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and the proposal goes ahead, then it will certainly result in considerable delay in the development of Kowloon Park, probably up to two years. The delay in itself would be bad enough, but if we have to suffer a delay which results in a better development, then the wait may be worthwhile.
However, apart from causing delay, the present proposal is bad in itself. There is no shortage of shopping facilities in Tsim Sha Tsui and the provision of a row of shops along this strip of Nathan Road is definitely not called for. We have been told that the park will not lose as the roofs of the shops will form part of the park area. But it is not as simple as that. The main area of the Park is on a higher level and there is at present an earth bank along the side of Nathan Road. There are a number of trees on this bank and these will have to go. Then there are also a number of very fine old banyan trees along Nathan Road. These already have to be trimmed along the side facing Nathan Road so as not to interfere with traffic. If there is to be a row of shops at the back of them, they will have to be trimmed on that side as well, in which case, their continued existence will be put in jeopardy.
Although the roof of the commercial strip is intended to form part of the Park, this may in the end turn out to be impossible. Ventilation shafts and service lane will have to be provided for the shops. I can see that there will be a gradual erosion of the Park. If there is any conflict between the commercial development and the Park, then I fear that the park will lose out.
The Town Planning Board should take note of our objections and do away with the row of shops. Commercial considerations are important, but should not ride rough shod over everything else. Recreation has an important part to play as well in the wellbeing of the community.
I will now turn to an exciting development at Wong Nai Chung Reservoir. Early this year, my committee considered the development of this area, we were then given to understand that boating would not be allowed on the reservoir. On this basis, we agreed that it would be best to allow the area to be developed as part of the adjoining country park to be managed by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department. After that, the Secretary for Home Affairs announced that boating would be permitted. As a result of that, my Committee reconsidered the matter and came to the conclusion that the Urban Council would be the appropriate body to provide and manage these facilities. The active co-operation of the Water Authority also has to be sought and there has been some delay, but in any rate, the project is now going forward, although I cannot give any definite date for completion. It
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is envisaged that canoeing and rowing would be permitted but not powered boats. Question of safety and numbers will have to be gone into carefully, but I am confident that this development will be a great success.
Boating on reservoirs is by no mean a novel idea. It has been the practice in other countries for years and in fact powered boats are permitted as well. I hope we can persuade the Director of Water Supplies to open up other reservoirs for similar development. With proper control and management, there should be little danger of pollution. After all the public is already allowed to walk along the sides and over the dams of reservoirs. To allow rowing and canoeing on the reservoirs themselves is only to go a little further. If this is allowed, our recreational facilities will be greatly enhanced.
Mr. Chairman, in my annual speeches, I usually confine myself to matters within the purview of the Council. However, this time I would like to say something about a matter which is not within our jurisdiction, although it has a direct bearing on the use of recreational facilities. I refer to the question of daylight saving time.
Early this year, it was proposed that daylight saving be extended to the winter. I thought this was too good to be true. Sure enough, there was opposition to the proposal, some of it highly emotional and it is difficult to understand. To me, it is a very simple matter. A matter of arranging our affairs so that we can enjoy more daylight. Some people have to get up in the dark while others wake up after it is light. But virtually everybody goes to sleep after dark. Therefore, it makes sense to transfer one hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.
This particularly affects those who take part in sports and active recreation. On week days in the summer, it is possible for office workers to enjoy active recreation with daylight saving. Without daylight saving, this is virtually impossible. If we cannot have daylight saving in the winter, at least, let us keep it for the summer.
With these remarks, I am happy to support the motion before the Council.
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman,
The Crisis among Urban Council Elected Members
Over the past ten years I have talked on many subjects, within as well as beyond the jurisdiction of this Council, but today I shall confine myself to my personal feelings as an elected urban councillor.
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and the proposal goes ahead, then it will certainly result in considerable delay in the development of Kowloon Park, probably up to two years. The delay in itself would be bad enough, but if we have to suffer a delay which results in a better development, then the wait may be worthwhile.
However, apart from causing delay, the present proposal is bad in itself. There is no shortage of shopping facilities in Tsim Sha Tsui and the provision of a row of shops along this strip of Nathan Road is definitely not called for. We have been told that the park will not lose as the roofs of the shops will form part of the park area. But it is not as simple as that. The main area of the Park is on a higher level and there is at present an earth bank along the side of Nathan Road. There are a number of trees on this bank and these will have to go. Then there are also a number of very fine old banyan trees along Nathan Road. These already have to be trimmed along the side facing Nathan Road so as not to interfere with traffic. If there is to be a row of shops at the back of them, they will have to be trimmed on that side as well, in which case, their continued existence will be put in jeopardy.
Although the roof of the commercial strip is intended to form part of the Park, this may in the end turn out to be impossible. Ventilation shafts and service lane will have to be provided for the shops. I can see that there will be a gradual erosion of the Park. If there is any conflict between the commercial development and the Park, then I fear that the park will lose out.
The Town Planning Board should take note of our objections and do away with the row of shops. Commercial considerations are im- portant, but should not ride rough shod over everything else. Recrea- tion has an important part to play as well in the wellbeing of the community.
I will now turn to an exciting development at Wong Nai Chung Reservoir. Early this year, my committee considered the development of this area, we were then given to understand that boating would not be allowed on the reservoir. On this basis, we agreed that it would be best to allow the area to be developed as part of the adjoining country park to be managed by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department. After that, the Secretary for Home Affairs announced that boating would be permitted. As a result of that, my Committee reconsidered the matter and came to the conclusion that the Urban Council would be the appropriate body to provide and manage these facilities. The active co-operation of the Water Authority also has to be sought and there has been some delay, but in any rate, the project is now going forward, although I cannot give any definite date for completion. It
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 79 of 135
125
is envisaged that canoeing and rowing would be permitted but not powered boats. Question of safety and numbers will have to be gone into carefully, but I am confident that this development will be a great
success.
Boating on reservoirs is by no mean a novel idea. It has been the practice in other countries for years and in fact powered boats are permitted as well. I hope we can persuade the Director of Water Supplies to open up other reservoirs for similar development. With proper control and management, there should be little danger of pollution. After all the public is already allowed to walk along the sides and over the dams of reservoirs. To allow rowing and canoeing on the reservoirs themselves is only to go a little further. If this is allowed, our recreational facilities will be greatly enhanced.
Mr. Chairman, in my annual speeches, I usually confine myself to matters within the purview of the Council. However, this time I would like to say something about a matter which is not within our jurisdiction, although it has a direct bearing on the use of recreational facilities. I refer to the question of daylight saving time.
Early this year, it was proposed that daylight saving be extended to the winter. I thought this was too good to be true. Sure enough, there was opposition to the proposal, some of it highly emotional and It is a difficult to understand. To me, it is a very simple matter. matter of arranging our affairs so that we can enjoy more daylight. Some people have to get up in the dark while others wake up after it is light. But virtually everybody goes to sleep after dark. Therefore, it make sense to transfer one hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.
This particularly affects those who take part in sports and active recreation. On week days in the summer, it is possible for office workers to enjoy active recreation with daylight saving. Without day- light saving, this is virtually impossible. If we cannot have daylight saving in the winter, at least, let us keep it for the summer.
With these remarks, I am happy to support the motion before the Council.
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman,
The Crisis among Urban Council Elected Members
Over the past ten years I have talked on many subjects, within as well as beyond the jurisdiction of this Council, but today I shall confine myself to my personal feelings as an elected urban councillor.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.