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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
the most representative body Hong Kong has ever seen for, in addition to the social and cultural groups, it included representatives of the Kaifongs, the trade unions, the Manufacturers' Union, professional associations such as the Engineering Society and the Accountants, the Kowloon Residents' Association, the Rotary Club and last, but not least, the Reform Club. I am quite sure the Civic Association would have participated had it been in existence at that time. I sometimes wonder whether, if and when the Legislature is enlarged, it would be better to do so by accepting the representatives of the professions and other community interests (on the lines of the old City Hall Committee) rather than by a direct vote, where a candidate in fact depends on the support of a very small section of the population.
Mr. Sales has wondered if we are in fact building a City Hall as it is understood elsewhere, and suggests that its scope might be enlarged. If by this he means that we should do all we can to ensure that it becomes the centre of our communal life, no one is likely to quarrel with him. It will depend very largely on our efforts whether this remains an inanimate mass of steel and concrete, or whether it becomes the focus for the social, cultural and civic life of this Colony.
In the belief that it is not too early to start planning if we are to succeed, I have pleasure in seconding the motion.
CHAIRMAN:-I find myself able to support Mr. Sales' motion because it must be obvious that a City Hall (Policy) Select Committee will be required. Indeed, I envisage not merely one select committee but four or five, since the City Hall has several aspects of its administration to be considered.
At the next meeting of this Council, and subject to the deliberations which are to follow in Committee of the Whole Council this afternoon, I expect to put forward a motion which will include the names of members of the proposed committee and its terms of reference.
A great deal of work lies ahead of us in connexion with the City Hall, and I share the confidence which His Excellency the Governor expressed, in the letter which was laid before Council at the last meeting, that the Council will bring the greatest enthusiasm to this new task.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
179
DR. R. H. S. LEE :-Mr. Sales has responded with commendable speed to tabling his Motion to-day in calling for the formation of Select Committees to advise the Council on the administration of the new City Hall. It is only last month that Government delegated this power to this Council, and this is as it should be because Government has good reason to give such an important task to the most representative body in the Colony. We must therefore live up to our expectation.
Besides a Library, a Museum and an Art Gallery, the new City Hall will have Assembly Rooms, Theatres, Committee Rooms and a Marriage Registry. To this extent it is something which Hong Kong never had before. If we are to make it a cultural tower in which the cultural life of the people of Hong Kong will have full expression, we must recruit professionals to run these departments. If this be the case it seems to me that to call this centre the City Hall is a misnomer. To the average person (and this includes the tourist) it usually connotes a city administration building, and not a cultural or entertainment centre where one expects to find a museum, an art gallery or an assembly room. In this so-called City Hall there will not be any government offices (with the possible exception of the Marriage Registry). To avoid future confusion I think a better term would be "a Civic Centre", and when the time comes I will most certainly ask the City Hall Policy Select Committee to consider it.
Amongst matters which require early action are items such as books and art collections to make the centre sufficiently attractive to the public. This is important because we don't want these buildings only to collect dust and insects as were found in the former City Hall. Much outcry and concern have been expressed about the growing incidence of delinquency and crime amongst the younger generation. If we don't take positive steps to draw them away from their sources of temptation, what else do we expect? It is very important that at least a Policy Select Committee should be constituted early in order to deal with these matters because it requires time to form a library, a museum and an art gallery amongst other matters. When the buildings are completed we want to have on hand at least a nucleus of everything and not just four bare walls for the public to glare at.
For these reasons, Mr. Chairman, I give my support to Mr. Sales' Motion.
Page 99 of 139
Page 99 of 139
178
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
the most representative body Hong Kong has ever seen for, in addition to the social and cultural groups, it included representa- tives of the Kaifongs, the trade unions, the Manufacturers' Union, professional associations such as the Engineering Society and the Accountants, the Kowloon Residents' Association, the Rotary Club and last, but not least, the Reform Club. I am quite sure the Civic Association would have participated had it been in existence at that time. I sometimes wonder whether, if and when the Legislature is enlarged, it would be better to do so by accepting the representatives of the professions and other community interests (on the lines of the old City Hall Committee) rather than by a direct vote, where a candidate in fact depends on the support of a very small section of the population.
Mr. Sales has wondered if we are in fact building a City Hall as it is understood elsewhere, and suggests that its scope might be enlarged. If by this he means that we should do all we can to ensure that it becomes the centre of our communal life, no one is likely to quarrel with him. It will depend very largely on our efforts whether this remains an inanimate mass of steel and con- crete, or whether it becomes the focus for the social, cultural and civic life of this Colony.
In the belief that it is not too early to start planning if we are to succeed, I have pleasure in seconding the motion.
CHAIRMAN:-I find myself able to support Mr. Sales' motion because it must be obvious that a City Hall (Policy) Select Com- mittee will be required. Indeed, I envisage not merely one select committee but four or five, since the City Hall has several aspects of its administration to be considered.
At the next meeting of this Council, and subject to the delibera- tions which are to follow in Committee of the Whole Council this afternoon, I expect to put forward a motion which will include the names of members of the proposed committee and its terms of reference.
A great deal of work lies ahead of us in connexion with the City Hall, and I share the confidence which His Excellency the Governor expressed, in the letter which was laid before Council at the last meeting, that the Council will bring the greatest enthusiasm to this new task.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
179
DR. R. H. S. LEE :-Mr. Sales has responded with commend- able speed to tabling his Motion to-day in calling for the formation of Select Committees to advise the Council on the administration of the new City Hall. It is only last month that Government delegated this power to this Council, and this is as it should be because Government has good reason to give such an important task to the most representative body in the Colony. We must therefore live up to our expectation.
Besides a Library, a Museum and an Art Gallery, the new City Hall will have Assembly Rooms, Theatres, Committee Rooms and a Marriage Registry. To this extent it is something which Hong Kong never had before. If we are to make it a cultural tower in which the cultural life of the people of Hong Kong will have full expression, we must recruit professionals to run these departments. If this be the case it seems to me that to call this centre the City Hall is a misnomer. To the average person (and this includes the tourist) it usually connotes a city administration building, and not a cultural or entertainment centre where one expects to find a museum, an art gallery or an assembly room. In this so-called City Hall there will not be any government offices (with the possible exception of the Marriage Registry). To avoid future confusion I think a better term would be "a Civic Centre", and when the time comes I will most certainly ask the City Hall Policy Select Committee to consider it.
Amongst matters which require early action are items such as books and art collections to make the centre sufficiently attractive to the public. This is important because we don't want these buildings only to collect dust and insects as were found in the former City Hall. Much outcry and concern have been expressed about the growing incidence of delinquency and crime amongst the younger generation. If we don't take positive steps to draw them away from their sources of temptation, what else do we expect? It is very important that at least a Policy Select Com- mittee should be constituted early in order to deal with these matters because it requires time to form a library, a museum and an art gallery amongst other matters. When the buildings are completed we want to have on hand at least a nucleus of every thing and not just four bare walls for the public to glare at.
For these reasons, Mr. Chairman, I give my support to Mr. Sales' Motion.
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