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MR. FUNG: Of course the condition in the morning is really shocking, but in view of the fact that we are using 15 members of the staff, I do not know what they are doing during the day if the hours they work are only 7-9. I want to be sure of this point.
CHAIRMAN: May I, with respect, take issue with you on the use of the word 'shocking'. I visited Victoria Park on Monday morning at 7.30. I travelled around and through Victoria Park for half an hour. It was dirty, but it certainly was not shocking. There was a lot of paper about, and eventually I was able to locate a number of people actually trying to pick this paper up. I travelled with the Custodian who pointed out to me the people working. There were nine people cleaning. I thought it was an uneconomic exercise. They did not even have one of those pointed sticks which are so dear to park keepers, and I thought to myself at the time it would be more effective to have a small mobile mechanical sweeper which could sweep up the rubbish expeditiously. I would not describe the park as being in a shocking condition, but it was dirty. May I also say, Sir, since it was a point that you raised, that I did not see a single dog in the park. The Custodian said it was difficult to control them, because there are four entrances which are open all day long, and stray dogs tend to come in and walk about. I think that with the exercise of a little more energy we should be able to maintain the park in good condition.
MR. FUNG: But, Sir, is it because of the complaint I made that precautions were taken by the staff down there?
CHAIRMAN: Sir, I am absolutely convinced that the staff had no idea that I intended to visit them. My visit was a complete surprise to them.
MR. SALES: Was it as much of a surprise as it was in the case of the mahjong players in the Central District? (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI: Mr. Chairman, I have asked too many supplementaries this afternoon, but do I gather from your answer that dogs are not allowed in Victoria Park?
CHAIRMAN: Dogs are allowed, Sir, but I think they should be on leads. They are supposed to be looked after.
MR. BERNACCHI: As a dog lover myself, I would hate to think that dogs are not allowed in Victoria Park.
MR. SALES: Sir, may I say that I support Mr. BERNACCHI wholeheartedly. Dogs should be allowed everywhere where human beings are allowed, because sometimes I think dogs are far more sensible. (Laughter).
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(15) DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question:
Will the Chairman please report on what progress was made by the Urban Amenities Committee regarding a municipal golf course for the Colony?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
Following Dr. Alison BELL's question at the October Council meeting, the Urban Amenities Select Committee agreed at its meeting on 15th October that the Urban Services Department should study the feasibility of an 18-hole public golf course. It was accepted that such a course might have to be located in the New Territories and the question of possible sites is now being taken up with the Superintendent of Crown Lands and Survey and the District Commissioner, New Territories.
The Urban Amenities Select Committee at the same time approved the provision of a putting green at Kowloon Tsai Park. The necessary work can be carried out entirely by the Urban Services Department during the coming months and the green is scheduled to be ready for play by August 1966. It goes without saying that there will be a reasonable charge just as the public is now paying for the use of other sports facilities.
The Urban Amenities Select Committee, as you know, has also decided to study the department's proposal for a Par-3 Course. The department is planning for holes to average 100 yards in length so that a round of 9 holes could be played in one and a quarter hours. A nine hole course of this type requires about 15 acres of land and the department is now pursuing the question of a suitable site in or close to the urban area.
It is also my intention to suggest that the Select Committee consider setting up a driving range in urban Kowloon. Such facilities have proved enormously popular elsewhere and would doubtless fill a need here as well.
DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, I have a number of supplementary questions I would like to ask, but first I would like to congratulate Mr. SALES for having mugged up something about golf.
We suggest an area in the New Territories for such a golf course. I think when it was considered at the Amenities Select Committee we had not heard the announcement at that time of the possibility of a race course at Sha Tin, and I was wondering if it could be put as a further suggestion to the Urban Amenities Select Committee that a golf course might also
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