CO129-284 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black - 1898 [7-8] — Page 222

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physiological point of view the motion of all forms of muscular exercise is a national good

of inestimable value. A woll developed body and a well informed mind are necessary part- ners for intellectual and material triumphs and nothing contributes so much in their favour as open spaces and outdoor recreation. Mens sana in corpore sano is an old proverb, but I believe that for the preservation of the mens sana I the corpus sanum is absolutely essential.

reservation of Causeway Bay as an open space

The

for the purposes of general recreation for all nationalities will promote the physical health and happiness of a large number of residents. I therefore have great pleasure ju moving "That it is desirable in the interests of tho public that the land marked rod on the annexed plan should not be let for building purposes but should be, henceforth, reserved as an open space and appropriated for the purposes of recreation, and that the sanction of the Secretary of State should be asked for the introduction of an Ordinance giving the Governor in Council power to make regulations, from time to time, as to the uses of the land so reserved and to en- force such regulations by suitable penalties," and I earnestly hope the resolution will receive the unanimous support of this Council, as if carried out humanity generally will benefit.

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The Hon. Ho KAI-I have much pleasure in seconding the resolution so ably proposed by: my honourable friend opposite. After the re-. marks which he has made, and after the me. morial which has been sent up to a former Governor and read by the mover of the resolution, I think it will need very little to ensure this resolution being unanimously. adopted by this Council. T vonture think that not one single. member of this honourable Council will dispute that Hong- kong will be better from a sanitary point of view with a few more open spaces reserved i like the piece of gronnd we are trying to reserve by this resolution. It seems to me that the younger generation of Hongkong will be very much obliged to us for thinking of their wel- fare in providing an extensive piece of ground for recreation and also where they can take a little airing after business hours. In secouding this resolution I would only make one condition, and that is that this piece of ground should be reserved for the sise of the public strictly, aud not made the subject of quarrels between cliques and classes (Hear, hear.) I hope that in re- serving this ground regulations will be drawn up so as to obviate any such quarrels, and that the ground will be reserved truly for the public ase without distinétion of race, nationality, or class. (Hear hear.)

Carried unanimously:

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