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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
them to actual costs of service must continue unceasingly in order to strike a fair balance in every case as costs go up inexorably. It is in the interest of
the community for the Council to do so.
Thus, the businesslike transformation of its financial base initiated immediately the Council assumed direct responsibility for its own revenue and expenditure should be stepped up. And, more precise financial management procedures should be used with regular evaluation of all services, statutory and permissive, to determine their changing costs and continuing usefulness
to the community. Quietly but surely, this is being done.
I so move.
DR HENRY H. L. HU, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL (in English):—Sir, I beg to second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
2 THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:-'RESOLVED that the Urban Council Annual Report for the year 1977-78 be approved.'
He said (in English):-The Annual Report complements the reports and statistics issued each month. They are together a record of the Council's many-sided community service. For all it does to execute policies and programmes efficaciously, and to suggest changes when required, the Urban Services Department is to be commended. The Council and the Department combine well as a team.
The present Report looks back five years in part. What the Council has done in its first quinquennium should spur all to greater achievements in the future. To improve all services should be the constant aim. Also, new activities should be undertaken at once when trends of public expectation are discerned. But, whatever may be the attraction of novel enterprises, it is still how well the Council does its basic work that counts. Such day-to-day work must be done better all the time, of course. Hence, the wisdom of intensive training of staff for the discharge of statutory responsibilities.
For the betterment of community life, none can stand on the sidelines. All concerned should pitch in for the common good. Such collective exertion is the driving-force of progress in the formative years.
I so move.
DR HENRY H. L. HU, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL (in English):--Sir, I beg to second the motion.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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MR CHAN CHI-KWAN (in English):-Mr Chairman, I must congratulate all concerned. This Annual Report looks much better than the four books previously, but since it must have come out in a rush, there are a lot of mistakes in it that need to be corrected before it is to be issued out, such as the picture against page 44 which says 'Councillors WONG Shiu-cheuck and LUK Hoi-on inspect the newly completed Hung Hom Funeral Parlour', but the two gentlemen do not look like WONG Shiu-cheuck or LUK Hoi-on. I think from my looking, it looks more like the Honourable Hilton CHEONG-LEEN. However, there are other minor mistakes to be corrected, but it is still a very good book.
Another observation I want to make is that just for a change, Mr Chairman, you do supply your speech for proposing this adoption in writing, is very nicely printed here. I hope this situation will improve, particularly your statement to the Council, I hope it will be printed and supplied to us beforehand as a change.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-I hope you will also call for it, if you wish. (Laughter).
MRS GRACE HO (in English):—Mr Chairman, I am afraid Mr CHAN has beaten me to it. I spotted some mistakes to it and I hope that this will not reflect on the accuracy of the Council's work. May I suggest that the Secretary checks the Annual Report and puts an addendum before it is sent out?
MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):—Similarly, I would like to congratulate those involved in the compilation of this fine job done. This report is full of colour. It is well edited and it is readable. I do hope that many people in Hong Kong, the young and old, will take the opportunity to read this publication to know what the Urban Council is doing every year. But for those who will read the report from page to page, I would mention that in the picture on the top part opposite page 44, that project is not a replica or a model of the Hung Hom Funeral Parlour, but a very fine piece of work done by Hong Kong illustrious sculptor, Mr CHEUNG Yee.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Do other Members wish to speak on the motion before I exercise my right of reply under Standing Order 21, Section 17? I am conscious of what the printer's devil has done to the report compiled by the department and seen by Chairmen of Select Committees before it was put in hand. I would like to mention that the Secretary will in fact issue the corrections. I would also like to congratulate Mr Peter C. K. CHAN on having recognized the Chairman of his Civic Association. (Laughter). Had Mr CHAN read the Chinese Section as carefully as he has done the English part, he would have found the right caption and the actual faces of the two Members concerned on page 58. (Laughter). Now, thank you very much. May I put the question to you?
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