1968 — Page 106

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MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-That was quite a co-operative reply on the part of Mr. SALES too. May I ask question 2 Mr. Chairman?

(Mr. Henry H. L. HU arrived at this point).

(2) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :-

Can the Secretary for Chinese Affairs tell this Council whether there has been much co-operation between Urban Council Wards and City District Offices since the latter were set up at the beginning of this year? Can the Secretary for Chinese Affairs advise in which ways there could be closer co-operation between City District Offices and Ward Councils in the service of the public?

THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS replied as follows:-

Sir, this question concerns co-operation between Urban Council Ward Offices and City District Offices.

The answer to the first part of the question is yes Sir: there has been a good deal of co-operation. On the second part of the question I am sure there will be even closer co-operation after the re-alignment of Ward boundaries to coincide with City District boundaries. This change has I believe been agreed in principle by the relevant Select Committees.

(3) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-

From time to time there have been suggestions forwarded to give a more Oriental or Chinese atmosphere to parks and other suitable open areas; can the Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee advise to what extent such suggestions are being implemented? Would it be possible to have an Oriental style garden in some of the open spaces which will be made available in Whitfield Barracks?

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

Sir, this question concerns the introduction of a more oriental or Chinese character into the design of public pleasure grounds.

My friend, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN, will be happy to learn that Members of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee show a continuing and keen interest in this theme and ensure that development plans for new projects incorporate Chinese features whenever this is practicable. The results of these efforts may be seen in the recent design of a number of park buildings which incorporate Chinese features. An attractive example is the children's library in King George V Park, Kowloon. Chinese-style pavilions are about to be built in Stubbs Road and Maple Street Playground and a similar design has been incorporated in layout plans for the development of parks in Chai Wan, Hoi Sham, and Tai Po Kau. The Select Committee has also approved an imaginative plan for an obstacle golf course in Kowloon Tsai Park in which each obstacle has been specifically designed with a Chinese motif.

I must answer the second part of this question by emphasizing not only the possibility of incorporating a Chinese-style garden within the park to be built on the Whitfield Barracks site, but the declared intention to do so. The Recreation and Amenities Select Committee has already approved plans for the overall development of this area. A significant feature is a Chinese garden.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to table the plans for Whitfield Barracks on behalf of the Select Committee.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, what prompted the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee to plan for a Chinese motif for the obstacle golf course?

MR. SALES: Sir, because golf being originally a Dutch game could well be adapted to a Chinese setting. (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Was it originally a Dutch game?

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I said so categorically. (Laughter).

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I thought it was Scottish, but I heard someone say they're not rising to the bait. (Laughter).

(4) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-

Of the 22 Resettlement Estates under the management of the Resettlement Department, only 10 have Vocational Training Centres; can the Commissioner for Resettlement enquire from Government whether there are plans to

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