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to give, with your permission, a dissertation for the benefit of the press. There is a large section of our community here paying taxes for the amenities which are being provided. I raised this question as a result of a letter I received from one such person. He is not a member of a special section of the community, by which I suppose you mean those people who belong to golf clubs in Fanling and those people who belong to golf clubs in Shek O and Deep Water Bay. There is a large section of the community who would like to have more diversification of sport rather than just football. There is a large section of the community who are reaching the age of 35 and over, who are no longer fit to kick a ball around, or rather would rather hit a ball around, and we have provided nothing, absolutely nothing, in the way of sporting facilities for that section of the community. They are white collar people, people who have the right to vote, who are real true citizens of this Colony, born here and bred here, brought up with their roots deep in this Colony. That is a phrase that you yourself have used, Mr. SALES, that you must have your roots in this Colony, and I think as a result, Mr. Chairman, that I would ask very strongly that reconsideration be given to this question, because the suggestion was put up by somebody who is himself a golfer, and who therefore no doubt realizes the amount of space at Lion Rock Park is sufficient for a golf driving range. It was also put up by this man who doesn't live too far away from it. He isn't living in a resettlement estate, but there are some houses which are also closely adjacent to the Park, not only resettlement but for a middle group of Government servants and white collar bank clerks and various others who live very close to this park. I think that they ought to be able to have a chance to go out and hit a ball rather than kick a ball if they ask for that; and I understand their opinion was that this would cost about $1,000 to do. Very little would be required—a net and a couple of flood lights, and that would be all. In fact the suggestion was even made, Mr. Chairman, that a small charge might be made for this. It would be at night when the ball cannot be seen when it's kicked around.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I must say I am deeply impressed by Dr. BELL's most eloquent question. I have never heard a question phrased in so few words in this Council. I must say, Sir, that were it not for the fact that I know who the person who initiated the question was I would have been completely persuaded. That person happens to belong to a good number of clubs; he owns a boat, and he is also a member of the Stock Exchange. (Laughter). And, Sir, may I suggest that Dr. BELL's excellent work in the Council is not in any way impaired by the fact that she is pandering to the vote at this time.
DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, I am sorry. I am not pandering to the vote in asking this question. I object very strongly to that.
MR. HU: May I ask.
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CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hu, may I compose my thoughts first. I think perhaps on reconsideration Mr. SALES might be willing to withdraw that remark.
MR. SALES: Withdraw the remark of pandering to the vote?
CHAIRMAN: Yes.
MR. SALES: I am myself pandering to the vote of the masses in asking this question. Sir, may I continue, as Chairman of the Select Committee, to answer this question?
CHAIRMAN: Yes.
MR. SALES: It is not a question of money, but a question of land, and land must at all times be put to maximum use. People who can belong to clubs have all the facilities that are needed for their own recreation. They can afford to drive great distances, but people who stay in the resettlement areas cannot do so. They are in far greater need of such open space, and I don't think anybody in this Council will contest that statement.
CHAIRMAN: I think at this stage I should intervene as Chairman and ask if we could proceed to the next question. I am well aware of the depth of feeling that exercises Dr. BELL in this matter but I think we should take it further in Committee.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Mr. SALES as Chairman of the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee, if he ever considered the question of how a golf driving range could be organized cheaply so that it would be enjoyed by the common people. Would it be worthwhile considering a range, because golf is usually a very expensive sport? Could it be organized in a very cheap manner so as to benefit the residents of resettlement areas? Do you think this is worth considering?
MR. SALES: Sir, I thank Dr. BELL and Mr. Henry Hu for bringing up this matter. Mr. Henry Hu is not a member of the Select Committee so he is not aware of the fact that there are plans by the Select Committee for the development of a part of Kowloon Tsai Park for a small miniature golf course of sorts. I am sure that Mr. Hu will agree with me that any open space is certainly put to far greater use with 22 persons and with hundreds of spectators using the space at one time, than for a few driving a ball. That is still my attitude, and I will every time vote against public space being put to any use but for the recreation of the masses.
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Page 121 of 279
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to give, with your permission, a dissertation for the benefit of the press. There is a large section of our community here paying taxes for the amenities which are being provided. I raised this question as a result of a letter I received from one such person. He is not a member of a special section of the community, by which I suppose you mean those people who belong to golf clubs in Fanling and those people who belong to golf clubs in Shek O and Deep Water Bay. There is a large section of the community who would like to have more diversification of sport rather than just football. There is a large section of the community who are reaching the age of 35 and over, who are no longer fit to kick a ball around, or rather would rather hit a ball around, and we have provided nothing, absolutely nothing, in the way of sporting facilities for that section of the community. They are white collar people, people who have the right to vote, who are real true citizens of this Colony, born here and bred here, brought up with their roots deep in this Colony. That is a phrase that you yourself have used, Mr. SALES, that you must have your roots in this Colony, and I think as a result, Mr. Chairman, that I would ask very strongly that reconsidera- tion be given to this question, because the suggestion was put up by somebody who is himself a golfer, and who therefore no doubt realizes the amount of space at Lion Rock Park is sufficient for a golf driving range. It was also put up by this man who doesn't live too far away from it. He isn't living in a resettlement estate, but there are some houses which are also closely adjacent to the Park, not only resettle- ment but for a middle group of Government servants and white collar bank clerks and various others who live very close to this park. I think that they ought to be able to have a chance to go out and hit a ball rather than kick a ball if they ask for that; and I understand their opinion was that this would cost about $1,000 to do. Very little would be required-a net and a couple of flood lights, and that would be all. In fact the suggestion was even made, Mr. Chairman, that a small charge might be made for this. It would be at night when the ball cannot be seen when it's kicked around.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I must say I am deeply impressed by Dr. BELL's most eloquent question. I have never heard a question phrased in so few words in this Council. I must say, Sir, that were it not for the fact that I know who the person who initiated the question was I would have been completely persuaded. That person happens to belong to a good number of clubs; he owns a boat, and he is also a member of the Stock Exchange. (Laughter). And, Sir, may I suggest that Dr. BELL's excellent work in the Council is not in any way impaired by the fact that she is pandering to the vote at this time.
DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, I am sorry. I am not pandering to the vote in asking this question. I object very strongly to that.
MR. HU:-May I ask.
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CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hu, may I compose my thoughts first. I think perhaps on reconsideration Mr. SALES might be willing to withdraw that remark.
MR. SALES: -Withdraw the remark of pandering to the vote?
CHAIRMAN:-Yes.
MR. SALES: I am myself pandering to the vote of the masses in asking this question. Sir, may I continue, as Chairman of the Select Committee, to answer this question?
CHAIRMAN: Yes.
MR. SALES: It is not a question of money, but a question of land, and land must at all times be put to maximum use. People who can belong to clubs have all the facilities that are needed for their own recreation. They can afford to drive great distances, but people who stay in the resettlement areas cannot do so. They are in far greater need of such open space, and I don't think anybody in this Council will contest that statement.
CHAIRMAN:-I think at this stage I should intervene as Chairman and ask if we could proceed to the next question. I am well aware of the depth of feeling that exercises Dr. BELL in this matter but I think we should take it further in Committee.
MR. HU:-Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Mr. SALES as Chair- man of the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee, if he ever considered the question of how a golf driving range could be organized cheaply so that it would be enjoyed by the common people. Would it be worthwhile considering a range, because golf is usually a very expensive sport? Could it be organized in a very cheap manner so as to benefit the residents of resettlement areas? Do you think this is worth considering?
MR. SALES: Sir, I thank Dr. BELL and Mr. Henry Hu for bring- ing up this matter. Mr. Henry Hu is not a member of the Select Com- mittee so he is not aware of the fact that there are plans by the Select Committee for the development of a part of Kowloon Tsai Park for a small miniature golf course of sorts. I am sure that Mr. Hu will agree with me that any open space is certainly put to far greater use with 22 persons and with hundreds of spectators using the space at one time, than for a few driving a ball. That is still my attitude, and I will every time vote against public space being put to any use but for the recreation of the masses.
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