence and support by returning me to this Council. No doubt, I will redouble my efforts to serve the people of Hong Kong and to fulfil the pledges as outlined in the platform of the Reform Club of Hong Kong. After reading your Statement of Progress, I should say it is com- mendable. It shows progress in many fields. But aside from these, there are a few points I would like to mention. Firstly, the Council, in its present form, is too limited in its organization. How to enlarge the scope of the Urban Council, when- ever possible, has been our outstanding problem to be solved. I support Mr. Bernacchi's opinions that all the workable governmental depart- ments which have anything to do with Urban activities should be put under the administration of the Urban Council. I do not think there should be difficulties arising from these proposals if and when the government gives its approval and increases budget outlays for such purposes. Secondly, I wish to point out the fact that there are only a limited number of schools on the rooftops of the Resettlement Estates. I wish to suggest that the Council should promote these roof-top schools by giving them sufficient subsidies, this enabling the large number of illiterate children to have a chance to go to school in the Resettlement Estates. I have visited the Estates and I have found that many roof- tops which are suitable for schools are still not in use. On the other hand, there are still numerous children deprived of their schoolings. The reason is simple. Their parents are poor and cannot afford to pay tuition fees. Besides, the restrictions on these schools are many and the tuition fees are limited to $3.00 per month per pupil. As the school income is limited, it is impossible to obtain sufficient equipment for the schools and to improve the teachers' standard of living. I understand that many teachers are being paid less than $100 per month. I, therefore, recommend that the Council or the Education Department is to be requested to subsidize all these roof-top schools. The amount HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 29 of subsidy should be varied proportionately with the number of admitted students. By so doing the fees will be at parity with those of government schools. And the teachers' standard of living will be much improved. Thirdly, on account of the rising prices of commodities of daily necessities, the wage-and-salary-earners' standard of living is greatly affected. Therefore I would suggest that the basic pay for the employees of the various governmental departments should be recon- sidered and readjusted. It also would be advisable for this Council to set up a committee to collect data in connexion with the costs of living in Hong Kong so that an over-all policy on wages and salaries can be formulated to meet the present situation. Finally, I urge very strongly that Council should take action to reduce the rates imposed on the Estates. I have received many complaints saying that the present rates of the flats of the Housing Estates are much higher than those of the ordinary premises. I think many of us here would agree with me that this is unfair and the residents of the Estates would be pleased to learn the reason for such assessments and estimates. Since the sole purpose of erecting these Estates is to provide low-cost premises for those less fortunate, so that they may afford to pay reasonable rentals and live more comfortably, the Government should re-consider to take immediate action to cut the rates of the above-mentioned flats to the same level as imposed on any other ordinary premises. I think the tenants of the various Estates will be happy and the housing problem of this congested colony would be greatly eased. With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I have much pleasure in supporting your motion. (Applause). DR. A. M. S. BELL:--Mr. Chairman, the improvement of environ- mental Sanitation and City Cleansing (the two undoubtedly go together) has been one of this Councils main aims for many years. I think it would be true to say there has been not so much an improvement over the past decade as a "holding of our own" against the terrific odds of millions of people living crowded together, so many of whom are oblivious or ignorant of any civic responsibility with regard to environ- mental hygiene and sanitation. But I would also say that there is still much more effort required by the Urban Services Department in regard to the removal of dirty awnings over back lanes and scavenging lanes under cover of which even food preparation for restaurants takes place and on top of which is usually heaped all the variety of rubbish which is so commonly hurled from upper story windows. One other factor, which of course does not encourage the average citizen of Hong Kong to be conscious of environmental hygiene, is the state of most of our roads and streets. They are not in nearly such

2026-05-13 15:43:59 · Baseline

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Page 22 of 107

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

He apparently did not know that this Council had already had the necessary new legislation drafted for action by Government. Hence I have found it necessary to make the above statement here to-day in order to keep the public informed that this Council has not been un- mindful of the urgent need for a revision of the law relating to matters within its purview, and that it has done all that is within its power.

With the above remarks, Sir, I have much pleasure in supporting your motion. (Applause).

After reading your Statement of Progress, I should say it is com- mendable. It shows progress in many fields. But aside from these, there are a few points I would like to mention.

Firstly, the Council, in its present form, is too limited in its organization. How to enlarge the scope of the Urban Council, when- ever possible, has been our outstanding problem to be solved. I support Mr. Bernacchi's opinions that all the workable governmental depart- ments which have anything to do with Urban activities should be put under the administration of the Urban Council. I do not think there should be difficulties arising from these proposals if and when the government gives its approval and increases budget outlays for such purposes.

Secondly, I wish to point out the fact that there are only a limited number of schools on the rooftops of the Resettlement Estates. I wish to suggest that the Council should promote these roof-top schools by giving them sufficient subsidies, this enabling the large number of illiterate children to have a chance to go to school in the Resettlement Estates. I have visited the Estates and I have found that many roof- tops which are suitable for schools are still not in use. On the other hand, there are still numerous children deprived of their schoolings. The reason is simple. Their parents are poor and cannot afford to pay tuition fees. Besides, the restrictions on these schools are many and the tuition fees are limited to $3.00 per month per pupil. As the school income is limited, it is impossible to obtain sufficient equipment for the schools and to improve the teachers' standard of living. I understand that many teachers are being paid less than $100 per month. I, therefore, recommend that the Council or the Education Department is to be requested to subsidize all these roof-top schools. The amount

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

of subsidy should be varied proportionately with the number of admitted students. By so doing the fees will be at parity with those of government schools. And the teachers' standard of living will be much improved.

Thirdly, on account of the rising prices of commodities of daily necessities, the wage-and-salary-earners' standard of living is greatly affected. Therefore I would suggest that the basic pay for the employees of the various governmental departments should be recon- sidered and readjusted. It also would be advisable for this Council to set up a committee to collect data in connexion with the costs of living in Hong Kong so that an over-all policy on wages and salaries can be formulated to meet the present situation.

DR. A. M. S. BELL:--Mr. Chairman, the improvement of environ- mental Sanitation and City Cleansing (the two undoubtedly go together) has been one of this Councils main aims for many years. I think it would be true to say there has been not so much an improvement over the past decade as a "holding of our own" against the terrific odds of millions of people living crowded together, so many of whom are oblivious or ignorant of any civic responsibility with regard to environ- mental hygiene and sanitation. But I would also say that there is still much more effort required by the Urban Services Department in regard to the removal of dirty awnings over back lanes and scavenging lanes under cover of which even food preparation for restaurants takes place and on top of which is usually heaped all the variety of rubbish which is so commonly hurled from upper story windows.

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