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Regardless of any material distinction in their condition, they should have all the benefits that we are capable of giving as a community. So we ought to take every opportunity to better their lot.
Consequently, Mr. Chairman, I would be failing in my duty as the Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee were I not to bring this proposal forward at this time when the re-development of the Western District must surely be contemplated even if not planned or projected. There may be no plans as yet. There is some preconception nevertheless. We suspect it already. We would very much like to be proved wrong eventually. But before any plot is hatched to deprive the underprivileged children of that area of what is their due, let this Council define its position in clear terms.
What is it that we want? We ask Government to ensure, when more lands are reclaimed, that the layout of the new area will include the recreational amenities which do not now exist. In addition, when Government buildings, such as markets, are pulled down and the sites available for re-development, the opportunity should be taken to set aside some land as playgrounds. Should it be found inconvenient to do so, then I would suggest that the roofs of new markets and multi-storey car-parks be converted into gardens and rest-areas just as this Council has recommended to the Town Planning Board.
Experts on recreational amenities elsewhere in the world think that no home should ever be more than half-a-mile away from a playground and for every 800 persons there should be one acre of playground. Also, every square mile of a city should have at least a park no matter how small. While these requirements may be too much to expect in such a relatively small place as Hong Kong with such a high density of population, this thought should nevertheless not absolve Government from making good the appalling deficiencies of past town-planners.
I am confident, Mr. Chairman, that this motion will meet with the support of virtually all my colleagues on this Council, because it is not by any manner or means an original thought. A few years ago, Dr. LEE put forward a motion in somewhat similar terms concerning the conversion of the area where the Slaughterhouse is, into a park. Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has asked for a promenade. The Select Committee on Urban Amenities has put forward very strong views on this matter, yet no action has been taken. For this reason, I have been inspired to come forward today and define, as I said, in clear terms what the Council wants. I have thus much pleasure in proposing the motion which stands in my name.
MR. Y. K. KAN:-The fact that this motion comes from our worthy member for Kowloon is surely, on that ground alone, sufficient reason to command the wholehearted support of us all. But that is not the only reason for my seconding this motion. Mr. SALES has in his usual eloquent manner put up a very strong plea that Government should at the earliest opportunity provide playgrounds and sitting-out areas in the overcrowded Western District. It is undisputed that this district badly needs open spaces and recreational facilities. This is acknowledged by the Town Planning Board in its recent report. The only question is how is it possible in such a congested area to find a suitable open space. The answer surely is by reclaiming the land along the water-front as in the case of the Victoria Park. I visualize that it will be argued that any land reclaimed will be so valuable commercially as to make it uneconomical for such use. But surely this argument can equally apply to the Victoria Park, the projected Kowloon Tsai Park and for that matter the Cricket Club ground, one of the most expensive pieces of land in the very heart of the City which is at present monopolized by a handful of people to the exclusion of the rest of the population-except perhaps on very rare occasions.
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not the only reason for my seconding this motion. Mr. SALES has in his usual eloquent manner put up a very strong plea that Government should at the earliest opportunity provide playgrounds and sitting-out areas in the overcrowded Western District. It is undisputed that this district badly needs open spaces and recreational facilities. This is acknowledged by the Town Planning Board in its recent report. The only question is how is it possible in such a congested area to find a suitable open space. The answer surely is by reclaiming the land along the water-front as in the case of the Victoria Park. I visualize that it will be argued that any land reclaimed will be so valuable commercially as to make it uneconomical for such use. But surely this argument can equally apply to the Victoria Park, the projected Kowloon Tsai Park and for that matter the Cricket Club ground, one of the most expensive pieces of land in the very heart of the City which is at present monopolized by a handful of people to the exclusion of the rest of the population-except perhaps on very rare occasions.
I believe other Members will wish also to speak on this motion, but before sitting down I feel in duty bound to dispel any fear that may arise in the minds of the Kowloon residents as a result of this motion. There is absolutely no truth that the mover of this motion is contemplating taking up residence on the island and thereby shifting his interest to "a higher plane". (Laughter). Mr. SALES has assured me that he is much too fond of Kowloon to even consider making such a move and his sympathy will continue to be, as always, with the people of Kowloon. Though I doubt his wisdom I respect and admire his loyalty.
Mr. Chairman I beg to second the motion.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI :—Mr. Chairman, I welcome this motion. It is indeed a natural development from the proposals of some years ago to provide a promenade along Gloucester Road at the other end of Victoria. I am only sorry that the promenade as constructed is so short and that a large part of that sea-front is still taken up as parking space for lorries. I hope that a full and complete plan for the Western District will be shortly available and that in this plan due regard will be given to the proposals of Mr. SALES. I consider that this Council should be more directly consulted in respect to town planning and invited to advise, without having to push ourselves in by motions of the nature now before Council.
DR. R. H. S. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, Mr. SALES has my sincere sympathy today in bringing to the attention of this Council again the question of public playgrounds and sitting-out areas for the residents of the Western District, because it is more than two years since a motion for the development of a public park for this area was passed by this Council and, Mr. Chairman, nothing, as far as I know, has been done
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