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MR. MACKENZIE (In English):-Mr. Chairman, this report you tabled indicates that less than 50% capacity attended this concert. May I have the assurance of the Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Select Committee that rather more energetic measures will be taken to ensure that these rare opportunities are not lost to the youth of Hong Kong who show considerable interest in musical entertainment?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (In English):-I think I can assure Mr. MACKENZIE that we will give publicity to any future concerts to ensure we have a full attendance. In this particular case, you will note, Mr. Chairman, that there were some special factors such as examinations round about that period and so on.
MR. MACKENZIE (In English):-Mr. Chairman, there was some adverse press comment on arrangements for this orchestra. Would it not have been politic as this Council was criticized for a statement to have been issued correcting the facts?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (In English):-Mr. Chairman, you see from the report that the arrangement was that the orchestra would be met by their representative in Hong Kong, and not by the City Hall Management.
CHAIRMAN (In English):-In amplification upon what Mr. Lo has said, Mr. MACKENZIE, may I say that I understand the criticism of the orchestra was on the shortage of press coverage on their arrival. The press was informed of their arrival, but chose not to attend as they arrived at 8 o'clock in the morning.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (In English):-Mr. Chairman, doesn't the Council have a Public Relations Officer who could have followed up the suggestions which were made by Mr. MACKENZIE a little while ago?
CHAIRMAN (In English):-This officer has just arrived, I am glad to say, ladies and gentlemen.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (In English):-He arrived before the orchestra or subsequently?
CHAIRMAN (In English):-Subsequently.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (In English):-Thank you.
MR. BERNACCHI (In English):-Would in future then the Public Relations Officer issue a press statement that perhaps would be in fact published without the newspapermen attending at Kai Tak at the early hour of 8 o'clock in the morning?
CHAIRMAN (In English):-I would like to consider this matter, Mr. BERNACCHI.
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MR. SALES (In English):-Mr. Chairman, is it not a simple matter, Sir, to refer to this report, which has been tabled but not read today in accordance with Standing Orders, as it shows that the management has done all it could possibly do? If the people did not want to buy tickets for the concert—it was not management's fault. It was not the first time that a concert sponsored by the Urban Council has not had a good house. The management has explained very clearly in this report that they did all that was usual and in this particular case—they did more than was their standard practice. I think, in fairness, we ought to explain that it was altogether a very unfortunate experience for which I do not think the management can be blamed.
CHAIRMAN (In English):-You are asking a supplementary, Mr. SALES?
(Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN arrived at this point.)
MR. SALES (In English):-I was asking you whether you would be prepared to elaborate on that, Sir. You evidently also turned a deaf ear to me as the Government did. You are not in very good form today, Mr. Chairman. (Laughter).
(8) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question (In English):-
I wish to enquire regarding beach cleaning equipment. How many and what types of units are now in operation? How many items each are now on order; when were these orders placed and what is the expected date of arrival? Is it the policy to place orders direct with overseas manufacturers, or to utilise the services of local agents?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (In English):-
Sir, May I be permitted to answer this question without interruption from the Chair? (Laughter).
The Urban Services Department has at present no beach cleansing equipment as such although there is a transporter which operates well at Shek O and Rocky Bay and three more are on order and expected to be put in use at Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay this summer. However, there is a beach cleansing machine on order which is due to arrive in May, action to acquire it having been taken last August.
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