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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR: KENNETH T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English): -

Mr. Chairman, I presume that the sound system to which Miss Yeung refers in this question is the Public Address System at the Hong Kong Stadium. There are 20 loud- speakers installed at the covered spectator stands. These loudspeakers are distributed and arranged in such a way as to reach to all points of the Stadium. Unfortunately, however, we know from experience that some of the hirers of the stadium have a habit of turning the amplification up to the fullest possible volume capacity, with resulting distortion. This not only makes an- nouncements quite indistinct but also gives rise to com- plaints from nearby residents.

At major functions, the sound system is operated by techni- cians employed by one of the Council's contractors who specializes in the management of this sort of equipment. However, at other times, the hirers are permitted to use the equipment themselves and, although its use is ex- plained carefully to them, the advice given is not always heeded, so that on occasion, the audience does not hear too clearly what is being said.

MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as regards what Mr. Lo said, the volume output could be heard from every corner of the stadium. But from what I have heard, very often, the open spectators' stand cannot catch the announcements at all. I wonder whether its loudspeaker is being turned on too loud or too low, or is it because of the echo in the stadium?

MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English): Mr. Chairman, according to my information, people sitting in any part of the stadium can hear fairly clearly if the equipment is properly used.

MR. ALEX S. C. Wu (in English): -Mr. Chairman, I think at times residents in Kowloon Tsai and Kowloon Tong can hear the remarks made in the Kowloon Tsai Park, and I wonder if it is possible for the public address system be so adjusted that the noise will not reach that far.

CHAIRMAN (in English):—The question concerns the Government Stadium at Caroline Hill, not Mong Kok, so your supplementary ques- tion is really out of order. (Laughter).

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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(6) MISS CECILIA L. Y YEUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):

(a) Mr. Chairman, are you aware that before actually being cremated a body has to wait several days after the funeral for space in our crematoria?

(b) Could consideration be given to using the crematorium

more hours of the day, by a two-shift system?

(c) Are you aware that at present the last cremation must take place at 2.30 p.m. in the afternoon so that the workers can get away by 5.00 p.m.?

(d) Are you aware that after the funeral whilst waiting to go to the crematorium, the body has to be kept in the funeral parlour at cost to the family, and that in summer, by the time the body goes to the crematorium it has often decomposed?

(e) Has the Urban Council got any plans for improving this

appalling situation?

MR. PETER P. F. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CEMETERIES, CREMATORIA AND FUNERAL PARLOURS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):--

Mr. Chairman, I welcome this opportunity to clarify in public matters which I recently raised as Chairman of the Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Parlours Select Committee.

The answer to the first question in that it is true that at This present there is a waiting list for Cape Collinson.

is partly because there has been an increase in the number of cremations sought in the private sector-from 272 in November last year to 370 in February 1974, and from 134 to 165 in the government sector during the same period. More recently, it is also due to the malfunction- ing of one of the two cremators at the Kowloon Crema- torium on 17th February and to a close-down for repairs there from 1st March. It is expected to reopen on 16th March. The present waiting time at Cape Collinson, based on the situation as at 7th March, is between 6-8 days, i.e. the first bookings available thereafter were on 13th, 14th and 15th March.