1969 — Page 168

Page 168 of 237

312

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

the service available to the general public in out-patient clinics and third-class wards where nurses have their hands full giving injections and distributing medicine, which by present-day standards is hardly up to the mark. Until and unless our nursing service is adequately staffed, nurses will not be able to give better care to and establish a better relationship with their patients and so change their rather unfavourable image in the public mind.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I feel strongly that our medical services have failed to keep pace with our rapidly progressing society and it is time that the responsible authorities exerted themselves to bring the standard of our services up to the level of advanced communities. They should not complacently accept the present colonial, second-grade standards nor should they seek consolation from a comparison with less fortunate countries.

We need no showpieces but universally high-quality services. Institutes like Queen Elizabeth Hospital may loom large in the eyes of tourists and VIPs from Britain but mean very little to the general public if it cannot make use of them when in need and be properly served therein.

The blessings of modern medical science should not be limited to the privileged minority nor should they be provided to the general public only as a matter of charity.

Once again, Mr. Chairman, I appeal for nursing teams adequately staffed, a dental school of our own, and more training facilities for medical doctors.

With these remarks, I am happy to support the Motion. (Applause).

MR. PETER P. K. NG:- Mr. Chairman, as you must be aware, one of the purposes of this annual debate of the Urban Council is to review what has been done in the past and to plan what else can be done in the future for the good of the community as a whole. This has always been the course we take and I am happy to say we are still moving forward confidently along this line. However, there is always a danger, if not handled carefully, for a meeting of this nature to be rendered just a routine business in that the unofficials tend to make their criticisms as if they are supposed to do so and this followed by the officials justifying themselves by hook or by crook as if this is the very purpose they have come for. For the improvement of our society and in order to render our meeting more meaningful, it seems that both parties present should adopt an unbiased and balanced way of thinking: by this, I mean the officials should admit shortcomings if the shortcomings really do exist and the unofficials should not be reluctant to say a few nice words on achievements if they do really see some. It is with this thought in mind that I wish to begin to say a few words on the following subject, namely parks, recreation, and young people.

According to the latest information I have obtained, there is now a total number of 283 parks, playgrounds, and swimming pools, covering a total area of approximately 600 acres. The total number of parks completed between October 1966 to September this year stood at 138, covering a total area of 160 acres. Within the next three years, as I understand, 56 more parks with an area of 190 acres will be developed. This is obviously tremendous progress in a relatively short period. Nobody would doubt the need for more parks in the Colony, especially in densely populated districts where people prefer spending their leisure in parks to confining themselves in their bean-curd cubicles where there is hardly any room for them to stretch their arms.

However, parks can play a greater role than just offering a breathing space to the public if they are made big enough. I have a strong feeling that nowadays a man in the street has hardly anywhere to go to spend a day cheerfully in an economical way. The New Territories is either too remote or has become too popular and expensive. Nobody can regret more nowadays if he wants to stay away from people on his holiday and goes to the New Territories instead, and this I mean Lantau Island too. The beaches in summer are always crowded. The parks we have today are obviously not an ideal place to go on a holiday not only because they are not big enough but also because they do not provide sufficient recreational facilities for visitors. And it is out of the question to think of having various recreational facilities unless we have a park of considerable size.

There is, of course, every difficulty in having big parks in the town areas; but we can go a bit further outwards. One suitable locality I can name for this purpose is the area stretching from Wong Nai Chung Gap Service Reservoir all the way through Cecil Path to Tai Tam Reservoir. I understand we already have a plan for turning Wong Nai Chung Gap Reservoir into a park and boating area in the near future. But if we can enlarge the scheme to include the area I have mentioned, it will be a "paradise" for all who have an interest in outdoor activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, barbecuing, and others. There is, of course, a need to provide public facilities such as parking places, public conveniences, shelters, and water supply in order to give as much convenience as possible to visitors.

Another suitable area for the development of a big park is the Shek O Peak. I am referring to the area lying between the upper portion of Shek O Road and Big Wave Bay Road. The view there is excellent. With recreational and sanitary facilities provided, this place will no doubt become a popular leisure-ground for all people in Hong Kong all the year round.

(Mr. Raymond Y. K. KAN arrived at this point).

1

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

313

Page 169 of 237