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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Hilton Cheong-Leen raised the question of small libraries, planned in association with the Kaifongs. This might well be followed up as part of the library service to be provided by the City Hall, thus avoiding duplication of effort.
Mr. Fung Ping Fan's suggestion for some Japanese walkie talkie public address system in the City Hall will be placed before the appropriate Select Committee, but no doubt, by the date of its completion, many new inventions will be in the field. We may yet have to make allowance for the smellies and the feelies.
Mr. Sales maintains that Government has been penny pinching in reprovisioning the Softball Association, but I beg to differ and would like to repeat the reply which I made on 4th November, 1958, to a similar question:—
"The position is that the Softball Association will not be required to vacate its King's Park ground until about August, 1960, by which time a replacement ground will be ready for its use. This ground will either be in the new Kowloon Tsai Park Area or in the Raven Estate area and it is hoped that a decision on the final site will be made shortly".
I understand that the cost of such reprovisioning will be at least $200,000.
MR. SALES-On a point of information, Mr. Chairman—the $200,000 includes the squash courts?
CHAIRMAN:-The $200,000 does not include the squash courts, unfortunately.
I would also mention that three public hard tennis courts and two squash courts with attached changing facilities will probably be constructed in the immediate vicinity, so that when the players tire of this modern version of the old English game of rounders, they can try their hand at other games.
As regards Mr. Sales' plea for a master plan for recreational facilities a departmental plan already exists showing the present parks and playgrounds and those planned in the immediate future. This plan is now being brought up to date and amended to show existing areas; those areas planned for 1959/60 and 1960/61; and other areas planned for later.
I should now like to deal with a pet subject-bathing beaches-which was mentioned by Dr. Lee, Mr. Li Yiu Bor, Mr. R. C. Lee and Dr. Bell. I regard the Colony's beaches as the greatest of health tonics
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and despite the reference in the correspondence column of a local paper to "A chair-bound bureaucrat" I can assure you and the writer that I take the liveliest of personal interest. I am fully aware of the problems arising from the presence of pleasure craft and sampans and I am firmly of the opinion myself that the interests of the multitudinous bathers must take precedence over those of the relatively few boat owners.
I would draw the attention of members to a departmental scheme for improvement of the Stanley Hairpin Beach on which there were about 12 matsheds before the war but which for some reason has been completely neglected since the war.
I cannot speak with authority about the New Territories beaches which are outside the Urban Area, but I can say that close liaison is maintained with the staff of the New Territories Administration. If any members have concrete suggestions for their improvement they should address themselves to the District Commissioner.
I sympathize with Mr. Cheong-Leen's suggestion of a 5-year plan but the pace of events is so swift in Hong Kong that I doubt whether it would be practicable. I have every confidence in the foresight of the Town Planning Board and would remind you that without land there can be no long distance planning.
Mr. Cheong-Leen suggested that the Kaifongs should be consulted as to the requirements of their district in the way of bath-houses and latrines. The factors which decide the siting of these amenities are not however confined to one particular district and an overall appraisal is essential, such factors as density of population, the degree of flush sanitation already installed or likely to be installed, the type of activity pursued in the district (e.g. residential or industrial), and other features such as stadia, bus termini, etc., which attract crowds, all requiring consideration. It is doubtful whether the Kaifongs are in as good a position to judge these as is the department. We already have sufficient latrines planned to keep us busy for six years, without the additional items often forced upon us by reconstruction of roads etc.
Mr. Cheong-Leen apparently feels that the nature of this Council can be changed as if by a fairy wand by calling it a Municipal Council. Indeed, there would appear to be a considerable difference of opinion amongst the unofficials themselves as to the best title, whether Municipal, Urban or City.
I cannot see that the proposed change of name could have any practical effect except to require the expenditure of time, money and effort on physical transformations--e.g., change of title on stationery, vehicles and public buildings, and innumerable little amendments to
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