XN000022-1974-06-03 — Page 6

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MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1974.

GOVERNOR TOURS YAU MA TEI

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THE GOVERNOR SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON TOURED YAU MA TEI DISTRICT TO SEE RECREATIONAL AND ESSENTIAL FACILITIES IN THE AREA.

ACCOMPANIED BY MR. DAVID WONG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, SIR MURRAY FIRST VISITED THE 18-ACRE KOWLOON PARK IN TSIM SHA TSUI, COMPRISING A READING ROOM, A FLORAL CLOCK, CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND AND GRASS FIELDS. FUTURE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PARK WILL INCLUDE A CHINESE GARDEN, A CHILDREN'S ADVENTURE GARDEN, SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AND A MUSEUM.

SIR MURRAY STOPPED TO TALK WITH A GROUP OF STUDENTS IN THE PARK AND ASKED THEM WHERE THEY STUDIED FOR THEIR EXAMINATIONS. THE STUDENTS REPLIED EITHER IN THE GARDENS OR IN THE PARK'S READING ROOM.

THE GOVERNOR NEXT PROCEEDED TO THE YAU MA TEI WHOLESALE MARKET AT SHEK LUNG STREET, WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION AND FUTURE PLANS OF THE MARKET.

THE YAU MA TEI WHOLESALE MARKET DEALS IN FRUIT, VEGETABLE AND POULTRY, AND HANDLES ABOUT 64 PER CENT OF HONG KONG'S TOTAL SUPPLY OF FRUIT, AND 52 PER CENT OF ITS POULTRY, THE PRESENT SPACE IS CONSIDERED INADEQUATE FOR ITS LARGE VOLUME OF BUSINESS. AND A NEW PERMANENT SITE HAS BEEN RESERVED ON THE CHEUNG SHA WAN RECLAMATION. THE EXISTING SITE WILL BE DEVELOPED.

THE GOVERNOR CHATTED WITH THE OWNER OF A POULTRY 'LAAN' AND TOLD THE OWNER HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE PRICES OF POULTRY COME DOWN.

AFTER THE MARKET TOUR, SIR MURRAY CONTINUED TO STROLL ALONG THE NEW TONG MEI ROAD EXTENSION, AND TALKED WITH THE PROJECT ENGINEER ON THE PROGRESS OF THE WORKS.

THE TONG MEI ROAD EXTENSION WHICH INVOLVES THE RECLAMATION OF ABOUT 23.2 ACRES OF LAND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR. IT WILL PROVIDE A SECOND NORTH/SOUTH DUAL CARRIAGEWAY IN THE KOWLOON PENINSULA RUNNING BETWEEN THE VEHICULAR FERRY PIER AT JORDAN ROAD AND TSUEN WAN.

THE GOVERNOR'S LAST STOP WAS THE MARINE DEPARTMENT'S PONTOON AT MAN CHEONG STREET, WHERE HE BOARDED A MARINE DEPARTMENT LAUNCH TO SEE THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER.

THE TYPHOON SHELTER ACCOMMODATES SOME 1,900 CRAFT, INCLUDING CARGO VESSELS, MOTOR BOATS, REPAIR PONTOONS, STATIONARY BOATS AND SQUATTER BOATS WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF 12,000. THE BREAKWATER OF THE SHELTER IS PLANNED TO BE CONVERTED INTO A PUBLIC PROMENADE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN DURING THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION THIS EVENING.

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