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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN (in English): -That was also a supplementary question! (Laughter).
STATEMENT BY MR. WONG SHIU-CHEUCK,
CHAIRMAN
OF THE CEMETERIES, CREMATORIA AND FUNERAL PARLOURS SELECT COMMITTEE
MR. WONG SHIU-CHEUCK (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it has hitherto been the policy of the Council to encourage cremation to achieve a cremation: burial rate of at least 35%: 65% by 1985. This target has now been achieved, and at its most recent meeting the Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Parlours Select Committee agreed to aim for a 50:50 ratio of cremation to burial by 1985.
Because of the steady increase in private cremations, both the Cape Collinson and Diamond Hill Crematoria are already working to full capacity. On occasions, for example when maintenance work has to be carried out on the cremators, there is a waiting period for cremation of several days. This, of course, hinders the Council's efforts to promote cremation.
In order to further increase the cremation: burial ratio, it is essential that additional facilities for cremation be provided. The Council has been pressing for the building of a new crematorium and columbarium at Diamond Hill, and the installation of an additional twin cremator at the Cape Collinson Crematorium. Items for these projects are in the Public Works Programme, and I must urge the Government to proceed with both projects as soon as possible. This is very much in the Government's interest, since it will obviate the need to provide more and more scarce land for burial.
STATEMENT BY MRS. E. ELLIOTT, CHAIRMAN
OF THE LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE
MRS. E. ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in view of the recent legislation on pornographic literature, especially the pornography and violence found in children's comics, my Committee has discussed what steps the libraries might take to assist in leading children into good reading habits.
The subject of an exhibition of children's books was considered in April, and the Committee concluded that there might be better ways of attracting children into the libraries, rather than by an exhibition which could be passive, and might not be able to compete with the ready-made attractions of street corner stalls, at which the most objectionable publications are always on display.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Among the alternative suggestions put forward at our last meeting, in June, was the stepping up of extension activities in our libraries. These activities include competitions and story-telling sessions, which prove attractive to children, and which are usually stepped up at holiday times to keep the children occupied. During their visits to the libraries for these activities, the children learn that they can read as many good books as they like free of charge, as well as find a quiet place to do their homework.
Another method used to familiarize the children with library facilities is to arrange group visits. This is usually done with the co-operation of schools in the vicinity of a library, and as we plan to have at least one library in every area, it is intended that all school children should be introduced to a library during their school life. Consideration was also given to those children who unfortunately do not attend any school, and approaches will be made to welfare organizations in the hope that such children may also be reached.
It is also hoped that when our programme of mobile libraries begins, children will be attracted to make use of the services provided free of charge.
My Committee is very conscious of the need to provide healthy reading materials, and although it is not within our terms of reference, we are also very eager that children should have more study rooms provided, especially in housing estates, and in areas where it is known that home conditions make study difficult. The attention of the Colonial Secretariat, the Housing Department, and especially the Education Department, has been drawn to this urgent need for study rooms.
The Libraries Select Committee is open to any further suggestions from the Council or from members of the public, to attract the children of Hong Kong to read what is good for themselves, for their families, and for the community.
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Page 48 of 154
65
64
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN (in English): -That was also a supplementary question! (Laughter).
STATEMENT BY MR. WONG SHIU-CHEUCK,
CHAIRMAN
OF THE CEMETERIES, CREMATORIA AND FUNERAL PARLOURS SELECT COMMITTEE
MR. WONG SHIU-CHEUCK (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it has hitherto been the policy of the Council to encourage cremation to achieve a cremation: burial rate of at least 35%: 65% by 1985. This target has now been achieved, and at its most recent meeting the Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Parlours Select Committee agreed to aim for a 50:50 ratio of cremation to burial by 1985.
Because of the steady increase in private cremations, both the Cape Collinson and Diamond Hill Crematoria are already working to full capacity. On occasions, for example when maintenance work has to be carried out on the cremators, there is a waiting period for crema- tion of several days. This, of course, hinders the Council's efforts to promote cremation.
In order to further increase the cremation: burial ratio, it is essential that additional facilities for cremation be provided. The Council has been pressing for the building of a new crematorium and columbarium at Diamond Hill, and the installation of an additional twin cremator at the Cape Collinson Crematorium. Items for these projects are in the Public Works Programme, and I must urge the Government to proceed with both projects as soon as possible. This is very much in the Government's interest, since it will obviate the need to provide more and more scarce land for burial.
STATEMENT BY MRS. E. ELLIOTT, CHAIRMAN
OF THE LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE
MRS. E. ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in view of the recent legislation on pornographic literature, especially the pornography and violence found in children's comics, my Committee has discussed what steps the libraries might take to assist in leading children into good reading habits.
The subject of an exhibition of children's books was considered in April, and the Committee concluded that there might be better ways of
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
attracting children into the libraries, rather than by an exhibition which could be passive, and might not be able to compete with the ready- made attractions of street corner stalls, at which the most objectionable publications are always on display.
Among the alternative suggestions put forward at our last meeting, in June, was the stepping up of extension activities in our libraries. These activities include competitions and story-telling sessions, which prove attractive to children, and which are usually stepped up at holiday times to keep the children occupied. During their visits to the libraries for these activities, the children learn that they can read as many good books as they like free of charge, as well as find a quiet place to do their homework.
Another method used to familiarize the children with library facilities is to arrange group visits. This is usually done with the co- operation of schools in the vicinity of a library, and as we plan to have at least one library in every area, it is intended that all school children should be introduced to a library during their school life. Considera- tion was also given to those children who unfortunately do not attend any school, and approaches will be made to welfare organizations in the hope that such children may also be reached.
It is also hoped that when our programme of mobile libraries begins, children will be attracted to make use of the services provided free of charge.
My Committee is very conscious of the need to provide healthy reading materials, and although it is not within our terms of reference, we are also very eager that children should have more study rooms provided, especially in housing estates, and in areas where it is known that home conditions make study difficult. The attention of the Colonial Secretariat, the Housing Department, and especially the Education Department, has been drawn to this urgent need for study
rooms.
The Libraries Select Committee is open to any further suggestions from the Council or from members of the public, to attract the children of Hong Kong to read what is good for themselves, for their families, and for the community.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.