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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
"I should like to make one reply to your two questions regarding swimming instructors and lifeguards. At Victoria Park Swimming Pool there are 12 Lifeguards, working in two shifts. Of these, two are already Swimming Instructors qualified up to the various stiff standards of the Royal Life Saving Society and two are always on duty at the Children's Pool. It should be quite possible therefore to make arrangements for one of the qualified instructors to give lessons during each shift at the Children's Pool to under-privileged children and perhaps to selected adults. This question will be examined departmentally. There would, however, be greater difficulties at Beaches on account of the vagaries of the weather, which might hinder any regular courses. It is also much more difficult to control a mass of non-swimmers in the sea. The proposal will, however, be considered in greater detail and referred to the appropriate Select Committee. It will probably be a good plan to refer to the leading Swimming Associations for their advice."
MR. SALES: -On a point of order, Mr. Chairman: the reference to swimming associations should be to the Swimming Association----- singular, please. There is only one recognized swimming body in any territory or country.
CHAIRMAN:-I am very grateful for your explanation.
THE CHAIRMAN moved-
"RESOLVED—
MOTIONS.
(i) Under section 59 of the Urban Council Ordinance, 1955, that the persons whose names are set out in the first column of the attached list shall be the Members of the Select Committees detailed for a period of one year ending 31st March, 1961.
(ii) Under Standing Order 22(6), that the Chairman of each Select Committee shall be as set out in the first column of the attached list for a period of one year ending 31st March, 1961.
(iii) Under section 60(1) of the Urban Council Ordinance, 1955, and section 5(1) of the Resettlement Ordinance, 1958, that the powers and functions of the Council as set out in the second column of the attached list be
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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delegated to the Select Committees shown in the first column for a period of one year ending 31st March, 1961.
(iv) Under section 60(1) of the Urban Council Ordinance, 1955, that the power of the Council under section 59 of the Ordinance to change by appointment or removal the personnel of each Select Committee be delegated to that Select Committee:
He said:
Provided that each such change shall be reported to the
Council at its next meeting.”
I rise to move the motion standing in my name regarding the constitution, terms of reference and appointment of Chairmen of Select Committees in the current year.
This year the number of Select Committees has been reduced from 17 to 15 but one of the 15, the Air Conditioning Select Committee is only being reconstituted on a temporary and ad hoc basis and is expected to cease its activities in the near future. It has not been possible to reconstitute this particular Committee with identical Membership due to changes in appointments to the Council and because our Standing Orders limit the proportion of non-Council members. Therefore, this Select Committee will now be in accordance with the amended composition issued today. However, the remaining members will doubtless wish to invite the other former members to sit with them in an advisory capacity and to assist in the preparation of their final report.
The appointment of Committees and their Chairmen necessitates a good deal of give and take between the various groups in order to achieve a unanimous recommendation and I am most grateful indeed for the co-operative spirit, displayed this year by all Members of the Council, which has enabled this resolution to be moved today.
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN seconded.
MR. BERNACCHI-I would like only to observe that, of course, the Air Conditioning Select Committee's work as such is finished. Our recommendations have finally been accepted by Government and the appropriate drafting will appear in the new Urban Services Ordinance. There remains only the report of our work to be presented to this Council, and whilst I am delighted to welcome on to it the two new members, I am sorry to say that there literally is no work to do.
MR. KAN-I have taken note of Mr. BERNACCHI's suggestion that I shut up and I will shut up.
MR. BERNACCHI :—No, no, I didn't mean that.
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