Page 45 of 150
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
approved only in January. I admit to delay, as that word is interpreted in Hong Kong, at Sai Wan Ho the schedule of accommodation was approved in April, 1961 and it was not until January of this year that we were able to allocate a suitable site in this heavily built-up area. So long as there are no further changes in the schedules of accommodation we should have sketch plans for North Point and Sai Wan Ho completed shortly.
I regret that Mr. MARDEN should have misinterpreted my comments last year on the subject of Gin Drinker's Bay dump. My intention was to refute the implication that the Urban Services dump was the sole or even the major cause of pollution of the Harbour and that as the dump was being held guilty until proved innocent everything was being done to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt its comparative innocence--as I was then advised.
In the event the log boom can only claim qualified success towards this end. Qualified because it is necessary to keep a minimum opening for the safe navigation of the Urban Services barges in and out of the dump, and the boom has broken on occasions. The construction of the permanent bund is due to commence in September of this year and in the course of time proof positive should be attainable and I hope, with Mr. MARDEN that the real nigger in the wood-pile may be located. (Laughter).
Mr. MARDEN and Mr. Li Fook-shu spoke on the subject of the removal of offensive trades from the urban area. This is a matter of some difficulty which has inevitably taken some time to unravel. Our draft plans have earmarked sites at Sam Ka Tsuen, (beyond Kwun Tong), at Aberdeen, as mentioned by Mr. MARDEN, and one near the Urban Services dump at Gin Drinker's Bay and one on Tsing Yi Island.
I turn now, Sir, to the subject of road digging. It seems that nothing that is said or printed will ever remove preconceived notions. The matter could be demonstrated better perhaps if each road opening was required to have a notice naming the Branch or the Company involved. I shall again give a few figures:-It is estimated that the average number of road openings per annum is of the order of 8,000. In the first three months of this year applications were received involving more than 600 in Kowloon alone, and for the Colony the total exceeded 1,300. In the same period the Roads Office had 45 jobs of their own in hand. I regret that I have not been able to obtain for you a break-down of the figures to show which service holds the record. The Roads Office permanently employ over 100 men for reinstating the openings left by others. Our records show that each month 80% of the road openings are dug, the new service installed or repaired and trenches back-filled within 10 days. Since our last meeting a single application received from a Utility Company requested a permit covering over 144 separate openings in the Central Area.
(At this point, Mr. SALES interrupted).
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, on a point of order under Standing Order 10, paragraph (12). I believe I was misunderstood and I want to clarify that they were not preconceived notions about road digging. They were Cartesian impressions. We saw these roads being kept open for a long time. Therefore, the roads must have been kept open.
(The Director of Public Works, after seeking the permission of the Chairman, resumed).
When Shek Pik water mains enter the City in a big way there will be no possibility of reinstatement in 10 days.
It was gratifying that out of the vast choice of works to criticize only one in the Urban Area was chosen-Sai Yee Street. That street is a busy one and the alternatives were to close the road completely or to work on half widths. The work comprises major reconstruction and every opportunity had to be given to all utility services to examine, test and repair and, if necessary, enlarge their installations in advance of re-construction. It would have been folly to have done otherwise.
I freely admit that mistakes are made and it is unfortunate that they are all too obvious when they happen on or in roads. It is difficult to co-ordinate the work of every utility all the time but close liaison is maintained and I take this opportunity to say that, on the whole, the companies co-operate well. The Roads Office get firmly criticized by me for the faults that are theirs; they are receptive to constructive criticism and they welcome constructive suggestions. Theirs is a thankless task, often undertaken under duress, and continuity in that office suffers because it is unpopular. Some officers who willingly accept legitimate fault-finding become discouraged by uninformed, mis-directed nagging.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I should like to compliment Members on the wide variety of subjects chosen for their speeches. I share the disappointment that may be felt at times when their schemes are deferred in favour of other works of high priority. (Applause).
SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS: -Mr. Chairman, Dr. Raymond LEE, in his spirited appeal in support of our tourist trade, suggested more colour and permanent finish for our Chinese Temples.
74
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
75
Page 46
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Page 45 of 150
74
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
approved only in January. I admit to delay, as that word is interpreted in Hong Kong, at Sai Wan Ho the schedule of accommodation was approved in April, 1961 and it was not until January of this year that we were able to allocate a suitable site in this heavily built-up area. So long as there are no further changes in the schedules of accommoda- tion we should have sketch plans for North Point and Sai Wan Ho completed shortly.
I regret that Mr. MARDEN should have misinterpreted my com- ments last year on the subject of Gin Drinker's Bay dump. My intention was to refute the implication that the Urban Services dump was the sole or even the major cause of pollution of the Harbour and that as the dump was being held guilty until proved innocent everything was being done to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt its comparative innocence- -as I was then advised.
In the event the log boom can only claim qualified success towards this end. Qualified because it is necessary to keep a minimum opening for the safe navigation of the Urban Services barges in and out of the dump, and the boom has broken on occasions. The construction of the permanent bund is due to commence in September of this year and in the course of time proof positive should be attainable and I hope, with Mr. MARDEN that the real nigger in the wood-pile may be located. (Laughter).
Mr. MARDEN and Mr. Li Fook-shu spoke on the subject of the removal of offensive trades from the urban area. This is a matter of some difficulty which has inevitably taken some time to unravel. Our draft plans have earmarked sites at Sam Ka Tsuen, (beyond Kwun Tong), at Aberdeen, as mentioned by Mr. MARDEN, and one near the Urban Services dump at Gin Drinker's Bay and one on Tsing Yi Island.
I turn now, Sir, to the subject of road digging. It seems that nothing that is said or printed will ever remove preconceived notions. The matter could be demonstrated better perhaps if each road opening was required to have a notice naming the Branch or the Company involved. I shall again give a few figures:-It is estimated that the average number of road openings per annum is of the order of 8,000. In the first three months of this year applications were received involv- ing more than 600 in Kowloon alone, and for the Colony the total exceeded 1,300. In the same period the Roads Office had 45 jobs of their own in hand. I regret that I have not been able to obtain for you a break-down of the figures to show which service holds the record. The Roads Office permanently employ over 100 men for reinstating the openings left by others. Our records show that each month 80% of the road openings are dug, the new service installed or repaired and
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
75
trenches back-filled within 10 days. Since our last meeting a single application received from a Utility Company requested a permit cover- ing over 144 separate openings in the Central Area.
(At this point, Mr. SALES interrupted).
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, on a point of order under Standing Order 10, paragraph (12). I believe I was misunderstood and I want to clarify that they were not preconceived notions about road digging. They were Cartesian impressions. We saw these roads being kept open for a long time. Therefore, the roads must have been kept open.
(The Director of Public Works, after seeking the permission of the Chairman, resumed).
When Shek Pik water mains enter the City in a big way there will be no possibility of reinstatement in 10 days.
It was gratifying that out of the vast choice of works to criticize only one in the Urban Area was chosen-Sai Yee Street. That street is a busy one and the alternatives were to close the road completely or to work on half widths. The work comprises major reconstruction and every opportunity had to be given to all utility services to examine, test and repair and, if necessary, enlarge their installations in advance of re-construction. It would have been folly to have done otherwise.
I freely admit that mistakes are made and it is unfortunate that they are all too obvious when they happen on or in roads. It is difficult to co-ordinate the work of every utility all the time but close liaison is maintained and I take this opportunity to say that, on the whole, the companies co-operate well. The Roads Office get firmly criticized by me for the faults that are theirs; they are receptive to con- structive criticism and they welcome constructive suggestions. Theirs is a thankless task, often undertaken under duress, and continuity in that office suffers because it is unpopular. Some officers who willingly accept legitimate fault-finding become discouraged by uninformed, mis- directed nagging.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I should like to compliment Mem- bers on the wide variety of subjects chosen for their speeches. I share the disappointment that may be felt at times when their schemes are deferred in favour of other works of high priority. (Applause).
SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS: -Mr. Chairman, Dr. Raymond LEE, in his spirited appeal in support of our tourist trade, suggested more colour and permanent finish for our Chinese Temples.
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