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tions) Ordinance and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance. But for other purposes, such as commercial advertising, such signs are prohibited. This matter has been reviewed regularly over the somewhat lengthy period during which this legislation has been under preparation and, so far, the decision has been to prohibit occulting advertisement signs. However, I am quite prepared to refer this once more to the Sub-Committee concerned though as Members will be aware, there are other Departments' views of which cognizance must be taken.
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE (in English):-Are there any medical reasons given why occulting signs should not be used?
MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English):--Well, Mr. Chairman, the only medical reason given for not permitting occulting signs is when they are blinking outside residences in multi-storey buildings, they do disturb the peace of the residents.
(2) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question (in English):-
According to press reports, the "Beemer" Beach Cleaning Machine has proved unsatisfactory in operation.
(a) How many of these machines have been purchased and at what cost? Has a detailed report on the shortcomings of this machine been submitted to Recreation and Amenities Select Committee?
(b) What alternative proposals are now being considered for essential beach-cleaning equipment, and can assurance be given that sufficient equipment will be in operation before the 1974 swimming season?
(c) Arising from this case, are any new steps being taken to ensure a more critical commercial appraisal of the suitability of equipment prior to purchase?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT Committee, replied as follows (in English):-
This question concerns the "Beemer" Beach Cleaning Machine. Only one of these machines has been purchased at a cost of $32,000. It was put on trial upon its arrival
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in May and was later demonstrated for the benefit of Members of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee. The Department's initial observations on the effectiveness of the machine were included in a paper to the Select Committee following the demonstration. The machine is still on trial and modification is to be made to the vibrating bar screen with a view to finding out whether this will improve the effectiveness of the machine while operating over wet sand. A detailed report will be put to the Select Committee upon completion of the trial which should be in about one month's time.
Provision has been included in next year's budget (if approved) for purchasing another type of beach cleaner together with tractor but I am naturally unable, at this stage, to give any assurance that sufficient beach-cleaning machines of that type will be in operation before the 1974 swimming season, as this depends very much on how soon we can find the right type of machine for our beaches.
However, in addition to the Beemer cleaner, we have provided Hill-Billy Transporters (each capable of carrying up to 800 lbs. of litter and flotsam and jetsam) at 7 of our beaches, and consideration will be given to buying more of these machines, should they prove necessary.
I am not quite sure that I understand the last part of Mr. MACKENZIE'S question. If, for example, the phrase "critical commercial appraisal" is taken to mean a free demonstration here in Hong Kong, I regret to say that this is not feasible as the Department has already unsuccessfully explored this possibility with known suppliers. If, on the other hand, he suggests that the Department should send an officer overseas to examine the performance of beach-cleaning machines elsewhere, my Committee will certainly consider this alternative, should any such new machine which may be purchased prove to be unsatisfactory for our purposes.
MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):—Mr. Chairman, it seems that the Hill-Billy Transporters, of which a number are now to be in operation, which are very welcome I am sure, are to provide the basic cleaning equipment for the beaches. Is this the view of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee?
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tions) Ordinance and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance. But for other purposes, such as commercial advertising, such signs are prohibited. This matter has been reviewed regularly over the somewhat lengthy period during which this legislation has been under preparation and, so far, the decision has been to prohibit occulting advertisement signs. However, I am quite prepared to refer this once more to the Sub-Committee concerned though as Mem- bers will be aware, there are other Departments' views of which cognizance must be taken.
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE (in English):-Are there any medical reasons given why occulting signs should not be used?
MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English):--Well, Mr. Chairman, the only medical reason given for not permitting occulting signs is when they are blinking outside residences in multi-storey buildings, they do disturb the peace of the residents.
(2) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question (in English):-
According to press reports, the "Beemer" Beach Cleaning
Machine has proved unsatisfactory in operation.
(a) How many of these machines have been purchased and at what cost? Has a detailed report on the short-comings of this machine been submitted to Recreation and Amenities Select Committee?
(b) What alternative proposals are now being considered for essential beach-cleaning equipment, and can as- surance be given that sufficient equipment will be in operation before the 1974 swimming season?
(c) Arising from this case, are any new steps being taken to ensure a more critical commercial appraisal of the suitability of equipment prior to purchase?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT Committee, replied as follows (in English):-
This question concerns the "Beemer" Beach Cleaning Ma- chine. Only one of these machines has been purchased at a cost of $32,000. It was put on trial upon its arrival
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
185
in May and was later demonstrated for the benefit of Members of the Recreation and Amenities Select Com- mittee. The Department's initial observations on the effectiveness of the machine were included in a paper to the Select Committee following the demonstration. The machine is still on trial and modification is to be made to the vibrating bar screen with a view to finding out whether this will improve the effectiveness of the machine while operating over wet sand. A detailed report will be put to the Select Committee upon completion of the trial which should be in about one month's time.
Provision has been included in next year's budget (if ap- proved) for purchasing another type of beach cleaner together with tractor but I am naturally unable, at this stage, to give any assurance that sufficient beach-cleaning machines of that type will be in operation before the 1974 swimming season, as this depends very much on how soon we can find the right type of machine for our beaches.
However, in addition to the Beemer cleaner, we have provided Hill-Billy Transporters (each capable of carrying up to 800 lbs. of litter and flotsam and jetsam) at 7 of our beaches, and consideration will be given to buying more of these machines, should they prove necessary.
I am not quite sure that I understand the last part of Mr. MACKENZIE'S question. If, for example, the phrase "critical commercial appraisal" is taken to mean a free demonstration here in Hong Kong, I regret to say that this is not feasible as the Department has already unsuccessfully explored this possibility with known suppliers. If, on the other hand, he suggests that the Department should send an officer overseas to examine the performance of beach-cleaning machines elsewhere, my Committee will certainly consider this alternative, should any such new machine which may be purchased prove to be unsatisfactory for our purposes.
MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):—Mr. Chairman, it seems that the Hill-Billy Transporters, of which a number are now to be in operation, which are very welcome I am sure, are to provide the basic cleaning equipment for the beaches. Is this the view of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee?
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.