XN000022-1981-05-15 — Page 2

FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1981

RESIDENTS ROLE IN PROBLEM-SOLVING STRESSED BY GOVERNOR

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RESIDENTS HAVE A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY IN SOLVING THE PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT THEM DIRECTLY, SUCH AS LACK OF RECREATION SPACE AND CRIME, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS, HE ADDED, PROVIDED AN IMPORTANT ORGANISATION FOR THE IR PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE DISTRICT TO BE BROUGHT TO BEAR DIRECTLY ON ITS PROBLEMS BY THEIR OWN ACTION OR INDIRECTLY VIA THE GOVERNMENT.

SIR MURRAY WAS SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE HENRY G. LEONG YAUMATI COMMUNITY CENTRE.

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THE OBJECT, HE SAID, HAD BEEN INITIALLY THROUGH THE KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS AND MORE RECENTLY THE OWNER'S INCORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND FINALLY AND MOST IMPORTANT NOW THE DISTRICT BOARDS TO HELP RESIDENTS TO GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER AND SO TO HELP EACH OTHER, AND FINALLY PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE BLOCK OR AREA OR DISTRICT.

THE NEW MOVE TO COORDINATE ADMINISTRATION ON A DISTRICT BASIS SHOULD GREATLY HELP THIS PROCESS, HE SAID.

THE YAUMATI COMMUNITY CENTRE IS BEING BUILT WITH A DONATION FROM THE LEONG FAMILY OF $8 MILLION WHICH WILL MEET TWO-THIRDS OF THE CONSTRUCTION COST. THE BALANCE WILL BE MET BY THE GOVERNMENT.

SIR MURRAY THANKED THE LEONG FAMILY FOR THEIR TIMELY AND PRACTICAL CONTRIBUTION AND SAID THAT THE CENTRE WOULD MAKE YAUMATI A HAPPIER PLACE IN WHICH PERSONAL CONTACTS, COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION CAN MORE EASILY BE ORGANISED.

FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR MURRAY'S SPEECH.

MR LEONG, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

+1 AM GRATEFUL FOR THE HONOUR YOU HAVE DONE ME IN ASKING ME TO LAY THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE HENRY G. LEONG YAUMATI COMMUNITY CENTRE.

+ IT IS MOST FITTING THAT THE LEONG FAMILY SHOULD HAVE CHOSEN TO HONOUR THE MEMORY OF MR H.G. LEONG THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS COMMUNITY CENTRE. THEIR GENEROUS DONATION OF $8 MILLION WILL COVER TWO-THIRDS OF THE COST OF THE BUILDING AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE GOOD THE BALANCE. WHEN IT IS COMPLETED IN ABOUT ONE YEAR'S TIME THE BUILDING WILL PROVIDE ROOMS FOR MEETINGS, FOR STUDY AND FOR MANY GROUP ACTIVITIES. THERE WILL BE ACCOMMODATION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, A SPORTS GROUND, AND AN AIR- CONDITIONED MULTI-PURPOSE HALL WHICH WILL SEAT MORE THAN 800 PEOPLE AND WILL PROVIDE A CENTRAL FOCUS FOR DISTRICT FUNCTIONS. IT WILL MAKE YAUMATI A HAPPIER PLACE IN WHICH PERSONAL CONTACTS, COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION CAN MORE EASILY BE ORGANISED.

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