1964 — Page 120

216

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Page 120 of 312

217

Race for three years in succession. Would the Chairman indicate whether any encouragement has been given to this champion, and whether any assistance will be given to him in order that he may represent Hong Kong in the Olympic Games in Tokyo in October this year.

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

Mr. So Kam-tong entered the 'Walkathon' as a private individual and not as a representative of the Urban Services Department. His record achievement in winning this race for the third year in succession has brought much pleasure to his colleagues in the department. I have had an opportunity to congratulate him on his fine performance.

I believe that Mr. So has been selected by the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association to train as a possible candidate to represent Hong Kong at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo. If he is chosen to participate in the Games he will be given leave of absence to attend.

DR. Woo: Mr. Chairman, apart from giving leave of absence, is Government willing to give any financial assistance?

CHAIRMAN: No, Sir. I think that it would be improper—and certainly it would not be in accordance with the normal practice for Government to do so. But I think that other arrangements would be made. Perhaps Mr. SALES could tell you of them. (Laughter).

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, before I give the reply I would like to clarify the position, through you. Might I ask Dr. P. F. Woo whether in fact he is encouraging professionalism in the Department? (Laughter).

DR. Woo: I am not, but I feel that this man has such a record of achievement that we should do something to help him.

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, is Dr. Woo not aware that by giving him money or prizes which could be converted into cash, he would be in fact prejudicing the case of the person concerned?

DR. Woo: I am not referring to money, Mr. Chairman. I am referring to passages and hotel accommodation when he goes to Tokyo.

MR. SALES: That involves money, Mr. Chairman. Nevertheless, Mr. Chairman, evidently Dr. P. F. Woo is not conversant with the practice in the selection of teams for Olympic Games. May I suggest that we thank Dr. Woo for his goodwill and add our congratulations to yours to Mr. So Kam-tong.

DR. Woo: I still have not had an answer on whether this man is going to be financially assisted to get to Tokyo, Sir.

CHAIRMAN: If he is chosen to go to Tokyo, I assume that arrangements will be made to get him there by the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association. (Laughter).

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, could I suggest that Dr. P. F. Woo's opinion be conveyed to the Financial Secretary that adequate financial assistance must be given to the Hong Kong team to go to Tokyo and elsewhere? (Laughter).

(19) MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK asked the following question:-

Serious complaints have been voiced from time to time by residents along that stretch of Gloucester Road against the use of the pier for refuse barges at the junction of Gloucester Road and Fleming Road for the removing of refuse which gives off such offensive odours that residents living nearby have to close tight their windows to keep off the horrible smells and the pestering of flies. Will Government therefore consider the desirability of shifting the pier to some other part of the city where the public would not be inconvenienced in any way and the odours would not be a serious threat to health?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

There is no alternative pier in the Central or Wan Chai areas to accommodate these barges. Even if such were available, a move would only transfer the nuisance from one part of the waterfront to another. Inevitably, the refuse causes some smell whilst the barges are being loaded, particularly in the summer months. With regard to flies, all empty barges returning from the Gin Drinkers Bay Refuse Dump are sprayed with insecticide and in addition the refuse awaiting collection at the barge stations is periodically sprayed to keep down flies.

This refuse barge station and also the other two on the Island at Whitfield and at French Street, will be closed when the Kennedy Town incinerator comes into operation. This will be towards the end of 1965.

MR. RAFEEK: Mr. Chairman, thank you for your information.

(20) MR. SOLOMON Rafeek asked the following question:

With reference to the observations made by the Senior Nominated Member of this Council at the recently held Annual General Meeting of the Kowloon Residents' Asso-

Page 120

Page 121

312