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from the ashes of the Tsim Sha Tsui Railway Terminus. We can all see the new Hung Hom Railway Terminus taking shape, so its opera- tional start-up date must be known by now. I look forward to learning from you, Sir, the status of the new complex. As we all know to our chagrin, planning is one thing execution another.

I have pleasure in seconding the motion before Council. (Ap- plause.)

MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, at this annual debate I am sure we are all very conscious of our increased responsibility since the reorganization of the Urban Council. In pre- vious years, we have demanded that Government should do this or that and have not hesitated to blame Government for failing to do the other. On the other hand, if things have gone well, then we have not been slow to claim the credit. This year, our friends, the former official members have cunningly withdrawn from the firing line. With our increased responsibility, it is now up to us to formulate policy and also to see that our policies are carried out. If not, the public will certainly know whom to blame.

The re-organized Urban Council has been in existence for less than a year. It is, therefore, a little earlier to assess results. However, we have all worked hard and I think it would be safe to say that future prospects are encouraging.

Since I have special responsibility for Recreation and Amenities, I would like to say something about this aspect of council work. The numbers of people who go to beaches in the summer have been increas- ing in recent years. This is partly because young people nowadays are more interested in outdoor activities and also because, with the statutory holidays for factory workers, there is far more opportunity for leisure activities. The number of people who have been to our beaches in the last three years is roughly estimated to be 4.8 million in 1971, 4.5 million in 1972 and 7.1 million in 1973.

With such numbers, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep the beaches clean. The old method of collecting refuse by hand, placing them in baskets and then using coolies to carry the baskets, sometimes for considerable distances, to refuse collecting vehicles, is no longer adequate. To improve matters, we have bought a number of Hill Billy transporters, which were put to use last summer. In essence, they are small tractors on which a number of refuse baskets can be put. They are motorized and all that the beach attendant has to do is to steer it and follow it at a walking pace. These transporters have considerably

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speeded up collection of refuse at beaches besides lightening the labour. They are simple to operate and have been found to be satisfactory. Each major beach should have one and more will be ordered if found to be necessary. However, even with these transporters, it is necessary to pick up refuse by hand. Last summer we bought and took delivery of a beach cleaning machine which was capable of picking up litter and small pieces of refuse mechanically. However, this machine was found to be not altogether satisfactory. Refuse on the beaches still has to be picked up by hand.

Last summer there were complaints about refuse in the sea. Regretfully, we do not have the capability to deal with this problem. The Marine Department has vessels which collect refuse in the Harbour but they do not operate outside Harbour limits. We have tried using booms to keep refuse away from the immediate vicinity of the beaches, but this has not been successful. When the sea is choppy, the refuse will be washed over the top of the boom. Once inside, the boom will have the effect of keeping the refuse in. It is estimated that of the refuse collected from the beaches, approximately 60% is sea-borne, so we can see the extent of the problem.

To cater for the increasing demand, one would wish to develope more beaches. However, there are no more beaches in Hong Kong and Kowloon which are suitable for development. This makes our programme for building swimming pools all the more important.

It is Council policy to build one swimming pool complex for each district of approximately 250,000 people. This aim has not yet been realized but a number of swimming pool complexes are in the pipe line, in addition to those already completed. One at Kennedy Town is nearing completion and is expected to be ready in time for 1974 swimming season. This one is particularly important, because it is in a district which up to now has few recreational facilities. In addition, there will be another complex in Chai Wan and also one at Aberdeen. An anonymous donor has kindly agreed to donate $10,000,000.00 towards the cost of the one at Aberdeen. I hope the donor will in due course allow his name to be known so that due acknowledgement of his great generosity can be given. The site on which the Aberdeen Pool will be built is at present partly under water and reclamation work has to be undertaken, but despite this, it is hoped that this project can go forward without undue delay.

Last year saw the completion of the first multi-purpose games hall at Kai Tak. This project was first mooted many years ago but underwent various delays. It has now been completed though at