332
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The system of refuse collection is one which has, for long, given the department much concern, and the existing method is under constant review. It is a truism that properly designed houses and buildings will facilitate an efficient collection service, but if one's home does not even have a proper place for a dustbin or adequate facilities for storage of house refuse, there is little alternative but to put the refuse out in the streets. Some other and more desirable systems have been considered; but have had to be rejected, some for good and some for not so good reasons. It is claimed that placing bulk refuse containers in the streets which is perhaps something like what Mr. MACKENZIE had in mind would add to the present congestion, and, in fact, such a suggestion was recently turned down by the Standing Committee on Road Usage. Members will appreciate that if we were to consider providing receptacles for refuse at collection points we would need enough of them to take 2,400 tons per day—and I am sure you will see the problem there--even if we had sufficient off-street collecting points to allow us to seriously consider such a proposal. The experimental use of plastic bags as dustbin liners by occupiers of premises also met with no great success. During the clean-up in November, some 300,000 bags were distributed free of charge to occupiers but less than 10% were found in use. The staff are still trying to figure out what became of the remaining 90%.
However, the Department has detailed one of its experienced cleansing officers to work with the efficiency experts who were recently instructed to examine Government's administrative machinery, and who wish to try out some of their recommendations in the field of refuse collection. It is expected that proposals for improvements might be forthcoming after two months. The Department has also found it necessary to bring in consultants to advise on computerizing its transport organization for refuse collection. Funds for this purpose have been approved and investigation will commence in February, shortly after the Lunar New Year.
(Mr. Raymond Y. K. KAN left at this point.)
Mr. MACKENZIE has suggested that the dog-catching units of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department should be transferred immediately to the Urban Services control. I am informed that the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries has now obtained additional funds to expand his existing service, but its expansion is limited by the number of kennels for the detention of dogs. Up till now, the catching of stray dogs has been for the purpose of anti-rabies control, but will now be treated also as a social problem. I would prefer to leave the units concerned in the hands of the experienced professional officers of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
333
Mr. MACKENZIE's comment on the "appalling neglect in garbage disposal in various areas of the New Territories" is, largely based on what he saw on or near the railway line around Sheung Shui and Fanling—which is certainly a bad show and does nothing to improve Hong Kong's image or the Department's reputation. However, it does not reflect a true picture of refuse and junk disposal in the New Territories, or of the immense effort which has already gone into improving, what were in certain areas, intolerable conditions. Long before the Campaign had started, special cleansing operations were mounted to clean up black spots and remote villages where in the past no cleansing service had been provided. Records show that since August, in connection with the Campaign, nearly 7,500 tons of junk and refuse have been removed by these special operations. The filthy ditches and streams referred to are, no doubt, the Sutlej River, the proper clearance of which is inextricably tied to the complete clearance of the tanneries in Sheung Shui. There are now under consideration proposals to provide 500 new aqua-privies, 300 small refuse incinerators and 300 refuse collection points for the improvement of environmental conditions in the New Territories—in addition to which since 1971, I have sought for my New Territories Division 57 vehicles of all types including Pantechnicons, Pakamatics and Revopaks—as well as over 1,000 new posts for cleansing duties. I understand that arrangements are being made for members of the Campaign Committee to see for themselves in the Territories what has, quite rightly, aroused Mr. MACKENZIE's indignation. Such a visit is welcomed, and I shall be glad to have the Committee's advice on what more they think might be done to improve matters.
Mr. Peter P. F. CHAN commented on the lack of burial plots in the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries. I am happy to say that one site on the Island and another in the New Territories have now been earmarked for the extension of these cemeteries. There have been rumours that some owners of reserved plots in the private cemeteries have been offering their plots for sale at a high price. It is for this reason that the Private Cemeteries (Amendment) By-laws 1972 which become effective from 1st January, 1973, were made by this Council in order that in future the level of fees charged by any private cemetery organization for a burial plot should be brought under control.
I left off dealing with this cemetery question until the end of my remarks on Councillors' speeches in this debate. I felt that it led naturally to my next point—that today we shall have come to the end of the road and shall bury these debates as we have known them over the years. As from April, Officials will no longer attend your open Meetings and you will, I am sure, have succeeded in choosing one of your own Members to take my place. I wish him and the
Page 177 of 200
332
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The system of refuse collection is one which has, for long, given the department much concern, and the existing method is under constant review. It is a truism that properly designed houses and buildings will facilitate an efficient collection service, but if one's home does not even have a proper place for a dustbin or adequate facilities for storage of house refuse, there is little alternative but to put the refuse out in the streets. Some other and more desirable systems have been considered; but have had to be rejected, some for good and some for not so good reasons. It is claimed that placing bulk refuse containers in the streets which is perhaps something like what Mr. MACKENZIE had in mind would add to the present congestion, and, in fact, such a suggestion was recently turned down by the Standing Committee on Road Usage. Members will appreciate that if we were to consider providing receptacles for refuse at collection points we would need enough of them to take 2,400 tons per day—and I am sure you will see the prob- lem there--even if we had sufficient offstreet collecting points to allow us to seriously consider such a proposal. The experimental use of plastic bags as dustbin liners by occupiers of premises also met with no great success. During the clean-up in November, some 300,000 bags were distributed free of charge to occupiers but less than 10% were found in use. The staff are still trying to figure out what became of the remaining 90%.
However, the Department has detailed one of its experienced cleansing officers to work with the efficiency experts who were recently instructed to examine Government's administrative machinery, and who wish to try out some of their recommendations in the field of refuse collection. It is expected that proposals for improvements might be forthcoming after two months. The Department has also found it necessary to bring in consultants to advise on computerizing its trans- port organization for refuse collection. Funds for this purpose have been approved and investigation will commence in February, shortly after the Lunar New Year.
(Mr. Raymond Y. K. KAN left at this point.)
Mr. MACKENZIE has suggested that the dog-catching units of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department should be transferred imme- diately to the Urban Services control. I am informed that the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries has now obtained additional funds to expand his existing service, but its expansion is limited by the number of kennels for the detention of dogs. Up till now, the catching of stray dogs has been for the purpose of anti-rabies control, but will now be treated also as a social problem. I would prefer to leave the units concerned in the hands of the experienced professional officers of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
333
Mr. MACKENZIE's comment on the "appalling neglect in garbage think, based disposal in various areas of the New Territories" is, largely on what he saw on or near the railway line around Sheung Shui and Fanling—which is certainly a bad show and does nothing to improve Hong Kong's image or the Department's reputation. How- ever, it does not reflect a true picture of refuse and junk disposal in the New Territories, or of the immense effort which has already gone into improving, what were in certain areas, intolerable conditions. Long before the Campaign had started, special cleansing operations were mounted to clean up black spots and remote villages where in the past no cleansing service had been provided. Records show that since August, in connection with the Campaign, nearly 7,500 tons of junk and refuse have been removed by these special operations. The filthy ditches and streams referred to are, no doubt, the Sutlej River, the proper clearance of which is inextricably tied to the complete clearance of the tanneries in Sheung Shui. There are now under consideration proposals to provide 500 new aqua-privies, 300 small refuse incinerators and 300 refuse collection points for the improvement of environmental conditions in the New Territories—in addition to which since 1971, I have sought for my New Territories Division 57 vehicles of all types including Pantechnicons, Pakamatics and Revopaks-as well as over 1,000 new posts for cleansing duties. I understand that arrangements are being made for members of the Campaign Committee to see for themselves in the Territories what has, quite rightly, aroused Mr. MACKENZIE'S indignation. Such a visit is welcomed, and I shall be glad to have the Committee's advice on what more they think might be done to improve matters.
Mr. Peter P. F. CHAN commented on the lack of burial plots in the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries. I am happy to say that one site on the Island and another in the New Territories have now been earmarked for the extension of these cemeteries. There have been rumours that some owners of reserved plots in the private cemeteries have been offering their plots for sale at a high price. It is for this reason that the Private Cemeteries (Amendment) By-laws 1972 which become effective from 1st January, 1973, were made by this Council in order that in future the level of fees charged by any private cemetery organization for a burial plot should be brought under control.
I left off dealing with this cemetery question until the end of my remarks on Councillors' speeches in this debate. I felt that it led naturally to my next point-that today we shall have come to the end of the road and shall bury these debates as we have known them over the years. As from April, Officials will no longer attend your open Meetings and you will, I am sure, have succeeded in choosing one of your own Members to take my place. I wish him and the
Page 177 of 200
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