ENG-1966 — Page 303

RECREATION

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from the St John Ambulance Brigade and the Hong Kong Life Guard Club attend the swimming pools and some beaches during weekends and public holidays at the height of the season. During 1966 there were 237 successful rescues as against nine fatalities.

The provision of better opportunities for community recreation is being pursued with vigour, and expansion of facilities is now taking place at the high rate of 16 per cent compound per annum. At the end of the year 29 parks and playgrounds covering 63 acres were under construction, and plans were being drawn up for a system of rural parks and conservation areas extending over much of the magnificent hill country in the New Territories.

ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS

Performing and visual arts, which played a minor part in the cultural life of Hong Kong until comparatively recently, are now important and integral features of entertainment. While the cinema remains the most popular diversion, concerts, plays, operas and art exhibitions take place almost daily and attract good audiences.

The change began five years ago, when a new City Hall was opened with facilities which include a 1,500-seat concert hall con- vertible for theatrical performances, an intimate 470-seat theatre, an art gallery and several exhibition halls. Its two auditoria are available throughout the year to many local amateur groups and visiting artists, and as a result nearly every branch of music, drama and Chinese opera has prospered. There are regular public perform- ances by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and many local choral groups and soloists who, during the year, gave a total of 157 concerts in the City Hall. In drama, three very active English amateur groups and many more Chinese dramatic groups, including both amateurs and professionals, together presented 35 productions with 93 performances.

While the local groups have undoubtedly made a most valuable contribution to the cultural life of Hong Kong, highlights have again been provided by the visits of internationally renowned artists arranged by local impresarios. During the year they brought to the City Hall alone 36 overseas artists or groups for a total of 69 performances. These included such well-known names as The London Symphony Orchestra, The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra,