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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As a preliminary step to promote democracy in Hong Kong, I beg to submit the following proposals:
(1) That there should be elected members, elected directly or indirectly, in the Legislative Council;
(2) That the number of Urban Councillors should be increased to 51—15 to be elected by universal franchise and the remaining 36, from the eighteen constituencies in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories (two in each constituency);
(3) That the terms of reference of the Urban Council should be expanded to cover the New Territories and also a wider range of activities.
With these remarks, Sir, I support the Statement of Aims of the Council for 1983-84.
The Honourable F. K. HU (in English):—Mr. Chairman, in rising to support the motion before the Council, I would like to take this opportunity to review the achievement of the Council in areas with which I have been closely associated and to comment on the possible future development of the work of the Council.
Before the completion of Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex in 1986, the City Hall will continue to be the main cultural centre of Hong Kong. Due to the extreme heavy demand on its facilities, the Council could not undertake any major renovation work that might close the City Hall down for a considerable period of time. However, to mark the 20th Anniversary of the City Hall in 1982, many improvements, which would not cause interruption on the use of facilities, were made during the year. Besides, many other improvement projects were actively underway. These include the re-flooring of the High Block Ground Foyer with marble tiles, improvement of general lighting in the Complex, re-flooring of the Concert Hall and Theatre stages, redesign of the south east courtyard and the U.C. carpark and the renovation of the cloakroom.
As regards equipment and facilities in the City Hall, a superb concert grand harpsichord made by the famous harpsichord maker William Down of U.S.A. and previously owned by the great harpsichordist Mr. Ralph Kirkpatrick was purchased. Moreover, a Boesendorfer Imperial Concert Grand Piano, the largest concert grand piano in the world, was donated by the Citibank to the City Hall. Other lighting, sound, stage and cinema equipments have been ordered or installed during the year. In addition to these, a bronze sculpture 'Woman 1957' by Henry MOORE is on loan to the Urban Council for ten years by the British Council for display in the Memorial Garden to replace the plaster cast of Henry MOORE'S 'Three Standing Figures' in the Main Foyer.
The Hong Kong Chorus was the latest performing company established by the Council in August 1982. Unlike the three fully professional performing companies directly financed and administered by the Council, the Hong Kong Chorus is a semi-professional choral group comprising some 70 free-lance singers. Comprehensive training courses were provided for members of the Chorus and since its establishment, a series of vocal master classes have been conducted for its members by Ms. Joann GRILLO and Mr. Richard KNESS of the New York Metropolitan Opera.
The Chorus plans to perform three to four times a year and the repertoire will emphasize on Chinese works. Oriental and translated Western works will also be included.
Two opera productions with the full support of Hong Kong Chorus will be organized this year. The result and reaction will be carefully monitored and assessed in order to enable the Council to decide in due course whether to proceed with the establishment of a fully professional opera company.
The Ko Shan Open Air Theatre with 1000 indoor seats and 2000 outdoor seats will be commissioned toward the end of March this year and will be a most valuable additional cultural facility. Consideration should be given in due course to provide light overhead cover for the outdoor seats so as to further improve the viability of this open air theatre.
In the meantime, the Council will improve the Morse Park Open-air Theatre to facilitate the presentation of entertainment programmes there. This would involve the provision of an extension stage and installation of permanent stage equipment to overcome the existing physical limitations. Furthermore, it is also under consideration to extend the covered area to the spectator stands so as to make it more comfortable for the audience.
The immediate emphasis of the Council in respect of its own cultural and entertainment programmes is not on quantity but on quality. More attention will be paid on marketing so as to make the presentation more cost-effective. The remarks made earlier by Mrs. Elsie ELLIOTT concerning cultural programme have already been implemented by relevant select/sub-committees of the Council.
Queen Elizabeth Stadium continues to play a vital role in providing the people of Hong Kong with a very wide range of sports facilities at international standards as well as a series of spectacular and participative sports, recreational, cultural and entertainment activities. Usages have improved significantly in 1982 through better promotion and administration.
In order to reduce the deficit in the operation of the Stadium, an economy review earlier in 1982 resulted in a new scale of hire charges to be implemented in June 1983, which will help to reduce subsidy of the arena's operations from the present approximate amount of 65% to less than 38% per annum. The Stadium has achieved this by, among other measures, contracting outside service agencies as far as possible for various floor and technical services, on a one-shift/as-and-when required basis.
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