Page 17 of 107
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As most public libraries contain books of reference, some of which are so rare that they cannot be had for money, and since the purpose of a library is to encourage the people to take an interest in literature, the arts and drama, etc., and also to do research work, it is sincerely hoped that some of our philanthropic-minded and public-spirited citizens will come to our aid by helping us stock our library with donations or by donating us some rare books.
A large concert hall that can be converted into a social hall for the reception of distinguished visitors would be an asset. The lack of such a hall is a source of embarrassment to our civic leaders whenever dignitaries visit the Colony, such as the recent visit of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh who had to be denied the customary courtesy of being accorded a civic reception in what should rightly be a city hall, but had to be content with being received in a borrowed structure! The advice of experts should be sought and their services enlisted in the building of the concert hall within the City Hall.
While on the subject of the social hall, we must not forget the equally important need of a large conference hall as well as a number of smaller committee rooms for international conferences, equipped with microphones, earphones and such other adjuncts as are normally required for these purposes. In Japan, I understand, they have the latest "walkie-talkie" system—an improvement on the existing fixed simultaneous translation equipment, and in the United Nations-sponsored meetings, such as ECAFE, they also make wide use of the most advanced equipment. However, the principal idea is to make Hong Kong a suitable centre for holding international conferences that have hitherto bypassed us due to lack of the necessary facilities mentioned.
In the City Hall, rooms, too, should be found for displaying historical relics of the Colony which should be informative and educational to the public, and attractive to tourists.
Finally, as the City Hall is a civic centre, it is for the public to make full use of it, to feel at home in it, and to make it a part of their daily life. The staffing of personnel is also of great importance, and preference for employment should be shown to applicants possessing the qualities of courtesy, tact and efficiency.
Swimming Pools: It is gratifying to note that the building of a swimming pool at Kowloon Tsai is proceeding ahead, but we still need many more pools on both sides of the harbour, as there is a keen demand for their use by the public, and the existing number available is already inadequate to meet the need of the people. Meanwhile, we must keep down overhead expenses to avoid the need of increasing the present charges at the Victoria Park Pool.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
19
City Sanitation: Whilst in most parts of the Colony one sees signs put up enjoining the public to "KEEP YOUR CITY CLEAN", nothing is done to discourage the disgusting and annoying habit of indiscriminate throwing of refuse from upper floors to the streets, and by shopkeepers and pedestrians. This is as bad and harmful a habit as spitting, and an immediate stop must be put to it.
It is regrettable to see that there is a deterioration in the condition of city cleansing, as the present street cleansing leaves much to be desired. Side lanes are sometimes choked with refuse, forming pools of offensive-smelling water where mosquitoes breed and flies congregate, to the detriment of public health, and creating a most unfavourable impression on visitors to the Colony. Stricter supervision should be exercised over this side of the Urban Services Department's work to ensure a continuity of good health to the public.
Administration: The past year has shown an increase in the volume of work done by this Council which has set another record over the previous year. At the end of the present fiscal year we will doubtless find another record of fruitful result obtained. With such an increase in its manifold duties—the heaviest of all government departments, if I may say so without reflecting on any other particular department—it is but natural that this Council should have to vote for a larger expenditure each year. However, let it be said without hesitation, and understood by all, that every item of expenditure is an absolute necessity, if we are to discharge our onerous duties efficiently to safeguard the health of the public.
The Urban Council is a policy-formulating machinery the members of which form themselves into a great number of select committees, each committee supervising one department or division of the many services undertaken. The duties of members, therefore, are to ensure the carrying out of their policies, while leaving the administrative side alone, and they would do well not to interfere with the day-to-day work of the Council's various divisions.
We welcome the idea of rearranging and combining many of the select committees, and I am glad to say that all the Appointed Members are serving side by side with the Elected Members on the various select committees, and attendance of Appointed Members at meetings is a remarkable record second to none.
With so much to do and so little time available, it is essential for members to cut out such speeches as are calculated to curry favour with sectional interests, and not to waste time over unimportant details. Members are all busy men, and can ill afford their valuable time in fruitless endeavours caused by endless and senseless talks—the energy of which may profitably be directed to tackling the business in hand.
Page 17 of 107
Page 17 of 107
Page 17 of 107
18
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As most public libraries contain books of reference, some of which are so rare that they cannot be had for money, and since the purpose of a library is to encourage the people to take an interest in literature, the arts and drama, etc., and also to do research work, it is sincerely hoped that some of our philanthropic-minded and public-spirited citizens will come to our aid by helping us stock our library with donations or by donating us some rare books.
A large concert hall that can be converted into a social hall for the reception of distinguished visitors would be an asset. The lack of such a hall is a source of embarrassment to our civic leaders when- ever dignitaries visit the Colony, such as the recent visit of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh who had to be denied the customary courtesy of being accorded a civic reception in what should rightly be a city hall, but had to be content with being received in a borrowed structure! The advice of experts should be sought and their services enlisted in the building of the concert hall within the City Hall.
While on the subject of the social hall, we must not forget the equally important need of a large conference hall as well as a number of smaller committee rooms for international conferences, equipped with microphones, earphones and such other adjuncts as are normally required for these purposes. In Japan, I understand, they have the latest "walkee-talkee" system- an improvement on the existing fixed simultaneous translation equipment, and in the United Nations- sponsored meetings, such as ECAFE, they also make wide use of the most advanced equipment. However, the principal idea is to make Hong Kong a suitable centre for holding international conferences that have hitherto bypassed us due to lack of the necessary facilities mentioned.
In the City Hall, rooms, too, should be found for displaying historical relics of the Colony which should be informative and educational to the public, and attractive to tourists.
Finally, as the City Hall is a civic centre, it is for the public to make full use of it, to feel at home in it, and to make it a part of their daily life. The staffing of personnel is also of great importance, and preference for employment should be shown to applicants possess- ing the qualities of courtesy, tact and efficiency.
Swimming Pools: It is gratifying to note that the building of a swimming pool at Kowloon Chai is proceeding ahead, but we still need many more pools on both sides of the harbour, as there is a keen demand for their use by the public, and the existing number available is already inadequate to meet the need of the people. Meanwhile, we must keep down overhead expenses to avoid the need of increasing the present charges at the Victoria Park Pool.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
19
City Sanitation: Whilst in most parts of the Colony one sees signs put up enjoining the public to "KEEP YOUR CITY CLEAN”, nothing is done to discourage the disgusting and annoying habit of indiscriminate throwing of refuse from upper floors to the streets, and by shopkeepers and pedestrians. This is as bad and harmful a habit as spitting, and an immediate stop must be put to it.
It is regrettable to see that there is a deterioration in the condition of city cleansing, as the present street cleansing leaves much to be desired. Side lanes are sometimes choked with refuse, forming pools of offensive-smelling water where mosquitoes breed and flies congregate, to the detriment of public health, and creating a most unfavourable impression on visitors to the Colony. Stricter supervision should be exercised over this side of the Urban Services Department's work to ensure a continuity of good health to the public.
Administration: The past year has shown an increase in the volume of work done by this Council which has set another record over the previous year. At the end of the present fiscal year we will doubtless find another record of fruitful result obtained. With such an increase in its manifold duties the heaviest of all government departments, if I may say so without reflecting on any other particular department-it is but natural that this Council should have to vote for a larger expenditure each year. However, let it be said without hesitation, and understood by all, that every item of expenditure is an absolute necessity, if we are to discharge our onerous duties efficiently to safeguard the health of the public.
The Urban Council is a policy-formulating machinery the members of which form themselves into a great number of select committees, each committee supervising one department or division of the many services undertaken. The duties of members, therefore, are to ensure the carrying out of their policies, while leaving the administrative side alone, and they would do well not to interfere with the day-to-day work of the Council's various divisions.
We welcome the idea of rearranging and combining many of the select committees, and I am glad to say that all the Appointed Members are serving side by side with the Elected Members on the various select committees, and attendance of Appointed Members at meetings is a remarkable record second to none.
With so much to do and so little time available, it is essential for members to cut out such speeches as are calculated to curry favour with sectional interests, and not to waste time over unimportant details. Members are all busy men, and can ill afford their valuable time in fruitless endeavours caused by endless and senseless talks the energy of which may profitably be directed to tackling the business in hand.
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