港史文本 - HK In Texts: Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1979 - JAN

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

D.S.W. REVIEWS WELFARE IMPROVEMENTS OF 1978 .......... 1

TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS ........................ 2

INFRA-RED SECURITY ’FENCE’ FOR NEW RHKAAF HEADQUARTERS AND HELIPORT .........................

MORE CDO PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES IN OPERATION ......... 5

CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY ............ 6

WATER CUT ..........................................

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1979

D.S.W. REVIEWS WELFARE IMPROVEMENTS OF 1978 ******

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TODAY (MONDAY) DESCRIBED 1978 AS A YEAR OF EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE SCENE AND FELT CONFIDENT A LOT MORE WOULD CONTINUE TO HAPPEN IN THE NEW YEAR.

HE SAID A COMPREHENSIVE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY AND THIS WOULD SET OUT GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN VARIOUS WELFARE SERVICES IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

AND BY APRIL THIS YEAR, HE SAID, THE OPERATION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE BECOME FULLY REGIONALISED TO IMPROVE DIRECT SERVICES TO THE NEEDY.

REVIEWING THE WELFARE ACHIEVEMENTS OF 1978, MR. LEE SAID THEY COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE WITHOUT THE CONTINUED CO-OPERATION AND EFFORTS BY THE COMMUNITY AND THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR.

HE SAID DEVELOPMENT WAS PARTICULARLY APPARENT IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL SECURITY, WITH FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS MADE IN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, OLD AGE ALLOWANCES AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE DIRECTLY BENEFITING 300,000 PEOPLE.

TO BEGIN WITH, HE SAID, THE SCALE RATES OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND WELFARE ALLOWANCES WERE RAISED BY ABOUT 11 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, MEANING MORE MONEY FOR THOSE LEAST ABLE TO HELP THEMSELVES.

IN APRIL, THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED A SERIES OF MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS INTO THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES PROVIDING NEW OR INCREASED BENEFITS, HE ADDED.

THESE INCLUDED AN ANNUAL LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR- A MONTHLY OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT FOR THOSE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS AGED 60 YEARS OR OVER, AND AN INCOME DISREGARD PROVISION IN WORKING OUT THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE OLD BUT WORKING PART-TIME, HE SAID.

IN ADDITION, MR. LEE SAID WELFARE ALLOWANCES WERE EXTENDED TO PEOPLE LIVING IN INSTITUTIONS, AND AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL BOARD CONSISTING OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WAS SET UP TO HEAR APPEALS AGAINST GOVERNMENT DECISIONS ON SOCIAL SECURITY CASES.

♦IN OCTOBER, WE MADE YET ANOTHER MAJOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE SCHEME, WITH THE QUALIFYING AGE REDUCED FROM 75 TO 70,+ HE SAID.

SO FAR, HE SAID, THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED 58,000 APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE IN THE 70-74 AGE GROUP, WHICH ADDED CONSIDERABLY TO THE PREVIOUS CASELOAD OF 66,000.

IN OTHER FIELDS OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. LEE SAID THE RATE OF PROGRESS WAS ALSO IMPRESSIVE.

/FOB example .....

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1979

FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, MORE HOMES AND HOSTELS WERE PROVIDED FOR THE ELDERLY, AND TWO DAY AND RESIDENTIAL TRANING CENTRES WERE SET UP FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN, A FIELD USED TO BE LOOKED AFTER BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

+IN CHILD CARE, DEVELOPMENT HAS TAKEN A BIG STEP FORWARD WITH A LARGE INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION, THE APPROVED SUBVENTION PROVISION FOR 1978-79 BEING $24.7 MILLION COMPARED WITH $17 MILLION FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR,* HE SAID.

THIS WAS BEING USED TO MAINTAIN EXISTING CHILD CARE CENTRES, FINANCING 1,000 ADDITIONAL CHILD CARE PLACES AND COVERING THE COST FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SERVICE, HE SAID.

IN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, MR. LEE SAID A COMMUNITY-WIDE CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED EARLIER IN THE YEAR TO PROMOTE BETTER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.

+WE ARE NOW IN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE CAMPAIGN EMPHASISING THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH TARGET GROUP IN THE FAMILY, NAMELY PARENTS, HUSBAND AND WIFE, OLD PEOPLE AND YOUTH,+ HE SAID.

ON REGIONALISATION OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR. LEE SAID A START WAS ALREADY MADE WITH THE POSTING OF FOUR REGIONAL OFFICERS TO HONG KONG ISLAND, EAST KOWLOON, WEST KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+BY APRIL THIS YEAR, WE WILL HAVE DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS IN 11 DISTRICTS, AND OUR ULTIMATE AIM IS TO PROVIDE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES PRACTICALLY UNDER ONE ROOF,+ HE SAID.

MR. LEE SAID ALL THESE REPRESENTED ONLY PART OF THE EXPANSION AND ACTIVITIES THAT TOOK PLACE IN 1973 AND +1 AM SURE A LOT MORE WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE SCENE IN THE NEW YEAR.+

--------o -

TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS ******

THE STRAINS OF CLASSICAL WESTERN MUSIC MINGLED WITH THE DRUMS AND GONGS OF TRADITIONAL CANTONESE OPERA THIS (MONDAY) EVENING AS TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN OFFICIALLY OPENED ITS FIRST ARTS FESTIVAL.

THE TWO-WEEK FESTIVAL CAME TO LIFE IN SIMPLE STYLE — WITH THE CUTTING OF A MULTI-COLOURED RIBBON BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES — BUT THE SNIP OF THE GOLDEN SCISSORS HERALDED A BROAD RANGE OF PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS AT VARIOUS VENUES THROUGHOUT THE TOWN.

IT IS THE FIRST DISTRICT-WIDE FESTIVAL EVER STAGED IN HONG KONG AND MARKS, AS MR. AKERS-JONES SAID IN HIS BRIEF OPENING SPEECH, +AN EVOLUTION IN A MODERN CITY OF THE LONG TRADITION ON INTEREST AND INVOLVEMENT IN ART OF ALL KINDS WHICH CHARACTERISES OUR SOCIETY.+

/ths vekus...

MONDAI, JANUARY 1, 1^7^

- 3 -

THE VENUE OF THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, WHOSE 1,OOO-SEAT AUDITORIUM HAS BEEN MODIFIED AND RENOVATED TO ACCOMMODATE THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA WHICH PLAYED BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH SYMPHONY BEFORE THE INTERVAL AND CHINESE CLASSICS AFTER IT.

UNDER MATSHEDS AT THE NEARBY SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND, THE RENOWNED PHOENIX OPERA TROUPE CAPTIVATED THE AUDIENCE, WITH THEIR PERFORMANCE OF THE CANTONESE OPERA, THE FAIRY OF RIVER LOK SHUI, A LEGENDARY STORY OF ANCIENT CHINA ABOUT A YOUNG GIRL WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE BECAUSE OF A LOVE AFFAIR WITH HER BROTHER-IN-LAW.

THE EVENING’S ENTERTAINMENT — VOTED A SPLENDID SUCCESS BY ONE AND ALL — WAS PRECEDED BY A COCKTAIL RECEPTION ATTENDED BY SOME 300 LOCAL VIPS LED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR. CHAN PO-FONG, AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

DESPITE THE INFORMALITY AND LOCATION OF THE RECEPTION — IN THE SCHOOL’S COVERED PLAYGROUND — SOME OF THE MEN WERE IN BLACK TIE, THEIR LADIES IN LONG EVENING DRESSES.

+IT’S BEEN QUITE A NIGHT FOR TSUEN WAN,+ REMARKED THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES. +WE’VE REALLY COME OF AGE.*

THE GUESTS WERE PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED WITH THE 80-PAGE COLOUR BROCHURE PRODUCED FOR THE FESTIVAL BY MR. HO TUNG-CHING, THE FESTIVAL’S EDITORIAL CO-ORDINATOR, AND MR. AKERS-JONES MADE SPECIAL MENTION OF IT IN HIS SPEECH.

+IT IS OF EXCELLENT QUALITY AND GIVES A STRIKING INDICATION OF THE LATENT TALENT AND GREAT POTENTIAL IN OUR NEW COMMUNITIES,+ HE SAID.

THE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN ORGANISED AND PROMOTED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, THE TSUEN WAN CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS A +DRY RUN* FOR AN ANNUAL TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL.

THE SECOND IS TO BE STAGED EARLY IN 1980, WITH THE PRINCIPAL VENUE BEING THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, A $23 MILLION PROJECT NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION THAT WILL GIVE THE TOWN A CULTURAL COMPLEX MODELLED ALONG THE LINES OF THE CITY HALL IN HONG KONG.

CERTAINLY, THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL HAS ENOUGH VARIETY FOR MOST OF THE HALF MILLION POPULATION OF TSUEN WAN — FROM CANTONESE, MANDARIN AND CHIU CHOW OPERA, FOLK DANCING AND SINGING, PUPPET SHOWS AND DRAMA PERFORMANCES TO AN APPRECIATION SERIES ON CHINESE AND WESTERN MUSIC, CHINESE OPERA AND CANTONESE DRAMA TO EXHIBITIONS OF PHOTOGRAPHS, PAINTINGS AND CALLIGRAPHY.

THE FESTIVAL HAS PROVED AN INSTANT SUCCESS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, AND BY OPENING NIGHT MORE THAN HALF OF THE PERFORMANCES AND FUNCTIONS HAD BEEN BOOKED OUT, WHILE THE REMAINDER WERE ABOUT 80 PER CENT SUBSCRIBED.

+ IT WOULD SEEM THAT MANY HAVE HAD TO MISS OUT BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY BOOKINGS,* REPORTED MR. HAYES. +THE ONLY CONSOLATION IS THAT WE ARE HOPING FOR SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER AND BETTER FOR

THE NEXT FESTIVAL.* -------------------------------0-------

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1979

INFRA-RED SECURITY ’FENCE’ FOR NEW RHKAAF HEADQUARTERS AND HELIPORT

******

MODERN SECURITY EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING AN INFRA-RED OPTICAL +FENCE+, WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE NEW $11.5 MILLION ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS AT KAI TAK.

+THE INFRA-RED SECURITY EQUIPMENT WILL WARN OF INTRUSION BY OUTSIDERS FROM THE AIRPORT AND KOWLOON BAY,* SAID MR. MARC ROBINSON, THE RHKAAF’S CONSULTANT TECHNICAL OFFICER WHO IS SUPERVISING THE ENTIRE PROJECT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

+AT THE SAME TIME A CLOSE-CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM WILL BE INSTALLED FOR SECURITY PURPOSES AS WELL AS FOR FIRE AND AIRCRAFT SAFETY,* MR. ROBINSON ADDED.

THE NEW BASE, SCHEDULED FOR OPENING ON MARCH 3, WILL ALSO hEAN HONG KONG’S OWN +AIR FORCE* WILL BECOME FULLY INDEPENDENT IN AIR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE. THE GOVERNOR WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

+ONCE WE MOVE INTO THE NEW HEADQUARTERS OUR ENTIRE OPERATION WILL BE HOUSED UNDER ONE ROOF,* SAID SQUADRON LEADER J.G. SHAWCROSS, STAFF OFFICER OF THE RHKAAF. HE EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT THE ADMINISTRATION BLOCKS, ENGINEERING AND OTHER FACILITIES ARE IN SEPARATE LOCATIONS.

THE NEW COMPLEX HAS A TOTAL AREA OF 3.2 HECTARES ON THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION NEAR THE EAST EXIT OF THE AIRPORT TUNNEL PROJECT. THIS WILL BE CLOSER TO THE RUNWAY THAN ITS PRESENT BASE.

+THE NEW HEADQUARTERS IS LESS REMOTE AS FAR AS OUR STAFF AND FLYING OPERATIONS ARE CONCERNED,* SQN. LDR. SHAWCROSS SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT IT NOW TAKES 30 MINUTES FOR THEIR FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT TO TAXI FROM THE EXISTING BASE TO THE AIRPORT RUNWAY AND ACROSS A PUBLIC ROAD BEFORE THEY CAN TAKE OFF FOR AN OPERATION.

+BUT THE JOURNEY FROM THE NEW DISPERSAL AREA TO THE RUNWAY WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW MINUTES,* HE ADDED.

’AUXAIRFORCE’ WILL ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN RADIO COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE WHICH WILL ENABLE THE BASE TO COMMUNICATE MORE EFFICIENTLY WITH ITS AIRCRAFT WHEN THEY ARE AIRBORNE BOTH LOCALLY OR SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES OUT OVER THE SEA AS THEY OFTEN DO WHEN CARRYING OUT SEARCH AND RESCUE AND OTHER OPERATIONS.

THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE THREE-STOREY COMPLEX WILL BE USED AS AIRCRAFT SERVICING BAYS, AND THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS FOR ADMINISTRATION, ENGINEERING, OPERATIONS AND ACCOMMODATION.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A 2,000 SQUARE-METRE HELICOPTER HANGAR LINKED TO THE GROUND FLOOR.

/other .....

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1979

OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE UNDERGROUND FUEL TANKS, DANGEROUS GOODS STORAGE AND A PARADE SQUARE. ADJACENT WILL BE A DISPERSAL AREA FOR THE FLEET OF HELICOPTERS AND FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT, AND AN ILLUMINATED HELICOPTER LANDING PAD.

THE RHKAAF IS A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT WITH 56 FULL-TIME STAFF AND 116 PART-TIME VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING 20 PILOTS, 18 CREWMEN AND A NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT CONTROLLERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND SO ON. IT HAS A FLEET OF SEVEN AIRCRAFT — A TWIN-ENGINED BRITTEN-NORMAN ISLANDER, A BEECHCRAFT MUSKETEER LIGHT AIRCRAFT, TWO SCOTTISH AVIATION BULLDOG TRAINERS AND THREE ALOUETTE MARK III HELICOPTERS.

AFTER THE RHKAAF HAS MOVED INTO THE NEW BASE, THE EXISTING FACILITIES AT THE OLD RAF KAI TAK OPPOSITE PING SHEK ESTATE WILL BE VACATED FOR PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT.

------0-------

MORE CDO PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES IN OPERATION ******

THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HAS IN RECENT MONTHS SET UP TWO MORE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES IN THE LAM TIN AND TUNG TAU AREAS TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN THESE AREAS.

THERE ARE NOW A TOTAL OF 24 CDO PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES IN THE URBAN DISTRICTS.

ALL TWENTY-FOUR PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES i

(A) ANSWERING ENQUIRIES-

(B) HANDLING PERSONAL CASES AND COMPLAINTS-

(D) DISTRIBUTING FORMS AND BOOKLETS FOR GOVERNMENT AND SOME NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS.

TO ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO OBTAIN THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE MORE CONVENIENTLY, THE DEPARTMENT HAS PLANS TO ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL OFFICES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG AND KOWLOON IN THE COMING YEARS.

THE OFFICE HOURS OF THESE ENQUIRY CENTRES ARE FROM 9 A.M. TO 5.30 P.M., MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON ON SATURDAY.

------0-------

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1979

CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY ******

THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH • DEPARTMENT IS TO KICK OFF ITS EXTENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES FOR THE NEW YEAR WITH A LARGE-SCALE CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY, AN AGE GROUP THAT NEEDS CARE AND ATTENTION.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE CAMPAIGN ARE i

* TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON WHAT IS NORMAL HEALTH IN OLD AGE AND THE PROCESS OF AGEING*

* TO IMPART KNOWLEDGE TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE VARIOUS FACTORS LEADING TO ILL HEALTH IN THE ELDERLY*

* TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO OBTAIN OPTIMAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF DISEASES IN THE ELDERLY GROUP-

* TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ON THE AVAILABILITY AND THE USE OF THE VARIOUS HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

THE CAMPAIGN WILL TAKE THE FORM OF EXHIBITIONS TO BE HELD IN THREE REGIONS BEGINNING IN LATE FEBRUARY, COMPLEMENTED BY PUBLICITY THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION LEAFLETS AND POSTERS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CAMPAIGN IS AIMED AT AROUSING THE INTEREST OF NOT ONLY THE ELDERLY BUT ALSO ALL OTHER AGE GROUPS WHO HAVE TO UNDERGO THE PROCESS OF AGEING AT A LATER STAGE OF THEIR LIFE.

THE FIRST EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL, KOWLOON, FROM FEBRUARY 24 TO 26, 1979. THREE OTHER SIMILAR EXHIBITIONS WILL BE STAGED IN MARCH ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN KOWLOON AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE A PHOTO COMPETITION DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE THE YOUNGER POPULATION TO BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT OLD PEOPLE’S HEALTH.

THERE WILL BE TWO SECTIONS IN THE COMPETITION — ONE OPEN TO ALL AND THE OTHER FOR STUDENTS ONLY. THE SUBJECT IS ELDERLY — THEIR FAMILY LIVES AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.

WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED CASH PRIZES AND TROPHIES AND THE WINNING ENTRIES DISPLAYED AT THE EXHIBITION AT OCEAN TERMINAL.

DETAILS OF THE PHOTO COMPETITION ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MEDICAL HEADQUARTERS AT LEE GARDENS AND ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES.

-----o------

MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1979

WATER CUT * * #

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON JANUARY 4 TO 6 A.M. ON JANUARY 5.

THE AFFECTED AREA WILL BE FROM NORTH OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, EAST SIDE OF LUN FAT STREET, SOUTH SIDE OF JOHNSTON ROAD, LEE TUNG STREET INCLUDING SHIP STREET, TAI WONG STREET EAST AND WEST, SWATOW STREET AND AMOY STREET.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

JANUARY 27 DEADLINE FOR PAYING RATES ..........•........... 1

TAX EXEMPTION ON INTEREST RAISED ......................... 1

SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS INVITED ....................... 2

FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CALENDAR FOR PARENTS ................ 3

WATER CUTS ................................................ 3

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1979

JANUARY 27 DEADLINE FOR PAYING RATES *****

THE TREASURY REMINDED RATEPAYERS TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT RATES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER THIS YEAR SHOULD BE PAID ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 27.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT WOULD BE IMPOSED ON LATE PAYMENTS. A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MIGHT BE ADDED TO THE AMOUNT, INCLUDING THE INITIAL FIVE PER CENT IF LATE PAYMENTS WERE STILL NOT PAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID RATEPAYERS SHOULD HAVE BY NOW RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SHOULD APPLY FOR A COPY AT THE RATES SECTION OF THE TREASURY, ROOM 203, HANG CHONG BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, 5 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

+NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES SHOULD BE PAID BEFORE THE DUE DATE,+ HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED RATEPAYERS TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICES TO AVOID QUEUEING.

HE POINTED OUT THAT RATES WERE PAYABLE ON VACANT PREMISES BUT WERE REFUNDABLE UNDER CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE RATING ORDINANCE.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED, NO REFUNDS WOULD BE PAYABLE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED, OR INTENDED TO BE USED, WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES (UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT).

- 0 - -

TAX EXEMPTION ON INTEREST RAISED ******

INTEREST PAYABLE BY LICENSED BANKS, BY PUBLIC UTILITIES AND BY THE GOVERNMENT AT RATES OF UP TO 5-1/4 PER CENT PER ANNUM WILL EE EXEMPTED FROM INTEREST TAX FROM TODAY (TUESDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE SAID THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 3/4 PER CENT IN THE EXEMPTION LIMIT AND FOLLOWED THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE EXCHANGE BANKS’ ASSOCIATION LAST THURSDAY THAT THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON SAVINGS ACCOUNTS WOULD BE SIMILARLY RAISED TO 5-1/4 PER CENT ALSO WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1979

SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS INVITED ******

THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS BY WAY OF ANNUAL RENTAL FOR A SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF CROWN LAND AT NING FOO STREET, CHAI WAN, HONG KONG.

THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 620 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR STORAGE PURPOSES, INCLUDING VEHICLES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE TENANCY WAS FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, AND THEREAFTER QUARTERLY.

TENDER FORMS, NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, MURRAY BUILDING, 19TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

THE TENDER PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE SAME OFFICES.

CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 19, 1979.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-26702899 OR 3-884111 EXTENSION 353.

0 --------

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1979

FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CALENDAR FOR PARENTS *****

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS JUST PRODUCED A COLOURFUL FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CALENDAR SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE OF PROPER PARENTAL CARE OF CHILDREN.

THE 12-PAGE WALL CALENDARS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION AT THE HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT.

FEATURING CARTOONS AND 13 SPECIAL MESSAGES ON PROPER CARE OF CHILDREN, THE CALENDAR FORMS PART OF THE CURRENT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

THE SPECIAL MESSAGES ARE ILLUSTRATED BY CARTOONS DRAWN BY A LEADING LOCAL CARTOONIST.

+THE RHYMED MESSAGES WERE INITIATED BY ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION OFFICERS AND THEY COVER THE IMPORTANT POINTS OF PROPER PARENTAL CARE,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

PRODUCTION OF THE CALENDAR IS FINANCED BY A CONTRIBUTION BY A YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY LEADER, MR. CHIU YU-HEI.

COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS AT THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION OFFICE AT THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE, 44 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, ON HONG KONG ISLAND, OR AT THE YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE AT THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 17TH FLOOR.

------o-------

WATER CUTS

* * *

WATER TURNED OFF JANUARY 5.

SUPPLY T0 A NUMBER 0F PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PC WILL BE

FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY

SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL ALSn oi jaSSry°6FforRlemVageH?£Us?s"0" ” P-"' 0N JANUARV 5 T0 6

IN WAN CHAI, THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED EY HOUSE NOS ZiA—11 o QUEEN’S ROAD EAST: WEST SIDE OF LUN FAT STREET NOS 2-34 25-6? ’

ROAD AND EAST SIDE OF ANTON STREET INCLUDING LANDALE daa^L'iao* CHIT STREET, GRESSON STREET AND NOS. 36-84A HENNESSY ROAD, NOS. 1-29, 4B-10 THOMSON ROAD, 1-5 LUARD ROAD.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MONEY SUPPLY FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER ............................ 1

GOVERNMENT TAKING THE LEAD IN SUPPORTING LOCAL PRODUCTS .... 2

$45.58 MILLION WORTH OF CONTRACTS AWARDED IN NOVEMBER

1978 ......................................................... 3

FOURTH STUDENTS’ CONCERT ..................................... 4

WATER CUT.................................................... 4

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1979-

MONEY SUPPLY FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER ******

GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RELEASED THE BANKING AND MONEY SUPPLY FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER.

THEY SHOW THAT THE MONEY SUPPLY ON THE WIDER DEFINITION (M2) ROSE IN NOVEMBER, AFTER FALLING SLIGHTLY IN OCTOBER, BUT THE LONGER-TERM RATE OF GROWTH FELL BACK DURING THE MONTH.

TWO NEW BANKS BEGAN TO FUNCTION IN NOVEMBER, BUT ARE NOT LIKELY TO HAVE ANY GREAT EFFECT ON THE FIGURES.

Ml (NOTES AND COINS IN CIRCULATION AND DEMAND DEPOSITS AT LICENSED BANKS) FELL BY $523 MILLION (2.4 PER CENT) IN NOVEMBER, TO $20,958 MILLION, WHICH WAS 20.7 PER CENT ABOVE THE NOVEMBER, 1977, FIGURE.

M2 (Ml, PLUS TIME DEPOSITS AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS) ROSE BY $812 MILLION IN NOVEMBER (1.1 PER CENT) TO $71,490 MILLION, 26.8 PER CENT ABOVE THE FIGURE FOR THE END OF NOVEMBER, 1977.

THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE FOR BOTH Ml AND M2 HAS NOW FALLEN TWO MONTHS IN A ROW.

Ml AT THE END OF OCTOBER WAS 25.0 PER CENT ABOVE THE OCTOBER, 1977, FIGURE, AND AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER THE FIGURE WAS 30.2 PER CENT UP ON THE SEPTEMBER, 1977, FIGURE- M2 AT THE END OF OCTOBER WAS 27.6 PER CENT UP ON THE YEAR, AND AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER WAS 30.3 PER CENT UP.

COMPARING THE AVERAGE FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER, 1978, WITH THE SAME PERIOD OF 1977, TO SMOOTH OUT ANY UNUSUAL MONTHLY FLUCTUATIONS, Ml SHOWS AN INCREASE OF 25.2 PER CENT AND M2 AN INCREASE OF 28.2 PER CENT.

THIS COMPARISON ALSO SHOWS SOME SLOWING DOWN IN THE RATE OF INCREASE SINCE OCTOBER.

THERE WAS A VERY PRONOUNCED MOVEMENT IN NOVEMBER FROM DEMAND DEPOSITS, WHICH EARN NO INTEREST, TO TIME DEPOSITS: THIS PRESUMABLY REFLECTS THE INCREASES IN INTEREST RATES ON TIME DEPOSITS ON OCTOBER 30 AND NOVEMBER 9.

THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG, WITH THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING RISING DURING NOVEMBER BY $2,353 MILLION TO $50,886 MILLION, WHICH WAS 43.1 PER CENT ABOVE THE LEVEL AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, 1977.

THE RATE OF GROWTH OF LOANS AND ADVANCES, ON AN ANNUAL COMPARISON, HAS BEEN ACCELERATING IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1978, WITH OCTOBER 41.5 PER CENT ABOVE OCTOBER, 1977, AND SEPTEMBER 37.7 PER CENT ABOVE SEPTEMBER, 1977.

THE TREND IS ALSO APPARENT FROM A THREE MONTHLY COMPARISON, WITH SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER, 1978, 40.8 PER CENT UP ON THE SAME PERIOD OF 1977.

/THERE WAS .....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1979

THERE WAS A RISE IN BALANCES DUE TO BANKS ABROAD, AND A LESS PRONOUNCED RISE IN BALANCES DUE FROM BANKS ABROAD. THESE MOVEMENTS MAY HAVE REFLECTED TIGHT MONEY MARKET CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, AND THE CONSEQUENT NEED OF A NUMBER OF BANKS IN HONG KONG TO BRING FUNDS IN FROM ABROAD.

AS A RESULT OF THESE MOVEMENTS, AND OF A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF LOANS ABROAD, THE NET IDENTIFIABLE FOREIGN ASSETS OF THE HONG KONG BANKING SECTOR FELL BY $1,215 MILLION TO 816,914 MILLION.

0 -

GOVERNMENT TAKING THE LEAD IN SUPPORTING LOCAL PRODUCTS * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING THE LEAD IN SUPPORTING LOCAL PRODUCTS --- MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE ORDERS FOR COMMODITY ITEMS DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR WERE PLACED LOCALLY.

DURING THE YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT PLACED ABOUT $300 MILLION WORTH OF ORDERS AND CONTRACTS OF WHICH THOSE LODGED WITH LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TOTALLED $227 MILLION.

OF THESE ABOUT $130 MILLION WERE FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS.

THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PURCHASE, STORAGE AND SUPPLY OF ESSENTIAL MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND CERTAIN SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS.

THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR. FRED YOUNG, POINTED OUT THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF ECONOMIC BUYING COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY THOROUGHLY RESEARCHING AND MONITORING THE MARKET WITH A VIEW TO LOCATING THE BEST POSSIBLE SOURCES OF SUPPLY.

♦IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL THAT, TO PROVIDE ULTIMUM VALUE FOR MONEY AND MAXIMUM SATISFACTION TO THE USER, A THOROUGH VALUE ANALYSIS BE CONDUCTED BEFORE LARGE-SCALE BUYING IS UNDERTAKEN,♦ MR. YOUNG SAID.

♦EXPERIENCE HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT CENTRALISED BUYING IS ESSENTIAL TO ECONOMIC PUBLIC SPENDING,+ HE ADDED.

AND MR. YOUNG, WHO HAS BEEN IN THE PUBLIC PURCHASING ORGANISATION IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 29 YEARS, SAID THE BEST SOURCE OF SUPPLY IS THE HONG KONG MANUFACTURER.

♦HE IS REALLY THE PLUM IN THE BUYER’S PUDDING BECAUSE HERE WE HAVE AN AREA WHERE WE CAN INSPECT THE MATERIALS USED TO MANUFACTURE THE END PRODUCT ---- WE CAN SEE THE PRODUCT IN THE

COURSE OF MANUFACTURE AND, WE CAN INSPECT THE FINISHED ARTICLES ON THE MANUFACTURING PREMISES BEFORE PACK I NG,+ MR. YOUNG SAID.

♦WITH THE DIVERSITY OF MANUFACTURERS AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED, +THE GOVERNMENT IS ABLE TO FIND LOCAL MANUFACTURERS FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF THE ARTICLES IT PURCHASES ANNUALLY.+

THERE IS A WIDE VARIETY OF ITEMS PROVIDED BY LOCAL PRODUCERS FOR THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.

/THESE INCLUDE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY J, 1979

THESE INCLUDE BUILDING MATERIALS, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, FOODSTUFF, GLASSWARE, INSECTICIDE SPRAYS, LEATHER GOODS, METALWARE, PLASTIC GOODS AND MATERIALS, TEXTILE ARTICLES, WOODEN AND STEEL FURNITURE AS WELL AS PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.

MR. YOUNG POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A MISCONCEPTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TENDED TO FAVOUR LOCALLY MANUFACTURED ARTICLES BECAUSE IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S BUYING AGENCY.

+WE DO FAVOUR LOCALLY MANUFACTURED ARTICLES BECAUSE OF THE REASONS ALREADY MENTIONED. BUT WE DO NOT FAVOUR THEM IN AS MUCH THAT WE ALLOW THEM ANY SPECIAL CONCESSIONS WHEN IT COMES TO ADJUDICATING ON COMPETITIVE TENDERS AND WHERE HONG KONG PRODUCTS ARE COMPETING AGAINST FOREIGN PRODUCTS,* HE SAID.

+ IN OTHER WORDS WHEN WE MAKE A PURCHASE OF A HONG KONG PRODUCT WE PURCHASE IT BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT ARTICLE AT THE RIGHT PRICE AND QUALITY AND HAS COMPETED WITH AND WON IN MANY INSTANCES IN FAIR COMPETITION WITH FOREIGN MANUFACTURED GOODS,* HE ADDED.

MR. YOUNG SAID THE VALUE OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS WHICH THE DEPARTMENT IS BUYING HAS BEEN INCREASING ANNUALLY AT ABOUT 10 PER CENT WITH A PROPORTIONAL DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF OVERSEAS ORDERS, ADDING THAT A FEW YEARS AGO IT BOUGHT MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF ITS PRODUCTS OVERSEAS.

ON OTHER ADVANTAGES IN BUYING LOCALLY, MR. YOUNG SAID HE COULD NOT RECALL PLACING AN ORDER WITH A HONG KONG MANUFACTURER THAT WAS NOT HONOURED IN EVERY DETAIL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATION, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT.

+IT IS SIMPLY THE TRUTH, WE HAVE NEVER YET BEEN LET DOWN BY A HONG KONG MANUFACTURER,* HE SAID.

-------o - - - -

$45.58 MILLION WORTH OF CONTRACTS AWARDED IN NOVEMBER 1978 ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AWARDED 30 CONTRACTS WORTH $45.58 MILLION IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.

SIXTEEN WERE AWARDED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD AND 14 ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PWD TENDER BOARD.

THE BIGGEST CONTRACT AWARDED WAS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPORT TUNNEL ROAD — KOWLOON BAY TO KWUN TONG ROAD, STAGE II --FOUNDATIONS.

OTHER CONTRACTS INCLUDED THE CONTROLLED TIPPING OF REFUSE AT SAI TSO WAN AND ASSOCIATED WORKS AND THE IMPROVEMENT TO THE FLOODLIGHTING INSTALLATION IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STADIUM.

--------0 ---------

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1979

FOURTH STUDENTS’ CONCERT

* * * *

THE FOURTH STUDENTS' CONCERT ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, IN THE RECITAL HALL OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE AT 5.30 P.M.

+THIS CONCERT IS ORGANISED TO HELP YOUNG STUDENTS BUILD UP CONFIDENCE IN GIVING LIVE PERFORMANCE TO THE PUBLIC,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE SAID.

+ IT IS ONE OF A SERIES GIVEN REGULARLY ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH,* HE ADDED.

PERFORMERS OF THE CONCERTS ARE STUDENTS OF THE TRAINING CLASSES OF THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE. PARENTS, FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, INSTRUCTORS AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

FREE ADMISSION TICKETS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE ON THE NINTH FLOOR, ARTS CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, WANCHAI, HONG KONG.

FOR ENQUIRIES PLEASE RING 5-283257 EXTENSION 29.

-------o---------

WATER CUT * * *

BE TURNED OFF FOR

FOR NIGHT LEAKAGE

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSZ WAN SHAN WILL DUCn — SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON JANUARY 6

TESTS•

THE AFFECTED AREA WILL BE BOUNDED BY TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, PO MING LANE, YUK WAH CRESCENT AND HONG STREET’NCLUDING YUK WAH STREET, LOK WAH STREET, PO WAI LANE F° JLANE, PO HANG LANE, PO YING LANE, PO KING LANE, PO FUNG LANE AND TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE BLOCKS 61-67.

- o —

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL COMPLEX SYMBOLISES FUTURE OF ARTS IN HONG KONG ......................................... 1

’LIVE’ QUADROPHONIC BAND CONCERT .......................... 3

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE STATION ............. 4

CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN SHAM SHU I PO ....................... 5

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE .................................... 6

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM --- SUSPENSION OF

SURFACE MAIL SERVICE ...................................... 6

STREAM RE-ALIGNMENT IN TSUEN WAN .......................... 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5*233191

TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL COMPLEX SYMBOLISES FUTURE OF ARTS IN HONG KONG

* * * * *

THE TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL COMPLEX WILL STAND AS A PERMANENT SYMBOL OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF THE ARTS IN HONGKONG, AND IN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ROLE WHICH THEY ARE COMING TO PLAY IN THE LIFE OF OUR CITY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID

SIR MURRAY SPOKE WHEN HE LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE CULTURAL COMPLEX MARKING WHAT HE SAID WAS +THE BEGINNING OF A NEW PHASE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CULTURAL LIFE IN HONG KONG.+

THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAD SEEN AN UNPRECEDENTED EXPANSION IN ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES, HE NOTED.

HE CONTINUEDi +THE NEXT FEW YEARS SHOULD SEE THE OPENING OF THREE MAJOR CULTURAL COMPLEXES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT DESIGNED TO BE THE CULTURAL CENTRE OF HONG KONG, AND SO BUILT ON THIS MAGNIFICENT SITE.+

WHEN COMPLETED THE CULTURAL COMPLEX WILL CONSIST OF THREE MAIN COMPONENTS: THE SPACE MUSEUM NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND EXPECTED TO OPEN AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR- AN AUDITORIUM COMPLEX WITH HALLS SEATING A TOTAL OF NEARLY 5,000 PEOPLE AS WELL AS AN ARTS LIBRARY AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES- AND A MUSEUM BLOCK FOR THE PERMANENT DISPLAY OF THE COLLECTIONS CURRENTLY HELD IN THE MUSEUMS OF ART AND HISTORY.

SIR MURRAY SAID OF THE TOTAL CAPITAL COST OF THE COMPLEX TO DATE, THE TAXPAYERS, THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, WILL PAY $160 MILLION FOR THE AUDITORIUM BLOCK AND THROUGH THE URBAN COUNCIL $50 MILLION FOR THE SPACE MUSEUM AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AUDITOR I A.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO MEET THE COST OF THE MUSEUMS OF ART AND HISTORY. ONCE COMPLETED THE COMPLEX WILL BE MANAGED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.

THE GOVERNOR THANKED THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR THEIR ENTHUSIASTIC INVOLVEMENT IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT AND ALSO PRAISED THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECTS +FOR THEIR IMAGINATIVE AND RESOURCEFUL DESIGN* OF A CIVIC INSTITUTION WHICH HE SAID WILL MATCH THE PROMINENCE AND PRESTIGE OF THE WATERFRONT SITE.

IN INVITING THE GOVERNOR TO PERFORM THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR. A. DE 0. SALES, SAID SIR MURRAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT HAS ENABLED THOSE MOST CONCERNED WITH CULTURAL PROMOTION IN HONG KONG TO SEEK NEW GOALS TO CONQUER.

/+IN EFFECT.....

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4. 1979

+ IN EFFECT THE GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORT ENABLES THE COUNCIL TO GIVE SUBSTANCE TO THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE TO ENJOY AND APPRECIATE SOME OF THE MOST ENDURING VALUES OF HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT.*

MR. SALES SAID CREDIT WAS ALSO DUE TO THE MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO, FOR A GREAT NUMBER OF YEARS, WORKED LONG AND HARD FOR THE INITIAL POSTWAR DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HERE.

WITH THE OPENING OF THE CITY HALL IN 1962, THE CONDITIONS, HE SAID, WERE CREATED FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ARTISTIC PRESENTATIONS IN A PROPER SETTING.

IN RECENT TIMES THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS BEEN ABLE TO GIVE MUCH PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE AND ALSO TO PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE FOR THE COMMON GOOD.

+THE ADVENT OF THE CULTURAL COMPLEX IN THIS SPLENDID LOCATION WILL ENABLE THE NEW GENERATION TO DO FAR MORE IN DUE TIME. IT IS INDEED A CHALLENGE FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE CULTURAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE REMAINING YEARS OF THE CENTURY AND BEYOND.*

MR. SALES THANKED THE PUBLIC WORKS AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS FOR WHAT HE CALLED +THE REALLY GREAT PREPARATORY WORK THEY ARE DOING TOGETHER* UNDER THE COUNCIL’S SPECIAL SUBCOMMITTEE’S GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP, TO MAKE THIS PROJECT COME TRUE.

-------0 - -

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1979 _

+LIVE+ QUADRAPHONIC BAND CONCERT * M * *

MORE THAN 6,000 PEOPLE — INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, ARE EXPECTED AT THE FAN LING PLAYGROUND ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6) TO SAMPLE THE FIRST +LIVE+ QUADRAPHONIC BAND CONCERT.

SOME 400 PLAYERS FROM NINE YOUTH BANDS WILL GATHER IN THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE PLAYGROUND TO GIVE A TWO-HOUR PERFORMANCE CF WESTERN CLASSICS AND POPULAR TITLES THAT WILL, IN THE WORDS CF THE ORGANISERS, +WRAP THE AUDIENCE IN MUSIC*.

IT WILL BE THE FIRST OPEN-AIR CONCERT STAGED IN THE TAI PO DISTRICT AND IS BEING JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES TAI PO SIX DISTRICTS ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AND THE TOM LEE MUSIC FOUNDATION LTD.

THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MR. GORDON SIU, TODAY (THURSDAY) PROMISED +A SPECTACULAR SHOW+ FOR THE DISTRICT’S FIRST OPEN-AIR CONCERT.

♦THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME WE HAVE USED THE MASSED BAND QUADRAPHONIC TECHNIQUE IN HONG KONG AND WHILE I HAVE HEARD OF IT BEING USED OVERSEAS, • IT HAS NEVER BEEN PERFORMED BY SO MANY PLAYERS,+ HE SAID.

+THE RESULT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS SENSATIONAL.*

SATURDAY’S CONCERT IS THE RESULT OF THREE MONTHS’ HARD WORK AND REHEARSALS BY THE BANDS AND THE ORGANISERS, WHO ARE ESPECIALLY PLEASED THAT TWO TAI PO DISTRICT GROUPS WILL BE TAKING PART — THE BANDS FROM THE BUDDHIST KWAI TONG MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE TANG KING PO SCHOOL.

THE OTHER BANDS ARE THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND, THE HONG KONG LUTHERAN YOUTH BAND, THE SALES IAN SCHOOL BAND, THE DELIA MEMORIAL SCHOOL BAND, THE HONG KONG YMCA BAND THE ST. BONAVENTURE COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL BAND.

THE CONCERT WILL HAVE THE +BLESSING+ OF A LION DANCE AT 2.30 P.M. BEFORE THE GOVERNOR OFFICIALLY OPENS THE CONCERT WITH A BRIEF SPEECH AT 3 P.M.

NOTE TO ED I TORS«

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONCERT AT FAN LING PLAYGROUND AT 3 P.M. ON SATURDAY. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A GOVERNMENT VAN (AM 2088) WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI AT 1.30 P.M.

AN OFFICER FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1979

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE STATION ******

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THREE SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE STATION WOULD BE OPERATED ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 6).

THESE NON-STOP TRAINS WOULD LEAVE THE KOWLOON STATION IN HUNG HOM AT 12.31 P.M., 12.57 P.M. AND 1.12 P.M., A SPOKESMAN FOR KCR SAID.

THERE WOULD BE THREE SPECIAL TRAINS TO CONVEY PASSENGERS BACK TO THE KOWLOON STATION AND, IN ADDITION, THREE SCHEDULED TRAINS WOULD BE RE-ROUTED VIA THE RACE COURSE STATION AT 4.31 P.M., 6.42 P.M., AND 7.16 P.M. TO PICK UP PASSENGERS.

THE RUNNING TIME OF THESE SPECIAL TRAINS WOULD BE 20 MINUTES AND THEIR TIMETABLES WOULD BE DISPLAYED AT ALL RAILWAY STATIONS AND AT THE JOCKEY CLUB’S OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES.

HE ENCOURAGED THOSE GOING BY PRIVATE CARS TO MAKE USE OF THE HUNG HOM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK ABOVE KOWLOON STATION.

HE FURTHER MENTIONED THAT APART FROM SEVERAL BUS CONNECTING ROUTES, THERE WERE FERRY SERVICES OPERATING BETWEEN CENTRAL, WAN CHAI AND NORTH POINT AND THE HUNG HOM PIER WHICH WAS A FEW MINUTES WALK FROM THE STATION TERMINAL.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE TIMETABLES OF THE TRAIN SERVICES HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY AMENDED.

SCHEDULED

THE REVISED TIMETABLES OF THE SCHEDULED TRAINS BETWEEN 10.30 A.M. AND 11.00 P.M. ARE:

FROM KOWLOON STATION: 11.09 A.M., 12.11 P.M., 1.22 P.M., 2.20 P.M., 3.07 P.M., 3.54 P.M., 5.07 P.M., 5.38 P.M., 6.56 P.M., 7.46 P.M., 8.32 P.M., 9.21 P.M., AND 11.00 P.M.

FROM LO WU STATION:

10.52 A.M., 11.51 A.M., 12.49 P.M.,

1.43 P.M., 3.00 P.M., 3.38 P.M.,

4.35 P.M., 5.48 P.M., 6.28 P.M., 7.25 P.M., 8.27 P.M., AND 9.28 P.M.

--------o - -

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1979

CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN SHAM SHUI PO ******

A TWO-WEEK DISTRICT-WIDE CLEAN-UP OPERATION WILL BE MOUNTED AT SHAM SHUI PO TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THE OPERATION, IN LINE WITH THE CHINESE TRADITION OF CLEANING HOUSEHOLDS AND LIVING AREAS TO PREPARE FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO), URBAN SERVICES OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO) AND THE SHAM SHUI PO CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE FIVE AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT.

THE OPERATION WILL BE LAUNCHED AREA BY AREA AND THE FIRST EXERCISE WILL BE AT THE AREAS BOUNDED BY BOUNDARY STREET, NAM CHEONG STREET AND SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET.

DURING THE OPERATION, LABOURERS FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTEERS WILL CONCENTRATE ON COMMON AREAS IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS AND CANOPIES.

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO) HAS SET UP A TELEPHONE HOTLINE (3-704251 EXT. 33) TO DEAL WITH REQUESTS FROM RESIDENTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN CLEANING THEIR BUILDINGS DURING THE OPERATION PERIOD.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN SHAM SHUI PO TOMORROW (FRIDAY). THE CLEANSING TEAM WILL ASSEMBLE AT 10 A.M. AT THE SHAM SHUI PO KAIFONG ASSOCIATION AT 88, YU CHAU STREET BEFORE SETTING OFF FOR THE OPERATION.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1979

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

* * * *

ROAD 27B AND 27C LEADING TO MOUSE ISLAND IN TUEN MUN WILL EACH HAVE A SECTION CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 7 TO FACILITATE ROAD AND DRAINS CONSTRUCTION WORKS.

THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF ROAD 27B, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO ABOUT 120 METRES WESTWARD, WILL BE CLOSED FOR 11 DAYS TO JANUARY 17. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE OPENDED TO TRAFFIC FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS ALTERNATIVELY.

MEANWHILE, A LENGTH OF ABOUT 50 METRES OF THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF ROAD 27C ADJACENT TO MOUSE ISLAND WILL BE CLOSED FOR 19 DAYS TO JANUARY 25.

THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS ALTERNATIVELY.

AT BOTH AFFECTED SECTIONS, TRAFFIC FLOW WILL BE REGULATED BY TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND OTHER TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL ALSO BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

--------o----------

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM — SUSPENSION OF SURFACE MAIL SERVICE * * * * *

THE POST OFFICE TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT DUE TO TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF RAILWAY SERVICE BETWEEN CHINA AND VIETNAM, SURFACE LETTER AND PARCEL DESPATCHES TO THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM WILL BE SUSPENDED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

+UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, NO SURFACE MAILS FOR VIETNAM WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR POSTING,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID.

+AIRMA IL LETTERS AND PARCELS FOR THIS COUNTRY WILL, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO BE ACCEPTED AT THIS STAGE,* HE ADDED.

MEANWHILE, DUE TO THE SITUATION IN TEHERAN, AIRMAIL SERVICES TO IRAN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, WILL EE SUBJECT TO DELAY.

--------0----------

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1979

STREAM RE-ALIGNMENT IN TSUEN WAN * * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO START WORK SHORTLY ON THE RE-ALIGNMENT OF CHUNG HANG STREAM IN TSUEN WAN.

THE WORK, TENDERS FOR WHICH WILL BE INVITED TOMORROW (FRIDAY), AIMS TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.

IT ALSO INCLUDES THE FORMATION OF SEVEN HECTARES OF LAND FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.

MR. NORMAN TUCKER, PROJECT MANAGER OF PWD’S TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SAID THE PROJECT FORMED PART OF THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH AND TAKE ABOUT 17 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK AND WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED PARTNERS ON BEHALF OF THE TSUEN OF PWD.

- 0 -

PR 33

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, GBE, KCMG, KCVO, AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL COMPLEX FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY, JANUARY 4, 1979

The laying of the foundation stone of the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex marks the beginning of a new phase in the development of the cultural life in Hong Kong.

The last five years have seen an unprecedented expansion in artistic activities.

The next few years should see the opening of three major cultural complexes in the New Territories, .and the completion of this project designed to be the cultural centre of Hong Kong, and so built on this magnificent site. • •

When completed it will consist of three main components: the space Museum which is already under construction and expected to open at the end of next year; an Auditorium complex with halls seating a total of nearly 5»000 people as well as an Arts Library and ancillary facilities; and a Museum Block for the permanent display of the collections currently held in the Museums of Art and History.

/Of the total •-••••

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

Of tho total capital cost of the complex to date the tax-payers, through the Government, will pay Sl60 million for the auditorium block and through the Urban Council $50 million for the Space Museum and ancillary facilities associated with the auditoria.

The Government will also meet the cost of the Museums of Art and History. Once complete, the Complex will be managed by the Urban Council.

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the Urban Council for their enthusiastic involvement in this very important project.

I should also like to thank the Government Architects for their imaginative and resourceful design of a civic institution which will match the prominence and prestige of this water-front site.

This Cultural Complex will stand as a permanent symbol of confidence in the future of the arts in Hong Kong, and in the importance of the role which they are coming to play in the life of our City.

I now have great pleasure in laying the foundation stone of this Cultural Complex.

- 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

REPORT TAXI DRIVERS WHO OVERCHARGE ................ 1

AMBITIOUS EXPANSION PLANS FOR POK 01 HOSPITAL ..... 2

CROWN LAND AUCTION ................................ 3

GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1979 GAZETTED ................ 4

FOUR MORE INDUSTRIAL SITES AVAILABLE AT FO TAN .... 5

RECLAMATION AT NORTH KOWLOON CAMBER ............... 5

+CHINESE RHYMES FOR CHILDREN* CONTRIBUTIONS JNVITED ... 6

CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE EXTENDS SATURDAY OPENING HOURS ........................................... . 7

+NEW YEAR FESTIVAL* FOR CHAI WAN RESIDENTS ....... 8

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ACCESS ROAD .................. 9

FIRING PRACTICE ................................... 9

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1979

REPORT TAXI DRIVERS WHO OVERCHARGE * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT TAXI DRIVERS WHOSE METERS ARE NOT SHOWING THE PROPER CURRENT FARE.

THIS FOLLOWS COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT THAT SOME TAXI METERS WERE SHOWING FARES OTHER THAN THOSE CURRENTLY IN FORCE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PROPOSED NEW FARES ANNOUNCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RECENTLY HAVE NOT BEEN FORMALLY IMPLEMENTED.

HE SAID : +CERTAIN PROCEDURES STILL HAVE TO BE COMPLIED WITH BEFORE THE NEW FARES ARE INTRODUCED.*

THE SPOKESMAN SAID DETAILS OF THE NEW FARES, THE STARTING DATE, AND CONVERSION TABLE SHOWING THE OLD AND THE NEW FARES WOULD BE ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE.

+UNTIL THEN, TAXI DRIVERS SHOULD NOT CHARGE FARES OTHER THAN THOSE CURRENTLY IN FORCE,* HE SAID.

HE URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT TO POLICE IF OVERCHARGED BY TAXI DRIVERS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TELEPHONED AND COMPLAINED THAT THE METER IN THE TAXI HE WAS TRAVELLING IN WAS JUMPING 50 CENTS INSTEAD OF 20 CENTS FOR EVERY ONE-FIFTH OF A MILE.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1979

AMBITIOUS EXPANSION PLANS FOR POK 01 HOSPITAL X X X M M

THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE A SEVEN-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN WHICH WILL ENABLE THE POK 01 HOSPITAL TO EXPAND ITS MEDICAL SERVICES TO CATER FOR THE FUTURE NEEDS OF THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE EXPANSION PLAN, DRAWN UP IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN POPULATION IN THE AREA, IS SCHEDULED FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.

THE PROGRAMME, MR. AKERS-JONES TOLD THE HOSPITAL’S ANNUAL DINNER, WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE PHASES ■— THE FIRST INVOLVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF STAFF QUARTERS FOR DOCTORS AND NURSES, THE SECOND TO PROVIDE ANOTHER 200 BEDS, AN OPERATING THEATRE SUITE AND BACK-UP FACILITIES.

THE THIRD PHASE INVOLVED THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ENLARGED OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT, A NEW CASUALTY WARD AND ADDITIONAL STAFF QUARTERS, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

A SITE HAS BEEN RESERVED IN AU TAU FOR THE FIRST STAGE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO COST ABOUT $5 MILLION. MR. AKERS-JONES SAID CONSTRUCTION WOULD START AS SOON AS APPROVAL IS OBTAINED FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

♦IN ITS SUBMISSION TO GOVERNMENT,+ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID, ♦THE HOSPITAL HAS APPLIED FOR A CAPITAL SUBVENTION OF THREE TO ONE TO FINANCE ITS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.+

HE SAID THAT THIS FORMULA, IF APPROVED, WOULD REQUIRE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO RAISE A QUARTER OF THE CAPITAL COST AT LEAST $1 MILLION A YEAR IN THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS.

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT, IN THIS AGE OF RISING COSTS THE ACTUAL REQUIREMENT WOULD PROBABLY TURN OUT TO BE MORE.

♦THIS AMBITIOUS BUT REALISTIC PROGRAMME IS TYPICAL OF THE WHOLE HISTORY OF POK 01 HOSPITAL,♦ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

♦IT IS THE HISTORY OF GENERATIONS OF LOCAL PEOPLE DEVOTING THEIR TIME AND RESOURCES TOWARDS THE BETTERMENT OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

♦AND IT DEMONSTRATES AN INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AND A CONCERN FOR THOSE THINGS WHICH RELIEVE HARDSHIP AND PROVIDE A BETTER LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE,♦ HE ADDED.

HE RECALLED THAT POK 01 HOSPITAL OPENED IN 1910 AS A SMALL CHINESE HERBALIST CLINIC DEPENDENT WHOLLY ON PRIVATE DONATIONS AND, NOW AS A GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED DISTRICT HOSPITAL WITH 218 BEDS, IT WAS PLAYING AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE OVERALL PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE WHOLE OF THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1979

CROWN LAND AUCTION * * * * M *

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE AT AN AUCTION IN THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE ON FEBRUARY 2, 1979, AT 11 A.M.

ONE OF THE SITES OFFERED FOR SALE IS IN HONG NING ROAD, KWUN TONG. MEASURING ABOUT 2,050 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

ANOTHER SITE, COMPRISING 3,587 SQUARE METRES IN SZE SHAN STREET, YAU TONG, KOWLOON, IS FOR CARGO CONSOLIDATION FOR CONTAINERS AND ANCILLARY GODOWN PURPOSES.

THE LAST LOT IN YIP KAN STREET, WONG CHUK HANG, HONG KONG, IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES. IT MEASURES 2,150 SQUARE METRES.

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.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE SAID TWO AUCTIONS WERE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN FEBRUARY. THE SECOND WOULD BE HELD AT THE FURAMA HOTEL.

HE SAID THE CHANGE OF VENUE WAS NECESSARY AS THE CITY HALL THEATRE HAD BEEN HEAVILY BOOKED FOR THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.

BUT, AUCTIONS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN MARCH AND THEREAFTER WOULD BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE AS USUAL, HE ADDED.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1979

- 4 -

GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1979 GAZETTED * * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) CONTAINS DETAILS OF THE GENERAL HOLIDAYS TO EE OBSERVED IN 1979. EXCLUDING SUNDAYS, THERE ARE A TCTAL CF 17 HOLIDAYS. THESE ARE :

EVERY SUNDAY

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY MONDAY, JANUARY 1

THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR MONDAY, JANUARY 29

THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR TUESDAY, JANUARY 30

THE FOURTH DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31

CHING MING FESTIVAL THURSDAY, APRIL 5

GOOD FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 13

THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY SATURDAY, APRIL 14

EASTER MONDAY MONDAY, APRIL 16

THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN SATURDAY, APRIL 21

TUEN NG (DRAGON BOAT) FESTIVAL WEDNESDAY, MAY 30

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JULY MONDAY, JULY 2

THE FIRST MONDAY IN AUGUST MONDAY, AUGUST 6

THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST aHICH SHALL EE LIBERATION DAY MONDAY, AUGUST 27

THE DAY FOLLOWING THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6

CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 29

CHRISTMAS DAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1979

- 5 -

FOUR MORE INDUSTRIAL SITES AVAILABLE AT FO TAN *****

THE GOVERNMENT IS SELLING FOUR MORE INDUSTRIAL SITES AT FO TAN IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS ISSUED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

TENDERS FOR THE FIRST TWO SITES, OF 1,710 AND 1,856 SQUARE METRES, CLOSE ON JANUARY 12, WHILE TENDERS FOR THE OTHER TWO LOTS, OF 1,671 AND 1,669 SQUARE METRES, WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL NOON ON JANUARY 26.

A SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) HE EXPECTED KEEN INTEREST IN THE SITES, WITH FO TAN RAPIDLY DEVELOPING AS THE TOWN’S FIRST MAJOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AREA.

+THE CONDITIONS OF SALE ALLOW FOR MULTI-STOREY FACTORY DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE LINES OF THE BUILDINGS ALREADY OPERATING IN THE AREA,+ HE SAID.

+F0 TAN IS GROWING FAIRLY QUICKLY AND THERE HAS BEEN KEEN COMPETITION FOR SITES FROM BUYERS AT BOTH PUBLIC AUCTIONS AND THROUGH TENDER PROCEDURES.+

APPLICATION FORMS AND COPIES OF THE CONDITIONS OF GRANT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OR ANY OF ITS SEVEN DISTR ICT OFF ICES.

- 0---------

RECLAMATION AT NORTH KOWLOON CAMBER

*****

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM 1,150 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED AT NORTH KOWLOON CAMBER IN YAU MA TEI FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ACCESS ROAD FROM THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD TO THE BREAKWATER ARM.

THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS, FROM THE DATE OF THE NOTIFICATION.

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 PWD’S PORT WORKS DIVISION, FIRST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING.

-----0 ------

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1979

♦CHINESE RHYMES FOR CHILDREN* CONTRIBUTIONS INVITED ******

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHINESE RHYMES FOR CHILDREN FROM REGISTERED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE TEACHING CHINESE LANGUAGE.

THE PROJECT IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE TO GIVE TEACHERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE ON THE CREATIVE WRITING OF CHILDREN LITERATURE AND ALSO TO PROMOTE THEIR INTEREST IN WRITING SUPPLEMENTARY READING MATERIAL FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

♦ALL SELECTED RHYMES WILL BE MIMEOGRAPHED AND COMPILED INTO AN ANTHOLOGY FOR WIDE CIRCULATION AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOLS,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

♦AUTHORS OF THE SELECTED RHYMES WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AND A COPY OF THE ANTHOLOGY.+

ALL CONTRIBUTIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN APRIL 30.

♦RHYMES SHOULD BE WRITTEN ON PROPER CHINESE MANUSCRIPT SHEETS AND NOT MORE THAN 300 WORDS IN LENGTH. THE NAME, SCHOOL AND TEACHER REGISTRATION NUMBER OF THE PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BE CLEARLY STATED ON THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.

♦SELECTION WILL TAKE PLACE IN MAY AND THE RESULTS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN MID-JUNE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

FOR THE REFERENCE OF INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS, A COLLECTION OF BOOKS ON CHILDREN LITERATURE WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRE’S HONG KONG UNIT IN FEBRUARY AND AT ITS KOWLOON UNIT AT 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, SECOND FLOOR, IN MARCH.

—

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1979

CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE EXTENDS SATURDAY OPENING HOURS *******

DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, HONG KONG’S FIRST CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE IN MA TAU KOK ROAD WILL EXTEND ITS OPENING HOURS ON SATURDAYS TO 4 P.M. WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

THE CENTRE’S OPENING HOURS ON WEEK-DAYS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED — 9 A.M. TO 5.30 P.M.

LOCATED ON THE THIRD FLOOR Of- THE MA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, THE CENTRE IS RUN BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE.

IT OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF REFERENCE MATERIAL ON VARIOUS CAREERS, FACILITIES FOR OPERATING TAPE RECORDINGS OF SPECIALIST TALKS, SOUNDSLIDE PRESENTATIONS AND FILMS. ALL SERVICES ARE FREE.

SAID A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN, +AN INCREASING NUMBER OF STUDENTS, CAREERS TEACHERS AND YOUNG WORKERS ARE GOING TO THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION AND ADVICE. THEY CAN FIND OUT ABOUT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION ALL AT ONE TIME AND IN ONE PLACE.*

HE WENT ONt + IF YOU HAVEN’T GOT A CLUE ON WHAT YOUR ARE GOING TO DO WHEN YOU LEAVE SCHOOL, COME TO THE CENTRE AND HAVE A CHAT WITH THE STAFF.

+THEY MAY NOT TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD DO, BUT THEY CAN CERTAINLY HELP YOU FIND OUT SOMETHING ABOUT THE WORLD OF WORK AND WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU.*

♦THE IDEA OF A CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE IS NEW TO HONG KONG BUT IT WORKS OUT VERY WELL HERE,* HE SAID.

♦IT IS WELL RECEIVED BY THE SCHOOLS, IN PARTICULAR BY CAREERS TEACHERS. IN FACT, SOME OF THEM FIND IT AN IDEAL SPOT FOR A FIELD TRIP FOR THEIR STUDENTS. IT IS BOTH FUN AND EDUCATIONAL.

STUDENTS CAN LISTEN TO TAPES, BROWSE THROUGH BOOKS, VIEW A SLIDE PRESENTATION OR TALK TO THE STAFF. AND, OF COURSE, TAKE A HANDFUL OF CAREERS PAMPHLETS WITH THEM WHEN THEY LEAVE.*

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1979

♦NEW YEAR FESTIVAL+ FOR * * *

CHAI WAN RESIDENTS * *

A CARNIVAL SPIRIT WILL REIGN THROUGH CHAI WAN OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS DURING A +NEW YEAR FESITVAL+ BEING ORGANISED FOR MORE THAN 100,000 RESIDENTS.

THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL — A JOINT COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS — IS TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT AND FUN TO THE RESIDENTS DURING THE NEW YEAR PERIOD.

A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, TO BE FOLLOWED BY A +HAPPY FAMILY+ CARNIVAL.

HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT’S GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION, NR. LOK MAN-PAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES INCLUDE +HAPPY FAMILY+ PHOTO COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION, A MINI-SOCCER TOURNAMENT, A +SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER+ DISCOTHEQUE AND A BEER DRINKING COMPETITION.

THE HIGHLIGHT WILL BE AN +ENJOY THE NEW YEAR+ VARIETY SHOW TO BE STAGED ON FEBRUARY 11.

♦THE FESTIVAL IS THE FIRST JOINT COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT EVER HELD IN CHAI WAN WHICH INVOLVES THE PART IC I PAT ION OF BOTH LOCAL RESIDENTS AND EXPATRIATE PROFESSIONALS IN ITS PLANNING,+ THE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER (EASTERN), MR. STEPHEN LAM, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

CO-SPONSORS, HE SAID, INCLUDE THE CHAI WAN FISHERMEN RECREATION CLUB, AND THE ROUND TABLE NO. 5 — A GROUP CONSISTING MAINLY OF EXPATRIATE PROFESSIONALS.

♦APART FROM BRINGING JOYS TO THE RESIDENTS, THE FESTIVAL IS TO PROMOTE A SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND FRIENDSHIP AMONG LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND TO CREATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN CHAI WAN,+ HE SAID.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE +NEW YEAR FESTIVAL+ FOR CHAI WAN DISTRICT, TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 7) AT 2 P.M. AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 230 CHAI WAN ROAD, HONG KONG.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1979

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ACCESS ROAD

******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ADVISED MOTORISTS THAT THE ACCESS ROAD ADJACENT TO THE NULLAH BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND YAU TIN VILLAGE, YUEN LONG, WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL

IC FR0M 10 A-M- 0N M°NDAY, JANUARY 8, FOR ABOUT inREE MONTHS.

REASON FOR OF A SEWER LINE

THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION ADJACENT TO THE NULLAH.

DURING THE CLOSURE, AN ALTERNATIVE ACCESS ROUTE TO YAU TIN

fungAcheungLroad?R°VIDED AT JUNCT10N 0F H0P YICK R0AD AND

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

FIRING PRACTICE * * *

F IR ING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CASTLE PEAK RANGE

THIS MONTH ON: DATE JANUARY 9 (TUESDAY) HOURS 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

JANUARY 10 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

JANUARY 11 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

JANUARY 15 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 7 P.M.

JANUARY 16 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 7 P.M.

JANUARY 17 (WEDNESDAY) 3 A.M. - 7 P.M.

JANUARY 18 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 7 P.M.

JANUARY 19 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 7 P.M.

JANUARY 23 (TUESDAY) X Q. in i ST <r Oj

JANUARY 24 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

JANUARY 25 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 9 P.M.

JANUARY 26 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE.

- - 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

ALL SHIPS BOUND FOR HK NEED PERMISSION FROM MARINE DEPARTMENT BEFORE ENTERING HK WATERS ....................... 1

GOVERNOR ATTENDS FIRST TAI PO DISTRICT OPEN AIR SYMPHONIC BAND CONCERT ..................................... 1

PWD CAN OFFER WIDE RANGE OF EXPERIENCE TO AN ENGINEER ... 3

CO-OPERATION URGED ON CRIME VICTIM SURVEY .................. 4

UNINSURED DRIVERS RUN RISK OF SEVERE PENALTIES ............. 5

VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR FISHERMEN .......................... 6

FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT EXTENDS RECRUITMENT DRIVE ......... 7

MR. DAVID JORDAN TAKES SALUTE AT PASSING OUT PARADE ........ 8

SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE IN HK MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS, OCTOBER 1978 ................................... 8

FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN COMPETITION WINNERS ......... 9

MASSIVE CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN TSIM SHA TSUI DISTRICT .... 10

PRE-LUNAR NEW YEAR CLEAN-UP OPERATION ..................... 11

WONG TAI SIN MINI-SOCCER TOURNAMENT........................ 12

WATER CUT.................................................. 12

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

ALL SHIPS BOUND FOR HK NEED PERMISSION FROM MARINE DEPARTMENT BEFORE ENTERING HK WATERS ******

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AND UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE ALL SHIPS BOUND FOR HONG KONG MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE ENTERING HONG KONG WATERS,

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID A CONTRAVENTION OF THE DIRECTION WOULD RENDER THE OFFENDING MASTERS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $20,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR,

HE ADDED THAT MASTERS MUST COMMUNICATE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AT THE TIME OF MAKING THEIR REQUEST TO ENTER THE WATERS OF HONG KONGi

* NATIONALITY,

* NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON BOARD,

* TYPE OF VESSEL, AND

* REASON FOR CALLING AT HONG KONG.

♦THE REQUEST TO ENTER IS TO BE MADE DIRECT TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG, AND SHOULD NOT BE ROUTED THROUGH LOCAL AGENTS IN ORDER TO EXPEDITE ACTION ON THE REQUEST,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

-------o----------

GOVERNOR ATTENDS FIRST SYMPHONIC * *

TAI PO DISTRICT OPEN AIR BAND CONCERT

* * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY (SATURDAY) ATTENDED THE FIRST OPEN AIR CONCERT STAGED IN THE TAI PO DISTRICT — AMD DESCRIBED IT AS A +GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED FROM GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY CO-OPERATION IN PROMOTING MUSIC ON A LOCAL BASIS+.

SIR MURRAY AND AN AUDIENCE OF MORE THAN 6,000 AT THE FAN LING PLAYGROUND ENJOYED A TWO-HOUR PERFORMANCE BY SOME 400 PLAYERS FROM NINE HONG KONG BANDS PLAYING WESTERN CLASSICS AND POPULAR HITS USING THE ’’WRAPAROUND SOUND” TECHNIQUE, WITH BANDS STATIONED IN EACH CORNER OF THE PLAYGROUND TO PUT OVER THEIR QUADRAPHONIC EFFECT

/SIR MURRAY

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

SIR MURRAY WAS FULL OF PRAISE FOR THE ORGANISERS OF THE EVENT, THE NEW TERRITORIES SIX DISTRICTS ART ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AND THE TOM LEE MUSIC FOUNDATION LTD.

IN A BRIEF OPENING SPEECH, HE SPOKE OF THE ’’ENORMOUS INTEREST” TODAY IN MUSIC IN HONG KONG, CHINESE AND WESTERN, MODERN AND CLASSICAL. THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE WAS SET UP A YEAR AGO TO STIMULATE THIS INTEREST AND PROVIDE TRAINING, HE SAID.

♦ NOW. 1,700 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS ARE TAKING WEEKLY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS AND 400 MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS CONCERTS ARE BEING ORGANISED EACH YEAR AT SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY CENTRES AND FACTORIES FOR AN AUDIENCE OF HALF-A-MILL ION PEOPLE.

♦ IN ADDITION, FIVE YOUTH ORCHESTRAS ARE REHEARSING REGULARLY AND ARE GIVING PERFORMANCES IN VARIOUS DISTR ICTS,♦ SIR MURRAY SAID.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT FOREIGN MUSICIANS PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG WERE, FROM TIME TO TIME, INVITED TO GIVE MASTER-CLASSES TO HELP RAISE LOCAL STANDARDS IN MUSIC.

♦ BUT OBVIOUSLY WE CANNOT RELY SOLELY ON THE GOVERNMENT,♦ SIR MURRAY SAID. +THERE MUST BE STRONG LOCAL SUPPORT TO ORGANISE AND ADMINISTER LOCAL EFFORT AND THIS AFTERNOON IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS NEEDED AND CAN BE ACHIEVED.♦

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECHi

♦ I AM VERY GLAD TO COME TO THIS OPEN AIR CONCERT ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO SIX DISTRICTS ART ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE, AND THE TOM LEE MUSIC FOUNDATION, AND TO SEE SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ENJOYING THEMSELVES.

♦ THERE IS ENORMOUS INTEREST IN HONG KONG TODAY IN MUSIC, CHINESE AND WESTERN, MODERN AND CLASSICAL AND THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED ONE YEAR AGO TO STIMULATE THIS INTEREST AND TO PROVIDE TRAINING.

♦ NOW 1,700 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS ARE TAKING WEEKLY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS AND 400 MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS CONCERTS ARE BEING ORGANISED EACH YEAR AT SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY CENTRES AND FACTORIES FOR AN AUDIENCE OF HALF-A-MILL ION PEOPLE.

♦ IN ADDITION, FIVE YOUTH ORCHESTRAS ARE REHEARSING REGULARLY AND ARE GIVING PERFORMANCES IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS. FOREIGN MUSICIANS PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG ARE ALSO INVITED TO GIVE MASTER-CLASSES TO HELP RAISE LOCAL STANDARDS.

♦ BUT OBVIOUSLY WE CANNOT RELY SOLELY ON THE GOVERNMENT. THERE MUST BE STRONG LOCAL SUPPORT TO ORGANISE AND ADMINISTER LOCAL EFFORT AND THIS CONCERT THIS AFTERNOON IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS NEEDED AND CAN BE ACHIEVED.

♦MAY I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY OF CONGRATULATING THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR MAKING THIS CONCERT POSSIBLE, AND OF EXPRESSING MY BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL FOR A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.+

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

PWD CAN OFFER WIDE RANGE OF EXPERIENCE TO AN ENGINEER ft * * * *

• -wZ

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CAN OFFER A WIDER RANGE OF EXPERIENCE TO AN ENGINEER THAN OTHER SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS IN THE WORLD.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD IN HIS SPEECH AT THE ANNUAL BALL OF THE GRADUATES AND STUDENTS SECTION OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS.

THE DIRECTOR WAS GIVING THE YOUNG ENGINEERS AN INSIGHT INTO THE SCOPE OF PWD’S WORK AND THE OPPORTUNIT IES IT PRESENTS FOR THEM.

ON THE SCOPE OF THE PWD’S WORK, MR. MCDONALD SAIDt *IT INCLUDES NOT ONLY THE MORE OBVIOUS FACETS SUCH AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS, ROADS, DRAINS, SEWERS, SEAWALLS AND RESERVOIRS BUT ALSO MORE SPECIALISED STRUCTURES SUCH AS INCINERATORS, ABATTOIRS, COMPOSTING PLANTS, FERRY PIERS, LIGHTHOUSES AND DESALTING PLANTS.

+AN ENGINEER ON JOINING THE PWD COULD FIND HIMSELF INVOLVED IN DESIGNING OR INSTALLING SUCH ESOTERIC ITEMS AS COMPUTERISED BAGGAGE-HANDLING EQUIPMENT OR FLIGHT-PATH LIGHTING FOR THE AIRPORT, STERILISERS FOR HOSPITALS, CATTLE-STUNNING EQUIPMENT FOR ABATTOIRS OR EVEN CAGES FOR FLAMINGOS AT THE BOTANIC GARDENS.

♦HE COULD ALSO BE INVOLVED IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS TESTING LIFTS IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, CHECKING THE DESIGN CALCULATIONS FOR A CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL, STABILISING DANGEROUS SLOPES, PREPARING FEASIBILITY REPORTS AND POSSIBLY APPEARING ON TELEVISION OR RADIO TO EXPLAIN OR ANSWER QUERIES ABOUT PWD PROJECTS.♦

MR. MCDONALD EMPHASISED THAT THE LIST WAS BY NO MEANS EXHAUSTIVE BUT GAVE SOME IDEA OF THE IMMENSE VARIETY OF WORK THAT THE PWD UNDERTOOK AND UNDERLINED THE NEED FOR THE ENGINEER TO BE ADAPTABLE, VERSATILE AND TO HAVE A BROAD OUTLOOK.

HE TOLD STUDENT AND GRADUATE ENGINEERS THAT THE KNOWLEDGE THEY GAINED FROM ENGINEERING COURSES WOULD ON ITS OWN BE OF LITTLE VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY UNTIL IT WAS PUT INTO PRACTICE.

THEREFORE, HE SAID, IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO LEARN AND APPLY IT EFFECTIVELY.

MR. MCDONALD SAID IT WOULD ALSO BE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE THE ABILITY TO COPE WITH THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS THAT WOULD INVARIABLY ARISE DURING THE COURSE OF AN ENGINEERING PROJECT.

♦ONE VERY GOOD WAY OF GAINING THIS EXPERIENCE IS TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT IN AN ORGANISATION SUCH AS THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WHERE IN MOST CASES AN ENGINEER CAN CONTINUE HIS PRACTICAL TRAINING WHILE AT THE SAME TIME DOING USEFUL WORK,+ HE ADDED.

♦ANOTHER QUALITY THE ENGINEER REQUIRES WHICH IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN THE HONG KONG CONTEXT IS THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE.*

/+AN ENGINEER

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

♦ AN ENGINEER JOINING THE PWD WILL SOON FIND OUT THAT BECAUSE SO MUCH WORK IS GOING ON IN SUCH A CONFINED SPACE EVERY ACTIVITY HE IS INVOLVED IN AFFECTS A NUMBER OF OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES WHO HAVE TO B^TOLD WHAT IS GOING ON.

♦ HE MUST THEREFORE BE ABLE TO EXPRESS HIMSELF WELL IN WRITING AND TO PUT HIS POINT OF VIEW CLEARLY AT MEETINGS,♦ MR. MCDONALD SAID.

REGARDING OPPORTUNIT IES FOR ENGINEERS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, HE SAID THAT AT PRESENT THERE WERE STILL A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF VACANCIES FOR FULLY QUALIFIED ENGINEERS.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT TO ENSURE A WORKABLE BALANCE BETWEEN TRAINERS AND TRAINEES THE PWD WAS RESTRICTED IN THE NUMBER OF GRADUATE ENGINEERS IT COULD TAKE EACH YEAR FOR TRAINING.

ON PROMOTION PROSPECTS. MR. MCDONALD SAIDi +THERE IS NO REASON WHY A GRADUATE ENGINEER JOINING PWD SHOULD NOT PROGRESS IN TIME TO THE TOP OF HIS PARTICULAR PROMOTION TREE.+

♦ WE HAVE A REFINED SYSTEM OF MONITORING THE PROGRESS AND PERFORMANCE OF ENGINEERS SO THAT WHEN A VACANCY OCCURS AT A HIGHER LEVEL WE CAN READILY ASSESS WHO IS THE BEST MAN TO FILL IT,+ HE CONCLUDED.

- - 0 -

CO-OPERATION URGED ON CRIME VICTIM SURVEY *****

A CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED PEOPLE TO CO-OPERATE IN A CRIME VICTIMISATION SURVEY BEGINNING ON MONDAY (JANUARY 8).

THE 15-DAY SURVEY, WHICH IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, AIMS TO FIND OUT HOW CRIME AFFECTS THE AVERAGE PERSON AND ENABLE THE AUTHORITIES TO IMPROVE CRIME PREVENTION PLANNING.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID ABOUT 65,000 PEOPLE AGED 12 AND OVER, ALL OF WHOM HAD BEEN NOTIFIED BY LETTER, WOULD BE INTERVIEWED ABOUT CRIMINAL ACTS WHICH AFFECTED THEM DURING THE 1978 CALENDAR YEAR.

ue c*tSLL ^FORMATION GIVEN WILL BE HELD IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE,+ nt SA ID•

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ENUMERATORS INVOLVED IN THE SURVEY WOULD CARRY SPECIAL IDENTITY CARDS.

— o -

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

5 -

UNINSURED DRIVERS RUN RISK OF SEVERE PENALTIES * * *

THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR. P. JACOBS, IN HIS CAPACITY AS INSURANCE AUTHORITY, TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED MOTORISTS OF THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ADEQUATELY COVERED AGAINST THIRD PARTY BODILY INJURY RISKS AND PASSENGER LIABILITY.

MR. JACOBS WAS REFERRING IN PARTICULAR TO MOTOR POLICY HOLDERS WITH THE SINGAPORE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED WHICH RECENTLY ADVERTISED THAT ALL ITS MOTOR VEHICLE POLICIES WILL BE CANCELLED WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 10, 1979.

MR. JACOBS STRESSED THAT ALL MOTORISTS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE COVERED AGAINST THIRD PARTY BODILY INJURY RISKS AND PASSENGER LIABILITY.

♦ IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL FOR THOSE INSURED WITH THE SINGAPORE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED TO MAKE IMMEDIATE ARRANGEMENTS TO TAKE OUT NEW POLICIES WITH OTHER INSURANCE COMPANIES IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE S0,+ HE SAID.

POLICY HOLDERS OF THIS COMPANY WHO DO NOT TAKE OUT A NEW POLICY AND DRIVE A VEHICLE AFTER JANUARY 10 WITHOUT THE NECESSARY INSURANCE COVER WILL BE COMMITTING A CRIMINAL OFFENCE AND BE LIABLE TO SEVERE PENALTIES. UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION A PERSON COULD BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $10,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS.

FURTHERMORE, HE COULD BE DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING A DRIVING LICENCE FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO THREE YEARS.

IN THE EVENT OF SUCH A DRIVER OR VEHICLE OWNER BEING INVOLVED IN A ROAD ACCIDENT CAUSED BY HIS NEGLIGENCE HE COULD FIND HIMSELF PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR HEAVY DAMAGES.

IN SOME CASES, DEPENDING UPON THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE INJURIES SUSTAINED, DAMAGES COULD BE SO SEVERE AS TO RESULT IN THE DRIVER’S OR OWNER’S BANKRUPTCY.

-------o----------

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR FISHERMEN * * * *

FISHING LORE, TRADITIONALLY, IS PASSED ON FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION AMONG HONG KONG'S FISHERFOLK.

BUT TODAY THIS IS AUGMENTED BY COURSES ON BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, ENGINEERING AND NAVIGATION.

AND MORE THAN 4,000 YOUNG MEN FROM HONG KONG’S FISHING FLEET HAVE, UP TO THE PRESENT, ATTENDED THESE FREE SPECIAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSES RUN BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, AND HELD QUALIFIED CERTIFICATES.

THE COXSWAIN, ENGINEERING, NAVIGATION AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COURSES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP THEM IMPROVE OPERATION TECHNIQUES, PRODUCTIVITY AND STANDARD OF LIVING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

HE SAID ALL CLASSES WERE CONDUCTED IN THE DAY, LASTING FROM THREE TO SIX MONTHS.

THE YOUNG FISHERMEN LEARNING TO BE COXSWAINS ARE TAUGHT THE USAGE OF SOME INTERNATIONAL SEAFARING SYMBOLS SUCH AS LIGHT, FLAG AND DISTRESS SIGNALS AND MODERN EQUIPMENT.

ENGINEERING CLASSES ARE ARRANGED TO HELP TNEM UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPLE, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF BOAT ENGINES WHILE IN THE NAVIGATION CLASSES, THEY ARE TAUGHT HOW TO WORK CHARTS, DEAD RECKONING, SEAMANSHIP AND THE USE OF THE COMPASS, SEXTANT AND SO ON.

THE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COURSE IS A NEW ADDITION —AND IS DESIGNED TO HELP FISHERMEN TO RUN THEIR BUSINESS SYSTEMATICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY.

HONG KONG’S FISHING FLEET COMPRISES 5,500 VESSELS, OF WHICH 93 PER CENT IS MECHANISED. THEIR CATCH HAS INCREASED FROM YEAR TO YEAR — FROM 127.134 TONNES (VALUED AT $349 MILLION) IN 1971 TO 158,324 TONNES ($733 MILLION) IN 1977 — A 25 PER CENT INCREASE BY QUANTITY AND A 110 PER CENT GAIN BY VALUE.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

7 -

FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT EXTENDS RECRUITMENT DRIVE *****

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS EXTENDED ITS CURRENT RECRUITMENT DRIVE TO ENABLE MORE YOUNG MEN TO APPLY.

THE FOUR-DAY DRIVE, WHICH ENDED YESTERDAY (FRIDAY), WILL NOW BE EXTENDED TO NEXT WEDNESDAY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID 160 POSTS OF FIREMEN ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PHYSICALLY FIT YOUNG MEN.

HE SAID APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS. THEY SHOULD BE BETWEEN 18 AND 30 YEARS OF AGE, WITH GOOD PHYSIQUE AND NORMAL EYESIGHT, AND CAN SPEAK FLUENT CANTONESE AND READ AND WRITE CHINESE.

A FIREMAN STARTS WITH MINIMUM SALARY OF $1,315, RISING

TO A MAXIMUM OF $1,925 WITH AN AWARD OF INCREMENT AFTER SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF A SIX-MONTH BASIC TRAINING.

HIS DUTIES ARE MAINLY CONCERNED WITH GENERAL FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE.

THREE CENTRES WILL BE OPENED TO APPLICANTS FROM NEXT MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 8 TO 10) FOR THIS RECRUITMENT EXERCISE AND THE OPERATING HOURS ARE AS FOLLOWS*

MONDAY (JANUARY 8) — HARBOUR ROAD FIRE STATION 10 A.M. - 6 P.M.

TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION 10 A.M. - 7 P.M.

TUESDAY (JANUARY 9) — HARBOUR ROAD FIRE STATION 10 A.M. - 6 P.M.

TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION 10 A.M. - 6 P.M.

PAT HEUNG FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL (YUEN LONG) 10 A.M. - 7 P.M.

WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 10) — HARBOUR ROAD FIRE STATION 10 A.M. - 6 P.M.

TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION 10 A.M. - 7 P.M.

APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS, ACADEMIC DOCUMENTS, RUBBER GYMNASTIC SHOES AND SHORTS WHEN CALLING AT THESE STATIONS.

_ _ _ _ o - - _ -

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

8 -

MR. DAVID JORDAN TAKES SALUTE AT PASSING OUT PARADE ft ft * ft ft ft

THE COMMISSIONER OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, MR. DAVID JORDAN, TOOK THE.SALUTE TODAY (SATURDAY) AT A PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT STANLEY.

ON PARADE WERE 33 OFFICERS, INCLUDING FIVE FEMALE OFFICERS, AND 58 ASSISTANT OFFICERS COMPRISING 57 MEN AND ONE WOMAN.

THE NEW RECRUITS HAVE SPENT SIX MONTHS UNDERGOING TRAINING AT THE INSTITUTE AND PRISONS DEPARTMENT INSTITUTIONS AND A FURTHER SIX MONTHS OF TUITION AND FAMILIARISATION WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BEFORE THE OFFICERS COMPLETE THEIR INDUCTION.

TWO ASSISTANT OFFICERS WERE AWARDED GOLDEN WHISTLES FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING RECORDS DURING TRAINING — ASSISTANT OFFICER WU CH I-WAI AND ASSISTANT OFFICER CHU MING-SUM.

MR. JORDAN TOLD THE 91 RECRUITS THAT THEY HAD CHOSEN AN INTERESTING AND CHALLENGING CAREER IN WHICH THE DUTIES WERE MORE VARIED AND REWARDING THAN IN THE PAST.

THE COMMISSIONER SAID THAT DISCIPLINE AND FAIRNESS WERE THE MOST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES THE NEW ENTRANTS SHOULD REMEMBER.

MR. JORDAN SAID, +YOURS IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND IT HAS A VERY HIGH REPUTATION BOTH IN HONG KONG AND ABROAD.*

♦THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT REPUTATION IS NOT JUST IN THE HANDS OF YOUR COMMISSIONER AND HIS SENIOR OFFICERS. IT’S UP TO ALL OF YOU AND I’M SURE YOU WON’T LET HONG KONG OR YOURSELVES DOWN.*

------o-------

HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS, OCTOBER 1978 SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ftftftftftftftftft

THE OCTOBER 1978 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS NOW ON SALE CONTAINS A SPECIAL ARTICLE ENTITLED INTERNAL MOVEMENT.

IT IS ONE IN A SERIES OF REVIEW ARTICLES ON SPECIAL TOPICS OF PUBLIC INTEREST PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE INTERNAL MOVEMENT OF HOUSEHOLDS AS RECORDED IN THE 1976 BY-CENSUS.

IT ANALYSES THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSEHOLDS THAT HAVE MOVED AND THOSE OF THE POPULATION IN MIGRANT AND NON-MIGRANT HOUSEHOLDS.

THE MOBILITY RATES BY MAIN URBAN AREAS AND NEW TOWNS AND MARKET TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE ALSO STUDIED.

THE OCTOBER 1978 ISSUE OF THE MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS OBTAINABLE AT $6 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

- 9 -

FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN COMPETITION WINNERS

******

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER FOR WEST KOWLOON, MR. LU YU-HUA WILL TOMORROW (SUNDAY) PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF A MODEL CREATION AND COLOUR PRINTING COMPETITION ORGANISED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN MONG KOK DISTRICT.

THE COMPETITION FORMS PART OF THE CURRENT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN JOINTLY LAUNCHED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PROMOTE GOOD RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS.

SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE, THE HONG KONG PLAYGROUND ASSOCIATION AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, THE EVENT ATTRACTED 750 ENTRIES.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE MODEL CREATION AND COLOUR PRINTING COMPETITION TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 10 A.M. AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II YOUTH CENTRE AT YIM PO FONG STREET,

MONG KOK.

-------o----------

/10

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

MASSIVE CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN TSIM SHA TSUI DISTRICT ******

MORE THAN 350 VOLUNTEERS COMPRISING STUDENTS, BOY SCOUTS, JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND SEA CADET MEMBERS WILL TAKE PART IN A MASSIVE DISTRICT-WIDE CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN TSIM SHA TSUI TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE OPERATION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (YAU MA TEI), THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICE (YAU MA TEI) AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI AREA COMMITTEE, IS AIMED AT PROMOTING THE +KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN* CAMPAIGN AND TO ASSIST RESIDENTS IN THEIR YEAR-END HOUSE-CLEANING ACTIVITIES IN PREPARATION FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

THE EXERCISE WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO PHASES. THERE WILL BE A DEMONSTRATION TO BE FOLLOWED BY A MARKET STALLS CLEANLINESS COMPETITION.

THE DEMONSTRATION WILL COVER VIRTUALLY ALL THE STREETS AND ROADS IN THE DISTRICT AND WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 9 A.M. TO 11 A.M. WHILE THE COMPETITION WILL TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT AT THE HAIPHONG ROAD TEMPORARY MARKET.

WINNERS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH BANNERS.

STAFF FROM THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (YAU MA TEI), URBAN SERVICES OFFICE (YAU MA TEI) AND THE YAU MA TEI POLICE STATION WILL ASSIST IN THE OPERATION.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE TSIM SHA TSUI CLEAN-UP OPERATION. THE PARTY WILL FIRST ASSEMBLE AT 8.45 A.M. IN THE PLAYGROUND OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI KAIFONG SCHOOL AT 136 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.

o -

/ii

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

PRE-LUNAR NEW YEAR CLEAN-UP OPERATION *****

A THREE-WEEK YEAR-END CLEAN-UP OPERATION WILL BE MOUNTED AT THE UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN), UPPER WONG TAI SIN AREA COMMITTEE AND THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN THE ESTATE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE DISTRICT, THE CAMPAIGN IS TO HELP RESIDENTS CLEAN UP HOUSEHOLDS AND COMMON LIVING AREAS TO PREPARE FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

TO MARK THE OFFICIAL COMMENCEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY PROJECT, AN OPENING CEREMONY CUM VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE BASKETBALL COURT NEAR BLOCK 10 OF THE ESTATE.

A LION DANCE AND MARTIAL ART DEMONSTRATIONS WILL FOLLOW THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO BE PERFORMED BY MR. LAM KAM-KWONG, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN), MISS CECILIA YEUNG, URBAN COUNCILLOR AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PRE-LUNAR NEW YEAR CLEAN-UP OPERATION TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 2.30 P.M. IN THE BASKETBALL COURT NEAR BLOCK 10 OF THE UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE.

-------0 -

/12

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1979

WONG TAI SIN MINI-SOCCER TOURNAMENT *****

A KICK-OFF CEREMONY OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT MINI-SOCCER TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE MORSE PARK FOOTBALL PITCH, FUNG MO STREET, WONG TAI SIN.

A TOTAL OF 32 TEAMS COMPRISING STUDENTS, WORKERS AND YOUTHS HAVE ENROLLED FOR THE COMPETITION.

IT WILL BE PLAYED ON A SINGLE KNOCK-OUT SYSTEM. THE FIRST FOUR WINNING TEAMS WILL REPRESENT WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FORTHCOMING KOWLOON EAST SOCCER TOURNAMENT.

OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE MR. LAM KAM-KWONG, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN)- MR. LEE SAI-HAY, URBAN SERVICES OFFICFR (WONG TAI SIN)- MR. CHAN YIN—YUI, RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN) AND MR. LAI CHAM-KUN, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN).

THE TOURNAMENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT SIN) AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND CIVIC

OFFICE (WONG TAI ORGANISATIONS IN

DISTRICT.

THE

NOTE TO EDITORS'.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE KICK-OFF CEREMONY OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT MINI-SOCCER TOURNAMENT AT 9.30 A.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE MORSE PARK FOOTBALL PITCH, FUNG MO STREET, WONG TAI SIN.

-------0----------

WATER CUT * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE STOPPED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON MONDAY (JANUARY 8) TO 6 A.M. ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 9) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY 2-24 LEIGHTON ROAD, LEIGHTON HILL, 1-173 AND 2-12 WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD, VENTRIS ROAD, BROADWOOD ROAD, 1-26 VILLAGE ROAD, WANG TAK STREET AND PO SHIN STREET INCLUDING FUNG FAI TERRACE AND VILLAGE TERRACE.

--------0----------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ---- FINEST OF ITS KIND IN

ASIA ...................................................... 1

VALUABLE RESIDENTIAL SITES FOR SALE ON LANTAU AND PENG CHAU ................................................. 2

SPORTS PROMOTION IN NEW TERRITORIES NEEDS GOVERNMENTCOMMUNITY CO-OPERATION .................................... 3

PREVENTING WASTAGE OF WATER THROUGH LEAKING MAINS ........ 4

WEATHER IN DECEMBER ....................................... 5

’HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY’ PHOTO COMPETITION ................. 6

EIGHTH OPEN DANCE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ............. 7

WATER CUT ................................................. 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1979

QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM - FINEST OF ITS KIND IN ASIA

*****

THE FINEST SPORTS STADIUM OF ITS KIND IN ASIA IS RAPIDLY RISING IN HONG KONG, AND COULD BE READY FOR OPENING BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM IS BEING BUILT ON A 3,000-SQUARE METRE SITE BETWEEN 01 KWAN ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.

WORK ON THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE $43 MILLION STADIUM BEGAN LAST MARCH AND ALREADY THE SHELL OF THE 12-STOREY BUILDING HAS ADDED A NEW DIMENSION TO THE AREA ---- NINE FLOORS ARE CLEARLY

VISIBLE.

♦THE STADIUM WILL PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTING FACILITIES FOR BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS, AS WELL AS FACILITATING OTHER IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES,* SAID A PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY).

THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS CONTRIBUTED $5.1 MILLION TOWARDS THE COST OF THE PROJECT, AND WHEN COMPLETED IT WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT.

THE PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE STADIUM WOULD BE THE +F INEST OF ITS KIND IN ASIA*, AND WOULD BE A MAJOR SPORTING CENTRE FOR HONG KONG’S YOUNG SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN.

THE COMPLEX WILL HAVE FACILITIES FOR JUST ABOUT EVERY INDOOR SPORT, FROM TABLE TENNIS AND BADMINTON TO ATHLETICS AND GYMNASTICS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE TRAINING ROOMS, LECTURE AND COMMITTEE ROOMS, A 40-R00M HOSTEL, CANTEEN FACILITIES AND A MULTI-PURPOSE STADIUM WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF ABOUT 3,500.

IN THE BASEMENT THERE WILL BE THREE SQUASH COURTS AND A MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS AND GAMES HALL.

------o--------

/2 ....

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1979

2 -

VALUABLE RESIDENTIAL SITES FOR SALE ON LANTAU AND PENG CHAU ISLANDS *****

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO AUCTION THREE PRESTIGE SITES IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT LATER THIS MONTH FOR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

THE THREE LOTS --- ONE ON LANTAU ISLAND AND THE OTHERS ON

PENG CHAU --- ARE IN VERY SCENIC SETTINGS COMMANDING PANORAMIC

SEA VIEWS.

THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. KEITH HEALY SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE LAND WOULD BE ATTRACTIVE TO DEVELOPERS AS AN AREA FOR HIGH-QUALITY HOUSES.

♦ THEY ARE VERY ATTRACTIVE SITES OVERLOOKING THE ADJOINING HILLS AND SOME OF HONG KONG’S MOST PICTURESQUE BEACHES,* HE ADDED.

THE AUCTION --- THE FIRST FOR LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES

THIS YEAR --- WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON

JANUARY 23 AT 11.00 A.M.

THE LANTAU SITE, MEASURING 1,398 SQUARE METRES, IS WITHIN A MINOR RESIDENTIAL LAYOUT AT CHEUNG SHA, CLOSE TO THE COASTAL PROTECTION AREA AND THE COUNTRY PARK.

THE SECOND AND THIRD LOTS ARE ADJACENT SITES ON WAI TSAI PEAK ON PENG CHAU, EACH COVERING AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 372 SQUARE METRES WITH SWEEPING VIEWS OVER THE NEIGHBOURING ISLANDS AND LANTAU.

MR. HEALY SAID: +THE SALE CONDITIONS OF THE FIRST LOT CARRY A PLOT RATIO OF 0.4, ALLOWING FOR TWO-STOREY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON NOT MORE THAN 559 SQUARE METRES OF THE LAND.

♦THE PENG CHAU LOTS CARRY SIMILAR CONDITIONS WHICH ONLY ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO-STOREY BUILDINGS ON 30 PER CENT OF THE LOT AREA.*

THE PENG CHAU SITES ARE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME TO MAKE LAND AVAILABLE ON PENG CHAU FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.

+WE SOLD TWO LOTS IN 1976 AND ANOTHER TWO MAY BECOME AVAILABLE LATER THIS YEAR.*

MR. HEALY SAID QUITE A NUMBER OF SITES WILL BE AVAILABLE THIS YEAR ON LANTAU.

♦THREE LOTS WILL BE DISPOSED OF BY AUCTION IN APRIL AND EIGHT OTHERS BY TENDER TO LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT HOLDERS TO FIT IN WITH THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE DISTR ICT,+ HE SAID.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1979

SPORTS PROMOTION IN NEW TERRITORIES NEEDS GOVERNMENT-COMMUNITY CO-OPERATION * * * * *

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN TODD SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) HE LOOKED FORWARD TO A CONTINUATION OF THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY IN PROMOTING SPORTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE FIRST ISLANDS DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET AT WONG CHUK HUNG SPORTS GROUND IN ABERDEEN, MR. TODD SAID THE EVENT WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A SUCCESSFUL AND WORTHWHILE SPORTS PROJECT BEING ACHIEVED THROUGH CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE LOCAL PEOPLE.

+AND I HOPE THAT THIS SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION WILL CONTINUE TO EX 1ST,+ HE SAID.

THE PROGRAMME WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, THE EIGHT LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEES AND THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE.

MR. TODD RECALLED THAT IN THE PAST YEARS, YOUNGSTERS FROM THE ISLANDS DISTRICT HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ATHLETIC MEET ALTHOUGH NOT REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE.

♦THIS YEAR,* HE SAID, +1 KNOW THAT YOU INTEND TO SELECT A LOCAL TEAM TO REPRESENT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT IN THE COMING NEW TERRITORIES ATHLETIC MEET AND TODAY’S EVENT WILL BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL TALENTS TO PROVE THEMSELVES AND TO WIN THE HONOUR OF REPRESENTING THEIR DISTRICT.*

HOWEVER, HE SAID, IT MUST BE REMEMBERED THAT THE MAIN OBJECT OF THE MEET WAS TO PROMOTE GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND PARTICIPATION IN VARIOUS SPORTS ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS GOODWILL AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE RESIDENTS OF THE EIGHT SUB-DISTRICTS.

MORE THAN 300 COMPETITORS, MOSTLY STUDENTS AND YOUNG WORKERS FROM OUT-LYING ISLANDS TOOK PART IN THE DAY’S ACTIVITIES.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1979

PREVENTING WASTAGE OF WATER THROUGH LEAKING MAINS ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PREVENT WASTAGE OF WATER THROUGH

IS DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO LEAKING MAINS.

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT OF PWD IS DETERMINED TO DETECT FAULTY AND LEAKING UNDERGROUND DISTRIBUTION MAINS AND TO FULLY MAINTAIN THE SYSTEM, ENSURING NORMAL SUPPLY TO RESIDENTS.

TH IS'TASK IS PERFORMED BY A SPECIAL UNIT WHICH HAS BEEN OPERATING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

KNOWN AS THE WASTE DETECTION UNIT, THIS GROUP OF EXPERIENCED WATERWORKS STAFF ARE BEHIND THE SCENES WORKERS ~ USUALLY WORKING FROM MIDNIGHT TO EARLY MORNING WHEN THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION ARE IN BED AND VERY FEW TAPS ARE IN USE.

MR. YEUNG ON-CH ING, A SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE DEPARTMENT. EXPLAINED THAT ALL MAINS WERE THOROUGHLY TESTED BEFORE BEING LAID. BUT ADDED SOME COULD DETERIORATE AND BE DAMAGED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

■•-THERE IS, OF COURSE, THE OCCASIONAL BURST MAIN, EASILY SPOTTED,* HE SAID. +BUT IF A LEAK IS SLIGHT, IT FREQUENTLY CANNOT BE OBSERVED AND WATER IN CONSIDERABLE QUANTITY CAN DISSIPATE iN THE SUB-SOIL. THE BEST WAY OF PREVENTING THIS IS BY MAKING THOROUGH CHECKS REGULARLY.*

TO FACILITATE DETECTION WORK, SOME 360 FRESH WATER AND 40 SALT WATER (FOR FLUSHING) WASTE DETECTION AREAS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED.

TESTS ARE CARRIED OUT BY ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THROUGH THE INLET MAIN IN WHICH A WASTE DETECTION METER, TOGETHER WITH A PRESSURE RECORDER, ARE INSTALLED.

IF THE FLOW IS OF AN UNREASONABLY HIGH QUANTITY, TEST OF THE SYSTEM INVOLVED IS THEN REQUIRED.

A LEAKAGE

THIS MAY INVOLVE THE SHUTTING OFF OF SUPPLY TO CONSUMERS AND CLOSING SOME BRANCH VALVES WITHIN THE AREA.

SIMULTANEOUSLY, VISUAL AND SOUNDING INSPECTION, INCLUDING THE USE OF SOME ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT TO DETECT AND LOCATE LEAKS WILL ALSO BE MADE.

*WE ARE, AT PRESENT, DOING ABOUT EIGHT OR NINE TESTS A NIGHT ON A ROTATION BASIS,* SAID MR. YEUNG.

ALL DETECTION AREAS ARE TESTED REGULARLY AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS. ON THE AVERAGE, ABOUT 230 LEAKS ARE DETECTED EACH MONTH.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1979

WEATHER IN DECEMBER

* K * *

THE WEATHER LAST (DECEMBER) MONTH WAS MILD AND SUNNY WITH A MONTHLY MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 18.6 DEGREES CELSIUS, MAKING IT THE SECOND WARMEST DECEMBER SINCE 1968, THE WEATHER SUMMARY ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

THE WARMEST DECEMBER IN THE LAST 10 YEARS WAS IN 1977 WHEN THE MEAN TEMPERATURE WAS 19.4 DEGREES CELSIUS.

DURING THE MONTH, NO BIG FALLS IN TEMPERATURE WERE EXPERIENCED ALTHOUGH THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ON FOUR OCCASIONS TO WARN OF STRONG WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WINTER SEASON.

RAINFALL WAS BELOW NORMAL AS THERE WAS RAIN ON ONLY FIVE DAYS OF THE MONTH.

IT WAS FINE AND DRY DURING THE FIRST 17 DAYS. CONDITIONS WERE RATHER MILD AND ON DECEMBER 10 TEMPERATURES ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 26.6 DEGREES CELSIUS --- THE HIGHEST RECORDED IN THE MONTH.

A COLD FRONT PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG ON DECEMBER 10 AND STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS WERE EXPERIENCED FROM THAT EVENING UNTIL THE FOLLOWING MORNING. STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS WERE AGAIN EXPERIENCED ON DECEMBER 14 AND 15 AFTER THE ARRIVAL OF A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ON DECEMBER 13.

THE WEATHER TURNED CLOUDY ON DECEMBER 18 AND RAIN WAS REPORTED ON DECEMBER 20 AND 21 WHEN HONG KONG WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A STRONG EASTERLY AIRSTREAM FROM THE TAIWAN STRAIT.

DRIER AIR FROM THE NORTH ARRIVED EARLY ON DECEMBER 22 AND THE WEATHER BECAME FINE AND SUNNY. HOWEVER, CLOUD AND RAIN RETURNED ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND PERSISTED UNTIL BOXING DAY AS A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE AT HIGHER LEVELS APPROACHED FROM THE WEST.

CONDITIONS WERE COOL FROM DECEMBER 20 TO 26 AND ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 24 TEMPERATURES DROPPED TO A MINIMUM OF 13.1 DEGREES CELSIUS --- THE LOWEST RECORDED IN THE MONTH.

FINE AND SUNNY WEATHER WAS AGAIN EXPERIENCED ON DECEMBER 27 AND PERSISTED UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH. DURING THIS PERIOD STRONG EASTERLY WINDS WERE AGAIN EXPERIENCED OVERNIGHT ON DECEMBER 29 AND THE FOLLOWING DAY.

DURING THE MONTH NO AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO THE WEATHER.

RED FIRE DANGER WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON NINE DAYS OF THE MONTH.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1979

6 -

♦HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY+ PHOTO COMPETITION

******

THE MEDICAL AND THAT ENTRIES FOR THE

HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED

PHOTO COMPETITION ON +HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY+ WHICH IS AIMED AT AROUSING THE PUBLIC’S INTEREST IN CARING FOR OLD PEOPLE, ARE NOW OPEN UNTIL FEBRUARY 16.

THERE WILL BE TWO SECTIONS IN THE COMPETITION — AN OPEN SECTION FOR ADULTS AND ANOTHER SECTION FOR STUDENTS. WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED CASH PRIZES AND TROPHIES, THE FIRST PRIZE BEING $1,000.

PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN IN COLOUR OR BLACK AND WHITE. AND THEY SHOULD EXPRESS THE HEALTH AND VIGOUR OF THE ELDERLY PEOPLE — THEIR FAMILY AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND MORALE.

ENTRIES CAN BE FORWARDED TO THE MEDICAL HEADQUARTERS AT LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, OR ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CENTRES : CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, TANG CHI NGONG SPECIALIST CLINIC. QUEEN’S ROAD EAST- HONG KONG REGIONAL OFFICE, LEE PO CHUN CHAMBERS. DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL- KOWLOON REGIONAL OFFICE, KOWLOON HOSPITAL. ARGYLE STREET- AND NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KOWLOON.

DETAILS AND REGULATIONS OF THE PHOTO COMPETITION CAN BE OBTAINED AT THESE CENTRES OR ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.

WINNING PHOTOS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE +HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY+ EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT THE MAIN CONCOURSE OF THE OCEAN TERMINAL FROM FEBRUARY 24 - 26.

THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION IS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY, AN AGE GROUP THAT NEEDS CARE AND ATTENTION.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE CAMPAIGN ARE :

* TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON WHAT IS NORMAL HEALTH IN OLD AGE AND THE PROCESS OF AGEING-

* TO IMPART KNOWLEDGE TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE VARIOUS FACTORS LEADING TO ILL HEALTH IN THE ELDERLY-

* TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO OBTAIN OPTIMAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF DISEASES IN THE ELDERLY GROUP-

* TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ON THE AVAILABILITY AND THE USE CF THE VARIOUS HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CAMPAIGN IS AIMED AT AROUSING THE INTEREST OF NOT ONLY ’HE ELDERLY BUT ALSO ALL OTHER AGE GROUPS.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 1979

EIGHTH OPEN DANCE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY

*****

A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND WINNERS’ PERFORMANCES OF THE EIGHTH OPEN DANCE CONTEST WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND TUESDAY EVENING IN THE CONCERT HALL, CITY HALL.

THE TERRITORY-WIDE DANCE CONTEST WAS HELD LAST DECEMBER

WITH 111 TEAMS COMPRISING OVER 3OO STUDENTS AND YOUTHS TAKING PART.

THE CONTEST WAS GROUPED INTO CHILDREN, YOUTH AND OPEN DIVISIONS AND THE COMPETITION EVENTS INCLUDED A VARIETY OF ORIENTAL AND WESTERN FOLK AND CLASSICAL DANCES.

A TOTAL OF 42 TEAMS WON IN THE VARIOUS EVENTS AND THEY WILL REPEAT THEIR WINNING PERFORMANCES DURING THE TWO PRIZE-PRESENTATION SESSIONS.

TO HIGHLIGHT THE OCCASION, A 20-MINUTE VARIETY SHOW HOSTED BY RTV ARTISTS AND DANCERS WILL FOLLOW THE PERFORMANCES BY 19 WINNING TEAMS TOMORROW EVENING.

MR. WONG LAM AND MISS JOYCE BENNETT, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONIES.

THE CONTEST WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KWUN TONG), THE RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE (KWUN TONG) AND THE KWUN TONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND WINNERS’ PERFORMANCES OF THE EIGHTH OPEN DANCE CONTEST TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND TUESDAY (JANUARY 9) AT 7 P.M. IN THE CONCERT HALL OF CITY HALL.

WATER CUT * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE STOPPED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 9) TO 6 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 10) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HYSAN AVENUE, SUNNING ROAD, HOI PING ROAD, SUN WUI ROAD, IRVING STREET, KESWICK STREET, LINK ROAD, CAROLINE HILL ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD FROM YEE WO STREET TO CAROLINE HILL ROAD AND THE HONG KONG STADIUM.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1979

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

URBAN COUNCIL ELECTORATE -- OVER 31,000 NAMES IN NEW REGISTER .................................................. 1

TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE USA ....................... 2

REGISTRATION OF HOTEL GUESTS .............................. 3

LAYING AND COMPACTING ASPHALT TECHNIQUES IMPROVED ......... 4

TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL — ART EXHIBITION OPENED ........... 5

COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS ON ’HONG KONG INDUSTRIES’ ............ 6

MPS TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE .............................. 6

CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER RECEIVES RETIREMENT GIFT .......... 7

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE OF THE SAN FUNG AVENUE LEVEL CROSSING, SHEUNG SHUI RAILWAY STATION ..................... 8

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE ..................... 9

WATER CUT.................................................. 9

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1979

URBAN COUNCIL ELECTORATE ------- OVER 31,000 NAMES IN NEW REGISTER

* * * * *

MORE THAN 31,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED TO VOTE AT THE NEXT URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON MARCH 8.

THE NAMES OF THE 31,481 REGISTERED ELECTORS TOGETHER WITH THEIR ELECTORAL NUMBERS AND OTHER DETAILS OF ADDRESS AND IDENTITY, ARE CONTAINED IN THE NEW FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS COMPILED BY THE REGISTRATION OFFICER AND PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 30, 1978.

ANNOUNCING THIS, THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, MR. KUO KET-CHEN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE NEW REGISTER WAS IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOLUME I, IN FOUR PARTS, CONTAINS THE NAMES OF ELECTORS REGISTERED TO VOTE AT THE KING’S COLLEGE POLLING STATION, THE CITY HALL POLLING STATION, THE HENNESSY ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION AND THE NORTH POINT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION.

VOLUME II, IN NINE PARTS, CONTAINS THE NAMES OF ELECTORS REGISTERED TO VOTE AT THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER POLLING STATION, THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL POLLING STATION, THE KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL POLLING STATION, THE PERTH STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION, THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY SAN PO KONG SUB-OFFICE (FORMER SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL) PXLING STATION, THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION, THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION, THE HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION AND THE WONG SHIU CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL POLLING STATION (TAI PO).

’THE FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE, 4 SUNNING ROAD, SEVENTH FLOOR, KA CHEONG BUILDING, HONG KONG, DURING OFFICE HOURS EVERY WEEKDAY.

COPIES OF THE REGISTER ARE ON SALE, AT S92 PER VOLUME, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE.

MR. KUO EXPLAINED THAT THE LAST REGISTER, PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 31, 1976, REMAINED LEGALLY VALID UNTIL JANUARY 14, 1979, AFTER WHICH DATE THE NEW REGISTER, PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 30, 1978, WOULD SUPERSEDE IT AND WOULD REMAIN LEGALLY IN FORCE UNTIL JANUARY 14, 1981.

PREPARATION OF THE NEXT PROVISIONAL REGISTER, FROM WHICH THE NEXT FINAL REGISTER IS COMPILED, WILL START ON FEBRUARY 15, 1980.

+THIS MEANS THAT ONLY THOSE PERSONS WHOSE NAMES APPEAR IN THE NEW FINAL REGISTER WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AT THE FORTHCOMING ELECTION TO BE HELD NEXT MARCH. ANY PERSON WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE BUT WHO HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED CANNOT APPLY FOR REGISTRATION AS AN ELECTOR BEFORE FEBRUARY, 1980,+ MR. KUO ADDED.

T. ,T'CN.......

: January 8, 1979

- 2 -

THE REGISTRATION OFFICER ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD POST TO EVERY ELECTOR A POLL CARD BEARING HIS OR HER ELECTORAL NUMBER.

THESE CARDS ARE DESIGNED TO ASSIST VOTERS ON ELECTION DAY, SINCE THEIR PRODUCTION TO THE POLLING OFFICERS TOGETHER WITH THE ELECTORS’ HONG KONG IDENTITY CARBS, OR SOME OTHER FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION, WILL READILY IDENTIFY THE HOLDERS AND ENABLE THEM TO OBTAIN A BALLOT PAPER WITH THE MINIMUM OF DELAY.

THE POLL CARDS WILL BE POSTED BEFORE THE END OF FEBRUARY AND ELECTORS ARE URGED NOT TO MISLAY THEM.

ELECTORS ARE ALSO REMINDED TO KEEP THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE INFORMED OF ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS SO THAT POLL CARDS CAN BE POSTED TO THEIR CORRECT ADDRESSES.

------0-------

TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE USA * * *

MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, DIRECTOR OF TRADE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD RECEIVED CERTAIN PROPOSALS FROM THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT REGARDING THE HONG KONG/UNITED STATES TEXTILE AGREEMENT COVERING THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1978, TO DECEMBER 31, 1982, SIGNED IN AUGUST 1977.

+THESE PROPOSALS ARE NOW UNDER STUDY IN THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT AND WE SHALL BE CONSULTING THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD ON THEM SHORTLY,+ MR. MILLS SAID.

A U.S. DELEGATION LED BY AMBASSADOR MICHAEL B. SMITH WILL BE VISITING HONG KONG IN THE WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 15 TO DISCUSS THESE PROPOSALS AND OTHER OUTSTANDING MATTERS CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF THE TEXTILE AGREEMENT.

MR. MILLS ADDED THAT THE POTENTIAL AGGREGATE LIMIT FOR HONG KONG’S EXPORT OF TEXTILES OF COTTON, WOOL AND MAN-MADE FIBRES TO THE USA IN 1978 WAS OVER A BILLION SQUARE YARDS EQUIVALENT AND THAT PRELIMINARY FIGURES AVAILABLE TO THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT 89 PER CENT OF THIS POTENT’AL HAS BEEN USED DURING THE YEAR.

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1979 - 3 -

REGISTRATION OF HOTEL GUESTS * * * *

KEEPERS OF HOTELS AND LODGING PLACES ARE REMINDED THAT THEY HAVE TO KEEP, FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS, A WRITTEN RECORD OF THE INFORMATION GIVEN BY THEIR LODGERS ON NAMES, NATIONALITIES AND OTHER DETAILS.

UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE 1971, ANY PERSON OVER THE AGE OF 15 WHO INTENDED TO STAY IN A HOTEL OR A LODGING PLACE SHOULD, ON ARRIVAL, INFORM THE KEEPER OF THE PREMISES OF HIS FULL NAME AND NATIONALITY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

IN THE CASE OF AN ALIEN LODGER, HE SHOULD ALSO INFORM THE KEEPER OF HIS DATE OF ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG, THE NAME OF THE SHIP OR AIRLINE BY WHICH HE ARRIVED AND HIS OCCUPATION.

BEFORE DEPARTURE, HE SHOULD INFORM THE KEEPER OF THE PLACE TO WHICH HE WAS GOING AND ALSO THE NAME OF THE SHIP AND AIRLINE BY WHICH HE WOULD LEAVE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE KEEPERS WERE REQUIRED TO KEEP A RECORD OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. AN IMMIGRATION OR POLICE OFFICER MIGHT INSPECT THE RECORD AT ANY TIME, HE ADDED.

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1979

A -

LAYING AND COMPACTING ASPHALT TECHNIQUES IMPROVED ******

RECENT IMPROVEMENTS IN LAYING AND COMPACTING ASPHALT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAVE PRODUCED BETTER ROAD SURFACES IN A NUMBER OF AREAS IN HONG KONG.

LAST YEAR A SKILLED ROAD SURFACING SUPERVISOR WAS RECRUITED TO INSTRUCT AND TRAIN HONG KONG OPERATIVES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

+A TEAM OF ROAD OPERATIVES, WHICH WAS THEN TRAINED, WAS INSTRUMENTAL LAST YEAR IN INTRODUCING IMPROVED ASPHALT LAYING TECHNIQUES.

+OWING TO BETTER WORKMANSHIP, CO-ORD I NAT ION, MECHANICAL PLANT OPERATION, AND SITE SUPERVISION, THE SURFACES PAVED BY THIS PWD TEAM HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE SUPERIOR TO THOSE LAID UNDER FORMER ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAMMES.+

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED IT WAS QUITE OBVIOUS THE TRAINED TEAM WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE, BY THEIR METHODS, IMPROVEMENTS IN THE +RIDING QUALITY (UNIFORMLY EVEN SURFACE)* OF THE ROADS, ROAD LIFE, AND COMPACTION OF RESURFACING MATERIALS.

ALSO, A GREATER AREA WAS RESURFACED IN KOWLOON -- ABOUT 120,000 SQUARE METRES IN 1978 COMPARED WITH 59,000 SQUARE METRES IN 1977.

+AMONG OTHER TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENTS NOTICED IN THE ROADS HAVE BEEN BETTER FORMING OF CENTRE JOINTS, 'EDGE SEALING’, AND MAINTENANCE CF PROPER LAYER THICKNESSES,* THE SPOKESMAN COMMENTED.

THERE ARE ABOUT 750 KILOMETRES OF +FLEXIBLE CONSTRUCTION* ROADS IN THE TERRITORY -- THOSE FINISHED WITH BITUMINOUS METALS, BUT NOT IN CONCRETE.

0-----------

'5.......

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1979

TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL — ART EXHIBITION OPENED * * * *

ALTHOUGH MODERNISATION HAS BROUGHT MANY BENEFITS TO TSUEN WAN, IT ALSO HAS A POTENTIALLY DAMAGING EFFECT ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF TRADITIONAL ARTS LOCALLY, THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

THIS HAS MADE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES SUC« AS THE ARTS FESTIVAL NOW BEING STAGED IN VARIOUS VENUES IN THE NEW TOWN ALL THE MORE NECESSARY TO GIVE LOCAL RESIDENTS A BETTER TASTE OF ART AND CULTURE.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION OF CHINESE AND WESTERN PAINTINGS AND CALLIGRAPHY AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, MR. HAYES SAID ’HE EXHIBITION WAS ONE OF THE MAIN CULTURAL ITEMS CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS OF the FIRST TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL.

*BY BRINGING VALUABLE EXHIBITS CLOSER TO OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS,* HE SAID, +WE CAN ENRICH the 11? LIVES AND, BY STIMULATING INTEREST IN THIS TRADITIONAL AND MODERN ARTS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, WE CAN BRING WHO KNOWS WHAT SPLENDID FUTURE RESULTS IN OUR LIVELy AND GIFTED COMMUNITY.*

MR. HAYES SAID TRADITIONAL A»TS COULD ONLY BE EXPECTED TO THRIVE WHERE THERE WAS AN INTEREST.

+IT IS THEREFORE A VERY IMPORTANT DUTY TO TRANSMIT THE TRADITION SO THAT I’ MAY BE FURTHER EXTENDED THROUGH THE BRILLIANCE OF INDIVIDUAL TALENT; I’ EACH GENERATION,* HE ADDED.

THE FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE EXHIBITION SUB-COMMITTEE OF the TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, FEATURES MORE THAN 3QO PAINTINGS AND CALLIGRAPHIC WORKS BY LOCAL ARTISTS AND WIL_ REMAIN OPEN DAILY FROM a A.M. TO 10 P.M. UNTIL THURSDAY.

MONP-Y, JANUARY 8, 1979

COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS ON ’HONG KONG INDUSTRIES’

* * * * *

A SET OF THREE COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS ON +HONG KONG INDUSTRIES* IN 20 CENTS, SI.30 AND S2 DENOMINATIONS WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

SPECIAL FIRST DAY COVERS AT 20 CENTS EACH HAVE ALSO BEEN ISSUED.

DESIGNED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE STAMPS ARE DEVOTED TO THREE MAJOR LOCAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES --GARMENTS, TOYS AND ELECTRONICS.

THE THREE MANUFACTURING SECTORS ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN 60 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS.

A SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT ALL POST OFFICES TOMORROW (TUESDAY) WHEREBY FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATE STAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM. NO TIME TYPE WILL APPEAR IN THE POSTMARK.

THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR THIS SERVICE ARE:-

* ONLY ARTICLES BEARING AN INDICATION THAT THEY ARE +FIRST DAY COVERS* WILL BE SO TREATED"

* THE ARTICLES MUST BE ADDRESSED TO A LOCAL ADDRESS-

* THE ARTICLES MUST NOT BEAR ANY OTHER CANCELLATION"

* NO REGISTERED ITEMS * ILL BE PROCESSED BY THIS METHOD.

------0-------

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MPS TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE *****

THE FOUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT CURRENTLY IN HONG KCNG WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 4 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, IN THE GIS THEATRE, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

THE FOUR MPS ARE THE RT. HON. ALFRED MORRIS (LABOUR), PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE DISABLED-MR. JACK ASHLEY (LABOUR), PARLIAMENTARY PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES- MR. NIGEL : LAWSON (CONSERVATIVE) AND THE HON. PETER MORRISON ((CONSERVATIVE). 9

TELEVISION CREWS ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.

Z’’.........

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1979

CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER RECEIVES RETIREMENT GIFT

******

THE CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER, MR. GORDON RETIRING THIS MONTH AFTER MORE THAN 19 YEARS FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

DOORE, 'WILL BE SERVICE WITH THE

AT A C-REMONY HELD AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION TODAY (MONDAY), THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. MAURICE LANE PRESENTED A GOLD WATCH AND A SET OF FISHING GEAR TO MR. DOORE CN BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES.

MR. DOORE JOINED THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN 1959 AS A STATION OFFICER AFTER HAVING SERVED FOR 13 YEARS IN THE LOCAL AUTHORITY FIRE BRIGADE IN BRITAIN.

HE wAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER IN 1970 AND, IN 1973, CHiE" AMBULANCE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S AMBULANCE COMMAND.

HE wAS AWARDED THE COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL (FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT'1 c0P MERITORIOUS SERVICE IK 1972.

MR DOORC AND HIS WIFE WILL BE LEAVING HONG KONG ON THURSDAY FOR THE*SEYCHELLES BEFORE RETURNING TO ENGLAND.

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1979

. A -

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE OF THE SAN FUNG AVENUE LEVEL CROSSING, SHEUNG SHU I RAILWAY STATION ft ft ft ft

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT AS FROM 9 P.M. ON THURSDAY TO 7 A.M. ON FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 P.M. ON JANUARY 17 TO 7 A.M. ON JANUARY 18, THE SAN FUNG AVENUE LEVEL CROSSING WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF WELDED TRAIN TRACK AS PART OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY MODERNISATION PROGRAMME.

DURING THESE PERIODS, BUS ROUTE NO.76, SHEUNG SHU I BOUND, WILL BE DIVERTED AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO OPERATE VIA TAI PO ROAD, FAN LING ROUNDABOUT, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AND SAN FUNG AVENUE.

BUSES ON THE SAME ROUTE, YUEN LONG BOUND WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA SAN FUNG AVENUE, FU HING STREET, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FAN LING ROUNDABOUT, TAI PO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTING.

BUS ROUTE NO.77 ON JOURNEYS TO SHEUNG SHU I WILL BE DIVERTED AFTER FAN KAM ROAD TO OPERATE VIA TAI PO ROAD, FAN LING ROUNDABOUT, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AND SAN FUNG AVENUE. THIS BUS ROUTE ON JOURNEYS TO YUEN LONG WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA SAN FUNG AVENUE, FU HING STREET, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FAN LING ROUNDABOUT, TAI PO ROAD AND FAN KAM ROAD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTING.

FOR BUS ROUTE NO.78, THE SHEUNG SHU I BOUND SERVICES WILL BE DIVERTED AFTER SHA TAU KOK ROAD TO OPERATE VIA FAN LING ROUNDABOUT, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, SAN FUNG AVENUE, FU HING STREET AND SAN FAT STREET.

THE SHA TAU KOK BOUND NO.78 BUS SERVICES WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA SAN FAT STREET, LUNG SUM AVENUE, SAN FUNG AVENUE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AND SHA TAU KOK ROAD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTING.

OTHER VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD.

ALSO, DURING THE PERIODS FROM 7 P.M. TO 7 A.M. ON THE NIGHTS OF JANUARY 9, 10, 15 AND 16, THE SAN FUNG AVENUE LEVEL CROSSING WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE LANE FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ALTERNATIVELY AND TRAFFIC FLOW WILL BE REGULATED BY TRAFFIC SIGNALS.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1979

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE *****

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE THREE SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE STATION FOR THE RACES ON WEDNESDAY EVENING.

THESE SPECIAL NON-STOP TRAINS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON STATION IN HUNG HOM AT 5.28 P.M., 6.04 P.M. AND 6.52 P.M. RESPECTIVELY.

THERE WILL BE FOUR SPECIAL TRAINS TO CONVEY PASSENGERS BACK FROM THE RACE COURSE STATION TO KOWLOON STATION. IN ADDITION, KCR WILL RE-ROUTE ITS SCHEDULED TRAINS VIA THE RACE COURSE STATION AT 9.11 P.M. AND 9.53 P.M. TO PICK UP PASSENGERS.

THE RUNNING TIME OF THESE SPECIAL TRAINS IS 20 MINUTES AND THEIR TIMETABLES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT ALL RAILWAY STATIONS AND AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB’S OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES.

A KCR SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) ENCOURAGED THOSE GOING BY PRIVATE CARS TO MAKE USE OF THE HUNG HOM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK ABOVE KOWLOON STATION.

APART FROM SEVERAL BUS CONNECTING ROUTES, THERE WERE FERRY SERVICES OPERATING BETWEEN CENTRAL, WAN CHAI AND NORTH POINT AND THE HUNG HOM PIER WHICH WAS A FEW MINUTES WALK FROM THE STATION TERMINAL, HE SAID.

TIMETABLES OF THE SCHEDULED TRAIN SERVICES HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY AMENDED, HE ADDED.

THE REVISED TIMETABLES ARE:

FROM KOWLOON STATION: 5.00 P.M., 5.42 P.M., 7.00 P.M., 7.30 P.M., AND 10.30 P.M.

6.25 P.M., 8.12 P.M., 9.00 P.M.

FROM LO WU STATION : 4.29 P.M., 5.26 P.M., 6.26 P.M., 7.11 P.M., 8.15 P.M. AND 9.02 P.M.

--------o----------

WATER CUT * * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE STOPPED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.

PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY MORRISON STREET, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, BONHAM STRAND, HILLIER STREET AND WING LOK STREET.

--------0-----------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MP’S SEE SPECIAL EDUCATION FACILITIES IN CENTRE ............ 1

RUSH FOR SALE CONDITIONS OF PRESTIGE ISLANDS SITES ......... 2

TWO NON-INDUSTRI AL SITES AUCTIONED......................... 2

DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ............................... 3

LUNAR NEW YEAR CAMP FOR WORKING YOUTH IN KOWLOON CITY ... 3

LUNAR NEW YEAR KCR PERIOD RETURN TICKETS ................. 4

WATER CUT................................................... 4

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1979

- 1 -

MP’S SEE SPECIAL EDUCATION FACILITIES IN CENTRE ******

TWO VISITING MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) TOURED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE IN PERTH STREET, KOWLOON, IN THE COMPANY OF THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. E.P. HO.

MET BY MR. P.S. SUN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), THE RT. HON. ALFRED MORRIS, PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE DISABLED, AND MR. JACK ASHLEY, PARLIAMENTARY PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, SAW THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE CENTRE.

THE SERVICES INCLUDED SPEECH THERAPY, AUDITORY TRAINING, VARIOUS SCREENING AND TESTING PROGRAMMES, AND REMEDIAL SERVICES OFFERED TO HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

THE CENTRE BEGAN OPERATION ON FEBRUARY 28, 1975 IN THE PREMISES OF THE FORMER PERTH STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL.

CONVERSION WORK OF THE PREMISES HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE OVER THE YEARS AND IS ANTICIPATED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR, WHEN THE BUILDING WILL BECOME THE BASE OF DIAGNOSTIC, ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIAL SERVICES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERR I TOR IES.

THE CENTRE CONDUCTS ASSESSMENT SERVICES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN INCLUDING GROUP TESTING OF CHILDREN WITH LEARNING OR BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS, AUDIOMETRIC SCREENING, VISION SCREENING, SPEECH SCREENING, PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING, AUDIOLOGICAL TESTING FOR CHILDREN SUSPECTED OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT, SPEECH TESTING FOR CHILDREN SUSPECTED OF SPEECH DEFECTS AND EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

REMEDIAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN FOUND TO REQUIRE SPECIAL EDUCATION.

AUDITORY TRAINING AND SPEECH TRAINING ARE PROVIDED FOR HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN, AND INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SPEECH THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH SPEECH DEFECTS. GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING ARE GIVEN TO CHILDREN WITH LEARNING OR BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS.

AS FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, THE CENTRE ADVISES PARENTS AND TEACHERS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE CHILDREN, PLACES THEM IN SCHOOLS AND PROVIDES THEM WITH PERIPATETIC AND FOLLOW-UP SERVICES IF IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS.

BRAILLE PRINTING SERVICES ALSO RUN IN THE CENTRE PRODUCING BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH BRAILLE TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLEMENTARY READERS.

ON FUTURE EXPANSION, THE CENTRE PLANS TO OFFER A PROFESSIONAL LIBRARY ON SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION, A CURRICULUM WORKSHOP FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL CURRICULUM, TEACHING AIDS AND MATERIALS FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, A RESOURCE CENTRE FOR SPECIAL TEACHING AIDS AND TEACHING MATERIALS, AND LECTURE AND TRAINING FACILITIES.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1979

RUSH FOR SALE CONDITIONS OF PRESTIGE ISLANDS SITES ******

THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ALREADY RUN OUT OF COPIES OF THE SALE CONDITIONS FOR THREE PRESTIGE RESIDENTIAL SITES ON LANTAU AND PENG.CHAU TO BE AUCTIONED AT THE CITY HALL ON JANUARY 23.

A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) 500 COPIES OF THE CONDITIONS HAD BEEN PRINTED FOR DISTRIBUTION BUT THE DISTRICT OFFICE SUPPLY WAS EXHAUSTED YESTERDAY (MONDAY) WHEN THEY WERE FIRST MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

+WE HAVE BEEN INUNDATED WITH INQUIRIES ABOUT THE LOTS AND WE ARE NOW ARRANGING TO GET MORE COPIES OF THE CONDITIONS,+ HE SAID.

+WE HOPE THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT MONDAY, JANUARY 15, FROM OUR OFFICE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.+

THE SPOKESMAN APOLOGISED FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND ADVISED ANYONE WISHING TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE CONDITIONS TO FIRST TELEPHONE THE DISTRICT OFFICE NEXT MONDAY ON 5-457073 EXT. 31 TO CHECK ON THEIR AVAILABILITY.

THE LANTAU SITE IS 1,398 SQUARE METRES IN AREA WHILE THE PENG CHAU SITES EACH MEASURE 372 SQUARE METRES.

THE THREE SITES, ALL EARMARKED FOR HIGH-QUALITY PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMAND SWEEPING SEA VIEWS AND HAVE OBVIOUSLY AFFECTED WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST FROM POTENTIAL BUYERS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

-----0------

TWO NON-INDUSTRIAL SITES AUCTIONED

* * * *

A NON-INDUSTRIAL SITE AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON, WAS SOLD FOR $215 MILLION AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE CITY HALL TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE SITE, WHICH MEASURES 2,900 SQUARE METRES, WAS BOUGHT BY KUMAGAI LAND DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD. AT $74,137.93 PER SQUARE METRE.

ANOTHER LOT, SITUATED AT QUEEN’S ROAD WEST, HONG KONG, WAS SOLD TO TAT WO REALTY LTD. FOR $62 MILLION OR $47,729.02 PER SQUARE METRE.

THE 1,299-SQUARE METRE SITE IS ALSO FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES.

------o----------

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1979

DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED * * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON LO CHUN-CHOI, 44, ON JUNE 20 LAST YEAR SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO 20 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT. LO WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF A 24-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, KWOK MING-LUK, ON NOVEMBER 18, 1976.

--------o ---------

LUNAR NEW YEAR CAMP FOR WORKING YOUTH IN KOWLOON CITY ######

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY) AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION COUNCIL ARE JOINTLY ORGANISING A LUNAR NEW YEAR CAMP FOR YOUTH AGED 18 YEARS AND OVER AND WORKING IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT.

THE TWO-DAY CAMP WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 17-18 AT THE HO FUK TONG CENTRE IN TUEN MUN, CASTLE PEAK.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A BARBECUE, VARIETY SHOWS AND GROUP GAMES.

APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN. THE NUMBER IS LIMITED TO 120 ONLY. IT WILL BE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS AND THE CLOSING DATE IS FEBRUARY 8.

APPLICATIONS CAN BE LODGED AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:

K CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY), COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE AND RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICE -------- ALL AT NO. 1

MA TAU KOK ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, KOWLOON-

K CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY) HUNG HOM SUB-OFFICE ------ WUHU STREET, HUNG HOM- AND

* CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY) HO MAN TIN SUB-OFFICE ------ HO MAN TIN ESTATE, BLOCK 8, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.

--------0 ----------

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1979

- 4 -

LUNAR NEW YEAR KCR PERIOD RETURN TICKETS O If * X K

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT, FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF PASSENGERS GOING TO CHINA DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, ORDINARY CLASS PERIOD RETURN TICKETS FROM KOWLOON TO LO WU WOULD BE ON SALE AT KOWLOON STATION FROM NOW UNTIL MARCH 9.

THE ORDINARY CLASS RETURN FARE IS $3.8. EACH TICKET WILL BE VALID FOR THE JOURNEY FROM KOWLOON TO LO WU ON THE DATE OF ISSUE AND FOR A RETURN JOURNEY ON ANY DATE FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE UNTIL MARCH 9.

A SPOKESMAN FOR KCR SAID THE PERIOD RETURN TICKETS WOULD ONLY APPLY TO ORDINARY CLASS.

ON ARRIVAL AT LO WU, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, PASSENGERS HOLDING RETURN TICKETS ARE REQUESTED TO SHOW THEM TO TICKET COLLECTORS AT THE EXITS AND THEN KEEP THEM FOR USE ON THE RETURN JOURNEY AFTER WHICH THE TICKETS WILL BE COLLECTED AT KOWLOON OR MONG KOK STATIONS.

-----o------

WATER CUT * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES ON THE PEAK WILL BE STOPPED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON THURSDAY TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY 7-15 MAGAZINE GAP ROAD, MAY ROAD, CLOVELLY PATH INCLUDING NOS. 1, 3 AND 5-11 TREGUNTER PATH.

------o-------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

NEW SHIPPING LEGISLATION APPROVED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL .. 1

PRESENT STATE OF TAXI TRADE .................................... 4

UNITED NATIONS YEAR FOR THE CHILD.............................. 11

DIRECTOR OF AUDIT, PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REPORTS TABLED 16

WHOLESOME READING MATERIAL FOR CHILDREN ....................... 17

WORK IN HAND TO TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER INSHORE POLLUTION .... 18

SMOKE POLLUTION PROSECUTIONS .................................. 18

MORE RESTRICTIVE APPROACH ON CIGARETTE COMMERCIALS ............ 19

PASSAGE OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF DANGEROUS GOODS PROHIBITED THROUGH CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL ....................... 20

CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO SERVICING AND TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF TEMPORARY HOUSING RESIDENTS .......................... 20

PLAN TO EXPAND VISION SCREENING PROGRAMME TO COVER 60,000 PRIMARY I CHILDREN ..................................... 21

SITE INVESTIGATION WORK ON PROPOSED LANTAU FIXED CROSSING VIRTUALLY COMPLETE ............................................ 22

PLANS LAUNCHED TO IMPROVE LANTAU TRANSPORT FACILITIES ......... 23

NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY EXPLAINED ................ 24

INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 .......................... 25

PARTITION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978 ............................. 26

SIX BILLS PASSED............................................... 26

BUS SERVICES ON HONG KONG ISLAND............................... 27

/GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL .

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS ON HOUSING OF CIVIL SERVANTS .............................................. 27

NO NECESSITY TO CONTROL GOLD AND SILVER MARKET............... 28

HK YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM AT OCEAN PARK ........ 28

WATER CUT.................................................... 29

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ......................................... 29

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 1 -

NEW SHIPPING LEGISLATION APPROVED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ******

THREE BILLS WERE PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO COMBAT THE RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN RELATION TO PERSONS COMING TO HONG KONG FROM VIETNAM.

THEY WERE THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL AND THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL.

THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL AIMS AT DISCOURAGING SHIPS PARTICIPATING IN THE UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF PASSENGERS TO HONG KONG AND TO TAKE ADDITIONAL LEGAL POWERS TO ACT AGAINST OWNERS, MASTERS AND SHIPS INVOLVED SHOULD THIS HAPPEN.

THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL MAKES IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON WHO, WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE, DISABLES, ABANDONS, SCUTTLES OR BEACHES ANY VESSEL WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS, AND IS PUNISHABLE WITH A PENALTY OF $200,000 AND FOUR YEARS IMPRISONMENT.

THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL IS DESIGNED TO REMOVE THE TWO MONTHS LIMIT IN WHICH A PERSON FROM VIETNAM WHO WAS REFUSED PERMISSION TO LAND IN HONG KONG MIGHT BE REMOVED BY IMMIGRATION OFFICERS.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON. SIR JACK CATER SAID: +WE BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM OF ’BOAT REFUGEES’, FROM INDO—CHINA SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IN A HUMANE AND ORDERLY FASHION-WE BELIEVE THAT STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE NEXT SCHEDULED PORT OF CALL PRINCIPLE IS MOST LIKELY TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE PORT IS OVER-WHELMED BY AN INTOLERABLE NUMBER OF GENUINE SURVIVORS OF SHIPWRECKS.+

SIR JACK SAID THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE OTHER BOATS LIKE THE +HUEY FONG+ NOW ON THE HIGH SEAS, AND IT HAS BEEN ARGUED, ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS, THAT HONG KONG SHOULD PERMIT ALL THESE VESSELS WITH THE UNFORTUNATE INDIVIDUALS ON BOARD TO LAND HERE SO THAT ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR THEM TO BE RESETTLED IN OTHER PLACES.

HE NOTED THAT THE HUMANE STANCE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE ALWAYS ADOPTED TOWARDS REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS IS SECOND TO NONE IN THE WORLD. AND WE ARE JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF OUR RECORD IN DEALING WITH ALL THESE REFUGEES, NOT LEAST THOSE FROM VIETNAM.

+OUR EFFORTS ARE IN MARKED CONTRAST TO THE LACK OF INTEREST TAKEN IN THE PROBLEM OF REFUGEES BY SOME OTHER COUNTRIES, FAR BETTER ABLE TO ABSORB PEOPLE THAN THIS CROWDED LITTLE TERRITORY OF OURS,+ HE SAID.

/he pointed.....

WEDNESDAY, JANUAfiY 10, 1979

2 -

HE POINTED OUT THAT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, HONG KONG HAD SETTLED 13,516 PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM IN HONG KONG- 3,954 WERE UNDER THE CARE OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND A FURTHER 1,568 WERE EITHER STILL BEING PROCESSED OR WERE BEING HELD IN DETENTION PENDING A DECISION ON WHETHER THEY COULD BE RETURNED TO CHINA.

THIS INFLUX FROM VIETNAM HAS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN HONG KONG IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM OTHER DIRECTIONS. THE NUMBER OF LEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA IN 1978 WAS 71,520, COMPARED WITH 26,000 IN 1977, AND THERE IS REASON TO BEulEVE THAT THE FIGURE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE REGION OF 33,000.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO NOTED THAT WE HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THE FLOW OF REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM WILL STOP AS LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE ARE STILL TRYING TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

HE SAID: +HONG KONG CANNOT BE THE LONG-TERM HOME FOR REFUGEES FROM INDO-CHINA. WE DO NOT HAVE THE LAND TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR ACCOMMODATION- INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE THEM WITH JOBS-SOCIAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR WELL-BEING- WITHOUT SERIOUSLY IMPAIRING THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL HEALTH OF OUR OWN COMMUNITY.

♦WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THOSE COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE TAKEN SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF ’BOAT REFUGEES’, BUT THE NUMBER OF SUCH COUNTRIES IS STILL LAMENTABLY FEW AND THE PLACES RECENTLY OFFERED PATENTLY FALL SHORT OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE ON THE ONE HAND, AND ARE NECESSARY ON THE OTHER.+

SIR JACK CALLED FOR IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE INTERNATIONAL ACTION TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING AND HARDSHIP OF THOSE WHO NOW KNOCK AT OUR DOOR AND THOSE TO WHOM WE HAVE GIVEN TEMPORARY SHELTER. +OUR CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR BUT CAN THAT BE TRUE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AT LARGE?* HE ASKED.

CLAUSE 2 OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL SOUGHT TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FROM SIX MONTHS TO FOUR YEARS FOR OFFENCES OF CARRYING PASSENGERS ON BOARD A VESSEL IN EXCESS OF THE NUMBER PERMITTED BY THE PASSENGER CERTIFICATE OR EXCESS PASSENGERS ON AN UNCERTIFICATED SHIP.

TO FACILITATE PROSECUTION OF SUCH OFFENCES, THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCED TWO REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTIONS ---- PERSONS ON BOARD A

VESSEL OTHER THAN CREW MEMBERS AND INFANTS UNDER THE AGE OF ONE, WOULD BE PRESUMED TO BE PASSENGERS- AND A SHIP WITH MORE THAN 12 PASSENGERS ON BOARD WOULD BE PRESUMED TO BE A PASSENGER-SHIP.

ANOTHER CLAUSE OF THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE FORFEITURE OF SHIPS WHERE THE MASTER OR THE OWNER IS GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE OF CARRYING EXCESSIVE PASSENGERS. IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT, BEFORE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE INITIATES THE FORFEITURE PROCEDURE IN ANY PARTICULAR CASE, THE APPROVAL OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL MUST BE OBTAINED.

/SIH JACK.....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 3 -

SIR JACK SAID IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE FORFEITURE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL SHOULD EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE OTHER PENAL PROVISION IN THE BILL WAS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES TO A SIMILAR LEVEL FOR THE OFFENCE OF ENDANGERING THE SAFETY OF PERSONS CARRIED ON A VESSEL.

ON THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL, SIR JACK SAID CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL WOULD REMOVE THE TWO MONTHS LIMIT SO THAT PERSONS PREVIOUSLY RESIDENT IN VIETNAM COULD BE REMOVED AFTER A LONGER PERIOD AND DETAINED UNDER ANOTHER SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE.

HE SAID EACH CASE WOULD BE CONSIDERED ON ITS OWN MERITS AND IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THIS MEASURE SHOULD CEASE TO HAVE EFFECT AT THE END OF THIS YEAR UNLESS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EXTENDS ITS LIFE.

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILLS ON BEHALF OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE HON. ROGER LOBO SAID THEY WERE SATISFIED WITH THE STRICT MEASURES IN THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL AND THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH WERE NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION IN MEETING THE THREAT POSED BY THOSE WHO SEEK TO USE HONG KONG AS A STAGING POST FOR +THIS TRAFFIC IN HUMAN MISERY*.

MR. LOBO ALSO ENDORSED THE INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY.

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN WHO ALSO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL SAID A PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THE AMENDED BILL WAS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO STEP UP ITS EFFORTS TO PUT A STOP TO TRAFFICKING IN REFUGEES ON A LARGE SCALE.

HE SA I Di +A RACKET NOW APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED TO USE OCEAN-GOING VESSELS TO PICK UP LARGE NUMBERS OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AT A DESIGNATED POINT AND TRANSPORT THEM TO PORTS SUCH AS HONG KONG.

+THE PROFITS ARE IMMENSE, AS IT IS REPORTED THAT EACH REFUGEE, WHETHER MAN, WOMAN OR CHILD, HAS TO PAY THE EQUIVALENT OF USS2,000 TO GET OUT OF VIETNAM.

ON THE 2,700 REFUGEES ON THE HUEY FONG, HE SAID IT WAS REGRETTED THAT THEY HAD SO FAR NOT BEEN GRANTED PERMISSION TO PROCEED TO KAOHSIUNG. +THEIR CHIEF HOPE PERHAPS LIES IN THE VESSEL BEING ALLOWED TO PROCEED TO SOME NEARBY U.S. POSSESSION SUCH AS GUAM, WHICH WOULD BECOME A TEMPORARY STAGING GROUND PENDING FINAL RESETTLEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES.*

------0-------

/A....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

PRESENT STATE OF TAXI TRADE M * * * *

THE HON. LYDIA DUNN, WHO IS CONVENER OF A WORKING GROUP OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS MATTERS, SAID THE PROPOSED PACKAGE OF REFORMS OF THE TAXI TRADE SHOULD BE SUPPORTED NOT BECAUSE IT WAS BEYOND CRITICISM OR CERTAIN TO BE EFFECTIVE, BUT BECAUSE THE PRESENT STATE OF THE TAXI TRADE WAS AS THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT SAID, +CHAOTIC+.

SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT MUST ACCEPT SOME BLAME FOR ALLOWING THE SITUATION TO DETERIORATE TO THE PRESENT EXTENT, AND, UNLESS POSITIVE REMEDIAL STEPS WERE TAKEN URGENTLY, HONG KONG’S STANDING AS A MODERN, INTERNATIONAL CITY WOULD BE TARNISHED.

MISS DUNN WAS SPEAKING ON THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1978 WHICH INTRODUCED STIFFER SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES AGAINST MALPRACTICES BY TAXI-DRIVERS.

THE OTHER TWO MEASURES IN THE PACKAGE ARE CONCERNED WITH FARES AND THE ISSUE OF LICENCES. SIX OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE HON. JAMES WU, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE HON. S.L. CHEN, THE HON. PETER C. WONG, THE HON. WONG LAM AND THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG ALSO SPOKE ON THE BILL.

MISS DUNN SAID ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PACKAGE WOULD DEPEND ON THE VIGILANCE OF THE POLICE, THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC IN REPORTING MALPRACTICES AND THE ATTITUDE OF THE TAXI OPERATORS THEMSELVES.

SHE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOULD CRITICALLY EXAMINE THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE TRADE TO ENSURE A REALLY EFFECTIVE DIALOGUE.

AND AS THE OBJECTIVES CANNOT BE ASSURED IN ADVANCE, THE PROPOSED REVIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF THE PACKAGE IN NINE MONTHS’ TIME WAS GREATLY SIGNIFICANT AND SHOULD BE WELL-FOUNDED ON FACTS. THE NECESSARY MACHINERY TO COLLECT THE INFORMATION SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY WHEN THE BILL BECAME EFFECTIVE.

COMMENTING ON THE REACTION OF TAXI-USERS TO THE BILL, MISS DUNN SAID IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLY DIFFICULT TO RECONCILE HIGH TENDER PRICES FOR TAXI LICENCES WITH THE PROPOSED FARE INCREASE.

YET IT WAS NOT ALTOGETHER LOGICAL TO TAKE THE LEVEL OF TENDER PRICES AS AN INDICATION OF PROFITABILITY BECAUSE THE PRICE WAS A ONE-OFF PAYMENT FOR A LIFE-LONG INVESTMENT IN A TRADE.

SHE WAS NOT ALTOGETHER CONVINCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THAT +ANY FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE EVEN GREATER DRAWBACKS+.

/as to.....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 5 -

AS TO THEIR FEELING THAT AN INCREASE IN TAXI FARES WAS UNFAIR GIVEN THE UNSATISFACTORY STATE OF OTHER FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, MISS DUNN REFERRED TO THE STATEMENT OF THE SECRETARY THAT +WE STAND ON THE THRESHOLD OF MASSIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM+, PARTICULARLY WITH THE COMING INTO OPERATION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.

THERE WAS AN ARGUMENT THAT THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN TAXI FARES HERALDS ANOTHER INCREASE IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES GENERALLY. MISS DUNN SAID, HOWEVER, THAT AS FAR AS SHE WAS AWARE, THIS WAS NOT SO AND SHE SOUGHT CONFIRMATION FROM THE SECRETARY.

THE PROVIDERS OF TAXI SERVICE ALSO PUT THEIR POINT OF VIEW TO THE WORKING GROUP. AT A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION, THE REPRESENTATIVES MADE THREE POINTS:

* THE PRESENT TAXI RENTAL SYSTEM IMPOSES A FINANCIAL BURDEN ON TAXI DRIVERS AND DRIVERS WHO RENT TAXIS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY FORM OF MANAGEMENT CONTROL,

* TAXI DRIVERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO REFUSE TO GO TO ANY DESTINATION WHICH IS MORE THAN FIVE MILES AWAY FROM THE PLACE WHERE A SHIFT CHANGE TAKES PLACE, AND

* IT IS UNFAIR TO INTRODUCE STIFFER PENALTIES TO CURB THE MALPRACTICES OF ONLY A SMALL MINORITY OF TAXI DRIVERS, AND THE PENALTIES WOULD IMPOSE A PSYCHOLOGICAL BURDEN ON THE MAJORITY OF LAW-ABIDING DRIVERS.

ON THE FIRST POINT, MISS DUNN SAID AT PRESENT, JUST

UNDER 90 PER CENT OF ALL TAXIS OPERATING IN HONG KONG WERE OWNED BY INDIVIDUALS AND RENTED OUT PRIVATELY.

THESE WERE STRICTLY BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW THE GOVERNMENT COULD SUBJECT THESE TRANSACTIONS TO ANY FORM OF REGULATION OR INSIST ON THEIR REPLACEMENT BY A SYSTEM OF EMPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS FOR WAGES, SHE SAID.

SHE AGREED, HOWEVER, THAT THE RENTAL SYSTEM WAS UNSATISFACTORY IN THAT DRIVERS WERE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY FORM OF MANAGEMENT CONTROL. ALSO, THE BENEFITS OF THE FARE INCREASE WOULD PROBABLY ACCRUE MAINLY TO OWNERS AND OWNER/OPERATORS.

+DRIVERS ARE UNLIKELY TO BE MORE THAN MARGINALLY BETTER OFF AND ONLY MARGINALLY LESS TEMPTED — OR LESS FORCED — TO INDULGE IN MALPRACTICES,+ SHE SAID.

SHE SUGGESTED THAT SOME MEANS OF POLICING AND REGULATING BEHAVIOUR COULD BE DEVISED UNDER THE RENTAL SYSTEM, PREFERABLY BY THE TRADE ITSELF, IN THE INTERESTS Or TWE MORE CONSCIENTIOUS DRIVERS.

/ON the.....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

ON THE SUGGESTION TO BE ALLOWED TO REFUSE CERTAIN FARES DURING SHIFT CHANGE. MISS DUNN SAID IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED THAT' -PROVIDED A DRIVER FIRMLY AFFIXED A CARD SHOWING THE TIME AND PLACE OF HIS SHIFT CHANGE, HIS REFUSAL TU ACCEPT PASSENGERS FOR DESTINATIONS NOT ON THE ROUTE OF HIS DEPOT MIGHT NOT CONSTITUTE THE OFFENCE OF +WILFULLY+ REFUSING A HIRE.

THE ARRANGEMENT, HOWEVER, COULD NOT BE GIVEN LEGAL STATUS.

SHE SAID THE MAJORITY OF UNOFFICIALS FELT STRONGLY THIS RIGHT OF REFUSAL SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED, FOR IT WAS LIKELY TO LEAD TO ABUSE, BEARING IN MIND THAT SHIFT CHANGING WAS THE ORIGIN OF THE NOW RAMPANT MALPRACTICES.

WHILE SHE SYMPATHISED WITH THE DRIVERS’ DESIRE TO MAXIMISE THEIR INCOME SHE THOUGHT THE NEW FARE STRUCTURE WOULD OFF-SET ANY LOSS IN INCOME DURING THE HALF-HOUR SHIFT CHANGE.

AS TO THE UNION’S THIRD POINT THAT THE STIFFER PENALTIES WOULD BRING ABOUT A PSYCHOLOGICAL BURDEN ON DRIVERS, MISS DUNN SAID SHE WAS SURE THE TAXI TRADE WOULD AGREE THAT LAW-ABIDING DRIVERS HAD NOTHING TO FEAR AND THOSE WHO CONTINUED TO FLOUT THE LAW WOULD GET ONLY WHAT THEY DESERVED.

♦FURTHERMORE, PUBLIC DISSATISFACTION IS NOW SUCH THAT ANY DELAY IN BRINGING IN STIFFER SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES FOR MALPRACTICES WILL SIMPLY NOT BE ACCEPTED- AND I AM AFRAID THE MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION MUST ACCEPT THAT REALITY,* SHE SAID.

MR. JAMES WU SUGGESTED TAXI FARE INCREASES SHOULD BE S3 FOR THE FIRST 1.5 KILOMETRE AND 20 CENTS FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT ONE-FIFTH OF A KILOMETRE AND A CHARGE OF 20 CENTS FOR EVERY MINUTE OF WAITING TIME, ALLOWING FOR A 50-60 PER CENT GENERAL INCREASE.

HE SAID THIS SCALE OF FARES WOULD HAVE MANY ADVANTAGES:

* IT ALLOWS FOR A GRADUAL AND REASONABLE INCREASE,

M IT GIVES A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE THE METRIC SYSTEM IN DISTANCE MEASUREMENT,

* IT WILL ENCOURAGE DRIVERS TO PICK UP BOTH LONG AND SHORT JOURNEY PASSENGERS. UNDER GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL, TAXI DRIVERS WILL, FOR EXAMPLE, ONLY GET A 25-30 PER CENT INCREASE ON A TRIP FROM STAR FERRY TO MAGAZINE GAP ROAD OR CONDUIT ROAD WHICH ARE HIGHLY CONGESTED,

* IT IS PERFECTLY EASY TO ADJUST THE METER FOR THE NEW FARE,

X IT WILL NOT UNDULY DISCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USE TAXIS TO GO TO GREATER DISTANCE IN A HqRRY, AND

* BECAUSE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE DRIVER TO PICK UP LONG DISTANCE PASSENGERS, TAXIS WILL NOT AGGRAVATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE BUSY CITY CENTRES.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 7 -

MR. WU SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THE PUBLIC OBJECTED STRONGLY TO THE STEEP INCREASE PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT WHILE OWNERS AND DRIVERS FELT THE HIGH INCREASES WOULD AFFECT BUSINESS.

HE BELIEVED HIS PROPOSAL WAS A REASONABLE COMPROMISE AND POINTED OUT TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT THE INCREASE UNDER HIS PROPOSAL COULD BE RAISED IF FOUND INADEQUATE IN THE REVIEW IN NINE MONTHS’ TIME, WHILE THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSED STEEPER INCREASE WOULD BE IRREVERSIBLE.

HE ALSO DREW THE GOVERNMENT’S ATTENTION TO THE EFFECT OF ITS PROPOSED STEEP INCREASE ON THE PRESENT HIGHLY INFLATIONARY TREND WHICH MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THE BILL. HE SAID HE DID NOT OPPOSE THE STIFFER SANCTIONS BUT WAS NOT ENTIRELY SATISFIED WITH THE PROPOSED NEW FARE STRUCTURE FOR URBAN TAXIS, AND THE REVISED TENDER SYSTEM.

HE SAID THE INCREASE FOR THE FIRST MILE AND FOR WAITING TIME WAS REASONABLE BUT THE INCREASE FROM 20 CENTS TO 50 CENTS FOR EACH ONE-FIFTH MILE AFTER THE FIRST MILE WAS UNACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE TOO MUCH OF A DAILY FINANCIAL BURDEN TO THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC.

A MODERATE INCREASE, FROM 20 CENTS TO 30 CENTS WOULD ALSO BE AGREEABLE TO TAXI DRIVERS WORRYING THAT THE PROPOSED 100 PER CENT INCREASE ON THE AVERAGE FARE WOULD DRASTICALLY REDUCED THEIR INCOME FOR MANY MONTHS TO COME.

HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY TAXIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LUXURY AND PUT OUT OF REACH OF MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES, WHO USED TAXIS BECAUSE THERE WAS A SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF BUSES AND NO MINI-BUSES WENT TO THEIR DESTINATIONS.

AS TO THE NEW TENDERING SYSTEM, MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID IT WOULD DETER SPECULATORS WHO GAMBLED WITH A SMALL SUM BUT IN THE PROCESS WOULD PERMIT ONLY INDIVIDUALS OR SYNDICATES WITH MORE CASH RESOURCES TO TAKE OVER AND DID EXACTLY THE SAME THING BUT ON A LARGER AND MORE ORGANISED SCALE.

IT WOULD BE A HEALTHIER TREND FOR THE TAXI TRADE IF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WERE TO ENCOURAGE MORE NEW TAXIS TO BE OWNER-DRIVEN, EVEN IF IT MEANT A REDUCTION IN THE TENDER PRICES, HE SAID.

FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, INDIVIDUALS COULD BE ALLOWED TO TENDER BUT THEIR PARTICIPATION COULD BE RESTRICTED TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HOLDERS OF A TAXI DRIVING LICENCE FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD OF TWO OR THREE YEARS, WITH THE DEPOSIT RAISED FROM $2,500 TO $5,000.

/MB. S.L. CHEN

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

MR. S.L. CHEN, SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, SUGGESTED

THE EXISTING TENDER SYSTEM BE REVISED SO THAT LICENCES WERE ISSUED TO DRIVER-OWNERS ONLY.

HE SAID STIFFER PENALTIES WOULD DETER MALPRACTICES IF THESE AROSE FROM PLAIN HUMAN GREED BUT WOULD NOT BE EFFECTIVE IF THEY AROSE FROM INSUFFICIENT INCOME OF TAXI DRIVERS.

HE POINTED OUT THE TAXI RENTAL SYSTEM RENDERED THE NON-OWNER DRIVERS OPEN TO EXPLOITATION BY UNSCRUPULOUS TAXI OWNERS, WHILE THE CONGESTED TRAFFIC CONDITIONS MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVERS TO OBTAIN SUFFICIENT BUSINESS.

THE FARES REVISION WOULD GIVE SOME BENEFIT BUT THIS COULD SOON BE WIPED OUT BY PROPORTIONAL RENT INCREASES.

ISSUING TAXI LICENCES TO DRIVER-OWNERS ONLY WOULD CURB SPECULATION. THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE SOME MEASURE OF CONTROL OVER HIS BUSINESS OVERHEADS AND WITH A REASONABLE FARE STRUCTURE, HAVE A BETTER CHANCE TO MAKE A DECENT LIVING. SUCH A SYSTEM WOULD ALSO HELP TO ERADICATE THE LONG-STANDING PROBLEMS OF +PAK-PAIS+.

FURTHERMORE, TO ENCOURAGE DRIVERS TO BECOME LICENCE HOLDERS, MR. CHEN SUGGESTED SOME FORM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS A PIY-BY-INSTALMENTS SCHEME, COULD BE CONSIDERED.

HE HOPED THAT WHEN THE FURTHER REVIEW OF THE TAXI TRADE WAS UNDERTAKEN IN NINE MONTHS’ TIME, HIS COMMENTS COULD BE GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION.

MR. PETER C. WONG POINTED OUT THAT IN RELATION TO THE NEW OFFENCES LAID DOWN, DISQUALIFICATION OF TAXI-DRIVERS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO THE HOLDING OR OBTAINING OF A +TAXI DRIVING+ LICENCE ONLY AND NOT A +DRIVING+ LICENCE. HE NOTED THAT THE BILL WOULD BE AMENDED TO REFLECT THIS.

MR. WONG LAM AGREED WITH A FARE INCREASE BUT FELT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE AND CAREFUL REVIEW OF THE CURRENT TENDER SYSTEM SO THAT BETTER ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE WORKED OUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF BONA FIDE MEMBERS OF THE TAXI TRADE AND INDIRECTLY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

HE SAID THE EXISTING TENDER SYSTEM HAD A GREAT BEARING ON THE INCOME OF TAXI DRIVERS, +BECAUSE THE HIGHER THE TENDER PRICES, THE HIGHER WILL BE THE TAXI RENTAL CHARGED BY TAXI OWNERS.*

IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT AN INCREASE IN FARES MAY GIVE THE OWNERS AN EXCUSE TO RAISE THE RENTAL AND CONSEQUENTLY GREATLY REDUCE THE EARNINGS OF THE DRIVERS.

HE SAID WHETHER THE INCREASES PROPOSED WERE REASONABLE WAS A MATTER OF OPINION BUT COMPARED WITH OTHER PLACES AND EVEN SOME COUNTRIES IN SOUTH EAST ASIA, HONG KONG’S TAXI FARES WOULD STILL BE REGARDED AS SO.

/HE ALSO.....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE DISQUALIFICATION OF DRIVING LICENCES IN RELATION TO OFFENCES UNDER THE BILL SHOULD BE LIMITED TO A DRIVER’S +TAXl-DRIVING+ AND NOT HIS +DRIVING+ LICENCE.

MR. CHARLES YEUNG COULD SEE NO REASON WHY THE ISSUING OF NEW LICENCES AT NIL PREMIUM FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS HAD TO BE WITHHELD ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SYSTEM HAD PROVED A SUCCESS.

HE BELIEVED THAT TO FACILITATE TRAVELLING CONVENIENCE, TAXI LICENCES SHOULD BE ISSUED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT AS A MEANS OF REVENUE PRODUCTION.

HE SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT COULD ENCOURAGE GOOD DISCIPLINE BY ALLOWING A TAXI DRIVER OF SAY, 10 YEARS’ GOOD STANDING, TO OBTAIN A LICENCE FREE OF PREMIUM, PROVIDED THE TAXI WAS DRIVEN BY HIM ALONE.

BY LIMITING THE DRIVING OF THESE TAXIS TO THEIR OWNERS, THE OWNERS/DRIVERS WOULD CHOOSE THEIR TIME TO TAKE THEIR TAXIS OUT ON THE ROAD WHEN DEMAND WAS HIGHEST.

HE ALSO SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT COULD PROVIDE MORE SELF-EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO PEOPLE SAY, OVER 50, AND TO SLIGHLY PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE BY GIVING THEM TAXI LICENCES

THEY WOULD TAKE TAXI-DRIVING AS THEIR LIFE-LONG OCCUPATION AND WOULD CARRY IT OUT WITH DIGNITY AND INTEGRITY.

THE MEASURE WOULD NOT ONLY GIVE THEM FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE BUT ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY AS USEFUL AND SERVING MEMBERS, MR. YEUNG SAID.

IN REPLY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, SAID HE AGREED WITH THE HON. MISS LYDIA DUNN AND THE HON. S.L. CHEN IN THE IMPORTANCE THEY ATTACHED TO THE GOVERNMENT MONITORING ALL ASPECTS OF THE PACKAGE AFTER IT HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO ENSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE REVIEW OF ITS EFFECTS COULD BE CONDUCTED LATER IN THE YEAR AND THAT, IF NECESSARY, FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS COULD BE MADE.

+1 CAN ASSURE THEM THAT THE STANDING CONFERENCE ON ROAD USE, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, HAS ALREADY SET UP THE NECESSARY MACHINERY TO DO THIS AND THAT A SURVEY OF ALL MATTERS TO BE COVERED BY THE PACKAGE HAS BEEN CONDUCTED TO ESTABLISH A ’BEFORE’ BASIS FOR COMPARISON.

+THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO NOW ESTABLISHED MORE FORMAL MACHINERY TO KEEP ITSELF IN TOUCH WITH ALL SECTIONS OF THE TAXI TRADE,* MR. JONES SAID.

+THERE IS A WORKING PARTY ON TAXI OPERATIONS WHICH ENABLES THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL THE TAXI DRIVERS’ ASSOCIATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* HE ADDED.

/AS REGARDS.....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

10 -

AS REGARDS THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY SOME OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OVER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE PACKAGE, MR. JONES SAID MOST OF THE MATTERS RAISED BY THEM + ARE PROBABLY SOMEWHAT EXAGGERATED AND THAT SOME ARE, INDEED, MUTUALLY CONTRADICTORY*.

+FOR INSTANCE,* HE SAID, +IF THE FARE INCREASES REALLY ARE AS STRINGENT AS MR. CHEONG-LEEN BELIEVES, THEN THERE OUGHT TO BE PLENTY OF TAXIS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO HIRE THEM AT THESE FARES.

+IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, COMPETITION SHOULD ENSURE THAT THOSE DRIVERS WHO TRY TO COMMIT MALPRACTICES WILL VERY SOON FIND THAT THEY HAVE NO PASSENGERS,* MR. JONES SAID.

MR. JONES ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE NATURAL FORCES OF THE MARKET WOULD MODERATE THE BARGAINING PROCESS BETWEEN OWNERS AND DRIVERS OVER RENTALS AND THAT A LEVEL WOULD BE ESTABLISHED WHICH WOULD PROVIDE THE DRIVERS WITH SUFFICIENT INCOME TO INDUCE SUFFICIENT OF THEM TO ENGAGE IN THE TRADE.

ON THE TENDER SYSTEM, MR. JONES SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THAT, NO MATTER HOW CAREFUL THE GOVERNMENT TRIED TO DEVISE A SYSTEM OF RESTRICTED TENDERING CONFINED TO TAXI DRIVERS ONLY, OR ISSUING LICENCES FREE TO LONG SERVICE DRIVERS, THERE REMAINED THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A MARKET FOR TAXI LICENCES, QUITE APART FROM THE TENDER SYSTEM, AND THAT LICENCES WOULD STILL BE CHANGING HANDS IN THAT MARKET AT HIGH PRICES.

+S0 I DOUBT WHETHER WHAT IS PROPOSED WILL TURN OUT TO BE PRACTICABLE. BUT I PROMISE THAT THIS ASPECT ALSO WILL BE EXAMINED CAREFULLY DURING THE COMING MONTHS AND WILL BE CONSIDERED AGAIN IN THE REVIEW,* MR. JONES SAID.

HE ALSO EXPRESSED DOUBT ON WHETHER THE RAISING OF TAXI FARES WOULD HAVE VERY MUCH EFFECT ON OTHER TRANSPORT FARES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT DEMAND WAS SHIFTED.

MR. JONES ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MR. CHEONG-LEEN WAS WRONG IN SAYING THAT THE TENDER SYSTEM NOW REQUIRED EACH TENDERER TO BID FOR A MINIMUM OF 10 NEW TAXIS.

+IT IS TRUE THAT A DEPOSIT OF $25,000 IS NOW REQUIRED, BUT TENDERS ARE STILL ACCEPTED FOR SINGLE TAXIS OR FOR ANY NUMBER UP TO THE MAXIMUM OF 300,+ HE SAID.

FINALLY, MR. JONES SAID HE WOULD BE MOVING AN AMENDMENT DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE SANCTION OF THE REMOVAL OF DRIVING LICENCES FOR TAXI MALPRACTICES WOULD BE CONFINED TO THE CULPRITS’ TAXI DRIVING LICENCES AND WOULD NOT AFFECT THEIR LICENCES TO DRIVE PRIVATE CARS OR OTHER VEHICLES.

/11

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 11 -

UNITED NATIONS YEAR OF THE CHILD *****

THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT AT THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DREW ATTENTION TO INADEQUATE HOSPITAL FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN WHEN SHE SPOKE ON THIS YEAR’S UNITED NATIONS YEAR OF THE CHILD AND THE NEED TO IMPROVE SERVICES TO CHILDREN IN HONG KONG.

SHE POINTED OUT THAT IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED HOSPITALS, THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED ONE NURSE TO CARE, DURING DAY TIME, FOR SEVEN AND AT NIGHT FOR 15 OR MORE PATIENTS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE CHILDREN OR ADULTS.

IN ENGLAND THERE WAS A MINIMUM OF ONE NURSE TO TWO CHILDREN, SHE ADDED.

UNDER THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE ONE CHILD CARE WORKER WAS ALLOWED FOR SIX CHILDREN. WHILE THE ORDINANCE DID NOT APPLY TO HOSPITALS, IT WAS REASONABLE THAT SICK CHILDREN SHOULD BE CARED FOR BY MORE NURSES THAN HEALTHY CHILDREN, MISS BENNETT SAID.

MOREOVER, COTS IN HONG KONG WERE FREQUENTLY PLACED VERY

CLOSE TOGETHER. +1 AM NOT SURPRISED THAT NURSES COMPLAIN REGARDING THEIR WORKING CONDITIONS,+ SHE SAID.

OVERCROWDING AND UNDERSTAFFING, SHE SAID, MEANT CROSS-INFECTION COULD EASILY OCCUR. FOR A CERTAIN DISEASE THE RECOVERY RATE IN HONG KONG WAS 30 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 60 PER CENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

+A SICK BABY OR YOUNG CHILD CAN SO EASILY CATCH DIARRHOEA FROM OTHER SICK CHILDREN. THERE ARE GROSSLY INADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR ISOLATING THESE INFECTIOUS CASES IN QUEEN MARY AND OTHER HOSPITALS,* SHE SAID.

THE INADEQUATE SPACE IN CHILDREN’S WARDS HAD PRECLUDED THE MOTHER OR RELATIVE TO STAY WITH THE CHILD. DOCTORS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS HAD STUDIED THE EFFECT ON SIX MONTHS TO THREE YEARS OLD CHILDREN OF THIS SEPARATION AND, +THE RESULTING PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA CAUSES IRREPARABLE DAMAGE.*

EVEN IF THERE WAS LACK OF SPACE TO ENABLE THE CHILDREN TO GET OUT OF BED MORE THAN NECESSARY, THE WARDS COULD BE CHANGED IMMEDIATELY AT VERY LITTLE COST TO DISPLAY BRIGHT COLOURS WITH PICTURES AND BE PROVIDED WITH TOYS.

+IF THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENTS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS, I SUGGEST WE ASK THE HELP OF THE DESIGN STUDENTS AT THE POLYTECHNIC OR EVEN SOME OF OUR SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS,* MISS BENNETT SAID.

SHE ALSO REFERRED TO THE PATHOLOGY LABORATORIES AT QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL WHERE ESSENTIAL INVESTIGATIONS REQUIRED BY THE SURGEONS COULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT, +BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT WELL-EQUIPPED FOR CARRYING OUT THE SPECIAL TECHNIQUES REQUIRED FOR THE BIOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON SMALL CHILDREN.*

/+IF WE.....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

12 -

♦ IF WE DO NOT BUILD A CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, THESE SPECIAL FACILITIES MUST BE PROVIDED IN ALL REGIONAL AND GENERAL HOSPITALS,* SHE SAID.

STILL SPEAKING ON THE NEED TO IMPROVE SERVICES TO CHILDREN, MISS BENNETT DREW ATTENTION TO THE +GROSSLY INADEQUATE* NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS IN HONG KONG.

♦UNTIL WE HAVE MORE TRAINED PERSONNEL WE SHALL CONTINUE, AS THIS YEAR, TO PLACE CHILDREN IN THE WRONG TYPE OF SPECIAL CLASSES OR SCHOOLS OR INDEED PLACE THEM IN SPECIAL CLASSES WHEN THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE ORDINARY CLASS OR SCHOOL,* SHE SAID.

MISS BENNETT ALSO HOPED THE REPORT ON THE PRE-SCHOOL CHILD PROMISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WILL BE POSITIVE IN ITS APPROACH.

PARENTS TRYING TO GIVE THEIR CHILD A GOOD START IN LIFE FOUND ♦CRAM SHOPS* NOT TRUE KINDERGARTENS OR PLAY CENTRES.

+WE HAVE FORGOTTEN IN HONG KONG THAT A KINDERGARTEN SHOULD BE A GARDEN FOR CHILDREN TO DISCOVER THE WIDER ENVIRONMENT OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES,* SHE SAID.

DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI ALSO SHOWED CONCERN FOR THE INCREASING AMOUNT OF ACADEMIC LEARNING BEING GIVEN TO CHILDREN IN KINDERGARTEN.

+COMPLEX ARITHMETIC AND ENGLISH ARE NOW NORMAL PARTS OF THE SYLLABUS AND HOMEWORK IS ASSIGNED TO PLEASE PARENTS.*

A MORE ALARMING DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID, WAS THE RAISING OF THE TEACHING STANDARD IN SOME KINDERGARTENS, WITHOUT REGARD TO EACH INDIVIDUAL CHILD’S PACE OF LEARNING, PRESUMABLY TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PRIMARY 1 ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS OF CERTAIN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, HE SAID.

ON THE WHOLE, DR. HO THOUGHT THE FAMILY WAS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE IN PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF THE CHILD.

+IT IS IN THE FAMILY WHERE THE CHILD RECEIVES EMOTIONAL SECURITY, LEARNS THE NORMS OF HUMAN RELATIONS AND GRADUALLY FORMS HIS OWN PERSONALITY,* HE SAID.

YET THESE TRADITIONAL FUNCTIONS WERE BEING ERODED BY THE DEMANDS OF URBANISATION AND MODERNISATION.

THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID, SHOULD COME TO THE AID OF THE FAMILY BY PROVIDING A VARIETY OF SUPPORT SYSTEMS BUT, IN CURRENT POLICY-MAKING THESE SYSTEMS WERE PLANNED ON THE BASIS OF AGE-GROUPS OR SPECIAL NEEDS AND LITTLE EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON PLANNING FOR THE FAMILY AS A UNIT.

HE GAVE THE EXAMPLE OF CHILD ABUSE. USUALLY THE PARENTS WERE PROSECUTED AND THE CHILD REMOVED FOR TEMPORARY PLACEMENT. VERY LIKELY THIS PROVOKED STRONG RESENTMENT IN THE CONVICTED PARENTS OR IN OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY AGAINST THE YOUNG VICTIM.

/♦CHILD ABUSE.....

WEDNESDAY, JANUAEY 10, 1979

♦CHILD ABUSE IS, IN FACT, SYMPTOMATIC OF A MULTITUDE OF FAMILY PROBLEMS, SUCH AS MARITAL DISCORD, PROLONGED ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, ENVIRONMENTAL FRUSTRATION, UNWANTED PREGNANCY, DRUG ADDICTION, OR UNSTABLE PERSONALITY.

♦AN EFFECTIVE REMEDY MUST INCLUDE AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILY AS A WHOLE RATHER THAN THOSE OF THE VICTIMISED CHILD ALONE,+ DR. HO SAID.

AS FOR CHILDREN DEPRIVED OF THEIR FAMILIES, EITHER TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY, DR. HO SAID THE TRADITIONAL REMEDY OF PLACING THEM IN AN ORPHANAGE OR CHILDREN’S CENTRE WAS NOT CONDUCIVE TO THEIR WHOLESOME DEVELOPMENT.

SUBSTITUTE HOMES, SUCH AS ADOPTIVE HOMES AND FOSTER HOMES, WERE MORE APPROPRIATE BUT AT PRESENT THERE WERE ONLY TWO SUBVENTED VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS RENDERING SUCH SERVICES.

HE HOPED THE PROGRAMME COULD BE EXPANDED AS A MATTER OF URGENCY WITH GREATER INVOLVEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING SPOKE OF THE NEED TO PROVIDE MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES AND CONNECTED SERVICES TO THE LOWER-INCOME GROUP, PARTICULARLY IN AND AROUND THE NEW INDUSTRIAL TOWNS.

HE SAID MANY YOUNG COUPLES WERE OBLIGED TO WORK AND THERE WAS A NEED TO PROVIDE A SPECIALISED SERVICE TO LOOK AFTER THEIR CHILDREN OF PRE-SCHOOL AGE WHILE THEY WERE AT WORK.

MANY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE PREPARED TO CO-OPERATE BY ESTABLISHING CHILD CARE CENTRES BUT WERE OFTEN DETERRED BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES REGULATIONS WHICH WERE OFTEN MUCH TOO RIGID AND DIFFICULT TO COMPLY WITH WITHOUT EXTRANEOUS COST AND TIME-CONSUMING EFFORTS.

IN PARTICULAR, HE SAID, THE TIME IT TOOK TO COMPLY WITH FIRE SERVICE REQUIREMENTS WAS A MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN, AND ANY DELAY IN OBTAINING THE NECESSARY CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION WAS USUALLY CAUSED BY THESE REQUIREMENTS.

HE WAS SURE THAT IF THE REGULATIONS WERE MADE MORE FLEXIBLE AND LESS TIME-CONSUMING TO COMPLY WITH, MORE VOLUNTARY BODIES WILL BE GLAD TO FURTHER THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE FOR CHILDREN.

THE GROWTH IN ALL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN RECENT ™RS HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. E.P. HO SAID IN REPLY TO THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.

HE SAID THREE OF THEM --------- HAD DRAWN ATTENTION TO SOME OF FELL SHORT OF THE IDEAL.

MISS BENNETT, DR. HO AND MR. LEUNG THE AREAS IN WHICH PROVISIONS

/+ I THINK.....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 14 -

+ l THINK I. CAN SAFELY STATE WITHOUT FEAR OF CONTRADICTION THAT THE GROWTH ACHIEVED IN ALL OUR SERVICES FOR OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN RECENT YEARS — IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH, LABOUR, SOCIAL WELFARE, EDUCATION AS WELL AS RECREATION AND SPORTS FIELDS — HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL,* SAID MR. HO.

PLANS FOR THE COMING DECADE WERE EVEN MORE AMBITIOUS, HE STATED.

REPLYING TO SOME OF THE POINTS RAISED BY MISS BENNETT, WHO TOOK THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO TASK, MR. HO SAID CLINICAL PAEDIATRIC SERVICES WERE ONLY ONE ASPECT OF THE TOTAL CHILD CARE FACILITIES IN HONG KONG AND THE PAEDIATRIC WARDS IN QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL WERE BUT ONE OF THE UNITS OF THE OVERALL PAEDIATRIC SERVICES.

+QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL WAS COMPLETED IN 1937 AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRICS ONLY ESTABLISHED IN THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN 1962. SINCE THEN THERE HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS GROWTH IN THE PAEDIATRIC SERVICES DESPITE THE RESTRICTED ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE.* HE SAID.

MR. HO SAID A FEASIBILITY STUDY WAS CURRENTLY UNDER WAY TO EXAMINE THE POSSIBLE RE-LOCATION OF CERTAIN FACILITIES AND THE BUILDING OF NEW ACCOMMODATION FOR THE HOSPITAL TO INCORPORATE UP-TO-DATE PAEDIATRIC WARDS.

MR. HO SAID: +THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS WILL BE PUT VERY SHORTLY TO THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION, AND IF ENDORSED, WILL BE PROCESSED FOR INCLUSION IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.*

THE DESIRABILITY OF ALLOWING MOTHERS TO LIVE IN WITH THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN WHEREVER POSSIBLE, OR AT LEAST GIVING THEM UNRESTRICTED VISITING RIGHTS, WAS AGREED, PROVIDED IN THE OPINION OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN THERE WERE NO PROFESSIONAL REASONS FOR A DECISION TO THE CONTRARY IN ANY INDIVIDUAL CASE.

SUITABLE OVERNIGHT FACILITIES FOR MOTHERS WERE BEING INCORPORATED IN THE PAEDIATRIC UNITS BEING PLANNED FOR SHA TIN HOSPITAL AND OTHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS.

ON SPECIALISED CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS, MR. HO SAID: +OUR POLICY AIM IS TO PROVIDE SPECIALIST UNITS IN GENERAL HOSPITALS ON A REGIONAL BASIS, AS IS THE TREND IN THE MORE ADVANCED COUNTRIES LIKE ENGLAND. IN THIS WAY RESOURCES, BOTH STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT, ARE BETTER UTILISED AND ALSO BROUGHT TO THE PUBLIC RATHER THAN HAVE THE PUBLIC SUFFER THE INCONVENIENCE OF ATTENDING ONE CENTRE FAR FROM THEIR HOMES.*

ON NURSE TO PATIENT RATIO, MR. HO SAID IT WOULD BE MISLEADING TO DRAW COMPARISONS WITH SELECTED PAEDIATRIC SERVICES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND WITH CHILD CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.

IT WAS NECESSARY TO CONSIDER ALL THE RELEVANT FACTORS, THE ACTUAL DUTIES OF NURSES, THE FUNCTIONS OF OTHER SUPPORTING STAFF AVAILABLE IN THE HOSPITALS AND THE DIFFERING ATTENTION REQUIREMENTS OF HEALTHY AND SICK CHILDREN, HE SAID.

/IT HAD.....

«k

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 15 -

IT HAD BEER AGREED THAT NURSING ESTABLISHMENTS AND MANNING SCALES SHOULD BE REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND SUCH AN EXERCISE WAS RECENTLY COMPLETED IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WITH A VIEW TO FORMULATING PROPOSALS FOR ADVICE BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

MR. HO SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING THAT HONG KONG’S INFANT . MORTALITY RATE HAD FALLEN FROM 92 PER 1,000 LIVE BIRTHS IN 1951 TO 13.9 IN 1977.

♦AS MISS BENNETT HAS MADE NUMEROUS COMPARISONS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM, I AM PLEASED TO INFORM HER THAT THIS INFANT MORTALITY RATE COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THE LATEST UNITED KINGDOM’S FIGURE AVAILABLE TO US,+ HE ADDED.

ON THE NEED TO RAPIDLY IMPROVE FACILITIES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AS SUGGESTED BY MISS BENNETT, MR. HO SAID DURING THIS YEAR THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL SCHOOL PLACES WOULD INCREASE BY 3,700 TO A TOTAL OF 23,500. OF THESE NEW PLACES, 1,420 WOULD REPRESENT A VERY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OVER THE CURRENT PROVISION OF 2,000 PLACES FOR THIS GROUP.

OF EVEN GREATER SIGNIFICANCE WOULD BE A PROPOSAL TO BE PUT TO THE COUNCIL’S FINANCE COMMITTEE TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE CODE OF AID FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION TO ENABLE A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RANGE OF SERVICES TO BE AVAILABLE WITHIN THESE SCHOOLS.

THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN ORDINARY CHILD CARE CENTRES RESERVED FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND HOSPITAL BEDS, AND RESIDENTIAL AND DAY CARE PLACES FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WOULD ALSO BE INCREASED, MR. HO SAID.

TURNING TO THE CARE AND EDUCATION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN THE PRE-PRIMARY AGE GROUP, MR. HO SAID IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT OVER 80 PER CENT OF FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND OVER 95 PER CENT OF FIVE-YEAR-OLDS WERE ATTENDING KINDERGARTENS OR CHILD CARE CENTRES.

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD SO FAR PROVIDED ONLY LIMITED ASSISTANCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF KINDERGARTENS, MR. HO SAID, BECAUSE ITS PRIORITY HAD BEEN TO EXPAND OTHER SECTORS OF EDUCATION, SUCH AS PRIMARY AND, MORE RECENTLY, SECONDARY EDUCATION.

+HOWEVER, THE NEED TO GIVE GREATER ATTENTION TO THE PRE-SCHOOL CHILD HAS BEEN RECOGNISED FOR SOME TIME AND I AM NOW ABLE TO REPORT THAT THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING PARTY APPOINTED BY ME TO REVIEW OUR POLICY IN THIS AREA HAS GOOD PROGRESS AND EXPECTS TO COMPLETE ITS REPORT SHORTLY,* SAID MR. HO.

HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT DURING THE CURRENT SESSION THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO EXTEND THE AGE OF COMPULSORY SCHOOLING TO 14 FROM THIS SEPTEMBER AND 15 FROM SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.

AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD ALSO EXTEND THE CURRENT AGE LIMITATIONS ON INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT TO ALL EMPLOYMENT FROM THIS SEPTEMBER, WITH A FURTHER EXTENSION IN THE AGE LIMIT FOR ALL EMPLOYMENT TO 15 OR THE COMPLETION OF FROM III A YEAR LATER.

- - - - 0 - " - - ^/16.....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979'

DIRECTOR OF AUDIT, PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REPORTS TABLED ******

THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT ON THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCOUNTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1977/78 AND THE FIRST REPORT OF THE RECENTLY CONSTITUTED PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE TABLED AT THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE HON. MISS LYDIA DUNN, NOMINATED TO SPEAK IN THE ABSENCE ABROAD OF THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, THE HON. LI FOOK-WO, SAID MUCH OF THE VALUE OF THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT DEPENDED ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH ITS RECOMMENDATIONS WERE FOLLOWED UP AND IMPLEMENTED.

+WE HOPE THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE TO BE PREPARED BY THE FINANCE BRANCH, AFTER CONSIDERING THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN OUR REPORT, WILL INDICATE --- AND IN SPECIFIC TERMS ---- WHAT ACTION

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO TAKE TO RECTIFY THE IRREGULARITIES BROUGHT TO NOTICE BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT AND THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE AND, IF APPROPRIATE, EXPLAIN WHY IT IS NOT INTENDED TO TAKE ACTION ON ANY PARTICULAR MATTER,* MISS DUNN SAID.

SHE ALSO SAID THE COMMENTS BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT ON CERTAIN SHORTCOMINGS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SHOULD BE VIEWED IN A PROPER PERSPECTIVE --- BY VIEWING THEM AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE TOTAL VOLUME OF GOVERNMENT TRANSACTIONS, THE BULK OF WHICH DOES NOT ATTRACT ADVERSE COMMENTS.

SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS +ARE NOT ONLY SUBJECT TO A VALUE-FOR-MONEY AUDIT BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT AND HIS STAFF, WHOSE INDEPENDENCE IS SECURED BY STATUTE, BUT THEY ARE NOW ALSO SUBJECT TO FURTHER SCRUTINY BY A COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ENSURE THE FUNDS PROVIDED THROUGH THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN SPENT IN THE WAY INTENDED*.

MISS DUNN NOTED THAT THE COMMITTEE’S MAIN AIM WAS TO ESTABLISH THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE MATTERS REPORTED ON BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT AND TO CONSIDER WHAT REMEDIAL ACTION HAS BEEN. OR SHOULD BE, TAKEN. ’

SHE SAID THE COMMITTEE DID NOT CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO INVESTIGATE IN DETAIL EVERY OBSERVATION CONTAINED IN THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT AND THEREFORE IT CONCENTRATED ITS EFFORT ON THE MORE SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES OR SHORTCOMINGS.

MISS DUNN ALSO APPRECIATED THE CO-OPERATION OF ALL BRANCH SECRETARIES AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS WHO GAVE EVIDENCE AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETINGS AND THE ASSISTANCE GIVEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT, THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE CLERK OF COUNCIL WHO WAS THE COMMITTEE’S OFFICIAL SECRETARY.

SHE SAID THE COMMITTEE AT NO TIME DETECTED ANY RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF CIVIL SERVANTS, WHO APPEARED BEFORE IT OR ASSISTED IT IN ITS DELIBERATIONS, TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

- - 0-------------

/17

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

WHOLESOME READING MATERIAL FOR CHILDREN ******

THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIAL FUND AT PRESENT TO ENCOURAGE AND SUBSIDISE ORGANISATIONS WHICH PUBLISH READING MATERIAL FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND 12 YEARS. THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS. THE HON. F.K. LI, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. LI WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ANDREW SO.

+ALTHOUGH A FAIR AMOUNT OF WHOLESOME READING MATERIAL FOR CHILDREN IN THE FOUR TO 12 YEAR AGE GROUP ALREADY EXISTS, I AGREE WITH MR. SO THAT MORE SUCH MATERIAL WOULD ALWAYS BE WELCOME,* MR. LI SAID.

ABOUT 10 VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS WERE ALREADY RECEIVING SUBVENTIONS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO BUY BOOKS FOR THEIR CHILDREN LIBRARIES AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD BE PREPARED TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS FROM THESE OR OTHER VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS TO ASSIST THEM IN A WORTHWHILE SCHEME LEADING TO THE PUBLICATION OF MORE WHOLESOME READING MATERIAL FOR CHILDREN.

IN ADDITION, FUNDS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FROM ONE OR TWO TRUST FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY GOVERNMENT, HE NOTED.

MR. LI SAIDi +1 ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING SPECIAL PROJECTS AIMED TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL AUTHORS AND TEACHERS TO WRITE CHILDREN’S BOOKS. FOR ALL THESE REASONS, THERE IS NO NEED TO ESTABLISH A SPECIAL FUND AT THE PRESENT TIME FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.*

o --------

/18

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 18

WORK IN HAND TO TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER INSHORE POLLUTION

* * I * * X

WORK IS NOW WELL IN HAND TO TIGHTEN CONTROLS OVER THE POLLUTION OF INSHORE WATERS AND STREAMS AND TO IMPROVE THEIR EFFECTIVENESS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. WONG LAM, MR. JONES SAID TWO BILLS WERE BEING DRAFTED TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FUNDS SOUGHT TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT NEW LEGISLATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AS WELL AS FOR PLANNING, RESEARCH, AND MONITORING WORK ESSENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WATER POLLUTION CONTROL STRATEGY.

HE SAID THE FIRST ITEM OF NEW LEGISLATION, A NEW WATER POLLUTION CONTROL BILL TO LIMIT AND CONTROL THE DISCHARGE OF LIQUID EFFLUENTS, WAS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DRAFTING AND EXPECTED TO BE TABLED IN THE COUNCIL WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

THE OTHER NEW LEGISLATION, A WASTE DISPOSAL BILL, WOULD DEAL, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WITH THE DISPOSAL OF AGRICULTURAL WASTES WHICH WERE ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF STREAM POLLUTION.

MR. JONES SAID WITH ALL THIS, HE EXPECTED TO SEE A CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE IN THE SITUATION WHICH AT PRESENT WAS NOT ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY.

- - o ----------

SMOKE POLLUTION PROSECUTIONS * * M M *

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. NEIL HENDERSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THERE WERE 14 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST FACTORIES FOR EXCEEDING PERMITTED LIMITS FOR EMITTING SMOKE AND RELATED OFFENCES LAST YEAR.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE

M. BENNETT, MR. HENDERSON SAID THESE WERE AMONG THE 50 PROSECUTIONS TAKEN UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION DURING THE YEAR.

♦THERE WERE ALSO 17 PROSECUTIONS TAKEN OUT AGAINST FACTORIES FOR UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATIONS OF FURNACES, OVENS, OR CHIMNEYS,* HE SAID. ’

♦THE REMAINING 19 SIMILAR OFFENCES WERE COMMITTED MAINLY BY HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS,* HE ADDED.

-----0------

/19

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 19 -

MORE RESTRICTIVE APPROACH ON CIGARETTE COMMERCIALS ******

THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY INTENDS TO ADOPT A MORE RESTRICTIVE INTERPRETATION OF ITS CODES OF PRACTICE IN RESPECT OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISING AS PART OF THE MEASURES TO DISCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SMOKING.

THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. E.P. HO, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. HO SAID IN THE LIGHT OF THE MORE RESTRICTIVE APPROACH TO BE ADOPTED, A NUMBER OF CURRENT CIGARETTE COMMERCIALS WOULD BE REVIEWED.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT APART FROM A VOLUNTARY CODE OF ADVERTISING PRACTICE BY THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY, A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO DISCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SMOKING.

THESE INCLUDE THE INCLUSION OF THE SUBJECT OF +SMOKING AND HEALTH+ IN THE HEALTH SOCIAL STUDIES AND BIOLOGY CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS IN PRIMARY 6 AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS- THE SHOWING OF EDUCATIONAL TV FILMS ON ANTI-SMOKING- A COMPETITION FOR THE BEST ANTI-SMOKING TEACHING KIT PREPARED BY TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, AND AN EXHIBITION ON THE DANGERS OF SMOKING AND DRINKING LAST SEPTEMBER.

MR. HO SAID THE COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS USEFUL IN EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF SMOKING AND THE EXHIBITION WAS ARRANGED BY STUDENTS AND THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

- o---------

/20

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 20 -

PASSAGE OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF DANGEROUS GOODS PROHIBITED THROUGH CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL

OHM*

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL (AMENDMENT) BY-LAWS 1979 TO PROHIBIT THE PASSAGE OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF DANGEROUS GOODS THROUGH THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL.

MOVING THE BY-LAWS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE PROHIBITION WAS TO SERVE AS A PRECAUTION IN VIEW OF RECENT TRAGIC INCIDENTS OVERSEAS INVOLVING SUCH SUBSTANCES.

♦THE AMENDMENTS, THEREFORE, PROVIDE FOR ALL VEHICLES CARRYING COMPRESSED GASES TO BE PROHIBITED FROM USING THE TUNNEL AS FROM JANUARY 15, 1979,+ HE SAID.

FOR VEHICLES CARRYING PETROLEUM AND OTHER SUBSTANCES GIVING OFF AN INFLAMMABLE VAPOUR, HE ADDED, THE PROHIBITION WOULD BE DEFERRED UNTIL JULY 1 TO GIVE THE OIL COMPANIES, THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY AND THE GOVERNMENT SUFFICIENT TIME TO MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TRANSPORT OF THESE PRODUCTS ACROSS THE HARBOUR.

EXEMPTIONS WERE ALSO EXTENDED TO THE FIRE SERVICES, AMBULANCE, POLICE AND CIVIL DEFENCE VEHICLES AND OTHER VEHICLES PERMITTED BY THE TUNNEL MANAGER TO USE THE TUNNEL IN AN EMERGENCY.

THE BY-LAWS WERE MADE BY THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED ON JANUARY 4.

------o-------

CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO SERVICING AND TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF TEMPORARY HOUSING RESIDENTS

* M * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT AT THE PLANNING STAGE OF TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO THE SERVICING AND TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF THE FUTURE RESIDENTS.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

♦AN ASSESSMENT IS MADE OF THE PEDESTRIAN ROUTES RESIDENTS ARE LIKELY TO ADOPT IN ORDER TO REACH PUBLIC TRANSPORT, MARKETS AND OTHER FACILITIES AND, DEPENDENT ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH CASE, FOOTPATHS, ZEBRA OR SIGNAL-CONTROLLED CROSSINGS OR TEMPORARY FOOTBRIDGES MAY BE PLANNED FOR INSTALLATION TO PHASE IN WITH THE COMPLETION AND OCCUPATION OF THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS,+ HE SAID.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS PRACTICE, MR. MCDONALD SAID, TEMPORARY FOOTBRIDGES WERE PROVIDED AT THE CORNWALL STREET AND MA CHAI HANG TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND A SIGNAL-CONTROLLED CROSSING WAS INSTALLED IN KOWLOON BAY.

------0-------

/21 ...

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 21 -

PLAN TO EXPAND VISION SCREENING PROGRAMME TO COVER 60,000 PRIMARY 1 CHILDREN k o a «

THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO EXPAND THE VISION SCREENING PROGRAMME THIS ACADEMIC YEAR TO COVER 60,000 PRIMARY 1 CHILDREN IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY IN REPLY TO THE QUESTION FROM THE HON. ANDREW SO IN RELATION TO VISUAL PROBLEMS OF STUDENTS.

MR. TOPLEY POINTED OUT THAT THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION HAD BEEN CONDUCTING VISION SCREENING IN GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS SINCE SEPTEMBER 1973.

+IT IS FOUND THAT ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF THE CHILDREN HAVE VISUAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS MYOPIA, HYPERMETROPI A, ASTIGMATISM AND SQUINTING. BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THESE SCREENING TESTS, THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS SUFFERING FROM MYOPIA AND OTHER EYE DEFECTS DOES NOT PRESENT A SERIOUS PROBLEM,* HE SAID.

ON EYE CARE, MR. TOPLEY SAID A PAMPHLET WAS NOW BEING JOINTLY PRODUCED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE JAYCEES AND WOULD BE ISSUED TO ALL SCHOOLS WHEN READY.

HE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD INCLUDED, IN BOTH THE PRIMARY HEALTH EDUCATION SYLLABUS AND THE JUNIOR SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM, ESSENTIAL TOPICS ON EYE CARE AND PREVENTION OF INJURIES TO EYES.

EVERY YEAR IN OCTOBER, HE SAID, A CIRCULAR WAS SENT ADVISING HEADS OF SCHOOLS TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE PUPILS ARE NOT SUBJECTED TO ANY UNDUE EYE STRAIN.

+ADVICE IS GIVEN ON LIGHTING AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME, ON PERSONA* HYGIENE AND ON THE PREVENTION OF EYE ACCIDENTS,* HE SAID.

+THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ISSUES GUIDELINES, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, TO SPECIFY THE SIZE OF PRINT AND THE TYPE OF PAPER TO BE USED FOR TEXTBOOKS,* MR. TOPLEY ADDED.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE +PROTECT YOUR EYE SIGHT CAMPAIGN* JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE JAYCEES LAST AUGUST WAS WELL SUPPORTED.

-----0------

/22

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

SITE INVESTIGATION WORK ON PROPOSED LANTAU FIXED CROSSING VIRTUALLY COMPLETE * * X X K

SITE INVESTIGATION WORK ON THE PROPOSED LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, THE LARGEST AND MOST AMBITIOUS HIGHWAY PROJECT IN HONG KONG, IS VIRTUALLY COMPLETE.

DR. Y. L. CHOI, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT ONE OF THE TWO SITE INVESTIGATIONS HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THE CONTRACTORS HAD REPORTED THEIR FINDINGS TO THE CONSULTANT FIRM, THE ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS GROUP OF HONG KONG.

THE GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AIMS TO ASCERTAIN THE LEVEL OF THE NATURE OF ROCK BETWEEN TSI NG Yl AND THE NORTHERN TIP OF LANTAU.

DR. CHOI SAID ANOTHER HYDROGRAPHIC AND GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION IN THE SAME AREA WAS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE AND THE CONTRACTORS WERE EXPECTED TO SUBMIT THEIR REPORT TO THE CONSULTANTS SHORTLY.

THE INVESTIGATION COMPRISES A COMPREHENSIVE CURRENT, HYDRO-GRAPHIC AND MARINE GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY AND A LIMITED LAND SEISMIC SURVEY.

+THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATIONS WILL PROVIDE THE CONSULTANTS WITH INFORMATION TO ENABLE OTHER SPECIALIST STUDIES SUCH AS MATHEMATICAL HYDRAULIC MODEL STUDIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN,* HE SAID.

+THESE STUDIES AND OTHER LINES OF RESEARCH WILL ENABLE THE CONSULTANTS TO RECOMMEND TO GOVERNMENT WHETHER THE MAIN CROSSING BETWEEN TSING Yl AND MA WAN SHOULD BE A BRIDGE, AN IMMERSED TUBE TUNNEL OR A BORED TUNNEL.*

DR. CHOI SAID THE CONSULTANTS WOULD SUBMIT THEIR FINAL PRELIMINARY REPORT TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN MARCH.

THIS REPORT WOULD TAKE DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE FINDINGS OF THESE INVESTIGATIONS AS WELL AS THE RESULTS OF A NUMBER OF OTHER INVESTIGATIONS AND STUDIES BEING CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.

THE REPORT WILL INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ALIGNMENT OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, INCLUDING TYPES OF CROSSING IN ADDITION TO DETAILS OF FULL COSTS AND CONSTRUCTION PHASING.

+AFTER RECEIPT OF THE REPORT AND DUE CONSIDERATION BY THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT BODIES, A DECISION WILL BE MADE ON WHETHER OR NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE DETAILED DESIGN OF THE PROJECT,* DR. CHOI SAID.

--------0 - -

/23

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 23 -

PLANS LAUNCHED TO IMPROVE LANTAU TRANSPORT FACILITIES M * X * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED A PROGRAMME OF ROAD IMPROVEMENT AND PROVISION OF NEW TRANSPORT FACILITIES TO ALLEVIATE THE INADEQUACY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT ON LANTAU DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

A $35 MILLION FIVE-YEAR ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME STARTED IN 1976 TO PROVIDE A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY FROM MUI WO TO TAI 0 AND A NEW FERRY PIER AND BUS CONCOURSE, COSTING ABOUT $12.5 MILLION WERE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND WOULD BE IN OPERATION AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, HE SAID.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID PUBLIC TRANSPORT ON LANTAU DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WAS NEITHER ADEQUATE FOR VILLAGERS NOR FOR PICNICKERS.

+THIS IS BECAUSE SOME 15,000 PICNICKERS GO TO LANTAU BY FERRY ON A NORMAL SUNDAY AND CREATE A DEMAND FOR TRANSPORT THAT CANNOT BE MET BY A WEEKDAY BUS FLEET WHICH SERVES A RESIDENT POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 15,000,+ HE SAID.

MR. AKERS-JONES ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE EXISTING SOUTH LANTAU ROAD -- THE ONLY TRANSPORT CORRIDOR ON THE ISLAND — COULD ONLY CARRY A LIMITED NUMBER OF VEHICLES, WHICH ALSO RESTRICTED BUS SERVICES.

TO ALLEVIATE THE SITUATION, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID, THE GOVERNMENT IN 1976 HAD STARTED WORK TO IMPROVE THE ROAD TO MAKE POSSIBLE THE OPERATION OF MORE BUSES AND THE INTRODUCTION OF DOUBLE DECKERS.

+THE BUS COMPANY HOPES TO OPERATE ITS FIRST DOUBLE-DECKERS NEXT YEAR, AND I HOPE THAT THE STANDARD OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES ON THE ISLAND WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THEREAFTER,* HE ADDED.

0---------

/24

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY EXPLAINED

X * M * M *

BROAD PLANNING STRATEGY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IS GENERALLY LAID DOWN IN OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLANS OR PLANNING GUIDES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

USING THESE AS GUIDES, AREAS WERE DETERMINED BY PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICER AS SUITABLE FOR MINOR LAYOUTS FOR RESIDENTIAL OR OTHER USES, HE SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

♦DETAILED LAYOUT PLANS ARE THEN PREPARED BY THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE SHOWING INDIVIDUAL SITES, ROAD SYSTEMS AND OTHER FEATURES,* HE SAID.

MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED THAT THESE PLANS WERE CIRCULATED TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR COMMENTS, AND DISCUSSED BETWEEN THE DISTRICT OFFICERS AND THE RURAL COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS BEFORE APPROVAL WAS GIVEN.

- - 0 -

/25

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 ******

A BILL WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSING TO EXEMPT FROM PROPERTY TAX ANY PROPERTY OWNED AND OCCUPIED BY CLUBS, TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND CLANS, FAMILIES OR T’ONGS.

SPEAKING AT THE SECOND READING OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THE EXEMPTION WAS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE THAT CLUBS OR SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS, NOT DEEMED TO BE CARRYING ON A BUSINESS, SHOULD BE TREATED ON A SIMILAR BASIS AS OWNERS OF PRIVATE RESIDENCES, AND SHOULD BE EXEMPT FROM PROPERTY TAX IN RESPECT OF PREMISES NOT EXPLOITED COMMERCIALLY.

ON TRADE OR PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM WERE CHARGEABLE TO PROFITS TAX AND, LIKE THOSE CLUBS WHICH WERE SO CHARGEABLE, THESE ASSOCIATIONS EFFECTIVELY ESCAPED LIABILITY TO PROPERTY TAX.

♦EXCEPTIONALLY, HOWEVER, A FEW SUCH ASSOCIATIONS, WHICH DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA WHICH DEEM A BUSINESS TO BE CARRIED ON, REMAIN FULLY LIABLE TO PROPERTY TAX,+ MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

ON PROPERTIES OWNED BY CLANS, FAMILIES OR T’ONGS SUCH AS CHI TONGS (ANCESTRAL HALLS) AND SHUE SHATS (STUDY LIBRARIES), MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT TO QUALIFY FOR EXEMPTION, THESE PROPERTIES WOULD NEED TO BE CERTIFIED, BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS OR BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AS APPROPRIATE, TO BE THE ANCESTRAL PROPERTY OF THE CLAN OR FAMILY OR THE PROPERTY OF THE T’ONG.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO BRING THE PROPOSED EXEMPTIONS INTO EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1979, FOR THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 1979-80, WHICH MEANT THAT THE CURRENT YEAR 1978-79 WOULD BE THE LAST YEAR FOR WHICH CLUBS OR SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS WOULD BE LIABLE TO PROPERTY TAX, UNLESS THEIR PREMISES WERE EXPLOITED COMMERCIALLY.

+THE ANNUAL LOSS OF REVENUE INVOLVED FROM 1979-80 ONWARDS WILL BE OF THE ORDER OF $2 MILLION,* HE SAID.

MR. HADDON-CAVE ADDED THAT THE BILL ALSO CONTAINED A QUITE SEPARATE AND MINOR AMENDMENT TO A SECTION OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE DESIGNED TO CLARIFY THE APPLICATION OF THAT SECTION TO THE CONCEPT OF NET ASSESSABLE VALUES FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

--------0 ----------

/26

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 26 -

PARTITION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978

K * * * KI X

THE PARTITION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AFTER BEING AMENDED.

AT THE DEBATE BEFORE IT WAS PASSED, THE HON. PETER C. WONG SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THE GOVERNMENT HAD DROPPED ONE OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WHICH WOULD ENABLE COURT PROCEEDING TO BE INSTITUTED IN RESPECT OF A PROPERTY WITHOUT THE CONCURRENCE OF THE MORTGAGEE.

MR. WONG SAID HE SUGGESTED THIS BECAUSE A SECTION OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE DEFINING THE PARTIES WHO MAY INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS WAS QUITE ADEQUATE.

IN REPLY THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, THE HON. GARTH THORNTON SAID HE HAD THE BENEFIT OF CONSULTATION WITH MR. WONG AND PROPOSED TO MOVE AN AMENDMENT TO GIVE EFFECT TO HIS SUGGESTION.

MR. THORNTON SAID THE SECTION WILL REMAIN IN THE STATUE BOOK AS AN APPLICATION FOR PARTITION +MAY BE MADE BY ANY ’PERSON INTERESTED’ IN THE PROPERTY.+

AND IN CASE OF A DISPUTE IT WOULD BE FOR THE COURTS TO DETERMINE WHO WOULD BE A +PERSON INTERESTED* FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SECTION.

--------o ----------

SIX BILLS PASSED KOO

SIX BILLS WERE PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THEY WERE THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1978 AND THE PARTITION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978.

-------u ---------

/27

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

- 27 -

BUS SERVICES ON HK ISLAND

XMK * X

THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE EXISTING BUS SERVICES PROVIDED FOR CHAI WAN, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR. JONES SAID THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY WAS NOT ALWAYS PROVIDING SUFFICIENT BUSES TO MEET THE OFFICIAL SCHEDULES AGREED WITH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.

AS A RESULT, HE NOTED, PASSENGERS HAD TO WAIT LONGER AT BUS STOPS AND TRAVEL IN MORE CROWDED CONDITIONS.

THE ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY POINTED OUT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BROUGHT THESE CIRCUMSTANCES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE BUS COMPANY, WHO HAD SINCE MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS.

■►FUNDAMENTALLY, HOWEVER,* HE STRESSED, +MORE FREQUENT SERVICES CAN BE PROVIDED ONLY BY ADDING TO THE TOTAL FLEET OF BUSES.*

LAST DECEMBER THE BUS COMPANY HAD DECIDED TO ORDER ADDITIONAL BUSES, MR. JONES SAID.

WHEN THESE NEW HIGH-CAPACITY VEHICLES WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE SERVICE, THERE SHOULD BE A GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT IN BUS SERVICES GENERALLY ON HONG KONG ISLAND, INCLUDING SERVICES TO CHAI WAN.

-----0------

GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS ON HOUSING OF CIVIL SERVANTS ******

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. MARTIN ROWLANDS SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BARRING UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO PUT PROPOSALS ON HOUSING OF CIVIL SERVANTS TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL FOR BROAD AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. ROWLANDS SAID STAFF ASSOCIATIONS WOULD BE CONSULTED AFTER THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL AGREED TO THESE PROPOSALS.

BUT HE WARNED THAT THE INITIAL FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF ANY SCHEME COULD BE COSTLY AND TIMING OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION WOULD NEED TO HAVE REGARD TO THE ECONOMIC AND BUDGETARY SITUATION AT THE TIME.

HOWEVER, HE ASSURED THAT EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WAS BEING DONE TO BRING ABOUT AN EARLY CONCLUSION TO *THIS IMPORTANT BUT COMPLEX ISSUE*.

0---------

/28

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

NO NECESSITY TO CONTROL GOLD AND SILVER MARKET M * * * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT SO FAR CONSIDERED IT NECESSARY TO EXERCISE CONTROL OVER THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. PETER C. WONG, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID: +THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY HAS A LONG HISTORY OF WELL CONDUCTED OPERATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT SO FAR CONSIDERED IT NECESSARY TO EXERCISE CONTROL OVER IT.+

HE ADDED: +1 AM, HOWEVER, A LITTLE UNEASY ABOUT THE EFFECT WHICH GOLD TRANSACTIONS MAY HAVE ON THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR FROM TIME TO TIME AND HAVE THIS ASPECT CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION.+

--------o

HK YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM AT OCEAN PARK

* * * *

THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AND OCEAN PARK WILL JOINTLY PRESENT A CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT 2.45 P.M. ON SATURDAY AT THE OCEAN THEATRE, OCEAN PARK.

THE ORCHESTRA, FORMED IN JULY 1978, HAS ALREADY GIVEN THREE CONCERTS AT THE CITY HALL AND THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL LAST YEAR.

IT ALSO PERFORMED WITH THE VISITING AVON SCHOOLS ORCHESTRA LAST AUGUST.

THE ORCHESTRA WILL VISIT THE UNITED KINGDOM AND TAKE PART AT THE 1979 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF YOUTH ORCHESTRAS IN AUGUST.

THE PROGRAMME ON SATURDAY INCLUDES BEETHOVEN’S EGMONT OVERTURE CARMEN SUITE BY BIZET, RADESKY MARCH BY STRAUSS AND OTHER WELL-KNOWN CHINESE WORKS.

- 0 --------

/29

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1979

WATER CUT

MM*

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY FOR NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, HONG WAH STREET, YUK WAH STREET, PO FUNG LANE, PO KWONG VILLAGE ROAD AND PO MING LANE AND TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE BLOCKS 57-60.

ON THE SAME NIGHT, SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF HOUSES IN WAN CHAI WILL ALSO BE CUT FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY (SATURDAY) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST.

THE HOUSES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY WAN CHAI ROAD, SOUTH SIDE OF JOHNSTON ROAD, LEE TUNG STREET, NORTH SIDE OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, INCLUDING SPRING GARDEN LANE, TAI YUEN STREET, STONE NULLAH LANE, TAI WO STREET AND CROSS STREET.

- 0 - -

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT

*****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY THE SECTION OF WAH HON STREET IN KWUN TONG FROM THE EASTERN JUNCTION OF NGAN YUET LANE AND WAN HON STREET TO SHU I WO STREET WILL BE ROUTED TWO-WAY FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE TELEPHONE TECHNICAL TRAINING SCHOOL.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY STRONGER, MORE SELF-CONFIDENT, SAYS TOWN MANAGER ............................................ 1

TALKS HELD BETWEEN KCR AND CANTON RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION .. 2

HONG KONG TO HOST WORLD TRADE SEMINAR ........................ 3

CASH AWARD FOR GOOD IDEAS .................................... 4

RECLAMATION IN CASTLE PEAK BAY .............................. 5

SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE .............. 6

CAS PASSING OUT PARADE ....................................... 7

WATER CUT..................................................... 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5*233191

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1979

TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY STRONGER, MORE SELF-CONFIDENT, SAYS TOWN MANAGER

* * * * X

THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN LOCAL ADMINISTRATION HAD STRENGTHENED THE NEW TOWN'S COMMUNITY AND INCREASED ITS SELF-CONFIDENCE.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION WAS NOW MORE CAPABLE OF IDENTIFYING AND DEALING WITH LOCAL PROBLEMS.

HE TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN ROTARY CLUB THAT MORE CHANNELS OF DIRECT COMMUNICATION NOW EXISTED BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE LOCAL PEOPLE THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TWO TOWN MANAGEMENT OFFICES AND THE OPENING OF THREE MORE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES.

MR. HAYES ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE NOW 121 +UNOFFICIALS SERVING ON THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, ITS SIX SUBCOMMITTEES AND ON THE NEW TOWN'S SEVEN AREA COMMITTEES.

+THROUGH SUCH CONTACTS, WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A GOOD AND GROWING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.

MR. HAYES SAID THE GROWTH OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TOWN WAS REFLECTED BY THE ENTHUSIASM TO ESTABLISH AND SUCCESSFULLY RUN MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN TSUEN WAN’S MANY HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.

+TW0 YEARS AGO THERE WERE JUST OVER 200 MAC’S BUT NOW THERE ARE ABOUT 350, ONE OF THE MANY HEALTHY SIGNS THAT OUR TOWN’S PEOPLE HAVE A GREATER AWARENESS OF THEIR OWN SURROUNDINGS AND THE NEEDS OF THEIR NEIGHBOURHOODS,* HE ADDED.

EARLIER IN THE DAY, MR. HAYES AND THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE TSUEN WAN PROJECT OFFICE, MR. NORMAN TUCKER, BRIEFED THE VISITING LABOUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, MR. JACK ASHLEY AND THE RT. HON. ALFRED MORRIS, ON THE LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE TOWN.

THE VISIT WAS HOSTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WHO TOOK THE MP’S FROM THEIR CENTRAL HOTEL TO THE TOP QF A 25-STOREY BUILDING IN TSUEN WAN WHERE THEY TOOK A BIRD’S EYEVIEW OF THE PROGRESS ON BUILDING A NEW TOWN FOR NEARLY A MILLION PEOPLE.

MR. AKERS-JONES TOOK MR. ASHLEY AND MR. MORRIS BACK TO CENTRAL BY GOVERNMENT LAUNCH TO GIVE THEM A CLOSE LOOK AT INDUSTRIAL AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS ON TSING Yl ISLAND AND AT KWAI CHUNG.

-------0----------

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1979

TALKS HELD BETWEEN KCR AND CANTON RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION ft * * ft * ft

DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD RECENTLY BETWEEN THE GENERAL MANAGER CF KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, MR. D.M. HOWES AND OFFICIALS OF THE CANTON RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION AS PART OF THE REGULAR EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST AND CONCERN.

THE MAIN EMPHASIS DURING THE TALKS WAS ON IMPROVING AND INCREASING THE EFFICIENT MOVEMENT OF FREIGHT TRAFFIC OF ALL KINDS BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG, A SPOKESMAN FOR KCR SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

HE SAID SUBSTANTIAL AGREEMENT WAS REACHED AND VARIOUS LINES CF ACTION WOULD BE UNDER DETAILED EXAMINATION BETWEEN THE TWO AUTHOR IT IES.

♦THERE WERE SOME DISCUSSION ON PASSENGER BUSINESS MATTERS, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS TO THE PROGRAMME OF SPECIAL TRAINS REQUIRED TO CATER FOR THE ANTICIPATED HEAVY AND INCREASED LEVELS OF TRAFFIC DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE ADDED THAT ONLY BRIEF REFERENCE WAS MADE TO THE TECHNICAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE POSSIBLE RE-INTRODUCTION OF A THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE.

IT WAS AGREED, HE SAID, THAT IF AND WHEN THE RESPECTIVE SIDES GAVE FORMAL APPROVAL AND DIRECTION TO THE RAILWAY ADMINISTRATIONS IN RESPECT OF THIS SERVICE, FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WOULD BE CONVENED TO FINALISE PROPOSALS IN DETAIL.

-------o---------

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1979

HONS KONG TO HOST WORLD TRADE SEMINAR * * * *

HONG KONG HAS AGAIN BEEN CHOSEN AS THE VENUE FOR AN INTERNATIONAL +SEMINAR ON MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS (MTN)+.

THE SEMINAR, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE FROM JANUARY 22 TO 26, IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP), THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD), THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) AND THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT.

TAKING PART WILL BE SOME 60 OFFICIALS FROM MORE THAN 20 DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES IN THE ESCAP REGION AND FROM THE SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS.

MR. DAVID JORDAN, DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, WILL OPEN THE SEMINAR ON MONDAY, JANUARY 22. THE LEADER OF THE

HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL BE MR. PETER TSAO, COUNSELLOR FOR

HONG KONG AFFAIRS IN GENEVA, WHO RETURNED TO HONG KONG RECENTLY

FOR CONSULTATIONS WITH THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT AND TO PREPARE FOR THE SEMINAR.

THE SEMINAR WILL PROVIDE COUNTRIES TO MEET AND DISCUSS

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPING PROBLEMS FACING THEM IN THE MTN.

THE LAST SEMINAR HELD BY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO DISCUSS THE MTN WAS HELD IN BANGKOK IN MAY 1978. A PREVIOUS SEMINAR WAS HELD IN HONG KONG IN 1976. THE PRESENT SEMINAR IS THE FIFTH OF ITS KIND TO BE HELD SINCE 1975.

THE MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS ARE AIMED AT LIBERALISING WORLD TRADE THROUGH TARIFF REDUCTIONS, THE REMOVAL OF NON-TARIFF BARRIERS, AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE DISCIPLINE FOR TAKING MEASURES TO PROTECT DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1979

CASH AWARD FOR GOOD IDEAS * * * *

A MARINE DEPARTMENT OFFICER TODAY (THURSDAY) RECEIVED $1,000 FOR HIS +UNSINKABLE+ BUOY INVENTION.

THE CASH AWARD TO THE INVENTOR, MR. T. FRAWLEY, IS THE HIGHEST GIVEN UNDER THE GOVERNMENT STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME INTRODUCED IN 1975.

MR. FRAWLEY’S INVENTION COMPRISED PLACING POLYSTYRENE FLOAT BLOCKS INTO BUOYS, THUS MAKING THEM +UNSINKABLE+ IN CASE OF COLLISION BY OCEAN-GOING VESSELS. THIS WOULD SAVE THE GOVERNMENT $150,400 FOR EACH BUOY AND ITS APPENDING EQUIPMENT RECOVERED AFTER EACH COLLISION.

ALSO UNDER THE SAME SCHEME, A SENIOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER IN THE POST OFFICE, MR. R.E. HUNT AND A PERSONAL SECRETARY IN GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, MRS. IRIS TANG HAVE EACH WON $100 FOR IMPROVING GOVERNMENT FILE COVERS AND USING CROSSINDEXING DEVICE TO ACHIEVE EASY REFERENCE IN FILE RECORDS.

IN A BRIEF CEREMONY TODAY, THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES, MR. IAN MACPHERSON, PRESENTED THE CASH AWARD TO MR. FRAWLEY.

DURING THE CEREMONY, MR. MACPHERSON HIGHLY COMMENDED W. FRAWLEY AS WELL AS OTHER RECIPIENTS FOR THEIR SUGGESTIONS AND CONCERN TO IMPROVE THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE.

- - o -

/5 ..

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1979

RECLAMATION IN CASTLE PEAK BAY

* * *

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM AN AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED OF ABOUT 7.3 HECTARES IN CASTLE PEAK BAY, TUEN MUN.

THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE USED PARTLY FOR OPEN SPACE AND PARTLY FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.

THE FILL FOR THE RECLAMATION WILL COME FROM PUBLIC DUMPING. THE NEW DUMPING AREA WILL REPLACE THE PRESENT ONE TO THE SOUTH OF TUEN MUN KAU HUI WHICH WILL SHORTLY BE CLOSED TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROAD.

THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED WILL BE DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN TOMORROW’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE NOTIFICATION.

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 OR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TUEN MUN, TUEN MUN BUILDING, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.

-------o---------

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1979

SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE * * * *

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE THREE SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE STATION ON SATURDAY.

THESE SPECIAL NON-STOP TRAINS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON STATION IN HUNG HOM AT 12.31 P.M., 12.57 P.M. AND 1.12 P.M.

ON THE RETURN JOURNEY, THERE WILL BE THREE SPECIAL TRAINS TO BRING PASSENGERS BACK FROM THE RACE COURSE STATION TO KOWLOON STATION. IN ADDITION, KCR WILL RE-ROUTE THREE OF ITS SCHEDULED TRAINS VIA THE RACE COURSE STATION AT 4.31 P.M., 6.42 P.M. AND 7.16 P.M. TO PICK UP PASSENGERS.

THE RUNNING TIME OF THESE SPECIAL TRAINS IS 20 MINUTES AND THEIR TIMETABLES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT ALL RAILWAY STATIONS AND AT THE JOCKEY CLUB’S OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES.

A KCR SPOKESMAN ENCOURAGED THOSE GOING BY PRIVATE CARS TO MAKE USE OF THE HUNG HOM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK ABOVE KOWLOON STATION.

♦APART FROM SEVERAL BUS CONNECTING ROUTES, THERE ARE FERRY SERVICES OPERATING BETWEEN CENTRAL, WAN CHAI AND NORTH POINT AND THE HUNG HOM PIER WHICH IS A FEW MINUTES WALK FROM THE STATION TERMINAL,* HE ALSO SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE TIMETABLES OF THE SCHEDULED TRAIN SERVICES HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY AMENDED. THE REVISED TIMETABLES BETWEEN 10.30 A.M. AND 11 P.M. ARE:

A.M., 12.11 P.M., 1.22 P.M.

P.M., 3.07 P.M., 3.54 P.M.

P.M., 5.38 P.M., 6.56 P.M.

P.M., 8.32 P.M., 9.21 P.M. AND

FROM KOWLOON STATION: 11.09

2.20

5.07

7.46

11 P.M.

FROM LO WU STATION:

10.52 A.M., 11.51 A.M., 12.49 P.M.,

1.43 P.M., 3.00 P.M., 3.38 P.M.,

4.35 P.M., 5.48 P.M., 6.28 P.M.,

7.25 P.M., 8.27 P.M., AND 9.28 P.M.

-------0 ---------

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1979

CAS PASSING OUT PARADE

******

THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. TED NICHOLS WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT A PASSING OUT PARADE OF 120 CIVIL AID SERVICES RECRUITS AT THE CAS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE ON SUNDAY.

THE RECRUITS, INCLUDING WOMEN, HAVE JUST COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING IN FOOTDRILL, FIRST AID AND OTHER RELATED SUBJECTS. THEY WILL BE POSTED TO VARIOUS UNITS FOR OPERATIONAL TRAINING AND

ACTIVE DUTY

MR. NICHOLS WILL ALSO PRESENT SPECIAL CERTIFICATES AND CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS DURING THE PARADE.

THE CAS BAND WILL PROVIDE MUSIC DURING THE CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PASSING OUT PARADE OF CIVIL AID SERVICES RECRUITS ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, AT 10 A.M. AT THE CAS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE, 204 ARGYLE STREET, KOWLOON. THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.

MR. TED NICHOLS WILL TAKE THE SALUTE.

- 0 -

WATER CUT * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.

THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND KWEILIN STREET, INCLUDING PEI HO STREET, TAI NAN STREET, KI LUNG STREET, YU CHAU STREET AND APLIU STREET.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

NEW LICENCE FOR COMMERCIAL RADIO ........................... 1

CROWN LAND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 .......................... 2

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS LOOK AT HK’S CLOTHING INDUSTRY .... 3

D.S.W. TO OPEN SHELTERED WORKSHOP FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS ................................................... 4

SHA TIN TO GET GENERAL CLINIC .............................. 5

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR SHEK WU HUI ..................... 6

PENG CHAU RECLAMATION FOR INDUSTRIAL, RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ................................................ 7

MUI WO RECLAMATION ......................................... 7

AMENDED PEAK OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ........................... 8

ROADS RE-NAMED ............................................. 8

SPECIAL TRAINS TO RACE COURSE STATION ..................... 9

SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS FOR SHA TIN SITES INVITED ...... 10

COMMUNICATION - AN IMPORTANT AIM OF EDUCATION.............. 11

TWO NEW POLLING STATIONS FOR URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION ....... 12

30 MILES PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT.............................. 12

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

NEW LICENCE FOR COMMERCIAL RADIO

*****

A NEW LICENCE IS TO BE ISSUED TO THE HONG KONG COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING CO., LTD. (COMMERCIAL RADIO) FOR A 10-YEAR PERIOD WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 26, 1979.

THE ORIGINAL LICENCE WAS GRANTED TO COMMERCIAL RADIO IN 1959 FOR A PERIOD OF 15 YEARS. IT WAS RENEWED IN 1974 FOR A FURTHER PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.

MR. NIGEL WATT, COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING THE PROVISIONS OF THE LICENCE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HE WELCOMED THIS DECISION.

HE SA IDs +COMMERCIAL RADIO HAS A GOOD RECORD OF PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY OVER A PERIOD OF NEARLY 20 YEARS AND TOGETHER WITH THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, HAS GIVEN THE COMMUNITY A WELL-BALANCED CHOICE OF PROGRAMMES.+

HE ADDEDt +1 AM SURE THE COMPANY WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A VALUABLE SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.+

THE AWARD TO COMMERCIAL RADIO OF A NEW 10-YEAR LICENCE UNTIL AUGUST 25, 1989 IS ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT GOVERNMENT MAY INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL COMMERCIAL RADIO STATIONS AND NEW BROADCASTING CONTROLS DURING THE PERIOD OF LICENCE. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO IMMEDIATE PLANS TO INTRODUCE SUCH COMPETITION.

GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED THAT A DECISION IN RESPECT OF ANY FURTHER RADIO COMPETITION SHOULD BE DEFERRED UNTIL THE SITUATION IN COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING, PARTICULARLY IN TELEVISION, HAS BECOME CLEARER AND MORE FINANCIALLY SECURE.

HONG KONG IS AT PRESENT WELL SERVED WITH EIGHT CHANNELS OF RADIO — FIVE PROVIDED BY RTHK AND THREE BY COMMERCIAL RADIO.

-------o---------

/2......

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

CROWN LAND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 ******

THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CROWN LAND ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE GREATER CONTROL OVER UNLAWFUL OCCUPATION OF UNLEASED LAND AND TO PROVIDE A SUMMARY REMEDY IN CASE OF UNLAWFUL CONVERSIONS OF AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES.

THE CROWN LAND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) WOULD ALSO WIDEN THE EXISTING POWER OF ENTRY AND INSPECTION, CREATE A NEW CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN RESPECT OF FALSE STATEMENTS AND CONFER BROADER POWERS ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE AMENDING LEGISLATIONS WERE DIRECTED AT TWO MAIN PROBLEM AREAS — THE UNAUTHORISED CHANGE OF USE OF STRUCTURES LAWFULLY ERECTED ON LAND LEASED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES AND THE UNLAWFUL OCCUPATION OF UNLEASED CROWN LAND.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE CROWN LAND ORDINANCE, THE AUTHORITY MIGHT, BY NOTICE, REQUIRE AN UNLAWFUL OCCUPATION OF UNLEASED LAND TO CEASE AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WOULD BE AN OFFENCE. IT WOULD ALSO ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE STRUCTURE AND DEMOLISH IT.

♦HOWEVER,+ HE SAID, +THE DELAY INVOLVED IN USING THIS PROCEDURE SOMETIMES PREVENTS ACTION BEING TAKEN WHEN THE AUTHORITIES DISCOVER AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN THE COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION OR HAS BEEN NEWLY BUILT BUT NOT OCCUPIED.

♦EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT MANY OF THESE STRUCTURES ARE BUILT BY RACKETEERS FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

HE SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD ENABLE AN UNLAWFUL STRUCTURE TO BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT NOTICE IF IT WAS EITHER IN THE COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION OR NOT BEING HABITUALLY AND BONA FIDE USED.

IT WOULD FURTHER MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON TO BE ENGAGED IN THE BUILDING OF AN UNLAWFUL STRUCTURE ON UNLEASED LAND OR FOR ANY PERSON TO ARRANGE OR DIRECT SUCH BUILDING WORKS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

IN ADDITION, HE SAID, THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD ALSO AMEND THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, WHICH EMPOWERED THE AUTHORITY TO DEMOLISH, AFTER GIVING NOTICE, UNLAWFUL STRUCTURES BUILT ON LEASED LAND, SO AS TO EXTEND THE PROVISION TO COVER THE UNLAWFUL CHANGE OF USE OF AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES.

/HE SAID: ......

3 -

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

HE SAIDt +WHERE THERE HAS BEEN AN UNLAWFUL CONVERSION THE AUTHORITY MAY SERVE A NOTICE ON THE LESSEE OR LICENSEE OF THE LAND REQUIRING THE WRONGFUL USE TO BE DISCONTINUED AND, IF THE AUTHORITY THINKS FIT. REQUIRING THE STRUCTURE TO BE RESTORED TO USE FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES.

+IF THE NOTICE IS NOT COMPLIED WITH, THE AUTHORITY CAN ENTER THE LAND AND DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURE.♦

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE AMENDING LEGISLATION WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A NEW SECTION TO CONFER WIDER POWERS OF ENTRY ON TO LEASED LAND.

+EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT THESE POWERS ARE NECESSARY, IN THE CONTEXT OF SQUATTER CLEARANCE OPERATIONS, TO ASCERTAIN THE NUMBERS OF PERSONS REQUIRING RE-HOUSING AND THE ASSESSMENT OF COMPENSATION AND ALLOWANCES,+ HE SAID.

-----o------

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS LOOK AT HK’S CLOTHING INDUSTRY *****

SIR PAUL AND LADY BRYAN TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED ONE OF HONG KONG’S LEADING CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS.

THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. DAVID JORDAN AND MRS JORDAN ACCOMPANIED SIR PAUL AND LADY BRYAN DURING THEIR ONE-HOUR VISIT TO SAN’S CLOTHING FACTORY IN TO KWA WAN.

THE PARTY WAS SHOWN OVER THE MODERN MULTI-STOREY FACTORY BY THE DIRECTOR AND MANAGER, MR. JAMES HSIN.

SAN’S CLOTHING FACTORY, WHICH EMPLOYS SOME 1,700 STAFF. PRODUCES MAINLY SHIRTS, JACKETS, BLOUSES, TROUSERS AND RAINCOATS FOR EXPORT TO EUROPE.

SIR PAUL BRYAN, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE ANGLO-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP IN BRITAIN, AND LADY BRYAN ARE VISITING HONG KONG FOR ONE WEEK AS GUESTS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.

-----o ----

A....

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

D.S.W. TO OPEN SHELTERED WORKSHOP FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS ******

THE FIRST SHELTERED WORKSHOP FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE, ABERDEEN.

WITH A MAXIMUM CAPACITY FOR 140, THE WORKSHOP AIMS AT ENCOURAGING THE INTEGRATION OF EX-MENTAL PATIENTS INTO THE COMMUNITY BY ENABLING THEM TO CARRY ON A USEFUL WORKING LIFE.

GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED, THE WORKSHOP WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE.

WITH ITS CAPITAL COST FINANCED BY THE LOTTERIES FUND THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE PROJECT IS RUN BY THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION.

THE WORKSHOP CATERS FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 60 YEARS AND PROVIDES VARIOUS FORMS OF SIMPLE INDUSTRIAL WORK.

IT ENABLES THEM TO ACQUIRE WORKING HABITS AND MOTIVES, AS WELL AS TO REGAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE BEFORE RETURNING TO THE SOCIETY AND OPEN EMPLOYMENT ---- A MAJOR STEP IN THEIR

REHABILITATION PROCESS.

ADMISSIONS ARE BY WAY OF REFERRALS MADE BY SOCIAL WORKERS OR MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WONG CHUK HANG SHELTERED WORKSHOP FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS, RUN BY THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION AT WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE, BLOCK 10, ROOMS 017-032. THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 11 A.M. THE ASSOCIATION WILL PROVIDE PRESS TRANSPORT, WHICH WILL LEAVE AT 10 A.M. FROM OUTSIDE QUEEN’S PIER IN CENTRAL.

-------o---------

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

SHA TIN TO GET GENERAL CLINIC *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITED TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TYPE OF GENERAL CLINIC IN LEK YUEN ESTATE TO SERVE SHA TIN RESIDENTS.

MR. S.C. KWAN, CHIEF ARCHITECT OF PWD’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO A GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT AND A FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRE, THE SEVEN-STOREY CLINIC WOULD HAVE A HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, A DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE AND A PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY.

HE SAID WORK ON THE PROJECT, FINANCED BY THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, WOULD START IN APRIL AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.

TENDERS WERE ALSO CALLED TODAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TYPE OF STANDARD URBAN CLINIC AT N6AU TAU KOK, KOWLOON.

THE CLINIC WILL SERVE PEOPLE LIVING IN KOWLOON BAY, NGAU TAU KOK AND KWUN TONG AREAS.

APART FROM THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT AND THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRE, IT WILL HAVE A MATERNITY HOME WITH 24 BEDS AND FOUR DAY WARDS WITH A TOTAL OF 60 BEDS FOR BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PATIENTS.

THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS APPROVED A GRANT OF $1.7 MILLION TOWARDS THE COST OF THE SCHEME.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AROUND MAY FOR COMPLETION IN JULY NEXT YEAR.

-------o ---------

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR SHEK WU HUI

* * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO BUILD A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AS PART OF THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR THE 170,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE TO LIVE IN THE FAN L ING-SHEUNG SHUI-SHEK WU HUI AREA.

SITE FORMATION WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST PHASE, COSTING ABOUT S83 MILLION, IS EXPECTED TO GET UNDER WAY LATER THIS YEAR.

THE NEW PLANT IS TO BE INSTALLED NORTH-WEST OF THE PILOT TREATMENT PLANT BUILT AT SHEUNG SHU I FOUR YEARS AGO.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TAI PO AND FAN LING DEVELOPMENT OFFICE SAID TODAY (FIRDAY) THE FIRST PHASE, DUE FOR COMPLETION IN TWO YEARS, HAD BEEN DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA, INCLUDING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AT FAN LING AND SHEK WU HUI AS WELL AS PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

+EVENTUALLY, A PLANT WILL BE OPERATING TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE DEVELOPMENT AREA’S PROJECTED POPULATION OF 170,000 BY THE MID-80’S,+ HE ADDED.

TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LAND FOR THE PROJECT, THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESUME ABOUT 170,000 SQUARE METRES OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND NORTH OF THE EXISTING PLANT AT SHEUNG SHU I, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE.

HE SAID LAND EXCHANGE AND COMPENSATION AT CURRENT RATES WOULD BE OFFERED ALONG WITH EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS FOR CROPS, FENCES, IRRIGATION PIPES AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

/?......

-------o - - - -

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

PENG CHAU RECLAMATION FOR INDUSTRIAL, RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT *******

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM NEARLY 8.5 HECTARES OF LAND AT PENG CHAU FOR INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

THE RECLAMATION, TOTALLING 8.34 HECTARES, IS TO BE DONE AS PART OF THE PENG CHAU DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE, AND WILL PROVIDE LAND IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE ISLAND.

IT WILL BE USED FOR PUBLIC AND VILLAGE-TYPE HOUSING, GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONAL, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMUNITY USE. THERE WILL BE AREAS FOR A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT, ABATTOIR AND AN INCINERATOR.

THE EXTENT OF THE FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTIFICATION IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL, OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN IWO MONTHS.

THE NOTICE IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WITH THE RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN ON BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.

THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, FIRST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG- THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR OF THE SAME BUILDING- OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE ISLANDS, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, FOURTH FLOOR, 141 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

------0-------

MUI WO RECLAMATION * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SEA BED OF ABOUT 1.18 HECTARES

RECLAIM AN AREA OF FORESHORE AND AT MUI WO ON LANTAU.

THIS AREA, TOGETHER WITH THE ADJACENT AREA PREVIOUSLY

GAZETTED FOR MUI WO DEVELOPMENT, WILL BE USED AS SITES FOR A SAND DEPOT, AN INCINERATOR AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES.

THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM FOR PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE NOTIFICATION.

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 OR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE ISLANDS, FOURTH FLOOR, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 141 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

o--------

/8......

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

AMENDED PEAK OUTLINE ZONING PLAN * * * *

THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED AN AMENDED OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR THE PEAK AREA.

UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, PREVIOUSLY ZONED GREEN BELT AREA IS EXCLUDED FROM THE PLAN, AS IT IS NOW PART OF THE ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK.

THE AMENDED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND EASTERN) ENQUIRY SUBOFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG.

COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN ARE ALSO ON SALE AT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AT 35 FOR AN UNCOLOURED COPY.

ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT TO THE PLAN MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, HONG KONG.

OBJECTIONS AND SUGGESTED ALTERATIONS TO THE PLAN SHOULD REACH THE SECRETARY BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 1979.

ROADS RE-NAMED * * X

THREE ROADS IN KOWLOON HAVE BEEN DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC AND POSTAL SERVICES.

THEY ARE CHATHAM ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET.

THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, THE SECTION OF CHATHAM ROAD NORTH OF HONG CHONG ROAD HAS BEEN RE-NAMED CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, WHILE THE SECTION SOUTH OF HONG CHONG ROAD IS NOW CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH.

THE SECTION OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST OF TAK KU LING ROAD IS NOW CALLED PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, AND ITS EASTERN SECTION WITH TAK KU LING ROAD RE-NAMED PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST.

SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET NORTH OF PLAYING FIELD ROAD HAS BEEN RE-NAMED SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET NORTH AND ITS SECTION SOUTH OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET SOUTH.

IN A SEPARATE NOTICE, A THOROUGHFARE IN CHUNG HOM KOK, ON HONG KONG ISLAND, HAS BEEN NAMED CHING SAU LANE.

THE LANE STARTS AT ITS JUNCTION WITH CHUNG HOM KOK ROAD, RUNS IN A NORTH-EASTERLY DIRECTION AND THEN TURNS EAST FOR A TOTAL DISTANCE OF ABOUT 140 METRES.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

SPECIAL TRAINS TO RACE COURSE STATION *****

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE THREE SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE STATION ON SUNDAY.

THESE SPECIAL NON-STOP TRAINS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON STATION IN HUNG HOM AT 12.16 P.M., 12.35 P.M. AND 1.14 P.M.

ON THE RETURN JOURNEY, THERE WILL ALSO BE THREE SPECIAL TRAINS TO BRING PASSENGERS BACK FROM RACE COURSE STATION TO KOWLOON.

THE RUNNING TIME OF THESE SPECIAL TRAINS IS 20 MINUTES AND THEIR TIMETABLES ARE DISPLAYED AT ALL RAILWAY STATIONS AND AT THE JOCKEY CLUB’S OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES,

A KCR SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) ENCOURAGED MOTORISTS TO MAKE USE OF THE HUNG HOM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK ABOVE KOWLOON STATION.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED PEOPLE GOING ON PICNIC ON SUNDAY THAT THE TIMETABLES OF RETURN JOURNEYS TO THE URBAN AREA HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY ADJUSTED. THE REVISED TIMETABLES OF SCHEDULED TRAINS BETWEEN 10.30 A.M. AND 11 P.M. ARE:

FROM KOWLOON STATION: 9.56 A.M., 10.25 A.M., 11.17 A.M., 11.49 A.M., 1.01 P.M., 1.46 P.M., 2.29 P.M., 3.44 P.M., 5 P.M., 6.37 P.M., 7.26 P.M., 7.55 P.M., 8.48 P.M., 9.53 P.M., 11.02 P.M.

FROM LO WU STATION: 10.13 A.M., 11.05 A.M., 11.57 A.M., 12.41 P.M., 1.51 P.M., 2.32 P.M., 3.38 P.M., 4.32 P.M., 5.28 P.M., 6.33 P.M.,7.57 P.M., 8.54 P.M., 9.39 P.M.

0 -------

/10 .

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS FOR SHA TIN SITES INVITED

*****

THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENANCY OF TWO LARGE INDUSTRIAL TOWN TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY SITES OPERATORS SEEKING ACCOMMODATION

TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM SITES AT TAI WAI IN SHA TIN NEW FOR CONCRETE BATCHING PLANT IN THE DISTRICT.

THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR

___________________________ OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, ROGER THOMPSON SAID TODAY (FRIDAY): +THESE SITES, CARRYING

THREE-YEAR TENANCY AGREEMENTS, PROVIDES AN INTERIM MEASURE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE OPERATORS ARE ABLE TO RELOCATE THEMSELVES IN PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION.*

THE SITES, EACH MEASURING ABOUT 1,107 SQUARE METRES, ARE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA OF TAI WAI AND HAVE EASY ACCESS TO KOWLOON AND OTHER NEW TERRITORIES AREAS THROUGH THE SHA TIN TRUNK ROAD.

TENDERS FOR THE SITES WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JANUARY 19.

TENDER FORMS, TENDER NOTICE AND AGREEMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS OR ANY OF ITS SEVEN DISTRICT OFFICES.

_ _ o - -

FR IDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

COMMUNICATION AN IMPORTANT AIM OF EDUCATION * * *

EXAMINATIONS CANNOT MEASURE EVERYTHING AND THERE IS FAR MORE TO LIFE THAN EXAMINATION RESULTS, MR. ARTHUR BROWN, SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT) SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE ADDED THAT HE FELT SURE THAT IN THE FUTURE EXAMINATIONS WOULD PLAY A FAR LESS IMPORTANT ROLE THAN AT PRESENT.

MR. BROWN WAS SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES AT THE CLEMENTI MIDDLE SCHOOL CENTRE. THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES ARE PART-TIME COURSES OF SIX-YEAR DURATION AND LEAD TO THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.

TURNING TO THE WIDER AIM OF EDUCATION, HE SAID: +1 THINK IT IS TO LEARN TO DEVELOP OUR SKILLS AND INTERESTS, TO LEARN TO WORK AND CO-OPERATE WITH OTHER PEOPLE, TO HAVE A FEELING FOR THE WORLD AROUND US, TO LEARN TO EXPRESS OURSELVES SO THAT WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS AND TO LEARN THE TECHNIQUES OF LEARNING SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO STUDY THE THINGS WE NEED, OR THAT INTEREST US, AFTER WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR COURSE OF FORMAL EDUCATION.+

IN PARTICULAR, MR. BROWN STRESSED THE NEED TO LEARN TO COMMUNICATE, WHICH HE FELT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL THE AIMS OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.

+1 THINK THAT WE MUST ALL STRIVE TO IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH SO THAT WE CAN PASS ON OUR IDEAS TO OTHER PEOPLE AND RECEIVE IDEAS FROM THEM,* HE SAID.

NOTING THAT WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIVERSAL EDUCATION UP TO FORM III LEVEL THERE WOULD BE VERY LITTLE NEED FOR EVENING COURSES COVERING LOWER SECONDARY WORK, MR. BROWN SAID THIS WOULD INEVITABLY AFFECT THE NATURE OF PART TIME SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES.

+SCHOOLS RUNNING THESE COURSES WILL THEREFORE BE ABLE TO TURN TO THE JOB OF PROVIDING PART TIME UPPER SECONDARY COURSES FOR THOSE NEEDING TO START WORK AFTER COMPLETING FORM III WHO WOULD LIKE BOTH TO EARN SOME MONEY AND CONTINUE WITH THEIR EDUCATION,* HE SAID.

- 0 -

/15 . . .

/ — • • •

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1979

URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION — TWO NEW POLLING STATIONS ******

TWO NEW POLLING STATIONS WILL REPLACE THE TWO AT PERTH STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY SAN PO KONG SUB-OFFICE, THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FR IDAY).

THE TWO NEW STATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION THIS YEAR WILL BE AT THE HO MAN TIN GOVERNMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL AT 8 PERTH STREET AND NG WAH COLLEGE AT 5 CHOI HUNG ROAD.

THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS, MR. KUO KET-CHEN SAID 2,579 PEOPLE HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE AT THE PERTH STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL POLLING STATION WHILE 1,603 HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE AT THE SAN PO KONG VENUE.

+EACH OF THESE ELECTORS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY A PERSONAL LETTER ON THE CHANGE OF POLLING STATIONS,* MR. KUO SAID.

--------0---------

30 MILES PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT ******

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT AS MM?T12nA|’MLr°?MDAecAY (JANUARY 15), A 30 MILES PER HOUR SPEED E'^'T.W’LL BE IMP0SED ON CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AT TSENG LAN SHUE FROM A POINT ABOUT 140 METRES EAST OF THE 6-1/2 MILESTONE TO

METRES EAST OF THE JUNCTION TO CLEAR WATER BAY ArAR TMENTS•

TAKEN T0 IMFR0VE THE SAFEly 0F B0TH

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- o-----------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

/ I

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1979

CONTENTS PACE NO.

SIR PAUL BRYAN SEES BIG CHANGES IN TSUEN WAN.............. 1

COMPETITION TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF PUBLIC HEALTH ........ 3

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY COURSE FOR TEACHERS .................. 4

NEW WORKSHOP FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS ...................... 5

WORK ON PHASE II OF DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL ............. 6

CARNIVAL ON FIRE PREVENTION THEME ........................ 7

LABOUR COMMISSIONER TO VISIT CONTAINER TERMINAL .......... 7

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN QUARRY BAY ....................... B

FIRING PRACTICE .......................................... B

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1979

- 1 -

SIR PAUL BRYAN SEES BIG CHANGES IN TSUEN WAN ******

SIR PAUL BRYAN, MP, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ANGLO-PARLIAMENTARY GROUP SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) HE ADMIRED THE SCOPE AND SPEED OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND THE HUMANITY WITH WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WAS TACKLING THE CLEARANCE PROBLEM INVOLVED.

AFTER A VISIT TO TSUEN WAN WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, SIR PAUL SAID HE WAS TREMENDOUSLY IMPRESSED BY THE BIG CHANGES THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE SINCE HE LAST VISITED THE TOWN MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO.

♦UNLIKE SHA TIN, WHERE YOU ARE STARTING FROM THE PADDY FIELD SO TO SPEAK THERE ARE MANY CLEARANCES INVOLVED IN THE REDEVELOPMENT AREAS OF TSUEN WAN, AND ONE CAN ONLY ADMIRE THE SPEED AND SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME AND I MUST SAY THE HUMANITY WITH WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS HANDLING SUCH PROBLEM,♦ HE SAID.

SIR PAUL AND LADY BRYAN, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, FLEW IN BY HELICOPTER TO KEEP HIMSELF UP TO DATE ON THE GROWTH OF THE TOWN.

HE SAW WHAT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, DESCRIBED AS +DRAMATIC CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS WHICH HAVE CHANGED THE FACE OF THE TOWN.+

MR. HAYES AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES TOOK SIR PAUL AND THE PARTY TO THE ROOF OF THE 25-STOREY FOU WAH CENTRE WHICH COMMANDS A SWEEPING VIEW OF THE SURROUNDING TSUEN WAN AREA. THEY WERE JOINED BY THE TSUEN WAN PROJECT MANAGER, MR. F.E. SHORT, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS) OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, JOHN HEYWOOD.

/MB. HAYES.....

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1979

2 -

MR. HAYES POINTED OUT THAT SINCE SIR PAUL’S LAST VISIT

TO TSUEN WAN IN SEPTEMBER, 1976 :

* TWO SPORTSGROUNDS, ONE A FOUR-HECTARE COMPLEX, HAVE BEEN OPENED AND WORK HAS STARTED ON A 1,500-SEAT TOWN HALL AND CULTURAL COMPLEX AND AN INDOOR SPORTS STADIUM.

X FIVE NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND ANOTHER FIVE ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION. WORK IS ALSO IN PROGRESS ON A LARGE NEW POLYCLINIC.

X PUBLIC HOUSING HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR MORE THAN 60,000 PEOPLE WITH ACCOMMODATION READY FOR ANOTHER 52,000 BY MARCH, 1981.

X TWO HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PROJECTS TO PROVIDE 1,000 FLATS BEFORE 1981 HAVE STARTED.

X THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY EXTENSION TO TSUEN WAN IS NOW UNDER WAY TOGETHER WITH AN AMBITIOUS REDEVELOPMENT AND URBAN RENEWAL PROGRAMME IN NORTH TSUEN WAN ON BOTH SIDES OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

+WORK IS GOING AHEAD FULL STEAM ON ALL MANNER OF PROJECTS EVERYWHERE IN THE TOWN,+ MR. HAYES SAID. *IN SHORT, TSUEN WAN THROBS WITH ENERGY.*

SIR PAUL, WHO IS ON A PRIVATE VISIT, ALSO TOOK TIME OUT OF HIS MORNING SCHEDULE TO HAVE A LOOK AT ANOTHER OF THE GOVERNMENT’S KEY PROJECTS -- THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME.

WITH LADY BRYAN AND SIR MURRAY, HE FLEW FROM TSUEN WAN TO LEADMINE PASS TO INSPECT THE FACILITIES AT THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK, ONE OF THE 19 WHICH WILL COVER ABOUT HALF THE TERRITORY BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.

THEY WERE MET BY MR. MARTIN LEWIS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, WHO GAVE A BRIEFING ON THE PROGRAMME AS THE PARTY STROLLED THROUGH SOME OF THE PARK’S PICNIC AND BARBECUE AREAS WHERE FAMILIES AND GROUPS OF YOUNGSTERS WERE ENJOYING A SATURDAY MORNING +BREAK+.

MR. LEWIS SAID THAT WITH HONG KONG BEING SO HEAVILY URBANISED, IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDE AND PRESERVE A COUNTRYSIDE +LUNG+.

ALL THE DEVELOPING NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, HE POINTED OUT, WOULD BE SURROUNDED BY COUNTRY PARKS, GIVING RESIDENTS SATISFYING AND WELL-MANAGED RECREATIONAL OUTLETS +0N THEIR OWN DOORSTEPS*.

--------o----------

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1979

- 3 -

COMPETITION TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF PUBLIC HEALTH * * * ft ft ft

A HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL TO PROMOTE THE AWARENESS AND INTEREST IN PUBLIC HEALTH AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS CAN SUBMIT ENTRIES ON ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE THEMES I HOW YOU CAN HELP CLEAN HONG KONG-PERSONAL HYGIENE AND YOUR HEALTH- AND SAFETY IN SWIMMING.

THE THEME CHOSEN SHOULD BE ILLUSTRATED TO FORM AN INTERESTING AND EYE-CATCHING DISPLAY IN A FLOOR AREA MEASURING 10 FEET SQUARE, WITH A HEIGHT NOT EXCEEDING SEVEN FEET.

THE DISPLAY MAY INCLUDE PICTURES, PHOTOGRAPHS, MODELS, SPECIMENS, GRAPHS, CHARTS. FEATURE ARTICLES AND OTHER SUITABLE AND RELEVANT MATERIAL. CAPTION MAY EITHER BE IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH, OR BOTH.

EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUBSIDY UP TO $150 FOR BUYING ART MATERIALS.

COMPETING SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO PUT UP THEIR DISPLAYS AT THEIR SCHOOLS BETWEEN FEBRUARY 26 AND MARCH 3 WHEN JUDGING WILL BE CARRIED OUT.

THE WINNERS OF THE FIRST FIVE PRIZES WILL EACH RECEIVE A TROPHY AND CASH AWARDS RANGING FROM $1,800 TO $700. THERE WILL ALSO BE 10 MERIT PRIZES, AND EACH WINNER WILL RECEIVE $500.

A JOINT EXHIBITION OF THE PRIZE-WINNING PROJECTS WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL FROM MARCH 22 TO 25. THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION AT 3 P.M. ON MARCH 22.

SOUVENIR PLAQUES WILL BE PRESENTED TO ALL THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY.

A BEST ARTWORK DESIGN PRIZE IN THE FORM OF A TROPHY WILL BE AWARDED TO THE PROJECT WITH THE BEST ARTWORK, AND THE JUDGING OF THIS WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THE EXHIBITION.

TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE EFFORTS OF THE PARTICIPANTS, THE THREE BEST PROJECTS WILL BE SELECTED AND ARRANGED FOR DISPLAY AT VARIOUS COMMUNITY CENTRES OR SCHOOLS HALLS BY ROTATION AT THE END OF THE JOINT EXHIBITION.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS FEBRUARY 12. ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE COMPETITION MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR (HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, TELi 5-774001 EXT. 33, OR THE SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR, HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TEL. 5-279446.

------0-------

/4....

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1979

4 -

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY COURSE FOR TEACHERS ft ft ft ft ft ft

MORE AND MORE STRESS IS BEING PLACED UPON THE NEED TO DEVELOP PROFICIENCY IN LANGUAGE AND TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS OF TEACHERS, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY , DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A REFRESHER COURSE IN ENGLISH RUN BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL FOR 50 TEACHERS FROM GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSE WITH ABOUT 120 HOURS DURATION SPREADING OVER THREE MONTHS, IS TO IMPROVE THE TEACHERS* ORAL PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH AND TO DEVELOP THEIR COMMUNICATION SKILLS.

IT IS A PILOT PROJECT AND, IF PROVED SUCCESSFUL, THE SCHEME MAY BE EXPANDED SO THAT ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH WHO WISH TO ATTEND MAY EVENTUALLY BE OFFERED PLACES.

MR. TOPLEY SAIDi *THE PRIMARY SECTOR HAS BEEN CHOSEN FOR THE FIRST OF THESE COURSES SINCE THE ENGLISH TEACHERS HERE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS OF PUPILS’ ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITY.*

THE PROGRESS OF THE COURSE WILL BE MONITORED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE COLLEGES CF EDUCATION.

♦IF ENGLISH IS PROPERLY TAUGHT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, THE PUPILS CAN LEARN A GREAT DEAL, AND THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH IN PRIMARY SCHOOL WILL BE FURTHER IMPROVED,♦ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

HE ALSO COMMENDED THE BRITISH COUNCIL FOR ITS EFFORTS IN THE FIELD OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING.

NOTING THAT THERE ARE AT PRESENT OVER 6,000 STUDENTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE ENROLLED IN THE COUNCIL’S COURSES, MR. TOPLEY POINTED OUT THAT THE COUNCIL ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE SOCIAL NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS BY ENCOURAGING THEM TO USE THE FACILITIES AS THEY MIGHT IN A CLUB.

♦THERE IS A VERY PLEASANT , INFORMAL ATMOSPHERE HERE WHICH IS SO NECESSARY TO LANGUAGE LEARNING,* HE ADDED.

--------o - - - -

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1979

NEW WORKSHOP FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS ******

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THE WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION PUBLISHED IN 1977 HAD POINTED TO THE NEED FOR CONTINUED COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN HELPING EX-MENTAL PATIENTS REGAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE AND WORKING ABILITY.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF HONG KONG ISLAND’S FIRST

SHELTERED WORKSHOP FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS IN WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE, HE SAID: +SUPPORT IS PARTICULARLY NECESSARY FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN PROVIDING VARIOUS FORMS OF REHABILITATION SERVICES.*

MR. LEE SAID THE REHABILITATION WHITE PAPER HAD RECOMMENDED THE PROVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES SUCH AS SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND HOSTELS FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS, APART FROM AN EXPANSION OF bEDICAL FACILITIES.

THE WONG CHUK HANG WORKSHOP, FINANCED BY THE LOTTERIES FUND THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IS RUN BY THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION.

MR. LEE PRAISED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS WORK IN MENTAL WELFARE AND SAID IT HAD BEEN IN CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT IN PROVIDING A NUMBER OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS.

THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE TWO HALF-WAY HOUSES, A +NEW LIFE* FARM, A HOSTEL AND A SHELTERED WORKSHOP IN KOWLOON.

HE DESCRIBED THE NEW WONG CHUK HANG WORKSHOP AS YET ANOTHER ACHIEVEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION WHICH HELPED EASE THE SHORTFALL OF SUCH FACILITIES.

WITH A MAXIMUM CAPACITY FOR 140, THE WORKSHOP AIMS AT ENCOURAGING THE INTEGRATION OF EX-MENTAL PATIENTS INTO THE COMMUNITY BY ENABLING THEM TO CARRY ON A USEFUL WORKING LIFE.

IT CATERS FOR THOSE AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 60 AND PROVIDES VARIOUS FORMS OF SIMPLE INDUSTRIAL WORK.

-----o--------

/6...

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1979

WORK ON PHASE II OF DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL TO BEGIN SOON

*****

THE SECOND PHASE OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL ADJACENT TO TSAN YUK HOSPITAL IN SAI YING PUN WILL START SOON, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).

MR. C.C. TAM, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR ARCHITECT IN CHARGE OF THE PROJECT SAIDi *WE HAVE ALREADY INVITED TENDERS FOR THE SECOND PHASE — THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN BUILDING — AND HOPE TO AWARD THE CONTRACT BY THE END OF FEBRUARY.*

MEANWHILE WORK ON THE CLINIC IS PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY. THE FIRST PHASE, INVOLVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FOUNDATION AND SUBSTRUCTURE TO GROUND LEVEL, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT TEN WEEKS.

THE 35,000 SQUARE-METRE CLINIC, WHEN COMPLETED BY .THE END OF 1980, WILL PROVIDE DENTAL TEACHING FACILITIES FOR ABOUT 80 STUDENTS A YEAR. THE MEDICAL AND TEACHING AREAS OF THE CLINIC WILL BE AIR-CONDITIONED.

_ _ o '- - -

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1979

CARNIVAL ON FIRE PREVENTION THEME ******

A LARGE-SCALE CARNIVAL ORGANISED AS PART OF THE CURRENT FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON AT TAI HANG TUNG.

THE CARNIVAL WILL CONSIST OF A VARIETY SHOW, AN EXHIBITION AND FIRE DRILLS AND DEMONSTRATIONS.

THE VARIETY SHOW WILL FEATURE LION DANCE, A DRAMA, MAGIC SHOWS, SINGING AND DANCING BY TV ARTISTS- AND A PUPPET SHOW WITH THE FIRE PREVENTION THEME.

ON DISPLAY AT THE EXHIBITION WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHS DEPICTING THE WORK OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, INFORMATION ON FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES, FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND FIRE ENGINES.

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY WILL BE DEMONSTRATIONS AND DRILLS BY FIREMEN.

DR. P. HASE, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (SHAM SHU I PO) AND MR. CHOW WING-CHEONG, DIVISIONAL FIRE OFFICER (KOWLOON WEST), WILL JOINTLY OPEN THE CARNIVAL.

THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHU I PO) AND SPONSORED BY FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE CARNIVAL AT 2 P.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE TAI HANG TUNG NO. 1 PLAYGROUND, TUNG YAM STREET, TAI HANG TUNG.

- - 0 - -

NOTE TO EDITORS

LABOUR COMMISSIONER TO VISIT CONTAINER TERMINAL ******

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, WILL VISIT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS LIMITED IN KWAI CHUNG ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 16) AT 2 P.M.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE VISIT.

AN ELEVEN-SEATER VAN WILL BE AVAILABLE AT 1.15 P.M. OUTSIDE THE LEE GARDENS HOTEL IN HYSAN AVENUE TO TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO AND BACK FROM THE CONTAINER TERMINAL.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1979

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN QUARRY BAY ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY!SATURDAY) NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN QUARRY BAY IN CONNECTION WITH THE RECLAMATION WORKS NEAR FINN IE STREET FROM 10 A.M.

ON MONDAY (JANUARY 15).

AT ^UNDER THESE ARRANGEMENTS THE URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION AT THE NORTHERN END OF HOI WAN STREET WILL BE RESCINDED. AND THE URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTED ZONE IN HOI TAI STREET WILL BE

THE REVISED RESTRICTED ZONE WILL COVER THE HOI TAI STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH FINN IE A POINT ABOUT 49 FEET WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH

SECTION OF STREET AND HOI WAN STREET.

APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE' SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

-----0------

FIRING PRACTICE ft ft ft ft

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FIVE DAYS NEXT WEEK FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY (JANUARY 15 - 19).

THE PRACTICE TIME IS FROM 8 A.M. TO 7 P.M. DAILY.

THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE.

-----o------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

'-V'V

<; ’t- <-

• < - k‘ ’fv

. • - 1 4

... ■ 7: ■ < i.f ' ■' i!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

AUDIO-VISUAL AID SERVICE PROVES POPULAR .................. 1

RECORD NUMBER OF MARRIAGES IN 1978 ....................... 2

INSPECTION VISITS TO DRUG STORES ......................... 3

PILING FOR POK FU LAM FLYOVER TO GET UNDERWAY SOON ....... 4

CAS PASSING-OUT PARADE ................................... 4

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1979

AUDIO-VISUAL AID SERVICE PROVES POPULAR

***** , I . •

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE MEDIA PRODUCTION SERVICES UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ARE VERY POPULAR AND ON THE AVERAGE ABOUT 200 TEACHERS A MONTH MAKE USE OF THE FACILITIES THERE.

THE UNIT UNDER THE VISUAL EDUCATION SECTION AIMS TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES TO FAMILARISE TEACHERS WITH THE TECHNIQUES IN THE USE OF AUDIO-VISUAL MEDIA IN TEACHING AND LEARNING.

AT THE SAME TIME, TEACHERS ARE ASSISTED BY THE UNIT IN THE DESIGN AND MAKING OF SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE TEACHING MATERIALS TO SUIT THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS.

THE UNIT’S NEW OFFICE AT 182 CANTON ROAD, WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 19) BY MR. ARTHUR BROWN, SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT).

WHEN THE UNIT FIRST BEGAN OPERATION IN SEPTEMBER, 1973 IT WAS HOUSED IN THE FUK WAH STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL. IT MOVED TO THE PRESENT ADDRESS IN JULY, 1977.

FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR USE IN THE UNIT COVER THE AREAS OF PHOTOGRAPHIC, REPROGRAPHIC, GRAPHIC, BOOKLET BINDING, SCREEN PRINTING, PICTURE PRESERVATION, MODEL MAKING AND AUDIO RECORDING.

THROUGH THESE SERVICES TEACHERS CAN PRODUCE AND USE AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS WITH A LOCAL FLAVOUR.

ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE CENTRE INCLUDE FAMILIARISATION VISITS FOR GROUPS OF TEACHERS AND TRAINEES, SCHEDULED COURSES AND PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS ON AUDIO-VISUAL TECHNIQUES, SEMINARS, AND EXHIBITIONS OF AUDIO-VISUAL RESOURCE MATERIALS PREPARED BY TEACHERS.

A TOTAL OF 26 AUDIO-VISUAL COURSES AND WORKSHOPS WERE ORGANISED DURING THE 1977/78 ACADEMIC YEAR AND ATTENDED BY ABOUT 400 TEACHERS IN THE EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF MEDIA AND PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES. THE INTAKE FOR THE 20 COURSES AND 16 WORKSHOPS IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR IS ABOUT 900.

MR. PAUL YUE OF THE UNIT SAID: +ALL IN-SERVICE TEACHERS ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITIES IN OUR WORKSHOPS TO PRODUCE AIDS FOR USE IN THE CLASSROOMS.

+ALL EQUIPMENT IN THE WORKSHOPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR USE FREE OF CHARGE TO THE TEACHERS. THEY CAN BRING THEIR OWN MATERIAL TO PRODUCE THE AIDS OR USE MATERIALS IN THE WORKSHOPS WHICH ARE CHARGED AT COST ONLY,* HE ADDED.

THE EQUIPMENT ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING VARIOUS AUDIO AND VISUAL AIDS IN CLASSROOMS SUCH AS PHOTOGRAPHS, GRAPHIC DRAWINGS, MODELS, COLOUR TRANSPARENCIES, CHARTS, DIAGRAMS AND CASSETTE TAPES WITH RECORDING.

/THE unit.....

SUNDAY, JAUUAEY 14, 1979

- 2 -

THE UNIT IS OPEN TO TEACHERS EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. AND FROM 2 P.M. TO 4.30 P.M.- AND EVERY SATURDAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 11.30 A.M. EXCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPORTERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS --------------- To COVER THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MEDIA

PRODUCTION SERVICES UNIT’S NEW OFFICE BY MR. ARTHUR BROWN, SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT) AT 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 19) ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF 182 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.

------ 0 -----

RECORD NUMBER OF MARRIAGES IN 1978 * K M * *

THE NUMBER OF MARRIAGES REGISTERED LAST YEAR REACHED A RECORD TOTAL OF 40,400 — 17 MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 40,383 FN 1977, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR. P. JACOBS, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).

+THE TOTAL INCLUDED 4,304 MARRIAGES BETWEEN PARTIES PREVIOUSLY MARRIED TO EACH OTHER, GENERALLY BY CHINESE CUSTOMARY CEREMONIES, AS COMPARED WITH 4,541 MARRIAGES OF THIS CATEGORY IN 1977. EXCLUDING THESE ’REMARRIAGES’, THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED MARRIAGES INCREASED BY 254 FROM 35,842 TO 36,096,+ MR. JACOBS SAID.

THE RECORD IS ONLY ABOUT 0.04 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE 1977 FIGURE.

HOWEVER, THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE 1978 WAS A +BLIND YEAR+, I.E. IT DID NOT HAVE A FIRST DAY OF SPRING (LAP CHUN) ACCORDING TO THE CHINESE LUNAR CALENDAR, AND WAS THEREFORE REGARDED BY TRADITIONALIST CHINESE AS NOT BEING AN AUSPICIOUS YEAR FOR MARRIAGES.

IN THE PAST THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN AVERAGE DECREASE OF FIVE PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF MARRIAGES IN EVERY +BLIND YEAR* AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING YEAR.

IT IS THOUGHT THAT THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE IN MARRIAGES IN 1978 MAY BE EVIDENCE THAT THE TRADITIONAL BELIEF IN +BLIND YEARS+ IS NOT RIGIDLY OBSERVED BY THE YOUNGER CHINESE GENERATION.

ANOTHER FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE CHANGE OF PATTERN IS BELIEVED TO BE THE STRUCTURE OF THE POPULATION WHICH NOW HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF PERSONS WITHIN THE MOST POPULAR AGE GROUP FOR MARRIAGES, I.E. 21 TO 24 FOR WOMEN AND 25 TO 29 FOR MEN.

THE NUMBER OF CHURCH MARRA IGES IN 1978 ROSE BY 210 TO 2,712 AS COMPARED WITH 2,502 IN 1977. MOST OF THE REGISTERED MARRIAGES WERE, AS USUAL, CELEBRATED AT THE MARRIAGE REGISTRIES. THE TOTAL OF SUCH MARRIAGES WAS 37,668, BEING 193 LESS THAN THE 1977 FIGURE.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1979

- 3

INSPECTION VISITS TO DRUG STORES

******

PHARMACY INSPECTORS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN PAYING INSPECTION VISITS TO PHARMACEUTICAL TRADERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY COMPLY WITH THE REVISED PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS WHICH CAME INTO FORCE LAST JULY.

CIRCULARS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT TO THESE TRADERS AND LOCAL PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS ADVISING THEM TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

+THE CIRCULAR ALSO REMINDED THAT, WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1979, APPLICATIONS FOR IMPORT LICENCES WOULD NOT BE ENDORSED UNLESS THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED BY A COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, OR PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATE OR A COPY OF THE RECEIPT FOR APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF THE PRODUCT TO BE IMPORTED,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS ALL PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS, IMPORTED OR MADE LOCALLY, WOULD HAVE TO BE REGISTERED BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO BE SOLD.

♦THE PRODUCT, BEFORE BEING ACCEPTED FOR REGISTRATION, IS ASSESSED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S PHARMACEUTICAL REGISTRATION SECTION ON ITS SAFETY, QUALITY AND EFFICACY,* HE SAID.

CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION ARE VALID FOR FIVE YEARS. PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATES ARE ALSO VALID FOR THE SAME PERIOD.

EXPLAINING THE LAST CATEGORY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE WERE GRANTED TO PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS WHICH HAD BEEN AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET BEFORE JULY 1 LAST YEAR AND WHICH HAD PROVED TO CAUSE NO SERIOUS ADVERSE EFFECT ON MEN AND ANIMALS.

♦THIS IS TO AVOID DISRUPTION OF THE SALE AND SUPPLY OF THESE PRODUCTS,* HE SAID.

ACCORDING TO THE SPOKESMAN, THE FORENSIC PHARMACY SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT WOULD GRADUALLY EXTEND ITS ENFORCEMENT EFFORT TO COVER OTHER AREAS UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS.

+A PERSON VIOLATING THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A MINIMUM FINE OF $2,500 AND A MAXIMUM OF $10,000, PLUS A PRISON TERM OF ONE YEAR. HE IS ALSO LIABLE TO A FURTHER FINE OF $1,000 FOR EVERY DAY DURING WHICH AN OFFENCE CONTINUES SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF CONVICTION,* HE SAID.

THE FORENSIC PHARMACY INSPECTORS, CURRENTLY ENFORCING THE POISONS REGULATIONS, HANDLED NEARLY 100 PROSECUTIONS UP TO DECEMBER LAST YEAR, MORE THAN DOUBLE THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S FIGURES.

+THE CONVICTION RATE SO FAR IS NEARLY 100 PER CENT,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

-------0 ---------

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1979

- 4 -

PILING FOR POK FU LAM FLYOVER TO GET UNDERWAY SOON

* * * *

PILING FOR THE LATEST FLYOVER COMPLEX TO EASE THE HEAVY TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE MID-LEVELS IS EXPECTED TO GET UNDERWAY WITHIN A MONTH.

CAISSON WORK IS PROGRESSING FOR THE $25 MILLION COMPLEX FROM POK FU LAM ROAD TO CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST.

A PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROJECT INVOLVED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 66O-METRE ELEVATED ROAD, AND THE RE-ALIGNMENT OF A SECTION OF HILL ROAD. ALSO INCLUDED IS THE MODIFICATION OF THE EXISTING DRAINAGE WORKS.

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CALLED TENDERS IN JANUARY LAST YEAR, AND WORK ACTUALLY STARTED ON THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT IN JUNE. IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THIS FLYOVER WOULD ALLEVIATE CONGESTION BETWEEN POK FU LAM AND WESTERN DISTRICT.

WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF ABERDEEN AND POK FU LAM, THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD NETWORK LINKING CENTRAL AND THESE AREAS.

--------o -

CAS PASSING-OUT PARADE * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. TED NICHOLS, TOLD A GROUP OF 120 CIVIL AID SERVICES RECRUITS GRADUATING TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THEY HAD TAKEN A FIRST, BUT VERY POSITIVE, STEP IN COMMUNITY SERVICES.

SPEAKING AT THE PASSING-OUT CAS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE, MR. MUCH MORE TO BE LEARNT, AND MUCH AHEAD.

PARADE OF THE RECRUITS AT THE NICHOLS SA IDs +THERE REMAINS MORE TO BE ACHIEVED IN THE YEARS

+OUR MODERN WORLD IS COMPLEX AND COMPETITIVE. TO SUCCEED THEREIN ONE HAS TO ACQUIRE THE CORRECT BLEND OF TEAMWORK AND LEADERSHIP THAT IS BEST SUITED TO DEVELOP TO THE FULL ONE’S NATURAL ABILITIES.*

+SERVICE IN THE CAS WILL HELP YOU TO REALISE SUCH AN AMBITION, IF YOU WILL LET IT.

+ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOU WILL DERIVE BENEFIT FROM MEMBERSHIP OF YOUR ORGANISATION IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT, AND THAT NOTHING WORTHWHILE IS ACHIEVED WITHOUT EFFORT AND HARD WORK,* HE SAID.

AT THE CEREMONY, MR. NICHOLS ALSO PRESENTED SPECIAL CERTIFICATES AND CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO 10 CAS MEMBERS.

------0 _-----

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT SIGNED ............................. 1

1OTH ANNIVERSARY OF HK INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL .......... 2

THE WEATHER IN 1978 ...................................... 4

GOVERNOR TO LAY FOUNDATION STONE FOR SCHOOL AT KWAI CHUNG 6

NEW YUEN LONG SCHOOL READY NEXT YEAR....................... 7

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN TAI 0...................... 7

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR YUEN LONG LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR .. 8

BEAT CRIME-FIRE PREVENTION COMPETITIONS ................... 8

WATER CUT.................................................. 8

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1979

CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT SIGNED

******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND TRANSMARK TODAY (MONDAY) SIGNED THE FINAL CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT UNDER WHICH TRANSMARK IS TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RAILWAY MANAGERIAL AND FUNCTIONAL GUIDANCE TO ENSURE THAT THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF IMPLEMENTING AN ELECTRIFIED RAILWAY SERVICE IS ACHIEVED.

THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED THIS AFTERNOON BY THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, MR. DAVID STEAD, AND MR. H. SAMUEL, PROJECT MANAGER OF TRANSMARK.

ALSO PRESENT AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY WERE MR. D.M. HOWES, GENERAL MANAGER OF KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY- MR. M.K. WONG, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT CIVIL ENGINEER OF PWD’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE AND MR. STEVE TAYLOR OF TRANSMARK.

SPEAKING AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY, MR. STEAD SAID TRANSMARK WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CO-ORDINATING AND PLANNING THE INPUT OF ALL PARTIES CONCERNED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT.

THEY WOULD ALSO PROVIDE CERTAIN ESSENTIAL ADVISORY SERVICES AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO KCR, PWD AND OTHER INVOLVED PARTIES.

+THE CONSULTANCY IS ESTIMATED TO LAST FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT FOUR YEARS AND TO COST ABOUT $30 MILLION,* MR. STEAD SAID.

+TRANSMARK WILL PREPARE AND SUPERVISE A CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY OF NEW ELECTRIC ROLLING STOCK FOR THE KCR AS WELL AS CONTRACTS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF SIGNALLING EQUIPMENT AND ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY AND OVERHEAD LINE DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT.

+THEY WILL ALSO DESIGN AND SUPERVISE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROLLING STOCK DEPOT AT SHA TIN AS WELL AS VARIOUS OTHER CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS.*

MR. STEAD POINTED OUT THAT THE TOTAL VALUE OF WORK FOR WHICH TRANSMARK WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE WOULD BE ABOUT $650 MILLION, BUT THEIR PLANNING AND CO-ORDINATING RESPONSIBILITY WOULD COVER ALL RAILWAY MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS, THE TOTAL VALUE OF WHICH WOULD EXCEED $1,500 MTULION.

THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE CONSULTANCY.

------o-------

MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1979

1OTH ANNIVERSARY OF HK INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL * * M * M X

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) ORIGINALLY DESIGNED HONG KONG PRODUCTS WERE BECOMING COMMONPLACE SINCE THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1968.

SPEAKING AT THE DINNER CELEBRATING THE 1OTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COUNCIL, SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT WHEN THE COUNCIL WAS FIRST FORMED A PRODUCT WHICH WAS FULLY DESIGNED IN HONG KONG WAS A RARITY.

ON THE MODERN CONCEPT OF DESIGN, SIR MURRAY SAID IT +GOES BEYOND THE STYLING OR EXTERNAL BEAUTY OF A PRODUCT AND INTO SUCH AREAS AS PRODUCT STRUCTURE, ITS FUNCTION AND ENGINEERING. THE USE OF MATERIALS, ECONOMIES OF PRODUCTION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ERGONOMIC ASPECTS, TOO+.

SIR MURRAY SAID HE WAS SURE THE COUNCIL, FORMED BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, WOULD CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STANDARDS OF DESIGN OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS AND TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF HONG KONG DESIGN BY HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS.

FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECHt-

+TONIGHT IS AN IMPORTANT OCCASION BECAUSE WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE THE 1OTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL. IT IS APPROPRIATE TO REMEMBER THAT IT WAS MY PREDECESSOR, SIR DAVID TRENCH. WHO PERSONALLY GAVE THE FIRST IMPULSE THAT RESULTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL.

+THE FEDERATION WAS INVOLVED AT AN EARLY STAGE AS WAS THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, AND IT WAS THROUGH THEM THAT THE FASHION FESTIVAL IN 1967 WAS HELD TO ENCOURAGE GARMENT MANUFACTURERS TO PARTICIPATE IN A DESIGN COMPETITION.

♦THEN IN 1968 THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL WAS FORMED BY THE FEDERATION WITH SIR S.Y. CHUNG AS THE FIRST CHAIRMAN. SINCE THEN, UNDER THE ABLE LEADERSHIP OF ITS VARIOUS CHAIRMEN AND DIRECTORS, IT HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.

+WHEN THE COUNCIL WAS FIRST FORMED A PRODUCT WHICH WAS FULLY DESIGNED IN HONG KONG WAS A RARITY. NOW, ORIGINALLY DESIGNED HONG KONG PRODUCTS ARE BECOMING COMMONPLACE.

+THE COUNCIL’S MAJOR EVENT EACH YEAR HAS BEEN THE COMPETITION FOR THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN. IT WAS FITTING THAT SIR DAVID TRENCH, WHOSE INITIATIVE HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF DESIGN CONSCIOUSNESS IN HONG KONG, SHOULD HAVE CHAIRED THE FURST TEAM OF JUDGES.

MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1979

+l AM IMPRESSED BY THE PROGRESS MADE BY THE COUNCIL IN THESE COMPETITIONS. THEY HAVE SHARPENED AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR SPECIALIST EDUCATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TALENT AS DESIGNERS.

+THE MODERN CONCEPT OF DESIGN GOES BEYOND THE STYLING OR EXTERNAL BEAUTY OF A PRODUCT AND INTO SUCH AREAS AS PRODUCT STRUCTURE, ITS FUNCTION AND ENGINEERING, THE USE OF MATERIALS, ECONOMIES OF PRODUCTION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ERGONOMIC ASPECTS, TOO. IT IS THE HARD TASK OF THE JUDGES TO TAKE ALL THESE COMPONENTS OF DESIGN INTO ACCOUNT. AND THEY DO SO.

+THE COUNCIL HAS SPREAD INTO OTHER AREAS: IT HOLDS EXHIBITIONS TO SHOW TRENDS IN PRODUCT DESIGN IN OTHER COUNTRIES. ITS DESIGN CLINIC AND THE DESIGN DEPOSITORY HAVE BEEN WELL UTILIZED BY DESIGNERS AND MANUFACTURERS ALIKE. THE DESIGNERS’ ASSOCIATION, ESTABLISHED BY THE COUNCIL SEVERAL YEARS AGO, HAS NOW BECOME THE UNITED VOICE OF HONG KONG DESIGNERS.

+ l AM SURE THE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STANDARDS OF DESIGN OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS AND TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF HONG KONG DESIGNS BY HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS

+IN RECENT YEARS DESIGN EDUCATION HAS PROGRESSED CONSIDERABLY IN HONG KONG AND MY WIFE HAS BEEN AN ENTHUSIASTIC OBSERVER OF THE HIGH LEVEL OF WORK DONE BY THE STUDENTS OF THE POLYTECHNIC’S DESIGN DEPARTMENT.

+BUYERS OF APPARENTLY WELL DESIGNED ARTICLES ARE ENTITLED TO BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED TO SPECIFICATION, THAT THEY CAN RELY UPON THEM, THAT THEY ARE SAFE TO USE. THE FEDERATION’S RECENTLY ESTABLISHED SEAL OF APPROVAL SCHEME COULD BE AN IMPORTANT MEANS OF IMPARTING THAT CONFIDENCE.

+YOU HAVE REFERRED, MR CHAIRMAN, TO THE FEDERATION’S ’BUY HONG KONG’ CAMPAIGN. I AM GLAD TO HEAR THAT IT IS OFF TO A GOOD START. NO DOUBT AN INCREASING NUMBER OF LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WILL SEE THE BENEFITS TO BE GAINED FROM SELLING SOME OF THEIR PRODUCTS ON THE LOCAL MARKET ONCE THE RESULTS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE EXHIBITION BECOME MORE WIDELY KNOWN.

+l WELL UNDERSTAND, MR CHAIRMAN, YOUR DEEP INTEREST IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION AND THE PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES WHICH WILL FLOW FROM ITS PRESENT DELIBERATIONS. I SHALL NOT ATTEMPT TO ANTICIPATE THE OUTCOME OF THIS ACTIVITY BUT I DO ASSURE YOU THAT IT WILL BE TREATED WITH THOROUGH AND PROMPT ATTENTION BY THE GOVERNMENT WHEN THE COMMITTEE REPORTS LATER THIS YEAR.

+FINALLY, I NOW ANNOUNCE THAT THIS YEAR’S GOVERNOR’S AWARD HAS BEEN WON BY RADOFIN ELECTRONICS (FAR EAST) LIMITED WITH THEIR TELETEXT DECODING RECEIVER WHICH, IN THE VIEW OF THE JUDGES IS THE MOST COMPLEX CONSUMER ELECTRONICS PRODUCT YET PRODUCED IN HONG KONG.

+ | DO MOST SINCERELY WISH THE COUNCIL FURTHER SUCCESS IN ITS NEXT TEN YEARS AND I NOW CALL UPON THE COMPANY’S REPRESENTATIVE TO COME FORWARD TO COLLECT THE TROPHY.+

------0-------

/4 .

MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1979

THE WEATHER IN 1978 ******

SUBSTANTIAL RAIN IN MARCH AND APRIL GREATLY EASED THE WATER SITUATION AND A 24-HOUR SUPPLY WAS RESUMED ON APRIL 18, ENDING THE RESTRICTION IMPOSED ON JUNE 1, 1977, A REVIEW OF THE 1978 WEATHER ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

BY THE END OF APRIL, THE REVIEW SAID, RAINFALL WAS 63 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL.

TOTAL RAINFALL OF THE YEAR, AMOUNTING TO 2,593 MILLIMETRES, WAS 15 PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE AND THE 2,102 MM RAINFALL RECORDED FROM MAY TO OCTOBER FELL IN THE RANGE PREDICTED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

LAST YEAR ALSO SAW THREE NEW RECORDS ESTABLISHED -- THE SHORTEST HOURS OF SUNSHINE IN ANY MARCH (21.7 HOURS), THE HEATWAVE WITH TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 33 DEGREES CELSIUS ON 19 CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN JULY, AND A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 13.5 DEGREES CELSIUS IN ANY OCTOBER.

EIGHT TROPICAL CYCLONES AFFECTED HONG KONG DURING THE YEAR. EXCEPT TWO — AGNES AND ELAINE -- WHICH CLAIMED A TOTAL OF FOUR DEATHS AND 188 CASUALTIES, ALL TROPICAL STORMS CAUSED LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE CITY.

AGNES, WHICH HIT TWICE IN LATE JULY AND DUMPED MORE THAN 500 MM OF RAIN, WAS THE FOURTH WETTEST TROPICAL CYCLONE SINCE 1884. ALTHOUGH NO HEAVY DAMAGE TO PROPERTY RESULTED, THE GALE FORCE WINDS DESTROYED OVER 1,000 HECTARES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND, OVERFLOWED MANY FISH PONDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND CAUSED NUMEROUS LANDSLIPS.

TEMPERATURES FELL TO A MINIMUM OF 6.9 DEGREES CELSIUS ON JANUARY 18, THE LOWEST RECORDED IN THE YEAR BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY — BUT EVEN COLDER TEMPERATURES OF -1 DEGREE AND 0 DEGREE WERE REPORTED AT TAI MO SHAN AND TATE’S CAIRN RESPECTIVELY. THE YEAR’S MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 34.2 DEGREE’ CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON JULY 22.

THE YEAR 1978 BEGAN WITH DRY AND COOL WEATHER WHICH LASTED TWO MONTHS AND RESULTED IN THE ISSUE OF SEVERAL FIRE DANGER WARNINGS. CONDITIONS WERE VERY COLD ON JANUARY 16 TO 21 WITH FROST REPORTED IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE UNUSUAL 21.7 HOURS OF SUNSHINE IN MARCH MADE IT THE SHORTEST FOR ANY MARCH SINCE 1884. IT WAS ALSO THE FOGGEST MARCH SINCE 1958. WIDESPREAD FOG DURING THE LAST FEW DAYS OF THE MONTH SERIOUSLY DISRUPTED SEA AND AIR TRAFFIC, CAUSING MANY FLIGHT DIVERSIONS AND TWO SHIP COLLISIONS.

/last.....

MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1979

- 5 -

LAST APRIL HAD THE LARGEST NUMBER OF THUNDERSTORMS IN ANY APRIL SINCE 1926. TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH, AMOUNTING TO 237 MM, WAS 75 PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE.

THE MONTH OF MAY, COMPARED WITH PREVIOUS YEARS, WAS THE COOLEST AND CLOUDIEST SINCE 1972.

SUNNY AND HOT WEATHER WAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING MONTH MAKING IT THE DRIEST JUNE SINCE 1963. BUT EXCEPTIONAL FLOODINGS OCCURRED IN SHA TIN AND TAI PO ON JUNE 2, DISRUPTING ROAD AND RAIL TRAFFIC, AFFECTING SEVERAL VILLAGES AND KILLING 3,000 CHICKENS. A WATERSPOUT WAS SIGHTED OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHERN HONG KONG ISLAND DURING THE HEAVY SHOWERS ON JUNE 27.

JULY WAS SUNNIER AND HOTTER THAN USUAL AND MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES, EXCEEDING 33 DEGREES CELSIUS, LASTED FOR 19 CONSECUTIVE DAYS. THIS UNUSUAL HEATWAVE WAS UNPRECEDENTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

UNLIKE THE PREVIOUS MONTH, AUGUST WAS CLOUDIER AND LESS SUNNY THAN USUAL BUT THE MONTH’S RAINFALL WAS MUCH BELOW NORMAL. TWO TROPICAL CYCLONES, INCLUDING THE DAMAGING +ELAINE+, AFFECTED HONG KONG.

HOT AND SUNNY WEATHER AGAIN DEVELOPED IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER WITH BELOW AVERAGE RAINFALL.

DUE TO HEAVY RAIN ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE TROPICAL STORM NINA IN OCTOBER MANY MINOR LANDSLIPS AND FLOODS WERE REPORTED. RAINFALL AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE MONTH WAS 501.4 MM, NEARLY FIVE TIMES THE NORMAL FIGURE OF 107.2 MM AND WAS THE FOURTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR OCTOBER.

THE 284.4 MM OF RAINFALL RECORDED ON OCTOBER 17 WAS THE HIGHEST FIGURE FOR ANY OCTOBER DAY SINCE 1923.

THE INTENSE CONTINENTAL ANTICYCLONE OVER CHINA COMBINED WITH THREE TROPICAL CYCLONES OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA TO MAKE THE MONTH THE MOST WINDY OCTOBER IN RECENT YEARS.

THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 13.5 DEGREES CELSIUS ON OCTOBER 30 WAS THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE EVER RECORDED IN OCTOBER. CONDITIONS WERE DRY FROM THE 8TH TO THE 14TH.

. ON OCTOBER 10, CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL, 150 FIRES WERE REPORTED. MORE THAN HALF OF THESE WERE HILL FIRES AND NEARLY 200 HECTARES OF GRASS AND TREES WERE AFFECTED.

ON OCTOBER 28 STRONG TO GALE FORCE WINDS OF TYPHOON RITA OVERTURNED SEVERAL SMALL BOATS AND ALSO SERIOUSLY AFFECTED AIR TRAFFIC.

THE MAINLY FINE AND MILD NOVEMBER WAS SAID TO BE FAIRLY NORMAL AND SEASONABLE. MILD AND FINE WEATHER AGAIN DEVELOPED IN DECEMBER, MAKING IT THE SECOND WARMEST DECEMBER SINCE 1968.

------0 ---------

MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1979

- 6 -

GOVERNOR TO LAY FOUNDATION STONE FOR SCHOOL AT KWAI CHUNG ******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL LAY THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE NEW BRANCH SCHOOL OF THE JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE IN KWAI CHUNG ON WEDNESDAY.

SIR MURRAY WILL BE MET BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES AND THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY AT THE SCHOOL SITE IN TAI PAK TIN STREET, KWAI CHUNG.

ALSO ON HAND TO GREET THE GOVERNOR WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE, MR. DEACON CHIU AND DIRECTORS OF THE COLLEGE BOARD.

THE S15 MILLION SCHOOL — THE THIRD BRANCH BUILT BY THE COLLEGE SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN TSUEN WAN IN 19-56 — WILL BE COMPLETED IN MID-1980 AND WILL ACCOMMODATE UP TO 3,600 STUDENTS WHEN OPERATING BI-SESSIONALLY.

THE OTHER TWO BRANCHES OF THE COLLEGE ARE IN YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE KWAI CHUNG BRANCH OF JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE, TAI PAK TIN STREET, ON WEDNESDAY AT 3 P.M., WITH THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE OFFICIATING.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A GOVERNMENT VAN (AM 2388) WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 2.10 P.M. TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO AND LATER BACK FROM KWAI CHUNG.

-----0------

MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1979

NEW YUEN LONG SCHOOL READY NEXT YEAR

******

YUEN LONG’S NEWEST SECONDARY SCHOOL, FOR AN ESTIMATED 1,300 STUDENTS, SHOULD BE READY BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.

THE SCHOOL, AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI YUK ROAD AND KAU YUK ROAD, WILL BE NAMED AFTER THE LATE MR. CHIU LUT-SAU, WHO HAD DONATED $1 MILLION TOWARDS THE CAPITAL COST OF THE PROJECT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE SCHOOL, WITH AN AREA OF 5,700 SQUARE METRES, WOULD HAVE AN UNUSUALLY LARGE ASSEMBLY HALL.

HE SAID: +THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE A LARGE COVERED PLAY AREA, A MAIN TEACHING BLOCK WITH 24 CLASSROOMS, ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND CHANGING ROOMS.

+FAC IL IT IES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS WILL BE HOUSED IN ANOTHER SEPARATE BLOCK.+

THE SPOKESMAN SAID WORK ON THE SCHOOL BEGAN LAST OCTOBER AND SHOULD TAKE ANOTHER 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

+WORK IS PROGRESSING ON SCHEDULE,+ HE ADDED.

- - 0 - -

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN TAI 0 * * * *

A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WILL CONDUCT REGISTRATION IN THE OFFICE OF THE TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE FOR FOUR DAYS FROM JANUARY 23.

REGISTRATION WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. DAILY.

PEOPLE 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.

- - 0 - -

MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1979

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR YUEN LONG LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR

X X X X

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN YUEN LONG FROM JANUARY 19 TO 29 TO FACILITATE THE HOLDING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR IN THE AREA.

THE SECTION OF ON LOK ROAD BETWEEN TAI KIU ROAD AND WANG CHAU ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 8 A.M. ON FRIDAY TO 8 A.M. ON JANUARY 29.

DURING THIS PERIOD, THE PARKING SPACES IN THE ABOVE SECTION OF ON LOK ROAD AS WELL AS THOSE ON WANG CHAU ROAD AND TAI KIU ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED.

IN ADDITION, THE SECTION OF TAI KIU ROAD BETWEEN ON NING ROAD AND THE CAR PARK ENTRANCE NEAR THE TAI KIU ROAD-ON LOK ROAD JUNCTION AS WELL AS WANG CHAU ROAD WILL BE ROUTED TWO-WAY.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

-----o------

BEAT CRIME-FIRE PREVENTION COMPETITIONS

X X X X X

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WAN CHAI), THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE WAN CHAI CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE ARE ORGANISING A SERIES OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS TO COMPLEMENT THE BEAT CRIME AND FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS.

A DRAWING COMPETITION AND A QUIZ CONTEST TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF FIRE PREVENTION AMONG STUDENTS, AND A FOLK SONG CONTEST TO AUGMENT THE BEAT CRIME CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD NEXT MONTH.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE COMPETITIONS HAVE ALREADY STARTED. THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE FIRE PREVENTION COMPETITIONS IS FRIDAY AND THAT FOR THE FOLK SONG CONTEST, ON JANUARY 30.

ALL ENTRIES AND ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WAN CHAI) AT 201, HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 5-742281.

------0-------

WATER CUT

XXX

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF HOUSES IN TA I PO DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THE TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION IS TO FACILITATE THE CONNECTION OF A FRESH WATER MAIN.

ALL HOUSES ALONG TAI PO ROAD FROM THE 14 TO 17-1/2 MILESTONE, INCLUDING THE WHOLE TAI PO MARKET AREA AND TING KOK ROAD WILL BE AFFECTED.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES OUTLINES PLANS FOR YEAR OF THE CHILD............................................ 1

SHIPPING AND CARGO-HANDLING INDUSTRY COMMENDED ......... 3

TOTAL TRADE VALUE FOR JANUARY-NOVEMBER 1978 ............ 4

A TREAT FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR.............................. 8

CLEAN-UP OPERATION ..................................... 9

INLET SEWER, BY-PASS FOR KWUN TONG SCREENING PLANT .. 10

KOWLOON BAY ACCESS ROADS .............................. 10

QUARRY BAY SCHOOL RE-OPENS ............................. U

WATER CUT.............................................. 11

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1979

SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES OUTLINES PLANS FOR YEAR OF THE CHILD K M

THE NEED TO GIVE GREATER ATTENTION TO THE PRE-SCHOOL CHILD HAS BEEN RECOGNISED FOR SOME TIME AND AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING PARTY APPOINTED TO REVIEW GOVERNMENT POLICY IN THIS AREA HAS MADE GOOD PROGRESS AND EXPECTS TO COMPLETE ITS REPORT SHORTLY, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. E.P. HO, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

MR. HO WAS DELIVERING A LUNCHTIME SPEECH TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG ENTITLED +PLANS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE UNITED NATIONS’ YEAR OF THE CHILD*.

MR. HO SAID SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THE WORKING PARTY’S PROPOSALS AND THE MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT THEM, TOGETHER WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY EDUCATION, WOULD BE PUBLISHED IN A GREEN PAPER THIS YEAR FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND DEBATE BEFORE A FINAL DECISION WAS TAKEN.

+IT IS AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THIS REVIEW THAT IT IS LOOKING AT THE WORK OF DAY CARE CENTRES AND KINDERGARTENS TOGETHER.* MR. HO SAID. +ALTHOUGH THE TWO SERVE DIFFERENT PURPOSES, THERE ARE MANY SIMILARITIES IN THEIR FUNCTIONS AND THEY SERVE THE NEEDS OF A COMMON AGE-GROUP. IT IS DESIRABLE THEREFORE THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S MEASURES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EACH SERVICE SHOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH ITS POLICY TOWARDS THE OTHER.*

MR. HO SAID THAT AS RIGHTLY OBSERVED BY MANY EDUCATORS, IT WAS NOT DESIRABLE CHILDREN SHOULD BE CRAMMED AT THE KINDERGARTEN STAGE WITH A CURRICULUM DESIGNED FOR OLDER CHILDREN. HENCE, REDUCING THE COMPETITIVENESS FOR ENTRY TO PRIMARY SCHOOL HAD BEEN ONE OF THE SUBJECTS UNDER STUDY.

+YET KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, IF PROPERLY CONCEIVED AND DESIGNED IN RELATION TO THE CHILD’S OWN PACE, CAN BE OF GREAT BENEFIT TO HIS SUBSEQUENT INTELLECTUAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.*

KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION OF THIS TYPE WOULD NOT PLACE EMPHASIS ON ROTE-LEARNING, BUT WOULD SEEK TO DEVELOP THE CHILD’S SKILLS IN COMMUNICATION, SIMPLE MOTOR-SKILLS, THE ABILITY TO MIX WITH OTHERS SUCCESSFULLY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACCEPTABLE SOCIAL HABITS.

THERE WERE MANY WORTHWHILE ACTIVITIES OF THIS TYPE UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG IN KINDERGARTENS AND IN CHILD CARE CENTRES. THE WORKING PARTY’S RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE THESE ACTIVITIES TO DEVELOP FURTHER AND TO BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD.

MR. HO SAID PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN NEED OF MORE INTENSIVE PERSONAL GUIDANCE AND HELP WOULD BE STEPPED UP THROUGH THE EXTENSION OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK.

/ONE FE4TUPE......

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16. 1979

ONE FEATURE OF THIS EXTENDED WORK WOULD BE THE INTRODUCTION ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS OF THE STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS SCHEMEi THE USE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF TRAINED TEACHERS WHO HAD BEEN GIVEN FURTHER TRAINING IN COUNSELLING GUIDANCE AND SOCIAL WORK TECHNIQUES.

MR. HO SAID THAT ALTHOUGH 1979 WAS THE YEAR OF THE CHILD THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING THE FAMILY AS A UNIT WAS NOT DIMINISHED THEREBY. +ALTHOUGH OUR SERVICES ARE PLANNED ON THE BASIS OF SPECIFIC AGE GROUPS, THE UNDERLYING PHILOSOPHY IS TO FOSTER CARE OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITHIN A FAMILY SETTING AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, WHETHER HE IS A CHILD OR AN OLD PERSON,* MR. HO SAID.

HE SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TO PROMOTE HARMONY AND MUTUAL HELP AND TRUST AMONG INDIVIDUAL FAMILY MEMBERS.

♦ THIS PROGRAMME WILL CONTINUE TO BE DEVELOPED IN 1979 AND OUR CHILDREN WILL CERTAINLY BE AMONG THE BENEFICIARIES OF THIS EFFORT.*

MR. HO SAID THERE WOULD BE IMPROVED PROTECTION FOR YOUNG WORKERS.

♦ WE HAVE LONG PROHIBITED THE ENTRY OF YOUNGSTERS UNDER 14 INTO INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT. THE WORKING OF OVERTIME IN INDUSTRY BY 14 AND 15-YEAR-OLDS IS ALSO PROHIBITED AND THE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE OVERTIME WORKING BY 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS IS REGULATED.

♦ DURING 1979, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RAISING OF THE AGE OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION, WE SHALL ALSO MAKE CHANGES TO THE EMPLOYMENT SCENE.♦

FROM THIS SEPTEMBER THE LIMITATIONS CURRENTLY IN FORCE IN INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT WOULD BE EXTENDED MORE GENERALLY. THIS PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD ALSO PROVIDE THAT FROM SEPTEMBER, 1980, THE AGE LIMIT FOR ALL EMPLOYMENT WOULD BE FURTHER EXTENDED TO 15, OR THE COMPLETION OF FORM III.

♦WHILE THE PROGRAMME OF SERVICES TO THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE BUT A PART OF OUR OVERALL SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANS, I CAN CONFIDENTLY PREDICT THAT WHEN WE TAKE STOCK AFTER 1979 WE SHALL FIND THAT OUR PROGRESS IN THIS WHOLE FIELD HAS BEEN A FITTING RECOGNITION OF THE UNITED NATIONS’ YEAR OF THE CHILD,+ MR. HO DECLARED.

MR. HO SAID LAST OCTOBER GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED ITS LONG TERM PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY TERTIARY EDUCATION. A NUMBER OF PLANS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED FROM SEPTEMBER THIS YEARi

M RECURRENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE APPROVED POSTSECONDARY COLLEGES WHICH ELECTED TO ACCEPT THE GOVERNMENT SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE"

# A LOAN SCHEME FOR ALL EXISTING STUDENTS OF THE APPROVED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES WHO WERE IN NEED- AND

OF AID OF

THE BRINGING ON TO FULL SUBSIDY UNDER THE CODE

ALL PRIVATE NON-PROFIT MAKING SCHOOLS CUNRRENTLY RECEIVING ASSISTANCE ON A PER CAPITA BASIS SUITABLE FOR AND WILLING

TO HAVE THIS CHANGE IN STATUS.

ho also ...

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1979

MR. HO ALSO MENTIONED THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT KOWLOON TONG WHICH, APART FROM THE FACILITIES FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION, WOULD HAVE ACCESS FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED. THERE WOULD BE RAPID IMPROVEMENTS IN OTHER SERVICES FOR OUR DISABLED CHILDREN AS WELL.

DURING 1979 THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL SCHOOL PLACES WOULD INCREASE BY 3,700 TO A TOTAL OF 23,500- THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN ORDINARY CHILD CARE CENTRES RESERVED FOR DISABLED CHILDREN WOULD BE DOUBLED FROM 60 TO 120, WHILE PLACES IN SPECIAL CENTRES FOR THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE INTEGRATED WITH ORDINARY CHILDREN WOULD BE INCREASED BY 50 PER CENT TO 260 WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE MORE SEVERELY HANDICAPPED.

THERE WOULD BE AN INCREASE OF OVER 200 PLACES IN RESIDENTIAL AND DAY CARE PLACES FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND IN THE NUMBER OF HOSPITAL BEDS.

------o-------

SHIPPING AND CARGO-HANDLING INDUSTRY COMMENDED ft * * * * ft

THE SHIPPING AND CARGO-HANDLING INDUSTRY WAS COMMENDED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR ITS INITIATIVE IN FORMING A CENTRAL COMMITTEE TO KEEP SAFE WORKING METHODS AND EQUIPMENT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE FRUITS OF THE COMMITTEE’S LABOURS WAS THE PRODUCTION OF TWO CODES OF PRACTICE WHICH DEALT WITH LIFT TRUCKS AND CONTAINER HANDLING.

HE WENT ONt +THIS SORT OF SELF-HELP BY AN INDUSTRY IS VITAL FOR THE PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND I WISH THE COMMITTEE EVERY SUCCESS IN THEIR FUTURE EFFORTS. IT IS CERTAINLY A WORTHWHILE EXAMPLE TO OTHER INDUSTRIES.*

MR. HENDERSON MADE THE STATEMENT DURING A ROUTINE VISIT TO HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS LTD. IN KWAI CHUNG TO KEEP HIMSELF UP-TO-DATE WITH DEVELOPMENTS AND TO HELP PROMOTE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S RECENTLY LAUNCHED INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN.

HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS LTD., HE SAID, HAD INSTALLED CARGO-HANDLING EQUIPMENT AS MODERN AS ANY TO BE FOUND ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD.

♦APART FROM THE SHEER EFFICIENCY WHICH GIVES GAINS IN SPEED OF OFFLOADING AND CARGO PROTECTION, THE USE OF CONTAINERS REDUCES MANHANDLING WHICH MEANS THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS IS GREATLY LESSENED.♦

- - 0 - -

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1979

TOTAL TRADE VALUE FOR JANUARY-NOVEMBER 1978 * * *

HONG KONG’S TOTAL TRADE VALUE FOR JANUARY-NOVEMBER 1978 WAS $104,584 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 24 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1977, TRADE FIGURES ISSUED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOWED.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 16 PER CENT TO $36,398 MILLION, IMPORTS BY 28 PER CENT TO $56,215 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 35 PER CENT TO $11,971 MILLION.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS AREi

4 JAN.-NOV.77 (HK$ MN.) JAN.-NOV.78 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE (HK$MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

U.S.A. 12,284 13,^70 + 1,386 + 11

F.R. OF GERMANY 3,183 3,843 ♦ 661 + 21

UNITED KINGDOM 2,633 3,414 ♦ 781 + 30

JAPAN 1,270 1,658 + 389 + 31

AUSTRALIA 1,144 1,362 + 218 + 19

CANADA 1,075 1,144 + 69 + 6

SINGAPORE 814 988 + 174 + 21

THE NETHERLANDS 662 804 + 142 + 21

SWITZERLAND AND

LIECHTENSTEIN 515 611 + 96 + 19

NIGER IA 408 532 ♦ 125 ♦ 31

BY COUNTRY, EXPORTS TO THE US ROSE BY 11 PER CENT, DUE MAINLY TO INCREASED SHIPMENTS OF ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($5,612 MILLION, +15 PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($725 MILLION, +47 PER CENT), WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE DECLINES IN EXPORTS OF RADIO RECEIVERS ($522 MILLION, - 39 PER CENT) AND OF PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS ($1,060 MILLION, - 7 PER CENT).

INCREASES IN EXPORTS TO THE UK WERE RECORDED IN ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($1,711 MILLION, + 30 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($244 MILLION, + 93 PER CENT), TEXTILE FABRICS ($363 MILLION, + 34 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT ($188 MILLION, + 63 PER CENT).

EXPORT SALES TO WEST GERMANY, JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA WERE BOOSTED BY INCREASED SHIPMENTS OF CLOTHING AND WATCHES.

AN ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS DIVISIONS IS PRESENTED BELOW;

JAN.-NOV.77 JAN.-NOV.78 (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.)

BY MAJOR COMMODITY

INCREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ MN.) CHANGE

ARTICLES OF APPAREL 12,355 AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES

13,980 + 1,625 ♦ 13

/MISCBTXAN30US .....

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1979

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 5,213 5,977 4 764 4 15

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,911 2,923 ♦ 1,011 ♦ 53

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,526 2,542 4 17 4 1

TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2,408 2,519 4 111 ♦ 5

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES) 1,578 1,901 ♦ 323 + 20

BY COMMODITY, INCREASES WERE FOUND IN ARTICLES OF APPAREL

AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($13,980 MILLION, + 13 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (12,445 MILLION, + 61 PER CENT), PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS ($2,345 MILLION, + 5 PER CENT), TEXTILE FABRICS ($1,914 MILLION, ♦ 12 PER CENT), TRAVEL GOODS AND HANDBAGS ($820 MILLION, +28 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES ($703 MILLION, +30 PER CENT).

HOWEVER, DECLINES WERE RECORDED IN SHIPMENTS OF RADIO RECEIVERS ($1,378 MILLION, - 29 PER CENT) AS WELL AS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND PARTS FOR COMPUTER ($587 MILLION, - 4 PER CENT).

THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SOURCES AREi

JAN.-NOV.77 (HK$ MN.)

JAN.-NOV.78 (HK$ MN.)

INCREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ MN.) CHANGE

JAPAN 10,234 12,789 4 2,555 + 25

CHINA 7,222 9,431 4 2,209 + 31

U.S.A. 5,543 6,819 4 1,275 4 23

TAIWAN 2,939 3,759 4 820 4 28

SINGAPORE 2,668 2,898 4 230 4 9

UNITED KINGDOM 1,964 2,674 4 710 4 36

F.R. OF GERMANY 1,309 1,857 ♦ 548 4 42

SWITZERLAND AND

LIECHTENSTEIN 1,147 1,851 4 704 4 61

REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,503 1,587 4 84 4 6

AUSTRALIA 883 1,121 4 238 4 27

IMPORTS FROM JAPAN ROSE BY 25 PER CENT, DUE MAINLY TO INCREASED SHIPMENTS OF TEXTILE FABRICS (81,702 MILLION, + 21 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($1,150 MILLION, + 33 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES ($1,114 MILLION, + 43 PER CENT) AND ROAD VEHICLES ($799 MILLION, +68 PER CENT).

/INCREASES .....

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1979

INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM CHINA WERE ALSO RECORDED. THESE INCLUDED FABRICS ($1,027 MILLION, + 92 PER CENT), LIVE ANIMALS MAINLY FOR FOOD ($1,054 MILLION, + 5 PER CENT), VEGETABLES AND FRUITS ($692 MILLION, + 23 PER CENT), PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS ($686 MILLION, ♦ 60 PER CENT) AS WELL AS ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($564 MILLION, + 35 PER CENT).

THE RISE IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. COULD BE ACCOUNTED FOR MAINLY BY INCREASE IN SHIPMENTS OF TEXTILE FIBRES ($767 MILLION, + 31 PER CENT), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES ($681 MILLION, + 71 PER CENT) AND ALSO ELECTRICAL MACHINERY ($571 MILLION, + 14 PER CENT) AND OFFICE MACHINES ($545 MILLION, + 14 PER CENT).

THERE WAS ALSO A RISE IN SHIPMENTS OF TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS ($1,506 MILLION, +17 PER CENT) FROM TAIWAN AND IN SHIPMENTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($147 MILLION,

+ 72 PER CENT) FROM SINGAPORE.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES COMMODITY SECTIONS!

JAN.-NOV.77 JAN.-NOV.78 (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.)

IN IMPORTS BY

INCREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ MN.) CHANGE

MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED MAINLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND DIAMONDS) 13,168 18,251 +5,082 ♦ 39

MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 8,559 10,982 +2,423 ♦ 28

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 6,529 7,342 + 813 ♦ 12

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, AND ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 5,633 7,860 +2,227 ♦ 40

CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 3,274 4,161 + 887 ♦ 27

/INCREASES WERE .....

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1979

INCREASES WERE MAINLY RECORDED IN IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS AND RAW MATERIALS SUCH AS TEXTILE FABRICS (14,881 MILLION, + 37 PER CENT) AND YARN ($2,182 MILLION, +19 PER CENT), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES ($3,803 MILLION, + 74 PER CENT). WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($2,780 MILLION, +42 PER CENT), AND IRON AND STEEL ($1,818 MILLION, + 46 PER CENT).

IN ADDITION, INCREASES WERE FOUND IN VEGETABLES AND FRUIT ($1,808 MILLION, +23 PER CENT) AND ROAD VEHICLES ($1,295 MILLION, + 50 PER CENT).

HOWEVER, SLIGHT DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS OF COCOA, TEA, COFFEE AND SPICES ($228 MILLION, - 19 PER CENT) AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES ($290 MILLION, - 38 PER CENT).

RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO MOVE UPWARDS, DUE MAINLY TO INCREASES IN DEMAND FROM JAPAN ($2,119 MILLION, + 74 PER CENT), SINGAPORE ($1,258 MILLION, + 32 PER CENT), INDONESIA ($1,194 MILLION, + 26 PER CENT), U.S.A. ($1,119 MILLION, + 42 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN ($1,100 MILLION, + 41 PER CENT) FOR PRODUCTS LIKE PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES ($1,604 MILLION, + 53 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($805 MILLION, + 19 PER CENT), FABRICS ($726 MILLION, + 65 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY ($591 MILLION, + 29 PER CENT).

THE TRADE INDEX NUMBERS FOR OCTOBER, 1978 (1973-100) WERE RELEASED AS FOLLOWS:

VALUE INDEX UNIT VALUE INDEX QUANTUM INDEX

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 235 142 165

IMPORTS 232 145 160

THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX FOR OCTOBER WAS 98.

-------0---------

-?4

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1979 8 -

A TREAT FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR *****

THE PUBLIC WILL FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PICK AND CHOOSE FROM THE VERY RICH ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME ORGAINSED ESPECIALLY FOR THE COMING LUNAR NEW YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR YOUTH RECREATION POINTED OUT TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE URBAN COUNCIL PLUS VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAVE JOINED HANDS IN PUTTING UP A FUN-FOR-ALL PROGRAMME THAT ENCOMPASSES WELL OVER 300 EVENTS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE THREE SPECIALLY ORGANISED TERRITORY-WIDE FUNCTIONS WHICH WELCOME PART ICIPATION BY THE PUBLIC.

THE THREE PROGRAMMES WILL BE HELD SEPARATELY ON JANUARY 30 (THIRD DAY OF LUNAR YEAR) AT MORSE PARK? FEBRUARY 4 (EIGHTH DAY OF LUNAR YEAR) AT VICTORIA PARK AND IN THE SAME EVENING, THE GALA YOUTH BALL AT EDINBURGH PLACE. ADMISSION IS FREE FOR ALL THE THREE EVENTS.

THE OPEN-AIR YOUTH BALL ALSO MARKS THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THIS YEAR’S HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.

THE DISTRICT PROGRAMMES, DESIGNED FOR ALL AGES AND PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, SPAN OVER A PERIOD OF A WHOLE MONTH DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON.

THEY RANGE FROM FUN FAIRS TO YOUTH BALLS, DANCE PARTIES, VARIETY SHOWS, OUTINGS, CAMPINGS, VISITS TO THE SPORTS EVENTS AND OTHER SPECIAL ACTIVITIES.

SEVERAL DISTRICTS WILL ALSO ORGANISE THEIR DRINKING CONTESTS.

FULL DETAILS ON THE DISTRICT EVENTS CAN BE FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES TERRITORIES, RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICES, THE

WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICES, AS WELL AS THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND ITS MEMBER AGENCIES.

OCEAN PARK,

OWN BEER

OBTAINED IN THE NEW SOCIAL

-------0---------

/9......

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1979

CLEAN-UP OPERATION

*****

A ONE-WEEK CLEAN-UP OPERATION WILL BE HELD AT TUNG TAU AND MEI TUNG ESTATES TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

THE OPERATION, DESIGNED TO HELP RESIDENTS IN CLEANING UP THEIR LIVING AREAS FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN), THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND OTHER CIVIC ORGANISATIONS IN THE TUNG TAU AREA.

ABOUT 80 PEOPLE COMPRISING STUDENTS, MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN THE TWO ESTATES AND STAFF FROM THE ORGANISING OFFICES WILL BE MOBILISED TO SWEEP AWAY RUBBISH AND DISCARDED ARTICLES IN COMMON AREAS.

IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF JUNK COLLECTION POINTS WILL BE DESIGNATED AT VANTAGE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE ESTATES FOR RESIDENTS TO DISPOSE USELESS ARTICLES IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD CLEANING ACTIVITIES.

A CEREMONY MARKING THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXERCISE WILL BE JOINTLY OFFICIATED BY MR. LAM KAM-KWONG, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN), MRS. GRACE HO, MEMBER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR. CHAN PAK, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CO-ORGANISERS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CLEAN-UP OPERATION AT TUNG TAU AND MEI TUNG ESTATES AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE PLAYGROUND OFF BLOCK 15, TUNG TAU ESTATE.

- - o-----------

/1O......

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1979

INLET SEWER, BY-PASS FOR KWUN TONG SCREENING PLANT XX * K M K

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD AN INLET SEWER AND BY-PASS TO THE FUTURE KWUN TONG SCREENING PLANT IN WING YIP STREET NEXT MONTH.

THE WORKS, WHICH FORM PART OF THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME FOR KWUN TONG, WILL TAKE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

WHEN FINISHED, THE EXISTING SEWAGE OUTLET AT KWUN TONG TYPHOON SHELTER WILL BE DIVERTED THROUGH THE PROPOSED BY-PASS SEWER FOR DISCHARGE INTO THE HARBOUR 440 METRES OUTSIDE THE SHELTER.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE BY-PASS WOULD ALSO SERVE AS AN EMERGENCY OUTLET FOR THE FUTURE SCREENING PLANT TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT A LATER STAGE.

THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED, AND THE CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED, BY THE DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF PWD.

-------0----------

KOWLOON BAY ACCESS ROADS

*****

WORK ON ACCESS ROADS TO THE NEW VEHICLE INSPECTION CENTRE IN KOWLOON BAY WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH.

A PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE WORK WOULD INVOLVE BUILDING ROADS AND DRAINAGE IN KOWLOON BAY NEAR THE CENTRE NOW BEING BUILT.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE. THE VEHICLE INSPECTION CENTRE ITSELF SHOULD BE OPERATIONAL BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.

WORK ON THE ACCESS ROADS AND DRAINAGE WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION OF PWD’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE.

- 0 -

/11 .

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1979

QUARRY BAY SCHOOL RE-OPENS

* * * M

PARENTS OF CHILDREN ATTENDING QUARRY BAY GOVERNMENT JUNIOR ENGLISH SCHOOL ARE ADVISED THAT THE SCHOOL WILL RE-OPEN TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FOR ALL CLASSES.

REPAIRS TO THE ROOF WHICH NECESSITATED CLOSURE OF THE SCHOOL TODAY (TUESDAY) ARE NOW BEING CARRIED OUT AND WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN FOUR OR FIVE DAYS.

TWO CLASSROOMS ON THE TOP FLOOR OF THE BUILDING ARE AFFECTED BY THE REPAIRS BUT THE HEADMISTRESS WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO USE THE SCHOOL HALL TO ACCOMMODATE THE TWO CLASSES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS WEEK.

------o-------

WATER CUT M * M *

WATER SUPPLY TO PART OF SHA TIN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 P.M. ON THURSDAY TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE THE'CONNECTION OF WATER MAINS NEAR HA WO CHE.

THE AREA AFFECTED WILL INCLUDE HA WO CHE, SHEUNG WO CHE, FO TAN TSUEN, SHA TIN RACE COURSE, HO TUNG LAU, LOK LO HA VILLAGE, SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT, CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND ALL AREAS FROM SHEUNG HA WO CHE VILLAGE TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.

SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF HOUSES IN SHOUSON HILL ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL ALSO BE CUT FOR TWO NIGHTS ON FRIDAY AND NEXT MONDAY (JANUARY 22).

THE INTERRUPTION, WHICH STARTS FROM 11 P.M. TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY, IS TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST.

AFFECTED HOUSES ARE BOUNDED BY NOS. 19, 37, 68, 70, 72, 75, 77 AND 80 DEEP WATER BAY ROAD, SHOUSON HILL ROAD EAST AND WEST, AND SHOUSON HILL ROAD.

- 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SIR Y.K. KAN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF NEW STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE ......... 1

PWD SPENDING $1 MILLION A DAY ON ROAD PROJECTS .............. 2

GOVERNOR PRAISES ROLE OF NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATION IN EXPANDED SCHOOLS PROGRAMME ............................... 4

TAXPAYERS WARNED OF IMPOSTERS ............................... 6

384 TRADE UNIONS REGISTERED IN 1978 ......................... 7

LUNAR NEW YEAR WALKATHON................................... 8

LUK KENG ROAD TO BE WIDENED.................................. 9

WATER CUT.................................................... 9

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1979

SIR Y.K. KAN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF NEW STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

* * * * M *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE HAS APPOINTED SIR Y.K. KAN, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.

THE INTENTION TO SET UP THE COMMISSION WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 16 LAST YEAR BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MARTIN ROWLANDS.

BESIDES THE CHAIRMAN THERE ARE EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION. THEY ARE THE HON. S.L. CHEN, THE REV. THE HON. PATRICK MCGOVERN, MRS. GRACE HO, MR. GORDON M. MACWHINNIE, W. GALLANT HO YIU-TAI, MR. JOHN L. SOONG, MR. F.L. WALKER AND MRS. MAISIE WONG CHAN SHIN-U.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ALSO ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF MR P.B. WILLIAMS TO BE SECRETARY-GENERAL CF THE COMMISSION. MR WILLIAMS RETIRED AS COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR LAST YEAR AFTER 25 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG. HE WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (THURSDAY). HE WILL BE ASSISTED BY A FULL-TIME STAFF, SOME OF WHOM HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPOINTED.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COMMISSION HAD NOW BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT A NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE STAFF SIDE OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL, VARIOUS INDIVIDUAL GRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS.

TO ASSIST THE COMMISSION IN CARRYING OUT ITS WORK, THE CHAIRMAN HAS BEEN EMPOWERED TO CO-OPT ADDITIONAL PERSONS TO SERVE ON SUB-COMMITTEES. THIS WILL ENABLE THE COMMISSION TO OBTAIN THE HELP OF EXPERTS IN PARTICULAR AREAS OF ITS WORK.

COMMENTING ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMISSION, MR ROWLANDS SAID« +THE COMMISSION IS EXPECTED TO START WORK VERY SHORTLY AND ALL OUTSTANDING NEGOTIATIONS ON PAY AND STRUCTURE MATTERS WILL BE REFERRED TO THE COMMISSION FOR ADV ICE.♦

------- 0 ---------

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1979

PWD SPENDING SI MILLION A DAY ON ROAD PROJECTS M * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS SPENDING MORE THAN $1 MILLION A DAY ON ROAD PROJECTS IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY). BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAYS ENGINEER, MR. NICKY CHAN IN A TALK GIVEN TO THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION’S OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVES MEETING.

MR. CHAN OUTLINED SOME OF THE MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS IN PROGRESS OR TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AS WELL AS NEW ROAD PROPOSALS.

ON HONG KONG ISLAND, HE SAID, UNDER CONSTRUCTION WERE THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, CANAL ROAD FLYOVER EXTENSION, WONG CHUK HANG INTERCHANGE AND THE WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD-STUBBS ROAD FLYOVER.

ON COMPLETION IN ABOUT TWO YEARS, HE ADDED, THESE ROADS SHOULD ADEQUATELY SOLVE THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS BEING EXPERIENCED AT THE STUBBS ROAD ROUNDABOUT AND EASE TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN THE SOUTH SIDE OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE MAINLAND VIA THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.

TO RELIEVE CONGESTION IN NORTH POINT, HE SAID, WORK WOULD SHORTLY START ON A $260 MILLION NEW COASTAL ROAD FROM VICTORIA PARK TO HEALTHY STREET.

KNOWN AS ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR STAGE I, IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY 1983 WHILE THE WHOLE SCHEME EXTENDING TO SHAU KEI WAN IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1986.

ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE ISLAND, THERE ARE PLANS TO EXTEND WONG CHUK HANG ROAD ALONG THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT TO JOIN SHEK PAI WAN ROAD.

ALSO UNDER PLANNING IS AN ELEVATED ROAD ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD FROM HILL ROAD TO HARCOURT ROAD EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY 1986.

MR. CHAN SAID: +0N COMPLETION, THIS ROAD, TOGETHER WITH THE EXISTING GLOUCESTER ROAD AND THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, WILL FORM A FREE FLOWING TRAFFIC ROUTE ALONG THE WHOLE OF THE NORTHERN COASTLINE OF HONG KONG ISLAND.*

IN EAST KOWLOON, WORK IS IN PROGRESS ON AN IMPROVED ROUTE ALONG THE EAST KOWLOON CORRIDOR LINKING HUNG HOM WITH THE INDUSTRIAL AREA OF KWUN TONG VIA A TUNNEL UNDER THE AIRPORT RUNWAY.

IN WEST KOWLOON, THE SECOND STAGE OF THE MAJOR ROAD LINKING YAU MA TEI TO LAI CHI KOK IS ALSO UNDER WAY.

THIS WILL TAKE THE FORM OF AN ELEVATED ROAD PASSING EXISTING STREETS AND ALONG RECLAMATION.

/MR- chan ......

MR. CHAN SAID: +THE FINAL STAGE OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR IS PLANNED FOR COMPLETION IN 1984 WHEREUPON THESE TWO CORRIDORS WILL EFFECTIVELY FORM A CONNECTION BETWEEN EAST AND WEST THROUGH CENTRAL KOWLOON, IN ADDITION TO THE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED MAJOR ROUTE ACROSS THE NORTH OF KOWLOON AT THE FOOT OF THE HILLS.

+THE CENTRAL SPINAL ROUTE IN KOWLOON CONNECTS THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TO LION ROCK TUNNEL AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+THIS ROUTE IS ALREADY OF HIGH CAPACITY BUT TWO FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROGRAMME ARE A FLYOVER AT THE JUNCTION OF WATERLOO ROAD AND CORNWALL STREET AND THE WIDENING OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER FROM THREE LANES TO FOUR, BOTH OF WHICH SHOULD ELIMINATE THE FINAL BOTTLENECKS ON THIS ROUTE.+

IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, HE SAID, FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE FIRST CARRIAGEWAY OF THE TUEN MUN ROAD BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN, WORK STARTED ON THE SECOND THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY LAST JULY.

THE OTHER ROAD PROJECT OF COMPARABLE MAGNITUDE IS THE SHA TIN TO TAI PO COASTAL ROAD WHICH IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF DETAILED PLANNING.

MR. CHAN SAID THAT IT WAS INTENDED THAT THIS ROAD WOULD BE A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY AT THE OUTSET, WITH PROVISION FOR FURTHER WIDENING LATER ON.

IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CIRCULAR ROUTE LINKING TAI PO, FANLING AND YUEN LONG IS PROGRESSING STEADILY.

HE SAID THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PLANNED TO START WORK ON THE SECTION BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND AU TAU ABOUT JULY THIS YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN 1981. HOWEVER, THE WHOLE ROUTE WAS NOT EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE UNTIL AFTER 1983.

IN TSUEN WAN, SEVERAL LARGE SCALE ROAD PROJECTS ARE PRESENTLY UNDER WAY. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ONE IS THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS, STAGE ONE OF WHICH SHOULD BE FINISHED BY LATE 1980.

REGARDING THE EXISTING STREET SYSTEMS WHERE LOCAL ACCESS PRECLUDES THE POSSIBILITY OF COSTLY GRADE SEPARATION FOR CONFLICTING TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS ADOPTED A SYSTEM OF AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL.

THIS TAKES THE FORM OF COMPUTERISED CONTROL OF A LARGE NUMBER OF SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS BY CONTINUOUS MONITORING AND ADJUSTMENT.

MR. CHAN SAID THAT A REPORT ON THE SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL OF TRAFFIC ON THE MAJOR ’THROUGH’ ROADS FOR THE WHOLE TERRITORY WOULD BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR.

THE REPORT WOULD CONTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE USE OF CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION, EMERGENCY TELEPHONES AND AUTOMATIC INCIDENT DETECTION TOGETHER WITH CONTROL BY SIGNALS DISPLAYED TO THE DRIVERS FROM GANTRIES, HE ADDED.'

------o-------

/4....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1979

GOVERNOR PRAISES ROLE OF NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS IN EXPANDED SCHOOLS PROGRAMME # If

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF RAPID EDUCATIONAL EXPANSION.

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS + INDEED GRATEFUL* TO THE MANAGEMENTS WHICH GAVE GENEROUSLY BOTH TIME AND RESOURCES TO HELP BUILD AND MANAGE THE SCHOOLS WHICH WERE SO BADLY NEEDED.

SIR MURRAY WAS SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE NEW BRANCH OF JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE IN KWAI CHUNG — THE SECOND EXPANSION OF THE COLLEGE IN THREE YEARS TO HELP MEET THE GOVERNMENT’S TARGET OF PROVIDING FREE EDUCATION TO JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS BY NEXT SEPTEMBER.

THE KWAI CHUNG SCHOOL IS THE THIRD BRANCH OF THE COLLEGE, AND ON ITS COMPLETION IN MID-1980, THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN THE COLLEGE WILL RISE TO MORE THAN 6,000.

THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THERE WERE FEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TSUEN WAN WHEN THE COLLEGE WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN 1966. +NOW THERE ARE OVER 40,+ HE SAID.

SIR MURRAY SAID THE NEW SCHOOL WOULD BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY BEING BUILT IN TSUEN WAN-KWAI CHUNG AND WOULD PLAY ITS PART IN EDUCATING AND EQUIPPING THE COMING GENERATIONS +WHO WILL LIVE IN IT AND GIVE IT ITS CHARACTER AND MAKE IT THEIR HOME*.

+IT IS AN EXCITING THOUGHT THAT BY THE TIME THE FIRST STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM THIS COLLEGE, THIS TOWN WILL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND BE A CONSIDERABLE CITY IN ITS OWN RIGHT, WITH ITS RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE FACILITIES BUILT, AND ITS SOCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE BESIDE ITS OWN TOWN HALL,* HE ADDED.

♦ I AM SURE THAT THIS COLLEGE WILL PLAY ITS PART IN BUILDING THE NEW CITY ALONG LINES THAT WILL ENDURE.*

TO BE BUILT ON A 5,500 SQUARE-METRE SITE GRANTED FREE OF PREMIUM BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE NEW SCHOOL IS A S15 MILLION PROJECT, COMPRISING 40 CLASSROOMS, 13 SPECIAL ROOMS, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, A GYMNASIUM AND A SWIMMING POOL.

IT WILL ACCOMMODATE UP TO 3,600 STUDENTS WHEN OPERATING BI-SESSIONALLY. LIKE ITS MOTHER COLLEGE AND THE TWO BRANCHES IN YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN, THE NEW SCHOOL WILL OFFER ALL ITS FORMS ONE TO THREE PLACES TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR ALLOCATION THROUGH THE SECONDARY SCHOOL NETS.

/SIR MURRAY......

- 5 -

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1979

SIR MURRAY SAID HE +SALUTED THE INTEREST, VISION AND GENEROSITY OF THE SCHOOL’S CHAIRMAN, MR. DEACON CHIU, AND HIS ASSOCIATES ON THE COLLEGE COMMITTEE FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IN HONG KONG.

FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECHi

♦THIS PROJECT WILL BE THE THIRD BRANCH SCHOOL OF THE JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE, AND ON ITS COMPLETION THE NUMBERS OF THE COLLEGE WILL RISE TO MORE THAN 6,000.

♦ IT IS THEREFORE WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I ACCEPTED YOUR INVITATION TO OFFICIATE, SINCE IT ALLOWS ME TO SALUTE THE INTEREST, VISION AND GENEROSITY OF MR. CHIU AND HIS ASSOCIATES ON THE COLLEGE COMMITTEE.

♦ AS YOU HAVE SAID MR. CHIU THERE WERE FEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TSUEN WAN IN 1966 WHEN YOUR FIRST SCHOOL WAS ESTABLISHED- NOW THERE ARE OVER 40.

♦ IN YOUR GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF RAPID EDUCATIONAL EXPANSION NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS HAVE A VITAL PART TO PLAY, AND THE GOVERNMENT IS INDEED GRATEFUL TO MANAGEMENTS LIKE YOURS WHICH GIVE GENEROUSLY BOTH TIME AND RESOURCES TO HELP BUILD AND MANAGE THE SCHOOLS WHICH ARE SO BADLY NEEDED.

♦ THIS SCHOOL WILL BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY BEING BUILT IN TSUEN WAN/KWAI CHUNG, AND WILL PLAY ITS PART IN EDUCATING AND EQUIPPING THE COMING GENERATIONS WHO WILL LIVE IN IT AND GIVE IT ITS CHARACTER AND MAKE IT THEIR HOME.

♦ IT IS AN EXCITING THOUGHT THAT BY THE TIME THE FIRST STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM THIS COLLEGE, THIS TOWN WILL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND BE A CONSIDERABLE CITY IN ITS OWN RIGHT, WITH ITS RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE FACILITIES BUILT, AND ITS SOCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE BESIDE ITS OWN TOWN HALL. I AM SURE THAT THIS COLLEGE WILL PLAY ITS PART IN BUILDING THE NEW CITY ALONG LINES THAT WILL ENDURE.+

--------o -

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1979

- 6

TAXPAYERS WARNED OF IMPOSTERS

******

TAXPAYERS ARE REMINDED TO BEWARE OF IMPOSTERS CLAIMING TO BE OFFICERS FROM THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL REPORTS OF SUCH IMPERSONATIONS RECENTLY.

+WE HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL REPORTS THAT A MAN WHO CLAIMED TO BE AN OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT HAD TELEPHONED BUSINESS FIRMS TO ACQUIRE INFORMATION SUCH AS THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE PROPRIETORS OR MANAGERS OF THE RESPECTIVE FIRMS,+ HE SAID.

INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE BOGUS CALLER THEN VISITED THE PROPRIETORS AND MANAGERS FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES WHICH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR TAX AFFAIRS OR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THAT FROM TIME TO TIME REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED THAT SOME PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN SELLING ADVERTISING SPACE IN PUBLICATIONS OR SOLICITING FUNDS FOR CHARITIES.

♦OBVIOUSLY THESE PERSONS ARE IMPERSONATORS BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT INSERT ANY ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE INFORMATION PAMPHLETS IT ISSUES TO THE PUBLIC NOR DOES IT SOLICIT FUNDS FOR CHARITIES,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES, WHEN OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT, ACTING IN THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITY, DO CALL AT TAXPAYERS’ HOUSES OR PLACES OF BUSINESS TO MAKE OFFICIAL ENQUIRIES OR TO DELIVER CORRESPONDENCE SUCH AS URGENT DEMAND NOTES FOR UNPAID TAX. HOWEVER, IN SUCH CASES, THESE OFFICERS ALWAYS CARRY A DEPARTMENTAL IDENTITY CARD AND A WRITTEN AUTHORITY FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE.

MOREOVER, THESE OFFICERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RECEIVE CASH OR CHEQUES IN SETTLEMENT OF TAXES. PAYMENT MUST BE MADE ONLY TO THE LISTED OFFICIAL REVENUE COLLECTION CENTRES SHOWN ON THE DEMAND NOTES.

A NOTE OF ’IMPERSONATION OF INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS’ IS ENCLOSED WITH THE PROFITS TAX RETURN SENT TO THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH FINANCIAL YEAR TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF SUCH MALPRACTICES.

SHOULD TAXPAYERS HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE CALLER, THEY ARE ADVISED EITHER TO CHECK WITH THE COMPLAINTS SECTION BY TELEPHONING 5-247878 OR 5-245858, OR WITH THE PRINCIPAL TAX INSPECTOR BY DIALLING 5-234166 EXTENSION 26 DURING OFFICE HOURS.

0 --------

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1979

384 TRADE UNIONS REGISTERED IN 1978

******

THERE WERE 384 REGISTERED TRADE UNIONS IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE REGISTRY OF TRADE UNIONS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

OF THESE, 326 WERE EMPLOYEES’ UNIONS, 42 EMPLOYERS’ UNIONS, 15 MIXED UNIONS OF EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS AND ONE TRADE UNION FEDERATION OF EMPLOYEES’ UNIONS.

THE FIGURES ALSO SHOWED SEVEN TRADE UNIONS WERE ADDED TO, AND TWO OTHERS REMOVED FROM THE REGISTER DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF 1978.

THE SEVEN NEW UNIONS ARE THE JUDICIAL CLERKS ASSOCIATION, THE ASSOCIATION OF FEMALE SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ESTATES SEMI-SKILLED WORKERS UNION, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT DENTAL SURGERY ASSISTANTS ASSOCIATION, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CHAINMEN UNION, THE HONG KONG GURKHA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT GENERAL DUTIES TEAM STAFFS UNION.

THE TWO UNIONS REMOVED FROM THE REGISTER WERE THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON PLUMBING AND SANITARY WARE TRADE EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION AND THE UNION OF GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS. THREE APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION WERE ALSO RECEIVED.

THE REGISTRY OF TRADE UNIONS ALSO APPROVED AND REGISTERED 26 APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF ALTERATIONS OF UNION RULES ON MANAGEMENT, WELFARE BENEFITS, FEES AND MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS.

TWO EMPLOYEES’ UNIONS AND ONE EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION WERE WARNED FOR FAILING TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF ALTERATIONS OF RULES WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD OF 30 DAYS.

DURING THE LAST QUARTER 26 INSPECTIONS OF UNIONS WERE CARRIED OUT TO CHECK ACCOUNT BOOKS AND REGISTERS OF MEMBERS. IN ADDITION, EIGHT APPLICATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO INSPECT THE REGISTEI WERE GRANTED.

0 -

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1979

LUNAR NEW YEAR WALKATHON

******

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, THE RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN, LOCAL KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS AND CIVIC ORGANISATIONS WILL BE HOLDING A +LUNAR NEW YEAR WALKATHON* FOR 1,000 RESIDENTS NEXT MONTH.

THE TWO-HOUR WALK WILL START AT THE CHIU SHEUNG MIDDLE SCHOOL AT 79B POK FU LAM ROAD VIA THE SMALL PATH LEADING FROM THE WESTERN PUMPING STATION TO HATTON ROAD, HARLECH ROAD AND END AT THE VICTORIA GAP CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND IN THE PEAK.

APPLICATION, WHICH IS FREE, IS NOW OPEN AND WILL BE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. THE CLOSING DATE IS JANUARY 25.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE AT«

* CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) — 2O5A DES VOEUX ROAD WEST-

* THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE AT THE ENTRANCE OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE (WEST WING)-

* RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) — INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, NINTH FLOOR, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL- AND

* COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) — INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 18TH FLOOR, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.

-----0------

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1979

- 9 -

LUK KENG ROAD TO BE WIDENED *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO WIDEN AND IMPROVE THE EXISTING LUK KENG ROAD TO ENABLE THE CIRCULAR ROUTE LINKING TAI PO, TAI MEI TUK AND LUK KENG TO CARRY TWO-WAY TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT ITS WHOLE LENGTH.

THE PROJECT INVOLVES WIDENING AND IMPROVING SECTIONS OF THE EXISTING ROAD TO PROVIDE A SIX-METRE WIDE CARRIAGEWAY WITH FOOTWAYS, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROAD ON CAUSEWAY ACROSS STARLING INLET. A NEW ROAD BRIDGE WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED AS PART OF THE CAUSEWAY.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO THIS EFFECT WAS MADE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE LAST FRIDAY.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR OBJECTION WILL BE FEBRUARY 12, 1979 AND ANY CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION MUST BE MADE BY MARCH 12, 1979.

-----o------

WATER CUT * * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY FUK TSUN STREET, TONG MEI ROAD, CHERRY STREET, TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND IVY STREET INCLUDING PALM STREET, ASH STREET, OAK STREET, PINE STREET, BEECH STREET, ELM STREET, ANCHOR STREET AND LIME STREET.

-----o------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

NEW TAXI FARES AND NEW LAWS TO REDUCE TAXI MALPRACTICES TO COME INTO EFFECT ON SATURDAY, JANUARY BO.................. 1

OBLIGATIONS OF TAXI DRIVERS ................................. 3

EMPLOYERS REMINDED OF LUNAR NEW YEAR STATUTORY HOLIDAYS .. 3

DISTRIBUTION OF FAT CHOY LAI SEE ............................ 5

AUCTION OF 30 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ........................... 5

INTER-SCHOOL DRUG EDUCATION DISPLAY EXHIBITION .............. 6

TSI NG Yl RECLAMATION........................................ 6

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES TO LINK MARKET BUILDINGS ................. 7

CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN SHAM SHU I PO.......................... 7

CIVIL SERVANTS COMPLETE MANAGEMENT STUDIES COURSE ........... 8

NEW RESTRICTED ZONES ...................................... 8

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ...1..................................... 9

... . . i . •

RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT MOVING OFFICE ............... 9

WATER CUT................................................... 10

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1979

NEW TAXI FARES AND NEW LAWS TO REDUCE TAXI MALPRACTICES TO COME INTO EFFECT ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 *****

THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR. ALAN ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE NEW TAXI FARES AND THE NEW REGULATIONS TO REDUCE TAXI MALPRACTICES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 20.

THE NEW FARES FOR URBAN TAXIS WILL BE $2.50 FOR THE FIRST MILE AND 50 CENTS FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT ONE-FIFTH OF A MILE WITH WAITING TIME CHARGED AT 50 CENTS FOR EVERY TWO-AND-A-HALF MINUTES.

NEW TERRITORIES TAXI FARES WILL BE INCREASED TO $1.50 FOR THE FIRST MILE AND 30 CENTS FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT ONE-FIFTH OF A MILE WITH WAITING TIME CHARGED AT 30 CENTS FOR EVERY TWO-AND-A-HALF MINUTES.

MR. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT SAIDi +EVERY TAXI IS BEING ISSUED WITH AN OFFICIAL CONVERSION TABLE SHOWING THE OLD AND NEW TAXI FARES. THESE CONVERSION TABLES APPLY ONLY TO METERS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RECALIBRATED AND WILL BE WITHDRAWN BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AS AND WHEN EACH TAXI HAS ITS METER RECALIBRATED.*

THE COMMISSIONER SAID THERE ARE CURRENTLY 6,969 URBAN TAXIS AND 738 NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS AND THAT ALL THESE TAXIS SHOULD HAVE THEIR METERS RECALIBRATED WITHIN SIX MONTHS.

HE SAIDt +TAXI PASSENGERS CAN EASILY TELL IF THEY ARE TRAVELLING IN AN URBAN TAXI WITH A RECALIBRATED METER, BECAUSE A RECALIBRATED METER WILL SHOW A FLAG FALL OF $2.50 INSTEAD OF $2.00 AND WILL JUMP 50 CENTS FOR EVERY UNIT INSTEAD OF 20 CENTS.

♦IN THE CASE OF NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS, A RECALIBRATED METER WILL SHOW A $1.50 FLAG FALL AND WILL JUMP 30 CENTS FOR EVERY UNIT.+

MR. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT SAID THE VEHICULAR FERRY FEE AND LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL FOR TAXIS WILL BE BROUGHT INTO LINE WITH THOSE CURRENTLY IN FORCE FOR THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY.

FROM SATURDAY, PASSENGERS IN TAXIS CROSSING THE HARBOUR ON VEHICULAR FERRIES OR JOURNEYING IN TAXIS THROUGH THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A SURCHARGE OF TWICE THE FERRY FEE OR TUNNEL TOLL INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF SPECIFIED CHARGES.

TURNING TO THE NEW TAXI REGULATIONS, MR. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT SAID THEIR PURPOSE WAS TO IMPROVE TAXI SERVICES AND TO PROVIDE FOR STIFFER SANCTIONS AGAINST TAXI DRIVERS WHO ENGAGE IN MALPRACTICES.

/THE CHIEF STAFF .....

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1979

THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OF THE POLICE TRAFFIC HEADQUARTERS, MR. KEITH LOMAS EXPLAINED THE DETAILS.

HE SAID: ^STARTING ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, SUCH OFFENCES BY TAXI DRIVERS AS TAMPERING WITH THE METER, NOT DRIVING TO THE DESTINATION REQUIRED, NOT DRIVING BY THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE, REFUSING TO ACCEPT A HIRE, AND OVER-CHARGING WILL BE SUBJECT TO A FINE OF $3,000 AND SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.*

♦THE MORE SERIOUS OF THESE TAXI OFFENCES, SUCH AS REFUSAL TO ACCEPT A HIRE, NOT DRIVING TO THE PLACE INDICATED BY THE HIRER AND OVERCHARGING, CAN LEAD TO SUSPENSION OF THE CULPRIT TAXI DRIVER’S LICENCE.+

MR. LOMAS SAID THE NEW REGULATIONS ALSO CLARIFY THE OFFENCE OF REFUSING A HIRE. +IN FUTURE,+ HE SAID, +IF A TAXI DRIVER RESPONDS TO A HAIL FROM AN INTENDING PASSENGER AND THEN REFUSES TO ACCEPT THE HIRE, HE WILL BE COMMITTING AN OFFENCE.+

♦ACTIONS SUCH AS DISPLAYING AN OUT OF SERVICE SIGN OR LOCKING THE DOOR FROM INSIDE WILL NOT BE MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE, BY THE VERY ACT OF RESPONDING TO THE HAIL, THE TAXI DRIVER WILL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE ACCEPTED THE HIRE AND WILL BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO TAKE THE HIRER TO THE DESTINATION NAMED.+

MR. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT STRESSED THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE NEW SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES WOULD DEPEND HEAVILY ON THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE WILLING TO MAKE COMPLAINTS AND TO GO THROUGH THE NECESSARY PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW THEM UP.

HE SA IDi +THE POLICE, I AM SURE, WILL CONTINUE WITH THE STRENUOUS EFFORT THEY HAVE RECENTLY BEEN MAKING TO COMBAT MALPRACTICES BY TAXI DRIVERS AND WILL BE READY TO ASSIST THE PUBLIC IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE TO PRESS THEIR COMPLAINTS.+

HE ADDED I +THE PACKAGE OF THESE NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO IMPROVE TAXI SERVICES INCLUDED THE ISSUE OF NEW TAXI LICENCES AT THE RATE OF 100 PER MONTH AND THAT THIS, AND THE OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE PACKAGE WOULD BE REVIEWED LATER IN THE YEAR.+

0--------

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1979

- 3 -

OBLIGATIONS OF TAXI DRIVERS

******

REGULATION 27 OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TAXIS, PUBLIC OMNIBUSES. PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND PUBLIC CARS) REGULATIONS HAS BEEN REVOKED AND REPLACED BY THE FOLLOWING NEW REGULATION UNDER WHICH A TAXI DRIVER SHALL NOT WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSEt

A. WILFULLY REFUSE OR NEGLECT TO ACCEPT A HIRE FROM A HIRER WHETHER THE INTENTION OF SUCH HIRER IS INDICATED EXPRESSLY OR BY IMPLICATION-

B. REFUSE OR NEGLECT TO DRIVE THE TAXI FROM A TAXI STAND TO ANY PLACE INDICATED BY THE HIRER-

C. REFUSE OR NEGLECT TO DRIVE THE TAXI TO ANY PLACE INDICATED BY A HIRER HAVING RESPONDED TO A HAIL FROM THE HIRER-

D. REFUSE OR NEGLECT TO DRIVE THE TAXI TO ANY PLACE INDICATED BY A HIRER WHEN REQUESTED OTHERWISE THAN AT A TAXI STAND OR AFTER RESPONDING TO A HAIL-

E. REFUSE OR NEGLECT TO CARRY SUCH NUMBER OF PASSENGERS, NOT EXCEEDING THE NUMBER SPECIFIED IN THE VEHICLE LICENCE IN RESPECT OF THE TAXI, AS HE MAY BE REQUIRED TO CARRY BY THE HIRER-

F. WHEN HIRED TO DRIVE TO A SPECIFIED DESTINATION, DRIVE TO SUCH DESTINATION OTHER THAN BY THE MOST DIRECT PRACTICABLE ROUTE- OR

G. WHEN HIS TAXI IS HIRED, PERMIT ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE HIRER TO ENTER THE TAXI WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE HIRER.

------o-------

EMPLOYERS REMINDED OF LUNAR NEW YEAR STATUTORY HOLIDAYS ******

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WHICH FALL ON JANUARY 28, 29 AND 30 ARE THREE OF THE 10 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS APPOINTED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

THE FIRST DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WHICH FALLS ON A SUNDAY IS ALSO LIKELY TO BE A REST DAY FOR MANY EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE.

♦IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES,* SAID MR. HENDERSON, +AN EMPLOYER MUST GRANT HIS EMPLOYEES ANOTHER REST DAY BECAUSE THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT A REST DAY SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO ANY STATUTORY HOLIDAY.*

MR. HENDERSON EMPHASISED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE APPLIED TO ALL EMPLOYEES WHEREVER THEY MAY WORK.

/UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ......

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1979

UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES WITHOUT DISTINCTION, INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN >2,000 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY.

THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE THREE DAYS OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

MR. HENDERSON ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AN EMPLOYEE NOT EMPLOYED ON A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT BY THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR LESS THAN THREE MONTHS WOULD STILL BE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAYS, BUT WOULD HAVE NO LEGAL ENTITLEMENT TO BE PAID.

A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT, HE EXPLAINED, WAS ONE WHERE THE EMPLOYEE HAD WORKED FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR FOUR WEEKS OR MORE, PRIOR TO A GIVEN DATE, ON AT LEAST THREE DAYS IN EACH OF THE FOUR WEEKS AND FOR NOT LESS THAN SIX HOURS ON EACH DAY.

IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY-OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IF THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO BE GRANTED BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYER MUST NOTIFY THE EMPLOYEE 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY.

IN THE CASE WHERE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO BE GIVEN AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE NOTIFIED OF THE ARRANGEMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IF BOTH EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF A STATUTORY HOLIDAY OR ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY MAY BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY.

COMPLAINTS OR ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.

THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS AREi FOR KOWLOON EAST 3-205638-KOWLOON WEST 3-201652- KWUN TONG 3-898520- TSUEN WAN 12-422096- TUEN MUN 12-818443 EXT. 82 AND HONG KONG ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 60.

--------o ---------

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1979

- 5 -DISTRIBUTION OF FAT CHOY LAI SEE *****

FIVE HUNDRED NEEDY PEOPLE IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE GIVEN LUCKY MONEY- TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO CELEBRATE THE LUHAR NEW^YEAR.

THE MONEY, FROM THE FAT CHOY SPECIAL AID FUND, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT 3 P.M. AT THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE IN CHING TAK STREET, WONG TAI SIN.

EACH RECIPIENT WILL BE GIVEN $20.

STAFF FROM THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN) WILL ASSIST IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF RED PACKETS.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES (T0 COVER THE DISTRIBUTION OF LAI SEE'S TO 500 NEEDY PEOPLE AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE IN CHING TAK STREET, WONG TAI SIN.

-------o ---------

AUCTION OF 30 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL AUCTION ANOTHER 30 ♦SPECIAL* CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS THIS SATURDAY IN THE LECTURE HALL OF THE CITY HALL AT 10 A.M.

BW BW BW BW

THE NUMBERS, ALL WITH 113, BW 320, BW 228, BW 350, BW 388, BW 138, BW 283, BW 768, BW 883, BW 1398, BW 7220, BW 2123,

A +BW+ PREFIX, ARE* BW 118, BW 3233, 316, BW 604, BW 122, BW 308, BW 168, 1333, BW 128, BW 635, BW 733, BW 218, 1338, BW 1961, BW 3288, BW 832, BW 8999 AND BW 6608.

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSING OF THE AUCTION.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED BIDDERS THE CAR REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.

PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES

FUND

/6 ...

• • •

-------o --------

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1979

INTER-SCHOOL DRUG EDUCATION DISPLAY EXHIBITION * * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF AN INTER-SCHOOL DRUG EDUCATION DISPLAY EXHIBITION AT THE CITY HALL ON SATURDAY.

THE FIVE-DAY EXHIBITION WILL COMPRISE WINNING DISPLAYS ERECTED BY 14 OF THE 32 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH TOOK PART IN A COMPETITION LAST NOVEMBER.

THE DISPLAYS ARE DESIGNED BY STUDENTS TO ILLUSTRATE THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE AND, AS A CONTRAST, THE ADVANTAGES OF MEANINGFUL LEISURE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT, SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS AND ITS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, TUNG FOOK HOUSE AND CARITAS LOK HEEP CLUB WILL ALSO SET UP DISPLAYS TO PUBLICISE THEIR WORK AND SERVICES.

NOTE TO EDITORS! (

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE INTER-SCHOOL DRUG EDUCATION DISPLAY EXHIBITION ON SATURDAY AT 3.30 P.M. IN THE EXHIBITION HALL OF CITY HALL.

- 0 - -

TSI NG Yl RECLAMATION * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM AN AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED OF ABOUT 21.9 HECTARES AT TSING Yl FOR INDUSTRIAL USE.

THE AREA INVOLVED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE NOTIFICATION.

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 OR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, OR THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, FOU WAH CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1979

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES TO LINK MARKET BUILDINGS * * * * *

thp PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD TWO PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES TO LlJ" TW^KET BUILDINGS, ONE IN WAN CHAI ROAD AND THE OTHER IN BOWRINGTON ROAD.

THE NEW BOWRINGTON ROAD MARKET, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,700 SQUARE METRES, IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

a Pwn SPOKESMAN SAID THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES, EACH MEASURING ABOUT 10 3 METRES IN LENGTH AND 2.4 METRES IN WIDTH, WOULD BE BUILT ABOUT 6.5 METRES ABOVE GROUND LEVEL TO ALLOW VEHICULAR ACCESS.

CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY AND COMPLETED IN APRIL.

0 - -

CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN SHAM SHU I PO

*****

AN AREA-WIDE CLEAN-UP OPERATION WILL BE HELD AT TAI HANG TUNG AND NAM SHAN IN SHAM SHUI PO TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THE OPERATION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO), HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE TAI HANG TUNG SAI-YAU YAT CHUEN AREA COMMITTEE, IS DESIGNED TO HELP THE RESIDENTS IN THEIR YEAR-END HOUSE-CLEANING ACTIVITIES IN PREPARATION FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

ABOUT 100 VOLUNTARY WORKERS WILL BE INVOLVED IN CLEANING TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE, NAM SHAN ESTATE AND YAU YAT CHUEN AREA. THEY WILL ALSO LEVEL OFF WILD GRASS NEAR CHIU YUEN-WAN SHAN ROAD AND THE YUNG KWONG LANE SQUATTER AREAS.

A CEREMONY MARKING THE COMMUNITY PROJECT WILL BE HELD AT 9.30 A.M. IN THE CAR PARK NEXT TO NAM FUNG HOUSE, NAM SHAN ESTATE.

DR. P. HASE, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (SHAM SHUI PO) AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CO-ORGANI SERS WILL OFFICIATE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY O’7 THE YEAR-END CLEAN-UP OPERATION AT TAI HANG TUNG AND NAM SHAN TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 9.30 A.M. IN THE CAR PARK NEXT TO NAM FUNG HOUSE, NAM SHAN ESTATE, SHAM SHUI PO.

- 0 -

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1979

CIVIL SERVANTS COMPLETE MANAGEMENT STUDIES COURSE

* * * * * *

THE FIRST GROUP OF CIVIL SERVANTS TO COMPLETE A DIPLOMA COURSE IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES AT THE LINGNAN INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG GRADUATED RECENTLY.

THE 25 CIVIL SERVANTS RECEIVED THEIR DIPLOMAS FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, DR. MA Lilt.

A SECOND INTAKE OF 26 OFFICERS IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COURSE, COVERING TWO ACADEMIC YEARS, AND A THIRD INTAKE OF 27 OFFICERS RECENTLY BEGAN THEIR STUDIES.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THE COURSE WAS INTRODUCED AT THE REQUEST OF THE GOVERNMENT. THE SYLLABUS HAD BEEN WORKED OUT JOINTLY BETWEEN THE INSTITUTE AND THE TRAINING DIVISION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH.

THOSE SELECTED TO ATTEND CAME FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND WERE EITHER MANAGERS OR POTENTIAL MANAGERS AT MIDDLE LEVEL.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COURSE, TAUGHT AT GRADUATE LEVEL, INVOLVED ATTENDANCE AT THE INSTITUTE ON A PART TIME, DAY-RELEASE BASIS.

♦THE AIM OF INTRODUCING THE COURSE IS TO PROVIDE CIVIL SERVANTS WHO PRACTISE MANAGEMENT, BUT WHO MAY NOT HAVE HAD AN APPROPRIATE BACKGROUND AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES,♦ HE SAID.

THEY WERE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO STUDY MANAGEMENT LOCALLY ON THEIR OWN, IN WHICH CASE COURSE FEES WERE USUALLY REIMBURSED, HE ADDED.

------o-------

NEW RESTRICTED ZONES ******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT TWO SECTIONS OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

THE ROADS TO BE DESIGNATED ARE:

* THE SECTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 269-271 AND 377-379- AND,

* THE SECTION OF STUBBS ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND A POINT ABOUT 262 FEET SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION.

ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, ARE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS IN THOSE SECTIONS.

THE BOUNDARIES OF THE RESTRICTED ZONES WILL BE INDICATED BY TRAFFIC SIGNS.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1979

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT FROM 8 A.M. TO 1 P.M. ON SATURDAY THE SECTION OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF QUEEN’S PIER WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FOR REHEARSALS OF THE 1979 HONG KONG ARTS

FESTIVAL GALA OPENING.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTOR

----o------ I

RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT MOVING OFFICE

******

THE NEW TERRITORIES RATING DIVISION AND NEW KOWLOON RATING DIVISION OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY MOVE FROM 1 GARDEN ROAD AND NEW MERCURY HOUSE TO NEW OFFICES ON THE SEVENTH, EIGHTH AND NINTH FLOORS OF TAI SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT 24-34 HENNESSY ROAD, WANCHAI, HONG KONG.

THE SPECIAL PROPERTIES DIVISION WILL ALSO MOVE FROM NEW MERCURY HOUSE TO 1 GARDEN ROAD WHEREAS THE RENT CONTROL DIVISION WILL MORE FROM THE 17TH TO THE 18TH FLOOR OF NEW MERCURY HOUSE. THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR THESE OFFICES WILL BE AS FOLLOWSi-

EFFECTIVE DATES

NEW TERRITORIES RATING DIVISION i 5-284037 22.1.1979

NEW KOWLOON RATING DIVISION i 5-284047 12.2.1979

SPECIAL PROPERTIES DIVISION I 5-249021 12.2.1979

RENT CONTROL DIVISION i 5-281424 19.2.1979

(REMAINS UNCHANGED)

THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT TOGETHER WITH THE LEASING AND HOUSING ESTATE DIVISIONS (1 GARDEN ROAD - TELEPHONE NUMBERi 5-249021) AND THE HONG KONG RATING AND KOWLOON RATING DIVISIONS (NEW MERCURY HOUSE TELEPHONE NUMBERi 5-281424) WILL CONTINUE TO BE HOUSED IN THEIR EXISTING OFFICES WITH THEIR TELEPHONE NUMBERS UNCHANGED.

-------o----------

/1O......

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1979

10 -

WATER CUT * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 TESTS.

PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL STOP A.M. ON SATURDAY FOR LEAKAGE

PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY HOI YUEN ROAD kwhn Tnwr

',,P L‘«, KING YIP STREET, HIH6 Yl! STREi/SS S™NG ill 0 InCC I «

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR HAILS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA ...... 1

HK GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR OCTOBER ............... 3

U.S. —HK TEXTILE TALKS TO CONTINUE ............... 4

NEW SHELTERED WORKSHOP FOR THE DISABLED .......... 5

AUDIO-VISUAL TEACHING MATERIAL MAKES LEARNING EASIER ........................................... 6

VALUABLE SILVERSTRAND RESIDENTIAL SITE FOR TENDER . 7

DUAL TWO LANE CARRIAGEWAY FOR TUEN MUN............ 7

MORE BASKETBALL AND TENNIS COURTS FOR KOWLOON .... 8

LIGHT BEACONS FOR ROCKY HARBOUR .................. 9

TWICE YEARLY TOWN PLANNING BOARD LIST OUT......... 9

TENDERS FOR ALUMINIUM WINDOW FRAMES ............. 10

PRISONS DEPARTMENT CONTRIBUTES TO A.C.A.N. EXHIBITION....................................... 11

ROAD SAFETY SPEECH CONTEST ...................... 12

ANTI-CRIME SEMINAR AND SPORTS DAY ............... 12

HK JURY LIST..................................... 13

ROAD CLOSED TO TRAFFIC .......................... 13

FIRING PRACTICE ................................. 14

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

GOVERNOR HAILS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA

******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING HAILED THE DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA DURING THE PAST YEAR WHICH HE SAID +HAD DOMINATED ALL OTHERS IN SIGNIFICANCE FOR THIS REGION AND FOR HONG KONG, AND ARE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR THE WORLD AT LARGE*.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS DURING THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMITTEE ANNUAL DINNER.

♦VIGOROUS IMPLEMENTATION OF A POLICY OF RAPID MODERNISATION, ACCEPTANCE OF ALL FORMS OF NORMAL INTERNATIONAL TRADING AND FINANCIAL PRACTICE- THE TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP WITH JAPAN- NORMALISATION OF RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES — THESE HAVE BEEN GREAT EVENTS, INCREASING THE PROSPECTS FOR BOTH STABILITY OF ALL SORTS BETWEEN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND OTHER NATIONS,* SIR MURRAY SAID.

THE GOVERNOR EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT CHINA TRADING ORGANISATIONS WOULD CONTINUE TO DEVELOP HONG KONG AS A MARKET.

HE ALSO SAID HE COULD SEE +NO ADVANTAGE WHATEVER* TO CHINA UNDERMINING HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY.

♦MOREOVER, THE PROCESS OF BEING UNDER-CUT AT THE BOTTOM END OF THE MARKET, AND OF DISINVESTMENT FROM HONG KONG INTO LOWER-COST AREAS OF PRODUCTION, HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AS CONTINUOUS A PART OF OUR ECONOMIC HISTORY AS THE PARALLEL PROCESS IN HONG KONG OF MOVEMENT INTO HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY THROUGH INVESTMENT.

♦SO THERE IS NOTHING NEW, IN PRINCIPLE, OR NECESSARILY DAUNTING IN PRACTICE ABOUT THIS PROSPECT,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.

THE GOVERNOR STRESSED THAT THIS WAS HIS ANSWER TO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY PUT TO HIM FOLLOWING RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA.

♦AS HONG KONG’S ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GROW, IT WILL NEED MORE FUEL, MORE WATER AND MORE FOOD, AND THE DEMAND FOR MANUFACTURES, SEMI-MANUFACTURES, AND CONSUMER GOODS FROM CHINA’S NEW INDUSTRIES WILL EXPAND,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.

AS TO WHETHER THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERCHANGE OF SEMIMANUFACTURES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WOULD CALL IN QUESTION OF OUR CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN, SIR MURRAY HAD THIS TO SAY:

♦THIS WOULD INDEED BE A VERY SERIOUS MATTER, BUT THE ANSWER IS THAT IT SHOULD NOT IN FACT, BECAUSE THE BASES ON WHICH OUR CERTIFICATES ARE ISSUED ARE QUITE CLEAR, INTERNATIONALLY AGREED, AND SCRUPULOUSLY ENFORCED BY THE ISSUING AUTHORITIES HERE — OUR ECONOMIC SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON IT.*

/however.......

FRIDAY, January 19, 1979

2 -

HOWEVER, SIR MURRAY WARNED THAT THOUGH WE SHOULD BE SAFE ON FACT, FANCY AND RUMOUR AMONG PROTECTIONIST LOBBIES OR COMPETITORS ABROAD COULD BE DAMAGING.

♦SO EXPORTERS MUST BE PARTICULARLY CAREFUL TO DO NOTHING WHICH COULD GIVE GROUNDS FOR SUCH RUMOURS AND, FOR OUR PART, WE MUST BE ALERT TO ANY ALLEGATIONS, HOWEVER INFORMAL AND UNFOUNDED, AND REBUT THEM AS SOON AS THEY ARE MADE,* SIR MURRAY STRESSED.

♦TO SUM UP, WE ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS OF CONSIDERABLE SIGNIFICANCE THAT COULD AFFECT THE EXTENT OF OUR RELATIONS WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN RESPECT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY, TOURISM, COMMUNICATIONS AND FINANCE.

♦THESE POSSIBILITIES ARE THE SUBJECT OF MUCH RUMOUR AND SPECULATION, AND THE DIMENSIONS OF THE POSSIBILITIES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND EVEN PROBLEMS, ARE LIKELY TO EMERGE ONLY GRADUALLY AS THE MONTHS GO BY.

♦MEANWHILE, THERE ARE OBVIOUS ADVANTAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY TAKEN PLACE OR WHICH WE MAY EXPECT. THE FRIENDLY AND CONSTRUCTIVE SPIRIT BEHIND THEM IS A SOURCE OF CONFIDENCE.

♦MOREOVER PEOPLE HERE WELCOME THE MODERNISATION PROGRAMME AND WELCOME THE PROSPECT OF BEING ABLE TO PLAY A PART IN IT,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.

ON HONG KONG’S TRADING PROSPECTS, SIR MURRAY SAID THESE WELCOME AND ARRESTING DEVELOPMENTS COULD NOT CHANGE THE BASIC FACT OF OUR ECONOMIC LIFE, THAT HONG KONG MUST EARN ITS LIVING LARGELY BY EXPORTING.

♦WITH 58 PER CENT OF OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS GOING TO THE UNITED STATES, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, OUR PROSPECTS FOR 1979 ARE GOING TO DEPEND VERY MUCH ON WHAT HAPPENS IN THESE MARKETS.

♦AS USUAL THE SKY IS NOT FREE OF CLOUDS. THERE IS THE LIMITATION IMPOSED ON OUR TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING. WE ARE ALREADY FEELING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE REDUCED OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH IN THE AGREEMENTS WE WERE FORCED TO CONCLUDE IN 1977.

♦THE CONTINUED HIGH RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN OUR PRINCIPAL MARKETS WILL RETAIN POLITICAL PRESSURES ON GOVERNMENTS TO RESTRICT IMPORTS -- HOWEVER UNFAIR AND MISGUIDED THAT MAY BE.

♦MOREOVER OUR EXPORT MARKETS MUST ABSORB THE EFFECTS OF THE INCREASES IN OIL PRICES ANNOUNCED BY THE OPEC COUNTRIES. LESS SPECIFICALLY, BUT CERTAINLY IN OUR MINDS IS THE SITUATIONS IN IRAN, THE MIDDLE EAST AND RHODESIA.

♦NEVERTHELESS, THE ENCOURAGING FACT IS THAT ORDER BOOKS AND IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AT THE END OF 1978 SUGGEST THAT PROSPECTS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1979 ARE REASONABLY GOOD THOUGH IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY WHAT THE LATTER HALF WILL BRING US,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.

/SIR I4URRAY.......

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

SIR MURRAY EARLIER SAID THAT IN 1978 DOMESTIC EXPORTS UP TO NOVEMBER GREW IN MONEY TERMS BY 16 PER CENT, OVERALL EXPORTS BY 20 PER CENT, REVENUE WAS BUOYANT, AND THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR 1978 LOOKED AS IF IT WOULD BE COMFORTABLY OVER THE NINE PER CENT INCREASE FORECASTS.

ON SOCIAL PROGRAMMES, THE GOVERNOR STATED THEY HAVE SURGED FORWARD ON COURSE. + NEW CONSTRUCTION, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, IS UBIQUITOUS,* HE ADDED.

+THE STATE OF THE POLICE FORCE AND LAW AND ORDER HAVE CONTINUED TO IMPROVE. THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION IS SHOWING ENCOURAGING SIGNS OF SUCCESS.

♦WE HAVE DETECTED NO REGRESSION IN THE GREAT IMPROVEMENT ACHIEVED IN REDUCING CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC LIFE.

♦GENERALLY SPEAKING A YEAR OF SUCCESS AND PROGRESS, WITH SOME SIGNS OF STRAIN IN THE ECONOMY.+

--------0 ---------

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR OCTOBER *****

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER. 1978, SHOWED A SURPLUS OF $29.6 MILLION, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $136.5 MILLION IN OCTOBER PREVIOUS YEAR.

THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED SURPLUS OF $147.9 MILLION FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR. LASTA?EAR*ITH A DEFICIT 0F S507-6 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD

TOTAL EXPENDITURE, AT $849.5 MILLION, WAS $174.0 MILLION LESS THAN IN OCTOBER, 1977.

TOTAL REVENUE AND RECEIPTS, AT $879.1 MILLION, WERE $7.9 MILLION LESS THAN FOR THE SAME MONTH PREVIOUS YEAR.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

U.S.-HK TEXTILE TALKS TO CONTINUE ****** i THE CONSULTATIONS WHICH BEGAN ON JANUARY 15 BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND HONG KONG DELEGATIONS HELD UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENT WERE ADJOURNED TODAY (FRIDAY).

IN A JOINT STATEMENT AMBASSADOR M. SMITH, U.S. CHIEF NEGOTIATOR FOR TEXTILE MATTERS, AND MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, THE HONG KONG DIRECTOR OF TRADE, SAID THAT THE TWO SIDES HAD DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF THINGS RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT AND WILL NOW REPORT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENTS.

THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD ALSO AGREED TO CONTINUE THE CONSULTATIONS AT AN EARLY DATE, PROBABLY IN MID-MARCH.

THE TWO NEGOTIATORS EXPLAINED THAT SINCE THE MATTERS RAISED WERE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE TWO GOVERNMENTS, THEY COULD NOT, AT THIS STAGE, GIVE FURTHER DETAILS.

--------o -

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

NEW SHELTERED WORKSHOP FOR THE DISABLED

* * ft ft * *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP ITS EIGHTH SHELTERED WORKSHOP FOR THE DISABLED AND PLANS ARE IN THE PIPELINE FOR MORE SIMILAR PROJECTS.

THE NEW WORKSHOP, AT LEK YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN, REPRESENTS THE DEPARTMENT’S LATEST EFFORTS IN PROVIDING MORE FACILITIES WHERE THE DISABLED CAN CARRY ON A USEFUL WORKING LIFE AS PART OF THEIR INTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY.

WITH A CAPACITY OF 100, THE LEK YUEN WORKSHOP WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON MONDAY (JANUARY 22) BY MR. JAMES WU, AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE OTHER SEVEN WORKSHOPS RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE PROVIDING JOBS FOR 600 DISABLED PEOPLE WHO ARE EITHER BLIND, DEAF, EX-MENTAL PATIENTS, MENTALLY RETARDED OR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.

LIKE THE OTHERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE LEK YUEN WORKSHOP OFFERS JOBS IN A SHELTERED ENVIRONMENT TO DISABLED PEOPLE NOT YET READY FOR OPEN EMPLOYMENT.

♦THE AIM IS TO HELP THEM REGAIN CONFIDENCE AND ACQUIRE WORKING HABITS TO PREPARE THEM FOR OPEN EMPLOYMENT LATER,+ HE SAID.

HE SAID SHELTERED WORKERS ARE PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN SIMPLE INDUSTRIAL WORK, WHICH MAY BE PART-FINISHED, LABOUR-ADDED OR PACKAGING, WITH MATERIALS SUPPLIED BY MANUFACTURERS.

IN A SHELTERED WORKSHOP, WORK IS SCHEDULED, TAUGHT AND SUPERVISED BY TRADE INSTRUCTORS AND WORKSHOP SUPERVISORS, HE SAID.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SHELTERED WORKSHOP AT WING SHUI HOUSE, LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN, ON MONDAY (JANUARY 22) AT 4 P.M.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE AT 3.15 P.M. FROM OUTSIDE EAST ENTRANCE, LEE GARDENS, IN CAUSEWAY BAY.

--------o ---------

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

- 6

AUDIO-VISUAL TEACHING MATERIAL MAKES LEARNING EASIER ******

APPROACHES IN TEACHING, USING A VARIETY OF MEDIA, HAVE MORE IMPACT AND A MORE LASTING EFFECT THAN STRAIGHT PRESENTATION OF FACTS TO BE LEARNED, MR. ARTHUR BROWN, SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT) SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MEDIA PRODUCTION SERVICES UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S VISUAL EDUCATION SECTION, MR. BROWN SA IDs +MORE AND MORE TEACHERS ARE REALISING THAT, TO MAKE EDUCATION EFFECTIVE, WE NEED A WIDE VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS DESIGNED TO FIT IN WITH THE TYPE OF LEARNING SITUATION INVOLVED.*

TECHNIQUES SUCH AS DISCOVERY METHOD OF LEARNING, ACADEMIC GAMES AND SIMULATION TECHNIQUES, SUPPORTED BY APPROPRIATE LOCALLY DEVELOPED MATERIALS, INVOLVE STUDENTS PERSONALLY IN THE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY, AND DO FAR MORE THAN JUST IMPARTING INFORMATION, HE SAID.

TO THIS END, MR. BROWN SAID, THE MEDIA PRODUCTION SERVICES UNIT PROVIDES FACILITIES, ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE FOR TEACHERS TO DESIGN AND MAKE SIMPLE INEXPENSIVE AUDIO-VISUAL TEACHING MATERIALS.

LISTING ANOTHER SERVICE OF THE UNIT, HE SAID: +BECAUSE TEACHERS HAVE TO COME HERE TO PRODUCE THEIR MATERIALS THEY INEVITABLY MEET WITH TEACHERS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS AND WITH THE STAFF OF THE CENTRE, AND I AM SURE THEY WILL USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND HELP EACH OTHER.*

APART FROM THE PRESENT UNIT IN CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, IT IS HOPED LATER TO OPEN A CORRESPONDING UNIT ON HONG KONG ISLAND, ffi. BROWN SAID.

------0--------

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

VALUABLE SILVERSTRAND RESIDENTIAL SITE FOR TENDER

*****

THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A VALUABLE RESIDENTIAL SITE AT SILVERSTRAND NORTH, SAI KUNG, FROM HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

THE SITE AT CLEARWATER BAY ROAD IS IN A HIGH-CLASS RESIDENTIAL AREA, CLOSE TO THE SHAW BROTHERS STUDIO AND ADJACENT TO A SIMILAR SITE SOLD LAST AUGUST FOR A LOCAL RECORD PRICE OF $1,904 PER SQUARE METRE.

THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, W. GREGORY LAI SAID TODAY (FRIDAY)s +THE SITE COMMANDS EXCELLENT SEA VIEWS AND IS IDEAL FOR TWO-STOREY VILLA-TYPE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.*

+SAI KUNG IS ATTRACTIVE TO DEVELOPERS AS AN AREA FOR HIGH-QUALITY HOUSING AND THE HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS HAVE SHOWN A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN THE DISTRICT.*

THE LOT OCCUPIES AN AREA OF 2,870 SQUARE METRES AND CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF $1 MILLION OVER 36 MONTHS.

TENDERS WILL CLOSE ON FEBRUARY 16. THEY MUST BE PLACED IN THE APPLICATION BOX IN THE RECEPTION LOBBY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON, BEFORE NOON THAT DAY.

-----0------

DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY FOR TUEN MUN *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITED TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY FROM PUI TO JO T,NG AND YAU 01 PuBLIC HOUSING ESTATES NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

,-WOpKS, WHICH FORM PART OF THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 900-METRE LONG ROAD RUNNING SOUTH OF PUI TO ROAD.

WILL BE A MAJ0R DISTRIBUTOR ROAD TO SERVE THE FUTURE CENTRE AND THE CULTURAL COMPLEX NORTH OF THE HOUSING ESTATES AND THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, THE AMBULANCE DEPOT THE FIRE STATION, THE POLICE STAT IONAND THE INDUSTRI A AREAS 10 THE SOUTH,* MR. K.K. TANG, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THC TUE MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SAID.

WOT WS! "*«* 0F VMIOUS

TO BEC?SeUS0L1eSSfD T0 START IN APR,L AND ls £XP£CT£D

0 --------

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

MORE BASKETBALL AND TENNIS COURTS FOR KOWLOON ft ft ft ft ft

RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES FOR MASS RECREATION AS WELL AS FOR TEACHING, TRAINING AND COACHING PURPOSES IN THE DENSELY POPULATED WEST KOWLOON WILL RECEIVE ANOTHER BOOST THIS SUNDAY WITH THE OPENING OF SIX BASKETBALL AND TENNIS COURTS AT WAH YAN COLLEGE IN WATERLOO ROAD.

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AND HE WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN AN EXHIBITION MATCH.

THE PROJECT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY A GRANT OF $249,000 FROM THE GOVERNOR’S SPECIAL FUND FOR RECREATION AND A SUBVENTION OF $71,000 FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CODE OF AID FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

THE NEW FACILITIES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS TO THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, THE NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER SCHOOLS.

♦BASICALLY, COMMUNITY USE OF THESE COURTS IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE,♦ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

SIX NEW BASKETBALL AND TENNIS COURTS WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY THIS SUNDAY AT WAH YAN COLLEGE IN WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON. YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH BEGINS AT 11 A.M.

- 0 ----------

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

- 9 -

LIGHT BEACONS FOR ROCKY HARBOUR ******

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT TWO LIGHT BEACONS TO IMPROVE NAVIGATIONAL SAFETY IN ROCKY HARBOUR, SAI KUNG.

ONE BEACON WILL BE BUILT WITHIN THE LIMITS OF AN AREA OF 3,600 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED AT THE NORTH WESTERN CORNER OF FU TAU PUN CHAU AND THE OTHER TO THE SOUTH OF THE ISLAND ON WAVE ROCK, WITHIN THE LIMITS OF AN AREA OF 4,900 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED.

THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF NOTIFICATION.

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 OR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 692 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.

-----0------

TWICE YEARLY TOWN PLANNING BOARD LIST OUT

* * * *

A LIST OF PLANS PREPARED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD AND NOTIFIED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE IS PUBLISHED TWICE YEARLY FOR THE GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE PUBLIC.

THE LIST PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN THE GAZETTE LISTS THOSE PLANS WHICH, AT DECEMBER 31, 1978 HAVE BEENi-

(I) APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.

(II) REFERRED BACK TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR AMENDMENT OR REPLACEMENT.

(Ill) EXHIBITED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD AS DRAFT PLANS FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.

CERTIFIED COPIES OF THE APPROVED PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FREE OF CHARGE AT THE LAND OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING).

COPIES OF APPROVED AND DRAFT PLANS MAY BE PURCHASED FROM THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

TENDER FOR ALUMINIUM WINDOW FRAMES ft ft ft ft

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITED TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF MORE THAN 940 ALUMINIUM WINDOW FRAMES FOR THE SHA TIN PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.

THE TENDERS ALSO COVER THE SUPPLY OF 92 HAND-OPERATED WINDOW OPENING SYSTEMS AND THREE EXTERNAL ALUMINIUM SCREEN PANELS FOR THE ENTRANCE AND LOBBY OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS THE EIGHTH NOMINATED SUBCONTRACT TO THE MAIN CIVIL CONTRACT FOR THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.

WHEN COMPLETED IN 1981, THE FIRST STAGE WILL SERVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 230,000 IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

SEWAGE FROM SHA TIN NOW IS BEING TREATED AT AND INTERIM SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.

THE TEMPORARY

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT PART OF THE PROJECT WAS BEING FINANCED BY THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AND TENDERS WERE BEING INVITED FROM MANUFACTURERS IN MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AND LUXEMBOURG.

THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY WATSON (HONG KONG) CHARTERED CONSULTING ENGINEERS. THEY ARE THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE PROJECT UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF PWD’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE.

WATSON (HONG KONG) ARE ALSO SUPERVISING THE CONSTRUCTION WORK, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED UNDER THIS SUB-CONTRACT. THE CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTOR IS AOKI CONSTRUCTION CO.

/11

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

PRISONS DEPARTMENT CONTRIBUTES TO A.C.A.N. EXHIBITION ******

THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTRIBUTE A DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT DISPLAY TO A FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION AT THE CITY HALL FROM TOMORROW TO WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24.

THE DISPLAY WILL FORM PART OF THE INTER-SCHOOL DRUG EDUCATION COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.

THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES AT HEI LING CHAU AND TAI LAM PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR CONVICTED DRUG ADDICTS.

AT THE SAME TIME THE INSTITUTIONS WHICH CATER FOR BOTH YOUNG AND ADULT OFFENDERS OFFER THE COURTS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SENDING A DRUG ADDICT TO PRISON.

THE TREATMENT PROGRAMMES AIM AT THE TOTAL REHABILITATION OF THE DRUG DEPENDENT PERSON.

ON COMPLETION OF ONE YEAR AFTER-CARE SUPERVISION THE SUCCESS RATE IS OVER 63 PER CENT.

THE DEPARTMENT’S ADDICTION TREATMENT DISPLAY AT THE CITY HALL WILL BE MOUNTED ON EIGHT NEW PANELS SPECIALLY MADE BY THE PRISON INDUSTRIES DEPARTMENT.

THE PANELS WILL CONTAIN WRITTEN GUIDES, GRAPHICS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATING MAJOR ASPECTS OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S ADDICTION TREATMENT FACILITIES AND PROGRAMMES.

/12

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

ROAD SAFETY SPEECH CONTEST ft ft ft ft

TWELVE PRIMARY SIX STUDENTS FROM FIVE SCHOOLS IN ABERDEEN WILL TAKE PART IN A ROAD SAFETY SPEECH CONTEST TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.

THE CONTEST, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SOUTHERN) AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, IS TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY AMONG STUDENTS.

THE CONTESTANTS CAN SPEAK ON EITHER +HOW TO USE ROADS CORRECTLY* OR +ROAD SAFETY IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT*.

THE PANEL OF JUDGES WILL BE MR. LAM HON-KEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ROAD SAFETY WORKING GROUP OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE- CHIEF INSPECTOR RAYMOND HSIAH, POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER (WESTERN) AND MR. LUI DING, A SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IN THE DISTRICT.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE ROAD SAFETY SPEECH CONTEST AT 2.30 P.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT TANG SHIU KIN PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE, ABERDEEN.

0---------

ANTI-CRIME SEMINAR AND SPORTS DAY ft ft ft ft ft

AN ANTI-CRIME SEMINAR AND RECREATION DAY YOUTHS WILL BE JOINTLY HELD BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHUI P°)» RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE (SHAM SHU I PO) AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE ON SUNDAY AT THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE.

FOR 30 WORKING

apart FROM THE SEMINAR ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. CHAIRED 0FFICER IN THE MORNING, PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN ARCHERY, SKATING, ROPE COURSE. FENCING AND SO ON IN THE AFTERNOON TO INTEGRATE EDUCATION WITH SPORTIVE ACT I V ITIES.

THE EVENT WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY DR. P.H CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO), MR. EDWIN YEE, COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER (SHAM SHUI PO) AND MR. HANG, RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER (SHAM SHUI PO).

. HASE, POLICE TAM PAK-

- - 0 -

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

- 13 -

HONG KONG JURY LIST * * * *

MR. SIMON HERBERT MAYO, REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING ON FEBRUARY 5, 1979.

THIS LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS DURING WHICH ANY PERSON MAY APPLY BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE REGISTRAR REQUIRING THAT HIS NAME OR THE NAME OF SOME OTHER PERSON BE POSTED OR REMOVED UPON CAUSE DULY ASSIGNED IN SUCH NOTICE.

THE REGISTRAR SHALL IN HIS DISCRETION, POST OR REMOVE SUCH NAME ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL IF NECESSARY ALTER THE LIST.

--------0 ----------

ROAD CLOSED TO TRAFFIC * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT KAU U FONG IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON ON SUNDAY TO FACILITATE THE SHEUNG WAN (CENTRAL) YEAR-END CLEANSING OPERATION.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

-----o------

/14

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1979

FIRING PRACTICE * * H

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 19 DAYS NEXT MONTH (FEBRUARY).

THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE

AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE

THE PRACTISING TIMES ARE: DATE HOURS

FEBRUARY 1 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

FEBRUARY 2 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

FEBRUARY 5 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

FEBRUARY 6 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

FEBRUARY 7 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

FEBRUARY 8 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

FEBRUARY 9 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

FEBRUARY 12 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

FEBRUARY 13 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.

FEBRUARY 14 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.

FEBRUARY 15 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

FEBRUARY 16 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

FEBRUARY 19 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.

FEBRUARY 20 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.

FEBRUARY 21 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.

FEBRUARY 22 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.

FEBRUARY 23 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

FEBRUARY 26 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

FEBRUARY 27 (TUESDAY) 9 A.M. - 5.30 P.M.

PR 33

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

Friday, January 1?, 1979

EMBARGOED NEWS ITEM:

The following news item is embargoed NOTE TO EDITORS for reiease af 9.30 p.m. today (Friday).

SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, G.B.E., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., TO THE GENERAL ______CHALiBER OF COMMERCE : JANUARY 19, 1979_

Since I last spoke to you Hong Kong has proceeded on what has been a fairly prosperous course. In 197$ our domestic exports up to November grew in money terms by per cent, our overall exports by 20 per cent, revenue is buoyant, the GDP for 197$ looks as if it will be comfortably over the 9 per cent increase forecast.

Though an undesirably large proportion of this is due to domestic consumption rather than exports, and the imbalance in the economy to which I referred last- year has increased-and I will come

back to this - nevertheless for the time being most sectors of the

population have enjoyed a high level of prosperity.

Our social programmes have surged forward on course. New construction, both public and private, is ubiquitous. The state of the Police Force and of law and. order have continued to improve. The fight against drug addiction is showing encouraging signs of success. We have detected no regression in the great improvement achieved in reducing corruption in public life. Generally speaking a year of success and progress, with some signs of strain in the economy.

/The aspect .

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong.Tel: 5'233191

The aspect of the year, and of our prospects, on which I wish to speak to you, is that of our economic external relations.

This is, or should be, an export-led economy, and our export performance, and factors in our domestic economy bearing on export performance are vital to our existence.

Hong KongTs exports to major markets of Europe, North America and Australasia ...

From the statistics available to the end of November, it looks as if in 1978 the major markets for our exports continued to be the USA, the Federal Republic of Germany,, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and Canada in that order.

Between them they took about 70 P^r cent of our total domestic exports. Our prosperity is still very much going to depend on the economic prosperity of these countries and on the degree of access we can maintain to their markets.

Inevitably, the performance of our domestic exports to them varies from year to year. For example, in 1977 we did particularly well with our domestic exports to the United States.

But in 1978, as predicted this time last year, the rate of growth in the value of domestic exports slowed down and looks as if it will be around 10 per cent, largely reflecting the slower rate of growth of the US economy.

But another reason for the fall-off in the rate of growth of exports to this market was that by the end of 1978, we had fully utilised our quotas for the more important stock items of trade as a result of the more restrictive agreement operative since January 1 last year.

/By......

By contrast, our domestic exports to the Federal Republic of Germany nad actually been less in 1977 than in 197&- So there was room for considerable expansion in 1978 and we were able to take advantage of an acceleration of consumer demand in Germany, aided by the depreciation of the Hong Kong dollar against the deutschmark.

Our domestic exports increased 21 per cent by value. But, as with the United States, we eventually came up against restricted access as a result of the agreement concluded with the EEC in 1977.

Before the end of the year, we had used up all the quotas for stock items of clothing. But we were able to improve our performance with other products, notably watches.

It was to the United Kingdom, of all our major markets, that our performance in 1978 improved most dramatically.

As with the Federal Republic of Germany, our domestic exports in 1977 had actually been below the level of 1976, but in 1978 they improved by nearly 30 per cent. But towards the end of the year we were faced with the same difficulties of restriction as with the United States and Germany, but on an even more serious scale.

We used up even mere quotas, and at least one, wool sweaters, was used up as early as October.

Again, we did better in other items, particularly watches; and the United Kingdom was the only major market to which we improved our exports of transistor radios.

The rate of growth to our two other major markets outside the Far East, Auscralia and Canada was reasonably good, if not quite so dramatic as our performance in the United Kingdom and Germany.

/Perforriance.....

Performance in the West Pacific/SEu Region

• • • - 1978 was also a good year for our trade with the countries

in the Far Eastern and Southeast Asian region. Our domestic exports to the region this decade have been growing at an average of 16 per cent a year.

But last year they grew by 30 per cent in money terms as against a growth in our world-wide trade of 16 per cent. I do not know if this diversification of markets will be permanent but it is certainly welcome.

This success was achieved in spite of the fact that in the region regrettably most countries still protect their markets with trade barriers.

Even in Japan, where no governmental impediment exists, there has been some invisible factor at work that has denied our exporters the success they have achieved in other markets. It was our bewilderment at this situation that prompted Sir Y.K. Kan’s economic mission.

I can only hope that after the sympathetic hearing it received, a better relationship between our businessmen can be built up that will render Hong Kong/Japan trade less lop-sided. Obviously this will take both persistence, effort and time.

China

But I an sure you will all agree, and particularly in the light of the Chamber’s o.-un visit, that developments in China during the past year dominate all others in significance for this region and for Hong Kong, and are of great importance for the world at large.

/Vigorous

Vigorous implementation of a policy of rapid modernisation; acceptance of all forms of normal international trading and financial practice; the Treaty of Friendship with Japan; normalisation of relations with the United States — these have been great events, increasing the prospects for both stability and trade in the area, and for expanded contacts of all sorts between the People’s Republic of China and other nations. I am sure that most of us have been pondering the implications for Hong Kong.

Of course Hong Kong has for long had the closest commercial ties with Kwangtung and other parts of China.

It is one of our major sources of imports, three quarters to two thirds of which are for consumption in Hong Kong: our major source of fresh food; a growing source of hydrocarbon fuels; likely to be the main supplier of coal for our new generation of power stations; an important source of consumer goods generally; of course an invaluable source of water on which a new Agreement has recently been signed.

I hope China trading organisations will continue to develop Hong Kong as a market. As Hong Kong’s economy continues to grow, it will need more fuel, more water and more food, and the demand for manufactures, semi-manufactures, and consumer goods from China’s new industries will expand.

But when the Chinese Minister for Foreign Trade was here, he appeared to envisage more than just an expansion of the sort of trade we have had over recent years.

/He spoke.....

He spoke for instance of what businessmen in Hong Kong could do in promoting Chinese commodities overseas through their commercial capability, and experience and success in marketing techniques. So as China’s modernisation programme gathers momentum, we may see the growth of re-exports accelerating.

He also mentioned other possibilities: arrangements with Hong Kong industralists and some of their skilled workers for joint production in China; the construction by Chinese organisations of new industries in Hong Kong; the development of tourism in China via Hong Kong, and joint ventures with Hong Kong entrepreneurs in new hotels in China.

No doubt the highly sophisticated financial sector in Hong Kong could play a part in such developments. Of course the Bank of China has its own direct contacts in most of the capitals of the world, but the very wide representation here of international banks and finance houses might also prove convenient.

The new situation requires improved communications. A direct ferry service to Canton has already started; so have air services; and once the technical details have been sorted out we may soon see a through train. I welcome these trends, and the return to normality which they represent.

But there are two questions that I have been asked so frequently about all these developments that they are worth mentioning here.

/The first is: .....

The first is: will the diversion of capital, plant, and skill front Hong Kong to China, and also the development of industry in China for export, undermine Hong Kong’s prosperity through competition in third markets?

The answer is, I can see no advantage whatever to China in undermining Hong Kong’s prosperity.

Moreover, the process of being under-cut at the bottom end of the market, and of disinvestment from Hong Kong into lower-cost areas of production, have always been as continuous a part of our economic history as the parallel process in Hong Kong of movement into high technology industry through investment.

So there is nothing new, in principle, or necessarily daunting in practice about this prospect.

The second is: will the development of interchange of semimanufactures between Hong Kong and China call in question our certificates of origin?

This would indeed be a very serious matter, but the answer is that it should not in fact, because the bases on which our certificates are issued are quite clear, internationally agreed, and scrupulously enforced by the issuing authorities here --- our economic survival

depends on it.

However, though we should be safe on fact, fancy ---- among

protectionist lobbies or competitors abroad ---- fancy and rumour could

be damaging.

So exporters must be particularly careful to do nothing which COUld give grounds for such rumours, and for our part we must be alert to any allegations, however informal and unfounded, and rebut them as soon as they are made.

/To sum up, .....

To sum up, we are in the presence of new developments of considerable significance that could affect the extent of our relations with the People’s Republic of China in respect of trade, industry, tourism, communications and finance.

These possibilities are the subject of much rumour and speculation, and the dimensions of the possibilities, opportunities, and even problems, are likely to emerge only gradually as the months go by.

Meanwhile, there are obvious advantages in the developments that have already taken place or which we may expect. The friendly and constructive spirit behind them is a source of confidence.

Moreover, people here welcome the modernisation programme and welcome the prospect of being able to play a part in it. So on the basis of mutual benefit, trust and respect, I suggest our attitude should be one of constructive co-operation.

Hong Kong’s Place in the Western Pacific Region

These developments have attracted to the Far East in general and China in particular more commercial and financial attention from the rest of the world than for a long time.

It is possible that this will shed on Hong Kong, too, an enhanced interest as a place of business. Events in China will highlight its importance as a place on the edge of that great country.

/Hong Kong •••.•

Hong Kong is, of course, a very substantial market in its own right, and I am grateful for the efforts this Chamber’has;*made"to bring this point home to investors and exporters in Europe and America. They are beginning to wake up to the opportunities Hong Kong offers to exporters, and this is very much to Hong Kong’s interest.

But people are apt to forget that Hong Kong is also a focal point within the countries of the Western Pacific Seaboard and Southeast Asia. These constitute one of the most dramatic growth areas in the world at present.

Growth in North America or Europe has been averaging between 2 and per cent a year, whereas in this region it is more like 6 to 11 per cent, and there is every reason to suppose it will continue.

The markets of this region cannot be worked successfully from London, Frankfurt or New York whether by exporters or financiers. A base in the area is essential, for management, for stocking, even for assembly or manufacture.

Many may conclude that for such a base, as well as for keeping in touch with developments in China, no other city has the advantages of Hong Kong.

I have constantly said that Hong Kong is the right city in the right place at the right time. I suggest now is the time to keep on saying this to every worthwhile investor we meet, and I am sure that none can say it better or louder or more persistently than the members of this Chamber.

/Prospects for 1979 .....

Prospects for 1979

Welcome and arresting as these developments are they cannot change the basic fact of our economic life, that Hong Kong must earn its living largely by exporting.

With 58 per cent of our domestic exports going to the United States, the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom, our prospects for 1979 are going to depend very much on what happens in these three markets.

The prospects in the United States have been consistently talked and written down by commentators, and just as consistently the signs of recession have failed to appear. However, it must be assumed that with the level of interest rates prevailing and likely to prevail, prospects for this year as a v/hole may not be as good as last.

But in contrast the prospects for the German economy and the United Kingdom seem reasonably good.

As usual the sky is not free of clouds. There is the limitation imposed on our trade in textiles and clothing. We are already feeling the consequences of the reduced opportunities for grov.’th and flexibility in the Agreements we were forced to conclude in 1977.

The continued high rate of unemployment in our principal markets will retain political pressure on Governments to restrict imports ---

however unfair and misguided that may be.

/Moreover our .....

Moreover our export markets must absorb the effects of the increases in oil price announced by the OPEC countries. Less specific, but certainly in our minds, is the situations in Iran, the Middle East and Rhodesia.

Nevertheless the encouraging fact is that order books and imports of raw materials at the end of 197$ suggest that prospects for the first half of 1979 are reasonably good though it is too early to say what the latter half will bring us.

The Domestic Economy

So our prospects are quite good. But to fulfil them we must bear certain basic conditions in mind.

First of all, our economy must be kept conducive to a healthy export-led posture. There must be sufficient resources of labour and capital on the right terms, to enable our export industries to fill the orders that are available; there must be sufficient flexibility in the economy to enable industrialists to adapt to new demands and opportunities; imports retained for consumption must be commensurate with our foreign exchange earnings, the bulk of which are from exports.

These, in the simplest terms, are the conditions of Hong Kong’s housekeeping. But over the last year it is clear that in spite of our apparent prosperity these conditions have not been fulfilled.

The labour market has been too tight; the economy has been somewhat overstretched; the growth of domestic consumption has considerably exceeded that of exports; the visible deficit on external account has widened.

/Some adjustment

Some adjustment is therefore necessary, and the adjustment must be to domestic demand, because it does not seem possible that external demand for our exports will be strong enough to provide a sufficient profit margin to draw resources from domestic consumption to the export sector.

Nothing very drastic is necessary, and as I said in October in the Legislative Council, our problem is not great in comparison to that faced by many other countries.

But if our ability to maintain sustained growth and prosperity is to be safeguarded, some adjustment will be necessary in both the public and private sectors.

This problem has grown over the last two years and has not been'resolved through operation of the usual corrective mechanisms as we had hoped, and clearly it cannot be allowed to persist.

Another condition for our continued economic growth is provision of more land --- land for new industry, and land for both

the Government and private enterprise to build the new towns in which those who man the new industry must live. And, of course, of equal importance is the communications system that makes the development of new areas possible and attractive.

These aspects of development demand high priority. The success of our industrial Estates is indicative of the way in which a new land policy can attract new industries. This process is clearly vital to that of diversification.

/While no doubt .....

While no doubt land at reasonable prices for the sort of new industries we need, and continuation of our attractive fiscal environment, coupled with the enterprise of our businessmen, are the best aids to profitable diversification, I await with the greatest interest the report of the Advisory Committee on Diversification.

I very much hope it will point to other ways by which this process of diversification can be accelerated.

But basically we must rely on the ingenuity of our businessmen individually, and collectively in such bodies as the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Chinese Manufacturers* Association, the Trade Development Council, the Productivity Centre and of course this Chamber to develop both new markets and new products.

For my part I would like to pay my tribute to the men who give so much of their time and effort to making organisations such as this the dynamic forces which they are in the development of Hong Kong.

- 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FAMILY AND SCHOOL PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN DRUG PREVENTION .............................................. 1

SPECIAL TRAINS FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR ....................... 2

MORE VISITORS ARRIVING .................................. 3

CRAFT OWNERS REMINDED TO LOG NAMES OF ALL CREW .......... 3

CARNIVAL FOR KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS ..................... 4

NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION NEARS HALF WAY MARK .................................................... 5

AUCTION OF SPECIAL NUMBERS REALISES $85,000 ............. 6

FIRING PRACTICE ......................................... 6

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1979

- 1 - ,i r

FAMILY AND SCHOOL PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN DRUG PREVENTION

* * * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT FAMILY AND SCHOOL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF AN INTER-SCHOOL DRUG EDUCATION DISPLAY EXHIBITION AT THE CITY HALL, MR. TOPLEY SAID IF A CHILD CAN FIND AT HOME SECURITY AND WARMTH, PARENTAL LOVE AND SOUND GUIDANCE, HE WILL GROW UP NORMALLY, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY.

♦HIS CHANCE OF HAVING TO RELY ON DRUGS AS A MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM REALITY WILL, IN ANYWAY, BE LESS THAN A CHILD WHO IS BROUGHT UP IN A POOR FAMILY ENVIRONMENT,* HE SAID.

AS FOR THE SCHOOLS, MR. TOPLEY SAID, THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAVE IN RECENT YEARS MADE AVAILABLE A LARGE QUANTITY OF REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR THEM. THESE INCLUDE A COMPREHENSIVE TEACHING KIT ON DRUG EDUCATION, WHICH WAS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS RECENTLY.

HE ADDED THAT SCHOOLS SHOULD ALSO HELP THE STUDENTS DEVELOP A HEALTHY PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE SO THAT THEY WILL NOT TRY TO ESCAPE FROM REALITY BY RESORTING TO VARIOUS KINDS OF ABUSE, PARTICULARLY DRUG ABUSE, WHICH IS A SIGN OF COWARDICE AND IRRESPONSIBILITY.

MR. TOPLEY SAID ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHODS OF DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION IS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG PEOPLE, TO UNDERSTAND AND ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DRUGS SO THAT THEY WILL NOT TRY IT OUT OF IGNORANCE.

ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING, MR. KARL STUMPF, THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN’S PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, SAID THE EXHIBITION SHOWS THE FULL ACCORD OF TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HONG KONG’S DRUG PROBLEM.

♦ONLY THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION OF OUR COMMUNITY AS AN ENTITY, THE LEADERSHIP OF TEACHERS AND PARENTS, CAN WE HOPE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE UNREAL AND DANGEROUS WORLD OF DRUGS TO AN ATTITUDE WHICH ASSISTS THEM TO FACE REALITY AND TO MAKE HEALTHY DECISIONS,* MR. STUMPF SAID.

THE 14 DISPLAYS AT THE EXHIBITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY ACAN AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ARE THE WINNING ENTRIES OF A COMPETITION HELD IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR. A TOTAL OF 32 SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION.

THE COMPETITION WAS AIMED AT WIDENING STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF THE SERIOUS SOCIAL EVIL OF DRUG ADDICTION AND INCREASING THEIR ALERTNESS AGAINST IT.

THE FIRST PRIZE WENT TO HONG KONG SZE YAP COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION WONG TAI SHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE, THE SECOND TO CHAN SUI KI (LA SALLE) COLLEGE AND THE THIRD TO ST. ROSE OF LIMA’S SCHOOL AND SHAUK IWAN GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

/ALSO OK.....

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1979

- 2

ALSO ON DISPLAY AT THE EXHIBITION WERE PICTURES AND MODELS ILLUSTRATING THE VARIOUS SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT, TUNG FOOK HOUSE, SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS AND ITS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, AND CARITAS LOK HEEP CLUB.

THE EXHIBITION WILL LAST UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY.

0 --------

SPECIAL TRAINS FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR X X X X

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE SPECIAL TRAINS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FROM JANUARY 28 TO 31.

DURING THIS PERIOD SIX ADDITIONAL TRAINS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON STATION AT 9.56 A.M., 10.50 A.M., 12.35 P.M., 1.35 P.M., 3.39 P.M. AND 5.05 P.M. ANOTHER SPECIAL TRAIN WILL DEPART FROM KOWLOON STATION AT 6.50 A.M. ON LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY (JANUARY 28).

ALL ADDITIONAL AND SCHEDULED TRAINS LEAVING KOWLOON STATION BEFORE 3 P.M. DURING THESE FOUR DAYS WILL NOT STOP FOR PASSENGERS AT MONG KOK STATION.

ON KOWLOON-BOUND JOURNEY, THE KCR WILL ALSO OPERATE SIX ADDITIONAL TRAINS — THREE DEPARTING LO WU AT 11.34 A.M., 12.58 P.M. AND 5.51 P.M.- TWO FROM FAN LING AT 2.14 P.M. AND 2.42 P.M. AND ONE FROM SHA TIN AT 5.46 P.M.

ON LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY A SPECIAL KOWLOON-BOUND TRAIN WILL LEAVE LO WU AT 8.38 A.M.

A KCR SPOKESMAN SAID MORE SPECIAL TRAINS WILL RUN LATE IN THE EVENINGS IF THERE IS A DEMAND.

THE SPOKESMAN BELIEVES THE NEW TERR I TORIES-BOUND TRAINS WILL PROBABLY BE FULL BETWEEN 6 A.M. AND 3 P.M. AND SO WILL THE KOWLOON-BOUND TRAINS BETWEEN 3 P.M. AND 9 P.M.

HE ADDED THAT TICKETS FOR TRAINS TO KOWLOON WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE MONG KOK STATION DURING THESE FOUR DAYS.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN NEW TERR I TORIES-BOUND PASSENGER TRAFFIC BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, RESERVATIONS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR NEW TERR I TOR IES-BOUND SCHEDULED TRAINS LEAVING KOWLOON STATION BETWEEN 5 A.M. AND 2.10 P.M. FROM JANUARY 23 TO 27.

HE ADDED THAT DURING THIS PERIOD AND FROM FEBRUARY 1 TO 3

THE SCHEDULED TRAIN LEAVING TAI PO MARKET AT 9.16 A.M. AND ARRIVING KOWLOON STATION AT 10.01 A.M. WILL NOT RUN DUE TO THE EXTENSION OF A NORTHBOUND PASSENGER TRAIN FROM TAI PO MARKET TO LO WU.

--------o-----------

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1979

MORE VISITORS ARRIVING

*****

THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS WHO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG IN

DECEMBER 1978 TOTALLED 607,311, COMPARED WITH 509,724 FOR THE SAME MONTH IN 1977, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY).

OF THE ARRIVALS, 226,361 CAME BY AIR WHILE 230,804 AND 150,146 CAME BY SEA AND LAND RESPECTIVELY.

THE NUMBER OF DEPARTURES IN THE MONTH UNDER REVIEW TOTALLED 626,111, OR 92,226 MORE THAN THE FIGURE FOR DECEMBER 1977.

A BREAKDOWN BY THE MODE OF TRAVELLING SHOWED THAT 228,147 DEPARTING PASSENGERS TRAVELLED BY AIR, 242,905 BY SEA AND 155,059 BY LAND.

•-----0-------

CRAFT OWNERS REMINDED TO LOG NAMES OF ALL CREW ******

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF LOCAL CRAFT THAT THEY SHOULD ENSURE THE NAMES OF ALL CREW MEMBERS ARE ENTERED IN THE RELEVANT CREW BOOK OF THE VESSEL IN WHICH THEY ARE SERVING.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SA IDs +IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A OWNER TO KEEP BOOKS UP TO DATE AND FAILURE TO DO SO MAY JEOPARDISE THE CHANCES OF A CREW MEMBER TO SIT FOR A LOCAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY EXAMINATION.

+A CREW MEMBER, WHO IS ACTING AS A RELIEF ON MORE THAN ONE VESSEL, MAY BE ENTERED AS RELIEF CREW MEMBER ON THE VARIOUS VESSELS IN WHICH HE IS REQUIRED TO SERVE,+ HE ADDED.

-----0--------

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1979

CARNIVAL FOR KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS *****

A CARNIVAL HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY) TO PROMOTE THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN IN THE DI STR ICT.

THE CARNIVAL FEATURING A LION DANCE, GAME STALLS AND A FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT DISPLAY WILL BE HELD AT 2 P.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND. IT IS SPONSORED BY 16 CIVIC ORGANISATIONS AND PRIVATE FIRMS.

WINNERS OF A QUIZ ON GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF FIRE PREVENTION HELD EARLIER BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES DURING THE CARNIVAL.

THE CARNIVAL WILL BE OPENED BY MR. ANGUS MIU, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (KOWLOON CITY) AND MR. F. JACKSON, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF COMMAND FIRE HEADQUARTERS (KOWLOON).

MEANWHILE, MORD THAN 20 YOUTH ORGANISATIONS UNDER COORDINATION OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION COUNCIL HAVE ORGANISED A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FOR WORKING YOUTHS DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

THE PROGRAMMES WHICH NUMBER OVER 30, WILL INCLUDE A LUNAR NEW YEAR BALL AT THE SHERATON HOTEL IN KOWLOON, TWO CAMPS AND A NUMBER OF VARIETY SHOWS.

APPLICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THESE ACTIVITIES ARE NOW INVITED. ALL APPLICATIONS AND ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY) AT 1, MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON CITY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER A FIRE PREVENTION CARNIVAL AT 2 P.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND, KOWLOON.

-----o------

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1979

NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION NEARS

HALF WAY MARK * * * *

THE TAI PA STREET SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TSUEN WAN, BEING BUILT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN, IS ALMOST AT THE HALF WAY MARK.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BY THE END OF THE YEAR THE SCHOOL’S DOORS SHOULD BE OPENED TO ABOUT 1,300 STUDENTS.

WORK ON THE TAI PA STREET SECONDARY SCHOOL BEGAN AROUND THE MIDDLE OF LAST YEAR.

THE PWD’S SENIOR ARCHITECT WORKING ON THE PROJECT, ML PATRICK LEE, SAID THE SCHOOL WOULD BE OF STANDARD DESIGN.

+ IT WILL HAVE 24 CLASSROOMS AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES ON THE GROUND FLOOR,* HE SAID. +ALSO ON THE GROUND FLOOR WILL BE AN ASSEMBLY HALL.*

MR. LEE STRESSED THAT THERE WOULD BE A LARGE COVERED PLAY AREA, AND THAT FACILITIES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS, A LIBRARY, AND WORKSHOPS WOULD BE HOUSED IN A SEPARATE BLOCK.

- - 0 - -

, SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1979

— O -

AUCTION OF SPECIAL NUMBERS REALISES $85,000

* ft ft * ft

THIRTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $85,000 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.

THE AUCTION, HELD IN THE LECTURE HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER BW228, FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $11,500.

ANOTHER NUMBER BW168 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $9,500.

THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE

FOLLOWING PRICES*

BW118 - $8,100 BW113 - $4,500 BW32O - $2,800

BW316 - $1,100 BW350 - $2,000 BW388 - $3,500

BW138 - $6,000 BW1333- $1,300 BW128 - $5,000

BW733 - $5,200 BW768 - $1,600 BW218 - $2,000

BW883 - $2,500 BW1338- $1,500 BW1961- $3,000

BW2123- $2,200 BW3233- $1,000 BW604 - $1,000

BW172 - $1,000 BW3O8 - $1,000 BW635 - $1,000

BW283 - $1,000 BW3288- $1,000 BW832 - $1,000

BW1398- $1,000 BW6608- $1,000 BW722O- $1,000 BW8999- $1,000

THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.

TODAY’S SALE, THE 41ST ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY, 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $8,882,900.

-----o------

FIRING PRACTICE ft ft ft ft

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FOUR DAYS NEXT WEEK.

THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE.

THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS*

DATE HOURS

TUESDAY (JANUARY 23) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 24) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

THURSDAY (JANUARY 25) 8 A.M. - 9 P.M.’

FRIDAY (JANUARY 26) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

------o-------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MARKET TOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS OFFICIALLY BECOME ♦ NEW TOWNS + .......................................... 1

BIRTHS AND DEATHS FOR 1978 ............................ 2

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER ................ 3

BALLOT FOR A TAXI LICENCE ............................. 5

EARLY PAYMENT DATES FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS ............................................. 5

SITE VISITS BY DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT . 6

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1979

MARKET TOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS OFFICIALLY BECOME ♦NEW TOWNS* * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IN FUTURE THE DEVELOPING MARKET TOWN AREAS OF TAI PO, YUEN LONG AND FAN LING/SHEUNG SHU I/ SHEK WU HUI WOULD BE OFFICIALLY CALLED +NEW TOWNS*.

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN TODD, SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE SCOPE AND SIZE OF THE DEVELOPMENTS, IT WAS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE TO REFER TO THE AREAS AS +MARKET TOWNS*.

HE POINTED OUT THAT TAI PO WOULD HAVE A PLANNED ULTIMATE POPULATION OF 220,000, FAN LING/SHEUNG SHUI/SHEK WU HUI 170,000 AND YUEN LONG ABOUT 100,000.

♦WHEN THEY ARE FULLY DEVELOPED, THE THREE AREAS WILL BE THE SIZE OF MANY LARGE TOWNS OR CITIES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD,* HE SAID.

+TAI PO WOULD BE COMPARABLE WITH TELFORD AND YUEN LONG LARGER THAN WASHINGTON, TWO OF BRITAIN’S MAJOR NEW TOWNS.*

♦OUR THREE SMALLER NEW TOWNS WILL, IN FACT, BE MODERN URBAN CENTRES WITH ALL MANNER OF FACILITIES - PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING, INDUSTRY, SHOPPING AND COMMERCIAL AREAS, TOWN PARKS, CULTURAL, SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AS WELL AS A WHOLE RANGE OF COMMUNITY AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

♦THEY TRULY WILL BE NEW TOWNS, ONLY ON A SMALLER SCALE TO THE MAJOR NEW TOWNS OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN.+

MR. TODD ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE SMALLER NEW TOWNS WOULD ALSO BE SERVED BY IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS, SUCH AS THE BUILDING CF THE SHA TIN TO TAI PO COASTAL ROAD, THE DOUBLE TRACKING AND ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY INTO A RAPID SURFACE SYSTEM AND THE UPGRADING OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD.

♦THESE SMALLER NEW TOWNS WILL PLAY A VERY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHICH HAS BEEN DESIGNED AS THE SPEARHEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT’S HOUSING PROGRAMME,+ HE SAID.

MR. TODD SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO SEEKING A SINGLE, SUITABLE NAME FOR THE FAN LING/SHEUNG SHUI/SHEK WU HUI PROJECT, BECAUSE THE AREA WAS BEING DEVELOPED AS A SELF-CONTAINED URBAN ENTITY.

♦WE HAVE REFERRED THE QUESTION TO THE TAI PO DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE MEMBERS, WITH THEIR WIDE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, WILL BE ABLE TO SUGGEST AN APPROPRIATE NAME FOR THE NEW TOWN,* HE ADDED.

0 --------

SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1979

2 -

BIRTHS AND DEATHS FOR 1978 ******

MORE BIRTHS AND FEWER DEATHS WERE REGISTERED LAST YEAR THAN IN 1977, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR. P. JACOBS.

THE NUMBER OF BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 1978 WAS 79,173, WHICH WAS 366 MORE THAN THE 1977 FIGURE OF 78,807, AND THE NUMBER OF DEATHS REGISTERED DECREASED BY 616 TO 22,843.

THE GREATEST NUMBER OF BIRTHS REGISTERED IN ANY ONE YEAR WAS IN 1963, WHEN 115,263 WERE REGISTERED. THEREAFTER THE NUMBER DECLINED EVERY YEAR UNTIL THE DOWNWARD TREND WAS REVERSED JN 1972.

AFTER SLIGHT INCREASES IN THREE SUCCESSIVE YEARS, THE NUMBER FELL IN 1975 AND 1976 BUT ROSE AGAIN IN 1977 AND 1978.

OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BIRTHS REGISTERED LAST YEAR, 77,063 WERE CHINESE (39,630 MALES AND 37,433 FEMALES) AND 2,110 NON-CHINESE (1,044 MALES AND 1,066 FEMALES).

A TOTAL OF 20,716 WERE REGISTERED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 49,601 IN KOWLOON AND 8,856 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THESE REPRESENTED INCREASES OF 1.94 PER CENT AND 1.56 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY FOR HONG KONG AND THE NEW TERRITORIES AND A DECREASE OF 0.33 PER CENT FOR KOWLOON AS COMPARED WITH THE 1977 FIGURES.

IN ISSUING THESE FIGURES, MR. JACOBS EMPHASISED THAT THEY WERE IN RESPECT OF REGISTERED BIRTHS ONLY. +THERE ARE ALWAYS A NUMBER OF BIRTHS EVERY YEAR WHICH ARE NOT REGISTERED BY THE PARENTS AT THE TIME, WITH THE RESULT THAT WHILE THE FIGURES FOR THE REGISTERED BIRTHS SHOW TRENDS, THEY DO NOT GIVE A COMPLETELY ACCURATE PICTURE,+ HE SAID.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED DEATHS COMPRISED 22,548 CHINESE (12,221 MALES AND 10,318 FEMALES) AND 295 NON-CHINESE (199 MALES AND 96 FEMALES).

THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED DEATHS OF INFANTS UNDER ONE YEAR CF AGE WAS 934 AS AGAINST 1,093 IN 1977, WHILE THAT OF INFANTS UNDER ONE WEEK OLD WAS 539 COMPARED WITH 565 THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, REGISTERED MARRIAGES SHOWED A SLIGHT DECREASE DURING THE YEAR WITH A TOTAL OF 7,471 MARRIAGES CELEBRATED, DOWN BY 400 OR 5.08 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH 7,871 IN 1977.

THERE ARE NOW FOUR FULL-TIME REGISTRIES AND FOUR PART-TIME MARRIAGE REGISTRIES OPERATING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

SUNDAY, JANUAKY 21, 1979

THE TWO PRINCIPAL MARRIAGE REGISTRIES AT THE CITY HALL AND THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES REMAIN MOST POPULAR WITH 36.06 PER CENT OF ALL REGISTRY MARRIAGES CELEBRATED THERE.

ANOTHER POPULAR REGISTRY WAS THE SAN PO KONG REGISTRY, WHERE 6,727 MARRIAGES TOOK PLACE DURING THE YEAR.

THE CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY CONTINUED TO OPERATE ON SUNDAY MORNINGS DURING THE YEAR AND A TOTAL OF 525 SUNDAY MORNING MARRIAGES WERE PERFORMED.

IN MANY CASES, SUNDAY WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO BE A LUCKY DAY ACCORDING TO THE CHINESE CALENDAR- IN OTHERS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF CONVENIENCE FOR WORK OR OTHER REASONS.

- - 0 - -

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER X K X X K

THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR DECEMBER, 1978 WAS $4,305 MILLION, IMPORTS WERE WORTH $6,809 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS $1,218 MILLION, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY).

THE TRADE DEFICIT FOR THE MONTH WAS $1,286 MILLION.

THE FIGURES FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1978 (LATEST THREE MONTHS) SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1977 OF 24.9 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 39.3 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 40.2 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS. DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER ROSE BY 28.3 PER CENT.

COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1977, INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF $728 MILLION OR 20.4 PER CENT IN EXPORTS, $1,893 MILLION OR 38.5 PER CENT IN IMPORTS AND $244 MILLION OR 25.0 PER CENT IN RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED.

THE SHORT-TERM CHANGES, DECEMBER 1978 COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1978, SHOWED INCREASES OF $508 MILLION OR 13.4 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, $390 MILLION OR 6.1 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS, AND A DECREASE OF $165 MILLION OR 11.9 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.

THE FIGURES FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1978 COMPARED WITH THOSE OF 1977 SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 16.3 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 29.4 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 34.2 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.

/following

SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1979

FOLLOWING ARE COMPARATIVE TRADE FIGURES

LATEST 3 MONTHS OCT.-DEC. 1978 OCT.-DEC. 1977

$ MN. S MN.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 11,908 9,532

IMPORTS 18,834 13,519

RE-EXPORTS 3,840 2,740

TRADE BALANCE - 3,086 - 1,247

SAME MONTH LAST YEAR DECEMBER 1978 DECEMBER 1977

$ MN. S MN.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 4,305 (77.996) 3,577 (78.6%)

IMPORTS 6,809 4,916

RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 1,218 (22.1%) 975 (21.4%)

TRADE BALANCE - 1,286 364

LAST MONTH DECEMBER 1978 NOVEMBER 1978

5 MN. 3 MN.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 4,305 (77.996) 3,797 (73.3%)

IMPORTS 6,809 6,420

RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 1,218 (22.196) 1,383 (26.7%)

TRADE BALANCE - 1,286 - 1,240

LAST 12 MONTHS JAN.-DEC. 1978 JAN.-DEC. 1977

$ MN. $ MN.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 40,703 (75.596) 35,004 (78.1%)

IMPORTS 63,024 48,701

RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 13,189 (24.5%) 9,829 (21.9%)

TRADE BALANCE - 9,132 - 3,868

INCREASE OR DECREASE

S MN.

2,376 + 24.9

5,315 + 39.3

1,100 4- 40.2

1,839

INCREASE OR DECREASE

S MN. %

728 ♦ 20.4

1,893 4- 38.5

244 4- 25.0

922

INCREASE OR DECREASE

3 MN. %

508 4- 13.4

390 4- 6.1

165 — 11.9

INCREASE OR DECREASE

S MN. %

5,699 4- 16.3

+14,323 + 29.4

+3,360 +34.2

- 5,264

SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1979

BALLOT FOR A TAXI LICENCE * * * *

A PUBLIC BALLOT WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 23) TO DETERMINE THE ACCEPTANCE OF ONE OF THE TWO TENDERS OFFERING AN IDENTICAL UNIT PREMIUM OF $248,888 FOR A URBAN TAXI LICENCE.

THE BALLOT WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2.30 P.M. AT ROOM 27 ON THE MEZZANINE FLOOR OF 2, MURRAY ROAD, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICE.

THE TWO TENDERERS CONCERNED HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND THE BALLOT.

THE LICENCE IN QUESTION IS ONE OF THE 300 URBAN TAXI LICENCES TENDERED LAST DECEMBER. OF THESE, 299 HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO TENDERERS OFFERING A UNIT PREMIUM IN EXCESS OF $248,888.

EARLY PAYMENT DATES FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS * * * * *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND WELFARE ALLOWANCES TO CASH THEIR COUPONS BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THOSE WITH COUPONS TO BE CASHED ON JANUARY 28, 29, 30 AND 31 COULD DO SO ON OR AFTER JANUARY 23, 24, 25 AND 26 RESPECTIVELY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE WITH POST OFFICES, TREASURY OFFICES AND NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES WHERE THE COUPONS ARE CASHED.

HE ADVISED THOSE INVOLVED TO TAKE NOTE OF THEIR OWN CASHING DATES SO THAT THEY COULD GET THEIR ALLOWANCES BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1979

- 6 -

4 I SITE VISITS BY DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT

******

MR. DAVID STEAD, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WILL INSPECT A NUMBER OF WORK SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TOMORROW (MONDAY).

THE VISIT WILL ENABLE THE DIRECTOR TO FAMILIARIZE HIMSELF WITH THE PROGRESS OF VARIOUS P.W.D. PROJECTS IN THE AREA.

MR. STEAD WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY CHIEF ENGINEERS OF VARIOUS OFFICES CONCERNED.

AMONG THE SITES TO BE VISITED WILL BE THE TUEN MUN ROAD STAGE II.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT OF THE P.W.D. TO THE WORK SITES TOMORROW (MONDAY).

OFFICIAL TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES. COVERING THE VISIT, ARE REQUESTED TO USE THIS FACILITY AS NO STOPPING OR PARKING WILL BE ALLOWED ON THAT ROAD. TWO NINE-SEATER VANS WILL LEAVE THE OPEN CAR PARK OUTSIDE THE RECEPTION OFFICE. MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AT 1.30 P.M. SHARP.

OFFICERS OF THE P.W.D.’S PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

0---------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE N0*

TUEN MUN ROAD — BUILT AND CONSTRUCTED TO HIGHEST STANDARD .................................................. 1

INTEREST TAX - EXEMPTION RATE IS 5-1/4 PER CENT............ 2

IN-SERVICE COURSES FOR FULL-TIME TEACHERS ................. 3

SWD TO SET UP MORE SHELTERED WORKSHOPS FOR THE DISABLED . 4

MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR YUEN LONG DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT ....... 5

ISLANDS DISTRICT LAND AUCTION TOMORROW .................... 6

PUBLIC PIERS ARE FOR BOAT PASSENGERS ..................... 6

MARINE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY SCHEDULE ....................... 7

HOLIDAY MAIL SERVICE ...................................... 7

TEMPORARY CLOSURE ......................................... 8

WATER CUT.................................................. 8

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1979

TUEN MUN ROAD — BUILT AND CONSTRUCTED TO HIGHEST STANDARD * * *

MR. DAVID STEAD, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, REITERATED THAT TUEN MUN ROAD WAS BUILT AND CONSTRUCTED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS DURING A VISIT TODAY (MONDAY) TO STAGE TWO OF TUEN MUN ROAD NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, HE EMPHASISED THAT THE MAIN CAUSES OF ACCIDENT WERE EXCESSIVE SPEEDING AND A BLATANT DISREGARD OF THE SIMPLE RULE OF NOT CROSSING THE DOUBLE WHITE LINE WHEN OVERTAKING. 7

SINCE THE ROAD WAS OPENED LAST MAY, HE SAID, A NUMBER OF SAFETY MEASURES IN THE FORM OF TRAFFIC AIDS HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED.

IN AUGUST LAST YEAR, 12 SETS OF SYMBOLIC SIGNS ADVISING MOTORISTS TO GO BACK TO OR STAY IN THE NEAR SIDE LANE WERE ERECTED. IN ADDITION, DIRECTIONAL ARROWS WERE PAINTED ON THE UPHILL LANES AT MERGE AREAS.

IN OCTOBER, 31 +KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING+ SIGNS WERE PUT UP ON UPHILL LANES ALONG TUEN MUN ROAD AT 5OO-METRE INTERVALS. ALSO, DOUBLE WHITE LINES WERE PAINTED AT TSI NG LUNG TAU PROHIBITING INDISCRIMINATE OVERTAKING.

IN ADDITION, TWO BIG ADVISORY SIGNS, WHICH READ +ARRIVE ALIVE+, WERE ERECTED AT BOTH ENDS OF THE ROAD IN NOVEMBER.

MR. STEAD SAID MOTORISTS USING THIS ROAD SHOULD FIND THESE SIGNS HELPFUL.

HE SAID WORK BEING CARRIED OUT UNDER THE SECOND STAGE OF THE ROAD PROJECT INVOLVED STRUCTURAL FOUNDATION AND ROAD FORMATION.

IT IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN LATE 1980.

OTHER PWD WORK SITES VISITED INCLUDED THE KWAI CHUNG CREMATORIUM, TSUEN WAN BY-PASS STAGE I, AND THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD-TEXACO ROAD INTERSECTION.

-------o---------

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1979

INTEREST TAX - EXEMPTION RATE IS 5-1/4 PER CENT *****

THE RATE UP TO WHICH INTEREST ON BANK DEPOSITS IS EXEMPTED FROM TAX IS 5-1/4 PER CENT, NOT 7 PER CENT OR 7-1/2 PER CENT AS SOME NEWSPAPERS HAD REPORTED OVER THE WEEKEND.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE PRESS REPORTS HAD CAUSED +SOME CONFUSION*. HE SAID THE 5-1/4 PER CENT EXEMPTION RATE ANNOUNCED ON JANUARY 2 REMAINED IN FORCE.

HE SAID THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1979 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE LAST FRIDAY MERELY RAISED THE CEILING ON THE POWER OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO SPECIFY THE RATE OF EXEMPTION FROM TIME TO TIME: IT DID NOT SET THE ACTUAL LEVEL OF THE EXEMPTION CURRENTLY IN FORCE.

HE SAID THAT LEVEL WAS NORMALLY SET AT THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE BY THE EXCHANGE BANKS’ ASSOCIATION MEMBERS ON SAVING ACCOUNTS.

+WHEN THAT RATE WAS RAISED ON JANUARY 2 FROM 4-1/2 PER CENT TO 5-1/4 PER CENT, THE EXEMPTION RATE WAS ALSO RAISED,* HE SAID.

THIS WAS DONE, HE SAID, USING A TEMPORARY ORDER UNDER THE PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDINANCE, PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE ON JANUARY 2. THE BILL WHICH WILL RECEIVE ITS FIRST AND SECOND READINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY IS EXTENDED TO CONFIRM THE EFFECT OF THIS ORDER.

-------o -

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1979

IN-SERVICE COURSES FOR FULL-TIME TEACHERS

X * o o

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ARE OFFERING TRAINING COURSES FOR IN-SERVICE TEACHERS EMPLOYED FULL-TIME IN GOVERNMENT-AIDED OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS WISHING TO BECOME QUALIFIED TEACHERS.

THE FREE COURSES CONSIST OF LECTURES, TUTORIALS, DEMONSTRATION LESSONS, ASSIGNMENTS AND SUPERVISION OF TEACHING OVER THE TWO ACADEMIC YEARS 1979 TO 1981.

CERTIFICATES ACCORDING +QUALIFIED TEACHER+ STATUS ARE AWARDED TO THOSE WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE COURSE.

FULL DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN A GENERAL SCHOOLS TRAINING CIRCULAR ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ON JANUARY 10.

THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF COURSES ---- ONE FOR PRIMARY

SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THE OTHER TWO FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS. THE PRIMARY COURSE IS CONDUCTED IN CHINESE EXCEPT FOR THE ELECTIVE SUBJECTi ENGLISH.

THE SECONDARY COURSES ARE CONDUCTED EITHER IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH, DEPENDING ON WHICH LANGUAGE THE TEACHERS USE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION.

EACH COURSE IS DIVIDED INTO TWO CLASSES, AN EVENING CLASS AND A DAY-RELEASE CLASS. APPLICANTS THUS HAVE A CHOICE OF ATTENDING EITHER THREE EVENINGS A WEEK OR ONE DAY A WEEK FOR THE DURATION OF THE COURSE.

THIS ARRANGEMENT GIVES SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS AND THEIR SPONSORING SCHOOLS FLEXIBILITY IN ARRANGING ATTENDANCE AT THE COURSES.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS FOR ALL COURSES MUST HAVE HAD AT LEAST TWO YEARS OF APPROVED TEACHING EXPERIENCE. BUT THIS REQUIREMENT IS RELAXED FOR HOLDERS OF FOUR-YEAR POST-SECONDARY COURSE DIPLOMAS.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS (LEE GARDENS, THIRD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG) AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE, 405 NATHAN ROAD, SIXTH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE NORTHCOTE

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG (SECONDARY

ENGLISH COURSE ONLY), GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, 42 GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON (PRIMARY COURSE ONLY) AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, PIPER’S HILL, KOWLOON (SECONDARY CHINESE COURSE ONLY).

COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO WHICH ADMISSION IS SOUGHT, BY 5 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28.

0---------

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1979

SWD TO SET UP MORE SHELTERED WORKSHOPS FOR THE DISABLED ******

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO SET UP AN EXTRA 13 SHELTERED WORKSHOPS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO PROVIDE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR 1,600 DISABLED PEOPLE AND PREPARE THEM FOR OPEN EMPLOYMENT.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID THIS TODAY (MONDAY) IN HIS WELCOMING ADDRESS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S EIGHTH SHELTERED WORKSHOP AT LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN.

MR. LEE SAID THE PROVISION OF SHELTERED WORKSHOPS WAS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES TO ENABLE THE DISABLED TO CARRY ON A USEFUL WORKING LIFE IN HELPING TO INTEGRATE THEM INTO THE COMMUNITY.

AT PRESENT, HE SAID, THE EIGHT WORKSHOPS RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT OFFER SIMPLE INDUSTRIAL WORK IN A SHELTERED ENVIRONMENT TO A TOTAL OF 700 DISABLED PEOPLE WHO ARE EITHER BLIND, DEAF, EX-MENTAL PATIENTS, MENTALLY RETARDED OR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.

THE LEK YUEN WORKSHOP WAS LATER OFFICIALLY OPENED BY M?. JAMES WU, AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

ADDRESSING THE CEREMONY, MR. WU POINTED OUT THAT THE DISABLED HAD MORE ABILITIES THAN DISABILITIES AND, WITH SUITABLE TRAINING, THEY COULD REGAIN CONFIDENCE AND SECURE OPEN EMPLOYMENT.

HE SAID ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN SIGNIFICANT PROGESS IN THE FIELD OF REHABILITATION SERVICES, THE ULTIMATE SUCCESS WOULD DEPEND ON BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY.

BROADLY SPEAKING, MR. WU DESCRIBED REHABILITATION WORK AS AN INVESTMENT IN MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT, FOR DISABLED PEOPLE WOULD BECOME AN ASSET IF THEY WERE HELPED TO REGAIN EARNING CAPACITY AND PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES LIKE ANY NORMAL PERSON.

-----o------

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1979

MULT I-MILL I ON-DOLLAR YUEN LONG DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL AWARD A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YUEN LONG.

THE CONTRACT, THE FOURTH FOR THE PROJECT, FORMS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S S726 MILLION PLAN TO DEVELOP THE MARKET TOWN INTO A MODERN, SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITY.

IT WILL BE SIGNED AT THE OFFICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH IN TSUEN WAN.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR YUEN LONG DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY IN THE OFFICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH, TSUEN FAT BUILDING, 19 CHUEN HING PATH, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN, AT 11 A.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY, OFFICERS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.

OFFICIAL TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THIS FACILITY ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE OPEN CAR PARK OUTSIDE THE RECEPTION OFFICE, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, NOT LATER THAN 10 A.M.

OFFICERS OF THE PWD’S PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

/6......

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1979

ISLANDS DISTRICT LAND AUCTION TOMORROW

*****

THREE PRESTIGE SITES IN ISLANDS DISTRICT WILL BE SOLD AT THE FIRST NEW TERRITORIES LAND AUCTION OF THE YEAR AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

THE LOTS — ONE ON LANTAU ISLAND AND THE CHAU -- ARE VERY ATTRACTIVE RESIDENTIAL SITES SETTINGS AND PANORAMIC SEA VIEWS.

OTHERS ON PENG WITH VERY SCENIC

THE SITE AT CHEUNG SHA ON LANTAU, MEASURING 1,398 SQUARE METRES, CARRIES A PLOT RATIO OF 0.4, ALLOWING FOR TWO-STOREY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON NOT MORE THAN 559 SQUARE METRES OF THE LAND.

THE TWO WAI TSAI PEAK LOTS ON PENG CHAU, EACH COVERING 372 SQUARE METRES, ARE RESTRICTED TO TWO-STOREY BUILDING ON PER CENT OF THE LOT AREA.

THE AUCTION AT 11 ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE

A.M. WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE SENIOR ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. KEITH HEALY.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT LAND AUCTION AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE AT 11 A.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

-------0---------

PUBLIC PIERS ARE FOR BOAT PASSENGERS

*****

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED OWNERS, COXSWAINS AND PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF LOCAL CRAFT, IN PARTICULAR PLEASURE BOATS, THAT NO VESSELS MAY LIE ALONGSIDE A PUBLIC PIER EXCEPT FOR EMBARKING OR LANDING PASSENGERS.

FOR OTHER REASONS, THEY MUST HAVE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.

VESSELS EXCEEDING 115 FEET ARE ALSO PHOHIBITED FROM LYING ALONGSIDE ANY PUBLIC PIERS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE RECENT REPORTS OF UNATTENDED CRAFT REMAINING ALONGSIDE PUBLIC PIERS, PREVENTING OTHER CRAFT FROM MAYING USE OF THE PIERS.

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1979

MARINE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY SCHEDULE *****

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT DURING THE JANUARY 28-31 LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE PORT COMMUNICATION CENTRE, THE MACAU FERRY WHARF UNIT OFFICES, THE VICTORIA SMALL CRAFT LICENSING OFFICE, THE ENTRY AND CLEARANCE OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS IN WAN CHAI, YAU MA TEI, KWUN TONG AND TSUEN WAN.

THE PORT COMMUNICATION CENTRE WILL BE OPEN CONTINUOUSLY WHILE THE MACAU FERRY WHARF OFFICES WILL BE OPEN DAILY FROM 7.30 A.M. TO 1.30 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAYS.

THE ENTRY AND CLEARANCE OFFICE WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 A.M. TO 11 A.M. ON JANUARY 29 AND THE VICTORIA SMALL CRAFT LICENSING OFFICE WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 A.M. TO 11 A.M. ON JANUARY 30.

THE FOUR PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS WILL BE CLOSED ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY AND THE FOLLOWING DAY (JANUARY 28 AND 29), BUT NORMAL WORKING WILL RESUME AT 7 A.M. ON JANUARY 30. VESSELS WITH VALID PERMITS MAY BERTH AT THESE FOUR AREAS DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

-----o------

HOLIDAY MAIL SERVICE

*****

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THERE WILL BE ONE DELIVERY OF MAIL ON JANUARY 29 AND 31, THE SECOND AND FOURTH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

ON JANUARY 29, 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 12 NOON.

ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON JANUARY 31.

ON JANUARY 30 THE THIRD DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR THERE WILL BE NO MAIL DELIVERIES AND ALSO ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED.

-------0---------

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1979

TEMPORARY CLOSURE * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER SECTION BETWEEN SHORT STREET AND SOUTH WALL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY TO FACILITATE ROAD JOINT REPAIRS.

ALL EASTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED AT THE JUNCTION OF SHORT STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER TO TRAVEL ON THE GROUND LEVEL OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - o - -

WATER CUT * * *

THP WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHA TIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR FRESH WATER CONNECTIONS AT TAI PO ROAD.

AREAS AFFECTED INCLUDE HA WO CHE, SHEUNG WO CHE, FO TAN TSUEN, SHA TIN RACE COURSE, HO TUNG LAU, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY-OF HONG KONG, LOK LO HA VILLAGE, SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS,.-AND AREAS FROM SHEUNG HA WO CHE VILLAGES TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CONTRACT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF YUEN LONG SIGNED .......... 1

NEW AIRPORT FIRE STATION............................... 2

RIGHT OF WORKERS TO ANNUAL LEAVE ...................... 4

THREE DECADES OF EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT ................ 5

PRESTIGE ISLANDS DISTRICT SITES SOLD AT RECORD PRICES .................................................. 6

RESULTS OF LATEST TENDER FOR 300 URBAN TAXI LICENCES . 7

’CHECK IN EARLY AT KAI TAK’ APPEAL..................... 8

LUNAR NEW YEAR DUTY FREE BRANDY ....................... 8

LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY CLINICS ........................ 9

TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS IN WEST KOWLOON .................... 10

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1979

CONTRACT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF YUEN LONG SIGNED ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) AWARDED A $44.5 MILLION ENGINEERING CONTRACT TO HSIN CHONG CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF YUEN LONG.

THE CONTRACT FORMS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S $726 MILLION PLAN TO DEVELOP THE MARKET TOWN INTO A MODERN, SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITY WITH AN EVENTUAL POPULATION OF 95,000.

IT IS THE FOURTH CONTRACT LET SO FAR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN UNDER THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WHICH BEGAN IN JUNE 1977.

THE CONTRACT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED THIS MORNING BY MR. NG TECK-SHENG, GOVERNMENT ENGINEER OF PWD’S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH, AND MR. K.N. YEH, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPANY.

MR. NG SAID THE PROJECT WOULD INVOLVE THE FORMATION OF 28 HECTARES OF LAND IN THE EASTERN AND NORTHERN PARTS OF THE TOWN.

IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEVEN KILOMETRES OF ROAD, A CYCLE PATH AND 11 KILOMETRES OF DRAINAGE PIPES.

OTHER SERVICES SUCH AS WATER SUPPLY AND ELECTRICITY WOULD ALSO BE PROVIDED UNDER THE 33-MONTH CONTRACT.

MR. NG SAID THE EASTERN AREA WOULD BE USED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS, A NEW MARKET AND OPEN SPACE.

THE AREA TO THE NORTH OF THE TOWN, HE ADDED, WOULD BE USED FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR UP TO 17,000 PEOPLE.

HE POINTED OUT THAT PART OF THE LAND FORMED WOULD BE RESERVED FOR GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY USES, CAR AND LORRY PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND AMENITY PLOTS.

OUTLINING THE PROGRESS OF THE FIRST THREE CONTRACTS, MR. NG SAID THAT UNDER THE FIRST CONTRACT ABOUT THREE HECTARES OF LAND WAS FORMED LAST YEAR.

WORK ON THE SECOND CONTRACT, INVOLVING CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, SEWERS AND THE YUEN LONG WEST BUS TERMINUS ON THE LAND FORMED, IS NEARING COMPLETION.

THE BUS TERMINUS WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

THE THIRD CONTRACT INVOLVES THE FORMATION OF 14.5 HECTARES OF LAND AND CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND DRAINS.

+WE HAVE FINISHED FORMING FOUR HECTARES OF LAND FOR THE SHU I PIN WAI HOUSING ESTATE WHICH IS CAPABLE OF HOUSING 11,000 PEOPLE,* MR. NG SAID.

/+THE HOUSING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1979

♦THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS JUST STARTED PILING WORK FOR THE HOUSING ESTATE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY EARLY 1981.+

ANOTHER 10.5 HECTARES OF LAND BEING FORMED WILL BE USED AS THE SITE FOR A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AND FOR PRIVATE AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

-------o---------

NEW AIRPORT FIRE STATION K * H * K *

THE ALREADY HIGH STANDARD OF FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE FACILITIES AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE FURTHER ENHANCED WITH THE COMPLETION OF A NEW FIRE STATION.

THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING MORE MODERN VEHICLES FOR THE AIRPORT FIRE CONTINGENT AS PART OF A REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME TO MEET AND ANTICIPATE THE NEEDS OF INCREASING AIR TRAFFIC AT KAI TAK.

♦THE EMERGENCY FACILITIES PROVIDED AT THE AIRPORT ARE COMPARABLE WITH THE BEST INTERNATIONAL CIVILIAN AIRPORT STANDARDS,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE >4.3 MILLION TWO-STOREY FIRE STATION IS ON THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE RUNWAY, JUST OFF THE LINK TAXIWAY. IT WILL SERVE THE ENTIRE AIRPORT AREA.

TO ENSURE A MINIMUM RESPONSE TIME TO INCIDENTS, THE CONTINGENT IS ALSO DEPLOYED AT A SUB-STATION AT THE OTHER END OF THE RUNWAY.

THE NEW STATION WILL HOUSE AT LEAST NINE FIRE APPLIANCES AND VEHICLES OF VARYING SIZES. OTHER ACCOMMODATION INCLUDES A LECTURE ROOM, STORE AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE WORKROOM AS WELL AS STANDBY AND CATERING FACILITIES. A WATCH TOWER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND OBSERVING AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.

IT WILL REPLACE THE TEMPORARY STATION EARMARKED FOR DEMOLITION TO MAKE WAY FOR A FOAM STORE AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP OF THE NEW STATION.

♦THE ROLE OF THE AIRPORT FIRE STATION ASSUMES GREATER RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THE INCREASE OF AIR TRAFFIC AND THE USE OF LARGE AIRCRAFT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

/+FIR2MEN......

TUESDAY, JANUAHY 23, 1979

+FIREMEN STATIONED THERE MUST GO THROUGH SPECIAL TRAINING TO PREPARE THEM TO DEAL WITH AIRCRAFT EMERGENCIES. THEY ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE SAME HIGH STANDARDS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS AND MENTAL ALERTNESS REQUIRED OF ALL FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL TO ENABLE THEM TO COPE EFFICIENTLY WITH THEIR DUTIES, HE SAID.

THE TRAINING VARIES FROM HOT FIRE DRILLS, CRASH EXERCISES, LECTURES AND LIAISON WITH OTHER SERVICES IN DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES WHICH COULD ENDANGER THE LIVES OF PASSENGERS, AIRCRAFT AND PROPERTY AT THE AIRPORT.

+ALL MEMBERS OF THE CONTINGENT MUST BE HIGHLY SKILLED, EFFICIENT, ALERT AND QUICK-MINDED AND READY TO DEAL WITH AIRCRAFT EMERGENCIES WHICH INVOLVE THE LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE ON BOARD AS WELL AS THOSE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

IN ADDITION TO THEIR MAIN DUTIES, THEY ALSO ASSIST IN ENSURING THAT THE HAZARD TO AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS CAUSED BY BIRD STRIKES IS MINIMISED, PARTICULARLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN LARGE FLOCKS OF MIGRATING BIRDS PASS THROUGH HONG KONG.

OUTLINING THE CONTINGENT’S ESTABLISHMENT AND EQUIPMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAIN FIRE STATION AND SUB-STATION HAVE A COMBINED FORCE OF 114 MEN EQUIPPED WITH 15 FIRE ENGINES, VEHICLES AND RESCUE BOATS.

-----o------

TUESDAY, JANUABY 23, 1979

- 4 -

RIGHT OF WORKERS TO ANNUAL LEAVE

* * * *

AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH AIM TO CORRECT MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT THE RIGHT OF WORKERS TO SEVEN DAYS ANNUAL LEAVE AND TO CLOSE POSSIBLE LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW WILL GO BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 14.

THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON FRIDAY, SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE GOVERNMENT’S ORIGINAL INTENTION TO PROVIDE ALL EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE WITH SEVEN DAYS’ ANNUAL PAID LEAVE FOR EACH PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS EMPLOYMENT UNDER A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT.

THIS LEAVE HAS TO BE GRANTED BY THE EMPLOYER WITHIN 12 MONTHS FOLLOWING THE FIRST YEAR OF EMPLOYMENT.

ACCORDING TO A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY), THE PAID ANNUAL LEAVE SCHEME HAD WORKED WELL OVERALL ~ EMPLOYEES IN GENERAL HAD WELCOMED ITS INTRODUCTION AND MOST EMPLOYERS HAD READILY COMPLIED WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW. HOWEVER, A FEW EMPLOYERS HAD ATTEMPTED TO EVADE THEIR OBLIGATIONS.

HE SAIDi +THE AMENDED LAW WILL EMPHASISE AND CLARIFY ALL THE SEVEN CONSECUTIVE DAYS TO BE DAYS OF ANNUAL LEAVE, AND IF A REST DAY OR STATUTORY HOLIDAY COINCIDES WITH ANY OF THESE, IT WILL HAVE TO BE GRANTED AT SOME OTHER TIME. THE LAW WILL ALSO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT ANNUAL LEAVE IS IN ADDITION TO REST DAYS AND STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.

+ IT WILL BE SO DESIGNED AS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT A DAY’S PAY IS DUE FOR EACH AND EVERY DAY OF ANNUAL LEAVE AND THAT AN EMPLOYEE CANNOT BE DEPRIVED OF SUCH A DAY’S PAY BY TREATING IT AS A REST DAY.

+ONCE AN EMPLOYEE COMPLETES A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS SERVICE, , HE IS ENTITLED TO SEVEN DAYS ANNUAL LEAVE PAY FOR THAT SERVICE REGARDLESS OF HOW HIS CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED.

♦THE LAW ALSO PROVIDES FOR PROPORTIONATE ENTITLEMENT TO ANNUAL LEAVE PAY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THE PERIOD OF SERVICE IS THREE .MONTHS OR MORE. THE PRESENT PROVISION IS FOR MORE THAN THREE MONTHS,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

------0-------

/5....

_ 5 TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1979

THREE DECADES OF EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT *****

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF MASSIVE ACHIEVEMENT OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG WAS THE SUBJECT OF A SPEECH BY MR. COLVYN HAYE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON EAST TODAY (TUESDAY).

+WHEN HONG KONG WAS LIBERATED FROM THE JAPANESE IN 1945, ENROLMENT IN SCHOOLS WAS UNDER 50,000. SCHOOL BUILDINGS LAY IN RUINS, EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN DESTROYED, TEXTBOOKS WERE ALMOST NON-EXISTENT AND, WORST OF ALL, THERE WAS A DEARTH OF TRAINED TEACHERS.

+THE PROCESS OF REHABILITATING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WAS LABORIOUS AND DIFFICULT. THE BUDGET FOR EDUCATION IN 1946 WAS $6.4 MILLION, MOST OF IT COMMITTED TO REHABILITATION OF SCHOOLS.

+TODAY THE BILL FOR EDUCATION STANDS AT $1,967 MILLION. THIS REPRESENTS 19.2 PER CENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S TOTAL ANNUAL EXPENDITURE. THERE ARE NOW NEARLY 2,600 SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, WITH ABOUT 1.4 MILLION PUPILS,+ MR. HAYE SAID.

TRACING THE HISTORY OF EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, MR. HAYE DESCRIBED THE HUGE GOVERNMENT BUILDING PROGRAMMES OF THE ’5O’S, AT THE PEAK OF WHICH ABOUT 45,000 PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES WERE ADDED EACH YEAR, THE EXTENSION OF EDUCATION THROUGH THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE ’6O’S AND ’7O’S TO ASSURE ALL CHILDREN OF THE APPROPRIATE AGE GROUP FREE EDUCATION FOR NINE YEARS, AND THE TARGET FOR THE ’80’S OF FURTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR VIRTUALLY ALL WHO WANTED IT.

♦WITH QUANTITATIVE TARGETS IN THE FOREFRONT OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNERS’ MINDS, QUALITY IN EDUCATION WAS NOT FORGOTTEN* MR. HAYE SAID.

IF THE FIRST PRIORITY WAS TO GET AS MANY CHILDREN INTO SCHOOLS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, THE NEXT WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE EDUCATION THEY RECEIVED WAS THE BEST HONG KONG COULD AFFORD, HE SAID.

+TEACHER TRAINING WAS IMPROVED AND COURSES LENGTHENED, GREATER RESOURCES WERE POURED INTO CLASSROOMS OF SCHOOLS OF IMPROVED DESIGN, THE CURRICULUM WAS LIBERALISED, THE PRESSURE CF PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS EASED, AND HONG KONG LED SOUTHEAST ASIA IN THE HARNESSING OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE CLASSROOM TEACHING,* MR. HAYE SAID.

ACKNOWLEDGING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR, MR. HAYE SAID PRIVATE INITIATIVES HAD MET THE ASPIRATIONS OF MANY IN THE LAST TWO DECADES.

+THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING BODIES HAS NOT PRECLUDED PRIVATE INDEPENDENT BODIES MEETING SHORTFALLS IN AREAS OF NEED,* HE SAID.

EDUCATIONAL PLANNERS, HOWEVER, WERE FAR FROM COMPLACENT, MR. HAYE ADDED, BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THE RESULT WAS THE BEST THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE WITHIN OUR RESOURCES, THE SYSTEM WAS NOT PERFECT.

♦THERE IS STILL PROGRESS TO BE MADE, AND TO THIS PROGRESS THE GOVERNMENT IS DEDICATED,* HE SAID.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1979

PRESTIGE ISLANDS DISTRICT SITES SOLD AT RECORD PRICES ******

THREE PRESTIGE RESIDENTIAL SITES IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT WERE SOLD AT RECORD PRICES AT A PUBLIC AUCTION IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.

THE LOTS — ONE ON LANTAU ISLAND AND THE OTHERS ON PENG CHAU — FETCHED A TOTAL OF $3.24 MILLION IN A SESSION OF COMPETITIVE BIDDINGS.

A 1,398 SQUARE-METRE LOT AT CHEUNG SHA ON LANTAU WAS SOLD FOR $2.65 MILLION — MORE THAN DOUBLE THE OPENING BID OF $980,000.

THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WAS SOUTH KOWLOON LAND INVESTMENT CO. LTD WHO PAID THE EQUIVALENT OF $1,896 PER SQUARE-METRE, A 44 PER CENT INCREASE ON THE RECORD $1,323 PER SQUARE-METRE MADE AT THE LAST LAND SALE FOR THE AREA IN JUNE, 1978.

THE SECOND AND THIRD LOTS WHICH ARE ADJACENT SITES OF 372 SQUARE METRES ON WAI TSAI PEAK ON PENG CHAU WENT TO QUADPONT LTD. FOR $290,000 AND $300,000 RESPECTIVELY — EQUAVALENT TO $780 AND $806 PER SQUARE-METRE.

THE PRICES WERE 209 AND 219 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS PRICE FOR LAND ON PENG CHAU IN 1977.

THE THREE SITES, THE FIRST NEW TERRITORIES LOTS PUT ON THE MARKET THIS YEAR, ARE FOR TWO-STOREY PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

THE AUCTION WAS CONDUCTED BY THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. KEITH HEALY WHO DESCRIBED THE PRICES AS ■♦MOST SATISFACTORY+.

♦THE BIDDING WAS VERY KEEN ESPECIALLY FOR THE TWO PENG CHAU LOTS,+ MR. HEALY SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT AFTER OPENING THE BIDDING FOR THE FIRST PENG CHAU LOT AT $80,000 HE DECIDED TO RAISE THE OPENING BID TO $240,000 FOR THE SECOND.

+IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN BOTH SITES,+ HE SAID.

♦THE SECOND LOT WAS SOLD IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES.+ HE ADDED.

MR. HEALY ATTRIBUTED THE BIG INCREASE IN THE PRICE PAID SINCE THE LAST SALE TO THE GENERAL TREND ON THE PROPERTY MARKET IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

♦BUT TODAY’S AUCTION REFLECTS THE INCREASING INTEREST OF DEVELOPERS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT AS IDEAL AREAS FOR HIGH QUALITY HOUS I NG,♦ HE ADDED.

------0-------

/7 ....

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1979

RESULTS OF LATEST TENDER FOR 300 URBAN TAXI LICENCES * * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS PROCESSED THE LATEST TENDERS FOR 300 HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXI LICENCES.

A TOTAL OF 550 INDIVIDUAL TENDERS HAD BEEN RECEIVED WHEN THE OFFER CLOSED ON DECEMBER 29 LAST YEAR. THE HIGHEST TENDER WAS $292,500 AND THE LOWEST, $26,800.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT 299 OF THE 300 URBAN TAXI LICENCES HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO THOSE OFFERING A UNIT PREMIUM RANGING FROM $248,990 TO $292,500.

THE REMAINING LICENCE WAS DETERMINED BY PUBLIC BALLOT THIS AFTERNOON BECAUSE THERE WERE TWO TENDERS EACH WITH AN IDENTICAL UNIT PREMIUM OF $248,888 SEEKING A TOTAL OF TWO TAXI LICENCES.

THE AVERAGE PREMIUM IN THE LATEST TENDER EXERCISE WAS $258,538, AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 5.8 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE LAST TENDER IN AUGUST 1978 WHEN THE AVERAGE PREMIUM WORKED OUT AT $244,240.

THE ESTIMATED REVENUE FROM THE LATEST AMOUNT TO MORE THAN $77.5 MILLION.

TENDER EXERCISE SHOULD

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT LETTERS WOULD BE GOING OUT TOMORROW TO SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS AND THAT THE FIRST OF THE 300 TAXIS WOULD BE INSPECTED IN EARLY FEBRUARY. ALL 300 TAXIS SHOULD BE ON THE ROAD BY THE END OF APRIL.

-----0------

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1979

’CHECK IN EARLY AT KAI TAK’ APPEAL

*****

HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO WILL BE TAKING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ABROAD ARE ASKED TO CO-OPERATE BY CHECKING IN EARLY ON THEIR ARRIVAL AT KAI TAK AIRPORT AND MOVING TO THE IMMIGRATION AND SECURITY CONTROLS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

MAKING THIS APPEAL A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT CO-OPERATION FROM THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC WILL HELP RELIEF CONGESTION IN THE DEPARTURE HALL TREMENDOUSLY.

♦ IT WILL ALSO BE OF GREAT HELP IF HOLIDAY-MAKERS WILL ALSO DISSUADE THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES FROM SEEING THEM OFF AT THE AIRPORT,+ HE SAID.

HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS AMONG THE BUSIEST AIRPORTS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. IT HANDLES AN AVERAGE OF OVER 15,000 PASSENGERS A DAY.

♦CONGESTED CONDITIONS ARE UNAVOIDABLE WHEN LARGE CROWDS OF HOLIDAY-MAKERS LEAVE BY AIR, MOST OF THEM TO TAIPEI, SINGAPORE AND MANILA, IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL DAILY TRAFFIC,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

TO COPE WITH THE SITUATION, ALL PASSENGER FACILITIES AT KAI TAK WILL BE FULLY STAFFED AND AN ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION DEPARTURE CONTROL CHANNEL WILL BE OPENED TO HELP SPEED UP PASSENGER PROCESSING.

+WE HOPE TO MAKE THE PASSENGER PROCESSING FLOW AS SMOOTHLY AND SPEEDILY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID CONGESTION BUT THIS IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT DURING THE PRESENT TIME WHEN EXTENSIVE TERMINAL AND APRON DEVELOPMENT IS STILL TAKING PLACE,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

0 -------

LUNAR NEW YEAR DUTY FREE BRANDY * * * *

THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT TRAVELLERS ARRIVING FROM MACAU DURING THE TWO DAYS FOLLOWING LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY, JANUARY 29 (MONDAY) AND JANUARY 30 MAY EACH BRING INTO HONG KONG FREE OF DUTY ONE BOTTLE OF PORTUGUESE BRANDY OF NOT MORE THAN ONE LITRE INSTEAD OF THE ONE-QUART BOTTLE OF GRAPE WINE NORMALLY ALLOWED.

- 0 -----------

/9......

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1979

LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY CLINICS

* * * *

THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT EIGHT PUBLIC OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. ON JANUARY 30 AND 31 — THE THIRD AND FOURTH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

THE CLINICS ARE:

* ON HONG KONG ISLAND — VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC, WAN CHAI AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, SHAU KEI WAN-

* IN KOWLOON — THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, KWUN TONG- THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, YAU MA TEI AND THE ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE- AND

* IN THE NEW TERRITORIES — THE LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, TSUEN WAN- YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC.

ALL GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND EVENING CLINICS OTHER THAN THESE EIGHT WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FROM JANUARY 28-31.

- - 0 ----------

/10

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1979 - 10 -

TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS IN WEST KOWLOON *****

, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WEST KOWLOON TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOWi

STREET RE-ROUTINGS

* SHEK KIP MEI STREET BETWEEN LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND TAI NAN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY NORTHBOUND.

* KIU KIANG STREET BETWEEN CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND FUK WING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY NORTHBOUND.

* FUK WAH STREET BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND KIU KIANG STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY NORTHBOUND.

* FUK WING STREET BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND KIU KIANG STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY SOUTHBOUND.

CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS

* URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS FROM 7 A.M. TO 10 A.M. AND 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. INSTEAD OF 7 A.M. TO 7 P.M. DAILY FOR ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE SECTION OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND KWEILIN STREET-

* A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS CLEARWAY RESTRICTION (7 A.M. TO MIDNIGHT) WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE SECTION OF FUK WAH STREET FROM THE JUNCTION WITH YEN CHOW STREET TO A POINT 20 METRES NORTHWARDS.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

-----o------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

REVISED WATER RATES EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 .............. 1

TOUGHER LAWS INTRODUCED IN FIGHT AGAINST SQUATTER HUT RACKETEERS .......................................... 4

BILL TO TIGHTEN BAILING PROCEDURES BECOMES LAW .......... 5

INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 .................... 7

DELEGATION OF FINANCIAL POWERS .......................... 7

BILL TO RAISE INTEREST TAX EXEMPTION RATE ............... 8

SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1977-78) BILL 1979 ......... 9

SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRIES — MORE SUPPORT NEEDED ........... 10

PARENTAL CONTROL -- ANSWER TO UNDER-AGE DRINKING ....... 14

BA FLIGHT SCHEDULES .................................... 15

USE OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR, TRANSLATION CLARIFIED .......... 17

RESPONSES TO YOUTH CENTRES POSITIVE .................... 18

REVIEW OF INCOME LIMIT FOR H.O.S. FLATS ................ 19

LEAD CONTENT OF PETROL.................................. 20

MORE BUSES — NATURAL BRAKE ON PLB FARES ................ 21

POLICE ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND VICE ........ 22

ADEQUATE RECREATION AMENITIES IN NT .................... 22

PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICE ............ 23

DEATH INQUESTS ......................................... 23

STARTING TIMES OF RACE MEETINGS ........................ 24

STEPS TO IMPROVE CAUSEWAY BAY TRAFFIC .................. 24

/NEW grass...........

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

NEW GRASS CUTTING ARRANGEMENTS ......................... 25

ONE OBVIOUS WAY TO CONTROL CYCLISTS .................... 25

GOVERNOR TO INSPECT PRISONS DEPARTMENT ANNUAL PARADE .. 26

’DRIVE CAREFULLY ON TUEN MUN ROAD’ APPEAL .............. 27

TWO BILLS PASSED ....................................... 27

PRESENTATION OF AWARD TO VOLUNTARY WEATHER OBSERVER ON FISHING BOAT......................................... 28

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN HUNG HOM ...................... 28

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

REVISED WATER RATES EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 ******

A REVISED PRICE STRUCTURE FOR WATER SUPPLIES WILL BE INTRODUCED ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR WITH 55 PER CENT OF ALL DOMESTIC CONSUMERS CONTINUING TO PAY NOTHING OR LESS THAN AT PRESENT.

THE REVISED STRUCTURE SEEKS TO RECONCILE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS TO BRING THE WATERWORKS ACCOUNTS INTO BALANCE AND TO ENCOURAGE CONSERVATION OF WATER.

UNDER THE REVISED STRUCTURE, THE NUMBER OF UNITS OF FREE DOMESTIC SUPPLIES WILL BE INCREASED FROM THE EXISTING FIRST 2-2/3 TO FOUR UNITS AND CONSUMPTION THEREAFTER WILL BE CHARGED UNDER A FOUR-TIER PRICE SYSTEM FOR EVERY FOUR MONTH BILLING PERIOD.

THE NEW CHARGES FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

UNITS CHARGE PER UNIT

0-4 FREE

OVER 4 AND UP TO 8 $3.00

OVER 8 AND UP TO 14 $5.50

OVER 14 AND UP TO 20 $8.50

OVER 20 $12

UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, SALT WATER FOR FLUSHING PURPOSES AT PRESENT CHARGED AT 70 CENTS PER UNIT WILL BE SUPPLIED FREE.

FOR PREMISES SUPPLIED WITH FRESH WATER FOR FLUSHING, THE CURRENT CHARGE OF $3 PER UNIT WILL REMAIN BUT A DEDUCTION OF $20 (OR THE ACTUAL CHARGE IF LESS) PER DWELLING WILL BE MADE IN EACH FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIOD.

THE CHARGE FOR TRADE CONSUMERS WILL BE INCREASED FROM $4 TO $5.50 PER UNIT, AND AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE, A CONCESSIONARY TARIFF AT $4 PER UNIT FOR CONSUMPTION IN EXCESS OF 6,000 UNITS IN ANY FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIOD WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR TRADE CONSUMERS WHO SATISFY CERTAIN CRITERIA.

THIS CONCESSIONARY RATE WILL BE WITHDRAWN AT THE END OF 1981-82.

THE CURRENT CHARGES FOR SHIPPING SUPPLIES WILL BE INCREASED FROM $4 TO $5.50 PER UNIT FOR NON-OCEAN GOING VESSELS AND FROM $7.00 TO $12 FOR OCEAN GOING VESSELS. THE CHARGES FOR CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES WILL BE INCREASED FROM $5 TO $8.50 PER UNIT AND FOR PRE-PAID SUPPLIES FROM $4 TO $5.50 PER UNIT.

/ANNOUNCING .....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

ANNOUNCING THE REVISED PRICE STRUCTURE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THE FOUR-TIER CHARGE SYSTEM FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMERS IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING THE CONSERVATION OF WATER AND AT THE SAME TIME MOVING THE WATER ACCOUNTS INTO BALANCE.

HE SAID THE FIRST TWO TIERS IN THE REVISED STRUCTURE ARE TO ENCOURAGE THE CONSERVATION OF WATER, WHILE THE THIRD TIER ATTRACTS A CHARGE WHICH IS ROUGHLY THE FULL PRODUCTION COST PER UNIT OVER THE FOUR YEARS ENDING 1982-83.

CONSUMPTION ABOVE 20 UNITS IS CLEARLY VERY EXCESSIVE, IT SHOULD ATTRACT AN EVEN HIGHER DETERRENT CHARGE, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE REVISED PRICE STRUCTURE FOR DOMESTIC SUPPLIES ENVISAGES INCREASED CHARGES FOR POTABLE WATER AT HIGHER LEVELS OF CONSUMPTION, THE INCREASE IN THE FREE ALLOWANCE WILL PARTIALLY OFFSET THE EFFECT OF THIS REVISED PRICE STRUCTURE ON ALL CONSUMERS WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE SEPARATELY METERED.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE REVISED PRICE STRUCTURE WILL ACTUALLY REDUCE THE COST OF POTABLE WATER WHERE CONSUMPTION IS NINE UNITS OR LESS PER FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIOD. A MARGINAL INCREASE OF $1 PER BILLING IS EXPECTED FOR CONSUMPTION REACHING 10 UNITS.

HE SAID THE INCREASE IN THE FREE ALLOWANCE IN RESPECT OF POTABLE WATER WILL MEAN THAT 15 PER CENT OF ALL CONSUMERS WILL PAY NO CHARGES COMPARED WITH THE NINE PER CENT AT PRESENT, WHILE ANOTHER 32 PER CENT WILL PAY LESS THAN THEY ARE PAYING AT PRESENT.

ANOTHER 26 PER CENT OF CONSUMERS, WHO USE BETWEEN 10 AND

14 UNITS, WILL PAY BETWEEN $1 AND $11 MORE PER FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIOD.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE INCREASES WILL BE FURTHER OFFSET BY THE NEW FREE ALLOWANCE FOR FRESH WATER FLUSHING SUPPLIES AND BY MAKING SALT WATER FLUSHING SUPPLIES FREE OF CHARGE.

♦THUS, WHILST THE LARGER FREE ALLOWANCE IN RESPECT OF POTABLE WATER MEANS THAT 47 PER CENT OF ALL DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WILL EITHER CONTINUE TO PAY NO CHARGES, OR PAY LESS THAN WHAT THEY ARE PAYING AT PRESENT, THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS IN RESPECT OF FLUSHING SUPPLIES MEANS THAT AS MANY AS 55 PER CENT OF ALL DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WILL CONTINUE TO PAY NOTHING OR TO PAY LESS THAN AT PRESENT,* HE SAID.

TURNING TO TRADE SUPPLIES, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE NO-SUBSIDY PRINCIPLE SHOULD APPLY TO THIS CATEGORY OF USERS FOR AT LEAST THREE REASONS.

/+FIRST,

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

- 3 -

♦FIRST, ITS APPLICATION WOULD AVOID AN INDISCRIMINATE CONTRIBUTION FROM EITHER GENERAL REVENUE OR FROM DOMESTIC CONSUMERS TO THE PROFIT OF TRADE CONSUMERS.

♦SECONDLY, THE APPLICATIVE OF THIS PRINCIPLE WOULD ENCOURAGE CONSUMERS TO APPRECIATE THE TRUE VALUE OF WATER AND TO USE IT ECONOMICALLY. AND THIRDLY, THE APPLICATION SHOULD REDUCE THE NEED TO EXPAND WATER RESOURCES PURELY TO COPE WITH EXTRAVAGANT AND EXCESSIVE USE,+ HE SAID.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE CONCESSIONARY TARIFF WOULD APPLY TO THOSE TRADE CONSUMERS WHO, ON APPLICATION, ARE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE, FIRST THAT CONSUMPTION AT A RATE IN EXCESS OF 6,000 UNITS PER FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIOD IS LIKELY TO BE SUSTAINED FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS- SECONDLY, THAT SUCH HIGH LEVELS OF CONSUMPTION ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE PROCESSES INVOLVED- THIRDLY, THAT WATER IS USED ECONOMICALLY- FOURTHLY, THAT PRACTICAL STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO CONSERVE OR RE-CYCLE WATER AND, FINALLY, THAT THE COST OF WATER REPRESENTS A LARGE ELEMENT IN OPERATING COSTS.

HE SAID THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES WILL ANNOUNCE HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS CONCESSIONARY TARIFF IN DUE COURSE.

TURNING TO THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE REVISED PRICE STRUCTURE ON THE ECONOMY, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE EFFECT OF THE REVISED CHARGES WOULD BE TO INCREASE THE CONSUMER-PRICE INDEX BY NO MORE THAN 0.03 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT WHILE THE REVISED CHARGE FOR TRADE SUPPLIES WOULD INCREASE AVERAGE MANUFACTURING COSTS BY LESS THAN 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT.

HE SAID THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE COST OF POTABLE WATER OVER THE FOUR YEARS 1979-80 TO 1982-83 IS ESTIMATED AT $8.13 PER UNIT. THE AMOUNTS INCLUDED FOR THE BULK PURCHASE OF WATER HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED UPWARDS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE PRICE AND QUANTITY OF WATER PURCHASED FROM CHINA.

♦BUT THE INCREASED EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IS MORE THAN OFFSET — AND I WISH TO STRESS THIS POINT — BY A REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNT ALLOWED FOR INTEREST ON CAPITAL EMPLOYED, AS IT HAS BEEN ASSUMED THAT THE SUBSTANTIAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING ADDITIONAL CATCHMENT AREAS WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED HAVING REGARD TO THE EXPECTATION OF FURTHER SUPPLIES FROM CHINA AFTER 1982.♦

ON THE WATERWORKS ACCOUNTS, HE SAID THE REVISED PRICE STRUCTURE WOULD REDUCE THE ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF ABOUT $170 MILLION AT THE END OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR TO ABOUT $142 MILLION AT THE END OF 1982-83.

------0-------

/<* ...

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

TOUGHER LAWS INTRODUCED IN FIGHT AGAINST SQUATTER HUT RACKETEERS * * * *

THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED THE SECOND READING OF A BILL GIVING THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FAR MORE POWER AGAINST RACKETEERS WHO DEAL IN ILLEGAL HUTS FOR SQUATTERS, AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO WRONGLY USE LAND LEASED TO THEM FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES.

THE HON. A.J. SCOTT SAID OF THE CROWN LAND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979s + IN THE CONTROL OF UNLAWFUL OCCUPATION OF UNLEASED LAND, THE EXISTING LEGISLATION HAS NOT PROVED A SUFFICIENT DETERRENT TO INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS ENGAGING IN THE UNAUTHORISED CONSTRUCTION AND SALE OF STRUCTURES ON CROWN LAND.*

UNDER THE POWERS IN THE AMENDING BILL, HE SAID, SQUATTER CONTROL STAFF WOULD BE ABLE TO DEMOLISH STRUCTURES BEFORE THEY WERE SOLD AND OCCUPIED, AND PROSECUTE THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING SUCH STRUCTURES.

ADDITIONALLY, THE WIDER POWERS OF ENTRY AND INSPECTION WOULD FACILITATE SURVEY WORK FOR THE CLEARANCE OF AREAS BEFORE DEVELOPMENT, AND ENSURE THAT ACCURATE INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED.

+THE PENALTIES FOR PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION WILL DETER THOSE WHO ATTEMPT TO GAIN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE IN RESPECT OF HOUSING OR THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION AND EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES,* SAID MR. SCOTT.

ON THE REASONS BEHIND THE INTRODUCTION OF TOUGHER CONTROLS, MR. SCOTT SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS HAD INCREASED THE TEMPTATION FOR OCCUPIERS OF LEASED LAND TO CONVERT AGRICULTURAL PREMISES FOR VARIOUS UNAUTHORISED USES, SUCH AS INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.

♦IN ORDER TO PREVENT REPETITION OF THE WIDESPREAD CONVERSIONS PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED IN NEW KOWLOON, A SUMMARY REMEDY IS PROPOSED IN THE BILL WHICH WILL ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO DEMAND THAT THE LESSEE DISCONTINUE THE WRONGFUL USE AND RESTORE THE STRUCTURE TO ITS ORIGINAL USE- FAILING WHICH, THE AUTHORITY MAY DO THE RESTORATION FOR HIM OR MAY DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURE,* SAID MR. SCOTT.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

BILL TO TIGHTEN BAILING PROCEDURES BECOMES LAW M * K UK

THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT^ NO. 4) BILL, WHICH PROPOSES TO TIGHTEN UP THE EXISTING LAW ON THE GRANTING OF BAIL. HAS RECEIVED THE SUPPORT OF A LEGISLATION SCRUTINY GROUP OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER CAREFUL STUDY AND DISCUSSION OF ITS PROVISIONS WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THE GROUP’S CONVENER, THE HON. T.S. LO, SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID HOWEVER THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF POINTS WHICH HE FELT WARRANTED FURTHER ELABORATION.

THE FIRST POINT CONCERNED THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHEN HE MOVED THE SECOND READING, THAT *AN ACCUSED PERSON WHO IS REFUSED BAIL HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO APPLY TO THE HIGH COURT FOR A REVIEW AND IS ABLE TO APPLY TO ONE JUDGE AFTER ANOTHER IF HE IS UNSUCCESSFUL.*

THIS, MR. LO SAID, DID NOT APPEAR TO BE THE POSITION AS LAID DOWN BY JUDGE LI IN WONG VS R IN 1976. +HOWEVER THERE IS NO HARM IN RESTATING THE LAW PARTICULARLY WHEN IN THE MINDS OF SOME DOUBT EXISTS,* HE SAID.

SECONDLY, ON THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 12B PROVIDING IN EFFECT THAT NO APPEAL SHOULD LIE FROM THE DECISION OF A COURT OR A JUDGE IF BAIL WAS REFUSED, MR. LO SAID THIS MIGHT SEEM ODD AT FIRST SIGHT, AS IT WAS ALWAYS POSSIBLE FOR A COURT OR A JUDGE TO GO WRONG ON A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE.

♦HOWEVER THE LEGCO GROUP HAS BEEN PERSUADED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S ARGUMENT THAT AS BAIL IS ALWAYS DISCRETIONARY AND EACH CASE HAS TO BE CONSIDERED ON ITS OWN MERITS, THE QUESTION OF PRINCIPLES DOES NOT ARISE.*

THIRDLY, MR. LO SAID, THE LEGCO GROUP FELT IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT THE POWER OF APPLYING FOR REVIEW OF A BAIL ORDER WAS EXERCISED WITH GREAT CARE.

THEY CONSIDERED THAT IF POSSIBLE, SUCH POWER SHOULD BE EXERCISED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL PERSONALLY, AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULD BE GIVEN SUCH AN ASSURANCE.

FOURTHLY, THE GROUP FELT THAT IN CASES WHERE THE REVIEW OF A BAIL ORDER WAS THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE PROSECUTION TO ADDUCE ALL THE MATERIAL EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COURT WHEN BAIL WAS FIRST APPLIED FOR, THE COURT SHOULD BE GIVEN THE DISCRETION TO AWARD COSTS AGAINST THE CROWN. THEY ALSO HAD AN ASSURANCE THAT AN AMENDMENT TO THIS EFFECT WOULD BE MOVED.

/LASTLY, .....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

- 6 -

LASTLY, MR. LO SAID, HE AND HIS UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES WERE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESENT ORDER OF DELAYS BEFORE AN ACCUSED WAS BROUGHT TO TRIAL.

DELAY INEVITABLY HAD SOME BEARING ON A COURT’S EXERCISE OF ITS DISCRETION ON BAIL. ‘ J

ALTHOUGH THEY WERE GIVEN TO UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS RESPECT HONG KONG COMPARES REASONABLY WELL WITH COMPARABLE JURISDICTIONS ELSEWHERE, THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR COMPLACENCY AND THAT THERE WAS A REAL NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SEE WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE TO EXPEDITE THE DISPENSATION OF JUSTICE.

MR. LO SAID BAIL HAD LONG BEEN A SUBJECT OF CONTROVERSY, AND THE BILL HAD AROUSED CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC INTEREST, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

IN REPLY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, CONFIRMED THAT DECISIONS TO SEEK A REVIEW OF A DECISION OF A MAGISTRATE OR DISTRICT JUDGE TO GRANT BAIL WOULD BE TAKEN ONLY BY THE LAW OFFICERS OR THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS.

MR. HOBLEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT HE WOULD' BE MOVING AN AMENDMENT IN COMMITTEE TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE VERY FAIR PROPOSAL OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS THAT THE JUDGE HEARING AN APPLICATION BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR A REVIEW OF A DECISION TO GRANT BAIL SHOULD HAVE POWER TO AWARD COSTS AGAINST THE CROWN.

ON TRIAL DELAYS, MR HOBLEY SAID IT WAS ONE WHICH CONSTANTLY EXERCISED THE MINDS OF BOTH THOSE WHO WERE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CONCERNED ONLOOKERS.

+ IT IS, HOWEVER, RIGHT TO SAY THAT VIEWS AS TO WHAT IS A REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE INTERVAL BETWEEN ARREST AND TRIAL DIFFER CONSIDERABLY,* HE SAID.

+THREE NEW POSTS OF HIGH COURT JUDGE WERE APPROVED QUITE RECENTLY BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL AND THIS IS BUT ONE EXAMPLE OF THE CONTINUING REVIEW OF THE STATE OF JUDICIAL BUSINESS.

+MEMBERS MAY FEEL SURE THAT THE MATTER IS CLOSELY MONITORED AT ALL TIMES,* MR HOBLEY ADDED.

THE BILL WAS LATER PASSED INTO LAW.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

7 -

INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 ******

THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG WELCOMED THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 WHICH EXEMPTED FROM PROPERTY TAX, PREMISES OWNED AND OCCUPIED BY TRADE AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, CLUBS, CLANS, FAMILIES OR ’TONGS’ AND NOT USED COMMERCIALLY. THE BILL WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

♦ IT IS A DEFINITE SIGN OF GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO ASSIST TRADE AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND ITS RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FAMILY AND COMMUNAL SPIRIT AS WELL AS LONG-STANDING TRADITIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* MR. YEUNG SAID.

HE SAID THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL PARTICULARLY WELCOME THE BILL. THE CONCEPT OF PROPERTY TAX IS NEW TO THEM AND THEY SEE ANY REASON WHY THEJR ’KUNG..SORS’, ’CHI' ’ TONGS’ AND OTHER COMMUNAL BUILDINGS WHICH BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AND DO NOT BEAR INCOME SHOULD BE CHARGEABLE TO TAX.

------o-------

DELEGATION OF FINANCIAL POWERS * * * *

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ADOPTED A MOTION TO DELEGATE TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE AUTHORITY TO CHARGE TO GENERAL REVENUE A SUM EQUAL TO THAT BY WHICH RECEIPTS APPLIED AS APPROPRIATIONS-IN-AID IS LESS, OR IS LIKELY TO BE LESS, THAN THE SUM SHOWN IN THE SCHEDULED TO THE APPROPRIATION BILL.

MOVING THE MOTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THE GROSS EXPENDITURE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED WITHIN THE APPROVED PROVISIONS.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE APPROPRIATIONS-IN-AID SYSTEM IN 1976-77, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WERE INVITED IN THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION BILL TO AUTHORISE THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN RECEIPTS AS APPROPRIATIONS-IN-AID OF THE GROSS EXPENDITURE ON THE SERVICES AND PURPOSES UNDER EACH HEAD OF EXPENDITURE IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE BILL.

♦HONOURABLE MEMBERS ARE ALSO INVITED TO AUTHORISE THE CHARGE TO GENERAL REVENUE OF A SUM EQUAL TO THE NET EXPENDITURE FOR EACH HEAD OF EXPENDITURE, THAT IS TO SAY, THE GROSS EXPENDITURE FOR THAT HEAD OF EXPENDITURE LESS RECEIPTS APPLIED AS APPROPRIATIONS-IN-AID,♦ HE SAID.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID IN THE EVENT OF A SHORTFALL OCCURRING IN RECEIPTS APPLIED AS APPROPRIATIONS-IN-AID, HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS SHOULD EFFECT A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION IN GROSS EXPENDITURE IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT NET EXPENDITURE WAS NOT EXCEEDED.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THIS, AT TIMES, WAS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT SERIOUSLY DISRUPTING THE SERVICES PROVIDED, ADDING THAT THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO DELEGATED AUTHORITY FOR MAINTAINING THE LEVEL OF GROSS EXPENDITURE IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES.

_--------o -

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

BILL TO RAISE INTEREST TAX EXEMPTION RATE *****

A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO RAISE FROM FIVE PER CENT TO 7-1/2 PER CENT THE CEILING ON THE POWERS OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO SPECIFY THE INTEREST TAX EXEMPTION RATE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE SECOND READING OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL IN THE COUNCIL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID A SERIES OF REFORMS WAS MADE SINCE 1975 TO AVOID THE TIMING PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN ENSURING THAT THE EXEMPTION RATE REMAINS THE SAME AS THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT RATE.

HE SAID THROUGHOUT THESE REFORMS, ONE FACTOR HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED AND THAT IS THE CEILING OF FIVE PER CENT ON THE AUTHORITY SET OUT IN THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE FOR THE EXEMPTION RATE TO BE CHANGED.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID: +IT WOULD HAVE BEEN OPEN TO US TO REFUSE TO RAISE THE RATE OF EXEMPTION ABOVE FIVE PER CENT TO AVOID THE INCREASING COST TO THE PUBLIC REVENUE OF THIS LONG-STANDING POLICY.*

BUT THAT REFUSAL WOULD HAVE BEEN COSTLY IN TERMS OF ADMINISTRATIVE EFFORT IN THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT FOR THEY WOULD HAVE TO COPE WITH A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF CLAIMS FOR REFUNDS. HE ALSO NOTED THAT FROM JANUARY 2 THIS YEAR, THE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS HAVE BORNE INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 5-1/4 PER CENT.

HE SAID THE TAX EXEMPTION RATE APPLIES TO INTEREST ON SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND THE LATEST ESTIMATE OF SUCH ACCOUNTS NUMBERED OVER FOUR MILLION. THE RATE ALSO APPLIES TO INTEREST PAID BY THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES AND AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE COMPANIES PAYS THE SAME RATE AS THE BANK SAVINGS ACCOUNT RATE.

♦IT ACCORDINGLY SEEMS APPROPRIATE TO AVOID A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND GREAT INCONVENIENCE, LEADING PROBABLY TO AN UNWELCOME REDUCTION IN THE SAVINGS HABIT, BY CONTINUING OUR PRESENT POLICY OF EXEMPTING THIS INTEREST FROM TAX- WE, THEREFORE NEED, TO AMEND SECTION 28 OF THE ORDINANCE TO ENABLE CHANGES IN THE RATE OF EXEMPTION TO BE SYNCHRONISED WITH THE CHANGES IN THE RATE OF INTEREST PAID ON SAVINGS ACCOUNT.*

MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO NOTED THAT THE BILL WAS BROUGHT INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 2 BY MEANS OF A REVENUE PROTECTION ORDER TO COINCIDE WITH A NOTICE SIGNED BY HIM SPECIFYING 5-1/4 PER CENT AS THE RATE OF EXEMPTION FOR THE TIME BEING.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS LATER ADJOURNED.

- - 0 -

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1977-78) BILL 1979 ******

THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1977-78) BILL 1979 WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF $1,164 MILLION FOR THE 1977-78 FINANCIAL YEAR IN ADDITION TO THE SUM APPROPRIATED BY THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1977.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO GIVE FINAL LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO THE SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE AUTHORISED BY RESOLUTIONS OF THE COUNCIL, AND WAS THE LAST STAGE IN DISPOSING OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1977-78.

+IT ALSO SEEKS AN APPROPRIATION TO MEET EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY DEPARTMENTS WHERE RECEIPTS APPROPRIATED-IN-AID FELL SHORT OF THE SUMS ORIGINALLY ESTIMATED,* HE SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATES WERE GIVEN LEGISLATIVE FORM IN THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1977, WHICH AUTHORISED A SPECIFIC SUM UNDER EACH HEAD OF EXPENDITURE.

+IT IS NECESSARY NOW TO LEGISLATE FURTHER IN RESPECT OF THOSE HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WHERE THE NET EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS, SHORTFALLS IN RECEIPTS APPROPRIATED-IN-AID AND UNDERSPENDING HAS RESULTED IN AN EXCESS OVER THE NET SUM APPROPRIATED IN THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1977.

+THE TOTAL SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION REQUIRED IS $1,164 MILLION UNDER 24 HEADS AS AGAINST SAVINGS OF $349 MILLION UNDER VARIOUS OTHER HEADS,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

/1O......

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

10 -

SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRIES --- MORE SUPPORT NEEDED

* * M M

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN TOLD THE GOVERNMENT THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF ITS +LAISSEZ FAIRE COCOON*, PARTICULARLY IN ITS ATTITUDE AND APPROACH TOWARDS SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRIES, IF THE ECONOMY WAS TO REMAIN HEALTHY AND VIGOROUS.

SPEAKING ON SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG AT THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THERE WAS ALREADY A LOOSE SYSTEM OF SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, AS EXPLAINED IN A REPORT PREPARED BY A TEAM UNDER DR. VICTOR SIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S CENTRE OF ASIAN STUDIES.

THE QUESTION WAS WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSCIOUSLY GIVING ENOUGH ATTENTION AND SUPPORT BY EXPLOITING EXISTING FACILITIES MORE FULLY, HE SAID.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE COULD BE GIVEN FURTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE MORE RAPIDLY TECHNICAL INFORMATION, MANPOWER AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, QUALITY CONTROL, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND OTHER SERVICES TO SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRIES.

HONG KONG COULD ALSO LEARN FROM JAPAN WHERE THERE WAS A 'SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE AGENCY’, WHERE THE CRUCIAL ROLE SMALL BUSINESSES PLAYED EVEN TODAY IN JAPANESE.ECONOMY WAS RECOGNISED AND WHERE A VARIETY OF SUPPORT SERVICES, SUCH AS MANAGEMENT DISGNOSING CONSULTANCY, WAS PROVIDED AT LITTLE OR NO COST TO SMALL INDUSTRY.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEMS WAS THE SHORTAGE OF SUITABLY-SIZED FACTORY UNITS AND ONLY RECENTLY HAD THE GOVERNMENT BECOME MORE CONSCIOUS OF THIS SHORTAGE.

ITS DECISION TO REQUIRE A PROPORTION OF INDUSTRIAL LAND TO BE SOLD IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO HAVE HALF THE ACCOMMODATION IN UNITS NOT EXCEEDING 100 SQ. METRES (1,090 SQ. FT.) WAS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

BUT IT COULD GO EVEN FURTHER AND ENCOURAGE THE BUILDING OF FLATTED FACTORY COMPLEXES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO ACCOMMODATE BOTH MEDIUM AND SMALL-SCALE FACTORIES, WITH NEARBY WAREHOUSE FACILITIES, ROUND-THE-CLOCK SECURITY, BANKING AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

HE HAD PROVIDED THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE WITH A BROCHURE OF ONE SUCH FLATTED FACTORY COMPLEX IN ANOTHER CITY AND HE THOUGHT THE GOVERNMENT COULD DO EVEN BETTER.

IT SHOULD SEEK TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY AND DESIGN SO THAT THE COMPLEXES WILL ATTRACT SMALL-SCALE FACTORIES GEARING UP TO HIGHER TECHNOLOGY, AND IT SHOULD ALSO ENSURE THERE WOULD BE CAPABLE AND PERMANENT MANAGEMENT ONCE THE COMPLEXES WERE COMPLETED.

/HE SAID .....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

HE SAID HONG KONG WAS FORTUNATE AT THE MOMENT TO HAVE LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, BUT WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS COMING IN AND THE DRIVE FOR INDUSTRIALISATION GATHERING MOMENTUM IN CHINA, THE ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL SITUATION IN HONG KONG FOUR OR FIVE YEARS FROM NOW WAS UNCERTAIN.

HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNMENT THINKING AND PLANS WERE TO SUSTAIN AND ENHANCE THE SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR WHICH, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, HAD BEEN NEGLECTED.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT BY DR. SIT, THE INDUSTRY MADE UP 92.1 PER CENT OF TOTAL MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN 1977 AND CONTRIBUTED 303,553 JOBS (40.2 PER CENT OF TOTAL MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT OR 18.1 PER CENT OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN ALL SECTORS).

THE HON. JAMES WU AND THE HON. S.L. CHEN SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF MR. CHEONG-LEEN.

MR. WU SAID APPREHENSION WAS GROWING AS TO WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT’S ONCE GREAT TRADITIONAL ECONOMIC POLICY HAS OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS.

*IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST INCREASE ITS INPUT AND PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR INDUSTRIES SO THAT THESE PRODUCTIVE AND WEALTH-CREATING VENTURES CAN PROSPER FOR THE GENERAL GOOD,* HE SAID.

HE REMINDED THE COUNCIL THAT DUE TO INCREASED INTERNAL DEMAND AND SLUGGISH REAL EXPORT GROWTH, THE TRADE' DEF IC IT IN 1978 INCREASED BY MORE THAN 130 PER CENT OVER 1977 AND THE NEAR 20 PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE PURCHASING VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS HAD OBVIOUSLY RESULTED FROM THIS WORRYING SITUATION.

AS CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, HE WAS GRATEFUL TO MR. CHEONG-LEEN FOR DRAWING ATTENTION TO DIFFICULTIES AND PLIGHT OF SMALL INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.

ON THE PROBLEM OF FACTORY ACCOMMODATION, MR. WU SAID FAIR MARKET PRICES IN HONG KONG WERE A MOCKERY AND A SYNONYM OF INFLATED RENTAL AND PREMIUM BEYOND VIABILITY. AS A RESULT, ♦INVESTMENT IN PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY SLACKENS AS MONEY IS DRAWN TO THE MORE SPECULATIVE FIELDS THAT APPEAR TO OFFER MORE LUCRATIVE AND QUICKER RETURNS.*

SMALL INDUSTRIALISTS WERE ALSO GENERALLY OF MODEST BEGINNING AND USUALLY HARD PRESSED, SO THAT IF LEFT TO THEIR OWN, THEY WERE POORLY EQUIPPED AND ILL-PREPARED TO SOLVE THEIR LABOUR PROBLEMS AND PROBLEMS ARISING FROM INSUFFICIENT TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE AND FINANCIAL WORRIES.

IN TODAY’S CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIGH INFLATION, RAPIDLY RISING MATERIAL COSTS, AND TIGHT LABOUR SITUATION, THE SITUATION HAD BECOME EVEN MORE UNTENABLE.

FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, HIGH OVERHEADS DICTATED

LARGER PRODUCTION VOLUMES AND ORDERS, BUT RAPIDLY RISING MATERIAL AND LABOUR COSTS COULD UPSET EARLIER COSTINGS UPON WHICH ORDERS WERE NEGOTIATED AND ACCEPTED.

/FOR THOSE ..

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

FOR THOSE IN THE GARMENT INDUSTRY, UNPREDICTABLE QUOTA PRICES AND AVAILABILITY, AGGRAVATED BY FERVENT SPECULATION, COULD MEAN NON-SHIPMENT OF FINISHED GOODS AND IRREPARABLE LOSSES.

OTHER SMALL INDUSTRIES WERE ALSO MAINLY OF LOW TECHNOLOGY AND HIGH LABOUR INTENSITY AND WHAT LITTLE LEAD HONG KONG ENJOYED IN MANUAL SKILLS WAS BEING RAPIDLY ERODED BY KEEN COMPETITORS WHO, WITH THEIR GOVERNMENTS’ ASSISTANCE AND CO-OPERATION, HAD BEEN ABLE TO ADVANCE FARTHER IN TECHNOLOGY AND LARGER IN SCALE.

MR. S.L. CHEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, SUPPORTED MR. CHEONG-LEEN’S CALL FOR FURTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SUBVERTED BODIES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRIES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE INCREASING SOPHISTICATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND BEARING IN MIND THAT SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRIES HAD NEITHER THE TECHNICAL CAPABILITY NOR THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN SERVICE FACILITIES, THE NEED OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BUT WITHOUT NECESSARILY INCREASING GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE, IS MORE IMPORTANT THEN EVER.+

HE RECALLED THAT IN THE BUDGET DEBATE LAST YEAR HE HAD SUGGESTED SETTING UP A +FACTORY OWNERSHIP SCHEME* TO HELP SMALL INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD AT THAT TIME SAID HE WAS +SORELY TEMPTED TO RESPOND IN GREAT DETAIL TO THESE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND PROPOSALS*, OF WHICH THE SCHEME WAS ONE, BUT DID NOT DO SO BECAUSE HE FELT IT WOULD BE PREMATURE AND DISCOURTEOUS TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION.

MR. CHEN SAID HE WAS THEREFORE VERY GLAD TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THE MATTER BACK TO THE FORE.

REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, THE HON. DAVID JORDAN SAID A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT HAS RECENTLY BEEN MADE TO ALLEVIATE THE SHORTAGE OF SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES.

HE STRESSED THAT FOR THESE INDUSTRIES WHICH REPRESENT THE MAJORITY AND ARE SUITABLE FOR LOCATION IN ORDINARY FLATTED FACTORIES, THERE WILL BE NO SHORTAGE OF SPACE IN THE NEAR TO MEDIUM TERM.

BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, AN ADDITIONAL 13 MILLION SQ. FT. OF FLATTED FACTORY SPACE WILL BECOME AVAILABLE -- ABOUT 3 MILLION SQ. FT. MORE THAN IN 1978 AND OVER 4 MILLION MORE THAN IN 1977.

MR. JORDAN ALSO ADMITTED THAT AT PRESENT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF GOVERNMENT-FINANCED FLATTED FACTORY ACCOMMODATION FOR RESETTLING SQUATTER FACTORIES OWING TO AN ACCELERATION IN THE NUMBER OF FACTORIES BEING CLEARED.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, A LARGE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME WAS NOW IN HAND.

/+IN THE MEANTIME, ......

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2<+, 1979

♦IN THE MEANTIME, SQUATTER FACTORIES ELIGIBLE FOR RESETTLEMENT AND CLEARED FROM LAND REQUIRED FOR REDEVELOPMENT BUT WHICH CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED IMMEDIATELY WILL BE GIVEN TEMPORARY RESITE AREAS UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE BUILDINGS ARE READY FOR THEM.

+FOR OTHERS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR, OR NOT INTERESTED IN, SUCH ACCOMMODATION EX-GRATIA CASH PAYMENTS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY,* HE SAID.

ON THE PROBLEM OF SMALL FACTORIES IN NON-1NDUSTRI AL BUILDINGS, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS TO PREVENT PROLIFERATION OF THESE FACTORIES IN THE NEW TOWNS AND IN NEW BUILDINGS WHERE INDUSTRIAL USE CONTRAVENED LEASE CONDITIONS.

+LEASE ENFORCEMENT ACTION IN EXISTING BUILDINGS IS PRESENTLY TAKEN ONLY IN RESPECT OF MORE OBJECTIONABLE FACTORIES, I.E. THOSE WHICH ARE POSITIVELY DANGEROUS OR OBNOXIOUS.

+ONLY WHEN THERE IS ADEQUATE AND SUITABLE INDUSTRIAL ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE WILL THIS ACTION BE EXTENDED TO COVER OTHER FACTORIES IN EXISTING NON-1NDUSTRI AL BUILDINGS,* HE SAID.

MR. JORDAN ALSO REVEALED THAT CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO A POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF AN EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME UNDER WHICH SALE OF THE LEASES OF SOME SITES IS SUBJECT TO A CONDITION THAT UNITS OF 100 SQ. METRES ARE CONSTRUCTED ON THEM.

+BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FACT THAT IN SO DOING, IT WOULD BE DENYING THE USE OF THE SITES IN QUESTION TO OTHER LARGER SCALE INDUSTRY. CLEARLY IT IS NECESSARY TO TRY TO BALANCE THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE,* HE SAID.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY IN THIS REGARD AND WAS ACTIVELY EXAMINING THE NEED TO CHANGE ITS LAYOUT PLANS AS A RESULT.

ON MR. CHEN’S SUGGESTION FOR A FACTORY OWNERSHIP SCHEME, MR. JORDAN SAID THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE CONSIDERED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION.

MR. JORDAN ALSO ARGUED OVER THE TERM +LOOSE+ TO DESCRIBE THE SYSTEM OF SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, BY SAYING THAT THERE WERE ADVANTAGES IN THIS.

HE SAID THIS LOOSE SYSTEM OF SUPPORT AS DESCRIBED IN DR. SIT’S REPORT CREATED AN ACTIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT WHICH OFFERED SMALL ENTERPRISES MORE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND OTHER INDIRECT BENEFITS. +BUT HERE AGAIN IS AN AREA WHICH IS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION.*

MR. JORDAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ALREADY CONCENTRATED ON PROVIDING SERVICES SPECIFICALLY GEARED TO THE SMALLER AND MEDIUM SIZED FACTORIES AND HE BELIEVED THERE WAS A STRONG CASE FOR ENCOURAGING THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE AND IMPROVE ON SERVICES OFFERED TO HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AS A WHOLE.

-------0

/14......

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

PARENTAL CONTROL — ANSWER TO UNDER-AGE DRINKING *****

THE ANSWER TO UNDER-AGE DRINKING LIES IN INCREASED PARENTAL CONTROL AND NOT NECESSARILY IN THE ENACTMENT OF MORE STRINGENT LEGISLATION OR INCREASED POLICE EFFORTS, SAID THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES IN TODAY’S (WEDNESDAY) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. LYDIA DUNN ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT ADEQUENT MEASURES WERE TAKEN TO ENSURE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WERE NOT SERVED IN RESTAURANTS, NIGHTCLUBS AND DISCOTHQUES TO PATRONS WHO WERE UNDER 18, MR. DAVIES SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT ALTOGETHER SATISFIED WITH THE SITUATION.

HE SAID THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (LIQUOR) REGULATIONS MADE IT AN OFFENCE FOR A LICENSEE TO PERMIT ANY PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18 TO DRINK INTOXICATING LIQUOR ON ANY LICENSED PREMISES.

HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED, THE COURTS HAD RULED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO PROVE THAT THE LICENSEE SOLD LIQUOR TO A PERSON KNOWING THE PERSON TO BE UNDER-AGE. THIS HAD MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SECURE CONVICTIONS FOR THE OFFENCE.

MR. DAVIES SAID THE LAW WAS CURRENTLY BEING RE-EXAMINED AS PART OF AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE LIQUOR LICENSING PROVISIONS.

♦UNDER-AGE DRINKING IS ONE OF THE ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED,+ HE SAID.

ACCORDING TO HIM, THE POLICE ASSESSMENT WAS THAT UNDER-AGE DRINKING WAS NOT A SERIOUS OR WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.

♦IT IS ESSENTIALLY A SOCIAL ISSUE AND THE ANSWER WOULD SEEM TO LIE IN INCREASED PARENTAL CONTROL AND NOT NECESSARILY IN THE ENACTMENT OF MORE STRINGENT LEGISLATION OR INCREASED POLICE EFFORTS,+ MR. DAVIES SAID.

- - 0 - -

/15

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

- 15 -

BA FLIGHT SCHEDULES *****

IN THE THREE MONTHS FROM OCTOBER TO DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THERE WAS A MARKED IMPROVEMENT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF BRITISH AIRWAYS’ DIRECT SCHEDULED PASSENGER FLIGHTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND LONDON, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. D.G. JEAFFRESON TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG, W. JEAFFRESON ADDED THAT WHEN HE SAID +BETWEEN HONG KONG AND LONDON*, HE INCLUDED JOURNEYS BOTH FROM LONDON TO HONG KONG AND FROM HONG KONG TO LONDON.

ON THE ADEQUACY OF THESE SERVICES, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THERE CONTINUED TO BE 10 FLIGHTS A WEEK FROM LONDON TO HONG KONG, AND THE SAME IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.

♦DURING THE TRADITIONALLY BUSY CHRISTMAS PERIOD, BRITISH AIRWAYS INCREASED THE CAPACITY ON THIS ROUTE BY INTRODUCING THREE EXTRA SERVICES WITH BOEING 747’S THAT PROVIDED 1,240 ADDITIONAL SEATS EACH WAY DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER.

IN ONLY NINE INSTANCES WERE SEATS UNOBTAINABLE ON A PARTICULAR FLIGHT TO LONDON, AND ON ALL OF THESE OCCASIONS SEATS WERE AVAILABLE EITHER ON AN ALTERNATIVE FLIGHT ON THE SAME DAY OR WITHIN 24 HOURS.

ON PUNCTUALITY, MR. JEAFFRESON HAD THIS TO SAYi +WHEN I ANSWERED THIS QUESTION ON 18TH OCTOBER 1978, I SAID THAT DURING THE MONTHS OF JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 63 PER CENT OF FLIGHTS HAD BEEN DELAYED FOR OVER 15 MINUTES AND THAT THE AVERAGE DELAY WAS FOUR HOURS AND NINE MINUTES.

♦THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION’S RECORDS OF TIME KEEPING IN RESPECT OF ARRIVALS AT AND DEPARTURES FROM HONG KONG SHOW THAT, DURING OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1978, 59 PER CENT OF THE BA FLIGHTS ON THE DIRECT HONG KONG-LONDON ROUTE WERE DELAYED FOR OVER 15 MINTUES, AND THE AVERAGE DELAY WAS TWO HOURS AND 50 MINUTES.+

MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THERE HAD ALSO BEEN SOME IMPROVEMENT IN THE DEPENDABILITY OF THE AIR SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND LONDON.

♦REFLECTING THE PRIORITY WHICH I TOLD HONOURABLE MEMBERS IN OCTOBER THAT BA SAID THEY WERE ACCORDING TO THEIR HONG KONG SERVICE, BA CANCELLED ONLY TWO FLIGHTS DURING OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1978, COMPARED WITH 16 CANCELLATIONS DURING THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTH PERIOD.+

/AS TO THE .....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

AS TO THE FUTURE, MR. JEAFFRESON MENTIONED THE VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS WHICH BA ARE PLANNING FOR THEIR SUMMER SCHEDULE.

+WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT STARTING IN APRIL THIS YEAR, THERE WILL BE AN EXTRA ROUND TRIP BOEING 747 FLIGHT, THUS PROVIDING WEEKLY A TOTAL OF 10 ’747’ SERVICES EACH WAY PLUS ONE ROUND TRIP VC 10 SERVICE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND LONDON.

♦BRITISH AIRWAYS ALSO SAY THAT THE SUMMER SCHEDULES WILL PROVIDE FASTER FLIGHTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND LONDON.*

DURING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1978, 21 BRITISH AIRWAYS FLIGHTS OPERATING FROM HONG KONG TO LONDON AND THREE IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION MADE STOPS NOT SHOWN AS SCHEDULED IN THE CORPORATION’S TIMETABLE, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID.

MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THIS IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION FROM MR. CHEUNG.

♦OF THESE 24 FLIGHTS, 16 MADE AN UNSCHEDULED CALL AT MUSCAT FOLLOWING A DECISION BY BRITISH AIRWAYS TO AVOID TEHERAN BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN IRAN,* HE SAID.

OF THE REMAINING EIGHT FLIGHTS, HE ADDED HE WAS TOLD THAT IN FIVE CASES AN UNSCHEDULED STOP WAS MADE BECAUSE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS AT A SCHEDULED STOP. THREE FLIGHTS MADE AN ADDITIONAL EN ROUTE CALL FOR TECHNICAL REASONS.

REGARDING THE CORPORATION’S DECISION TO AVOID TEHERAN, NR. JEAFFRESON SAID APPROPRIATE AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO THE SCHEDULES PUBLISHED BY THE CORPORATION IN THE LATEST EDITION OF THEIR LOCAL TIMETABLE ISSUED EARLIER THIS MONTH.

IT WAS DIFFICULT, HE SAID, TO SAY TO WHAT EXTENT DELAYS TO BRITISH AIRWAYS FLIGHTS DURING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31 WERE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THESE UNSCHEDULED STOPS.

♦I AM TOLD THAT WHILE THE UNSCHEDULED ADDITIONAL CALLS UNDOUBTEDLY ADDED TO TOTAL JOURNEY TIME, BA REGARD THE ORIGINAL CAUSE OF THE DIVERSION (FOR EXAMPLE, BAD WEATHER OR TECHNICAL PROBLEMS) AS THE MAIN REASON FOR THE DELAY,* HE SAID.

MR. JEAFFRESON ALSO SAID HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE CALLS MADE AT MUSCAT IN PLACE OF TEHERAN DID NOT ADD TO THE TOTAL JOURNEY TIME.

0--------

/17 ...”

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

USE OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR, TRANSLATION CLARIFIED ******

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY. TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CLARIFIED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE USE OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND TRANSLATION IN SCHOOLS.

MR. TOPLEY, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. JAMES WU. SA ID« +IF BY GRAMMAR MR. WU IS REFERRING TO THE REGULAR FEATURES OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, THE UNDERLYING SYSTEM WHICH MAKES THE LANGUAGE WORK, THEN THE LANGUAGE TEACHING IN OUR SCHOOLS ALREADY DOES, AND INDEED MUST INCLUDE GRAMMAR.

♦IF, HOWEVER, HE MEANS THE USE OF TRADITIONAL GRAMMATICAL NOMENCLATURE SUCH AS ’THE FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE’ OR ’DEFINING AND NON-DEFINING ADJECTIVAL CLAUSES’, TOGETHER WITH THE ROTE LEARNING OF VERBAL PARADIGMS AND LISTS OF EXCEPTIONS TO GRAMMATICAL 'RULES’, MODERN EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT THESE ARE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESSFUL LANGUAGE LEARNING, THOUGH SOME KNOWLEDGE OF TERMINOLOGY MAY BE USEFUL FOR ADVANCED LEARNERS,♦ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

HE SAID IT WAS THEREFORE NOT INTENDED TO REINTRODUCE THIS ♦FORMAL+ GRAMMAR INTO SCHOOLS.

ON TRANSLATION, MR. TOPLEY HAD THIS TO SAY: +IF BY ’TRANSLATION’ MR. WU MEANS THE TRANSLATION OF LONG DESCRIPTIVE OR NARRATIVE PASSAGES FROM ENGLISH TO CHINESE AND VICE VERSA, THIS IS A VERY ADVANCED SKILL AND IS CLEARLY NOT A SUITABLE EXERCISE AT THE BEGINNING OR INTERMEDIATE STAGES OF LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE.+

THEREFORE, HE SAID, HE DID NOT CONSIDER IT SUITABLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE NORMAL GENERAL SECONDARY COURSE.

MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT IF MR. WU WAS REFERRING TO THE TRANSLATION OF INDIVIDUAL PHRASES AND SENTENCES TO DEMONSTRATE HOW CHINESE AND ENGLISH DIFFER IN THEIR SYNTAX, THIS WAS STANDARD PRACTICE IN MOST LANGUAGE TEACHING BEYOND THE BEGINNER’S LEVEL.

♦IT ALREADY TAKES PLACE IN OUR SCHOOLS,+ MR. TOPLEY STRESSED.

------0-------

/18.....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

RESPONSES TO YOUTH CENTRES POSITIVE ******

THE MAJORITY OF RESPONSES BY YOUNG PEOPLE TO A SURVEY INITIATED BY THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF STUDENTS LAST SUMMER ON A NUMBER OF YOUTH CENTRES WERE POSITIVE.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI.

+THEY CONSIDERED THAT ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE CENTRES WERE USEFUL TO THEM AND THAT YOUTH CENTRES WERE PROVIDING THE MUCH NEEDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO DEVELOP INTERESTS, MAKE NEW FRIENDS, LEARN NEW SKILLS, IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY AND ENHANCE SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY,* MR. LEE ADDED.

HOWEVER, THE REPORT ---- THE SURVEY WAS COMPLETED LAST NOVEMBER

--- HAD A FEW CRITICISMS TO MAKE ON THESE YOUTH CENTRES.

FIRST, THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH TRAINED PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS TO MAN THEM.

SECOND, THERE WAS TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON RECREATION AND NOT ENOUGH COUNSELLING SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS.

THIRD, MEMBERS DID NOT RECEIVE SUFFICIENT ENCOURAGEMENT TO CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH CURRENT SOCIAL ISSUES.

LASTLY, THE CENTRES WERE NOT REACHING OUT TO YOUNG INDIVIDUALS WHO DID NOT COME FORWARD TO JOIN THE YOUTH CENTRES OR WHO WERE USUALLY REFERRED TO AS +PROBLEM YOUTHS*.

COMMENTING ON THESE REMARKS, MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF YOUTH CENTRES +IS TO HELP YOUNG PERSONS TO ACHIEVE A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT- RECREATION IS BUT A MEANS TO THIS END.*

HE ADDED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S POLICY ON YOUTH CENTRES WAS EXAMINED ANNUALLY TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

+ A WORKING PARTY UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS JUST COMPLETED ITS REPORT ON THE FUTURE ROLE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES AND HAS MADE POSITIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ON SERVICES, USE OF PREMISES, MEMBERSHIP AND STAFFING OF THESE CENTRES, WHICH ARE NOW BEING STUDIED,* HE SAID.

/HE ALSO .....

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

HE ALSO SAID THAT AT PRESENT, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF EACH SUBVERTED YOUTH CENTRE PROVIDED FOR AT LEAST ONE TRAINED SOCIAL WORKER AND TWO YOUTH WORKERS, FOR WHOM THERE WERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IN-SERVICE TRAINING.

♦SOME VOLUNTARY AGENCIES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FILL THE SENIOR POSTS WITH PROFESSIONAL WORKERS BECAUSE OF THE GENERAL SHORTAGE OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS. HOWEVER, THIS MATTER IS BEING LOOKED AT SEPARATELY.

♦THE PROGRAMME PLAN ON PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE WHICH COVERS OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK, YOUTH GUIDANCE, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS THE POLICY IS APPROVED IN THE FORM OF A WHITE PAPER.

♦THIS WILL DEFINITELY STRENGTHEN THE SERVICES FOR YOUTH INCLUDING REACHING OUT, COUNSELLING AND GUIDANCE,* MR. LEE CONCLUDED.

-------o----------

REVIEW OF INCOME LIMIT FOR H.O.S. FLATS

* * * *

THE INCOME LIMIT FOR FLATS IN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, AND OTHER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA APPLYING TO APPLICANTS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WILL SOON BE REVIEWED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S HOME OWNERSHIP COMMITTEE.

THIS WAS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. A.J. SCOTT IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN ASKED WHETHER THE MAXIMUM INCOME LEVEL FOR H.O.S. FLATS WOULD BE RAISED FROM $3,500 TO $4,000.

-------o----------

/20......

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

LEAD CONTENT OF PETROL * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT IN A POSITION TO GIVE A DEFINITE ANSWER AS TO WHETHER IT IS SATISFIED THE LEVEL OF THE LEAD CONTENT OF PETROL USED BY MOTOR VEHICLES IN HONG KONG WAS ACCEPTABLE FROM A HEALTH POINT OF VIEW.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. WONG LAM AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. JONES EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE THE STAFF AND EQUIPMENT HE HAD REQUESTED FOR THE ENVRIONMENTAL PROTECTION UNIT HAD NOT YET BEEN PROVIDED.

HOWEVER, MR. JONES SAID THIS WAS NOW IN HAND AND WILL, HOPEFULLY, +NOT TAKE TOO LONG*.

+THE IMPORTANT POINT TO CONSIDER HERE IS NOT SO MUCH THE AMOUNT OF LEAD EMITTED FROM INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE EXHAUSTS BUT THE ACTUAL CONCENTRATION OF LEAD REACHED IN THE ENVIRONMENT,* MR. JONES STRESSED.

+THE GENERAL OPINION WHICH I SHOULD EMPHASISE IS THAT IT IS MOST UNLIKELY THAT LEAD LEVELS IN HONG KONG HAVE REACHED LEVELS REQUIRING PRECIPITOUS ACTION. BUT THERE IS SUFFICIENT CAUSE FOR CONCERN FOR THIS TO BE A PRIORITY PROBLEM FOR ATTENTION ONCE THE NECESSARY SPECIALIST STAFF AND EQUIPMENT ARE AVAILABLE.*

MR. JONES SAID THAT IF THIS WORK THEN SHOWED LEAD LEVELS IN HONG KONG, OR IN CERTAIN AREAS, WERE UNACCEPTABLY HIGH IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY CONTROLS UNDER THE PROPOSED AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL +WHICH I HOPE TO BRING BEFORE THIS COUNCIL LATER IN THIS SESSION.*

+THE INTENTION IS THAT THIS LEGISLATION WILL, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CONTAIN PROVISIONS WHICH WILL PERMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL THE COMPOSITION OF FUEL IN GENERAL.*

MR. WONG ALSO ASKED: +IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH, WILL GOVERNMENT CONSIDER REQUIRING PETROL IMPORTERS TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE MOTORING PUBLIC LOW-OCTANE PETROL WHICH CONTAINS LESS LEAD THAN THE HIGH-OCTANE (PREMIER GRADE) PETROL CURRENTLY ON SALE IN HONG KONG?*

IN REPLY, MR. JONES SAID A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE PETROL-ENGINED VEHICLES NOW BEING USED IN HONG KONG WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL WELL WITH LOW OCTANE PETROL, EVEN WITH APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENTS TO THEIR IGNITION SYSTEMS.

/+! FEEL,

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

+l FEEL, THEREFORE, THAT, BEFORE TAKING ACTION OF THIS SORT, WE SHOULD FIRST AWAIT THE OUTCOME OF THE MONITORING WORK I REFERRED TO IN REPLYING TO THE LAST QUESTION IN ORDER TO SEE WHETHER THERE IS A PROBLEM,* MR. JONES SAID.

HE ADDED THAT IF THIS WORK SHOWED THAT LEAD LEVELS IN THE ENVIRONMENT WERE UNACCEPTABLY HIGH A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE LINES OF ACTION WOULD BE OPEN.

+THIS COULD INCLUDE THE USE OF LOWER OCTANE PETROL THAN AT PRESENT. BUT IT COULD ALSO INCLUDE THE USE OF HIGHER OCTANE, LOW LEAD, PETROL WHICH WOULD BE RATHER MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE PETROL NOW IN USE.

♦I WOULD, HOWEVER, EXPECT TO CONSULT THE OIL COMPANIES, THE MOTORING ORGANISATIONS AND THE MOTOR TRADERS ASSOCIATION BEFORE DECIDING WHAT EXACTLY SHOULD BE DONE.*

-------o----------

MORE BUSES — NATURAL BRAKE ON PLB FARES * * * X * X

THE AVAILABILITY OF SUFFICIENT FRANCHISED BUSES IN FUTURE WOULD ACT AS A NATURAL BRAKE ON THE FARES THAT COULD BE CHARGED BY THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS OPERATORS, SAID THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, MR. DEREK JONES, IN TODAY’S (WEDNESDAY) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

MR. JONES WAS ANSWERING A QUESTION FROM THE HON. J.H. BREMRIDGE ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT AGREED THAT THE INSUFFICIENCIES OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE FARES QUOTED BY PUBLIC LIGHT BUS OPERATORS.

MR. JONES SAID HE WOULD AGREE WITH MR. BREMRIDGE IF HIS QUESTION MEANT THAT IF THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH FRANCHISED BUSES ON THE ROADS TO COPE WITH PEAK DEMANDS, THEN TO CONTROL PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FARES WOULD PRODUCE A SHORTAGE OF THAT FORM OF TRANSPORT AS WELL.

BUT HE ADDED THAT ONCE THERE WERE SUFFICIENT FRANCHISED BUSES AVAILABLE, THERE WOULD BE, IN ANY CASE, NO NEED TO CONTROL PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FARES FOR THE COMPETITION FROM BUSES WOULD ACT AS A NATURAL BRAKE ON THE FARES ABLE TO BE CHARGED.

0 -

/22

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

- 22 -

POLICE ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND VICE * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND VICE ESTABLISHMENTS OPERATING IN DOMESTIC PREMISES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ANDREW SO, MR. DAVIES STRESSED THAT POLICE ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND VICE ESTABLISHMENTS WAS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS.

HE ADDED THAT SPECIAL POLICE SQUADS IN DIVISIONAL STATIONS AND IN DISTRICT POLICE HEADQUARTERS OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY TO COUNTER ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND VICE.

+THE OUTCOME OF THIS ACTION IN 1978 WAS THAT 510 PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED FOR OPERATING ILLEGAL GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS AND 305 FOR KEEPING VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.+

-----o------

ADEQUATE RECREATION AMENITIES IN NT * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT SATISFIED THAT THERE WERE ADEQUATE RECREATION AMENITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, BUT THIS HAD TO BE SET IN THE WIDER BACKGROUND OF A GENERALLY MORE PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT THAN THE CROWDED STREETS OF THE URBAN AREAS, THE sI"ET$DAV?SEmsSA?)IERRIT0R'ES’ ™£ H°N- D‘VID AKERsij0NES

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THERE WERE ITEMS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WHICH, WHEN FUNDS BECAME AVAILABLE WOULD MAKE GOOD DEFICIENCIES TO BRING DISTRICT PROVISION UP TO APPROVED STANDARDS.

nr C0NTEXT IT HAS To BE REMEMBERED THAT THE PROVISION

OF RECREATION FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS TO BE SET IN THE WIDER BACKGROUND OF A GENERALLY MORE PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT THAN THE CROWDED STREETS OF TOWN, AND WHEN THERE ARE CALLS ^1^IS.XUNDS’ ,T 15 INpORTANT TO GET 3Gr JrIoI|TIES Klbnl>+ nt rOINTED OUT.

TueEvnelDi ~AI IN THE LAST 12 M0NTHS RUNNING TRACKS

IN THE YUEN LONG AND TSUEN WAN SPORTS GROUNDS HAD BEEN RELAID THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS GROUND FLOODLIT, A NEW MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS GROUND OPENED AT KWAI CHUNG AND A SWIMMING POOL OPENED AT FANLING

0---------

/23......

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

23 -

PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICE ******

THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING A SET OF PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR SETTING UP A GREATLY IMPROVED LIBRARY SERVICE TO SCHOOLS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT, NR. TOPLEY SAID THE PROPOSALS INCLUDED INCREASED STAFF FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S LIBRARY SECTION TO ENABLE IT TO TRAIN SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND ADVISE ALL SCHOOLS ON THE MANAGEMENT, ORGANISATION AND MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION FROM MISS BENNETT, MR. TOPLEY SAID THE PROPOSALS ALSO INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL POST IN EVERY GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL TO ENABLE A STAFF MEMBER TO TAKE FULL CHARGE OF THE LIBRARY.

♦INCREASES IN THE PRESENT PER CAPITA LIBRARY GRANTS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH GRANTS FOR CLASS 4-6 PUPILS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAVE ALSO BEEN PROPOSED,♦ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

♦BOTH OF THESE MEASURES WOULD BE PHASED IN OVER A PERIOD OF SIX YEARS,♦ HE ADDED.

-------o----------

DEATH INQUESTS

fc * # K

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, THE HON. G.C. THORNTON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IT WOULD NOT BE BENEFICIAL FOR HONG KONG TO MOVE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM POSITION OF MANDATORY DEATH INQUESTS.

REPLYING TO THE HON. T.S. LO, HE SAID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAD FOR SOME TIME CONSIDERED THE CORONERS ORDINANCE AND THE WAY IT WORKED.

MR. THORNTON NOTED THAT IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES AN INQUEST IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WAS MANDATORY WHEREAS IN HONG KONG THE HOLDING OF AN INQUEST DEPENDED ON THE EXERCISE OF THE DISCRETION OF A CORONER.

SO FAR AS HE WAS AWARE, +CORONERS ARE EXERCISING THIS DISCRETION SATISFACTORILY^ MR. THORNTON SAID.

♦THE PUBLIC INTEREST IS ALSO IN WHICH AN INQUEST IS NOT ORDERED OFFICERS IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.+

SAFEGUARDED IN THAT DEATH REPORTS ARE PERUSED BY PROFESSIONAL

♦IN A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF CASES, HIS STATUTORY RIGHT TO REQUIRE THAT AN

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL EXERCISES INQUEST BE HELD,+ HE ADDED.

- 0 -

/24

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

STARTING TIMES OF RACE MEETINGS *****

THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB ALREADY CO-OPERATES SATISFACTORILY WITH THE POLICE AND TRANSPORT AUTHORITIES ON STARTING TIMES OF RACE MEETINGS,

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. F.K. LI IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. T.S. LO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. LI SAID THAT AS THE EXISTING PATTERN HAD NOT CAUSED ANY SERIOUS INCONVENIENCES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN TERMS OF TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS, IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY FOR GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER MR. LO’S SUGGESTION AT PRESENT — THAT RACES SHOULD NOT START UNTIL AT LEAST ONE AND A HALF HOUR AFTER THE HOUR AT WHICH OFFICES NORMALLY CLOSE FOR BUSINESS.

HOWEVER, MR. LI SAID THE SITUATION WOULD BE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY.

♦SHOULD ADJUSTMENTS TO THE EXISTING PATTERN ARE REQUIRED, GOVERNMENT WOULD APPROACH THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB ACCORDINGLY^ HE ADDED.

-------o---------

STEPS TO IMPROVE CAUSEWAY BAY TRAFFIC *****

THE FIRST STEPS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE TAKEN IN MARCH, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. S.L. CHEN ON TURNING GREAT GEORGE STREET AND PATERSON STREET IN CAUSEWAY BAY INTO A PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, MR. JONES SAID A SMALL WORKING GROUP FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE AND THE POLICE WAS ALREADY STUDYING WAYS OF IMPROVING TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND THEY WOULD BE ASKED TO EXAMINE THIS PROPOSAL IN DETAIL.

♦THE GROUP HAS SO FAR MADE A NUMBER OF SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE CIRCULATION OF BOTH VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS AND THE FIRST STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THESE WILL EE TAKEN IN MARCH THIS YEAR,+ HE SAID.

--------o -

/25

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

- 25 -

NEW GRASS CUTTING ARRANGEMENTS *****

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO WHICH CROWN LAND HAS BEEN ALLOCATED ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING GRASS CUTTING, WHILE THE LAND AUTHORITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR UNALLOCATED CROWN LAND, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID NEW ARRANGEMENTS HAD RECENTLY BEEN MADE TO CATER FOR CUTTING ROADSIDE GRASS, FOR WHICH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS NOW RESPONSIBLE.

+MORE STAFF WILL BE NEEDED IF ROADSIDE GRASS IS TO BE CUT MORE REGULARLY THAN IN THE PAST, AND APPLICATION FOR THE NECESSARY FUNDS FOR NEXT YEAR WILL BE MADE,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

+IN THE INTERIM, TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY REDEPLOYING EXISTING RESOURCES,* HE ADDED.

------o-------

ONE OBVIOUS WAY TO CONTROL CYCLISTS *****

ONE OBVIOUS METHOD OF CONTROLLING BICYCLES IS TO SEGREGATE THEM FROM OTHER TRAFFIC, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

BUT ALTHOUGH THIS COULD BE DONE IN SOME PARTS OF THE NEW TOWNS, PARTICULARLY IN SHA TIN, IT WAS NOT A PRACTICABLE PROPOSITION IN MOST OF THE URBAN AREA, MR. JONES SAID.

♦A FACTOR TO BE BORNE IN MIND IS THAT BICYCLES ARE NOT VERY HEAVILY USED IN HONG KONG. CYCLISTS ACCOUNTED FOR LESS THAN FOUR PER CENT OF CASUALTIES FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN 1978 AND THIS FIGURE HAS BEEN DROPPING IN RECENT YEARS,* MR. JONES ADDED.

HE SAID SOME OF THE CREDIT FOR THIS MUST GO TO THE POLICE, WHO ARE CONTINUALLY SEEKING TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CYCLISTS.

♦FOR INSTANCE, THE POLICE ARE NOW ATTEMPTING TO ARRANGE TRAINING FOR CYCLISTS THROUGH THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND OTHER SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS, AND THROUGH EVENTS SUCH AS THE ’CYCLE SAFETY DAY’ WHICH WAS HELD IN VICTORIA PARK LAST SUNDAY, JANUARY 21.+

EARLIER, MR. JONES TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT BICYCLES, LIKE ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, ARE SUBJECT TO CONTROL UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.

/26......

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

GOVERNOR TO INSPECT PRISONS DEPARTMENT ANNUAL PARADE ******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL INSPECT THE ANNUAL PARADE OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT ON FRIDAY AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT STANLEY.

SIR MURRAY WILL PRESENT COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS, AWARDED FOR 18 YEARS’ EXEMPLARY SERVICE, TO 31 OFFICERS AFTER THE INSPECTION.

EIGHT CONTINGENTS COMPRISING ABOUT 220 PRISON OFFICERS WILL TAKE PART IN THE PARADE COMMANDED BY SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT MAK PAK-LAM.

THROUGHOUT THE PARADE THE BAND, PIPES AND DRUMS OF CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE WILL PROVIDE MUSIC.

THE ANNUAL INSPECTION WILL BE ATTENDED BY DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, STAFF MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS TO COVER THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT ANNUAL PARADE ON FRIDAY. FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES, TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 3.15 P.M.

-------o---------

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979 - 27 -

’DRIVE CAREFULLY ON TUEN MUN ROAD’ APPEAL

******

THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) JOINTLY WARNED MOTORISTS TO BE CAREFUL ALONG THE NEW TUEN MUN ROAD DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

SPOKESMEN FOR BOTH DEPARTMENTS STRESSED THAT CARELESSNESS WAS THE MAIN CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGHWAY.

THE HIGHWAY ITSELF, THEY SAID, WAS NOT TO BLAME.

♦STUPIDITY IS THE MAIN CAUSE,+ SAID THE POLICE SPOKESMAN.

♦THE ROAD IS WELL SIGN-POSTED AND WELL LIGHTED. IT IS WELL DESIGNED, BUT IF MOTORISTS PERSIST IN DRIVING CARELESSLY THEY HAVE ONLY THEMSELVES TO BLAME FOR THE HURT CAUSED.+

THE PWD SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IF DRIVERS PAID ATTENTION TO THE MARKINGS AND SIGNS ON THE ROAD, KEPT TO THE SPEED LIMIT AND WERE AWARE OF OTHER MOTORISTS USING THE HIGHWAY, ACCIDENTS COULD EASILY BE AVOIDED.

DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD THE POLICE WILL BE ACTIVE ALONG THE TUEN MUN ROAD AND, AS WELL AS REGULAR PATROLS, RADAR +TRAPS+ WILL BE SET UP.

♦SAFETY DESIGNS HAVE BEEN BUILT INTO THE ROAD,+ SAID THE PWD SPOKESMAN, +AND UNLESS DRIVERS ARE CARELESS THERE IS NO REASON FOR ACCIDENTS.♦

-------o----------

TWO BILLS PASSED

*****

TWO BILLS WERE PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THEY WERE THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 AND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1978.

- - - - 0

/28

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1979

PRESENTATION OF AWARD TO VOLUNTARY WEATHER OBSERVER ON FISHING BOAT *****

AT A BRIEF CEREMONY HELD AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MR. HO PAK TA I, A FISHERMAN IN ABERDEEN, WAS PRESENTED WITH AN ANEROID BAROMETER AND A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR. GORDON BELL, FOR MAKING EXCELLENT WEATHER OBSERVATIONS AT SEA.

MR. HO IS THE OWNER OF THE FISHING BOAT M6216OA AND HAS VOLUNTARILY MADE AND RECORDED OVER 700 WEATHER OBSERVATIONS FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SINCE NOVEMBER, 1975.

WEATHER OBSERVATIONS MADE BY VOLUNTARY OBSERVERS ON FISHING BOATS, SUCH AS MR. HO, ARE USED IN THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FOR CLIMATOLOGICAL PURPOSES AND TO IMPROVE WEATHER SERVICES FOR FISHERMEN.

- - 0 -

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN HUNG HOM * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION WILL BE IMPOSED ON CHEONG WAN ROAD AND ON WAN ROAD AT THE PODIUM LEVEL OF THE KOWLOON RAILWAY STATION BUILDING FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING ON THESE ROADS, OTHER THAN AT SPECIALLY DESIGNATED LAY-BYS, FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP THERE TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

_ 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

LABOUR SETTLEMENTS TOTALLED OVER $40 MILLION IN 1978 ........... 1

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ........................................... 2

IMPROVING ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH JAPAN ........................ 3

GIVING THE PUBLIC WHAT IT WANTS ................................ 4

MAJOR CAUSE OF FIRES ........................................... 6

ABERDEEN, HUNG HOM LAND AUCTION................................ 7

MR. B.D. KEEP --- DIRECTOR-DESIGNATE, CIVIL AVIATION

DEPARTMENT ..................................................... 7

A BRIGHT CLEAN LOOK FOR THE NEW YEAR ........................... 8

FIRST TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL A GREAT SUCCESS .................. 9

CHIU CHOW OPERA IN SHAM SHU I PO............................... 10

KAI TAK BOOKLET FOR SALE ...................................... 10

GLOSSARY OF COMMON TECHNICAL TERMS ............................ 11

LESSON IN SWIMMING FOR INFANTS ................................ 11

DRIVE CAREFULLY ALONG CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD ..................... 12

PLB PROHIBITION ............................................... 12

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1979

LABOUR SETTLEMENTS TOTALLED OVER $40 MILLION IN 1978

******

HONG KONG WORKERS LAST YEAR RECEIVED MORE THAN $40 MILLION AFTER THEIR LABOUR-MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS WERE SETTLED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

OF THE TOTAL, $17,714,937 OR ABOUT 43 PER CENT, WAS SEVERANCE PAYMENT FOR 4,648 EMPLOYEES MADE REDUNDANT BY OPERATIONAL OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE REMAINING $23,169,843 WAS PAID AS ARREARS OF WAGES, WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY, BONUSES AND OTHER PAYMENTS DUE TO 18,904 EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING 4,648 WHO RECEIVED SEVERANCE PAYMENT.

TRADE DESPUTES HANDLED BY THE SERVICE DURING THE YEAR TOTALLED 182 OF WHICH 136, OR MORE THAN 74 PER CENT, WERE SETTLED WITH THE HELP OF THE SERVICE.

THE SERVICE ALSO PROVIDED CONCILIATION FOR 9,280 CLAIMS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE OR THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT- SETTLED 5,116, OR SOME 55 PER CENT OF THEM, AND REFERRED MOST OF THE REMAINDER TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL FOR JUDICIAL DECISION.

THE SERVICE ALSO INVESTIGATED 512 MAJOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT ALLEGED BREACHES OF PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE SUCH AS FAILURE TO PROVIDE REST DAYS, HOLIDAYS WITH PAY, ANNUAL LEAVE WITH PAY AND IMPROPER DEDUCTIONS OF WORKERS’ WAGES.

THERE WERE 51 WORK STOPPAGES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR LAST YEAR, RESULTING IN 30,927 WORKING DAYS LOST. THIS REPRESENTED AN AVERAGE OF 17.24 DAYS LOST PER THOUSAND EMPLOYEES. THIS FIGURE COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THE ANNUAL AVERAGE OF 20.5 DAYS LOST PER 1,000 EMPLOYEES DURING THE LAST 10 YEARS (1969 - 1978).

COMMENTING ON THE AVERAGE FIGURES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE WERE CONSIDERED LOW BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND WERE A POSITIVE INDICATOR OF GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS.

THE SERVICE ALSO HANDLED 99,913 ENQUIRIES AND CONSULTATIONS, COMPARED WITH 50,096 CASES IN 1977. MOST CONCERNED THE PROVISIONS IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND LABOUR RELATIONS.

♦THE INCREASE REFLECTS THE GROWING IMPORTANCE NOW ATTACHED TO LABOUR RELATIONS AND EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS BY BOTH EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1979

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ******

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX A AND B FOR LAST MONTH (DECEMBER) WERE BOTH 127 AND 128. INDEX A REMAINED UNCHANGED WHILE INDEX B ROSE ONE POINT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECLINED BY THREE POINTS IN C.P.I. (A) AND BY ONE POINT IN C.P.I. (B).

THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND SALT-WATER FISH FELL BECAUSE OF THE WARM WEATHER AND INCREASED SUPPLIES, BUT THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH-WATER FISH, OTHER FISH, FRESH FRUITS, LIVE POULTRY AND PORK ROSE.

AS SOME RESTAURANTS AND EATING-PLACES RAISED THEIR PRICES, THE COST OF MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME ALSO WENT UP.

MOVEMENTS IN RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE INDEX FOR HOUSING WENT UP BY FIVE POINTS IN C.P.I. (A) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENT FOR HOUSING AUTHORITY GROUP B ESTATES AND FORMER GOVERNMENT LOW-COST HOUSING ESTATES.

A RISE OF FOUR POINTS IN C.P.I. (B) WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER RENT IN POST-WAR BUILT PRIVATE DWELLINGS.

THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN BOTH C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.I. (B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER RATES FOR ELECTRICITY AND HIGHER PRICES FOR KEROSENE.

RISES OF ONE POINT EACH WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE INDICES

FOR DURABLE GOODS AND FOR SERVICES IN BOTH C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.I. (B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR WATCHES, CAMERAS AND OPTICAL GOODS AND HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND HAIRDRESSING.

THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ROSE BY ONE POINT IN C.P.I. (B) FOLLOWING HIGHER PRICES FOR OTHER HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND MEDICINES.

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE SECTION INDICES FOR DECEMBER 1978, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1977, ARE GIVEN BELOW :

C.P.I. (A) C.P.I. (B)

SECTION DEC. 78 NOV. 78 DEC. 77 DEC. 78 NOV. 78 DEC. 77

FOODSTUFFS 121 124 111 123 124 112

HOUSING 137 132 127 136 132 126

/fuel and

THUHSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1979 '

FUEL AND LIGHT 135 134 135 134 133 134

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 147 147 137 142 142 133

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 107 107 103 106 106 102

DURABLE GOODS 119 118 110 117 116 107

MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 137 137 125 135 134 122

TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 128 128 117 130 130 121

SERVICES 140 139 133 141 140 134

ALL ITEMS 127 127 117 128 127 118

THE C.P.I. (A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400-$l,499 A MONTH AND THE C.P.I. (B), BETWEEN Si,500-32,999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 1973/74.

o — 1

IMPROVING ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH JAPAN *****

PLANNING IS WELL ADVANCED FOR A CONTINUED DRIVE TO BOOST EXPORTS TO JAPAN AND ENCOURAGE JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG INDUSTRY, ACCORDING TO HONG KONG COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRY, MR. BILL DORWARD.

MR. DORWARD WAS COMMENTING ON THE REPORT ON LAST NOVEMBER’S HIGH-LEVEL HONG KONG ECONOMIC MISSION TO JAPAN. THE REPORT WAS ISSUED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WHICH JOINTLY ORGANISED THE MISSION WITH THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

THE MISSION, HEADED BY SIR Y.K. KAN, WAS ALSO JOINED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE FOR TWO DAYS OF HIGH-LEVEL TALKS WITH JAPANESE GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS LEADERS.

MR. DORWARD SAID THE MISSION MARKED THE START OF AN ONGOING PLAN OF PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES.

+A ONE TIME SHOT IS NOT ENOUGH,♦ HE SAID, +IT IS THE FOLLOW UP THAT COUNTS.*

THE REPORT RECORDS VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS THAT WERE MADE TO THE MISSION ON HOW TO ACHIEVE ITS AIMS. THE MOST NOTABLE OF THESE WAS THE PROPOSAL BY THE JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER, MR. SONODA, THAT A JOINT HONG KONG-JAPAN COMMITTEE SHOULD BE SET UP.

SIR Y.K. KAN AND MR. DORWARD RETURNED TO TOKYO IN DECEMBER FOR FURTHER DISCUSSIONS 0" THIS PROPOSAL AND IT IS REPORTED THAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN VADE TOwARDS ITS EARLY ESTABLISHMENT.

------0 -------

/4.....

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1979

- 4 -

GIVING THE PUBLIC WHAT IT WANTS ******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, PRAISED THE URBAN COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR ITS RESPONSE TO MEET THE GROWING ENTHUSIASM FOR RECREATION IN THE URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG.

SIR MURRAY WAS SPEAKING WHEN HE UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THE COUNCIL’S FIRST INDOOR GAMES HALL ON HONG KONG ISLAND.

HE NOTED THERE WERE ALREADY FOUR SUCH FACILITIES IN KOWLOON.

SIR MURRAY SAID » +ONE OF THE MOST PLEASING RECENT SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN GROWTH OF ENTHUSIASM FOR RECREATION. IT IS FUN- IT IS SOCIALLY GOOD. THERE ARE FEW THINGS WORSE FOR A COMMUNITY THAN BOREDOM AND INACTIVITY AMONGST ITS YOUTH.

+THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS RESPONDED WELL TO THIS DEMAND IN THE URBAN AREAS BY PROVIDING STEADILY INCREASING SPORTING AND LEISURE FACILITIES, SOME OF WHICH ARE OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY AND INGENU ITY.+

THE $5 MILLION COST OF THE INDOOR GAMES HALL WAS MET PARTLY BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND PARTLY'BY A GENEROUS DONATION BY SIR YUE-KONG PAO.

THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME SIR YUE-KONG HAD MADE A DONATION FOR THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND THANKING HIM ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF ABERDEEN.

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE INDOOR GAMES HALL WERE ALSO CONGRATULATED BY SIR MURRAY FOR COMPLETING IT IN ONLY NINE MONTHS.

IN ADDRESSING THE GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY SIR YUE-KONG PAO SAID HONG KONG RANKED AS ONE OF THE MOST FORTUNATE PLACES IN THE WORLD WHERE THE ECONOMY HAS LIFTED THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ITS CITIZENS TO A LEVEL EQUALLED BY FEW OTHER LOCALITIES IN THE REGION.

♦WITH THE RISE IN LIVING STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS, THERE COMES A NEED FOR THE YOUNG MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY TO REACH OUT FOR WHOLESOME AND ENJOYABLE DIVERSIONS TO OCCUPY THEIR LEISURE HOURS.

♦SPORTS AND GAMES NO DOUBT PROVIDE THE BEST OF SUCH OUTLETS AS THEY WILL HELP CULTIVATE A HEALTHY AND ENERGETIC YOUNG GENERATION ON WHOM SO MUCH OF THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WILL DEPEND.+

IN STARTING OFF THE CEREMONY THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, HR. A. DE 0. SALES, SAID THE OCCASION WAS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT FOR HONG KONG.

HE SAID ONE OF HONG KONG’S MOST SUCCESSFUL AND DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS HAD CO-OPERATED WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL IN PROVIDING THIS FACILITY.

/HE sain ......

thuhsday, januaby 25, 1979

HE SAID THE ABERDEEN INDOOR GAMES HALL WOULD ENABLE HONG KONG PEOPLE NOT ONLY TO COMPETE IN IT BUT ALSO TO ENJOY FUN.

MR. SALES SAID THE CO-OPERATION WAS CHARACTERISTICS OF ANYTHING DONE IN HONG KONG* IT WAS A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

tTHE BUILDING, ON THE CORNER OF WONG CHUK HANG ROAD AND OCEAN PARK ROAD, IS THE FIRST STAGE TO THE EXTENSION OF THE ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND, AND SERVES A POPULATION OF ABOUT 160,000. k

ITS 36-METRE-SQUARE PLAY AREA IS LARGE ENOUGH FOR TWO BASKETBALL OR TENNIS COURTS, EIGHT BADMINTON, OR THREE VOLLEYBALL COURTS — PLUS A GRANDSTAND FOR 300 SPECTATORS. IT CAN ALSO BE USED FOR GYMNASTICS, HANDBALL, WEIGHT TRAINING, JUDO, TRAMPOLINI NG, DANCING, FENCING, AND AS A THEATRE

SRI HERE REPEAT THE LAST PARAGRAPH

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH:

♦ONE OF THE MOST PLEASING RECENT SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN GROWTH OF ENTHUSIASM FOR RECREATION. IT IS FUN- IT IS SOCIALLY GOOD. THERE ARE FEW THINGS WORSE FOR A COMMUNITY THAN BOREDOM AND INACTIVITY AMONGST ITS YOUTH.

♦THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS RESPONDED WELL TO THIS DEMAND IN THE URBAN AREAS BY PROVIDING STEADILY INCREASING SPORTING AND LEISURE FACILITIES, SOME OF WHICH ARE OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY AND INGENUITY.

♦ALREADY FOUR INDOOR GAMES HALLS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IN KOWLOON AND IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO OFFICIATE TODAY AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST ONE ON HONG KONG ISLAND.

♦IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ABERDEEN GAMES HALL WAS COMPLETED IN ONLY NINE MONTHS, AND I CONGRATULATE THE PWD AND ALL THOSE INVOLVED ON THEIR FINE TEAMWORK AND SPLENDID FINISHED PRODUCT.

♦THE $5 MILLION COST OF BUILDING THE ABERDEEN INDOOR GAMES HALL HAS BEEN MET PARTLY FROM URBAN COUNCIL FUNDS AND PARTLY BY A VERY GENEROUS DONATION BY SIR YUE-KONG PAO.

♦THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT SIR YUE-KONG HAS MADE A GENEROUS DONATION FOR THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. ALL THOSE WHO WISH TO EMULATE HIS ASTONISHING CAREER AS WELL AS HIS REMARKABLE GOOD HEALTH AND GOOD HUMOUR, SHOULD REMEMBER THAT HIS LIFE HAS BEEN BASED ON AN UNFAILING REGIME OF DAILY EXERCISE.

♦THE PEOPLE OF ABERDEEN HAVE GOOD CAUSE SIR YUE-KONG’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO RECREATIONAL AREA AND I DO THANK HIM MOST SINCERELY.

TO EE GRATEFUL FOR FACILITIES IN THIS

♦I NOW TAKE GREAT PLEASURE IN DECLARING THIS ABERDEEN GAMES HALL OPEN.+

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1979

MAJOR CAUSE OF FIRES *****

ANOTHER RECORD HIGH NUMBER OF FIRES WERE REPORTED LAST YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

THERE WERE 10,838 OUTBREAKS OF FIRE LAST YEAR COMPARED WITH 11,082 IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THE SPOKESMAN ATTRIBUTED THE MAJOR CAUSE TO +SHEER CARELESSNESS*, AND BECAUSE OF THIS HABITUAL NEGLIGENCE, 29 PEOPLE WERE KILLED, 596 INJURED AND THOUSANDS MADE HOMELESS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT 25 PER CENT OF THE FIRES WERE CAUSED BY THE INDISCRIMINATE DISPOSING OF LIGHTED CIGARETTE ENDS, MATCHES AND JOSS STICKS.

FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING AND APPLIANCES, OVERHEATED ENGINES, OVERTURNED AND UNATTENDED COOKING STOVES, AND CHILDREN PLAYING WITH MATCHES WERE THE OTHER MAIN FACTORS.

+ALL THESE FIRES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF PEOPLE EXERCISED A LITTLE MORE CAUTION AND HEEDED SOME SIMPLE PREVENTION RULES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE STRESSED THAT FIRES NOT ONLY COST MONEY BUT MORE IMPORTANT, LIVES.

NOTING THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LARGE PROPORTION OF FIRES BREAKING OUT IN DOMESTIC PREMISES, HE URGED HOUSEHOLDERS TO HANDLE THEIR FUEL, MATCHES, JOSS STICKS, AND OTHER INFLAMMABLE MATERIAL WITH GREAT CARE AND TO CHECK THEIR ELECTRICAL WIRING AND APPLIANCES REGULARLY.

HE SAID SMOKERS COULD ALSO HELP REDUCE FIRE RISKS BY MAKING SURE THEIR LIGHTED CIGARETTE ENDS ARE EXTINGUISHED BEFORE DISCARDING THEM.

HE ALSO APPEALED TO BUILDING MANAGEMENTS AND FACTORY OPERATORS TO KEEP ALL FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS IN THEIR PREMISES IN GOOD CONDITION, INSTANTLY AVAILABLE AND TO ENSURE THAT ALL ESCAPE ROUTES ARE CLEARED OF OBSTRUCTION.

0 - -

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1979

ABERDEEN, HUNG HOM LAND AUCTION

*****

TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE AT AN AUCTION IN THE JADE BALLROOM OF THE FURAMA HOTEL ON FEBRUARY 22, 1979, AT 11 A.M.

ONE SITE, AT WINSLOW STREET, HUNG HOM MEASURING 1,550 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR GODOWN PURPOSES.

THE OTHER, OCCUPYING 554 SQUARE METRES AT TIN WAN HILL ROAD, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG, IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE SAID THE AUCTION HAD TO BE HELD AT THE FURAMA HOTEL AS THE CITY HALL THEATRE HAD BEEN HEAVILY BOOKED FOR THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.

BUT AUCTIONS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN MARCH AND THEREAFTER WOULD BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE AS USUAL, HE ADDED.

- - 0 - -

MR. B.D. KEEP — DIRECTOR-DESIGNATE, CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT

******

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. B.D. KEEP AS DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION TO SUCCEED MR. R.E. DOWNING WHO IS DUE TO RETIRE IN MARCH.

THE PRESENT DIRECTOR MR. DOWNING, 54, HAS BEEN WITH THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT FOR 31 YEARS.

HE WAS AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICER FROM 1947, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FROM 1965 AND DIRECTOR SINCE 1973. HE IS MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN.

MR. KEEP, 48, IS AT PRESENT DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION. JOINING THE GOVERNMENT AS A TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER IN I960, HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION IN 1968 AND TO THE PRESENT RANK IN 1973.

MR. KEEP, MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN, HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1979

A BRIGHT CLEAN LOOK FOR THE NEW YEAR ******

SPECIAL CLEANSING SQUADS FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONCENTRATED THEIR EFFORTS THIS WEEK ON THE DENSELY POPULATED AREAS ENCOMPASSING SHEK YAM, SHEK LEI, KWONG FAI CIRCUIT AND TAI WO HAU IN KWAI CHUNG.

LASTING FROM JANUARY 19 TO TODAY (THURSDAY), THE YEAR-END CLEANSING OPERATION WAS AIMED AT FACILITATING THE PUBLIC DISPOSAL OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF JUNK AND RUBBISH IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR USD SAID ADDITIONAL JUNK COLLECTION POINTS WERE SET UP AT VANTAGE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT DURING THE OPERATION. RESIDENTS WERE INFORMED OF THE OPERATION THROUGH THE FLAT OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS, KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES.

EXTRA CLEANSING SQUADS, LITTER WARDENS, AND HEALTH INSPECTORS WERE ALSO MOBILISED TO INTENSIFY STREET CLEANSING AND RUBBISH COLLECTION SERVICES.

IN RESPONSE TO THE OPERATION, THE RESIDENTS REMOVED LARGE AMOUNTS OF UNWANTED ARTICLES TO THE TEMPORARY JUNK COLLECTION POINTS. ALTOGETHER 20 LORRY LOADS OF RUBBISH WERE REMOVED BY USD LABOURERS.

-----0------

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1979

FIRST TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL A GREAT SUCCESS ******

THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES DESCRIBED THE FIRST TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL AS +A GREAT SUCCESS* WHICH WOULD CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTE SUBSTANTIALLY TOWARDS THE STRENGTHENING OF THE ARTS OF HONG KONG.

SPEAKING AT THE DANCING PERFORMANCE ORGANISED BY THE DANCING PROMOTION UNIT OF THE TSUEN WAN RECREATION AND CULTURAL CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION AT THE CITY HALL THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING, MR. HAYES NOTED THAT MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE HAD ATTENDED A WIDE VARIETY OF CULTURAL PROGRAMMES DURING THE FESTIVAL JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT UNDER THE AUSPICES CF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD.

+IT HAS LAID A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR A MAJOR ANNUAL EVENT AND IN ORGANISING A CONTINUOUS LOCAL PROGRAMME OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTE SUBSTANTIALLY TOWARDS THE. STRENGTHENING OF THE ARTS OF HONG KONG.+ HE SAID.

MR. HAYES SAID WORK ON THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL WAS PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY.

IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE OPENING OF THE TOWN HALL IN EARLY 1980 WOULD TIE IN WITH THE SECOND TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL.

+THE HALL WILL PROVIDE A MAGNIFICENT FACILITY BUT IT ALSO CONSTITUTES A CHALLENGING TASK FOR ALL OF US INVOLVED IN THE PROMOTION OF RECREATION AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN TSUEN WAN,* HE SAID.

+IF WE ARE TO PROMOTE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ON A MEANINGFUL SCALE FOR A TOWN WITH 600,000 PEOPLE, THEN MORE CENTRES AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES, AND MORE YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITIES OF TONIGHT’S NATURE, WILL BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO SATISFY THE CULTURAL ASPIRATIONS OF OUR LARGE POPULATION.*

ON THE ASSOCIATION’S TRAINING CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN OPENED A FEW MONTHS AGO, MR. HAYES NOTED THAT IT HAD PROVIDED SOME OF THE NECESSARY BASIC FACILITIES FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE ARTS.

HE SAID THE OPENING OF THE TRAINING CENTRE, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT AND CONTINUED WORK OF THE DANCING PROMOTION UNIT AND THE OTHER THREE UNITS OF THE ASSOCIATION ARE MILESTONES ON THE WAY TO MAKING FULL USE OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL WHEN IT IS OPENED.

THE EVENING’S PROGRAMME LASTED ABOUT TWO HOURS. IT FEATURED MAINLY CHINESE FOLK DANCES BY THE TSUEN WAN DANCING GROUP FORMED BY RESIDENTS OF TSUEN WAN.

THE TSUEN WAN RECREATION AND CULTURAL CO-ORDINATING ACCOCIATION, SET UP S.”E 7*2 YEARS AGO, AIMS TO P:OMOTE -IC- -QUALITY CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING DRAMAS, PAINTINGS, CaLLIGRA IES AND MUSIC, FOR THE FA ~ I'ORE'SI' = 0? LATICN 'OF TSUE’ .

MR. CHAN PO—FONG IS T-E C-AIR^AK Oc THE ASSOCIATION AND W. JAMES HAYES IS ITS 'cE. iO.

■ /1O

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1979

CHIU CHOW OPERA IN SHAM SHU I PO *****

A LARGE-SCALE CHIU CHOW OPERA ORGANISED AS PART OF THE SHAM SHU I PO CITY DISTRICT OFFICE LUNAR NEW YEAR ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 9 AND 10 IN SHAM SHU I PO.

THE PERFORMANCE WILL TAKE PLACE AT A MATSHED THEATRE IN PO ON ROAD PLAYGROUND.

THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A THREE-HOUR CHIU CHOW OPERA ON EACH OF THE TWO EVENINGS BETWEEN 7.30 P.M. AND 11 P.M.

IT WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE HONG KONG SUN LOK SING CHIU CHOW OPERA GROUP.

THE TITLE OF THE FIRST DAY PROGRAMME IS +MARRIAGE OF A SCHOLAR* AND FOR THE SECOND DAY, +WAN TOI ATTIC*.

THE PERFORMANCE WILL BE FREE FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF SHAM SHU I PO.

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE, ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS, IN THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHU I PO) AT 299 LAI CHI KOK ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, DURING OFFICE HOURS. CAPACITY IS LIMITED TO 4,000 ONLY.

THE TWO-DAY PROGRAMME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO), THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CHIU CHOW GENERAL ASSOCIATION, THE CHEUNG SHA WAN KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION AND MORE THAN 20 CHIU CHOW ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.

- 0 -

KAI TAK BOOKLET FOR SALE * * * *

A FULL COLOURED, SIMPLE WORDED AND COMPREHENSIVE BILINGUAL BOOKLET WHICH GIVES A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF KAI TAK AIRPORT — ITS HISTORY, MANAGEMENT, FACILITIES, OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT — HAS BEEN PRODUCED JOINTLY BY THE CIVIL AVIATION AND INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.

THE GLOSSY +CIVIL AVIATION IN HONG KONG* BOOKLET, CONTAINING 25 PHOTOGRAPHS IN 32 PAGES, IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT 56 EACH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, HONG KONG. IT WILL ALSO BE PUT ON SALE AT MAJOR BOOKSHOPS SHORTLY.

APART FROM THE GENERAL INFORMATION, THE BOOKLETS ALSO PROVIDES OTHER DETAILS OF A MORE TECHNICAL NATURE CONCERNING THE AIRPORT CHARACTERISTICS, RUNWAY OPERATIONAL DATA AND NAVIGATION FACILITIES IN ITS APPENDICES.

AN ORGANISATION CHART OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IS ALSO INCLUDED.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE BOOKLET SHOULD BE OF INTEREST TO ALL INTENDING AIR TRAVELLERS AND OF PARTICULAR USE TO STUDENTS AND NEW RECRUITS IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY.

I iiuhuva i

vmivnn i

11 -

GLOSSARY OF COMMON TECHNICAL TERMS

*****

TO HELP ELIMINATE MISUNDERSTANDING ARISING FROM DIFFERENCES IN TRANSLATION, A HANDY SIZED ENGLISH-CHINESE GLOSSARY OF COMMON TECHNICAL TERMS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL AND IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, CENTRAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, HONG KONG.

PREPARED BY THE COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE ON TRANSLATION HEADED BY MRS. MARY M.Y. FUNG OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE GLOSSARY CONTAINS SOME 7,000 TECHNICAL TERMS COMMONLY USED IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR INDUSTRIES SUCH AS AUTOMOBILE REPAIR AND SERVICING, BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, CLOTHING, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING, PLASTICS, PRINTING, SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIRS AND TEXTILES TRADES.

THE PUBLICATION COSTS $25 EACH.

IT IS PRIMARILY DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF ALL LEVELS OF MANPOWER INVOLVED IN INDUSTRIES AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.

IT WILL ALSO BE A USEFUL REFERENCE TO MANAGEMENT IN TRAINING THEIR WORKERS, TO APPRENTICES UNDERGOING TRAINING, TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN TEACHING TECHNICAL COURSES, TO STUDENTS IN THESE INSTITUTIONS AND TO THOSE ENGAGED IN TRANSLATING TECHNICAL LITERATURE.

--------o----------

LESSON IN SWIMMING FOR INFANTS

******

THIRTY-FIVE INFANTS AGED BETWEEN FOUR MONTHS AND FIVE YEARS OLD RECENTLY HAD THEIR FIRST SWIMMING LESSON UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF 40 PARTICIPANTS OF A COURSE IN TEACHING INFANTS TO SWIM.

THE PARTICIPANTS ARE KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SWIMMING TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION.

THE COURSE IS CONDUCTED BY MISS BARBARA HEGGER, AN EXPERT ON THE SUBJECT FROM THE UNITED STATES WHO HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH TEACHING BABIES TO SWIM FOR OVER 15 YEARS. SHE HAS ALSO WRITTEN +SPLASH WATER-SAFE EABIES+, ONE OF THE MOST AUTHORITATIVE BOOKS ON INFANT SWIMMING TODAY.

PARTICIPANTS OF THE COURSE HAVE ATTENDED NINE PRACTICAL SESSIONS AND TWO THEORY SESSIONS BETWEEN JANUARY 16 AND 26.

DURING THE PRACTICAL SESSIONS HELD AT THE MORRISON HILL SWIMMING POOL THE PARTICIPANTS TAUGHT THE INFANTS TO SWIM BY APPLYING THE SPLASH TECHNIQUE.

THEY WILL BE SITTING A TWO-HOUR EXAMINATION PAPER TOMORROW (FRIDAY), SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE AWARDED SUPPLEMENTARY CERTIFICATES.

THE COURSE WAS ORGANISED BY THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SWIMMING TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1979

DRIVE CAREFULLY ALONG CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED ALL

I nt InANofUKI DtrAnlrltNI I UDA I (.IMUKoDAT> REMINDED ALL MOTORISTS TO DRIVE WITH CARE ALONG CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD FROM WONG CHUK STREET TO BOUNDARY STREET AS THE CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE SHIFTED FROM ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO OTHER BECAUSE OF ROAD WORKS.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ROAD WORKS INVOLVE THE BOUNDARY STREET FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION CONNECTING BOUNDARY STREET TO CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD ACROSS NATHAN ROAD.

THROUGHOUT THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, A 10-METRE WIDE CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE MAINTAINED FOR MONG KOK-BOUND TRAFFIC. BUS STOPS WILL BE RELOCATED ACCORDING TO VARIOUS STAGES OF TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS.

THE AFFECTED SECTION OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD IS NOW SUBJECT TO A PEAK HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION — BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND 10 A.M. AND 4 P.M. AND 7 P.M. — TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

♦THE CLEARWAY IS STILL IN FORCE DESPITE THE POSITION CHANGES CF THE CARRIAGEWAY,* THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

PLB PROHIBITION * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING NING FOO STREET IN CHAI WAN UNLESS AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO INDICATE THE PROHIBITION.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FIRDAY, JANUARY 26, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MERCHANDISE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO U.S.A............... 1

GOVERNOR INSPECTS PRISONS DEPARTMENT ANNUAL PARADE .............................................. 1

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR URBCO CANDIDATES ........... 3

YOUNG HONG KONG MUSICIANS HELD MUSICAL EVENING IN UK ............................................... 4

HONG KONG NARCOTICS REPORT GOES ON SALE ............. 5

FISHERMEN AWARDED FOR SAVING LIVES .................. 6

TAI PO RECLAIMED LAND TO GET NEW ROAD ............... 6

MORE TEACHERS NEEDED TO MEET DEMAND FOR CRAFTSMEN ........................................... 7

HONG KONG OWES MUCH TO FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN .. 8

EASTERN END OF WONG TAI SIN ROAD TO BE EXTENDED .. 9

LUNAR NEW YEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ........................................ 9

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS AT SHA TIN FOR CHE KUNG FESTIVAL ........................................... 10

SIX MAXICAB ROUTES ................................. 11

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1979

MERCHANDISE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO U.S.A.

****** ,

THE POST OFFICE TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT AGREEMENT HAS BEEN FINALISED WITH THE U.S. POST OFFICE TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO THE U.S.A. TO INCLUDE MERCHANDISE ON FEBRUARY 1.

ITEMS SENT THROUGH THIS SERVICE WILL RECEIVE EXPEDITED CUSTOMS CLEARANCE AND DELIVERY IN THE U.S.A.

THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SENDING BUSINESS DOCUMENTS AND SAMPLES ON CONTRACT BASIS TO ALL PARTS OF THE U.S.A. AND ON 'ON DEMAND’ BASIS TO MANY BIG U.S. CITIES.

BUSINESS DOCUMENTS SENT THROUGH THIS SERVICE ARE DELIVERED ON THE NEXT DAY AFTER POSTING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

♦THE EXTENSION OF THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO INCLUDE MERCHANDISE WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO HONG KONG EXPORTERS IN GETTING THEIR GOODS QUICKLY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦BUT THE AGGREGATE VALUE OF MERCHANDISE A SENDER MAY SEND TO THE SAME ADDRESSEE IN ONE DAY BY SPEEDPOST SHOULD NOT EXCEED US$250. MONEY, JEWELLERY OR ANY OTHER ARTICLES OF VALUE ARE EXCLUDED,+ HE ADDED.

DETAILS ABOUT THE NEW SERVICE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU ON 5-2671222.

------0-------

GOVERNOR INSPECTS PRISONS DEPARTMENT ANNUAL PARADE *****

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE INSPECTED THE ANNUAL PARADE OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT STANLEY TODAY (FRIDAY).

SIR MURRAY PRESENTED COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 31 OFFICERS AFTER THE INSPECTION.

ON PARADE WERE EIGHT CONTINGENTS COMPRISING BY 220 PRISON OFFICERS COMMANDED BY SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT, MAK PAK-LAM.

IN HIS SPEECH THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS THERE WAS NO OVERCROWDING IN HONG KONG’S PRISONS.

+ THIS. AND.THE EMPHASIS YOUR COMMISSIONER HAS

BEEN PLACING ON THE NEED TO RETHINK PROGRAMMES AS WELL AS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE CARRIED OUT TO THE FULL, SHOULD HAVE A BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON THE SUCCESS RATES,* HE SAID.

SIR MURRAY ALSO NOTED THAT WITH THE OPENING OF LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR IT BECAME POSSIBLE TO ACCOMMODATE ALL MALE YOUNG OFFENDERS IN INSTITUTIONS SPECIFICALLY SET ASIDE FOR THIS AGE GROUP.

/+THIS IS .....

♦ THIS IS AN ACHIEVEMENT ATTAINED IN VERY FEW COUNTRIES INDEED,* HE SAID.

SIR MURRAY EXPRESSED HIS GRATITUTE TO THE MANY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE WHO HELP THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT ENSURE THAT INMATES ARE TREATED FAIRLY AND WITH HUMANITY.

+1 PERSONALLY REGARD THE VISITS AS VERY IMPORTANT AND AM MOST GRATEFUL TO THE MANY JP’S WHO MAKE TIME FOR THESE DUTIES,* HE ADDED.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECHi

+ONCE AGAIN, I AM PLEASED TO INSPECT THIS ANNUAL PARADE AND TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF ADDRESSING STAFF OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.

♦THE TREND TOWARDS A LOWER PRISON POPULATION CONTINUED IN 1978 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS THERE WAS NO OVERCROWDING. THIS, AND THE EMPHASIS YOUR COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN PLACING ON THE NEED TO RETHINK PROGRAMMES AS WELL AS TO ENSURE THEY ARE CARRIED OUT TO THE FULL, SHOULD HAVE A BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON THE SUCCESS RATES AND PROVIDE SPACE AND CAPACITY IN WHICH TO ACHIEVE A MUCH NEEDED EXPANSION OF PRISON INDUSTRIES.

♦WITH THE OPENING OF LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, IT BECAME POSSIBLE TO ACCOMMODATE ALL MALE YOUNG OFFENDERS IN INSTITUTIONS SPECIFICALLY SET ASIDE FOR THIS AGE GROUP — AN ACHIEVEMENT ATTAINED IN VERY FEW COUNTRIES INDEED.

♦THE YEAR END SAW YOUR DEPARTMENT ASSISTING WITH THE LARGE INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND I CONGRATULATE YOU ON THE SPEED AND SPIRIT WITH WHICH YOU MET THIS CHALLENGE.

♦DESPITE THE LOWER PRISON POPULATION, THERE IS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF PRISONERS SERVING LONG TERM SENTENCES OF MORE THAN SIX YEARS. THERE ARE NOW 700 COMPARED WITH 600 TWO YEARS AGO.

♦MANY ARE HARDENED CRIMINALS WHO PRESENT A CONSTANT PROBLEM FOR YOU. FOR CONTROL AS WELL AS SECURITY IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT LARGE NUMBERS ARE NOT CONCENTRATED IN A SINGLE INSTITUTION.

♦STANLEY PRISON HOLDS THE BULK OF SUCH PRISONERS BUT THE NEW PRISON AT SHEK PIK, DUE FOR COMPLETION IN 1981, WILL RELIEVE THE SITUATION.

♦THE PSYCHOLOGICAL UNIT ESTABLISHED IN 1977 IS PROVING ITS VALUE, PARTICULARLY IN ASSESSING THE SUITABILITY OF PRISONERS FOR THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND IN ADVISING ON THE BEST METHODS OF DEALING WITH THE MORE DIFFICULT TYPES.

♦ IN FULFILLING PRISONS PROGRAMMES, I AM AWARE OF THE EMPHASIS PLACED ON THE NEED FOR INMATES TO BE TREATED FAIRLY AND WITH HUMANITY. IT IS TO ENSURE THIS THAT JUSTICES OF THE PEACE VISIT ALL INSTITUTIONS.

♦ I PERSONALLY REGARD THE VISITS AS VERY IMPORTANT AND AM MOST GRATEFUL TO THE MANY JP’S WHO MAKE TIME FOR THESE DUTIES.

♦ I AM PLEASED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE SUCH GOOD PROGRESS DURING THE PAST YEAR, AND I WISH YOU EVERY SUCCESS IN THE YEAR AHEAD.*

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1979

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR URBCO CANDIDATES

*****

NOMINATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION, SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 8, OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY (FRIDAY).

ACCORDING TO A NOTICE IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, THE NOMINATIONS ARE FOR SIX SEATS WHICH WILL BECOME VACANT ON APRIL 1, FOLLOWING THE EXPIRY OF THE PRESENT TERM OF OFFICE OF SIX ELECTED bEMBERS.

THEY ARE MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MRS. ELSIE ELLIOTT, DR. DENNY HUANG, MR. HENRY LUK, DR. WONG PUN-CHEUK AND MISS CECILIA YEUNG. 9 9

THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOMINATIONS TO BE SENT TO THE RETURNING OFFICER, MISS DENISE YUE, IS FEBRUARY 14.

EACH CANDIDATE MUST BE NOMINATED ON A SEPARATE NOMINATION PAPER WHICH MUST BE SIGNED BY 10 ELECTORS.

NO ELECTOR MAY NOMINATE MORE THAN SIX CANDIDATES.

-----o------

YOUNG HONG KONG MUSICIANS HOLD MUSICAL EVENING IN UK

* * M M * M

HONG KONG’S LONDON COMMISSIONER, MR. DENIS BRAY EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT MORE MUSICAL EVENINGS WOULD BE HELD FOLLOWING THE DEBUT INFORMAL EVENING OF CHAMBER MUSIC RECENTLY BY SIX TALENTED YOUNG HONG KONG MUSICIANS AT HIS WESTMINSTER RESIDENCE.

♦THE EVENING GAVE GREAT PLEASURE TO ALL OF US,+ MR. BRAY SAID ON WEDNESDAY, ADDING* +THE STUDENTS, SCATTERED AT SEVERAL COLLEGES, WERE ABLE TO MEET AND ENJOYED PLAYING IN INFORMAL SURROUNDINGS. THE GUESTS WERE PLEASANTLY IMPRESSED BY THE COMPETENCE OF THE ARTISTS AND SAW A SIDE OF HONG KONG LIFE THEY WOULD NOT OTHERWISE SEE.+

THE STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY STUDYING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. AMONG THE GUESTS WERE LEADING AND RESPECTED PERSONALITIES FROM BRITAIN’S MUSIC FRATERNITY, MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE OFFICIALS.

THE EVENING BEGAN WITH TEENAGE PIANIST, MARY WU, RENDERING A SELECTION OF MUSIC BY RAVEL. MARY, WHO COMES FROM A FAMILY OF TALENTED MUSICIANS, IS A STUDENT AT THE PRESTIGEOUS YEHUDI MENUHIN SCHOOL OF MUSIC. SHE WAS A FINALIST AT LAST YEAR’S ROYAL OVERSEAS LEAGUE MUSIC FESTIVAL.

ADOLPH LIU AND JOSEPH FUNG PLAYED MUSIC COMPOSED FOR GUITAR AND FLUTE. ADOLPH WHO PLAYED THE FLUTE IS A STUDENT AT TRINITY COLLEGE AND JOSEPH WHO LATER ENTERTAINED THE GUESTS TO A GUITAR SOLO, IS A STUDENT AT THE ROYAL NORTHERN MANCHESTER COLLEGE OF MUSIC.

TO YAM AND YIP WING-SIE, BOTH VIOLINISTS, PLAYED COMPOSITIONS BY BARTON TOGETHER. TO YAM IS A STUDENT AT THE GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DRAMA AND LAST YEAR SHE ACCOMPANIED THE AVON YOUTH ORCHESTRA ON A TOUR OF THE FAR EAST AND PERFORMED IN HONG KONG.

YIP WING-SIE IS A STUDENT AT THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC.

EVA LUE, A PIANIST, BROUGHT THE EVENING TO A CLOSE. SHE IS ALSO A STUDENT AT THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC.

MR. DAVID STONE, MUSIC CONSULTANT TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, INTRODUCED THE ARTISTS TO THE GUESTS.

AMONG THOSE WHO ATTENDED WERE MR. GORDON SIU, MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR- MR. JOHN MACKENZIE, MEMBER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA- SIR DAVID WILLCOCKS, DIRECTOR, ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC- SIR PAUL BRYAN, MP, AND MR. IAN WRIGGLESWORTH, CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE ANGLO-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION, AND MRS. WRIGGLESWORTH-SIR JOHN EDEN, MP AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOURNMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TRUST, AND LADY EDEN- MR. JOHN HOSIER, PRINCIPAL, GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DRAMA- MR. PETER NORRIS, PROFESSOR OF PIANO, YEHUDI MENUHIN SCHOOL- PROFESSOR LEONARD HIRSH, PROFESSOR, ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC- DR. JEREMY BRAY, MP- MR. GERRY WIGGIN, MP, AND MRS. WIGGIN MR. W.E. QUANTRILL, HONG KONG AND GENERAL DEPARTMENT, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, AND MRS. QUANTRILL AND MR. PATRICK WILLIAMSON WHO IS NOW HEAD OF THE HONG KONG DESK AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, AND MRS. WILLIAMSON.

- - 0 -

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1979

HONG KONG NARCOTICS REPORT GOES ON SALE *****

A COMPREHENSIVE AND AUTHORITATIVE DOCUMENT ON HONG KONG’S NARCOTICS PROBLEM AND THE EFFORT BEING MADE TO TACKLE IT IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE.

THE DOCUMENT, COMPILED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), IS ENTITLED HONG KONG NARCOTICS REPORT 1977.

THE REPORT IS PUT ON SALE BECAUSE ENQUIRIES WERE RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC WHO WISHED TO OBTAIN A COPY WHEN IT WAS PUBLISHED LATE LAST YEAR.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE REPORT IS PUBLISHED IN FULL-COLOUR COVER AND WITH FULL COLOUR ILLUSTRATIONS. THE REPORT COMES IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE LANGUAGES SEPARATELY.

THE 112-PAGE PUBLICATION GIVES A FULL ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGING CHARACTERISTICS OF HONG KONG’S NARCOTICS SCENE AS WELL AS ALL MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS OF THE VARIOUS MAJOR ACTION PROGRAMMES BEING CARRIED OUT.

FIVE CHAPTERS ARE. FOR EXAMPLE, DEVOTED TO THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ♦BATTLE OF WITS* BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND DRUG TRAFFICKERS, DETAILING THE ACHIEVEMENTS MADE, AND THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE POLICE AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS IN REDUCING THE SUPPLY OF HEROIN, OPIUM AND OTHER ILLICIT DRUGS IN HONG KONG.

THE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG’S TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES FOR DRUG ADDICTS ARE ALSO GIVEN IN THE REPORT, COMPLETE WITH STATISTICS TO SHOW THE TRENDS OF DRUG ABUSE IN RECENT YEARS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR ACAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE REPORT IS AN INFORMATIVE AND HIGHLY READABLE DOCUMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE ABOUT THE LONG-STANDING, SERIOUS SOCIAL PROBLEM OF NARCOTIC ADDICTION IN HONG KONG.

IT IS PARTICULARLY RECOMMENDED TO TEACHERS, STUDENTS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND PEOPLE OF OTHER PROFESSIONS WHOSE WORK MAY BE DIRECTLY CR INDIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE NARCOTIC ISSUE, HE SAID.

THE REPORT COSTS 19.50 EACH. THE ENGLISH EDITION IS NOW ALREADY ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING AND THE CHINESE EDITION WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

-----o - -

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1979

FISHERMEN AWARDED FOR SAVING LIVES *****

EIGHT HONG KONG FISHERMEN WHO SAVED 369 LIVES AT SEA LAST YEAR WILL BE REWARDED FOR THEIR EFFORTS BY MRS. J.M. RIDDELL-SWAN, WIFE OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

AT THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION ANNUAL PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY TOMORROW AT THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET, MRS. RIDDELL-SWAN WILL PRESENT AWARDS TO THE EIGHT FISHERMEN AND TO 24 CHAMPION FISHERMEN.

MR. RIDDELL-SWAN WILL PRESENT 25-YEAR-LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO 12 RECIPIENTS OF THE FISH AND VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATIONS.

THE CEREMONY WILL BE OPENED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES AND MARKETING) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR. A.K. MURRAY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESENTATION OF LONG SERVICE AND LIFE-SAVING AWARDS AT THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET, 1OOA SHEK PAI WAN ROAD, ABERDEEN, AT 10.55 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY). TRANSPORT FOR THE PRESS WILL LEAVE QUEEN’S PIER, EDINBURGH PLACE AT 9.45 A.M.

- o - -

TAI PO RECLAIMED LAND TO GET NEW ROAD *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY BUILD A 1.2-KILOMETRE ROAD ON THE RECLAIMED LAND SOUTH OF TAI YUEN HOUSING ESTATE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN TAI PO.

THE PROJECT, TENDERS FOR WHICH WERE INVITED TODAY (FRIDAY), INCLUDES THE LAYING OF A 1.5-KILOMETRE TRUNK SEWER AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BUS TERMINUS.

THE WORK, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE TAI PO DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

MR. GEORGE CHIEN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF PWD’S TAI PO AND FANLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SAID THE RECLAIMED LAND, MEASURING ABOUT 22 HECTARES, WOULD ULTIMATELY EE DEVELOPED AS A COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREA WITH SCHOOLS, A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, OPEN SPACE AND A TOWN SQUARE.

THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY .THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, FOR THE'NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

• ’

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1979

MORE TEACHERS NEEDED TO MEET DEMAND FOR CRAFTSMEN *****

THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE MUST BE RAPIDLY EXPANDED TO COPE WITH THE DEMAND FOR CRAFTSMEN, MR. CHAN SHU-ON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

ADDRESSING THE GATHERING AT THE FOURTH SPEECH DAY OF THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, MR. CHAN ESTIMATED THAT HONG KONG REQUIRED AN ANNUAL SUPPLY OF SOME 8,000 CRAFTSMEN TO l*EET THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY.

AT PRESENT THERE ARE JUST OVER 1,000 GRADUATES FROM THE VARIOUS TECHNICAL INSTITUTES EACH YEAR, MR. CHAN SAID, ADDING THAT THIS OUTPUT WOULD BE INCREASED TO 6,360 IN 1982 ACCORDING TO GOVERNMENT PLANS.

+ IT CAN BE SEEN THAT ALTHOUGH PRESENT OUTPUT OF GRADUATE CRAFTSMEN FALLS FAR SHORT OF ACTUAL DEMAND, YET AN AMBITIOUS PLAN HAS BEEN LAID TO INCREASE THE OUTPUT SEVERAL FOLD, AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE BE EXPANDED IN ALL DIRECTIONS AT AN ACCELERATED PACE TO COPE WITH NEW DEMANDS,* HE SAID.

SPEAKING ON THE QUALITY OF THE CRAFTSMAN, MR. CHAN FELT THAT ANY CRAFTSMAN WORTHY OF HIS PROFESSION MUST UPHOLD A HIGH STANDARD CF WORKMANSHIP.

+HE MUST DISCIPLINE HIMSELF TO WORK FOR PERFECTION, WHICH CAN NEVER BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT CONSTANT PRACTICE,* HE SAID.

MEANWHILE, MR. P.R. SMITH, THE PRINCIPAL OF THE COLLEGE, IN PRESENTING HIS REPORT FOR 1977-78 SAID HIS STAFF WERE BUSY REDESIGNING THE COURSE OFFERED BY THE COLLEGE TO FIT IN WITH THE PLAN IN THE EDUCATION WHITE PAPER TO EXPAND THE TEACHER TRAINING PROVISION FROM TWO TO THREE YEARS BY 1980.

DURING THE YEAR 14 SHORT COURSES WERE ALSO ORGANISED FOR IN-SERVICE TEACHERS, HE SAID. THE NATURE OF THESE COURSES RANGED FROM BEATEN METAL WORK TO A SEMINAR ON +MANAGEMENT IN EDUCATION TODAY*.

THE SEMINAR IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES WHICH THE COLLEGE IS OFFERING ON A ROTATIONAL BASIS TO HELP TEACHERS DEVELOP INTO GOOD MANAGERS OF THEIR DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR SCHOOLS.

A SERIES OF SATURDAY MORNING COURSES WERE ALSO OFFERED DURING THE YEAR FOR WORKSHOP ASSISTANTS AND ATTENDANTS COVERING TOPICS SUCH AS THE USE OF THE METRIC WEIGHING SYSTEM, THE CARE AND SHARPENING OF TOOLS, AND SAFETY WITHIN WORKSHOPS.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 197

HONG KONG OWES MUCH TO FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN ******

HONG KONG OWES MUCH TO ITS PAST AND PRESENT FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN, SAID MR ALAN JONES, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE TODAY (FRIDAY) OF RECRUITS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL IN PAT HEUNG.

+AT SOME TIME DURING AN INCIDENT YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE

YOUR OWN PERSONAL DECISIONS, AND BE FACED WITH CRUCIAL AND POSSIBLY VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES,+ HE TOLD THE 55 SUCCESSFUL FIREMAN AND AMBULANCEMAN TRAINEES.

+THAT IS WHEN YOUR TRAINING, CONFIDENCE AND ABILITY WILL BE REALLY PUT TO THE TEST AND I AM SURE YOU WILL NOT BE FOUND WANTING.+

ON PARADE WERE 29 FIREMEN, 18 SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN AND EIGHT AMBULANCEMEN WHO HAD JUST COMPLETED SIX-MONTH AND TWO-MONTH BASIC TRAINING RESPECTIVELY. EIGHTY-FIVE FIREMEN STILL UNDER TRAINING ALSO TOOK PART IN THE PARADE.

THE RECRUITS WILL NOW BE REPORTING TO VARIOUS FIRE STATIONS AND AMBULANCE DEPOTS.

MR JONES TOUCHED ON THE SUPPOSED GLAMOUR OF THE ROLE OF A FIRE-FIGHTER, SAYING: +PERHAPS YOU VISUALISED YOURSELF RESPLENDANT IN YOUR UNIFORM, FIGHTING FIRES OR HELPING TO TREAT INJURED OR SICK PEOPLE... EMULATING THE EXPLOITS OF VARIOUS ACTORS IN DRAMATIC MOVIES OR TELEVISION SERIALS.+

HE ADDED: +N0W YOU ARE NOT ONLY MORE AWARE OF WHAT YOU WILL REALLY DO, AND HOW YOU WILL DO IT, BUT THAT IT DEMANDS FAR MORE THAN YOU THOUGHT, AND SURPRISINGLY YOU HAVE FOUND YOURSELF ABLE TO MEET THE DEMANDS.+

HE SAID THE HARD, ARDUOUS TRAINING HAD INSTILLED IN ALL THE ATTRIBUTES OF CONFIDENCE, UNDERSTANDING, TEAMWORK, DETERMINATION, RELIABILITY +AND NOT LEAST AN ACCEPTANCE THAT YOUR PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES HAVE BEEN CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED, MAKING YOU ALL BETTER MEN.+

TO MEET THE CONSTANTLY INCREASING AND VARIED DEMANDS WHICH MUST BE FACED EVERY DAY, MR JONES TOLD THE RECRUITS, +YOU MUST CONTINUE TO IMPROVE YOURSELF IN EVERY RESPECT, NOT JUST IN PRACTICAL ASPECTS BUT IN THEORY, DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE, AND NEW PROCEDURES.+

-----o------

/9 .....

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1979

9 -

EASTERN END OF WONG TAI SIN ROAD TO BE EXTENDED

* * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN WORK SHORTLY TO EXTEND THE EASTERN END OF WONG TAI SIN ROAD TO THE JUNCTION CF CHUK YUEN ROAD AND SHATIN PASS ROAD.

MR. T.D. ARMOUR, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION SAID THE PROJECT, TENDERS FOR WHICH WERE INVITED TODAY (FRIDAY), AIMED TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO UPPER WONG TAI SIN HOUSING ESTATE AND THE NEW CHUK YUEN ESTATE TO THE NORTH.

THE WORK WILL INVOLVE BUILDING AN 11-METRE WIDE CARRIAGEWAY AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORK.

IN ADDITION, THE EXISTING ON FU ROAD WILL BE RE-ALIGNED.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, PWD.

------o-------

LUNAR NEW YEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ******

EXTRA BUS SERVICES WILL OPERATE DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE AND THE HOURS OF OPERATION WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED.

THE +STAR+ FERRY WILL RUN ALL NIGHT ON NEW YEAR’S EVE BETWEEN CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI WHILE THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY WILL EXTEND SOME OF ITS SERVICES UNTIL AT LEAST 2.30 A.M. ON NEW YEAR’S DAY.

TRAM SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED INTO THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING ON NEW YEAR’S DAY IF NECESSARY.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) ADVISED MOTORISTS THAT CONGESTION IS EXPECTED IN CAUSEWAY BAY DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD AND URGED THEM NOT TO TRAVEL IN THE AFFECTED AREA UNLESS THEIR JOURNEY IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

HE URGED PEOPLE WISHING TO GO TO THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND FLOWER MARKETS ELSEWHERE TO TRAVEL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED AWAY BY THE POLICE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

A NUMBER OF ROADS IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE CLOSED OR DIVERTED ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE AND WHERE THESE OCCUR THERE WILL EITHER BE TRAFFIC SIGNS OR TRAFFIC POLICEMEN TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

THE HING FAT STREET CAR PARK WILL BE RESERVED FOR GOODS VEHICLES FROM 19 A.M. TODAY (FRIDAY) TO 6 A.M. ON SUNDAY.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1979

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS AT SHA TIN FOR CHE KUNG FESTIVAL ****** ■ *»•

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN SHA TIN TO COPE WITH THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF WORSHIPPERS EXPECTED TO VISIT THE CHE KUNG TEMPLE OVER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SHA TIN, MR. GERRY HIGGINSON, UP TO 100,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO VISIT THE TEMPLE WITH AT LEAST HALF OF THEM ON THE THIRD DAY OF THE NEW YEAR WHEN THE FESTIVAL REACHES ITS PEAK.

HE SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENT WORKS TAKING PLACE IN THE AREA, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE WORKED OUT SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE WORSHIPPERS.

♦A ONE-WAY CIRCULATION SYSTEM WILL BE PROVIDED FOR PEDESTRIANS WHO WILL BE DIRECTED TO USE THE ACCESS TRACK FROM THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD EAST OF THE SHING MUN RIVER TO ENTER THE TEMPLE,+ MR. HIGGINSON EXPLAINED.

♦THE PEDESTRIANS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE TEMPLE BY USING THE FOOTBRIDGE LEADING TO TAI WAI VILLAGE,+ HE ADDED.

ONLY FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP ON THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD. PARKING FACILITIES WILL BE VERY LIMITED BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE CONSTRUCTION WORKS GOING ON IN THE AREA.

THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY WILL ARRANGE ADDITIONAL BUS SERVICES FOR THE FOLLOWING THREE ROUTES TO MEET THE EXPECTED HEAVY DEMAND!

* NO. 70 — FROM JORDAN ROAD TO SHEUNG SHU I VIA LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD

* NO. 72 — FROM TAI PO MARKET TO TAI KOK TSUI FERRY VIA TAI WAI

* NO. 89 — FROM KWUN TONG (YUE MAN SQUARE) TO LEK YUEN ESTATE VIA LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD

VISITORS TO THE TEMPLE ARE THEREFORE STRONGLY ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND, IN VIEW OF THE HEAVY TRAFFIC FLOW, THEY ARE ALSO REQUESTED TO USE THE SUBWAY WHEN CROSSING THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.

MR. HIGGINSON APPEALED TO ALL WORSHIPPERS TO TAKE SPECIAL CARE WHEN BURNING JOSS STICKS TO REDUCE FIRE HAZARDS AND WARNED HAWKERS THAT IT WOULD BE HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO SELL HYDROGEN-FILLED BALLOONS, WHICH WERE LIABLE TO EXPLODE, AROUND THE TEMPLE.

--------0

/11 .....

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1979

SIX MAXICAB ROUTES

* * * *

THE FIVE MAXICAB ROUTES SERVING MAINLY STANLEY, CHUNG HOM KOK AND CHAI WAN WILL BE COMBINED INTO FOUR ROUTES FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING.

in AnniTION TWO NEW MAXICAB ROUTES WILL OPERATE FROM THE CHAI WAN TeSpOMRY MUS™ AREA TO HING WAR ESTATE AND TO 0 RUI LUNS.

THE NEW SERVICES WILL START TOMORROW WITH FARES RANGING FROM 50 CENTS TO $1.

THE REASON WHY THE MAX I CABS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE CHAI WAN TEMPORARY AREA IS BECAUSE BUSES ARE NOT ABLE TO SERVE THE AREA DUE TO ROAD RESTRICTIONS.

- - 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1979

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

RECORD FISH SALES ................................... 1

PLEASURE CRUISE - THE SAFE WAY ...................... 2

HEADWAY MADE IN RESEARCH ON IMMIGRATION MATTERS .. 3

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN TUNG CHUNG .......... 4

FIRING PRACTICE ..................................... 4

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1979

- 1 -

RECORD FISH SALES * * * *

ALMOST 90,000 TONNES OF FISH VALUED AT $350 MILLION WERE SOLD THROUGH THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION LAST YEAR.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES AND MARKETING) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR. ALEX MURRAY SAID, THIS WAS +A REMARKABLE RECORD IN THE HISTORY OF THE F.M.O.+

ALTHOUGH THE WEIGHT WAS AN INCREASE OF ONLY ONE PER CENT OVER 1977, THE INCREASE IN VALUE WAS UP MORE THAN 12 PER CENT.

MR. MURRAY MADE THE OBSERVATIONS AT THE F.M.O.’S ANNUAL PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY AT THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET TODAY (SATURDAY).

HE SAID THE PRODUCTION OF LIVE MARINE FISH IN 1978 WAS 650 TONNES, AN INCREASE OF 16 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

+IN AN ATTEMPT TO HELP THE INDUSTRY TO DEVELOP IN AN ORDERLY MANNER, GOVERNMENT IS ACTIVELY CONSIDERING LEGISLATION TO PROTECT AND CONTROL ITS DEVELOPMENT,♦ SAID MR. MURRAY.

DURING THE CEREMONY, MRS. J.M. RIDDELL-SWAN, WIFE OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, PRESENTED AWARDS TO 24 CHAMPION FISHERMEN AND TO EIGHT OTHER FISHERMEN WHO SAVED 369 LIVES AT SEA.

ONE FISHERMAN, LAW SHU-KAN OF SHAU KEI WAN HAD RESCUED 303 PEOPLE FROM A SINKING BOAT NEAR TAI CHAU, HAINAN ISLAND, ON AUGUST 26. ANOTHER, LAI SHING-TAK OF TSUEN WAN, RESCUED FOUR PEOPLE FROM A SINKING PLEASURE BOAT OFF TSI NG LUNG TAU.

MR. MURRAY SAID THAT LAST YEAR, 157 LOANS AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $7.4 MILLION WERE MADE TO FISHERMEN.

♦TO ENABLE YOU TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AND THE BEST YIELDS, I MUST POINT OUT THAT IN YOUR OWN INTEREST AND FOR THE SAKE OF SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY, YOU SHOULD CONFORM IN THE BUILDING AND FITTING OF YOUR FISHING VESSELS TO THE TECHNICAL ADVICE PROVIDED BY THE STAFF OF THIS DEPARTMENT. BE RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE WHERE IT IMPROVES YOUR OPERATION AND PROVIDES YOU WITH A BETTER INCOME,♦ HE SAID.

0 --------

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1979

2 -

PLEASURE CRUISE - THE SAFE WAY

******

GOING OUT ON A CRUISE ON A MOTORISED PLEASURE CRAFT IS FUN, BUT IT MAY END IN TRAGEDY IF THE BOAT IS NOT MANNED BY A QUALIFIED PERSON.

AND THIS IS WHY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS REMINDING BOATING ENTHUSIASTS THAT EVEN THE SMALLEST VESSEL, IF FITTED WITH OR CARRYING AN ENGINE, IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE LICENSED AND OPERATED BY A PERSON HOLDING A LOCAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY AS MASTER AND ENGINEER.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID CANDIDATES FOR THESE CERTIFICATES SHOULD APPLY IN PERSON TO THE RUMSEY STREET MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUILDING, ROOM 1043, 10TH FLOOR, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, BRINGING WITH THEM THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS. AND THREE PASSPORT-SI ZE PHOTOGRAPHS.

SYLLABUSES ARE PROVIDED ON PAYMENT OF THE EXAMINATION FEE, WHICH COSTS 1100. CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL MASTER CERTIFICATES WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO TAKE AN EYESIGHT TEST.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT CURRENTLY EXAMINATIONS HAD TO BE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF APPLICATION DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES.

BUT HE ADDED THE DEPARTMENT WAS DOING ALL IT COULD TO DEAL WITH THE BACKLOG BY RECRUITING MORE STAFF AND WORKING OVERTIME.

♦COURSES LEADING TO THE EXAMINATION OF COMPETENCY AS PLEASURE BOAT MASTERS OR ENGINEERS ARE CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

CURRENTLY 39,166 MASTER AND 17,727 ENGINEER CERTIFICATES HAVE BEEN ISSUED IN RESPECT OF COMMERCIAL, FISHING AND PLEASURE CRAFT.

PLEASURE CRAFT LICENSED IN HONG KONG TOTALLED 3,350 AT THE END OF NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH 2,841 IN 1977 AND 2,508 IN 1976.

♦IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING POPULARITY IN BOATING, WE URGE PLEASURE CRAFT OWNERS AND OPERATORS TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO MAKE IT A SAFE AND PLEASANT CRUISE AND TO AVOID UNNECESSARY LOSS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE WARNED THAT IMPROPER OPERATING AND HANDLING OF PLEASURE CRAFT MAY LEAD TO SUCH ACCIDENTS AS COLLISION, FOUNDERING, STRANDING AND FIRE.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH ONLY TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND SEVEN OTHERS INJURED IN ACCIDENTS REPORTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, MANY OTHERS MIGHT HAVE BEEN INJURED IN SIMILAR ACCIDENTS WHICH WENT UNREPORTED.

/he sud.......

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1979

HE SAID SAFETY ADVICE TO PLEASURE CRAFT OWNERS AND OPERATORS WAS CONTAINED IN THE BOOKLET +SAFETY AFLOAT* WHICH IS A CODE OF SAFE PRACTICE FOR OPERATORS OF SMALL CRAFT.

THE BOOKLET IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE ENQUIRY COUNTER OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT 102 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED PLEASURE CRAFT OPERATORS TO INFORM THEIR RELATIVES OR FRIENDS OF THEIR DESTINATION AND EXPECTED TIME OF RETURN BEFORE CASTING OFF.

♦THIS WILL HELP NARROW THE SEARCH AREA IN CASE THEY FAIL TO RETURN ON TIME,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

IN ADDITION, HE SAID, ALL PLEASURE VESSELS ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY CERTAIN LIFE-SAVING AND FIRE-FIGHTING APPLIANCES DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH OF THE VESSEL.

------0-------

HEADWAY MADE IN RESEARCH ON IMMIGRATION MATTERS

X X X M X X

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S OPERATIONAL RESEARCH SECTION IS MAKING HEADWAY IN BUILDING UP AN INFORMATION POOL AS A BACK-UP SERVICE TO ITS OPERATIONAL GROUPS TACKLING THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND OTHER PROBLEMS.

STARTED IN 1976, THE SECTION HAS COMPILED ABOUT 50,0Q0 INDICES ON UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS ON THE DEPARTMENT’S REMOVAL OR STOP LISTS, FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENT RACKETEERS, OVERSTAYERS, AS WELL AS NOTORIOUS TRAVEL AGENCIES.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: +THE INDICES PROVIDE AN EASY REFERENCE FOR OUR OFFICERS WHO WISH TO OBTAIN BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL OR A FIRM ON OUR INDICES OR TO TRACE A PERSON’S WHEREABOUTS.*

INFORMATION FOR THESE INDICES ARE FED IN FROM OTHER OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT, PARTICULARLY THOSE INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATION WORK AND IN IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS.

ANOTHER SOURCE IS OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT WHICH INCLUDES THE POLICE, AND OVERSEAS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

THE INFORMATION COLLECTED IS THEN STUDIED BY EXPERIENCED OFFICERS IN THE SECTION WHO WILL PLOT OUT THE TREND OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AS WELL AS TRAVEL DOCUMENT FORGERIES.

THE RESULTS OF THESE STUDIES FORM THE BASIS OF THE INDEX SYSTEM AND MAY PINPOINT THE AREAS THAT MIGHT REQUIRE MORE ATTENTION OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS IN THE INVESTIGATION OFFICE AS WELL AS VARIOUS EXIT CONTROL POINTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦ACCESS TO THESE RESULTS IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO THE POLICE, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, AS WELL AS OVERSEAS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES UNDER INTELLIGENCE EXCHANGE ARRANGEMENTS,* HE SAID.

------0-------

/4.....

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1979 - 4 -

REGISTRATION TEAM TO OPERATE IN TUNG CHUNG * * * *

A TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WILL OPERATE FROM THE TUNG CHUNG PUBLIC SCHOOL ON LANTAU ISLAND ON FEBRUARY 2-3.

REGISTRATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. DAILY.

PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND

AREA ARE REMINDED

OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY

~ _ 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.

FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS

o ---------

FIRING PRACTICE * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON TWO DAYS NEXT WEEK.

THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE.

THE PRACTICE TIMES AREi

DATE HOURS

THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 1) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 2) 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

----o----

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 1979

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

USEFUL POINTERS FOR PARENTS ...................... . 1

WARNING ON HOME EXPERIMENT

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 1979

USEFUL POINTERS FOR PARENTS *****

A 35-YEAR-OLD MONG KOK HOUSEWIFE IS A MUCH HAPPIER WOMAN TODAY BECAUSE SHE NOW KNOWS ALL THE DO’S AND DON’TS IN COMMUNICATING WITH HER SIX-YEAR-OLD SON WHO, IN HER OWN WORDS, +IS A SELFISH AND SELF-CENTRED CHILD*.

THIS ALL CAME ABOUT AFTER SHE VISITED THE +RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD EXHIBITION* AT OCEAN TERMINAL LATE LAST YEAR DURING WHICH SHE DISCUSSED HER CHILD’S PROBLEM WITH THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION OFFICERS THERE AND OBTAINED ALL THE USEFUL POINTERS TO GUIDE HER CHILD AWAY FROM HIS BAD BEHAVIOUR.

THIS HOUSEWIFE IS JUST ONE OF MANY PARENTS WHO HAVE SOUGHT ADVICE ON THEIR +PROBLEM CHILDREN* AT THE EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AS PART OF THE CURRENT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.

JUST HOW MANY SUCCESSFUL CASES RESULTED FROM THE EXHIBITION WOULD BE A PREMATURE ASSESSMENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

BUT THE NEED FOR SUCH COUNSELLING CAN BE GAUGED BY THE FACT THAT THE EXHIBITION SUBSEQUENTLY HELD AT TWO OTHER LOCATIONS ATTRACTED MORE THAN 70,000 PEOPLE.

APART FROM THE EXHIBITION, THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ALSO EMBRACES A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER ACTIVITIES — VARIETY SHOWS, CARNIVALS, CAMPS, PICNICS, ESSAY AND QUIZ CONTESTS.

DEBATES AND SEMINARS ARE ALSO REGULARLY HELD. TO DATE, THESE HAVE ATTRACTED WELL OVER 265,000 PEOPLE.

COMMENTING ON THE CAMPAIGN’S RESPONSE, THE PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR, WS. HENREITTA CHEN OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID IT HAD BEEN MOST ENCOURAGING.

+MORE PEOPLE ARE NOW AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING A HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS. THIS CAN BE SEEN FROM THE ARTICLES WRITTEN TO THE MEDIA BY PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND ALSO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY HAVE DONATED TOWARDS THE CAMPAIGN,* SHE SAID.

LAST YEAR, THE DONATION AMOUNTED TO MORE THAN $40,000.

♦FURTHERMORE, THE FILMS, SLIDES AND EXHIBITS PRODUCED BY OUR DEPARTMENT ARE IN GREAT DEMAND. THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN HEAVILY BOOKED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SCHOOLS AND WELFARE ORGANISATIONS.

♦TO PROVIDE VOLUNTEERS WITH MORE KNOWLEDGE ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF FAMILY LIFE AS WELL AS THE TECHNIQUES OF PROMOTING FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, PLANS ARE IN HAND TO ORGANISE COURSES FOR THEM,+ SHE SAID.

♦LAST YEAR, A TRAINING COURSE WAS ARRANGED FOR ABOUT 80 VOLUNTARY WORKERS,♦ SHE ADDED.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS SPENT MORE THAN $700,000 SINCE THE FIRST PHASE OF THE CAMPAIGN STARTED LAST YEAR.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 1979

2 -

WARNING ON HOME EXPERIMENT

*****

LEARNING SCIENCE IS NO LONGER CONFINED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE CLASSROOM AND THE LABORATORY — MANY YOUNG STUDENTS ARE CARRYING OUT SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS AT HOME.

BECAUSE OF THIS CHANGING TREND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS REMINDING STUDENTS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT PERFORM POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS EXPERIMENTS OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL LABORATORY FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR OWN AS WELL AS PUBLIC SAFETY.

♦THE ONLY PROPER PLACE FOR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS EXPERIMENTS IS THE SCHOOL SCIENCE LABORATORY WITH QUALIFIED SUPERVISORY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

SCIENCE CURRICULA FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS HAVE UNDERGONE MANY CHANGES IN RECENT YEARS AND MUCH GREATER EMPHASIS IS NOW PLACED ON DEVELOPING A SPIRIT OF ENQUIRY AMONG STUDENTS.

+PUPILS ARE ENCOURAGED TO STUDY THE REAL WORLD AROUND THEM AND TO ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE THROUGH SIMPLE EXPERIMENTS FOR THEMSELVES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

BUT IF STUDENTS ARE TO CARRY OUT SIMPLE EXPERIMENTS ON THEIR OWN OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL THEY SHOULD FIRST ASK THEIR TEACHERS FOR ADVICE, HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID TEACHERS MUST MAKE SURE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS EXPERIMENTS WHICH INVOLVE DANGEROUS CHEMICALS OR WHICH MAY GENERATE VIOLENT REACTION, SHOULD NOT BE PERFORMED BY STUDENTS AT HOME.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT EXPERIMENTS OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL ARE MADE MORE COMMON BECAUSE MANY LABORATORY APPARATUS AND CHEMICALS CAN BE PURCHASED LOCALLY.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF MISHANDLED EXPERIMENTS AT HOME COULD BE DISASTROUS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

TWO YOUTHS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED LAST MONTH IN TWO EXPLOSIONS WHILE CARRYING OUT CHEMICAL EXPERIMENTS AT HOME.

♦SUCH YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT ONLY DOING HARM TO THEMSELVES. THEY MAY ALSO ENDANGER THE LIVES OF THEIR RELATIVES AND NEIGHBOURS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MERCHANDISE COUNTERFEITING CHECKED .................

SWD PROCESSED 421 LEGAL ADOPTION CASES LAST FISCAL' YEAR ...............................................

INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE NEARING COMPLETION .......

TWO MORE COMMUNITY HALLS FOR PUBLIC ESTAT-S ........

SPECIAL CHINESE ORCHESTRAL CONCERT FOR SPRING FESTIVAL ...........................................

SEMINARS FOR YOUNG JOB SEEKERS .....................

LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME ...........................

TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING .................................

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1979

MERCHANDISE COUNTERFEITING CHECKED *****

THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT IS SUCCEEDING IN CLAMPING DOWN ON MERCHANDISE COUNTERFEITING ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.

THIS IS INDICATED BY THE INCREASED NUMBER OF CONVICTIONS FOR SUCH OFFENCES AND THE VALUE OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS SEIZED AND CONFISCATED IN 1978 COMPARED WITH THE AVERAGE ANNUAL FIGURES FOR THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS.

DURING LAST YEAR, THE MERCHANDISE MARKS INVESTIGATION UNIT OF THE TRADE INVESTIGATION BRANCH CARRIED OUT 220 INVESTIGATIONS. OF THESE 60 HAVE RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS UNDER THE MERCHANDISE MARKS ORDINANCE AND SOME 25 PROSECUTIONS ARE PENDING.

THE VALUE OF FALSELY-MARKED GOODS SEIZED LAST YEAR AMOUNTED TO $2.7 MILLION AND THE COURT FINES WERE SOME $540,000.

FOUR MANUFACTURERS WERE JAILED FOR FORGING THE TRADE MARK OF A WELL-KNOWN SWISS WATCH-MAKER, IMITATING THE BRAND NAME OF A WORLD FAMOUS ELECTRICAL PRODUCT, AND FRAUDULENTLY LABELLING LOCAL-MADE GARMENTS AS BEING OF FOREIGN ORIGIN.

A TIE MANUFACTURER WAS FINED $200,000 AND GIVEN A FOUR-MONTH SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCE FOR ILLEGALLY LABELLING HIS GOODS WITH THE WORDS +PARIS+ AND +FRANCE+.

HEAD OF THE UNIT, CHIEF INDUSTRY OFFICER LEUNG YAU-YAM SAID THE FIGURES COMPARED FAVOURABLY WITH THE ANNUAL AVERAGE IN THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS DURING WHICH ABOUT 50 CONVICTIONS A YEAR WERE RECORDED AND FINES IMPOSED AMOUNTED ONLY TO ABOUT $250,000 A YEAR.

MR. LEUNG SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL FACTORS INDICATING THIS ENCOURAGING TREND.

♦ FOR EXAMPLE MORE PEOPLE ARE NOW AWARE OF OUR SERVICE AND ARE REPORTING SUSPECTED COUNTERFEITING.

♦ WE ALSO HAVE CLOSE LINKS WITH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS WHICH REFER COMPLAINTS TO US. BUT MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, WE HAVE IMPROVED OUR INVESTIGATIVE METHODS,+ ffi. LEUNG SAID.

♦ A REWARD SCHEME, JOINTLY OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT, THE SWISS WATCH INDUSTRY INFORMATION CENTRE AND TWO MAJOR JAPANESE WATCH MANUFACTURERS, HAS RESULTED IN MORE INFORMATION AND THEREFORE, MORE SEIZURES OF FAKE WATCHES.

♦ UNDER THIS SCHEME, CASH REWARDS ARE GIVEN TO INFORMERS WHO SUPPLY INFORMATION LEADING TO THE SEIZURE OF FAKE WATCHES OR THE CONVICTION OF THE COUNTERFEITERS.♦

/MR. LiUMG.....

2 -

MONDAY, JANUABY 29, 1979

MR. LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE TWO MAIN CATEGORIES MERCHANDISE COUNTERFEITING — COPYING A REGISTERED TRADE MARK APPLYING A FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENT AS TO QUANTITY, IGHT, COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION.

♦ A COUNTERFEITING OFFENCE IS COMMITTED IF WE CAN PROVE THAT

THE MERCHANDISE IN QUESTION IS NOT PRODUCED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE STATED BRAND NAME OR IT IS ESTABLISHED THE ITEM DOES NOT ANSWER ITS TRADE DESCRIPTIONS,* SAID MR. LEUNG.

HE ALSO SAID THE DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING A MAJOR REVIEW OF THE EXISTING MERCHANDISE MARKS ORDINANCE TO GIVE CONSUMERS BETTER PROTECTION AGAINST COUNTERFEITING AND FALSE DESCRIPTIONS.

-----o------

/3......

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1979

SWD PROCESSED 421 LEGAL ADOPTION CASES LAST FISCAL YEAR ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE ADOPTION UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PROCESSED 421 LEGAL ADOPTION CASES LAST FISCAL YEAR — ABOUT 15 PER CENT MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

OF THESE, 41 WERE ADOPTED CHILDREN MATCHED TO APPLICANTS BY THE UNIT AND 380 BY PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT WITH THE CHILDREN’S PARENTS.

MRS. IRENE SIH, HEAD OF THE UNIT, SAID THE INCREASE COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO SEVERAL FACTORSi

ft HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE BECOMING MORE OPEN-MINDED AND WILLING TO ADOPT CHILDREN,

ft MORE PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE ADOPTION UNIT, AND

ft THE INCREASE IN DIVORCES AND RE-MARRIAGES IS LEADING TO THE NECESSITY OF LEGALISING THE STATUS OF STEP-CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY.

EXPLAINING THE ADOPTION PROCEDURE, MRS. SIH SAID INTENDING APPLICANTS MUST BE LEGALLY MARRIED, AGED AT LEAST 25 OR IN THE CASE OF A RELATIVE, AGED 21, AND BE IN GOOD HEALTH.

THE APPLICANTS SHOULD POSSESS SUFFICIENT INCOME TO SUPPORT THE CHILD AND TO MAKE REASONABLE PROVISION FOR THE CHILD’S FUTURE. PREFERENCE WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE CHINESE APPLICANTS AND TO THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO HAVE CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN.

APPLICATIONS ARE PROCESSED BY AN OFFICER OF THE UNIT WHO WOULD CONDUCT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INCLUDING HOME VISITS TO ASSESS THE APPLICANTS’ MOTIVATION AND CAPABILITY AS ADOPTIVE PARENTS.

IF THE APPLICANTS SUCCEED IN FULFILLING THESE REQUIREMENTS, A CHILD AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION IS THEN PLACED UNDER THEIR TEMPORARY CARE AND CUSTODY FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS.

DURING THIS PERIOD, OFFICERS OF THE UNIT WILL VISIT THE CHILD AND HIS ADOPTIVE PARENTS TO ASSESS THE PROGRESS OF ADAPTABILITY.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MAKING OF THE ADOPTION ORDER WILL BE MADE TO COURT AFTER THE MINIMUM INITIAL PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS IF THE ADOPTION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE CHILD’S BEST INTEREST.

ADOPTIONS BY COURT ORDERS ENABLE AN ADOPTED CHILD TO ENJOY ALL THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AS THE ADOPTER’S OWN CHILD AND IT IS THE ONLY FORM OF LEGAL ADOPTION IN HONG KONG AFTER CHINESE CUSTOMARY ADOPTION BECAME OBSOLETE IN 1972.

--------0----------

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1979

INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE NEARING COMPLETION ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE STRUCTURAL WORK FOR THE TWO-STOREY INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE, THE MAJOR SORTING OFFICE FOR HANDLING INTERNATIONAL MAIL TO AND FROM HONG KONG, IS NEARLY 75 PER CENT COMPLETE.

MR. PATRICK LEE, SENIOR ARCHITECT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, SAID THE WORK WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST.

+THE MAIL CENTRE IN HUNG HOM NEAR KOWLOON RAILWAY STATION,* HE SAID, +WILL OCCUPY AN AREA OF 7,300 SQUARE METRES AND WILL ACCOMMODATE A 600 SQUARE-METRE MAIL SORTING AREA.*.

THERE WILL BE LOADING PLATFORMS TO RECEIVE MAIL BY RAIL, SEA AND ROAD AS WELL AS SPECIALISED SECURITY AREAS.

♦PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR INSURED PARCEL HANDLING AND STORAGE AREAS, RECEPTION AND DELIVERY OF REGISTERED ARTICLES, AS WELL AS SPECIALISED STOREROOMS AND A WORKSHOP,* MR. LEE ADDED.

THE BUILDING WILL BE AIR-CONDITIONED AND THERE WILL ALSO BE A DINING ROOM, A REST ROOM AND RECREATION ROOM FOR STAFF.

THE MOST UP-TO-DATE AUTOMATIC MAIL SORTING EQUIPMENT COSTING $22 MILLION WILL BE INSTALLED TO HANDLE THE INNUMERABLE ARTICLES OF MAIL WHICH WILL PASS THROUGH IT EACH YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF PWD SAID INSTALLATION OF THIS EQUIPMENT WAS EXPECTED TO START IN MID-MARCH AND TRIALS WERE LIKELY LATE NEXT YEAR.

PLANS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TO EXTEND THE RAILWAY FROM THE STATION TO THE CENTRE TO HANDLE MAIL FROM CHINA.

FOUR BERTHS WILL ALSO BE BUILT AT THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE SITE TO ACCOMMODATE BOATS WITH SEAMAIL TO AND FROM HONG KONG.

-------0--------

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1979

- 5 -

TWO MORE COMMUNITY HALLS FOR PUBLIC ESTATES ******

TWO MORE COMMUNITY HALLS WILL BE OPENED SHORTLY AND ANOTHER IWO ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF PROVIDING A COMMUNITY HALL FOR EVERY PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WITH A POPULATION BETWEEN 20,000 AND 50,000.

THE COMMUNITY HALLS AT TAI HING IN TUEN MUN AND SHEK YAM IN KWAI CHUNG ARE IN FACT ALREADY OPERATING BUT THEIR OFFICIAL OPENING IS SCHEDULED FOR LATER THIS YEAR.

THE TWO OTHER COMMUNITY HALLS AT PAK TIN IN SHEK KIP MEI, AND WO CHE IN SHA TIN WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, SAID MR. LAM KWOK-WAN, THE PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE" OFFICER (OPERATION) OF THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

AT PRESENT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OPERATES SEVEN COMMUNITY HALLS AT LEI MUK SHUE, LAI KING, KWAI FONG, KWAI SHING, LEK YUEN, YUE WAN AND HING WAH ESTATES.

♦ A COMMUNITY HALL SERVES AS A FOCAL POINT FOR GROUP AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGE GROUPS IN A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AND PROVIDES A PLACE FOR RESIDENTS TO MEET AND PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES,+ HE EXPLAINED.

♦ THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN DIFFERENT KINDS OF ACTIVITIES, THE RESIDENTS MAY ENHANCE THEIR KNOWLEDGE, DEVELOP A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, CULTIVATE A SPIRIT OF MUTUAL HELP AND CO-OPERATION AND ENRICH THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE, HE CONTINUED.

THE RESPONSE TO THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED AT THE COMMUNITY HALLS ARE QUITE ENCOURAGING, PARTICULARLY THE EVENING PROGRAMMES.

♦ SINCE THE COMMUNITY HALLS ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF RESIDENTS, WE HOPE THEY WILL MAKE FULL USE OF THE FACILITIES,* MR. LAM ADDED.

A STANDARD COMMUNITY HALL COMPRISES A MULTI-PURPOSE ASSEMBLY HALL, A STAGE WITH TWO CHANGING ROOMS, AND A CONFERENCE ROOM.

THE ASSEMBLY HALL HAS A SEATING CAPACITY OF 350 AND CAN BE USED FOR INDOOR GROUP ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITIONS, BALL GAMES AND A VARIETY OF OTHER PROGRAMMES.

ALL THESE FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR LOAN BY LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS, SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.

- 0-------------

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1979

SPECIAL CHINESE ORCHESTRAL

N * *

CONCERT FOR SPRING FESTIVAL * * *

THE SEASONAL SPRING FESTIVAL THIS YEAR WILL BE MARKED BY A SPECIAL OPEN-AIR CONCERT OF CHINESE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC AT VICTORIA PARK ON FEBRUARY 11 — WHICH COINCIDES WITH THE LANTERN FESTIVAL.

THE CONCERT, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE, THE URBAN COUNCIL, EASTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION AND EASTERN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THOSE ATTENDING WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR SOME OF THE POPULAR CHINESE MUSIC PRESENTED IN A MANNER WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN ATTEMPTED BEFORE --- FOUR LOCAL ORCHESTRAS WILL EACH PLAY FROM A CORNER

OF THE GROUND TO PRODUCE A QUADRAPHONIC EFFECT.

CONDUCTING THE ORCHESTRAS, COMPRISING 250 MUSICIANS, WILL BE MR. TONG LEUNG-TAK, A WELL-KNOWN +ER-HU+ EXPERT.

+THE AIM OF THE CONCERT,+ SAID A MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE SPOKESMAN, +IS TO PROMOTE CHINESE MUSIC, TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE NEW YEAR AND TO PRESENT CHINESE MUSIC IN A DIFFERENT MANNER.♦

THE DAY’S PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDES SINGING BY FOUR LOCAL CHOIRS, CHINESE FOLK DANCES AND A LION DANCE.

FREE ADMISSION CARDS TO THE CONCERT, AT THE NO. 5 FOOTBALL PITCH OF VICTORIA PARK AT 2.30 P.M., ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE CITY HALL, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE (NINTH FLOOR, ARTS CENTRE), CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND ALL BRANCHES OF THE TOM LEE PIANO CO. LTD.

FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE PHONE 5-283257.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE ♦QUADRAPHON IC+ CONCERT OF CHINESE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC AT VICTORIA PARK ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE PARK’S NO. 5 FOOTBALL PITCH (OPPOSITE QUEEN’S COLLEGE) AT 2 P.M. OFFICERS FROM THE ORGANISING GROUPS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THEM.

- - 0 -

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1979

SEMINARS FOR YOUNG JOB SEEKERS

******

THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING A SERIES OF CAREER SEMINARS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT TO SEEK JOBS.

THE SEMINARS, TO BE HELD IN SIX DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, WILL START ON FEBRUARY 19 AND END IN MARCH.

MRS. ANGELA HO, A LABOUR OFFICER OF THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE, SAID 16 SEMINARS WOULD BE ORGANISED DURING THE PERIOD. MORE THAN 10,000 STUDENTS FROM 166 SCHOOLS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.

EACH SEMINAR WILL CONSIST OF FILM SHOWS, TALKS'AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS CHAIRED BY PROFESSIONALS AND SPECIALISTS IN COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND THE CIVIL SERVICE.

MRS. HO SAID THESE SEMINARS WERE AIMED AT PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON A WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS, SUCH AS TELECOMMUNICATION, SOCIAL WORK, HOTEL AND CATERING, BANKING, JOURNALISM, ADVERTISING, INSURANCE, TOURISM, NURSING AND ENGINEERING.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH, IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, PRISONS, PUBLIC WORKS, EDUCATION AND THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WILL ALSO TAKE PART.

♦ WE HOPE STUDENTS WILL GET SOME INSIGHT INTO WORKING CONDITIONS THROUGH DIRECT DISCUSSIONS WITH SPECIALISTS IN VARIOUS FIELDS,♦ NRS. HO SAID.

♦ DURING THE SEMINARS, THE SPECIALISTS WILL BE GIVING THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES, TRAINING FACILITIES AND JOB REWARDS. A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WILL FOLLOW.

♦ IN THIS WAY. THE STUDENTS WILL BECOME BETTER PREPARED WHEN THEY CHOOSE A CAREER,♦ SHE SAID.

MRS. HO ADDED THAT FOUR OF THE SEMINARS WERE DESIGNED, FOR THE FIRST TIME, FOR FORM 3 STUDENTS WHO MIGHT HAVE TO LEAVE SCHOOL ON COMPLETION OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR.

♦ THE THEME OF THESE FOUR SEMINARS WILL BE ON VOCATIONAL AND APPRENTICE TRAINING,+ SHE SAID.

INVITATION LETTERS, TOGETHER WITH ENROLMENT FORMS AND SEMINAR PROGRAMMES, HAVE BEEN SENT TO MANY SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

HEADS OF SCHOOLS WISHING TO HAVE THEIR STUDENTS TAKE PART IN THE SEMINARS SHOULD CONTACT THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE AT NEW RODNEY BLOCK, 99 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 5-281494).

------0-------

/8.....

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1979

LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME

******

THE 10 CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT-BASED CIVIC ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE ORGANISED A SERIES OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE PEOPLE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD.

THE PROGRAMMES, NUMBERING MORE THAN 50, WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE FIRST LUNAR MONTH.

THE NEW YEAR TREAT INCLUDES A GREAT VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TAILORED TO SUIT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND AGE GROUPS.

INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD DIRECT ENQUIRIES TO THE NEAREST CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.

- - 0 -

TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING

******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE SECTION OF FEI NGO SHAN ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE PRIVATE ROAD ♦CUSTOMS PASS+ TO ABOUT 580 METRES UPHILL WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY FROM 7 A.M. ON THURSDAY.

THIS TEMPORARY TWO-WAY ARRANGEMENT IS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVICE RESERVOIR AND ASSOCIATED PIPELINES IN FEI NGO SHAN.

THE ARRANGEMENT WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM 7 A.M. TO 6 P.M. DAILY AND WILL LAST FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

A MANUALLY-OPERATED TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCE CHARLES TO VISIT HK ............................ 1

HONG KONG TO HAVE MORE ROAD SIGNS ..................... 2

77 NEW BUILDINGS APPROVED IN DECEMBER ................. 3

TEACHERS LEARN BUDGETTING NEW SCIENCE CENTRE .......... 4

THURSDAY CLOSURE ...................................... 5

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES TO VISIT HK

******

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL BE IN HONG KONG FROM MARCH 3 TO 6. HE WILL VISIT THE 2ND KING EDWARD Vil’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES OF WHICH HE IS COLONEL-IN-CHIEF, AND CARRY OUT VARIOUS OTHER ENGAGEMENTS. >

DURING HIS VISIT, PRINCE CHARLES WILL MEET A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY AND SEE SOME OF HONG KONG’S MASSIVE NEW TOWN*DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

PRINCE CHARLES WILL MEET INFORMALLY WITH RESIDENTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AT A COMMUNITY RECEPTION AND WILL ALSO SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AT YUEN LONG WHERE STUDENTS WILL ACCORD HIM A SPECIAL WELCOME.

HE WILL VISIT SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO SEE THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS NOW UNDERWAY TO PROVIDE A SELF-CONTAINED TOWNSHIP FOR SOME 500,000 PEOPLE BY THE MID-EIGHTIES, AND TOUR A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.

FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, PRINCE CHARLES’ VISIT TO HONG KONG WILL TAKE ON ADDED SIGNIFICANCE AS HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL PRESENT THE SQUADRON STANDARD TO THE FORCE WHICH IT WAS AWARDED IN RECOGNITION OF ITS OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.

DURING HIS VISIT, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE NEW BRITISH FORCES HEADQUARTERS AT HMS TAMAR, AND WILL SPEND SOME TIME WITH THE 2ND GURKHAS.

BEFORE LEAVING ON MARCH 6, PRINCE CHARLES IS EXPECTED TO VISIT A TOY FACTORY WHERE HE WILL SEE SOME OF THE PRODUCTS AND MANUFACTURING PROCESSES WHICH HAVE HELPED ESTABLISH HONG KONG AS THE WORLD’S LEADING TOY EXPORTER.

o --------

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1979

HONG KONG TO HAVE MORE ROAD SIGNS ******

A NEW ROAD SIGN SYSTEM, AIMED AT INTRODUCING MORE SYMBOLIC SIGNS TO HONG KONG, IS UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY MR. ERIC WYATT, ENGINEER (TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT PLANNING) OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

HE SAID THE EXISTING ROAD TRAFFIC (ROAD AND SIGNS) REGULATIONS, THE PRINCIPAL REGULATION CONTROLLING TRAFFIC SIGNS, HAVE SOME 115 TRAFFIC SIGNS, INCLUDING THE 44 SYMBOLIC SIGNS INTRODUCED IN 1974.

+WHILE CONTRIBUTING GREATLY TOWARDS A MORE READILY UNDERSTOOD SYSTEM OF SYMBOLS, THESE SIGNS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT, AND MORE ARE REQUIRED IF A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF ROAD SYMBOLS DESIGNED TO bEET MODERN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IS TO BE REALISED,* MR. WYATT SAID.

♦ A PROPOSED SYSTEM PRESENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION CONSISTS OF ABOUT 90 SYMBOLIC SIGNS OF THE REGULATORY AND WARNING TYPE, 37 WORDED SIGNS CONSISTING MAINLY OF THE INFORMATORY TYPE BUT WITH SOME REGULATORY SIGNS, AND 27 SUPPLEMENTARY PLATES, WHICH ARE THOSE SIGNS USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A REGULATORY OR WARNING SIGN TO QUALIFY THE RESTRICTION OR WARNING AND TAKE THE FORM OF TIME PLATES, DISTANCE PLATES AND OTHERS.*

THE PRESENT SYSTEM IN HONG KONG, HE SAID, WAS IN THE MAIN BASED ON THE 1957 UK REGULATIONS.

♦ AS SUCH IT HAS SEVERAL DISADVANTAGES IN THAT, TO A LARGE EXTENT, IT RELIES ON WRITTEN MESSAGES AND AT THE SAME TIME HAS ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF SIGNS TO DESCRIBE THE NUMEROUS DIFFERENT HAZARDS THAT CAN OCCUR AND FOR WHICH DIFFERENT REACTIONS BY MOTORISTS ARE REQUIRED,* MR. WYATT SAID.

+SINCE 1974, THE 44 SYMOBLIC SIGNS INCLUDED IN THE REGULATION HAVE BEEN GRADUALLY INTRODUCED ONTO THE ROAD NETWORK BY REPLACING OLDER DAMAGED SIGNS OR AT LOCATIONS WHERE NEW ROAD SCHEMES HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT.*

IN GENERAL, THE SYMBOLIC-TYPE ROAD SIGNS HAVE THREE BASIC SHAPES, NAMELY, THE CIRCLE WHICH INSTRUCTS, THE TRIANGLE FOR WARNINGS, AND THE RECTANGLE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION.

THIS WILL ENABLE THE DRIVER TO RECOGNISE AT A DISTANCE THE TYPE OF SIGN AHEAD AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE NECESSARY ACTION WELL BEFORE THE ACTUAL SYMBOL CAN BE SEEN.

♦ THIS SYMBOLIC SYSTEM HAS NOW BEEN ADOPTED BY A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES, THE MAIN EXCEPTIONS BEING THOSE IN NORTH AMERICA, WHERE A LARGELY WORDED BASED SYSTEM IS USED,+ MR. WYATT SAID.

------0------

/3....

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1979

77 NEW BUILDINGS APPROVED IN DECEMBER *****

A TOTAL OF 77 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED LAST (DECEMBER) MONTH BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, COMPARED WITH 71 IN THE SAME MONTH IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

OF THESE, 26 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 23 FOR KOWLOON AND 28 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THEY INCLUDED PLANS FOR A CHURCH AND SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE IN 01 KWAN ROAD, HONG KONG, THREE SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES AND A NUMBER OF APARTMENT-COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.

THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED LAST MONTH AMOUNTED TO $194.42 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $170.26 MILLION IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED LAST MONTH AMOUNTED TO 187,974.8 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 126,025.6 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 61,949.2 SQUARE l*ETRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.

DURING THE MONTH, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 46 NEW PROJECTS, INCLUDING A YOUTH CENTRE BETWEEN MANSION STREET AND MODEL LANE, HONG KONG- AN AMENITIES BUILDING AND A MAINTENANCE BUILDING IN SASSOON ROAD WHICH FORM PART OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT, AND AN EXTENSION TO SOCIAL SERVICE AND COMMUNITY CENTRE IN WO YI HOP ROAD, NEW TERRITORIES.

A TOTAL OF 40 NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING THE MONTH, INCLUDING A PETROL FILLING STATION IN TAI PO ROAD, AN ELECTRICITY SUBSTATION IN BOUNDARY STREET AND A NUMBER OF WORKSHOP BUILDINGS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO ASSENTED TO THE DEMOLITION OF 71 BUILDINGS.

--------o

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1979

TEACHERS LEARN BUDGETTING IN NEW SCIENCE CENTRE

* * * * * K

TEACHERS ATTENDING THE NEW SCIENCE CENTRE ARE GETTING AN EXTRA LESSON IN ECONOMICS APART FROM LEARNING ABOUT TEACHING AIDS.

IN THE FIRST WORKSHOP WHICH STARTED IN NOVEMBER, 1978 IN THE CENTRE PARTICIPANTS ASSEMBLED SOLAR CELLS. THESE KITS COST MORE THAN $100 ON THE OPEN MARKET.

BUT IN THIS WORKSHIP RUN BY THE SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE THE PARTICIPANTS WERE TAUGHT TO PRODUCE SOLAR CELL KITS AT A MERE COST OF $10 — A PRICE WELL WITHIN REACH OF MOST STUDENTS.

IN POINTING OUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING AIDS IN MODERN TEACHING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE SAIDi +PROPERLY DESIGNED APPARATUS IS HALF WAY TO SUCCESS WHEN EXPLAINING TO STUDENTS INTRICATE CONCEPTS IN CERTAIN SCIENCE TOPICS.*

♦JUST TAKE THE SOLAR CELL KIT AS AN EXAMPLE,* HE SAID, +N0 MATTER HOW GREAT AN ORATOR HE IS, A TEACHER CAN NEVER CONVINCE OR MAKE HIS STUDENT UNDERSTAND THE EXISTENCE AND FUNCTION OF SOLAR ENERGY UNLESS THE STUDENT CAN PHYSICALLY SEE THIS PROCESS.*

TEACHERS ATTENDING THE WORKSHOP CAN ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WHOLE PROCESS OF PRODUCTION BY ASSEMBLING THE APPARATUS THEMSELVES AND, ABOVE ALL, KNOWING HOW TO CUT PRODUCTION COSTS BY SELECTING AND BUYING MATERIAL AT BUDGET PRICES FOR MASS PRODUCTION.

EACH WORKSHOP — FIVE HAVE BEEN ORGANISED SO FAR THIS YEAR — IS TAILORED TO COPE WITH THE SCHOOL SYLLABUS BOTH FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.

THE CENTRE, WHICH IS OPEN EVERY WEDNESDAY, WILL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MORE EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES TO CATER FOR MORE TEACHERS AND ENABLE THE PRODUCTION OF MORE SOPHISTICATED TEACHING AIDS IN FUTURE. REFRESHER COURSES, SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES ARE ALSO PLANNED.

THE WORKSHOP PROGRAMMES, HE SAID, WERE ALSO DESIGNED TO ENABLE TEACHERS TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN SCIENCE TEACHING SO THAT THEY CAN PASS THIS KNOWLEDGE TO FELLOW COLLEAGUES AND STUDENTS.

THE SCIENCE CENTRE, AT TANNER ROAD POLICE PRIMARY SCHOOL IN NORTH POINT, ALSO HELPED TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS AND BETWEEN SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STAFF OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CENTRE HAD SO FAR ATTRACTED ABOUT 90 TEACHERS AND LABORATORY TECHNICIANS TO THE FIRST FIVE WORKSHOP SESSIONS, AND ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER OF TEACHERS AND LABORATORY TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED IN THE FORTHCOMING SESSIONS. AT THE SAME TIME MORE THAN 133 SCHOOLS HAVE MADE ENQUIRIES AND SENT IN APPL(CATIONS.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1979

- 5 -

THURSDAY CLOSURE

* * * *

THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME OPERATED BY THE LAW SOCIETY AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN MONG KOK AND EASTERN WILL NOT OPEN ON THURSDAY.

THE TWO CITY DISTRICT OFFICES WILL CLOSE ITS DOORS AT 5.30 P.M. ON THAT DAY.

-----o------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SWD PAYS OUT $310 MILLION IN 1978 AS SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS .............................................. 1

SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR SWD’S JOB PLACEMENT UNIT......... 2

DECLARATION OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS .................... 3

OBJECTIONS TO PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE ................... 4

COVERED FOOTBRIDGE FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL ......... 5

AIRBORNE FIREFIGHTERS ................................. 6

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT PLANS STAFF INCREASES .......... 8

HONG KONG YOUTH ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM IN MACAU ......... 9

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1979 HK ARTS FESTIVAL GALA OPENING ............................................... 9

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1979

SWD PAYS OUT 5310 MILLION IN 1978 AS SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS * * * *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PAID OUT $310 MILLION AS SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TO THE NEEDY IN 1978 AMID CONTINUED EXPANSION IN OTHER FIELDS OF WELFARE SERVICES.

THE AMOUNT REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF $72 MILLION OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND WAS DISTRIBUTED AS NON-CONTRIBUTORY CASH GRANTS TO NEEDY FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS, THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED.

THE MONEY WENT TO 300,000 PEOPLE AS MEANS-TESTED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS NON-MEANS TESTED OLD AGE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY DIVISION.

MR. CHENG KWAN-KUEN, HEAD OF THE DIVISION, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT OF THE $310 MILLION, $184.1 MILLION WERE PAID OUT AS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, $79.4 MILLION AS OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND $45.3 MILLION AS DISABILITY ALLOWANCE.

MR. CHENG SAID PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A GUARANTEED INCOME TO NEEDY HOUSEHOLDS OR INDIVIDUALS ENABLING THEM TO MEET THE COST OF ESSENTIALS SUCH AS GOODS AND CLOTHING WITHOUT SUFFERING HARDSHIP.

OLD AGE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES, HE SAID, PROVIDE CASH ASSISTANCE ON TOP OF ANY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENT TO ENCOURAGE THE ELDERLY AND THE SEVERELY DISABLED TO REMAIN WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND AMONG THEIR FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS.

HE SAID HIS DIVISION’S 26 FIELD UNITS WERE HANDLING AROUND 47,000 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CASES, 128,000 OLD AGE ALLOWANCE CASES AND 21,000 DISABILITY ALLOWANCE CASES.

MR. CHENG SAID THAT OF THE 128,000 OLD AGE ALLOWANCE CASES, 58,500 WERE MADE BY APPLICANTS AGED BETWEEN 70 AND 74 YEARS AS A RESULT OF THE QUALIFYING AGE BEING REDUCED FROM 75 TO 70 ON OCTOBER 1 LAST YEAR.

HE ATTRIBUTED THE INCREASE IN LAST YEAR’S PAYMENTS TO THE SERIES OF IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES IN APRIL LAST YEAR WHICH PROVIDED NEW OR INCREASED BENEFITS.

THESE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT AND OLD-AGE SUPPLEMENT TO ELIGIBLE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS, AND THE EXTENSION OF THE OLD AGE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES TO PEOPLE LIVING IN INSTITUTIONS, HE SAID.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1979

SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR SWD’S JOB PLACEMENT UNIT

* * * *

DISABLED PEOPLE IN SEARCH OF OPEN'EMPLOYMENT HAVE CONTINUED TO TURN TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S JOB PLACEMENT UNIT FOR ASSISTANCE.

WITH 119 SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN JOBS FROM SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER, A TOTAL OF 396 DISABLED PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES HAVE FOUND WORK THROUGH THE UNIT LAST YEAR.

THIS BRINGS TO 3,395 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENTS SINCE THE DEPARTMENT SET UP THE UNIT IN 1967 AS AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY FOR THE DISABLED.

MR. CHAN SIU-WING. IN CHARGE OF THE UNIT, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) LAST YEAR’S FIGURE SHOWED A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR BECAUSE OF EMPLOYERS’ INCREASING ACCEPTANCE OF THE ABILITY OF THE DISABLED.

HE SAID MORE EMPLOYERS HAVE COME TO REALISE THAT DISABLED PEOPLE ARE RELIABLE WORKERS IF PLACED IN JOBS MATCHING THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND POTENTIALS.

+THIS HAS GREATLY FACILITATED OUR EFFORTS IN FINDING SUITABLE AND GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT FOR OUR CLIENTS,+ HE SAID.

MR. CHAN SAID THAT OF THE 396 PLACED IN JOBS LAST YEAR, 182 WERE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, 55 BLIND, 67 DEAF, 50 MENTALLY RETARDED, 38 EX-MENTAL PATIENTS, TWO EX-T.B. PATIENTS AND TWO EX-LEPERS.

THEY WERE GENERALLY ENGAGED IN THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL FIELDS AS MACHINE SEWING WORKERS, ASSEMBLERS AND LIFT OPERATORS WHILE OTHERS WERE EMPLOYED AS CLERKS, TYPISTS, MESSENGERS AND TELEPHONE OPERATORS, HE SAID.

THEY WERE PAID EITHER AT DAILY RATES RANGING FROM $20 TO $28 OR ON A MONTHLY BASIS BETWEEN $450 AND SI,100, HE ADDED.

MR. CHAN SAID HIS UNIT LAST YEAR SCORED AN UNUSUAL PLACEMENT BY MATCHING A PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED YOUNG PERSON TO A JOB WITH A MONTHLY SALARY OF $1,700 — THE HIGHEST PAY FOR A JOB FOUND FOR THE DISABLED BY THE UNIT.

+HE WAS HIRED IN JULY BY THE BANK OF CANTON IN CENTRAL AS AN ANALYSIS SUPERVISOR ANALYSING THE FINANCIAL DATA OF THE BANK AND ITS OVERSEAS BRANCHES,* HE SAID.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1979

DECLARATION OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS * * * *

IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS ARE REMINDED TO LODGE TRADE DECLARATIONS AND PAY AD VALOREM CHARGES ON ALL IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OTHER THAN GOODS EXEMPTED UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS WITHIN 14 DAYS OF IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WARNED THAT PROSECUTIONS WILL BE INITIATED AGAINST THOSE WHO, WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE, FAIL TO LODGE THE NECESSARY TRADE DECLARATIONS.

TRADE DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED OUTSIDE THE PRESCRIBED 14 DAYS WILL BE LIABLE, WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE, TO PENALTY CHARGES WHICH RISE AFTER TWO MONTHS TO A MAXIMUM OF $100 PER DECLARATION WHERE THE TOTAL VALUE OF ARTICLES SPECIFIED DOES NOT EXCEED $20,000 AND TO A MAXIMUM OF $200 PER DECLARATION WHERE THE TOTAL VALUE OF ARTICLES SPECIFIED EXCEEDS $20,000, HE SAID.

- 0 ---------

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1979

OBJECTIONS TO PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE * * * *

THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THEY SHOULD LODGE THEIR OBJECTIONS TO PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER THE DATE OF THE NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT.

THE TIME LIMIT ON CLAIMS FOR PROPERTY TAX REFUND IS 90 DAYS AFTER THE END OF THE RELEVANT YEAR OF ASSESSMENT OR AFTER THE NOTICE TO PROPERTY TAX IS GI VEN, WHICHEVER IS THE LATER.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID OBJECTIONS AND CLAIMS IN CONNECTION WITH OWNER-OCCUPIED PROPERTY AND UNOCCUPIED PREMISES SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE TIME LIMIT WILL BE EXTENDED IF THE COMMISSIONER IS SATISFIED THAT, OWING TO ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG, SICKNESS OR OTHER REASONABLE CAUSES, THE PEOPLE OBJECTING TO ASSESSMENTS AND CLAIMING FOR REFUNDS WERE PREVENTED FROM DOING SO WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIME.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID VACANCY CLAIMS CAN ALWAYS BE MADE WITHOUT SUPPORTING EVIDENCE TO MEET THE TIME LIMIT, BUT PROPERTY OWNERS, AGENTS AND OCCUPIERS OF DOMESTIC FLATS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO FORWARD SUCH EVIDENCE AS ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER BILLS TO SUPPORT THEIR CLAIMS.

FOR NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES, HE SAID, THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WOULD ISSUE VACANCY CERTIFICATES IN ALL APPROPRIATE CASES AND THESE FORMS MUST BE PRODUCED TO SUPPORT CLAIMS FOR PROPERTY TAX REFUND IN RESPECT OF VACANCY CLAIMS ON NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE ASSESSOR (PROPERTY TAX) OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT AT 5-761635, EXTENSIONS 31 TO 36, OR WRITE TO THE DEPARTMENT, G.P.O. BOX 132, HONG KONG.

ADVICE, IN PERSON, IS ALSO OBTAINABLE FROM INLAND REVENUE OFFICES AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 20TH FLOOR, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG- 664 NATHAN ROAD, FIRST rLOOR, REAR PORTION, KOWLOON- AND ON YUE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 132 TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET, NEw TERRITORIES.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 51, 1979

COVERED FOOTBRIDGE FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL * * * *

WORK ON THE COVERED FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, THE BIGGEST PROJECT OF ITS KIND UNDERTAKEN IN HONG KONG, IS NOw IN PROGRESS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SmID TODA'’ (WEDNESDAY): *PILING WORK, INVOLVING THE SINKING OF ABOUT kOO PILES, IS NEARLY COMPLETED.

♦QUITE A FEW COLUMNS TO SUPPORT THE MAIN ELEVATED WALKWAY HAVE BEEN BUILT AT THE WESTERN END OF THE FOOTBRIDGE NEAR GILMAN STREET.*

IN THE MEANTIME, EXCAVATION WORK FOR THE STAIRCASES AND ESCALATORS OUTSIDE THE INTERNATIONAL AND FIRE BRIGADE BUILDINGS ARE UNDERWAY.

A CASTING YARD, SET UP ON THE CENTRAL RECLAMATION WEST TO THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL, HAS STARTED PRODUCING BEAMS AND SLABS FOR THE FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM.

THE $14.4 MILLION SCHEME CONSISTS OF A 480-METRE-LONG ELEVATED WALKWAY RUNNING FROM PEDDER STREET TO GILMAN STREET AND TWO FOOTBRIDGES ACROSS CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.

TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT 12 COVERED ESCALATORS AND COVERED STAIRWAYS WILL BE PROVIDED.

THE FOOTBRIDGE, THE LONGEST IN HONG KONG, WILL PROVIDE A SAFE AND DIRECT PEDESTRIAN ACCESS BETWEEN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS AREA AND THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINALS WHEN COMPLETED IN THE SECOND HALF OF NEXT YEAR.

THE PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROJECT REPRESENTED ONLY 3ARr OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE’S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO PROVIDE PEDESTRIANS WITH A SAFE MEANS OF CROSSING THE ROAD.

♦AT PRESENT,* HE ADDED, +THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS 73 FOOTBRIDGES AND SUBWAYS I THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.*

OF THESE, 21 ARE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 23 IN KOWLOON AND 20 IN THE NE a TERP ITOR IES.

IN ADDITION, THERE ARE 44 OTHERS UNDER EARLY STAGES C-" PLANNING AND CONS IDER AT IC .

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED CUT THAT HCNG KONG NOW HA? - ”0T 131 FOOTBRIDGES AND SJBW’.YS — ON HONG KONG . ~

KOwLOON AND N - z , - .

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1979

AIRBORNE FIREFIGHTERS * * * *

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS TRAINING ITS PERSONNEL TO BECOME +AIRBORNE FIREFIGHTERS.*

BEING AIRLIFTED TO A FIRE SCENE, IN A ROYAL AIR FORCE OR AUXILIARY AIR FORCE HELICOPTERS, WILL GREATLY SHORTEN THE TIME IT TAKES TO ARRIVE AT DIFFICULT TERRAIN SO THAT ANY FIRE CAN BE QUICKLY STOPPED FROM SPREADING.

+THIS WILL DEFINITELY HELP REDUCE DAMAGE TO THE COUNTRYSIDE,* SAID MR. SING-LAI CHONG, COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER.

THE HELICOPTERS, APART FROM SHUTTLING FIREFIGHTERS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT TO A FIRE SCENE, WILL ALSO RUN +WATER BOMBING* MISSIONS.

+TO GET THE FULLEST BENEFITS, SPECIAL TRAINING SESSIONS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED TO PREPARE OUR FIRE CREWS FOR THE AIRBORNE OPERATIONS,* MR. CHONG SAID.

TRAINING INCLUDES SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN GETTING ON OR ALIGHTING FROM A HELICOPTER, THE MOST SPEEDY AND BEST WAY TO GET THE FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT.QN gOARD THE AIRCRAFT AND RADIO COMMUNICATION. $

THERE ARE NOW TWO 1O-MAN FIRE CREWS BASED AT EACH OF THE 10 CENTRES IN THE PLANTATION AND MANAGEMENT AREAS. THEY WILL BE CALLED OUT IMMEDIATELY BY THE KOWLOON HILLS FIRE CONTROL CENTRE WHEN THERE IS AN OUTBREAK OF FIRE.

THE CENTRE HAS REPORTS OF ALL OUTBREAKS OF HILL FIRES RELAYED TO IT BY FIELD TELEPHONE FROM FIRE WATCHERS AT FIRE LOOKOUTS.

MR. CHONG SAID THE FIRE LOOKOUTS ARE STRATEGICALLY LOCATED USUALLY ON HILLTOPS OVERLOOKING A LARGE AREA.

THERE ARE NOW 10 FIRE LOOKOUTS BUT THE NUMBER WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE AS MORE AND MORE COUNTRY PARKS ARE DESIGNATED.

SHOULD THE FIRE CREWS FIND OUT AT THE SCENE THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO COPE WITH THEIR FIRE BEATERS AND HAND-OPERATED PUMPS, THEY COULD USE THEIR WALKIE-TALKIES TO CONTACT THE CONTROL CENTRE AND ASK FOR REINFORCEMENT.

AT THIS STAGE, MR. CHONG EXPLAINED, THE CONTROL CENTRE WILL CALL IN FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL AND EVEN DEPLOY A HELICOPTER FROM SEK KONG TO CARRY OUT THE WATER BOMBINGS.

, PH3 “2LIC0PTSR....

ODNSSDAY, JANUAKY 31, 1979

- 7 -

THE HELICOPTER WILL GET THE WATER FROM THE RESERVOIR OR THE SEA NEAREST TO THE FIRE SCENE.

♦ THE RHKAAF HELICOPTER CAN CONVEY 80 TO 100 GALLONS OF WATER WHEREAS THE RAF WESSEX HELICOPTER CAN CARRY AS MUCH AS 250 TO 400 GALLONS.

+THE PILOT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A SENIOR FIELD OFFICER WHO WILL ADVISE HIM WHERE TO DROP WATER AS AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES PERSONNEL ARE EXPERTS IN FIGHTING HILL FIRES,* MR. CHONG SAID.

+WATER BOMBINGS WILL HELP REDUCE THE INTENSITY OF THE HEAT TO ALLOW OUR FIRE CREWS TO CONTROL THE FIRE,* HE ADDED.

IF THE FIRE BECOMES SERIOUS, THEN MEMBERS FROM THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, OR EVEN FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) MAY BE MOBILISED TO BACK UP THE FIRE CREWS AND FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL.

0---------

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1979

- 8 -

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT PLANS STAFF INCREASE * * * *

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IS TO TRAIN MORE ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS THIS YEAR IF FUNDS FOR THE STAFF INCREASE ARE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT FURTHER RECRUITMENT IS NEEDED TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING WORKLOAD IMPOSED ON THE SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT FROM OUTSIDE.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO MORE PEOPLE SEEKING PASSPORTS TO TRAVEL AND STUDY ABROAD, MORE TOURISTS VISITING HONG KONG AND AN ANTICIPATED FURTHER INCREASE IN TRAVEL FROM HONG KONG TO CHINA AND MACAU.

TO EXPEDITE IN-COMING ARRIVALS FROM OVERSEAS, THE NUMBER OF PASSENGER CLEARANCE COUNTERS WILL EE INCREASED AT KAI TAK AIRPORT.

TURNING TO THE TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +ALL NEW RECRUITS WILL HAVE TO UNDERGO A THREE-MONTH FULL-TIME INDUCTION COURSE.

+THE TRAINING IS COMPREHENSIVE, COVERING THE IMMIGRATION LAWS OF HONG KONG AND HOW TO ENFORCE THEM.

♦THEY WILL HAVE TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE TYPES OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND PROCEDURES TO DEAL WITH APPLICATIONS.+

THE COURSE INCLUDES VISA REGULATIONS, ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE PROCEDURES FOR IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE AT KAI TAK, MACAU WHARF AND LO WU, GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT, THE POWER OF ARRESTING AND DETAINING SUSPECTS, TAKING STATEMENTS AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM OF HONG KONG.

AFTER THEIR CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONS THE NEW RECRUITS ARE SENT OUT FOR FIELD TRAINING WITH ATTACHMENTS AT KAI TAK, MACAU WHARF AND LO WU WHERE THEY PERFORM DUTIES UNDER CLOSE SUPERVISION OF SENIOR OFFICERS.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED: +GENERALLY SPEAKING, AFTER SERVING AT THE PASSENGER CLEARANCE COUNTERS, THE YOUNG OFFICERS ARE USUALLY TRANSFERRED TO EITHER DOCUMENTS OR INVESTIGATION DIVISIONS TO ENABLE THEM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ('''MIGRATION DUTIES.+

IN THE DOCUMENTS DIVISION, THEY ARE TAUGHT HOW TO HANDLE VISA APPLICATIONS, PASSPORTS, NATURALISATION AND EXTENSIONS OF STAY.

THOSE SENT TO THE INVESTIGATION DIVISION ARE TRAINED IN THE TECHNIQUES FOR DEALING WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND FORGED PASSPORT HOLDERS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE ARE GOOD PROSPECTS OF PROMOTION TO IMMIGRATION OFFICER AND MORE SENIOR POSTS AFTER PASSING PROMOTION EXAMINATIONS AND GAINING THE NECESSARY EXPERIENCE.

----------------------------------------------------------------o - - - ---------------------------------/9 .................................

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1979

- 9 -

HONG KONG YOUTH ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM IN MACAU

* * * *

THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE ITS FIRST CONCERT IN MACAU EARLY NEXT MONTH.

THE 75 YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL EE LED BY THEIR CONDUCTOR, MR. DAVID JONES. THE ORCHESTRA WILL PERFORM AT MACAU’S CATHOLIC CENTRE ON FEBRUARY 2.

THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE +SPRING FESTIVAL OVERTURE* BY LEE WOON-CHI, +HENRY V SUITE* BY WILLIAM WALTON, +SYMPHONY NO. 1 IN C MAJOR* BY BALAKIREV AND *PROMENAD£ IN PORTUGAL* BY RUY COELHO.

FREE ADMISSION CARDS TO THE CONCERT ARE AVAILABLE AT LIVRARIA S. PAULO IN MACAU.

+THIS VISIT IS TO LET MEMBERS GAIN EXPERIENCE IN PERFORMING OUTSIDE HONG KONG SO AS TO BETTER EQUIP THEM FOR THEIR FORTHCOMING VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM IN AUGUST,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

--------0----------

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1979 HK ARTS FESTIVAL GALA OPENING *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED NEAR EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FOR REHEARSALS AND THE GALA OPENING OF THE 1979 HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.

THE SECTION OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF QUEEN’S PIER WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 8 A.M. ON FEBRUARY 3 TO 5 P.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY.

FROM 5 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT ON FEBRUARY 4, THE SECTION OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HARCOURT ROAD AND QUEEN’S PIER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.

IN ADDITION, THE TWO MAXICAB STANDS IN EDINBURGH PLACE EAST WILL BE RESITED TO LAMBETH WALK IN FRONT OF GAMMON HOUSE FROM 5 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT ON FEBRUARY 4.

FROM 8 A.M. TO MIDNIGHT ON FEBRUARY 4, PARKING SPACE NOS. 1-5 AND 8 ON THE GROUND FLOOR 0" T-E CITY HALL CAR PARK WILL BE ALSO CLOSED TO PUBLIC USE.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS a ILL EE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS

Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1979 - JAN - ENG