1960 — Page 10

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(c) It is present Government policy that recreational areas should not be alienated for other purposes except to meet overriding public needs, and this policy will continue to apply to the existing recreational areas in King's Park." MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:-

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"(a) As Government has set aside a large part of Cape Collin- son for private cemeteries, may this Council be informed to what extent will control be exercised, in the public interest, as to

(i) the size of each burial plot;

(ii) the number of plots which may be bought in advance

by any person, if allowed at all; and

(iii) the overall charges for burial including the cost of

the plot?

(b) Is it not intended to ensure that the charges in such private cemeteries, where they are collected, will not be more than what Government is now charging at the Colonial Cemetery?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

"This question concerns the private cemeteries that will shortly be established at Cape Collinson for the Roman Catholic, Muslim, and Buddhist communities and as an extension to the Chinese Permanent Cemetery. Existing regulations covering private cemeteries are contained in Schedule A of the Public Health (Sanitation) Ordinance, 1935, and relate exclusively to hygienic considerations and the maintenance of registers. The draft Private Ceme- teries By-laws under the new Public Health and Urban Services Bill, which were approved unanimously by the Law Revision Select Committee, likewise only cover these aspects but in greater detail. There is thus no control over the maximum size of plots, purchase in advance or overall charges and it follows that there can be no inten- tion of limiting the charges to those applicable in the Colonial Cemetery, which have recently been raised ten- fold. I must, however, point out that the organizations concerned are promoted by the highest motives in provid- ing these facilities and believe that many of the spaces will in fact be allocated free or for a nominal sum.”

MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:

"Are you willing to approach Government to consider the suggestion I made in the City Hall Select Committee that the existing local music groups and societies be given

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

a subvention, however small to start with, for their proper development as an alternative measure to Hong Kong having a professional Symphony Orchestra costing us far more than we can reasonably afford at the present time?”

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

"This question concerns subventions to Music Associations with

particular reference to orchestral groups.

I am greatly in favour of maintaining the closest liaison with cultural bodies of this nature, but in the matter of sub- ventions, I consider that it is up to the Societies themselves to take the initiative. The acceptance of any subvention necessarily involves some measure of Government scrutiny of activities and accounts, which the majority of Societies would not welcome. Many regard it as a matter for pride that they have always been able to stand on their own feet and display praiseworthy business acumen.

But in any case, in the light of all the other calls for subven- tions for hospitals, social welfare and the like, I cannot see Government agreeing, even if the policy was accept- able, to consulting Finance Committee for the purpose of subsidizing music societies. It is even less likely in the present state of our finances, as revealed in the budget debate, to support expenditure in connexion with profes- sional orchestras except perhaps for very special occasions. At the same time, I support the provision in the City Hall of any bulky and expensive instruments for use by orches- tral and chamber music players but on the understanding that their use will not be restricted to any one body."

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

"A suggestion has been made by a member of the public that the services of one or more qualified swimming instructors be obtained to provide free swimming lessons to children and adults at the Victoria Swimming Pool and the public beaches; does the Chairman support this suggestion, and will he be good enough to advise what he proposes to do to implement it?

Will the Chairman advise whether or not there are any life- guards at the Victoria Swimming Pool? If not, will the Chairman agree to make available to the public as soon as possible the services of one or more lifeguards at this Pool?"

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