DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGCO DEBATE ON TAXATION OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS ........... 1
USD RESPONDS TO CHANGING NEEDS IN NT ...................... 2
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE TO VISIT HONG KONG ........... 4
THREE MP’S TO VISIT HONG KONG ............................. 5
AMBULANCE SERVICE RECEIVES RECORD NUMBER OF CALLS ......... 5
ACTING GOVERNOR TO ATTEND CONCERT BY UK SCHOOLS ORCHESTRA ................................................. 6
HARBOUR REFUSE COLLECTION ................................. 6
TENDER FORMS FOR TAXI LICENCES AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY .... 7
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING TO VISIT FORESTRY CAMP .............. 8
♦PLAY SAFE+ POSTER AND LEAFLET PUBLISHED .................. 9
SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL TO OFFICIATE AT SWEAR-IN CEREMONY ................................................. 10
WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT AND SHEK KIP MEI ................ 10
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1978
1
nc',ATE ON TAXATION OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS AT LEGCO TOMORROW )U
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL MOVE A DEBATE ON THE TAXATION OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS WHICH AFFECTS ALL WAGE-EARNERS AT TOMORROW’S COUNCIL MEETING.
SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON. SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, WILL START THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE AND AT LEAST THREE OTHER UNOFFICIALS -- THE REV. THE HON. PATRICK MCGOVERN, THE HON. WONG LAM AND THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING — WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS AT THE DEBATE.
THE UNOFFICIALS WILL ALSO RAISE A TOTAL OF 16 QUESTIONS ON VARIOUS MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST AT TOMORROW’S MEETING.
THE HON. LYDIA DUNN WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO STATE THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE CLOSURE OF THE SHA TIN LUTHERAN PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE CAUSES OF THE STUDENTS AND PARENTS DISCONTENT.
IN A SEPARATE QUESTION, MISS DUNN WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN'WHY THE SITUATION CONCERNING THE LUTHERAN SCHOOL DETERIORATED TO THE +POINT OF A CONFRONTATION*.
THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING WILL RAISE QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE REDUNDANCY OF TEXTILE WORKERS AND WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO TO HELP FIND EMPLOYMENT FOR THEM.
HE WILL ALSO ASK IF THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF A GENERAL CONCERN BY TRADE UNIONS OVER RE-DEVELOPMENT OF FACTORY SITES INTO MULTI-STOREY DOMESTIC TENEMENTS WHICH CREATES REDUNDANCY* AMONG INDUSTRIAL WORKERS AND WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL INTERVENE IN SUCH CASES OF RE-DEVELOPMENT.
THE HON. T.S. LO WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER, IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY, MAKING TUEN MUN ROAD STAGE I ONE WAY EASTBOUND AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD ONE WAY WESTBOUND.
THE HON. PETER C. WONG WILL ASK WHETHER THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF 10 CENT AND 20 CENT COINS AND IF SO, WHAT ACTION THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE.
OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED BY UNOFFICIALS CONCERN ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CYCLISTS, MEDICAL SERVICES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS, BUS SERVICES FROM CENTRAL DURING EVENING RUSH HOURS AND POWER SUPPLY FOR AIR-CONDITIONING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
ONE BILL — THE PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978 — WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
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IUC.OUAY, MUbUJI 1, 1^ lb
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USD RESPONDS TO CHANGING NEEDS IN NT ******
THE NEW TERRITORIES REGION OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS GOING THROUGH A PHASE OF RAPID EXPANSION AND RE-ORGANISATION TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPANDING SERVICES GENERATED BY THE DEVELOPMENT THAT IS TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES.
“HIS WAS STATED BY MR. H.S. GREWAL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF Ur,BAN SERVICES (NT) AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TODAY.
MR. GREWAL SAID THAT OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS, THE NT REGION HAD BEEN RE-ORGANISED INTO SEVEN INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS INSTEAD OF THE PREVIOUS FIVE SO AS TO ALIGN ITSELF WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS.
■•■PROPOSALS ARE IN HAND TO IMPLEMENT A FURTHER STRENGHTENI NG OF THE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE BOTH AT NT REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND AT DISTRICT LEVEL,+ HE ADDED.
THE EXISTING APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NT REGION WAS 5,700 WITH ANOTHER. 660 POSTS EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED BY THE END OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
MR. GREWAL POINTED OUT THAT THE NEW TERRITORIES IS
NOW GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OF DYNAMIC CHANGE AND THE DEPARTMENT IS DEVELOPING AND CHANGING IN RESPONSE AND IN ANTICIPATION SO AS TO BE IN A POSITION TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES WHICH ARE EXPECTED BY THE PUBLIC.
MR. GREWAL DISCLOSED THAT TO ASSIST IN THE PLANNING OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEW TOWNS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED THE DRAWING UP OF MASTER LANDSCAPE PLANS.
TWO OF THESE PLANS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PRODUCED, ONE FOR SHA TIN, THE OTHER FOR TUEN MUN AND TWO OTHERS FOR TAI PO AND TSUEN WAN ARE BEING FORMULATED.
HE SAID THE DETAILED PLANNING OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES RESTS WITH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT BUT THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS ARE CONSULTED ON THE APPROPRIATENESS AND TIMING OF THE PROPOSED FACILITY +FOR THE INPUT OF LOCAL ADVICE IS ESSENTIAL IF THE FACILITY TO BE PROVIDED IS TO FULFIL THE OBJECTIVE OF MEETING LOCAL NEEDS FULLY.+
TURNING TO THE HAWKER PROBLEM IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. GREWAL SAID THERE IS EVERY INDICATION THAT THE PROBLEM CAN BE CONTAINED, GIVEN THE RESOURCES AND THE WILL TO TACKLE IT.
/+U? THE NEW......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1978
3
iF THE NEW TOWNS ARE TO FULFIL THEIR ROLE AS ORDERED, ILL-JLANNED AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ATTRACTIVE COMMUNITIES, THEN ON-STREET HAWKING AND THE RESULTANT PROBLEM OF NOISE, OBSTRUCTION AND LITTER CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO DEVELOP AND TAKS ROOT,+ HE SAID.
MR. GREWAL SAID THAT THE AIM OF THE DEPARTMENT IS TO PREVENT ON-STREET HAWKING IN THE NEW TOWNS AND ULTIMATELY IN OTHER DEVELOPMENT AREAS ALTOGETHER.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THERE MUST BE A SUFFICIENT ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE ON THE GROUND TO CONTROL HAWKING. IN THIS REGARD, APPROVAL HAS BEEN OBTAINED TO ESTABLISH FIVE GENERAL DUTIES TEAMS IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING GENERAL DUTIES TEAM IN TSUEN WAN.
+ENFORCEMENT ALONE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO BRING THE HAWKER PROBLEM UNDER CONTROL,+ MR. GREWAL SAID. +THERE SHOULD BE PLANNED PERMANENT MARKETS AND COOKED-FOOD CENTRES TO ACCOMMODATE MARKET STALLS FOR THE RETAIL OF MEAT, FISH, AND POULTRY, AS WELL AS MINI-STALLS FOR THE RETAIL OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND DRY GOODS.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ONLY TWO NEW MARKETS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, ONE AT SHA TIN AND THE OTHER IN TSUEN WAN. HOWEVER, IT IS EXPECTED THAT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THERE WILL BE 26 TO 30 NEW MARKETS AND 15 TO 20 NEW COOKED FOOD CENTRES COMPLETED THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+WITH THE PROVISION OF THESE MARKETS AND COOKED FOOD CENTRES AND WITH THE GENERAL DUTIES TEAMS, THE AIM OF KEEPING THE HAWKERS OFF THE STREETS IN THE NEW TOWNS AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES CAN BE ACHIEVED,+ HE CONCLUDED.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1978
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SECRETARY CF STATE FOR TRADE TO VISIT
HONG KONG LATER THIS WEEK ******
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, THE RT. HON. EDMUND DELL, MP, -..ILL ARRIVE ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 3) FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT ON HIS LAY TO CHINA. • \ . I
MR. DELL JILL BE ACCOMPANIED DY A. PARTY OF SIX OFFICIALS, INCLUDING MR. R.A. BROWNING, UNDER-SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TRADE- MR. C.E. BENJAMIN, UNDER-SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, AND MR. K.W. COTTERILL, UNDER-SECRETARY, EXPORT GUARANTEE DEPARTMENT.
DURING HIS STAY HERE, MR. DELL WILL MEET THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, AND VISIT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT AT OCEAN CENTRE WHERE HE '..ILL ATTEND A JOINT MEETING OF THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARDS.
HE ..ILL ALSO VISIT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION’S DEPOT AT KOWLOON BAY, AND VIEW THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NE.'. TERRITORIES DURING A HELICOPTER TOUR.
■R. DELL IS EXPECTED TO' MEET MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 4.30 P.M. ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 4) IM THE G.I.S. THEATRE, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
•;R. DELL AND HIS PARTY ARE DUE TO LEAVE BY TRAIN FOR A VISIT TO CHINA ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 6).
•I
NOTE TO EDITORS:
::r. dell and his party are scheduled to ark.vq on flight
BA 21 (ETA 1735 HOURS) ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 3.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1978
5
THREE MP’S TO VISIT HONG KONG *****
THREE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG NEXT WEEK ON A 1O-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT.
THEY ARE MR. NORMAN ST. JOHN-STEVAS (CONSERVATIVE), MR. PETER HARDY (LABOUR), AND MR. JOHN ROPER (LAB. AND CO-OP.). MR. ROPER WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE.
DURING THEIR VISIT, THEY WILL MEET THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
THEY WILL ALSO VISIT COMMUNITY CENTRES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SHA TIN NEW TOWN, AND MEET MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND STAFF OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES.
ON AUGUST 16, MR. HARDY AND MR. ROPER ARE EXPECTED TO MEET THE PRESS AT A CONFERENCE IN THE G.I.S. THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, BEFORE THEIR DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG. MR. ST. JOHN-STEVAS IS DUE TO LEAVE HONG KONG ON AUGUST 14.
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RECORD NUMBER OF CALLS FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE * * * *
THE AMBULANCE COMMAND OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT EXPERIENCED THE BUSIEST DAY YESTERDAY (MONDAY) WHEN THEY ANSWERED A RECORD NUMBER OF CALLS FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE ON A SINGLE DAY.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DURING THE 24-HOUR PERIOD ENDING AT 7 0. TODAY, THE COMMAND RESPONDED TO A TOTAL OF 605 CALLS FOR VARIOUS SERVICES — AN AVERAGE OF ONE IN EVERY TWO-AND-A-HALF MINUTES.
OF THESE CALLS, 483 WERE OF EMERGENCY NATURE AND 122 NONEMERGENCY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PREVIOUS HIGHEST NUMBER OF CALLS FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE WAS RECORDED ON JUNE 22 THIS YEAR WHEN 592 CALLS WERE RECEIVED.
HE ALSO SAID THE DEMAND FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE IS ON THE INCREASE AND IT COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO VARIOUS FACTORS, SUCH AS AN INCREASE IN POPULATION, MORE AMBULANCE MOVEMENTS TO HOSPITALS AND THE GREATER AWARENESS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE AMBULANCE SERVICE.
AT PRESENT THE DEPARTMENT IS OPERATING A FLEET OF 118 AMBULANCES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ANOTHER 15 NEW VEHICLES HAVE BEEN ORDERED AND ARE DUE TO ARRIVE IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1978
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"STING GOVERNOR TO ATTEND CONCERT BY U.K. SCHOOLS ORCHESTRA * * * * *
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WILL ATTEND THE CONCERT TO BE GIVEN BY THE COUNTY OF AVON SCHOOLS ORCHESTRA AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL AT 8 P.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE CONCERT, THE SECOND BY THE VISITING ORCHESTRA, IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL. THE PROGRAMME FOR THE EVENING WILL INCLUDE POPULAR ORCHESTRAL WORKS BY BOTH WESTERN AND CHINESE COMPOSERS.
AT ITS FIRST CONCERT AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL IN KOWLOON TONG THIS EVENING, THE ORCHESTRA PERFORMED TO A FULL HOUSE AND CAPTIVATED THE AUDIENCE BY THEIR ACCOMPLISHED PERFORMANCE.
ABOUT 500 CHILDREN FROM VARIOUS LOCAL CHOIRS JOINED THE ORCHESTRA IN GIVING A PERFORMANCE OF CHINESE FOLK SONGS AND THEY ALSO WON APPLAUSE FROM THE AUDIENCE.
THE COUNTY OF AVON SCHOOLS ORCHESTRA IS IN HONG KONG UNDER THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC EXCHANGE PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE.
OVER 4,100 TONS OF REFUSE COLLECTED FROM HARBOUR *****
MORE THAN 4,100 TONS OF REFUSE WERE COLLECTED FROM THE HARBOUR BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S SCAVENGING FLEET LAST YEAR COMPARED WITH 3,500 TONS IN 1976.
THE FLEET, WHICH OPERATES DAILY, IS MADE UI4 OF 38 CARGO BOATS AND SAMPANS.
IT OPERATES IN FIVE AREAS — THE CENTRAL HARBOUR WITH 16 CRAFT” THE YAU MA TEI AND CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTERS, FIVE CRAFT- TSUEN WAN, FOUR- THE EASTERN HARBOUR AREA, FOUR- AND ABERDEEN, NINE.
A MA*-1 INE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID EACH SCAVENGING UNIT CONSISTS OF A MECHa 'ED CARGO BOAT AND THREE SAMPANS. WORKERS ON THE SAMPANS SCOOP UP THE REFUSE AND THEN DEPOSIT IT ON THE CARGO BOAT.
AT THE END OF EACH DAY, THE REFUSE IS SHIPPED TO THE KOWLOON REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WHERE IT IS THEN TRANSPORTED BY LORRIES TO GIN DRINKERS BAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID, A SHIP-TO-SHIP REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE IS ALSO PROVIDED TO OCEAN-GOING VESSELS MOORED IN THE HARBOUR.
LAST YEAR, 550.5 TONS OF LITTER WERE COLLECTED BY THE SHIP-TO-SHIP COLLECTION SERVICE.
+IN ADDITION, TWO OTHER SCAVENGING UNITS EACH ALSO CONSISTING OF ONE MECHANISED CARGO BOAT AND THREE SAMPANS,, WILL WORK ON A FLEXIBLE BASIS TO TACKLE OTHER LITTER BLACK SPOTS IN THE HARBOUR,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1978
7
-NDER FORMS FOR 300 TAXI LICENCES AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT TENDER FORMS FOR 300 HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXI LICENCES WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM FRIDAY (AUGUST 4).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE TENDER FORMS MAY EE OBTAINED ONLY IN PERSON FROM EITHER THE HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK OR FROM THE KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICE ON THE 9TH FLOOR OF PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE AT 56 DUNDAS STREET, MCNG KOK.
+THE TENDER WILL BE IN THE FORM OF A PREMIUM IN RESPECT OF ONE OR MORE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXIS. A TENDERER MAY SUBMIT ONE TENDER FORM FOR ONE OR MORE LICENCES, BUT NOT EXCEEDING 300,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+HE MAY ALSO SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE TENDER FORM, BUT IF A TENDER FOR MORE THAN ONE LICENCE IS SUBMITTED, ONLY ONE FIXED PREMIUM SHOULD BE OFFERED.+
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED: +IF THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE LICENCES IS LESS THAN THE NUMBER REQUIRED BY A TENDERER, THEN A SMALLER NUMBER OF LICENCES MAY BE ALLOCATED TO HIM AS APPROPRIATE+.
HE SAID THAT A PUBLIC BALLOT MAY BE HELD TO DETERMINE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THOSE TENDERS IF THE UNIT PREMIA OFFERED ARE IDENTICAL.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS IN DUPLICATE ALONG WITH THE ORIGINAL DEPOSIT RECEIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN SEALED ENVELOPES, ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX SITUATED AT THE ENTRANCE HALL ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1?78.
LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TAXI LICENCES WOULD BE ISSUED TO SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS AT THE RATE OF 100 PER MONTH STARTING FROM OCTOBER, WITH THE HIGHEST TENDERS RECEIVING PRIORITY.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 197S
8
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING TO VISIT FORESTRY CAMP
******
THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. ALAN SCOTT, W ILL VISIT A SCHOOL FORESTRY WORK CAMP AT ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARKS MANAGEMENT CENTRE ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 3).
TH- CENTRE IS LOCATED AT ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD ABOUT 3OD YARDS FROM THE YUE KWONG CHUE' ESTATE.
THE SCHOOL FORESTRY WORK CAM? IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THE SIX-DAY-LONG CAMP ILL EE ATTENDED BY IS BOYS AGED BETWEEN 15 TC 13 FROM THE HONG KONG SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF. THEY WILL EE ACCOMPANIED BY TWO TEACHERS FROf THE SCHCOL.
DURING THE VISIT MR. SCOTT WILL INSPECT ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES AND SEE STUDENTS AT WORK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TC SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT TO A SCHOOL FORESTRY WORK CAMP AT ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARKS MANAGEMENT CENTRE BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING AT 10 A.M. ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 3). THE CENTRE IS AT ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD ABOUT 330 YARDS FROM THE YUE KWONG CHUEN ESTATE.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1978
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+PLAY SAFE+ POSTER AND LEAFLET ON SKATEBOARDING ******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PRODUCED A BILINGUAL +PLAY SAFE+ POSTER AND LEAFLET URGING YOUNSTERS TO TAKE CARE WHEN USING SKATEBOARDS.
THE PUBLICATION IS PART OF THE +SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS CAMPAIGN* LAUNCHED LAST MONTH TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN AQUATIC AND LAND SPORTS.
THE POPAI’S — PUPPETS OF PUBLICITY AND INFORMATION -- WILL SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN BY STAGING ILLUSTRATION SHOWS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF SKATEBOARDING AT PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT HONG K-ONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE PUPPET SHOW ABOUT SKATEBOARDING HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED IN SOME HOUSING ESTATES WHERE IT RECEIVED VERY GOOD RESPONSE FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, SPECIALLY CHILDREN.
THE PUPPETS ADVISE CHILDREN WHAT PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES THEY SHOULD TAKE WHEN USING SKATEBOARDS AND WHAT EQUIPMENT THEY NEED TO PLAY SAFELY.
+LEARN AND PRACTISE THE BASICS IN SKATEBOARDING BEFORE GOING ON TO THE MORE ADVANCED SKILLS,* THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED.
AT EACH PUPPET SHOW ATTRACTIVE RED AND YELLOW LEAFLETS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE AUDIENCE.
THE LEAFLETS CONTAIN A NUMBER OF SIMPLE SAFETY HINTS, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING DO’S AND DON’TS:-
* DO PICK A SAFE PLACE TO SKATEBOARD, SOMEWHERE AWAY FROM CARS AND PEDESTRIANS-
* DO SKATEBOARD ONLY ON DRY AND SMOOTH SURFACES- DON’T SKATEBOARD ON WET OR SLIPPERY GROUND-
* DO USE A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED SKATEBOARD. DON’T USE A HOME-MADE BOARD-
* DO LOOK AFTER YOUR SKATEBOARD. DO MAKE SURE THE BEARING, WHEELS, NUTS AND BOLTS OF YOUR SKATEBOARD ARE IN PROPER ORDER-
* DON’T CAUSE UNNECESSARY INJURIES TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS BY NOT CHECKING YOUR BOARD BEFORE YOU RIDE-
* DO ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING INCLUDING A HELMET, GLOVES, KNEE AND ELBOW PADS AND RUBBER SHOES-
* DO PRACTISE A LOT. DON’T TRY TRICKS BEFORE YOU HAVE MASTERED BASIC SKILLS-
* DO LEARN HOW TO FALL SAFELY- AND
* DO STEP OFF WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES.
THESE LEAFLETS CAN BE OBTAINED AT ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES, THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1976
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SENIOR government official to officiate at swear-in ceremony ******
THE ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION, •R. JAKES SO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF OFFICEBEARERS FOR THE 2ND TERM OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG (EAST KOWLOON REGION) AT THE CRYSTAL EALLRCOM OF HOLIDAY INN, TSIM SHA TSUI AT 7.33 P.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
MR. SC WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND APPOINTMENT TO THE INCOMING OFFICE-BEARERS
PRESENT LETTERS OF AT THE CEREMONY.
THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, MR. H.C. MA, WILL ATTEND THE CEREMONY ALONG WITH ABOUT 403 MEMBERS AND GUESTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF SCOUT ASSOCIATION OFFICE-BEARERS TO BE OFFICIATED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION AT 7.30 P.M. WEDNESDAY AT HOLIDAY INN CRYSTAL BALLROOM.
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WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT AND SHEK KIP MEI * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NORTH POINT ON THE ISLAND AND IN SHEK KIP MEI, KOWLOON WILL EE TEMPORARILY CUT OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 2) NIGHT TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE PREMISES IN THE AREA TO EE AFFECTED IN NORTH POINT, BOUNDED DY THE SOUTH SIDE OF KING’S ROAD FROM HEALTHY STREET ;.EST TO MANSION STREET, TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD AND PAK FUK ROAD INCLUDING MODEL LANE, HEALTHY STREET EAST AND HEALTHY STREET-CENTRAL, ..ILL HAVE NO ..ATER FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY.
IN SHEK KIP MEI, THE AREA BOUNDED DY NAM CHEONG STREET, wAI CHI STREET, WO CHAI STREET AND TAI HANG SAI STREET INCLUDING THE HONG KONG SETTLERS HOUSING CCRPORATION ..ILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1973
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TAX EXEMPTION FOR RETIREMENT BENEFITS .SUGGESTED ■............. 1
H-TEREST OF WORKERS PREVENTS‘.APPROVAL FOR. SELF-
ADV I'.'I STEREO RETIREMENT SCHEMES ........................ k
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION REPLYS TO COMMENTS ON EDUCATION
GREET PAPER ............................................... 5
■EVENTS LEADING TO SCHOOL CLOSURE EXPLAINED .................. jo
MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL PASSED. ...................... 21
T.S. LO COMMENTS ON MAGISTRATES (AMBWE-'T) BILL .............. 22
INCREASE IM PAYi'EVT TO PENSIONERS ................. ....... 23
PROBATE AMD AD--’It; I STRATI OK (AMET’DMEMT) BILL ..1....... 2.4
NEW SAFETY REGULATIONS ON LIFTING APPLIANCES INTRODUCED
I LEGCO ...................................................... 25
MORE SMALL COINS ON THE WAY......;......................... 26
PLANS TO IMPROVE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AT OLDER PUBLIC
HOUSING ESTATES ...'........................................ 27
GOVERN’'.ENT’S POLICY ON STREET LIGHTING .................... 27
GOVERNMENT IS CONS IDER INC A IR-CONDITlON I"G GENERAL HOSPITAL WARDS AND AMBULANCES ................................ 29
WAITING TIME FOR CIVIL SERVANTS SEEKING MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS ................................................. 2?
PROPOSAL TO ‘'AKE TWO NT -a IN ROUTES ONE-WAY BOUND NOT FEASIBLE ...................................................
iV .
/bus services .
BUS SERVICES TO CENTRAL DISTRICT .............................. 31
QUERY ON REDEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL SITES ................... 32
70'' TEXTILE JOS VACANCIES ON REGISTER' ....................... 32
ADEQUATE MEANS TO RECOVER COSTS OF DAMAGES TO PUBLIC PROPERTY ..................................... ,........... 33
ROAD SAFETY PROGRAMME ACHIEVES RESULT'........................ 33
TWO ' I LLS BECOME LA. / .........I.......... v......'• • •'... 33
PTHK ORDERS MOBILE TELEVISION PRODUCTION UN IT................. 34
CONTRACT SIGNING FOR EASTERN CORR I DOR PROJECT ............... 35
GIANT PROMENADE CONCERT FOR 3,0GC ...........•................. 36
WATER CUT..................................................... 37
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
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TAX EXEMPTION FOR RETIREMENT BENEFITS SUGGESTED
* * * * *
THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON. SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXEMPT FROM TAX THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS RECEIVED BY WORKERS, WHETHER OR NOT THE ofT!nlandTrevenueS C0VERINe them are amoved by the commissioner
AT PRESENT ONLY THOSE BENEFITS GIVEN OUT UNDER APPROVED SCHEMES ARE TAX FREE.
SIR SZE-YUEN RAISED THIS SUBJECT AT AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE TODAY AND WAS SUPPORTED IN HIS REQUEST BY FOUR OTHER UNOFFICIALS.
APPROVAL GIVEN TO RET IREMENT.SCHEMES HAS CONSEQUENCES FOR EMPLOYERS. THEY ARE GIVEN BASIC TAX RELIEF ON ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO THE SCHEMES, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF 15 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EMOLUMENTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES CONCERNED.
SIR SZE-YUEN SAID THAT WHILE THE INLAND REVENUE (RETIREMENT SCHEME) RULES GOVERNING THE APPROVAL OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES WERE VERY FAIR, +THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE HAS IMPOSED, ON TOP OF THESE RULES, CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE CONDITIONS, ONE OF WHICH HAS CAUSED TREMENDOUSLY UNFAIR SUFFERING TO EMPLOYEES.+
+THE RULES, AS APPROVED BY THIS COUNCIL, DO NOT STIPULATE THAT AN APPROVED RETIREMENT SCHEME MUST BE FUNDED AND ADMINISTERED BY TRUSTEES OR A TRUSTEE CORPORATION. NEVERTHELESS, WHERE THE FUNDS OF A SELF-ADMINISTERED SCHEME ARE INVESTED BY THE MANAGEMENT IN THE COMPANY’S OWN BUSINESS, APPROVAL OF THE SCHEME WILL, AS THE DEPARTMENT’S OWN INFORMATION PAMPHLET PUTS IT, ’ALMOST INVARIABLY BE WITHHELD’.*
HE SAID IT WAS THIS ADMINISTRATIVE AND DISCRIMINATORY DECISION OF THE COMMISSIONER THAT HE WISHES TO SEE ABOLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. +WHETHER OR NOT AN EMPLOYER OR MANAGEMENT IS RELIABLE OR TRUSTWORTHY AND WHETHER OR NOT A COMPANY HAS ADEQUATE FINANCIAL MEANS TO MEET THE LIABILITY OF ITS EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT BENEFITS HAS NO RELEVANCE WHATSOEVER TO GRANTING EMPLOYEES EXEMPTION FROM SALARIES TAX ON SUMS PAID TO THEM UNDER A RETIREMENT SCHEME.*
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALLOWS TWO TYPES OF APPROVED RETIREMENT SCHEMES, BOTH OF WHICH MUST, FIRST OF ALL. CONFORM WITH THE INLAND REVENUE (RETIREMENT SCHEME^ RULES.
THE FIRST TYPE WOULD BE FOR THOSE THAT ARE SEPARATELY FUNDED AND ADMINISTERED BY TRUSTEES OR TRUSTEE CORPORATIONS.
UNDER THIS TYPE, EMPLOYERS WOULD BE GIVEN RELIEF ON ANNUAL AND SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO THE SCHEME AS PERMITTED AT PRESENT, AND EMPLOYEES WOULD NOT BE LIABLE FOR SALARIES TAX ON SUMS PAID TO THEM.
/THE SE20KD .....
£Y, AUGUST 2, 1978
2 -
WEDN]
-iE SECOND AND NEW TYPE WOULD EE FOR THOSE IN WHICH THE FUNDS Ant <UT HELD SEPARATELY, ARE SELF-ADMINISTERED BY MANAGEMENT AND ARE INVESTED IN THE COMPANIES’ OWN BUSINESS.
UNDER THIS TYPE, EMPLOYEES WOULD NOT BE GIVEN TAX RELIEF ON NOTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OR PROVISIONS MADE TO FINANCE THE SCHEME AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR SUCH RELIEF UNTIL THE ACTUAL PAYMENTS WERE MADE TO EMPLOYEES ON RETIREMENT.
+HOWEVER, EMPLOYEES PARTAKING IN THIS TYPE, LIKE THOSE IN THE FIRST TYPE, SHOULD ALSO NOT BE LIABLE FOR SALARIES TAX ON SUMS PAID TO THEM UNDER THE SCHEME,+ SIR SZE-YUEN SAID.
HE SAID THIS CHANGE IS LONG OVERDUE AND WILL REMOVE A MAJOR INJUSTICE TO WAGE EARNERS.
HE COMMENDED THE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS EFFORTS IN IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF THE WORKERS THROUGH LABOUR LEGISLATION IN RECENT YEARS.
HOWEVER-, RE SA I'D, ALL THE WELFARE AND FRINGE BENEFITS SO FAR PROVIDED ARE SHORT-TERM IN THEIR EFFECT, AND EVEN REDUNDANCY PAY, WHICH IS THE EXCEPTION, CANNOT REALLY BE CLASSIFIED AS A LONG-TERM BENEFIT.
A NATIONAL CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME HE PROPOSED FOUR YEARS AGO WAS VERY ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTED BY THE INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE. DESPITE GOVERNMENT APATHY TOWARDS THE PROPOSAL, THERE IS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYERS ESTABLISHING RETIREMENTS SCHEMES.
+THIS IS, OF COURSE, A VERY WELCOME DEVELOPMENT AND I
URGE THE GOVERNMENT ACTIVELY TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE SUCH PROGRESS IN THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL BENEFITS,-*- HE SAID.
THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING, THE REV. THE HON. PATRICK MCGOVERN THE HON. WONG LAP) AND THE HON. JAMES W'U SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF SIR SZE-YUEN’S PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE A NEW TYPE OF APPROVED RETIREMENT SCHEME TO BENEFIT WORKERS.
MR. LEUNG SAID HONG KONG’S WORKFORCE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE LESS FORTUNATE GROUPS OF THE COMMUNITY.
OVER THE PAST DECADES OUR WORKERS HAVE UNSELFISHLY CONTRIBUTED THEIR SHARE TOWARDS PROGRESS AND ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND NOW THAT THESE GOALS HAVE BEEN REACHED, THEY DESERVE TO SHARE SOME OF THE FRUITS OF THEIR HARD WORK, HE ADDED.
MR. LEUNG AND FATHER MCGOVERN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER THE INTRODUCTION OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME.
FATHER MCGOVERN DREW ATTENTION TO A CHAPTER ON OLD AGE PROTECTION IN AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING PARTY REPORT PUBLISHED IN APRIL 1967 WHICH HE WANTED THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK AT AGAIN AND UPDATE.
/ALTHOUGH .....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
3 -
'(.THOUGH THE REPORT CAME OUT IN FAVOUR OF A PENSION INSURANCE SC.1L L, HE FOUND THAT ITS ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF A PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME WERE MORE COGENT THAN ITS ARGUMENTS AGAINST IT.
HE ALSO AGREED WITH THE MAIN THESIS OF THE REPORT, THAT THE PROPORTION OF OLD PEOPLE IN THE POPULATION WILL INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY YEAR BY YEAR AND THAT +THE TIME HAS COME WHEN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE SHOULD BE PERSUADED AND, IF NECESSARY, COMPELLED TO BEGIN ASSISTING ITSELF IN MAKING PROVISION FOR ITS OWN OLD AGE.*
FATHER MCGOVERN POINTED OUT THAT THE REFERENCE TO ’THE TIME HAS COME’ IS NOW OVER-ELEVEN YEARS AGO. +THE YOUNG AND MIDDLE AGED WORKERS OF THAT TIME ARE NOW ELEVEN YEARS NEARER THE DAY WHEN THEY WILL BE DEPENDENT ON THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD AND DRAWING ON SOME OTHER FUNDS INSTEAD OF THE FUNDS TO WHICH THEY AND THEIR EMPLOYERS COULD HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTING FOR THE PAST 11 YEARS.+
MR. WONG LAM SAID THAT WITHOUT A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND Land with only limited assistance under the social security ISYSTEM FOR THOSE WHO RETIRE, RETIREMENT BENEFITS CONSTITUTE ®THE MOST IMPORTANT SECURITY FOR THE OLD AGE OF MOST EMPLOYEES.
IT IS A SERIOUS BLOW TO THESE EMPLOYEES IF, FOR SOME REASON WHICH DOES NOT CONCERN THEM, PART OF THEIR RETIREMENT Benefits is taken by the government as tax.
MR. WONG THOUGHT THE TWO SUGGESTED TYPES OF APPROVED RETIREMENT SCHEMES COULD BE ADOPTED IN THE SAME COMPANY. IF THE EMPLOYEES HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE COMPANY’S OWN SCHEME, THEY CAN OPT TO JOIN A SCHEME ADMINISTERED BY A TRUSTEE CORPORATION.
+ IN ANY CASE, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GRANT TAX EXEMPTION TO THESE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF SCHEME, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THIS LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF THE WORKING CLASS AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH BETTER SECURITY,* HE SAID.
MR. JAMES WU SAID IN THE INTEREST OF SOCIAL STABILITY AND PROGRESS, THE MOVES BY MOST CHINESE EMPLOYERS IN SMALL BUSINESS TO GIVE RETIREMENT BENEFITS, NORMALLY IN A LUMP SUM, UPON THE RETIREMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED.
HE AGREED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ELIMINATE THE INJUSTICE TO EMPLOYEES WHO RECEIVE RETIREMENT BENEFITS UNDER NON-APPROVED SCHEMES. HE SAID FOR REASONS THAT ARE EVIDENT, SMALL EMPLOYERS WHO CONSTITUTE OVER 90 PER CENT OF EMPLOYERS IN HONG KONG, ARE NORMALLY SHORT IN CASH CAPITAL AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS AND WERE PARTICULARLY SCEPTICAL OF GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT.
+THE NECESSITY TO HAVE SUMS OF MONEY TIED UP, COUPLED WITH BUREAUCRATIC FORMALITY AND INFLEXIBILITY HAVE DETERRED THE SMALL BUSINESSES TO MAKE A MOVE TOWARDS SCHEMES THAT COULD MEET GOVERNMENT APPROVAL,* HE ADDED.
-------o--------- /4...................................
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
4
INTEREST OF WORKERS PREVENTS
APPROVAL FOR SELF-ADMINISTERED RETIREMENT SCHEMES
******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE. SAID TODAY THAT IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S STAND NOT TO GRANT APPROVAL TO SELF-ADMINISTERED RETIREMENT SCHEMES IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF WORKERS.
REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY SOME UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON +TAXATION OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS+ DURING THE COUNCIL’S ADJOURNMENT DEBATE, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE WAS SURPRISED THAT.TH IS STAND IS OBJECTED TO BY THEM.
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT THE INLAND REVENUE (RETIREMENT SCHEME) RULES PROVIDED THAT +THE RETIREMENT SCHEME SHALL BE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EMPLOYEE AND OF THE WIDOW. CHILDREN, SURVIVING DEPENDENTS, OR LEGAL PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF AN EMPLOYEE* AND THAT +EACH EMPLOYEE CONCERNED SHALL BE ENTITLED TO DEFINED BENEFITS*.
+SEPARATELY FUNDED RETIREMENT SCHEMES GIVE WORKERS SOME ASSURANCE THAT WHEN THE DATE OF RETIREMENT F INALLY ARRIVES THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS DUE TO THEM ARE ACTUALLY AVAILABLE TO THEM,* MR. HADDON-CAVE EMPHASISED.
+FURTHERMORE, AS THE SCHEMES MUST ALSO BE PROPERLY FUNDED THE FUNDS CONCERNED ARE USUALLY INVESTED IN A MIXTURE OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS STOCKS, BANK DEPOSITS AND BONDS, RISKS ARE SPREAD AND A STEADY RETURN ACHIEVED,* HE ADDED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, MR. HADDON-CAVE NOTED THAT IN THE CASE OF SELF-ADMINISTERED RETIREMENT SCHEMES, FUNDS ARE INVESTED BY EMPLOYERS IN THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.
+SUCH SCHEMES GIVE A LESSER DEGREE OF PROTECTION TO WORKERS IN THAT PAYMENTS ,ARE LESS ASSURED IF THE EMPLOYER’S BUSINESS RUNS INTO DIFFICULTY OR IF IT IS LIQUIDATED- AND, EVEN WHEN THIS IS NOT THE CASE, THE RETURN ACHIEVED IS MUCH LESS CERTAIN.* MR. HADDON-CAVE EXPLAINED.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE INLAND REVENUE (RETIREMENT SCHEME) RULES IMPLIED THAT A SCHEME IS NOT TO BE USED AS AN INSTRUMENT OF DISCIPLINE BY THE EMPLOYER.'
+SELF-ADMINISTERED SCHEMES, WHEREBY FUNDS ARE INVESTED IN THE EMPLOYER’S OWN BUSINESS, COULD BE USED BY THE EMPLOYER TO ENFORCE DISCIPLINE AND LOW WAGES,* HE SAID.
/MR. HADDON-CAVE......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
5
I R. HADDON-CAVE ALSO BROUGHT OUT TWO ASPECTS OF THE RULES rtNi, TH- TAXATION TREATMENT BENEFITS UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE. THESE ARE: TO ENSURE PROPERLY CONSTITUTED RETIREMENT SCHEMES IN THc INTERESTS OF WORKERS; AND TO ENCOURAGE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH SCHEMES BY WAY OF GRANTING TAX RELIEF TO E?PLOYEES AND, TO A SOMEWHAT LESSER EXTENT, EMPLOYERS.
i'R. HADDO:-CAVE OBSERVED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN VERY FEW CAScS IN THE PAST WHERE APPROVAL FOR SCHEMES SUBMITTED HAS HAD TC BE .. ITHHELD BECAUSE THE SCHEME ..AS NOT PROPERLY FUNDED, ..OR HAS THE REQUIREMENT FOR.PROPER FUNDING PROVED TO BE AN CE3TACLE TO NEW SCHEMES BEING SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL.
IN FACT, HE SAID, THE NUMBER OF APPROVALS WAS RISING EVERY YEAR FROM 56 IN 1973-74 TC 154 IN 1975-76 AND TO 192 IN 1977-73.
MR. HADDON-CAVE ADDED, HOWEVER, HE WOULD CONSIDER FURTHER THE PROPOSITION OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON THE MATTER.
TOPLEY LINKS EDUCATION PLANNING WITH DEMAND FOR PLACES AND MANPOWER NEEDS ******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, TODAY SPELLED OUT THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PLANNING OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION PROVISION TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE DEMAND FOR PLACES BY STUDENTS AND PARENTS, AND HONG KONG’S PROJECTED MANPOWER NEEDS.
MR. TOPLEY WAS REPLYING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO COMMENTS MADE LAST MONTH BY MEMBERS OF THE UMELCO AD HOC GROUP ON THE GREEN PAPER ON SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION.
HE SAID THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLANNING AND MANPOWER NEEDS WAS AN ISSUE THAT CAUSED LONG DEBATE AND REVEALED CONSIDERABLE VARIATIONS IN OPINION AMONG THE WORKING PARTY THAT PRODUCED THE GREEN PAPER.
♦ON THE ONE HAND THERE IS THE SCHOOL OF THOUGHT WHICH BELIEVES THAT PROVISION SHOULD BE MADE TO ENABLE ALL TO ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION OF WHICH THEY ARE CAPABLE REGARDLESS OF THE ECONOMIC NEEDS OF SOCIETY,♦ MR. TOPLEY SAID.
/+AT THE OTHER END
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
6 -
T THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM IS THE BELIEF THAT UNLESS PKuv.jION OF PLACES AT THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS GEARED TO MANPOWER NEEDS, SERIOUS SOCIAL PROBLEM® WILL ARISE FROM THE INABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY TO MATCH EMPLOYMENT* OPPORTUNITIES WITH EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT.
♦THE PROVISION RATES AT THE VARIOUS LEVELS — FORM 4, FORM 6 AND TERTIARY — PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER RECOGNISED MA&POWER NEEDS BUT TRIED TO MAKE SUFFICIENT PROVISION TO MEET THE DEMAND FROM THOSE ESTIMATED TO BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE COURSES OFFERED. ;
♦MOST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP APPEAR TO HAVE ACCEPTED THE GREEN PAPER APPROACH. AT LEAST THEY ACCEPT IT AS REASONABLE PROVIDED IT CAN BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE. ’ MID WITH THEIR PROVISO THAT UNIVERSAL SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION UP TO FORM 5 SHOULD BE OUR LONG-TERM AIM.
♦THE VIEW HAS BEEN EXPRESSED BY MR. FRANCIS TICK AND W. S.L. CHEN THAT TOO LARGE A PROVISION OF SENIOR SECONDARY
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, ♦THE LOGIC OF THE SITUATION IS THAT EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING IN INDUSTRY WILL HAVE TO BECOME MORE ATTRACTIVE IN REWARDS AND M'KSK Wiw"?W? SvEW?Mr4?8um
HAS PP0P0SED-T0 EXPAND THE
♦THIS POSSIBILITY. TOGETHER WITH WAYS OF MAINTAINING A HIGH QUALITY OF INTAKE TO THE PRE—VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS# PERHAPS U!R™e!LAoL,M,TED INTRODUCTION OF SENIOR SECONDARY C^ASSEt* IN THESE SCHOOLS, IS BEING SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED.
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/♦HENCE THE BELIEF
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
7
.'£NC£ IHE BEL,EE THAT THE basis for a work-force able to COPE WITH THE TASKS AHEAD IS A FULL, ALL-ROUND SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. WITHOUT fHIS WE SHALL NOT HAVE IN OUR WORK-FORCE THE ADAPTABILITY. THE FLEXIBILITY AND THE INNOVATIVENESS TO SECURE OUR ECONOMIC SURVIVAL.
♦TO THIS DEBATE THERE IS NO ABSOLUTE ’BOOK* ANSWER. ALL WE CAN STRIVE TO DO IS TO FIND A FORMULA - THE MIXTURE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, OF INDUCEMENTS IN THE VARIOUS SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY AND CF OPPORTUNITIES FOR SATISFYING LEISURE PURSUITS - WHICH WORKS FOR OUR SOCIETY.
♦THIS FORMULA WILL EMERGE ONLY FROM PRACTICAL TRIALS. THE ' GREEN PAPER, IN EFFECT, MADE CERTAIN PROPOSALS TO THIS END. A NUMBER OF MEMBERS HAVE MADE SUGGESTIONS INVOLVING AN EVEN RICHER MIXTURE OF INGREDIENTS THAN ENVISAGED IN THE GREEN PAPER TO SATISFY THE ASPIRATIONS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR PARENTS AND THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I .
♦THESE, TOGETHER WITH OTHER COMMENTS ARISING FROM THE PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE GREEN PAPER, ARE BEING GIVEN THE FULLEST CONSIDERATION IN DRAWING UP THE WHITE PAPER.♦
COMMENTING ON THE MORE SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS MADE IN LAST MONTH’S SPEECHES ABOUT SENIOR SECONDARY, TEACHER TRAINING, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNIC, THE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES AND ADULT EDUCATION, MR. TOPLEY SAID I ♦THE 50 PER CENT RATE OF PROVISION OF FORM 4 TO 5 SENIOR SECONDARY PLACES APPEARS TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE MAJORITY - EVEN IF ONLY AS A FIRST STEP.
♦PUBLIC DEMAND. HOWEVER, AS EXPRESSED IN SUBMISSIONS TO THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND IN THE MEDIA, WAS STRONGLY IN FAVOUR OF A GREATER PROVISION.
♦BEFORE REACHING A FINAL DECISION ON THIS MATTER, OTHER FACTORS WILL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED. FOR EXAMPLE, THE GREEN PAPER PROPOSALS ENVISAGED A FAIRLY SEVERE DEGREE OF ASYMMETRY IN THE NEW SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT IN THE NEW TOWNS AND OTHER DEVELOPING AREAS.
♦THERE IS A FEELING, THAT-TH IS ASYMMETRY SHOULD BE REDUCED. COMPLETE SYMMETRY IN OUR SYSTEM, HOWEVER, MEANS THE SAME AS FULL SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL. AND THERE ARE CONSTRAINTS - PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL - WHICH WOULD DETERMINE THE SPEED AT WHICH WE COULD PROVIDE FOR THIS.
♦WE MUST REMEMBER. TOO, THAT THE CALL FOR A BROADENING AND ENRICHMENT OF THE CURRICULA WILL REQUIRE A CONSIDERABLE PROGRAMME CF EXTENSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN FACILITIES.
/♦I AM CONFIDENT......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
8 -
AM CONFIDENT THAT THE ’PACKAGE’ THAT WILL BE PRESENTED IK THE WHITE PAPER WILL ALLOW FOR A RATE OF PROVISION OF PLACES ACCEPTABLE TO THE MAJORITY.
♦I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THIS RATE WILL NOT BE LESS THAN 50 PER CENT - AND I SHOULD LIKE TO ASSURE DR. HUANG THAT THE CHANGES IN POPULATION PROJECTIONS AND ESTIMATED LEVELS OF DEMAND AND THE NEED FOR CAREFUL AND CONSTANT MONITORING ARE FULLY REALISED. SOME FLEXIBILITY WILL BE BUILT INTO OUR PLANS.♦
COMMENTING ON A QUESTION PUT BY DR. HUANG ON THE PROVISION OF SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR DISABLED STUDENTS. MR. TOPLEY SAID:+EDUCATION FOR HANDICAPPED PUPILS AT THIS LEVEL IS COVERED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHICH PROVISION WILL BE MADE IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR SEVERELY HANDICAPPED PUPILS UNABLE TO ATTEND NORMAL SCHOOLS.
♦THE LESS SEVERELY HANDICAPPED WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO ORDINARY SCHOOLS OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
♦THERE ARE ALREADY SOME ORDINARY SCHOOLS PARTIALLY ACCESSIBLE TO THE HANDICAPPED. DISCUSSIONS ARE NOW BEING HELD WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ON DESIGNING SOME NEW SCHOOLS AND ADAPTING SOME EXISTING SCHOOLS TO MAKE THEM ACCESSIBLE TO THE MORE SEVERELY HANDICAPPED. THE KOWLOON TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE HAS ALREADY BEEN PLANNED TO BE MADE ACCESSIBLE TO THE HANDICAPPED.
SPEAKING BRIEFLY ON THE PROVISION OF FORM 6 EDUCATION.
FR. TOPLEY SAID i ♦PRESENT PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SECTOR OF OUR SYSTEM IS STILL AT A VERY EARLY STAGE.
♦THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS SET UP A COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE REPORT PRODUCED BY MY WORKING COMMITTEE. AN INTERIM REPORT WILL BE MADE BY THE BOARD’S COMMITTEE TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR, AND ITS FINAL REPORT SHOULD BE READY NEXT SPRING.
♦IF SOME MEMBERS SHOULD THINK THAT WE ARE MOVING RATHER SLOWLY, I WOULD POINT OUT THAT THE PROBLEM OF FORM 6 EDUCATION HAS BEEN A MATTER OF INTENSE DEBATE AND DISCUSSION IN BRITAIN FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS AND THAT THE PROPOSALS WHICH HAVE FINALLY BEEN FORMULATED (BUT BY NO MEANS ARE FINDING GENERAL ACCEPTANCE) ARE LIKELY TO BE IMPLEMENTED FN 1986.
„ *THE COMMENTS MADE BY MEMBERS ON FORM 6 EDUCATION, IN PARTICULAR THOSE BY MISS KO AND MISS BENNETT, WILL BE PASSED ON TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR DELIBERATION. IN THE FEANTIME, HOWEVER, IT WOULD APPEAR REASONABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THE PRESENT RATE OF PROVISION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR - ONE-THIRD OF THOSE ENTERING FORM 4.
/+THE AD HOC GROUP .....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
9
.IE AD HOC GROUP HAS EXPRESSED SATISFACTION THAT THERE WILL huT BE A PUBLIC EXAMINATION AT THE END OF FORM 3 BUT, ALTHOUGH ACCEPTING THE NEED FOR SOME SYSTEM OF ALLOCATION, ARE AFRAID THAT THE APTITUDE TESTS IN CHINESE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS WILL LEAD TO DISTORTION OF THE CURRICULUM AND DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF GENERAL EDUCATION.
♦THESE DANGERS WERE FULLY REALISED AND THOROUGHLY DISCUSSED BY THE WORKING PARTY WHICH PRODUCED THE REPORT ON WHICH THE NEW SYSTEM IS BASED.
♦NO ONE INVOLVED IN EDUCATION AND FAMILIAR WITH THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS ENTRANCE EXAMINATION COULD FAIL TO KNOW THESE DANGERS. IN FACT, THE DECISION TO LIMIT THE TESTS TO CHINESE. ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS WAS MADE IN THE BELIEF THAT THIS WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO AVOID DISTORTION OF THE CURRICULUM.
♦IN MOST OTHER SUBJECTS THE CONTENT IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE METHODS OF STUDY, THE STUDY SKILLS AND ATTITUDES FOSTERED AND THE INTEREST AROUSED. PUBLIC TESTS, HOWEVER WELL CONSTRUCTED, INEVITABLY INTRODUCE RIGIDITY INTO THE COURSE AND PRESSURE TO PERFORM WELL. THE EFFECT, THEREFORE. OF INTRODUCING TESTS FOR ALL SUBJECTS WOULD BE TO DESTROY THE SPIRIT OF THE NEW JUNIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM. THE MAIN AIM IN THE TEACHING OF CHINESE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS IS TO MAKE POSSIBLE THE USE OF THESE SKILLS IMPARTED, PROVIDED THE PUBLIC TESTS CONCENTRATE ON THE USE OF THESE TOOLS, THEY WILL ENCOURAGE PROPER LEARNING.
♦THE JUNIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM IS THE PLATFORM FOR STUDY IN FORM 4 AND 5. NO SENSIBLE SCHOOL WILL SO DISTORT ITS TEACHING THAT IT FAILS TO PROVIDE ITS PUPILS WITH THIS NECESSARY BASIS FOR THE SENIOR SECONDARY COURSE.
♦I REALISE, HOWEVER, THAT THE NEW SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY MONITORED AND, IN TIME, REVIEWED. IT IS MY INTENTION TO PROVIDE FOR THIS MONITORING BY INCREASING THE RESEARCH CAPABILITY WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. TO BE EFFECTIVE, WE MUST BEGIN OUR MONITORING PROGRAMME IMMEDIATELY. WITHOUT A ’PHOTOGRAPH* TAKEN OF THE SITUATION IN OUR FORM 1 TO 3 TEACHING NOW, HOW CAN WE ASSESS THE EFFECT OF THE NEW SYSTEM? THIS RESEARCH WILL BECOME A JOINT FUNCTION OF MY ADVISORY INSPECTORATE AND THE EDUCATION RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT AND WILL REQUIRE THE ALLOCATION OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THESE SECTIONS.
♦ANOTHER MAIN ISSUE RAISED BY THE AD HOC GROUP AND FURTHER STRESSED BY INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS IS THAT OF UNIFORMITY OF STANDARDS IN OUR PROVISION OF PUBLIC SECTOR PLACES.
♦SPECIFIC POINTS MENTIONED WERE THE NEED TO BRING THE CAPUT SCHOOLS ON TO FULL AID, REDUCING RELIANCE ON BOUGHT PLACES IN THE PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SECTOR AND GREATER CONTROL OF THAT SECTOR.
♦THE LAST TWO POINTS ARE ALREADY CATERED FOR IN PRESENT PROPOSALS, WHICH I CANNOT SEE BEING ALTERED IN THE WHITE PAPER.
/+BY THESE, ......
■7EDKESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
10
xzY THESE, THE NUMBER OF FORM 1 TO 3 BOUGHT PLACES IN PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS WILL HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO SOME 17,000 BY THE MID-1980S. THERE IS NO INTENTION TO BUY FORM 4 TO 5 PLACES IN THE PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS. IN THE MEANTIME SUPERVISION OF SCHOOLS OFFERING BOUGHT PLACES WILL CONTINUE AND, IF NECESSARY, BE INCREASED TO ENSURE THE MAINTENANCE OF ADEQUATE STANDARDS.♦
REITERATING HIS AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR GREATER UNIFORMITY OF STANDARDS IN THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC SECTOR PLACES, MR. TOPLEY SAID 1 +THIS OF COURSE, IS NOT LIMITED TO SENIOR SECONDARY PLACES, BUT COVERS ALL SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVELS. THE UNIFORMITY SOUGHT WILL BE ACHIEVED ONLY BY BRINGING ON TO FULL SUBSIDY ALL THE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE CAPUT GRANT SCHEME.
♦THE GREEN PAPER, BEING CONCERNED WITH SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION, REFERRED ONLY TO THE BUYING OF FORM 4 TO 5 PLACES IN THESE SCHOOLS AND TO THE NEED FOR A REVIEW OF THE LEVEL CF ASSISTANCE TO THEM.
♦THIS WAS DISCUSSED RECENTLY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND PROPOSALS ARE NOW BEING CONSIDERED WHICH COULD ACHIEVE UNIFORMITY OF ASSISTANCE IN ALL PUBLIC SECTOR SCHOOLS WITHIN THREE TO FIVE YEARS OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER. WHATEVER THE TIME-SCALE FINALLY AGREED, IT IS HOPED THAT THE FIRST STEPS WILL BE TAKEN IN SEPTEMBER, 1979.+
IN AN EFFORT TO CLEAR UP A MISCONCEPTION HELD BY MR. S.L. CHEN, MR. TOPLEY SAID » +THE 1965 WHITE PAPER LAID DOWN THAT EXPANSION, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, SHOULD BE THROUGH THE AIDED SECTOR, AND THIS POLICY HAS BEEN FOLLOWED.
+THIS, HOWEVER, HAS BEEN NO REFLECTION ON THE STANDARDS OF GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS, WHOSE REPUTATION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY STANDS VERY HIGH.+
TURNING TO MEMBERS’ SUPPORT FOR THE IDEA CF BROADENING TmE
CURRICULUM AT THE SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL
PARTICULAR
IN
TO THE I'.TRCDUCT I ON CF A GREATER PRACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CCNTE T, . A. FEPLEY ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THEIR WISHES WOULD BE CATERED FOR IN THE ..HITE PAPER AND, FORE IMPORTANT, EE IMPLEMENTED IN iCn'CL COURSES.
+ 1 MUST ADVISE MEMBERS, HOWEVER, T-.AT TO INTRODUCE A GREATER PRACTICAL AND TECHNICAL ELENE.'.T ..ILL "CT EE . ITHOUT ITS DIFFICULTIES,+ HE SAID.
+A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF ADAPTING AND EXTENDING OF PREMISES WILL t'E REQUIRED. THE FLOATING CLASS SYSTEM, UPON WHICH ,.E SHALL HAVE TO RELY FOR QUITE SC"E TIE DOES ,E IT DIFFICULT BECAUSE TH; SPECIALIST ROC'-’S QU I C<L Y EEC?' E OVERLOADED.
/+CSNTRAL WORKSHOPS .....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
11
♦CENTRAL WORKSHOPS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED AND SUPPORTED. BUT THEY, TOO, RAISE PROBLEMS BOTH OF INTERNAL MANAGEMENT AND PROBLEMS ALSO FOR THE SCHOOLS THEY SERVE. TIME-TABLING BECOMES MORE COMPLICATED, MORE DIFFICULT. WE SHALL NEED TO INTRODUCE OUR CENTRAL WORKSHOPS GRADUALLY AND CAREFULLY.
♦I APOLOGISE TO MR. ALEX WU IF THE GREEN PAPER GAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE AUTHORS’, AND THEREFORE THE GOVERNMENT’S, IfjETERESTS WERE TOO UTILITARIAN -_MORE_CONCERNED ABOUT TRA IN I NG A WORK-FORCE THAN GIVING OUR CHILDREN AN ALL-ROUND EDUCATION.
+IT IS TRUE THAT WE WERE CONCERNED THAT WE SHOULD NOT CREATE A SYSTEM OF EDUCATION WHICH.WOULD IN TIME, AS HAS HAPPENED ELSEWHERE, DAMAGE THE FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY.
+AND, AS I HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED, SOME MEMBERS STILL HAVE LORRIES ON THIS. PERHAPS THIS CONCERN DID LEAD TO TOO STRONG AN EMPHASIS ON OUR ECONOMIC NEEDS. I AM SURE THAT THE WHITE PAPER WILL REDRESS THE BALANCE.+
MR. TOPLEY SAID MR. ALEX WU AND MISS BENNETT HAD BOTH MADE STRONG PLEAS FOR MORE EMPHASIS ON THE CULTURAL SUBJECTS IN SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY FOR MUSIC.
+l CAN ASSURE THEM THAT SCHOOLS WILL CONTINUE TO BE GIVEN EVERY ENCOURAGEMENT TO GIVE THE CULTURAL SUBJECTS THEIR DUE PLACES,+ HE SAID, +MUSIC IS ALREADY ENCOURAGED AS A GENERAL SUBJECT AND IS BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECOMMENDED FORM 4 TO 5 CURRICULUM FOR ALL STUDENTS. ART AND DESIGN WILL ALSO BE MORE WIDELY OFFERED. THE NEW' INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SCHEME IS CERTAIN TO CREATE WIDER INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION IN MUSIC.
♦ON THIS QUESTION OF THE CULTURAL SUBJECTS, HOWEVER, I THINK WE SHOULD REMEMBER JUST HOL MUCH THEY HAVE BURGEONED OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS.
+1 KNOW THAT SOME WILL CHARGE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED MAINLY THROUGH OUR EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMES. THE FACT IS, THE BURGEONING HAS HAPPENED. AND LET’S NOT OVER-STRESS THE ’EXTRA’ PART. THEY ARE STILL SCHOOL-EASED ACTIVITIES, THE SUCCESS OF WHICH HAS COME FROM DEDICATION AND TIME FREELY GIVEN BY OUR TEACHERS. PERHAPS 'MORE DEFINITE INCLUSION IN THE SCHOOL’S TIME-TABLES A LITTLE MORE ’COMPULSION’ WILL BE BENEFICIAL, BUT WE MUST NOT OVERDO IT.+
COMMENTING ON MR. ALEX WU’S SUGGESTION THAT CHINESE TRADITION MADE IT POSSIBLE TO INTRODUCE MORAL TRAINING AS A SPECIFIC SUBJECT INTO SCHOOL TIME-TABLE, MR. TOPLEY SAID, +THIS VIEW IS RESPECTED AND PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE INCLUSION OF RELIGIOUS/ETHICAL TEACHING IN THE NEW FORM 4 TO 5 CURRICULUM. MORAL ISSUES ARE ALSO INTRODUCED INTO GENERAL SUBJECTS.
/+HOWBVER, THE ......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST, 2, 1978 '
12
+HOWEVER, THE TEACHING OF MORALITY OR ETHICS IS NO EASY TASK. »E E’JTER AREAS OF DEEP CONTROVERSY AND IF TEACHERS ARE TO TEACH EFFECTIVE MORAL STANDARDS TO QUESTIONING PUPILS THEY MUST BE GIVEN A SOUND KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONFLICTING VIEWS AND BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH SUCH QUESTIONS AS : ’ARE THERE ANY ABSOLUTE VALUES CR ARE ALL VALUES RELATIVE?’
+THI3 VERY QUESTION IS AT THE' HEART OF THE CRISIS IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHICH DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE SO COMPLETELY ABONDONED THE ATTEMPT TO INSTIL MORAL VALUES AS MR. ALEX WU SUGGESTS.
+ INDEED, THERE IS REAL CONCERN IN ERITA IN OVER THIS ISSUE AND VALUABLE WORK HAS BEEN DONE IN CONSTRUCTING SYLLABUSES WHICH ATTEMPT TO ENCOURAGE PUPILS TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT MORAL VALUES WITHOUT INDOCTRI NAT ION,+
TURNING TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE TWO LANGUAGES, MR. TOPLEY SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN AWARE OF THIS FOR A LONG TIME.
+THE IDEA OF, CONCENTRATING ON EITHER CHINESE OR ENGLISH, AS SUGGESTED BY MR. YEUNG, IS ATTRACTIVE, HOWEVER,
I CANNOT REALLY SEE HOW WE COULD EVER BE JUSTIFIED IN CONCENTRATING ON ENGLISH WITH CHILDREN WHOSE FIRST LANGUAGE IS CHINESE.
+TO ADOPT THE ALTERNATIVE - TO USE CHINESE ONLY - WOULD BE SEEN BY MANY AS A RETROGRADE STEP. HONG KONG IS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY WHOSE VERY SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON TRADE AND COMMUNICATION WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.
+ENGLISH IS ITS MEANS OF DOING SC. I BELIEVE, THEREFORE, THAT WE SHALL HAVE TO GO ON LIVING WITH OUR TWO-LANGUAGE PROBLEM.
+WHAT WE CAN DO, AND ARE DOING, IS TO STUDY INTENSIVELY THE PROBLEM OF ENGLISH TEACHING TO FIND THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND LEAST BURDENSOME METHODS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
+F INALLY, AND NOT ENTIRELY UNRELATED, IS THE QUESTION OF TEXTBOOKS IN CHINESE RAISED BY MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.
♦LOWER DEMAND FOR TEXTBOOKS IN CHINESE AT THE SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL HAS KEPT THE QUALITY OF THESE. BOOKS INFERIOR TO THEIR ENGLISH COUNTERPARTS AND LESS CHOICE IS AVAILABLE.
+AGAIN THE IS DOING ALL IT PUBLISHERS.+
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND CAN TO IMPROVE MATTERS IN DISCUSSION WITH
TOPLEY said the desire for improvement in the quality of SECONDARY EDUCATION WAS ALSO REFLECTED IM MEMBERS’ COMMENTS ON ItACHER TRAINING.
*JHERE ls OBVIOUSLY GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT IF WE ARE TO 5?nMnDoe£n,Br0ADE:R GENERAL -DUCAT ION TC A GREATER NUMBER OF OUR KvPr0PLE’ wE SHALL REQUIRE NOT ONLY MORE TEACHERS, BUT ALSO HIGHLY EDUCATED AND WELL-TRAINED TEACHERS,+ HE SAID
/+MEMBEBS HAVE, .....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
13 -
♦i.tMEERS HAVE, THEREFORE, SUPPORTED THE GREEN PAPER PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION. I THINK I DETECT, HOWEVER, LESS CERTAINLY ON WHETHER OR NOT THE PRESENT TWO-YEAR COURSE OF TRAINING SHOULD EE LENGTHENED. IT COULD ..ELL BE THAT TO DO BOTH IS NOT REQUIRED IN ALL CASES. IF SO, I WOULD CONSIDER IT MORE EFFECTIVE TO ENSURE GREATER CONTENT OF KNOWLEDGE IN OUR TRAINEE TEACHERS ON ENTRY.
♦ A FULL SCALE REVIEW OF NON-GRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION IS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCES TO THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
♦ THE REVIEW WILL COVER LENGTH AND CONTENT OF INITIAL COURSES CF TRAINING, ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, PRIORITIES FOR REFRESHER/ RE-TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND COLLEGE STAFFING REQUIREMENTS.
» . ■
♦ THE WORKING PARTIES CARRYING OUT THIS REVIEW WILL CERTAINLY TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE POINTS WHICH MEMBERS HAVE MADE.+
COMMENTING BRIEFLY ON THESE, MR.. TOPLEY CONTINUED: +MISS BENNETT HAS CR IT IC ISED THE PRESENT STAFF I NG OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION: TOO MANY NON-GRADUATES AND NOT ENOUGH USE MADE OF OVERSEAS-TRAINED STAFF.
♦ THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECOGNISED FOR SOME TIME THAT OUR STAFF STRUCTURE IN THE COLLEGES NEEDED REVIEW. THIS HAS BEEN DONE AND A NEW ESTABLISHMENT IS, I HOPE, ABOUT TO BE APPROVED.
♦ A FEATURE OF THE NEW ESTABLISHMENT IS THAT THE NUMBER OF GRADUATE OR GRADUATE-EQUIVALENT POSTS HAS BEEN INCREASED TO ABOUT 63 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL TO STRENGTHEN THE ACADEMIC CONTENT OF THE COURSES AND TO REFLECT THE FACT THAT JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW TEACHERS LIE MAINLY IN THE SECONDARY SECTOR.
♦ HOWEVER, OUR COLLEGES ALSO TRAIN TEACHERS FOR OUR PRIMA-ry SCHOOLS, SC THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS EE A NEED FOR NoVgRAdWi^ LECTURERS WITH PRIMARY SCHOOL EXPERIENCE.
+THE NEW STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO-ENSURE GREATER STABILITY. THERE 13 A CASE FOR A SYSTEMWHICH ALLOWS SHORT-TERM. TRANSFER FROM CLASSROOM TEACHING TO OTHER AREAS OF EDUCATION (INCLUDING TEACHER TRAINING) AND VICE VERSA.
♦ FINALLY, ON THE QUESTION OF STAFFING, THE NEW STRUCTURE IN THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION 4 ILL HAVE MORE POSTS TO WHICH LECTURERS HOLDING OVERSEAS GRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS CAN BE APPOINTED.
♦ THE EFFECT OF THIS CHANGE WILL BE GREATEST IN ART, HOME ECONOMICS, MUSIC AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION, IN „HICH FOR THE FIRST TIME IT ..ILL EE POSSIBLE TO APPOINT GRADUATES OR GRADUATE EQUIVALENTS.*
/mh. topley said .....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
14
MR. TOPLEY SAID BOTH MR. Q.W. LEE AND DR. HUANG HAD STRESSED THE NEED TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF TEACHERS TO MEET OUR SECONDARY EDUCATION EXPANSION.
+THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A VERY THOROUGH SURVEY OF NON-GRADUATE TEACHER REQUIREMENT UP TO 1987 AND THE PROJECTIONS FROM THIS ARE BEING USED IN OUR FORWARD PLANNING FOR THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION,* HE SAID, +A SIMILAR SURVEY IS EE ING UNDERTAKEN FOR GRADUATE TEACHERS WHICH, I HOPE, WILL EE COMPLETED BY THE AUTUMN. I WILL THEN CONSULT THE TWO SCHOOLS OF EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITIES.*
MR. TOPLEY SAID THE MAIN TASK OF WORKING PARTIES REVIEWING NON-GRADUATE FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMMES WAS THE CONTENT OF THE TRAINING COURSES IN WHICH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AND STUDENT GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING WOULD BE TOPICS OF INCREASING IMPORTANCE.
MR. TOPLEY ALSO ASSURED MR. ALEX WU THAT CULTURAL SUBJECTS WOULD RECEIVE THOROUGH TREATMENT IN THE REVIEW.
+FROM HIS REMARKS, HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED THAT MR. WU UNDER-ESTIMATES THE ATTENTION AT PRESENT GIVEN TO CULTURAL SUBJECTS, IN PARTICULAR MUSIC, IN CUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION,* HE SAID.
+ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SPEND SOME TIME EACH WEEK IN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES TO HELP EXTEND THEIR OUTLOOK AND INTERESTS. MUSIC IN THIS CONTEXT IS AN ACTIVITY AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS OTHER THAN THOSE WHO HAVE ELECTED TO STUDY MUSIC WITH A VIEW TO TEACHING MUSIC IN SCHOOLS.
+THOSE WISHING TO TEACH MUSIC IN SCHOOLS UNDERGO A FULL, PROPERLY-STRUCTURED COURSE IN JUST THE SAME WAY AS THOSE STUDYING ANY OTHER TEACHING SUBJECT IN THE CURRICULUM.*
TURNIG TO A SUGGESTION MADE BY MR. JAMES WU'THAT THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE SHOULD TAKE INTO ITS COURSES HIGHER CERTIFICATE OR HIGHER DIPLOMA HOLDERS FROM THE POLYTECHNIC IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF TEACHERS OF TECHNICAL SUBJECTS, MR. TOPLEY SAID-. +EVER SINCE THE TECHNICAL TEACHER COURSES BEGAN IN 1969, WE HAVE BEEN ADMITTING ORDINARY DIPLOMA AND HIGHER CERTIFICATE HOLDERS TO THE ONE-YEAR COURSE.
+THERE ARE, HOWEVER, OTHER APPARENTLY MORE ATTRACTIVE AVENUES OPEN TO THOSE WITH SUCH QUALIFICATIONS. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO ATTRACT HIGHER DIPLOMA HOLDERS.
+TEACHER TRAINING IS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE KEY AREAS IN THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF OUF EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE SECURE A WELL-TRAINED, WELL-MOTIVATED TEACHING FORCE TO STAFF OUR SCHOOLS. THIS WILL ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH AN ATTRACTIVE CAREER STRUCTURE AND A RESPECTED PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR OUR TEACHERS.*
Ajr. topley said although ..
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
15
*'R. TOPLEY SAID ALTHOUGH THE, GREEN PAPER DID NQT PROPOSE ANY MAJC.' CHANGE IN THE ROLE OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, THEY WOULD BE EXPANDED TO MEET DEMAND AND A CREDIT UNIT SYSTEM WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE GREATER MOBILITY FROM COURSE TO COURSE AND TO ALLOW PROGRESSION TO THE POLYTECHNIC. THE MAIN EMPHASIS IN THE INSTITUTES WOULD CONTINUE TO EE ON THE PROVISION OF PART-TIME DAY RELEASE CRAFT COURSES WITH A LESSER PROVISION OF TECHNICIAN COURSES.
+THIS IS VERY MUCH IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL,+ HE SAID. +THROUGH THE PART-TIME DAY RELEASE MODE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION - WHICH IS MORE COMPREHENSIVE THAN THE EVENING MODE - STUDENTS ARE BETTER ABLE TO RELATE THEIR FORMAL TRAINING TO THEIR ACTUAL TASKS AT WORK.
+BUT IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE AD HOC GROUP WOULD PREFER TO SEE GREATER EMPHASIS ON FULL-TIME AND EVENING CLASS COURSES, AND AN EVALUATION OF THE WHOLE SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED.
+l THINK THIS SUGGESTION SHOULD EE TAKEN UP, BUT I WOULD REMIND MEMBERS OF THE VIEWS OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL. I MUST ALSO POINT OUT THAT PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE PLACES MAKE UP ONLY ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE WHOLE AND THAT THESE COURSES ALREADY REQUIRE ATTENDANCE TWO EVENINGS A WEEK. THE GREEN PAPER HAS, IN FACT, PROPOSED A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN EVENING-ONLY COURSES.+
MR. TOPLEY SAID HE WAS PUZZLED BY THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE SHOULD BE CENTRAL WORKSHOPS FOR THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
+ALL OUR INSTITUTES ARE ALREADY WELL EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE TRAINING IN THE FIELDS IN WHICH THEY OFFER COURSES,+ HE SAID.
+THE COST OF EQUIPPING A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IS IN THE REGION OF 310 MILLION. WE MUST ALSO REMEMBER THAT INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IS ALSO PROVIDED WITHIN INDUSTRY ITSELF.
+TWO INDUSTRIES HAVE ALREADY SET UP WELL-ORGANISED INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES AND OTHERS ARE PLANNED. I SUGGEST THAT THIS IS HOW WE SHOULD PROCEED, NOT WITH CENTRAL WORKSHOPS.+
MR. TOPLEY SAID THE AD HOC GROUP ALSO BELIEVED THE LEVEL OF TEACHING IN THE INSTITUTES WAS TOO LOW AND THAT MORE HIGHLY-QUALIFIED STAFF SHOULD EE EMPLOYED.
+1 TAKE IT THAT THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE A CRITICISM OF THE PRESENT STAFF OR OF THEIR PERFORMANCE,+ HE SAID. +RATHER IT IS A STATEMENT OF THE AD HOC GROUP’S BELIEF THAT EMPHASIS IN THE INSTITUTES SHOULD BE CHANGED FROM CRAFT TO TECHNICIAN LEVEL.
+MR. ALEX WU WOULD, I BELIEVE, WISH TO GO EVEN FURTHER AND INJECT A GREATER DEGREE OF LIBERAL STUDIES INTO THE COURSES. THIS CHANGE IS, OF COURSE, FEASIBLE.
+BEFORE WE DECIDE ON SUCH CHANGES, WE SHOULD BE VERY CLEAR IN OUR MINDS WHAT NEW TARGETS WE ARE AIMING AT. THE NEEDS WE INTEND TO MEET SHOULD BE AS REAL AND AT LEAST AS IMPORTANT AS THE ONES WE ARE NOW MEETING.
/+! SHOULD NOT LIKE......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
16
+l SHOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE OUR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES SUFFER A SEA-CHANGE TO PERFORM VAGUE, ILL-DEFINED ROLES IN OUR COMMUNITY. SOME ''CREASES, HOWEVER, IN THE TECHNICIAN COURSES MIGHT WELL BE POSS .^LE.+
TURNING..TO THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT BECAUSE THE AD HOC GROUP HAD MADE NO JOINT STATEMENT ON THE PROPOSED RATES OF EXPANSION IN THE THREE INSTITUTIONS, THE PROPOSAL APPEARED TC MEET WITH THE SATISFACTION OF THE MAJORITY.
+ INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS HAVE PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE RATES OF PROVISION AND THE METHODS EY WHICH THESE SHOULD BE ACHIEVED,+ HE SAID. +MR. LO AND MR. YEUNG HAVE PROPOSED THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF MORE DEGREE GRANTING INSTITUTIONS.
+MR. LC HAS, IN EFFECT, RECOMMENDED COMPLETE RELAXATION, INDEED ABANDONMENT , OF’ THE RULES CONTROLLING THE GRANTING OF DEGREES TO ENSURE THAT ASPIRATIONAL DEMAND IS FULLY MET. HE IS CONFIDENT THAT STANDARDS COULD BE PROTECTED BY AN ACCREDITING SYSTEM.
+l SHOULD IMAGINE, HOWEVER, THAT MOST MEMBERS WOULD NOT LIKE DECISIONS MADE ON SUCH AN EXTREME PROPOSAL WITHOUT MUCH FULLER DISCUSS ION.
+l WOULD SUGGEST, THEREFORE, THAT WHILE THIS IS AN ISSUE DESERVING OF FURTHER DELIBERATION, THIS SHOULD NOT EE DONE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FORTHCOMING WHITE PAPER.
+A NUMBER OF MEMBERS ARE CONCERNED THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN INCREASE IN THE GENERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO PURSUE TERTIARY EDUCATION, IN PARTICULAR PART-TIME DEGREE COURSES.
+THEY SEE SUCH AN INCREASE AS A MEANS OF AVOIDING THE UNDESIRABLE SOCIAL DISRUPTION WHICH COMES FROM THE FRUSTRATION OF ASPIRATIONS AND AS A WAY TO REDUCE HONG KONG’S NEED TO RECRUIT SPECIALIST SKILLS FROM OVERSEAS. THESE ARE VALID POINTS WHICH MUST BE CONSIDERED IN DRAFTING THE WHITE PAPER.+
MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT, FROM MR. Q.W. LEE’S SUMMARY OF THE AD HOC GROUP’S RECOMMENDATIONS AND FROM INDIVIDUAL SPEECHES. STRONG SUPPORT WAS EVIDENT FOR ACCORDING THE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES A CLEARLY DEFINED AND FINANCIALLY ASSISTED ROLE IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM. HE SAIDi ♦THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY WHICH THESE COLLEGES ARE PROVIDING AND CONSIDERATION IS NOW BEING GIVEN TO AN APPROPRIATE FORM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHICH COULD BE OFFERED TO THE COLLEGES IN RETURN FOR WHAT MR. LEE HAS DESCRIBED AS ’FINANCIAL. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE CONTROL BY THE GOVERNMENT, BOTH IN REGARD TO THE CONTENT OF THEIR COURSES AND THE NUMBERS OF THEIR STUDENTS’.
♦DISCUSSIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING HELD WITH THE COLLEGE AUTHORITIES WITH A VIEW TO REACHING A MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE ROLE FOR THEM WHICH WILL ACCORD WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROVED GROWTH TARGETS FOR POST-FORM 5 EDUCATION.
/+DR. HUANG'S PROPOSALS .....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
17
-rt. HUANG’S PROPOSALS FOR A TWO-TIERED STRUCTURE OF COURSES IN THE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES FOLLOWING ON FROM OUR FIVE-YEAR SECONDARY COURSE WHICH LEADS TO THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION HAVE VERY REAL POSSIBILITIES.
♦THE QUESTION OF DEGREE GRANTING, I HAVE ALREADY SAID, SHOULD BE A MATTER FOR MUCH WIDER DELIBERATION IN THE FUTURE.♦
MR. TOPLEY NOTED THAT AD HOC GROUP HAD ADVOCATED GREATER EMPHASIS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADULT EDUCATION.
♦THEY RIGHTLY SEE OUR ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AS AN ESSENTIAL SAFETY VALVE IN OUR SYSTEM IN THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY OFFER FOR RETRIEVAL,♦ HE SAID, +AS SOME MEMBERS HAVE ALSO POINTED OUT. ADULT EDUCATION CAN, THROUGH PROVISION OF PRACTICAL AND VOCATIONAL COURSES. ASSIST IN OUR BUILDING UP OF A SKILLED, ADAPTABLE LABOUR FORCE. IT CAN ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN REDUCING THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS WHICH CAN GROW AMONG THE UNOCCUPIED.
♦THE CASE. THEREFORE, FOR CENTRAL CONTROL OR, AT LEAST, CLOSE LIAISON AMONG THE MANY DIFFERENT BODIES (PUBLIC AND PRIVATE) INVOLVED IN ADULT OR CONTINUING EDUCATION IS A STRONG ONE.
!B^fIL°2.2!P£RTMENT HAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED A LIAISON COMMITTEE ON PART-TIME EDUCATION, WITH REPRESENTATION OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC^
MR. TOPLEY DISAGREED WITH MISS KO SIU-WAH’S SUGGESTION THAT THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR HAD AGAIN BEEN NEGLECTED IN THE GREEN PAPER.
♦THE GREEN PAPER STATES THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER THE NEED TO ASSIST THE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS WITH SELECTED ACTIVITIES NOT ALREADY COVERED BY THE EDUCATION ---------
HE SAID.
DEPARTMENT’S OWN SERVICES,*
♦IN DECIDING WHICH SERVICES THE PLACED TO CARRY OUT. ACCOUNT WILL BE TRADITIONS, INTERESTS, AND OPERATING WISHING TO PARTICIPATE,
VOLUNTARY SECTOR IS BEST TAKEN OF THE SPECIFIC STANDARDS OF THE ORGANISATIONS
♦AN IMPORTANT CRITERION WILL BE THEIR ABILITY TO MEET REAL COMMUNITY NEEDS IN THE FIELD OF ADULT OR CONTINUING EDUCATION.♦
COMMENTING ON A PROPOSAL BY MR. CHARLES YEUNG THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BE ENLARGED IN SIZE AND SCOPE TO DEAL WITH THE FULL SPECTRUM OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FROM NURSERY TO UNIVERSITY AND THAT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM BE CARRIED OUT, MR. TOPLEY SAIDi +THE LATTER SUGGESTION IS ONE TO WHICH CONSIDERATION IS ALREADY BEING GIVEN IN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND IN THE GOVERNMENT.
/♦IF THIS IS FINALLY......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
18
+IF THIS IS FINALLY AGREED. THEN MR. YEUNG’S PROPOSED CHANGE IN THE ROLE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MIGHT PROPERLY BE TAKEN UP AS PART OF THE REVIEW.*
ON BEHALF OF.H [S UNOFF IC I AL COLLEAGUES, THE HON. Q.W. LEE THIS AFTERNOON EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION TO MR. TOPLEY, FOR HIS REPLY TO THE POINTS RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
MR. LEE WAS ALSO PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ACCEPTED SOME OF THE PROPOSALS MADE BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
♦THIS IS VERY ENCOURAGING,* HE SAID, +BUT EVEN MORE ENCOURAGING IS HIS ASSURANCE THAT THE FULLEST CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE VARIOUS POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE FORMULATION OF THE FORTHCOMING WHITE PAPER.*
HE SAID HIS COLLEAGUES AGREED WITH MR. TOPLEY THAT SOME CF THE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES SUCH AS THE QUESTION OF DEGREE GRANTING SHOULD BE MATTERS FOR FURTHER, MUCH WIDER DELIBERATION OUTSIDE THE CONTEXT OF THE WHITE PAPER*
SINCE EDUCATION IS SO CLOSELY LINKED TO SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS. THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS LOOK FORWARD EAGERLY TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER WHICH WILL OFFER THE COMMUNITY FOR THE FIRST TIME A FULLY INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF EDUCATION FROM SECONDARY TO TERTIARY LEVEL, HE ADDED.
0 - -
/19......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
19
EVENTS LEADING TO SCHOOL CLOSURE EXPLAINED ******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, EXPLAINED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE CLOSURE OF THE SHA TIN LUTHERAN PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE CAUSES OF DISCONTENT AMONG STUDENTS AND PARENTS.
• ■ - .
HE ..AS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. LYDIA DUNN.
MR. TOPLEY SAID THE SCHOOL, ALONG ..ITH THE SHA TIN MARKET, WAS DUE TO BE CLEARED SHORTLY AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN 1979 TO MAKE WAY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW TOWN CENTRE.
+TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION OF THE CHILDREN’S EDUCATION, .AFTER CONSULTING THE SCHOOL SUPERVISCR ' AND THE SPONSORING BODY, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE CHILDREN SHOULD BE PLACED IN OTHER NEw SCHOOLS IN THE AREA IN SEPTEMBER 1978, THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR,* HE SAID. '
+THIS TIMING WOULD ALSO ENABLE THE TEACHERS TO FIND ALTERNATIVE POSTS THROUGH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PLACEMENT SERV ICE.
+CNCE ASSURED THAT BOTH THESE AIMS COULD EE ACHIEVED, THE GOVERNMENT INFORMED THE SCHOOL SUPERVISOR IN- MARCH THAT THE SUBSIDY FOR .ITS 10 AIDED CLASSES ,WOULD CEASE AT THE END OF AUGUST, 1978.
+N0 CLOSURE ORDER HAS, IN FACT, BEEN SERVED ON THE SCHOOL.
+A GROUP OF PARENTS STATED DISSATISFACTION THAT THE PRESENT SCHOOL WOULD NOT CONTINUE.
+THEY ASKED FOR A NEW SCHOOL BUILDING TO WHICH THE PRESENT PUPILS AND STAFF COULD MOVE WHEN THEIR PRESENT PREMISES WERE DEMOLISHED, OR FOR MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR EXPENSES INCURRED IN BUYING NEW SCHOOL UNIFORMS.*
IN REPLY TO MISS DU*’'’S ANOTHER QUESTION, MR. TCPLEY SAID: +THE ARRANGEMENTS TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE POSTS FOR TEACHERS AMD PLACES FOR THE CHILDREN I’ NEIGHBOURING SCHOOLS WERE THOUGHT TO BE REASONABLE AND FAIR -D ACCEPTABLE TO NEARLY EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE SCHOOL’S SPONSORING BODY.
/♦HOWEVER, .....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
20
+H0WEVER, BY MID-MAY, URGED TO DC SC BY SOME PARENTS, THE SPONSORING BODY MADE AN APPLICATION TO BE ALLOCATED ONE OF THE TWO NEW SCHOOLS TO BE OPENED IN WO CHE, BUT THERE APPEARED TO BE NO SUFFICIENTLY STRONG REASON TO ADVANCE THE • PLANNED DATE OF THE OPENING OF ONE OF THE NEW SCHOOLS -SEPTEMBER 1979.
+THE MAJORITY OF PARENTS APPEARED TO HAVE ACCEPTED THE PLACEMENT OF THEIR CHILDREN AND IT WAS NOT OBVIOUS THAT THE SPONSORING BODY — .THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH — SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF IMMEDIATE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS.
+A PETITION WAS PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNOR ON THE OCCASION OF HIS VISIT TO SHA TIN IN LATE MAY BY A SMALL NUMBER OF PARENTS, BUT IT WAS NOT APPRECIATED HOW MUCH SUPPORT THEY HAD COME TO COMMAND UNTIL EARLY JULY WHEN THEY RESORTED TO DEMONSTRATIONS.
+RECOGNISING THE STRENGTH OF THE RESISTANCE TO THE EARLIER ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HAD NOW DEVELOPED AND THE SENTIMENT OF LOYALTY TO THE SCHOOL AND ITS STAFF WHICH WAS NOW BEING EXPRESSED, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO OFFER TO THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH THE PREMISES WHICH COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE AHEAD OF THE SCHEDULED DATE.+
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
21
MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL PASSED ******
THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, MAINLY DESIGNED TO ENABLE THE APPOINTMENT OF,CANTONESE-SPEAKI NG MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SIT WITH MAGISTRATES IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY, WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE AMENDED LEGISLATION ALSO CHANGES TWO ASPECTS OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE DEALING WITH COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS.
REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, THE HON. GARTH THORNTON, AGREED THAT THE CHOICE OF ASSESSORS MUST ENSURE THAT THEY ARE +MEN OF INTEGRITY* AND THAT THEY MUST BE READY TO SPEAK THEIR MINDS FREELY AND OPENLY.
+UNLESS THEY DO, THEIR ADVICE WILL EE OF NO VALUE AND THE EXPERIMENT WILL BE A FAILURE,* MR. THORNTON SAID.
ON THE SUGGESTION THAT A MAGISTRATE SHOULD BE OBLIGED TO RECORD ANY ADVICE WHICH HE DOES NOT ACCEPT, MR. THORNTON SAID SUCH A COURSE WOULD HAVE THE DISADVANTAGES OF SLOWING THINGS DOWN AND TENDING TO FORMALISE, PERHAPS POLARISE, WHAT IS INTENDED TO BE A FLEXIBLE AND CO-OPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP.
MR. THORNTON ALSO THOUGHT THAT THE SUGGESTION THAT LOCAL PERSONS WHO ARE NOT LAWYERS EE APPOINTED AS MAGISTRATES AND BE ASSISTED BY LEGALLY QUALIFIED ASSESSORS IS NEITHER A PRACTICAL NOR DESIRABLE SOLUTION.
+THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE MUCH EETTER SERVED BY THE MORE EFFICIENT AND PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE WHICH IS POSSIBLE UNDER OUR PRESENT SYSTEM OF PROFESSIONAL MAGISTRATES,* MR. THORNTON SAID.
MOREOVER, MR. THORNTON THOUGHT IT IS PREMATURE TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION AT THIS STAGE TO COMPEL EMPLOYERS TO RELEASE THEIR EMPLOYEES ON THE OCCASIONS WHEN THEY MAY EE SCHEDULED TO SERVE AS ASSESSORS, AND HE HOPED THAT, IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY, EMPLOYERS WILL SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE SCHEME.
MR. THORNTON AGREED THAT THE ROLE OF THE MAGISTRATES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE CANNOT EE EXAGGERATED AND THAT THE MAGISTRACIES MUST BE BOTH CLOSE AND RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE.
+SUFFICE TO SAY THAT MAGISTRATES WILL CERTAINLY BENEFIT FROM ADVICE ON THE COMMUNITY’S VIEWS ON SENTENCING AS EXPRESSED TO THEM BY ASSESSORS,* HE SAID.
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/22
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
22
T.S. LO COMMENTS ON MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL * * * * *
-OR THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF THE CRIMINAL LAW, THE JUDICIARY MUST HAVE, IN ADDITION TO A SURE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW, THE ABILITY TO TELL TRUTH FROM FALSEHOOD, AND THE EXPERTISE TO PLACE A PARTICULAR CASE ACCURATELY WITHIN THE GENERAL FRAMEWORK OF A COHESIVE SENTENCING POLICY.
THE HON. T.S. LO SAID AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THIS ViOULD RESULT. IN PUBLIC RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE.
MR. LO ADDED THAT OVER 90 PER CENT OF COURT CASES ARE DEALT WITH BY MAGISTRACIES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR ROLE CANNOT BE EXAGGERATED. +ANY LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN THEM BY THE PEOPLE MUST LEAD TO A GENERAL DISRESPECT OF THE RULE OF LAW,+ HE SAID.
MR. LO TABLED AN EDITED VERSION OF A BR.IEF HE PREPARED IN 1976 ON THE U.K. PRINCIPLES OF SENTENCING, WHICH SOUGHT TO ANALYSE AND COMPARE LOCAL SENTENCES IN 1974 AND 1975 IN THE SUPREME COURT AND THE DISTRICT COURT.
IN ITS CONCLUSION, MR. LO GAVE A FEW POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR A LOWER AND LESS CONS I STENT'SCALE OF SENTENCES IN HONG KONG.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE RANGE OF TARIFF SENTENCING (PRIMARILY AIMED AT DETERRENCE AND RETRIBUTION) BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE U.K. WAS SO GREAT AS REGARDS ROBBERY, BLACKMAIL AND RAPE THAT ONE SHOULD ONLY CONCLUDE THAT U.K. PRINCIPLES OF SENTENCING HAD NOT FOUND FAVOUR IN HONG KONG. wHAT PRINCIPLES WERE IN FACT ADOPTED HERE WAS NOT EASILY DISCOVERABLE.
HE THOUGHT THE BRIEF PROVIDED A SOUND STARTING POINT FROM WHICH AN OVERALL POLICY CAN BE STRUCTURED IN HONG KONG.
REFERRING TO THE PRESENT BILL, MR. LO SAID IT IS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN THE ABILTY OF THE BENCH +T0 ARRIVE AT THE TRUTH, TO PASS PROPER SENTENCES AND THEREBY TO INCREASE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE LAW THAT IS ADMINISTERED.*
HE SAID FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, HE HAD SPOKEN OF THE NEED FOR THE BENCH TO BE FLUENT IN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE AND TO EE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN LOCAL CUSTOMS.
THE INTERPRETATION IN THE MAGISTRACIES IS NOT ALWAYS ACCURATE AND SOMETIMES CAN EE QUITE MISLEADING OR SIMPLY WRONG. +T0 SEEK TO ARRIVE AT THE TRUTH THROUGH THAT KIND OF FILTER WILL DEFEAT THE ABLEST OF MEN,+ HE SAID.
KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL CUSTOMS IS NECESSARY TO GET AN INSIGHT INTO THE TRUTH AND ALSO FOR THE PASSING OF A PROPER SENTENCE. IN HIS RESEARCH, HE CAME ACROSS A VERY OLD CASE WHERE THE PRIVY COUNCIL EXCUSED A SELF-CONFESSED MURDERER, WHO WAS CHINESE AND WHOSE FATHER HAD BEEN KILLED BY THE VICTIM, ON THE GROUND THAT HE HAD COMMITTED THE MURDER TO AVENGE HIS FATHER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHINESE PRECEPTS OF FILIAL PIETY. --—— ----------------—— • — -• _________________- - -____
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
23
MR. LO SAID HE DID NOT SUGGEST THAT TODAY IT WILL BE QUITE AS E r TO ESTABLISH A PERSON’S BELIEF IN FILIAL PIETY.
+ l MAKE THE POINT MERELY TO ILLUSTRATE THENECESSITY TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE MORES OF A PEOPLE, THEIR CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS BEFORE A SENTENCE CAN BE PROPERLY PASSED. HOWEVER, SUCH CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS SHOULD ONLY BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE LAW AND HENCE WITHIN THE GENERAL FRAMEWORK OF A COHESIVE SENTENCING POLICY,+ HE SAID.
HE AGREED WITH THE OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO REFERRED TO THE BILL AS A COMPROMISE. IT IS NONETHELESS, HE SAID, A SOLUTION.
HE THOUGHT THE ROLE OF THE ASSESSORS WOULD HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY DEFINED, AND SAID THAT IT REMAINS THE FUNCTION OF THE MAGISTRATE TO SET OUT THE LAW WHICH INCLUDES THE PROPER RANGE OF THE SENTENCE FOR A PARTICULAR CASE.
+THIS IS AN IMPORTANT POINT BECAUSE WHILST IT IS DESIRABLE TO HAVE THE LAW MORE FINELY TUNED BY KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL MORES, IT WOULD BE DISASTROUS IF THE LAW IS SUPPLANTED BY THEM OR BY THE TEACHINGS OF CONFUCIUS,* HE SAID.
HE HOPED THE MAGISTRACIES WOULD SOON BE ABLE TO DO WITHOUT INTERPRETERS. THIS WOULD BE WELCOMED BY THE BULK OF THOSE WHQ GO BEFORE OUR COURTS AND WOULD SHORTEN COURT PROCEEDINGS DRAMATICALLY AND THUS REDUCE THE ENORMOUS PRESSURE OF WORK.
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INCREASE IN PAYMENT TO PENSIONERS * * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY ADOPTED TWO MOTIONS WHICH ENABLE THE PENSIONS, INCLUDING PREVIOUS INCREASES ALREADY APPROVED, OF ELIGIBLE PENSIONERS TO BE INCREASED BY FIVE PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1, THIS YEAR.
MOVING THE TWO MOTIONS UNDER THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) ORDINANCE AND THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION (INCREASE) ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. MARTIN ROWLANDS NOTED THAT THE INCREASE WAS DUE TO THE RISE OF 5.8 POINTS, OR 5.05 PER CENT ON THE MOVING ANNUAL AVERAGE OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) DURING THE PERIOD FROM JULY 1, 1977 TO JUNE 30, THIS YEAR.
+THE COST OF THE INCREASE IS ESTIMATED TO BE 33.6 MILLION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR AND $7.2 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR,* HE SAID.
MR. ROWLANDS ALSO NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IN DECEMBER, 1975 UNDERTOOK TO MAINTAIN THE ORIGINAL PURCHASING POWER OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS, INCLUDING WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION, BY MAKING PERIODIC ADJUSTMENTS TO REFLECT CHANGES IN THE COST OF LIVING.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
24
PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL
*****
A BILL INTENDED TO REGULATE THE DISPOSAL OF INTEREST ON ESTATE ACCOUNTS OPERATED BY THE OFFICIAL ADMINISTRATOR WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, THE HON. GARTH THORNTON, SAID THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICIAL ADMINISTRATOR, WHOSE FUNCTIONS ARE PERFORMED BY THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, ARE TO ADMINISTER THE ESTATES IN HONG KONG OF PERSONS WHO DIE WITHOUT LEAVING A WILL AND WHERE THERE IS NO NEXT OF KIN IN HONG KONG READY AND ABLE TO ACT.
THE OFFICIAL ADMINISTRATOR ADMINISTERS SUMMARILY AND QUICKLY VERY SMALL ESTATES UNDER $20,000 IN VALUE. LAST YEAR 840 ESTATES WERE ADMINISTERED IN THIS WAY.
MR. THORNTON SAID THAT OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, AN ACCUMULATION HAS ARISEN OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF INTEREST WHICH WERE NOT APPORTIONED TO PARTICULAR ESTATES AND AS A RESULT OF AUDIT QUERIES AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S ADVICE THAT SUCH MONEY SHOULD BE PAID TO GENERAL REVENUE, THE AMENDING LEGISLATION IS INTENDED TO REGULATE THE DISPOSAL OF INTEREST FAIRLY AND CLEARLY.
MR. THORNTON SAID THE AMENDMENT IjILL EMPOWERS THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO MAKE RULES REGULATING THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON MONEYS IN ANY OF THE ACCOUNTS OF THE OFFICIAL ADMINISTRATOR.
MR. THORNTON ADDED THAT IF THE BILL IS ENACTED, THE CHIEF JUSTICE INTENDS TO MAKE RULES REQUIRING ALL INTEREST ACCRUING TO BE CREDITED TO THE ESTATES IN THE CASE OF ESTATES OF OVER $20,000 IN VALUE.
IN THE CASE'OF ESTATES UNDER $20,000 IN VALUE WHERE ADMINISTRATION IS COMPLETED WITHIN THREE MONTHS, NO INTEREST SHALL EE CREDITED TO THE ESTATE. IF ADMINISTRATION IS NOT COMPLETED WITHIN THREE MONTHS THEN INTEREST SHALL EE CREDITED ON MONEYS IN THE CHIEF JUSTICE’S POSSESSION AT THE CURRENT SAVINGS BANK RATE, MR. THORNTON ADDED.
A NEW SECTION HAS ALSO BEEN PROPOSED TO PROVIDE THAT IF INTEREST IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE CREDITED OR PAID TO ANY ESTATE UNDER THE PROPOSED RULES MADE BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, IT SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO GENERAL REVENUE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/25
'..EDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
25
. SAFETY REGULATIONS ON LIFTING APPLIANCES INTRODUCED IN LEGCO K If W *
NE’.v SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN THE OPERATION OF LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS SUCH AS DOCKS, QUAYS, wHARFS ON WAREHOUSES WERE INTRODUCED IN THE' LEG I SLAT IVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE PROPOSED NEW REGULATIONS ARE DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT OPERATORS OF LIFTING APPLIANCES. ARE TRAINED PERSONS OR PERSONS UNDERGOING TRAINING AND UNDER SUPERVISION- THAT. SIGNALLI NG ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE USED WHEN A LIFT IS IN OPERATION- THAT STEAM EMANATING FROM A CRANE MUST NOT OBSCURE A WORKPLACE WHERE WORKMEN ARE EMPLOYED- AND THAT CHA I NS,'ROPES AND LIFTING GEAR MUST BE INSPECTED BEFORE USE BY COMPETENT PERSONS.
ADDITIONAL DETAIL IS ALSO ADDED TO THE PROCEDURE FOR TESTING SHEAVE PULLEY BLOCKS.
IN MOVING THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR)(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1978, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HOM. NEIL HENDERSON, SAID THE REGULATIONS WERE INTENDED TO PROVIDEFOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR' USED FOR LOADING, UNLOADING OR HANDLING OF GOODS OR CARGO IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS OTHER THAN CONSTRUCTION WORK.
THE USE OF SIMILAR APPLIANCES AND GEAR 0N CONSTRUCTION SITES IS ALREADY COVERED BY LAW WHICH WAS PASSED IN 1973.
I
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
26 -
MORE SMALL COINS ON THE WAY * * * * *
DEUVER^ £1^rS?87S^oA™’‘OVED leIislativeAcouncilTtoJayIHE H0N’ PH,L,P haddon"cave t°ld the
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE,HON. PETER C WONG MR. HApDON-CAVE NOTED THAT THE SHORTAGE HAS OCCURRED ALTHOUGH THE VALUE OF COINS OF THESE DENOMINATIONS PUT INTO CIRCULATION IN 1977 WAS MUCH LARGER THAN IN 1976. uikuulaiion
AMD
THE SHORTAGE OF 10 CENT COINS SEEMED TO DEVELOP LAST YEAR IT WAS THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A SOMEWHAT TEMPORARY PHENOMENON.
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE SITUATION WAS FURTHER AGGRAVATED BY THE FACT THAT THE NORMAL FLOW OF SMALL DENOMINATION COINS BACK INTO BANKS AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR DID NOT MATERIALISE THIS YEAR.
THE ROYAL MINT WAS THEN ASKED TO GIVE ABSOLUTE PRIORITY TO THE MANUFACTURE AND SUPPLY OF THESE COINS OVER ORDERS FOR OTHER HONG KONG COINS WHICH THE MINT HAD IN HAND, HE TOLD THE COUNCIL.
+THERE IS, HOWEVER,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EXPLAINED, +A LIMIT TO WHAT CAN BE DONE IN THIS RESPECT AS SMALL COINS ARE NOT PRODUCED BY THE SAME EQUIPMENT AS COINS OF HIGHER DENOMINATIONS AND OUTPUT CANNOT BE INCREASED SIMPLY BY SACRIFICING EARLY DELIVERY OF OTHER COINS.+
+NEVERTHELESS, THE MINT HAS BEEN ABLE TO REPROGRAMME PRODUCTION WITH GREATER EMPHASIS ON 10 CENT AND 20 CENT COINS AND THE FIRST DELIVERIES ARE EXPECTED LATER THIS MONTH,+ HE ADDED.
/27
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
27
PLANS TO IMPROVE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AT OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ******
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE POWER COMPANIES CONCERNED, COMMISSIONED WORK TO UPGRADE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN TWO OLDER ESTATES, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. ALAN SCOTT, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. WONG LAM.
IF THESE SCHEMES PROVE SATISFACTORY, SIMILAR IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE EXTENDED TO OTHER ESTATES IF DEMAND WARRANTS IT, RR. SCOTT ADDED.
HE SAID ELECTRIC CAPACITY IN NEW ESTATES WAS DESIGNED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT ONE IN THREE TENANTS WOULD AT SOME STAGE WISH TO INSTALL ONE AIR-CONDITIONER OF ABOUT 1 H.P.
+IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO INCREASE THIS CAPACITY LATER ON, IF DEMAND SO REQUIRED,* HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE LEVEL OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF AIR-CONDITIONERS HAD BEEN BELOW SIX PER CENT CF HOUSEHOLDS IN ESTATES, WITH ONE NOTABLE EXCEPTION.
+THE AUTHORITY,* HE SAID, +WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON APPLICATIONS IN ORDER TO ASSESS FUTURE DEMAND AND MEASURES NEEDED.*
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GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON STREET LIGHTING ******
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. WILLIAM BELL, TODAY OUTLINED THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON THE PROVISION OF STREET LIGHTING.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. MRS. KWAN KO SIU-WAH AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID: +WHILE THE GOVERNMENT ENDEAVOURS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING FOR OLD AND ESTABLISHED VILLAGES, THIS POLICY DOES NOT COVER SQUATTER AREAS BECAUSE OF THEIR TEMPORARY NATURE AND A HISTORY OF ILLEGAL TAMPERING WITH ELECTRICITY IN SUCH AREAS.*
REFERRING TO HOI PONG VILLAGE AT THE NORTHERN SLOPE OF VICTORIA ROAD IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT, MR. BELL SAID: +THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE THAT THERE IS NO STREET LIGHTING IN THE VILLAGE ITSELF ALTHOUGH VICTORIA ROAD IS FULLY LIT, AS IS A 400 METRE LENGTH OF AN ’OCCUPATION ROAD’ WHICH RUNS ROUGHLY PARALLEL WITH VICTORIA ROAD ON THE SEAWARD SIDE.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT HOI PONG WAS NOT AN ESTABLISHED VILLAGE, BUT RATHER A SQUATTER AREA COMPRISING SOME 750 HUTS IN FIVE GROUPS SPREAD OVER A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 800 METRES BETWEEN WESTERN BUS TERMINUS AND MOUNT DAVIS ROAD.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1976
28
GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING AIR-CONDITIONING GENERAL HOSPITAL WARuS AND AMBULANCES ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING AIR-CONDITIONING GENERAL WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AS WELL AS ITS FLEET OF AMBULANCES.
THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. E.P. HO IN REPLY TO TWO SEPARATE QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. PETER C. WONG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION FROM DR. TAE HON. HARRY FANG, MR. HO SAID AN ESTIMATE FO$ THE .-.ORK IS BEING PREPARED TO AIR-CONDITION THE THREE MEDICAL AND C: E SURGICAL WARDS AT LOWER GROUND LEVEL AT PRINCESS (MARGARET HOSPITAL WHERE THE TEMPERATURE MAY BE SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN ELSEWHERE IN THE HOSPITAL.
MR. HO SAID THE HIGHER TEMPERATURE IN THESE WARDS IS DUE TO THE LOCATION OF'THE BOILER, AUTOCLAVE AND INCINERATORS ON THE FLOOR IMMEDIATELY BELOW, COUPLED WITH THE EXISTENCE OF A RETAINING WALL WHICH REDUCES THROUGH VENTILATION.
f
HE NOTED THAT AN ADDITIONAL INSULATED CEILING OVER THE HEAT GENERATING AREA WAS BUILT WHEN THE CONDITION WAS NOTED IN 1977 AFTER THE .'.ARDS WERE BROUGHT INTO USE.
MR. HO SAID THE REMEDIAL WORK WAS COMPLETED IN MARCH THIS YEAR. BUT EXPERIENCE THIS SUMMER HAS SHOWN THAT ANY IMPROVEMENT IN THE SITUATION HAS ONLY BEEN MARGINAL, AND THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES CONSIDERS THAT THE ONLY EFFECTIVE REMEDY IS TO AIR-CONDITION THESE WARDS.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
WAITING TIME FOR CIVIL SERVANTS SEEKING MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS
******
_nr G?yERNMENT ,S GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE WAITING PERIOD FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO OBTAIN MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND IMMEDIATE CONSULTATION IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO THEM IN EMERGENCY CASES.
THIS WAS STATED EY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE THE HON. MARTIN ROWLANDS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. t’s LO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HOWEVER, MR. ROWLANDS SAID THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IS CONSIDERING WAYS OF REDUCING THE WAITING TIME AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, POSSIBLY BY AUGMENTING THE FACILITIES ELSEWHERE.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT WAITING PERIODS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO DETAIN APPOINTMENTS TO SEE MEDICAL CONSULTANTS IN NON-EMERGENCY SPECIALTIES RANGE FROM THREE DAYS FOR PAEDIATRICS IN QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL TO 5~12 WEEKS FOR MEDICAL IN QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL. FOR MOST OTHER SPECIALTY APPOINTMENTS THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME IS ABOUT ONE WEEK.
MR. ROWLANDS SAID THE PRESENT WAITING TIME OF 6-7 MONTHS FOR DENTAL APPOINTMENTS IS ACCEPTABLE FOR ROUTINE CHECKS AND SCALING, BUT THERE ARE SOME NON-EMERGENCY CASES WHERE QUICKER TREATMENT WOULD BE DESIRABLE.
+THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IS MONITORING THE SITUATION CLOSELY AND IT IS HOPED THAT THE RECENTLY OPENED EVENING DENTAL CLINICS WILL LEAD TO AN IMPROVEMENT,* HE SAID.
MR. ROWLANDS ALSO NOTED THAT THE WAITING TIME FOR DENTAL PROSTHESES IS ABOUT 18 MONTHS AND IT IS FAR FROM SATISFACTORY. HE SAID IT IS PROPOSED TO LET OUT SOME OF THE WORK TO PRIVATE DENTAL LABORATORIES IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG.
STEPS ARE ALSO EE ING TAKEN TO INCREASE OUTPUT FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S OWN DENTAL LABORATORIES, MR. ROWLANDS SAID.
/JO ...
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
- 30 -
PROPOSAL TO MAKE TWO NT MAIN ROUTES ONE-WAY BOUND NOT FEASIBLE ******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY REJECTED A PROPOSAL FOR MAKING TUEN MUN ROAD STAGE 1 ONE WAY EAST BOUND AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD ONE WAY «EST BOUND. 1
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. T.S. LO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. WILLIAM EELL, SAID THAT THE PROPOSAL IMPLIED THAT TUEN MUN ROAD WAS INHERENTLY UNSAFE.
+THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT THE CASE, AS THE ROAD HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS,+ HE SAID.
MR. BELL POINTED OUT THAT THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENTS ON TUEN MUN ROAD WERE IN THE MAIN ATTRIBUTABLE TO EXCESSIVE SPEEDING AND A BLATANT DISREGARD OF THE SIMPLE RULE OF NOT CROSSING THE DOUBLE WHITE LINE WHEN OVER-TAKING.
+ALTHOUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF A ONE WAY SYSTEM WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY ELIMINATE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING HEAD-ON COLLISIONS, THERE ARE MANY DISADVANTAGES TO THE PROPOSAL,* HE ADDED.
MR. BELL CITED THE MORE IMPORTANT DISADVANTAGES AS FOLLOWS:
* PUBLIC TRANSPORT WOULD BE UNABLE TO SERVE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATIONAL AREAS ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD EXCEPT IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION.
* SINCE THE INTER-CHANGE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TUEN MUN ROAD ARE OVER FIVE KILOMETRES APART, DETOURS OF UP TO 10 KILOMETRES WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
* EMERGENCY SERVICES WOULD ALSO BE INVOLVED IN SIMILAR DETOURS.
MR. BELL SAID THAT ON BALANCE THEREFORE THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THAT THE PROPOSAL SHOULD NOT BE ADOPTED.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
31
BUS SERVICES TO CENTRAL DISTRICT ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT THE
,, _ CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY
Io bOIMG ALL IT CAN TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SERVICES TO AND FROM CENTRAL DISTRICT IN PEAK HOURS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG, MR. JONES SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS IN CONTINUOUS TOUCH WITH THE BUS COMPANIES ABOUT THE ROUTING AND FREQUENCY OF THEIR SERVICES AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT HAS POWERS TC REQUIRE CHANGES TO BE MADE.
HOWEVER, MR. JONES SAID THE HEAVY DEMAND FOR BUSES AND OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT DURING PEAK HOURS IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO MEET AND WAITING TIMES FOR PASSENGERS IN THESE PERIODS MUST INEVITABLY EE LONGER.
HE ADDED THAT IN THE SHORT RUN, TO DIRECT YET MORE BUSES TO CENTRAL DURING EVENING HOURS 'WILL ONLY LEAD TO SHORTAGES IN OTHER ROUTES.
MR. JONES POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS THE CME’S FLEET OF BUSES HAS INCREASED FROM 708 TO 759 AND THEIR CARRYING CAPACITY HAS RISEN FROM ABOUT 68,000 TO 75,000. A FURTHER 127 NEW EUSES ARE ON ORDER AND SOME OLDER BUSES ARE BEING REBUILT AND MODERNISED.
+ALL OF THE NEW EUSES ON ORDER ARE HIGH CAPACITY, AND ARE CAPABLE OF CARRYING UP TO 120 PASSENGERS,* ; R. JONES SAID.
+AS THEY ARRIVE THE NEW VEHICLES WILL EE USED TO IMPROVE FREQUENCIES AND CAPACITY ON THOSE ROUTES WITH THE GREATEST DEMAND, INCLUDING THOSE SERVING CENTRAL DISTRICT,* HE ADEED.
IN REPLY TO A SEPARATE QUESTION FROM THE HON. MRS. KWAN KO SIU-WAH ON BUS SERVICE, MR. JONES REITERATED THAT STANDING ON THE UPPER DECK IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, MR. JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THERE HAS BEEN ANY NOTICEABLE INCREASES IN THE NUMBERS OF PASSENGERS STANDING ON THE’UPPER DECKS OF BUSES.
+IF STANDING OCCURS, IT IS MAINLY DURING PEAK HOURS, WHEN THE DRIVER OF A ONE-MAN BUS IS VERY FULLY OCCUPIED WITH CHECKING FARES,* MR. JONES SAID.
+THE POLICE ALSO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE OVER-CROWDING OF BUSES, BUT THEY VERY OFTEN FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PERSUADE PASSENGERS WHO HAVE PAID THEIR FARES TO LEAVE THE BUS,* HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
32 -
QUERY ON REDEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL SITES
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER THE EFFECT ON EMPLOYMENT IN AN AREA EEFORE GRANTING PERMISSION FOR A REDEVELOPMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL SITE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. LEUNG TAK-SHING.
MR. JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE PUBLIC CONCERN OVER REDEVELOPMENT OF FACTORY SITES INTO MULTI-STOREY DOMESTIC TENEMENTS AND THE REDUNDANCIES WHICH THEY CAUSE.
BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF JOBS LOST AS A RESULT OF THESE REDEVELOPMENTS WERE RELATIVELY FEW AND THAT AFFECTED WORKERS GENERALLY HAVE SLIGHT DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING OTHER JOBS.
+FURTHERMORE, SOME OF THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS HAVE BEEN FOR INDUSTRIAL RATHER THAN RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES AND TO THE EXTENT THE LAND RELEASED IS USED MORE EFFICIENTLY AFTER REDEVELOPMENT, THE SHIFT IS GENERALLY BENEFICIAL TO THE ECONOMY,* HE ADDED.
. i ■. . •
.-------0----------
700 TEXTILE JOB VACANCIES ON REGISTER ***** .
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. NEIL HENDERSON, SAID TODAY THAT THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 700 TEXTILE JOB VACANCIES ON THE REGISTER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AND THAT-MORE SUCH JOBS MIGHT BE FOUND IF NECESSARY.
HE WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN REPLY TO THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING, WHO ASKED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD DO TO HELP FIND EMPLOYMENT FOR REDUNDANT TEXTILE WORKERS.
MR. HENDERSON SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE RECENT LARGE REDUNDANCY OF TEXTILE WORKERS', THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE WITH THE READY CO-OPERATION OF THE HONG KONG COTTON SPINNERS ASSOCIATION HAD MADE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO REGISTER TEXTILE INDUSTRY VACANCIES.
HOWEVER MR. HENDERSON SAID THAT SO FAR ONLY 25 REDUNDANT TEXTILE WORKERS HAD REGISTERED WITH THE SERVICE.
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/33
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
33
ADEQUATE MEANS TO RECOVER COSTS OF DAMAGES TO PUBLIC PROPERTY
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ADEQUATE MEANS TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF REPAIRING DAMAGES TO PUBLIC PROPERTY CAUSED BY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS PROVIDED THAT THE PERSON FROM WHOM THE DAMAGES ARE LEGALLY RECOVERABLE CAN EE IDENTIFIED.
1 •
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ATTORNEY ‘GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HCELEY, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. S.L. CHEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY. NR. CHEN ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAL ADEQUATE MEANS TO RECOVER SUCH DAMAGES TO PUBLIC PROPERTY SUCH ho ROAD RAILINGS, ROAD PARTITIONINGS AND LAMP POSTS.
- 0 -
ROAD SAFETY PROGRAMME ACHIEVES RESULT * * * * *
THE TREND IN THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CYCLISTS IS DECREASING AND THERE IS A DEFINITE DROP IN CASUALTIES AS WELL, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JCNES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HENRY HU, MR. JONES SAID: +THERE HAS BEEN NO INCREASE RECENTLY IN THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CYCLISTS, NOR IN THE NUMBER OF CYCLISTS INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.+
HE NOTED THAT SOME OF THE CREDIT FOR THIS MUST GO TO THE ROAD SAFETY PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD CONTINUE TO TRAIN CYCLISTS IN THE SAFE USE OF THE HIGHWAY.
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TWO BILLS BECOME LAV. * * * *
THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ( MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) EILL 1=7 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
AMENDMENT) EILL 1978 AND THE
8 ..'ERE PASSED INTO LAW' BY THE
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/34
NESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1973
- JA -
RTHK ORDERS MOBILE TELEVISION PRODUCTION UNIT * * * * *
FTHK AND PHILIPS HONG KONG LTD TODAY SIGNED A 533,030 POUND STERLING CONTRACT. FOR A MOBILE TELEVISION PRODUCTION UNIT.
THE CONTRACT-WAS SIGNED BY MR. DONALD KERR DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING AND MR. T. MEYER. MANAGI NG DIRECTOR OF PHILIPS HONG KONG LTD.
THE UNIT a' ILL EE BUILT EY PYE-TV AT THEIR FACTORY IN CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, FOR DELIVERY TO HONG KONG IN LATE NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.
FURTHER ORDERS ARE TO BE PLACED FOR LIGHTWEIGHT VIDEO TAPE AND RECORDING EQUIPMENT. THE MOBILE UNIT AND RECORDING EQUIPMENT ARE TO COPE .JT- THE FIRST STAGE OF THE EXPANSION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS TELEVISION. THE NEXT STAGE IS A NEW THREE STUDIO AND PRODUCTION COMPLEX AND IS TO EE' BUILT ALONGSIDE BROADCASTING HOUSE IN ORDER TC INCREASE PROGRAMME OUTPUT TO TWELVE HOURS A WEEK AND TC MAKE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PROGRAMMES FOR ETV.
THE MOBILE PRODUCTION UNIT WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH THREE LIGHTWEIGHT PHILIPS LDK15 CAMERAS, -.'.ILL EE USED FOR MAKING PROGRAMMES ON LOCATION. THE DESIGN IS A SECOND GENERATION VERSION OF THE LIGHTWEIGHT ELECTRONIC UNITS DESIGNED EY THE BEC wHO PIONEERED THE CHANGEOVER FROM FILM TC ELECTRONICS IN MAKING DRAMA SERIES USING REAL LOCATIONS INSTEAD OF THE STUD IC.
TH- VAN IS CUSTOM BUILT TO COPE WITH HONG KONG CONGEST ICi-.' AND TO EE ABLE TC REACH DIFFICULT LOCATIONS. -ITH ITS 53 KVA MOBILE GENERATOR THE UNIT ..ILL EE ABLE TC WORK INDEPENDt TLY OF ,.aIi:S POWER SUPPLIES.
THE VAN -.HIGH ..'ILL -EE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG DIFFERS FROy THr CONVENTIONAL OUTSIDE BROADCAST UNIT IN THAT THE PRODUCER W ILL OPERATE A'.. AY FROM THE VAN ^ND EE WITH THE ACTORS AND CAMERAMEN RATHER THAN AT THE CONTROL PANEL.
EY USING FILM TECHNIQUES WITH LIGHTWEIGHT ELECTRONIC CAMERAS AND RECORDING THE FINISHED SEQUENCES ONTO VIDEOTAPE IT IS HOPED TC INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND TO GIVE PRODUCERS GREATER CONTROL OVER THE PROGRAMME MAKING.
THE UNIT - ILL EE EQUIPPED ..ITH MICROWAVE LINKS FOR LIVE PRODUCTION AND BECAUSE THE CAMERAS ARE OF THE SAME ’FAMILY’ AS THCSE IN THE STUDIOS, NAMELY LDK25 AND ARE INTERCHANGEABLE, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO STAGE MULTI-CAMERA OUTSIDE BROADCASTS OF SPECIAL EVENTS.
THE UNIT WHICH WILL BE IN THE TRADITIONAL RTHK COLOURS OF RED AND WHITE j ILL EE ON' DISPLAY AT THE INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING CONVENTION IN LONDON LATER IN THE YEAR.
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/55
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
35
CONTRACT SIGNING FOR EASTERN CORRIDOR PROJECT * * * * *
A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT IN THE STAGE ONE OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR PROJECT WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW.
THE CONTRACT INVOLVES THE REPROVISIONING OF THE NORTH POINT VEHICULAR FERRY PIER.
THE SIGNING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE G.I.S. THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 5TH FLOOR,.AT 10 A.M.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY.
TELEVISION CREWS ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR CAMERAS.
AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY, MR. HO LAI-KUEN, SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
/36
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978 - 56 -
GIANT PROMENADE CONCERT FOR 3,300 ******
THE VISITING COUNTY OF AVON SCHOOLS ORCHESTRA WILL JOIN THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND IN A MASSIVE OPEN-AIR PROMENADE CONCERT AT THE POLYTECHNIC PODIUM IN KOWLOON TOMORROW (THURSDAY) EVENING.
MORE THAN 3,333 PEOPLE JILL ATTEND THE CONCERT WHICH WILL FEATURE MARCH MUSIC, POP SONGS AND ORCHESTRAL MUSIC.
THE COMBINED ORCHESTRA, CONSISTING OF SOME 433 MEMBERS, WILL EE CONDUCTED BY MR. DAVID C. STONE.
THIS IS THE FIRST ATTEMPT BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE TO PRESENT A COMBINED PERFORMANCE OF TWO BRASS BANDS AND TWO ORCHESTRAS IN A SENSOPOU' D ENVIRONMENT.
1 ■ . ■ . ■ I
TOMORROW'S PROGRAMME WILL EE DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS. THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAhlD W ILL START OFF THE EVENING WITH MARCH MUSIC AND LOCAL POP SONGS, FOLLOWED BY ORCHESTRAL MUSIC BY THE YOUNG ORCHESTRA.
THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WAS FORMED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE. THE 153 MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN NINE AND 23 YEARS, COME FROM VARIOUS SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES IN HONG KONG.
ACCORDING TO ITS CONDUCTOR, THE DI ST INGUI SHED VIOLINIST, THOMAS Y.S. WANG, THE ORCHESTRA SERVES AS A TRAINING GROUND FOR ASPIRING INSTRUMENTALISTS IN ORCHESTRAL AND ENSEMBLE PLAYING. IN ADDITION, THE EDUCATION VALUE IS ENORMOUS. SELF CONFIDENCE AND RELIANCE, DISCIPLINE, AND SOCIAL CONTACTS ARE JUST A FEW OF THE ATTRIBUTES.
LAST MONTH, THE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GAVE A PERFORMANCE FOR A PRIVATE AUDIENCE. +ALREADY, THE MEMBERS HAVE DEVELOPED A BOND WITH EACH OTHER AND GAINED TREMENDOUS CONFIDENCE THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE.+ MR. wANG SAID.
THE ORCHESTRA’S DIARY FOR THE COMING MONTHS INCLUDES A CONCERT AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, A CONCERT TOUR OF SINGAPORE IN NOVEMBER, AND A RETURN VISIT TO ENGLAND NEXT SUMMER UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC EXCHANGE PROGRAMME,.
THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND ..AS FORMED IN MAY THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG INSTRUMENTALISTS TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN ENSEMBLE PLAYING. THE BAND COMPRISES THE BEST PLAYERS TRAINED UNDER THE YOUTH MUSIC SERVICE PROGRAMME -- A SYSTEMATIC ANE COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 23 RUN BY THE .MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE.
/+A WIND BAND .....
1 .* w <
I
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1978
- 37 -
+ A ..IND BAND IS MORE FLEX I ELE, + SAID THE YOUTH SYMPHONIC LAND’S CONDUCTOR, MR. JOHN K.C. CHENG. +IT IS EASILY MOBILISED AND CAN PLAY IN MANY SETTINGS, OPEN-AIR OR INSIDE AN AUDITORIUM. THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS CAN ALSO VARY ACCORDING TO THE SITUATION.*
FOR TOMORROW’S CONCERT, THE BAND ..ILL EE JOINED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUI CHING MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND AND THE DELIA MEMORIAL SCHOOL (MEI FOO) WIND BAND.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE INCLUDE PARTICIPATION IN THE BAND FESTIVAL ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC ADM INISTRATOR’S OFF ICE IN NOVEMBER. THE YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND WILL ALSO PLAY HOST TO VARIOUS LOCAL BANDS AND AN ALL-FEMALE BRASS BAND FROM JAPAN.
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WATER CUT * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES NEAR JARDINE’S LOOKOUT ON THE ISLAND AND IN TSUEN WAN, THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE TEMPORARILY CUT OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 3) NIGHT TO ‘ FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED NEAR JARDINE’S LOOKOUT. BOUNDED BY MT. BUTLER ROAD, MOORSOM ROAD, PERKINS ROAD, COOPER ROAD WILSON ROAD INCLUDING CREASY ROAD, HENDERSON ROAD, GOLDSMITH ROAD PURVES ROAD AND PRICE ROAD, WILL HAVE NO WATER FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON THURSDAY.
IN TSUEN WAN, THE AREA BOUNDED BY TAI WO HAU ROAD AND BLOCK NOS. 3 TO 26 OF KWAI CHUNG ESTATE WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
OLD WOMAN FOUND TO HAVE HARBOURED CHOLERA ORGANISMS ... 1
ACTING GOVERNOR OPENS PHAB SUMMER CAMP . .................. 2
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR REPRCVISION ItfG .OF NORTH POINT VEHICULAR FERRY PIER...................................... 4
BANKING STATISTICS FOR JUNE .............................. 5
HONG KONG DANCE TEAM PLAYS HOSTS IN EDMONTON .............. 7
PREMISES IN HOUSING ESTATES FOR WELFARE PURPOSES .......... 8
CONFERENCE FOR FACTORY INSPECTORS ......................... 9
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING VISITS FORESTRY WORK CAMP ......... in
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION RETIRING ............ 10
CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM.................................. n
CALL FOR EARLY RETURN OF INDUSTRY CENSUS FORMS ........... 11
WATER CUTS .................... . „
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1978
1
.L2 '..OMAN FC.'I.D TC HAVE HARBOURED CHOLERA ORGANISMS
******
■ N 09-YEAR-CLD WOMAN WHO IS NOW UNDER TREATMENT AT THE INFECTIOUS DISEASES UNIT AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, HAS EEEN flu:., to have harboured cholera organisms.
SHE WAS LIVING WITH HER FAMILY AT TC KWA WAN; KOWLOON. SHE WAS ADMITTED TC HOSPITAL ON AUGUST 1 WITH SYMPTOMS
OF G..STRO-ENTER ITIS. LABORATORY TEST CONFIRMED TODAY (THURSDAY) THE -RESENDE OF CHOLERA VIER IO -OF THE El TOR STRAIN IN THE STOOLS.
THE CONDITION OF THE PATIENT IS SATISFACTORY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR ALARM AS ALL APPROPRIATE CONTROL MEASURES HAVE EEEN TAKEN TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF INFECTION FROM THIS CASE. THERE WAS NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THE LAST CASE ON TSING I ISLAND REPORTED ON JULY 20 AND THE PRESENT ONE.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE OBSERVING PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE E.G. CLEAN FOOD, CLEAN WATER, PROPER DISPOSAL OF NIGHTSOIL, AND WASHING OF HANDS'BEFORE MEALS AND AFTER VISITING TOILETS. THESE ARE THE EFFECTIVE MEASURES IN THE PREVENTION OF CHOLERA AS WELL AS OTHER GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES, WHICH ARE TRANSMITTED THROUGH CONTAMINATED FOOD OR DRINK.
IN VIEW OF THE CONTINUING PRESENCE OF CHOLERA IN A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES IN THIS REGION, IT WILL EE ADVISABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS IN THE CHOICE OF FOOD AND DRINK AND IN THE PREPARATION OF FOOD.
CHOLERA VACCINE IS AVAILABLE AT ALL GOVERNMENT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINJCS AND INOCULATION CENTRES FOR THOSE WHO WISH TC BE VACCINATED.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT IMMUNIZATION COULD ONLY OFFER PARTIAL PROTECTION TO THE INDIVIDUAL FOR A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD. SANITATION IS EFFECTIVE. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO FOLLOW GOOD HYGIENE PRACTICE IN PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1978
2.
ACTING GOVERNOR OPENS PHAE SUMMER CAMP ******
IT IS CLEARLY DESIRABLE THAT THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE BCD I ED SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN JOINT ACTIVITIES, LEAH If.G FROM ONE ANOTHER’S EXPERIENCES AND ENJOYING ONE ANOTHER’S COMPANY, SO THAT PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES ARE FORGOTTEN A,.D TRUE COMPANIONSHIP CREATED IN THE FEELING OF SHARED ACHIEVEMENT.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, SAID THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE CEREMONY MARKING THE OPENING OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE BODIED ASSOCIATION’S SIXTH ANNUAL SUMMER CAMP BEING/HELD AT THE SAI KUNG RECREATION CENTRE.
SIR DENYS SAID THAT DURING HIS BRIEF VISIT TO THE CENTRE HE HAD SEEN MANY HEARTENING EXAMPLES OF THE SUCCESSFUL WAY IN WHICH THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE BODIED COULD WORK TOGETHER. +INDEED,+ HE SAID, +THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF YOUR ASSOCIATION IS TO STRENGTHEN THIS PARTNERSHIP.*
ALTHOUGH IT MUST BE ACCEPTED, HE SAID, THAT THE HANDICAPPED COULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN ALL ACTIVITIES BECAUSE OF THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, THERE WERE MANY PURSUITS IN WHICH A PHYSICAL HANDICAP NAS NCT IMPORTANT. THESE RANGED FROM WHEELCHAIR BASKET BALL TO PLAYING CHESS - OR JUST CHATTING.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SPEECH BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS AT THE OPENING OF THE PHAE, SUMMER CAMP:-
+1 AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE BEEN INVITED TO OFFICIATE AT THIS THE STH ANNUAL SUMMER CAMP OF THE HONG KONG PHAE ASSOCIATION.
+DURING MY BRIEF VISIT I HAVE SEEN MANY HEARTENING EXAMPLES OF THE SUCCESSFUL WAY IN WHICH THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED CAN WORK TOGETHER. INDEED THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF YOUR ASSOCIATION IS TO STRENGTHEN AND DEVELOP THIS PARTNERSHIP.
+ALTHOUGH IT MUST BE ACCEPTED THAT THE HANDICAPPED
CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN ALL ACTIVITIES BECAUSE OF THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, THERE ARE MANY PURSUITS IM WHICH A PHYSICAL HANDICAP IS NOT IMPORTANT. THESE RANGE FROM WHEELCHAIR BASKET BALL TO PLAYING CHESS - OR JUST CHATTING.
+IT IS CLEARLY DESIRABLE THAT THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE BODIED SHOULD PARTICIPATE I' JO I N'T ACTIVITIES, LEARNING FROM ONE ANOTHER’S EXPERIENCES AND ENJOYING ONE ANOTHER’S COMPANY, SC THAT PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES ARE FORGOTTEN AND TRUE COMPALIOMSHIP CREATED IN THE FEELING OF SHARED ACHIEVEMENT.
/+YOUR ASSOCIATION
THURSDAY, AUGUST J, 1978
+YC-R ASSOCIATION HAS OPERATED T,.C CENTRES (AT SHAM SHU I PC CHAI WAR) FOR SOME YEARS. YOU '..ILL BE' OPENING A NEw CENTRE aT LAM TH LATER THIS YEAR, AT ..HIGH STUDY FACILITIES, OPPORTUNITIES FOR MUSIC APPRECIATION AND EVENING CLASSES WILL BE PROVIDED.
+ON 23RD OCTOBER LADY MACLE HOSE W’lLL EE OPENING AT POKFULAR A NEW PHAE CENTRE WHICH HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO MEET THE PARTICULAR NEEDS OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED. IT WILL CCHT.IN A SWIMMING POOL, OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION FOR 100 ."E.'.EERS OF PHAE CLUES, A CLUE HOUSE WHERE YOUR MEMBERS CAN ?£ET, EAT AND TALK, A GYMNASIUM, A BASKET EALL PITCH AND FACILITIES FOR BARBECUES AND ARCHERY. THIS FARSIGHTED PROJECT WILL PERI'IT YOU TO CARRY OUT, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, I'.ANY OF THE ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE AT PRESENT MAINLY CONFINED TO YOUR ANNUAL SUMMER CAMPS.
+1 CONGRATULATE YOUR ASSOCIATION ON ITS ENERGY, INVENTIVENESS AND DETERMINATION IN ITS PURSUIT OF ITS OBJECTIVE, WHICH IS TO SECURE THE INTEGRATION OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE BODIED TC THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE. I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND ASK YOU TC CONTINUE, AND EXTEND, YOUR EFFORTS IN THE FUTURE.+
_ _ 0 - -
THURSDAY, AUGUST J, 1978
4 -
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR REPROVISIONING OF NORTH POINT VEHICULAR FERRY PIER ******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY AWARDED A $25 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE REPROVISIONING OF THE NORTH POINT VEHICULAR FERRY PIER TO HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED.
THE CONTRACT IS PART OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE MOO MILLION-PLUS HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR PROJECT.
IT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED THIS MORNING BY MR. IAN MILLER, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE AND MR. M.' J. RYAN, GENERAL MANAGER, AND MR. T.P. MA, PROJECT DIRECTOR, OF THE HAROUR ENGINEERING COMPANY.
MR. MILLER SAID THAT THE NEW VEHICULAR FERRY PIER WOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STAGE 1 OF THE COASTAL ROAD BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN.
WORK ON THE NEW PIER WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
+THE NEW PIER, SITUATED ABOUT 30 METRES TO THE EAST OF THE EXISTING VEHICULAR FERRY PIER, WILL CONSIST ESSENTIALLY OF AN 80-METRE-LONG FINGER PIER AND ONE 22-METRE-WIDE APPROACH PLATFORM,+ MR. MILLER SAID.
ON COMPLETION, HE ADDED, THE EXISTING VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW PIER AND THE EXISTING PIER WOULD THEN BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ELEVATED ROADWAY.
REFERRING TO WORK ON OTHER CONTRACTS FOR THE FIRST STAGE OF THE ROAD PROJECT, MR. MILLER SAID: +THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 390-METRE SEAWALL AND THE RECLAMATION OF THE NORTH-EASTERN CORNER OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR CONSISTS OF A TWO-KILOMETRE ELEVATED ROAD RUNNING ALONG THE WATERFRONT FROM VICTORIA PARK TO HEALTHY STREET WEST IN NORTH POINT. IT IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1982.
IT WILL BE A FAST, HIGH-CAPACITY ROUTE WITH SIX LANES FOR TRAFFIC - THREE IN EACH DIRECTION.
THERE WILL BE A MAJOR INTERCHANGE AT EACH END OF THE HIGHWAY - ONE IN CAUSEWAY BAY GIVING ACCESS TO VICTORIA PARK ROAD AND HING FAT STREET, AND THE OTHER IM MORTH POINT WITH SLIP ROAD TO JAVA ROAD AND KING’S ROAD.
THE FLYOVER WILL ALSO BE LINKED WITH KING’S ROAD BY AN INTERSECTION ALONG TONG SHU I ROAD.
THE ENTIRE SCHEME, INVOLVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COASTAL ROAD FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO SHAU KEI WAN, IS EXPECTED TO BE READY IN EARLY 1985.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1978
5
BANKING STATISTICS FOR JUNE * * * * *
KING DEPOSITS AT THE END OF JUNE THIS YEAR STOOD AT .'ILLION COMPRISING 513,430 MILLION l‘N DEMAND DEPOSITS, 523,333 MILLION IN TIME DEPOSITS AND 523,649-MILL ION IN SAVING DEPOSITS, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE BANKING CO;-1 I S3 I ONER’S OFFICE.
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY DURING THE MONTH WAS 44.41 PER CENT.
THERE WERE 76 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF JUNE.
THE FOLLOWING TAELES GIVE A DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF BANK. LIABILITIES AND ASSETS AND MONEY SUPPLY FOR THE MQNTH.
UALILIHES ? MILLION
— — (
1. DEPOSITS 60,379
2. AMOUNT DUE TO BANKS ABROAD 37,553
3. OTHER LIABILITIES 11,376
TOTAL LIABILITIES: 139,338
ASSETS
1. CASH 887
2. AMOUNT DUE FROM BANKS ABROAD: (1) DEMAND AND SHORT TERM CLAIMS (II) TIME DEPOSITS 32,689 7,318 39,737
3. LOAf.S AND ADVANCES: (!) HONG KONG (II) ABROAD 42,643 ■ 16,749 59,389
4. INVESTMENTS: (1) HONG KONG (II) ABROAD ... ! ’■ 3,999 114 4,113
5. OTHER ASSETS: (4) HONG kc::g (1 1) ABROAD 4,996 216 . 5,212
TOTAL ASSETS:
139,338
AVERAGE LIQUIDITY DURING MONTH
44.41%
/MONTH ENDED
THURSDAY, AUGUST J, 1978
6
MONEY SUPPLY
1. LEGAL TENDER COINS AND NOTES IN CIRCULATION (A) (I) COMMERCIAL EANK ISSUES 6.18Q
(II) GOVERNMENT ISSUES 625
2. LICENSED BANKS’ HOLDINGS OF LEGAL TENDER COINS AND NCTES (E)
3. LEGAL TENDER COINS AND NOTES IN HANDS OF NON-BANK PUBLIC (A) - (B) = (C)
4. DEMAND DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS (D)
5. MONEY SUPPLY (DEFINITION 1) (C) + (D) = (E)
6. TIME DEPOSITS '.<ITH L I CENSED BANKS (F)
7. SAVINGS DEPOSITS a I TH LICENSEE BANKS (G)
8. .’'.ONEY SUPPLY (DEFINITION 2) (E) + (F) + (G) = (H)
MONTH ENDED JUNE 30, 1978
MILLION
4.
6,805
887
5,918
13,430
19,348
23,303
23,649
66,297
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/7......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1978
7
HK DANCE TEAM PLAYS HOST IN EDMONTON
******
THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS CHINESE DANCE TEAM HOSTED A LUNCHEON FOR ABOUT 100 VIPS IN EDMONTON AT THE MAYFAIR GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUE ON AUGUST 2.
THE GUESTS OF HONOUR INCLUDED MR. JUSTICE TEVIE MILLER WHO 13 VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE 11TH COMMONWEALTH GAMES AND OTHER L^AlI.'G OFFICIALS FROM THE FEDERAL PROVINCIAL AND EDMONTON ADMINISTRATION.
ALSO PRESENT WAS MR. A. DEO. SALES, PRESIDENT OF THE AMATEUR SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG, WHO IS LEADING HONG KONG’S SPORTS DELEGATION TO THC GAMES.
pAY EIRD, THE CHIEF OF DELEGATION FOR THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS CHINESE DANCE TEAM, THANKED THE CANADIANS FOR THEIR ^ARR- RECEPTION AND EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE FIRST COMMONWEALTH ^R!2'VAL WOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR THE CONTINUATION AND EXPANSION OF ™t FESTIVAL INTO A MAJOR EVENT ON THE WORLD’S ARTS AND CULTURAL CALENDAR.
AEIER THE PRESENTATION OF SOUVENIR PENNANTS AND COPIES OF THt HONG KONG YEAR BOOK, THE DANCE TEAM PUT ON TWO OF THE DANCES ™A| RAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY WELL-RECEIVED IN EDMONTON. THE SONG ^^NFLOWER AND THE LION DANCE AGAIN WON THE WARM APPLAUSE OF ALL THE GUESTS PRESENT, WHO, BESIDES THE SOUVENIR PROGRAMME WERE EACH PRESENTED WITH A ROSE AND A DANCE TEAM BADGE ’
/8
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1978
8
PREMISES IN HOUSING ESTATES FOR WELFARE PURPOSES H * H
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS INVITING VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES TO APPLY FOR PREMISES RESERVED FOR WELFARE PURPOSES IN VARIOUS PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
I.
THE DEPARTMENT’S PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT HAS WRITTEN TO THE AGENCIES PROVIDING THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE AVAILABILITY OF SUCH PREMISES IN EITHER EXISTING ESTATES OR IN ESTATES UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR SHORTLY TO EE BUILT.
THE UNIT HAS DEEN IN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO MONITOR THE ALLOCATION OF WELFARE PREMISES TO ENSURE A BALANCED PROVISION OF WELFARE SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN NEW TOWNS AND NEW-PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
FIVE PREMISES WITH A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF NEARLY 18,533 SQ. FT. HAVE BEEN RESERVED IN EXISTING ESTATES FOR THE PROVISION OF CHILDREN OR YOUTH CENTRES IN ORDER TO MEET A GROWING NEED IN THE ESTATES.
OF THESE PREMISES, THE LARGEST ONE, SQ. FT., IS AVAILABLE AT THE LOWER FLOOR ESTATE.
WITH A FLOOR AREA OF 6,519 IN ELOCK B OF FU SHAN
ANOTHER PREMISES, WITH AN AREA OF 4,345 SQ. FT. IS AT UNITS 224-234 OF WAH CHING HOUSE IN WAH F'J ESTATE, ABERDEEN.
THE OTHER THREE SQ. FT. TO 2,800 SQ. AMD LAI KING ESTATES.
PREMISES HAVE FLOOR AREAS RANGING FROM 2,353 FT. AND ARE AVAILABLE IN.HING WAH, KWAI SHING
THc MONTHLY RENT FCR THESE WELFARE PREMISES SQUARE FOOT, EXCLUSIVE OF RATES.
13 53 CENTS PER
THc DePARTMENT HAS ALSO MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SPACES TOTALLING OVtR 31,300 SQ. FT. TO' EE RESERVED IN 13 EXISTING ESTATES FOR GENERAL WELFARE USE.
ON TOP OF THESE, A NUMBER OF UNITS SUITABLE FOR RUNNING NURSERIES’ HOSTELS FOR THE AGED, THE DISABLED AND THE MENTALLY
CHILDRZN and YOUTH CENTRES’ AND OTHER WELFARE SERVICES HAVE EEeN TENTATIVELY RESERVED IN ESTATES NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR TO EE BUILT SOON.
APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE PREMISES ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT OF THE SOCIAL Welfare department at lee gardens, causeway bay.
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/9
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1973
9
-DOUR COMMISSIONER OPENS CONFERENCE FOR FACTORY INSPECTORS
******
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) THANKED HONG KONG’S FACTORY INSPECTORS FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO PREVENT OR DEAL WITH THE +TERRIBLE TOLL OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS* AND SAID THAT THE INSPECTORATE WAS UNDERGOING A PHASED EXPANSION TO ENABLE IT TO GIVE MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN INDUSTRY.
R. HENDERSON. WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A TWO-DAY RESIDENTIAL CONFERENCE WHICH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS HOLDING FOR ITS FACTORY INSPECTORS AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY IN SHA TIN.
HE SAID: + IN RECENT YEARS THE TERRIBLE TOLL OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, BOTH IN TERMS OF HUMAN SUFFERING AND OF FINANCIAL LOSS TO THE IND IVIDUAL AND SOCIETY, HAS STEADILY RISEN TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE IS ALL EUT OVERWHELMED EY THE VOLUME OF '.CRK TO EE DONE.
+1 AM VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT THIS HAS MADE
THE TASK OF THE FACTORY INSPECTOR EVEN MORE DIFFICULT THAN FORMERLY AND I WISH TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GREAT EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH THE EVER-INCREASING WORKLOAD,+ HE ADDED.
MR. HENDERSON SAID THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE SERVICE WAS A VITAL PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DRIVE TO IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS IN ALL THEIR ASPECTS.
COMMENTING ON THE FACT THAT THE CONFERENCE IS REVIEWING AND APPRAISING THE INSPECTORATE WORK, HE SAID: +AS THE SERVICE EXPANDS, AS THE HUMBER CF REGULATIONS AND OTHER SAFETY MEASURES INCREASE, THERE IS A GREATER NEED TO DO THIS REGULARLY.+
THE TWO-DAY RESIDENTIAL CONFERENCE IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE HELD BY A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT AND IT IS BEING ATTENDED BY ALL 134 MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES A BRIEFING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN FOP 1978-1982 BY THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR. JOHN WOOD- DISCUSSIONS ON DIFFICULTIES IL THE ENFORCEMENT CF SAFETY LEGISLATION- FILM SHOWS ON CONSTRUCTION SAFETY,'MACH I NE SAFETY AND CHEMICAL SAFETY-EVALUATION CF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING SAFETY LEGISLATION WITH REFERENCE TO POWER PRESSES, PLASTIC INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES, AND SEEING MACHINES- AND A TALK EY DR. NCRWAN KO, OF THE UNIVERSITY CF HONG KONG, ON NOISE CONTROL IN INDUSTRY.
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/1O......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1978
10
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING VISITS FORESTRY WORK CAMP * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, "R. MOR-'CO VISITED THE ABERDEEN COUNTRY ■'HERE 1- STUDENTS FROM THE HONG KO:'G TAKING PART IN A FORESTRY WORK CAMP.
ALAN SCCTT THIS (THURSDAY) PARKS MANAGEMENT CENTRE SCHOOL FOR DEAF ARE
"£. SCCTT .-.AS MET ON ARRIVAL BY 7,',“ UCATION DEPARTMENT, MRS. LOUISE MOK
THE DEPUTY^CHIEF INSPECTOR
HONG KONG SCHOOL FOR- THE DEAF, “miss’s. mTeJ^ AND ’oTHErMf IC I Al s ^'..J.^EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES0
MR. SCOTT FACILITIES AND K TENDING THE
THEi’. INSPECTED THE CAMP SITE AND THE ACCOMMODATION SAL THE BOY CAMPERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 18 AT WORK YOUNG TREES AND ROOTING GUT WEEDS.
THz SCHOOL FORESTRY WORK CAMP IS JOINTLY ORGAN IQrn nv tuc
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR CF CIVIL AVIATION RETIRING
*****
MR. J.A. HALLAM, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT , IS TO RETIRE CF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
(OPERATIONS) OF THE SHORTLY AFTER 26 YEARS
ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS, MR. E.D. KEEP ACTING DIRtCTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, WILL PRESENT A MEMENTO TO MR HALLAM AT A FAREWELL DINNER TO PE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MR. HALLAM CAME TO HONG KONG IN 1952 AFTER SERVICE WITH THE ROYAL NAVY IN BRITAIN.
TEN YEARS’
HE BEGAN HIS CAREER IN THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICER II AND WAS PROMOTED TO AIR TRAFFI CONTROL OFFICER I IN 1962 AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN 1973
C
MR. HALLAM HAS ACTED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR ON MANY OCCASIONS.
Oi\ RETIREMENT, MR. HALLAM A D HIS FAMILY WILL SETTLE DOWN IN JAVEA, ALICANTE IN SPAIN.
- - 0 -
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1978
11
CROSS TOLC HARBOUR SWIM * * * * *
'RE THAN 333 PEOPLE WILL COMPETE IN THE 11TH ANNUAL .CLO HARBOUR SWIM IN TAI PO ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 6) MORNING.
r"al7TcSTMrTe>ALTnEo^ HANS RECLAMATION NEAR THE TAI PO Fl".tih'ATSueJJ'eww ?SAI.2-200 ™9S ,CWW TOLO HARE0UR T0
r,r- ?,ISTRICT OFFICER, MR. JACK SO, WILL START THE
hAbt. Al 1J.JJ A. I’..
_THE ANNUAL EVENT IS ORGAN IS SPORTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION f ACTIVITIES.
ED EY THE TAI ;PO SEVEN DISTRICTS S PART OF ITS SUMMER RECREATIONAL
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NE'.. TERRITORIES JONES, ..ILL ADDRESS THE PARTICIPANTS AND F PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS AT "OOI.
,■MR. DAVID AKERS-RS. AKERS-JONES WILL
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TOLC HARBOUR SV. IM ON
TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CROSS SUNDAY (AUGUST 6) MORNING.
0 .
CALL FOR EARLY RETURN OF INDUSTRY CENSUS FORMS
* * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED MANAGEMENTS OF INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS COVERED IN THE 1977 CENSUS OF INDUSTRY TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
A SPOKESMAN'FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT TO ABOUT £,533 INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN MARCH AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS (NO. 2) ORDER, 1978, ALL INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN RECEIPT OF THE CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT.
THE MANAGEMENTS OF THE SELECTED INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS COVERED IN THE INDUSTRY CENSUS ARE REQUIRED TO FURNISH INFORMATION RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR COST, MATERIAL PURCHASES AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES, SALES AND WORK DONE, STOCKS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 1977, OR A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS ENDING NOT LATER THAN MARCH 31, THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE SUPPORT OF INDUSTRIALISTS IS ESSENTIAL FOR PRODUCING TIMELY STATISTICS ON INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCES AND THAT EARLY RELEASE OF CENSUS RESULTS WOULD BENEFIT HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY.
HE ADDED THAT INDUSTRIALISTS MAY APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE CONCERNING THE CENSUS. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 5-444716.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1978
12
WATER CUTS * * *
.ATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IM THE WESTERN DISTRICT h;.D SHA;. SHU I PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT, THE SUPPLY WILL EE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. TOMORROW AND THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HOUSE NOS. 17-106 HILL ROAD= 71A, 71E AND 71C POKFULAM RCAD= PO TUCK STREET= CLARENCE TEFRACE= CHUN SING STREET= AND HOUSE NOS. 453-496 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST.
li. SHAM SHU I PO, THE SUPPLY WILL EE TURNED OFF FOR SIX .-.CURS FROM MIDNIGHT TOMORROW (FRIDAY) «ND PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE THOSE IN LAI CHI KOK ROAD, KWEILIN STREET, TUNG CHAU STREET AND KIU KIANG STREET, INCLUDING YEN CHAU STREET, YEE KUK STREET AND HOI TA STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
QUEENSWAY SITE SOLD FOR S585.MILL I ON ......1 '
NEW FLYOVER PROPOSED FOR WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR ......... 2
EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PERSONS IN GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGED .. 3
HIGH-CLASS SILVERSTRAND RESIDENTIAL SITE FOR SALE ......... 4
IMPROVEMENTS TO PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER .’.......... 5
LION DANCE STEALS SHOW IN COMMONWEALTH CARNIVAL ........... 6
SHEK WU HUI SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS ........................ 7
WOMAN WHO HELPED PIONEER SPECIAL EDUCATION RETIRES ....... 8
VISITING UK ORCHESTRA TO GIVE FAREWELL CONCERT ............ 9
CLOSURE OF VICTORIA PARK ROAD FLYOVER ..................... 9
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1978
1
ADMIRALTY STATION SITE SOLD FOR $585 MILLION * * * *
A BUILDING SITE OF 3,983 SQUARE METRES ADJACENT TO THE MASS TRANSIT ADMIRALTY STATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND WAS SOLD AT AN AUCTION TODAY FOR $585 MILLION.
THE SALE PRICE IS EQUIVALENT TO $146,874.21 PER SQUARE METRE. THE PURCHASER WAS LIPAK INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED.
THE SITE IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, EXCLUDING HOTELS.
A SPECIAL PROVISION IN THE SALE CONDITIONS IS THAT THE PURCHASER WILL BUILD ON THE GROUND FLOOR A BUS TERMINUS TO BE COMPLETED BY MARCH 31, 1980 TO COINCIDE WITH THE OPENING OF THE ADMIRALTY STATION WHICH THE BUS TERMINUS WILL SERVE.
THE SITE WAS ONE OF THE FOUR LOTS OF CROWN LAND OFFERED FOR AUCTION IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE BY THE P.W.D.’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE.
A SITE OF 1,797 SQUARE METRES AT SA PO ROAD, NEW KOWLOON, WAS SOLD FOR $51 MILLION TO CHIU TICK INVESTMENTS LTD. THE REALISED PRICE IS EQUIVALENT TO $28,380.63 PER SQUARE METRE. THE SITE IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, AND MUST BE DEVELOPED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1982.
ANOTHER SITE AT KAM SHING ROAD, NEW KOWLOON, WAS PURCHASED BY PAK SHU I HON LTD. FOR $33 MILLION, $15,306.12 PER SQUARE METRE FOR THE 2,156 SQUARE METRE SITE.
THIS SITE, FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, MUST ALSO BE DEVELOPED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1982.
THE FOURTH, A 66.6 SQUARE METRE LOT AT 21 PORTLAND STREET, WAS SOLD TO CATHAY REALTY AND PROPERTY LTD. FOR $1,050,000, $15,765.77 PER SQUARE METRE.
THIS SITE MUST BE DEVELOPED WITHIN 36 MONTHS AFTER VACANT POSSESSION OF THE EXISTING BUILDING HAS BEEN OBTAINED.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1978
2
NEW FLYOVER PROPOSED FOR WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR
*****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE WESTERN END OF THE GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER NEAR KANSU STREET TO LINK WITH THE SECTION OF ELEVATED ROAD NOW BEING BUILT AT TAI KOK TSUI.
THE DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS OF THE PROPOSED ELEVATED ROAD WHICH IS PART OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR WILL RUN ALONG FERRY STREET AND BRANCH OUT NEAR SHAN TUNG STREET.
THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WILL BRANCH OFF WESTWARD ACROSS THE YAU MA TEI RECLAMATION TO CHERRY STREET WHILE THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WILL CONTINUE NORTHWARD ALONG TONG MEI ROAD.
THESE TWO ELEVATED CARRIAGEWAYS WILL THEN LINK WITH THOSE AT TAI KOK TSUI, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND TUNG CHAU STREET.
THE PROPOSED ELEVATED ROAD MEASURED ABOUT 1,700 METRES IN LENGTH.
IN GENERAL, EACH OF THE DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS WILL PROVIDE TWO TRAFFIC LANES EXCEPT AT THE SECTION IN FERRY STREET WHERE THE CARRIAGEWAY IS WIDENED TO ACCOMMODATE TWO CONNECTING RAMPS. ALTOGETHER FIVE SLIP ROADS WILL BE BUILT IN THIS SECTION TO INTEGRATE THE ELEVATED ROAD WITH THE GROUND LEVEL ROAD SYSTEMS.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS PROJECT, PART OF FERRY STREET, TONG MEI ROAD AND TUNG CHAU STREET WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED. A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY ACROSS FERRY STREET NEAR SHAN TUNG STREET WILL ALSO BE BUILT TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS AT THE SAME TIME.
WHEN COMPLETED THIS SECTION OF THE ELEVATED ROAD ALONG WITH GASCOIGNE ROAD AND THE SECTION IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL SERVE AS A FAST TRAFFIC ROUTE BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND SHAM SHU I PO.
THE ELEVATED ROAD WILL BE EXTENDED' EVENTUALLY ALONG WITH THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WATERFRONT TO JOIN WITH LAI CHI KOK ROAD IN THE NORTH TO COMPLETE THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS SO AS TO REACH HIS OFFICE NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 4, 1978.
0 - - - -
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1978
3
EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PERSONS IN GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGED ******
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. MARTIN ROWLANDS, HAS ASKED HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO GIVE DISABLED PERSONS APPLYING FOR GOVERNMENT JOBS +AN APPROPRIATE DEGREE OF PREFERENCE OVER OTHER APPLICANTS.+
IN A CIRCULAR RECENTLY, MR. ROWLANDS SAID: +WHEN ALL OTHER FACTORS ARE EQUAL, DISABLED PERSONS APPLYING FOR GOVERNMENT POSTS AND FOUND SUITABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT SHOULD BE GIVEN AN APPROPRIATE DEGREE OF PREFERENCE OVER OTHER APPLICANTS.+
THE CIRCULAR ALSO SAYS THAT DEPARTMENTS EMPLOYING DISABLED PERSONS SHOULD ARRANGE WITH THE MAINTENANCE BRANCH OF THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, FOR ANY NECESSARY ALTERATIONS TO OFFICE PREMISES AND FITTINGS, SUCH AS TOILET FACILITIES, TO BE CARRIED OUT FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF DISABLED OFFICERS.
MR. ROWLANDS SAID HE BELIEVED THE CIVIL SERVICE SHOULD SET A GOOD EXAMPLE BY PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT FOR AS MANY DISABLED PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. +WE ALREADY EMPLOY ABOUT 450 DISABLED PEOPLE, BUT I SHALL BE ASKING ALL HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS TO EXAMINE WAYS OF INCREASING THIS NUMBER,* HE SAID.
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/4
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1978
- 4 -
4
HIGH-CLASS SILVERSTRAND RESIDENTIAL SITE FOR SALE * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO AUCTION A HIGH-CLASS RESIDENTIAL SITE AT SILVERSTRAND IN CLEARWATER BAY ON AUGUST 22 THIS YEAR.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, STARTING AT 3 P.M.
THE ACTING SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. GREGORY LAI, TODAY SAID: +THE SITE ENJOYS VERY GOOD SEA VIEWS AND IS LOCATED IN A HIGH-CLASS RESIDENTIAL AREA.
♦IT IS VERY ATTRACTIVE BEING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, BUT ONLY 20 MINUTES DRIVE FROM THE KOWLOON URBAN AREA.+
THE LOT OCCUPIES AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,858 SQUARE METRES AND CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF |75O,OOO OVER 36 MONTHS, HE SAID. THE LOT WILL BASICALLY BE RESTRICTED TO TWO-STOREY BUILDINGS.
MR. LAI SAID KEEN BIDDING IS EXPECTED JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES RECEIVED.
♦LAND DEVELOPERS HAVE SHOWN CONTINUING INTEREST IN RESIDENTIAL SITES IN SAI KUNG AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SITES TO BE DISPOSED OFF BY AUCTION,♦ MR. LAI SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE LAST AUCTION OF AN ADJACENT SITE AT SILVERSTRAND IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR FETCHED THE EQUIVALENT OF MORE THAN $100 PER SQUARE FOOT.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE OF THE LOT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLAN INSPECTED AT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, AND THE SEVEN DISTRICT OFFICES.
/5......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1978
- 5 -
IMPROVEMENTS TO PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER * * * M
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO IMPROVE THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER FROM A THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY TO A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY.
THE WORK INVOLVES EXTENDING THE EXISTING FLYOVER BY ABOUT 12 METRES AT THE SOUTHERN END.
A P.W.D. SPOKESMAN SAID: +NO MAJOR RE-ALIGNMENT OF THE EXISTING FLYOVER WILL BE INVOLVED, BUT THE IMPROVEMENT WILL INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF A CENTRAL DIVIDER AND WIDENING ON THE CURVES.+
TO ALLOW FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE FLYOVER, LIMITED CHANGES IN ALIGNMENT AND LEVEL ARE NECESSARY AT GROUND LEVEL AT A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, ARGYLE STREET AND WATERLOO ROAD.
MORE EXTENSIVE ALTERATIONS IN ALIGNMENT AND LEVEL ARE NECESSARY AT GROUND LEVEL IN WATERLOO ROAD BELOW THE SLOPE TO THE REAR OF NOS. 2-14 BRAGA CIRCUIT, WHERE A RETAINING WALL WILL BE CONSTRUCTED.
THE NORTH-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER AND THE WATERLOO ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE WIDENED TO FOUR LANES TO FACILITATE THE TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN THE TWO FLYOVERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +IMPROVEMENT OF THE FLYOVER IS NECESSARY DUE TO THE GENERAL INCREASE IN TRAFFIC SINCE THE FLYOVER WAS FIRST BUILT IN 1966.+
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS SO AS TO REACH HIS OFFICE NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 4, 1978.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1978
- 6 -
LION DANCE STEALS SHOW IN COMMONWEALTH CARNIVAL ******
WHEN 200—POUND CANADIANS STARTED TO CLIMB ON THE HONG KONG LIONS TODAY (FRIDAY) IN CHURCHILL SQUARE, EDMONTON, THE SLIGHT-BUILT DANCERS PERSPIRING INSIDE THEIR SHAGGY LION COSTUMES DECIDED TO CALL A HALT.
THE AMICABLE HONG KONG DANCERS HAD NO HARD FEELINGS WHEN THEY CAME UP FOR AIR IN THE MIDST OF A PRESSING THRONG OF ADMIRERS. THEY ATTRIBUTED THE OVER-ENTHUSIASM OF THEIR OVERWEIGHT RIDERS TO THE HIGH DEGREE OF EXCITEMENT THEY HAD GENERATED AMONG ONLOOKERS.
THE EXCITEMENT BEGAN AS SOON AS THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS DANCE TEAM TOOK TO THE OPEN-AIR STAGE, IN THE MIDST OF A PERFORMANCE GIVEN BY GROUPS FROM ABOUT 20 COUNTRIES CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMONWEALTH CARNIVAL, WHICH FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY UPON THE OPENING OF THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES.
WHEN THE DISTINCTIVE STRINGS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MUSIC ISSUED OVER THE LOUDSPEAKERS, AND A RAINBOW OF COLOUR WASHED OVER THE PODIUM WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE HONG KONG TROUPE IN THEIR EXOTIC COSTUMES, THE CROWD OF ABOUT 5,000 ASSEMBLED IN THE SQUARE PRESSED FORWARD FOR A BETTER VIEW.
SO GREAT WAS THE PRESS THAT IT TEMPORARILY DISCONNECTED THE LOUDSPEAKER WIRING, INTERRUPTING THE MUSIC FOR THE SPECTACULAR SONG OF THE SUNFLOWERS, WHICH HAD ALREADY BECOME ESTABLISHED AS THE TROUPE’S MOST POPULAR ITEM.
HOWEVER, THE PERFORMERS WERE SO WELL VERSED IN THEIR MOVEMENTS THAT THEY CARRIED ON REGARDLESS UNTIL THE MUSIC RETURNED, BRINGING GALES OF APPLAUSE FROM THE SPECTATORS.
FOR ONCE, BEAUTY GAVE WAY TO THE BEAST IN THE POPULARITY VOTE, BECAUSE THE FOLLOWING LION DANCE UNQUESTIONABLY STOLE THE SHOW FROM ALL THE OTHER ITEMS PRESENTED IN THIS DIVERSE SHOWCASE OF COMMONWEALTH CULTURE.
CHILDREN IN THE AUDIENCE RODE THEIR PARENTS’ SHOULDERS AND HOOTED WITH DELIGHT AT THE ANTICS OF THE PRANCING, ROLLING, EYE-BLINKING LIONS.
AFTER THE JOINING OF HANDS BY ALL PARTICIPATING GROUPS ON STAGE FOR THE GRAND FINALE, THE LIONS DESCENDED FROM THE PLATFORM AND WERE SWALLOWED UP IN THE CROWD.
COMMENTED LION DANCER HA CHAK-SHUN AT THE END OF THIS EXHAUSTING EXPERIENCE: +AT FIRST IT WAS FUN GIVING THE KIDS A RIDE AND POSING FOR PICTURES. BUT LATER SOME OF THE ADULTS GOT CARRIED AWAY, AND WE SIMPLY HAD TO GIVE UP WHEN HEFTY 200 POUNDS BEGAN CLIMBING ONTO OUR SHOULDERS. I THINK THEY SIMPLY DIDN’T REALISE WHO WAS INSIDE THOSE GREAT SHAGGY COSTUMES.
/earlier in the day, .....
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1978
7
EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE HONG KONG TEAM WAS FEATURED IN THE BARBARA KELLY SHOW, SCREENED BY ITV, EDMONTON’S LEADING TELE/IS ION STATION. MISS KELLY INTERVIEWED THE TEAM’S OFFICIALS AND THREE OF THE DANCERS, AND HER SHOW FEATURED FOUR OF THE ROUTINES FROM THEIR REPERTOIRE: THE RICE POUNDING DANCE, SABAYEE, THE BOW DANCE AND FLOWER DRUM DANCE.
ONE OF THE TEAM OFFICIALS LATER DESCRIBED THEIR RECEPTION AS +FANTASTIC, SIMPLY FANTASTIC*. QUITE APART FROM THE WARMTH OF THE CANADIAN RESPONSE, THE TEAM WAS STRUCK BY THE RESPONSE OF THE LOCAL CHINESE COMMUNITY, WHO NUMBER ABOUT 1,500.
+EVERYWHERE WE GO, WE HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH KINDNESS,* HE REPORTED. +WE COULD NEVER FIND TIME TO ACCEPT ALL THEIR OFFERS OF HOSPITALITY. THEY TELL US HOW PROUD THEY ARE THAT . WE HAVE PRESENTED CHINESE CULTURE TO THE CANADIANS IN SUCH A STRIKING FASHION.*
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SHEK WU HUI SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS ******
THE
NEXT SIX
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MAY INVITE TENDERS WITHIN THE
MONTHS FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD, DRAINAGE AND BUILDING WORKS OF PHASE I OF THE SHEK WU HUI SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS IS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT IN FAN LING AND SHEK WU HUI AND WILL BE BUILT ON A SITE OF ABOUT 10 HECTARES, ADJACENT TO AND INCORPORATING THE EXISTING PILOT TREATMENT PLANT.
THE PROJECT WILL SERVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 127,000 AND THE ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES IN THE NEW DEVELOPMENT, AND TREAT SEWAGE BROUGHT BY A SYSTEM OF SEWERS AND PUMPING STATIONS FROM ALL THE URBANISED AREAS OF FAN LING AND SHEK WU HUI, USING THE LATEST METHODS OF SEWAGE TREATMENT.
CONTRACTORS WITH PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF MAJOR SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS CONSTRUCTION WHO WISH TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PREQUALIFICATION FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS SHOULD CONTACT MESSRS. MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL, 1ST FLOOR, SHA TIN. NEW TERRITORIES.
SEPARATE CONTRACTS ARE TO BE LET FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT, FOR WHICH TENDERS WILL BE INVITED OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS FROM INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTORS.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CONTRACT FOR STAGE I OF THE ROAD. DRAINAGE AND BUILDING WORKS WILL START IN APRIL NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY JULY 1981, ALTHOUGH PARTS OF THE WORKS WILL BE IN OPERATION BY MAY 1981.
THE WORKS ARE BEING DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA IN ASSOCIATION WITH WATSON (HONG KONG) ON BEHALF OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1978
8
WOMAN WHO HELPED PIONEER SPECIAL EDUCATION RETIRES *****
A WOMAN WHO PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN BUILDING UP THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS RETIRING AFTER 25 YEARS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
SHE IS MISS J.E. ROWE, WHO THIS AFTERNOON WAS PRESENTED WITH A HI-FI SET BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, AT A FAREWELL CEREMONY HELD AT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN LEE GARDENS.
IN MAKING THE PRESENTATION, MR. TOPLEY PRAISED MISS ROWE FOR THE HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS SHE SET IN DEVELOPING A CORPS OF EXPERTS PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE DEAF, THE BLIND AND PARTIALLY-SIGHTED, THE MALADJUSTED AND SOCIALLY DEPRIVED, THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, SLOW LEARNERS AND CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM SPEECH DIFFICULTIES.
MR. TOPLEY SAID THE EXAMPLE AND FAR-SIGHTEDNESS THAT MISS ROWE HAD BROUGHT TO HER POSITION AS THE PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER IN CHARGE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION HAD BEEN OUTSTANDING.
MISS ROWE JOINED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS A TEMPORARY SCHOOL MISTRESS IN MID-1953.
SHE WAS APPOINTED AS EDUCATION OFFICER IN 1955 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER IN 1965 AND TO PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER IN 1971. SHE RECEIVED THE MBE IN 1972.
MISS ROWE HAS PLAYED A LEADING ROLE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES DURING HER TIME IN HONG KONG.
SHE IS A FOUNDER MEMBER OF THE JOINT COUNCIL FOR THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND IS A BRANCH MEMBER AND SCHOOL MANAGER FOR THE HONG KONG RED CROSS.
SHE ALSO IS A FOUNDER MEMBER AND PAST PRESIDENT OF THE SOROPTIMIST CLUB OF HONG KONG.
MISS ROWE WILL VISIT CHINA, AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES BEFORE RETURNING TO HER HOME IN BECKENHAM, KENT.
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/9
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1978
9
VISITING UK ORCHESTRA TO GIVE FAREWELL CONCERT
*****
THE COUNTY OF AVON SCHOOLS ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE A FAREWELL CONCERT AT OCEAN PARK TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 7.30 P.M. FOR A CHARITABLE CAUSE.
ABOUT 1,500 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE CONCERT AND THE PROCEEDS FROM WHICH WILL GO TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
THE ORCHESTRA CAME TO HONG KONG ON JULY 29 AS PART OF THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC EXCHANGE ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE.
THE ORCHESTRA GAVE THREE CONCERTS IN HONG KONG AND THE DEMONSTRATION OF THEIR POLISHED SKILLS WON WARM APPLAUSES FROM AUDIENCES.
THE VISITORS WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR THE PHILIPPINES ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 6) TO CONTINUE ITS ASIAN TOUR BEFORE RETURNING TO THE UNITED KINGDOM.
0 - -
CLOSURE CF VICTORIA PARK ROAD FLYOVER * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM 6 A. i'..
O'.' SUNDAY (AUGUST 6) TO 6 -A.M. ON MONDAY, THE FLYOVER ON VICTORIA PARK ROAD LEADING TO GLOUCESTER ROAD ILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE ANTI-SKID WORK ON IT.
DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD, THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BUS ROUTES NOS. 102 AND 136 '..'ILL BE DIVERTED TO CANAL ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, PENNINGTON'STREET, YEE WO STREET, AND, CAUSEWAY ROAD.
ROUTES NOS. 103 AND 200 ''.ILL EE DIVERTED TO CANAL ROAD, LzIGHTON ROAD, PENNINGTON STREET AND YEE ,;0 STREET- AND FOUT-;.C. 173 ..ILL BE DIVERTED TO CANAL ROAD, MORRISON HILL ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGN*S ..ILL DE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
$25 MILLION PROJECT TO BEAUTIFY SITE OF ADMIRALTY STATION ............................................ 1
EMPLOYMENT AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES ....... 2
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES INVITE APPLICATIONS FOR 1978-79 COURSES ......................................... 3
HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT........... 3
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS............................... 4
FIRING PRACTICE .................................... 4
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1978
1 -
* 25 MILLION PROJECT TO BEAUTIFY SITE OF ADMIALTY STATION ******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED A $25 MILLION PROJECT TO PROVIDE THE SITE OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY’S ADMIRALTY STATION WITH AN ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY AND A GARDEN AREA WITH POOLS AND WATER WALLS.
THE COVERED PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY WILL LINK THE FOUR MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ENTRANCES, VARIOUS COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND THE EASTERN BUS TERMINUS ON THE UNDERGROUND STATION’S SITE.
MR. GORDON RIPLEY, PROJECT ARCHITECT FROM P.W.D.’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE SAID THAT THE ELEVATED WALKWAY WOULD BE BUILT ON TWO LEVELS ABOVE THE VEHICULAR ACCESS.
♦ THE FIRST LEVEL WILL HAVE SHOPS ALONG SIDE THE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY WHILE THE TOP LEVEL WILL BE LANDSCAPED WITH TREES AND SHRUBS, SEATS AND PAGODAS.
♦ THE WALKWAY ON THE UPPER LEVEL WILL ALSO BE COVERED,* HE SAID.
INCORPORATED IN THE SCHEME AT GROUND LEVEL WILL BE A GARDEN AREA WITH A POOL, WATER WALLS, TREES AND SHRUBS.
A RESTAURANT ON THE UPPER LEVEL WILL OVERLOOK THE GARDEN.
PROVISION HAS ALSO BEEN MADE FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE ELEVATED WALKWAY ACROSS QUEENSWAY TO VICTORIA BARRACKS AND ACROSS COTTON TREE DRIVE TO MURRAY ROAD CAR PARK.
IN FUTURE, IT MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED TO BOTH GAMMON HOUSE AND CHATER GARDEN.
MR. RIPLEY SAID EVENTUALLY PEDESTRIANS SHOULD BE ABLE TO WALK FROM THE NEW RODNEY BLOCK TO CHATER GARDEN ALONG THE COVERED WALKWAY.
HE SAID WORK WILL START ON THE SITE IN' DECEMBER THIS YEAR AND PEDESTRIANS WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE ROUTE BY MID-1980.
WORK ON THE SHOPS AND LANDSCAPING WILL TAKE SLIGHTLY LONGER TO COMPLETE.
THE CONSTRUCTION WORK WHICH WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY A MTRC CONTRACTOR FOR P.W.D. WILL BE SUPERVISED BY P.W.D.’S ARCHITECTURAL
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS FOR THE SCHEME ARE FREEMAN FOX AND PARTNERS (FAR EAST) AND THE ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANTS ARE ALAN FITCH AND W.L. CHUNG.
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/2......
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1978
2
EMPLOYMENT AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES
******
A TOTAL OF 67,680 MANUAL WORKERS WERE EMPLOYED AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES IN JUNE THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO A RECENT EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE FIGURE REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 2,644 WORKERS OR FOUR PER CENT OVER MARCH 1978 AMD AN INCREASE OF 9,286 WORKERS OR 16 PER CENT COMPARED WITH JUNE 1977.
OF THE 1,203 BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES IN OPERATION IN JUNE 1978, 372 WERE SITES TENDERED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING DEPARTMENTS. THESE 372 SITES ACCOUNTED FOR 26,711 WORKERS, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1,798 WORKERS OR SEVEN PER CENT OVER MARCH 1978.
EMPLOYMENT AT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION SITES RECORDED A DECREASE OF NINE PER CENT TO 7,405 WORKERS IN JUNE 1978.
DURING THE PERIOD MARCH TO JUNE 1978, THE NUMBER OF WORKERS EMPLOYED AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR INCREASED BY FIVE PER CENT TO 33,564.
DETAILED STATISTICS ARE AS FOLLOWS s- JUNE 1978
TENDER ING AUTHORITY JUNE 1977 MARCH .1978
SITES IN OPERATION MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED SITES IN OPERATION MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED SITES IN OPERATION MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 267 15,197 304 18,490 318 19,708
HOUSING DEPARTMENT 25 3,178 48 6,423 54 7,003
MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY * 24 6,514 28 8,119 28 7,405
PRIVATE SECTOR 799 33,505 787 32,004 803 33,564
TOTAL 1,115 58,394 1,167 65,036 1,203 67,680
(* CONSTRUCTION SITES UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY REFER TO M.T.R. CONTRACTS FOR WHICH WORK WAS IN PROGRESS DURING JUNE 1978.)
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/3
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1978
3
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES INVITE APPLICATIONS FOR 1978-79 COURSES
******
THE MORRISON HILL, KWAI CHUNG, KWUN TONG AND HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ARE INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO FULL-TIME^ BLOCK-RELEASE AND PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSES IN
FIELDS OF STUDY INCLUDE CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES, MARINE AND FABRICATION MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, PRINTING AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES
APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO ON AUGUST 18.
THESE COURSES WILL CLOSE
-------o----------
HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE PORT COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE, THE SMALL CRAFT LICENSING OFFICE AND THE OFFICE FOR THE MACAU FERRY WHARF UNIT WILL REMAIN OPEN ON MONDAY (AUGUST 7), WHICH IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
ON THAT DAY THE SMALL CRAFT LICENSING OFFICE WILL OPERATE FROM 9 A.M. TO 11 A.M., AND THE MACAU FERRY WHARF UNIT FROM 7.30 A.M.
TO 1.30 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE PORT COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE WILL OPEN ROUND THE CLOCK.
IN ADDITION THE FOUR PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN WAN CHAI, YAU MA TEI, KWUN TONG, AND TSUEN WAN WILL REMAIN OPEN ON THAT DAY.
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A
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1978
A
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
*****
ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT
FROM 13 A.M.
WILL BE IMPOSED
nE transport department 7
ON MONDAY (AUGUST 7) AN URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION
ON THE SECTION OF TUNG CHAU STREET BETWEEN TONG MEI ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FOR ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES.
a ZHE RESTR,CTI0N WILL APPLY TO GOODS VEHICLES FROM 7 A.M. TO WeM".? kihcK P-"- DAILY- AND 7 « 7 p "•
S*»cK^DNSBjsH|s:E2}^C^O^^^??LAFioM”OJ??Kyj2^E?NBE^^ING ^TiiM?S?uAHEeToccTL0AD,NG AND UNL0AD|NG GOODS ON THIS SECTION U" lUNb CHAU STREET.
,,,,A ™E BEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (AUvaUoT 7) THE EASTERN END OF DYER AVENUE. EAST OF ITS JUNCTION TnTToIcTrAr^n0AD IN HUNG H0M WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TnoJcAFF c F0R AB0UT 0NE MONTH TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WUr\ K S .
^™kTpriate signs w,ll be set up in these areas to guide
■ I ‘w/rx I Q I u*
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FIRING PRACTICE
*****
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FOUR DAYS NEXT WEEK.
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF THE FIRING PRACTICE.
THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE:
DATE HOURS
AUGUST 8 (TUESDAY) 8.30 A.M. — 5.30 P.M.
AUGUST 9 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 A.M. — 5.30 P.M.
AUGUST 10 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. -- 5 P.M.
AUGUST 11 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. — 5 P.M.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 1978
-CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMPUTERISED PROGRAMME TO GIVE INSIGHT INTO DRUGS PROBLEM .................................................. 1
। •
SUPERDOG HAS NOSE FOR DRUGS ................................ 3
SCHEME TO HELP DISABLED CHILDREN INTEGRATE INTO COMMUNITY 4
NUMBER OF FIRE REGULATION OFFENDERS DROPS ................. 5
COUNTRY PARKS SOUVENIRS FOR SALE .......................... 6
NO MAIL DELIVERY ON PUBLIC HOLIDAY ......................... 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IM HO MAN TIN .......................... 7
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 1978
1
COMPUTERISED PROGRAMME TO GIVE AN INSIGHT INTO DRUGS PROBLEM * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-NARCOTICS POLICY-MAKERS ARE AWAITING THE FIRST SERIES OF REPORTS FROM A NEW AND FULLY COMPUTERISED DRUG ABUSE RESEARCH PROGRAMME WHICH PROMISES TO GIVE THEM A COMPREHENSIVE INSIGHT INTO THE DRUG PROBLEM IN HONG KONG.
COMPUTER PRINT-OUTS WILL BE POURING OUT FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S DATA PROCESSING DIVISION IN THE FORM OF HUNDREDS OF STATISTICAL TABLES OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, TO REVEAL A MORE DETAILED, UP-TO-DATE PICTURE OF THE TRENDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOCAL DRUG PROBLEM. THEY WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN INDICATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS EXISTING TREATMENT AND PREVENTION PROGRAMMES.
THIS RESERVOIR OF VALUABLE INFORMATION IS A RESULT OF 30 MONTHS OF HARD WORK BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TO FULLY RE-ORGANISE AND COMPUTERISE ITS RESEARCH MACHINERY - THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ADDICTS (CRDA).
THE CRDA, IN ITS NEW AND COMPUTERISED FORM, IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN ASIA.
THE RE-ORGANISATION BEGAN IN APRIL 1976 WHEN THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, AND A SWEDISH-AMERICAN CONSULTANT, MR. BENT wERBELL, SPENT FOUR MONTHS IN PRODUCING A MASTER PLAN FOR A NEW DATA COLLECTION PROCESS, A COMPUTER SYSTEM AND STAFF REQUIREMENT TO RUN THE NEW REGISTRY.
THE COLLECTION OF RECORDS ON DRUG ADDICTS FOR COMPUTER ANALYSIS BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER 1976. UP TO THE MIDDLE OF LAST MONTH, MORE THAN 58,000 RECORDS HAD BEEN COLLECTED ON ABOUT 28,000 ADDICTS WHO CAME INTO CONTACT WITH 21 GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DEALING IN ANT I-NARCOTICS WORK, INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION ORGANISATIONS, SOCIAL WELFARE BODIES AND HOSPITALS.
THROUGH A SPEC I ALLY-DES.IGNED COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH IS UNIQUE IN HONG KONG, THESE RECORDS ARE NOW BEING PROCESSED INTO THE REGISTRY’S DATA BASE WHICH WILL PROVIDE RELIABLE MATERIAL, FOR THE FIRST TIME, ON WHICH ANTI-NARCOTICS POLICIES CAN BE FORMULATED, AND FROM WHICH ASSESSMENTS CAN BE MADE OF SUBSEQUENT IMPLEMENTATION.
THE DATA WILL, FOR INSTANCE, INDICATE THE TYPICAL PROFILE OF DRUG ADDICTS, CHANGES IN THE TYPES OF DRUGS BEING ABUSED, AND WHETHER ABUSE IS SPREADING TO PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN AREAS.
/A SPOKESMAN
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 1978
2 -
' POKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION SAID A UNIQUE FEATURE CP n_ CRDA COMPUTER PROGRAMME, IS THAT IT CAN IDENTIFY RECORDS RECEIVED ON THE SAME PERSON OVER A PERIOD EVEN IF THE NAME, IDENTITY CARD NUMBER OR OTHER PARTICULARS REPORTED IN THE RECORD SHEETS ARE NOT CONSISTENT EVERY TIME.
+ IN SHORT, THE COMPUTER CAN DISTINGUISH BETWEEN TEN ADDICTS EACH REPORTED ONCE AND ONE ADDICT REPORTED TEN TIMES,+ HE SAID.
+THE LACK OF SUCH CAPABILITY IN THE OLD CRDA SYSTEM WAS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR THE REVAMPING BECAUSE RECORDS WITH THE I.D. CARD NUMBER MISSING OR THE NAME WRITTEN IN THE WRONG CHINESE CHARACTERS OFTEN LED TO CONFUSION IN THE OLD SYSTEM AS TO WHETHER CERTAIN RECORDS BELONGED TO THE SAME PERSON OR DIFFERENT PERSONS,+ HE EXPLAINED.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE NEW CRDA, tHE SPOKESMAN SAID, IS THAT IT CAN PRODUCE STATISTICAL TABLES BI-MONTHLY OR WHENEVER REQUIRED, COMPARED TO THE OLD SYSTEM WHICH COULD PRODUCE TABULATIONS ONLY ONCE A YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT INFORMATION ON ALL INDIVIDUAL ADDICTS IS KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL IN THE CRDA.
+OUR INTENTION IS TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DRUG PROBLEM AND TO MEASURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR EFFORTS, NOT TO COLLECT INFORMATION FOR USE AGAINST ADDICTS IN ANY WAY,+ HE SAID.
THE RE-ORGANISATION OF THE CRDA OWED MUCH TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WHICH HAS FINANCED THE CONSULTANCY OF MR. BENT WERBELL, AN EXPERT WHO HAD FIVE YEARS PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF THIS SPECIALISED TYPE OF WORK THROUGH HIS MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW YORK CITY NARCOTICS REGISTER.
HE IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG, FOR HIS THIRD ANNUAL VISIT TODAY, AND WILL SPEND SIX WEEKS HERE IN REVIEWING THE INITIAL OPERATION OF THE NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM.
IN ADDITION, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IS ALSO FUNDING THE CONSULTANCY OF ANOTHER EXPERT, DR. ROBERT NEWMAN, DIRECTOR CF THE BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTRE IN NEW YORK CITY WHO FIRST CAME TO HONG KONG THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO AND, IN THE COURSE OF A REVIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT’S TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES FOR DRUG DEPENDENTS, MADE FOR THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, RECOMMENDED THE RE-ORGANISATION OF THE CRDA.
HE IS EXPECTED TO VISIT HONG KONG FOR TWO WEEKS IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, WHEN HE WILL ADVISE ON THE INITIAL FINDINGS OF THE NEW REGISTRY.
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/3
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 1978
SUPERDOG HAS NOSE FOR DRUGS * * * *
A SUPERDOG TRAINED TO SNIFF OUT DRUGS WILL SOON JOIN THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE.
THE DOG, NAMED DEWARS, IS A GERMAN BREED GIVEN TO THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE AS A GIFT BY THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT.
DEWARS WAS RECENTLY BROUGHT BACK TO HONG KONG BY CUSTOMS INSPECTOR POON YEUNG-KWONG WHO WAS SELECTED TO RECEIVE DOG-HANDLING TRAINING IN THE U.S.A.
THE TWO-YEAR-OLD DOG WAS GIVEN 14 WEEKS OF INTENSIVE DRUG DETECTION TRAINING IN VIRGINIA LAST SUMMER AND GAINED THE TITLE OF +SUPERDOG+ FOR HIS EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IN TWO ADVANCED TESTS.
THE STANDARD OF THE TESTS IS SO HIGH THAT ONLY ONE IN 129 ■ DOGS UNDERGOING TRAINING IN THE UNITED STATES SUCCEEDED IN PASSING THE TEST.
DEWARS, WHO WAS QUARANTINED AT THE GOVERNMENT KENNEL SHORTLY AFTER HIS ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG, HAS NOW JOINED ’OLIVER’, HIS TEAM-MATE, TO FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING.
BEFORE HIS RELEASE FROM QUARANTINE, DEWARS WAS GIVEN A REFRESHER COURSE AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL AT TAI LAM CHUNG TO SHARPEN HIS SENSE IN ANTI-DRUGS WORK.
INSPECTOR POON REVEALED THAT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE HAS A PLAN IN HAND, PENDING FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROVAL, TO EXPAND ITS DOG UNIT TO ASSIST CUSTOMS OFFICERS IN THEIR DRUG DETECTION WORK.
HE SAID: +ONCE THE PLAN IS APPROVED, WE WILL TRAIN OUR DOGS LOCALLY WITH ALL THE EXISTING EXPERTISE AND FACILITIES.*
INSPECTOR POON POINTED OUT THAT ONCE A DOG IS PROPERLY TRAINED, IT CAN EASILY SNIFF OUT DRUGS CONCEALED IN ANY OBJECT WITH FALSE COMPARTMENTS.
.►ANOTHER MERIT OF A TRAINED NARCOTICS DOG IS THAT IT CAN WORK MUCH FASTER THAN A MAN IN SEARCHING PASSENGERS’ LUGGAGES FOR DRUGS. IT CAN INSPECT ABOUT 500 ITEMS OF LUGGAGES OR PARCELS IN 30 MINUTES WHILE IT TAKES MUCH MORE TIME FOR A CUSTOMS OFFICER TO COMPLETE THE WORK,* HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY INTERPOL, DOGS HAVE PLAYED A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE IN NARCOTICS DETECTION WORK IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
THIS HAS LED TO THE USE OF MORE DOGS BY LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THERE WERE 945 DOGS IN 35 COUNTRIES TRAINED IN THIS KIND OF WORK IN 1975 COMPARED WITH 251 IN 13 COUNTRIES IN 1971.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 1976
SCHEME TO HELP DISABLED CHILDREN TO INTEGRATE INTO COMMUNITY
* * K *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS JOINED HANDS WITH THE
■’ARY SECTOR TO LAUNCH A TRIAL SCHEME WHICH AIMS TO HELP INTEGRATE DISABLED CHILDREN INTO THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING THEM PRE-SCHOOL CARE IN DAY NURSERIES.
UNDER THE SCHEME, CHILDREN AGED TWO TO SIX YEARS WITH
MINOR DISABILITIES CAN BE REFERRED FOR ADMISSION INTO GOVERNMENT-SUB VENTED DAY NURSERIES WHERE THEY CAN INTEGRATE WITH NORMAL CHILDREN OF THEIR AGE.
THE EXPERIMENTAL SERVICE WAS INTRODUCED LAST MONTH AFTER THE DEPARTMENT BEGAN LAST YEAR EXPLORING WITH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING PRE-SCHOOL CARE UNITS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN IN THEIR NURSERIES.
AS A RESULT, SIX WELFARE AGENCIES HAVE RESPONDED TO THE IDEA AND STARTED OPERATING SUCH UNITS IN NINE SUBVENTED DAY NURSERIES RUN BY THEM. ANOTHER NURSERY WILL JOIN THE SCHEME IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
MR. LAU KAI-CHUEN, HEAD OF DEPARTMENT’S CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, SAID TODA'Y THOSE NURSERIES JOINING THE TRIAL SCHEME WERE ALLOCATED ADDITIONAL SUBVENTION TO MEET ADDITIONAL STAFF COST.
+IN ADDITION, GRANTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND ARE AVAILABLE FOR NECESSARY STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS AND THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL FACILITIES AND TRAINING FOR STAFF,+ HE SAID.
TO BEGIN WITH, MR. LAU SAID, THE NUMBER OF DISABLED CHILDREN TO BE ADMITTED TO EACH PARTICIPATING NURSERY IS LIMITED TO SIX.
+ONLY CHILDREN WITH MINOR DISABILITIES - THOSE WHO ARE MILD-GRADE MENTALLY RETARDED, SLIGHTLY PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED OR SLIGHTLY IMPAIRED IN SPEECH, HEARING OR SIGHT - ARE ADMITTED,* HE SAID.
ADMISSIONS ARE BY WAY OF REFERRALS MADE BY WELFARE AGENCIES AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH, AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS.
MR. LAU SAID THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL SERVICE WAS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR MILD-GRADE DISABLED CHILDREN TO MIX WITH NORMAL CHILDREN IN A HOMELY SETTING AS AN IMPORTANT PART IN THEIR SOCIAL REHABILITATION PROCESS.
+IF THE SCHEME PROVES SUCCESSFUL, IT IS HOPED THAT THIS SPECIAL SERVICE COULD BE EXPANDED ON A LARGER SCALE TO BENEFIT MORE DISABLED CHILDREN,* HE SAID.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 1975
5
OVER 1,500 PROSECUTIONS TAKEN OUT AGAINST FIRE REGULATION VIOLATORS IN FIRST HALF OF 1978 ******
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TOOK OUT 1,549 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST DOMESTIC TENANTS AND COMMERCIAL AND FACTORY PROPRIETORS FOR BREAKING FIRE REGULATIONS DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS Y-AR --A DROP OF ABOUT 18 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1,826 IN SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL FINES IMPOSED IN THESE CASES AMOUNTED TO 3402,220 --3303,565 LESS THAN FOR FIRST SIX MONTHS LAST YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THE CASES .MAINLY RELATED TO OBSTRUCTION OF STAIRCASES AND MEANS OF ESCAPE FAILURE TO PROPERLY MA INTAIN FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS WITHIN BUILDINGS OR TO COMPLY WITH FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT REQUIREMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THESE ARE THE OFFENCES MOST COMMONLY DISCOVERED BY FIRE OFFICERS DURING INSPECTIONS.
HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE FIRE REGULATIONS AND REPORT ANY FIRE HAZARD TO THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU ON 5-281224 WHICH MAINTAINS A ROUND-THE-CLOCK SERVICE.
DURING FIRST SIX MONTHS THIS YEAR, FIRE OFFICERS CONDUCTED 133,467 INSPECTIONS, RE-INSPECTIONS AND FOLLOW-UP VISITS TO RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
OF THESE MORE THAN 86,000 INSPECTIONS WERE PROMPTED BY COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC AND 76,179 WERE RELATED TO BLOCKAGES OF MEANS OF ESCAPE.
THERE WERE 8,230 ROUTINE INSPECTIONS OF MEANS OF ESCAPE AND 25,232 VISITS TO FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
IN ADDITION, OVER 7,703 VISITS WERE MADE TO PLACES OF PUBL I ASSEMBLY, RESTAURANTS AND NIGHT CLUBS, SCHOOLS, TIMBER YARDS AND STORAGE AND INSPECTIONS OF VENTILATION SYSTEMS.
C
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, 2,485 INSPECTIONS WERE MADE ON THE STORAGE AND MANUFACTURING OF DANGEROUS GOODS, 2,136 ON FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS, 1,002 ON VEHICLES USED FOR CONVEYING COMPRESSED GASES AND INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS, AND 381 ON CHILD CARE CENTRES.
A TOTAL OF 3,936 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE PROCESSED AND 1,626 DANGEROUS GOODS AND TIMBER YARDS STORAGE LICENCES WERE ISSUED OR RENEWED.
FIRE OFFICERS ALSO CONDUCTED IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATIONS INTO CAUSES OF 37 FIRES AND GAVE 75 FIRE PREVENTION LECTURES.
THE NUMBER OF FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES ISSUED BETWEEN JANUARY 1 AND JUNE 30 THIS YEAR, TOTALLED 4,664.
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/6.....
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 1978
6
COUNTRY PARKS SOUVENIRS FOR SALE
* * * K
COUNTRY PARKS T-SHIRTS, CAPS AND TIES DESIGNED TO CREATE A GREATER AWARENESS OF THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME,PART ICULARLY THE COUNTRY CODE,ARE NOW ON SALE.
THE T-SHIRTS, WITH THE SLOGAN +TAKE ONLY PHOTOS- LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS ..... RESPECT YOUR COUNTRYSIDE+, ARE ILLUSTRATED WITH
A FILM FRAME SHOWING ONLY A PAIR OF SANDSHOES. THE T-SHIRTS, THE CAPS AND TIES ALL BEAR THE COUNTRY PARKS LOGO.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY SAID: +WITH AN ESTIMATED FOUR MILLION VISITORS TO THE COUNTRY PARKS THIS YEAR, CONSERVATION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE. THE SLOGAN IS TO ENCOURAGE VISITORS TO TAKE ONLY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AND NOT TO TAKE THE FLORA- TO LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS AND NOT LITTER.+
THE SOUVENIRS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING- THE HONG KONG HERBARIUM EXHIBITION AT THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY, STAR HOUSE, KOWLOON- AND AT THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST BOOK CENTRES.
THE T-SHIRTS SELL FOR $6, THE CAPS FOR SI AND THE TIES (IN EITHER BLUE OR GREEN) FOR $12.
NO MAIL DELIVERY ON MONDAY * * * *
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THERE WILL BE NO MAIL DELIVERY ON MONDAY (AUGUST 7) WHICH IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
ON THAT DAY, 32 POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON.
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/7
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 1978
7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN HO MAN TIN
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM IQ A.M. ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 8) NORTHBOUND VEHICLES FROM PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD KILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO TURN RIGHT TO PERTH STREET IN HO MAN TIN.
DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD, NORTHBOUND VEHICLES ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD WISHING TO GAIN ACCESS TO PERTH STREET ARE ADVISED TO TURN LEFT AT THE HO MAN TIN INTERCHANGE INTO PUI CHING ROAD AND FAT KWONG STREET, AND THEN TO TURN LEFT INTO SHEUNG SHING STREET AND SHEK KU STREET WHICH CONNECTS DIRECTLY WITH PERTH STREET.
THE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT BENEATH THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER AND TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW AT THIS LOCATION.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL ‘BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES INCREASES ............................................. 1
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS UNDER FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT .. 2
BUSY YEAR FOR PORT OF HONG KONG IN 1977 ............. 4
BUILDINGS PLANS APPROVED IN JUNE .................... 5
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TO KWA WAN .................. 6
WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG ...........'.................. 6
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1973
- 1
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PAID OUT A TOTAL OF $77.4 MILLION IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1978-79 AS NON-CONTRIBUTORY SOCIAL SECURITY CASH BENEFITS TO NEEDY FAMILIES, THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY.
OF THESE, $28.9 MILLION WERE DISTRIBUTED IN JUNE — THE BIGGEST AMOUNT EVER PAID OUT IN A SINGLE MONTH SINCE THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND THE WELFARE ALLOWANCES SCHEMES WERE INTRODUCED IN 1971 AND 1973 RESPECTIVELY.
THE MONEY WENT TO MORE THAN 132,200 NEEDY FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS UNDER THESE TWO SCHEMES FINANCED BY PUBLIC FUNDS AND ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY DIVISION.
MR. CHENG KWAN-KUEN, HEAD OF THE DIVISION, SAID TODAY THE AMOUNT DISTRIBUTED IN APRIL, MAY AND JUNE THIS YEAR REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF $18.9 MILLION OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.
HE SAID THE INCREASE IN SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENT HAD RESULTED FROM INCREASED PAYMENT RATES AND THE RECENTLY-INTRODUCED IMPROVEMENTS TO BOTH SCHEMES.
+UNDER THESE IMPROVEMENTS, ELIGIBLE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS ALSO RECEIVE OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT AND LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT ALLOWANCES, AND BENEFIT FROM THE DISREGARDED EARNINGS PROVISION, WHILE THE WELFARE ALLOWANCES SCHEME IS EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THOSE LIVING IN INSTITUTIONS,* HE SAID.
I
MR. CHENG SAID THAT OF THE $77.4 MILLION, $48.9 MILLION WERE PAID OUT AS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, $17.9 MILLION AS OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, AND $10.7 MILLION AS DISABILITY ALLOWANCE.
AT PRESENT, HE SAID, THE 26 SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ARE HANDLING 47,400 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CASES, 65,600 OLD AGE ALLOWANCE CASES AND 19,200 DISABILITY ALLOWANCE CASES.
MEANWHILE, MR. CHENG REMINDED PEOPLE RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OF THE IMPORTANCE TO REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT ANY CHANGES IN THEIR FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, WHICH WAS MEANS-TESTED, WAS WORKED OUT ON THE BASIS OF WHAT WAS KNOWN ABOUT THE APPLICANT AND HIS HOUSEHOLD AT A GIVEN POINT OF TIME.
+THE RESOURCES THAT AFFECT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE INCLUDE INCOME, SAVINGS, OTHER ASSETS AND CASUAL EMPLOYMENT,* HE SAID.
"X
+IT IS THEREFORE MOST IMPORTANT THAT RECIPIENTS SHOULD INFORM THE DEPARTMENT IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES ON THESE RESOURCES.
/+FAIUNG TO DC.....
I.iOLT)AY, AUGUST 7, 1978 2 -
+FA ICING TO DO SO MAY LEAD TO OVERPAYMENTS AND CAUSE A G-EAT DEAL OF INCONVENIENCE TO BOTH THE RECIPIENTS AND THE DEPARTMENT,+ HE SAID.
•••R. CHENG POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST, THERE HAD BEEN CASES I ..-IC- THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENT WITHHELD INFORMATION ON C< GES C- FINANCIAL RESOURCES, SUCH AS INCREASED EARNINGS., AND .'.E'E SUBSEQUENTLY BROUGHT TO COURT FOR DEFRAUDS.
+ IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT ■-E SCHEME IS NOT ABUSED AND THAT THE CASH ASSISTANCE GOES TO “-E GENUINE NEEDY,+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE GAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT, AS THE SCHEME WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A GUARANTEED INCOME TO NEEDY INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS., PEOPLE COULD BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ONCE THEIR FINANCIAL RESOURCES FELL BELOW THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE LEVEL.
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c INANCI AL ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO STUDENTS UNDER FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ******
APPLICATIONS FROM STUDENTS SEEKING SCHOLARSHIPS, INTEREST FREE LOANS OR GRANTS FROM THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND OR THE MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUND WILL EE ACCEPTED FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY), THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. J.M.. RIDDELL-SWAN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE TWO FUNDS, EACH WITH A CAPITAL OF Si MILLION, ARE ADMINISTERED BY ADVISORY COMMITTEES COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES CF THE FARMING AND FISHING PRODUCERS WITH THE DIRECTOR CF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AS THE TRUSTEE.
ONE SCHOLARSHIP UNDER EACH FUND WILL BE OFFERED TO STUDENTS CF HIGH INTELLECTUAL PROMISE AND WHO ARE NORMALLY RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG.
/APPLICATION'S......
MONDAY, AUGU3T 7, 1978
3
•'-LIGATIONS WILL CLOSE ON AUGUST 26, 1978.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL GENERALLY INCLUDE APPROVED TUITION, HOSTEL, LABORATORY AND EXAMINATION FEES* PERSONAL MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE* GRANTS FOR BOOKS AND EQUIPMENT* AND EXCEPTIONALLY, OVERSEAS TRAVEL COSTS.
HR. RIDDELL-SWAN SAID SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES MUST UNDERTAKE TO ..CRK FOR A STIPULATED PERIOD IN THE AGRICULTURE OR MARINE FISH INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PERIOD.
HE ADDED THAT PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS FROM FISHING AND FARMING FAMILIES.
HE SAID THE SCHOLARSHIPS WOULD BE TENABLE AT EITHER OF THE T//C UNIVERSITIES IN HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, CR .AT AN ACCEPTABLE OVERSEAS ACADEMIC, TECHNICAL OR POST-GRADUATE INSTITUTION.
+THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE NORMALLY OPEN TO BOTH MEN AND WOMEN UNDER THE AGE OF 30 AND PREFERABLY BETWEEN 18 AND 25 YEARS. HOWEVER, SUITABLE MATURE AGED STUDENTS WILL NOT BE PRECLUDED FROM APPLYING,* SAID MR. RIDDELL-SWAN.
THE FUNDS ALSO ALLOW FOR THE AWARDING OF INTEREST FREE LOANS OR GRANTS TO DESERVING STUDENTS WHO WISH TO UNDERTAKE STUDIES OR WHO HAVE BEEN ADMITTED FOR COURSE AT A HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, A HONG KONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OR AN OVERSEAS ACADEMIC OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
HOWEVER, SUBJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE STUDENTS MUST BE RELEVANT TO AGRICULTURE OR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT MARKETING INDUSTRIES OR TO MARINE FISHERIES OR FISH MARKETING INDUSTRIES.
MR. RIDDELL-SWAN SAID PRIORITY FOR GRANTS OR LOANS WOULD EE GIVEN TO DEPENDENTS OF FARMERS AND FISHERMEN.
THE AMOUNT OF GRANTS OR LOANS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEES IN THE LIGHT OF FINANCIAL NEEDS AND FUNDS AVAILABLE. GRANTS WILL COVER FEES, BOOKS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR STUDIES WHILE THE LOANS WILL BE TOWARDS LIVING COST EXPENDITURE.
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS OR LOANS CLOSE ON AUGUST 19, 1978.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE FUND SECRETARY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, 393, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/4
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1978
- 4 -
BUSY YEAR FOR PORT OF HONG KONG IN 1977
******
THE PORT OF HONG KONG EXPERIENCED A VERY BUSY YEAR IN 1977, WITH AN AVERAGE OF 250 VESSELS ENTERING OR CLEARING DAILY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, ABOUT 90,000 VESSELS COMPRISING OCEAN-GOING SHIPS, RIVER TRADE STEAMERS, HYDROFOILS AND LOCAL CRAFT WITH A COMBINED NET TONNAGE OF MORE THAN 97 MILLION ENTERED AND CLEARED THE PORT OF HONG KONG LAST YEAR.
THESE VESSELS LOADED AND UNLOADED A TOTAL OF 25,2 MILLION TONNES OF CARGO IN 1977, COMPARED WITH 22.97 MILLION TONNES IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
CONTAINERISED CARGO, EXCLUDING FUEL OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, REPRESENTED 48.9 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL CARGO TONNAGE HANDLED LAST YEAR COMPARED WITH 44.6 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
IN TERMS OF T.E.U.’S (TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNIT), THE TOTAL CONTAINER THROUGHPUT WAS 1.26 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 22.3 PER CENT OVER THE 1976 THROUGHPUT OF 1.0,3 MILLION T.E.U.’S.
THE STATISTICS ALSO SHOWED THAT 8,916 OCEAN-GOING VESSELS WITH A COMBINED NET TONNAGE OF 42.8 MILLION ARRIVED HERE IN 1977 REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 10.5 PER CENT AND 16.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CARGO UNLOADED BY THESE VESSELS STOOD AT 17.2 MILLION TONNES LAST YEAR, AN INCREASE OF 11 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
DURING THE YEAR, A TOTAL OF 8,969 OCEAN-GOING VESSELS WITH A COMBINED NET TONNAGE OF 42.9 MILLION CLEARED THE PORT OF HONG KONG, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 10.3 AND 17.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CARGO LOADED BY THESE VESSELS WAS 6.19 MILLION TONNES, AN INCREASE OF 8.8 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1976.
RIVER TRADE, MAINLY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MACAU ALSO SHOWED A SLIGHT INCREASE IN 1977 WITH 71,433 VESSELS OF 11.6 MILLION NET TONNES ENTERING AND CLEARING, COMPARED WITH 70,823 VESSELS OF 11.4 MILLION NET TONNES IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
CARGO FROM THE RIVER TRADE THAT WAS LOADED AND DISCHARGED HERE AMOUNTED TO 1.8 MILLION TONNES, SLIGHTLY MORE THAN IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS TRAVELLING TO AND FROM MACAU INCREASED BY ABOUT TEN PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR TO 5.1 MILLION.
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1978
- 5 -
APPROVAL OF BUILDINGS PLANS * * * * *
A TOTAL OF 67 NEW BUILDINGS PLANS WERE APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN JUNE, COMPARED .. ITH 83 FOR THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
OF THE ’LANS APPROVED, 27 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG ■OXG ISLAND, 14 FOR KOWLOON, AND 26 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INCLUDED PLANS FOR A HOTEL BUILDING IN SALISBURY rCAD EXTENSION, A CHURCH AND RETREAT HOUSE IN TUEN MUN, A SCHOOL IN STUBBS ROAD AND SEVERAL FACTORY BUILDINGS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN THE SAME MONTH, 40 COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION. THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF THESE BUILDINGS WAS MORE THAN 0202 MILLION.
THE TOTAL USAELE FLOOR AREA OF THESE BUILDINGS AMOUNTED TO 145,815 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 58,775 SQUARE, METRES CF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 87,049 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
APPROVAL WAS ALSO GIVEN FOR 63 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS TO COMMENCE WORK, INCLUDING A HOSPITAL IN DUNDAS STREET, A COLD STORAGE IN SUNG WONG TOI ROAD, A CHURCH AND YOUTH CENTRE IN HUNG SHU I KU I, CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND A PIER AND FOOTBRIDGE IN Yl LONG WAN, LANTAU ISLAND.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO GAVE CONSENT FOR THE DEMOLITION OF 86 BUILDINGS DURING THE MONTH.
- 0-------
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1978
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TO KWA WAN
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ANHUI STREET AT ITS JUNCTION WITH MA TAU WEI ROAD IN TO KWA WAN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 A.M. ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 13) FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EAST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD ANHUI STREET WILL BECOME A NO-THROUGH ROAD AND TEMPORARILY EE RE-ROUTED TWO WAY.
THE SECTION OF KO SHAN ROAD BETWEEN ANHUI STREET AND KIANG HSI STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO WAY TO ONE WAY SOUTHBOUND AND KIANG HSI STREET TO ONE WAY EASTBOUND.
ACCESS TO.ANHUI STREET IS PROVIDED VIA CHI KIANG STREET AND KO SHAN ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 9) TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE PREMISES TO EE AFFECTED ARE THOSE IN BLOCKS 1 TO 17 OF SAU MAU PING ESTATE (WEST) IN KWUN TONG.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE NEW VOTERS REGISTERED FOR URBCO ELECTION .................. 1
T32 MILLION CONTRACT FOR SHING MUN BRIDGE .......'............ 2
SIR DENYS TO VISIT YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP ....................... 2
FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD ........................... 3
LEGCO MEETING ................................................. 3
VIEWS OF HONG KONG ON SALE ..................................... 4
COLLECTION OF REGISTERED LETTERS .............................. 4
WATER CUT IN SHAM SHU I PO ..................................... 5
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN STANLEY ........................ 5
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1978
1 -
MORE NEW VOTERS REGISTERED ******
A TOTAL OF 9,294 PEOPLE WERE REGISTERED AS NEW VOTERS IN THE 1978 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION REGISTRATION AND SEXENNIAL INQUIRY, NEARLY THREE TIMES THAT OF THE PREVIOUS REGISTRATION CYCLE IN 1976.
ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE TODAY, THE NUMBER OF RE-REGISTERED VOTERS IN THIS YEAR’S REGISTRATION EXERCISE STOOD AT 22,112, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS TO 31,406.
THE REGISTRATION OFFICER FOR THE ELECTION, MR. KUO KET-CHEN, SAID THE NUMBER OF NEW VOTERS WHO WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE NEXT URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION IS ENCOURAGING.
HE SAID THAT CIVIL SERVANTS, TEACHERS AND RATE-PAYERS ARE THE LARGEST GROUPS OF REGISTRANTS, WHILE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF SCHOOL CERTIFICATE HOLDERS ALSO REGISTERED THIS YEAR.
MR. KUO ALSO URGED POTENTIAL ELECTORS WHO HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION FROM AUGUST 16 TO 31 WHEN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS WILL BE OPEN FOR INSPECTION.
APPLICATIONS HAVE TO BE MADE IN PERSON DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE ELECTORAL AND JURY SECTION OF THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE AT 4 SUNNING ROAD, KA CHEONG BUILDING, 7TH FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY.
DURING THIS PERIOD, PEOPLE MAY ALSO OBJECT TO THE INCLUSION OF ANOTHER PERSON’S NAME IN THE REGISTER OR APPLY TO CHANGE THEIR POLLING STATIONS, MR. KUO SAID.
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/2
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 19?8
2
S32 MILLION SHING MUN BRIDGE *****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $32 MILLION CONTRACT FOR Tt£ CONSTRUCTION OF A DUAL 3-LANE, 190-METRE LONG, BRIDGE OVER SHING MUN RIVER TO GAMMON (H.K.) LTD.
THE CONTRACT, WHICH 15 PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ASSOCIATED SUBWAY, FOOT-PATHS AND CYCLE TRACKS.
THE SEVEN-SPAN SUPER-STRUCTURE WILL BE CARRIED BY A TOTAL OF
SIX SUPPORTING PIERS, FOUR OF WHICH WILL BE LOCATED IN THE RIVER,
AND TWO ABUTMENTS. THE PIERS WILL BE SUPPORTED BY A TOTAL OF 287
TUBULAR PILES, WHICH WILL BE DRIVEN TO DEPTHS OF UP TO 35 METRES
INTO THE UNDERLYING STRATA.
THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS ARE MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA.
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SIR DENYS TO VISIT YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP ******
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WILL PAY A VISIT TO THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP 1978 AT ERSKINE CAMP SAI KUNG, TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE CAMP, WHICH HAS A TOTAL OF 240 PART IC I PANTS, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE BRITISH FORCES.
SIR DENYS’ VISIT WILL LAST FOR ONE HOUR FROM 10 A.M.
ON ARRIVAL, SIR DENYS WILL BE MET BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THc CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR YOUTH RECREATION.
OEH THE CAMP DIRECTOR, MAJOR W.B. DAVIS- AND THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICER, CAPTAIN R.G.A. BLAMIRE, OF ERSKINE CAMP.
DURING THE VISIT A DEMONSTRATION OF A GURKHAS.
, SIR DENYS WILL TOUR THE CAMP AND WATCH 14-F00T-HIGH WALL CLIMBING BY THE
ACCOMPANIED BY THE CAMP DIRECTOR, HE WILL ALSO WATCH AN ORIENTEERING BRIEFING DURING WHICH PARTICIPANTS OF THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP WILL BE TAUGHT BASIC MAP READING AND A NUMBER OF FILMS ON ORIENTEERING WILL BE SHOWN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE ACTING GOVERNOR’S VISIT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT ERSKINE CAMP, SAI KUNG. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A GOVERNMENT VAN WILL LEAVE BATTERY PATH OUTSIDE THE SUPREME COURT 8F?5MARMY SHARP AS THE VICT0RIA district COURT) CENTRAL AT
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1978
5
NOTE TO EDITORS:
CONTRACT FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM
*****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL SIGN A $14.4 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE SIGNING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 21ST FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, AT 2.30 P.M.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
TELEVISION CREWS ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE AT 2.15 P.M. SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
MR. L.K. HO, SENIOR ENGINEER, AND MR. PETER PEARSON, PROJECT ENGINEER, BOTH OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE’S CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY.
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. LEGCO MEETING TOMORROW
* * *
FOUR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL RAISE A TOTAL OF FIVE QUESTIONS ON VARIOUS MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST AT TOMORROW’S (WEDNESDAY) COUNCIL MEETING.
THE HON. LYDIA DUNN WILL ASK IF THE GOVERNMENT WILL INSTITUTE REGULAR CHECKS ON OLD AND ESPECIALLY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS TO MINIMISE THE DANGER TO RESIDENTS, IN THE LIGHT OF THE COLLAPSE OF SEVERAL OLD BUILDINGS DURING TROPICAL STORM AGNES.
THE HON. PETER C. WONG WILL ASK IF THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE THAT THE PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY LEADING TO THE STAR FERRY PIER ON HONG KONG ISLAND HAS BECOME A FAVOURITE HAUNT FOR BEGGARS AND IF SO, WHAT ACTION IT WILL TAKE.
CONCERNING THE CLOSURE OF THE HUNG HOM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, THE HON. WONG LAM WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO STATE THE REASONS FOR THE CLOSURE AND WHETHER THERE ARE ANY PLANS TO PUT IT TO GOOD USE.
IN A SEPARATE QUESTION, MR. WONG LAM WILL ALSO ASK IF THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY VARIOUS COMMUNITY CENTRES ARE ADEQUATE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF NOT ONLY THE YOUNG BUT ALSO OF THOSE BELONGING TO THE OLDER AGE GROUPS.
DR. THE HON. HENRY HU WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER STRENGTHENING ITS CONTROL OVER INDUSTRIAL NOISE.
ALSO ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA WILL EE THE RESUMED DEBATE ON TWO BILLS — INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978 AKD PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978.
/A
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1978
4
VIEWS OF HONG KONG ON SALE
*******
AERIAL VIEWS OF HONG KONG ARE AMONG PHOTOGRAPHS ON VIEW TO THE PUBLIC IN A DISPLAY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
THE SELECTION OF BLACK AND WHITE PRINTS ALSO INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING FEATURES OF BOTH THE BUSY URBAN SCENE AND THE MORE TRANQUIL OUTLYING AREAS.
+ THE AIM OF THE DISPLAY IS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THE WIDE RANGE OF PICTURES WE CAN SUPPLY FROM OUR PHOTOGRAPHIC LIBRARY,* A SPOKESMAN FOR INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
ORDERS FOR ANY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS ON SHOW CAN BE PLACED AT THE SALES COUNTER OF THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE WHICH IS ON THE GROUND'FLOOR OF THE NEW POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE.
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO TAKE THEIR PICK FROM A COMPREHENSIVE STOCK OF CONTACT PRINTS BY VISITING THE PHOTOGRAPHIC LIBRARY AT INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, GROUND FLOOR, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL. PRINTS WILL THEN BE MADE TO ORDER.
THE PRICE RANGES FROM S6 TO $40, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF PRINT REQUIRED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT LOCAL PUBLISHING FIRMS, THE MEDIA, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS ALREADY MAKE FREQUENT USE OF PICTURES OBTAINED FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
+HOWEVER, WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC AT LARGE IS ALSO AWARE OF OUR PHOTO SUPPLY SERVICE,* HE ADDED. +WE CAN SUPPLY PICTURES ON JUST ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING OFFICIAL VISITS BY MANY PROMINENT PEOPLE.
+WE CAN MAKE PHOTOGRAPHS LARGE ENOUGH FOR HANGING IN OFFICES OR FOR EXHIBITIONS AS WELL AS PRODUCING SMALLER PRINTS FOR FAMILY ALBUMS.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS, FOR WHICH THERE IS NO EXTRA CHARGE, ARE A PARTICULARLY GOOD BUY AS PEOPLE WOULD NEED THE USE OF A HELICOPTER TO TAKE THESE PICTURES FOR THEMSELVES.
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COLLECTION OF REGISTERED LETTERS * * *
THE POST OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE MAXIMUM TIME ALLOWED FOR THE COLLECTION OF UNDELIVERABLE REGISTERED LETTERS FROM POST OFFICES HAD BEEN EXTENDED FROM SEVEN DAYS TO 14 DAYS AT Tri- END OF LAST MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BE HELPFUL TO CUSTOMERS RETURNED TO SENDERS.
POS^ OFFICE AND RESULT IN
EXPLAINED THAT THIS .'.’CULD FEVER REGISTERED ITE S BEING
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1978
5
WATER CUT IN SHAM SHU I PO * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 10) TO 6 A..v. ON FRIDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS IN THE AREA.
^eue?™st- castle peaS ™
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN STANLEY
* * * *
A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS IN STANLEY AT C.A.S. SUB-AREA HEADQUARTERS FOR THREE DAYS FROM AUGUST 16.
REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON THESE DAYS.
THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN AND WARDS BETWEEN 11 AND 17 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.
ALL PERSONS LIVING IN THE AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS AND TO REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1978
CONTENTS . PAGE NO.
PAY AND ALLOWANCE INCREASES FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICES .......................................... 1
HONG KONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTES SECOND TO NONE ... 1
CROWN LAND AUCTION ................................ 2
COURSE FOR INSTRUCTORS WORKING WITH THE DISABLED. 2
CONGESTION AT PUBLIC PIERS ........................ 3
HONG KONG SCHOOLS DANCE TEAM WELL RECEIVED IN CANADA ............................................ 3
EMPLOYERS URGED TO CONSIDER SAFETY OF WORKERS
DURING TYPHOON ...............................
4
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1978
1
INCREASES IN PAY AND ALLOWANCES FOR RHKAAF, RHKR, CAS AND AMS
MX**
INCREASES IN PAY AND ALLOWANCES FOR THE 6,600 PERSONNEL SERVING WITH THE ROYAL HONS’ KONG AUX IL I ARY AIR FORCE, THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS), THE CIVIL AID SERVICES AND THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE INCREASES, WHICH AMOUNT TO ABOUT 60 PER CENT, HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THEY WILL BE BACKDATED TO APRIL 1.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE INCREASES REFLECT
THE FACT THAT NO INCREASES IN PAY AND ALLOWANCES HAD BEEN AWARDED TO THESE VOLUNTEER SERVICES FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS. PAY INCREASES FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE WERE ANNOUNCED IN APRIL. *
COVERED BY THE INCREASES ARE THE HOURLY AND DAILY RATES OF PAY, ANNUAL BOUNTY AND FLYING ALLOWANCES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ANNUAL BOUNTY, PAID FOR SATISFACTORY SERVICE AND FOR COMPLETING STIPULATED PERIODS OF TRAINING, GOES UP FROM $260 TO $420. FLYING ALLOWANCE IS RAISED FROM $3.60 PER HOUR TO $6 PER HOUR, WHILE DAILY RATION ALLOWANCE IS INCREASED FROM $10 TO $15.
THE INCREASES WILL COST THE GOVERNMENT AN ESTIMATED $3 MILLION.
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HONG KONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTES SECOND TO NONE
K K
A TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN WHO BEGAN STUDY Inp pi PCTDHkiif* ENGINEERING AT THE MORRISON Hl^ TECHNICAL ImiTUTE HAS PROVED ° THAT THE STANDARD OF TRAINING PROVIDED BY HONG KONG’S FOUR GOVERNMENT-RUN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IS SECOND TO NONE.
TECHNICIAN, MR. FUNG YUEN—KWONG. HAS BEEN AWARDED A tci eb FOR BECOMING EQUAL FIRST IN THE PART 2 EXAMINATION OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN PRINCIPLES B COURSE cnNnnrTPn BY THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDONINSTITUTE IN DE?eS?ER? 1976?
MR. FUNG'S REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT WAS MADE IN COMPETITION COMMONWEALTH^3 FR0M ALL 0VER BR,TAIN AND THROUGHOUT the
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/2
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1978
2
CROWN LAND FOR SALE * * * *
THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE HALL THEATRE ON SEPTEMBER 13, AT 2.30 P.M. BY THE P W D LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE.
IN THE CITY .’S CROWN
ONE OF THESE LOTS, MEASURING 6,062 SQUARE METRES AND SITUATED AT THE JUNCTION OF HARBOUR ROAD AND FLEMING ROAD, IS FOR NONINDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
THE OTHER TWO LOTS, ALSO FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, ARE LOCATED AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST IN KOWLOON AND UPPER-LASCAR ROW, HONG KONG. THEY MEASURE 4,400 SQUARE METRES AND 634 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405, NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
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COURSE FOR INSTRUCTORS WORKING WITH THE DISABLED
*****
THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WILL HOLD A COURSE IN OCTOBER FOR INSTRUCTORS WORKING WITH THE DISABLED.
THE COURSE, CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE, WILL PROVIDE INSTRUCTORS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE DISABLED, AND THE TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING AND WORKING WITH THEM.
THE COURSE COSTS $80 AND CONSISTS OF 15 WEEKLY CLASSES.
I
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE BY SEPTEMBER 2.
/3
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1978
CONGESTION AT PUBLIC PIERS * * * *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY APPEALED TO OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF PLEASURE CRAFT TO USE BLAKE PIER DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO AVOID CONGESTION AT QUEEN’S AND KOWLOON PUBLIC PIERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT HEAVY CONGESTION USUALLY OCCURRED AT KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AND QUEEN’S PIER DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, WHERE LARGE NUMBERS OF PLEASURE CRAFT WAIT TO EMBARK AND DISEMBARK PASSENGERS.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY ISSUED A NOTICE TO OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF PLEASURE CRAFT ON AUGUST 3 REMINDING THEM THAT BERTHING FACILITIES AT BLAKE PIER, ESPECIALLY FOR LARGER LAUNCHES, CAN ALSO BE USED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT STAFF FROM THE DEPARTMENT WERE POSTED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AT THE THREE PIERS TO CONTROL CRAFT.
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THUNDEROUS RECEPTION FOR SCHOOLS DANCE TEAM IN CANADA *****
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE ENGULFED THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS CHINESE DANCE TEAM AT THE END OF A.LI ON DANCE GIVEN DURING THE OPENING OF THE COMMONWEALTH CARNIVAL AT EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA.
CANADIAN NEWSPAPER COLUMNISTS DESCRIBED THE APPEARANCE OF THE HONG KONG TEAM AS THE HIGH POINT OF THE EVENING.
THE 20 STRONG GROUP LEFT HONG KONG ON JULY 21 TO UNDERTAKE A HECTIC THREE-WEEK LONG SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES AND GOODWILL FUNCTIONS IN ALBERTA’S CAPITAL CITY.
THE EDMONTON SUN’S, DAVE BELLINGTON SAID OF THE LION DANCERS:
R°UT,NES WITH SUD FINESSE THAT YOU FORGET THAT
of°the^front^acrobat. +LEGS’ TH0SE Two FR0NT RAWS ARE
AND DESCRIBING THE PRECEEDING +SONG OF THE SUN FLOWERS+ THE ENTERTAINMENT JOURNAL’S, LIZ OSCROFT COMMENTED: +FOLK DANCE IS COMBINED WITH AN EXPLORATION OF THE MYTHOLOGY AND CLASSICAL DANCE TRADITIONS OF THEIR CULTURES.+
AFTER THEIR PERFORMANCE THE LIONS, ESCORTED BY PRETTY ATTENDANTS, ROMPED UP AN AISLE OF THE ARTISTS VILLAGE AUDITORIUM MINGLING WITH AN ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE.
I
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1978
- 4 -
EMPLOYERS URGED TO CONSIDER SAFETY OF WORKERS DURING TYPHOON *****
NOW THAT THE TYPHOON SEASON IS WITH US AGAIN EMPLOYERS ARE URGED TO GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE SAFETY OF THEIR EMPLOYEES BOTH AT THEIR PLACE OF WORK AND DURING THEIR JOURNEY TO AND FROM HOME ON THE APPROACH OF A STORM, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO LAW LAYING DOWN THE PARTICULAR PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW ON EACH OCCASION, IT WOULD BE WISE FOR EMPLOYERS TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH .THEIR EMPLOYEES IN ADVANCE ON THEIR TYPHOON ARRANGEMENTS SO AS TO AVOID CONFUSION DURING OR ON THE APPROACH OF A STORM.
+SUCH AN AGREEMENT SHOULD INCLUDE THE METHOD OF CALCULATING WAGES TO BE PAID UNDER VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING OF PAST EXPERIENCES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT RECEIVED MANY ENQUIRIES DURING THE TYPHOON SEASON FROM EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SEEKING ADVICE ON THE SUBJECT.
♦BASICALLY,* HE SAID, +IT IS A MATTER OF DECISION BETWEEN EACH EMPLOYER AND HIS EMPLOYEES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE NATURE OF EMPLOYMENT AND THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE’S PLACE OF RESIDENCE, AVAILABILITY OF TRANSPORT AND OTHER FACTORS.
+CONFUSION OR EVEN DISPUTES CAN ARISE IF THERE IS A LACK OF PRIOR UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AS TO WHAT TO DO WHEN A TYPHOON IS COMING.*
HE SUGGESTED THAT FIRMS SHOULD SEND THEIR EMPLOYEES HOME WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NUMBER EIGHT OR HIGHER IS HOISTED, OR WHEN CESSATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IS IMMINENT.
OF COURSE, EMPLOYEES WHO ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL AND EMERGENCY DUTIES DURING A TYPHOON WOULD BE EXCEPTIONS, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN OFFERED THE SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE TO EMPLOYERS IN COUNSELLING ADVICE FOR DRAFTING OR PREPARING AGREEMENTS CONCERNING TYPHOON ARRANGEMENTS.
HE SAID THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OPERATES IN THE FOLLOWING BRANCH OFFICES i HONG KONG REGIONAL OFFICE, NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY, TELEPHONE 5-282523 EXT. 60- SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SAN PO KONG, TELEPHONE 3-205638 (FOR KOWLOON EAST) AND 3-201652 (FOR KOWLOON WEST)- KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET, 2ND FLOOR, TELEPHONE 3-898520- CHARTERED BANK BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, TSUEN WAN, TELEPHONE 12-422096 AND 39 TAK CHING COURT, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, TELEPHONE 12-818443.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSTRUCTION OF WONG CHUK HANG INTERCHANGE .................... 1
TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS IN NW KOWLOON FOR MTR EXTENSION ............ 2
STREET ALTERATIONS FOR MTR TSUEN WAN EXTENSION ................ 3
HUNG HOM CAR PARK SPORTS CENTRE OPENS TOMORROW ................ 4
WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT....................................... 4
GRADUATION OF PRISON OFFICERS ................................. 5
CANADIANS RECEIVE GIFTS FROM HONG KONG DANCE TEAM ............. 5
JAPANESE YOUTH GROUP VISITS SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ......... 6
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1978
1
WONG CHUK HANG INTERCHANGE
*****
WORK WILL BEGIN SHORTLY ON THE WONG CHUK HANG INTERCHANGE WHICH IS PART OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL PROJECT.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
DR. CHOI YU-LEUK, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID THE WORK WOULD INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGE LINKING THE SOUTHERN PORTALS AND TOLL PLAZA AREA WITH THE EXISTING WONG CHUK HANG ROAD WHICH LEADS TO ABERDEEN TOWN CENTRE.
HE SAID THAT THE FOUR-LANE DUAL CARRIAGEWAY TUNNEL ROUTE WOULD BE TAKEN IN AN UNDERPASS BELOW THE PRESENT JUNCTION OF NAM FUNG ROAD AND WONG CHUK HANG ROAD.
+TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE OCEAN PARK, PARTICULARLY FOR TUNNEL TRAFFIC, THE PRESENT ACCESS ROAD TO THE PARK WILL BE REALIGNED AND CONNECTED TO THE TUNNEL ROUTE BY A GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGE, ALLOWING FREE FLOWING MOVEMENT.
+OTHER SLIP ROADS WOULD ALLOW EASY ACCESS TO AND FROM THE TUNNEL,+ DR. CHOI SAID.
+PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS WILL BE CATERED FOR BY THE PROVISION OF TWO SEPARATE COVERED FOOTBRIDGES AT SUITABLE LOCATIONS, AND ADDITIONALLY BY A PEDESTRIAN WAY, INTEGRAL WITH ONE OF THE SLIP ROAD STRUCTURES,* HE ADDED.
WORK ON THE INTERCHANGE WILL BEGIN IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
MEANWHILE, WORK IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY ON THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL. BOTH THE TUNNEL AND THE INTERCHANGE ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1980.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA ON BEHALF OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE P.W.D.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1978
2
TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS IN NORTHWEST
KOWLOON FOR MTR TSUEN WAN EXTENSION
*****
A FURTHER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN NORTHWEST KOWLOON ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 13), TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STATIONS AND TUNNELS OF THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
THIS SCHEME INVOLVES RE-ROUTING THE SECTION OF YU CHAU STREET BETWEEN WONG CHUK STREET AND YEN CHOW STREET TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
THIS ROAD WILL REPLACE THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC LANES IN CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD BETWEEN NAM CHEONG STREET AND YEN CHOW STREET WHICH WILL BE CLOSED TO GENERAL TRAFFIC BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND 11 P.M.
DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD THE ABOVE SECTION OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WILL BE USED AS A +BUS ONLY+ LANE.
THE NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC IN NAM CHEONG STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING LEFT INTO YU CHAU STREET.
FROM SUNDAY, THE EXTENDED SECTION OF HING WAH STREET, SOUTH OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, WILL BE OPENED TO ONE-WAY TRAFFIC SOUTHBOUND.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP AND TRAFFIC POLICE WILL BE ON HAND TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THIS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME INVOLVES ONLY A FEW TRAFFIC RE-ROUTINGS AND DIVERSIONS AND THE SETTING UP OF A +BUS ONLY+ LANE. NO BUS-RE-ROUTINGS ARE INVOLVED FOR THE PRESENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT MAJOR BUS RE-ROUTINGS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TOWARDS THE END OF NEXT MONTH FULL DETAILS OF WHICH WOULD BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE.
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/3
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1978
3
STREET ALTERATIONS IN NORTHWEST KOWLOON FOR MTR EXTENSION *****
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT ALTERATIONS WILL BE MADE TO THE CARRIAGEWAYS AND FOOTPATHS OF A NUMBER OF STREETS IN NORTHWEST KOWLOON TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PRINCE EDWARD-LAI WAN SECTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY EXTENSION.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE EXTENSION WILL BEGIN IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE 1981. DURING CONSTRUCTION, SOME STREETS WILL EITHER BE CLOSED, OR PARTLY CLOSED, OR HAVE THE WIDTH OF THEIR CARRIAGEWAYS AND FOOTPATHS REDUCED.
SOME STREETS WILL BE AFFECTED PERMANENTLY BY THE LOCATION OF STATION ENTRANCES.
THE MAJOR ROADS AFFECTED WILL BE CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, AND SMALL SECTIONS OF NATHAN AND PRINCE EDWARD ROADS, AND TO REDUCE CONGESTION, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE THE NEW ALTERNATIVE ROUTES WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN ANNOUNCED.
PLANS SHOWING THE AREAS AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG- AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 1OTH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON- AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (MONG KOK), 751 NATHAN ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON- AND AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHU I PO), 299-303 LAI CHI KOK ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE ALTERATIONS AND WISHING TO MAKE A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION MUST SEND HIS CLAIM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. THE CLAIM MUST REACH THE OFFICE CF THE DIRECTOR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF CLOSURE OF THE STREET OR FROM THE COMPLETION OF THE SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION WHICH IS ALLEGED TO HAVE CAUSED PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE.
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/*■.....
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1978
4
HUNG HOM CAR PARK SPORTS CENTRE OPENS TOMORROW
* * * #
THE HUNG HOM CAR PARK SPORTS CENTRE MANAGED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR. T.S. LO AT 2.30 P.M.
TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE 2,800-SQUARE METRE CENTRE, EQUIPPED WITH THE LATEST GYMNASIUM FACILITIES, OCCUPIES THE TOP THREE FLOORS OF THE CAR PARK.
FOLLOWING THE OPENING CEREMONY, VARIOUS SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD INCLUDING BADMINTON, INDOOR ARCHERY, TABLE TENNIS AND LAWN BOWLING.
ABOUT 2,000 PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE HUNG HOM CAR PARK SPORTS CENTRE BY THE HON. T.S. LO AT 2.30 P.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
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WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. TOMORROW (AUGUST 14) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED.ARE THOSE BOUNDED BY SOUTH
OF KING’S ROAD FROM HEALTHY STREET WEST TO MANSION STREET, TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD AND PAK FUK ROAD INCLUDING MODEL LANE, HEALTHY STREET EAST AND HEALTHY STREET CENTRAL.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1978
5
NOTE TO EDITORS:
GRADUATION OF PRISON OFFICERS
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. E.l. LEE, WILL INSPECT
A PARADE OF 118 NEW PRISON OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) DURING A GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A VAN WILL LEAVE THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 10 A.M.
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CANADIANS RECEIVE GIFT FROM HONG KONG DANCE.TEAM *****
A PI-PA, A CHINESE STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, WAS PRESENTED TO THE CITY AND PEOPLE OF EDMONTON, CANADA ON AUGUST 8 BY THE LEADER OF THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS CHINESE DANCE TEAM, MR. RAY BIRD.
THE MAYOR OF EDMONTON, MR. CECIL PURVES RECEIVED THE PI-PA AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY IN THE CITY HALL.
ALSO PRESENTED TO MR. PURVES ON BEHALF OF THE CITY AND PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WAS A SOUVENIR PENNANT, A COPY OF HONG KONG’S ANNUAL REPORT, A FULL COLOUR PICTURE BOOK ABOUT ABERDEEN AND THE DANCE TEAM’S SOUVENIR PROGRAMME.
OTHER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES ALSO PRESENTED EXAMPLES OF THEIR NATIVE CRAFTS INCLUDING SUCH ITEMS AS A DRUM, WOOD CRAFT, EMBROIDERY AND GLASSWARE.
MEANWHILE, THE DANCE TEAM CONTINUES TO CAPTURE THE HEARTS OF THE CANADIANS WITH PERFORMANCES AT SHOPPING MALLS AND PUBLIC PARKS. EACH SHOW IS OFTEN ATTENDED BY A SIZABLE CROWD FROM THE LOCAL CHINESE COMMUNITY WHO MADE A SPECIAL POINT TO CHECK PROGRAMME DETAILS SO THAT THEY COULD BRING ALONG THE WHOLE FAMILY TO WATCH.
THE HONG KONG DANCE TEAM HAS BEEN SPECIALLY CHOSEN TO PERFORM AT THE COMMONWEALTH CAVALCADE IN THE CITADEL THEATRE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1978
6
JAPANESE YOUTH GROUP TO PAY COURTESY CALL ON S.W.D.
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE OF NAGANO PREFECTURE, JAPAN, MR. KUNIO AKAO, AND THE LEADER OF A 480-MEMBER JAPANESE YOUTH GROUP, MR. T. KASAHARA, WILL PAY A COURTESY CALL ON THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
MR. AKAO AND THE YOUTH GROUP, +YOUNG HOPE+, WILL ARRIVE HONG KONG ON BOARD THE SHIP +CORAL PRINCESS* TOMORROW MORNING WITH THE AIM OF EXCHANGING IDEAS ON THE PROMOTION OF SOCIAL WORK.
ACCOMPANYING MR. AKAO AND MR. KASAHARA ON THE COURTESY CALL WILL BE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE YOUTH GROUP.
THEY WILL BE GREETED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. JIMMY SWEETMAN, AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS.
THEY WILL EXCHANGE SOUVENIRS, AND MR. AKAO WILL ALSO PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO 10 HONG KONG YOUTH WORK ORGANISATIONS AS A SIGN OF GOODWILL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COURTESY CALL AND PRESENTATION OF SOUVENIRS BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JAPANESE YOUTH GROUP +YOUNG HOPE*, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 11.20 A.M. AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, CAUSEWAY BAY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ACTING GOVERNOR SENDS CONGRATULATIONS TO HK LAWN BOWLS TEAM ....................................................... 1
PRISON’S DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAMME PRAISED ........ 1
COUNTRY PARK FACILITIES MEET LOCAL STANDARDS ............... 2
SCOTT VISITS PRIVATE HOUSING PROJECT ....................... 3
RE-DEVELOPMENT OF TONG SHU I ROAD PROPOSED ................. 4
WATER CUT IN KOWLOON CITY AND STANLEY ...................... 5
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MAGAZINE GAP ROAD FLYOVER ............. 5
6
FIRING PRACTICE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1978
ACTING GOVERNOR SENDS CONGRATULATIONS TO HK LAWN BOWLS TEAM ******
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, HAS SENT A MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HONG KONG LAWN BOWLS TEAM IN EDMONTON, CANADA FOR WINNING TWO GOLD MEDALS IN THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES.
THE MESSAGE READS : +CONGRATULATIONS ON THE HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THE HONG KONG LAWN BOWLS TEAM.*
-----0------
PRISON’S DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAMME PRAISED *****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. E.l. LEE, SAID TODAY THE PRISON'S DEPARTMENT’S DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAMME HAS MADE CONSIDERABLE SOCIAL IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY CF HONG KONG.
MR. LEE WAS SPEAKING AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 31 PRISON OFFICERS AND 87 ASSISTANT OFFICERS HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
HE SAID THAT SINCE 1969, ABOUT 13,000 MEN AND 500 WOMEN HAVE BEEN TREATED AT THE FIVE ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES WITH A SUCCESS RATE, ONE YEAR AFTER RELEASE, OF 62 PER CENT FOR MEN AND 75 PER CENT FOR WOMEN OR, AFTER THREE YEARS, OF 42 PER CENT FOR MEN AND 62 PER CENT FOR WOMEN.
+WITH THE CRITERION FOR SUCCESS BEING A DRUG-FREE STATUS, GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT, GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, AND NO RECORD OF RECONVICTION, THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF THIS CUSTODIAL PROGRAMME HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE,* HE REMARKED.
HE ALSO SAID THE CUSTODIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMME, ALONG WITH OTHER ANTI-NARCOTICS PROGRAMMES OF THE GOVERNMENT, HAS MARKEDLY REDUCED THE NUMBER OF THOSE ADDICTED TO DRUGS ON ADMISSION TO PRISONS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN 1950, 90 PER CENT OF ALL OFFENDERS IN HONG KONG PRISONS WERE FOUND TO BE ADDICTED TO NARCOTICS ON ADMISSION. BUT NOW, THIS HAS DROPPED TO UNDER 40 PER CENT.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, THE NUMBER OF INMATES IN THE DEPARTMENT’S ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES WHO ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 HAS DROPPED FROM 25 PER CENT IN 1969 TO FIVE PER CENT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1978
2
COUNTRY PARK FACILITIES MEET LOCAL STANDARDS ******
THOUSANDS OF FACILITIES IN COUNTRY PARKS HAVE BEEN ADAPTED TO SUIT LOCAL NEEDS, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. J.M. RIDDELL-SWAN SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THE COUNTRY PARK AUTHORITY’S TASK WAS TO PROVIDE THE RIGHT KIND OF FACILITIES IN SUFFICIENT NUMBERS AT PLACES WHICH WOULD BE CONVENIENT FOR THE USERS OF COUNTRY PARKS, BUT WHICH WOULD NOT SERIOUSLY DETRACT FROM THEIR NATURAL BEAUTY NOR LEAD TO THEIR DAMAGE OR DESPOILATION.
MR. RIDDELL-SWAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YOUTH COUNTRY PARK FACILITIES DESIGN EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE PENINSULA JAYCEES AT THE LAI CHI KOK AMUSEMENT PARK.
HE SAID TO DATE, THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY HAS PROVIDED A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES WHICH INCLUDE 92 PICNIC PLACES AND 158 BARBECUE PLACES WHICH CONTAIN 2,042 PICNIC TABLES OF FOUR DIFFERENT DESIGNS, 1,782 BARBECUE GRILLS, 1,742 BENCH SEATS IN TIMBER AND STONE AND 46 SETS OF CHILDREN’S PLAY APPARATUS. THERE ARE ALSO TWO VIEW COMPASSES, 16 INFORMATION DISPLAYS, 370 CAREFULLY DESIGNED SIGNS TO ASSIST VISITORS AND 36 RAIN SHELTERS. AND THERE ARE MORE THAN 20 MILES OF FOOTPATHS REGULAR ILY MAINTAINED BY THE AUTHORITY.
MR. RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THE INCREASING POPULARITY OF THE COUNTRY PARKS COULD BE MEASURED BY THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF VISITORS FROM 323,000 IN 1972-73 TO ALMOST 3.5 MILLION IN 1977-78 +WHILST THE CONTENTS OF 2,900 LITTER BINS AND THE 1,120 TONNES OF LITTER COLLECTED LAST YEAR TESTIFY TO THE HEAVY USE MADE OF THE PICNIC AND BARBECUE FACILITIES PROVIDED.+
♦THE TASK OF PROVIDING PARK FACILITIES IS VIRTUALLY NEVER-ENDING, BUT IT IS ONE WHICH IS CHALLENGING IN ITS SCOPE FOR INVENTIVENESS. THESE FACILITIES SHOULD BLEND WITH THE SCENIC SURROUNDINGS AND MEET THE RECREATIONAL TASTES OF LOCAL PEOPLE YET BE CAPABLE OF SOME FORM OF MASS PRODUCTION IN ORDER TO KEEP COSTS DOWN,+ SAID MR. RIDDELL-SWAN.
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/3
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1978
- 3 -
SCOTT VISITS PRIVATE HOUSING PROJECT * * * M *
THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. ALAN SCOTT HAS INSPECTED A LOW-DENSITY HOUSING PROJECT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AS PART OF HIS GENERAL INTEREST IN MAJOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS.
THE PROJECT FEATURES SEMI-DETACHED TWO-STOREY HOUSES WITH THEIR OWN GARDENS WHICH, MR. SCOTT NOTED, +WOULD GIVE HONG KONG ITS FIRST TRUE TASTE OF SUBURBAN LIVING AT PRICES MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES COULD AFFORD.
♦THERE IS GROWING EVIDENCE PEOPLE WILL LEAVE THE OLD URBAN AREAS IF THEY CAN BE OFFERED A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT,* SAID ffi. SCOTT. +GOVERNMENT IS LEADING THE WAY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS, AND IT IS HEARTENING TO SEE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS COMPLEMENTING THIS TREND.♦
THE HOUSES ARE BEING BUILT ON A 3OO-ACRE SITE BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND SHEUNG SHU I. WHEN COMPLETED IN THE EARLY 1980’S, THE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE A SELF-CONTAINED TOWNSHIP FOR 5,000 FAMILIES WITH A POPULATION DENSITY OF LESS THAN 100 PEOPLE PER ACRE.
OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO MR. SCOTT WAS THE HIGHLY MECHANISED CONSTRUCTION METHOD BEING USED. WALLS AND CEILINGS ARE PRECAST IN CONCRETE ON SITE, AND CAN BE ASSEMBLED AT THE RATE OF THREE HOUSES A DAY.
♦ALTHOUGH THIS METHOD IS ONLY PRACTICAL ON LARGE DEVELOPMENTS WITH UNIFORM DESIGN, IT IS THE SORT OF SYSTEM WHICH ALL BUILDERS MUST CONSIDER IF WE ARE TO KEEP PACE WITH THE DEMAND FOR HOMES,+ HE SAID.
♦THE BIGGEST POTENTIAL PROBLEM TO THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME IS SHORTAGE OF LABOUR, SO THAT ANY SYSTEM WHICH USES LESS LABOUR AND SAVES TIME MUST BE ENCOURAGED.*
MR. SCOTT WAS ALSO INTERESTED IN THE DESIGN OF THE HOUSES, AND COMPLIMENTED THE DEVELOPERS ON THE PRACTICAL LAYOUT AND INGENIOUS USE OF AVAILABLE SPACE.
THE PROJECT, TO BE CALLED FAIRVIEW PARK, IS BEING BUILT BY CANADIAN OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD.
-----o------ /4...
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1978
- 4 -
RE-DEVELOPMENT OF TONG SHU I ROAD PROPOSED ******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD A GRADE SEPARATED INTERSECTION ALONG TONG SHU I ROAD IN NORTH POINT.
THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR - STAGE I WHICH, WHEN COMPLETED, WILL PROVIDE A PRIMARY ROUTE FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO NORTH POINT.
THE PROPOSED WORKS CONSIST OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED ROAD WITH RAMPS ALONG TONG SHU I ROAD, A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE AT ITS JUNCTION WITH JAVA ROAD AND A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY BENEATH KING’S ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH TONG SHUI ROAD.
THE ELEVATED ROAD ALONG WITH THE ALTERATION TO TONG SHUI ROAD WILL FORM PART OF THE ROAD CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE MAIN ELEVATED ROAD ALONG THE NORTH POINT WATERFRONT AND THE EXISTING ROAD NETWORK IN NORTH POINT. THE FOOTBRIDGE AND SUBWAY WILL IMPROVE THE PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES IN THE AREA.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT CAN BE SEEN AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY BRANCH, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG- OR AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, MURRAY BUILDING, 19TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN), 884 KING’S ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS SO AS TO REACH THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 11, 1978.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1978
5
WATER CUT IN KOWLOON CITY AND STANLEY ******
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT MONDAY (AUGUST 14) TO 6 A.M. ON TUESDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY NGA TSIN WAI ROAD GRAMPIAN ROAD, DUMBARTON ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD INCLUDING ’ INVERNESS ROAD.
BOUNDED
WILL BE (AUGUST
MEANWHILE, ON HONG KONG ISLAND FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES BY STANLEY MAIN STREET AND TUNG TAU WAN ROAD IN STANLEY ALSO CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON TUESDAY 15) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
-----o------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MAGAZINE GAP ROAD FLYOVER * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE NORTHBOUND LANE OF THE FLYOVER ON MAGAZINE GAP ROAD LEADING TO GRADEN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL MOTOR VEHICLES BETWEEN 7.30 A.M. AND 5 P.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO FACILITATE THE TESTING AND INSPECTION OF THE SURFACE TREATMENT ON THE FLYOVER.
VEHICLES WISHING TO PROCEED FROM MAGAZINE GAP ROAD TO GARDEN ROAD DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD MUST USE THE ALTERNATIVE GROUND LEVEL ROUTE.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/6
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1978
6
FIRING PRACTICE MM*
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FIVE DAYS NEXT WEEK.
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF THE FIRING PRACTICE.
THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE I
DATE
AUGUST 14 (MONDAY)
AUGUST 15 (TUESDAY)
AUGUST 16 (WEDNESDAY)
AUGUST 17 (THURSDAY)
AUGUST 18 (FRIDAY)
HOURS
8.30 A.M.' - 5.30 P.M.
9 A.M. - 5.30 P.M.
8 A.M. - 5.30 P.M.
8 A.M. - 5 P.M.
8 A.M. - 5 P.M.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GROWING POPULARITY OF HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTRY ......... 1
FOURTH EDITION OF SCIENTIFIC DIRECTORY ON SALE ............ 2
NEW PIER FOR TSO WO HANG PROPOSED ......................... 3
IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICE EXTENDS SERVICE ................. 4
TRAM TRACK WORKS ON KING’S ROAD ........................... 4
WATER CUT IN SHEK KIP MEI AND STANLEY ..................... c
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 1978
1
POPULARITY OF HONG KONG SHIPPING
>****>
A TOTAL OF 20 OCEAN-GOING VESSELS LAST YEAR, BOOSTING THE TOTAL ’EG I STEP THAN 55 PER CENT TO 515,198 TONS.
REGISTRY GROWING
WERE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG TONNAGE OF OUR PORT BY MORE
THE NUMBER OF SHIPS ENTERED IN THE REGISTRY, INCLUDING FIVE VESSELS WHICH WERE TRANSFERRED FROM LONDON, IS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE COMPARED WITH ONLY SIX SHIPS IN 1976.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS KEEN DEMAND FOR BRITISH REGISTRY OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS IN HONG KONG WAS THE ^SULT OF CHANG,NG CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH AFFECTED INTERNATIONAL^"^ oHIrrI NG•
HE SAID THIS HAD ALSO LED THE DEPARTMENT’S SHIP SAFETY
To EXPERIENCE AN EXCEPTIONALLY BUSY YEAR IN 1977 DURING THE YEAR SURVEYORS OF THE DIVISION SPENT 313 SURVEYOR-DAYS URINo CONDUCTING REGISTRY SURVEYS IN SINGAPORE, SOUTH KOREA JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES COMPARED WITH A MERE 69 SURVEYOR-DAYS IN 1976.
1,882 SURVEYOR-DAYS WERE SPENT ON NEWLY CONSTRUCTED RECONSTRUCTED VESSELS AND GOVERNMENT CRAFT LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH 831 SURVEYOR-DAYS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
i THAT THE number OF INSPECTOR-DAYS USED ON INSPECTING
LOCAL CRAFT INCLUDING PASSENGER LAUNCHES, FERRIES, MARINE RESTAURANTS, MECHANISED JUNKS AND WATER BOATS SLIGHTLY DROPPED FROM 1976’S 5,961 TO LAST YEAR’S 5,496.
/2......
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 1978
2
FOURTH EDITION OF SCIENTIFIC DIRECTORY ON SALE * * *
THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOURTH EDITION OF THE SCIENTIFIC DIRECTORY OF HONG KONG HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
THE NEW DIRECTORY IS NOW ON SALE AT $35 A COPY. OBTAINED FROM THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY OR THE GOVERNMENT CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
IT CAN BE PUBLICATIONS BUILDING,
THE NEW PUBLICATION IS COMPILED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR SCIENTIFIC CO-ORDINATION HONG KONG, WHOSE CHAIRMAN IS THE DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR. GORDON BELL. THE FIRST THREE EDITIONS WERE PUBLISHED IN 1964, 1968 AND 1974 RESPECTIVELY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE NEW EDITION WAS TO PROVIDE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN LOCALLY IN ORDER TO IMPROVE AND FACILITATE THEIR CO-ORDINATION.
THE NEW EDITION HAS TWO MAIN SECTIONS: A LIST OF SCIENTISTS AND A LIST OF SCIENTIFIC FACILITIES INCLUDING LIBRARIES AND PRECISION MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS IN HONG KONG.
A TOTAL OF 967 SCIENTISTS AND 128 ENTRIES OF SCIENTIFIC FACILITIES INCLUDING LIBRARIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE NEW EDITION.
ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO +NATIONAL+ STANDARD LABORATORY IN HONG KONG, THE NEW PUBLICATION ALSO REGISTERS A TOTAL OF 375 PRECISION MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS KEPT IN VARIOUS LOCAL SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTES.
o________
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 1978
- 3 -
NEW PIER FOR TSO WO HANG PROPOSED * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM ABOUT 2,200 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED AT TSO WO HANG IN SA I KUNG FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PIER.
THE CONCRETE LANDING WILL BE EXTENDED WHILE THE TIMBER STRUCTURE, WHICH IS DETERIORATING RAPIDLY, WILL BE REPLACED.
THE NEW PIER WILL SERVE MARINE POLICE LAUNCHES AS WELL AS VESSELS TO OFFSHORE ISLANDS AND SETTLEMENTS ON SOUTHERN LEUNG SHUEN WAN CHAU.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 11.
PERSONS HAVING OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS, FROM AUGUST 11.
THE NOTICE (IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE) WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN SHOWING THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, 1ST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG« THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1ST FLOOR, 692 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.
-------o----------
A
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 1978
4
IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICE EXTENDS SERVICE
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM TUESDAY (AUGUST 15), THE DEPARTMENT’S YUEN LONG OFFICE WILL EXTEND ITS SERVICE TO INCLUDE THE REGISTRATION OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND RE-REGISTRATION FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS.
PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ATTAINING THE AGE OF 11 AND YOUNG PERSONS REACHING 18 CAN APPROACH THE OFFICE FOR REGISTRATION OF JUVENILE AND ADULT IDENTITY CARDS.
0 --------
TRAM TRACK WORKS ON KING’S ROAD
* * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT FROM TOMORROW (AUGUST 14) TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT ALONG THE SECTION OF KING’S ROAD BETWEEN TONG SHU I ROAD AND TIN CHIU STREET.
BECAUSE OF THE RENEWAL WORKS, WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO LAST FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS, MOTORISTS TRAVELLING WESTBOUND TOWARDS CAUSEWAY BAY ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THE USE OF THE SECTION OF KING’S ROAD.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO USE THE FOLLOWING ALTERNATIVE ROUTES!-
* FROM KING’S ROAD TURN RIGHT ONTO JAVA ROAD AT THE JUNCTIONS OR MAKE G—TURN VIA MODEL LANE, TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD AND HEALTHY STREET EAST- AND
* FROM KING’S ROAD TURN LEFT ONTO TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD AND BACK TO KING’S ROAD VIA SHU KUK STREET.
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/5
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 1978
5
WATER CUT IN SHEK KIP MEI AND STANLEY
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHEK KIP MEI AREA WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TUESDAY (AUGUST 15) TO 6 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY TAI HANG TUNG ROAD, TONG YAM STREET, WOR CHAI STREET INCLUDING BLOCK NOS. 1 TO 8 OF SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE.
ON THE ISLAND, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY STANLEY BEACH ROAD, STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD, STANLEY MOUND ROAD INCLUDING CARMEL ROAD, STANLEY MARKET ROAD AND STANLEY LINK ROAD WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 16) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
_ _ o - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG, TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG’S VALUE OF EXPORTS FOR JANUARY-JUNE UP 11 PER CENT ....................................... 1
TALKS WITH UNITED STATES ON FOOTWEAR AND TEXTILES
START TOMORROW..................................... 7
REGISTRATION FOR LEGAL AID .......................... 8
CONCERTED EFFORTS VITAL FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE
DEAF ................................................ g
SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT KAI TAK FOR DISCIPLINED SERVICES ............................... i0
LAST CURTAIN CALLS FOR HONG KONG DANCERS ........... 11
AMBULANCE DEPOT FOR NGAU CHI WAN ................... 12
EXTENSION OF KWVN TONG CARGO WORKING AREA .......... 13
TAI PO AND TAI TAM ROAD WATER CUT................... 13
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
1
HONG KONG’S VALUE OF EXPORTS FOR JANUARY-JUNE UP 11 PER CENT * * * *
HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE VALUED AT $17,468 MILLION IN THE FIRST HALF THIS YEAR, AN INCREASE OF 11 PER CENT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1977, ACCORDING TO TRADE FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
THE FIGURES ALSO SHOWED THAT THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 21 PER CENT TO $28,254 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 29 PER CENT TO $5,928 MILLION COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE AS FOLLOWS 8
JAN.-JUNE 77 (HK$ MN.) JAN.-JUNE 78 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
U.S.A. 6,033 6,757 +724 +12%
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,636 1,785 +149 + 9%
UNITED KINGDOM 1,357 1,558 +202 +15%
JAPAN 589 679 + 89 +15%
AUSTRALIA 587 616 + 29 ♦ 5%
CANADA 536 581 + 44 + 8%
SINGAPORE 394 456 ♦ 63 +16%
THE NETHERLANDS 355 380 + 26 + 7%
SWITZERLAND AND LIECHENSTEIN 281 327 + 46 +16%
NIGERIA 176 303 +127 ♦72%
EXPORTS TO THE U.S. ROSE BY 12 PER CENT MAINLY DUE TO INCREASED SHIPMENTS OF ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($2,793 MILLION, +14 PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($305 MILLION, +50 PER CENT), WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE DECLINES IN EXPORTS OF RADIO BROADCAST RECEIVERS ($279 MILLION, -35 PER CENT) AND OF PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS ($490 MILLION, -3 PER CENT).
EXPORTS TO U.K. PICKED UP BRISKLY BECAUSE OF A SIGNIFICANT UPTURN IN DELIVERIES OF ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($816 MILLION, +22 PER CENT).
/EXPORTS SALES......
MONDAY, AUGUST 1U, 1978
- 2 -
EXPORTS SALES TO WEST GERMANY, JAPAN AND CANADA WERE BOOSTED BY INCREASED DELIVERIES OF CLOTHING.
AN ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS IS PRESENTED BELOW:
INCREASE/
JAN.-JUNE 77 JAN.-JUNE 78 DECREASE PERCENTAGE
(HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) CHANGE
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES • 6,308 6,761 +453 ♦ 7%
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 2,553 2,773 +221 ♦ 9%
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 830 1,265 +435 +52%
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,261 1,232 - 29 - 2% \
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,267 1,229 - 38 - 3%
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE •EQUIPMENT) • 778 931 +153 +20%
/BY COMMODITY, ......
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
5
BY COMMODITY, PROMINENT ADVANCES WERE RECORDED IN EXPORTS OF ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($6,761 MILLION, +7 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($1,030 MILLION, +60 PER CENT), ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND PARTS FOR COMPUTERS, ($347 MILLION, +15 PER CENT), TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS ($398 MILLION, +18 PER CENT).
DEMAND FOR RADIO BROADCAST RECEIVERS ($689 MILLION. -29
PER CENT) DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY. VALUED AT $171 MILLION, DECLINED EXPORTS OF TEXTILE YARN BY 11 PER CENT. f
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED
AS FOLLOWS: - ■
JAN.-JUNE 77 JAN.-JUNE (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) INCREASE/ 78 DECREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ MN.) CHANGE
JAPAN 5,471 6,406 +935 +17%
CHINA 3,685 4,582 +897 +24%
U.S.A. 3,095 3,631 +536 + 17%
TAIWAN 1,650 1,837 +187 +11%
SINGAPORE 1,416 1,500 + 84 + 6%
UNITED KINGDOM 1,010 1,272 +262 +26%
F.R. OF GERMANY 671 935 +264 +39%
SWITZERLAND AND LIECHENSTEIN 608 882 +274 +45%
SOUTH KOREA 834 828 - 7 - 1%
AUSTRALIA 445 576 +131 +29%
IMPORTS FROM JAPAN ADVANCED BY 17 PER CENT BECAUSE OF INCREASED ARRIVALS OF TEXTILE FABRICS ($887 MILLION, +17 PER CENT), TEXTILE YARN ($267 MILLION, +29 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($533 MILLION, +28 PER CENT) AND ROAD VEHICLES ($402 MILLION, +66 PER CENT).
THE PROMINENT INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM CHINA OCCURRED MOSTLY IN TEXTILE FABRICS ($469 MILLION, +64 PER CENT), PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS ($320 MILLION, +90 PER CENT) AND CLOTHING ($238 MILLION, +36 PER CENT).
IN ADDITION, INCREASES IN THE IMPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS FROM CHINA WERE RECORDED. THESE INCLUDED A 16 PER CENT INCREASE IN VEGETABLES AND FRUITS ($305 MILLION) AND A 23 PER CENT INCREASE IN MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS ($230 MILLION).
/A SIGNIFICANT ....
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
4
A SIGNIFICANT LEVEL OF INCREASE IN THE IMPORTS OF PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES ($327 MILLION, +63 PER CENT} FROM THE U.S. WAS REGISTERED.
IMPORTS FROM F.R. OF GERMANY, SWITZERLAND AND AUSTRALIA WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE FIRST HALF OF 1977 BECAUSE OF MORE IMPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS AND DYEING, TANNING AND COLOURING MATERIALS.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECTIONS.-
JAN.-JUNE 77 (HK$ MN.) JAN.-JUNE 78 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND DIAMONDS) 7,045 8,916 +1,871 +27%
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 4,642 5,499 + 857 +18%
FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 3,486 3,844 + 358 +10%
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 2,773 * 3,744 + 972 +35%
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,774 2,075 + 302 +17%
ACCELERATED INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORTS OF MAJOR RAW MATERIALS AND CONSUMER GOODS, INCLUDING PEARLS, SEMI-PRECIOUS AND PRECIOUS STONES ($1,798 MILLION, +65 PER CENT), TEXTILE FABRICS ($2,390 MILLION, +25 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($1,300 MILLION, +33 PER CENT), IRON AND STEEL ($856 MILLION, +26 PER CENT).
/IN ADDITION, ......
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
5
IN ADDITION, IMPORTS OF ROAD VEHICLES ($657 MILLION.
+47 PER CENT) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT ($562 MILLION, +41 PER CENT) OBSERVED SIZEABLE INCREASES.
RE-EXPORT ACTIVITIES CONTINUED TO DISPLAY REMARKABLE GROWTH IN VIEW OF STRONG DEMANDS FROM JAPAN ($996 MILLION +39 PER CENT), SINGAPORE ($640 MILLION, +29 PER CENT), INDONESIA ($619 MILLION, +63 PER CENT) AND THE U.S. ($549 MILLION, +36 PER CENT).
THE FAVOURABLE DEMAND FOR RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATED MAINLY IN PEARLS, SEMI-PRECIOUS AND PRECIOUS STONES ($844 MILLION, +53 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($412 MILLION, +29 PER CENT). TEXTILE FABRICS ($304 MILLION, +27 PER CENT), TEXTILE MADE-UP ARTICLES ($247 MILLION. +33 PER CENT) AND ROAD VEHICLES ($136 MILLION, +126 PER CENT).
THE TRADE AS FOLLOWS: INDEX NUMBERS FOR APRIL 1978 WERE RELEASED
VALUE INDEX UNIT VALUE INDEX QUANTUM INDEX (1973 - 100)
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 187 135 139
IMPORTS THE TERMS OF 206 TRADE INDEX 140 FOR APRIL WAS 147 96.
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ADMINISTRATION OF SCHOOLS FURTHER STREAMLINED *****
THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG SCHOOLS, WHICH WAS RE-ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT A YEAR AGO, HAS BEEN FURTHER STREAMLINED TO IMPROVE CONTACTS AND CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION WITH SUPERVISORS, HEADS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE SPOKESMAN RECALLED THAT IN THE ORIGINAL RE-ORGANISATION. WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1977, THE TERRITORY WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS — HONG KONG ISLAND. KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES — TO ENABLE THE THEN NEWLY-FORMED SCHOOLS DIVISION TO CARRY OUT ITS ADMINISTRATION TASKS.
EACH OF THE THREE REGIONS WAS LOOKED AFTER BY A TEAM OF MEN AND WOMEN HEADED BY AN OFFICER-IN-CHARGE. THE REGIONS WERE SUB-DIVIDED INTO AREAS, EACH UNDER THE CHARGE OF A SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER. THE AREAS, IN TURN, WERE FURTHER SPLIT INTO DISTRICTS CONTROLLED BY A DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER.
/THE SPOKESMAN .....
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
6
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY), WOULD BE DIVIDED INTO EVEN SMALLER DISTRICTS.
THE AREAS
+THE MAIN AIM OF THE RE-DEMARCATION OF THE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES IS TO MAKE THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN EACH DISTRICT AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE, THUS PAVING THE WAY FOR IMPROVED LIAISON BETWEEN THE DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER AND THE SCHOOLS IN HIS OR HER DISTRICT,* HE SAID. ’
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE ONLY SCHOOLS EXEMPTED FROM REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS, JUNIOR ENGLISH SCHOOLS AND THOSE RUN BY THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION, PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS.
+THE KEY FIGURE IN THE REGIONAL SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER,* HE SAID.
+IT IS TO THIS OFFICER THAT SUPERVISORS AND HEADS SHOULD TURN, REGARDLESS OF THE LEVEL OF THE SCHOOL, THE NATURE OF ITS CURRICULUM OR ITS MODE OF FINANCING.
+DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MAKE SCHOOL VISITS AND TO DISCUSS ANY MATTER.*
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT, FROM NOW ON, SCHOOL CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICERS IN AREA OFFICES INSTEAD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS.
+THE ONLY EXCEPTION WOULD BE MATTERS CONCERNED WITH ACCOUNTING OR REGISTRATION, WHICH SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE REFERRED TO HEADQUARTERS,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE REDEFINED EDUCATIONAL DISTRICTS WERE NOT THE SAME AS THE SCHOOL NETS USED IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SYSTEM BECAUSE THE NETS WOULD HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED ANNUALLY TO MAINTAIN A PROPER BALANCE OF PLACES.
+THE PRESENT DISTRICT COUNCIL SECRETARIES WILL THEREFORE CONTINUE TO SERVE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL NETS DURING THE ALLOCATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES,* HE SAID.
THE SUPERVISORS AND HEADS OF ALL SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY THE REDEFINED EDUCATIONAL DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN FULL DETAILS OF THE NEW CHANGE IN A SPECIAL CIRCULAR ISSUED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
- 7 -
TALKS WITH UNITED STATES ON FOOTWEAR AND • TEXTILES START TOMORROW *****
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT CONSULTATIONS WITH U.S. OFFICIALS WERE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (TUESDAY) ON EXPORTS OF CERTAIN NON-RUBBER FOOTWEAR FROM HONG KONG TO THE UNITED STATES.
THE UNITED STATES DELEGATION WILL BE LED BY MR. STEVE LANDE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES’ SPECIAL TRADE REPRESENTATIVE IN WASHINGTON.
♦THESE TALKS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR SOME TIME BUT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND A MUTUALLY CONVENIENT TIME AND PLACE FOR THEM.+ > MR. MILLS SAID.
+AS A CONSEQUENCE, OUR OVERSEAS CONSULTATION COMMITMENTS ARE BEGINNING TO PILE UR,+ MR. MILLS ADDED.
ANOTHER HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL LEAVE ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 18) FOR THE UNITED STATES TO RESUME CONSULTATIONS ON VARIOUS ISSUES LEFT UNRESOLVED WHEN MR. MIKE SMITH, THE U.S. CHIEF TEXTILE NEGOTIATOR AND HIS TEAM VISITED HONG KONG FROM JULY 17 - 21.
+1 HOPE THAT WE SHALL BE ABLE TO FINALISE THESE OUTSTANDING MATTERS IN WASHINGTON NEXT WEEK IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE DECKS FOR OTHER IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENTS WHICH WE HAVE SCHEDULED. THESE INCLUDE FURTHER MEETINGS WITH CANADIAN OFFICIALS ON TEXTILES AND OTHER MATTERS REQUESTED BY CANADA EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND A CONTINUATION OF THE TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS WITH EUROPEAN COMMISSION OFFICIALS FROM BRUSSELS ON CERTIFICATION OF ORIGIN AND CLASSIFICATION PRACTICES. FURTHERMORE WE HAVE NOW ASKED THE NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT FOR CONSULTATIONS UNDER ARTICLE XIX OF THE GATT FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT BY NORWAY OF ITS SELECTIVE RESTRAINTS AGAINST HONG KONG WITH GLOBAL RESTRICTIONS UNDER GATT ARTICLE XIX,+ MR. MILLS SAID.
MEANWHILE MR PETER TSAO, COUNSELLOR FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS IN GENEVA WILL BE RETURNING THERE SHORTLY TO HEAD THE HONG KONG TEAM IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO RESUME IN GENEVA IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
8
REGISTRATION FOR LEGAL AID
***** •
THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT TODAY REGISTERED 45 APPLICATIONS FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CONNECTION WITH A WALL COLLAPSE INCIDENT IN WESTERN ON JULY 18.
UNDER AN ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT AND THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, A TEAM OF LEGAL AID OFFICERS WENT TO THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) TO CARRY OUT THE REGISTRATION. THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID, MR. D. O’R. MAYNE WAS ALSO PRESENT.
MR. MAYNE SAID THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT WOULD DO ALL IT COULD TO OBTAIN COMPENSATION FOR DEPENDENTS OF THE DECEASED, THOSE INJURED AND THOSE HAVING SUFFERED PROPERTY LOSS AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT.
HE SAID HIS DEPARTMENT WAS GATHERING EVIDENCE FROM ALL SIDES TO DECIDE IF LEGAL ACTION WAS NECESSARY.
+OUR DEPARTMENT HAS GIVEN TOP PRIORITY TO THIS CASE TO HELP THE VICTIMS OBTAIN THE COMPENSATION THEY DESERVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.+ MR. MAYNE SAID. ’
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) SAID THE VICTIMS WHO COULD NOT COME TODAY SHOULD GO TO THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE FOR REGISTRATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
9
CONCERTED EFFORTS VITAL FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE DEAF ******
COMMUNICATION BARRIER, THE GREATEST OBSTACLE IN THE PROCESS OF INTEGRATING THE DEAF INTO THE HEARING COMMUNITY, COULD ONLY BE OVERCOME BY CONCERTED EFFORTS AMONG PROFESSIONALS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
SPEAKING AT A DINNER MEETING OF THE Y’S MEN’S CLUB OF VICTORIA THIS EVENING, MISS OPHELIA CHAN, OFF ICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S DEAF WELFARE UNIT SAID THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE SUFFERED FROM A +HIDDEN+ HANDICAP.
+THE ABSENCE OF SPEECH LIMITED DEAF PEOPLE’S ABILITY TO CREATE NATURAL TIES AND FRIENDSHIP, THE LACK OF WHICH OFTEN LED TO MISUNDERSTANDING, MUTUAL SUSPICION, A SENSE OF ISOLATION, DEPRESSED FEELING, AND OTHER FORMS OF SOCIAL MALADJUSTMENT,* SHE SAID.
RECOGNISING THEIR NEED FOR SPECIAL CARE AND ATTENTION, MISS CHAN SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT, WITH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, HAD EFFECTED TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES, FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE DEAF.
+RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE EXPANSION OF SPEECH AND AUDITORY TRAINING, AUDIEMETRIC SCREENING PROGRAMMES, AND PRE-SCHOOL CARE AS CONTAINED IN THE REHABILITATION WHITE PAPER, ARE VITAL TO FACILITATING THEIR DAILY ADAPTATION,* SHE SAID.
ANOTHER URGENT REQUIREMENT, MISS CHAN SAID, WAS THE TRAINING OF MORE SOCIAL WORKERS AND COUNSELLORS WHO PLAY ESSENTIAL ROLES IN BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE DEAF AND THE HEARING COMMUNITY.
ILLUSTRATING HER STATEMENT, MISS CHAN SAID THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN DEAF PEOPLE NEEDED GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT, FROM FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, BUT FAILED TO GET THEM DUE TO THE COMMUNICATION GAP.
+HAVING ESTABLISHED A RELATIONSHIP OF MUTUAL TRUST AND UNDERSTANDING WITH THE DEAF, SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD BE ABLE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS IN SOCIALISATION, FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, AND EMPLOYMENT,* SHE SAID.
DESCRIBING THE PROVISION OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES AS THE DEAF PEOPLES’ ONLY WAY TO ECONOMIC•INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-RESPECT, MISS CHAN URGED MORE EMPLOYERS TO EXERCISE PATIENCE AND ACCEPT THE WORKING ABILITY OF THE DEAF.
SHE STRESSED THAT MANY DEAF PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING WORK ON EQUAL TERMS WITH THE REST OF THE LABOUR FORCE, AND THEIR WORKING POTENTIAL WOULD BE IMPROVED WITH EXPANSION IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING FACILITIES.
MISS CHAN SAID THAT APART FROM A HARMONIOUS FAMILY AND A SATISFYING JOB, THE DEAF ALSO NEED RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO TRAIN THEIR PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES. SHE ADDED THAT PLANS FOR MORE SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DEAF WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
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/1O......
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
10
SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT KAI TAK FOR DISCIPLINED SERVICES *****
TEMPORARY USE OF THE SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES LEFT BEHIND WHEN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE VACATED KAI TAK AT THE END OF JUNE HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO DISCIPLINED SERVICES PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FACILITIES, WHICH INCLUDE A PLAYING FIELD AND SWIMMING POOL, MAY BE USED BY THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES FROM TODAY (MONDAY).
HE SAID USE WOULD BE ON A TEMPORARY BASIS AS THE AREA IS DUE TO BE DEVELOPED EVENTUALLY AS AN EXTENSION TO KAI TAK AIRPORT TO PROVIDE FURTHER MAINTENANCE AND CARGO FACILITIES. +NEVERTHELESS. IN THE MEANTIME, MUCH NEEDED SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO DISCIPLINED SERVICES MEMBERS AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES,* HE SAID.
THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES ARE THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE. THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, IN VIEW OF THE EXTENSIVE PUBLIC WORKS NOW GOING ON IN THE AREA, ACCESS WOULD HAVE TO BE RESTRICTED.
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/11 ....
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
11 -
LAST CURTAIN CALLS FOR HONG KONG DANCERS ' *****
FOUR STANDING OVATIONS BROUGHT THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS CHINESE DANCE TEAM BACK TO THE STAGE OF THE ORPHEUM THEATRE, VANCOUVER, FOR REPEATED CURTAIN CALLS AT THE END OF THE FINAL PERFORMANCE OF THEIR CANADIAN TOUR.
AN AUDIENCE OF 2,500, WHICH INCLUDED THE MAYOR OF VANCOUVER, MANY OF THE CITY’S LEADING DIGNITARIES AND A LARGE SHARE OF THE RESIDENT CHINESE COMMUNITY, FOLLOWED THE LEAD OF OTHER ASSEMBLIES WHO HAVE WITNESSED THE TEAM IN ACTION SINCE THEIR ARRIVAL IN EDMONTON TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMONWEALTH ARTS FESTIVAL. THEY WERE LOATH TO SEE THE SHOW CLOSE.
AFTER THIS FAREWELL PERFORMANCE, IN AID OF THE CHINESE CULTURAL CENTRE IN VANCOUVER, THE YOUNG HONG KONG DANCERS ADJOURNED TO A RESTAURANT FOR A CELEBRATION.
COMMENTED TEAM OFFICIAL MR. RAY BIRD! +OUR WHOL£ TOUR HAS BEEN GREETED WITH DELIGHTED SURPRISE. AUDIENCES HAVE COME, EXPECTING TO SEE TALENTED BUT AMATEUR SCHOOLCHILDREN, AND INSTEAD HAVE FOUND A STANDARD OF PROFESSIONALISM THEY NEVER EXPECTED.+
AS A RESULT, NUMEROUS INVITATIONS HAVE BEEN HEAPED ON THE TEAM TO APPEAR IN OTHER ENGAGEMENTS, OR TO MAKE RETURN VISITS. ONE INVITATION CAME FROM MEMBERS OF THE KENYAN TEAM IN THE COMMONWEALTH ARTS FESTIVAL, WHO ASKED THEIR HONG KONG COUNTERPARTS TO THE INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS SCHEDULED IN NAIROBI IN DECEMBER.
FOR THE MOMENT, THE TEAM MEMBERS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A WELL EARNED BUT BRIEF SPELL OF RELAXATION AND SIGHTSEEING IN VANCOUVER BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG LATER THIS WEEK.
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V
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978
- 12 -
AMBULANCE DEPOT FOR NGAU CHI WAN * * * *
A NEW AMBULANCE DEPOT IS TO BE COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR DENSELY POPULATED AREA.
_•
BUILT AT NGAU CHI WAN TO AMBULANCE SERVICES IN THE
INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
MR. FRED WOO, P.W.D.’S ACTING CHIEF ARCHITECT, SAID THE NEW DEPOT WOULD BE SITUATED AT THE CORNER OF WAI YIP STREET AND SIU YIP STREET.
♦ THE TWO-STOREY AMBULANCE DEPOT WILL COMPRISE BAYS FOR FOUR AMBULANCES, DUTY AND SERVICE ROOMS, OFFICES, A RECREATION AND DINING ROOM, BARRACK ACCOMMODATION FOR THE ESSENTIAL OPERATIONAL STAFF ON DUTY, ABLUTION FACILITIES AND A DRILL YARD,+ HE SAID.
+ANCILLARY FACILITIES INCLUDE A ONE-STOREY DANGEROUS GOODS STORE AND AIR COMPRESSOR ROOM, FUEL STORAGE TANKS AND A WASHING BAY.+
MR. WOO SAID WORK WOULD BEGIN IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT
10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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/13
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1978 - 13 -
EXTENSION OF KWUN TONG CARGO WORKING AREA ' ******
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S KWUN TONG PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA AT HOI BUN ROAD HAS BEEN EXTENDED BY 65 METRES TO THE SOUTHEAST OF THE EXISTING AREA.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE NEW SECTION PROVIDES AN ADDITIONAL 79 UNIT BERTHS AND 74 EXTRA PARKING SPACES TO THE AREA.
CONTROL MEASURES AND FEE STRUCTURE OF THE KWUN TONG PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA ALSO APPLY TO THE NEW EXTENSION, HE SAID.
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TAI PO AND TAI TAM ROAD WATER CUT * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TA I PO, THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 16) TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY KWONG FUK ROAD, TUNG CHEUNG STREET, PLOVER COVE ROAD, PO HEUNG STREET AND PO YICK STREET INCLUDING LUK HEUNG LANE AND ON FU ROAD.
MEANWHILE, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO HOUSE NOS. 9 TO 46 TAI TAM ROAD, INCLUDING THE TURTLE COVE VILLAS ON THE ISLAND WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 17) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
- 0 -
■ ICTl
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG DECLARES CHOLERA FREE ........................... 1
LAST LEGCO MEETING FOR 1977-78 SESSION TOMORROW ........... 2
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE , IN JERUSALEM ................................. 3
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER IN PERSON FOR 1979 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ......................................... 4
OVER 1,000 YOUNG PEOPLE JOIN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME .... 4
OPENING OF C.D.O. SUB-OFFICE AT LAM TIN ................... 5
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ................................... 5
WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN .................................... 5
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1978
HONG KONG DECLARES CHOLERA FREE * * * * *
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY DECLARED THAT HONG KONG IS NO LONGER A CHOLERA INFECTED AREA.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID NO FURTHER CASES OF CHOLERA HAVE BEEN FOUND SINCE THE CONFIRMATION OF THE LAST CASE ON AUGUST 3 AND THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTROL MEASURES.
HE SAID: +IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION REGULATIONS AN INFECTED AREA IS CONSIDERED FREE FROM INFECTION WHEN THERE IS NO FURTHER CASE REPORTED DURING A PERIOD WHICH IS EQUAL TO AT LEAST TWICE THE INCUBATION PERIOD OF THE DISEASE SINCE THE LAST CASE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED. THE INCUBATION PERIOD OF CHOLERA IS FIVE DAYS.+
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN URGED THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE OBSERVING THE RULES OF PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, WHICH HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY W.H.O. EXPERTS AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF CHOLERA AS WELL AS OTHER GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES.
THE LAST CASE OF CHOLERA INVOLVED AN 89-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM TO KWA WAN IN KOWLOON, WHO WAS ADMITTED TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL ON AUGUST 3.
SHE HAS SINCE RECOVERED AND WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL YESTERDAY.
IT WAS THE SECOND CASE OF CHOLERA DETECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR. THE FIRST CAME TO LIGHT ON JULY 20 INVOLVING A 54-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM TSI NG Yl ISLAND WHO HAD DIED OF A HEART CONDITION.
UNTIL THE DISCOVERY OF THESE TWO CASES, HONG KONG HAD BEEN FREE FROM CHOLERA SINCE 1969.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT IN VIEW OF THE CONTINUING PRESENCE OF CHOLERA IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGION THE RISK OF THE DISEASE OF REAPPEARING IN HONG KONG REMAINS.
+THEREFORE, THE PUBLIC IS STRONGLY ADVISED TO CONTINUE TAKING ALL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES, PARTICULARLY IN THE CHOICE OF FOOD AND DRINK AND IN THE PREPARATION OF FOOD,+ HE SAID.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1978
2
LAST LEGCO MEETING FOR 1977-78 SESSION TOMORROW ******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL MOVE A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) — THE LAST TO BE HELD FOR THE COUNCIL’S 1977-73 SESSION.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, WILL TABLE THE REPORT OF THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP FOR THE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1977 TO APRIL 30, 1978.
DURING QUESTION TIME, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL RAISE 16 QUESTIONS ON VARIOUS MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST.
THE HON. WONG LAM WILL ASK WHAT STEPS THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE TO ENFORCE MORE VIGOROUSLY TRAFFIC REGULATIONS SUCH AS SPEEDING AND OVER-TAKING ON TUEN MUN ROAD IN VIEW OF THE ALARMING FREQUENCY OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS OCCURRING ALONG THIS HIGHWAY.
THE HON. SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, WILL ASK WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER EXTENDING THE PRESENT MAXIMUM VALIDITY PERIOD OF HONG KONG DRIVING LICENCES FROM THREE YEARS TO 10 YEARS, THUS BRINGING IT INTO LINE WITH THAT OF PASSPORTS.
THE HON. LYDIA DUNN WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO LODGE THE +STRONGEST POSSIBLE PROTEST* WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND EXPRESS HONG KONG’S RESENTMENT OVER A STATEMENT MADE BY THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON JULY 24 THAT HONG KONG WORKERS ARE GREATLY EXPLOITED AND THAT HONG KONG HAS NEITHER HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK LEGISLATION NOR AN EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION ORDINANCE.
THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN WILL ASK IF THE PAY STRUCTURE AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF THE POLICE FORCE ARE CONSIDERED ADEQUATE AND REASONABLE IN RELATION TO THE OVERALL PAY STRUCTURE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND IF THERE ARE ANY AREAS WHERE IMPROVEMENTS ARE DESIRABLE AND ARE BEING LOOKED INTO.
ON EDUCATION ON THE OUTLYING ISLANDS, THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG WILL ASK IF THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE THE GROWING STUDENT POPULATION ON LANTAU ISLAND WITH SUFFICIENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO SAVE THEM FROM TRAVELLING TO AND FROM SCHOOLS SITUATED ON HONG KONG ISLAND OR IN KOWLOON.
OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS CONCERN LITTER OFFENCES, RECRUITMENT OF CHILD CARE WORKERS AND SUPERVISORS, SPEECH THERAPY TRAINING AND SMALL FACTORY UNITS.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1978
■5
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN JERUSALEM *****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL ATTEND THE + 19TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL WELFARE* TO BE HELD IN JERUSALEM, ISRAEL, NEXT WEEK.
MR. LEE, WHO IS NOW ON LEAVE, WILL FLY ON TO ISRAEL WHERE HE WILL JOIN 25 OTHER HONG KONG DELEGATES ATTENDING THE BIENNIAL CONFERENCE.
THE EIGHT-DAY CONFERENCE STARTING FROM AUGUST 20 WILL CARRY THE THEME +HUMAN WELL-BEING - CHALLENGES FOR THE 80’S - SOCIAL. ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ACTION*.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONFERENCE, HONG KONG WILL BE TAKING PART IN AN EXHIBITION TO ILLUSTRATE THE MANY ACHIEVEMENTS IN VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING SOCIAL WELFARE, HOUSING. EDUCATION AND MEDICAL SERVICES HERE.
ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WELFARE (ICSW), THE CONFERENCE PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON POLICY DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
THIS YEAR, THE CONFERENCE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE AGENCY VISITS, A BOOK FAIR, FILM SHOWS AND DISCUSSION SESSIONS ON TOPICS SUCH AS PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MATERIAL NEEDS AS WELL AS RESEARCH AND EVALUATION IN THE FIELDS OF WELFARE SERVICES.
BEFORE THE ICSW CONFERENCE, A NUMBER OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATES, WHO COMPRISE PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS FROM THE GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, THE UNIVERSITIES AND VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES, WILL ALSO BE ATTENDING THE +1 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF SCHOOLS OF SOCIAL WORK* FROM AUGUST 14 TO AUGUST 19, TO BE HELD ALSO IN JERUSALEM.
A PERMANENT WORLD ORGANISATION FOR INDIVIDUALS AND AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH SOCIAL WELFARE, THE ICSW ORGANISES INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES EVERY TWO YEARS IN DIFFERENT CITIES OF THE WORLD.
HONG KONG IN THE PAST HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THESE CONFERENCES.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1978
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER IN PERSON ' FOR 1979 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ******
PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED AS VOTERS IN NEXT YEAR’S URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO IN PERSON DURING THE TWO WEEKS STARTING TOMORROW (AUGUST 16).
APPLICATIONS HAVE TO BE MADE IN PERSON AT THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE, 7TH FLOOR, KA CHEONG BUILDING, 4, SUNNING ROAD CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG. ’
AT THE SAME TIME THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND OBJECTION MAY BE MADE TO THE INCLUSION OF ANY NAME ON THE REGISTER.
OFFICIALS WILL ALSO ACCEPT REQUESTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CHANGE POLLING STATIONS.
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OVER 1,000 YOUNG PEOPLE JOIN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME
******
MORE THAN 1,000 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE LAST MONTH TAKEN UP CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIPS WHICH WERE PUBLICISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S TRAINING COUNCIL DIVISION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THERE WERE STILL SEVERAL HUNDRED MORE VACANCIES FOR APPRENTICES IN HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR INDUSTRIES, AND ANY OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE JOBS SHOULD APPLY AT THE DIVISION’S OFFICE ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF ASIAN HOUSE, NO. 1 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
THE VACANCIES ARE IN AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING, BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, CLOTHING, ELECTRICAL WORK, ELECTRONICS, MACHI N|pSHOP AND^METAL(WORKI NG, PLASTICS, PRINTING, SHIPBUILDING AND
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S TRAINING COUNCIL DIVISION RUNS A YEAR-ROUND APPRENTICE PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WISH TO PURSUE A CAREER IN INDUSTRY THROUGH AN APPRENTICE-SH I P.
THE ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR CRAFT APPRENTICESHIP IS COMPLETION CF FORM 3 SCHOOLING, AND FOR TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP IT IS COMPLETION OF FORM 5 WITH PASSES IN FOUR RELEVANT SUBJECTS IN THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
THE DURATION OF AN APPRENTICESHIP IS USUALLY FOUR YEARS AND IN THIS PERIOD THE APPRENTICE IS GIVEN PLANNED PRACTICAL ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND, AT THE SAME TIME, AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND RELATED TECHNICAL EDUCATION ON A PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE BASIS AT A TECHNICAL INST I TUT I ON.
ON COMPLETION OF THE APPRENTICESHIP, A CERTIFICATE WHICH SERVES AS A YARDSTICK TRADE OR OCCUPATION HE IS ENGAGED IN.
THE APPRENTICE IS AWARDED OF HIS COMPETENCE IN THE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15,' 1978
5
OPENING OF C.D.O. SUB-OFFICE AT LAM TIN ' *****
THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WILL OPEN A CITY DISTRICT OFFICE’S SUB-OFFICE AT LAM TIN IN KWUN TONG AS PAR » OF ITS EFFORTS TO PROVIDE MORE COMMUNITY SERVICES TO RESIDENTS.
THE NEW LAM TIN SUB-OFFICE, WHICH OPENS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), IS LOCATED AT THE GROUND FLOOR OF BLOCK 17, LAM TIN ESTATE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 3-404855. ITS OFFICE HOURS ARE FROM 9 A.M. TO 5.30 P.M. MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND'FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON ON SATURDAY.
THE SUB-OFFICE, LIKE OTHER C.D.O. BRANCHES, WILL PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES TO ITS RESIDENTS, INCLUDING PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATION OF STATUTORY DECLARATIONS.
THE POPULATION TO BE SERVED BY THE SUB-OFFICE 105,000 PEOPLE AND THEY INCLUDE THOSE FROM LAM TIN YUE MUN ROAD ESTATE AND THE FIVE SQUATTER AREAS IN
IS WELL OVER ESTATE, LEI THE DISTRICT.
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DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED * * *
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON CHEUNG KWAN-SANG ON OCTOBER 1, 1976, BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT. CHEUNG’S CO-DEFENDANT, WONG KAMtMING, IS AWAITING THE DECISION OF AN APPEAL TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL.
BOTH CHEUNG AND WONG WERE FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER ON DECEMBER 28, 1975,OF LAM SHING IN A MUSIC PARLOUR AT NATHAN ROAD,KOWLOON.
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WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN, THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT THURSDAY (AUGUST 17) TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY TAI WO HAU ROAD, WO TONG TSUI STREET, KWAI CHUNG ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, KIN HONG STREET AND YIU WING STREET INCLUDING BLOCK NOS. 1 TO 5 OF KWAI CHUNG FACTORY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR DENYS ATTENDS LAST LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING ......... 1
VALEDICTORY TO SIR DENYS ................................... 2
LOOPHOLE IN PROFITS TAX CHARGE PLUGGED ..................... 3
REPORT OF UMELCO POLICE GROUP .............................. 7
WORK OF UMELCO POLICE GROUP PRAISED ........................ 9
QUERY ON STATEMENTS BY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY .................................................. 10
UNOFFICIALS CONCERNED OVER STATEMENT BY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY ..................................... 10
NEW REGULATIONS ON LIFTING APPLIANCES SAFETY OPERATION .... 12
PROSECUTIONS AGAINST SPEEDING ON TUEN MUN ROAD............. 13
IMPROVEMENTS TO CIVIL SERVICE BENEFITS .................... 13
7,000 FACTORY UNITS IN THREE YEARS ........................ 14
US$19.5 MILLION ADB LOAN TO HONG KONG...................... 15
NEW GOVERNMENT SCHOOL FOR LANTAU .......................... 16
10 YEAR DRIVING LICENCE ISSUE ............................. 16
BAN CONSIDERED ON LEARNER DRIVERS DURING NO.8 STORM SIGNAL. 17
EFFORTS TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING AT HAPPY VALLEY ............ 17
QUALIFICATIONS FOR CHILD CARE STAFF ....................... 18
MORE LITTER WARDENS DEPLOYED .............................. 19
/suspension
SUSPENSION OF COACH SERVICES EXPLAINED............. 19
AMENITY AND SITTING OUT AREAS UNDER FLYOVER .................... 20
SPEECH THERAPY REPORT STUDIED .................................. 21
ONE LANE TRAFFIC ON SAN PO KONG FLYOVER ........................ 21
SCHOOLS DANCE TEAM RETURNS TOMORROW ............................ 22
TEMPORARY WATER CUT............................................. 23
REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT TAI HANG TUNG................... 23
■ I !■ ■■ ■ I !■■■■■ A I
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
SIR DENYS ATTENDS LAST LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING *****
SIR DENYS ROBERTS, IN HIS CAPACITY AS ACTING GOVERNOR TODAY DELIVERED A VALEDICTORY TO THE CHIEF SECRETARY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN A SPEECH SPRINKLED WITH HUMOUR, SIR DENYS RECOUNTED THE ROLE HE PLAYED AS CHIEF SECRETARY AND AS ATTORNEY GENERA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR 12 YEARS.
IN A MORE SERIOUS VEIN, HOWEVER, SIR DENYS EXPRESSED HIS DEEP APPRECIATION OF THE FRIENDLINESS, TOLERANCE AND WILLING ASSISTANCE WHICH HE HAS RECEIVED FROM ALL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL DURING HIS TENURE OF OFFICE.
HE SAID HE DEEPLY VALUED THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING SERVED FOR SO LONG IN THE COUNCIL, WHICH HAD PLAYED SUCH A VITAL ROLE IN THE ASTONISHING DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG IN THE PAST DECADE.
_ _ 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978 - 2 -
VALEDICTORY TO SIR DENYS
* * K *
SENIOR UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON. SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, TODAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, HAS MADE TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS DURING HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER WITH THE GOVERNMENT SINCE 1962.
IN A VALEDICTORY TO THE ACTING GOVERNOR ON BEHALF OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AFjD HIMSELF AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR SZE-YUEN PRAISED HIM FOR WHAT HE HAS ACHIEVED DURING HIS TENURE OF OFFICE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL FROM 1966 TO 1973 AND AS CHIEF SECRETARY SINCE 1973.
REFERRING TO SIR DENYS’ CAPACITY AS ATTORNEY GENERAL DURING THE SEVEN YEARS, SIR SZE-YUEN SAID HE WAS QUICK TO REALISE THAT HONG KONG HAD SHED ITS PAST AS AN ENTREPOT AND BECOME A RAPIDLY DEVELOPING INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTRE AND TACKLED WITH ZEST THE UNENVIABLE TASK OF MAKING NEW AND COMPLEX LAWS ON THE ONE HAND AND UPDATING AND REVISING MANY OF OUR OUTMODED VICTORIAN LAWS ON THE OTHER.
ON SIR DENYS ACHIEVEMENTS AS CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR SZE-YUEN SAIDi +NOT ONLY HAVE YOUR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FORMULATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES BEEN A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN HONG KONG’S SUCCESS HISTORY BUT YOUR OWN PERSONAL INTEGRITY AND DEDICATION HAS ACTED AS A SPUR TO OUR OWN EFFORTS TO MAKE HONG KONG A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL TO LIVE IN.
+IN THfS COUNCIL YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED FOR YOUR CLARITY, YOUR ELOQUENCE, YOUR WIT AND YOUR SAGACITY. THESE ATTRIBUTES, TOGETHER WITH YOUR PERSONAL CHARM AND UNFAILING GOOD MANNERS AND HUMOUR, HAVE FOUND EXPRESSION IN YOU AS ONE OF THE MOST FORMIDABLE OPPONENTS THAT THE UNOFFICIALS HAVE EVER HAD TO FACE IN DEBATE IN THIS COUNCIL.+
SIR SZE-YUEN ALSO EXPRESSED FAITH THAT SIR DENYS WILL BRING THESE SAME OUTSTANDING QUALITIES TO BEAR IN HIS NEXT APPOINTMENT AS THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF HONG KONG AND WISHED HIM EVERY SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE IN THAT HIGH OFFICE.
0 - -
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
- 3 -
LOOPHOLE IN PROFITS TAX CHARGE PLUGGED ******
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, WHICH SEEKS TO AMEND THE CHARGE TO PROFITS TAX ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WITH A VIEW TO PLACING THEM IN A SIMILAR POSITION TO OTHER BUSINESSES, WAS PASSED INTO LAW BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
I
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THAT TO THIS END, THE BILL SEEKS TO CHARGE TO PROFITS TAX INTEREST WHERE IT ARISES THROUGH, OR FROM, THE CARRYING ON BY A BANK OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION OF ITS BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE PROVISION OF CREDIT TEST.
EXPLAINING THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES OF THE BILL, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE APPLICATION OF A CREDIT TEST, BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR INLAND REVENUE WAS BASED ON THE PLACE WHERE THE CREDIT IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE BORROWER. THE PRESENT POSITION IS THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO CARRY OUT ALL MATERIAL OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG AND YET, PROVIDED THE CREDIT IS MADE AVAILABLE OUTSIDE HONG KONG, NO TAX IS PAYABLE. THIS HAS RESULTED IN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS RECEIVING, IN PRACTICE, FAVOURABLE TREATMENT WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE TO OTHER BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG.
+WITHOUT THE ENACTMENT OF THIS BILL, THE EXISTING LOOPHOLE, THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF THE PROVISION OF CREDIT TEST, WILL REMAIN UNPLUGGED AND THE LOSS OF LEGITIMATE REVENUE INVOLVED WILL BECOME PROGRESSIVELY LARGER AS THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY EXPANDS,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THEN REPLIED TO POINTS RAISED IN THE COUNCIL LAST WEEK BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON THE BILL.
(1) ALLEGED INCONSISTENCY WITH THE TERRITORIAL SOURCE CONCEPT
MR. HADDON-CAVE STRESSED THE BILL IS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE TERRITORIAL SOURCE CONCEPT IN THAT IT DOES NO MORE THAN CORRECT THE ANOMALOUS SITUATION WHICH HAS ARISEN AS A RESULT OF THE REVENUE’S SOLE RELIANCE ON THE PROVISION OF CREDIT TEST.
+THE TOUCHSTONE OF THE LIABILITY TO CHARGE IS THE CARRYING ON OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG AND NOT THE TAXPAYER’S RESIDENCE. INDEED, NON-RESIDENTS AND RESIDENTS ARE TREATED ALIKE.*
(2) EXISTING LAW IS ADEQUATE FOR THE PURPOSE
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DISAGREED WITH THE ARGUMENTS THAT THE LOOPHOLE IS CAPABLE OF BEING PLUGGED WITHOUT AN AMENDING BILL AND THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR INLAND REVENUE IS ENTITLED TO BRING THESE PROFITS TO CHARGE IN THE ABSENCE OF A CONTRARY DECISION OF A HONG KONG COURT ON THE APPLICATION OF THE PROVISION OF CREDIT TEST WHICH, IN THEIR VIEW, NEED NOT BE THE ONLY DETERMINING FACTOR.
/+IF THE COMMISSIOHER ...
AY, AUGUST 16, 1978
+IF THE COMMISSIONER DECIDED TO IMPOSE A PROFITS TAX CHARGE BY SUDDENLY IGNORING THE LEGAL BASIS ON WHICH THE PROVISION OF CREDIT TEST IS FOUNDED THIS WOULD CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF UNACCEPTABLE UNCERTAINTY WHILE A TEST CASE WAS BEFORE THE COURT, + HE SAID.
(3) ALLEGED DISCRIMINATORY NATURE OF THE BILL
MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO REJECTED THE VIEW THAT THE BILL, BECAUSE IT SINGLES OUT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, IS DISCRIMINATORY- AND, THEREFORE, THE DEEMING DEVICE IS INAPPROPRIATE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY REMINDED THAT THE POSITION OF A BANK OR A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY IS NOT ANALOGOUS TO THAT OF AN INDIVIDUAL OR A CORPORATION ENGAGED IN OTHER OPERATIONS.
HE SAIDi +BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ARE ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF BORROWING AND LENDING AND THEY MAKE THEIR PROFITS BY BORROWING MORE CHEAPLY THAN THEY LEND.
+TO THE EXTENT THAT THE OPERATIONS INVOLVED IN THEIR BORROWING AND LENDING TRANSACTIONS TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG, FT IS ENTIRELY LOGICAL THAT THE PROFITS FROM SUCH TRANSACTIONS SHOULD BE LIABLE TO HONG KONG TAX.+
(4) INCIDENCE OF TAX
REFERRING TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE STATE OF OUR PUBLIC FINANCES IS SUCH THAT THERE IS NO NEED TO PLUG THE LOOPHOLE IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID: +THIS POINT OVERLOOKS THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL WHICH IS TO IMPROVE THE YIELD FROM THE CHARGE TO HELP ME TO MAINTAIN THE RATE OF TAX ON CORPORATE PROFITS GENERALLY AT 17 PER CENT FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE TO THE UNDOUBTED BENEFIT OF THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY.+
HE SAID THE BILL IS ALSO A REFORM MEASURE AND AGREED WITH SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON. SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG THAT WE SHOULD SEEK +TO ENSURE THAT THE DIFFERENT SECTORS OF OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE PUBLIC PURSE ON A MORE EQUITABLE BASIS*.
(5) ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL
MR. HADDON-CAVE EXPRESSED DOUBT ON THE SUGGESTIONS OF A MASS MIGRATION OF BANKING BUSINESS FROM HONG KONG AND THAT +THE ULTIMATE DAMAGE* FROM THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE PROFITS TAX CHARGE COULD BE +ENORMOUS+.
HE ASKED: +WILL THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL DRIVE BUSINESS AWAY FROM HONG KONG TO ANY SIGNIFICANT EXTENT?*
/MH. HADDON-CAVE.....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
- 5 -
MR. HADDON-CAVE EMPHASISED THAT THE TAX IS MERELY AN EXTENSION CF THE EXISTING AMBIT OF THE PROFITS TAX CHARGE. +IT IS NOT AN ENTIRELY NEW TAX- AND, AS SUCH, IT DOES NOT IMPLY ANY CHANGE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THOSE DOING BUSINESS HERE, OR WISHING TO SET UP IN BUSINESS HERE.* *
+PROVIDED WE RELENTLESSLY PURSUE BUDGETARY AND FISCAL AND ECONOMIC AND MONETARY POLICIES WHICH ARE APPROPRIATE TO OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, THE ADVANTAGES OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, IN ALL SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY, WILL REMAIN SELF-EVIDENT TO THOSE CONCERNED AND IN PARTICULAR I WOULD STRESS THAT IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO MODIFY OUR GENERAL NON-DISCRIMINATORY APPROACH IN RESPONSE TO SPECIAL PLEADING FROM ANY QUARTER,♦ HE SAID.
(6) IMPLEMENTATION DATE
ON THE ARGUMENT THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF APRIL 1, 1978 IS RETROACTIVE BECAUSE THOSE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WHICH HAVE ACCOUNTING PERIODS ENDING OTHER THAN AT MARCH 31 WILL BE LIABLE TO TAX ON PROFITS OF PERIODS ENDING PRIOR TO APRIL 1, 1978, THE FINANCIAL SECREATRY SAID: +THOSE AFFECTED BY THE BILL ARE IN NO WORSE POSITION THAN THE GENERALITY OF TAXPAYERS IN THAT THE LEVEL OR THE INCIDENCE OF ANY TAX MAY BE CHANGED AT RELATIVELY SHORT NOTICE.+
(7) SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO OPPOSED TO THE VIEW OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS THAT THE EMPLOYMENT OVERSEAS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE PROFITS TAX CHARGE NET ON BOTH POINTS OF PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S VIEWS ON POINTS OF PRINCIPLES ARE:
* THAT THE BILL IS TO TAX ALL PROFITS ARISING FROM BUSINESS CARRIED ON IN HONG KONG AND THIS OBJECTIVE, BASED AS IT IS ON THE TERRITORIAL SOURCE CONCEPT, WOULD NOT BE ACHIEVED IF AN ARTIF4CIAL DISTINCTION WERE-DRAWN BETWEEN INTEREST FROM ASSETS WHICH ARE CLAIMED TO REPRESENT +SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS* AND THOSE WHICH DO NOT’
* THAT THE CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF ANY CORPORATION — BE IT A BANK OR A TRADING CORPORATION — SHOULD NOT, IN ITSELF, BE A FACTOR IN DETERMINING THE QUESTION OF TAX LIABILITY. THUS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN INTEREST EARNED ON SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS AND INTEREST EARNED ON OTHER FUNDS WOULD DISCRIMINATE AGAINST FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WHICH RELY ON LOAN CAPITAL AS AGAINST SHARE CAPITAL-
* THAT TO DRAW A DISTINCTION BETWEEN ASSETS REPRESENTING SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS AND ASSETS REPRESENTING DEPOSITORS’ AND OTHER CREDITORS’ FUNDS IS A LEGAL AND PRACTICAL IMPOSSIBILITY- AND
/* THAT THE POSITION .....
AY, AUGUST 16, 1978
6 -
* THAT THE POSITION OF A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION SUCH AS A BANK IS NOT ANALOGOUS TO THAT OF AN INDIVIDUAL OR A MANUFACTURER. THE SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS IS AN ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT IN CREATING A BANK’S PROFITS AND IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE BUSINESS OF BANKING WITHOUT WHICH A BANK WOULD BE UNABLE TO ATTRACT DEPOSITS.
ON THE PRACTICAL SIDE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE COMMISSIONER FOR INLAND REVENUE FORESEES CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING DETAILS OF +SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS+, AND ENDLESS ARGUMENTS AS TO WHICH ASSETS REPRESENT +SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS+, UNLESS A STATUTORY, AND OF NECESSITY, ARBITRARY DEFINITION OR FORMULA WERE WRITTEN INTO THE ORDINANCE.
MOREOVER, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THERE IS LIKELY TO BE CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULTY IN PERSUADING NON-RESIDENT HONG KONG BANKS FURNISH THEIR WORLD-WIDE ACCOUNTS, INCLUDING DETAILS OF HIDDEN RESERVES, TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER TO CALCULATE RELEVANT FIGURES OF SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS.
TO
HE ADDED THAT IT WOULD NOT EE REASONABLE ON OTHER GROUNDS TO CALL FOR SUCH ACCOUNTS.
SPEAKING EARLIER AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL. THE HON. ALEX WU EXPRESSED DOUBT ON THE ASSERTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S REFUSAL TO EXEMPT FROM THE TAX CHARGE NET SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS WHICH ARE EMPLOYED TO EARN INTEREST ABROAD WILL NOT FRIGHTEN AWAY FROM HONG KONG ANY FINANCIAL BUSINESS WORTH HAVING.
MR. WU ADDED THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THOSE INSTITUTIONS WHICH ARE NOT YET DOING BUSINESS HERE.
HE PROPOSED THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD CONSIDER A LOWER RATE OF TAX UNDER THE BILL.
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/7
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
7
REPORT OF THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP; MOST COMPLAINTS MADE AGAINST POLICE NOT SUBSTANTIATED ******
STATISTICS ON COMPLAINTS MADE AGAINST POLICE DURING AN EIGHT-MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1 LAST YEAR SHOW THAT CF 456 CASES IN WHICH INVESTIGATIONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED 67.1 PER CENT OF ALLEGATIONS WERE NOT SUBSTANTIATED, A FURTHER 11.2 PER CENT WERE NOT PROVED, 1.8 PER CENT MALICIOUS AND 0.9 PER CENT UNRESOLVED. THE REMAINDER AMOUNTING TO 19 PER CENT WERE SUBSTANTIATED OR PARTIALLY SUBSTANTIATED.
THESE FIGURES ARE CONTAINED IN THE FIRST REPORT OF THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY. IT COVERS THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1, 1977 TO APRIL 30, 1978.
IN A LARGE NUMBER OF CASES, THE REPORT STATES, IT HAD NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO SUBSTANTIATE ALLEGATIONS WHERE ONE POLICE OFFICER AND ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WERE INVOLVED. +IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IT IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO ESTABLISH THE TRUE FACTS.+
THE REPORT REVEALS THAT A TOTAL OF 1,201 COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE WERE RECEIVED BY THE GROUP DURING THE PERIOD AND THAT ACTION HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN 649 OF THEM. THE REMAINING 552 CASES WERE OUTSTANDING AT THE TIME THE REPORT WAS COMPILED.
OF THE 649 CASES IN WHICH ACTION HAS BEEN COMPLETED, 306 WERE UNSUBTANT IATED , 51 WERE NOT PROVED, EIGHT WERE MALICIOUS AND FOUR UNRESOLVED. A TOTAL OF 110 CASES WERE WITHDRAWN AND 83 NOT PURSUED.
CASES SUBSTANTIATED TOTALLED 47, 38 WERE PARTIALLY SUBSTANTIATED AND TWO CASES SUBSTANTIATED MISCONDUCT OTHER THAN THAT REPORTED.
MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE, 311 CASES, ALLEGED ASSAULT, WHILE 302 ALLEGED OVERBEARING OR IMPOLITE CONDUCT. UNNECESSARY USE OF AUTHORITY RESULTED IN 211 COMPLAINTS, NEGLECT OF DUTY OR FAILING TO TAKE ACTION 161, USE OF BAD LANGUAGE 53, POLICE PROCEDURE 38, THREAT OF ASSAULT 20, CRIME 16 AND THERE WERE 89 OTHER COMPLAINTS.
OF THE 87 SUBSTANTIATED OR PARTIALLY SUBSTANTIATED CASES, CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS WERE INSTITUTED IN THREE, TWO RESULTED IN DISMISSAL AND FOUR IN DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS. IN 10 CASES WARNINGS WERE GIVEN WITH A DOSSIER ENTRY BEING MADE IN RECORDS OF SERVICE, IN 10 OTHERS WARNINGS WERE GIVEN WITHOUT A DOSSIER ENTRY BEING MADE, IN 37 INSTRUCTIONS WERE GIVEN TO THE OFFICERS CONCERNED ON PROPER HANDLING OF SUCH INCIDENTS IN FUTURE, AND IN 21 NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BECAUSE NO MISCONDUCT BY POLICE OFFICERS WAS REVEALED, ALTHOUGH IN SOME CASES POLICE PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN CHANGED.
/the group, ......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
8
THE GROUP, CONCERNED ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF COMPLAINTS WHICH WERE WITHDRAWN, WAS TRYING TO ENSURE THAT WITHDRAWAL WAS NOT MADE AS A RESULT OF PRESSURE, INTIMIDATION OR BEING UNNECESSARILY INCONVENIENCED.
MEMBERS OF THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP ARE SIR SYDNEY GORDON (CHAIRMAN). MR. T.K. ANN, MR. O.V. CHEUNG, MR. T.S. LO, THE REV JOYCE M. BENNETT AND MR. WONG LAM.
THE GROUP’S TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE:
* TO MONITOR AND, WHERE IT CONSIDERS APPROPRIATE, TO REVIEW THE HANDLING BY THE POLICE OF COMPLAINTS BY THE PUBLIC"
* TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW STATISTICS OF THE TYPES OF CONDUCT BY POLICE OFFICERS WHICH LEAD TO COMPLAINTS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC"
* TO IDENTIFY ANY FAULTS IN POLICE PROCEDURES WHICH LEAD OR MIGHT LEAD TO COMPLAINTS- AND
* WHEN IT CONSIDERS APPROPRIATE, TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE OR WHEN NECESSARY TO THE GOVERNOR.
THE GROUP WAS ESTABLISHED IN SEPTEMBER 1977, AND HELD ITS FIRST MEETING ON OCTOBER 10. THE REPORT SAYS THAT A TOTAL OF 20 FORMAL MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HELD SINCE THIS DATE AND IN ADDITION PRIVATE DISCUSSION TAKES PLACE BETWEEN MEMBERS AND INDIVIDUAL CASE FILES ARE EXAMINED IN DEPTH.
ON WORKING PROCEDURES THE REPORT EXPLAINS THAT SINCE THE GROUP WAS BREAKING NEW GROUND IT WAS NECESSARY TO DEVISE PROCEDURES, SOMETIMES BY TRAIL AND ERROR.
IT SAYS THAT AFTER THE FIRST FEW MEETINGS IT BECAME APPARENT THAT IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL CONCERNED IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE FOR FURTHER CHECKING OF SOME CASES TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY UMELCO STAFF.
THE REPORT COMMENTS THAT THE GROUP WAS CONCERNED FROM THE OUTSET THAT THERE MIGHT NOT BE SUFFICIENT STAFF IN THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AS QUICKLY AND AS THOROUGHLY AS IT SHOULD DO, BUT THE GROUP WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT OFFICE WAS TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY STRENGTHENED SHORTLY.
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/9
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
9
WORK OF UMELCO POLICE GROUP PRAISED *****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, TODAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR ONE YEAR AGO TO MONITOR POLICE HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON, MR. DAVIES SAID: +THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS ITS APPRECIATION OF THE VALUABLE AND NECESSARY SERVICE, TO BOTH THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE, PERFORMED BY THE GROUP.+
MR. DAVIES POINTED OUT THAT THE GROUP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF SIR SIDNEY GORDON, HAD PROVIDED A USEFUL FORUM IN WHICH AN INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION CAN BE MADE OF THE OUTCOME OF POLICE ENQUIRIES INTO INDIVIDUAL COMPLAINTS.
+AS SUCH IT IS MOST WELCOME AND GIVES GROUNDS'FOR CONFIDENCE TO THE PUBLIC THAT COMPLAINTS ARE EXAMINED IN DEPTH AND IN DETAIL,* HE STRESSED.
HE ALSO SAID THAT AN IMPORTANT FACTOR WHICH HAD EMERGED FROM THIS NEW SCHEME WAS THE PROTECTION WHICH THE THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF COMPLAINTS OFFERED POLICE OFFICERS FROM MALICIOUS AND UNJUSTIFIED COMPLAINTS.
SINCE THE SYSTEM CAME INTO EFFECT THERE HAD BEEN TWO PROSECUTIONS FOR MAKING FALSE COMPLAINTS AND SIX FURTHER CASES ARE PENDING, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, THE GROUP ALSO INSTITUTED A SYSTEM WHEREBY A FURTHER CHECK OF CASES WAS UNDERTAKEN BY THE UMELCO STAFF.
MOST OF THESE CHECKS FOLLOWED COMPLAINTS OF A FRAME-UP, OF PLANTING OF EVIDENCE OR OF THE WITHDRAWAL OF A COMPLAINT.
COMMENTING ON THE NEED MENTIONED BY THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE ALLOCATION OF ADDITIONAL STAFF TO THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICE, MR. DAVIES SAID SUITABLY EXPERIENCE OFFICERS ARE BEING DEPLOYED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSTS IN THE DISCIPLINE AND COMPLAINTS WING OF THE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT BRANCH OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS AFTER THESE POSTS WERE APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
10 -
QUERY ON STATEMENT BY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. NEIL HENDERSON, SAID TODAY THAT THE REMARKS MADE BY THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON JULY 24 THAT HONG KONG WORKERS WERE GROSSLY EXPLOITED SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS A CONSIDERED STATEMENT OF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO THE STATEMENT.
MR. HENDERSON WAS REPLYING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. LYDIA DUNN WHO ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE STATEMENT BY THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY THAT HONG KONG WORKERS WERE GROSSLY EXPLOITED AND THAT HONG KONG HAD NEITHER HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK LEGISLATION NOR AN EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION ORDINANCE.
MISS DUNN ALSO ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LODGE THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE PROTEST WITH THE U.K. GOVERNMENT AND EXPRESS HONG KONG’S RESENTMENT OVER THE UNJUSTIFIABLE STATEMENT.
MR. HENDERSON IN HIS REPLY ALSO SAID THAT THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE DID NOT IN FACT SUGGEST THAT HONG KONG HAD NO HEALTH AND SAFETY OR EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION.
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UNOFFICIALS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER STATEMENT BY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY *****
SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON. SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, TODAY EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER A STATEMENT BY THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY THAT WORKERS IN HONG KONG ARE GROSSLY EXPLOITED AND HIS IMPLICATION THAT HONG KONG HAS NEITHER HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK LEGISLATION NOR AN EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION ORDINANCE.
SIR SZE-YUEN SAIDi +IT IS QUITE AMAZING AND IN FACT A PITY THAT SUCH A BASELESS AND UNJUSTIFIED STATEMENT AND IMPLICATION COULD HAVE BEEN MADE BY A SENIOR OFFICIAL OF HMG ABOUT A DEPENDENT TERRITORY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.*
HE SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO LEARN FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. LYDIA DUNN EARLIER THAT IT HAS DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF HMG TO THE STATEMENT.
/HE EMPHASISED......
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
11
HE EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG HAS, DURING THE PAST TEN YEARS, INTRODUCED A SPATE OF LABOUR LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE WORKFORCE. IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS ALONE, NO LESS THAN SIX SETS OF REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WERE APPROVED. THIS LEGISLATION IS ENFORCED BY A LARGE STAFF WHOSE DEDICATION TO WORK CAN BE EVIDENCED BY THE CONSIDERABLE GRUMBLING IN INDUSTRY ABOUT UNSYMPATHETIC FACTORY INSPECTORS.
SIR SZE-YUEN MADE THESE REMARKS DURING DEBATE ON THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEARS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1978 WHICH IF APPROVED WITHOUT MODIFICATION, HE SAID, WOULD BE THE MOST STRINGENT SAFETY LEGISLATION IN THE WORLD FOR THIS TYPE OF INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT.
+THIS WOULD BE IN STARK CONTRAST TO THE VIEW EXPRESSED BY THE BRITISH UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY,+ HE SAID.
UNDER THE REGULATIONS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE SIZE OF THE LIFTING APPLIANCE AND THE NATURE OF THE INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING AS DEFINED IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE,
* EACH CHAIN, ROPE AND LIFTING GEAR WILL HAVE TO BE INSPECTED BEFORE USE ON EACH OCCASION BY A COMPETENT PERSON-
X EACH LIFTING APPLIANCE WILL HAVE TO BE OPERATED ONLY BY A COMPETENT PERSON- AND
* WHEN A LOAD IS LEFT SUSPENDED FROM A LIFTING APPLIANCE, A COMPETENT PERSON WILL HAVE TO BE PRESENT DURING THE PERIOD OF SUSPENSION.
+1 AM SURE THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WILL AGREE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE NEITHER PRACTICABLE NOR NECESSARY EXCEPT IN RESPECT OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS SUCH AS DOCKS, QUAYS, WHARFS AND WAREHOUSES AND FOR CRANES AND LIFTING APPLIANCES EXCEEDING A CERTAIN SI ZE,♦ SIR SZE-YUEN SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE CUSTOMARY PRACTICE OF ALLOWING PEOPLE TO MAKE PREPARATION FOR COMPLYING WITH NEW FACTORY LAW WAS NOT FOLLOWED IN THE PRESENT CASE.
HE THEREFORE MOVED A RESOLUTION, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL, TO AMEND THE REGULATIONS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WILL APPLY ONLY TO INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING (OTHER THAN CONSTRUCTION WORK) AT A DOCK, QUAY, WHARF OR WAREHOUSE AND THAT THEY SHALL NOT COME INTO OPERATION UNTIL A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE.
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/12
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
12
NEW REGULATIONS ON LIFTING APPLIANCES SAFETY OPERATION *****
NEW REGULATIONS STIPULATING CERTAIN SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ON THE OPERATION OF LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR IN DOCKS, QUAYS, WHARVES AND WAREHOUSES WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE REGULATIONS WERE PASSED WITH MINOR AMENDMENTS MADE BY THE HON. SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG.
UNDER THE NEW FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1978 OPERATORS OF LIFTING APPLIANCES IN DOCKS, QUAYS, WHARVES AND WAREHOUSES MUST NOW BE TRAINED PERSONS OR PERSONS UNDERGOING TRAINING AND UNDER SUPERVISION- SIGNALLING ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE USED WHEN A LIFT IS IN OPERATION- STEAM EMANATING FROM A CRANE MUST NOT OBSCURE A WORKPLACE WHERE WORKMEN ARE EMPLOYED- AND CHAINS, ROPES AND LIFTING GEAR USED IN DOCKS, QUAYS, WHARVES AND WAREHOUSES MUST BE INSPECTED BEFORE USE BY COMPETENT PERSONS.
ADDITIONAL DETAIL IS ALSO ADDED TO THE PROCEDURE FOR TESTING SHEAVE PULLEY BLOCKS.
THE NEW REGULATIONS, WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT PROBABLY ON NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR, WILL HOWEVER, NOT APPLY TO THE USE OF SIMILAR APPLIANCES AND GEAR ON CONSTRUCTION SITES WHICH IS ALREADY COVERED BY LAW PASSED IN 1973.
/13
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
13
PROSECUTIONS AGAINST TRAFFIC LAW VIOLATORS ON TUEN MUN ROAD * * * *
ABOUT 2,000 PROSECUTIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN OUT AGAINST MOTORISTS BREAKING TRAFFIC REGULATIONS ON THE NEW TUEN MUN ROAD SINCE IT OPENED ON MAY 6, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. WONG LAM, MR. JONES SAID OF THESE PROSECUTIONS, 1,400 HAVE BEEN FOR SPEEDING AND 413 FOR DISOBEYING TRAFFIC SIGNS, MAINLY CROSSING THE DOUBLE WHITE LINE WHEN OVERTAK ING.
MR. JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO ENFORCE TRAFFIC REGULATIONS ON THE NEW ROAD AS VIGOROUSLY AS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE TEMPTATIONS IT PROVIDES FOR SPEEDING AND HAZARDOUS OVERTAKING.
+AN EIGHT-MAN POLICE UNIT HAS BEEN SPECIALLY ASSIGNED FOR THIS PURPOSE, OPERATING ON THE ROAD BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND 11 P.M. IN ADDITION, AT ALL TIMES, EMERGENCY POLICE UNITS AND NORMAL DIVISONAL PATROLS CAN BE CALLED UP AT SHORT NOTICE,* HE SAID.
MR. JONES ALSO REITERATED THAT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ALONG THE NEW TUEN MUN ROAD HAVE NOT BEEN MORE FREQUENT THAN ON ANY OTHER BUSY ROAD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
HE SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 42 ACCIDENTS BETWEEN MAY 6 AND AUGUST 12, COMPARED WITH 1,015 ACCIDENTS IN THE REST OF THE NEW TERRITORIES OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
+PUT IN ANOTHER WAY,* MR. JONES SAID, +THE ACCIDENT RATE ON THE NEW TUEN MUN ROAD HAS SO FAR BEEN ONE ACCIDENT PER ONE MILLION VEHICULAR KILOMETRES, WHEREAS ON THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD THE RATE IS FOUR ACCIDENTS PER ONE MILLION KILOMETRES TRAVELLED.*
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IMPROVEMENTS TO CIVIL SERVICE BENEFITS
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING IMPROVEMENTS IN REGARD TO HOUSING, CERTAIN ALLOWANCES AND RECREATION FACILITIES, NOT ONLY FOR THE POLICE FORCE BUT ALSO FOR OTHER STAFF IN CIVIL SERVICE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. MARTIN ROWLANDS, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
AS REGARDS THE POLICE FORCE, MR. ROWLANDS SAID THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE ARE AT PRESENT ABOUT RIGHT IN RELATION TO THE REST OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
- 14 -
7,000 SMALL FACTORY UNITS IN THREE YEARS ******
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL BUILD 7,000 SMALL FACTORY UNITS IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. ALAN SCOTT, TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.
MR. SCOTT ADDED INFORMATION ON THE RANGE OF SIZES OF FACTORY UNITS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR WAS NOT COMPILED BY THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE DEVELOPERS HAD A DEGREE OF DISCRETION TO CHANGE THE INTERNAL LAYOUT OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
BUT HE REVEALED THAT THE HIGH LEVEL OF SUPPLY OF FLATTED FACTORY UNITS OF ALL SIZES COMPLETED IN 1977, TOTALLING 8.9 MILLION SQUARE FEET, WOULD CONTINUE AND GROW — WITH FORECAST COMPLETIONS AT 9.9 MILLION SQUARE FEET IN 1978 AND 13 MILLION SQUARE FEET IN 1979.
REFERRING TO MR. CHEONG-LEEN’S SECOND QUESTION'OF WHETHER SUCH FACTORY UNITS WOULD FALL SHORT OF DEMAND, MR. SCOTT SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ASSESS THE ACTUAL DEMAND IN THE'PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECTOR.
HOWEVER, RECENT EXPERIENCE OF CLEARANCES INDICATED THAT THE AUTHORITY’S STOCK OF FACTORY UNITS WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO bEET DEMAND IN THE FIRST PART OF THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1977 TO 1979.
FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR, MR. SCOTT SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO FORECAST ACCURATELY THE DEMAND BECAUSE IT DEPENDED ON SEVERAL FACTORS INCLUDING THE GENERAL STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND THE STATE OF SMALL INDUSTRIES, IN PARTICULAR, RENT LEVELS, LOCATIONS, ACCESS AND PROXIMITY TO ESSENTIAL FACILITIES AND SO ON.
+HOWEVER, WITH THE CONTINUING LARGE SUPPLY OF ALL TYPES OF FLATTED FACTORIES, IT IS THOUGHT THAT THE SPACE COMING ON STREAM WILL ADEQUATELY MEET LIKELY REQUIREMENT,* HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
- 15 -
US $19.5 MILLION A.D.B. LOAN FOR SHA TIN HOSPITAL-POLYCLINIC PROJECT ******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK WOULD PROVIDE A LOAN EQUIVALENT TO US$19.5 MILLION TO HONG KONG TO HELP FINANCE THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE COST OF THE SHA TIN HOSPITAL-POLYCLINIC PROJECT.
MOVING THE MOTION TO AMEND THE LOANS (ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK) ORDINANCE TO ENABLE THE LOAN AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE LOAN WOULD BE REPAYABLE IN 13 YEARS AT AN INTEREST RATE OF 7.7 PER CENT PER ANNUM AND IT ATTRACTS A COMMITMENT CHARGE OF 0.75 PER CENT.
THIS IS THE FOURTH LOAN TO BE RAISED BY THE GOVERNMENT FROM A.D.B. FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS. THE OTHER THREE LOANS WERE US$21.5 MILLION FOR LOK ON PAI DESALTING PLANT, US$20 MILLION FOR SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PROJECT AND US$20.5 MILLION FOR SHA TIN URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE HAD INDICATED THE WILLINGNESS OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY GUARANTEE FOR THE LOAN AND FORMAL APPROVAL WAS EXPECTED TO BE GIVEN ONCE THE LOAN HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BANK.
HE ADDED THAT HE REGARDED THE TERMS OF THE LOAN AS SATISFACTORY AND THE LOAN AGREEMENT, WHEN SIGNED, WOULD BE LAID ON THE TABLE FOR INFORMATION OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
16
NEW GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR LANTAU ******
A NEW 12-CLASSROOM GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL WOULD BE BUILT IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF LANTAU ISLAND TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER 1981, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. COLVYN HAYE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG, WHO ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE THE GROWING STUDENT POPULATION ON LANTAU ISLAND WITH SUFFICIENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS TC SAVE THEM FROM TRAVELLING TO AND FROM SCHOOLS SITUATED ON HONG KONG ISLAND OR IN KOWLOON.
MR. HAYE SAID THAT THE NEW SCHOOL, ALONG WITH THE EXISTING AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL AT TAI 0, WOULD PROVIDE SUFFICIENT PLACES TO MEET THE ESTIMATED DEMAND FROM THE 12 TO 16 AGE GROUP ON LANTAU ISLAND FOR FORM 1 TO 5 PLACES BY 1983.
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10 YEAR DRIVING LICENCE ISSUE * * * *
A FIXED FEE FOR A LICENCE VALID FOR 10 YEARS WOULD NEED EITHER TO BE VERY COSTLY OR IT WOULD LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN REVENUE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, MR. JONES ADDED THAT THE FEE CHARGED INCLUDES A SUBSTANTIAL TAX ELEMENT, THE ACTUAL COST OF PREPARING AND ISSUING LICENCES BEING ONLY ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF THE FEE.
HE SAID THE POLICY ON DRIVING LICENCES WAS DIFFERENT IN HONG KONG COMPARED TO THE U.K. AND IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED DESIRABLE TO EXTEND THE VALIDITY OF A DRIVING LICENCE HERE FROM THREE TO 10 YEARS ALTHOUGH DRIVING LICENCES ARE ISSUED TO A HOLDER IN U.K. UNTIL HE REACHES THE AGE OF 70.
MR. JONES NOTED U.K. DECIDED TO DO THIS BECAUSE OF THE HIGH ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF ISSUING LICENCES AND THE SEVERE STRAIN ON THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AT THE CENTRALISED NATIONAL LICENSING OFFICE.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
17
BAN CONSIDERED ON LEARNER DRIVERS DURING NO. 8 STORM SIGNAL *****
THE MM d?heers erom
LEGlfuTIVe0CojNilu"TOM??ENT' ™E "°N' “EREK J0NES’ T0LD THE
_ wamc' T2*TSUrD.^?,’ IN REPLY T0 A QUESTION FROM THE HON. PETER ™L“F.WILL ASK THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO CONTACT THE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR ASSOCIATIONS TO SEEK THEIR CO-OPERATION ON THESE OCCASIONS.
__ ■rn?:.e.n0NBS SA,D THAT AT PRESENT, DRIVING TESTS CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ARE NOT AUTOMATICALLY CANCELLED WHEN ™E N°-3 ma°R5 ^ro0irED’ BUT ALL TESTS ARE SUSPENDED ONCE THE NO. 8 SIGNAL GOES UP.
___u tLC2«?J5ERED THE SUGGESTION OF BANNING LEARNER DRIVERS FROM THE ROADS WHEN THE NO. 3 SIGNAL IS HOISTED AS +TOO DRASTIC+.
m A MATTER 0F COMMON SENSE FOR DRIVING INSTRUCTORS
j?ng1rouI^’mRtu:^sosL^e roads when weather cond,t,ons are
SAID.
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EFFORTS MADE TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING AT HAPPY VALLEY ******
THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, SAID TODAY THAT COMMENDABLE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING AT THE VARIOUS JUNCTIONS OF LEIGHTON ROAD WHICH HAS BEEN SLOWED DOWN BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ELEVATED APPROACH ROADS TO THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. PETER C. WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. JONES SAID THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA IS STILL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY OUTSIDE THE HEAVIEST PEAK HOURS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LEIGHTON ROAD - MORRISON HILL ROAD -JUNCTION.
MR. JONES NOTED THAT LEARNER DRIVERS HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE TO USING LEIGHTON, WONG NE I CHONG AND MORRISON HILL ROADS BECAUSE THEY ARE PREVENTED FROM USING THE GREATER PART OF CAROLINE HILL ROAD AND THE MAJOR ROADS AROUND TUNG LO WAN.
/ +THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVE LEARNER ROUTES AND NO OFF-STREET DRIVING TRAINING CENTRES IN THIS AREA AND, GIVEN THE LIMITED LOCATIONS AVAILABLE TO LEARNER DRIVERS, I WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO SEE THEM BANNED FROM THESE ROADS ALTOGETHER,+ MR. JONES SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
18
QUALIFICATIONS FOR CHILD CARE STAFF * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO REDUCE TO A MORE REALISTIC LEVEL THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR CHILD CARE SUPERVISORS AND WORKERS WHICH EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN HAVE BEEN PUT TOO HIGH, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. JIMMY SWEETMAN SAID TODAY.
IN REPLY TO'A QUESTION BY THE HON. MRS. KWAN KO SIU-WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. SWEETMAN SAID THE PROPOSALS WERE INTENDED TO EASE THE' EXISTING DIFFICULTIES OF RECRUITMENT AND AT THE SAME TIME TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN WERE ADEQUATELY LOOKED AFTER.
HE SAID 62 CHILD CARE SUPERVISORS OUT OF 199 HAD ALREADY BEEN REGISTERED WHILE THE REMAINDER WERE ACADEMICALLY UNDER-QUALIFIED OR HAD LESS THAN THE REQUIRED FIVE YEARS’ CHILD CARE EXPERIENCE.
+IN ORDER TO REDUCE TO THE MINIMUM THE NUMBER OF WAIVERS TO THESE REQUIREMENTS, IT IS PROPOSED TO REDUCE THE ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS FROM FORM 5 WITH AT LEAST FIVE SUBJECTS TO TWO SUBJECTS AT GRADE E, AND THE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FROM FIVE YEARS TO THREE YEARS WITH A PROVISO THAT SUPERVISORS MUST BE AT LEAST 25 YEARS OF AGE TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH TO SHOULDER SUCH RESPONSIBILITIES,* HE SAID.
WITH REGARD TO CHILD CARE WORKERS, MR. SWEETMAN SAID 452 OF THE 1,213 WERE QUALIFIED, WHILE 273 OF THE REMAINING 761 DID NOT HAVE THE BASIC EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF A FORM 5 CERTIFICATE WITH FIVE PASSES AT GRADE E.
THE REMAINING 488 OF THE 761 HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE NECESSARY TRAINING OR EXPERIENCE, HE ADDED.
TO MEET THIS DIFFICULTY, HE SAID, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE NECESSARY ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION FOR A CHILD CARE WORKER SHOULD EITHER BE TWO SUBJECTS AT GRADE E, OR COMPLETION OF FORM 3 EDUCATION.
THIS, HE SAID, WILL EE COMBINED WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PART-TIME COURSE WHICH IT IS HOPED CAN BE INTRODUCED INTO THE FIFTH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE NOW BEING BUILT IN KOWLOON TONG.
+THIS WILL ALLOW SUITABLE NON-ACADEMIC FORM 3 LEAVERS THE OPPORTUNITY OF LOOKING AFTER CHILDREN,* HE SAID.
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/19
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
19
MORE LITTER WARDENS DEPLOYED ******
THERE ARE 132 LITTER WARDENS EMPLOYED IN THE URBAN AREA AND 50 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, COMPARED WITH 106 AND 52 RESPECTIVELY 12 MONTHS AGO.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. MARTIN ROWLANDS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. PETER WILLIAMS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION FROM MR. WILLIAMS ON LITTER OFFENCES, ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID THERE WERE 29,844 PROSECUTIONS FOR LITTER OFFENCES BETWEEN JULY 1, 1976 AND JUNE 30, 1977. THE FIGURE WAS 29,450 BETWEEN THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 1977 AND JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
MR. HOBLEY SAID HE COULD NOT GIVE THE NUMBERS OF LITTER OFFENCES COMMITTED IN THE PAST 24 MONTHS.
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SUSPENSION OF COACH SERVICES BETWEEN STAR FERRY AND BEACON HILL EXPLAINED *****
CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO OPERATING COACH SERVICES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS BETWEEN THE STAR FERRY AND THE AREAS OF BEACON HILL AND BROADCAST DRIVE IF AND WHEN THE DEMAND JUSTIFIES IT, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ALEX WU, MR. JONES EXPLAINED THAT THE SUSPENSION OF THESE ROUTES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WAS DUE TO THE LIMITED NUMBER OF COACHES OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY.
AS A RESULT, HE SAID, THE COMPANY NATURALLY DEPLOYED THEM IN A WAY WHICH WOULD SATISFY THE TRAVEL DEMANDS OF THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
+0N SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THERE IS A HEAVY AND GROWING DEMAND FOR RECREATIONAL SERVICES TO THE NEW TERRITORIES AND A NUMBER OF COACHES WHICH OPERATE IN URBAN KOWLOON DURING WEEKDAYS ARE DIVERTED TO THESE SERVICES,* MR. JONES SAID.
+THESE INCLUDE COACHES ON THE BEACON HILL AND BROADCAST DRIVE ROUTES,* HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
- 20 -
AMENITY AND SITTING OUT AREAS UNDER FLYOVER ******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED THE SPACE UNDERNEATH SOME OF THE FLYOVERS FOR USE AS AMENITY OR SITTING OUT AREAS AND CAR PARKING, THE HON. WILLIAM BELL, ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. WONG LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID : +CONS(DERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO REQUESTS FOR REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS AND MINI-SPORTS CENTRE FOR VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL AND BADMINTON, TOGETHER WITH ANCILLARY FACILITIES.+
MR. BELL SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT, IN THE LIGHT OF LIMITED LAND RESOURCES, PARTICULARLY IN THE BUILT-UP URBAN AREAS, SOME SELECTIVE USES COULD, IN SOME INSTANCES, BE PUT TO THE SPACE MADE AVAILABLE UNDERNEATH FLYOVERS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THE PHRASE +SELECTIVE USES+ SINCE THERE WERE LIMITATIONS AND EACH INDIVIDUAL SITE HAD TO BE CONSIDERED ON ITS MERITS.
♦POLICIES ON PERMITTED USES WHICH TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THEIR LIKELY EFFECTS ON THE FLYOVER STRUCTURES, THE ADJACENT GROUND LEVEL CONDITIONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT GENERALLY HAVE BEEN FORMULATED,+ MR. BELL SAID.
♦ IN GENERAL, USES WHICH MIGHT GIVE RISE TO ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE TO THE SUPPORTING PIERS, OR WHICH MIGHT CONSTITUTE A FIRE HAZARD, OR GENERATE AN UNACCEPTABLY HIGH VEHICULAR OR PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITY CONFLICTING WITH THROUGH TRAFFIC, ARE EXCLUDED.*
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION, MR. BELL SAID THAT THE INITIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE LAND UNDERNEATH FLYOVERS WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN THE URBAN AREA, AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
FOLLOWING THE ALLOCATION OF THE LAND FOR A SPECIFIC USE,' HE ADDED, IT WOULD THEN BECOME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USER DEPARTMENT OR THE PRIVATE ORGANISATION CONCERNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS LAID DOWN.
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/21
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
21
SPEECH THERAPY REPORT STUDIED
******
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY A BRITISH EXPERT FOR AN IMPROVED TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR TEACHERS AND SPEECH THERAPISTS FOR CANTONESE CHILDREN WITH DELAYED OR DISORDERED SPEECH ARE BEING STUD I ED.
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. COLVYN HAYE. REVEALED THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION PUT BY THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT.
MISS BENNETT HAD‘ASKED WHAT ACTION THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPEECH THERAPY TRAINING IN HONG KONG BY MR. BOB FAWCUS AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION.
MR. HAYE SAID THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION WOULD DEPEND ON THE FEASIBILITY OF THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
0
ONE LANE TRAFFIC ON SAN PO KONG FLYOVER ******
THE SAN PO KONG FLYOVER LEADING FROM CHO I HUNG ROAD TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE REDUCED FROM TWO LANES TO ONE LANE BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 6 P.M. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.
THIS ARRANGEMENT IS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE THE APPLICATION OF ANTI-SKID MATERIAL ON THE FLYOVER.
- MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE CAREFULLY ON THE FLYOVER DURING THE WORK PERIOD.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
SCHOOLS DANCE TEAM RETURNS TOMORROW
******
THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS CHINESE DANCE TEAM WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTER A THREE-WEEK VISIT TO CANADA.
DURING THE VISIT, THE TEAM STAGED A SERIES OF PERFORMANCES AT THE COMMONWEALTH CARNIVAL IN EDMONTON, ALBERTA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS CHINESE DANCE TEAM WILL RETURN BY CANADIAN PACIFIC AIRLINES, FLIGHT CP 401 (ETA : 7.25 P.M.) TOMORROW. YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE TEAM’S RETURN AT THE AIRPORT’S PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE PASSENGERS TERMINAL BUILDING.
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/23
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1978
23
TEMPORARY WATER CUT
* * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON CITY AND WAN CHAI WILL BE STOPPED FOR SEVERAL HOURS FROM FRIDAY (AUGUST 18) NIGHT TO THE NEXT MORNING TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS
THE NEXT MORNING TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE
FOR NINE
AREA TO BE AFFECTED IN TO KWA WAN WILL BE WITHOUT WATER HOURS FROM 9 P.M. ON FRIDAY. IT IS BOUNDED BY KOWLOON CITY ROAD, TO KWA WAN ROAD, MA TAU KOK ROAD, SUNG WONG TOI ROAD AND MOK CHEONG STREET INCLUDING LUNG TO STREET, FUNG Yl STREET LUK MING STREET, LUN CHEUNG STREET, YING YEUNG STREET, PANG CHING STREET, HUNG WAN STREET, SHIM LEUN STREET, YIN ON STREET, TSUN FAT STREET AND HOK LING STREET.
IN KOWLOON CITY, THE AREA BOUNDED BY BOUNDARY STREET, LA SALLE ROAD, NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, DUMBARTON ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD INCLUDING GRAMPIAN ROAD, SAU CHUK YUEN ROAD, COLLEGE ROAD AND LAI CHI YUEN WILL HAVE NO WATER FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT FRIDAY TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY.
ON THE ISLAND, FRESH WATER TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL BE TEMPORARILY CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON FR IDAY.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY EAST OF CANAL ROAD, SOUTH OF HENNESSY ROAD, WEST OF PERCIVAL STREET AND LEIGHTON ROAD INCLUDING TANG LUNG STREET, RUSSELL STREET, MATHESON STREET, SHARP STREET EAST, YIU WA STREET AND SPORTS ROAD.
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REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE AT TAI HANG TUNG *****
A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATIONS IN TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE’S COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR SIX DAYS FROM AUGUST 23 TO 25 AND FROM AUGUST 29 TO 31.
REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON THESE DAYS.
THE VISIT IS TO ENABLE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN AND WARDS BETWEEN 11 AND 17 YEARS OF AGE FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS ON REACHING 18 YEARS OF AGE.
PERSONS LIVING IN THIS AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS AND TO REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE CHANGED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE RETURNING TOMORROW ................ 1
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR MAY ................................... 1
REPORT ON QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY ........................... 2
MTR TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING IN SHAM SHUI PO......................... 4
C.A.S. TO HOLD PASSING OUT PARADE.............................. 5
LATE ARRIVAL OF SURFACE MAIL FROM U.K.......................... 5
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN ............................... 6
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1978
1
NOTE TO EDITORS:
GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE RETURNING TOMORROW * * * *
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON AFTER A SIX-WEEK VACATION IN BRITAIN.
SIR MURRAY AND LADY MACLEHOSE ARE DUE TO ARRIVE BY FLIGHT BA 030, ETA 3.50 P.M.
A PRESS PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE ARRANGED FOR NEWSMEN TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S ARRIVAL. THOSE PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITY ARE ASKED TO ASSEMBLE IN THE PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE ARRIVAL TIME. THEY ARE ALSO REMINDED TO BRING THEIR IDENTITY CARDS OR PASSPORTS TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO THE RESTRICTED AREA.
G.I.S. OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
- - 0 - -
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR MAY
******
THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 1978, SHOW A SURPLUS OF $182 MILLION COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $70.3 MILLION IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
TOTAL EXPENDITURE AT $743.7 MILLION WAS $214.3 MILLION MORE THAN IN MAY, 1977.
TOTAL REVENUE AND RECEIPTS AT $925.6 MILLION WERE $326 MILLION MORE THAN FOR THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
- 0 -
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1973
2
REPORT ON QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS COMPILED A REPORT ON A QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY HELD IN JULY 1978. r - .
IN THE SURVEY, ABOUT 700 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1978, AND THEIR BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER.
THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY SUGGESTED THAT THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, AFTER EXPERIENCING A SECOND QUARTER WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED OVER THE FIRST QUARTER, WAS EXPECTING FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING DIVISION, PLASTICS AND FOOD,BEVERAGE, AND TOBACCO REPORTED REMARKABLE PERFORMANCES IN THE SECOND QUARTER AND EXPRESSED SIGNIFICANT OPTIMISM FOR THE THIRD QUARTER.
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES DID VERY WELL IN THE SECOND QUARTER AND WERE EXPECTING MODERATE IMPROVEMENTS.
FOR PRINTING, ELECTRONICS AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS, BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER WAS STEADY AND THEY WERE CONFIDENT OF FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS.
WEARING APPAREL AND TEXTILES EXPECTED THEIR STEADY SECOND QUARTER BUSINESS TO CARRY FORWARD INTO THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
FOR NON-MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, CONSTRUCTION AND GAS, ELECTRICITY AND WATER CONTINUED TO REPORT GOOD PERFORMANCES AND OPTIMISTIC EXPECTATIONS.
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE ACHIEVED A SATISFACTORY SECOND QUARTER, DESPITE EARLIER EXPECTATIONS WHICH PREDICTED OTHERWISE-AND EXPECTED MILD ADVANCES.
HOTELS AND TRANSPORTATION BOTH HAD A HIGH SECOND QUARTER AND EXPECTED SOME SLOW-DOWN TO COME, PROBABLY DUE TO SEASONAL EFFECTS.
RESTAURANTS, THE ONLY SECTOR REPORTING DETERIORATIONS IN THE SECOND QUARTER, LOOKED FORWARD TO MUCH BETTER PROSPECTS. BANKS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS SERVICE CONTINUED TO ADVANCE STEADILY.
A SPECIAL QUESTION ON INVESTMENT INTENTION FOR 1978 AS A WHOLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT DIFFERENT SECTORS REPORTED WIDELY DIFFERENT INVESTMENT INTENTIONS IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT FOR OWN USE IN 1978 COMPARED WITH 1977.
/YITHIN THE......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1978
3
WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING DIVISION, ELECTRONICS, TEXTILES AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES INTENDED TO DECREASE THEIR NEW INVESTMENT WHILE PRINTING, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS INTENDED TO INCREASE.
FOR THE REMAINING MANUFACTURING SECTORS, ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF NEW INVESTMENT WAS INTENDED FOR 1978 AS FOR 1977.
___ AS A WHOLE, DECREASED NEW INVESTMENT WAS EXPECTED
FOR THE MANUFACTURING DIVISION IN 1978 AS COMPARED WITH 1977.
I* ALS0 EXPECTED * «•*»*•* DECREASE
°N THE 0THER hand, SERVICE SECTORS WERE PREPARED TO MAKE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE INVESTMENT IN 1978 THAN IN 1977, THE MOST
C0NTR,BUT0RS BEING RESTAURANTS, BANKS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUS INESS oERVICES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THE DATA, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, WERE BASICALLY INTENDED TO FACILITATE A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HONG KONG.
+APART FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF QUESTIONS REQUIRING ANSWERS IN QUANTITATIVE TERMS, THE FIRMS WERE ASKED TO COMPARE THE QUARTER JUST PAST WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND SIMILARLY FOR THE FORTHCOMING ONE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THEY ONLY HAD TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, A CERTAIN VARIABLE WAS ’UP’, ’SAME’ OR ’DOWN’,+ HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THAT IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE. CONSIDERABLE RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE IN THE INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS, BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE RESPONDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS, AND THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE PROBABLY AFFECTED CONSIDERABLY BY SEASONALITY.
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A
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1978
4
MTR TAFFIC RE-ROUTING IN SHAM SHU I PO ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SHAM SHU I PO AREA TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS AND TUNNELS ALONG CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD.
PEI HO STREET BETWEEN APLIU STREET AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC. AND THE SOUTH SECTION OF PEI HO STREET AT ITS JUNCTION WITH CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED.
VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT INTO CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD FROM PEI HO STREET.
FURTHERMORE, KWEILIN STREET BETWEEN CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND APLIU STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC, AND THE SOUTH SECTION OF KWEILIN STREET AT ITS JUNCTION WITH CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED.
THE LEFT TURNING MOVEMENT FROM CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD INTO KWEILIN STREET WILL BE CANCELLED AND ENTRY INTO THIS SECTION OF THE ROAD WILL BE FROM APLIU STREET.
MEANWHILE, THE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC IN NAM CHEONG STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, AND THE NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC IN NAM CHEONG STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING LEFT INTO CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE THE MOTORISTS.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1978
5
C.A.S. TO HOLD PASSING-OUT PARADE * * *
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL HOLD A PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS COMPOUND, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 7.30 P.M.
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE THE PARADE OF 180 MEN AND BASIC TRAINING COURSES IN DEFENCE SUBJECTS.
SERVICES, MR. F.M. WATSON WILL INSPECT WOMEN RECRUITS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE FOOTDRILL, FIRST AID, AND CIVIL
MR. WATSON WILL ALSO AWARD SPECIAL CERTIFICATES TO THE MOST OUTSTANDING RECRUITS AND PRESENT CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO 17 C.A.S. MEMBERS AND OFFICERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PASSING-OUT PARADE WHICH BEGINS AT 7.30 P.M. ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 18) AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS COMPOUND. HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
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LATE ARRIVAL OF SURFACE MAIL FROM U.K.
******
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT SURFACE MAIL CARRIED ™ m>vs^IP1^oRDI<GAN BAY+ WHICH SA,LED from THE UNITED KINGDOM ON JULY 3, 1978> HAS JUST BEEN RECEIVED IN HONG KONG.
THE VESSEL HAD REPORTEDLY GONE AGROUND DURING ITS VOYAGE THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL, RESULTING IN THE DELAYED ARRIVAL OF THE
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1978
6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN WESTERN DISTRICT FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.
FROM 10 A.M. ON THAT DAY, THE SECTION OF WHITTY STREET BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND THE SECTION OF WESTERN STREET BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
IN ADDITION, THE-UNNAMED ROAD BETWEEN NOS.329 AND 331 DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY, THE TEMPORARY PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITION IN CHEUNG WOO LANE, SHARP STREET WEST AND BOWRINGTON ROAD WHICH WAS INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE ROAD RE-CONSTRUCTION WILL BE CANCELLED.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THESE AREAS TO ASS IS। MOTOR I STS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BIG INCREASE IN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR SQUATTER FACTORY OPERATORS ................................................. j
TUSEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED ..................... 3
PROPOSED PENG CHAU RECLAMATION............................ 4
WORK OF C.A.S. PRAISED...........
......... 5
IMPROVEMENTS TO KWAI CHUNG INTERSECTION ................... g
RE-ROUTING OF KWOK SHU I ROAD............................. 6
FIRING PRACTICE................................... -
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1978
1
BIG INCREASE IN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR SQUATTER FACTORY OPERATORS ******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED A 70 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE RATE OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES IT WILL PAY TO THE OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF SQUATTER FACTORIES WHICH HAVE TO BE CLEARED TO MAKE WAY FOR PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IN FUTURE COVERED WORKSHOPS WITH AREAS BETWEEN 50 AND 200 SQ. FT. IN TEMPORARY STRUCTURES RECORDED IN THE 1976 SQUATTER CONTROL SURVEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR $7,000 AND $34 FOR EVERY ADDITIONAL SQUARE FOOT, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT $20 RATE ON CLEARANCE. THE CEILING OF $100,000 HAS BEEN ABOLISHED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW PROCEDURES HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO MEET CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE IN HONG KONG, ESPECIALLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+ IN NORTH TSUEN WAN, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS A CLEARANCE WHICH INVOLVES MORE THAN 400 FACTORIES, AND ALSO 22 BIG FACTORIES MUCH LARGER THAN THE ONES NORMALLY FOUND IN CLEARANCE OPERATIONS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEW RATES MEAN THAT THE OPERATORS OF THE 22 LARGE FACTORIES IN THE CLEARANCE WILL RECEIVE MORE THAN $8.5 MILLION IN COMPENSATION — ABOUT $6.5 MILLION MORE THAN THEY WOULD HAVE RECEIVED UNDER THE OLD SYSTEM.
AND OVER THE 400 SMALLER FACTORIES IN THE SAME AREA TO BE CLEARED OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS TO PAY OUT A TOTAL OF MORE THAN $20 MILLION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+ALTHOUGH THE FACTORIES HAVE NO PERMANENT LEGAL TENURE TO THE LAND ON WHICH THEY ARE BUILT, THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR MANY YEARS, USING QUITE EXPENSIVE PLANT AND EQUIPMENT IN SOME CASES AND EMPLOYING A SIZEABLE WORKFORCE.
+AMONG THE OTHER FACTORS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WERE THE SIZE OF THE DEPOSIT THE PROPRIETOR WOULD HAVE TO PUT DOWN TO ACQUIRE ACCOMMODATION IN A PRIVATELY-OWNED INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AND HIS LIABILITY TO PAY STATUTORY SEVERANCE PAY IF HE HAS TO LAY OFF HIS WORKFORCE.*
+THESE NEW RATES WILL HELP THEM SOLVE SOME OF THEIR PROBLEMS AND TO REPROVISION THEMSELVES PROPERLY.*
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE EXISTING EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE OF $7 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR OPEN WORKING AREAS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
/he said that .....
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1978
2
HE SAID THAT THE BIG FACTORIES WHICH STOOD TO BENEFIT FURTHER FROM THE NEW COVERED AREA RATE WERE ENGAGED IN SUCH TRADES AS DYEING WORKS, ENAMEL FACTORIES AND CUTLERY MANUFACTURERS.
UNDER THE PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENTS FACTORIES OVER 5,000 SQ. FT. RECEIVED A MAXIMUM EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE OF $100,000 ONLY AND EXTRA AREAS WERE NOT COMPENSATED. UNDER THE NEW RATES, ALL AREAS OVER 5,000 SQ. FT. WILL BE COMPENSATED. A FACTORY WITH, FOR EXAMPLE, 10,000 SQ. FT. OF COVERED WORKING AREA RECORDED IN THE 1976 SURVEY WOULD RECEIVE $340,000 INSTEAD OF THE PREVIOUS MAXIMUM OF $100,000.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT CONSIDERING ANY FURTHER BENEFITS SPECIALLY FOR THESE LARGE FACTORIES IN TSUEN WAN.
+THESE FACTORY OWNERS HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO OPERATE FOR SO LONG WITH MINIMUM OVERHEADS ON CROWN LAND OR AGRICULTURAL LAND,* HE SAID, +AND SEVERAL OF THEM OWN FACTORY BUILDINGS IN AREAS LIKE KWAI CHUNG AND KWUN TONG.+
TO ASSIST SMALLER FACTORIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET-ASIDE FOUR SITES IN SOUTHERN KWAI CHUNG TOTALLING ABOUT 00,000 SQUARE FEET SO THAT SUITABLE TRADES COULD BE RELOCATED THERE ON A TEMPORARY BASIS PENDING THE AVAILABILITY OF FLATTED FACTORY ACCOMMODATION. THOSE FACTORIES WHICH WERE NOT ADMISSIBLE TO FLATTED FACTORIES WOULD BE PAID EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WERE STILL FINALISING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SMALLER FACTORIES TO SEE HOW MANY OF THEM WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR RELOCATION AND SUBSEQUENT RE-PROVISIONING IN FLATTED FACTORY ACCOMMODATION.
HE SAID ABOUT 32 FACTORIES IN THE AREA WERE ENGAGED IN +RURAL INDUSTRIES*, SUCH AS MANUFACTURING BEAN CURD AND JOSS STICKS. THESE WOULD BE RELOCATED WITHIN THE DISTRICT, HE ADDED.
AT THIS STAGE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THERE APPEARED TO BE ONLY ONE FACTORY PROPRIETOR WHO WOULD NOT GET ANY COMPENSATION - AND THIS WAS AN UNDERTAKING ESTABLISHED AFTER THE 1976 SQUATTER CONTROL SURVEY.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1978
- 3 -
TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED * * * *
A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AND ITS NOTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
MOST OF THE AMENDMENTS GAZETTED TODAY INVOLVE THE REZONING OF SPECIFIC SITES AND CHANGES IN ZONING BOUNDARIES. AMONG THE CHANGES IS THE EXTENSION OF THE BOUNDARY OF THE TSUEN WAN PLANNING AREA TO INCLUDE RECLAMATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LAND. THIS LAND HAS BEEN ZONED FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL/ RESIDENTIAL.
THE BOARD HAS ALSO AGREED TO CHANGES IN ROADS AND JUNCTIONS TO PROVIDE A LINK BETWEEN THE PROPOSED ROUTE 5 (SHA TIN-TSUEN WAN) AND THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS.
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE NOTES TO THE PLAN CONCERN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, SEVERAL ADDITIONAL PERMITTED USES IN +SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL* ZONING AND +OTHER SPECIFIED USES* ZONING.
THE DRAFT PLAN COVERS A TOTAL OF ABOUT 436.4 HECTARES. OF THESE, ABBOT 66 HECTARES ARE ZONED FOR COMMERCfAL/RESlIIENTlAL DEVELOPMENT, 25.5 HECTARES FOR RESIDENTIAL USE (GROUP A), 18.6 HECTARES FOR RESIDENTIAL USE (GROUP E), 2.8 HECTARES FOR VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT, 42.9 HECTARES FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY PURPOSES, 82.6 HECTARES' FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL USE, 4 HECTARES FOR SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT,. 15.8 HECTARES FOR OTHER SPECIFIED USES, 13.8 HECTARES FOR CEMETERY AND 82.2 HECTARES FOR GREEN BELT.
A TOTAL OF 82.2 HECTARES ARE SET ASIDE FOR OPEN SPACE. OF THESE, 70.4 HECTARES ARE RESERVED FOR DISTRICT OPEN SPACE AND 11.7 HECTARES FOR A PARK.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN CAN EE INSPECTED DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 7, 1978, AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE- THE DISTRICT OFFICE (TSUEN WAN), HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK BUILDING, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN AND THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD AT 55 A COPY (UNCOLOURED) AND 525 A COPY (COLOURED).
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS MAY BE MADE IN WRITING NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 7, 1978 TO THE SECRETARY OF TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1978
4
PROPOSED PENG CHAU RECLAMATION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM ABOUT 1.43 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED AT PENG CHAU FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PIER.
THE PIER WILL REPLACE THE WHICH ARE BECOMING INADEQUATE.
EXISTING LANDING FACILITIES
THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF THE PENG CHAU DEVELOPMENT WHICH INCLUDES THE PROVISION OF LAND FOR LIGHT INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ANY PERSONS HAVING OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD SUBMIT THESE OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM TODAY.
THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN SHOWING THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, FIRST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG- THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE. 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING- OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE, ISLANDS, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, FOURTH FLOOR, 141 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
/5
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1978
5
C.A.S. - A DISCIPLINED, SKILLED AND WILLING FORCE X * K K
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. FRED WATSON, TODAY PRAISED THE CIVIL AID SERVICES AS A +DISC IPLINED, SKILLED AND WILLING FORCE* THAT MAY BE CALLED UPON IN TIMES OF NEED.
THIS IS MOST REASSURING TO THE REGULAR EMERGENCY SERVICES, HE SAID AT THE CIVIL AID SERVICES’ 16TH RECRUITS PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ADDRESSING A PARADE OF 180 RECRUITS — THE LARGEST TO BE HELD — MR. WATSON SAID: +MEMBERS OF MY SERVICES HAVE, OVER THE YEARS, DEVELOPED GREAT RESPECT FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THIS RESPECT WAS DEVELOPED BY WORKING ALONGSIDE OF EACH OTHER AT NUMEROUS INCIDENTS.*
HE NOTED THAT TODAY THE CIVIL AID SERVICES MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAMS, MADE UP OF SKILLED AND ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS, ARE AVAILABLE AT SHORT NOTICE AND HAVE ALMOST COMPLETELY RELIEVED THE FIRE SERVICES FROM THIS DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT DUTY.
FURTHERMORE, IT HAS PROVED ITS WORTH BY PROVIDING PATROLS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AREAS AT WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND ESSENTIAL REINFORCEMENTS IN LARGE SCALE COUNTRYSIDE FIRE FIGHTING.
+IN ADDITION TO THESE DUTIES WHICH SO CLOSELY AFFECT MY SERVICES YOU ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN MANY OTHER IMPORTANT COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES INCLUDING CROWD CONTROL, ANTI-OIL POLLUTION DUTIES AND FIRST AID,* HE NOTED.
HOWEVER, MR. WATSON TOLD THE GRADUATES: +IN RETURN FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF DANGER AND DISTRESS, THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL ALSO OFFER YOU A GREAT DEAL.
+IT WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP SKILLS WHICH WILL BE OF REAL VALUE, TO PARTICIPATE IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND BE PART OF AN ENTHUSIASTIC TEAM OF PUBLIC SPIRITED MEN AND WOMEN AND SHARE IN THE COMRADESHIP WHICH EXISTS IN SERVICES SUCH AS OURS,* HE ADDED.
DURING THE CEREMONY, MR. WATSON ALSO PRESENTED SPECIAL CERTIFICATES TO FOUR MOST OUTSTANDING RECRUITS AND CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO 17 OFFICERS AND MEMBERS ON COMPLETING 15 YEARS OF EFFICIENT SERVICE.
THE C.A.S. BAND WAS IN ATTENDANCE THROUGHOUT THE CEREMONY.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1978
IMPROVEMENTS TO KWAI CHUNG INTERSECTION *****
public WORKS DEPARTMENT HAVE INVITED TENDERS FOR THE FIRST STAGE OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INTERSECTION OF CASTLE PEAK AND KWAI CHUNG ROADS AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
THE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE A FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE ROAD SYSTEM AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE CARRIED OUT IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN ABOUT 18 MONTHS.
A DIRECT LINK WILL BE CONSTRUCTED FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO CHEUNG WING ROAD AND A ROUND-ABOUT SYSTEM INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC THROUGH THE SIGNAL CONTROLLED INTERSECTION.
THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE ON BEHALF OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
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RE-ROUTING OF KWOK SHU I ROAD
* * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY) A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN KWAI CHUNG, THE NEW TERRITORIES TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE SECTION OF KWOK SHU I ROAD BETWEEN CHEUNG WING ROAD AND LEI MUK ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FROM TAI YUEN STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING LEFT ONTO KWOK SHU I ROAD.
FURTHERMORE, EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG KWOK SHU I ROAD WISHING TO GO TO LEI MUK ROAD SHOULD TURN LEFT ONTO CHEUNG WING ROAD AND THEN TURN RIGHT ONTO WO Yl HOP ROAD WHICH CONNECTS WITH LEI MUK ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL EE SET UP TO ASSIST MOTORISTS.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1978
7
FIRING PRACTICE
* * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 20 DAYS NEXT MONTH (SEPTEMBER).
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE.
THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE:
DATE HOURS
SEPTEMBER 1 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M - 10.30 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 4 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 5 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 6 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 7 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 8 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 11 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 12 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 13 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 14 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 15 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
- SEPTEMBER 19 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 20 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 21 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 22 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 25 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 26 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M. *
SEPTEMBER 27 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 28 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 29 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
o - - ■> «•
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO MEET YUEN LONG DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD ................................ 1
WORK ON ROUTE 3 PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY ......... 2
INSPECTION VISIT TO PIK UK CORRECTIONAL
INSTITUTION .................................. 3
CALL FOR KEEPING WATER STORAGES CLEAN ........ 4
JULY SETS WEATHER RECORD...................... 5
TWO SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICERS RETIRING ......... 6
RURAL SERVICE GROUP INAUGURATED .............. 7
CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE TO CELEBRATE THIRD
ANNIVERSARY .................................. 8
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHU I PO AND SHEUNG SHUI ................................... 9
WATER CUT IN HAPPY VALLEY..................... 9
FIRING PRACTICE .............................. 10
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1978
1
GOVERNOR TO MEET YUEN LONG DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL MEET MEMBERS OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 21).
SIR MURRAY WILL ARRIVE AT THE YUEN LONG STADIUM BY HELICOPTER AT 9.45 A.M. ON MONDAY WHERE HE WILL BE MET BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES AND THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. MICHAEL CARTLAND. THEY WILL THEN PROCEED TO THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION CLUB HOUSE WHERE THEY WILL MEET THE YUEN LONG BOARD.
IT WILL BE THE THIRD OF A SERIES OF FAMILIARISATION VISITS BY THE GOVERNOR TO KEEP HIMSELF UP-TO-DATE WITH THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS SINCE THEIR INCEPTION LATE LAST YEAR.
HIS LAST TWO VISITS IN MARCH AND APRIL THIS YEAR COVERED THE FOUR DISTRICTS OF TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN, SHA TIN AND TAI PO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT ON MONDAY. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A GOVERNMENT VAN, AM 2088 WILL LEAVE FROM BEHIND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AT 8.30 A.M. TO TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO, AND LATER BACK FROM, YUEN LONG.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1978
2
WORK ON ROUTE 3 PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY
*****
WORK IS GOING AHEAD FULL STEAM ON ROUTE 3, A MAIN TRAFFIC ROUTE BETWEEN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND KWUN TONG VIA THE WESTERN APPROACHES AND THE AIRPORT TUNNEL ROAD.
MR. ALBERT LIU, SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID: +WORK ON THE WESTERN APPROACHES, WHICH CONSISTS OF AN INTERCHANGE AT WUHU STREET/CHATHAM ROAD, AN ELEVATED ROADWAY ALONG CHATHAM ROAD AND KOWLOON CITY ROAD TOGETHER WITH AN INTERCHANGE AT SAN SHAN ROAD. IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY.+ ’
THE AIRPORT TUNNEL HAD BEEN COMPLETED WITH ONLY VENTILATION, LIGHTING AND TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT TO BE INSTALLED.
MR. LIU SAID THE TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EASTERN APPROACHES TO THE AIRPORT TUNNEL ROAD HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
IF APPROVAL WERE GIVEN BY THE TENDER BOARD THIS MONTH WORK COULD BEGIN IMMEDIATELY, HE SAID.
WORK ON THE SECTION CONNECTING KWUN TONG AND KOWLOON BAY IS ALSO MAKING HEADWAY.
THE WHOLE PROJECT, COSTING $335 MILLION, IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1981.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1978
INSPECTION VISIT TO PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
******
A SURPRISE INSPECTION VISIT, TO THE PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, WAS RECENTLY MADE BY TWO JUSTICES OF THE PEACE REPRESENTING THE GOVERNOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRISON RULES.
THE VISIT WAS MADE BY MR. GEORGE HO, AN UNOFFICIAL JP AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING CO. LTD. AND AN OFFICIAL JP, MR. A.J. CARTER, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION.
ALL INSTITUTIONS OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT ARE VISITED AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH BY TWO JP’S, ONE OFFICIAL AND THE OTHER UNOFFICIAL. THESE VISITS ARE MADE WITHOUT PRENOTIFICATION, AND THE JP’S MAY VISIT ANY PART OF THE INSTITUTION.
THE JP’SARE EXPECTED TO RECORD THEIR COMMENTS AND ANY RECOMMENDATIONS. THEY MUST ALSO INTERVIEW ANY PRISONER OR INMATE WHO MAY APPLY FOR AN INTERVIEW DURING THE VISIT.
DURING THE RECENT TWO-HOUR VISIT BY MR. HO AND MR. CARTER, NO YOUNG INMATES APPLIED FOR INTERVIEW AND THE TWO JP’S VISITED ALL PARTS OF THE INSTITUTE, SEEING ACTIVITIES IN WORKSHOPS, CLASSROOMS AND OUTDOOR.
MR. HO, WHO HAS BEEN VISITING PRISONS DEPARTMENT INSTITUTIONS OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS AND HAS CULTIVATED A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE TREATMENT OF YOUNG OFFENDERS, AND IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING, EXPRESSED HIS SATISFACTION WITH THE TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS.
HE SAID: +YOUNG OFFENDERS ARE NOW GIVEN USEFUL TRAINING THAT WILL BE VALUABLE TO THEM WHEN THEY REJOIN SOCIETY. THIS IS A GREAT CHANGE FROM THE DAYS WHEN ALL THEY DID WAS TO CUT GRASS AND TO PERFORM OTHER MINOR TASKS.+
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/4
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1978
4
CALL FOR KEEPING WATER STORAGES CLEAN *****
ALL POSSIBLE PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT DRINKING WATER STORAGES REMAIN CLEAN AND FREE OF CONTAMINATION.
THIS REMINDER WAS GIVEN TODAY BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER, MR. H.J. WOODTHORPE.
MR. WOODTHORPE URGED ALL BUILDING MANAGEMENTS — BUSINESS ENTERPRISES SUCH AS HOTELS — TO CHECK THEIR INSTALLATIONS REGULARLY TO ENSURE THEY ARE SAFE.
INCLUDING
HE SAID WATER TANK HATCHES MUST REMAIN CLOSED AND SECURELY LOCKED AT ALL TIMES.
MR. WOODTHORPE SAID: +1 HARDLY NEED STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT DRINKING WATER REMAINS PURE. UNLESS NECESSARY WATER-BORNE ^NFECTION THERE IS N0 GUARANTEE AGAINST.THE RISKS OF
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/5
e SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1978
~ 5 -
JULY SETS WEATHER RECORD * * * *
THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY LAST MONTH (JULY) RECORDED MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 33 DEGREES CELSIUS ON 19 CONSECUTIVE DAYS — AN UNPRECEDENTED RECORD.
ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY, LAST MONTH’S MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 32.1 DEGREES AND MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 28.9 DEGREES RANKED FIFTH AND SEVENTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR JULY RESPECTIVELY.
AT THE END OF THE MONTH SEVERE TROPICAL STORM AGNES, THE FOURTH WETTEST TROPICAL CYCLONE SINCE 1884, BROUGHT 519 MM OF MUCH NEEDED RAIN TO HONG KONG, BRINGING THE MONTH’S TOTAL RAINFALL TO 555.2 MM OR 74 PER CENT MORE THAN AVERAGE.
THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL FROM THE BEGINNING OF 1978 UP TO THE END OF JULY AMOUNTED TO 1,518 MM OR 15 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL.
SEVERE TROPICAL STORM AGNES APPROACHED HONG KONG TWICE AND IT IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT IS THE ONLY TROPICAL CYCLONE FOR WHICH GALE SIGNALS WERE HOISTED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS.
THE FIRST 22 DAYS OF JULY WERE MAINLY FINE AND HOT APART FROM A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
ON THE AFTERNOON OF JULY 22, TEMPERATURES ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 34.2 DEGREES WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST RECORDED IN THE MONTH.
AS AGNES DEVELOPED TO THE SOUTH OF HONG KONG SHOWERS BEGAN TO SET IN DURING THE EVENING OF JULY 24. CONTINUOUS RAIN COMMENCED ON JULY 26 AND LASTED UNTIL JULY 30 WHEN AGNES WAS OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
ON THE MORNING OF JULY 27, TEMPERATURES FELL TO A MINIMUM OF 23.8 DEGREES WHICH WAS THE LOWEST IN THE MONTH.
THE WEATHER IMPROVED ON THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH AND THE AFTERNOON WAS FINE AND HOT.
DURING THE MONTH 34 AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH AGNES. NO FIRE DANGER WARNINGS WERE ISSUED.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1978
- 6 -
TWO SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICERS RETIRING ******
THE ACTING ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, ‘ PR. WALTER NEIL, HAS PAID TRIBUTE TO THE DEDICATION AND HARD WORK OF TWO CUSTOMS SUPERINTENDENTS WHO ARE ABOUT TO RETIRE AFTER SERVING IN THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE FOR A COMBINED TOTAL OF ALMOST 62 YEARS.
THEY ARE MR. GRAHAM CROOKDAKE AND MR. WONG KAM-TO WHO BOTH JOINED THE SERVICE AS REVENUE OFFICERS IN 1948.
COMMENTING ON THEIR LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREERS, MR. NEIL SAID THAT BOTH OFFICERS HAD SERVED IN MOST BRANCHES OF THE SERVICE AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, SUCCESSFULLY MEETING DEMANDS IMPOSED BY THE MANY CHANGES WHICH HAD OCCURRED.
+THEIR LOYALTY TO THE SERVICE AND THE HIGH STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE THEY MAINTAINED OVER THE YEARS EARNED THEM STEADY PROMOTION TO THE RANK OF SUPERINTENDENT AND PROVIDED A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW,* MR. NEIL ADDED.
DURING A FAREWELL COCKTAIL PARTY ON AUGUST 14 AT THE SENIOR OFFICERS’ MESS IN THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE HEADQUARTERS, MR. NEIL PRESENTED MR. CROOKDAKE AND MR. WONG WITH RETIREMENT GIFTS ON BEHALF OF THEIR COLLEAGUES AND WISHED THEM HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
ALTHOUGH BORN IN HONG KONG, MR. CROOKDAKE INTENDS TO SETTLE, WITH HIS WIFE LUCY AND SON ADAM, IN THE ENGLAND/ SCOTLAND BORDER AREA OF CARLISLE, CUMBERLAND. MR. WONG WILL REMAIN IN HONG KONG.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1978
- 7 -
RURAL SERVICE GROUP INAUGURATED
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, OFFICIATED AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED’S RURAL SERVICE GROUP THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE RURAL SERVICE GROUP, COMPRIS I NG MORE THAN 70 STAFF AND ARTISTES OF HK-TVB, AIMS AT DEVOTING MEMBERS’ LEISURE TIME TO A VARIETY OF SERVICES TO THE RURAL COMMUNITY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN HIS SPEECH TO THE GATHERING OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY IN THE SHERATON HOTEL, MR. AKERS-JONES DESCRIBED THE RURAL SERVICE GROUP AS +ONE OF MANY GROUPS THAT CONTRIBUTE SO MUCH SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY*.
+WE ARE INDEED VERY FORTUNATE IN HONG KONG THAT THIS CONCERN AND AWARENESS IS GROWING RATHER THAN DECLINING,* SAID MR. AKERS-JONES, WHO LATER PRESENTED THE RURAL SERVICE GROUP INSIGNIA TO MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RURAL SERVICE GROUP, MR. K.C. KOO SAID IN HIS SPEECH THAT SINCE LAST OCTOBER THE GROUP HAS IMPLEMENTED A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN NORTH SAI KUNG AND HAS PLANS TO EXTEND ITS SERVICES TO TAI PO, YUEN LONG AND OTHER PARTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1978
8
CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE TO CELEBRATE THIRD ANNIVERSARY
* * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS THIRD ANNIVERSARY TOMORROW (SUNDAY) WITH A a IDE RANGE OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE CELEBRATION WILL START WITH A SWIMMING AND HIKING COMPETITION FOR YOUNGSTERS AT BIG WAVE BAY.
LATER AT A CEREMONY, UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR. HENRY HU, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNING TEAMS AS WELL AS FOR OUTSTANDING ENTRIES IN A CHILDREN’S PAINTING CONTEST.
TOGETHER WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL WELFARE AGENCIES, DR. HU WILL ALSO CUT THE RIBBON TO OFFICIALLY OPEN A TWO-DAY PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF CHINESE PAINTINGS AND CALLIGRAPHY STAGED BY TWO WELL-KNOWN LOCAL AR TIS Tb •
THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO FEATURE A DEMONSTRATION BY THE TWO ARTISTS OF THEIR SKILLS IN THE FINE ARTS
OTHER PROGRAMMES OF THE DAY WILL INCLUDE A LUNCH-TIME RALLY FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE AND AN EVENING VARIETY CONCERT TO BE GIVEN BY MEMBERS OF LOCAL YOUTH AGENCIES.
PROVIDES CARE
THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, APART FROM ORGANISING GROUP AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ALSO cro?n?LFACIL|TIES AS WELL AS YOUTH GUIDANCE AND’cHILD Oun V I k/E O •
NOTE TO EDITORS:
T11, YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THIRD ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CEREMONY OF THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE TO BE PERFORMED BY UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR. HENRY HU, AT 11 A.M. TOMORROW (AUGUST 20)" AT THE CENTRE’S HALL, 230 CHAI WAN ROAD, CHAI WAN.
THE
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1978 - 9 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHU I PO AND SHEUNG SHUI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE FLYOVER LEADING FROM TAI PO ROAD TO CHING CHEUNG ROAD NEAR SO UK ESTATE IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (AUGUST 21) FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS TO FACILITATE ROAD REPAIR WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD, EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG TAI PO ROAD HEADING FOR KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND, NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTHBOUND, THE CORNWALL STREET ROUNDABOUT BACK INTO NAM CHEONG STREET NORTHBOUND, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND TO REJOIN CHING CHEUNG ROAD FOR KWAI CHUNG.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (AUGUST 21) VEHICLES WITH AN OVERALL WEIGHT EXCEEDING FIVE TONS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING WAH SHAN BRIDGE WHICH IS ABOUT 1,640 FEET FROM THE JUNCTION WITH JOCKEY CLUB ROAD OPPOSITE LUNG SUM AVENUE IN SHEUNG SHUI, THE NEW TERRITORIES.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THESE AREAS TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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WATER CUT IN HAPPY VALLEY
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE STOPPED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON MONDAY (AUGUST 21) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SHAN KWONG ROAD, WONG NE I CHUNG ROAD, BLUE POOL ROAD, HOLLY ROAD, HAWTHORN ROAD, SHING WOO ROAD AND TSUI MAN STREET.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1978
10
FIRING PRACTICE * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT FIVE DAYS NEXT WEEK.
CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON '
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DUR I FIRING PRACTICE.
DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE NG THE TIME OF THE
THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE:
DATE
AUGUST 21 (MONDAY)
AUGUST 22 (TUESDAY)
AUGUST 23 (WEDNESDAY)
AUGUST 24 (THURSDAY)
AUGUST 25 (FRIDAY)
HOURS
8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M
8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M
8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M,
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POPULARITY OF PHYSICAL FITNESS CLASSES GROWING ......... 1
IMPORTANT ROLE OF MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICE ............... 2
COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IN TA I HING ESTATE TO BE ENLARGED . 3
NEW LAI CHI KOK SAND DEPOT.............................. 4
WATER CUT .............................................. 4
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1978
POPULARITY OF PHYSICAL FITNESS CLASSES GROWING
*****
EVERY MORNING AND EVENING DURING WEEKDAYS, IRRESPECTIVE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS, A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WOULD DROP THEIR ROUTINE WORK, DON THEIR GYM-TIGHTS AND RUSH TO THE HUNG HOM CAR PARK SPORTS CENTRE.
IT IS ALL BECAUSE OF A GROWING PASSION FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS o CLASSES ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE CENTRE, WHICH WAS RECENTLY OPENED TO THE PUBLIC, IS EQUIPPED WITH THE LATEST INDOOR GYMNASIUM FACILITIES, INCLUDING AN EXPENSIVE PHYSICAL TRAINING SYSTEM IMPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES.
THE SYSTEM COMPRISES 16 +EXERCISE STATIONS* OF WEIGHTS, PULLEYS AND SPRINGS TO ENABLE FULL BODY EXERCISE.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 14 CLASSES BEING RUN BY THE SERVICE AT THE CENTRE. EACH CLASS COMPRISES ABOUT 30 PEOPLE AND IS HELD THREE TIMES WEEKLY, WITH EACH SESSION LASTING AN HOUR.
PARTICIPANTS CAN CHOOSE EITHER THE MORNING OR EVENING SESSIONS WHICH ARE CONDUCTED BY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTORS.
+BASICALLY, THE FITNESS TRAINING PROGRAMME COMPRISES 10 FORMS OF EXERCISE, SUCH AS SIT-UP, LEG PRESS, CHEST PRESS, SHOULDER PRESS, LOW BACK LIFT AND SIDE BEND,* EXPLAINED ONE OF THE INSTRUCTORS, MISS DOE KIT-YING.
+BEFORE A COURSE STARTS, EACH PARTICIPANT IS REQUIRED TO SET OUT HIS OWN GOAL,* SHE SAID, +THIS IS BECAUSE OF DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS OF PEOPLE.*
+FOR INSTANCE,* SHE ADDED, +SOME MAY WISH TO GET RID OF EXCESS FAT AROUND THEIR WAIST WHILE OTHERS MAY WANT TO STRENGTHEN THEIR ARM OR LEG MUSCLES.*
DURING THE FIRST FEW LESSONS, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE TAUGHT THE TECHNIQUES OF USING THE GYM-MACHINES AND ALSO THE PROPER PROGRAMME OF THE 10 DIFFERENT FORMS OF EXERCISE.
AFTER THAT, EACH PARTICIPANT WILL THEN CONCENTRATE ON CERTAIN EXERCISES TO ACHIEVE HIS AIM.
SINCE THE TRAINING PROGRAMME STARTED IN MID-JULY THIS YEAR, ALL CLASSES HAD BEEN FILLED. THE SERVICE IS PLANNING TO OPEN
X NEW CLASSES IN EARLY SEPTEMBER. FURTHERMORE, OTHER CLASSES WILL ALSO BE OPENED FOR THOSE WHO HAD ALREADY COMPLETED THE BASIC TRAINING COURSE BUT WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE EXERCISING.
/MR. DAVTD MAK, ....
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1978
- 2 -
MR. DAVID MAK, TECHNICAL AND PLANNING OFFICER OF THE SERVICE, NOTED THAT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE INTENTION OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL FITNESS SINCE THE PROGRAMME WAS STARTED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO WITH TAI CHI CLASSES.
HE STRESSED THAT THE GOOD EFFECTS OF THE FITNESS COURSE ARE MANIFOLD. +BESIDES GIVING A SLIMMER FIGURE, THE EXERCISE, WHICH IS NEITHER VIGOROUS NOR DIFFICULT, TONES UP THE MUSCLES AND HEART, AND IMPROVES BLOOD CIRCULATION,* HE SAID.
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MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICE GROWING
*****
THE MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS DURING AND AFTER ILLNESS.
THIS IS REFLECTED BY THE GROWING NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED BY THE SERVICE WHICH WAS SET UP TO HELP PATIENTS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF MEDICAL CARE AND TO OVERCOME THEIR EMOTIONAL OR PERSONAL PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE ILLNESS.
IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1977/78, MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS ATTENDED TO MORE THAN 400,000 CASES — AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 16 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
MISS PEGGY CHAN, PRINCIPAL MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER IN CHARGE OF THE SERVICE SAID TODAY: +OUR SERVICE IS TO COMPLEMENT HOSPITAL AND CLINICAL CARE BY PROVIDING PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE COUNSELLING AND SOCIAL REHABILITATION TO PATIENTS WHO ARE UNDER MEDICAL CARE IN HOSPITALS OR CLINICS OR ARE CONVALESCING AT THEIR OWN HOMES.
+IT NOW HAS A STAFF ESTABLISHMENT OF 137 PROVIDING GENERAL REGIONAL SERVICE IN THREE MAIN DIVISIONS — HONG KONG ISLAND. KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. IN ADDITION, IT ALSO PROVIDES SPECIALISED SERVICES IN THE FIELDS OF MENTAL HEALTH, TUBERCULOSIS AND SKIN DISEASES, AND NARCOTICS.*
MISS CHAN SAID THAT AMONG THE SERVICES PROVIDED, THE GREATEST DEMAND IS FOR PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE SUCH AS AIDS IN CASH OR IN KIND, FINDING SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR THE SICK AND DISABLED. CARE FOR CHILDREN WHEN MOTHER FALLS SICK, AND AMONG OTHER THINGS, ADVISING A PATIENT’S FAMILY TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES IN TRAFFIC OR INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
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/3 ...
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1978
3
COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IN TAI HING ESTATE TO BE ENLARGED * * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-STOREY BUILDING AT TAI HING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE MORE COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNAL FACILITIES THERE.
THE BUILDING IS A CONTINUATION OF THE STAGE I COMPLEX ALREADY BUILT IN THE ESTATE SO THAT, ON COMPLETION, RESIDENTS THERE CAN MAKE USE OF ALL THE COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNAL FACILITIES UNDER ONE ROOF.
THE STAGE I COMPLEX, WHICH IS ALSO A TWO-STOREY BUILDING, HOUSES A POLICE STATION, A NURSERY, A BANK, A CLINIC, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, A LIBRARY, A MARKET AND ACCOMMODATION FOR WELFARE AGENCIES.
THE COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNAL FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE NEW TWO-STOREY BUILDING IN THE STAGE II OF THE COMPLEX INCLUDE A MARKET FOR 20 LARGE STALLS AND 54 SMALL STALLS, 37 ARCADE SHOPS, A SUPERMARKET, A DEPARTMENT STORE, BANK, CAFE, POST OFFICE AND THE ESTATE OFFICE.
THE OPEN ROOF DECK IN THE STAGE II OF THE COMPLEX WILL
BE JOINED TO THAT OF STAGE I TO FORM AN ELEVATED LANDSCAPED PROMENADE RIGHT ACROSS THE CENTRE OF THE ESTATE. LINKS BY MEANS OF FOOTBRIDGES ARE ALSO PROPOSED TO GIVE EASY ACCESS TO THE COMPLEX FROM ALL DOMESTIC BLOCKS AND TO SEPARATE PEDESTRIANS FROM VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON STAGE II OF THE COMPLEX WILL COMMENCE IN OCTOBER, AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 11 MONTHS.
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/4
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1978
4
NEW LAI CHI KOK SAND DEPOT
*****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS CALLING FOR TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GOVERNMENT SAND MONOPOLY DEPOT AT LAI CHI KOK.
THE NEW DEPOT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE AT CHEUNG SHA WAN WHICH WILL BE CLOSED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR TO MAKE WAY FOR RECLAMATION THERE.
THE NEW DEPOT WILL INCLUDE MARINE SAND STORAGE BAYS TOGETHER WITH SITE ROADS AND AN OFFICE FOR THE STAFF.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE MATERIALS DIVISION OF THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE P.W.D.
_ _ 0 - -
WATER CUTS * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN AREA WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT MONDAY (AUGUST 21) TO 6 A.M. ON TUESDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, CHING TAK STREET, TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD AND SHA TIN PASS ROAD INCLUDING BLOCK NOS. 6-10 AND 19 OF LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE AND BLOCK NOS. 1-12 OF UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE.
MEANWHILE, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE AREA BOUNDED BY HATTON ROAD, PO SHAN ROAD AND HOUSE NOS. 39-57 AND 60-70 OF CONDUIT ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS WILL BE ALSO CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 22) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR MEETS YUEN LONG DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS .. 1
GOVERNOR TO VISIT TAI 0 HOLIDAY CAMP.......................... 2
TOP P.W.D. OFFICIALS VISITING CHINA .......................... 2
TWO SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED FOR STUDIES IN JAPAN ................ 3
C.D.O. RECEPTION FOR DISTRICT LEADERS ........................ 4
WATER CUT IN THREE AREAS ....................................
5
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1978
1
GOVERNOR VISITS YUEN LONG DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, CONTINUED HIS ROUND OF VISITS TO NEWLY ESTABLISHED DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TODAY.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SIR MURRAY MET MEMBERS OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION CLUBHOUSE TO LISTEN TO THEIR PLANS FOR THE COMING YEAR AND TO OFFER HIS HELP AND ADVICE.
SIR MURRAY WAS TOLD THAT THE BOARD HAD SUCCESSFULLY CO-ORDINATED A WIDE VARIETY OF CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES TO BE HELD THROUGHOUT THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT. IT ALSO HOPED TO DOUBLE ITS FUNDS FROM $500,000 TO $1 MILLION FOR THE 1979/80 FISCAL YEAR.
THE BOARD HAS FINANCED THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT ARTS ASSOCIATION’S CHINESE ORCHESTRA AS WELL AS A BRASS BAND TO BE ESTABLISHED THIS FISCAL YEAR.
SIR MURRAY WAS TOLD THAT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD HAD BEEN GIVEN A GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AS IT AFFECTS THE DISTRICT AND THEIR ADVICE HAD BEEN SOUGHT ON PRIORITIES.
THE BOARD PLANS TO ESTABLISH ABOUT 40 TEMPORARY REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS AROUND THE DISTRICT WITH THE AIM OF REMOVING SOME OF THE UNTIDY AND UNPLEASANT SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER PROGRAMMES ON MINOR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED FOR THE CURRENT YEAR INVOLVE REPAIRS AND RENOVATION OF PLAYGROUNDS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REST AREAS IN YUEN LONG TOWN.
THE BOARD WILL SPEND A TOTAL OF $500,000 ON MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AND CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES IN THE CURRENT YEAR.
THE BOARD IS SEEKING ADDITIONAL FUNDS OF ABOUT $1,000,000 FOR 1979/80 IN ORDER TO KEEP PACE WITH ITS MORE AMBITIOUS AND COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMES PROPOSED FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
THE BOARD WELCOMES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MAJOR DISTRICT NEWSPAPER BY A LEADING PUBLISHER, NOTING THAT THE FIRST EDITION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN YUEN LONG AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
SINCE ITS INAUGURATION IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE BOARD HAS HELD FIVE MEETINGS AND HAS SET UP TWO SUB-COMMITTEES ON MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AND LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS AND PROMOTION OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
SIR MURRAY WAS TOLD THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SERVED ON AT LEAST ONE OF THE SUB-COMMITTEES WITH SOME MEMBERS SERVING ON BOTH SUB-COMMITTEES.
THE BOARD NOW HAS 15 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND FIVE OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
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/2......
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1978
GOVERNOR TO VISIT TAI 0 HOLIDAY CAMP ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL VISIT A HOLIDAY CAMP FOR GOVERNMENT EVENING SCHOOL STUDENTS AT TAI 0 PUBLIC SCHOOL, LANTAU ISLAND, ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 23).
THE CAMP, ORGANISED BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, WILL BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND SINCE THE RECREATION SCHEME BEGAN TEN YEARS AGO.
THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT WILL LAST FOR ONE HOUR STARTING FROM 10 A.M.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO TAI 0 ON WEDNESDAY. A MARINE DEPARTMENT LAUNCH, NO. 59, WILL TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO AND FROM TAI 0 PUBLIC PIER, LANTAU ISLAND. THE LAUNCH WILL LEAVE QUEEN’S PIER, CENTRAL, AT 7.15 A.M. AND WILL RETURN ABOUT 11.30 A.M.
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TOP P.W.D. OFFICIALS VISITING CHINA ******
AT THE INVITATION AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE WATER CONSERVANCY
CHI-YUH, THE ACTING iiREcfoR^P^^^K^^^ku^lE^ DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. TOM TOMLINSON TOGETHER rUTURETWATERFSUPPLl;ES ‘tSpv u In*1?, ?JNI0N F0,! “'SCUSSIONS ON
?HEE?is™ wil^
kFAnUnJ PARTY WERE MET AT SHUM CHUN BY MR. WANG YUNG
HEAD OF THE EAST RIVER WATER SUPPLY PROJECT. ’
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MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1978
- 3 -
TWO SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED FOR STUDIES IN JAPAN
* * *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM HONG KONG STUDENTS FOR TWO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES UNDER THE MONBUSHO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR THE 1979 ACADEMIC
THE SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT AND NORMALLY TENABLE FOR FIVE YEARS -- FROM APRIL, 1979, TO MARCH, 1984 — COVER TUITION, ACCOMMODATION, LIVING EXPENSES AND RETURN PASSAGE.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE ENROLLED IN THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL ATTACHED TO THE TOKYO UNIVERSITY AND BE GIVEN A ONE-YEAR COURSE ON THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE AND ANY OTHER SUBJECTS NECESSARY TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE FOUR-YEAR GAKUSHI (BACHELOR’S) DEGREE COURSE.
ONE OF THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL MAJOR IN JAPANESE AT THE TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES AND THE OTHER IN SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES AT A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY YET TO BE DECIDED.
APPLICANTS MUST BE ABLE TO FULFIL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS OF EITHER OF HONG KONG’S TWO UNIVERSITIES OR POSSESS HIGHER QUALIFICATIONS AND BE OVER THE AGE OF 18 AND UNDER 22 ON APRIL 1, 1979.
NO PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF JAPANESE IS REQUIRED, BUT APPLICANTS MUST BE WILLING TO RECEIVE A UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN THAT LANGUAGE.
APPLICATION FORMS AND FULL PARTICULARS ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIPS AND UNIVERSITY COURSES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BRANCH OFFICE, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 15TH FLOOR, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
COMPLETED FORMS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SECTION BY SEPTEMBER 8.
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1978 4 .
C.D.O. RECEPTION FOR DISTRICT LEADERS *****
THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN) TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR CIVIC LEADERS OF OF THEIR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
WILL HOLD A TEA RECEPTION THE DISTRICT IN APPRECIATION
DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, WILL ATTEND THE RECEPTION WITH THE AREA’S LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF CITY °*STR!a!।1ITEE’ AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE, KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS AS WELL AS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
MRS. MABEL HAYES, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (HONG KONG) AND MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (EASTERN) WILL RECEIVE THE GUESTS.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE TEA RECEPTION OF THE EASTERN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE OFFICE AT 880-886 KING’S ROAD, AT 5.30 P.M. TOMORROW.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1978
5
WATER CUT IN MONG KOK, TAI KOK TSUI AND MID-LEVELS ******
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MONG KOK WILL BE TEMPORARILY CUT OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TUESDAY (AUGUST 22) TO 6 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY. TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, MONG KOK ROAD, SHANGHAI STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, INCLUDING PORTLAND STREET, BUTE STREET AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD (BETWEEN BOUNDARY STREET AND NATHAN ROAD).
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT SOME PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL HAVE NO WATER FROM 8 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 23) TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY TO FACILITATE WORK ON WATER MAIN CONNECTIONS.
PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE ON FUK LEE STREET, WAI ON STREET, MEI ON STREET, CHUNG WUI STREET, TAI TSUN STREET, IVY STREET (BETWEEN TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND KOK CHEUNG STREET), LI TAK STREET, FUK CHAK STREET, KA SIN STREET, POK MAN STREET, FOO KWAI STREET, CHERRY STREET, KOK CHEUNG STREET, HOP KWAN STREET, LOK KWAN STREET, MAN ON STREET, TAI CHING STREET, HOI KING STREET, CHUN WING STREET AND TAI KOK TSUI ROAD.
IN THE MID-LEVELS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, WATER SUPPLY TO HOUSE NOS. 1 TO 19 AND 2 TO 40 KOTEWALL ROAD, HOUSE NO. 1 UNIVERSITY DRIVE AND UNIVERSITY QUARTERS WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FROM 11 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 23) TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
- o -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COST OF LIVING FOR JULY ADVANCES .................... 1
GOVERNMENT’S OFFER FOR LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT
DOCUMENTS ........................................... 3
CROWN LAND AUCTION ................................. 5
MEMBERS OF WELFARE AGENCIES CALL ON SOCIAL WELFARE DIRECTOR ............................................ g
ROAD SAFETY SHOW..................................... 6
WATER CUT IN THREE DISTRICTS ........................ 7
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER ..
7
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1978
1
COST OF LIVING FOR JULY ADVANCES *******
THE CONSUMER WERE BOTH 125, UP COMPARED WITH THE
PRICE INDEXES (A) AND (B) FOR LAST MONTH (JULY) THREE POINTS AND TWO POINTS RESPECTIVELY PREVIOUS MONTH.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ROSE BY THREE POINTS IN BOTH C.P. I. (A) AND C.P. I. (B).
WITH A REDUCTION IN SUPPLY, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH-WATER FISH ADVANCED AND THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE LATTER PART OF THE MONTH CAUSED THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES TO RISE SUBSTANTIALLY.
AS SOME RESTAURANTS AND EATING-PLACES RAISED THEIR PRICES. THE AVERAGE CHARGES FOR MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME WENT UP.
MOVEMENTS IN RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY TWO POINTS IN BOTH C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.I. (B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR TELEPHONE SERVICES AND CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT.
INCREASES OF ONE POINT EACH WERE RECORDED IN THE INDEXES FOR DURABLE GOODS AND MISCELLANEOUS GOODS IN C.P.I. (A) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES FOR WOODEN FURNITURE AND MEDICINES.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING ALSO ROSE BY ONE POINT IN C.P.I. (B) OWING TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR HOUSING MAINTENANCE.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
THE C.P.I. (A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400 - $1,499 A MONTH AND THE C.P.I. (B), BETWEEN $1,500 - $2,999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY 1973/74.
/the section .....
TUESDAY, AUTUST 22, 1978
- 2 -
THE SECTION INDEXES FOR JULY 1978, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1977, ARE INDICATED BELOW:-
C.P.I. (A) C.P.I. (B)
SECTION JUL. 78 JUN. 78 JUL. 77 JUL.78 JUN. 78 JUL. 77
FOODSTUFFS 121 118 115 122 119 116
HOUSING 130 130 125 130 129 124
FUEL AND LIGHT 135 135 135 134 134 134
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 141 141 132 137 137 129
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 103 103 100 102 102 100
DURABLE GOODS 114 113 109 111 111 107
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 134 133 124 130 130 121
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 120 120 116 124 124 120
SERVICES 138 136 129 139 137 130
ALL-ITEMS 125 122 119 125 123 119
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1978
3
GOVERNMENT’S OFFER FOR LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS X * X X * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY ( TUESDAY ) ISSUED A REMINDER ON THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S OFFERS TO BUY IN ANY LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS - KNOWN AS LETTER A AND B.
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE OFFERING TO PAY THE BALANCE OF $27 TO FORMER OWNERS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND WHO HAVE ACCEPTED $10 OR $17 CASH COMPENSATION INSTEAD OF LETTER B.
FURTHERMORE, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE OFFERING TO EXCHANGE FOR LETTER B LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT ON THE NEW TERMS FOR LAND RESUMED IN THE NEW TOWN AND MARKET TOWN DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ON JULY 14 THIS YEAR THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEW PROCEDURES AND RATES OF PAYMENT MADE BY THE WORKING GROUP ON NEW TERRITORIES URBAN LAND ACQUISITION HEADED BY SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN.
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID t +THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE OFFERING TO BUY IN AGRICULTURAL LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS AT THE RATE OF $27 PER SQUARE FOOT AND BUILDING LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS AT THE FACE VALUE OF THE DOCUMENTS PLUS AN ADDITIONAL SUM OF $55 PER SQUARE FOOT.
♦THESE OFFERS TO BUY IN EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR ACCEPTANCE IN WRITING TO REACH THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT OFFICE NOT LATER THAN 4 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR.+
FOLLOWING ARE THE ADMINISTRATION’S OFFERS i-
X TO BUY BACK LETTER A OR B AGRICULTURAL LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS FROM THE HOLDERS FOR THE TIME BEING AT THE RATE OF $27 PER SQUARE FOOT. THIS OFFER WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR ACCEPTANCE IN WRITING TO REACH THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT OFFICE NOT LATER THAN 4 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR.
X TO BUY BACK LETTER A OR B BUILDING LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS FROM THE HOLDERS FOR THE TIME BEING AT THE FACE VALUE OF THE LETTER A OR B PLUS AN ADDITIONAL SUM OF $55 PER SQUARE FOOT. THIS OFFER WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR ACCEPTANCE IN WRITING TO REACH THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT OFFICE NOT LATER THAN 4 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR.
/♦ TO PAY TO ABY......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1978
- 4 -
* ™ PAY T0 ANY FORMER owner of agricultural land who HAS PREVIOUSLY ACCEPTED CASH COMPENSATION AT THE RATES 0R 510 PER SQUARE FOOT an appropriate
IIONAL SUM T0 MAKE A TOTAL COMPENSATION OF $27 PER SQUARE FOOT.
* TO EXCHANGE FOR LETTER B LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT ON THE NEW TERMS ANNOUNCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ON JULY 14 THIS YEAR ANY LETTER A OR B LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT OFFERED ON OR AFTER this year on the old terms WHETHER OR NOT S°FFER has already been accepted by the former OWNER•
ALL perSONS wishing to accept any of the foregoing offers SHOULD INFORM IN WRITING THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT OFFICE WITHIN THE TIME LIMIT SPECIFIED, WHERE APPLICABLE.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1978
CROWN LAND AUCTION
* * * *
TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND AND TWO FLOORS REALISED MORE THAN $18 MILLION IN TWO SEPARATE PUBLIC AUCTIONS TODAY.
IN AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE AT THE CITY HALL, A 740-SQUARE METRE SITE AT KAM SHING ROAD, KOWLOON, EARMARKED FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL PURPOSES, WAS SOLD FOR $13.35 MILLION.
THE SITE WAS BOUGHT BY YUE HEUNG CO. LTD. AT $18,040.54 PER SQUARE METRE. IT CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF $1.62 MILLION AND SHOULD BE DEVELOPED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1981.
IN THE SAME AUCTION, THE GROUND FLOOR AND THE FIRST FLOOR OF 38 NGA TSIN LONG ROAD, KOWLOON, WERE SOLD FOR $1.09 MILLION AND $285,000 RESPECTIVELY TO CHEUNG SING KAM AND NG CHOI FUNG, AND CHAU YU CHEUNG AND MAN JOON-LING.
THE PREMISES MEASURES ABOUT 53 SQUARE METRES AND 67 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY, THE ANNUAL CROWN RENT FOR EACH FLAT IS $250.
IN A SEPARATE AUCTION HELD AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, A PRESTIGE RESIDENTIAL SITE AT SILVERSTRAND, CLEARWATER BAY, FETCHED A LOCAL RECORD PRICE OF $3.55 MILLION.
MISS LEE MONG LAN WAS THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER FOR THE 1,858 SQUARE METRE SITE WHICH IS ADJACENT TO THE SHAW BROTHERS STUDIO OFF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD AND COMMANDS PANORAMIC SEAVIEWS.
HER BID WAS EQUIVALENT TO JUST OVER $177 PER SQ FT — COMPARED WITH THE $105.95 PER SQ. FT. PAID AT THE PUBLIC AUCTION FOR A COMPARABLE SITE IN THE VICINITY IN SEPTEMBER 1977.
THE ACTING SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. GREGORY LAI, SAID BIDDING FOR THE SITE TODAY STARTED AT $1.4 MILLION BUT KEEN COMPETITION QUICKLY RAISED THE PREMIUM TO THE LEVEL OF $3.55 MILLION.
MR. LAI SAID THE AUCTION REFLECTED'THE INCREASING INTEREST IN DEVELOPING PROPERTY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+FROM THE ENQUIRIES WE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE AUCTION WE KNEW THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WERE INTERESTED IN THE SITE AND THE KEEN BIDDING SHOWED THAT THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN DEVELOPING HIGH QUALITY HOUSING IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT,+ HE SAID.
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A
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1978
- 6 -
COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF JUVENILE CARE CENTRE CALL ON DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE ******
COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG JUVENILE CARE CENTRE, LED BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR. WOO WING-FAI, PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. JIMMY SWEETMAN TODAY.
THE GROUP WAS RECEIVED BY MR. SWEETMAN AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SOCIAL WORK), MRS. EVELYN DOE, AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
DURING THE VISIT, MR. WOO THANKED THE DEPARTMENT FOR ITS CONTINUOUS SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FOR THE JUVENILE CARE CENTRE, AND EXPLAINED THE CENTRE’S FUTURE PLANS IN EXPANDING ITS SERVICES FOR BOYS.
HE SAID THE CAPACITY OF THE CENTRE WOULD BE INCREASED CONSIDERABLY IN THE NEAR FUTURE WITH THE BUILDING OF A NEW COMPLEX WHICH WOULD INCLUDE A DORMITORY AND A SPECIAL SCHOOL AT WONG CHUK
HANG.
MR. SWEETMAN EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT, AND REASSURED MR. WOO THAT SUBSTANTIAL GRANTS FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE, AS SOON AS CONSTRUCTION WORK WAS STARTED, TO HELP MEET BUILDING EXPENSES AND FOR THE PURCHASES OF EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE.
ROAD SAFETY SHOW AT TUNG TAU ESTATE *****
A ROAD SAFETY VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD AT TUNG LUNG ROAD TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND AT TUNG TAU ESTATE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FROM 7.30 P.M. TO 9 P.M.
THE TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND, WHICH USUALLY LIES IN THE DARK AT NIGHT TIME, WILL BE SPECIALLY FLOODED WITH LIGHT FOR THE OCCASION. THERE WILL BE MUSIC AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF ROAD SAFETY TO THE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
THE VARIETY SHOW IS HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BEAT CRIME ’78 CAMPAIGN IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT AS ONE OF THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
MR. ANGUS MIU, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER OF WONG TAI SIN,SAID THAT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE EVENING ARE DESIGNED TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE TO BOTH DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS THAT IMPATIENCE KILLS.
+WONG TAI SIN IS A CROWDED AREA, AND WE HOPE THAT THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES WE CAN CUT DOWN THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT RATE IN THE DISTRICT,* HE ADDED.
A FULL PROGRAMME OF FREE ENTERTAINMENT INCLUDING PUPPET AND MAGIC SHOWS, SINGING, ROAD SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS BY ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION AND ACROBATIC DISPLAYS WILL BE FEATURED.
IN ADDITION, A ROAD SAFETY BUS CONTAINING PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS, A MOUSE TOWN AND QUIZ BOARDS WILL ALSO BE PRESENT.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1978
7
WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN, SHAM SHU I PO AND WESTERN DISTRICTS ******
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN, THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 23) TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY TAI WO HAU ROAD, WO TONG TSUI STREET, HING FONG ROAD AND KWAI HING ROAD INCLUDING KWAI HING ESTATE AND KWAI HING LICENSED AREA.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WESTERN DISTRICT ON THE ISLAND AND SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT IN KOWLOON WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR SEVERAL HOURS FROM THURSDAY (AUGUST 24) NIGHT TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN WESTERN, THE AREA BOUNDED BY 1-111 BELCHER’S STREET, 1-50 PRAYA, 1-5A NEW PRAYA, 1-1D AND 20-28 SANDS STREET, 10-14 AND 5-25 NORTH STREET, 2-12 AND 41A-43 SMITHFIELD ROAD INCLUDING SAI CHEUNG STREET, SAI HONG LANE AND HOLLAND STREET, WILL HAVE NO WATER FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON THURSDAY.
IN SHAM SHUI PO, THE AREA BOUNDED BY CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD, KING LAM STREET, YEE KUK STREET, WING HONG STREET, YU CHAU STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TAI NAN STREET INCLUDING TUNG CHAU STREET WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT THURSDAY TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER
SURVEYING WORK ON IT.
niiDiwr TUP ROAD CLOSURE PERIOD, NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC FROM
MARGARET ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, AUSUST 23, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS HOLIDAY CAMP AT TAI 0.................... 1
POST OFFICE TO REJECT UNENCLOSED CORRESPONDENCE ......... 2
SECTIONS OF NATHAN ROAD REOPENED TO TRAFFIC ............. 2
AKERS-JONES PRAISES FORMER HEUNG YEE KUK CHAIRMAN ....... 3
STUDENTS MORE INVOLVED IN SCHOOL SUBJECTS ............... 4
MODERN MARKET FOR TIN WAN................................ 5
EYE CARE EXHIBITION...................................... 6
WATER CUT IN WESTERN DISTRICT............................ 7
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1978
1
GOVERNOR VISITS HOLIDAY CAMP AT TA I 0 ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SPENT AN HOUR TODAY VISITING THE HOLIDAY CAMP ORGANISED BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT TAI 0 PUBLIC SCHOOL, LANTAU ISLAND.
THE GOVERNOR ARRIVED AT LANTAU BY HELICOPTER AT 10 A.M.
WHERE HE WAS MET BY AN OFFICIAL RECEPTION PARTY. ONCE AT THE CAMPSITE, ABOUT 10 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE HELICOPTER LANDING AREA, THE 134 CAMPERS CHEERED AND APPLAUDED THE GOVERNOR IN WELCOME.
THE OCCASIONAL SHOWER AT THE TIME DID NOT PUT A DAMPER ON THE GOVERNOR’S ENTHUSIASM IN SEEING HOW THE PARTICIPANTS ENJOYED THEIR CAMP LIFE.
LATER HE WATCHED THE CAMPERS, MADE UP OF 117 GIRLS AND 17 BOYS BETWEEN THE AGE OF 15 AND 21, PLAY THEIR COMPETITIVE GAMES TO THEIR HEARTS CONTENT.
HE TALKED AND SHARED A FEW JOKES WITH THE CAMPERS WHO WERE STUDENTS OF GOVERNMENT EVENING SCHOOLS AT TIN KWONG ROAD AND QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL CENTRES.
SINCE MOST OF THEM WERE WORKERS FROM TEXTILE AND ELECTRONIC FACTORIES, THEY HAD TO TAKE TIME OFF TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS TWO-DAY CAMP.
THIS WAS THE FIRST HOLIDAY CAMP ORGANISED FOR GOVERNMENT EVENING SCHOOL STUDENTS SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN 1969.
IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THEIR ACTIVITIES WERE MAINLY CONFINED TO EXCURSIONS, VISITS AND HIKING.
ALTHOUGH THEY HAD TO SPEND THEIR NIGHT IN CLASSROOMS AND SLEEP OVER DESKS PACKED TOGETHER, THEY LIKED THE OUTING EXPERIENCE SO MUCH THAT MOST OF THEM SUGGESTED THAT THE CAMPING PERIOD SHOULD BE EXTENDED IN FUTURE.
THE GOVERNOR LEFT AT 11 A.M.
THE OFFICIAL PARTY COMPRISED MR. NORMAN OEI, CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR YOUTH RECREATION-MR. RAYMOND BIRD, PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (PHYSICAL EDUCATION) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT- MR. Y.H. YU, SUPERVISOR OF TAI 0 PUBLIC SCHOOL- MR. C.S. TANG, MR. L.F. YIM, MR. K.C. KAM AND MR. T.K. LUI OF THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
o -------
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1978
2
POST OFFICE TO REJECT UNENCLOSED CORRESPONDENCE FROM SEPTEMBER
* * * *
THE POST OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1978, CORRESPONDENCE WHICH IS NOT ENCLOSED IN ENVELOPES OR WRAPPERS WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED FOR LOCAL DELIVERY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID UNENCLOSED ITEMS, SUCH AS CIRCULARS WHICH ARE STAPLED OR STUCK TOGETHER, OR PAPERS WITH NARROW WRAPPERS, WERE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE IN SORTING OFFICES ♦THEY WILL NOT PASS THROUGH MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AND THEY CANNOT BE SORTED WITH THE SAME SPEED AS PROPERLY ENVELOPED OR WRAPPED MAIL ITEMS. THEIR PRESENCE TENDS TO SLOW DOWN THE MAIL FLOW AND MOREOVER THE COST OF HANDLING THEM IS HIGH.+
HE ADDED THAT SUCH ITEMS HAD BEEN INADMISSIBLE IN OVERSEAS POST FOR MANY YEARS.
POST CARDS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ACCEPTED PROVIDED THEY CONFORM WITH THE NORMAL LIMITS OF SIZE AND SHAPE. FOLDED CARDS WHERE ONE PART IS USED FOR REPLY PURPOSES WOULD ALSO BE ACCEPTED.
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE POSTAL ENQUIRY SERVICE ON 5-2671222.
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NATHAN ROAD TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 25) ALL VEHICLES WILL BE PERMITTED TO USE AT ALL TIMES THE SECTIONS OF NATHAN ROAD BETWEEN BOUNDARY STREET AND PLAYING FIELD ROAD, BETWEEN PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND DUNDAS STREET, AND THE FOLLOWING ASSOCIATED SIDE STREETS
* THE SECTION OF NULLAH ROAD BETWEEN SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET AND NATHAN ROAD-
* THE SECTION OF ARRAN STREET BETWEEN LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD-
* THE SECTION OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD (SOUTHBOUND) BETWEEN PORTLAND STREET AND NATHAN ROAD-
* THE SECTION OF SHAN TUNG STREET BETWEEN SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET AND PORTLAND STREET, AND THE SECTION OF SOY STREET BETWEEN SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET AND PORTLAND STREET.
THIS FOLLOWS THE LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF THESE SECTIONS OF ROAD BY PRIVATE CARS AND TAXIS BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND 7 P.M. DAILY.
HOWEVER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT NATHAN ROAD IS A CLEARWAY AND THAT ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND 7 P.M. DAILY.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1978
5
AKERS-JONES PRAISES FORMER HEUNG YEE KUK CHAIRMAN ******
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING PRAISED THE +UNRETIRING EFFORTS* OF THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR. CHAN YAT-SAN.
SPEAKING AT THE DINNER PARTY IN HONOUR OF MR. CHAN AND TWO FORMER VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE KUK, MESSRS. CHEUNG YAN-LUNG AND TSANG LIN, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID: +OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS I HAVE PROBABLY MET MR. CHAN MORE REGULARLY THAN I HAVE MET ANYONE IN HONG KONG SINCE I CAME HERE.
+HE HAS GIVEN ME LOTS OF TIMELY ADVICE AND I BELIEVE THAT AS A RESULT OF OUR FREE, FRANK AND FRIENDLY DISCUSSIONS HE HAS CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO THE IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.*
MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED THAT IN THE PROCESS HE HAD LEARNED NOT TO BE AFRAID OF SUCH IMPORTANT TERMS AS +PUBLIC RELATIONS*, ♦PEOPLE’S INTERESTS*, +POLITICAL HARMONY*, AND +FOR POLITICAL REASONS*.
♦ I’M SURE WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE MR. CHAN’S ADVICE AND WISDOM FOR MANY YEARS AS AN ’ELDER STATESMAN’,* HE SAID.
MR. CHAN WAS THE KUK’S CHAIRMAN FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS BUT HE DID NOT STAND FOR THE ELECTION IN MAY THIS YEAR.
MORE THAN 700 PEOPLE, INCLUDING SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND HEADS OF LEADING CIVIC ORGANISATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ATTENDED THE DINNER PARTY ORGANISED BY THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
A
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1978
4 _
STUDENTS BECOMING INVOLVED IN SCHOOL SUBJECTS ******
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS OF TODAY WERE, BY AND LARGE, NO LONGER SATISFIED WITH PASSIVELY SITTING BACK AND TAKING DOWN NOTES FROM TEACHERS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PROFESSIONAL), MR. HO NGA-MING, SAID TODAY.
MR. HO WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST EXHIBITION OF THE JOINT SCHOOLS METEOROLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY AT MUNSANG COLLEGE. +NOWADAYS, STUDENTS ARE MORE READY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND THEM AND, FURTHER, LET OTHER PEOPLE SHARE THEIR FINDINGS AND EXPERIENCES,* HE SAID.
♦ THE EXHIBITION IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS. ACTIVITIES OF THIS KIND WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HELP STUDENTS FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR REASONING FACULTY AND HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF VARIOUS CONCEPTS OF GEOGRAPHY AND METEOROLOGY.*
MR. HO SAID THE EXHIBITION, COVERING MANY ASPECTS OF METEOROLOGY AND THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND BIOTIC PROCESSES WERE INVOLVED IN LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT.
THE 10 SCHOOLS TAKING PART IN THE EXHIBITION ARE THE DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL- HEEP YUNN SCHOOL- KOWLOON TRUE LIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL-KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL- LA SALLE COLLEGE- MUNSANG COLLEGE-MARYKNOLL CONVENT SCHOOL- NEW METHOD COLLEGE- B0 LEUNG KUK NO. 1 COLLEGE- AND ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL (LAM TIN).
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/5
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1978
5
FOUR-STOREY MARKET FOR TIN WAN
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL BE INVITING TENDERS SHORTLY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STOREY MARKET AT TIN WAN, ABERDEEN.
MRS. C. ALUNAN, CHIEF ARCHITECT OF THE P.W.D.’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, SAID THAT THE PROJECT, FINANCED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, WOULD BE BUILT ON A SLOPE ON HING WO STREET.
♦ON THE GROUND FLOOR, THERE WILL BE 10 FISH STALLS, 50 MINI-STALLS, LOADING BAYS AND A REFUSE COLLECTION CENTRE WHICH SERVES NOT ONLY THE MARKET BUT ALSO THE WHOLE OF TIN WAN.+ SHE SAID.
MRS. ALUNAN ADDED THAT THERE WOULD BE 20 POULTRY AND
MEAT STALLS AND 74 MINI-STALLS ON THE FIRST FLOOR. A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE WAS ALSO PROPOSED TO PROVIDE SAFE AND CONVENIENT LINK FROM NEARBY HOUSING ESTATE.
+0N THE SECOND FLOOR, THERE ARE 10 COOKED-FOOD STALLS AND 32 MINI-STALLS FOR DRY GOODS. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE R^ST GARDEN extending to tin wan hill road to PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE TIN WAN HOUSING ESTATE,+ SHE ADDED.
+0N THE TOP FLOOR THERE WILL BE A LANDSCAP'D ROOF GARDFN WITH CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND STAFF QUARTERS.*
Miru ™-,™LUNAN SAID THAT THE BUILDING WOULD BE EQUIPP'D WITH ONE GOODS LIFT AND ONE PASSENGER LIFT.
-ru-W!y^’/FTER CL0SING HOURS, THE COOKED-FOOD STALL AREA C0ULD BE REACHED BY EXTERNAL BUT COVERED ESCALATOR FROM HING WO STREET AND TIN WAN HILL ROAD, SHE ADDED.
^OBSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN DECEMBER AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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/6 ........
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1978
6
EYE CARE EXHIBITION
******
A FOUR-DAY EYE CARE EXHIBITION AIMED AT PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SIGHT CONSERVATION AND PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS WILL BE HELD AT CITY HALL BEGINNING THIS SATURDAY (AUGUST 26).
THE COMMUNITY PROJECT IS ORGANISED BY THE PENINSULA JAYCEES, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT AND THE OPHTHALMIC DIVISION OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS OTHER PROFESSIONAL BODIES.
THE EXHIBITION IS DESIGNED TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF THE CAUSES OF BLINDNESS AND MEASURES TO PREVENT IT. THE DISPLAYS COVER SUCH INFORMATIVE SUBJECTS AS PROPER HABITS TO HEALTHY EYESIGHT, COMMON EYE DISEASES LEADING TO BLINDNESS, SELECTION OF SPECTACLES TO CORRECT DEFECTIVE VISION AND CORNEAL TRANSPLANTS. THERE WILL ALSO BE EDUCATIONAL FILMS AND SLIDES ON EYE PROTECTION.
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL BE GIVEN A VISION TEST FREE OF CHARGE AND A BOOKLET WHICH EXPLAINS IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE WHAT EYE HEALTH IS ALL ABOUT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THE EXHIBITION IS A CULMINATION OF MONTHS OF PREPARATION BY THE PENINSULA JAYCEES, WHICH HAS BEEN RUNNING AN EYE CARE CAMPAIGN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
THE ORGANISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN EITHER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG EYE BANK AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND, THE OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, THE OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION, THE CONTACT LENS RESEARCH ASSOCIATION AND BAUSCH AND LOMB (H.K.) LTD.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MANY CASES OF BLINDNESS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF PEOPLE HAD TAKEN THE NECESSARY PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
BLINDNESS CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH REGULAR SIGHT SCREENING, EARLY DETECTION OF EYE DISEASES AND PROMPT TREATMENT, HE SAID.
+EYE DISEASES AND EYE INJURIES CAUSED BY INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO GO BLIND, AND IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT PEOPLE LEARN ALL ABOUT THE COMMON EYE DISEASES AND THE VARIOUS METHODS OF EYE CARE,+ HE SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE EYE CARE EXHIBITION WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. LAM SIM-FOOK, AT CITY HALL AT 11 A.M. GN SATURDAY (AUGUST 26). YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE FUNCTION.
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/7 ....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1978
7
WATER CUT IN WESTERN
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT FRESH orTcTnDoenLJ«T0 A NUMBER 0F PREMISES IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE STOPPED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 25) TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS/ 5
™E PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY 2—62A BELCHER’S STREET3 1E-1M AND 32-34 SANDS STREET* 16—30 AND 29-30 NORTH STREET- 12A-12G AND 41A-43 SMITHFIELD- 1A-1C AND 1-3 ROCK HILL STREET INCLUDING COLLINSON STREET. 3 °C
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO OPEN RECREATION AND SPORT CONFERENCE ... 1
JULY PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES ...................... 2
CROWN LAND AUCTION ON SEPTEMBER 29 .................. 4
ANOTHER LIBRARY FOR N.T. RESIDENTS .................. 4
ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON PUBLIC HOLIDAY ................. 5
POLICE OFFICERS VISIT P.W.D. TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE 5
WATER CUT IN MONG KOK ............................... 6
RE-ROUTING OF TIN CHONG STREET ...................... 6
1
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1978
GOVERNOR TO OPEN RECREATION AND SPORT CONFERENCE ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE +RECREATION AND SPORTS FOR PEOPLE-IN-EMPLOYMENT+ CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN THE ORIENTAL ROOM, CONVENTION CENTRE Otf SATURDAY (AUGUST 26).
THE CONFERENCE, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD., WILL BE ATTENDED BY 250 REPRESENTATIVES FROM MANAGEMENTS OF 150 FIRMS, FACTORIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE CONFERENCE WAS TO BRING THE MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVES TOGETHER SO THAT THEY COULD EXCHANGE THEIR VIEWS AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES IN PROMOTING RECREATION AND SPORTS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
PROGRAMMES OF THE CONFERENCE INCLUDE LECTURES, AN EXHIBITION, AN OPEN FORUM AND VISITS TO THE NEWLY OPENED HUNG HOM CAR PARK SPORTS CENTRE AND THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE.
MR. JAMES WU, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR,WILL OFFICIALLY CLOSE THE CONFERENCE AT THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE ABOUT 7 P.M.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE CONFERENCE ON +RECREATION AND SPORTS FOR PEOPLE-IN-EMPLOYMENT+ WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE ORIENTAL ROOM, CONVENTION CENTRE AT 9 A.M. ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 26). IT WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR AT 9.30 A.M. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE BEFORE 9 A.M. A PRESS POSITION IS RESERVED AT THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE STAGE. G.I.S. OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1978
2
JULY PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES * % * * *
THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR LAST MONTH (JULY) WAS $3,523 MILLION, IMPORTS WERE WORTH $5,048 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS $979 MILLION, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES ISSUED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
THE FIGURES FOR THE LATEST THREE MONTHS (MAY TO JULY) SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 10.2 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 22.6 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 31.6 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1977.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1977, INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF $127 MILLION OR 3.7 PER CENT IN EXPORTS, $809 MILLION OR 19.1 PER CENT IN IMPORTS AND $164 MILLION OR 20.1 PER CENT IN RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED.
THE SHORT-TERM CHANGES, JULY 1978 COMPARED WITH JUNE 1978, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF $187 MILLION OR 5.6 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND DECREASES OF $57 MILLION OR 1.1 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND $94 MILLION OR 8.8 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS. DOMESTIC EXPORTS, HOWEVER, WERE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE CONTINUING UP-TREND.
THE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM AUGUST 1977 TO JULY 1978 COMPARED WITH THOSE FOR THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 8.3 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 16.4 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 21 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.
FOLLOWING ARE COMPARATIVE TRADE FIGURES:- INCREASE OR DECREASE
LATEST 3 MONTHS MAY-JULY 1978 MAY-JULY 1977
DOMESTIC EXPORTS $ MN. 10,232 $ MN. 9,284 $ MN. % + 949 + 10.2
IMPORTS 15,213 12,407 +2,806 + 22.6
RE-EXPORTS 3,215 2,443 + 772 + 31.6
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR JULY 1978 JULY 1977 INCREASE OR DECREASE
DOMESTIC EXPORTS $ MN. 3,523 $ MN. 3,396 $ MN. % + 127 + 3.7
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) IMPORTS (78.3%) 5,048 (80.6%) 4,239 + 809 + 19.1
RE-EXPORTS 979 815 + 164 + 20.1
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (21.7%) (19.4%)
/LAST month .....
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1978
- 3 -
LAST MONTH JULY 1978 JUNE 1978 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 3,523 (78.3%) 3,336 (75.7%) + 187 + 5.6
IMPORTS 5,048 5,105 - 57 - 1.1
RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 979 (21.7%) 1,073 (24.3%) - 94 - 8.8
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN.-JULY 1978 JAN.-JULY 1977 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. S MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 20,991 (75.2%) 19,172 (77.9%) +1,819 + 9.5
IMPORTS 33,302 27,678 +5,623 + 20.3
RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 6,907 (24.8%) 5,425 (22.1%) +1,482 + 27.3
LAST 12 MONTHS AUGUST 1977 TO JULY 1978 AUGUST 1976 TO INCREASE OR JULY 1977 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. S MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 36,823 34,005 +2,819 + 8.3
IMPORTS 54,324 46,661 +7,664 + 16.4
RE-EXPORTS 11,311 9,346 +1,965 + 21.0
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1978
4 -
CROWN LAND AUCTION ON SEPTEMBER 29 * * *
THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE P.W.D.’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE AT AN AUCTION IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1978, AT 2.30 P.M.
ONE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 2,150 SQUARE METRES AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, IS FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES. THE OTHER TWO SITES, ALSO INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USES, ARE LOCATED AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, CHUK YUEN, AND CANTON ROAD. THEY MEASURE 3,770 SQUARE METRES AND 69.5 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE. CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG-AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
ANOTHER LIBRARY FOR N.T. RESIDENTS
*****
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT PLANS TO SET UP PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN ALL PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. H.M.A. BRISTOW, DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, REVEALED TODAY AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW TUEN MUN PUBLIC LIBRARY.
THE CEREMONY WAS JOINTLY OFFICIATED BY MR. BRISTOW AND MR. LAU WONG-FAT, CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE.
THE TUEN MUN PUBLIC LIBRARY, SITUATED AT THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IN TAI HING ESTATE, OCCUPIES SOME 6,000 SQUARE FEET AND HAS AN INITIAL BASIC BOOK STOCK OF 24,000 VOLUMES IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH COVERING A WIDE VARIETY OF SUBJECTS TO SUIT ALL AGE LEVELS AND INTERESTS.
MR. BRISTOW POINTED OUT THAT WHEN THE NEW TOWN OF TUEN MUN FURTHER DEVELOPS, THE LIBRARY WILL BE REPLACED BY A LARGER ONE OF SOME 16,000 SQUARE FEET IN THE NEW TUEN MUN CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX, WHICH IS NOW UNDER ACTIVE PLANNING.
OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE U.S.D. HAS OPENED LIBRARIES AT TAI PO, SHA TIN AND SHEUNG SHU I AS WELL AS A BOOK BOX SERVICE ON CHEUNG CHAU, HE SAID, AND THE TUEN MUN LIBRARY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A NEW DISTRICT LIBRARY AT KWAI CHUNG.
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/5
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1978
5
ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON PUBLIC HOLIDAY
*******
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY
______ ____ THAT THERE WILL BE ONLY
ONE DELIVERY OF MAIL ON MONDAY (AUGUST 28) WHICH IS A PUBLIC HOL I DAY.
ON THAT DAY THE NEW TERR I TOR
, 32 POST OFFICES ON HONG KONG, IN KOWLOON AND IES WILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON.
ALL OTHER POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON THAT DAY.
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POLICE OFFICERS VISIT P.W.D. TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE * * * *
A GROUP OF POLICE STATION SERGEANTS TODAY TOURED THE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE TO SEE HOW THE COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM OPERATES.
THE VISIT WAS ONE OF A SERIES ORGANISED FOR THE POLICE FORCE AND THE LAST GROUP VISIT TOOK PLACE ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO.
DURING THEIR VISIT TODAY, THE POLICE OFFICERS WERE BRIEFED BY MR. BRIAN CARTER, ENGINEER (TRAFFIC OPERATIONS). THEY ALSO SAW A 15-MINUTE COLOUR FILM ENTITLED +TRANSYT+ WHICH EXPLAINS THE COMPUTER PROGRAMME CALCULATING SIGNAL TIMING.
THE FULLY COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM AIMS TO BEAT CONGESTION IN THE BUSY WEST KOWLOON AREA. IT WAS DESIGNED BY A TEAM OF P.W.D. ENGINEERS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE U.K. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT.
THE SYSTEM BRINGS MORE THAN 100 TRAFFIC SIGNALS ALONG THE MAIN THOROUGHFARES OF SHAM SHU I PO, MONG KOK, YAU MA TEI AND PARTS OF TSIM SHA TSUI UNDER THE CONTROL OF TWO COMPUTERS HOUSED IN THE CENTRE IN THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
FROM DATA ON TRAFFIC FLOW AND CONGESTION FED THROUGH A SERIES OF VEHICLE DETECTORS TO THE CONTROL ROOM IMMEDIATE ACTION CAN BE TAKEN TO CHANGE TRAFFIC PLANS TO SUIT PREVAILING CONDITIONS.
+AN EVALUATION STUDY CARRIED OUT RECENTLY INDICATES THAT BY USING THE COMPUTER TO CONTROL TRAFFIC SIGNALS JOURNEY TIME WAS REDUCED BY ABOUT 30 PER CENT,* MR. CARTER SAID.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1978
6
WATER CUT IN MONG-KOK * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MONG KOK DISTRICT WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT FRIDAY (AUGUST 25) TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SHANGHAI STREET, MONG KOK ROAD, TONG Ml ROAD AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD BETWEEN BOUNDARY STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET INCLUDING BUTE STREET, ARRAN STREET, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND CANTON ROAD.
----0------
RE-ROUTING OF TIN CHONG STREET * K » * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN NORTH POINT DURING CERTAIN PERIODS FROM SATURDAY (AUGUST 26) TO SEPTEMBER 3 TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORK IN THE AREA.
THE RESURFACING WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT THE ELECTRIC ROAD-NORTH POINT ROAD-JAVA ROAD JUNCTION FROM 1 P.M. ON SATURDAY TO 5 P.M. ON MONDAY (AUGUST 28) AND FROM 1 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 2 TO 5 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 3. c
DURING THESE PERIODS TIN ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO TWO-WAY ELECTRIC ROAD CAN BE DIVERTED ROAD.
CHONG STREET WILL SO THAT EASTBOUND
BE RE-ROUTED FROM TRAFFIC ON
VIA TIN CHONG STREET ON TO KING’S
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO POINT ROAD-JAVA ROAD JUNCTION PERIODS.
AVOID USING THE ELECTRIC ROAD-NORTH WHENEVER POSSIBLE DURING THOSE
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP ASSIST MOTORISTS.
IN THE AREA TO
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS PROPOSED 1
SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL BILL 1978 ......................... 2
SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN WANTED .................................. 4
RECLAMATION ON SHAM WAN ..................................... 5
CONSTRUCTION OF M.T.R. ARGYLE STATION ....................... 5
TENDERS CALLED FOR KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL SITE ............... 6
STREET CLOSURE EXTENDED ..................................... 6
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1978
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS PROPOSED ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO INTRODUCE A SCHEME TO GIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS.
THE SCHEME, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE IN OPERATION BY ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, PROVIDED FINANCE COMMITTEE ACCEPT THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS INVOLVED, WOULD BENEFIT ALL VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND COMPENSATION WOULD BE PAYABLE IRRESPECTIVE OF WHO WAS AT FAULT IN CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WOULD BE NO MEANS TEST. PAYMENTS WOULD BE MADE FOR PERSONAL INJURY ONLY AND DAMAGED PROPERTY WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED.
THE LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE WOULD BE THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND, RANGING FROM ABOUT $14,000 IN CASES WHERE THE BREAD-WINNER IN A FAMILY IS KILLED, TO ABOUT $3,000 IN CASES INVOLVING INJURY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHEME WAS TO GIVE IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL AID TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS FACING HARDSHIP ARISING FROM INVOLVEMENT IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. +THE SCHEME DOES NOT, HOWEVER, AFFECT THEIR RIGHT TO OBTAIN LEGAL DAMAGES IN THE USUAL WAY,* HE SAID.
BASED ON THE TREND IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE SCHEME COULD COST $45 MILLION IN THE FIRST YEAR. ONE-THIRD OF THE COST WOULD BE MET BY THE GOVERNMENT AS A SOCIAL WELFARE MEASURE AND ON BEHALF OF PEDESTRIANS, WHILE THE BALANCE WOULD BE MET BY A LEVY OF $75 ANNUALLY ON VEHICLE LICENCES AND $25 ANNUALLY ON DRIVING LICENCES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT WAS INTENDED TO PUT THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) BILL 1978, WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLY IN THE NEXT SESSION. THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE FUND TO BE SET UP AND FOR THE COLLECTION OF THE LEVIES. THE SCHEME ITSELF WILL BE RUN ADMINISTRATIVELY BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WHO IS WORKING OUT DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR DOING THIS.
ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED THAT THE ACCIDENT INSURANCE ASSOCIATION SHOULD BE ASKED TO PREPARE A SCHEME FOR A MOTOR INSURERS’ BUREAU, WITH GOVERNMENT ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE. THIS WOULD ACT FOR ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES AND PROVIDE COMPENSATION IN CASES WHERE A DRIVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WAS UNINSURED, WHERE HE COULD NOT BE TRACED, OR WHERE THERE IS INSURANCE COVER BUT SOME BREACH OF CONDITIONS HAS OCCURRED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE TWO SCHEMES WOULD TOGETHER ENSURE THAT VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS RECEIVED INTERIM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY AN ACCIDENT HAPPENED AND FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE UNDER THE M. I.B. SCHEME FULL COMPENSATION FOR THEIR INJURIES. +IT IS HOPED THAT THEY WILL GREATLY RELIEVE FINANCIAL DISTRESS,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE EXPRESSED CONCERN AT THE INCREASING NUMBERS OF ACCIDENTS ON THE ROAD AND SAID: +INDIVIDUAL DISTRESS AND THE BURDEN TO THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE SO MUCH LESS IF PEOPLE WOULD BE MORE CAREFUL ON THE ROADS.*
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1978
- 2 SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL BILL 1978 * * * * *
THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL BILL 1978 IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS TO IMPROVE AND CONSOLIDATE THOSE PARTS OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION RELATED TO SHIPPING AND CONTROL OF PORTS IN HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED UNSUITABLE AND TOO RESTRICTIVE TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH PORT ADMINISTRATION, THE CONTROL OF LOCAL WATERS AND THE REGULATION OF LOCAL CRAFT.
+THE ORDINANCE, WHICH IS BASED ON THE UNITED KINGDOM MERCHANT SHIPPING ACTS AND INTENDED PRIMARILY TO REGULATE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING, PROVIDES INSUFFICIENT POWERS TO ALLOW THE MAKING OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION OF BROAD ENOUGH SCOPE TO TACKLE LOCAL PROBLEMS. THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE CONSIDERS THAT SEPARATE LEGISLATION DEALING SPECIFICALLY WITH LOCAL PROBLEMS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO REPLACE THE CORRESPONDING PARTS OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE,+ HE SAID.
THE LEGISLATION WILL MAINLY REPRODUCE THE EXISTING PROVISIONS BUT IN A FORM WHICH CLARIFIES THE DIRECTOR’S POWER TO CO-ORDINATE THE NAVIGATION AND MOORING OF VESSELS= TO CONTROL SHIPBREAKING AND SHIP REPAIRING AND CARGO HANDLING ACTIVITIES- AND GENERALLY TO ADMINISTER THE WATERS OF HONG KONG WITH THE MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY,+ HE ADDED.
THE BILL, WHICH COMPRISES 81 CLAUSES, REPEALS AND REPLACES CERTAIN PARTS OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE. IT RE-ENACTS MOST OF THE EXISTING PROVISIONS BUT THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO BEING TAKEN TO INTRODUCE SOME AMENDMENTS AND OTHER NEW PROVISIONS IN THE LIGHT OF OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND REVISED POLICY.
BOTH THE PORT COMMITTEE AND PORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN CONSULTED AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO THE LEGISLATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID : +THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IS THE INTRODUCTION OF PROVISIONS DEALING WITH THE REPAIR AND BREAKING UP OF VESSELS, AND WITH CARGO HANDLING ON BOARD VESSELS. THE FORMER ARISES FROM THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE FIRE ON THE +JUMBO+ FLOATING RESTAURANT IN 1971. THE MAIN RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT ’THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE BE GIVEN AN OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF WORKING CONDITIONS ON SHIPS AND FLOATING STRUCTURES BEING BUILT OR UNDER REPAIR ON RENOVATION IN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG, AND THAT HE BE PROVIDED WITH SUITABLE POWERS OF ENFORCEMENT’. INTERIM MEASURES WERE INTRODUCED IN 1973 BY AMENDING THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (CONTROL OF PORTS) REGULATIONS AND BY ESTABLISHING A SHIPPING SAFETY SECTION IN THE SHIP SAFETY DIVISION OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO SUPERVISE THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF WORKS CARRIED OUT ON VESSELS.+
THE BILL EXTENDS THESE INTERIM MEASURES TO PROVIDE FOR MORE CLEARLY DEFINED SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND IMPROVED MEANS OF ENFORCEMENT.
/THE PROVISIONS .....
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1978
3
THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO CARGO HANDLING ENABLE REGULATIONS TO BE MADE TO EXTEND THE PRESENT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIES UNDERTAKING (CARGO HANDLING) REGULATIONS TO CARGO HANDLING ON VESSELS. THIS IS DESIRABLE IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY AS THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING ORDINANCE COVERS ONLY THE SAFETY ASPECT OF CARGO HANDLING ON LAND AT DOCKS AND QUAYS, BUT NOT ON THE VESSELS THEMSELVES. THE NECESSARY REGULATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING PREPARED.
OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE BILL INCLUDE CLAUSES WHICH MAKE ALL REPAIRS TO AND BREAKING UP OF VESSELS EXCEEDING 50 METRES IN LENGTH SUBJECT TO THE PERMISSION AND CONTROL OF THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE. OTHER CLAUSES PROHIBIT THE USE OF DANGEROUS EQUIPMENT AND THE CARRYING OUT OF WORK IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS AND EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR TO APPOINT INSPECTORS WHO MAY BOARD ANY VESSEL AND CARRY OUT SUCH INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ARE MET.
OTHER CHANGES WHICH THE BILL SEEKS TO MAKE INCLUDE POWERS TO REFUSE PERMISSION FOR CERTAIN VESSELS TO ENTER OR LEAVE HONG KONG WATERS' POWERS OF DETENTION ARE ALSO PROVIDED. THE POWER TO GIVE DIRECTIONS IN RESPECT OF MOVEMENT AND MOORING OF ALL VESSELS IS EXTENDED THROUGHOUT THE WATERS OF HONG KONG. ALL LOCAL VESSELS ARE REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED AND PROVISION IS MADE FOR THE RETROSPECTIVE CHARGING OF LICENCE FEES. A CLAUSE IS INCLUDED WHICH EMPOWERS THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE FIRE-FIGHTING APPARATUS AND LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES TO BE PROVIDED ON VESSELS AND FOR THE TRAINING OF THE CREW IN THE USE OF SUCH APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAS ASKED THE OWNERS OF ALL FERRIES AND PASSENGERS VESSELS TO HOLD EMERGENCY DRILLS.
OTHER CLAUSES EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS CONTROLLING THE EMISSION OF SMOKE FROM VESSELS-REQUIRE ALL SHIPS WHICH HAVE SUFFERED DAMAGE OR ARE ON FIRE TO NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE PRIOR TO THEIR ARRIVING IN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG AND REQUIRE THE OWNER OR HIS AGENT OR MASTER TO NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES OF ANY FIRES ON BOARD VESSELS AND EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR TO BOARD SUCH VESSELS FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXTINGUISHING FIRES.
CONCERNING OIL POLLUTION, THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE PROVIDE THAT, IF A VESSEL CAUSES OIL POLLUTION, THE OWNER, MASTER, AGENT OR CHARTERER OF THE VESSEL IS LIABLE TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
LOCAL SHIP AGENTS HAVE MADE REPRESENTATIONS THAT SUCH PROVISIONS ARE UNFAIR TO SHIPS’ AGENTS AS THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VESSELS CONCERNED. THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ACCEPT THIS VIEW AND ACCORDINGLY THE BILL OMITS SHIP AGENTS FROM THOSE LIABLE TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN RESPECT OF OIL POLLUTION OFFENCES.
/This will......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, l9?8
4
THIS WILL BRING HONG KONG LEGISLATION IN LINE WITH COMPARABLE LEGISLATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR OFFENCES IN RESPECT OF OIL POLLUTION IS RAISED FROM $20,000 TO 3200,003 BUT DELETES THE IMPRISONMENT PROVISION UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION.
+THE HIGHER MAXIMUM FINE IS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE IN VIEW OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF SUCH OFFENCES AND THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE FROM OIL POLLUTION AND IS COMPARABLE TO SIMILAR FINES PRESCRIBED IN OTHER COUNTRIES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OMISSION OF AN IMPRISONMENT PROVISION AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW CLAUSE PROVIDING FOR DEFENCES ARE MADE TO KEEP IN LINE WITH THE CORRESPONDING UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION.
REGULATIONS TO BE MADE UNDER THE BILL ON SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL, TYPHOON SHELTERS AND THE HONG KONG MACAU FERRY TERMINALS HAVE BEEN APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE BILL WILL BE PLACED BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
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APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN
* K X *
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM YOUNG MEN TO JOIN THE DEPARTMENT AS SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID A RECRUITMENT FOR 75 SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE EXPANSION OF ITS AMBULANCE SERVICE.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 30, WITH A STANDARD OF ENGLISH EQUIVALENT TO GRADE E IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE 'OF EDUCATION, BE ABLE TO SPEAK CANTONESE, READ AND WRFTE CHINESE AND HAVE GOOD PHYSIQUE.
CANDIDATES ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO PASS A PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST AND AN ENTRANCE EXAMINATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN, AFTER TRAINING, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AN AMBULANCE AND SUBORDINATE CREW, RENDERING FIRST-AID, CONTROL DUTIES AND OTHER DUTIES AS REQUIRED.
THE STARTING SALARY FOR A SENIOR AMBULANCEMAN IS $1,965 A MONTH, RISING TO A MAXIMUM OF $2,275.
APPLICANTS SHOULD APPLY IN PERSON TO THE TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON BETWEEN 9 A. M. AND 6 P.M. FROM TUESDAY (AUGUST 29) TO FRIDAY.
THEY SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS= A COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM G.F. 3*0, WHICH IS OBTAINABLE FROM ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND OFFICE OF LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE’ SHORTS AND RUBBER SHOES FOR USE IN THE PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST AND ORIGINAL COPIES OF ANY ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1978
5
RECLAMATION AT SHAM WAN X * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM ABOUT 6,375 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED AT SHAM WAN, ABERDEEN, TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE PROPOSED ADJOINING MARINA.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
PERSONS HAVING OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD SUBMIT THEM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE,WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE. THE PLAN SHOWING THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, FIRST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ARGYLE STATION *******
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE DESIGN OF AN ENTRANCE TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY’S ARGYLE STATION ON THE EASTERN FOOTPATH OF PORTLAND STREET AT ITS JUNCTION WITH ARGYLE STREET HAS BEEN AMENDED TO PROVIDE ACCESS FROM BOTH ARGYLE STREET AND PORTLAND STREET.
PLANS SHOWING THE AREAS AFFECTED BY THIS AMENDMENT MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG- AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON- AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (MONGKOK), 751 NATHAN ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON MAKING A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION MUST SEND HIS CLAIM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. THE CLAIM MUST REACH THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF ONE YEAR FROM THE COMPLETION OF THE SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION WHICH IS ALLEGED TO HAVE CAUSED PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE.
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/6......
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1978
6
TENDERS CALLED FOR KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL SITE
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A 5,505 SQUARE METRE INDUSTRIAL SITE IN KWAI CHUNG FROM HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS ISSUED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THE ESTATE SURVEYOR (TSING Yl) OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. HUMPHREY BEESON, TODAY SAID THAT APPLICANTS ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO SUBMIT LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS FOR 3,826 SQUARE METRES OF BUILDING AREA ON THE LOT.
LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS FOR THE REMAINING AREA ON THE LOT WILL NOT HAVE TO EE SUBMITTED, HE SAID.
THE LOT CARRIES A BUILDING CCNVENANT OF $6,177,500 TO EE FULFILLED BEFORE OCTOBER 31, 1981 AND IS EARMARKED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN DEVELOPMENT.
MR. BEESON SAID: +THE LOT, SITUATED NEAR THE KWAI SHING CIRCUIT, HAS GOOD ACCESS TO A NUMBER OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDINGS AND A VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
+IT IS ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL AS WELL AS THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.+
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH A CROSSED CHEQUE FOR $10,000 MADE PAYABLE TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AND SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE APPLICATION BOX IN THE RECEPTION LOBBY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, FIFTH FLOOR, HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON, BEFORE NOON ON SEPTEMBER 22 THIS YEAR.
APPLICATION FORMS, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AND THE SEVEN DISTRICT OFFICES.
- - 0 -
STREET CLOSURE EXTENDED * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE CLOSURE OF THE SECTION OF FIRST STREET BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 56 AND 73 IN WESTERN DISTRICT HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR ABOUT ONE MORE MONTH FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SECTION OF THE STREET HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE JULY 20 TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY REPAIR WORKS AND DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDINGS AT NOS. 63-69.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO ASSIST MOTORISTS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT TAKES THE LEAD IN PROMOTING COMMUNITY RECREATION .............................................. 1
INCIDENCE OF BLINDNESS AMONG CHILDREN DECLINING ......... 3
FIVE MORE COUNTRY PARKS TO BOOST COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION ........................................... A-
HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO GIVE INAUGURAL CONCERT ................................................. 5
LIBERATION DAY CEREMONY ................................. 6
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE WATER ACTIVITIES SAFETY ............. 6
BUS RESTRICTION ON SHING MUN ROAD ...................... 7
FIRING PRACTICE ..............................‘.......... 7
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1978
1
GOVERNMENT TAKES THE LEAD IN PROMOTING COMMUNITY RECREATION *******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL POLICY OBJECTIVE WAS TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVE RECREATIONAL PURSUITS AND TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE FACILITIES WERE PROVIDED AND PROPERLY MANAGED AND MAINTAINED.
+THE AIM IS TO PROVIDE FACILITIES AND SERVICES WITHIN EASY REACH OF MAIN CENTRES OF POPULATION FREE OR AT MINIMAL CHARGE AND TO ENABLE THE ACTIVITIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE PUBLIC IN AS SAFE AN ENVIRONMENT AS POSSIBLE,* SIR MURRAY EXPLAINED.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE +RECREATION AND SPORTS FOR PEOPLE-IN-EMPLOYMENT+ CONFERENCE AT THE CONVENTION CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
BECAUSE HONG KONG IS SO CROWDED AND GEOGRAPHICALLY SO RESTRICTED, IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY TO PLAY A MUCH MORE POSITIVE PART THAN ELSEWHERE — PROVIDING, GUIDING, AND PLANNING FOR THE PUBLIC’S USE OF LEISURE, SIR MURRAY SAID.
ADDRESSING THE 250 REPRESENTATIVES FROM MANAGEMENTS OF 150 FIRMS, FACTORIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TAKING PART IN THE DAY-LONG CONFERENCE, SIR MURRAY SAID: +IT IS IN MEETING THIS NEW CHALLENGE THAT I SEEK YOUR FURTHER INTEREST.*
+ENLIGHTENED MANAGEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD RECOGNISED THAT TENSION AND FATIGUE FOR THOSE EMPLOYED IN MODERN HIGH PRESSURE INDUSTRIAL PROCESS CAN BE ALLEVIATED BY PROGRAMMES OF RECREATION. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, PRODUCTIVITY, EFFICIENCY, EVEN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, CAN ALL BE AFFECTED,* SIR MURRAY SAID.
THE GOVERNOR URGED EMPLOYERS WHO ACCEPT THIS VIEW TO HELP BY ASSISTING AND ENCOURAGING THEIR EMPLOYEES TO BENEFIT FROM RECREATION PROGRAMMES AND BY SHOWING THEM PUBLICITY MATERIAL ABOUT THE PROGRAMMES WHICH ARE BEING ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID FORMATION OF SPORTS AND RECREATION AND WELFARE CLUBS IN FACTORIES AND BUSINESS HOUSES ALSO CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS INVOLVING EMPLOYEES AND MANAGEMENT TOGETHER IN PLANNING AND CARRYING OUT RECREATION PROGRAMMES, AND THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE WAS THERE TO HELP.
/Ill REC3NT.....
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1978
2
IN RECENT YEARS IN HONG KONG THERE HAD BEEN AN EXPLOSION OF LEISURE-TIME REQUIREMENTS FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION AND CULTURAL PURSUITS, SIR MURRAY SAID. +THIS IS TRUE ABOUT ALL YOUNG PEOPLE, BUT PARTICULARLY ABOUT THOSE IN EMPLOYMENT THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF REST DAYS AND PAID LEAVE. THERE IS A NEED TO BE FILLED.+
SIR MURRAY OBSERVED THAT SINCE 1968 PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES HAVE INCREASED FROM TWO TO EIGHT AND 14 MORE ARE PLANNED OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS, MOSTLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THERE ARE NOW 10 PUBLIC OUTDOOR STADIA AND SPORTS COMPLEXES INSTEAD OF THREE AND BY THE MID-1980S THERE SHOULD BE 13 MORE, INCLUDING MAJOR STADIA AT HO MAN TIN. TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN. INSTEAD OF NO PUBLIC INDOOR SPORTS HALLS THERE ARE NOW FOUR WITH TWO UNDER CONSTRUCTION. BY THE MID-1980S THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF SOME 24 MAJOR PUBLIC INDOOR SPORTS BUILDINGS.
+WITH THESE FACILITIES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF AT LEAST 250 HECTARES MORE PUBLIC OPEN SPACE IN URBAN AREAS, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTIVE RECREATION WILL BE GREATLY ENHANCED,+ SIR MURRAY EMPHASISED.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO NOTED THAT THE ENJOYMENT OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AND HONG KONG’S BEACHES HAS DEVELOPED STRIKINGLY. FORMERLY FEW VENTURED INTO THE HILLS OR EVEN TO THE BEACHES, BUT BY 1977 THERE WERE AT LEAST 3 MILLION VISITORS TO COUNTRY PARKS AND SOME 24 MILLION TO BEACHES. FURTHERMORE THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED IN 1976, HOPES TO COMPLETE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR ITS DESIGNATION OF NEARLY HALF THE TOTAL LAND SURFACE OF HONG KONG.
REFERRING TO THE FACILITIES FOR CULTURAL PURSUITS, SIR MURRAY REMINDED THAT 10 YEARS AGO THE ONLY PLACES FOR PUBLIC CULTURAL PERFORMANCES WERE IN THE CITY HALL. LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR HAVE SEEN THE ESTABLISHMENTS OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE AND THE BAPTIST COLLEGE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL. THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WILL SEE THE COMPLETION OF MAJOR CULTURAL COMPLEXES IN TSIM SHA TSUI, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN.
COMMENTING ON THE CONFERENCE ITSELF, SIR MURRAY SAID THE AIM BEHIND THIS WAS A MOST LAUDABLE AND WELCOME ONE AND HE WAS SURE THE PROGRAMME WOULD GIVE THE PARTICIPANTS A GREATER INSIGHT INTO WHAT BENEFITS COULD BE DERIVED BOTH BY MANAGEMENT AND THE WORK FORCE FROM A CONCERTED EFFORT TO PROMOTE A PROGRAMME CF RECREATION AND SPORTS FOR PEOPLE IN EMPLOYMENT.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1978
INCIDENCE OF BLINDNESS IN HONG KONG’S CHILDREN DECLINING
******
THE PROVISION OF A COMPREHENSIVE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICE HAS CONTRIBUTED LARGELY TO THE REMARKABLE DROP IN THE INCIDENCE OF BLINDNESS AMONG CHILDREN IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. S.F. LAM, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EYE CARE EXHIBITION AT CITY HALL THIS MORNING, DR. LAM SAID THE INCIDENCE OF BLINDNESS IN CHILDREN DECLINED FROM 5.8 PER CENT IN 1967 TO 1.8 PER CENT IN 1976.
THE FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION IS ORGANISED BY THE PENINSULA JAYCEES WITH HELP FROM THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT AND THE OPHTHALMIC SERVICE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS OTHER PROFESSIONAL BODIES.
DR. LAM SAID 10 YEARS AGO THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF EYE COMPLAINTS LEADING TO BLINDNESS WERE INJURIES AND INFECTION.
+TODAY, THOUGH WE STILL HAVE INJURIES AND INFECTION CAUSING BLINDNESS, A NEW CAUSE HAS BEEN ADDED — AND THIS IS DEGENERATION,* HE SAID.
DR. LAM SAID THIS, IRONICALLY, HAS LARGELY BEEN BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE IMPROVED GENERAL HEALTH OF THE POPULATION, BETTER CURATIVE MEDICAL CARE AND A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING AMONGST THE CITIZENS OF HONG KONG.
+WE ARE NOW LIVING LONGER AND REACHING AN AGE WHERE WE ARE BEGINNING TO ENCOUNTER DEGENERATIVE CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROCESS OF AGING, WHICH AFFECTS THE WHOLE PERSON — HIS BONES, HIS HEART, MOST SYSTEMS AND ORGANS AND, UNFORTUNATELY, HIS EYES,* HE SAID.
IN THE TREATMENT OF EYE CONDITIONS, THE ACTING DIRECTOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP A NUMBER OF OPHTHALMIC UNITS TO GIVE SPECIALISED MEDICAL TREATMENT TO THOSE WITH EYE CONDITIONS NEEDING IT AND TO PERFORM CORNEA TRANSPLANT OPERATIONS.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MANY VOLUNTARY BODIES OF PUBLIC SPIRITED CITIZENS, WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR TIME, EFFORT AND MONEY TO COMPLEMENT THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF EYE CONDITIONS.
DR. LAM SAID THE EYE CARE EXHIBITION WILL ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THEIR EYES HEALTHY BY THE ACQUISITION AND FORMATION OF PROPER HABITS RESULTING IN GREATER HAPPINESS THROUGH THE POSSESSION OF HEALTHY EYE-SIGHT.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 6.30 P.M. DAILY UNTIL AUGUST 29. VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL GET A SPECIAL BONUS OF HAVING THEIR VISION TESTED FREE OF CHARGE AND A BOOKLET ON EYE CARE.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1978
4
COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION BOOSTED BY FIVE MORE COUNTRY PARKS
******
THE DESIGNATION OF TWO COUNTRY PARKS AND THE GAZETTING OF THREE OTHERS HAS EXTENDED THE PROTECTION OF HONG KONG’S COUNTRYSIDE AND RECREATION RESOURCES TO MORE THAN 140 SQUARE MILES.
THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE GAVE NOTICE OF THE DESIGNATION OF THE PAT SIN LENG AND NORTH LANTAU COUNTRY PARKS AND GAZETTED FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION THE TAI MO SHAN, TAI LAM AND LAM TSUEN COUNTRY PARKS.
ACCORDING TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR. MARTIN LEWIS, THt 14 COUNTRY PARKS AMD ONE SPECIAL AREA SO FAR DESIGNATED OR GAZETTED COVER AN AREA OF 36,488 HECTARES -- ABOUT 143 SQUARE MILES.
THE PAT SIN LENG COUNTRY PARK OF 3,150 HECTARES IS WEST OF THE PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR AND STRETCHES FROM STARLING INLET TO CLOUDY HILL NEAR TAI PO. THE AREA, IDEAL FOR INTENSIVE HIKING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDES THE RUGGED PAT SIN RANGE (HEIGHT ABOUT 600 METRES) AND TAI MEI TUK, WHICH ADJOINS THE PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK. IT WILL BE MANAGED FROM MANAGEMENT CENTRES PRESENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT LUK KENG AND HOK TAU.
THE NORTH LANTAU COUNTRY PARK (2,200 HECTARES) CONSISTS MAINLY OF RUGGED MOUNTAINS AND SCATTERED WOODLANDS. IT IS NORTH CF THE RIDGELINE BETWEEN SUNSET AND LANTAU PEAKS AND EXTENDS FROM NAM SHAN IN THE EAST TO NGA YING KOK (NEAR TAI 0) IN THE WEST.
MR. LEWIS SAID THAT DURING THE NEXT YEAR MORE EMPHASIS WOULD EE PLACED ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CAMPSITES IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH LANTAU COUNTRY PARKS.
THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN WILL EE SURROUNDED BY FOUR COUNTRY PARKS: SHING MUN AND KAM SHAN, WHICH WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO EE DESIGNATED, AND TAI LAM AND TAI MO SHAN WHICH APPEARED IN FRIDAY’S GAZETTE.
THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK, ONE OF THE LARGEST FOREST AREAS IN HONG KONG, COVERS 5,560 HECTARES AND INCLUDES THE TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR AND SEVERAL OTHER MINOR DAMS OF 220 HECTARES. EMBRACING THE AREA CF MOUNTAINOUS LAND TO THE WEST OF TAI MO SHAN AND LYING SOUTH OF THE YUEN LONG PLAIN, THE PARK STRETCHES FROM LAM TEI (NEAR TUEN MUN) EASTWARDS TC ROUTE TWISK.
HONG KONG’S LARGEST WATERFALL AT NG TUNG CHAI, A BEAUTIFUL AND POPULAR PICNIC SITE, IS WITHIN THE TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PARK. COVERING AN AREA CF 1,640 HECTARES, THE PARK IS WEST AND NORTH OF SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK, EAST OF ROUTE TV. ISK AND STRETCHES FROM THE TAI PO KAU SPECIAL AREA TO THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE LAM TSUEN VALLEY.
/the third country.....
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1978
5
THE THIRD COUNTRY PARK TO BE GAZETTED FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION THIS WEEK IS 1 735 HECTARES OF MOUNTAINS, UNDULATING HILLS AND VALLES AROUND LAM TSUEN. SITUATED WEST OF TAI PO AND NORTH OF THE LAM TSUEN VALLEY, THE PARK INCLUDES THE KAI KUENG AND TA TO YAN MOUNTAINS. THE LAM TSUEN COUNTRY PARK HAS EXCELLENT HILLS FOR HIKING.
MR. LEWIS SAID THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY WAS AIMING TO DESIGNATE AN ADDITIONAL FIVt PARKS BEFORE THE END OF 1979.
A COUNTRY PARK IN THE MA ON SHAN AREA IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION. SITUATED BETWEEN THE SAI KUNG AND LION ROCK COUNTRY PARKS, IT WILL INCLUDE THE PAK SHA WAN (HEBE HAVEN) PENINSULA, KOWLOON PEAK, NGONG PING AND MA ON SHAN ITSELF.
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DEBUT OF HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA X X X X * X
THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FOUNDED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL GIVE ITS INAUGURAL CONCERT AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 29).
THE 90-MEMBER ORCHESTRA COMPRISES YOUNG PEOPLE FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONc. THEIR AGES RANGE FROM EIGHT TO 23.
AT THE CONCERT ON AUGUST 29, JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE ORCHESTRA WILL PERFORM UNDER THE BATON OF MR. DAVID STONE, HONG KONG’S MUSIC CONSULTANT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
MR. STONE ARRIVED HERE LAST MONTH WITH THE COUNTY OF AVON SCHOOLS ORCHESTRA AND IS RUNNING A SUMMER COURSE FOR MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
TICKETS FOR THE CONCERT ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE CITY HALL BOOK ING OFF ICE.
ENQUIRIES ON THE CONCERT CAN EE MADE TO THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE ON 5-283257.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1978
LIBERATION DAY CEREMONY AT CITY HALL
******
HONG KONG WILL OBSERVE THIS YEAR’S LIBERATION DAY WITH A WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AT CITY HALL ON MONDAY (AUGUST 23) AT 11 A.M.
DURING THE CEREMONY, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG PRISONERS OF WAR ASSOCIATION AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) WILL LAY WREATHS AT THE SHRINE IN MEMORY OF MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS WHO DIED DURING THE BATTLE OF DECEMBER 1941 OR LATER AS PRISONERS OF WAR.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE SOUNDING OF THE LAST POST OF A TRUMPETER, A TWO-MINUTE SILENCE AND REVEILLE, AND THE FIRING OF THREE VOLLEYS OF SALUTE.
THE FIRING PARTY AND TRUMPETER WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE REGIMENT.
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+WATER ACTIVITIES SAFETY CARNIVAL+ AT REPULSE BAY * * * *
A +WATER ACTIVITIES SAFETY CARNIVAL+, ORGANISED BY THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, WILL BE HELD AT REPULSE BAY ON MONDAY (AUGUST 28) FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 12.30 P.M.
AS PART OF THE SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS CAMPAIGN, THE CARNIVAL AIMS AT PUTTING ACROSS THE +PLAY SAFE+ MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC WHEN TAKING PART IN VARIOUS AQUATIC SPORTS.
A FULL PROGRAMME OF DEMONSTRATIONS AND GAMES WILL EE HELD IN ■DIE TWO-HOUR CARNIVAL. IT WILL INCLUDE TREASURE HUNT, DRAGON BOAT RACE TEAM SPIRIT COMPETITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS GIVtN BY HONG KONG CANOE UNION, HONG KONG UNDERWATER FEDERATION, HONG KONG AMATEUR SWIMMING ASSOCIATION AND ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY (HONG KONG BRANCH).
CHAIRMAN OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS, MR. CHAM SIU-LEUN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CARNIVAL ON MONDAY (AUGUST 28) AT REPULSE BAY. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL EE PROVIDED. A GOVERNMENT VAN (AM 2102) WILL LEAVE QUEEN’S PIER AT 8.30 A.M. SHARP.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1978
7 -
BUS RESTRICTION ON SHING MUN ROAD
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM 10 A.M.
ON MONDAY (AUGUST 28), SHING MUN ROAD NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WO Yl HOP ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUSES, EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE DRIVERS.
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FIRING PRACTICE * * * *
DAYS NEXTNWEEKACTICE W'LL TAKE PLACE AT CASTLE PEAK RANGE 0N F0UR
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE A?EA_WH§N THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF THE FIRING
PRACTICE.
THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE:
DATE HOURS
AUGUST 29 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M.
AUGUST 30 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M.
AUGUST 31 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 1 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 10.30 P.M.
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PR 33
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Saturday, August 26, 1978
SPEECH BY H.^.M^^t^^TC^^XiFERENCE ON
"RECREATIONcAND SPORT FOR PEOPLE-IN-EMPLOYMJNT"
Ladies and Gentlemen :
The aim behind this conference is a most laudable and welcome one.
In recent years in Hong Kong there has been an explosion of leisure-time requirements for outdoor recreation and cultural pursuits. This is true about all young people, but particularly about those in employment through the introduction of rest days and paid leave. There is a need to be filled.
Many organisations and associations in Hong Kong,iineluding private clubs, voluntary agencies, local sports clubs, Clansmen’s Associations, Kaifongs, District Sports Councils and many other groups have helped to fill this need.
However, the four main bodies most directly concerned are the National Associations and the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee; the Urban Council; the school sports associations and the Hong Kong School Sports Council; and the new Government Recreation and Sports Service.
Overall the Council for Recreation and Sport advises the Government on how facilities for recreation sport in both the urban and rural areas may be expanded, and most effectively utilised, and how financial assistance should be given to amateur sports. The Council has a Community Recreation Sub-Committee, and the Chairman, Mr. F.K. Hu, vzill be joining in the panel discussion later today. Suitably Mr. Hu is also a member of the Urban Council which has made such an important contribution.
/ Government’s •
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
- 2 -
Government’s .overall policy objective is to encourage participation in active recreational pursuits and to ensure that adequate facilities are provided and properly managed and maintained at least for those activities, which appeal to large numbers of people. The aim is te provide facilities and services within easy reach of main centres of population free or at minimal charge and to enable the activities to be undertaken by the public in as safe as environment as possible*
Enlightened managements throughout the world recognise that pension and fatigue for those employed in modern high pressure industrial processes can be ,• alleviated by programmes of recreation. Physical and mental health, productivity, efficiency, even industrial safety, can all be affected.
Employers who accept this point of view can help by assisting and -encouraging their employees to benefit from recreation programmes and by showing them publicity material about the programmes which are being organised.
The formation of sports and recreation and welfare clubs in factories and business houses also contributes towards involving employees and management together in planning and carrying out recreation programmes, and the Recreation and Sports Service is there to advise..*and assist.
In considering what you can do you will certainly be moving with the times. An extraordinary revolution in the use of leisure has taken place in Hong Kong. Consider what has happened over the last ten years and is planned for the nexti Since 1968 public swimming.pool complexes have increased from two to eight and 14 more are planned over the next ten years mostly in the New Territories. There are now ten public outdoor stadia and-sports complexes^-instead of three and by the mid-1980s there should be 13 more, including major Stadia at Ho Man Tin, Tuen Mun and Sha Tin. Instead of no public indoor sports halls there are now four with two under construction, as well as the Queen Elizabeth stadium at Morrison Hill and that at Hung Hom. By the mid-1980s there will be a
/ total of •••••••
- 5 -
total of some 24 major public indoor sports buildings. With these facilities and the development of at least 250 hectares more public open space in urban areas, the opportunities for active recreation will be greatly enhanced.
The enjoyment of the countryside and Hong Kong’s beaches has also developed strikingly. Formerly few ventured into the hills or even to the beaches, but by 1977 there were at least three million visits to our country parks and some 24 million to our beaches. The Country Parks Authority was only established in 1976, yet by the end of this year the Authority hopes to complete its designation of nearly half the total land surface of Hong Kong.
In 1968 the only places for public cultural performances were in the City Hall, Last year and this year have seen the establishment of the Hong Kong Arts Centre and the Baptist College Academic Community Hall and the next five years will see the completion of the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex as well as cultural complexes in Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun and Sha Tin. The Government is providing these facilities in response to a growing demand for and awareness of the arts, encouraged by the top quality performances in local festivals and increasingly by our own local orchestras and artists.
Hong Kong is based on hard work, sound management, imaginative investment, and an ability to place first things first. Long may this continue. But recreation and intelligent use of leisure have their part to play in our rapidly evolving society. Because Hong Kong is so crowded and geographically so restricted, it is necessary for the Government and the community to play a much more positive part than elsewhere - providing, guiding, and planning for the public’s use of leisure. It is in meeting this new challenge that I seek your further interest.
Today’s conference programme will, I am sure, given you, as employers, a greater insight into what benefits can be derived both by management and the work force from a concerted effort to promote a programme of recreation and sports for people in employment.
I now have much pleasure in declaring the Conference open and wish you all an enjoyable and rewarding day.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG’S EXPORTS BY AIR ................................. 1
DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR SHA TIN ...................... 3
*
LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT +CANOE DAY+ CAMP ................... 4
CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM .... 5
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ....................................... 6
WATER CUT IN TIN WAN ....................................... 6
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 1978
1
HONG KONG’S EXPORTS EY AIR * * * * *
ABOUT 23 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS WORTH $3,975 '-■ILL I ON WERE TRANSPORTED EY AIR IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1978, ACCORDING TO TRADE FIGURES ISSUED EY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
THE FIGURES ALSO SHOW THAT AIRBORNE IMPORTS WERE VALUED AT '4,920 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS AT '1,823 MILLION, REPRESENTING 17 PER CENT AND 31 PER CENT OF OVERALL IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF OF 1977, AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS HI JANUARY-JURE 1978 REGISTERED INCREASES OF 27 PER CENT, 36 PER CENT AND 40 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES HONG KONG’S AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SIX MAJOR MARKETS:
JAN.-JUNE 1978 JAN.-JUNE 1977 % CHANGES
(HKT MN) (HKS MN)
U.S.A. 1,784 1,492 + 20?:
F.R. OF GERMANY 481 341 + 41%
JAPAN 237 176 + 52;'
U.K. 228 151 + 5195
SWITZERLAND AND LIECHTENSTEIN 133 105 + 26?:
CANADA 105 94 + 12?'
AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE ABOVE MAJOR MARKETS ACHIEVED SPECTACULAR GROWTH RATES IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1978. THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE DUE TO MORE DELIVERIES OF ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES (01,403 MILLION, + 30 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (“913 MILLION, + 62 PER CENT). OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT ('399 MILLION, + 14%), JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES (.9240 MILLION, + 17 PER CENT) AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STORES AND JADE (370 . ILLIC’., + 82 PER CENT).
A BREAKDOWN ANALYSIS REVEALED THE REMARKABLE GROWTH RATES OF AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS CF ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES TO F.R. CF GERMANY ('2.4 ILLIOH, + 54 PER CENT), JAPAN ('91 MILLION, + 86 PE? CE'.T) AND U.K. ('c7 ILLIC'., * 77 = Er. CENT).
/prominent increases .....
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 1978
- 2 -
PROMINENT INCREASES IN AIRBORNE EXPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS WERE ALSO OBSERVED FOR F.R. OF GERMANY ("72 "ILLION, + IPS PER CENT), JAPAN (*46 MILLION, + Si PER CENT) AND U.K. (370 MILLION, + SO PER CENT).
IMPORTS BY INCREASES: AIR FROM THE FOLLOWING JAN.-JUNE 1978 MAJOR SUPPLIERS JAN.-JUNE 1977 ALSO RECORD % CHANGES
(HK$ MN) (HK$ MN)
JAPAN 1,073 768 + 40%
U.S.A. / 91? 872 + 5%
SWITZERLAND AND LIECHTENSTEIN 554 393 + 41%
ISRAEL 34o 60 +472%
UNITED KINGDOM 232 175 + 33?<
SINGAPORE 219 168 + 31°<
THE UPTRENDS IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS JERE MAINLY INCREASED ARRIVALS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS ("1,23'5 MILLION, + 36 PER CENT), DIAMONDS ("507 MILLION, + 197 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT ("437 MILLION, + 35 PER CENT) AND ARTICLES OF APPAREL AMD CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ("146 MILLION, + 61 PER CENT).
BY COUNTRY, NEARLY THREE-QUARTERS OF THE INCREASED AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM SWITZERLAND REFLECTED HIGHER DELIVERIES OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (“455 MILLION, + 36 PER CENT).
THE EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH RATE REGISTERED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM ISRAEL WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY IK DELIVERIES OF DIAMONDS ($343 MILLION, + 433 PER CENT).
INCREASED ($23? MILLION, + 29 PER CENT) EQUIPMENT (769
AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS VERE MAINLY CAUSED BY DIAMONDS + 125 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (3339 MILLION, AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MILLION, + 79 PER CENT).
THERE JERE SUBSTANTIAL GAINS IN AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN (5550 ■’-ILLION, + 56 PER CENT), TAI .'A'.' (3260 MILLION, + 59 PER CENT) WHICH TOGETHER CONTRIBUTED A HALF CF THE INCREASE IN AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1978.
IK ADDITION, PROMINENT INCREASES !' RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE (*258 MILLION, + 45 PER CENT) AND THE U.S. (5182 MILLION, + 36 PER CENT) ..'ERE OBSERVED.
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SUBDAY, AUGUST 27, 1978
MAJOR CCM'ERCIAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES EARMARKED FOR SHA TIN ******
A TOWN CENTRE WITH MAJOR COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES, INCLUDING A PUBLIC LIBRARY, PUBLIC HALL AND AUDITORIUM, AND A MAGISTRACY, IS PROPOSED FOR SHA TIN UNDER A DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN PREPARED EY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE TOWN CENTRE, WITH AN AREA CF 18 HECTARES, WILL BE SITUATED IN SHA TIM VALLEY BETWEEN THE EXISTING SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION AND THE SHING MUN RIVER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID THAT THE AIM OF BUILDING SHA TIN NEW TOWN WAS TO CREATE A NEW SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITY FOR SOME 503,000 PEOPLE IN AN ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
THE DRAFT PLAN COVERS A TOTAL OF 2,396 HECTARES. OF THIS, 442 HECTARES WILL EE ZONED FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, 129 HECTARES FOR VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT, 219 HECTARES FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USES, WHICH INCLUDE A POLYTECHNIC AND A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, A TEACHING HOSPITAL AND POLYCLINICS, A MAJOR SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT, A REFUSE COMPOSTING PLANT AND A STADIUM.
A TOTAL OF 116 HECTARES IS EARMARKED FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL USE, 338 HECTARES FOR DISTRICT OPEN SPACE, 981 HECTARES FOR GREEN BELT, 39 HECTARES FOR RAILWAY LAND AND 88 HECTARES FOR OTHER SPECIFIED USES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ANOTHER 26 HECTARES OF LAND HAD BEEN RESERVED TC MEET ANY POSSIBLE UNFORESEEN REQUIREMENTS THAT MIGHT, IN THE LONG TERM, ARISE AS A CONSEQUENCE CF CHANGES OF STANDARDS AND NEW LAND DEVELOPMENT POLICIES.
+USE CF SUCH AREAS ON A TEMPORARY BASIS WOULD BE PERMISSIBLE FOR TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT THAT ARE COMPATIBLE WITH ADJOINING USES,+ HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT A DOMINANT FEATURE IN THE TOWN PLAN WAS THE PROVISION OF LARGE LANDSCAPED OPEN SPACES ALONG THE RIVER FRONT IN THE VICINITY OF THE TOWN CENTRE, PROVIDING A MAJOR SPINE FOR PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE MOVEMENT.
+THZ -REA AT THE CENTRE OF THE TOWN PLAN WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A FORMAL * TCWN PARK’ .. I TH MAJOR SPORTING AND SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX ADJOINING IT,+ HE ADDED.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN, TOGETHER WITH A NEW SET OF NOTES WHICH DEFINE THE PERMITTED USES AS WELL AS THOSE WHICH MAY BE EXCEPTIONALLY PERMITTED EY THE TC..N PLANNING BOARD, MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, THE DISTRICT OFFICE (SHA TIN) AND AT THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE GF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
UNDER A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PLAN OR NOTES SHOULD SUBMIT HIS OBJECTIONS IN WRITING BEFORE OCTOBER 24, 1978 TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 PUBLIC .vCRKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN MAY DE OBTAINED FROM THE PH.D.’S CRCaN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19T? CLOCR, MURRAY BUILDING, AT 55 PER COPY (UKCOLOURED) AND .5? COPY (COLOURED).
0 - -
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 1978
- 4 -
LADY MACLEHCSE
TO VISIT +CANOE DAY+ CAMP * * * *
LADY MACLEHOSE ILL VISIT A +CANOE DAY+ CAMP ORGANISED FOR WESTERN DISTRICT YOUTHS AT ST. STEPHEN’S PAY, STANLEY, ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 29).
THE CAMP IS ORGANISED PY THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT '.S FART OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
LADY MACLEHOSE’S VISIT WILL LAST ONE HOUR STARTING.
FROM 1° A.-’. SHE WILL SEE YOUTHS AT TRAINING AS WELL AS A DEMONSTRATION OF THE EASIC TECHNIQUES CF CANOEING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED
MACLEHOSE’S VISIT TO
TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER LADY THE CAMP.
A GOVERNMENT VAN (AM 3351?) 'ILL TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO STANLEY, LEAVING BATTERY PATH OUTSIDE THE SUPREME COURT AT 9 A.M. SHARP.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 1978
5
CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE C0NTR0LTSYSTEMl2^MENT OPERATION OF THE WEST KOWLOON AREA TRAFFIC
THIS TELEVISION SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE THE OPERATOR VISUAL INFORMATION OF THE ACTUAL TRAFFIC CONDITION.
WITH THIS VISUAL INFORMATION AND THE INFORMATION FROM THE TRAFFIC DETECTORS, THE OPERATOR WILL BE ABLE TO DEAL, MORE EFFECTIVELY, WITH UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC SITUATIONS IN THE AREA.
THE INITIAL SYSTEM WILL CONSIST OF 10 CAMERAS STRATEGICALLY LOCATED AT BUSY TRAFFIC LOCATIONS IN WEST KOWLOON. THE PICTURES WILL BE TRANSMITTED VIA CABLES TO THE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE AT KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND THE POLICE TRAFFIC OFFICE AT ARGYLE STREET.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE INSTALLATION OF THIS SYSTEM WILL TAKE IS MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
SIMILAR CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN MOST CITIES OVERSEAS WHERE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL IS USED AND HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE OF CONSIDERABLE BENEFIT.
THE WEST KOWLOON AREA CONTROL SYSTEM HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE MARCH 1977 AND BY THE END OF 1°78, IT WILL BE CONTROLLING 114 SETS OF TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS.
THE SYSTEM CONTROLS AMD CO-ORDINATES THE TIMINGS OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS THROUGHOUT A; AREA TO ENSURE TRAFFIC CAN MOVE AS QUICKLY A'-'D SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE. IT ALSO PERMITS THE CONTROL OF INDIVIDUAL SETS OR GROUPS OF SIGNALS BY THE CONTROL ROOM OPERATOR. FOR THE LATTER FORM OF CONTROL, THE OPERATOR HAS TO HAVE FIRST HAND INFORMATION OF THE TRAFFIC SITUATION AT THE JUNCTIONS BEING CONSIDERED.
TRAFFIC DETECTORS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TO MONITOR THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IM THE CONTROL AREA AMD TO ALERT THE OPERATOR TO POINTS WHERE TRAFFIC CONGESTIO’' IS SEVERE. HOWEVER TO ENABLE EFFECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN THE OPERATOR REQUIRES VISUAL INFORMATION OF THE ACTUAL STREET TRAFFIC.
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A
SUMDAY, AUGUST 27, 1973
6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS F ft It K F
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE RIGHT-TURN MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC FROM ARGYLE STREET ONTO PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD WILL NOT EE PERMITTED FROM 13 A.I'. ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 29) TO ■FACILITATE RJAD WORKS IN THE AREA.
MOTORISTS WISHING TO TRAVEL TC PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FROM 'ARGYLE STREET CAN TURN ONTO WATERLOO ROAD AT THE ARGYLE STREET/ ..ATERLOC ROAD JUNCTION, THEN TURN LEFT ONTO PUI CHING ROAD AND THEN TURN LEFT AGAIN ONTO SHEUNG HI LG STREET WHICH CONNECTS DIRECTLY WITH PRINCESS MARGARET RC-D.
Kl-’t ROUTE 13 Of:'JOURNEYS TO Cl MAN ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE ALONG ARGYLE STREET, WATERLOO ROAD, HO MAN TIN INTERCHANGE AND PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
WATER CUT IN TIN WAN * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN ABERDEEN WILL BE TEMPORARILY STOPPED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 29) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
AFFECTED WILL EE PREMISES ALONG TIN WAN STREET AND TIN WAN NE* STREET INCLUDING BLOCKS 1-15 O- TIN WAN ESTATE.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS ...................... 1
K.C.R. SIGNALLING SYSTEM COMPUTERISED ......... 2
SEAMEN RECRUITING OFFICE ...................... 3
RECREATION PROGRAMME ESSENTIAL FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ................................... 4
CONCERTS OF MUSIC TRAINEES .................... 5
WATER CUT IN KOWLOON TONG AND ABERDEEN ........ 5
MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1978
- 1 -
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED THE AWARD OF QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, FATHER PATRICK MCGOVERN, AND WARRANT OFFICER CLASS I, S.A. ULLA OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS).
FATHER MCGOVERN, WHO HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SINCE SEPTEMBER, 1976, RECEIVES AN HONORARY O.B.E., AND W.O.I ULLA, WHO HAS SERVED WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT FOR 27 YEARS, RECEIVES A B.E.M. (MILITARY DIVISION). THE AWARDS ARE ADDITIONAL TO THOSE ANNOUNCED IN THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST ON JUNE 3.
FATHER MCGOVERN IS A MEMBER OF SEVERAL COMMITTEES CONNECTED WITH INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND SOCIAL SERVICES. HE HAS ESTABLISHED A REPUTATION OVER THE YEARS FOR HIS EFFORTS AT IMPROVING THE LOT OF INDUSTRIAL WORKERS IN HONG KONG, HAVING SPENT MUCH TIME ADVISING THEM ON HOW TO BETTER THEIR CONDITIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
HE IS A MEMBER OF THE ICAC CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY RELATIONS, PERMANENT ADVISER TO THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS INSTITUTE, AND ADVISES A NUMBER OF TRADE UNIONS.
MR. ULLA HAS SERVED IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT CONTINUOUSLY SINCE 1951 AND IS THE SENIOR VOLUNTEER WARRANT OFFICER. FOR MANY YEARS HE HAS GIVEN WHOLE-HEARTED SUPPORT AND LOYALTY TO THE REGIMENT, HIS DEVOTION TO DUTY SETTING AN EXAMPLE TO YOUNGER MEN. IN CIVILIAN LIFE HE WORKS AS AN ASSISTANT HOUSING MANAGER IN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE REASON FOR THE LATE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THESE AWARDS IS THAT AGREEMENT HAD TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENTS OF EIRE AND PAKISTAN, OF WHICH FATHER MCGOVERN AND MR. ULLA ARE CITIZENS RESPECTIVELY, BEFORE THEY COULD BE MADE PUBLIC.
FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE AWARDS WILL APPEAR IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 1).
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MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1978
2
K.C.R. SIGNALLING SYSTEM COMPUTERISED
* * * * *
A COMPUTER-CONTROLLED SIGNALLING SYSTEM WILL BE INTRODUCED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AS PART OF ITS PLAN TO MODERNISE THE TRAIN SERVICE IN ORDER TO KEEP PACE WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
COSTING OVER $30 MILLION, THE NEW SYSTEM WILL BE INSTALLED IN THREE STAGES TO GRADUALLY REPLACE THE EXISTING MANUALLY OPERATED SYSTEM.
PLANNING MANAGER OF THE K.C.R., MR. SUNNY CHOI, SAIDx +THE NEW SYSTEM WOULD HALVE MANPOWER AND ENABLE US TO HAVE A GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN ARRANGING TRAINS FOR HIGHER FREQUENCY.+
HE SAID WHEN THE NEW SYSTEM IS FULLY OPERATIONAL BY LATE 1980, IT WILL ENABLE THE K.C.R. TO OPERATE TRAINS EVERY THREE MINUTES.
THE NERVE CENTRE OF THE SYSTEM IS A COMPUTER WITH ITS CONTROL CONSOLE INSTALLED AT THE KOWLOON STATION.
MR. CHOI SAID A SPECIAL ROOM TO HOUSE THE COMPUTER AND THE CONTROL EQUIPMENT IS BEING BUILT AT THE HUNG HOM TERMINAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE CONTROL SET IS EXPECTED TO START IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.
THE SIGNALLING SYSTEM IS BEING BUILT ALONG WITH THE DOUBLETRACKING OF THE RAIL.
WORK ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SIGNALLING SYSTEM IS BEING CARRIED OUT ON THE SECTION BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND SHA TIN WHERE THE DOUBLE TRACKING WORK IS IN PROGRESS.
THE SECOND STAGE OF THE SYSTEM WILL COVER THE SECTION BETWEEN SHA TIN AND TAI PO MARKET AND WORK IS DUE TO START SOON WHILE THE FINAL STAGE, FROM TAI PO MARKET TO LO WU WILL COMMENCE AT A LATER DATE.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE NEW SIGNALLING SYSTEM FOR THE SHA TIN LOOP LINE WILL BE OPERATIONAL IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR WITH A TEMPORARY PANEL INSTALLED AT THE NEW SHA TIN RACE COURSE STATION TO CONTROL THE SIGNALS ALONG THE SECTION BETWEEN SHA TIN AND UNIVERSITY STATIONS.
0 --------
MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1978
3
SEAMEN RECRUITING OFFICE
* * * *
AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, ABOUT 22,740 HONG KONG SEAMEN WERE SERVING IN OVER 1,300 SHIPS REGISTERED IN PORTS OF NEARLY ALL MARITIME COUNTRIES, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THE FIGURE REPRESENTS A SLIGHT DECLINE OF ABOUT SIX PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH 24,200 SEAMEN IN 1976.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID MANY OF THESE SEAMEN WERE EMPLOYED THROUGH A CENTRALISED SYSTEM OPERATED BY THE SEAMEN’S RECRUITING OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 5,300 SEAMEN WERE SUPPLIED BY THE RECRUITMENT OFFICE.
UNDER THE CENTRALISED SYSTEM, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, A SEAMAN WISHING TO APPLY FOR A JOB CAN HAVE HIS NAME ENTERED IN THE GENERAL ROSTER HELD BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT. HE MAY ALSO APPLY FOR HIS NAME TO BE ENTERED IN INDIVIDUAL COMPANY ROSTERS OR IN A LICENSED CREW DEPARTMENT LIST.
LICENSED CREW DEPARTMENTS ARE OPERATED BY INDIVIDUAL SHIPPING COMPANIES AND LAST YEAR 31 COMPANIES WERE LICENSED TO MAINTAIN CREW DEPARTMENTS.
+FOR THE BENEFIT OF SEAMEN, FREQUENT INSPECTIONS ON THESE CREW DEPARTMENTS ARE CARRIED OUT BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE COMPANIES COMPLIED WITH THE CONDITIONS COVERING THEIR OPERATION,+ HE SAID.
BUT A COMPANY WHICH DOES NOT OPERATE A LICENSED CREW DEPARTMENT MAY OBTAIN PERMISSION TO HAVE A COMPANY ROSTER WITHIN THE SEAMEN RECRUITING OFFICE ON WHICH TO LIST SEAMEN WHO ARE PREPARED TO SERVE ON THAT COMPANY’S SHIPS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MUSTERS OF SEAMEN WERE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN THE RECRUITMENT OFFICE FOR BOTH GENERAL ROSTER AND COMPANY ROSTER PURPOSES IN ORDER TO PREVENT MALPRACTICE AND TO ENSURE THAT SEAMEN ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT BE ING OFFERED. IN ADDITION, ACCEPTED MINIMUM CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT ARE CONTAINED IN A STANDARD FORMAT PREPARED BY THE RECRUITMENT OFFICE AND REGULARLY UPDATED.
HE ADDED HOWEVER, LICENSED CREW DEPARTMENTS AND COMPANIES OPERATING COMPANY ROSTERS MAY ALSO SELECT SEAMEN FROM THE GENERAL ROSTER IF SEAMEN ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE COMPANY’S LISTS OR ROSTERS.
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/4
MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1978
4
RECREATION PROGRAMME ESSENTIAL FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT *****
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS. EVELYN DOE, TODAY PLEDGED SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANISATION OF MORE HEALTHY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AS A MEANS TO HELP STEER YOUNG PEOPLE ON THEIR WAY TO GOOD CITIZENSHIP.
AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER PROGRAMME RUN BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MRS. DOE SPOKE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY OUTLETS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN A HIGHLY URBANISED SOCIETY.
+APART FROM FOSTERING THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME HAD GONE A LONG WAY IN HELPING YOUNGSTERS BUILD UP THEIR MORAL SENSE, AROUSE THEIR SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND DIRECT THEIR INCENTIVE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY,* SHE SAID.
WITH FULL SUPPORT FROM VARIOUS SECTORS, MRS. DOE WAS CONFIDENT THAT OTHER TERRITORY-WIDE RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES, SUCH AS THE CHINESE NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES, WOULD BE AS SUCCESSFUL AS THE ONE ORGANISED IN SUMMER.
TURNING TO THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME CONDUCTED IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT, SHE SAID THAT THE WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, TOTALLING 450, HAD GIVEN 80,000 YOUNG PEOPLE AN ENJOYABLE AND MEANINGFUL VACATION.
SHE PRAISED THE DISTRICT’S YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE MADE UP OF 78 WELFARE AGENCIES, COMMUNITY BODIES AND LOCAL OFFICES OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, FOR THIS SUCCESSFUL VENTURE.
+1 HOPE THAT THIS SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION WILL RESULT IN THE PROVISION OF MORE VALUABLE SOCIAL SERVICES FOR OUR YOUNGER GENERATION,* SHE SAID.
A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING DRAMA, CHINESE MUSIC AND TRADITIONAL DANCES WAS ALSO STAGED TO MARK THE CLOSING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
/5
MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 1978
5
CONCERTS OF MUSIC TRAINEES * * * *
THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ORGANISED A SERIES OF CONCERTS TO BE PERFORMED BY ITS MUSIC TRAINEES REGULARLY FROM NEXT MONTH.
THE FIRST CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT 5.30 P.M. ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 1) IN THE RECITAL HALL OF THE ARTS CENTRE, NINTH FLOOR, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. SIMILAR CONCERTS WILL BE HELD AT THE SAME VENUE ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE SAID THE PERFORMERS ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ATTENDING MUSIC TRAINING CLASSES ORGANISED BY THE OFFICE SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR.
+THESE CONCERTS'WILL ENABLE THE TRAINEES TO BUILD UP CONFIDENCE IN GIVING LIVE PERFORMANCES IN PUBLIC BEFORE AN AUDIENCE.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CONCERTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND FREE ADMISSION CARDS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE HEADQUARTERS IN THE ARTS CENTRE.
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WATER CUT IN KOWLOON TONG AND ABERDEEN
* X * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON TONG WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TUESDAY (AUGUST 29) TO 6 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, BEACON HILL ROAD, EDE ROAD, BROADCAST DRIVE INCLUDING EASTBOURNE ROAD, RHONDDA ROAD, ALNWICK ROAD, MARCONI ROAD, FESSENDEN ROAD AND FLATS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICERS’ HOUSING SCHEMES.
ON THE ISLAND, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN ABERDEEN WILL BE TEMPORARILY CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 30) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SHEK PAI WAN ROAD, TIN WAN STREET INCLUDING YUE LEI STREET, YUE WOK STREET, KA WO STREET, TUNG FONG STREET AND THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1979
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS APPOINTED ......................................... !
CHINA AGREES TO SUPPLY MORE WATER TO HONG KONG .... 7
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HONG KONG NEXT MONTH .... 7 INAUGURATION OF 23RD TERM OF HEUNG YEE KUK ........ 9
LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS + CANOE DAY+ CAMP ........... A
SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS TO VISIT HUNG HOM SPORT* CENTRE ............................................ q
BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS........................ 9
OPENING OF C. D.O. SUB-OFFICE IN LAM TIN ......... 11
FIRST GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY NURSING COURSE ........ 12
I
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED .......................... 12
FARMERS AND FISHERMEN RECEIVE $1.25 MILLION ALLOWANCE ........................................ 13
SURVEY OF FACTORY PREMISES ....................... 13
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ............................. 14
WATER CUTS........................................ 14
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
1
NEW EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS APPOINTED * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY ANNOUNCED CHANGES IN THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
THE HON. SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL BE RETIRING AFTER HAVING SERVED ON THE COUNCIL FOR TEN YEARS, THE LAST FOUR AS SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER.
THE HON. LEE QUO-WEI, THE HON. MRS. KWAN KO SIU-WAH AND THE HON. PETER GORDON WILLIAMS WILL ALSO BE RETIRING FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
NEWLY-APPOINTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE DR. HO KAM-FAI, 'MR. ALLEN LEE, MR. DAVID NEWBIGGING AND MR. ANDREW SO.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW APPOINTMENTS WILL BRING TO THE COUNCIL ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION, COMMERCE, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIAL WELFARE AND GRASS-ROOTS CONTACTS.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENTS OF
DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG SIN-YANG, THE HON. LI FOOK-WO, THE HON. R.H. LOBO AND MR. MICHAEL SANDBERG TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THE RETIREMENT OF THE HON. ANN TSE-KAI, THE OLDEST MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, TOGETHER WITH THE HON. LEE QUO-WEI AND THE HON. MRS. JOYCE SYMONS.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF TODAY’S EXEC-UTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, THE GOVERNOR THANKED ALL THE RETIRING MEMBERS FOR THEIR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AND VALUABLE ADVICE DURING THE YEARS IN WHICH THEY HAD SERVED.
/the following are .....
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
2
THE FOLLOWING ARE BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THE EIGHT NEW MEMBERS TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILSs-
DR. HARRY FANG SIN-YANG:
DR. FANG WAS BORN IN CHINA IN 1923 AND IS AN ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALIST.
AFTER STUDYING IN HONG KONG, HE OBTAINED A MASTER DEGREE IN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL AND FELLOWSHIP OF A NUMBER OF SURGICAL AND ORTHOPAEDIC COLLEGES IN GREAT BRITAIN, AMERICA, AUSTRALIA AND FRANCE.
DR. FANG HAS SERVED ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SINCE 1974. HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE. HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE PLANNING COMMITTEE AND THE COURT, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC. DR. FANG IS PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF MEDICAL SOCIETIES, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CO-ORDINATION OF THE MEDICAL AND PARA-MEDICAL PROFESSIONS.
HE IS VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD, AND HAS GIVEN MUCH OF HIS TIME TO THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN OF HONG KONG, PLAYING AN ACTIVE PART IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION AS WELL AS IN THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE AS HE IS ALSO VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE REHABILITATION INTERNATIONAL IN CHARGE OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGION.
AS AN HONORARY LECTURER IN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY HE HAS ASSISTED IN THE TRAINING OF DOCTORS IN THIS SPECIALITY AND IS THE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
DR. FANG RECEIVED A SPECIAL AWARD OF THE PRESIDENT’S COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT OF THE HANDICAPPED, U.S.A. IN 1968. A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SINCE 1964, HE WAS AWARDED THE O.B.E. IN 1969.
DR. FANG IS MARRIED WITH TWO SONS AND FOUR DAUGHTERS.
/MR. LI FOOK-WO : ......
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
3
MR. LI FOOK-WO:
MR. LI WAS BORN IN HONG KONG IN 1916 AND HAD HIS SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG. HE CONTINUED HIS HIGHER EDUCATION AT BOSTON, HARVARD AND NEW YORK UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
A FORMER CHIEF MANAGER OF THE BANK OF EAST ASIA LIMITED, OF WHICH HE IS STILL A DIRECTOR, MR. LI ALSO HOLDS DIRECTORSHIP OF A NUMBER OF PUBLIC COMPANIES IN HONG KONG.
MR. LI HAS SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM 1973 AND HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF A NUMBER OF PUBLIC BODIES, INCLUDING THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD, THE COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION, THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION AND THE WORKING GROUP ON NEW TERRITORIES URBAN LAND ACQUISITION.
A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND COUNCIL OF CHUNG CHI COLLEGE, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, HE HAS ALSO SERVED ON THE COLLEGE’S FINANCE AND BUILDING COMMITTEES.
AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION AND THE TRIDENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CO. LTD, HE HAS PLAYED A LEADING PART IN THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
MR. LI IS MARRIED WITH FIVE CHILDREN.
MR. R.H. LOBOs
MR. LOBO WAS BORN IN MACAU IN 1923 AND EDUCATED IN MACAU AND HONG KONG.
CHAIRMAN OF P.J. LOBO AND COMPANY LIMITED AND DIRECTOR OF THE LOXLEY GROUP OF COMPANIES, HE HAS DEVOTED MUCH TIME TO PUBLIC SERVICES AND VOLUNTARY WORK.
HE SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM 1972 UNTIL AUGUST THIS YEAR AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL FROM APRIL 1965 UNTIL MARCH 1978.
HE HAS HELD MANY APPOINTMENTS ON VARIOUS PUBLIC BODIES.
A MEMBER OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE AUTHORITY, HE HAS ALSO SERVED ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CORRUPTION AND THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, THE TENANCY TRIBUNAL, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
AFTER MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, HE BECAME COMMISSIONER IN 1977.
MR. LOBO HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE FESTIVAL OF HONG KONG ON THREE OCCASIONS AND IS A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
HE IS MARRIED WITH FIVE SONS AND FIVE DAUGHTERS.
/MR. MICHAEL GRAHAM RUTmogy
_ 4 _ TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
MR. MICHAEL GRAHAM RUDDOCK SANDBERG:
MR. SANDBERG WAS BORN IN ENGLAND IN 1927.
HE JOINED THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION IN 1948, BECOMING DEPUTY CHAIRMAN IN 1973 AND CHAIRMAN IN 1977.
MR. SANDBERG HAS PLAYED A PROMINENT PART IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS, SERVING ON A NUMBER OF PUBLIC BODIES. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND SERVES ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG.
OTHER APPOINTMENTS INCLUDE THAT OF TREASURER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED.
IN 1975, MR. SANDBERG WAS APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING GROUP THAT SET UP THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY, AND, THE FOLLOWING YEAR, BECAME ITS CHAIRMAN.
HE BECAME A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE IN 1972 AND WAS AWARDED THE O.B.E. IN 1977.
MR. SANDBERG IS MARRIED WITH TWO SONS AND TWO DAUGHTERS.
DR. HO KAM-FAI:
DR. HO IS A SENIOR LECTURER IM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
BORN IN HONG KONG IN 1933 HE HAS DEVOTED MOST OF HIS WORKING LIFE TO STUDYING AND TEACHING SOCIAL WORK.
HE WAS EDUCATED AT HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, OBTAINING A POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL STUDY, AND LATER STUDIED AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, U.S.A., WHERE HE WAS AWARDED A MASTER DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK AND A DOCTORATE DEGREE IN SOCIAL WELFARE.
DR. HO HAS ASSISTED WITH THE PREPARATION OF SEVERAL GOVERNMENT POLICY DOCUMENTS, NOTABLY THE FIVE YEAR PLAN, 1967 AND THE .vHITE PAPER, +SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG: THE WAY AHEAD, 1972+. HE IS A CONSULTANT ON SOCIAL WORK TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
DR. HO IS THE AUTHOR OF A DOCTORAL DISSERTATION ENTITLED ■FACTORS PREDICTIVE OF SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE IN SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION* AND OF SEVERAL PUBLICATIONS IN BCTH THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGES.
HE IS MARRIED WITH TWO CHILDREN.
/MR. ALLEN LEE:
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
5
MR. ALLEN LEE:
MR. LEE IS 37 AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AMPEX FERROTEC LIMITED.
AFTER SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, HE STUDIED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WHERE HE OBTAINED A DEGREE IN ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS.
A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS EXECUTIVE, HE HAS BEEN CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS MADE BY HIS COMPANY IN RECENT YEARS.
HE IS A MEMBER OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND IN JUNE LAST HE WAS ELECTED VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.
ALONG WITH HIS MEMBERSHIP OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HE SERVES AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ELECTRONIC COMMITTEE AND MEMBER OF THE INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
MR. LEE IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE ELECTRONICS BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL.
MR. LEE IS MARRIED.
MR. DAVID KENNEDY NEWBIGGING:
MR. NEWBIGGING WAS BORN IN 1934 AND EDUCATED IN CANADA AND IN ENGLAND.
HE JOINED JARDINE MATHESON AND COMPANY LIMITED IN 1954 AND SINCE 1975 HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR.
HE IS A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, VICE-PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOC I AT ION.
MR. NEWBIGGING, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTOR OF A NUMBER OF HONG KONG COMPANIES, WAS APPOINTED A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE IN 1972.
HE IS MARRIED WITH ONE SON AND TWO DAUGHTERS.
/MR. ANDRE# SO :
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
- 6 -
ffi. ANDREW SOs
MR. SO WAS BORN IN HONG KONG IN 1939 AND EDUCATED AT WAH YAN COLLEGE AND AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
AFTER FOUR YEARS AS A TEACHER HE LEFT TO ASSIST IN ORGANISING CREDIT UNIONS IN HONG KONG, AND SINCE 1964 HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.
OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS, HE HAS SPECIALISED IN MAKING AVAILABLE LONG TERM LOANS TO THE LOWER INCOME GROUPS, AND HAS PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN THE TRAINING AND ORGANISATION OF THE CREDIT UNION PROGRAMME.
MR. SO’S EXPERIENCE IN THIS FIELD HAS EARNED HIM INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND HE HAS TAKEN PART IN MANY OVERSEAS CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS, INVOLVING EXTENSIVE TRAVEL OVERSEAS.
HE IS THE ASIAN REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CUNA MUTUAL INSURANCE GROUP AND SINCE 1969 HAS BEEN A DIRECTOR OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CREDIT UNIONS.
MR. SO IS THE SECRETARY OF THE CREDIT UNION LEAGUE OF HONG KONG AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG JUSTICE AND-PEACE COMMISSION APPOINTED BY THE CATHOLIC MISSION OF HONG KONG. SINCE 1975-HE HAS. MEN CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG JOINT COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT. ORGANISED BY CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT CHURCHES IN HONG KONG.
A FREQUENT SPEAKER TO LABOUR GROUPS, AT TEACHERS’ SEMINARS AND ON MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, HE HAS ALSO ASSISTED 'IN THE WORK CF THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS INSTITUTE.
MR. SO IS MARRIED WITH A SON AND A DAUGHTER.
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/7
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
7
CHINA AGREES TO SUPPLY MORE WATER TO HONG KONG *****
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. WILLIAM BELL, AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. TOM TOMLINSON, RETURNED FROM CANTON ON AUGUST 27, FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS ON FUTURE WATER SUPPLIES WITH MR. FENG CHI-YUM, DIRECTOR OF THE WATER CONSERVANCY AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY BUREAU OF KWANGTUNG PROVINCE.
THE TALKS WERE VERY PRODUCTIVE, AND AGREEMENT FOR INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN SUPPLY BETWEEN NOW AND 1982/83 HAS BEEN REACHED. THE KWANGTUNG AUTHORITIES HAVE ALSO AGREED TO CONSIDER FURTHER SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN SUPPLY BEYOND 1983.
A NEW AGREEMENT FOR THE IMMEDIATE INCREASES IN SUPPLY IS CURRENTLY UNDER NEGOTIATION, AND DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED FOLLOWING FORMAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS BY BOTH SIDES. IT IS HOPED THAT THESE DETAILS WILL BE RELEASED WI TH IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
0-------
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HONG KONG NEXT MONTH * * * *
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY WILL STAY IN HONG KONG PRIVATELY FOR TWO DAYS TO BREAK THEIR JOURNEY BEFORE AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO AUSTRALIA STARTING ON SEPTEMBER 20. THEY ARE DUE TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG AT 4.30 P.M. ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 AND TO LEAVE AT 8.30 P.M. ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND MR. OGILVY WILL STAY AT FANLING LODGE AND WILL DRIVE THERE DIRECT FROM THE AIRPORT.
THEY WILL HAVE NO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS.
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/8
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
8 -
INAUGURATION OF 23RD TERM OF HEUNG YEE KUK
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 23RD TERM OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 31) STARTING AT
4 P.M
SIR MURRAY WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING, WITNESS THE OATHTAKING AND PRESENT CERTIFICATES OF OFFICE TO OFFICE-BEARERS.
MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, URBAN COUNCILLORS SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, MEMBERS OF THE CONSULAR CORPS IN HONG KONG AND RURAL AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WILL ATTEND THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY. MEMBERS OF THE PRESS SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL NOT LATER THAN 3.15 P.M. ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 31) AND SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR PRESS PASSES. INFORMATION OFFICERS FROM BOTH THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT AT THE CITY HALL TO ASSIST PRESS MEMBERS WITH ON THE SPOT ARRANGEMENT FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE.
0 - -
LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS +CANOE DAY+ CAMP
*****
LADY MACLEHOSE THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING SPENT AN HOUR VISITING THE +CANOE DAY+ CAMP ORGANISED BY THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AT ST. STEPHEN’S BAY, STANLEY.
MORE THAN 40 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE WESTERN DISTRICT PARTICIPATED IN THE CAMP AS PART OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
LADY MACLEHOSE WAS GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY THE SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR. HENRY AU AND THE WARDEN OF THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE.
SHE WAS BRIEFED ON THE BASIC THEORIES OF CANOEING AND WAS LATER TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE CAMP SITE.
DURING HER VISIT, LADY MACLEHOSE CHATTED WITH A NUMBER OF YOUNG PARTICIPANTS AND WATCHED THE CAMPERS AT TRAINING.
BEFORE SHE LEFT, LADY MACLEHOSE WAS PRESENTED WITH A MINIATURE OAR AS SOUVENIR.
- _ 0 - -
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
9
SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS TO VISIT HUNG HOM SPORTS CENTRE ******
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. LI FOOK-KOW, WILL VISIT THE HUNG HOM CAR PARK SPORTS CENTRE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FROM 4.20 P.M. TO 5 P.M. TO SEE FACTORY WORKERS TAKING PART IN RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES.
THE PROGRAMMES ARE ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
ON ARRIVAL, MR. LI WILL BE MET BY MISS BETTY MAIR, CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER AND MR. DICKEN YUNG, SENIOR RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE RAILWAY TERMINUS AT HUNG HOM.
DURING THE VISIT, HE WILL WATCH GROUPS OF FACTORY WORKERS TAKING PART IN BADMINTON, FITNESS TRAINING, ARCHERY, FOLK DANCE AND LAWN BOWLING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND’REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT OF MR. LI FOOK-KOW, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, AT HUNG HOM CAR PARK SPORTS CENTRE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 4.20 P.M;
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BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED THREE BUILDINGS ON THE ISLAND AND TWO IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO BE DANGEROUS.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR THEIR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AND KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 27 WERE POSTED TODAY.
THE BUILDINGS ON THE ISLAND ARE NO.3 SUTHERLAND STREET, NOS. 1, 3 AND 5 LI SING STREET AND NOS. 167 AND 169 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST’ IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THEY ARE NO. 8A TUNG LO WAN VILLAGE, SHA TIN AND A TWO-STOREY BUILDING ON LOT 819A IN DP 131 IN TUEN MUN._________ _
/in a STATEMENT ..
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
10
IN A STATEMENT TODAY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR MADE THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS ON THE BUILDINGS:-
N0.3 SUTHERLAND STREET
THIS TWO STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING HAD BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND RECENT INSPECTIONS HAVE SHOWN THAT FRESH MOVEMENT HAS OCCURRED IN THE LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS.
AS IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THERE IS NOW A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THIS BUILDING.
NOS. 1, 3 AND 5 LI SING STREET
THESE THREE STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED WITH LOADBEARING WALLS AND TIMBER FLOORS HAD BEEN UNDER SURVEILLANCE SINCE 1969.
THE GENERAL CONDITION OF THESE BUILDINGS HAD BEEN NOTED AS DETERIORATING IN RECENT YEARS. INSPECTIONS FOLLOWING THE RECENT HEAVY RAIN REVEALED THAT NO. 3 LI SING STREET HAD REACHED AN ADVANCED STATE OF DILAPIDATION. AS THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK OF THIS BUILDING COLLAPSING ITS CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION IS NECESSARY.
NOS. 1 AND 5 LI SING STREET ARE IN SUCH A STATE OF GENERAL DILAPIDATION THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK THAT THEY WOULD COLLAPSE DURING OR FOLLOWING THE DEMOLITION OF NO. 3 LISING STREET. ACCORDINGLY, THE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF NOS. 1 AND 5 LI SING STREET IS ALSO CONSIDERED NECESSARY.
NOS. 167 AND 169 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST
THESE FOUR STOREY OVER BASEMENT PRE-WAR BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
A RECENT INSPECTION OF NO.167 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST REVEALED THAT SERIOUS RECENT MOVEMENT HAD OCCURRED IN THE FLANK WALL FACING SUTHERLAND STREET. AS THERE IS A RISK OF COLLAPSE THE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF THIS BUILDING IS NECESSARY.
CORRESPONDING MOVEMENT, PARTICULARLY IN THE PARTY WALL WAS NOTED IN NO. 169 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST. IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK THAT NO.169 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST WOULD COLLAPSE DURING OR FOLLOWING THE DEMOLITION OF NO. 167 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST. ACCORDINGLY, THE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF NO. 169 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST IS ALSO NECESSARY.
/no. 8a tong lo wan village. ...
toesday, august 29, 1978
11
NO. 8A TUNG LO WAN VILLAGE, SHA TIN
THIS SINGLE STOREY BUILDING WAS INSPECTED FOLLOWING SEVERE TROPICAL STORM AGNES AND WAS FOUND TO HAVE ITS EXTERNAL BRICK WALLS BADLY BULGED AND NEW FRACTURES INDICATED RECENT MOVEMENT. AS THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THIS BUILDING.
TWO-STOREY BUILDING ON LOT 819A IN DD 131, TUEN MUN
THIS TWO STOREY BUILDING, CONSTRUCTED WITH LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS, WAS INSPECTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE DISTRICT OFFICER, TUEN MUN.
IT WAS FOUND THAT PART OF THE ROOF HAD COLLAPSED AND THAT THE LOAD-BEARING WALL FACING THE SEA *AS FRACTURED.
AS THERE IS A SERIOUS DANGER OF FURTHER COLLAPSE, IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THIS BUILDING.
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OPENING OF C.D.O. SUB-OFFICE IN LAM TIN * * * *
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. MICHAEL LEUNG, WILL OPEN THE LAM TIN SUB-OFFICE OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KWUN TONG) AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE LAM TIN SUB-OFFICE IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF BLOCK 17 OF LAM TIN ESTATE. ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER.IS 3-404855.
THE NEW SUB-OFFICE, LIKE OTHER CITY DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES, WILL PROVIDE FULL RANGE OF SERVICES TO RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE AREA.
IT IS THE FOURTH BRANCH OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KWUN TONG), AND IS HEADED BY AN EXPERIENCED LIAISON OFFICER, MR. CHAN SHUI-WOO, WHO IN ADDITION TO HIS NORMAL DUTIES, HAS ALSO BEEN APPOINTED A COMMISSIONER FOR OATH.
AT TOMORROW’S CEREMONY, MR. LEUNG AND FIVE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL CUT A RIBBON TO MARK THE NEW OFFICE’S OPENING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE CEREMONY AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT BLOCK 17, LAM TIN ESTATE. A COCKTAIL RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AFTER THE OPENING.
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/12
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
12 -
FIRST GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY NURSING COURSE
******
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. LAM SIM-FOOK, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO 22 GRADUATES OF THE FIRST GOVERNMENT-RUN COMMUNITY NURSING COURSE ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 31).
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE CEREMONY, WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 3.30 P.M. AT THE NURSING OFFICERS’ QUARTERS, QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED
* * * *
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON CHING CHI-MAN ON JUNE 24 LAST YEAR SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT. CHING WAS CONVICTED OF THE MURDER OF CHU MING-KWAI IN TSUEN WAN ON MAY 21, 1976.
- - 0 - -
Tf I
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
- 13 -
FARMERS AND FISHERMEN RECEIVE $1.25 MILLION ALLOWANCE
******
AGRICULTURE AND FISH POND FARMERS HAVE RECEIVED $1.25 MILLION IN REHABILITATION ALLOWANCES AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE TO CROPS AND PONDS CAUSED BY SEVERE TROPICAL STORM AGNES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID $1,230,000 HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO 7,640 FARMERS ENGAGED IN VEGETABLE, FLOWER AND FRUIT TREE PRODUCTION AND $28,530 TO 88 POND FISH FARMERS.
MOST OF THE CROP DAMAGE, CAUSED BY RAIN AND FLOODS, WERE REPORTED IN THE TAI PO AND YUEN LONG DISTRICTS WHILE MOST OF THE POND FISH FARMS WHICH SUFFERED LOSS WERE IN THE NGAU TAM MEI AND SAN TIN AREAS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REHABILITATION ALLOWANCE WAS MADE TO ASSIST THE FARMERS RE-ESTABLISH THEIR CROPS WITH SEEDS AND FRY.
-----o------
SURVEY OF FACTORY PREMISES
*****
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT A SURVEY OF FACTORY PREMISES IN QUARRY BAY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WITH THE AIM OF ABATING POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SURVEY WHICH BEGINS AT 9.30 A.M.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD MEET DIVISIONAL OFFICER KEN HODGKINS OUTSIDE NO.8 SHIPYARD LANE, QUARRY BAY NOT LATER THAN 9.30 A.M.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1978
14
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ON SHA TIN PASS ROAD ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 31) NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON SHA TIN PASS ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING LEFT ON TO LUNG CHEUNG ROAD TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING.
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON SHA TIN PASS ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD, FUNG MO STREET TO REJOIN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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WATER CUT IN SHAM SHU I PO AND CAUSEWAY BAY *****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS ON TWO OCCASIONS FROM MIDNIGHT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY AND FROM MIDNIGHT THURSDAY TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED FROM MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY IS BOUNDED BY CHEUNG FAT STREET, PO ON ROAD, TONKIN STREET AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD INCLUDING SHUN NING ROAD.
CTnr THEAREA BOUNDED BY CHEUNG FAT STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, PRATAS STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, WING LUNG STREET AND UN CHAU STREET INCLUDING TONKIN STREET WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FROM MIDNIGHT THURSDAY TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY.
ON THE ISLAND, A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE TOKACH-HATE LEAKAGE^TE'TS^^ ER0M 11 P,M* 0N THURSDAY (AUGUST 31)
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY TUNG LO WAN ROAD LIN FA KUNG STREET EAST AND WEST, LILY STREET, LUNG KAI TERRACE, WUN SHA S^nT,'A?r?WNoSTREET’ J0NES STREET» SCHOOL STREET, FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD LANEo, SHEPHERD STREET, SUN CHUN STREET AND KWONG MING TERRACE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RESULTS OF EMPLOYMENT SURVEY IN MAY ......................... 1
NEW COACH SERVICES TO BE INTRODUCED BETWEEN CENTRAL AND STANLEY ..................................................... 3
NEW BUILDING PLANS FOR JULY.................................. 4
FIRE PREVENTION CHECKS ON FACTORIES ......................... 5
CHINESE BILLIARD TOURNAMENT FOR RETARDED CHILDREN ........... 6
RESTRICTED ZONES ON JAVA ROAD RESCINDED ..................... 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ........................................ 7
WATER CUTS .................................................. 7
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1978
- 1 -
RESULTS OF EMPLOYMENT SURVEY IN MAY ******
MORE THAN 86,700 PEOPLE WERE EMPLOYED IN FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES IN MAY 1978, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE FIGURE REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF THREE PER CENT OR ABOUT 2,260 PEOPLE OVER FEBRUARY 1978 AND 14 PER CENT OR ABOUT 76,000 PEOPLE OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
THE MAJOR TRADES AND SERVICES IN WHICH THESE PEOPLE WERE ENGAGED ARE : MONETARY INSTITUTIONS (INCLUDING BANKS) (31,393), REAL ESTATE COMPANIES AND AGENCIES (13,540), OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (10,152) AND INSURANCE COMPANIES (5,089).
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE EMPLOYMENT FIGURES IN THE TRADES AND SERVICES SECTORS IN MAY 1978 AS COMPARED WITH THOSE IN FEBRUARY 1978 AND IN MAY 1977.
TRADE/SERVICE MAY 1977 FEB. ' 1978 MAY 1978 CHANGE OF MAY 1978 OVER FEB. 1978 CHANGE OF MAY 1978 OVER
MAY 1977
MONETARY INSTITUTIONS 28,868 30,572 31,393 NUMBER +821 % CHANGE + 2.7 NUMBER +2,525 % CHANGE + 8.7
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 8,923 9,847 10,152 +305 + 3.1 +1,229 +13.8
FINANCIAL SERVICES 729 696 652 -44 — 6.3 -77 -10.6
INSURANCE 4,632 4,841 5,089 +248 ♦ 5.1 +457 + 9.9
REAL ESTATE 11,041 13,323 13,540 +217 + 1.6 +2,499 +22.6
LEGAL SERVICES 3,258 3,675 3,782 +107 + 2.9 +524 +16.1
ACCOUNTING, AUDITING AND BOOK-KEEPING SERVICES 3,295 4,445 4,265 -180 — 4.0 +970 +29.4
DATA PROCESSING AND TABULATING SERVICES 648 732 735 +3 + 0.4 +87 +13.4
/ aiGINEEHIUG, .....
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1978
2
ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL AND TECHNICAL
SERVICES 3,925 4,505 4,983 +478 +10.6 +1,058 +27.0
ADVERTISING
SERVICES 3,562 4,094 4,093 -1 * * +531 +14.9
BUSINESS
SERVICES, NOT ELSEWHERE
CLASSIFIED 6,891 7,255 7,563 +308 + 4.2 +672 + 9.8
MACHINERY
AND EQUIPMENT
RENTAL AND
LEASING 257 473 469 -4 - 0.8 +212 +82.5
TOTAL
76,029 84,458 86,716 +2,258 + 2.7 +10,687 +14.1
* LESS THAN 0.05%
DURING THE LATEST SURVEY-, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN EMPLOYMENT WERE FOUND IN MONETARY INSTITUTIONS (+821 PERSONS)- ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL AND TECHNICAL SERVICES (+478 PERSONS)- OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (+305 PERSONS)- INSURANCE COMPANIES (+248 PERSONS)-AND REAL ESTATE COMPANIES AND AGENCIES (+217 PERSONS).
COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, MAJOR INCREASES IN EMPLOYMENT OCCURRED IN MONETARY INSTITUTIONS (+2,525 PERSONS)- REAL ESTATE COMPANIES AND AGENCIES (+2,499 PERSONS)- OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (+1,229 PERSONS)-ENGINEER ING, ARCHITECTURAL AND TECHNICAL SERVICES ( + 1,058 PERSONS)-AND ACCOUNTING, AUDITING AND BOOK-KEEPING SERVICES (+970 PERSONS).
FURTHER DETAILS OF EMPLOYMENT IN THESE SECTORS, AS WELL AS MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
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/3
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1978
NEW COACH SERVICES TO BE INTRODUCED BETWEEN CENTRAL AND STANLEY *******
TWO NEW COACH SERVICES - ROUTE 260 BETWEEN CENTRAL AND STANLEY PRISON AND ROUTE 262 BETWEEN CENTRAL AND CHUNG HOM KOK -WILL BE INTRODUCED BY THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1.
ROUTE 260 WILL OPERATE DAILY WHILE ROUTE 262 WILL OPERATE FROM MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS. BOTH ROUTES WILL TERMINATE AT CENTRAL BUS STATION.
THE FULL FARE OF BOTH ROUTES WILL BE $1.50 AND A SECTION FARE OF $1 WILL BE CHARGED FOR JOURNEYS FROM REPULSE BAY TO CENTRAL.
NO STANDING PASSENGERS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THESE COACHES. THE FREQUENCY ON BOTH COACH SERVICES IS 20 MINUTES DURING PEAK HOURS AND 30 MINUTES IN OTHER PERIODS. IT MEANS THAT THE COMBINED FREQUENCY FROM REPULSE BAY IS 10 MINUTES DURING PEAK HOURS AND 15 MINUTES IN OTHER PERIODS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT A TEST RUN USING TWO OF THE NEW 72-SEATER DOUBLE-DECK COACHES WAS CARRIED OUT SUCCESSFULLY ON AUGUST 24.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TEN NEW COACHES WITH HIGH-BACK SOFAS AND LARGE WINDOWS WILL BE PUT ON THE TWO SERVICES.
ON ITS WAY TO STANLEY PRISON AND CHUNG HOM KOK THE COACHES WILL STOP AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE TO PICK UP PASSENGERS AND ON THE RETURN JOURNEY THE COACHES WILL RUN VIA CONNAUGHT PLACE TO SET DOWN PASSENGERS BEFORE RETURNING TO THE TERMINUS.
THESE ARE THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF NEW GUARANTEED-SEAT COACH TYPE SERVICES TO BE INTRODUCED ON HONG KONG ISLAND OFFERING A HIGHER QUALITY SERVICE AT A REASONABLE FARE AS A MEANS OF ENCOURAGING MOTORISTS TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR COMMUTING.
IN THIS CONNECTION, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS PROPOSING TO INTRODUCE A ’BUS ONLY LANE’ IN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST TO SPEED UP THE BUS FLOW.
/4
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1978
4
NEW BUILDING PLANS FOR JULY ******
A TOTAL OF 69 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED IN JULY BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, COMPARED WITH 85 IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
OF THESE, 20 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, NINE FOR KOWLOON AND 40 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INCLUDED PLANS FOR A NUMBER OF APARTMENT/COMMERCI AL BUILDINGS OF MORE THAN 20 STOREYS, A SCHOOL EXTENSION' AT INVERNESS ROAD, KOWLOON, AN OFFICE/WATER TOWER AT SILVERSTRAND, CLEARWATER BAY, A CONTAINER FREIGHT STATION AT KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL AND SEVERAL FACTORY BUILDINGS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING LAST MONTH AMOUNTED TO MORE THAN $216 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $213 MILLION DURING THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING JULY WAS 193,422 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 75,885 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 117,537 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
DURING THE MONTH, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 53 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS, INCLUDING A FUNERAL PARLOUR AT CHEONG HANG ROAD, KOWLOON; A SALVATION ARMY HOME AT LAI KING HILL ROAD, KWAI CHUNG; A BUDDHIST YOUTH CENTRE AT TUNG CHUNG, LANTAO ISLAND AND A CHAPEL AT MUI WO, LANTAO ISLAND.
A TOTAL OF 53 NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING THE MONTH, INCLUDING A HOTEL AT QUEEN’S ROAD EAST; A CHURCH HALL AND KINDERGARTEN BUILDING AT HANG HAU, SAI KUNG; A TECHNICAL SCHOOL BUILDING AT HIU KWONG STREET, SAU MAU PING; AND A CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE AT LAI KING HILL ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO ASSENTED TO THE DEMOLITION OF 36 BUILDINGS.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1978
- 5 -
FIRE PREVENTION CHECKS ON FACTORIES *****
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY ISSUE SUMMONSES AGAINST 10 FACTORY OWNERS IN SHIPYARD LANE, QUARRY BAY FOR BREAKING FIRE SERVICE REGULATIONS FOLLOWING A LARGE SCALE INSPECTION TODAY BY FIRE OFFICERS IN THE AREA.
DURING THE THREE-HOUR INSPECTION WHICH COVERED MORE THAN 330 FACTORY UNITS IN SIX INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN THE AREA, THE FIRE OFFICERS ALSO DISCOVERED A NUMBER OF POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS SUCH AS BLOCKAGES OF STAIRWAYS BY PAPER CARTONS AND UNFINISHED PRODUCTS, OBSTRUCTIONS TO ACCESS AND USING LIFT LOBBIES AS STORAGE AREAS.
AS A RESULT OF THE INSPECTION, ANOTHER 43 FACTORY OWNERS WILL BE SERVED WITH FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES REQUIRING THEM TO CLEAR FIRE HAZARDS IN THEIR PREMISES.
THE FIRE OFFICERS ALSO DISCOVERED UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS IN FOUR OTHER CASES AND THEY WILL BE REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR ACTION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE BLOCKAGES OF STAIRWAYS OR LIFT LOBBIES HAD BEEN TOO PREVALENT AN OFFENCE PARTICULARLY IN INDUSTRIAL PREMISES WHERE SUCH PLACES WERE OFTEN REGARDED AS CONVENIENT STORAGE AREAS.
+DESPITE REGULAR INSPECTIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT, FACTORY OWNERS ARE STILL CONSTANTLY VIOLATING FIRE REGULATIONS, REGARDLESS OF THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FACTORY FIRES AND THE LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY,* HE NOTED.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT FIRE FIGHTING AND ESCAPE FACILITIES MEET THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1978
CHINESE BILLIARD TOURNAMENT FOR RETARDED CHILDREN K KK H * It K
TWENTY-EIGHT MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN FROM THE SOCIAL • WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SEVEN REHABILITATION INSTITUTIONS WILL BETAKING PART IN A CHINESE BILLIARD INVITATION TOURNAMENT TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE COMPETITION, IN THE FORM OF A KNOCK-OUT TOURNAMENT, WILL START AT 9.30 A.M. AT THE KAI NANG TRAINING CENTRE AT TSUI PING ROAD, KWUN TONG, AND THE FINAL ROUND IS EXPECTED TO FINISH ABOUT J.2 NOON.'
MR. T.P. KHOO, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT’S PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS AND ALL COMPETITORS WILL HAVE LUNCH TOGETHER AT THE CENTRE’S DINING HALL AFTER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
THIS RECREATIONAL FUNCTION fS PART Of THE SOCIAL-REHABH.ITATFON PROGRAMME FOR THE TRAINEES AND IS ALSO AIMED AT DEVELOPING TfiE SPORTSMANSHIP OF DISABLED CHILDREN.
CENTRES SENDING TEAMS FOR THE TOURNAMENT INCLUDE THE FIRST AND SECOND TUNG TAU CHILDREN CENTRES, THE WONG TAI SIN CHILDREN CLUB, THE TAI HANG TUNG CHILDREN CLUB, THE FIRST AND SECOND WESTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN TRAINING CENTRES AND THE KAI NANG TRAINING CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CHINESE BILLIARD TOURNAMENT ORGANISED FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN. IT WILL BE HELD AT THE KAI NANG TRAINING CENTRE AT TSUI PING ROAD, KWUN TONG, FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 12 NOON TOMORROW.
RESTRICTED ZONES ON JAVA ROAD RESCINDED KM#
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THE TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY ZONE ALONG THE SECTION OF JAVA ROAD BETWEEN NORTH POINT ROAD AND TONG SHU I ROAD WILL BE RESCINDED FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 1).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE ON THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THIS SECTION OF JAVA ROAD WILL BE RESCINDED AND THE ONE ON THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE REDUCED TO START AT HOUSE NO. 32, JAVA ROAD AND END AT THE JUNCTION OF JAVA ROAD AND TIN CHONG STREET.
THIS MEANS THAT WESTBOUND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL EE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP AND SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS IN THE RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 A.M. TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL EE SET UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1978
7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT MOK CHEONG STREET NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH MA TAU CHUNG ROAD WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 1).
WITH THIS RE-OPENING THE SECTION OF MOK CHEONG STREET BETWEEN MA TAU CHUNG ROAD AND TO KWA WAN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY EASTBOUND, AND ALL PARKING SPACES ALONG THIS SECTION OF MOK CHEONG STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR 24 HOURS FROM 8 A.M. ON FRIDAY.
AT THE SAME TIME K.M.B. ROUTE NOS. 3E, 5C, 11B, 12A, 13A, 291 AND THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL ROUTE 106 WILL OPERATE VIA MOK CHEONG STREET INSTEAD OF SUNG WONG TOI ROAD.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECTION OF HOSPITAL ROAD BETWEEN THE SIR ELLIS KADOORIE SCHOOL AND THE TUNG WAH FUNERAL PARLOUR IN MID-LEVELS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR FIVE HOURS, FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY, TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
IN CAUSEWAY BAY THE ’BUS ONLY LANE’ ON THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LEIGHTON ROAD BETWEEN MATHESON STREET AND CANAL ROAD EAST WILL BE REINSTATED FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THESE AREAS TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------0-------
WATER CUTS * * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TAI HANG AND SHAM SHU I PO WILL BE TEMPORARILY CUT OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 1) NIGHT TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN TAI HANG, THE SUPPLY WILL BE TURNED' OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON FRIDAY. PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY CAROLINE HILL ROAD FROM WONG FUNG LING COLLEGE TO HO TUNG TECHNICAL SCHOOL, MORETON TERRACE, TAI HANG ROAD, INCLUDING YIK KWAN AVENUE, LI KWAN AVENUE, SHELTER STREET AND CATHAY HOTEL.
IN SHAM SHU I PO THE SUPPLY WILL EE INTERRUPTED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT FRIDAY TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY. PREMISES TO EE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY CHEUNG FAT STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TONKIN STREET, UN CHAU STREET, PRATAS STREET AND SHUN NING STREET.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1978
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
N.T. NEW TOWNS CONCEPT NOW A REALITY-'SAYS GOVERNOR ......... 1
QUALIFYING AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO BE LOWERED .......... 5
LAND SALES FORECAST ......................................... 6
APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME FOR CONSTRUCTION CRAFT TRADES EFFECTIVE FROM TOMORROW ..................................... 8
MORE COMMUNITY NURSING COURSES ON THE WAY ................... 9
PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ....................... 10
BOOKLET ON SHA TIN NEW TOWN ................................ 11
PRESENTATION OF APPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATES ................ 11
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1978 f'
- 1 -
N.T. NEW TOWNS CONCEPT NOW A REALITY, SAYS GOVERNOR
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCEPT OF BUILDING THREE MAJOR NEW TOWNS AT SHA TIN, TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN - ANNOUNCED SIX YEARS AGO -HAS NOW BECOME A REALITY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS WILL SEE NOT ONLY THE CRYSTAL I SAT I ON OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS FOR HOUSING AND INDUSTRY IN THE TOWNS, BUT ALSO THE COMPLETION OF THEIR TOWN CENTRES, SECONDARY SCHOOLS, SWIMMING POOLS, LIBRARIES AND PLAYGROUNDS AND OTHER FACILITIES.
+THESE TOWNS OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE SOMETHING EETTER THAN WAS POSSIBLE IN THE OLD URBAN AREAS, AND WE ARE DETERMINED TO SEIZE IT,* SIR MURRAY SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING TO MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE - INCLUDING UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, URBAN COUNCILLORS, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, MEMBERS OF THE CONSULAR CORPS AND RURAL AND COMMUNITY LEADERS - WHO WERE GUESTS AT THE CITY HALL TO SEE THE INAUGURATION OF THE 23RD TERM OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
THE 111 COUNCILLORS WHO MAKE UP THE FULL COUNCIL OF THE KUK WERE SEATED BEHIND SIR MURRAY AND THE OFFICIAL PARTY WHJCH COMPRISED THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN- THE KUK’S OUTGOING CHAIRMAN, MR. CHAN YAT-SAN- THE NEW CHAIRMAN, MR. STEPHEN Y.C. WONG- THE FIRST VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR. LAU WONG-FAT- THE SECOND VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR. PETER YEUNG AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES.
IN A WIDE-RANGING SPEECH TOUCHING ON MANY ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT POLICY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, SIR MURRAY SAID THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWNS WAS WELL UNDERWAY.*
+THE ORIGINAL RECLAMATION AT SHA TIN IS VIRTUALLY COMPLETE AND PLANS FOR ITS EXTENSION ARE FAR ADVANCED. LARGE AREAS OF THE VALLEY ARE BEING PREPARED FOR DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING ESTATES FOR ABOUT 145,000 PEOPLE ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION,* HE SAID. +THERE IS EMPLOYMENT, TOO, AT HAND FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE NEARBY INDUSTRIAL CENTRE AT FO TAN.
+AT TSUEN WAN, DEVELOPMENT HAS MOVED INTO THE NORTHERN PART OF THE TOWN AND HAS BEEN ACCELERATED BY THE EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
+WORK IS ALSO IN HAND TO IMPROVE THE OLDER DENSELY POPULATED PART OF THE TOWN- HOUSING ESTATES ARE ALREADY OCCUPIED ON TSI NG Yl, WHICH, IN THE LAST SIX YEARS, HAS ALSC DEVELOPED AS AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL AREA.*
/SIR MURRAY SAID ....
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1978
2
SIR MURRAY SAID THAT AT THE THIRD NEW TOWN OF TUEN MUN, RECLAMATION OF THE CENTRAL AREA WAS COMPLETE AND BY THE END OF 1980 THE TOWN’S POPULATION WOULD BE MORE THAN 100,030 AND WOULD EXPAND QUICKLY THEREAFTER. HE NOTED THAT AN INDUSTRIAL CENTRE WAS ALSO WELL ESTABLISHED AT TUEN MUN.
SIR MURRAY RECALLED THAT WHEN HE ATTENDED THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 20TH TERM OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK IN 1972, HE HAD MENTIONED THE PROBLEM OF THE RURAL SPRAWL OVER LOW-LYING LAND.
+WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THIS PROELEM,+ HE SAID, +BECAUSE, AFTER CAREFUL EXAMINATION, IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT ANY OVERALL SOLUTION WOULD INVOLVE LARGE-SCALE INTERFERENCE WITH PRIVATE RIGHTS AND DISTURBANCE TO THE LIVELIHOOD OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SMALL HOLDERS AND FARMERS WHO WERE LARGELY CONTENT WITH THEIR PRESENT HOMES AND PATTERN OF LIFE.
♦UNTIL, THEREFORE, THEY ARE READY FOR COMPREHENSIVE URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AT BEST WE MUST ENSURE THAT ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS CF SANITATION ARE MAINTAINED IN THESE RURAL AREAS, THAT STREAM COURSES ARE CLEANED AND THAT SCHEMES FOR VILLAGE LIGHTING AND WATER SUPPLY ARE PROGRESSIVELY IMPLEMENTED.+
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT COUPLED wITH THESE IMPROVEMENTS, A CONSCIOUS PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE AND DEVELOP THE MARKET TOWNS -THE FOCUS FOR THE SOCIAL LIFE OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THESE RURAL AREAS - WAS NOW UNDERWAY.
♦WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS IN EACH OF THEM NEW MARKETS, SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND RECREATION GROUNDS WILL BE BUILT.+ HE SAID. '
+PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE NOW BEING CONSTRUCTED AT YUEN LONG, TAI PO, CHEUNG CHAU, MUI WO, TAI 0, SAI KUNG,-AND A START HAS BEEN MADE IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING FANLING -SHEUNG SHU I INTO A LARGE MODERN TOWN.
♦THE COMPLETION OF AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF PUBLIC HOUSING IN THESE TOWNS SHOULD HOPEFULLY STOP THE FURTHER SPREAD OF UNSIGHTLY AND INSANITARY SQUATTING INTO SURROUNDING LANDS.+
SIR MURRAY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ADOPTED A POSITIVE PROGRAMME TO PRESERVE THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR RECREATION UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY.
THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME BEING ADMINISTERED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT INVOLVED AN INVESTMENT OF $70 MILLION, OF WHICH $12.4 MILLION WAS BEING SPENT THIS YEAR IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT CENTRES, ACCESS ROADS, TREE PLANTING AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. HE ADDED THAT IK THE DEVELOPMENT CF COUNTRY PARKS, THE INTERESTS OF VILLAGERS WOULD EE PROTECTED AND THAT IN THIS RESPECT, THE ADVICE Ar.D CO-OPERATION OF THE RURAL COMMITTEES WAS OF GREAT I. HORTAH'CE.
/SIH MURRAY NOTED .....
THURSDAY, AUGUST' 31. 1978
3
SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD BROUGHT WITH IT MANY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION AND CLEARANCE OF LAND. REFERRING TO THE KUK’S INTEREST IN THESE PROBLEMS, SIR MURRAY HOPED THAT THE RECENTLY-REVISED METHODS AND RATES OF COMPENSATION FOR THE RESUMPTION OF LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND FOR A REGULAR REVIEW OF THE COMPENSATION RATES, WOULD GIVE LAND OWNERS GREATER SATISFACTION.
HE ADDED: +l AM GRATEFUL TO THE KUK FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE FORMULATION OF THESE NEW ARRANGEMENTS. AS RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, COMPENSATION RATES FOR LAND OUTSIDE THE TOWNS ARE ALSO BEING REVIEWED.
+THESE MEASURES TOGETHER WITH AN UPDATING OF OTHER LEVELS OF COMPENSATION WILL GO SOME WAY TO AMELIORATING THE UPHEAVAL IN THE LIVES OF THE MANY PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DEVELOPMENT.+
SIR MURRAY ALSO REPLIED TO THREE POINTS RAISED IN THE SPEECH BY THE KUK’S CHAIRMAN, MR. WONG, EMPHASING THAT HE WAS SPEAKING +AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND EFFORT IN AND FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES THAT HAS NEVER BEEN MATCHED AT ANY TIME IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG.+
ON HOUSING - THE FIRST POINT RAISED BY MR. WONG - SIR MURRAY SAID THAT UNDER THE SMALL HOUSE POLICY, WHICH WAS APPROVED IN 1972 SO AS TO ENABLE VILLAGERS MORE EASILY TO BUILD HOUSES FOR THEMSELVES TO LIVE IN, A TOTAL OF 4,853 APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN APPROVED UP TO THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR.
+WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES FOUND IT NECESSARY TO INTERRUPT THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS IN SOME AREAS AT THE END OF LAST YEAR BECAUSE THE POLICY WAS BEING MISUSED ON A LARGE SCALE FOR PRIVATE PROFIT, I AM GLAD TO HEAR THAT RECENT DISCUSSIONS YOU HAVE HAD WITH THE SECRETARY HAVE HOPEFULLY RESOLVED THIS PROBLEM,+ SIR MURRAY SAID. +BUT, I SHOULD ADD, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE SPIRIT OF THE POLICY SHOULD BE OBSERVED.+
ON THE PROVISION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES, SIR MURRAY SAID THAT DURING THE INITIAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWNS AND THE OPENING OF NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS SO AS TO PROVIDE FREE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION, FOR PRACTICAL REASONS NEW SCHOOLS WILL NORMALLY ONLY OPERATE FORM I CLASSES INITIALLY AND WILL EXTEND INTO HIGHER FORMS EACH YEAR THEREAFTER.
+HOWEVER, A LIMITED NUMBER OF CLASSES IN FORMS II AND III WILL BE ALLOWED IN SOME OF THE NEW SCHOOLS THAT OPEN IN SEPTEMBER,+ HE ADDED. +THE PROVISION OF NEW SCHOOLS TO ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION WILL SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVE THE REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOLS IN KEEPING WITH OUR AIM TO PROVIDE A PROPER BALANCE OF FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES.*
/DEALING <ITH .....
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1978
4
DEALING WITH THE THIRD POINT RAISED BY MR. WONG - THE KUK’S SUBMISSION TO THE MINISTER FOR STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS IN LONDON LAST YEAR - SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT A FULL REPLY HAD BEEN SENT SETTING OUT THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON ALL THE POINTS RAISED.
+SINCE THEN, THE RECOMMENDATIONS QF THE WORKING GROUP ON NEW TERRITORIES URBAN LAND ACQUISITIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AND IMPLEMENTED,+ HE ADDED.
SIR MURRAY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE EXPENDITURE TO PROVIDE AN EVEN SPREAD OF SERVICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WASWELL IN EXCESS OF THE DIRECT REVENUE RECEIVED +AND ALL IN HONG KONG SHARE IN THE PROSPERITY WHICH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CONTRIBUTES TO OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH.+
REFERRING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S MACHINERY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT WHILE THE CREATION OF THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS HAD STRENGTHENED THE PROCESSES OF CONSULTATION, IT WAS NECESSARY THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S MACHINERY IN EACH REGION SHOULD EE STRONG AND POWERFUL ENOUGH TO RESPOND TO, AND SOLVE, PURELY LOCAL PROBLEMS.
+YOU WILL BE GLAD TO HEAR THAT A PROGRAMME OF PHASES REINFORCEMENT OF GOVERNMENT LOCAL ADMINISTRATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IS BEING EXAMINED,+ HE SAID. +CLEARLY. IT IS NECESSARY. +
AT THE CENTRE, HE SAID, THE ADVICE OF THE KUK WOULD CONTINUE TO RECEIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, AND HE WAS SURE THAT VARIOUS COMMITTEES FORMED BY THE KUK WOULD BE A USEFUL VEHICLE FOR THE FORMULATION OF IDEAS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
EXPRESSING HIS BEST WISHES TO THE SENIOR OFFICIALS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE 23RD. TERM, SIR MURRAY SAID HE’ WAS CONFIDENT THE KUK WOULD FULFIL ITS ROLE WITH THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AT HEART.
HE ALSO THANKED MEMBERS OF THE PREVIOUS TERM OF THE KUK AND PARTICULARLY MR. CHAN YAT-SAN .HO WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE KUK FOR 10 YEARS UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR.
SIR MURRAY SAID THAT MR. CHAN’S +PATIENT AND TIMELY REMINDERS TO US OF THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, HIS BALANCED ADVICE AND REGARD NOT ONLY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES BUT THE OVERALL INTERESTS CF HONG KONG, HAVE BEEN MOST VALUABLE DURING A VITAL PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT.+
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1978
5
QUALIFYING AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO BE LOWERED ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO LOWER THE AGE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE FROM 75 TO 70 IN ONE STEP WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1 TH IS YEAR•
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (GENtRAL), MR. LU YU-HUA, SAID IT REPRESENTED YET ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT TO BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY INTRODUCED AN OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT FOR PEOPLE AGED OVER 60 WHO ARE RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AND HAS EXTENDED THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO INCLUDE OLD PEOPLE LIVING IN INSTITUTIONS.
HE SAID THE LOWERING OF THE QUALIFYING AGE WOULD IMMEDIATELY RENDER AN ADDITIONAL 74,000 PERSONS ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE 70-74 AGE GROUP ELIGIBLE FOR THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE.
+ASSUMING AN INITIAL TAKE-UP RATE OF 65 PER CENT OR 48.000 APPLICANTS, IT WILL REPRESENT A 73 PER CENT INCREASE ON THE PRESENT CLIENTELE OF 66,000 NOW RECEIVING THE ALLOWANCE,+ HE SAID.
MR. LU SAID THOSE WHO WERE ELIGIBLE COULD NOW APPLY. BUT BECAUSE OF THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN THE CASELOAD, THERE MIGHT INITIAL DELAYS IN PROCESSING THE NEW APPLICATIONS.
HOWEVER, HE GAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO EFFECT PAYMENTS AS SOON POSSIBLE AFTER THE DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION.
WHERE DELAYS CANNOT BE AVOIDED, HE POINTED OUT THAT SUCH WOULD EVENTUALLY RECEIVE PAYMENTS BACK-DATED TO THE DATE OF APPLICATION AFTER OCTOBER 1.
♦SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WITH THE GREATEST .NEEDS, THAT IS THOSE WHO ARE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.+ HE ADDED.
BE SOME
AS
CASES
TO FACILITATE PROCESSING, HE ADVISED THAT APPLICANTS SHOULD APPLY IN WRITING TO ANY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S 26 SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS IN OR NEAR THEIR DISTRICT.
APPLICANTS WOULD THEN BE NOTIFIED OF A DATE FOR INTERVIEW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTERWARDS, HE SAID.
♦IF ANY APPLICANT IS CONFINED TO BED OR CANNOT TRAVEL TO ANY OF OUR OFFICES, HE CAN INFORM US AND A SOCIAL WORKER WILL CALL AT HIS HOME TO PROCESS HIS APPLICATION,* HE ADDED.
THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE IS NON-MEANS-TESTED AND DESIGNED TO PROVIDE OLD PEOPLE WITH SOME DEGREE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ENABLE THEIR FAMILIES TO CONTINUE CARING FOR THEM. THE PRESENT RATE IS $100 A MONTH.
/MR. du said .....
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1978
6
MR. LU SAID THE PROPOSAL FOR A REDUCTION OF THE QUALIFYING AGE wAS MADE IN THE GREEN PAPER ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY WHICH RECOMMENDED THE REDUCTION IN TWO STAGES - TO 73 IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND TO 70 BY APRIL NEXT YEAR - MAINLY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REASONS.
IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC OPINION, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO LOWER THE QUALIFYING AGE TO 70 IN ONE STEP FROM OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR RATHER THAN IN TWO STAGES AS RECOMMENDED.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ONE-STEP REDUCTION IS EXPECTED TO COST AN EXTRA $28.5 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, WHICH WILL BE IN ADDITION TO THE $78.1 MILLION ALREADY PROVIDED FOR PAYMENTS OF THE ALLOWANCE TO EXISTING CLIENTS, HE SAID.
THE ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ARISING FROM THIS EXTENDED PROVISION WOULD BE $73 MILLION IN THE YEAR 1979-80 AND $98.6 MILLION BY 1983-84, MAKING AN ESTIMATED TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE OF $158.3 MILLION AND $205.2 MILLION IN THE RESPECTIVE YEARS.
LAND SALES FORECAST * * * * *
TWENTY-EIGHT LOTS OF CROWN LAND WITH A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT '+5,336 SQUARE METRES WILL EE PUT UP FOR SALE DURING THE NEXT SIX MONTHS FROM OCTOBER 1, 1978, TO MARCH 31, 1979, BY THE P.W.D.’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, MR. D.M. SCOTT-WILL, P.W.D.’S ACTING GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, SAID THE LOTS COMPRISED 17 NON-1NDUSTRI AL/ COMMERCIAL SITES, SIX PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SITES AND FIVE FOR INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN PURPOSES.
HE SAID THE NON-1NDUSTRI AL SITES COMPRISED A TOTAL AREA OF 22,061 SQUARE METRES.
OF THE 17 NON-1NDUSTRIAL/COMMERCI AL SITES, NINE ARE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, WHILE THE OTHER EIGHT LOTS ARE IN KOWLOON.
/four of the major......
THOBSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1978
7
FOUR OF THE MAJOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL SITES, MEASURING A TOTAL OF 10,911 SQUARE METRES, ARE SITUATED AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AND ANOTHER LARGE SITE WITH AN AREA OF 3,200 SQUARE METRES IS IN LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD.
OF THE REMAINING NON-1NDUSTRI AL SITES, FOUR ARE IN THE QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL/WEST AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD AREA AND THREE IN NAM ON FONG VILLAGE.
THE RESIDENTIAL LAND OFFERED FOR SALE DURING THE SIX MONTHS COMPRISES A TOTAL AREA OF 12,425 SQUARE METRES. THEY INCLUDE THREE LOTS AT KWUN TONG WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 6,315 SQUARE METRES AND TWO GOOD SITES - ONE AT LA SALLE ROAD AND THE OTHER BETWEEN CAMBRIDGE ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD - MEASURING 3,237 SQUARE METRES AND 2,833 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THE FIVE INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN SITES TO BE PUT UP FOR SALE MEASURE A TOTAL OF 10,850 SQUARE METRES.
THEY ARE LOCATED AT YIP KAN STREET (2,150 SQUARE METRES), WINSLOW STREET (1,600 SQUARE METRES), SAM KA TSUEN (3,300 SQUARE METRES), TIN WAN HILL ROAD (600 SQUARE METRES), AND WINSLOW STREET (3,200 SQUARE METRES).
MR. SCOTT-WILL ADDED THAT THE PROGRAMME WAS ONLY A PROVISIONAL ONE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
DATES OF SALE FOR EACH LOT WOULD BE ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE AND ADVERTISED IN NEWSPAPER.
DETAILS OF THE LAND SALES FORECAST TOGETHER WITH PLANS SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE LOTS TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE MAY BE SEEN AT THE P.W.D.’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND AT THE KOWLOON BRANCH OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
THEY MAY BE INSPECTED AT ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND AT THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT.
COPIES OF THE SIX-MONTH FORECAST MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE FROM ANY OF THESE OFFICES OR BY WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE P.W.D.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1978
8
APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME FOR CONSTRUCTION CRAFT TRADES EFFECTIVE FROM TOMORROW *****
EMPLOYERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION CRAFT TRADES OF BRICKLAYER/ PLASTERER/TILER, BAMBOO SCAFFOLDER AND PLUMBER ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESHIP WITH EMPLOYEES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 18 AS FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE TRADES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME ON THE ADVICE OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL. THIS BRINGS THE NUMBER OF DESIGNATED TRADES UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE APPREflTICESHIP ORDINANCE TO 31.
THE APPRENTICESHIP PERIOD FOR THE THREE NEW TRADES HAS BEEN SPECIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AS THREE YEARS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY: +IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PROMOTE APPRENTICE TRAINING IN TRADES WHICH ARE VITAL TO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES AND TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF SKILLED MANPOWER IN THESE TRADES.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESHIP MUST BE MADE IN THE SPECIFIED FORM AND REGISTERED WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SO THAT THE APPRENTICES WILL BE GIVEN PROPER TRAINING.
THIS WOULD RESULT IN EETTER-TRAINED CRAFTSMEN, HE SAID, AND AT THE SAME TIME A CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP REGISTERED WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO HELP PROTECT THE EMPLOYER FROM LOSING HIS APPRENTICE TO ANOTHER EMPLOYER.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR HAS THE POWER TO GRANT EXEMPTION IN CERTAIN CASES — SUCH AS IF HE IS SATISFIED THAT THE YOUNG PERSON HAS UNDERGONE SUFFICIENT TRAINING IN A PARTICULAR TRADE.
ANYONE REQUIRING INFORMATION ON THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE OR APPRENTICE TRAINING SHOULD CONTACT OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION AT NEW RODNEY BLOCK, 99 QUEENSWAY, WAN CHAI (TEL. 5-280545) OR PARIS THEATRE BUILDING, 7 KING FUK STREET, GROUND FLOOR, SAN PO KONG (TEL. 3-219285).
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1978
9
MORE COMMUNITY NURSING COURSES ON THE WAY ******
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE MORE COMMUNITY NURSING COURSES IN THE COMING YEARS TO TRAIN BOTH REGISTERED AND ENROLLED NURSES TO CARE FOR PATIENTS IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND FACILITATE THEIR EARLY DISCHARGE FROM HOSPITAL.
THIS 'aAS STATED TODAY BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. LAM SIM-FOOK, AT THE PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO 22 GRADUATES OF THE FIRST GOVERNMENT-RUN COMMUNITY NURSING COURSE.
HE SAID THE COURSE IS A JOINT EFFORT BY THE DEPARTMENT WHICH MADE AVAILABLE THE CLASSROOM AND TEACHING FACILITIES AND THE SIX VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS ALREADY PROVIDING THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE ON THE FIELD.
+1 CONSIDER THIS TO BE A UNIQUE MILESTONE MARKING YET ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL VENTURE PIONEERED BY THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHICH SINCE APRIL 1977 HAVE BEEN ASSISTED BY A GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION TO PROVIDE A UNIFIED SERVICE TO THE URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON,+ HE SAID.
DURING THE PAST 16 MONTHS, DR. LAM SAID, THE OPPORTUNITY HAS BEEN TAKEN TO EVALUATE AND CONSOLIDATE THE SERVICE AND TO ASSESS WHETHER EXPANSION IS NECESSARY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG’S SICK AND DISABLED, ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY.
A REPORT HAS BEEN PREPARED WHICH WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AT ITS NEXT MEETING, HE ADDED.
DR. LAM SAID CONCURRENTLY WITH THE TRAINING OF COMMUNITY NURSES GOES WITH THE IMPORTANT TASK OF MAKING THE EXISTENCE OF THE SERVICE KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC AS A WHOLE AND EDUCATING PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS DOCTORS, THERAPISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS HOW THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE CAN BEST BE USED TO REHABILITATE AND GIVE CONTINUING CARE TO THEIR PATIENTS.
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE IS NOT A PRIVATE NURSING SERVICE AND DOES NOT GIVE CONSTANT NURSING SUPERVIS ION.
+EACH VISIT BY A COMMUNITY NURSE IS LIMITED TO THE TIME REQUIRED FOR GIVING NECESSARY NURSING CARE AND INSTRUCTIONS,* HE SAID.
DR. LAM POINTED OUT THAT THE PART PLAYED BY THE COMMUNITY NURSE IS IN SUPPORTING — TO ENABLE THE FAMILY MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF THEIR SICK, DISABLED OR ELDERLY INFIRM RELATIVES IN THE HOME.
+THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT. THE COMMUNITY NURSE’S SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FAMILY AS A WHOLE IS A PRIME FACTOR IN BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN HOSPITAL AND HOME,* HE SAID.
/the existing......
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1978
10
THE EXISTING COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE IS PROVIDED BY SIX ORGANISATIONS — THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE, UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL, OUR LADY OF MARYKNOLL HOSPITAL, THE YANG f-EMORIAL SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE, NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL AND THE RENNIE’S MILL CHRISTIAN MEDICAL CENTRE.
THE CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE OF A PATIENT INTO CARE BY THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE ARE THAT HE BE REFERRED BY A DOCTOR, THAT HE DOES NOT REQUIRE HOSPITAL IN-PATIENT TREATMENT, THAT HE HAS DIFFICULTY IN ATTENDING A CLINIC FOR FOLLOW-UP AND YET NEEDS SKILLED NURSING CARE AND THAT THE HOME CONDITIONS MUST BE SUITABLE FOR CARE AT HOME.
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PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED BUILDINGS AT NOS. 124 AND 126, SECOND STREET IN WESTERN DISTRICT TO BE IN DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THOSE AT NOS. 120 AND 122, SECOND STREET LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS. ,
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THESE FOUR STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS. CONSTRUCTED WITH LOAD-BEARING WALLS, WERE RECENTLY INSPECTED FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF SEVERE TROPICAL STORM AGNES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDING AUTHORITY SAID: +THE BRICKWORK AT THE REAR OF THESE BUILDINGS WAS FOUND TO BE IN EXTREMELY POOR CONDITION.
+THE REAR MAIN WALL AND KITCHEN BLOCK OF NOS. 124 AND 126. SECOND STREET ALSO SHOW CLEAR SIGNS OF OUTWARD MOVEMENT. AS THERE IS A RISK OF NOS. 124 AND 126, SECOND STREET COLLAPSING THE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF THESE BUILDINGS IS NECESSARY.
♦THERE IS A SERIOUS DANGER THAT NOS. 120 AND 122, SECOND STREET WOULD COLLAPSE DURING OR FOLLOWING THE DEMOLITION OF NOS. 124 AND 126, SECOND STREET. ACCORDINGLY, THE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF THESE TWO BUILDINGS IS ALSO NECESSARY.+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 29 WERE POSTED TODAY.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1978
11
’ BOOKLET ON SHA TIN NEW TOWN
* * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED A REVISED VERSION OF A BOOKLET ON SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET IS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, AT $10 A COPY.
THE 44-PAGE PUBLICATION, AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE BOOKLET FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1976, CONTAINS MANY NEW PHOTOGRAPHS, TABLES DIAGRAMS AND MAPS. ’
COMMENTING ON THE BOOKLET, MR. JOHN DON, DIRECTOR FOR NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, P.W.D., SAID THAT THE PUBLICATION WAS BEING BROUGHT OUT AT- A TIME WHEN A GREAT DEAL OF PUBLIC INTEREST WAS BEING FOCUSED ON SHA TIN.
HE SAID THAT A NUMBER OF MAJOR ENGINEERING WORKS FOR SHA TIN WERE COMPLETED OR NEARING COMPLETION SUCH AS THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL, THE DUAL-LANE TRUNK ROAD RUNNING THROUGH SHA TIN. THE FO TAN STORMWATER NULLAH, TRANSPORT FACILITIES NEAR THE NEW RACE COURSE, AND FORMATION OF NEW LAND IN MANY ATTRACTIVE LOCATIONS.
+IN ADDITION TO MANY OF THE NEW FACILITIES WHICH ARE NEARING COMPLETION, MANY NEW ENGINEERING WORKS HAVE BEEN TAKEN UP TO GRADUALLY SHAPE SHA TIN INTO’A MODERN SELF-CONTAINED TOWNSHIP WITH A PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT.* HE ADDED.
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PRESENTATION OF APPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATES *****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, WILL VISIT THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS CO. LTD. AT 1, PO LUN STREET, LAI CHI KOK, AT 2.30 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO PRESENT APPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATES AND TO OFFICIATE AT THE SIGNING-ON OF NEW APPRENTICES.
MR. HENDERSON WILL ADDRESS THE APPRENTICES AND THEIR PARENTS AND WILL SEE APPRENTICES AT WORK.
HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR (INDUSTRIAL TRAINING), MR. HORACE KNIGHT, AND PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER, MRS. JOYCE SAVIDGE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE IlWlTED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL EE PROVIDED. A VAN, AM2O79, WILL LEAVE FROM THE REAR ENTRANCE OF G.I.S. AT BATTERY PATH AT 1.45 P.M. SHARP.
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PR 33
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUPPLEMENT
Thursday, August 31, 1978
SPEECH BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR aT THE INAUGURATION CERBviONY OF THE 23rd TERM OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK *****
It is six years since I attended the last Inauguration Ceremony of the Twentieth Term of the Heung Yee Kuk in 1972 and on that occasion, I spoke about your Government’s plans for the three parts of the New Territories - the new towns, the surrounding low-land rural areas and the undeveloped countryside. I would like’ to review briefly how far we have travelled towards the goals I described six years ago.
The development of the new towns is now firmly on its way • The original reclamation of the sea at Shat in is virtually complete and plans for its extension are far advanced. Large areas of the valley are being prepared for development and housing estates for about 145,000 people are in various stages of construction; there is employment, tool at hand for the people in the nearby industrial centre at Fo Tan.
At Tsuen Wan development has moved into the northern part of the town and has been accelerated by the extension of the Mass Transit Railway. Work is also in hand to improve the older densely populated part of the town; housing estates are already occupied on Tsing Yi which, in the last six years, has also developed as an important industrial area. At the
/third new town, .....
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
[This page is blank in the original document]
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grounds will all be built. Public housing estates are now being constructed at Yuen Long, Tai Po, Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Tai 0, Sai Kung, and a start has been made in the process of building Fanling-Sheung Shui into a large modern town. The completion of an adequate supply of public housing in these towns should hopefully stop the further spread of unsightly and insanitary squatting into surrounding lands.
Finally, we have adopted a positive programme to preserve and develop the countryside for recreation under the Country Parks Authority. The development programme, which is being administered by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, involves an investment of $70 million, of which $12.4 million is being spent this year in building management centres, access roads, tree planting and other improvements. In the development of the country parks, the interests of the villagers will be protected, and in this respect the advice and co-operation of Rural Committees is of great importance.
Development of the New Territories has brought with it many problems associated with the acquisition and clearance of land and the Kuk has always taken a close interest in these problems. I hope that the recently revised methods and rates of compensation for the resumption of land in the New Territories for urban development and for a regular review of the compensation rates will give landowners greater satisfaction. I am grateful to the Kuk for its contribution and participation in the formulation of these new arrangements. As recommended by the Working Group, compensation rates for land outside the towns are also being reviewed. These measures together with an updating of other levels of compensation will go some way to ameliorating the upheaval in the lives of the many people affected by development.
/It might be .....
4
It might be helpful if I were to take this opportunity of replying to the three points Mr. Wong made in his speech. But please bear in mind that in speaking of these three points I am doing so against a background of Government expenditure and effort in and for the New Territories that has never been matched at any time in the history of Hong Kong; and the Secretary for the New Territories is a member of the Executive Council.
Firstly housing. Implementation of the small house policy, which was approved so as to enable villagers more easily to build houses for themselves to live in, began in 1972, and since then 4,853 applications have been approved up to the end of March this year. While it is true that the Secretary for the New Territories found it necessary to' interrupt the processing of applications in some areas at the end of last year because the policy was being misused on a large scale for private profit, I am glad to hear that recent discussions you have had with the Secretary have hopefully resolved this problem, but, I should add, it is important that the spirit of the policy should be observed.
With regard to the provision of secondary school places, during the initial stages of development of the new towns and the opening of new secondary schools so as to provide free junior secondary education, that for practical reasons new schools will normally only operate Form I classes initially and will extend into higher forms each year thereafter. However, a limited number of classes in Forms II and III will be allowed in some of the new schools that open this September. The provision of new schools to achieve universal junior secondary education will substantially improve the regional distribution of schools in keeping with our aim to
/provide a proper .....
5
provide a proper balance of facilities throughout the New Territories.
On the third point, concerning the Kuk’s submission to the Minister of State made in April last year, a full reply was sent setting out the Government's position on all the points raised. Since then the recommendations of the working Group on New Territories Urban Land Acquisitions have been accepted and implemented.
You also mentioned, Mr. Wong, the failure of Government to provide public services and social facilities in the New Territories. I mentioned earlier the various programmes to provide an even spread of services throughout the New Territories.
Expenditure on these development programmes is well in excess of the direct revenue received and all in Hong Kong share in the prosperity which the development of the New Territories contributes to our economic growth.
Finally while the processes of consultation in the New Territories at a District level have been strengthened with the formation of the District Advisory Boards, it is necessary, too, that the Government machinery in each region should be strong and powerful enough to respond to, and solve, purely local problems; you will be glad to hear that a programme of phased reinforcement of Government local administration in the New Territories is being examined. Clearly it is necessary. At the centre, the advice of the Kuk will continue to receive careful consideration and I am sure the various committees of the Kuk, which you have organised, will be a useful vehicle for the formulation of ideas and recommendations.
/l am happy .....
6
I am happy to note from the Chairman’s speech that the Kuk is determined to continue its efforts to promote the co-operation and understanding between the people of the New Territories and the Government. I am confident that the Kuk will fulfil its role with the best interests of Hong Kong at heart, and I would like to express my very best wishes to the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen and Councillors of the new term of the Kuk in their work.
I would also like to thank the members of the Twenty-Second Term for all their dedication and service to the people of the New Territories.
I would particularly like to thank Mr. Chan Yat-san for his long period of service to the people of the New Territories, first as a member of the Tuen Mun Rural Committee, and latterly as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Kuk. His patient and timely reminders to us of the needs of the people of the New Territories, his balanced advice and regard not only for the New Territories but the overall interests of Hong Kong, have been most valuable during a very vital period of development.
May I wish you all every success, good health and happiness.
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