Page 47 of 312
72
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(b) Are you aware, Sir, that one playground in the Hung Hom area is so often used for such ventures that it is now never made available to children in that overcrowded area?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
In reply to the first part of the question, in the case of public pleasure grounds controlled by the Council, Section 107 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance was amended last year to enable the Council to permit their use for purposes "other than physical and other recreation". In this respect, the Urban Amenities Select Committee has laid down a policy for dealing with the use of public pleasure grounds for purposes other than recreation. On the few occasions on which theatrical shows are allowed in public pleasure grounds, permission is only granted if the function is not of a commercial nature, if there is a genuine local interest, and if the Superintendent of Crown Lands and Survey is unable to offer a suitable area of Crown land. The organizing association is also required to undertake to forward a statement of income and expenditure to the Secretary, Urban Council. No association is permitted to use a Council playground for charitable fund-raising purposes more than once a year, and this one occasion is limited to 14 days, plus a maximum of 9 days for erecting and dismantling the structure. Where land is granted to non-Government bodies for use as playgrounds, there are usually conditions which prohibit its use for any other purpose, including the erection of structures other than those agreed to under the grant. There are, however, certain playgrounds in Hong Kong where, traditionally, at the request of appropriate Kaifong Associations, and in agreement with my friend the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, temporary structures are erected for theatrical shows, etc.
In regard to the second part of the question, the playground referred to is not a public pleasure ground under the control of this Council. It is held by a Kaifong Association on a Crown Land permit, which was granted on the advice of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs. For many years no objections have been raised against the uses made of the land by the Kaifong Association concerned, which include theatrical shows. I am informed by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs that during the past year there were only three occasions when a theatrical show was presented.
Since March 1963 two-fifths of the playground area has been occupied by Government, because of construction work associated with a public works development scheme. It is the nature of the work in progress and the restriction in the area available which have reduced its use by the children in the neighbourhood.
73
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, the information in your last paragraph does not coincide with my own mental picture of this particular area. May I ask you to make further inquiries into this matter?
CHAIRMAN:- I discovered to my regret, rather late today, that this particular piece of land was in fact covered by a structure and was not readily accessible. I understand that my friend the Secretary for Chinese Affairs will look into the matter and give us some further information concerning this playground.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I also ask if it would be possible for the Council to have a report on the playground facilities in the Hung Hom area?
CHAIRMAN:- I will be glad to do so in consultation with the Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee.
MR. SALES:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask supplementary questions if Mrs. Elliott has finished? First, can you give this Council an unqualified assurance that the policy laid down by the Select Committee concerning the use of public playgrounds for purposes other than public recreation has not been varied by your Department or other Government departments in any way whatsoever?
CHAIRMAN:- I can give you an assurance, Sir, that the policy will not be varied by the Urban Services Department. Perhaps you could explain what other departments you have in mind?
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, do the provisions made by the Select Committee apply in every instance, and does the Urban Services Department, in conjunction with the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, ensure that these provisions are carried out in every respect when such playgrounds are set aside for purposes other than public recreation?
CHAIRMAN:- Sir, if you are referring to public pleasure grounds under the control of the Council, I have no reason to suppose that the policy is not being observed in all particulars. I think, however, that the matter was due for reconsideration by the Select Committee about this time and I think that it is about to be looked into again.
Page 47 of 312