1975 — Page 152

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

The Recreation and Amenities Select Committee has reviewed all admission fees and hiring charges for the use of public smimming pools, and considers that these fees and charges, which have not been revised since 1961-62, should now be increased to a more realistic level in order to reduce the deficit. The Recreation and Amenities Select Com- mittee is well aware that public swimming pools are very popular among youngsters and is reluctant to impose any increase. However, the deficit is increasing every year, the Council intends to build more public swimming pools in the near future, and there must be a limit to the subsidy of swimming pools. The Recreation and Amenities Select Committee is satisfied that the proposed revised admission fees $1.20 for a person aged 14 or over and 80 cents for a person under 14, are reasonable, bearing in mind that it now costs at least twice that much for anybody to go to the nearest public bathing beach by public trans- port. The revised hiring charges and compounded fees for the use of public swimming pools are of course not covered by this amendment. Nevertheless, all these revised fees and charges were agreed by the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee and endorsed by the Finance Select Committee. I must also point out that the estimated revenue from seven public swimming pools after the implementation of revised fees and charges will only reduce not eliminate the deficit. The Council will still lose over $2 million in 1976-77, if total expendi- ture remains at roughly the same level as 1973-74.

Thirdly, by-law 10(2) is amended to extend concessions to organ- ized approved persons using public swimming pools. The recently established Recreation and Sports Service has expanded the scope of organised training classes in swimming, diving and water-polo for youths, many of whom are over the age of 18 years. This amendment will enable the Council to approve concessions for these activities.

Fourthly, to tighten the management of public swimming pools and to prohibit entrance to public swimming pools without payment, by-law 10(6) is amended to make it an offence for persons to enter the precincts of a swimming pool without paying the prescribed fees, and by-law 13(1) is amended to add a new offence as a result of the addition of by- law 10(6). At the same time, by-law 10(5) is amended to allow fees to be waived or reduced in respect of childrens' paddling pools, some of which are designed for free use by residents in the neighbourhood.

The amendments have received the support of the Standing Com- mittee, and I now move that the amendments to by-laws 9, 10 and 13 of the Public Swimming Pools (Amendment) By-law 1976, be made law.

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MR. F. K. Hu (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I have the pleasure

to second the motion.

The question was put.

The motion was carried unanimously.

(3) MR. WONG SHIU-CHEUCK, CHAIRMAN OF THE CEMETERIES, CREMA- TORIA AND FUNERAL PARLOURS SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion (in Cantonese):·

"RESOLVED that the Private Cemeteries (Amendment) By- laws 1976 be made under section 116 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Cap. 132."

He said:-Mr. Chairman, I rise on the motion standing in my

name.

The amendments to the Private Cemeteries By-laws now proposed are aimed at further improving the management of private cemeteries in the urban areas, and eliminating malpractices.

By-law 2 requires the manager of a private cemetery to keep it free of mosquitoes.

By-law 3(a), (b) and (c) and By-law 7(a) correct the reference in the principal by-laws to "grave" rather than "grave space". The reference to "grave space" was wrongly included when the by-laws were amended in 1972.

By-law 3(d) and By-law 5 exempt grave spaces which were pur- chased or allocated before 1st January 1973 from the limitations imposed by by-law 6(4) and (5) and by-law 9 of the principal by-laws. This will clarify the legal position of the so-called "subscribers' lots", so that no reduction in size of any grave space allotted or bought before 1st January 1973 will be required when an interment takes place.

By-law 7(b) prevents managers of private cometeries or anyone else from soliciting, demanding or accepting any payment, donation or con- tribution of any kind, other than a fee approved by the Council for a grave space or niche.

Sir, I beg to move.