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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
This is only a small reservoir. The number of people who can use it for boating at any one time is necessarily limited. This is the only reservoir in Hong Kong which is no longer used as part of the water supply system. That is why its use for recreational purposes is allowed by the Water Supplies Department.
Of course, as we all know, there are a number of other reservoirs in Hong Kong including some very large ones. Most of these are reasonably accessible. Up to now, they have not been put to recreational use because of the fear of pollution. In the 19th century, water-borne diseases were a real threat. Cholera and typhoid were killers. Naturally, in those circumstances, the public were excluded from the reservoirs and their gathering grounds. Now the situation is different. Cholera and typhoid are not yet things of the past, but their incidence in Hong Kong is very low indeed. Water supply can be subjected to comprehensive treatment so as to maintain a satisfactory standard of purity. Hence, the need to prohibit access to the areas around the reservoir is no longer necessary. Formerly, catchwaters and land around the reservoirs were prohibited to public access. Now all this has been changed and the public are allowed there.
However, we are still not allowed on the reservoirs themselves. I now put forward a plea to the Water Supplies Department to allow more reservoirs to be opened for recreational use. Of course, this must be subject to conditions. Power boats should be prohibited as their fuel would pollute the water. Canoes, rowing and sailing boats should be permitted, but no food or drink and no plastic or paper bags should be allowed to be carried on the boats. In this way, pollution by reservoir users can be eliminated. In any case, at present many picnickers go to the areas around the reservoirs and enjoy either picnic meals or barbecues. The pollution thus caused is apparently thought to be tolerable by Water Supplies Department. To allow boating on some reservoirs would not make the situation any worse. Indeed with a control presence, the situation may improve.
I now turn to a more active sport - squash. This is a sport which is economical in use of space. As compared to other racket games like tennis or badminton, only a relatively small space per court is required. The throughput of players is also faster. A short session of half an hour is enough for most players. Squash is also a game where mere height and size are not all important. A small agile player will beat a large clumsy one. Hence, it is a game which is particularly suitable for Hong Kong and we should do our best to promote it.
For keen squash players, there is good news. The new squash centre in Victoria Barracks is now being constructed and will be completed in early 1986. This will have a total of 18 squash courts with ancillary facilities. There will be one exhibition court with a spectator capacity of 350. When this is completed, the Hong Kong Squash Rackets Association will be able to organize their leagues more effectively and will also be able to stage major tournaments.
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In addition, an indoor games hall with 8 squash courts including an exhibition court will be constructed on the Wan Chai Reclamation. Work on this will start soon. When this new facility comes on stream, I believe squash will really take off in Hong Kong.
Tennis is also becoming a popular sport, not merely for the well-off but also for the less well-to-do. Here, the supply of courts is gradually catching up with the demand. Five years ago, we had a total of 36 tennis courts; now we have 84. In line with this, we have decided to revise the booking procedures for our tennis courts. The guiding principle is to simplify it and to make it more convenient for tennis players. Some advance bookings will be allowed. This should encourage the use of the less popular venues. Players may be willing to go to more remote tennis courts if they are sure of having a game when they get there. The booking procedure will be kept under review and will be revised as and when necessary.
I would now like to say something about the future of the Urban Council. Fears have been expressed by some members concerning this. Threats have been made by District Board Members to abolish us. Sinister articles have appeared in the press saying that Government is about to abolish the Council.
Some members also see the Central Government as an adversary of the Council. If we show any sign of weakness, Government will attack and destroy us or drastically reduce our powers.
I think this is all nonsense. We are a necessary part of the government structure. Anyone in Government who has any dealings with us must see that. If the Council becomes financially insolvent, or performs badly, it will not only reflect badly on us but also on Government. I am, therefore, confident that we will get all the help we are entitled to expect and that the Council will be able to provide as good or even better service to the public in the future as it has done in the past.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I am happy to support the motion before the Council.
DR. DENNY M. H. Huang (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, in August 1981, after promulgation of the new nationality law in England which precludes the people of Hong Kong, including over two million British passport holders, from working or domiciling in Britain, I was the first to propose in a seminar that Hong Kong should be returned to China, made a free city with a high degree of autonomy and the status quo be maintained for forty years, and that the Chinese government should be responsible for Hong Kong's defense and major diplomatic affairs. Thereafter all sorts of opinions and suggestions were put forward.
Page 167 of 233
294
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
This is only a small reservoir. The number of people who can use it for boating at any one time is necessarily limited. This is the only reservoir in Hong Kong which is no longer used as part of the water supply system. That is why its use for recreational purposes is allowed by the Water Supplies Department.
Of course, as we all know, there are a number of other reservoirs in Hong Kong including some very large ones. Most of these are reasonably accessable. Up to now, they have not been put to recreational use because of the fear of pollution. In the 19th century, water borne diseases were a real threat. Cholera and typhoid were killers. Naturally, in those circumstances, the public were excluded from the reservoirs and their gathering grounds. Now the situation is different. Cholera and typhoid are not yet things of the past, but their incidence in Hong Kong is very low indeed. Water supply can be subjected to comprehensive treatment so as to maintain a satisfactory standard of purity. Hence, the need to prohibit access to the areas around the reservoir is no longer necessary. Formerly, catchwaters and land around the reserviors were prohibited to public access. Now all this has been changed and the public are allowed there.
However, we are still not allowed on the reservoirs themselves. I now put forward a plea to the Water supplies Department to allow more reservoirs to be opened for recreational use. Of course, this must be subject to conditions. Power boats should be prohibited as their fuel would pollute the water. Canoes, rowing and sailing boats should be permitted, but no food or drink and no plastic or paper bags should be allowed to be carried on the boats. In this way, pollution by reservoir users can be eliminated. In any case, at present many picnickers go to the areas around the reservoirs and enjoy either picnic meals or barbecues. The pollution thus caused is apparently thought to be tolerable by Water Supplies Department. To allow boating on some reservoirs would not make the situation any worse. Indeed with a control presence, the situation may improve. I now turn to a more active sport squash. This is a sport which is economical in use of space. As compared to other racket games like tennis or badminton, only a relatively small space per court is required. The through put of players is also faster. A short session of half an hour is enough for most players. Squash is also a game where mere height and size are not all important. A small agile player will beat a large clumsy one. Hence, it is a game which is particularly suitable for Hong Kong and we should do our best to promote it.
For keen squash players, there is good news. The new squash centre in Victoria Barracks is now being constructed and will be completed in early 1986. This will have a total of 18 squash courts with ancillary facilities. There will be one exhibition court with a spectator capacity of 350. When this is completed, the Hong Kong Squash Rackets Association will be able to organize their leagues more effectively and will also be able to stage major tournments.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 167 of 233
295
In addition, an indoor games hall with 8 squash courts including an exhibition court will be constructed on the Wanchai Reclamation. Work on this will start soon. When this new facility comes on stream, I believe squash will really take off in Hong Kong,
Tennis is also becoming a popular sport, not merely for the well off but also for the less well to do. Here, the supply of courts is gradually catching up with the demand. Five years ago, we had a total of 36 tennis courts; now we have 84. In line with this, we have decided to revise the booking procedures for our tennis courts. The guiding principle is to simplify it and to make it more convenient for tennis players. Some advance bookings will be allowed. This should encourage the use of the less popular venues. Players may be willing to go to more remote tennis courts if they are sure of having a game when they get there. The booking procedure will be kept under review and will be revised as and when necessary.
I would now like to say something about the future of the Urban Council. Fears have been expressed by some members concerning this. Threats have been made by District Board Members to abolish us. Sinister article have appeared in the press saying that Government is about to abolish the Council.
Some members also see the Central Government as an adversary of the Council. If we show any sign of weakness, Government will attack and destroy us or drastically reduce our powers.
I think this is all nonsense. We are a necessary part of the government structure. Any one in Government who has any dealings with us must see that. If the Council becomes financially insolvent, or performs badly, it will not only reflect badly on us but also on Government. I am, therefore, confident that we will get all the help we are entitled to expect and that the Council will be able to provide as good or even better service to the public in the future as it has done in the past.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I am happy to support the motion before the Council.
DR. DENNY M. H. Huang (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, in August 1981, after promulgation of the new nationality law in England which precludes the people of Hong Kong, including over two million British passport holders, from working or domiciling in Britain, I was the first to propose in a seminar that Hong Kong should be returned to China, made a free city with a high degree of autonomy and the status quo be maintained for forty years, and that the Chinese government should be responsible for Hong Kong's defense and major diplomatic affairs. Thereafter all sorts of opinions and suggestions were put forward.
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