Page 241 of 312
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(2) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
Will the Chairman state the types of mechanical street sweepers on order, and can he inform this Council of their approximate date of arrival?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
There are many types of mechanical sweeper available, both the brush type and the more modern suction sweeper, and extensive inquiries have been made regarding them. For Hong Kong, the ideal machine would be one which combines manoeuvrability, to enable it to negotiate our congested streets, with a large capacity, to obviate the need for frequent journeys to the dump or double handling of refuse. These two requirements are to some extent incompatible. Sweepers with large rubbish hoppers are generally not very manoeuvrable, while small, manoeuvrable sweepers have a low capacity for rubbish.
As you know, Sir, it has been decided by the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee to recommend to Government that a small mechanical brush sweeper should be obtained as soon as possible. The sweeper in view is 7 feet in length and fitted with a transverse sweeping brush and a suction fan for dust control. It is highly manoeuvrable and has a refuse capacity of 16 cubic feet. It could be used to advantage at ferry concourses, in shopping and residential areas, and in secondary streets in the urban areas.
At the same time, further information on the latest types of large road-sweepers is being received and processed. These sweepers are suitable for use on well-formed major roads, which are, or could be, kept relatively free of parked cars and other obstructions. It is expected that further recommendations regarding the purchase of large sweepers will be referred to the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee for consideration next month. Meanwhile, provision has been made in the draft Estimates of the Urban Services Department for 1965-66 for funds for the purchase of two large mechanical sweepers.
DR. LEE: Has a firm order been sent for the brush type sweeper yet?
CHAIRMAN: Not yet, Sir.
DR. LEE: Will it take a long time to do that?
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CHAIRMAN: I hope not, Sir. The matter has yet to be decided by Government.
MR. WATSON: Mr. Chairman, does the last sentence mean purchase of two large mechanical sweepers? Will that mean mechanical and not suction sweepers?
CHAIRMAN: No, Sir. A decision has not yet been made on the type of sweeper to be purchased. As things stand, provision has merely been made in the draft Estimates. The Environmental Hygiene Select Committee has yet to decide what type of sweeper to ask for.
DR. LEE: I do not think the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee should be blamed for that. I think the question is which type of sweeper is most suitable for the Colony's need.
(3) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
Will the Chairman make an interim progress report on the new Kennedy Town Slaughterhouse and incinerator, and can he give an absolute assurance to this Council as to when they will be ready for operation? In the case of the latter installation, what is the potential amount of fresh water which can be distilled from salt water?
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:
As regards the Abattoir, tenders for piling were received on 4th December. It is hoped that this work will be completed by the end of March next year. Detailed planning of specialist equipment has been virtually finalized and preparation of working drawings of the building are in hand by Private Architects in London. The present estimated date of commissioning of this Abattoir is March 1967 including an allowance of two months for the adjustment and testing of equipment and the conducting of test runs before the abattoir is opened for business. Construction of the Incinerator is proceeding satisfactorily and it should be operating by the end of next year. It is not proposed to distill sea water at this plant, but waste heat will be used to provide steam for the Abattoir and to generate electricity for both the Incinerator and the Abattoir.
MR. BERNACCHI: As a supplementary, I would ask what does the Director of Public Works mean by the words "virtually finalized”? Will detailed planning be finalized in time for the equipment to be
Page 241 of 312
Page 241 of 312
458
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(2) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
Will the Chairman state the types of mechanical street sweepers on order, and can he inform this Council of their approxi- mate date of arrival?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
There are many types of mechanical sweeper available, both the brush type and the more modern suction sweeper, and extensive inquiries have been made regarding them. For Hong Kong, the ideal machine would be one which combines manoeuvrability, to enable it to negotiate our congested streets, with a large capacity, to obviate the need for frequent journeys to the dump or double handling of refuse. These two requirements are to some extent incompatible. Sweepers with large rubbish hoppers are generally not very manoeuvrable, while small, manoeuvr- able sweepers have a low capacity for rubbish.
As you know, Sir, it has been decided by the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee to recommend to Government that a small mechanical brush sweeper should be obtained as soon as possible. The sweeper in view is 7 feet in length and fitted with a transverse sweeping brush and a suction fan for dust control. It is highly manoeuvrable and has a refuse capacity of 16 cubic feet. It could be used to advantage at ferry concourses, in shopping and residential areas, and in secondary streets in the urban
areas.
At the same time, further information on the latest types of large road-sweepers is being received and processed. These sweepers are suitable for use on well-formed major roads, which are, or could be, kept relatively free of parked cars and other obstructions. It is expected that further recommendations regarding the purchase of large sweepers will be referred to the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee for consideration next month. Mean- time, provision has been made in the draft Estimates of the Urban Services Department for 1965-66 for funds for the purchase of two large mechanical sweepers.
DR. LEE:Has a firm order been sent for the brush type sweeper yet?
CHAIRMAN:-Not yet, Sir.
DR. LEE:-Will it take a long time to do that?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
459
CHAIRMAN:-I hope not, Sir. The matter has yet to be decided by Government.
MR. WATSON:-Mr. Chairman, does the last sentence mean purchase of two large mechanical sweepers? Will that mean mechani- cal and not suction sweepers?
CHAIRMAN: ---No, Sir. A decision has not yet been made on the type of sweeper to be purchased. As things stand, provision has merely been made in the draft Estimates. The Environmental Hygiene Select Committee has yet to decide what type of sweeper to ask for.
DR. LEE-I do not think the Environmental Hygiene Select Com- mittee should be blamed for that. I think the question is which type of sweeper is most suitable for the Colony's need.
(3) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
Will the Chairman make an interim progress report on the new Kennedy Town Slaughterhouse and incinerator, and can he give an absolute assurance to this Council as to when they will be ready for operation? In the case of the latter installation, what is the potential amount of fresh water which can be distilled from salt water?
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows-
As regards the Abattoir, tenders for piling were received on 4th December. It is hoped that this work will be completed by the end of March next year. Detailed planning of specialist equipment has been virtually finalized and preparation of working drawings of the building are in hand by Private Architects in London. The present estimated date of commissioning of this Abattoir is March 1967 including an allowance of two months for the adjustment and testing of equipment and the conduct- ing of test runs before the abattoir is opened for business. Construction of the Incinerator is proceeding satisfactorily and it should be operating by the end of next year. It is not proposed to distill sea water at this plant, but waste heat will be used to provide steam for the Abattoir and to generate electricity for both the Incinerator and the Abattoir.
MR. BERNACCHI :-As a supplementary, I would ask what does the Director of Public Works mean by the words "virtually finalized”? Will detailed planning be finalized in time for the equipment to be
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