1962 — Page 110

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: Mr. Chairman, I do not regard it as necessarily good town planning and I think that the Member should probably have brought that up a hundred years ago in this Council, if the Council then existed.

MR. SALES: Was the town planning for the Western District done a hundred years ago, Mr. Chairman? May I ask that this Council be reassured that the districts which are planned at the present time do not suffer from the same inadequacy?

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: The new areas being planned at present, Mr. Chairman, will have adequate recreational areas. That is, public open spaces, (as opposed to the schedules of open spaces, grounds and buildings which are laid down by Ordinance), are being planned roughly on the basis of one acre in ten, I think I am correct in saying, purely as public open spaces. Even that does not comply with anything comparable in other countries, but on the other hand, there are no other countries that I know of that aim at having a density of something of the order of 4,000 people per acre in certain areas. That is the problem which we are faced with in Hong Kong and we cannot at the moment get away from it.

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Through you again, Mr. Chairman, you will recall that I said earlier on, before I started my supplementary questioning, that I disregarded the population. I was only relating my supplementary questions in terms of land available for public recreation. Now may I ask a further supplementary question arising out of the answer that was given me? How long ago was this provision in the Town Planning Ordinance made?

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: I would require notice of that question, Mr. Chairman.

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to give notice of the question.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: May I ask a supplementary question, with your permission, Mr. Chairman. Since Questions 2, 3 and 4 are so closely inter-related, I would like to ask in regard to Question 3 either from you, Sir, or through you from the Director of Public Works, when the new multi-storey Sai Ying Pun Post Office building will be completed?

CHAIRMAN: I would like to have notice of your question.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Is it not the fact that this supplementary question is related to the whole issue under discussion, Mr. Chairman?

CHAIRMAN: It is indeed, Sir. All these questions are inter-related. However, I would like to have notice of that particular question.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Could an answer be given at the next meeting of the Council?

CHAIRMAN: I will give you an answer before the next meeting of the Council, Sir, if you wish to have one in writing.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Thank you.

MR. WATSON: Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary? In view of the unsatisfactory position revealed by your answers, would you be willing to recommend to Government that serious consideration should be given to the formation of a reclamation on Kellett Bank, which would lead to a slum clearance in the Western District and thus provide space for recreation? (Laughter).

CHAIRMAN: I will be glad to convey your views on this matter to Government.

MR. FUNG HON-CHU asked the following question:

As the existing by-law governing removal of house refuse contains no provision for action against offences committed on private land, will the Chairman consider enlarging the scope of this legislation to permit proceedings to be taken against all offences wherever they may be found, as a step to raise the standard of public health in the Colony?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

The by-law in question is by-law 14 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances By-laws, 1960. Part II of those by-laws, in which by-law 14 occurs, is designed to prevent nuisances in streets and public places. I am advised by the Attorney General that it would not be appropriate to extend the application of any or all of the provisions of Part II to include private property.

In matters of health legislation, where private property is concerned there must exist demonstrably a health nuisance before a public authority ought properly to encroach upon the private rights of a property owner, householder or tenant. Powers exist already, in the shape of Section 12 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance,

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: Mr. Chairman, I do not regard it as necessarily good town planning and I think that the Member should probably have brought that up a hundred years ago in this Council, if the Council then existed. MR. SALES: Was the town planning for the Western District done a hundred years ago, Mr. Chairman? May I ask that this Council be reassured that the districts which are planned at the present time do not suffer from the same inadequacy? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: The new areas being planned at present, Mr. Chairman, will have adequate recreational areas. That is, public open spaces, (as opposed to the schedules of open spaces, grounds and buildings which are laid down by Ordinance), are being planned roughly on the basis of one acre in ten, I think I am correct in saying, purely as public open spaces. Even that does not comply with anything comparable in other countries, but on the other hand, there are no other countries that I know of that aim at having a density of something of the order of 4,000 people per acre in certain areas. That is the problem which we are faced with in Hong Kong and we cannot at the moment get away from it. MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Through you again, Mr. Chairman, you will recall that I said earlier on, before I started my supplementary questioning, that I disregarded the population. I was only relating my supplementary questions in terms of land available for public recreation. Now may I ask a further supplementary question arising out of the answer that was given me? How long ago was this provision in the Town Planning Ordinance made? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: I would require notice of that question, Mr. Chairman. MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to give notice of the question. MR. CHEONG-LEEN: May I ask a supplementary question, with your permission, Mr. Chairman. Since Questions 2, 3 and 4 are so closely inter-related, I would like to ask in regard to Question 3 either from you, Sir, or through you from the Director of Public Works, when the new multi-storey Sai Ying Pun Post Office building will be completed? CHAIRMAN: I would like to have notice of your question. MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Is it not the fact that this supplementary question is related to the whole issue under discussion, Mr. Chairman? CHAIRMAN: It is indeed, Sir. All these questions are inter-related. However, I would like to have notice of that particular question. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Could an answer be given at the next meeting of the Council? CHAIRMAN: I will give you an answer before the next meeting of the Council, Sir, if you wish to have one in writing. MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Thank you. MR. WATSON: Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary? In view of the unsatisfactory position revealed by your answers, would you be willing to recommend to Government that serious consideration should be given to the formation of a reclamation on Kellett Bank, which would lead to a slum clearance in the Western District and thus provide space for recreation? (Laughter). CHAIRMAN: I will be glad to convey your views on this matter to Government. MR. FUNG HON-CHU asked the following question: As the existing by-law governing removal of house refuse contains no provision for action against offences committed on private land, will the Chairman consider enlarging the scope of this legislation to permit proceedings to be taken against all offences wherever they may be found, as a step to raise the standard of public health in the Colony? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: The by-law in question is by-law 14 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances By-laws, 1960. Part II of those by-laws, in which by-law 14 occurs, is designed to prevent nuisances in streets and public places. I am advised by the Attorney General that it would not be appropriate to extend the application of any or all of the provisions of Part II to include private property. In matters of health legislation, where private property is concerned there must exist demonstrably a health nuisance before a public authority ought properly to encroach upon the private rights of a property owner, householder or tenant. Powers exist already, in the shape of Section 12 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Page 110 of 150 204 Page 110 Page 111 of 150 205
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150 Page 110 of 150 204 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: Mr. Chairman, I do not regard it as necessarily good town planning and I think that the Member should probably have brought that up a hundred years ago in this Council, if the Council then existed. MR. SALES: Was the town planning for the Western District done a hundred years ago, Mr. Chairman? May I ask that this Council be reassured that the districts which are planned at the present time do not suffer from the same inadequacy? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-The new areas being planned at present, Mr. Chairman, will have adequate recreational areas. That is, public open spaces, (as opposed to the schedules of open spaces, grounds and buildings which are laid down by Ordinance), are being planned roughly on the basis of one acre in ten, I think I am correct in saying, purely as public open spaces. Even that does not comply with anything comparable in other countries, but on the other hand, there are no other countries that I know of that aim at having a density of something of the order of 4,000 people per acre in certain areas. That is the problem which we are faced with in Hong Kong and we cannot at the moment get away from it. MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Through you again, Mr. Chairman, you will recall that I said earlier on, before I started my supplementary questioning, that I disregarded the population. I was only relating my supplementary questions in terms of land available for public recreation. Now may I ask a further supplementary question arising out of the answer that was given me? How long ago was this provision in the Town Planning Ordinance made? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I would require notice of that question, Mr. Chairman. MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to give notice of the question. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary question, with your permission, Mr. Chairman. Since Questions 2, 3 and 4 are so closely inter-related, I would like to ask in regard to Question 3 either from you, Sir, or through you from the Director of Public Works, when the new multi-storey Sai Ying Pun Post Office building will be completed? CHAIRMAN:-I would like to have notice of your question. MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Is it not the fact that this supplementary question is related to the whole issue under discussion, Mr. Chairman? CHAIRMAN:--It is indeed, Sir. All these questions are inter-related. However, I would like to have notice of that particular question. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 205 MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Could an answer be given at the next meeting of the Council? CHAIRMAN:-I will give you an answer before the next meeting of the Council, Sir, if you wish to have one in writing. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you. MR. WATSON:---Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary? In view of the unsatisfactory position revealed by your answers, would you be willing to recommend to Government that serious consideration should be given to the formation of a reclamation on Kellett Bank, which would lead to a slum clearance in the Western District and thus provide space for recreation? (Laughter). CHAIRMAN: I will be glad to convey your views on this matter to Government. MR. FUNG HON-CHU asked the following question : As the existing by-law governing removal of house refuse contains no provision for action against offences com- mitted on private land, will the Chairman consider enlarging the scope of this legislation to permit proceed- ings to be taken against all offences wherever they may be found, as a step to raise the standard of public health in the Colony? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:- The by-law in question is by-law 14 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances By-laws, 1960. Part II of those by-laws, in which by-law 14 occurs, is designed to prevent nuisances in streets and public places. I am advised by the Attorney General that it would not be appropriate to extend the application of any or all of the provisions of Part II to include private property. In matters of health legislation, where private property is concerned there must exist demonstrably a health nuisance before a public authority ought properly to encroach upon the private rights of a property owner, householder or tenant. Powers exist already, in the shape of Section 12 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Page 110Page 111 of 150
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Page 110 of 150

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: Mr. Chairman, I do not regard it as necessarily good town planning and I think that the Member should probably have brought that up a hundred years ago in this

Council, if the Council then existed.

MR. SALES: Was the town planning for the Western District done a hundred years ago, Mr. Chairman? May I ask that this Council be reassured that the districts which are planned at the present time do not suffer from the same inadequacy?

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-The new areas being planned at present, Mr. Chairman, will have adequate recreational areas. That is, public open spaces, (as opposed to the schedules of open spaces, grounds and buildings which are laid down by Ordinance), are being planned roughly on the basis of one acre in ten, I think I am correct in saying, purely as public open spaces. Even that does not comply with anything comparable in other countries, but on the other hand, there are no other countries that I know of that aim at having a density of something of the order of 4,000 people per acre in certain areas. That is the problem which we are faced with in Hong Kong and we cannot at the moment get away from it.

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Through you again, Mr. Chairman, you will recall that I said earlier on, before I started my supplementary questioning, that I disregarded the population. I was only relating my supplementary questions in terms of land available for public recreation. Now may I ask a further supplementary question arising out of the answer that was given me? How long ago was this provision in the Town Planning Ordinance made?

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I would require notice of that question, Mr. Chairman.

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to give notice of the question.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary question, with your permission, Mr. Chairman. Since Questions 2, 3 and 4 are so closely inter-related, I would like to ask in regard to Question 3 either from you, Sir, or through you from the Director of Public Works, when the new multi-storey Sai Ying Pun Post Office building will be completed?

CHAIRMAN:-I would like to have notice of your question.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Is it not the fact that this supplementary question is related to the whole issue under discussion, Mr. Chairman?

CHAIRMAN:--It is indeed, Sir. All these questions are inter-related. However, I would like to have notice of that particular question.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

205

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Could an answer be given at the next meeting of the Council?

CHAIRMAN:-I will give you an answer before the next meeting of the Council, Sir, if you wish to have one in writing.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you.

MR. WATSON:---Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary? In view of the unsatisfactory position revealed by your answers, would you be willing to recommend to Government that serious consideration should be given to the formation of a reclamation on Kellett Bank, which would lead to a slum clearance in the Western District and thus provide space for recreation? (Laughter).

CHAIRMAN: I will be glad to convey your views on this matter to Government.

MR. FUNG HON-CHU asked the following question :

As the existing by-law governing removal of house refuse contains no provision for action against offences com- mitted on private land, will the Chairman consider enlarging the scope of this legislation to permit proceed- ings to be taken against all offences wherever they may be found, as a step to raise the standard of public health in the Colony?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

The by-law in question is by-law 14 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances By-laws, 1960. Part II of those by-laws, in which by-law 14 occurs, is designed to prevent nuisances in streets and public places. I am advised by the Attorney General that it would not be appropriate to extend the application of any or all of the provisions of Part II to include private property.

In matters of health legislation, where private property is concerned there must exist demonstrably a health nuisance before a public authority ought properly to encroach upon the private rights of a property owner, householder or tenant. Powers exist already, in the shape of Section 12 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance,

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