Page 18 of 120
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
5
Page 18 of 120
Businesslike presentation of papers.
Is the system effective? The facts are:
1.
2.
Full consideration of pertinent issues.
3.
4.
Actual control of proceedings and automatic cross-checking of decisions in the making.
Methodical monitoring of follow-up action.
What has been achieved in practice? The results are:
1.
2.
3.
A wide dissemination of accurate information and diffusion of real authority on a broad base.
A fair and honest conduct of affairs and a judicious use of resources. A quick and efficacious response to public needs with benefit spread out to reach the greatest number of people.
But progress is also dependent on the quality of committee leadership to a great extent. Hence, the pre-requisite conditions for selection should be clear. Among others, the attributes ought surely to include management skills and positive attitudes, dedication to the job and commitment to the common good, the ability to perform constructively and the proven capacity to work with others on equal terms.
The Council is thus well organized for sound progress. This is also a blueprint for success. It is actually a strong combination of a diversity of ability and experience working generally together in a constructive manner for the advancement of the community.
What more could the ratepayer ask within reason?
(Mr. Augustine S. K. CHUNG and Mr. Edmund W. H. CHOW arrived during the Chairman's address.)
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:-
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of March, 1980.
QUESTIONS
1. MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in English): In view of the success of the canoe polo tournament at Kwun Tong swimming pool last month, does the Council plan to popularize the sport by having similar functions at other swimming pools in future? Has there been any sign of damage to swimming pools as a result of playing canoe polo, which I believe was one of the worries when the game was first allowed to be held in a public swimming pool?
(Mr. Ambrose K. C. CHOI arrived at this point.)
MR. KENNETH T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-This question concerns the use of Urban Council Swimming Pools for canoe polo.
In answer to the first part of this question, altogether five canoe polo championships have been sponsored by the Urban Council in the past three years and there are proposals for two similar functions to be held in 1980. This may not seem to be a very large number of tournaments but swimming is one of the most popular pastimes in Hong Kong and all available swimming pools are heavily used for this purpose through the summer. Until more public pools are built, their use for purposes other than swimming must be kept at a fairly low level although there may be particular times when they are less heavily used and could be made available for other sports.
In answer to the second part of this question, the canoes used for this sport are fitted with rubber bumpers and the sidelines within which the game is played are set in two metres from the side of the swimming pool. No damage to swimming pools has been reported so far.
MR. YOUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, when it is feasible to hold canoe polo tournaments in Urban Council swimming pools during times when there is less heavy usage for normal swimming activities, can we try to rotate the venue somewhat so that this new sport can be watched by a greater cross-section of the population?
MR. LO (in English):--Mr. Chairman, that can certainly be kept in mind. I think we certainly want to popularize the sport.
2. MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in English):—In view of the closure of Victoria Park main swimming pool and the imminent closure of Morrison Hill swimming pool, what steps are being taken to ensure that the public are not unduly inconvenienced and that the Urban Council's Learn to Swim programmes are not adversely affected?
Mr. Kenneth T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION Select Committee, replied as follows (in English):-This question concerns the closure of Victoria Park and Morrison Hill Swimming Pools.
May I first of all explain the background of the present situation. Last winter when the main pool in the Victoria Park complex was closed for its annual maintenance, it was found that it had sprung a substantial leak. Repairs were thus urgently needed in order to avoid further damage to the pool and its foundations. This meant that it was not possible to re-open the pool as usual in March and obviously as long as it remains closed, there is bound to be some inconvenience to those members of the public who would otherwise use it. Members will be relieved to learn that the training and diving pools in the Victoria Park complex are not affected and will remain open.
Page 18 of 120
4
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 18 of 120
5
Businesslike presentation of papers.
Is the system effective? The facts are:
1.
2.
Full consideration of pertinent issues.
3.
4.
Actual control of proceedings and automatic cross-checking of deci- sions in the making.
Methodical monitoring of follow-up action.
What has been achieved in practice? The results are:
1.
2.
3.
A wide dissemination of accurate information and diffusion of real authority on a broad base.
A fair and honest conduct of affairs and a judicious use of resources. A quick and efficacious response to public needs with benefit spread out to reach the greatest number of people.
But progress is also dependent on the quality of committee leadership to a great extent. Hence, the pre-requisite conditions for selection should be clear. Among others, the attributes ought surely to include management skills and positive attitudes, dedication to the job and commitment to the common good, the ability to perform constructively and the proven capacity to work with others on equal terms.
The Council is thus well organized for sound progress. This is also a blue- print for success. It is actually a strong combination of a diversity of ability and experience working generally together in a constructive manner for the advancement of the community.
What more could the ratepayer ask within reason?
(Mr. Augustine S. K. CHUNG and Mr. Edmund W. H. CHOW arrived during the Chairman's address.)
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:-
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and
Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of March, 1980.
QUESTIONS
1. MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in English): In view of the success of the canoe polo tournament at Kwun Tong swimming pool last month, does the Council plan to popularize the sport by having similar functions at other swimming pools in future? Has there been any sign of damage to swimming pools as a result of playing canoe polo, which I believe was one of the worries when the game was first allowed to be held in a public swimming pool?
(Mr. Ambrose K. C. CHOI arrived at this point.)
MR. KENNETH T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-This question concerns the use of Urban Council Swimming Pools for canoe polo.
In answer to the first part of this question, altogether five canoe polo championships have been sponsored by the Urban Council in the past three years and there are proposals for two similar functions to be held in 1980. This may not seem to be a very large number of tournaments but swimming is one of the most popular pastimes in Hong Kong and all available swimming pools are heavily used for this purpose through the summer. Until more public pools are built, their use for purposes other than swimming must be kept at a fairly low level although there may be particular times when they are less heavily used and could be made available for other sports.
In answer to the second part of this question, the canoes used for this sport are fitted with rubber bumpers and the sidelines within which the game is played are set in two metres from the side of the swimming pool. No damage to swimming pools has been reported so far.
MR. YOUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, when it is feasible to hold canoe polo tournaments in Urban Council swimming pools during times when there is less heavy usage for normal swimming activities, can we try to rotate the venue somewhat so that this new sport can be watched by a greater cross- section of the population?
MR. Lo (in English):--Mr. Chairman, that can certainly be kept in mind. I think we certainly want to popularize the sport.
2. MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in English):— In view of the closure of Victoria Park main swimming pool and the imminent closure of Morrison Hill swimming pool, what steps are being taken to ensure that the public are not unduly inconvenienced and that the Urban Council's Learn to Swim programmes are not adversely affected?
Mr. Kenneth T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION Select Committee, replied as follows (in English):-This question concerns the closure of Victoria Park and Morrison Hill Swimming Pools.
May I first of all explain the background of the present situation. Last winter when the main pool in the Victoria Park complex was closed for its annual maintenance, it was found that it had sprung a substantial leak. Repairs were thus urgently needed in order to avoid further damage to the pool and its foundations. This meant that it was not possible to re-open the pool as usual in March and obviously as long as it remains closed, there is bound to be some inconvenience to those members of the public who would otherwise use it. Members will be relieved to learn that the training and diving pools in the Victoria Park complex are not affected and will remain
open.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.