Page 221 of 242
422
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 4th January, 1972, were confirmed.
(Messrs. B. A. BERNACCHI, James M. H. WU and Dr. Denny M. H. HUANG arrived at this point).
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:-
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of January, 1972.
(2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical Report for the period 1st October, 1971 to 31st December, 1971.
(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations for the period 1st October, 1971 to 31st December, 1971.
MR. A. de O. SALES:-The Council sponsors either solely or jointly an increasingly varied entertainment programme in our parks and playgrounds. The work is done by the Entertainment Section of the Recreation and Amenities Division of the Urban Services Department, not only in the urban areas under our jurisdiction but also in the New Territories. The staff consists of 12 officers and the current budget for the urban areas is $350,000.
(Mr. Raymond Y. K. KAN arrived at this point).
From 1st April to 31st December last, there were no fewer than 355 activities in the urban areas. There were 85 film shows, 76 military band concerts, 41 variety shows, 38 Cantonese and 2 Peking operas, 32 roller-skating displays, 22 volleyball training courses, 11 youth dances, 11 summer camps, 10 swimming parties (in Urban Council swimming pools), 10 launch picnics, 5 beach swim-in's, 4 Chinese puppet shows, 3 afternoon entertainments at the Chater Road precinct, 2 fun fairs, 1 music camp, the Pop-Folk '71 (with proceeds in aid of charity), and the Hong Kong open round-the-New Territories bicycle run. Estimated attendances at all functions were over 333,000.
The year saw a number of innovations. In order to broaden the range of traditional Chinese entertainment and to encourage neglected art forms, the Peking operas and puppet shows were put on for the first time. The latter were quite successful not only with the Chinese population but with non-Chinese as well, while the former were not so well supported. Another novelty was the organization of a music camp, in conjunction with the Music Club of the Hong Kong University Students' Union. The programme consisted of films, lectures, demonstrations and a music competition in addition to organized physical recreation. A third venture was the organization, together with the Hong Kong and Kowloon Volleyball Association and local Kaifong associations, of a series of 22 volleyball training courses.
(Mr. Peter P. K. NG arrived at this point).
The tentative programme for 1972-73 has been drawn up and approved by the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee. Although it is along much the same lines as for 1971-72, with such changes as experience over the last few years has prompted, yet the Entertainment Section will venture more deeply into the worthwhile recreational training courses. So, in addition to volleyball, and the very popular minisoccer competition started last month, it is proposed to run swimming training courses and more competitions in the sports which have a strong following in our densely populated areas. Such programmes will be sponsored jointly with appropriate sports and civic groups.
While the whole programme is intended to cater for all age groups and a wide variety of tastes the Select Committee, within the narrow limits of our resources, is always willing to try out new ideas. Members are invited to let the department have their suggestions.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN:-Members have from time to time in this Council asked questions about law and order in our resettlement estates, questions that reflect their genuine concern about the overall welfare of estate residents.
I wish to assure Members that the Resettlement Select Committees and the Commissioner for Resettlement are equally concerned about the matter.
We have 1 million tenants in our estates; it is quite natural for us to be concerned about their welfare and safety in such crowded environment, notwithstanding the fact that security is strictly a police matter.
The very mention of resettlement estates immediately conjures up a picture of multitudes of people and their myriad problems even for us who are more familiar with the scene.
But in spite of our occasional doubts about police coverage, I think that this Council as a whole does not accept the picture that is often painted of our estates: as places where thugs roam with
423
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 222 of 242
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Page 223 of 242
242
Page 221 of 242
422
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 4th January, 1972, were confirmed.
(Messrs. B. A. BERNACCHI, James M. H. WU and Dr. Denny M. H. HUANG arrived at this point).
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:-
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban
Services Department for the month of January, 1972. (2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical Report for the period 1st October, 1971 to 31st December, 1971.
(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations for the period 1st October, 1971 to 31st December, 1971.
MR. A. de O. SALES:-The Council sponsors either solely or jointly an increasingly varied entertainment programme in our parks and playgrounds. The work is done by the Entertainment Section of the Recreation and Amenities Division of the Urban Services Depart- ment, not only in the urban areas under our jurisdiction but also in the New Territories. The staff consists of 12 officers and the current budget for the urban areas is $350,000.
(Mr. Raymond Y. K. KAN arrived at this point).
From 1st April to 31st December last, there were no fewer than 355 activities in the urban areas. There were 85 film shows, 76 military band concerts, 41 variety shows, 38 Cantonese and 2 Peking operas, 32 roller-skating displays, 22 volleyball training courses, 11 youth dances, 11 summer camps, 10 swimming parties (in Urban Council swimming pools), 10 launch picnics, 5 beach swim-in's, 4 Chinese puppet shows, 3 afternoon entertainments at the Chater Road precinct, 2 fun fairs, 1 music camp, the Pop-Folk '71 (with proceeds in aid of charity), and the Hong Kong open round-the-New Territories bicycle run. Estimated attendances at all functions were over 333,000.
The year saw a number of innovations. In order to broaden the range of traditional Chinese entertainment and to encourage neglected art forms, the Peking operas and puppet shows were put on for the first time. The latter were quite successful not only with the Chinese
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
423
population but with non-Chinese as well, while the former were not so well supported. Another novelty was the organization of a music camp, in conjunction with the Music Club of the Hong Kong University Students' Union. The programme consisted of films, lectures, demon- strations and a music competition in addition to organized physical recreation. A third venture was the organization, together with the Hong Kong and Kowloon Volleyball Association and local Kaifong associations, of a series of 22 volleyball training courses.
(Mr. Peter P. K. NG arrived at this point).
The tentative programme for 1972-73 has been drawn up and approved by the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee. Although it is along much the same lines as for 1971-72, with such changes as experience over the last few years has prompted, yet the Entertainment Section will venture more deeply into the worthwhile recreational training courses. So, in addition to volleyball, and the very popular minisoccer competition started last month, it is proposed to run swimming training courses and more competitions in the sports which have a strong following in our densely populated areas. Such programmes will be sponsored jointly with appropriate sports and civic groups.
While the whole programme is intended to cater for all age groups and a wide variety of tastes the Select Committee, within the narrow limits of our resources, is always willing to try out new ideas. Members are invited to let the department have their suggestions.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN:-Members have from time to time in this Council asked questions about law and order in our resettlement estates, questions that reflect their genuine concern about the overall welfare of estate residents.
I wish to assure Members that the Resettlement Select Committees and the Commissioner for Resettlement are equally concerned about the matter.
We have 1 million tenants in our estates; it is quite natural for us to be concerned about their welfare and safety in such crowded environ- ment, notwithstanding the fact that security is strictly a police matter.
The very mention of resettlement estates immediately conjures up a picture of multitudes of people and their myriad problems even for us who are more familiar with the scene.
But in spite of our occasional doubts about police coverage, I think that this Council as a whole does not accept the picture that is often painted of our estates: as places where thugs roam with
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