1964 — Page 48

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 48 of 312

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, having regard to the acute shortage of playgrounds in the Hung Hom area, is it not advisable for this Council to apply for this particular plot of land to revert to the control of the Urban Council?

SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS:-It might be, Mr. Chairman, but I believe that my friend the Director of Public Works is taking a lot more land away. (Laughter).

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I am obliged to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs for that extremely interesting reply. Could you then make representations to Government that this Council deplores at any time that public land now used as open space for recreation should be taken away from the public or such organizations as might be holding such land for widespread use by any section of the community, such as is the case in Hung Hom?

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, in respect of the statement that we are taking away a part of the public playground, whether this is true or not I should like it to be known that we are building bigger and better playgrounds in the same area. We are widening the road, but at the same time we are forming a much bigger area for playground purposes. I hope this will satisfy Mr. Sales.

MR. SALES: It does, Mr. Chairman, and I am delighted to have an ally in the Director of Public Works.

MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:

As Lai Chi Kok is a traditional and popular resort for many under-privileged children in Kowloon because of its accessibility, would it be possible to develop the area by providing open-air swimming and paddling pools and other recreational facilities, since the beach is no longer usable?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

I have been authorized to say that outline plans for the re-development of Lai Chi Kok are now being drawn up by the Public Works Department and that these may well involve the reclamation of both the beach area and a part of the adjoining bay. Government is already aware that the Council would like to see the present beach replaced by appropriate public recreation facilities, including perhaps a swimming pool. As soon as a preliminary layout is available, it will be referred to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for comments.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I urge you to encourage the Director of Public Works to reclaim the beach for recreation facilities? Also, may I ask that the matter be brought before the Urban Amenities Select Committee at the earliest possible moment?

CHAIRMAN:----Yes.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, may I, out of sheer curiosity, ask you as to the source of authorization to which you refer in the first sentence of your reply?

CHAIRMAN:-I was authorized by Government, Sir. (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-By the Colonial Secretary, Sir?

CHAIRMAN: ---The authorizations are usually conveyed to me, Sir, by the Colonial Secretary.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you. Now, Mr. Chairman, may I ask you what is happening to the Lai Chi Kok beach? Is it being used by the public now?

CHAIRMAN: Are you referring to its use as a bathing beach, Sir? As far as I know, at the present time it is still open.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I ask that question, Sir, because I saw in the newspapers a few days ago that a statement had been made by a spokesman of the Urban Services Department that consideration was being given to wiring off the beach? Is that correct, Sir?

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, if you direct me to answer that question, as Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, I would say that the press release by Government substantially represents the views of the Urban Amenities Select Committee. This matter has been given very serious consideration for several years. The Select Committee on behalf of the Council deplores the situation and has urgently brought this matter to the attention of Government, pressing for a radical solution, which is the only one that can be applied in this instance. The solution is to provide the people of that neighbourhood and the surrounding areas with adequate recreational facilities so as to permit the Council to close this beach entirely. The beach is kept open now because many people use it not only for bathing purposes but for picnicking and sun-bathing and there are also private clubs in that area which have access to the beach by right of permit, I believe.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, could I ask the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services, through you, whether the beach is so highly contaminated that it is extremely dangerous for members of the public to swim there?

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Page 48 of 312 74 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, having regard to the acute shortage of playgrounds in the Hung Hom area, is it not advisable for this Council to apply for this particular plot of land to revert to the control of the Urban Council? SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS:-It might be, Mr. Chairman, but I believe that my friend the Director of Public Works is taking a lot more land away. (Laughter). MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I am obliged to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs for that extremely interesting reply. Could you then make representations to Government that this Council deplores at any time that public land now used as open space for recreation should be taken away from the public or such organizations as might be holding such land for widespread use by any section of the community, such as is the case in Hung Hom? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, in respect of the statement that we are taking away a part of the public playground, whether this is true or not I should like it to be known that we are building bigger and better playgrounds in the same area. We are widening the road, but at the same time we are forming a much bigger area for playground purposes. I hope this will satisfy Mr. Sales. MR. SALES: It does, Mr. Chairman, and I am delighted to have an ally in the Director of Public Works. MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question: As Lai Chi Kok is a traditional and popular resort for many under-privileged children in Kowloon because of its accessibility, would it be possible to develop the area by providing open-air swimming and paddling pools and other recreational facilities, since the beach is no longer usable? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: I have been authorized to say that outline plans for the re-development of Lai Chi Kok are now being drawn up by the Public Works Department and that these may well involve the reclamation of both the beach area and a part of the adjoining bay. Government is already aware that the Council would like to see the present beach replaced by appropriate public recreation facilities, including perhaps a swimming pool. As soon as a preliminary layout is available, it will be referred to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for comments. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 75 MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I urge you to encourage the Director of Public Works to reclaim the beach for recreation facilities? Also, may I ask that the matter be brought before the Urban Amenities Select Committee at the earliest possible moment? CHAIRMAN:----Yes. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, may I, out of sheer curiosity, ask you as to the source of authorization to which you refer in the first sentence of your reply? CHAIRMAN:-I was authorized by Government, Sir. (Laughter). MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-By the Colonial Secretary, Sir? CHAIRMAN: ---The authorizations are usually conveyed to me, Sir, by the Colonial Secretary. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you. Now, Mr. Chairman, may I ask you what is happening to the Lai Chi Kok beach? Is it being used by the public now? CHAIRMAN: Are you referring to its use as a bathing beach, Sir? As far as I know, at the present time it is still open. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I ask that question, Sir, because I saw in the newspapers a few days ago that a statement had been made by a spokesman of the Urban Services Department that consideration was being given to wiring off the beach? Is that correct, Sir? MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, if you direct me to answer that question, as Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, I would say that the press release by Government substantially represents the views of the Urban Amenities Select Committee. This matter has been given very serious consideration for several years. The Select Committee on behalf of the Council deplores the situation and has urgently brought this matter to the attention of Government, pressing for a radical solution, which is the only one that can be applied in this instance. The solution is to provide the people of that neighbourhood and the surrounding areas with adequate recreational facilities so as to permit the Council to close this beach entirely. The beach is kept open now because many people use it not only for bathing purposes but for picnicking and sun-bathing and there are also private clubs in that area which have access to the beach by right of permit, I believe. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, could I ask the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services, through you, whether the beach is so highly contaminated that it is extremely dangerous for members of the public to swim there? Page 48 of 312

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Page 48 of 312 74 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, having regard to the acute shortage of playgrounds in the Hung Hom area, is it not advisable for this Council to apply for this particular plot of land to revert to the control of the Urban Council? SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS:-It might be, Mr. Chairman, but I believe that my friend the Director of Public Works is taking a lot more land away. (Laughter). MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I am obliged to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs for that extremely interesting reply. Could you then make representations to Government that this Council deplores at any time that public land now used as open space for recreation should be taken away from the public or such organizations as might be holding such land for widespread use by any section of the community, such as is the case in Hung Hom? DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, in respect of the statement that we are taking away a part of the public playground, whether this is true or not I should like it to be known that we are We are building bigger and better playgrounds in the same area. widening the road, but at the same time we are forming a much bigger area for playground purposes. I hope this will satisfy Mr. Sales. MR. SALES: It does, Mr. Chairman, and I am delighted to have an ally in the Director of Public Works. MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:· As Lai Chi Kok is a traditional and popular resort for many under-privileged children in Kowloon because of its acces- sibility, would it be possible to develop the area by pro- viding open-air swimming and paddling pools and other recreational facilities, since the beach is no longer usable? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:- I have been authorized to say that outline plans for the re- development of Lai Chi Kok are now being drawn up by the Public Works Department and that these may well involve the reclamation of both the beach area and a part of the adjoining bay. Government is already aware that the Council would like to see the present beach replaced by appropriate public recreation facilities, including per- haps a swimming pool. As soon as a preliminary layout is available, it will be referred to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for comments. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 75 MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I urge you to encourage the Director of Public Works to reclaim the beach for recreation facilities? Also, may I ask that the matter be brought before the Urban Amenities Select Committee at the earliest possible moment? CHAIRMAN:----Yes. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, may I, out of sheer curiosity, ask you as to the source of authorization to which you refer in the first sentence of your reply? CHAIRMAN:-I was authorized by Government, Sir. (Laughter). MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-By the Colonial Secretary, Sir? CHAIRMAN: ---The authorizations are usually conveyed to me, Sir, by the Colonial Secretary. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you. Now, Mr. Chairman, may I ask you what is happening to the Lai Chi Kok beach? Is it being used by the public now? CHAIRMAN: Are you referring to its use as a bathing beach, Sir? As far as I know, at the present time it is still open. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I ask that question, Sir, because I saw in the newspapers a few days ago that a statement had been made by a spokesman of the Urban Services Department that consideration was being given to wiring off the beach? Is that correct, Sir? MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, if you direct me to answer that ques- tion, as Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, I would say that the press release by Government substantially represents the views of the Urban Amenities Select Committee. This matter has been given very serious consideration for several years. The Select Com- mittee on behalf of the Council deplores the situation and has urgently brought this matter to the attention of Government, pressing for a radical solution, which is the only one that can be applied in this instance. The solution is to provide the people of that neighbourhood and the surrounding areas with adequate recreational facilities so as to permit the Council to close this beach entirely. The beach is kept open now because many people use it not only for bathing purposes but for picnicking and sun-bathing and there are also private clubs in that area which have access to the beach by right of permit, I believe. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, could I ask the Deputy Direc- tor of Medical and Health Services, through you, whether the beach is so highly contaminated that it is extremely dangerous for members of the public to swim there?

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Page 48 of 312

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS:-It might be, Mr. Chairman, but I believe that my friend the Director of Public Works is taking a lot more land away. (Laughter).

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, in respect of the statement that we are taking away a part of the public playground, whether this is true or not I should like it to be known that we are We are building bigger and better playgrounds in the same area. widening the road, but at the same time we are forming a much bigger area for playground purposes. I hope this will satisfy Mr. Sales.

MR. SALES: It does, Mr. Chairman, and I am delighted to have an ally in the Director of Public Works.

MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:·

As Lai Chi Kok is a traditional and popular resort for many under-privileged children in Kowloon because of its acces- sibility, would it be possible to develop the area by pro- viding open-air swimming and paddling pools and other recreational facilities, since the beach is no longer usable?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

I have been authorized to say that outline plans for the re- development of Lai Chi Kok are now being drawn up by the Public Works Department and that these may well involve the reclamation of both the beach area and a part of the adjoining bay. Government is already aware that the Council would like to see the present beach replaced by appropriate public recreation facilities, including per- haps a swimming pool. As soon as a preliminary layout is available, it will be referred to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for comments.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN:----Yes.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, may I, out of sheer curiosity, ask you as to the source of authorization to which you refer in the first sentence of your reply?

CHAIRMAN:-I was authorized by Government, Sir. (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-By the Colonial Secretary, Sir?

CHAIRMAN: ---The authorizations are usually conveyed to me, Sir, by the Colonial Secretary.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you. Now, Mr. Chairman, may I ask you what is happening to the Lai Chi Kok beach? Is it being used by the public now?

CHAIRMAN: Are you referring to its use as a bathing beach, Sir? As far as I know, at the present time it is still open.

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, if you direct me to answer that ques- tion, as Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, I would say that the press release by Government substantially represents the views of the Urban Amenities Select Committee. This matter has been given very serious consideration for several years. The Select Com- mittee on behalf of the Council deplores the situation and has urgently brought this matter to the attention of Government, pressing for a radical solution, which is the only one that can be applied in this instance. The solution is to provide the people of that neighbourhood and the surrounding areas with adequate recreational facilities so as to permit the Council to close this beach entirely. The beach is kept open now because many people use it not only for bathing purposes but for picnicking and sun-bathing and there are also private clubs in that area which have access to the beach by right of permit, I believe.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, could I ask the Deputy Direc- tor of Medical and Health Services, through you, whether the beach is so highly contaminated that it is extremely dangerous for members of the public to swim there?

1964 — Page 48

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