The report in the South China Morning Post of June 21, that Urban Council museums are to waive their entrance fees one day a week is welcome news to anyone who believes that publicly-funded museums should, as far as possible, be free to the public. The report that attendances at museums and art galleries have been dropping is less welcome. The reason, I believe, is to be found in the opening hours, that is, 10am to 6pm on weekdays and 1pm to 6pm on Sundays and public holidays. This means that except at weekends and on public holidays, the museums are only open when most of Hong Kong's population is at work. Would it not make more sense for museums and art galleries to open in the evenings, when people could actually visit them? The Urban Council might even find itself making a profit if it opened its facilities at times when people can use them. JOHN F. WILSON The Peak
