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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:--I am not quite sure what Mr. BERNACCHI is referring to in this matter, perhaps I could have a word with him afterwards. My impression was that there are only one or two items that were awaiting further action by the Secretariat rather than the Housing Board, but in respect of this particular matter, that has been brought up, the paper that is coming up will be considering that one.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner for Resettlement through you, if he could tell us what is the difference between the Class I resite area and the Class 2 resite area?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: I think we are getting a bit far from the original question Sir, I think we have dwelt on this quite a long time but if Mr. Hu would find it acceptable I would be quite glad to let him have a short note on the difference.
MR. HU: --I think I ask this question arises from the answer-
CHAIRMAN: Sorry, Mr. Hu it isn't a question of it arising from the answer but from the original question. We have moved quite a distance away from Ma Shan, Tai Hang and Aberdeen. I think if you can let the Commissioner for Resettlement deal with your question individually with you, that might take care of your problem.
MR. HU: Very well, but I may ask this question in the next meeting. (Laughter).
(6) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:
Could the Chairman consider to erect a rain-shed in the North-Western part of the Kowloon Tsai Park in Kowloon? Could further consideration be given to make this part of the Park more attractive by planting flowers, erecting artistic statues, constructing a fountain and etc.?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
This question concerns improvements to Kowloon Tsai Park and I am happy that my friend, Mr. Hu, has asked it because it gives me an opportunity of inviting Council's attention to the unremitting efforts of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee to improve existing recreation areas whenever it is thought desirable to do so for the benefit of the people while continuing to expand as quickly as possible the acreage of land developed for play.
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As far as Kowloon Tsai Park is concerned, final plans for Stage III were discussed in July, 1967. They provided for the construction of:
(i) a pavilion with a booking office, a storage room and limited changing facilities near the tennis courts;
(ii) 2 basket ball courts;
(iii) a band stand.
Our proposals were not accepted as an item in the Public Works Programme; in consequence, it is now the intention to finance a modified version of this scheme with monies available in our own Block Vote. It is expected that work will start this financial year with a service building which will include a booking office, toilet and changing facilities; a practice tennis court and a rest garden with pavilion.
At present there is one covered area in the Park excluding the changing rooms and swimming pool building. It is expected to build one more in Stage III and one as part of the separate obstacle golf course development. Consideration will be given to Mr. Hu's suggestion for another one in the north-western part.
An ambitious planting programme is already on the way even though the Park has already been given special attention in the past. No less than 1,000 trees will be planted there before the end of the summer and additional colour will come from the planting of 2,000 more shrubs, nearly all of which will be of flowering species.
There are no immediate plans to provide either a fountain or statues in this Park but I would encourage Mr. Hu to raise these suggestions in Select Committee when, if accepted, they could form part of a fourth stage of development because it has become Council's policy to develop our parks, playgrounds and beach areas in stages as funds become available and also as specific demands arise.
MR. HU:- Mr. Chairman, I am always admiring what Mr. SALES has done for youth recreation in Hong Kong. Therefore, I have joined his Select Committee on 1st April this year. Sir, I am grateful for his answer today, but what I would ask him is, does he mean that it is intended to construct an additional covered area in the north-western part of the said park, that is to say a shelter?
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I was in Kowloon Tsai Park briefly on Sunday in order to see for myself the possibilities of constructing just a shelter in the north-western part. I believe that it can be done and it should be done, although it may require a slight variation of the
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