HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
not considered as a prototype for similar facilities in other densely populated areas, would Government consider this project on its own merits?
CHAIRMAN: --I think, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN, that the problem is, as I have stated, that this was to be a prototype. You are now saying “if it is not"; you are asking a hypothetical question.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, could this be referred back to the Select Committee, as I do feel that this particular project could be considered on its own merits? Whether or not it should be considered as a prototype for the future, I think we will leave that to the Select Committee to decide.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, that is exactly the point that I have been making to you and to the Government. It is not Government's concern at this time that it is intended to be a prototype. Why Govern- ment is digging its heels in, is because there is a difference of $154,000. The Government does not think that it is worthwhile spend- ing an extra $154,000 to provide the densely populated area of North Eastern Kowloon with just this facility which is so sadly lacking there. In other words, so that the schools might hold their annual prize days and other festivities, and the Kaifongs could have their Cantonese operas. The Government does not think it is worthwhile to spend $154,000 to provide the people of Hong Kong with that improved facility that we want.
CHAIRMAN:-That is just not the case, Mr. SALES. The whole thing comes down to the position in my last sentence which said, "particularly if this was to be the prototype for similar facilities.”
MR. SALES: -But I suggested that the Government could reject any subsequent approach for another such building to be constructed at a park elsewhere, but first of all we must find the park. Hong Kong is sadly lacking in parks and playgrounds. Am I to understand, subject to your ruling me out of order, that Government is fearful that with the increasing provision of open space there might be other areas where we could possibly put such buildings on?
CHAIRMAN: I do not think so.
MR. SALES: -Can this Council hope that there would be such parks where we could build more such structures?
CHAIRMAN: -Certainly, Mr. Sales.
MR. SALES: Thank you.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, is $154,000 such an enormous sum as to make Government think twice about it if it is to be a proto- type?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN: It is not a question of $154,000, Mr. BERNACCHI, but of $354,000 for this one and the next one and the many others we would hope to come along in the future.
Mr. BERNACCHI:-But, Mr. Chairman, surely the quarrel is over $154,000?
CHAIRMAN:---And all the others that might come along later, based on that particular prototype. I think this has been sufficiently aired. I would like to pass to the next question please.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I would like to simply say you have exhausted your possibilities of replying intelligently to us.
(3) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
Because the Government has so far not been able to provide this Council with land badly needed in the Western District for public recreation, what measures are contemplated to solve the serious problem of lack of public open space there?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:
I do not think it is entirely correct to say that Government has so far been unable to provide this Council with land for public recreation in the district. Within the area, are the 3.5-acre King George V Memorial Park, the 2.4-acre West End Park and the 1.5-acre Blake Gardens. In addition, there are at present 6 smaller playgrounds totalling 0.6 acre and 6 amenity plots totalling 1.35 acres.
Further, the site of 3.5 acres on which the Kennedy Town quarantine depot now stands has already been allocated to the Council so that a major swimming pool complex may be built there. This is covered by an item in Category A of the Public Works Programme. Also, a project for the development of Pokfulam Road Park (covering 3.7 acres) is in Category B.
The department has also asked that the roof of the Kennedy Town Service Reservoir (1.20 acres) be allocated for rec- reational purposes, and the Director of Water Supplies has indicated that he has no objection to this proposal. It will be possible to provide there a mini-soccer pitch and
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