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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Secondly, the parks and the playgrounds were open at all times for the children and adults of Hong Kong, and I must say that I was most impressed with the way that the gardeners kept the lawns so well watered throughout all the civil disturbances, despite the fact that the suggestion that I put to you, Sir, that a particular lawn should be watered more often than usual was not taken up at that time. (Laughter) (Applause).
QUESTIONS.
(1) Mr. Henry H. L. Hu asked the following question:
In view of the shortage of play and sitting-out areas in Hong Kong, could consideration be given to covering existing open nullahs for use as small playgrounds or sitting-out areas?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows:-
In an effort to provide adequate space for recreation in the congested urban areas, neither the Urban Council nor the Government excludes any possible means of improvement. The decking of open nullahs is no exception. In fact, where feasible, playgrounds have already been provided in this way. Examples to date are:
Tai Po Road/Nam Cheong Street Garden
Nullah Road Garden
Sai Yee Street Playground
Junction of Nullah Road and Nathan Road Sitting-out Area
Canal Road Playground and
Water Street Children's Playground which is about to be built.
But, the cost of decking is high. In the past, it has been justified by other overriding considerations, mainly, road-widening or the improvement of sanitary conditions. There is however the disadvantage of possible blockages in heavy rain as occurred in June last year. The suggestion has been made before and it certainly merits serious thought. There are nevertheless other solutions which call for consideration and they could prove more attractive in financial terms: for instance the closure of more side streets for play and the use of more rooftops for recreation. The Council has many ambitious schemes for the provision of rest and recreation facilities in the urban areas but is always willing to consider suggestions, such as that made by our colleague, Mr. Hu, today.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The Council hopes that the Government will expedite the implementation of the many projects already approved by the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee.
I am sure all Members of the Council will join me in urging the Government to do so.
MR. HU:-Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for a very good answer.
(2) DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question:-
Is the Chairman aware of the unpleasant and untidy state of the Diamond Hill Crematorium and its surrounds which are not by any means all due to the new road alignment and drainage works which are taking place there? Will the Chairman please state what improvements are intended to be made:
(a) to the approach to this Crematorium;
(b) to the interment area;
(c) to the Crematorium building and generally to beautify its surrounds.
MR. CHEUNG WING-IN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CEMETERIES, CREMATORIA AND FUNERAL PARLOURS SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows:
The Crematorium at Diamond Hill was closed on 30th April, 1967, for the reprovisioning of the cremators therein and will not reopen until 2nd July, 1967. During this period, unsightliness may inevitably be caused by the removal of debris from, and the arrival of material for the work at the Crematorium.
In order to increase the amenities of the Crematorium, trees were planted last summer in the lawn alongside the building, where a fish pond has been constructed. Flowers and shrubs have also been planted in the surrounding area, and in the hill-side across the road. At present, approach to the Crematorium is by the Hammer Hill Road on which reconstruction work is in progress to provide access to the new Resettlement Estate at Tsz Wan Shan. When the new road linking the Shatin Pass Road and the Clear Water Bay Road is completed, however, it will provide a new access to the Crematorium, and a large lay-by will be provided for the parking of visitors' vehicles.
Government has approved in principle a scheme to replace the existing Crematorium, which is small and out of date, with
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Secondly, the parks and the playgrounds were open at all times for the children and adults of Hong Kong, and I must say that I was most impressed with the way that the gardeners kept the lawns so well watered throughout all the civil disturbances, despite the fact that the suggestion that I put to you, Sir, that a particular lawn should be watered more often than usual was not taken up at that time. (Laughter) (Applause).
QUESTIONS.
(1) Mr. Henry H. L. Hu asked the following question:
In view of the shortage of play and sitting-out areas in Hong Kong, could consideration be given to covering existing open nullahs for use as small playgrounds or sitting-out areas?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows:-
In an effort to provide adequate space for recreation in the congested urban areas, neither the Urban Council nor the Government excludes any possible means of improvement. The decking of open nullahs is no exception. In fact, where feasible, playgrounds have already been provided in this way. Examples to date are:
Tai Po Road/Nam Cheong Street Garden
Nullah Road Garden
Sai Yee Street Playground
Junction of Nullah Road and Nathan Road Sitting-out
Area
Canal Road Playground and
Water Street Children's Playground which is about to
be built.
But, the cost of decking is high. In the past, it has been justified by other overriding considerations, mainly, road- widening or the improvement of sanitary conditions. There is however the disadvantage of possible blockages in heavy rain as occurred in June last year. The suggestion has been made before and it certainly merits serious thought. There are nevertheless other solutions which call for consideration and they could prove more attractive in financial terms: for instance the closure of more side streets for play and the use of more rooftops for recreation. The Council has many ambitious schemes for the provision of rest and recreation facilities in the urban areas but is always willing to consider suggestions, such as that made by our colleague, Mr. Hu, today.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
103
The Council hopes that the Government will expedite the im- plementation of the many projects already approved by the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee.
I am sure all Members of the Council will join me in urging the Government to do so.
MR. HU:-Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for a very good answer.
(2) DR. A. M. S. BELL asked the following question:-
Is the Chairman aware of the unpleasant and untidy state of the Diamond Hill Crematorium and its surrounds which are not by any means all due to the new road alignment and drainage works which are taking place there? Will the Chairman please state what improvements are intended to be made: ---
(a) to the approach to this Crematorium;
(b) to the interment area;
(c) to the Crematorium building and generally to
beautify its surrounds.
MR. CHEUNG WING-IN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CEMETERIES, CREMATORIA AND FUNERAL PARLOURS SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows:
The Crematorium at Diamond Hill was closed on 30th April, 1967, for the reprovisioning of the cremators therein and will not reopen until 2nd July, 1967. During this period, unsightliness may inevitably be caused by the removal of debris from, and the arrival of material for the work at the Crematorium.
}
In order to increase the amenities of the Crematorium, trees were planted last summer in the lawn alongside the building, where a fish pond has been constructed. Flowers and shrubs have also been planted in the sur- rounding area, and in the hill-side across the road. At present, approach to the Crematorium is by the Hammer Hill Road on which reconstruction work is in progress to provide access to the new Resettlement Estate at Tsz Wan Shan. When the new road linking the Shatin Pass Road and the Clear Water Bay Road is completed, however, it will provide a new access to the Crematorium, and a large lay-by will be provided for the parking of visitors' vehicles.
Government has approved in principle a scheme to replace the existing Crematorium, which is small and out of date, with
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.