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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.

Before proceeding with the business of the meeting, I have much pleasure in welcoming to this Council Mr. Michael WRIGHT, the acting Director of Public Works, and Mr. David ALEXANDER, who has taken over as Director of Social Welfare, on the departure on leave of

Mr. BARON.

I think most of you know Mr. WRIGHT, who already sits as a member of the Urban Amenities Select Committee. Mr. ALEXANDER, of course, needs no introduction, as he occupied this chair before me.

I feel sure that Members will also wish me to express our apprecia- tion to Mr. BARON for his services and help to this Council during the past three years.

There is one other matter. I would like to extend our very warm congratulations to our greatly-esteemed lady member, Dr. Alison BELL, and her husband on the birth of a son. (Applause).

DR. R. H. S. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Elected Members of this Council, I would like to associate myself with your warm remarks in welcoming Mr. ALEXANDER and Mr. WRIGHT to this Council. Both Mr. ALEXANDER and Mr. WRIGHT are no strangers, and from my own personal experience we look forward to very harmonious meetings in the future.

I am sure I speak for Dr. BELL when I say how very grateful she is for the kind expressions and flowers sent to her in congratulating her for giving birth to another son. She has expressly asked me to thank our most considerate and loving Chairman. (Laughter).

MR. A. de O. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, likewise, the Appointed Members join you in welcoming Mr. WRIGHT and Mr. ALEXANDER to this Council. We join you as well in congratulating Dr. and Mrs. Peter Fok on the birth of their son. The absence of Dr. BELL from the Urban Amenities Select Committee has already been reflected by a change in the hour. Instead of meeting at 8.30 in the morning, the weaker sex, in the absence of Dr. BELL, has decided to meet at 8.45.

MINUTES.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4th September, 1962, 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 September 1962.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

QUESTIONS.

•

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

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I understand that the Rating and Valuation Department will soon move into Murray Barracks Officers' Mess Building: (a) Will the Chairman inquire from Government whether it is proposed to lodge the Rating and Valuation Department temporarily or permanently in this building?

(b) Is the Chairman aware that members of the public have expressed the hope that this building, which is not without historic significance, be converted within the next couple of years into an Art Gallery and Museum?

(c) Will the Chairman seek an assurance from Govern- ment that at the appropriate time maximum priority be given to the conversion of this building for use as an Art Gallery and Museum?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

In reply to the first part of the question, the Rating and Valuation Department is to be housed temporarily in the building. It has not yet been decided how long they will stay there.

2. The reply to the second part of the question is in the

affirmative.

3. I have been assured by Government that at the appropriate time, consideration will be given to the suggestion to use the building as an extension to the Art Gallery and Museum.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I have no supplementaries, Mr. Chairman. Perhaps Mr. SALES has.

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I defer to Mr. CHEONG-LEEN. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I have already deferred to Mr. SALES.

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:·

At the September meeting of this Council, the Chairman stated that the proposed expansion of public housing over the next five years is likely to provide a more effective answer

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