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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
complete them at the average rate of one Block every 104 days and we reach the peak in 1962/63 and in 1963/64 when the rate will be one Block every six days.
For the five years prior to 1966/67 our chart shows accommodation for 100,000 persons per annum on an average over the 5 years or 1 Block to house 2,000 persons per week over 5 years.
I have absolute confidence that we can attain and maintain that output. We were 5 Blocks behind our planned programme at the close of the financial year 1960/61, that is 34 instead of 39 - these have since been completed plus another 3 and the 8 could house 20,000 people - the carry forward compensates for an ominous dip we expected for 1961/62 so we should be on or above the line again at the end of the current year.
I should point out, however, that a percentage of the accommodation available for resettling of squatters is in fact used for other purposes such as shops, clinics, schools, etc., and the effect of this is to reduce the actual residential accommodation available per year to less than the figures of 100,000 per year and the other figures which I have just mentioned.
A large number of worthwhile sites were found earlier in suitable areas and allocated to Resettlement, the Housing Authority and the Housing Society who have work in hand with planned programmes for several years; now the additional group, Government Low Cost Housing has been added. As explained, the finished results of one estate cannot be expected for three years, so that planning must be at least that far in advance. Output should be judged only on an average over a period of years.
The proposal for Low Cost Housing was made 18 months ago, as an addition, therefore it is not surprising that buildings are not springing up like mushrooms, as yet. I admit that there has been some hiatus, but it will be realized that the character of the demand has changed since all the vast building schemes commenced. As a result of this change the Housing Authority, Housing Society, Resettlement and Government Low Cost Housing are all now competing for land of roughly the same kind and in the same places. That is all I have to say about housing.
Other subjects raised by Members were, first, about car parks - by Mr. SALES, Dr. LEE and Dr. BELL. I agree that there is a great need for more car parks, particularly in Kowloon. Members are no doubt aware that funds have been promised for the provision of two multi-storey car parks per annum. The provision of a multi-storey car park in the immediate vicinity of the Tsim Sha Tsui concourse, although planned, had to be deferred on account of rather far-reaching proposals for that neighbourhood. Pending further consideration of these proposals the car park to be built at the corner of Nathan and Salisbury Roads will serve to accommodate about 1,000 cars. Sites have been chosen in other parts of Kowloon but at the rate of 2 multi-storey parks per annum for the Colony the solution to the problem lies some years ahead. Meanwhile, every effort will be made to ease it.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Dr. R. H. S. LEE asked for more modern highways and pedestrian undergrounds whilst Mr. WATSON suggested the need for 90 miles of new roads per annum preferably in the Urban area. I agree with Dr. LEE and we are doing our best to modernize our existing roads as far as difficult terrain, high resumption costs, financial and other factors will permit. We have had reasonable provision for road improvements in recent years, although I should like more, and those who have not seen noticeable improvement must have had their eyes wilfully shut. (Laughter). I always enjoy Mr. WATSON's manipulation of figures but I suggest that if he cared to work out the cost to the Colony he would readily see that his proposal is unpractical. He and Dr. LEE have suggested the alternative of improved forms of public transport. At this stage I can only say that that aspect has been, and continues to be, given considerable thought.
Mr. FUNG Hon-chu made the interesting suggestion that shelters for cars at the Vehicular Ferry concourses should be built. The suggestion will be examined.
Finally, Mr. MARDEN spoke about refuse in the Harbour which, he thought, could only come from the refuse dump at Gin Drinkers Bay. From inquiries I have made it would appear most unlikely that the refuse dump is to blame. However, it did happen some years ago that such nuisance occurred at another dump and for that reason we are constructing a floating boom in front of the present dump to make assurance doubly sure.
MR. WATSON:- Mr. Chairman, may I rise on a point of clarification. I did not ask for 90 miles of new roads in the Urban Areas. I pointed out that in order to prevent the density of cars on our roads from increasing, it would require 90 miles of roads each year. What I did suggest was that this task was completely out of line and quite impossible for us to afford, and I suggested a different form of transport underground.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES: Mr. Chairman, before I refer to certain points raised by Members, I should like to thank you, Sir, Mr. BERNACCHI and Mr. Y. K. Kan for your very kind words of welcome. I am sure that my colleague, Dr. MOORE, would like me on his behalf to thank you all also for your kind sentiments. When I last served on this Council, I received
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proposals for that neighbourhood. Pending further consideration of these proposals the car park to be built at the corner of Nathan and Salisbury Roads will serve to accommodate about 1,000 cars. Sites have been chosen in other parts of Kowloon but at the rate of 2 multi-storey parks per annum for the Colony the solution to the problem lies some years ahead. Meanwhile, every effort will be made to ease it.
...
Page 67
Page 41 of 110
!
66
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
complete them at the average rate of one Block every 104 days and we reach the peak in 1962/63 and in 1963/64 when the rate will be one Block every six days.
For the five years prior to 1966/67 our chart shows accommoda- tion for 100,000 persons per annum on an average over the 5 years or I Block to house 2,000 persons per week over 5 years.
I have absolute confidence that we can attain and maintain that output. We were 5 Blocks behind our planned programme at the close of the financial year 1960/61, that is 34 instead of 39-these have since been completed plus another 3 and the 8 could house 20,000 people-the carry forward compensates for an ominous dip we expected for 1961/62 so we should be on or above the line again at the end of the current
year.
I should point out, however, that a percentage of the accommo- dation available for resettling of squatters is in fact used for other purposes such as shops, clinics, schools, etc., and the effect of this is to reduce the actual residential accommodation available per year to less than the figures of 100,000 per year and the other figures which I have just mentioned.
A large number of worthwhile sites were found earlier in suitable areas and allocated to Resettlement, the Housing Authority and the Housing Society who have work in hand with planned programmes for several years; now the additional group, Government Low Cost Housing has been added. As explained, the finished results of one estate cannot be expected for three years, so that planning must be at least that far in advance. Output should be judged only on an average over a period of years.
The proposal for Low Cost Housing was made 18 months ago, as an addition, therefore it is not surprising that buildings are not springing up like mushrooms, as yet. I admit that there has been some hiatus, but it will be realized that the character of the demand has changed since all the vast building schemes commenced. As a result of this change the Housing Authority, Housing Society, Resettle- ment and Government Low Cost Housing are all now competing for land of roughly the same kind and in the same places. That is all I have to say about housing.
Other subjects raised by Members were, first, about car parks— by Mr. SALES, Dr. LEE and Dr. BELL. I agree that there is a great need for more car parks, particularly in Kowloon. Members are no doubt aware that funds have been promised for the provision of two multi-storey car parks per annum. The provision of a multi-storey car park in the immediate vicinity of the Tsim Sha Tsui concourse, although planned, had to be deferred on account of rather far-reaching
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
67
proposals for that neighbourhood. Pending further consideration of these proposals the car park to be built at the corner of Nathan and Salisbury Roads will serve to accommodate about 1,000 cars. Sites have been chosen in other parts of Kowloon but at the rate of 2 multi- storey parks per annum for the Colony the solution to the problem lies some years ahead. Meanwhile, every effort will be made to ease it.
Dr. R. H. S. LEE asked for more modern highways and pedestrian undergrounds whilst Mr. WATSON suggested the need for 90 miles of new roads per annum preferably in the Urban area. I agree with Dr. LEE and we are doing our best to modernize our existing roads as far as difficult terrain, high resumption costs, financial and other factors will permit. We have had reasonable provision for road improvements in recent years, although I should like more, and those who have not seen noticeable improvement must have had their eyes wilfully shut. (Laughter). I always enjoy Mr. WATSON's manipulation of figures but I suggest that if he cared to work out the cost to the Colony he would readily see that his proposal is unpractical. He and Dr. LEE have suggested the alternative of improved forms of public transport. At this stage I can only say that that aspect has been, and continues to be, given considerable thought.
Mr. FUNG Hon-chu made the interesting suggestion that shelters for cars at the Vehicular Ferry concourses should be built. The suggestion will be examined.
Finally, Mr. MARDEN spoke about refuse in the Harbour which, he thought, could only come from the refuse dump at Gin Drinkers Bay. From inquiries I have made it would appear most unlikely that the refuse dump is to blame. However, it did happen some years ago that such nuisance occurred at another dump and for that reason we are constructing a floating boom in front of the present dump to make assurance doubly sure.
MR. WATSON:-Mr. Chairman, may I rise on a point of clarifica- tion. I did not ask for 90 miles of new roads in the Urban Areas. I pointed out that in order to prevent the density of cars on our roads from increasing, it would require 90 miles of roads each year. What I did suggest was that this task was completely out of line and quite impossible for us to afford, and I suggested a different form of transport underground.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES: Mr. Chairman, before I refer to certain points raised by Members, I should like to thank you, Sir, Mr. BERNACCHI and Mr. Y. K. Kan for your very kind words of welcome. I am sure that my colleague, Dr. MOORE, would like me on his behalf to thank you all also for your kind sentiments. When I last served on this Council, I received
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