1974 — Page 98

160

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN (in English): --Ladies and gentlemen, it is 4 o'clock and I will call this meeting to order. Before we proceed according to the agenda, I would like to say how happy we are to see Mr. WONG Shiu- cheuck back with us fully recovered from his recent surgery, and also Mr. Charles SIN and Mr. Alex Wu who have been abroad. (Applause).

MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 15th October, 1974, were confirmed.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Page 98 of 187

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Urbco 74 is only a part the overall effort made by the Council, on the strong initiative of the Administration Select Committee, to reach the people we serve and, also important, those with whom we work. It is imperative too that we win and hold the co-operation of the many community organizations we come in contact with in every sphere of Let us recognize all the good work done in this direction our activities. since the Council began its new existence. Besides, the Urban Services Department, functioning in ten districts after re-organization, has been encouraged to work more closely with local groups and leaders and also with other government departmental officers in their respective districts. Only by good team-work can we move forward all along the line in the service of the community. And, it goes without saying, the Council must set the example all the time.

STATEMENT

CHAIRMAN (in English):---Urbco 74 is now in progress. It is the result of many months of careful planning by the Exhibition Sub- Committee of the Administration Select Committee and intensive prep- aration by the Department and our Public Relations Consultant and his staff.

Many who have seen the displays in the City Hall and the sur- rounding area or have enjoyed the cultural and recreational programmes there and elsewhere in the urban areas, and the many more thousands of people who will still do so before Urbco 74 comes to an end, will have seen the wide scope of the Council's work and how in many ways it has a bearing on their lives.

For the first time, this practical programme in civic education on Council functions and responsibilities is attempted on such an ambitious scale. Urbco 74 is a bold and imaginative effort to communicate with the public in yet another way. It is simple in presentation, yet com- prehensive in range; it shows the Council and the Urban Services Department in action in every-day terms the people can easily under- stand. The opportunity is also given to them to seek more information on the spot, to make complaints if they wish and to put forward such suggestions as they may have. No doubt they will do all that, whether at once or afterwards. But long after Urbco 74 is over, its impact will endure. Indeed, we may expect a better understanding of the Council's work in the future.

(Miss Cecilia L. Y. YEUNG arrived at this point.)

PAPER

The following paper was laid on the table:

Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of October, 1974.

(Dr. P. C. WONG and Mr. TSIN Sai-nin arrived at this point.)

QUESTIONS

(1) Mr. PETER P. F. CHAN asked the following-question (in English) : ·

Many museum items are nowadays available in local and international auctions. Does the Council have a policy to authorize acquisitions from this source?

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI, CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-

Mr. Chairman, the short answer to this question is "Yes. The Council does have a policy of authorizing acquisitions from local and international auctions."

There is also in the financial by-laws a provision for the Museum and Art Gallery to incur expenditure on suitable acquisitions for display in the museum (and also the art gallery) without recourse to tender.