Page 161 of 174
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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
with films and lectures in addition. The Museum of History, in the short span of 2 years, has mounted 15 exhibitions with very impressive attendances. And, there is the promise of a science museum if the Government would only make up its mind where it should be put. The Council wants Tsim Sha Tsui East for good and valid reason; but the Government has an obsession about land auctions and may want to sell the site.
The Council's library service is penetrating into districts not hitherto reached directly. Setting up new libraries is backed up by extension activities held in them. There will also be more music listening arrangements. Perhaps in the next four years or less the Council will have fulfilled its long-set target of having a library in every urban district.
For over two decades, there has been an unprecedented development of physical recreation facilities in all districts wherever land can be found. Before then, there were no public sports installations or even children's play facilities under the Council's direct control. So, it can be said without fear of contradiction that the Council has given real meaning to the right to play of every child born here. Construction of new and better playgrounds and sports fields and buildings goes on unabated. The pressure for more green areas must be kept up if the long struggle is not to be lost by default.
In physical recreation activities, the Council has barely got off the starting block. Indeed, it should concentrate on the proper use of all available facilities for the maximum enjoyment of the people, specially those who have no access to private sports clubs. Some ten years ago the proposal was made for the department to start a recreation activities section. It was then a novel suggestion for the Government, so it met with lukewarm interest and no support. As the Council was then not in control of its own funds, the scheme had to mark time. Subsequently, when the Council was reconstituted and was able to take it up, the Government made a pre-emptive bid for it, presumably to shut out the Council, and so it started the present Recreation & Sports Service. But all is not lost. For, the people benefit from all such public activities whatever the provenance. Even so, it does not preclude the Council from striking out boldly in a new direction to serve the people with far more leisure-time now on their hands. To build playgrounds and sports facilities is a social investment. But it is not enough. Indeed, the proper development of recreational activities is an urgent exercise in social relations.
## Building Projects
# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Many civic facilities that the community needs are being built and progress is reported regularly. Since 1st April 1973, no fewer than 176 projects have been completed and put to good use, with another 10 major works now under way and a host of other minor projects either under construction or about to start. Incidentally, a computer analysis just completed to project the execution of our building plans shows that the Council is likely to spend $200m in the next four financial years if all goes well. There is also a far-reaching scheme to landscape roadside amenity plots and install attractive fountains in numerous well-chosen locations.
It is clearly sound business for the Council to put up its own office building for the Urban Services Department and a convenient plot of land is being sought from the Government for the purpose. It is all the more pressing to do so when the Government raises rents for office space to commercial levels without telling the Council in advance. In fact, as the land on which such premises are located belongs to the people, and the departmental buildings were again paid for outright by taxes collected from the people, surely no land premium and building costs should be calculated into rents as such offices are used for the despatch of the people's business. Indeed, were private enterprise to do as the Government did, would it not have been accused of profiteering?
## Administration
All the time, the standard of support services is critically examined. The establishment has to be changed progressively. It must suit the services the Council now gives and also cope with the expansion of a whole gamut of activities and be ready to undertake new ones not even contemplated when this Council started off on its own not quite five years ago. Without a sound administration as the base of operation, no sustained progress at a consistently satisfactory level can be expected. Therefore, it is up to the Council to ensure that the department is adequately staffed with properly trained personnel in advance of the time when their services will be actually required.
Right from the start the Council was aware that the staff establishment had been fixed according to the scope and the level of services then given by the Government which might not accord altogether with the new Council's requirements or the changing circumstances in Hong Kong. Consequently, as projects got under way and new programmes were brought into play, more staff with special abilities and qualifications...
Page 161 of 174
283
282
ין
Page 161 of 174
283
282
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
with films and lectures in addition. The Museum of History, in the short span of 2 years, has mounted 15 exhibitions with very impressive attendances. And, there is the promise of a science museum if the Government would only make up its mind where it should be put. The Council wants Tsim Sha Tsui East for good and valid reason; but the Government has an obsession about land auctions and may want to sell the site.
The Council's library service is penetrating into districts not hitherto reached directly. Setting up new libraries is backed up by extension activities held in them. There will also be more music listening arrangements. Perhaps in the next four years or less the Council will have fulfilled its long-set target of having a library in every urban district.
For over two decades, there has been an unprecedented develop- ment of physical recreation facilities in all districts wherever land can be found. Before then, there were no public sports installations or even children's play facilities under the Council's direct control. So, it can be said without fear of contradiction that the Council has given real meaning to the right to play of every child born here. Construc- tion of new and better playgrounds and sports fields and buildings goes on unabated. The pressure for more green areas must be kept up if the long struggle is not to be lost by default.
In physical recreation activities, the Council has barely got off the starting block. Indeed, it should concentrate on the proper use of all available facilities for the maximum enjoyment of the people, specially those who have no access to private sports clubs. Some ten years ago the proposal was made for the department to start a recreation activities section. It was then a novel suggestion for the Government, so it met with lukewarm interest and no support. As the Council was then not in control of its own funds, the scheme had to mark time. Sub- sequently, when the Council was reconstituted and was able to take it up, the Government made a pre-emptive bid for it, presumably to shut out the Council, and so it started the present Recreation & Sports Service. But all is not lost. For, the people benefit from all such public activities whatever the provenance. Even so, it does not preclude the Council from striking out boldly in a new direction to serve the people with far more leisure-time now on their hands. To build playgrounds and sports facilities is a social investment. But it is not enough. Indeed, the proper development of recreational activities is an urgent exercise In social relations.
Building Projects
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Many civic facilities that the community needs are being built and progress is reported regularly. Since 1st April 1973, no fewer than 176 projects have been completed and put to good use, with another 10 major works now under way and a host of other minor projects either under construction or about to start. Incidentally, a computer analysis just completed to project the execution of our building plans shows that the Council is likely to spend $200m in the next four financial years if all goes well. There is also a far-reaching scheme to landscape roadside amenity plots and install attractive fountains in numerous well- chosen locations.
It is clearly sound business for the Council to put up its own office building for the Urban Services Department and a convenient plot of land is being sought from the Government for the purpose. It is all the more pressing to do so when the Government raises rents for office space to commercial levels without telling the Council in advance. In fact, as the land on which such premises are located belongs to the people, and the departmental buildings were again paid for outright by taxes collected from the people, surely no land premium and building costs should be calculated into rents as such offices are used for the despatch of the people's business. Indeed, were private enterprise to do as the Government did, would it not have been accused of profiteer- ing?
Administration
All the time, the standard of support services is critically examined. The establishment has to be changed progressively. It must suit the services the Council now gives and also cope with the expansion of a whole gamut of activities and be ready to undertake new ones not even contemplated when this Council started off on its own not quite five years ago. Without a sound administration as the base of operation, no sustained progress at a consistently satisfactory level can be expected. Therefore, it is up to the Council to ensure that the department is adequately staffed with properly trained personnel in advance of the time when their services will be actually required.
Right from the start the Council was aware that the staff establish- ment had been fixed according to the scope and the level of services then given by the Government which might not accord altogether with the new Council's requirements or the changing circumstances in Hong Kong. Consequently, as projects got under way and new programmes were brought into play, more staff with special abilities and qualifica-
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