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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Are the authorities able and ready to meet the people's aspirations for a better life altogether? Is it being done with a real sense of direction? And, with total commitment too?

PAPER

(Miss Cecilia L. Y. YEUNG and Mr. Edmund W. H. CHOW

arrived during the Chairman's address.)

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 November, 1980.

QUESTION

1. DR. THE HON. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question (in English):-Why are there entry and exit turnstiles at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens? The turnstiles are causing great incon- venience to the visitors entering and leaving the Gardens, especially to those carrying their children and prams. When were those turnstiles installed? When can they be dismantled?

MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo, CHAIRMAN OF THE Recreation SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-This question concerns the entry and exit turnstiles at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

In 1975 and 1976, there was a spate of vandalism in the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. At the same time, there was an increase in the value of the animals and birds in the Gardens, some of which might be a danger to the public if they escaped. For these reasons, the Council decided to erect a new security fence around the Gardens and, at the same time, all the exits were provided with turnstiles either of the revolving security type such as that at the main entrances, or the three-bar bus-type at the minor gates. Owing to delay in construction, particularly on the Garden Road frontage, the project will not be entirely completed until early in 1981.

There are several reasons behind the choice of turnstiles that have been installed:

Firstly, the turnstiles were designed to prevent the entry of stray dogs and

cyclists into the Gardens;

Secondly, they were intended to discourage hawkers from entering the

Gardens;

Thirdly, they had to be designed in such a way as to allow any person accidentally locked in the Gardens at night to be able to leave safely without climbing the fence;

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Fourthly, they are required to monitor the number of visitors to the

Gardens as this information is important for statistical purposes.

It is true that, whilst the turnstiles have proved to be effective, they have given rise to complaints on the grounds that they obstruct the old, the very young and persons carrying bulky objects. As a result, the Department has for the past month been opening the main gates at the Upper Albert Road and Albany Road entrances for six days a week including Sundays and public holidays. While the main gates are open the turnstiles can be used as well. For only one day a week the main gates are closed and access is through the turnstiles only. Each week a different day is chosen for this closure but it is always a weekday. This is in order to monitor the number of visitors and up-date statistics. At the Caritas entrance, on the western side of the Gardens, there is insufficient space for a separate gate to be installed. As the three-bar bus-type makes access difficult for elderly persons, con- sideration is being given to replacing this by a large security turnstile.

The situation in the Gardens is being constantly monitored. If by leaving the main gates open, dogs, cyclists or hawkers re-appear in the Gardens, the gates will have to be closed and the turnstiles used. There is no intention at the moment to replace the turnstiles as these provide a safe and secure exit for persons accidentally locked in at night.

(Mr. Augustine S. K. CHUNG arrived during Mr. Kenneth LO's address.)

DR. HU (in English):--Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. LO for the very detailed answer. There are only two doors which are installed with turnstiles, two doors at the western side. As has been said, one is on the Caritas entrance and the other is on the western side. They were installed about a year ago only. Is that correct?

MR. Lo (in English): --They were installed about a year ago. I do not have the exact date, Mr. Chairman. I think there are two main entrances with turnstiles. I believe that is the situation.

DR. HU (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I should declare an interest. I am a constant user of these two turnstile doors and I know very well when they were installed. The most inconvenience is to the ladies who arrive there with their pram chairs with their children, these turnstile doors they cannot pass through. Could action be made to take their interest into consideration?

CHAIRMAN (in English):—Mr. Lo, you must make sure that the declaration of interest was as the user and not as owner of the Botanical Gardens. (Laughter)

MR. Lo (in English):-Certainly not as a hawker. (Laughter) Mr. Chairman, as I indicated in my answer, the main gates are now opened six days a week including all public holidays.

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