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in the western district, government would utilize the site for other developments. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I fully support Dr. Lee's motion.
MR. P. D. AU:- Mr. Chairman, it was not my intention to speak on this motion, but after hearing the proposer and seconder I agree with you that this motion is premature. We have no idea when we can get the site for development. Therefore this is not the time, not the right time, to move this motion. Secondly if we have to develop this area we must give careful consideration as to how best to use this land. Therefore I think that this is not the right place to move this motion. I have been to that area quite often and I know that around Mount Davis there are many useful sites that are suitable for development into parks and playgrounds. If any site is available I think it is only fair to have some area for development of parks and playgrounds. Dr. Lee had mentioned the site may be used for staff quarters. I fully endorse if any of the free area can be used for staff quarters, particularly our Urban Services staff. I know for sure, Mr. Chairman, that thousands of our staff are living in squatter huts and rooftops and how can we expect efficiency from them without proper housing. With these words I oppose the motion.
COL. CLAGUE :- Mr. Chairman, in line with the remarks that you and Mr. Au made, I would like to propose an amendment to leave out the words after "that" on the third line up to the word "land", and also leave out all words after "park". I do so, sir, with a view to achieving what is, I think, the view of everybody that we should have more parks in that area, but it is quite clear that we do not have enough information on which to vote this afternoon as to the ultimate use of that land. It would therefore I think be undesirable for us to go on record as being not whole-heartedly in support of the proposition until we have considered all the relevant facts and see what alternatives are offered to us by Government. I therefore, Mr. Chairman, move an amendment which will have the effect of producing the following motion :-
"In view of the absence of urban amenities on the west side of Hong Kong, this Council recommend to Government that land be reserved for the development of a public park."
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MR. R. C. LEE seconded.
MR. BERNACCHI :- Mr. Chairman, I feel myself that in its amended form the proposed amendment takes us no further than is our general policy, namely that in all areas of the city land should, as far as possible, be reserved for public parks and other amenities, and I think that the whole object of this motion is lost by the amendment now proposed by Col. Clague. The motion deals with a specific fact that we know—unlike, I am afraid, Mr. Sales's railway—we do know that in two years' time the area of land-
Mr. Sales:— Mr. Chairman, point of order. I would like to set the record straight. I do not own the railway!
MR. BERNACCHI :- Unlike the railway mentioned by Mr. Sales-
MR. SALES :- May I congratulate the speaker on his correct English.
MR. BERNACCHI :- Thank you very much Mr. Sales. The Kennedy Town Slaughter House will go and will leave vacant a flat area of land which under the original motion placed before Council for consideration is available and we say should be allocated for a public park. I frankly am not in favour of hillsides in general as public parks. They are not greatly used. They can be used now if people want to walk up in the hillsides. I like it myself very much, but from the public point of view they do not as a whole like wandering up hillsides. Victoria Park is far more popular. Indeed, I am not wholly convinced about the hill that has been made at Victoria Park, but that is by the way.
I strongly urge Members to reject the amendment as not taking us any further. We are all agreed, there is no objection to the amendment in that sense, but it does not take it any further. Council is being asked to consider whether or not we should ask for consideration to be given to this specific area of flat land, the slaughter house and its surrounding crown land, being given over to a public park when it becomes available. That motion is before Council for acceptance or rejection as they like, but a general expression of hope about land at West Point takes us no further. For these reasons I personally will oppose the proposed amendment.
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