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This figure may have to be revised upwards in the coming months in the light of a fresh review now being undertaken.

Mechanization of the cleansing services, which was mentioned by some Members at the last meeting, has been very much in the minds of the Members of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee. Already at the Gin Drinkers Bay dump there has been a noticeable improvement in the off-loading arrangements by the introduction of additional heavy bulldozers and also of grab cranes to replace the manual methods of off-loading from the barges. There is still much work to be done however at the dump. Construction work to enable additional cranes to be brought into operation is shortly to begin. Work on the earth bund to seal off the dump from the sea is progress- ing and is now expected to be completed by the middle of February.

The mechanization of street sweeping breaks entirely new ground. Mechanized sweepers are a feature of street cleansing in many modern cities throughout the world, and there is no reason why Hong Kong should fall behind in this respect. Information has been assembled on many and various types of sweeper and the field has been narrowed down to a small number of sweepers on which further detailed informa- tion is now being obtained to enable orders to be placed early in the coming year. Mechanization is no panacea for all our cleansing problems and for some time to come manual methods will play the major role in cleansing operations, but improved all round efficiency can be expected from the introduction of these machines.

One unsatisfactory aspect of cleansing which has attracted much attention this year is the accumulation of refuse baskets at the collection stops on our streets. Mr. WATSON has put forward an ingenious pro- posal for the construction of underground chambers for the depositing of refuse which would be cleared by use of suction hoses presumably drawing the refuse into a large container mounted on a vehicle. There would certainly be difficulties in the construction beneath our pavements and roads of several hundred such chambers, which would be necessary for the collection of 1,400 tons of refuse each day, but they would undoubtedly greatly improve conditions on the streets. It would be necessary to employ a large fleet of specially constructed vehicles, fitted with powerful suction units to draw up the refuse cleanly from these underground chambers. The hoses fitted to the modern suction sweepers are unlikely to be either sufficiently large or powerful to draw up several tons of compacted refuse. But Mr. WATSON's proposal deserves careful consideration and will receive it.

The answer to the problem of refuse accumulations lies in swift removal by large modern refuse collection vehicles of the types now being used. When we have sufficient vehicles to keep to strict and frequent schedules, the problem of accumulation will be greatly reduced,

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and the enforcement of by-laws governing refuse collection, which was mentioned by Mr. FUNG Hon-chu, and illegal dumping in the harbour and elsewhere, will be greatly facilitated. In some areas, particularly markets and hawker areas where heavy quantities of refuse are brought out each day, it may be possible to use covered trailers more extensively, provided parking space is available; this is a matter which the Depart- ment is looking into.

One relatively small but useful development during the year is worthy of mention: that is the introduction of salt water cleansing in five hawker areas by the use of hoses connected to the salt mains hydrants.

There were one or two suggestions made that our difficulties in the field of cleansing were due, in some degree at least, to the parsimony of Government in failing to provide money for equipment and staff. I would like to dispel any such misconception. It has been my experience in the past four years that Government has invariably listened sympathetically to our requests regarding equipment and personnel and has shown a most helpful attitude in our various difficulties. If there has been any serious lack of tools for the job, it has not, in my opinion, been due to Government.

Mr. FUNG Hon-chu referred to delays in licensing procedure and pointed out that these may be due to other departments. In regard to licensing procedure generally, the whole matter is now being reviewed by all the departments concerned at the Colonial Secretary's request. I hope that in consequence it will be possible to reduce any untoward delays in dealing with applications for Urban Council licences which have to be referred to other departments for attention.

Mr. SALES suggested that the motion at the next annual debate should be proposed and seconded by Unofficial Members. It has always been my aim and policy assuming that Mr. SALES is agreeable, in applying his "principle of subsidiarity", to permit a mere "functionary" to have an aim and policy-to encourage the Unofficial Members of this Council to play as full a part as possible in all its many affairs and activities. Accordingly, I welcome his suggestion and will propose in due course that it be adopted next year.

Finally, allow me to express to you the appreciation of the Urban Services Department and of Government for your enterprise and example as Members of this Council. The industry, capacity, probity and candour, which you display in your work do not, I assure you, pass unremarked and unappreciated. But while it is customary for me to thank you on this occasion for your endeavours during the year, the highest compliment which I can pay you is to say that I believe that you would continue to strive for the common good whether you were thanked or not.