Page 117 of 382
212
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(4) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
May we know whether Government agrees to the proper development of the more accessible catchment areas as public walks to which use they are in fact already being put?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
While it may be possible for still further recreational use to be made of waterworks catchment areas for walks, sitting out and picnicking, certain precautions would, of course, be necessary to avoid the danger of fire and of landslides above catchwaters. Thus the lighting of fires and picnicking would have to be restricted to certain sites set aside specifically for such purposes. Camping would not be permitted. Measures for effective supervision of the areas would have to be worked out. I propose to explore with my friend, the Director of Public Works, the possibility of further opening up of water catchment areas on the lines mentioned.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Sir, why would camping not be permitted?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I would say chiefly, Mr. Chairman, because of the lack of W.C.s and the danger of excreta in the catchment areas.
MR. BERNACCHI:-But surely nowadays water is passed through sufficient chlorification plants to absolutely annul any slight contamination in that way.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I would say not entirely, Sir. It depends on where the catchment is. In the catchment areas in H.K. Island the reservoirs are small and when they are empty the concentration of pollution can be high and the treatment plants are not entirely up to date. In the newer ones I would, in fact, agree with you. There is no danger in the newer ones.
MR. SALES:-Do you know that there is urgency in the matter of development of catchment areas for walks?
CHAIRMAN:-No, Sir. Perhaps you would elucidate. (Laughter)
MR. SALES:-Sir, I'm delighted that you asked me the question that I expected that you would. Hence the way I framed my supplementary question. (Laughter) Before the "paper tiger" appeared in Shing Mun, it was reported that one week-end, and every week-end, no less than 12,000 people used that area for walking and picnicking. That area alone attracted 12,000 people. Other catchment areas no doubt attract a great number of people too.
Hence the urgency as far as the public is concerned for more picnic areas and the opening and proper laying out of catchment areas for such purposes, if only to protect these areas, apart from the need for the public to be given such recreational facilities. Does that, Sir, constitute urgency? Is it your own acceptation of the term?
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I am glad to hear that as many as 12,000 people were able to visit these particular areas. For my own part I can say I have never in fact found any difficulty whatsoever in getting into these areas. However, Sir, I agree that we should do our best to provide more formal areas where people can sit and picnic and I will look into the matter as soon as possible with my friend, the Director of Public Works.
MR. SALES:-Thank you for your reply, Sir. But you must realize that the Director of the Urban Services Department is no mean citizen. The same treatment might not be accorded to members of the public.
(5) Mr. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
Will you please tell this Council to what extent has land held by the Railway authorities been relinquished for urban development, more particularly for public use as gardens and such other recreational purposes?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
I am informed by the Manager and Chief Engineer of the Kowloon Canton Railway that all land surplus to the railway's long term requirements has been placed at the disposal of the Superintendent of Crown Lands and Survey for development in the normal way. Included in this land is the strip which is to be used for the widening of Chatham Road and the reprovisioning of Chatham Road Playground and Rest Garden.
In addition the Urban Services Department has been allowed to enter into temporary occupation of certain railway land which has been vacant, but which the railway may need in due course for its own future development. This accounts for several small sitting out areas, rest gardens and plant nurseries adjoining the railway, for example in Salisbury Road, near Waterloo Road and on either side of Boundary Street.
MR. SALES:-Sir, you may know that some years ago I drew attention to the surreptitious development of railway land at Yim Po Fong Street and that put a halt to it. Now may I, Sir, through you,
213
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 118 of 382
Page 117 of 382
212
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(4) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
May we know whether Government agrees to the proper development of the more accessible catchment areas as public walks to which use they are in fact already being put?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
-
While it may be possible for still further recreational use to be made of waterworks catchment areas for walks, sitting out and picnicking, certain precautions would, of course, be necessary to avoid the danger of fire and of landslides above catchwaters. Thus the lighting of fires and picnicking would have to be restricted to certain sites set aside specifically for such purposes. Camping would not be permitted. Measures for effective supervision of the areas would have to be worked out. I propose to explore with my friend, the Director of Public Works, the possibility of further opening up of water catchment areas on the lines mentioned.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Sir, why would camping not be permitted?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I would say chiefly, Mr. Chairman, because of the lack of W.C.s and the danger of excreta in the catch- ment areas.
MR. BERNACCHI:-But surely nowadays water is passed through sufficient chlorification plants to absolutely annul any slight con- tamination in that way.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-I would say not entirely, Sir. It depends on where the catchment is. In the catchment areas in H.K. Island the reservoirs are small and when they are empty the concentra- tion of pollution can be high and the treatment plants are not entirely up to date. In the newer ones I would, in fact, agree with you. There is no danger in the newer ones.
MR. SALES: -Do you know that there is urgency in the matter of development of catchment areas for walks?
CHAIRMAN: —No, Sir. Perhaps you would elucidate. (Laughter) MR. SALES-Sir, I'm delighted that you asked me the question that I expected that you would. Hence the way I framed my supple- mentary question. (Laughter) Before the "paper tiger" appeared in Shing Mun, it was reported that one week-end, and every week-end, no less than 12,000 people used that area for walking and picnicking. That area alone attracted 12,000 people. Other catchment areas no doubt attract a great number of people too.
Hence the urgency
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
213
as far as the public is concerned for more picnic areas and the opening and proper laying out of catchment areas for such purposes, if only to protect these areas, apart from the need for the public to be given such recreational facilities. Does that, Sir, constitute urgency? Is it your own acceptation of the term?
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I am glad to hear that as many as 12,000 people were able to visit these particular areas. For my own part I can say I have never in fact found any difficulty whatsoever in getting into these However, Sir, I agree that we should do our best to provide more formal areas where people can sit and picnic and I will look into the the matter as soon as possible with my friend, the Director of Public Works.
areas.
MR. SALES:-Thank you for your reply, Sir. But you must realize that the Director of the Urban Services Department is no mean citizen. The same treatment might not be accorded to members of the public.
(5) Mr. A. de O. SALES asked the following question : -
Will you please tell this Council to what extent has land held by the Railway authorities been relinguished for urban development, more particularly for public use as gardens and such other recreational purposes?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: --
I am informed by the Manager and Chief Engineer of the Kowloon Canton Railway that all land surplus to the railway's long term requirements has been placed at the disposal of the Superintendent of Crown Lands and Survey for development in the normal way. Included in this land is the strip which is to be used for the widening of Chatham Road and the reprovisioning of Chatham Road Playground and Rest Garden.
In addition the Urban Services Department has been allowed to enter into temporary occupation of certain railway land which has been vacant, but which the railway may need in due course for its own future development. This accounts for several small sitting out areas, rest gardens and plant nurseries adjoining the railway, for example in Salisbury Road, near Waterloo Road and on either side of Boundary Street.
MR. SALES-Sir, you may know that some years ago I drew attention to the surreptitious development of railway land at Yim Po Fong Street and that put a halt to it. Now may I, Sir, through you,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.