TNAG-0672-FCO40-821-Legislation-for-Crown-lands-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 197

For discussion

on 19th August 1975

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XCR(75)156

Copy No......

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

PROPOSED GRANT OF A SITE TO THE LAI CHI KOK AMUSEMENT COMPANY LIMITED FOR AMUSEMENT PARK PURPOSES IN EXCHANGE FOR THE SURRENDER OF AGRICULTURAL LOTS

ANNEX A

History of Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park

The Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park was developed at the beginning of 1948 on an area of Crown land, originally granted by Crown Land Permit for a riding school and boating pool, and on a number of adjoining agricultural lots in Survey District 4. Govern- ment granted a five-year lease of the area previously held on Crown Land Permit and imposed a building covenant of $150,000.

2

In March 1950 the owners sublet the Amusement Park to the Lai Yuen Amusement Company Limited which spent a sum of about $700,000 on equipment and buildings. In 1954, a further five- year lease was granted by the Government expiring on 30th June 1959. The remaining private land used for the park was granted a modifica- tion of tenancy.

3

In May 1954, following litigation between the lessees and the Lai Yuen Amusement Company Limited, an agreement was reached by which the Company bought the land for the remaining term of the five-year lease, relinquished the lessees' agricultural lots, and leased certain other agricultural lots from the local villagers.

4

After the expiry of the second five-year term on 30th June 1959, and in view of the uncertainty surrounding the future of Lai Chi Kok area, the lease was renewed annually until 1962, when the owner- ship of the Park including the private land was taken over by the present operator, the Lai Chi Kok Amusement Company Limited, on a rental which has been increased over the years and is payable to the Govern- ment.

5

Since that time, the park, which had previously become run down and was poorly managed, has been greatly improved and is a popular venue for public entertainment in the area. The park includes a zoo which is run to the satisfaction of the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries. The attendances in 1972, 1973 and 1974 were 2, 129, 955, 2, 212, 910 and 2, 063, 554 or an average of about 6, 000 per evening.

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