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no doubt is the ability to sit in a garden amongst trees and flowers. There is no doubt that parks and playgrounds are positive investments by the community in law and order. If no alternative is provided for the younger generation to roam the streets and mix with bad company, how can we expect to reduce the incidence of juvenile crimes and promote the growth of better citizenship? How can we increase health consciousness unless we have the means of doing it?
I know that there has been suggestion for the present site of the Slaughter House to be used for the erection of staff quarters, but I think the merits of a public park far outweigh the possible advantages that can be put forward for a Government staff quarters; and I am not so sure that another site near it cannot be found for the staff of the proposed new Slaughter House: but, Mr. Chairman, the same cannot be said for that of a public park. If we let this opportunity go I am sure that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to find another site like it.
Although it will take another two years before the new Slaughter House can be built, it is timely that this Council should ask Government to reserve the site and the adjacent area of Crown Land for the development of a park. After this approval has been given, the Gardens Division in conjunction with the relevant Select Committee should be asked to plan it so that such amenities would be available to the public at the earliest possible time after the completion of the new Slaughter House. For these reasons, Mr. Chairman, I now move the Motion that stands in my name.
MR. CHAN SHU WOON seconded.
He said: In view of the limited number of public parks in the Colony I believe that Members of the Council would agree with me with the idea of establishing additional public parks in different parts of the city. The existing parks and playgrounds only benefit those who live nearby. One would hardly find a person living at the far end of the city who goes often to the parks situated at the other end of the city. The growing population of the west side of Hong Kong gives rise to the need for another public park to be constructed in the area. Since the present site of Kennedy Town Slaughter House including its adjoining area of crown land constitutes an ideal location for a public park, therefore with these remarks I have much pleasure in seconding Dr. Lee's motion.
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CHAIRMAN - You may recall that towards the end of November last year Members of the Parks, Playgrounds and Urban Amenities Select Committee, of which you are a member, were informed in Committee Paper 24/52/58-59 that consideration is now being given by the Superintendent of Crown Lands and Surveys (Planning Division) to the development of Kennedy Town area in which he hopes to reserve an area for development as a park. I consider that it would be premature, pending receipt of this development plan, to ask that the Kennedy Town Slaughterhouse site should be reserved as you suggest, but I agree that there is clearly a need for such an amenity in this area. I am not however convinced that the slaughterhouse land is necessarily the most suitable site and I must point out that there are stretches of hillside overlooking this area which probably provide much fresher air and greater tranquillity. I regret therefore that I shall be unable to lend my full support to the motion in its present rather restricted form but, in view of the need for such an amenity, I do not intend actively to oppose it. I therefore abstain.
DR. P. F. Woo:- Dr. Lee's motion is the third motion on today's agenda that deals with parks and playgrounds. I am always ready to give my full support to motions calling for the development of parks and playgrounds, because open-air spaces are essential for the promotion and maintenance of health and it is undeniable that there is definite shortage of these in the Colony for its increasing population. Dr. Lee's motion has special merits. Members are aware that residents on the eastern side of the island have the privilege of enjoying the facilities at the Victoria Park, Southorn Playground, and the miniature promenade at Gloucester Road. But the residents on the western side of the island have no such facilities at all. Not only are many of the houses at the western side old and deteriorated, but they are also much more congested than those at the east, and the provision of parks and playgrounds is therefore of vital importance to the health of the residents there. The total absence of urban amenities in the western district calls for something to be done, and the site in question is suitable in this respect. Although at present no exact estimate can be given for the area of land available until after the Slaughter House has been completed, request should now be made to the government to reserve the area for this purpose. Land is valuable in the Colony, and unless we emphasize to the government the importance of a park
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