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toilets are not communal? I ask this, Mr. Chairman, because the cleanliness of the toilet may depend on the flushing system. If there is a good flushing system, it would probably have less bad effect. If the flushing system is not good, even with less people using the toilet, the toilet could be a very great nuisance.
CHAIRMAN:-Well, Mr. Hu, it seems to me that you have answered your question yourself. (Laughter).
MR. HU:-My question is, is the flushing system in Mark I and Mark II blocks more effective than in the other blocks?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I do not think it is possible to compare them, Mr. Chairman, because in the Mark IV and Mark V blocks there are individual lavatories for each family, not communal facilities. I would say this, that in the Mark I and Mark II blocks the flushing system has been converted to an automatic system, so that it no longer depends on human frailty to remember to pull the chain.
MR. HU:-There is no shortage of water because it is salt water, not mains water?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: ---That is so, Mr. Chairman.
(8) MR. Woo PO-SHING asked the following question:-
Can the Chairman please say whether the Government has accepted the resolution of the Urban Council on 4th April, 1967 that "this Council request the Government to reserve the whole of Whitfield Barracks as open space" and what progress is being made generally on the subject of converting Whitfield Barracks into a "citizens' lung".
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
A copy of the resolution as well as the draft Record of Proceedings covering the debate on the resolution was sent to the Colonial Secretary on 2nd May. I understand that the Governor in Council has not yet considered the town plan for Tsim Sha Tsui, which includes, of course, this question of Whitfield Barracks.
Even though no firm decision has been reached on the precise allocation of land for open space within this site, the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee has nevertheless discussed the possible facilities to be included and the Urban Services Department has carried out a survey of the trees and the buildings in there. At the present time, the Urban Services Department and the Public Works Department are making preliminary plans for the development of a substantial acreage as a public recreation area, in the expectation that this will, in the event, be agreed by the Governor in Council. In any case, for our part, we are preparing to move in as soon as the land is released so that the public will not be deprived of its use for rest and recreation.
MR. Woo:--Mr. Chairman, according to Mr. SALES' reply, I assume that he is confident of the decision to be made by the Governor in Council. Will Mr. SALES request the Governor in Council to make up his mind as soon as possible?
MR. SALES: -Sir, I would be delighted to do so, but the Governor in Council's mind apparently is hard to make up, particularly in the case where the Urban Council has asked for the remaining acreage in Whitfield Barracks. So far, I think 23.2 acres have been allocated to the Urban Council out of the total area.
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, in clarification I think I should mention that the Governor in Council has for the last three months had many other, urgent, matters to consider.
MR. Woo:--Mr. Chairman, can Mr. SALES tell us what facilities are proposed to be included if we do get the land?
MR. SALES: --Sir, on the 7th July a paper was issued to the Select Committee concerning the schedule of facilities, and these amenities include the following:
A district swimming pool complex
An open-air theatre
A Chinese style garden
A children's playground
A children's library
A museum and picture gallery
Three tennis courts
A restaurant
And service buildings
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would ask this question. In the second paragraph, first sentence, "Even though no firm decision has been reached on the precise allocation of land for open space within this site, the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee has nevertheless discussed the possible facilities to be included and the
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