P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
ME
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Tuesday, August 1, 1972
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK LOAN AGREEMENT SIGNED
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The Government’s first loan from an international financial institute was officially signed today.
During a brief ceremony, the Financial Secretary, Mr. Philip Haddon-Cave, and the President of the Asian Development Bank, Mr. Takeshi Watanabe, both signed a loan agreement of US$21.5 million — about HK&120 million.
Mr. Watanabe arrived in Hong Kong yesterday specially for the ceremony. The signing was one of his last official acts before he retires due to health reasons.
As a result of the loan, Hong Kong can now proceed with the construction of the desalting plant at Castle Peak in the Nev; Territories.
The possibility of a loan from the Asian Development Bank was first raised in April last year during the fourth annual meeting of the bank’s board of governors in Singapore.
Mr. Haddon-Cave flew to Manila in March this year for final negotiations with the bank officials.
The loan for the desalting plant is to be made available in various currencies equivalent to a total of US$21.5 million, and will be used to finance a substantial proportion of the foreign exchange cost of the desalter.
It is repayable over 10 years from January 1, 1976 and the rate of interest payable. is 7J% per annum on the outstanding balance.
The sea water desalting plant, with a capacity of ^0 million gallons a day, will be the largest of its kind in the world. It will be sited at the Star Quarry near the 17-milestone on Castle Peak Road.
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Tuesday, August 1, 1972
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STAMP TO COMMEMORATE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL
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A special 31 stamp will be issued in October this year to commemorate the Cross-Harbour Tunnel.
A spokesman for the Post Office said today that the issue of the stamp will coincide with the visit of Princess Alexandra.
The Princess will take part in ceremonies marking the final completion of the project in October.
The final artwork of the stamp, which is in horizontal format was prepared in Britain from a painting supplied by Robert Mathews, Johnson-Marshall & Partners the Architects for the Cross Harbour Tunnel Company.
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QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED
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Quarantine restrictions imposed against arrivals from Kuala Lumpur, apart from the airport, have now been lifted. The restrictions were imposed because of cholera.
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Tuesday, August 1, 1972
3
INDOOR STADIUM AT HUNG HOM
Foundation work will begin soon on the indoor stadium and surrounding podium on Hung Hom Reclamation to provide a large-scale venue for sporting and public events*
Estimated to cost $60 million, the stadium, together with the podium, will form Stage III Phase 3 of the multi-million dollar Hung Hom Development Scheme*
When completed it will have seating accommodation for 15f000*
A Government spokesman said today the stadium would bo used intensively throughout the year and would frequently attract large audiences*
”It is known, for example, that the basketball, table-tennis, volley ball, badminton, boxing,gymnastics and fencing associations will make use of । the stadium both for their respective championships and for visiting national teams.”
The spokesman said the stadium would also be used extensively for many non-sporting functions, such as ice shows, circus performances, singing, variety and dancing shows.
In addition, he added, the planning of the project would allow for the arena to be used for some medium scale trade exhibitions.
Stage I of the Hung Hom Reclamation Scheme, comprising railway workshops and preliminary works has been completed. Stage II, which basically consists of all railway work, and Stage III Phase I covering ground level works for the railway terminus, multi-storey carpark and bus terminus are now under way.
Stage III Phase 2 involves the actual construction of these buildings and this is expected to start early next year.
*»*»**«
Note to Editors: Copies of a photograph showing a model
of the indoor stadium are distributed separately in the G.I.S. Press Boxes this evening.
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Tuesday, August 1, 1972
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DENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED
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The Government is offering a number of scholarships to local applicants to study dentistry at the University of Sydney in New South Wales and the University of Sydney in New South Wales and the University of Otago in New Zealand.
' The courses, leading to a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, will begin early in 1973* They normally last for five years in the case of Australia and four years in New Zealand.
The scholarships will be worth $4,500 a year and an additional allowance of $2,500 will be made towards the cost of books and instruments. Return air ♦ i ' ■. .
passages will be provided.
Applications will be considered only from candidates who have passed in physics, chemistry and biology or zoology at Advanced Level in the Hong Kong Uhiversity Advanced Level Examination and at Grade C or above in English in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education (English), or an equivalent qualificationt
Successful candidates must pass a medical examination and sign an agreement which includes an undertaking to return to Hong Kong for at least four years after graduation. During this time and if vacancies exist, they may be required to serve for a period not exceeding two years as an Assistant Dental Officer with the Hong Kong Government.
Application forms can be obtained from the Medical and Health Department, Lee Gardens and must be completed and returned by August 26.
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Tuesday, August 1, 1972
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CENTRAL BUILDING TO BE DEMOLISHED
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The Building Authority today ordered a building at 226 Queen’s Road Central, to be demolished because it is in a dangerous condition.
The Principal Government Building Surveyor said that the building together with 228 Queen’s Road Central was closed by a court order last April 6 following the collapse of a building at 1 Gough Street the previous evening.
On April 15 an order was issued for the demolition of No. 228 Queen’s Road, and to allow the works to be carried out shoring was erected inside No. 226.
However, the demolition of No. 228 has now reached the stage where the brickwork supporting the corbel in the party wall at the first floor level is bulging about three inches. It is feared that the party wall is liable to collapse.
As well, a new fracture has occurred in the verandah pier also at the first floor level.
An order under Section 26 of the Building Ordinance was issued today requiring tjie. demolition of 226 Queen’s Road Central.
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Tuesday, August 1, 1972
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PASSING-OUT PARADE OF PRISON OFFICERS
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Note to Editors; A passing-out parade of 14 Assistant
Officers Class II will be held at the Prisons Department Staff Training Institute, Tung Tau Wan Road, Stanley on Thursday (August J) at 5*20 p.m.
Twelve other Assistant Officers will also take part in the parade. Mr. R.O. Mackie, Superintendent of Prisons will act as the inspecting officer.
Music for the parade will be provided by the band of the Cape Collinson Training Centre.
You are invited to send a reporter and/or photographer to have the event covered.
A reception will be held immediately after the parade in the Gymnasium of the Staff Training Institute.
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WATER INTERRUPTION IN MONG KOK
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Water supply to a number of premises in Mong Kok will be interrupted for five hours on Thursday (August 5) from 1 a.m.. to 6 a.m.
The temporary water stoppage is to enable the Water Works Office to carry out a leakage test in the Mong Kok area.
The area affected is bounded by Sai Yee Street, Boundary Street, Nathan Road, Nullah Road, Prince Edward Road, Yuen Po Street and Flower Market Road.
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Tuesday, August 1, 1972
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NOTICE TO EXPORTERS
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The Director of Commerce and Industry today issued a notice to exporters giving details of the allocation of yardage available in the High Hong Kong Cost Content Schemes for exports of restrained cotton textiles to Britain in the second half of this year.
The items covered included cotton finished piecegoods and made-ups and garments.
Copies of the notices have been sent to trade associations and companies on the Department’s mailing list for Notice to Exporters: Series 1 (Britain).
They can also be obtained from the Department’s Textiles Licensing Office on 2nd floor, Fire Brigade Building, Hong Kong.
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Release Time: 6.45 p.m.
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Wednesday, August 2, 1972
THE GOVERNOR- OPENS CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL
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The Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, speaking from the depths of Victoria Harbour this evening officially opened Hong Kong’s cross-harbour tunnel.
The ceremony ’took place at a point mid-way along the tunnel.
In a short address, the Governor said that the construction of the tunnel ’’shoos what can be done in Hong Kong to solve problems when we all really set our minds to it”.
He went on: ’’There are many other problems in Hong Kong just as urgent, just as large, just as exciting just as apparently insoluble, as this once seemed ”We should surely take heart from this achievement to believe that if this can be done, so too can many other things”, he said.
Sir Murray added: ’’International and local business and finance, the Government, engineers, technicians and workers of many skills, and the right economic and political climate — all have worked together and so the insoluble has been solved, and in a remarkably short space of time.”
/The Governor
Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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The Governor mentioned three men who ”in their different ways contributed so much to the project”. They are Mr. D.A. Hislop, the Project Manager, Trans Harbour Constructors Ltd.; Mr. G.M.J. Williams, a partner of Scott Wilson Kirkpatrnck and Partners; and Mr. R.J.F. Brothers, the Commercial Manager of Wheelock Marden and Executive Officer of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel Company.
Sir Murray also paid tribute to the Public Works Department who he said had ‘^Laboured mightily to get their massive approach complexes ready in time*\ 4 • • •«
Although the tunnel was officially opened this svoning, general
traffic will not be allowed to use it until just before midnight tomorrow (August 3)
Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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HONG KONG’S STERLING RESERVES
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The Financial Secretary, the Hon. C.P. Haddon-Cave, said today he hoped a further and conclusive round of talks between the Hong Kong and British Government would be held very soon either in Hong Kong or in London regarding the situation created by the floating of sterling.
He was speaking in the Legislative Council in reply to the Hon. P.C* Woo who had asked for a statement from the Government on Hong Kong’s Sterling Guarantee Agreement with the United Kingdom. » . .
Mr. Haddon-Cave said that during the four-day discussions here last montht the Government and two British officials from London discussed and exwhanged ideas on all aspects of the situation created by the floating of sterling*
"These exchanges could naturally not be expected to lead at that stage to firm conclusions for both sides had to listen and then reflect, but we r ■ have kept in touch with London since the British officials departed," he said*
In exchanges with London, he said, the Government had emphasised most strongly that Hong Kong’s position as a large holder of sterling balances as well as her traditional links with sterling deserved special consideration.
The Financial Secretary described the future of the Hong Kong dollar t
and the security of the exchange value of Hong Kong’s external reserves as "complicated and delicate questions," but he assured the Council that the Government was very conscious of the fundamental importance of arriving at the right answers to these questions.
He said the floating of sterling and the subsequent establishment of a temporary link between the Hong Kong dollar and the U.S. dollar had created two difficulties for Hong Kong in relation to her Sterling Guarantee Agreement with the United Kingdom.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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The first difficulty is that the Agreement needs to be reinterpreted with regard to its applicability in a situation where sterling is floating rather than being aligned on a new fixed rate in relation to the U.S. dollar, he said.
The second difficulty, he said, arises from the fact that, as part of the package negotiated at the time of the realignment of major world currencies in December 1971. sterling retained its existing gold parity and thus revalued against the U.S. dollar to a rate roughly equal to £1 = US$2,60.
•’At the same time, the guarantees under the Sterling Guarantee Agreements remained in force at the rate of £1 = US$2.40. In other words, the pound sterling could then fall all the way down from US$2.60 to US$2.40 without any adjustment payments having to be made and such payments would only become due if and when sterling fell below a rate of US$2.40 =£1,” he said.
Mr. Haddon-Cave said this is, in effect, what has happened with the floating of sterling and the fixing of the Hong Kong dollar with the U.S. dollar, ’’Sterling has now effectively floated down from US$2.60 to about US$2,45, involving a loss on Hong Kong’s sterling reserves in terms of both foreign currencies and Hong Kong dollars.
’’But, for the reasons I have just explained, we are not entitled to any guarantee payment under our existing agreement with the United Kingdom,” he said.
The existing Agreement guarantees the U.S. dollar value of about 90 per cent of Hong Kong’s officially held sterling reserves at an exchange rate of £1 xUS$2.4O.
That is to say. if sterling falls below this rate by more than 1 per cent for a continuous period of 30 days, the British Government will pay to the Hong Kong Government sufficient sterling to restore the U.S. dollar value of the guaranteed proportion of Hong Kong’s sterling reserves.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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URGENT CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION FOR CONTROL OF NURSERIES
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The Director of Social Welfare, the Hon. G.T. Rowe, told the Legislative Council today that urgent consideration was being given to the introduction of legislation requiring all residential and day nurseries, and creches, to register with the Social Welfare Department.
They would also be required to comply with certain standards relating to accommodation, health and safety measures, and the qualifications of the staff.
Mr. Rowe, who was replying to a question by the Hon. Mrs. Joyce Symons, stressed that legislation was not a simple matter, and by itself, could achieve nothing. If it were otherwise, it ’’would have been introduced years ago.”
He explained that it was clearly necessary also to make certain of the means for implementing any such legislation by providing in the first place, for ”a competent and qualified inspectorate to undertake regular inspection of all such nurseries and creches, and to advise and assist in the maintenance of the necessary standards.”
Secondly, it would be necessary to provide for the training of nursery workers on a large scale — because it would be impossible to insist on standards for nursery workers if no such training facilities were available.
A third point was the involvement of more departments than one in such legislation, in relation to the maintenance of health and safety standards.
Accordingly, he advised the Council that full implementation of control measures might take some time, but they were being pursued ”as a
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matter of urgency.”
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
6
URBAN COUNCIL INTERPRETATION FACILITIES READY NEXT MONTH
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The Acting Colonial Secretary, the Hon. M.D.A. Clinton, said today facilities for simultaneous interpretation in the Urban Council were being installed and should be ready by the end of next month.
He was speaking in the Legislative Council while moving the second reading of the Urban Council (Amendment) Bill 1972.
He said the main purpose of the bill was to enable members of the Urban Council to address the Council in either English or Chinese.
In May last year, he said, the Government accepted a recommendation in the first report of the Chinese Language Committee that simultaneous interpretation facilities should be made available in the Legislative and Urban Council Chambers.
Speaking in support of the Bill, the Hon. James M.H. Wu said.that politics and sentiments aside, there were valid and practical reasons to extend the use and recognition of Chinese in official and other business.
He said the limited use of the language in both government and business in a community overwhelmingly Chinese might be the root of widespread indifference and apathy instead of a strong sense of community and belonging.
"In our industrial society of growing sophistication, Chinese must assume an even more important position in internal communication, and the skill of its use, in both the written and spoken way, must be sufficiently developed to an acceptable level at school-leaving,” he said.
Also speaking in support of the Bill, the Hon. H.M.G. Forsgate, said it was hoped that the use of Cantonese in the Urban Council would stimulate a more direct interest in the workings of the Council by the general non-English speaking public.
"It is to the credit of the Chinese Language Committee that it quickly realised the intense pressure building-up behind this demand, and to the Government for the speed with which it accepted the recommendations now being put into effect,1’ he said. _ .
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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ALLOCATION OF IMMIGRATION POWERS
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The Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R. Sneath, said today that an elaborate system of allocating powers and responsibilities under the Immigration Ordinance may prevent the Immigration Department frorfi being administered efficiently.
Moving the second reading of the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 1972, in the'Legislative Council, Mr. Sneath said that two examples of this had come to light.
The first case concerns the power to vary conditions under Which people are permitted to stay in Hong Kong.
At present over 6,000 such applications are made every month simply by people seeking to extend their stay, and to cope with this number, the Director considers that they should be handled over the counter.
However under the present ordinance, the exercise of this power is limited to the Director himself, his deputy and his assistant directors;
The amending bill will allow these "over-the-counter" applications to be handled by immigration officers.
* The bill will also allow Immigration Assistants, in addition to Immigration Officers, to exercise powers related to their normal duties in immigration control.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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HOUSING REVIEW NEEDED
«««*****
The Acting Colonial Secretary, the Hon. M.D.A. Clinton, said today that the present situation regarding the control of housing in Hong Kong clearly needed reviewing "to see how we can best undertake the vast tasks which still lie ahead’1.
He said that because there was little land available in the urban areas this mainly involved building in the New Territories, especially at Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung and in the new towns of Castle Peak and Sha Tin.
Mr. Clinton was replying in the Legislative Council to a question by the Hon. H.M.G. Forsgate who had asked if the Government would confirm that the Urban Council, when re-organised on April 1, 1973» would continue to play a substantial part in low-cost housing and resettlement.
He said that as proposals were still being worked out he could not be specific at this stage, but ’’personally I think that Urban Councillors should continue in one way or another to be involved fairly substantially in these matters.”
Mr. Clinton pointed out that the White Paper on the future of the Urban Council, while noting its earlier view that all forms of housing should be placed under one department controlled by the Council, commented that the size, complexity and colony-wide nature of the housing problem seem to be arguments in favour of severing the Council’s present connection with housing matters rather than extending it”.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNITY RELIEF TRUST FUND DONATIONS
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Of the total 816.5 million donated to the Community Relief Trust Fund up to July 29, approximately $7«5 million have been paid out to victims, 82 million set aside for rehabilitation and orphans funds, and about 87 million have still to be allocated.
The Hon. G.T. ?owe, Director of Social Welfare and Fund Trustee, told the Legislative Council today that the Fund’s Management Committee hoped to meet in the second part of this month "to finalise outstanding proposals on how to use up the remaining money, and generally to bring the affairs of the Fund up to date.”
He was replying to the Hon. Q.W. Lee who had asked the Government to state how the funds subscribed by the public following the recent rainstorm disasters had been, or were being, utilised.
Mr. Rowe said the Fund had been applied to assist those in need as a result of loss of members of the family, serious damage or loss of domestic accommodation, and damage to crops and livestock.
He hoped to publish a statement of accounts relating to the money received as soon as it was reasonably possible to do so. Claims were still coming in, and payments were still being made.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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PILE DRIVING NOISE ’’PARTICULARLY TRYING”
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The Acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson said today it was felt that proposed new restrictions on piling would not interfere unduly with building operations or result in an unacceptable rise in building costs.
He was speaking in the Legislative Council while moving the second reading of the Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill 1972.
The bill seeks to prohibit piling between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on working days and ban it completely on Sundays and public holidays. At present the only restriction is on noise between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Mr. Robertson said these proposed amendments recognised that ’’the noise of pile driving, which was often heard in Hong Kong, could be particularly trying”.
”However, it is proposed that these new restrictions on piling should not come into effect until June 1, 1973» to minimise the possibility of contractual problems on current works.”
The bill enables the Governor in Council to exempt not only specified areas or districts, but also specific activities within an area from the provisions relating to noise.
It also increases the maximum fine for offences under the provisions relating to noise from 3500 to 35,000.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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POWERS OF ATTORNEY
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The Powers of Attorney Bill 1972, which provides a uniform and recognised system for duly authorising a person to conduct the private or business affairs of his principle, was introduced into the Legislative Council today.
Moving its second reading, the Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R. Sneath, told the Council the Bill was based on the English Act of the same name which was passed into law last year.
It gives a statutory basis for some of the old common law rules on this subject, he said.
Under the Bill, a power of attorney must be in writing and signed and sealed by the donor, or by somebody else at his direction. But he must be present when this is done, and so must two other people who then sign as witnesses.
Mr. Sneath said the Schedule to the Bill provides a simple fora for giving a general power of attorney.
One provision states that the person to whom such a general power of attorney is given then has the authority to do anything which the donor himself could do through an attorney.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
12
BILL TO REMOVE RESTRICTIONS UNDER PERJURY ORDINANCE
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Experience has shown that sometimes the falsity of a statement in connection with the registration of a birth or death, and hence the commission of the offence, does not come to light until some years afterwards.
This was stated today by the Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R.
Sneath, in the Legislative Council while moving the second reading of the Perjury (Amendment) Bill 1972.
The bill seeks to abolish the time limit within which a prosecution may be brought against a person giving false evidence or information in matters connected with births and deaths.
Under the existing law, proceedings cannot be instituted after three years have elapsed from the time the offence was committed.
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COMMUNITY CENTRES IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS
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The Hon. G.T. Rowe, Director of Social Welfare, said today the Government was planning to meet the need for community facilities in densely populated areas by setting up centres, halls and estate welfare buildings.
He was replying in the Legislative Council to the Hon. Wilson Wang who had also asked when the last hall had been built, and when the next one would be.
Mr. Rowe said the latest community centre in the Tai Hang Tung Resettlement Estate had been built in 19^6, and the next community centre in Chai Wan was expected to be completed in 197^»
But he stressed that the intervening period between these two dates was
being filled by the provision of estate welfare buildings, community halls and social service centres serving the same purpose.
Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS BILL
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The Guradianship of Minors Bill 1972, which received its first and second readings in today’s Legislative Council meeting, introduces two underlying principles relating to the guardianship and custody of, and maintenance for, minors.
Moving its second reading, the Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R. Sneath, told the Council that one principle was that the mother would have equal rights with the father regarding the right to be a guardian or to appoint one.
Another principle, he said, was that the court shall have regard to the welfare of the minor as the first and paramount consideration in deciding any question regarding matters of guardianship, custody and maintenance•
”To safeguard this principle, the bill provides that the courts are to exercise control in all these matters,” he said.
Mr. Sneath said the existing law on this subject was to be found partly in the common law, partly in an English statute of 1660 and partly in the Infants Custody Ordinance which was to be repealed.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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NO CHANGE IN POLICY OF SUBVENTIONS TO CLINICS ********
Not one of the 428 clinics registered or exempt from registration under the Medical Clinics Ordinance is suffering from hardship, and not one has closed as a result of financial loss in operating costs.
Doctor the Hon. G.H. Choa, Director of Medical and Health Services, gave the Legislative Council this reason today when he explained why he did not consider it necessary that all medical clinics should in future be subvented from public funds.
But if any were experiencing financial or other difficulties, he would welcome details. Each case would then be considered, and appropriate advice and assistance given to sponsors.
He was replying to a question by the Hon. F.W. Li who had asked whether the Government would consider granting subventions to medical clinics run by approved non-profit-making social welfare agencies.
Dr. Choa said since the Medical Clinics Ordinance came into effect in 1964, examination of the accounts of 428 of them had not revealed any case of hardship.
He explained that some of these agencies were in fact receiving sub* ventions from the Government for their activities, and also other help.
An example of the latter was the fact that clinics situated in the welfare blocks of resettlement estates were being charged a nominal rent of only 451 a month.
Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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LION ROCK CABLE CAR
*»»*«***
Plans for a suspended cable car system leading to Lion Rock advanced a step further today.
The Legislative Council adopted a resolution setting out briefly the basic conditions for a tender franchise for the system.
In moving the resolution, the Financial Secretary, the Hon. C.P. Haddon-Cave, said that the proposal was to grant by tender a franchise to operate the system together with a private treaty grant of the terminal sites
He said that in addition to the tendered annual premium and the premium on the terminal sites, a royalty of 10 per cent was to be charged on the gross operating receipts and all advertising.
nIn due course, it will be necessary to define the respective responsibilities of the operating company and the Government by legislation," he added.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
-IG-
NORE HELP FOR HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
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The Urban Council is considering plans to assist the further development of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and to increase the frequency of its performances.
The Acting Director of Urban Services, the Hon. A.P. Richardson, said the plans were being considered because of the popularity of the orchestra*s concerts and the great improvement in its performance standard over the past two years.
He was replying to a question by the Hon. Wilson Wang at today’s Legislative Council meeting.
At present, he said, the Urban Council provides the City Hall Concert Hal 1 and all business management free of charge for concerts presented by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society in conjunction with the Council.
The orchestra receives the entire box office receipts and a nominal sum of 81,000 for each concert to help meet any deficits. The orchestra now presents concerts every six or seven weeks, and each performance must be repeated three times to satisfy the demand, Mr. Richardson said.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE TO BE EXPANDED
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The Buildings Ordinance Office of the Public Works Department is short of staff but steps are being taken to create more posts and to have the existing vacancies filled.
The Acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson, said today that he had already made proposals for substantial increases in staff primarily to deal with the inspection of works in progress.
These proposals, he said, are expected to be submitted-to the Establishment Sub-Committee this month and recruitment will be pursued energetically if they are approved.
Mr. Robertson, who was replying to a question by the Hon. Wilfred Wong, said he would also make further proposals in the very near future in respect of certain other aspects of the Buildings Ordinance Office work.
At present, he said, there are six vacancies for'building surveyWT6 and another six for structural engineers within the professional establishment of the office, but a number of these vacancies are expected to be filled in the near future.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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LATE BERTH REGISTRATIONS ADMISSIBLE IN EVIDENCE
*********
Late entries of registration of birth will be admissible in evidence without further proof under an amending bill introduced into the Legislative Council this (Wednesday) afternoon.
♦ Moving- the second reading of the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill 1972, the Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R. Sneathf said that.under the existing law, a registration of birth may be entered-' in a post-register book — that is, after 12 months from birth with the consent of the Registrar General. ' .
He said since the beginning of•this year, a system had’been operating which ensured, as far as was humanly possible, that these late entries were in fact correct. .<
. This system, he added, involved consultation and checking with
•bath’the’ Director of Immigration and the Commissioner for Registration^ f,In the light of this new system, it is considered that entries in the post-register book of births should, as with entries in the ordinary register, be admissible in evidence with further proof,” he said.
Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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DETAILS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SOON
Details of further educational facilities for handicapped children are expected to be announced before the start of the new academic year in September.
The Acting Director of Education, the Hon. C.J.G. Lowe, told the
Legislative Council today that the draft of the second five-year plan for the further development of special education in Hong Kong should be submitted to i; , ■
the Finance Committee very soon.
He said he hoped details could be released soon after this.
Mr. Lowe was replying to a question from the Hon. H.J.C. Browne, who had asked what plans the Government had for providing more facilities for special education for handicapped children.
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REST GARDEN FOR WESTERN
Residents of the densely populated area of Western district on Hong
Kong Island will have another sitting-out area for their leisure time.
Three-thousand square feet of land on the western side of Sung Hing
Lane has been earmarked for this purpose. The site was originally an old four-storey building which has been demolished to provide more recreational space
The sitting-out area will be paved with concrete, and consist of four raised flower beds surrounded by low concrete benches. ।
Work is expected to begin in early September and will take about two months to complete.
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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
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THREE BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS
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Three buildings — two on Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon — have been declared dangerous by the Building Authority. A fourth building in Kowloon is liable to become dangerous.
The two buildings on the Island are Nos. 2 and 4 Tai Ping Shan Street in Central District.
The Principal Government Building Surveyor said today that these four-storey pre-war buildings, which share a staircase were inspected recently following complaints from occupants of one of the buildings.
Inspectors found that the rear main wall of both buildings was badly fractured and sections of the brickwork were badly eroded. There were serious fractures in the party wall between the two buildings and much of the structural timberwork was extensively decayed.
Shoring has been erected by the government contractor to the front balconies to avoid any sudden collapse.
The Kowloon building declared dangerous is at 118 Apliu Street, Sham Shui Po, and the adjoining building No. 116 is liable to become dangerous•
The Principal Government Building Surveyor said that the whole of the reinforced concrete of the three-storey pre-war building at 118 Apliu Street was in an advanced state of deterioration with extensive splintering of beams and floor slabs revealing badly corroded steel reinforcement•
/He.......
Wednesday, August 2, 1972
- 21 -:r
He said the condition of the building would make repair work impracticable and further deterioration could result in a collapse.
The demolition of No. 118 could also result in the danger of a eollapse of No. 116 as the party wall and walls of the kitchen block show signs of defects as does the front verandah.
Notices of intention to apply for closure orders for the Kowloon building on August JO and the Hong Kong buildings on September were posted today. ’ *
Wednesday, August 2, 1972
- 22 -
BILLS PASSED
*******
Two bills passed their committee stage and third readings in Legislative Council this afternoon and became law.
They were the Crimes (Amendment) Bill 1972 and the Public Health and Urban Services (Amendment) (No. 5) Bill 1972.
The Urban Council (Amendment) Bill 1972; the Guardianship of Minors
Bill 1972; the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 1972; the Powers of Attorney
Bill 1972| the Perjury (Amendment) Bill 1972 and the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill 1972 had their first and second readings.
The Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill 1972 had its first reading, and debate on its second reading was adjourned.
Debate on the second reading of the Crown Land Bill 1972 was resumedt ---------------------------0---------
........ NINE SWIMMING POOL PROJECTS IN PROGRAMME
»<m**«*
The Acting Director of Urban Services, the Hon, A,P. Richardson, said today that nine swimming pool projects were now included in the Public Works Programme.
He said that although they were likely to be financed from various sour$es v the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club was already financing three v the Government attached the greatest importance to these projects.
Replying to a question in the Legislative Council* by the Hon^ HjM,G^ Forsgate, Mr. Richardson added that the Government would certainly provide necessary support in appropriate cases, if the Finance Committee agreed.
Wednesday, August 2, 1972
- 23 -
MEDICAL AND HEALTH STATISTICS
********
Statistics released today by the Medical and Health Department for the week ending on July 15 are as follows
* Notifications of infectious cases (previous week’s figures in brackets) — total 194 (150)» amoebiasis — 1 (1); bacn.l 1 ary dysentery — 9 (4); cerebrospinal meningitis and meningococcal infections — 1 (nil); chickenpox — nil (1); tuberculosis — 165 (151); diphtheria — nil (nil); enteric fever (typhoid) — 14 (10); enteric fever (paratyphoid) — nil (nil); leprosy — one (2); measles — 1 (1); ophthalmia neonatorum — 5 (nil); poliomyelitis — nil (nil); and scarlet fever — nil (nil).
* Births — total registered 1,564; 569 on Hong Kong Island, 829 in Kowloon, and 166 in the New Territories.
* Deaths — 442 from all causes; 111 on the Island, 517 in Kowloon and 14 in the New Territories.
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Release time: 8.50
400003S P.R. 33
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
NFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUPPLEMENT
Wednesday, August 2, 1972
GOVERNOR OPENS CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL
*******
The following is the full text of the speech of the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, at the opening of the cross-harbour tunnel today (August 2, 1972);
"I am most honoured to perform the act of declaring this tunnel open, on this day that all Hong Kong has so eagerly awaited.
!’I do so with some sense of inadequacy because but for the unexpected speed of the work Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra would have performed it with so much more grace and infinitely more charm. I am sure that we are all delighted that she will nevertheless be associated with the tunnel by unveiling a plaque during her visit later this year.
"We are here to celebrate the conclusion of a very great project and the opening of a very great facility; for once a truly historic occasion - the linking of the Island of Victoria to the peninsula of Kowloon. All Hong Kong would like to congratulate those who have contributed to this very happy event*
"The list is long and I will not go over the ground already- covered by Mr. Marden, though the great firms he mentioned are very much in all our minds* But I am sure nobody would grudge it if I mentioned the names of three men who have in their different ways contributed so much to this project - Mr. Hislop,
Mr. Williams and Mr. Brothers.
/"Might
Wednesday, August 2, 1972
- 2 -
"Might I also pay a tribute to the Public Works Department who have laboured mightily to get their massive approach complexes ready in time.
"Mr. Marden has said that this tunnel demonstrates confidence in the future of Hong Kong. I heartily agree. But I should like to add a rather different point. The construction of this tunnel shows what can be done in Hong Kong to solve problems when we all really set our minds to it. International and local business and finance, the Government, ■ * . engineers, technicians, and workers of many skills, and the right economic <. and political climate — all have combined to work together and so the insoluble has been solved, and in a remarkably short space- of time.
"There Eire many other problems in Hong Kong just as urgent, just as large, just as exciting, just as apparently insoluble, as this once seemed ; "We should surely take heart from this achievement to believe that
if this can be done, so too can many other things.
nIt is with this thought, that I have the greatest pleasure in declaring this tunnel open.”
-----o---------
Release, time: 7,00 p.m.
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Thursday, August 1972
GOVERNMENT USING OWN AIRCRAFT FOR RELIEF MISSION TO PHILIPPINES
*«*«**»*
The Government has donated a quantity of anti-cholera vaccine and anti-biotic drugs for the relief of flood victims in the Philippines.
The medical relief will be flown early tomorrow (Friday) morning to Manila by the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. It is the first time that the Government has sent its own aircraft abroad for a mission.
Carrying out the mission will be the twin-engined Britten-Norman "Islander” aircraft recently acquired by the RHKAAF primarily for aerial survey, searrh-and-rescue duties and advanced pilot-training.
The aircraft will take off at 6.30 a.m. tomorrow and will arrive in Manila five hours later. The trip to and from the Philippines capital will cover a total of 1,260 miles.
The S1.2 million aircraft will be piloted by Fit. Lt. Bob Lee* With him will be Fit. Lt. John Shawcross, the co-pilot, and Flying Officer I.R.S* Robertson, the Navigator.
The medical relief consists of 20,000 doses of anti-cholera vaccine and 80,000 tablets of Eryphromycin, an anti-biotic. The drugs were put on board the "Islander” aircraft this afternoon ready for the mission*
/Commenting
Thursday, August 5, 1972
- 2 -
Commenting on the medical relief flight, Fit. Lt. Shawcross said: ’’It’s something really unique. Not only is the Government sending its own aircraft abroad, but it’s also going to be an extension of our activities, which I feel is quite interesting.”
After the unloading of the medical supplies at Manila, the aircraft will refuel and then fly back to Hong Kong.
’’We’ll leave Manila at about 1.30 p.m. tomorrow and should be able to be back here at about 6 p.m.,” said Fit. Lt. Shawcross.
r : ••••••••
Note 4>o Editors: Copies of a photograph showing the drugs
being put on to the ’’Islander” aircraft at Kai Tak are distributed separately in the G.I.S. Press Boxes this evening.
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• CROSS HARBOUR CONGRATULATIONS FROM MACAU * . ♦ **#♦♦*♦♦
The Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, has received a telegram of congratulations from the Governor of Macau on the opening of Hong Kong’s S320 million cross-harbour tunnel.
In his message, General Nobre de Carvalho said: ”In this happy day of the opening of the cross-harbour tunnel I congratulate your Excellency wishing all the best for Hong Kong and its population that should be proud to have such a magnificent and wonderful engineering work as a very important tool for progress and prosperity. My best compliments.”
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/3.........
Thursday, August 3, 1972
- 3 -
SIU LAM HOSPITAL ADMITS FIRST PATIENTS
*******
The Siu Lam Hospital for the Mentally Handicapped has begun to receive patients, and the first 25 seriously subnormal children have been admitted.
Future intake will continue to be in groups of 25 patients until the hospital’s capacity of 200 has been reached. This is expected to be at the end • • of the year.
This phasing of admission is intended to enable both the patients and staff to adjust themselves to the new environment. The position will be reviewed at the end of the year, and the hospital has been planned in such a way that there will be no difficulty expanding it by another 100 beds, if necessary.
When Siu Lam was originally conceived in the early 1960s, following a recommendation by Dr. L.T. Hilliard in his report on the care of mentally • • retarded children, it was felt that a hospital for 200 severely mentally retarded would meet the requirements.
The Hilliard Report divided mental retardation among children into • •
three categories — the least severe to be educated by the Education Department in special schools; the medium grade to be trained by the Social Welfare
♦
Department; and the severe grade, those neither fit for education nor for trainingt to’ be the responsibility of the Medical and Health Department at Siu Lam. . * * ' ♦ To assess the degree of retardation so as to determine into which of ♦
these categories they fall, an assessment team of representatives of the three r :
departments concerned has been studying cases known to it.
Only those regarded by the team as severely mentally retarded have been », • recommended for admission to Siu Lam.
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A...........
Thursday, August J, 1972
HONG KONG REPRESENTED AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
********
Hong Kong is to be represented at the 16th International Conference on Social Welfare in the Hague by a delegation of 30* headed by the Deputy Director of Social Welfare, Mr, Thomas C,Y. Lee.
The delegation ineludes representatives from government departmentst the two universities, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and voluntary agencies*
The Social Work Training Fund is providing a grant to cover half the cost of attendance for 25 delegates.
The group is leaving for the conference on Saturday (August 5) at 4 p,m* The conference begins on August 15, and will continue until August 19, but before that, a number of delegates will be attending the International Congress of Schools of Social Work, which begins on August 8.
In connection with the conference, Hong Kong is also taking part in an exhibition at the Hague stressing the theme of progress in the 1970s, Photographs and text jointly illustrate aspects of activity such as improved housing, welfare, medical care, transport, and communications. Also, a colourful brochure on the theme has been prepared for circulation among delegates.
The conference is organised by the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW), a permanent world organisation for individuals and agencies concerned with meeting the social welfare needs of people*
/The ICSW
Thursday, August 1972
- 5 -
The ICSW has consultative status with the United Nations
Economic and Social Council, UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, ILO, FAO, and other international organisations.
The basic units of the ICSW are its national committees and its international organisations and membership. In Hong Kong, the chairman of the ICSW Committee is Miss Patricia Nye.
Note to Editors: A reproduction of Hong’s Kong’s exhibition at the Hague in connection with this conference, in brochure form, is distributed separately in the G.I.S. Press boxes.
-------0 --------
COLONIAL SECRETARY RETURNS
*********
The Colonial Secretary, Sir Hugh Norman-Walker, returned to
Hong Kong yesterday after leave in Britain.
He was met by the Acting Deputy Colonial Secretary, Mr. G.P. Llyod
The Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, will leave Hong Kong on
Saturday (August 5) for five weeks leave in the United Kingdom.
During Sir Murray’s absence Sir Hugh will be the Acting Governor, f •
-------o---------
/6..........
Thursday, August 3, 1972
- 6 -
TWO FOOTBRIDGES FOR CHOI HUNG ROAD
***»*«$*
People living in the densely populated Wong Tai Sin and San Po Kong areas will soon be able to cross busy Choi Hung Road in greater safety.
A pedestrian footbridge is at present being built across the road at its junction with Sha Tin Pass Road, while plans have been drawn up for another one some 180 yards further down Choi Hung Road to connect Tai Shing Street and Tseuk Luk Street. .........
These overhead footbridges will make it possible to separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic at the two busy road junctions and to ensure a smoother traffic flow.
As steel girders for one of the footbridges will be laid across Choi Hung Road late tomorrow night, a section of the road between Tai Shing Street and Sha Tin Pass Road will be closed from 11.55 p.m. tomorrow until 6 a.m. on Saturday (August 5)«
Alternative traffic routing will be introduced and appropriate signs will be placed there to guide motorists.
The plans for the second footbridge, which will affect a small area of private land, can be inspected at the Central Enquiry Sub-office, Central Government Offices, West Wing Entrance, Hong Kong; the Crown Lands and Survey Office, 10/F., Kowloon Government Offices, Nathan Road, or at the City District Office (Wong Tai Sin), Paris Theatre Building, King Fuk Street, San Po Kong.
Any person objecting to the plan or wishing to make a claim for compensation must send his objection or claim in writing to the Director of Public Works to reach him not later than September 4 and October 4, 1972 respectively.
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/7.........
Thursday, August J, 1972
- 7 -
PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY FOR NEW TERRITORIES
********
The first pedestrian subway for the New Territories is to be built at Hung Shui Kiu, near Ping Shan as part of the Castle Peak Road Improvement Scheme.
The road project will provide a dual two-lane carriageway from Castle Peak to Yuen Long. When completed, both traffic flow and speed are expected to increase considerably, and the subway will provide a safe crossing for pedestrians at this busy section.
The pedestrian subway will be 102 feet long and 12 feet wide.. Ten-foot-wide ramps and staircases will be constructed at each end.
Ancillary works include the installation of lighting and pumps to prevent the subway from flooding.
Construction is expected to begin next month and take about six months to complete.
Hung Shui Kiu is at the turn off to Lau Fau Shan.
-----0 - -
/8........
Thursday, August J, 1972
- 8 -
RECITAL BY FORMER WINNER IN SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL
*********
A former winner in the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival -Miss Cynthia Fok - who has made a name for herself in parts of America, is to give a recital at the City Hall Concert Hall on Saturday week (August 12)
Miss Fok has been away from Hong Kong for more than six years, and has returned to visit her parents after graduating from the Cleveland Institute of Music with a masters degree in Piano and Durythmies.
Born in Hong Kong, she received her education at the St. Stephen Girls' College. She obtained a scholarship enabling her to study for her first degree at Wittenberg University. Later, she enrolled at the Cleveland Institute.
Miss Fok has given many recitals in cities of the mid-western states in America, including Cleveland, Cincinnati and Dayton, and at the Springfield Arts Festival, where she won the concerto competition with the Wittenberg Orchestra.
Her concert in Hong Kong is being sponsored by the Urban Council and the Music Society of Hong Kong.
Tickets at Si (for students), S3 and S3 are available at the City Hall Box Office daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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/9.........
Thursday, August 3, 1972
- 9 -
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOLIDAY
*******
The Post Office announced today that there will be one mail delivery on Monday (August 7) which is a general holiday.
Certain post offices will be closed on this day, but the following will open for business from 9»00 a.m. to 12 noon:-1
General Post Office; Kowloon Central; Tsim Sha Tsui; Aberdeen;
Hennessy Road; King’s Road; North Point; Sai Ying Pun; Shau Kei Wan;
Sheung Wan; Wan Chai; Cheung Chau; Mui Wo; Peng Chau; Tai 0; Cheung Sha Wan; Kowloon City; Kwun Torg; Mong Kok; Sham Shui Po; Kam Tin; San Tin; Sha Tau Kok; Sha Tin; Shek Wu Hui; Tai Po; Tuen Mun San Hui; Tsuen Wan;
Yuen Long. -------------------------------------- o-------
WhTER INTERRUPTION IN KWUN TONG
*******
Water supply to a number of premises in Kwun Tong will be interrupted for five hours on Saturday (August 5) from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
The temporary stoppage is to enable the Waterworks Office to carry out a leakage test in the Kwun Tong area.
The area affected is bounded by Sau Mau Ping Road, Hiu Kwong Street, Sau Ming Road and Sau Mau Path, including Sau Mau Ping Resettlement Blocks 19 and 31•
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Thursday, August 3, 1972
- 10 -
TEACHERS PAY ISSUE
*********
The following statement was issued by the Senior Civil Service
Council:
The Senior Civil Service Council at its meeting this evening was unable to reach agreement on the Official Side’s proposal that the reman nnng issue in dispute - the scale for Certificated Masters - should be referred to some members of the 1971 Salaries Commission invited to reconvene for the purpose.
One association represented on the Staff Side regretfully decided that it must now withdraw from the agreements previously reached in the Council concerning teachers structure and salaries.
0 - -
Thursday, August 3, 1972
- 11 “
1971 SALARIES COMMISSION MAY CONSIDER TEACHERS PAY ISSUE ********* • • • • ...
The Government will consider inviting some members of the 1971 ■ .... . Salaries Commission to re-assemble in Hong Kong to give their advice and independent views on the dispute over the salary scale for Certificated r . ; . . , . . .. .. •: :
Masters.
This was announced tonight after a meeting of the Senior Civil 4 ' t
Service Council had failed to resolve the deadlock over this issue.
The Council met this afternoon to discuss the proposed new structure and salaries for teachers.
? r.
The Council had previously reached agreement on all major outstanding issues except the salary scale for Certificated Masters. However, the Staff Side of the Council still rejected the Official Side’s offer of a Certificated Masters’ scale of 81,175 to 81,750 per month. This offer represented an average twelve per cent increase over the present scale of 81,0M+ to 81,598 per month for Certificated Masters. As an alternative to this scale the Government offered to implement now a scale of 81,100 to 81,750 per month and to seek advice on it from some members of the Salaries Commission. This offer has also been rejected.
* •* t
A Government spokesman said: ”Because deadlock has now been reached on this particular matter, it is considered that, to be fair to the teachers, independent advice should be obtained from the people who reviewed salaries of the remainder of the public service. The Government therefore will consider inviting members of the 1971 Salaries Commission to-re-assemble so that their advice can be sought on the Certificated Masters’ scale having regard to the best interests of the teaching profession as a whole.
/’’In.......
Thursday, August 3, 1972
- 12 -
"In the meantime a new Certificated Masters* salary scale of Si,100 to Si,750 per month will be implemented so that they will be able to receive back pay dating from April 1, 1971
Al 1 the various other aspects of the new structure and salaries for teachers which had been agreed within the Senior Civil Service Council will be similarly implemented.
The total cost of implementing the new structure is likely to be between SjO and S60 million a year on top of the present cost of teacher^1 salaries which amounts to about $j40 million a yeart
Government originally offered a salary of Si,02? to Sl>750 for Certificated Masters• The decision to grant them an increased starting point of Si,100 will alone cost almost S15 million per year.
The Staff Side’s proposed scale would have cost an additional 340 million a year, he added.
The scales which had been agreed for other teachers will apply to teachers in aided schools as well as those in Government schools. The spokesman stressed that these generally represented very substantial increases in pay for the 14,000 teachers in aided schools.
Release time: 8»3O
PRH 7 4000001
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Friday, August 4, 1972
TARGET ALMOST REACHED FOR AIDED POST PRIMARY EDUCATION POLICY «•««*«**
The Government is nearing its goal of providing three year post-primary courses for 50 per cent of the 12-14 age group by 1976.
This year there has been a sharp increase in the number of all nt.ted places for successful candidates in the Secondary School Entrance Examination, mainly through the purchasing of places in private secondary schools.
As more and more places become available selective stringency through the entrance examination will be relaxed and examination questions will become easier.
However, a spokesman for the Education Department said today that at this stage there was no alternative to a public selective examination.
In 1971 the number of candidates in the Secondary Schools Entrance Examination was 69,596; and 34.8 per cent of these were allotted places by the Education Department. This year there were 795*136 candidates and a total of 34,989 places were allotted. This represents an increase of more than 10,800 places or nearly 10 per cent over last year.
The ultimate goal of the schfeme is to provide three—year post-primary education for 100 per cent of the 12-14 age group.
In fhet, the spokesman said, the Government is now giving active consideration to implementing the plan as soon as it can be achieved.
This can be done by buying more places in private secondary schools as well as the building of more schools whose sponsors will receive capital subsidy and recurrent assistance from the Government.
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Friday, August 4, 1972
- 2 -
HONG KONG’S FIRST TEMPORARY FLYOVER UP SOON
*********
For three days towards the end of August, engineers will work round the clock to put up Hong Kong’s first-ever temporary steel flyover in a major thoroughfare in Kowloon.
The massive structure, to be erected along Prince Edward Road at its junction with Waterloo Road in 72 hours, will help ease traffic conditions during the construction of the Waterloo Road/Prince Edward Road/Boundary Street Interchange later this year.
The interchange consists of a main flyover along Waterloo Road spanning the two busy junctions at Prince Edward Road and Boundary Street.
A spokesman for the Public Works Department said today the temporary flyover would be in operation for about two years. Then it would be dismantled and re—used as required at other traffic ’’black spots” as either a three-lane or a two-lane flyover.
The steel flyover, manufactured in Japan, will be about 1,000 feet long with a maximum height of about 40 feet where it spans Waterloo Road.
The foundations are now being constructed and work is expected to be completed by the middle of August.
The spokesman described the erection of the temporary flyover as ”a complex and carefully planned operation.”
/During ••••••••
Friday, August 4, 1972
- 3 - .
During the long weekend at the end of August, Prince Edward Road between Earl Street and Knight Street will be closed to traffic. Waterloo Road at its junction with Prince Edward Road will also be closed for two nights between midnight and 7 o’clock in the morning.
However the public will be informed of the alternative routes well in advance of the closures.
A 24-hour working day will be employed and every effort will be made to keep the noise level down to a minimum,the spokesman said.
The temporary flyover will be replaced by a vehicular underpass along Prince Edward Road after work on the main flyover complex has been completed.
Construction of these permanent flyovers and another major road project •• the Argyle Street/tfaterloo Road/Princess Margaret Road Grade Separated Interchange — is scheduled to begin in October and take about 2/a years to complete.
Certain work will have to be done outside normal working hours in order not to impede the traffic flow. This will involve the placing of precast concrete beams and possibly some concreting.
An application by the Director of Public Works for exemption from the provisions of the law on night noise for both projects has been approved by the Governor in Council.
/However,
Friday, August 4, 1972
However, the spokesman emphasised that night work will only be carried out where the Director considers that it is vital to the
interests of the project.
Note to Editors:
Photographs showing the positioning of the Prince Edward Road temporary flyover on a scale model are issued separately in the G.I.S. Press boxes tonight.
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CITY HALT, & MARINE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS
The City Hall, including the restaurants, will remain open on Monday, a general holiday.
The City Museum and Art Gallery will be open from 1 p.m« to
6 pemf and the Lei Cheng Uk Museum from 12 noon to 7 p.m*
The City Hall Library and the branch libraries at Waterloo Road and Ping Shek will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the branch libraries at Yau Ma Tei and Aberdeen/Pok Fu Lam will be closed.
The Kowloon Park Students’ Study Room will also be closed on that day.
The Marine Department also announced that it will be closed on Monday with the exception of the Port Control, Entry and Clearance and Marine Licensing Offices which will open from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
0--------
/5........
Friday, August 4, 1972
- 5 -
STATUTORY CONTROL OVER PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY
********
Accountants practising public accountancy will have to be registered under a bill to be introduced into the Legislative Council shortly.
The Accountants Bill 1972 provides for their registration and the regulation of their professional practice and conduct, and seeks to prohibit unregistered people from practising public accountancy.
Under the proposed legislation, a Hong Kong Society of Accountants will be incorporated and a Council set up as its governing body.
A Government spokesman said today leading accountants had recommended that the Society should set up to provide training facilities for prospective accountants, and that the registration and control of accountants practising in Hong Kong should be prescribed by law.
Under the bill, the Society may make by-laws governing, amongst other •things, the registration, training, examinations and discipline of students.
The bill requires the Council to appoint a registrar whose duties will include maintaining a register of accountants, which will be open to public inspection, and issuing practising certificates to accountants.
A person will be qualified, for registration if he is over 21, is of good character and is a member of an approved institute or has passed examinations • • • • » t •
which the Society may have prescribed.
Anyone whose name is on the existing list of Authorized Auditors kept under the Companies Ordinance will be entitled to be registered.
/A practising
Friday, August 4, 1972
- 6 -
A practising certificate will be issued to a registered accountant only if the Council is satisfied that he has had such practical experience as the Society may prescribe in its by-laws.
Under the proposed legislation, the practice of public accountancy by an accountant not holding a practising certificate will be an offence punishable on conviction by a $2,000 fine and six months imprisonment*
An accountant holding a practising certificate will also have to maintain a registered office* Failure to do so will be an offence punishable with a $1,000 fine* ■ •-
The bill provides for the setting up of a Disciplinary Committee to investigate complaints of misconduct by an accountant*
An official list of accountants will be published annually in the Government Gazette as evidence that the people listed are accountants holding practising certificates*
The bill will not apply to the Director of Audit or to public .officers in connection with the discharge of their public duties.
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/7.........
Friday, August 4, 1972
MORE BOAT-BUILDING YARDS FOR ALDRICH BAY ********
Seven boat-building yards will be built on an area of about 4.5 acres to be reclaimed on the northern side of A Kung Ngam, Hong Kong Island, as part of the Aldrich Bay Reclamation Scheme,
The yards will supplement the existing ones, and reclamation work will be planned so that interference to their work is kept to a minimum.
The near-shore area south of this reclamation has been reserved for ** •
road formation to provide transport links with Shau Kei Wan and other areas.
There are also plans to reclaim the seabed to the eastern and western side of the A Kung Ngam reclamation. A ferry concourse will be built on the eastern side, and a salt water pumping station and a wholesale fish market will be built on the western side.
Reclamation work is expected to begin towards the end of this year, and will take about one year to complete.
- - - - 0 ---------
/8........
Friday, August 4, 1972
- 8 -
CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL LOSS FROM INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
********
The Director of Fire Services, Mr. A.E.H. Wood, said today it was a misguided belief of some employers and workers that safety requirements were either costly or unnecessary.
"Financial losses from industrial accidents are considerable," he said*-
Mr. Wood, who was presenting certificates at the closing ceremony of an advanced industrial safety training course organised by the Labour Department, said safety precautions will pay for themselves by enhancing production and reducing the risks of lost man-hours through industrial accidents.
"In some respects, more important than economic loss is the personal injury which is sustained as a result of an accident, which too frequently leaves a breadwinner quite incapable of being employed," he added.
As a last advice, Mr. Wood called upon those who completed the course to apply what they have learned to their work and approach any government department for advice and assistance when needed.
• ••••• • - - - - 0 ---------------------
/9........
Friday, August 4, 1972
- 9 -
amendment to tsuen wan plan
*********
The Tsuen Wan draft Outline Zoning Plan has been amended by the Town PJarming Board to provide more area for light industry development*
The area affected is the site of the Tsuen Wan Amusement Park which borders the junction of Castle Peak Road and Texaco Road,
The amendment changes the zoning of this area from commercial/ residential uses to light industry, and in effect regularises the boundary of the existing industrial zone.
The amendment is exhibited for public inspection during normal office hours at the Central Enquiry Sub-office, Central Government Offices, West Wing Entrance, Hong Kong and the Tsuen Wan District Office.
Copies of the amendment may also be purchased from the Crown and Survey Office, 19th floor, Murray Building, Hong Kong, Objections may be made in writing to the Secretary, Town Planning Board, at the above address, not later than Friday, August 25, 1972,
Release time: 6,30 p^mt
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Saturday, August 5, 1972
GOVERNMIMT REPLIES TO C.-M.A. ON CROW REMT POLICY
The Colonial Secretary has written- to the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong and other public organisations reiterating the Government’s stand on the reassessment of rents for the renewal of Crown leases.
In December last year, the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association, together with 26 other organisations, sent a joint petition to the Government calling for reconsideration of its renewal rent policy.
In the Legislative Council on May 24, 1972, the Colonial Secretary announced a number of modifications to the renewal policy which would be of benefit to the holders of renewable leases.
Replying on behalf of the Governor, the Colonial Secretary said in his letter that the various modifications to the policy proposed by the Government would cause a loss to the community from renewal rents amounting to some $4j0 million during the five-year period 1973-77.
He said the lease conditions of renewable leases contained a provision, on expiry, for renewal at a re—assessed rent. ”This provision states quite clearly and unequivocally that the Director of Public Works shall fix this rent fairly and impartially as the fair and reasonable rental value of the ground at the date of renewal.”
/The letter ......
Saturday, August 5i 1972
- 2 -
The letter stressed that the rent was the sum which a lessee might reasonably expect to pay if he were to pay monthly or annually for the right to renew the lease and use the property for a further term.
Referring to the Association’s point concerning the inclusion of compound interest at five per cent in the re-assessment, the Colonial Secretary made it clear that no interest was charged on the re-assessed rent.
’’The Director of Public Works, in calculating the rent for renewal, assesses the capital value of the land in question by reference to open market sales of similar land in the vicinity and then assesses the renewal rent as a percentage of this capital value.
”To determine the true annual value at Hong Kong interest rates, a return of 12 per cent would be realistic for this type of investment in land but a rate of five per cent has been used in the past; and now, as a result of the concessions recently announced by the Government, the calculation of renewal rent has been further reduced by 20 per cent, or by the equivalent of a reduction in the percentage rate from five per cent to four per cent.”
In addition to the 20 per cent reduction, renewal rents will be phased in gradually. A payment of only 50 per cent will be required in 1975 rising to the full rent after five years.
Lessees have renewed on this basis in the past and numerous applications have been made for renewal in recent months in advance of the expiry of the first term of the lease. This is further evidence that lessees and their professional advisers have been, and are aware of the terms of renewal, and accept them.
Besides these concessions, the Colonial Secretary pointed out in his letter, ”it should be remembered that there will be no increase in rent in respect of pre-war x property unless and until it is re-developed; and also that the re-assessed rent in respect of under-developed post-war property, if the lessee so wished, will be less than for fully developed property until the property is re-developed to its full economic capacity.”
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Saturday, August 5, 1972
- 3 -
HARBOUR COLLECTION SERVICES PARTIALLY SUCCESSFUL
********
Three new harbour cleansing services started by the Marine Department last month are meeting with reasonable success.
Since July 19, five sampans have been working within the Yau Ma Tei and Causeway Bay typhoon shelters to provide a boat-to-boat refuse collection service for the 14,000 people living there.
A spokesman for the Pollution Control Unit said today that the service at present was not working as well as expected because the boat people were so used to dumping refuse into t*e harbour.
He hoped the publicity connected with the ’’Keep Hong Kong Clean” campaign will educate these people as to ”what we are trying to do.”
The sampans are now collecting about four to five tons of refuse every day. ’’But there is a lot more we can pick up,” the spokesman added.
A scavenging service was also introduced last month for the Port of Aberdeen, where rapid developments in the past few years have resulted in an increase in refuse being dumped into the harbour.
The service is provided by one mechanised cargo boat and six sampans for more than. 2,000 boats in the harbour.
Boat-to-boat collection in Aberdeen is difficult to carry out because most of the fishing vessels in the.harbour are moving in and out constantly.
The third new operation introduced last month is a free ship-to-ship refuse collection service in Victoria Harbour.
/The spokesman ........
Saturday, August 5, 1972
- 4 -
The spokesman recalled that in 1968, a similar service was introduced for a trial period of six months. At that time it was not free and ships making use of it were charged an hour.
The service was discontinued at the end of the trial period when less than five per cent of the ships made use of it.
Last year, the Marine Department conducted a feasibility study of providing a free collection service and this revealed that if the service was free, it would probably be well used.
As a result, a free service was introduced last month.
Two motor cargo boats now visit ships which have been in port for at least 48 hours to collect domestic refuse.
Ship owners and their agents can also telephone the Pollution Control Unit at H-45O181, Ext. 270 requesting the service.
At present about 25 ships are visited every day but only about one third of them actually use the service.
The spokesman said that the service was not going as well as one would have hoped mainly because of the lack of co-operation from ships’ officers and crew.
He said that the Marine Department had issued a notice to all shipping agents asking them to inform masters of ships of this service, and it was hoped that better co-operation would result in the future.
With the introduction of the three new services, the Marine Department’s harbour cleansing fleet has been boosted to JO vessels.
In the meantime, the spokesman said, the Department was investigating other forms of refuse collection to cope with the problem of harbour pollution, while a further' expansion of the present fleet was also under consideration.
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/5
Saturday, August 5, 1972
- 5 -
RETIREMENT OF SENIOR SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICIAL
********
Mr. Chou Ting-hsun, Senior Principal Social Welfare Officer and head of the Public Assistance Division, is going on leave prior to retirement on Thursday (August 10), after serving the people of Hong Kong for more than 19 years*
To mark the occasion, the Director of Social Welfare, Mr. G.T. Rowe, vn 11 present Mr. Chou with a memento from friends and colleagues in the department on Tuesday (August 8). <
Mr. Chou was first appointed in May 1953 as a Relieving Officer. He was redesignated a Social Welfare Officer Class 1 in July 1959*
He was promoted Principal Social Welfare Officer in January 1965, and became Senior Principal Social Welfare Officer in March 1970 to head the Public • • । Assistance Division.
Throughout his career, Mr. Chou made a significant contribution to the development of social services in Hong Kong, particularly in the provision of help to those in financial need, or affected by natural disasters*
His devotion to duty and experience were particularly valuable between 1964 and 1968 when he served as Secretary of the Community Relief Trust Fund.
This was true again in 1966 and 1967 when he was a member of the Inter r
Departmental Working Party on Social Security. Later in 1970, he gave considerable assistance in the planning and implementation of the Public Assistance Scheme.
Mr. Chou is married with a son and a daughter. He plans a world cruise • ... t
with his wife starting later this month, but will return to settle down in Hong Kong.
*********
Note to Editors: You are invited to cover the presentation
ceremony to mark Mr. Chou’s retirement at 3 p*m. on
Tuesday, August 8, in the Conference Room of the Social Welfare Department Headquarters in Lee Gardens. /6...........................................................
- - 0 -
Saturday, August 5i 1972
- 6 -
PUBLIC SPIRITED VILLAGER AVERTS TRAIN MISHAP
********
An alert and public spirited villager in Tai Po averted a serious train mishap at the risk of his own life during the rainstorm on June 17, thus sAvi ng many people on board the train from being injured or killed*
He is Mr. Lau Tim, 42, the operator of a cold drink shop near the White House in Tai Po. He is married with five children.
A landslide occurred at the 131/2 railway milestone at about 5 p»m. on June 17i covering the railway track with large quantity of mud and sand. At that time,a train from Kowloon was about to pass through.
Mr. Lau, who lives near the place where the landslide took place, saw what had happened and thought of the danger it might cause to the train.
Despite the heavy rainfall and thunderstorm, Mr. Lau immediately rushed to the track, stood on it and signalled the train to stop by waving a red and white checkered table-cloth.
It was the signals that gave the driver of the train just enough time to stop the train before runnir; into the heap of mud and sand.
There were about 1,000 passengers on board the train.
In recognition of his public spirited action, a letter of appreciation together with a token cash reward of 3500 will be presented to Mr. Lau by the acting General Manager of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, Mr. U.L. Wong.
The presentation will be made at the District Office, Tai Po, on Wednesday (August 9) afternoon.
******* . ...................................
/Note to Editors: .........
Saturday, August 51 1972
Note to Editors: You are invited to send a reporter and/or
photographer to cover the presentation which will take place at the Tai Po District Office at 3 p.m» on Wednesday (August 9).
Transport will be provided. A 14-seater van (AM2132) will leave the Kowloon transport sub-pool behind the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office for the Tai Po District Office at 1.50 p.m.
Copies of a photograph of Mr-. Lau Tim are distributed separately in the G.I.S. Press Boxes this afternoon.
-----0----------
PRESS CONFERENCE ON ANTI-MEASLES CAMPAIGN
**********
Note to Editors: The Director of Medical and Health Services,
Dr. the Hon. G.H. Choa, will be present at a press conference on Tuesday, August 8, to announce the details • of this year’s anti--measles campaign. The Press conference will be held at 3 p«m. in the 16 mm theatre of the Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, 5th floor.
You are cordially invited to have the Press conference covered.
• •.......................... 0-------
/8........
Saturday, August 5, 1972
8
GOVERNOR GOES ON LEAVE
**««*****
The Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, left Hong Kong by air this (Saturday) morning for five weeks leave in the United Kingdom.
He was seen off by the Colonial Secretary, Sir Hugh Norman-Walker;
the Commander British Forces, Lieutenant General Sir Richard Ward; the Senior Unofficial Member of Executive Council, Sir Albert Rodrigues; the Senior Unofficial Member of Legislative Council, the Hon. P.C. Woo; and the Director of Civil Aviation, Mr. T.R. Thomson.
During Sir Murray’s absence, Sir Hugh will be the Acting Governor.
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QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS REMOVED
**********
The Port Health Authorities announced today that the quarantine restrictions imposed against arrivals from Tjilatjap (Port), Indonesia on account of cholera have been removed.
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/9..........
Saturday, August 5, 1972
- 9 -
294,000 LOTTERY TICKETS SOLD
A total of 29^000 tickets of the J2nd Government Lottery have been sold up to 12 noon today (Saturday).
The winning numbers will be drawn at the City Hall Theatre on
Saturdayf August 12,
Release time: 2t^Q ptmt
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000001
W® w®
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Tuesday, August 8, 1972
•S / • 'J1* . , .. i •• *- ' ’ . •
MEASLES CAN BE A KILLER
♦ ♦********
The Director of Medical and Health Services, Dr. G.H. Choa, today appealed to parents to have their children between nine months and five years vaccinated against measles if they have not already been immunised.
He was speaking at a press conference at the start of an intensive nine-week campaign to impress upon the public two important aspects regarding measles:-
* It is almost the last of the infectious diseases of childhood which still remains a threat in Hong Kong.
* Though the disease in itself is not very serious, it can cause severe complications which may be fatal.
Dr. Choa recalled that in the last epidemic in Hong Kong between 1966 and 19679 about 1,000 children died as the result of complications — such as bronchitis, pneumonia, middle ear infection and encephalitis.
He described encephalitis as capable of causing "permanent brain damage and mental retardation even if the child recovers.”
Dr. Choa urged Hong Kong parents to accept what had already been well-established — that measles epidemics could be prevented if all susceptible children were immunised against the disease.
"Large numbers of children born every year are not immunised,” he said, "and are therefore susceptible to an attack. We must continue our efforts to protect them.”
/It has.......• •
Tuesday, August 8, 1972
- 2 -
It has been estimated that unless 60 per cent of the child population at risk were made immune to the disease by vaccination, epidemics were likely to recur.
The Director felt that the campaign starting today would not successful unless there was full co-operation from parents.
Of the vaccine itself, he said it was highly effective and safe, and would be available free during the next nine weeks at all government dispensaries, clinics, health centres and inoculation posts.
A total of 21 mobile teams with 48 inoculators have been set up to make door to door visits in resettlement and housing estates.
In addition to the 34 maternal and child health centres, 25 new centres have been established in resettlement estates, Urban Services Department health offices, clinics, dispensaries and hospitals.
In the New Territories, mobile teams will be visiting villages, and the two floating dispensaries will be offering vaccine to children living in outlying islands.
Note to, editors : Copies of the full text of Dr. Choa’s remarks at the Press conference are distributed separately in the G.I.S. press boxese
-----o------
Tuesday, August 8, 1972
- 3 -
STANDARDISING TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY
*********
A special handbook which should go a long way towards standardising the technical terminology used in Hong Kong’s 10 major industries has just been published.
It is entitled the ”Manual of Technical and Industrial Training Terms” and has been prepared by the Industrial Training Advisory Committee group’s translation sub-committee.
In one volume, the manual contains the major technical terminology used in these industries.
A spokesman for the Labour Department said today that the standardisation of terms was long overdue.
The manual will be a useful reference to all those engaged in the industries concerned, in particular to management and the people involved in industrial training, to those engaged in technical education or in the translation of technical literature, to careers guidance personnel and to trainees undergoing technical or industrial training courses.
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A..........
Tuesday, August 8, 1972
- 4 -
COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR HUNG HOM
*********
A five-storey community centre will be built on the site of the existing Holy Carpenter Church and Hostel in Hung Hom with a capital grant of 8202,500 from the Government Lotteries Fund.
The new centre will include a general clinic, a dental clinic, vocational training centre, day-nursery, a hostel, canteens and a hall for social functions. ,
. . ■ . f 1
The Holy Carpenter Church and Hostel has been providing social welfare services for the people in the district, but the premises have become dilapidated over the years.
On the recommendation of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, the Finance Committee has approved the capital grant from the Lotteries
Fund towards the building of the centre.
The estimated cost of the project is 81,285,000. Construction work is expected to begin early next year, and will take about seven months to complete.
Tuesday, August 8, 1972
PHILIPPINES THANKS HONG KONG
*******
The Philippine Government has sent a message to the Governor thanking
him for the recent gift of medical supplies sent from Hong Kong for the relief of flood victims there.
The supplies, 20,000 doses of anti-cholera vaccine and 80,000 tablets
of eryphromycin, an anti-biotic, were flown to Manila in a Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force aircraft last Friday. It was the first time that the Government had used its own plane on an overseas mission.
The message also thanked Sir Murray MacLehose for his telegram
expressing his deepest sympathy, and that of the people of Hong Kong, for the victims of the flooding.
- - 0 - -
/6
Tuesday, August 8, 1972
- 6 -
RESEARCH PROJECT FOR YOUNG VOLUNTEERS
********
A research project for young volunteers is under way at the Shek Li resettlement estate at Kwai Chung to determine the social services needs of the residents there.
A group of about 30 young people from the Lai Ching Club at the estate has been distributing leaflets about the project and making visits to householders.
They have already tailed on about 250 families at Shek Li and plan to visit a similar number by Friday (August 11),
The project will not only help to determine the effectiveness of the social welfare programme already offered at the estate, but will benefit the volunteers by getting them to know the community in which they live through actual contact with the people.
The Shek Li Estate Community Work Office of the Social Welfare Department is sponsoring the survey.
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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
******* • 9 • • •
A Government spokesman announced today that Mr. Wilson Wang Tze-sam, an Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council< teased to be temporarily an Unofficial Member of the Executive Council, with effect from August 5» on the return to Hong Kong of Sir Yuet^keung Kan,
At the same time, Mr. H.J.C. Browne, has been appointed temporarily to the Executive Council with effect from today (August 8) during the absence of Sir Douglas Clague.
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/7.........
Tuesday, August 8, 1972
- 7 -
DOCUMENTARY FILMS ON HONG KONG’S FISHING COMMUNITY AND PORT
*******
Two short colour documentary films, ’’The Sea And The Sky” and ’’The Port Of Hong Kong”, have been produced for the Hong Kong Government.
The 13-minute documentary ’’The Sea And The Sky” which is shot in Eastman Colour, was produced by the Film Unit of the Government Information Services.
It tells; the story of the change in the life of Hong Kong’s fishing community and follows the modernisation of the industry over the past 20 years or so.
”The Port Of Hong Kong” lasts about 10 minutes. It was produced by a London-based company for the Hong Kong Government.
The documentary shows the port managing its outgoing and in-coming trade like a ’’machine”, and compares the lighter families and their traditional way of handling cargo with today’s modern containerisation methods.
Both films will be available soon in English and Cantonese language versions.
Note to Editors: You are invited to send your reporter
and/or film critic to attend a preview of the two • "* documentaries at the 16-mm theatre of the Government
Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Fifth Floor at 4.30 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, August 9)» «•
• • • •
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....... /8..........
Tuesday, August 8, 1972
- 8 -
TWO KOWLOON STREETS CLOSED
A section of Kai Ming Street and the whole of Yuk Shing Street in
To Kwa Wan, Kowloon, will be closed to traffic from 10 a.m. Thursday (August 10)®
The closure will be in force for a period of about two weeks during
the demolition of the Wah Lok Theatre at 15-19 Kai Ming Street.
Appropriate traffic signs will be erected to guide motorists®
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BRONZE MEDAL IN PARALYMPICS FOR HONG KONG TEAM
*******
A Hong Kong team has won a bronze medal for team table tennis in the elass two division at the 21st International Stoke Mandeville Games -unofficially known as the Paralymics.
The two players who brought laurels for the 10-member Hong Kong contingent are Mr. Lee Koon-hung and Mr. Leslie Lam, both in their twenties®
This is the third time that Hong Kong has particupated in the games4 held once every four years before the Olympic Games.
The expedition organised jointly by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Handicapped® received a grant of some $55»OOO from the Lotteries Fund to take part in the games.
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/9.........
Tuesday, August 8, 1972
- 9 -
ACTING SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER RETIRES
********
Mr. Wong Mun-hon, Acting Senior Education Officer, is retiring from the Government after 13 years service.
To mark the occasion, the Acting Director of Education, Mr. C.J.G. Lowe, will present. Mr. Wong a retirement gift at the Education Department Headquarters on Thursday (August 10).
Mr. Wong first joined the Education Department in 1959 as an Assistant Education Officer. He was promoted Education Officer three years later and has been Acting Senior Education Officer since January last year.
Before joining the Government, Mr. Wong was a teacher at St. Stephen’s College in Stanley.
Note to -Editors: You are invited to have the presentation
covered.
. The ceremony will be held at the Conference Room of the Education Department Headquarters, Lee Gardens, Hysan Avenue, at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday.
AO......
Tuesday, August 8, 1972
- 10 -
WATER INTERRUPTION IN KOWLOON
*********
Water supply to a number of premises in Kowloon City and Tsim Sha Tsui will be interrupted late tomorrow night (August 9) and Thursday (August 10) •
The supply will be turned off for eight hours from 10.00 p.m. tomorrow for certain premises in Kowloon City and will be switched off for six hours beginning from midnight the same day, in the Tsim Sha Tsui area.
The temporary water stoppages are to enable the Waterworks Office to connect the ends of existing sub-mains onto a new 12 inch diameter main at Nga Tsin Wai Road and to flush- a fresh water main at the junction of Salisbury Road and Canton Road.
The following buildings in Kowloon City will be affected by the interruption there: 31-49A Nga Tsin Wai Road, 2-46 Junction Road, 1-49 Fuk Lo Tsun Road, 1-43 and 2-42 Lion Rock Road, 1-4? and 2A-26 Hau Wong Road, 1A-25 Nga Tsin Loong Road, Kowloon City Market, Kowloon City Dispensary, and J20-402 Prince Edward Road.
The premises affected in the Tsim Sha Tsui area are the Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus, Salisbury Road Post Office, Star Ferry Co., Oeean Terminal Building, Star House — Salisbury Road and Hong Kong Hotel, Canton Road.
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Tuesday, August 8, 1972
- 11 -
WEEKLY MEDICAL AND HEALTH STATISTICS
******♦♦♦
Statistics released today by the Medical and Health Department for the week ending on July 22 are as follows:-
* Notifications of infectious cases (previous week’s figures in brackets) — total 259 (194); amoebiasis — 1 (1); bacillary dysentery — 14 (9); cerebrospinal meningitis and meningococcal infections — nil (1); chickenpox — 2 (nil); tuberculosis — 225 (16?); diphtheria — nil (nil); enteric fever (typhoid) — 9 (14); enteric fever (paratyphoid) — 1 (nil); leprosy — 5 Cl); measles — 2 (1); ophthalmia neonatorum — nil (5); poliomyelitis — nil (nil); and scarlet fever — nil (nil).
• Births — total registered 1557; 3$9 on Hong Kong Island, 9$7 in Kowloon, and 221 in the New Territories.
* Deaths — 331 from all causes; 114 on the Island, 198 in Kowloon and 19 in the New Territories.
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Release time: 6.?0 p«m.
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
W® M®
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Thursday, August 10, 1972
LIVING CONDITIONS TO BE IMPROVED AT TUNG TAU ESTATE
The Government is to spend $1 million to improve the environment of Tung Tau Resettlement Estate in Kowloon. „ • • . *
The project, to be carried out in stages, aims at improving the living conditions of the tenants there.
The ’’face-lift” will include the conversion of all the ground floor open channels into underground drains and the repainting of the estate’s 2? blocks
To enable the conversion of the open channels into underground drains, shop tenants will be required to remove the enclosures at the back of their shops. Not only are these enclosures illegal, but they have also, in many cases, become receptacles for refuse thrown from upper floors.
After the conversion,shop tenants will be permitted to re-erect enclosures according to Resettlement Department specifications.
The new underground drains will be of particular benefit to tenants of ground floor premises who, at present, have to cross the open drains to enter or leave their shops.
In addition to this work, another major effort will be made to improve the estate’s environment by demolishing all illegal structures, such as flower-pot racks on the communal open v-loonies.
/Trees
Thursday, August 10, 1972
- 2 -
Trees and shrubs will also be planted between the blocks*
The first phase of the improvement scheme begins on Friday * August 18, and will involve blocks 2, 3, 4 and 5.
A Resettlement Department spokesman said today that during preliminary work earlier this week many residents assisted departmental officers in removing illegal flower-pot racks.
A Kaifong leader in a neighbouring estate, when told of the department•s move, said he was strongly in favour of the clearance operation and hoped that the face-lift would be extended to other old estates soon.
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Thursday, August 10, 1972
- 3 -
TELEVISION CAMPAIGN AGAINST DRUG ABUSE
*********
A special film campaign on the dangers of drug abuse will be mounted on television this weekend and early next week to dispel many of the myths which surround drugs.
A series of four films dealing with various aspects of this problem are to be shown over the Rediffusion English service in a joint project with the Education Department.
Some months ago, the department approached RTV to re-schedule what if felt were two extremely powerful episodes on drug abuse from the popular BBC series "The Expert".
A spokesman for the department said today that the station’s General Manager, Mr. Don Gale, responded quickly and at the same time secured another vivid documentary from the "Man Alive" series to supplement the drug abuse message.
A fourth feature entitled "Drug Abuse — Everybody’s Hang-up" has been contributed by the Hong Kong Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry which also has an active interest in this field.
The spokesman said it was felt by the Education Department and Rediffusion that the two episodes should be offered again to English-speaking parents and their children "to dispel many of the myths which surround drugs and to impress upon them the very real danger in which young people stand in a permissive era".
/The ..*•••
Thursday, August 10, 1972
4
The documentary from the "Man Alive" series won international acclaim at the recent Monte Carlo Television Festival where it won three of seven major awards. The feature, which gives a stark account of the life and death of a 19-year-old girl in a seedy Chelsea basement, has now been bought and shown in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and the United States.
The series will be introduced by the Acting Deputy Director of Education (Professional), Mr. Colvyn Haye, at 2 p.m. on Saturday (August 12)< The films will be shown at the following times:-
Saturday, August 12, 2 p.m. "A Life Saved" from "The Expert"
Sunday, August 13, 2 p.m. "A Life Lost" from " The Expert"
ff tt f! 3 p.m. "Drug Abuse - Everybody’s Hang-up"
Tuesday, August 15, 9*25 p.m. "Gale is Dead" from the "Man Alive" series.
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water pt: .'-tttcn pi rrr/G hom and y/am chai
*********
- Water supply to a number of premises in Hung Hom and Wan Chai will be interrupted for five hours from 1.00 a.m. on Saturday (August 12).
The temporary water stoppages are to enable the Waterworks Office to carry out leakage tests,
• Premises affected in the Hung Hom area are those at Ma Tau Wei Road, Lok Shan Road, Chi Kiang Street, Kowloon City Road and Pau Chung Street.
The area affected in Wan Chai is bounded by the west side of Morrison Hill Road, Tin Lok Lane, Wan Chai Road, the south side of Johnston Road, Bul2o,*k Lane, Queen’s Road East, part of Stubbs Road and Sports Road.
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/5.......
Thursdayf August 10, 1972
- 5 -
MR. C.J.R. DAWSON PROMOTED TO DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE **********
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has approved the promotion of Mr. C.J.R. Dawson to Deputy Commissioner of Police with effect from August 1, 1972.
Mr, Dawson first came to Hong Kong in July, 19^9 as Assistant Superintendent of Police. Since then he has served in all gazetted ranksf in various branches and districts. He was appointed Senior Assistant Commissioner in 1970.
He was awarded the Colonial Police Medal in 19$5 and the Queen’s Police Medal in 1970. Mr. Dawson, who is 46, is married with two children
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/6........
Thursday, August 10, 1972
- 6 -
PART-TIME SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETERS TO BE RECRUITED
********
The Government is calling for applications for simultaneous interpreters to work on a part-time basis mainly at meeting of the Legislative and Urban Councils.
Applicants should hold a Hong Kong or British University Degree • • or equivalent; or have a pass in at least two subjects, one of which must be Chinese, at Advanced Level in the Hong Kong University Advanced • Level Examination with three further subjects, including English, at Grade C or above in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education (English). ♦
Successful candidates are expected to be able to interpret • • simultaneously from English into Cantonese and vice versa, after a
period of training.
Their work will mainly involve simultaneous interpretation at public meetings of the Legislative and Urban Councils and perhaps in future also for government appointed boards and committees.
Part-time simultaneous interpreters will be paid 3350 for each sitting when .working in a team of three and 35^0 when working in a team of two.
Applications in writing should reach the Establishment Secretary of the Establishment Branch, Colonial Secretariat, not later than August 21
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/7........
Thursday, August 10, 1972
- 7 -
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANCE DURING AND AFTER TYPHOONS *****«***$
The Social Welfare Department’s emergency teams go into operation during the typhoon season when the No. 5 signal is hoisted, and from that moment onwards, procedures are geared for immediate aid on both sides of the harbour in case of need.
Mr. Lu Yu-hua, Principal Social Welfare Officer in charge of public assistance operations, says emergency relief teams on the Island and in Kowloon are manned by a staff of eight, supplemented by additional staff if the emergency calls for it.
All are mobilised on the hoisting of the No. 5 signal, no matter what the time, and are under instructions to respond with the utmost speed to distress calls. These could be any natural disaster in addition to typhoons, for example, servere rainstorms, landslides, house collapses, and floods.
As field staff register victims for aid, two kitchens on both sides of the harbour begin preparation of hot meals for distributions among the dispossessed. Kitchen hands also go on the alert at the No. 5 signal, so that a minimum of delay is encountered between the occurrence of a disaster and the availability of meals.
Mr. Lu says the Happy Valley and Hung Hom kitchens can jointly produce a maximum of 100,000 meals a day, and on occasions have done so. Once begun, these meals continue on a two-a-day basis until the emergency has passed. Victims not requiring them, or who so prefer, are given dry rations instead, and the supply is usually enough for two weeks.
/After ••••••
Thursday, August 10, 1972
- 8 -
After registration, victims who need temporary shelter because they have nowhere else to go to, are usually housed in transit centres maintained by the Resettlement Department. But when these overflow, accommodation is made available in Social Welfare Department community centres and estate welfare buildings, particularly when they are located near the sites of the disasters.
Public Assistance field officers are recognisable because they wear an insignia with the departmental emblem. They have at their fingertips all the information victims need for registration and help.
”They should be approached,” Mr. Lu explains. ’’They are there to serve the public, and they should be used.”
Registration, followed by hot meals and shelter, does not exhaust the list of services provided after an emergency. There is also a distribution of blankets, personal necessities such as towels and toothpaste, and cooking utensils.
If families are separated, field officers help in the search for missing members, and if the loss includes death, there are payments towards burial expenses and future maintenance. Field officers advise survivors as to how to go about applying for public assistance in monthly cash grants.
”In fact,” says Mr. Lu, ’’the Public Assistance Division of the Social Welfare Department is very much in evidence on the scene of disasters wherever and whenever they occur. The staff try their best to serve the public in moments of the greatest need.”
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/9.........
Thursday, August 10, 1972
- 9
YOUTH CENTRE FOR CHEUNG CHAU
*********
Cheung Chau will soon have a youth centre for launching various cultural and recreational activities for the young people on the island.
It will be built on a site overlooking the popular Tung Wan beach on the eastern side of the island.
The two-storey building will house offices, bathrooms and a canteen on the ground floor and a multi-purpose hall on the first floor. Surrounding the main building will be a skating rink and several basketball courts•
Besides catering to youths on the island, the facilities will be made available to visiting youth groups.
Work on the project is expected to begin next month and take eight months to complete. The cost of the centre is being met by the Rural Committee of Cheung Chau and a grant of some $250,000 from the Lotteries Fund.
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Thursday, August 10, 1972
- 10 -
UNCLAIMED IDENTITY CARDS TO BE CANCELLED
*********
The Commissioner of Registration today appealed to people who had lost their Hong Kong Identity Cards to come forward and collect them.
Owners of lost cards can now collect them in person at the Registration of Persons Office on the 4th floor of the Causeway Bay Magistracy Building.
If they are not collected after a period of three months, the identity cards will be cancelled.
Lists containing the names and numbers of the unclaimed cards can be seen at all City District Offices in the urban areas and Districts Offices in the New Territories.
The Commissioner emphasised that if people notified his office of their changes of previously registered particulars, it would be much easier for lost identity cards to be returned to their owners.
All unclaimed cards in the period from April 4 to June 30 will be cancelled on August 15- ’
Thursday, August 10, 1972
- 11 -
ART COMPETITION TO BE EXTENDED
*********
A competition being run by the City Museum and Art Gallery is proving so popular among young people that the closing date is being extended until the end of this month.
OriginaJly it was to have ended on Sunday (August 1J) but to allow more children to take part during the summer vacation the closing date is now August 30.
The competition is based on the Chinese art objects on display in the Museum and on the relevant explanatory notes in the exhibition cases.
Awards will be presented to the best 20 candidates in the senior and junior groups and trophies to schools whose students do particularly well.
At the same time, the City Museum and Art Gallery is holding a children’s art exhibition as part of the 10th anniversary of the City Hall.
Entitled "A Decade of Children’s Pictures”, it is the most comprehensive exhibition of the works of Hong Kong’s young artists. The exhibits were selected from more than 40,000 entries.
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Release Time: 6.4^ p.m.
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Friday, August 11, 1972 f ■ • - r .
NEW POWERS TO BRING LITTER OFFENDERS TO COURT i ******** r") ’ . ■ ■ . .
New powers requiring the prompt appearance of litter offenders in court are contained in an amending bill which will be introduced in the Legislative Council shortly.
The Magistrates (Amendment) Bill 1972 proposes to replace the normal summons process with the service of an ’’on-the-spot” notice requiring litter offenders to appear before the courts.
A government spokesman said that during the ”Keep Hong Kong Clean1’ campaign it was anticipated that large numbers of people may be brought before the courts to answer for offences against the anti-litter laws.
At present, under the Magistrates Ordinance, an offender’s appearance in court is secured by serving on him a summons issued by a magistrate.
Under this procedure, a great deal of time is often taken up in effecting notice of the summons, and frequently there is a considerable gap between the commission of the offence, and the offender’s appearance in court.
”It is considered that this procedure is unsatisfactory and that a quicker means of bringing an offender before the court is desirable if the campaign is to be successful,” the spokesman said.
/”This •.••••«•••
Friday, August 11, 1972
- 2 -
’’This amending bill seeks to dispense with the necessity for a summons and to enable certain public officers to hand to an offender, at the time of the offence, a notice which requires him to appear before a court at a time and place specified in the notice.”
If a person served with such a notice fails to comply with it, the magistrate will be able to issue a warrant for his arrest. If he is subsequently brought before the magistrate, the magistrate can, unless there are special circumstances, order the person to pay costs of between 320 and $400, irrespective of whether or not he is convicted of the alleged offence.
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Friday, August 11, 1972
- 3 -
MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER HAWKERS
*******
Another major step was taken today towards making hawkers carry on their business in a more orderly way.
An amending bill, published in today’s Gazette, contains more effective measures to control the activities of hawkers.
If passed into law, the Public Health and Urban Services (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill will pave the way for revised hawker by-laws and regulations to be enacted in time for the ’’Clean Hong Kong” campaign*
Commenting on the bill, the Assistant Director of Urban Services, Mr. Gus Chui, said that under it, legitimate hawkers would be able to continue to ply their trade in an orderly manner, free from interference and unfair competition from illegal pedlars.
’’The bill,” he said, ’’acts only against irresponsible hawking and legitimate hawkers will enjoy greater security as a result.”
Referring to the ’’Clean Hong Kong” campaign, Mr. Chui said: ”To clean Hong Kong, you have to clean up the hawker areas and it is impossible to do this until the stalls are organised in an orderly way and hawkers obey the law.”
”We will still mainly rely on co-operation and education, but inevitably we need new legislation to act against the selfish few,” he added.
The bill seeks to give further effect to the Urban Council’s revised hawker policy.
The ultimate aim of this policy is to provide proper off-street bazaars for all hawkers. This will take some time to achieve and in the meantime hawkers will continue to be allocated sites in streets set aside for hawking and in off-street bazaars.
/The success
Friday, August 11, 1972
- 4 -
The success of this policy depends on maintaining control over licensed hawkers and on stronger measures to reduce the number of unlicensed ones*
One of the main objects of the bill is to extend the powers of the authorities to make new regulations for the control of hawkers.
A new provision empowers magistrates to recommend to the authorities that the licence of a hawker be cancelled or suspended if he is convicted of an offence against the regulations.
Under the bill, the Commissioner for Transport can set aside certain public streets for hawking^
If necessary, he can limit vehicular’traffic on them and the authorities can then allocate pitches in these streets to hawkers.
Mandatory Forfeiture
"In view of the shortage of suitable sites for hawker bazaars, we will have to continue to accept, for the time being, on-street hawking — but in a controlled and orderly manner,” Mr. Chui said.
The bill pro’vides for the mandatory forfeiture of hawker goods and equipment in certain circumstances.
Mandatory forfeiture, Mr. Chui said, would now be limited to the four most serious types of hawker offences:
a) ’ hawking without a licence;
b) hawking in an area where hawking is not permitted;
c) hawking at a fixed pitch without a fixed pitch licence and
d) hawking outside the boundary of a designated pitch.
Commenting on this provision, Mr. Chui said that the Government had for a long time been concerned about the ineffectiveness of control measures based on current hawker legislation.
/He said
Friday, August 11, 1972
- 5 -
He said that efforts by staff of the Urban Services Department and the Police to maintain satisfactory order in hawker areas had been largely frustrated by the persistence of illegal hawkers.
"While it is appreciated that mandatory forfeiture is a strong penalty, experience over many years has shown that it is the only effective method to deal with the problem,” he said.
The bill also provides for the disposal of seized goods and equipment, but a hawker acquitted of an offenwe tan get back his goods or their value.
/6 •••••••
Friday, August 11, 1972
- 6 -
WATER BILLS TO COME EVERY FOUR MONTHS
*********
Residents will be able to settle their water bills and meter rent once in every four months instead of every three as at present, if a new bill to be introduced into the Legislative Council is passed.
The Waterworks (Amendment) Bill, 1972, seeks to remove the quarterly time limit for payment of water charge’s and meter rent and requires consumers, in future, to undertake to pay the charges at intervals to be determined by the Water Authority.* •
Commenting on the change, a spokesman for the Water.Authority said today the intention is that in future water bills will be issued every four^months based on the amount of“water consumed over .that period, instead of the 3 months period now in oieration.
• -1 4 ’ ‘
One reason for changing the system is to reduce the number of bills issued each year to a more managbabte level and enable the Water • ; »
Authority to cope with the increasing number’of consumers.
"The number of water meters installed in buildings throughout Hong Kong has been increasing very rapidly over the past few years and it is *e*sPffi.mated that by the end of this year about 500,000 meters will be in service, representing an increase of 150 per cent since 1958t” he pointed out.
The spokesman said that the introduction of the new billing system does not involve a revision of water charges. However, as a result of the reduced frequency, individual bills will generally be higher since the period of consumption to which they relate will be one month longer.
/Following
Friday, August 11, 1972
- 7 -
Following the amendment to the principal ordinance, the Waterworks Regulations will also be amended to allovz domestic consumers to receive the same amount of free water supply as before.
Under the new four-monthly billing system, this allowance will be equal to 88 for each bill issued which amounts to a total of 824 a year, the same as at present.
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SAFER PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS FOR YAU MA TEI
*********
Two pedestrian subways will soon be built to smooth cargo handling operations along the waterfront in the Yau Ma Tei area.
The subways will link Dundas Street and Tung Kun Street with the sea—front godowns v/hich will be built on land now being reclaimed from the Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter.
To improve drainage in the area, some 1,750 feet of stormwater drains and two box culverts will be built at the same time.
All these works are part of the Tong Mi Road Extension Scheme which, when completed, will form a major road artery joining south Kowloon with Tsuen Wan in the New Territories.
The subway project is expected to begin next month and take 14 months to complete.
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/8.........
Friday, August 11, 1972
- 8 -
NIGHT WORK FOR AIRPORT TUNNEL ROAD
A significant proportion of the work on the S115 million airport tunnel road will have to be carried out at night.
This will enable the work across the runway to be completed at the earliest possible date so that the fully extended runway can be brought into use.
It will also enable the road tunnel itself to be completed earlier.
A government spokesman said today that transportation of various materials during the night would be necessary to support the night work.
Work on the tunnel started early last month and is expected to be completed in early 1975-
It forms an essential part of the North-East Kowloon Road Network. When completed, it will relieve traffic congestion in the Kowloon City area and also serve as a major access route to the rapidly developing industrial centre of Kwun Tong.
During the whole period of construction, certain areas connected with the project will be exempted from the provisions of section 13 of the Summary Offences Ordinance, which forbids making noise at night.
Notification of the exemption was published in the Gazette today.
The spokesman said every effort will be made to keep the noise level to a minimum and the contractors will be required to plaxi their operations to this effect.
They will also be required to use sound-reducing equipment.
Friday, August 11, 1972
- 9 -
TEN ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR 1973 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION
Hong Kong has been divided into 10 electoral districts, each with a designated polling station, for next year’s Urban Council election -the same as in the previous election.
Registered voters must cast their vote at the designated polling station in the electoral district within which they live.
But anyone who considers he has special grounds for voting at a polling station other than the one where he is registered, may apply for a change.
He may complete and return a form of notice by pre-paid ordinary post on or before August Jlt 1972 to the Registration Officer, Mr. J.V.G. Mitchell. The forms can be obtained free at his office at the Causeway Bay Magistracy Building.
There will be four electoral districts on Hong Kong Island. They are (their polling station in brackets): Western (King’s College), Central (City Hall), Wan Chai (Hennessy Road Government Primary School) and Eastern (North Point Government Primary School).
The other six are all in Kowloon. They are: Yau Ma Tei (Kowloon Public Pier), Mong Kok (Queen Elizabeth School), Sham Shui Po (Kowloon Technical School), Kowloon City (Perth Street Government Primary School), Wong Tai Sin (San Po Kong Government Primary School) and Kwun Tong (Kwun Tong Government Primary School).
/Details •••••••
Friday, August 11, 1972
- 10 -
Details of the boundaries of each electoral district, the polling stations and a provisional register of electors are published in today’s Government Gazette and will be advertised in the newspapers tomorrow (Saturday)•
The provisional register will be available for inspection free at the Registration Officer’s office during business hours from next Wednesday (August 16) until the end of the month.
Anyone whose name does not appear on the provisional register and who considers himself entitled to be registered as an elector, may apply in person only, to the Registration Officer for inclusion in the final register on or before August JI.
A person who considers anyone whose name appears on the provisional register or who has given notice of application for inclusion in the final register, is not entitled to be registered as an elector, may object to the Registration Officer by filling in the appropriate forms.
These forms should be completed signed and lodged with the Registration Officer’s office on or before August JI, in the case of the provisional register, or on or before September 11, in the case of the final register.
Notices of application for inclusion in the final register and notices of objection to the inclusion of any name in the final register, will be available for inspection during office hours at the Registration Officer’s office up to September 11.
At present, the total number of electors registered to vote in the 10 electoral districts is J1,2J2. The election will be held on March 7| 1973*
Note to Editors: Copies of two maps showing the location of the polling stations and the electorial districts on each side of the Harbour are distributed separately in the G.I.S. Press Boxes this evening.
Friday, August 11, 1972
- 11 -
BUILDINGS IN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST DECLARED DANGEROUS
*****«*»**
Two buildings at 76 and 78 Des Voeux Road West were declared dangerous today and the Building Authority has ordered their demolition
The Principal Government Building Surveyor said that these two four-storey pre-war buildings had been under observation for two years following the closure and demolition under order of buildings in Ko Shing Street & the rear.
Recent inspections revealed signs of a fresh movement of fractures in the brickwork of the rear main wall and in the loadbearing party wall between the two buildings.
The flank wall of the kitchen block of No. 76 is badly bulged and out of vertical at the top.
Although all of No. 78 and the kitchen block of No. 76 is extensively shored there is a danger of collapse of the rear and party walls where they join.
F ~ • f • < - .
Notices of intention to apply for Closure Orders in Victoria District Court at 9»3O a.m. on September 22 were posted today.
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Friday, August 11, 1972
- 12 -
INDOOR STADIUM TENDERS
********
Tenders are being invited for the construction of foundations for the indoor stadium on the Hung Hom Reclamation.
Work will involve the construction of piling, caissons and caps for a large podium slab which will support the indoor stadium, and some foundations for minor buildings in the complex.
The construction work is expected to start in October this year and should be completed by November , 1973»
The project has been designedt and construction will be supervised^ by the Public Works Department.
The indoor stadium together with the surrounding podium, forms Stage III Phase 3 of the multi-million dollar Hung Hom Development Scheme.
When completed, the stadium will have seating accommodation for 15«000* and will be used as a venue for sporting and publie events.
• - » « w
Release Time: 7,00 pema
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000001
w®»
INFORMATION SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Saturday, August 12, 1972
IMPROVED WATER SUPPLY TO HIGH LEVEL AREAS ON HONG KONG ISLAND
********
Steps are being taken to improve the water supplies to the hi^i-level areas of Mt. Cameron, Blanks Link, Tai Hang and Jardines Lookout where the rapid development demands an increase in water supply.
A new circular service reservoir will be built at Blacks Link to serve the residents and new development in this area and Mt* Cameron.
Tenders are being invited for the construction of the 50j00O-gallon capacity reservoir and the associated mains.
Work is expected to start in October this year and should be ready by June 1973.
An improvement project for the other areas includes increasing the capacity of pumping mains to the service reservoirs at Middle Gap Jardines Lookout and Tai Hang, and the installation of new pumping equipment at the Eastern Pumping Station*
Tenders for this phase of the work will be called at a later date.
At present, water supplies to the high-level areas are from the Eastern Pumping Station via a system of service reservoirs situated within the areas.
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Saturday, August 12, 1972
- 2 -
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS SHOW DEFICIT FOR JUNE
*********
The Hong Kong Government accounts for the month of June 1972 show a deficit of $82.04 million compared with a surplus of $30.67 million in June last year.
j- . This has resulted in a total deficit of $83.31 million for the first quarter of this financial year. ~
» - r
A Government spokesman said today that in the past three years the accounts had shown a surplus at the end of the f%rst quarter.
Total revenue for the month at•$246.9O5million was $16.71 million more than in June 1971. Expenditure amounted to $328x95 million, an increase of $129*43 million over the same month last year.*.
Saturday, August 12, 1972
- 3 -
FORTY-FOUR BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JUNE
*««««****
The Building Authority approved 44 new building plans in June and certified 31 completed buildings for occupation.
Of the plans approved, 14 are on Hong Kong Island, 10 in Kowloon, 11 in New Kowloon and nine in the New Territories.
They include plans for two 24-storey apartment-commercial buildings on the Island and a 27-storey apartment-commercial complex at the junction of Waterloo Road and Argyle Street in Kowloon.
Building plans for two schools have also been approved — one in Ho Man Tin to be built by the Catholic Mission, Hong Kong, and another in Lam Tin to be built by the Church Body of the Chinese Anglican Church in Hong Kong.
Also approved were plans for a hospital of the Society for the Relief of Disabled Children at Sandy Bay, a nurses* training school and quarters for the United Christian Hospitals at Kwun Tong and a fish market extension at Cheung Sha Wan.
In addition, the Building Authority approved the demolition of ^0 buildings _ 16 on Hong Kong Island, 18 in Kowloon and six in New Kowloon.
Lists giving brief particulars of all buildings concerned may be inspected at the Public Enquiry Service on the ground floor of the Central Government Offices, West Wing, Hong Kong.
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A.........
Saturday, August 12, 1972
RESULTS OF 52ND GOVERNMENT LOTTERY «*«*«***
The first prize of $395,^00 for the 32nd Government Lottery was won by ticket No. 196179*
This and other winning numbers were drawn this morning at the City Hall Theatre by four RTV artists — Miss Stella Chee, Miss Margaret Miller, Miss Irene Ryder, and Mr. Tony Law.
The five second prizes of $26,360 each went to ticket Nos. 18439$, 400428, 436105, 5OOO9O and 521905.
The three-digit number drawn for the special prize was 73O» Holders of 659 tickets ending with this number won $100 each.
After the draw, the four artists were presented with bouquets by little Miss Leung Lai-yung and Mr. Chan Kai-leung of the Western Centre Nursery sponsored by the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of children.
Winning numbers for the 50 third prizes of $3,954 each are as follows:
27431 32689 34973 63353 64887 65211 108382
125286 140508 150590 165140 167803 174087 202358
222834 229491 231375 253517 265955 284656 298969
306579 310307 370227 386441 389521 394179 396513
398288 412851 427111 429229 444970 446224 454618
491525 500703 502717 566596 570902 590527 605333
608997 615243 616128 625890 632009 644417 648355
650170
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/5........
Saturday, August 12, 1972
- 5 -
WATER INTERRUPTIONS IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND WESTERN
*******
The water supply to a number of premises in Causeway Bay will be interrupted for eight hours from 10 p.m. on Monday (August 14).
The temporary stoppage is to allow the Waterworks Office to undertake main connection work.
The premises affected are: 42-72 and 51-63 Patterson Street; 1-15 and 2-8 Cleveland Street; 2-8 and 9-11 Kingston Street; and Jardine’s Godown, Wat er front Road.
In Western District a number of premises will have their water cut off for a period of five hours from 1 a.m. on Tuesday (August 15) during leakage tests.
The area affected is bounded by Hill Road, Queen’s Road West, Western Street and Des Voeux Road West.
*
Saturday, August 12, 1972
- 6 -
DR. CHOA TO ADDRESS ROTARY ON MEASLES
******
Note to Editors: Dr. G.H. Choa, Director of Medical and
Health Services, will address the Rotary Club of Hong Kong on measles at its meeting in the Mandarin Hotel on Tuesday, August 15, at 1 p.m. His talk forms part of the current large-scale nine-week anti-measles campaign. The Directors of the Club wish to invite members of the Press, radio and TV to attend the luncheon so as to cover Dr. Choa’s address, and the public relations officer of the Medical and Health Department will be on hand to assist them.
- 0 - -
D.I.B. ISSUE ON SUNDAY
♦ 3* * * * * * *
Note to Editors: There will be an issue of the Daily
Information Bulletin tomorrow (Sunday). It will be available for collection at 3 p.m. from the G.I.S. press room.
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Release Time: 2.30 p.m,
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Monday, August 14, 1972
TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER SPEAKS ABOUT TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
********
Talks are to be held soon between, the Transport Department and the
Kowloon Motor Bus Company on ways of expanding bus services in the New Territories.
The Commissioner for Transport, Mr. B.D. Wilson, said this evening that the rapid pace of development in the area had led to greater demands on public transport and on its improvement.
He said the discussions would pay particular attention to the possibility of introducing smaller vehicles to serve villages off the main roads.
"The Nev/ Territories Administration and the police share my concern at the number of lorries, vans and private cars which ply for hire illegally in the New Territories, and it is high time that public transport there is expanded to keep pace with what people need”, Mr. Wilson said.
He hoped that some useful results would be produced in the near future, including the possible licensing of New Territories taxis.
Mr. Wilson, who was speaking at a meeting of the Rotary Club of New Territories, said that with the opening of the cross-harbour tunnel there was likely to be an increase in traffic in the New Territories, and this would become even more pronounced when a second Lion Rock tunnel was opened.
/Work..........
Monday, August 14, 1972
- 2 -
Work is due to start on the tunnel towards the end of this year and when it is completed each two-lane tube will carry traffic in one direction, the same system as in the cross-harbour tunnel.
He added that as far is known, the tolls for the Lion Rock tunnel will remain the same.
On the question of traffic congestion, Mr. Wilson said that the time was now ripe for taking steps to cut down the number of vehicles on the roads.
He pointed out that the number of vehicles being registered each year was increasing faster than roads could be built, and if there were no restrictions on new registrations, it would only be a matter of time before the vehicles filled up the new roads.
Capacity Reduced
’’Double-decking roads has been suggested, but this would mean loss of air and light for occupants of adjacent buildings, and the capacity of the ground floor road would be appreciably reduced by the amount of space needed for footings for the upper decko
’’The problem boils down to this. If you can’t make the roads big enough to fit all the vehicles, then the number of vehicles will have to be cut down to fit the roads,” he added.
The Transport Commissioner said it made no sense for a civilised community to allow itself to become dependent on motor vehicles and then to fail to exercise the self-discipline needed to prevent its roads jamming solid because of too many vehicles, selfish kerbside parking and a failure to ration road space according to an agreed priority.
/3..........
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Monday, August 14, 1972
■ * •' ’ x r
- 3 -
FIRST AUCTION FOR "LUCKY" NUMBER PLATES
The first auction of ,flucky" car number plates will be held shortly, possibly in September, in the City Hall.
The Commissioner for Transport, Mr. B.D. Wilson, said today that about 50 numbers would be auctioned, but details of the number and conditions of sale would be publicised nearer to the date.
The auction will be held at the same time as a draw for the Government Lottery.
The sale of "lucky" car numbers was made possible only recently following the passage of a bill through Legislative Council. However, the regulations have still to be made by the Governor in Council.
The proceeds from the auctions will be paid into the Lotteries Fund and used for charitable purposes.
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A.........
Monday, August 14, 1972
- 4 -
HONG KONG ATTENDS REHABILITATION CONGRESS IN SYDNEY
*********
Hong Kong will be represented at the 12th World Congress of Rehabilitation International in Sydney later this month by a delegation of 64.
It will be led by Dr. Harry Fang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation.
Membership of the Hong Kong team is made up of an official Social Welfare Department delegation of four, headed by Miss Annie Chan, Assistant Director (Social Work), 16 other representatives of government departments, such as Prisons, Education, and Medical and Health Services,- and rehabilitation specialists in the private sector.
The latter include the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts.
The Congress will begin on August 27 and continue until September 1, but there are a number of pre-Congress activities in which Hong Kong is parti cipating•
Four Social Welfare Department officers will attend a seminar on social planning in Brisbane,and three others at another seminar on vocational rehabilitation in Adelaide.
The theme this year is "Planning Rehabilitation,” and discussions will centre on three main aspects — environment, incentives, and self-help.
The 12th World Rehabilitation Congress will be the first time such a meeting has been held in the Southern Hemisphere. It will also be a special occasion, marking the Golden Anniversary of Rehabilitation International, set up in 1922.
/In connection..........
Monday, August 14, 1972
- 5 -
In connection with the Congress, Hong Kong will be mounting a panel display in the hall of the Chevron Hotel, Macleay Street. This will consist of a series of photographs, produced by Government Information Services, illustrating education and medical rehabilitation in Hong Kong, as well as aftercare and social environment.
One group of pictures makes clear that integration is the ultimate goal of rehabilitation in Hong Kong.
Note to editors : Copies of a brochure prepared by the
Hong Kong Council of Social Service for the Sydney Congress, and based on the panel exhibition, are distributed separately in the press boxes, Government Information Services, later this evening.
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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT
********
Mr. R.H. Lobo, has been appointed temporarily to the Executive Council with effect from August 12, during the absence of Sir Sidney Gordon.
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/6.........
Monday, August 14, 1972
- 6 -
DEMAND CONTINUES FOR BRITISH (HONG KONG) PASSPORTS
*******
The demand for British (Hong Kong) Passports has continued unabated and in June alone, a total of 3,677 was issued by the Immigration Department.
This was the highest figure ever recorded for any one month.
The Immigration Department issued 9^484 British (Hong Kong) passports during the months of April, May and June this year, compared with 6,204 in the previous three months, and 7^288 in the same period last year.
A spokesman for the department said today that one reason for the demand was the large number of people travelling these days.
Entry Certificates issued by the department during the quarter totalled 2,466, compared with 1,601 in the previous quarter and 2,363 in the same period in 1971•
Applications for Certificates of Identity also increased.
During the three-month period, the Chinese Section of the Immigration Department dealt with 48,186 applications, including those for Certificates of Identity, U.K. visas, re-entry visas, extensions of stay and visit visa applications* This figure represents an increase of 29 per cent compared with 37,470 in the previous quarter and an increase of 65 per cent compared with 29^273 in the corresponding period last year.
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/7..........
Monday, August 14, 1972
SPORTS FOR WHEELCHAIR CASES • •
»»***«*
Ten members of New Zealand’s Para-Olympic team who are confined to wheelchairs will compete with a number of wheelchair-bound young Hong Kong sportsmen in the Kowloon Hospital tomorrow.
The New Zealand team is on its way home after attending the • • International Para-Olympic Games in Heidelberg , and is stopping over in Hong Kong for a brief demonstration.
The team will take part in basketball and table tennis matches with Hong Kong jilaye^s, and will give instructions on archery.
The event will last from 5 to 7 p*m;, and will be held within the Hospital in case of rain.
Note to Editors: You are invited to cover this event.
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/8.........
Monday, August 14, 1972
- 8 -
C.D.O. SUB-OFFICE TO BE OPENED IN CHEUNG SHA WAN
********
A sub-office of the City District Office (Sham Shui Po) will be opened in Cheung Sha Wan on August 21 (Monday).
Announcing this today, the City District Officer, Sham Shui Po, Mr* C.W.B. Oxley, said that a sub-office was necessary because the population of the district was now well over 250,000.
The new office will be located on the ground floor of Block Cheung Sha Wan Government Low Cost Housing Estate.
Officiating at the opening ceremony will be Mr. J.M. Rowlands, Deputy
Secretary for Home Affairs; Mrs. C.J. Symons, unofficial member of the
Legislative Council; Mr. Henry Wong, member of the Urban Council and representatives from Kaifong Associations, the Red Cross Youth Corps and the Hong Kong Boy Scouts Association.
■*
********
Note to Editors: You are invited to send a reporter and/or
photographer to cover the opening ceremony which will take place at 4p.m. on August 21.
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/9.........
Monday, August 14, 1972
- 9 -
POLYTECHNIC ENROLLING PART-TIME DAY RELEASE STUDENTS
********
The Hong Kong Polytechnic is inviting applications for the 1972-73 part-time day release courses on mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering, and on laboratory, dental and textiles technical training.
Applicants should be employed in work appropriate to the course for which they apply.
They must obtain approval of their employers for them to attend classes at the Polytechnic each week for one full day of six hours and two evenings of two hours each.
Applications should be made by the employers or by the applicants themselves with written consent from their employers.
The forms can be obtained from the respective departments of the Polytechnic at Hung Hom and should be completed and returned on or before September 4.
Classes will begin on September 18.
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/10.........
Monday, August 14, 1972
- 10 -
PEOPLE URGED TO SUPPORT SOCIAL WELFARE PROJECTS
*********
Members of the public were today urged to support social welfare projects by buying tickets for the special lottery to be drawn on September 23 to mark the 10th anniversary of Government Lotteries.
At a press conference today, Mrs. K. Fok, a member of the Government Lotteries Management Committee, said that the prizes for the lottery would be quite considerable.
There will be seven prizes. The first will amount to 40 per cent of the total proceeds and the second prize 10 per cent. The other five prizes will each amount to 2 per cent.
The anniversary lottery was organised to boost the lotteries fund for welfare purposes.
Mrs. Fok also announced that four Commercial Radio artists would rotate the drums to draw the winning numbers of the 53rd Government Lottery on August 26• They are Miss Yan Wai-yee, Miss Leung Siu-yung, Miss Cheng Kit-man and Mr. Fung Chin-ping.
They will help sell tickets at the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club both at the Star.Ferry Concourse, next Monday, from 12.45 p.m. to 1.15
Tickets for both lotteries are selling at S2 each.
- - 0 ---------
Monday, August 14, 1972
- 11 -
WEEKLY MEDICAL AND HEALTH STATISTICS
•*»****«*
Statistics released today by the Medical and Health Department for the week ending on July 29, 1972 are as follows:-
* Notifications of infectious cases (previous week’s figures in brackets) — total 196 (259)5 amoebiasis — 1 (1); bacillary dysentery — 8 (14); cerebrospinal meningitis and meningococcal infections — 1 (nil); chickenpox — 1 (2); tuberculosis — 174 (225); enteric fever (typhoid) — 6 (9); enteric fever (paratyphoid) — nil (1); leprosy — 3 (5) and measles — 2 (2).
* Births — total registered 1,408; 374 on Hong Kong Island, 853 in Kowloon, and 181 in the New Territories•
* Deaths — 400 from all causes; 107 on the Island, 231 in Kowloon and 12 in the New Territories.
Release Time: 6.43 p,mt
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED! 4000081
SERVICES
.. ( . Jt . '
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Tuesday, August 15, 1972
CHIID DEVELOPMENT SURVEY TO CONTINUE
«««*«***«
A Child Development Survey undertaken by the Paediatric Department of the University of Hong Kong is to be extended for another three years with a grant
of $422,200 from the Lotteries Fund.
The survey was launched in 4967« and at that time was financed by private
donations. It involved 729 new bom Chinese babies.
In 1970, the survey was extended for two years with a grant of over $300,000 from the Lotteries Fund in order to include children between the ages of three to five.
The data included in the survey indicates that there is a close correlation between prolonged malnutrition and later physical growth and
intellectual development#
In view of this« it has been proposed that the survey be further extended for another three years to include children between the ages of five and eightt The purpose of this extension is to examine more closely the effect of malnutrition and child-rearing practices on general scholastic performance.
It will give a two-year assessment period after children have commenced primary school, as one year would not be sufficient to produce conclusive results^ The longer time will also allow the inclusion of assessment of handicapped children*
The extension will produce much more valuable results both for the Government and for all organisations concerned with child welfare in Hong Kong.
/It will .........
Tuesday, August 15, 1972
- 2 -
It will mean the involvement of a total recurrent Lotteries Fund grant for five years, which is in excess of the normal limit of four years®
However, this proposal has the strong support of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee and the Director of Medical and Health Services, and it was consequently approved by the Legislative Council.
This grant brings the total contribution of the Lotteries Fund to the Child Development Survey to more than $700,000.
Tuesday, August 15, 1972
- 3 -
FASTER IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE AT HONG KONG AIRPORT ««*$****
The Immigration Department is making special arrangements for the convenience of Hong Kong residents arriving by air and to speed up immigration clearance of all passengers at the Kai Tak Airport.
Starting from Monday (August 21) two special channels will be set aside for immigration processing of residents returning to Hong Kong.
A spokesman for the department said today that holders of travel documents issued by the Immigration Department in Hong Kong and holders of all other travel documents, which bear an endorsement showing that they have a right to land here or that they have been granted resident status in Hong Kong are invited to use these channels.
The two special channels will be situated near the middle of the immigration area and will be clearly marked.
There is no change in Port Health clearance, customs examination nor in immigration clearance for passengers leaving Hong Kong.
"It is hoped that the arrangements, which are being introduced on a trial basis, will be more convenient to Hong Kong residents and will provide a more efficient system of immigration clearance for all passengers arriving at Kai Tak Airport,” the spokesman added.
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A..........
Tuesday, August 15, 1972
- 4 -
"ILLEGAL HAWKING MUST BE STAMPED OUT" ********
The proposed legislation aimed at controlling illegal hawkers was today described as ’’not anti-hawker, but anti-illegal and irresponsible hawking”.
The Assistant Director of the Urban Services Department, Mr. Gus Chui, in a statement elaborating on the new bill, said the success of the hawker policy depends not on penal measures, but on trade co-operation on the part of law-abiding hawkers.
”No effort will be spared by the authorities to explain the law and its purpose to the hawkers. As a last resort strong measures will still be essential to deal with the incorrigible few. A sanction is not just a means of exercising our responsibility towards the public, it is also protection for legitimate hawkers.”
Mr. Chui said it would be a ’’gross waste of public funds” to build off-street hawker bazaars to accommodate licensed hawkers only to find that they were being suffocated by illegal hawking on the streets around them.
”1 am afraid that illegal hawking must be stamped out, but illegal hawkers will be looked after by Public Assistance if they are incapable of vzorking because of age or physical debility. On the other hand, it is high time that the able-bodied ones should see the writing on the wall and look for a job elsewhere — and there are plenty of vacancies to be filled by those prepared to do an honest day’s work,” he added. - -
/Mr. Chui said ........
Tuesday, August 15, 1972
- 5 -
Mr, Chui said that uncontrolled hawking with the resultant traffic obstruction, health hazards, fire risks and environmental pollution was already an unacceptable nuisance to countless residents and street users.
However, government policy has to accept the fact that hawking must be allowed to continue to provide a needed service to the public and to protect the livelihood of the 45,000 licensed hawkers.
Ideally they should be sited in proper bazaars, but because of the shortage of suitable sites and the many highly competitive uses to which the land could be put, on-street hawking will have to be tolerated for many more years. But, he said, it is only fair that the government should ensure that the public nuisance is reduced to an absolute minimum.
’’There will be no hope of making licensed hawkers toe the line unless, and until, unlicensed hawking can be stamped out. Experience has convinced us that summonsing and arresting hawkers is not effective as a deterrent.
’’Unlicensed hawkers simply return, within a matter of hours, to the same spot, and the fines are regarded by them as merely a daily licence fee.”
Mr. Chui stressed that this was "undermining the dignity of the law” and making hawker control a ’’heart breaking job”. At the same time, licensed hawkers were aggrieved because they paid a licence fee and had to abide by stringent rules on pain of various penalties, but illegal hawkers seemed to be getting away with it all the time.
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/6..........
Tuesday, August 15, 1972
- 6 -
THE RIGHT CAREER' — A VITAL CHOICE
*««**«**
Young school leavers who are seeking their first employment were advised today not to apply for jobs merely because they offered good pay or a ’’dash of glamour”.
The Commissioner of Labour, Mr. Paul Tsui, who was speaking at a luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Kowloon East, said: ”We often see young people unhappy in their work because they have chosen the wrong jobs, which are suited neither to their temperament nor aptitude.”
Much of this frustration could be avoided, he said, if young people would seek advice and information from the Youth Employment Advisory Service of the Labour Department.
To help young people choose a career, the Service had prepared a total of 3J careers pamphlets covering a wide variety of jobs at various levels in industry, commerce, civil service and the disciplined forces.
’’These pamphlets, which form ’A Guide to Careers in Hong Kong’, have been distributed to all secondary schools, libraries, voluntary welfare agencies, other interested organisations and government departments,” he added.
Speaking on the work of the Youth Employment Advisory Service, Mr. Tsui said that apart from giving careers talks to groups of senior students in secondary schools, officers also assisted in arranging factory and other visits and special talks by experts from industry and the professions.
The Service works closely with the Local Employment Service and also maintains close liaison with the Education Department, professional bodies, the two universities and other educational and government organisations concerned with youth employment.
Tuesday, August 15» 1972
219 DISPUTES SETTLED IN JULY
********
The Labour Relations Service of the Labour Department helped settle 291 disputes between employers and employees during July.
As a result of agreements reached, 1,131 workers received a total of $1,135»515» This included the payment of 5452,595 by a taxi company to 240 redundant drivers and another 3400,000 paid by the management of a large dockyard to 165 redundant workers.
Forty-two per cent of the total was paid as outstanding wages, payment
in lieu of notice, statutory holiday pay and bonuses of a contractual nature under the Employment Ordinance and the Industrial Employment (Holidays with Pay and Sickness) Ordinance.
The remaining 3655,800 was paid, apart from the legal entitlements, as severance pay and other ex gratia payments to employees.
New nominal claims during the same period, both statutory and non-statutory, amounted to 31,132,526.
Officers of various district branches of the Labour Relations Service also handled 1,558 consultations and enquiries about labour laws, industrial relations and personnel management.
They visited 10 establishments to help employers introduce joint
consultative machinery and other desirable labour relations practices to strengthen communication and generally to improve relations between labour and management.
0 - -
/8
Tuesday, August 15, 1972
- 8 -
DR. CHOA GIVES SECOND WARNING ON SERIOUS MEASLES COMPLICATIONS
********
Parents in Hong Kong should stop clinging to their traditional belief that every child should be made to go through an attach of measles, because this was wrong and dangerous.
Instead they should co-operate with the Medical and Health Department to see that is campaign' for the immunisation of every child against the disease ended in 100 per cent success.
Only then, the Director of Medical and Health Services, Dr. G.H. Choa, said today, could the danger of an epidemic of measles in Kong Kong be prevented. He estimated that at least 60 per cent of susceptible children in the population had to be immunised or the threat of an epidemic •ould not be ruled out.
He told a meeting of the Rotary Club of Hong Kong that parents hero already acknowledged that diphtheria, poliomyelitis and tuberculosis were serious diseases, and accordingly accepted preventive measures against them for their children.
But they rated measles as inevitable and not serious, and therefore the appeal for immunisation through the years had largely been met with indifference.
,fThe danger of measles,” Dr. Choa explained, ’’lies in the complications, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, middle ear infection and encephalitis, which may arise. It is because of these complications that measles still carries a mortality rate, and some of these complications leave a permanent mark on the children even after they have recovered — they could become deaf or mentally retarded.1’
/He.........
Tuesday, August 15, 1972
- 9 -
He recalled that in the last epidemic of measles in Hong Kong in the winter of 1966/67, of the 6,702 notified cases, there were no less than 995 deaths due to complications.
In December, 1967, measles vaccine was first made available at all government maternal and child health centres, and campaigns were conducted annually since then.
Dr. Choa was glad the campaigns had helped to change the picture since 1967, and in the past four years, statistics had droped to 3*734 cases and 84 deaths.
But that was not good enough. There still remained far too many parents who were not aware of the risk of complications, and who were not coming forward to have their children immunised.
He warned them the disease carried "a significant morbidity and mortality rate" — in other words, it caused a great amount of ill health, and in some cases, death.
He assured parents that the vaccine was "perfectly safe and effective." It was given in one single injection, but it might be necessary to provide "a booster dose" in later years.
Dr. Choa described the disease as "the last childhood disease" still eluding complete control in Hong Kong.
"We want to prevent it as far as possible so as to protect the life of our young children," he said. "As with all the other communicable diseases, we have to rely on the co-operation and common sense of parents to bring their children forward to be immunised against it."
Dr. Choa’s speech marked the beginning of the second week in the department’s current nine-week anti-measles campaign.
Note to Editors: Copies of the full text of Dr. Choa’s speech, in Chinese and English, are distributed separately in the G.I.S. Press boxes, later this evening.
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Release Time: 6.3O p.m.
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED!
4000001
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
INCREASED FEES AT ENGLISH SPEAKING SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR , • *• • Local Education Allowances For Government Servants • • r*.
*•*«««•• J- . '
Fees at English speaking schools will be raised from January 1, 1973
to 81,150 a year at primary schools and 82,050 a year at secondary schools, j-v ■
These new fees were announced at today’s meeting of the Legislative
Council by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Hon. S.T. Kidd, in reply to a question by the Senior Unofficial Member, the Hon. P.C. Woo.
At the same time, the Acting Colonial Secretary announced that the
Government, as an'employer, would also be introducing local education allowances ’ ‘l
for its own employees as from the new year.
Mr. Kidd said: ’’The Report of the 1971 Salaries Commission pointed to the need for these, leaving details for later consideration.
"The intention now is to grant suitable allowances covering part of
the additional cost of schooling for those children whose parents have no choice » • */•'* *
but to pay more than basic charges.’’
A Government spokesman gave as examples that in appropriate
cases in the primary school sector, parents paying fees of 8100 per annum would receive allowances of 860 a year; and parents paying 81,150 per annum would receive 8690.
/In the secondary ......
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 2 -
Tn the secondary school sector, parents paying $500 a year would receive $60 a year whilst parents paying $2,050 would receive $99O»
In its report, the Select Committee of the Legislative Council examined costs of English speaking schools and made certain observations about how the principle of parity should be implemented.
Degree Of Uniformity
Mr. Kidd told Legislative Council: "It accordingly found that fees in the English speaking schools should become $1,000 per annum at Government and 8*1,640 per annum at Foundation primary schools; and $1,500 per annum at Government and $2,450 per annum at Foundation secondary schools.
"It nevertheless commented on the desirability of maintaining a reasonable degree of uniformity in fee levels at these schools, and suggested how this might be done.
"Both the Foundation and the Parent-Teacher Associations’ Joint
Council subsequently stressed the need for uniformity."
Continuing, the Acting Colonial Secretary said: "It is now proposed to work out suitable means of putting the Foundation and Government schools on to a common basis, with agreed staffing ratios, salary scales and so on.
"It is also proposed to examine the case for spreading some costs which now fall on the Foundation but which might more equitably be a charge on the whole English School system."
Mr. Kidd emphasised that this would take time though the intention was to complete the task during 1973*
/"Meanwhile
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 3 -
"Meanwhile it would, against the background I have explained, be undesirable for fees to diverge sharply. Moreover, their temporary divergence could not easily be justified when (as the Select Committee itself recognised) the present costs of the two groups of schools are difficult, if not quite impossible, to compare with precision."
In the circumstances, Mr. Kidd said, "the fairest interim arrangement possible is to calculate fees by taking the levels mentioned by the Select Committee and producing average figures, weighted to reflect the number of places at Government and Foundation schools respectively."
After announcing the revised school fees for 1973, the Acting Colonial Secretary said details of the grants payable during next year to the English Schools Foundation had been agreed with all concerned. "These will enable it to operate viably," he added.
Commenting on the revised school fees, the Government spokesman said: "There is no doubt that any marked difference in fees would be inequitable. Whether a child attends a Government or a Foundation school is at present largely determined by where the parents happen to live."
The spokesman concluded by saying remission arrangements in respect of these school fees would, for the time being, remain unchanged and needy parents would not therefore suffer as a result of these increases.
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
LITTER COURTS BEING SET UP
*******
Courts are to be set up to deal exclusively with litter offences as c
a result of the Magistrates (Amendment) Bill 1972 which is concerned with the ’’Keep Hong Kong Clean” Campaign.
The Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R. Sneath, said today the Bill provides for a statutory form of notice to be handed to any suspected litter offender, specifying the time and date when he is required to appear before a named magistracy.
He said he had been informed by the Registrar of the Supreme Court that in each of the magistracies to be named in these forms, a magistrate or J.Ps. would sit at the times specified to deal exclusively with litter offences.
He was speaking* in the Legislative Council while moving the second reading of the Bill.
Should a person fail to comply with one of these notices, the magistrate may issue a warrant for the person to be brought before him.
Where a warrant had to be issued and executed, he added, the Bill requires a magistrate to ”mulct” the person concerned in costs amounting to not less than $20 nor more than $400.
He said this provision was mandatory indicating that such costs should be payable whether or not a person was convicted.
The Attorney General said he would be moving an amendment to the Bill providing that the date to be specified in the notice should be not less than three clear days, instead of within 24 hours, after it was handed to the person concerned.
/Speaking..........
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 5 -
Speaking in support of the Bill, the Hon. Oswald Cheung said this amendment would be welcomed because ”it does seem to me that to require a person to appear within 24 hours before magistrates is somewhat draconian”• ‘ 1 It was somewhat demanding, he added, to require a person to rearrange
his affairs in such a short span of time, and he might not be able to put his case together nor get legal advice in that time.
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MEETING SOON ON URBAN COUNCIL REORGANISATION
***#««**
The first meeting between the Finance and General Purposes Select Committee of the Urban Council and the officials who have been working on the proposals in the White Paper on the Urban Council will take place later this month*
This was stated today by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Hon. S.T. Kidd, in the Legislative Council in reply to the Hon. R.H. Lobo.
Mr. Lobo had asked when talks were scheduled to take place between the Government and the Urban Council to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities on April 1, 1973.
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/6..........
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 6 -
"PHYTO-PLANKTON" ENCOUNTERED BY SWIMMERS?
*******
The Acting Director of Urban Services, the Hon. A.P. Richardson, today explained that the most likely cause of an oil like substance encountered by swimmers earlier this month was probably ’’phyto-plankton”.
Speaking in the Legislative Council in reply to a question by the Hon. Wilfred Wong, he said that these brown-coloured floating plant organisms contained natural oils and were quite common in Hong Kong waters at this time of the year.
Mr. Richardson emphasised that the substance is quite harmless and although it may cling to one’s body, it is not too difficult to remove.
He said that his department had no knowledge of ’’oil saturated mud” floating in Repulse Bay on August 6, but there had been a fair amount of this phyto-plankton in the area over the past week or so.
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 7 -
POLLUTION BOOM MEETS WITH LIMITED SUCCESS
*******
A modified oil boom, used in an experiment to protect beaches from pollution by refuse as well as oil, has had only limited success.
The Acting Director of Urban Services, the Hon. A.P. Richardson, said in the Legislative Council today that the boom itself had not proved to be high enough and the net below had been damaged on several occasions.
He said it was too soon to give an opinion on the durability of the boom under Hong Kong’s conditions.
In the meantime, the department was seeking information about a variety of different booms from known suppliers and beach authorities in other parts of the world to determine which type was best suited to the needs of Hong Kong.
”0n the one hand we need fairly sturdy booms to prevent the flow of refuse, while on the other we need booms which can be readily removed with the approach of typhoon,” Mr. Richardson explained.
He was replying to a question by the Hon. Wilfred Wong.
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WATER INTERRUPTION
********
Water supply to the So Uk Estate in Sham Shui Po will be interrupted for five hours from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday, August 18.
The temporary stoppage is to enable the Water Works Office to carry out a leakage test in the area.
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/8..........
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 8 -
CLEARWATER BAY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
*********
Road improvement measures are being designed to give adequate capacity for weekend and weekday traffic on Clearwater Bay Road.
Plans are also being considered for an alternative route along the south side of Tolo Channel to the Sai Kung Peninsula by extending the Siu Lek Yuen Road at Sha Tin to link up with the Ma On Shan Road.
The Acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson, replying in the Legislative Council to the Hon. H.M.G. Forsgate, said work would begin soon on the construction of a four-lane road on a completely new alignment for the critical uphill section between Ping Shek Estate and Fei Ngo Shan Road junction.
From April till October last year, he said, goods vehicles were barred from this section between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on Sundays and public holidays and this had been successful in improving traffic flow.
The restriction had been reimposed this year but landslips in the June rainstorm negated the advantage gained. However, he said, repair works would soon be completed and conditions would then improve.
Mr. Robertson said another project on the Clearwater Bay Road, involving improvements to the section from Anderson Road to Hiram’s Highway, is expected to begin next year. ‘ ’
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/9.........
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 9 -r
NEW TRAFFIC PROPOSALS BEING STUDIW
The Transport Department, the police and the Public Works Department have decided to pursue the possibility of using "box junctions" to assist the free flow of traffic at busy light-controlled intersections.
The Acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson, said in Legislative Council that before these junctions could be introduced, it would be necessary to pass legislation making it an offence to enter them until the exit route was cleared.
"This should ensure that through traffic will not be blocked by stationary cross-traffic. I hope that priority can be given to drafting the necessary legislation."
He said the success of such a system would depend largely on the co-operation of individual motorists.
With such co-operation and good driver discipline, he said, many existing traffic jams would be avoided without the need for box junctions.
Mr. Robertson was replying to a question from the Hon. H.M.G. Forsgate.
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 10 -
HAWKER BILL TO BE APPLIED "HUMANELY AND IMPARTIALLY”
*«*****««
The Acting Director of Urban Services, the Hon. A.P. Richardson, today reassured the general public that the Public Health and Urban Services (Amendment) (No.4) Bill 1972, which deals with hanking, would be applied ,Tboth humanely and impartially" when it was passed into law.
He described the amending Bill as "essential" if hawkers were to be effectively controlled and if the "Keep Hong Kong Clean" Campaign was to succeed in dirty hawker areas.
He was speaking in the Legislative Council while moving the second reading of the Bill.
The Bill seeks to extend the powers of the authority to make new regulations, to empower the Commissioner for Transport to declare any street to be set aside for hawking purposes, and to provide in certain instances, for the mandatory forfeiture of commodities and equipment belonging to hawkers.
Mr. Richardson said in some areas, hawking now made any form of cleansing virtually impossible and as a result, rats and flies bred freely and the nearby residents suffered quite unnecessarily from the dirt and filth generated by "conglomerations of hawkers."
However, he assured the Council that as part of the build-up of the "Keep Hong Kong Clean" Campaign, the assistance of all hawkers and their associations would be sought.
The Acting Director said the Government had for long been concerned about the ineffectiveness of existing hawker control measures, under which a hawker could go back in.business on the streets with his returned equipment and
/commodities.........
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 11 -
commodities within a short time of his arrest for hawking offences.
The Urban Council, after careful consideration, has come to the conclusion that mandatory forfeiture of the goods and paraphernalia used for illegal hawking is the only effective means of dealing with the four most serious types of hawking offence, he said.
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SMOOTHER TRAFFIC FLOW TO REPULSE BAY
*******
Plans are in hand to improve the flow of traffic on the route from Repulse Bay through to Queen’s Road, East.
The Acting Director of Public 'Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson, said this today in the Legislative Council in reply to the Hon. Mrs. Ellen Li.
He said preliminary plans had been drawn up for the construction of a flyover junction at the Tai Hang Road-Stubbs Road roundabout, and consultants had been appointed for its detailed design and construction.
”At present they are also investigating the possibility of making some interim improvements to assist traffic flow, and I hope that these can be introduced before next summer,” he said.
The Director said other plans involved the widening of Stubbs Road from Queen’s Road East to Tai Hang Road, and the widening of the whole of Repulse Bay Road.
At present, he said, widening of Wongneichung Road had been in progress for* some time. ----------------------------------0 --------
A2........
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 12 -
HARBOUR TUNNEL AUTHORITIES PROVIDING ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR VEHICLE SAFETY
«*4t**4>***
The Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R. Sneath, said today, it was an offence to change lanes and overtake in the Cross Harbour Tunnel, and offenders may be fined a penalty up to 31,000.
Mr. Sneath, who was replying in the Legislative Council to a question by the Hon. T.K. Ann, said that under the Cross Harbour Tunnel Ordinance, the Tunnel Company had the primary and immediate responsibility for the control and safety of vehicles and their occupants while they were in the tunnel.
’’The tunnel officers are given power to enable them to exercise the necessary control,” he added.
Mr. Sneath said the Commissioner for Transport was satisfied that the Company was providing adequate personnel and facilities and was confident of their intention and ability to exercise full and proper control.
’•Under the Cross Harbour Tunnel Regulations, any accident occurring in the tunnel involving damage or injury to any person must be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Road" Traffic Ordinance,” Mr. Sneath said.
In his question, Mr. Ann had mentioned what he termed the ”blatant violation of traffic regulations by many in the cross harbour tunnel in changing lanes and overtaking.”
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Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 13 -
BURDEN ON WATERWORKS BILLING SYSTEM
********
The high growth rate and the large numbers of water bills, together with the complications of different water charges, have placed a great burden on the Waterworks billing organisation.
This was stated today by the Acting Director of Public Works, the
Hon* A.S. Robertson, while moving the second reading of the Waterworks (Amendment) Bill 1972 in the Legislative Council.
The Bill provides for water bills to be issued three times a year instead of four, in order to relieve some of the work pressure which will al 1 nw a more ready implementation of improvements to the system*
Mr. Robertson said the number of meters had increased each year by about 60,000 to the present total of about 4^0,000 since separate water metering became compulsory in for each residence in new buildings.
The number of water accounts had grown from 1*7 million last year to 2 million this year, he added.
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.......
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 14 -
AMEIWMENT PROPOSED TO ACCOUNTANTS BILL
*«**«*«*
The Hon. Wilfred Wong today welcomed the Accountants Bill 1972 but proposed an amendment relating to accountants working for incorporated non-profit-making charitable organisations.
He said it was traditional that these organisations would normally have their books audited by a qualified accountant, now to be registered under the Bill, but not necessarily holding a practising*certificate.
He was speaking in the Legislative Council in support of the Bill on its second reading.
Mr. Wong said it was unlikely that a person holding a practising certificate would have the time to give free service to charitable organisations which in the past have been helped by the qualified accountants.
The Bill, he said, would put these organisations in an "invidious" position by depriving them of the traditional service which had hitherto been given to them.
The Bill seeks to, among other things, prohibit any person from practising public accountancy unless he is registered as an accountant and holds a practising certificate.
Under the Bill, the Hong Kong Society of Accountants will be incorporated and a Council set up as its governing body to provide for the registration of accountants and regulation of their professional practice and conduct.
/Mr. Wong ••••••
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 15 -
Mr. Wong suggested that the proposed legislation should not apply to a person who is registered as an accountant under the Bill and not holding a practising certificate, but he must be authorised by the Council to audit the books, without reward, of any charitable organisation or trust of a public character whose name is listed in the Gazette# '
Earlier, the Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R. Sneath, said while moving the second reading of the Bill that for some time there had been a feeling that accountants should have their own professional body in Hong Kong.
At present, he said, auditors required to perform functions under the Companies Ordinance were under the control of the Authorised Auditors Board established by that Ordinance.
The Board would disappear with the repeal of the relevant sections of the Companies Ordinance by the Bill, he said.
Mr. Sneath said the statutory responsibility for accountants’ training and examination was a most important aspect of the work of the proposed Society to be incorporated under the Bill.
Up till now, he said, would-be accountants had to go overseas to qualify or else seek enrolment in Hong Kong with the Australian Society of Accountants, or alternatively with the Association of Certified
Accountants
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 16 -
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS AMOUNT TO 3125-5 MILLION
*>11******
The Financial Secretary, the Hon. C.P. Haddon-Cave, told the Legislative Council this afternoon that supplementary provisions for tho last quarter of the 1971-72 financial year totalled 3125.5 million.
Of this sum, he said, Public Works Non-Recurrent expenditure accounted for 369.9 million, made up largely of 319-3 million required as a result of faster progress on existing projects and 3^0.? million due generally to increased•costs•
He explained that an additional 316.7 million was needed for major tunnel works for the High Island Water Scheme and a further 315•5 million for the raising of Plover Cove Dams, the uprating and extension of the Sha Tin Treatment Works and Pumping Station and the Tai Po Tau Pumping Station.
The Government Printer needed another 32.7 million as a result of increased consumption, higher cost of paper and other printing requisites and for work let out to contractors.
The Financial Secretary explained that the latter was unforeseen and consisted mainly of educational television books for school children and fixed traffic penalty forms.
Supplementary provision of 322.5-million was required for the purchase of a block of flats and for faster progress on capital works foi’ the Services under the Services Building programme.
"In accordance with the terms of the Defence Costs Agreement, the Hong Kong Government is committed to meeting expenditure on this programme up to £17 million during 1971-72, and to paying a cash contribution to bring expenditure up to this amount in the event of under-spending.”
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A7........
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 17 -
HARBOUR TUNNEL TOLLS SUPPORTED BY TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Traffic projections and economic factors had been taken into account in determining the present tolls of the Cross Harbour Tunnel.
The Financial Secretary, the Hon. C.P. Haddon-Cave, replying to Dr. the Hon. S.Y. Chung, said the advice of traffic consultants was sought on the expected numbers of daily trips by each category of vehicle.
The economic factors considered included the current level of public transport fares, especially ferry fares, the cost of the tunnel itself, and the extent to which the public might reasonably be expected to pay for the convenience and time savings afforded by the tunnel, Mr. Haddon-Cave said.
”The present tolls had been considered and supported by the Transport Advisory Committee, before they were approved by the Governor in Council,” he stressed.
The Tunnel Company had also been asked to review its rates six months after the opening of the tunnel.
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A8.....
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 18 -
EQUATING PENSIONS FOR MEN AND WOMEN
********
The Acting Colonial Secretary, the Hon. S.T. Kidd, said today the sanction of the Secretary of State was being sought on the Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 1972.
He said when this was obtained, regulations would be submitted to the Governor-in-Council to be formally made and then to the Legislative Council for approval
He was speaking in the Legislative Council while moving the second reading of the Pensions (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1972.
The Bill seeks to equate the pension rights of male and female officers by abolition of the marriage bar.
Speaking in support of the Bill, -the Hon. Mrs. Ellen Li suggested that three points of principle be reconsidered either now or at a later occasion.
She said the qualification that a spouse receiving pension benefits should be of "good character" was superfluous and could be deleted.
As regards the requirement for proof of "dependency" for claims of pension benefits, Mrs. Li said she did not see the logic in it.
rHVe are considering the principles of ’rights’ and ’entitlement’ and not about the question of financial need or a means test."
The third point concerns maternity leave for women officers. She drew Government’s attention to the "anomaly" and "inconsistency" in the policies regarding over-generous allowance of maternity leaves for lou^-grade staff and none for higher grade staff.
/Also
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 19 -
Also speaking in support of the Bill, the Hon. Q.W. Lee said the proposed legislation marked an important milestone for the conditions of service for female government officers.
"I shall be watching with great interest the response from female officers to this new arrangement> any indication of reluctance to take advantage of the offer must either be due to the attraction attached to the existing conditions of service, or to the excessive restrictions imposed on the implementation of the new policy," he said.
/20........
’Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 20 -
RESTRICTIONS ON PILEDRIVING "A USEFUL FIRST STEP”
*«***♦♦*
The Acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson, said today that the proposed restrictions on piledriving applied to all piling irrespective of what material the pile is made of or whether it was hammered, screwed or sunk into the ground by excavation.
He said this when moving the second reading of the Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill in the Legislative Council.
"This must be made clear, and could be during the committee stage of the bill, by framing a suitable definition of ’piledriving1," he added.
He agreed with the Hon. H.M.G. Forsgate that restrictions on piling would increase building costs as a result of the slowing down of piling works.
"If restrictions were also imposed at this time on other building works, building costs would increase further, and progress would be slower stilly I think that we should be somewhat cautious in interfering too much, at one time, with the building industry, which is already under considerable strain.
"we*Should look upon the proposed restrictions on piledriving as a useful first step, to which other steps may be added at a later date," he said.
Earlier Mr. Forsgate had pointed out that an increase in building costs was "a premium which we must be prepared to accept if we are to put into practical effect our awakening concern for the future well-being and contentment of the citizens of Hong Kong".
/"However, •••••••
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 21 -
"However, I do feel that in its present format, a considerable amount of confusion will occur in the minds of the general public, the government departments who will be required to enforce its application, and also those who are directly involved in the carrying out of the operation of forming the subject of the offence."
He also felt that if amending legislation were to be introduced, an additional clause should be incorporated to include noise made by compressors and also a precise definition of an acceptable method of measuring noise.
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MORE COURT REPORTERS
********
The Acting Colonial Secretary, the Hon. S.T. Kidd, said today that consideration was being given to creating more court reporter posts.
Mr. Kidd was speaking in the Legislative Council in reply to a question by the Hon. Oswald Cheung.
He said urgent attention was being given to a request by the Registrar of the Supreme Court for more court reporters.
"The present Court Reporters strength is 16," Mr. Kidd said, "but there are three vacant posts which should soon be filled."
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/22
t
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 22 -
DUTIABLE COMMODITIES BILL ««**«****
The object of the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill is to put beyond doubt that toilet preparations containing over 1.2 per cent of ethyl alcohol by volume are dutiable.
The Director of Commerce and Industry, the Hon. Jack Cater, said this today when he moved the second reading of the Bill in the Legislative Council.
Duty was not payable on denatured spirits so certified by the Government Chemist. But in 1970, the principal ordinance was amended in the definition of "denatured spirits" to allow, without payment of duty, the import of mixtures of ethyl alcohol for industrial use, provided such mixtures could not readily be converted into an intoxicating liquor.
"Some doubt has arisen as to whether this amendment might in some cases have gone further than was intended in relation to toilet preparations," he said.
Clause 2 of this Bill would remove all doubt by specifically excluding toilet preparations from the definition of "denatured spirits", he added.
- -. o - * - -
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 23 -
. j *
SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL REJECTS ALLEGATION BY C.C.S.A.
*»«****«
• A
The Senior Civil Service Council today (Wednesday) rejected a statement by the Chinese Civil Servants’ Association alleging that the Council ’’does not function properly”.
A spokesman for the Council said in fact it was only the second time since 1968 that the Senior Civil Service Council had been unable to resolve an issue.
”The Council has dealt successfully with many important and difficult matters, amongst which have been the introduction of equal pay for women, pensionability for married women and nurses pay,” he said.
”It has also reached agreement on the new structure and scales for all the teachers other than Certificated Masters.”
He said that as to the Certificated Masters’ scale, the Chinese Civil Servants’ Association turned down an offer which would have given an average increase of about 12^ per cent and the average increase now being introduced was 10.9 per cent and not per cent as the Association stated.
’’Moreover,” the spokesman added, ’’almost all Certificated Masters in Government schools will in fact get about 12 per cent as the Government earlier stated.”
Many civil servants got far smaller increases than this after the 1971 Salaries Review and most teachers other than Certificated Masters are getting less, he said.
/’’Only after •••••••
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 24 -
•’Only after 16 months discussion, when the matter had already been over long delayed, did Government reach the conclusion that no compromise appeared possible; and it then arranged for independent advice to be obtained,” the spokesman said.
He continued that some members of the Salaries Comtaiission have now been invited to reassemble and that their response to the invitations was awaited.
’’When they reassemble, arrangements will be made for Certificated Masters in the aided sector to make representations to them,” the spokesman concluded.
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Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 25 -
ANTI-LITTER BY-LAWS APPROVED
***«*«*«
New anti-litter measures in support of the Clean Hong Kong Campaign became law today when the Legislative Council approved by-laws made by the Urban Council last week.
The main by-law requires an occupant to ensure that the area around his premises is kept clean.
In the case of premises fronting onto a street or public place the occupant who has direct access to these areas is responsible for any rubbish within 20 feet of it. This also applies to any common part of a building such as courtyards, corridors, and staircases.
At today’s Legislative Council meeting an amendment was approved to limit the responsibility for cleaning areas outside premises to those people who have direct access to such areas.
This generally means that ground floor occupiers are responsible for any litter found within 20 feet of their premises.
The amendment also lays down specific areas that will be the responsibility of the person having the control in the management or in the cleansing of the building instead of on the occupier as was previously the case.
If rubbish is found in the area, an authorised officer can serve the occupier or the person controlling the cleansing of the building with a notice to remove it within one hour or any other period of time specified in the notice.
/The.........
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 26 -
The Acting Director of Urban Services, the Hon. A.P. Richardson, said the by-laws as a whole ’’form the shaft, feathers and barb of the legislation which must be approved if the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign is to succeed."
In moving the amendment the Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R. Sneath, said the changes did not affect the substance and did not reflect any change in the policy. It simply spells out more clearly the liability which the by-law seeks to impose.
The Hon. Oswald Cheung, who supported the amendment, said the regnlat5on as originally put forward was somewhat amorphous, vague and uncertain and possibly unjust in its operation. However the redraft was more precise and more equible.
The Hon. Mrs. Joyce Symons also speaking in support of the by-laws, said she felt sure they would demonstrate the earnest desire of the authorities to take a firm stand and to seek the co-operation of the public in keeping the city clean.
She said the genuine and positive interest in the campaign shown by the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, aUgured weH ^or success.
"The whole weight of the Government will be behind the campaign, the efforts of many, including members of this Council who have worked tirelessly for months must now be matched by the courageous co-operation of every man, woman and child," Mrs. Symons stressed.
/27.......
0 - -
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 27 -
BILLS PASSED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
*«*«««*«
Five bills passed their committee stage and third reading in today’s Legislative Council meeting and became law*
They were the Urban Council (Amendment) Bill 1972, the Powers of Attorney Bill 1972, the Perjury (Amendment) Bill 1972, the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill 1972 and the Crown Land Bill 1972.
The Crown Land Bill 1972 was passed into law with amendments.
Seven other bills were introduced into the Council and received their first and second readings.
They were the Pensions (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1972, the Accountants Bill 1972, the Legal Aid (Amendment) Bill 1972, the Magistrates (Amendment) Bill 1972, the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill 1972, the Public Health and Urban Services (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 1972, and the Waterworks (Amendment) Bill 1972.
Debate resumed on the second reading of the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 1972 and the Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill 1972.
A motion was carried in the meeting regarding the approval of the supplementary provisions for the quarter ended March 31, 1972.
Another motion was also carried in respect of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances By-laws 1972 made by the Urban Council on August 8, 1972*
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/28 .......
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
28
INCREASE IN PASSTNGER MOVEMENT AT HONG KONG AIRPORT
*********
Passenger movement at Hong Kong International Airport has shown a big increase in the second quarter of this year.
Inmigration Officers cleared a total of 665,712 passengers arriving or leaving Hong Kong during this period, representing an increase of nearly 45 per cent compared with 460,913 in the same three months in 1971.
* In addition, 85,211 travellers passed through Hong Kong in transit.
The new Immigration Ordinance, which was introduced on April 1 this year, had little effect on the passenger movement and did not cause many problems at the airport.
The new controls on U.K. passport holders were also implemented smoothly.
At the border, immigration officers cleared a total of 157,301 people
arriving from and 132,528 going into China during the quarter.
The total clearance at the border showed a drop of 51 Per cent.compared with the preceding quarter but an increase of more than 90 per cent compared with the same period in 1971.
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/29
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
- 29 -
VOLUNTARY WORKERS FOR SHEUNG SHUI PROJECT
*********
Residents in Sheung Shui will soon have a new site in which to hold their recreational activities, such as film shows, variety shows and carnivals.
An area of about 2,700 square feet beside the Sheung Shui Social Centre has been set aside for this purpose.
Construction has been in progress for some time, and additional help will be on its way tomorrow (August 17) when a group of about 60 volunteers from the Sau Mau Ping (South) Estate will join in the building work.
This is a part of the Summer Rural Services organised by the Sau Mau Ping (South) Estate Community Work Office, in conjunction with the Chinese Y.M.C.A., and the Sheung Shui Social Centre.
The volunteer workers will help lay a concrete path for the project. In the course of the day, they will also visit the Sheung Shui Social Centre and the Yuen Long Town Hall.
Note to Editors; You are invited to send a reporter and/or photographer to have the event covered.
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Release Time: 8»y) p*m.
ilk S Press Release
Wednesday, August 16, 1972
ANTI-LITTER SONG FOR RADIO AND TV **««*»*
An anti-litter song has been specially written to launch the ’’Clean Hong Kong” publicity drive.
The words are by Ted Thomas, of Radio Hong Kong, and recordings have been made in English and Chinese for use on both television and radio.
The English version is by Noel Quinlan and the Chinese version is by Sin Wah. Both are well-known in the popular music field.
The words of the song are:
First Verse Look at that fellow Messing up your town Opening his windows to Fling his garbage down
Chorus: Leaving the Lap Sap Just where it was flung Mr. Anti-social • Lap Sap Chung
Second Verse Why should you let him Litter up your place Spreading his diseases Making you lose face
/2
2
Chorus: Leaving the Lap Sap Just where it was flung Mr. Anti-social Lap Sap Chung.
Third Verse Rubbish from the windows And the upper floors Litter on the sidewalks Dirt outside the doors
Chorus: Leaving the Lap Sap Just where it was flung Mr. Anti-social Lap Sap Chung
Fourth Verse Yes it is your city No cause to feel smug Until you do your everything To stop the litter Bug
Chorus: Leaving the Lap Sap Just where it was flung Mr. Anti-social Lap Sap Chung
0 •« f t
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED! 4000091
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Thursday, August 17, 1972
MARGINAL DROP IN COST OF LIVING
**«*«*#*
The cost of living dropped slightly in Hong Kong during July. The General Consumer Price Index stood at 1j8, four points lower than that for the previous month.
The fall was due mainly to a decrease of seven points in the index for food. An increase of eight points in the index for transport and vehicles, and one point in the index for miscellaneous goods were also recorded.
Movements in the indexes for other commodities and services were insignificant•
For the Consumer Price Index different weights are attached to the various sections to show their relative importance. Consequently food carries the highest weight and transport and vehicles one of the lowest, based on the expenditure pattern of the average household.
A spokesman for the Census and Statistics Department said today that as supplies returned to normal in July, the average retail prices of fresh vegetables, fresh water fish, salt water fish and poultry all showed a considerable fall„ Beans and peas, butter and margarine were also priced lower. However, higher retail prices were recorded for other fish, fresh fruits, tea, beef, bread and cakes.
/The spokesman .........
Thursday, August 17, 1972
- 2 -
The spokesman pointed out that the section index for transport and vehicles rose by eight points as a result of the revision of bus and tram fares on Hong Kong Island which came into force on July 1.
The Modified Consumer Price Index for July was 142, also four points lower than the June figure, but seven points higher than that for the same month last year*
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Thursday, August 17, 1972
- 3 -
DANGEROUS BENDS TO BE IMPROVED
*4r***4i*4i*
Four dangerous bends on Peak Road on Hong Kong Island are to be improved to provide safer conditions for motorists.
The bends are located near the junctions with Gough Hill Path, Bluff Path, near house number 71 and the Peak Police Station.
The work will form the first phase of an overall project to improve all dangerous bends along Peak Road, Stubbs Road, Tai Hang Road and Repulse Bay Road.
These bends are substandard and inadequate for present day traffic, particularly for commercial vehicles, regular bus services and especially tourist buses.
Most of the tourist buses are up to 30 feet long compared with 25 feet for most other commercial vehicles. None of the bends will allow JO foot vehicles to pass in safety and some of them are regarded as unsafe for 25-foot long vehicles.
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A.....
Thursday, August 17, 1972
- 4 -
MORE GRANTS FROM SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION
*******
Grants totalling over $332,000 from the Sir David Trench Fund for Recreation have been approved to enable organisations to carry out recreational programmes for the community.
The Governor Sir Murray MacLehose, gave his approval before he left for Britain on leave.
This was announced today (Thursday) by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr. D.C.C. Luddington, who is the ex officio Chairman of the Informal Advisory Committee appointed by the Governor to advise him on the use of the Fund’s resources.
Individual applicants for grants will be informed of the Governor’s decision by letter.
The great majority of the grants are to initiate or foster new projects and assist organisations which have been unable to obtain help from public funds or other major sources.
Most of them are fcr the provision of recreational facilities, sports equipment, musical instruments and library books.
Mr. Luddington said: ”In considering the applications, the Advisory Committee has had to choose projects from amongst requests for funds which totalled just under $1# million. The available income from the Fund this year amounted to $332,850 so this was a difficult task and some worthy applications inevitably had to be reduced or rejected.”
/he said
Thursday, August 17, 1972
- 5 -
He said it was unfortunate that the resources of the fund had been unable to meet all the worthwhile requests, and added that he would welcome further public support in the form of donations to increase the Fund’s capital.
Contributions can be sent to Mr. Luddington direct at the Secretariat for Home Affairs, International Building, or through any City District Office.
The Sir David Trench Fund for Recreation was set up in February 1970 with an anonymous donation of S3 million for the provision of facilities for recreation, sports, cultural and social activities, and related purposes* Emphasis is placed on encouraging the purposeful use of leisure by young people Sixty-four different organisations have received grants for a variety of recreational projects and year-round activities.
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/6...........
Thursday, August 17, 1972
- 6 -
EXPOPT RESTRAINT ON CERTAIN COTTON DENIMS TO AUSTRALIA
********
The Hong Kong Government has docided to restrain exports to Australia of cotton denims, in the year ending August JI, 1973*
The Director of Commerce and Industry, Mr- Jack Cater, announced today that this followed consultations with the Australian Government and was on the advice of the Textiles Advisory Board.
The Commerce and Industry Department has temporarily suspended the licensing for export of these textiles to Australia pending the implementation of the control scheme from September 1.
Shippers have been invited to submit to the Department complete schedules of their exports to Australia of denims during the period July 1, 1971 to June JO, 1972. Returns must reach the Department before 12.00 noon on Saturday week (August 26).
Trade Associations and companies on the Commerce and Industry Department’s mailing list for Notice to Exporters Series J will receive copies of the relevant Notice shortly.
Anyone wishing to seek further information is invited to contact the following officers of the Commerce and Industry Department:
Mr. H.W.K. Lai - Assistant Trade Officer
Tel. No. H-252858
Mr. C.K. Lai - Industry Assistant Tel. No. H-44J666. ------------------------0--------- /7..........................................................
Thursday, August 17i 1972
HARBOUR REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE
*******
Representatives from the Marine Department’s Pollution Control Unit are boarding ships which have been in the harbour for 48 hours as part of a drive to publicise its refuse collection service.
If these ships have any refuse to dispose of arrangements will be made for its collection.
The special harbour service, which is free of charge, is for ocean-going vessels in Victoria Harbour and will continue until further notice.
The Director of Marine, Mr. A. Fletcher, said today that the master of any ship who wanted to make use of the service did not have to wait for his vessel to be boarded, but could make appropriate arrangements through his agent or the Marine Department.
He reminded masters, owners and agents that under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance it is an offence to deposit any refuse into the harbour or in the waters of Hong Kong. The maximum penalty, on conviction, is a fine of 54,000 and imprisonment for six month.-:.
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/8 .........
Thursday, August 17, 1972
- 8 -
YOUTH CAMP VISIT
*********
A Legislative Councillor, Mr. Wilson Wang, will visit the Sheung See Bay Work Camp in Sai Kung tomorrow (Friday).
The Camp, being attended by about 45 young people, is organised by the Sherwood Club, one of the self-programming groups sponsored by the Social Welfare Department.
They are engaged in the levelling and cementing of a playground in Sheung Yeung Village. The campers work during the day and in the evenings join in social programmes with the local villagers.
Mr. Wang will be accompanied on the visit by Mr. Stephen Law Chi-kin, a Senior Principal Social Welfare Officer.
The work camp will end on Sunday.
Note to Editors: You are invited to have this visit covered.
A station wagon will be provided at the Tsimshatsui Sub-pool behind the Tsimshatsui Post Office at 2.50 p.m. to take the press to the camp. A Social Welfare Officer will be on hand to assist them
Thursday, August 17, 1972
- 9 -
UMELCO MEMBERS VISIT NEW TERRITORIES
*<«*«*«*
Note to Editors: Mr. Wilson T.S. Wang and Mr. H.M.G. Forsgate,
UMELCO members, will visit three areas in the New Territories on Saturday, August 19.
This is one of the normal series of UMELCO visits to New Territories districts.
On this occasion it will start off with a call on Ling Shan Village from which a complaint has been received about the dirty conditions there.
The visit coincides with the "Keep Hong Kong Clean" campaign.
From Ling Shan, Mr. Wang and Mr. Forsgate will go to Shek Wu Hui in Sheung Shui and Lin Wo Hui in Fan Ling.
The UMELCO members will be accompanied on the tour by Mr. I.F.C. Macpherson, Deputy District Commissioner, New Territories, Mr. H.S. Grewal, District Officer, Tai Po, Mr. David Lan, Assistant Director (New Territories), Urban Services Department, and Mr. Henry Ma, Assistant Secretary, UMELCO Office.
You are invited to have the tour covered. Official transport will be provided. A l^l-seater van, AM21J2, will leave the Tsim Sha Tsui sub-pool at 8.40 a.m. sharp to bring the press party to Fan Ling.
The same van will bring the press party back to Tsim Sha Tsui at the end of the tour which is expected to be around 12 noon.
- - 0---------
Release Time: 6.4^ p.m.
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED! 4000091
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Friday, August 18, 1972
DRIVING LICENCE PROCEDURES TO BE STREAMLINED TO CLEAR BACKLOG
*********
The Transport Department is implementing a temporary ’’crash” programme aimed at bringing forward the appointments for driving tests of some 120,000 people•
The programme begins on September 11, and after that date separate Intermediate and Road Tests will be replaced by a combined test.
A spokesman for the Transport Department said today: ”The programme aims at shortening the length of time an applicant has to wait for tests.”
At present an applicant for a private car driving licence has to wait some eight to 11 months for the written test, another seven to eight months for the Intermediate Test and a further four months for the final road test.
The first batch of letters informing candidates of their new appointment dates for the Road Test programme was sent out today.
’’All candidates for Road Tests who have their original appointments falling on or after September 25, will have fresh appointments starting from September 11,” the spokesman said.
He explained that as at least three weeks notice would be given, it was expected that all candidates would have sufficient time to prepare themselves for the test.
The first combined tests will be held on October 9- Candidates whose present appointment dates for Intermediate Tests fall between September 11 and October 8 will have their test dates deferred by up to four weeks, and they will /be duly .................................................................
Friday, August 18, 1972
- 2 -
be duly informed by letter.
"In the long run," the spokesman said, "they will achieve an overall saving in waiting time since, under the existing arrangements, a candidate must wait at least four months more for his final road test after he has passed his Intermediate Test." 'h.;. ‘Il • j
The combined tests will be conducted at the following centres:
Hong Kong Island
(i) C.A.S. Rescue Training Centre, Hawthorn Road, Happy Valley;
(ii) Public Carpark, Hing Fat Street, Causeway Bay (near Causeway Bay Magistracy); and
(iii) Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre, Soo Kun Po, (near H.K. Football Stadium);
Kowloon
(iv) Transport Department, Kowloon Office, Pui Ching Road, Ho Man Tin;
(v) Farm Road Government Offices, Farm Road;
(vi) North Kowloon Magistracy, Tai Po Road; and
(vii) Kwun Tong Government Offices, Tung Yan Street, Kwun Tong.
The combined tests will be conducted on prescribed routes at these centres. A candidate will be tested on:
(a) starting and stopping normally,
(b) starting and stopping on a slope,
(c) emergency stopping,
(d) three point turn,
(e) reversing and parking,
(f) use of gears,
(g) traffic signs and signals,
/(h) use of
Friday, August 18, 1972
- 3 -
(h) use of hand signals,
(i) general control of a motor car, and
(j) road discipline and road sense.
With regard to the Written Test, candidates who have appointments on or after October 16 will soon be informed of new appointments by letter and it is hoped to shorten the waiting times by two to 15 weeks.
In addition to normal office hours, tests will be conducted in the evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays and Public Holidays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..
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A....
Friday, August 18, 1972
- 4 -
INTERIM RAINSTORM DISASTER REPORT SUBMITTED BY COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
*******
The Commission of Inquiry into the June rainstorm disasters submitted its interim report to the Acting Governor, Sir Hugh Norman-Walker today.
The report describes the actual events and the rescue operations at the Sau Mau Ping disaster. It also contains a conclusion and lists certain recommendations on how to prevent similar disasters.
The final report will deal with the disasters at Po Shan Road and the incidents at the following places
(1) Ap Lei Chau,
(2) Belcher’s Street (Western District),
(3) Bullock Lane (Wan Chai),
(4) Chai Wan,
(5) Shau Kei Wan, and
(6) Shiu Fai Terrace (Wan Chai), and will include the Commission’s final recommendations.
The public hearing on the Po Shan Road disaster will resume next Monday (August 21) at 10.00 a.m. in Court No. 4 of Victoria District Court, Battery Path.
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Z5.......
Friday, August 18, 1972
- 5 -
STAFF FOR DESALINATION PLANT
********
Preparation work on the desalting plant at Castle Peak is well under way, and the Government is now recruiting a number of engineers to undertake resident engineer duties on site and to train junior staff.
The new recruits consist of a Superintending Engineer, Shift Charge Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, an Electrical Engineer and Unit Control Engineers. They will be responsible for the supervision of the construction work and the operation and maintenance of the plant when it is completed.
A Waterworks Chemist will also be appointed to assist the Desalting Chemist in fuel, boiler water, brine, product and seawater analyses, corrosion and pollution monitoring and treatment process supervision.
When the plant becomes fully operational, it will require about 200 engineers and technicians to carry out processing and maintenance work.
International tenders have been called for the construction of the desalting plant which will be situated near the 17 milestone, Castle Peak Road.
It will be the largest of its kind in the world, consisting of six units and processing a total of 40 million gallons of sea water a day.
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Friday, August 18, 1972
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CEMETERIES REGULATIONS
********
New and amended regulations to improve the administration of private cemeteries in the New Territories and to make the management of private and
i. public cemeteries more uniform, are published in today’s Government Gazette.
They are the Private Cemeteries (New Territories) (Amendment) Regulations 1972, the Public Cemeteries (New Territories) (Amendment) Regulations 1972 and the Exhumation (Fees) (New Territories) Regulations 1972.
Those dealing with private cemeteries require the managers to keep the cemetery clean and tidy, and to make rules to be approved for its proper management and control.
The managers must inform the Director of Urban Services every three months the number of grave spaces available, and submit to him for approval a set of fees for interments and deposits of human remains.
The regulations on public cemeteries increase the interment fee from 31 to 310, but provide that no fee will be payable in respect of the interment of a pauper. The cost of exhuming human remains will be increased to 35 • People selling articles, letting them for hire or exposing them for sale in a cemetery must first obtain the consent of the Director.
In general, fines for contravening the regulations have been increased to 31,000.
A Government spokesman said all these regulations will come into operation on a date -to be appointed by the Governor in Council.
He added that by-laws dealing with private cemeteries in urban areas had been approved in principle by the relevant Select Committee of the Urban Council and would be presented later before the full Council.
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/7........
Friday, August 18, 1972
- 7 -
NEW QUARRY IN NEW TERRITORIES
***«*»•**
A new quarry at Lam Tei in Yuen Long will be opened tomorrow (Saturday) by the Government Civil Engineer, Mr. H.D. Stead.
The quarry is operated by the Asia Stone Company Ltd. under a 10-year contract from the Public Works Department.
The letting of the new quarry contract is part of the Government’s policy to concentrate stone production in large modern quarries on long-term contracts•
The Lam Tei Quarry is designed and developed for modern, efficient and safe operation. The rock will be extracted by deep-hole drilling in benches which limit the height of rock face and make the work of the rock-drillers much easier and safer.
The crushing and screening plant can produce up to 2,000 tons of aggregates a day, which is more than sufficient to meet the demands of the construction industry in Yuen Long and Castle Peak.
The Civil Engineering Office of the Public Works Department is now investigating possible sites for more new quarries on Lamma Island, in Anderson Road, at Lei Yue Mun and at Sha Tin.
If investigations show that sites are suitable, it is expected that at least two more modern quarries will be developed over the next three years. This will ensure that there is adequate production capacity to meet the demands of the construction industry for crushed stone aggregates for concreting in the next decade.
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/8......
Friday, August 18, 1972
- 8 -
THE SPACE AGE PLAYGROUND ♦ ♦*******
Hong Kong’s first space-age children’s playground has been built in Lung Cheung Road to serve the children of the Shek Kip Mei and Sham Shui Po districts, particularly those from the nearby licensed areas.
The playground provides novel play equipment including a moon probe, a space ship and a sputnik. These are metal structures which the children can climb into.
There are also an Eskimo igloo and a Red Indian tee-pee to add a touch of adventure. A toy motor-lorry, complete with steering wheel, is alsn included.
The playground is part of the Urban Council pleasure ground built at the top of the Shek Kip Mei Service Reservoir. It is situated at the junction of Lung Cheung Road and Nam Cheong Street, and covers an area of 8.6 acres.
A full-sized grass soccer-pitch, two grass mini-soccer pitches and a basketball pitch are also contained in the pleasure ground.
Friday, August 18, 1972
- 9 -
BOUNDARY STREET SPORTS GROUND TO BE CONVERTED INTO SOCCER PITCH «****»**«
The Boundary Street Sports Ground is to be converted into a proper stadium.
At present, the ground is only used by schools for holding physical training lessons and sports meetings.
The ground, which has a seating capacity of more than 10,000, will be used for major sporting events once the improvement works are completed next April.
An elevated combined police post and press box will be built near the sports ground entrance in Boundary Street.
The footpaths in front of the spectators’ stands, which are turfed at present, will be resurfaced with concrete paving slabs.
A refreshment kiosk will also be constructed near the existing changing room.
Work on the project is expected to begin some time next month.
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/10..........
Friday, August 18, 1972
- 10 -
TUNG TAU ”FACE-LIFT" BEGINS
*********
The Government’s #1 million scheme to improve Tung Tau Resettlement Estate in Kowloon begins today.
The Improvement Scheme, which will be in six phases, is aimed at improving the living conditions of the tenants.
The face-lift will include the re-painting of all the 23 blocks and the conversion of the ground floor open channels into underground drains.
The new drains will be of particular benefit to tenants of ground floor premises, who at the moment, have to cross the open channels to get to their shops.
Today’s work centred on the demolition of all illegal structures in front and at the back of shops in Blocks 2,3» and
The clearance operation will finish tomorrow, and work on the conversion of the open channel starts on Monday. The re-painting of the four blocks will take place in early September.
The first phase of the face-lift will take three months to complete, and it it is expected that the improvement scheme for the entire estate will be completed in about 18 months.
Friday, August 18, 1972
- 11 -
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS IN CENTRAL
The Building Authority today declared No. 125 Connaught Road Central to be in a dangerous condition and No. 249 Des Voeux Road Central liable to become dangerous•
The Principal Government Building Surveyor said that No. 125 Connaught Road, a five storey pre-war building, was inspected following a report from an Authorised Architect who had been engaged to carry out building work on an adjoining site.
Inspection revealed that the brickwork of the party wall adjoining the vacant site of No. 124 Connaught Road Central and of the rear main wall was extensively fractured.
There are also signs of crushing of the brickwork of piers in the main rear wall of No. 125 as well as in the kitchen block.
The only access to the upper floors of No. 149 Des Voeux Road Central, which is also five storey pre-war, is by means of the staircase in No. 125 Connaught Road. Although the rear of No. 125 is extensively shored, it is feared that there is a risk of collapse which would involve the staircase access to No. 249 Des Voeux Road and notices of intention to apply for Closure Orders in Victoria District Court at 9.30 a.m. on August 29 were posted today.
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Release time: 6.50 P*ra
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Saturday, August 19, 1972
ANTI-MEASLES CAMPAIGN
Dr. Choa Issues Third Warning To Hesitant Mothers . ********
More than 780 children were immunised against measles during the first week of the current nine-week anti-measles campaign — a total the Medical and Health Department regards as poor.
The Director of Medical and Health Services, Dr. G.H. Choa, said today mothers of susceptible children should hot allow the campaign to fail by not bringing their children forward to be vaccinated.
In his third warning within 10 days, he said: ”1 wish to stress that there is absolutely no need for any child to be exposed to measles, and the danger of its accompanying complications.
”It is quite wrong for mothers to continue to adopt the attitude that it is better for a child to have measles at an early age than later in life<"
He repeated that measles, by itself, was not a serious disease, but the complications resulting from it could cause death, deafness, or mental retardation.
Addressing himself directly to hesitant mothers, he emphasised: ,TYour idea, that immunisation is only to suppress measles until your children get older, is simply not true. I mentioned the other day that a ’booster1 doee may be necessary at a later date because it is not yet certain that one dose will provide a life-long immunity.”
/Dr. Choa said .......
Saturday, August 19, 1972
- 2 -
Dr. Choa said the Department had done all it could to impress upon the public that all susceptible children between nine months and five years should be vaccinated to spare Hong Kong future outbreaks of the disease.
A press conference had been held. The resources of the Press, radio and TV had been mobilised. Eighty centres had been set up. Warning slogans had been posted at strategic points in all urban and rural, distri cts.
’’Materially,” he said, ”we have done all we can to get the message across. But we are battling against an age-old belief which pays no heed to the progress of medical science. Enlightened members of the public must help this Department to make the campaign successful. It is a civic duty.” IC.
Dr. Choa said while the campaign itself would run nine weeks, free measles vaccine would continue to be available after that at all government maternal and child health centres on a year-round basis.
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Saturday, August 19, 1972
- 3 -
NEW MEASURES TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC
**♦♦♦♦**♦
The Commissioner for Transport today announced restrictions on public light buses and new traffic routings to improve traffic along King’s Road and in the Morrison Hill area respectively.
As from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 22, public light buses will not be permitted to pick up or set down passengers on certain sections of the road.
These sections are the. eastbound carriageway between Lau Sin Street and Mercury Streetr and the westbound carriageway between North View Road and a point about 260 feet to the west of Fortress Hill Road.
To improve traffic in the Morrison Hill area, new traffic routings will be introduced with effect from 10 a.m. on Monday, August 21.
Traffic in the unnamed street lying between Bowrington Road and Canal Road West will be routed one-way from east to west.
In addition, traffic in the section of Bowrington Road running northwards from Sharp Street West to the junction with the unnamed street will be routed one-way from south to north.
Appropriate traffic signs will be posted along King’s Road to indicate the restricted area, and, in the case of new routings, to guide motorists.
- ;----0---------
A..........
Saturday, August 19, 1972
POSTMAN RETIRING AFTER OVER YEARS* SERVICE
********
Mr. Fok Cheung, a postman, is retiring next week after serving the Post Office for over years.
To mark his retirement, a gift contributed by his colleagues will be presented to him on Tuesday, August 22.
The presentation will be made by Mr. Li Yun-gun, Senior Controller of Posts (Traffic) at the Cheung Sha Wan Post Office, Kowloon, at 1.55 p*m..
*******»
Note to Editors: You are cordially invited to have the
presentation ceremony covered.
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QUARTERS FOR HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME STAFF
********
Quarters accommodation will be provided for the supervisory staff engaged in the construction of the High Island Water Scheme.
Four two-storey blocks will be built at Po Lo_. Che near Sai Kung to house the staff. They will comprise 24 units with a total floor area of 14,000 square feet.
Some of these units will be allotted on a family basis while others will be shared among bachelor officers.
Tenders are being invited for the construction of the blocks and work is expected to start shortly afterward.
Saturday, August 19, 1972
- 5 -
WEEKLY MEDICAL AND HEALTH STATISTICS
Statistics released today by the Medical and Health Department for the week ended August 5, 1972 are as follows
Notifications of infectious cases (previous week’s figures in brackets) — total 190 (196); amoebiasis — nil (1); bacillary dysentery — 7 (8); cerebrospinal meningitis and meningococcal infections — nil (1); chickenpox — nil (1); tuberculosis — 174 (174); diphtheria — nil (nil); enteric fever (typhoid) — 5 (6); enteric fever (paratyphoid) — nil (nil); leprosy — nil (3); measles — 3 (2); ophthalmia neonatorum — nil (nil); poliomyelitis — nil (nil); and scarlet fever — nil (nil).
Births — total registered 1,587 ; 388 on Hong Kong Island, 979 in Kowloon, and 220 in the New Territories.
Deaths — 447 from all causes; 102 on the Island, JJ4 in Kowloon and 11 in the New Territories.
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/6........
Saturday, August 19♦ '1972'
- 6 -
MORE OVERSEAS VISITORS COMING TO HONG KONG
«******««
The number of overseas visitors to Hong Kong in the second quarter of this year increased by more than 20 per cent compared with the same quarter in 1971.
Statistics released by the Immigration Department show the numbers of overseas visitors for the months of April, May and June, 1972, were 98,286, 99,171 and 79,828 respectively.
The same figures for the corresponding months last year were 78,839, 83,886 and 66,794 respectively.
During the quarter under review, a total of 433,908 Hong Kong residents travelled to Macao for short visits. Arrivals from Macao totalled 447,274.
Immigration Officers at the Hong Kong International Airport cleared a total of 5,382 inward commercial flights during the same period. Outward clearance totalled 5,362.
The number of jumbo jet flights continued to increase, but this had caused little hardship to Immigration officials dealing with the clearance of their large numbers of passengers.
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/7.........
Saturday, August 19, 1972
- 7 -
TEMPORARY WATER STOPPAGE AT STANLEY
********
Water supply to certain premises at Stanley will be turned off for eight hours as from 10 p.m. on Monday (August 21).
The temporary water supply interruption is to allow work to be carried out on water mains connection.
The premises which will be affected are all premises in Stanley Main Street, Stanley Market Road and Stanley New Street.
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QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED
********
The Port Health Authority arnounced today that quarantine restrictions have been imposed against arrivals from Phnom-Penh (Port and Airport) of Khmer Republic, Cambodia on account of plague.
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278,000 LOTTERY TICKETS SOLD
********
A total of 278,000 tickets of the 53rd Government Lottery have been sold up to 12 noon today (Saturday).
The winning numbers will be drawn at the Jockey Club in Happy Valley on Saturday, August 26.
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Release Timet 2.50 p9m.
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
W® M®
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Monday, August 21, 1972
METHADONE MAINTENANCE SCHEMES BEGIN IN NOVEMBER
*********
The Medical and Health Department will begin a methadone maintenance trial scheme in November this year designed to treat a number of addicts on Hong Kong Island by blocking their craving for heroin, morphine, or opium
For addicts in Kowloon and the New Territories, another pilot scheme will apply — to be carried out by the Hong Kong Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society.
Basically, the schemes seek to substitute one drug for another, but methadone, a synthetic drug, has the advantage of giving the addict the opportunity to return to a responsible life.
The methadone maintenance form of treatment has been developed extensively in the United States since the middle of the 1960s, and si mil ar schemes are being conducted in Canada, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere.
Methadone is itself an addictive drug, but there is substantial evidence to show that the substitution of methadone for heroin, or morphine, allows the addict to carry on with his normal occupations in circumstances that do not cause family disturbances or disrupt regtilar routines.
Methadone has shown itself to be especially beneficial when administered, under proper controls, to hardcore addicts.
/The Medical
Monday, August 21, 1972
- 2 -
The Medical and Health Department’s scheme is to last three years. It involves an intake of 150 addicts in the first year, and 200 in each of the second and third years, making a total of 550 in the end.
Patients will come from the Central Registry of the Secretariat for Home Affairs, the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts (SARDA), and referrals from government clinics.
They will be limited to men in groups of 10 a time, who will be given a dosage expected to last between 24 and 48 hours.
The dosage is a ’’blockade dose,” that is, sufficient to block off the craving for heroin.
The pharmacological effect of methadone has been well established, and it is expected to work well among local addicts. But patients will be tested through analysis of urine samples by modern equipment to find out whether they are still taking the addictive drug while under treatment.
They will have to travel daily from their homes to the former mental hospital in Sai Ying Poon, now being converted for this purpose. They will be provided with travelling expenses, and where necessary, also with a meal.
The two pilot schemes are expected to provide information on four points:
* Whether among gainfully employed addicts, methadone is an effective treatment to achieve the elimination of heroin hunger and craving.
* Whether among hardcore heroin addicts, successful social rehabilitation can be acheived for those participating in the maintenance programme.
The degree •••«••
Monday, August 21, 1972
- 3 -
* The degree of "acceptance" by drug addicts of such a scheme as a permanent service. It is realised that success or failure of the out-patient treatment proposed depends entirely on such acceptances.
* To locate all absentees or "drop-outs," as it is considered of great value to learn the reasons for their rejection of such a treatment regime.
The estimated cost of the scheme is about 82.2 million with an additional 3128,500 for non-recurrent expenditure, such as a thin layer chromatography, and ultraviolet analysis, equipment.
But the Department’s scheme must not be confused with the other
pilot study to be carried out by the Hong Kong Discharged Prisoners’ Aid
Society. This is expected to be financed from the Lotteries Fund at the rate of about 3200,000 a year for three years.
This second scheme will take care of patients from Kowloon and
the Nev/ Territories. It will be limited to 100 addicts, half of whom
will receive full treatment while the other half will constitute a control group — the latter to be treated with varying quantities of methadone.
While the two schemes involve different pilot studies, the aims are the same.
A.....
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Monday, August 21, 1972
- 4 -
RESERVOIRS OVERFLOWING
The heavy rains during the past few days have boosted the total water storage in Hong Kong’s reservoirs to 88 per cent of the full storage capacity.
At 9 a.m. today, the total stood at 51*318 million gallons.
Seven reservoirs are now overflowing. They are the Jubilee Reservoir, Kowloon Reservoirs,Shek Lei Pui Reservoir, Shek Pik Reservoir, Tai Tam Reservoir, Aberdeen Reservoirs and Pokfulam Reservoir.
In addition, three others are about to overflow. They are the Wong Nei Chung, Tai Lam Chung and Lower Shing Mun reservoirs.
Plover Cove, the biggest reservoir, was holding 35*877 million gallons at 9 a.m. today, that is, about 86 per cent of its total capacity.
Rainfall in the past three days over catchment areas varied from 97 mm (3*82 inches) at Shek Pik Reservoir to 288 mm (11.3** inches) at the Aberdeen Reservoirs.
The average rainfall over Hong Kong and Kowloon’s catchment areas between midnight last (Sunday) night and 9 a.m. today was 129*5 mm (5*10 inches) and 98 mm (3-86 inches) respectively.
Monday, August 21, 1972
- 5 -
3J0 ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES FOR WAN CHAI
*««»«***
An area to the east of the helicopter landing pad in Wan Chai is to be turned into a temporary open-air car park soon to provide 330 much needed parking spaces.
Work will probably start early next month and should be •ompleted towards the end of this year.
A short length of new road to give access to the car park will be completed in time for the opening which is expected to be some time in December.
A spokesman for the Highways Office said the metered parking spaces now available near the helicopter landing ground would be removed on the opening of the temporary car park.
”It will also serve as a test case for parking requirements in Wan Chai after the opening of the cross-harbour tunnel,” he said.
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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
***»«*«*«
A government spokesman announced today that Mr. Lee Quo-wei ceased to be temporarily an Unofficial Member of the Executive Council with effect from August 18, on the return to Hong Kong of Mr. Szeto Wai.
With effect from last Saturday, Mr. H.J.C. Browne also ceased to be a temporary Unofficial Member of the Executive Council.
Monday, August 21, 1972
- 6 -
PRISON CHIEF OFF TO WORLD REHABILITATION CONGRESS IN SYDNEY
*********
Hong Kong’s Commissioner of Prisons, Mr. Tom Gamer, will be chairman of the Sectional Workshop on Drug Dependence for the 12th World Rehabilitation Congress which is to be held in Sydney from August 27 to September 1•
Mr. Gamer left Hong Kong yesterday on vacation leave, during which he will also be looking at drug treatment and rehabilitation work in various countries including Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and the United States.
Hong Kong’s 64-member delegation to the 12th World Rehabilitation Congress is led by Dr. Harry Fang, wno is Chairman of the Rehabilitation Division of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
Some 2,000 delegates from all parts of the world are expected to attend the Congress. They include social workers, physiotherapists, nurses, teachers and others in related fields.
The theme of the Congress is "Planning Rehabilitation: Environment -Incentives - Self-help.” The Congress also marks the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation International, a 60-member world-wide organisation for rehabilitation workers.
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/7..........
Monday, August 21, 1972
- 7 -
SIR HUGH TO SEE SUMMER CAMP
********
The Acting Governor, Sir Hugh Norman-Walker, will visit a summer camp for underprivileged children organised by the St. John Ambulance Brigade (Cadets) at Hoi Bun School, Lei Yue Mun, on Wednesday (August 23).
The camp began today and will continue until Saturday. Ambulance cadets and Nursing cadets of the Brigade have assumed responsibility for the details*
About 200 children are involved, and the programme includes group games, sports activities, arts and crafts, road safety demonstrations, and informal instructions on public health and fire prevention.
There are 500 cadet members in the Brigade, aged between 13 and 18.
Of the number, about under the chairmanship of Ambulance Cadet Wong Tat-chuen, have been actively engaged on work in connection with the camp in the Hoi Bun School.
Sir Hugh, accompanied by Colonel H.A. de Barros Betelho, Commissioner of the Brigade, will arrive by launch at Hang Kee, Lei Yue Mun, and will be met by a reception committee.
On arrival at the school, the Acting Governor and his party will be welcomed by a guard of honour. Sir Hugh.will then visit two classrooms, where he will see an arts and crafts session and a demonstration on road safety, public health and fire prevention.
/The visit ••••••••
Monday, August 21, 1972
The visit will conclude with a tour of the playground where groups of children will be engaged in a tug of war, a three-legged race, and a circle game.
********
Note to Editors:
You are invited to have this visit covered
Transport will be provided. A government van will leave the sub-pool behind the Tsim Sha Tsui post office at 9*30 a*m* on August 23 for Lei Yue Mun. The Acting Governor will arrive at 11 a.m. A Social
Welfare Department official will be on hand to assist the Press.
- - 0 - -
/9
Monday, August 21, 1972
- 9 -
BUILDING ACCIDENTS
*««***»*
Three-hundred-and-thirty workers were injured and seven killed while working on building construction sites during July, according to reports received by the Labour Department.
Of this number, 55 were injured and five killed as a result of accidental falls.
The department’s Industrial Safety Training Officer said today: "The number of workers killed and injured due to falls involving workers continues to be a source of concern. This type of accident is usually the result of a combination of an unsafe physical condition and an unsafe act by the individual."
He added that the adoption of a few relatively simple and inexpensive precautions could lead to a reduction in these accidents.
"Many of the injuries sustained by workers falling or tripping on the level could be avoided if higher standards of housekeeping were adopted. For example, raw materials should be stacked properly and safely; rubbish and trade waste should be removed regularly from construction sites. Poor housekeeping is probably the biggest contributory factor in accidents involving ’falls of person’."
The officer emphasised that working platforms consisting of a simple plank supported by empty oil drums or trestles made up of odd pieces of timber should not be used. Openings in floors in partially completed buildings should be either fenced or planked over. Staircases should be fitted with temporary handrails and where necessary, adequately illuminated by artificial lighting.
He stressed the need for co-operation between management, supervisors and workers to work together in organising safety programmes to reduce the number of accidents which occur.
Release time: 6.^5 P«m. °
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Tuesday, August 22, 1972
TEN PER CENT PAY INCREASE FOR 40,000 GOVERNMENT WORKERS $**«•*#«
Some ^0,000 workers in the Civil Service will receive a 10 per cent increase in their ”take-home” pay, which will be back-dated to April 1 this year
The workers concerned are those paid on the Model Scale 1 and include street cleaners, messengers, labourers, lift operators, caretakers, workshop attendants and watchmen.
Artisans and senior artisans are also included. Postmen and assistant postmen, who are paid on a special scale, will also get this increase.
Revised pay scales for these government staff were recently considered and agreed by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.
A Government spokesman said this afternoon: ’’The new salary scales mean net increases ranging from $**8 to $78 a month for men, and from $4j to $71 a month for women.
The new salaries and back pay will be paid out by the end of November.
The spokesman explained that, under the revised pay arrangements, part of the Cost of Living Allowance payable since April 1 this year, had been incorporated into the new pay scales.
/’’Increases .........
Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 2 -
’’Increases in the Modified Consumer Price Index will, in future, be compensated by a new Cost of Living Allowance which rises by $15 for every five-point increase in the Consumer Price Index,” he added*
The pay award results from a review by the Government’s Pay Investigation Unit into the wages of Model Scale 1 staff, based on an objective comparison with pay and conditions of service of people doing similar work in private firms and commercial and industrial enterprises.
The extra cost of meeting the additional wage payments for Model Scale 1 staff will be about $25 million a year.
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NEV/ TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR FERRY STREET
********
Traffic routing in the Public Light Bus Terminus at Ferry Street, Kowloon, is to be re-routed one-way eastbound to facilitate the picking-up and setting-down of passengers.
Hie new arrangement will come into force at 10 a.ci. Thursday (August 24). Appropriate traffic signs will be erected to guide drivers.
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Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 3 -
CIVIL AVIATION - LONG TERM PLANNING STUDY BEING CONSIDERED
Feasibility Of Second Airport To Be Included
*******
The Government is considering undertaking a long-term planning study to find out just how far it must go to satisfy civil aviation needs in the 1980*5 and 1990’s, without affecting Hong Kong’s economic life or the people’s well-being#
Disclosing this today, the Director of Civil Aviation, Mr. T.R. Thomson, said a study carried out in 1970 indicated that Hong Kong Airport would reach "complete saturation" at the peak periods around 1980-82.
He was giving a talk on "Government involvement in civil aviation" at a luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Hong Kong at the Mandarin Hotel.
Mr. Thomson pointed to the possible problems confronting the future of Hong Kong’s air transport system and spoke of the past and present development programmes at the airport, as well as outlining the work and objectives of his department.
By 1980-82, he said, Hong Kong might expect to be handling a total of about 150,000 aircraft movements, including 71*000 scheduled international aircraft movements, some seven million passengers and around 500,000 metric tons of air cargo.
/"This
Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 4 -
’’This being so, we have reached the point where there is a need for a complete review of Government’s policy for civil aviation to be undertaken*”
Mr. Thomson described the long-term planning study, if undertaken, as ”a formidable and complex task”.
This study would examine, among other things, the feasibilities and costs of further expanding Hong Kong Airport and of a new airport built elsewhere in the Colony, he said.
The Director said there was a relationship between Hong Kong’s tourist and civil aviation policies, and posed a number of questions which the study would examine. He pointed out that of the total number of passengers carried, some 85 per cent were tourists.
”If we limit tourism, we run the risk of failing to attract a wide-spread of scheduled air services.
New Airport
”If we continue to attract the tourist to Hong Kong, we shall certainly need a new airport some time in the mid 1980’s to accommodate the vast numbers of air movements such traffic would generate*”
However, he asked if the cost of a new airport should rival that of the mass transit system, whether it was in Hong Kong’s best interest to invest such large sums of money in providing facilities and services primarily to accommodate tourists.
”Is there a point in tourism beyond which it becomes a liability and embarrassment to Hong Kong; where the very fact of having too many tourists would have an adverse effect on the quality of life for those living in Hong Kong?”
/Conversely,
Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 5 -
Conversely, he asked if tourism were severely curtailed with the resultant loss of air services, whether this would detract from Hong Kong’s position as a commercial, industrial and financial centre in this region.
”0r, tourism aside, if we opt out of the mainstream of air communication, do we also opt out of the mainstream of economic and social development?”
Mr. Thomson expressed his confidence that the opinion of the public as well as the industrial and business community would be sought as ’’inputs” to the study.
He said one of the basic objectives of the study was to present the problems of the future of Hong Kong’s air transport system in such a manner that the Government would be able to appreciate the effect of adopting a particular course of action both on civil aviation and the economic life of the Colony.
Difficulties
As regards the immediate future, the Director cautioned that the next three or four years would be ’’very difficult years” because of the problems associated with the second major phase of development now in progress at the airport.
Some degree of congestion, delay and inconvenience would be experienced by passengers as massive construction work proceeded, but he assured that every effort would be made to minimise the effect of the works and the expected difficulties.
Mr. Thomson said the current phase of development programme, which included the runway extension, would expand the airport to roughly double its present size in terms of capacity.
/\Vhen
Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 6 -
When this was completed by 1976, he said, the airport could handle some 30 to 32 aircraft an hour in adverse weather conditions, some 4,000 passengers an hour and a throughput of air cargo of some 220,000 metric tons a year.
The first major phase of development was finished in 1962. By 1976, the Government will have invested some 3700 million in Hong Kong’s air transport system, he added.
The Director said the development programmes at the airport had made Hong Kong a ’’main aviation centre in South East Asia and the Far East”.
Over the 10 years 1962 to 1972, international air services have increased from about 15,000 movements to 50,000 movements; passengers from 500,000 to 2.5 million, and air cargo from 6,000 metric tons to just over 78,000 metric tons.
Mr. Thomson described civil aviation as ”a very large, important and expanding industry” in Hong Kong, and pointed out that the airport revenue alone was over J100 million in the financial year 1971-72.
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/7.........
Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 7
BALANCE OF RAINSTORM DONATIONS
MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO COMMUNITY RELIEF TRUST FUND
*******
The Management Committee of the Community Relief Trust Fund is considering carrying forward a balance of about 84.4 million donated recently for victims of the June rainstorm disasters.
Members feel this would be in accordance with the wishes of the donors, and in the best interest of the community as a whole.
They agree that donations to the Fund were intended to relieve actual hardship among the victims, and not merely inconvenience or loss.
Their view is that the balance of the money subscribed should also be made available to those who might suffer equal hardship in other, perhaps less publicised, disasters which occur from time to time.
In a statement today, Mr. G.T. Rowe, Director of Social Welfare and Trustee of the Fund, saids ’’The transfer of the balance to the Community Relief Trust Fund would not mean that victims of the June rainstorms were excluded from further benefit. Indeed, payments are still continuing,
”It would be merely that they would no longer have exclusive call on these funds, which would also be made available to others who suffer similar disasters.”
At a meeting earlier this week, the Committee discussed several proposals on how to dispose of the likely balance before deciding to consider carrying the money forward.
/One idea
Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 8 -
One idea was to erect an exhibition hall in the heart of Sau Mau Ping, an area affected by the June rainstorms. But this was thought to be unsuitable because it was felt that such a building would normally be provided by the Government, and should not be built at the expense of these donations.
Another idea was to distribute the balance in a final cash payment to all registered victims.
While this proposal had the merit of immediately putting an end to the chapter on the June rainstorms in so far as it relates to the public’s generosity, members felt such a liquidation of responsibility took no account of the expressed desire of many donors to have their money eonstanetively employed among victims of future disasters.
Mr. Rowe said 4,528 families, or 21,580 individuals, had registered for aid after the rainstorms with the Social Welfare Department alone, and if the balance were distributed in cash among them, no one would get more than between 3100 and 8200 each.
In view of the smallness of this amount and the large payments already made, a more satisfactory solution would seem to be to consider legislation to enable the balance to be transferred to the Community Relief Trust Fund proper for use in future emergencies.
"There are precedents for this,” Mre Rowe explained. "Indeed, the Community Relief Trust Fund was begun with funds derived from donations in respect of specific disasters,"
/9.........
Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 9 -
COFFEE QUOTA ALLOCATED FOR RE-EXPORT
*********
The Commerce and Industry Department announced today that it was prepared to approve applications to import coffee for re-export purpose from countries which are not members of the International Coffee Agreement.
A quota of 220,000 kilograms has been allocated for this purpose for the next coffee year.
A spokesman for the department said that applications would be considered on a first-come first-served basis and that they must be submitted before September JO.
"There will be no change in the procedure in respect of coffee imported from member countries," he said.
During the current Coffee Year - October 1, 1971 to September JO, 1972 - the Commerce and Industry Department had only approved applications to import coffee from non-member countries for local consumption.
The spokesman added that a further announcement regarding imports of coffee from non-member countries for the coming coffee year would be made as soon as information was received by his department.
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Ao..........
Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 10 -
WORK FOR THE DISABLED
*♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Twenty-eight disabled were found jobs by the Social Welfare Department’s Liaison and Placement Unit during July — despite keen competition for temporary factory places by students on summer vacation*
Of the total, 12 took up their occupations following successful interviews* The remaining 16 were also successful, but could not begin work immediately because of the late arrival of machinery on order.
They have been assured by the management that they will start as soon as the equipment has been installed.
Of the 12 already working, six are crippled. They have taken up jobs as messengers, inspectors, watchmen, and apprentice repairmen.
A young blind man is now a casual worker on a piece-rate basis, and three deaf men are respectively a printing worker, a packer, and a member of an assembly staff.
Two men who have recovered from tuberculosis are now a clerk and a watchman*
Mr. Paul Leung, Officer in charge of the Unit, says negotiations are now under way with a garment factory in Kwun Tong to employ a number of post-polio industrial sewing machine trainees as the result of a special bus service to operate from their homes to the factory and back.
”If technical problems can be overcome,” he comments, ’’these trainees using calipers will really be standing on their own feet.”
w-.-Oww--
Ai..........
Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 11 -
MORE SEAMEN REGISTERED WITH S.R.O.
»*«**«*««
A total of 71>331 seamen was registered with the Seamen’s Recruiting Office at the end of last month, according to statistics released by the Marine Department•
Of these, 27,471 were included in Part I of the register* These seamen had either been to sea during the past two years, or had had pre-sea training or acceptable shore experience.
There were 15>O38 new entrants to the shipping industry who did not have pre-sea training or acceptable shore experience.
Another 28,822 seamen were included in Part IV, which comprises those who have been transferred from Part I in order to have their names listed with one of a number of licensed crew departments in shipping companies.
During the month, 277 seamen who had registered with the Recruiting Office were selected and engaged for service on foreign-going ships.
- - 0 - -
Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 12 -
SUMMER ETTCERTAINMENT
»»*«****
Two open air variety shows providing free entertainment for all will be held this week in Sheung Shui and Mong Kok.
The Urban Services Department, the Tai Po District Office, the Sheung Shui Rural Committee and the Sheung Shui District Youth and Recreation Co-ordinating Committee will be holding a variety show to mark the official closing of the Summer Youth Programme for the Sheung Shui District.
The show will be held on Thursday (August 24) from 7-50 p»nh to 10.JO p.m. at the Shek Wu Hui Playground.
The second variety show is jointly organised by the Urban Council, the City District Office (Mong Kok) and the Mong Kok Kaifong Association*
It will be held in the MacPherson Playground on Saturday (August 26) from 8 p.m. to 10.JO p.m.
Programmes will include folk dances, acrobatic displays, folk songs and mimicry. There will be lucky draws at the end of the shows, using the serial numbers of the free admission tickets.
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Tuesday, August 22, 1972
- 13 -
WATER INTERRUPTION IN HUNG HOM
**********
Water supply to certain premises in Hung Hom will be turned off for six hours with effect from 1 a.m. on Thursday (August 24).
The temporary stoppage is to allow a leakage test to be carried out in the area.
The premises affected are bounded by To Kwa Wan Road, Ma Hang Chung Road, Pau Chung Street and Sheung Heung Road.
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TEMPORARY EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR
**********
Mr. G.M.B. Sal mon, has been appointed temporarily to the Executive Council with effect from August 21 during the absence of Mr. G.R. Ross.
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Release time: 7.00 p»m>
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 40000&1
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Wednesday, August 23, 1972
JAPANESE FIRM WINS SJ37 MILLION DESALTING CONTRACT
*********
The Government announced today that a Japanese firm, Sasakura Engineering Company Ltd. of Osaka, had been awarded a contract, worth approximately S337 million, for the construction of the sea water desalting plant near Castle Peak in the New Territories.
The plant, which will be the biggest of its kind in the world, will be capable of producing 40 million Imperial gallons of fresh water a day. It will consist of six units each complete with its steam boiler, evaporator and associated ancillaries.
The first of these units is expected to be operational by the middle of 19?4 with each of the remaining units coming into operation successively at three—monthly intervals after that date.
The Government’s decision to build a large scale sea water desalting plant as a means of augmenting the fresh water supply was first announced by the Director of Water Supplies in May last year.
When it became apparent that the demand for fresh water continued to grow at a rate of between 8 per cent and 8)4 per cent a year, a decision was made in January this year to double the capacity of the plant to 40 million gallons a day.
/At the .......
Wednesday, August 25, 1972
2 -
At the oeginning of this month an agreement was signed with the Asian Development Bank to finance a substantial portion of the plant by a loan of US$21.5 million (equivalent to some HKS120 million) which would be repayable in 10 years from 1976.
The final award of the contract is therefore subject to the Bank’s approval, which is expected shortly.
A total of seven tenders were submitted by tenderers from five countries. These had previously prequalified'on the basis of their capability in handling international contracts of similar magnitude, and their experience in the field of desalting engineering.
Sasakura’s tender was chosen because it was the lowest tender in terms of both capital and operating costs. It also complied in all respects with the specifications and conditions of contract.
To ensure that the target completion date is met, failing which the risk of supply restrictions by ?.97/+ would be greatly increased, a fairly tight programme has been followed right from the beginning of the project.
This necessitated a tender period of only 12 weeks being allowed. i But to enable prospective tenderers to proceed with their design work
iOi. before actual tenders were called on May 8, 1972, advance information io
on the principal plant parameters was sent to all tenderers while the specification and contract documents were being finalised.
— — — — u— — — —
/3........
Wednesday, August 23, 1972
- 3 -
ECAFE MEETING ON SHIPPING FOR HONG KONG »*«*>»**
Hong Kong will play host to a 1O-day ECAFE meeting on shippers’ co-operation next month.
About 40 representatives from 19 members and associate members of
ECAFE are expected to take part in the meeting, which will be held from
September 18-27*
The meeting is being organised by ECAFE with the assistance of the Governments of Hong Kong and Norway and the Shippers’ Council of Hong Kong.
It is designed to familiarise participants with specific aspects of the formation and effective operation of shippers’ organisations.
A Government spokesman said today that the problems of shippers in the ECAFE region were discussed last December at a meeting held in Bangkok by ECAFE.
The meeting concluded that there was an immediate need to establish effective shippers’ councils.
The spokesman said next month’s meeting was a follow-up to the Bangkok meeting.
Delegates will discuss, among other subjects, methods of forming shippers’ organisations, the shipping industry, port efficiency and regional co-operation.
There will be lectures by experts on shipping, and in addition, case studies will be presented to the participants for discussion.
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A..........
Wednesday, August 2J, 1972
- 4 -
DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION TO ATTEND OVERSEAS MEETINGS
The Director of Civil Aviation, Mr. T.R. Thomson, will leave Hong Kong tomorrow (Thursday) for London where he will attend a meeting of the Commonwealth Air Transport Council.
The meeting will be held from August 29 to September 8. The Council has been set up by Commonwealth Prime Ministers to consider means of promoting a closer understanding of the basic civil air transport requirements by member countries.
After the meeting, Mr. Thomson will attend air services talks and the 10th informal meeting of Directors of Civil Aviation for Asia and the Pacific Region to be held in Indonesia.
He is expected to return to Hong Kong in November. During his absence, the Assistant Director of Civil Aviation (Technical Administration), Mr. R.E. Downing, will act as Director.
»*«******
Note to Editors: Mr. Thomson will leave by B.O.A.C. Flight BA919 at E.T.D. 21J0 hours tomorrow (Thursday).
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/5.......
Wednesday, August 23, 1972
- 5 -
ONE DEATH FROM MEASLES IN-JULY
********* • • • •
Monthly health statistics for July released today by the Medical and Health Department showed there was one death from measles,
A spokesman said the death supported the department’s reason for the current Campaign. This was to help educate the public bn' measles* prevention by the immunisation of susceptible children between nine months and five years.
Free measles vaccine is available at. all government maternal and child health centres. During the campaign, special inoculation teams are on duty at various street comers, and health education vans keep appointed dates in all resettlement and housing estates.
During July, a drop was recorded in the number of notifiable infectious diseases, which totalled 837 compared with 1,088 in the previous month.
No cases of diphtheria, poliomyelitis or puerperal fever were recorded, and Hong Kong remained free from cholera and other quarantinable diseases.
There was a slight increase in tuberculosis notifications, from June*s 627 to 730 in July.
The spokesman said the increase was not thought to be significant. There was, for example, a decrease of 199 cases compared with the total of notifications in July last year.
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. . . . „ . .. /6.........
Wednesday, August 23, 1972
- 6 -
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS PASSING OUT PARADE
*********
Note to Editors: A Legislative Councillor, Mr. T.K. Ann, will
inspect the passing-out parade of a squad of 18 Assistant Immigration Officers on Friday, (August 25).
Mr. Ann will address the two female and 16 male Officers at the parade, which will be held at ’ 9.JO a.m. at the Royal Hong Kong Regiment parade ground. Sports Road, Happy Valley.
You are cordially invited to have the passingout parade covered.
— • - o ~ ’
WAGE DISPUTE SETTLED
*********
• More than 100 casual labourers of the Vegetable Wholesale Market at
, Cheung Sha Wan are to receive a daily wage increase of 52.00 back dated to June-1 this year. The agreement brings final settlement to a recent dispute Over wage increases for these workers.
In addition, an ex-gratia payment of 5120 was given to 8^ of the
1abeurers who had worked for 75 days or more during the period from March 1 to May 31, 1972.
Officers of the Labour Relations Service visited the parties at the market when the dispute occurred. A joint meeting was held in the Labour Department followed by subsequent mediation resulting in the agreement.
~ - 0
Wednesday, August 23, 1972
- 7 -
GRAPHIC-ART EXHIBITION AT CITY HALL
********
The Urban Council and the American Consulate-General are co—sponsoring an exhibition of original graphic prints by leading American artists entitled ’’Graphics Now U.S.A.” at the City Museum and Art Gallery from Rriday (August 25) until September 10.
Works on display include a wide range of techniques, and include 61 etchings, lithographs, screenprints and woodcuts by American painters, sculptors and printmakers.
The exhibition also illustrates some of the current trends in the American art scene with examples of Pop Art, Op Art, Hard-edge and lyrical Abstractionism•
A special section of the exhibition is devoted to contemporary photographs from the collection of the Eastman House, New York. This shows many new approaches in the creative use of tne medium of photography.
********
Note to Editors: A preview of the exhibition will be held
tomorrow (August 24) from 5*30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and you are welcome to send a reporter and/or photographer to attend the function.
0
Wednesday, August 23, 1972
- 8 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI
* * ♦ ♦ ♦ * * * *
Monmouth Path will be closed to vehicular traffic entering from Queen’s Road East from 8 a.m. on Friday (August 25) for about five days for essential road repairs.
During this period, Wing Fung Street will be made two-way so that motorists entering Wing Fung Street West, Star Street and Wing Fung Street may reach Queen’s Road East via Wing Fung Street.
Appropriate traffic signs will be erected for the guidance of motorists.
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WATER INTERRUPTIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF HARBOUR
*********
Water supply to a number of premises in Hung Hom in Kowloon and Aberdeen on Hong Kong Island will be interrupted for five hours starting from 1 a.m. on Friday (August 25).
The temporary stoppage is to enable the Waterworks Office to carry out leakage tests.
The area affected in Hung Hom is bounded by Lok Shan Road, San Shan Road, Pau Chung Street, Ma Tau Kok Road, Tin Kwong Road and Argyle Street. The area affected in Aberdeen is from the Aberdeen Trade School at Wong Chuk Hang Road to Brick Hill Road and Shouson Hill Road.
r 9 •
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Release Time: 6.45 p.m
P.R.H. 7 (REVISEDI 400009J
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Thursday, August 24, 1972
MR. CATER APPOINTED INFORMATION SECRETARY
********
Mr. Jack Cater* the present Director of Commerce and Industry Department, has been appointed to a newly created post of Information Secretary in which he will be responsible for the Government’s total information and public relations effort.
As Information Secretary Mr. Cater will co-ordinate the information and public relations work of all Government departments and will have a particular responsibility for Government Information Services and Radio Hong Kong*
Commenting on the announcement, a Government spokesman said today: ”The creation of this new post underlines the Government’s determination to ensure that all aspects of its public relations are carefully considered in every sphere of Government activity”*
Mr. Cater will be taking up his new appointment shortly.
The Television Authority and the Film Censors will in future be a part of the Secretariat for Home Affairs.
Commenting on this move, a Government spokesman said: ”The Television Authority and the Panel of Film Censors reflect public attitudes in much of their workt It is appropriate, therefore, that both these organisations should be based in a Department which has a large number of contacts with a wide cross section of the community.,r
/Mr. Nigel
Thursday, August 24, 1972
- 2 -
Mr. Nigel Watt, the present Director of Information Services, has been appointed to a new post as Commissioner for Television and Films which has been established.
In this capacity Mr. Watt will retain his current responsibilities as Television Authority and as Secretary of the Panel of Film Censors.
Commenting on Mr. Watt’s appointment, a Government spokesman said: ”At this vital stage in the development of Television, when arrangements to set up two new television stations in Hong Kong are being urgently considered, it is essential that a senior officer, experienced in these matters, should be able to devote his full-time attention to this work.”
Mr. D.H. Jordan, the Deputy Financial Secretary, will succeed Mr. Cater as Director of Commerce and Industry.
********
Note to Editors: Biographies and photographs of the above
officers are distributed separately in the G.I.S. Press Boxes this evening.
- - 0 - -
Thursday, August 24, 1972
- 3 -
HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR CONTRACT AWARDED
*********
The Government announced today the award of a contract for the construction of the High Island Reservoir to an Italian civil engineering construction company,Vianini - Societa per Azioni of Rome.
The contract is worth approximately 8460 million.
Works in the High Island Reservoir contract include the construction of two rockfin dams rising 210 feet above sea level and ?40 feet above the foundation level.
One dam will be 2,500 feet long and the other 1,500 feet.
At top water level the reservoir formed will be 3# miles long and 2 miles wide and will impound 60,000 million gallons of water.
The contract will also include the construction of two smaller rockfill dams to seal neighbouring valleys against overflow and the formation of roads, cofferdams and other ancillary works.
Work is expected to start in October. Impounding within the formed reservoir will commence in 1976, but the reservoir construction will not bo completed until early 1979«
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A....
Thursday, August 24, 1972
- 4 -
U.K. APPOINTMENT FOR FORMER GOVERNOR OF H.K.
********
The former Governor of Hong Kong, Sir David Trench has been appointed Lay Member and Vice-chairman of the Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards in Britain.
The appointment, made by the Secretaries of State for Social Services, Scotland and Wales, was announced on Wednesday by the Department of Health and Social Security.
Sir David now fills the vacancy created by the death of Sir
John MacPherson.
Distinction awards, payable to consultants in national health service , are an annual addition to salary for those who receive them.
They are paid in recognition of social contributions to medicine in the field of research, exceptional ability or outstanding professional work.
Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Social Services are advised by the Advisory Committee, which is a largely professional committee, as to which consultants should receive awards.
Chairman of the Advisory Committee is Sir Hector MacLennan. It has been the practice since the distinction award system was instituted in 1948 to have a distinguished layman as the Vice-chairman.
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/5.........
Thursday, August 2^, 1972
- 5 -
CAMPAIGN TO RECRUIT MORE LABOURERS FOR STREET CLEANING
**«*»**«*
The Urban Services Department is conducting an intensive campaign to recruit enough labourers to ensure that Hong Kong and its streets are kept clean and to be ready for the "Clean Hong Kong" campaign now underway.
With the 10 per cent pay increase announced this week, the job now pays a basic monthly wage of SJ10, plus cost of living allowances. Fringe benefits include free medical services, free uniforms, and for single workers free hostel accommodation.
The Cleansing Division of the department alone employs over ^,800 labourers doing various cleaning jobs throughout the city.
The target of the current campaign is to recruit about JOO labourers for the Cleansing Division and many hundreds more for other divisions of the Urban Services.
"Rapid development of the urban areas in recent years has increased the work-load to such an extent that it has left the department’s labour force short," an Urban Services spokesman said today.
"This is most evident in the Cleansing Division which copes with the enormous amount of refuse and litter that increasingly affluent Hong Kong society leaves behind each day."
A temporary recruiting office will be set up in Kowloon Park, on September 5 to handle applications for the post of labourer from 9-30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- - 0 -
/6
Thursday, August 24, 1972
- 6 -
NEW INDUSTRIAL REGULATIONS TO BE INTRODUCED
*»*****»«
The Commissioner of Labour, Mr. Paul Tsui, announced today that the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Electrolytic Chromium Process) Regulations 1972, which were approved by the Legislative Council in February, will come into force on September 1.
The regulations require proprietors of industrial undertakings using electrolytic chromium processes to make provisions for the safety of employees who are in turn required to comply with certain safety requirements•
A proprietor, if he fails to comply with any of the requirements, is liable on conviction, to a fine of $5,000 and an employee, $2,000.
A warning notice concerning the effects of chrome on the skin has been prepared by the Labour Department and is being sent to proprietors who are required under these regulations to prominently display the vzarning notice adjacent to every chromium bath.
The department has also completed an explanatory booklet on the electrolytic chromium process. The object of this booklet is to draw to the attention of employers and workers the potential hazards associated with this process and what measures can be adopted to minimise or eliminate these hazards.
The booklet will soon be available for distribution to proprietors free of charge.
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/7 ........
Thursday, August 24, 1972
- 7 -
PROPER LANDING FACILITIES FOR SAI KUNG
*********
The Government plans to build a pier at Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung, to provide proper landing facilities for all types of craft.
The pier is designed to cope with the number of people expected to use it on holidays and at weekends, particularly in the summer months.
With the introduction of legislation requiring employers to give their staff four days off a month, the number of people visiting the countryside has increased and the need for proper landing facilities has become more acute.
The estimated cost of the pier is S1 million. Work is expected to start at the end of this year and will take about 12 months to complete.
The pier head will be sited in deep water to allow the berthing of large launches, including police boats. The width of the approach catwalk will be 20 feet.
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Thursday, August 24, 1972
- 8 -
SEVEN LOTS OF CROWN LAND FOR AUCTION NEXT MONTH
*********
Seven lots of Crown land, with a total area of over 141,000 sq. ft., will be offered for sale by auction at the City Hall next month.
Two lots are at the developing area of Black’s Link on Hong Kong Island, Both are for private residential purposes.
One is Rural Building Lot No. 822, with an area of 46,830 sq. ft.
The upset price is 3*1.1 million. The other is Rural Building Lot No. 823, with an area of 35<OOO sq. ft. and an upset price of 3800,000.
Two other lots, also on Hong Kong Island, are for supermarket and non-industrial purposes.
Rural Building Lot No. 943 at Beach Road, Repulse Bay, has an area of 15,000 sq. ft. with an upset price of 33 million, while Inland Lot No. 8303 at Cloud View Road, North Point, has an area of 10,690 sq. ft. The upset price is 32 million.
New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 5^62 at King Lam Street, Kowloon, is for industrial and/or godown purposes. Its area is 30,750 sq. ft. and the upset price is 32 million.
The last two lots, both in Kowloon, are for non-industrial purposes. Kowloon Inland Lot No. 10157 (with existing buildings) at 26 and 28, Parkes Street, has an area of 1,785 sq. ft. Its upset price is 3600,000.
Kowloon Inland Lot No. 10158 (with existing building) at 38, Haiphong Road, has an area of 1,015 sq. ft. with an upset price of 3450,000.
The public auction will take place at 2.30 p.m. on September 15* at the Lecture Room, eighth floor, City Hall.
/Full particulars ••••.
Thursday, August 24, 1972
- 9 -
Full particulars and Conditions of Sale may be obtained from, and
Sale Plans inspected at, the Public Enquiry Sub-office, Central Government Offices (West Wing), ground floor, Hong Kong, and at the Crown Lands & Survey Office, Kowloon Government Offices, 405, Nathan Road, 10th floor, Kowloon,
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WALKATHON FOR 200 YOUTHS
*******
About 200 young people will take part in a Cross Country Walkathon on Sunday (August 27) as part of the Summer Youth Programme.
They will walk from Shatin Pass Road via Fei Ngor Shan to the finishing point at Good Hope School in Clearwater Bay Road.
Mr. Wilson Wang, a Legislative Councillor, has been invited to watch the Walkathon, and to present the prizes to the winners at Good Hope School.
The Walkathon has been organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.
********
Note to Editors: You are invited to have the presentation
ceremony covered. Transportation will be provided for the Press at the car park behind the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office at 9 a.m. on Sunday (August 27)* Mr. Henry Au, a Principal Social Welfare Officer, will be on hand to assist the Press. The walk itself begins at 8.50 a.m.
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/10...........
Thursday, August 24, 1972
- 10 -
WEATHER FOR JULY
*«**«**«$
Although six tropical cyclones formed over the western part of the North Pacific or the South China Sea during July, only one, Typhoon Susan, affected Hong Kong.
Susan remained within 200 miles of Hong Kong for an exceptionally long period of over five days. As a result, the mean sea-level pressure of 1000.J mb was the lowest on record for July.
The rainfall for the month was 180.7 mm below average, but the accumulated total since the beginning of the year amounted to 1850.4 mm, which was 37 per cent above normal.
During the first week of the month, a ridge of high pressure covered south China and the weather in Hong Kong was fine apart from a few isolated showers.
On July 7, a tropical depression formed over the South China Sea off Luzon. It intensified into a tropical storm named Susan early on July 8 and meandered northwards.
The Stand By Signal, No. 1, was hoisted at 11.15 a.m. that day when Susan was about 3^0 miles southeast of Hong Kong. It intensified further to a severe tropical storm during that evening.
At 10.15 p.m. on July 9? the storm was centred about 16O miles southeast of the Colony and the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3» was hoisted. On July 10, Susan began to move in a series of loops and gradually intensified to a typhoon.
/However, it ••••••••
Thursday, August 24, 1972
However, it weakened to a severe tropical storm early on July 11 and began to drift slowly away to the east. The No. 3 signal was replaced by the No. 1 at 10.30 a.m. During the evening, Susan moved northwestwards towards the Colony and brought thunderstorms and squally showers.
The No. J signal was again hoisted at 9«35 p.m. On July 12, Susan weakened further to a tropical storm and remained almost stationary. At 6.40 a.m., the No. 3 signal was lowered so that normal activities could be resumed.
Early on July 13, Susan once again started to move in the general direction towards Hong Kong and the No. 1 signal was raised at 5*20 a.m., followed by the No. 3 at 7«10 a.m. It came to about 90 miles east of Hong Kong and caused strong winds on July 13 and early July 14.
The No. 3 signal was replaced by the No. 1 at 10.10 a.m. on July 14 when the storm began to move steadily northeastwards away from Hong Kong. All signals were lowered at 6.20 a.m. on July 15. Susan crossed the east coast of China near Foochow that afternoon and degenerated into an area of low pressure during the evening.
Conditions in Hong Kong rapidly improved and became fine apart from a few isolated showers from July 16 to 23* On July 23, a warm air*-stream reached the Colony from the west and temperatures rose to a maximum of 34.7°C at the Royal Observatory. This was the third highest on record for July.
/During ••••••••
Thursday, August 24, 1972
- 12 -
During July 21-25, Typhoon Rita was moving in a loop over the East China Sea to the west of the Ryukyu Islands with an associated trough extending to south China. The trough passed through Hong Kong on July 24-25, causing heavy showers and thunderstorms and altogether five thunderstorm warnings were issued by the Royal Observatory on these two days.
For the remainder of the month, the weather was mainly cloudy with some showers. There were also periods of rain on July JI.
No aircraft were diverted due to adverse weather conditions during the month.
The month’s figures and departures from normal were:
Sunshine 206.0 hours ; 7.7 hours below normal
Rainfall 191.0 mm ; 180.7 mm below normal
Cloudiness 64 per cent; 5 per cent below normal
Relative Humidity 81 per cent; 2 per cent below normal
Mean Maximum Temperature o o rH OJ IA 1.4°C above normal
Mean Temperature 28.8°C ; 0.9°C above normal
Mean Minimum Temperature 26.6°C ; 0.8°C above normal
Mean Dev/ Point ru Vl • H* O Q 0.4°C above normal
Total Evaporation 167.5 ram ; 14.7 mm below normal
Maximum Temperature of 34.7°C was recorded on July 2J.
Minimum Temperature of 25.2°C was recorded on July 28.
A3.....
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Thursday, August 24, 1972
- 13 -
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES FOR BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSE
*******
Twenty-nine members from various Multi-storey Building Owner Corporations, who have completed a special management training course, will be presented with Honour certificates by Mr. F.K. Li, the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, tomorrow (Friday).
The five-week course, organised by the Secretariat for Home Affairs, is intended to raise the standard of management in multi-storey buildings.
During the training course which began on August 17, participants were given talks on various subjects concerning multi-storey building management and arrangements were also made for them to visit various government departments. ********
Note to Editors: The presentation of honour certificates
by Mr. F.K. Li, the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, will take place in the reception hall on the first floor of the Colonial Secretariat, Central Government Offices, East Wing, at 4.JO p.m. tomorrow (Friday). You are invited to send a reporter and/or a photographer to attend.
Thursday, August 24, 1972
- 14 -
WATER INTERRUPTION IN NORTH POINT
«*«****«
Water supply to a part of North Point on Hong Kong Island will be turned off for five hours on Saturday (August 26) starting from one a«m.
The temporary stoppage will enable the Waterworks Office to carry out night leakage tests.
The area affected is bounded by the south side of King’s Road from Shu Kuk Street to North View Street, including houses No. 243-277 King’s Road; Kin Wah Street; Fort Street; Ming Yuen Western Street and Peacock Road.
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LABOUR DEPARTMENT DESTROYS EMPLOYMENT SURVEY RETURNS
«»****«*
All cards returned by employers in response to surveys of employment and vacancies carried out in November and December last year and March this year were burnt under supervision today (Thursday).
The Commission of Labour said the destruction ensured that the information supplied could no longer be identified with individual places of employment.
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Release Time: 7*30 p»nu
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
M® 1®
INFORMATION SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Friday, August 25, 1972
LCW COST HOUSING BLOCK FOR KCWLOON"
*********
A Government low cost housing block will be built in Tung Tau Tsuen Road, Kowloon, to provide homes for about 3,400 people.
The block will be erected on a hill slope dose to the Tung Tau Resettlement Estate where more than 65,000 people are housed.
Because of the nature of the site, the block will vary in height from two to 10 storeys.
It will comprise one low shop and domestic building with an eight-storey block on top. There will also be modular markets, recreational grounds and car parks.
This block is part of an overall housing scheme in northeast Kowloon, which, when completed, will house 20,000 people. To implement the scheme, about 17,000 residents of the Tung Tau Cottage Area, which is the proposed site, have been resettled in the Tsz Wan Shan Resettlement Estate•
Tung Tau Tsuen Road will also be widened to become an important link road in northeast Kowloon.
Site formation for the low cost housing block is already in hand, and construction will probably begin in late October. It should be ready for occupation by mid-197^-»•»• - •
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/2.........
Friday, August 25, 1972
- 2 -
URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION CANDIDATES ALLOWED TO SPEND MORE ON CAMPAIGN *********
The amount of money which an Urban Council election candidate can spend as election expenses has been increased.
Under the Corrupt and Illegal Practices (Urban Council Election Expenses)(Amendment) Order 1972, a single candidate is now allowed to spend a maximum of $8,000 for the first 25,000 registered electors, and 50 cents more for each additional elector.
Where candidates run a joint election campaign, each is allowed to spend a maximum of $6,000 for the first 25,000 electors, and 20 cents more for each additional elector.
The amending order, published in today’s Government Gazette, also increases the agent’s fee paid by a candidate from $1,000 to $1,500.
Before the amendment, a candidate was allowed to spend up to $5,000 for the first 25,000 registered electors, and 20 cents more for each elector in excess of 25,000.
Where there were two joint candidates, the maximum amount for each candidate was $5,750, and where there were more than two candidates, each was allowed to spend up to two-thirds of $5,000.
Also published in today’s Gazette are regulations designed to assist electors by allowing for the address of the polling station, at which each elector should vote, to be printed on the poll card.
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Friday, August 25, 1972
- 3 -
GOVERNMENT RECRUITING DRIVE FOR EXPERIENCED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
*********
The Government is seeking suitably qualified young men and women to fill vacancies in the Administrative Grade.
The intention is to attract candidates with at least two years’ post-graduate working experience, although graduates without such experience may also apply.
Graduates in any subject will be considered.
Successful applicants will receive appropriate training in Hong Kong and up to one year’s training in Britain during their first six years of service.
They are to fill a wide range of administrative posts. In many cases, they will have close contact with members of the public, while other administrative officers will be concerned with the formulation and implementation of overall policy.
There are propects of promotion to the highest ranks in the government service. The salary range is $2,750 to $5,500, but for women the starting point is $2,478.
Candidates should be under 35 years of age, of British nationality or willing to apply for naturalisation, and hold a good honours degree from a Hong Kong or British university.
Application forms are obtainable from all City District Offices and any government department.
A • r » > • . » ----------------------------0---------
A.........
Friday, August 25, 1972
- 4 -
NEW EQUIPMENT FOR AMBULANCES
#*««****
The Ambulance Service is to use special equipment to reduce pain and shock to accident victims.
The equipment, which can be carried easily, consists of a cylinder of nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen, a valve to reduce the pressure of the gas, a corrugated supply tube and a face mask.
The mask can be applied by the patient himself who can inhale sufficient gas to relieve his pain, or it can be applied by the ambulance attendant.
Initially the sets will be used for training, which will be given by two ambulance officers who have recently returned from the United Kingdom after receiving instructions on how to use the equipment.
The Fire Services Department has bought 10 sets, but it is probable that all ambulances will be equipped with the apparatus in the future.
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Friday, August 25, 1972
- 5 -
MORE AIRCRAFT PARKING. FACILITIES AT KAI TAK
********
Six additional aircraft parking bays will be built at Hong Kong Airport to alleviate the existing congestion caused by increased aircraft movements.
The project will involve the construction of about 75»°OO square yards of new concrete apron and taxiway on reclaimed land, as well as ancillary drainage works.
Tenders are being called for the work, which is expected to begin in October this year and should take about 14 months to complete*
The project will be carried out under Stage II of the scheme for aircraft parking facilities at the airport. Stage III, which provides for three more parking bays, is now in the planning stage.
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Friday, August 25, 1972
- 6 -
POSITIVE ACTION NEEDED TO PREVENT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS *********
The Director of Marine, Mr. A. Fletcher, said today the value of industrial safety training could not be over-emphasised.
He said such training would lead to a better understanding of the hazards involved and enable people to take positive action to prevent them.
The Director was speaking at a ceremony in which he presented certificates to 50 foremen and supervisors who had finished a five-day course on basic industrial safety.
Mr. Fletcher said a new section — the Industrial Safety Unit — would soon be formed in his department in order to avoid re-occurrence of the shipping disasters that happened a few months ago.
"Whether on land or on sea, industrial safety is related to the same basic factors, the common effort being directed at reducing both human suffering and financial loss,” he said.
Mr. Fletcher urged the successful participants to further their knowledge and gain practical experience in this field by applying the safety knowledge they had acquired.
’’Remember that accidents do not happen; they are caused, and if there is a cause, then there must a remedy," he told the participants.
Friday, August 25, 1972
- 7 -
SWIMMING CERTIFICATES PRESENTED
*M>l<**t*
A presentation ceremony to mark the end of the Education Department’s mammoth learn-to-swim campaign this year will be held at the Kwun Tong Swimming Pool tomorrow (August 26).
During the ceremony, some 50 children who have successfully completed a 12-lession swimming course will each receive a certificate from the Senior Education Officer ( Physical Education), Mr. A.W. Campbell. This will bring to more than 2,000 the number of certificates presented during the summer courses.
Swimming lessons have been given daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the teaching pools of Morse Park, Lei Cheng Uk and Kwun Tong Swimming Pool complexes by specially trained instructors throughout the summer vacation.
They were spread over a period of two weeks during which successive groups of children were taught the basic skills of swimming for an hour each day. This gave every child 12 hours of instruction over the two weeks.
Those who could swim 10 meters or more at the end of the course were awarded a certificate.
Some 3,000 children have taken part in this year’s scheme, the largest on record.
Note to Editors: The presentation ceremony will be held at
10 a.m. at the Kwun Tong Swimming Pool tomorrow (Saturday). You are cordially invited to send a reporter and/or photographer to cover the event.
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/8.........
Friday, August 25, 1972
- 8 -
MORE RESPONSE NEEDED TO ANTI-MEASLES CAMPAIGN *********
A total of 2,274 doses of vaccine was administered during the second week of the current anti-measles campaign.
Statistics released today by the Medical and Health Department show that 585 children were immunised on the Island, 1,228 in Kowloon, and 461 in the New Territories.
Since the campaign began on August 8, the overall number of doses administered now stands at 3,052, but the Director of Medical and Health Services, Dr G.H. Choa, says "this is still not good enough."
He urges parents with susceptible children between nine months and five years to have them protected against the disease.
In the meantime, the department is keeping a close watch on the cholera situation in the Philippines. Reports say there have been a number of deaths from cholera as a result of contamination caused by recent floods.
"The authorities in Hong Kong are already requiring arrivals from the Philippines to produce valid inoculation papers," Dr Choa said. ,fWe are making every effort to see that no case or carrier of cholera enters Hong Kong from any affected area."
In a reference to "scare" reports from Macau earlier in the week, which were proved to be false, the Director said: "The public can rest assured that this department is on the alert at all times, and will keep it informed with the facts."
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/9..........
Friday, August 25, 1972
- 9 -
SUCCESS OF DEPARTMENTAL SUMMER PROGRAMME
***,***«»
About 2,000 volunteers spent most of their holidays this summer helping the Social Welfare Department look after the needs of 90,000 young pepple including students on leave from school — and so helped to make the programme an unqualified success.
The Acting Assistant Director of Social Welfare (Social Work), Mr. Stephen Law, said.today that the efforts of the volunteers had not been in vain. They had helped to make the summer eventful and significant for thousands of young people.
"They appreciate the sacrifices you have made in the general interest of community betterment. .The department wishes to associate with them in a public expression of heartfelt-thanks."
The programme this summer involved more than 337 different activities, and volunteers had a role to play in them all.
The theme emphasised training, community service and recreation in the outdoors, and the overall aim was to provide young people with opportunities to share their experiences, acquire skills, and develop leadership.
’Wow that it is all over," Mr. Law said, ,rI believe with the help of the volunteers we have achieved a balanced and integrated programme for thousands." Representatives of the volunteers will receive token souvenirs of appreciation-at*a ceremony in the Ocean Terminal on Sunday. Mr. Law will preside at another closing ceremony in the Luen Wo Market Public Playground in Fan Ling tomorrow.
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ZLO........
Friday, August 25, 1972
- 10 -
YOUNG MUSICIANS TO GIVE CONCERTS OF CLASSICAL CHINESE MUSIC
Two concerts of classical Chinese music will be performed at the City Hall Concert Hall on Sunday (August 27) by some 60 young musicians.
The performance will be under the leadership of Mr. Lui Pui-yuen, a noted Chinese pi-pa player.
Other groups participating will include the Wang Kwong Chinese Orchestra, the Diocesan Boys’ College Chinese Orchestra, the Pui Sing Music Institute, the Ming Tak Youth Centre Chinese Orchestra and the Salesian College Chinese Orchestra.
Apart from well-known classical items by the orchestras, there will also be solo pieces for tih, sheng, er-hu and pi-pa.
The two performances will begin at 5-30 p.m. and 8 p.m. respectively. They have been organised jointly by the Urban Council and the Hong Kong Chinese Music Society.
Tickets at $1, $2 and 53 are on sale at the City Hall Box Office.
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Friday, August 25, 1972
- 11 -
EXPORT OF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO NORWAY & SWEDEN »*«*«*!<
The Director of Commerce and Industry has issued to manufacturers and exporters a notice regarding the export of restrained textiles to Norway and Sweden.
The notice concerns the disposal of quota balances in the extended restraint period from July 1, 1972 to December 31, 1972 for the export of restrained textiles to Norway; and the disposal of 1972/73 quota balances for the export of restrained textiles to Sweden.
Trade associations and companies on the Commerce and Industry Department’s mailing list for Notice to Exporters, Series 6 (Europe, other than Britain and the European Economic Community) will receive copies of the notices shortly.
People who wish to seek advance notice of its contents are invited to contact the following officers of the department:
Miss M.P.L. To - Assistant Trade Officer
Tel. No. H-229777
Mr. A.R. Swinton - Industry Assistant Tel. No. H-247315.
Release Time: 7«QQ P>m.
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P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000001
G® M®
INFORMATION SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Saturday, August 26, 1972
MACHINE TO REVOLUTIONISE BEACH CLEANING OPERATIONS
*******
The Urban Services Department is about to embark on an experiment which may revolutionise the traditional method of cleaning beaches in Hong Kong.
The department has placed an order for an American beach cleansing machine which is able to skim off rubbish at the rate of five miles an hour.
At present, refuse such as broken bottles, discarded newspapers, plastic bags, fruit peel and empty beer cans left behind by swimmers on the 37 Urban Council beaches, is removed by U.S.D. labourers.
This method of tidying the beaches is both slow and costly, but the new machine will help reduce the cost and increase the speed.
As a tractor pulls it along the beach, sand and refuse will be scooped up. A special vibrating screen will then collect the rubbish and return the sand to the beach.
The refuse collected can then be deposited into a waiting rubbish collection van.
Such modern beach-cleansing machines are now a familiar sight on many American and European beaches. With their aid, it is hoped that beach cleaning operations will become more effective.
At present 110 labourers are employed on beach cleaning duties*
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/2.........
Saturday, August 26, 1972
- 2 -
FIRST MEETING HELD TO DISCUSS IMPLEMENTING URBAN COUNCIL WHITE PAPER *********
The first meeting has been held between members of the Urban Council’s Finance and General Purposes Select Committee and members of the Colonial Secretariat responsible for implementing the proposals made in the White Paper on the Urban Council.
The Secretary, Urban Council, Mr. J.A.M. Tinson, said that it had been called mainly to bring members of the Council up-to-date on progress made in drafting amendments to legislation to bring the terms of the White Paper into force. This had now reached an advanced stage.
Other aspects discussed were the future financing of the Urban Council, including the Council's Public Works Programme and the constitution of the new Council which will be set up on April 1, 1973.
Mr. Tinson, said it was a most useful first meeting which cleared the air on many matters in doubt. Additional meeting are to be held to consider the various matters raised in detail.
The meeting was held yesterday afternoon.
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/3.........
Saturday, August 26, 1972
- 3 -
RESULTS OF 53UD GOVERNMENT LOTTERY
*********
The first prize of $460,800 for the 53rd Government Lottery was won by ticket No. 685960.
This and other winning numbers were drawn this morning at the
Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club by four Commercial Radio personalities —
Miss Yan V/ai-yee, Miss Leung Siu-yung, Miss Cheng Kit-man and Mr. Fung Chin?-ping The five second prizes of 330^720 each went to ticket Nos. 43254, 195848, 574200, 620538, 629950.
The three-digit number drawn for the special prize was 223-Holders of 768 tickets ending with this number won $100 each.
Winning numbers for the 50 third prizes of $4,608 each are as follows:
8599 10608 16875 40338 44839 50584 50916 69082
78377 81192 94322 157741 164854 194655 194927
220744 24041? 263943 280320 308587 340916 351986
399572 403968 406131 409885 413007 463055 472346
482310 484802 504802 509085 510960 525298 539766
540139 544830 561826 584620 591485 596745 610084
616545 632354 704007 706419 722252 734208 764682
- 0 - -
/4........
Saturday, August 26, 1972
4 -
EXPANSION OF LOK MA CHAU PARKING FACILITIES PLANNED
Plans are in hand for providing additional car parking facilities at the popular tourist lookout point at Lok Ma Chau in the New Territories#
In recent years, due to its unique position overlooking the picturesque western border area, Lok Ma Chau has been attracting greater numbers of visitors each year, both locally and overseas. Practically every bus tour visiting the New Territories includes a stop at this spot.
Recent traffic counts have shown that as many as 26 tourist coaches and 18 cars visit the area in one hour, but the existing parking facilities can accommodate up to 10 coaches at a time. Because of this traffic congestion during peak hours is inevitable.
A suitable site to the north of the present parking area has been selected and the planning of the project is expected to start within this financial year.
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Saturday, August 26, 1972
- 5 -
SCULPTURE BY YOUNG ARTISTS ON DISPLAY
********
About 50 pieces of original sculpture by young artists, group-conceived and presented together under the title "Young People’s World," will go on display in the main concourse of the Ocean Terminal for two days from tomorrow (August 27).
The project is one of the last in the 1972 summer programme organised by the Group and Community Work Division of the Social Welfare Department.
It was inspired by a similar competition mounted during the Festival of Hong Kong in December, and which was favourably received by the public.
Before the exhibition opens at 11.30 a.m., a panel of judges headed by Mr. Grahame Blundell, Chief Information Officer, Information Services Department, will carefully inspect all the entries to select the most outstanding for special prizes. Mr. Blundell will be assisted by Miss Ko Siu-wah, General Secretary of the Y.W.C.A., and Mr. Cheung Yee, an artist.
They will reach their conclusions by seeing to what extent participating teams of young sculptors have adhered to the theme — youth in a changing society.
Before the prizes are presented, representatives of 1,500 young people who have assisted the Social Welfare Department in the last two months as volunteer workers for the summer programme, will be awarded certificates. These certificates symbolise both the department’s and the community’s appreciation for their help.
Officiating at the ceremony will be Mr. P.B. Williams, Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary (Social Services), and Mrs. Williams, and Mr. T.S. Heppell, Acting Deputy Director of Social Welfare, and Mrs. Heppell. ******
Note to editors: You are invited to have the adjudication and
the opening and presentation ceremonies covered. The events begin at 11.50 a.m., but the judging will be held one hour earlier.
/6........
- 0 -
Saturday, August 26, 1972
- 6 -
TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED
********
The Transport Department will be introducing a series of new traffic arrangement on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon to improve traffic circulation.
With effect from 10 a.m. tomorrow (August 27) the left hand turn from Lower Pokfulam Road into Bonham Road will be prohibited, and motorists wishing to enter Bonham Road are advised to use Western Street.
Beginning on Wednesday (August 30) at 10 a.m., the un-named road between Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road adjacent to house No* 888 Cheung Sha Wan Road will be re-routed one-way northbound.
Two flyovers will be opened at the junction of Cotton Tree Drive, Kennedy Road and Upper Albert Road on the Island, and this has led to a series of traffic arrangements which will come into force from 10 a.m. next Friday (September 1).
The flyover connecting Kennedy Road and Upper Albert Road will be opened to two-way traffic. The flyover connecting Cotton Tree Drive and Upper Albert Road will be open to one-way uphill traffic.
The slip road adjacent to the Helena May Institute will be open to one-way downhill traffic. The existing entrance to the Kennedy Road carpark at Garden Road will be converted to an exit, and the existing exit in Kennedy Road will become the entrance.
At the same time, traffic on Bowen Road between Magazine Gap Road and Borrett Road will be re-routed from two-way traffic to one-way eastbound.
Appropriate traffic signs will be placed at the various locations to guide motorists.
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/7..........
Saturday, August 26, 1972
- 7 -
MEDICAL AND HEALTH STATISTICS
For Week Ended On August 12
*******
Statistics released tcday by the Medical and Health Department for the week ended on August 12, 1972 are as follows:-
* Notifications of infectious cases (previous week’s figures in brackets) — total 139 (190; bacillary dysentery — 7 (7); chickenpox — 2 (nil); tuberculosis — 117 (174); enteric fever (typhoid) — 10 (5); leprosy — 1 (nil); measles — nil (3); and ophthalmia neonatorum — 2. (nil).
* Births — total registered 1,313; 334 on Hong Kong Island, 801 in Kowloon, and 178 in the New Territories.
* Deaths — 476 from all causes; 141 on the Island, 325 in Kowloon and 10 in the New Territories.
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REST AREA FOR SHAU KEI WAN RESIDENTS
*********
The open space at the junction of Chai Wan Road and Shaukiwan Road will be turned into a rest area.
The ground measures about 3,000 square feet. Part of it will be paved in concrete and the rest will be turfed and planted with shrubs and flowers.
A number of low concrete benches will be placed around the flower beds.
Work is expected to begin in October and should take about six weeks to complete.
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Release time: 2.30 p.m.
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
BBMH
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
w®»
Tuesday, August 29, 1972
PROPOSED NEW VEHICULAR FERRY ROUTES
*********
The Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company proposes to introduce two new vehicular ferry services — one between North Point and Kwun Tong and the other between Jubilee Street and Tai Kok Tsui.
When the proposed services come into operation, the existing North Point and Kowloon City service will be terminated as some commuters are being served by the cross-harbour tunnel. The existing Jordan Road to Central vehicular service will continue running.
Vehicular ferry berths, ramps and double-deck structures at Kwun Tong and Tai Kok Tsui, suitable for the operation of double-deck ferries, will be constructed to cater for the two new services.
"It is envisaged that with the introduction of the new services a better cross-harbour transport service will be provided," a Government spokesman said today.
The Financial Secretary, Mr. C.P. Haddon-Cave, will move a resolution in the Legislative Council tomorrow to seek approval in principle for the company’s application.
The resolution also seeks to make changes on some of the demolished piers listed in the schedule to the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company (Services) Ordinance. It also seeks to adjust the pier rents taking into consideration the deletion of the Kowloon City ferry pier and the inclusion of the Kwun Tong pier for which the company now has exclusive use.
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/2.........
Tuesday, August 29, 1972
2
WORKSHOP FOR THE BLIND BEING EXPANDED
********
The Hong Kong Society for the Blind is carrying out major renovations to the To Kwa Wan Workshop for the Blind to improve the welfare and working condition of the workers there.
For this purpose, the Legislative Council has approved a recommendation from the Social Welfare Advisory Committee for a grant of almost 3520,000 to the Society from the Lotteries Fund.
The Workshop will be expanding its woodwork section on the ground floor* Two new sections • light industry and sewing * will come into operation, bringing more employment and better pay for the blind workers*
The sewing section will be situated on the second floor with over 40 sewing machines. It will produce uniforms for junior government staff, towels and white sleeves for the traffic police.
There are also the chalk and paper box sections on the second floor, and the broom and brush section on the first floor*
A spokesman for the Workshop said: "It is hoped that our expansion scheme will have the support of the Government. In fact, several government departments have expressed their willingness to submit orders for our manufactured goods*”
Working conditions of the workers will also be improved. More fans will be installed, the workers will be provided with individual lockers and there will be better lighting for the partially blind workers*
The renovations have already begun and are expected to be completed by mid-October.
•------0 ---------
Tuesday, August 29, 1972
- 3 -
CLIMBING LANE FOR TAI PO ROAD
»*««««**
A section of Tai Po Road near the Chinese University is to be widened to make way for a climbing lane to reduce the heavy traffic congestion caused at this point by slow moving vehicles.
The climbing lane will be 4,800 feet long with a 10-foot wide carriageway. When completed, the entire carriageway along this section will be feet wide with a five-foot pathway.
The project forms part of the Government’s overall plan to improve the New Territories circular road network.
In connection with the road widening, the Government intends to resume 27,972 square feet of private agricultural land at Chek Nai Ping.
A notice announcing the proposed resumption under the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance was published in last week’s Gazette.
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WATER INTERRUPTION IN TAI HANG TUNG
*******
The water supply of the Tai Hang Tung Resettlement Estate will be cut off for five hours from 1 a.m. on Thursday (August 31).
The temporary water stoppage is to enable the Watterworks Department to carry out a leakage test.
The section affected is blocks 9 to 14.
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A...........
Tuesday, August 29, 1972
- 4 -
PUBLIC CARS ALLOWED TO USE ALL GOVERNMENT CAR PARKS
*********
The Transport Department announced today that with effect from 8 a.m. on September 1 (Friday), public cars will be allowed to use all government car parks.
At present, these cars are restricted to the Middle Road, Murray Barracks and Harcourt Road (Central) car parks on an experimental basis.
Under the new arrangement, they can also use the government car parks at Star Ferry, City Hall, Garden Road, Yau Ma Tei, Rumsey Street and the Ex-Naval Dockyard (Harcourt Road). But the Transport Department may terminate the arrangement if it is discovered that public cars are taking up spaces required for private cars.
Monthly tickets will not be issued for public cars, and they will be charged the same price as private cars.
A notice indicating the various categories of vehicles allowed to use the car parks operated by the Urban Council will be displayed in a prominent position at the entrance to each car park.
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Tuesday, August 29, 1972
- 5 -
NEV/ BERTHS FOR FIREBOATS IN KOWLOON
********* •
The Fire Services Department will have new berthing facilities at the Canton Road fire station to improve the operation of its fleet of boats.
Funds have been approved for new berths to be built near the fire station to speed up loading of specialised equipment not normally carried on the fireboats.
The new berths will enable fireboats to tie up closer to the firemen’s standby quarters and the crews will have less distance to cover when responding to an emergency call.
Working drawings for the new berths are being prepared and tenders for their construction will be called in due course.
The Canton Road fire station is well sited for dealing with fires in the commercial anchorage as well as the oil installations at Tsing Yi and Tsuen Wan.
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/6.........
Tuesday, August 29, 1972
- 6 -
DRAW FOR 54TH GOVERNMENT LOTTERY
*******
Winning numbers for the 5^th Government Lottery, the second last lottery this year, will be drawn by four well-known TVB personalities — Miss Pearl Au, Miss Gigi Wong, Mr. Gung Shui-fan and Mr. Leung Tin.
This was revealed today in a press conference by the Chairman of the Government Lottery Management Committee, Mr. Alex S.C. Wu.
The draw will be held on September 9 (Saturday) in the City Hall Concert Hall.
Mr. Wu also urged members of the public to support the special lottery commenorating the 10th anniversary of the Government Lottery. Tickets are now on sale at 82 each.
The draw for the special lottery will be held on September 23, immediately after the draw for the 55th Government Lottery.
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/7.........
Tuesday, August 29, 1972
SPECIAL SHIPMENT SCHEME FOR CERTAIN EXPORTS IO THE U.S.
*******
Exports of all cotton, man-made fibre and wool textiles to the United States against quotas and export authorisations must be licensed on or before September 4, 1972 for shipment up till the end of September this year•
As an exception to this rule there will be certain special arrangements applicable to categories subject to unfinished consultations with the United States Government. Individual quota holders have been notified separately.
The Director of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Jack Cater, said today that the object of the exercise, which was being introduced rather earlier than usual, was to ensure maximum utilisation of the available quota.
A special shipment scheme will be operated from September 6 to September 29* Under it all quotas not licensed on or before September 4 will be made available to all applicants for shipment before the end of the month.
Full details of the scheme are announced in Notice to Exporters: Series 2 No. 16/72 which was issued today.
Trade Associations and companies on the Commerce and Industry Department's mailing list for Notices to Exporters, Series 2 have been sent copies of this Notice. Any one else who wishes to know the details is invited to contact one of the following officers of the Commerce and Industry Department
Mr. P.K.F. Chok - Assistant Trade Officer
Tel. No. H-447888
Mr. H.S. Fong - Industry Assistant
Tel. No. H-239625
Mr. L. Chung - Industry Assistant
Tel. No. H-448686
The scheme has been introduced by the department on the advice of the Textiles Advisory Board.
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Release Time: 6.30 p.m.
P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000091
ME » E«fflW
INFORMATION
SERVICES
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
IMPROVED CROSS-HARBOUR TRANSPORT FACILITIES.
The Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company has proposed changes in its vehicular ferry services and these will provide for a better spread of crossharbour transport facilities which will benefit the community as a whole.
This was stated today by the Financial Secretary, the Hon. C.P. Haddon-Cavet in the Legislative Council while moving a motion on amendments to the Schedule to the Hongkong and: Yaumati Ferry Company (Services) Ordinance.
With the opening of the cross-harbour tunnel, the company had applied for the introduction of a new service from North Point to Kwup Tong and from Jubilee Street to Tai Kok Tsui, while maintaining the present Jubilee Street-Jordan Road service.
Another proposed change, he said, was the termination of the existing North Point-Kowloon City service when the proposed North Point-Kwun Tong service came into operation.
The Financial Secretary said the proposed changes were designed to achieve four objectives:
• To minimise the duplication of services between the vehicular ferries and the cross-harbour tunnel;
♦ To reduce to a minimum redundancies among ferry vessels and workers;
* To encourage a complementary cross-harbour transport system; and
To relieve
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 2 -
* To relieve road traffic congestion on both sides of the harbour by providing more vehicular ferry landing points, thus spreading the traffic out.
Mr# Haddon-Cave said the Government believed that a re-routing of the North Point-Kowloon City service would play a part in easing road congestion by relieving the traffic load along the north-east corridor of the Kowloon Peninsula, especially in San Po Kong and Wong Tai Sin# The proposed Jubilee Street-Tai Kok Tsui service should better meet the needs of lorries which at present crowded onto Nathan Road and Shanghai Street in Kowloon, he said.
The Financial Secretary said the terms offered by the Company to Government for the proposed changes were considered to be reasonable and equitable#
Speaking on the motion, Dr. the Hon. 'S.Y. Chung urged the Government to reconsider the siting of the Kowloon pier for the proposed Jubilee Street-Tai Kok Tsui service.
He said Tai Kok Tsui did not seem to be the best location on the north-west coast of Kowloon for this new vehicular ferry route.
"First, Tai Kok Tsui is not much further away from the existing route between Jubilee Street and Jordan Road,
"Secondly, since the bulk of vehicular traffic for this new route is presumably and increasingly coming from Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Cheung Sha Wan, the heavy road traffic along the built-up areas such as Cheung Sha Wan and Sham Shui Po will not be relieved," he said.
/On the
Wednesday, August JO, 1972
- 3 -
On the other hand, Dr. Chung said, Lai Chi Kok was very much more centrally located than Tai Kok Tsui and also had ready built main thoroughfares leading to Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung to the north, Cheung Sha Wan and Sham Shui Po to the south and So Uk and Tai Wo Ping to the east.
Replying to Dr. Chung, the Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee, the Hon. Szeto Wai, said that the new ferry pier at Tai Kok Tsui was chosen after careful study.
”It adheres closely to the future road system as recommended by the consultants in their ’Hong Kong Long Term Road Study’,” he said.
”In the long term, it is planned to link this ferry concourse with the mainland’s east-west and north-south traffic arteries respectively by connecting it with Argyle Street and the new Tong Mi Road. This road is designed to link Gascoign Road with the northern stretch of Lai Chi Kok Road, Lai Chi Kok Bridge and Kwai Chung Road all the way as an elevated structure along the Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter through the industrial area of Tai Kok Tsui and on reclamation along the waterfront of Sham Shui Po and passing close to the new industrial area of Cheung Sha Wan,” he said.
n
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A....
Wednesday, August 50, 1972
- 4 -
LAND SALE PROGRAMME
********
The Acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson said today that the land sale programme in the urban areas within the next two years will run at a similar rate to that of "the recent past." The six-month land sale forecast from October until next March provides for the sale of five to six acres of industrial land, about 20 acres of residential land and about one acre of land for commercial development.
Mr. Robertson, who was replying to a question by the Hon. Q.W. Lee, said it was expected that a similar scale would be maintained in the forecast for the year commencing on April 1, 1975» with some increase in the amount of industrial and commercial land.
Industrial land and residential sites are expected to be available at Chai Wan and Cheung Sha Wan. The Wan Chai Reclamation will also provide three to four acres of commercial land.
Mr. Robertson said about 25 acres of industrial land would be available for sale in the New Territories, about half of which would be in Sha Tin and half in Kwai Chung. The Commercial and residential land would not be available for auction to any extent, but a supply would be maintained by exchanges•
- - 0 - -
/5
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 5 -
RELIEVING TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT BUSY INTERSECTION »*«**«**«
Work has started on the construction of a grade-separated interchange at the junction of Kwun Tong and Clearwater Bay Roads to relieve the severe traffic congestion along Prince Edward Road eastward from the San Po Kong Interchange•
This was stated today by the Acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson, at the Legislative Council in reply to a question by Dr. the Hon. S.Y. Chung.
Mr. Robertson said a complete solution at this junction could not be looked for until the major and difficult works necessary there were completed in three years’ time.
’’But as this project will be carried out in stages, there will be some improvements during this period,” he said.
As regards a short-term solution such as the erection of a temporary steel flyover, he said this possibility had been considered. However, a flyover of this type at this location was just not practical due to the complex design of the permanent works and the very restricted space available for temporary works• ....
”We have already replaced the roundabout by traffic light sigals y and whilst it is appreciated that these measures are far from satisfactory, they are the boat that can be done at present,” he said.
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/6.........
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 6 -
DANGEROUS BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST
**«***««*
A three-storey pre-war building at 167 Connaught Road West has been declared dangerous by the Building Authority.
The Principal Government Building Surveyor said today that the load bearing walls of the go-down building had shown signs of continued movement.
These walls have reached the stage where there is a risk of collapse despite extensive shoring.
A notice of intention to apply for a Closure Order in Victoria District Court at 9-30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 6 was posted today.
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ROBBERIES AND THEIR DETECTION RATE
*•**««**
The average sentence imposed by the courts in robbery cases this year has been five to six years’ imprisonment.
The heaviest sentence imposed was one of eight years’ imprisonment arising out of the robbery of the Banque Nationale de Paris in February.
The Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R. Sneath, who was replying to the Hon. Szeto Wai, said that of the 3i543 robbery cases reported up to the end of July, 1,527 or 43.1 per cent of these had been detected.
Altogether, 1,130 people had been convicted, with 75 people still awaiting trial.
Mr. Sneath said that the total amount of money involved in the robberies was 15,418,263 of which 8770,197 or 14.2 per cent had so far been recovered.
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Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 7 -
ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID
The Legislative Council today agreed to a resolution which increases the limits below which a person becomes eligible for legal aid.
Under the Legal Aid Ordinance, legal aid may now be granted in civil cases to people whose disposable income does not exceed §700 a month and whose capital resources do not exceed S^+,000 — an increase of §200 and §1,000 respectively.
The Acting Attorney General, the Hon. G.R. Sneath, told the Council that the old figures were established in 1966 and since that time there had been a rise in the general level of wages which meant that fewer people were today eligible for legal aid.
He said that although the Government did not accept that these financial limits should "slavishly" follow changes in the index of industrial workers’ wages, it was relevant that the index showed a rise of over one-third in the wages in this sector.
Another resolution agreed to by the Council allows a person, whose sentence is to be reviewed by the Full Court on application from the Attorney General, to receive legal aid.
Mr. Sneath said that it was obviously proper that a person who would be entitled to legal aid if he were appealing himself to the Full Court, should be entitled to legal aid if he is a respondent on a motion by the Attorney General to review his sentence.
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/8.........
Wednesday, August JO, 1972
- 8 -
MANAGEMENT OF SWIMMING POOLS TO BE REVIEiTED
********
A general review of all aspects of swimming pool management will be undertaken by the Urban Services Department at the end of the current swimming season.
The Director of Urban Services, the Hon. D.R.W. Alexander, said it was likely that in order to spread the use of the pools more evenly (and to keep them even cleaner), a sessional use of all pools would be introduced.
He hoped that this would enable his department to re-deploy its manpower in such a way that the pools would be closed for only one hour during the lunch break and allow the Kowloon Tsai complex to remain open up to 7* JO p.m.
Mr. Alexander was speaking in the Legislative Council in reply to a question by the Hon. Oswald Cheung.
-----0------
/9........
Wednesday, August JO, 1972
- 9 -
JOINT EFFORTS TO PROMOTE HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITIES «»*««»**
The Director of Commerce and Industry, the Hon. Jack Cater, said today that his department and the Trade Development Council had ’’done a good deal” to promote Hong Kong’s industrial opportunities overseas and to lay the foundations for an effective industrial promotion effort in the years ahead.
This had been achieved ’’despite substantial staffing difficulties and other setbacks”.
Replying in the Legislative Council to a question by the Hon. James Wu, the Director said that the T.D.C. was in the process of recruiting new staff, some of whom would be trained in this promotional work.
He said it had been recognised for some time that a more positive «*• approach to encouraging foreign investment in Hong Kong industry was desirable.
Mr. Cater recalled that last year it was announced that his department and the T.D.C. had entered into a liaison agreement under which the Council accepted an external industrial promotional function with the back up service provided by the Commerce and Industry Department.
He also outlined some of the work which had been undertaken to actively promote foreign participation in Hong Kong industry on a fairly wide front.
/With ........
Wednesday, August JO, 1972
- 10 -
With regard to attracting more British industrialists to Hong
Kong, Mr# Cater said the T.D.C. and his department proposed to seek co*operation
with British banks and British organisations in the general field of 9
industrial promotion.
He said the two organisations also proposed, and some work had
already been done, to encourage British interests in participation in
Hong Kong industry by direct contact with industrialists in Britain.
nIn this connection, the permanent presence of an experienced
promotion officer in London will be of considerable help."
Mr. Cater said that an officer to be assigned to Britain and one from the North American area would shortly be attached to the Industrial Development Department Branch of his department to widen their experience.
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Ai
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 11 -
HONG KONG STUDENTS OVERSEAS INFORMED ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES
********
The Finance Committee of Legislative Council has approved funds for the appointment of an Establishment Branch representative in London who will help to recruit Hong Kong students living overseas for government posts in Hong Kong.
This was revealed today by the Director of Education, the Hon. J. Canning in reply to a question by the Hon. Wilson Wang in the Legislative Council.
The representative is to be appointed because Hong Kong students studying abroad are showing increased interest in returning to Hong Kong for employment, especially in government service.
The Student Advisor and staff in the Hong Kong Office help by notifying students of vacancies and interviewing potential candidates. The Advisor also assists in the private sector by referring applicants to the Productivity Centre, the Trade Development Council and other leading business houses.
In addition, arrangements have been made for Government vacancies to be advertised in the Hong Kong Digest which has a wide circulation among Hong Kong people in the United Kingdom.
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/12.........
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 12 -
REOPENING OF ROAD HELD UP BY DANGER OF LANDSLIDES
*********
It is hoped to have at least one lane of Ching Cheung Road in north-west Kowloon re-opened to traffic in about six weeks’ time if weather permits. The road was closed following landslips in June.
The Acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson, said this today in the Legislative Council in reply to a question by Dr. the Hon. S.Y. Chung.
He said the problem of re-opening the road was not simply to remove the large amount of slipped material - 70,000 cubic yards - and the repair of the slip face.
The problem was that any activity here during the wet season was difficult and dangerous since there was still a risk of further landslides due to treacherous mixture of weak soft material and large boulders overhanging the site,” he said.
In this connection, Mr. Robertson said, all work must be done with extreme care and, as a result, general progress had been slow.
’’However, the contractor has worked with all possible speed and is continuing to do so,” he said.
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Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 13 -
LITTER OFFENDERS GIVEN THREE DAYS TO APPEAR IN COURT
*****«•«
An amendment which allows a greater period of time before a person has to appear in court on litter charges was approved by the Legislative Council this afternoon.
The Acting Attorny General, the Hon G.R. Sneath, moved the amendment during the committee stage of the Magistrates (Amendment) Bill 1972 which is concerned with the "Clean Hong Kong" campaign.
Under the original draft of the legislation a person handed a statutory notice for being a suspected litter offender had to appear before a named magistracy within 24 hours of the handing over of the notice.
However, the amendment approved by the Council today provides that the date to be specified in the notice will be not less than three clear days after it has been handed to the person concerned.
Another amendment also allows a magistrate to permit a representative to appear on behalf of a person who has been served with a notice. This will only apply where the representative satisfies the magistrate that he is authorised to enter a plea of guilty and is himself able to pay any fine imposed.
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/14.......
Wednesday, August JO, 1972
- 14 -
TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR TEACHERS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION BEING EXPANDED
*********
Plans are being made to expand the training programmes for teachers of special education for handicapped children.
At present, about 80 per cent of all teachers engaged in this field have received specialised training, either overseas or locally.
The Director of Education, the Hon. J. Canning, said today: "With the implementation of the second five-year development programme on special education, many more people will have to be similarly trained."
He was replying Mrs. Joyce Symons at today’s Legislative Council meeting.
Mr. Canning said that about 20 teachers attended one-year courses in special education here annually in addition to those taking part in short courses and seminars.
He revealed that 26 officers from the Education Department’s Special Education Section have received overseas training and seven more were either now studying in Britain or due to go there soon.
0 - -
Wednesday, August 30» 1972
- 15 -
DR. CHOA VISITS LONDON:
DR. LEE RETIRING AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR (MEDICAL)
*********
The Director of Medical and Health Services, Dr. Gerald Choa, leaves for London tonight on a three-week visit, including 10 days in the United Kingdom as a guest of the British Government.
During his absence, Dr. J.K. Craig, Deputy Director of Medical and Health (Health), will act as Director in addition to his own duties.
Travelling on the same plane with Dr. Choa will be Dr. C.O. Lee who is retiring as Deputy Director of Medical and Health (Medical) after 26 years in the public service. Dr. Lee is on a private visit to the United Kingdom for six weeks.
On his return to Hong Kong at the end of that time, he will rejoin the Medical and Health Department on re-employment in another capacity as Medical Training Administrator.
Dr.wK.L. Thong is to act as Deputy Director of Medical and Health (Medical) from today «
Dr. Choa is breaking his journey to London with a short stay in Rome during which he will visit Caritas International.
In Britain, arrangements have been made through the British Trade Commission in Hong Kong for Dr. Choa to visit new hospitals, community health centres, and research institutes in the United Kingdom, accompanied by Mr. A.E. Starling, Chief Hospital Secretary, Medical and Health Department.
/While •••••••
Wednesday, August JO, 1972
- 16 -
While in London, the Director will have discussions with officials in the Overseas Development Administration, the Hong Kong Government Office, the Department of Health and Social Security, the Department of Trade and Industry, and also the registrars of the General Medical Council and the General Nursing Council.
It is understood that he will take the opportunity to visit the Drugs Dependents’ Clinical Research and Treatment Unit in the Maudsley Hospital, and an environmental pollution research unit. He will return on September 17*
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Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 17 -
CAREFUL CONSIDERATION BEING GIVEN TO BALANCE OF RAINSTORM DONATIONS
*********
The management committee of the Community Relief Trust Fund had been advised that it would be possible, by enabling legislation, to carry forward the balance of donations to victims of the June rainstorm disasters for use in future emergencies.
The Director of Social Welfare and Fund Trustee, the Hon. G.T. Rowe, told the Legislative Council this today in reply to questions by the Hon. Mrs. Joyce Symons.
She had asked if the Government was aware that appeals to the public for donations following the June rainstorms made by TVB and other organisations’ had been ’’impressed with a trust for the relief of victims of that catastrophe•”
Mr. Rowe said both the Government and the management committee were aware of this but carrying balances forward had been done in similar circumstances when the Fund was originally established, and it was right that this possibility should not be overlooked.
’’The Committee certainly recognises the importance of considering the matter carefully, so that we arrive at a solution which will meet both the wishes of the donors and the needs of the community as a whole,” Mr. Rowe explained. ”For this reason, the issue has been raised publicly.”
He already knew, as a result, that some donors agreed with the proposed move, and he believed others might.
/But.........
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 18 -
But he assured Mrs. Symons that the response of the community, and of the donors in particular, would be carefully weighed by the committee before a final decision was taken.
This could not, in any case, be taken in a hurry since payments were still continuing. Some victims of the disasters might still have claims, and time had to be allowed for them to make appropriate representations.
In reply to Mrs. Symons* request for information on how much money had been given to victims at Sau Mau Ping, the Kotewall Road area, and other areas, Mr. Rowe pointed out that the record of payment related to types of payment made, and not to different areas.
So far as the Social Welfare Department was concerned, the bulk of payments had gone to victims in Sau Mau Ping.
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/19........
Wednesday, August 50, 1972
- 19 -
SEWAGE PROBLEJ' STUDY FOR NORTHWEST KOWLOON
*********
Consulting engineers are about to begin a separate detailed study on alternative methods of treating and disposing of sewage in the northwest Kowloon area from Lai Chi Kok to Yau Ma Tei.
The consultants are to recommend and implement a solution. It is expected that the investigation and preliminary design will be completed before the end of next year and works put in hand then.
The Acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson, also disclosed in the Legislative Council that the final report by consulting engineers engaged to look into the problems arising from the discharge of sewage into Victoria Harbour and nearby waters is now in the hands of the Government Printer.
Replying to a question by the Hon. Szeto Wai, Mr. Robertson said: ”The report will require detailed study by a number of government departments, and these should be available by the end of the year following which detailed recommendations will be made.”
A brief summary would also be available, and would possibly be put on sale to the public if this were considered appropriate.
He also said that as a result of a series of interim technical reports made by the consultants, government views on the form of sewage treatment to be adopted at the Castle Peak and Sha Tin New Towns had been finalised.
.... -------0---------
/20
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 20 -
WORK OF TENANCY ENQUIRY BUREAUX
********
The two Tenancy Inquiry Bureaux under the Secretariat for Home Affairs are responsible for giving advice to both landlords and tenants, and for carrying out certain executive duties.
The Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, the Hon. F.K. Li told the Legislative Council this today in reply to a question by the Hon. Wilfred Wong.
Under the Demolished Buildings (Redevelopment of Sites) Ordinance, the Bureaux can use the data obtained from their experience in measuring premises in emergency operations when pre-war buildings are declared dangerous and have to be demolished*
This data also forms the basis for advance payments to landlords and tenants of dangerous buildings* thus providing them with immediate financial aid.
Under the Tenancy (Notice of Termination) Ordinance, the Bureaux stipulate six months’ security of tenure. However, if two parties enter into a tenancy agreement for a fixed period of more than three years, they may jointly apply to the Secretary for Home Affairs for the exemption of this six months’ notice.
0--------
/21
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
SELECTION PROCEDURES FDR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS UNDER REVIEW
««***♦**
The selection procedures for Administrative Officers are now under a thorough review with the co-operation of the University authorities to make the necessary adjustments before direct University recruitment takes place next year•
The Acting Colonial Secretary, the Hon. S.T. Kidd, told the Legislative Council this today in reply to a question by the Hon. Wilson Wang.
He said that 250 applications, including 114 from final-year University students, were received for the post of Administrative Officer in November, 1971• Only 14 final-year students passed the written examinations and were invited for interviews, but none were found suitable for appointment.
As a result of this, a review of the appointment procedures is now in progress.
The academic qualification for appointment as an Administrative Officer is a First or Second Class Honours degree from a Hong Kong or British university, or its equivalent.
------ 0---------
SIR HUGH SENDS MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY
********
The Acting Governor, Sir Hugh Norman-Walker has sent a message of sympathy to the Queen on the death of Prince William of Gloucester.
The message, which is addressed to the Secretary of State reads: "I would be grateful if you will convey to Her Majesty the Queen the sorrow and deep sympathy of the people of Hong Kong at the sad news of the death of His Royal Highness Prince William of Gloucester."
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Wednesday, August ?o, 1972
- 22 -
PACKAGE TOUR OPERATIONS BEING REVIEWED
*******
The Financial Secretary, the Hon. C.P. Haddon-Cave, said today he understood the various bodies represented on the Hong Kong Tourist Association were considering the whole question of how package tour operations were organised and conducted.
They might well recommend legislation which would incorporate compulsory registration of tour operators and travel agents and sanctions for commercial misbehaviour, however this might be defined, he said.
He was speaking in the Legislative Council in reply to the Hon. P.C, Woo who had asked: "In view of recently reported malpractices, will Government consider taking early appropriate steps such as the compulsory registration of tourist agencies with sanctions for their de-registration if a proper standard of business ethics is not maintained?”
The Financial Secretary continued: "The Government will examine any proposals put to us, but I cannot guarantee that they will be accepted.
"Rather we may well come to the conclusion that the problem can better be approached through action by the Hong Kong Tourist Association and the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents with their individual members and by better publicity amongst tourists," he said.
Mr. Haddon-Cave said this sort of approach rather than the restriction of competition would seem to him to be preferable to the introduction of restrictive legislation with all the attendant administrative costs and complications.
/As regards
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 23 -
As regards malpractices, he said he was not quite sure what particular malpractices or alleged malpractices in the tourist trade Mr. Woo was referring.
He said there had been reports about the conduct of some travel agents and tour operators. "In particular, the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents has complained that some tourists, in particular Japanese tourists, are being overcharged for ‘their purchases in certain Hong Kong shops."
According to enquiries made by the Tourist Association, he said, some tourist guides negotiated commissions from tourist shops on the basis of the business they introduced.
Mr. Haddon-Cave said whether this sort of situation should be dealt with by measures such as the compulsory registration of travel agents and tour operations was, in his view, another question.
"So is the criteria to be applied in deciding who is fit to be and who is not fit to be registered. So is the definition of the standards of business ethics to be applied.
"In any case, such actions, by introducing a closed shop in this sphere of activity might well reduce competition and raise tour prices unduly," he said.
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/24.........
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 24 -
NINE BILLS PASSED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
***«**#«
Nine bills passed their committee stage and third readings in Legislative Council this afternoon and became law.
Four of them - the Pensions (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 1972, the Public Health and Urban Services (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill, 1972, the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 1972 and the Waterworks (Amendment) Bill, 1972 -■ > • • were passed without amendment.
The other five - the Guardianship of Minors Bill, 1972, the Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 1972, the Legal Aid (Amendment) Bill, 1972,. the Magistrates (Amendment) Bill, 1972 and the Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill, 1972 - were passed with amendments.
Further consideration in the committee stage of the Accountants Bill, 1972 has been adjourned until the Council meeting on October 25-
The Legislative Council, which has gone into recess after today’s meeting, will begin its new session on October 18. -----------------------------------0----------
QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS
««****«*
The Port Health Authority announced today that quarantine restrictions have been imposed against arrivals from Visakhapatnam (port), India because of cholera.
’At the same time, quarantine restrictions imposed against arrivals from Baghdad, Iraq because of smallpox have been removed.
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/25........
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 25 -
THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT BROADCASTING
********
The role of Government’s broadcasting services in the years ahead is ’’manifold and vital” - to reflect the best of the institutions of Hong Kong’s two cultures and to propagate traditional standards of free speech and comment.
This was said today by the Acting Director of Broadcasting, Mr, Tim Birch, in a luncheon talk to the Hong Kong Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry at the Hong Kong Club.
In his talk, he discussed the position of Government’s broadcasting services within the context of the swiftly changing community of Hong Kong, Mr. Birch said that broadcasting was in a constant and sensitive relation with the conditions of society and ”we cannot ignore these changes which are affecting our community to please those who cry ’don’t rock the boat”’.
He started off his address by quoting a remark made by the former Governor, Sir David Trench, when he opened the Broadcasting House in 1969• Sir David then said: ”We want to inform people about what Government and public institutions are doing and why; and also to reflect back responsible » opinion on matters of public concern.”
He was also quoted as saying: ”It is, I think, important that the public should realise that the Government broadcasting service is not one which is imposed on the taxpayer without taking into account his attitude towards the service for which he is paying.”
/Mr. Birch
Wednesday, August JO, 1972
- 26 -
Mr. Birch pointed out that one of his department’s most important tasks was to expound to the listeners the aims, policies and practices of Government, and to demonstrate what Government was trying to do for the public by objectively portraying its activities,
’’However, it must be recognised that no succession of reassuring palliatives will succeed in convincing people that Government is good,” he said.
To take a contemporary example, he said, the Lap Sap Chung was a fine campaign symbol, but if the rubbish truck was not there at the end of the street to take the rubbish away, then all the radio campaigns in the world would not keep Hong Kong clean.
The Director said Government’s broadcasting services had always been the subject of lively controversy and there were conflicting demands among the listeners,
’’But how do we as broadcasters make sense out of these bewildering and conflicting demands? First of all, let me say that by using audience research, we are now able to find out broadly what the public wants,”
He said a recent audience survey for the Chinese Service, for example, showed an almost insatiable demand for popular drama, and the Drama Section was now producing no less than 52 plays a week.
’’Similarly, we have found out that on the English Service, the main listeners to English news magazines in the evening are Chinese who prefer local news and in the morning expatriates who want more international news, so we have cut our cloth according to this pattern."
/itr. Birch again
Wednesday, August 30, 1972
- 27 -
Mr. Birch again quoted Sir David as saying: ’’Government wishes to use Radio Hong Kong to reflect back to Government responsible public opinion on matters of public interest and concern. This indicates that Government is not adverse to using its own facilities for criticism and controversy.”
In this context, the Director said, Mr. Jack Cater who was taking over the job of Information Secretary soon, had a very special interest in this feedback of information from the people to its Government•
”We at Radio Hong Kong are ready and delighted to wield our forces with a will in strengthening these vital links.
"As Jack Cater has said, one of his tasks will be to coordinate the information effort of Government in this community. He has met my staff and talked to them of his aims, and I am convinced that his appointment means a strengthening of Radio Hong Kong’s voice in this community," he said.
As regards the future, Mr. Birch said it was as bright as the past, because plans were in hand for the use of mobile radio transmitters to bring news live into programmes, for the setting up of stereo broadcasting, for the improvement of FM coverage in the Colony, and for the expansion and improvement of the Television Services.
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Release Time: 8.4^ p.m.