20
-
purposes without the consent in writing of the Governor, and further
that if any land or buildings ceased, in the opinion of the Governor,
to be used for the purposes for which they were transferred, or for
other suitable Municipal purposes, then such land or buildings should
revert to and become the absolute property of the Crown.
38. The actual provision of the lands and buildings which will
be required by the Municipality from the moment of its inception is a
matter which, in view of the present shortage of accommodation in Hong
Kong, will be attended with considerable difficulties.
erable
It is quite
certain that the torm planning schemes which the Municipal Council will
have to consider and decide upon in probably the first year of its
existence will include a plan for the construction of a worthy civic
centre with adequate accommodation for the various activities of the
Council including an appropriate meeting hall. In the meanwhile it
will be necessary, though by no means easy, for both meeting place and
offices to be assigned to the Council from existing premises in the
hands of Government or to be taken on rent from private owners.
Preparatory steps to this end will be taken by the Government as soon
as general approval has been given to the proposed institution of a
Municipality.
39. It is clear that, after the transitional stage, the engagement,
discharge and superannuation of its employees will be a matter for the
Council, with the possible proviso that the engagement and discharge of
certain key officers, such for instance as the Council's Chief Health
Officer, shall require the approval of the Governor.
This latter
question is one on which the Commission which deals with the transfer
of functions will be in the best position to advise. As I stated in
my broadcast proposals, the Council in the exercise of its powers of
appointment will have an opportunity of giving effect to the widely
expressed desire that a greater number of posts in the administration and better opportunities for advancement should be made available for
locally recruited persons.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.