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MR. BERNACCHI:-That is just my point, that I have agreed to Mr. SALES' suggestion, that it be referred to the Legal Department and then their answer considered by the Standing Committee. That in my own submission, as this Council has a representative on the Traffic Advisory Board, questions are in order on traffic matters, and the answer that Mr. Li Yiu-bor will give to question No. 18 should be the same even if Mr. Hu had started his question as he started it originally "would you ask the representative on the Traffic Advisory Committee to raise with the Traffic Advisory Committee etc.,"
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I would like to ask one question if I might in return (Laughter). I would like to ask Mr. Li Yiu-bor if he can recall the terms of reference of the Traffic Advisory Committee now?
MR. LI YIU-BOR:-No, Sir, I have not got the terms of that committee with me at the present moment.
MR. SALES: May I suggest that the terms of reference of the Traffic Advisory Committee include that only matters referred to it by the Commissioner of Police can be put on the agenda? I think that was a point on which Council felt very strongly some years ago, and for that reason I have never wanted to serve on the Traffic Advisory Committee because I don't consider it to be an effective body, as at present constituted.
DR. BELL:-As a matter of fact, Mr. Chairman, having served on it, if my memory serves me correctly, one is able to discuss an enormous number of things because they are rather vague terms of reference, and you are told very often that something is not within the scope of the terms of reference, but when you refer to the terms of reference you find it could be wangled in under two or three of the terms of reference, if you insist loud enough and strong enough about it.
CHAIRMAN:-I think this matter should be referred for legal advice as suggested by Mr. SALES.
(14) MR. FUNG HON-CHU asked the following question:-
I recall making a complaint about the filthy condition of Victoria Park, especially on Monday mornings at an Amenities Select Committee meeting in July. It has again been brought to my attention that this filthy condition is still very much in evidence. Will the Chairman please inform this Council what has been done and whether more effective steps are being considered for keeping the Park in a state of cleanliness?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
359
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
I understand that the complaints in question relate to the early morning. The explanation is, I think, that when Victoria Park opens at 6.00 a.m. it is still littered with the accumulated rubbish dumped indiscriminately by persons using the park the previous evening, that is until midnight in summer or 10.00 p.m. in winter instead of putting such discarded newspapers and other litter in the 87 bins provided for the purpose. The quantities of litter are particularly large on Monday mornings.
Up to 15 members of the staff are normally engaged on the early morning litter sweep. They start work at 7.00 a.m. because, I am advised, many of them who use public transport cannot arrive earlier. The park is normally cleared of rubbish and dog droppings by 9.00 a.m., though after a public holiday it may take until 9.30 a.m. The park is then kept in a clean and tidy condition until the evening.
The introduction of small mechanical or suction sweepers is being examined so as to speed up the job of cleaning the park.
But, you will agree with me, for sure, that if Hong Kong residents would only be more considerate and would adopt cleaner habits, the whole urban area, let alone Victoria Park, would be far more pleasant and even healthier. Besides, the money saved could be applied to providing other amenities for example.
MR. FUNG:-Sir, as a supplementary question, may I ask how often this so-called litter sweep is repeated during the day, or have we only one in the morning of the day as the reply indicated?
MR. SALES:-Sir, I suggest that this is for the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee. (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:-It is my impression that the cleansing goes on throughout the day. There is a number of these cleaners walking around the park, picking up rubbish.
MR. FUNG: May I suggest this be re-checked again and a report be given to the Urban Amenities Select Committee. I want to be sure of this point, Sir.
CHAIRMAN: Certainly, Sir. May I ask if it is in your criticism that the park is dirty during the day as well as in the morning?
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Page 190 of 382
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. BERNACCHI:-That is just my point, that I have agreed to Mr. SALES suggestion, that it be referred to the Legal Department and then their answer considered by the Standing Committee. That in my own submission, as this Council has a representative on the Traffic Advisory Board, questions are in order on traffic matters, and the answer that Mr. Li Yiu-bor will give to question No. 18 should be the same even if Mr. Hu had started his question as he started it originally "would you ask the representative on the Traffic Advisory Committee to raise with the Traffic Advisory Committee etc.,"
CHAIRMAN :-Sir, I would like to ask one question if I might in return (Laughter). I would like to ask Mr. Li Yiu-bor if he can recall the terms of reference of the Traffic Advisory Committee now?
MR. LI YIU-BOR:-No, Sir, I have not got the terms of that com- mittee with me at the present moment.
MR. SALES: May I suggest that the terms of reference of the Traffic Advisory Committee include that only matters referred to it by the Commissioner of Police can be put on the agenda? I think that was a point on which Council felt very strongly some years ago, and for that reason I have never wanted to serve on the Traffic Advisory Committee because I don't consider it to be an effective body, as at present constituted.
DR. BELL:-As a matter of fact, Mr. Chairman, having served on it, if my memory serves me correctly, one is able to discuss an enormous number of things because they are rather vague terms of reference, and you are told very often that something is not within the scope of the terms of reference, but when you refer to the terms of reference you find it could be wangled in under two or three of the terms of reference, if you insist loud enough and strong enough about it.
CHAIRMAN:-I think this matter should be referred for legal advice as suggested by Mr. SALES.
(14) MR. FUNG HON-CHU asked the following question:-
I recall making a complaint about the filthy condition of Victoria Park, especially on Monday mornings at an Amenities Select Committee meeting in July. It has again been brought to my attention that this filthy condition is still very much in evidence. Will the Chairman please inform this Council what has been done and whether more effective steps are being considered for keeping the Park in a state of cleanliness?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
359
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
I understand that the complaints in question relate to the early morning. The explanation is, I think, that when Victoria Park opens at 6.00 a.m. it is still littered with the accu- mulated rubbish dumped indiscriminately by persons using the park the previous evening, that is until midnight in summer or 10.00 p.m. in winter instead of putting such discarded newspapers and other litter in the 87 bins provid- ed for the purpose. The quantities of litter are particularly large on Monday mornings.
Up to 15 members of the staff are normally engaged on the early morning litter sweep. They start work at 7.00 a.m. because, I am advised, many of them who use public transport cannot arrive earlier. The park is normally cleared of rubbish and dog droppings by 9.00 a.m., though The after a public holiday it may take until 9.30 a.m. park is then kept in a clean and tidy condition until the evening.
The introduction of small mechanical or suction sweepers is being examined so as to speed up the job of cleaning the park.
But, you will agree with me, for sure, that if Hong Kong residents would only be more considerate and would adopt cleaner habits, the whole urban area, let alone Victoria Park, would be far more pleasant and even healthier. Besides, the money saved could be applied to providing other amenities for example.
MR. FUNG:-Sir, as a supplementary question, may I ask how often this so-called litter sweep is repeated during the day, or have we only one in the morning of the day as the reply indicated?
MR. SALES: -Sir, I suggest that this is for the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee. (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:-It is my impression that the cleansing goes on throughout the day. There is a number of these cleaners walking around the park, picking up rubbish.
MR. FUNG: May I suggest this be re-checked again and a report be given to the Urban Amenities Select Committee. I want to be sure of this point, Sir.
CHAIRMAN: Certainly, Sir. May I ask if it is in your criticism that the park is dirty during the day as well as in the morning?
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