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present and in the proposed building developments in Kowloon, ground for the purpose can be found. A part of the Whitfield Barracks site when released might be levelled for this purpose, but in spite of taking advantage of every site within the urban area of Hong Kong and Kowloon, there will still be a great shortage owing to the small amount of level ground. The most attractive suggestion which depends upon the Tunnel and electrified railway, is to provide a large playing field area by the reclamation of Sha Tin Bay. Cheap return fares, including 'bus fares on Hong Kong Island, would make this area accessible: this practice of obtaining level ground for organised large scale games at a considerable distance away has been adopted in many European cities.
3. Rest Parks: these are much appreciated by old and young as can be seen in the gardens above Government House. They can be, and indeed are, more attractive for occupying irregular sites, some of them within the built up area (e.g. military land like Belcher's Fort). In other cases adjacent land on the hill slopes could be obtained from the Government without expropriation of leases. Such sites should be earmarked for open spaces before more land is leased for suburban or quasi-suburban building. There is much land in Kowloon which could be used for this pur- pose, particularly rocky ground which lends itself to the Chinese type of romantic garden design. After allowing for the widening of Canton Road, and providing level ground for games, there will be space left at Whitfield Barracks. King's Park, already used for playgrounds can similarly be laid out as a beautiful central park for Kowloon.
4. Wider Open Spaces: the familiar concept of a Green Belt cannot be exactly applied to Hong Kong or Kowloon: but the principle underlying it certainly can. The mountain slopes and catchment areas of Hong Kong Island can be much further opened up by footpaths (and rendered safe for pedestrians): the many special look-out' spots can be properly treated for enjoyment of the glorious views. The use already made of the Peak by means of the Peak Tramway and the attraction of Harlech Road (without being thought of as an access to buildings) are indications of increased possibilities. On the Kowloon side the mountain slopes are if anything more spectacular: the military roads and fire- protection paths might be much more used if there were improved cheap means of access. There are not only the superb views, and the remote quality of the mountain scenery, but the sudden change in atmosphere would be pleasant at certain seasons.
In addition to the highlands, there are the beaches which are already in organised use.
5. New Territories: the value of these for recreational purposes has already been mentioned in connection with possible playing fields at Sha Tin: there are also the Country Club and Golf course: but in addition to these more intensive uses there is the use of this lovely cultivated land as a countryside, as well as its wilder mountain area. With changes and more frequent means of access this should increase and would doubtless call for resthouses and tea gardens: nor need there be any interference with agriculture. There are also the coasts for weekend rest, bathing and boating. The damage done to the matsheds and more permanent beach houses will, it is hoped, soon be repaired.
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G.
T
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Stonecutters Island: the possible use of this Island for general recreation is more fully described under Tourism .
7. Parkway Connections: footpaths and tracks over the moun- tainous areas have already been mentioned, but the possibility of parkway connection, both pedestrian, bicycling, motoring, for pleasure as distinct from traffic needs, should not be lost sight of.
In the new developments in Kowloon, in the placing and planning of neighbourhood groups, there should be opportunities for leaving narrow strips of open space, intervening between the units. These may be planted and used for walks and park strips. This may sound farfetched at this stage, but the idea can be developed and worked into a pleasant feature of urban lay-out.
8. Tree-planting: this is here considered not as commercial afforestation (see Section on New Territories) but as amenity planting. The whole Colony has enormously suffered from wartime cutting down of pine woods. It is much more difficult to restore amenity planting than to preserve it when grown: but efforts should be made (and there are excellent examples on certain roads) to restore this characteristic landscape feature of the Colony which no doubt had, in addition, a real value in water conservation and prevention of soil erosion, quite distinct from economic timber growing. There are evident signs that natural regeneration is at work this can be protected and even stimulated.
12. THE NEW TERRITORIES.
85. The New Territories are a subject for a Report in themselves and there was insufficient time to do more than pay a visit to this priceless piece of open country and coastline with its own complete economy of the life of old China. A growing and flourishing life is indicated in the report on the 10 year plan of development of the New Territories sub-committee of the Colonial Development & Welfare Committee which appears to be an admirable programime of progress and conservation. The internal economy is based upon :
86. As population:
1. Farming
2. Fishing
3. Fishpond cultivation
4.
Forestry
5. Mining and Quarrying.
already mentioned, these territories afford to the urban
i.
Rural scenery
ii. Village life
iii. Rambling and Mountain climbing
iv.
V.
Week-end visits
Playing fields, Golf courses
vi. Sailing
vii.
Archaeology
viii. Water supply.
There are also parts that can be set aside as nature reserves. There is a most interesting area, at present almost inaccessible, north of Plover Cove, containing woodlands, streams and waterfalls. This should he kept in its present virgin state: but it is worth considering whether the
(1) There is an Interim Development Scheme for 5 years dealing with urgent matters
requiring prior consideration.
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