HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
in the publicity campaign to which I have referred, by displaying posters in resettlement and housing estates and giving publicity to the slogans and advice prepared by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs. The Urban Services Department is broadcasting the slogans and advice from its health education vans.
Finally, as Members will be aware, the times during which firecrackers may be discharged without a licence during the coming Chinese New Year holidays have been cut from 41 hours to 15 hours. This step was taken to reduce the danger of fires and injuries usually caused by the negligent discharge of fireworks.
MR. WONG : -A supplementary question. Would the Chairman, as a directive from the Urban Council, give instructions to the Hawker Control Force to deter hawkers from selling firecrackers from now until the Chinese New Year is over?
MR. BERNACCHI:-My friend, Mr. Wong, is also on the Hawkers Select Committee, and perhaps as we are meeting tomorrow morning he can bring it up in that Select Committee.
I have a supplementary myself, Mr. Chairman. A press release today mentions the water shortage as one of the reasons for reducing the hours from 41 to 15. Is that strictly correct? The matter was before this Council in Standing Committee of the Whole and I got the impression at the time that the reasons were very much more far-reaching than that of the temporary water shortage.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, I think I can answer that to some extent in connexion with the water shortage. I have had discussions with the Director of Fire Services who has been very worried about the possibility of fires and the lack of water because of its being turned off and the long time it takes to get it going again. So there is no doubt that the current water shortage has added impetus, one might say, to the desire to cut down the letting off of firecrackers.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Perhaps I criticised the press report, mildly, because if, as I hope next year or the year after, there is no water shortage then the public will wonder why the hours are not put back to 41. In fact the hours are never likely to be put back to 41; the reduction is likely to be the other way!
CHAIRMAN: -Would you like me to bring your point to the attention of the Director of Information Services?
MR. BERNACCHI :-I should be obliged if you would, Sir.
Page 178 of 194
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MR. CHEUNG WING-IN asked the following question:
The Vantage Point at the top of the small hill near Lo Fu Ngam Estate gives a panoramic view of the eastern portion of Kowloon Peninsula. With proper amenities it would become popular with tourists and local motorists. Has the Chairman considered asking Government that the Vantage Point and the adjoining area be assigned to the Urban Council for development as an amenity?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows : —
I agree with you, Sir, that this hill is well suited for the purpose you have in mind and I am glad to inform you that it has been allocated to the Council for development as an open space. The department has already drawn up proposals for the first stage of development and these are being referred to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for consideration.
I might add, Sir, that this area is one of the barren hills mentioned in my speech at the annual conventional debate when I said that we were going to carry out a tree planting experiment.
MR. CHEUNG:-Thank you.
MR. CHEUNG WING-IN asked the following question:-
In a number of large restaurants and cinemas the air conditioning is often not kept at sufficient volume, commensurate with the number of customers or audience, in order to save electricity. As this is a positive health hazard, will the Department be prepared to circularise the large restaurants and cinemas to assure that the air conditioning is maintained always at sufficient level?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:
It is an offence under Section 96 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance for restaurants or cinemas to shut off or reduce the operation of air-conditioning or ventilating equipment during business hours.
A similar question was asked in October 1962. Since then all such premises have been kept under close observation by the staff and regular night visits have been paid,
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Page 177 of 194
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
in the publicity campaign to which I have referred, by displaying posters in resettlement and housing estates and giving publicity to the slogans and advice prepared by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs. The Urban Services Department is broadcasting the slogans and advice from its health education vans.
Finally, as Members will be aware, the times during which firecrackers may be discharged without a licence during the coming Chinese New Year holidays have been cut from 41 hours to 15 hours. This step was taken to reduce the danger of fires and injuries usually caused by the negligent discharge of fireworks.
MR. WONG : -A supplementary question. Would the Chairman, as a directive from the Urban Council, give instructions to the Hawker Control Force to deter hawkers from selling firecrackers from now until the Chinese New Year is over?
MR. BERNACCHI:-My friend, Mr. Wong, is also on the Hawkers Select Committee, and perhaps as we are meeting tomorrow morning he can bring it up in that Select Committee.
I have a supplementary myself, Mr. Chairman. A press release today mentions the water shortage as one of the reasons for reducing the hours from 41 to 15. Is that strictly correct? The matter was before this Council in Standing Committee of the Whole and I got the impression at the time that the reasons were very much more far-reaching than that of the temporary water shortage.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, I think I can answer that to some extent in connexion with the water shortage. I have had discussions with the Director of Fire Services who has been very worried about the possibility of fires and the lack of water because of its being turned off and the long time it takes to get it going again. So there is no doubt that the current water shortage has added impetus, one might say, to the desire to cut down the letting off of firecrackers.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Perhaps I criticised the press report, mildly, because if, as I hope next year or the year after, there is no water shortage then the public will wonder why the hours are not put back to 41. In fact the hours are never likely to be put back to 41; the reduction is likely to be the other way!
CHAIRMAN: -Would you like me to bring your point to the attention of the Director of Information Services?
MR. BERNACCHI :-I should be obliged if you would, Sir.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
337
MR. CHEUNG WING-IN asked the following question:
The Vantage Point at the top of the small hill near Lo Fu Ngam Estate gives a panoramic view of the eastern portion of Kowloon Peninsula. With proper amenities it would become popular with tourists and local motorists. Has the Chairman considered asking Government that the Vantage Point and the adjoining area be assigned to the Urban Council for development as an amenity?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows : —
I agree with you, Sir, that this hill is well suited for the purpose you have in mind and I am glad to inform you that it has been allocated to the Council for development as an open space. The department has already drawn up proposals for the first stage of development and these are being referred to the Urban Amenities Select Com- mittee for consideration.
I might add, Sir, that this area is one of the barren hills mentioned in my speech at the annual conventional debate when I said that we were going to carry out a tree planting experiment.
MR. CHEUNG:-Thank you.
MR. CHEUNG WING-IN asked the following question:-
In a number of large restaurants and cinemas the air condi- tioning is often not kept at sufficient volume, commen- surate with the number of customers or audience, in order to save electricity. As this is a positive health hazard, will the Department be prepared to circularise the large restaurants and cinemas to assure that the air conditioning is maintained always at sufficient level?
THE DEPUTY Director of MEDICAL AND HEALTH Services replied as follows:
It is an offence under Section 96 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance for restaurants or cinemas to shut off or reduce the operation of air-conditioning or ventilating equipment during business hours.
A similar question was asked in October 1962. Since then all such premises have been kept under close observation by the staff and regular night visits have been paid,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.