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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Government has not so far been able to approve the use of the Tsim Sha Tsui car park for a temporary library, but I understand that this, and the other alternative suggested by this Council, are being actively considered.
Until a decision is reached on this matter, it is not possible to expedite action on the other matters mentioned in the second part of your question.
DR. LEE: Am I right in saying, Mr. Chairman, that the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Urban Council have been approved by Executive Council? In view of the great demand for branch libraries in that favourite community known as Kowloon, will the Chairman invite the more senior members of Government to give their earnest attention to this matter?
CHAIRMAN: Sir, it is my impression that the report of the Advisory Committee was accepted in principle by Government. I have no reason to believe that there has been any more recent decision on the matter. I can assure you, Sir, from conversations which I have had with officers in the Colonial Secretariat that they regard it as important to reach an early decision on the subject of a branch library.
DR. LEE: Does the Chairman agree that in view of the imminent departure of the more senior members of the Library staff, a question like this should be put in hand as soon as possible?
CHAIRMAN: The senior member of the Library staff to whom you are referring, is presumably Mr. HARLEY, the Librarian, who is due to leave us in September. I agree, Sir, that it is advisable for us to make as much use of him as possible while he is available, and as I have said, this matter is regarded as urgent.
DR. LEE: I understand that Miss CAVE is also leaving.
CHAIRMAN: I believe that Miss CAVE is due to leave in July, but I understand that a replacement is likely to be appointed in time for a reasonable handover.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question :-
Will the Chairman inform this Council what steps have been taken to beautify Hong Kong during the Olympic year? Is he aware of the ugly central strip along Kwun Tong Road that is bare of flowering shrubs, and can he inform this Council when action will be taken to rectify it?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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At the request of the CHAIRMAN, MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
I am obliged to my colleague for this opportunity to publicize our plans.
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Regarding the first part of the question, I would invite Members' attention, Mr. Chairman, to paragraph 19 in the minutes of the Urban Amenities Select Committee meeting held on 24th January this year, at which my colleague, Dr. LEE, was also present. These state, inter alia, that "the Chairman [of the Select Committee] drew attention to the number of people, particularly some of the top sports administrators and technical officials of the world, who would be passing through Hong Kong on their way to and from the Olympic Games in Tokyo and suggested that work on amenity projects in Categories A and B should be expedited so that people from so many different countries would gain the most favourable impression of Hong Kong". I know that we may rely on our good friend, the Director of Public Works, doing all he can in this direction, and I am glad to be able to tell Members that a special effort is being made to complete the Kowloon City Roundabout Garden before the Games.
Members are already aware of the Council's enormously expanded tree and shrub planting programme, and a considerable proportion of this year's work is deliberately being done in those parts of Kowloon which are frequented by visitors from overseas, particularly those arriving or leaving by air. But, as Members will appreciate, young trees and shrubs planted last year or this year will hardly be of sufficient size to provide impressive displays this coming October. Consideration is therefore being given to the provision of special floral displays in the vicinity of Kai Tak Airport and at other vantage points immediately before and after the Games. Plans are now being drawn up by the Department and will be considered by the Urban Amenities Select Committee as soon as they are ready. In addition, I am glad to be able to announce, Sir, that your department has started drawing up long-term plans for staging almost continuous floral displays for 8 to 9 months of the year at selected points, including streets, stocks of suitable flowering throughout the urban area. plants are already being built up in a new nursery at Tai Lam Prison and we are grateful to the Commissioner of