HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
It happens that I am personally interested in music and that I would be one of the first to welcome the formation of such an orchestra, but the problems to be faced are formidable.
A Symphony Orchestra for modern music may consist of over 110 players, each of whom must be a skilled craftsman with a long and extensive musical training behind him. A flautist who comes in a bar too soon or a percussionist, whose tympani are out of tune can turn the orchestra into a laughing stock.
Musical instruments must also be of good quality and represent a very considerable investment on the part of the players and orchestral sponsors. Modern music calls for a wider variety of instruments and an orchestra cannot simply economize by neglecting musical developments since Beethoven.
Hong Kong would not be unique in encountering these problems. The cost of the Shanghai Municipal Orchestra was a subject of frequent complaint by the rate-payers, despite the fact that there were many more competent instrumentalists permanently resident there and consequently willing to play part-time in the Orchestra than is the case in Hong Kong. Even such a musical race as the Welsh failed to keep alive the Welsh National Orchestra, which had to be disbanded in 1932.
At the same time, I would pay tribute to the fine record of the Hong Kong Philharmonic and Hong Kong Concert Orchestra, which in their respective spheres have satisfied, to a large extent, the local demand for symphonic music. It would be a big jump indeed to travel from their amateur enthusiasm to the professionalism of a permanent orchestra and I personally doubt whether musical demand and taste have yet crystallized sufficiently for the latter.
I agree, however, that it is a matter of public interest and I shall be happy to discuss the matter with the City Hall (Policy) Select Committee at their next meeting. Pending discussion in the Select Committee, I can see no point in a special approach to the various music groups, with whom I am already in fairly close touch."
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :-
"I understand that plans are afoot to build a library in the King George V Memorial Park; if this is so, could the Chairman give some details on this projected library, and the approximate date of its completion?”
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"In August, 1957, Members of the Parks, Playgrounds and Urban Amenities Select Committee suggested that a children's pavilion should be constructed in the Children's Playground at King George V Memorial Park, Kowloon. Action to follow up this suggestion was deferred pending a decision on the general policy of building libraries in playgrounds. Towards the end of last year, the Amenities Select Committee approved a programme for the construction of libraries in various parks and playgrounds. King George V Memorial Park, Kowloon, was one of the parks where it was proposed to build such a library together with the pavilion on a site, as originally proposed, in the Children's Playground. The Public Works Department, who recommended the construction of a two-storey building, were advised that as there was already traditional Chinese architecture in this Park, the library building should be of similar design. No progress has been made recently in this connexion, however, as road development plans for this area indicate that the boundaries of this Park will be affected. It has, therefore, been necessary to reconsider the siting of the library so that it will not interfere with future road alignment. This problem is being tackled at the moment and I much regret that I am not in a position to give any further details concerning the building itself or the date of its completion."
MR. BERNACCHI : A supplementary, Mr. Chairman. Does your answer indicate that there will be any serious diminution in the size of the Park by reason of this road re-alignment?
CHAIRMAN: I cannot say with any degree of accuracy, I don't think it will be at all serious.
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question :-
"(a) Is the Chairman able to assure this Council that every precaution is being taken by the Urban Services Department to ascertain that such market stalls as are let out by auction are not leased to the same or other stallholders who have defaulted in the payment of rents?
(b) May this Council know whether a check was made in every instance in 1959 to ensure that those who failed to pay their rents were not leased any stalls in the same or other markets by auction or transfer?"
Page 100 of 107
182
Page 99 of 107
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
It happens that I am personally interested in music and that I would be one of the first to welcome the formation of such an orchestra, but the problems to be faced are formidable.
A Symphony Orchestra for modern music may consist of over 110 players, each of whom must be a skilled craftsman with a long and extensive musical training behind him. A flautist who comes in a bar too soon or a percussionist, whose tympani are out of tune can turn the orchestra into a laughing stock.
Musical instruments must also be of good quality and repre- sent a very considerable investment on the part of the players and orchestral sponsors. Modern music calls for a wider variety of instruments and an orchestra cannot simply economize by neglecting musical developments since Beethoven.
Hong Kong would not be unique in encountering these problems. The cost of the Shanghai Municipal Orchestra was a subject of frequent complaint by the rate-payers, despite the fact that there were many more competent instrumentalists permanently resident there and conse- quently willing to play part-time in the Orchestra than is the case in Hong Kong. Even such a musical race as the Welsh failed to keep alive the Welsh National Orches- tra, which had to be disbanded in 1932.
At the same time, I would pay tribute to the fine record of the Hong Kong Philharmonic and Hong Kong Concert Orchestra, which in their respective spheres have satisfied, to a large extent, the local demand for symphonic music. It would be a big jump indeed to travel from their amateur enthusiasm to the professionalism of a permanent orchestra and I personally doubt whether musical demand and taste have yet crystallized sufficiently for the latter.
I agree, however, that it is a matter of public interest and I shall be happy to discuss the matter with the City Hall (Policy) Select Committee at their next meeting. Pending discussion in the Select Committee, I can see no point in a special approach to the various music groups, with whom I am already in fairly close touch."
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :-
"I understand that plans are afoot to build a library in the King George V Memorial Park; if this is so, could the Chairman give some details on this projected library, and the approximate date of its completion?”
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
183
"In August, 1957, Members of the Parks, Playgrounds and Urban Amenities Select Committee suggested that a children's pavilion should be constructed in the Children's Playground at King George V Memorial Park, Kowloon. Action to follow up this suggestion was deferred pending a decision on the general policy of building libraries in playgrounds. Towards the end of last year, the Ameni- ties Select Committee approved a programme for the con- struction of libraries in various parks and playgrounds. King George V Memorial Park, Kowloon, was one of the parks where it was proposed to build such a library together with the pavilion-on a site, as originally pro- posed, in the Children's Playground. The Public Works Department, who recommended the construction of a two- storey building, were advised that as there was already traditional Chinese architecture in this Park, the library building should be of similar design. No progress has been made recently in this connexion, however, as road development plans for this area indicate that the bounda- ries of this Park will be affected. It has, therefore, been necessary to reconsider the siting of the library so that it will not interfere with future road alignment. This problem is being tackled at the moment and I much regret that I am not in a position to give any further details concerning the building itself or the date of its completion."
MR. BERNACCHI :· A supplementary, Mr. Chairman. Does your answer indicate that there will be any serious diminution in the size of the Park by reason of this road re-alignment?
CHAIRMAN:-I cannot say with any degree of accuracy, I don't think it will be at all serious.
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question :-
"(a) Is the Chairman able to assure this Council that every precaution is being taken by the Urban Services Depart- ment to ascertain that such market stalls as are let out by auction are not leased to the same or other stallholders who have defaulted in the payment of rents?
(b) May this Council know whether a check was made in every instance in 1959 to ensure that those who failed to pay their rents were not leased any stalls in the same or other markets by auction or transfer?"
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.