Sessional_Paper_1930 — Page 48

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(b) that Government should take steps to obtain the use of Marine Lot No. 1. at Shaukiwan, situated immediately to the east of Taikoo Dock and at present unoccupied private property, to serve as a playground for the children of Shaukiwan, this being the only suitable area for the purpose that we have been able to discover in this neighbourhood; and

(c) that Government should take measures to restore Blake Gardens, which are at present covered with the débris of the Po Hing Fong land slide, and that as much space as is possible should be left at this spot, above and below the site for the new Police station, to form a pleasant open space, which is essential in this congested area. We consider also that a portion of this ground might be assigned for the playing of games such as basket- ball and volley-ball.

OPEN SPACES ON THE MAINLAND.

34. The matter of the preservation and the future provision of small open spaces on the mainland was carefully investigated by a sub-committee, whose report is annexed (Appendix VII). Having considered the sub-committee's report and made further en- quiries into the practicability of its suggestions we have decided to make the following recommendations :-

(a) That all the open spaces already marked out on the Town Development

Plan for Kowloon should be permanently reserved as such.

(b) That in addition the following further areas should be reserved, subject to acquisition without undue expense where the land is not already public property:

A. In the district south of Austin Road :-

(i) The triangular space bounded by Humphreys Buildings, Cameron Build-

ings and Empress Lodge.

(ii) A small portion of the Chater Bungalow site at the junction of Austin Road and Austin Avenue behind the building frontage to serve as a play- ground for small children.

B. In the Yaumati-Mong Kok district :-

(i) An area at the corner of Wai Ching and Saigon Streets of about 6,000 square feet in extent, provided that the land is available for purchase at a reasonable price.

(ii) The area bounded by Canton Road, Battery and Public Square Streets, or if this is required for a new Kowloon Magistracy Building, the site of the present Magistracy Building.

(ii) The small square bounded at present by Waterloo Road, Reclamation

Street, Shanghai Street and the continuation of Sheklung Street.

35. With regard to Ho Mun Tin residential district we recommend that Govern- ment should invite the attention of the Botanical and Forestry Department to the desir- ability of tidying up the small square here and arranging seats at the base of the railway embankment.

36. We have observed that there is a small piece of unused ground to the south of Prince Edward Road and immediately to the east of the railway bridge. We recommend that this should be allotted for the playing of games requiring little space.

Allotment.

37. Throughout our enquiries we have avoided consideration of any questions in regard to the present or future allotment of grounds to individual clubs and have con-