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MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I again ask a question in reference to the first part of your reply? Before a final decision is reached by the Finance Committee of Legislative Council, will the appropriate Select Committee of this Council be given an opportunity to discuss the financial implications should the whole scheme as proposed by us not meet with their approval?
CHAIRMAN: ---No, Sir, I cannot give you such an assurance. I can say that the decision will be referred to the Select Committee for discussion.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary question? It is stated in the second paragraph of your reply that "the Park is likely to be ready for public use about 18 months from now". Does that mean that a decision will be made by the Financial Secretary almost immediately?
CHAIRMAN: -I understand, Sir, that the decision of Finance Committee will be made very shortly.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: In other words then, it does not matter when the decision will be made by the Financial Secretary? We can expect that the Park will be ready 18 months from now?
CHAIRMAN: A decision on the provision of funds will be made very shortly by Finance Committee. It will then be a matter for this department and the Director of Public Works to get on with the provision of the park.
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:
"When is the Fa Hui Playground at Boundary Street expected to be ready?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"Building work on this playground is expected to begin in August. The Roads Office and the Gardens Section of this Department are co-operating to finish it as soon as possible and it is hoped that it will be ready for opening in December of this year."
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, thank you for your answer to my question.
MR. WILFRED S. B. WONG asked the following question:
"Will the Chairman inform this Council what steps are being taken to remove the rocks and pebbles from the beaches after each typhoon? Last year it took several months to restore the beaches to their normal conditions after Typhoon Mary, and this year the beaches, particularly Repulse Bay, Middle Bay, and South Bay are still not in good condition since Typhoon Alice."
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THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"It is estimated that Typhoon Mary washed away 10,000 cubic yards of sand from Repulse Bay one year ago. This damage has still not been completely rectified. Until the sand is replaced by tidal action, there is little we can do to cover or remove the rocks under the water-line. If we remove rocks it does not mean that we get down to sand; we simply discover more rocks. Last year, and again this year, the department employed much labour to clear the beach of rocks. These activities, together with the partial replenishment of sand by normal tidal action, have restored the top part of the beach to a reasonably attractive condition.
Other beaches in the Colony are, I think, as good as they have ever been, with the exception of South and Middle Bays, which are next on the list for special clearance when labour can be spared from Repulse Bay."
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary question? Is the department willing to consider, or are you prepared to refer to the appropriate Select Committee, the suggestion that the practice which is followed elsewhere be similarly adopted in Hong Kong? In Waikiki, for example, sand is taken to that beach and laid on it to improve the amenities. Are you prepared to refer the possibility of following that course to the Select Committee concerned?
CHAIRMAN: I will do so gladly, Sir, but I think the laying of sand would be very expensive.
MR. SALES: I presume so and I am trying to satisfy Mr. Wilfred WONG who has been at this matter for so long.
MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question:
"Does the Chairman agree that the presence of flowers planted at appropriate places in Victoria Park will improve the general atmosphere of the area? Will he refer this matter to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for their consideration?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"I agree with the sentiment expressed in the question. However, there is the difficulty that flowers might well be damaged or picked in Victoria Park. On the whole, it
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