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MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5th July, 1960, 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 July, 1960.
(2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical report for the period 1st April, 1960 to 30th June, 1960.
(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations during the period 1st April, 1960 to 30th June, 1960.
QUESTIONS.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
"Representations have been made to me by several members of the public concerning spitting in public transportation vehicles which takes place on occasion despite "No Spitting" signs clearly displayed:
(a) Has the Chairman made any recent approach to the managements of the bus, tram and ferry companies seeking their cooperation in instructing their staffs to point out to members of the public found spitting or attempting to spit in any bus, tram or ferry, that such is not permitted and is a danger to public health?
(b) If not, will the Chairman agree to take this matter up with the managements of the bus, tram and ferry companies?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:—
"This question concerns the revolting habit of spitting on ferries, buses and trams.
No recent approach has been made to the managements of the various companies concerned to take the suggested action, i.e., to instruct their employees to warn offenders. I am, however, the first to support any measure designed to curb this distressing habit and will be happy to refer the matter to the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee in the first instance for their consideration.
I would like to take this opportunity of reminding members of the public of the provision of Section 3 Sub-section 2 of the Summary Offences Ordinance which reads as follows:
"Any person who without lawful authority or excuse in or into a public place or vehicle or ferry or any building to which the public have access, spits except into a receptacle or channel for sewage, sullage or waste water shall be liable to a fine of $500 or imprisonment for 3 months."
Under Section 23(1) of the new Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, any Public Officer authorized in writing by the Authority may, in the absence of a Police Officer, arrest any person who contravenes the above section of the Summary Offences Ordinance."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- May I ask a supplementary question, Mr. Chairman. From the statistics given in the last report on the work of the Urban Council & Urban Services Department, that was the July month, I note that no persons have been fined during that month for spitting. Does that indicate that there is a relaxation on the part of the Urban Services Department in curbing this revolting habit of spitting?
CHAIRMAN:—As long as I am here, there will be no relaxation.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I will refrain from asking how long you will remain here, Mr. Chairman. (Laughter). May I ask, Mr. Chairman, with reference to Question 1(b) whether as Chairman of this Council you personally support the suggestion that this matter could be taken up with the managements of the various utility companies.
CHAIRMAN:- I am happy personally to support this suggestion.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Thank you.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
"Will the Chairman in his capacity as Head of Urban Services Department make a statement concerning the extent to which his Department is concerned and taking measures to ensure that overcrowding in many new buildings outside the resettlement estates is not in fact much worse than the existing situation tolerated in resettlement estates?"
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"A recent survey carried out by the Urban Services Department of buildings completed since 1st January, 1956, has shown that many domestic premises erected by private enterprise
102
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 59 of 118
103
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5th July, 1960, 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 July, 1960.
(2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical report for the period 1st April, 1960 to 30th June, 1960.
(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the pro- gress of clearance and resettlement operations during the period 1st April, 1960 to 30th June, 1960.
QUESTIONS.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :
"Representations have been made to me by several members
of the public concerning spitting in public transportation vehicles which takes place on occasion despite "No Spitting" signs clearly displayed:
(a) Has the Chairman made any recent approach to the managements of the bus, tram and ferry companies seeking their cooperation in instruct- ing their staffs to point out to members of the public found spitting or attempting to spit in any bus, tram or ferry, that such is not permitted and is a danger to public health?
(b) If not, will the Chairman agree to take this matter up with the managements of the bus, tram and ferry companies?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:—
"This question concerns the revolting habit of spitting on
ferries, buses and trams.
No recent approach has been made to the managements of the various companies concerned to take the suggested action, i.e., to instruct their employees to warn offenders. I am, however, the first to support any measure designed to curb this distressing habit and will be happy to refer the matter to the Environmental Hygiene Select Com- mittee in the first instance for their consideration.
I would like to take this opportunity of reminding members of the public of the provision of Section 3 Sub-section 2 of the Summary Offences Ordinance which reads as follows:
"Any person who without lawful authority or excuse in or into a public place or vehicle or ferry or any building to which the public have access, spits except into a receptacle or channel for sewage, sullage or waste water shall be liable to a fine of $500 or imprisonment for 3 months."
Under Section 23(1) of the new Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, any Public Officer authorized in writ- ing by the Authority may, in the absence of a Police Officer, arrest any person who contravenes the above section of the Summary Offences Ordinance."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary question, Mr. Chairman. From the statistics given in the last report on the work of the Urban Council & Urban Services Department, that was the July month, I note that no persons have been fined during that month for spitting. Does that indicate that there is a relaxation on the part of the Urban Services Department in curbing this revolting habit of spitting?
CHAIRMAN :—As long as I am here, there will be no relaxation.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I will refrain from asking how long you will remain here, Mr. Chairman. (Laughter). May I ask, Mr. Chairman, with reference to Question 1(b) whether as Chairman of this Council you personally support the suggestion that this matter could be taken up with the managements of the various utility companies.
CHAIRMAN:-I am happy personally to support this suggestion.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
"Will the Chairman in his capacity as Head of Urban Services Department make a statement concerning the extent to which his Department is concerned and taking measures to ensure that overcrowding in many new buildings out- side the resettlement estates is not in fact much worse than the existing situation tolerated in resettlement estates?"
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"A recent survey carried out by the Urban Services Department of buildings completed since 1st January, 1956, has shown that many domestic premises erected by private enterprise
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