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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

gramme of 20 classical Chinese instrumental concerts, over 100 performances of drama in Cantonese, ballet and dance presentations and other concerts in addition to its presentations of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra at popular prices.

We are continuing our support of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra which turned professional in January this year. It plans to give 78 performances in 1974-75, with an estimated expenditure over $1.5 million. The Council will be contributing no less than a third of the total expenditure. In addition, two members of the Council, Mr. Alex S. C. Wu and Dr. Denny HUANG serve in the Committee of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society.

The programmes of the Orchestra ranging from classical music to promenade favourites, both western and Chinese, appeal to a wide cross-section of our community.

We are also continuing our co-operation with other cultural organizations in Hong Kong that have similar objects. Together with national cultural organizations such as the Goethe Institute, the Alliance Française, the American Library, the Dante Alighieri, the Japanese Cultural Office, etc., the Council has presented numerous performances by well-known overseas artists at popular prices.

The Council has provided the City Hall Concert Hall and Theatre for exclusive use by the Hong Kong Arts Festival from 3rd February to 2nd March. Next year, in addition to a 50% subsidy on the hire charges of the hall, the Council has approved a grant of $300,000 to the art festival.

Mr. Chairman, I trust Members will agree that the Committee has successfully introduced flexible machinery with which Council may continue in the years to come to provide people in Hong Kong culture and enjoyment.

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This is the first Annual Report to be produced by the Council since it took on its new role in April last year. It does not cover in full detail the volume and extent of the Council's output for the year. This is intentional. The purpose is to give the public a general idea of what we have done in our first full year. However, should any member of the public wish to obtain further information and statistics, he has only to ask the Secretary.

I would like to thank the Administration Select Committee, the Council Secretary, the Urban Services Department, our Public Relations Consultant, and the Government Printing Department for this publication.

The report, if approved by the Council, will be submitted to His Excellency the Governor under Section 48 of the Urban Council Ordinance.

I so move.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it gives me great pleasure to second your motion. Although you and I might disagree over various things in relation to the Urban Council, nevertheless, I am the first one to say that you, Mr. Chairman, have put in many many hours of work to the running of this Urban Council as its first Unofficial Chairman. The results are manifest in the Annual Report for which you have been so much and in so many ways responsible. Whilst it is a credit to the whole of the Urban Council, it is particularly a credit to yourself. I so second.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Thank you, Mr. BERNACCHI, for your remarks.

The question was put.

The motion was carried unanimously.

MOTIONS

(1) THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:

"RESOLVED that the Urban Council Annual Report for the year 1973-74 be approved."

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and Gentlemen, I rise to propose the motion that this Council approve the Annual Report for the year 1973-74. My sentiments are found in the Foreword. I thank Members for their hard work in the service of the community.

(2) MR. B. A. BERNACCHI addressed the Chairman and moved the following motion:

"That the Urban Council amends the motion passed on 14th August, 1973 to read-

'Resolved that, under Section 36(1) of the Urban Council Ordinance, the Urban Council hereby delegates to the

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