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(b) Has the Department received complaints that the use of the Park by our youth were seriously obstructed for a long period when the Bazaar takes place? (c) In view of the above, has the Department looked into the possibility of utilizing the empty site along the water front of Gloucester Road where the Chinese Manufacturers Association Annual Exhibition takes place in view of the ease of traffic and that will cause no obstruction to our already limited available playground for our youth especially during the Chinese New Year Holidays?
MR. R. H. LOBO, CHAIRMAN OF THE HAWKER MANAGEMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
The Chinese New Year Fair is a traditional annual event, organized and run by the Urban Council, which is very greatly appreciated by large numbers of the population. It may be said that in respect of Victoria Park this annual event creates some traffic congestion, but I would not agree that it is serious or out of proportion to the pleasure which the Fair affords to the many people who visit it.
No complaints have been received about the loss of the small area of Victoria Park which is used for the Fair. Consideration was given by the Hawker Management Select Committee to locating the Fair elsewhere but, on balance, it was thought better to continue with the Fair at its traditional site.
I am certain that the Select Committee will be prepared to consider alternative sites should circumstances determine the need for them.
MR. NG: Would Mr. LOBO be kind enough to answer Part (c) of my question. Of course there is a typing error in the fifth line of my question "and that will cause no obstruction to our already limited" do you follow, and not "to cause obstruction". Can Mr. LOBO answer Part (c) please?
MR. LOBO: There is no Part (c) here.
MR. NG: In my original question.
MR. C. K. CHAN: I think the answer is already in para. 3. CHAIRMAN: The position is that we considered the C.M.A. site last year and we decided that there was difficulty about getting hold of it in time for our New Year fairs and we didn't pursue it this year.
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MR. NG: Well Mr. Chairman, can we look into it for next year.
MR. LOBO: To be correct in fact, not only last year but the year before last, and Mr. RAFEEK five years ago raised this question and it is a question of the site, of the C.M.A. prolonging the fair, of holes in the ground and several other problems including the construction going on in that area.
MR. BERNACCHI: I would like to ask the Chairman of the Select Committee whether it is a fact that when other sites were considered, the point was made that the site would be preferable to the one that is the same from year to year and not one year this site and another year the next site.
(Dr. Denny M. H. HUANG left at this point).
MR. LOBO: Well this also has a bearing on it because of the traditional Chinese New Year.
MR. BERNACCHI: At one time, the site was in Gloucester Road, but when Victoria Park was erected the site was changed to Victoria Park.
MR. LOBO: Yes, but it was never on the reclamation site but on the road.
MRS. ELLIOTT: Mr Chairman, if my students answered like that I would tell them to keep to the question. Five years ago, wasn't the Chinese Manufacturers' Association's Exhibition at Hung Hom? Mr. Chairman, I think it is true to say that we did not consider the site suggested by MR. NG. I think it is a very good suggestion. May I ask that consideration be given?
MR. LOBO: I would like to disagree with Mrs. ELLIOTT. We did consider the C.M.A. site sometime ago. Perhaps you don't remember.
MR. NG: Perhaps this matter could be brought back to the Committee for further consideration.
MR. LOBO: I think Mr. NG did not read the last part of my answer.
MR. NG: The answer is "yes" Mr. Chairman. How does the Committee know when there is a need for a change. By sitting in the Committee meeting room and know there is a need for it?
MR. LO TAK-SHING: Mr. Chairman, perhaps the need for it arises when a member asks for it?
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(b) Has the Department received complaints that the use of the Park by our youth were seriousnessly obstructed for a long period when the Bazaar takes place? (c) In view of the above, has the Department looked into the possibility of utilizing the empty site along the water front of Gloucester Road where the Chinese Manufac- turers Association Annual Exhibition takes place in view of the ease of traffic and that will cause to obstruction to our already limited available playground for our youth especially during the Chinese New Year Holidays?
MR. R. H. LOBO, CHAIRMAN OF THE HAWKER MANAGEMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
The Chinese New Year Fair is a traditional annual event, organized and run by the Urban Council, which is very greatly appreciated by large numbers of the population. It may be said that in respect of Victoria Park this annual event creates some traffic congestion, but I would not agree that it is serious or out of proportion to the pleasure which the Fair affords to the many people who visit it.
No complaints have been received about the loss of the small area of Victoria Park which is used for the Fair. Consideration was given by the Hawker Management Select Committee to locating the Fair elsewhere but, on balance, it was thought better to continue with the Fair at its traditional site.
I am certain that the Select Committee will be prepared to consider alternative sites should circumstances determine the need for them.
MR. NG: Would Mr. LOBO be kind enough to answer Part (c) of my question. Of course there is a typing error in the fifth line of my question "and that will cause no obstruction to our already limited" do you follow, and not "to cause obstruction". Can Mr. LOBO answer Part (c) please?
MR. LOBO:-There is no Part (c) here.
MR. NG:-In my original question.
MR. C. K. CHAN:-I think the answer is already in para. 3. CHAIRMAN: The position is that we considered the C.M.A. site last year and we decided that there was difficulty about getting hold of it in time for our New Year fairs and we didn't pursue it this
year.
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MR. NG: -Well Mr. Chairman, can we look into it for next year.
MR. LOBO:--To be correct in fact, not only last year but the year before last, and Mr. RAFEEK five years ago raised this question and it is a question of the site, of the C.M.A. prolonging the fair, of holes in the ground and several other problems including the construction going on in that area.
MR. BERNACCHI:-I would like to ask the Chairman of the Select Committee whether it is a fact that when other sites were considered, the point was made that the site would be preferable to the one that is the same from year to year and not one year this site and another year the next site.
(Dr. Denny M. H. HUANG left at this point).
MR. LOBO:--Well this also has a bearing on it because of the traditional Chinese New Year.
MR. BERNACCHI : -At one time, the site was in Gloucester Road, but when Victoria Park was erected the site was changed to Victoria Park.
MR. LOBO:-Yes, but it was never on the reclamation site but on the road.
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr Chairman, if my students answered like that I would tell them to keep to the question. Five years ago, wasn't the Chinese Manufacturers' Association's Exhibition at Hung Hom? Mr. Chairman, I think it is true to say that we did not consider the site suggested by Mr. NG. I think it is a very good suggestion. May I ask that consideration be given?
MR. LOBO:-I would like to disagree with Mrs. ELLIOTT. We did consider the C.M.A. site sometime ago. Perhaps you don't remember.
MR. NG:-Perhaps this matter could be brought back to the Committee for further consideration.
MR. LOBO: I think Mr. No did not read the last part of my
answer.
MR. NG: The answer is "yes" Mr. Chairman. How does the Committee know when there is a need for a change. By sitting in the Committee meeting room and know there is a need for it?
MR. LO TAK-SHING:-Mr. Chairman, perhaps the need for it arises when a member asks for it?
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Private notes are available after approval.