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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCILThe problem cannot be resolved until we can find more land to build proper refuse collection points. This is practically impossible in built-up areas. On new reclaimed land such as at Tsim Sha Tsui, although the Council has managed to secure some plots for building refuse collection facilities within their premises. By the time legislation is available to make this mandatory, there will be, I fear, little land to build on. However, it will not be too late to enforce such conditions when existing building sites are redeveloped.
During the year the Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Parlours Select Committee was dissolved and its functions were taken over by the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee. The Council's first funeral parlour was completed and opened by Mr WONG Shiu-cheuck, the former chairman of the Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Parlours Select Committee under whose guidance the scheme was conceived. The service halls and facilities rented out at low fixed charges have made it possible for bereaved families to provide decent funeral services for their loved ones without having to pay exorbitant fees. An unexpected development has been a revival of undertakers' establishments. Many years ago, it was quite common for these to be located in the normal residential buildings where they carried out their business on the premises including storing of bodies and funerals. However, during the past twenty years or so, many had closed due to strict health requirements and a virtual monopoly situation by a few funeral homes resulted in high costs. The situation is now changing and more applications have been received for undertakers' licenses which cover the selling of coffins and providing ancillary services only. The Tung Wah Hospitals and the Council by providing funeral parlours have helped to reduce the cost of dying.
Finally, a word on the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign. This is a continuing exercise and we need the support of the whole community. Publicity and education continued to be carried out. Moreover, during the year magistrates have levied heavier fines on litter offenders in support of the Campaign.
Before concluding, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the various Government departments especially the Urban Services Department and my colleagues both elected and appointed for their help and co-operation during the past year in carrying out the Council's work. Last but not least, on behalf of myself and the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign Committee, I thank the many people and community organizations who gave active support to us in 1978.
Mr Chairman, I support the motion.
MR HENRY H. O. LUK (in Cantonese):-Mr Chairman and colleagues, although there are some people who think that the jurisdiction of the Urban Council has diminished, I feel however that the work of the Urban Council is on the increase.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCILAs the workload grows and becomes more onerous, Urban Council's contribution to the public also increases. This is especially so in the field of culture because the Council shoulders the most important responsibility of providing spiritual nourishment to the people of Hong Kong. Activities ranging from music to movies and sports are beneficial to the people in that they can enhance the body and mind. Hong Kong has been disgracefully branded as a 'Cultural Desert'. But, by now, it has gradually managed to mark its name white again. Cultural and art activities in Hong Kong do not suffer at all by comparison with those of other major cities in the South-east Asian region. These activities can even be described as rather eminent. The Urban Council has done a very meritorious job in this respect.
The Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex and the Space Museum now under construction are indeed far-sighted contributions and awe-inspiring grand projects. Once completed, they will become invaluable assets to the people of Hong Kong. The Hung Hom Indoor Games Hall is another manifestation of the Council's effort to better the well-being of the people.
All these are works which the Council have been carrying out with devotion and zeal over the years. General routine duties, the details of services provided and the rise in efficiency have not yet been included above. It would be beyond the scope of this speech to include these details if we were to list them one by one.
Of course, there are still aspects that we look over with regret. It is impossible to have perfection in our world and likewise, the work done by the Council is not flawless. The first difficulty is the problem of hawkers which is a constant headache to all Councillors. And, they nearly stick themselves in the mire when they are tackling it. Sometimes, I feel this is a pressing problem which forever rests in the hands of the Council. I find Councillor SHUM Choi-sang's perseverance and zeal highly admirable. He and Councillor TSIN Sai-nin together take up this key responsibility and with the greatest persistence, continue to work hard and seek a solution to the question of hawkers. They are at least trying to bring the problem under control so as to prevent it from becoming more serious to such an extent that it is unmanageable.
Another item which needs long-term, continuous effort is the 'Keep Hong Kong Clean' Campaign which is under the Chairmanship of Councillor Grace Ho. Of course, her devotion, zeal and personal ability account for the success of this Campaign. I would like to put forth some suggestions in this aspect. There are always people distributing publicity hand-outs along the passageway leading to Star Ferry Pier and along the busy roads in Central District. After receiving these hand-outs and glancing over them, the pedestrians briskly throw them away. As a result, the roads are littered
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The problem cannot be resolved until we can find more land to build proper refuse collection points. This is practically impossible in built up areas. On new reclaimed land such as at Tsim Sha Tsui, although the Council has managed to secure some plots for building refuse collection refuse collection facilities within their premises. By the time legislation is points but no conditions were or are now imposed on developers to provide available to make this mandatory, there will be, I fear, little land to build on. However, it will not be too late to enforce such conditions when existing
building sites are redeveloped.
During the year the Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Parlours Select Committee was dissolved and its functions were taken over by the Environ- mental Hygiene Select Committee. The Council's first funeral parlour was completed and opened by Mr WONG Shiu-cheuck, the former chairman of the Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Parlours Select Committee under whose guidance the scheme was conceived. The service halls and facilities rented out at low fixed charges have made it possible for bereaved families to provide decent funeral services for their loved ones without having to pay exorbitant fees. An unexpected development has been a revival of undertakers establishments. Many years ago, it was quite common for these to be located in the normal residential buildings where they carried out their business on the premises including storing of bodies and funerals. However, during the past twenty years or so, many had closed due to strict health requirements and a virtual monopoly situation by a few funeral homes resulted in high costs. The situation is now changing and more applications have been received for undertakers licenses which cover the selling of coffins and providing ancillary services only. The Tung Wah Hospitals and the Council by providing funeral parlours have helped to reduce the cost of dying.
Finally, a word on the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign. This is a con- tinuing exercise and we need the support of the whole community. Publicity and education continued to be carried out. Moreover, during the year magistrates have levied heavier fines on litter offenders in support of the Campaign.
Before concluding, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the various Government departments especially the Urban Services Department and my colleagues both elected and appointed for their help and co-operation during the past year in carrying out the Council's work. Last but not least, on behalf of myself and the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign Committee, I thank the many people and community organizations who gave active support to us in 1978.
Mr Chairman, I support the motion.
MR HENRY H. O. LUK (in Cantonese):-Mr Chairman and colleagues, although there are some people who think that the jurisdiction of the Urban
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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183
Council has diminished, I feel however that the work of the Urban Council
is on the increase.
As the workload grows and becomes more onerous, Urban Council's contribution to the public also increases. This is especially so in the field of culture because the Council shoulders the most important responsibility of providing spiritual nourishment to the people of Hong Kong. Activities ranging from music to movies and sports are beneficial to the people in that they can enhance the body and mind. Hong Kong has been disgrace- fully branded as a 'Cultural Desert'. But, by now, it has gradually managed to mark its name white again. Cultural and art activities in Hong Kong do not suffer at all by comparison with those of other major cities in the South- east Asian region. These activities can even be described as rather eminent. The Urban Council has done a very meritous job in this respect.
The Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex and the Space Muscum now under construction are indeed far-sighted contributions and awe-inspiring grand projects. Once completed, they will become invaluable assets to the people of Hong Kong. The Hung Hom Indoor Games Hall is another manifestation of the Council's effort to better the well-being of the people.
All these are works which the Council have been carrying out with devotion and zeal over the years. General routine duties, the details of services provided and the rise in efficiency have not yet been included above. It would be beyond the scope of this speech to include these details if we were to list them one by one.
Of course, there are still aspects that we look over with regret. It is im- possible to have perfection in our world and likewise, the work done by the Council is not flawless. The first difficulty is the problem of hawkers which is a constant headache to all Councillors. And, they nearly stick themselves in the mire when they are tackling it. Sometimes, I fell this is a pressing problem which forever rests in the hands of the Council. I find Councillor SHUM Choi-sang's perseverance and zeal highly admirable. He and Councillor TSIN Sai-nin together take up this key responsibility and with the greatest persistence, continue to work hard and seek a solution to the question of hawkers. They are at least trying to bring the problem under control so as to prevent it from becoming more serious to such an extent that it is unmanageable.
Another item which needs long-term, continuous effort is the 'Keep Hong Kong Clean' Campaign which is under the Chairmanship of Councillor Grace Ho. Of course, her devotion, zeal and personal ability account for the success of this Campaign. I would like to put forth some suggestions in this aspect. There are always people distributing publicity hand-outs along the passageway leading to Star Ferry Pier and along the busy roads in Central District. After receiving these hand-outs and glancing over them, the pedestrians briskly throw them away. As a result, the roads are littered
Page 111 of 1
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