1959 — Page 73

130

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Page 73 of 107

131

MINUTES.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1st September, 1959, were confirmed.

PAPERS.

THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following paper:-

Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of September, 1959.

QUESTIONS.

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-

"It has been frequently urged upon Government that the post of Secretary, Urban Council, should be made a permanent post. This was also recommended in the Salaries Commission Report.

(a) Is the Chairman in support of this view?

(b) Has the Chairman taken steps to urge Government that this recommendation be accepted?

(c) If not, will the Chairman be prepared to take such steps?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

"The Secretary, Urban Council, plays a vital role in the operation of the Urban Council and I am very glad that Members in previously supporting the divorce of this post from the Senior Executive Grade have recognized its importance.

I regret, however, that I cannot, in the light of Standing Order 8(11), express an opinion on the most desirable status of this post.

The Salaries Commission heard all sides of the picture and their recommendations will no doubt carry considerable weight with Government. I cannot therefore see any point in taking further steps to urge Government's acceptance of this particular recommendation."

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:

"(a) Has the Chairman taken steps to ask Government to reserve the old Rediffusion House site, which is next to the Boys' and Girls' Headquarters, to be used as a playground for the children living in overcrowded Wan Chai?

(b) If not, would the Chairman be prepared to make such request to Government?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

"I have taken no such steps nor am I prepared to do so, as one site in this area (adjacent to the new Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association Training Centre in Lockhart Road and now occupied by the Urban Services Department Garage) is already reserved for development as a playground. It will be possible to develop this site as soon as the Urban Services Department garage is reprovisioned at Whitfield (possibly in 1962)."

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- A supplementary, Mr. Chairman. What is the approximate size of the site which the Urban Services Department proposes to vacate in 1962?

CHAIRMAN:- I am afraid I cannot give you an exact figure in square feet. It is quite an appreciable size. It houses about 100 of our vehicles.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I've passed that place and it does not seem that appreciable in size to me, Mr. Chairman.

CHAIRMAN:- Mr. Cheong-Leen, it is just possible that you are looking at the second of the two sites. There are two sites used by the Department. The one I am referring to is between Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road. There is also another site.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Another supplementary, Mr. Chairman. How many playgrounds are there in the Wan Chai District?

CHAIRMAN:- This is hardly a supplementary. It is something that requires a great deal of research. I must point out that Southorn Playground is only about four minutes' walk away.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- In point of fact it is much more than that. It is about 10 minutes, but may I ask a supplementary that is more relative. Does the Chairman propose-

MR. SALES:- Is that a challenge from Mr. Cheong-Leen?

CHAIRMAN:- No, it is an admission from his previous question.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Does the Chairman propose that there shall be no additional playgrounds between now and-

CHAIRMAN:- I am not proposing anything of the sort. I am merely proposing that the particular playground to which you refer in your question, and of which I had notice, should not be reserved. We cannot have any more discussion on this.