HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Before more land is used for other purposes, let this Council make its views heard in a matter clearly of much importance to that very populous neighbourhood as, without doubt, it must also be to Kowloon as a whole.
MR. U TAT CHEE seconded.
He said: It is true to say that this Council does not need to be convinced that there is a serious shortage of green areas, particularly in urban Kowloon. It is equally true to say that this Council must be ever on the alert for opportunities to develop rest areas and playgrounds for the many thousands of people who make a living here.
The railway lands in Kowloon are being built upon to an increasing extent even though the railway station is still at Tsim Sha Tsui. This fact suggests that the area is capable of being developed to some degree, as it is being done, whether the station remains or is moved away altogether.
I support, therefore, the proposal which Mr. Sales makes that we also ask Government to include a park and a harbour promenade in that area while there is still available land for this purpose.
CHAIRMAN: I regret that I cannot support this motion since it is premature, no decision having been made that the land now occupied by the railway will not continue to be so occupied. I shall therefore abstain from voting.
MR. BERNACCHI: The words "harbour promenade" in this motion are words particularly dear to me. We, that is myself and those who stand with me, I think put this before Council some considerable time ago, indeed Dr. Lee called them harbour boulevards, and the Gloucester Road boulevard has already come into being.
MR. SALES: On a point of clarification, hasn't the Gloucester Road boulevard been renamed since then?
MR. BERNACCHI: Not officially, Mr. Sales.
MR. SALES: In honour of our dear colleague, and most deservedly so.
CHAIRMAN: Very touching of you, but carry on.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. BERNACCHI:
Apart from this, this motion goes on to say "now occupied by the railway". I have listened with interest to Mr. Sales when he has tried to explain that this motion is not connected with any decision as to the removal of the railway, but I am afraid with those words "now occupied by the railway" in this motion, it is impossible to get away from the fact that this motion contemplates committing the Council to a proposal for the development of the land which is now occupied by the railway and which at present provides a means of access by public transport, namely railway, to the Star Ferry and from the Star Ferry across to the central district of Hong Kong. I am not convinced that this railway should be moved. I know there is a lot of talk of moving it but before I am convinced of the advisability of that, I would want to know what arrangements would be made to convey members of the public from the new railway station across to the central district of Hong Kong, and to what extent it will increase the transport charges of the man who has to come into town by railway every day for the purpose of his work. I am therefore, I am afraid, unable to support this motion, much as I would like to see the land developed in the manner suggested by Mr. Sales if I was convinced of the advisability of moving the railway. There is the stumbling block and I find myself in agreement with you, Mr. Chairman, that the motion is wholly premature, and for that reason I doubt we can get any further.
COL. CLAGUE: I wonder if Mr. Sales could make it clear when he replies that if any land were required for essential cross harbour transport, he would not be for a playground against that. It would help very much if you would clarify that point.
MR. SALES: Without availing myself of my right of reply, just in answer to that question, perhaps, Mr. Chairman, you would wish to disclose that a paper has been issued that the North Point concourse has been given up, to the best of my understanding, as the ferry terminal for the vehicular ferry and also, to the best of my belief, the Hung Hom reclamation too. I believe that answers it.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Some time ago I did ask a question concerning the removal of the railway from Kowloon and the possibility of whether it would be removed to Hung Hom. I quite agree with Mr. Bernacchi that it is essential that Government should let us know what it has in mind with regard to the
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Before more land is used for other purposes, let this Council make its views heard in a matter clearly of much importance to that very populous neighbourhood as, without doubt, it must also be to Kowloon as a whole.
MR. U TAT CHEE seconded.
He said: It is true to say that this Council does not need to be convinced that there is a serious shortage of green areas, particularly in urban Kowloon. It is equally true to say that this Council must be ever on the alert for opportunities to develop rest areas and playgrounds for the many thousands of people who make a living here.
The railway lands in Kowloon are being built upon to an increasing extent even though the railway station is still at Tsim Sha Tsui. This fact suggests that the area is capable of being developed to some degree, as it is being done, whether the station remains or is moved away altogether.
I support, therefore, the proposal which Mr. Sales makes that we also ask Government to include a park and a harbour prom- enade in that area while there is still available land for this purpose.
CHAIRMAN: I regret that I cannot support this motion since it is premature, no decision having been made that the land now occupied by the railway will not continue to be so occupied. I shall therefore abstain from voting.
MR. BERNACCHI :-The words "harbour promenade" in this motion are words particularly dear to me. We, that is myself and those who stand with me, I think put this before Council some considerable time ago, indeed Dr. Lee called them harbour boulevards, and the Gloucester Road boulevard has already come into being.
MR. SALES :-On а point of clarification, hasn't the Gloucester Road boulevard been renamed since then?
MR. BERNACCHI :-Not officially, Mr. Sales.
MR. SALES-In honour of our dear colleague, and most deservedly so.
CHAIRMAN :-Very touching of you, but carry on.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
231
MR. BERNACCHI :—;
-Apart from this, this motion goes on to say "now occupied by the railway". I have listened with interest to Mr. Sales when he has tried to explain that this motion is not connected with any decision as to the removal of the railway, but I am afraid with those words "now occupied by the railway" in this motion, it is impossible to get away from the fact that this motion contemplates committing the Council to a proposal for the development of the land which is now occupied by the railway and which at present provides a means of access by public transport, namely railway, to the Star Ferry and from the Star Ferry across to the central district of Hong Kong. I am not convinced that this railway should be moved. I know there is a lot of talk of moving it but before I am convinced of the advisability of that, I would want to know what arrange- ments would be made to convey members of the public from the new railway station across to the central district of Hong Kong, and to what extent it will increase the transport charges of the man who has to come into town by railway every day for the purpose of his work. I am therefore, I am afraid, unable to support this motion, much as I would like to see the land developed in the manner suggested by Mr. Sales if I was con- vinced of the advisability of moving the railway. There is the stumbling block and I find myself in agreement with you, Mr. Chairman, that the motion is wholly premature, and for that reason I doubt we can get any further.
COL. CLAGUE:—I wonder if Mr. Sales could make it clear when he replies that if any land were required for essential cross harbour transport, he would not be for a playground against that. It would help very much if you would clarify that point.
MR. SALES :- -Without availing myself of my right of reply, just in answer to that question, perhaps, Mr. Chairman, you would wish to disclose that a paper has been issued that the North Point concourse has been given up, to the best of my understanding, as the ferry terminal for the vehicular ferry and also, to the best of my belief, the Hung Hom reclamation too. I believe that answers it.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Some time ago I did ask a question concerning the removal of the railway from Kowloon and the possibility of whether it would be removed to Hung Hom. I quite agree with Mr. Bernacchi that it is essential that Govern- ment should let us know what it has in mind with regard to the
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