1967 — Page 243

Page 243 of 259

460

# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN

Ladies and gentlemen, the meeting is called to order.

Before we proceed with the Agenda, I should like to extend, on behalf of Members of the Council, a warm welcome back to Mr. J. P. ASERAPPA, who is taking the seat of the Commissioner for Resettlement in replacement of Mr. BARTY. Mr. ASERAPPA is no stranger to this Council, having been a Member from May 1958 to March 1961. No doubt he will notice some changes since then. (Applause).

## MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 6th February, 1968 were confirmed.

## PAPERS

THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:

(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of February 1968.

(2) Analysis of Staff Increases 1968-69 Urban Services Department.

(3) Analysis of Other Charges 1968-69-Urban Services Department.

(4) Analysis of Draft Estimates 1968-69-Resettlement Department.

DR. BELL:—Mr. Chairman, with your permission I would like to speak on two of these papers. Firstly, concerning the Report on the Work of the Urban Council and Urban Services for the month of February-on Wards. At the annual debate I asked if we could consider the question of improving facilities in the Ward Offices and of having stenographers. A great many improvements have been made, but there's still no sign of the stenographers, Mr. Chairman. It does curtail the work which is impossible to complete by not having them there or at least it makes us able to see fewer people and sometimes we have to turn some away. I do hope that perhaps these very useful people will be available in the very near future.

The other paper that I would like to say something on, Mr. Chairman, if I may, is the Analysis of Staff Increases for the Urban Services Department. On page 3 of that paper, there's an item which shows that a lot of gangers and Motor Drivers who've been requested for cleansing the outlying picnic areas have been considerably cut. I think this is a very great pity because most of these areas are very, very popular now for picnics and their condition is very, very bad after picnickers have been there. There seem to be no facilities whatsoever for anybody to put rubbish anywhere although I suppose they could have a small bonfire on their own. Presumably in the urban areas--you can supply people for these picnic areas and you have applied to do so, but they have been cut down. I would like to make strong representations through you that this shouldn't be, and to ask you whether in the New Territories you can put in for sufficient people to take care of the picnic areas in such areas as the Sai Kung peninsula, quite famous for picnics. The picnic areas there are at present in a very poor condition.

461

CHAIRMAN: Dr. BELL, on the matter of stenographic assistance, I have been pressing for this and I understand that assistance has been approved as a matter of policy, but financial approval has not yet come through. On the matter of the estimates, I will look into the points you have raised.

MR. BERNACCHI:—Mr. Chairman, speaking on the estimates, I see that the Hawker Control Force increase is very moderate, not only from the Government's point of view but from the Department's point of view. What has happened to the increase that I understood was envisaged for next year—a considerable increase I recall?

CHAIRMAN:—Sir, are you referring to the overall establishment of the Hawker Control Force which we expect to expand considerably?

MR. BERNACCHI:—Yes, Yes indeed.

CHAIRMAN:—I have no news, Sir. The paper was submitted in January and is being considered by the Establishment Officer.

MR. BERNACCHI:—Presumably, this approval of Government for the majority of the establishment increases that have been requested does not affect the general increase of the Hawker Control Force or the paper that you have referred to?

CHAIRMAN:—That is correct, Sir.

MR. SALES:—Mr. Chairman, there are two points on these estimates that I would like to bring to the attention of the Council in relation to the Select Committees of which I am Chairman. The first, the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee; I would like to draw Council's attention to the fact that despite the representations which the Select Committee has made over the years, there is no addition to the staff that the Select Committee has asked for in the way of play leaders, and other fully qualified personnel who are required in order that the parks and recreational facilities may be put to best use in Hong Kong by the young people.

The second point that I would like to make is in respect to the City Hall. The City Hall Select Committee has asked for an Assistant Manager, without whose services the City Hall...

Page 244 of 259