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(4) In the absence of MR. HENRY H. L. Hu, MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:-
Is the Chairman aware that there are many vacant spaces and slopes in the crowded estates such as Wong Tai Sin and Tung Tau? Could consideration be given without delay to plant trees on those areas in order to ameliorate the amenities of the resettlement estates?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
This question concerns tree planting in resettlement estates.
The Parks, Recreation & Amenities Select Committee is keenly conscious of the need to beautify the whole of the urban area through an ambitious tree planting programme and has, indeed, in recent years taken impressive steps to implement this policy by opening additional tree nurseries to ensure a continuing supply. In 1960, for instance, less than 10,000 trees, shrubs and seasonal flowers were planted in public places. Now nearly half a million are planted each year.
The problem in resettlement estates is no mean one.
New areas are being continually developed for estates and their requirements in terms of trees are heavy. Because of the low survival rate of young trees in these areas, it is the present practice of the Urban Services Department to restrict roadside planting to semi-mature trees.
In 1967, the Resettlement Department prepared a planting schedule which envisaged the provision of 1,037 trees in 18 estates. 388 of these were planted before the end of the year and the rest will be planted during the coming season.
These figures refer to the planting of semi-mature trees along roadsides within estates. Because of a higher survival rate among trees planted on slopes within these estates, it is the practice to continue planting young trees there. In 1967, some 2,000 of these saplings were planted within resettlement estates and a further 2,000 will be planted this season.
This rate of progress should lead to a conspicuous improvement. Its acceleration is at present frustrated by a limited number of tree nurseries but I understand that the department is doing everything possible to improve the supply. Its most recent effort has been to approach the New Territories Administration for the allocation of 10 acres of land which could be developed as an extensive nursery.
I trust that this account of the progress being made and my explanation of the difficulties to be overcome will assure my friend, Mr. HENRY HU, in his absence Mr. BERNACCHI, that their interest in this field is fully shared by Members of our Select Committee of which now Mr. HENRY HU is a Member.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Rather, he will be a member at the end of the meeting. I would ask a supplementary or two. In the first place, does the Chairman of the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee mean by "In 1967 some 2,000 of these saplings were planted within resettlement estates" that within the whole of the resettlement estates only 2,000 saplings were planted in 1967?
MR. SALES:-Yes, so it is said, Mr. Chairman. To enable Mr. HENRY HU to be better informed and because he is absent I would like to table two detailed papers on the subject of planting which not only give the number but the types of trees and flowering shrubs which were planted in the urban areas, including the resettlement estates. May I have your permission to do so? Thank you. (At this point MR. SALES tabled the following papers:-
1. Amenity Planting Programme for 1968 for Trees and Shrubs (Committee Paper PRA/170/67).
2. Amenity Planting Programme for 1968 for Seasonal flowers.)
MR. BERNACCHI:-What, if any, indications are there from the New Territories Administration that it will be possible to allocate 10 acres of land to develop it as an urban areas nursery?
MR. SALES:-Mr. Chairman, do you allow that question?
CHAIRMAN:-It is a nursery for the Urban Council and the Urban Services Department? Yes, I think it is in order.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, it's the thin end of the wedge. We are infiltrating into the New Territories by first setting up a nursery. (Laughter)-In the same way as we have done by assuming responsibility for advising on the beaches there. The likelihood is being examined, I think, by the Political Adviser to the Hong Kong Government.
MR. BERNACCHI:-So that there is a reasonable possibility, without bringing politics into it, or the extension of the Urban Council's jurisdiction to cover the areas of the New Territories, there is a reasonable possibility that 10 acres of land will be provided as a nursery for the urban areas?
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