1960 — Page 106

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194

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

195

MINUTES.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 3rd January, 1961, were confirmed.

PAPERS.

THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:

(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of January 1961. (2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical Report for the period 1st October, 1960, to 31st December, 1960.

(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations during the period 1st October, 1960, to 31st December, 1960.

QUESTIONS.

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-

"Residents of the Kowloon City area between Carpenter Road and Tung Tau Tsuen Road have made complaints that the Urban Services Department is not doing enough to keep the alleys in the area clear of rubbish; will the Chairman state whether additional staff could be made available for scavenging purposes in accordance with the wishes of the residents of that area?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:----

"Early in 1959 the department carried out a special cleansing operation in this area, which involved the removal of about 1,000 tons of accumulated refuse and silt from open places, surface channels, alleys and lanes.

The routine cleansing staff of 15 men for the area was increased to 47, including a special gang of 7 men to keep ditches and channels clear. Refuse drums for the reception of house refuse have been set up at strategic points. I am satisfied that the department is doing the best it can, and I am glad to say that it has received a fair measure of co-operation from the residents.

Additional cleansing staff could be made available, but only

at the expense of services elsewhere in the Colony. I am therefore of the opinion that it would be better to continue to operate there with the present staff until the area is re-developed in accordance with existing plans."

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :

"I have received complaints from residents and Kaifong

leaders and members of the Chai Wan Resettlement Area : (a) That lavatories in the Area are not installed with lighting, and that the womenfolk and children are afraid of using the lavatories after dark; (b) That one or more explosions which nearly resulted in serious consequences occurred in lavatories in Chai Wan recently due to certain chemicals being ignited when matches were struck by residents using the lavatories. What steps are being taken by the Commissioner for Resettlement to rectify this situation? How soon can this be done?”

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-

"Arrangements are in hand for providing aqua privies in all cottage areas with electric lighting. The necessary fittings have already been made at Chai Wan and it is expected that the work will be completed by 1st April this year. A minor accident occurred on the evening of 5th January this year at Aqua Privy No. 6, Chai Wan. A settler struck a match which flared up, owing to the presence of gas, and slightly burned his eyebrows and hair. He did not receive any other injuries and no ‘explosion' occurred. No similar incident has previously been reported, at Chai Wan or elsewhere. I understand that a certain amount of gas is generated in the tank chambers of these aqua privies, which normally escapes through a vent pipe. On this occasion the vent pipe was partially blocked and gas may have leaked into the aqua privy itself. In future all vent pipes will be regularly inspected to ensure that they are not blocked."

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:--

"Will the Commissioner for Resettlement state whether he has any knowledge of the Colonial Development Corporation's desire or intention to build flatted factories within resettle- ment estates or areas for the purpose of providing factory space for small industrial establishments?

(a) If so, will the Commissioner clarify whether or not such factory space will be for small industrial establishments not qualified for reset- tlement under the Resettlement Department's programme?

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