Page 89 of 185
168
# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to order. Before taking the first item on the agenda, I would like on your behalf to congratulate Miss Fox Pui-yee on being selected as one of the nine winners of the Outstanding Young Persons Selection 1987 because of her outstanding service for the community. Well done. (applause)
## MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 1987, were confirmed.
## PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:-
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of April 1987.
## QUESTIONS
1. MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG asked the following question (in Cantonese):- Hong Kong has gradually become one of the important communication centres in the world. Regrettably not a book introducing the development of mass communication in Hong Kong has been published so far although this industry has over a hundred years' history. I would like to know whether our Museum of History has considered publishing a book on this aspect?
MRS. CHOW CHEUNG WAI-PING, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSEUMS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):--This question deals with whether the Hong Kong Museum of History has considered publishing a book on the development of mass communication in Hong Kong.
Mass communications cover a wide field and we have no current plans for such a book due to the following reasons. First, although there is no single book covering all aspects of the development of mass communication in Hong Kong, the literature on the subject is quite extensive, so far, I think Joseph W. C. WONG's 'Research materials for communication studies in Hong Kong', an article of about 40 pages, published by the Centre of Asian Studies, University of Hong Kong in 1984 is quite comprehensive and could serve as a starting point.
Secondly, the technology behind the development of mass communication in Hong Kong is largely imported technology, and there are numerous books and articles which seek to explain these technological developments and innovations. However, it is also the Council's intention to cover the technological side of mass communication in the Museum of Science and Technology, which is currently under active planning. And of course, enrichment of this theme should be a continual exercise.
Thirdly, the Museum of History's main emphasis at present lies in the areas of archaeology, ethnography, natural history, geography and geology and local history though in pages. In the face of rapid urbanization and modernization, a great deal of work needs to be done and actually is being done by the Museum in these areas to collect, record, preserve and explain, by way of field-work, commissioning of research projects, documentation, conservation of objects, exhibitions and associated educational and extension activities.
To conclude, whilst the Museum fully recognizes the significance of the development of mass communication in the local context, the publication of a book on the subject in the near future may not be possible.
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, although this may not be high on our priority list, will the Council consider, say, funding such a project so that the private sector, e.g. those in the academic world could carry out the task for us especially when those elder citizens who know about the history would not be around say in ten/twenty years' time?
CHAIRMAN (in English):—Would you like to try to answer that one as a new matter?
MRS. CHOW CHEUNG WAI-PING (in English):—I believe it is not a question.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, in the answer we are told that some research projects are being carried on. Can we know or can the public at large be enlightened what are the projects being carried out by the Museums Select Committee?
MRS. CHOW CHEUNG WAI-PING (in English):—Mr. Chairman, in hand the Committee is doing research projects e.g. History of Hong Kong Industry, History of Hong Kong Education and History of People and Lives in Hong Kong.
(Mr. FAN Kam-ping arrived at 2:35 p.m.)
2. THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in Cantonese):—In order to reduce the nuisances of smell, dust and dirt associated with delivering refuse to Refuse Collection Points, can consideration be given to making it compulsory for refuse to be put in plastic bags or other suitable containers by those responsible for delivering refuse to the Refuse Collection Points?
Page 89 of 185
169