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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

learning process. For this purpose, it is plausible for us to consider adding devices such as interactive programme learning or computer-assisted learning to our future list of training methods and techniques. Finally, the Council has approved the provision of a permanent accommodation for the training school in a site adjacent to the Lai Chi Kok Recreation Centre. No doubt, this will help enhance the future scope and effectiveness of our training function too.

Now that the Council has demonstrated its commitment to developing a better quality of life and living environment for the urban population, we should continue to strive for sustaining and upgrading such improvements in our services, blessed with the assistance of management tools and our determination to excel on this mission.

Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.

DR. THE HONOURABLE KIM Y. S. CHAM (in English):- Mr. Chairman, Dr. Philip Kwok, who has urgent business to attend to, has asked me to deliver the following speech for him. With your indulgence, Mr. Chairman, I shall begin.

PART I

Introduction

As Chairman of the Museums Select Committee, he would like to say a few words about the Council's museum services, because the past year has been a particularly active one for the Museums Select Committee and its two planning Sub-Committees, under the chairmanship of Mr. Lawrence FUNG and Mr. Walter SULKE.

Museum of Art

The Museum of Art continued to maintain an active exhibition programme and organized 15 new exhibitions on a variety of subjects, including the 'Contemporary Hong Kong Art Biennial', with its associated Urban Council Fine Art Awards. In commemoration of the International Youth Year, a special award was given to the most promising young artist between the ages of 15 and 25 years.

On 1 February 1986, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent will open a major exhibition on 'The Art of Henry Moore', which is being jointly presented by the Council. All these exhibitions are supported by a variety of educational and extension activities, and the Museums Select Committee has plans to organize a wider range of such activities in the coming year.

During the year, planning work on the new Museum of Art gathered momentum, and a detailed review of sketch plans was undertaken by the Museum of Art Planning Sub-Committee, in conjunction with the Architectural Office. The Architectural Office is now proceeding with detailed design, with a view to commencing construction of the building during the current calendar year.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

With the assistance of the Museum's Honourable Advisers, a detailed review was also undertaken of the Museum's collections and revised guidelines were established.

Visual Art Studios

Following a preliminary review of planned facilities for the visual arts, and feasibility study, the Museums Select Committee has recently agreed to undertake a detailed feasibility study of converting Cassels Block in Victoria Barracks into a Sculpture, Ceramics and Print Centre, to complement and strengthen the visual art studios in the Community Art Centres that are to be provided in a number of Urban Council Complexes.

Science Museum

On the science side, the most significant development was the Council's decision, which was supported by HE the Governor, to proceed with the permanent Science Museum at Chatham Road East. The museum has a planned area of 13,500 m2 and will form Phase 1 of the combined History and Science Museums.

The museum site was formally taken over by the Council at the end of last year, and the Council has engaged a museum consultant of international repute to assist with planning of the museum building, exhibit co-ordination, and to prepare a master zoning study which will enable the site to be developed logically in phases. Pending full development of the museums, it is planned that areas not required for museum purposes will be developed for both active and passive recreation by the Recreation Select Committee.

Meanwhile, the Popular Science Lectures continue to be well attended and a wider range of science educational and extension activities are being planned.

Space Museum

A review was also undertaken of the Space Museum's services, and the Museums Select Committee has agreed in principle to proceed with exhibit renewal for the Space Museum and to introduce a revised programme policy, which seeks to maximize the potential of the Space Theatre for both those with a serious interest in astronomy and space sciences and those in search of educational entertainment.

The star event during the year was comet Halley, and in support of this astro-phenomenon, the Space Museum organized a series of structured activities, including a topical exhibition, a new sky show, and a number of lectures. It also published a handbook on the subject in Chinese to supplement the abundant information available in English.

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