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Last but not least, Council staff employed on horticultural duties are given an intensive training course locally, and selected officers of the Amenities Grade are sent abroad for horticultural training every year.
To sum up, everything possible is being done by the Council to make Hong Kong a greener and more pleasant place to live in.
As regards Mr. MACKENZIE's question on water fountains, this was the subject of a recent Committee Paper in which the invitation of a consulting engineer to help plan and design the necessary fountains and waterfalls was proposed. The Council has also identified 19 existing and 40 future sites as possible locations, subject to detailed investigation, for installation of fountains/waterfalls.
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Mr. FORSGATE for his comprehensive reply. I have a number of supplementary questions. My question was prompted also by the environmental deficiencies in the areas immediately outside built-up areas, for instances, on the hillsides and open spaces. Would it not be agreed by the Planning and Development Select Committee Chairman that there is opportunity for improvement and repair of hill-paths and preparation of additional picnic sites on the hillsides and other areas within our jurisdiction?
MR. FORSGATE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I would say that Mr. MACKENZIE is absolutely right. There are hillsides within the urban areas, and after some of the developers have done their work, there is even a great deal to be desired and I pass on to my colleague, Mr. Kenneth Lo, Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee this suggestion. Possibly the good officers of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department could be called on to help us in pursuing this problem.
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it had been customary in previous years for Councillors to submit written suggestions related perhaps to the ward areas, on possible improvements in parks and playgrounds, sitting areas etc. and this seems to have not taken place in the past year or so. I wonder if I might ask Mr. FORSGATE to refer that matter to the R & A Committee for resumption of the practice.
MR. FORSGATE (in English):—I am certainly pleased to do that, Mr. Chairman.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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MR. MACKENZIE (in English): Mr. Chairman, the question of competitive improvement I think perhaps my intention was not quite understood. I believe that a competitive element in districts in relation to fundamental areas of responsibility such as public cleansing, parks and garden improvement; an element of competitiveness in management and objectives might be a consideration for the appropriate committee, presumably the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee.
MR. FORSGATE (in English):-The particular reference to environmental consideration was given a great deal of thought by the department, particularly District Officers concerned and their views are, of course, contained in my reply. But as Mr. MACKENZIE is very persistent on this one, I refer it to the particular select committee for consideration.
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-Finally, Mr. Chairman, might I ask Mr. FORSGATE to elaborate a little on the programme of fountain development. I recall that this first came under consideration some years ago and so far we have made no progress.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-That was the only supplementary question within Standing Orders. (Laughter).
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):---You are very indulgent, Sir.
MR. FORSGATE (in English):-As far as I know, the R & A Select Committee-I feel that Mr. Kenneth Lo should be replying to this one--- have given very detailed consideration to fountains and have agreed, as I mentioned in my reply, that there are a number of areas with water-fountains and waterfalls of the type to be seen in other ports quite near to Hong Kong, which are very attractive and should be considered. In fact, I believe that this consultant is a genius, and if he accepts our invitation, will come to Hong Kong quite soon.
MR. F. K. HU (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to know that attention is being paid to the quality of trees. Can I be advised the death-rate of the new shrubs and flowers planted by the Council in recent years?
MR. FORSGATE (in English):-I am afraid I have to pass this over to Mr. Kenneth Lo because I haven't the faintest idea, but Mr. Kenneth Lo may.
MR. KENNETH Lo (in English):—Mr. Chairman, in the past couple of years, we went out to contract for tree supplies but this was not
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Last but not least, Council staff employed on horticultural duties are given an intensive training course locally, and selected officers of the Amenities Grade are sent abroad for horticultural training every year.
To sum up, everything possible is being done by the Council to make Hong Kong a greener and more pleasant place to live in.
As regards Mr. MACKENZIE's question on water fountains, this was the subject of a recent Committee Paper in which the invitation of a consulting engineer to help plan and design the necessary fountains and waterfalls was pro- posed. The Council has also identified 19 existing and 40 future sites as possible locations, subject to detailed investigation, for installation of fountains/waterfalls.
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Mr. FORSGATE for his comprehensive reply. I have a number of supplementary questions. My question was prompted also by the environmental deficiencies in the areas immediately outside built-up areas, for instances, on the hillsides and open spaces. Would it not be agreed by the Planning and Development Select Committee Chair- man that there is opportunity for improvement and repair of hill-paths and preparation of additional picnic sites on the hillsides and other areas within our jurisdiction?
MR. FORSGATE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I would say that Mr. MACKENZIE is absolutely right. There are hillsides within the urban areas, and after some of the developers have done their work, there is even a great deal to be desired and I pass on to my colleague, Mr. Kenneth Lo, Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Com- mittee this suggestion. Possibly the good officers of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department could be called on to help us in pursuing this problem.
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it had been cus- tomary in previous years for Councillors to submit written suggestions related perhaps to the ward areas, on possible improvements in parks and playgrounds, sitting areas etc. and this seems to have not taken place in the past year or so. I wonder if I might ask Mr. FORSGATE to refer that matter to the R & A Committee for resumption of the practice.
MR. FORSGATE (in English):—I am certainly pleased to do that, Mr. Chairman.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
23
MR. MACKENZIE (in English): Mr. Chairman, the question of competitive improvement I think perhaps my intention was not quite understood. I believe that a competitive element in districts in rela- tion to fundamental areas of responsibility such as public cleansing, parks and garden improvement; an element of competitiveness in management and objectives might be a consideration for the appro- priate committee, presumably the Environmental Hygiene Select
Committee.
MR. FORSGATE (in English):-The particular reference to environ- mental consideration was given a great deal of thought by the depart- ment, particularly District Officers concerned and their views are, of course, contained in my reply. But as Mr. MACKENZIE is very per- sistent on this one, I refer it to the particular select committee for consideration.
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-Finally, Mr. Chairman, might I ask Mr. FORSGATE to elaborate a little on the programme of fountain development. I recall that this first came under consideration some years ago and so far we have made no progress.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-That was the only supplementary ques- tion within Standing Orders. (Laughter).
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):---You are very indulgent, Sir.
MR. FORSGATE (in English):-As far as I know, the R & A Select Committee-I feel that Mr. Kenneth Lo should be replying to this one--- have given very detailed consideration to fountains and have agreed, as I mentioned in my reply, that there are a number of areas with water-fountains and waterfalls of the type to be seen in other ports quite near to Hong Kong, which are very attractive and should be considered. In fact, I believe that this consultant is a genius, and if he accepts our invitation, will come to Hong Kong quite soon.
MR. F. K. HU (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to know that attention is being paid to the quality of trees. Can I be advised the death-rate of the new shrubs and flowers planted by the Council in recent years?
MR. FORSGATE (in English):-I am afraid I have to pass this over to Mr. Kenneth Lo because I haven't the faintest idea, but Mr. Kenneth Lo may.
MR. KENNETH Lo (in English):—Mr. Chairman, in the past couple of years, we went out to contract for tree supplies but this was not
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