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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.
CHAIRMAN: Ladies and gentlemen, I would first of all like to apologize for the somewhat dilapidated state that the Council Chamber is in. Unfortunately, a tank on the floor above overflowed during Chinese New Year, and it will be some time before the damage is made good. However, I am informed that the inflow of water is a sign of good fortune (laughter), so let us hope then it is a good omen for the Council's future. (Laughter).
Before we proceed with the agenda, I would like to welcome back Dr. BELL from her leave. (Applause).
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting held on 4th February, 1969, were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:-
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of February, 1969.
(2) Urban Council Report on the Reform of Local Government.
(3) Analysis of Staff Increases 1969-70-Urban Services Department.
(4) Analysis of Other Charges 1969-70-Urban Services Department.
(5) Analysis of Draft Estimates 1969-70-Resettlement Department.
MR. A. de O. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, before we speak on the Report on the Reform of Local Government, there are two statements I wish to make on the Monthly Report of the Urban Council. First, as Chairman of the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee; secondly, as Chairman of the City Hall Select Committee. I think members of this Council ought to take particular note of the number of public functions organized by the Council, through the Urban Services Department and other public bodies during the month of February. In 28 days, of which three were Public Holidays, there were no less than 24 public functions for the entertainment of the people of Hong Kong in various parts of the territory. (Mr. H. CHEONG-LEEN arrived at this point). The details are set out on pages 9, 10, 11 and 12 of your Report, Mr. Chairman. There were no less than 7 concerts, 4 of which
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were Chinese opera performances, and there were, in addition, 15 different functions, of which a number were variety shows.
Now, I think it would be safe to say, without fear of being contradicted, that perhaps nowhere in the world does a City Council provide as many public entertainment functions as we do in Hong Kong. This is part of the programme which the Select Committee, on behalf of the Urban Council, has been carrying out.
The second statement I wish to make is in connection with the City Hall. Sir, you are aware that the Select Committee has very ambitious plans for the expansion of the Popular Concerts. These plans depend on the engagement of staff and also on certain decisions to be taken by the Government in connection with the engagement of artists from abroad. The main point this afternoon is to bring to this Council's attention the fact that the management of the City Hall has served notice on the Select Committee that without the engagement of an Assistant Manager, which we have advocated for many months, they will not be able to cope with the requirements of the Select Committee for an expanded programme.
(Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI arrived at this point).
Mr. Chairman, this Council would like to have your assurance that you have made strong representations to the Colonial Secretariat that the situation has reached such a difficult pass. Will you give us this assurance, Sir?
CHAIRMAN: —I can give this assurance.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI :-Mr. Chairman, I also have something to say on the Monthly Report. The time has come for us to review the ward system. The other evening on a Chinese programme, I was asked whether we knew the problems of the man in the street. I replied that the ward system gave us that view and enabled us to carry out so much more effectively the general work of this Council. But looking through this record, I see that there is, this month, a variation in the number of cases from 44 cases per ward to nil cases per ward, and the total from the 1st April last year to date, from no cases to 698 cases per ward. This means that the criticism levied in one of our Hong Kong newspapers is, at least, partly true, that it all depends upon the individual Councillor whether he or she is interested in the ward system or not.
I am not inferring that any of my fellow Unofficials have been lax. On the other hand, when visiting one of the Resettlement Estates in Kowloon the other day, I asked who was the ward Councillor for that area. No one on the staff of the Resettlement Estate, or in the assembled company, which included members of the local Kaifong, could answer that question.
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