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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
under his guidance the department has kept itself informed of modern methods and equipment in other countries, and continues to explore means of mechanizing cleansing under local conditions. Thorough tests have now been made of two different types of large mechanical road sweepers. The results show that mechanical sweeping can be adopted for certain roads in Hong Kong with efficiency and a saving of labour. We hope to obtain up to four more of these large mechanical sweepers for use on roads where obstruction from parked vehicles, etc. is at a minimum.
Steps have been taken to reduce as much as possible the time taken for servicing and repair of these sweepers. As a result there has been an improvement in the availability from an average of 60% to over 80% in the month of November.
As regards refuse incinerators, the first plant in Hong Kong, at Kennedy Town, consisting of four furnace units and capable of handling a load of refuse of 750 tons a day, has now been completed, and test runs of the various components are being conducted by a commissioning engineer from the manufacturers. If these runs are successful the plant will be fully operational shortly. Arrangements will then be made for the transport of refuse by barges from the Island to the dump at Gin Drinkers Bay to be gradually reduced and eventually terminated. Not only will this contribute to a reduction of harbour pollution, it will also result in cutting down the total quantity of refuse to be disposed of at the dump daily by about one-third.
The engineering and building works of the first incinerator in Kowloon, at Lai Chi Kok, also consisting of four units, is more than half completed. About 80% of the plant has been received on site. A contract for the construction of the plant having been signed, completion is anticipated in late 1967.
Further incinerators are planned, the eventual objective being closure of the Gin Drinkers Bay refuse dump.
I am grateful to Dr. BELL for her remarks on city cleansing and rubbish collection and her suggestions will be examined. I can say now, however, that the Director of Education is not in favour of organizing special anti-litter patrols of school children to venture onto public places to exercise a degree of supervision and correction of erring pedestrians, hawkers, etc., as he considers it inadvisable for young pupils, however well-meaning, to interfere in this way with the adult public. The traffic safety patrols, to which reference was made, operate only in the immediate vicinity of a school and for the immediate interests of the pupils.
Mr. LOBO referred to the Keep Your City Clean campaigns and their seeming lack of any permanent effect. It is, of course, difficult
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
435
to assess the long-term effect of these campaigns, which are essentially a means of health education requiring sustained effort before permanent results show. The department's view is that they fulfil their purpose if, by directing the attention and efforts of various organizations to a particular area, they help to arouse the hygiene consciousness of the public there; if they afford Government departments concerned an opportunity to reappraise their methods and co-ordination in the area; if they promote better understanding and co-operation between Government and people; and if the improved cleanliness brought about during the campaigns can be maintained to a certain extent. On these grounds a sober view of them is that they are worthwhile.
Mr. FORSGATE claims that we are floating on a sea of garbage. I am glad he referred to the valiant effort made by the Marine Department's collection squad to keep our waters clean. Members might be interested to know that the Marine Department collects approximately 24 tons of refuse from the harbour a day. There is, of course, more floating refuse which could be collected, but this is a small amount and it would be extremely costly to attempt to collect every bit of rubbish floating in our harbour. The existing arrangements endeavour to keep the pollution to what might be considered an acceptable level. Co-ordinated efforts have been made by various Government departments to trace all sources of harbour pollution in order to take preventive measures and to prosecute offenders.
The proposal to introduce a harbour collection service from ships is being given consideration by Government.
From rubbish to recreation. It was encouraging to hear more than one Member enthuse over progress made in the provision of amenities, and I must not embark on replies to some of the individual topics raised without acknowledging with gratitude the very real advances achieved during the past year by the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee under the forceful and imaginative leadership of its Chairman, Mr. Sales.
Mr. SALES referred to the planning proposals for the site now occupied by Whitfield Barracks. He was anxious for the whole area to be reserved as an open space. I must sound a note of warning that this proposal is unlikely to gain acceptance in the Town Planning Board. The area of Whitfield Barracks set aside for a park by the Board in its draft outline plan already exceeds the area of the Botanic Gardens by 9 acres. However, some re-arrangement of the space allotted, to preserve the maximum number of trees will, I am sure, be welcomed by the Board.
I share Mr. Wilson WANG's opinion that we are approaching a satisfactory rate in the provision of sports grounds and other facilities,
Page 231 of 279
Page 231 of 279
434
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
under his guidance the department has kept itself informed of modern methods and equipment in other countries, and continues to explore means of mechanizing cleansing under local conditions. Thorough tests have now been made of two different types of large mechanical road sweepers. The results show that mechanical sweeping can be adopted for certain roads in Hong Kong with efficiency and a saving of labour. We hope to obtain up to four more of these large mechanical sweepers for use on roads where obstruction from parked vehicles, etc. is at a minimum.
Steps have been taken to reduce as much as possible the time taken for servicing and repair of these sweepers. As a result there has been an improvement in the availability from an average of 60% to over 80% in the month of November.
As regards refuse incinerators, the first plant in Hong Kong, at Kennedy Town, consisting of four furnace units and capable of handling a load of refuse of 750 tons a day, has now been completed, and test runs of the various components are being conducted by a commission- ing engineer from the manufacturers. If these runs are successful the plant will be fully operational shortly. Arrangements will then be made for the transport of refuse by barges from the Island to the dump at Gin Drinkers Bay to be gradually reduced and eventually terminated. Not only will this contribute to a reduction of harbour pollution, it will also result in cutting down the total quantity of refuse to be disposed of at the dump daily by about one-third.
The engineering and building works of the first incinerator in Kowloon, at Lai Chi Kok, also consisting of four units, is more than half completed. About 80% of the plant has been received on site. A contract for the construction of the plant having been signed, comple- tion is anticipated in late 1967.
Further incinerators are planned, the eventual objective being closure of the Gin Drinkers Bay refuse dump.
I am grateful to Dr. BELL for her remarks on city cleansing and rubbish collection and her suggestions will be examined. I can say now, however, that the Director of Education is not in favour of organizing special anti-litter patrols of school children to venture onto public places to exercise a degree of supervision and correction of erring pedestrians, hawkers, etc., as he considers it inadvisable for young pupils, however well-meaning, to interfere in this way with the adult public. The traffic safety patrols, to which reference was made, operate only in the immediate vicinity of a school and for the immediate interests of the pupils.
Mr. LOBO referred to the Keep Your City Clean campaigns and their seeming lack of any permanent effect. It is, of course, difficult
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
435
to assess the long-term effect of these campaigns, which are essentially a means of health education requiring sustained effort before permanent results show. The department's view is that they fulfil their purpose if, by directing the attention and efforts of various organizations to a particular area, they help to arouse the hygiene consciousness of the public there; if they afford Government departments concerned an opportunity to reappraise their methods and co-ordination in the area; if they promote better understanding and co-operation between Govern- ment and people; and if the improved cleanliness brought about during the campaigns can be maintained to a certain extent. On these grounds a sober view of them is that they are worth-while.
Mr. FORSGATE claims that we are floating on a sea of garbage. I am glad he referred to the valiant effort made by the Marine Depart- ment's collection squad to keep our waters clean. Members might be interested to know that the Marine Department collects approximately 24 tons of refuse from the harbour a day. There is, of course, more floating refuse which could be collected, but this is a small amount and it would be extremely costly to attempt to collect every bit of rubbish floating in our harbour. The existing arrangements endeavour to keep the pollution to what might be considered an acceptable level. Co- ordinated efforts have been made by various Government departments to trace all sources of harbour pollution in order to take preventive measures and to prosecute offenders.
The proposal to introduce a harbour collection service from ships is being given consideration by Government.
From rubbish to recreation. It was encouraging to hear more than one Member enthuse over progress made in the provision of amenities, and I must not embark on replies to some of the individual topics raised without acknowledging with gratitude the very real advances achieved during the past year by the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee under the forceful and imaginative leadership of its Chairman, Mr. Sales.
Mr. SALES referred to the planning proposals for the site now occupied by Whitfield Barracks. He was anxious for the whole area to be reserved as an open space. I must sound a note of warning that this proposal is unlikely to gain acceptance in the Town Planning Board. The area of Whitfield Barracks set aside for a park by the Board in its draft outline plan already exceeds the area of the Botanic Gardens by 9 acres. However, some re-arrangement of the space allotted, to pre- serve the maximum number of trees will, I am sure, be welcomed by the Board.
I share Mr. Wilson WANG's opinion that we are approaching a satisfactory rate in the provision of sports grounds and other facilities,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.