XN000022-1973-04-10 — Page 2

Tuesday, April 10, 1973

GOVERNOR INAUGURATES NEW URBAN COUNCIL

Describes Council's Work As Vital

The reconstituted Urban Council has a vital role to play in the

Government's overall plan to improve the quality of life of the people

of Hong Kong.

This was the message given by the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose,

at the inauguration of the new Urban Council this (Tuesday) afternoon.

The work of this Council, and the particular field it covers,' TT

Sir Murray said, "has always struck me as of crucial importance."

He said he was amazed by people who deprecated the Council's

role or claimed that it had no importance or effect on the daily lives

of the community.

"On the contrary, much of what it handles is what matters most

to many people for much of the time."

The Governor cited hygienic food and restaurants, clean streets,

parks and playgrounds as some examples of the important responsibilities

of the Council.

He fully agreed with the Council that playgrounds were of immense

social importance and that there were too few of them, and described the

swimming complexes managed by the Urban Council as being "amongst the finest

civic amenities in the world."

The Governor noted that the Council's list of appointed activities

was now much longer and he believed that the new arrangements for the

Council would give it new financial and administrative freedom.

/He said: ...............