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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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give rise, there would be a grave risk of malpractices such as the alteration of particulars on the form and their transfer to third parties.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chainman, may I ask if the Commissioner considers that the risk of malpractice on the part of the squatters is greater than the possibility of malpractice on the part of the officers?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I think on the whole, prob- ably "yes", because after all, they do have something to gain. In any case, as far as the officers are concerned, they are aware that there is always the possibility of an appeal being made and if there have been any malpractices, of their being found out.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner, through you, how is it possible for the squatters to disprove the con- tents of the survey made in 1961 and when it is being reviewed in 1964? The officer can then just say that "well this was made in 1961." What safeguard does the squatter have?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Measures which I now pro- pose cannot put right now any mistakes that might have been made as far back as that, but it should help to prevent the possibility of such mistakes in the future. The survey of a squatter area, before clearance, usually takes place some weeks or even two or three months before the clearance actually takes place, so that if a squatter is dissatisfied with the refusal to grant him a shop, as long as he appeals quickly, there will be ample time in which to verify his statement against the officer who makes the survey.

MR. BERNACCHI:-Do I understand that the present or the new system is that the squatter concerned will sign the Chinese version of the clearance form, therefore presumably knowing what he has signed?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: -Yes, that is so. In fact, it will be one form with each line printed both in English and in Chinese.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, supposing a squatter were given a duplicate form and he altered it, would that be a serious objection to handling the forms at all? Would the alteration not be easily detected?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-It could be, but also, of course, these will become valuable negotiable instruments. (Laughter).

MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question:-

I understand that the public latrine on the eastern side of the Star Ferry Pier, Kowloon, emits a most unpleasant smell. As this latrine is flushed with sea water, there is no reason why it should be maintained in such a filthy condition.

Will the Chairman inform this Council whether other latrines in Hong Kong and Kowloon are kept in a similar condi- tion, and if so, what steps he will take to improve the standard of cleanliness in public latrines generally?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

This latrine is frequently inspected by staff in this department, and at no time to my knowledge has it been found to be in a filthy condition, nor has any complaint been received from the public. The latrine is staffed and cleansed by both male and female attendants during opening hours. It has been noticed, however, that smells occasionally occur in this vicinity at low tide when the sewage outfall from the sea-wall approximately 15 yards away is above the water level. My friend, the Director of Public Works, informs me that this outfall will cease to be used in ap- proximately six months' time when an intercepting sewer will be constructed to divert sewage through a screening plant to the Tsim Sha Tsui submarine outfall.

With regard to other public latrines there is no difficulty in maintaining those connected to salt-water mains in a clean condition but due to the water shortage the majority of latrines normally connected to mains water have been flushed by well water carried by street washing vehicles. This is obviously not as effective as normal automatic flushing, and the number of vehicles employed for this purpose is limited. However, with the recent easing of the water restrictions, the Water Authority has agreed that these latrines be re-connected to the mains supply. Consequently there should be some improvement. I should mention that a programme is in hand to convert to salt-water systems where practicable, those older latrines normally dependent on fresh mains water supply. Twelve latrines have already been converted and 8 are scheduled for conversion.

MR. K. S. Lo asked the following question:-

With reference to the stoppage of construction work at the

Chai Wan Resettlement Estate, may I ask:

(a) What are the causes for the cracks found in the two

blocks of building?

(b) Will the suspension of construction work in any way affect our Resettlement Programme for the present year?

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