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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN.
Before we commence the business of this meeting, I have much pleasure on your behalf in welcoming back the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Mr. McDOUALL, who has been absent on leave.
I should also like, on behalf of you all, to extend the warmest of welcomes to our three new Members, who are taking their seats for the first time. Mr. Li Fook-shu can of course hardly be considered a stranger as he has for an extended period been an additional Member of the Housing Authority, which has greatly benefited from his financial experience. Both FUNG Hon-chu and Wilfred WONG are also well known to you and they have already made their mark on the Colony not merely in commerce but also in the wider and more exalted field of social welfare. This Council is indeed fortunate to be reinforced by citizens of such calibre and public spirit.
MR. BERNACCHI :—I would like to say that there are two distinct faces to this Council. One is when in public debate we may disagree in our views as to the future of Hong Kong, at times differ quite violently, the other face is the day to day time devoted to work that is necessary to carry out the various functions of the Council. No boat will move unless all pull together and we have found that on the various select committees of the Council members have shown that they can indeed pull together and execute the Council's work efficiently and expeditiously. I know the three new members personally and I am sure that they will indeed be of use on the various select committees that they will today be appointed.
MR. KWAN :—On behalf of the other nominated members and myself I wholeheartedly associate myself with the expressions of welcome from you and also Mr. BERNACCHI, to our three members, all of whom are well known citizens of Hong Kong. We are looking forward to working together with them and I am sure their contribution to the work of this Council will be tremendous.
MR. LI YIU-BOR :—I associate myself with your remarks, Sir, and those of Mr. BERNACCHI and Mr. Kwan in welcoming to this Council three new members. We wish them every success and happiness in this Council and we also welcome back the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Mr. McDOUALL.
## MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1st March, 1960 were confirmed.
## PAPERS.
The Chairman laid upon the table the following papers:
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of March, 1960.
(2) Statement of Progress and Policy.
# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## QUESTIONS.
Page 9 of 118
Mr. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
"(a) As this Council adopted a motion in January, 1959 to request Government to maintain what remains of King's Park as a public park, are you now able to tell us whether our recommendation has been accepted?
(b) Is it planned to alienate even more land in King's Park for purposes other than the construction of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Army Hospital?
(c) What assurance can you give this Council that no more grounds there will be taken away from recreational purposes?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
"(a) As a Member of the relevant Committee, you will recall that a plan showing an area at the northern end of King's Park, which it is proposed to develop as a rest-garden, was placed before the Urban Amenities Select Committee in December, 1959 (Committee Paper 17/172/59 of 17th December, 1959, refers).
Since that date various problems connected with the project—including that of costs—have been discussed with officers of the Public Works Department. To arrive at a firm estimate, the Chief Engineer, Roads Office, must make a very detailed survey, as the site of the rest-garden is a steeply sloping one and earth works are obviously required. It appears, however, that the cost of development is likely to be between $150,000 to $200,000, which will necessitate the inclusion of this project in the Public Works Non-Recurrent Programme. A recommendation for its inclusion will be made for the 1961/62 Estimates. Apart from this, there are no large areas left in King's Park suitable for development as new public parks. However, it is possible that some small sites suitable for sitting out areas, etc., may be formed in conjunction with the Military Hospital site. This matter is still under investigation.
(b) As part of the formation of the Military Hospital, it is intended to form a new road along the west side of the Railway and carry out other formation work; this will entail the reprovisioning of the present K.C.R. quarters near Gascoigne Road and provide one or two sites suitable for institutional purposes. Apart from this, there is no intention at present to alienate land for building purposes in the general area of King's Park.