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COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: —I do not see how the "Sales Formula" is going to have any effect on overcrowding in the old estates.
DR. BELL:—Mr. Chairman, I agree. I do not think it will with the present backlog, but I think it would prevent your having an accumulating backlog. Therefore would the Commissioner be prepared to support it in view of his reply?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:—I think my views on the "Sales Formula" have already been sufficiently aired. My view is that I support it in principle, but I think it is unnecessary to introduce it at the moment since people are in fact going in at 30 sq. ft. per adult, and that the introduction of it should not be divorced from the review of the priorities which, in any case, is to take place shortly.
(9) DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question:
The Council, through the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee, is constantly considering the opening-up of new beaches. Many of these are on islands and the service which such small craft can provide to the public is limited to some extent by the prohibition under the law of the use of gasoline engines. While diesel engines are permitted it will be appreciated that these engines, being in-board, take up much of the space available for passengers. In order that greater accessibility can be obtained for new island beaches which may be selected, could consideration be given to modifying the law to permit, in special cases, use of out-board gasoline engines where the craft is used solely for the purpose of conveying members of the public to and from island beaches?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
The use of petrol engines in small craft is prohibited by regulation 11 of the Merchant Shipping (Small Craft) Regulations, 1957. When these regulations were being drafted very careful consideration was given to the type of engines that should be permitted and the nature of the fuel to be used. The highly inflammable nature of petrol and its rapid rate of spread over the surface of water is a hazard, and it was on this account that the decision to exclude petrol engines was made. Since there are available a number of small compact inboard diesel engines, (and even outboard engines using diesel fuel) it is felt that the use of petrol engines cannot be justified, bearing in mind the danger involved in the use of a highly inflammable fuel.
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It may be of interest if I add that, whilst agreeing that an inboard engine occupies space within a boat, the number of persons carried is determined not only by the space available but is very much a function of the stability of the craft. For example, the number of persons permitted to be carried in sampans is calculated on the basis of one person for every 15 piculs capacity, this figure having been assessed after due consideration of the stability of this type of craft. An inboard engine, though occupying space, does not in general reduce the number of persons permitted when calculated by the above method. The idea that the space taken up by the engine could be used for carrying additional persons is not valid, because an engine fitted low in the boat tends to be an advantage to its stability, whereas if such space were occupied by people, who must at some time be standing, there would be an adverse effect on stability.
DR. BELL:—Mr. Chairman, are you aware that it is not pure petrol that is used in the so-called petrol engines?
CHAIRMAN: —No, Dr. BELL.
DR. BELL:—Mr. Chairman, how many fires have occurred in these so-called petrol engines?
CHAIRMAN:—I should require notice of that question. I thought though they were prohibited.
DR. BELL:—Mr. Chairman, I may be wrong, but I think what you are referring to here is the Merchant Shipping Regulations which are surely for boats which ply for hire, such as walla wallas crossing the harbour. I think these regulations were more or less introduced for that type of craft. There are many pleasure boats, very many indeed in the Colony, which are using so-called petrol engines, I used the word gasoline in my question on purpose, not because I was trying to be American.
MR. MARDEN:—Mr. Chairman, could we, through you, ask the Marine Department how many fires in fact have occurred on private pleasure craft which are driven by outboard engines since 1957? There should be some record. I myself have been an owner of one since then and myself have never heard of a fire occurring with that type of engine.
Page 126 of 279
Page 126 of 279
226
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: —I do not see how the "Sales Formula" is going to have any effect on overcrowding in the old estates.
DR. BELL:-Mr. Chairman, I agree. I do not think it will with the present backlog, but I think it would prevent your having an accu- mulating backlog. Therefore would the Commissioner be prepared to support it in view of his reply?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I think my views on the "Sales Formula" have already been sufficiently aired. My view is that I support it in principle, but I think it is unnecessary to introduce it at the moment since people are in fact going in at 30 sq. ft. per adult, and that the introduction of it should not be divorced from the review of the priorities which, in any case, is to take place shortly.
(9) DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question:
The Council, through the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee, is constantly considering the opening- up of new beaches. Many of these are on islands and The service which are accessible only by small craft.
such small craft can provide to the public is limited to some extent by the prohibition under the law of the use of gasolene engines. While diesel engines are permitted it will be appreciated that these engines, being in-board, take up much of the space available for passengers. In order that greater accessibility can be obtained for new island beaches which may be selected, could considera- tion be given to modifying the law to permit, in special cases, use of out-board gasoline engines where the craft is used solely for the purpose of conveying members of the public to and from island beaches?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
The use of petrol engines in small craft is prohibited by regulation 11 of the Merchant Shipping (Small Craft) Regulations, 1957. When these regulations were being drafted very careful consideration was given to the type of engines that should be permitted and the nature of the fuel to be used. The highly inflammable nature of petrol and its rapid rate of spread over the surface of water is a hazard, and it was on this account that the decision to exclude petrol engines was made. Since there are available a number of small compact inboard diesel
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engines, (and even outboard engines using diesel fuel) it is felt that the use of petrol engines cannot be justified, bearing in mind the danger involved in the use of a highly inflammable fuel.
It may be of interest if I add that, whilst agreeing that an inboard engine occupies space within a boat, the number of persons carried is determined not only by the space available but is very much a function of the stability of the craft. For example, the number of persons permitted to be carried in sampans is calculated on the basis of one person for every 15 piculs capacity, this figure having been assessed after due consideration of the stability of this type of craft. An inboard engine, though occupying space, does not in general reduce the number of persons permitted when calculated by the above method. The idea that the space taken up by the engine could be used for carrying additional persons is not valid, because an engine fitted low in the boat tends to be an advantage to its stability, whereas if such space were occupied by people, who must at some time be standing, there would be an adverse effect on stability.
DR. BELL:Mr. Chairman, are you aware that it is not pure petrol that is used in the so-called petrol engines?
CHAIRMAN: ---No, Dr. BELL.
DR. BELL:—Mr. Chairman, how many fires have occurred in these so-called petrol engines?
CHAIRMAN:-I should require notice of that question. I thought though they were prohibited.
DR. BELL:-Mr. Chairman, I may be wrong, but 1 think what you are referring to here is the Merchant Shipping Regulations which are surely for boats which ply for hire, such a walla wallas crossing the harbour. I think these regulations were more or less introduced for that type of craft. There are many pleasure boats, very many indeed in the Colony, which are using so-called petrol engines, I used the word gasoline in my question on purpose, not because I was trying to be American.
MR. MARDEN:-Mr. Chairman, could we, through you, ask the Marine Department how many fires in fact have occurred on private pleasure craft which are driven by outboard engines since 1957? There should be some record. I myself have been an owner of one since then and myself have never heard of a fire occurring with that type of engine.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.