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tions and the disposal arrangements for the Pulverized Fuel Ash which will be generated during its operation.
The Committee on Noise considered in some detail the drafting instructions for the Noise Control Bill for the control of neighbourhood construction, ventilation and industrial noise. It also discussed proposals on interim control measures for the daytime use of very noisy construction equipment such as used in percussive piling.
The Committee on Air Pollution, discussed the Air Pollution Control Bill which is designed to extend the scope of the existing Clean Air Ordinance from dust, grit and smoke to cover toxic emissions and other pollutants. It also considered the local companies plan to reduce lead content in petrol sold here which will in turn reduce the toxicity of emissions from vehicles.
The Committee on Land and Water Pollution which is chaired by me, considered the serious and growing problems of agricultural pollution control in the New Territories. In particular, pollution in Tolo Harbour, we made certain recommendations for enforcement by Government to bring the pollution levels in that Harbour under control.
The opening of the Hong Kong Space Museum on the 7 October 1980 marked the completion of the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the Council with its own funds. The museum is the first building to be completed of the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex and its aim is to provide a modern educational and entertainment centre whereby the knowledge of the universe and related science and space exploration are presented to the public, especially students, in form of skyshows, exhibitions, public lectures, astronomy classes and telescope observations.
The Space Theatre of the museum, where sky-shows are presented has a seating capacity of 316. This is the place where the audience can enjoy the colourful splendour of the universe with realism and vividness. It is equipped with the most modern and advanced projection, automation and audio systems. The equipment list includes a Zeiss planetarium projector, hundreds of special effects projectors, an Omnimax projection system, and a sophisticated audio system all controlled by a computerized programme reproduction system.
The Omnimax Projection System is the sixth in the world and the first to be installed in the eastern hemisphere. The projection system uses a special fish-eye and 70 mm format films. The projection virtually covers the whole dome screen, with an image sharper, steadier and brighter than any other motion pictures. As the audience is surrounded by the projected image, the feeling of 'in' the picture is much stronger than other so-called '3-dimensional' films.
The Exhibition Hall of the museum has 30 sections, depicting Man's achievements in the fields of astronomy and space science from the ancient
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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times to the latest space exploration. The main attractions of the hall include a genuine Mercury Space Capsule, space suits worn by astronauts and various equipment and tools used by them in space missions, and a Celestial scale which can tell your weight while you are on various nearby heavenly bodies. The capacity of the Exhibition Hall is 400.
The Hall of Solar Sciences is another exhibition hall in the museum. The exhibits are all on the study of the 'star' of our Solar system-the Sun. When completed in spring 1981, visitors can observe the life image of the sun brought to the hall by a Solar Telescope installed on the roof of the museum. The features and functions of this Solar Telescope is specially designed by the museum staff together with an optical firm in Japan, and is the most complete and versatile version ever installed in similar institutions. There will be altogether 14 groups of exhibits in this Hall.
The first programme of the Space Theatre is called 'A New View of the Universe'. It is a combination of planetarium show and omnimax projection, the first programme of its kind in the world. This sky-show is so well received that it attracted nearly 150 000 audience during the first 3 months of the museum's operation, representing an attendance rate of nearly 90%.
The Exhibition Hall has also attracted a similar number (149 367 visitors). I feel we can all take great pride in this achievement and give credit again to all concerned in this exciting project.
Last year, I made some derogatory remarks on transport planning. I now find myself, a new member of the T.A.C., in a position to learn first-hand about the various traffic and transport problems. However, I am in good company, as there are now four members from this Council on the T.A.C. Although we are all appointed in our personal capacity it should be possible to ensure the views of Council Members are taken into account on any specific traffic problems. Also, the formation of a Traffic Complaints Unit of the T.A.C. which reports directly to it, should prove helpful to the general public.
Last week, with his usual courteous approach to the Council, the Chief Secretary, Sir Jack CATER, unveiled the contents of the White Paper on District Administration to Standing Committee. The briefing session lasted nearly two hours, and I think all of us were grateful for the opportunity given to the Council by Government, to subject the Chief Secretary to intensive questioning, which he submitted to with grace and good humour. While our elected colleagues seemed to agree with the principle of universal suffrage, and are disappointed with the change to constituency voting, most of us have doubts about the seeming proliferation of committees at the district level in the urban area, and are concerned at the potential for conflicts between district and urban aspirations. However, as this is a move designed to involve the grass roots of our citizens in community work, let
Page 79 of 120
Page 79 of 120
124
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
tions and the disposal arrangements for the Pulverized Fuel Ash which will be generated during its operation.
The Committee on Noise considered in some detail the drafting instruc. tions for the Noise Control Bill for the control of neighbourhood construc- tion, ventilation and industrial noise. It also discussed proposals on interim control measures for the daytime use of very noisy construction equipment such as used in percussive piling.
The Committee on Air Pollution, discussed the Air Pollution Control Bill which is designed to extend the scope of the existing Clean Air Ordinance from dust, grit and smoke to cover toxic emissions and other pollutants. It also considered the local companies plan to reduce lead content in petrol sold here which will in turn reduce the toxicity of emissions from vehicles.
The Committee on Land and Water Pollution which is chaired by me, considered the serious and growing problems of agricultural pollution control in the New Territories. In particular, pollution in Tolo Harbour, we made certain recommendations for enforcement by Government to bring the pollu- tion levels in that Harbour under control.
The opening of the Hong Kong Space Museum on the 7 October 1980 marked the completion of the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the Council with its own funds. The museum is the first building to be completed of the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex and its aim is to provide a modern educational and entertainment centre whereby the knowledge of the universe and related science and space exploration are presented to the public, especially students, in form of skyshows, exhibitions, public lectures, astronomy classes and telescope observations.
The Space Theatre of the museum, where sky-shows are presented has a seating capacity of 316. This is the place where the audience can enjoy the colourful splendour of the universe with realism and vividness. It is equipped with the most modern and advanced projection, automation and audio systems. The equipment list includes a Zeiss planetarium projector, hundreds of special effects projectors, an Omnimax projection system, and a sophisti- cated audio system all controlled by a computerized programme reproduction system.
The Omnimax Projection System is the sixth in the world and the first to be installed in the eastern hemisphere. The projection system uses a special fish-eye and 70 mm format films. The projection virtually covers the whole dome screen, with an image sharper, steadier and brighter than any other motion pictures. As the audience is surrounded by the projected image, the feeling of 'in' the picture is much stronger than other so-called '3-dimensional' films.
The Exhibition Hall of the museum has 30 sections, depicting Man's achievements in the fields of astronomy and space science from the ancient
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 79 of 120
125
times to the latest space exploration. The main attractions of the hall include a genuine Mercury Space Capsule, space suits worn by astronauts and various equipment and tools used by them in space missions, and a Celestial scale which can tell your weight while you are on various nearby heavenly bodies. The capacity of the Exhibition Hall is 400.
The Hall of Solar Sciences is another exhibition hall in the museum. The exhibits are all on the study of the 'star' of our Solar system-the Sun. When completed in spring 1981, visitors can observe the life image of the sun brought to the hall by a Solar Telescope installed on the roof of the museum. The features and functions of this Solar Telescope is specially designed by the museum staff together with an optical firm in Japan, and is the most complete and versatile version ever installed in similar institutions. There will be altogether 14 groups of exhibits in this Hall.
The first programme of the Space Theatre is called 'A New View of the Universe'. It is a combination of planetarium show and omnimax projection, the first programme of its kind in the world. This sky-show is so well received that it attracted nearly 150 000 audience during the first 3 months of the museum's operation, representing an attendance rate of nearly 90%.
The Exhibition Hall has also attracted a similar number (149 367 visitors). I feel we can all take great pride in this achievement and give credit again to all concerned in this exciting project.
Last year, I made some derogatory remarks on transport planning. I now find myself, a new member of the T.A.C., in a position to learn first-hand about the various traffic and transport problems. However, I am in good company, as there are now four members from this Council on the T.A.C. Although we are all appointed in our personal capacity it should be possible to ensure the views of Council Members are taken into account on any specific traffic problems. Also, the formation of a Traffic Complaints Unit of the T.A.C. which reports directly to it, should prove helpful to the general public.
Last week, with his usual courteous approach to the Council, the Chief Secretary, Sir Jack CATER, unveiled the contents of the White Paper on District Administration to Standing Committee. The briefing session lasted nearly two hours, and I think all of us were grateful for the opportunity given to the Council by Government, to subject the Chief Secretary to intensive questioning, which he submitted to with grace and good humour. While our elected colleagues seemed to agree with the principle of universal suffrage, and are disappointed with the change to constituency voting, most of us have doubts about the seeming proliferation of committees at the district level in the urban area, and are concerned at the potential for conflicts between district and urban aspirations. However, as this is a move designed to involve the grass roots of our citizens in community work, let
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