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the 1977 swimming season which officially ended 30th November, there were a total of 16 fatalities at gazetted beaches as compared with 24 last year. Furthermore, this drop in fatalities was achieved despite an increase in the number of people going to the beaches. Of the fatalities, 11 were at New Territories beaches and 5 at beaches in the Urban areas. I hasten to add that this is not because there is a better system of lifeguards at the beaches on Hong Kong Island, but because the New Territories beaches, particularly those along Castle Peak are inherently more dangerous because of swift currents. I am glad to say that there were no fatalities at swimming pools this year compared to 2 deaths last year. I believe the message of safety is getting through and hope that the figures next year will be further reduced.
While on the subject of swimming, I would like to say something about litter. The problem of litter on the beaches is known and recognised. We know who brings it there—beach-goers. Picking up and getting rid of this litter is not easy. To do so manually is a monumental task. Machines tend to be too large and cumbersome. Indeed, we have engaged the service of a consultant to try and devise a smaller lighter beach cleaning machine suitable for use on our smaller beaches. However, there is an even more difficult problem and that is sea-borne refuse. From personal observation, I would say that this year was worse than ever before. What means have we to deal with this? The answer is scarcely any. We can wait for it to come ashore at beaches and then pick it up. We have also tried picking it up by using sampans. This has not been a success. I firmly believe that attempts to collect such refuse, once it's afloat, will be largely ineffectual and very expensive. Where does this refuse come from? At the moment, nobody seems to know or care. The problem should be tackled at the other end, by preventing refuse from being deposited in the sea. An investigation should be conducted by the Department, possibly with the help of the Marine Department to determine the sources of the refuse, whether it be shipyards, ships in the Harbour, factories or some other sources. The culprits should be tracked down, charged in Court and punished.
I would like to conclude my speech by saying something about Daylight Saving. We have now experienced one summer without it. To those who are interested in active physical recreation, whether it be the playing of an outdoor game or going swimming, this has been a serious inconvenience. Many of those I have spoken to cannot understand why the change from Daylight Saving in the summer was ever made. They sincerely hope that we will go back to Daylight Saving time next summer.
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Some people will prefer the extra hour of daylight in the morning, but the majority will benefit from the extra hour in the evening. So I make a plea to Government. Give us back our extra hour of daylight in the summer.
With these remarks, I am happy to support the motion before the Council.
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman,
A. THE ICAC AFFAIR
This incident, which happened on 28th October, must be one of the most shocking in Hong Kong for a good many years and has caused grave concern among the whole population. The over-generous amnesty announced by His Excellency the Governor and a series of unusually lenient decisions adopted by the Attorney-General following it has made a disappointed and bewildered public wonder what is going to happen in our law and order in future.
Water can float a boat but may sink it as well
Our Governor was welcomed as the first non-colonial officer to rule Hong Kong and has been popular with the public because he is also the first Governor to have announced long-term projects on many essential services such as public housing, medical and health services, education, social welfare etc. His reputation reached its peak with his determination to stamp out corruption, implemented by the establishment of the ICAC in 1974 and its noticeable achievements since. While some people doubt whether the various promises made by the Governor can be honoured in time, the recent ICAC incident and its consequences have done most to lower him in public esteem.
Amnesty was unavoidable but was made at the wrong time and under the wrong circumstances
In the Second Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Corruption in September 1973 Sir Alastair BLAIR-KERR stated in the Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations: "I have every reason to believe that what is regarded as corruption in the public service is widespread throughout Hong Kong and "There are strong indications that there is a great deal of corruption in the public service, particularly in certain departments which come in close daily contact with the public". He then named the Police, Immigration, Housing, Public Works, Fire Services, Urban Services etc.
Page 119 of 174
Page 119 of 174
198
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
the 1977 swimming season which officially ended 30th November, there were a total of 16 fatalities at gazetted beaches as compared with 24 last year. Furthermore, this drop in fatalities was achieved despite an increase in the number of people going to the beaches. Of the the fatalities, 11 were at New Territories beaches and 5 at beaches in the Urban areas. I hasten to add that this is not because there is a better system of lifeguards at the beaches on Hong Kong Island, but because the New Territories beaches, particularly those along Castle Peak are inherently more dangerous because of swift currents. I am glad to say that there were no fatalities at swimming pools this year compared to 2 deaths last year. I believe the message of safety is getting through and hope that the figures next year will be further reduced.
While on the subject of swimming, I would like to say something about litter. The problem of litter on the beaches is known and recognised. We know who brings it there-beach-goers. Picking up and getting rid of this litter is not easy. To do so manually is a monumental task. Machines tend to be too large and cumbersome. Indeed, we have engaged the service of a consultant to try and devise a smaller lighter beach cleaning machine suitable for use on our smaller beaches. However, there is an even more difficult problem and that is sea borne refuse. From personal observation, I would say that this year was worse than ever before. What means have we to deal with this? The answer is scarcely any. We can wait for it to come ashore at beaches and then pick it up. We have also tried picking it up by using sampans. This has not been a success. I firmly believe that attempts to collect such refuse, once its afloat, will be largely ineffectual and very expensive. Where does this refuse come from? At the moment, nobody seem to know or care. The problem should be tackle at the other end, by preventing refuse from being deposited in the sea. An investigation should be conducted by the Department, possibly with the help of the Marine Department to determine the sources of the refuse, where it be ship yards, ships in the Harbour, factories or some other sources. The culprits should be tracked down, charged in Court and punished.
I would like to conclude my speech by saying something about Daylight Saving. We have now experienced one summer without it. To those who are interested in active physical recreation, whether it be the playing of an outdoor game or going swimming, this has been a serious inconvenience. Many of those I have spoken to cannot under- stand why the change from Daylight Saving in the summer was ever made. They sincerely hope that we will go back to Daylight Saving
time next summer.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 119 of 174
199
Some people will prefer the extra hour of daylight
in the morning, but the majority will benefit from the extra hour in the evening. So I make a plea to Government. Give us back our extra hour of daylight in the summer.
With these remarks, I am happy to support the motion before the Council.
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman,
A. THE ICAC AFFAIR
This incident, which happened on 28th October, must be one of the most shocking in Hong Kong for a good many years and has caused grave concern among the whole population. The over-generous amnesty announced by His Excellency the Governor and a series of unusually lenient decisions adopted by the Attorney-General following it has made a disappointed and bewildered public wonder what is going to happen in our law and order in future.
Water can float a boat but may sink it as well
Our Governor was welcomed as the first non-colonial officer to rule Hong Kong and has been popular with the public because he is also the first Governor to have announced long-term projects on many essential services such as public housing, medical and health services, education, social welfare etc. His reputation reached its peak with his determination to stamp out corruption, implemented by the establish- ment of the ICAC in 1974 and its noticeable achievements since. While some people doubt on whether the various promises made by the Governor can be honoured in time, the recent ICAC incident and its consequences have done most to lower him in public esteem.
Amnesty was unavoidable but was made at the wrong time and under the wrong circumstances
In the Second Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Corruption in September 1973 Sir Alastair BLAIR-KERR stated in the Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations: "I have every reason to believer that what is regarded as corruption in the public service is widespread throughout Hong Kong and "There are strong indications that there is a great deal of corruption in the public service, particularly in certain departments which come in close daily contact with the public". He then named the Police, Immigration, Housing, Public Works, Fire Services, Urban Services etc.
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