HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-It is 4 o'clock and I will call this meeting to order. Before we proceed with the business of today's agenda I would like to welcome Mr. H. H. Ross who is attending this meeting for the first time as Secretary of the Urban Council, and also in your name to wish him many long and happy years of association with the Council.
(Applause).
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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PAPERS
The following papers were laid on the table:-
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of July 1973.
(2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical Report for the period 1st April, 1973 to 30th June, 1973.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 10th July, 1973, were confirmed.
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-When this Council was being reconstituted in the last financial year, the preparation of the budget for 1973-74 was made along traditional departmental lines and, because of the time-factor, not enough consultation took place with select committees then.
(Mr. Henry H. L. HU arrived at this point.)
However, now that Council has financial autonomy, it is up to select committees to calculate their own requirements and to determine also how they wish to accord priorities to the projects and programmes within their respective terms of reference so that funds may be allocated more accurately. Consequently, there is the need in practice to go into far more detail in the preparation of the budget. This work has begun, but should be kept under review throughout the year as circumstances may warrant.
It is encouraging to see that there is a realistic appreciation of the potential which the new situation has. This is indeed a great opportunity for this Council to develop practical programmes and exploit the possibilities which exist for the expansion of our work in the service of the community. We must always spend our money judiciously and ensure that Council gets good value in return so far as it is possible to do; at the same time, we must also search for new ways to improve our many services. There is much scope here for effective progress to create better living conditions for all in Hong Kong in such directions as may be possible within the responsibilities assigned to the Council by ordinance.
QUESTIONS
(1) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question (in English):—
Could a survey be made of Urban Council indoor stadia to see if there is a need for air-conditioning?
MR. KENNETH T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English) :-
This question relates to the air-conditioning of Urban Council indoor stadia.
There is at present only one indoor stadium, which is more correctly described as the Kai Tak Indoor Games Hall. This is the prototype for another dozen indoor games halls to be constructed in urban districts in Hong Kong and Kowloon.
Let me give those Members who have not yet seen this games hall some idea of the new building. The Kai Tak Indoor Games Hall provides local facilities for playing basketball, badminton and other games indoors, and it can also be used for other purposes such as performances of Chinese opera and variety shows, gymnastic exhibitions, and other varied activities. It has a maximum seating capacity of 1,000 persons. It is a large and airy structure, measuring 165 ft. by 65 ft., providing a floor area of around 11,000 sq. ft. It is 25 ft. high, and has a 5 ft. opening running along the whole of the upper part of both sides of the structure. The flow of air is further helped by ventilation slots in the walls at ground level. Both the design of the hall and its free-standing location in a large open space make air-conditioning unnecessary. I would emphasize that the main purpose of the Games Hall is for active recreation such as basketball, volley
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