Residents collect water at Po Hing Fong in Sheung Wan, during a drought in June 1963. Photo: SCMP
Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/letters/article/2148221/hong-kongs-record-breaking-heatwave-time-take-stock Letters
Hong Kong’s record-breaking heatwave is a time to take stock
Hikers are able to pose for pictures on a dried-up Lau Shui Heung Reservoir, on May 26. Photo: Winson Wong
On Sunday, it was nearly 40 degrees Celsius in the sun, and that is where the horses were in Sha Tin, being lashed again and again to make them run faster.
I should have thought this would be considered as ill treatment, and am surprised the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has not lodged a protest to ensure the horses’ welfare.
Many years ago, there was no racing during the summer; the racing season started around October because of the heat. If people saw dogs being lashed to make them run, I think there would be a public outcry.
On a related note, it would appear we could face a water shortage in a few months’ time – which reminds me of 1963 (“Record-breaking heatwave hits 10th day in Hong Kong, with Lau Shui Heung Reservoir so dried-up it can be walked across”, May 26).
Hong Kong and Kowloon was divided into sectors, and each sector had water every fourth day for three hours. Every receptacle was filled with water, you could not take a shower – you used a damp cloth to wipe the body.
Water used for washing the dishes or clothes was used to flush the toilet, and if you only urinated, you did not flush at all. Everyone should do their bit and not waste water.
John Fleming, Tung Chung