1967 — Page 194

Page 194 of 259

362

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

The remarks in the second paragraph refer to the position as a whole, and the position as a whole is not encouraging.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-It is a very frank reply for which I thank you.

(4) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:

Is it true that much of the free-play space for children in Victoria Park has been taken over for other amenities such as bowling and tree-planting? Could we have details, please?

MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-

The original layout of Victoria Park was approved by the Playgrounds and Parks Select Committee of this Council in January 1954. Only part of this plan was immediately implemented, but by May 1955 the public had access to 6 mini-soccer pitches and a children's playground.

As the reclamation progressed, additional facilities were provided and opened to the public. By 1963 the park, which had by then been extended to over 53 acres, included a swimming pool, 14 tennis courts, 2 bowling greens, 4 basketball courts, 2 squash courts, 8 mini-soccer pitches, 1 roller skating rink, 2 children's playgrounds, and a model boat pool. Various buildings including a library, staff quarters, shelters, and a refreshment kiosk had been completed and were occupying about half an acre of land. The remaining park or "free play" area covered about 21 acres.

In the last two years, the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee has agreed to alterations to this park arising from the construction of the water-front road. As a result, some 4.28 acres of parkland will be lost; in compensation, about 3.57 acres of adjacent land will be developed for recreation when the road has been completed. These alterations also involve the construction of a raised concrete conveyor gallery within the western boundary of the park.

Apart from these unavoidable changes, the only alteration made since 1963 has been the recent completion of a dogs' garden occupying only one-third of an acre.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

363

There has been extensive planting in Victoria Park. Earlier this year, 460 semi-mature trees and some 700 flowering shrubs were planted.

There are still some 20 of the original 21 acres available for free play. The Select Committee has gone on record that they will be preserved as such. Indeed, only very recently, Members of the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee rejected some tentative planning proposals for the further development of Victoria Park for the very reason that the proposals meant the construction of some covered areas on what is now open space.

I would like to recall in this connexion the motion adopted by this Council on 6th April, 1965 for the Government to let us have the former Services land across Causeway Road to be developed as an extension to Victoria Park. I have repeatedly asked the Government for a decision, the last time being on 30th November, 1967, but to no avail so far.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask Mr. SALES to assure me that a remark made by an influential member of the public that the children are being "driven out" of Victoria Park, is not true?

MR. SALES:-Mr. Chairman, first, I cannot give any assurance on an anonymous remark and, secondly, I do not know the competence of the person who made such a remark. Thirdly, I would rather base the plans of the Urban Council on the judgment of the Members of the Urban Council who form the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee. I am quite sure that Mrs. ELLIOTT will agree with me that the Members of that particular Select Committee, of which she was also a member up to last year, have the best interests of the children at heart. If we have not been able to do better it is not for want of trying; it is because we do not get more land and more money from Government in order to provide the children of Hong Kong with more free play areas.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I assure Mr. SALES that I am not finding fault with him or his Committee, and I am very glad to be assured that he is still on the fighting line for open spaces.

MR. BERNACCHI: Mr. Chairman, in view of the loss of several acres of park land, incurred by the construction of a waterfront road to what was a reclamation that the Jockey Club paid for on condition that it be made a park. What has happened regarding the motion Mr. SALES referred to in the last paragraph of Mr. SALES' answer? himself apparently cannot give the answer, so I am asking you, Mr. Chairman.

CHAIRMAN:-This happened before my time, Mr. BERNACCHI. I have no idea, I will let you know later.

Page 195 of 259