1964 — Page 266

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 266 of 312

506

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(4) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:

In view of the dry weather and the amount of dust in the air, will the Chairman inform this Council what steps are taken to increase the frequency of street cleansing by vehicles each week? How many street cleansing vehicles are available for each side of the harbour?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

There are 22 street washing vehicles, including 1 on loan to the Resettlement Department. In Hong Kong, 9 vehicles work 12 shifts and in Kowloon 12 vehicles work 14 shifts daily.

This programme enables major roads to be pressure-sprayed every second night, Central District in Hong Kong and Tsim Sha Tsui to be washed once weekly, the main hawker areas to be washed once a fortnight, and the remaining parts of the urban areas to be washed fortnightly in Hong Kong, and every five weeks in Kowloon. The street washing programme has not yet been restored to the frequency which obtained before the water emergency in May 1963. 26 shifts are now worked daily compared with 40 at that time, but it is intended that the frequency of street washing during this dry season should be increased as vacant labourer posts in the cleansing service are filled.

DR. LEE: Mr. Chairman, what is your impression, and also opinion regarding the possibility and practicability of reaching the record mark of 40 shifts a day in the current financial year?

CHAIRMAN: We will do our best to step up the programme, but we are still handicapped by a shortage of labourers. The position at the moment is that in the cleansing service we are 185 labourers below strength, which is better than it was some two or three months ago.

DR. LEE: Are you not referring to drivers rather than to actual street sweepers in that context?

CHAIRMAN: That is true, Sir.

DR. LEE: Could we engage more drivers to boost up our street washing activity?

CHAIRMAN: We will try to, Sir.

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I suspect that you inserted this clause "every five weeks in Kowloon" as a bait. (Laughter). I know I would be disappointing you were I not to rise to it. Could you please explain the disparity between the treatment that is given to Hong Kong and to Kowloon not only in frequency of washing of streets but also in the number of vehicles and the shifts that are worked in these respective places?

507

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN: I must confess that I was horrified when I first saw these figures in the draft put before me, because I knew, Sir, that you would not miss the point. (Laughter). I am assured that the reason for the disparity is that there is a greater shortage of labour in Kowloon than in Hong Kong at the present time. There are 51 vacancies in the cleansing force in Hong Kong and 134 in Kowloon, and it is this difference in figures which accounts for our inability to cleanse the streets in Kowloon more often.

MR. WATSON: Mr. Chairman, could the answer be that Kowloon is a cleaner place than Hong Kong, or does Mr. SALES deny that? (Laughter).

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I ask you, following up your reply, whether in fact we have got two parts to the Civil Service in Hong Kong—one which works on the Island and the other one in Kowloon so that if, as at present, there is a shortage of labour in Kowloon, why is it that transfers have not been made in your personnel, so that Kowloon may also be adequately served?

CHAIRMAN: That is a question which I also asked within the Department. I am assured that travelling and residential problems make this question of transferring staff somewhat difficult, but I am investigating the matter urgently to see if we cannot do something to improve the position in Kowloon.

MR. BERNACCHI: Mr. Chairman, cannot the Urban Services Department pay the travelling expenses of street sweepers living on Hong Kong Island who are required to clean the Kowloon streets?

CHAIRMAN: I think it probably could, Sir, if the sweepers are travelling on duty.

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, does your answer not lend substance to my suspicion, and that of many people, that the Civil Service is only concerned with Hong Kong Island? Am I also to conclude that because the heads of departments live on the Island, Kowloon does not benefit from their work at all? In the event, may I ask that the tax which is paid by Kowloon residents be remitted? (Laughter).

MR. BERNACCHI: Be reduced? (Laughter).

CHAIRMAN: I assure you, Sir, that Kowloon is constantly in my thoughts. (Laughter).

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Page 266 of 312 506 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL (4) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question: In view of the dry weather and the amount of dust in the air, will the Chairman inform this Council what steps are taken to increase the frequency of street cleansing by vehicles each week? How many street cleansing vehicles are available for each side of the harbour? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: There are 22 street washing vehicles, including 1 on loan to the Resettlement Department. In Hong Kong, 9 vehicles work 12 shifts and in Kowloon 12 vehicles work 14 shifts daily. This programme enables major roads to be pressure-sprayed every second night, Central District in Hong Kong and Tsim Sha Tsui to be washed once weekly, the main hawker areas to be washed once a fortnight, and the remaining parts of the urban areas to be washed fortnightly in Hong Kong, and every five weeks in Kowloon. The street washing programme has not yet been restored to the frequency which obtained before the water emergency in May 1963. 26 shifts are now worked daily compared with 40 at that time, but it is intended that the frequency of street washing during this dry season should be increased as vacant labourer posts in the cleansing service are filled. DR. LEE: Mr. Chairman, what is your impression, and also opinion regarding the possibility and practicability of reaching the record mark of 40 shifts a day in the current financial year? CHAIRMAN: We will do our best to step up the programme, but we are still handicapped by a shortage of labourers. The position at the moment is that in the cleansing service we are 185 labourers below strength, which is better than it was some two or three months ago. DR. LEE: Are you not referring to drivers rather than to actual street sweepers in that context? CHAIRMAN: That is true, Sir. DR. LEE: Could we engage more drivers to boost up our street washing activity? CHAIRMAN: We will try to, Sir. MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I suspect that you inserted this clause "every five weeks in Kowloon" as a bait. (Laughter). I know I would be disappointing you were I not to rise to it. Could you please explain the disparity between the treatment that is given to Hong Kong and to Kowloon not only in frequency of washing of streets but also in the number of vehicles and the shifts that are worked in these respective places? 507 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN: I must confess that I was horrified when I first saw these figures in the draft put before me, because I knew, Sir, that you would not miss the point. (Laughter). I am assured that the reason for the disparity is that there is a greater shortage of labour in Kowloon than in Hong Kong at the present time. There are 51 vacancies in the cleansing force in Hong Kong and 134 in Kowloon, and it is this difference in figures which accounts for our inability to cleanse the streets in Kowloon more often. MR. WATSON: Mr. Chairman, could the answer be that Kowloon is a cleaner place than Hong Kong, or does Mr. SALES deny that? (Laughter). MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I ask you, following up your reply, whether in fact we have got two parts to the Civil Service in Hong Kong—one which works on the Island and the other one in Kowloon so that if, as at present, there is a shortage of labour in Kowloon, why is it that transfers have not been made in your personnel, so that Kowloon may also be adequately served? CHAIRMAN: That is a question which I also asked within the Department. I am assured that travelling and residential problems make this question of transferring staff somewhat difficult, but I am investigating the matter urgently to see if we cannot do something to improve the position in Kowloon. MR. BERNACCHI: Mr. Chairman, cannot the Urban Services Department pay the travelling expenses of street sweepers living on Hong Kong Island who are required to clean the Kowloon streets? CHAIRMAN: I think it probably could, Sir, if the sweepers are travelling on duty. MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, does your answer not lend substance to my suspicion, and that of many people, that the Civil Service is only concerned with Hong Kong Island? Am I also to conclude that because the heads of departments live on the Island, Kowloon does not benefit from their work at all? In the event, may I ask that the tax which is paid by Kowloon residents be remitted? (Laughter). MR. BERNACCHI: Be reduced? (Laughter). CHAIRMAN: I assure you, Sir, that Kowloon is constantly in my thoughts. (Laughter). Page 266 of 312

Baseline (Original)

Page 266 of 312 506 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL (4) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question :· — In view of the dry weather and the amount of dust in the air, will the Chairman inform this Council what steps are taken to increase the frequency of street cleansing by vehicles each week? How many street cleansing vehicles are available for each side of the harbour? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: - There are 22 street washing vehicles, including 1 on loan to the Resettlement Department. In Hong Kong, 9 vehicles work 12 shifts and in Kowloon 12 vehicles work 14 shifts daily. This programme enables major roads to be pressure-sprayed every second night, Central District in Hong Kong and Tsim Sha Tsui to be washed once weekly, the main hawker areas to be washed once a fortnight, and the remaining parts of the urban areas to be washed fort- nightly in Hong Kong, and every five weeks in Kowloon. The street washing programme has not yet been restored to the frequency which obtained before the water emergency in May 1963. 26 shifts are now worked daily compared with 40 at that time, but it is intended that the frequency of street washing during this dry season should be in- creased as vacant labourer posts in the cleansing service are filled. DR. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, what is your impression, and also opinion regarding the possibility and practicability of reaching the record mark of 40 shifts a day in the current financial year? CHAIRMAN:-We will do our best to step up the programme, but we are still handicapped by a shortage of labourers. The position at the moment is that in the cleansing service we are 185 labourers below strength, which is better than it was some two or three months ago. DR. LEE:-Are you not referring to drivers rather than to actual street sweepers in that context? CHAIRMAN: That is true, Sir. DR. LEE: Could we engage more drivers to boost up our street washing activity? CHAIRMAN:-We will try to, Sir. MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I suspect that you inserted this clause "every five weeks in Kowloon" as a bait. (Laughter). I know I would be disappointing you were I not to rise to it. Could you please explain HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 507 the disparity between the treatment that is given to Hong Kong and to Kowloon not only in frequency of washing of streets but also in the number of vehicles and the shifts that are worked in these respective places? CHAIRMAN:-I must confess that I was horrified when I first saw these figures in the draft put before me, because I knew, Sir, that you would not miss the point. (Laughter). I am assured that the reason for the disparity is that there is a greater shortage of labour in Kowloon than in Hong Kong at the present time. There are 51 vacancies in the cleansing force in Hong Kong and 134 in Kowloon, and it is this differ- ence in figures which accounts for our inability to cleanse the streets in Kowloon more often. MR. WATSON: -Mr. Chairman, could the answer be that Kowloon is a cleaner place than Hong Kong, or does Mr. SALES deny that? (Laughter). MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I ask you, following up your reply, whether in fact we have got two parts to the Civil Service in Hong Kong-one which works on the Island and the other one in Kowloon so that if, as at present, there is a shortage of labour in Kowloon, why is it that transfers have not been made in your personnel, so that Kowloon may also be adequately served? CHAIRMAN: That is a question which I also asked within the Department. I am assured that travelling and residential problems make this question of transferring staff somewhat difficult, but I am investigating the matter urgently to see if we cannot do something to improve the position in Kowloon. MR. BERNACCHI :-Mr. Chairman, cannot the Urban Services De- partment pay the travelling expenses of street sweepers living on Hong Kong Island who are required to clean the Kowloon streets? CHAIRMAN:-I think it probably could, Sir, if the sweepers are travelling on duty. MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, does your answer not lend substance to my suspicion, and that of many people, that the Civil Service is only concerned with Hong Kong Island? Am I also to conclude that because the heads of departments live on the Island, Kowloon does not benefit from their work at all? In the event, may I ask that the tax which is paid by Kowloon residents be remitted? (Laughter). MR. BERNACCHI:-Be reduced? (Laughter). CHAIRMAN:-I assure you, Sir, that Kowloon is constantly in my thoughts. (Laughter).

2026-05-13 20:16:51 · Baseline

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Page 266 of 312

506

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(4) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question :·

—

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

There are 22 street washing vehicles, including 1 on loan to the Resettlement Department. In Hong Kong, 9 vehicles work 12 shifts and in Kowloon 12 vehicles work 14 shifts daily.

This programme enables major roads to be pressure-sprayed every second night, Central District in Hong Kong and Tsim Sha Tsui to be washed once weekly, the main hawker areas to be washed once a fortnight, and the remaining parts of the urban areas to be washed fort- nightly in Hong Kong, and every five weeks in Kowloon. The street washing programme has not yet been restored to the frequency which obtained before the water emergency in May 1963. 26 shifts are now worked daily compared with 40 at that time, but it is intended that the frequency of street washing during this dry season should be in- creased as vacant labourer posts in the cleansing service are filled.

DR. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, what is your impression, and also opinion regarding the possibility and practicability of reaching the record mark of 40 shifts a day in the current financial year?

CHAIRMAN:-We will do our best to step up the programme, but we are still handicapped by a shortage of labourers. The position at the moment is that in the cleansing service we are 185 labourers below strength, which is better than it was some two or three months ago.

DR. LEE:-Are you not referring to drivers rather than to actual street sweepers in that context?

CHAIRMAN:

That is true, Sir.

DR. LEE: Could we engage more drivers to boost up our street washing activity?

CHAIRMAN:-We will try to, Sir.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

507

the disparity between the treatment that is given to Hong Kong and to Kowloon not only in frequency of washing of streets but also in the number of vehicles and the shifts that are worked in these respective places?

CHAIRMAN:-I must confess that I was horrified when I first saw these figures in the draft put before me, because I knew, Sir, that you would not miss the point. (Laughter). I am assured that the reason for the disparity is that there is a greater shortage of labour in Kowloon than in Hong Kong at the present time. There are 51 vacancies in the cleansing force in Hong Kong and 134 in Kowloon, and it is this differ- ence in figures which accounts for our inability to cleanse the streets in Kowloon more often.

MR. WATSON: -Mr. Chairman, could the answer be that Kowloon is a cleaner place than Hong Kong, or does Mr. SALES deny that? (Laughter).

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I ask you, following up your reply, whether in fact we have got two parts to the Civil Service in Hong Kong-one which works on the Island and the other one in Kowloon so that if, as at present, there is a shortage of labour in Kowloon, why is it that transfers have not been made in your personnel, so that Kowloon may also be adequately served?

MR. BERNACCHI :-Mr. Chairman, cannot the Urban Services De- partment pay the travelling expenses of street sweepers living on Hong Kong Island who are required to clean the Kowloon streets?

CHAIRMAN:-I think it probably could, Sir, if the sweepers are travelling on duty.

MR. BERNACCHI:-Be reduced? (Laughter).

CHAIRMAN:-I assure you, Sir, that Kowloon is constantly in my thoughts. (Laughter).

1964 — Page 266

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