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Alterations, Additions and Improvements Committee in the usual way.
Members may be aware that the Alterations, Additions and Improvements Committee meets once each quarter. The first meeting of this Committee in the current financial year was in April. The item under discussion was not put forward by the Urban Services Department for consideration at this meeting, because it was decided in the Department that it was less urgent than several other items for which funds were also required. I must make it clear that the funds available to the Alterations, Additions and Improvements Committee are limited, and that each Government department can only expect a small number of projects to be approved by the Committee at each meeting. At the August meeting of the Committee the Department's request for additional toilet facilities at the Fa Yuen Street Market was considered but was deferred by the Committee because of lack of funds. You, Sir, were informed of this decision in a letter dated 25th August, 1967, and were told of the Department's intention to re-submit this item at the next meeting of the Alterations, Additions and Improvements Committee.
I have explained the background of this case at some length in order to make it clear that the delay in the provision of additional toilet facilities at the Fa Yuen Street Market is not because the matter has been overlooked. The only reason is that funds for this type of work are limited, and priority must be given to those items which are most urgent.
In conclusion may I say that the need for better toilet facilities at the Fa Yuen Street Market is appreciated and that I will ask the Alterations, Additions and Improvements Committee to give special consideration to this item at its next meeting in November.
DR. Woo: Sir, thank you for the answer. I hope the public will be satisfied with what is exactly happening.
(3) MR. D. J. R. BLAKER asked the following question:
What bus services are at present available at Ham Tin Re-settlement Estate, and what additions to such services are contemplated?
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THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
The 14A bus service runs from Ham Tin to Choi Hung. This was suspended on the 24th June but resumed again on the 26th August. The frequency of buses both at normal and peak periods is now back to normal, namely at 10 minute and 6 minute intervals respectively, and the Kowloon Motor Bus Company expects to increase this frequency within the next few weeks.
There have been requests from tenants for an alteration in the routing, or for the introduction of a new route, to run from Ham Tin Estate to Kowloon City Ferry, and I understand that the Bus Company is considering this.
(4) MR. D. J. R. BLAKER asked the following question:-
Does the Government have any plans for making available to this Council any additional land in the Central District for development as public open space, whether by resumption or otherwise?
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:-
The central district is difficult to define but I have taken it to refer to the area of land bordering the harbour between Arsenal Street and Western Market, and bounded to the south by Queen's Road East and Des Voeux Road Central.
In 1962 Government approved a plan which provided for two additional areas of open space in this area; one located close to the Macau Ferry berth and the other immediately to the west of the Police Headquarters. Neither of these areas has yet become available for development. The plan however was referred back to the Town Planning Board for replacement.
Until a revised plan is approved I am unable to say what additional land, if any, in this area may be zoned as open space.
MR. BLAKER:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask a question? Will the premises at present occupied by the Hong Kong Cricket Club be considered as a public open space at the appropriate time?
CHAIRMAN:- Sir, that is a new question. It will be on record in our Record of Proceedings.
of 259
Page 122 of 259
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Alterations, Additions and Improvements Committee in the usual way.
Members may be aware that the Alterations, Additions and Improvements Committee meets once each quarter. The first meeting of this Committee in the current financial year was in April. The item under discussion was not put forward by the Urban Services Department for con- sideration at this meeting, because it was decided in the Department that it was less urgent than several other items for which funds were also required. I must make it clear that the funds available to the Alterations, Addi- tions and Improvements Committee are limited, and that each Government department can only expect a small number of projects to be approved by the Committee at each meeting. At the August meeting of the Committee the Department's request for additional toilet facilities at the Fa Yuen Street Market was considered but was de- ferred by the Committee because of lack of funds. You, Sir, were informed of this decision in a letter dated 25th August, 1967, and were told of the Department's intention to re-submit this item at the next meeting of the Altera- tions, Additions and Improvements Committee.
I have explained the background of this case at some length in order to make it clear that the delay in the provision of additional toilet facilities at the Fa Yuen Street Market is not because the matter has been overlooked. The only reason is that funds for this type of work are limited, and priority must be given to those items which are most urgent.
In conclusion may I say that the need for better toilet facilities at the Fa Yuen Street Market is appreciated and that I will ask the Alterations, Additions and Improvements Committee to give special consideration to this item at its next meeting in November.
DR. Woo: Sir, thank you for the answer. I hope the public will be satisfied with what is exactly happening.
(3) MR. D. J. R. BLAKER asked the following question:
What bus services are at present available at Ham Tin Re- settlement Estate, and what additions to such services are contemplated?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
221
THE COMMISSIoner for ReseTTLEMENT replied as follows:-
The 14A bus service runs from Ham Tin to Choi Hung. This was suspended on the 24th June but resumed again on the 26th August. The frequency of buses both at normal and peak periods is now back to normal, namely at 10 minute and 6 minute intervals respectively, and the Kow- loon Motor Bus Company expects to increase this fre- quency within the next few weeks.
There have been requests from tenants for an alteration in the routing, or for the introduction of a new route, to run from Ham Tin Estate to Kowloon City Ferry, and I under- stand that the Bus Company is considering this.
(4) MR. D. J. R. BLAKER asked the following question:-
Does the Government have any plans for making available to this Council any additional land in the Central District for development as public open space, whether by re- sumption or otherwise?
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:-
The central district is difficult to define but I have taken it to refer to the area of land bordering the harbour between Arsenal Street and Western Market, and bounded to the south by Queen's Road East and Des Voeux Road Central.
In 1962 Government approved a plan which provided for two additional areas of open space in this area; one located close to the Macau Ferry berth and the other immediately to the west of the Police Headquarters. Neither of these areas has yet become available for development. The plan however was referred back to the Town Planning Board for replacement.
Until a revised plan is approved I am unable to say what additional land, if any, in this area may be zoned as
open space.
MR. BLAKER:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask a question? Will the premises at present occupied by the Hong Kong Cricket Club be con- sidered as a public open space at the appropriate time?
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, that is a new question. It will be on record in our Record of Proceedings.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.