1972 — Page 16

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

tions (by artists, by others) is made and consideration given to their content, date, place and people mentioned, and location in the painting. Lastly a study of history of work is carried out using seals, books and records by former collectors as reference.

Besides this detailed examination the question of the lasting quality, the artistic merit and the educational value of the object are also considered before the object is submitted to the Museum and Art Gallery Select Committee for consideration of acquisition.

(4) MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:-

The streets in Hong Kong are getting dirtier and I believe that there is a Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign next Autumn. However it is not all caused by members of the public or even hawkers, a lot is caused through un- covered but loaded lorries passing through our streets especially now that contractors are working on the Extension to the runway at Kai Tak Airway.

Could anything be done in the way of law or by-law to compelling loaded lorries to cover up their load by means of a loose canvas covering?

THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-

As far as I can ascertain, there is no provision in any legislation to require any person to cover loaded lorries during transit. However, By-law 10 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances By-laws makes it an offence for anyone in charge of a vehicle to allow mud etc. to drop on to and dirty a public street or road. This by-law has not proved effective, since it does not provide provision to take action against the owner of any vehicle if the vehicle cannot be stopped and the driver identified. An amendment to the by-law is now being considered by the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee to deal effec- tively with offences of this kind.

MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, when?

CHAIRMAN:-It is being considered at the moment.

MR. BERNACCHI:-What type of amendment? In other words,

is it a specific amendment, like if an owner permits his lorry to carry

a load without adequate cover, he should be guilty of an offence, or something like that?

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CHAIRMAN:-No, the idea is, I think, Mr. BERNACCHI, that if we are unable to stop this as we have because in many instances we have been unable to get identification of the driver, the law will take care of this by making it possible for us to prosecute the owner of the lorry, even though he may not be the driver, for dirtying the roads. We are not seeking "cover" at the moment.

(5) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:

Recent articles in the newspapers indicate a possible strike by staff of the Urban Council libraries. As such a strike could affect a facility provided by the Council, could the Chairman make a statement on the present position?

THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:

A number of petitions have been received from some of the staff in the Urban Council public libraries regarding their revised salary scales recently announced by Government based on the recommendations of the Salaries Commis- sion.

These petitions are being considered by Government in con-

sultation with the Department.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, relations with the staff have always been good and the morale of the staff has been very high. In order to preserve this high morale, could this be done very quickly? How long do you expect we will have to wait?

CHAIRMAN: It is not possible for me to say, Mrs. ELLIOTT. All I can say is that we support our staff in this matter.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Is there any way you have of asking the Colonial Secretariat, or whoever it is, to hurry up?

CHAIRMAN: We have already asked them.

(6) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:-

(a) How many landslides in resettlement estates have oc-

curred in the past year?

(b) Were the causes all the same or similar?

(c) What steps are being taken to check the drainage in other blocks on the estates where there are such embankments, for the protection of the tenants?