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We should also turn our minds to considering the environment in which public housing is located. In this respect, the old estates provide a stark contrast as compared with the new ones.
Some months ago, I was very interested to read some articles in the South China Morning Post by a journalist who lived for a week at a time in some resettlement estates. He started with an old estate-Tung Tau. His article on this estate contains very strong criticisms, but those of us who have visited such old estates realize that his criticisms though harsh were not unjustified.
Next, he lived in a new estate-Sau Mau Ping (South). Here, instead of being critical, he was full of praise. It is evident that this is a clean well-run estate in which people can be proud to live.
The people housed in the new estates come from the same sort of background as those in the old estates. Why then is there such a dramatic difference? I believe it is mainly because the people living in the new estates are fully briefed before moving in as to what is expected of them. After moving in, they can see that the management intends to take a firm hand in keeping the estate clean. The residents themselves can see the benefit of such discipline and by and large are happy to respect the rules.
If that is the position in the new estates, can we successfully clean up the old estates as well? I am sure that this can be done, and I hope and fully expect the Clean Hong Kong Campaign to have a dramatic impact here. For months now, the Resettlement Department, with their Tidiness Teams, have been removing obstructions, illegal structures, making shops and restaurants who have encroached on common areas give up their encroachment and cleaning up generally. This campaign deserves our support.
However, even after all that has been done, the estates will still remain concrete jungles. Clean and well managed concrete jungles, perhaps, but concrete jungles all the same. Can we do something about this? I suggest a general improvement scheme. Where space is available, we should provide small playgrounds and sitting out areas. In addition, we should start a programme of planting trees and shrubs. There are many slopes in the estates which are particularly suitable for this. I am aware that in the past, attempts at planting trees and shrubs in Resettlement estates have generally failed, but I believe that now it is time to try again. I feel sure that the Clean Hong Kong Campaign will produce a change in people's attitude to their environment. If people can be persuaded not to deposit litter, they can similarly be persuaded not to destroy or damage trees and shrubs. It is after all a matter of respect for one's neighbours and care and concern for the environment in which one lives.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
243
Turning to cultural affairs, there will be an exciting development next year. I refer to the International Arts Festival 1973 during which many famous international artists will perform in Hong Kong. I am sure this will be a success and it is hoped that it will develop into an annual event.
However, it is evident that with artists of such calibre, expenses will be high, and tickets for admission correspondingly so. Although, a number of tickets will be reserved for students at low prices, it is evident that they will have to look mainly to local productions.
On the local scene, concerts are always very popular particularly among the young. A recent survey carried out by the City Hall Management of the audiences attending City Hall performances during the Festival of Hong Kong have produced some very interesting figures. Nearly 90% of the audience are below the age of 29 and almost 70% have no income or only very low income, which I take to mean that they are students. I do not think many people realize that the audiences of such cultural presentation are so overwhelmingly young. The prices of tickets for such presentations are $1.00, $3.00 and $5.00 and because the majority of the audience are students and young people, these prices must be maintained.
At the same time, we must strive to raise cultural standards. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is always extremely popular. Its standard of performance has improved but if it is to improve even further, it is evident that the orchestra must be on a fully professional basis. The prices which we charge will not be sufficient to maintain a full professional orchestra and the orchestra must, therefore, be paid for by the Urban Council. Dr. S. M. BARD, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra has estimated that the cost of running such an orchestra would be about four and a half million dollars annually. Although this is a large sum it is money well worth spending, if we are to prove wrong the people who call Hong Kong a cultural desert.
I would next like to turn my attention to the proposed new museum. Here, I must confess I view the situation with some alarm. It is some two years since we heard from Government that the site of the present Railway Terminus would be offered to us as the site for the new museum. However, up to now, no definite decision has been made and we do not know the exact location of the site that will be given to us.
March 1975 is the target date for the removal of the present Railway Terminus. I can only hope there will be no delay in this, in which case, there is little enough time to complete the planning for the new museum so that we can start work as soon as the site is available.
Page 132 of 206
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
We should also turn our minds to considering the environment in which public housing is located. In this respect, the old estates provide a stark contrast as compared with the new ones.
Some months ago, I was very interested to read some articles in the South China Morning Post by a journalist who lived for a week at a time in some resettle. ment estates. He started with an old estate-Tung Tau. His article on this estate contains very strong criticisms, but those of us who have visited such old estates realize that his criticisms though harsh were not unjustified.
Next, he lived in a new estate-Sau Mau Ping (South). Here, instead of being critical, he was full of praise. It is evident that this is a clean well-run estate in which people can be proud to live.
The people housed in the new estates come from the same sort of background as those in the old estates. Why then is there such a dramatic difference? I believe it is mainly because the people living in the new estates are fully briefed before moving in as to what is expected of them. After moving in, they can see that the management intends to take a firm hand in keeping the estate clean. The residents themselves can see the benefit of such discipline and by and large are happy to respect the rules.
If that is the position in the new estates, can we successfully clean up the old estates as well? I am sure that this can be done, and I hope and fully expect the Clean Hong Kong Campaign to have a dramatic impact here. For months now, the Resettlement Department, with their Tidiness Teams, have been removing obstructions, illegal structures, making shops and restaurants who have encroached on common areas give up their encroachment and cleaning up generally. This campaign deserves our support.
However, even after all that has been done, the estates will still remain concrete jungles. Clean and well managed concrete jungles, perhaps, but concrete jungles all the same. Can we do something about this? I suggest a general improvement scheme. Where space is available, we should provide small playgrounds and sitting out areas. In addition, we should start programme of planting trees and shrubs. There are many slopes in the estates which are particularly suitable for this. I am aware that in the past, attempts at planting trees and shrubs in Resettlement estates have generally failed, but I believe that now it is time to try again. I feel sure that the Clean Hong Kong Campaign will produce a change in people's attitude to their environment. If people can be persuaded not to deposit litter, they can similarly be persuaded not to destroy or damage trees and shrubs. It is after all a matter of respect for one's neighbours and care and concern for the environment in which one lives.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
243
Turning to cultural affairs, there will be an exciting development next year. I refer to the International Arts Festival 1973 during which many famous international artists will perform in Hong Kong. I am sure this will be a success and it is hoped that it will develop into an However, it is evident that with artists of such calibre,
annual event.
expenses will be high, and tickets for admission correspondingly so. Although, a number of tickets will be reserved for students at low prices, it is evident that they will have to look mainly to local pro-
ductions.
On the local scene, concerts are always very popular particularly among the young. A recent survey carried out by the City Hall Management of the audiences attending City Hall performances during the Festival of Hong Kong have produced some very interesting figures. Nearly 90% of the audience are below the age of 29 and almost 70% have no income or only very low income, which I take to mean that they are students. I do not think many people realize that the audiences of such cultural presentation are so overwhelmingly young. The prices of tickets for such presentations are $1.00, $3.00 and $5.00 and because the majority of the audience are students and young people, these prices must be maintained.
At the same time, we must strive to raise cultural standards. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is always extremely popular. Its standard of performance has improved but if it is to improve even further, it is evident that the orchestra must be on a fully professional basis. The prices which we charge will not be sufficient to maintain a full professional orchestra and the orchestra must, therefore, be paid for by the Urban Council. Dr. S. M. BARD, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra has estimated that the cost of running such an orchestra would be about four and a half million dollars annually. Although this is a large sum it is money well worth spending, if we are to prove wrong the peolpe who call Hong Kong a cultural desert.
I would next like to turn my attention to the proposed new museum. Here, I must confess I view the situation with some alarm. It is some two years since we heard from Government that the site of the present Railway Terminus would be offered to us as the site for the new museum. However, up to now, no definite decision has been made and we do not know the exact location of the site that will be given to us.
March 1975 is the target date for the removal of the present Railway Terminus. I can only hope there will be no delay in this, in which case, there is little enough time to complete the planning for the new museum so that we can start work as soon as the site
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