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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(4) MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
Is the Urban Council investigating effective ways and means of changing the current belief of many members of the public that keeping the streets clean in Hong Kong is the sole responsibility of the staff of the Urban Services Department, and impressing upon the public that it is a common responsibility of Government and the people?
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
A study of the psychological and sociological aspects of this problem was contemplated by the Urban Services Department last year. After several discussions with the Dean of Faculty of Social Science and the Senior Lecturer in Psychology of the Hong Kong University, it was intended to carry out a survey in selected areas to investigate the circumstances under which people throw litter. It is still intended to carry out this survey which was delayed by the departure of the Dean on leave to Europe.
During press, radio and TV interviews the public have repeatedly been reminded that keeping the streets clean is a common responsibility of the Government and the people. This view is also shared by the Kai Fong leaders who help to organize "Keep Your District Clean" campaigns at a district level from time to time.
The Environmental Hygiene Select Committee has set up a campaign committee to hold a City-Wide Anti-Litter Campaign early in 1972. More effective ways and means of impressing upon the public to keep the city clean will be discussed and investigated by this committee.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Question No. 5.
MR. BERNACCHI:- Oh, No. I thought my Friend was getting up to ask a supplementary. Do these campaigns, "Keep Your District Clean" campaigns in fact, have any permanent result or not?
DR. DENNY HUANG:—I don't say that "Keep the district clean” campaign was very successful. That is why we try to set out the City Wide Anti-Litter campaign.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, is it in order for Mr. CHEONG-LEEN just to put up five fingers to ask Question No. 5?
CHAIRMAN: He is actually waiting to see if there are any more supplementary questions.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
99
(5) MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:—
(a) What are the Urban Council's plans for increasing the number of birds and mammals at the Botanical Gardens?
(b) Has there been any consideration given by Government to having a zoo for Hong Kong so as to provide more educational and recreational activities for young people and adults alike?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
The Urban Council's policy has been to give first preference to increasing the number of birds in the aviary at the Botanic Gardens. It is gratifying to know that the aviary is so popular and gives pleasure to the many thousands of people who visit the gardens.
A sum of $15,000 a year is set aside for the aviary from the Maintenance Vote, but this may be increased depending on our honorary curator, Dr. SEARLE's request for the kind and number of birds which he proposes to import. Since 1965, when there were 411 birds, the annual increase in the number of birds has been as follows:-
1966, 93; 1967, 115; 1968, 122; 1969, 159; 1970, 148; 1971 (to date), 50There are now 785 birds in the collection, some having died in the interval. A new aviary, built from the block vote at a cost of $37,700, was opened last December.
Because it takes up relatively more space, the Council has accorded second priority to the mammal collection. There are, at present, a total of 24 exhibits, 2 less than in 1965 due to deaths and releases. The honorary curator is now engaged on a feasibility study of the possibility of building up this collection. I have also discussed the possibilities of starting a mammal collection in a park in Kowloon.
As far as is known, there has been no change in Government thinking since 1959 on the setting up of a zoo here. At that time, the Council passed a motion that it should consider the desirability of starting a Zoological Garden
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