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I hope that a considerable improvement will occur when the hawkers move to their permanent location, but I am aware that they are not the only source of difficulty in maintaining adequate standards of cleanliness in this, or indeed any, estate, and that this is a matter which requires constant vigilance and attention.
(17) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
(a) Has the Director of the Urban Services Department investigated the possibility of having a Botanic Garden for the benefit of the more than two million residents of Kowloon?
(b) Has the Director of the Urban Services Department also considered the possibility of having a municipal animal farm in conjunction with such Botanic Garden?
(c) Will the Director of the Urban Services Department be good enough to inquire from the Colonial Secretary why nothing has so far been done to plan for and to build a Botanic Garden in Kowloon?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
Strictly speaking a Botanic Garden is a place for the study of the life, structure and classification of plants. In this narrow sense the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, though we do have in mind to initiate an exchange of views with the Education Department, the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, the Universities and other interested bodies on the possible need for one or more gardens designed to assist in the study and teaching of botany, horticulture and, to some extent, biology. Gardens of this kind could not be open freely to the public at all times.
I imagine, Sir, that you are thinking more in terms of an ornamental park, containing perhaps a small collection of animals, birds and fish freely open to the public, and similar in character to the existing Botanic Gardens which cover an area of some 17 acres. In this sense the answer to both the first and second parts of the question is "Yes". Indeed, speaking as a member of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, I cannot help remarking on the greater emphasis that is being placed on the provision of green parks as distinct from hard-surfaced playgrounds.
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A good example is the new 44-acre Ta Kwu Ling Park, on which I hope work will start this year. This will be between Wong Tai Sin and Wang Tau Hom Resettlement Estates, and will comprise ornamental gardens and grass games pitches in about equal proportions. Work will also start this year on the new 25-acre Lion Rock Park, just north of Lung Cheung Road, which will consist entirely of ornamental gardens and grass play areas. In both these cases it would seem possible for the Council to consider the addition of small zoos after initial development of the park areas is complete. Among the many other proposals which we are exploring is one for a park in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Kowloon. The Town Planning Board is already aware of the Council's views on the need for such a park and we must now await the publication of the Board's draft plan.
In view of what I have said, I feel that the third part of the question does not arise. Although the query has been brought to the attention of the Colonial Secretary, the planning of a botanic garden would, I suggest, be a matter for the attention of this Council.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, do I infer from the first paragraph of your reply that there is no such thing as a botanic garden, in the strict sense of the word, in Hong Kong?
CHAIRMAN:-Not now, Sir, but there was at one time.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-How long ago was that, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN:-I could not give you the exact date without looking it up. It certainly was some time before the last World War. I would be glad to look up the date for you and let you know. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I am not particularly interested, Mr. Chairman.
(18) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
Will the Director of Urban Services be good enough to make a statement concerning sanitation and public health services and other amenities in the Kowloon Walled City: (a) What are the services being provided at present? (b) Is the standard of such services as high as that provided in other districts in the Kowloon urban areas? (c) What improvements can and should be made to further improve such services?
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