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now concerned with the implementation of the recommendations made by that Sub-Committee and because the Urban Council has no direct control over beaches in the New Territories we must urge you, Sir, that you, as Director of the Urban Services Department, ensure that these recommendations are put into practice with despatch and without procrastination, because we, members of the Urban Council, have a direct interest though we may not have direct control of the beaches, because these beaches are used by Urban dwellers in ever greater numbers and you too, Sir, are mindful of the need for ever better recreational facilities. Therefore, Sir, may we ask you to make representations to Government to effect the improvements which are now recommended by the report laid on the table this afternoon as the work of a Sub-Committee of the Urban Amenities Select Committee.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, I will not deign to reply to my friend, Mr. SALES' criticism of me but rather suggest that perhaps the Secretary could circulate for his benefit, and perhaps for other members' benefit, the list of conventions of the Urban Council. (Laughter)
MR. SALES: ---Sir, the only convention of the Urban Council which has been recognized is the one governing the chairmanship of sub-committees which has been put on record. For the rest, the only convention is the speech that is made at Estimates Time.
QUESTIONS.
(1) MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question:
Will the Chairman inform this Council
(a) whether there is sufficient lighting in the Kowloon Tsai Park;
(b) whether he is aware that many lights there have been out of order for some time;
(c) whether he is aware that dogs have been allowed to run about on the lawns; and
(d) whether he considers that there is at present adequate staff to look after a park of such dimensions?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
The lighting in Stage I of Kowloon Tsai Park is perhaps not as effective as we would wish because of the restrictions imposed so as not to confuse the pilots of aircraft approaching Kai Tak from the north-west. Lighting has yet to be installed in the areas which are to be developed as Stage II of the park. We are keeping a close watch on
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the situation and if the lighting proves inadequate for the public safety we shall increase the number of staff on duty in the park after dark pending installation of additional lights.
Regarding the second part of the question, several lights have been out of order since last year's typhoons pending the delivery of replacement fittings. These were originally supplied from Britain but it is now intended to have suitable fittings made locally.
The answer to the third part of the question is that dogs are not allowed in the park unless they are on leads. The staff do their best to enforce this, though some stray dogs do find their way into the park, especially after dark and in the morning before the staff come on duty.
The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative. The staffing arrangements are kept under constant review and I can assure you that we should not hesitate to obtain more staff if that were thought necessary.
MR. LI-Mr. Chairman, in the absence of Mr. CHEONG-LEEN I would like to ask one or two supplementary questions. Referring to the last part of your answer, I don't think I can agree that the staffing arrangements are adequate. I have visited the park on more than 20 occasions and I have seen only two or three uniformed attendants there. I don't know whether you consider this adequate.
CHAIRMAN:--Sir, the actual number of staff at present employed for the Kowloon Tsai Park is 26 persons and if you wish, Sir, I will give you these in detail. There are-
1 Custodian 1 Gardener Class I 3 Gardeners Class II 1 Parkkeeper Class I 4 Parkkeepers Class II 1 Driver 2 Attendants 8 Labourers and for the Nursery 4 Gardeners and 1 Labourer.MR. LI-Sir, on a point of explanation; although I maintain that the staff is not adequate, I think they have done very good work on the whole in the management of the park but I would like to point out
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