TNAG-1156-FCO40-1436-Visits-by-FCO-Ministers-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 45

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/ which

CONFIDENTIALI

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(c)

(d)

briefed on contingency and long-term measures being introduced to cope with the various problems arising from this unique population composition, which in their opinion, was similar to those facing some U.K. New Towns initially: these measures included timely provision of additional primary school places, more

kindergartens and nurseries as well as recreational facilities for the young population, etc.;

informed of the various special efforts in community building, such as the formation of housewives groups (Yin Ngai Society), Mutual Aid Committees, estate enquiry centre, etc., being made to ensure that newly-arrived residents would soon get used to the new environment, thus generating interest in the forthcoming District Board election on 4 March towards/keen interest had been shown in the registration of 26 000 electors, 40% of the eligible.

5.

With the help of plans and overlooking the various sites, the party was further briefed on the up-to-date development of :-

(a) the $60 million 10-hectare Town Park on which work

had already started and would be completed by 1984;

(b)

the 30 000 people Town Centre on which 4 out of 7 lots had been sold and development had already taken shape on the first commercial/residential blocks;

(c) the Town Hall on which HE the Governor would be laying the foundation stone on 1 March for completion scheduled for 1984/85;

(a)

(e)

(f)

the proposed Light Rail System which would form an integral part of the Town's comprehensive internal transport network;

the efforts being made to bring about improvement to external transport to the Town, in particular, the introduction of the hovercraft service linking Tuen Mun with Hong Kong Island through a 30-minute journey;

the preservation of dominant landscape features, such as the Fung Shui hill in Area 33, and old monasteries and temples, such as Ching Chung Koon which would be integrated as part of the New Town's overall landscape (Lord and Lady Privy Seal appeared to be particularly interested in this point);

/(g)

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