HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. BERNACCHI—I would like to ask a supplementary question, Mr. Chairman, and that is why, if this Council is invested with the control of the car park, do matters relating to the car park have to await incorporation in some general regulations concerning a number of other matters which are no concern of us as a Council.
CHAIRMAN: I think my only answer is that it would be up to the Legal Department. They have only a limited staff and a multitude of different regulations would give them an unnecessary amount of work and result in delays in implementation.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN: With Mr. Bernacchi's permission may I ask a supplementary question?
CHAIRMAN: Yes.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: This is not directly related to his question but may I ask whether the new procedure which has been set by you was due to the possibility that there was a fear that there might be too large a spate of supplementary questions, which caused you—
CHAIRMAN: I am afraid this is ruled out of order, Mr. Cheong-Leen. This has nothing to do with any question on the Order Paper.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: I believe my remarks are on the record, Mr. Chairman.
MOTION.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI moved the following resolution:
"That a model boat pool be constructed in Victoria Park."
He said: The Motion that stands in my name today is, I think, already clear and does not need very much elaboration.
The Council has been giving consideration to improving the amenities of this City, parks are now open in the evening, and a number of them are lit. The boulevard scheme for our sea fronts has been put into operation and appears to be very popular indeed. I hope these boulevards will be greatly extended in the near future. At Victoria Park itself, we opened last year the Swimming Pool through the kindness of the Jockey Club donations and a roller skating rink is shortly to be in operation.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
A model boat pool is perhaps a natural development along these lines. The making and sailing of model boats is a most fascinating hobby and pastime, not only to children but to many adult men and women. I recall the round pond in London is always packed with model boats and all round its sides you will find both the owners of the models and indeed a large number of other people who find great enjoyment in simply watching these small craft being launched.
I envisage a round pond with a narrow strip of hard surfacing around its edge and perhaps seats placed behind the surface strip at intervals.
Sport is a great thing and must always be encouraged and we have not lost sight of the necessity for providing facilities for sport in Victoria Park, but in doing so we must not lose sight also of those other amenities which although perhaps not exactly sport, normally play their part in the life of an urban community.
DR. A. M. S. BELL seconded.
She said: It gives me pleasure to second Mr. Bernacchi's motion that a model boat pool be constructed in Victoria Park. Many people both young and old, male and female, have enjoyed model boat building and sailing, and for those who have not yet had this opportunity it will be a pleasure in store if this motion is passed.
In this crowded city of ours, we have too few open spaces and too few outdoor attractions, but in Victoria Park we have our first really good recreational open area, within reasonably easy reach and we must have in it as many amenities as possible to encourage the children and adults of our congested areas to spend time in the evenings and at weekends in the open air.
I consider that this suggestion of Mr. Bernacchi's will prove just as successful as the "Bernacchi Boulevards" which are giving so much pleasure to so many people. If this model boat pond is successful then perhaps some day even the residents of Kowloon may raise their hopes that they may also have a similar pond in one of their recreation areas.
CHAIRMAN: I well remember the enjoyment which I personally derived as a child from visits to the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens (possibly I met Brook there, but I am not certain) and
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