Page 109 of 243
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The Hong Kong Tourist Association announced recently that it has a new proposal for an oceanarium at much less cost than was previously envisaged. I understand, Sir, that no details of this scheme have yet been received in the Urban Services Department, but these may be expected shortly. The Select Committee will certainly study this proposal very carefully.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, as Mr. SALES knows about recreation and amenity matters in Hong Kong, I would ask him if an oceanarium at Aberdeen would make an ideal tourist spot with the Shek Pai Wan Resettlement Estate, low cost housing estate, the floating restaurants and the very beautiful sea view together with this oceanarium. Would it be an attraction to the tourists. What would Mr. SALES say about this?
MR. SALES: You allow that question Sir? If you do I would be delighted to answer it. Mr. Chairman, although my great friend Mr. HU is introducing new matter, nevertheless I would be delighted to offer an opinion. (Laughter). First, the Brick Hill site is near the Country Club so it is at a good distance from the resettlement areas to which Mr. Hu refers. Secondly, it has never been the fundamental consideration of any Urban Council Select Committee what attractions to offer to tourists. We believe first and foremost, and very strongly too, that our primary obligation is towards the citizens of Hong Kong; if whatever we do incidentally attracts tourists and makes it easier for tourists to spend money and more time in Hong Kong so much the better. So, as regards the oceanarium, we would be very happy to wait for the proposal from the Hong Kong Tourist Association.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would ask-
MR. BERNACCHI: No, no, I'm sorry—I rise to ask a supplementary on the present question. Is the site at Brick Hill proposed for an oceanarium the same or not the same site as the present training camp of the Hawker Control Force?
MR. SALES: Sir, may I reassure Mr. BERNACCHI that there is no intention whatsoever on the part of the Government to take over the Hawker Control Force lock, stock and barrel. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, I gather from Mr. SALES' reply that a proposal is being considered by the Colonial Secretary to develop the area in question into a public park. If my memory serves me correctly, this particular site, according to a local expert who had gone pretty thoroughly into the setting up of an oceanarium in Hong Kong, Mr. BROMHALL, it was his view at that time that this was about the only site in Hong Kong which was suitable for a decent sized oceanarium.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Could Mr. SALES bear this point in mind, that pending consideration by his Select Committee of the revised oceanarium plan, to keep pending any final decision on converting that original site into a park?
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I don't think that there need be any fear on anybody's part that the park will be developed before a final decision is taken by the Government on the revised oceanarium. As a matter of fact, even if the park were built it would be done presumably in phases and there should be no reason why an oceanarium should not be part of that park and an Urban Council oceanarium at that.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: I am glad to see that Mr. SALES is coming around to the point of view held by some Members of this Council for many years.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, that point of view was also held by me—Mr. CHEONG-LEEN perhaps does not recall the fact Mr. Chairman. I would like to express my dismay that the Chairman of the Reform Club should have deemed fit to muzzle his own Member, Mr. Henry Hu, when he was about to ask another supplementary question. (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI: If I'm not mistaken, he was about to ask another question.
MR. HU: I just wanted to ask Mr. SALES to confirm that (laughter)
MR. BERNACCHI: Mr. Hu, I am sorry.
MR. HU: Is it compatible to build an oceanarium and also to build certain recreational grounds on this spot?
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I believe that it was the intention originally, when the oceanarium plans were put forward, that there would be additional amenities.
MR. HU: Thank you Mr. SALES. Also, I would like to ask Mr. SALES if the Hong Kong Tourist Association steps in, then who would pay for the costs to build this oceanarium?
MR. SALES: That is the 64 dollar question.
DR. BELL: Could I ask Mr. SALES if he were to hear about a project to develop a golf course in that area would he consider it?
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, again if you allow that question which is introducing new matter and, secondly, asking me for an opinion, I would be delighted to answer it. I am always keen to oblige Dr. BELL, although at this time I must say I'm not unmindful of what James II, I believe, said at that time to his nationals that they should not play golf, but should practise archery lest the English invaders might take advantage of their lack of skill at archery and take over the country. I would not like to see that repeated in Hong Kong. (Laughter).
Page 109 of 243