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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 3rd November, 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 November, 1959.
## QUESTIONS
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:--
"Will you please explain Government's refusal to grant land for recreational purposes in a part of the area now occupied by the Services, across Causeway Road from Victoria Park, and reconcile it with Government's action in taking away from this Council for the purpose of road extension the area adjoining the waterfront now within the boundaries of the Park?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"The use to which available land is to be put must be carefully balanced and there is a considerable area of open space in the Causeway Bay district.
While it is possible that some part of Victoria Park will be absorbed by the proposed waterfront road Government cannot agree that this justifies the extension of the park elsewhere."
MR. SALES: As we have an extra half an hour today, may I ask some supplementary questions?
CHAIRMAN: -I hope that this is not the only reason.
MR. SALES: -You suggested that there was an extra half an hour so the understanding we all have reached in private does not obtain. As it is my understanding that the Hong Kong Jockey Club made a substantial contribution towards Victoria Park can you assure this Council, Mr. Chairman, that a proportionate refund will be made to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for the part of Victoria Park that the Government is taking back from the public?
CHAIRMAN: -The part of Victoria Park which benefited from the generosity of the Hong Kong Jockey Club is not concerned with this particular problem. The Hong Kong Jockey Club only assisted with the swimming pool.
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MR. SALES: -It was my understanding, Mr. Chairman, they made a contribution so that the Causeway Bay reclamation will be made available to the public of Hong Kong as a green area, or would you like to check on that, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN: -I should be very happy to check on that.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Could I ask a question?
CHAIRMAN: -Yes.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Has the Jockey Club asked for a refund?
CHAIRMAN: -The Jockey Club has not asked for a refund.
MR. SALES: -I as a member do.
CHAIRMAN: I have a clear conscience as I am not a member.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Are there any other members here who would like a refund?
MR. KWAN: -Order, order, Mr. Chairman.
MR. SALES: May we exclude Mr. Cheong-Leen from asking supplementary questions?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Is that in order, Mr. Chairman?
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:
"Where is it intended to locate, on either side of the harbour, the two indoor stadia which this Council last year resolved to provide for the public?”
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"At their meeting on 26th March at which you were present, the Parks, Playgrounds and Urban Amenities Select Committee decided that inquiries should be made into the possibility of obtaining sites for these indoor stadia in the Causeway Bay and Kai Tak areas.
No final decision has yet been made regarding the allocation of sites for these stadia and it is not yet possible to forecast where these sites will be."
MR. SALES: May I ask a supplementary question on the time dimension. My wish-
CHAIRMAN: -I am not sure what that means.
MR. SALES: My wish is to inquire whether the period of eight months which has elapsed since we reached the decision is not enough for Government to make up its mind.
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Page 83 of 107
Page 83 of 107
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 3rd November, 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 November, 1959.
QUESTIONS.
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:--
"Will you please explain Government's refusal to grant land for recreational purposes in a part of the area now occupied by the Services, across Causeway Road from Victoria Park, and reconcile it with Government's action in taking away from this Council for the purpose of road extension the area adjoining the waterfront now within the boundaries of the Park?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"The use to which available land is to be put must be carefully balanced and there is a considerable area of open space in the Causeway Bay district.
While it is possible that some part of Victoria Park will be absorbed by the proposed waterfront road Government cannot agree that this justifies the extension of the park elsewhere."
MR. SALES: As we have an extra half an hour today, may I ask some supplementary questions?
CHAIRMAN:-I hope that this is not the only reason.
MR. SALES: -You suggested that there was an extra half an hour so the understanding we all have reached in private does not obtain. As it is my understanding that the Hong Kong Jockey Club made a substantial contribution towards Victoria Park can you assure this Council, Mr. Chairman, that a proportionate refund will be made to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for the part of Victoria Park that the Government is taking back from the public?
CHAIRMAN:-The part of Victoria Park which benefited from the generosity of the Hong Kong Jockey Club is not concerned with this particular problem. The Hong Kong Jockey Club only assisted with the swimming pool.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
151
MR. SALES:—It was my understanding, Mr. Chairman, they made a contribution so that the Causeway Bay reclamation will be made available to the public of Hong Kong as a green area, or would you like to check on that, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN:-I should be very happy to check on that.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: --Could I ask
CHAIRMAN: -Yes.
question?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Has the Jockey Club asked for a refund?
CHAIRMAN:-The Jockey Club has not asked for a refund.
MR. SALES: -I as a member do.
CHAIRMAN: I have a clear conscience as I am not a member.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Are there any other members here who would like a refund?
MR. KWAN: ----Order, order, Mr. Chairman.
MR. SALES: May we exclude Mr. Cheong-Leen from asking supplementary questions?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Is that in order, Mr. Chairman?
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:
"Where is it intended to locate, on either side of the harbour, the two indoor stadia which this Council last year resolved to provide for the public?”
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"At their meeting on 26th March at which you were present, the Parks, Playgrounds and Urban Amenities Select Committee decided that inquiries should be made into the possibility of obtaining sites for these indoor stadia in the Causeway Bay and Kai Tak areas.
No final decision has yet been made regarding the allocation of sites for these stadia and it is not yet possible to forecast where these sites will be."
MR. SALES: May I ask a supplementary question on the time dimension. My wish-
CHAIRMAN:-I am not sure what that means.
MR. SALES: My wish is to inquire whether the period of eight months which has elapsed since we reached the decision is not enough for Government to make up its mind.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.