1958 — Page 83

Page 83 of 139

146

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Page 83 of 139

147

MINUTES.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 7th October, 1958, were confirmed.

PAPERS.

THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers :— (1) Communication from Government regarding the City Hall.

(2) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of October, 1958.

(3) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical Report for the period 1st July, 1958 to 30th September, 1958.

(4) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations during the period 1st July, 1958 to 30th September, 1958.

He said: Among the papers laid on the table today is a letter from the Colonial Secretary advising that H. E. the Governor has decided that administration of the new City Hall should be entrusted to this Council.

Tenders for piling work on the building will be called for before the end of the year, and, subject to the availability of piling equipment, it is hoped to commence this work in February or March. Piling should take three or four months which means that, if all goes well, the foundation stone could be laid in June or July of next year (1959) and the whole structure completed in June or July of 1961. I must emphasize that these are tentative dates and that work may easily be delayed by shortages of equipment, abnormal weather conditions or unanticipated technical difficulties. Government is, however, planning on the basis of these estimates and I very much hope that it will be possible to adhere to them.

The Council has as yet no legal responsibilities towards a City Hall, but an ordinance to this effect will need to be prepared for submission to Legislative Council in due course.

It is intended to issue for discussion in Committee of the Whole Council at the December meeting a paper dealing with the proposed method of administration, and the preparatory work on amenities and staffing, which has already been carried out in the light of estimates of cost prepared in 1954.

QUESTIONS.

MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:

"(a) In pursuit of my inquiries made privately and in the appropriate Select Committee, may I ask you, Mr. Chairman, to inform this Council what steps are being taken to protect the interest of the Hong Kong Softball Association as regards their playground facilities?

(b) In view of the development work in progress at King's Park, where their present playground is located, what plans are there to provide them with an alternative site?

(c) Will the Chairman please give an assurance that the present difficulties will not be aggravated so as to cause a complete disruption of their fixtures?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

"Your question, Mr. Sales, is really out of order as it concerns a sports ground which has been let out on permit by Government to a private Association. I am, however, aware of the interest displayed in this game and have made inquiries into the matter.

The position is that the Softball Association will not be required to vacate its King's Park ground until about August, 1960, by which time a replacement ground will be ready for its use. This ground will either be in the new Kowloon Tsai Park Area or in the Raven Estate area and it is hoped that a decision on the final site will be made shortly."

MR. SALES :-On a point of clarification, sir, where is Raven Estate?

CHAIRMAN:-Raven Estate is to the east of Mission Road.