HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
draw attention to the development of railway land adjoining Argyle Street. If that land is available to private developers it should be made available in the first instance to the Urban Council for a rest garden. There is no doubt about it because I have passed there on numerous occasions and no doubt when this meeting finishes in daylight, I will still see it this evening I hope. (Laughter)
MR. BERNACCHI:--You have hope.
MR. SALES: -Do I take it that you will make representations as I suggested?
CHAIRMAN: -I will raise the matter, Sir.
MR. SALES:
Thank you,
(6) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
As it was reported recently that Hong Kong stood to lose out as the site of a major international convention, please state whether Government has accepted to build an indoor stadium designed also to cater to such meetings apart from exhibitions, concerts and the like and, if so, when may the people of Hong Kong expect to have such facilities which have long since become a crying need?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
This question concerns an indoor stadium. As you are aware, Sir, a Sub-Committee of the Urban Amenities Select Committee has spent some time considering the provision of an indoor stadium. A request for acceptance in principle of the need for such a stadium was made to Government recently but no reply has yet been received. As far as the provision of facilities for conventions, exhibitions, concerts and the like is concerned, you are, I think, aware that a firm of consultants has been commissioned by the Hong Kong Tourist Association to study the prospects for special conference, trade fair, and exhibition facilities in Hong Kong. It is understood that a report will shortly be made to the Association.
MR. SALES--Sir, may I thank you for your reply and enquire whether in fact a decision from Government is likely to be taken before the end of this year.
CHAIRMAN:-I cannot give you any such assurance, Sir, but I expect that we should receive a reply to the question addressed to the Government in the fairly near future. I hope so, anyway.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. SALES--Sir, are you aware too that representations for an indoor stadium were first made in 1951, nearly 15 years ago.
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, you reminded me of that fact at a meeting of this Council about one year ago. (Laughter)
MR. SALES: -May I hope that other members will keep on reminding you, Sir. Are you aware that many organizations in Hong Kong want to hold their conventions here, thus attracting much business to Hong Kong and they cannot do so satisfactorily because of the absence of adequate facilities?
CHAIRMAN:-I am aware of that, Sir. I would remind you that the question of a convention centre is slightly different from that of the indoor stadium.
MR. SALES--Need it be, Sir? Because you are aware, too, that the opinion in the Urban Council is that such a structure should serve a multi-purpose, not only in attracting sports games but also conventions and the like. In the circumstances the demand by public organizations for these facilities merely strengthens the position of the Urban Council. Would you then, Sir, ask Government to expedite a decision on this most important point in the public interest.
CHAIRMAN:-Yes, Sir.
(7) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
Has this Council the necessary powers in its by-laws to deal with mud and dirt conveyed by lorries from construction sites in fouling cars parked in streets and roads through which they have passed? If we have, what steps have the Council taken to abate this nuisance; if we have not, what steps are being taken to amend the by-laws?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
I am advised that it is not an offence to allow earth or other materials to fall from a vehicle onto the road in such circumstances, unless obstruction or danger or injury to the road surface is caused thereby. It is an offence under By-law 10 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances By-laws to bring a vehicle onto the road from which mud or sand, which is not part of the load, has not been removed as far as reasonably practicable from the body, framework or wheels. But much of the mud brought onto the roads is brought in small quantities, for
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draw attention to the development of railway land adjoining Argyle Street. If that land is available to private developers it should be made available in the first instance to the Urban Council for a rest garden. There is no doubt about it because I have passed there on numerous occasions and no doubt when this meeting finishes in daylight, I will still see it this evening I hope. (Laughter)
MR. BERNACCHI:--You have hope.
MR. SALES: -Do I take it that you will make representations as 1 suggested?
CHAIRMAN: -I will raise the matter, Sir.
MR. SALES:
Thank you,
(6) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
As it was reported recently that Hong Kong stood to lose out as the site of a major international convention, please state whether Government has accepted to build an indoor stadium designed also to cater to such meetings apart from exhibitions, concerts and the like and, if so, when may the people of Hong Kong expect to have such facilities which have long since become a crying need?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
This question concerns an indoor stadium. As you are aware, Sir, a Sub-Committee of the Urban Amenities Select Committee has spent some time considering the provision of an indoor stadium. A request for acceptance in principle of the need for such a stadium was made to Government recently but no reply has yet been received. As far as the provision of facilities for conventions, exhibitions, concerts and the like is concerned, you are, I think, aware that a firm of consultants has been commissioned by the Hong Kong Tourist Association to study the prospects for special conference, trade fair, and exhibition facilities in Hong Kong. It is understood that a report will shortly be made to the Association.
MR. SALES--Sir, may I thank you for your reply and enquire whether in fact a decision from Government is likely to be taken before the end of this year.
CHAIRMAN:-I cannot give you any such assurance, Sir, but I expect that we should receive a reply to the question addressed to the Government in the fairly near future. I hope so, anyway.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
215
MR. SALES-Sir, are you aware too that representations for an indoor stadium were first made in 1951, nearly 15 years ago.
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, you reminded me of that fact at a meeting of this Council about one year ago. (Laughter)
MR. SALES: -May I hope that other members will keep on re- minding you, Sir. Are you aware that many organizations in Hong Kong want to hold their conventions here, thus attracting much business to Hong Kong and they cannot do so satisfactorily because of the absence of adequate facilities?
CHAIRMAN:-I am aware of that, Sir. I would remind you that the question of a convention centre is slightly different from that of the indoor stadium.
MR. SALES-Need it be, Sir? Because you are aware, too, that the opinion in the Urban Council is that such a structure should serve a multi-purpose, not only in attracting sports games but also conven- tions and the like. In the circumstances the demand by public organizations for these facilities merely strengthens the position of the Urban Council. Would you then, Sir, ask Government to expedite a decision on this most important point in the public interest.
CHAIRMAN:-Yes, Sir.
(7) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-
Has this Council the necessary powers in its by-laws to deal with mud and dirt conveyed by lorries from construction sites in fouling cars parked in streets and roads through which they have passed? If we have, what steps have the Council taken to abate this nuisance; if we have not, what steps are being taken to amend the by-laws?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
I am advised that it is not an offence to allow earth or other materials to fall from a vehicle onto the road in such circumstances, unless obstruction or danger or injury to the road surface is caused thereby. It is an offence under By-law 10 of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances By-laws to bring a vehicle onto the road from which mud or sand, which is not part of the load, has not been removed as far as reasonably practicable from the body, framework or wheels. But much of the mud brought onto the roads is brought in small quantities, for
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