THE working relationship between the Government and the Jockey Club has never been smooth, according to civil servants who have been involved in projects funded by the club.
While the Jockey Club emphasises the intimacy of consultations it has had with the Government on the disposal of its charity money, government staff describe club officials as arrogant and imposing.
They conceded that while the relationship at the top - between the Chief Secretary and the Chief Executive - may be amicable, there were always a lot of argument among those at the working level.
At present, apart from larger projects, such as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology construction plan and the redevelopment of the Hong Kong Stadium, the civil service is in frequent contact with club officials on smaller-scale plans contained in the Governor's shopping list to the club.
While the club provides funds for Government recommended projects undertaken by non-government organisations, follow-up work in checking progress of the various schemes fell to civil servants.
They had to compile reports to the club, said government sources.
