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entirely elderly folks either, some younger people love this activity too. However, I have to make one point here and ask you to consider it thoroughly. It is about appreciating birds when having tea. Forgive me for going into my own trade, but it is medical opinion that the excretion of birds contain sedacosis. When human beings contract this, they may be prone to pneumonia. Not all opinions point to this, but there is nevertheless such a possibility. I therefore think we have to construct a building, call it a tea-house or a cooked food shop, anyway, a place specially for people who wish to take their birds along. I support the last few lines of the motion by Mr. Stanley NG about making partitions in park pavilions or installing wind-shields at podiums. As for providing space for people to have tea and appreciate birds at the same time, or for people to bring birds into cooked food stalls, I think bird-appreciators should exercise more care. Once the food or air is polluted, there will be the possibility of people infected with pneumonia. I fully support the motion for its intentions. I am just raising my opinion for Members' consideration.
In fact, as pointed out by Mr. Daniel To, both the Kowloon Park and the Botanical Gardens have similar facilities at present. The one in our Hong Kong Park is the largest in Asia and it is even better than those in Singapore that you admire. I have heard from people of Singapore that the bird park in Hong Kong Park is the largest and that birds can breed in there. I call on bird-lovers to go there for a visit. They have put in information on species of birds and sketches too. I am just giving some opinion of my own. I hope you will continue to support the motion. Thank you.
Will the original mover exercise his right of reply?
MR. STANLEY NG WING-FAI (in Cantonese):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I had pneumonia last year, but I understand it had nothing to do with my frequent contact with bird-appreciators. It was caused by air pollution. I hope my motion today will win support from Members so that the needs of the traditional cultural life of our people may be satisfied. Thank you.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
Chairman (in Cantonese):-We have gone through today's agenda. Today's meeting ends here. Our next meeting will be held at 2:30 pm on 14 January 1997 (Tuesday) and 16 January 1997 (Thursday). To wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Thank you,
Adjournment - 3:41 pm
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