ENG-1985 — Page 313

238

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

out the urban areas. The programmes included all-star shows, variety shows, youth popular concerts, popular concerts, orchestral (Chinese and classical) concerts, choral concerts, youth dances, ballet and modern dances, traditional Cantonese, Peking and Chiu Chow operas, puppet performances (rod, glove, string, Cantonese and shadow), classical operatic acrobatics, Cantonese operatic songs and Chinese folk songs and dances. In all, 312 698 attended these free entertainment programmes.

Apart from regular entertainment programmes, the council also organised many territory-wide events. These included the Spring Lantern Festival held at Ko Shan Park in early March, a 'Concert in the Park' in mid-June at Kowloon Park, the Mid-Autumn Carnivals at Victoria Park and Ko Shan Park, and the Christmas Carnival. An intensive 44-day Summer Fun Festival for all ages was launched during the summer holidays. More than 72 072 young people and children took part in various outdoor events including carnivals, launch picnics, family cruises, discó parties, weekend films and visits to Kadoorie Farm. A total of 339 662 attended these territory-wide-carnivals, including the Summer Fun Festival and participatory programmes.

=

Reorganisation of the Recreation and Sports Service

Under a government reorganisation which took effect on April 1, the district offices and recreation and sports facilities of the Recreation and Sports Service (RSS) were transferred to the Urban Council in the urban area, and to the Regional Services Department in the New Territories. The two bodies were thus able to promote recreation and sport in their regions more effectively.

Certain sections of the former Recreation and Sports Service remained with the government, as the Recreation and Sports Service Division of the newly formed Municipal Services Branch of the Government Secretariat. The work of these sections continued to include liaising with other government departments and assisting national sports associa- tions and other outside organisations in order to promote interest in recreation and sports activities generally, and to improve standards at the higher levels of competitive sport.

The Recreation and Sports Service Division has also been concerned with co-ordinating and organising recreation and sports activities for 'special groups' - the disabled and the underprivileged. In 1985, 109 projects were organised for the special groups, involving 5 724 participants.

The Secretariat of the Council for Recreation and Sport, following the reorganisation, was also housed in the Recreation and Sports Service Division of the Municipal Services Branch. As the government's principal advisory body on recreation and sport, the council advised on the disbursement of $4.3 million of government funds to sports associations, chiefly for competition and pre-competition training. The council also advised on the disbursement of certain independent funds, earmarked for youth recreation projects primarily for capital works items and the purchase of specialised equipment. In 1985, $5.5 million was allocated for this purpose.

Regional Services Department

-

The Regional Services Department (RSD) was formed on April 1, by merging the former New Territories Services Department and the component units of the former Recreation and Culture Department and Cultural Services Department operating in the New Territories.

With the formation of the new department, the promotion of recreation, sports and cultural activities and the management of venues such as parks, swimming pools, beaches,