Page 190 of 243
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:-I do not think we can go back to the question of markets at this stage, Mr. BERNACCHI. I think you had a satisfactory answer last time, and I think we must now leave this question and press on to the motion.
MOTION.
DR. A. M. S. BELL, Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, addressed the Chairman and moved:
"That under By-law 4 of the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) By-laws, Cap. 132, the Urban Council makes the following order:
1. This order may be cited as the Public Conveniences (Charges) (Amendment) Order 1969.
2. The principal order is amended in paragraph 2 by adding, after item (11), the following new item- "(12) Public latrine at Harlech Road'."
She said: Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee I have been asked to rise to move the motion standing in my name.
The purpose of this motion is to comply with the Council's by-law which requires that ten cents be charged for the use of any coin-operated compartment provided in public latrines managed by the Council. The charge is made to recover, in part, the cost of the facilities provided and the cleaning attendants.
Although according to our law we are required to impose this ten-cent charge, I would like to point out that many health-conscious countries now recognize the need to provide proper facilities free of charge. It is not just the charge, but is often the inconvenience if members of the public do not happen to have a ten-cent coin on them at the time they wish to use the facilities, and this can lead to bad habits. I therefore would request that the question of charging for what must be considered an essential facility be considered by the Select Committee with a view to providing all facilities free of charge.
I beg to move this motion.
Incidentally, Mr. Chairman, this is also a form of discrimination against the female sex. (Laughter).
DR. P. F. Woo:-I rise to second the motion, Mr. Chairman.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
FAREWELL TO MR. A. M. J. WRIGHT, MR. LI YIU-BOR, DR. P. F. WOO, DR. A. M. S. BELL AND MRS. ELLEN LI SHU-PUI.
CHAIRMAN:-Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the last Council meeting which Dr. BELL, Mrs. LI, Mr. LI Yiu-bor, Dr. P. F. Woo, and Mr. WRIGHT will be attending. The occasion is therefore a sad one: indeed it might be described as catastrophic as we are about to lose a wealth of experience which we can ill afford to do while, in addition, we shall be losing good friends.
MR. LI, Dr. Woo and Dr. BELL were all elected to the Council for the first time in April 1956. Mrs. LI was appointed in April 1964, while Mr. WRIGHT retires after some 30 years in the Public Works Department, during the last six of which he has been a Member of this Council. The departure of all these Members will leave a gap which, to say the least, will be extremely difficult to fill. I am, also, particularly concerned about the loss of the two lady members. I think ladies play a most important part in the Council's affairs, lending as they do, not only the feminine touch to domestic issues so often missed by the mere male, but also, on occasion, bringing very forceful pressure on whichever official, including the Chairman, requires it in the course of his duties! I would hope that their places will be again occupied by lady members. It is customary in farewell speeches to give details of the various Committees on which Members have served, and to highlight some of the Members' achievements. To do so on this occasion, would keep us here for the best part of the evening, as all five have been such active Members of so long standing and have contributed so much in the affairs of the Council. Needless to say, as with all Members of the Council, they have devoted themselves faithfully to their duties spending an inordinate amount of time, thought and energy on Council affairs (not to mention, in some cases, other extraneous matters!) but all in the deep and genuine interest of the people of Hong Kong.
I would now like to thank them all, very very sincerely, for the contribution they have made to the Council and to Hong Kong generally and to wish them all that is best in the future. I know that I speak for every other Member present when I say that we shall all miss them as colleagues and friends. (Applause).
Perhaps, in the case of the Unofficial Members, I should merely say "au revoir", as who knows, they might one day be tempted to return and join again in the fray.
DR. BELL, MRS. LI, MR. LI AND DR. Woo-We wish all health and happiness in the future for yourselves and your families. Should any of you return to this Chamber, either as a visitor or Member, you are assured of the warmest of welcomes.
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Page 191
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Page 190 of 243
454
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:-I do not think we can go back to the question of markets at this stage, Mr. BERNACCHI. I think you had a satisfactory answer last time, and I think we must now leave this question and press on to the motion.
MOTION.
DR. A. M. S. BELL, Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, addressed the Chairman and moved:
"That under By-law 4 of the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) By-laws, Cap. 132, the Urban Council makes the following order:
1. This order may be cited as the Public Conveniences
(Charges) (Amendment) Order 1969.
2.
The principal order is amended in paragraph 2 by adding, after item (11), the following new item- "(12) Public latrine at Harlech Road'."
She said: Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee I have been asked to rise to move the motion standing in my name.
The purpose of this motion is to comply with the Council's by-law which requires that ten cents be charged for the use of any coin-operated compartment provided in public latrines managed by the Council. The charge is made to recover, in part, the cost of the facilities provided and the cleaning attendants.
Although according to our law we are required to impose this ten-cent charge, I would like to point out that many health conscious countries now recognize the need to provide proper facilities free of charge. It is not just the charge, but is often the inconvenience if members of the public do not happen to have a ten-cent coin on them at the time they wish to use the facilities, and this can lead to bad habits. I therefore would request that the question of charging for what must be considered an essential facility be considered by the Select Committee with a view to providing all facilities free of charge.
I beg to move this motion.
Incidentally, Mr. Chairman, this is also a form of discrimination against the female sex. (Laughter).
DR. P. F. Woo:-I rise to second the motion, Mr. Chairman.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
FAREWELL TO MR. A. M. J. WRIGHT, MR. LI YIU-BOR, DR. P. F. WOO, DR. A. M. S. BELL AND MRS. ELLEN LI SHU-PUI.
455
CHAIRMAN:-Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the last Council meet- ing which Dr. BELL, Mrs. LI, Mr. LI Yiu-bor, Dr. P. F. Woo, and Mr. WRIGHT will be attending. The occasion is therefore a sad one: indeed it might be described as catastrophic as we are about to lose a wealth of experience which we can ill afford to do while, in addition, we shall be losing good friends.
MR. LI, Dr. Woo and Dr. BELL were all elected to the Council for the first time in April 1956. Mrs. LI was appointed in April 1964, while Mr. WRIGHT retires after some 30 years in the Public Works Depart- ment, during the last six of which he has been a Member of this Council. The departure of all these Members will leave a gap which, to say the least, will be extremely difficult to fill. I am, also, particularly con- cerned about the loss of the two lady members. I think ladies play a most important part in the Council's affairs, lending as they do, not only the feminine touch to domestic issues so often missed by the mere male, but also, on occasion, bringing very forceful pressure on whichever official, including the Chairman, requires it in the course of his duties! I would hope that their places will be again occupied by lady members. It is customary in farewell speeches to give details of the various Committees on which Members have served, and to highlight some of the Members' achievements. To do so on this occasion, would keep us here for the best part of the evening, as all five have been such active Members of so long standing and have contributed so much in the affairs of the Council. Needless to say, as with all Members of the Council, they have devoted themselves faithfully to their duties spending an inordinate amount of time, thought and energy on Council affairs (not to mention, in some cases, other extraneous matters!) but all in the deep and genuine interest of the people of Hong Kong.
I would now like to thank them all, very very sincerely, for the contribution they have made to the Council and to Hong Kong generally and to wish them all that is best in the future. I know that I speak for every other Member present when I say that we shall all miss them as colleagues and friends. (Applause).
Perhaps, in the case of the Unofficial Members, I should merely say "au revoir", as who knows, they might one day be tempted to return and join again in the fray.
DR. BELL, MRS. LI, MR. LI AND DR. Woo-We wish all health and happiness in the future for yourselves and your families. Should any of you return to this Chamber, either as a visitor or Member, you are assured of the warmest of welcomes.
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of 243
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