1970 — Page 220

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 220 of 241

418

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

at their chest or back. An increasing number of these robbers are young people—first it seemed to be only young men, and just recently young girls have been reported to be taking to a life of violent crime.

As a personal safeguard, many residents have resigned themselves to having to carry about $100 in their pockets, for fear that if they should have no money on them and they are robbed they might be unceremoniously beaten up or injured because they did not carry enough money on them to make it worthwhile their being robbed.

This state of affairs has reached such critical proportions that it has caused members of our Legislative Council to call for heavier and harsher penalties to be inflicted upon young people who are convicted of violent crimes. Such penalties include the setting up of detention centres, caning, and hard labour.

That such call for heavier and harsher penalties is strongly supported by many many people is an indication of how worried they are about the increasing rate of violent crimes by young people and the lives of their families and the safety of their homes.

It is to be hoped that such heavier and harsher treatment of young criminals may halt—at least for the time being—the rising rate of violent youth crimes. But is this the long-term answer? I do not think that any of our Legislative Councillors would be prepared to say that it is.

The long-term answer I believe depends upon the formulation by Government of a more positive youth policy having to do with a more rapid expansion of education facilities, more moral and civic education in the school, better careers information and youth counselling services, getting young people to become more involved in community service, and insofar as the Urban Council is concerned providing more recreation facilities for young people after school hours and after they leave school.

Of course the Urban Council through the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee has done a tremendous amount in providing recreation facilities for young people, in spite of the limited funds allocated by Government for such purpose. As such, the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee and the various Government departments which have assisted the Urban Council should be congratulated for their joint efforts in what has so far been accomplished.

However, if the Urban Council is to more vigorously tackle the problem of providing more recreation facilities for young people as part of the long-term solution of reducing youth crimes and youth frustration, it will have to get even stronger support from Government by way of physical facilities, manpower and finance.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

419

Twenty months ago, one of our two lady Councillors, Mrs. C. J. Symons, asked in the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee whether it was feasible to provide multi-storey playgrounds in densely populated areas. She had thought of a three or four-storey building which could offer a variety of facilities to be used at night as well as during the day, and particularly to be used during rainy weather. In January 1970 I requested the Urban Services Department to study details of a multi-storey children's playground built in Japan which was designed to cater for 500 children daily but which was in fact used by 2600 children daily. Subsequently it was decided in June 1970 by the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee that action should be taken to build the first multi-storey recreation centre, and that such building could cater for smaller scale games and general indoor recreation. As far as I am aware, the Urban Services Department is still liaising with the Education Department in the planning of such a multi-storey recreation centre for consideration by the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee.

It will however be some time yet before the first multi-storey recreation centre can be built by the Public Works Department, since planning will have to be finalized and the item will have to be included in the Public Works Programme and given its order of priority.

But even after the first multi-storey recreation centre has been completed, it will cater to only a tiny segment of our youth population, and will not be sufficient, even counting the facilities provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs Association, the Federation of Youth Groups, and other organizations, to serve the terribly massive need for properly organized youth recreation in Hong Kong.

I would therefore urge as I have stated in the Motion that the Urban Council should apart from the planning of the first multi-purpose recreation centre also explore the feasibility of acquiring rented or purchased space by Government within multi-storey buildings in heavily populated districts in order to provide more recreational facilities for young people.

I think that it is entirely possible and highly desirable for Government to rent or even purchase space in a number of multi-storey buildings in heavily populated districts to the order of between 3,000 to 10,000 sq. ft. per site and putting such space at the disposal of the Urban Council for use as indoor recreation centres. Admittedly, the space available would not be as ideal as what would be provided in a multi-storey recreation centre built by the Public Works Department, but it is better to have something in such heavily populated districts rather than nothing at all. If Government can afford to rent expensive shop-fronts for City District Offices, there is no reason why Government could not also rent upper-storey premises for youth recreation activities.

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Page 220 of 241 418 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL at their chest or back. An increasing number of these robbers are young people—first it seemed to be only young men, and just recently young girls have been reported to be taking to a life of violent crime. As a personal safeguard, many residents have resigned themselves to having to carry about $100 in their pockets, for fear that if they should have no money on them and they are robbed they might be unceremoniously beaten up or injured because they did not carry enough money on them to make it worthwhile their being robbed. This state of affairs has reached such critical proportions that it has caused members of our Legislative Council to call for heavier and harsher penalties to be inflicted upon young people who are convicted of violent crimes. Such penalties include the setting up of detention centres, caning, and hard labour. That such call for heavier and harsher penalties is strongly supported by many many people is an indication of how worried they are about the increasing rate of violent crimes by young people and the lives of their families and the safety of their homes. It is to be hoped that such heavier and harsher treatment of young criminals may halt—at least for the time being—the rising rate of violent youth crimes. But is this the long-term answer? I do not think that any of our Legislative Councillors would be prepared to say that it is. The long-term answer I believe depends upon the formulation by Government of a more positive youth policy having to do with a more rapid expansion of education facilities, more moral and civic education in the school, better careers information and youth counselling services, getting young people to become more involved in community service, and insofar as the Urban Council is concerned providing more recreation facilities for young people after school hours and after they leave school. Of course the Urban Council through the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee has done a tremendous amount in providing recreation facilities for young people, in spite of the limited funds allocated by Government for such purpose. As such, the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee and the various Government departments which have assisted the Urban Council should be congratulated for their joint efforts in what has so far been accomplished. However, if the Urban Council is to more vigorously tackle the problem of providing more recreation facilities for young people as part of the long-term solution of reducing youth crimes and youth frustration, it will have to get even stronger support from Government by way of physical facilities, manpower and finance. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 419 Twenty months ago, one of our two lady Councillors, Mrs. C. J. Symons, asked in the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee whether it was feasible to provide multi-storey playgrounds in densely populated areas. She had thought of a three or four-storey building which could offer a variety of facilities to be used at night as well as during the day, and particularly to be used during rainy weather. In January 1970 I requested the Urban Services Department to study details of a multi-storey children's playground built in Japan which was designed to cater for 500 children daily but which was in fact used by 2600 children daily. Subsequently it was decided in June 1970 by the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee that action should be taken to build the first multi-storey recreation centre, and that such building could cater for smaller scale games and general indoor recreation. As far as I am aware, the Urban Services Department is still liaising with the Education Department in the planning of such a multi-storey recreation centre for consideration by the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee. It will however be some time yet before the first multi-storey recreation centre can be built by the Public Works Department, since planning will have to be finalized and the item will have to be included in the Public Works Programme and given its order of priority. But even after the first multi-storey recreation centre has been completed, it will cater to only a tiny segment of our youth population, and will not be sufficient, even counting the facilities provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs Association, the Federation of Youth Groups, and other organizations, to serve the terribly massive need for properly organized youth recreation in Hong Kong. I would therefore urge as I have stated in the Motion that the Urban Council should apart from the planning of the first multi-purpose recreation centre also explore the feasibility of acquiring rented or purchased space by Government within multi-storey buildings in heavily populated districts in order to provide more recreational facilities for young people. I think that it is entirely possible and highly desirable for Government to rent or even purchase space in a number of multi-storey buildings in heavily populated districts to the order of between 3,000 to 10,000 sq. ft. per site and putting such space at the disposal of the Urban Council for use as indoor recreation centres. Admittedly, the space available would not be as ideal as what would be provided in a multi-storey recreation centre built by the Public Works Department, but it is better to have something in such heavily populated districts rather than nothing at all. If Government can afford to rent expensive shop-fronts for City District Offices, there is no reason why Government could not also rent upper-storey premises for youth recreation activities. Page 221 of 241

Baseline (Original)

241 Page 220 of 241 418 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL at their chest or back. An increasing number of these robbers are young people-first it seemed to be only young men, and just recently young girls have been reported to be taking to a life of violent crime. As a personal safeguard, many residents have resigned themselves to having to carry about $100 in their pockets, for fear that if they should have no money on them and they are robbed they might be unceremoniously beaten up or injured because they did not carry enough money on them to make it worthwhile their being robbed. This state of affairs has reached such critical proportions that it has caused members of our Legislative Council to call for heavier and harsher penalties to be inflicted upon young people who are convicted of violent crimes. Such penalties include the setting up of detention centres, caning, and hard labour. That such call for heavier and harsher penalties is strongly sup- ported by many many people is an indication of how worried they are about the increasing rate of violent crimes by young people and the lives of their families and the safety of their homes. It is to be hoped that such heavier and harsher treatment of young criminals may halt-at least for the time being the rising rate of I do not violent youth crimes. But is this the long-term answer? think that any of our Legislative Councillors would be prepared to say that it is. The long-term answer I believe depends upon the formulation by Government of a more positive youth policy having to do with a more rapid expansion of education facilities, more moral and civic education in the school, better careers information and youth counselling services, getting young people to become more involved in community service, and insofar as the Urban Council is concerned providing more recrea- tion facilities for young people after school hours and after they leave school. Of course the Urban Council through the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee has done a tremendous amount in providing recrea- tion facilities for young people, in spite of the limited funds allocated by Government for such purpose. As such, the Recreation & Amen- ities Select Committee and the various Government departments which have assisted the Urban Council should be congratulated for their joint efforts in what has so far been accomplished. However, if the Urban Council is to more vigorously tackle the problem of providing more recreation facilities for young people as part of the long-term solution of reducing youth crimes and youth frustration, it will have to get even stronger support from Government by way of physical facilities, manpower and finance. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 419 Twenty months ago, one of our two lady Councillors, Mrs. C. J. SYMONS, asked in the Recreation & Amenitics Select Committee whether it was feasible to provide multi-storey playgrounds in densely populated areas. She had thought of a three or four-storey building which could offer a variety of facilities to be used at night as well as during the day, and particularly to be used during rainy weather. In January 1970 I requested the Urban Services Department to study details of a multi-storey children's playground built in Japan which was designed to cater for 500 children daily but which was in fact used by 2600 children daily. Subsequently it was decided in June 1970 by the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee that action should be taken to build the first multi-storey recreation centre, and that such building could cater for smaller scale games and general indoor recreation. As far as I am aware, the Urban Services Department is still liaising with the Education Department in the planning of such a multi-storey recreation centre for consideration by the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee. It will however be some time yet before the first multi-storey rec- reation centre can be built by the Public Works Department, since planning will have to be finalized and the item will have to be included in the Public Works Programme and given its order of priority. But even after the first multi-storey recreation centre has been com- pleted, it will cater to only a tiny segment of our youth population, and will not be sufficient, even counting the facilities provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs Association, the Federation of Youth Groups, and other organizations, to serve the terribly massive need for properly organized youth recreation in Hong Kong. I would therefore urge as I have stated in the Motion that the Urban Council should apart from the planning of the first multi- purpose recreation centre also explore the feasibility of acquiring rented or purchased space by Government within multi-storey buildings in heavily populated districts in order to provide more recreational facil- ities for young people. I think that it is entirely possible and highly desirable for Govern- ment to rent or even purchase space in a number of multi-storey build- ings in heavily populated districts to the order of between 3,000 to 10,000 sq. ft. per site and putting such space at the disposal of the Urban Council for use as indoor recreation centres. Admittedly, the space available would not be as ideal as what would be provided in a multi-storey recreation centre built by the Public Works Department, but it is better to have something in such heavily populated districts rather than nothing at all. If Government can afford to rent expensive shop-fronts for City District Offices, there is no reason why Government could not also rent upper-storey premises for youth recreation activities. Page 220Page 221 241

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241

Page 220 of 241

418

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

at their chest or back. An increasing number of these robbers are young people-first it seemed to be only young men, and just recently young girls have been reported to be taking to a life of violent crime.

That such call for heavier and harsher penalties is strongly sup- ported by many many people is an indication of how worried they are about the increasing rate of violent crimes by young people and the lives of their families and the safety of their homes.

It is to be hoped that such heavier and harsher treatment of young criminals may halt-at least for the time being the rising rate of I do not violent youth crimes. But is this the long-term answer? think that any of our Legislative Councillors would be prepared to say that it is.

The long-term answer I believe depends upon the formulation by Government of a more positive youth policy having to do with a more rapid expansion of education facilities, more moral and civic education in the school, better careers information and youth counselling services, getting young people to become more involved in community service, and insofar as the Urban Council is concerned providing more recrea- tion facilities for young people after school hours and after they leave school.

Of course the Urban Council through the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee has done a tremendous amount in providing recrea- tion facilities for young people, in spite of the limited funds allocated by Government for such purpose. As such, the Recreation & Amen- ities Select Committee and the various Government departments which have assisted the Urban Council should be congratulated for their joint efforts in what has so far been accomplished.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

419

Twenty months ago, one of our two lady Councillors, Mrs. C. J. SYMONS, asked in the Recreation & Amenitics Select Committee whether it was feasible to provide multi-storey playgrounds in densely populated areas. She had thought of a three or four-storey building which could offer a variety of facilities to be used at night as well as during the day, and particularly to be used during rainy weather. In January 1970 I requested the Urban Services Department to study details of a multi-storey children's playground built in Japan which was designed to cater for 500 children daily but which was in fact used by 2600 children daily. Subsequently it was decided in June 1970 by the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee that action should be taken to build the first multi-storey recreation centre, and that such building could cater for smaller scale games and general indoor recreation. As far as I am aware, the Urban Services Department is still liaising with the Education Department in the planning of such a multi-storey recreation centre for consideration by the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee.

It will however be some time yet before the first multi-storey rec- reation centre can be built by the Public Works Department, since planning will have to be finalized and the item will have to be included in the Public Works Programme and given its order of priority.

But even after the first multi-storey recreation centre has been com- pleted, it will cater to only a tiny segment of our youth population, and will not be sufficient, even counting the facilities provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs Association, the Federation of Youth Groups, and other organizations, to serve the terribly massive need for properly organized youth recreation in Hong Kong.

I would therefore urge as I have stated in the Motion that the Urban Council should apart from the planning of the first multi- purpose recreation centre also explore the feasibility of acquiring rented or purchased space by Government within multi-storey buildings in heavily populated districts in order to provide more recreational facil- ities for young people.

I think that it is entirely possible and highly desirable for Govern- ment to rent or even purchase space in a number of multi-storey build- ings in heavily populated districts to the order of between 3,000 to 10,000 sq. ft. per site and putting such space at the disposal of the Urban Council for use as indoor recreation centres. Admittedly, the space available would not be as ideal as what would be provided in a multi-storey recreation centre built by the Public Works Department, but it is better to have something in such heavily populated districts rather than nothing at all. If Government can afford to rent expensive shop-fronts for City District Offices, there is no reason why Government could not also rent upper-storey premises for youth recreation activities.

1970 — Page 220

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