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we will strengthen our close liaison with them in order to try to prevent the recurring of similar incidents. Otherwise, people will take it that we may eat our promises. So we have to step up co-operations.
The first question by Mr. Mok asks why we accept funds from the District Boards or the Friends of the Earth. All along, many projects of the Urban Council have been subjects of co-operations and sponsorship with the local people or organizations. For example, in Wan Chai and Kwun Tong, there are trees planted by the Wan Chai and Kwun Tong District Boards along the central dividers of the roads. I think co-operations with other departments and organizations in providing such facilities will be the up-going trend.
THE HON. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am glad to hear that the next Tree Planting Programme will be submitted to the Recreation Committee for discussion. In terms of manpower resources regarding the greening of the environments, will we increase our staff to improve communications with other Departments so that other Departments will attach more importance to our plans in this regard?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):--Recently, representatives from the Council and the Departments have gone to Singapore for study trip. Our colleagues have praised the efforts of tree planting there. We have conveyed these views at various forums to the Departments. I am sure the Departments and the Recreation Select Committee will support the greening programme. We will try to urge the Departments to increase manpower resources so that we can improve the greening environment in Hong Kong.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—Mr. Wong said in the course of his original answer that it is expected that all work would be completed before the end of the year. As I suppose, Mr. Wong knows new trees have the best chance of growing if planted in Spring. In Hong Kong, we have a wet summer so that things can be planted until August. But September, October, November and December are usually dry months and things planted then just will not grow. Do you agree, Mr. Wong?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in English):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I quite agree with Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI that planting of trees during the Spring season is the most suitable time. But I think I am quite sure some of the Department staff will agree with me that planting of trees in Summer months is also possible, just that you need to put a bit more water every day. And, I am quite sure the Department will overcome all the technical problems in carrying out their duties in this respect. Thank you.
MOTIONS
1. MR RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion: 'RESOLVED that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No. 4) Order 1992 be made under section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Chapter 132'
He said (in English):-As Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, I rise on the motion standing in my name:
'RESOLVED that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No. 4) Order 1992 be made under section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Chapter 132.'
The purpose is to amend the Fourth Schedule of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Chapter 132 to include five new venues, delete three existing public pleasure grounds and rename one.
Sir, I so move.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in English): Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
2. MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:-‘RESOLVED that the Public Swimming Pools (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-laws 1992 be made under section 42 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinances, Chapter 132.'
He said (in English):-Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, I rise on the motion standing in my name:
'RESOLVED that the Public Swimming Pools (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-laws 1992 be made under section 42 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinances, Chapter 132.'
This amendment will enable new admission fees to take effect from 1 May.
In February, Members of the Recreation and Finance Select Committees noted that swimming pool operating costs were increasing. However, given the Council's policy of setting fees at affordable levels and encouraging the use of the pools, it was decided that:
(a) the admission fees for children and senior citizens should remain at $6;
and
(b) the hire charges for reserved or exclusive use of our pools should not be increased.
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Moreover, in the light of the Council's aim in fostering water safety, concessionary rates were also approved. These arrangements will allow schools and subvented non-governmental organizations to use our pools for training purposes and swimming galas at half the normal rates.
So, the only change is in respect of the admission fee for adults which is going up to $14, i.e., an increase of $2. It is estimated that this revision should reduce the overall operating deficit to about $91.5m. And, the Council's subsidy for swimming pools will then be about 64%.
Against this background, Sir, I so move.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in English):—Sir, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried with 33 votes for, 1 against and 1 abstention.
ADJOURNMENT-3.01 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-This concludes the agenda for today's meeting. Council stands adjourned till Tuesday, 12 May 1992, at 2.30 p.m.
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we will strengthen our close liaison with them in order to try to prevent the recurring of similar incidents. Otherwise, people will take it that we may eat our promises. So we have to step up co-operations.
The first question by Mr. Mok asks why we accept funds from the District Boards or the Friends of the Earth. All along, many projects of the Urban Council have been subjects of co-operations and sponsorship with the local people or organizations. For example, in Wan Chai and Kwun Tong, there are trees planted by the Wan Chai and Kwun Tong District Boards along the central dividers of the roads. I think co-operations with other departments and organizations in providing such facilities will be the up-going trend.
THE HON. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am glad to hear that the next Tree Planting Programme will be submitted to the Recreation Committee for discussion. In terms of manpower resources regarding the greening of the environments, will we increase our staff to improve communications with other Departments so that other Departments will attach more importance to our plans in this regard?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):--Recently, representatives from the Council and the Departments have gone to Singapore for study trip. Our colleagues have praised the efforts of tree planting there. We have conveyed these views at various forums to the Departments. I am sure the Departments and the Recreation Select Committee will support the greening programme. We will try to urge the Departments to increase manpower resources so that we can improve the greening environment in Hong Kong.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—Mr. Wong said in the course of his original answer that it is expected that all work would be completed before the end of the year. As I suppose, Mr. Wong knows new trees have the best chance of growing if planted in Spring. In Hong Kong, we have a wet summer so that things can be planted until August. But September, October, November and December are usually dry months and things planted then just will not grow. Do you agree, Mr. Wong?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in English):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I quite agree with Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI that planting of trees during the Spring season is the most suitable time. But I think I am quite sure some of the Department staff will agree with me that planting of trees in Summer months is also possible, just that you need to put a bit more water every day. And, I am quite sure the Department will overcome all the technical problems in carrying out their duties in this respect. Thank you.
MOTIONS
1. MR RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion: 'RESOLVED that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of
Page 5 of 126
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 5 of 126
9
Fourth Schedule) (No. 4) Order 1992 be made under section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Chapter 132'
He said (in English):-As Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, I rise on the motion standing in my name:
'RESOLVED that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No. 4) Order 1992 be made under section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Chapter 132.'
The purpose is to amend the Fourth Schedule of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Chapter 132 to include five new venues, delete three existing public pleasure grounds and rename one.
Sir, I so move.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in English): Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
2. MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:-‘RESOLVED that the Public Swimming Pools (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-laws 1992 be made under section 42 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinances, Chapter 132.'
He said (in English):-Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, I rise on the motion standing in my name:
'RESOLVED that the Public Swimming Pools (Urban Council) (Amendment) By-laws 1992 be made under section 42 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinances, Chapter 132.'
This amendment will enable new admission fees to take effect from 1 May.
In February, Members of the Recreation and Finance Select Committees noted that swimming pool operating costs were increasing. However, given the Council's policy of setting fees at affordable levels and encouraging the use of the pools, it was decided that:
(a) the admission fees for children and senior citizens should remain at $6;
and
(b) the hire charges for reserved or exclusive use of our pools should not be
increased.
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Page 5Page 6
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Moreover, in the light of the Council's aim in fostering water safety, concessionary rates were also approved. These arrangements will allow schools and subvented non-governmental organizations to use our pools for training purposes and swimming galas at half the normal rates.
So, the only change is in respect of the admission fee for adults which is going up to $14, i.e., an increase of $2. It is estimated that this revision should reduce the overall operating deficit to about $91.5m. And, the Council's subsidy for swimming pools will then be about 64%.
Against this background, Sir, I so move.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in English):—Sir, I second the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried with 33 votes for, 1 against and 1 abstention.
ADJOURNMENT-3.01 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-This concludes the agenda for today's meeting. Council stands adjourned till Tuesday, 12 May 1992, at 2.30 p.m.
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