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hawker bazaar, a sitting-out area and a children's playground, as well as possible use of part of the area for car parking. These discussions are continuing and Members will be informed of the outcome in due course.
So far as immediate measures are concerned, pending decision on the use of the land, special cleansing squads are now reverting to normal duties after the dislocation caused in the past few months by typhoons and special attention will be paid to this area. The health hazards arising from the pools of water had been recognized and mosquito control measures, including oiling, have been undertaken. The question of possible improvements to drainage is being referred to the Public Works Department.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-No supplementaries, Mr. Chairman.
(5) MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question:
As the settlers have to walk up more than 120 steps to go to their blocks in Sau Mau Ping Estate, will the Chairman seek the co-operation of the management of the Kowloon Motor Bus Company to provide the estate with an adequate bus service at an early date?
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:
The bus service at present stops about 100 yards short of the flight of steps to which you refer and the junction of the future main road leading to the Estate. However, this road is at present only an access road for the stream of lorries engaged upon the construction of Stage I of the Estate and the site formation of Stage II and its surface is unsuitable for buses. While action is being taken to widen and strengthen the temporary surface the strong objections to buses using it will remain as there would always be a danger of collisions between laden buses and lorries.
The permanent bus route will be by a different road leading up the other side of the valley from Sau Mau Ping Estate and crossing the valley from a point opposite the steps. This road cannot be made suitable for buses until the filling of the valley is completed and the fill has had some time to consolidate. I regret that it is likely to be 18 months before this occurs and buses can go right into the Estate.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(6) MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question:
I have received complaints from the squatters of Model Village, Kowloon Tong, that there are only three wooden latrines in the area of more than 10,000 people.
Does the Chairman consider these facilities sufficient to meet the needs of the squatters; and if not, what immediate steps will he take to improve the position?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
The population of this squatter area, which is bounded by Hereford Road, Kowloon Tsai Park, Junction Road and the Ordnance Depot which fronts Waterloo Road, was estimated in the Resettlement Department's recent survey to be approximately 4,200. To serve this area there were three groups of latrines, comprising in all, 22 compartments—14 for men and 8 for women.
I agree that there was a need for additional latrine accommodation. Four additional compartments, 2 for men and 2 for women, have now been provided.
MR. LI:-May I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your prompt action taken in this matter.
(7) MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question:
On Sunday, October 4th, I visited the village in the valley on that side of the new road (built, I think, in connexion with the Plover Cove water scheme) opposite the Shatin Inn, and saw two or three huts in the process of construction. I cannot tell whether they were new illegal structures or damaged huts being repaired after recent typhoons.
Will the Chairman inform this Council who is the Competent Authority to control squatting in the New Territories? I feel strongly that whoever be the Authority, fresh squatting must be effectively checked to prevent our resettlement problem from assuming more gigantic proportions?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
There are three Competent Authorities for the control of squatters in the New Territories under Part II of the Resettlement Ordinance. These are the District Commissioner, the Commissioner for Resettlement, and the
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hawker bazaar, a sitting-out area and a children's play- ground, as well as possible use of part of the area for car parking. These discussions are continuing and Mem- bers will be informed of the outcome in due course.
So far as immediate measures are concerned, pending decision on the use of the land, special cleansing squads are now reverting to normal duties after the dislocation caused in the past few months by typhoons and special attention will be paid to this area. The health hazards arising from the pools of water had been recognized and mosquito control measures, including oiling, have been undertaken. The question of possible improvements to drainage is being referred to the Public Works Department.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-No supplementaries, Mr. Chairman.
(5) MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question :
As the settlers have to walk up more than 120 steps to go to their blocks in Sau Mau Ping Estate, will the Chairman seek the co-operation of the management of the Kowloon Motor Bus Company to provide the estate with an adequate bus service at an early date?
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:
The bus service at present stops about 100 yards short of the flight of steps to which you refer and the junction of the future main road leading to the Estate. However, this road is at present only an access road for the stream of lorries engaged upon the construction of Stage I of the Estate and the site formation of Stage II and its surface is unsuitable for buses. While action is being taken to widen and strengthen the temporary surface the strong objections to buses using it will remain as there would always be a danger of collisions between laden buses and lorries.
The permanent bus route will be by a different road leading up the other side of the valley from Sau Mau Ping Estate and crossing the valley from a point opposite the steps. This road cannot be made suitable for buses until the filling of the valley is completed and the fill has had some time to consolidate. I regret that it is likely to be 18 months before this occurs and buses can go right into the Estate.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(6) MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question:
333
I have received complaints from the squatters of Model Village, Kowloon Tong, that there are only three wooden latrines in the area of more than 10,000 people.
Does the Chairman consider these facilities sufficient to meet the needs of the squatters; and if not, what immediate steps will he take to improve the position?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
The population of this squatter area, which is bounded by Hereford Road, Kowloon Tsai Park, Junction Road and the Ordnance Depot which fronts Waterloo Road, was estimated in the Resettlement Department's recent survey to be approximately 4,200. To serve this area there were three groups of latrines, comprising in all, 22 compart- ments-14 for men and 8 for women.
I agree that there was a need for additional latrine accommoda- tion. Four additional compartments, 2 for men and 2 for women, have now been provided.
MR. LI:-May I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your prompt action taken in this matter.
(7) MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question :
On Sunday, October 4th, I visited the village in the valley on that side of the new road (built, I think, in connexion with the Plover Cove water scheme) opposite the Shatin Inn, and saw two or three huts in the process of con- struction. I cannot tell whether they were new illegal structures or damaged huts being repaired after recent typhoons.
Will the Chairman inform this Council who is the Competent Authority to control squatting in the New Territories? I feel strongly that whoever be the Authority, fresh squatting must be effectively checked to prevent our resettlement problem from assuming more gigantic pro- portions?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows :·
There are three Competent Authorities for the control of squatters in the New Territories under Part II of the Resettlement Ordinance. These are the District Com- missioner, the Commissioner for Resettlement, and the
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