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three years. In the meantime, would it be possible for us to build some swimming pools like the Victoria Park pools, so that they could be completed in a much shorter period for the use of our residents, especially in view of the fact that I note from your report that there is a daily average of something like 6,500 persons using our Kowloon pool and 3,500 persons daily using our Victoria Park pools?
MR. SALES: -Sir, may I answer that? The Select Committee, the Public Works Department and the Urban Services Department, have given this matter considerable thought. Originally the Select Committee planned single pools for these districts, but on the strength of our experience in Victoria Park and Kowloon Tsai, we decided that the public interest would be best served by swimming complexes catering for far greater numbers of people, as has been stated in the reply. Now it takes just as much time to build a 50 metre pool as we have at Victoria Park, and the type of pool that we have in Kowloon Tsai, as it does to build a swimming pools complex. The Public Works Department calculate that from two to three years would be required if all goes well, and we have no reason to believe that if we start with a single pool the project would be expedited to any great extent. The purpose is to provide the greatest swimming area for the greatest number of people.
(14) MR. PETER P. K. NG asked the following question:-
Is the Chairman aware that the Chinese translation of a street in Causeway Bay has practically no meaning? The street I am referring to is "Great George Street". Is it possible for the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee to look into the matter of improper translation of our street names especially this particular one that I have just mentioned?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
I thank you for bringing to my attention that the Chinese name for Great George Street has no real meaning. The Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee will certainly consider the feasibility of introducing alternative Chinese names for this and other streets where existing Chinese names are thought inappropriate.
(At the suggestion of the Chairman, a brief recess was held at this point)
(15) MR. CHEUNG WING-IN asked the following question:-
I have received complaints from the Yaumati Kai-fong Association that:
(a) Vagrants and drug addicts quite often sleep on park benches in King George V Memorial Garden during the day making it very inconvenient for other residents to use the benches. Can the Chairman investigate the matter and advise what steps will be taken to remedy the situation?
(b) A number of youth groups monopolise the playgrounds in King George V Memorial Garden making it impossible for other residents to use the same, and schools in the neighbourhood that have been using the playgrounds for their physical training classes cannot carry on with their physical training lessons there. Can the Chairman investigate the complaint and advise the Council what steps will be taken to have this nuisance stopped?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
It is true that some people have been lying on the benches and these have probably included some vagrants and drug addicts. The 3 Parkkeepers who are on shift duty there between 6.00 a.m. and midnight have now been specifically instructed that they must take prompt action to prevent the misuse of benches. As a result one suspected drug addict was removed from the park by the police on 2nd September.
Since this park is the only one for the whole of Yau Ma Tei there is naturally intense competition for the use of the games areas. I am told that there have been occasional heckling and arguments between competing groups of young people. However I am assured that the Police, the Education Department and the Urban Services Department have received no reports of any serious disturbances, nor has the Director of Education received any reports of interference with school physical training classes since November 1964.
These Departments are keeping a close watch to ensure that good order is kept in the park and users respect the rights of one another. The active help of the Yaumatei Kaifong Association would certainly be appreciated,
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