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252
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.
CHAIRMAN: Ladies and gentlemen, before we proceed with the Agenda, I am sure that Members will wish me to convey congratulations to Mr. SALES on the high honour recently bestowed on him by the Portuguese Government in recognition of his services to the Portuguese community. (Applause). I would also like to say that I am glad to see Mr. BLAKER back in his chair, and I hope both he and Mrs. BLAKER are fully recovered from their illness. (Applause).
This is the first day of the 1968 Annual Conventional Debate. The motion to be debated is "That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1969". I call on Mr. SALES to move the Motion.
MOTION.
MR. A. de O. SALES moved the following Motion:
"That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1969".
He said: There are three broad fields in which the Urban Council exercises responsibility that are of direct interest to me. For this reason, I am concentrating my remarks on the practical aspects of our work: firstly, cultural services through the City Hall; secondly, play facilities and recreational programmes; and thirdly, local administration and public relations.
City Hall and Cultural services
The City Hall has justified its existence many times over. It provides education and entertainment for a good section of our population. Its facilities are put to enormous use and cry out for extension. Its programmes have expanded steadily because the excellent response on the part of the public has encouraged our taking on more responsibilities. For example, the Popular Concerts which attract nearly full attendance every time are being increased in frequency and enlarged in scope. Even though the Government has still to make up its mind on certain relevant matters, my Select Committee is going ahead with our plans all the same as the public should not be deprived of the improvements we advocate just because of what must be construed as the dilatoriness of civil servants.
All the experience that we have gained points clearly to wide gaps in the provision of cultural services. Still more community needs must be satisfied. The territorial distribution of such services must be undertaken fairly if all the population is to be served adequately. Kowloon and the New Territories must not be treated as Cinderellas as is the tradition here perhaps because our top civil servants live on the Island.
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253
It is the distribution of population that should count, not where Lower Albert Road is located. The Council has asked for a civic centre to be built in Kowloon. It is not intended that this civic centre should compete with the amenities now available in the City Hall; instead, it is proposed that the facilities there will complement what the City Hall has apart from the all-important need to reach a far greater number of people, who will increasingly demonstrate their claim to a better life which it would be dangerous for the authorities to ignore.
Another suggestion that has been under consideration for some time but unfortunately has not been followed up with the energy that it deserves is the pilot project of a Chinese Opera House in one of our parks in North-East Kowloon. It is worthy of being revived because of the enjoyment that such a building would no doubt give to the mass of our people.
Recreation and Amenities
Sir, in the past our attention has concentrated on the building of sports facilities in an all-out effort to provide the masses with recreational opportunities even now so badly lacking. It is true that good progress has been made in the last decade. Still, there is a long list of projects to be implemented. But, there is the assurance that steady progress will continue and so it may be hoped that in course of time every district will have play facilities. Consequently, the time has come to review our building programme for we ought now to make a start on the construction of the major sports installations which Hong Kong still lacks while we carry on with the provision of neighbourhood playgrounds without let or hindrance. For example, a national stadium, a proper diving pool, multi-purpose sports halls, a fully equipped shooting range and a velodrome will all be required in time. The indoor stadium is now making its way in the public works programme, or will soon be doing so, but it would be a pity not to air-condition such an important community asset. Not doing so would limit its usefulness in our climate. It is penny wise, pound foolish to ignore this point. Besides, a properly air-conditioned stadium might well stand a better chance of paying its way.
(Mr. H. CHEONG-LEEN arrived at this point).
Mr. Chairman, public use of our play facilities has been most encouraging. Even so, how to put them to best use for all age groups must be our immediate concern. For some considerable time the Council has asked for play leaders, sports coaches, organizers and other specialists. However, we appear to have made little headway with the Establishment Branch which seems to be more given to the employment of a surfeit of clerks and typists than of specialists and technical experts.
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Page 138 of 243
252
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.
CHAIRMAN: Ladies and gentlemen, before we proceed with the Agenda, I am sure that Members will wish me to convey congratula- tions to Mr. SALES on the high honour recently bestowed on him by the Portuguese Government in recognition of his services to the Portu- guese community. (Applause). I would also like to say that I am glad to see Mr. BLAKER back in his chair, and I hope both he and Mrs. BLAKER are fully recovered from their illness. (Applause).
This is the first day of the 1968 Annual Conventional Debate. The motion to be debated is "That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1969". I call on Mr. SALES to move the Motion.
MOTION.
MR. A. de O. SALES moved the following Motion:
"That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1969".
He said: There are three broad fields in which the Urban Council exercises responsibility that are of direct interest to me. For this reason, I am concentrating my remarks on the practical aspects of our work: firstly, cultural services through the City Hall; secondly, play facilities and recreational programmes; and thirdly, local administra- tion and public relations.
City Hall and Cultural services
It
The City Hall has justified its existence many times over. provides education and entertainment for a good section of our popula- tion. Its facilities are put to enormous use and cry out for extension. Its programmes have expanded steadily because the excellent response on the part of the public has encouraged our taking on more responsi- bilities. For example, the Popular Concerts which attract nearly full attendance every time are being increased in frequency and enlarged in scope. Even though the Government has still to make up its mind on certain relevant matters, my Select Committee is going ahead with our plans all the same as the public should not be deprived of the improvements we advocate just because of what must be construed as the dilatoriness of civil servants.
All the experience that we have gained points clearly to wide gaps in the provision of cultural services. Still more community needs must be satisfied. The territorial distribution of such services must be under- taken fairly if all the population is to be served adequately. Kowloon and the New Territories must not be treated as Cinderellas as is the tradition here perhaps because our top civil servants live on the Island.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
253
It is the distribution of population that should count, not where Lower Albert Road is located. The Council has asked for a civic centre to be built in Kowloon. It is not intended that this civic centre should compete with the amenities now available in the City Hall; instead, it is proposed that the facilities there will complement what the City Hall has apart from the all-important need to reach a far greater number of people, who will increasingly demonstrate their claim to a better life which it would be dangerous for the authorities to ignore.
Another suggestion that has been under consideration for some time but unfortunately has not been followed up with the energy that it deserves is the pilot project of a Chinese Opera House in one of our parks in North-East Kowloon. It is worthy of being revived because of the enjoyment that such a building would no doubt give to the mass of our people.
Recreation and Amenities
Sir, in the past our attention has concentrated on the building of sports facilities in an all-out effort to provide the masses with recrea- tional opportunities even now so badly lacking. It is true that good progress has been made in the last decade. Still, there is a long list of projects to be implemented. But, there is the assurance that steady progress will continue and so it may be hoped that in course of time every district will have play facilities. Consequently, the time has come to review our building programme for we ought now to make a start on the construction of the major sports installations which Hong Kong still lacks while we carry on with the provision of neighbourhood play- grounds without let or hindrance. For example, a national stadium, a proper diving pool, multi-purpose sports halls, a fully equipped shoot- range and a velodrome will all be required in time. The indoor stadium is now making its way in the public works programme, or will soon be doing so, but it would be a pity not to air-condition such an important community asset. Not doing so would limit its usefulness in our climate. It is penny wise, pound foolish to ignore this point. Besides, a properly air-conditioned stadium might well stand a better chance of paying its way.
(Mr. H. CHEONG-LEEN arrived at this point).
Mr. Chairman, public use of our play facilities has been most encouraging. Even so, how to put them to best use for all age groups must be our immediate concern. For some considerable time the Council has asked for play leaders, sports coaches, organizers and other specialists. However, we appear to have made little headway with the Establishment Branch which seems to be more given to the employment of a surfeit of clerks and typists than of specialists and technical experts.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.