102
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
available, and that manpower and other resources are limited. I would like to see this matter given top priority in the coming months.
For the first time in many years, the Urban Services Department was able to increase the number of General Duties Teams (GDTs). Twelve new squads comprising 215 enforcement officers were created during the year, nine of which were to protect newly created public markets from unfair competition of illegal hawkers.
In addition to protecting newly opened markets, priority in hawker enforcement is being directed against illegal cooked food hawkers as they create a serious public health risk and unacceptable environmental nuisance. The staff will have to work very hard to prevent cholera from spreading to the urban areas through the sale of unhygienic food by illegal cooked food hawkers and other sources.
The system of computerization of hawker conviction records which was introduced in February this year, will shortly be given a review by the Urban Services Department and the Urban Council.
STATEMENT BY MR. TONG KAM-BIU, MEMBER OF THE PERFORMING COMPANIES SUB-COMMITTEE
MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, in June 1989, I had the pleasure to lead the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre on a tour to three North American cities, namely San Francisco, Toronto and New York. The tour was jointly presented by the Urban Council and the Sing Tao Ltd., which sponsored and arranged the overseas performances.
During the 3-week tour, the Repertory Theatre gave a total of eight performances of 'Crown Ourselves With Roses' written and directed by the company's Artistic Director Dr. Joanna CHAN. As this was the first time a professional drama company from Hong Kong was invited to perform in the three North American cities, and with the inclusion of the famous star Ms. FUNG Poo-poo in the cast, the shows received standing ovations and drew many Chinese community leaders, critics, senior government officials as well as members of the public. A total audience of 5,600 was attracted, representing an average attendance of over 95%. I would like to add a few words for the 95%; this is mainly in Toronto because in New York, the attendance rate is 100%. In Toronto, it was during the period of the June 4 incident and consequently, the local Chinese at that time were actively involved in that issue. During the two nights of our performances, they had other activities. That is the reason why we only had 95% attendance. Otherwise, we would have got 100% attendance rate.
Through the special efforts of Sing Tao's overseas offices in the three cities visited and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in San Francisco and New York, wide publicity was generated in North America and a lot of favourable comments were received during and after the tour. Both the Governor of the State of California and the President of the City Council of New York proclaimed the opening day in their respective city as the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre Day (i.e. 2 and 26 June).
Company members also took the opportunity of the tour to visit various cultural centres and attend Broadway shows.
The tour has succeeded in:
(a) enhancing the image and the reputation of the Urban Council and the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre locally and abroad through the publicity generated;
(b) enhancing Hong Kong's cultural image abroad and promoting Hong Kong's links with overseas Chinese communities;
(c) exposing the company to different audiences and cultures and widening company members' horizons and experience; and
(d) giving the company good credentials to solicit commercial sponsorship for its activities in future.
I feel that the Council should continue to support similar overseas tours by its three performing companies when conditions are right and favourable.
MOTIONS
1.
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL moved the following motion:- 'RESOLVED that the audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Receipts and Payments of the Urban Council for the year ended 31 March 1989 be adopted.'
He said (in English):-In accordance with section 36(4)(c) of the Urban Council Ordinance, I move the adoption of the audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Receipts and Payments of the Urban Council for the year ended 31 March 1989.
Members will note that the Director of Audit's Certificate on the Statements is not qualified by any observation on the manner in which the Council's accounts have been kept and rendered. The Department is to be congratulated for their keeping the Council's accounts in such good order.
Also in accordance with Section 40(4) of the Urban Council Ordinance, one copy of the Certified statements will be forwarded to His Excellency the Governor.
I so move.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI, CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE SELECT COMMITTEE seconded the motion (in English):--Mr. Chairman, in rising to second the motion, I would like to add my congratulations to the department in general and Mr. MANNING
Page 103
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
103
102
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
available, and that manpower and other resources are limited. I would like to see this matter given top priority in the coming months.
For the first time in many years, the Urban Services Department was able to increase the number of General Duties Teams (GDTs). Twelve new squads comprising 215 enforcement officers were created during the year, nine of which were to protect newly created public markets from unfair competition of illegal hawkers.
In addition to protecting newly opened markets, priority in hawker enforcement is being directed against illegal cooked food hawkers as they create a serious public health risk and unacceptable environmental nuisance. The staff will have to work very hard to prevent cholera from spreading to the urban areas through the sale of unhygienic food by illegal cooked food hawkers and other sources.
The system of computerization of hawker conviction records which was introduced in February this year, will shortly be given a review by the urban Services Department and the Urban Council.
STATEMENT BY MR. TONG KAM-BIU, MEMBER OF THE PERFORMING COMPANIES SUB-COMMITTEE
MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, in June 1989, I had the pleasure to lead the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre on a tour to three North American cities, namely San Francisco, Toronto and New York. The tour was jointly presented by the Urban Council and the Sing Tao Ltd., which sponsored and arranged the overseas performances.
During the 3-week tour, the Repertory Theatre gave a total of eight performances of 'Crown Ourselves With Roses' written and directed by the company's Artistic Director Dr. Joanna CHAN. As this was the first time a professional drama company from Hong Kong was invited perform in the three North American cities, and with the inclusion of the famous star Ms. FUNG Poo-poo in the cast, the shows received standing ovations and drew many Chinese community leaders, critics, senior government officials as well as members of the public. A total audience of 5 600 was attracted, representing an average attendance of over 95%. I would like to add a few words for the 95%; this is mainly in Toronto because in New York, the attendance rate is 100%. In Toronto, it was during the period of the June 4 incident and consequently, the local Chinese at that time were actively involved in that issue. During the two nights of our performances, they had other activities. That is the reason why we only had 95% attendance. Otherwise, we would have got 100% attendance
rate.
Through the special efforts of Sing Tao's overseas offices in the three cities visited and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in San Francisco and New York, wide publicity was generated in North America and a lot of
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
103
favourable comments were received during and after the tour. Both the Governor of the State of California and the President of the City Council of New York proclaimed the opening day in their respective city as the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre Day (i.e. 2 and 26 June).
Company members also took the opportunity of the tour to visit various cultural centres and attend Broadway shows.
The tour has succeed in:
(a) enhancing the image and the reputation of the Urban Council and the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre locally and abroad through the publicity generated;
(b) enhancing Hong Kong's cultural image abroad and promoting Hong
Kong' links with overseas Chinese communities;
(c) exposing the company to different audiences and cultures and widening
company members' horizons and experience; and
(d) giving the company good credentials to solicit commercial sponsorship
for its activities in future.
I feel that the Council should continue to support similar overseas tours by its three performing companies when conditions are right and favourable.
MOTIONS
1.
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL moved the following motion:- 'RESOLVED that the audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Receipts and Payments of the Urban Council for the year ended 31 March 1989 be adopted.'
He said (in English):-In accordance with section 36(4)(c) of the Urban Council Ordinance, I move the adoption of the audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Receipts and Payments of the Urban Council for the year ended 31 March 1989.
Members will note that the Director of Audit's Certificate on the Statements is not qualified by any observation on the manner in which the Council's accounts have been kept and rendered. The Department is to be congratulated for their keeping the Council's accounts in such good order.
Also in accordance with Section 40(4) of the Urban Council Ordinance, one copy of the Certified statements will be forwarded to His Excellency the Governor.
I so move.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI, CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE SELECT COMMITTEE seconded the motion (in English):--Mr. Chairman, in rising to second the motion, I would like to add my congratulations to the department in general and Mr. MANNING
Page
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.