1959 — Page 104

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 104 of 107

192

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Fa Hui. You replied that work would start in September 1959. May I now repeat this question and may I please be informed why in fact work did not start in September? Will the Chairman please state when he expects this playground to be ready for public use?”

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

"This question concerns Fa Hui Playground which is situated between Boundary Street, the Railway and Yau Yat Chuen and my records show that when I replied to your question on Fa Hui just over a year ago, I said that I was unable to give a definite date for completion of this Playground. My exact words were:

"Provision of funds for this project has been made in the Estimates for the coming financial year submitted to Government. If this is approved, then working drawings will be proceeded with and tenders called for.

I am, however, unable to give a definite date for possible completion of the contract."

was

On the other hand, just nine months ago, in connection with an application from the Chinese Manufacturers Association for the use of the Fa Hui site for their annual exhibition, I informed Members of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, that development of this area unlikely to commence until early 1960. This information was contained in Committee Paper 17/53/59. This delay was caused by the need for Honourable Director of Public Works to use available staff on projects of a higher priority. This Playground is now in Category B(i) of the Public Works Programme, but it is not possible to forecast the date of its completion."

DR. BELL:- May I ask a supplementary question? Is it a question here that we have the funds but the Public Works Department is unable to carry out the work?

CHAIRMAN:- Funds are included in the vote for the current financial year. It is simply a question of priority.

DR. BELL:- May I ask another supplementary question? Is it possible for the Public Works Department to let out contracts for such work?

CHAIRMAN:- Depending on availability of staff.

MR. BERNACCHI:- When you speak of the vote of funds in the current financial year, that means in fact that they will be lost unless they are revoted this year?

CHAIRMAN:- That is correct.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

193

MR. BERNACCHI:- And will they in fact be revoted? Are they in the Estimates for revoting this year?

CHAIRMAN:- I am afraid I cannot answer that question.

DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question:-

"In 1956 I asked the then Chairman, Urban Council what use was to be made of the plot of vacant land between Tai Po Road and the ends of blocks G and H Shek Kip Mei Resettlement estate. I was informed that it was to be developed as a playground and sitting out area. May I now ask how much longer it is going to be before such development takes place?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

"This concerns the area of waste land between Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Area and the roundabout at the junction of the roads to Tai Po and Castle Peak.

As a Member of the Urban Amenities Select Committee you are no doubt aware that the area in which you are interested between the Tai Po Road and the ends of Blocks G and K in Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Estate is included in a layout plan covering the Traffic Islands at the junction of the Castle Peak and Tai Po Roads and approved quite some time ago by that Select Committee. You will also be aware that in August, 1959, objections were raised by the Traffic Advisory Committee (on which the Council is represented) to the use of Traffic Islands by the public. This road-junction is a very busy one and the objections of the Traffic Advisory Committee are particularly relevant. In the meantime, the Public Works Department has informed me that the shape of the plot which will finally become available to Council, has not yet been finalised—being dependent on proposals for the development of land between the nearby new Magistracy and the Resettlement Buildings and on the modifications to the junction of the Castle Peak and Tai Po Roads which will be necessary when the dual carriageway for the Tai Po Road comes into being.

I much regret therefore that I am unable to give any indication of when this development is likely to proceed."

DR. BELL:- May I ask a supplementary question, please. Would it not be possible to make some temporary playground or sitting out area for use there? It has been in its present state now for the past four years and since there is not any indication whether it will continue to be thus for another four or five years, would it not be possible?

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Page 104 of 107 192 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Fa Hui. You replied that work would start in September 1959. May I now repeat this question and may I please be informed why in fact work did not start in September? Will the Chairman please state when he expects this playground to be ready for public use?” THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: "This question concerns Fa Hui Playground which is situated between Boundary Street, the Railway and Yau Yat Chuen and my records show that when I replied to your question on Fa Hui just over a year ago, I said that I was unable to give a definite date for completion of this Playground. My exact words were: "Provision of funds for this project has been made in the Estimates for the coming financial year submitted to Government. If this is approved, then working drawings will be proceeded with and tenders called for. I am, however, unable to give a definite date for possible completion of the contract." was On the other hand, just nine months ago, in connection with an application from the Chinese Manufacturers Association for the use of the Fa Hui site for their annual exhibition, I informed Members of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, that development of this area unlikely to commence until early 1960. This information was contained in Committee Paper 17/53/59. This delay was caused by the need for Honourable Director of Public Works to use available staff on projects of a higher priority. This Playground is now in Category B(i) of the Public Works Programme, but it is not possible to forecast the date of its completion." DR. BELL:- May I ask a supplementary question? Is it a question here that we have the funds but the Public Works Department is unable to carry out the work? CHAIRMAN:- Funds are included in the vote for the current financial year. It is simply a question of priority. DR. BELL:- May I ask another supplementary question? Is it possible for the Public Works Department to let out contracts for such work? CHAIRMAN:- Depending on availability of staff. MR. BERNACCHI:- When you speak of the vote of funds in the current financial year, that means in fact that they will be lost unless they are revoted this year? CHAIRMAN:- That is correct. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 193 MR. BERNACCHI:- And will they in fact be revoted? Are they in the Estimates for revoting this year? CHAIRMAN:- I am afraid I cannot answer that question. DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question:- "In 1956 I asked the then Chairman, Urban Council what use was to be made of the plot of vacant land between Tai Po Road and the ends of blocks G and H Shek Kip Mei Resettlement estate. I was informed that it was to be developed as a playground and sitting out area. May I now ask how much longer it is going to be before such development takes place?" THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: "This concerns the area of waste land between Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Area and the roundabout at the junction of the roads to Tai Po and Castle Peak. As a Member of the Urban Amenities Select Committee you are no doubt aware that the area in which you are interested between the Tai Po Road and the ends of Blocks G and K in Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Estate is included in a layout plan covering the Traffic Islands at the junction of the Castle Peak and Tai Po Roads and approved quite some time ago by that Select Committee. You will also be aware that in August, 1959, objections were raised by the Traffic Advisory Committee (on which the Council is represented) to the use of Traffic Islands by the public. This road-junction is a very busy one and the objections of the Traffic Advisory Committee are particularly relevant. In the meantime, the Public Works Department has informed me that the shape of the plot which will finally become available to Council, has not yet been finalised—being dependent on proposals for the development of land between the nearby new Magistracy and the Resettlement Buildings and on the modifications to the junction of the Castle Peak and Tai Po Roads which will be necessary when the dual carriageway for the Tai Po Road comes into being. I much regret therefore that I am unable to give any indication of when this development is likely to proceed." DR. BELL:- May I ask a supplementary question, please. Would it not be possible to make some temporary playground or sitting out area for use there? It has been in its present state now for the past four years and since there is not any indication whether it will continue to be thus for another four or five years, would it not be possible? Page 104 of 107

Baseline (Original)

Page 104 of 107 192 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Fa Hui. You replied that work would start in September 1959. May I now repeat this question and may I please be informed why in fact work did not start in September? Will the Chairman please state when he expects this playground to be ready for public use?” THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: "This question concerns Fa Hui Playground which is situated between Boundary Street, the Railway and Yau Yat Chuen and my records show that when I replied to your question on Fa Hui just over a year ago, I said that I was unable to give a definite date for completion of this Playground. My exact words were: "Provision of funds for this project has been made in the Estimates for the coming financial year submitted to Government. If this is approved, then working drawings will be proceeded with and tenders called for. I am. however, unable to give a definite date for possible completion of the contract." was On the other hand, just nine months ago, in connection with an application from the Chinese Manufacturers Associa- tion for the use of the Fa Hui site for their annual exhibition, I informed Members of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, that development of this area unlikely to commence until early 1960. This informa- tion was contained in Committee Paper 17/53/59. This delay was caused by the need for Honourable Director of Public Works to use available staff on projects of a higher priority. This Playground is now in Category B(i) of the Public Works Programme, but it is not possible to fore- cast the date of its completion." DR. BELL:-May I ask a supplementary question? Is it a ques- tion here that we have the funds but the Public Works Department is unable to carry out the work? CHAIRMAN:-Funds are included in the vote for the current financial year. It is simply a question of priority. DR. BELL:-May I ask another supplementary question? Is it possible for the Public Works Department to let out contracts for such work? CHAIRMAN: -Depending on availability of staff. MR. BERNACCHI :-When you speak of the vote of funds in the current financial year, that means in fact that they will be lost unless they are revoted this year? CHAIRMAN: That is correct. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 193 MR. BERNACCHI:-And will they in fact be revoted? in the Estimates for revoting this year? Are they CHAIRMAN:-I am afraid I cannot answer that question. DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question : - "In 1956 I asked the then Chairman, Urban Council what use was to be made of the plot of vacant land between Tai Po Road and the ends of blocks G and H Shek Kip Mei Resettlement estate. I was informed that it was to be developed as a playground and sitting out area. May I now ask how much longer it is going to be before such development takes place?" THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: "This concerns the area of waste land between Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Area and the roundabout at the junction of the roads to Tai Po and Castle Peak. As a Member of the Urban Amenities Select Committee you are no doubt aware that the area in which you are interested between the Tai Po Road and the ends of Blocks G and K in Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Estate is included in a layout plan covering the Traffic Islands at the junction of the Castle Peak and Tai Po Roads and approved quite some time ago by that Select Committee. You will also be aware that in August, 1959, objections were raised by the Traffic Advisory Committee (on which the Council is represented) to the use of Traffic Islands by the public. This road-junction is a very busy one and the objections of the Traffic Advisory Committee are particularly relevant. In the meantime, the Public Works Department has informed me that the shape of the plot which will finally become available to Council, has not yet been finalised-being dependent on proposals for the development of land between the nearby new Magistracy and the Resettlement Buildings and on the modifications to the junction of the Castle Peak and Tai Po Roads which will be necessary when the dual carriage- way for the Tai Po Road comes into being. I much regret therefore that I am unable to give any indication of when this development is likely to proceed." DR. BELL:-May I ask a supplementary question, please. Would it not be possible to make some temporary playground or sitting out area for use there? It has been in its present state now for the past four years and since there is not any indication whether it will continue to be thus for another four or five years, would it not be possible?

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Page 104 of 107

192

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

I am. however, unable to give a definite date for possible completion of the contract."

was

On the other hand, just nine months ago, in connection with an application from the Chinese Manufacturers Associa- tion for the use of the Fa Hui site for their annual exhibition, I informed Members of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, that development of this area unlikely to commence until early 1960. This informa- tion was contained in Committee Paper 17/53/59. This delay was caused by the need for Honourable Director of Public Works to use available staff on projects of a higher priority. This Playground is now in Category B(i) of the Public Works Programme, but it is not possible to fore- cast the date of its completion."

DR. BELL:-May I ask a supplementary question? Is it a ques- tion here that we have the funds but the Public Works Department is unable to carry out the work?

CHAIRMAN:-Funds are included in the vote for the current financial year. It is simply a question of priority.

DR. BELL:-May I ask another supplementary question? Is it possible for the Public Works Department to let out contracts for such work?

CHAIRMAN: -Depending on availability of staff.

MR. BERNACCHI :-When you speak of the vote of funds in the current financial year, that means in fact that they will be lost unless they are revoted this year?

CHAIRMAN: That is correct.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

193

MR. BERNACCHI:-And will they in fact be revoted? in the Estimates for revoting this year?

Are they

CHAIRMAN:-I am afraid I cannot answer that question.

DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question : -

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

"This concerns the area of waste land between Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Area and the roundabout at the junction of the roads to Tai Po and Castle Peak.

As a Member of the Urban Amenities Select Committee you are no doubt aware that the area in which you are interested between the Tai Po Road and the ends of Blocks G and K in Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Estate is included in a layout plan covering the Traffic Islands at the junction of the Castle Peak and Tai Po Roads and approved quite some time ago by that Select Committee. You will also be aware that in August, 1959, objections were raised by the Traffic Advisory Committee (on which the Council is represented) to the use of Traffic Islands by the public. This road-junction is a very busy one and the objections of the Traffic Advisory Committee are particularly relevant. In the meantime, the Public Works Department has informed me that the shape of the plot which will finally become available to Council, has not yet been finalised-being dependent on proposals for the development of land between the nearby new Magistracy and the Resettlement Buildings and on the modifications to the junction of the Castle Peak and Tai Po Roads which will be necessary when the dual carriage- way for the Tai Po Road comes into being.

I much regret therefore that I am unable to give any indication

of when this development is likely to proceed."

DR. BELL:-May I ask a supplementary question, please. Would

it not be possible to make some temporary playground or sitting out area for use there? It has been in its present state now for the past four years and since there is not any indication whether it will continue to be thus for another four or five years, would it not be possible?

1959 — Page 104

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