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Executive Officer or Amenities Officer posts have therefore been sought for the playground development and administration section, and two for the swimming section. This represents a substantial increase since the present establishment at this level is only seven officers, and only five of these posts are actually filled at the moment. No expansion of the Entertainments Section is thought necessary. The increase this year was to 13 from 4.
The two unfilled posts are known as Senior Amenities Officer (Parks and Horticulture) and Amenities Officer (Horticulture). The former is a particularly key post, since the incumbent will be responsible to the Assistant Director for the administration of all parks, playgrounds, etc., and for the department's horticultural requirements. The Amenities Officer will assist him on the horticultural side. The senior post has recently been advertised in the local press, and a selection board will be meeting early in October. Action is in hand to fill the latter post from within the department.
Altogether, a total of 123 new posts of all grades has been requested in next year's estimates.
I am obliged, Mr. Chairman, to Mrs. SYMONS for this opportunity to state some aspects of the Division's staff set-up. I have gone on record in the past as favouring the engagement of specially qualified personnel to put our play and sports facilities to best use by way of well-organized activities. This is a matter which I intend to press in the Select Committee, with my colleagues' support, so that the maximum benefit would be derived from the public money spent on the construction of our many district sports amenities.
MRS. SYMONS:- Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Mr. SALES for his full and interesting answer which I find satisfactory for the time being. I look forward to further discussion at Committee level as it is a very important aspect of our work. I have no supplementaries except to ask Mr. SALES if he would be good enough to provide the excellent opportunity we had at the September meeting of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee when we were able to discuss a good many interesting matters under Any Other Business.
MR. SALES: We will be very happy to do that.
MR. BERNACCHI:- Will either or both of these two officers possess qualifications in horticulture?
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Mr. Chairman, would you, as the Director of Urban Services Department, like to state what qualifications have been laid down as being required from candidates for the posts?
CHAIRMAN:- I do not have these available, but as far as I can remember Mr. SALES, they would not be required to have horticultural qualifications.
MR. BERNACCHI:- I would be obliged if this could be discussed either in the Council in Committee, or I am quite willing to leave it to the Amenities Select Committee. But it is, in my opinion, a very important point.
MR. SALES: --- Perhaps I could clarify the position, Mr. Chairman. Some years ago when this post was created, of perhaps a higher standing, the details were discussed by the Select Committee, the Department and the Establishment Officer of the Hong Kong Government and then the post was filled. Now the reorganization has taken place and the matter has been clarified with the Establishment Officer, and the posts are being filled accordingly. Nevertheless, the terms could be made known to Mr. BERNACCHI, Mr. Chairman.
MR. BERNACCHI:- I would be obliged, and if indeed I have any comments on them I would like my comments to be brought before either the Committee as a whole, or the Amenities Select Committee.
MR. SALES: Yes, most certainly, but I think the matter has also to be sorted out with the Establishment Officer of the Hong Kong Government. Am I not right, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN:- That is so. As far as I know, they have been in fact trying to fill the post of Senior Amenities Officer recently. But I am not sure what the outcome of the Board will be.
(13) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:
Could the Chairman inform the Council whether the report that the banyan trees between Pokfulam Road and Victoria Road to the West of Hong Kong Island would be cut down? I hope this report is not true, but if it is true I would be grateful to know if any permission has been given.
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
Sir, there are two current schemes for the widening of Pokfulam Road, one in the vicinity of the junction with Bonham
Page 116 of 241
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...
Page 116 of 241
Page 116 of 241
212
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Executive Officer or Amenities Officer posts have there- fore been sought for the playground development and administration section, and two for the swimming section. This represents a substantial increase since the present establishment at this level is only seven officers, and only five of these posts are actually filled at the moment. No expansion of the Entertainments Section is thought neces- sary. The increase this year was to 13 from 4.
The two unfilled posts are known as Senior Amenities Officer (Parks and Horticulture) and Amenities Officer (Horticul- ture). The former is a particularly key post, since the incumbent will be responsible to the Assistant Director for the administration of all parks, playgrounds, etc., and for the department's horticultural requirements. The Amenities Officer will assist him on the horticultural side. The senior post has recently been advertised in the local press, and a selection board will be meeting early in October. Action is in hand to fill the latter post from within the department.
Altogether, a total of 123 new posts of all grades has been
requested in next year's estimates.
I am obliged Mr. Chairman, to Mrs. SYMONS for this oppor- tunity to state some aspects of the Division's staff set-up. I have gone on record in the past as favouring the engage- ment of specially qualified personnel to put our play and sports facilities to best use by way of well organized activities. This is a matter which I intend to press in the Select Committee, with my colleagues' support, so that the maximum benefit would be derived from the public money spent on the construction of our many district sports amenities.
MRS. SYMONS:-Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Mr. SALES for his full and interesting answer which I find satisfactory for the time being I look forward to further discussion at Committee level as it is a very important aspect of our work. I have no supplementaries except to ask Mr. SALES if he would be good enough to provide the excellent opportunity we had at the September meeting of the Recrea- tion and Amenities Select Committee when we were able to discuss a good many interesting matters under Any Other Business.
MR. SALES: We will be very happy to do that.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Will either or both of these two officers possess qualifications in horticulture?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
213
Mr. Chairman, would you, as the Director of Urban Services Department, like to state what qualifications have been laid down as being required from candidates for the posts?
CHAIRMAN:-1 do not have these available, but as far as I can remember Mr. SALES, they would not be required to have horticultural qualifications.
MR. BERNACCHI:-I would be obliged if this could be discussed either in the Council in Committee, or I am quite willing to leave it to the Amenities Select Committee. But it is, in my opinion, a very important point.
MR. SALES: ---Perhaps I could clarify the position, Mr. Chairman. Some years ago when this post was created, of perhaps a higher standing, the details were discussed by the Select Committee, the Depart- ment and the Establishment Officer of the Hong Kong Government and then the post was filled. Now the reorganization has taken place and the matter has been clarified with the Establishment Officer, and the posts are being filled accordingly. Nevertheless, the terms could be made known to Mr. BERNACCHI, Mr. Chairman.
MR. BERNACCHI:-I would be obliged, and if indeed I have any comments on them I would like my comments to be brought before either the Committee as a whole, or the Amenities Select Committee.
MR. SALES: Yes, most certainly, but I think the matter has also to be sorted out with the Establishment Officer of the Hong Kong Government. Am I not right, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN:-That is so. As far as I know, they have been in fact trying to fill the post of Senior Amenities Officer recently. But I am not sure what the outcome of the Board will be.
(13) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:
Could the Chairman inform the Council whether the report that the banyan trees between Pokfulam Road and Victoria Road to the West of Hong Kong Island would be cut down? I hope this report is not true, but if it is true I would be grateful to know if any permission has been given.
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
Sir, there are two current schemes for the widening of Pokfu- lam Road, one in the vicinity of the junction with Bonham
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