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The former, I shall not criticize, because the illustrious Director of that department is one of us, no less distinguished than the rest, no less dedicated than the other members of the Council to the promotion of what we conceive to be the public good. The latter, the Legislative Council, will not escape my passing attention to-day. They disburse the public funds as if such money were their own. Incidentally, Mr. Chairman, we too contribute to the raising of those funds. We are told that our projects must be established in an order of priority. Such order of priority is at least as bewildering to me as the Hong Kong Housing Authority's pointing system was mystifying to the members of that Authority at one time. So, Mr. Chairman, in all sincerity, may we, as members of the Urban Council, urge that such priorities as may be established for the setting up of parks and playgrounds, which benefit the poor children of this Colony, be reviewed in their interest.

I feel that Hong Kong does not lack recreational facilities for those who can afford to belong to private clubs. Therefore, it is the duty of this Council to ensure that parks and playgrounds should not be lacking too in those areas which need them most. There are thousands and thousands of school children without recreational facilities; there are thousands and thousands of adults without sitting-out areas.

Let us, in putting forward this motion to-day, pledge that we, as a Council, shall not abandon our resolve, nor even relax our efforts to achieve this purpose. I so move.

DR. R. H. S. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, in seconding my friend's motion, I would like to paint the other side of the picture. If anything justifies this Council's Block Vote for urban amenities, it is the con- stant addition to the number of pleasure grounds that the Council is in a happy position to provide for the public at regular periods. It was only at the last July meeting of this Council that 25 pleasure grounds were added to the Fourth Schedule and to-day we have the pleasant duty of including four more playgrounds and one picnic area to the already impressive list of 75. I am sure members would wish to as- sociate themselves with me in congratulating the staff on the commend. able speed at which the work was executed. If the water fountain at the Star Ferry Concourse in Kowloon is an example, I am sure my friend, the mover of this motion, would like to see more Members of the Royal Family* visiting the Colony, (Laughter) because never in the history of Hong Kong before has so much been done so quickly in so short a time, and yet, laid out so attractively.

Sir, with these remarks, I have much pleasure in seconding my friend's motion.

*This refers to the visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent

to the Colony from 3rd to 14th November, 1961.

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MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. SALES has asked me to get up in support of his motion, which I gladly do. As a matter of fact, I support the views of both the proposer and the seconder, because their views comprise the whole picture. It will be recalled, Mr. Chairman, that many members of the Council have been pressing recently for more recreational facilities, particularly in the Western District, in which the needs of school children are most apparent. It would do no harm, Mr. Chairman, to remind Mr. SALES that the suggestion for a fountain came from a member who lives on the Hong Kong side and that the suggestion has also been made that there should be another fountain in the Sung Wong Toi Park.

I am very happy to support this motion, Mr. Chairman, but it does seem to me that the whole question of additional funds should be reviewed in the light of what is our annual appropriation. This is just one million dollars, and if we were to have another half million dollars, I am sure we would be able to expand the facilities which can be made available for playgrounds and sitting-out I would like to make a strong plea, Mr. Chairman, for more recreational facilities, particularly in the resettlement estates. They are so very overcrowded that, as we plan for new estates, we should bear in mind this important point.

areas.

With these words, I support the motion.

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, may I avail myself of the opportunity to reply in order to thank Dr. LEE and Mr. CHEONG-LEEN for what they have said and all the other members of the Council for their silent support. However, the opportunity should not be lost to remark upon the fact that Hong Kong is going to have three playgrounds whilst Kowloon is going to have two very diminutive ones: notwithstanding the fact that the Census has recently established conclusively that twice as many people choose, very wisely, to live in Kowloon and its adjacent territories than on the Island. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, may I ask that it be recorded and also that you transmit our views to the effect that twice as much money should be spent in Kowloon as on the Island.

MR. WATSON:-May I ask in clarification: Is that an amendment to the motion?

MR. SALES: May I ask Mr. WATSON to study the Standing Orders?

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -I assume that that is a personal point of view, Mr. Chairman.

MR. WATSON: -I am awaiting your reply, Mr. Chairman. CHAIRMAN:-

-I do not regard it as an amendment. Mr. SALES merely wishes to have his views recorded.

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