HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
occasion was any smell nuisance detected in D'Aguilar or Pottinger Street. I found that there was a faint smell from the ventilation shafts, but only when standing beside them. Residents in adjacent ground floor and first floor premises go no further than to say that they have noticed a smell occasionally; and some say that they have noticed no smell at all. The latrines are carefully maintained. An attendant is stationed at each. The premises are washed down with water at least four times daily, and chloride of lime solution is used freely.
A census of users taken in mid-July this year shows that on the average Pottinger Street latrine is visited by 1,390 men daily and D'Aguilar Street latrine by 880 men daily. These two latrines cannot be closed as a result of construction of new public latrines in the Central District. The only new construction in this part of the Central District has been a 20-compartment latrine at Lan Kwai Fong/Wellington Street, which is used on the average by 860 men a day, and at peak periods there is some waiting. DR. LEE: Will the Chairman agree if I say that this question is backed up by three separate public complaints made lately regarding these nuisances?
CHAIRMAN: -Sir, I have nothing to add to what I have already said. I have looked into the matter and the Assistant Director (Cleansing) has also looked into the matter. There seems to be no justification for supposing that these public latrines are nuisances.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question :-
Due to the frequent change of bus stops caused by road repair work, will the Chairman provide litter bins at these new stops for the reception of used bus tickets and other litter noticeable in these areas?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
Following investigations by field staff this has been done so far as is practicable. About 77 litter containers are in use at temporary bus stops at the present moment.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
What steps has the Chairman taken in urging the staff of the Urban Services Department to close the rear door of refuse vans to protect the public from the foul smell
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
123
during the course of its operation from collection points to the refuse dump?
The Chairman replied as follows:-
Written instructions in English and Chinese were issued in February 1960 to all loaders attached to Dennis Paxit refuse collecting vehicles that when their vehicle was fully loaded they must close and fasten the cover to the refuse hopper in preparation for the vehicle's journey to the place of discharge.
Last March you, Sir, reported a case which you had observed on the Castle Peak Road of a refuse collecting vehicle driving unclosed to the Gin Drinker's Bay dump. The three vehicle loaders concerned were warned in writing that a fine would be imposed if the offence was repeated. The instruction to loaders was then repeated to all drivers of refuse collecting vehicles in Kowloon by means of a notice in Chinese posted on the notice-board at the Kowloon garage, which placed upon the drivers the responsibility for ensuring that the loaders closed the cover to the refuse hopper. This was done because loaders do not accompany the driver to Gin Drinker's Bay but are released when the vehicle is full, for service elsewhere.
The instruction to Kowloon drivers was repeated on 4th July, 1962, after your question was received, and a similar instruction was issued to Hong Kong drivers.
There are six large refuse collecting vehicles operating in the Colony which are capable of being fitted at the rear with automatic bin-lifters, though they sometimes do not carry this item of equipment. These are known as Dennis Paxit Major Mark I refuse collecting vehicles. They do not have rear covers, and it is impossible to close them completely for the journey to the dump or barge station. I shall be glad, if you wish, to show you a photograph of the rear of these vehicles, to illustrate this. The vehicles were bought in 1958 at a cost of $403,000 and have until approximately 1968 before they will require replacement. We cannot do without six vehicles capable of handling large refuse bins, but it is possible that by the time the present six are due for replacement, a new type may exist which has solved the problem of the open rear end.
Following receipt of your question a check was made at the dump of any vehicles arriving there with refuse exposed. During the period 5th to 11th July inclusive 70 cases were
Page 69 of 150
122
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
occasion was any smell nuisance detected in D'Aguilar or Pottinger Street. I found that there was a faint smell from the ventilation shafts, but only when standing beside them. Residents in adjacent ground floor and first floor premises go no further than to say that they have noticed a smell occasionally; and some say that they have noticed no smell at all. The latrines are carefully maintained. An attendant is stationed at each. The premises are washed down with water at least four times daily, and chloride of lime solution is used freely.
A census of users taken in mid-July this year shows that on the average Pottinger Street latrine is visited by 1,390 men daily and D'Aguilar Street latrine by 880 men daily. These two latrines cannot be closed as a result of construction of new public latrines in the Central District. The only new construction in this part of the Central District has been a 20-compartment latrine at Lan Kwai Fong/ Wellington Street, which is used on the average by 860 men a day, and at peak periods there is some waiting. DR. LEE: Will the Chairman agree if I say that this question is backed up by three separate public complaints made lately regarding these nuisances?
CHAIRMAN: -Sir, I have nothing to add to what I have already said. I have looked into the matter and the Assistant Director (Cleansing) has also looked into the matter. There seems to be no justification for supposing that these public latrines are nuisances.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question :-
Due to the frequent change of bus stops caused by road repair work, will the Chairman provide litter bins at these new stops for the reception of used bus tickets and other litter noticeable in these areas?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
Following investigations by field staff this has been done so far as is practicable. About 77 litter containers are in use at temporary bus stops at the present moment.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
What steps has the Chairman taken in urging the staff of the Urban Services Department to close the rear door of refuse vans to protect the public from the foul smell
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
123
during the course of its operation from collection points to the refuse dump?
The Chairman replied as follows:-
Written instructions in English and Chinese were issued in February 1960 to all loaders attached to Dennis Paxit refuse collecting vehicles that when their vehicle was fully loaded they must close and fasten the cover to the refuse hopper in preparation for the vehicle's journey to the place of discharge.
Last March you, Sir, reported a case which you had observed on the Castle Peak Road of a refuse collecting vehicle driving unclosed to the Gin Drinker's Bay dump. The three vehicle loaders concerned were warned in writing that a fine would be imposed if the offence was repeated. The instruction to loaders was then repeated to all drivers of refuse collecting vehicles in Kowloon by means of a notice in Chinese posted on the notice-board at the Kowloon garage, which placed upon the drivers the responsibility for ensuring that the loaders closed the cover to the refuse hopper. This was done because loaders do not accompany the driver to Gin Drinker's Bay but are released when the vehicle is full, for service elsewhere.
The instruction to Kowloon drivers was repeated on 4th July, 1962, after your question was received, and a similar instruction was issued to Hong Kong drivers.
There are six large refuse collecting vehicles operating in the Colony which are capable of being fitted at the rear with automatic bin-lifters, though they sometimes do not carry this item of equipment. These are known as Dennis Paxit Major Mark I refuse collecting vehicles. They do not have rear covers, and it is impossible to close them com- pletely for the journey to the dump or barge station. I shall be glad, if you wish, to show you a photograph of the rear of these vehicles, to illustrate this. The vehicles were bought in 1958 at a cost of $403,000 and have until approximately 1968 before they will require replacement. We cannot do without six vehicles capable of handling large refuse bins, but it is possible that by the time the present six are due for replacement, a new type may exist which has solved the problem of the open rear end.
Following receipt of your question a check was made at the dump of any vehicles arriving there with refuse exposed. During the period 5th to 11th July inclusive 70 cases were
Page 69 of 150'
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.