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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
September last. The situation has not materially changed since then, except insofar as there has been a decrease in the number of licensed pedlars, with most probably a corresponding or larger increase in the number of unlicensed pedlars. At that time it was pointed out that
(1) there is no direction of labour in the Colony, and while it would be quite simple to restrict the number of pedlar licences, it would be quite another matter to achieve results by urging young and able-bodied persons to go into industry;
(2) it is not certain that all young and able persons who see fit to hawk are either necessarily suitable for industry or willing to follow an industrial occupation, or that employment in industry would eliminate the casual hawker who operates between jobs;
(3) any attempt at present to restrict the number of pedlar licences would merely result in an unnecessary loss of revenue and an increase in the number of unlicensed hawkers; (4) there is little that can be done about this class of hawker until the Hawker Control Force is fully operative.
These points are still valid. Mr. BERNACCHI stated in his address that with regard to hawkers "the principle remains the same, i.e., to provide hawkers with the means of livelihood, the housewife with the means of buying family necessities at reasonable prices, the worker with the means of obtaining cheap meals, whilst at the same time keeping the streets clean and healthy consistent with the position of Hong Kong as a modern leading city of the world." I agree with his sentiments.
As Council's plans for new Markets, new Stall Bazaars, and new Hawker Bazaars bear fruit, a noticeable improvement in the condition of the most congested hawker areas should become apparent, and Mr. BERNACCHI's last point, namely, that concerning clean streets, should then be met. At that stage, when the Hawker Control Force will surely be fully operative, consideration should be given to limiting the number of licences lest a new influx of hawkers destroy the effects of Council's planning.
Dr. LEE and Mr. CHEONG-LEEN both spoke on matters concerning education. Their comments have been forwarded to the Director of Education for consideration.
Dr. LEE, Dr. Woo, Dr. BELL and Mr. Wilfred WONG all expressed concern over the lack of cleanliness in multi-storey buildings. One aspect of this matter, namely, the provision of refuse chutes, was raised recently at a meeting of this Council and it will be discussed again shortly by the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee.
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73
I can add, however, that the need to exercise proper control over multi-storey buildings became apparent to Government some time ago, and during the past nine months an inter-departmental party appointed by the Colonial Secretary has been considering the numerous problems created by the sale of flatted buildings in individual units--including those related to the maintenance of common parts and services and the sanitation and cleanliness of the premises. It is of interest to note that a recent count showed that there are now in the Colony more than 3,000 buildings containing between 5 and 1,000 individual units, which have been sold in individual flats by the developers, and new buildings are being added to the list all the time.
The working party, to which I have referred, has not yet completed the formulation of its proposals and it would therefore be premature to comment upon them here.
Mr. FUNG Hon-chu raised the question of satisfactory control of uncovered refuse containers. I believe he was referring in the main to containers used by private refuse collectors. Legislation for the control of these collectors is under consideration, and, if enacted, should help to correct the situation.
Both Mr. BERNACCHI and Mr. MARDEN made reference to the Hawker Control Force. It is, I agree, disappointing that more rapid progress has not been possible in establishing the Force on a fully operational basis. Nevertheless, a second batch of 38 recruits will start duty in the streets very shortly, and a third batch of between 40 and 50 men should begin training within the next month.
I entirely agree with Mr. BERNACCHI that only the highest standards are acceptable for the Force's dealings with hawkers and the public. The problem of the strength and distribution of the Force is under active consideration and I hope that it will be resolved soon.
Mr. SALES deplored the delay on the Kowloon Tsai Park project and suggested that there is perhaps a tendency to concentrate more effort on Hong Kong Island than on Kowloon.
It is indeed unfortunate that the need to reduce expenditure last year forced the deferment of the Kowloon Tsai project. Government is aware of Members' interest in this, the largest of the Urban Council's Parks and Playgrounds projects. I understand that the Park will be discussed at the next meeting of the Public Works Sub-Committee, which will take place next month, and, in fact, tenders for the excavation work for the tennis courts and pool were called for on April 17th. On the other hand, the delay has provided Members with an opportunity to improve and add to the original plans.
Members may rest assured that as far as the Department is concerned no distinction is made between Hong Kong and Kowloon.
Page 44 of 110
Page 44 of
1,
Page 44 of 110
72
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
September last. The situation has not materially changed since then, except insofar as there has been a decrease in the number of licensed pedlars, with most probably a corresponding or larger increase in the number of unlicensed pedlars. At that time it was pointed out that
(1) there is no direction of labour in the Colony, and while it would be quite simple to restrict the number of pedlar licences, it would be quite another matter to achieve results by urging young and able-bodied persons to go into industry;
(2) it is not certain that all young and able persons who see fit to hawk are either necessarily suitable for industry or willing to follow an industrial occupation, or that employment in industry would eliminate the casual hawker who operates between jobs;
(3) any attempt at present to restrict the number of pedlar licences would merely result in an unnecessary loss of revenue and an increase in the number of unlicensed hawkers; (4) there is little that can be done about this class of hawker
until the Hawker Control Force is fully operative.
These points are still valid. Mr. BERNACCHI stated in his address that with regard to hawkers "the principle remains the same, i.e., to provide hawkers with the means of livelihood, the housewife with the means of buying family necessities at reasonable prices, the worker with the means of obtaining cheap meals, whilst at the same time keeping the streets clean and healthy consistent with the position of Hong Kong as a modern leading city of the world." I agree with his sentiments.
As Council's plans for new Markets, new Stall Bazaars, and new Hawker Bazaars bear fruit, a noticeable improvement in the condition of the most congested hawker areas should become apparent, and Mr. BERNACCHI's last point, namely, that concerning clean streets, should then be met. At that stage, when the Hawker Control Force will surely be fully operative, consideration should be given to limiting the number of licences lest a new influx of hawkers destroy the effects of Council's planning.
Dr. LEE and Mr. CHEONG-LEEN both spoke on matters concerning education. Their comments have been forwarded to the Director of Education for consideration.
Dr. LEE, Dr. Woo, Dr. BELL and Mr. Wilfred WONG all expressed concern over the lack of cleanliness in multi-storey buildings. One aspect of this matter, namely, the provision of refuse chutes, was raised recently at a meeting of this Council and it will be discussed again shortly by the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
73
I can add, however, that the need to exercise proper control over multi-storey buildings became apparent to Government some time ago, and during the past nine months an inter-departmental party appointed by the Colonial Secretary has been considering the numerous problems created by the sale of flatted buildings in individual units--including those related to the maintenance of common parts and services and the sanitation and cleanliness of the premises. It is of interest to note that a recent count showed that there are now in the Colony more than 3,000 buildings containing between 5 and 1,000 individual units, which have been sold in individual flats by the developers, and new The working party, buildings are being added to the list all the time.
to which I have referred, has not yet completed the formulation of its proposals and it would therefore be premature to comment upon
them here.
Mr. FUNG Hon-chu raised the question of satisfactory control of uncovered refuse containers. I believe he was referring in the main to containers used by private refuse collectors. Legislation for the control of these collectors is under consideration, and, if enacted, should help to correct the situation.
Both Mr. BERNACCHI and Mr. MARDEN made reference to the Hawker Control Force. It is, I agree, disappointing that more rapid progress has not been possible in establishing the Force on a fully operational basis. Nevertheless, a second batch of 38 recruits will start duty in the streets very shortly, and a third batch of between 40 and 50 men should begin training within the next month.
I entirely agree with Mr. BERNACCHI that only the highest standards are acceptable for the Force's dealings with hawkers and the public. The problem of the strength and distribution of the Force is under active consideration and I hope that it will be resolved soon.
Mr. SALES deplored the delay on the Kowloon Tsai Park project and suggested that there is perhaps a tendency to concentrate more effort on Hong Kong Island than on Kowloon.
It is indeed unfortunate that the need to reduce expenditure last year forced the deferment of the Kowloon Tsai project. Government is aware of Members' interest in this, the largest of the Urban Council's Parks and Playgrounds projects. I understand that the Park will be discussed at the next meeting of the Public Works Sub-Committee, which will take place next month, and, in fact, tenders for the excava- tion work for the tennis courts and pool were called for on April 17th. On the other hand, the delay has provided Members with an opportunity to improve and add to the original plans.
Members may rest assured that as far as the Department is con- cerned no distinction is made between Hong Kong and Kowloon.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.