PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
SEVEN OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF LEGCO WILL TAKE THE FLOOR AT TOMORROW’S RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE ........................... 1
WATER CUT IN YAUMATEI AREA ................................ 1
NEW SAFETY REGULATIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS EMPLOYED IN
CARGO HANDLING IN DOCKS AND WHARVES NOW IN FORCE-........... 2
SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICES FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD .... 3
SPECIAL HOLIDAY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WILL BE REINTRODUCED IN N.T. NEXT MONTH ............................ 4
RESERVOIRS IN HONG KONG ALMOST 70 PER CENT FULL ............ 5
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT TO CONDUCT SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS OF SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES .............................. 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1975
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BUDGEi DEBATES OFFICIALS TAKE THE FLOOR TOMORROW X X X X X X * X 4 X 4 X 4 X 4 X r X
DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION DILI. 1975 RESUMES TOMORROW WHEN SEVEN OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR OFFICIAL COLLEAGUES. ANOTHER FOUR OFFICIALS WILL SPEAK ON THURSDAY,
TOMORROW’S SPEAKERS ARE s THE HON. KENNETH TOPI.F.Y, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION" DR. THE HON. GERALD CHOA, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES" THE HON. 1.1 FOOK-KOW, SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES" THE HON. IAN LIGHTDODY , SECRETARY FOR HOUSING" THE HON. HAMES ROBSON, SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT" THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS" AND THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
SPEAKING OH THURSDAY WILL BE THE HON. DAVID JORDAN, DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY" THE HON. DENIS BRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS" THE COLONIAL SECRETARY , THE HON. DENYS ROBERTS" AND THE FINANCIAL SECREiARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WHO WILL WIND UP THE DEBATE.
COUNCIL WILL THEN ADJOURN UNTIL APRIL 23 WHEN THE APPROPRIATION BILL WILL BE CONSIDERED IN COMMITTEE BEFORE ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.
AT TOMORROW’S (WEDNESDAY’S) SITTING FIVE NEW BILLS WILL BE TABLED AND DEBATE WILL RESUME OH FIVE OTHERS WHICH WILL THEN BE CONSIDERED IN COMMITTEE BEFORE THEIR FINAL READING.
THESE ARE a THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE CORONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE TRUSTEE (AMENDMENT) BILL, AND THE CHINA FLEET CLUB INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT)
iHE NEW BILLS TO BE TABLED ARE a THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION DILL
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL THE STAMP (AMENDMENT) DILL, THE , AND THE MOCK AUCTIONS BILL.
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WATER CUT
X X X *X 4X 44
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WATER SUPPLY TO INTERRUPTED FOR FIVE TO ENABLE A TEST FOR
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN YA UMA TEI Will' Bc HOURS AS FROM 1 AM ON FRIDAY (APR II A) LEAKAGE TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE ARFA.
PREMISES BOUNDED BY SAIGON STREET. AND SHANGHAI STREET WILL BE AFFECTED.
NATHAN ROAD, .IORDAN ROAD
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TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1975 - 2 -
NEW INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS NOW IN FORCE ft ft ft ft ft ft ft
NEW SAFETY REGULATIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS EMPLOYED IN CARGO HANDLING IN DOCKS, QUAYS AND WHARVES CAME INTO FFFECT TODAY (APRIL 1). . . '
THE NEW REGULATIONS - WHICH CARRY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 - APPLY TO PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS. FORK-LIFT TRUCK OWNERS, AND WORKERS ENGAGED IN CARGO HANDLING OPERATIONS AT ANY DOCK, QUAY OR WHARF, THEY, HOWEVER, DO NOT APPLY TO THE SEAWARD SIDE OF CARGO HANDLING, NAMELY USING CRANES OR OTHER LIFTING GEAR ON A SHIP OR LIGHTER.
THEY WERE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING USE OF MODERN DEVICES AND SOPHISTICATED TECHNIQUES FOR CARGO HANDLING.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. LAO MOU-CHI. SAID TODAY THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CARGO HANDLING) REGULATIONS 1975 ARE ANOTHER IMPORTANT PIECE OF SAFETY LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO PROTECT WORKERS.
+THEIR INTRODUCTION SHOULD MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY,'• HE SAID.
THE REGULATIONS WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 22, ALLOWING TIME FOR PROPRIETORS TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENTS.
COMPLEMENTARY TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR) REGULATIONS 1974, THE NEW REGULATIONS SET OUT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDE FOR SAFF ACCESS TO, AND EFFICIENT LIGHTING OF, DOCKS, QUAYS AND WHARVES AS WELL AS FACILITIES FOR RESCUE FROM DROWNING.
UNDER THE REGULATIONS, PROPRIETORS MUST PROVIDE FOR THE PROPER MAINTENANCE, PROTECTION AND USE OF a
ft ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WHICH MUST BE INSPECTED DAII Y BY A COMPETENT PERSON.
ft THE MAINTENANCE AND USE OF FORK-LIFT TRUCKS.
ft THE SAFE STACKING OR UNSTACKING OF CARGO OR GOODS.
ft THE PROHIBITION OF ANY UNAUTHORISED REMOVAL OF SAFETY APPLIANCES OR FENCING.
/+THERB AHE ALSO .....
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1975
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+THERE ARE ALSO PROVISIONS FOR FIRST AID FACILITIES SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS 1973 WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON MAY 1, 1974,+ MR. LAO SAID.
+THESE INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF FIRST AID BOXES OR CUPBOARDS IN THE RATIO OF ONE BOX OR CUPBOARD TO EVERY 1QO WORKERS OR PART THEREOF EMPLOYED AND THE ATTENDANCE OF FIRST AIDERS DURING WORKING HOURS AT ANY DOCK, QUAY OR WHARF WITH 30 OR MORE WORKERS.
+WE HAVE PREPARED A GUIDE ON THE REGULATIONS TO ENABLE PROPRIETORS, FORK-LIFT TRUCK OWNERS AND WORKERS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE LAW.
+IT WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK FROM ALL OFFICES F THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT,+ HE SAID.
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TRAIN SERVICES FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL x x x x x x
SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN KOWLOON AND WO HOP SHEK DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD THIS WEEKEND TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN COMMUTERS.
ELEVEN UP-TRAINS WILL RIJN BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY BETWEEN 6.15 AM AND 4.44 PM OH APRIL 5 AND 6, WHILE A SIMILAR HUMBER OF DOWN-TRAINS WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN 7.40 AM AND 6.14 PM. THESE SPECIAL TRAINS WILL NOT PICK UP PASSENGERS AT THE MONG KOK STATION.
AT THE SAME TIME, ALL NORMAL SCHEDULE UP-TRAINS WILL NOT PICK UP PASSENGERS AT THE MONG KOK STATION BETWEEN 8 AM AND 3.10 PM ON THESE TWO DAYS.
DURING THIS PERIOD, PASSENGERS NORMALLY BOARDING AT MONG KOK STATION SHOULD GO TO TSIM SHA TSUI STATION. HOLDERS OF MONTHLY TICKETS WILL BE ALLOWED TO BOARD AT TSIM SHA TSUI WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SAID THAT ADDITIONAL SPECIAL TRAINS WOULD BE OPERATED IN THE LATE EVENINGS IF NECESSARY. THE LOCAL STATION MASTERS WILL GIVE ADVICE ON THE TIMING OF THESE TRAINS. :
HE SAID ALL UP-TRAINS FROM KOWLOON TO THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE EXPECTED TO BE FULL BETWEEN 6 AM AND 3 PM, WHILE DOWN-TRAINS WOULD PROBABLY BE FULL BETWEEN 3 PM AND 9 PM.
THERE WILL BE HO ADVANCE BOOKING OF RAILWAY TICKETS.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1975
SPECIAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME IN N.T.
TO BEAT CONGESTION ON HOLIDAYS H it ft
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING TO THE NEW TERRITORIES IN SUMMER SHOULD FIND THEIR JOURNEY TIMES REDUCED WITH THE RE-INTRODUCTION NEXT MONTH OF THE SPECIAL HOLIDAY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME ON TWO MAJOR ROADS — CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND CLEARWATER BAY ROAD.
UNDER THE SCHEME, GOODS VEHICLES WILL NOT DE PERMITTED TO TRAVEL ALONG CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE ROADS DURING SPECIFIED HOURS ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, UNLESS AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE SCHEME WAS INTENDED TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAUSED BY SLOW-MOVING LORRIES AND BY HEAVY VEHICLES BREAKING DOWN.
HE SAID IT WOULD ALSO GIVE PRIORITY TO PASSENGER TRANSPORT FOR A FEW HOURS TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO HAVE REASONABLY QUICK ACCESS TO BEACHES AND OTHER RECREATIONAL AREAS ALONG THE AFFECTED SECTIONS OF THE ROADS.
FOR CLEARWATER BAY ROAD, HE SAID, THE SUMMER HOLIDAY TRAFFIC SCHEME HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAS PROVED SUCCESSFUL. SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS WERE INTRODUCED LAST SUMMER ON CASTI F PEAK ROAD AND A SURVEY INDICATED THERE WAS A GENERAL INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT IN TRAFFIC VOLUME ON THE ROAD AND JOURNEY SPEED INCREASED BY ABOUT 14 PER CENT.
❖BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE OF SLOW-MOVING LORRIES AND HEAVY VEHICLES BREAKING DOWN, BUS SERVICES IN THIS PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE ABLE TO ADHERE MORE CLOSELY TO THEIR TIMETABLES,* HE SAID.
THIS YEAR, THE SCHEME WILL COME INTO OPERATION FROM MAY 4 UNTIL OCTOBER 14 EXCEPT ON TWO PUBLIC HOLIDAYS - JUNE 14 AND JULY 1.
ON CLEARWATER BAY ROAD, ALL GOODS VEHICLES TRAVELLING IN AN EASTERLY (UPHILL) DIRECTION WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM USING THAT SECTION BETWEEN ITS .JUNCTIONS WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD FROM 9 AM TO 2 PM OH SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS'* AND GOODS VEHICLES TRAVELLING IN A DOWNHILL DIRECTION WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO USE THE SECTION OF THE ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND ANDERSON ROAD FROM ?. PM TO 7 PM.
OH CASTLE PEAK ROAD, THEY WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TRAVELLING ALONG THAT SECTION BETWEEN SHA TSUI ROAD AND CAUSEWAY ROAD FROM 11 AM TO (5 PM.
/TilK OiOKiiSii/UI........
TUESDAY, APKIL 1, 1975
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THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD, THERE WOULD STILL NO I BE A TOTAL BAN ON THE MOVEMENT OF GOODS VEHICLES TO AND FROM THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES. ALTERNATIVE ROUTES ARE AVAILABLE ON TAI PO ROAD, ROUTE TWISK AND OH CASTLE PEAK ROAD OUTSIDE THE RESTRICTED HOURS.
OWNERS OF GOODS VEHICLES REQUIRING TO USE THESE SECTIONS OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND CLEARWATER BAY ROAD DURING THE RESTRICTED HOURS SHOULD APPLY IM WRITING TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMEN I.
IN THE CASE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, THOSE LIVING IN YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN AREAS SHOULD APPLY TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICERS^ AND IN THE CASE OF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD, GOODS VEHICLES OWNERS LIVING IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT SHOULD APPLY TO THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SAI KUNG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PERMITS FOR USING THE RESTRICTED ROAD SECTIONS WOULD ONLY BE ISSUED WHERE MOVEMENT OF GOODS VEHICLES DURING THE RESTRICTED HOURS WAS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
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WEEKLY WATER SITUATION REPORT x Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS WEEK STOOD AT 46,427 MILLION GALLONS. THIS REPRESENTS 69.0 PER CENT OF THE FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR THE TOTAL STORAGE WAS AO,046 MILLION GALLONS.
PLOVER GOVE ALONE HELD 35,799 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 32,326 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 70.9 MILLION GALLONS OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 153.0 MM (6.02 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 149.5 MM (5.89 IN).
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TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1975
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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS X X X X X X
DR. DAN I FL II. HENNING, AN ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT FROM THE U.S. CURRENTLY ATTACHED TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, WILL BE CONDUCTING A SEMINAR ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCA i ION AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION BEGINNING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SPONSORED BY THE ASIA FOUND' ''ION, WILL BE OPENED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCA I ION (CHIEF NSPEClOR OF SCHOOLS), MR. A.G. BROWN AT 9 AM.
PARTICIPATING WILL BE ABOUT 120 SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS OF SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO ATTEND AS OBSERVERS.
THE AIM OF THE TWO-DAY SEMINAR IS TO IMPRESS ’ON TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SO iHAT THEY WILL PASS ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO STUDENTS.
DURING THESE TWO DAYS, EIGHT LECTURES WILL BE GIVEN BY DR. HENNING ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, INCLUDING THE GENERAL CONSIDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS-ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES- NATURE RESOURCES POLICY AND POLLUTION CONTROL.
IN ADDITION TO SEMINARS, I HE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS ALSO ORGANISING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES TO INVOLVE TEACHERS AND SCHOOL CHILDREN IN HELPING TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. THESE ACTIVITIES CONSIST OF THREE PLANTING PROGRAMMES, CONSERVATION FIELD DAYS FOR SERVING TEACHERS AND STUDENT TEACHERS AND TRAINING CAMPS FOR STUDENT CONSERVATION LEADERS.
IN MID APRIL, THE DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A NUMBER OF AIR POLLUTION PROJECTS INCLUDING THE ACID RAIN PROJECT AND PARTICULATE AIR PROJECT AS PART OF A SERIES OF PURE AIR SURVEY FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED tO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE TWO-DAY SEMINAR AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
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ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, April 2, 1975
MORSE PARK - OASIS IN DESERT OF CONCRETE • r. I
Thousands Of Young People Will Have Chance To See Queen
When the Queen visits the Mor§e Park swimming pool on the morning of May 5» thousands of people will be on hand to welcome her, and. most of them will be members of• the younger generation whom the Queen always enjoys meeting. w
The season will then be in full swing, and the swimmers will have come from the teeming estates of j Wang Tau Hom, Lok Fu f Wong Tai Sin and Tung Tau. For them, the Morse. Park swimming pool’ complex is an oasis in the concrete desert of the four biggest housing estates in Kowloon. .. . 4
The Queen will be the second member of the Royal family to visit the complex. In 1972, Princess Alexandra was also there.
Like the other six swimming pool complexes on either side of the harbour, the Morse Park project was financed for the Urban Council X*-and the Urban Services Department by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, which had also given a large grant towards the development of the 44-acre
Morse Park itself.
Morse Park holds the record for the highest number of attendances at any public swimming pool on a single day - 13i300 on one occasion last year.
/The pool •••••
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• The pool was officially opened on December 4, 1970, by the then i chairman of the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr. J.A.H. (now Sir John) Saunders•
It consists of one 50 by 21 metres main pool, one 50 by 20 metres secondary pool, one diving pool, one paddling pool, and a children’s play area. Other facilities include covered refreshment areas for swimmers once they leave the pool, and a covered grandstand with room for more than 800.
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This grandstand is usually packed with excited, shouting children -and sometimes excited, shouting parents - when, many times during the swimming season, galas or school swimming championships are held in the pale-blue, inviting water of the Olympic-size main pool.
Morse Park itself, outside the complex, provides a wide range of recreational amenities, including basketball courts, a roller-skating rink, and an open-air theatre.
The Park is managed by the Urban Services Department on behalf of the Urban Council, and provides an outlet for youthful energy in the off-season months of December, January, and February when the pools are closed.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES BASED ON +REALISTIC PRAGMATISM*, SAYS FINANCIAL SECRETARY .................................. 1.
MODIFIED MACAU PASSENGER CHARGE TO COME INTO FORCE ON APRIL 14.................................................... *
AIRLINES GET CONCESSION FROM SURCHARGE ON PEAK-HOUR MOVEMENTS AT KAI TAK ....................................... 5
COLONIAL SECRETARY RULES OUT GENERAL AMNESTY FOR CORRUPT
OFFENCES ................................................. 6
NOT REALISTIC TO REPEG HONG KONG DOLLAR AT THIS TIME 8 FINANCIAL SECRETARY ........................................ 9
HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC POLICY NOT ’LAISSEZ-FAIRE’, SAYS DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ......................... 10
UNRESTRICTED USE OF RESERVOIRS FOR RECREATION +IMPOSSIBLE+ 12 CHILDREN’S DAY: SWD ORGANISES SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN ........................................
FOUR BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON CITY DECLARED DANGEROUS ........
JANUARY ISSUE OF MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS NOW ON SALE TOO BUILDINGS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT CONDEMNED...............
CHING MING FESTIVAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS .................
PUBLIC WARNED OF FIRE DANGER DURING CHING MING FESTIVAL . GRADUATION OF NEW IMMIGRATION RECRUITS ...................
PENTECOSTAL SCHOOL TO BE OPENED TOMORROW...............
LABOUR DEPARTMENT HELPS SETTLE TWO-WEEK OLD INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE ..................................................
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Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
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1975 BUDGET GEARED TO REALITY X X X X X
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY MAINTAINED THAT THE BUDGETARY AND FISCAL POLICIES LAID DOWN IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET WERE REALISTIC IN THE PRESENT SITUATION OF WORLD ECONOMIC RECESSION.
WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION DILL 197.5, HE TOOK STRONG EXCEPTION TO REMARKS DY SOME UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO HAD BRANDED THE GOVERNMENT ’LAISSEZ FAIRE’ AND ’A STOP-GO GOVERNMENT.’
+ IN MY VIEW,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, *AN OBJECTIVE DESCRIPTION OF OUR POLICIES WOULD DE REALISTIC PRAGMATISM, HOT LAISSEZ-FAIRE — THOUGH IF BY LAISSEZ FAIRE IS MEANT AN ABSENCE OF BUREAUCRATIC SPRAWL, I WOULD NOT BE TOO DEFENSIVE ABOUT THE LABEL.*
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD REPEATEDLY, OVER MANY YEARS, STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF STEADY PROGRESS AND THE CONTINUITY OF POLICY. +AND IT IS THIS EMPHASIS ON CONTINUITY WHICH HAS ENABLED US TO SUSTAIN OUR EFFORTS INTO 1975-76 DESPITE OUR REVENUE PROSPECTS.*
WHILE THE BUDGETTED INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE FOR 1975-76 WAS ONLY SEVEN PER CENT, THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT IGNORING ITS COMMITMENTS NOR DID THIS PERCENTAGE CONSTITUTE A ’STOP GO’ ATTITUDE. RATHER, IT WAS A CHANGE OF PACE, HE ADDED.
THE RIGHT ECONOMIC AND FISCAL POLICIES FOR HONG KONG WERE ALMOST ENTIRELY DICTATED BY OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID, AND *WE IGNORE THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES AT OUR PERIL.*
AS FOR THE SO-CALLED CUTS OR REDUCTIONS IN EXPENDITURE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THESE WERE LARGELY IN RESPECT OF DEPARTMENTAL SUBMISSIONS. A STUDY OF THE MEMORANDUM NOTES ON EACH HEAD OF EXPENDITURE WILL REVEAL *THAT SERVICES AND PROGRAMMES ARE FOR THE MOST PART'DE ING MAINTAINED AND, IN SOME CASES, EXPANDED ALBEIT ON A MORE LIMITED SCALE THAN MOST OF US WOULD ARGUE WAS DESIRABLE IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.*
HE ADDEDs *FURTHERMORE, THE PROVISIONS SOUGHT UNDER EACH HEAD AND SUBHEAD ARE CONSISTENT WITH EACH OTHER, THAT IS TO SAY, FOR EACH SERVICE AND CAPITAL WORKS PROJECT SUFFICIENT FUNDS AND STAFF ARE PROVIDED TO ENABLE STATED INTENTIONS TO BE ACHIEVED.* HE ADMITTED, HOWEVER, THAT THERE MAY BE ODD CASES OF INADEQUATE PROVISION AND EVEN OMISSION, BUT REITERATED THAT HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS WOULD HAVE TO EXPLORE WAYS AND MEANS OF ACHIEVING MAXIMUM COSTEFFECTIVENESS.
EADDOTtCAVE
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THURSDAY, APRIL J, 1975
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MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO REJECTED A SUGGESTION BY DR. THE HON. CHUNG SZE-YUEN THAT HE TENDED TO ’OVER REACT’ TO THE SHORT TERM URS AND DOWNS IN OUR ECONOMIC PROGRESS.
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MR. HADDON-CAVE RECALLED THAT HE HIMSELF HAD STATED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS DURING THE SURPLUS YEARS THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE CAREFUL HOT TO OVER REACT BY INCREASING ITS ABILITY TO SPEND BEYOND ITS ABILITY TO FINANCE SPENDING KJ THE LONGER TERM.
TURNING TO A POINT RAISED BY THE HON. JAMES HU. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY GAVE AH ASSURANCE THAT THE POTENTIAL SUPPLY OF, AND POSSIBLE DEMAND FOR, LAND FOR HIGH DENSITY LIGHT INDUSTRIES AS WELL AS LOW DENSITY HEAVIER INDUSTRIES OVER THE HEXT FEW YEARS WAS NOW BEING CONSIDERED IN DETAIL.
HE AGREED WITH THE HON. LI FOOK-WO THAT AH INCREASE IN THE STANDARD RATE OF EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAX WAS UNACCEPTABLE AT THIS TIME, AND HOPED TO DE ABLE TO AVOID PROPOSING AN INCREASE IN THE STANDARD RATE UNTIL THE THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE HAD REPORTED.
MR. HADDON-CAVE TOLD UNOFFICIALS THAT THE REASON THIS COMMITTEE COULD NOT BE APPOINTED UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF 5.976 WAS THAT IT WOULD EE TOO MUCH FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH SUCH A COMMITTEE ON TCP OF THE CHANGES INTRODUCED RECENTLY TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO FIND.A SUITABLE CHAIRMAN AND A FULL-TIME SECRETARY, HE EXPLAINED. IN PASSING, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE DID HOT ENVISAGE THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE DE I NG CAST BEYOND THE DIRECT TAX FIELD.
HE ALSO GAVE AH ASSURANCE THAT WHEN CONSIDERING ANY FISCAL MEASURES, THE CONSEQUENCES FOR INVESTMENT AND HENCE THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY WOULD BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF HIS MIND. LOCAL AND OVERSEAS BUSINESSMEN AND INVESTORS, HE REMARKED, COULD TAKE CONSIDERABLE COMFORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSISTENT RECORD IN THIS RESPECT OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS.
ON DIVIDENDS WITHHOLDING TAX AND THE ASSOCIATED TAX ON UNDISTRIBUTED PROFITS, TRE FINANCIAL SECRETARY APPEALED TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HOT TO ASK FOR REFINEMENTS WHICH, HOWEVER JUSTIFIED IN THEORY, WOULD IN PRACTICE BE DIFFICULT'AND COSTLY TO ADMINISTER AND INTRODUCE UNCERTAINTIES INTO THE LEGISLATION.
AS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF REVENUE HAD TO DE TAPPED, PRIORITY MUST BE GIVEN TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DIVIDENDS WITHHOLDING TAX, AND THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, HE SAID, WOULD CONCENTRATE THIS YEAR ON AMENDING THE ORDINANCE FOR THIS PURPOSE.
/OH DR. COTTO'S .....
THURSDAY, APRIL J, 1975
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ON DR. CHUNG’S PROPOSAL FOR A ONE PER CENT TURNOVER TAX.
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THIS CAME AS A SURPRISE. HE RULED IT OU? ON THE BASIS THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS WOULD BE CONSIDERABLE AND THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF SUCH A TAX ON THE COST OF LIVING AND ON THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG EXPORTS WON! D DF ♦DISASTROUS.*
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HE ALSO RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF REINTRODUCING DEPENDENT PARENTS ALLOWANCE WHICH HE HAD CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED BECAUSE *WE SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD THE LOSS OF REVENUE.*
HOWEVER, MR. IIADDON-CAVE, AGREED WITH THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG THAT BETTING DUTY SHOULD PLAY A LARGER ROLE IN HONG KONG’S FISCAL AFFAIRS, AND HE HOPED THAT THE SCOPE OF THE BETTING ORD I NACE COULD BE GRADUALLY EXTENDED TO EMDRACE, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, FIELDS OTHER THAN HORSE RACING.
HE ALSO SYMPATHISED WITH THE HON. HILTON CIIEONG-LEEN’S SUGGESTION THAT ENTERTAINMENT TAX SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL MATCHES. HE SAID UE WOULD RECONSIDER THIS IF THE DIFFICULTY IN DEFINING PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL, AS OPPOSED TO AMATUER SPORT. COULD DE OVERCOME. ’
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHARED MR. LI FOOX-WO«S SENSE OF SHOCK OVER THE INCREASE IN ARREARS OF REVENUE. THIS DETERIORATION. HE SAID, AROSE MAINLY FROM A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE ARREARS FOR EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAXES FROM S29 MILLION IN JUNE 1973 IN RESPECT OF 1972/73 TO 359 MILLION IN JUNE 1974 IN RESPECT OF 1973/74.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR INLAND REVENUE HAD PUT FORWARD PLANS TO REDUCE THESE ARREARS. *BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT OVER THE I AST TOO YEARS, THE PROPORTION OF ASSESSED TAX NOT PAID ON THE DUE DATE HAS RISEtJ=> AND GIVEN THE DIFFICULTIES OF 1974, I DOUBT IF WE SHALL SEE MUCH IMPROVEMENT IN THE POSITION AT THE CLOSE OF 1974/75, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF PROFITS AND PROPERTY TAXES,* HE ADDED. ’
MR. HADDON-CAVE NOTED THAT WITH THE CONCESSIONS IN THE MACAU TERMINAL PASSENGER CHARGE AND THE SURCHARGE ON PEAK-HOUR MOVEMENTS AT KAI TAK AIRPORT, THE ESTIMATED DEFICIT OF 3429 MILLION IN 1975/76 WOULD RISE TO 3431 MILLION.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
- 4 -
MACAU PASSENGER TAX MODIFIED
CONCESSION FOR THOSE TRAVELLING ON CHEAPER TICKETS « n i? n a n
HONG KONG-MACAU COMMUTERS TRAVELLING ON CHEAPER TICKETS NOT EXCEEDING 312 WILL NOW HAVE TO PAY A PASSENGER TAX OF ONLY 32, INSTEAD OF THE 35 ORIGINALLY PROPOSED DY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH IN FEBRUARY.
ALL OTHERS, INCLUDING THOSE TRAVELLING ON COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS, WILL HOWEVER HAVE TO PAY THE ORIGINAL 35 CHARGE.
THE NEW PASSENGER CHARGES COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 14 THIS YEAR AND WILL REDUCE ESTIMATED REVENUE FROM THIS SOURCE DY ABOUT 3500,000, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TOLD COUNCIL TODAY WHEN WINDING UP THE BUDGET DEBATE.
MR. HADDON-CAVE EXPLAINED THAT HE HAD IN MIND CASUAL VISITORS 10 AND FROM MACAU WHEN HE FIRST PROPOSED THE 35 PASSENGER CHARGE, BUT HE ACCEPTED THE POINT MADE DY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS THAT SOME lRAVELLED FOR OTHER REASONS AND THE CONCESSIONARY CHARGE, HE SAID, WAS TO CATER FOR SUCH COMMUTERS.
HE WAS AWARE, HOWEVER, THAT THE MODIFICATION WAS THEORETICALLY OPEN TO ABUSE IN SEVERAL WAYS AND HE WARNED THAT IF THERE WAS ANY ATTEMPT, EITHER BY THE OPERATORS OR BY PASSENGERS, TO EVADE THE NORMAL CHARGE OF 35 *1 SHALL HAVE TO RECONSIDER THE WISDOM OF CONTINUING WITH THE CONCESSIONARY 32 CHARGE.*
MR. HADDON-CAVE AGAIN STRESSED THAT BEFORE PROPOSING THE CHARGE HE HAD SATISFIED HIMSELF THAT IT WOULD NOT RESULT IN MATERIAL DAMAGE TO MACAU.
HE REITERATED, HOWEVER, THAT HE WOULD DE PREPARED TO RECONSIDER THE TAX-LOADING ELEMENT IN THE CHARGE IF, AFTER A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME, HE WAS SATISFIED THAT THE NUMBERS TRAVELLING TO AND FROM MACAU WERE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED.
/5.....
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
SURCHARGE ON PEAK-HOUR MOVEMENTS AT KAI TAK AIRLINES GET CONCESSION
X X X J'. X X
AIRLINES WERE TODAY GRANTED A SMALL CONCESSION FROM THE PROPOSED 3500 SURCHARGE ON PEAK-HOUR MOVEMENTS AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY REDEFINED THE PEAK PERIOD FROM 12 NOON-6 PM TO 1 PM - 6 PM.
THE ONE-HOUR DIFFERENCE WILL. MEAN A LOSS OF $1.2 MILLION FROM ESTIMATED REVENUE IN 1975/76.
WINDING UP THE BUDGET DEDATE, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID HE HAD HOT PROPOSED THE SURCHARGE AS A MEANS OF DISCOURAGING AIRLINES FROM USING THE PEAK PERIOD, AS HAD DEEN IMPLIED BY THE HON. J.H. DREMRIDGE.
<MY POINT WAS THAT PEAK MOVEMENTS ARE DICTATING THE SIZE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S INVESTMENT AT THE AIRPORT,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.
+TIIE FACT IS,* HE ADDED, *IF MOVEMENTS WERE SPREAD OUT EVENLY OVER THE DAY, THE PRESENT FACILITIES AT I HE AIRPORT WOULD DE ADEQUATE AND THE SUBSTANTIAL CAPITAL EXPEND!I URE WE ARE NOW UNDERTAKING WOULD BE UNNECESSARY, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING.*
HE SAID HE WAS AWARE THAT THE CONCENTRATION OF MOVEMENTS IN THE PEAK PERIOD WAS PARTIALLY THE RESULT OF HONG KONG’S GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. BUT IF, AS A RESULT OF THE SURCHARGE, SOME AIRLINES DID ADJUST THEIR SCHEDULES, GIVEN THAT THE RUNWAY WAS REACHING SATURATION POINT IN THE PEAK PERIOD, SO MUCH THE BETTER.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO DENIED THAT THE SURCHARGE WAS, AS DESCRIBED DY MR. DREMRIDGE, ’A SIGNAL EXAMPLE OF RANDOM TAXATION.’
MOVEMENTS PER HOUR BETWEEN THE PEAK PERIOD MID-DAY AND 6 P.M., HE SAID, EXCEEDED THE AVERAGE MOVEMENTS PER HOUR BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND MIDNIGHT AND MORE THAN HALF THE NUMBER OF DAILY MOVEMENTS FELL WITHIN THIS BRACKET.
HOWEVER, HE CHANGED THE PEAK HOUR PERIOD TO 1 P.M. - 6 P.M. AS THE HUMBER OF MOVEMENTS BETWEEN MID-DAY AND 1 P.M. ONLY SLIGHTLY EXCEEDED THE AVERAGE DURING THE 16 HOURS BETWEEN 0 A.M. AND MIDNIGHT.
IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH ON FEBRUARY 26, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE SURCHARGE WOULD DE INTRODUCED ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
» 6
AMNESTY FOR CORRUPT OFFENCES RULED OUT n « h n n «
THE POSSIBILITY OF GIVING A GENERAL AMNESTY WITH REGARD TO CORRUPT OFFENCES COMMITTED BEFORE A PARTICULAR DATE, WAS RULED OUT TODAY DY THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DENYS ROBERTS.
HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE UNPRECEDENTED FOR AN AMNESTY, WHICH IS OCCASIONALLY GRANTED FOR OFFENCES CONNECTED WITH FIREARMS OR THOSE WHICH HAVE SOME POLITICAL ELEMENT, TO BE APPLIED TO AN ORDINARY CRIMINAL OFFENCE LIKE CORRUPTION.
HOWEVER, MR. ROBERTS ADDED THAT THERE MIGHT BE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A LIMITED OR SPECIAL AMNESTY FOR CORRUPTION OFFENCES COULD BE OF POSITIVE VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY AND OF ASSISTANCE TO THE ICAC.
*IF SO, THEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO IT BUT SUCH A TIME IS, IN MY OPINION, A LONG WAY OFF,* HE SAID.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE LAW REQUIRED THE COMMISSIONER TO INVESTIGATE CORRUPTION WHEREVER IT MAY BE FOUND.
*IN PRACTICE. THE MAJORITY OF THE RESOURCES OF THE COMMISSION WILL BE CONCENTRATED ON PRESENT AND FUTURE CORRUPT ACTIVITIES, B’JT IT WOULD BE TOTALLY WRONG, AND INDEED A DERELICTION FROM THE DUTY IMPOSED BY LAW ON THE COMMISSIONER, FOR THE COMMISSION TO REFUSE TO INVESTIGATE PAST CORRUPTION WHERE THIS EMERGES.*
MR. ROBERTS SAID IT WAS OFTEN ESSENTIAL TO STUDY THE PAST PATTERN OF CORRUPTION IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE ITS PRESENT CONDITION AND ITS LIKELY FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY SAID SOME FEARS HAD BEEN EXPRESSED THAT THE EFFORTS OF THE COMMISSION MIGHT BE HAVING AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON POLICE MORALE.
♦LET ME EMPHASISE,* HE SAID, *THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO ROOT OUT CORRUPTION, NOT TO LAUNCH A WITCH HUNT OR TO BRING FEAR TO INNOCENT AND HONEST MEN.*
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE BELIEVED THAT THE MORALE OF UIS FORCE WOULD BE POSITIVELY IMPROVED BY ' !!E WEEDING OUT OF CORRUPT OFFICERS, HE ADDED.
4’n. KODEBTr, .
Thursday, april 3, 1975
MR. ROBERTS DESCRIBED AS A +GROSS EXAGGERATION* ALLEGATIONS THAT THE POLICE FORCE WAS CORRUPT THROUGHOUT, AND SAID IT WAS ♦UNFAIR IN THE EXTREME TO THE THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS OF THE FORCE, WHO ARE DEVOTED, LOYAL AND HONEST MEN, DISCHARGING A DIFFICULT, UNCOMFORTABLE AND OFTEN DANGEROUS TASK WITH SKILL AND DETERMINATION.*
♦THEY ARE AS ANXIOUS AS WE AND THE PUBLIC TO SEE A FORCE WHICH IS FREE FROM CORRUPTION AND IS THEREFORE A BETTER INSTRUMENT FOR DEALING WITH CRIME ...... THE FORCE NEEDS NOT ONLY PUBLIC SUPPORT BUT PUBLIC RESPECT IF IT IS TO BE FULLY EFFECTIVE.*
ON THE QUESTION OF DETAILED EXPENDITURE ON THE COMMISSION, THE COLONIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT THE REASON FOR INCLUDING THE ESTIMATES OF THE COMMISSION AS A *ONE LINE VOTE* SUCH AS THE T.D.C. OR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WAS TO *UNDERLINE ITS INDEPENDENCE*.
IT WAS ALWAYS INTENDED THAT ITS ESTIMATES SHOULD BE PUBLISHED IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT, WHICH WOULD BE TABLED VERY SHORTLY.
MR. ROBERTS ALSO DISCLOSED THAT ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE FOR THE ESTIMATES OF THE COMMISSION TO BE PUBLISHED IM THE FUTURE IN THE SAME WAY AMD AT THE SAME TIME AS THOSE *OTHER DODIES OF AN INDEPENDENT NATURE.*
HE GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT ALL REQUESTS FOR THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION WERE SCRUTINISED WITH THE SAME CARE AS REQUESTS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND IT WAS THEREFORE UNLIKELY THAT THERE WAS ANY WASTAGE IN THE COMMISSION’S BUDGET.
HOWEVER, HE REMINDED MEMBERS THAT *THE ROOTING OUT OF CORRUPTION IS A TASK WHICH WILL INEVITABLY INVOLVE US IN SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE.* BUT *THIS MUST NOT DETER US FROM THIS TASK WHICH IS SO VITAL TO THE HEALTH OF OUR SOCIETY.*
DEALING WITH CIVIL SERVICE RECRUITMENT, MR. ROBERTS SAID THAT AFTER THE FIRST SUBMISSION OF DEPARTMENTAL ESTIMATES, THE FINANCE BRANCH PERFORMED ITS TRADITIONAL FUNCTIONS OF TRIMMING FROM THEM ANY INESSENTIAL ITEMS AND ACHIEVING ECONOMIES AND COST REDUCTIONS.
WHEN THIS PROCESS HAD BEEN COMPLETED THERE REMAINED A VERY HEAVY EXCESS IN DEPARTMENTAL ESTIMATES OVER THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE SPENT.
HE SAID IT WAS THE COLONIAL SECRETARY’S COMMITTEE WHICH UNDERTOOK THE TASK OF DECIDING HOW THE GAn BETWEEN DEPARTMENTAL BIDS AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES WAS TO BE CL( ;D AND WHICH ITEMS AND PROJECTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REDUCED OR DEFERRED TO ACHIEVE THIS.
/ONE OF THE .....
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
8
ONE OF THE DECISIONS MADE BY THIS COMMITTEE WAS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A MAXIMUM INCREASE OF 1,600 IN THE STRENGTH OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE DURING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 1975 TO MARCH 31, 1976.
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD DECIDED THAT MORE THAN HALF OF THE TOTAL MUST BE ALLOCATED TO THE POLICE AND PRISONS AND THEREAFTER PRIORITY HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THOSE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WITH REVENUE COLLECTION.
THIS LEFT A SMALL BALANCE FOR DISTRIBUTION AMONG ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND WOULD INEVITABLY GIVE RISE TO GRAVE PROBLEMS FOR SOME OF THEM. BUT HE WAS SURE THAT MEMBERS WOULD AGREE THAT ♦ IN DIFFICULT TIMES, THE GROWTH OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE MUST BE RUTHLESSLY CONTAINED.*
AS FOR THE AUXILIARY SERVICES, MR. ROBERTS SAID THAT THE REDUCTION IN FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THEM DID NOT MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT ULDi-.RESTIMATED THEIR IMPORTANCE. +WHEN TIMES IMPROVE WE SHALL CERTAINLY HOPE TO DE ABLE TO BUILD UP THE SCALE OF THEIR ACTIVITIES AGAIN.*
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF ADDITIONAL WATER FROM CHINA, THE COLONIAL SECRETARY SAID IT MUST BE APPRECIATED THAT EVEN ASSUMING THE AVAILABILITY OF SUBSTANTIAL FURTHER WATER FROM CHINA, THERE WERE CONSIDERABLE TECHNICAL PROBLEMS TO BE OVERCOME. THE EXISTING DELIVERY SYSTEMS WOULD REQUIRE TO BE EXTENSIVELY MODIFIED, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL PIPELINES AND PUMPING FACILITIES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER.
+1 AM CONFIDENT THAT OUR CLOSE AND FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE RELEVANT CHINESE AUTHORITIES, BASED ON A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER’S NEEDS AND PROBLEMS, WILL CONTINUE AND MAY IN DUE COURSE MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR FURTHER WATER TO BE SUPPLIED FROM CHINA.*
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
- 9 -
HONG KONG DOLLAR a NOT REALISTIC TO REFIX NOW
s « « ft « « J4 « n
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY SAID IT WOULD NOT BE REALISTIC TO REFIX THE HONG KONG DOLLAR UNTIL THERE ARE SIGNS THAT A MORE FUNDAMENTAL STABILITY HAS RETURNED TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY SYSTEM.
+IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, I DO URGE UPON TRADERS THE DESIRABILITY OF TAKING FORWARD COVER TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM THE UNCERTAINTIES OF THE EXCHANGE RATE SITUATION THAT HAS DEEN FORCED UPON US,* HE SAID WHEN WINDING UP THE DUDGET DEBATE.
MR. HADDON-CAVE STUCK TO HIS BELIEF THAT IN HONG KONG THE ECONOMY MUST, IN PRINCIPLE, ADJUST TO THE EXCHANGE RATE AND NOT THE OTHER WAY ROUND. THIS WAS BECAUSE EXTERNAL TRANSACTIONS FORMED A LARGE PROPORTION OF TOTAL TRANSACTIONS — THE VALUE OF TRANSACTIONS BEING MORE THAN THREE TIMES THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
WHILE HE REALISED THAT A STRONG OR STRENGTHENING HONG KONG DOLLAR AT A TIME WHEN ORDERS WERE HARD TO NEGOTIATE, WAS NOT HELPFUL IN THE SHORT TERM, HONG KONG’S INTERNAL COST-PRICE ' STRUCTURE WAS STABLE AND MAY EVEN BE FALLING A LITTLE, HE SAID.
HE THEREFORE DID NOT REGARD THE PRESENT SITUATION AS TOO UNSATISFACTORY, ALTHOUGH HE CONCEDED THAT AS HONG KONG’S ECONOMY BECOMES MORE SOPHISTICATED, THE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS WORKED THROUGH THE SYSTEM MORE SLOWLY THAN BEFORE.
ON BUDGET DAY (FEBRUARY 26), HE NOTED, THE EXCHANGE RATE WAS ABOUT HK84.64 TO THE U.S. DOLLAR IN INTERBANK TRADING. SINCE THEN, THE HONG KONG DOLLAR HAD WEAKENED FURTHER. DY COMPARISON, THE REVALUATION WAS FIVE PER CENT, AND 2-1/2 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE RATE ON THE DAY BEFORE THE DOLLAR WAS FLOATED.
IN FACT, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, LOOKING AT THE CURRENCIES OF HONG KONG’S OTHER MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS (EXCLUDING THE U.S.) AND TRADING COMPETITORS, ON THE BASIS OF A TRADE-WEIGHTED INDEX, *WE FIND THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IS NOW AT ABOUT THE SAME VALUE OVERALL AS DURING THE THREE OR FOUR MONTHS BEFORE WE FLOATED.*
HE SHARED THE BELIEF THAT THE U.S. DOLLAR HAD COME TO BE SERIOUSLY UNDERVALUED, AND SAID THE POSSIBILITY OF USING INTEREST TAX AS A POSITIVE REGULATOR HAD RECEDED A LITTLE. BUT HE FELT THAT IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES *1 MUST BE ALLOWED TO KEEP MY OPTIONS OPEN.*
0 -» «=» e»
/1O ....
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
- 10 «.
HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC POLICY NOT PURE LAISSEZ-FAIRE SAYS DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY n n if « « n «
THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON. DAVID JORDAN, TODAY DESCRIBED HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC POLICY AS *NOT LAISSEZ-FAIRE BUT MINIMUM INTERFERENCE.*
HE SAID THAT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THIS LONG-STANDING POLICY HONG KONG HAD TRANSFORMED ITSELF FROM A TRADING PORT TO A GREAT MANUFACTURING CENTRE.
HE WARNED THAT WE SHOULD THINK VERY CAREFULLY ABOUT MODIFYING IT. *WE SHOULD TAKE CARE NOT TO THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER,+ HE SAID.
MR. JORDAN MADE THIS STATEMENT DURING THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO MR. JAMES WU’S COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE LACK OF CLOSER CO-OPERATION AND PROPER CO-ORDINATION TO ACHIEVE BETTER ECONOMIC PROGRESS.
MR. JORDAN POINTED OUT THAT IF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC POLICY WERE PURE LAISSEZ-FAIRE IT WOULD HAVE NO COMPANIES LEGISLATION, SECURITIES LEGISLATION, NO STATUTORY EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND OTHER SUCH BODIES.
HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD IN FACT BECOME STEADILY MORE INVOLVED IN REGULATING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO ASSIST THAT ACTIVITY.
*S0 I THINK THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY HONOURABLE FRIEND AND ME IS ON A QUESTION OF DEGREE RATHER THAN OF PRINCIPLE,* HE SAID.
MR. JORDAN SAID THAT CO-ORDINATION REQUIRED FIRST THE DETERMINATION OF THE OBJECTS TO BE ACHIEVED AND THEN WHERE VOLUNTARY CO-OPERATION FAILED, THE INVOCATION OF AUTHORITY, AND ADDED! *CO-ORDI NAT I ON OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG WOULD, I BELIEVE, INEVITABLY INVOLVE MORE GOVERNMENT CONTROLS AND REGULATIONS WHICH MY HONOURABLE FRIEND SAYS MUST DE VIGOROUSLY RESISTED. AND I AGREE WITH HIM.*
MR. JORDAN FURTHER EXPLA I NED THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS PART OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S JOB TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST AND PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, THE DECISIONS MUST BE LEFT TO THE ENTREPRENEUR HIMSELF.
/UE SAID THAT .....
I
I
THURSDAY, APRIL J, 1975
HE SAID THAT IF HONG KONG TO STIMULATE INVESTMENT IN NEW WOULD MAKE LITTLE CONTRIBUTION
WERE TO MAKE RADICAL CHANGES NOW MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES THEY FOR SOME TIME TO COME.
+THIS YEAR,* MR. JORDAN CONTINUED, +WE MUST RELY ON OUR ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES. WE HAVE TO GET OUT AND SELL WHAT WE CAN MAKE NOW. AND THAT IS WHAT OUR MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS ARE DOING.+
MR. JORDAN ALSO REPLIED TO QUESTIONS FROM MR. FRANCIS TIEI«X ON HONG KONG’S COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH ITS TRADING PARTNERS.
ON THE UNITED STATES GENERALISED SCHEME OF P-REFERENCES, HE CONFIRMED THAT PRESIDENT FORD ISSUED TWO LISTS ON MARCH 18. ONE OF THESE CONTAINED THE NAMES OF COUNTRIES WHICH THE PRESIDENT INTENDED TO DESIGNATE AS BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE SCHEME AND THE OTHER CONTAINED THE HAMES OF THOSE WHICH COULD DE ELIGIBLE FORDES I GNAT I OH BUT ON WHICH A FINAL DECISION HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN. HONG KONG, HE SAID, WAS ON THIS LATTER LIST.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN IN CLOSE AND CONSTANT TOUCH WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, AND THAT THE EMBASSY HAD SUBMITTED EARLIER THIS YEAR AN AIDE-MEMOIRE WHICH SPELT OUT HONG KONG’S CASE FOR INCLUSION IN THE SCHEME- AND HAD BEEN WORKING VIGOROUSLY ON HONG KONG’S BEHALF HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH THE LATEST INDICATIONS WERE REASONABLY ENCOURAGING, IT SEEMED THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME DOUDTS ABOUT HONG KONG’S CASE IN WASHINGTON.
MR. JORDAN CONFIRMED THAT HE WOULD BE LEAVING FOR WASHINGTON LATER THIS MONTH TO TRY AND DISPEL THESE DOUBTS.
ON THE COMMON MARKET’S GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES, MR. JORDAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS ANOTHER PIECE OF COMPLEX LEGISLATION WHICH WAS REVIEWED AND REVISED EACH YEAR, AND THAT IT WAS IN THE LATTER CONNECTION THAT HONG KONG RECEIVED A VISIT LAST MONTH FROM AN EEC COMM I SSI ON DELEGATION LED BY MR. TRAN VAN THINK.
MR. JORDAN DISCLOSED THAT MR. TRAN WAS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT SOME OF THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HONG KONG IN THE EEC’S SCHEME WOULD BE REMOVED WHEN THE DETAILS OF THE 1976 VERSION OF THE SCHEME WERE PUBLISHED LATER THIS YEAR.
/12.....
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
•» 12 "
UNRESTRICTED USE OF RESERVOIRS FOR RECREATION NOT POSSIBLE SAYS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS
« n -x « a «
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON, DENIS BRAY, SAID TODAY THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ALLOW UNRESTRICTED USE OF RESERVOIRS FOR SWIMMING AND DOATING.
♦SWIMMING IS UNIVERSALLY FROWNED UPON DY WATER UNDERTAKINGS HERE AND ELSEWHERE NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF POLLUTION, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF DANGER TO SWIMMERS DISAPPEARING DOWN THOSE YAWNING BELLMOUTH OVERFLOWS.♦
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. BRAY AGREED THAT HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS HAD AN UNTAPPED RECREATIONAL POTENTIAL, ♦BUT THIS POTENTIAL CANNOT BE EXPLOITED WITHOUT EXPENSE NOR IS ALL RECREATION BARRED NOW.-:-
HE SAID THE DEMAND FOR BOATING ON RESERVOIRS MUST BE VERY LIMITED BECAUSE HONG KONG’S BIG RESERVOIRS WERE SO-. CLOSE TO THE SEA.
GIVING AH EXAMPLE, HE SAID THAT ONLY HALF OF PLOVER COVE WAS TAKEN INTO THE RESERVOIR AND THE OTHER HALF WAS AVAILABLE FOR BOATING AND THE SCHOOLS SAILING ASSOCIATION WAS BUILDING A CENTRE ON THE SEA WATER HALF. THEY ALREADY HAD ANOTHER SAILING CENTRE IN TYTAM DAY JUST DELOW TYTAM RESERVOIR.
HOWEVER, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS ADDED THAT THERE WERE PLANS TO CONVERT A VERY SMALL RESERVOIR AT WONG NE I CHONG GAP INTO A BOATING LAKE WHEN FUNDS COULD DE MADE AVAILABLE TO DIVERT THE WATERWAYS WHICH FEED IT.
ON THE QUESTION OF RADIO HONG KONG, MR. BRAY SAID THAT DIG EXPENDITURE WAS ON GOOD CHINESE TELEVISION.
i
HE SAID THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO KEEP ♦BELOW LION ROCK-> GOING FOR SIX MONTHS AND IT WAS LIKELY THAT ADDITIONAL MONEY COULD BE OBTAINED TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAMME RUNNING FOR ANOTHER THREE MONTHS ♦WHICH IS AS LONG AS THE PROGRAMME WILL STAND WITHOUT A REST.-:-
♦NEEDLEPOINT^ AND ♦VIEWPOINT AND ANGLES^ WOULD ALSO CONTINUE ON THE CHINESE REWORKS WHILE A DIFFERENT WAY OF FILLING THE ENGLISH ♦VIEWPOINT* TIME SLOT WOULD BE INTRODUCED.
MR. DRAY GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THE CUTS IN EXPENDITURE FOR RADIO HONG KONG WOULD ♦NOT MEAN THAT WHEN IMPORTANT PUBLIC ISSUES ARISE WE SHALL BE WITHOUT MEANS TO AIR THEM.*
“ 0 *3
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THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975.
- 13 -
CHILDREN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS n n n « a »
TOMORROW, APRIL 4, IS CHILDREN’S DAY AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS ARRANGED A VARIETY " ---------
UNDER ITS CARE OR WHO ARE MEMBERS OCCASION.
OF ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN
OF ITS CENTRES TO CEl.EBRATE THE
AND PHYSICALLY DISABLED CHILDREN
ONE HUNDRED AND TEN MENTALLY
FROM CENTRES OR CLUDS RUN BY THE REHABILITATION DIVISION TOGETHER WITH 90 OTHERS FROM VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES, WILL DE GUESTS OF THE HAPPY VALLEY LIONS CLUB AT A TEA PARTY TO BE HELD AT THE HILTON HOTEL BALLROOM AT 4.30 P.M.
THE KAI NANG TRAINING CENTRE A PARTY FOR 60 JUNIOR TRAINEES.
IN KWUN TONG WILL BE THROWING
FOR A GROUP OF 16 YOUNGSTERS UNDER THE CHARGE OF THE CHILDREN’S RECEPTION CENTRE WHICH TAKES CARE OF ABANDONED CHILDREN OR THOSE NEEDING CARE AND ATTENTION, IT WILL BE A DAY’S OUTING TO THE I Al CHI KOK AMUSEMENT PARK FOLLOWED BY LUNCH AT A RESTAURANT.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION’S COMMUNITY CENTRES AND ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICES WILL BE RUNNING AT LEAST SIX FUNCTIONS AT DIFFERENT TIMES FOR CHILDREN IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS.
IN WESTERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE COMMUNITY CENTRE WILL ENTERTAIN 100 CHILDREN IN CHESS AND BLOCK-DUILD1 NG COMPETITIONS AND ANOTHER 150 TO A FILM SHOW.
IN CHAI WAN, THE CELEBRATIONS WILL BE HELD TODAY WHEN 300 CHILDREN WILL JOIN IN A QUIZ COMPETITION AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE FROM 7.30 P.M. TO 10 P.M.
THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE IS HOSTING A GAMES PARTY TOGETHER WITH AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE CHILDREN’S MEMBERS COUNCIL FOR 200 YOUNGSTERS.
THE ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICE IN THE EAST AREA OF LAM TIN WILL BE SPONSORING A SELF-PROGRAMMING GROUP TO THROW A PARTY FOR 100 CHILDREN LIVING NEARBY WHILE THE OFFICES IN SAU MAU PING CENTRAL AND SOUTH AREAS WILL HOLD THE FINALS AND PRIZE-GIVING PARTY FOR ITS TALENT CONTEST ORGANISED FOR THE OCCASION.
/CnirarE! LIVING
THURSDAY, APRIL J, 1975
16
CHILDREN LIVING IN THE NEV/ TERRITORIES HAVE NOT DEEN FORGOTTEN AND THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TAKING 200 OF THEM ON A OVERNIGHT CAMPING TRIP AT WHICH THEY WILL ENJOY GAMES, VARIOUS PERFORMANCES AND SONGS DY THE CAMPFIRE. WINNERS OF THE RECENTLY-HELD COLOURING COMPETITION WILL ALSO RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES.
THE SHEK LEI ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICE WILL JOIN THE CARITAS CENTRE AND THE DOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS ASSOCIATION IN -HOLDING A PARTY FOR 300 CHILDREN. PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE THE USUAL PARTY ACTIVITIES AND A FILM SHOW.
AT THE FANLING ROTARY YOUTH CENTRE, A TWO-DAY SERIES OF COMPETITIONS DEGIN TODAY FOR CHILDREN DELOW THE AGE OF 14.
SOME ACTIVITIES IN CELEBRATION OF CHILDREN’S DAY WIL! TAKE PLACE LATER IN THE MONTH. THESE INCLUDE A FILM SHOW ORGANISED DY A YOUTH GROUP FOR CO DEAF CHILDREN FROM DEAF CLUDS RUN DY THE DEPARTMENT ON SUNDAY, APRIL 13= A TRIP TO LION ROCK PARK FOR 50 CHILDREN ON THE SAME DAY AND AN EXCURSION TO THE PEAK FOR ANOTHER 40 CHILDREN ON SUNDAY, APRIL 20 ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
OOCSQ0OC3C3C
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS X ;X X X X
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (THURSDAY) DECLARED FOUR BUILDINGS IN THE KOWLOON CITY LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
THEY ARE THE BUILDING OVERRIDING THE LANE BETWEEN 79 AND 03 IN LUNG CHUN ROAD AND NOS. 03, 05 ANO 07 LUNG CHUN ROAD. THE FOUR SMALL BUILDINGS ARE TIMBER AND BRICK STRUCTURES OF EITHER SINGLE OR 7170 STOREYS.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THESE STRUCTURES WERE INSPECTED FOLLOWING A COLLAPSE OF AN EXTERNAL STAIRCASE AND LANDING IN AN ADJOINING GROUP OF BUILDINGS ON ’ MARCH 27 THIS YEAR.
AS DEMOLITION OF BY THE COLLAPSE WOULD TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH
I HE ADJOURNING GROUP OF BUILDINGS AFFECTED ENDANGER THE FOUR BUILDINGS, IT IS NECESSARY THEM AS WELL.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON APRIL 24,
CLOSURE ORDERS IN KOWLOON 1975 WERE POSTED TODAY.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
15
JANUARY ISSUE OF MONTHLY DIGEST PUBLISHED a it it it it it
THE JANUARY 1975 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES IN HONG KONG. IT IS ONE IN A SERIES OF REVIEW ARTICLES ON SPECIAL SUBJECTS OF INTEREST PUBLISHED ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS DY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE ARTICLE PRESENTS SOME OF THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS CARRIED OUT FROM JUNE TO AUGUST 1974.
IT ALSO CONTAINS ANALYSIS OF ESTABLISHMENTS-BY TYPES OF ACTIVITY, COMMODITIES TRADED, EMPLOYMENT SIZE AND LOCATION.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW OBTAINABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HONG KONG AT 35.00 PER COPY.
TOO BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS a it it it it it
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (THURSDAY) DECLARED NO. 28 GILMAN’S BAZAAR TO DE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND HO. 26 GILMAN’S BAZAAR LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT DOTH THESE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS HAD BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION FOR SOME TIME. AS THERE WERE SIGNS OF EXTENSIVE RECENT MOVEMENT IN THE DRICK LOAD BEARING WALLS OF HO. 20 GILMAN’S DAZAAR, ESPECIALLY AT THE REAR, IT WAS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THIS BUILDING.
*AS THE DEMOLITION OF NO. 28 GILMAN’S DAZAAR WILL RENDER NO. 26 GILMAN’S DAZAAR LIABLE TO COLLAPSE, IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THIS BUILDING AS WELL,* HE SAID.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM OH MAY 1, 1975 WERE POSTED TODAY.
/16
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
16
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHING MING ON HONG KONG ISLAND ««««««
SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL.BE IMPLEMENTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON SATURDAY (APRIL 5) DURING CHING MING FESTIVAL.
THERE WILL BE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CERTAIN ROAD SECTIONS AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS AND MOTORISTS ARE STRONGLY'ADVISED TO AVOID THESE AREAS UNLESS THEIR JOURNEY IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
PEEL RISE FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC. VICTORIA ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHWARDS FROM MOUNT DAVIS ROAD TO SASSOON ROADCONSORT RISE WILL BE ONE-WAY SOUTHWARDS FROM VICTORIA ROAD TO DISNEY ROAD= AND CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY WESTWARDS FROM LIN SHING ROAD TO SHEK 0 ROAD.
DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO CLOSE CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY WILL RUN A SPECIAL BUS SERVICE --ROUTE 22A — BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND CHA! WAN CEMETERY FROM 7 A.M. TO 6 P.M. ON SATURDAY TO CATER FOR THE LARGE NUMBERS OF WORHSIPPERS.
BUSES ON THIS SPECIAL ROUTE WILL OPERATE AT A SEVEN-MINUTE FREQUENCY VIA CHAI WAN ROAD, WAN TSUI ROAD, LIN SHING ROAD, CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, SHEK 0 ROAD, TAI TAM ROAD AND CHAI WAN ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH SHAU KEI WAN ROAD. THE FARE WILL BE 50 CENTS.
BUS ROUTE 77 RUNNING BETWEEN-ABERDEEN AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ON SATURDAY.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
4.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
CHING MING FESTIVAL FIRE WARNING
CHING MING FESTIVAL WORSHIPPERS ARE TODAY URGED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO TAKE ALL POSSIBLE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT FIRES IN THE COUNTRY-SIDE THIS WEEKEND.
A SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DUE TO CARELESS HANDLING OF JOSS-STICKS, CANDLES AND BURNING PAPER THE FESTIVAL HOLIDAY USUALLY ENDED UP AS ONE OF THEWORST DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR FIRES.
•{•HUNDREDS OF TREES WERE TRAGICALLY DESTROYED AND ACRES OF COUNTRY-SIDE SPOILED DURING CHING MING,* HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS AN ADDED DANGER THIS'YEAR BECAUSE OF THE LOW HUMIDITY OF THE PAST FEW DAYS. THE COUNTRYSIDE HAD DRIED OUT AND FIRES COULD BE STARTED MUCH MORE EASILY. *THEREFORE WE APPEAL TO ALL THOSE VISITING GRAVES OR THE COUNTRYSIDE ON SATURDAY TO TAKE HEED OF THE GREATER FIRE RISK AND TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT FIRES,* HE SAID.
HE URGED SMOKERS AND WORSHIPPERS TO MAKE SURE CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES WERE PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE DISPOSING OF THEM.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE 70 FIRES, MORE THAN THREE TIMES THE NORMAL NUMBER, DURING CHING MING (.AST YEAR. WELL OVER HALF OCCURRED IN THE HEW TERRITORIES.
- 0 -
PASSING-OUT PARADE FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS
X X X X
EIGHTEEN ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WILL TAKE PART IN A PASSING-OUT PARADE TOMORROW (APRIL 4) AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT PARADE GROUND-SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.
AN UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, WILL INSPECT THE PARADE AND ADDRESS THE GATHERING.
NOTE TO EDITORS: THE PARADE WILL BE HELD AT 9.30 A.M. YOU
ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER IT.
0 O O OJO
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975
18
INAUGURATION OF PENTECOSTAL SCHOOL ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY WILL INAUGURATE THE PENTECOSTAL SCHOOL IN PERTH STREET, KOWLOON, TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
THIS PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SECONDARY SCHOOL IS STANDING ON A 45,000 SQUARE-FOOT SITE WHICH WAS GRANTED FREE DY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PROVIDED THE SPONSOR — THE KOWLOON PENTECOSTAL CHURCH LIMITED — WITH AN INTEREST-FREE LOAN OF S3.3 MILLION.
THE SCHOOL, WHICH HAS DEEN IN OPERATION SINCE SEPTEMBER 1973, HAS 24 CLASSROOMS AND 11 SPECIAL ROOMS. IT HAS MORE THAN 1,000 PUPILS.
NOTE TO EDITORS;
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY
WHICH BEGINS AT 4 P.M. THE SCHOOL IS AT 14, PERTH STREET, KOWLOON.
- 0 - -
LABOUR DISPUTE SETTLED ft ft ft ft ft
A TWO-WEEK OLD DISPUTE INVOLVING 350 WORKERS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HANWAY DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD. (COTTON MILL) IN TSUEN WAN WAS SETTLED LAST (WEDNESDAY) HIGHT AFTER A SERIES OF CONCILIATION MEETINGS CONDUCTED DY LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS.
AN AGREEMENT COVERING THE REVISED TERMS OF THE VARIOUS ALLOWANCES ENJOYED BY THE WORKERS'WAS SIGHED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TV/O PARTIES IN THE PRESENCE OF THE CONCILIATOR, MR. SIN CHUNG YU OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE, TSUEN WAN BRANCH.
THE WORKERS WENT ON STRIKE ON MARCH 19 IN PROTEST AGAINST A PROPOSED NEW SCALE OF ALLOWANCES. THEY RESUMED WORK A WEEK LATER WHILE CONCILIATION WAS IN PROGRESS UNTIL FINAL SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED LAST NIGHT.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
REDUCTION IN THE COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE TO BE PAID TO CERTAIN GOVERNMENT STAFF IN NEXT QUARTER...... 1
VALUE OF FEBRUARY EXPORTS DROPPED BY 15.5 PER CENT .. 5
LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DIVISION WILL.
BE MOVING TO NEW PREMISES IN ASIAN HOUSE........ z>
MOTORISTS AND GRAVE-SWEEPERS REMINDED OF SPECIAL
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS DURING CHING MING FESTIVAL. 5
NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE TO BE BUILT AT TAI PO ROAD TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC PLOW ........................... 8
CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY
BODIES PRAISED BY EDUCATION DIRECTOR ........... 7
ABOUT 2.75 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF FLATTED FACTORY
SPACES LYING IDLE AT THE END OF 1972>........... 8
NEW PUMPING STATION TO SUPPLY WATER TO LAI KING HEADLAND HIGH LEVEL AREAS .......................... 8
AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS "A MUST" IN TEACHINS — SAYS ASSISTANT EDUCATION DIRECTOR ................... 9
LEASE OF FORESHORE AND PIERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI PLANNED 10
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1975
1
QUARTERLY CHANGE IN COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE « « a m a
A CONSIDERABLE DROP IN THE COST OF LIVING DURING THE QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY HAS RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN THE COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE (COLA) TO BE PAID TO CERTAIN GOVERNMENT STAFF.
I
BASED OH THE AVERAGE OF THE MODIFIED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR DECEMBER 1974, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1975, THERE HAS BEEN A DROP IN THE COST OF LIVING OF 7=7 POINTS. AS A RESULT THE ALLOWANCE WHICH STOOD AT $60 A MONTH FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS WILL NOW BE $30 A MONTH BEGINNING FROM APRIL 1.
COLA IS PAID TO ABOUT 40,000 STAFF, MAINLY LABOURERS AND TRADESMEN, BUT ALSO INCLUDING MESSENGERS AND DRIVERS, AMONG OTHERS THE ALLOWANCE IS NOT PAID TO THE REST OF THE CIVIL SERVICE - THOSE ON THE MASTER PAY SCALE, DISCIPLINED SERVICES PAY SCALES AND DIRECTORATE SCALES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE SCHEME VARIES WITH THE COST OF LIVING AS MEASURED BY THE MODIFIED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.
IT IS ASSESSED QUARTERLY WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, APRIL 1, JULY 1 AND OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR. BECAUSE OF THE TIME'NEEDED TO PREPARE THE INDEX THERE IS ALWAYS A TIME LAG OF ONE MONTH ON WHICH THE NEW QUARTERLY ALLOWANCE IS CALCULATED.
FOR INSTANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE AMOUNT OF ALLOWANCE PAID DURING THE QUARTER BEGINNING IN APRIL DEPENDS ON THE LEVELX OF PRICES AS MEASURED BY THE INDEX DURING THE MONTHS OF DECEMBER,-JANUARY AND FEBRUARY. FOR THE JULY QUARTER THE ALLOWANCE PAYABLE IS BASED ON THE INDEX FOR MARCH, APRIL AND MAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE AMOUNT OF ALLOWANCE IS DETERMINED BY SET LEVELS OF THE MODIFIED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.
THESE ARE s '
MCPI
COLA (MONTHLY)
180 - 184
185 - 109
190 - 194
195 - 199
200 - 204
/THE PLATFORM
FRIDAS, APRIL h9 1975
- 2 °
THE PLATFORM FOR THE QUARTER BEGINNING JANUARY THIS YEAR WAS CALCULATED ON THE FOLLOWING BASIS.
MCPI
SEPTEMBER 1974 194
OCTOBER 1974 203
NOVEMBER 1974 205
QUARTERLY AVERAGE 200.7
THIS PLACED THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE OF THE INDEX JUST INSIDE THE HIGHEST PLATFORM 2C0 - 204 AND PROVIDED A PAYMENT OF $60 A MONTH FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PLATFORM FOR THE QUARTER BEGINNING ON APRIL 1 WAS CALCULATED THUS8
MCPI
DECEMBER 1974 194
JANUARY 1975 190
FEBRUARY 1975 195
QUARTERLY AVERAGE 193
AS A RESULT OF THE FALL IN PRICES, THE AMOUNT OF THE COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE AUTOMATICALLY BECOMES $30 A MONTH AS IT IS BASED ON THE PLATFORM 190 - 194.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TIME IN MEMORY THAT THE ALLOWANCE PAYABLE HAD ACTUALLY DECLINED.
THE FACT THAT THE COST OF LIVING HAD DROPPED WAS A WELCOME SIGN, BUT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO SAY WHAT THE TREND WAS LIKELY TO BE OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE. WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A TEMPORARY BUFFER AGAINST RISES IN THE COST OF LIVING.
0
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1975
VALUE OF FEBRUARY EXPORTS DOWN BY $234 MILLION a o a n n
THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR FEBRUARY THIS YEAR WAS $1,273 MILLION^ REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF $234 MILLION OR 15.5 PER CENT BY VALUE COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1974.
ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY HAD ALSO DECREASED BY 15.6 PER CENT AND 17.9 PER GENT RESPECTIVELY.
AT THE SAME TIME, TRADE FIGURES FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY THIS YEAR AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1974 SHOWED DECREASES BY VALUE OF 14.5 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 14.5 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS AND 8.5 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS.
FOR THE TWELVE MONTH PERIOD MARCH 1974 TO FEBRUARY 1975, THERE WERE INCREASES OF 9.8 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 11.5 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS OVER THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS DURING THIS PERIOD HAD SLIGHTLY DROPPFD BY 0.2 PER CENT.
FOLLOWING ARE THE TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY IN DETAILSs-
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (%0F TOTAL EXPORTS)
IMPORTS
RE-EXPORTS
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS)
4,639
7,102
1,526
DEC.1974 TO FEB.1975
DOMESTIC EXP(XiS IMPORTS RE-EXPOrZo
FEBRUARY 1975
$ MN.
1,273 (72.4%)
2,154
$ MN
FEBRUARY 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. %
1,507 - 234 -15.5
(71.8%)
2,553 - 399 -15.6
590 - 105 -17.9
(28.2%)
DEC.1973 INCREASE OR
TO
FEB.1974 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. %
5,362 - 722 -13.5
8,043 - 941 -11.7
1,707 - 260 -14.6
/JAN. - FEB. 1975
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1975
4 -
JAN.-FEB. 1975 JAN.-FEB. 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. 3 MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 2,908 (74.4%) 3,402 (7^.5%) - 494 -14.5
IMPORTS 4,560 4,986 - 426 - 8.5
RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 1,000 (25.6%) 1,166 (25.5%) - 166 -14.2
MARCH 1974 TO FEB. 1975 MARCH 1973 TO- FEB. 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE
3 MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS IMPORTS RE-EXPORTS 22,417 33,694 6,958 20,417 30,216 6,969 +2,000 + 9.8 +3,478 +11.5 - 11 - 0.2
o - -
NEW OFFICE FOR LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DIVISION. %«%«««
THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, PRESENTLY LOCATED IN NEW RODNEY BLOCK, 99 QUEENSWAY, WILL MOVE TO ASIAN HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, 1 HENNESSY ROAD, ON MONDAY (APRIL 7).
ONE OF THE MAIN DUTIES OF THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DIVISION IS TO SERVICE THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL COMPLEX AS ITS SECRETARIAT. THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL IS A PERMANENT BODY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN OCTOBER 1973 TO ENSURE THAT A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF TRAINING IS GEARED TO MEET THE DEVELOPING NEEDS OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.
ANOTHER MAIN DUTY OF THE DIVISION IS TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN INDUSTRY TO START PROPER APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEMES. TO DATE ABOUT 2OO ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE COMMENCED OR RE-ORGANIZED TRAINING ALONG THE LINES OF THE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME PROPOSED BY THE DIVISION AND ABOUT 3,000 APPRENTICES HAVE BEEN PLACED INTO THESE ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF ENQUIRES AREs
HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL MATTERS 8 5-278760
APPRENTICESHIP MATTERS 8 5-278747
- 0 - - <■ -
/5
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1975
TRAFFIC REMINDER FOR CHING MING
■x n it « n »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED MOTORISTS AND GRAVE-SWEEPERS OF THE SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS TO BE INTRODUCED TOMORROW AND SUNDAY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL.
WO HOP SHEK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, EXCEPT HEARSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES BETWEEN 5 A.M. AND 8 P.M. ON BOTH DAYS, AND MOTORISTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO AVOID THE GENERAL AREA NEAR WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY UNLESS THEIR JOURNEY IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
A ONE-WAY TRAFFIC SYSTEM WILL BE INTRODUCED.ON CERTAIN ROADS STARTING FROM 8 A.M. UNTIL IT BECOMES POSSIBLE TO REVERT TO NORMAL TWO-WAY TRAFFIC. TAI PO ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY NORTHWARDS FROM THE JUNCTION OF LAM KAM ROAD TO FANLING ROUNDABOUT, AND FANLING ROUNDABOUT WILL DE ONE-WAY ALONG TAI PO ROAD TO SHEUNG SHU I CROSS ROAD.
MOTORISTS FROM FANLING ROUNDABOUT MAY PROCEED TO KOWLOON VIA THREE ROUTES — ALONG SHA TAU KOK ROAD, LUK KENG ROAD AND TING KOK ROAD TO TAI PO ROAD- OR ALONG TAI PO ROAD TO ENTER CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT SHEUNG SHU I CROSS ROAD- OR ALONG TAI PO ROAD, TURNING INTO FAN KAM ROAD TO KAM TIN, THEN THROUGH ROUTE TWISK TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD OR THROUGH LAM KAM ROAD TO TAI PO ROAD.
IN SHEUNG SHU I, NO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, EXCEPT PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES WITH CLOSED AREA PERMITS, WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER MAN KAM ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH JOCKEY CLUB ROAD. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO PROCEED TO THESE AREAS BY PRIVATE CARS AS PARKING SPACES ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED IN SHEUNG SHU I. HOWEVER, ADEQUATE PUBLIC TRANSPORT BETWEEN SHEUNG SHU I AND LO WU WILL BE AVAILABLE.
IN TSIIN WAN, THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE TSUN WAN CEMETERY WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC EXCEPT HEARSES OR EMERGENCY VEHICLES. SINGLE-LANE NOSE-TO-TAIL PARKING WILL BE ALLOWED, UNDER POLICE SUPERVISION, ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES OF THE DUAL CARRIAGEWAY OF TEXACO ROAD.
TOMORROW, ADDITIONAL BUSES WILL BE OPERATED ON KOWLOON MOTOR BUS ROUTES 70, 73, 76 AND 77 TO FACILITATE WORSHIPPERS ATTENDING CEMETERIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. A SPECIAL ROUTE, 82A, WILL ALSO RUN BETWEEN SHEUNG SHUI AND MAN KAM TO (SAN UK LING) VIA MAN KAM TO ROAD EVERY 30 MINUTES FROM 9 A.M.TO 6 P.M. AT A FARE OF 20 CENTS.
/AS EOUTE 70
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1975
6
AS ROUTE 70 MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OPERATE SOUTHBOUND ALONG TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN FAMLING ROUNDABOUT AND LAM KAM ROAD, PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED TO USE ROUTES 76 OR 77 BUSES FROM SHEUNG SHU I TO YUEN LONG, AND THEN USE ROUTE 50 FROM YUEN LONG TO JORDAN ROAD FERRY PIER.
ROUTE 73 MAY BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DURING THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE ONE-WAY TRAFFIC SYSTEM ON TAI PO ROAD. ROUTES 78 AND 79 ON DEPARTURE FROM SHEUNG SHU I WILL OPERATE VIA JOCKEY CLUB ROAD.
ADDITIONAL TRAINS WILL BE OPERATED TO WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY.
- ■■ 0
NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE AT TAI PO ROAD TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW n « x ft a «
A SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD AT THE 17-1/2 MILESTONE WILL BE IMPROVED AND PROVIDED WITH A RAILWAY BRIDGE TO AVOID HOLDING UP TRAFFIC AT AN EXISTING RAILWAY UNDERPASS.
ABOUT 400 METRES OF THE ROAD WILL BE RE-ALIGNED TO SMOOTHEN TOO SHARP BENDS, AND THE CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE WIDENED TO 7.3 METRES.
THE RAILWAY BRIDGE, TO BE BUILT OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE, WILL HAVE FOUR SPANS AND WILL MEASURE 55 METRES FROM END TO END.
A PUBLICE WORKS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID OPPORTUNITY WOULD ALSO BE TAKEN WHEN CONSTRUCTING THE BRIDGE TO IMPROVE THE ALIGNMENT OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY TRACK AND TO MAKE PROVISION FOR A DOUBLE TRACK.
+WHEN WORK IS COMPLETED, A NEW TWO-LANE RAILWAY UNDERPASS ABOUT 90 METRES SOUTH-EAST OF THE EXISTING UNDERPASS WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
+THIS WILL ELIMINATE THE TRAFFIC BOTTLE-NECK AT THE EXISTING TRAFFIC-LIGHT CONTROLLED UNDERPASS NEAR TAI PO TAU VILLAGE,-!-HE SAID.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (NEW TERRITORIES) DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1975
7
CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS PRAISED n n « « n «
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY THIS AFTERNOON PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MANY VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS FOR CLOSELY COOPERATING WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE PENTECOSTAL SCHOOL, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT THE SCHOOL WAS A FINE EXAMPLE OF WHAT COULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH WORKING TOGETHER CLOSELY.
THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT THE PENTECOSTAL SCHOOL - A PRIVATE NONPROFIT MAKING SECONDARY SCHOOL - WAS DU ILT ON LAND GRANTED FREE BY THE GOVERNMENT.
AN INTEREST-FREE LOAN OF OVER 83,300,000, DE ING 80 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL COST OF THE BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT, WAS ALSO GRANTED DY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE SCHOOL OFFERS THREE-YEAR ASSISTED PLACES AND THE GOVERNMENT PAYS A RECURRENT SUBSIDY OF 8772 A YEAR FOR EACH ASSISTED PLACE, s846O OF WHICH HELPS THE STUDENTS WITH HIS SCHOOL FEES AND 8312 HELPS THE SCHOOL PAY BETTER SALARIES TO TEACHERS AND TO MEET OTHER EXPENDITURE.
MR. TOPLEY WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THE PENTECOSTAL SCHOOL HAD MADE GOOD PROGRESS SINCE IT STARTED OPERATION IN SEPTEMBER 1973.
HE NOTED THAT THE FIRST DATCII OF FORM 5 STUDENTS WOULD BE TAKING THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION NEXT YEAR.
TURNING TO BELIEF AND ACTION, MR. TOPLEY SPOKE ABOUT THE MORAL ELEMENT IN EDUCATION.
♦ IT IS INDEED HARD TO GET THIS MORAL ELEMENT ACROSS. WE LEARN A NUMBER OF SKILLS IN THE COURSE OF OUR EDUCATION AND THESE NEED TO BE DIRECTED NOT JUST BY A NEW SKILL BUT BY OUR BEL IEFS BROUGHT INTO PLAY TO ENABLE US TO USE OUR SKILLS IN THE PROPER WAY. IT IS INDEED HARD FOR THE TEACHER TO GET THIS MORAL ELEMENT ACROSS BECAUSE SKILLS ACQUIRE A LIFE AND MOTIVE POWER OF THEIR OWN AND ARE NOT EASILY DISCIPLINED.
+WE AS HUMAN BEINGS ARE IN FACT EITHER DIRECTED BY THE FORCES OF SOCIETY, OR BY OUR OWN DESIRES, OR DIRECTED BY OUR MORAL PRINCIPLES, FAITH OR BELIEF. AND IT IS HARD FOR OUR BELIEFS CONFINED BY COMPETING PRESSURES TO ACQUIRE VERY POWERFUL LEVERAGE,+ HE SAID.
THE DIRECTOR EMPHASISED THAT -c-OUR BELIEFS NEED TO BE TESTED, DISCIPLINED AND SHAPED BY OUR ACTIONS AND THE VISIBLE RESULTS OF OUR ACTIONS.-:-
HE WAS PLEASED THEREFORE THAT MEMBERS OF THE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH HAD TURNED THEIR BELIEFS TO ACTION BY BUILDING AND RUNNING THIS NEW SCHOOL.
- - 0 -
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1975
8
MORE VACANT FLATTED FACTORY SPACES LAST YEAR « n n n
ABOUT 2.75 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF FLATTED FACTORY ACCOMMODATION WAS LYING VACANT IN THE MAIN INDUSTRIAL AREA AT THE END OF 1974. THIS IS NEARLY 23% HIGHER THAN THE 1973 FIGURE.
DISCLOSING THIS TODAY. THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR. RAYMOND FRY, SAID THAT JUST OVER 1 MILLION SQUARE FEET WAS VACANT IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG WHERE BUILDING WORK DURING 1974 WAS PARTICULARLY HEAVY, OTHER AREA WHERE SUBSTANTIAL VACANCIES , OCCURRED WERE SHAU KEI WAN, ABERDEEN AND NGAU TAU KOK.
HOWEVER, THE COMMISSIONER EXPLAINED THAT VACANCIES ARE NOW LESS THAN THEY WERE IN 1971 AND 1972 WHEN RECORD LEVELS WERE RECORDED AS A RESULT OF VERY HEAVY SUPPLY.
MR. FRY SAID THAT A VERY GOOD SUPPLY OF SOME 4 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF NEW FLATTED FACTORY ACCOMMODATION WAS COMPLETED DURING 1974 AND THOUGH THIS SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT WAS HIGHER THAN THE 1973 FIGURE OF 3.3 MILLION SQUARE FEET IT WAS WELL BELOW THE 7.5 MILLION SQUARE FEET COMPLETED IN 1972 AND 7.6 MILLION SQUARE FEET COMPLETED IN 1971.
THOUGHOUT 1974 THE FLATTED FACTORY RENTAL INDEX CONTINUED ITS UPWARD COURSE DUT IT WAS NOTED THAT THE RATE OF UPWARD MOVEMENT WAS SLOWING DOWN TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR AND A FALL IN RENTAL LEVEL IS ANTICIPATED DURING 1975 FOR THOSE AREA WHERE VACANCIES ARE HIGEST.
PUMPING STATION FOR LAI CHI KOK RESERVOIR a if a a a if
-rur- ALP9MPINS STATION WILL SHORTLY BE CONSTRUCTED AT A SITE NEAR THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE LAI CHI KOK SERVICE RESERVOIR.
WHEN COMPLETED, IT WILL SUPPLY WATER TO THE LAI KING MF Am anti HIGH LEVEL AREAS LYING BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD.
(.1AT™E STATION WILL H0USE ELECTRIC PUMPS WHICH WILL DRAW FRESH
PR0M A 36-INCH DIAMETER TRUNK MAIN LEADING TO THE I Al CHI KOK SERVICE RESERVOIR FROM THE TSUEN WAN TREATMENT WORKS AND PUMP ATELaTk!|NG0HEAD|EANDERVICE RESERV0,R WI,CI1 ,S DE,r]G CONSTRUCTED
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PUMPING STATION IS NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN JANUARY 1976.
EXPECTED TO COMMENCE
- 0 -
/9
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1975
AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS’ IMPACT ON TEACHING
hmm#
AUDIO VISUAL AIDS ARE A 4-MUST* IN TEACHING DUT THEY HAVE TO BE USED WITH DISCRETION, MR. ARTHUR DROWN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE IN EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY’S SCHOOL GF EDUCATION, HE SAID THAT IF THESE AIDS ARE TO HAVE THE FULL IMPACT POSSIBLE WITH SUCH A POWERFUL TOOL OF LEARNING THEY MUST DE SIMPLE, COLOURFUL AND ABOVE ALL RELEVANT.
THE CONFERENCE IS DESIGNED FOR PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS, STUDENTTEACHERS AND EDUCATORS CONCERNED WITH EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTIONAL COMMUNICATION AND THE UTILIZATION OF AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS IN TEACHING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
ILLUSTRATING HIS TALK WITH EXAMPLES OF FILMS AND FILMSTRIPS, AH OVERHEAD PROJECTOR, A MAGNET BOARD AND EVEN A REAL ELECTRIC DELL (TO SHOW THAT VISUAL AIDS WERE HOT NECESSARILY A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE REAL THING), MR. BROWN POINTED OUT THAT HE COULD HARDLY TALK ABOUT AUDIO VISUAL AIDS WITHOUT USING THEM HIMSELF.
HE ALSO DREW ATTENTION TO THE HELP TEACHERS COULD GET FROM THE VISUAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WHICH HELD A LARGE STOCK OF USEFUL MATERIALS AND IDEAS TO HELP TEACHERS IN ALL SUBJECTS AND LEVELS.
MR. BROWN SAID s «WE TEND TO REMEMBER PLEASANT AND INTERESTING THINGS RATHER THAN DULL AND UNPLEASANT THINGS — HENCE THE EXPRESSION, ’A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE’.*
IF THE CLASSROOM LESSON, WITH ALL THESE RESOURCES AT THE TEACHERS’ DISPOSAL COULD BECOME A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE FOR THE STUDENTS, THEN GREAT STRIDES WOULD HAVE DEEN MADE IN EDUCATION.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1975 a 'JO co
LEASE OF FORESHORE AMD PIERS IM TSIM SHA TSUI PLAMMED n it it it « it
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PLANS TO GRANT A LEASE OF FORESHORE AND PIERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON, AS PART OF AN EXCHANGE FOR A PARCEL OF LAND IN HOLT’S WHARF TO THE EAST OF THE EXISTING RAILWAY TERMINUS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUDLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THE PROPOSED EXCHANGE WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE VERY PROMINENT SITE IS REDEVELOPED ON A GOOD LAYOUT WITH WELL-DESIGNED BUILDINGS.
THE LAND, TO BE EXCHANGED, MADE UP OF KOWLOON MARINE LOT 08, KOWLOON PERMANENT PIER 24 AND ITS EXTENSION, AMD KOWLOON PERMANENT PIFR 23, IS AT THE TIP OF THE KOWLOON PENINSULA FRONTING THE
HARBOUR.
THE SITE HAS A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 130,340 SQUARE FEET AND THE EXTENT OF THE AREA INVOLVED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
THE LEASE IS GRANTED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USE, AND WILL BE FOR THE REST OF A TERM OF 75 YEARS AS FROM NOVEMBER 3, 1902, RENEWABLE DY STATUTE FOR A FURTHER TERM OF 75 YEARS OH EXPIRY OF THE FIRST 75-YEAR TERM.
ANYONE WHO HAS OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED LEASE OR CLAIMS OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD SUBMIT THEM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.
THE GAZETTE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, CAN ALSO BE SEEN OH NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
PRH 7
_ . ... , SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 1975
daily intorsion BULLETIN
rt h « n n «
ONE IN EVERY FOUR FIRES IN HONG KONG OCCURS IN THE HOME AND MOST, IF NOT ALL, CAN BE AVOIDED BY JUST FOLLOWING A FEW SIMPLE RULES.
+HOME FIRE PROTECTION IS EASY TO LEARN AND REMEMBER,* A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID. *MOST OF IT, AFTER ALL, IS ONLY COMMON SENSE. THE ONLY TROUBLE IS THAT TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE AN ’IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME5 ATTITUDE AND FOOLISHLY TAKE RISKS WHICH PLACF THEIR OWN LIVES AND PROPERTY, AND THAT OF OTHERS, CONSTANTLY IN DANGER.*
HE URGED PARENTS WHO HAVE TO LEAVE CHILDREN ON THEIR OWN TO TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS BY ENSURING THAT ALL MATCHES AND LIGHTERS ARE OUT OF CHILDREN’S REACH.
^CHILDREN SHOULD BE TAUGHT AT AN EARLY AGE THAT THEY SHOULD NEVER PLAY WITH FIRE,* HE STRESSED.
PORTABLE HEATERS ESPECIALLY THOSE WHICH BURN KEROSENE, SHOULD BE PUT IN A POSITION WHERE THEY CANNOT BE KNOCKED OVER BY CHILDREN. THEY SHOULD DE PLACED FAR AWAY FROM MATERIALS, SUCH AS CURTAINS AND BEDDING WHICH EASILY CATCH FIRE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED HOUSEWIVES , WHEN COOKING, THEY SHOULD NOT ALLOW FATS TO OVERHEAT. +IF THERE IS A GREASE FIRE, COVER THE FLAME WITH A PAN LID AND TURN OFF THE SOURCE OF HEAT.*
ANOTHER USEFUL TIP TO BEAR IN MIND IS THAT BAKING SODA IS EXCELLENT FOR TACKLING COOKING FIRES. NEVER PICK UP A BURNING PAN AS THIS COULD HELP TO SPREAD THE FIRE. ALSO, NEVER COOK IN LOOSE SLEEVES WHICH COULD EASILY COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE FLAME.
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE ITEMS SUCH AS KEROSENE, LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS, OIL AND PAINTS SHOULD BE STORED WELL AWAY FROM SOURCES OF HEAT. NEVER FILL A KEROSENE STOVE WHEN IT IS STILL BURNING. DO NOT SMOKE NEAR FLAMMABLE MATERIALS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SOME OF THE MOST DAMAGING FIRES IN HONG KONG HAD OCCURED AS A RESULT OF ELECTRICAL FAULTS CAUSED BY BAD MAINTENANCE OR NO MAINTENANCE AT ALL.+WIRING CAN DETERIORATE OVER THE YEARS AND PERIODIC CHECKS BY A COMPETENT ELECTRICIAN ARE ESSENTIAL FOR SAFETY,* HE SAID.
BE KEPT IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION
CORDS AND APPLIANCES SHOULD __ .... . -----
AND REPLACED WHEN FRAYED OR WORN. APPLIANCES MUST NEVER BE LEFT ON -------------------------------------- ITEMS ARE PLUGGED INTO ONE
WHEN GOING OUT. IF TOO MANY ELECTRICAL SOCKET, THE WIRING COULD EASILY BECOME OUT , ESPECIALLY DURING PERIODS OF LOW
OVERHEATED AND FIRE MAY BREAK HUMIDITY.
/IF YOU .........
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 1975
2
+ IF YOU, OR-MEMBERS FORGET THAT THOUSANDS OF THE CARELESS DISPOSAL OR MATCHES.
OF YOUR FAMILY, SMOKE CIGARETTES, DON’T E,RES,?£CUR IN H0MG K0NG each YEAR THROUGH HANDLING OF LIGHTED CIGARETTE ENDS AND
nicnne '^CIGARETTE ENDS ARE PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE Si nP2enLiG«-°^T^M “ PREFERABLY IN AN ASH TRAY. NEVER SMOKE IN BED. OLD PEOPLE ESPECIALLY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO FALL ASLEEP WHILE.SMOKING
AND SET THEIR BEDS ON FIRE.*
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF EFFORT PEOPLE CAN MAKE THEIR HOMES FREE OF THE RISK OF FIRE. *FAI LURE TO TAKE THE TROUBLE CAM - AND TOO OFTEN DOES - LEAD TO DISASTER,* HE SAID.
CAREERS SEMINAR FOR N.T. STUDENTS ns If If ft »
THE NEW TERRITORIES IS TO HAVE ITS FIRST EVER CAREERS SEMINAR ON TUESDAY (APRIL 0).
MORE THAN 600 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN TAI PO, FANLING AND SHEUNG SHU I WILL ATTEND THE ONE-DAY SEMINAR AT THE FUNG KAI PUBLIC SCHOOL,SHEUNG SHUI FROM 9.50 A.M. TO 3.45 P.M.
AnvuJSv ^S-EEEN.GREC 1ALLY ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
ADVISORY oizRvICE Or RIE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO BRING UP—TO—DA TP CAREERS ADVICE TO STUDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE LABOUR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE , MR. JAMES YEUNG, SAID TODAY THE AIM OF THE SEMINAR WAS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION OH CAREERS IN COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
*THE INFORMATION INCLUDES THE NATURE OF VARIOUS JOBS, DUTIES, SALARIES, PROSPECTS, TRAINING FACILITIES AND OTHER TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT,* HE SAID.
*THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES FOUR TALKS ON JOBS IN COMMERCE AND SERVICES, INDUSTRIES AND CIVIL SERVICE AND TWO TALKS ON FURTHER STUDIES.
+IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT MOST SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN THESE AREAS ARE PREPARED TO RELEASE THEIR STUDENTS TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR.
*STUDENTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE ALSO WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEMINAR,* MR. YEUNG ADDED.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 1975
-
FOUNDATION WORK FOR KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR ««««»«
THE KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR HAS MOVED ANOTHER STEP FORWARD TODAY WITH THE INVITATION FOR TENDERS FOR THE FOUNDATIONS WORK.
THE WORK WILL CONSIST OF PUTTING IN 800 MM TO 1,200 MM THICK CAISSONS. FOUNDED IN MODERATELY DECOMPOSED AND FRESH SOUND GRANITE, IN THE RECLAIMED SHE AT THE SOUTH END OF RAMBLERS CHANNEL.
LAST MOUTH, FIRMS OF INTERNATIONAL STANDING WERE
INVITED TO DE INCLUDED IN A SELECTED TENDER LIST FOR JI IE SUPPLY, FABRICATION AND DELIVERY OF THE STRUCTURAL STEELWORK SUPERSiRUCTURE TO THE INCINERATION BUILDING.
A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF THE PLANT AND EQUIPMENT WAS SIGHED IN NOVEMBER 1973.
EXPECTED TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY LATE 1970, THE KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR WILL HANDLE 900 TOHS OF REFUSE A DAY.
GAS PRODUCED WILL BE DISPERSED AT A HIGH LEVEL FROM A 150-MPTRE CHIMNEY, WHILE DUST EMISSION WILL BE KEPi lO A MINIMUM BY HIGH-EFFICIENCY DUS I EXTRACTION EQUIPMENT.
THE INCINERATOR WILL NORMALLY OPERATE 24 HOURS A DAY AND Will DE A GREAT HELP IN DISPOSING OF THE GROWING VOLUME OF DAILY REFUSE.
WORKS ON THE INCINERATOR HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE SUPERVISED DY MAUHSELL CONSULTANT ASIA.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 1975
NEW SNORKELS FOR FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ««««««
TWO NEW FIRE ENGINES, FITTED WITH 5O-FOOT SNORKELS (ELEVATED HYDRAULIC PLATFORMS), ARE DUE TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH.
THEY ARE THE FIRST CONSIGNMENT OF AN ORDER FOR TWELVE, COSTING ABOUT $3.9 MILLION, PLACED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN JANUARY LAST YEAR.
THE FIRE ENGINES ARE BEING MANUFACTURED BY DENNIS MOTORS, WHO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP GOING BACK SEVERAL DECADES WITH THE FIRE SERVICES IN HONG KONG, AND THE SNORKELS BY SIMON ENGINEERING.
THE REMAINING TEN APPLIANCES ARE TO ARRIVE IN BATCHES OF TOO AT MONTHLY INTERVALS AND, AT THIS RATE, THE ORDER SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER.
POWERED BY EIGHT-CYLINDER 185 BRAKE HORSEPOWER ENGINES, THE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FULLY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND POWER ASSISTED STEERING. THEY CAN SEAT SIX MEN. THE PUMP IS OF 1.000 GALLONS PER MINUTE CAPACITY SUPPLYING WATER TO TWO OUTLETS ON EACH SIDE OF THE APPLIANCE, PLUS ONE FITTED TO THE SNORKEL CAGE. THERE IS ALSO A TANK CONTAINING 250 GALLONS OF WATER FOR USE IMMEDIATELY ON ARRIVAL AT A FIRE SCENE AND 180 FEET OF THREE-QUARTER INCH HOSE IS PROVIDED WITH EACH APPLIANCE.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER FEATURES, INCLUDING A PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM, ELECTRIC WINDSCREEN WASHERS AND WIPERS, TOO TONE HORNS, A MECHANICAL EIGHT-DAY CLOCK AND AN 11-IN. SEARCH-LIGHT.
THE SNORKELS, WHICH ARE HIGHLY VERSATILE PIECES OF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT, ARE FITTED WITH INTER-COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS BETWEEN CAGE AND BASE, KEEPING FIRE-FIGHTERS AND OPERATORS IN CONSTANT TOUCH.
THE NEW MACHINES WILL REPLACE OLDER APPLIANCES.
LAST YEAR, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TOOK DELIVERY OF 12 NEW FIRE ENGINES, WHICH THEY FITTED WITH 55 -FOOT RESCUE LADDERS AND AN 85-FOOT SNORKEL. IN ADDITION TO THE TWELVE 50-F00T SNORKELS, THERE ARE ALSO ON ORDER A 91“F00T SNORKEL AND THREE 50-METRE LADDERS FROM WEST GERMANY. THE EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCE ELEMENT OF THE 1975/76 FIRE SERVICES BUDGET IS ABOUT 7-1/2 PERCENT OF A TOTAL BUDGET OF $89,740,000.
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/2
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 1975
«» 2 •»
KMB GIVEN GO AHEAD TO BUY 30 MORE LUXURY COACHES ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS ENDORSED PROPOSALS FOR THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY TO BUY 30 MORE LUXURY COACHES FOR USE ON SOME OF ITS BUSY ORDINARY BUS ROUTES.
THE ENDORSEMENT WAS MADE AT A RECENT TAG MEETING ON THE UNDERSTAND I lift THAT KMB WILL ALSO PLACE ORDERS FOR AN EQUAL NUMBER OF SINGLE-DECKER BUSES AND WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE ITS ORDINARY DUS SERVICES.
THE PURCHASE OF 30 ADDITIONAL COACHES WILL BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH VEHICLES ACQUIRED BY KMB TO 100. ABOUT HALF OF THE 70 NOW AVAILABLE ARE BEING USED IN THE SIX NEWLY INTRODUCED URBAN EXPRESS COACH SERVICES WHICH INCLUDE TWO ROUTES TO AND FROM KAI TAK AIRPORT.
KMB PROPOSED TO USE THE REST TO SUPPLEMENT SOME OF ITS URBAN ORDINARY BUS ROUTES IN ORDER TO EASE THE DEMAND. THESE INCLUDE ROUTE 5 FROM STAR FERRY TO CHOI HUNG ESTATE, PART OF ROUTE 14 FROM JORDAN ROAD FERRY TO KWUN TONG FERRY, ROUTE 6C FROM LA I CH I KOK TO KOWLOON CITY FERRY, AND PART OF ROUTE 40 FROM LA ICH I KOK TO KWUN TONG.
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COACH-TYPE SERVICES WITH NO STANDING PASSENGERS WAS ENDORSED BY TAC IN APRIL LAST YEAR. THIS COMMUTER SERVICE WITH LIMITED STOPPING POINTS PROVIDES A HIGHER STANDARD OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR COMMUTERS AND WILL ENCOURAGE PRIVATE MOTORISTS TO LEAVE THEIR CARS AT HOME, PLUS REDUCING TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
INITIAL INDICATIONS SHOW THAT THESE COACH SERVICES ARE GENERALLY WELCOMED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ALTHOUGH RESULTS ON ROUTF 200 BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND CENTRAL DISTRICT HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTING.
MEANWHILE, THE TAC HAS ALSO ENDORSED PROPOSALS FOR NEW
HOVFRFFRRY SERVICES, BUT WITHIN THE HARBOUR LIMITS AND TO OUTLYING ‘ AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE EXPERIMENTAL HOVERFERRY SERVICE ON THE CENTRAL-TSUEN WAN ROUTE HAS PROVED SUCCESSFUL AND ADDITIONAL CRAFT ARE ON ORDER.
SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 1975
WORK TO START SHORTLY ON NEW ESTATE IN CHAI WAN « n ft ft » ft
PILING WORK WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH ON A 13-1/2-ACRE SITE IN CHAI WAN FOR THE CONSTRUCT I Ohl OF ANOTHER'PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.
THE ESTATE, WHICH HAS NQT YET BEEN NAMED, WILL BE LOCATED IN CHAI WAN ROAD OPPOSITE TO THE CHAI WAN ESTATE. IT WILL ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 15,400 PEOPLE ON COMPLETION IN 1978.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE FIRST THREE SEVENSTOREY BLOCKS FOR 5,200 PEOPLE WILL START AS SOON AS PILING WORK IS COMPLETED.
THEY WILL BE READY FOR OCCUPATION IN ABOUT 18 MONTHS’ TIME.
WORK ON THE FOURTH BLOCK OF THE ESTATE, WHICH WILL BE 22 STOREYS HIGH, WILL BEGIN IN OCTOBER. IT WILL HOUSE ABOUT 10,200 PEOPLE.
IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES, THE ESTATE WILL HAVE A FIVE-STOREY MULTI-PURPOSE COMPLEX OF ITS OWN.
IT WILL HOUSE A PUBLIC LIBRARY, A LARGE-SIZE MARKET WITH NEARLY 500 HAWKER STALLS AND 20 COOKED-FOOD STALLS AS WELL AS A CARPARK FOR 500 CARS.
NEARLY FOUR ACRES OF LAND HAS BEEN RESERVED AS OPEN SPACE. IT IS ALSO PLANNED TO PUT SEVERAL CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS AND REST GARDENS IN THE VICINITY.
0 *»<••» «»
REGISTRATION FACILITIES IN YUEN LONG ft ft ft ft ft ft
A MOBILE WORKING TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATION FROM APRIL 9 TO 11 IN THE YUEN LONG KA I FONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION OFFICE FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
THE TEAM WILL ALSO CONDUCT REGISTRATION AT THE SAME OFFICE FROM APRIL 28 TO MAY 2 AND FROM MAY 12 TO. 15.
BUSINESS HOURS WILL BE FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M. ON THESE DATES.
THE VISIT WILL ENABLE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN OR WARDS AT THE AGE OF 11 FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS. HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS SHOULD ALSO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS AT THE AGE OF 18.
RESIDENTS IN THE AREA ARE URGED TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITIES PROVIDED. THEY ARE ALSO REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER FOR IDENTITY CARDS AND TO REPORT CHANGES OF REGISTERED PARTICULARS.
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ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Sunday, April 6, 1975
ROYAL COUPLE TO SEE FLOATING PAGEANT AT ABERDEEN
■ - J*
Long History Of Port With Fishing
********
Aberdeent always interesting with its picturesque assortment of fishing craft, will take on extra colour on May 6 when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visit the harbour to see a water procession organised in their honour by the fishing community.
The occasion coincides with traditional ceremonies to mark the Tin Hau festival, and the harbour will, as usual, be heavily congested with fishing boats that have returned to pay their annual tribute to the goddess of heaven and protectress of seafarers.
The Aberdeen waterway is always gaily decorated at Tin Hau Festival time, but this year will be more flags and pennants than usual because of the historic visit to the harbour by the Royal couple.
The Queen and the Duke will see a parade of various vessels from a special stand on a floating restaurant. Gliding past will be a fleet of fishing boats, junks, and sampans.
From its earliest days, Aberdeen has always had a fishing community. In 1841, a count showed that more than 2,000 residents of Hong Kong Island were fisherfolk living on boats, most moored at Aberdeen. The fishermen followed migratory fish, and then returned to port with their catches.
Today, modern Aberdeen is home for about 1,600 fishing vessels.
Of thesej 900 are trawlers, 200 liners, JOO netters, JO seiners, and the remainder small fishing craft. The total catch is JO,000 tons of fish a year.
/Active
2
Active fishermen in Aberdeen total about 11,000. They have more than 9,000 dependents who are not involved with the industry, though many wives and children help out in a number of ways.
The fishermen sell their catches to wholesale buyers in the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market, one of seven markets maintained by the Fish Marketing Organisation. The market was built in 1952, and is located on the waterfront - in Tin Wan. It can handle 90 tons of fish daily.
Two ice plants are located in Tin Wan. Together with others outside Aberdeen, they supply the fishing fleet with iqe - essential ingredient for keeping catches in .good condition when the vessels are at sea. . .. : ’
The fleet gets its fuel from stationary barges berthed outside the harbour. There are about 400 workshops where engines are repei There are also 50 boatyards where the fishermen either have vessels built or made seaworthy. Most of these yards are located in the eastern part of the harbour, the Aberdeen Channel, along the shore of Ap Lei Chau.
In recent years, the Agriculture and Fisheries Department have done much to assist Aberdeen fisherfolk modernise their craft for longer journeys at sea, and improved catches. The department maintains a Fisheries Research Division in the area whose task is to carry out marine and biological research.
t - ••f. r.‘ . - .. • 1? • • •- 'v ’ •
The department also keeps a Fisheries Development Section in Aberdeen to look into technical aspects of the fishing industry, and fishings and suggestions are passed on to the fishermen. A government research vessel, Cape St Mary, has its anchorage in the harbour.
The Fish Marketing Organisation runs a school in Aberdeen for children of the fishing community. The school has an enrolment of more than 800, divided into primary, and three-year secondary students. For the latter, emphasis is on practical subjects.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
I,-,! FERF : IANCE OF 1975 SCHOOLS’ DANCE FESTIVAL AT CITY .................................................... 1
i. 1 ■ TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST OCCURRENCE OF
• T! I!M_ DISEASES IN WARM SEASON..........’.............. 2
:/t C PROBATION OFFICER AFTER 20 YEARS’ SERVICE......... 3
;|R. . i.j .. POINTED AS NEW CHAIRMAN OF CONSUMER COUNCIL ... 4
15 CIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS TO BE AUCTIONED . 4
SCI ■ /Hll. /iEN WILL BE GIVEN A SPECIAL HOLIDAY TO CELEBRATE
TH! ■">¥,'!. VISIT ON MAY 5................<•......-............... 5
TOTAL "'ATER STORAGE NOW OVER 45,000 MILLION GALLONS .............. 5
\
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel:.5-233191
1
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1975
1975 SCHOOLS’ DANCE FESTIVAL BEGINS ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE FIRST OF THE SPECIAL PERFORMANCES OF THE 1975 SCHOOLS’ DANCE FESTIVAL WAS HELD TONIGHT IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.
THE SPECIAL DANCE PERFORMANCES ARE THE CULMINATION OF WEEKS OF COMPETITION IN THE FESTIVAL AND AFFORDS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE WINNERS TO DE PRESENTED WITH THEIR PRIZES.
THE GUESTS AT TONIGHT’S PERFORMANCE WERE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS PRAY AND MRS. BRAY.
THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSLATION OF MR. BRAY’S SPEECH WHICH WAS DELIVERED IN CANTONESE: -
+FROM A MODEST START IN 1965, THE SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL HAS GROWN INTO AN IMPORTANT AND VERY POPULAR EVENT FOR OUR SCHOOLS: THIS YEAR, OVER 2,400 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS TOOK PART IN THE FESTIVAL, INCLUDING- MANY PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
THE STANDARDS OF THE DANCE FESTIVAL ARE IMPROVING ALL THE TIME. IN 1970, STUDENTS TAKING PART IN THE DANCE FESTIVAL REPRESENTED HONG KONG AND PERFORMED IN THE WORLD EXPOSITION. THEY ALSO PERFORMED AT THE FESTIVAL OF HONG KONG. I AM SURE WE SHALL SEE THEM PERFORM AGAIN IN THE ARTS FESTIVAL IN THE COMING YEAR.
THE SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL OWES ITS SUCCESS MAINLY TO THE TIRELESS EFFORTS OF THE TEACHERS CONCERNED, WHO HAVE PROVIDED THE NECESSARY OPPORTUNITIES AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE CHILDREN lO TAKE PART IN THE ACTIVITIES IN THEIR SPARE TIME.
WITH THE HELP OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WE HOPE THAT MORE DANCE FESTIVALS WILL BE HELD IN DISTRICTS3 MORE IMPORTANT STILL, WE HOPE iHAT THE INTEREST IN DANCING WHICH SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE NOW CULTIVATING WILL GROW EVEN AFTER THEY HAVE LEFT SCHOOL, SO THAT THEY CAN ALL DANCE THEIR WAY TO A HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE.+
THE SPECIAL DANCE PERFORMANCES ARE BEING HELD IN THE CONCERT HALL EACH NIGHT UNTIL SATURDAY, APRIL 12 AT 7 PM. A MATINEE IS ALSO TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY AT 2.30 PM.
THEY ARE BEING JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG AND NEW lERR(TORIES SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
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MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1975
ADVICE ON PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AS WARM SEASON APPROACHES if if if if if if if
THE DIRECTOR Of- MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. GERALD CHOA, TODAY URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE ON THE ALERT IN PREVENTING THE OCCURRENCE OF GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES WHICH TEND TO BECOME MORE PREVALENT IN THE WARM SEASON.
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF WARM WEATHER EARLIER THAN USUAL, THE PUBLIC SHOIfl'AY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS, WHICH IS MOST ESSENTIAL IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.
DR. CHOA EXPLAINED TUA ' PERSONAL CLEANLINESS MEANT THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SIMPLE Rlil ES OF PERSONAL HYGIENE, SUCH AS WASHING OF ILS BEFORE MEALS AND AFTER VISITS TO TOILETS, WHILE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS MEANT CLEAN FOOD, CLEAN WATER AND PROPER DISPOSAL OF REFUSE AND EXCRETA.
THE DISEASES COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE WARM WEATHER INCLUDE TYPHOID FEVER, DYSENTERY, FOOD POISONING AND VIRAL HEPATITIS.
IN PARTICULAR, THE DIRECTOR DREW ATTENTION TO THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE INCIDENCE OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO FURTHER INCREASE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARMER.
AS THE COMMON TYPE OF VIRAL HEPATITIS IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH CONTAMINATED FOOD AND DRINK, DR. CHOA URGED THE PUBLIC TO BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS IN THEIR CHOICE OF SUCH.
HE WARNED THAT IMPROPERLY COOKED FOOD COULD CAUSE INFECTION AND FURTHER ADVISED THAT PROPERLY COOKED FOOD, IF NOT EATEN IMMEDIATELY, SHOULD NOT BE LEFT UNCOVERED AND EXPOSED TO CONTAMINATION.
+WITH MORE AND MORE PEOPLE PATRONISING STALLS SELLING COOKED FOOD AS AN ECONOMY MEASURE, THE OBSERVANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE IS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE,* HE SAID.
THE CONSUMPTION OF SUCH ITEMS OF FOOD AS SHELLFISH, CUT FRUITS AND +I.EIJNG UN* CARRIED CERTAIN RISKS, AND THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO DE VERY CAREFUL WHEN EATING THEM.
DR. CHOA STRESSED THAT WATER COMING DIRECTLY FROM THE MAINS IS PURE AND SAFE FOR DRINKING, AND DID NOT REQUIRE TO BE BOILED.
/noi'JEVEH
MONDAY, APRIL 70 1975
HOWEVER, DANGER OF IMPURITY MIGHT ARISE WHEN THE WATER WAS STORED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IN TANKS, DRUMS OR BUCKETS, HE SAID.
AS THESE CONTAINERS WERE SOMETIMES LEFT FOR I ONG PERIODS WITHOUT CLEANING, OR OTHERWISE NOT REGULARLY OR HYGIENICALLY ATTENDED TO, THE WATER IN THEM IS SUBJECT TO CONTAMINATION BY GERMS, HE SAID.
IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, DR. CHOA SAID, STORED WATER SHOULD BE BOILED BEFORE DRINKING.
+THIS IS NOT A REFLECTION ON THE QUALITY OF THE WATER', BUT RELATES TO STORAGE CONDITIONS,* HE ADDED.
DR. CHOA SAID THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE URBAN SERVICES . DEPARTMENT WERE REGULARLY ATTENDING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION AND HYGIENE MATTERS AND INCREASED ATTENTION, AS USUAL, WOULD BE PAID TO THESE ASPECTS IN THE WARM SEASON.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE ITS SURVEILLANCE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF INTESTINAL DISEASES, AND IN CASE OF NEED, THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES, NOW ALREADY IN HAND, WOULD BE REINFORCED.
THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN NO LOCAL CASES OF CHOLERA SINCE 1969 THE PUBLIC MUST NOT BE TEMPTED TO RELAX THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
VACCINATIONS AGAINST CHOLERA AND TYPHOID FEVER, IF REQUIRED, ARE AVAILABLE FREE AT ALL GOVERNMENT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND INOCULATION POSTS.
PROBATION OFFICER RETIRING a « « a n
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MR. CHEN HUNG, A SENIOR PROBATION OFFICER WITH THE PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IS RETIRING THIS MONTH AFTER 20 YEARS’ SERVICE.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL PRESENT HIM WITH A GOLD WATCH ON BEHALF OF HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE DEPARTMENT AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (APRIL 10) AT 11 AM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SOCIAI ELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG.
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1975
NEW CHAIRMAN FOR CONSUMER COUNCIL ft ft ft ft ft ft
MR. K.S. 1.0 HAS BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL. HE SUCCEEDS SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN WHO HAS RETIRED.
MR. 1.0, WHO IS DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG SOYA BEAN PRODUCTS CO. LTD., HAS SERVED WITH THE COUNCIL SINCE IT WAS SET UP A YEAR AGO.
FIVE OTHER SERVING MEMBERS — MR. SHUM CHO I-SANG, MR. HO SAI-CHU, MR. WU KWOK-CHEUNG, MRS. KONG FUNG YUEN-YEE, AND MRS. LEE 1.0 YUK-SIM, HAVE ALSO DEEN REAPPOINTED.
IN ADDITION SIX NEW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED. THEY AREs-MRS. DIANA TAN YING CHEE-MAI, MR. CHAM YAU-SUM,.MR. YIP YUM-FONG, MR. GALLANT HO YIU-TAI, HR. NG KI, AND MR. EDMUND CHO'J.
COMMENTING ON THE NEW MEMBERSHIP, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN THANKED THE OUTGOING MEMBERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION lO THE COUNCIL AND SAID IT WAS REGRETTED THAT OTHER HEAVY COMMITMENTS PREVENTED THEM FROM CONTINUING TO SERVE THE COUNCIL.
HE ALSO THANKED THE NEW MEMBERS FOR ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE AND NOTED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE A REGULAR INFUSION OF NEW BLOOD AND NEW IDEAS INTO THE COUNCIL. +THE PUBLIC, HE ADDED, + CAN BE HIGHLY SATISFIED WITH THE CALIBRE OF THE NEW COUNCIL.*
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ANOTHER 15 SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS WOULD BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS WEEK TO PROMOTE A CHARITABLE CAUSE.
THE AUCTION, THE 23RD ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY (APRIL 12) AT 10 AM AT THE CITY HALL LECTURE ROOM NORTH, 8TH FLOOR, HIGH BLOCK.
THE REGISTRATION NUMBERS AREs
3823 AU 1234 AY 38 BH 1
9339 AU 2288 AY 100 BH 33
HK 40 AU 818 AY 3333 BH 555
HK 8888 AU 10 BD 2299
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
POTENTIAL BIDDERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
/5......
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1975
SCHOOL HOL I DA' FOR QUEEN’S VISIT
SCHOOL CHILDREN IN HONG KONG WILL BE GIVEN A SPECIAL HOLIDAY ON MONDAY, MAY 5, THE FIRST FULL DAY OF THE QUEEN AND DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S VISIT TO HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNMENT FEELS THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBIE, PARTICULARLY CHILDREN, SHOULD BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY 70 SEE THE ROYAL COUPLE.
THE PROGRAMME FOR THE QUEEN ON THE- DAY OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAY INCLUDES A Si ATE DRIVE THROUGH SOME OF THE MOST CROWDED PARTS OF KOWLOON AND VISITS TO THE MORSE PARK SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, THE 01 MAN HOUSING ESTATE, AN EXHIBITION OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS AT THE NEW HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINAL AND, IN THE EVENING, A FIREWORKS DISPLAY AND THE HORSE RACES.
ALTHOUGH NO STATUTORY HOLIDAY IS BEING OBSERVED EMPLOYERS ARE ENCOURAGED, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, TO ALLOW THEIR STAFF TIME OFF TO SEE il!E QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH SHOULD THEY BE PASSING BY.
WEEKLY WATER SITUATION REPORT X X X X X
HONG KONG’S TOTAL WATER STORAGE AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY STOOD AT 45,733 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 68.0 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACliY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THE STORAGE WAS 39,375 MILLION GALLONS.
PLOVER COVE’S STORAGE THIS MORNING STOOD AT 35,367 MILLION GALLONS -- 70 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS — COMPARED WITH 31,851 ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR,
A TOTAL OF 0.9 MM (0.04 IN) OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST TWENTY FOUR HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY.
TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 154.6 MM (6.09 IN), THE TOTAL MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 169.3 MM (6.67 IN).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
II | | !■ I ■ —
GIANT VALVE INSTALLED AT PAK TAM CHUNG PIPELINE OF HIGH ISLAND TUNNEL SCHEME ...................................... 1
THREE BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND DECLARED DANGEROUS .. 2
TRAFFIC CHANGES TO EE INTRODUCED IN KWUN TONG AND CENTRAL
DISTRICT....................................................
TEMPORARY WATER STOPPAGE IN HUNG HOM...............'......... 3
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
1
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1975
GIANT VALVE LAID IN HIGH ISLAND TUNNEL SYSTEM a a a a a «
ONE OF THE LARGEST PIECES OF MECHANICAL-EQUIPMENT IN THE 25-HII.F TUNNEL SYSTEM OF THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME HAS JUST BEEN INSTALLED AT THE PAK TAM CHUNG PIPELINE CROSSING ABOUT TWO MILES FAST OF TAI MONG TSAI IN THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA,
THE MECHANISM IS A GIANT CIRCULAR VALVE MORE THAN NINE FEET IN DIAMETER. IT WAS LOWERED INTO POSITION RECENTLY WITH THE AID OF TWO POWERFUL CRANES.
A WATERWORKS OFFICE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED TODAY THAT AT PAK TAM CHUNG TilE TUNNEL SYSTEM HAS TO PASS UNDER A STREAM AND A 1,000-FT. SECTION OF 112-INCH DIAMETER PIPELINE IS USED TO MAKE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO ENDS OF TUNNEL ON EITHER SIDE. THE PURPOSE OF THE VALVE WILL BE TO ENABLE THE PIPELINE SECTION TO BE CLOSED OFF FOR INSPECTION.
IN THE COURSE OF NEXT YEAR THIS SECTION OF TUNNEL AND PIPELINE GOULD BE CARRYING SOME OF THE FIRST WATER INTO THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING THE VALVE BEING LOWERED INTO POSITION WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION AT GIS LATER TODAY.
/2
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1975. - 2 -
THREE BUILDINGS IN CENTRAL CONDEMNED h k k k n n
THP BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED NO.18 TAI PING SHAN STREET HONG KONG, TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND NOS. 14 AND 16 LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THESE FOUR-^TORFY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS HAD BEEN UNDER PERIODIC OBSERVATION IN VIEW OF THEIR ADVANCED STATE OF DETERIORATION.
-FRESH MOVEMENT HAS BEEN NOTED IN THE FRACTURED AND GENERALLY VF'AK BRICKWORK OF THE FRONT, SIDE AND REAR WALLS OF N0.18 AND T11FRF iAS BEEN A RECENT MINOR PARTIAL COLLAPSE OF THE BOARDING AND Tl ING TO THE ROOF WHOSE MAIN TIMBERS ARE ALSO SHOWING
■ SIGNS OF SERIOUS DECAY,<■ HE SAID.
ACCESS TO THE 2ND FLOOR OF NO.16 IS OBTAINED ONLY THROUGH NO.W, WHILST THE REMAINING FLOORS ARE SERVED BY A STAIRCASE COMMON WITH NO.14.
IN VIEW OF THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF_THF.SE THREE BUILDINGS, IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THEM.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON MAY 6, 1975 WERE POSTED TODAY.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1975
TRAFFIC CHANGES X $ X X X X
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT THE SECTION OF THE NEWLY WIDENED TING ON STREET BETWEEN NGAUTAUKOK ROAD AND TING VIP STREET IN KV/UN TONG WILL BE REROUTED FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM 10 A.M. ON THURSDAY (APRIL 10) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.
MEANWHILE, ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE UNNAMED ROAD BETWEEN FURAMA HOTEL AMD SUTHERLAND HOUSE IN CENlRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO PUBLIC LICHT BUSES AS FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (APRIL 11).
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
cae»c»«30e»o<3c*
WATER CUT
X. X x X X
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HUNG HOM WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN I HE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF iHURSDAY (APRIL 10) WHEN WATERWORKS STAFF WILL BE CARRYING OUT A TEST FOR LEAKAGE IN THE AREA.
AFFECTED WILL BE PREMISES BOUNDED BY CHATHAM ROAD, SlATION IANE MA TAU WEI ROAD AND PAK KUNG STREEi._THE TEMPORARY WATER STOPPAGE WILL BE FROM 1 A.M. lO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY.
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RELEASE
ROYAL <' 1
VISIT '
PRESS
Tuesday, April o, 1975
V*
PRINCE PHILIP TO PRESENT GOLD AW.tRDS TO YOUNG PEOPLE Ceremony In Government House On May 6 ********
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, will personally present the gold award of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme to 27 young people at a ceremony in Government House on the evening of May 6.
The gold award is the third and highest in a three-level scheme -the other two being the silver and bronze awards - which Prince Philip himself inaugurated in Britain in 19%*
In a message from Buckingham Palace introducing the scheme, the Duke said: "Young people growing up in an industrial society have many difficulties to face and not many opportunities for"personal achievements. At the same time, parents, schools, voluntary organisatjons and industrial firns who recognise their responsibilities also have to overcome many problems.
"This scheme is intended to help both the young and those people who take an interest in their welfare* It is designed as an introduction to leisure time activities, a challenge to the individual to personal achievement, and as a guide to those people and organisations who are concerned about the development of our future citizens."
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme began operating in Hong Kong in 1961. The scheme for boys was introduced in March 196l, and for girls in August 1963» Five years later, the two were merged to form a joint scheme.
/Recipients
2
Recipients of the gold award in the Government House ceremony will be young men and women between 18 and 25* After the presentations, the Duke will mingle with them and exchange a few words.
Besides Hong Kong, the scheme is in operation in more than 40 countries, within and outside the Commonwealth.
In Hong Kong, the scheme is administered by an award committee appointed by the Governor. This committee, through its co-ordinating committee, keeps in close contact with various organisations - called operating authorities - involved in the scheme to ensure a uniform standard of performance.
Participants entering the scheme through the operating authorities come from a cross-section of the community.. They include clerks, industrial workers, nurses, teachers, apprentices, and students from the Polytechnic, colleges and commercial schools.
The physically-handicapped are encouraged by rehabilitation centres and hospitals to join the scheme under special provisions which are made to vary the way in which the handicapped meet physical demands. Variations are designed to offer them the opportunity to gain an award on equal terms with the able-bodied.
Since the scheme began in Hong Kong in 1961 up to March 51, 1974, 10,044 young people have taken part.
A total of 5,866 bronze awards were made during this period, 1,022 silver awards, and 1J6 gold awards.
Hong Kong will be the host country for the third Commonwealth Gold Award Expedition later this year. Arrangements for the Expedition are being organised by a committee under the chairmanship of Sir Kenneth Pingfan Fung.
/In the ••••••
3
In the United Kingdom, gold awards are presented by the Duke himself at ceremonies in Buckingham Palace and Holyrood House Palace in Scotland. Whenever possible, the Duke - as in Hong Kong this May -presents gold awards during visits to countries of the Commonwealth.
But normally in Hong Kong, the Governor presents the gold award on the Duke’s behalf. Elsewhere in the Commonwealth, heads of state do this. Silver and bronze awards are presented everywhere by well-known local personalities.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
)
ADVANTAGES OF VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURES OF TA)^ EVASION .......... 1
RATING AND VALUATION COMMISSIONER ELECTED CHAIRMAN FOR
LOCAL BRANCH OF ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS . 2
SOCIAL WELFARE DIRECTOR TO OPEN NEW SWIMMING POOL AT WU KAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE ..................................... 2
FANLING VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY COMMENDED
FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS ......................................... 3
WATER INTERRUPTION IN KWUN TONG ON SATURDAY MORNING .......... 3
APPLICATIONS FOR ATHLECTIC COURSES ORGANISED FOR YOUTHS IN
EASTERN DISTRICT.......................................... 4
STAFF OF KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE TO MAKE PRESENTATION TO COMMUNITY CHEST .......................................... 4
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f
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
1
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1975
ADVANTAGES OF VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURES OF TAX EVASION ft ft ft ft ft ft.
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY DREW ATTENTION TO THE NORMAL PRACTICE OF THE COMMISSIONER WHEN DEALING WITH A PERSON WHO HAS MADE A FULL VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE OF TAX EVASION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT ALTHOUGH NO UNDERTAKING COULD BE GIVEN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE COMMISSIONER WILL REFRAIN FROM PROSECUTION IN THE CASE OF ANY PARTICULAR PERSON IT IS HIS PRACTICE TO BE INFLUENCED BY CERTAIN FACTORS.
+IF A PERSON HAS MADE A FULL CONFESSION OF ANY OFFENCE TO
WHICH HE HAS BEEN A PARTY AND HAS GIVEN FULL FACILITIES FOR
INVESTIGATION AND HAS PROVIDED CORRECTED RETURNS ACCOMPANIED BY DETAILED STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE RETURNS, THEN THESE FACTS
WILL HAVE A FAVOURABLE BEARING ON THE AMOUNT OF THE PENALTY OR
WHERE APPLICABLE, THE ADDITIONAL TAX IN SETTLEMENT.♦
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER PROVISIONS OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, THE COMMISSIONER MAY INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST TAX EVADERS.
REFERRING TO THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL L.AST WEDNESDAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AMONG OTHER THINGS IT SEEKS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES WHICH THE COURTS MAY IMPOSE.
AT PRESENT IT IS 02,000 PLUS A FINE EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT OF TAX UNDERCHARGED AND THE PROPOSAL IS THAT IT SHOULD BECOME 02,000 PLUS TREBLE THE AMOUNT OF THE TAX UNDERCHARGED.
ANOTHER CLAUSE SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER, SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF APPEAL BY THE TAXPAYER, TO IMPOSE AN ADMINISTRATIVE
PENALTY KNOWN AS -o-ADDITIONAL TAX*.
THE SPOKESMAN RECALLED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL SAID THAT AN ADDITIONAL MOTIVE BEHIND THE INCREASE IN PENALTY WAS TO GIVE THE COMMISSIONER A GREATER DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY IN FIXING THE AMOUNT OF PENALTY.
•:-AT PRESENT,♦ MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, +IF ONE DOES NO MORE THAN RECOVER WHAT SHOULD HAVE DEEN PAID TO THE EXCHEQUER IN THE FIRST INSTANCE THE PENALTY WOULD VERY OFTEN HAVE TO BE CLOSE TO THE 100 PER CENT MARGIN.
♦THERE IS VERY LITTLE THEREFORE THAT THE COMMISSIONER CAN OFFER BY WAY OF INDUCEMENT TO A TAXPAYER TO MAKE A CLEAN BREAST OF THINGS AND SUBMIT CORRECTED RETURNS.♦
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION THERE WOULD BE MORE OF AN INDUCEMENT FOR A PERSON TO COME FORWARD IN ORDER TO AVOID THE FULL IMPACT OF THE SUBSlANTIALLY INCREASED PENALTIES.
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nuDNESDAYj APRIL 9, 1975.
- 2 -
NEW CHAIRMAN FOR LOCAL BRANCH OF
ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS »«»»»»
THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION. MR. RAYMOND FRY HAS BEEN ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE ROYAL * INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS.
THE INSTITUTION IS STRONGLY REPRESENTED IN HONG KONG WITH SOME 325 MEMBERS AND SOME 350 STUDENT MEMBERS WHO ARE TRAINEES IN THE POLYTECHNIC, AND IN GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE PRACTICE.
MR. FRY, WHO CAME TO HONG KONG IN 1955, HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS.
THREE OTHER NEWLY ELECTED OFFICE BEARERS ARE ALSO IN THE .GOVERNMENT.
THEY ARE MR. GORDON HOGG, VICE-CHAIRMAN, WHO IS THE CHIEF BUILDING SURVEYOR OF THE WORKS DIVISION OF THE PWD BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE" AND MR. GARETH WILLIAMS, HON. SECRETARY AND MR. FOO SIU KONG, HON. TREASURER, WHO ARE BOTH RATING AND VALUATION SURVEYORS.
ANOTHER VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR. RON HART, IS AN ASSOCIATE PARTNER WITH A FIRM OF CHARTERED QUANTITY SURVEYORS. THE RETIRING CHAIRMAN WAS MR. HERBERT VARTY, WHO IS THE ESTATES AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FOR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC. %
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NEW SWIMMING POOL AT WU KWAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE MOM
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW SWIMMING POOL AT WU KWAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AT 4 P.M. ON SATURDAY (APRIL 12).
THE POOL WAS BUILT WITH A GRANT OF $530,000 FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND, AND WILL BE OPERATED BY THE CHINESE YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTAIN ASSOCIATION.
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/3 ...<
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1975
■■ 3 -
FANLING VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY ««««««
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR. E.H. NICHOLS. TODAY COMMENDED THE FANLING VEGETABLE MARKETING COOPERATIVE SOCIETY FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST TWENTY FIVE YEARS AND SAID IT HAD SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW.
MR. NICHOLS WAS SPEAKING AT THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE SOCIETY, THE FIRST TO DE REGISTERED UNDER THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE IN 1950.
IN TERMS OF BUSINESS,. HE SAID, THE SOCIETY WAS ONE OF THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT VEGETABLE MARKETING SOCIETIES IN HONG KONG. IM THE I AST 10 YEARS IT HAD MORE THAN DOUBLED ITS ANNUAL TURNOVER, AND IN 1974 HANDLED NEARLY $6,000,000 WORTH OF VEGETABLES.
MR. NICHOLS SAID HE HAD NO DOUBTS THAT MOST OF THOSE ENGAGED IN VEGETABLE MARKETING IN HONG KONG WERE WELL VERSED AND BECOMING MORE AWARE OF THE CONTRIBUTION MODERN TECHNOLOGY COULD MAKE TO INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY IN THE lECHNICALITIES OF PRODUCTION.
•“.•UNFORTUNATELY PERHAPS NOT SO MANY ARE CONSCIOUS OF THE EQUALLY IMPORTANT ROLE THAT SOUND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CAN MAKE TO INCREASED PROFITABILITY,* HE SAID.
+ IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO PRODUCE AND SELL — IT IS ESSENTIAL TO PRODUCE AND SELL WITH A FAIR PROFIT AND YET AT A PRICE ACCEPTABLE TO THE CONSUMER.
+IT IS IN THIS AREA OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT THAT A WELL ORGANISED CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER BOTH TO ITS MEMBERS AND TO THE CONSUMERS.*
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF MR. NICHOLS’ SPEECH ARE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
WATER CUT a hhhh
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR FIVE HOURS AS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (APRIL 12) WHEN A TEST FOR LEAKAGE WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THE
AREA.
AFFECTED WILL BE PREMISES BOUNDED BY NGAU TAU KOK ROAD BETWEEN ELEGANCE ROAD, CHUN WAH ROAD INCLUDING JORDAN VALLEY ESTATE BLOCKS 1-9 AND FACTORY BLOCKS.
A
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1975
ATHLETIC TRAINING COURSES ft ft ft ft ft ft
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FROM YOUTHS LIVING IN HONG KONG’S EASTERN DISTRICT FOR THREE TRAINING COURSES IN BADMINTON, TABLE-TENNIS AND THE TRAMPOLINE.
THE COURSES, WHICH ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S WAN CHAI COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S EASTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE, WILL START ON APRIL 22 AND CONTINUE UNTIL JUNE 11.
THE TABLE-TENNIS COURSE WILL BE HELD ON MONDAYS FROM 3.30 TO 5 P.M. AND THE TRAMPOLINE COURSE ON TUESDAYS FROM 4 P.M. TO 5.30 P.M. COACHING IN BADMINTON WILL BE ON WEDNESDAYS FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 12.30 P.M. AND 3.30 P.M. TO 5 P.M.
ALL WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE GYMNASIUM OF THE -SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE AT 44 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI,
APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON APRIL 16 FOR THE TABLE-TENNIS AND THE TRAMPOLINE COURSES AND ON APRIL 18 FOR THE BADMINTON COURSE.
NO FEE WILL BE CHARGED, BUT INTERESTED YOUTHS ARE ADVISED TO APPLY EARLY BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED NUMBER THAT CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR EACH COURSE, WHICH IS 20 FOR THE TABLE-TENNIS AND BADMINTON AND 24 FOR THE TRAMPOLINE. FORMS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH SCHOOLS AND WELFARE AND YOUTH AGENCIES.
PRESENTATION TO COMMUNITY CHEST ft ft ft ft ft ft
A SUM OF $5,240 WHICH WAS RAISED BY STAFF AND MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY CENTRE IN KWUN TONG DURING THE KOWLOON WALK FOR A MILLION LAST MONTH, WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON (APRIL 11).
THE MONEY WILL BE HANDED TO MRS. DAVID LEE, DIVISION CHAIRMAN OF THE CHEST’S CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE BY MR. KO KAI-MAN, WARDEN OF THE CENTRE AND TWO YOUTHS REPRESENTING THE 400 MEMBERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE WALK.
THE PRESENTATION WILL TAKE PLACE AT 4 P.M. AT THE COMMUNITY CHEST OFFICE IN GLOUCESTER BUILDING.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE OCCASION COVERED.
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THE 6TH QUEEN ELIZABETH’S OWN GURKHA. RIFLES Guard Of Honour On Royal Arrival At Queen’s Pier ««****!*
When the . Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh step ashore on Hong Kong Island at Queen’s Pier on the afternoon of their arrival, the guard of honour will be formed by the 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles. .
The guard will give a royal salute, and the band will play the national anthem. Then the guard commander will report his guard to the -Queen, who will inspect it. . . •
The 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles were raised as the Cuttack Legion in Orissa, India, in.. 1817 and spent their first 80 years in the northeast frontier provinces of India, tak-ing part in three Burma wars and many expeditions against warlike tribes.
The regiment remained loyal during the Indian Mutiny, and was included in the new Indian Army formed in 1861.
A second battalion was raised in 1904 and both battalions wore deployed on the northwest frontier of India, where they were to seo much service during the next 40 years.
During World War I, three battalions of the regiment served in India, the Middle East, Gallipoli, Greece, Turkey and Persia. In World War II, four battalions served in North Africa, Italy, India and Burma, and two members of the regiment won the Victoria Cross in Burma.
In 19^, the regiment was transferred to the British Army and both battalions served in Malaya for most of the 11-year emergency which began that year.
/The regiment •••••
2
The regiment was known by a variety of names last century, and it was not until 190? that it was numbered 6th Gurkha Rifles, It has had its present name since 1959.
In 1962, the 1st Battalion became the first Gurkha battalion to be stationed in Britain.
Both battalions served*in Borneo between 1963 and 1966. They were amalgamated in Hong Kong in 1969.
The battalion returned to Hong Kong in January 1974, after a tour of two and a half years in Brunei, and is now stationed at Cassino Camp, in the New Territories•
Its men have built a camp for Girl Guides on Beas River and an irrigation dam to help agriculture, and have run youth camps for schoolchildren.
The battalion expects to move to Britain in March 1977.
The Commandant is Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Scott.
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ROYAL VISIT -PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, April 9, $975
THE 7TH DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES Prince Philip To Visit Famous Regiment In New Territories ********
The Duke of Edinburgh will spend some time on the morning of i5, " * r •’ '*•
May 5 at the Queen’s Hill Camp in the New Territories calling on the 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles.
Upon arrival at the Camp, the Duke will be received by the Major • • * >***. • ■ I
General Brigade of Gurkhas, who will present the Commanding Officer.
The Duke will then inspect the camp quarter guard, and visit the battalion.
The 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles was formed in Burma in 1902 from Gurkhas of other regiments and men of the Burma military police. It has since recruited mainly from two great clans, the Rais and Limbus in the hills of eastern Nepal.
It fought in the Middle East in World War I. In World War II, the 2nd battalion was captured at Tobruk, but was reformed and went on to distinguish itself in Italy. The 1st battalion saw almost continuous service in Burma and one of its members, Rifleman Ganju Lama, was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Both battalions were heavily involved in the 11-year Malayan emergency, during which each battalion had only one break - a two-year tour in Hong Kong. The regiment accounted for 472 terrorists, and itself lost 32 killed.
/Both
2
Both battalions were in action during the Brunei rebellion of in that campaign, Lance-Corporal Nainabahadur Rai was awarded the Military Medal, and two years later earned a Bar to it during the Indonesian confrontation, in which both battalions served for nine separate tours in Brunei and Sarawak.
The 1st battalion played a majdr part in Hong Kong during the 1967 troubles, and was joined here by the 2nd battalion in 1968. They were amalgamated in 1970.
The regiment served in England from September 1971 to February 1973i undertaking many unexpected duties for regiments serving in Northern Ireland. It was the first Gurkha Regiment to mount public duties in London, providing guards for Buckingjiam Palace, St. James’s Palace, the Bank of England and the Tower of London.
It distinguished itself in the Army rifle meeting at Bisley and in mountain marching competitions in Wales, and provided the demonstration platoons at Sandhurst and Mons Officer Cadet School.
Since 19731 the regiment has been stationed at Queen’s Hill Camp, Fanling, in the New Territories, and is part of the 48 Gurkha Infantry Brigade. Besides border tours in support of the Royal Hong Kong Police, and normal training, its members have exercised in Australia, Fiji and Brunei.
The regiment holds the Khud (hill) race championship, Land Forces cross-country championship and Land Forces shooting trophy.
The regiment has numbered three famous field-marshals among its colonels, Lord Kitchener, Viscount Slim (who commanded the 2nd Battalion ■ *„ s . . • *-•: . ■ ’ • _.7 *• ’ •* ,
in 1938) and Sir Gerald Templer. Its present colonel is General Sir Walter .. .. • *■.■*•* • * * * ' Walker, who recently paid the regiment a farewell visit before handing over later this year.
The Queen granted the regiment the title "Duke of Edinburgh’s
Own", in. 1959<-
The present commanding officer (known in Gurkha regiments as Commandant) is Lieutenant-Colonel Keith Robinson. ---------------------------------0----------
PRH 7 s
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
TRAFFIC PROBLEM FAR FROM OVER -- SAYS COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT .................................................... 1
STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN +ACID RAIN AND OTHER AIR POLLUTION PROJECTS* SURVEY ......................................... 3
PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTION OF FIRE ENGINEERS TO VISIT HONG KONG ....................................................... 5
PRESENTATION TO RETIRING SWD PROBATION OFFICER ............... 5
TWO BUILDINGS IN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL DECLARED DANGEROUS .. 6
v
Issued by Government Information Services, Beacortsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
J
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1975
FEWER CARS ON THE ROADS - BUT TRAFFIC PROBLEM FAR FROM OVER, SAYS TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER n n n n n jf
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR. IAN MACPHERSON, TODAY SOUNDED A NOTE OF CAUTION ON TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AND SAID THEY WERE FAR FROM BEING OVER DESPITE A SWITCH AWAY FROM PRIVATE CAR OWNERSHIP AND USE INTO PUBLIC TRANSPORT DURING THE PAST 15 MONTHS.
HE SAID PRELIMINARY PROJECTIONS INDICATED THAT, OU CERTAIN PERFECTLY REASONABLE ASSUMPTIONS AS TO ECONOMIC AND POPULATION GROWTH AND WITHOUT FURTHER RESTRAINTS, PRIVATE CARS WOULD DE DOUBLE THE PRESENT NUMBER OF 110,000 BY THE 198O’S.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE Y’S MEN’S CLUB, MR. MACPHERSON SAID ONE OF THE MAIN PREMISES OF THE TRANSPORT GREEN PAPER WAS THAT ROAD CONGESTION WAS THE MAIN PROBLEM AND THAT PRIVATE CARS WERE THE MAIN CONTRIBUTOR TO SUCH CONGESTION.
HE SAID THAT DESPITE A MARKED DROP OF SOME 10,000 IN VEHICLES, MAINLY IN PRIVATE CARS, IN THE PAST 15 MONTHS, IT WOULD BE NAIVE TO SUPPOSE THAT TRAFFIC PROBLEMS WERE OVER IF ONE ASSUMED THAT THE COMBINATION OF CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING THE PRIVATE CAR MARKET WOULD NOT CONTINUE, AND GIVEN A RESTORED ANNUAL GROWTH RATE IN HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS PLUS A PREDICTED POPULATION INCREASE.
*IF ONE ACCEPTS THE ASSUMPTIONS-, ONE IS FORCED TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE BASIC PREMISE OF THE GREEN PAPER REMAINS SOUND - THE FACTS OF LIFE ON THE ROAD ARE SUCH THAT FURTHER RESTRAINTS ON PRIVATE CAR OWNERSHIP AND USE SEEM TO BE INEVITABLE,* HE SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT THAT WHILE IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE TO THE ROAD NETWORKS, AND ROAD ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COULD BE EMPLOYED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW, THERE WERE PRACTICAL LIMITS TO SUCH MEASURES.
WHAT THE RESTRAINTS SHOULD BE IF THERE MUST BE RESTRAINTS REMAINED TO BE SEEN, HE SAID, BUT HE DID NOT SEE TOO MANY PRACTICABLE OPTIONS OTHER THAN FISCAL ONES SO AS TO DETER ASPIRATIONS TOWARDS CAR OWNERSHIP, WHICH, THOUGH ENTIRELY LEGITIMATE, MUST BE KEPT WITHIN BOUNDS IN HONG KONG’S PHYSICAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
+1 AM FAR FROM BEING IN FAVOUR OF TOO MUCH INTERVENTION IN THE COMMERCIAL OPERATION OF EITHER THE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE TRANSPORT FIELD, BUT IF ONE ACCEPTS THE PREDICTIONS, SURELY THERE SEEMS NOT TO BE TOO MUCH ALTERNATIVE IF WE ARE TO ACHIEVE AN ACCEPTABLE ROAD USE MIX,* HE SAID.
/HR. MACPHERSON .....
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1975
- 2 -
MR. MACPHERSON CITED SOME OBJECTIVE FINDINGS OF A RECENT HOUSEHOLD SURVEY OH THE TRANSPORT GREEN PAPER .WHICH SHOWED THAT 50 PER CENT OF CAR OWNING HOUSEHOLDS EXPRESSED WILLINGNESS TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT PROVIDED IT WAS READILY AVAILABLE13 AND 33 PER' CENT OF MOTORISTS EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TO SAY THEY CONSIDERED FURTHER RESTRAINTS ON PRIVATE CAR OWNERSHIP TO BE NECESSARY AND UNAVOIDABLE.
THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWS THAT NON-CAR OWNING FAMILIES - NEARLY orj pfr CENT OF THE POPULATION - WHO HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TRAVEL DY PUBLIC TRANSPORT. TEND TO FAVOUR RESTRICTIONS OF PRIVATE CAR OWNERSHIP IF THIS REDUCES CONGESTION AND ALLOWS PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO FLOW MORE FREELY, HE ADDED.
OH THE GROWTH PATTERN OF REGISTERED VEHICLES1, THE COMMISSIONER SAID THAT OVER THE FIVE YEARS FROM 1969 TO 1973, IT WAS UP TO AND EVEN IN EXCESS OF THE PREDICTED 14 PER CENT ANNUM MENTIONED IN THE GREEN PAPER, AND THERE WAS NO REASON TO SUPPOSE THAT THIS GROWTH RATE WOULD NOT BE MAINTAINED.
HF SAID A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PRESENT FIGURE OF 192,009 AND THOSE OF 1969 SHOWED AN OVERALL INCREASE IN VEHICLE NUMBERS OF 54 PFR CENT, WITH PRIVATE CARS ALONE TODAY TOTALLING THE OVERALL HUMBER OF VEHICLES IN 1969.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF ROAD MILES HAS ONLY INCREASED BY 9.9 PER CENT SO THAT VEHICLES PER ROAD MILE HAVE GONE UP FROM 211 TO 297, AN INCREASE OF 85 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1969, HE ADDED.
ON THE TRANSPORT GREEN PAPER, MR. MACPHERSON SAID THE RE-WRITE OF THIS AS A WHITE PAPER SETTING OUT GOVERNMENT POLICY ON TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC MATTERS WAS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR, PENDING AN IMPORTANT GUIDE TO POLICY EMERGING FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY WHICH WAS BEING CARRIED OUT BY CONSULTANTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF MR. MACPHERSON’S SPEECH, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS ROOM, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 6TH FLOOR.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1975
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STUDENTS TO STUDY EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON RAIN « n h
IS POLLUTION IN HONG KONG MAKING RAIN ACID?
THIS IS WHAT THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS FROM NEARLY 2A0 SCHOOLS WILL DE TRYING TO FIND OUT IN A COLONY-WIDE SURVEY JOINTLY ORGANISED DY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION 111 COLLABORATION WITH THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.,
THE SURVEY, CALLED ’ACID RAIN AND OTHER AIR POLLUTION PROJECTS,’ IS THE SECOND PART OF A WIDER STUDY ON ’PURE AIR’ AND WILL FOCUS ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH AIR POLLUTION IN ONE DISTRICT AFFECTS THE SURROUNDING AREAS AND HONG KONG AS A WHOLE.
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME SUCH A STUDY WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG. IN THE UNITED STATES, A SIMILAR SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO BY 16,000 STUDENTS AND THE RESULTS ENABLED SCIENTISTS TO MAP OUT POLLUTION OVER THE WHOLE COUNTRY —• SOMETHING THAT HAD NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG STUDENTS COULD PRODUCE EQUALLY INTERESTING AND HELPFUL INFORMATION WHICH COULD BE OF IMPORTANCE TO VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN FIGHTING AIR POLLUTION.
TO LAUNCH THE SURVEY, A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY (APRIL 12) AT THE KOWLOON TRUE LIGHT GIRLS’ COLLEGE WHERE SCHOOL TEAMS WILL BE BRIEFED DY EXPERTS AND OBTAIN INFORMATION ON HOW TO CONDUCT THE SURVEY AND PREPARE THEIR REPORTS.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE OPENED BY MR. ARTHUR BROWN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE MR. MICHAEL WEBSTER, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION AND DR. BETH GOTT, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, WHO WILL GIVE AN ILLUSTRATED TALK ON THE ORGANISATION AND CONDUCT OF THE SURVEY.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS BEING GIVEN BY RANK XEROX LTD. WHICH HAS IMPORTED SPECIAL ACID MEASURING PAPER FROM THE UNITED STATES FOR PARTICIPATING STUDENTS TO CONDUCT THEIR TESTS AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE.
DURING THE SURVEY, SCHOOL TEAMS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COLLECT AND MEASURE RAIN FALL FOR SEVEN CONSECUTIVE DAYS AND TEST THE ACIDITY OF THE RAIN. THEY WILL RECORD THE DATA COLLECTED AND SUBMIT THEM TO THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION WHICH WILL ANALYSE THE DATA AND COMPILE A REPORT WHICH IS TO BE PUBLISHED LATER ON.
/The spokesman .....
1 •.
I
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1975
- 6 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT SCHOOLS WOULD CONTINUE TAKING TESTS AFTER SUBMITTING THEIR PRELIMINARY FINDINGS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE SURVEY WAS OF CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE AS THE ACID I TV OF RAIN COULD AFFECT SOIL AMD CROPS AND NATURAL VEGETATION. IN SOME EUROPEAN CITIES, HE SAID, ACID RAIN HAD BECOME A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH ACID RAIN EATING AWAY STONE AND STATUES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS PROBABLE THAT INFORMATION COLLECTED IN PONG KONG MAY BE SENT TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS OVERSEAS INTERESTED IN THE PROBLEMS OF ACID RAIN.
HE RECALLED THAT THE REPORT OF A PREVIOUS SURVEY ON WATER POLLUTION CONDUCTED IN 1973 BY SOME 18,000 STUDENTS HAD BEEN WELL RECEIVED DOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS AND MANY COUNTRIES HAD ASKED FOR DETAILS.
THE FIRST PART OF THE ’PURE AIR’ SURVEY — PROJECT WINDSHIFT, WHICH AIMS TO PRODUCE UNIQUE LOCAL WIND PATTERN DATA — WAS IAUNCIO IN EARLY MARCH THIS YEAR. THE RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY WILL BE COLLATED, COMPILED AND ANALYSED BY COMPUTER TO PRESENT THE I OCAL VARIATIONS IN WIND PATTERN AT.THE END OF THE CURRENT INVOLVES 46 SCHOOLS AND THE TWO UNIVERSITIES.
ACADEMIC YEAR. IT
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE SEMINAR. IT WILL BEGIN AT 10.30 A.M. ON APRIL 12 (SATURDAY) AT THE KOWLOON TRUE LIGHT GIRLS’ COLLEGE, S4A, WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON.
RADIO AND TELEVISION CREWS WISHING TO INTERVIEW THE SPEAKERS MAY DO SO HALF AM HOUR BEFORE THE START OF THE SEMINAR. THEY SHOULD BE AT THE VENUE NOT LATER THAN 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY.
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,/5...
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1975
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PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTION OF FIRE ENGINEERS TO VISIT HONG KONG
n
X X X X
MR
E.H. WHITAKER
ENGINEERS IN BRITAIN,
, PRESIDENT IS TO SPEND
OF THE INST ITUT I OH OF FIRE
A WEEK IN
HONG KONG AS GUEST
0?
I IE I OC AL BRANCH
(FP. ID/'„ i... ”" KC uG
MP., WHITAKER
PC
E WILL Bi PAHCII OF HE CHIEF
ACCOMPANIED BY
HIS WIFE
MET/AT KAI TAK AIRPORT
WILL ARRIVE TOMMORROW BY THE PRESIDENT OF
THE INSTITUTION.MR. H.T.J. HUTCHINS, WHO IS THE FIRE OFFICER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
PR
Of) MONDAY, MR. I...
YIC ’S, HP. HARRY WOOD NCR’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
WHITAKER WILL CALL ON THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE > AND IN THE EVENING ATTEND THE HONG KONG -.........G. FOUNDED IN 1959,THE BRANCH
NOW HAS MO.R:
THAN 220 MEMBERS
BEFORE LEAVING ON APRIL 18, MR. WHITAKER WILL SPEND SOME TIME VISITING THE FIRE SERVICE DEPARTMENT’S ESTABLISHMENTS.
MR WHITAKFR WHO IS THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, EAST SUSSEX FIRE BRIGADE WAS El ECTED PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTION LAST SEPTEMBER, ions THE POST FOR A YEAR. HE HAS SPENT THE PAST FEW DAYS IN SINGAPORE DURING WHICH HE ATTENDED THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF A I OCAI BRANCH. FOLLOWING HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG HE WILL GO lO BANGKOK BEFORE RETURNING TO BRITAIN.
SWD PROBATION OFFICER RETIRES X X -X « n «
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, REPRESENTING STAFF OF HIS DEPARTMENT, TODAY PRESENTED A GOLD WATCH TO A SENIOR PROBATION OFFICER, MR. CHEN HUNG, WHO IS RETIRING AFTER 20 YEARS’ SERVICE.
THE PRESENTATION WAS HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN LEE GARDENS.
IN MAKING THE PRESENTATION, MR. LEE RECALLED MR. CHEN’S ASSOCIATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO HIS LOYALTY AND DEVOTION TO SERVICE FOR THE CARE AND REHABILIlAI ION OF OFFENDERS WHICH, HE SAID, HAD BEEN OF MUCH VALUE.
EDUCATED AT ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY It SHANGHAI, MR. CHEN WAS FOR MOST OF HIS CAREER, ASSOCIATED WITH ' !E PROBATION SERVICE SERVING IN VARIOUS LOCAL COURTS OF LAW, [JCLUDING THE DISiRIC I COURTS AND THE SUPREME COURT.
0 - -
/6
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1975
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DANGEROUS BUILDINGS « « ft H
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED NOS. 288 AND 290 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG, TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THIS MORNING THAT BOTH THESE FOUR-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS HAD BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION FOR SOME TIME IN VIEW OF THE STEADILY DETERIORATING CONDITION OF THEIR BRICKWORK, MAINLY AT THE REAR, AND OF THE STRUCTRAL TIMBERWORK IN GENERAL.
❖THERE ARE INDICATIONS OF CRUSHING TO THE ALREADY SEVERELY FRACTURED AND OPEN JOINTED ARCHED CROSS WALL SEPARATING THE KITCHEN AREA AT GROUND STOREY LEVEL IN NO. 288 AS WELL AS OTHER SIGHS OF WEAKNESS AND SOME MOVEMENT ELSEWHERE TO THIS MAIN CROSS WALL AND THE REAR MAIN WALLS OF BOTH BUILDINGS,❖ HE SAID.
❖ IN ADDITION, THE SUBSTANTIALLY DECAYED CONDITION OF SOME OF THE MAIN ROOF AND 1ST FLOOR TIMBERS IN NO. 290 IN PARTICULAR, GAVE RISE TO FEARS THAT LOCAL OR PARTIAL COLLAPSES COULD OCCUR HERE AS WELL.-:-
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON MAY 8, 1975 WERE POSTED TODAY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO
ADVAN ■ ORDERS MAY DE PLACED FOR ROYAL VISIT COMMEMORATIVE GOLD COINS FROM APRIL 14 ............... 1
ABERDEEN SITE WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE FOR DEVELOPMENT AS
MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK ................................ 3
FERRY COMPANY TO BE GRANTED 45,000 SQUARE FEET OF-SEABED AT TAI KOK TSUI ..................................... 3
MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT MORSE PARK NEXT YEAR . 4
CAREE ‘ EDUCATION SHOULD BE A TOTAL SCHOOL EFFORT — SAYS DEPUT EDUCATION DIRECTOR ............................. 5
PRESS VISIT TO LOK ON PAI DESALTER NEXT MONDAY ....... 6
CHARITY WALK TO RAISE FUND FOR HOSPITAL IN WONG TAI SIN .. 7
ACTIVITY APPROACH SCHEME USED IN SIX PRIMARY SCHOOLS AS PILOT PROJECT ...................................... 8
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1975
ROYAL VISIT COMMEMORATIVE GOLD COINS ADVANCE ORDERS MAY BE PLACED FROM APRIL 14 >4 X X X X X X
THE GOLD COINS WHICH ARE BEING MINTED TO COMMEMORATE THE VISIT TO HONG KONG OF THE QUEEN AND PRINCE PHILIP HAVE BEEN MADE LEGAL TENDER FROM MAY 5, 1975 BY A PROCLAMATION BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE. THE COINS WILL BE LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT.
HONG KONG RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO PLACE ADVANCE ORDERS THROUGH NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS WHICH WILL APPEAR OH APRIL 14.
THE COINS ARE MADE FROM 22 CARAT GOLD, EACH WEIGHING 246.55 GRAINS OR JUST OVER HALF A TROY OUNCE WITH A DIAMETER OF 1.113 INCHES. THEY ARE THE FIRST LEGAL TENDER GOLD COINS ISSUED IN HONG KONG AND WITH A FACE VALUE OF 31,000 EACH THEY WILL BE Tift LARGEST CURRENCY UNIT IN CIRCULATION.
IIO MORE THAN 20,000 WILL BE MINTED OF WHICH 5,000 WILL BE STRUCK AS PROOF COINS. PROOFS ARE COINS WHICH ARE NOT INTENDED FOR CIRCULATION. THEY ARE STRUCK WITH HIGHLY POLISHED DIES AND EACH COIN IS CAREFULLY EXAMINED FOR FLAWS. THESE PROOF-CONDITION COINS WILL DE AVAILABLE AT 31,500 EACH WHILE THE OTHERS CAN BE BOUGHT IN UNCIRCULATED CONDITION AT THEIR FACE VALUE. EACH COIN WILL EE SUPPLIED IN A.PRESENTATION CASE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THESE COINS, WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO BE POPULAR WITH COLLECTORS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD BECAUSE OF THEIR FINE QUALITY AND LIMITED ISSUE, WILL BE MARKETED OUTSIDE HONG KONG DY THE NUMISMATIC BUREAU OF THE ROYAL MINT.
HE ADDED THAT THE COINS MAY IN TIME PROVE TO BE GOOD INVESTMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR BEAUTY, COMMEMORATIVE SIGNIFICANCE AND PRECIOUS GOLD CONTENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT BECAUSE THE COIN HAS A FIXED MONETARY VALUE, IT WILL NOT SUBJECT TO DAILY FLUCTUATIONS IN THE MARKET PRICE OF GOLD.
ON THE OBVERSE SIDE THE COINS WILL FEATURE A PORTRAIT OF THE QUEEN BY THE ARTIST ARNOLD MACHINE. THE PORTRAIT HAS NEVER BEFORE BEEN USED ON A HONG KONG COIN.
THE REVERSE SIDE DISPLAYS THE ARMORIAL BEARINGS OF HONG KONG WHICH WERE FORMALLY PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNOR BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH DURING HIS LAST VISIT IN 1959.
THESE ARMORIAL BEARINGS SYMBOLISE HONG KONG’S CONNECTION WITH BRITAIN AND HONG KONG’S SIGNIFICANCE AS A COMMUNICATIONS AND TRADING CENTRE.
THERE ARE ALSO INSCRIPTIONS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE WHICH RECORD THE ROYAL VISIT THIS YEAR.
- o -----
/2 e.
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1975
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TEMPORARY OFFICE FOR ENQUIRIES SECTION OF IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT m a o a
15"!: 12T!i
''IT ENQUIRIES SECTION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON THE
•i ’OR OF INTERNATIONAL BUILDING WILL TEMPORARILY MOVE TO THE ■T STARTING FROM MONDAY (APRIL 14).
DICING THIS PERIOD THE 15TH FLOOR WILL BE FITTED OUT TO nnnv'~- A I ARGER PUBLIC WAITING AREA FOR THE ENQUIRIES SECTION, ‘ iS S CTION AND THE UNITED KINGDOM AND COMMONWEALTH
r EOT I OH.
JOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION — • r (IT SAID THE ENQUIRIES SECTION PROVIDES THE PUBLIC WITH
i ' ANGE ( - SERVICES, INCLUDING GENERAL ENQUIRIES ON
RATIO;1 MATTERS, FORM DISTRIBUTION AND ADVICE ON FORM FILL'NG.
+IN 1974, THE SECTION DEALT WITH 486,233 ENQUIRIES AND DISTRIBUTED 461,547 FORMS OVER THE COUNTERS AND BY POST ON REQUEST.<• HE SAID.
OF THE ENQUIRIES RECEIVED, A LARGE NUMBER (40,101) WERE RECEIVED BY TELEPHONE.
♦ANY PERSON WHO HAS ANY PROBLEMS ON IMMIGRATION MATTERS BUT HAS HO TIME TO CALL IN PERSON CAN ALWAYS PHONE IN TO OBTAIN PROMPT AND APPROPRIATE ADVICE,+ HE SAID.
THE NUMBERS TO CALL WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED. THEY ARE: 5-435118 5-456065 EXT. 236 OR EXT. 200.
THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE SECTION, WHO IS A COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS, CAN ALSO ADMINISTER STATUTORY DECLARATIONS. LAST YEAR, HE HANDLED A TOTAL OF 5,838 OF DECLARATIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE USUAL SERVICES WILL BE MAINTAINED BY THE SECTION AT ITS TEMPORARY OFFICE ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/5
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FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1975
- 3 -PROPOSED LEASE OF SEABED IN ABERDEEN ««««««
A SITE AT WELFARE ROAD FRONTING SHAM WAN IN ABERDEEN WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE FOR DEVELOPMENT AS A MULTI-STOREY CARPARK.
ABOUT 1,250 SQ. FT. OF THE SITE IS MADE UP OF FORESHORE AND SEABED ON WHICH NO BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES WILL BE ALLOWED.
THE SITE, WHICH WILL BE SOLD BY TENDER FOR A RENEWABLE TERM OF 75 YEARS, WILL BE RESTRICTED TO DEVELOPMENT AS A MULTI-STOREY CAR-PARK, WITH RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES' AND A VERY SMALL AREA ON THE GROUND FLOOR FOR KIOSKS SELLING TOURIST GOODS.
THE EXTENT OF FORESHORE AND SEABED PROPOSED TO BE SOLD IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
ANYONE WHO HAS OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR AMY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD SUBMIT THEM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TOO MONTHS.
THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, CAN ALSO BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
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PROPOSED SEA BED GRANT TO FERRY CO. if « « » »
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT ABOUT 45,000 SQUARE FEET OF CROWN SEA BED TO THE YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY LIMITED FOR EXPANSION OF ITS EXISTING REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE FACILITIES IN TAI KOK TSUI.
THE AREA OF SEABED IS LOCATED OFF TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND, IF GRANTED, WILL BE RESTRICTED TO INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES ONLY.
MEANWHILE, IT IS ALSO INTENDED TO GRANT A LEASE OF 12.71 ACRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED OFF THE SOUTHERN COAST OF TSI NG Yl ISLAND TO A POWER STATION THERE TO ENABLE IT TO ENLARGE ITS EXISTING PIER FOR BERTHING DEEP-WATER TANKERS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS INVOLVED ARE DESCRIBED IN SEPARATE NOTIFICATIONS IN TODAY’S GAZETTE WHICH CALL UPON THOSE HAVING OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT TO SUBMIT THEM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN THE HEXT 60 DAYS.
_ _ _ _ o ---------
A
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1975.
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MORE FACILITIES AT MORSE PARK NEXT YEAR H H « « « «
MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED AT MORSE PARK, THE LARGEST PARK IN HONG KONG, WHEN AN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME IS COMPLETED THERE EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE SITE FOR THE SCHEME OCCUPIES AN AREA OF OVER 400,000 SQUARE FEET AND IS LOCATED AT THE SOUTH EAST SIDE OF AREA III OF THE PARK AT THE CORNER OF FUNG MO STREET AND TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD IN KOWLOON.
THE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME WILL PROVIDE ANOTHER SIX FOOTBALL PITCHES — THREE BEING TARMAC SURFACED FOR MINI-SOCCER — AND TOO FULL SIZE TURFED PITCHES. THERE WILL ALSO BE A FULL SIZE PITCH WHICH WILL BE ARTIFICIALLY TURFED.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN TOWARDS THE END OF MAY AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
MORSE PARK, WITH AN AREA OF 44 ACRES, PROVIDES A MUCH-NEEDED +RRFATHING SPACE+ FOR RESIDENTS IN NEARBY HOUSING ESTATES — WANG TAU HOM, LOK FU, WONG TAI SIN AND TUNG TAU.
THE PARK WAS BUILT IN TOO STAGES, THE FIRST WAS COMPLETED AND OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN 1967 WHILE THE SECOND OPENED TWO YEARS LATER.
THE FIRST STAGE INCLUDED AN OPEN AIR THEATRE, A SMALL MOTOR BOAT POOL, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, A ROLLER SKATING RINK, A FOUNTAIN AND GARDENS. THE SECOND STAGE CONSISTED OF SEVEN FOOTBALL PITCHES, THREE FLOODLIT BASKETBALL COURTS, CONTOURED GARDENS AND A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1975
- 5 -
CAREERS EDUCATION: A TOTAL SCHOOL EFFORT K H H « ft U
CAREERS EDUCATION, LIKE SOCIAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH EDUCATION, SHOULD BE A TOTAL SCHOOL EFFORT, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PROFESSIONAL), MR. HO NGA-MING SAID TODAY WHEN HE OPENED THE CAREERS MASTERS’ SEMINAR ON +EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT*.
+THE CAREERS MASTER HAS OF COURSE A DEFINITE AND SPECIFIC ROLE IN CAREERS EDUCATION, BUT TO FUNCTION SUCCESSFULLY HE NEEDS THE UNGRUDGING ASSISTANCE OF OTHER MEMBERS-OF STAFF,* MR. HO STRESSED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT VMS UNDENIABLE, GIVEN THE MOST FAVOURABLE CLIMATE, THE CAREERS TEACHER WOULD NOT HAVE AS MUCH TIME AS HE WOULD LIKE FOR THE VARIOUS FACETS OF A COMPREHENSIVE CAREERS EDUCATION PROGRAMME UNLESS HE CALLED UPON HIS COLLEAGUES ON THE STAFF TO TAKE CERTAIN PARTS OF IT.
MR. HO PUT FORWARD SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT EXTENDING CAREERS EDUCATION INTO OTHER SUBJECTS OF THE CURRICULUM.
PERHAPS, HE SAID, A HONG KONG-CENTRED SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE COULD CONTRIBUTE THE MOST TO THE PROGRAMME OF PREPARATION FOR LIFE.
+A DETAILED STUDY OF SOME OF THE PROBLEMS OF HONG KONG WILL GIVE THE PUPILS A FAIR PICTURE OF THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREA, MAKE THEM AWARE OF SOME OF THE PROBLEMS INHERENT IN THE TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO WORK, AND DEVELOP IN THEM A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY CONCERNING THEIR OWN PART IN THE WHOLE PATTERN,* THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID.
HE ADDED: +TO MY MIND, A SOUND SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM SHOULD ALSO PREPARE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO TAKE THEIR PLACES IN AN ADULT SOCIETY AND TO LEAD HAPPY AND MEANINGFUL LIVES IN THAT SOCIETY.*
MR. HO SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT SCHOOLS OFFERED A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME WHICH ENCOMPASSED THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:
K THE CURRICULUM SHOULD PROVIDE A BROAD, GENERAL EDUCATION TO DEVELOP IN THE SCHOOL LEAVERS THE MOST NEEDED QUALITIES OF FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY IN ORDER TO RESPOND TO AN OCCUPATIONAL WORLD THAT REQUIRES A CONTINUOUS AND SUCCESSFUL PROCESS OF LEARNING THROUGHOUT LIFE.
/IT SHOULD REFLECT
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, .1975
- 6 -
* IT SHOULD REFLECT A CONCERN FOR DEVELOPING A BETTER AWARENESS OF THE PUPILS’ STRENGTHS, NEEDS AND LIMITATIONS, THE ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS AND THE COMPETENCE TO BE SELF-DETERMINING.
* IT SHOULD GIVE THEM AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORKING WORLD, THE ROLE OF THE WORKING ADULT AND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE VARIOUS OCCUPATIONS AND WORK ENVIRONMENTS.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HANG SENG BANK AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS FOR SPONSORING THE SEMINAR.
SUCH SEMINARS, HE SAID, WERE HIGHLY USEFUL BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITY THEY GAVE TO CAREERS MASTERS AND MISTRESSES TO MEET AND TO SHARE EXPERIENCES IN A CONGENIAL ATMOSPHERE.
MR. HO CONCLUDED: +FURTHER, THEY AFFORD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BRINGING ABOUT GREATER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND TEACHERS.+
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PRESS VISIT TO LOK ON PAI DESALTER ««««««
THE FIRST EVAPORATOR UNIT OF THE DESALTER AT LOK ON PAI IS NOW COMPLETING PART OF ITS TRIAL RUN, DURING WHICH IT HAS BEEN ' PRODUCING FRESH WATER ON A TRIAL. BASIS.
A MEDIA VISIT TO THE PLANT HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE MORNING OF MONDAY, APRIL 14, AND YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER ON THIS VISIT. TRANSPOR I WILL BE AVAILABLE BY SEA. A MOTOR LAUNCH WILL LEAVE BLAKE PIER AT 10 AM SHARP, ARRIVING AT LOK ON PAI AT ABOUT 10.45 AM, AND WILL START THE RETURN JOURNEY BACK TO BLAKE PIER NOT LATER THAN 12.30 PM.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER OF THE DESALTER, MR. E.J. EVANS, AND HIS COLLEAGUE, MR. JOSEPH YING KIN-SANG, WILL BE ON BOARD AND WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE AN INITIAL BRIEFING ON THE DESALTER DURING THE OUTWARD JOURNEY.
IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT THE MARINE ROUTE WILL YIELD GOOD PHOTOGRAPHIC OPPORTUNITIES AS THE LAUNCH APPROACHES LOK ON PAI. IN ORDER TO GET OFF TO A PROMPT START, COULD MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES PLEASE GATHER AT BLAKE PIER NOT LATER THAN 09.50 AM.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1975
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FUND RAISING WALK FOR HOSPITAL ft ft ft ft ft
A FUND-RAISING WALK ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT SAVE OUR LADY OF MARYKNOLL HOSPITAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, APRIL 20.
THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF PUBLIC-SPIRITED COMMUNITY LEADERS AND RESIDENTS OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT IN A JOINT EFFORT TO SAVE THE HOSPITAL FROM CLOSURE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUNDS.
THE ROUTE OF THE WALK IS EIGHT MILES LONG. IT BEGINS AT MORSE PARK (SOUTH ENTRANCE -- TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD), ALONG LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, SHAT IN PASS ROAD, FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD AND ENDS AT GOOD HOPE SECONDARY SCHOOL, CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 9.30 A.M. ON THAT DAY WILL BE REV. FR. ORLANDO, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, H.K. DIOCESE, MR. LAU HIM-CHA I WHO HAS KINDLY DONATED 155,000 FOR THE ADMINISTRATION FUNDS OF THE WALK, MRS. SIU HON-SUM, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HOSPITAL, MR. I.R. STRACHAN, CITY DISTRICT OFF ICER • (WONG TAI SIN), AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. A NUMBER OF SHAW BROTHERS’ STARS WILL ALSO JOIN THE WALK.
THE TARGET OF THE FUND RAISING WALK IS $350,000. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE AND SPONSOR THE WALK IN SUPPORT OF THE HOSPITAL. SPONSOR FORMS ARE NOW BEING DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, KA I FONGS, AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES. SO FAR, THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING.
SPONSOR FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE AT CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, WONG TAI SIN POLICE STATION, KA I FONGS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT.
NOTE
TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WALK ON APRIL 20, 1975 AT 9.30 A.M. AT MORSE PARK, TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD.
parking Spaces are available at the hong kong BUDDHIST HOSPITAL, HANG LAM STREET, LOK FU. MEMBERS OF THE PRESS WHO WISH TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY CAN CONTACT MISS CARRIE YAU AT 3-222261 FOR PARKING LABELS WHICH WILL BE DELIVERED BY POST ON REQUEST.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1975
- 8 -
SEMINAR AND EXHIBITION ON ACTIVITY APPROACH SCHEME IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS ««*«««
ABOUT 500 HEADMASTERS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE GIVEN THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE ACTIVITY APPROACH SCHEME WHICH IS BEING USED IN SIX PRIMARY SCHOOLS AS A PILOT PROJECT WHEN THEY ATTEND A HALF-DAY SEMINAR AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE SEMINAR WILL BE OPENED 'EY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PROFESSIONAL), MR. HO NGA-MING.
THE PILOT PROJECT TO EXPERIMENT AND PROPAGATE AN INFORMAL APPROACH TO TEACHING WAS LAUNCHED BY THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IN SEPTEMBER 1972.
+ITS AIM IS TO PROMOTE ACTIVE AND SELF-INITIATED LEARNING . WHICH SIGNIFIES A BREAK-THROUGH IN THE TRADITIONAL PATTERN OF PASSIVE AND TEACHER-DIRECTED LEARNING,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
ONE NOTEWORTHY ASPECT OF THE SCHEME WAS THE NEW ROLE OF THE TEACHER WHICH WAS THAT OF A FRIEND HELPING THE PUPILS TO FIND OUT FOR THEMSELVES RATHER THAN A MERE INSTRUCTOR FEEDING THEM WITH FACTS AS IN THE TRADITIONAL FORMAL CLASS TEACHING, HE ADDED.
+CHILDREN IN THESE SCHOOLS ARE DEVELOPING AN INTEREST, A SENSE OF CURIOSITY, AND AN INDEPENDENT ATTITUDE, NOT VERY COMMON AMONG CHILDREN TAUGHT MORE CONVENTIONALLY,* HE POINTED OUT.
THE SIX SCHOOLS TAKING PART IN THE PILOT SCHEME ARE: ABERDEEN GOVERNMENT PRIMARY A.M. SCHOOL, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY A.M. SCHOOL, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY P.M. SCHOOL, FUK WAH STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY A.M. SCHOOL, SHENG KUNG HUI KEI HIN (EPIPHANY) PRIMARY SCHOOL AND TRUE LIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL OF HONG KONG (PRIMARY SECTION).
REFERENCE MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND TEACHING AIDS BEING USED IN THE SIX PILOT SCHOOLS AND SAMPLES OF PUPILS’ WORKS AND RECORDS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT AN EXHIBITION TOMORROW, MONDAY AND TUESDAY AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND TEACHERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. ON SATURDAY, THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 10.30 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M. AND ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M. TEACHERS FROM THE SIX SCHOOLS WILL BE THERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WHICH VISITORS MAY WISH TO RAISE.
NOTE TO EDITORS! YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE SEMINAR AND EXHIBITION COVERED. THE SEMINAR, WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE, BEGINS AT 9.30 A.M. TOMORROW IN THE LECTURE THEATRE, GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.
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PRH 7
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT APPEALS TO PUBLIC TO ASSIST IN
FLOOD AND LANDSLIDE PREVENTION AS RAINY SEASON BEGINS ... 1
SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICE FOR PEOPLE VISITING CANTON TRADE
FAIR ...................................................... 3
SEMINAR ON ACTIVITY APPROACH SCHEME AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION................................................ 4
WORK ON CHEUNG SHA WAN INDOOR GAMES HALL PROGRESSING WELL 5
GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF NEW KA I FONG ASSOCIATION BUILDING COMPLEX IN TSIM SHA TSUI .......................... 6
"THREE SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ATTENDING TRAINING PROGRAMME IN BRITAIN ........................................ 7
FIFTEEN SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS AUCTIONED FOR $106,300 ......... 8
OPENING OF NEW SWIMMING POOL IN WU KWAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE 9
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1975
1
PUBLIC URGED TO HELP PREVENT LANDSLIDES ft ft ft ft ft ft ft
AN APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC TO ASSIST IN FLOOD AND LANDSLIDE PREVENTION BY COMMON-SENSE ACTION WAS MADE TODAY BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. IT ALSO GAVE A PICTURE OF ITS OWN PREVENTIVE EFFORTS AS THE RAINY SEASON BEGINS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE MOST OBVIOUS CONTRIBUTION ELAT INDIVIDUALS CAN MAKE TO THE COMMUNAL SAFETY EFFORTS IS TO TAKE ACTION TO SEE THAT ANY DRAINS OR NULLAHS IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD ARE FREE OF OBSTRUCTION.
♦CLEARING- A DRAIN MAY SEEM AN. UNEXCITING SORT OF THING TO DO,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, +BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE VERY SMALL AND TRIVIAL-SEEMING MATTER OF A BLOCKED DRA.I N OR GUTTER CAN IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES GIVE RISE TO LARGE-SCALE DANGER IF NO ONE DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT IN TIME.
+WE IN THE DEPARTMENT ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THIS SORT OF PREVENTIVE ACTION THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN BY INDIVIDUALS IN THE PAST. AND WE HOPE THAT EVEN MORE PEOPLE WILL BE ALERT TO THE SITUATION THIS RAINY SEASON.+
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT A DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP DRAINS AND NULLAHS CLEAR RESTS ON OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF BUILDINGS AND LAND WHOSE PROPERTY INCLUDES THE DRAINS, AND RESIDENTS COULD REMIND BUILDING MANAGEMENTS OF THIS RESPONSIBILITY.
+BUT THERE ARE SITUATIONS,+ HE ADDED, +WHERE ALL OF US CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP EVEN IF WE ARE NOT PERSONALLY INVOLVED.
♦FOR EXAMPLE, IF ANYONE NOTICES THAT A STREET GULLEY GRATING IS BLOCKED BY A DISCARDED PLASTIC WRAPPER AT A TIME OF HEAVY RAIN, IT IS A VERY SIMPLE MATTER FOR HIM OR HER TO REMOVE THE OFFENDING MATERIAL WITH THE POINT OF AN UMBRELLA.
♦THIS SORT OF SIMPLE ACTION, TAKING A FEW SECONDS IN TIME, COULD CONCEIVABLY PREVENT A NASTY FLOOD OR LANDSLIDE SITUATION BUILDING UP AND AFFECTING A CONSIDERABLE AREA.+
REVIEWING THE PRECAUTIONARY ACTION BEING TAKEN NOW BY THE DEPARTMENT AS THE RAINY REASON APPROACHES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, AS IN PAST YEARS AT THE SAME SEASON, THE CHECKING OF ALL DRAINS, NULLAHS AND WATER COURSES FOR WHICH I HE GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE HAS BEEN STEPPED UP RECENTLY.
+AT THE SAME TIME, ALL BUILDING CONTRACTORS ARE BEING REMINDED OF THE NEED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS ON THEIR SITES.+
MEANWHILE, AS PART OF THE ANNUAL PRECAUTIONARY CHECK-UP, EMERGENCY SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES IN THE VARIOUS P.W.D. OFFICES INVOLVED ARE BEING REVIEWED AND UP-DATED.
/A LEADING.......
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1975
2
A LEADING PART IN THIS PRECAUTIONARY EFFORT IS PLAYED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE. WHICH HAS AN EMERGENCY CONTROL CENTRE FOR DEALING WITH DAMAGE TO HIGHWAYS AND DRAINS DURING TYPHOONS AND ’ HEAVY RAINS. THE CENTRE HAS A DIRECT RADIO LINK WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, WITH WHICH IT WORKS IN CLOSE LIAISON.
DANGER AND DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS COME UNDER THE CARE OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, WHOSE STAFF ARE LIKEWISE GEARED UP TO WORK ON A NON-STOP BASIS DURING EMERGENCIES. ESPECIALLY INVOLVED ARE THE SURVEYORS OF THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS DIVISION AND THE ENGINEERS OF THE OFFICE’S CIVIL ENGINEERING DIVISION WHO HANDLE SITE STABILITY PROBLEMS.
HEAVY WIND AND RAIN CAN INTERFERE WITH ELECTRICITY SYSTEMS AND SOMEONE HAS TO SEE THAT ESSENTIAL POWER EQUIPMENT IS KEPT GOING IN HOSPITALS AT THE AIRPORT AND IN OTHER KEY INSTALLATIONS. THIS IS THE JOB OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, WHOSE EMERGENCY CREWS SPEED TO DEAL WITH SUCH PROBLEMS IN VEHICLES LOADED WITH SANDBAGS TO KEEP THEM ON FROM +TAKI NG OFF+ IN HIGH WINDS.
ON THE QUESTION OF HOW A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT DURING EMERGENCIES TO REPORT A SEEMING POINT OF DANGER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT NORMALLY BY FAR THE BEST WAY WAS THROUGH THE POLICE - BY DIALLING 999.
+OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE FORCE ARE EXPERIENCED IN CLASSIFYING THESE REPORTS AND KNOW JUST HOW TO PASS THEM ON QUICKLY TO THE RIGHT MAN IN P.W.D.+, HE ADDED.
ALTERNATIVELY, A MAJOR THREAT TO HIGHWAYS COULD BE REPORTED DIRECT TO THE EMERGENCY CONTROL SYSTEM IN HIGHWAYS OFFICE. THE NUMBERS DURING TYPHOON PERIODS ARE :-
HONG KONG ISLAND ............ 5-251111 E. 2260 AND E. 2206
KOWLOON .................... 3-011531
NEW TERRITORIES ............ 3-014929
TO THESE HAS BEEN ADDED A NEW DIRECT LINE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, FOR USE DURING EMERGENCIES ONLY, ON 5-252413.
IN THE CASE OF POTENTIAL DANGER TO BUILDINGS, REPORTS DURING EMERGENCIES CAN BE MADE TO 5-251111.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT THESE P.W.D. NUMBERS SHOULD ONLY BE USED IN THE CASE OF A REALLY SERIOUS SITUATION ARISING. +CONTACT THROUGH THE POLICE IS MUCH PREFERRED, SINCE A SERIES OF CALLS ON A P.W.D. NUMBER CAN HAVE THE EFFECT OF BLOCKING A VITAL LINK WITH THE POLICE AND WITH OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES.*
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT FOR THE DEPARTMENT PREVENTION OF STORM DAMAGE IS REALLY A YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITY SINCE MUCH CAN BE DONE IN THE DRY SEASON TO IMPROVE HONG KONG’S DEFENCES IN THE FOLLOWING WET ONE.
+BUT WE ARE NATURALLY INTENSIFYING OUR PRECAUTIONS AT THIS TIME. AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT, WITH THE PUBLIC’S HELP, WE SHALL BE ENTERING THIS RAINY SEASON BETTER ARMOURED AGAINST AVOIDABLE DAMAGE THAN EVER BEFORE.*
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1975
- 3 -
SPECIAL TRAINS FOR CANTON TRADE FAIR
THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY
TODAY ANNOUNCED NEW TIMETABLES
TO FACILITATE PASSENGERS TAKING THE UP-TRAIN FOR THE CANTON TRADE FAIR AND FOR HOLIDAY-MAKERS INTENDING TO JOIN THE TOLO HARBOUR FERRY-AND-RAIL TOUR.
FOR PEOPLE GOING TO CANTON, SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS WILL BE RUN ON FOUR DAYS BEGINNING TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE SPECIAL TRAIN TODAY AND ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY DEPARTS FROM KOWLOON AT 7.59 A.M. AND ARRIVES AT LOWU AT 9.18 A.M. THE TRAIN ON SUNDAY (APRIL 13) DEPARTS AT 8.02 A.M. AND ARRIVES AT LOWU AT 9.17 A.M.
MEANWHILE, STARTING FROM NEXT MONDAY (APRIL 14), TRAINS LEAVING TSIMSHATSUI FOR THE TOLO HARBOUR TOUR WILL DEPART AT 12.53 P.M. THEY WILL TAKE HOLIDAY-MAKERS BACK TO THE STATION AT 4.41 P.M.
A KCR SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE FERRY-RAIL TOUR, OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY HAS HAD AN ENCOURAGING RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC.
BEGINNING THIS MONTH THE SEA-JOURNEY IS TAKEN ON A WATER TAXI INSTEAD OF A FERRY. DURING LAST WEEK, THE TOUR WAS 100 PER CENT BOOKED-UP, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE NEW TRAIN TIME-TABLE WAS INTRODUCED TO SUIT MORE PASSENGERS.
A SLIGHT CHANGE IS ALSO MADE ON THE ITINERARY OF THE CRUISE WITH A NEW OPTIONAL STOP AT SHAP SZE HEUNG OR THE WU KAI SHA YMCA YOUTH VILLAGE WEATHER PERMITTING.
THE FARE OF THE COMBINE TOUR IS STILL AT $15 PER PERSON AND INCLUDES A SNACK AND REFRESHMENT SERVED ON BOARD. THERE ARE NO TOURS ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1975
- 4
DEPUTY EDUCATION DIRECTOR OPENS SEMINAR ON ACTIVITY APPROACH SCHEME
ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE INTRODUCTION IN SIX PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF THE ACTIVITY APPROACH SCHEME IS TO PROMOTE ACTIVE AND SELF-INITIATED LEARNING, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PROFESSIONAL), MR. HO NGA-MING TOLD ABOUT 500 HEADMASTERS AND HEADMISTRESSES THIS MORNING.
MR. HO WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A SEMINAR AND THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON ACTIVITY APPROACH AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
HE SAID- THIS APPROACH REPRESENTED AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE TRADITIONAL PATTERN OF PASSIVE AND TEACHER-DIRECTED LEARNING.
+THIS APPROACH IS BASED ON CERTAIN WELL-ESTABLISHED CONCEPTS ABOUT HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, ESPECIALLY THOSE ABOUT HOW YOUNG CHILDREN GROW AND LEARN,+ THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID.
MR. HO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE EFFORTS AND ENTHUSIASM OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS WHO HAD DURING THE PAST TOO AND A HALF YEARS CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME BY THE ADAPTATION OF ACTIVITY APPROACH TO LOCAL CONDITIONS.
HE MENTIONED THAT SOME CHILDREN IN A CLASS LEARNED CERTAIN SKILLS QUITE RAPIDLY WHILE OTHERS DO SO MORE SLOWLY. CHILDREN NOT ONLY LEARN AT DIFFERENT RATE BUT THEY ALSO LEARN IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
+WITH THE ACTIVITY APPROACH CHILDREN CAN LEARN AT THEIR OWN PACE, AND TEACHERS CAN DEVISE DIFFERENT PROGRAMMES TO SUIT DIFFERENT CHILDREN,* MR. HO SAID.
IN ADDITION THE SCHEME CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROUP ACTIVITIES.
HE ADDED, +THE ACTIVITY APPROACH PROVIDES AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED AND LEARN BY DOING. CHILDREN LEARN BEST THROUGH THEIR OWN EFFORTS.*
MR. HO SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR A STIMULATING CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT WHICH WOULD KINDLE THE PUPILS’ DESIRE TO LEARN SINCE THEIR INTERESTS WERE VARIED AND OFTEN TRANSITORY.
+A WELL-EQUIPPED PRIMARY CLASSROOM SHOULD HAVE VARIOUS INTEREST CORNERS, E.G. A NATURE CORNER, A READING CORNER AND SO ON. IT SHOULD ALSO HAVE AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF SOURCE MATERIALS.
+FURTHER, THE TIME-TABLE SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE. THE USE OF BLOCK TIME-TABLES ENABLES CHILDREN TO PURSUE THEIR INTERESTS WITHOUT INTERRUTPION,* MR. HO STRESSED.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TODAY, MONDAY AND TUESDAY. TEACHERS FROM THE SIX PRIMARY SCHOOLS TAKING PART IN THE SCHEME WILL BE PLEASED TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS WHICH VISITORS MAY WISH TO RAISE.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1975.
- 5 -
WORK ON CHEUNG SHA WAN INDOOR GAMES HALL WELL UNDERWAY H « « « ft
WORK ON THE CHEUNG SHA WAN INDOOR GAMES HALL IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY AND THE HALL IS NOW EXPECTED TO BE OPENED FOR USE THIS NOVEMBER.
PILING WORK ON ANOTHER GAMES HALL AT THE BOUNDARY STREET SPORTS GROUND HAS STARTED AND WORK ON A THIRD ONE AT MORSE PARK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH.
THIS MEANS THAT CONSTRUCTION OF THE THREE NEW GAMES HALLS WILL TAKE PLACE AT ALMOST THE SAME TIME TO PROVIDE RECREATION FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS OF SOME OF THE MOST DESNSELY POPULATED DISTRICTS IN KOWLOON.
THE CHEUNG SHA WAN GAMES HALL IS BUILT ON AN 18,000 SQ.FT. SITE IN THE PLAYGROUND AT THE SOUTH-WEST CORNER OF CHEUNG SHA WAH ROAD BETWEEN HING WAH STREET AND CHEUNG WAH STREET.
IT IS MODELLED ON AND IS AN IMPROVEMENT QN THE KAI TAK EAST GAMES HALL WHICH HAS PROVED EXTREMELY POPULAR.
THERE WILL BE A BOLTI -PURPOSE GAMES HALL WHICH CAN BE USED FOR GYMNASTICS, BALL GAMES AND CAN BE CONVERTED TO AN AUDITORIUM OR A COMMUNITY HALL WITH A STAGE AT ONE END. OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE A COMMITTEE ROOM, STOREROOMS AND TOILETS AND AN ANNEXE WITH CHANGING FACILITIES AND OFFICES.
UNLIKE THE HALL AT KAI TAK EAST, THE FLOOR OF THE NEW GAMES HALL WILL BE PAVED WITH SYNTHETIC BOARDS WHICH ARE EXTENSIVELY USED FOR INDOOR GAMES COURTS.
FROM HIS DESK IN THE OFFICE, THE HALL SUPERVISOR WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF THE PLAYERS IN THE HALL THROUGH LARGE WINDOWS.
A 36,000 SQ.FT. SITE IN THE CHEUNG SHA WAN PLAYGROUND IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT FOR DEVELOPMENT AS A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AND SITTING OUT AREA.
THE PLAYGROUND WILL HAVE PLAYING AND PLANTING AREAS WITH WOODEN SUN-SHELTERS, PARK BENCHES AND FLOWER BEDS.
WORK ON THE PLAYGROUND IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JUNE AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1975.
- 6 -
GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF NEW TSIMSHATSUI KA I FONG ASSOCIATION BUILDING COMPLEX *««««»«
THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. ERIC HO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE NEW TSIMSHATSUI KA I FONG ASSOCIATION BUILDING COMPLEX ON APRIL 14 (MONDAY) AT 3 P.M.
THE SITE FOR THIS COMPLEX, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 40,000 SQ.FT., IS SITUATED NEAR THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE EX-WHITFIELD BARRACKS AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND AUSTIN ROAD. IT WAS HANDED OVER TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BY THE ARMY AND ALLOCATED TO THE TSIMSHATSUI KA I FONG ASSOCIATION.
THE BUILDING COMPLEX, WHEN COMPLETED, WILL CONSIST OF A PRIMARY SCHOOL WITH 24 CLASS ROOMS, A SERVICE CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND A HALL WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 800 PERSONS.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PRIMARY SCHOOL WILL BE COMPLETED IN 2 YEARS TIME TO REPLACE THE EXISTING TSIMSHATSUI KAIFONG ASSOITION PRIMARY SCHOOL SITUATED AT 136 NATHAN ROAD. AS FOR THE SERVICE CENTRE AND THE COMMUNITY HALL, THEY WILL BE COMPLETED AT A LATER DATE.
THE EXPENSES FOR THIS PROJECT WILL BE MET BY DONATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC AND SUBVENTIONS FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
THE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (KOWLOON), MR. A.F. NEOH, THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (YAU MA TEI), MR. LAU CHAU-WAH AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSIMSHATSUI KAIFONG ASSOCIATION, MR. YU LUK-YAU, WILL ALSO ATTEND THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS;
PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF EX-WHITFIELD BARRACKS NEAR THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND AUSTIN ROAD.
- - o - -
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1975
7
THREE IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ATTENDING TRAINING COURSE IN BRITAIN
* * If H « ft »
THREE SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS HAVE LEFT HONG KONG TO TAKE UP A THREE-MONTH TRAINING PROGRAMME IN BRITAIN.
THEY ARE MR. CHAN KAM KI, MR. KUNG WAH LEUNG AND MR. CHAM WAI LIM. THEY WILL ATTEND A SPECIAL COURSE ORGANISED BY THE U.K. IMMIGRATION SERVICE FOR COMMONWEALTH IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND A SERIES OF MANAGEMENT COURSES WHICH WILL INCLUDE A TWO-WEEK +CONTROL OF ADMINISTRATIVE WORK* COURSE AT THE COLLEGE OF COMMERCE AT HULL, AND A THREE-WEEK +MIDDLE MANAGEMENT* COURSE WITH THE CHESTER MANAGEMENT CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE AT GLASGOW.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THESE THREE-MONTH OVERSEAS COURSES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED EACH YEAR FOR THREE OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT SINCE 1973.
WHEN THE SCHEME FIRST STARTED IN 1964 ONLY ONE OFFICER WAS SENT ANNUALLY AND THE PERIOD OF TRAINING WAS ONE MONTH, HE SAID.
THE SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME WAS WIDENED BECAUSE OF RAPID EXPANSION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND A CONTINUING NEED FOR SPECIALIST TRAINING. SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 20 OFFICERS HAVE BENEFITTED FROM THE COURSES.
+THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME IS TO BROADEN THE OUTLOOK OF THE OFFICERS AND TO LET THEM HAVE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF UNITED KINGDOM IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES WHICH HAVE MUCH IN COMMON WITH LOCAL IMMIGRATION LAWS AND REGULATIONS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THEY ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE SOME MANAGEMENT TRAINING IN PREPARATION FOR FUTURE CAREER DEVELOPMENT,* HE ADDED.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1975
- 8 -
’LUCKY’ CAR NUMBER AUCTION FETCHED $106,300 ******
FIFTEEN SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $106,300 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL LECTURE ROOM, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER HK 8988 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $50,000.
AY 3333 AND BH 33 WERE SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $8,000, WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $500 FOR THE NUMBER BD 2299.
THE OTHER SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PRICES:
9339 FOR $7,000= BH 555 FOR $5,500“ 3823 FOR $5,100“ BH 1 FOR $4,500 AU 2288 FOR $3,600= AY 38 FOR $3,300“ AY 100 FOR $3,000=
HK 40 FOR $2,800“ AU 10 AND AU 1234 FOR $2,000 EACH AND AU 818
FOR $1,000.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE. THE 23RD IN A SERIES ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $3.74 MILLION.
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/9......
SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1975
9
WU KWAI SHA IDEAL RESORT FOR YOUNGSTERS H * * M M K
WITH THE COMPLETION RECENTLY OF A NEW SWIMMING POOL, WU KWAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE HAS BECOME THE IDEAL RESORT FOR YOUNGSTERS IN HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY.
THE SWIMMING POOL WAS BUILT WITH A GRANT OF S53O,OOO FROM THE LOTTERIES fUND.
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY MARKING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE POOL, HE SAID IN THE FOUR YEARS SINCE IT TOOK OVER MANAGEMENT OF WU KWAI SHA, THE CHINESE YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION HAD MADE STEADY AND DETERMINED EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND FACILITIES.
THE MORE NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS WERE THE LIONS PAVILION, THE GREEN VILLA CONFERENCE COMPLEX, THE RIDING GROUNDS AND A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND.
AS A NATURAL RESULT OF THIS, MR. LEE POINTED OUT, MORE TEENAGERS HAD JOINED THE VILLAGE AND USED ITS FACILITIES OVER THE PAST YEAR.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT FAMILIES WERE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE TOGETHER IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AT THE VILLAGE AND SAID QUITE A FEW BUILDINGS HAD BEEN CONVERTED INTO FAMILY CAMPS.
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PRH 7
SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 1975
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
LANGUAGE COURSES FOR TEACHERS PROVED POPULAR « « H «
OVER 1,400 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS HAVE ATTENDED THE VARIOUS COURSES RUN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE SINCE ITS INCEPTION LAST SEPTEMBER
OPERATING AS PART OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IT SHARES WITH ITS WELL-ESTABLISHED COUNTER-PART - THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, THE IMPORTANT TASK OF RAISING LANGUAGE STANDARDS AND IMPROVING THE TECHNIQUES OF LANGUAGE TEACHING IN BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
MR. SO FAI-CHO, PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (CHINESE) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID* +BY INTRODUCING MODERN AND MORE STIMULATING TEACHING APPROACHES, THE TRADITIONAL METHOD OF WORD BY WORD TEXT EXPLANATION WILL SOON BECOME SOMETHING OF THE PAST.+
COURSES WHICH COVER ALL THE MAIN ASPECTS OF CHINESE LANGUAGE > TEACHING, INCLUDING COMPREHENSION, READING AND SENTENCE PATTERNS, ARE REGULARLY ORGANISED FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TEACHERS.
+S0 FAR, THESE COURSES HAVE RECEIVED A VERY GOOD RESPONSE. SIMILAR COURSES WILL BE HELD IN THE FUTURE SO AS TO CATER FOR AS MANY TEACHERS AS POSSIBLE,* SAID MR. SO.
A WIDE RANGE OF TEACHING MATERIALS IS BEING DEVISED AND WILL BE LOANED TO TEACHERS. A VARIETY OF TAPES ON DICTATION, VERSE SPEAKING, READING, CONVERSATION AND DRAMA ARE DUBBED FREE FOR SCHOOLS. BLANK TAPES CAN BE SENT TO THE CENTRE IN EXCHANGE FOR THESE LANGUAGE TAPES.
IN ADDITION, PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN THE PREPARATION OF AIDS FOR THE TEACHING OF CHINESE LANGUAGE, E.G. THE BUILDING UP OF SETS OF PHOTOGRAPHS BASED ON VARIOUS THEMES WITH A LOCAL SETTING. A 10-PICTURE SET ABOUT SEEING SOMEONE OFF AT THE AIRPORT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THIS WILL SERVE AS A USEFUL AID FOR ORAL PRACTICE AND COMPOSITION EXERCISE.
SUPPLEMENTARY READING MATERIALS, SELECTED FROM DIFFERENT MAGAZINES. NEWSPAPERS, AND BOOKS, ARE ALSO BEING PREPARED FOR VARIOUS TEACHING PURPOSES IN CLASS SO THAT PUPILS CAN HAVE A WIDER ACCESS TO ALL KINDS OF CHINESE READING MATERIALS.
MR. SO CONTINUED: +THE CENTRE HAS PREPARED VARIOUS PAMPdLl .. SHOWING TEACHERS HOW TO USE THESE MATERIALS. IT IS HOPED TnA< BY MEANS OF IMPROVED TEACHING METHODS THE PUPILS WILL IMPROV THEIR SPOKEN AND WRITTEN CHINESE AS WELL AS DEVELOP A REAL INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT.*
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SWDAx, APRIL 13, 1975
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE ON THE OTHER HAND.
WAS SET UP AS EARLY AS 1965, OVER 5,000 TEACHERS FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE ATTENDED VARIOUS INTENSIVE COURSES, REFRESHER COURSES, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT.
REFRESHER COURSES ON TEACHING METHOD AND SPEECH TRAINING ARE REGULARLY GIVEN,
A 2-1/2 MONTH COURSE AIMED AT IMPROVING SPOKEN ENGLISH HAD JUST BEGUN FOR TEACHERS IN LOWER SECONDARY FORMS, AND WILL P" RFC THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, A SERIES OF SUMMER COURSES AND WORKSHOPS IS ALSO BEING PLANNED TO CATER TO THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS,
EIGHT CATEGORIES OF TAPES ON SENTENCE PATTERNS (AT ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED LEVELS), DICTATION, READING, STRESS AND RHYTHM, INTONATION AND PRONUNCIATION ARE AVAILABLE AS IS A ■^TEACHERS’ GUILE* TAPE ON TEACHING TECHNIQUES, THESE TAPES ARE DUBBED FREE FOR SCHOOLS, SO FAR, OVER 13,000 TAPES HAVE DEEN SENT TO SCHOOLS,
TO GUIDE PARTICIPATING TEACHERS IN MAKING GOOD USE OF THE HEW TECHNIQUES LEARNT FROM THE COURSES, INSPECTORS OF DOTH THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE SUBJECTS VISIT THEM IN THEIR SCHOOLS AFTERWARDS, WAYS OF IMPROVEMENT ARE DISCUSSED IN THESE FOLLOW-UP VISITS, IF COMMON PROBLEMS ARE FOUND AMONG TEACHERS, FURTHER COURSES GEARED TO SOLVING THEM WILL DE RUN, TEACHERS FROM DIFFERENT SCHOOLS ARE OFTEN INVITED TO GROUP DISCUSSIONS SO THAT TEACHING EXPERIENCE CAN DE EXCHANGED,
BOTH THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRES HAVE UNITS IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, THEY ARE AT 9A BONHAM ROAD, 1ST FLOOR, HONG KONG AND A 05 NATHAN ROAD, 16Ttl FLOOR, KOWLOON,
SPECIAL LIBRARIES ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING HAVE BEEN SET UP AT DOTH CENTRES WHICH ARE OPEN TO ALL TEACHERS, HOWEVER, DUE TO THE LIMITED COPIES 0F BOOKS ON INDIVIDUAL TOPICS, DOCKS CANNOT DE BORROWED AS YET, THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING LIBRARY IS STILL UNDER PREPARATION,
INSPECTORS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE AT THESE CENTRES TO ANSWER QUERIES FROM TEACHERS, *AS THE CENTRE IS SPECIALLY SET UP FOR TEACHERS, THEY SHOULD FEEL FREE TO COME WHENEVER THEY NEED AND MAKE GOOD USE OF ITS FACILITIES,* MR, SO SAID,
o o o o a o o
NOTE TO ED I TORS 8 COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS of the language centre ARB AVAILABLE FOR CCLLECTIC!'! AT THE GIS PAE S ■ RCCS4.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 1975 - 3 -
BUSY YEAR FOR FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU If « « ft « ft
THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT ALMOST 183,000 INSPECTIONS, RE-INSPECTIONS AND FOLLOW-UP VISITS DURING THE 1974-75 FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE MAJORITY OF THE INSPECTIONS WERE CONNECTED WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM BUILDINGS (67,126) AND 16,254 WERE RELATED TO GENERAL COMPLAINTS.
MORE THAN 50,000 INSPECTIONS OF FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL PREMISES WERE UNDERTAKEN. INSPECTIONS RELATED TO THE STORAGE AND CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS NUMBERED 0,064.
APART FROM LOOKING INTO COMPLAINTS ABOUT MEANS OF ESCAPE, THE BUREAU ALSO CARRIES OUT REGULAR VISITS TO INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS TO ENSURE THAT EXITS ARE FREE OF OBSTRUCTION. LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 10,943 REGULAR VISITS. THE VENTILATION DIVISION INSPECTED 11,269 SYSTEMS IN BUILDINGS AND IN INDUSTRY.
SCHOOL INSPECTIONS TOTALLED 6,940, AND THERE WERE 3,107 INSPECTIONS OF RESTAURANTS AND NIGHT-CLUBS. OTHER INSPECTIONS INCLUDED FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS (4,104), CINEMAS AND THEATRES (522), MATSHEDS (192), DANCE HALLS AND ACADEMIES (i4?) , BILLIARD-ROOMS (63), TIMDER-YARDS (395), NEON-SIGNS (03), AND MISCELLANEOUS (817). A TOTAL OF 262 FIRES WERE ALSO INVESTIGATED.
OVER 700 ITEMS OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT SUCH AS EXTINGUISHERS AND HOSE WERE DELIVERED DY THE BUREAU TO GOVERNMENT ' BUILDINGS AND QUARTERS.
THE NUMBER OF PLANS RECEIVED AND PROCESSED IN RESPECT OF NEW BUILDING PROJECTS WAS 5,612.
DURING THE YEAR 7,249 FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES WERE ISSUED AND 094 PROSECUTIONS UNDERTAKEN. REVENUE EARNED TOTALLED 8930,000 OF WHICH 8530,920 CAME FROM THE ISSUE AND RENEWAL.
OF 2,745 DANGEROUS GOODS LICENCES, 8333,585 FROM FINES, 820,400 FROM THE ISSUE AND RENEWAL OF 204 TIM LICENCES AND THE BALANCE (845,095) FROM CONFISCATED DANGEROUS GOODS.
- 4 -
SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 1975
MORE WILL BE ACCOMMODATED IN KWAI SHING ESTATE THIS YEAR h h n n if et «
KWAI SHING ESTATE, WHICH IS ALREADY HOUSING SOME 35,000 PEOPLE, WILL HAVE ITS POPULATION DOUBLED IN 10 MONTHS’ TIME.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND AND THIRD STAGES OF THIS PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IS IN PROGRESS.
ONE OF THE TEN MULTI-STOREY BLOCKS BEING BUILT UNDER THESE TOO PHASES WILL BE READY FOR OCCUPATION IN ABOUT JULY AND TOO OTHERS BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE ESTATE WILL HAVE ITS OWN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, COMPRISING A RESTAURANT, A CAFE, A SUPERMARKET, A DEPARTMENT STORE AND A LARGE NUMBER OF SHOPS.
ADEQUATE EDUCATIONAL AND WELFARE. FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED
ON COMPLETION IN SEPTEMBER 1976, KWAI SHING ESTATE WILL BE ONE OF THE LARGEST HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATE IN THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
UNDER THE TEN-YEAR HOUSING PROGRAMME, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS TO BUILD FOUR OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN THE NEW TOWN AND SEVERAL MORE ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND. THESE HOUSING ESTATES WILL PROVIDE HOMES FOR ABOUT 200,000 PEOPLE.
0- - -
■ ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Sunday, April 13* 1975
SECOND BATTALION GRENADIER GUARDS
Duke To Visit Illustrious Battalion At Stanley Fort
******
The Duke of Edinburgh will spend a part of the morning on May 6 visiting the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards at Stanley Fort.
For the first time in the regiment’s illustrious history, the Grenadier Guards are serving in Hong Kong.
Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel David Fanshawe, the 2nd battalion took over from the 1st King’s Regiment in January and is based at Stanley Fort. '?r
The regiment was founded by King Charles II in Bruges, Flanders in 1656. It was known-as-the first regiment of foot guards. The regiment fought in many battles up to Waterloo, including the Dutch wars (1665) and Marlborough’s campaigns in the wars of the Spanish succession (1704—1709)*
The regiment distinguished itself at Waterloo in 1815, by defeat-
ing the French Grenadiers, and the name was changed to the ’’First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards.” The wearing of bearskin caps was also authorised by the Prince Regent as & result of this victory.
The regiment continued to distinguish itself in battle and fought in the Crimea, Egypt and South Africa.
Up until World War I, the Grenadier Guards consisted of three battalions, but when war broke out, the 4th and 5th battalions were formed. • • •
They were disbanded in 1919*
/During .....
2
During World War II, the 4th, 5th and 6th battalions were formed and the 2nd battalion became an armoured battalion in the Guards armoured division. The Grenadier Guards were involved in the war in Europe and North Africa, but did not fight in the Far East. At the end of World War II, the 4th, 5th and 6th battalions were disbanded.
In 1960, the 5rd battalion was placed in suspended animation. At the farewell parade, the Queen decreed that a company of the 5rd battalion should be named the Inkerman Company and transferred to the 2nd battalion "to keep alive the spirit and traditions of the 3rd battalion until it is reformed." •
The Queen’s company of the 1st battalion is the personal company of the Queen. The Queen’s company has the privilege of being on duty at Westminster Abbey on the occasions of the coronation of a sovereign.
The regiment has been awarded 76 battle honours and has 1J reci-^pients of the Victoria Cross.
Princess Elizabeth, now the Queen, was Colonel of the Regiment between 1942 and 1952. The Queen is now Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards and in January 19751 the Duke of Edinburgh was appointed Colonel of the Regiment.
While the 2nd battalion is in Hong Kong, the 1st battalion is stationed at Chelsea Barracks in London.
In the short time since arriving in Hong Kong, the Grenadiers have made friends with the local population, especially in nearby Stanley village.
They played their part in the Clean Hong Kong campaign - when they assisted Service children in tidying up Stanley Main Street and when the corps of drums, dressed in their traditional bearskin caps, scarlet tunics
/and blue • *•••
4
- 5 -
and blue trousers, played in the village at the end of the Lunar New Year festivities.
Prior to coming to Hong Kong, the battalion was on public duties in England and had a visit from the Queen at Windsor before advance elements left for Hong Kong.
The battalion in Stanley Fort comprises more than 600 men, with 283 married families.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, APRIL 14, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
FRESH WATER FROM THE SEA PRODUCED DURING TRIAL OPERATIONS OF DESALTER AT LOK ON PAI ......................... 1
HONG KONG EXPERIENCED A WARMER AND CLOUDIER MARCH THIS YEAR 2
PRESS VISIT TO HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINUS TOMORROW ............ 3
BRIEFING ON ROYAL VISIT PRESS ARRANGEMENTS ................... 3
MR. ERIC HO TO OFFICIATE AT OPENING OF WORLD LIFE-SAVING ANNUAL MEETING ............................................. 4
TOTAL WATER STORAGE NOW OVER 44,000 MILLION GALLONS .......... 4
TEMPORARY WATER STOPPAGE IN SHAMSHUIPO ....................... 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, APRIL 14, 1975
1
HONG KONG PRODUCES ITS FIRST DESALTED WATER ft a a ft ft k
HONG KONG HAS STARTED TO PRODUCE FRESH WATER FROM THE SEA IN THE COURSE OF TRIAL OPERATIONS OF THE NO. 1 EVAPORATOR OF THE DESALTER AT LOK ON PAI.
CONFIRMING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATERWORKS OFFICE SAID THAT FIRST OF ALL. IT WAS NECESSARY TO HAVE STEAM AVAILABLE TO OPERATE THE FIRST OF THE PLANT’S SIX UNITS, AND THEREFORE THE +BOILING OUT+ OF THE NO. 1 BOILER WAS BEGUN IN LATE DECEMBER.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE METICULOUS TESTING OF ALL ITEMS OF MECHANICAL’AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. FINALLY CAME THE TRIAL RUN OF THE NO. 1 EVAPORATOR, WHICH BEGAN IN MARCH.
+OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS+, SAID THE SPOKESMAN, +WE HAVE BEEN DESALTING ON A TEST BASIS AND AT TIMES THE UNIT HAS BEEN PRODUCING ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 6-2/3 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY.
♦THIS HAS GONE INTO TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR AND PEOPLE IN TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG WILL ALREADY HAVE BEEN DRINKING OR USING WATER WITH A VERY SMALL DESALTED ELEMENT IN IT.+
WHEN ALL SIX UNITS ARE OPERATIONAL, THE DESALTER WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 40 MILLION GALLONS A DAY, PROVIDING HONG KONG WITH AN +INSURANCE* DEVICE AGAINST THE WORST EFFECTS OF ANY SEVERE DROUGHT WHICH COULD HIT THE TERRITORY.
/
BUT IT WILL ONLY BE RUN AT FULL CAPACITY TO MEET SUCH A SITUATION. ITS USE WILL NORMALLY BE KEPT LOW, WITH THE NUMBER UNITS IN OPERATION VARYING IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEMAND.
THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER OF THE PLANT, MR. E.J. EVANS, SAID TODAY THAT THE TESTS, WHICH ARE CONTINUING, HAD TO DE VERY THOROUGH.
♦APART FROM BEING THE LARGEST DESALTER IN THE WORLD, THE PLANT WE’VE GOT HERE AT LOK ON PAI REQUIRES HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROL GEAR. THERE ARE BOUND TO BE A FAIR NUMBER OF OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS TO SORT OUT, AND THIS IS WHY EACH UNIT HAS TO BE SUBJECTED TO A SIX-MONTH TRIAL. THIS PROCESS OF RIGOROUS TESTING IS TO ENSURE THAT WHEN THE WHOLE PLANT IS HANDED OVER, IT IS UP TO THE HIGHEST OPERATIONAL STANDARDS.*
TESTING OF THE FIRST UNIT SHOULD DE COMPLETED AROUND SEPTEMBER. BUT BEFORE THEN TESTS WILL HAVE STARTED ON THE SECOND UNIT, WITH SUCCESSIVE UNITS COMING UNDER TEST AT RuUGHLY THREE-MONTH INTP...VALS. ALL UNITS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TESTED, AND THE PLANT FULLY COMMISSIONED, BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
/2......
MONDAY, APRIL 14, 1975.
MARCH 1975 WEATHER ROUND UP z. , « O W
HONGKONG EXPERIENCED A WARMER AND CLOUDIER MARCH THAN USUAL, WITH ONLY 43.6 HOURS OF SUNSHINE. THIS WAS THE 8TH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR MARCH AND WAS 51.1 HOURS BELOW NORMAL.
THERE WERE ONLY FOUR DAYS LAST MONTH WITH NO RAINFALL RECORDED, BUT THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL ONLY EXCEEDED THE AVERAGE BY 13 PER CENT.
THE CLOUDY AND DULL WEATHER WAS A RESULT OF A WARM AND MOIST AIRSTREAM WHICH WAS ASSOCIATED WITH AN ANTICYCLONE CENTRED OVER EAST CHINA AND THE NEIGHBOURING SEAS.
MIST AND FOG OCCURRED QUITE OFTEN DUE TO THE HIGH RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND LIGHT WINDS. THE VISIBILITY AT KAITAK AIRPORT AND WAGLAN ISLAND REDUCED TO 6OO AND 200 METRES RESPECTIVELY ON THE EVENING OF MARCH 5. FIVE AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
THE THUNDERSTORM AND HEAVY RAIN WARNING WAS ISSUED ON MARCH 4 AND THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS ENFORCED ON DRIER DAYSON MARCH 17 - 18 AND MARCH 24 - 25.
THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 26.3 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON MARCH 23, AND THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 11.5 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON MARCH 15 AFTER A RAINY NIGHT, i
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE t-
SUNSHINE 43.6 HOURS 0 51.1 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
RAINFALL 81.5 MM SB 9.3 MM ABOVE NORMAL
CLOUDINESS 91 % 9% ABOVE NORMAL
RELATIVE HUMIDITY 83% 0 NORMAL
MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 20.7 C O 0.8 C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN TEMPERATURE 18.5 c 0 1.0 C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 16.9 c 0 1.3 C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 15.5 c 0 0.7 C ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 75.0 MM 0 39.8 MM BELOW NORMAL
0 - -
/?
MONDAY, APRIL 14, 1975
- 3
PRESS VISIT TO HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINUS
NOTE TO EDITORS l
THE NEW HUNG HOM THE QUEEN NEXT MONTH, STAGE.
RAILWAY HAS NOW
TERMINUS, WHICH WILL BE SEEN BY ENTERED ITS FINAL CONSTRUCTION
A PRESS VISIT TO THE TERMINUS HAS BEEN ARRANGED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR TOMORROW AFTERNOON (.TUESDAY, APRIL
15) AT
2.30 P.M.
TRANSPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT MURRAY BUILDING (IN THE CAR PARK OUTSIDE THE MAIN RECEPTION AREA ON THE GROUND FLOOR), LEAVING FOR THE SITE AT 2 P.M.
- - - - 0 ---------
ROYAL VISIT — PRESS ARRANGEMENTS
******
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRESS BRIEFING WILL BE HELD AT 3 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 16) IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROYAL VISIT NEXT MONTH. FULL PARTICULARS OF PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ROYAL VISIT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE G. I.S. PRESS BOXES TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE BRIEFING WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE G.I.S. PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
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/4......
MONDAY, APRIL 14, 1975
- 4 -
OPENING CEREMONY OF WORLD LIFESAVING ANNUAL MEETING X HMM
THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. ERIC HO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WORLD LIFESAVING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 9.00 AM IN THE LEE GARDENS HOTEL, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
THE ANNUAL MEETING WILL LAST UNTIL SATURDAY (APRIL 19).
THE WORLD LIFESAVING IS AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION AIMED AT RAISING THE.STANDARD OF LIFESAVING. IT NOW HAS 12 MEMBERS INCLUDING HONG KONG AND KEEPS CLOSE CONTACT WITH 17 OTHER EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA, JAPAN AND MANY PACIFIC
ORGANISATIONS IN ISLANDS.
THE OPENING THE ORGANISATION
CEREMONY WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE OFFICERS OF AND DELEGATES FROM THE 12 MEMBER COUNTRIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS* MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
• _----0-------
WEEKLY WATER SITUATION REPORT
HMM M M
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL THE RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 44,915 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 66.7 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. THE TOTAL STORAGE AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR WAS 39,941 MILLION GALLONS.
THE STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE THIS MORNING WAS 34,842 MILLION GALLONS. COMPARED TO 31,710 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. ITS PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 69 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
I
THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE 24 HOURS ENDED AT 9 AM TODAY WAS 0.7 MM (0.3 IN). THE TOTAL RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR IS 188.7 MM (7.43 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR STANDS AT 197.1 MM (7.76 IN).
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/5
MONDAY, APRIL 14, 1975
5
TEMPORARY WATER CUT *****
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAMSHUIPO. KOWLOON, WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR FIVE HOURS AS FROM 1 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 17) TO ENABLE WATERWORKS STAFF TO CARRY OUT A TEST FOR LEAKAGE IN THE AREA.
AFFECTED WILL BE PREMISES BOUND BY YU CHAU STREET, WING HONG STREET, KWONG SHING STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, HING WAH STREET, FUK WlKlG STREET, CHEONG WAH STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, AND KWONG CHEONG STREET.
ROYAL VISIT COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ISSUE
Details on First-Day Covers *
»«**«***
Two special sf?jnps, denominations S1.JO and Z2, will go on sale at all post offices on April JO to mark the visit of the .Queen and Prince t
Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
To match these new stamps, special first—day covers will go on sale at all post offices from Wednesday, April 16, at 20 cents each.
A spokesman for the Postmaster General requests the public f*to obtain their requirements early to avoid disappointment. n
- Advance orders for the servicing of first-day covers will be accepted at the General Post Office, Redder Street; the Kowloon Central Post Office, Nathan Road; and the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Salisbury Road.
The spokesman advises that for this service, "addressed first-day covers must be handed in with an order form, together with a remittance to cover the cost."
The charge will be S3.40 per. coyer, which includes the cost of the two stamps, together with a service fee of 10 cents. The covers must be fully addressed by the applicant, and no fewer than 10 covers will be accepted with each order.
The order forms will be available at the General Post Office, the Kowloon Central Post Office, and the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office on Wednesday, April 16.
/Any person .....
2
Any person ordering serviced covers addressed to a local destination may collect them on May 1, 1975» from the office where the order was placed.
"Covers addressed overseas will be sent forward by ordinary post, surface mail, unless sufficient stamps are affixed to cover air mail, and or registration charges," the spokesman explains. f^?he latest acceptance date for advance orders of serviced covers will be April 28,1975*H A service will be provided on Wednesday, April JO, 1975, at all post offices to permit first-day covers to be accepted over the counter, impressed with the normal post office date stamp, and handed back to the person presenting them. No time type will appear in the postmark.
But the spokesman lists these conditions for the service
* Only articles bearing an indication that they are rfirst-day covers’ will be so treated. •
* The articles must be addressed to local addresses.
* The articles must not bear any other cancellation.
* No registered items will be processed by this method..
Special jpsting boxes will also be available, at the General Post Office, the Kowloon Central Post Office, and the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office on April JO, 1975। for members of the public who wish to have first-day covers carefully hand-postmarked before despatch to the address on the covers.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TAI PO ROAD WILL BE WIDENED TO COPE WITH GROWING VOLUME OF TRAFFIC ................................................ 1
LABOUR COMMISSIONER STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF FRINGE BENEFITS
FOR STAFF ..................................................... 2
THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE MAIL DELIVERY NEXT MONDAY............... 2
PWD BUILDING SURVEY ADVISOR RETIRING AFTER 18 YEARS’ SERVICE ....................................................
--- Q ---
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel:. 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1975
- 1 -
ANOTHER SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD TO BE WIDENED it it it it if it
PLANNING IS WELL IN HAND FOR A $45 MILLION PROJECT TO RECONSTRUCT A SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD IN SHA TIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE SAID THE RECONSTRUCTION WAS DESIGNED TO COPE WITH THE GROWING VOLUME OF TRAFFIC IN THE AREA.
WHEN CONSTRUCTION BEGINS, THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD RUNNING FROM THE RAILWAY LEVEL-CROSSING NEAR TAI WAI TO THE NEW RACE COURSE NEAR HO TUNG LAU WILL BE WIDENED AND REALIGNED. AT PRESENT, THE ROAD ONLY HAS A SINGLE TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY. .
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THIS SECTION OF THE ROAD, MEASURING SOME 4,600 M, WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES.
STAGE I WILL INCLUDE THE WIDENING AND REALIGNMENT OF ABOUT 2,700 M OF THE ROAD FROM TAI WAI TO FO TAN INTO A DUAL TWO-LANE ROAD 19.5 M ACROSS.
UNDER STAGE II OF THE PROJECT, A TOTAL LENGTH OF 1,900 M OF THE ROAD RUNNING FROM FO TAN NORTH-WESTWARD PAST THE NEW RACE COURSE, WILL BE CONSTRUCTED WITH A DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY. THE CARRIAGEWAY WILL FURTHER BE CONNECTED BY ACCESS ROADS TO THE RACE COURSE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROJECT IS NOW BEING DESIGNED BY CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR.
MEANWHILE, TRAFFIC FLOW IN ANOTHER SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD NEAR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY HAS MUCH IMPROVED AFTER THE COMPLETION OF A PROJECT TO WIDEN THAT SECTION OF THE ROAD LAST NOVEMBER.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HIGHWAY (NEW TERRITORIES) DIVISION SAID THE PROJECT WAS NECESSITATED BY THE TRAFFIC CONDITION WHICH HAD FURTHER DETERIORATED SINCE THE UNITED COLLEGE AND NEW ASIA COLLEGE HAD MOVED TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN MA LIU SHU I.
AS A RESULT OF THE PROJECT, A 1,500-METRE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD RUNNING FROM THE BEND NEAR CHUNG CHI COLLEGE TO CHEK NAI PING WAS WIDENED FROM 6.4 M TO 10.1 M, ADDING A THIRD LANE FOR SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC GOING TO TAI PO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING PART OF THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD WHICH HAS BEEN WIDENED ARE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
/2......
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1975
2
IMPORTANCE OF FRINGE BENEFITS FOR STAFF UNDERLINED
I
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, SAID TODAY GOOD WELFARE FACILITIES AND ATTRACTIVE WORKING CONDITIONS WERE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF LARGER FACTORIES.
HE MADE THESE COMMENTS AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE BRITISH-AMERICAN TOBACCO CO. (H.K.) LTD. IN ABERDEEN — ONE OF HIS REGULAR +KEEPING-UP-TO-DATE+ VISITS.
MR. PRICE, AFTER A TOUR OF THE FACTORY, SAID-HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE WELFARE FACILITIES THE COMPANY PROVIDED FOR ITS 330 EMPLOYEES.
IN ADDITION TO NORMAL FRINGE BENEFITS SUCH AS FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT, BONUSES, AND RETIREMENT GRATUITIES, THE COMPANY OFFERS LOW INTEREST LOANS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL FLATS TO EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE OVER FIVE YEARS’ SERVICE AND EARNING MORE THAN A STIPULATED MINIMUM.
EACH WORKER IS ALSO ENTITLED TO A MEAL SUBSIDY OF $1.40 PER DAY, AND FREE TRANSPORT IS PROVIDED FOR THOSE LIVING WITHIN THE ABERDEEN AREA. THOSE LIVING FURTHER AWAY ARE GIVEN A TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE OF $44 A MONTH.
+THESE FRINGE BENEFITS PLAY A MOST IMPORTANT ROLE IN KEEPING THE FACTORY EFFICIENT AND ASSIST IN BUILDING UP A BETTER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE,+ HE SAID.
MR. PRICE ALSO SAID THAT THE COMPANY BY A STRONG AND POSITIVE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT HAD ADOPTED A PROGRESSIVE POLICY TOWARDS GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS.
+IT IS GOOD TO SEE SOME FIRMS IN HONG KONG DISPLAYING A SOUND AND RESPONSIBLE ROLE IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF LABOURMANAGEMENT RELATIONS,+ HE SAID.
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HOLIDAY POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS KM#*##
THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE MAIL DELIVERY NEXT MONDAY (APRIL 21) WHICH IS A GENERAL HOLIDAY.
CERTAIN POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE DAY, BUT FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC A NUMBER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR, INCLUDING SOME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OUTLYING ISLANDS WILL OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON.
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/3
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1975
- 3 -
1
BUILDING SURVEY ADVISOR RETIRING
* * # * M
MR. E.H. ROWLEY, BUILDING SURVEY ADVISOR, IS RETIRING THIS MONTH AFTER SOME 18 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
MR. ROWLEY WAS DUE TO RETIRE LAST OCTOBER, BUT HIS SER IVES WERE EXTENDED BY SIX MONTHS SO AS TO ENABLE HIM TO COMPLETE HIS PRESENT WORK OF REDRAFTING THE BUILDING ORDINANCE.
MR. ROWLEY FIRST JOINED THE P.W.D. IN 1957 AS A BUILDING SURVEYOR IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE.
BEFORE COMING TO HONG KONG, HE HAD BEEN WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA AS QUANTITY SURVEYOR IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SINCE 1951.
MR. ROWLEY WAS PROMOTED TO THE POST OF CHIEF BUILDING
> SURVEYOR IN SEPTEMBER 1961 AND BECAME GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR IN 1970. HE WAS PROMOTED BUILDING SURVEY ADVISOR IN APRIL 1973.
MR. ROWLEY ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT ON A FEW OCCASIONS.
TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT, MR. ROWLEY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH
A GIFT BY THE DIRECTOR OF P.W.D. MR. D.W. MCDONALD. THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY (APRIL 17) AT 4.30 PM AT THE STAFF CANTEEN ON THE MEZZANINE FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE CEREMONY COVERED. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE STAFF CANTEEN NOT LATER THAN 4.25 PM.
- - 0 - -
ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, April 15, 1975
COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE AT HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINUS
Queen To Perform Unveiling Ceremony
*»«***«
The Queen will unveil a plaque at the Hung Hom railway terminus on the afternoon of May 5 to commemorate her historic visit to Hong Kong. She will be accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh.
The plaque will symbolise in a simple yet permanent form the Queen’s short stay in Hong Kong - the first time a reigning British monarch has ever come here.
The new railway terminus is the largest single current construction job under way in the urban areas. It is now in its final stage before completion either in late July or early August.
In the autumn, the new terminus at Hung Hom will take over from the one presently in use at Tsim Sha Tsui on the tip of Kowloon peninsula.
When the Queen and the Duke visit the site of this S150 million Public Works Department project on the eastern shore of the peninsula, they will be able to see that the main station building has now taken shape. The six platforms for passenger trains down below are also recognisable. The most conspicuous feature on the skyline is a multi-storey sevendeck car park, now structurally complete.
’Work on the goods station and marshalling yards is nearing completion. In fact, some goods trains, bringing in oil for transhipment and storage, have been using the terminus since last August.
/The Queen .....
2
The Queen and the Duke will be told that the complex is being built on a reclaimed site which only ten years ago was part of the harbour. The terminus is located in an area fast becoming the nerve centre for transportation in Hong Kong.
In addition to its own car park, the complex includes a bus terminal, while the goods station has its own installations for the movement of cargo, eventually including containers, to lighters.
Close by is the Kowloon portal of the cross-harbour road tunnel. The site also adjoins a ferry terminal and is on the proposed route for the mass transit system. About a mile away to the northeast, is Hong Kong’s International Airport.
The main structural feature of the terminus complex is a vast podium on which the passenger station building, the car park, and the bus station stands. Below are the tracks and platforms.
An even larger area of the podium has been set aside for eventual transformation into the future Hung Hom indoor stadium.
The passenger station will be able to handle up to 14,000 people an hour, while the goods station will have a capacity of up to 5,000 tons of goods a- day.
Other impressive statistics underlining the dimensions of this construction and engineering task include the 36,000 cubic yards of concretes that have gone into the podium alone, while some foundations had to be taken down 120 feet, into rock.
/The Queen will .....
- 3 -
The Queen will learn that the most distinctive item of moving mechanical equipment in the completed station will be a locomotive ’’traverser” - a huge trolley which can carry locomotives laterally from track to track, so that an engine can, for example, be switched from one end of its own train to the other.
The idea of moving the present terminus from Tsim Sha Tsui derives in part from a wish for better land utilisation. The terminus is vacating a useful but rather cramped site at Tsim Sha Tsui in exchange for a larger area at Hung Hom. But the chief objective is to build a modern and capacious station which will dramatically enhance Hong Kong’s transportation facilities.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
JORDAN TO HOLD TALKS IN IN AMERICAN GENERALISED
WASHINGTON ON HONG KONG’S STATUS SCHEME OF PREFERENCES ..........
1
NEW SYLLABUS FOR SOCIAL
STUDIES PROPOSED
t
2
A TOTAL OF 23,064 DOSES
MARCH ..................
OF ANT I-POL IO VACCINE ADMINISTERED IN
3
TEMPORARY WATER CUT IN YAUMATI ON SATURDAY ...................
SUMMER TIME WILL COME INTO OPERATION FROM 3.30 A.M. ON SUNDAY FAREWELL PRESENTATION FOR BUILDING SURVEY ADVISOR POSTPONED . INTER-SCHOOL DRAMA COMPETITION TO BE HELD IN CARITAS COMMUNITY HALL THIS WEEKEND ..................................
3
4
4
5
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r
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1975
1
DISCUSSION ON HONG KONG’S STATUS IN AMERICAN G.S.P. if if if if if if
THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, LEAVES FOR WASHINGTON TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FOR DISCUSSIONS ON HONG KONG’S STATUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE AMERICAN GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES (G.S.P.). - .
INCLUSION IN THE SCHEME WILL MEAN DUTY-FREE ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES OF CERTAIN PRODUCTS WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT BY EARLY SEPTEMBER.
LAST MONTH, PRESIDENT FORD ISSUED TOO LISTS — ONE CONTAINING THE NAMES OF COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES TO WHICH HE HAS GRANTED BENEFICIARY STATUS UNDER THE GSP° AND THE OTHER THE NAMES OF THOSE ON WHICH A FINAL DECISION IS STILL TO BE HADE.
HONG KONG IS ON THE SECOND LIST, WHILST ITS STRONGEST TRADE COMPETITORS IN THE REGION — SOUTH KOREA, TAIWAN AND SINGAPORE •— ARE ON THE FIRST, A SITUATION WHICH COULD HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR HONG KONG. • *
HONG KONG HAS ARGUED, AND CONTINUES TO ARGUE, THAT IT HAS ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR BEING GRANTED BENEFICIARY STATUS.
+THE LATEST OFFICIAL INFORMATION FROM WASHINGTON IS THAT WE ARE BEING GIVEN ACTIVE CONSIDERATION,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE NEWS WAS ENCOURAGING, BUT ADDED THAT THE OUTCOME WAS STILL UNCERTAIN. +THERE STILL SEEMS TO BE SOME DOUBTS , THAT NEED DISPELLING, THAT IS WHY MR. JORDAN IS GOING TO WASHINGTON, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MR. JORDAN WILL BE PLEASED TO MEET MEMBERS OF THE PRESS FOR A BRIEF INTERVIEW BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE OH FLIGHT PA 848 TOMORROW.
PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE KINDLY ASKED TO BE IN THE VIP PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM AT KA I TAK NOT LATER THAN 2 P.M.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1975
- 2 -
NEW SYLLABUSES TO SUIT NEEDS OF STUDENTS
M * * * M «
THE PROPOSED NEW SYLLABUS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES IS ONE OF A SERIES OF SYLLABUSES THAT ARE NOW BEING FINALISED BY THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
IT IS INTENDED TO ISSUE THESE NEW SYLLABUSES'BEFORE THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR IN SEPTEMBER SO THAT INTERESTED SCHOOLS MAY USE THEM WITH A VIEW TO FINDING OUT WHETHER ANY MODIFICATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO SUIT THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG STUDENTS^.
+AT THIS STAGE, PUBLISHERS ARE NOT BEING ASKED TO PRODUCE NEW TEXTBOOKS UNTIL THESE NEW SYLLABUSES HAVE BEEN FULLY TRIED OUT AND MODIFIED IF NECESSARY,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAlt).
SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE TRYING OUT PROCESS WILL RECEIVE EVERY POSSIBLE HELP IN THE FORM OF ADVICE AND MATERIALS FROM THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE CASE OF CONSUMER EDUCATION, THE SOCIAL STUDIES SYLLABUS INCORPORATED THIS TOPIC AT AN EARLY STAGE. FOLLOWING AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WITH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, TOPICS IN THE SOCIAL STUDIES FIELD RELATING TO THE ROLE OF THE CONSUMER WERE PUT TOGETHER AND EXPANDED UNDER THE HEADING CONSUMER EDUCATION.
RECENTLY, A CONSUMER EDUCATION ADVISER FROM BRITAIN, MRS. - ALMA WILLIAMS, VISITED HONG KONG AND DURING HER STAY HAD ADVISED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON PROBLEMS CONCERNING CONSUMER EDUCATION.
FOLLOWING THIS VISIT, PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN MADE TO MODIFY THE SOCIAL STUDIES SYLLABUS IN THE LIGHT OF MRS. WILLIAMS’ ADVICE AND THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IS NOW CONSIDERING THESE MODIFICATIONS.
♦DETAILS OF THE NEW SYLLABUSES WILL BE RELEASED AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID. THE TOPICS RELATING TO CONSUMER EDUCATION ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE STUDENTS A BACKGROUND SO THAT THEY APPRECIATE THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CONSUMER AND BE ABLE TO USE INTELLIGENTLY THE CONSUMER SERVICES OFFERED IN HONG KONG.
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/3......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1 75
ANTI-POLIO CAMPAIGN * * * *
A TOTAL OF 23,064 DOSES OF ANTI-POLIOMYELITIS VACCINE WAS ADMINISTERED ON CHILDREN IN THE MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN IN MARCH.
OF THESE, 6.131 WERE FIRST-DOSES, 7,634 SECOND-DOSES AND 9,299 BOOSTER-DOSES.
THE DRIVE WAS THE SECOND IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S 1975 ANTI-POLIO CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME, THE FIRST BEING IN JANUARY WHEN 26,390 DOSES OF VACCINE WERE ADMINISTERED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT FOR A CHILD TO BE IMMUNISED'THREE DOSES OF VACCINE WERE REQUIRED, WITH AN EIGHT-WEEK INTERVAL BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND DOSES. A THIRD DOSE SHOULD BE TAKEN A YEAR LATER.
L: ' ,
HE EMPHASISED THAT POLIO VACCINE IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT ALL GOVERNMENT MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES, AND THE CAMPAIGNS CARRIED OUT IN EACH YEAR ARE JUST TO REMIND MOTHERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE VACCINE AND TO URGE THEM TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN IMMUNISED.
♦ALTHOUGH POLIOMYELITIS HAS NOW BEEN VIRTUALLY ELIMINATED SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE VACCINE IN 1967, A HIGH LEVEL OF IMMUNITY AGAINST THE DISEASE MUST BE MAINTAINED,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TEMPORARY WATER CUT .ft ft ft ft ft ft ft
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN YAUMATI WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR FIVE HOURS AS FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (APRIL 19) WHEN WATERWORKS STAFF WILL BE CONDUCTING A TEST FOR LEAKAGE IN THE AREA.
AFFECTED WILL BE PREMISES BOUND BY DUNDAS STREET, SHANGHAI STREET, WATERLOO ROAD AND THE SEA-FRONT.
- - 0 -
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1973
4
SUMMERTIME BEGINS NEXT SUNDAY
###««#
RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT SUMMER TIME WILL COME INTO OPERATION FROM 3.30 NEXT SUNDAY (APRIL 20) MORNING.
THIS MEANS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD PUT THEIR CLOCKS AND WATCHES FORWARD ONE HOUR BEFORE RETIRING FOR THE NIGHT ON SATURDAY.
' 6 I
UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE, SUMMER TIME COMES INTO EFFECT EACH YEAR AT 3.30 A.M. ON THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER APRIL 15. •
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RETIREMENT OF BUILDING SURVEY ADVISOR H H M » K
NOTE TO EDITORSi
THE FAREWELL PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR MR. E.H. ROWLEY, BUILDING SURVEY ADVISOR OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED AS HAVING BEEN ARRANGED FOR TOMORROW (THURSDAY, APRIL 17), HAS HAD TO BE POSTPONED TO TUESDAY, APRIL 29. THE TIME AND PLACE ARE AS BEFORE — AT 4.30 PM IN THE STAFF CANTEEN ON THE MEZZANINE FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING.
* -----o--------
V'
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1975
5
INTER-SCHOOL DRAMA COMPETITION
—.. # a n « «
DRAMA GROUPS FROM SEVEN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE STAGING THEIR BEST PERFORMANCES THIS WEEKEND IN AN INTER-SCHOOL DRAMA COMPETITION AT THE CARITAS COMMUNITY HALL IN CAINE ROAD ON SATURDAY (APRIL 19) FROM 2 PM TO 6 PM.
THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS ARE RAIMONDI COLLEGE, SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, ST. MARY’S CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, YING WA BOYS’ SCHOOL, HONG KONG WAH YAN COLLEGE, MARYKNOLL SISTERS’ SCHOOL AND ST. STEPHEN’S GIRLS COLLEGE. (
JUDGES WILL BE MR. YUEN NAP-FAN, ASSISTANT MANAGER OF THE CITY HALL AND MR. LAI KWOK-PUN, A WELL-KNOWN LOCAL SCRIPTWRITER.
I THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE JOINT SCHOOL DRAMA COMMITTEE FORMED BY RAIMONDI COLLEGE AND SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE WORKING UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CENTRAL DISTRICT COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE.
A LOCAL OPTICAL FIRM IS SPONSORING THE EVENT AND ITS OPERATIONS MANAGER, MR. STEPHEN CBAN WILL BE ONE OF THOSE OFF IC AT I NG AT THE PR IZE-GIVI NG CEREMONY AFTER THE COMPETITION. OTHERS WILL BE MR. MUI WAH-ON, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER. CENTRAL AND MR. MUI KAN-KIT, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER (CENTRAL).
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE COMPETITION.
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ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, April 16, 1975
ROYAL VISITORS WILL SEE BOTH UNIVERSITIES
Itineraries Include Meeting Students
********
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will spend some time during their visit in May meeting members of the staff and students at both the University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
On the morning of May 6, the Duke will be flown by helicopter from Harcourt Road to the Chinese University where he will land on sports field of Chung Chi College.
The Duke will then visit the Institute of Chinese Studies, and walk through the cloisters where some members of the senate and the student union will hgve the opportunity of talking to him.
The Queen and the Duke will together visit the University of
Hong Kong on the afternoon of May 6. The Royal couple will tour Loke Yew t
Hall, see some exhibits, and then have tea with students on the university
lawn. : ’' :
Of the two universities, the Queen will be interested to learn that the Hong Kong University is the older, having been incorporated in 1911 to take over the work of the College of Medicine, established in 1887»
It is a self-governing corporation, based in the Pok Fu Lam area of the Island. It draws its income from grants made by the Hong Kong Government, tuition fees, investment income, and donations from foundations and private benefactors.
/There are •••••
2
There are altogether five faculties: arts, science, medicine, engineering and architecture, and social scinece and law. Admission is conditional upon passing the advanced level examination of the university, or some examination recognised as its equivalent.
The university did not admit women students until September, 1912. Twenty years later, in 1941i of the total of about 600 students, about 120 were women. At present, the total number of students enrolled is about 4,000, of which about 1,100 or 28 per cent, are women.
Allowing for moderate ’pocket money,’ the purchase of books, and necessary fees and subscriptions, an undergraduate in residence at the Hong i « • •• •
Kong University should need at least 86,000 a year.
But many scholarships, grants and bursaries are awarded undergraduates yearly. Indeed, about 51 per cent of the total number of undergraduates receive some form of financial assistance.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong was inaugurated in October, 1963. It is a federal university with Chinese as the main language of instruction. It is also a self-governing corporation drawing its income mainly from grants made by the Hong Kong Government.
The university is made up of three foundation colleges - the New Asia (established in 1949)1 the Chung Chi (established in 1951)» and the United (established in 1958).
The university occupies 331 acres of land on Tai Po Road overlooking Tolo Harbour, near Sha Tin. The site has been developed essentially into four plateaux with the headquarters and central activities located in the approximate centre of the campus, surrounded by the three foundation colleges.
/There are four •••••
f
- 5 -
There are four faculties at the undergraduate level: arts, science, social science, and business administration. They offer courses through 23 teaching departments. The undergraduate enrolment at present is about 3,200.
The university actively provides faculty members with research facilities. Three research institutes - of social studies and the humanities, of science and technology, and of Chinese studies - have been set up to enable staff members to keep abreast of the latest developments. Various research centres now exist within the three institutes to concentrate on specific fields of studies.
Both the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong play important roles in providing higher education in Hong Kong, and both are making a significant contribution to the advancement of the frontiers of knowledge.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
, •• SENIOR P.W.D. OFFICERS TO ATTEND +T0WNS IN THE DESERT+ CONFERENCE IN CAIRO........................................ 1
VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES ORGANISING +YOUTH WEEK+ IN LI CHENG UK ............................................... 2
ENROLMENT OF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK 3 TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF STAUNTON STREET TO FACILITATE POWER CABLE LAYING WORKS .......................................... 3
RADIO HONG KONG TO INTRODUCE NEW INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ PROGRAMME ON SUNDAY ......................................... 4
NEW RECORD SET BY FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AMBULANCE COMMAND ..................................................... 4
SPEED LIMIT RAISED ALONG SECTION OF ROAD NEAR CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA ........................................... 5
SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL TO HOLD ARTS AND CRAFT EXHIBITION................................................ 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield Hous^, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1975
1
HONG KONG MEN FOR ’TOWNS IN THE DESERT’ CONFERENCE a a « a h
HONG KONG WILL BE REPRESENTED AT AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON +LOW-COST HOUSING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES* WHICH OPENS IN CAIRO ON SUNDAY. THE CONFERENCE IS DESIGNED TO. CONTRIBUTE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO THE SOLUTION OF EGYPT’S HOUSING PROBLEMS.
ONE OF THE SPEAKERS AT THE CONFERENCE, WHICH WILL DRAW DELEGATES FROM 30 COUNTRIES, WILL BE MR. EDWARD KENNARD, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, WHO WILL TALK ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
ANOTHER PARTICIPANT, ALSO FROM THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, IS MR. CHENG HON-KWAN, GOVERNMENT STRUCTURAL ENGINEER. HE WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF A SESSION ON MASONRY SYSTEMS.
*
BOTH MR. KENNARD AND MR. CHENG ARE ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMITTEE ON TALL BUILDINGS, A WORLDWIDE TECHNICAL +BRAINS TRUST* ON HIGH-RISE DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS ONE OF THE SPONSORS OF THE CONFERENCE.
THE OTHER SPONSORING BODIES ARE THE EGYPTIAN MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND RECONSTRUCTION, THE EGYPTIAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS AND THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OFFICE OF HOUSING). MAJOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT HAS ALSO COME FROM THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, WHICH IS PAYING THE FARES OF ALL DELEGATES FROM OVERSEAS.
ANNOUNCING THE CONFERENCE, THE EGYPTIAN MINISTER OF HOUSING, MR. OSMAN A. OSMAN, SAID RECENTLY: +THE 450,000 HOUSING UNITS •REQUIRED OVER THE NEXT 15 YEARS TELLS THE STAGGERING STORY OF EGYPT’S NEEDS.
+WE ARE SPONSORING THIS CONFERENCE, BRINGING SPECIALISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF DISCIPLINES, IN ORDER TO ADAPT THE BEST OF THEIR EXPERIENCE TO OUR OWN NEEDS.
+WE MUST START WITH THE BEST SYSTEMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE NOW, AND WE MUST LOOK FOR SPACE BEYOND OUR PRESENT CITIES. WE’LL BUILD NEW TOWNS IN THE DESERT, IF NEED BE.+
DR. A. MOHARRAM, PRESIDENT OF THE EGYPTIAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, ADDED: +EGYPTIAN HOUSING SUFFERED A SEVERE BLOW IN THE LAST MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT.
+WE LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING THE BEST WAY TO RECOVER FROM THIS LOSS BY DEVELOPING PLANS IN DIALOGUE WITH THE PLANNERS, ARCHITECTS, SOCIAL SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, MATERIAL SPECIALISTS, DEVELOPERS AND HOUSING DESIGN SPECIALISTS WHO WILL BE HERE.*
/coinxrwniG on......
THURSDAY, APRIL 1?, 1975
- 2 -
COMMENTING ON THE CONFERENCE, MR. KENNARD SAID TODAYt + I’M VERY GLAD THAT HONG KONG CAN BE REPRESENTED AT THIS GATHERING - FOR THE SUBJECT IS ONE ON WHICH HONG KONG HAS SOMETHING TO SAY FROM ITS OWN EXPERIENCE AND ABOUT WHICH IT HAS EVERY INCENTIVE TO LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
+MR. CHENG AND I WILL THEREFORE BE DOING AS MUCH LISTENING AS TALKING. FROM MY ATTENDANCE AT PREVIOUS CONFERENCES SPONSORED BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON TALL BUILDINGS, I KNOW JUST HOW VALUABLE THESE MEETINGS CAN BE.
+ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE IS THE COMPILATION OF A MONOGRAPH, OR A PROFESSIONAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA, OF KNOWLEDGE ON TALL BUILDINGS, AND WHILE IN CAIRO WE’LL BE PUSHING THIS PROCESS A STAGE FURTHER. •
+MR. CHENG AND I ARE BOTH CONTRIBUTORS TO THE MONOGRAPH -MAINLY THROUGH CORRESPONDENCE WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS WITH WHOSE IDEAS WE ARE FAMILIAR BUT MOST OF WHOM WE HAVE NOT MET FACE TO FACE.
+THE CONFERENCE WILL GIVE US A CHANCE TO GET TOGETHER WITH OUR OPPOSITE NUMBERS IN PERSON AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION ABOUT TECHNICAL PROBLEMS IN A WAY WHICH YOU JUST CAN’T ALWAYS DO ON PAPER.*
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♦YOUTH WEEK* IN LI CHENG UK
******
A GROUP OF VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES ARE ORGANISING A +YOUTH WEEK* IN LI CHENG UK TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONCERN THEMSELVES MORE WITH THEIR COMMUNITY AND ITS PROBLEMS RELATED TO YOUTH.
THE WEEK STARTS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 19, WITH AN EXHIBITION ON +YOUTH LIFE* TO BE HELD AT THE LI CHENG UK GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR THREE DAYS.
DURING THE WEEK THERE WILL BE A SERIES OF SEMINARS TO DISCUSS YOUTH PROBLEMS. THE ACTIVITIES WILL END WITH A VARIETY SHOW AT THE KEI 01 YOUTH CENTRE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 26.
THE ORGANISERS ARE THE LI CHENG UK WELFARE COUNCIL. WHICH IS COMPOSED OF MEMBERS FROM SEVEN ORGANISATIONS OPERATING IN THE AREA, AND THE SHAM SHUI PO COMMUNITY AND YOUT OFFICE,
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ARE THE LI CHENG UK FRIENDLY CENTRE, THE KEI 01 YOUTH CENTRE, THE CHINESE Y.M.C.A.. THE BOYS’ AND gIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF vOjTH M aFsso??aSt?on?COUT,NG so UK CENTRE and the l* CHErG
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. 3 THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1975
ADMISSION TO PRIMARY 2-5 CLASSES
IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS
K if it it » it
PARENTS WHO WISH TO ENROL THEIR CHILDREN FOR PRIMARY TWO TO FIVE CLASSES IN GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS, INCLUDING POLICE PRIMARY SCHOOLS, FOR THE 1975 - 76 SCHOOL YEAR CAN SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS NEXT WEEK.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID APPLICATION FORMS FOR ADMISSION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HEAD OF THE SCHOOL TO WHICH ADMISSION IS DESIRED BETWEEN APRIL 22 AND APRIL 28, FROM 9.00 A.M. TO 12.30 P.M. AND 2.00 P.M. TO 6.00 P.M. FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9.00 A.M. TO 12.00 NOON ON SATURDAY.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, MAY 2.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APPLICANTS SHOULD NOTE HE age limited FOR EACH SPECIFIC CLASS.. ONLY APPLICATIONS FROM CHILDREN BORN BETWEEN THE FOLLOWING DATES WILL BE CONSIDERED 8
PRIMARY 2 - 2ND SEPTEMBER, 1966 AND 1ST SEPTEMBER, 1968
PRIMARY 3 - 2ND SEPTEMBER, 1965 AND 1ST SEPTEMBER, 1967
PRIMARY 4 - 2ND SEPTEMBER, 1964 AND 1ST SEPTEMBER, 1966
PRIMARY 5 - 2ND SEPTEMBER, 1963 AND 1ST SEPTEMBER, 1965
APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO PRIMARY 6 CLASSES WILL BE CONSIDERED ONLY UNDER VERY EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED PARENTS THAT APPLICATION FORMS ARE FREE, NO ENTRANCE FEE IS charged FOR ADMISSION AND NO TUITION FEE IS CHARGED IN ANY GOVERNMENT CHINESE PRIMARY SCHOOL.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF STAUNTON STREET it if it it it if it if
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. ON APR!'.. 19 TO MAY 3, 1975, THE SECTION OF STAUNTON STREET BETWEEN PEEL/STREti AND ABERDEEN STREET ON HONG KONG ISLAND, WILL BE CLOSED TO \LL TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE POWER CABLE LAYING WORKS.
ACCESS TO STAUNTON STREET, WEST OF ABERDEEN STREET, CAN BE MADE VIA CAINE ROAD AND THEN ABERDEEN STREET.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO INDICATE THE CLOSURE.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1975
R.H.K. NEW QUIZ PROGRAMME FOR SCHOOLS a h n a a «
TWO TEAMS OF LOCAL STUDENTS WILL BE PITTING THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF SPOKEN ENGLISH AGAINST EACH OTHER NEXT SUNDAY WHEN RADIO HONGKONG’S NEW INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ PROGRAMME GETS UNDERWAY.
CALLED +LET’S GET IT RIGHT+, THE PROGRAMME IS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE'FLUENCY AND ACCURACY OF ENGLISH AMONG STUDENTS WHO DO NOT SPEAK IT AS THEIR MOTHER TONGUE AND THE QUESTIONS ARE SPECIALLY WRITTEN TO TEST THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE'LANGUAGE.
I
RUN AS A KNOCKOUT COMPETITION, THE 15-PART PROGRAMME WILL GO ON THE AIR AT 5.30 PM EVERY SUNDAY UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF QUIZ MASTER JON JEFFRIES.
ALTOGETHER SIXTEEN SCHOOLS WILL BE TAKING PART IN THE INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ. FOUR STUDENTS FROM MARYKNOLL CONVENT SCHOOL WILL BE MEETING ANOTHER FOUR FROM LA SALLE COLLEGE IN THE FIRST PROGRAMME. EACH TEAM WILL CONSIST OF TWO FOURTH FORM AND TWO SIXTH FORM STUDENTS AND THE WINNING TEAM WILL RECEIVE, FITTINGLY ENOUGH, SOME BOOKS AS ITS PRIZE.
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NEW RECORD FOR AMBULANCE COMMAND h n a n « a
THE AMBULANCE COMMAND OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS CHALKED UP A NEW RECORD BY ANSWERING 419 CALLS DURING THE 24-HOUR PERIOD ENDING 7 A.M. TODAY (THURSDAY). THIS REPRESENTS AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 17- 1/2 CALLS PER HOUR.
THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS 412 CALLS ACHIEVED ON FEBRUARY 5.
KOWLOON DIVISION WAS THE BUSIEST WITH 155 EMERGENCY AND 39 NON-EMERGENCY CALLS° HONG KONG DIVISION HAD 134 EMERGENCY AND 12 NON-EMERGENCY CALLS= AND NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION HAD 79 EMERGENCY BUT NO NON-EMERGENCY CALLS.
THE AMBULANCE COMMAND HAS AN ESTABLISHMENT OF 558 ALL RANKS, 9 AMBULANCE DEPOTS AND A FLEET OF 86 AMBULANCES. FIVE NEW AMBULANCES ARE AT PRESENT BEING PREPARED FOR SERVICE.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1975
- 5 -SPEED LIMIT RAISED
X H «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE EXISTING SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MILES PER HOUR ALONG A SECTION OF THE ROAD BETWEEN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA AND PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD NORTH OF THE HUNG HOM INTERCHANGE, WOULD BE RAISED TO 40 MILES PER HOUR AS FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE SECTION OF THE ROAD INVOLVED IS ABOUT 816 METRES LONG . AND THE EXACT BOUNDARY WITHIN WHICH THE NEW SPEED LIMIT WILL BE ENFORCED WILL BE INDICATED BY TRAFFIC SIGNS.
MEANWHILE, CERTAIN ROADS IN KOWLOON WILL BE CLOSED FOR A FEW HOURS ON SUNDAY (APRIL 20) IN CONNECTION WITH THE +SAVE OUR HOSPITAL CAMPAIGN* WALK IN TSZ WAN SHAN - WONG TAI SIN AREA.
FROM 9 AjM. TO 2 P.M/, FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD, THE SECTION OF SHA TIN PASS ROAD BETWEEN SHA TIN PASS ESTATE AND FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD, AND JETS INCLINE WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES. ,
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBITION H ft X » « X
NOTE TO ED ITORSj
THE LUNG CHEUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL WILL BE HOLDING ITS FIRST ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBITION TOMORROW (FRIDAY),
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), MR. ANDREW KINGWELL.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE EXHIBITION COVERED. IT WILL BE OPENED AT 11 AM AT THE SCHOOL PREMISES, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, KOWLOON.
ROYAL -VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, April 17, 1975
QUEEN TO TAKE 2O-MINUTE RIDE ON HOVERFERRY Success In Hong Kong For British Marine Product ******
The Queen will have a 20-minute water view of the Kowloon shoreline on May 6 when she boards a hoverferry at Queen’s pier for Tsuen Wan to complete a number of engagements there.
The hoverferry will be a new vessel belonging to the Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company, ordered a few months ago f-rom Britain, only recently arrived, and not yet in service.
The Queen will see the hoverferry just as it is, and will take the route between Central and Tsuen Wan in almost the same conditions as 700 commuters a day, the only difference being that on this special trip, the Queen’s party will be the sole passengers.
The Queen 'will make use of one of 65 comfortable airline-style seats in an air-conditioned cabin. Large tinted side windows will provide excellent visibility, and the Queen will be able to see interesting landmarks both* in Kowloon and along the harbour approach to Tsuen Wan as the hoverferry nears its destination.
The hoverferry, HM2-, made its debut in Hong Kong in November last year when the vessel - the latest example of British hovercraft engineering - was put on trial runs in the* harbour by the Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company. • -
/A month later •••••
2
A month later it went into service, and at the same time, three more HM2s were ordered - a #12 million package deal which pleased their manufacturers, Hovermarine Transport Limited, of Southampton, since it was the largest single order in the company’s history.
The iiong Kong and Yaumati Febry Company had no hestitation giving British marine exports this shot in the arm.
At the time of the announcement of the deal, Mr. Edmund Lau, managing director of the Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company, said: "The performance of the first hoverferry was extraordinary. When it became clear that our enthusiasm was shared by our commuters - 700 on weekdays and 1,000 on weekends - we decided to buy three more.
"These craft will be used in our regular commuter and recreation services, and both the HYF and Hovermarine are confident that other countries in Southeast Asia will follow our lead.
"Tae HM2 hover ferry is the most advanced high speed commercial craft now in operation anywhere, and we have no doubt it has opened a new era in water transport in Hong Kong."
Commuters pay $2 a trip between Central and Tsuen Wan. They travel in comfort, and the journey is cut from the 40-minute trip on regular vessels to 15-20 minutes on the hoverferry, depending on sea surface conditions.
The Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company is the largest passenger ferry company in the world. Its present fleet of 81 vessels carries 180 million passengers annually on 25 different services within the Hong Kong harbour area. The routes served range from three to 20 miles in distance.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1975
CONTENTS - PAGE NO.
HONG KONG’S FUTURE ENGINEERS WILL NOT BECOME NARROW-
MINDED SPECIALISTS, SAYS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ... 1
GOVERNOR COMMENDS ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS .................................... 2
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PRESENTS BOOKS TO CHILDREN LIVING IN NEW TERRITORIES ........................ 3
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL ......... 4
HEI LING CHAU BECOMES DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE ... 5
CERTAIN ROADS IN KOWLOON TO BE CLOSED FOR A FEW HOURS ON SUNDAY FOR CHARITY WALK ......................... 5 '
REST GARDEN TO BE BUILT FOR SHEUNG WAN RESIDENTS .. 6
NEW CELL BLOCK TO BE BUILT AT STANLEY PRISON ...... 6
SWD-SPONSORED LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE IN WAN CHAI TO CLOSE TOMORROW.................................... 7
APPLICATION FEE FOR CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN REVISED . 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5'233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 18. 1975
1
HONG KONG’S FUTURE ENGINEERS WON’T BE NARROW-MINDED SPECIALISTS ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE QUALITY OF THE EXHIBITS AT THE FIRST ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBITION OF THE LUNG CHEUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL DEMONSTRATES THAT SECONDARY TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS A COMPLETE EDUCATION FOR THE YOUTH OF HONG KONG TODAY, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), MR. ANDREW KINGWELL SAID THIS MORNING.
♦THE FACT THAT IN HONG KONG YOUNG TECHNICAL STUDENTS SHOW SUCH A HEALTHY INTEREST IN ART IS PROOF (IF PROOF INDEED WERE NEEDED) THAT HONb KONG’S FUTURE ENGINEERS WILL NOT BECOME NARROW-MINDED SPECIALISTS. •
♦MODERN EDUCATORS ARE CONTINUALLY SEEKING WAYS OF COMING TO TERMS WITH THE SOCIAL, TECHNOLOG I CAL‘AND CULTURAL CHANGES OF THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD AND NOWHERE IS THIS MORE EVIDENT THAN HERE IN HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
MR. KINGWELL EMPHASISED THAT ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS TO BE RECOGISED WAS THAT FOR HONG KONG TO SURVIVE IN A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AND COMPLEX WORLD IT MUST HAVE A SUPPLY OF INTELLECTUAL AND TECHNICAL ABILITY TO SATISFY THE DEMAND OF THE WORLD.
EDUCATORS, HE SAID, SHOULD ALSO ENDEAVOUR TO PROVIDE FOR EACH PUPIL THE KIND OF EDUCATION THAT WOULD ENABLE THE STUDENT TO ENJOY DEVELOPING HIS OR HER FULL POTENTIAL AND TO UNDERSTAND A SOCIETY INCREASINGLY INFLUENCED BY CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY.
THE NEW AWARENESS TO PRACTICAL WORK IN SCHOOLS MUST INEVITABLY BE REFLECTED IN REFORM OF EDUCATIONAL ATTITUDES TO TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
MR. KINGWELL SAID* +THIS IS WHAT THE WHITE PAPER IS ALL ABOUT — FOR SURELY OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM MUST PROVIDE THE MEANS OF ENABLING LARGER NUMBERS TO MASTER NEW TECHNIQUES, TO UNDERSTAND THE NEW ENVIRONMENT, AND TO PLAY A PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT ENVIRONMENT.+
WHAT THEN WAS THE RELEVANCE OF AN ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBITION TO THE GRAND CONCEPT OF REFORM OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID: +ESSENTIALLY THE ANSWER LIES IN THE BELIEF THAT PUPILS HAVE THE ABILITY TO REASON, AND THIS ABILITY MUST BE NURTURED. THE PROJECTS WHICH PUPILS CARRY OUT SHOULD NOT BE DESIGNED BY TEACHERS, BUT ARTS AND CRAFT COURS .8 SHOULD BE PROGRAMMED BY TEACHERS IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM INTELLECTUAL STIMULUS AND EFFORT.+
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF MR. KINGWELL’S SPEECH ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS ROOM. 6TH I .0.' BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1975
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GOVERNOR PRAISES ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY
* K « » «
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING COMMENDED THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY AND THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST YEARS.
ADDRESSING THE SOCIETY’S ANNUAL DINNER AT THE HONG KONG COUNTRY CLUB, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT WITH THE GROWING POPULARITY OF SWIMMING, AND WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTIVE PROMOTION OF RECREATION AND SPORT, THE CALLS ON THE SOCIETY’S AND LIFE GUARD CLUB’S SERVICES COULD ONLY INCREASE.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH!
+THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING ME TO THIS ANNUAL DINNER AND TO SHARE WITH YOU THE JOYS OF WHAT YOU, SIR KENNETH (FUNG PINGFAN), HAVE DESCRIBED AS ’A RARE OCCASION’.
+1 SINCERELY CONGRATULATE THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE ROYAL ' LIFE SAVING SOCIETY AND THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB ON THE EXCELLENT RESULTS YOU HAVE ACHIEVED OVER THE YEARS. THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR WORK IS TOO OBVIOUS TO NEED COMMENT AND IS, I AM SURE, V
FULLY APPRECIATED NOT ONLY BY THOSE WHOSE LIVES YOU HAVE SAVED, BUT ALSO BY THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
♦WITH THE GROWING POPULARITY OF SWIMMING IN HONG KONG, BOTH AS A SPORT AND AS A RECREATIONAL PASTIME, AND WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTIVE PROMOTION OF RECREATION AND SPORT, THE CALLS ON YOUR SERVICES CAN ONLY INCREASE WITH TIME. YOU HAVE FREELY AND UNSTINTINGLY GIVEN THESE SERVICES IN THE PAST, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. YOUR HARD WORK WILL BE RICHLY REWARDED BY THE SATISFACTION YOU WILL GET FROM SAVING LIFE AND FROM TRAINING OTHERS TO DO SO. /’
♦FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN WITH MR. HENRY FOK IN CONGRATULATING THE WINNERS OF THE VARIOUS COMPETITIONS. IT IS MY VERY GREAT PLEASURE TO PRESENT THEM WITH THE AWARDS WHICH THEY HAVE SO WELL DESERVED.+
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FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1975
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BOOKS FOR VILLAGE YOUTH M M M M
A COLLECTION OF 400 CHILDREN’S BOOKS WILL BE PRESENTED TO YUEN KWONG VILLAGE IN KAM TIN, NEW TERRITORIES ON SUNDAY (APRIL 20).
THE BOOKS WERE PURCHASED OUT OF A 816,050 DONATION EARLIER THIS YEAR BY THE CASTLE PEAK LIONS CLUB TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S LIBRARY AND RURAL MOBILE SERVICES UNIT FOR IMPROVING RECREATIONAL AND OTHER FACILITIES FOR NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGE CHILDREN.
THE BOOKS WILL BE HANDED OVER BY MR. FAN PA-FAN, PRESIDENT OF THE CLUB TO MR. LAM TIN, YUEN KWONG’S VILLAGE ELDER, AT NOON FOLLOWING THE PARTY FOR 50 OF THE VILLAGE’S CHILDREN ORGANISED BY THE UNIT.
YUEN KWONG IS ONE OF FIVE VILLAGES WHICH WILL BE RECEIVING BOOKS. THE OTHERS ARE TAI HANG AND LAM TSUEN IN TAI PO, PAI MIN KOK IN SAM TSENG AND CHUNG UK TSUEN IN YUEN LONG.
STAFF OF THE LIBRARY AND RURAL MOBILE SERVICES UNIT WILL TEACH VOLUNTEERS IN THE VILLAGES HOW TO ORGANISE AND OPERATE A LENDING LIBRARY WITH THE BOOKS THEY RECEIVE.
IN ALL, A SUM OF $5,000 OUT OF THE DONATION HAS BEEN SPENT ON BOOKS AND OTHER READING MATERIAL FOR THESE VILLAGES.
THE REMAINDER OF THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT ON EQUIPMENT FOR RECREATIONAL AND OTHER USE AS WELL AS THE PURCHASE OF BOOKS FOR THE UNIT’S BLOCK LOAN SERVICE.
THE BLOCK LOAN SERVICE IS ONE IN WHICH A COLLECTION OF BOOKS AND PERIODICALS ARE LOANED FOR FIXED PERIODS TO SCHOOLS AND AGENCIES WHICH HAVE NO READING FACILITIES AND ARE NOT ON THE REGULAR ROUTE OF THE UNIT’S THREE MOBILE LIBRARIES. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 28 SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS MAKING USE OF THIS BLOCK LOAN SERVICE.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1975.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL TO FACILITATE MARCHING DISPLAY TO MARK QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY
MINOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CENTRAL DISTRICT ON MONDAY (APRIL 21) IN CONNECTION WITH A MARCHING DISPLAY AND BAND CONCERT TO BE HELD BETWEEN 11 A.M. AND 12 NOON ON THAT DAY TO MARK THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
THE MARCH WILL START FROM H.M.S. TAMAR TO STATUE SQUARE VIA EDINBURGH PLACE EAST, THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, CLUB STREET AND CHATER ROAD, AND LATER RETURN TO H.M.S. TAMAR VIA THE SAME ROUTE. 4 •
TRAFFIC FLOW AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS WILL BE HELD UP FOR BRIEF PERIODS, EACH NOT EXCEEDING FIVE MINUTES, AT 10.50 A.M., 11.20 A.M. AND 12.05 P.M.
THESE LOCATIONS ARE AT QUEEN’S PIER ACCESS INTO EDINBURGH PLACE EAST- THE EXIT FROM THE CITY HALL CAR PARK INTO EDINBURGH PLACE EAST- THE EASTBOUND FLYOVER IN HARCOURT ROAD LEADING TO CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL- THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AT THE JUNCTION OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST- THE SLIP ROAD EAST OF THE FURAMA HOTEL LEADING TO THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL- THE EXIT FROM THE FURAMA HOTEL INTO CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL- THE EXIT FROM THE SCAVENGING LANE BETWEEN SUTHERLAND HOUSE AND THE FURAMA HOTEL INTO CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL- AND THE JUNCTION OF JACKSON ROAD AND CHATER ROAD.
TRAFFIC HELD AT THE HARCOURT ROAD FLYOVER WHICH LEADS TO CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED WESTWARDS VIA COTTON TREE DRIVE, THE SLIP ROAD TO QUEENSWAY AND QUEEN’S ROAD • CENTRAL.
METERED PARKING SPACES IN EDINBURGH PLACE EAST NEXT TO THE WESTERN WALL OF H.M.S. TAMAR WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.
POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1975.
HEI LING CHAU BECOMES DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE K « H K * #
THE ISLAND OF HEI LING CHAU HAS OFFICIALLY BECOME A DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE. <
FORMAL NOTIFICATION OF THE SETTING UP OF THE HEI LING CHAU AT" CTION TREATMENT CENTRE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY. i.iE WHOLE ISLAND HAS NOW BECOME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR PRISONS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN RECALLED TODAY THAT THE ARRANGEMENT WOULD BE I. . iEWED AFT. R THE CENTRE HAD BEEN IN OPERATION FOR FOUR YEARS.
HE SAID THE DECISION TO ESTABLISH THE CENTRE ON THE ISLAND WAS DcCAUSE OF THE ACUTE SHORTAGE OF PRISON ACCOMMODATION.
ONE OF THE MEASURES TO OVERCOME THIS PROBLEM WAS THE RECONVERSION OF THE MA PO PING DRUG ADDICTION CENTRE TO A PRISON, FOR WHICH IT WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED, AND THE CONSEQUENT MOVE OF THE CENTRE TO HEI LING CHAU.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CENTRE WOULD USE MOST OF THE BUILDINGS UN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE ISLAND, AND THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE SOUTHERN PART SHOULD BE USED FOR RESITING THE QUEEN ISLAND EXPLOSIVES DEPOT WAS STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN KOWLOON
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT CERTAIN ROADS IN KOWLOON WILL DE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M. ON SUNDAY (APRIL 2Q) IN CONNECTION WITH THE +SAVE OUR HOSPITAL CAMPAIGN+ WALK IN THE TSZ WAN SHAN/WONG TAI SIN AREAS. THE ROADS AFFECTED ARE FE! i.GOR SHAN ROAD= THE SECTION OF SHAT IN PASS ROAD DETWEEN SHAT IN PASS ESTATE AND FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD= AND JETS INCLINE.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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iDAY, r t .. >L 13, 1975
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SITTING-OUT AREA FOR SHEUNG WAN RESIDENT?
A SITTING-OUT AREA WILL BE BUILT AT WING LEE STREET IN SHEUNG WAN TO PROVIDE A REST PLACE FOR RESIDENTS IN THE DENSELY-POPULATED AREA.
THE SITE, WHICH MEASURES NEARLY 8,000 SQUARE FEET IS MADE UP OF TWO TIERS OF LEVELLED LAND CARVED -ROM THE SLOPES. IT WAS CLEARED OF SQUATTERS RECENTLY.
EACH OF THE TWO LEVELLED AREAS WILL BE DAVED AND PROVIDED WITH FLOWER BEDS, CREEPER BOXES AND PARK BENCHES. THE TWO AREAS WILL BE LINKED BY CONCRETE STEPS AND CO EJECTED TO AN EXISTING SITTING-OUT AREA ON THE i-AST.
THE SURROUNDING SLOPES WILL BE TURFED AND TREES WILL BE PLANTED THERE.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL BEGIN TOWARDS THE END OF NEXT MONTH AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THREE MONTHS.
— „ _ o - - - -
NEW CELL BLOCK FOR STANLEY PRISON ««««*«
AN ADDITIONAL CELL BLOCK WILL SHORTLY BE BUILT IN STANLEY PRISON.
THE THREE-STOREY BUILDING, TO BE CONSTRUCTED WITHIN THE PRISON COMPOUND, WILL PROVIDE 80 REFRACTORY CELLS.
OTHER SUPPORTING FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE TwO WORKSHOPS, VISITING ROOMS, PANTRY, AN ENCLOSED EXERCISE YARD AND AN ADJUDICATION ROOM.
THE NEW BLOCK WILL COVER AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,200 SQUARE FEET.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT MN’M AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1975
- 7
LEADERSHIP COURSE CLOSING CEREMONY H O K « «
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY). AFTERNOON TO MARK THE CLOSING OF A THREE-MONTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE ORGANISED BY A SELF-PROGRAMMING GROUP OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH WORK UNIT.
IT WILL BE HELD AT THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE AT 44, 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI (NEAR THE MORRISON HILL SWIMMING POOL) AT 2.30 P.M.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE IN TWO PARTS, THE FIRST BEING A SLIDE SHOW OF ACTIVITIES DURING THE COURSE SHOWING THE PARTICIPANTS IN ROCK CLIMBING, CANOEING, TRACK CAMP, LIFE-SAVING AND SO ON. THE SECOND PART WILL BE PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES, BY THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING THE COURSES, TO THE 52 PARTICIPANTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISHED ALL REQUIREMENTS.
THE COURSE WAS ORGANISED BY THE AKIN-ALLIANCE SELF-PROGRAMMING GROUP AND STARTED LAST DECEMBER.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THIS EVENT.
- 0 - -
APPLICATION FEE FOR C.0.0. REVISED KM**#*
THE APPLICATION FEE FOR IMPORT/EXPORT CERTIFICATES SUCH AS CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN, COMMONWEALTH PREFERENCE CERTIFICATE AND GENERALISED PREFERENCE CERTIFICATES WILL GO UP FROM $15 TO $30 AS FROM MAY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE NEW FEES ARE CONTAINED IN AMENDED IMPORT AND EXPORT FEES REGULATIONS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY SAID THE INCREASE STEMMED FROM RISING ADMINISTRATIVE AND STAFF COSTS IN PROVIDING THE CERTIFICATION SERVICE. THE PRESENT APPLICATION FEE OF $15, HE NOTED, WAS DETERMINED IN JUNE 1973.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE DECISION TO INCREASE THE FEES HAD BEEN MADE KNOWN TO THE APPROVED NON-GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATE ISSUING BODIES. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THESE BODIES Will ALSO ADJUST THEIR CERTIFICATE APPLICATION FEES FROM MAY 1.
- - 0
ROYAL ■VISIT PRESS RELEASE
J Friday, April 18, 1975
RECEPTION AT OCEAN TERMINAL FCR QUEEN AO DUKE Large Representative Gathering To Attend - ■ ■ . . T
*******
A large representative gathering of the Hong Kong community, numbering 2,000, will attend a reception in honour of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.in the main concourse of the Ocean Terminal at about noon on Tuesday, May 6. . _ :
The Queen and the Duke will walk among the guests. All will have the opportunity of a rare close view of the Royal couple, and many will be able to exchange a few words with them.
The Queen’s presence in the main concourse will recall for some the occasion early in March 1966, when the Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, accompanied by her husband, the Earl of Snowdon, unveiled a plaque there to commemorate a visit here.
Later that same March, the then Governor, Sir David Trench, opened the Ocean Terminal, and dedicated it to the ’’continued expansion of commerce, trade and travel in Hong Kong.”
Situated at the tip of Kowloon peninsula, the 1,250 ft. terminal has fulfilled in every way, in the last nine years, Sir David’s hope. Today, it is known to hundreds of thousands of tourists all over the world.
The concourse itself is the frequent scene of large groups of passengers on famous ocean-liners - for example the QE2 - setting foot for the first, or the umpteenth, time on Hong Kong soil.
/The main •••••
- 2 -
The main concourse is not only a tourist assembly point. It is currently one of Hong Kong’s largest halls. Weekend concerts are often held there, and frequent exhibitions attract hundreds of Hong Kong people.
But the Ocean Terminal is far more than merely the main concourse. It serves the dual purpose of a marine pier and a shopping centre. Consisting of five levels, the terminal can berth with ease four moderately-sized ocean-liners with a draft of 35 feet.
The exception occurs when giant vessels like the QE2 and the France come alongside - but there is no problem accommodating both at the same time, or, what is more common, their equivalents.
Cargo ships are unloaded onto the marine deck, and up to 35,OCX) measured tons of cargo can be stored in the transit sheds directly beneath the shopping centre•
At the concourse,'among other services, arriving passengers can obtain tourist information and make arrangements to facilitate their stay. Most visitors are surprised when they learn that, without having to move out of the terminal, they are surrounded by more than 200 shops in an air-conditioned area of 15 acres.
This selection of shops is the largest to be assembled under one roof in Hong Kong. The variety offered for sale is endless, from the most refined ivories and jade from China to internationally-renowned watches from Switzerland and famous knitwear from Scotland.
. »
/The tourist .....
5
The tourist and the local visitor alike seem to enjoy looking at this dazzling array of goods in the shops, because the terminal is a hub of activity from morning to night. The extensive range of shopping, parking, theatre and restaurant facilities, to say nothing of its ideal location next to the Star ferry, the Hong Kong Hotel and bus bays, have combined to make the Ocean Terminal a focal point for tourists and residents alike.
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DAILY INEORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MEDICAL OFFICERS EXPLAIN MOVE OF LEPROSY PATIENTS TO
MEI FOO SUN CHUEN RESIDENTS ..............................z 1
SMOKERS, PICKNICKERS REMINDED OF FIRE DANGER IN COUNTRYSIDE ............................................... 3
THIRTY-NINE NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED LAST MONTH ........ 3
WONG CHUK HANG RESIDENTS TO GET REST GARDEN................ 4
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong KoiSg. Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1975
LAI CHI KOK LEPROSY PATIENTS
" NOT A HEALTH HAZARD - SAY MEDICAL OFFICERS ft ft « 5$ n
OFFICIALS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) MET REPRESENTATIVES OF MEI FOO SUN CHUEN RESIDENTS TO DISCUSS MATTERS CONCERNING LEPROSY.
THE MEETING, ARRANGED BY THE SHAMSHUIPO CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, LASTED ONE AND A HAtF HOURS DURING WHICH OFFICIALS EXPLAINED THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE MOVE OF LEPROSY PATIENTS FROM HEI LING CHAU TO THE LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL AND REASSURRED THEM THAT THE PRESENCE OF THESE PATIENTS WOULD NOT POSE ANY HEALTH HAZARD TO RESIDENTS IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
IT WAS POINTED OUT TO THEM THAT THE GENERAL PATTERN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IS TO INTEGRATE LEPROSY TREATMENT INTO NORMAL MEDICAL SERVICES, AS IT IS NOW THOUGHT THAT ADMISSION INTO A LEPROSARIUM, AS DISTINCT FROM A GENERAL HOSPITAL, MAKES SUBSEQUENT REHABILITATION AND INTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY MORE DIFFICULT.
THE OFFICIALS TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO REFUTE WHAT THEY CONSIDERED +ILL-INFORMED* CRITICISMS IM SOME QUARTERS THAT THE TRANSFER OF THE LEPROSY PATIENTS HAD BEEN DONE SUDDENLY AND SECRETLY WITHOUT KEEPING THE PUBLIC INFORMED OF IT.
AS FAR BACK AS JULY 1971, THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS CONSIDERING CLOSING DOWN HEI LING CHAU LEPROSARIUM FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES RATHER THAN FOR ECONOMIC REASONS. THE PLAN TO PHASE OUT HEI LING CHAU, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE HONS KONG LEPROSY MISSION, WAS GIVEN WIDE PUBLICITY DY THE LOCAL PRESS. LATER IN THE YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT SOUGHT THE VIEWS OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AS TO HOW THE ISLAND SHOULD BE USED AFTER IT WAS CLOSED BY LATE 1974. DURING THE TIME FROM THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE ACTUAL TRANSFER IN LATE 1974, THERE HAD DEEN NUMEROUS PROGRESS REPORTS IN THE PRESS ABOUT THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF HEI LING CHAU.
IN OCTODER 1972, DR. STANLEY BROWNE, MEDICAL CONSULTANT AT THE LONDON HEADQUARTERS OF THE LEPROSY MISSION, VISITED HONG KONG FOR CONSULTATION WITH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON THE LEPROSY PROGRAMME. AFTER HIS FIVE-DAY VISIT, DR. BROWNE CALLED A PRESS CONFERENCE DURING WHICH HE SPOKE ABOUT MODERN SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES ABOUT LEPROSY.
THEN ON NOVEMBER 2, 1974, A FINAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE WAS HELD ON HEI LING CHAU TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE TRANSFER OF THE LEPROSY PATIENTS TO LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL. THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. GERALD CHOA, ATTENDED THE CEREMONY AND MADE A SPEECH, WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPORTED BY THE MASS MEDIA.
/DURING THE COURSE
SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1975 - 2 -
DURING THE COURSE OF EVENTS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, NO OBJECTIONS HAVE EVER BEEN RAISED BY ANY ORGANISED GROUP TO THE IMPENDING TRANSFER, NOT UNTIL THE ACTUAL TRANSFER HAD BEEN COMPLETED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
AT YESTERDAY’S MEETING, THE OFFICIALS FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT ACTING ON THE PRINCIPLE OF INTEGRATION RATHER THAU SEGREGATION THE LEPROSY PATIENTS HAD DEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL AS NO OTHER HOSPITAL WAS AVAILABLE TO ACCOMMODATE AND TREAT SUCH PATIENTS.
LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL, THEY SAID, HAD BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR MANY YEARS AND WAS GEARED TO TREATING ALL TYPES OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
THE REPRESENTATIVES OF MEI FOO SUN CHUEN EXPRESSED GREAT CONCERN OVER THE MOVEMENT OF LEPROSY PATIENTS AT LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL, WHICH HAD GIVEN RISE TO WIDESPREAD FEARS THAT THE RESIDENTS MIGHT DE INFECTED. ;
THEY WERE TOLD BY THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL THAT THIS AROSE FROM MISUNDERSTANDING.
THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT SAID THERE WERE 47 PATIENTS AT THE LEPROSY WARD, AND THE MAJORITY OF THESE WERE NON-INFECT I OUS.
+THEY ARE KEPT IN THE WARD BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO HOMES TO GO TO OR BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE ATTENTION FOR RESIDUAL DEFORMITIES. THEY ARE NOT PATIENTS IN THE TRUE SENSE OF THE WORD,+ HE SAID.
THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT GAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT IF THERE
WAS THE SLIGHTEST POSSIBILITY THAT A PATIENT WAS NOT YET RENDERED NON-INFECT I OUS, HE WOULD HOT DE PERMITTED TO GO OUT OF THE HOSPITAL BOUNDS, HOT EVEN OUT OF THE LEPROSY WARD.
HE ADDED THAT AMONG THE STAFF OF THE HOSPITAL THERE WERE NINE WARD AIDES WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY SUFFERED FROM LEPROSY BUT HAD BEEN CURED FOR MANY YEARS.
+DECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PATIENTS BUT ARE ORDINARY PEOPLE, THEIR MOVEMENT CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT DE RESTRICTED. WE WOULD, OF COURSE, ADVISE THEM TO AVOID GOING TO MEI FOO SUN CHUEN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, BUT SURELY, THIS BEING A FREE SOCIETY, ONE CANNOT FORCE OTHERS TO DO THINGS AGAINST THEIR OWN WILL.+
DESPITE THE ASSURANCES, THE MEI FOO SUN CHUEN REPRESENTATIVES INSISTED THAT THE LEPROSY PATIENTS SHOULD DE ISOLATED BECAUSE THEY POSED A PSYCHOLOGICAL, IF NOT HEALTH, THREAT TO THE 50,000 RESIDENTS IN THE ESTATE.
THEY SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THEY HAD NO REASON TO DOUBT MEDICAL OPINION ON LEPROSY AS A DISEASE, THEY SHOULD NOT.BE MADE TO SUFFER FROM THE +MENTAL AGONY+ FOR THE SAKE OF 47 LEPROSY PATIENTS.
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/3
SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1975
HELP KEEP COUNTRYSIDE GREEN, URGES FIRE SERVICES ft ft ft ft ft ft
A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THOSE TRAVELLING TO THE COUNTRYSIDE, OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT FIRES.
♦THOUSANDS OF TREES ARE DESTROYED AND LARGE TRACTS OF COUNTRYSIDE SPOILT BY FIRE EVERY YEAR BECAUSE OF CARELESSNESS,+ HE SAID.
♦FIRE PREVENTION IN THE COUNTRYSIDE IS THE SAME AS ANYWHERE ELSE — ALL IT REQUIRES IS A LITTLE CARE AND THOUGHT.+
HE BLAMED. CARELESS SMOKERS FOR MANY OF THE FIRES AND URGED THEM TO MAKE SURE CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES ARE PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE DISPOSING OF THEM.
♦GROUPS OF PEOPLE HOLDING BARBECUES ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF FIRES,♦ HE ADDED. +THEY EITHER LIGHT THE FIRES IN THE WRONG PLACES, FAIL TO GUARD THEM WHILE THEY ARE BURNING OR NEGLECT TO PUT THEM OUT BEFORE LEAVIHG.+
HE URGED THOSE INTENDING TO HOLD BARBECUES TO USE ONLY THOSE AREAS SET ASIDE FOR THE PURPOSE BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 -
39 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED ft n ft ft ft ft
A TOTAL OF 39 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY LAST MONTH COMPARED WITH 56 IN MARCH LAST YEAR.
THE PLANS INCLUDED 14 FOR COMBINED APARTMENT/COMMERCI AL BUILDING RANGING FROM FOUR TO TWENTY-FOUR STOREYS IN HEIGHT. FOUR OF THESE NEW BUILDING COMPLEXES, INCLUDING A 2O-STOREY BUILDING, ARE AT TAI PO.
OTHERS INCLUDED TWO SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN SAU MAU PING, THREE FACTORY BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON AND A 17-STOREY GODOWN BUILDING IN TSUEN WAN.
FIFTEEN OF THE THIRTY-NINE PLANS WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, NINE WERE FOR KOWLOON AND THE REMAINING FIFTEEN WERE FOR THE HEW TERRITORIES.
DURING THE MONTH, APPROVAL WAS ALSO GIVEN FOR 46 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS TO BEGIN WORK.
THEY INCLUDED THE AIR CARGO TERMINAL BUILDING AT KAI TAI AIRPORT, THE LIBRARY AND CAR PARK OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC. AND TWO SCHOOLS IN STUBBS ROAD AND GUILDFORD ROAD/WATFORD ROAD IN THE UPPER-LEVELS.
AT THE SAME TIME, APPROVAL WAS GIVEN FOR THE DEMOLITION OF 17 BUILDINGS - NINE IN HONG KONG, SIX IN KOWLOON AND TWO IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
0
- 4
SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1975
COOKED-FOOD BAZAAR AND REST GARDEN FOR WONG CHUK HANG RESIDENTS .
n « K- «
WORKERS FROM WONG CHUK HANG AND NEIGHBOURING AREAS WILL HAVE MORE FACILITIES FOR CHEAP HOT MEALS NEXT OCTOBER WHEN THE FIRST COOKED-FOOD BAZAAR IN THE DISTRICT IS COMPLETED.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE COOKED-FOOD BAZAAR, TOGETHER WITH A REST GARDEN, WILL BEGIN IN JUNE. THE TWO PROJECTS WILL COVER A TOTAL AREA OF 29,500 SQUARE FEET.
THE BAZAAR WILL OCCUPY AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,500 SQUARE FEET SOUTH OF YIP FAT STREET NEAR THE ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND. IT WILL ACCOMODATE 12 COOKED-FOOD STALLS UNDER COVER.
EACH STALL WILL HAVE INDIVIDUAL ELECTRICITY AND WATER SUPPLIES. HOWEVER, STALL OWNERS WILL HAVE TO SET UP THEIR OWN STALLS. THE BOUNDARY OF THE BAZAAR AREA WILL BE MARKED OFF BY CHAIN-LINK FENCE.
A REST GARDEN WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH A CONVENIENT SITTING-OUT AREA AND TO SEPARATE THE COOKED-FOOD STALLS FROM THE ADJACENT BUILDINGS.
THE GARDEN MEASURING SOME 26,000 SQUARE FEET, WILL BE DECORATED WITH PLANTS AND FLOWERS AND PROVIDED WITH BENCHES.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMAL W™
THIRD MANPOWER SURVEY OF ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY NEXT MONTH ft ft ft ft ft
A MAJOR SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY WILL BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN MAY 5 - 23 TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE DATA ON TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.
THE SURVEY, THE THIRD IN THE SERIES, WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE WERE SENT TODAY TO ALL ESTABLISHMENTS IN’THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY.
THE INFORMATION WHICH EMPLOYERS ARE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY INCLUDES : THE NUMBER OF WORKERS PRESENTLY EMPLOYED, THE NUMBER OF WORKERS PRESENTLY UNDER TRAINING, THE NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANCIES, AND A FORECAST OF THE NUMBER OF WORKERS REQUIRED BY MAY 1976.
DURING THE SURVEY, INTERVIEWING OFFICERS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT EACH OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED AND HELP EMPLOYERS TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE.
THE SECRETARY OF THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, MR. P.F. MAK, SAID THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT.
HE SAID THE SECOND SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN DECEMBER 1972 IN WHICH ALL THE ESTABLISHMENTS SURVEYED WILLINGLY SUPPLIED THE INFORMATION REQUIRED.
+1 AM CONFIDENT THAT THE COMING SURVEY WILL BE EQUALLY SUCCESSFUL* HE SAID.
THE INFORMATION OBTAINED IN 1972 WAS COMPILED AND ANALYSED AND THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY PUBLISHED. SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
+IN VIEW OF THE MANY CHANGES SINCE THE LAST SURVEY, THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD CONSIDERS IT NECESSARY TO CONDUCT ANOTHER SURVEY TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON NEW TRAINING REQUIREMENTS,* HE SAID.
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Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 1975
- 2 -
TRAFFIC RE-ARRANGEMENTS ««««««
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT CERTAIN TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL EE INTRODUCED NEXT WEEK INVOLVING CERTAIN BOADS IN KOWLOON AND TSI NG Yl BRIDGE.
CLEARWAY RESTRICTION WILL BE IMPOSED ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND KWUN TONG’ ROAD BETWEEN KING TAI STREET AND CLEARWATER BAY ROAD FROM 10 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 23) IN ORDER TO FACILITATE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING ON THE ROADS TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS AND TO LOAD OR UNLOAD GOODS.
FROM 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY (APRIL 22), THE SIGNALISED JUNCTION OF KANSU STREET AND TONG Ml ROAD WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
AS A RESULT, THE SECTION OF KANSU STREET FROM NATHAN ROAD TO TONG Ml ROAD WILL PERMIT ONE-WAY TRAFFIC ONLY AND MAY BE USED BY MOTORISTS GOING FROM GASCOIGNE ROAD TO TONG Ml ROAD.
THE TSI NG Yl BRIDGE IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 23) BETWEEN 2 A.M. AND 6 A.M. IN ORDER TO FACILITATE LEVELLING SURVEYS TO BE CARRIED OUT DURING THAT PERIOD.
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UNICEF REGIONAL DIRECTOR TO VISIT H.K. ft « « ft
THE NEW UNICEF REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EAST ASIA AND PAKISTAN, MR. ROBERTO ESGUERRA-BARRY, WILL BE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (MONDAY) AFTERNOON FOR HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT HERE SINCE TAKING UP THE POST.
DURING HIS STAY, HE WILL BE MEETING OFFICIALS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH.
HE WILL ALSO BE TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF THE URBAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL SPEECH THERAPY SERVICES PROJECTS FOR WHICH UNICEF HAS MADE DONATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS
MR. BARRY IS DUE TO ARRIVE BY THAI AIRWAYS FLIGHT BG600 E.T.A. 3.15 P.M. ON MONDAY. HE LEAVES EARLY ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.
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ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Sunday, April 20, 1975
CONTAINERISATION IN HONG KONG Queen Will See Asia’s Largest Handling Complex At Kwai Chung ♦ *♦♦♦
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will see the largest and most modern container handling complex in Asia now two-thirds completed in Hong Kong when they pass through the Kwai Chung Container Terminal on Tuesday, blay 6.
The Queen and the Duke will be attending separate engagements in the New Territories earlier in the morning, but both will meet at Kwai Chung before embarking on the Lady I4aurine and sailing to the Ocean Terminal where a reception will be held in their honour.
Thore are already three container berths at Zwai Chung, and 40 per cent of all cargo coming into Hong Kong is containerised.
But since this percentage gives every indication of rapidly increasing, some of Hong Kong's best-known and oldest commercial organisations have combined to create two companies with multimillion dollar resources for transforming the Kwai Chung site into a giant complex capable of coping with the demands of tomorrow.
One company is the Hong Kong International Terminals Limited, formed by the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Company Limited and the China Provident Company Limited to develop a 4?-acre site at a cost of $J6O million.
/The Royal .....
2
The Royal visitors will see workmen engaged on completing the company’s first of three huge berths. This will handle with ease the world’s biggest container ships in the latter part of the year, with the whole project fully operational in 1976.
Hong Kong International Terminals’ wharves are being designed initially to serve container carriers with a total capacity of 300,000 containers annually, increasing in time to 500,000.
Container ships running between Hong Kong, Europe and the United States will use the terminal, but later the Australian and African routes will be added.
The other company developing Kwai Chung is a joint venture between Kowloon Wharf - a long-established dockyard - and Modern Temri nal s Limited. Together they are spending $224 million on a quay 1,1J0 ft. long, with a 420 ft. finger pier permitting berthing on both sides.
The' qiay is incorporating a roll-on, roll-off facility. Modern construction techniques are being applied to such good effect that the first container ships will be alongside the new berth later this year.
Mr. Derek Lygo, managing director of Modern Terminals, says that Kwai Chung and its facilities provide ’’positive proof of the partners’ confidence in Hong Kong’s economic stability and potential growth.”
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MOWDAY, APRIL 21, 1975
SCHOOL ENROLMENTS CONTINUE TO RISE ft II If » If »
THE NUMBER OF PUPILS ENROLLED AT ALL TYPES OF SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN SEPTEMBER 1974 WAS 1,302,838, REPRESENTING ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF HONG KONG.
ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THIS WAS AN INCREASE OF 0.7 PER CENT OVER THE SEPTEMBER 1973 FIGURE WHEN TOTAL ENROLMENT STOOD AT 1,294,053.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ENROLMENT TRENDS AT THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF EDUCATION — KINDERGARTEN, SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS — ALL SHOWED A GENERAL INCREASE, EXCEPT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHERE ENROLMENT DROPPED FROM 723,579 IN SEPTEMBER 1973 TO 696,987 IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
IN FACT, TOTAL ENROLMENT IN PRIMARY DAY AND NIGHT SCHOOLS HAS BEEN FALLING STEADILY OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS —• FROM 764,313 IN SEPTEMBER 1971 To 748,291 IN SEPTEMBER 1972 TO 723,579 IN SEPTEMBER 1973.
+THE FALL IN THE ENROLMENT OF EVENING AND SPECIAL AFTERNOON CLASSES HAS BEEN CONTINUING SINCE SEPTEMBER 1963, OWING TO A CONTINUOUS EXPANSION OF PRIMARY DAY SCHOOLS DURING THE 1960S,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦ENROLMENT IN DAY SCHOOLS,+ HE ADDED, +HAS ONLY STARTED TO FALL SINCE SEPTEMBER 1972, PROBABLY DUE TO THE DECREASING SIZE OF THE PRIMARY AGE GROUP RESULTING FROM A DECREASING NUMBER OF BIRTHS SINCE 1967.+
AS AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1974, THERE WERE 1,190 PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN OPERATION, INCLUDING 744 GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS AND 446 PRIVATE.
IN THE CASE OF KINDERGARTENS, ENROLMENT CONTINUED TO INCREASE FROM 132,335 IN SEPTEMBER 1973 TO 137,117 IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR. ALL WERE ENROLLED IN THE 778 PRIVATE KINDERGARTENS.
IN SECONDARY EDUCATION, ENROLMENT IN GRAMMAR AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS OFFERING COURSES LEADING TO THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION HAS STEADILY INCREASED OVER FHE PAS! FOUR YEARS — FROM 244,786 IN SEPTEMBER 1971 TO 291,203 If! SEPTEMBER 1973 AND TO 332,716 IN SEPTEMBER 197':.
IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS NOT PROVIDING CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION COURSES, TOTAL ENROLMENT IN SEPTEMBER IASI YEAR U: > 37,857 SPREAD OUT AS FOLLOWS! 3,349 IN PRE-•VOCATION.''.' ? - --949
IN SECONDARY MODERN SCHOOLS, 2,365 IN V CD : IONA',. AND 1 '■
SCHOOLS, AND 23,194 IN EVENING AND TUTORIAL SCHOOLS.
issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
IN liATHICULATIOD
z
MONDAY, APRIL 21, 1975 - 2 -
IN MATRICULATION CLASSES, THE ENROLMENT FIGURE WAS 18,725 IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR. +ENROLMENT IN AIDED SCHOOLS IS INCREASING SLOWLY BUT STEADILY AS MORE AND MORE OF THESE SCHOOLS BECOME FULLY DEVELOPED AND ARE OPERATING MATRICULATION CLASSES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS TO POST-SECONDARY ENROLMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE HAD BEEN A STEADY RISE IN THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS TAKING IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES AND IN THE NUMBER ENROLLING IN THE GOVERNMENT COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.
THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME STUDENTS IN THE TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGES TOTALLED 1,594 IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR,•COMPARED WITH 1,360 IN SEPTEMBER 1973, WHILE THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS TAKING IN-SERVICE TRAINING IN THE COLLEGES ROSE FROM 1,706 IN SEPTEMBER 1973 TO 1,929 IN SEPTEMBER 1974. . '
ENROLMENT IN THE PRIVATE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES OFFERING FULL-TIME COURSES AND EVENING CLASSES, WAS 8,243 COMPARED WITH 8,197 IN SEPTEMBER 1973.
IN ADULT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS PROVIDING TECHNICAL AND ART COURSES THE ENROLMENT WAS 35,586 IN SEPTEMBER 1974.
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I .
TEA PARTY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AND LADY MACLEHOSE HOSTED AN INFORMAL TEA PARTY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON TO ENTERTAIN 630 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM 15 DIFFERENT DISTRICTS IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES
THIS GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE, WHO INCLUDED STUDENTS AND OFFICE WORKERS, ARE ALL ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS.
AT THE PARTY, THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF CHATTING WITH SIR MURRAY AND LADY MACLEHOSE WHILE ENJOYING THE DELIGHTFUL MUSIC PROVIDED BY THE AUXILIARY POLICE BAND.
ALSO ATTENDING THE TEA PARTY WERE SOME 70 CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICERS, DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICERS AND POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS.
THE PARTY STARTED AT 4 P.M. AND LASTED FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR.
NOTE TO EDITORS: PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE CHATTING WITH SOME OF THEIR YOUNG GUESTS AT THE PARTY ARE NOU AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE G.I.S. PRESS ROOM ON THE 6TH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
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/3
MONDAY, APRIL 21, 1975 - 3 -
MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT REFUTES CRITICISM OF +INACTION* OVER CONTROLLING MEDICAL LABORATORIES « « « M H
l
COMMENTING ON RECENT PRESS REPORTS ABOUT THE OPERATION OF PRIVATE MEDICAL LABORATORIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY DESCRIBED AS +ILL-INFORMED+ CRITICISMS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD, FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, IGNORED MEDICAL PROFESSION’S PLEAS FOR ACTION .
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT A WORKING PARTY WAS SET UP IN 1970 TO CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING IN HONG KONG LEGISLATION SIMILAR TO THE PROFESSIONS SUPPLEMENTARY TO MEDICINE ACT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS PARA-MEDICAL PROFESSIONS WERE INVITED TO FORM THIS WORKING PARTY, AND BASICALLY IT WAS AGREED THAT IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO INTRODUCE THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, TWO MAIN GROUPS, NAMELY LABORATORY TECHNICIANS AND X-RAY TECHNICIANS, PRESENTED TH.E MAIN OBSTACLE TO THIS LEGISLATION BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT THERE WERE NO FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR TRAINING SUCH PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN PRIVATE LABORATORIES IN HONG KONG, AND THEREFORE, IT WOULD BE IMPRACTICABLE TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION REQUIRING THEM TO HAVE REACHED A CERTAIN MINIMUM STANDARD WHEN IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ATTAIN THAT STANDARD.
IN 1972, TWO SUB-COMMITTEES OF THE WORKING PARTY WERE FORMED TO STUDY THE PROBLEMS OF SUITABLE TRAINING FOR LABORATORIES AND X-RAY TECHNICIANS, AND FOR THE DRAFTING OF APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION WITH THE ULTIMATE AIM OF CREATING THE PROPER CONDITIONS FOR EVENTUAL LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BRING MEDICAL (CLINICAL) LABORATORIES UNDER CONTROL.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON LABORATORY TECHNICIANS HELD ITS FIRST MEETING IN AUGUST 1972 AND COMPLETED ITS REPORT IN MID-1974. THE REPORT, TOGETHER WITH A DRAFT BILL, WAS SUBMITTED TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT FOR CONSIDERATION IN JULY LAST YEAR.
THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
AT THE SAME TIME AS THE REPORT WAS SUBMITTED, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AT THE REQUEST OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE, CONDUCTED AN EXTRA-MURAL COURSE TO CATER FOR PERSONS ALREADY EMPLOYED IN PRIVATE LABORATORIES. THIS WAS A ONE-YEAR COURSE WHICH BEGAN ON JULY 2, 1974 ON A PART-TIME BASIS. SOME 160 LABORATORY TECHNICIANS TOOK PART IN THE COURSE WHICH WAS CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE.
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ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Monday, April 2'1, 1975
HONG KONG’S CAPABILITY AS CONSUMER GOODS’ PRODUCER Queen To See Imposing Array At ’Progress Hong Kong’ Exhibition ********
An imposing array of sophisticated Hong Kong-made consumer goods will be assembled for the Queen’s inspection at the ’’Progress Hong Kong” exhibition in the Hung Hom railway terminal which she and the Duke of Edinburgh will visit nn the afternoon of May 5.
This exhibition is now almost ready after months of careful planning. It is being mounted in honour of the Queen and the Duke, who will spend some time touring it.
The design is intended graciously to convey to the Royal visitors - and to the people of Hong Kong and the world - the message that this corner of the Queen’s realm has achieved, by its own enterprise, determination and craftsmanship, a position of respect in the highly-competitive areas of quality manufacture and export.
The Queen and the Duke will be told, for example, that in the international watch market, in value terms, Hong Kong is third in the list of exporters, coming only behind Switzerland and Japan. In terms of numbers of watches exported, Hong Kong in 1973 reached 11 million timepieces, second only to Switzerland.
/Transistor radios
2
Transistor radios, a complex, high-technology industry, reflect another facet of Hong Kong’s success. The Royal couple will learn that although Japan exports more transistor radios than Hong Kong, manufacturers here have forged ahead of all major European countries, and such regional rivals as Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea.
At a time when transistor radios are found even in remote regions of the world, and in (developed countries where most families have several, the extent and range of this export item entitles Hong Kong to be justifiably proud.
But the same is also true with regard to toys, clothing, flashlights, and plastic flowers - except that, what is more, Hong Kong is the world’s largest exporter of all four.
In the area of garment manufacture, Hong Kong’s success is remarkable. In 1973» Hong Kong overtook Italy as leader when ecports of clothing reached $7^+25 million.
Today, Hong Kong clothing is featured prominently and sells well in important stores in London, Paris and New York, three cities which make no secret of their discernment, their critical eye, and their fashion-setting trends.
Indeed, some of the world’s most famous fashion designers have chosen Hong Kong for the manufacture of their garments. Pierre Balmain is one, and Hardy Amies another. Both have licensed local garment manufacturers to produce their named collections in Hong Kong.
/l\s the Royal couple.....
3
as the Royal couple pass stalls displaying toys, they will probably be interested to learn that in 1972, Hong Kong replaced Japan as the number-one exporter. They will see ranged before them superb examples of Hong Kong’s toy manufacturing skill - a blend of ingenuity, quality, value, and the most stringent regard for safety.
It takes a highly specialised and dedicated industry to conform to such requirements, yet Hong Kong’s toys are produced in massive quantities and are in demand everywhere.
What will stand out in the show is its diversity, and the zest with which the end product is sold. Recently, a group of Hong Kong manufacturers on a trade mission sponsored by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council returned from the Middle East with orders worth more than &111 million, and projects still under negotiation are expected to yield at least another $64 million.
The message is clear. Hong Kong, once an entrepot, is now a producer of consumer items which are doing v/ell in a world growing daily more conscious of value, and consequently more exacting.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1975
CONTENTS pAQE No.
HEADS AND SUPERVISORS OF SCHOOLS REMINDED OF REGULATIONS
REGARDING COLLECTION OF TUITION AND REGISTRATION FEES ....... 1
FINAL READING OF APPROPRIATION BILL 1975 AT LEGCO TOMORROW 2 NEW POST OFFICE TO OPEN IN CAUSEWAY BAY NEXT MONDAY ......... 3
TUNG WAH DIRECTORS TO PAY COURTESY VISIT TO S.W.D............ 3
LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE ORGANISED FOR CHAI WAN YOUTHS .. 4
TEMPORARY WATER CUT IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON FRIDAY .............. 4
WEEKLY WATER SITUATION REPORT : RESERVOIRS OVER 65 PER CENT FULL ................................................... 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1975
CONDITIONS FOR COLLECTION OF FEES BY PRIVATE SCHOOLS K H X H U M
PARENTS OF CHILDREN SEEKING ADiilSSICJ TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER ARE ADVISED THAT REGULATION 62 OF THE EDUCATION REGULATIONS. 1971, FORBIDS THE COLLECTION OF ANY TUITION FEES BEFORE AUGUST 1.
+AIJY SCHOOL WHICH ATTEMPTS TO COLLEC" TUITION FEES BEFORE AUGUST 1 SHOULD EE REPORTED TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SO THAT AN INVESTIGATION CAN EE CARRIED OUT+, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
A CIRCULAR HAS BEEN SENT TO SUPERVISORS AND HEADS OF ALL PRIVATE SCHOOLS REMINDING THEM OF THIS REGULATION.
THEY WERE ALSO REMINDED THAT UNDER REGULATION 61 THEY SHOULD MAKE FORMAL APPLICATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IF THEY WISH TO CHARGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION FEES.
AN ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FEE MAY ONLY EE COLLECTED BY A SCHOOL WITH THE WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR GF EDUCATION.
+THIS WRITTEN APPROVAL MUST BE CLEARLY DISPLAYED ON THE SCHOOL PREMISES IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT CAN EE EASILY SELN,+ THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED.
IN ADDITION, THE DATE OF THE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION AND THE NUHDtR OF VACANCIES IN EACH CLASS MUST BE MADE KNOwN TO APPLICANTS IN ADVANCE.
ANOTHER CONDITION WHICH SUPERVISORS AND HEADS ARE REQUIRED TO OBSERVE IS THAT THEY MUST KEEP PROPER ACCOUNTS OF THE FEES COLLECTED AND ISSUE PROPER RECEIPTS.
A REGISTRATION FEE MAY ONLY DE COLLECTED BY A SCHOOL kJ TH THE WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT: +AGAIN THIS WRITTEN APPROVAL MUST DE CLEARLY DISPLAYED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE WRITTEN APPROVAL FUR THE COLLECTION OF AN ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FEE.+
OTHER CONDITIONS WHICH MUST DE OBSERVED ARE AS FOLLOWS:
H THE REGISTRATION FEE MAY DE COLLECTED ONLY WHEN A PLACE HAS BEEN OFFERED BY THE SCHOOL TO A PUPIL.
X PROPER ACCOUNTS GF THE FEES COLLECTED MUST EE KEPT. AND PROPER RECEIPTS ISSUED.
/ANY PUPIL .....
TUESDAY, APBIL 22, 1975
2
M ANY PUPIL WHO PAYS THE REGISTRATION FEE AND SUBSEQUENTLY TAKES UP THE PLACE OFFERED TO HIM BY THE SCHOOL MUST BE CREDITED WITH THE AMOUNT OF THE REGISTRATION FEE IN THE FIRST INSTALMENT OF THE TUITION FEE TO BE PAID BY HIM.
* THE BALANCE OF THE FIRST INSTALMENT OF THE TUITION FEE MUST NOT BE COLLECTED BEFORE AUGUST 1.
H ANY PUPIL WHO HAS PAID THE REGISTRATION FEE WHEN OFFERED A PLACE IN THE SCHOOL BUT WHO SUBSEQUENTLY DECIDES NOT TO TAKE UP THE PLACE, MAY FORFEIT THE FEE.
* THE SCHOOL MUST MAKE IT CLEAR TO ALL PARENTS CONCERNED THAT (A) ANY PUPIL WHO PAYS THE REG I STRATI ON FEE AND SUBSEQUENTLY TAKES UP THE PLACE WILL BE CREDITED WITH THE REGISTRATION FEE IN THE FIRST INSTALMENT CF THE TUITION FEE AND (B) ANY PUPIL WHO DECIDES NOT TO TAKE UP THE PLACE OFFERED TO HIM MAY FORFEIT THE REGISTRATION FEE.
TO HELP CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS ANSWER ENQUIRES FROM THE PUBLIC, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS SENT THEM COPIES OF THE CIRCULAR ISSUED TO SUPERVISORS AND HEADS CF PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
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FINAL READING OF APPROPRIATION BILL TOMORROW ********
THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1975 IS DUE TO COMPLETE ITS PASSAGE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE. WILL MOVE A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS AFTER WHICH THE BILL WILL BE READ A THIRD TIME TO BECOME LAW.
DURING THE QUESTION TIME, THE HON. WHEN THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE STEPS TO AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS TO USE SAFETY NUMBER OF SERIOUS INJURIES.
HILTON CHEONG-LEEN WILL A EDUCATE OR REQUIRE DRIVERS BELTS SO AS TO REDUCE THE
SK
HE WILL ALSO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS WITH TRIAD CONNECTIONS, AND WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO KEEP TRIAD ACTIVITY IN PRISONS UNDER STRINGENT CONTROL.
IHE H0N* MISS K0 SIU-WAH WILL ASK WHEN THE NEXT REPORT OF THE SUD-COnMITTEE ON THE SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME WILL EE READY AND WHETHER IT WILL INCLUDE THE STUDY OF YOUNG OFFENDERS BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
OTHER BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDES FIRST AND SECOND READINGS OF A NUMBER OF BILLS. DEBATE WILL RESUME ON FIVE BILLS: THESE ARE: THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE STAMP (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION BILL, THE MOCK AUCTIONS BILL, AND THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1975
3
NEW POST OFFICE IN CAUSEWAY BAY *****.
A NEW POST OFFICE WILL OPEN IN CAUSEWAY BAY NEXT MONDAY (APRIL 28) AT HAYWOOD MANSION, PATERSON STREET.
THE NEW OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE ONE IN KINGSTON STREET WHICH WILL CLOSE AFTER 5 P.M. ON FRIDAY (APRIL 25). THE POST OFFICE BOXES AT THE OLD OFFICE WILL EE AVAILABLE TO HOLDERS UNTIL SATURDAY BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 10.30 A.M.
THE NEW POST OFFICE IN PATERSON STREET WILL OFFER THE FULL RANGE OF POSTAL SERVICES, EXCEPT FOR INSURED LETTERS AND POST OFFICE BOXES.
TWO STAMP VENDING MACHINES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TO PROVIDE 10—CENT AND 50-CENT STAMPS AT ALL HOURS.
BUSINESS HOURS OF THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. ON SATURDAYS.
_ _ 0 ---------
TUNG WAH DIRECTORS TO VISIT S.W.D
******
A COURTESY CALL ON THE
NOTE TO EDITORS: THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WILL PAY ‘ """
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, (WEDNESDAY) AT 11 A.M.
MR. THOMAS LEE, TOMORROW
THE 19 TUNG WAH DIRECTORS AND TWO SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS WILL BE DISCUSSING MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST WITH S.W.D. OFFICIALS.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE VISIT AT SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS, 4TH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE.
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A
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1375
4 -
LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE FOR CHAI WAN YOUTHS * * * M * * *
A MONTH-LONG TRAINING COURSE TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL IN THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF CHAI WAN DISTRICT WILL START ON MONDAY, MAY 5. THE COURSE WILL ALSO GIVE PARTICIPANTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE GROUP LIFE WHILE LEARNING ABOUT SOCIAL SERVICES.
ORGANISED BY THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, IT WILL PROVIDE FREE TRAINING FOR 40 YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 23 WHO ARE STUDYING IN FORM THREE OR ABOVE.
LECTURES WILL BE HELD ON MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS FROM 7.30-9.30 PM AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE AND WILL COVER DIFFERENT TOPICS RELATIVE TO GOOD LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS.
THESE WILL INCLUDE +WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH+- +W0RK1NG WITH THE AGED+= +YOUTH AND SOCIETY+- +HOW TO LEAD DISCUSS IONS+ AND +THE MEANING OF VOLUNTEERS SERVICE+.
LECTURERS WILL COME FROM BOTH SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFFICES AND VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES INVOLVED IN YOUTH AND COMMUNITY 'WORK.
APART FROM THE LECTURES THERE WILL BE DISCUSSIONS, PLAYS AND OBSERVATIONAL VISITS TO WELFARE agencies in CHAI WAN.
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TEMPORARY WATER CUT K X * * K X X
A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR FIVE HOURS BEGINNING FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (APRIL 25) WHEN WATER WORKS STAFF WILL BE CARRYING OUT A WATER LEAKAGE TEST IN THE AREA.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, PEKING ROAD, CANTON ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD.
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5
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1975
WEEKLY WATER SITUATION REPORT M M M * M M
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL THE RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 43, 809 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 65.1 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. THE TOTAL STORAGE AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR WAS 39,035 MILLION GALLONS.
THE STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE THIS HORNING WAS 34,153
MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED TO 31,236 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. ITS PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 67.6 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
NO RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE 24 HOURS ENDED AT 9 A.M. TODAY.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR IS 190.6 MM (7.50 IN.).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR STANDS AT 240.1 MM (9.45 IN.).
THE DAILY MEAN CONSUMPTION FOR THE WEEK IS 218.9 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY.
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ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, April 22, 1975
DUKE TO SEE POLICE CADET SCHOOL
Source Of Good Calibre, Highly-Motivated Recruits
The Duke of Edinburgh will tour the Royal Hong Kong Police Cadet
School in Fanling on the morning of May 5, where he will see about JOO youths undergoing training for future service on behalf of the people of Hong Kong.
The Duke will spend about half an hour touring the school, before continuing onwards to complete, further engagements in the New Territories.
He will board a helicopter from. HMS Tamar, arriving 10 minutes later at the Fanling Sports Ground, and then proceeding by car to the school.
The school is temporarily based at a former Anny camp in Fan! in^. It will eventual1y be located at a permanent site, With accommodation for up to 1,200 cadets, at Shuen Wan, near the Plover Cove reservoir.
When the school officially came into existence in September 1975, the first intake of cadets totalled 1J0. Its aim is to provide a source of good calibre and highly-motivated recruits who will enter at their choice the Royal Hong Kong Police Force at constable level, or other disciplined services of the Government, when they graduate.
A complementary aim is to make available secondary, vocational, and character- training, and to increase the mental capacity and physical wellbeing of recruits - aged between 15 and a half and 17 - so as to prepare them for adult responsibilities in the community.
/Everything
2
Everything is free in the school - free secondary education in Chinese, English, mathematics and social studies, free board and lodging, free school uniforms, and free books. In addition, each recruit is paid a monthly allowance of $60 to cover miscellaneous expenditure.
The school differs from others because 40 per cent of the curriculum is devoted to outdoor activities, such as canoeing, climbing, hill walking, camping, sailing, sports, athletics, and physical training.
Voluntary extracurricular activities include drama, music, photography, folk dancing, judo, and karate.
Response to the school has been enthusiastic and spontaneous from the start. In 1974, more than’4,000 teenagers applied to join, but limited accommodation permitted only 18O to be accepted after careful selection.
Most of the recruits come from families in the lower-income middle class, and have fiad junior secondary education. The school’s first batch of 30 graduates passed out in August 19?4, and all opted to join the Royal Hong Kong Police-Force. The school’s annual output of cadets is 150, and the majority are also expected to choose careers in'the police force.
When the Duke tours the school he will see youngsters at work, but he will not realise unless he is told that these cadets have so completely absorbed the physical and character-building emphasis of their training that they are already much changed in their attitudes. They are much fitter than when they entered, heavier, taller, and better built.
They take a genuine pride in their personal smartness and bearing, and now reflect a sincere desire to serve, to be productive, and useful members of society.
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•DUKE TO SEE POLICE CADET SCHOOL
Source Of Good Calibre, Highly-Motivated Recruits
The Duke of Edinburgh will tour the Royal Hong Kong Police Cadet
School in Fanling on the morning of’May 5, where he will see about JOO
youths undergoing training for future service on behalf of the people of Hong Kong.
The Duke will spend about half an hour touring the school, before continuing onwards to complete further engagements in the New Territories.
He will board a helicopter from HNS Tamar, arriving 10 minutes later at the Fanling Sports Ground, and then proceeding by car to the school.
The school is temporarily based at a former Army camp in Fan! ing. It will eventually be located at a permanent site, with accommodation for up to 1,200 cadets, at Shuen Wan, near the Plover Cove reservoir.
When the school officially came into existence in September 197J, the first intake of cadets totalled 1J0. Its aim is to provide a source of good calibre and highly-motivated recruits who will enter at their choice • •• £•*”’ ’
the Royal fiong Kong Police Force at constable level, or other disciplined • >_ . ... if . ’• - -
services of the Government, when they graduate.
A complementary aim is to make available secondary, vocational, ‘.IC-:’ ' - .1
and character training, and to increase the mental capacity and physical wellbeing of recruits - aged between 1J and a half and 17 - so as to prepare them for adult responsibilities in the community.
/Everything
2
Everything is free in the school - free secondary education in Chinese, English, mathematics and social studies, free board and lodging, free school uniforms, and free books. In addition, each recruit is paid a monthly allowance of #60 to cover miscellaneous expenditure.
The school differs -from others because 40 per cent of the curriculum is devoted to outdoor activities, such as canoeing, climbing, hill walking, camping, sailing., sports, athletics, and physical training.
Voluntary extracurricular activities include drama, music, photography, folk dancing, judo, and karate.
Response to the school has been enthusiastic and spontaneous from the. start. In 197^, more than 4,000'* teenagers applied to join, but limited accommodation permitted only 180 to’be accepted after careful selection.
Most of the recruits come from families in the lower-income middle class, and have had junior secondary education. The school’s first batch of 30 graduates passed out in August 19741 and all opted to join the Royal Hong Kong Police-Force. The school’s annual output of cadets is 150, and the majority are also expected to.choose careers in the police force.
When the Duke tours the school he will see youngsters at work, but he will not realise unless he-is told that these cadets have so completely absorbed the physical and character-building emphasis of their training that they are already much changed in their attitudes. They are much fitter than when they entered, heavier, taller, and better built.
They take a genuine pride in their personal smartness and bearing, and now reflect a sincere desire to serve, to be productive, and useful members of society. •• "•• •*. • • • **
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DR. S.Y. CHUNG REAFFIRMED SUPPORT FOR BUILDING OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM ...................................... 1
APPROPRIATION BILL PASSED AT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ............ 3
HONG KONG WILL BE +UNDER THE EYES OF WORLD PRESS AND TELEVISION* DURING ROYAL VISIT — SAYS BRAY .................. 5
NEW REGULATIONS ON MOUNTING OF ABRASIVE WHEELS APPROVED ... 7
GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO BRING UNIFORMITY IN MAXIMUM FINES IMPOSED ON MEMBERS OF DISCIPLINARY SERVICES ................ 10
DRIVERS MAY BE COMPELLED TO WEAR SAFETY SEAT BELTS NEXT YEAR ....................................................... 11
+MINI CHEQUE* SYSTEM PROPOSED BY WILSON WANG ............... 12
HONG KONG’S POPULATION ESTIMATED AT 4.33 MILLION ........... 12
CLOSE WATCH KEPT ON TRIAD ACTIVITY IN PRISONS .............. 13
PROGRESS REPORT ON SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME WILL BE PUBLISHED WITHIN A WEEK .............................................. 13
Issued by Governntent Information Services. Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1975
1
UNOFFICIALS COMMENT ON MTR SYSTEM
*******
THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR. THE HON. CHUNG SZE-YUEN, TODAY REAFFIRMED HIS SUPPORT FOR BUILDING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM BUT EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS ON THE GOVERNMENT’S OPTIMISM ABOUT THE TIMING AND COST OF THE PROJECT.
+1 CANNOT REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD BE IN A POSITION TO CONFIRM THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM AND TO LET THE FIRST CONTRACTS IN AUGUST THIS YEAR,* HE SAID.
DR. CHUNG WAS SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION BILL WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MTR CORPORATION TO BUILD AND RUN THE RAILWAY.
THE HON. LO TAK-SHING ALSO SPOKE ON THE BILL AND GAVE NOTICE THAT HE WOULD BE VOTING AGAINST IT.
IN DR. CHUNG’S OPINION, THE COST OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM WOULD MORE LIKELY AMOUNT TO ABOUT $6,000 MILLION INSTEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ESTIMATE OF $4,900 MILLION +UNLESS THERE ARE DETERIORATIONS IN PERFORMANCE SPECIF I CATIONS.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT PRICES OF MOST OF THE DIFFICULT AND UNCERTAIN CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTS THAT ARE SCHEDULED TO BE CALLED IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR WOULD NOT BE KNOWN UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR OR EARLY NEXT, AND HE PRESUMED THAT THE PRICES FOR ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONTRACTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF 1976.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF $2,577 MILLION, AT MID-1972 PRICES, FOR THE FIRST FOUR STAGES OF THE ORIGINAL INITIAL SYSTEM HAD ESCALATED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THE JAPANESE CONSORTIUM HAD BACKED OUT, EVEN AFTER SIGNING A LETTER OF INTENT, FROM A FIXED CONTRACT PRICE OF $5,000 MILLION.
+TODAY, I DON’T THINK ANY REPUTABLE CONSORTIUM WOULD DARE TO QUOTE A PRICE LESS THAN $7,500 MILLION FOR THE SAME INITIAL SYSTEM,* HE ADDED.
+1 THEREFORE CONSIDER THAT GOVERNMENT IS OVER-OPTIMISTIC ON THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE NEW S-SYSTEM,* HE SAID.
DR. CHUNG RE-1 TERATED HIS BELIEF THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR AN UNDERGROUND RAILWAY SYSTEM IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SHIFT THEIR HOMES TO NEARBY SUBURBAN AREAS AND SO EASE THE EXTREME CONGESTION IN THE MAIN URBAN DISTRICTS.
/AT TEE SAME TIKE ......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2 J, 1975
- 2 -
AT THE SAME TIME, HOWEVER, HE FELT THAT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY +WOULD NOT REALLY EE SERVING ITS PURPOSE IF THE REMAINING STAGES FOR THE FULL SYSTEM WERE NOT EVENTUALLY BUILT.+
DR. CHUNG SAID HE WAS AWARE THAT SOME OF HIS UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES HAD CERTAIN VIEWS ON CLAUSES IN THE BILL CONCERNING THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF THE MTR CORPORATION AND THE CORPORATION’S POWERS TO DETERMINE FARES.
IT WAS FELT, HE SAID, THAT IN VIEW OF THE LARGE SUM OF PUBLIC MONEY INVOLVED IN THE MTR PROJECT, AT LEAST ONE OR EVEN TWO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ON THE BOARD OF THE CORPORATION.
ON THE QUESTION OF FARES, DR. CHUNG SAID IT WAS RECOGNISED THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL COULD OVERRULE THE CORPORATION’S DECISIONS IN THIS REGARD. +HOWEVER, IT IS BELIEVED THAT IN AN INCREASINGLY DEMOCRATIC AND SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS SOCIETY LIKE HONG KONG, POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS ARE AS IMPORTANT AS FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DETERMINATION OF MTR FARES, AND THAT IT WOULD EE MORE DESIRABLE TO FIX AND REVISE MTR FARES THROUGH OPEN DEBATE IN THIS COUNCIL RATHER THAN BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL IN CAMERA.*
IN PASSING, DR. CHUNG NOTED THAT ONE CLAUSE IN THE BILL DEALING WITH GUARANTEE BY GOVERNMENT WOULD BE AMENDED TO ENABLE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, RATHER THAN THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL, TO AUTHORISE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO GRANT GUARANTEE IN RESPECT OF THE MTR CORPORATION’S DEBTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS-.
COPIES OF THE HON. LO TAK-SHING’S SPEECH ARE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1975
3
APPROPRIATION BILL PASSED AT LEGCO K H M *
THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1975 WAS TODAY PASSED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS AND BECAME LAW.
DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE, DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG NOTED WITH CONCERN THAT THE TWO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN KWAI CHUNG AND KWUN TONG WOULD BE OPEN IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR ONLY ON RESTRICTED BASIS WITH 25 PER CENT OF THE STUDENT CAPACITY.
IN REPLY TO THE QUESTIONS RAISED ON THIS TOPIC BY DR. CHUNG, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SAID THAT IT WAS KOT POSSIBLE TO OPERATE A NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT FULL STEAM FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF OPENING. •
HOWEVER, BY CAREFUL RE-PLANNING, HE SAID, IT NOW APPEARS FEASIBLE TO INCREASE USAGE TO A SHADE OVER 30 PER CENT IN BOTH INSTITUTES.
REGARDING RECRUITMENT OF THESE INSTITUTES, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT IT WILL BE CONCENTRATED ON PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE CRAFT COURSES SUBJECT TO DEMAND FROM INDUSTRY WHILE FULL-TIME AND EVENING CRAFT COURSES WILL ALSO BE OFFERED.
HE ADDED THAT IF DEMAND FOR PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSES IS INSUFFICIENT THEN MORE FULL-TIME COURSES WILL BE INTRODUCED WITH ONE OR TWO OF THESE AT TECHNICIAN LEVEL.
+WHEN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ARE FULLY DEVELOPED THEY WILL ALSO OFFER PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSES, FULL-TIME COURSES AND EVENING COURSES AT THE TECHNICIAN LEVEL,+ HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO THE POINTS RAISED BY THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH REGARDING THE CHILD CARE CENTRES BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. LI FOOK-KOW SAID THAT NO DATE HAS YET BEEN FIXED FOR THIS LEGISLATION TO COME INTO OPERATION.
ALTHOUGH THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE HAS BEEN PERMITTED AN INCREASE IN OVERALL STRENGTH THIS YEAR, MR. LI POINTED OUT THAT IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER OR NOT THE DIRECTOR WILL BE ABLE TO DEPLOY STAFF FROM OTHER DUTIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENFORCING THE LEGISLATION BY STRENGTHENING THE CHILD CARE ADVISORY SECTION.
+WHEN IT BECOMES APPARENT THAT STAFF CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THIS PURPOSE, APPROVAL WILL EE SOUGHT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NECESSARY POSTS,+ HE ADDED.
/ DICING THE.......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1975
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DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL, MISS KO ALSO RAISED ANOTHER POINT REGARDING THE SUBVENTION FOR DAY NURSERIES.
IN REPLY, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES SAID THAT SUBVERTED NURSERIES WILL BE ASSISTED ON THE ADVICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE UP TO A MAXIMUM RATE OF PER MONTH PER PLACE. +THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 310 OVER LAST YEAR’S RATE TO COVER INCREASED COSTS,+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, NO ADDITIONAL ELEMENT HAS BEEN INCLUDED FOR IMPROVED STANDARDS AND NURSERIES WILL BE EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN THEIR EXISTING STANDARDS FOR THIS YEAR.
HE FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THE EFFECT OF THIS SUSPENSION IS THAT ANNUAL INCREASES IN SUBVENTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PHASED OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD COMMENCING FROM THE YEAR 1973-74 IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE CERTAIN AGREED IMPROVEMENTS IN STANDARDS WILL NOW TAKE SIX YEARS TO COME INTO EFFECT.
MR. LI ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO EMPHASISE THAT SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTIONS ARE DISCRETIONARY AND AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED NO COMMITMENT TO MAKE GOOD ANY REDUCTION OF AGENCIES’ INCOME WHETHER FROM OVERSEAS DONATIONS OR ANY OTHER SOURCE. HOWEVER, HE ADDED, THIS DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FROM REVIEWING THE POSITION OF INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, -975
5
WORLD PRESS WILL FOCUS ON H.K. DURING ROYAL VISIT SAYS DENIS BRAY it it it it it it
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY, TODAY SPOKE AT LENGTH OH SOME OF THE THINKING THAT HAS GONE INTO THE PLANNING OF THE FORTHCOMING ROYAL VISIT TO HONG KONG.
HE SAID ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS THAT HAS TO EE BORNE IN MIND IS THAT FOR A SHORT WHILE HONG KONG WILL BE +UNDER THE EYES OF WORLD PRESS AND TELEVISION*. AND ASKED, +WHAT SORT OF A PICTURE DO WE WANT THE WORLD TO SEE?*
+THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE THING WE MOST WANT THE WORLD TO SEE IS THE EXHIBITION ’PROGRESS HONG KONG’. NEVER BEFORE HAS SUCH A COMPREHENSIVE DISPLAY BEEN MOUNTED OF WHAT IS MADE IN HONG KONG. NEVER BEFORE HAVE WE HAD SO MUCH TO SHOW.*
MR. BRAY, WHO WAS SPEAKING AT THE LIONS CLUB OF THE PEAK LUNCHEON, SAID THAT HONG KONG HAD COME A LONG WAY SINCE INDUSTRY DEPENDED ON +GREY CLOTH AND ENAMEL SPITTOONS*. +WE STILL MAKE THESE BUT FASHION GARMENTS, MODERN KITCHENWARE, ELECTRONIC GADGETS OF ALL SORTS, BEAUTIFUL BOATS AND FASCINATING TOYS WILL ALL BE SEEN AT THIS EXHIBITION.*
BUT, HE SAID, HONG KONG DID NOT EXIST FOR BUSINESS ALONE AND OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS ENORMOUS STRIDES HAD BEEN MADE IN SOCIAL POLICY.
+THE MOST STRIKING FEATURES OF OUR SOCIAL POLICY ARE NOT THE ABSOLUTE LEVELS OF SOCIAL SERVICES BUT THE RATE AT WHICH THEY ARE BEING IMPROVED,* HE SAID.
IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO SHOW THE QUEEN SUCH A WIDE FIELD SO ATTENTION HAD BEEN FOCUSED ON TWO BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES — HOUSING AND EDUCATION.
+THE EARLIEST RESETTLEMENT HOUSING -- SO MUCH SOUGHT AFTER AT THE TIME AND TODAY SO INADEQUATE -- IS STILL THERE TO SEE AND SHE WILL SEE IT. WE ARE NOT HIDING IT FOR WE WANT TO SHOW HOW FAR WE HAVE COME — TO CONTRAST WONG TAI SIN AND WANG TAU HOM WITH 01 MAN WHERE SHE WILL SEE THE LATEST PATTERN OF ACCOMMODATION,* HE SAID.
IN EDUCATION, THE PRINCIPLE EXHIBITS ARE THE CHILDREN THEMSELVES AS THOUSANDS WILL SEE AND GREET THE ROYAL COUPLE AND WILL THEMSELVES BE SEEN. BOTH UNIVERSITIES ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME.
MR. BRAY SAID THE ROYAL VISIT WAS NOT JUST THE OCCASION FOR A PUBLIC RELATIONS PRESENTATION ON A COLOSSAL SCALE. +IT WILL ALSO BE FUN.*
/NO OTHER EVENT
WEDNir ' APRIL 25, 1975
- 6 -
NO OTHER EVENT WILL BE ENJOYED DIRECTLY BY SO MANY PEOPLE ALL AT ONCE THAN THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
AS PART OF THE DISPLAY, WHICH HAS BEEN DONATED, TWO LARGE AREAS OF LAND AT HUNG HOM AND WAN CHAI WILL BE OPENED FOR EVERYONE.
NOT ONLY WILL THEY EE GREAT PLACES TO WATCH THE FIREWORKS, PEOPLE WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO ENJOY +FI REWORKS FAIRS+ AS THE AREAS WILL BE OPEN TO HAWKERS FROM ALL OVER HONG KONG. NO LICENCES WILL BE REQUIRED AND ABOUT THE ONLY CONTROLS WILL BE ASSISTANCE FOR THE HAWKERS TO ARRANGE THEMSELVES IN ROWS.
MR. BRAY POINTED OUT THAT MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INVITED TO FUNCTIONS THAN EVER BEFORE ON A ROYAL VISIT BUT, EVEN SO MANY WHO HAVE GIVEN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY COULD NOT BE FITTED IN.
+THIS IS A MATTER FOR REGRET BUT GUEST LISTS' HAVE HAD TO BE REPRESENTATIVE NOT EXHAUSTIVE. ALL WALKS OF LIFE, ALL FIELDS OF SERVICE ARE REPRESENTED — NOT EVERYBODY FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE BUT SOME FROM MOST.+
REFERRING TO THE COSTS, MR. BRAY SAID IT WAS’DOUBTED IF ANYONE WOULD EVER DO A PRECISE CALCULATION OF ALL THE COSTS AND ALL THE BENEFITS OF THE VISIT. +MONEY WILL BE SPENT BUT MOST OF IT WILL NOT BE TAXPAYERS MONEY+.
IN FACT PUBLIC FUNDS WILL GAIN ABOUT $9 MILLION FROM THE SALE OF THE GOLD COINS STRUCK TO COMMEMORATE THE OCCASION. THE BIGGEST ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC MONEY WILL BE FOR THE EXHIBITION GF HONG KONG MANUFACTURED GOODS.
HE SAID THE FULL AMOUNT BEING SPENT BY THE GOVERNMENT ON THE VISIT IS $1.5 MILLION.
MR. BRAY ADDED: +1 HAVE ALREADY SAID THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY IS DONATED. EVERY ITEM IN THE NATHAN ROAD PROCESSION IS SPONSORED. MILITARY BANDS HAVE TURNED OUT. FISHERMEN HAVE GIVEN A DAY AT SEA TO DISPLAY THEIR BOATS, SHOP-KEEPERS IN THE OCEAN TERMINAL HAVE CLOSED FOR A HALF-DAY. THE WAN CHAI AND HUNG-HOM FIREWORKS FAIRS ARE JUST FUN IN A TYPICALLY HONG KONG WAY WHICH COSTS NOBODY ANYTHING THEY DO NOT WANT TO PAY. AND SO IT GOES ON. PEOPLE EVERYWHERE HAVE BEEN DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO MAKE THE OCCASION A SUCCESS.+
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WEDNESDAY, APril 23, 1975
MORE PROTECTION FOR ABRASIVE WHEEL WORKERS H « H X K H
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A SET OF NEW REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PROPER AND SAFE MANNER OF USING AND MOUNTING ABRASIVE WHEELS.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE, TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT SUCH WHEELS COULD CAUSE DEATH OR INJURY TO WORKERS IF USED WITH INSUFFICIENT CARE OR AT TOO FAST A SPEED.
IN MOVING THE RESOLUTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ABRASIVE WHEELS) REGULATIONS 1975, MR. PRICE URGED MORE EMPLOYERS TO SEND THEIR EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND SPECIAL TRAINING COURSES, ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE USE AND MOUNTING OF THE MACHINE.
HE SAID THAT IN THE EIGHT-MONTH PERIOD ENDING FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, THERE HAD BEEN 137 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ABRASIVE WHEELS, AND INJURIES SUSTAINED VARIED FROM LACERATION OF FINGERS TO IMPAIRMENT OF VISION.
MR. PRICE SAID AN ABRASIVE WHEEL CONSISTS OF ABRASIVE PARTICLES HELD TOGETHER BY MINERAL, METALLIC OR ORGANIC BONDS, MOUNTED ON A POWER-DRIVEN SPINDLE.
+BY VIRTUE OF CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIAL, SUCH A WHEEL IS BRITTLE AND CAN BURST IF USED WITH INSUFFICIENT CARE OR AT A SPEED IN EXCESS OF THAT SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
+BECAUSE OF THE HIGH SPEED AT WHICH ABRASIVE WHEELS ROTATE, FRAGMENTS FROM BURST WHEELS FLY OFF WITH THE FORCE OF A PROJECTILE AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES AND EVEN DEATH.
+FURTHERMORE, ACCIDENTS CAN ALSO BE CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH, OR THE ENTANGLEMENT OF CLOTHING IN, A HIGH SPEED MOVING WHEEL OR SPINDLE,* HE SAID.
THE REGULATIONS, EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 1, 1976, GENERALLY DEAL WITH THE PERMISSIBLE SPEEDS OF ABRASIVE WHEELS AND SPINDLES, THE EXHIBITION OF NOTICES INDICATING THOSE SPEEDS, THE PROPER MOUNTING OF THESE WHEELS BY COMPETENT PEOPLE, AND THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE SAFETY MEASURES SUCH AS GUARDS, PROTECTION FLANGES AND MACHINE CONTROLS.
IN ADDITION TO IMPOSING CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS ON PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WHERE ABRASIVE WHEELS ARE USED, MR. PRICE SAID THE REGULATIONS ALSO SET OUT CLEARLY THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYEES WORKING ON SUCH WHEELS, THUS PROVIDING THEM WITH ADDITIONAL PROTECTION.
/HR. PRICE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1975
8 -
MR. PRICE STRESSED THAT THE NEED TO CONTROL THE USE OF THESE WHEELS WAS SELF EVIDENT FROM THE INHERENT DANGERS.
AN EXPLANATORY GUIDE IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE ON THE NEW REGULATIONS WILL BE SENT TO EMPLOYERS IN DUE COURSE, HE SAID.
SINCE THE REGULATIONS ARE TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM NEXT YEAR, MR. PRICE SAID THERE IS AMPLE TIME FOR EMPLOYERS TO MEET THE NEW REQUIREMENTS AND, WHERE NECESSARY, TO SEND THEIR WORKERS TO THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE TRAINING COURSES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AT THE END OF 1974, IN ANTICIPATION OF THESE REGULATIONS, THE CENTRE HAD OFFERED 15 FREE ONE-DAY COURSES, BUT THE RESPONSE FROM INDUSTRY WAS MINIMAL -- ONLY TWO COURSES COULD BE HELD WITH A MERE SEVEN PARTICIPANTS.
IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, HE SAID ANOTHER 35 COURSES HAD BEEN PLANNED AND HE HOPED THERE WOULD BE MUCH GREATER INTEREST.
+ INFORMAT I ON ON THESE COURSES HAS BEEN CIRCULATED TO ALL INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS EMPLOYING 50 OR MORE WORKERS,+ HE SAID.
■•■LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES REQUESTING THESE ORGANISATIONS TO HELP PUBLICISE THESE COURSES AMONG THEIR MEMBERS.+
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY ALSO APPROVED THE RELATED FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1975 WHICH STIPULATES THAT CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE MAIN REGULATIONS GENERALLY CONCERNING THE FENCING OF DANGEROUS OR MOVING PARTS OF MACHINERY SHALL NOT APPLY TO ABRASIVE WHEELS — WHICH ARE EXPRESSLY COVERED BY THE NEWLY-APPROVED REGULATIONS.
IN REPLY TO A POINT OF PRINCIPLE RAISED EARLIER BY DR.THE RON S.Y. CHUNG CONCERNING THE RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY PLACED ON A PROPRIETOR TO JUDGE THE COMPETENCY OF WORKERS, MR. PRICE SAID THAT THIS HAD ALREADY BEEN ACCEPTED IN HONG KONG IN OTHER SAFETY REGULATIONS SUCH AS THE CONSTRUCTION SITES SAFETY REGULATIONS, THE LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR REGULATIONS AND IN THE CARGO HANDLING REGULATIONS 6 (3).
REGARDING THE NEED FOR APPROPRIATE TRAINING COURSE, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WAS MORE SUITED FOR PROVIDING THE COURSES THAN THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL WHICH HAD NO FACILITIES AND DID NOT ENGAGE IN TRAINING ITSELF.
/IE ADDL'D.........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1975
9
HE ADDED THAT ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE RUN BY THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CENTRE, A CERTIFICATE WOULD BE ISSUED AND THIS COULD BE REGARDED AS A CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY.
ALTHOUGH HE AGREED WITH DR. CHUNG THAT THERE WAS NO PROVISION IN THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS PROHIBITING THE SALE OR LETTING ON HIRE OF ABRASIVE WHEELS WHICH WERE NOT MARKED WITH THEIR MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE SPEEDS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR STRESSED THAT THIS WAS NOT AN OVERSIGHT.
+ANY SUCH PROVISION WOULD BE ULTRA VIRES THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE+, HE SAID, + BECAUSE IT HAS NO SECTION EQUIVALENT TO SECTION 17(3) OF THE U.K. FACTORIES ACT.+
HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS SECTION ENABLES THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO MAKE REGULATIONS PUTTING AN OBLIGATION ON ANYONE WHO SELLS OR LETS ON HIRE MACHINERY WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE U.K. ACT OR REGULATIONS AND WHICH IS FOR USE IN A FACTORY. MR. PAICE WAS OF THE OPINION THAT SUCH WIDE POWERS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED IN THE NARROW CONTEXT OF ABRASIVE WHEELS ONLY.
UNLIKE DR. CHUNG, THE COMMISSIONER SAW NO SPECIAL DIFFICULTY IN POLICING REGULATION 5 BECAUSE IT STATED CLEARLY THAT IT IS THE DUTY OF A PROPRIETOR TO SEE THAT NO UNMARKED WHEEL IS TAKEN INTO USE AFTER JANUARY 1, 1976. +TO DISCHARGE THAT DUTY, A PROPRIETOR MERELY HAS TO REFRAIN FROM BUYING UNMARKED WHEELS,+ HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1975
- 10 -
UNIFORM FINES FOR DISCIPLINARY SERVICES SOUGHT
X X X X
STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO PROVIDE UNIFORMITY IN THE AMOUNT OF MAXIMUM FINES WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON MEMBERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES, THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE AND THE PRISONS SERVICE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. L.M. DAVIES, SAID TODAY.
LEGISLATION COVERING THE DISCIPLINARY CODES OF THE PREVENTIVE AND PRISONS SERVICES WAS BEING EXAMINED, HE SAID, AND THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS WOULD BE INTRODUCED SHORTLY.
MR. DAVIES WAS WINDING UP THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE FIRE SERVICE (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH, APART FROM PROVIDING TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR CONTRAVENTIONS OF A FIRE ABATEMENT ORDER, RAISES THE MAXIMUM FINE THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES MAY LEVY ON A MEMBER OF THE SERVICES FROM 053 TO ONE MONTH’S SALARY (EXCLUDING ALLOWANCES).
MR. DAVIES STRESSED THAT THE NEW MAXIMUM PENALTY WAS DELIBERATELY DESIGNED TO GIVE AS MUCH FLEXIBILITY AS POSSIBLE IN SELECTING THE APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT. THE FACT THAT A MAXIMUM FINE WAS DESCRIBED BY LAW DID NOT MEAN THAT THE MAXIMUM WOULD BE IMPOSED REGULARLY OR AS A MATTER OF COURSE.
+THE PROVISION SHOULD BE REGARDED AS MUCH AS A DETERRENT AS A MEANS OF PUNISHMENT,* HE ADDED.
+ALTHOUGH IT IS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF THE MAXIMUM FINE SUBSTANTIALLY THE NEW CEILING IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A REAL ALTERNATIVE TO MORE SEVERE FORMS OF PUNISHMENT, INCLUDING DISMISSAL.
+T0 THIS EXTENT, IT COULD BE SAID THAT THE AMENDED ARRANGEMENTS PROVIDE THE SERVICE WITH A MORE ADVANTAGEOUS DISCIPLINARY CODE THAN EXISTED BEFORE,* HE SAID.
EARLIER, THE HON. LEE QUO-WEI URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK INTO THE LACK OF UNIFORMITY IN THE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINARY REGULATIONS, AND SOUGHT AN ASSURANCE THAT THE MAXIMUM FINE WOULD ONLY DE APPLIED IN THE MOST SERIOUS CASES.
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)
I I
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1975
DRIVERS MAY BE COMPELLED TO WEAR SAFETY SEAT BELTS NEXT YEAR
* * k *
REGULATIONS REQUIRING ALL NEW VEHICLES TO BE FITTED WITH SEAT BELTS MAY COME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1976 AND THE FITTING OF SEAT BELTS IN ALL PRIVATE CARS MAY BECOME MANDATORY ABOUT A YEAR LATER.
+SOME FEW MONTHS AFTER THIS, IF PRESENT PROPOSALS ARE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, THEN, SUBJECT TO EXEMPTIONS, IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO DRIVE OR TRAVEL AS A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN A PRIVATE CAR UNLESS A SEAT BELT IS WORN,+ THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. G.C. THORNTON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR. THORNTON SAID PROPOSALS AIMED AT INCREASING THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS IN PRIVATE CARS WERE BEING CONSIDERED AND DRAFT LEGISLATION TO BRING THEM INTO FORCE HAD ALSO BEEN PREPARED.
THERE WERE TWO DISTINCT FEATURES TO THE PROPOSALS - THE MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS TO FIT SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT OF PRIVATE CARS, AND THAT SEAT BELTS MUST EE USED.
HOWEVER, MR. THORNTON ENVISAGED THAT THE REQUIREMENT THAT SEAT BELTS MUST BE WORN WILL NOT COME INTO EFFECT UNTIL SOME PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE FITTING OF SEAT BELTS HAS BECOME COMPULSORY.
THIS, HE EXPLAINED, WOULD GIVE SOME TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO GET INTO THE HABIT OF +BELTING UP+ AND TIME ALSO FOR EFFORTS TO BE MADE TO INFORM AND CONVINCE THE PUBLIC OF THE UNDOUBTED ADVANTAGES OF WEARING SEAT TELTS.
TO ENSURE THAT THE PROPOSALS FOR HONG KONG ARE AS USEFUL AND AS PRACTICAL AS POSSIBLE, THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO MAKING A STUDY OF RECENT LEGISLATION IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
o
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1975.
12
’MINI CHEQUE’ SYSTEM PROPOSED
******
THE HON. WILSON WANG TODAY ADVOCATED A ’MINI CHEQUE’ SYSTEM UNDER WHICH CHEQUES FOR A LIMITED AMOUNT WOULD BE EITHER EXEMPTED FROM STAMP DUTY OR SUBJECT TO A LESSER DUTY THAN THE PRESENT 30 CENTS.
SUCH A SYSTEM, HE FELT, WOULD HELP ENCOURAGE THE USE OF CHEQUES FOR SMALLER AMOUNTS — A PRACTICE THAT WOULD BE WELCOMED BY THE TREASURY AS WELL AS THE POLICE AS THIS WOULD OFFER BETTER SECURITY.
MR. WANG MADE THE SUGGESTION WHEN COMMENTING ON THE STAMP (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH GIVES LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO BUDGET PROPOSALS INCREASING FIXED DUTY TO 30 CENTS ON CHEQUES AND ALLIED INSTRUMENTS.
THE BILL WAS PASSED BY COUNCIL ALONG WITH THREE OTHERS. THESE WERE: THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE MOCK AUCTIONS BILL, AND THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL.
SIX OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY INCLUDED THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE BETTING DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE ENTERTAINMENTS TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE STAMP (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL, AND THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL.
EXCEPT FOR THE LAST, ALL THESE BILLS ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO PROPOSALS MADE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY-IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH.
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HONG KONG’S POPULATION ESTIMATED AT 4.33 MILLION
******
THE ESTIMATED POPULATION AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1974 WAS 4,338,200, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID TODAY.
THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 118,900 OVER THE END-YEAR ESTIMATE FOR 1973. THE BALANCE OF BIRTHS OVER DEATHS OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS WAS 61,552. THE REMAINDER OF THE INCREASE REPRESENTS THE BALANCE OF MOVEMENTS INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG, WHICH INDICATES A NET INFLOW OF 57,360 PERSONS OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BIRTHS FOR 1974 WAS 83,581, 1,329 MORE THAN IN 1973. THE CRUDE BIRTH RATE WAS 19.7 PER THOUSAND POPULATION, VIRTUALLY THE SAME AS FOR 1973.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS FOR THE SAME PERIOD WAS 22,029 COMPARED TO 21,251 IN 1973. THE CRUDE DEATH RATE WAS 5.2 PER THOUSAND POPULATION= AGAIN, LITTLE CHANGE.
THE FIGURES OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS ARE DASED UPON EVENTS OCCURRING RATHER THAN UPON REGISTRATIONS MADE AND THEREFORE DIFFER SLIGHTlY FROM THOSE RELEASED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1975
13
CLOSE WATCH KEPT ON TRIAD ACTIVITY IN PRISONS H O K If «
SEVENTY-FIVE PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S PRISON POPULATION CLAIM ON ADMISSION TO HAVE SOME FORM OF TRIAD AFFILIATION OR GANG MEMBERSHIP, STATISTICS FOR 1974 SHOW.
THIS PERCENTAGE REPRESENTS ABOUT 5,850 OUT OF THE TOTAL PRISON POPULATION OF 7,800, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. L.M. DAVIES TOLD COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.
+THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT FEEL, HOWEVER, THAT THE ACTUAL PERCENTAGE MAY BE HIGHER+, MR. DAVIES ADDED, NOTING THAT THREE PER CENT OF ALL ADMISSIONS HAD BEEN CONVICTED FOR MEMBERSHIP OF UNLAWFUL SOCIETIES.
♦CONSTANT WATCHFULNESS IS MAINTAINED BY THE STAFFS OF INSTITUTIONS TO IDENTIFY PARTICULARLY ACTIVE GANG MEMBERS, AND WHERE NECESSARY THESE ARE SEGREGATED FROM THE MAIN PRISONER POPULATION,* HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED ON TRIAD ACTIVITY WITHIN PRISONS WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE, INCLUDING ANY INDICATION OF SUCH ACTIVITY SUCH AS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE FINDING OF TRIAD WRITING.
+THE MAJOR DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING RELIABLE INFORMATION ON SUCH ACTIVITY LIES IN THE VERY HIGH DEGREE OF INMATE INVOLVEMENT.* MR. DAVIES SAID.
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PROGRESS REPORT SOON ON SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME X M X * * * X
THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME WILL PUBLISH ANOTHER PROGRESS REPORT WITHIN A WEEK.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. LI FOOK-KOW, IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HOM. MISS KO SIU-WAH IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR. LI SAID THE REPORT WOULD NOT INCLUDE THE STUDY OF YOUNG OFFENDERS BY THE SOCIAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY ALOTHOUGH IT WAS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE RESEARCH PROJECT WAS NOW IN THE FINAL STAGES OF PREPARATION.
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ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, April 23, 1975
DUKE TO SEE TRAINEES AT OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL More Than 2,500 Have Taken Courses Since Opening In 1970
********
The Duke of Edinburgh, a graduate of Gordonstoun School where 4.
physical challenge is incorporated into the curriculum as a means of
developing character, will visit Hong Kong’s Outward Bound School on
May 5 to see some of the trainees at work.
S . . . . j «’
The first Outward Bound School was set up in 1941 at Aberdovey, Wales, following consultations between Lawrence Holt, head of the Blue Funnel Line, and Dr. Kurt Hahn , founder and headmaster of Gordonstoun.
Mr. Holt was disturbed at the disproportionate loss of life among young seamen whose ships were sunk during World War II. A pattern had emerged which made plain that younger and physically better-equipped seamen died on board, in the water, in lifeboats and rafts, while the * older, more experienced men lived.
From this it was reasoned that success in meeting a severe trial depended far more on attitude of mind than on brute physical prowess. Subsequent discussions between Mr. Holt and Dr. Hahn led to the organ5 sation of the first courses which became the model for all future Outward Bound Schools everywhere.
Hong Kong’s Outward Bound School, in ideal rugged terrain near Tai Mong Tsai, Sai Kung, was opened in 1970, as a result of substantial assistance mainly from the Hong Kong Government and the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. Since then, 2,532 trainees have completed various courses lasting from a.few days up to three weeks.
/There are ••••••
2
There are about 40 Outward Bound Schools throughout the world and they cater for all races and creeds. There is no religious or political bar, and anyone can attend, regardless of social status or educational background. . -
The main objective of all Outward Bound Schools is to help the young, and the not so young, discover and develop their own resourcefulness, ability and initiative. This is done by placing them in an unfamiliar but challenging situation. - :. .4 r •
The self-discovery awakens in them an awareness of their own potential, and encourages them to. take a second look at the world in which they live. They re-assess the inhibitions, the lack of adventure, the indolence and dogmas of modern urban life, and come to realise that while formal education provides the knowledge and tools for a career, the Outward Bound training makes possible a balance in character development, hastens maturity, and enlarges ambition*
Hong Kong’s Outward Bound School is administered by the Hong Kong Outward Bound Trust, a non-profit-making organisation. The school?operates on the international format, but is autonomous, and designs its courses to fit the geography of its locale in the New Territories, and Hong Kong’s environment. . . i: u.’U'-
The school distributes no profits, and aims at being as businesslike as possible, with students’ fees providing the main source of income. Trainees are sponsored by ‘many Hong Kong Government departments, commercial firms, and banks. If a youth is without a sponsor, but is fired with an enthusiasm to join and improve himself for his own sake and the wider benefit of the community, his application is not ignored.
/The headmaster •••••
3
The headmaster of Hong Kong’s Outward Bound, Mr. J.W. Tucker, regards the coming visit of the Duke to the school as the most significant milestone in its short history. The Duke’s Gordonstoun connection -Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, was also at Gordonstoun - will probably evoke memories when he sees some of the trainees in the middle of their deliberately arduous, yet ultimately rewarding endeavours.
• Tucker is convinced of the benefit accruing to Hong Kong as a whole since the concept of Outward Bound was introduced here. A nucleus of tomorrow’s leaders, possessing not only technical proficiency but also a hidden reservoir of strength, is already in the community’s midst.
’’And what is more, the early confusion about our purpose has given way to complete acceptance, and the result is that we are expanding,” he says.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POPULAR HONG KONG MAP PRODUCED IN A NEW AND UPDATED FORM 1 TOO LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE AUCTIONED NEXT MONTH ........ 2
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO COST MORE IN MARCH ............ 3
ELEVEN PRE-WAR RAILWAY COACHES FOR SALE.................... 4
SIR MURRAY TO OFFICIATE AT ANNUAL SCOUT RALLY THIS SATURDAY ................................................... 5
NEW JURY LIST WILL BE POSTED IN SUPREME COURT............. 5
ROYAL OBSERVATORY URGED PUBLIC TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS
AGAINST TROPICAL CYCLONES AND HEAVY RAINS .................. 6
I
. A
Issued by Government Information’Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1975
HONG KONG AT A GLANCE ELEVATION TINTS A FEATURE OF NEW MAP OK# if if
ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR MAPS OF HONG KONG EVER MADE HAS JUST GONE ON SALE IN A NEW, IMPROVED AND UPDATED FORM. HILL SHADING AND ELEVATION TINTS HAVE DEEN USED TO MAKE THE RELIEF OF THE TERRITORY READILY APPARENT TO THE USER.
THIS LATEST PRODUCT OF THE LAND SURVEYORS AND CARTOGRAPHERS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS THE MAP ENTITLED +HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES*, PRODUCED OH A SCALE OF 1 TO 50,000.
THE MAP CONSISTS OF TWO SHEETS WHICH CAN BE STUCK TOGETHER TO GIVE A WALL MAP ABOUT 2 METRES LONG AND 1.3 METRES HIGH.
SHEET I SHOWS THE WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES MAINLAND TOGETHER WITH LANTAU AND LAMMA. SHEET II DEPICTS HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES. EACH SHEET IS PRICED AT $5.
THIS DUAL-LANGUAGE MAP IS THE WORK OF THE SURVEY BRANCH OF THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS AND SURVEY, MR. IVOR STANTON, DESCRIBED IT TODAY AS +A NOTABLE AND WELCOME ADDITION TO THE GOVERNMENT’S RANGE OF POPULAR MAPS*.
THE GOVERNMENT LAND SURVEYOR, MR. JIM BENTLEY, WHO IS HEAD OF THE SURVEY BRANCH, COMMENTED: +THE NEU MAP PROVIDES THE ANSWER FOR ANY RESIDENT OF HONG KONG WHO WANTS TO SEE THE TERRITORY BOTH AT A GLANCE AND ALSO IN GREATER DE IA IL THAN IN OUR TOURIST-TYPE MAPS.
+NOT EVERYONE CAN INTERPRET UNSHADED CONTOUR LINES EASILY AND THE INCLUSION OF HILL SHADING AND ELEVATION TINTS IN THE NEW MAP IN ADDITION TO THE CONTOUR LINES MAKES IT FAR MORE INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE TO THE AVERAGE USER.*
THE OLD 1:50,000 MAP HAS ALREADY GONE THROUGH THREE • EDITIONS, WITH AT LEAST 30,000 SHEETS SOLD OR ISSUED.
THIS OLD VERSION WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE SINCE IT IS STILL THE MORE SUITABLE MAP FOR PEOPLE SUCH AS CIVIL ENGINEERS, PLANNERS AND DEVELOPERS WHO WISH TO ADD THEIR OWN MARKINGS TO IT FOR PROFESSIONAL REASONS. A FOURTH EDITION IS NOW BEING PREPARED.
THE FIRST EDITION OF THE NEW MAP RUNS TO 5,000 COPIES OF EACH SHEET. THE MAIN PLACES OF SALE ARE THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE AND THE MAP SALES COUNTER OF THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE ON THE 19TH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING.
/OTHER RETAIL
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1975
2 -
OTHER RETAIL KONG BOOK CENTRE,
OUTLETS ARE SWINDON’S BOOK SHOP, AND THE PAK LUK BOOK SHOP.
THE HONG
NOTE TO EDITORS! A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING SHEET I OF THE OLD AND THE NEW MAP WILL DE DOXED FOR COLLECTION TODAY
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CROWN LAND SALE If «
TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND WITH A COMBINED AREA OF OVER 20,200 SQUARE FEET WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY AUCTION NEXT MONTH.
ONE OF THEM, COVERING SOME 17,000 SQUARE FEET OFF CHUNG HOM KOK ROAD, STANLEY, IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, WHILE THE OTHER IS FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL PURPOSES. THE SECOND LOT MEASURES ABOUT 3,265 SQUARE FEET AND IS LOCATED OFF TSUN MAN STREET, ABERDEEN.
THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2.30 PM ON MAY 23 IN THE CITY HALL LECTURE ROOM.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), HONG KONG, AND FROM THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR.
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1975
- 3 -
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO COST MORE LAST MONTH
K K # « K ft
AN INCREASE OF 12 POINTS WAS RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO IN MARCH DUE MAINLY TO THE HIGHER DUTIES IMPOSED ON THESE ITEMS OF COMMODITIES, ACCORDING TO THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) COVERING FAMILIES
IN THE 8400-81,499 MONTHLY EXPENDITURE BRACKET AND THE
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) COVERING FAMILIES WITH A MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF BETWEEN SI,500 AND $2,999 WERE BOTH 106, ONE POINT LOWER THAN THAT FOR FEBRUARY.
DURING THE MONTH, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES FOR RICE, SALT WATER FISH, FRESH WATER FISH, LIVE POULTRY AND FRESH VEGETABLES, BUT THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF PORK HAD ADVANCED.
AS A RESULT OF THE HIGHER CHARGES FOR TELEPHONE SERVICES, THE INDEX FOR SERVICES FOR THE MONTH HAD ALSO GONE UP.
MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF COMMODITY WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
THE GENERAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MARCH WAS 184, FOUR POINTS LOWER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1975
- 4 -
RAILWAY COACH AS BAR ?
* * K # tt
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WINE OR DINE IN A BAR OR RESTAURANT WHICH WAS FORMERLY AN OLD RAILWAY COACH USED FOR CARRYING PASSENGERS UP AND DOWN THE TRACKS BETWEEN KOWLOON AND LOWU?
THIS IS A NOVEL IDEA PUT FORWARD BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY MANAGEMENT AND IF RESPONSE IS GOOD, VERY SOON HONG KONG WILL HAVE ONE OR MORE OF THESE IN SERVICE.
THE KCR IS NOW OFFERING ELEVEN OF ITS PRE-WAR COACHES FOR SALE AND INSTEAD OF HAVING THEM SCRAPPED AS WAS THE PREVIOUS PRACTICE, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THESE COACHES SHOULD BE PUT TO A BETTER USE.
THE COACHES ARE AMONG 14 PRE-WAR COACHES WHICH HAVE RETIRED FROM PASSENGER SERVICE SINCE THE ARRIVAL OF THE 40 NEW COACHES LAST YEAR. THE REMAINING THREE WILL BE RETAINED BY THE KCR FOR OTHER USES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THESE OLD COACHES ARE STILL IN A REASONABLY GOOD CONDITION AND COULD DE ADAPTED WITH SOME MODIFICATIONS FOR USE AS BARS, RESTAURANTS OR EVEN HOLIDAY BUNGALOWS, PARTICULARLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
EACH COACH IS ABOUT 64 FEET LONG, 14 FEET HIGH AND 10 FEET WIDE. THE OLDEST COACH HAS BEEN IN SERVICE AS EARLY AS 1910.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT PRICES FOR THE COACHES ARE NEGOTIABLE AND THEY CAN BE BOUGHT SEPARATELY. THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD CONTACT THE GENERAL MANAGER, RAILWAY, AT THE TERMINAL BUILDING IN TSIMSHATSUI.
THE COACHES ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY WORKSHOP IN SHATIN NEAR HO TUNG LAU.
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/5
THURSDAY, APRIL 24,1975
GOVERNOR TO OFFICIATE AT SCOUT RALLY ««««««««
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CH IFF SCOUT OF HONG KONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE ANNUAL ST GEORGE’S DAY RALLY OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION, HONGKONG BRANCH, AT 4 P.M. ON SATURDAY (APRIL 26).
SIR MURRAY WILL ALSO PRESENT SCOUT AWARDS TO .omcinLS AND SCOUTERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING AND EXCELLENT WORK IN SCOUTING.
AMONG THE AWARDS PRESENTED WILL BE A SILVER WOLF AWARD, THE HIGHEST HONOUR IN BRITISH SCOUTING, A SILVER ACORN AWARD AND TWO BAR TO MEDAL OF MERIT AWARDS.
THE RALLY WILL BE HELD AT THE POLICE FOOTBALL GROUND AT BOUNDARY STREET, KOWLOON.
NEW JURY LIST 8 K M
MR. SIMON HERBERT MAYO, THE ACTING REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD NEAR THE LIFT INSIDE THE SOUTHWEST ENTRANCE OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING ON MAY 5, 1975.
THE LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS. DURING THIS PERIOD ANY PERSON MAY APPLY BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE REGISTRAR REQUIRING THAT HIS NAME OR THE NAME OF SOME OTHER PERSON BE POSTED OR REMOVED UPON CAUSE DULY ASSIGNED IN THE NOTICE.
THE REGISTRAR SHALL IN HIS DISCRETION, POST OR REMOVE THE NAME ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL, IF NECESSARY, ALTER THE LIST.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1975
- 6 -
TROPICAL CYCLONE AND HEAVY RAIN PRECAUTIONS
X X X X
WITH THE APPROACH OF THE RAINY SEASON IN HONG KONG AND
THE ANTICIPATED RATHER MORE-THAN-AVERAGE SUMMER RAINFALL THIS YEAR THE DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR. GORDON DELL, SAID TODAY THAT IT IS TIME NOW TO TAKE SOME PRELIMINARY PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURE THAT WE- ARE READY TO MINIMIZE THE DANGERS AND FINANCIAL LOSSES CAUSED BY HIGH WINDS, LANDSLIDES AND FLOODINGS DUE TO TROPICAL CYCLONES AND RAINSTORMS. COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS IS THE KEYNOTE FOR MINIMIZING THE DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, INJURIES AND LOSS OF LIFE WHICH CAN RESULT FROM THESE STORMS.
THOSE WHO HAVE SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES DURING STORMS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR INSTRUCTIONS AND RELEVANT TLLKPHONE _ UlKBdSS AHE GUTTERS AND DRAINS SHOULD
BE CLEARED AND CHECKED FOR DAMAGE. BOLTS, LOCKS AND ■SHUTTERS OF ALL WINDOW'S AND DOORS SHOULD ,BS CHECKED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED. OWNERS OF SMALL CRAFT SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR MOORINGS ' ARE IN GOOD CONDITION.
HE REPEATED THE EARLIER REQUEST OF THE P.W.D. AUTHORITIES THAT ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS ' SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT SITE WORKS ARE PROTECTED AGAINST HEAVY RAIN TO AVOID LANDSLIDES AND FLOODING.
WARNINGS OF THE APPROACH OF TROPICAL CYCLONES WILL BE GIVEN IN PLENTY OF TIME, AS IN RECENT YEARS. HOWEVER, IT IS OFTEN ONLY POSSIBLE TO GIVE A FEW HOURS NOTICE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THOSE HEAVY RAIN OR THUNDERSTORMS CONDITIONS WHICH ARE NOT .
DUE TO TROPICAL CYCLOISS. SITE ENGINEERS MAY THEREFORE NOS WISH ;
TO CONSIDER WHETHER THEY' SHOULD SUBSCRIBE TO THE
CALLING SERVICE OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO.- - -
TO PASS ON ROYAL OBSERVATORY THUNDERSTORM AND HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS. CARDS EXPLAINING THE THUNDERSTORM AND HEAVY RAIN WARNING SERVICE AND THE TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
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ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, April 24, 1975
TEENAGE POLICE CADET TV IDOL
*******
Lam Ka-wah, 17, is one of 300 cadets at the Royal Hong Kong Police Cadet School who will be on hand when the Duke of Edinburgh visits the school on May 5* ;) r Ka-wah is a typical cadet. He goes through the regime of
study, recreation, training and group discipline like 299 others. He is clean-cut and fresh - indeed, all his colleagues are - and on parade nothing distinguishes him, or lifts him above, the trim anonymity of the group.
Yet he is different, for he comperes a popular television
" • L t
programme, Junior Police Call, screened every Saturday night, and has become the idol of thousands of teenagers*.
They like his style, his obvious enjoyment of the part, the sincerity he brings i±.to it, and his ease before the camera. To them, he is almost a professional at work, the boy next door suddenly projected into another extra-curricular role.
But Ka-wah himself is aware of the effort involved. He realises that his composure is the result of confidence acquired during traini ng provided by the school. Not born shy, still the naturalness he portrays has not been plucked out of the blue, but cultivated after much encouragement and moulding.
/The school's aim .....
2
The school’s aim is to impart this sort of confidence to its recruits. All are given the dedicated training which Ka-wah happens so successfully to mirror.
The emphasis is on development of character and personality by / courses conceived to extract from those undergoing them not only high moral, intellectual and physical standards, but also the growth of self-* discipline, awareness of the role and duty of the individual within society, and a sense of pride in community service.
On the screen, Ka-wah teaches young viewers elementary police work and sets them simple tasks, such as watching out for wanted criminals and stolen cars.
He reconstructs recent crimes in an effort to encourage eye-witness type of information, and provides hints and advice on ways to prevent crime. His style is homely, friendly, and the young viewers enjoy while they learn.
In his own way, Ka-wah is also learning.
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r- •• . • ■ • -• ••
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
TOUGH LAWS AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY SUPPORTED IN 2ND INTERIM REPORT ON SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME............................ 1
GOVERNMENT IS STEPPING UP EFFORTS TO KEEP DRAINAGE NULLAHS FREE FROM BLOCKAGE .................................. 3
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SPEAKS ON THE THREE OBJECTIVES OF PRIMARY EDUCATION ........................................... 4
FEBURARY ACCOUNTS SHOW $56 MILLION SURPLUS ................. 5
ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY S.W.D. COMMUNITY CENTRES OVER THE WEEKEND ..................................................... 6
TENDER FOR LION ROCK ROPEWAY FAILED TO COMPLY WITH SPECIFIED REQUIREMENTS ...................................... '
TEMPORARY CUT OF FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY IN CERTAIN AREAS OF KWUN TONG NEXT WEEK ...................................... '
LAUNDRY WORKER TO RECEIVE CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION FROM
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ...................................
CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL IN TAI HANG TUNG ........................ 8
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1975
1
TOUGH LAWS AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY SUPPORTED
IN 2ND INTERIM REPORT ON SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME # # a k- # « «
TOUGH LAWS AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY AND IMPROVED STANDARDS OF TV AND FILM CENSORSHIP ARE AMONG A NUMBER OF MEASURES RECEIVING SUPPORT IN THE SECOND INTERIM REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME.
REFERRING TO THE INFLUENCE OF THE MASS MEDIA THE REPORT, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED TODAY, SAID THAT ALTHOUGH NO EVIDENCE WAS AVAILABLE OF THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHY AND OF EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE, SEX AND IRRESPONSIBLE CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT SHOWN ON TELEVISION AND FILMS, +WE SUPPORT THE VIEW THAT TOUGHER LAWS AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY AND HIGHER STANDARDS OF CENSORSHIP OF TELEVISION AND FILMS MUST BE INTRODUCED.*
HOWEVER, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS, THE SUB-COMMITTEE SAYS IT IS ALSO OF THE VIEW THAT THESE ARE DESIRABLE OBJECTIVES IN THEMSELVES AND +THEREFORE NEED NOT BE ADVANCED AS A MEANS OF ENABLING A REDUCTION IN CRIME AND DELINQUENCY.*
DEALING WITH TRIAD SOCIETIES AND VIOLENT CRIME, THE REPORT SAID THAT VICE IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS CAN BE DEEMED TO BE ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
+IT FOLLOWS THAT SOME CRIME SPRINGING FROM GANG CONTROL OF UNLAWFUL BUT SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS GAMBLING COULD BE REDUCED BY CHANGING THE LAW.*
THE SUB-COMMITTEE NOTED THE INFLUENCE OF TRIADS AT ALL LEVELS AND IN MOST SPHERES OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS INVOLVING VIOLENCE. THESE INCLUDE SUCH FIELDS AS GAMBLING, PROSTITUTION, LOAN-SHARKING, PUBLIC TRANSPORT, PUBLIC HOUSING, PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT, COMMERCE AND PRISONS.
THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT TRIADS ARE ALSO ACTIVE IN ORGANISING AND PROTECTING WHAT +ON THE FACE OF IT* ARE PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE ENTERPRISES SUCH AS HAWKING AND OPERATING VARIOUS FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
+THESE, DUE TO THEIR COMPLEXITY AND CONGESTION OF OUR URBAN SOCIETY, TEND TO OVERFLOW INTO ILLEGAL ACTIVITY THUS ATTRACTING THE ATTENTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AS A MEANS OF BRINGING ABOUT SOME SORT OF CONTROL AS WELL AS THE ATTENTIONS OF TRIAD SOCIETIES.*
TURNING TO AFTERCARE WORK, THE REPORT SAID THE SUB-COMMITTEE NOTED THE VARIOUS APPROACHES ADOPTED BY EACH OF THE THREE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS PROVIDING AFTERCARE SERVICE - THE POLICE, PRISONS AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE CONCLUDES THAT THE EXISTING SERVICES HAVE PROVED VALUABLE AND SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND WHERE POSSIBLE FURTHER DEVELOPED AND IMPROVED.
/AMONG OTiEB
I
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1975
- 2 -
AMONG OTHER THINGS, IT SUGGESTED THAT STATUTORY PROVISION SHOULD BE MADE FOR SOME FORM OF SUPERVISION FOR YOUNG EX-PRISONERS AND THAT IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE FOR ALL POLICEMEN TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR IN-SERVICE TRAINING AND SOME FORMAL GROUNDING IN SUCH SUBJECTS AS PSYCHOLOGY AND HUMAN GROWTH AND BEHAVIOUR.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE ALSO ACCEPTED, IN PRINCIPLE, THAT SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SHOULD DE PART OF THE SERVICE WITHIN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
IT SUPPORTED THE VIEW THAT THIS TYPE OF SOCIAL WORK +PROVIDES POSITIVE HELP TO CHILDREN IN A WAY WHICH NEITHER SCHOOL NOR PARENTS MAY BE ABLE TO GIVE.+
THE SUB-COMMITTEE ALSO DISPELLED RUMOURS THAT NEW ARRIVALS IN HONG KONG MIGHT DE DRIVEN TO CRIME AS A RESULT. OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE SECOND INTERIM REPORT SAID +NO EVIDENCE SO FAR HAS BEEN FOUND THAT NEWCOMERS ARE MORE PRONE TO CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES" ON THE CONTRARY, THE COMPARISON REVEALED VERY LITTLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS GROUP AND THE GENERAL POPULATION.+
THE REPORT ALSO REFERS TO THE RESEARCH PROJECT NOW BEING COMPLETED BY THE SOCIAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY INTO THE SOCIAL BACKGROUND OF OFFENDERS AND TO INDICATE CAUSES WHICH PRECIPITATE OR CONTRIBUTE TO THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME.
IT SAYS THAT IN THE NEXT PHASE, THE SUB-COMMITTEE INTENDS TO CONSIDER INITIATING FURTHER RESEARCH PROJECTS.
AMONG THE SUBJECTS UNDER CONSIDERATION ARE PSYCHOLOGICAL MOTIVES BEHIND UNNECESSARY VIOLENCE IN THE COMMISSION OF CRIME, YOUNG PEOPLE’S ATTITUDES AND VALUES AND THEIR ASPIRATIONS TOWARDS ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY" AND A CRIME SURVEY TO ATTEMPT TO DISCOVER PEOPLE’S ACTUAL EXPERIENCES IN BEING CONFRONTED BY CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
THE REPORT CONCLUDES: +WE (THE SUB-COMMITTEE) CONSIDER THAT IT IS BY RESEARCH THAT WE CAN GET TO THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME (OR FOR THAT MATTER, ANY OTHER SOCIAL PROBLEM). THUS WE CAN ACHIEVE A STATISTICAL BASIS FOR THE SUB-COMMITTEE’S EVENTUAL FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. WE THEREFORE THINK THAT WE SHOULD SEARCH MORE DEEPLY FOR SOURCES OF INFORMATION ALREADY EXISTING SO THAT WE CAN MORE RAPIDLY REACH SOME CONCLUSIONS ON THEM IN THE HONG KONG CONTEXT.
+IN THIS CONNECTION WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR SOME FORM OF CO-ORDINATION TO BE SET UP BETWEEN THE SUB-COMMITTEE AND ORGANISATIONS UNDERTAKING RESEARCH IN THIS AREA, INCLUDING THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.+
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE BOXED THIS EVENING.
______0-------- /?••••
t
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1975
- 3 -
KEEPING THE NULLAHS CLEAR m « a a h
THE GOVERNMENT IS STEPPING UP ITS EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT DRAINAGE NULLAHS CANNOT BECOME BLOCKED AS A RESULT OF INTAKE PIPES FOR FLUSHING WATER SUPPLIES FITTED INSIDE THE NULLAHS.
SOME OF THESE PIPES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ILLEGALLY. OTHERS, ALTHOUGH COVERED BY A LICENCE, CAN LEAD TO A BLOCKAGE OF THE NULLAH BECAUSE OF THEIR SHAPE, LOCATION, THE WAY IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED OR BECAUSE THE LICENSEES HAVE FAILED TO-KEEP THEM IN A GOOD STATE OF REPAIR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT TODAY THAT EITHER TYPE OF INTAKE, WHETHER ILLEGAL OR BADLY MAINTAINED, COULD GIVE RISE TO A FLOOD DANGER WHICH MIGHT IN TURN LEAD TO SOIL STABILITY HAZARDS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.
THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION, HE ADDED, WAS TO REMOVE ALL UNAUTHORIZED INTAKES AND TO REQUIRE ACTION EITHER TO MODIFY OR TO REMOVE ANY LICENSED INTAKE LIKELY TO CAUSE A BLOCKAGE.
AS A FIRST STEP, LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL LICENSEES ASKING THEM TO MARK THE LICENCE NUMBERS ON THE PIPES. AFTER INSPECTION, THE LICENSEES WILL BE TOLD WHAT IMPROVEMENTS, IF ANY, NEED TO BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT THE PIPES WOULD NOT CAUSE BLOCKAGE TO THE NULLAH FLOW.
A REASONABLE TIME WILL BE ALLOWED FOR SUCH REPAIRS AND ALTERATIONS TO BE MADE, BUT IF NOTHING IS DONE THE AUTHORITIES WILL BE ABLE AS A LAST RESORT TO CANCEL THE LICENCES AND HAVE THE PIPES REMOVED.
IN CASES WHERE NO IMPROVEMENT IS POSSIBLE AND THE PIPES HAVE TO BE REMOVED, THE LICENSEE WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY TO THE WATER AUTHORITY FOR AN ALTERNATIVE FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY.
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A.....
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1975
- 4
MAIN OBJECTIVES OF PRIMARY EDUCATION STRESSED
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY TODAY URGED PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE PUPILS WI TH ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENABLE THEM TO DEVELOP MORAL AND SPIRITUAL QUALITIES AS WELL AS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR CHARACTER.
+THROUGH PRECEPT, EXAMPLE AND PRACTICE, THE SCHOOL WILL PROGRESSIVELY PROVIDE THE ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES WHICH CONSERVE WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO DE GOOD FOR THE FULL DEVELOPMENT OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS,* MR. TOPLEY TOLD THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG ISLAND WEST.
SPEAKING IN CANTONESE, MR. TOPLEY DWELT ON WHAT HE CONSIDERED TO BE THE THREE OBJECTIVES OF PRIMARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG - THE BASIC SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ATTITUDES AND HABITS.
SINCE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN THEMSELVES WERE NOT ENOUGH, THE DIRECTOR SAID PRIMARY SCHOOLS SHOULD SEEK TO FOSTER AND DEVELOP IN PUPILS AN UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE DUTIES OF GOOD CITIZENS, RESPECT FOR THE RIGHTS, BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS OF OTHERS AND RESPECT FOR LAW, ORDER AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
HE ALSO CALLED ON STUDENTS TO HAVE OPENNESS OF MIND, TO HAVE PRIDE IN GOOD WORKMANSHIP, TO USE THEIR LEISURE WISELY AND TO HAVE WHOLESOME HABITS AND ATTITUDES LEADING TO SOUND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.
MR. TOPLEY POINTED OUT THAT WHILE THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN BASIC SKILLS SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS AN END IN ITSELF, IT MUST BE REALISED THAT, WITHOUT THEM, CHILDREN WOULD LACK THE ESSENTIAL FOUNDATIONS FOR THEIR FURTHER EDUCATION AND THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR EFFECTIVE AND RESPONSIBLE PARTICIPATION. IN LIFE.
+THE SKILLS OF COMMUNICATION, MANIPULATION, CALCULATION AND REASONING ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO PERSONAL AND SOCIAL COMPETENCE. THEIR MASTERY REQUIRES MUCH CONCENTRATED, SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION, SUPPORTED BY ADEQUATE PRACTICE,* HE STRESSED.
THE DIRECTOR ADDED: +ESSENTIAL THOUGH THEY ARE, THE SKILLS BECOME MEANINGFUL ONLY WHEN THEY ARE SUPPORTED BY A DODY OF FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE WITH WHICH AND THROUGH WHICH DECISIONS MAY BE REACHED AND PROBLEMS SOLVED.*
FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1975
5
TO MEET THIS NEED, THE CURRICULUM SHOULD PROVIDE A SELECTED RANGE OF EXPERIENCES FROM THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE 1
ft THE CHILD’S UNDERSTANDING OF HIMSELF, HIS HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SOUND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.
ft THE CHILD’S ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL AND SOCIAL, EXTENDING, AS HE MATURES, TO THE WIDER BOUNDS OF HONG KONG AND THE WORLD
ft THE CHILD’S CULTURAL, MORAL AND SPIRITUAL HERITAGE.
# THE CHILD’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE GROWING INTERDEPENDENCE OF NATIONS AND CULTURES.
IN CONCLUSION MR. TOPLEY STRESSED THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE CURRICULUM MUST HAVE CLEARLY DEFINED OBJECTIVES IF THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND THE PURPOSES OF SOCIETY WERE TO BE SERVED.
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FEBRUARY ACCOUNTS SHOW $56 MILLION SURPLUS ft ft ft ft ft 8
THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 1975 SHOW A SURPLUS OF $56 MILLION COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $185 MILLION IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.
THIS HAS REDUCED THE ACCUMULATED DEFICIT TO $348 MILLION FOR THE FIRST ELEVEN MONTHS OF THE 1974-75 FINANCIAL YEAR. THE NORMAL SEASONAL DEFICIT FOR MARCH SHOULD BRING THE DEFICIT FOR THE FULL FINANCIAL YEAR CLOSE TO THE $410 MILLION THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PREDICTED IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH.
TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE MONTH AT $589 MILLION IS $2 MILLION LESS THAN IN FEBRUARY 1974. TOTAL EXPENDITURE AT $533 MILLION IS $127 MILLION MORE THAN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1975
MORNING WALK FOR THE AGED K K K » h »
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY CENTRES IN WONG TAI SIN, KWUN TONG AND WESTERN DISTRICT HAVE ARRANGED A MORNING WALK FOR THE AGED, A DENTAL HEALTH EXHIBITION AND A SEMINAR FOR PARENTS OF PRIMARY SIX STUDENTS RESPECTIVELY TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE +MORNING WALK FOR THE AGED+ OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT IS ORGANISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE. ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY ELDERLY WILL ASSEMBLE AT BUS TERMINUS AT 6.45 A.M. AND SET OFF FOR SHEK LEI PUI RESERVOIR ACCOMPANIED BY 20 VOLUNTEERS FROM THE WOMEN’S CLUB OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE AND MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN’S AMBULANCE BRIGADE.
A FOUR-DAY DENTAL HEALTH EXHIBITION WILL START AT 3.00 P.M.
IN KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE. THIS FUNCTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG DENTAL ASSOCIATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THERE WILL BE A BRIEF OPENING CEREMONY OFFICIATED BY DR. KWOK KUI-TO, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG DENTAL ASSOCIATION, DR. YAP JIN-HWEE, CONSULTANT DENTAL SURGEON OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND MR. ALFRED CHUI, PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT. A QUIZ COMPETITION WILL FOLLOW.
THE EXHIBITION, WITH THE PURPOSE TO EDUCATE THE LOCAL RESIDENTS ESPECIALLY CHILDREN AND YOUTHS TOWARDS BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DENTAL HEALTH, WILL INCLUDE DENTAL EQUIPMENTS, CHARTS, DIAGRAMS, PICTURES, FILM SHOW, SLIDES AND TALKS.
BESIDES, THERE WILL BE A FREE DENTAL EXAMINATION SERVICE AVAILABLE FROM APRIL 27 TO 29 BETWEEN 2 AND 9 P.M.
IN WESTERN DISTRICT, A HALF-DAY SEMINAR FOR ABOUT 250 PARENTS OF PRIMARY SIX STUDENTS WILL START AT 2.30 P.M. IN ST. PAUL’S COLLEGE. IT IS ORGANISED BY THE P. 6 GUIDANCE PROJECT COMMITTEE REPRESENTING 19 PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND FOUR WELFARE AGENCIES IN WESTERN DISTRICT, NAMELY, WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE, CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE, Y.W.C.A. AND Y.M.C.A.
THE PURPOSE IS TO GUIDE THE PARENTS IN CHOOSING APPROPRIATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND TO PROMOTE CO-OPERATION OF WELFARE AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT IN RUNNING COMMUNITY SERVICES. THE SEMINAR WILL CONCENTRATE MAINLY ON INTRODUCING SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG AND WORKING OPPORT: W IES OF THE HONG KONG SEA SCHOOL AND POLICE CADET SCHOOL. THESE PROGRAMMES WILL BE IN THE FORM OF TALKS, SLIDES AND GROUP DISCUSSION.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1975
- 7
LION ROCK ROPEWAY » « * X « H
THE GOVERNMENT RECEIVED ONLY ONE TENDER FOR THE FRANCHISE TO OPERATE AN AERIAL ROPEWAY UP LION ROCK. HOWEVER, THIS TENDER FAILED IN ONE IMPORTANT ASPECT TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN THE TENDER DOCUMENTS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE TENDER WAS THEREFORE CONSIDERED INVALID AND THE TENDERER HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT IT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.
HE RECALLED THAT TENDERS WERE AGAIN CALLED FOR THE PROJECT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR AFTER THREE TENDERS SUBMITTED IN AN EARLIER EXERCISE FAILED TO COMPLY, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WITH THE TENDER REQUIREMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE PROJECT MAY WELL BECOME ATTRACTIVE AT A LATER DATE AND THE WORK DONE ON PREPARING REVISED TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ENABLE THE SCHEME TO BE PUT OUT TO TENDER AT SHORT NOTICE SHOULD THERE BE INDICATIONS OF A DEMAND.
THE SITE FOR THE PROPOSED AERIAL ROPEWAY IS FROM SHATIN PASS ROAD TO A PEAK TO THE EAST OF LION ROCK.
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FLUSHING WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG
* K H K «
THERE WILL BE NO FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF AREAS IN KWUN TONG, EAST OF JUNK BAY ROAD,BETWEEN 10 AM AND 6 PM FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK AS FROM MONDAY (APRIL 28).
THE AREAS AFFECTED WILL BE LAM TIN ESTATE, SAU MAU PING ESTATE, KUNG LOK ROAD, HONG LEE ROAD, AND HONG NING ROAD BETWEEN KUNG LOK ROAD AND HIP WO STREET.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATERWORK OFFICE SAID THAT THE TEMPORARY CUT IN FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO FACILITATE REPAIR WORK.
HE APOLOGISED FOR WHAT INCONVENIENCE IT WILL CAUSE RESIDENTS.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1975
- 8 -
REWARD FOR BRAVERY
* * * *
A 45-YEAR-OLD LAUNDRY WORKER, WONG CHEE, WHO RESCUED A MOTHER AND HER 1O-MONTH-OLD CHILD FROM A BLAZING FLAT AT LAM TIN ESTATE ON JANUARY 29 WILL BE COMMENDED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR HIS BRAVERY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE PRESENTATION. MEMBERS OF THE PRESS ARE ASKED TO MEET MR. DONALD STRANGE, FIRE SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, AT YAU TONG FIRE STATION BY NOT LATER THAN 3.20 PM.
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CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL IN TAI HANG TUNG
******
THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE HAS ORGANISED A +CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL* TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (APRIL 27) FOR 2,000 YOUNGSTERS LIVING IN THE AREA.
THIS WILL BE HELD IN THE HALL AND BASKETBALL COURT OF THE CENTRE IN TONG YAM STREET, TAI HANG TUNG FROM 2 P.M. TO 4 P.M.
THE CARNIVAL WILL CONSIST OF 20 FUN AND GAMES STALLS CHOSEN FROM THE ENTRIES SUBMITTED BY THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION THE SOCIAL SERVICE TEAM OF MING YIN COLLEGE AND OTHER YOUTH OR SELF-PROGRAMMING GROUPS ATTACHED TO THE COMMUNITY CENTRE. THE STALLS WILL BE JUDGED ON CREATIVITY, ECONOMY AND ATTRACTIVENESS BY THE CENTRE’S WARDEN, MR. SIT SUI-LUN AND THE MR. CHAN CHAP-YAN.
CYO FOR SHAM SHU I PO,
IN ITS ACTIVITIES—
THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CARNIVAL ARE TO PUBLICI7F THF CENTRE, ENCOURAGE YOUTH GROUPS PARTICIPATION IN ITS ACTIVITIES-f™ULATE CREAT,VE ABILITY OF BOTH CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND TO ENTERTAIN YOUNGSTERS LIVING IN THE DISTRICT.
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ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Friday, April 25, 1975
QUEEN FOR AN HOUR
"Marvellous Experience" Says Executive Officer Pauline Wong
'Pauline Wong, 25, had the most unusual experience of her life on Wednesday, April 25, when she stood in for the Queen at a rehearsal of the harbour crossing and arrival ceremonies at Queen’s Pier.
"I enjoyed every minute of it, because, like everyone else, I am looking forward to the Royal visit, and it was absolutely marvellous having such a role to play in the rehearsals now going on," Miss Wong said.
She was particularly excited at being able to chat informally with the Governor and Lady MacLehose on occasions in the last few days when she had met them on "dry runs."
"The Governor wanted everything to be perfect. Every official concerned wanted the same thing, but the Governor went out of his way to assure me that all I needed to do was to behave naturally. He was gentle and very kind," she recalled.
This enabled her to be at ease when the Governor’s yacht, The Lady Maurine, berthed, and Sir Murray suggested that she go before him while walking up the steps leading to Queen’s Pier.
There she found herself the focal point of a battery of cameras, and when she mounted the saluting dais a guard of honour, found by the 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles, gave a royal salute.
/’’At the beginning.....
2
”At the beginning of the inspection of the guard, with all the men standing at attention, I need hardly say I was a bit overwhelmed, but as I moved on, my confidence returned,” Miss Wong commented.
It was all over in about an hour, and she was relieved.
But how did she know what to do to enable the rehearsal to proceed like clockwork?
’•Well,” Miss Wong said, ”1 joined the Royal Visit Office from my post as an executive officer in the Public Works Department. As time went on, I became so involved with the planning of each event that I got to know what had to be done, and the time allowed, for every item on the programme.
”So there I was, queen for an hour, and I can tell you it was an experience I will always treasure, though in effect it was all part of a day’s work.”
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN f
•,t *
SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
SIR MURRAY PRAISES ACHIEVEMENTS OF SCOUTS AT ANNUAL ST. GEORGE’S DAY RALLY....................................... i
ASSURANCE TO WORKERS INVOLVED IN REORGANISATION OF CLEANSING WORK IN HOUSING ESTATES ........................... 2
FURTHER INCREASE IN NUMBER OF VIRAL HEPATITIS REPORTED IN MARCH...................................................... 3
OVER 98,000 CANDIDATES TO SIT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION ON APRIL 30 ............................ 4
BLASTING PERMIT OF CONSTRUCTION COMPANY REVOKED ............. 5
PO LEUNG KUK DIRECTORS TO CALL ON SOCIAL WELFARE CHIEF .... 5 .
SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1975
1
• GOVERNOR COMMENDS ACHIEVEMENTS OF SCOUT MOVEMENT
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID THAT THE WORK OF THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION HAD DEMONSTRATED THAT IT CAN ADJUST QUICKLY TO NEW CIRCUMSTANCES AND THAT ITS SERVICES ARE OF GREAT VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY.
SIR MURRAY WAS ADDRESSING THE ANNUAL ST. GEORGE’S DAY RALLY OF THE SCOUT MOVEMENT HELD AT THE POLICE FOOTBALL GROUND IN BOUNDARY STREET.
HE NOTED WITH DELIGHT THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAD PUT TO EFFECTIVE USE A SUM OF $200,000 RECEIVED LAST YEAR FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR. THIS MONEY WAS SPENT ON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE FACILITIES AT THE CAMP IN TUNG TSZ AND THE FINANCING OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES UNDER +PROJECT T+.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ALSO GLAD TO SEE THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAD PUT INTO PRACTICE HIS TWO SUGGESTIONS — TO ALLOW OTHER RESPONSIBLE GROUPS TO BORROW THEIR CAMPING FACILITIES AND TO INVITE BOYS WHO ARE NOT SCOUTS TO TAKE PART IN SOME OF THEIR ACTIVITIES.
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH*
+MR. PRESIDENT, CHIEF COMMISSIONER, SCOUTS AND SCOUTERSs WHEN I ADDRESSED THIS RALLY LAST YEAR I PUT TO YOU TWO SUGGESTIONS.
+FIRST, I SUGGESTED THAT YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO INVITE A FEW BOYS WHO ARE NOT SCOUTS TO BE YOUR GUESTS SOMETIMES WHEN YOU GO TO CAMP OR TO THE BEACH.
+SECONDLY, I SUGGESTED THAT YOUR OFFICIALS SHOULD CONSIDER ALLOWING OTHER RESPONSIBLE GROUPS TO BORROW YOUR CAMP AT TUNG TSZ WHEN YOU ARE NOT USING IT YOURSELVES.
+1 AM GLAD THAT YOU HAVE FOUND BOTH THESE SUGGESTIONS PRACTICABLE AND HAVE PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE. I UNDERSTAND THAT, AS A RESULT, ALL YOUR CAMP SITES - NOT ONLY TUNG TSZ BUT ALSO TAI TAM AND GILWELL - HAVE BEEN USED MUCH MORE FULLY. I AM SURE THAT ALL THE BOYS AND ALL THOSE ORGANISATIONS WHO HAVE BENEFITTED FROM YOUR HELP IN THIS MEANINGFUL AND PRACTICAL WAY WILL WISH TO JOIN ME IN THANKING YOU FOR IT.
♦LAST YEAR, THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF A DONOR WHO SHALL REMAIN ANONYMOUS, THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION RECEIVED $200,000 FROM A SPECIAL FUND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE FACILITIES AT TUNG TSZ AND TO FINANCE A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES UNDER +PROJECT T+. I Afi DELIGHTED THAT THIS MONEY HAS BEEN PUT TO EFFECTIVE USE AND THAT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE AT TUNG TSZ, LOTH IN DORMITORIES AND UNDER CANVAS, IS NOW DOUBLE THAT OF A YEAR AGO.
AIN ALL Tins.......
SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1975
2
+IN ALL THIS IT HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED THAT THE SCOUT MOVEMENT CAN ADJUST QUICKLY TO NEW CIRCUMSTANCES, THAT ITS SERVICES ARE OF ( s.-AT VALUE, AND THAT THIS IS APPRECIATED BY THE COMMUNITY IN THE MOST PRACTICAL WAY POSSIBLE.
+A GOOD DEAL OF THIS HAS BEEN DUE TO THE HARD WORK, ERSERVERANCE AND IMAGINATIVE LEADERSHIP OF YOUR OFFICIALS. A NUMBER OF THEM, BOTH LAY MEMBERS AND COMMISSIONERS, WILL TODAY BE RECEIVING AWARDS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR LONG AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE MOVEMENT. I AM SURE' YOU WILL WISH TO JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING THEM HEARTILY ON THEIR AWARDS, WHICH ARE SO WELL DESERVED. I AM SURE THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A LEADING PART IN ENSURING BETTER SCOUTING FOR MORE BOYS IN HONG KONG.
+AND NOW I WISH YOU GOOD SCOUTING IN THE COMING YEAR.+
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HOUSING DEPAiiTMSNT'S ASSU1UNCE TO CLEANSING WOBKEHS ««###*
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE CLEANSING STAFF WORKING IN ITS GROUP B ESTATES THAT NONE OF THEM WILL HAVE HIS SERVICE TERMINATED AS A RESULT OF THE REORGANISATION OF THE CLEANSING OF THE ESTATE.
THE CATEGORICAL ASSURANCE WAS CONTAINED IN A LETTER TO THE GOVERNMENT, ARMED FORCES, AND HOSPITALS CHINESE WORKERS UNION CLARIFYING CERTAIN POINTS WHICH WERE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING WITH THE UNION’S REPRESENTATIVES ON APRIL 22, 1975.
SPEAKING ON THE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR THOSE TO BE TRANSFERRED. MR. RICHARD NORMAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, SAID THAT THEIR SERVICE WOULD NATURALLY BE CONSIDERED AS CONTINUOUS AND THEY WOULD RETAIN THEIR BASIC PAY AS WELL AS COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE.
+THEIR CLAIM FOR THE OBNOXIOUS DUTY ALLOWANCE WILL OF COURSE DEPEND ON THE TYPE OF WORK THEY WILL BE ASKED TO D0,+ MR. NORMAN ADDED.
HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT SINCE THE DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE A SURPLUS OF CLEANSING STAFF AFTER THE REORGANISATION IT WAS IMPRACTICABLE TO CONSIDER EXTENSION OF SERVICE.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN GRADUALLY REORGANISING THE CLEANSING OF THE GROUP B ESTATE TO CUT DOWN COSTS.
THE REORGANISATION, WHICH TAKES THE FORM OF SWITCHING THE CLEANSING WORK FROM ITS OWN STAFF TO CONTRACTORS. WILL BE A GRADUAL PROCESS AND WILL PROBABLY EXTEND OVER SEVERAL YEARS.
•
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SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1975
3
PUBLIC FURTHER ADVISED TO PAY ATTENTION TO PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE
HEALTH RETURNS FOR MARCH ISSUED TODAY BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHOW A FURTHER INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NOTIFICATIONS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS. A TOTAL OF 160 NOTIFICATIONS WERE RECEIVED DURING THE MONTH, AN INCREASE OF 71 CASES OVER THE PRECEEDING MONTH.
HOWEVER, TYPHOID CASES DROPPED FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH’S 69 TO 59.
REPORTS OF CHICKENPOX ROSE FROM 89 IN FEBRUARY TO 108, AND SCARLET FEVER FROM 7 TO 19. THE NUMBER OF BACILLARY DYSENTERY NOTIFICATIONS (26) REMAINED AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL AS THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
FOUR CASES OF AMOEBIASES WERE REPORTED, ONE OF CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS AND MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS, SEVEN OF FOOD POISONING. FOUR OF MEASLES, THREE OF OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM, AND ONE OF TETANUS. A TOTAL OF 1,104 NOTIFICATIONS OF TUBERCULOSIS WERE RECEIVED.
OF THE 48 DEATHS RECORDED DURING MARCH, 40 WERE CAUSED BY TUBERCULOSIS, FIVE BY VIRAL HEPATITIS, ONE BY AMOEBIASIS. ONE BY CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS AND MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS, AND ONE BY TETANUS.
THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF POLIOMYELITIS, TETANUS NEONATORUM. AND DIPHTHERIA. THE INCIDENCE OF OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASES SHOWED NO APPRECIABLE VARIATION.
DURING THE MONTH, HONG KONG REMAINED FREE FROM CHOLERA AND OTHER QUARANTINABLE DISEASES.
COMMENTING ON THE INCREASE IN VIRAL HEPATITIS NOTIFICATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE DISEASE, COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE WARM WEATHER, IS LIKELY TO FURTHER INCREASE IN THE COMING MONTHS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARMER.
HE REPEATED THE ADVICE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC GIVEN EARLIER BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF STRICT ADHERENCE TO PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS, WHICH IS MOST ESSENTIAL IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF THE GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES AND VIRAL HEPATITIS.
AS THE COMMON TYPE OF VIRAL HEPATITIS IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH CONTAMINATED FOOD AND DRINK, HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS IN THEIR CHOICE OF SUCH.
HE ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN EATING CERTAIN ITEMS OF FOOD, SUCH AS SHELLFISH, CUT FRUITS AND +LEUNG FUN+.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC TO STRICTLY OBSERVE SIMPLE RULES OF PERSONAL HYGIENE — WASHING HANDS BEFORE MEALS AND AFTER VISITS TO TOILETS.
HE WARNED THAT IMPROPERLY COOKED FOOD COULD CAUSE INFECTION, AND FURTHER ADVISED THAT PROPERLY COOKED FOOD, IF NOT EATEN IMMEDIATELY SHOULD NOT BE LEFT UNCOVERED AND EXPOSED TO CONTAMINATION. .
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SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1975.
OVi.fi 98,000 STUDENTS TO SIT FOR S.S.E.E. ■
* « K « X «
SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 98,000 CANDIDATES HAVE ENTERED TO
SIT FOR THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION AT 278 CENTRES ON APRIL 30.
+AS THERE ARE USUALLY AROUND 1,000 ABSENTEES ANNUALLY THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF CANDIDATES SITTING FOR THIS EXAMINATION MAY BE EXPECTED TO BE 97,000,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY. LAST YEAR, 93,501 CANDIDATES SAT FOR THIS EXAMINATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +THE EXACT NUMBER OF FORM 1 PLACES THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE IS NOT YET KNOWN BUT WILL BE IN THE REGION OF 48,000, COMPARED WITH 46,762 PLACES ALLOCATED IN 1974.
+THE RESULTS OF THE EXAMINATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY AFTER THE MIDDLE OF JULY.
+HEADS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE ASKED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN CANTON ROAD DURING THE SECOND WEEK OF MAY TO COLLECT COPIES OF THE ’PARENTS’ FORM FOR CHOICE OF SCHOOLS. SSEE 1975’.+
THESE FORMS WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THEM WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO PARENTS BY THE SCHOOLS.
PARENTS WHO MAY FIND DIFFICULTY IN FILLING IN THE FORMS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THE SCHOOL HEADS OR THE CLASS TEACHERS.
ALL COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOLS BY THE PARENTS BEFORE THE MIDDLE OF MAY.
+ALL ALLOCATION OF PLACES TO SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE MADE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE ACCORDING TO THE PREFERENCES STATED BY THE PARENTS,* THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
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/5
SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1975
5
INVESTIGATION ON BLASTING INCIDENT IN CHAI WAN COMPLETED if if if Ji if if
THE MINES DEPARTMENT HAS REVOKED THE BLASTING PERMIT OF THE YUE SHING CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. FOLLOWING A BLAST WHICH INJURED A NUMBER OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CHAI WAN ON THURSDAY.
FOUR OFFICIALS OF THE COMPANY ARE ON POLICE BAIL AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT ON A SITE NEAR THE COGNITIO COLLEGE.
A MINES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE BLASTING PERMIT HAD BEEN REVOKED YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) AFTER A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT’S INVESTIGATION HAD NOW BEEN COMPLETED AND A REPORT ON THE INCIDENT WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE POLICE.
HE SAID THE REPORT WOULD RECOMMEND PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BLASTING PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT REQUIRED STRICT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DESIGNED TO PREVENT FRAGMENTS OF ROCKS CAUSING DANGER TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY.
IN THIS CASE, THE CONDITIONS HAD INCLUDED:
* THE ERECTION OF A 35-FOOT BLASTING SCREEN AT THE BLAST AREA.
if COVERING OF THE BLASTING HOLES WITH APPROVED MATERIALS TO PREVENT THE PROJECTION QF ROCK FRAGMENTS.
if LIMITATIONS ON THE AMOUNT OF EXPLOSIVES THAT CAN BE USED AT ANY ONE INSTANCE.
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COURTESTY CALL ON DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE
x- x- x- x- x- x-
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PO LEUNG KUK WILL BE MAKING A COURTESY CALL ON THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, ON MONDAY (APRIL 28) AT 11.30 A.M. AT LEE GARDENS TO DISCUSS THEIR WORK IN THE WELFARE FIELD.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Saturday, April 26, 1975
POLICEWOMAN TO MEET DUKE 0? EDINBURGH
Recipient Of Gold Award At Government House Ceremony
******
Police woman constable Wong Ki, No. 15646, learned to her surprise today that she is among 27 young people to receive a gold medal from the Duke of Edinburgh at a ceremony in Government House on the evening of May 6.
The occasion is the distribution of gold awards in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. In the history of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, this will be the first time that a trainee woman police constable will be receiving it - and from the hands of Prince Philip himself.
When told of her good fortune, Miss Wong could barely conceal her joy and pride but responded with characteristic modesty. "I am honoured,” she said. Little did she know that her modesty had been one factor in her being selected as one of the lucky 27.
Miss Wong chose to join the Royal Hong Kong Police Force while still in the middle of her struggle to achieve the gold award.
Now 22, she recalls the time in 1972 when, still a student with the choice of a career dominating the horizon, she found the silver award already in her hands.
/It was then .....
2
It was then that she made up her mind to proceed for the gold award. ”It seemed to beckon, and I simply had to achieve it." she said.
"I-ly interest in community service," she explains, "made it a challenge I simply had to overcome. There was in me an irrisistible impulse to achieve the ultimate. I devoted all my leisure to it.
"When I was told that the tasks to be completed involved an outdoor expedition of 36 miles to be accomplished in three days and four nights almost entirely on ray own resources, I trembled at the outcome, but I had to see it through. At that time, it was a formidable undertaking, but in retrospect I feel that I could not serve the community to the best of my ability unless I ha$ done it."
Miss Wong said the tasks leading up to the gold medal had both taxed her patience and her endurance. Had she known that at.the end Prince Philip himself would be there to present her with the award, she might have tried harder still.
"But," she said, "the gold medal is its own reward. I would have been happy to receive it by someone else on the Duke’s behalf. The Scheme will always b^ associated with Prince Philip, who both founded the Scheme and has been its inspiration."
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QUEEN TO SEE ONE 01 MAN ESTATE FLAT Problem of Housing Being Energetically Tackled •»*•*»*
The Queen will visit a family in their Oi Man Estate flat when she tours the Hong Kong Housing Authority’s newest estate in the heart of Kowloon on the morning of May 5«
’ The flat is a typical home in the Authority’s more recent estates, and looking at it will give the Queen a fair idea of how- thousands of Hong Kong families live whose total monthly incomes do not exceed $2,200.
Before calling on the family, the Queen will spend some time touring the estate. She will see some of Oi Man’s facilities such as kindergartens, schools, a shopping precinct, market stalls, and playgrounds..
The estate covers a 21-acre site. When fully occupied, it will provide homes for 46,000 people, in 6,2j6 flats. It is one of the Authority’s 53 estates, and the second largest after Wah Fu.
Since 1953» when it built the first rudimentary low-rent resettlement blocks to accommodate thousands of homeless squatters, the Hong Kong Government has become the non-profit-making landlord to nearly 1.8 million people, or 44 per cent of the population. But, despite this vast achievement, the problem of housing remains.
To tackle it, the Government, in 1972, announced an ambitious housing programme, and in 1973? appointed a Housing Authority.to direct the planning,-building, and management of all housing estates in Hong Kong. The Housing Department became the Authority’s executive arm.
/The avowed target •••••
_ 4 _
The avowed target is to build on such a scale that, within 10 years, there will be enough permanent homes, self-contained with good amenities, and in a reasonable environment, for everyone in Hong Kong.
When realised, this will mean the virtual disappearance, of squatter areas, and the elimination of overcrowding and sharing. It will also allow for the rehousing of those uprooted by development, and for the homeless and the unfortunate - in all, new homes for another 1.5 million people.
In 1974, 57,949 people were publicly housed. By the time the year ended, 1O estates were in various stages of construction, while 11 others were at an advanced planning stage. These estates will provide 67,700 flats for nearly 475,000 people at an estimated cost of about $1,745 million.
To meet the demands of the 10®year programme, the Authority is seeking more efficient and more economical building methods. It is also giving considerable attention to improved flat design, and a wider range of amenities.
Oi Man, the first estate to be completed within the 10-year programme, has a number of two-bedroom units, a special feature previously unprovided for. Another innovation at this estate is a communal television antenna system designed to eliminate the need for individual aerials.
Again, Oi Man is the first estate which takes account of district needs, that is, the catering of residents in the surrounding area as well as its own tenants. Oi han has a commercial centre, fully air-conditioned and with shopping arcades, supermarkets, department stores, cafes, restaurants and banks. -
/The Authority .....
5
The Authority intends that where necessary, all new estates will have such commercial centres, and the next to have it will be the Lek Yuen Estate in Sha Tin.
The long-term housing programme will bring improvements to the living conditions of JOO,000 people who were rehoused in the early stages of Hong Kong’s squatter resettlement operation, between 195^ and 1962.
The first redevelopment scheme is well advanced at Shek Kip Mei where the pioneer resettlement block was built 20 years ago. This will provide greatly improved accommodation for about 60,000 persons, and is now in its third phase®
A similar scheme aimed at providing families with more living space is being planned at the Tai Hang Tung estate, where some 35,000 persons will eventually be housed.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION. BULLETIN
JOINTLY-OWNED FISH POND
MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME FOR SOKO ISLANDERS
ASK ANYONE IN THE STREET WHERE THE SOKO ISLANDS ARE AND THE ANSWERS YOU GET MAY VARY FROM +NEAR JAPAN+ TO +OFF THE TAIWAN STRAITS+, OR JUST SIMPLY +1 DON’T KNOW.+
ACTUALLY, THE SOKO ISLANDS ARE A GROUP OF SPARSELY POPULATED ISLANDS JUST OFF THE SOUTH-WESTERN TIP OF LANTAU. THE REASON WHY PEOPLE ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE SOKO ISLANDS IS BECAUSE VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THERE.
HERE IN THIS PEACEFUL PART OF HONG KONG LIFE GOES ON AT ITS MOST LEISURELY PACE AMONG THE 200 ODD INHABITANTS, MOST OF WHOM LIVE ON THE LARGEST OF THE GROUP OF ISLANDS — TAI AH CHAU.
NOBODY IS SURE WHEN THESE ISLANDS WERE FIRST INHABITED BUT A LARGE RITUAL BRONZE BELL THAT LIES IN A TEMPLE INDICATES THAT THE ISLANDS WERE INHABITED SOME 150 YEARS AGO.
ONE STRIKING FEATURE OF THIS ISLAND IS A LARGE MAN-MADE FISH POND.
THIS FRESH-FISH POND, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME FOR THE ISLANDERS, IS JOINTLY OWNED BY ALL THE FAMILIES IN THE VILLAGE.
ACCORDING TO A VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES, MR. NG SHING-YAU, THE FISH POND SYMBOLISES CO-OPERATION AND UNITY AMONG THE VILLAGERS.
MR. NG VIEWS THE FISH POND WITH PRIDE AND CONTENTMENT.
HE SAID, +OUR FISH POND, OF COURSE, IS NO MATCH WITH THOSE IN YUEN LONG. THE PLACE WHERE THE PRESENT FISH POND NOW LIES WAS FORMERLY AGRICULTURAL LAND. BUT DUE TO ITS GOOD SUPPLY OF UNDERGROUND WATER, THE VILLAGERS DECIDED TO TURN THE AREA INTO ONE BIG FISH POND.+
EIGHTEEN PICULS OF FISH WERE PRODUCED FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST NOVEMBER WHICH FETCHED SOME $10,000.
+SINCE THE FISH POND IS LOCATED ON PRIVATE LAND, THE FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROJECT HAD TO RAISE MONEY TO BUY IT.+
+THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO GENEROUS ENOUGH TO GRANT US SOME CROWN LAND FOR EXTENDING THE AREA.+
+THE ARMY AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ALSO GAVE MANUAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN EXCAVATING THE LAND, SETTING UP THE WIRE NETTING AND CONSTRUCTING A NEW FOOT-PATH,+ SAID MR. NG.
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
/THE FISH .*...........
SUilDAT, APRIL 2?, 1975
2
THE FISH POND, WHICH HAS A TOTAL AREA OF 15,000 SQ.FT., WAS
FIRST OPENED IN JULY 1973. TO MARK ITS OPENING, ABOUT 100
BIG HEAD AND 300 COMMON CARPS WERE RELEASED INTO THE POND, THE FISH WERE FLOWN IN SPECIALLY BY AN ARMY HELICOPTER.
TALKING PROUDLY ABOUT THE POND, MR. NG SAID, +WE ADOPT THE TRADITIONAL METHOD OF FEEDING FISH ON PIG MANURE. THE MAJORITY OF THE FISH ARE SOLD AT CHEUNG CHAU WHILE SOME ARE BROUGHT TO ABERDEEN.+
NEXT TO FISH-BREEDING COMES PIG BREEDING. THE VILLAGERS GOT THEIR FIRST PIGS THROUGH DONATIONS BY THE KADOORIE EXPERIMENTAL AND EXTENSION FARM. DURING THE 19608 THERE WERE ONLY 350 PIGS BUT NOW THE NUMBER HAS RISEN TO OVER 1,000. MOST OF THEM ARE SOLD AT CHEUNG CHAU AND THE REST ARE BROUGHT TO KENNEDY TOWN.
ANOTHER EYE-CATCHING SCENERY ON THE ISLAND IS THE LONG STRETCH OF PINEAPPLE CULTIVATION ON THE HILLSIDE. PINEAPPLES WERE ALSO INTRODUCED DURING THE EARLY 196OS AND HAVE NOW BECOME ANOTHER +EXPORT* ITEM FOR THE VILLAGERS.
VEGETABLES ARE ALSO GROWN ON THE ISLANDS BUT LIKE THE SMALL-SCALE POULTRY FARMING THERE, THEY ARE MOSTLY FOR THE VILLAGERS’ OWN CONSUMPTION.
WHEN QUERIED ABOUT HOW THEY MANAGED TO TRANSPORT THEIR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND DAILY NECESSITIES TO AND FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD, MR. NG SAID, +WE DEPEND ON OUR MOTOR JUNK WHICH HAS ALREADY SERVED US FOR 10 YEARS. WHEN IT WAS NEW IT COULD CARRY 19 PEOPLE BUT NOW ONLY EIGHT PASSENGERS ARE PERMITTED TO TRAVEL EACH TIME.
+THE JUNK GOES BETWEEN CHEUNG CHAU AND TAI AH CHAU FOUR TIME A WEEK.+
AS THE MOTOR JUNK IS TOO OLD TO CARRY HEAVY GOODS, THE VILLAGERS HAVE EXPRESSED THE WISH TO GET A NEW ONE WHICH, THEY ESTIMATED, WOULD COST ABOUT $30,000. THEY HAVE ALREADY WRITTEN TO THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION FOR FINANCIAL AID.
DESPITE THE REMOTENESS OF THE ISLANDS THE CHILDREN ARE WELL-PROVIDED WITH EDUCATION. THE ONE-CLASSROOM SCHOOL WAS BUILT IN 1959 WHERE 28 PUPILS, ALL FROM TAI AH CHAU, ATTEND THEIR LESSONS.
MRS. LUK, THE ONLY TEACHER OF THE SCHOOL, SAID+ +LESSONS TAUGHT IN THE SCHOOL RANGE FROM PRIMARY TWO TO PRIMARY FOUR, BUT BECAUSE A NUMBER OF PARENTS REQUIRE THEIR CHILDREN TO HELP WITH THE HOUSEWORK, THE PUPILS ARE OFTEN ABSENT. VILLAGE CHILDREN WHO WISH TO ATTEND HIGHER CLASSES HAVE TO TRAVEL TO CHEUNG CHAU.
/THE MEDICAL ...
SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 1975
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT LAUNCH +CHI HONG+ VISITS THE ISLAND REGULARLY TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE VILLAGERSM THE BRITISH ARMY HAVE ALSO DONATED A FIRST-AID KIT FOR USE IN EMERGENCIES.
COMMUNICATION WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD IS THROUGH A RADIO-TELEPHONE LINK WHICH HAS JUST BEEN INSTALLED. ELECTRICITY IS ALSO PROVIDED LOCALLY THROUGH A SMALL GENERATOR.
THE VILLAGERS’ ONLY +OUTSIDE+ ENTERTAINMENT IS LISTENING TO THE RADIO AND WATCHING TELEVISION PROGRAMMES FROM A GOVERNMENT INSTALLED TELEVISION SEI.
SITUATED NOT FAR AWAY FROM TAI AH CHAU IS THE SECOND LARGEST ISLAND OF THE GROUP -- SIU AH CHAU. JUST DEHIND THE LONG STRETCH OF A BEAUTIFUL BEACH IS A GROUP OF HOUSES OCCUPIED BY TWO FAMILIES.
IN THE 196OS THE POPULATION OF THIS ISLAND WAS MUCH LARGER — 90 PEOPLE. BUT NOW ONLY FIVE PEOPLE LIVE ON SIU AH CHAU. MOST OF THE OTHERS HAD LEFT FOR THE URBAN AREAS TO SEEK A MORE EXCITING LIFE.
THE DAILY RHYTHM OF LIFE ON THESE ISLANDS IS SLOW AND PEACEFUL, ACCORDING TO MR. NG. +UNLIKE THE URBAN AREAS, WE ARE NOT THREATENED BY CRIME AND VIOLENCE. WE DO NOT NEED TO LOCK OUR DOORS EVEN AT NIGHT,+ HE SAID WITH PRIDE.
- - 0
ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Sunday, April 27, 1975
FOCUS ON CHINESE TRADITION FOR ROYAL PROCESSDN
********
Organisers of the procession to be held in Nathan Road on May 6 are taking pains to ensure that it will be like nothing the Queen has ever seen before.
With the exception of a representative contingent of the armed services, who will provide the guard of honour and start the procession on its route up Nathan Road, the emphasis will be entirely on traditional Chinese elements.
Commented a spokesman for the planning committee, "Because this will be the Queen’s first opportunity to see Hong Kong people put on a typically Hong Kong procession, we want these traditional elements to be correct in every detail.
"As far as possible, every feature of the decorations, props and costumes, down to shoes and hairstyles, will be in accordance with historical precedents.”
For this reason, the committee took the view that there should be no motorised ’floats’ in the cavalcade, and that any tableau on wheels would be pushed or pulled by hand.
One such tableau should be of particular interest to the Queen because of its associations with a poem which Queen Victoria received from the then Chinese Ambassador, concerning the Goddess of the West.
Students of the New Method College have planned the tableau to depict a dance in honour of the Goddess of the West, led by the Fairy Ma.
/The legend
2
The legend of the Goddess also inspired a presentation by the Po Leung Kuk, which commemorates the journey of the Eight Immortals to celebrate the Goddess' birthday.
Other travellers from the pages of Chinese mythology will be the Monk Hsuan Chuang and his three disciples, the Monkey King, the Pig Pat Kai and Monk Hsia. In recreating their fabulous adventures, the Pok Oi Hospital will also be representing their dread encounter with the Ox Devil King and the Princess Iron Fan.
The heroes of the famous novel ’The Water Margin” figure in an exciting dance staged by Chiu Chau Associations to the accompaniment of sticks beating together in unison.
A scroll by a Ching Dynasty artist was chosen by the Women’s Associations as the basis for their entry. Depicting birds of every species paying homage to the Phoenix, the painting was offered by the artist Suen Lung in tribute to the Empress of his time, to symbolise the stability and prosperity of the country and to express the affection of the people. In this dance, the Phoenix is surrounded by her retinue of birds and by accompanying fairies.
Another popular theme of numerous Chinese scrolls, lotus blossoms provide the focus for a dance staged by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. Aroused by a group of merrymaking maidens, the lotus fairies join their festivities.
No Hong Kong procession would be complete without a lion dance, and the cortege for the Queen will include lions from both North and South China, with their marked differences of costume and performing styles.
The North Lions will be provided by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and the Chinese Manufacturers Association, and the South Lions by the Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Association.
/Bringing up
Bringing up the rear, to provide a magnificent finale to the procession, will be a Golden Dragon, 150 feet long and specially constructed for this Royal occasion. Escorted by emblems of the Pearl, Moon and Sun, the Dragon will be presented by the Hong Kong and Kowloon Kaifong Associations.
Starting at 9 p«mt, the procession will take half an hour to pass the Royal Box, erected on the perimeter of Whitfield Barracks opposite St. Andrew’s Church. Spectators lining the route will be able to observe its progress north along Nathan Road as far as Argyle Street, where it rill turn west for dispersal at Tai Kok Tsui.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 197%
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CIVIL SERVANTS WILL NOT EE AFFECTED BY PROPOSED LABOUR RELATIONS BILL ......................... 1
LAUNDRY WORKER PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION BY FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT .... 2
ROfAL VISIT COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS '..ILL EE PLACED ON SALE ON WEDNESDAY .......................... 3
PO LEUNG KUK DISCUSSES WELFARE FLAN WITH DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE ............................. A
TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN HONG KONG NOW OVER 42,000 MILLION GALLONS ............................... 5
HONG KONG NEEDS WORKERS WITH BETTER AND NEW SKILLS --SAYS TECHNICAL DEPUTY EDUCATION DIRECTOR ...... 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
1
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 1975
PUBLIC SERVANTS NOT AFFECTED BY PROPOSED LABOUR RELATIONS BILL
X if if if if if
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE PROPOSED LABOUR RELATIONS BILL DO NOT APPLY TO CIVIL SERVANTS.
HE WAS REPLYING TO COMMENTS MADE YESTERDAY BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PRE-AMALGAMAT I ON CO-ORDINATING TEAM (PACT), MR. ANTHONY LUK, WHO CLAIMED THAT THE +COOLING-OFF+ PERIOD IN THE BILL WAS UNFAIR TO WORKERS, +WHETHER THEY ARE GOVERNMENT WORKERS OR WORKERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.+
MR. PRICE SAID: +THE BILL DOES NOT CONTAIN A CLAUSE BINDING THE CROWN, AND ITS PROVISIONS THEREFORE COULD NOT BE USED IN A DISPUTE BETWEEN CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE GOVERNMENT AS AN EMPLOYER.
+IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO EE AS IMPARTIAL AS POSSIBLE.
+THIS WOULD EE IMPOSSIBLE IF THE BILL WERE TO COVER THE GOVERNMENT’S OWN EMPLOYEES. MOREOVER, ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES ALREADY EXIST GOVERNING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS EMPLOYEES.+
MR. PRICE ADDED THAT WHEN MOVING THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE SECOND READING OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS BILL ON MAY 7 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE WOULD REPLY TO OTHER COMMENTS.
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 1975
2
BRAVERY RECOGNISED BY FIRE SERVICES * « H * If K
THE BRAVERY OF A 45-YEAR-OLD LAUNDRY WORKER, WONG CHEE, WHO RESCUED TWO PEOPLE FROM A FIRE AT LAM TIN ESTATE IN JANUARY, WAS RECOGNISED TODAY BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MR. WONG, WHO IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN, WAS AT HOME ON THE AFTERNOON OF WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, WHEN HE HEARD A WOMAN’S CRY FOR HELP COMING FROM NEARLY ROOM 573 IN BLOCK 4 OF THE ESTATE. HE RAN FROM HIS ROOM AND SAW SMOKE IN THE CORRIDOR AND ROOM 573 ON FIRE. APPROACHING THE BLAZING ROOM, HE SAW A WOMAN LYING COLLAPSED IN THE DOORWAY AND, DESPITE THE OBVIOUS DANGER, PICKED HER UP ARD CARRIED HER TO A NEARBY STAIRCASE. ON LEARNING FROM THE WOMAN THAT HER lO-MONTH-OLD CHILD WAS STILL IN THE ROOM, HE RETURNED, CRAWLED IN THROUGH THE DOORWAY AND LOCATED THE EABY. HE CARRIED IT TO A PLACE OF SAFETY. HE THEN RETURNED TO THE MOTHER AND REMOVED HER TO A STAIRCASE FURTHER AWAY AS THE SMOKE WAS BECOMING UNBEARABLE.
MR. WONG WAS TODAY (MONDAY) PRESENTED WITH A DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION AND A MONETARY AWARD OF $100 BY THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER KOWLOON, MR. BRIAN FENDER, AT YAU TONG FIRE STATION. PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE FIRE SERVICES OFFICERS, THE CDO K’wUN TONG, REPRESENTATIVES OF LAM TIN KAI FONG, KWUN TONG POLICE STATION AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
THE CITATION STATES THAT MR. WONG, BY HIS EFFORTS, WAS ABLE TO BRING BOTH THE WOMAN AND CHILD TO A PLACE OF SAFETY AND IN SO DOING DISPLAYED +INITIATIVE, COURAGE AND PUBLIC-SPIRITEDNESS.+
NOTE TO EDITORS :
COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH ILLUSTRATING THE PRESENTATION ARE BOXED FUR COLLECTION TODAY.
/3
I
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1975
ROYAL VISIT COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS TO GO ON SALE ON WEDNESDAY
* * * * K «
THE TWO SPECIAL STAMPS TO MARK THE ROYAL VISIT WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 30), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
A SET OF THE NEW STAMPS, IN 31.30 AND 32 DENOMINATIONS, WILL BE PRESENTED TO SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL AT 8 A.M. ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE.
I
THE COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS, IN FIVE COLOURS, ARE SUITABLE FOR MINIMUM AIR-MAIL CHARGES TO MANY COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES.
THE MAIN FEATURE IS A JOINT PORTRAIT OF THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. APPEARING ON THE LEFT OF THE DESIGN IS THE HONG KONG COAT OF ARMS.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO
COVER THE PRESENTATION OF THE SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS TO SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 30) AT 8 A.M. AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE.
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A
4 MONDAY, APRIL 28, 1975
PO LEUNG KUK DISCUSSES WELFARE PLAN WITH DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE
M M M «
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TODAY (MONDAY) ASSURED THE PO LEUNG KUK OF CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ITS WORK IN THE WELFARE FIELD AND PRAI&ED THE BOARD FOR ITS INTENTION TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE KUK’S SERVICES DURING THE COMING YEAR.
THE ASSURANCE CAME WHEN THE NEWLY ELECTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS, LED BY THEIR CHAIRMAN, MR. PETER LI PING-KAM, PAID A COURTESY CALL ON MR. LEE TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.
AMONG THE SERVICES WHICH THE KUK HOPED TO EXPAND INTO WAS THAT OF CARE FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW HOSTEL. THIS WOULD PROBABLY BE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND WOULD BE OPENED IN STAGES.ON THIS PROPOSAL , THE KUK SOUGHT THE DEPARTMENT’S SUPPORT AND ADVICE ON PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
MR. LEE INFORMED THE DIRECTORS THAT A NUMBER OF OTHER WELFARE AGENCIES WERE ALSO INTERESTED IN PROVIDING A SIMILAR SERVICE AND THE MATTER WOULD HAVE TO EE LOOKED INTO. HE POINTED OUT THAT DISTANCE MIGHT POSE A PROBLEM FOR THOSE IN THE HOSTEL WHO MIGHT GO OUT TO WORK EITHER IN OPEN EMPLOYMENT OR IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS. HOWEVER, STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THIS FIELD WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ADVICE THAT THE KUK WOULD NEED.
IN CHILD CARE SERVICES, THE KUK WANTED TO SET UP ANOTHER ONE OR TWO NURSERIES AND EXPAND ITS PRESENT ONE IN THE KWAI FONG ESTATE.
THE SETTING UP OF NEW NURSERIES, MR. LEE SAID, HAD TO BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT NOT ALL NURSERIES WERE FULL BECAUSE MORE WORKING WOMEN ARE STAYING AT HOME TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. HE ADVISED THAT BEFORE A NURSERY IS SET UP IN A PARTICULAR AREA, A STUDY SHOULD BE MADE OF THE NEED FOR SUCH PLACES IN THAT AREA. AS REGARDS THE EXPANSION OF THE NURSERY IN KWAI FONG, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS PROVIDING THE KUK WITH AN ADDITIONAL $40,000 SUBVENTION THIS YEAR TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY BY 50 PLACES.
TURNING TO STAFF MATTERS, THE KUK CHAIRMAN, MR. LI, SAID IT WAS PLANNED TO EXPAND THEIR ESTABLISHMENT WITH MORE PROFESSIONAL STAFF SUCH AS AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT WHOSE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE AS NEAR AS POSSIBLE TO GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE SAID THE KUK WOULD BE ABLE TO FILL THEIR VACANCIES, BUT ANY EXTRA STAFF REQUIREMENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE THOROUGHLY STUDIED AND INVESTIGATED ESPECIALLY IN REGARD TO FUTURE IMPLICATIONS. HE SUGGESTED THAT INSTEAD OF EMPLOYING MORE SOCIAL WORK STAFF, IT MIGHT EE DESIRABLE TO STRENGTHEN THE KUK’S CHILD CARE STAFF. THIS COULD BE DONE BY OFFSETTING AGAINST POSTS WHICH BECOME VACANT.
/HIE KUK SHOULD
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 1975
5
THE KUK SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM RECRUITING AS PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED PERSONNEL WOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING AND THE DAPTIST COLLEGE.
DURING THE MEETING, THE DIRECTORS ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS WITH MR. LEE THE INCIDENT EARLY THIS MORNING IN WHICH SEVEN GIRLS TRIED TO RUN AWAY FROM THE KUK.
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE GIRLS HAD TRIED TO RUN AWAY BECAUSE THEY WANTED MORE FREEDOM SUCH AS BEING ALLOWED TO GO OUT, AND ACTIVITIES IN WHICH TO OCCUPY THEMSELVES.
MR. LEE EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN ABOUT THE INCIDENT, BUT RECOGNISED THAT THE KUK, LIKE OTHER WELFARE ORGANISATIONS, WAS PROVIDING A SERVICE TO THOSE WHO WANTED TO DE HELPED AND TO BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICE. THERE WAS NO WAY IN WHICH AN ORGANISATION COULD IMPOSE HELP ON THOSE WHO PERSISTENTLY REFUSED TO BE HELPED. HE ADVISED THAT THE KUK SHOULD CONSIDER PROVIDING MORE POSITIVE SUPERVISION AND MORE ACTIVE PROGRAMMES FOR THE GIRLS AND CHILDREN IN CARE. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KUK AGREED AND SAID THEY WERE TAKING UP HIS EARLIER SUGGESTION OF PROVIDING HORE SPORTS AND OTHER OUTLETS FOR THE GIRLS.
- - c - -
WEEKLY WATER SITUATION REPORT ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS IN HONG KONG AS AT 9 A.M. THIS (MONDAY) MORNING WAS 42,943 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 63.8 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY CF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THE STORAGE FIGURE WAS 38,291 MILLION GALLONS.
PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR ALONE HELD 33,621 MILLION GALLONS
THIS MORNING. THIS REPRESENTS 66.6 PER CENT OF ITS TOTAL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS AND WAS UP SLIGHTLY ON LAST YEAR’S STORAGE WHICH WAS 30,809 MILLION GALLONS.
A TRACE OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST TWENTY FOUR HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 193.1 MM (7.60 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR IS 269.1 MM (10.59 IN).
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6
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 1975
HONG KONG NEEDS WORKERS EQUIPPED WITH HIGHER AND NEW SKILLS k x ic H k H
HONG KONG NEEDS TO TRAIN HOT OHLY GREATER NUMBERS OF SKILLED PERSONNEL IN ESTABLISHED FIELDS WITH HIGHER SKILLS THAN BEFORE BUT ALSO TO EQUIP WORKERS WITH NEW SKILLS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), MR. ANDREW KINGWELL TOLD A MEETING OF THE LEj *l ERR IT CRIES ROTARY CLUB TODAY.
MR. KINGWELL SAID THAT HIS MAIN DIFFICULTY WAS IN CONVINCING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT TECHNICAL EDUCATION SHOULD EE REGARDED AS MORE AND MORE RELEVANT IN A WORLD WHICH GAVE SO MANY OF ITS RESOURCES TO TECHNOLOGY III THE BROAD SENSE.
+WE NEED A CHANGE OF PHILOSOPHY IF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS TO EE REGARDED AS A FIRST CLASS FORM OF EDUCATION IN ITS OWN RIGHT — AN EDUCATION WHICH WILL SHARPEN AND MATURE THE WITS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND EQUIP THEM WITH INTERESTS AND STANDARDS AS WELL AS SKILLS WITH WHICH TO SUSTAIN THEM IN A CONSTANTLY CHANGING SOCIETY AND ECONOMY.
+EDUCATION SHOULD ENDEAVOUR TO PROVIDE FOR EACH CHILD THE KIND OF EDUCATION THAT WILL ENABLE HIM TO ENJOY DEVELOPING HIS FULL POTENTIAL AND TO UNDERSTAND A SOCIETY INCREASINGLY INFLUENCED BY CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY,* THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID.
SPEAKING ABOUT HIS GENERAL PHILOSOPHY ON THE INTRODUCTION OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION INTO THE GENERAL EDUCATION SYSTEM, HR. KINGWELL POINTED OUT THAT +AN EDUCATION FOR TODAY MUST INCLUDE THE ARTS, THE SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES SO INTEGRATED THAT THEY PROVIDE A COMPLETE EDUCATION RELATED TO THE DEMANDS OF OUR MODERN SOCIETY.*
HE STRESSED THAT THE PLANS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG WOULD BE FRUSTRATED UNLESS PARENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WERE PREPARED TO SUPPORT IT.
+IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN ALL EDUCATION. AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL THIS TECHNICAL ELEMENT SHOULD FORM PART OF THE BASIC EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD IN THE SAME WAY THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE EXPECTED TO LEARN THE THREE R’S — READING, WRITING AND ARITHMETIC,* MR. KINGWELL ADDED.
THE CURRICULUM WITHIN SCHOOLS SHOULD PROVIDE AT ALL STAGES A FLEXIBLE FRAME WITHIN WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL APTITUDES OF EACH CHILD WERE GRADUALLY DEVELOPED.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID: +ANY DIVISION BETWEEN THE ACADEMIC AND TECHNICAL SIMPLY WEAKENS THE CONTRIBUTION OF EDUCATION TO THE COMMUNITY IN ITS MOST VITAL RESOURCE -- NAMELY THE CREATIVE ABILITY IN ALL YOUNG PEOPLE.
/THIS CREATIVE .....
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 1975
7
+THIS CREATIVE ABILITY IS THAT CONSTRUCTIVE ENERGY WHICH MAKES AN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY WORK AND IT MUST NOT EE STIFLED. EXPANSION, CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE OUR WATCH WORDS.+
SPEAKING ABOUT THE WORK OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION BRANCH OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR. KINGWELL SAID THAT HIS BRANCH HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE EXPANSION OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
POLICIES AND TARGETS HAVE BEEN REDEFINED IN THE WHITE PAPER AND THE BRANCH CO-ORDINATES THE EFFORTS OF THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS TO ENSURE THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE POLICY AIMS.
HE SAID THAT A TECHNICAL INSPECTORATE HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION BRANCH TO ACT AS AN ADVISORY BODY.
+THIS INSPECTORATE,* HE SAID, +WILL DEVELOP CLOSE LINKS WITH THE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR PROBLEMS AT GRASS ROOTS LEVEL AND THUS HELP TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR CURRICULUM CHANGES AND INNOVATION.*
ON DEVELOPMENT, MR. KINGWELL SAID THAT HIS BRANCH MAINTAINED CLOSE LINKS WITH THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTOR AND WITH VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS AND GOVERNMENT UNITS.
AMONG THEM WERE THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
+IN THIS WAY IT IS POSSIBLE TO GAUGE LOCAL MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS AND TO PLAN FOR A FORM OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING WHICH DIRECTLY RELATES TO COMMUNITY NEEDS,* HE SAID.
THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION BRANCH WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING, EQUIPPING AND CO-ORDINATING DEVELOPMENT FOR NEW. TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND SCHOOLS.
+AT PRESENT THERE IS ONLY THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE LOCATED ON THE HONG KONG SIDE AS A PILOT PROJECT. THIS HAS PROVEN SO SUCCESSFUL HOWEVER THAT TWO NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WILL BE OPENED IN SEPTEMBER.
+THESE WILL BE LOCATED AT KWAI CHUNG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND KWUN TONG IN KOWLOON. FURTHER INSTITUTES ARE PLANNED FOR CHEUNG SHA WAN AND SAN PO KONG AND SITES HAVE BEEN EARMARKED IN THE NEW TOWNS OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN,* MR. KINGWELL SAID.
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ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Monday, April 28, 1975
ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS)
To Mount Guard Each Day At Government House During Royal Visit
Men of the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) will mount guard at Government House each day during the visit of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to Hong Kong next month.
The regiment will also provide a contingent of J6 as part of the British Army’s guard of honour which will march past the Royal couple before the beginning of the procession in Nathan Road on the evening of May 6.
The regiment numbers more than 700 volunteers and about 40 permanent staff. It is a light reconnaissance regiment, comprising five reconnaissance squadrons, a headquarters squadron, and a home guard squadron.
There is a junior leaders* squadron of 135 boys. The regiment is based on Hong Kong Island, with a squadron in Kowloon. It is administered by the Hong Kong Government, but comes under the Commander British Forces if called out.
Volunteer soldiering in Hong Kong began in 18^4 when 99 civilians volunteered to help bolster the defences at a time when marauding pirates were still a hazard on the China coast, and the garrison had been reduced because of the Crimean war. .
/Since then, .....
2
Since then, a corps of volunteers has been in existence and has assisted the regular forces in all major wars or disturbances which have affected Hong Kong. In 1920, the first local Chinese volunteer was enlisted, and nowadays the regiment consists mainly of Chinese soldiers.
The severest test which the volunteers have met was in the bitter fighting which preceded the fall of Hong Kong on Christmas day, 1941. The strength of the Hong Kong Defence Corps, as it was then named, was 2,200, of whom 289 were missing or killed, and many others became prisoners of war.
The battle honour ’Hong Kong’ was later awarded, and many of the veterans of the battle for Hong Kong still celebrate Liberation Day every i * • ,t ' • • •* . ।
year with a short service at the City Hall garden of remembrance.
• • r ■-'' • • ’ • . • .
The regiment became ’The Royal Hong Kong Regiment’ in 1970. It now fulfils a number of iaportant roles in support of the regular forces.
Volunteers come from all walks of civilian life in Hong Kong.
Some are taxi drivers; others are university graduates; all are similarly motivated, to serve Hong Kong, and to engage in worthwhile outdoor activities which take them away from urban districts at weekends.
Training takes place in the evenings, at weekends, and at a two-week annual camp.
The guards at Government House during the Royal visit will be taken each day from a different squadron of the regiment, and those on parade in Nathan Road will be a representative selection.
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DAILY INFORMATION BllLETIN
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO SPEND $136 MILLION THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE CASH AID FOR THE NEEDY ...................... 1
CONSULTATIONS BEGIN ON RESTRAINTS OF APPAREL EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA ................................................... 3
LARGE EMPLOYER SHOULD HAVE SOUND AND HEALTHY JOINT CONSULTATIVE PROCEDURES — SAYS LABOUR COMMISSIONER .......... 4
TREE PLANTING EXERCISE FOR CHILDREN IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT 5
MORE AND BETTER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WILL BE" PROVIDED IN THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR HOLIDAY-MAKERS ....................... 6
MRS. MABEL HAYES APPOINTED AS NEW CITY DISTRICT OFFICER ... 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong kong.Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1975
1
$136 MILLION CASH AID FOR NEEDY THIS YEAR H « K X X
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS TO SPEND $136 MILLION THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE CASH AID FOR THE NEEDY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS IS AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 33 PER CENT OVER THE $103 MILLION PAID OUT IN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE LAST YEAR, HE TOLD MEMBERS OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON EAST AT THEIR REGULAR LUNCHEON MEETING.
IN ADDITION TO THIS, THE DEPARTMENT EXPECTS TO PAY OUT ANOTHER $80 MILLION IN DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES FROM WHICH OVER 55,000 PEOPLE WILL BENEFIT.
MR. LEE WAS SPEAKING ABOUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES WHICH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OPERATES. TOUCHING FIRST ON THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, HE SAID IT HAS BROUGHT CONSIDERABLE HELP TO THE POOREST MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY DY BRINGING THE INCOME OF AN ELIGIBLE SINGLE PERSON OR A FAMILY UP TO A LEVEL WHERE ESSENTIAL NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD, CLOTHING, FUEL AND POWER CAN BE MET WITHOUT HARDSHIP.
+IN GENERAL, I THINK I CAN FAIRLY CLAIM THAT THE SCHEME HAS WORKED WELL AND, WITHOUT DOUBT, IS CURRENTLY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL HELP FOR A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF POOR, ELDERLY, SICK AND DISABLED PEOPLE, TOGETHER WITH WIDOWS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES,+ MR. LEE SAID.
+HOWEVER, IT IS TRUE THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS NOT TO EVERYONE’S SATISFACTION AND WE ARE AT THE RECEIVING END OF CRITICISM WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS AS WELL-INFORMED OR, INDEED, AS • FAIR AS WE MIGHT REASONABLY EXPECT.+
IN RECENT MONTHS, HE NOTED, THERE HAD BEEN A FAIR AMOUNT OF COMMENTS ABOUT WHAT THE SCHEME SHOULD DO OR NOT DO IN THE PRESENT TIGHT ECONOMIC SITUATION IN WHICH WE FIND OURSELVES. MUCH OF THE CURRENT CRITICISM, HE SAID, WAS CENTRED AROUND THE SCOPE OF THE SCHEME, AND, IN PARTICULAR, IT HAS BEEN ARGUED, THAT IT SHOULD DIRECTLY CATER FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
+THERE CAN BE A GREAT DEAL OF SYMPATHY FOR THE VIEW THAT THEY SHOULD NOT SUFFER SERIOUS HARDSHIP WHEN THEY ARE UNEMPLOYED, BUT IT IS QUITE ANOTHER THING TO SUGGEST THE SOLUTION MUST INEVITABLY EE TO COVER THE UNEMPLOYED DIRECTLY BY PUBLIC ASS I STANCE.+
HE SAID THE PROBLEM AROSE BECAUSE UNDER THE ELIG4BILITY CRITERIA, THOSE ABLE-BODIED BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 55 DO NOT QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1975
+IT IS IMPORTANT WHEN DISCUSSING THIS TO KEEP IN MIND THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IS INTENDED. THE AIM IS TO PROVIDE CASH HELP AT A DECENT LEVEL FOR THOSE WHO, AS A RESULT OF AGE, ILLNESS, DISABILITY, OR THROUGH FAMILY COMMITMENTS, ARE NOT AVAILABLE OR WHO ARE UNABLE TO WORK AND SO CANNOT SUPPORT THEMSELVES BY THEIR EARNINGS.*
THIS, HE POINTED OUT, WAS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE SITUATION FACED BY THE UNEMPLOYED WHO ARE AVAILABLE FOR AND CAN WORK. THE SOLUTION TO THEIR PROBLEM, HE SAID, WAS ONE OF WORK OPPORTUNITY.
MR. LEE SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH AN UNEMPLOYED PERSON COULD NOT DIRECTLY RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, THE ELIGIBLE MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY COULD +SO IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE, PARTICULARLY IN THE LARGER FAMILY, FOR HIM TO SHARE THE HELP PROVIDED BY PUBLIC ASSISTNACE JUST AS IN THE SAME WAY AS THE FAMILY SHARE HIS EARNINGS WHEN HE IS IN WORK.*
+AT THE SAME TIME, IF A PERSON EXPERIENCES HARDSHIP BECAUSE HE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EXISTING ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, WE WILL DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO HELP HIM, SUCH AS GRANTING HIM TEMPORARY RELIEF.*
+l DO APPRECIATE THAT ALL THIS IS FAR FROM EASY FOR THE UNEMPLOYED PERSON, BUT THE HELP GIVEN DOES AFFORD SOME PROTECTION,* HE SAID.
DEALING WITH THE QUESTION OF TIME TAKEN TO MAKE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS, WHICH HAD BROUGHT CRITICISM, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE SAID UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, PAYMENTS ARE MADE, ON AVERAGE, THREE WEEKS FROM THE DAlE OF APPLICATION, PROVIDING, OF COURSE, THAT THE APPLICANT SUPPLIES ALL THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO VERIFY CIRCUMSTANCES.
+l THINK I SHOULD MAKE CLEAR THAT BECAUSE THE SCHEME IS MEANS-TESTED, IT INEVITABLY TAKES TIME TO CHECK ALL THE FACTS TO ENABLE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE PAID TO DE CALCULATED. INDEED, IF ONLY SUPERFICIAL ENQUIRIES WERE MADE LEADING TO ON-THE-SPOT PAYMENTS AS A GENERAL RULE, THERE WOULD SOON BE COMPLAINTS THAT NEEDS WERE BEING OVERLOOKED.*
ANOTHER FACTOR THAT COULD ACCOUNT FOR DELAYS WAS LACK OF CO-OPERATION BY APPLICANTS.
MR. LEE SAID THERE HAD BEEN A PERIOD TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR WHEN PEOPLE HAD TO WAIT A RATHER LONGER PERIOD BECAUSE A BACKLOG HAD BUILT UP OF CASES AWAITING THE PREPARATION OF CASH ORDER BOOKS.
HOWEVER, THE SITUATION WAS CORRECTED THROUGH REDEPLOYING OF STAFF FROM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE INTRODUCTION OF SHIFT DUTY UP TO 10 P.M.
/ON OCCASIONS
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1975
3
ON OCCASIONS WHERE ACTION CANNOT BE COMPLETED AND HARDSHIP WOULD ARISE, FIELD UNITS HAVE ARRANGEMENTS TO MAKE IMMEDIATE CASH PAYMENTS ON THE SPOT. EACH FIELD UNIT HAD A SUM OF MONEY FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND TOGETHER MAKE ABOUT 350 SUCH PAYMENTS EACH MONTH.
THE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY HAS A CASELOAD OF ABOUT 46,000 CASES, 60 PER CENT OF WHOM ARE SINGLE PEOPLE, MOSTLY ELDERLY. THE.OTHERS FALL INTO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES SUCH AS WIDOWS WITH DEPENDANT CHILDREN, ILL HEALTH, DISABILITY OR FAMILIES WITH LOW EARNINGS. CASES DIRECTLY RELATED TO UNEMPLOYMENT ACCOUNT FOR ONLY ABOUT FIVE PER CENT.
IN ADDITION TO THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, MR. LEE SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ALSO OPERATES A DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES SCHEME WHICH PROVIDES EXTRA CASH FOR THE TOTALLY DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY AGED 75 YEARS OR MORE. THIS ALLOWANCE IS NOT MEANT AS A SUBS I STANCE ALLOWANCE, BUT IS PAID ON TOP OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
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HONG KONG —• AUSTRALIA TEXTILES TALKS COMMENCE *####)(
CONSULTATIONS HAVE COMMENCED HERE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS REGARDING THE CONTINUATION OF RESTRAINTS ON EXPORTS OF CERTAIN APPAREL ITEMS FROM HONG KONG TO AUSTRALIA. HONG KONG HAS ALSO BEEN REQUESTED TO RESTRAIN EXPORTS OF THREE OTHER APPAREL ITEMS. f
THE CONSULTATIONS ARE BEING HELD UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT REGARDING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES.
AT THE REQUEST OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT, THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS SUSPENDED WITH EFFECT FROM TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1975, THE ISSUE OF FURTHER EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS FOR EXPORT TO AUSTRALIA OF KNITTED BLOUSES OF COTTON OR MAN-MADE FIBRES (WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’) AND WOVEN BLOUSES OF COTTON (WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ AND INFANTS’) PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE CONSULTATIONS.
DETAILS HAVE BEEN RELEASED TO THE TRADE IN THE DEPARTMENT’S NOTICE TO EXPORTERS, SERIES 4, NO. 10/75 DATED APRIL 29, 1975.
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND COMPANIES ON THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S MAILING LIST FOR NOTICE TO EXPORTERS, SERIES 4 WILL RECEIVE COPIES OF THE ABOVE NOTICE SHORTLY. COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE RECEPTIONIST COUNTER ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, 46 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
------o ------ •
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1975
4 -
JOINT CONSULTATION IN PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT ADVOCATED K K * K K M
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY ADVOCATED JOINT CONSULTATION AS A MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD BY WHICH EMPLOYERS can inspire Confidence in their workers.
MR. PRICE’S REMARK CAME AFTER ONE OF HIS REGULAR VISITS TO INDUSTRY — TO THE HONG KONG UNITED DOCKYARDS LIMITED AND THE WHAMPOA TERMINALS LIMITED IN HUNG HOM. JOINTLY THEY PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FOR NEARLY 6,000 WORKERS.
+JOINT CONSULTATION IS ONE OF THE MOST USEFUL ELEMENTS IN PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT,+ HE SAID. +USED PROPERLY IT CAN PREVENT MANY PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THE DAILY OPERATION OF AN ESTABLISHMENT FROM ESCALATING INTO SERIOUS UNREST.+
FOLLOWING HIS TOUR, THE COMMISSIONER SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE SOUND SYSTEM OF JOINT CONSULTATION OPERATING BETWEEN THE HUD MANAGMENT AND ITS WORKERS.
HE SAID SUCH MEETINGS BROUGHT ABOUT MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN MANAGEMENTS AND EMPLOYEES, AND PROVIDED EMPLOYERS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT FORWARD IDEAS AND EXPLAIN PLANS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THEIR ORGANISATIONS. EMPLOYEES WERE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO EXPLAIN DIFFICULTIES WHICH MIGHT ARISE, ENABLING MANAGEMENTS TO TRY TO AVOID A SUBSEQUENT CONFLICT OF INTERESTS.
MR. PRICE ADDED THAT EVERY LARGE EMPLOYER SHOULD HAVE SOUND AND HEALTHY JOINT CONSULTATIVE PROCEDURES.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO PRAISED THE WHAMPOA TERMINALS LIMITED FOR ITS SAFETY MEASURES TO PREVENT WORK ACCIDENTS.
HE SAID THAT DESPITE THE CONTINUOUS HANDLING OF LARGE CONTAINERS AT THE TERMINAL SINCE ITS OPENING IN 1972, THERE HAD BEEN NO MAJOR ACCIDENTS.
THIS WAS LARGELY DUE TO THE MANAGEMENT’S STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF A PLANNED SAFETY POLICY.
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/5.....
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1975
- 5 -
TREE PLANTING EXERCISE FOR NON-SCHOOL CHILDREN * * * * W K
WHO ARE NEITHER
A GROUP OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT CHILDREN AGED 12 AND 13
WHO ARE NEITHER AT SCHOOL NOR AT WORK WILL PLANT 55 TREE SAMPLINGS IN LOK FU AND WANG TAU HOM ESTATES TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORN I NG.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY PROGRAMME SPECIALLY ORGANISED FOR THIS GROUP OF CHILDREN BY THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE UNDER THE WONG TAI SIN CITY DI STR I CT OFFICE.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE TREE PLANTING EXERCISE, LIKE THE OTHER PROGRAMMES, IS TO GET THESE YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED IN MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY PROJECTS.
CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN THIS EXERCISE HAD ALREADY RECEIVED TRAINING ON TREE PLANTING TECHNIQUES FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT DURING AN OUTING TO SHING MUN FORESTRY PLANTATION LAST WEEK. THE TREE SAMPLINGS, FERTILIZERS AND ESSENTIAL MATERIAL FOR THE EXERCISE ARE ALSO PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
OTHER PROGRAMMES WHICH HAVE BEEN RECENTLY ORGANISED FOR THESE
YOUNG PEOPLE INCLUDED A FURNITURE PAINTING EXERCISE FOR OUR LADY OF MARYKNOLL HOSPITAL AND PICNICS TO THE NEW TERRITORIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT. THE EXERCISE WILL START AT 10. A.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) NEAR BLOCK 23 OF LOK FU ESTATE.
/6......
•
- 6 -
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1975
MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR HOLIDAY-MAKERS ******
WORK IS FORGING AHEAD TO PROVIDE MORE AND BETTER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR HOLIDAY-MAKERS IN HONG KONG.
AN AREA OF VACANT LAND iH PUI 0 ON SOUTHERN LANTAU HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS A PROTOTYPE CAMPSITE AND WORK HAS ALREADY BEGUN ON THE PROJECT.
THE. CAMPSITE, EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED LATER THIS SUMMER, WILL PROVIDE 20 CAMPING PLACES FOR THE PUBLIC ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST SERVED BASIS. EACH CAMPING PLACE WILL HAVE A BARBECUE PIT, A TABLE AND BENCH UNIT AS WELL AS WATER SUPPLY. HOWEVER, THE CAMPERS WILL HAVE TO BRING ALONG THEIR OWN TENTS.
A SMALL SITE OFFICE WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE CAMP SITE. THIS WILL BE MANNED BY A FORESTRY WARDEN DURING WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS SO AS TO PROVIDE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO CAMPERS. FIRST AID KITS WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE IF NECESSARY.
+IF THIS PROJECT PROVES TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WE HOPE THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR MORE CAMPSITES TO BE BUILT AT PLACES LIKE SAI KUNG AND IN OTHER PARTS OF LANTAU,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID.
FOLLOWING THE APPROVAL OF THE FIVE-YEAR RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN 1972, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY EMBARKED ON THE TASK OF DEVELOPING SEVERAL MAJOR RECREATIONAL AREAS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE. THESE AREAS ARE LOCATED AT SHING MUN RESERVOIR, KOWLOON RESERVOIR, TYTAM RESERVOIR AND ABERDEEN RESERVOIR — ALL WITHIN EASY REACH GF URBAN DWELLERS.
AT THE SAME TIME, FUNDS HAVE ALSO BEEN PROVIDED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SIMILAR FACILITIES IN THE BRIDE’S POOL AREA AND PAT HEUNG NEAR SEK KONG. THE NEXT TO BE DEVELOPED IS SOUTHERN LANTAU AND IT IS PLANNED THAT EVENTUALLY SAI KUNG TOO, WILL BE TURNED INTO A WELL-EQUIPPED RECREATIONAL GROUND.
AT PRESENT, A TOTAL OF 145 RECREATION SITES COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 55 ACRES TOGETHER WITH ABOUT 190 MILES OF FOOTPATHS ARE MANAGED BY THE CONSERVATION AND FORESTS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND HONG KONG ISLAND.
OF THE 145 SITES, 71 ARE FOR BARBECUE USE WHERE MORE THAN 630 BARBECUE PITS ARE INSTALLED, WHILE THE REMAINDER ARE PICNIC PLACES. ALL THE PICNIC SITES ARE PROVIDED WITH TABLE AND BENCH UNITS, BENCH SEATS AND LITTER BINS.
TYPICAL COUNTRY-STYLE RAIN SHELTERS ARE ALSO FOUND AT THE ABERDEEN RESERVOIR, SHING MUN AND BRIDE’S POOL RECREATIONAL AREAS. AND PLANS ARE ALREADY IN HAND TO CONSTRUCT MORE IN OTHER LOCATIONS.
/ACCORDING TO .....
TU33DAY, APRIL 29, 1975
7
ACCORDING TO THE RECORDS KEPT BY THE DEPARTMENT,’ THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE RECREATIONAL AREAS RECENTLY ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT HAS INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY. IN THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH THIS YEAR, NEARLY 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE VISITED THE TEN MAJOR FORESTRY AND RECREATIONAL AREAS IN THE NEV/ TERRITORIES. THIS IS AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 100 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
+THE MOST POPULAR RECREATION AREAS ARE BRIDE’S POOL AND SHING MUN,+ THE SPOKESMAN REMARKED, r.
IN BRIDE’S POOL, A TOTAL OF 556,020 VISITORS WERE RECORDED DURING THIS 12-MONTH PERIOD, WHICH IS FOUR TIMES MORE THAN 120,385 RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO SHING MUN ALSO INCREASED FROM 254,171 TO 453,397 OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
_ _ 0 - -
NEW CITY DISTRICT OFFICER APPOINTED M K If X M X
THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS ANNOUNCED TODAY THE APPOINTMENT OF MRS. MABEL HAYES AS CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (EASTERN) WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 1, 1975.
MRS. HAYES WILL REPLACE MR. STEPHEN HO YUM-SUEN, WHO WILL ASSUME THE DUTIES OF CHIEF LIAISON OFFICER IN HEADQUARTERS.
MRS. HAYES, SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, IS A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND HAS BEEN IN THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE FOR TEN YEARS. WHEN FIRST APPOINTED SHE SERVED IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND WAS LATER TRANSFERRED TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT AS AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY. SHE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN JULY 1972.
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Advice On Three Harbour Events During Royal Visit
The Marine Department today urged members of the public to cooperate with it on three occasions during the Royal visit when portions of the harbour will be affecd by the programme prepared for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
have made every effort to keep harbour activity continuing as normal as possible on all three occasions, but we hope the public will 4 understand that a minimum of restrictions for a limited time are necessary," a spokesman explained. • <■
The first occasion will be the ceremonial harbour crossing on
May 4 soon after the arrival of the Royal visitors at Hong Kong International Airport. Between 5*30 and 6.30 p.m. on that afternoon, the harbour wil1
not be closed, but the spokesman urged operators of small craft to navigate with "extreme caution" between Kowloon Public Pier and Queen’s pier in the central harbour area.
He urged owners of all sight-seeing boats, and tourist and pleasure craft to keep to the east of the line joining Holt’s Wharf, the naval buoy No. *1, and Fenwick Pier during the ceremonial crossing.
Ocean-going vessels wishing either to enter or leave Hong Kong between the crossing should use the western, approaches. Marine Department and police launches will be in the area to direct waterborne traffic.
/For the
2
For the fireworks display on the following evening, May 5, the spokesman said the portion of the harbour area between the line joining the Cust Rock Light Beacon at Hung Hom and the light beacon on the eastern arm of the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter, on the east, and the line between Holt’s wharf and the Wan Chai Ferry on the west, would be completely closed to marine traffic between 8 pom. and 9 p.m*
In addition, no movement either in or out of both the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter and the Wan Chai public cargo working area would be permitted,
"All owners of sight-seeing boats, yachts, and pleasure craft wishing to see the fireworks display at sea should be in position east of the eastern boundary (the 'line joining the Cust Rock Light Beacon at
. Hung Hom and the light beacon on the eastern arm of the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter) before 8 p»m« Again, Marine Department and police launches will be in the area to direct traffic," the spokesman said.
For the water pageant on May 6, the spokesman regretted that since all fishing craft normally berthed in Aberdeen harbour would have returned for the Tin Hau festival, no space would be available for visiting craft of any kind.
"In these circumstances^ it would not be possible for the pageant to be observed from aposition at sea, and intending owners of pleasure craft . • • 1 ” ■ •
and watertour operators are requested to keep clear of the Aberdeen Harbour area," the spokesman said.
Vessels wishing to get to or move out from their moorings in the area should do so before 2.30 p.m. when the harbour will be closed. It will be reopened again after the festivities are over at about 6 p.m.
0 - -
ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, April 29, 1975
Queen To Watch Procession From ’Chinese* Pavilion
The Queen is to view the Nathan Road procession, on the evening of May 6, from a pavilion specially designed to suggest . « * r traditional' Chinese architecture, - • :
' The pavilion, now constructed at the perimeter of Whitfield Barracks by the Public Works Department, will have vermilion pillars and a gold-painted roof.
Behind the pavilion will be a tiered stand to accomodate 100 guests, including Members of the Executive Council, and this will be flanked by further stands for some 2,000 guests, ft
On her way to the pavilion, for the start of the procession at 9 p.m., the Queen will see something of the neon lights of Kowloon’s ’Golden Mile’.
The Royal limousine, in which she and the Duke of Edinburgh will be accompanied by the Governor and Lady MacLehose, will cross the harbour on a vehicular ferry to Jordan Road, and then proceed via Tong Mei Road and Argyle Street to Nathan Road.
It is anticipated that the sector of Nathan Road from Argyle Street to Kowloon Park will be closed to traffic from 7.50 p.m., to allow for the build up of spectators lining the route.
/On their arrival •••••
2
On their arrival at the viewing area, the Queen and the Duke will be received by Mr. A. de 0. Sales, Chairman of the organising committee, who will present Mr. Liu Lit-mo, Vice-chairman, and the following committee members: The Hon. Wilson Wang, Mr. Cham Siu-leun, Mr. Chan Hon-chung, Mr. Kong Wing-on, Mr. Lai Sze-nuen, Col. H.M. Tillotson, * k . t- *
Mr. Yeung Muk-shing, Mr. Yu Look-yau, Mr. J.A. Fortune, Mr. G.S. Blundell and Superintendent Lee Cheung-on.
The procession itself is expected to take about half an hour to pass the Royal Box, with each.item carefully clocked to the last second to ensure as much colour and variety as possible in this space of time.
At p.m* the.Royal Party will depart by car for Government House, travelling via Salisbury Road and Chatham Road io the Cross-Harbour Tunnel.
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ROYAL ' VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, April 29, 1975
FACILITIES FOR PUBLIC TO SEE FIREWORKS DISPLAY Reclamation Sites On Both Sides Of Harbour To Be Cleared ********
Two large reclaimed sites on both sides of the harbour will be cleared to enable members of the public to make use of them to watch the fireworks display on Monday May 5 in honour of the Queen.
The fireworks will be launched from a pontoon located in the eastern part of the harbour between Hung Hom and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, beginning at 8.30 p.m. , and continuing for about 25 minutes.
The display will be visible from many high-rise vantage points, but the two reclaimed sites are being cleared as a facility for residents who would not normally have access to more convenient viewing spots.
On Hong Kong Island, the area will extend along reclaimed land facing the waterfront from the Wan Chai ferry pier to the flyover just before the entry to the cross harbour tunnel.
At present, this area is sub-divided into three, one being the former site of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association’s annual exhibition, and the other two continuing eastwards. All three will be cleared and opened.
In Kowloon, the whole portion of the Hung Hom reclamation beginning on the right side of the Kowloon approach to the cross harbour tunnel opposite the new Hung Hom railway terminal, and stretching towards Tsim Sha Tsui, will be available. Access will be by the last Kowloon Motor Bus stop before entry to the tunnel to Hong Kong. A special bus service will be provided by the KMB from the Jordan Road terminal to the site beginning at 7.50 p.m., and the cost will be 50 cents a person.
/Hawkers
2
Hawkers will be permitted to set up stands in the early afternoon without having to apply for a licence. Soft drinks, fruit, ice cream and other refreshments will be allowed to be sold.
The reclaimed sites will be able comfortably to accommodate as many as 20,000 people who will be able to enjoy themselves, and it is hoped that a carnival atmosphere will prevail — in keeping with the festive mood generated by the Queen’s historic visit to Hong Kong.
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HEAVY DEMAND FOR ROYAL VISIT GOLD COINS Balloting To Be Done By Computer *******
Applications for more than 30,000 Royal Visit commemorative gold coins have been received from Hbng Kong residents —- far more than the maximum 20,000tob« minted,a government spokesman disclosed today.
flThere are also indications that there will be a good overseas demand for the commemorative coin, and it is in the general interest of Hong Kong that an attempt be made to meet a substantial part of this demand,” he added.
The spokesman said it had not yet been decided how many of the
20t000 geld coins would be issued in Hong Kong. ”This will be decided in the course of discussions now taking place with the Royal Mint, which is responsible for overseas sales.”
It would not be possible, he said, to supply a coin to every applicant because it would be a breach of faith to mint more than tho 20,000 coins mentioned in the sales notice.
Those who were unlucky in the ballot for the initial deliveries, he said, would be invited to take part in a second ballot after the Royal Visit when additional coins would arrive.
The spokesman said balloting would be done on one of the government’s computers, using a special random number computer programme.
,rBecause of the very large volume of applications, it is not possible at this time to say when notifications will be issued,” he said.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1975
QOJWLNIS
EAfiJUlQ,
ACTIVITIES WILL CENTRE IN YUEN LONG AND JOSS HOUSE BAY DURING TIN HAU FESTIVAL THIS SUNDAY ......................
LABOUR COMMISSIONER WARNS AGAINST MACHINERY ACCIDENTS IN
VARIOUS INDUSTRIES .......................................
CHARTERED ENGINEER APPOINTED AS NEW DEPUTY SECRETARY IN CHARGE OF SECRETARIAT’S MANAGEMENT UNIT...................
ANNUAL SPECIAL HOLIDAY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME RE-INTRODUCED ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND CLEARWATER BAY
ROAD .....................................................
CHIEF ENGINEER RETIRING AFTER 15 YEARS OF SERVICE ........
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Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: S‘-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1975.
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TIN HAU FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS
ACT IV IT IES CENTRE IN YUEN LONG AND JOSS HOUSE BAY ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE BIRTHDAY OF TIN HAU, THE GODDESS OF HEAVEN AND PROTECTRESS OF SEAFARERS, FALLS THIS YEAR ON SUNDAY, MAY 4.
THE FESTIVAL IS ONE OF HONG KONG’S HOST COLOURFUL ANNUAL EVENTS AND IS CELEBRATED BY PEOPLE FROM MANY WALKS OF LIFE.
EVERY YEAR, THE ACTIVITIES CENTRE IN YUEN LONG WITH
A MAMMOTH PARADE AND IN JOSS HOUSE BAY WHERE THOUSANDS OF PILGRIMS PAY HOMAGE TO THE GODDESS TIN HAU. SIMILAR EVENTS, THOUGH ON A SMALLER SCALE, ARE ALSO HELD AT THE MANY TIN HAU TEMPLES BUILT NEAR THE ENTRANCES TO FISHING HARBOURS.
A LARGE CROWD IS EXPECTED AT THE YUEN LONG PROCESSION THIS YEAR AS THE FESTIVAL FALLS ON A SUNDAY.
THE PARADE STARTS SHORTLY AFTER 11 A.M. PROCEEDING FROM THE YUEN LONG EASTERN BUS TERMINUS TO THE YUEN LONG STADIUM WHERE THE MAIN CELEBRATION WILL BE HELD.
ABOUT 3,000 VILLAGERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS WILL TAKE PART IN THE TWO-HOUR PROCESSION WHICH FEATURES LION, DRAGON AND UNICORN DANCES, ACROBATIC DISPLAY AND COLOURFUL FLOATS.
SIR YUET-KUNG KAN AND LADY KAN WILL BE AMONG THE THOUSANDS ATTENDING THE FESTIVAL.
AT JOSS HOUSE BAY, A LARGE NUMBER OF PILGRIMS IS EXPECTED TO MAKE THEIR WAY IN GAILY-DECORATED JUNKS, BARGES AND SAMPANS TO THE TIN HAU TEMPLE THERE, BRINGING OFFERINGS AND FOOD FOR THE DAY-LONG CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES.
FOR VISITORS GOING TO JOSS HOUSE BAY, THERE WILL BE SIGNS INDICATING BERTHS FOR EMBARKATION AND DISEMBARKATION AND , AS USUAL, THE ARMY WILL PROVIDE A TEMPORARY PONTOON.
TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED LARGE NUMBER OF PILGRIMS, THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY CO. WILL OPERATE SPECIAL SERVICES BETWEEN WANCHAI AND JOSS HOUSE BAY.
NOTE TO ED I TORS 8
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE EVENT AT YUEN LONG. PRESS BADGES FOR THE PARADE ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE AS FROM TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1975
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WARNING ON MACHINERY ACCIDENTS « « H K tf H
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE TODAY WARNED INDUSTRIALISTS THAT IMPROPERLY-USED OR BADLY-GUARDED MACHINES COULD EE LETHAL WEAPONS.
LAST YEAR MACHINERY ACCIDENTS KILLED EIGHT WORKERS AND INJURED 6,753, HE TOLD A LUNCHEON OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG ISLAND EAST.
MR. PRICE SAID THAT AS A MAJOR CAUSE OF WORK ACCIDENTS, MACHINERY WAS NOW SECOND ONLY TO FALLS OF PERSONS AND STEPPING ON OR STRIKING AGAINST OBJECTS, WHICH LAST YEAR LED TO 8,223 INJURIES AND 66 FATALITIES — AN INCREASE OF 21.6 PER CENT IN INJURIES, BUT A DECREASE OF SEVEN PER CENT ON 1973’S FATALITY FIGURES.
DURING THE PAST YEAR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN COMPILING MORE COMPREHENSIVE STATISTICS ON MACHINERY ACCIDENTS WITH THE AIM OF OBTAINING MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE PATTERN OF THESE ACCIDENTS.
MR. PRICE SAID HE HOPED TO STRENGTHEN THE PRESENT PROVISIONS ON MACHINERY GUARDING IN THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REGULATIONS BY A CODE OF COMPREHENSIVE REGULATIONS.
+1 HAVE RECENTLY SUBMITTED MY PROPOSALS ON THIS CODE TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR APPROVAL OF ITS PRINCIPLES,* HE SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER URGED INDUSTRIALISTS WHO HAD NOT DONE SO, TO LOOK CRITICALLY AT THE STANDARDS OF GUARDING THEIR MACHINES AND TO TAKE ANY REMEDIAL MEASURES — HOWEVER BELATED.
ALTHOUGH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD TAKEN THE LEAD — AND WOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO -- DY PROVIDING FREE ADVISORY, TRAINING AND INSPECTION SERVICES TO EMPLOYERS, MR. PRICE SAID IT WAS NOW UP TO EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE SAFER WORKING CONDITIONS, DESIGN SAFER METHODS OF WORK, ENSURE ADEQUATE TRAINING FOR THEIR WORKERS AND SUPERVISE THEM UNDER APPROPRIATE SAFETY RULES AND PROCEDURES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE STRESSED THAT WORKERS MUST, FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR OWN SAFETY, RESPECT SUCH RULES AND PROCEDURES AND EXERCISE THE DUE DEGREE OF CARE AT WORK.
MR. PRICE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE, OVERALL, 31,014 REPORTED. ACCIDENTS IN 1974 —A SMALL 1.6 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE 1973 FIGURE, BUT NEVERTHELESS A CONTINUATION OF THE GENERAL UPWARD MOVEMENT.
/+HOWEVER, .....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL JO, 1975
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+HOWEVER,+ HE SAID, +IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT THIS SLIGHT RISE IN THE OVERALL RATE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A 23 PER CENT DECREASE IN FATALITIES.+
HE ADDED THAT EMPLOYERS, WORKERS AND THE GOVERNMENT MUST CONTINUE TO REDUCE THE HIGH ACCIDENT RATE WHICH HAD FOR SO LONG PLAGUED HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES.
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, HE SAID, REMAINED THE AREA WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF INJURY-CAUSING AED FATAL ACCIDENTS, WITH 5,401 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS BEING INJURED AND 65 KILLED LAST YEAR -- 0.5 PER CENT MORE INJURIES ARD 6.6 PER CENT MORE DEATHS THAN IN 1973.
FOR THIS REASON, THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS WERE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION IN 1974 TO PROVIDE STATUTORY BACKING TO THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE IN ITS MISSION OF EDUCATING, PERSUADING AND ASSISTING CONTRACTORS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES TO INSTALL PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS ARD ADOPT SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK.
MR. PRICE SAID THE PROSPECT OF PERSUADING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO RESPOND TO ITS OBLIGATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE SAFETY OF WORKERS WAS ENCOURAGING -- +AND WELL EVIDENCED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS BY THE READY SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, LTD. AND THE SOCIETY OF BUILDERS.+
HONG KONG’S SECOND MOST DANGEROUS INDUSTRY WAS ITS BIGGEST EMPLOYER, THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, WHICH HAD 3,618 WORKERS INJURED LAST YEAR — INCLUDING 14 FATALITIES ALMOST TWICE THE NUMBER IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE THIRD WORST ACCIDENT RECORD WAS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND THE SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT.
IN THIS GROUP, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS ROSE BY 21.26 PER CENT LAST YEAR, ALTHOUGH FATALITIES DROPPED 23 PER CENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THAT PARTICULAR FIELD ROSE SHARPLY FROM 22,316 TO 27,315 DURING THIS PERIOD. +S0 SOME COMFORT CAN DE TAKEN FROM THE FACT THAT FATALITIES HAVE BEEN CUT, DESPITE THE RISE IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS AT RISK,+ HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1975
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SENIOR MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL APPOINTED
* M « « « «
A SENIOR OFFICIAL WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, MR. THOMAS LIMNA, HAS DEEN APPOINTED AS THE NEW DEPUTY SECRETARY IN CHARGE OF THE MANAGEMENT UNIT CF THE SECRETARIAT.
MR. LIMNA, 37, SUCCEEDS MR. E.l. (PETER) LEE WHO TAKES UP FULL-TIME DUTIES AS THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS FROM TOMORROW (MAY 1).
MR. LIMNA, A CHARTERED ENGINEER, BEGAN HIS CAREER IN ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY IN THE 195OS. HE JOINED THE GREATER LONDON COUNCIL (THE LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL AS IT WAS THEN KNOWN) IN 1963 AS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER ARD IN OCTOBER 1963 WAS APPOINTED A MEMBER OF AN ADVISORY TEAM INTRODUCING +MAKAGEMENT BY OBJECT!VES+ AS A PILOT STUDY IN U.K. LOCAL GOVERNMENT® FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE STUDY, THIS METHOD OF MANAGING WAS EXTENDED TO OTHER SELECTED AREAS OF THE GLC.
MR. LIMNA WAS THEN MADE A MEMBER OF THE SPECIAL OFFICE SET UP TO INTRODUCE AND IMPLEMENT A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, COVERING POLICY PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, AND MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING, WITHIN THE GLC.
HE WAS RELEASED BY THE GREATER LONDON COUNCIL IN AUGUST 1973 TO TAKE UP A POST IN THE MANAGEMENT UNIT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. THE UNIT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING AND CO-ORDINATING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE MCKINSEY REPORT ON THE +MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT*.
MR. LIMNA IS CURRENTLY HEADING A TEAM RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWING THE 10-YEAR HOUSING TARGET AND ITS INTEGRATION INTO A FULL-SCALE POLICY PLAN FOR HOUSING IN ALL ITS ASPECTS, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF MR. LIMNA ARE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1975
5
HOLIDAY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS RE-INTRODUCED ON CASTLE PEAK AND CLEARWATER DAY ROADS H if x it it if
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED GOODS VEHICLE OPERATORS THAT THE ANNUAL SPECIAL HOLIDAY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME OH CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND CLEARWATER DAY ROAD WOULD BE RE-INTRODUCED FROM SUNDAY (MAY 4).
UNDER THE SCHEME, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, ALL GOODS VEHICLES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO TRAVEL ALONG CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE ROADS DURING SPECIFIED HOURS OH SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, UNLESS AUTHORISED IN WRITING DY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
HE SAID THE SCHEME WAS INTENDED TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAUSED BY SLOW-MOVING LORRIES AND BY HEAVY VEHICLES BREAKING DOWN, AND TO GIVE PRIORITY TO PASSENGER TRANSPORT FOR A FEW HOURS TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO HAVE REASONABLY QUICK ACCESS TO BEACHES AND OTHER RECREATIONAL AREAS.
ON CLEARWATER BAY ROAD, ALL GOODS VEHICLES TRAVELLING IN AN EASTERLY (UPHILL) DIRECTION WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM USING THAT SECTION BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M. ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS= AND GOODS VEHICLES TRAVELLING IN A DOWNHILL DIRECTION WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE THE SECTION OF THE ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND ANDERSON ROAD FROM 2 P.M. TO 7 P.M.
ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD, THEY WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TRAVELLING ALONG THAT SECTION BETWEEN SHA TSUI ROAD AND CAUSEWAY ROAD FROM 11 A.M. TO 6 P.M.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME OU CASTLE PEAK ROAD, THERE WOULD STILL NOT BE A TOTAL DAN ON THE MOVEMENT OF GOODS VEHICLES TO AND FROM THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES. ALTERNATIVE ROUTES ARE AVAILABLE ON TAI PO ROAD, ROUTE TWISK AND ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD OUTSIDE THE RESTRICTED HOURS.
THE SCHEME WILL DE ENFORCED UNTIL OCTOBER 14 THIS YEAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TWO PUBLIC HOLIDAYS — JUNE 14 AND JULY 1, HE SAID.
THE SCHEME ON CLEARWATER BAY ROAD HAS PROVED SUCCESSFUL DURING ITS OPERATION IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, AND LAST YEAR WHERE IT WAS FIRST INTRODUCED ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD, A SURVEY INDICATED A GENERAL INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT IN TRAFFIC VOLUME AND AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 14 PER CENT IN JOURNEY SPEED ON THE ROAD.
+BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE OF SLOW-MOVING LORRIES AND BREAKDOWNS, BUS SERVICES IN THIS PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE ABLE TO ADHERE MORE CLOSELY TO THEIR TIMETABLES,+*THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1975
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CHIEF ENGINEER RETIRING W H «
MR. NG LIN-HING, A CHIEF ENGINEER, WILL BE RETIRING SHORTLY AFTER 15 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
HE WILL PROCEED ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE IN MAY.
MR. NG FIRST JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN I960 AS AN ENGINEER AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR ENGINEER IN 1967 AND CHIEF ENGINEER IN 1973.
TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT, MR. W.T. KNIGHT, THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, WILL PRESENT HIM A GIFT ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS AT A PRESENTATION TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY (MAY 2) AT 4 P.M. AT THE P.W.D. CONFERENCE ROOM, MURRAY BUILDING.
NOTE TO EDITORSs
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE PRESENTATION.
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•ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, April 30, 1975
’LIVE1 MUSIC FOR THE ROYAL PROCESSION «»*«*«*
A group of Hong Kong musicians have been rehearsing overtime so that the Queen, during her visit next week, will have an opportunity to see and hear a traditional Chinese orchestra at work.
The opportunity emerged in the course of planning the procession for the Queen to be held in Nathan Road on the night of May 6.
“ At first it was intended that the various participants in the procession would be performing their acts to the accompaniment of recorded music, relayed over loudspeakers.
In discussing the technical problems involved, the planning committee decided it would be more effective to have the music played by a live orchestra, seated under the Royal Box, so that the Queen would have a chance to see their traditional instruments and observe their performing styles.
However,-this created the major problem of an orchestra having to learn, in a very short space of time, an entirely new and extremely . varied repertoire of musical items, each of which would have to be carefully synchronised to the requirements of the individual groups in the procession.
/Undaunted by .....
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Undaunted by this prospect4 Radio Hong Kong’s Lung Cheung Orchestra, which is normally heard but not seen, undertook to practise all the musical items in strict tempo with recordings that the groups had already been using for their own rehearsals.
Satisfied that the timing difficulties were overcome, the orchestra then recorded its own versions of the various items and returned these to the- groups so that they could familiarise themselves with the sounds they would be hearing during the actual performance.
As a final step, the orchestra visited the various groups at their rehearsal venues to ensure an even closer degree of co-ordination.
•The organisers are now confident that these efforts will achieve a much more convincing result - in both sonic and visual terms - on the night of the procession.
Commented a spokesman for the planning committee, ”The Queen can rarely have had. an opportunity to see and hear traditional Chinese musicians performing on their beautiful and unique instruments.
”Though the impact of the various dances and costumes in the procession itself will be a novel experience for her, we felt it would add an extra dimension to the occasion if she was to see and hear the musical accompaniment performed in the customary way.”
In contrast to the delicate sounds of the Lung Cheung Orchestra, the Southern Band of the Royal Air Force will be entertaining spectators, before the procession with a rousing selection of marches, and will greet the arrival of the Queen with a rendering of the National Anthem.
• *
/The procession will •••••
The procession will be led by a representative contingent of the Services, comprising the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, C Squadron Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Hong Kong Military Services Corps, Royal Hong Kong Regiment ’The Volunteers’, Royal Hampshire Regiment and 20th Light Regiment Royal Artillery.
Setting the pace for this march past will be the Corps of Drums of the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards and the Band of the 1st Battalion Royal Hampshire Regiment, while the Massed Pipes and Drums and Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas will bring up the rear,,
Once beyond the Royal Box, the Gurkhas will still their pipes and drums so as not to overwhelm the much quieter strains that accompany the traditional Chinese items which comprise the main body of the procession.