HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
new site is adjacent to the waterfront. It is unlikely that when the mortuary is built and in use anyone will be aware of it unless they have business there. (Laughter). To await the extension of the present reclamation further west would delay the construction of the incinerator and mortuary by an indefinite period, and would require the immediate closing of the bathing facilities now in that area. Assuming the most favourable conditions, the incinerator would probably be delayed a minimum of four years. Such delay would be unacceptable. The Gin Drinker's Bay refuse dump must be closed before the end of this decade. This is likely to mean that an incinerator or incinerators will be necessary for Kowloon, and before thinking of ordering these it is desirable to have had the Island incinerator in operation for some time. In conformity with this time-table an order has already been placed for the plant for the Island incinerator, which it is planned to have operating by mid-1965.
DR. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, is this mortuary to serve the whole of Hong Kong or just the Kennedy Town district?
CHAIRMAN:---Sir, it is planned to serve the whole of Hong Kong.
DR. LEE:-May I know why Kennedy Town is inflicted with a mortuary, with a slaughterhouse and with an incinerator? (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, because Kowloon has objected too strongly in the last two years.
MR. SALES: This is one instance, Mr. Chairman, where the taxpayer in Kowloon is willing to oblige the residents of the Island.
CHAIRMAN: The position in Kennedy Town was chosen as the most suitable. These three particular facilities are to be placed together in an unobtrusive position.
DR. LEE: I have been asked, in all seriousness, Mr. Chairman, to request this Council to consider resiting the public mortuary elsewhere. Will you kindly take notice?
CHAIRMAN:-I will, Sir.
DR. BELL:-Mr. Chairman, in siting a public mortuary surely it is convenient to have it somewhere in the vicinity of the cemeteries?
CHAIRMAN:-Dr. BELL, I do not think your point is valid, but I will certainly consider it.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MOTION.
MR. A. de O. SALES, Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, moved the following motion:
THAT the Swimming Pools (Amendment) By-laws, 1963, be made under section 42 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, 1960.
He said:
Mr. Chairman, in proposing this motion on behalf of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, I would like to explain, if it has not yet been brought out in the covering paper, that the purpose is merely to enlarge the definition of "swimming pools", as there are now swimming pools which are technically not under Council control. In essence, the immediate purpose of this amendment is to exercise civilian control over the Armed Forces. Members will agree that it should be the fundamental philosophy of any government that civilian authorities should at every turn manifest the exercise of control over the Armed Services.
DR. R. H. S. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, since the proposer of the motion has not made any logical or valid remarks on his motion, I rise just to second it. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, having in front of me the relevant "Restricted" paper, I wonder if Mr. SALES would clarify whether he has in mind the Armed Services or the United Services.
MR. SALES:—It would be the first time in history that the Armed Services have become united. (Laughter).
Availing myself of the right of reply under Standing Orders, I would like to mention in effect that, as a member of the Urban Council, I am very seriously concerned about the provisions of our by-laws not extending wherever our writ should run; in effect, that is the reply to Dr. LEE. I feel, Mr. Chairman, in all seriousness, that, when the Urban Council enacts any by-laws, there should be no exemption on the part of the Services or any other Government department.
The question was put.
The motion was carried.
ATTENDANCES AT COUNCIL MEETINGS.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, may I rise on a point of order to formally call your attention to the continued absence of Mr. CHAN Shu-woon, and may I ask—particularly in reference to Standing Order 23 which says that he should acquaint the Secretary as early as possible of his inability to attend-whether on this or any other occasion he
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has done so?
CHAIRMAN: I will make inquiries, Sir.
MR. BERNACCHI: And may I ask, Sir, whether it is not the duty of the Secretary to report to you on the matter?
CHAIRMAN: The Secretary will certainly report to me.
MR. BERNACCHI: And may I further ask, Sir, whether it is not your duty to take action under Standing Order 25?
CHAIRMAN: I will certainly look into the matter, Sir.
MR. BERNACCHI: I am very glad to hear that, Sir.
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450
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new site is adjacent to the waterfront. It is unlikely that when the mortuary is built and in use anyone will be aware of it unless they have business there. (Laughter). To await the extension of the present reclamation further west would delay the construction of the incinerator and mor- tuary by an indefinite period, and would require the im- mediate closing of the bathing facilities now in that area. Assuming the most favourable conditions, the incinerator would probably be delayed a minimum of four years. Such delay would be unacceptable. The Gin Drinker's Bay refuse dump must be closed before the end of this decade. This is likely to mean that an incinerator or incinerators will be necessary for Kowloon, and before thinking of ordering these it is desirable to have had the Island incinerator in operation for some time. In con- formity with this time-table an order has already been placed for the plant for the Island incinerator, which it is planned to have operating by mid-1965.
DR. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, is this mortuary to serve the whole of Hong Kong or just the Kennedy Town district?
CHAIRMAN: ---Sir, it is planned to serve the whole of Hong Kong.
DR. LEE:-May I know why Kennedy Town is inflicted with a mortuary, with a slaughterhouse and with an incinerator? (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, because Kowloon has objected too strongly in the last two years.
MR. SALES: This is one instance, Mr. Chairman, where the tax- payer in Kowloon is willing to oblige the residents of the Island.
CHAIRMAN: The position in Kennedy Town was chosen as the most suitable. These three particular facilities are to be placed together in an unobtrusive position.
DR. LEE: I have been asked, in all seriousness, Mr. Chairman, to request this Council to consider resiting the public mortuary else- where. Will you kindly take notice?
CHAIRMAN:-I will, Sir.
DR. BELL:-Mr. Chairman, in siting a public mortuary surely it is convenient to have it somewhere in the vicinity of the cemeteries?
CHAIRMAN:-Dr. BELL, I do not think your point is valid, but I will certainly consider it.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MOTION.
249
MR. A. de O. SALES, Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, moved the following motion:
THAT the Swimming Pools (Amendment) By-laws, 1963, be made under section 42 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, 1960.
He said:
Mr. Chairman, in proposing this motion on behalf of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, I would like to explain, if it has not yet been brought out in the covering paper, that the purpose is merely to enlarge the definition of "swimming pools", as there are now swimming pools which are technically not under Council control. In essence, the immediate purpose of this amendment is to exercise civilian control over the Armed Forces. Members will agree that it should be the fundamental philosophy of any government that civilian authorities should at every turn manifest the exercise of control over the Armed Services.
DR. R. H. S. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, since the proposer of the motion has not made any logical or valid remarks on his motion, I rise just to second it. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, having in front of me the relevant "Restricted" paper, I wonder if Mr. SALES would clarify whether he has in mind the Armed Services or the United Services.
MR. SALES:—It would be the first time in history that the Armed Services have become united. (Laughter).
Availing myself of the right of reply under Standing Orders, I would like to mention in effect that, as a member of the Urban Council, I am very seriously concerned about the provisions of our by-laws not extending wherever our writ should run; in effect, that is the reply to Dr. LEE. I feel, Mr. Chairman, in all seriousness, that, when the Urban Council enacts any by-laws, there should be no exemption on the part of the Services or any other Government department.
The question was put.
The motion was carried.
ATTENDANCES AT COUNCIL MEETINGS.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, may I rise on a point of order to formally call your attention to the continued absence of Mr. CHAN Shu-woon, and may I ask—particularly in reference to Standing Order 23 which says that he should acquaint the Secretary as early as possible of his inability to attend-whether on this or any other occasion he
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.