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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(b) Will the Chairman please clarify the measures which are being taken by his Department to combat the prevalence of mosquitoes which seems to be widespread here?

(c) Is the Chairman able to assure this Council that-

(i) the staff is adequate, properly employed and well

equipped, and that

(ii) the equipment is the best available for the job."

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

"(a) Complete results of applications for summonses for mos- quito breeding are available in respect of the first six months of 1959. During this period a total of 40 such summonses were applied for, resulting in 39 convictions of which 27 were in respect of building sites. The results of these convictions ranged from Cautions to a fine of $250, the average result being a fine of $35.

(b) The Department's mosquito control measures include the full-time activities of 18 specially trained units, each con- sisting of 1 Pest Control Foreman assisted by a Pest Control Coolie, carrying out two important functions: (a) survey of premises and land to locate and eliminate breeding, and (b) dissemination of advice and action for the prevention of breeding. A total of 10,938 mosquito breeding places were located and dealt with by the Depart- ment's Pest Control Section during the eleven months January to November, 1959. Additionally, during the year 1959, all registered building contractors (totalling 861) were invited to send their representatives to a lecture on the prevention of mosquito breeding on building sites. The response was most encouraging and it was necessary for Pest Control Inspectors to give this lecture four times in order to accommodate all the representatives of these companies.

(c) The replies to these aspects of the question are:-

(i) No, the present staff is not considered fully adequate under existing conditions in the Colony, as is evidenced by the inclusion in recommendations for draft estimates for the coming financial year of a request for additional mosquito control staff. Mem- bers may rest assured, however, that the staff is properly employed and well equipped for the task. (ii) The equipment required for the particular type of mosquito breeding survey and control work necessary in Urban Areas is relatively simple, and both the

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survey and control equipment used by Urban Services Department staff is considered entirely suitable for its purpose.

Finally may I say that in the more highly developed districts of the Urban area, the main requirement is attention to cleanliness and a few other simple rules and readiness to accept the responsibilities of a citizen."

MR. SALES: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As my New Year's resolution is in force from the Gregorian to the Lunar Calendars, I shall not ask any question now.

DR. P. F. Woo asked the following question:-

"The night-soil collection charges are imposed on those prem- ises where the service of collecting night-soil is required. There are at present hundreds of premises where such services are not required though they have no flushing system, because these premises are not used for residential purposes, and the inmates working there take advantage of the public latrines nearby; yet they are charged for the service of night-soil collection just the same. Could the Chairman give the reason for such unjustified imposition?”

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

"I do not think that I altogether understand your question. Under the Conservancy By-laws, which were amended as recently as March last year, conservancy fees are payable in respect of all floors of premises without water-closets, situated in a district for which this Council provides a conservancy service. The only exception relates to floors used for non-domestic purposes, where no night-soil pans are provided.

2.

In other words, if the occupants do not wish a conservancy service, entirely non-domestic floors (for instance, a factory or shop) are not charged conservancy fees, no matter whether the floors are fitted with water-closets or not. Domestic premises without water-closets are however charged conservancy fees, irrespective of whether or not the occupants request a conservancy service. Although occupants of such domestic premises may claim to make use of other facilities for disposal of night-soil, it is very doubtful whether in fact they do so. There is a reason- able presumption that such occupants of domestic premises which receive no conservancy service make use of other