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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.
CHAIRMAN: --Ladies and gentlemen, the meeting is called to order.
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting held on 5th May, 1970, were confirmed.
PAPER.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following paper :-
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of May, 1970.
Before plans and estimates for the project can be prepared, it will be necessary for an item to be included in the Public Works Programme. Subject to the agreement of Mr. SALES' Committee, the department proposes to submit an item for the development of Blackhead Hill as an open-air theatre with acoustic shell for inclusion in the 1971-72 Public Works Programme.
(Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN arrived at this point).
MR. SALES:—Mr. Chairman, thank you for such a comprehensive reply. It makes it almost unnecessary for supplementary questions.
CHAIRMAN:-Thank you, Mr. SALES.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Almost? (Laughter).
QUESTIONS.
(1) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
(a) Will the Chairman please tell this Council whether the station at Signal Hill has now ceased to operate as such? (b) If so, has he applied to the Government for the area to be released to the Council at an early date?
(c) How soon will the Urban Services Department be able to submit plans for its re-development including the construction of an open-air theatre there?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-
This question relates to Blackhead Hill at Tsim Sha Tsui. Members will recall that when Mr. SALES asked a question about this area in September of last year, I then said that the hill was largely used by the Navigational Aids Section of the Marine Department and that a typhoon signal mast belonging to the Royal Observatory was also sited there. The signal beacon at Blackhead Hill has now ceased to operate but the Navigational Aids Section must continue to use its workshops there until its new premises at Yau Ma Tei slipway are completed: these are expected to be occupied early next year.
Application has been made for the allocation of the area as public open space and this has been agreed in principle. However, no formal allocation will take place until the Marine Department moves out.
(2) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
(a) Will the Chairman state what public open space and recreational facilities are now available in that part of western Kowloon bounded by Jordan, Nathan and Tai Po Roads?
(b) What is the estimated population at present?
(c) Because of the heavy concentration of people and the great lack of recreational facilities there, what does the Director of Public Works propose to do to provide more public open space for such purpose?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-
This question relates to the provision of public open space in north-western Kowloon.
The total developed public open space in the area defined by Mr. SALES is 28.45 acres. The amenities include 29 public gardens, 17 playgrounds, 6 hard-surfaced and 3 mini-soccer pitches, 20 basketball or volleyball courts, 1 children's library and 10 television sets. Funds have also been released from the block vote for the construction of two more playgrounds, at Anchor Street and Beech Street, which between them will add another two gardens, two basketball courts, one mini-soccer pitch, one roller-skating rink, a boating pool and a children's playground. In addition, an item exists in Category A of the Public Works Programme for converting the Cheung Sha Wan
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