IT IS Open Door government in Upper Albert Road and no mistake. We may not have the foggiest notion what is up on our behalf with the heavyweight issues but the gates have certainly been flung open on the subject of azaleas and camellias.
The public will be admitted to Government House on March 7 to walk around the garden, nameless, in jeans, and irrespective of their place on the social or political ladder. They even took me at my word, or half of it, when I showed up at the gate the other day for a preview with Miss Jane Lui, Gardener To His Excellency.
''I've come to see Miss . . .'' ''Aaah, yes. Come this way,'' said the welcoming Corporal-of-Horse, ignoring any formalities of the gatehouse and walking me up to the front door. My ''Look at the birdie and say 'Cheese'!'' colleague followed me through the gate on his motorbike, a most unofficial sight.
Jane was at hand by the portico, looking almost donnish in slacks and a padded check jacket. As the gardener, she is an Urban Services Department Amenities Assistant Grade 1. That surprised me. I thought they would have had a man out from Kew to do it. With the estimates for The Governor's Household rising from $17 million to $23 million for 1993-94, at least one. Instead, they have wide eyed, perky Jane, thirtyish (no answer budded to that specific question), who did a month's general horticulture course, five shorter ones, and read a lot.
I suspect that, for Jane, this is not work, it is fun.
She guided me around the paths the March 7 visitors will be allowed on, with a diversion into the nursery and the greenhouse at the start. These are to the right of the house itself, tucked behind the staff quarters which front on to the Upper Albert Road wall.