XN000022-1978-04-10 — Page 8

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Yuen Long is typical. Work has started on the Shui Pin Wai

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estate, which will house 11,000 people by 1981; the running track at the

stadium has already been replaced and the Yuen Long awimming pool will

open in 1980; plans for another primary school, two secondary schools

and a market are well advanced; an extensive industrial area is under

construction and will be followed by a further Industrial Estate.

Development on the same scale is also underway at Sheung Shui and Tai Po.

If these rapid physical development that are being pushed

forward in the New Territories are to be acceptable to the residents,

the residents must be associated with them. To this end there are now

Advisory Boards in each of the Districts, to bring together and build on

the combined experience and enthusiasm of local leaders, old and new,

representative organisations and government officials. In Yuen Long,

I am gratified to hear that the District Advisory Board has already

voted a total of $415,000 for cultural, recreational and sports projects

in this financial year, and $85,000 for minor environmental improvements

including renovation of local playgrounds. The indication that about

double this year's allocation will be required to realize the ambitions

of the Board in the coming financial year is in itself a tribute to the

highly developed sense of local involvement and commitment that is

characteristic of Yuen Long.

The New Territories have entered a period of dramatic development

and change. This poses a challenge to both people and government.

I am

convinced that the residents of the New Territories themselves, by their

cooperation, goodwill and sound advice, their capacity for innovation and

enterprise, will enable the challenge to be met in the best possible way -

that is through partnership between people and their government.

It is with great pleasure, Ladies and Gentlemen, that I declare

the Yuen Long District Sports Association Clubhouse open.

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