Page 128 of 150
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
Following the publication in the local press of figures which show a high incidence of fires and injuries caused by careless use of fireworks during the recent Chinese New Year, would the Chairman agree to consider setting up a small Committee from this Council to study the possibility of making more effective use of the resources of the Urban Services Department in preventing fires and injuries next year and, arising out of their study, to recommend to the authorities concerned any other measures which the Committee may consider to be helpful in dealing with this problem?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
I would be glad to assist in this matter and, following this meeting, I propose to ask Members for their views on your suggestion regarding the setting up of a Committee.
MR. WILFRED S. B. WONG asked the following question:
With a view to ensuring the Lai Chi Kok Beach as a major amenity for the residents of Kowloon in the coming summer months, will the Chairman give assurance that he will take measures in:
(a) Preventing squatters and residents from throwing refuse into the open nullah leading to the beach, and (b) Taking up with the Public Works Department on the matter of filtering the dirty discharge into the drainage from the Lai Chi Kok Hospital or extending the drainage further into the sea?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
The answer, I regret, is that Government cannot guarantee that Lai Chi Kok Beach will be safe for swimming during the coming summer. As you know, Sir, the waters off Lai Chi Kok Beach have been dangerously polluted for some time past. In August 1962 this Council was compelled to advise the public against swimming there.
A small part of the pollution comes from the Kau Wa Keng nullah, and I will certainly make every effort to stop refuse being thrown into it. I will also ask the Director of Public Works to examine the feasibility of diverting the discharge from this nullah.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
241
The greater part of the pollution comes from elsewhere in the harbour, and although Government is taking continuous action to reduce this, the water off the beach is likely to continue to be seriously polluted. Further laboratory tests of the water will be made shortly and the results will be referred to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for a decision on the policy to be adopted towards swimming at Lai Chi Kok during the coming summer.
The only real solution to the problem of Lai Chi Kok Beach is, I believe, ultimately to close it and seek alternative swimming facilities elsewhere.
MR. WILFRED WONG: May I ask a supplementary, Mr. Chairman? Swimming is the major sport in Hong Kong, as an independent survey on sport participation has provided the following figures:-
Swimming 74% Football 40%
Tennis 14%
In view of this fact, will the Chairman give an assurance that he will exert every effort within our means to improve the conditions at Lai Chi Kok Beach short of the fact that the whole harbour may be polluted?
The next step
CHAIRMAN: Sir, I cannot give any such assurance. appears to be for the matter to be referred to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for a decision on the policy to be adopted this summer.
DR. BELL: May I ask two supplementaries, Mr. Chairman? First, is there a sewage drain which goes into the sea, anywhere near Lai Chi Kok Beach?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: I do not think there is any sewage drain as such. There is a nullah into which sewage--not proper type sewage, but sewage does find its way.
DR. BELL: Is the only solution to seek alternative swimming facilities elsewhere? A solution was suggested I think, Mr. Chairman, some 7 years ago to my certain knowledge, and that was the building of a swimming pool in that area. Would that be a solution? Perhaps the Select Committee are considering what to do about this beach?
CHAIRMAN: It would be possible for the Select Committee to make a recommendation regarding the provision of a swimming pool in the Lai Chi Kok area. I would like to say that long-term proposals are being drawn up for the eventual reclamation of this bay and the re-development of some of the areas for amenity purposes, and it is thought therefore that Lai Chi Kok Beach may disappear in 5 to 10
240
150
Page 128 of 150
150
240
Page 128 of 150
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
Following the publication in the local press of figures which show a high incidence of fires and injuries caused by careless use of fireworks during the recent Chinese New Year, would the Chairman agree to consider setting up a small Committee from this Council to study the possi- bility of making more effective use of the resources of the Urban Services Department in preventing fires and injuries next year and, arising out of their study, to recom- mend to the authorities concerned any other measures which the Committee may consider to be helpful in dealing with this problem?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
I would be glad to assist in this matter and, following this meeting, I propose to ask Members for their views on your suggestion regarding the setting up of a Committee.
MR. WILFRED S. B. WONG asked the following question:
With a view to ensuring the Lai Chi Kok Beach as a major amenity for the residents of Kowloon in the coming summer months, will the Chairman give assurance that he will take measures in:
(a) Preventing squatters and residents from throwing refuse into the open nullah leading to the beach, and (b) Taking up with the Public Works Department on the matter of filtering the dirty discharge into the drainage from the Lai Chi Kok Hospital or extending the drainage further into the sea?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
The answer, I regret, is that Government cannot guarantee that Lai Chi Kok Beach will be safe for swimming during the coming summer. As you know, Sir, the waters off Lai Chi Kok Beach have been dangerously polluted for some time past. In August 1962 this Council was com- pelled to advise the public against swimming there.
A small part of the pollution comes from the Kau Wa Keng nullah, and I will certainly make every effort to stop refuse being thrown into it. I will also ask the Director of Public Works to examine the feasibility of diverting the discharge from this nullah.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
241
The greater part of the pollution comes from elsewhere in the harbour, and although Government is taking continuous action to reduce this, the water off the beach is likely to continue to be seriously polluted. Further laboratory tests of the water will be made shortly and the results will be referred to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for a decision on the policy to be adopted towards swim- ming at Lai Chi Kok during the coming summer.
The only real solution to the problem of Lai Chi Kok Beach is, I believe, ultimately to close it and seek alternative swimming facilities elsewhere.
MR. WILFRED WONG :---May I ask a supplementary, Mr. Chairman? Swimming is the major sport in Hong Kong, as an independent survey on sport participation has provided the following figures:-
Swimming 74% Football 40%
Tennis 14%
In view of this fact, will the Chairman give an assurance that he will exert every effort within our means to improve the conditions at Lai Chi Kok Beach short of the fact that the whole harbour may be polluted?
The next step
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I cannot give any such assurance. appears to be for the matter to be referred to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for a decision on the policy to be adopted this summer.
DR. BELL:-May I ask two supplementaries, Mr. Chairman? First, is there a sewage drain which goes into the sea, anywhere near Lai Chi Kok Beach?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC Works : -I do not think there is any sewage drain as such. There is a nullah into which sewage--not proper type sewage, but sewage does find its way.
DR. BELL: Is the only solution to seek alternative swimming facilities elsewhere? A solution was suggested I think, Mr. Chairman, some 7 years ago to my certain knowledge, and that was the building of a swimming pool in that area. Would that be a solution? Perhaps the Select Committee are considering what to do about this beach?
CHAIRMAN: It would be possible for the Select Committee to make a recommendation regarding the provision of a swimming pool in the Lai Chi Kok area. I would like to say that long-term proposals are being drawn up for the eventual reclamation of this bay and the re-development of some of the areas for amenity purposes, and it is thought therefore that Lai Chi Kok Beach may disappear in 5 to 10
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.