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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 217 of 242
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was an innovation for Hong Kong. This policy has expanded in the interval and we would like to see it further increased in scope and variety. However, there is a shortage of the physical facilities which are required for the presentation of such programmes, and it is the Council's hope that the building of more facilities will be carried out in a short time so that the Council will be able to make such programmes available to even more districts and groups of people in Hong Kong.
## QUESTIONS.
(1) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question:-
(a) I am concerned about the frequency of physical assault on members of the Hawker Control Force and the lenient attitude adopted by the Courts in dealing with such cases.
I refer, particularly, to an incident on 25th October when an Unlicensed Hawker poured hot oil on the face and body of a Control Force Sub-Inspector, and attacked a Sergeant with a knife inflicting a stab wound on his back. I note with concern that fines of only $300 plus nominal damages were imposed by the Magistrate, a very meagre deterrent.
Will the Chairman please provide further information concerning this incident and advise on the current state of health of the two wounded officers?
(b) Could the Director indicate the numbers of Hawker Control staff who have been injured or involved in cases of assault this year, and the range of penalties which have been imposed by the Courts for such reprehensible acts on the part of Hawkers?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:
On 25th October, a mobile squad of the Hawker Control Force led by a sub-inspector came across an illegal hawker selling cooked food at Marsh Road and after cautioning him arrested him. The hawker asked to be given a chance and when this was refused, suddenly poured boiling oil on the H.C.F. Officer, burning the right side of his face, his right shoulder and legs. The hawker also stabbed the squad sergeant with a knife, inflicting a wound on his back. The hawker was then over-powered by the squad. Police arrived on the scene and the hawker was taken to Wan Chai Police Station, and the Sub-Inspector and the squad sergeant to Tang Shiu Kin Hospital for treatment, after which they were discharged. Both officers were granted sick leave and have now resumed duty after recovering from their injuries.
The illegal hawker pleaded guilty to hawking cooked food without a licence and assault, occasioning actual bodily harm. He was fined $320 and ordered by the magistrate to pay compensation of $200 to the sub-inspector and $100 to the squad sergeant.
This year there have been altogether 9 incidents, including the one just mentioned, involving assault on Hawker Control Force personnel, resulting in 10 members sustaining injuries. The injuries in the other 8 cases were relatively slight. The fines ranged from $60 to $200.
MR. MACKENZIE:- Mr. Chairman, by "this year" I suppose you mean "last year"?
CHAIRMAN:- I am sorry, I do.
MR. MACKENZIE:- I am sure the Council is pleased to learn that these officers are now recovered and back on duty. I would like to ask if the prosecuting staff are provided from the Department. Am I correct?
CHAIRMAN:- Yes, that is correct.
MR. MACKENZIE:- Are you satisfied that they are fully capable of presenting the facts in those cases in view of the small fines which seem to be imposed in these serious matters?
CHAIRMAN:- They are the best that we have at the moment, Mr. MACKENZIE. Of course, it is not always the presentation that results in the fines.
MR. LO TAK-SHING:- I wonder whether there is any information, Mr. Chairman, on how much this particular hawker was earning a day?
CHAIRMAN:- I am sorry, I have no information available.
MR. MACKENZIE: Is he back in business, Sir?
CHAIRMAN: I wouldn't like to say, Mr. MacKenzie.
(2) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question:
I have noted sick and stray dogs fouling streets and pavements, making it very difficult for the cleansing staff of
f242
414
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 217 of 242
415
was an innovation for Hong Kong. This policy has expanded in the interval and we would like to see it further increased in scope and variety. However, there is a shortage of the physical facilities which are required for the presentation of such programmes, and it is the Council's hope that the building of more facilities will be carried out in a short time so that the Council will be able to make such programmes available to even more districts and groups of people in Hong Kong.
QUESTIONS.
(1) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question:-
(a) I am concerned about the frequency of physical assault on members of the Hawker Control Force and the lenient attitude adopted by the Courts in dealing with such cases.
I refer, particularly, to an incident on 25th October when an Unlicensed Hawker poured hot oil on the face and body of a Control Force Sub-Inspector, and attacked a Sergeant with a knife inflicting a stab wound on his back. I note with concern that fines of only $300 plus nominal damages were imposed by the Magistrate, a very meagre deterrent.
Will the Chairman please provide further information concerning this incident and advise on the current state of health of the two wounded officers?
(b) Could the Director indicate the numbers of Hawker Control staff who have been injured or involved in cases of assault this year, and the range of penalties which have been imposed by the Courts for such reprehensible acts on the part of Hawkers?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:
On 25th October, a mobile squad of the Hawker Control Force led by a sub-inspector came across an illegal hawker selling cooked food at Marsh Road and after cautioning him arrested him. The hawker asked to be given a chance and when this was refused, suddenly poured boiling oil on the H.C.F. Officer, burning the right side of his face, his right shoulder and legs. The hawker also stabbed the squad sergeant with a knife, inflicting a wound on his back. The hawker was then over- powered by the squad. Police arrived on the scene and the hawker was taken to Wan Chai Police Station, and the Sub-Inspector and the squad sergeant to Tang Shiu
Kin Hospital for treatment, after which they were dis- charged. Both officers were granted sick leave and have now resumed duty after recovering from their injuries.
The illegal hawker pleaded guilty to hawking cooked food without a licence and assault, occasioning actual bodily harm. He was find $320 and ordered by the magistrate to pay compensation of $200 to the sub-inspector and $100 to the squad sergeant.
This year there have been altogether 9 incidents, including the one just mentioned, involving assault on Hawker Control Force personnel, resulting in 10 members sus- taining injuries. The injuries in the other 8 cases were relatively slight. The fines ranged from $60 to $200.
MR. MACKENZIE:-Mr. Chairman, by "this year" I suppose you mean "last year"?
CHAIRMAN:-I am sorry, I do.
MR. MACKENZIE:-I am sure the Council is pleased to learn that these officers are now recovered and back on duty. I would like to ask if the prosecuting staff are provided from the Department. Am I correct?
CHAIRMAN:----Yes, that is correct.
MR. MACKENZIE:--Are you satisfied that they are fully capable of presenting the facts in those cases in view of the small fines which seem to be imposed in these serious matters?
CHAIRMAN:-They are the best that we have at the moment, Mr. MACKENZIE. Of course, it is not always the presentation that results in the fines.
MR. LO TAK-SHING:-I wonder whether there is any information, Mr. Chairman, on how much this particular hawker was earning a day?
CHAIRMAN:-I am sorry, I have no information available.
MR. MACKENZIE: Is he back in business, Sir?
CHAIRMAN: I wouldn't like to say, Mr. MacKenzie.
(2) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question:
I have noted sick and stray dogs fouling streets and pave- ments, making it very difficult for the cleansing staff of
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Private notes are available after approval.