1964 — Page 23

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 23 of 312

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

shortly to put certain proposals before the appropriate Select Committee which will enable us to increase the electrical loading capacity of existing blocks at the expense of those who require additional supplies. I must, however, repeat that at San Po Kong No. 1, serious defects in the private installations of individual factory owners appear to be responsible for the present difficulties there.

MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, I have a supplementary. The Commissioner has said that additional electrical capacity has been allowed for in new factories and also more will be given in San Po Kong. Does that not indicate that in the first place the electrical equipment or the capacity was insufficient?

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:- Mr. Chairman, with your permission, Mrs. ELLIOTT's remark is probably quite correct, but this is the typical problem which we are faced with in Hong Kong—of what we design for. Whatever we put in, in almost any sphere, in water, electricity, housing, usually is inadequate. We have learnt our lesson, now we are correcting it and I think that is all I can say. We felt that the original assumed loading was adequate for what we had. We have been proved wrong.

MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask another question? I do not understand the technicalities and I am sure that the people in the factories don't either, but may I ask on humanitarian grounds, as these people are losing their means of living, whether it is possible for the Resettlement Department to put right these faults for the tenants. They are quite willing to pay for it.

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- The installation within the factories is of course their own, installed by their contractors whom they have employed. I do not think it is for either my Department or the Public Works Department to put right the defects for them. We can only find out where these defects exist and urge the tenants to put them right themselves.

MRS. ELLIOTT:- May I ask a question on the subject of installing the new equipment? Does it require a lot of paperwork and official work for your Department and the electric companies to check up the new installations? The factory owners are afraid that the paperwork involved will cause unnecessary delays and hardship.

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I do not think that need happen. We certainly will do all we can to ensure that any checking required either by Government or by the power companies is carried out as quickly as possible.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:—

On the 6th July, 1954 I moved a motion in the following terms:

"This Council is of the opinion that the Electorate for Urban Council Elections should in principle be enlarged to include:

(a) All British Subjects.

(b) Persons resident in the Colony for 15 years or more.

This Council urges His Excellency the Governor in Council to reconsider the decision not to appoint a Commission to inquire into the enlargement of the Hong Kong Electoral Roll and recommends that such a Commission should be appointed to consider the practicability of the aforesaid proposals and to make such further recommendations as they may think fit."

This Motion was carried by 8 votes to 6 with 1 abstention, there being at the time only 4 Elected Unofficial Members, 6 Nominated Unofficial Members and the Official Members were also at that time fewer in number. I remember that all 4 of the Elected Members and 4 out of the 6 Nominated Members voted for the Motion. Would the Chairman disclose to the Council the subsequent history of this Motion and what was the decision of His Excellency the then Governor upon it? If the Motion was rejected by His Excellency would the Chairman repeat the request for a Commission to enquire into the enlargement of the Hong Kong Electoral Roll?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

Following its approval by this Council, the terms of the motion you refer to, Sir, were forwarded to the Colonial Secretary on 12th July, 1954. In a reply dated 3rd August, 1954 the Colonial Secretary stated that careful and detailed consideration had been given by the Governor in Council to the motion. The views of Government on the three points made in the motion were given and the letter concluded by saying that in the circumstances His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government was unable to accept the recommendations which the Urban Council had put forward in its resolution. A copy of the Colonial Secretary's letter was laid on the table at the Urban Council Meeting on 17th August, 1954.

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Page 23 of 312 24 24 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL shortly to put certain proposals before the appropriate Select Committee which will enable us to increase the electrical loading capacity of existing blocks at the expense of those who require additional supplies. I must, however, repeat that at San Po Kong No. 1, serious defects in the private installations of individual factory owners appear to be responsible for the present difficulties there. MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, I have a supplementary. The Commissioner has said that additional electrical capacity has been allowed for in new factories and also more will be given in San Po Kong. Does that not indicate that in the first place the electrical equipment or the capacity was insufficient? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:- Mr. Chairman, with your permission, Mrs. ELLIOTT's remark is probably quite correct, but this is the typical problem which we are faced with in Hong Kong—of what we design for. Whatever we put in, in almost any sphere, in water, electricity, housing, usually is inadequate. We have learnt our lesson, now we are correcting it and I think that is all I can say. We felt that the original assumed loading was adequate for what we had. We have been proved wrong. MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask another question? I do not understand the technicalities and I am sure that the people in the factories don't either, but may I ask on humanitarian grounds, as these people are losing their means of living, whether it is possible for the Resettlement Department to put right these faults for the tenants. They are quite willing to pay for it. COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- The installation within the factories is of course their own, installed by their contractors whom they have employed. I do not think it is for either my Department or the Public Works Department to put right the defects for them. We can only find out where these defects exist and urge the tenants to put them right themselves. MRS. ELLIOTT:- May I ask a question on the subject of installing the new equipment? Does it require a lot of paperwork and official work for your Department and the electric companies to check up the new installations? The factory owners are afraid that the paperwork involved will cause unnecessary delays and hardship. COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I do not think that need happen. We certainly will do all we can to ensure that any checking required either by Government or by the power companies is carried out as quickly as possible. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 25 MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:— On the 6th July, 1954 I moved a motion in the following terms: "This Council is of the opinion that the Electorate for Urban Council Elections should in principle be enlarged to include: (a) All British Subjects. (b) Persons resident in the Colony for 15 years or more. This Council urges His Excellency the Governor in Council to reconsider the decision not to appoint a Commission to inquire into the enlargement of the Hong Kong Electoral Roll and recommends that such a Commission should be appointed to consider the practicability of the aforesaid proposals and to make such further recommendations as they may think fit." This Motion was carried by 8 votes to 6 with 1 abstention, there being at the time only 4 Elected Unofficial Members, 6 Nominated Unofficial Members and the Official Members were also at that time fewer in number. I remember that all 4 of the Elected Members and 4 out of the 6 Nominated Members voted for the Motion. Would the Chairman disclose to the Council the subsequent history of this Motion and what was the decision of His Excellency the then Governor upon it? If the Motion was rejected by His Excellency would the Chairman repeat the request for a Commission to enquire into the enlargement of the Hong Kong Electoral Roll? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:- Following its approval by this Council, the terms of the motion you refer to, Sir, were forwarded to the Colonial Secretary on 12th July, 1954. In a reply dated 3rd August, 1954 the Colonial Secretary stated that careful and detailed consideration had been given by the Governor in Council to the motion. The views of Government on the three points made in the motion were given and the letter concluded by saying that in the circumstances His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government was unable to accept the recommendations which the Urban Council had put forward in its resolution. A copy of the Colonial Secretary's letter was laid on the table at the Urban Council Meeting on 17th August, 1954. Page 25 25 25

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Page 23 of 312 24 24 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL shortly to put certain proposals before the appropriate Select Committee which will enable us to increase the electrical loading capacity of existing blocks at the ex- pense of those who require additional supplies. I must, however, repeat that at San Po Kong No. 1, serious defects in the private installations of individual factory owners appear to be responsible for the present difficulties there. MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, I have a supplementary. The Commissioner has said that additional electrical capacity has been allowed for in new factories and also more will be given in San Po Kong. Does that not indicate that in the first place the electrical equipment or the capacity was insufficient? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Mr. Chairman, with your per- mission, Mrs. ELLIOTT's remark is probably quite correct, but this is the typical problem which we are faced with in Hong Kong-of what we design for. Whatever we put in, in almost any sphere, in water, electri- city, housing, usually is inadequate. We have learnt our lesson, now we are correcting it and I think that is all I can say. We felt that the original assumed loading was adequate for what we had. We have been proved wrong. MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask another question? I do not understand the technicalities and I am sure that the people in the factories don't either, but may I ask on humanitarian grounds, as these people are losing their means of living, whether it is possible for the Resettlement Department to put right these faults for the tenants. They are quite willing to pay for it. COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: -The installation within the factories is of course their own, installed by their contractors whom they have employed. I do not think it is for either my Department or the Public Works Department to put right the defects for them. We can only find out where these defects exist and urge the tenants to put them right themselves. MRS. ELLIOTT:-May I ask a question on the subject of installing the new equipment? Does it require a lot of paper work and official work for your Department and the electric companies to check up the new installations? The factory owners are afraid that the paper work involved will cause unnecessary delays and hardship. COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I do not think that need happen. We certainly will do all we can to ensure that any checking required either by Government or by the power companies is carried out as quickly as possible. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 25 MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:— On the 6th July, 1954 I moved a motion in the following terms: "This Council is of the opinion that the Electorate for Urban Council Elections should in principle be enlarged to include: (a) All British Subjects. (b) Persons resident in the Colony for 15 years or more. This Council urges His Excellency the Governor in Council to reconsider the decision not to appoint a Commission to inquire into the enlargement of the Hong Kong Electoral Roll and recommends that such a Commission should be appointed to consider the practicability of the aforesaid proposals and to make such further recommendations as they may think fit." This Motion was carried by 8 votes to 6 with 1 absten- tion, there being at the time only 4 Elected Unofficial Members, 6 Nominated Unofficial Members and the Official Members were also at that time fewer in number. I remember that all 4 of the Elected Members and 4 out of the 6 Nominated Members voted for the Motion. Would the Chairman disclose to the Council the sub- sequent history of this Motion and what was the decision of His Excellency the then Governor upon it? If the Motion was rejected by His Excellency would the Chair- man repeat the request for a Commission to enquire into the enlargement of the Hong Kong Electoral Roll? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:- Following its approval by this Council, the terms of the motion you refer to, Sir, were forwarded to the Colonial Secretary on 12th July, 1954. In a reply dated 3rd August, 1954 the Colonial Secretary stated that careful and detailed consideration had been given by the Gover- nor in Council to the motion. The views of Government on the three points made in the motion were given and the letter concluded by saying that in the circumstances His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government was unable to accept the recommendations which the Urban Council had put forward in its resolution. A copy of the Colonial Secretary's letter was laid on the table at the Urban Council Meeting on 17th August, 1954.

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Page 23 of 312

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

shortly to put certain proposals before the appropriate Select Committee which will enable us to increase the electrical loading capacity of existing blocks at the ex- pense of those who require additional supplies. I must, however, repeat that at San Po Kong No. 1, serious defects in the private installations of individual factory owners appear to be responsible for the present difficulties there.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, I have a supplementary. The Commissioner has said that additional electrical capacity has been allowed for in new factories and also more will be given in San Po Kong. Does that not indicate that in the first place the electrical equipment or the capacity was insufficient?

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Mr. Chairman, with your per- mission, Mrs. ELLIOTT's remark is probably quite correct, but this is the typical problem which we are faced with in Hong Kong-of what we design for. Whatever we put in, in almost any sphere, in water, electri- city, housing, usually is inadequate. We have learnt our lesson, now we are correcting it and I think that is all I can say. We felt that the original assumed loading was adequate for what we had. We have been proved wrong.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask another question? I do not understand the technicalities and I am sure that the people in the factories don't either, but may I ask on humanitarian grounds, as these people are losing their means of living, whether it is possible for the Resettlement Department to put right these faults for the tenants. They are quite willing to pay for it.

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: -The installation within the factories is of course their own, installed by their contractors whom they have employed. I do not think it is for either my Department or the Public Works Department to put right the defects for them. We can only find out where these defects exist and urge the tenants to put them right themselves.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-May I ask a question on the subject of installing the new equipment? Does it require a lot of paper work and official work for your Department and the electric companies to check up the new installations? The factory owners are afraid that the paper work involved will cause unnecessary delays and hardship.

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I do not think that need happen. We certainly will do all we can to ensure that any checking required either by Government or by the power companies is carried out as quickly as possible.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:—

On the 6th July, 1954 I moved a motion in the following

terms:

"This Council is of the opinion that the Electorate for Urban Council Elections should in principle be enlarged to include:

(a) All British Subjects.

(b) Persons resident in the Colony for 15 years

or more.

This Motion was carried by 8 votes to 6 with 1 absten- tion, there being at the time only 4 Elected Unofficial Members, 6 Nominated Unofficial Members and the Official Members were also at that time fewer in number. I remember that all 4 of the Elected Members and 4 out of the 6 Nominated Members voted for the Motion. Would the Chairman disclose to the Council the sub- sequent history of this Motion and what was the decision of His Excellency the then Governor upon it? If the Motion was rejected by His Excellency would the Chair- man repeat the request for a Commission to enquire into the enlargement of the Hong Kong Electoral Roll?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

Following its approval by this Council, the terms of the motion you refer to, Sir, were forwarded to the Colonial Secretary on 12th July, 1954. In a reply dated 3rd August, 1954 the Colonial Secretary stated that careful and detailed consideration had been given by the Gover- nor in Council to the motion. The views of Government on the three points made in the motion were given and the letter concluded by saying that in the circumstances His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government was unable to accept the recommendations which the Urban Council had put forward in its resolution. A copy of the Colonial Secretary's letter was laid on the table at the Urban Council Meeting on 17th August, 1954.

1964 — Page 23

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