Page 126 of 242
232
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
are made about these bathrooms are justified and we have done some reorganization within the department to enable us to take much quicker action on any complaints that are made about them. We are also hoping to spend about $100,000 this year on such improvements as putting white-glazed tiles on the walls of latrines and laying mosaic tiles and other improvements of this kind including lighting in the bathrooms and I hope that we shall be able to ask for, and get approved and use very much more than that in the next financial year.
MR. C. K. CHAN:- Since the Commissioner must have investigated into this case rather fully, has he ever been informed either unofficially or officially that because of the broken-down main wall and because there is no compartment door there has been occasion when teddy boys gone into the bathroom normally uninvited?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:—I have heard of such complaints, Sir.
MR. C. K. CHAN:- Would you say that the repair of this door yet without a compartment door, is there any other way we can prevent such uninvited entry?
MRS. C. J. SYMONS:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask why originally doors were not built? Was it a matter of finance or was it considered by the original planners that these people are not entitled to privacy? I was quite shocked when I read the papers before and the questions put today. Perhaps members of the Council with very long experience might be able to let me know. Why, originally were doors not built?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:—A main door, I think, was always built but not individual doors to compartments. I am sure it was on the grounds of economy and speed of construction.
MRS. SYMONS:- Then may I ask, Sir, that we make the very, very greatest haste to have individual doors. I think it is absolutely shocking for a city of our size and with our money that these people should not be allowed privacy.
MR. C. K. CHAN:- Well, what about my supplementary? (Laughter).
MR. HENRY HU:- May I answer your question? Sometimes the easiest way is that they bring the full family, female members of the family to take baths together. (Laughter). Someone can guard the bathroom door so no intruders can come in. This is their way of doing. This is very inconvenient indeed, but this is what they are now doing.
MR. C. K. CHAN:- What I am thinking of is some female resettlement assistant can possibly do something about it, or setting up an alarm system in some undetected place(?)
CHAIRMAN: ---May we move to the next question?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
233
(10) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question :----
What progress is being made in your departmental discussions with the Education Department and others on the setting up of a Recreation Service to satisfy the Urban Council that our recreation facilities are put to best use in the public interest?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:
At the July meeting of this Council, I reported that discussions had been held with the Director of Education, and that I hoped to present a paper to the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee at its July meeting.
Unfortunately, progress has not been as fast as I had hoped, and clarification is required from the Director of Education on a number of points before a committee paper can be issued to the Select Committee. I am at present awaiting the Director's advice on the points referred to him.
MR. SALES ---Now that the summer holidays are over, may Council expect that the Education Department will give you the information that is required to set up the Service otherwise might I suggest to you that your Department consider going ahead entirely on your own?
CHAIRMAN:- I am confident that the Director of Education will reply soon to my letter.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, may I ask if this recreation service will belong to your department or the Education Department?
CHAIRMAN: --This will be for the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee to decide.
(11) Mr. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
(a) What staff do you have in each of the public swimming pools?
(b) How do they compare with the establishment?
(c) How long are staff engaged and trained before a pool is ready for public use?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-
The first two questions deal with staff establishment and strength at Urban Council swimming pools and I would like to preface my answer to them by quoting from a reply
Page 126 of 242
232
...
Page 126 of 242
Page 126 of 242
232
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
are made about these bathrooms are justified and we have done some reorganization within the department to enable us to take much quicker action on any complaints that are made about them. We are also hoping to spend about $100,000 this year on such improvements as putting white-glazed tiles on the walls of latrines and laying mosaic tiles and other improvements of this kind including lighting in the bathrooms and I hope that we shall be able to ask for, and get approved and use very much more than that in the next financial year.
MR. C. K. CHAN:-Since the Commissioner must have investigated into this case rather fully, has he ever been informed either unofficially or officially that because of the brokendown main wall and because there is no compartment door there has been occasion when teddy boys gone into the bathroom normally uninvited?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:—I have heard of such com- plaints, Sir.
MR. C. K. CHAN:-Would you say that the repair of this door yet without a compartment door, is there any other way we can prevent such uninvited entry?
MRS. C. J. SYMONS:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask why originally doors were not built? Was it a matter of finance or was it considered by the original planners that these people are not entitled to privacy? I was quite shocked when I read the papers before and the questions put today. Perhaps members of the Council with very long experience might be able to let me know. Why, originally were doors not built?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:—A main door, I think, was always built but not individual doors to compartments. I am sure it was on the grounds of economy and speed of construction.
MRS. SYMONS:-Then may I ask, Sir, that we make the very, very greatest haste to have individual doors. I think it is absolutely shock- ing for a city of our size and with our money that these people should not be allowed privacy.
MR. C. K. CHAN:-Well, what about my supplementary? (Laughter).
MR. HENRY HU:-May I answer your question? Sometimes the easiest way is that they bring the full family, female members of the family to take baths together. (Laughter). Someone can guard the bathroom door so no intruders can come in. This is their way of doing. This is very inconvenient indeed, but this is what they are now doing.
MR. C. K. CHAN:-What I am thinking of is some female resettle- ment assistant can possibly do something about it, or setting up an alarm system in some undetected place(?)
CHAIRMAN: ---May we move to the next question?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
233
(10) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question :----
What progress is being made in your departmental discussions with the Education Department and others on the setting up of a Recreation Service to satisfy the Urban Council that our recreation facilities are put to best use in the public interest?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:
At the July meeting of this Council, I reported that discussions had been held with the Director of Education, and that I hoped to present a paper to the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee at its July meeting.
Unfortunately, progress has not been as fast as I had hoped, and clarification is required from the Director of Educa- tion on a number of points before a committee paper can be issued to the Select Committee. I am at present await- ing the Director's advice on the points referred to him.
MR. SALES ---Now that the summer holidays are over, may Council expect that the Education Department will give you the information that is required to set up the Service otherwise might I suggest to you that your Department consider going ahead entirely on your own?
CHAIRMAN:-I am confident that the Director of Education will reply soon to my letter.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, may I ask if this recreation service will belong to your department or the Education Department?
CHAIRMAN: --This will be for the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee to decide.
(11) Mr. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
(a) What staff do you have in each of the public swimming
pools?
(b) How do they compare with the establishment?
(c) How long are staff engaged and trained before a pool is
ready for public use?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-
The first two questions deal with staff establishment and strength at Urban Council swimming pools and I would like to preface my answer to them by quoting from a reply
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.