304
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
It is mentioned
(1) On entertainment and urban appearance: in Section A of Aims and Objects for 1973-74 to request for sufficient land space for public use. (Dr. Denny M. H. HUANG left the meeting at this point.) The most ideal land spaces for development and re-construction should be the land where the Central Market and the Fire Station are in the Central District. If the said buildings could be re-constructed as an Urban Council Mansion joined together with a flyover, it would be a great change to the urban appearance as that area stands in the heart of Hong Kong commanding both Hong Kong and Kowloon. Since there is a plan to erect a new mansion in Kowloon, why cannot a magnificent Urban Council Mansion be erected in Hong Kong? Has this Council ever considered this idea in the past?
As to the Central Market, it can be re-allocated in the reclaimed area along the sea for ways of sales in the said market are mainly "Delivery to the buyers", therefore no inconvenience would be caused. As to the Fire Station, it can also be built in the reclaimed area. Most citizens feel the need to improve the urban appearance which, in fact, reflects Hong Kong's prosperity. Funds to be spent on this project would not be considered extravagant for there is such a great need to develop the said Central area. Sections in the Central along Des Voeux Road, including the General Post Office Building, are to be placed under re-construction; I do not and cannot see why we should still keep the above-mentioned two pre-war old buildings as if they are precious antiques resulting in affecting our urban appearance. Would this Council give to this my proposal its priority in consideration?
(2) Some time ago, there was the talk of allowing the Low Cost Housing Estates residents to own the residential space they occupy by paying a certain amount of money by instalments. This idea was (and still is) most welcome to the large number of Low Cost Housing Estates residents. The continuous increase of rents every few years, as I have heard, is not only increasing the Low Cost Housing Estates residents' financial burden but also forming one of the causes for inflation. If residential spaces are sold to the Low Cost Housing Estates residents, Government could make use of the money collected to build more Low Cost Housing Estates and also suppress inflation. In the meantime, the residents may acquire a sense of belonging and security. A Chinese saying goes, "With a permanent home comes a permanent mind, without which one is tempted into all sorts of evils".
Besides, the service offered and responsibilities shouldered by teachers of subsidized and private schools are, to my consideration, no less heavy than those by Police Officers. I therefore propose that teachers of subsidized and private schools having had ten years of service in their profession should be considered qualified for purchase of Low Cost Housing flats and thus they would be enabled to live and work at ease and in peace.
(3) As hygiene and health condition is of paramount importance and medical care for women has never been adequate, I therefore propose to set up a Gynaecological Hospital. Although some of our hospitals have already had gynaecological units, this is by far inadequate in quality and does not meet the demand. I consider it necessary to set up a gynaecological hospital for women just as there are special hospitals for the treatment of tuberculosis, heart diseases, and cancer. The Urban Council, with its aim to maintain and improve health services for the community, should consult and urge our Medical and Health Department for building a Gynaecological Hospital. I call upon Government to give this my proposal its serious consideration.
(4) Most plans of this Council on entertainment, new and colourful in nature, are mainly concentrated on the youngsters whereas there is little for the old. Care extended by this Council to the old is far from being sufficient. Approaching the Lunar New Year, a number of public bodies organized some "Respecting the old" functions discovering that the old people should not be neglected.
In the present-day sophisticated society, there is a gap existing between the older and the younger generations. Because of difference in ideas and thoughts, unpleasant incidents often occur between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law and between parents and children, especially when living quarters are limited in space. Without care extended to them by Government, the older generation would gradually be forgotten. What I am prepared to say is, "Would it be possible for this Council to give more consideration to the old people when entertainment programs are planned in future?" "To love others' old as we do our own" should be one of our aims. As the old people do not form a large portion of our community, it would be only fair and not difficult at all for us to give them a chance to share and enjoy the entertainment.
Talking about the old, I think Government should give attention to the old couples without children, without much savings, and without the qualifications to live in the "Home for the Old". Although they may have the highest Social Welfare Assistance of $110.00 p.m., facing such a high cost of living today without sufficient amount for food, where would they have the money to pay rent? To take care of them,
Page 305
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 188 of 212
304
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
It is mentioned
(1) On entertainment and urban appearance: in Section A of Aims and Objects for 1973-74 to request for sufficient land space for public use. (Dr. Denny M. H. HUANG left the meeting at this point.) The most ideal land spaces for development and re-construction should be the land where the Central Market and the Fire Station are in the Central District. If the said buildings could be re-constructed as an Urban Council Mansion joined together with a flyover, it would be a great change to the urban appearance as that area stands in the heart of Hong Kong commanding both Hong Kong and Kowloon. Since there is plan to erect a new mansion in Kowloon, why cannot a magnificent Urban Council Mansion be erected in Hong Kong? Has this Council ever considered this idea in the past?
As to the Central Market, it can be re-allocated in the reclaimed area along the sea for ways of sales in the said market are mainly "Delivery to the buyers", therefore no inconvenience would be caused. As to the Fire Station, it can also be built in the reclaimed area. Most citizens feel the need to improve the urban appearance which, in fact, reflects Hong Kong's prosperity. Funds to be spent on this project would not be considered extravagant for there is such a great need to develop the said Central area. Sections in the Central along Des Voeux Road, including the General Post Office Building, are to be placed under re-construction; I do not and cannot see why we should still keep the above-mentioned two pre-war old buildings as if they are precious antiques resulting in affecting our urban appear- ance. Would this Council give to this my proposal its priority in consideration?
(2) Some time ago, there was the talk of allowing the Low Cost Housing Estates residents to own the residential space they occupy by paying a certain amount of money by instalments. This idea was (and still is) most welcome to the large number of Low Cost Housing Estates residents. The continuous increase of rents every few years, as I have heard, is not only increasing the Low Cost Housing Estates residents' financial burden but also forming one of the causes for infla- tion. If residential spaces are sold to the Low Cost Housing Estates residents, Government could make use of the money collected to build more Low Cost Housing Estates and also suppress inflation. In the meantime, the residents may acquire a sense of belonging and security. A Chinese saying goes, "With a permanent home comes a permanent mind, without which one is tempted into all sorts of evils".
Besides, the service offered and responsibilities shouldered by teachers of subsidized and private schools are, to my consideration, no less heavy than those by Police Officers. I therefore propose that
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 188 of 212
305
teachers of subsidized and private schools having had ten years of service in their profession should be considered qualified for purchase of Low Cost Housing flats and thus they would be enabled to live and work at ease and in peace.
(3) As hygiene and health condition is of paramount importance and medical care for women has never been adequate, I therefore propose to set up a Gynaecological Hospital. Although some of our hospitals have already had gynaecological unit, this is by far inade- quate in quality and does not meet the demand. I consider it necessary to set up a gynaecological hospital for women just as there are special hospitals for the treatment of tuberculosis, heart diseases and cancer. The Urban Council, with its aim to maintain and improve health services for the community, should consult and urge our Medical and Health Department for building a Gynaecological Hospital. I call upon Government to give this my proposal its serious consideration.
(4) Most plans of this Council on entertainment, new and colour- ful in nature, are mainly concentrated on the youngsters whereas there is little for the old. Care extended by this Council to the old is far from being sufficient. Approaching the Lunar New Year, a number of public bodies organized some "Respecting the old" functions discover- ing that the old people should not be neglected.
In the present-day sophisticated society, there is a gap existing between the older and the younger generations. Because of differ- ence in ideas and thoughts, unpleasant incidents often occur between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law and between parents and children, especially when living quarters are limited in space. Without care extended to them by Government, the older generation would gradually be forgotten. What I am prepared to say is, "Would it be possible for this Council to give more consideration to the old people when enter- tainment programs are planned in future?" "To love others' old as we do our own" should be one of our aims. As the old people do not form a large portion of our community, it would be only fair and not difficult at all for us to give them a chance to share and enjoy the entertainment.
Talking about the old, I think Government should give attention to the old couples without children, without much savings and without the qualifications to live in the "Home for the Old". Although they may have the highest Social Welfare Assistance of $110.00 p.m., facing such a high cost of living today without sufficient amount for food, where would they have the money to pay rent? To take care of them,
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