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4 each were using diesel oil and electricity, and one each town gas and charcoal. Spot checks on these establishments did not at the time demonstrate smoke emission to such a degree as would warrant action under the Clean Air Ordinance 1959, but a close watch is being kept on the situation.
At present the Council has no authority to require the use of smokeless fuel in restaurants and cafes. However, when a smoke complaint is directed against a particular establishment or when such a nuisance is observed, appropriate action is taken: such action will, of course, depend on the circumstances of the individual case.
DR. Woo:- Mr. Chairman, I would like to refer to paragraph 3 of Dr. Wyllie's reply concerning spot checks. I am in possession of photographs sent to me by a member of the public showing smoke coming out of these establishments, and this smoke is going up as high as tall buildings. I do not know whether Dr. Wyllie would care to have these photographs?
ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES: Mr. Chairman, I would be very grateful if Dr. Woo would let me have these photographs so that I can make further investigations.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Dr. Wyllie about the appropriate action. What does this mean?
ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES: Mr. Chairman, as I mentioned in my reply, appropriate action will depend on the individual circumstances of the case. In certain instances, advice as to the type of fuel required, in others, the type of chimney and so on. I am afraid I cannot give anything more specific than that.
(10) MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK asked the following question:
Will the Commissioner for Resettlement please explain why the Wong Tai Sin Kaifong Association Clinic has to pay a monthly commercial rent of $250 when other welfare and other non-profit making organizations are paying only $28 monthly for the same area of space in the Estate? As the Wong Tai Sin Kaifong Association is operating the clinic on a non-profit making basis, can the Commissioner take steps to rectify this anomaly as early as possible?
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THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
The premises in question comprise a clinic and the Association's offices, which were allocated in 1962 by the relevant Select Committee, with rent at the commercial rate. It is not clear from our records why a commercial rent was charged, but it may be because the premises were partly used as an office and store. I propose to place the matter before the Resettlement Management Select Committee for re-consideration.
MR. RAFEEK:- Thank you.
(11) MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK asked the following question:-
Residents in the Wong Tai Sin Resettlement Estate have complained that the drains in the estate are often not functioning properly, especially when it rains; particularly, shop-keepers in Blocks Nos. A, BB and E have complained of having suffered financial losses due to drains overflowing during rainy weather. Can the Director of Public Works give this matter his attention as soon as possible?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
Flooding and deposits of silt are liable to occur during periods of heavy rain around Blocks E to A of this estate. E is at the junction of Lung Cheung and Shatin Pass Roads: Blocks D, C, B and A are further down Shatin Pass Road towards its junction with Choi Hung Road and at the lowest level in the estate. The last occasion when some flooding occurred was in September this year. On that occasion there was no trouble at Block BB, which is the only block in this estate north of Lung Cheung Road, probably because the low-cost housing estate nearby had been completed.
2.
Three factors contribute to the trouble at Blocks A to E. Firstly, they are below road level so that any excess water and earth which the stormwater drain cannot deal with tend to flow into this part of the estate. Nothing can be done to alter the levels but a scheme has been prepared to resurface the concrete surrounds of blocks A, B and C with increased falls and underground drainage, doing away with a number of the surface water channels. This scheme will cost about $170,000 and I propose to apply for funds in next year's estimates.
Page 184 of 382
Page 184 of 382
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4 each were using diesel oil and electricity, and one each town gas and charcoal. Spot checks on these establish- ments did not at the time demonstrate smoke emission to such a degree as would warrant action under the Clean Air Ordinance 1959, but a close watch is being kept on the situation.
At present the Council has no authority to require the use of smokeless fuel in restaurants and cafes. However, when a smoke complaint is directed against a particular establishment or when such a nuisance is observed, appro- priate action is taken: such action will, of course, depend on the circumstances of the individual case.
DR. Woo:-Mr. Chairman, I would like to refer to paragraph 3 of Dr. WYILE's reply concerning spot checks. I am in possession of photographs sent to me by a member of the public showing smoke coming out of these establishments, and this smoke is going up as high as tall buildings. I do not know whether Dr. WYILE would care to have these photographs?
ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES: Mr. Chairman, I would be very grateful if Dr. Woo would let me have these photographs so that I can make further investigations.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Dr. WYILE about the appropriate action. What does this mean?
ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES : Mr. Chairman, as I mentioned in my reply, appropriate action will depend on the individual circumstances of the case. In certain in- stances, advice as to the type of fuel required, in others, the type of chimney and so on. I am afraid I cannot give anything more specific than that.
(10) MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK asked the following question:
Will the Commissioner for Resettlement please explain why the Wong Tai Sin Kaifong Association Clinic has to pay a monthly commercial rent of $250 when other welfare and other non-profit making organizations are paying only $28 monthly for the same area of space in the Estate? As the Wong Tai Sin Kaifong Association is operating the clinic on a non-profit making basis, can the Commissioner take steps to rectify this anomaly as early as possible?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
347
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
The premises in question comprise a clinic and the Associa- tion's offices, which were allocated in 1962 by the relevant Select Committee, with rent at the commercial rate. It is not clear from our records why a commercial rent was charged, but it may be because the premises were partly used as an office and store. I propose to place the matter before the Resettlement Management Select Committee for re-consideration.
MR. RAFEEK:-Thank you.
(11) MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK asked the following question:-
Residents in the Wong Tai Sin Resettlement Estate have complained that the drains in the estate are often not functioning properly, especially when it rains; particularly, shop-keepers in Blocks Nos. A, BB and E have complain- ed of having suffered financial losses due to drains over- flowing during rainy weather. Can the Director of Public Works give this matter his attention as soon as possible?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
Flooding and deposits of silt are liable to occur during periods Block of heavy rain around Blocks E to A of this estate. E is at the junction of Lung Cheung and Shatin Pass Roads: Blocks D, C, B and A are further down Shatin Pass Road towards its junction with Choi Hung Road and at the lowest level in the estate. The last occasion when some flooding occurred was in September this year. On that occasion there was no trouble at Block BB, which is the only block in this estate north of Lung Cheung Road, probably because the low cost housing estate nearby had been completed.
2.
Three factors contribute to the trouble at Blocks A to E. Firstly, they are below road level so that any excess water and earth which the stormwater drain cannot deal with tend to flow into this part of the estate. Nothing can be done to alter the levels but a scheme has been prepared to resurface the concrete surrounds of blocks A, B and C with increased falls and underground drain- age, doing away with a number of the surface water channels. This scheme will cost about $170,000 and I propose to apply for funds in next year's estimates.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.