1967 — Page 56

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Page 56 of 259

CHAIRMAN:- Dr. BELL, So far as I know, this does happen. At Canal Road, for example, I have seen large empty oil drums into which hawkers have been requested and are supposed to deposit their rubbish. Some do and some don't.

MR. BERNACCHI:- I would add that this Council is very much aware of the amount of rubbish that accumulates from hawkers. The hawkers cannot do anything about it, but as the Chairman has said, in Canal Road in particular, the hawkers on the whole, there are exceptions, are very co-operative and do place their crates and that sort of thing in one particular spot for it to be collected. But at typhoon times in particular, it becomes a very, very real menace,

because everything is upset, or in the heavy rains last year, everything was upset and nothing was really normal for several weeks, it is at those times that it really becomes a menace. But it is something which the whole Council must keep under review the whole time so as not to permit it becoming a menace other than at typhoon times.

DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, MR. BERNACCHI mentioned fruit sellers and a question raised some time ago was about fruit peels from hawkers peeling fruit. Now, could he still consider from his point of view whether the Hawkers Select Committee could ask the hawkers to have a rubbish bin in which to put these?

CHAIRMAN: -- Dr. BELL, I regret I must rule that question out of order. The original question concerned the size of a fixed pitch stall site (Laughter). Now we are on disposal of hawker rubbish. I regret having to intervene, but I think in the interest of the Council we should move on to the next question.

DR. BELL:- I abide by your ruling, Mr. Chairman, but it was concerning a matter brought into MR. BERNACCHI's answer.

(14) MR. HENRY H. L. HU asked the following question:-

Does the Urban Council have any say on sign boards in the main streets of the Colony? Is it not a fact that some neon signs stretch 5 or 6 feet out into the street? What effect would these neon signs have on the health of the inhabitants immediately adjacent to them?

MR. CHEUNG WING-IN, Chairman of the Advertisements Sub-Committee replied as follows:

The answer to the first part of the question is that Urban Council, under the Advertisement By-laws, does have limited powers in respect of the erection of certain types

of advertisement signs, and has the power to cause signs already erected to be removed if, in the opinion of the Council, they disfigure the natural beauty of any scenery or affect injuriously the amenities of any locality.

It is agreed that some advertisement signs project well into the street; revision of the law in this matter is being considered by the Advertisements Sub-Committee of the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee.

The reply to the third part of the question is that many of the signs and structures which support them are of substantial construction, and may interfere with the light and ventilation of the building to which they are attached. There is, however, no evidence to suggest that the vast majority of signs do in fact create a nuisance. If the sign is situated so that the light shines into adjacent windows this may interfere with the rest and sleep of the occupants, and this effect may be particularly marked if the light source flickers in any way.

It is also possible for advertisement signs and structures to catch refuse thrown from upper windows of multi-storey buildings, or rain water, in which case they may encourage the breeding of flies or mosquitoes. However, in respect of signs the erection of which has been approved by the Urban Council, certain standard conditions have to be complied with. These require that the sign must be constructed in such a way that it cannot retain rain water or act as a trap for refuse.

MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would ask with regard to paragraph 2, the first sentence, "It is agreed that some advertisement signs project well into the street". How "well" is this? (Laughter).

MR. CHEUNG:- Some of the signs do project right into the middle of the street, from both sides of the road.

MR. HU:- I think some signs may project as far as the middle of the street. Mr. Chairman, through you, may I ask MR. CHEUNG, is

it a fact that because of multi-storey buildings sign-boards are built so as to compete with each other in attracting interest. Is that a fact?

MR. CHEUNG: It is apparent that each shopkeeper is trying to gain attention. There is a tendency for the signs to stretch further and further into the middle of the road, and my Committee has been concentrating on limiting the projection into the thoroughfare. We are proposing to limit it to 13 ft. or so, and in a narrow street it should not stretch beyond one-third of the roadway.

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90 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Page 56 of 259 91 CHAIRMAN:- Dr. BELL, So far as I know, this does happen. At Canal Road, for example, I have seen large empty oil drums into which hawkers have been requested and are supposed to deposit their rubbish. Some do and some don't. MR. BERNACCHI:- I would add that this Council is very much aware of the amount of rubbish that accumulates from hawkers. The hawkers cannot do anything about it, but as the Chairman has said, in Canal Road in particular, the hawkers on the whole, there are exceptions, are very co-operative and do place their crates and that sort of thing in one particular spot for it to be collected. But at typhoon times in particular, it becomes a very, very real menace, because everything is upset, or in the heavy rains last year, everything was upset and nothing was really normal for several weeks, it is at those times that it really becomes a menace. But it is something which the whole Council must keep under review the whole time so as not to permit it becoming a menace other than at typhoon times. DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, MR. BERNACCHI mentioned fruit sellers and a question raised some time ago was about fruit peels from hawkers peeling fruit. Now, could he still consider from his point of view whether the Hawkers Select Committee could ask the hawkers to have a rubbish bin in which to put these? CHAIRMAN: -- Dr. BELL, I regret I must rule that question out of order. The original question concerned the size of a fixed pitch stall site (Laughter). Now we are on disposal of hawker rubbish. I regret having to intervene, but I think in the interest of the Council we should move on to the next question. DR. BELL:- I abide by your ruling, Mr. Chairman, but it was concerning a matter brought into MR. BERNACCHI's answer. (14) MR. HENRY H. L. HU asked the following question:- Does the Urban Council have any say on sign boards in the main streets of the Colony? Is it not a fact that some neon signs stretch 5 or 6 feet out into the street? What effect would these neon signs have on the health of the inhabitants immediately adjacent to them? MR. CHEUNG WING-IN, Chairman of the Advertisements Sub-Committee replied as follows: The answer to the first part of the question is that Urban Council, under the Advertisement By-laws, does have limited powers in respect of the erection of certain types of advertisement signs, and has the power to cause signs already erected to be removed if, in the opinion of the Council, they disfigure the natural beauty of any scenery or affect injuriously the amenities of any locality. It is agreed that some advertisement signs project well into the street; revision of the law in this matter is being considered by the Advertisements Sub-Committee of the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee. The reply to the third part of the question is that many of the signs and structures which support them are of substantial construction, and may interfere with the light and ventilation of the building to which they are attached. There is, however, no evidence to suggest that the vast majority of signs do in fact create a nuisance. If the sign is situated so that the light shines into adjacent windows this may interfere with the rest and sleep of the occupants, and this effect may be particularly marked if the light source flickers in any way. It is also possible for advertisement signs and structures to catch refuse thrown from upper windows of multi-storey buildings, or rain water, in which case they may encourage the breeding of flies or mosquitoes. However, in respect of signs the erection of which has been approved by the Urban Council, certain standard conditions have to be complied with. These require that the sign must be constructed in such a way that it cannot retain rain water or act as a trap for refuse. MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would ask with regard to paragraph 2, the first sentence, "It is agreed that some advertisement signs project well into the street". How "well" is this? (Laughter). MR. CHEUNG:- Some of the signs do project right into the middle of the street, from both sides of the road. MR. HU:- I think some signs may project as far as the middle of the street. Mr. Chairman, through you, may I ask MR. CHEUNG, is it a fact that because of multi-storey buildings sign-boards are built so as to compete with each other in attracting interest. Is that a fact? MR. CHEUNG: It is apparent that each shopkeeper is trying to gain attention. There is a tendency for the signs to stretch further and further into the middle of the road, and my Committee has been concentrating on limiting the projection into the thoroughfare. We are proposing to limit it to 13 ft. or so, and in a narrow street it should not stretch beyond one-third of the roadway.

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90 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Page 56 of 259 91 CHAIRMAN:-Dr. BELL, So far as I know, this does happen. At Canal Road, for example, I have seen large empty oil drums into which hawkers have been requested and are supposed to deposit their rubbish. Some do and some don't. MR. BERNACCHI:-I would add that this Council is very much aware of the amount of rubbish that accumulates from hawkers. The hawkers cannot do anything about it, but as the Chairman has said, in Canal Road in particular, the hawkers on the whole, there are excep- tions, are very co-operative and do place their crates and that sort of thing in one particular spot for it to be collected. But at typhoon times in particular, it becomes a very, very real menace, because every- thing is upset, or in the heavy rains last year, everything was upset and nothing was really normal for several weeks, it is at those times that it really becomes a menace. But it is something which the Whole Council must keep under review the whole time so as not to permit it becoming a menace other than at typhoon times. DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, Mr. BERNACCHI mentioned fruit sellers and a question raised some time ago was about fruit peels from hawkers peeling fruit. Now, could he still consider from his point of view whether the Hawkers Select Committee could ask the hawkers to have a rubbish bin in which to put these? CHAIRMAN: --Dr. BELL, I regret I must rule that question out of order. The original question concerned the size of a fixed pitch stall site (Laughter). Now we are on disposal of hawker rubbish. I regret having to intervene, but I think in the interest of the Council we should move on to the next question. DR. BELL:-I abide by your ruling, Mr. Chairman, but it was concerning a matter brought into Mr. BERNACCHI's answer. (14) MR. HENRY H. L. HU asked the following question:- Does the Urban Council have any say on sign boards in the main streets of the Colony? Is it not a fact that some neon signs stretch 5 or 6 feet out into the street? What effect would these neon sign have on the health of the inhabitants immediately adjacent to them? MR. CHEUNG WING-IN, Chairman of the Advertisements Sub- Committee replied as follows :· The answer to the first part of the question is that Urban Council, under the Advertisement By-laws, does have limited powers in respect of the erection of certain types of advertisement signs, and has the power to cause signs already erected to be removed if, in the opinion of the Council, they disfigure the natural beauty of any scenery or affect injuriously the amenities of any locality. It is agreed that some advertisement signs project well into the street; revision of the law in this matter is being con- sidered by the Advertisements Sub-Committee of the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee. The reply to the third part of the question is that many of the signs and structures which support them are of sub- stantial construction, and may interfere with the light and ventilation of the building to which they are attached. There is, however, no evidence to suggest that the vast majority of signs do in fact create a nuisance. If the sign is situated so that the light shines into adjacent windows this may interfere with the rest and sleep of the occupants, and this effect may be particularly marked if the light source flickers in any way. It is also possible for advertisement signs and structures to catch refuse thrown from upper windows of multi-storey buildings, or rain water, in which case they may encourage the breeding of flies or mosquitoes. However, in respect of signs the erection of which has been approved by the Urban Council, certain standard conditions have to be complied with. These require that the sign must be constructed in such a way that it cannot retain rain water or act as a trap for refuse. MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would ask with regard to paragraph 2, the first sentence, "It is agreed that some advertisement signs project well into the street". How "well" is this? (Laughter). MR. CHEUNG:-Some of the signs do project right into the middle of the street, from both sides of the road. MR. HU:-I think some signs may project afar as the middle of the street. Mr. Chairman, through you, may I ask Mr. CHEUNG, is it a fact that because of multi-storey buildings sign-boards are built so as to compete with each other in attracting interest. Is that a fact? MR. CHEUNG: It is apparent that each shopkeeper is trying to gain attention. There is a tendency for the signs to stretch further and further into the middle of the road, and my Committee has been concentrating on limiting the projection into the thorougfare. We are proposing to limit it to 13 ft. or so, and in a narrow street it should not stretch beyond one-third of the roadway.

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Page 56 of 259

CHAIRMAN:-Dr. BELL, So far as I know, this does happen. At Canal Road, for example, I have seen large empty oil drums into which hawkers have been requested and are supposed to deposit their rubbish. Some do and some don't.

MR. BERNACCHI:-I would add that this Council is very much aware of the amount of rubbish that accumulates from hawkers. The hawkers cannot do anything about it, but as the Chairman has said, in Canal Road in particular, the hawkers on the whole, there are excep- tions, are very co-operative and do place their crates and that sort of thing in one particular spot for it to be collected. But at typhoon times in particular, it becomes a very, very real menace,

because every- thing is upset, or in the heavy rains last year, everything was upset and nothing was really normal for several weeks, it is at those times that it really becomes a menace. But it is something which the Whole Council must keep under review the whole time so as not to permit it becoming a menace other than at typhoon times.

DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, Mr. BERNACCHI mentioned fruit sellers and a question raised some time ago was about fruit peels from hawkers peeling fruit. Now, could he still consider from his point of view whether the Hawkers Select Committee could ask the hawkers to have a rubbish bin in which to put these?

CHAIRMAN: --Dr. BELL, I regret I must rule that question out of order. The original question concerned the size of a fixed pitch stall site (Laughter). Now we are on disposal of hawker rubbish. I regret having to intervene, but I think in the interest of the Council we should move on to the next question.

DR. BELL:-I abide by your ruling, Mr. Chairman, but it was concerning a matter brought into Mr. BERNACCHI's answer.

(14) MR. HENRY H. L. HU asked the following question:-

Does the Urban Council have any say on sign boards in the main streets of the Colony? Is it not a fact that some neon signs stretch 5 or 6 feet out into the street? What effect would these neon sign have on the health of the inhabitants immediately adjacent to them?

MR. CHEUNG WING-IN, Chairman of the Advertisements Sub- Committee replied as follows :·

The answer to the first part of the question is that Urban Council, under the Advertisement By-laws, does have limited powers in respect of the erection of certain types

It is agreed that some advertisement signs project well into the street; revision of the law in this matter is being con- sidered by the Advertisements Sub-Committee of the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee.

The reply to the third part of the question is that many of the signs and structures which support them are of sub- stantial construction, and may interfere with the light and ventilation of the building to which they are attached. There is, however, no evidence to suggest that the vast majority of signs do in fact create a nuisance. If the sign is situated so that the light shines into adjacent windows this may interfere with the rest and sleep of the occupants, and this effect may be particularly marked if the light source flickers in any way.

MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would ask with regard to paragraph 2, the first sentence, "It is agreed that some advertisement signs project well into the street". How "well" is this? (Laughter).

MR. CHEUNG:-Some of the signs do project right into the middle of the street, from both sides of the road.

MR. HU:-I think some signs may project afar as the middle of the street. Mr. Chairman, through you, may I ask Mr. CHEUNG, is

it a fact that because of multi-storey buildings sign-boards are built so as to compete with each other in attracting interest. Is that a fact?

MR. CHEUNG: It is apparent that each shopkeeper is trying to gain attention. There is a tendency for the signs to stretch further and further into the middle of the road, and my Committee has been concentrating on limiting the projection into the thorougfare. We are proposing to limit it to 13 ft. or so, and in a narrow street it should not stretch beyond one-third of the roadway.

1967 — Page 56

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