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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976
BOATING ON RESERVOIRS ****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO LET THE URBAN COUNCIL GET ON WITH PROVIDING BOATING FACILITY ON THE WONG NEI CHUNG RESERVOIR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. DENIS BRAY, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. JOHN BREMRIDGE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE RECALLED THAT WHEN HE SAID IN THE COUNCIL IN APRIL THIS YEAR THAT IT WAS GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO EXPERIMENT WITH THE USE OF THE WONG NEI CHUNG RESERVOIR FOR BOATING, HE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE LAND COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT AS PART OF A RECREATION AREA.
HOWEVER, HE SAID,
IT TURNED OUT THAT THE LAND AROUND THIS RESERVOIR, INCLUDING THE WATER AREA, HAD BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE URBAN COUNCIL SINCE 1973.
AS THE URBAN COUNCIL WAS ALSO KEEN TO DEVELOP THE RESERVOIR FOR BOATING, HE ADDED, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO LET IT GET ON WITH PROVIDING THIS RECREATIONAL FACILITY.
MR. BRAY SAID THAT AN EVALUATION WAS BEING MADE OF THE NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS AND CONTROLS (INCLUDING LEGISLATION, IF APPROPRIATE) WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE INTRODUCED TO COVER SUCH RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
HE SAID THE EVALUATION WOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE LEGAL AND MANAGEMENT ASPECTS AND WOULD INVOLVE OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
+WHILE IT IS NOT YET POSSIBLE TO PERMIT BOATING ON ANY PARTICULAR RESERVOIR - NOR DESIRABLE IN THE ABSENCE OF PROPER CONTROLS - PROGRESS IS BEING MADE WITH A VIEW TO ALLOWING BOATING ON SELECTED RESERVOIRS,+ MR. BRAY SAID.
HE SAID THE INTENTION WAS FOR THE WONG NEI CHUNG RESERVOIR TO BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM, TO PERMIT BOATING ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS, PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION BEING GIVEN TO THE PROVISION OF SIMILAR FACILITIES AT TAI TAM TUK AND TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIRS.
MR. BRAY HOPED THAT SOME EXPERIENCE WOULD ACCRUE FROM THE USE OF THE RESERVOIR, ALTHOUGH THE ABSENCE OF SUCH EXPERIENCE WOULD NOT DELAY CONSIDERATION OF THE PROVISION OF SIMILAR FACILITIES AT TAI TAM TUK AND TAI LAM CHUNG.
BILLS PASSED
***
FOUR BILLS PASSED THROUGH THEIR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THEY WERE THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1976- THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976- THE STAMP (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1976 AND THE ARMY LEGAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976.
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