Page 35 of 174
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:
Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of May, 1977.
QUESTIONS
(1) MR. PETER C. K. CHAN asked the following question (in English):-
On the 9th of May, I visited a number of Tennis Courts under our management between 5.30 to 6.30 a.m. and found a lot of young tennis players waiting for the courts to be opened; can this Council be informed;
(a) Whether Tennis Courts can be opened for public use at 6 a.m. instead of at 7 a.m. in view of the fact that there is already sunlight at 5.30 a.m.
(b) Whether swimming pools can also be opened an hour earlier so as not to waste the sunlight?
MR. KENNETH T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):
The first session in public tennis courts starts at 7 a.m. As the courts are in heavy demand, many players normally turn up to book a court 45 minutes before the starting time in order to avoid disappointment. This explains what Mr. CHAN saw when he found young tennis players apparently waiting for the courts to be opened before 7 a.m.
However, with the adoption of Standard Time this summer, the sun rises earlier and there may be some members of the public who wish to play tennis or go swimming earlier than usual. With effect from 1st June, all tennis courts at Victoria Park, Kowloon Tsai, King's Park and Tin Kwong Road open from 6 a.m., and swimming pools at Victoria Park, Morse Park and Lei Cheng Uk from 6.30 a.m. every morning, on a trial basis this summer. The need for, and popularity of, this extended service will be reviewed next year in the light of operational experience, and with due regard to the time system to be adopted in the summer of 1978.
The Mr. CHAN's question highlights the difficulties caused by Government's decision to do away with Daylight Saving this summer. I am sure all those who are interested in outdoor recreation will join me in urging Government to bring back Daylight Saving next summer. Surely it is better to have an extra hour in the evening than to start tennis at 6 o'clock in the morning.
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):- Mr. Chairman, I understand that the tennis court which is at Bowen Road still opens at 7 a.m. Can the Chairman inform the Council why that particular court is singled out for later opening?
MR. KENNETH T. C. LO (in English):- I must make an enquiry concerning this. I have no knowledge about this particular matter.
(2) MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG asked the following question (in Cantonese):-
(a) What free outdoor entertainment programmes did the Council present in 1976-77?
(b) How many venues were used?
(c) How many times was the mobile theatre used?
(d) What is being presented in 1977-78?
MR. WONG SHIU-CHUICK, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENTERTAINMENTS SUB-COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):
(a) During the year 1976-77, 551 outdoor entertainment programmes were presented.
There were 120 events under the variety show category (meaning musical comedy, afternoon entertainment, variety shows and operation kung-hei), 96 Cantonese operas, 23 dances (youth dance and Chinese folk dance), 116 film shows, 63 in the concert group (including band concerts, Chinese orchestra performances and popular concerts), 4 children's party and fun-fairs, 34 roller skating displays, and 49 puppet shows. In addition, there were 2 kung fu demonstrations, 1 fiesta in celebration of the Lunar New Year, and 4 performances in connection with the Amateur Singing Competition.
Page 35
Page 36 of 174