HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. WATSON:-May I support Col. Clague in his amendment to this motion. I feel that the particular motion which Dr. Lee has put before us does not take into sufficient consideration the future planning of this area. The west side of Hong Kong consisting of Kennedy Town and West Point includes some of our worst slums. This would require an overall plan for the whole area in which provision must of course be made for adequate open spaces, but which might not coincide with the area which is the subject of this motion. We will need an area to house people who will have to be moved from the areas that are being cleared of the slums. Now this fortunately could be found very close by on the 27 million square feet of the proposed Kelley Bank Reclamation. This would cost about $6 a square foot so it would be cheap enough for the low cost housing schemes. If, however, Government does not intend to go ahead with such a reclamation then some other decanting centre would have to be found. Now I feel that unless all these considerations are taken fully into account it would be wrong of us to make this recommendation to Government and a waste of time to us and the Gardens Division to prepare plans for the development of a particular spot in the absence of an overall plan for the whole district.
DR. LEE: I would like to oppose the amendment. I feel if we do not fight for our playgrounds and parks in this Council in a tangible form I do not think we will get it any way else. I disagree with Mr. Au that this is not the place for it and I have made the suggestion to the Parks and Playgrounds Select Committee that we should reserve this site of the present slaughter house for expansion and improvement as a park. Because if we do not I frankly confess that it will not get us anywhere else. Parks and playgrounds are sadly needed in Hong Kong as compared with other metropolis in other parts of the world. More breathing lungs, I think, is one of the answers to slum clearance. I disagree with what Mr. Watson says because I think his plan for slum clearance is even more premature. There are areas even more slummier.
(Mr. Fung Ping Fan left the meeting at 5.22 p.m.)
MR. AU—I
MR. BERNACCHI :-Is Mr. Au in order?
MR. SALES:-Mr. Au is perfectly in order
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CHAIRMAN:-Mr. Au has not yet had an opportunity of speaking on the amendment. He can speak.
MR. Au:—Mr. Chairman, I support the amended motion because this motion will give us an opportunity to plan for parks and playgrounds in the western district immediately instead of waiting for a long time as to when the slaughter house will be demolished and the land will be available. In order to provide better urban amenities to the west side residents of Hong Kong, I support Col. Clague's motion whole-heartedly.
Mr. Li Yiu BOR:-I wish to speak on the amended motion. I think we will support Dr. Lee's motion because I think it is more essential that we should have more parks and playgrounds and I feel the details can be worked out in the Select Committee. With your permission we will oppose the amendment.
The amendment was put and carried.
MR. BERNACCHI :--I ask for the votes to be recorded.
CHAIRMAN :--Certainly.
The vote was then recorded as follows:
For the amendment : Mr. K. A. Watson, Mr. A. de O. Sales, Mr. Y. K. Kan, Mr. C. Y. Kwan, O.B.E., Mr. U Tat Chee, O.B.E., Mr. R. C. Lee, O.B.E., Mr. P. D. Au, Col. the Hon. J. D. Clague, C.B.E., M.C., T.D., The Commissioner for Resettlement, The Hon. Director of Public Works, The Assistant Director of Health Services.
Against the amendment: Mr. H. Cheong-Leen, Dr. P. F. Woo, Mr. Li Yiu Bor, Dr. A. M. S. Bell, Mr. Chan Shu Woon, Dr. R. H. S. Lee, M.B.E., Mr. B. A. Bernacchi.
The amendment was carried by 11 votes to 7.
CHAIRMAN: We will now proceed with the amended Motion. Does anybody else wish to speak?
Col. Clague :—I would like to make it clear, Mr. Chairman, that as I see it the amendment does not rule out the use of that particular land as a playground. It merely puts it back into Select Committee for further consideration in the light of all the facts that have come forward.
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