Page 9 of 150
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN.
Before we start to deal with the business of the meeting, I would like to extend, on behalf of Members of the Council, a warm welcome to Mr. K. S. Lo, who is taking his seat for the first time to-day. I hope that his association with the Council will be a fruitful and happy one.
I am also glad to congratulate Mr. SALES, Mr. WATSON and Mr. Wilson WANG on their re-appointment to the Council. (Applause).
MR. BERNACCHI:- I would like to say, Mr. Chairman, that Mr. Lo is an old friend of mine and I am very pleased to see him here to-day.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I presume that Mr. BERNACCHI said that on behalf of the Elected Members, as Mr. Lo happens to be a very old friend of mine.
MR. SALES:- But he will still vote on the Nominated side. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- On occasion, I presume.
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 6th March, 1962, 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 1962. (2) Statement of Progress and Policy.
QUESTIONS.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following two questions:
1. A year ago I raised the question of organizing a Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra with Government support; in view of the tremendous interest and enthusiasm displayed by the Hong Kong public on the occasion of the five performances by the London Philharmonic Orchestra (which according to press reports had so moved the Conductor, Sir Malcolm SARGENT, that he had expressed the hope that a "jolly good subsidy" might be provided by the Hong Kong Government to help build up an orchestra "worthy of the City Hall"), will the Chairman be so good as to:
2.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(a) Ascertain from Government whether in principle it would be willing to provide a reasonable subsidy to assist in the formation and development of a Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra, (which would be an excellent follow-up to the $200,000 subsidy given by Government to enable the London Philharmonic Orchestra to perform in Hong Kong), and (b) Furthermore to take steps to obtain full information (to be obtained from various sources, which might include the British Council) on costs and the necessary steps to be taken in organizing such an Orchestra for consideration by the relevant Urban Council Select Committee, and eventually by Government? In view of the numerous and varied comments appearing in the press concerning an Arts Council for Hong Kong, particularly since the completion of the City Hall, will the Chairman please inquire from Government to what extent, financial and otherwise, Government would be prepared to assist in the formation and development of an Arts Council?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
1. These questions cover two interlinked subjects-one concerning the formation of a Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra and the other the formation of an Arts Council.
2. You may have read recently in the press, Sir, that these same matters were raised by an unofficial member of the Legislative Council at the Budget debate on 19th March. The Colonial Secretary replied at the Legislative Council meeting on 30th March. He said that he could not give any assurances as to a subsidy for any local orchestra until we are a great deal clearer as to the potential claims of other forms of art, and that we have as yet no yardstick with which to measure such claims. He added that he believed that steps were being taken by interested groups towards the formation of some kind of Arts Council with a measure of popular support, and that should such a Council emerge he had no doubt that Government would gladly do what it could, within its resources, to encourage its development along responsible lines, but he thought that the growth must be natural and spontaneous.
3. You have asked, Sir, that I should take steps to obtain full information on costs and the organization of a symphony orchestra. In my opinion, it would be premature
Page 10 of 150
2
50