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is to be erected in Victoria Park and it might well be felt that advantage could be taken of this precedent to appoint two separate Sub-Committees, one to prepare a detailed report on the development of Gloucester Road and the other to consider the more general question of further areas for similar development. That, of course, is entirely a matter for the Select Committee themselves but I do throw it out as a suggestion because it is our experience that we get more work done if we do divide it up between small Sub-Committees and not overburden the one main Select Committee with too great a volume of detailed work.
I do endorse Mr. Bernacchi's words about the need to provide further open spaces for the people of the Colony as well as to improve and beautify the approaches to our urban areas both by land and sea. In this respect, however, I do feel that the Parks, Playground and Amenities Select Committee has been doing extensive work in the last few years. Besides the large Victoria Park, a number of other smaller parks are becoming available to the public and we are paying very careful attention to prevent the creation of obvious eyesores. The Motion before you today is yet another step—a very considerable step—in this direction and I have much pleasure in seconding it.
CHAIRMAN:-The official members will not oppose this motion. The present position is in fact that relevant information is already being placed before the Select Committee concerned as it becomes available. So far as Gloucester Road is concerned, the considered opinions of the Commissioner of Police and of the Director of Marine have already been received and, as the proposer stated, neither indicates that there would be any insuperable difficulty in carrying out development on the lines envisaged by this Council when the relevant motion was passed six months ago. The other department mainly concerned in this project is the Public Works Department, and we still await the Honourable Director of Public Works' considered comments. He has to take into consideration a number of factors such as the following: the effect of the major sewage works now being carried out along Gloucester Road, the question of the removal of the existing dust-boat station touched on by Mr. Bernacchi, and in general the town-planning aspects of the matter. Until his views are made clear, it will not be possible for the Select Committee concerned to make progress with detailed plans for submission to this Council or to the Government. Provided this be understood, I support the motion. I understand
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from Mr. Bowring that plans for alternative schemes have already been prepared, that is to say outline plans, and these are now under consideration by the engineering offices of his Department. He informs me that he is not yet in a position to make firm proposals but hopes to be able to do so within the next three months. Perhaps in view of this, the time is not yet quite ripe for the appointment of a Sub-Committee as suggested by Mr. P. C. Woo, but that I should be glad to leave to the Select Committee concerned as he suggested.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Motion was carried.
TRIBUTES TO MR. BOWRING.
CHAIRMAN:-Before the adjournment today, Members would, I think, wish me to say a few words of farewell and good wishes to Mr. Bowring, who is retiring this month; he sits with us in Council for the last time today. As Director of Public Works, Mr. Bowring has been a member of this Council since January, 1951. He has always helped the Council with its problems and he has done a great deal to foster and maintain the close understanding which exists between his department and mine. His advice on those technical aspects of our responsibilities on which he is so well qualified to speak has always been freely given and this has been greatly valued. In the field of resettlement, we shall, I know, remember and admire the remarkable achievements of the Public Works Department under Mr. Bowring's directorship long after the bungalows to which he has given his name have been demolished. Mr. Bowring, on behalf of all members, I should like to thank you for all your services to us on this Council and to express the very sincere hope that you and your wife will enjoy the long, healthy, and happy retirement which you have so fully earned. (Applause).
MR. KWOK CHAN:-Mr. Chairman, on behalf of my appointed unofficial colleagues and myself, I ask you to allow me to associate myself with the expression of sentiment which you have so appropriately made in reference to the impending retirement from this Council of the Honourable T. L. Bowring.
As one of those who has had the pleasant privilege of sitting on this Council with Mr. Bowring immediately on his appointment to Hong Kong in December, 1950, for almost seven full
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is to be erected in Victoria Park and it might well be felt that advantage could be taken of this precedent to appoint two separate Sub-Committees, one to prepare a detailed report on the develop- ment of Gloucester Road and the other to consider the more general question of further areas for similar development. That, of course, is entirely a matter for the Select Committee themselves but I do throw it out as a suggestion because it is our experience that we get more work done if we do divide it up between small Sub-Committees and not overburden the one main Select Committee with too great a volume of detailed work.
I do endorse Mr. Bernacchi's words about the need to provide further open spaces for the people of the Colony as well as to improve and beautify the approaches to our urban areas both by land and sea. In this respect, however, I do feel that the Parks, Playground and Amenities Select Committee has been doing extensive work in the last few years. Besides the large Victoria Park a number of other smaller parks are becoming available to the public and we are paying very careful attention to prevent the creation of obvious eyesores. The Motion before you today is yet another step-a very considerable step-in this direction and I have much pleasure in seconding it.
CHAIRMAN :-The official members will not oppose this motion. The present position is in fact that relevant information is already being placed before the Select Committee concerned as it becomes available. So far as Gloucester Road is concerned the considered opinions of the Commissioner of Police and of the Director of Marine have already been received and, as the proposer stated, neither indicates that there would be any insuperable difficulty in carrying out development on the lines envisaged by this Council when the relevant motion was passed six months ago. The other department mainly concerned in this project is the Public Works Department, and we still await the Honourable Director of Public Works' considered comments. He has to take into consideration a number of factors such as the following: the effect of the major sewage works now being carried out along Gloucester Road, the question of the removal of the existing dust-boat station touched on by Mr. Bernacchi, and in general the town-planning aspects of the matter. Until his views are made clear it will not be possible for the Select Committee concerned to make progress with detailed plans for submission to this Council or to the Government. Provided this be understood I support the motion. I understand
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217
from Mr. Bowring that plans for alternative schemes have already been prepared, that is to say outline plans, and these are now under consideration by the engineering offices of his Department. He informs me that he is not yet in a position to make firm pro- posals but hopes to be able to do so within the next three months. Perhaps in view of this the time is not yet quite ripe for the appointment of a Sub-Committee as suggested by Mr. P. C. Woo, but that I should be glad to leave to the Select Committee concerned as he suggested.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Motion was carried.
TRIBUTES TO MR, BOWRING.
CHAIRMAN:-Before the adjournment today Members would, I think, wish me to say a few words of farewell and good wishes to Mr. Bowring, who is retiring this month; he sits with us in Council for the last time today. As Director of Public Works, Mr. Bowring has been a member of this Council since January, 1951. He has always helped the Council with its problems and he has done a great deal to foster and maintain the close under- standing which exists between his department and mine. His advice on those technical aspects of our responsibilities on which he is so well qualified to speak has always been freely given and this has been greatly valued. In the field of resettlement, we shall I know remember and admire the remarkable achievements of the Public Works Department under Mr. Bowring's director- ship long after the bungalows to which he has given his name have been demolished. Mr. Bowring, on behalf of all members I should like to thank you for all your services to us on this Council and to express the very sincere hope that you and your wife will enjoy the long, healthy, and happy retirement which you have so fully earned. (Applause).
behalf of my
MR. KWOK CHAN:-Mr. Chairman, on appointed unofficial colleagues and myself I ask you to allow me to associate myself with the expression of sentiment which you have so appropriately made in reference to the impending retire- ment from this Council of the Honourable T. L. Bowring.
As one of those who has had the pleasant privilege of sitting on this Council with Mr. Bowring immediately on his appoint- ment to Hong Kong in December, 1950, for almost seven full
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