XN000022-1981-01-30 — Page 15

and completion of improvements to the circular road to Fan

Then too you are near the expanding special District

Ling.

of Shen Zhen.

This district has suffered from excessive immigration and unplanned development. The result has been intractible problems of both pollution and neglected rural sprawl. A study should be completed in July this year which will form the basis for coherent development for the whole region. Yuen Long District is rich in historic buildings, mostly in family ownership. I hope that as a community you will think of ways in which they can be preserved. The Antiquities Advisory Board stands ready to respond to any reasonable request.

To build a community renuires a core of buildings providing for activities round which the community can form itself. Here you have the makings of such a core, you have an excellent sports association, a stadium which is already first class and to which improvements will be made very shortly. Beside this a swimming pool complex is under construction. Nearby is the Town Hall. Now we have this magnificent airconditioned school hall in addition.

This is

a good start but you have something more, it is the community spirit to have undertaken much of this by yourself, though the Government is glad to have built a substantial part. The Town Hall Management Committee, and now the District Advisory Board will provide new guidance to the administration

of the district, and the spirit which has produced these facilities should give it a flying start.

The opening of the school to which the community has contributed so generously and the Inaugural Concert of the Yuen Long Arts Festival here in this hall are a celebration of community enterprise. I congratulate you all, as a community, on your generosity, initiative and imagination.