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(a) to-
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(i) enable any person, by any means whatever, to release, set in motion, manipulate, control or direct the movement of any ball, projectile or
other object or any electrical impulse; and
(ii) register any score or combination in any manner whatsoever; or (b) to effect the production to the manipulator upon insertion therein of any coin, disc or other object of any coin or article whatsoever, other than a device which is designed solely for the purpose of recording the weight of any person or thing placed thereon, or of producing for sale
any article to the value of a coin to be inserted therein.
There is no distinction between automatic pinball machines and TV games machines or for that matter calculating machines! Whilst the public may consider TV games machines recreational and acceptable there is a strong feeling against pinball machines which are considered to encourage gambling and corrupt the morals of the young. I therefore feel that it is in the public interest that the Government should amend the Miscellaneous Licences Ordinance Cap. 114 to separate automatic machines into different categories.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my concern about traffic conditions in Hong Kong. Government had, in the past and is at present, continuing to engage Consultants at considerable expense to plan our road systems and to improve traffic flow. However, being told how to solve problems and actually doing it are two separate issues. Carrying out these recommendations have time and again been held back on various grounds. Paradoxically, in the early seventies when there was a slow down in the economy and recently in order not to heat up the economy, funds for road projects were arbitrarily cut. The 'go' 'stop' action by Government has contributed in no small measure to our present chaotic road conditions throughout Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. Private and public development in housing have continued unabated, even if at a slower rate, so that areas which were a few years ago sparsely populated have now become thriving population centres. Examples are Chai Wan, Quarry Bay, Aberdeen and Pok Fu Lam areas on Hong Kong Island. Announcements were made in the mid seventies that the Eastern Island Corridor, the Aberdeen/Hill Road improvements and elevated roadway in Central District would be built to resolve traffic congestion as well as handle future traffic growth. Projects began, but on the main road to Aberdeen from the south-west, piecemeal widening of the carriageway stopped just beyond Pokfield Road. Every weekday morning long queues of vehicles bumper to bumper edge their way to work from these dormitory areas. Traffic grinds to a standstill along the single lane stretch from Ricci Hall where vehicles pile up behind a bus stopping to pick up passengers. Traffic congestion on the sole main road running from Chai Wan, Shau Kei Wan to North Point and Central District is the subject of daily complaints. Conditions will worsen when the Aberdeen Road Tunnel is open as more traffic will be attracted to the already overloaded waterfront road. In the meantime work on the Eastern
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
179
Island Corridor have stopped. We were recently informed that work will now proceed and the first phase of the Eastern Island Corridor is now expected to be completed in 1985. What will happen during the next five years? An interim traffic management scheme to freeze part of the scarce road space for bus only lanes is mooted. This may work in territories where there are alternative, parallel, and adequate roads to accommodate other road users displaced by this scheme-the public light buses, taxis, private cars and goods vehicles, but here, there is none. Furthermore, the eastern districts of the Island, unlike the mid level areas have not only homes but factories and shops requiring delivery of goods and materials. Moreover, for a bus only lane to work, there must also be an adequate number of buses to accommodate peak hour commuters who are forced to switch over from other modes of transport. Is the Transport Department satisfied on this score? I therefore urge that before this drastic step is taken, a greater in depth study should be carried out on whether there will be overall traffic improvement in freezing part of our already congested road surface for buses only. I also urge that all major road improvement schemes should be carried out at full speed both on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories including the western corridor linking Kowloon with Tsuen Wan and an extra lane for the Princess Margaret Flyover which is specially needed now that electrification of the Kowloon-Canton Railway is to be delayed.
Still on the subject of roads, I have asked in the Transport Advisory Committee that conduits should be built for utilities to go underground and yet be accessible for maintenance without having to dig up roads. We are told that it would cost too much, but has anyone worked out the full cost the community in traffic blockages and delays and when trenches are left unfilled or are no sooner filled up to be redug again for a different set of utilities? I am not convinced that the present arrangements are economically sound or in the interest of the community.
With these words, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
(Dr. Denny M. H. Huang left during Mrs. Grace Ho's address.)
MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it is my intention to confine my remarks to matters which concern the Urban Council. I shall begin by giving a report of last year's Urban Council cultural and entertainment activities.
Between January and November 1979, there were a total of 911 functions at the City Hall with an attendance figure of 520,796. Of the 911 functions, 411 were Urban Council functions and 500 non Urban Council functions. Of the 520,796 persons who attended functions at City Hall, 250,401 attended Urban Council functions and 270,396 non Urban Council functions. Thus, it can be seen that the Urban Council and non Urban Council hirers shared the City Hall facilities fairly evenly. This sharing of facilities did not happen by accident. It is a deliberate effort on the part of the Urban Council not
Page 106 of 136
Page 106 of 136
178
(a) to-
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(i) enable any person, by any means whatever, to release, set in motion, manipulate, control or direct the movement of any ball, projectile or
other object or any electrical impulse; and
(ii) register any score or combination in any manner whatsoever; or (b) to effect the production to the manipulator upon insertion therein of any coin, disc or other object of any coin or article whatsoever, other than a device which is designed solely for the purpose of recording the weight of any person or thing placed thereon, or of producing for sale
any article to the value of a coin to be inserted therein.
There is no distinction between automatic pinball machines and TV games machines or for that matter calculating machines! Whilst the public may consider TV games machines recreational and acceptable there is a strong feeling against pinball machines which are considered to encourage gambling and corrupt the morals of the young. I therefore feel that it is in the public interest that the Government should amend the Miscellaneous Licences Ordinance Cap. 114 to separate automatic machines into different categories.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my concern about traffic conditions in Hong Kong. Government had, in the past and is at present, continuing to engage Consultants at considerable expense to plan our road systems and to improve traffic flow. However, being told how to solve problems and actually doing it are two separate issues. Carrying out these recommendations have time and again been held back on various grounds. Paradoxically, in the early seventies when there was a slow down in the economy and recently in order not to heat up the economy, funds for road projects were arbitrarily cut. The 'go' 'stop' action by Government has contributed in no small measure to our present chaotic road conditions throughout Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. Private and public development in housing have continued unabated, even if at a slower rate, so that areas which were a few years ago sparsely populated have now become thriving population centres. Examples are Chai Wan, Quarry Bay, Aberdeen and Pok Fu Lam areas on Hong Kong Island. Announcements were made in the mid seventies that the Eastern Island Corridor, the Aberdeen/Hill Road improvements and elevated roadway in Central District would be built to resolve traffic congestion as well as handle future traffic growth. Projects began, but on the main road to Aberdeen from the south- west, piecemeal widening of the carriageway stopped just beyond Pokfield Road. Every weekday morning long queues of vehicles bumper to bumper edge their way to work from these dormitory areas. Traffic grinds to a standstill along the single lane stretch from Ricci Hall where vehicles pile up behind a bus stopping to pick up passengers. Traffic congestion on the sole main road running from Chai Wan, Shau Kei Wan to North Point and Central District is the subject of daily complaints. Conditions will worsen when the Aberdeen Road Tunnel is open as more traffic will be attracted to the already overloaded waterfront road. In the meantime work on the Eastern
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
179
Island Corridor have stopped. We were recently informed that work will now proceed and the first phase of the Eastern Island Corridor is now expected to be completed in 1985. What will happen during the next five years? An interim traffic management scheme to freeze part of the scarce road space for bus only lanes is mooted. This may work in territories where there are alternative, parallel, and adequate roads to accommodate other road users displaced by this scheme-the public light buses, taxis, private cars and goods vehicles, but here, there is none. Furthermore, the eastern districts of the Island, unlike the mid level areas have not only homes but factories and shops requiring delivery of goods and materials. Moreover, for a bus only lane to work, there must also be an adequate number of buses to accom- modate peak hour commuters who are forced to switch over from other modes of transport. Is the Transport Department satisfied on this score? I therefore urge that before this drastic step is taken, a greater in depth study should be carried out on whether there will be overall traffic improvement in freezing part of our already congested road surface for buses only. I also urge that all major road improvement schemes should be carried out at full speed both on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories including the western corridor linking Kowloon with Tsuen Wan and an extra lane for the Princess Margaret Flyover which is specially needed now that electrifica- tion of the Kowloon-Canton Railway is to be delayed.
Still on the subject of roads, I have asked in the Transport Advisory Committee that conduits should be built for utilities to go underground and yet be accessible for maintenance without having to dig up roads. We are told that it would cost too much, but has anyone worked out the full cost the community in traffic blockages and delays and when trenches are left unfilled or are no sooner filled up to be redug again for a different set of utilities? I am not convinced that the present arrangements are economically sound or in the interest of the community.
With these words, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
(Dr. Denny M. H. Huang left during Mrs. Grace Ho's address.)
MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it is my intention to confine my remarks to matters which concern the Urban Council. I shall begin by giving a report of last year's Urban Council cultural and entertain- ment activities.
Between January and November 1979, there were a total of 911 functions at the City Hall with an attendance figure of 520,796. Of the 911 functions, 411 were Urban Council functions and 500 non Urban Council functions. Of the 520,796 persons who attended functions at City Hall, 250,401 attended Urban Council functions and 270,396 non Urban Council functions. Thus, it can be seen that the Urban Council and non Urban Council hirers shared the City Hall facilities fairly evenly. This sharing of facilities did not happen by accident. It is a deliberate effort on the part of the Urban Council not
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