Page 37 of 139
Page 37 of 139
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54
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN :-It remains for me, as the proposer of this motion, to wind up the debate, and this gives me the opportunity to deal briefly with some of the points raised.
First, let me say that I agree with Mr. Bernacchi that the question of the order of speaking should be referred to the Select Committee, and I shall be happy to refer it to that body.
Mr. Li Yiu Bor and Dr. R. H. S. Lee both referred to the possibility of accommodation for teachers in the low cost housing schemes, and no doubt the Housing Authority will bear these remarks in mind together with the speeches of Mr. Chan, Mr. Bernacchi and Dr. Woo. It will of course be realized that this problem is not one peculiar to the teaching profession.
There is undoubtedly considerable interest on the part of Kowloon residents in the proposal for a swimming pool to serve their needs. As Mr. Fung Ping Fan remarked, the population of Kowloon has seen a considerable increase, and I am glad to say that provision of a swimming pool has been given high priority in the Public Works Programme. A paper on the facilities to be included is already in the hands of members, and once a decision has been taken on this it will be possible for an architect to be appointed. The pool is to be in a park to the north of Kowloon City, on the hills now being levelled to form the flight funnel for the new airport. The proposal for more playing fields in the Railway area of Tsimshatsui will of course be considered with all other aspects of town planning in this case consequent on the eventual move of the present railway terminal.
Mr. Fung Ping Fan mentioned also the question of ensuring that pleasure boats and water skiers do not inconvenience bathers. I endorse his appeal to the users of these craft. The prohibited areas off the beaches will be well defined by bamboo floats, and I would urge all those in charge of boats, and particularly speed boats, to give them the widest berth. The alternative is to consider the extension of prohibited areas, with greater inconvenience to the boating fraternity.
With regard to the question of Resettlement Factories, I can make a tentative announcement that sites have already been reserved for four more such structures and it is hoped to start work before the end of this year.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
55
Mr. R. C. Lee made two interesting points. He referred firstly to the cast iron water channels to be found running across some of our pavements, and the labour involved in cleaning them. I am able to advise that the occasions when these are installed will in future be few, though in some cases there is, apparently, no alternative. Gradual replacement of the present ones by pipes is in hand, though this somewhat formidable task will take some time. Mr. Lee was also concerned over the drainage of the multi-storey car park, and will be relieved to know that the recent flooding of the first floor was due to a choked drain and not to any inherent fault in the design.
The same speaker made two other points on the car park. On his first, the question of Government's decision on the recommendations of the Select Committee relating to minor changes in the car park charges, I regret that I am not in a position to reply either to him or to Dr. Woo who also commented on parking charges. I have noted Mr. Bernacchi's comments on parking meters. With regard to the arrangements for inward messages at the car park I can state that the public telephone now being installed will make provision for the receipt of incoming calls. Unless the number of chauffeurs waiting for calls increases very considerably no special arrangements would seem necessary, but no doubt the Select Committee will bear this in mind.
Dr. Lee made reference to the possibility of removing Offensive Trades areas to new zones, as the present ones are becoming more residential in character. As long ago as 1955 it was decided that no new licences would be issued in the Kennedy Town area, and the question of establishing Offensive Trade zones in industrial areas of the New Territories has been under consideration for some time. As members will realize, there are difficulties in uprooting old-established trades, and the removal is likely to be a slow business.
The improvements at Ma Tau Kok Slaughterhouse to which Col. Clague referred are in the top priority group for minor works. Since the Council has already approved sketch plans I do not anticipate any great delay. I can assure Mr. Chan and Mr. Bernacchi that a great deal of work is being done on the planning of the new slaughter houses which also receive very high priority.
Page 37 of 139
Page 37 of 139
Page 37 of 139
Page 37 of 139
1
54
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN :-It remains for me, as the proposer of this motion, to wind up the debate, and this gives me the opportunity to deal briefly with some of the points raised.
First, let me say that I agree with Mr. Bernacchi that the question of the order of speaking should be referred to the Select Committee, and I shall be happy to refer it to that body.
Mr. Li Yiu Bor and Dr. R. H. S. Lee both referred to the possibility of accommodation for teachers in the low cost housing schemes, and no doubt the Housing Authority will bear these remarks in mind together with the speeches of Mr. Chan, Mr. Bernacchi and Dr. Woo. It will of course be realized that this problem is not one peculiar to the teaching profession.
There is undoubtedly considerable interest on the part of Kowloon residents in the proposal for a swimming pool to serve their needs. As Mr. Fung Ping Fan remarked, the population of Kowloon has seen a considerable increase, and I am glad to say that provision of a swimming pool has been given high priority in the Public Works Programme. A paper on the facilities to be included is already in the hands of members, and once a decision has been taken on this it will be possible for an architect to he appointed. The pool is to be in a park to the north of Kowloon City, on the hills now being levelled to form the flight funnel for the new airport. The proposal for more playing fields in the Railway area of Tsimshatsui will of course be considered with all other aspects of town planning in this case consequent on the eventual move of the present railway terminal.
Mr. Fung Ping Fan mentioned also the question of ensuring that pleasure boats and water skiers do not inconvenience bathers. I endorse his appeal to the users of these craft. The prohibited areas off the beaches will be well defined by bamboo floats, and I would urge all those in charge of boats, and particularly speed boats, to give them the widest berth. The alternative is to consider the extension of prohibited areas, with greater inconvenience to the boating fraternity.
With regard to the question of Resettlement Factories, I can make a tentative announcement that sites have already been reserved for four more such structures and it is hoped to start work before the end of this year.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
55
Mr. R. C. Lee made two interesting points. He referred firstly to the cast iron water channels to be found running across some of our pavements, and the labour involved in cleaning them. I am able to advise that the occasions when these are installed will in future be few, though in some cases there is, apparently, no alternative. Gradual replacement of the present ones by pipes is in hand, though this somewhat formidable task will take some time. Mr. Lee was also concerned over the drainage of the multi- storey car park, and will be relieved to know that the recent flood- ing of the first floor was due to a choked drain and not to any inherent fault in the design.
The same speaker made two other points on the car park. On his first, the question of Government's decision on the recommendations of the Select Committee relating to minor changes in the car park charges, I regret that I am not in a position to reply either to him or to Dr. Woo who also commented on parking charges. I have noted Mr. Bernacchi's comments on parking meters. With regard to the arrangements for inward messages at the car park I can state that the public telephone now being installed will make provision for the receipt of incoming calls. Unless the number of chauffeurs waiting for calls increases very considerably no special arrangements would seem necessary, but no doubt the Select Committee will bear this in mind.
Dr. Lee made reference to the possibility of removing Offen- sive Trades areas to new zones, as the present ones are becoming more residential in character. As long ago as 1955 it was decided that no new licences would be issued in the Kennedy Town area, and the question of establishing Offensive Trade zones in in- dustrial areas of the New Territories has been under consideration for some time. As members will realize, there are difficulties in uprooting old-established trades, and the removal is likely to be a slow business.
The improvements at Ma Tau Kok Slaughterhouse to which Col. Clague referred are in the top priority group for minor works. Since the Council has already approved sketch plans I do not anticipate any great delay. I can assure Mr. Chan and Mr. Bernacchi that a great deal of work is being done on the planning of the new slaughter houses which also receive very high priority.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.