1971 — Page 238

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 238 of 242

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

There has been no formal exchange of views or information between the Hong Kong Arts Centre Ltd. and the City Hall Management, although individual staff members of the Department received some of the Arts Centre's circulars, copies of some of its correspondence with the Government and invitations to attend its public meetings.

MR. MACKENZIE:- Mr. Chairman, in view of the substantial value of this site which is, of course, public funds, would there be any liaison in the form of contact, communication, between Government or this Council and the new controlling body of the Arts Centre?

CHAIRMAN:- I think this question is somewhat out of order, Mr. MACKENZIE, but, if I could have answered it, I would have; but I can't.

MR. MACKENZIE:- Sir, in fact you are saying that these facilities will be complementary to what we will provide in the Kowloon Civic Centre.

MR. PETER C. K. CHAN:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary, you may rule it out of order, but I think it will help? Perhaps you know of an Article of Association setting out the objects of this limited company, which must be a non-profit making organization, which could be circulated to members of this Council so that we may know what, that is.

CHAIRMAN:- The question is out of order Mr. CHAN. I certainly would not do it from this Council.

MR. SALES:- Might I clear the air as an interested party, being the Chairman of the Select Committee.

CHAIRMAN:- Supplementary?

MR. SALES: No, asking whether I have your permission to make a statement which would clarify the position? The chairman of the group concerned came to see me, as you might be aware, to put their position to me and to ask my views on the matter. I said that I thought these facilities would be complementary to what the Council has and would not compete with the Council. They could provide some services which evidently the Council could not provide in a more formal atmosphere, and in point of fact, I suggested at that time that application might be made to Government for land marked off in the town plan as G.I.C. rather than open space. My understanding now is that the land that will be allocated by the Government to this organization will be classified as G.I.C. and not open space, so that the Council is not going to be deprived of any land which the Council would otherwise have been given.

MR. MACKENZIE:- Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

457

(6) MR. J. MACKENZIE asked the following question:-

With reference to the recent report in the press and on television regarding the expansion of the Botanic Gardens zoo, could this Council be informed of the nature and extent of these plans?

As an alternative to expansion of facilities there, and particularly in view of the very limited area, has consideration been given to developing new and better-designed facilities in some other location in the Colony?

MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-

Sir, the Honorary Curator of Mammals, Mr. J. D. ROMER, is still considering how best to expand the mammal collection at the Botanic Gardens. The department is therefore unable as yet to provide exact details of what this expansion will entail. It is, of course, not possible to increase the collection substantially, but it is proposed to replace the existing cages by well-designed enclosures of adequate size, attractively laid out. As soon as the details have been worked out, they will be put to the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee and any other member who may be interested.

Consideration has been given to setting up a larger zoological collection elsewhere in the Colony. While the Government is aware that a zoo is a desirable amenity for Hong Kong, the Select Committee has nevertheless been told that it is Government policy that any such zoo should be established and run by either private individuals or a suitable non-Government organization representing persons or groups with an interest in this type of enterprise. Should any such body be formed and demonstrate that it was capable of financing and managing the affairs of a zoo on a satisfactory and continuing basis, the Government would be prepared to give further consideration to the offer of appropriate assistance. The extent and nature of any such assistance would, of course, require careful consideration in the light of proposals put up by the sponsoring organization. I am told that so far no suitable organization has come forward.

MR. MACKENZIE:- Mr. Chairman, in the likely event that no organization comes forward, might it be possible to review the policy from the Urban Council, at least to put forward a further recommendation from this Council to Government on what Government accepts as a desirable amenity, i.e. a zoo, a larger zoo in Hong Kong?

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Page 238 of 242 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL There has been no formal exchange of views or information between the Hong Kong Arts Centre Ltd. and the City Hall Management, although individual staff members of the Department received some of the Arts Centre's circulars, copies of some of its correspondence with the Government and invitations to attend its public meetings. MR. MACKENZIE:- Mr. Chairman, in view of the substantial value of this site which is, of course, public funds, would there be any liaison in the form of contact, communication, between Government or this Council and the new controlling body of the Arts Centre? CHAIRMAN:- I think this question is somewhat out of order, Mr. MACKENZIE, but, if I could have answered it, I would have; but I can't. MR. MACKENZIE:- Sir, in fact you are saying that these facilities will be complementary to what we will provide in the Kowloon Civic Centre. MR. PETER C. K. CHAN:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary, you may rule it out of order, but I think it will help? Perhaps you know of an Article of Association setting out the objects of this limited company, which must be a non-profit making organization, which could be circulated to members of this Council so that we may know what, that is. CHAIRMAN:- The question is out of order Mr. CHAN. I certainly would not do it from this Council. MR. SALES:- Might I clear the air as an interested party, being the Chairman of the Select Committee. CHAIRMAN:- Supplementary? MR. SALES: No, asking whether I have your permission to make a statement which would clarify the position? The chairman of the group concerned came to see me, as you might be aware, to put their position to me and to ask my views on the matter. I said that I thought these facilities would be complementary to what the Council has and would not compete with the Council. They could provide some services which evidently the Council could not provide in a more formal atmosphere, and in point of fact, I suggested at that time that application might be made to Government for land marked off in the town plan as G.I.C. rather than open space. My understanding now is that the land that will be allocated by the Government to this organization will be classified as G.I.C. and not open space, so that the Council is not going to be deprived of any land which the Council would otherwise have been given. MR. MACKENZIE:- Thank you, Mr. Chairman. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 457 (6) MR. J. MACKENZIE asked the following question:- With reference to the recent report in the press and on television regarding the expansion of the Botanic Gardens zoo, could this Council be informed of the nature and extent of these plans? As an alternative to expansion of facilities there, and particularly in view of the very limited area, has consideration been given to developing new and better-designed facilities in some other location in the Colony? MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:- Sir, the Honorary Curator of Mammals, Mr. J. D. ROMER, is still considering how best to expand the mammal collection at the Botanic Gardens. The department is therefore unable as yet to provide exact details of what this expansion will entail. It is, of course, not possible to increase the collection substantially, but it is proposed to replace the existing cages by well-designed enclosures of adequate size, attractively laid out. As soon as the details have been worked out, they will be put to the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee and any other member who may be interested. Consideration has been given to setting up a larger zoological collection elsewhere in the Colony. While the Government is aware that a zoo is a desirable amenity for Hong Kong, the Select Committee has nevertheless been told that it is Government policy that any such zoo should be established and run by either private individuals or a suitable non-Government organization representing persons or groups with an interest in this type of enterprise. Should any such body be formed and demonstrate that it was capable of financing and managing the affairs of a zoo on a satisfactory and continuing basis, the Government would be prepared to give further consideration to the offer of appropriate assistance. The extent and nature of any such assistance would, of course, require careful consideration in the light of proposals put up by the sponsoring organization. I am told that so far no suitable organization has come forward. MR. MACKENZIE:- Mr. Chairman, in the likely event that no organization comes forward, might it be possible to review the policy from the Urban Council, at least to put forward a further recommendation from this Council to Government on what Government accepts as a desirable amenity, i.e. a zoo, a larger zoo in Hong Kong? Page 242 (no text) (no text) (no text) 456 (no text) (no text) (no text)

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242 Page 238 of 242 I " 456 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL There has been no formal exchange of views of information between the Hong Kong Arts Centre Ltd. and the City Hall Management, although individual staff members of the Department received some of the Arts Centre's circulars, copies of some of its correspondence with the Government and invitations to attend its public meetings. MR. MACKENZIE:-Mr. Chairman, in view of the substantial value of this site which is, of course, public funds, would their be any liaison in the form of contact, communication, between Government or this Council and the new controlling body of the Arts Centre? CHAIRMAN:-I think this question is somewhat out of order, Mr. MACKENZIE, but, if I could have answered it, I would have; but I can't. MR. MACKENZIE:Sir, in fact you are saying that these facilities will be complimentary to what we will provide in the Kowloon Civic Centre. MR. PETER C. K. CHAN:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplemen- tary, you may rule it out of order, but I think it will help? Perhaps you know of an Article of Association setting out the objects of this limited company, which must be a non-profit making organization, wh ch could be circulated to members of this Council so that we may know what, that is. CHAIRMAN:-The question is out of order Mr. CHAN. I certainly would not do it from this Council. MR. SALES-Might I clear the air as an interested party, being the Chairman of the Select Committee. CHAIRMAN :-Supplementary? MR. SALES: No, asking whether I have your permission to make a statement which would clarify the position? The chairman of the group concerned came to see me, as you might be aware, to put their position to me and to ask my views on the matter. I said that I thought these facilities would be complementary to what the Council has and would not compete with the Council. They could provide some services which evidently the Council could not provide in a more formal atmosphere, and in point of fact, I suggested at that time that application might be made to Government for land marked off in the town plan as G.I.C. rather than open space. My understanding now is that the land that will be allocated by the Government to this organization will be classified as G.I.C. and not open space, so that the Council is not going to be deprived of any land which the Council would otherwise have been given. MR. MACKENZIE:-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 457 (6) MR. J. MACKENZIE asked the following question:- With reference to the recent report in the press and on television regarding the expansion of the Botanic Gardens zoo, could this Council be informed of the nature and extent of these plans? As an alternative to expansion of facilities there, and partic- ularly in view of the very limited area, has consideration been given to developing new and better-designed facilities in some other location in the Colony? MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:- AND Sir, the Honorary Curator of Mammals, Mr. J. D. ROMER, is still considering how best to expand the mammal collec- tion at the Botanic Gardens. The department is therefore unable as yet to provide exact details of what this expan- sion will entail. It is, of course, not possible to increase the collection substantially, but it is proposed to replace the existing cages by well-designed enclosures of adequate size, attractively laid out. As soon as the details have been worked out, they will be put to the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee and any other member who may be interested. Consideration has been given to setting up a larger zoological collection elsewhere in the Colony. While the Govern- ment is aware that a zoo is a desirable amenity for Hong Kong, the Select Committee has nevertheless been told that it is Government policy that any such zoo should be established and run by either private individuals or a suitable non-Government organization representing persons or groups with an interest in this type of enterprise. Should any such body be formed and demonstrate that it was capable of financing and managing the affairs of a zoo on a satisfactory and continuing basis, the Govern- ment would be prepared to give further consideration to the offer of appropriate assistance. The extent and nature of any such assistance would, of course, require careful consideration in the light of proposals put up by the sponsoring organization. I am told that so far no suitable organization has come forward. MR. MACKENZIE:-Mr. Chairman, in the likely event that no organization comes forward, might it be possible to review the policy from the Urban Council, at least to put forward a further recommenda- tion from this Council to Government on what Government accepts as a desirable amenity, i.e. a zoo, a larger zoo in Hong Kong?

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242

Page 238 of 242

456

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

There has been no formal exchange of views of information between the Hong Kong Arts Centre Ltd. and the City Hall Management, although individual staff members of the Department received some of the Arts Centre's circulars, copies of some of its correspondence with the Government and invitations to attend its public meetings.

MR. MACKENZIE:-Mr. Chairman, in view of the substantial value of this site which is, of course, public funds, would their be any liaison in the form of contact, communication, between Government or this Council and the new controlling body of the Arts Centre?

CHAIRMAN:-I think this question is somewhat out of order, Mr. MACKENZIE, but, if I could have answered it, I would have; but I can't.

MR. MACKENZIE:Sir, in fact you are saying that these facilities will be complimentary to what we will provide in the Kowloon Civic Centre.

MR. PETER C. K. CHAN:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplemen- tary, you may rule it out of order, but I think it will help? Perhaps you know of an Article of Association setting out the objects of this limited company, which must be a non-profit making organization, wh ch could be circulated to members of this Council so that we may know what, that is.

CHAIRMAN:-The question is out of order Mr. CHAN. I certainly would not do it from this Council.

MR. SALES-Might I clear the air as an interested party, being the Chairman of the Select Committee.

CHAIRMAN :-Supplementary?

MR. MACKENZIE:-Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

457

(6) MR. J. MACKENZIE asked the following question:-

With reference to the recent report in the press and on television regarding the expansion of the Botanic Gardens zoo, could this Council be informed of the nature and extent of these plans?

As an alternative to expansion of facilities there, and partic- ularly in view of the very limited area, has consideration been given to developing new and better-designed facilities in some other location in the Colony?

MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-

AND

Sir, the Honorary Curator of Mammals, Mr. J. D. ROMER, is still considering how best to expand the mammal collec- tion at the Botanic Gardens. The department is therefore unable as yet to provide exact details of what this expan- sion will entail. It is, of course, not possible to increase the collection substantially, but it is proposed to replace the existing cages by well-designed enclosures of adequate size, attractively laid out. As soon as the details have been worked out, they will be put to the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee and any other member who may be interested.

Consideration has been given to setting up a larger zoological collection elsewhere in the Colony. While the Govern- ment is aware that a zoo is a desirable amenity for Hong Kong, the Select Committee has nevertheless been told that it is Government policy that any such zoo should be established and run by either private individuals or a suitable non-Government organization representing persons or groups with an interest in this type of enterprise. Should any such body be formed and demonstrate that it was capable of financing and managing the affairs of a zoo on a satisfactory and continuing basis, the Govern- ment would be prepared to give further consideration to the offer of appropriate assistance. The extent and nature of any such assistance would, of course, require careful consideration in the light of proposals put up by the sponsoring organization. I am told that so far no suitable organization has come forward.

MR. MACKENZIE:-Mr. Chairman, in the likely event that no organization comes forward, might it be possible to review the policy from the Urban Council, at least to put forward a further recommenda- tion from this Council to Government on what Government accepts as a desirable amenity, i.e. a zoo, a larger zoo in Hong Kong?

1971 — Page 238

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