HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Mr. Chairman, I would say this is due to the fact that although each project varies in size and complexity, if you take six it will usually average out perhaps to one architect's work over a year. I am afraid that is the only body we have for these jobs. We would like to undertake more projects, but at the present moment we just could not face it. However, I have agreed that on the Urban Amenities Select Committee, my representative, Mr. NORTON will look into the matter further.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I am obliged to the Director of Public Works for a very enlightening reply, giving us information in fact that we have not been told before, that there is only one human body in the Public Works Department concerned with our projects. Now, with the tremendous growth of population since the figure "six" was used as the limit, would it not be more realistic to increase that number in terms of population growth?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, I think this is a very reasonable question and I would like to see it arranged in that manner. This is applicable, of course, to every phase of our operations; everything is geared to population growth, your buildings, your sewers, your lights, and so on. You still have the same relative priorities.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I think that is an excellent reply. May I also suggest that with the growth of population and the growth in demand for hospitals, slaughterhouses, reservoirs, etc., there is also the growth of revenue to Government and also the expansion of the civil service, which would enable more projects to be undertaken. With that comment, may I, once again, through you, thank the Director of Public Works for his replies.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. BERNACCHI :-Mr. Chairman, I rise to apologize for my delay in coming to the meeting, a delay which was partly due to court commitments and partly due to a breakdown in the lift service on account of a burst water main, (Laughter) but I would, with your permission, like to address this Council on the Interim Report at the end of the questions.
CHAIRMAN: -I do not think that any Member would object to that.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:
(a) Will the Chairman make a brief report of the damage done to the refuse dump at Gin Drinker's Bay, and the amount of refuse being washed into the harbour? (b) What step has the Chairman taken to expedite the construction of a new bund across the face of the dump so as to prevent refuse escaping and drifting onto the beaches?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
As the dumping of refuse at Gin Drinker's Bay has extended into deeper water, the prevention of subsidence and the subsequent drifting away of floating refuse has become increasingly difficult. Two bunds have been under construction since 1962, partly enclosing the dump on the east side. A boom was laid between them in January this year to contain floating refuse. There is a gap at the end of the boom to allow access to the dump face by refuse barges from the Island. Floating refuse is liable to escape through this gap, particularly at times of westerly winds.
In April of this year, a fairly large section of the dump face broke off; the rubbish slipped into the water, and some of it gradually floated away. The escape of this rubbish from the dump was aggravated at the end of May by Typhoon Viola, when the boom was broken by rough water and substantial quantities of rubbish were washed
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Mr. Chairman, I would say this is due to the fact that although each project varies in size and com- plexity, if you take six it will usually average out perhaps to one architect's work over a year. I am afraid that is the only body we have for these jobs. We would like to undertake more projects, but at the present moment we just could not face it. However, I have agreed that on the Urban Amenities Select Committee, my representa- tive, Mr. NORTON will look into the matter further.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I am obliged to the Director of Public Works for a very enlightening reply, giving us information in fact that we have not been told before, that there is only one human body in the Public Works Department concerned with our projects. Now, with the tremendous growth of population since the figure "six" was used as the limit, would it not be more realistic to increase that number in terms of population growth?
manner.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, I think this is a very reasonable question and I would like to see it arranged in that This is applicable, of course, to every phase of our opera- tions; everything is geared to population growth, your buildings, your sewers, your lights, and so on. You still have the same relative priorities.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I think that is an excellent reply. May I also suggest that with the growth of population and the growth in demand for hospitals, slaughterhouses, reservoirs, etc., there is also the growth of revenue to Government and also the expansion of the civil service, which would enable more projects to be undertaken. With that comment, may I, once again, through you, thank the Director of Public Works for his replies.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
147
MR. BERNACCHI :-Mr. Chairman, I rise to apologize for my delay in coming to the meeting, a delay which was partly due to court com- mitments and partly due to a breakdown in the lift service on account of a burst water main, (Laughter) but I would, with your permission, like to address this Council on the Interim Report at the end of the questions.
!.
that.
CHAIRMAN: -I do not think that any Member would object to
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:
(a) Will the Chairman make a brief report of the damage done to the refuse dump at Gin Drinker's Bay, and the amount of refuse being washed into the harbour? (b) What step has the Chairman taken to expedite the con- struction of a new bund across the face of the dump so as to prevent refuse escaping and drifting onto the beaches?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
As the dumping of refuse at Gin Drinker's Bay has extended into deeper water, the prevention of subsidence and the subsequent drifting away of floating refuse has become increasingly difficult. Two bunds have been under con- struction since 1962, partly enclosing the dump on the east side. A boom was laid between them in January this year to contain floating refuse. There is a gap at the end of the boom to allow access to the dump face by refuse barges from the Island. Floating refuse is liable to escape through this gap, particularly at times of westerly winds.
In April of this year, a fairly large section of the dump face broke off; the rubbish slipped into the water, and some of it gradually floated away. The escape of this rubbish from the dump was aggravated at the end of May by Typhoon Viola, when the boom was broken by rough water and substantial quantities of rubbish were washed
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