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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:—I declare the meeting open.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, I stand on a point almost of order to draw your attention formally to the fact that only one lift in four, of the lifts from Ice House Street is working to the top floor at the time when Urban Councillors are attending this meeting.
CHAIRMAN: -Sir, I will be glad to refer your point to the Director of Public Works. (Laughter).
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1st December, 1964 were confirmed.
QUESTIONS.
(1) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:
(a) In view of recent complaints in the Press, could the Chairman give some definite information as to how far the plans for Hung Hom, in so far as the playground is concerned, have progressed?
(b) When is the playground likely to materialize?
(c) What other facilities can be made in the meantime for children, now that the small Kaifong playground is in constant use for other purposes?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
The statutory plan for Hung Hom has only recently been referred back to the Town Planning Board for replacement by a revised plan. It is therefore too early to give any definite information on sites for public recreation reserved in the new plan which has yet to be published in the draft and subsequently approved by the Governor in Council. The Urban Services Department has already drawn up provisional plans for the development of two sites of some 2 acres in extent for recreational purposes and if the statutory plan is eventually approved, including these reservations, these proposals will be laid before the Urban Amenities Select Committee. It is proposed that the bigger of the two sites should be developed as a rest garden and sitting-out area, and a children's playground equipped with swings, slides, whirling platforms, etc. The proposals for the smaller of the two sites include two basketball courts, one volleyball court and various gymnastic equipment.
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On the second part of the question, until the plan has been approved and the sites allocated by Government, it is too early to forecast the date by which the facilities can be provided. The funds in the Urban Amenities Block Vote for this year are fully committed, and it is unlikely that it will be possible to make a start on the two sites this year. It is proposed that they should be included in the programme for 1965-66, with a recommendation that they be developed, if possible, in the new financial year, with a high priority as soon as the land is available.
On the third part of the question, in the circumstances outlined I am afraid that it is not possible to make any interim arrangements. But although the Kaifong's playground is a private one, I noticed a recent report in the Press of a statement by the Chairman of the Hung Hom Kaifong Association that, while the playground is sometimes closed to give space for carrying out their fund-raising projects, at other times it is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, regarding the last part of the last paragraph, are you aware that when they say "open", it is only a very, very small fraction of the children's playground which is opened?
CHAIRMAN: -I really cannot add anything to my reply.
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I emphasize the pressing need in such overcrowded areas as Hung Hom, for playgrounds for young people? In view of the recent increase in crime amongst young people, would you please press for quick implementation of plans for additional facilities everywhere in Hong Kong?
CHAIRMAN: -Yes.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Mr. Chairman, as a supplementary, approximately when are the plans for Hung Hom expected to be approved? Could the Director of Public Works comment on that?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I think, Mr. Chairman, that it should be fairly early next year. The revised plans came through the Town Planning Board last month but have not gone on exhibition yet. I think it is for two months that they have to be exhibited and if there are objections we have to hear them. But the plans are now going through the process and I should think that if all goes well, they should be ready by March.
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