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CHAIRMAN: ----Sir, I assume that he would go to the assistance of the child. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Has the Department considered the possibility of co-ordinating all efforts by Government departments concerning nuisances caused by stray dogs?
CHAIRMAN:-No, Sir.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, could the Department go into this and a paper be prepared and circulated to Members of the Council?
CHAIRMAN:-Yes, Sir.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you, Sir.
MR. WATSON: --Mr. Chairman, before MR. CHEONG-LEEN suggests an ad hoc committee, may I suggest that we do not have an ad hoc committee. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I have not suggested anything of that sort. MR. WATSON is thinking ahead of me.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
Will the Chairman please state:
(a) How many people in the Wan Chai district are being served by amenities provided by the Urban Council?
(b) How many playgrounds are there in Wan Chai?
(c) When is it expected that the Southorn Playground in Wan Chai will be temporarily closed for part conversion into a multi-storey car-park?
(d) To what extent has consideration been given by Government to erecting a Civic Centre building on part of the Southorn Playground or anywhere else in Wan Chai?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
According to the 1961 Census, the population figure for this district was 186,159. I am afraid it is not possible on the information available to indicate what the population is now.
As regards the second part of the question, there are at present two playgrounds in the district. The first is the Southorn Playground which is 3.8 acres in area and includes a floodlit mini-soccer pitch and four basketball courts. In addition, there is, of course, the area occupied by the Children's Playground Association which includes one covered basketball court. The second is the one-acre Monmouth Terrace Playground which comprises a children's playground and a rest garden. In addition to these playgrounds, there are 8 rest gardens and sitting-out areas totalling 1.58 acres, making a total of 6.38 acres of public pleasure grounds in the area. I should also perhaps add that, although it is not in the Wan Chai district itself, Victoria Park is very close-by and provides substantial recreational facilities for the inhabitants of Wan Chai.
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and includes a floodlit mini-soccer pitch and four basketball courts. In addition, there is, of course, the area occupied by the Children's Playground Association which includes one covered basketball court. The second is the one-acre Monmouth Terrace Playground which comprises a children's playground and a rest garden. In addition to these playgrounds, there are 8 rest gardens and sitting-out areas totalling 1.58 acres, making a total of 6.38 acres of public pleasure grounds in the area. I should also perhaps add that, although it is not in the Wan Chai district itself, Victoria Park is very close-by and provides substantial recreational facilities for the inhabitants of Wan Chai.
In reply to the third part of the question, the project covering the construction of a multi-storey car-park is in Category B of the Public Works Programme. The Public Works Department is currently engaged in investigating the feasibility of the scheme and it is not possible at this stage to say if and when it will go forward.
As regards the fourth part of the question, I have no information on any present proposal to erect a civic centre building on part of the Southorn Playground or anywhere else in Wan Chai.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:--Mr. Chairman, could the Director of Public Works enlighten us as to whether any space for amenities will be made available arising from the proposed reclamation in the Wan Chai area?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I cannot say categorically that space will be made available, because planning of that area has not really got under way, but I should be very surprised if no area is made available. Most certainly, the Public Works Department will favour a playground in this area.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Is the Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee satisfied with the position in Wan Chai?
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, although the supplementary question is contrary to Standing Orders as it asks for an expression of opinion, I would like to say that I am never satisfied with whatever open space there is available. It is the function of my Committee not to be satisfied, otherwise no progress would be made.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, may I thank the Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, through you, for his support.
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