264
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
It will be appreciated that there are two separate problems here: that of dust from the cement works and other sources and that of sulphur dioxide which is discharged by both the cement works and the electric generating plant. When complaints were made in 1951 it was found that the cement company had not reinstated the electrostatic precipitator which had been in use before 1941 but had been irreparably damaged during the war. Shortly after that the precipitator was put into operation again and the dust nuisance from the cement works was considerably reduced. A full survey undertaken in 1955 showed that the emission of dust was at that time well controlled. Since then the premises have been under constant observation by the Commissioner of Labour and the Director of Civil Aviation, both of whom are satisfied that conditions have not deteriorated recently. A survey conducted in 1962 in connexion with the siting of the Military Hospital at King's Park also confirmed this.
The problem of controlling sulphur dioxide emission from industrial chimneys is one which has not yet been solved in spite of experiments throughout the world. Plant installed in some of the London power stations for the absorption of this gas is not entirely satisfactory, and is expensive both to instal and operate.
A detailed study of the side-effects arising from the operation of electric generating plants has just been made, and a report submitted to the Colonial Secretary. In submitting this report attention was drawn to the nuisance arising from the chimneys of the electric generating plant at Hung Hom.
DR. LEE: I notice that the Labour Department, the Civil Aviation Department and the Military Authorities were consulted in regard to this nuisance. I wonder to what extent have the schools in the neighbourhood been consulted in this matter?
CHAIRMAN: Sir, may I give you my answer in writing?
DR. LEE: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
In view of the importance of preventing newly developed districts such as Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan from turning into slums, does not the Chairman agree that more active measures should be taken to prevent pavements being used as storage areas obstructing pedestrians from their legitimate use?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:--
I think that I should begin by saying that where private streets and lanes are being used as storage areas no action can be taken by the staff unless there are indications present of a danger to health. The worst obstructed streets are often private property.
The cleansing staff can prosecute the owners of obstructions in public streets and lanes if the obstructions are such, in the words of Section 22 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, "as to obstruct or to be likely to obstruct any scavenging or conservancy operations or any street sweeper acting in the performance of his duty”. Summonses taken out under this section by the staff of the Cleansing Division in the last three months in To Kwa Wan were 46, and in Hung Hom 25, mostly for obstructions caused by the stock in trade or materials of shops and workshops.
Cleansing staff are also empowered under Section 22 to bring about the removal of obstructions to street cleansing by placing a notice on the obstruction, requiring the owner to remove it within 24 hours. If he does not do so, special cleansing squads, with labourers and lorry transport attached, seize and remove the obstruction. From 8th January to 22nd February this year one of the two special cleansing squads in Kowloon was operating in To Kwa Wan and Hung Hom. During this period it removed 76 lorry loads of obstructions.
In practice, the more valuable articles are removed by their owners. They are often replaced on the streets after the cleansing squad has passed on to another area.
It will be clear from the foregoing that the cleansing staff cannot take summary action against street obstructions, and can only take action where such obstructions hinder or prevent cleansing activities. As regards more active measures, it is the intention to increase the number of
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264
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
It will be appreciated that there are two separate problems here: that of dust from the cement works and other sources and that of sulphur dioxide which is discharged by both the cement works and the electric generating plant. When complaints were made in 1951 it was found that the cement company had not reinstated the electrostatic pre- cipitator which had been in use before 1941 but had been irreparably damaged during the war. Shortly after that the precipitator was put into operation again and the dust nuisance from the cement works was considerably reduced. A full survey undertaken in 1955 showed that the emission of dust was at that time well controlled. Since then the premises have been under constant observation by the Commissioner of Labour and the Director of Civil Avia- tion, both of whom are satisfied that conditions have not deteriorated recently. A survey conducted in 1962 in connexion with the siting of the Military Hospital at King's Park also confirmed this.
The problem of controlling sulphur dioxide emission from industrial chimneys is one which has not yet been solved in spite of experiments throughout the world. Plant installed in some of the London power stations for the absorption of this gas is not entirely satisfactory, and is expensive both to instal and operate.
A detailed study of the side-effects arising from the operation of electric generating plants has just been made, and a report submitted to the Colonial Secretary. In submitting this report attention was drawn to the nuisance arising from the chimneys of the electric generating plant at Hung Hom.
DR. LEE: I notice that the Labour Department, the Civil Aviation Department and the Military Authorities were consulted in regard to this nuisance. I wonder to what extent have the schools in the neigh- bourhood been consulted in this matter?
CHAIRMAN: -Sir, may I give you my answer in writing?
DR. LEE:-Yes, Mr. Chairman.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
In view of the importance of preventing newly developed districts such as Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan from turn-
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
265
ing into slums, does not the Chairman agree that more active measures should be taken to prevent pavements being used as storage areas obstructing pedestrians from their legitimate use?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:--
I think that I should begin by saying that where private streets and lanes are being used as storage areas no action can be taken by the staff unless there are indications present of a danger to health. The worst obstructed streets are often private property.
The cleansing staff can prosecute the owners of obstructions in public streets and lanes if the obstructions are such, in the words of Section 22 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, "as to obstruct or to be likely to obstruct any scavenging or conservancy operations or any street sweeper acting in the performance of his duty”. Summonses taken out under this section by the staff of the Cleansing Division in the last three months in To Kwa Wan were 46, and in Hung Hom 25, mostly for obstructions caused by the stock in trade or materials of shops and workshops.
Cleansing staff are also empowered under Section 22 to bring about the removal of obstructions to street cleansing by placing a notice on the obstruction, requiring the owner to remove it within 24 hours. If he does not do so, special cleansing squads, with labourers and lorry transport attached, seize and remove the obstruction. From 8th January to 22nd February this year one of the two special cleansing squads in Kowloon was operating in To Kwa Wan and Hung Hom. During this period it removed 76 lorry loads of obstructions.
In practice, the more valuable articles are removed by their owners. They are often replaced on the streets after the cleansing squad has passed on to another area.
It will be clear from the foregoing that the cleansing staff cannot take summary action against street obstructions, and can only take action where such obstructions hinder or prevent cleansing activities. As regards more active measures, it is the intention to increase the number of
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