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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HK GROUP TO STUDY EUROPEAN LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEMS .......... 1

CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY TAKES NEW FORM ........................ 2

RECORD PASSENGER TRAFFIC TO CHINA DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD ......................................................... 2

KCR APPEALS TO PUBLIC ON SAFETY................................ 3

LAI CHI KOK MENTAL HOSPITAL ................................... 4

LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY EXAMINATION 1979 SUMMER SERIES .................................................. 5

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1979

HK GROUP TO STUDY EUROPEAN IGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEMS *******

A SIX-MAN TEAM, COMPRISING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND A CONSULTING ENGINEERING FIRM, LEFT FOR EUROPE TONIGHT (THURSDAY) TO STUDY THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEMS IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD.

DURING THEIR TWO-WEEK TOUR, THE DELEGATES FROM THE ISLAND CORRIDOR STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION STUDIES (ICSIS) TEAM WILL VISIT SWITZERLAND, WEST GERMANY AND HOLLAND.

LED BY DR. NIP KAM-FAN, GOVERNMENT HIGHWAYS ENGINEER OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THE TEAM COMPRISED MR. TSOH MING FROM PWD’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE- MR. J.P. WILSON FROM POLICE TRAFFIC HEADQUARTERS- MR. T.V. RUNNACLES FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT- MR. NIGEL WILSON OF THE MTRC AND MR. S. COVENTRY OF THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, MESSRS. MARTIN AND VOORHEES ASSOCIATES.

SPEAKING BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE, DR. NIP SAIDi +THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM PROPOSED FOR THE ISLAND CORRIDOR IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER TRANSPORT SYSTEM OPERATING’ IN HONG KONG TODAY.

+ALTHOUGH THE LRT SYSTEM IS DEVELOPED BY UPGRADING THE EXISTING TRAM SYSTEM, THE VEHICLES TO BE USED HAVE A MUCH HIGHER PERFORMANCE.

+THE SYSTEM MAY CARRY UP W) THREE TIMES THE NUMBER OF TRAM PASSENGERS DURING PEAK HOURS AND THE TRACK WOULD BE SEGREGATED FROM OTHER ROAD USERS FOR A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF ITS LENGTH.+

DR. NIP POINTED OUT THAT MOST LRT SYSTEMS OVERSEAS WERE DEVELOPED IN PLACES THAT HAD ALREADY OPERATED AN EXTENSIVE STREET TRAMWAY SYSTEM.

IN MANY CASES, HE SAID, THE STREET TRAMWAY HAD EVOLVED OVER TIME AND INCORPORATED A VARIETY OF OPERATING FEATURES INCLUDING ROLLING STOCK.

+THE LRT DESIGN WOULD THEREFORE HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE TECHNICAL COMPATIBILITY CONSTRAINTS INTERNAL TO THE OPERATING ORGANISATION AS WELL AS EXTERNAL OPERATING CONDITION,+ HE SAID.

♦EXTERNAL OPERATING CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG ARE AS SEVERE AS ANY CITY IN THE WORLD AND INCLUDE A VARIETY OF FEATURES THAT NO OTHER CITY EXPERIENCES IN QUITE THE SAME COMBINATION.

+IN VIEW OF THIS, THE PROPOSED LRT SYSTEM IS BEING PLANNED TO INCORPORATE A NUMBER OF PROVEN TECHNICAL FEATURES USED IN OTHER CITIES BUT NOT NECESSARILY IN THE SAME COMBINATION.*

DR. NIP SAID THE TEAM WILL PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO HOW DIFFERENT TYPES OF SEGREGATION HAD WORKED IN PRACTICE OR HOW A SIGNAL PRE-EMPTION SYSTEM HAD BEEN DESIGNED TO FACILITATE A FAST AND RELIABLE SERVICE WITHOUT CAUSING INCONVENIENCE TO OTHER ROAD USERS.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1979

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CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY TAKES NEW FORM

******

CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY (Cl) FOR OVERSEAS TRAVEL WILL BE ISSUED IN A NEW FORM FROM MARCH 5, THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, bR. R.G.B. BRIDGE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).

A NEW PROCESS WILL BE USED BY WHICH THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE HOLDER WILL BE ENGRAVED IN TWO PLACES IN THE DOCUMENT.

COMMENTING ON THE NEW STYLE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS DESIGNED TO MAKE IT +VERY DIFFICULT* FOR FORGERS TO ALTER THE DOCUMENT.

AS THESE NEW TRAVEL PAPERS WILL TAKE 10 WORKING DAYS TO PROCESS, THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED ALL TRAVELLERS REQUIRING THIS DOCUMENT TO APPLY WELL BEFORE THEY PLAN THEIR JOURNEY.

APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED AT IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICES AND IN THE CHINESE RESIDENTS SECTION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 14TH FLOOR, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING.

THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN THE FEE FOR THE ISSUE OF THE DOCUMENT.

RECORD PASSENGER TRAFFIC TO CHINA DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD *****

THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY MOVED 163,000 PEOPLE INTO CHINA DURING THE JANUARY 23-30 LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD. OF THESE 121,000 TRAVELLED BETWEEN JANUARY 26-30.

♦THE OVERALL FIGURES ARE THE HIGHEST RECORDED BY KCR IN ITS HISTORY AND REPRESENT AN INCREASE OF 23.5 PER CENT OVER THE 1978 FIGURES WHICH, BY ITSELF, WAS PREVIOUSLY THE ALL-TIME RECORD FIGURE,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR KCR SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

♦THE SPECIAL TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS AGREED WITH THE CANTON RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION WORKED EXCELLENTLY,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

HE SAID NOT ONLY WERE MORE TRAINS OPERATED THIS YEAR BUT, MORE IMPORTANT, THE CONNECTING TRAINS FROM SHUM CHUN TO CANTON STARTED MUCH EARLIER THAN IN PAST YEARS -- THE CONGESTION PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED IN THE EARLY MORNING AT LO WU WAS AVOIDED.

♦THIS, COUPLED WITH SOME MINOR PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS AT LO WU WHICH FACILITATED A FREER FLOW OF PASSENGERS RESULTED IN A MUCH IMPROVED THROUGH TRANSIT FOR PASSENGERS,+ HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE TREMENDOUS CO-OPERATION OF THE POLICE, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS WHOSE STAFF, LIKE THOSE OF KCR, WORKED LONG HOURS THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR PERIOD, PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN A MOST SUCCESSFUL OPERATION.*

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1979

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KCR APPEALS TO PUBLIC ON SAFETY *****

MEMBERS OF PUBLIC SHOULD NOT EXPOSE THEMSELVES TO DANGER WHILE ON THE RAILWAY.

THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, MR. D.M. HOWES SAID THIS IN EXPRESSING DEEP CONCERN AT CONTINUING CASES OF INJURY SUSTAINED BY PEOPLE WHILE ON OR ABOUT THE RAILWAY.

+MANY SECTIONS OF THE RAILWAY ARE IRREGULARLY USED BY MEMBERS OF PUBLIC AS A FOOTPATH. BY DOING THIS THEY ARE EXPOSING THEMSELVES TO CONSTANT DANGER,+ MR. HOWES SAID.

OTHER INJURIES, HE SAID, ARE SUSTAINED BY PASSENGERS JUMPING DOWN FROM TRAINS OR CROSSING THE TRACK AND BY CARELESS BEHAVIOUR GENERALLY.

MR. HOWES SAID THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOT EXPOSE THEMSELVES TO RISK EITHER THROUGH TRESPASS ON THE RAILWAY OR BY UNTHINKING ACTION ON TRAINS OR AT STATIONS.

+THE RAILWAY TRACK IS BASICALLY A DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE, TRAINS REQUIRE SOME DISTANCE TO STOP AND RISK THEREFORE IS ATTENDANT ON EVERYBODY WHO DOES NOT BEHAVE IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER,+ HE SAID.

+ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS AN UNREASONABLE AND ADDED STRAIN IMPOSED ON THE LOCOMOTIVE DRIVERS AND EVEN WITH THE VIGILANCE THEY EXERCISE, UNCERTAINTY IS CREATED IN THE MINDS OF DRIVERS AS TO WHETHER THE PEOPLE WILL MOVE CLEAR IN TIME EVEN AFTER AUDIBLE WARNING HAS BEEN GIVEN,+ MR. HOWES SAID.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1979

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LAI CHI KOK MENTAL HOSPITAL

******

THE NEW LAI CHI KOK MENTAL HOSPITAL IS GROWING RAPIDLY, AND SHOULD BE FINISHED IN AUGUST NEXT YEAR.

STANDING ON AN 11-HECTARE SITE, THE HOSPITAL WAS DESIGNED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

WHEN FINISHED IT WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 1,336 BEDS AND, AS A PWD SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED TODAY (THURSDAY), +SHOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS EASING THE PRESSURE ON EXISTING FACILITIES AT CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL.*

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL WOULD CATER MAINLY FOR PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS WHOSE CONDITION WAS AMENDABLE TO TREATMENT, AS WELL AS FOR VOLUNTARY AND INFIRMARY PATIENTS.

THE PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE HOSPITAL WAS DESIGNED AS A MULTI-LEVEL PROJECT, LEAVING AS MUCH SPACE AS POSSIBLE FOR RECREATIONAL, OCCUPATIONAL AND PHYSIOTHERAPY ACTIVITIES.

HE SAID GREATER PROVISION HAS TO EE MADE FOR THESE ACTIVITIES THAN IN A GENERAL HOSPITAL +BECAUSE OF THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF MENTAL PATIENTS.*

THE MALE AND FEMALE WARD BLOCKS WILL BE LINKED TO A FOUR-STOREY CLINICAL AND SERVICE BLOCK BY A SYSTEM OF SUBWAYS, ENABLING MORE SPACE IN THE UPPER GROUND AREAS TO BE LANDSCAPED AS RECREATIONAL GARDENS.

THE PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A ROOF GARDEN, A THEATRE FOR FILM SHOWS, CONCERTS OR INDOOR SPORTS, SHOP AND SOFT DRINK BAR, HAIR DRESSING SALON, A LIBRARY, READING ROOMS, A FOOTBALL PITCH AND A BASKETBALL COURT.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1979

LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY EXAMINATION 1979 SUMMER SERIES ******

THE NEXT LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY EXAMINATIONS WILL HOLD IN HONG KONG BETWEEN JUNE AND JULY THIS YEAR.

AN EXPANDED RANGE OF THE EXAMINATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE OFFERED TO INCLUDE MOST SINGLE SUBJECTS AT THE ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATE AND HIGHER STAGES.

INTERMEDIATE STAGE SINGLE SUBJECT COMPONENTS OF THE BUSINESS STUDIES CERTIFICATE WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE. NO HIGHER STAGE GROUP DIPLOMAS CAN BE ENTERED FOR UNTIL THE AUTUMN SERIES EXAMINATIONS IN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER.

CANDIDATES PREPARING FOR THE EXAMINATION BY ATTENDING COURSES IN SCHOOLS SHOULD REGISTER THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS WHILE CANDIDATES NOT PRESENTED BY SCHOOLS MAY APPLY AS PRIVATE CANDIDATES.

COPIES OF INFORMATION SHEET --- TIMETABLE ARE NOW

AVAILABLE AND ENTRY FORMS, BETWEEN FEBRUARY 5 AND FEBRUARY 9 ATx

* HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY SUB-OFFICE, 17 TSEUK LUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.

* HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY MAIN OFFICE, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, 11TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

INFORMATION SHEETS AND APPLICATION FORMS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED BY MAIL BY SENDING A STAMPED, SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE TOs

* THE ASSISTANT EXAMINATIONS OFFICER (LCC), HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY, 17 TSEUK LUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.

COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES, TOGETHER WITH A PASSPORT OR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD (JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY A PHOTC-BEARI NG DOCUMENT) AND TWO RECENT, IDENTICAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE APPLICANT (2-1/2” X 2”) MUST BE PRESENTED IN PERSON AT 17 TSEUK LUK STREET, SAN PO KONG BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 5 TO 9 INCLUSIVE.

CANDIDATES ARE ADVISED THAT NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. EXAMINATION FEES MUST BE PAID WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF THE DATE OF REGISTRATION.

METHODS OF PAYMENT ARE DESCRIBED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THE DEMAND NOTES ISSUED TO CANDIDATES AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MONEY SUPPLY FIGURES FOR DECEMBER ................ 1

TENDERS INVITED FOR TWO TUEN MUN SITES ........... 3

$43 MILLION CONTRACTS AWARDED IN DECEMBER ........ 3

TSIM SHA TSUI MTR STATION ENTRANCES RELOCATED .... 4

DISCOVERY BAY RECLAMATION ........................ 4

LAND AUCTION NETS $59 MILLION .................... 5

SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS ....................... 5

SNT TO HOST BIGGEST ANNUAL YAN YAT PARTY ......... 6

PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSE FOR INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS ...................................... 6

FUN FOR ALL IN NEW YEAR BALL ..................... 7

SPRING RECEPTION FOR 600 ......................... 8

MAXICAB STANDS MOVE TO LAMBETH WALK .............. 8

SPRING RECEPTION-GAMES DAY FOR THE ELDERLY ....... 9

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1979

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MONEY SUPPLY FIGURES FOR DECEMBER

******

THE BANKING AND MONEY SUPPLY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER AND QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF BANK LOANS AND ADVANCES WERE RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY GOVERNMENT.

THE MONEY SUPPLY ON BOTH DEFINITIONS ROSE IN DECEMBER BUT, AFTER ALLOWING FOR SEASONAL INFLUENCES, IT IS APPARENT THAT THE LONGER TERM RATE OF GROWTH IS CONTINUING TO SLOW DOWN.

FOUR MORE LICENSED BANKS BEGAN TO OPERATE IN DECEMBER, BUT THEIR RESULTS ARE UNLIKELY TO HAVE HAD ANY SUBSTANTIAL EFFECT ON THE FIGURES.

Ml (NOTES AND COINS IN CIRCULATION AND DEMAND DEPOSITS AT LICENSED BANKS) ROSE BY 31,323 MILLION (6.3 PER CENT) IN DECEMBER TO <22,281 MILLION, WHICH WAS 23.2 PER CENT ABOVE DECEMBER, 1977.

M2 (Ml PLUS TIME DEPOSITS AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS) ROSE BY 81,916 MILLION (2.7 PER CENT) IN DECEMBER TO 873,406 MILLION, WHICH WAS 25.6 PER CENT ABOVE DECEMBER, 1977.

THE RELATIVELY SHARP MONTHLY INCREASE IN Ml REFLECTS A SEASONAL EXPANSION OF THE NOTE CIRCULATION AND ALSO A VERY SUBSTANTIAL RISE IN DEMAND DEPOSITS, WHICH MAY ALSO BE DUE TO SEASONAL FACTORS.

THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF M2 (WHICH AT THIS TIME OF YEAR IS PROBABLY THE BETTER INDICATOR OF UNDERLYING TRENDS) HAS NOW FALLEN FOR THREE MONTHS FROM ITS PEAK RATE OF INCREASE OF 30.3 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, 1978, COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER, 1977.

COMPARING THE AVERAGE LEVEL OF Ml AND M2 IN THE OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1978 PERIOD WITH THE SA”E PERIOD IN 19?7, TO SMOOTH OUT UNUSUAL MONTHLY FLUCTUATIONS, Ml SHOWS AN INCREASE OF 23.0 PER CENT AND M2 AN INCREASE OF 26.7 PER CENT.

ON THIS COMPARISON THE GROWTH RATE OF BOTH MEASURES HAS FALLEN FOR TWO MONTHS.

LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN DECEMBER, WITH THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING RISING DURING THE MONTH BY <1,928 MILLION (3.8 PER CENT) TO 352,814 MILLION, WHICH WAS 43.3 PER CENT ABOVE THE LEVEL AT THE END OF DECEMBER, 1977.

THIS RATE OF GROWTH CONTINUES THE TREND OF THE SECOND HALF OF 1978, WITH THE INCREASE IN LOANS AND ADVANCES, ON AN ANNUAL COMPARISON, ACC'LERAT!N . TACH v?MTh FROM JUNE, 1978.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1979

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ON THE THREE MONTHLY COMPARISON, THE AVERAGE LEVEL OF LOANS AND ADVANCES IN OCTOBER TO DECEMBER WAS 42.5 PER CENT ABOVE THE SAME PERIOD OF 1977, WHICH AGAIN SHOWS A RISING TREND IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1978.

THERE WAS A FURTHER RISE IN BALANCES DUE TO BANKS ABROAD AT THE END OF DECEMBER, AND A SLIGHTLY SMALLER RISE IN CLAIMS ON BANKS ABROAD. WITH A SLIGHT FALL IN THE VOLUME OF LOANS OUTSIDE HONG KONG, THE NET IDENTIFIABLE FOREIGN ASSETS OF THE HONG KONG BANKING SECTOR FELL BY A FURTHER $747 MILLION TO $16,167 MILLION.

THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF BANK LOANS AND ADVANCES AT THE END OF DECEMBER SHOWS A RISE OF 13.6 PER CENT IN BANK LENDING SINCE THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

LOANS TO MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY HAVE RISEN BY 10.2 PER CENT. LOANS FOR THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT ROSE BY 26.2 PER CENT, AND TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR BY 21.0 PER CENT.

LOANS TO PROFESSIONAL AND PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS ROSE IN THE QUARTER BY 7.8 PER CENT.

THE ANALYSIS OF BANK LOANS AND ADVANCES AT THE END OF DECEMBER INCLUDES ONE NEW ITEM.

LOANS TO PROFESSIONAL AND PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS ARE NOW FURTHER ANALYSED TO SHOW THE VOLUME OF LENDING TO THESE INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, WHICH AT THAT DATE TOTALLED $4,940 MILLION, OR 51 PER CENT OF TOTAL LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS. FIGURES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS HEADING BEFORE DECEMBER, 1978.

OVER THE WHOLE OF 1978 BANK LOANS AND ADVANCES ROSE BY 43.3 PER CENT. LOANS TO MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY ROSE BY 52.2 PER CENT- LOANS TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR ROSE BY 73.1 PER CENT AND BORROWING BY PROFESSIONAL AND PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS ROSE BY 40.9 PER CENT.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE AGGREGATED STATISTICS FOR DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES AS AT THE END OF DECEMBER ARE EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED NEXT WEEK.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

COPIES OF BANKING AND MONEY SUPPLY STATISTICS WILL BE BOXED SEPARATELY LATER THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING IN GIS PRESS BOXES ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1979

TENDERS INVITED FOR TWO TUEN MUN SITES

*****

THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE TWO LOTS, COMPRISING MORE THAN 3,300 SQUARE METRES, ARE LIMITED TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS ISSUED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

THE TWO ADJACENT SITES ARE AMONG THE PRIME LOTS SITUATED TO THE SOUTH OF THE PROPOSED TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE AREA BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TUEN MUN HIGHWAY.

THE FIRST LOT OF 1,600 SQUARE METRES CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF $3,440,000 OVER FOUR YEARS WHILE THE SECOND LOT OF 1,723 SQUARE METRES CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF $3,770,000 FOR THE SAME PERIOD.

THE BUILDINGS TO BE ERECTED SHALL NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN RESIDENTIAL OR NON-INDUSTRI AL PURPOSES.

TENDERS FOR THE FIRST LOT WILL CLOSE ON FEBRUARY 16 AND THE SECOND LOT ON FEBRUARY 23.

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 AT 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON, BEFORE NOON ON THE CLOSING DATES.

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$43 MILLION CONTRACTS AWARDED IN DECEMBER

*****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AWARDED 27 CONTRACTS WORTH $43.70 MILLION IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.

TWELVE WERE AWARDED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD AND 15 ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PWD TENDER BOARD.

THE BIGGEST CONTRACT AWARDED WAS FOR THE RIGHT TO OPERATE A STONE-CRUSHING PLANT AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.

OTHER CONTRACTS INCLUDED THE SUPPLY, INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING OF LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT FOR THE SECOND MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT LAUNDRY AT PIK UK PRISON AND THE INSTALLATION OF AN AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM AT THE HUNG HOM INDOOR STADIUM.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1979

TS1M SHA TSUI MTR STATION ENTRANCES RELOCATED *****

THE TWO ENTRANCES TO THE TSIM SHA TSUI MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION BEING BUILT UNDER NATHAN ROAD HAVE BEEN RELOCATED, ACCORDING TO A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

THE STATION ENTRANCES WILL NOW BE BUILT ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF NATHAN ROAD OPPOSITE ITS JUNCTION WITH MODY ROAD.

WORK ON THE STATION ENTRANCES WILL RESULT IN THE PERMANENT ALTERATION OF THE FOOTPATH AND A REDUCTION IN THE WIDTH OF THE CARRIAGEWAY IN THE VICINITY.

TODAY’S NOTICE STIPULATED THAT ANY CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION ARISING FROM WORK ON THE STATION ENTRANCES MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. CLAIMS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN A YEAR OF THE COMPLETION OF THE SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION ALLEGED TO HAVE CAUSED PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE.

A PLAN SHOWING THE NEW POSITION OF THE STATION ENTRANCES CAN EE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE INQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG- AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 1OTH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON- AND AT THE YAU MA TEI CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 260-264 TEMPLE STREET, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON, BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON ANY DAY EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

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DISCOVERY BAY RECLAMATION

*****

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT AN AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED TOTALLING ABOUT 13.18 HECTARES FOR RECLAMATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF PIERS, DOLPHINS FOR FRESH WATER PUMPING, MARINA AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES AND SUBMARINE OUTFALL, IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISCOVERY BAY LEISURE AND RESORT CENTRE ON LANTAU.

THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED ARE DESCRIBED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSALS 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 AREAS 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, NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, FOURTH FLOOR, 141 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1979

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LAND AUCTION NETS $59 MILLION * * * *

TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND WERE SOLD AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE TODAY (FRIDAY).

ONE LOT, AT HONG NING ROAD, KWUN TONG, WAS SOLD TO LUCKY-THREE PROPERTY LTD. FOR $30,200,000. MEASURING ABOUT 2,050 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

THE OTHER LOT, MEASURING 2,150 SQUARE METRES WAS BOUGHT aY CAVENDISH PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD. FOR $29,300,000. SITUATED AT YIP KAN STREET, WONG CHUK HANG, IT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.

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SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS

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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 THE JUNCTION OF TUNG YUEN STREET AND SHUNG WO PATH, YAU TONG, KOWLOON.

THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 360 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR STORAGE PURPOSES, INCLUDING VEHICLES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE TENANCY WAS FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, AND THEN MONTHLY.

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 EE INSPECTED AT THE SAME OFFICES.

CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 16.

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

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1979

SNT TO HOST BIGGEST ANNUAL YAN YAT PARTY

* K *

ABOUT 1,800 PEOPLE WILL ATTEND THE ANNUAL YAN YAT PARTY TO BE HOSTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING.

THE PARTY, THE BIGGEST EVER HELD, WILL MARK AN OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF THE WORK PERFORMED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE PAST YEAR.

IT HAS BECOME A FEATURE OF NEW TERRITORIES COMMUNITY LIFE SINCE IT WAS FIRST HELD AS A SMALL GARDEN PARTY AT ISLAND HOUSE 29 YEARS AGO.

THE PARTY, AT OCEANIA RESTAURANT, KOWLOON, WILL BE PRECEDED BY A HALF-HOUR ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME FEATURING MAINLY CHINESE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES AND CLASSICAL CHINESE DANCES.

GUESTS INVITED INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE UMELCO HEADED BY SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, MEMBERS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND ALL RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN, VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES, MEMBERS OF THE SEVEN NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS, MAC CHAIRMEN, HEADS OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO WORK CLOSELY WITH NEW TERRITORIES AFFAIRS.

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PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSE FOR INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS

*****

THE-HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION TO PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS’ COURSE.

THIS COURSE, WHICH STARTS IN EARLY MARCH, OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRADE INSTRUCTORS AND WORKSHOP SUPERVISORS TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY TRAINING FOR CARRYING OUT THEIR DAY-TO-DAY TEACHING DUTIES.

THEY WILL LEARN TO IMPROVE THEIR METHODS OF TEACHING, STUDY EDUCATION THEORY AND EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGY.

APPLICATION FORMS, AVAILABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE BY FEBRUARY 17.

THE ADDRESS OF THE COLLEGE IS 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, HONG KONG.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1979

- 7 -

FUN FOR ALL IN NEW YEAR BALL

* * * *

EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL WILL BE TURNED INTO AN OPEN AIR pfsCOTHEQUE WITH HUNDREDS OF YOUTH DANCING TO THE BEAT OF POP MUSIC THIS SUNDAY EVENING.

THC YOUTH BALL IS SPECIALLY RUN FOR THE COMMUNITY IN THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOn BY THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR YOUTH RECREATION. IT WILL ALSO MARK THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR. HE WILL ARRIVE AT 7.30 P.M. TO DOT THE EYES OF A LION.

THE BALL WILL START AT 6.45 P.M. THE PROGRAMME WILL

FEATURE SUCH POPULAR SINGERS AS ROMAN TAM, PAT CHAN AND THE DISCO DANCE WINNER, ROBERT MAK. SOME 1,500 YOUTHS WILL TAKE TO THE OPEN AIR DANCE FLOOR.

IT WILL ALSO FEATURE A COSTUME COMPETITION STAGED BY MEMBERS OF VOLUNTARY GROUPS. COLOURFUL ANCIENT AND MODERN CHINESE AND EUROPEAN COSTUMES HAVE BEEN SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE OCCASION.

ADMISSION TO THE BALL WILL BE LIMITED TO THOSE HOLDING TICKETS WHICH HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED A WEEK BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

THE YOUTH BALL WILL BE COVERED LIVE BY RTHK AND TELEVISION VIEWERS CAN SEE IT ON HK-TVB JADE CHANNEL BETWEEN 7.05 P.M. TO 8 P.M. THAT DAY.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1979

SPRING RECEPTION FOR 600

*****

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (YAU MA TEI) WILL HOST A SPRING RECEPTION TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR 600 PEOPLE IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND YAU MA TEI IN APPRECIATION FOR THEIR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND CO-OPERATION WITH THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE DURING THE PAST YEAR.

MORE THAN 600 CIVIC LEADERS, KAIFONG CHAIRMEN, SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND CLANSMAN ASSOCIATIONS AND HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE BEEN INVITED.

MR. THOMAS SHARR, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (YAU MA TEI) AND HIS STAFF WILL BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE THE GUESTS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER A SPRING RECEPTION TO BE HOSTED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (YAU MA TEI) FOR 600 PEOPLE AT 3.30 P.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE GOLD WHEEL RESTAURANT AT 172 NATHAN ROAD.

----o------

MAXICAB STANDS MOVE TO LAMBETH WALK

*****

THE MAXICAB STANDS IN EDINBURGH PLACE WILL BE TEMPORARY MOVED TO LAMBETH WALK BETWEEN 5 P.M. AND MIDNIGHT THIS SUNDAY BECAUSE OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL.

NOTICES WILL BE PUT UP AT THE TERMINAL POINTS TO ADVISE PASSENGERS OF THIS ARRANGEMENT.

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

/?....

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1979

SPRING RECEPTION-GAMES DAY FOR THE ELDERLY * * * * *

THE LOK FU AREA COMMITTEE AND THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN) WILL HOLD A SPRING RECEPTION-GAMES DAY FOR THE ELDERLY IN LOK FU THIS SUNDAY.

THE FIRST OF ITS KIND EVER HELD IN THE AREA, THIS EVENT IS CO-SPONSORED BY MANY OTHER ORGANISATIONS.

SOME 500 ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL BE TAKING PART AND ABOUT 300 DISTRICT LEADERS AND VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO BE PRESENT.

THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE GAMES STALLS, A CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITION, SINGING AND A LUCKY DRAW. THERE WILL ALSO BE AN ENQUIRY STALL RENDERING SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY.

MRS. ELSIE ELLIOTT, URBAN COUNCILLOR- MR. K.K. LAU, ASSISTANT CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN)- MR. WONG KAN-FONG, CHAIRMAN OF LOK FU AREA COMMITTEE AND FIVE OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

A SPRING RECEPTION-GAMES DAY FOR THE ELDERLY IN LOK FU AREA WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY STARTING FROM 2 P.M. AT THE PLAYGROUND OF MU KWONG PRIMARY SCHOOL, BLOCK 20, LOK FU ESTATE, HENG LAM STREET, KOWLOON.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1979

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

SNT PAYS TRIBUTE TO HEUNG YEE KUK ...................... 1

PROGRESS ON BEACON HILL TUNNEL ......................... 2

CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE OFFICERS PRAISED ............ 3

PUPILS’ CREATIVE WORK TO BE ON DISPLAY ................. 4

VICTORIA PEAK WALKATHON AND NEW YEAR CARNIVAL .......... 5

FIRING PRACTICE ........................................ 5

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1979

SNT PAYS TRIBUTE TO HEUNG YEE KUK

M M * *

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY (SATURDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HEUNG YEE KUK FOR THE VARIETY OF WORK THEY HAD DONE FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

SPEAKING TO OVER 100 RURAL LEADERS AT THE NEW YEAR TEA PARTY OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, HE RECALLED THE PAST YEAR AS +A YEAR OF USEFUL CO-OPERATION AND THE RESOLUTION OF MANY LONG STANDING PROBLEMS*.

HE NOTED THAT IT WAS ALSO A YEAR OF CONSTRUCTIVE EFFORT IN PROMOTING CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND OF SUPPORT FOR MANY CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.

+1 WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE IN SO MANY WAYS,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

+1 AM SURE WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER THIS YEAR, TO BRING ABOUT THE GREATER HAPPINESS, WELFARE AND PROSPERITY OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* HE ADDED.

LATER IN THE EVENING, MR. AKERS-JONES HOSTED A +YAN YAT+ PARTY AT THE OCEANIA RESTAURANT IN KOWLOON FOR ABOUT 1,800 PEOPLE.

HEADING THE GUEST LIST WERE MEMBERS OF UMELCO, MEMBERS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK INCLUDING ALL RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN, VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES, MEMBERS OF THE SEVEN NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN, HEADS OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO WORK CLOSELY WITH NEW TERRITORIES AFFAIRS.

THE PARTY, WHICH IS AN ANNUAL EVENT, BECOMES A FEATURE OF NEW TERRITORIES COMMUNITY LIFE AND MARKS AN OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF THE WORK PERFORMED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

BEFORE THE DINNER, THE GUESTS WERE ENTERTAINED TO A HALF-HOUR PROGRAMME OF CHINESE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE AND CLASSICAL CHINESE DANCING.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1979

PROGRESS ON BEACON HILL TUNNEL ******

WORK ON THE &78 MILLION BEACON HILL RAILWAY TUNNEL IS ONE-THIRD COMPLETE.

SINCE WORK BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR AGO, SOME 350 METRES OF TUNNELLING HAS BEEN COMPLETED AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE TUNNEL. OF THIS, ABOUT 100 METRES HAS BEEN LINED WITH CONCRETE OF 550 MM THICK.

ON THE NORTHERN END, 230 METRES OF PILOT TUNNEL HAS BEEN DRILLED.

MR. LEUNG MIN-SUN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE RAILWAY DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL TAKE TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS TO COMPLETE, WAS ON SCHEDULE.

ON COMPLETION IN MID-1980, HE SAID, THE 2.3 KM DOUBLE TRACK TUNNEL WOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING SINGLE TRACK TUNNEL, WHICH HAS BEEN IN USE SINCE 1910.

THE NEW TUNNEL WILL BE ABOUT SEVEN METRES HIGH AND JUST OVER 10 METRES WIDE, ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AS THE TWO LION ROCK TUNNELS. ITS HEIGHT WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW FOR THE ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.

MEANWHILE FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF DOUBLE TRACKING WORK BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND SHA TIN, WORK ON THE SECTION BETWEEN SHA TIN AND A POINT NEAR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY IS MAKING HEADWAY.

SO FAR, ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

THE WORK, WHICH INCLUDES THE LAYING OF A SINGLE TRACK OF THREE AND A QUARTER KILOMETRES, THE RECONSTRUCTION OF AN EXISTING K.C.R. BRIDGE OVER THE FO TAN NULLAH AND THE WIDENING OF TWO EXISTING BRIDGES WITHIN THE FO TAN AREA, FORMS THE FIRST PHASE OF TRACK WIDENING BETWEEN SHA TIN AND TAI PO MARKET.

MR. LEUNG SAID THAT ON COMPLETION OF THE TRACK WIDENING WORK BETWEEN SHA TIN AND TAI PO MARKET, PASSENGER AND FREIGHT TRAIN SERVICES WOULD BE GREATLY IMPROVED.

IN SHA TIN, WORK IS ALSO RACING AHEAD TO TRANSFORM THE EXISTING LOW-BLOCK RAILWAY STATION INTO A MODERN HIGH-RISE COMPLEX.

IN KOWLOON, WORK ON PHASE TWO OF THE REMODELLING OF MONG KOK RAILWAY STATION IS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.

IN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT FUTURE, RAILWAY JOURNEYS INTO THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE INTERSPERSED WITH MODERN STATIONS LINKED WITH EXCELLENT PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES.

0 --------

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1979

Customs and excise service officers praised

*****

an unofficial member of the executive and legislative COUNCILS, MR. OSWALD CHEUNG TODAY (SATURDAY) CONGRATULATED THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE FOR ITS SIGNAL SUCCESS IN PREVENTING AND SUPPRESSING THE ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN DANGEROUS DRUGS.

+IN THIS FIELD THE SERVICE HAS GAINED A HIGH REPUTATION BOTH LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY,+ HE SAID.

MR. CHEUNG MADE THIS STATEMENT AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE HELD IN THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL THIS MORNING.

ON PARADE WERE 27 INSPECTORS AND 36 CUSTOMS OFFICERS WHO HAD COMPLETED A SIX-MONTH AND A 1O-WEEK INDUCTION TRAINING COURSE RESPECTIVELY.

+THE SERVICE HAS ALSO ACHIEVED MARKED SUCCESS IN OTHER FIELDS, NOTABLY IN THE SUPPRESSION OF COPYRIGHT OFFENCES, WHICH LED TO THE SERVICE BEING PRESENTED IN MAY 1978 WITH TWO ’GOLDEN DISCES’ BY THE RECORDING INDUSTRY IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR WORK,+ MR. CHEUNG SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DUTIES OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE DEMANDED PATIENCE, HARD WORK AND DEDICATION AS WELL AS PERSISTENCE AND IMAGINATION.

+THEY WILL, AT TIMES, BE HAZARDOUS AND PHYSICALLY EXHAUSTING. THEY WILL BRING YOU INTO DAILY CONTACT WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, SOME OF WHOM WILL AT TIMES TRY TO PERSUADE YOU FROM THE STRICT PATH OF DUTY,+ MR. CHEUNG SAID.

+DON’T LET THEM. YOU HAVE BEEN REMINDED IN YOUR TRAINING HERE TO CARRY OUT YOUR DUTIES WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR. STICK TO THAT. REMEMBER THAT THE GOOD NAME OF THE SERVICE IS AT ALL TIMES IN THE HANDS OF EVERY MEMBER OF IT.+

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1979

PUPILS’ CREATIVE WORK TO EE ON DISPLAY

*****

A LARGE ATTENDANCE IS EXPECTED AT AN EXHIBITION OF PUPILS’ CREATIVE WORK TO BE HELD FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 5-9).

THE EXHIBITION IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN POPULAR WITH TEACHERS, PUPILS AND PARENTS.

ON DISPLAY WILL BE SELECTED ART WORK BY FORM FIVE AND MIDDLE FIVE PUPILS, INCLUDING PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS, DESIGNS, PATTERN MAKING, EMBROIDERY AND POTTERY.

THIS PART OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO TEACHERS AND PUPILS PREPARING FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN MAY.

CREATIVE WORKS BY PRIMARY PUPILS WILL ALSO BE EXHIBITED, INCLUDING PAINTINGS, NEEDLEWORK AND OTHER CRAFTS.

MORE THAN 1,000 ENTRIES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE AND STAFF OF THE CENTRE HAVE SELECTED THE BEST WORKS FOR THE EXHIBITION.

THE EVENT IS ALSO AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS TO MEET AND EXCHANGE THEIR VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES IN CREATIVE WORK.

THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN DAILY EETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. IN THE CULTURAL CRAFT CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, 4TH AND 5TH FLOORS NORTH POI-NT, HONG KONG.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER AN EXHIBITION OF PUPILS’ CREATIVE WORK TO BE HELD DAILY FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 5-9) BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. IN THE CULTURAL CRAFT CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, 4TH AND 5TH FLOORS, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1979

VICTORIA PEAK WALKATHON AND NEW YEAR CARNIVAL

******

OVER 1,000 RESIDENTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS WILL TAKE PART IN A VICTORIA PEAK WALKATHON TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING.

THE WALK STARTS AT 10 A.M. AT THE PLAYGROUND OF CHIU SHEUNG SCHOOL IN POKFULAM ROAD, VIA THE ACCESS ROAD BESIDE THE ELLIOT PUMPING STATION, HATTON ROAD, HARLOCK ROAD AND ENDS AT THE VICTORIA GAP CHILDREN PLAYGROUND IN THE PEAK.

MEANWHILE, A NEW YEAR CARNIVAL FOR 5,000 CHILDREN FEATURING A LION DANCE, SINGING AND DANCING BY FAMOUS PERFORMERS AND GAME-STALLS, WILL BEGIN AT 1 P.M. ON THE SAME DAY AT THE KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK IN EASTERN STREET.

MR. RICKY FUNG, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) WILL OFFICIATE AT THE START OF THE WALK AS WELL AS THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL.

BOTH EVENTS WERE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), CIVIC ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE DISTRICTS.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VICTORIA PEAK WALKATHON TO EE HELD AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT CHIU SHEUNG SCHOOL AT 79B, POKFULAM ROAD AND A CARNIVAL AT 1 P.M. AT THE KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK, EASTERN STREET, HONG KONG.

FIRING PRACTICE

* * * *

FIRING PRACTICES WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CASTLE PEAK RANGE FOR FIVE 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:

DATE

HOURS

MONDAY (FEBRUARY 5) TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 6) WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 7) THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 8) FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 9)

8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

X GOVERNOR OPENS ARTS FESTIVAL ............................. 1

243 BUILDING PROPOSALS RECEIVED .......................... 2

TRIAL SCHEME FOR DISABLED CHILDREN GOING WELL ............ 3

REGISTRATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AND MANUFACTURES ............................................. 4

FIRST SAI KUNG FESTIVAL AN INSTANT SUCCESS ............... 5

EMPLOYMENT UP IN DECEMBER 1978 ........................... 6

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1979

GOVERNOR OPENS ARTS FESTIVAL

*****

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING THAT +SIX YEARS AFTER THE FIRST FESTIVAL OF ARTS WE CAN LOOK BACK WITH SATISFACTION ON HOW POPULAR THE ARTS IN HONG KONG HAVE BECOME.+

SIR MURRAY WAS SPEAKING AT THE GALA OPENING OF THE 1979 ARTS FESTIVAL IN THE CONCERT HALL, CITY HALL.

SIR MURRAY ADDED: + NOW AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS SEVENTH FESTIVAL WE CAN LOOK FORWARD OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS WITH CONFIDENCE THAT THE ARTS IN HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP WITH ALL THE ADDITIONAL PLEASURE AND DIVERSITY OF INTEREST IT WILL BRING TO SO MANY PEOPLE.

+THIS SIX YEARS SHOULD SEE MORE PLACES IN WHICH THE ARTS CAN BE SEEN -- IN TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN, SHA TIN, BUT ABOVE ALL AT TSIM SHA TSUI.

*THE GOVERNMENT’S YOUTH INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SCHEME WILL EXPAND AND ENCOURAGE MORE YOUNG TALENT AND I HOPE, OUR OWN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC WILL HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY ESTABLISHED.*

EARLIER IN THE EVENING SIR MURRAY WAS RECEIVED BY SIR SUN RUN SHAW, CHAIRMAN OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY, AT EDINBURGH PLACE WHERE HE DOTTED THE EYES OF A LION.

SIR MURRAY ALSO CHATTED TO A GROUP OF +FANCY DRESS* COMPETITORS IN AN OPEN AIR YOUTH BALL WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY A LARGE CROWD.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR MURRAY’S SPEECH:

+AS SIR RUN RUN HAS SAID, SIX YEARS AFTER THE FIRST FESTIVAL OF ARTS WE CAN LOOK BACK WITH SATISFACTION ON HOW POPULAR THE ARTS IN HONG KONG HAVE BECOME. WHAT WAS ONCE THE LUXURY OF COMPARATIVELY FEW HAS REALLY BECOME THE PLEASURE OF VERY MANY.

+NOW AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS SEVENTH FESTIVAL WE CAN LOOK FORWARD OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS WITH CONFIDENCE THAT THE ARTS IN HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP WITH ALL THE ADDITIONAL PLEASURE AND DIVERSITY OF INTEREST IT WILL BRING TO SO MANY PEOPLE.

+THIS SIX YEARS SHOULD SEE MORE PLACES IN WHICH THE ARTS CAN BE SEEN — IN TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN, SHA TIN, BUT ABOVE ALL AT TSIM SHA TSUI.

+THE GOVERNMENT’S YOUTH INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SCHEME WILL EXPAND AND ENCOURAGE MORE YOUNG TALENT AND I HOPE, OUR OWN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC WILL HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY ESTABLISHED.

+THE URBAN COUNCIL, I AM SURE, WILL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE AND REACH OUT TO NEW HORIZONS WITH ITS USUAL PROFESSIONALISM, THE ARTS CENTRE WILL PLAY ITS OWN SPECIAL AND ORIGINAL ROLF itf) THE GOVERNMENT CAN BE RELIED ON TO PLAY ITS PART.

/+THE DEVELOPMENT

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1979

♦THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF THE ARTS IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN, AND SHOULD BE, A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND ENTHUSIASM ON THE ONE HAND AND OFFICIAL SUPPORT ON THE OTHER. SO LONG AS THE MANY ORGANISATIONS CONTINUE TO CO-OPERATE AND CO-ORDINATE THEIR EFFORTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, WE CAN REST ASSURED THAT THE ARTS WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND FLOURISH IN HONG KONG TO THE BENEFIT OF ITS PEOPLE AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF ITS REPUTATION IN THE ARTISTIC WORLD.

♦THE ARTS FESTIVAL HAS PLAYED A VERY SPECIAL ROLE IN THIS, AND IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE I DECLARE THIS SEVENTH HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS OPEN.+

- 0 ---------

243 BUILDING PROPOSALS RECEIVED

******

BETWEEN OCTOBER AND THE END OF LAST YEAR A TOTAL OF 243 PLANS FOR 271 BUILDINGS WERE SUBMITTED TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.

THE PLANS COVERED DESIGNS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD 357 BUILDINGS WERE INSPECTED. AS A RESULT OF THESE INSPECTIONS 445 CLOSURE AND EVACUATION NOTICES WERE SERVED.

♦THIS COMPARES WITH 249 INSPECTIONS IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND THE SERVICE OF 144 NOTICES.+

HE ALSO SAID THAT DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF THE

YEAR THE NUMBER OF SUBMISSIONS AND RESUBMISSIONS TO THE B.O.O. TOTALLED 3,300.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1979

3 -

TRIAL SCHEME FOR DISABLED CHILDREN GOING WELL ******

AN EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME, WHICH ENABLES DISABLED CHILDREN TO MIX WITH NORMAL CHILDREN IN DAY NURSERIES AS PART OF THEIR SOCIAL REHABILITATION PROCESS, HAS BEEN GOING WELL.

A 1OTH NURSERY HAS JUST JOINED THE SCHEME, UNDER WHICH SPECIAL UNITS ARE SET UP IN GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED DAY NURSERIES FOR CHILDREN AGED TWO TO SIX YEARS WITH MINOR DISABILITIES.

THE TRIAL SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED LAST YEAR BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR MILD-GRADE DISABLED CHILDREN TO MIX WITH NORMAL CHILDREN OF THEIR AGE IN A HOMELY SETTING.

MR. LAU KAI-CHUEN, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, SAID TODAY PARENTS WITH NORMAL CHILDREN IN THE PARTICIPATING NURSERIES HAD GENERALLY ACCEPTED THE IDEA OF THE SCHEME.

♦ALTHOUGH THEY APPEARED TO HAVE SOME RESERVATION DURING THE INITIAL STAGE OF THE SCHEME, THEY NOW REALISE THAT INTEGRATION WITH DISABLED CHILDREN WOULD NOT AFFECT THEIR OWN CHILDREN,+ HE SAID.

MR. LAU DESCRIBED THIS ATTITUDE AS MOST ENCOURAGING AND POINTED OUT THAT DISABLED CHILDREN IN THE NURSERIES HAD BEEN WELL ACCEPTED BY THEIR NORMAL COUNTERPARTS.

THE LATEST DAY NURSERY JOINING THE SCHEME IS THE ON YAN NURSERY RUN BY TSUNG TSIN MISSION AT UPPER PAK TIN ESTATE, BLOCK 16, BRINGING TO 10 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING NURSERIES, HE SAID. -

♦INITIALLY, EACH PARTICIPATING NURSERY ADMITS SIX DISABLED CHILDREN, WHO ARE EITHER MILD-GRADE MENTALLY RETARDED, SLIGHTLY PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, OR SLIGHTLY IMPAIRED IN SPEECH, HEARING OR SIGHT.

♦ADMISSIONS ARE BY WAY OF REFERRALS MADE BY WELFARE AGENCIES OR RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS,+ HE SAID.

MR. LAU SAID THOSE NURSERIES JOINING THE SCHEME WERE ALLOCATED EXTRA SUBVENTION TO MEET ADDITIONAL STAFF COST.

IN ADDITION, HE SAID, GRANTS FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND ARE AVAILABLE FOR NECESSARY STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS AS WELL AS FOR THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL FACILITIES AND STAFF TRAINING.

♦IF THE SCHEME PROVES SUCCESSFUL, IT IS HOPED THAT THIS SPECIAL SERVICE COULD BE EXPANDED ON A LARGER SCALE TO BENEFIT MORE DISABLED CHILDREN,* HE SAID.

0--------

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1979

REGISTRATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AND MANUFACTURES M M M K K M

THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED MORE THAN 3,000 CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS SINCE THE REVISED PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS WERE INTRODUCED IN JULY LAST YEAR.

SO FAR, NEARLY 12,000 APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION FROM IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND ARE BEING PROCESSED.

+WE EXPECT MORE TO COME BECAUSE, ON ESTIMATE, ABOUT 25,000 PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

WARNINGS HAD BEEN SENT TO IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS REMINDING THEM TO MAKE PROMPT REGISTRATION OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT FACE PROSECUTION, HE ADDED.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED REGULATIONS IS AIMED AT SAFEGUARDING THE PUBLIC FROM COUNTERFEIT, DEFECTIVE AND SUB-STANDARD PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.

TO ENFORCE THESE REGULATIONS EFFECTIVELY, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP THREE SPECIAL SECTIONS DEALING WITH INSPECTION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSING CONTROL RESPECTIVELY.

THE FORENSIC PHARMACY SECTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SPOT CHECKS AND PROSECUTIONS. THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY HELPS IN TESTING PRODUCTS.

♦AT PRESENT, BETWEEN 2,500 AND 3,000 MEDICINE COMPANIES, 80 PHARMACIES, 600 WHOLESALE POISON DEALERS AND ABOUT 90 PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS ARE SUBJECT TO REGULAR INSPECTIONS,* HE SAID.

ANOTHER SECTION -- THE PHARMACEUTICALS REGISTRATION AND MANUFACTURERS LICENSING SECTION -- DEALS WITH THE ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES FOR REGISTERED PRODUCTS.

UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, EVERY PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT ON SALE MUST CONFORM TO CERTAIN STANDARDS OF SAFETY, QUALITY AND EFFICACY AS LAID DOWN BY THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD BEFORE IT IS REGISTERED AND PASSED FIT FOR SALE.

+NEW PRODUCTS ARE GIVEN A TIGHTER SCRUTINY. SINCE ASSESSMENT OF NEW PRODUCTS TAKES MORE TIME, PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO PROCESSING APPLICATIONS OF THIS KIND,* HE POINTED OUT.

THIS SECTION IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR GRANTING LICENCES TO MANUFACTURERS OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.

DETAILED INSPECTION AT THE APPLICANTS’ PREMISES ARE CONDUCTED TO ENSURE THEY COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS BEFORE A LICENCE IS GRANTED.

/+S0 FAR, .....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4^1979

+S0 FAR, 91 APPLICATIONS FOR MANUFACTURERS’ LICENCES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND 36 PREMISES INSPECTED. EIGHTEEN MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN GRANTED LICENCES AND FIVE HAVE BEEN TOLD TO STOP OPERATION AS THEY HAVE FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

A THIRD SECTION, THE PHARMACEUTICAL IMPORT AND EXPORT CONTROL SECTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENCES IN RESPECT OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS WHICH ARE INTENDED FOR IMPORT FROM OR EXPORT TO OTHER COUNTRIES.

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

FIRST SAI KUNG FESTIVAL AN INSTANT SUCCESS

******

THE FIRST SAI KUNG FESTIVAL - WHICH PROVED AN INSTANT SUCCESS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY - COMES TO AN END TOMORROW (MONDAY).

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES. AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE, MR. LAU KWUN SANG, WILL JOINTLY OFFICIATE AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE MAN YEE PLAYGROUND IN SAI KUNG TOWN.

A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING CHINESE FOLK DANCES, SINGING AND MAGIC SHOWS WILL BE STAGED AFTERWARDS FOR THE GUESTS BY R.T.V. ARTISTES.

THE FESTIVAL, WHICH GOT OFF THE GROUND LAST WEDNESDAY, IS THE FIRST EVENT OF SUCH SCALE EVER STAGED IN SAI KUNG.

♦ IT AIMS TO INSTITUTE TO THE PEOPLE OF SAI KUNG A SENSE OF BELONGING AS WELL AS TO PROMOTE THE RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE DISTRICT,+ THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. COLIN BOSHER, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE WEEK-LONG FESTIVAL HAD ENOUGH VARIETY FOR MOST OF THE POPULATION OF SAI KUNG - FROM CANTONESE OPERAS, CHINESE FOLK DANCES AND SINGING, ATHLETIC MEETS, PUPPET SHOWS AND DRAMA PERFORMANCES TO EXHIBITIONS OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND PAINTINGS.

+DESPITE THE RECENT COLD WEATHER, ATTENDANCE HAS BEEN GOOD AT ALL THE EVENTS,+ MR. BOSHER ADDED.

THE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN ORGANISED AND PROMOTED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST SAI KUNG FESTIVAL AT THE MAN YEE PLAYGROUND, SAI KUNG TOWN, AT 7 P. . TOMORROW (MONDAY).

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/6.....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1979

EMPLOYMENT UP IN DECEMBER 1<*78

******

MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT REGISTERED A MARGINAL INCREASE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

A TOTAL OF 800,026 PERSONS WERE ENGAGED IN MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS AS AT DECEMBER 4, 1978, — AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 9,000 PERSONS OR 1.1 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 791,073 PERSONS ENGAGED IN SEPTEMBER. WHEN COMPARED WITH 755,108 PERSONS ENGAGED IN DECEMBER 1977, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 45,000 PERSONS OR 5.9 PER CENT.

THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 39,606 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION IN DECEMBER 1978, AN INCREASE OF 857 ESTABLISHMENTS COMPARED TO 38,749 ESTABLISHMENTS IN SEPTEMBER, AND AN INCREASE OF 2,038 WHEN COMPARED WITH 37,568 IN DECEMBER 1977.

IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, THE FIVE LARGEST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES REMAINED WEARING APPAREL- TEXTILES- ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES- PLASTIC PRODUCTS- AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS.

A COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN THESE INDUSTRIES BETWEEN DECEMBER AND SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR IS GIVEN BELOW

CHANGE OF DEC. 1978 OVER SEPT, 1978

INDUSTRY GROUP PERSONS ENGAGED IN DEC. 1977 PERSONS ENGAGED IN SEPT. 1978 PERSONS ENGAGED IN DEC. 1978 PERSONS ENGAGED % CHANGE

WEARING APPAREL 251,273 263,960 266,447 ♦ 2,487 * 0.9

TEXTILES 102,461 95,365 97,013 + 1,648 + 1.7

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 89,525 94,207 96,695 ♦ 2,488 + 2.6

PLASTIC PRODUCTS 78,449 85,507 84,415 — 1,092 - 1.3

FABRICATED METAL PRODUCT0 79,931 74.283 77,758 ♦ 3,475 + 4.7

/?HS MORE ....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1979

7 -

THE MORE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT AT THE INDUSTRY SECTOR LEVEL BETWEEN DECEMBER 1973- AND SEPTEMBER 1978 WERE AS FOLLOWS

CHANGE OF DEC. 1978 OVER SEPT. 1978

INDUSTRY SECTOR PERSONS ENGAGED IN DEC. 1977 PERSONS ENGAGED IN SEPT. 1978 PERSONS ENGAGED IN DEC. 1978 PERSONS ENGAGED % CHANGE

GARMENTS EXCEPT KNITWEAR FROM YARN 198,519 205,695 208,328 + 2,633 ♦ 1.3

ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 70,188 71,887 73,736 + 1,849 ♦ 2.6

MISCELLANEOUS FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 29,679 29,857 31,009 + 1,152 + 3.9

HANDBAGS 12,215 13,686 14,717 * 1,031 + 7.5

COTTON WEAVING 25,167 24,596 25,566 + 970 + 3.9

WOOLLEN KNITTING INCLUDING KNITWEAR FROM YARN 37,312 39,293 36,093 - 3,200 - 8.1

PLASTIC PRODUCTS OTHER THAN PLASTIC TOYS AND PLASTIC FLOWERS 29,215 33,850 32,924 926 - 2.7

DETAILED EMPLOYMENT Fl GURES FOR VARIOUS INDUSTRY GROUPS AND

SECTORS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

-------O ---------

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

POSTER WAR AGAINST INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS EFFECTIVE ............ 1

INDUSTRIAL BUILDING IN KWAI CHUNG DECLARED DANGEROUS ......... 2

NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE »....................... 2

SAI KUNG BEAUTY AND AMENITIES TO- BE MA I NTA I NED .......... 3

BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ................................. 3

SPRING FESTIVAL FEAST FOR 2OO DISABLED TRAINEES .............. 4

TEMPORAY ROAD CLOSURE ...............>........................ 4

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1979

POSTER WAR AGAINST INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS EFFECTIVE ******

IN THE FIGHT AGAINST INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, POSTERS WERE AN EFFECTIVE WEAPON, SAID THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, MR. CECIL CHAN TODAY (MONDAY).

PRESENTING CASH PRIZES TO WINNERS OF A RECENT SCHOOLS INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE IN KOWLOON, MR. CHAN SAID: +A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS AND, CERTAINLY AN ATTRACTIVE AND INFORMATIVE POSTER CAN CARRY ACROSS THE SAFETY MESSAGE REQUIRED IN ANY INDUSTRIAL SAFETY EXERCISE.*

HOWEVER, HE WENT ON, IF POSTERS WERE TO RETAIN THEIR EFFECTIVENESS, THEY MUST HAVE A CONSTANTLY REVITALISED APPEAL AND THIS TAKES INGENUITY AND CREATIVITY.

PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE CONTESTANTS MR. CHAN SAID: +BY ENTERING INTO THIS COMPETITION, WHICH IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN ACTUALLY WINNING A PRIZE, YOU HAVE GIVEN THE SUPPORT WHICH INDUSTRY NEEDS AND GIVEN YOURSELF A CHANCE TO EXERCISE YOUR CREATIVE TALENTS IN ART AND GRAPHIC DESIGN.*

MR. CHAN SAID DESPITE THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATIONAL WORK CARRIED OUT BY GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS, INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS HAVE NOT DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PAST YEARS. THIS COMPETITION WAS A POSITIVE MOVE TO HELP RECTIFY THE SITUATION.

IT WAS IMPORTANT, HE SAID, TO CONTINUE THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST NEGLIGENCE IN FACTORIES AND CONSTRUCTION SITES WHICH LED TO -ECONOMIC AND, MORE IMPORTANT, HUMAN LOSSES.

THE -ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTERS DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS HELD IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.

IT WAS DIVIDED INTO A SENIOR AND A JUNIOR DIVISION. THE FIRST PRIZES OF $300 EACH WENT TO LO KAM-SHING OF BISHOP BIANCHI COLLEGE OF CAREERS IN THE SENIOR DIVISION AND LEE MEI-LAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE JUNIOR DIVISION.

THE SECOND PRIZES OF $250 WERE AWARDED TO LAW CH ING-6hI OF BISHOP BIANCHI COLLEGE OF CAREERS IN THE SENIOR DIVISION AND MAK KWOK-PO OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE JUNIOR DIVISION WHILE THE THIRD PRIZES OF $200 WENT TO LINLEY CHAN OF BISHOP BIANCHI COLLEGE OF CAREERS IN THE SENIOR DIVISION AND CHENG MAN-CHU OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE JUNIOR DIVISION.

CONSOLATION PRIZES OF $100 WERE AWARDED TO CHOW WING-SHUN, TSE WAI-CHIU AND CHIANG CHOW-WAN ALL OF BISHOP BIANCHI COLLEGE OF CAREERS IN THE SENIOR DIVISION AND WONG LAI-YEE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE JUNIOR DIVISION.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1979

INDUSTRIAL BUILDING IN KWAI CHUNG DECLARED DANGEROUS *****

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (MONDAY) DECLARED NO.66-72 LEI MUK ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID THIS 12-STOREY INDUSTRIAL BUILDING HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF AN INTENSIVE INVESTIGATION, CARRIED OUT BY THE OWNER ON THE ORDER OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY AFTER SHEAR CRACKS HAD BEEN FOUND IN THE REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS.

THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED THE EXTRACTION OF SAMPLES FROM REINFORCED CONCRETE FOR TESTING, EXPOSING REINFORCING STEEL AND ANALYSIS OF THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE CONCRETE.

+NEARLY NINETY PER CENT OF THE SAMPLES WERE FOUND TO BE SUB-STANDARD AND IN SEVERAL INSTANCES INDICATED THAT THE CONCRETE WAS LESS THAN HALF OF THE REQUIRED STRENGTH.

♦THE REINFORCEMENT STEEL PROVIDED WAS SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THAT REQUIRED BY'THE APPROVED DESIGN. FURTHERMORE, THE ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A DEFICIENCY IN CEMENT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+AS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE LEADING TO COLLAPSE IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE THIS BUILDING,+ HE EXPLAINED.

A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON APRIL 2, 1979 WAS POSTED TODAY, HE ADDED.

- - - - 0 ----

' NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE

*****

A FORMER SENIOR OFFICER WITH THE SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, MRS. ANSON CHAN, TODAY (MONDAY) TAKES UP HER NEW POST AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.

MRS. CHAN SUCCEEDS MR. JIMMY SWEETMAN WHO HAS GONE ON VACATION LEAVE.

SHE WAS FORMERLY A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WAS ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.

MRS. CHAN HAS SERVED WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR

16 YEARS. HER PREVIOUS POSTS INCLUDE ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

MRS. CHAN WAS PROMOTED TO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B LAST YEAR.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1979

SAI KUNG BEAUTY AND AMENITIES TO EE MAINTAINED

*****

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY (MONDAY) CALLED FOR A UNITED EFFORT TO MAINTAIN THE BEAUTY AND AMENITIES IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT.

SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST SAI KUNG FESTIVAL MR. AKERS-JONES SAID: +IT IS MOST IMPORTANT WHEN OUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT IS THREATENED FROM MANY DIRECTIONS AND FOR MANY PURPOSES THAT WE MAKE A UNITED EFFORT TO MAINTAIN THE BEAUTY AND AMENITIES CF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT.*

+1 HOPE THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD WILL BE ABLE TO EXTEND ITS WORK IN THIS DIRECTION DURING THE COMING YEAR,* HE SAID.

TOUCHING ON THE PROGRESS MADE BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD SINCE ITS FORMATION IN DECEMBER 1977, MR. AKERS-JONES NOTED THAT IT HAD SPONSORED MORE THAN 20 RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND SPORTS PROJECTS.

WITH THE SUPPORT CF THE RURAL COMMITTEE, MANY NEW VENTURES, SUCH AS THE SAI KUNG CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND SAI KUNG DRAMA CLUB, HAVE BEEN STARTED.

+ IN ADDITION, VALUABLE ADVICE, AND CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS AND CRITICISM HAVE RESULTED FROM THE BOARD’S REGULAR MEETINGS,* HE SAID.

THE CLOSING CEREMONY WAS JOINTLY OFFICIATED BY MR. AKERS-JONES AND MR. LAU KWUN SANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE.

THE SIX-DAY FESTIVAL, THE FIRST EVENT OF SUCH SCALE EVER STAGED IN-THE DISTRICT, AIMS TO INSTITUTE TO THE PEOPLE OF SAI KUNG A SENSE OF BELONGING AS WELL AS TO PROMOTE THE RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

IT HAS PROVED AN INSTANT SUCCESS AS ATTENDANCE WAS VERY GOOD AT ALL THE EVENTS, INCLUDING CANTONESE OPERAS, CHINESE FOLK DANCES, ATHLETIC MEETS, PUPPET SHOWS, DRAMA PERFORMANCES AS WELL AS EXHIBITIONS OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND PAINTINGS.

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

BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS

*****

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (MONDAY) DECLARED NOS. 78, 79, 80, 81, 82 AND 83 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID THE GROUP OF SIX FOUR-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS HAD BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION SINCE 1966 WHEN EXTENSIVE REPAIRS TO THE KITCHEN BLOCKS OF FOUR BUILDINGS HAD BEEN ORDERED.

+A RECENT INVESTIGATION HAD REVEALED THE DETERIORATION OF THE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS HAD REACHED A STAGE WHERE THERE IS NOW A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE. IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILDINGS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. 0N MARCH 5 WERE POSTED TODAY, HE ADDED.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1979

- 4 -

SPRING FESTIVAL FEAST FOR 200 DISABLED TRAINEES

* * * * *

TWO HUNDRED DISABLED TRAINEES FROM TWO REHABILITATION CENTRES RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT «ILL HAVE THEIR SHARE OF THE SPRING FESTIVITY TOMORROW (TUESDAY) EVENING.

THEY WILL EE TREATED TO A SUMPTUOUS 12-COURSE DINNER BY THE LIONS CLUE OF HONG KONG CENTRAL AS A LUNAR NEW YEAR GESTURE TO THE DISABLED.

THE DISABLED ARE TRAINEES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE (A.R.C.) AND KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE (K.C.C.C.) IN WONG CHUK HANG.

THE DINNER PARTY, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT A.R.C., WILL BE HERALDED BY A LION DANCE, SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES TO BE STAGED BY TRAINEES OF EOTH INSTITUTIONS, STARTING AT 6 P.M.

ACCOMPANYING THE DISABLED TO THE DINNER PARTY WILL BE OFFICIALS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG CENTRAL, INCLUDING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS. EVELYN DOE- PRESIDENT OF THE CLUE, MR. LAWRENCE SZETO- AND VICE-PRESIDENTS, MR. YIP HING-CHUNG AND MR. CHAN WAI-HON.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SPRING FESTIVAL FEAST FOR 200 DISABLED TRAINEES AT 6 P.M. TOMORROW ■ (TUESDAY) AT THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE AT WELFARE ROAD, WONG CHUK HANG.

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

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST BETwEEN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND HILL ROAD, WILL EE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 1 A.M. TO 4.30 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 7).

THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE DEMOLITION OF A BUILDING.

DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD, EASTBCUND TRAFFIC WILL EE DIVERTED VIA QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND HILL ROAD WHILE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL EE DIVERTED VIA WHITTY STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD wEST.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TC GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICES STRESSED . 1

REINFORCED POST-RELEASE PROGRAMME URGED FOR PERSISTENT RECIDIVISTS ................ 2

SUCCESS IN CLAMPING DOWN ON TRAVEL DOCUMENT FORGERY ACTIVITIES ................................... 3

178,951 SPENT LUNAR NEW YEAR IN MACAU AND ABROAD . 4

FIRE PREVENTION COURSE FOR HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS 4

ANNUAL SPRING RECEPTIONS ............................. 5

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1979

IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICES STRESSED *******

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES TODAY (TUESDAY) PRAISED VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG.

ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE DIRECTORS OF PO LEUNG KUK, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, MANNED BY WELL MOTIVATED, CIVIC-MINDED AND EXPERIENCED VOLUNTEERS AND WELL QUALIFIED SOCIAL WORKERS HAD WORKED JOINTLY IN CONSULTATION AND CO-OPERATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT FOR MANY YEARS.

♦WHILE THE GOVERNMENT TODAY ACCEPTS THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG, THE NEED FOR A VIGOROUS AND PROGRESSIVE VOLUNTARY SECTOR HERE HAS, HOWEVER. NOT DIMINISHED,♦ HE SAID.

♦INDEED, THERE ARE VERY GOOD REASONS WHY HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE STRENGTH OF THIS VOLUNTARY EFFORT.♦

MR. AKERS-JONES POINTED OUT THAT THE HISTORY OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG REFLECTED A CONTINUING EFFORT TO PIONEER AND EXPERIMENT AND, ON THIS REMARKABLE RECORD, WOULD LIE THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE IMPROVEMENT IN SOCIAL SERVICES.

THE KUK HE, SAID, STARTED IN 1878 TO PROTECT THE YOUNG AND SUPPORT THE INNOCENT AND HAD, IN ITS FIRST 100 YEARS OF ITS HISTORY, DEVELOPED FROM ITS LIMITED INITIAL ROLE INTO A SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATION STRETCHING OUT IN ALL DIRECTIONS.

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO SEE THE KUK WAS EXTENDING ITS SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRI-TOR IES.

♦THIS IS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE BECAUSE THE NEW TERRITORIES IS GOING THROUGH A PHASE OF RAPID AND SIGNIFICANT TRANSFORMATION WHEN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW RESIDENTS WILL BE MOVING INTO THE NEW TOWNS AND FIND THEMSELVES IN NEW ENVIRONMENT AND UNFAMILIAR NEIGHBOURHOODS,^ HE SAID.

♦THE PROCESS OF ADJUSTMENT FOR THESE NEW RESIDENTS WILL NOT BE AN EASY ONE AND THEY WILL NEED ALL THE HELP THAT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND VOLUNTARY BODIES CAN GIVE TO BUILD NEW HOMES IN NEW COMMUNITIES,♦ MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED.

- 0 - -

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1979

- 2

REINFORCED POST-RELEASE PROGRAMME URGED FOR PERSISTENT RECIDIVISTS

*****

A REINFORCED POST-RELEASE PROGRAMME SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO HELP CRIMINAL RECIDIVISTS LEAD NORMAL LIVES, ACCORDING TO A REPORT PRODUCED BY THE RESEARCH SECTION OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.

THE 35-PAGE REPORT CONTAINS THE FINDINGS OF A RANDOM SURVEY CF 126 PRISONERS CARRIED OUT TO ESTABLISH THE TYPICAL PROFILE OF A PERSISTENT RECIDIVIST.

THE REPORT ADDS THAT PROGRAMMES FOR THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF PERSISTENT RECIDIVISTS SHOULD INCLUDE TRAINING IN SOCIAL SKILLS, EXTRACTION FROM TRIAD INFLUENCES, DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT AND THE RESTRUCTURING OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN RECIDIVISTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

SIXTY-FIVE OF THE 126 PRISONERS SURVEYED WERE DEFINED AS PERSISTENT RECIDIVISTS HAVING SERVED TWO OR MORE SHORT-TERM SENTENCES FOR CRIMINAL OFFENCES.

THE RECIDIVISTS HAD AN AVERAGE OF 17.8 PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS EACH AND HAD SERVED ON AVERAGE 13 PRISON SENTENCES EACH.

THE TIME LAPSE BETWEEN DISCHARGE FROM PRISON AND SUBSEQUENT RE-ADMISSION INTO PRISON WAS BETWEEN FIVE AND 15 MONTHS.

EIGHTY PER CENT OF THE RECIDIVISTS WERE DRUG ADDICTS WITH AN AVERAGE LENGTH OF ADDICTION OF 12 YEARS.

OVER 93 PER CENT OF RECIDIVISTS WERE FOUND TO HAVE HAD ASSOCIATIONS WITH TRIAD OR OTHER CRIMINAL ELEMENTS.

SAYS THE REPORT: *AN EXAMINATION OF THE HISTORY OF THE PERSISTENT RECIDIVIST SHOWS THAT THREE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY AT THE SAME TIME IN HIS LIFEt HIS ADDICTION TO NARCOTICS, HIS COMMENCEMENT IN HIS CRIMINAL CAREER AND HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH TRIAD GANG ACTIVITIES.*

THE REPORT GOES ON i +THE PERSISTENT RECIDIVIST CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A MALADJUSTED INDIVIDUAL WHO IS UNSOPHISTICATED IN HIS SOCIAL SKILLS AND IS UNABLE TO HANDLE REAL SITUATIONS RATIONALLY.*

♦FROM THE DATA GATHERED IT APPEARED THAT MOST OF THE PERSISTENT RECIDIVISTS WERE PETTY OFFENDERS WHO SIMPLY WOULD NOT CONFORM TO THE LAW POSSIBLY BECAUSE THEY VIEWED CRIME AS A WAY OF MAKING A LIVING AND ALSO PERHAPS BECAUSE THEY WERE NARCOTICS ADDICTS.*

THE SURVEY FOUND THAT THE QUALITY OF THE RECIDIVISTS’ FAMILY LIFE IS POOR AND WHAT LITTLE FAMILY COHESION THERE IS IS CONSTANTLY DISRUPTED BY THE RECIDIVISTS’ REPEATED RETURNS TO PRISON.

THE REPORT CONCLUDED THAT A REINFORCED POST-RELEASE PROGRAMME SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO FACILITATE THE RE-INTEGRATION OF RECIDIVISTS INTO SOCIETY.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1979

SUCCESS IN CLAMPING DOWN ON TRAVEL DOCUMENT FORGERY ACTIVITIES ******

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S SUCCESS IN CLAMPING DOWN ON TRAVEL DOCUMENT FORGERY ACTIVITIES IS REFLECTED BY THE ARRAY CF FORGERY EQUIPMENT SEIZED AND NOW ON DISPLAY IN THE STRONG ROOM OF ITS INVESTIGATION DIVISION.

THE EQUIPMENT, WHICH ONCE MEANT MILLIONS OF DOLLAR TO RACKETEERS BEFORE THEY WERE CAUGHT AND PUT BEHIND BARS, INCLUDE VARIOUS KINDS OF IMPLEMENTS, SEALS AND PRINTING BLOCKS USED TO FORGE PASSPORTS OF MANY COUNTRIES AS WELL AS HONG KONG’S CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY AND RE-ENTRY PERMITS.

ALSO ON DISPLAY IS A VARIETY OF FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ONCE USED BY PEOPLE WHO TRIED TO GET INTO OR OUT OF HONG KONG.

THE STRONG ROOM ALSO SERVES AS A TEACHING SCHOOL FOR ALL IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, PARTICULARLY NEW RECRUITS, TO FAMILARISE THEMSELVES WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.

IT IS ALSO VISITED BY OVERSEAS IMMIGRATION AGENTS AS WELL AS LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION

♦MANY OF THESE FORGED DOCUMENTS WERE PRODUCED BY SUBSTITUTING THE PHOTOGRAPH IN AN AUTHENTIC DOCUMENT ISSUED BY IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES AND ENDORSING THE PHOTOGRAPH WITH FAKE SEAL MARKS,* THE HEAD OF THE DIVISION, MR. DAVID MILLS SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

♦SOME OF THESE PAPERS HAVE THE PARTICULARS CHANGED TO ANSWER THE DESCRIPTION OF THE HOLDER BY REPLACING A FEW PAGES. THE MOST DARING KIND IS THE SO CALLED ’HOME-MADE’ PASSPORT WHICH IS A COMPLETE FAKE DOCUMENT,♦ HE SAID.

MR. MILLS NOTED THAT THE COST OF OBTAINING A FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENT RANGED FROM A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS TO $20,000 DEPENDING ON BARGAINING BETWEEN THE RACKETEER AND THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER.

♦SOME OF THESE FAKE DOCUMENTS ARE WELL MADE AND VERY CLOSE TO THE GENUINE ONES BUT CAN HARDLY ESCAPE THE SHARP EYES OF OUR TRAINED IMMIGRATION OFFICERS,* MR. MILLS SAID.

APART FROM FORGED DOCUMENTS SEIZED AT IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS, OFFICERS OF THE INVESTIGATION DIVISION ALSO CARRIED OUT RAIDS ON FORGERY RINGS.

THE BIGGEST SEIZURE WAS MADE IN 1976 IN WHICH ABOUT 4,000 SETS OF FAKE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WERE DISCOVERED.

THE SECOND BIGGEST HAUL WAS MADE IN JULY 1977 IN WHICH OVER 300 FORGED RE-ENTRY PERMITS WERE SEIZED. THREE WOMEN AND A 15-YEAR-OLD BOY WERE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SEIZURE.

0 - -

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1979

178,951 SPENT LUNAR NEW YEAR IN MACAU AND ABROAD *****

'A RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLED TO MACAU AND ABROAD TO SPEND THEIR LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

DURING THE EIGHT-DAY PERIOD FROM JANUARY 27 (LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE) TO FEBRUARY 3, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT RECORDED 178,951 DEPARTURES COMPARED WITH 147,885 IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

OF THE 178,951 DEPARTURES, 100,701 WERE MACAU-BOUND AND 78,250 TO OVERSEAS COUNTRIES.

ON JANUARY 29 ALONE (THE SECOND DAY OF THE YEAR OF THE GOAT), 14,481 LOCAL RESIDENTS LEFT FOR MACAU BY FERRY, HYDROFOIL AND JETFOIL.

KAI TAK AIRPORT ALSO REPORTED 16,989 DEPARTURES ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE.

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

FIRE PREVENTION COURSE FOR HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS *****

FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION COURSES FOR GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

___ TWO SEPARATE ONE-DAY COURSES FOR HOSPITAL SECRETARY GRADE OFFICERS WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY AND AGAIN ON FEBRUARY 22 AT THE F'RE FREVENT,0N BUREAU HEADQUARTERS IN ASIAN HOUSE, HENNESSY ROAD, WAN GHA I •

*F,W SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE ®?^r,“AS To BR,EF HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS ON THEIR ROLE IN FIRE PREVENTION AND IN CASE OF A FIRE BREAKING OUT.

*’F THE COURSE IS SUCCESSFUL IT WILL BE EXTENDED TO STAFF OF PRIVATE HOSPITALS,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

«U1US’ !a.G.-JJ!JDER’ CH,EF F,RE OFFICER (PREVENTION), WILL OPEN THE SEMINAR, FOLLOWED BY LECTURES AND TALKS BY MR. C.G. PULL INGER 2n«ii?l?iNAbi£2M?ANBER 0F FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS- MR. JOSEPH LAW, SERVICES PVBL|”tYE"?HCe"F'CEI' ‘"D "" *“YEU"S FIRE

MR. PULL INGER WILL BRIEF THE ADMINISTRATORS ON THE TYPES AND PENANCE OF FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS AND

tWU I < rltN I #

MR. LAW WILL SPEAK ON FIRE HAZARDS, RISK AREAS, PROTECTION AND USE AND STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS.

BUILDING FIRE

MR. AUYEUNG WILL DISCUSS THE OFFICERS, THE PREPARATION OF FIRE ORGANISATION OF FIRE SQUADS, FIRE

APPOINTMENT OF DUTY FIRE SAFETY ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS, AND THE DRILLS AND LECTURES.

- 0 - -

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1979

ANNUAL SPRING RECEPTIONS

*****

THE MONG KOK AND WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICES TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WILL HOLD THEIR ANNUAL SPRING RECEPTIONS FOR MORE THAN 1,000 GUESTS.

THE RECEPTIONS ARE BEING HELD IN APPRECIATION FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION WITH THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES DURING THE PAST YEAR.

MR. LAM KAM-KWONG, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN) AND MISS REGINA LAU, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (MONG KOK) WILL BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE THE GUESTS.

THEY INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, CLANSMAN ASSOCIATIONS, CITY DISTRICT, MUTUAL AID AND AREA COMMITTEES, SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, PROMINENT RESIDENTS AND HEADS OF GOVERNMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

SPRING RECEPTIONS OF THE WONG TAI SIN AND MONG KOK CITY DISTRICT OFFICES WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE FORMER WILL HOLD ITS FUNCTION FROM 3.30 P.M. AT ITS PREMISES AT THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AND THE LATTER FROM 4 P.M. AT THE INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT, 612 NATHAN ROAD. YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENTS.

0 --------

f»RH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

WARMEST JANUARY SINCE 1966 .......................... 1

TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGEMENT DUTIES REVIEWED ........... 2

IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ........ 3

BLACK’S LINK TO REMAIN OPEN TO RELIEVE MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC......................................... *

FIREMEN HOLD PHOTO CONTEST .......................... 5

CDO (SOUTHERN) SPRING RECEPTION ..................... 6

VISIT TO OCEAN PARK ................................. 6

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ................................ 6

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1979

WARMEST JANUARY SINCE 1966 ft ft ft ft ft ft

JANUARY 1979 WAS THE WARMEST JANUARY SINCE 1966 BUT IT HAD LESS THAN AVERAGE HOURS OF SUNSHINE ---- 34.7 HOURS BELOW NORMAL AT 122.5 HOURS.

THE MONTH’S MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 17.6 DEGREES CELSIUS, hEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 20.2 DEGREES AND MEAN MINIMUM OF 15.5 DEGREES ALL RANKED FIFTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR JANUARY.

MOST OF THE MONTH’S RAINFALL OCCURRED IN TWO SHORT SPELLS BUT TOTAL RAINFALL AT 45.1 MM WAS 16.6 MM ABOVE AVERAGE.

APART FROM A FEW PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN OVERNIGHT ON JANUARY 7 AND AT FIRST ON JANUARY 8, THE FIRST 11 DAYS OF THE MONTH WERE MAINLY FINE AND MILD. ON THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 10 TEMPERATURES ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 23.7 DEGREES CELSIUS ---- THE HIGHEST

RECORDED FOR THE MONTH.

CONDITIONS BECAME CLOUDLY WITH SOME LIGHT RAIN DURING THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 12. THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT FALL IN TEMPERATURE DURING THE NEXT TWO DAYS BUT FRESH TO STRONG EASTERLIES WERE EXPERIENCED OVERNIGHT ON JANUARY 13.

MUCH COOLER WEATHER WITH PATCHES OF RAIN WAS EXPERIENCED ON JANUARY 15-16 AFTER THE PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT ON THE EVENING OF JANUARY 14. WINDS FRESHENED FROM THE NORTH AFTER THE FRONTAL PASSAGE AND REMAINED FRESH TO STRONG UNTIL THE EARLY MORNING OF JANUARY 16.

THE WEATHER IMPROVED ON JANUARY 17 BUT REMAINED GENERALLY CLOUDY UNTIL THE START OF A SHORT SPELL OF FINE AND SUNNY WEATHER ON JANUARY 23. CONDITIONS GRADUALLY BECAME MILDER FROM JANUARY 17 ONWARDS AND IT WAS QUITE WARM DURING THE AFTERNOONS OF JANUARY 26-29.

THE PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT LATE ON JANUARY 29 ENDED THE FINE AND SUNNY SPELL. IT BECAME OVERCAST WITH RAIN WHICH PERSISTED UNTIL THE MORNING OF JANUARY 31. STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS SET IN DURING THE EVENING OF JANUARY 30 AND PERSISTED UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH.

TEMPERATURES DROPPED SHARPLY AND THE MONTH’S MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 6.8 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON THE LAST HOUR OF THE MONTH.

THE CORRESPONDING TEMPERATURE RECORDED AT TATE’S CAIRN WAS 0.3 DEGREE CELSIUS. TAI MO SHAN RECORDED A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF -0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 31 AND -2.4 DEGREES THE FOLLOWING MORNING. GROUND FROST WAS OBSERVED THERE.

/DURING THE MONTH .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1979

DURING THE MONTH NO AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO WEATHER AND NO THUNDERSTORM OR HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS WERE ISSUED.

TYPHOON ALICE WAS THE ONLY TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC BUT NO TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING HOISTED.

THE

SIGNALS WERE

LOW TEMPERATURE WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON JANUARY 15 AND 31 AND THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING rfAS ISSUED ON JANUARY 7.

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TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGEMENT DUTIES REVIEWED ******

THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE EXAMINING THEIR TOWN MANAGEMENT DUTIES TO IMPROVE CO-ORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION WITH AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS, THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN AN ANNUAL NEW YEAR YEAR BAI NIN SPEECH AT THE TSUEN WAN MANAGEMENT OFFICE, MR. HAYES TOLD MEMBERS OF THESE COMMITTEES AND ASSOCIATIONS THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE THE ROUTINE WORK OF THESE DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE PUBLIC WORKS, URBAN SERVICES, FIRE SERVICES AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT, ON TOWN MANAGEMENT IN THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SECTORS COULD BENEFIT GREATLY FROM THEIR INTEREST AND CO-OPERATION.

+WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN A GOOD POSITION TO BRING FORWARD FOR OUR ATTENTION AND ACTION MANY MATTERS THAT WE MIGHT NOT KNOW CF, OR SEE, BY OURSELVES.

♦BUT IT IS UP TO US AND THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO SEE THAT THE RIGHT CHANNELS OF TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION ARE KEPT OPEN, ARE USED, AND THAT TANGIBLE RESULTS FLOW FROM THE EXCHANGE.*

MR. HAYES POINTED OUT THAT MEMBERS ON THESE AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS HAD CONTRIBUTED CONSIDERABLY TO THE CREATION OF A STRONG LOCAL COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING HELPFUL ADVICE ON TOWN PLANNING AND IN DESIGNING AND MANAGING PUBLIC AMENITIES.

THEIR ASSISTANCE IN ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC TO TAKE PART IN THE MANY COMPETITIONS ARRANGED BY VARIOUS LOCAL SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATIONS WAS GREATLY APPRECIATED AND VERY MUCH NEEDED, HE SAID.

♦PLEASE CONTINUE AND RE-DOUBLE YOUR EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY AND PLEASE, TOO, CONTINUE TO PERSUADE MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELVES TO JOIN LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND JOIN IN THE STRENUOUS EFFORTS TO MAKE TSUEN WAN A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN,* MR. HAYES URGED.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1979

IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ******

THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS TO ENGAGE IN INSERVICE TRAINING TO IMPROVE THEIR PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE WITH THE ULTIMATE AIM OF PROVIDING A BETTER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC ARE VARIED AND WIDE-RANGING.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMME IS DESIGNED MAINLY TO REFRESH SERVING OFFICERS’ MEMORIES ON BOTH THE OPERATIONAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF THEIR WORK AND TO KEEP THEM UPDATED WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES.

ON THE OPERATIONAL ASPECT THE SPOKESMAN SAIDx +INVESTIGATION COURSES ARE RUN REGULARLY ON TECHNIQUES OF CONDUCTING SEARCHES, SURVEILLANCE AND GENERAL INVESTIGATION.

♦THESE COURSES ALSO COVER PROCEDURES IN MAKING AN ARREST AND TAKING OUT PROSECUTION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, OVER-STAYERS AND HOLDERS OF FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.

♦SOME OF OUR OFFICERS ATTEND COURSES RUN BY THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT OF THE POLICE FORCE.*

ON LEGAL ASPECT OF THEIR WORK, COURSES ARE PROVIDED, SOMETIMES WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, TO GIVE IMMIGRATION OFFICERS TRAINING IN POWERS OF DETENTION AND ARREST, STATEMENT TAKING, COURT PROCEDURES, PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE IN COURT AND JUDGES’ RULES.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ARE SENT ABROAD FOR ATTACHMENT TO IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS IN BRITAIN, -THE UNITED STATES, WEST GERMANY, ITALY, BELGIUM AND HOLLAND TO GAIN PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE OF THEIR WORK PROCEDURES AND ON THEIR RETURN TO PASS THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO OTHER OFFICERS.

TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION WITH TRAVELLERS FROM OVERSEAS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, OFFICERS WERE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSES EITHER RUN BY THE GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING THE VARIOUS CONSULATES.

♦APART FROM CHINESE AND ENGLISH IN WHICH OUR OFFICERS ARE FLUENT, CHANCES ARE OPEN TO THEM TO LEARN GERMAN, FRENCH, JAPANESE AND THAI.+

IMMIGRATION OFFICERS CAN ALSO ATTEND COURSES AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ON THE OPERATION OF SHIP-TO-SHORE RADIO-TELEPHONES.

MANAGEMENT COURSES ORGANISED LOCALLY AND ABROAD ARE AVAILABLE TO SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

-----0-----

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1979

BLACK’S LINK TO REMAIN OPEN TO RELIEVE MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC *****

BLACK’S LINK WILL CONTINUE TO OPEN FROM 7.30 A.M. TO 9.30 A.M. DAILY TO EASE TRAFFIC FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF HONG KONG ISLAND TO CENTRAL, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

BLACK’S LINK, OPENED ON DECEMBER 5 LAST YEAR, HAS BEEN USED AS A RELIEF ROUTE FOR PRIVATE CARS AND TAXIS FROM WONG NAI CHUNG GAP TO MAGAZINE GAP AND CENTRAL, BYPASSING THE CONGESTED STUBBS ROAD ROUNDABOUT DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOURS ON WEEKDAYS.

♦SINCE THE OPENING OF BLACK’S LINK, TRAFFIC FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF HONG KONG ISLAND HAS MOVED MORE SMOOTHLY,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR PWD SAID.

♦ACCORDING TO SOME MOTORISTS USING THE RELIEF ROUTE, THE TRAVELLING TIME TO CENTRAL HAS BEEN CUT BY ABOUT 15 MINUTES,+ HE ADDED.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1979

FIREMEN HOLD PHOTO CONTEST

******

WINNERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S FIRST PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION WILL BE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES AT TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION ON FRIDAY.

+THE PURPOSE OF THE COMPETITION IS TO CULTIVATE INTEREST IN HOBBIES AMONG MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT,* SAID MR. ALAN JONES, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES).

MR. JONES WHO SUGGESTED ORGANISING THE COMPETITION SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE GOOD RESPONSE IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE COMPETITION WOULD BE HELD AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

THE COMPETITION WAS DIVIDED INTO COLOUR AND BLACK AND WHITE SECTIONS. UNDER EACH SECTION WERE TWO CATEGORIES — FIRE SERVICES INTEREST AND NON-FIRE SERVICES INTEREST.

IT ATTRACTED 104 PHOTOGRAPHS FROM MORE THAN 80 ENTRANTS. PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE TOP THREE PHOTOGRAPHS IN EACH CATEGORY AND THE 12 WINNING PICTURES WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE CANTEEN OF THE FIRE STATION FOR THREE DAYS.

MR. CHAN KWING-HON, AN ABERDEEN FIREMAN WON TOP HONOURS IN THE COLOUR SECTION OF THE FIRE SERVICES INTEREST CATEGORY AND WAS ALSO NOMINATED AS OVERALL CHAMPION.

THE PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISED MR. CHIN MAN-LI, THE HON. CONSULTANT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION-l-R. CHEUNG HUNG-CHUEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY'AND MR. CHOW CHUNG-LIM, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.

MRS. ALAN JONES WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNER.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE FIRST PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE HELD AT TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION CANTEEN AT 3 P.M. ON FRIDAY. YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY.

/6......

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1979

CDO (SOUTHERN) SPRING RECEPTION * * * *

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SOUTHERN) WILL HOLD A SPRING RECEPTION TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FOR 250 PEOPLE IN APPRECIATION OF THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND CONTINUED SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION.

THE GUESTS INCLUDE KAIFONG AND CIVIC LEADERS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM CITY DISTRICT, AREA AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

MISS ELLE SHUM, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (SOUTHERN) AND HER STAFF WILL BE PRESENT TO WELCOME THE GUESTS.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SOUTHERN) SPRING RECEPTION AT 4 P.M. TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE JADE PALACE RESTAURANT, FIFTH FLOOR, WAH FU ROAD, HONG KONG.

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

VISIT TO OCEAN PARK

I* M K

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO) AND THE KAM MUN SQUATTER MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE WILL CONDUCT A TOUR TO THE OCEAN PARK FOR 64 RESIDENTS TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

THE TOUR, PART OF SHAM SHUI PO CITY DISTRICT OFFICE’S NEW YEAR ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME, IS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SQUATTERS TO VISIT HONG KONG’S NEWEST TOURIST ATTRACTION.

A LUCKY DRAW WILL BE HELD AT THE END OF THE VISIT.

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

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS

*****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE SECTION OF EASTERN STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND FIRST STREET IS NOW CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY ROAD REPAIR WORKS.

DURING THE MONTH-LONG CLOSURE, THE SECTION OF EASTERN STREET BETWEEN FIRST STREET AND SECOND STREET IS RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.

TRAFFIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

UMELCO MEMBERS VISIT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN ................ 1

S3.4 MILLION AIRPORT CONTRACT AWARDED ................. 1

THREE CROWN LAND LOTS TO BE AUCTIONED.................. 2

DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES STATISTICS RELEASED .......... 2

USD’S ANNUAL FUN FAIR ON SUNDAY........................ 3

BAILEY BRIDGE CLOSED .................................. 3

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1979

UMELCO MEMBERS VISIT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN ******

SEVEN UMELCO MEMBERS, ACCOMPANIED BY A PARTY OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, VISITED TUEN MUN NEW TOWN TODAY TO SEE THE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE THERE.

THEY ALSO HAD AN HOUR-LONG DISCUSSION WITH THE OFFICIALS ON PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THESE DEVELOPMENTS.

ONE OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED WAS THE CLEARANCE OF SAN HUI, WHICH WAS INSPECTED BY THE UNOFFICIALS.

THE UMELCO MEMBERS, MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, DR. HENRY HU, MR. LEUNG TAT-SHING, FR; PATRICK MCGOVERN, MR. WONG LAM, MR. CHARLES YEUNG AND DR. HO KAM-FAI ALSO TOURED THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT AREAS WHERE THEY SAW LARGE TRACTS OF LAND BEING FORMED FOR NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, FACTORIES, SCHOOLS, ROADS, A HOSPITAL AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES.

THEY WERE ALSO APPRISED OF TENTATIVE PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS, INCLUDING AN ENCLOSED LAGOON FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OFF CASTLE PEAK BEACH.

ACCOMPANYING THE UNOFFICIALS ON TODAY’S VISIT WERE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN TODD, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, TUEN MUN, MR. G.M. ORR, THE PROJECT MANAGER, MR. S.A. BARDEN, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (OPERATIONS), MR. JOHN HEYWOOD, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES (NT) MR. H.S. GREWAL.

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

$3.4 MILLION AIRPORT CONTRACT AWARDED * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $3.4 MILLION CONTRACT TO PERT ENGINEERING LTD. TO SUPPLY AND INSTALL THE FINAL STAGE OF THE ARRIVAL BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE CONTRACT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY MR. G.J. OSBORNE, PWD’S PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND MR. ALAN POON BING-KUEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY.

THE CONTRACT COVERS TWO RACETRACK TYPE RECLAIM CONVEYORS FORMING THE FINAL STAGE OF THE ARRIVAL BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM THE FIRST STAGE HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR SOME TIME.

THE WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT THE SAME TIME AS THE REFURNISHING PROGRAMME IN THE TERMINAL BUILDING.

THE FIRST CONVEYOR IS EXPECTED TO BE COMMISSIONED NEXT JANUARY AND THE SECOND IN MARCH 1981 WHEN THE ENTIRE ARRIVAL BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM WILL BE COMPLETED.

-----0----

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1979 - 2 -

THREE CROWN LAND LOTS TO BE AUCTIONED ft * * * * *

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE SOLD AT AN AUCTION IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON MARCH 8.

ONE SITE IS OFF SUN SING STREET, SHAU KEI WAN, COVERING 1,322 SQUARE METRES. IT IS INTENDED FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.

THE SECOND LOT, MEASURING 1,900 SQUARE METRES AT HONG NING ROAD, KOWLOON, IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

THE LAST SITE AT 475 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON, MEASURING 68.1 SQUARE METRES IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.

FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG, AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

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

DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES STATISTICS RELEASED ft ft ft ft ft

THE FIRST SET OF MONTHLY STATISTICS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT NOW COLLECTS UNDER POWERS PROVIDED IN THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1978 WERE RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE STATISTICS, WHICH RELATE TO THE POSITION AT THE END OF DECEMBER, 1978, SHOW THAT THE TOTAL LIABILITIES OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES IN HONG KONG AT THIS TIME AMOUNTED TO 152,352 MILLION (ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE EQUIVALENT FIGURE FOR BANKS).

DEPOSITS FROM THE PUBLIC (EXCLUDING BANKS AND OTHER DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) AMOUNTED TO $10,447 MILLION, WHILE DEPOSITS FROM BANKS ABROAD TOTALLED $27,398 MILLION.

AMONG THE ASSETS OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG AMOUNTED TO $10,139 MILLION. AND LOANS AND ADVANCES ABROAD, $21,165 MILLION. THE NET IDENTIFIABLE FOREIGN ASSETS OF THESE COMPANIES TOTALLED $5,344 MILLION.

THE ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AT THE END OF DECEMBER IS ALSO PUBLISHED TODAY.

A TOTAL OF 241 COMPANIES WERE REGISTERED UNDER THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE AT THE END OF 1978.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1979

USD’S ANNUAL FUN FAIR ON SUNDAY ******

THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL FUN FAIR FOR STAFF MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES THIS SUNDAY AT FA HUI PARK, BOUNDARY STREET.

A SPOKESMAN FOR USD SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE USUAL AFTERNOON CLEANSING SERVICES ON THAT DAY WILL BE SUSPENDED TO ENABLE THE STAFF TO ATTEND THE FAIR.

+IT IS HOPED THAT MINIMUM INCONVENIENCE WILL BE CAUSED TO THE PUBLIC,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

MUCH OF THE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE FAIR WILL BE PROVIDED BY TELEVISION AND RADIO STARS. THERE WILL ALSO BE ABOUT 20 GAMES STALLS.

NOTE TO ED I TORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL FUN FAIR THIS SUNDAY AT THE FA HUI PARK, BOUNDARY STREET, FROM 1-5 P.M.

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

BAILEY BRIDGE CLOSED * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE BAILEY BRIDGE AT CLOUDY HILL JEEP TRACK IN KAU LUNG HANG, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS FROM 10 A.M. THIS COMING MONDAY (FEBRUARY 12).

THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE REPAIR WORKS TO THE BRIDGE.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

-----o-----

GISl ISM

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SCHOOLS TO PLAY MORE IMPORTANT ROLE IN STUDENT ASSESSMENT 1

GOVERNOR VISITS MTR STATION SITES .................... 2

ESTIMATED FIGURES ON POPULATION ...................... 3

KOWLOON TONG DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ............... 4

MORE NEW SCHOOLS FOR SHA TIN ......................... 5

PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS .................. 6

TENDERS CALLED FOR KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL SITE ........ 6

INDOOR GAMES HALL FOR KWAI CHUNG...................... 7

MARINE COURT TO INVESTIGATE HYDROFOIL-FISHING VESSEL COLLISION ............................................ 7

GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1980 GAZETTED ................... 8

SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND ALLOCATIONS ....... 9

FOLK NIGHT IN WONG TAI SIN .......................... 10

ESSAY CONTEST PROMOTING SWD’S SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK .... 11

AMS TO HOLD ANNUAL DINNER............................ 12

PARTY FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES ............................................ 12

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

SCHOOLS TO PLAY MORE IMPORTANT ROLE IN STUDENT ASSESSMENT ft ft ft ft

THE FUTURE TREND OF EXAMINATIONS IS LIKELY TO BE THAT THE MAIN ASSESSMENT OF A STUDENT’S ABILITY WILL PROGRESSIVELY BE MADE MORE AND MORE BY THE SCHOOL AND ONLY MONITORED BY PUBLIC TESTS, SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT), W. ARTHUR BROWN SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF LION’S CLUB (HONG KONG SOUTH) MR. BROWN CITED AS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS TREND THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SCHEME.

THE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SCHEME, HE SAID, WAS THAT A STUDENT’S FUTURE NO LONGER DEPENDED ON HIS PERFORMANCE ON ONE DAY’S TESTING, BUT ON A WHOLE SERIES OF UNPRESSURED TESTING IN SCHOOL.

BUT MR. BROWN CAUTIONED THAT THE PRESSURE FROM PUBLIC EXAMINATION MUST NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO THE SCHOOL EXAMINATION.

♦AT THE BEST WITH A REAL UNDERSTANDING BY PARENTS AND BY SCHOOLS THE PRESSURE COULD BE REDUCED TO THE LEVEL WHERE IT ENCOURAGED HARD WORK, BUT HAD NO REAL STRAIN ON THE STUDENTS,* HE SAID.

THE FIRST FEATURE OF THE ALLOCATION SYSTEM, MR. BROWN SAID, WAS THE ACADEMIC APTITUDE TEST WHICH HAS ACHIEVED A REASONABLE DEGREE OF SUCCESS IN REDUCING EXAMINATION PRESSURE.

♦THE TESTS ARE DESIGNED TO TEST WHAT MIGHT BE DESCRIBED AS COMMON SENSE IN THE HANDLING OF WORDS AND NUMBERS, A GOOD PREDICTOR OF FUTURE SUCCESS IN EDUCATION.

♦IN OTHER WORDS, LITTLE PREPARATION IS NEEDED FOR THE TESTS AND SO THE CURRICULUM CAN BE VERY FLEXIBLE AND SUIT THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD,* MR. BROWN SA lb.

TURNING TO SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS, MR. BROWN SAID THEY HAVE THREE MAIN OBJECTIVES.

FIRST, THEY SHOULD GUIDE THE TEACHER ON THE SUCCESS OF HIS TEACHING AND BE USED TO FIND THE WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS OF THE STUDENTS.

SECOND, THEY SHOULD BE USED TO GIVE THE STUDENTS A TARGET AND ENCOURAGE HARD WORK. FINALLY, THEY COULD BE USED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME TO EVALUATE THE STUDENTS’ LIKELY ABILITY TO PROFIT FROM DIFFERENT TYPES OF EDUCATION.

BUT HE ADDED THAT EXAMINATIONS MUST NOT SIMPLY TEST ROTE LEARNING. ♦EXAMINATIONS WHICH GIVE THE STUDENT A CHANCE TO EXPRESS HIS OWN IDEAS, HOWEVER SIMPLE, AND WHICH TRY TO GET A CHILD TO THINK AND REASON FOR HIMSELF ARE EXCELLENT.*

/NOTING THAT .....

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

NOTING THAT FIERCE COMPETITION IN EXAMINATIONS OFTEN LED TO ROTE LEARNING OF FACTS AND FIGURES, LEADING TO A LACK OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE, MR. BROWN SAID ONE SOLUTION WOULD BE THE BROADENING OF THE CURRICULUM.

♦AT THE 6TH FORM LEVEL THERE WAS PUBLISHED RECENTLY A REPORT OF A WORKING PARTY ON THE 6TH FORM CURRICULUM AND A PROPOSED EXAMINATION SYSTEM INCORPORATING SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS WHICH WOULD BROADEN THE CURRICULUM,+ HE SAID.

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS CURRENTLY STUDYING THIS REPORT, AND THEIR MAIN CONCERN WAS TO CONSIDER HOW THE PRESENT CURRICULUM COULD BE REPLACED BY +SOMETHING WHICH BROADENS THE OUTLOOK, PRODUCES A TRULY EDUCATED STUDENT, AND MINIMISES EXAMINATION STRESS,+ MR. BROWN ADDED.

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GOVERNOR VISITS MTR STATION SITES

* * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED A NUMBER OF STATION SITES ALONG THE ROUTE OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND RODE ON ONE OF THE MTR TRAINS.

THE GOVERNOR, ACCOMPANIED BY MR. JOHN WALDEN, DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS AND MR. NORMAN THOMSON, CHAIRMAN OF MTR, VISITED THE ADMIRALTY STATION IN CENTRAL, WATERLOO STATION IN NORTH NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON BAY OVERHEAD STATION AND KOWLOON BAY DEPOT.

DURING HIS TOUR, SIR MURRAY WAS MET AND BRIEFED BY SENIOR MTR ENGINEERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF CONTRACTORS ENGAGED ON THE WORK.

AT KOWLOON BAY, SIR MURRAY AND THE PARTY BOARDED AN MTR TRAIN AND RODE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE ALONG A SECTION OF THE OVERHEAD RUNNING LINE.

THE ALUMINIUM-BODIED MTR TRAINS ARE FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED. EACH CAR IS ABOUT 22 METRES LONG AND THREE METRES WIDE, WITH 48 LONGITUDINAL SEATS AND ROOM FOR ABOUT 327 STANDING PASSENGERS. THERE ARE FIVE WIDE DOORS ON EACH SIDE OF THE CAR.

TRAINS ARE INITIALLY OF FOUR-CAR SETS WITH DRIVING CABS AT BOTH ENDS AND VESTIBULES CONNECTING THE CARS. THEY ARE ELECTRICALLY POWERED AND AUTOMATICALLY DRIVEN, WITH A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 80 KPH.

AT THE MTR’S TRAINING SCHOOL IN KOWLOON BAY DEPOT, SIR MURRAY SAW THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE STAFF UNDERGOING TRAINING.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

ESTIMATED FIGURES ON POPULATION

******

THE ESTIMATED POPULATION AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1978 WAS 4,720,200, FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOWED.

COMPARED WITH THE END-YEAR 1977 ESTIMATE, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF 153,310 PEOPLE OVER THE YEAR, REPRESENTING AN ANNUAL POPULATION GROWTH RATE OF 3.4 PER CENT.

THIS WAS MADE UP OF A +PLUS+ OF 56,900 THROUGH THE BALANCE OF BIRTHS OVER DEATHS AND A +PLUS+ OF 96,410 THROUGH THE BALANCE OF MIGRATION.

BIRTHS LAST YEAR TOTALLED 80,785 OR 897 MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THIS INCREASE WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE GRADUAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF WOMEN IN THE CHILD-BEARING AGES BETWEEN 15 AND 49.

BUT THE CONTINUING TENDENCY FOR THE GENERAL LEVEL OF FERTILITY TO DECLINE HAS FURTHER REDUCED THE CRUDE BIRTH RATE FROM 17.7 PER THOUSAND POPULATION IN 1977 TO 17.5 LAST YEAR.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS FOR 1978 WAS 23,885 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE OF 23,406 FOR 1977.

THE CRUDE DEATH RATE AT 5.2 PER THOUSAND POPULATION REMAINED THE SAME AS IN 1977.

THE FIGURES ON BIRTHS AND DEATHS ARE BASED ON EVENTS OCCURRING RATHER THAN ON REGISTRATIONS MADE AND THEREFORE DIFFER SLIGHTLY FROM THOSE RELEASED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

KOWLOON TONG DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED A DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR KOWLOON TONG.

THE OBJECT OF THE PLAN IS TO PROVIDE A LAND USE PATTERN AND MAJOR ROAD FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF LAND MAY BE CO-ORDINATED AND LEGALLY CONTROLLED.

A MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO CONTROL OF 0.6 OR THE EXISTING PLOT RATIO, WHICHEVER IS GREATER, WILL APPLY THROUGHOUT THE GROUP C RESIDENTIAL ZONE.

IT WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A DEFINITE INDICATION AS TO THE REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THEIR PROPERTY.

A SPOKESMAN OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAIDi +THE INTENTION OF THE PLAN IS TO RETAIN THE ORIGINAL CHARACTER OF THE AREA AND THE EXISTING SCALE OF DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS UNIQUE IN THE KOWLOON URBAN AREA.+

THE PLAN COVERS 197.31 HECTARES, OF WHICH 48.57 HECTARES ARE ZONED FOR GROUP B AND 23.14 HECTARES FOR GROUP C RESIDENTIAL USES, 36.72 FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, 0.21 HECTARES FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES AND 15.4 HECTARES FOR OTHER USES.

A TOTAL OF 35.13 HECTARES IS EARMARKED FOR OPEN SPACE WHILE ABOUT 20 HECTARES HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE FOR A GREEN BELT.

COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN INCLUDING NOTES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE* THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, KOWLOON CITY- MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KOWLOON- AND THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD.

UNDER A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE DRAFT PLAN MAY SUBMIT WRITTEN OBJECTIONS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE APRIL 8.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

MORE NEW SCHOOLS FOR SHA TIN * * *

A SCHOOL FOR COMMERCE WILL BE BUILT IN SHA TIN TO PROVIDE COMMERCIAL TRAINING FOR 1,200 STUDENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE SAID THE NEW TOWN WILL ALSO HAVE A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND 41 SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

MR. AKERS—JONES WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ 1,200-PLACE MRS. FUNG WONG FUNG-TING COLLEGE IN LEK YUEN ESTATE WHICH ALREADY HAS AN ENROLMENT CF 485 STUDENTS IN 12 CLASSES.

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE SCHOOL WAS BUILT AS PART OF THE PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT SCHOOLS AND OTHER FACILITIES TO CREATE A BALANCED AND SELF-SUFFICIENT NEW TOWN AT SHA TIN.

HE SAID, +WE CAN SEE ALL AROUND US IN SHA TIN THE PROOF OF OUR DETERMINATION TO PRESS ON WITH THE BUILDING OF THE NEW TOWN. AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS, OTHER SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL OPEN SHORTLY.+

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ CONTRIBUTION TO, AND MANAGING, A SCHOOL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS EVIDENCE OF THE STEADY REMOVAL OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OLD URBAN AREAS AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

PRAISING MR. FUNG KAM CHUNG FOR HIS $550,000 DONATION TOWARDS THE COST OF BUILDING THE SCHOOL, HE SAID IT WAS +YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THAT GENEROUS SPIRIT WHICH WAS QUITE COMMONLY FOUND IN HONG KONG WHEREBY THOSE WHO WERE WEALTHY SHARED THEIR WEALTH IN HELPING TO PROVIDE SCHOOLS AND MANY OTHER FACILITIES FOR THE GENERAL GOOD.+

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/6......

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITED TENDERS TO BUILD THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS IN TUEN MUN.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROJECT AIMED TO COPE WITH THE POPULATION GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT TAKING PLACE IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

♦CIVIL ENGINEERING WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 16 MONTHS' TO COMPLETE,+ HE ADDED.

♦THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ENGINEERING WORK COMPRISING CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMPING STATION, SCREEN CHAMBERS, GRIT REMOVAL TANKS, SUPERSTRUCTURES TO HOUSE THE SCREENINGS PRESS, INTEGRATED STATION CONTROLS, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND ANCILLARY DRAINAGE AND ROADWORKS.+

ON COMPLETION, SEWAGE FROM THE NEW TOWN WILL BE TREATED THROUGH FINE SCREENS AND GRIT REMOVAL DEVICE BEFORE BEING DISCHARGED THROUGH A SUBMARINE PIPE INTO DEEP WATER FOR DILUTION AND SATISFACTORY DISPERSION.

THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED, AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED, BY THE DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE ON BEHALF OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

- - 0 - -

TENDERS CALLED FOR KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL SITE ******

THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR AN INDUSTRIAL SITE IN KWAI CHUNG.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 1,460 SQUARE-METRE SITE ARE LIMITED TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS ISSUED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

♦THE LAND, EARMARKED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN DEVELOPMENT, IS IN HA KWAI CHUNG NEAR THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL,* THE ESTATE SURVEYOR (KWAI CHUNG) OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. GREG FRASER SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE LOT CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF $2,357,250 TO BE FULFILLED BEFORE JUNE 30, 1981.

TENDERS SHOULD 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, BEFORE NOON ON FEBRUARY 28.

FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OR ANY OF ITS SEVEN DISTRICT OFFICES.

- - 0 -

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

- 7 -

INDOOR GAMES HALL FOR KWAI CHUNG

* * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD AN INDOOR GAMES HALL IN KWAI CHUNG SHORTLY.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK WERE INVITED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE PWD.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE BUILDING, 62.5 METRES LONG AND 38 METRES WIDE, WILL ACCOMMODATE TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, TWO TENNIS COURTS, THREE VOLLEYBALL COURTS AND EIGHT BADMINTON COURTS.

IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE CHANGING ROOMS AND TOILETS, OFFICES, A SEPARATE GAMES ROOM, EQUIPMENT STORES, TRAINING ROOMS AND A TABLE-TENNIS ROOM.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BUILDING WILL HAVE A STEEL-FRAMED ROOF STRUCTURE.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN A°R IL AND IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

ON COMPLETION, THE INDOOR GAMES HALL WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT.

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MARINE COURT TO INVESTIGATE HYDROFOIL-FISHING VESSEL COLLISION * * * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE HAS APPOINTED A MARINE COURT TO INVESTIGATE A COLLISION THAT OCCURRED ON APRIL 12 LAST YEAR BETWEEN THE HYDROFOIL +FLYING CONDOR+ AND A FISHING VESSEL. LICENCE NO. M7OO71C, IN THE VICINITY OF CHEUNG CHAU.

THE MARINE COURT, COMPRISING JUDGE HOPKINSON AND ASSISTED BY TWO ASSESSORS, CAPTAIN M.D. BURBIDGE AND CAPTAIN P. GRAY, WILL SIT AT 10 A.M. THIS COMING MONDAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1980 GAZETTED ******

THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY), CONTAINS DETAILS OF THE GENERAL HOLIDAYS TO BE OBSERVED IN I960. EXCLUDING SUNDAYS, THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 17 HOLIDAYS WHICH AREi

EVERY SUNDAY ...........................

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY .......... TUESDAY, JANUARY 1

LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY ................... SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16

THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR ........ MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18

THE FOURTH DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR ....... TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19

GENERAL HOLIDAY IN LIEU OF THAT FOR THE CHING MING FESTIVAL ................ MONDAY, MARCH 31

GOOD FRIDAY (CHING MING FESTIVAL) ...... FRIDAY, APRIL 4

THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY .......... SATURDAY, APRIL 5

EASTER MONDAY .......................... MONDAY, APRIL 7

THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN .................................. MONDAY, APRIL 21

TUEN NG (DRAGON BOAT) FESTIVAL .......... TUESDAY, JUNE 17

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JULY ........... TUESDAY, JULY 1

THE FIRST MONDAY IN AUGUST ............. MONDAY, AUGUST 4

THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST, WHICH SHALL BE LIBERATION DAY ...............

THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MIDAUTUMN FESTIVAL .......................

CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ...................

CHRISTMAS DAY ..........................

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY ...................................

MONDAY, AUGUST 25

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID AS CHING MING AND GOOD FRIDAY FELL THE SAME DATE (FRIDAY, APRIL 4), MONDAY, MARCH 31 HAD BEEN SET IDE AS A HOLIDAY IN LIEU OF CHING MING, ALTHOUGH CHING MING ULD REMAIN A HOLIDAY FOR EMPLOYEES TO WHOM THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE APPLIED.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND ALLOCATIONS * * * *

THE ANNUAL ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FROM THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND GRANTS TOTALLING $2.1 MILLION TO 83 CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS MADE.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY MR. JOHN CHAMBERS, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE WHICH ADVISES THE GOVERNOR ON FUNDS ALLOCATION.

THE FUND, ONE OF THE LARGEST CHARITABLE TRUSTS IN HONG KONG, WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE LATE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG BY A BEQUEST MADE ON HIS DEATH IN 1956. ITS ASSETS ARE ADMINISTERED BY HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK HONG KONG (TRUSTEE) LIMITED, TRUSTEES OF SIR ROBERT HO TUNG’S ESTATE.

MR. CHAMBERS SAID THE AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION HAD INCREASED FROM $33,500 IN 1960-61 TO $1.9 MILLION LAST YEAR. HE POINTED OUT THAT, SINCE 1970 ALONE, OVER $16 MILLION HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG FROM THE FUND.

HE SAID GRANTS INCLUDED $465,000 TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS — $215,000 TO PURCHASE AN IMAGE INTENSIFIER FOR THE TUNG WAH EASTERN HOSPITAL AND $250,000 TO MEET PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS OF A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE AGED AT TA IPO.

THE PO LEUNG KUK HAD RECEIVED A DONATION OF $140,000 TOWARDS THE COST OF RENOVATING ITS MAIN BUILDING. THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION AND BRIGADE HAD BEEN GRANTED $114,240 TO FURNISH THREE NEW CENTRES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, TO BUY TRAINING EQUIPMENT AND TO EXPAND DENTAL PATROL SERVICES.

THE HONG KONG RED CROSS HAD BEEN GIVEN $100,000 TO PROMOTE PUBLICITY FOR ITS BLOOD COLLECTION SERVICES AND TO BUY ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR DISABLED CHILDREN.

A TOTAL OF $100,000 HAD BEEN PROVIDED TO SUPPLY MILK AND ARRANGE EDUCATIONAL OUTINGS FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN 33 SPECIAL SCHOOLS. THE HONG KONG CHINESE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES UNION HAD ALSO RECEIVED THE SAME AMOUNT TOWARDS THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING AN OLD PEOPLE’S HOME IN KWUN TONG.

IN ADDITION DONATIONS OF ABOUT $90,000 EACH HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION, THE SALVATION ARMY, AND THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN TO FURTHER THEIR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.

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/10......

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

FOLK NIGHT IN WONG TAI SIN

* * * *

THE WONG TAI SIN CENTRE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVICE ACTION COUNCIL AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT YOUNG WORKERS RECREATIONAL SCHEME COMMITTEE ARE HOLDING A FOLK NIGHT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE MORSE PARK OPEN THEATRE, KOWLOON.

THE FOLK NIGHT IS BEING HELD IN RESPONSE TO THE CALL TO PROVIDE MORE HEALTHY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG WORKERS DURING THE SPRING FESTIVAL.

MORE THAN 10 GUITAR SINGING GROUPS, CHOIRS AND CHINESE MUSICAL GROUPS FROM VARIOUS SCHOOLS AND YOUTH CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE PERFORMING.

THE FOLK NIGHT IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN) AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN).

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FOLK NIGHT JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICES TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 7.30 P.M. AT THE MORSE PARK OPEN THEATRE IN KOWLOON.

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/11

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

ESSAY CONTEST PROMOTING SWD’S SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK

* * * *

AN EXTENSIVE ESSAY COMPETITION TO PROMOTE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL END TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY.

THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FROM 35 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, HAS DRAWN HUNDREDS OF ENTRIES.

THE WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP WHO BEAT THE REST OF THE 184 FINALISTS IN THE SENIOR AND JUNIOR SECTIONS WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES FROM MISS CHAN JOY-YIN, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION.

THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW AT THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE, TONG YAM STREET, KOWLOON.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE THEME OF THE ESSAY COMPETITION WAS CENTRED AROUND THE LIFE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN A SCHOOL SETTING.

+THE IDEA IS TO PROMOTE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF PROPER SECONDARY SCHOOL LIFE AND OF THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SERVICE AVAILABLE FOR THE STUDENTS,+ HE SAID.

HE SAID THE SCHOOL WORKERS OF THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN PROVIDING SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE IN SOLVING THEIR PERSONAL OR SOCIAL PROBLEMS.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE ESSAY COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 10 A.M. AT THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE, TONG YAM STREET, KOWLOON.

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/12.......

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1979

AMS TO HOLD ANNUAL DINNER *****

THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL DINNER AT THE OCEANIA RESTAURANT, OCEAN TERMINAL, IN KOWLOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 8 P.M.

SOME 1,000 AMS OFFICERS AND MEMBERS WILL ATTEND THE FUNCTION, INCLUDING DR. K.L. THONG, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND CONCURRENTLY AMS UNIT CONTROLLER, AND MRS. THONG, DR. S.F. LAM, DEPUTY UNIT CONTROLLER, HONG KONG REGION, AND DR. RAYMOND MOK, DEPUTY UNIT CONTROLLER, KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES REGION.

A NUMBER OF OFFICIALS FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY, HONG KONG BRANCH, WILL BE GUESTS.

DR. THONG WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND PRESENT CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO 17 LONG-SERVING MEMBERS AND LIFE-SAVING TROPHIES TO OUTSTANDING AMS LIFE-SAVERS. HE WILL ALSO GIVE HOME NURSING CERTIFICATES TO 104 AMS AUXILIARY NURSES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE AT THE OCEANIA RESTAURANT, OCEAN TERMINAL, AT 8 P.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

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PARTY FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES *****

HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN OF STAFF MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND A PARTY IN THE SPORTS FIELD OF KOWLOON HOSPITAL ON SUNDAY.

THIS WILL BE THE EIGHTH SUCH PARTY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF SOCIETY, BRINGING TOGETHER ALL STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR WHAT HAS NOW BECOME AN ANNUAL OCCASION.

PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE A LION DANCE, GAMES, A LUCKY DRAW, DISCO DANCE COMPETITION, AND PERFORMANCES BY AMS BAND AND CAPE COLLINSON PIPER’S BAND.

DR. K.L. THONG, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, WILL BE PRESENT TO DOT THE LION’S EYES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF PARTY WHICH WILL BE HELD ON THE LAWN BY THE ENTRANCE TO THE WEST WING OF KOWLOON HOSPITAL, ARGYLE STREET, BETWEEN 1 P.M. AND 5 P.M. ON SUNDAY.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1979

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

SURGEONS PERFORM KIDNEY TRANSPLANT OPERATIONS .......... 1

RESIDENTIAL FIGHT CRIME SEMINAR FOR NT STUDENTS ........ 2

AMS PLAYS MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE ........ 3

WONG TAI SIN AND SHAM SHU I PO LANTERN FESTIVAL....... 4

CHILDREN’S GAMES DAY ................................... 4

ARGYLE ST TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT .......................... 5

WATER CUT............................................... 5

FIRING PRACTICE ........................................ 6

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1979

SURGEONS PERFORM KIDNEY TRANSPLANT OPERATIONS * ft * * * *

TWO KIDNEY TRANSPLANT OPERATIONS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN PERFORMED BY SURGEONS AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.

THE TRANSPLANTS WERE PERFORMED ON TWO WOMEN, BOTH AGED ABOUT AO, ON THE SAME DAY USING THE KIDNEYS OF A FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM.

THE TWO PATIENTS ARE NOW RECUPERATING AT THE HOSPITAL IN A SATISFACTORY CONDITION.

THE PATIENTS, WHO WISHED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, HAVE BEEN RECEIVING DIALYSIS TREATMENT AT THE HOSPITAL FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THANKS TO THE KIDNEY DONOR, THEY WERE ABLE TO BEGIN A NEW LEASE OF LIFE. BOTH SAID THEY WERE FEELING WELL AND HAD VERY GOOD APPETITE.

THEY EXPRESSED GRATITUDE TO THE DOCTORS, NURSES AND OTHER STAFF IN THE HOSPITAL AND ESPECIALLY TO THE KIDNEY DONOR FOR THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSPLANTS.

♦ I HOPE THE PUBLIC WOULD RESPOND FAVOURABLY TO THE APPEAL MADE BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR KIDNEY DONATION SO THAT MORE PATIENTS WOULD BENEFIT,* ONE OF THEM SAID.

RENAL TRANSPLANTATION IS NOWADAYS AN ACCEPTABLE METHOD OF TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE. IN THE WORLD, THERE ARE QUITE A NUMBER OF PATIENTS WHO ARE LEADING A MORE OR LESS NORMAL LIFE AFTER RENAL TRANSPLANTS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT AT PRESENT SOME 30 PATIENTS NOW BEING TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL’S HAEMODIALYSIS UNIT ARE CONSIDERED TO BE SUITABLE FOR RENAL TRANSPLANTATION AND SOME OF THEM HAD BEEN WAITING FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS FOR A DONOR.

♦ IT IS ONLY UNTIL RECENTLY THAT WE HAD A DONOR WHOSE RELATIVES AGREED TO DONATE THE KIDNEYS,* HE SAID.

♦ WE HOPE MORE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WILL AGREE TO DONATE THEIR KIDNEYS SO THAT MANY MORE LIVES COULD BE SAVED,♦ HE ADDED.

UNTIL THE OPENING OF THE RENAL UNIT AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL ABOUT A YEAR AGO, KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS WERE PERFORMED BY THE SURGICAL UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AT QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL. DURING THE PAST YEARS, SOME 20 SUCH OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMED.

0---------

/2......

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1979

RESIDENTIAL FIGHT CRIME SEMINAR FOR NT STUDENTS ******

MORE THAN 500 SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN TSUEN WAN ARE ATTENDING A TWO-DAY RESIDENTIAL SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN FIGHT CRIME COMMUNITY.

THE SEMINAR, HELD IN THE TUEN MUN HO FOOK TONG SCHOOL. AIMS TDjAROUSE$THE AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS OF POTENTIAL CRIMINAL

ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR TODAY (SATURDAY) THE HON. WONG LAM, MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, APPEALED TO STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.

♦IT IS TIME FOR THE NEW GENERATION OF STUDENTS TO ADOPT A NEW ROLE AND ATTITUDE IN ASSISTING THE AUTHORITIES IN FIGHTING CRIME,♦ HE SAID.

MR. WONG ALSO PRAISED THE MUTUAL AID AND AREA COMMITTEES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN HELPING THE POLICE IN LOWERING THE CRIME RATE.

ACCORDING TO MISS MOK SAU-HING, THE ORGANISER AND HEADMISTRESS OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KWAI CHUNG, THIS WAS THE FIRST RESIDENTIAL SEMINAR EVER HELD IN THE DISTRICT.

IN VIEW OF THE LARGE ATTENDANCE, SHE SAID, A SIMILAR EVENT WILL BE ORGANISED NEXT YEAR.

THE TWO-DAY PROGRAMME INCLUDES GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND A GENERAL DEBATE TO BE ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE. THE ICAC AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT. GAMES AND BARBECUES WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED FOR THE STUDENTS.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1979

AMS PLAYS MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE ft ft ft ft ft ft

LAST YEAR WAS A VERY ACTIVE YEAR FOR THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE, HONG KONG'S LARGEST VOLUNTEER FORCE.

THE 5,300-MEMBER FORCE CONTRIBUTED A RECORD 28,400 MAN-HOURS DURING THE YEAR, AN INCREASE OF 6,400 MAN-HOURS OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S FIGURES.

AMS STAFF OFFICER, MR. K.C. TONG ATTRIBUTED THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE TO THE EVER-GROWING GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY, EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

♦ DURING THE YEAR,+ HE SAID, +MEMBERS WERE CALLED OUT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AT SHORT NOTICE TO AUGMENT MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND TO REINFORCE REGULAR AMBULANCE DUTIES.

♦ OF THESE, ABOUT 400 ASSIGNMENTS WERE IN RESPONSE TO REQUESTS BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICERS, CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

♦ THEY NORMALLY GIVE FIRST AID AND HELP EVACUATE CASUALTIES IN FIRES, TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, LANDSLIDES, FLOODINGS AND HOUSE COLLAPSES.+

THE ROUTINE WORK OF THESE VOLUNTEERS INCLUDES NURSING THE SICK IN HOSPITALS, MANNING AMBULANCE DEPOTS AND SICK BAYS, ACTING AS LIFEGUARDS AT PUBLIC BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS AND ADMINISTERING METHADONE AT DETOXIFICATION CENTRES.

PERMANENT STAFF IN THE HEADQUARTERS, MR. TONG ADDED, ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING AN AVERAGE OF 2,500 GOVERNMENT OFFICERS IN FIRST AID A YEAR.

THE STAFF OFFICER SAID AMS PLANS TO EXPAND TO 5,800 MEMBERS BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

ITS MEMBERS COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE — MORE THAN 1,400 ARE DOCTORS, NURSES, DISPENSERS, RADIOGRAPHERS AND PARA-MEDICAL PERSONNEL SERVING EITHER IN GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE MEDICAL INSTITUTES WHILE THE REST ARE NON-PROFESS IONAL PERSONNEL.

THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE, FORMED IN 1950, WILL CELEBRATE ITS 29TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1979

WONG TAI SIN AND SHAM SHU I PO * * * * * *

LANTERN FESTIVAL

WONG TAI SIN AND SHAM SHU I PO CITY

DISTRICT OFFICES AND

DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS WILL STAGE TWO VARIETY SHOWS TO CELEBRATE THE LANTERN FESTIVAL TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

APART FROM A DISPLAY OF LANTERNS, THE SHOWS WILL FEATURE A LION DANCE, SINGING AND DANCING, CHINESE AND WESTERN MUSIC AND MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATIONS.

ADMISSION IS FREE.

DR. P. HASE, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (SHAM SHUI PO) AND Ml. LAM KAM-KWONG, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN) WILL OFFICIATE AT THE SHOWS.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE LANTERN FESTIVAL VARIETY SHOWS. THE SHOW IN WONG TAI SIN WILL START AT 7.30 P.M. AT THE OPEN SPACE BETWEEN BLOCKS 9 AND 10 OF UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE AND THE ONE IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE HELD AT 8 P.M. IN THE PLAYGROUND AT PO ON ROAD, SHAM SHUI PO.

CHILDREN’S GAMES DAY

* * N * *

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY), THE HOMANTIN SOUTH AREA COMMITTEE AND THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, HOMANTIN ESTATE CENTRE, WILL JOINTLY STAGE A GAMES DAY TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FOR 1,000 CHILDREN IN KOWLOON CITY.

THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES LION AND FOLK DANCES, SINGING AND DANCING BY FAMOUS ARTISTS, MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATIONS AND GAME-STALLS. THE HIGHLIGHT WILL BE A LUCKY DRAW.

MR. ANGUS MIU, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (KOWLOON CITY) WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CHILDREN’S GAMES DAY AT 2 P.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE HOMANTIN ESTATE PLAYGROUND, KOWLOON.

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/5.....

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1979

ARGYLE ST TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE SECTION OF ARGYLE STREET BETWEEN YIM PO FONG STREET AND PEACE AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 1 A.M. TO 5 A.M. ON TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY BRIDGE.

ALL WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL TRAVEL ON THE GROUND LEVEL OF THE ARGYLE STREET FLYOVER VIA WATERLOO ROAD, TURN RIGHT INTO YIM PO FONG STREET AND TURN LEFT INTO ARGYLE STREET.

EASTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO TURN RIGHT INTO YIM PO FONG STREET AND LEFT TURN ONTO WATERLOO ROAD TO REJOIN ARGYLE STREET.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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WATER CUT * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI, KING’S PARK AND HUNG HOM WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON TUESDAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY JORDAN ROAD, GASCOIGNE ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD, WINSLOW STREET, HONG CHONG ROAD, CHEONG WAN ROAD, YUK CHOI ROAD, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD AND WYLIE ROAD INCLUDING THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY TERMINUS AND ON WAN ROAD.

o -------

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1979

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICES WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CASTLE PEAK RANGE FOR FIVE 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 PRACTISING TIMES ARE i

DATE

MONDAY (FEBRUARY 12) TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 13) WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 14) THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 15) FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 16)

TIME

8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

8 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.

8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1979

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

•HONG KONG IN PROGRESS’ PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST ................ 1

LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS SCHEME IMPROVES VILLAGE LIFE ............. 2

FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION COMPETITION FOR YOUTH ................. 4

WATER BABIES’ NEW YEAR PARTY ................................ 5

FUN FAIR FOR USD STAFF AT FA HUI PARK ....................... 6

VARIETY SHOW AT PAK TIN ESTATE .............................. 7

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY .............. 7

WATER CUT.................................................... 8

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1979

+HONG KONG IN PROGRESS* PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST

* * * * ft *

PEOPLE INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY NOW HAVE A CHANCE TO EXHIBIT THEIR WORKS IN LONDON AND WIN PRIZES WHICH INCLUDE CASH AWARDS AND A TRIP TO LONDON.

TO STIMULATE INTEREST IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND TO PROMOTE THE IMAGE OF HONG KONG BOTH OVERSEAS AND LOCALLY, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG ARE JOINTLY ORGANISING A +HONG KONG IN PROGRESS* PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST, THE WINNING ENTRIES OF WHICH WILL BE EXHIBITED IN LONDON IN AUGUST.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE CONTEST. THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES AND NO ENTRY FEE WILL BE REQUIRED.

THERE IS NO SPECIFIC RESTRICTION ON SUBJECT MATTER, SO LONG AS IT PROJECTS A POSITIVE IMAGE OF HONG KONG. THIS IS ALSO THE PRINCIPAL CRITERION TO BE OBSERVED IN JUDGING, ASIDE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS SHOULD BE 16 INCHES BY 20 INCHES IN SIZE, MOUNTED, AND THEY MUST REACH THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AT BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, FIFTH FLOOR, ROOM 519, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, BY MAY 15.

ENTRIES WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR DIVISIONS* (I) +URBAN HONG KONG* MONOCHROME PRINTS- (II) +RURAL HONG KONG* MONOCHROME PRINTS-(III) +URBAN HONG KONG* COLOUR PRINTS- AND (IV) +RURAL HONG KONG* COLOUR PRINTS.

ONE FIRST PRIZE (*2,000), ONE SECOND PRIZE ($1,000), ONE THIRD PRIZE ($500) AND FIVE CONSOLATION PRIZES ($200 EACH) WILL BE AWARDED, TOGETHER WITH TROPHIES, TO WINNERS IN EACH OF THE FOUR DIVISIONS.

ALL ACCEPTED AND PRIZE-WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE +HONG KONG IN PROGRESS* PHOTOGRAPH CATALOGUE, AND A SOUVENIR MEDAL WILL BE AWARDED FOR EACH ENTRY SELECTED FOR EXHIBITION.

AN OVERALL BEST ENTRY WILL BE SELECTED FROM THE WINNERS AMONG THE FOUR DIVISIONS. THE OVERALL WINNER WILL BE AWARDED A ROUND-TRIP AIR TICKET TO LONDON FOR TWO, INCLUDING FULL BOARD FOR TWO WEEKS, AND WILL BE THE GUEST-OF-HONOUR AT THE OPENING OF THE +HONG KONG IN PROGRESS* PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION SHOULD HE OR SHE CHOOSE TO TAKE THE JOURNEY IN AUGUST.

THE PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISING LOCAL EXPERTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS INCLUDE SIR KENNETH PING-FAN FUNG, VICE-PATRON OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG- MR. YUEN KANG-CHUEN, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG- MR. CHANG HUNG-CHEON, PRESIDENT OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG- MR. JOHN SLIMMING, DIRECTOR OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND MR. ARTHUR HACKER OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

/selected ...

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1979

SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE EXHIBITED AT THE ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL AND THE ASAHI PENTAX HALL IN LONDON AND IN HONG KONG AT A LATER DATE.

INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON THE CONTEST AND ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE AT ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE AND THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.

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LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS SCHEME IMPROVES VILLAGE LIFE * * * * ft * *

AS THE GOVERNMENT’S DRAMATIC 823 BILLION NEW TOWNS SCHEME ENTER ITS SIXTH YEAR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, A SMALLER — BUT NO LESS IMPORTANT — PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME IS CELEBRATING ITS 60TH BIRTHDAY.

THE SPRIGHTLY SEXAGENARIAN IN THIS CASE IS THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS SCHEME WHICH STARTED INCONSPICUOUSLY ENOUGH BACK IN 1919 WITH A BUDGET OF $5,000 TO CARRY OUT MINOR WORKS ITEMS IN THE MORE REMOTE VILLAGES OF HONG KONG’S HINTERLAND.

SINCE THEN, THE WORKS TEAMS ATTACHED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICES HAVE CARRIED OUT THOUSANDS OF JOBS TO IMPROVE THE LIVING STANDARDS AND CONDITIONS OF NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGERS.

THE LPW SCHEME, AS IT IS KNOWN, NOW HAS A STAFF OF MORE THAN 60 HEADED BY AN ENGINEER SECONDED FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND AN ANNUAL BUDGET THAT TOPS $10 MILLION.

/the engineer....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1979

THE ENGINEER DIRECTING THE PROGRAMME, MR. DAVID CANTLE, EXPLAINED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE SCOPE OF THE ORIGINAL SCHEME HAD BEEN WIDENED PROGRESSIVELY OVER THE YEARS AS ITS POPULARITY AND EFFECTIVENESS INCREASED.

♦THERE IS A VAST PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME GOING ON IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AT THE MOMENT WITH THE NEW TOWNS PROGRAMME, BUT THE GOVERNMENT SEES THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS SCHEME AS AN IMPORTANT WAY OF HELPING TO IMPROVE FACILITIES FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE MORE RURAL AND LESS DEVELOPED AREAS,+ MR. CANTLE SAID.

PROJECTS CARRIED OUT UNDER THE SCHEME INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF VILLAGE TYPE ROADS, PAVEMENTS, BRIDGES, INCINERATORS, REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS, LATRINES, THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICITY GENERATORS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL WATER SUPPLIES AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS.

+APART FROM THESE BASIC FACILITIES, MORE SOPHISTICATED PROJECTS ARE ALSO CARRIED OUT - BUILDING PLAYGROUNDS, RECREATIONAL HALLS, LIBRARIES AND VILLAGE HALLS,* MR. CANTLE SAID.

♦SOMETIMES THESE PROJECTS ARE BUILT IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOCAL VILLAGERS, WHILE THE OTHERS ARE JOINT EFFORTS WITH THE ARMY OR OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SUCH AS CARE (CO-OPERATIVE FOR AMERICAN RELIEF EVERYWHERE) WHICH HAS MADE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION OVER MANY YEARS.*

A MORE RECENT ADDITION TO THE SCOPE OF THE SCHEME IS THE PROVISION OF VILLAGE LIGHTING.

♦THIS HAS PROVED VERY POPULAR WITH THE VILLAGERS AND IS NOW A PERMANENT FEATURE OF THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME,* PR. CANTLE NOTED.

♦WITH THE GROWING SOPHISTICATION OF LPW PROJECTS IN BOTH QUANTITATIVE TERMS, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS REORGANISED ITS WORKS SECTION WITH A VIEW TO IMPLEMENTING THE SCHEME MORE EFFECTIVELY.

♦HOWEVER, THE EMPHASIS REMAINS ON ENCOURAGING VILLAGERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROJECTS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, OFTEN WITH THE HELP OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

♦THIS WAY BOTH THE VILLAGERS AND OUR OWN STAFF CAN LOOK WITH SATISFACTION ON THE WIDE VARIETY OF PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT UP OVER THE YEARS,♦ MR. CANTLE ADDED.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1979

FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION COMPETITION FOR YOUTH

*****

A COMMUNITY-WIDE YOUTH DRAMA AND TELEVISION SCRIPT-WRITING COMPETITION TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE HAS DRAWN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE FROM LOCAL POTENTIAL TALENTS.

THE YOUTH DRAMA COMPETITION ATTRACTED 33 GROUPS WHILE THE TV SCRIPT-WRITING CONTEST DREW 96 ENTRIES.

THE TWO-PRONG COMPETITION IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE URBAN COUNCIL’S HONG KONG REPERTORY THEATRE AND SPONSORED BY THE KOWLOON LIONS CLUB CENTRAL.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE RESPONSE HAD BEEN SO ENCOURAGING THAT THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING ENTRIES WAS EXTENDED.

THE COMPETITION IS PART OF THE CURRENT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN JOINTLY LAUNCHED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO FOSTER STRONGER FAMILY TIES THROUGH BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH ONE’S ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE FAMILY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE THEME OF THE COMPETITION IS BASED ON THREE CONCEPTS RELATING TO YOUTH — +FAMILY, GROWTH AND SELF+.

+IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE COMPETITION, THE NEEDS, ASPIRATIONS AND PROBLEMS OF YOUNG PEOPLE CAN BE PORTRAYED FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING TO HELP ELIMINATE GENERATION GAP,+ HE SAID.

JUDGES INCLUDE LEADING PROFESSIONALS IN THE LOCAL DRAMA AND SCRIPT-WRITING CIRCLES.

HE SAID THE SEMI-FINALS ARE BEING HELD AND THE FINALISTS WILL COMPETE IN THE COMING WEEKEND, WITH PRIZES TO BE PRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. E.P. HO.

THE WINNING TV SCRIPT WILL BE USED BY RTHK.

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1979

WATER BABIES’ NEW YEAR PARTY * * * *

TODAY (SUNDAY) WAS A RED LETTER DAY FOR THOUSANDS OF HONG KONG +WATER BABIES*.

THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES REACHED A CLIMAX FOR ABOUT 2,500 CHILDREN WHEN THEY WERE TREATED TO A DAY OF FUN AND GAMES BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THE ANNUAL FUN FAIR, ORGANISED FOR CHILDREN OF THE WATERWORKS STAFF, WAS HELD AT THE KOWLOON WAH YAN COLLEGE.

A LAVISH PROGRAMME OF ENTERTAINMENT WAS PREPARED, FEATURING SONGS AND DANCES, A MAGIC SHOW, BAND DRILLS AND A VARIETY OF COLOURFUL GAMES STALLS. THE CHILDREN WERE ALSO ABLE TO SEE +LIVE PERFORMANCES* BY POPULAR RTV, TVB AND RTHK ARTISTES.

THE POPULAR +CANNON BALL EMPRESS* WHICH TOOK CHILDREN ON TOURS ROUND THE FAIR WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME.

FIFTEEN GAMES STALLS WERE ORGANISED BY VARIOUS DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND TROPHIES WERE AWARDED TO THE BEST ONES BY W. T.H. TOMLINSON, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER.

ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WAS A RAFFLE DRAW, THE WINNING NUMBERS DRAWN BY MRS. W.D.A. TUCKER, WIFE OF THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, AND BY MRS. T.H. TOMLINSON, WIFE OF THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER.

MR. TUCKER ALSO PRESENTED GOLD MEDALS TO THREE STAFF MEMBERS FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE DURING THE LAST YEAR.

THEY WERE MR. LAI PING-YUE AND MR. KAM LOCK, ARTISANS IN THE MECHANICAL DIVISION, AND MR. LAI TAI-WING, A MOTOR DRIVER, INSTRUMENT SECTION/MAINLAND.

MR. LAI PING-YUE KAS BEEN WITH THE WSD FOR 12 YEARS. HE IS ENGAGED IN THE MAINTENANCE OF DIESEL ENGINES, PUMPS AND THE ASSOCIATED AUXILIARY PLANT IN KOWLOON.

♦HE IS AN ARTISAN WHO POSSESSES EXCEPTIONAL DEPTH AND BREADTH CF SKILLS,* MR. TUCKER SAID.

+HIS SKILL AND HIS EXCELLENT CONDUCT CREATE CONFIDENCE BY HIS SUPERIORS AND THEY CAN RELY ON HIM TO COMPLETE WORK ON TARGET. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR HE HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT HE IS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE MEMBERS OF THE DIVISION.*

MR. KAM HAS BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR 33 YEARS AS A TURNER.

/SAID MR. TUCKSR: ..

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1979

SAID MR. TUCKER» +HE IS A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED AND A VERY CONSCIENTIOUS WORKER. ALTHOUGH HE HAS HAD NO OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE MERIT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, HE HAS ALWAYS WILLINGLY RESPONDED WHENEVER URGENT WORK HAS BEEN REQUIRED IN THE WORKSHOPS.*

MR. LAI TAI-WING WHOSE MAIN DUTY IS DRIVING VANS WAS DESCRIBED BY MR. TUCKER AS +A MOST CO-OPERATIVE MOTOR DRIVER.*

♦ IN ADDITION TO HIS DRIVING DUTIES HE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO ASSIST WITH GENERAL HEAVY WORK ON SITE, AND HE GIVES A HELPING HAND WHENEVER HE IS CALLED UPON TO DO SO,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.

THE PRESENTATION OF THE MEDALS, KNOWN AS THE KIRKWOOD AWARDS, STARTED IN 1967 WITH DONATIONS FROM TEXTILE AND ENGINEERING FIRMS IN MEMORY OF THE LATE MR. W.K. KIRKWOOD, A FORMER WATERWORKS ENGINEER.

THESE AWARDS ARE GIVEN ANNUALLY TO STAFF OF THE RANK OF WORKS SUPERVISOR AND BELOW WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES BY THEIR GENERAL CAPABILITIES, AND ATTENTION TO DUTIES, OR BY THEIR NOTEWORTHY CONDUCT, OR PERFORMANCE OF DUTY IN A PARTICULAR INSTANCE.

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

FUN FAIR FOR USD STAFF AT FA HUI PARK *****

HUNDREDS OF STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON ATTENDED THE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL FUN FAIR AT FA HUI PARK.

THERE WERE ABOUT 20 GAMES STALLS IN ADDITION TO VARIETY SHOWS PROVIDED BY TELEVISION AND RADIO STARS.

MR. BRIAN WILSON, DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, IN OFFICIATING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FUN FAIR SAID SUCH OCCASIONS COULD HELP TO ENCOURAGE A FEELING OF DEPARTMENTAL SOLIDARITY AND TO PROMOTE A FEELING OF IDENTITY WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE USD IS THE LARGEST CIVILIAN DEPARTMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT, WITH A STRENGTH OF NEARLY 19,000, IT WAS NOT SURPRISING THAT MANY STAFF HAD NO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER.

♦ONE OF THE OBJECTS OF THIS FUN FAIR IS TO ENCOURAGE STAFF TO MEET EACH OTHER IN DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES TO EVERYDAY WORK, AND TO GIVE FAMILIES AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AS WELL,* MR. WILSON SAID.

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/7.....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1979

VARIETY SHOW AT PAK TIN ESTATE

*****

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHU I PO), GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OF BLOCK 4, LOWER PAK TIN ESTATE, WILL JOINTLY STAGE A VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (MONDAY) EVENING.

THE PROGRAMMES INCLUDE A LION DANCE, SINGING, DANCING, PUPPET AND MAGIC SHOWS.

THE PERFORMANCE WILL BE STAGED ON THE GIS MOBILE THEATRE IN THE BASKETBALL COURT NEXT TO BLOCK 4, LOWER PAK TIN ESTATE.

ADMISSION IS FREE.

MR. DAVID TONG, ASSISTANT CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (SHAM SHU I PO) AND MR. TSE KA-CHAI, HOUSING MANAGER OF LOWER PAK TIN ESTATE WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VARIETY SHOW JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHU I PO CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, GIS AND BLOCK 4 LOWER PAK TIN ESTATE MAC AT 6 P.M. TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE LOWER PAK TIN ESTATE, SHAM SHU I PO.

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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HAPPY VALLEY FROM 8 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY TO 4 A.M. ON THURSDAY TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.

THE WESTBOUND BUS ONLY LANE IN LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC. WESTBOUND BUSES WHICH NORMALLY USE THIS ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED INTO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.

THE SLIP ROAD BETWEEN CANAL ROAD EAST AND MORRISON HILL ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND FROM MORRISON HILL ROAD TO LEIGHTON ROAD.

THE SLIP ROAD BETWEEN CANAL ROAD EAST AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND FROM QUEEN’S ROAD EAST TO LEIGHTON ROAD.

ALL TRAFFIC FROM CANAL ROAD EAST WILL BE DIVERTED INTO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1979

WATER CUT

* * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, NGA TSIN LONG ROAD AND NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, INCLUDING NAM KOK ROAD, LUNG KONG ROAD AND SOUTH WALL ROAD.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

ANALYSIS OF EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN .................................................. 1

KCR DOUBLE TRACKING — PUBLIC WARNED TO BE CAREFUL .. 4

GLENEALY FLYOVER MORE THAN HALF COMPLETE .............. 5

LUNCH-TIME HI-FI CONCERTS ............................... 6

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

MASTER CLASS BY NICOLAS KYNASTON ........................ 7

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1979 .

ANALYSIS OF EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN *****

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) PUBLISHED EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND ALSO THE WHOLE OF LAST YEAR.

THIS SERIES IS DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING EACH SIX-DIGIT COMMODITY ITEM OF THE PRESENT TRADE CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRY OF WHICH THE COMMODITY IS A PRINCIPAL PRODUCT.

ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS, THE FIVE INDUSTRY GROUPS HAVING THE HIGHEST CONTRIBUTIONS WERE WEARING APPAREL, TEXTILES, ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES, PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS.

THEY ACCOUNTED FOR 82 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1978.

INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER WERE HIGHEST IN THE CASE OF MINING AND QUARRYING, RUBBER PRODUCTS AND TOBACCO, BEING 76 PER CENT, 59 PER CENT AND 44 PER CENT OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1978.

BUT DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE FOUND IN BEVERAGES (-48 PER CENT), AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE, LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY (-20 PER CENT), PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-7 PER CENT), AND CHEMICAL AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (-3 PER CENT).

ON IMPORTS, PRODUCTS OF THE TEXTILES, ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES, CHEMICAL AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS, FOOD, METAL PRODUCTS, AND PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT INDUSTRIES TOGETHER TOOK UP 58 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF IMPORTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1978.

THE HIGHEST INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS BETWEEN THE LAST TWO QUARTERS OF 1978 OCCURRED IN MINING AND QUARRYING (158 PER CENT), NON-ELECTRICAL MACHINERY (39 PER CENT), OCEAN AND COASTAL FISHING (36 PER CENT), FORESTRY AND LOGGING (34 PER CENT) AND FOOTWEAR (34 PER CENT).

SLIGHT DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN BEVERAGES (-6 PER CENT), AND PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM AND COAL (-1 PER CENT).

LAST YEAR, 82 PER CENT BY VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE FIVE INDUSTRY GROUPS OF WEARING APPAREL (28 PER CENT), TEXTILES (19 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES (17 PER CENT), PLASTIC PRODUCTS (10 PER CENT), AND PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (8 PER CENT).

ON IMPORTS, THE HIGHEST SHARES WERE CONTRIBUTED BY TEXTILES (16 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES (12 PER CENT), CHEMICAL AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (9 PER CENT), AND FOOD PRODUCTS (8 PER CENT).

/further details.....

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1979

FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND IMPORTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AS WELL AS THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1978. RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN

(VALUES IN HK$ MILLION)

INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN OF TRADED COMMODITIES DOMESTIC EXPORTS IMPORTS

4TH QUARTER 1978 WHOLE YEAR OF 1978 4TH QUARTER 1978 WHOLE YEAR OF 1978

AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHINGi

AGRICULTURAL, LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION 3 20 921 3,516

FORESTRY AND LOGGING — 71 237

OCEAN AND COASTAL FISHING 36 120 122 394

MINING AND QUARRYING 1 4 956 1,739

MANUFACTURING!

FOOD 199 626 1,545 5,241

BEVERAGES 1 5 154 597

TOBACCO 12 50 106 403

TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 2,232 7,860 3,085 10,544

WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT KNITWEAR AND FOOTWEAR 3,327 11,375 366 1,100

LEATHER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS 75 237 248 855

FOOTWEAR 56 171 76 230

WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, FURNITURE AND FIXTURES 116 399 186 600

/PAPER and .....

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1979

PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING

AND PUBLISHING 160 520 461 1,469

CHEMICAL AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 109 399 1,770 5,874

PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM AND COAL * * 807 3,107

RUBBER PRODUCTS 16 51 48 170

PLASTIC PRODUCTS 1 ,079 3,870 118 377

NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 34 116 354 1,177

BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 666 2,275 1,317 4,277

MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL 80 289 994 3,153

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES 1 ,975 6,836 2,341 7,550

TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 15 55 598 1,991

PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT 1 ,133 3,327 1,393 4,223

OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 495 1,689 1,766 5,588

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 130 416 95 322

GRAND TOTAL 11 ,953 40,711 19,898 64,734

NOTEi INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES OF A COLUMN MAY NOT ADD UP EXACTLY TO THE CORRESPONDING TOTAL DUE TO ROUNDING.

* LESS THAN $0.5 MILLION.

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/4 ....

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1979

KCR DOUBLE TRACKING - PUBLIC WARNED TO BE CAREFUL

******

THE FIRST SECTION OF DOUBLE TRACKING RAILWAY BETWEEN KOWLON AND SHA TIN WILL COME INTO OPERATION IN MARCH AND THIS WILL SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO PEOPLE USING THE TRACKS AS A FOOTPATH.

ISSUING THIS WARNING TODAY (MONDAY) THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, MR. D.M. HOWES SAID THAT WITH DOUBLE TRACKING TRAINS WILL BE PASSING IN EACH DIRECTION AT THE SAME TIME BETWEEN THESE POINTS COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT SITUATION WITH A SINGLE LINE.

♦BEGINNING FROM MARCH THE SITUATION IN THIS SECTION OF RAILWAY WILL BE MORE HAZARDOUS,♦ MR. HOWES SAID.

♦PEOPLE USING THE TRACKS AS A FOOTPATH WILL FACE INCREASED RISK OF BEING HIT BY TRAINS. THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WILL ALSO INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO PEOPLE WHO BEHAVE IRRESPONSIBLY ON TRAINS OR AT STATIONS,+ HE ADDED.

MR. HOWES URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY SCHOOL CHILDREN, TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL. THEY SHOULD NOT USE THE RAILWAY AS A FOOTPATH AND, AT ALL TIMES, SHOULD EXERCISE GREAT VIGILANCE.

♦THEY SHOULD AT NO TIME WALK BETWEEN THE RAILWAYS,^ HE ADDED.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1979

GLENEALY FLYOVER MORE THAN HALF COMPLETE

*****

THE NEW FLYOVER AT THE GLENEALY IS NOW MORE THAN HALF COMPLETE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT MOST OF THE COLUMNS SUPPORTING THE FLYOVER HAD BEEN ERECTED.

WORK ON THE ELEVATED STRUCTURE IN THE GLENEALY VALLEY IS ABOUT TO BEGIN, HE ADDED.

THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF A MAJOR SCHEME TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE MID-LEVELS.

THE FLYOVER AT THE JUNCTION OF THE GLENEALY AND ROBINSON ROAD WILL CONSIST OF AN ELEVATED ROAD SPANNING ABOUT 130 METRES OVER THE JUNCTION TO PROVIDE FREE TRAFFIC FLOW FROM CONDUIT ROAD TO ROBINSON ROAD.

A TWO-LANE BRIDGE STRUCTURE OVER GLENEALY VALLEY WILL ALSO BE BUILT TO PROVIDE A NEW EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM ROBINSON ROAD, THUS LEAVING THE EXISTING GROUND LEVEL LANES FREE FOR WESTBOUND TRAFFIC.

THIS WILL ALSO GREATLY FACILITATE THE SETTING DOWN OR PICKING UP OF CHILDREN AT THE NEARBY SCHOOLS.

+THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER,+ THE PWD SPOKESMAN SAID.

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/6 ....

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1979

LUNCH-TIME HI-FI CONCERTS ft ft ft ft

FOUR FREE LUNCH-TIME HI-FI CONCERTS WILL BE HELD TO ENTERTAIN CENTRAL DISTRICT OFFICE WORKERS.

THESE CONCERTS, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AND THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN COMMERCIAL AREA COMMITTEE, WILL BE HELD ON FOUR CONSECUTIVE TUESDAYS STARTING TOMORROW AT THE CARITAS CENTRE, 14TH FLOOR, ON LOK YUEN BUILDING, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.

EACH CONCERT WILL BE SPLIT INTO TWO SESSIONS TO CATER FOR LISTENERS HAVING DIFFERENT LUNCH BREAKS.

THE FIRST SESSION WILL START AT 12.30 P.M. AND THE SECOND AT 1.20 P.M. WITH EACH LASTING 35 MINUTES.

THE CONCERTS WILL FEATURE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MUSIC INCLUDING VOCAL, CHORAL AND FOLK MUSIC.

THE CONCERTS ARE SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG RECORD SOCIETY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

FOUR FREE LUNCH-TIME CONCERTS FOR OFFICE WORKERS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE HELD ON FOUR CONSECUTIVE TUESDAYS STARTrNG TOMORROW AT 12.30 P.M. AT THE CARITAS CENTRE, 14TH FLOOR, ON LOK YUEN BUILDING, DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL. YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONCERTS.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1979

WATER CUT * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MONG KOK WILL BE STOPPED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY CANTON ROAD, NELSON STREET, NATHAN ROAD, DUNDAS STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET, INCLUDING PORTLAND STREET, SHAN TUNG STREET, SOY STREET AND CHANG SHA STREET.

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MASTER CLASS BY NICOLAS KYNASTON * * * *

THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE WILL PRESENT A MASTER CLASS BY THE DISTINGUISHED ORGANIST, NICOLAS KYNASTON, ON THURSDAY FROM 7-9 P.M. AT THE CHINESE METHODIST CHURCH, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.

TAKING PART WILL BE PETER YUE, WONG NEI-LAN, GRACE TOH AND WONG KIN-YU. THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE WORKS BY BACH, HINDEMITH AND OLIVIER MESSIAEN.

ADMISSION IS FREE AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE MASTER CLASS.

MR. KYNASTON IS IN HONG KONG FOR A RECITAL PRESENTED BY THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE AT CHUNG CHI COLLEGE ON WEDNESDAY.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1979

CONTENT PAGE NO.

REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY .................. 1

DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED ................................. 2

TEXTILE QUOTA REVIEW PLANNED ............................. 3

METHADONE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT EXTENDED TO FEMALE DRUG ADDICTS .................................................. 4

RECRUITMENT FOR FIREMEN .................................. 5

NEW NORTH POINT PASSENGER FERRY PIER 60 PER CENT COMPLETE ................................................. 6

NEW APPROACH ROAD TO KAU WA KENG ......................... 7

CHOLERA HEALTH MEASURES LIFTED ........................... 8

ACCESS ROAD CLOSED ....................................... 8

DORSET CRESCENT RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY ........................ 8

NO THROUGH TRAFFIC AT SAI YEUNG CHOI ST................... 9

NIGHT CLOSURE OF KWUN TONG ROAD........................... 9

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

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1979

REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY

******

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS COMPILED A REPORT ON A QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY HELD LAST MONTH.

ABOUT 750 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, FORMING A CROSSSECTION OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1978 AND THEIR BUSINESS EXPECTATION FOR THE FIRST QUARTER THIS YEAR.

THE SURVEY SUGGESTS THAT THE HONG KONG ECONOMY EXPERIENCED MUCH IMPROVEMENT IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1978 COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER BUT FIRMS WERE RATHER CONSERVATIVE IN THEIR VIEWS ON PROSPECTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1979, PARTLY BECAUSE OF SEASONAL FACTORS.

WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING DIVISION, ’WATCHES AND CLOCKS’, ’ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES’ AND ’FABRICATED bETAL PRODUCTS’ REPORTED IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND ARE CONFIDENT OF FURTHER ADVANCES.

’ELECTRONICS’ AND ’MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES’ EXPECT A RELATIVELY CALM FIRST QUARTER AFTER SUBSTANTIAL RECENT ADVANCES.

’WEARING APPAREL’ AND ’TEXTILES’ BOTH REPORTED IMPROVEMENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER BUT EXPECT BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER EITHER TO SLOW DOWN OR TO REMAIN THE SAME COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. THE SAME APPLIES TO ’PRINTING’.

THE ’FOOD, BEVERAGE, TOBACCO’ SECTOR, AFTER EXPERIENCING SOME DETERIORATION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, IS EXPECTING AN UPTURN.

THE ’PLASTICS’ SECTOR ALSO HAD A POORER FOURTH QUARTER AND THE BALANCE OF OPINION WITHIN THE SECTOR IS THAT A FURTHER SLOW DOWN IS LIKELY.

AS FOR NON-MANUFACTURING SECTORS, ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE’, ’RESTAURANTS’ AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE ’HOTELS’ SECTORS HAD A PROSPEROUS FOURTH QUARTER BUT EXPECT A LOWER FIRST QUARTER.

BUT 'GAS, ELECTRICITY AND WATER’ INDUSTRY EXPECTS A HIGHER FIRST QUARTER AFTER A FALLING FOURTH QUARTER. THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REPORTED IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPECTS FURTHER MILD ADVANCE.

THE OTHER SERVICES SECTORS DID REMARKABLY WELL AND, LOOKING INTO THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE, THE ’MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS SERVICES’ SECTOR FEELS APPRECIABLE OPTIMISM.

THE ’BANKS’ SECTOR EXPECTS MORE OR LESS THE SAME BUSINESS AND ’TRANSPORTATION’ EXPECTS A MILD SLOW DOWN.

/+THE DATA, .....

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1979

2 -

+THE DATA, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, ARE BASICALLY INTENDED TO FACILITATE A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HONG KONG,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY). APART FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF QUESTIONS REQUIRING ANSWERS IN QUANTITATIVE TERMS, FIRMS WERE ASKED TO COMPARE THE QUARTER JUST PAST WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND SIMILARLY FOR THE FORTHCOMING ONE, AND ONLY HAD TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, A CERTAIN VARIABLE WAS ’UP’, ’SAME’ OR ’DOWN’.

THE SPOKESMAN CAUTIONED THAT IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, CONSIDERABLE RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE IN THE INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS, AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE RESPONDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS, AND THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE PROBABLY AFFECTED CONSIDERABLY BY SEASONALITY.

COPIES OF THE REPORT, CONTAINING AN ANALYSIS OF, AND STATISTICAL TABLES ON, VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO FIRMS TAKING PART IN THE SURVEY AND OTHER BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS.

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DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED * * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS DECIDED THE DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON MAY 13, 1977, ON CHONG MAN AND TANG CHI-KEUNG SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO IMPRISONMENT FOR 20 YEARS AND THE DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON LAW MING-TAK AND YICK CHUNG ON THE SAME DATE SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.

THE FOUR WERE FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER ON JULY 18, 1973, OF LAU WAH. ’ * •

THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON CHAU WING-WAH FOR THE MURDER ON FEBRUARY 9, 1975, OF CHOW HONG-YAU. CHAU WAS SENTENCED ON DECEMBER 29, 1977.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1979 - 3 -

TEXTILE QUOTA REVIEW PLANNED

X X X *

THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT ITS MAJOR REVIEW OF THE TEXTILE EXPORT QUOTA CONTROL SYSTEM WILL BE POSTPONED TO LATER THIS YEAR.

THE FULL SCALE REVIEW WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR EARLY 1979 BUT STAFF SHORTAGES AND INCREASED WORKLOAD FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S TEXTILES CONTROL DIVISION HAS MADE THE POSTPONEMENT NECESSARY.

ADDITIONAL STAFF HAS BEEN REQUESTED FOR THE DIVISION AND IT IS HOPED THE REVIEW CAN START LATER IN THE YEAR.

THE PRESENT QUOTA CONTROL SYSTEM WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1976. AT THAT TIME THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED IT WOULD CONDUCT ANOTHER REVIEW AFTER THE COMPLETION OF TWO FULL YEARS’ OPERATION OF THE QUOTA SYSTEM.

THE TEXTILES CONTROL DIVISION OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT PROCESSED OVER ONE MILLION TEXTILE EXPORT LICENCES AND DOCUMENTS IN 1978 COMPARED WITH ABOUT HALF A MILLION IN 1976. QUOTA HOLDERS HAVE INCREASED FROM FEWER THAN 9,000 IN 1976 TO 19,000 LAST YEAR.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1979

METHADONE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT EXTENDED TO FEMALE DRUG ADDICTS

X X * X

THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS EXTENDING ITS METHADONE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT FACILITIES TO FEMALE DRUG ADDICTS WHO REQUIRE A DAILY DOSE OF METHADONE FOR A LONG PERIOD.

NEW FEMALE ADDICTS NOW CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR TREATMENT, ON AN OUT-PATIENT BASIS, IN THE MAINTENANCE CENTRES IN EASTERN STREET ON HONG KONG ISLAND, ROBERT BLACK AND HO MAN TIN CENTRES IN KOWLOON AND LADY TRENCH CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN.

FEMALE PATIENTS UNDER THE METHADONE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME ARE ALSO ALLOWED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE MAINTENANCE CENTRE IF THEY WISH.

THE DEPARTMENT IS CONCURRENTLY PROVIDING TWO TYPES OF METHADONE TREATMENT TO DRUG ADDICTS — DETOXIFICATION AND MAINTENANCE.

THE METHADONE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME IS FOR DRUG ADDICTS WHO HAVE A MOTIVATION TO GET OFF THE HABIT BUT ARE NOT PREPARED TO STAY IN A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTRE FOR A RELATIVELY LONG PERIOD FOR VARIOUS REASONS SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT AND FAMILY PROBLEMS.

THE METHADONE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME IS FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT BENEFIT FROM THE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME BUT WISH TO GIVE UP TAKING NARCOTICS AND TO LIVE A USEFUL LIFE.

THE METHADONE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME STARTED IN DECEMBER 1972 AS A THREE-YEAR PILOT STUDY ACCEPTING ONLY MALE PATIENTS AT THE EASTERN STREET CENTRE.

BECAUSE OF THE VERY GOOD RESPONSE RECEIVED, THE DEPARTMENT DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAMME AND SUBSEQUENTLY SET UP THREE MORE CENTRES TO COPE WITH THE DEMAND FOR THE TREATMENT FACILITIES.

MORE THAN 4,000 PATIENTS ARE NOW RECEIVING THIS TYPE OF TREATMENT.

IN VIEW OF THE SUCCESS OF THE METHADONE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT, THE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED A MASSIVE METHADONE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME, OFFERING A COMPLETELY NEW MODE OF TREATMENT FOR BOTH MALE AND FEMALE ADDICTS.

UNLIKE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT WHICH REQUIRES THE PATIENTS TO BE MAINTAINED INDEFINITELY ON METHADONE, DETOXIFICATION IS AIMED AT WEANING A PATIENT OFF DRUGS BY GRADUALLY REDUCING THE DAILY DOSAGE OF METHADONE OVER A NUMBER OF WEEKS.

THE FIRST METHADONE DETOXIFICATION CENTRE WAS OPENED AT THE VIOLET PEEL CLINIC IN WAN CHAI ON JUNE 1, 1976. THE NUMBER OF DETOXIFICATION CENTRES HAS NOW INCREASED TO 17. THEY ARE LOCATED THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THERE ARE NOW ABOUT 3,500 PATIENTS BEING TREATED IN THE DETOXIFICATION CENTRES.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1979

RECRUITMENT FOR FIREMEN *****

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR 160 PHYSICALLY FIT YOUNG MEN.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY WILL BE HOLDING A FIVE-DAY RECRUITMENT EXERCISE FROM NEXT MONDAY (FEBRUARY 19).

♦THE JOB OF A FIREMAN, A CHALLENGING ONE, PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY PROTECTING LIVES AND PROPERTY,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

TWO RECRUITMENT CENTRES WILL BE SET UP - AT THE HARBOUR ROAD AND TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATIONS - FROM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19 TO FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23.

THE HARBOUR ROAD CENTRE, NEAR THE WAN CHAI FERRY PIER, WILL OPEN FROM 9 A.M. TO 6 P.M. AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI CENTRE, IN CANTON ROAD, FROM 9 A.M. TO 7 P.M.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICANTS SHOULD BE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 30 AND HAVE LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.

♦APPLICANTS SHOULD SPEAK FLUENT CANTONESE AND BE ABLE TO READ AND WRITE CHINESE. THEY SHOULD BE AT LEAST FIVE FOOT SIX, WEIGH MORE THAN 120 LBS AND HAVE A GOOD PHYSIQUE AND NORMAL EYESIGHT.

♦THE RECRUITS WILL BE TRAINED FOR GENERAL FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE DUTIES,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

A FIREMAN STARTS WITH A MINIMUM SALARY OF Si,315 RISING TO A MAXIMUM OF 11,925. AN INCREMENT WILL BE AWARDED ON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF SIX MONTHS OF BASIC TRAINING.

APPLICANTS CALLING AT THE CENTRES SHOULD TAKE ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS, A COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM (G.F. 340) OBTAINABLE FROM ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, ACADEMIC DOCUMENTS, RUBBER GYMNASTIC SHOES AND SHORTS.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1979

NEW NORTH POINT PASSENGER FERRY PIER 60 PER CENT COMPLETE *****

WORK ON THE NEW NORTH POINT PASSENGER FERRY PIER, DE I NG BUILT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, IS ABOUT 60 PER CENT COMPLETE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY V(TUESDAY) THE $10.5 MILLION TWIN-DECK FERRY PIER WILL HAVE A COVERED WALKWAY LINKING WITH THE BUSY BUS TERMINUS WHICH WILL ALSO BE COVERED.

ON COMPLETION TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, THE NEW PIER WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PIER HAD BEEN DESIGNED TO ALLOW FOR AN EXTRA DECK SHOULD IT BECOME NECESSARY AT A LATER DATE.

MEANWHILE, PILING WORK FOR THE NEW NORTH POINT VEHICULAR FERRY PIER IS IN PROGRESS.

THE NEW PIER IS ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF THE EXISTING VEHICULAR FERRY PIER WHICH WILL BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE ELEVATED COASTAL ROADWAY.

AT THE EASTERN END OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON ANCHORAGE, RECLAMATION WORK IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE EASTERN CORRIDOR IS PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE $10 MILLION CONTRACT, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 390-METRE SEAWALL, WAS MORE THAN HALF COMPLETE.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1979

- 7 -

NEW APPROACH ROAD TO KAU WA KENG

MM**

THE GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT TO IMPLEMENT A $24.5 MILLION ROAD SCHEME IN KAU WA KENG, TSUEN WAN, TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

ENGINEERING WORK ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO START IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

♦THE PROJECT IS ESSENTIAL TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA WHICH INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE,* THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S TSUEN WAN TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR. NORMAN TUCKER SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

+UNDER THE SCHEME, A THREE-LANE SI NGLE-CARR I AGE APPROACH ROAD WILL REPLACE THE PRESENT TEMPORARY ROAD LINKING LAI WAN ROAD AND LAI KING ROAD.+

MR. TUCKER ADDED THAT IT WILL EVENTUALLY LINK UP WITH THE ROAD SYSTEM TO THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AND GIVE ACCESS TO KAU WA KENG VALLEY AND IMPROVE ITS DRAINAGE OUTLET.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESUME 19,728 SQUARE METRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AND 445 SQUARE METRES OF BUILDING LAND FOR THE PROJECT.

THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, SAID THE RESUMPTION WOULD INVOLVE THE CLEARANCE OF FIVE TEMPORARY DOMESTIC STRUCTURES, OCCUPIED BY EIGHT FAMILIES, AND SEVEN OTHER TEMPORARY STRUCTURES USED AS STORAGES, KITCHENS-LATRINES AND A SWITCH ROOM.

♦DEPENDING ON THEIR ELIGIBILITY, DISPLACED FAMILIES WILL BE OFFERED EITHER PUBLIC HOUSING OR TEMPORARY PUBLIC HOUSING,+ MR. HAYES SAID.

♦AS THE LAND TO BE RESUMED LIES WITHIN THE TSUEN WAN-KWAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN, LANDOWNERS CONCERNED WILL BE OFFERED THE ALTERNATIVE OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS OR CASH COMPENSATION,+ HE ADDED.

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1979

CHOLERA HEALTH MEASURES LIFTED ******

THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT HEALTH MEASURES IMPOSED EARLIER AGAINST ARRIVALS FROM SINGAPORE ON ACCOUNT OF CHOLERA HAVE BEEN LIFTED.

- - 0 - -

ACCESS ROAD CLOSED * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE ACCESS ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH FANLING PLAYGROUND ROAD LEADING TO THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL PRIVATE OMNIBUSES, UNLESS AUTHORISED IN WRITING, FROM 10 A.M. NEXT MONDAY (FEBRUARY 19).

THE RESTRICTION IS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE PRIVATE OMNIBUS OPERATORS.

- - 0 - -

DORSET CRESCENT RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT DORSET CRESCENT WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY WESTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH WATERLOO ROAD FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - o - -

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1979

NO THROUGH TRAFFIC AT SAI YEUNG CHOI ST

******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE SECTION OF SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, BETWEEN THE JUNCTIONS OF ARGYLE STREET AND NELSON STREET IN MONG KOK, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM THURSDAY TO FEBRUARY 21.

THE CLOSURE, LASTING FROM 1 A.M. TO 5.30 A.M. DAILY, IS TO FACILITATE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WORKS IN THE AREA.

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE NATHAN ROAD AS AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE DURING THOSE PERIODS.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

NIGHT CLOSURE OF KWUN TONG ROAD * * * *

THE SECTION OF KWUN TONG ROAD BETWEEN SHING SHUN ROAD AND LAI YIP STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1.30 A.M. AND 5.30 A.M. FOR A WEEK FROM THURSDAY TO FEBRUARY 22, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE ARRANGEMENT IS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTBRIDGES ACROSS KWUN TONG ROAD AT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY KOWLOON BAY STATION.

DURING THE CLOSURE, SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WHILE NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO WAI YIP STREET VIA LAI YIP STREET.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - o - -

WATER CUT * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY FOR NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY 1 AND 13-19 KWUN TONG ESTATE BLOCK, TSUI PING ROAD.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO

RESUMED WATER CHARGES DEBATE ................................ 1

REPRESENTATIONS ON REVISED WATER CHARGES .................... 5

CALL FOR REASONABLE TAXI FARE STRUCTURE ..................... 7

PLEA TO AIR-CONDITION THIRD CLASS HOSPITAL WARDS ........... 11

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED OVER TAK TAI INDUSTRIAL BUILDING ................................................... 14

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION ................................... 15

RESETTLEMENT OFFERS FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ............... 16

GOVT GUARANTEE «56M MTR LOAN .............................. 17

POLICE RECOVERED 15 OUT OF 17 GUNS STOLEN IN 1976-78 ....... 18

REASONS GIVEN FOR CLOSING AES CLINIC ....................... 19

PROTECTION FOR CONSUMERS ................................... 21

PROTECTION FOR FLAT PURCHASERS ............................. 22

CONSULTATIONS WITH SWEDEN TO BE CONTINUED NEXT MONTH ....... 22

71 CASES OF MARRIAGE DISSOLUTIONS .......................... 23

ADVICE SOUGHT OF ENABLING THE DEAF TO ENJOY TV ............. 23

OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES ................................. 24

ELDERLY COUPLE OFFERED TEMPORARY HOUSING ................... 24

STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS IN N.T. IMPROVING................... 25

PLAY-LEADSHIP SCHEMES WELL UNDERWAY ........................ 26

PAID ANNUAL LEAVE SCHEME WORKING WELL ...................... 26

POLYTECHNIC — UNPARALLELED IN ANY OTHER INSTITUTIONS .... 28

/SHOP-LIFTING .....

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

SHOP-LIFTING NOT INCREASING ................................ 29

EXHIBITION CENTRE .......................................... 29

LAW COVERS NO. OF LORRY PASSENGERS ......................... 30

REVIEW OF HOUSING CO-OPS PROPOSED .......................... 31

BAGGAGE TROLLEYS FOR AIRPORT PASSENGERS .................... 31

HAWKER PERMITTED PLACE ..................................... 32

TWO BILLS PASSED ........................................... 32

RESITING OF BUS TERMINI .................................... 32

ACCESS ROAD CLOSED TEMPORARILY ............................. 33

URBAN CLEARWAY AND BOX JUNCTION RESTRICTIONS ............... 33

WATER CUT................................................... 33

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

RESUMED WATER CHARGES DEBATE ******

THE IMPACT ON MANUFACTURING COSTS OF THE 37.5 PER CENT INCREASE IN WATER CHARGES FOR TRADE SUPPLIES DOES SEEM LARGE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

BUT HE SAID IT WOULD BE MISLEADING TO CONCENTRATE ON THE INCREASE IN CHARGES WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF WATER CHARGES IN OVERALL COSTS.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON WATER CHARGES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID AS HE POINTED OUT THREE WEEKS AGO WATER CHARGES REPRESENTED ONLY *A VERY SMALL PART OF THE OVERALL MANUFACTURING COSTS.*

+THUS THE INCREASES IN CHARGES WILL BE, IN MOST CASES, SMALL BOTH IN ABSOLUTE TERMS AND IN THEIR IMPACT ON TOTAL COSTS.*

THERE ARE, HOWEVER, SOME TRADE CONSUMER WHO USE LARGE QUANTITIES OF WATER AND'FOR WHOM WATER COSTS FORM A CONSIDERABLY MORE IMPORTANT PART OF A TOTAL COST THAN FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

+HOWEVER, EVEN AMONG THESE USERS, NEITHER WE NOR THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES HAVE FOUND ANY TRADE CONSUMER FOR WHOM WATER CHARGES CONSTITUTE MORE THAN EIGHT PER CENT OF HIS TOTAL PRODUCTION COSTS.*

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT IN LINE WITH HIS VIEW THAT THE IMPACT ON MANUFACTURING COSTS OF THE INCREASED CHARGES WILL BE SMALL, HE DOES NOT EXPECT THAT THEY WILL HAVE MUCH IMPACT ON EXPORT PRICES OR ON EXPORTERS’ PROFIT.

+SUCH INDUSTRIES AS TEXTILE FINISHING AND DYEING AND ELECTRO-PLATING, ON WHOSE BEHALF IT IS ARGUED THAT THE IMPACT OF THE INCREASED CHARGES ON THEIR COSTS WILL BE CONSIDERABLE, ARE NOT MAJOR DIRECT EXPORTERS AND ARE ONLY PART OF A LONGER PRODUCTION CHAIN.

+TO THAT EXTENT, EVEN IF THEY HAND ON THEIR INCREASED WATER CHARGES IN FULL, THE INCREASE IN COST OF THE EXPORTED PRODUCT WHICH IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER WATER CHARGES WILL BE SMALL, SMALLER THAN THE INCREASES IN OTHER COSTS THAT THE MANUFACTURERS OF THESE PRODUCTS HAVE ABSORBED IN RECENT YEARS.*

ON THE EFFECT THAT THE NEW STRUCTURE WILL HAVE ON

DOMESTIC CONSUMERS, MR. HADDON-CAVE HAD THIS TO SAY : +A COMMON THEME IN PRESS COMMENTS AND CRITICISMS IS THAT THE NEW PRICE STRUCTURE WILL IMPOSE A HEAVY BURDEN ON DOMESTIC CONSUMERS.

♦IF THIS THEME REFLECTS THE GENERAL CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE THREAT OF INFLATION, I CAN ONLY SAY THAT I SHARE THIS CONCERN AND INTEND TO SPEAK TO IT IN A FORTNIGHT’S TIME.

/♦BUT IF.....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

♦BUT IF THIS THEME IS SIMPLY A DISGUISED FORM OF CRITICISM OF THE NEW PRICE STRUCTURE ITSELF AND AN ATTEMPT TO ARGUE THAT HIGHER WATER CHARGES WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON PRICES GENERALLY, I SIMPLY DO NOT ACCEPT IT.

♦AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE IN THIS COUNCIL, THE INCREASE IN THE FREE ALLOWANCE ON POTABLE WATER SUPPLIES, WHEN TAKEN TOGETHER WITH THE PROPOSALS FOR FLUSHING SUPPLIES, WILL MEAN THAT AS MANY AS 55 PER CENT OF ALL DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WILL CONTINUE TO PAY NOTHING OR TO PAY LESS THAN AT PRESENT.+

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT IN THE CASE OF DOMESTIC DWELLINGS SHARING A COMMUNAL METER THE BILL IS ADJUSTED SO AS TO GIVE EACH SEPARATE DWELLING THE FULL FR*r ALLOWANCE, AND METHOD OF CHARGING FOR CONSUMPTION WILL vONTINUE UNDER THE NEW PRICE STRUCTURE.

HOWEVER, HE ADMITTED THAT IN THE CASE OF A DOMESTIC DWELLING WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS AND SHARING A COMMUNAL METER, THE NEW PRICE MAY RESULT IN LARGER BILLS.

♦FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS ALREADY PROVIDE PAYMENTS TO ASSIST TOWARDS WATER CHARGES AND THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO REVIEW THE EXISTING LEVELS OF THESE PAYMENTS.+

EARLIER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPOKE ON MR. S.L. CHEN’S REQUEST FOR GOVERNMENT’S ASSURANCE THAT THE WATER UNDERTAKING ♦ IS OPERATING EFFICIENTLY AND ECONOMICALLY.*

♦THIS ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN BY BROAD REFERENCE TO THE TOTAL OPERATION OF THE WATERWORKS.

FIRST, IN THE PROVISION OF RESOURCES TO MEET FUTURE DEMAND WITHIN STIPULATED SUPPLY CRITERIA, PROPOSALS ARE FORMULATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES HAVING REGARD TO KNOWN FACTORS AND VARIOUS ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE.

♦THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH PROPOSALS ARE ALSO CONSIDERED BY THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, AND, SUBJECT TO THEIR ADVICE AND ENDORSEMENT, THESE PROPOSALS ARE SUBMITTED TO YOUR EXCELLENCY IN COUNCIL FOR DECISION.

♦SECONDLY, THE INTEGRITY OF PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND CIVIL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES USED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL NEW RESOURCES IS ASSURED BY THE APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS.

♦THIRDLY, THE MANNER IN WHICH THE WATERWORKS RESOURCES ARE OPERATED PROVIDES FOR TAKING WATER FROM THE CHEAPEST SOURCE, WHERE ALTERNATIVES EXIST.

♦THE SOURCE WATER IS REGULARLY MONITORED TO CHECK ITS QUALITY AND TO ENABLE REMEDIAL ACTION TO BE TAKEN WHERE THIS IS INDICATED.

♦FOURTHLY, AS A MEASURE OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE WATER UNDERTAKING, A VIEW IS REQUIRED AS TO UNRECORDED CONSUMPTION.

/♦UNRECORDED......

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

- 3 -

+UNRECORDED CONSUMPTION IS REPRESENTED BY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TOTAL INPUT OF WATER FROM TREATMENT WORKS INTO DISTRIBUTION IN A GIVEN PERIOD AND CONSUMPTION BY INDIVIDUAL CONSUMERS OVER THE SAME PERIOD.

♦UNRECORDED CONSUMPTION IS ESTIMATED AT 26 PER CENT OF TOTAL WATER CONSUMPTION AT PRESENT, THE PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS BEING LEAKAGE IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, ILLEGAL DRAIN-OFF, THE MEASUREMENT ERRORS OF METERS, CONSUMPTION FOR FIRE-FIGHTING, LOSSES THROUGH BURST MAINS AND IRRECOVERABLE WASH WATER FROM TREATMENT WORKS.

♦ A FIGURE OF 26 PER CENT FOR UNRECORDED CONSUMPTION MAY APPEAR LARGE, BUT WHEN THE REMEDIAL MEASURES BEING TAKEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES ARE FULLY IMPLEMENTED THIS FIGURE WILL PROBABLY BE REDUCED TO ABOUT 20 PER CENT, WHICH IS NOT UNREASONABLE IN COMPARISON WITH CITIES AND WATER AUTHORITIES ELSEWHERE.♦

HOWEVER, MR. HADDON-CAVE STRESSED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES WAS NOT COMPLACENT AND +IS EXPLORING WAYS AND MEANS OF IMPROVING ACTIVITIES TO REDUCE LOSSES.♦

TURNING TO THE COLLECTION OF WATER CHARGES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD THIS TO SAY : +MODERNISATION OF THE WATER ACCOUNTING SYSTEM IS IN HAND BY COMPUTERISING THE BILLING FUNCTION AND COMPUTERISED TRADE ACCOUNTS ARE ALREADY BEING ISSUED.

♦ WHEN ALL THE ACCOUNTS ARE COMPUTERISED, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE EVEN MORE EFFICIENT AND RAPID SERVICE TO CONSUMERS, AS WELL AS PROVIDING MANAGEMENT INFORMATION WHICH CANNOT BE PROVIDED AT PRESENT OR PROVIDED BY LABORIOUS MANUAL METHODS.

♦ FULL COMPUTERISATION WILL IN TURN ENABLE THE WATERWORKS TO PURSUE BAD DEBTS MORE EFFECTIVELY AND TO ENSURE RAPID ACTION IS TAKEN FOR THE COLLECTION OF OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS.+

ON SUGGESTIONS THAT THE LOK ON PAI DESALTER BE PHASED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY DISPOSED OF SO AS TO ELIMINATE A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S (PROJECTED) ANNUAL DEFICITS ON THE WATERWORKS ACCOUNT, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID : +1 HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THE RATE AT WHICH WE DEPRECIATE FIXED ASSETS HAVE BEEN ’INFLATED’, THUS CONTRIBUTING NEEDLESSLY TO THE PROJECTED DEFICIT IN THE WATERWORKS ACCOUNT, AND THAT A SURPLUS WOULD EMERGE IN THE FORECAST PERIOD, EVEN AT CURRENT LEVELS OF CHARGES, IF A MORE REASONABLE VIEW WERE TO BE TAKEN ON DEPRECIATION.

♦ I AM AFRAID THAT THE SHORT ANSWER TO MR. TIEN’S SUGGESTION IS THAT WE CANNOT DISPOSE OF THE DESALTER BECAUSE IT CONSTITUTES A GUARANTEED SOURCE OF SUPPLY WHICH WE HAVE TAPPED IN TIMES OF DROUGHT.

♦FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE LAST FIVE AND A HALF MONTHS OF 1977-78, WHEN THE DESALTER WAS IN FULL OPERATION, ITS DAILY OUTPUT REPRESENTED MORE THAN 18 PER CENT OF DAILY CONSUMPTION DURING THOSE MONTHS.

/♦NOTWITHSTANDING.....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

- 4 -

♦NOTWITHSTANDING THE RELATIVELY HIGH COST OF OPERATING THE DESALTER, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS COMMUNITY IN GENERAL, AND TRADE CONSUMERS IN PARTICULAR (AS THEY ENJOY A 24-HOUR SUPPLY DURING WATER RESTRICTIONS), WOULD MUCH PREFER TO PAY MORE THAN SUFFER THE FURTHER RESTRICTIONS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE HAD TO BE IMPOSED HAD THE DESALTER NOT BEEN BROUGHT FULLY INTO OPERATION.

♦NOR CAN I AGREE THAT THE COST OF THE DESALTER BE LEFT OUT OF THE WATERWORKS ACCOUNTS AND CHARGED TO GENERAL REVENUE UNDER A SEPARATE ACCOUNT.+

THIS, MR. HADDON-CAVE STRESSED, WOULD NOT MAKE SENSE BECAUSE THE DESALTER IS PART OF THE TOTAL FIXED ASSETS OF WATER UNDERTAK ING.

ON DEPRECIATION POLICY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE RATES AT WHICH +WE DEPRECIATE THE WATER UNDERTAKING’S FIXED ASSETS DEPENDS ON A VIEW BEING TAKEN OVER THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF INDIVIDUAL ASSETS, WHICH EXCLUDE THE VALUE OF TRACTS OF LAND REQUIRED FOR STORAGE AND CATCHMENT AREAS, AND I CAN GIVE HONOURABLE MEMBERS AN ASSURANCE THAT A REASONABLE VIEW HAS BEEN TAKEN.

♦OVERALL, THE ANNUAL DEPRECIATION CHARGES AMOUNT TO LESS THAN TWO PER CENT OF THE TOTAL COST OF FIXED ASSETS AND HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL WISH TO NOTE THAT WE DEPRECIATE ON THE BASIS OF HISTORICAL RATHER THAN CURRENT COSTS.

♦SO THERE IS NO QUESTION OF DEPRECIATION CHARGES IN THE FORECAST PERIOD HAVING BEEN INFLATED, AND I CAN ALSO SAY THAT EVEN IF THE DEPRECIATION CHARGES FOR THE DESALTER WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE WATERWORKS ACCOUNTS, THE WATER UNDERTAKING WOULD STILL BE LEFT WITH A VERY SUBSTANTIAL DEFICIT AT THE END OF THE FORECAST PERIOD IF WATER CHARGES WERE NOT REVISED.

ON PRICING POLICY, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE HAD RECEIVED REPRESENTATIONS SUGGESTING THAT THE NEW PRICE STRUCTURE WOULD RESULT IN TRADE CONSUMERS SUBSIDISING DOMESTIC CONSUMERS BECAUSE TRADE CONSUMERS WILL BE PAYING MORE THAN THE ESTIMATED COST OF PRODUCTION.

♦THIS BELIEF IS SHARED BY MR. JAMES WU WHEN HE SAID THAT ’TRADE AND INDUSTRY, USING ONLY ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF TOTAL WATER CONSUMPTION, WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY 73 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL COST FOR WATER SUPPLY IN HONG KONG AS A WHOLE.’

♦THIS IS NOT SO AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MR. WU ARRIVED AT HIS FIGURES. AS I HAVE SAID WHEN MOVING THE MOTION, THE PROPOSED CHARGE OF $5.50 PER UNIT FOR TRADE SUPPLIES REPRESENTS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ESTIMATED WEIGHTED AVERAGE PRODUCTION COST AND THE ESTIMATED WEIGHTED AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION FROM RATES OVER THE FOUR YEARS 1979-80 TO 1982-83.

♦THUS, THE PROPOSED CHARGE FOR TRADE SUPPLIES IS LESS THAN THE ESTIMATED COST OF PRODUCTION. MOREOVER, THE PRODUCTION COST FOR DOMESTIC SUPPLIES IS FULLY COVERED BY THE CONTRIBUTION FROM RATES THE CONTRIBUTION FROM GENERAL REVENUE IN RESPECT OF THE FREE ALLOWANCES AND THE PROPOSED CHARGES FROM DOMESTIC CONSUMERS.

♦IN OTHER WORDS THERE IS NO QUESTION OF ONE CLASS OF CONSUMERS SUBSIDISING ANOTHER UNDER THE NEW PRICE STRUCTURE.♦

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

REPRESENTATIONS ON REVISED WATER CHARGES *******

OUT OF 85,000 TRADE CONSUMERS, ONLY ABOUT 200 USING MORE THAN 6,000 UNITS OF WATER IN A FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIOD WILL LIKELY BENEFIT FROM THE CONCESSIONARY TARIFF ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. JAMES WU SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THIS ’DISCRIMINATION’ TO THE OVER 99 PER CENT OF TRADE CONSUMERS WAS POINTED OUT BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION IN THEIR REPRESENTATIONS ON THE REVISED WATER CHARGES.

MR. WU HOPED THIS AND OTHER POINTS THEY RAISED WOULD BE ANSWERED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.

THE TWO BODIES HAD ALSO MADE THE POINT THAT MOST OF THOSE EXCLUDED FROM THE CONCESSION WERE SMALLER TO MEDIUM-SIZED FIRMS, SOME OF WHICH ARE ENGAGED +IN A VITAL BUT NOT SO PROFITABLE INDUSTRY OF DYEING AND FINISHING.*

IT WAS SAID THAT THE COST OF DYEING AND FINISHING IN HONG KONG IS 30 TO 40 PER CENT HIGHER THAN NEIGHBOURING COMPETITORS AND WITH THE 37.5 PER CENT INCREASE IN WATER COSTS, THE MEAGRE 2.72 PER CENT GROSS PROFIT WILL BE FURTHER CUT DOWN TO BELOW 2/PER CENT, WHICH ’

HARDLY ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS +VITAL ARM OF OUR PREDOMINANT TEXTILE AND GARMENT INDUSTRY.*

♦INSTEAD,* MR. WU SAID, +THERE HAS BEEN A NOTICEABLE DECREASE FROM 322 TO 303 FIRMS IN THIS SECTOR, WHILST WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS NEW INVESTMENT TO ESTABLISH EVEN HIGHER QUALITY DYEING AND FINISHING FACILITIES.*

HE SAID THE ELECTROPLATING INDUSTRY WHICH AGAIN VITALLY SUPPORTS ELECTRONICS AND WATCHES INDUSTRIES IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT USER OF WATER.

+IN ALL, THESE THREE INDUSTRIES SHOULD ACCOUNT FOR SOME 65 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS ON WHICH WE RELY SO MUCH,* HE SAID.

THE OTHER POINTS RAISED BY THE FEDERATION AND THE ASSOCIATION CONCERNED THE NO-SUBSIDY PRINCIPLE ADVOCATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.

MR. WU SAID IF THE PROPOSED RATES ARE TO BE ADOPTED, TRADE AND INDUSTRY, USING ONLY ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF TOTAL WATER CONSUMPTION, WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY 73 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL COST FOR WATER SUPPLY AS A WHOLE, IN EFFECT SUBSIDISING DOMESTIC USE.

AS TO THE REASONS GIVEN BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO SUPPORT THE PRINCIPLE, THESE ARE LESS THAN CONVINCING BECAUSE INDUSTRIALISTS ARE ALREADY MAKING ECONOMIC USE OF WATER IN THEIR PROCESSES AND CANNOT BE EXTRAVAGANT USERS BECAUSE OF THE VERY HIGH WATER RATES IN HONG KONG.

/also, .,ith..

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

ALSO, WITH IMPROVING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, IT IS NOT LIKELY THAT THERE WILL BE THE KIND OF HEAVY EXPENDITURES AS IN THE PAST TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL SUPPLY, MR. WU SAID.

ANOTHER POINT MADE IN THE REPRESENTATIONS WAS THAT THE WATERWORKS ACCOUNTS WOULD BE BALANCED WITH NO INCREASE IN WATER RATES, IF ONLY THE OPERATING EXPENSES AND NOT SUCH ITEMS AS THE DEBATEABLE CHARGES FOR INTEREST FOR CAPITAL OUTLAY AND MAINTENANCE AND DEPRECIATION FOR THE DESALTER WERE TO BE FIGURED.

MR. WU THOUGHT THE PRESENT ABILITY TO DISPENSE WITH THE USE OF THE DESALTER WAS ACTUALLY A BLESSING IN DISGUISE AND HE BELIEVED NO ONE WOULD COMPLAIN IF WE WERE TO WRITE OFF THE INVESTMENT FOR THE DESALTER IN ONE GO.

THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN ALSO SPOKE OUT FOR THE SMALLER FACTORIES WHICH WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE CONCESSIONARY TARIFF.

HE SAID IT WOULD BE FAIRER TO EXTEND THE TARIFF TO COVER ALL THOSE FACTORIES HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON WATER, THE COST OF WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTION FACTOR.

HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE THE 6,000 UNITS MINIMUM LIMIT TO A LOWER, MORE REALISTIC AND EQUITABLE FIGURE, AND TO REVIEW THE MATTER AT THE END OF THE GRACE PERIOD RATHER THAN WITHDRAWING THE CONCESSION.

+THIS REVIEW IS NECESSARY BECAUSE IT MAY WELL TRANSPIRE THAT CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING OF WATER IS NOT ECONOMICALLY VIABLE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT SPACE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SUCH FACILITIES AS A RESULT OF THE HIGH COST OF LAND IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.

HE ALSO SUGGESTED THE DESALTER AT LOK ON PAI BE PHASED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY DISPOSED OF ALTOGETHER, IN VIEW OF THE AMICABLE RELATIONS WITH CHINA, FROM WHOM WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO OBTAIN AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF WATER AT A REASONABLE PRICE.

IF SUCH A DECISION IS TAKEN, HE SAID, IT MAY WELL BE UNNECESSARY TO HAVE TO REVISE THE WATER CHARGES, OR AT THE VERY MOST, BY ONLY A SMALL UPWARD ADJUSTMENT.

HE REPEATED A SUGGESTION HE MADE AT THE ANNUAL POLICY DEBATE LAST NOVEMBER FOR THE DESIGNATION OF A SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL ZONE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO SET UP DYEING AND FINISHING MILLS.

IN SUCH A SPECIAL ZONE, POLLUTION COULD BE EFFECTIVELY AND COLLECTIVELY CONTROLLED AND UNTREATED WATER FROM THE EAST RIVER COULD BE PIPED IN FOR THE BULK USERS AT A LOWER COST, HE SAID.

THE HON. S.L. CHEN, WHO HAD ADVOCATED A STEEP DOMESTIC TARIFF STRUCTURE TO DETER EXTRAVAGANT WATER USERS IN THE BUDGET DEBATE LAST YEAR, WELCOMED THE PROPOSED NEW CHARGES.

HE SAID THE POINT WHERE A CONSUMER PAYS THE SAME ON THE NEW AS ON THE EXISTING TARIFF IS ABOUT 10 UNITS PER FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIOD, REPRESENTING A CONSUMPTION OF ABOUT 75 LITRES (16.5 GALLONS) PER PERSON PER DAY FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE.

/IF CONSUMPTION.....

.72DNBSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

IF CONSUMPTION IS BELOW 10 UNITS, THE COST WILL BE LESS. ON THE OTHER HAND, FOR AN EXCESSIVE USER OF SAY 30 UNITS, THE COST IS 1.66 TIMES MORE, AND FOR AN EXTRAVAGANT USER OF 100 UNITS, THE BILL WILL BE ALMOST TWICE HIGHER.

MR. CHEN NOTED THAT WHILE HE ENDORSED THE PRINCIPLE OF NO SUBSIDY, HE WANTED AN ASSURANCE THAT THE SUPPLY AUTHORITY IS OPERATING EFFICIENTLY AND ECONOMICALLY. +OTHERWISE THE CONSUMER WILL BE UNFAIRLY CHARGED FOR THE COST ARISING FROM INEFFICIENCY,* HE SAID.

--------0 -

CALL FOR REASONABLE TAXI FARE STRUCTURE ******

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN MOVED A RESOLUTION IN TODAY’S (WEDNESDAY) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO AMEND THE SCHEDULE OF URBAN TAXI FARES FROM THE EXISTING $2.50 FOR THE FIRST MILE AND 50 CENTS EACH SUBSEQUENT ONE-FIFTH OF A MILE TO $3 AND 30 CENTS RESPECTIVELY.

HE BELIEVED SUCH A FARE STRUCTURE IS MORE REASONABLE AND ACCEPTABLE TO MOST PEOPLE TAKING TAXIS.

THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT ALSO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF A LOWER RATE OF TAXI FARES. THE RESOLUTION WAS NOT CARRIED.

GIVING HIS REASONS FOR THE PROPOSAL, MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE FARES RECENTLY INTRODUCED WERE PITCHED SO HIGH FOR DISTANCES OVER THREE MILES THAT MOST TAXI USERS FEEL THEY SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE A TAXI EVEN WHEN PRESSED FOR TIME.

THIS +UNFORESEEN SIDE EFFECT* REFERRED TO BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, IS THE RESULT OF MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT AT THE WRONG PACE, HE SAID.

WHILE THERE HAS BEEN NO PUBLIC CRITICISM OF THE INCREASE IN NEW TERRITORIES TAXI FARES, THE CHINESE PRESS RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD HAVE SAID THE INCREASES FOR THE URBAN AREAS WERE TOO DRASTIC, HE ADDED.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE SUGGESTION THAT DRIVERS COULD POSSIBLY OFFER LOWER FARES THAN THE LEGAL MAXIMUM WAS +MORE THEORETICAL THAN PRACTICAL* BECAUSE NEARLY 83 PER CENT OF THE TAXIS DRIVERS ON BOTH SHIFTS ARE NOT OWNERS AND HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE PERMITTED INCREASE.

IT CUTS DEEPLY INTO THE POCKETS OF THE MAJORITY OF PASSENGERS IF THEY ARE FORCED EY CIRCUMSTANCES TO TAKE TAXIS FOR MEDIUM AND LONGER DISTANCES.

/THS SALS......

■7EDNSSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

8 -

THE SAME HAPPENS TO THE LOWER-INCOME GROUPS WHEN THEY TAKE PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WHICH HAVE INCREASED FARES BY 50 CENTS TO AS MUCH AS $2 ON CERTAIN ROUTES AT PEAK HOURS OR WHENEVER THE OPERATORS THINK THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT, FOLLOWING UP ON THE HIGH TAXI FARES.

+WHY SHOULD THERE BE LAISSEZ FAIRE FOR THE PLBS AND STIFF CONTROL FOR THE TAXIS? IN THIS RESPECT, GOVERNMENT’S ANSWER IS FOUND WANTING,* MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID.

AS FOR BUS SERVICES, HE SAID HE HAD RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE PROMISE THAT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF NEW BUSES WOULD BE ARRIVING WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO.

EVEN WITH THE BEST EFFORTS ON THE PART OF THE BUS COMPANIES, THIS WILL PROBABLY NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT WAVE OF STRIKES IN BRITAIN. FURTHERMORE, HE SAID, IN THREE YEARS’ TIME, THE POPULATION WILL HAVE SWOLLEN TO OVER FIVE MILLION.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO INITIATE A REVIEW OF THE SITUATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, RATHER THAN WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR. TO DO SO IS JUST A WAY OF SAYING TO THE PUBLIC: +YOU WILL ALL HAVE TO GET USED TO SUCH FARES BY THAT TIME,* HE SAID.

HE SAID THERE WAS ALSO, RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, A WIDESPREAD PUBLIC FEELING THAT THE SEVERE INCREASE IN TAXI FARES HAS STIMULATED MORE INFLATION AND HIGHER LIVING COSTS, PARTICULARLY FOR THE MIDDLE AND LOWER INCOME GROUPS.

+LET US NOT FORGET,* HE SAID, +THAT IN THE HONG KONG ENVIRONMENT, TAXIS ARE NOT ONLY FOR THE WELL-TO-DO, BUT ALSO FOR THE MAN-IN-THE-STREET WHEN HE GOES HOME LATE OR WHEN HE HAS TO GO SOMEWHERE IN A HURRY.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CURRENT TAXI FARES, IF REDUCED, *€AN ALWAYS BE READJUSTED SLIGHTLY UPWARDS NEXT YEAR IF AFTER MONITORING SUCH IS FOUND NECESSARY.*

MISS BENNETT, IN SUPPORTING MR. CHEONG-LEEN, SAID THE STEEP RISE IN TAXI FARES WAS CONTRARY TO ACCEPTED GOVERNMENT POLICY ON PRICE INCREASES AND WILL GREATLY ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO BUY THEIR OWN CARS AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES ON THE ROADS.

SHE SAID THE INCREASE FOR SHORT JOURNEYS WAS REASONABLE. FOR LONGER JOURNEYS, HOWEVER, THE INCREASE FOR THE OLD S5 FARE WAS 130 PER CENT, FOR THE OLD 37 FARE 114 PER CENT, AND THE OLD $8 FARE 118 PER CENT.

+THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SPONSOR. I AM NOT SURPRISED TO HEAR THE PUBLIC FEARS OTHER PRICES WILL RISE IN SIMILAR PROPORTIONS. THE SPECTRE OF A HIGHER RATE OF INFLATION STALKS THE ROADS Oc HONG KONG IN THE WAKE CF THESE INCREASES,* SHE SAID.

7/SDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

> 9 -

THE BENEFITS OF THE INCREASES WERE NOT ACCRUING TO THE DRIVERS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO STOP THEIR MALPRACTICES, BUT TO THE OWNERS AND OWNER-OPERATORS, SHE ADDED.

AFTER HEARING THE SPEECHES ON THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) NO. 4 BILL ON JANUARY 10 SHE WAS CONVINCED TAXI DRIVERS ARE NOT EASILY CONTROLLED BY ANY REGULAR COMPANIES, AND THERE SEEMS LITTLE CONTROL CAN BE EXERCISED OVER ROGUE DRIVERS.

SHE THEREFORE HOPED THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE TAXI TRADE COULD BE PRODUCED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AFTER FOUR AND NOT NINE MONTHS.

SHE POINTED OUT THAT FAR FEWER PEOPLE ARE RIDING IN TAXIS AND TAXI RANKS ARE SO FULL THAT OTHER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN HINDERED. TAXIS ARE ALSO CRUISING SLOWLY ALONG TO ATTRACT PASSENGERS TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE SMOOTH FLOW OF TRAFFIC.

+THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IS TO INCREASE THE PASSENGERCARRYING CAPACITY OF ALL THE VEHICLES ON THE ROADS. THIS STEEP RISE IN THE TAXI FARE SEEMS TO BE DEFEATING THIS OBJECT,* SHE SAID.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, IN HIS REPLY, REMINDED THE TWO SPEAKERS OF THE SITUATION WITH TAXIS BEFORE THE FARE INCREASE CAME INTO EFFECT.

MR. JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTION IN RAISING FARES WAS TAKEN AFTER LONG DELIBERATION AND MUCH DEBATE.

THERE WAS NO DOUBT TAXIS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND THAT DRIVERS ARE WILLING TO TRAVEL LONGER DISTANCES.

+THERE IS NO DOUBT ALSO, FROM THE REPORTS SO FAR AVAILABLE, THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DRAMATIC FALL IN MALPRACTICES AND AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANNERS OF TAXI DRIVERS.

♦IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE AGAIN TO TELEPHONE FOR A TAXI AND TO OBTAIN ONE. OR, IN OTHER WORDS, IN THE LITTLE TIME THAT HAS ELAPSED, THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES.*

ALL THIS, HE SAID, HAS BEEN A GAIN BUT HE WAS NOT CLAIMING THE RIGHT BALANCE HAS NECESSARILY BEEN STRUCK AND THAT PERFECTION HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.

+AFTER A PERIOD IN WHICH THE SITUATION HAD BEEN STEADILY DETERIORATING AND WAS GETTING VERY CLOSE TO A FREE FOR ALL, FIRM ACTION WAS NECESSARY TO RESTORE SANITY,* MR. JONES SAID.

+BUT IT MAY EE THAT, IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE, SOME ELEMENTS IN THE PACKAGE, INCLUDING THE LEVEL OF FARES, WILL NEED ADJUSTMENT. THIS IS QUITE NATURAL AND IT MEANS THAT THE SITUATION WILL NEED TO BE MONITORED AND REVIEWED AFTER A REASONABLE PERIOD.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

♦THIS THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DO AND FULL SURVEYS OF THE TAXI TRADE WILL BE CONDUCTED NEXT MONTH, IN MARCH, AND IN MAY OF THIS YEAR,* HE SAID.

WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THE SITUATION WAS REVIEWED, HE SAID MR. CHEONG-LEEN’S IDEAS MIGHT, OR MIGHT NOT, COMMEND THEMSELVES. ANY ACTION TAKEN AFTER THE REVIEW WOULD NOT PRECLUDE FURTHER CHANGES IN FARES --- IT WOULD NOT PRECLUDE PROPOSALS

TO RAISE, LOWER OR READJUST THE BALANCE OF THE FARES OR, TO LEAVE THEM AS THEY ARE.

HE SAID HE WOULD STRONGLY REFUTE THE SUGGESTIONS BY THE TWO SPEAKERS THAT GOVERNMENT’S ACTION WILL ENCOURAGE INFLATION.

+ l WOULD REMIND THEM THAT, APART FROM ONE ADJUSTMENT IN THE FLAG FALL CHARGE FROM $1.50 TO $2 IN 1974, TAXI FARES ON HONG KONG ISLAND HAD ,'EMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1946, THAT IS FOR 33 YEARS.

+IN REAL TERMS THE NEW FARES ARE STILL, ON AVERAGE, LOWER THAN THEY WERE, SAY, 10 YEARS AGO AND MUCH LOWER THAN IN EARLIER YEARS AND I CANNOT SEE HOW, IN ITSELF, THIS CAN BE CONSIDERED INFLATIONARY.

+S0 I HOPE THESE SORT OF ACCUSATIONS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY,* MR. JONES SAID.

IN GOVERNMENT’S VIEW, HE SAID, THE PACKAGE WHICH HAS BEEN INTRODUCED FOR TAXIS, INCLUDING FARE INCREASE, MUST BE GIVEN TIME TO WORK BEFORE A PROPER ASSESSMENT COULD BE MADE OF ITS EFFECTS.

+THIS WILL BE DONE IN THE LIGHT OF THE FULL REVIEWS I HAVE REFERRED TO AND, IF NECESSARY, FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS IN FARES WILL THEN BE PROPOSED.

+IN THE MEANTIME IT IS FELT THAT THIS MOTION IS PREMATURE AND IT MUST THEREFORE BE OPPOSED,* HE SAID.

/II

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

11 -

PLEA TO AIR-CONDITION THIRD CLASS HOSPITAL WARDS ******

AN UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER APPEALED TO THE GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND AIR-CONDITIONING TO THIRD CLASS WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.

THE PLEA WAS MADE BY THE HON. PETER C. WONG AT THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY). HE ASKED A QUESTION ON THE SAME SUBJECT IN THE COUNCIL LAST AUGUST.

HE SAID THE IMPROVEMENT WOULD NOT BE A LUXURY BUT A NECESSITY AND WOULD BENEFIT THE LESS FORTUNATE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. HE LISTED THESE REASONS :

* HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY NOT ONLY CAUSE GREAT DISCOMFORT BUT ARE ALSO LIKELY TO DISTURB THE METABOLISM OF PATIENTS, PARTICULARLY EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND THOSE HEAVILY BANDAGED OR WITH LIMBS OR TRUNK IN PLASTER-

* SYMPTOMS SUCH AS RESTLESSNESS, SLEEPLESSNESS AND DEPRESSION MAY ALSO DEVELOP IN A PATIENT AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY AFFECT HIS RESPONSE TO TREATMENT-

* CONTROLLED ROOM TEMPERATURE IS ESSENTIAL FOR CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS, SUCH AS HYPERPYREXIA, SKIN AND NEUROSURGICAL DISEASES AND BURNS-

* IT ALLEVIATES THE PROBLEM OF DUST AND LACK OF VENTILATION CAUSED BY INSECT SCREENING IN CERTAIN WARDS-

* ALTHOUGH THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN NON-AIR-CONDITIONED WARDS ARE NO WORSE THAN THOSE IN MOST PATIENTS’ HOMES BUT THERE THEY ARE WELL AND STRONG AND NOT BED-RIDDEN-

* AIR-CONDITIONING WOULD ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF OVERCROWDING *HICH HAS REACHED ALMOST SERIOUS PROPORTIONS IN CERTAIN HOSPITALS AND

* IT WOULD ALSO CREATE A FAVOURABLE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR NURSES WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES EFFICIENTLY.

MR. WONG QUOTED COMMENTS BY THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK IN SUPPORT OF HIS REQUEST.

.J.5.........

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

12 -

THE ADB, WHICH PROVIDED THE LOAN FOR THE SHA TIN HOSPITALPOLYTECHNIC PROJECT, HAD SUGGESTED AIR-CONDITIONING THE HOSPITAL TOTALLY, + IN VIEW OF THE LEVEL OF SOPHISTICATION BEING SOUGHT AND ACHIEVED IN MEDICAL PRACTICE IN HONG KONG, THE HIGHLY TECHNICAL AND EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC EQUIPMENT BEING PROVIDED, AND THE PROVISION OF MORE MODERN MEDICAL FACILITIES BEING ACHIEVED.*

HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE QUICKLY ON AIR-CONDITIONING ALL NEW HOSPITAL PROJECTS SUCH AS THE PROPOSED NEW SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN HOSPITALS OTHERWISE, HE SAID, EXTRA WORK AND COSTS WOULD BE INCURRED UNNECESSARILY.

HE RECOGNISED THAT IN EXISTING HOSPITALS, THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A CONSIDERABLE DEGREE OF COMPLEX DESIGN INVOLVING ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL MODIFICATIONS BUT THE DISTURBANCE COULD BE MINIMISED BY PROVIDING AIR-CONDITIONING IN PHASES.

FROM PRELIMINARY ENQUIRIES HE LEARNED THAT THE COST OF TOTALLY AIR-CONDITIONING A HOSPITAL WITH A FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 12,000 SQUARE METRES WOULD BE ABOUT $3 MILLION.

♦BUT EVERYTHING HAS A PRICE AND AIR-CONDITIONING OF THIRD CLASS WARDS IS A PRICE WELL WORTH PAYING FOR- THESE WARDS ACCOMMODATE A DAILY TOTAL AVERAGE OF ABOUT 10,000 PATIENTS,+ HE SAID.

DR. THE HON. RAYSON HUANG, SPEAKING IN SUPPORT, ASKED HOW HONG KONG COULD, +AT A TIME WHEN EVEN CERTAIN ANIMALS IN HONG KONG ARE PRIVILEGED TO ENJOY THE LUXURY OF AIR-CONDITIONING, DENY THE SAME COMFORT TO HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE ILL ENOUGH TO REQUIRE TREATMENT IN HOSPITAL.*

HE ALSO ASKED WHY THE RELATIVELY SPACIOUS FIRST AND SECOND-CLASS WARDS ARE AIR-CONDITIONED WHILE THE OFTEN OVERCROWDED THIRD CLASS WARDS ARE NOT.

+THE LESS AFFLUENT SUFFER FROM ILLNESS AS SUCH AS, IF NOT MORE THAN, THE RICH,* HE SAID.

DR. HUANG AGREED THAT AIR-CONDITIONING WOULD IMPROVE THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF NURSES AND IMPROVE THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH PATIENTS.

THEIR ENERGY AND PATIENCE SHOULD NOT BE DETRACTED BY THE DEBILITATING HEAT OF SUMMER WHEN HONG KONG COULD WELL AFFORD TO AIR-CONDITION ALL HOSPITAL WARDS, HE SAID.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT SOME THIRD-CLASS WARDS ARE MADE EVEN HOTTER AND MORE STUFFY IN SUMMER BY BEING COVERED WITH WIRE GAUZE TO KEEP OUT MOSQUITOES AND OTHER INSECTS.

, , J .........................................

jsdnssday, February u, 1979

- 13 -

SOME WARDS ARE LOCATED AT THE TOP OF BUILDINGS WITH INADEQUATELY INSULATED ROOFS. THERE ARE ALSO HOSPITALS NEAR INDUSTRIAL AREAS WHICH ARE CONSTANTLY SUBJECT TO ATMOSPHERIC AND NOISE POLLUTIONS.

AIR-CONDITIONING WOULD BE THE EASIEST WAY OF REDUCING THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF THESE NUISANCES, HE SAID.

IN SUPPORTING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. E.P. HO SAID IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE ON MEDICAL GROUNDS THAT GENERAL HOSPITALS, AT LEAST IN THE ACUTE AND PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS, SHOULD BE AIR-CONDITIONED.

♦HOWEVER,* MR. HO ADDED, +THIS IS BUT ONE OF THE MANY DESIRABLE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN OUR PUBLIC SERVICES, AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THE ASSUMPTION IMPLICIT IN MR. WONG’S CONCLUDING REMARKS THAT EXPENDITURE ON SUCH AIR-CONDITIONING WOULD ONLY BE A DROP IN THE BUCKET.*

ACCORDINGLY, MR. HO SAID, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS IN EVERY INDIVIDUAL CASE AND TO CONSIDER THE PRIORITY TO BE ACCORDED TO IT IN THE LIGHT OF THE MANY COMPETING CLAIMS ON OUR LIMITED RESOURCES.

+IN THE SPECIFIC CASE OF THE NEW SHA TIN HOSPITAL, I, TOO, HOPE THAT THE ULTIMATE CONCLUSION WOULD BE THAT ITS COMPLETE AIR-CONDITIONING WAS NOT ONLY DESIRABLE BUT ALSO EFFICACIOUS IN MEDICAL AS WELL AS FINANCIAL TERMS,* MR. HO CONCLUDED.

0 -

/14

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED OVER TAK TAI INDUSTRIAL BUILDING

******

CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED OVER THE TAK TAI INDUSTRIAL BUILDING DECLARED LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS EARLY THIS MONTH, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

BUT THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ADDED THAT IT WOULD BE IMPROPER FOR HIM TO COMMENT IN GREATER DETAIL BECAUSE OF THIS AND OTHER POSSIBLE LEGAL ACTION.

MR. MCDONALD WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ROGER LOBO.

THE DIRECTOR RECALLED EVENTS LEADING TO THE DISCOVERY OF THE DANGEROUS BUILDING IN KWAI CHUNG.

MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT AFTER THE CLOSURE AND SUBSEQUENT DEMOLITION OF THE CHINA ENGINEERS INDUSTRIAL BUILDING IN 1977 THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE MADE VISUAL INSPECTIONS OF ALL BUILDINGS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE SAME AUTHORISED PERSON OR CONSTRUCTED BY THE SAME REGISTERED CONTRACTOR.

THIS WAS IN ADDITION TO THE ROUTINE INSPECTIONS OF BUILDINGS ON WHICH REPORTS OF DEFECTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED BY B.O.O., HE SAID.

+OF THE MORE THAN 80 BUILDINGS EXAMINED IN THIS EXERCISE MOST WERE FOUND TO BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND BUT MORE INTENSIVE INVESTIGATIONS WERE ORDERED FOR SIX BUILDINGS- WHICH SHOWED SIGNS OF STRESS,+ MR. MCDONALD SAID.

THE TAK TAI INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, COMPLETED IN 1970, WAS ONE OF THE SIX.

IN THIS STRUCTURE SOME SHEAR CRACKING OF BEAMS WAS FOUND AND A NOTICE WAS SERVED ON THE OWNER TO INITIATE A DETAILED INVESTIGATION OF THE BUILDING.

THIS INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE STRUCTURE TO BE SERIOUSLY SUB-STANDARD AND A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CLOSE THE BUILDING WAS ISSUED.

+0F THE REMAINING FIVE BUILDINGS ON WHICH DETAILED CHECKS WERE ORDERED, TWO ARE STILL UNDER EXAMINATION AND THREE ARE LIKELY TO HAVE NOTICES OF INTENTION TO CLOSE ISSUED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS,* MR. MCDONALD SAID.

♦CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED IN RELATION TO THE TAK TAI INDUSTRIAL BUILDING. THAT, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF OTHER LEGAL ACTION MAKES IT IMPROPER ROR ME TO COMMENT IN GREATER DETAIL.*

/on ....

.JX2SDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

ON PREVENTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURTHER DANGEROUS BUILDINGS, MR. MCDONALD POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH IN THE PAST INSPECTIONS OF WORKS IN PROGRESS WERE LIMITED TO INTERMITTENT VISUAL CHECKS THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE HAD, SINCE SEPTEMBER 1971, BEEN CARRYING OUT COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTIONS, INCLUDING TESTS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES BY INSTRUMENTS WHICH GIVE READINGS OF THE APPROXIMATE CONCRETE STRENGTH.

♦ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL STAFF WAS EMPLOYED TO COPE WITH THE EXTRA WORKLOAD AND MORE TECHNICAL STAFF HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO FURTHER INTENSIFY ACTIVITY IN THIS FIELD,+ HE ADDED.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION

*****

THE SCHEDULE OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR THE FIRST QUARTER (APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30) OF THE 1978-79 FINANCIAL YEAR COVERS $192 MILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID THIS IN MOVING THE MOTION FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER THIS YEAR.

OF THE TOTAL, HE SAID, PUBLIC WORKS NON-RECURRENT ACCOUNTED FOR ALMOST $185 MILLION BECAUSE OF MORE RAPID PROGRESS ON A NUMBER OF EXISTING PROJECTS AND THE UPGRADING OF 17 PROJECTS TO CATEGORY A OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.

♦THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION COVERED BY THE SCHEDULE WILL NOT RESULT IN A NET INCREASE OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR AS OFFSETTING SAVINGS HAVE BEEN FOUND UNDER OTHER SUBHEADS OF EXPENDITURE, OR BY THE FREEZING OF FUNDS UNDER HEAD 52 MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES SUBHEAD 100 ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED ALL ITEMS IN THE SCHEDULE.

THE MOTION WAS APPROVED.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

- 16 -

RESETTLEMENT OFFERS FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES * * * *

RESETTLEMENT OFFERS FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES USUALLY TAKE THE FORM OF A QUOTA, SOMETIMES FOR THE REGION AND SOMETIMES FOR HONG KONG ALONE, AND FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD.

IN THE CASE OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THERE IS AN ONGOING PROGRAMME FOR RESETTLEMENT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM THE REGION, INCLUDING HONG KONG.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. LYDIA DUNN.

MR. DAVIES ADDED: +FIRM OFFERS OF RESETTLEMENT ARE ONLY MADE TO INDIVIDUALS ONCE PROCESSING, SPONSORSHIP AND SO ON HAS BEEN ARRANGED.+

♦BEARING THESE POINTS IN MIND, THERE ARE 2,340 QUOTA PLACES ON OFFER TO BE FILLED THIS YEAR OR, IN THE CASE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, AN OFFER UP TO MARCH 31, 1980.+

IN ADDITION, MR. DAVIES SAID 6,000 REFUGEES SHOULD BE RESETTLED UNDER THE U.S. GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME THIS YEAR.

SINCE JANUARY 1, AND UP TO FEBRUARY 12, 462 REFUGEES HAVE DEPARTED — 357 TO THE USA- 60 TO GERMANY- 25 TO CANADA- 18 TO NORWAY AND TWO TO THE UNITED KINGDOM.

THIRTY HAVE BEEN GRANTED PERMISSION TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG.

MR. DAVIES SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAVE STEPPED UP MEASURES TO IDENTIFY VESSELS BEFORE ENTERING HONG KONG WITH A VIEW TO PREVENTING ANY CARRYING EXCESS PASSENGERS FROM ENTERING WITHOUT AUTHOR ITY.

♦THE ROYAL NAVY, THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE AND THE MARINE POLICE ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED ON THIS TASK,* HE ADDED.

EXPLAINING HOW THE SHIP SKY LUCK ENTERED HONG KONG UNDETECTED ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 6, MR. DAVIES HAD THIS TO SAY:

♦ALL SHIPS HAD BEEN ADVISED AT FOUR-HOURLY INTERVALS BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT OF THE NEED TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF THEIR SHIP BEFORE ENTERING HONG KONG WATERS.

♦THE SKY LUCK DID NOT DO SO, NOR DID IT TRANSMIT ANY OTHER MESSAGE TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT,♦ HE STRESSED.

------0 - -

/l7 .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

- 17 -

GOVT GUARANTEE 556M MTR LOAN

* * * * * *

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ADOPTED A MOTION SEEKING AUTHORITY FOR A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE FOR A LOAN OF 356 MILLION FROM A BRITISH BANK FOR SIGNALLING EQUIPMENT FOR THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.

MOVING THE MOTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THE GUARANTEE WOULD BRING THE GOVERNMENT’S TOTAL GUARANTEE COMMITMENT IN RESPECT OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION TO 57,890 MILLION.

BUT MR. HADDON-CAVE POINTED OUT ♦NOT ALL THE FACILITIES COMPRISING THIS FIGURE WILL NECESSARILY BE DRAWN DOWN.*

/18......

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

POLICE RECOVERED 15 OUT OF 17 GUNS STOLEN IN 1976-78

* * * *

POLICE RECOVERED 15 OF THE 17 GUNS SNATCHED OR STOLEN FROM THEIR OFFICERS IN THE 1976-78 PERIOD, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. DAVIES SAID, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. PETER C. WONG, THAT THOSE RECOVERED INCLUDED TWO SEIZED BY POLICE AT THE SCENE OF THE INCIDENT* TWO FOUND BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND RETURNED TO POLICE AND 11 RECOVERED BY POLICE THROUGH THEIR INVESTIGATIONS.

HE TOLD THE COUNCIL HE WAS UNABLE TO SAY WITH CERTAINTY HOW MANY OF THOSE GUNS WERE USED IN THE COMMISSION OF OFFENCES SUCH AS ROBBERIES.

♦ A POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION OF A WEAPON CAN ONLY BE MADE ONCE A SHOT FIRED FROM IT IS RECOVERED AND THEN COMPARED WITH A ROUND FIRED FROM THE SAME GUN ONCE IT IS RETURNED TO THE POLICE.* MR. DAVIES SAID.

BEARING IN MIND THIS LIMITATION HE SAID THAT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS FIVE POLICE REVOLVERS OUT OF THOSE STOLEN HAD BEEN POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AS HAVING BEEN USED IN THE COMMISSION OF ROBBERIES.

HE SAID THAT FOR OFFENCES CONNECTED WITH THE STEALING OF POLICE GUNSt

* 18 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED, 22 CHARGES LAID AND NINE CONVICTIONS WERE MADE IN 1976-

* THERE WERE NO ARRESTS LAST YEAR OR SO FAR THIS YEAR.

♦ ALL POLICE OFFICERS,* HE SAID, +RECEIVE TRAINING IN BASIC SELF-DEFENCE. UNIFORMED OFFICERS HAVE THEIR REVOLVERS SECURED TO THEIR PERSON BY MEANS OF A LANYARD.

♦ IN ADDITION, THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BEAT RADIO SYSTEM WITHIN THE URBAN AREA HAS IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY THE SPEED WITH WHICH POLICE RESPOND TO CRIME, INCLUDING INCIDENTS WHERE AN OFFICER IS ATTACKED.*

THE BEAT RADIO SET, HE SAID, IS EQUIPPED * I TH AN EMERGENCY SWITCH BY MEANS OF WHICH AN OFFICER VAY INDICATE *HEN HE IS IN NEED OF URGENT ASSISTANCE.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

- 19 -

REASONS GIVEN FOR CLOSING AES CLINIC

* * * * *

THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) HAS UNANIMOUSLY DECIDED THAT THE ACUPUNCTURE ELECTRO-STIMULATION EXPERIMENT SHOULD CEASE AFTER 18 MONTHS AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED SO THAT A MORE THOROUGH REVIEW COULD BE MADE BOTH BY THE COMMITTEE AND THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE (NIDA) OF THE UNITED STATES.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. THE HON. K.L. THONG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. T.S. LO.

EXPLAINING THE REASONS FOR, AND THE RESULTS OF, THE CLOSURE OF THE AES CLINIC, DR. THONG SAID PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT BY ACAN SHOWED THE EXPERIMENT +MAY NOT BE REGARDED AS AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS AND THE EXACT ROLE AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF AES AS A TREATMENT MODALITY IN HONG KONG HAVE YET TO BE EVALUATED AND DETERMINED.*

HE SAID THE AES CLINIC WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT FROM THE BEGINNING WHICH +GIVES NO GUARANTEE OF PERMANENCE.*

A REPORT HAS ALSO BEEN SENT TO NIDA WHICH COMMISSIONED AND FINANCED THE EXPERIMENT IN THE FIRST INSTANCE AND WHICH IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING THE REPORT, HE ADDED.

AFTER THE CLINIC CLOSED, DR. THONG WENT ON, ACAN HAS BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERING THE FUTURE INTEREST AND WELFARE OF THE PATIENTS AND THE STAFF EMPLOYED ON THE PROJECT.

WHEN THE PROJECT ENDED ON DECEMBER 31 LAST YEAR THERE WAS A DAILY ATTENDANCE OF AROUND 14 CASES WHICH INCLUDED ON AN AVERAGE ONE NEW CASE PER DAY, SAID DR. THONG.

+THE NUMBERS INVOLVED WERE SMALL AND’, ALSO, BY FAR THE MAJORITY OF THE PATIENTS WERE ALREADY BEING TREATED BY METHADONE.*

+THERE SHOULD, THEREFORE, BE NO DIFFICULTIES FOR THE GOVERNMENT METHADONE PROGRAMME OR OTHER PROGRAMMES SUCH AS THAT OPERATED BY THE SOCEITY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS (SARDA) TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THESE PATIENTS,* HE SAID.

AS TO THE STAFF, DR. THONG SAID THEY WERE EMPLOYED ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS INITIALLY ONLY FOR A 12-MONTH PERIOD AND LATER EXTENDED FOR SIX MONTHS.

IT WAS CLEARLY STATED IN THE CONTRACT THAT THEIR MONTH-TO-MONTH SERVICE MIGHT BE TERMINATED PROVIDED THAT ONE MONTH’S NOTICE OR SALARY IN LIEU WAS GIVEN.

/DR. THONG......

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

DR. THONG SAID HE WAS INFORMED BY THE TUNG WAH HOSPITALS AUTHORITIES THAT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AS LAID DOWN IN THE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN HONOURED STRICTLY AND SATISFACTORILY.

♦THUS THE WELFARE AND INTEREST OF BOTH PATIENTS AND

STAFF HAVE BEEN CATERED FOR APPROPRIATELY AND THERE SHOULD BE NO UNDUE ILL EFFECTS RESULTING FROM THE CLOSURE OF THE PROJECT,+ « ADDED.

THE DIRECTOR REITERATED THAT ENDING THE PROJECT BY ITSELF

♦DOES NOT IMPLY THAT AES AS A METHOD OF TREATMENT IS ABSOLUTELY RULED OUT IN HONG KONG.+

ELABORATING ON THE PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE AES EXPERIMENT, DR. THONG SAID THE FOLLOWING FACTS EMERGEDt

X OUT OF 300 PATIENTS ENROLLED FOR THE EXPERIMENT, 77, OR 26.5 PER CENT, COMPLETED THE 14-DAY TREATMENT PERIOD-

X 223 PATIENTS, OR 74.4 PER CENT, DROPPED OUT AT VARIOUS STAGES-

* 47, OR 16 PER CENT, WHO COMPLETED THE 14-DAY TREATMENT PERIOD SHOWED PRESENCE OF OPIATES IN THEIR URINE TESTS-

X 30, OR 10 PER CENT, SHOWED NEGATIVE RESULTS IN THEIR URINE TESTS ON THE 14TH DAY-

X OUT OF THE 30 CASES, 22 HAD RECEIVED AES COMBINED WITH METHADONE, WHILE ONLY EIGHT HAD BEEN TREATED BY AES ALONE-

X A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF PATIENTS ATTENDING AES PROGRAMME WERE ALSO UNDERGOING METHADONE TREATMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME CONCURRENTLY-

X NO INFORMATION REGARDING FOLLOW-UP MEASURES OF PATIENTS AFTER THE 14-DAY TREATMENT PERIOD WAS AVAILABLE-

X AES TREATMENT WHEN USED TOGETHER WITH METHADONE SIMULTANEOUSLY PRODUCED BETTER RESULTS AND,

X IN GENERAL, AES TREATMENT SEEMED TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE AMONG ADDICTS OF AN OLDER AGE GROUP WHOSE DRUG ABUSE BEHAVIOUR WAS COMPARATIVELY LESS APPARENT.

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/21 ......

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY- 14, 1979

PROTECTION FOR CONSUMERS * * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT’S GENERAL POLICY ON CONSUMER PROTECTION IS BASED ON THE VIEW THAT THE BEST PROTECTION FOR CONSUMERS IS FOR CONSUMERS THEMSELVES TO TAKE CARE OVER THEIR PURCHASES.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. WONG LAM, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. D.G. JEAFFRESON TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INTERVENE ONLY TO PROTECT CONSUMERS wHEN THEY COULD NOT PROTECT THEMSELVES.

MR. JEAFFRESON RECALLED THAT WHEN MR. WONG FIRST RAISED THE QUESTION IN 1976 ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO INTRODUCE MEASURES TO REGULATE THE OPERATIONS OF TRAVEL AGENCIES, THE THEN CHIEF SECRETARY REPLIED IN THE NEGATIVE.

+THE CHIEF SECRETARY DREW ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WAS INVESTIGATING A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH SOME TRAVEL AGENTS HAD OPERATED PACKAGE TOURS ORIGINATING FROM HONG KONG.

+THE CONSUMER COUNCIL COMPLETED ITS ’REPORT ON TRAVEL AGENTS IN HONG KONG’ IN JUNE 1978 AND BASICALLY RECOMMENDED LICENSING AND REGULATION OF ALL TRAVEL AGENTS THROUGH LEGISLATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF A CENTRAL COMPENSATION FUND,+ MR. JEAFFRESON SAID.

HIS INITIAL REACTION, HE SAID, TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S REPORT WAS THAT IT HAD NOT DEMONSTRATED CONVINCINGLY WHY CONSUMERS COULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES IN THE PURCHASE OF PACKAGE HOLIDAYS.

♦BUT IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE REPORT WAS GIVEN SERIOUS AND UNBIASED CONSIDERATION, I ASKED MY STAFF TO EXAMINE IT INDEPENDENTLY OF MY OWN VIEWS" THIS HAS TAKEN SOME TIME, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE NEARLY READY TO GIVE THE COUNCIL A FORMAL ANSWER.*

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/22......

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

PROTECTION FOR FLAT PURCHASERS * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN HOLDING WIDESPREAD DISCUSSIONS WITH PROFESSIONAL AND COMMERCIAL BODIES ON IMPROVED PROTECTION FOR FLAT PURCHASERS AS RECOMMENDED IN THE CONSUMER COUNCIL REPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, MR. DEREK JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG WHO ASKED IF GOVERNMENT WOULD COMMENT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

MR. JONES SAID THESE CONSULTATIONS WERE TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT PARTICULAR CHANGES IN PROFESSIONAL AND COMMERCIAL PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES WOULD PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE PROTECTION THAN NEW LEGISLATION AND, IF LEGISLATION WAS NEEDED, WHAT FORM IT SHOULD TAKE.

HE NOTED THAT THESE CONSULTATIONS HAD BEEN SOMEWHAT PROTRACTED, BUT THEY ARE HOPED TO BE COMPLETED SOON.

A DECISION WOULD THEN NEED TO BE MADE ON WHETHER OR NOT LEGISLATION WOULD IN FACT BE REQUIRED, HE SAID.

+IN MAKING THIS DECISION,+ HE ADDED, +GOVERNMENT WILL BEAR FULLY IN MIND THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT ADEQUATE WAYS AND NEANS ARE PROVIDED TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF PURCHASERS OF UNCOMPLETED FLATS.+

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CONSULTATIONS WITH SWEDEN TO BE CONTINUED NEXT MONTH

* * * * *

MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, DIRECTOR OF TRADE, SAID TO#AY (WEDNESDAY), THAT A FIRST ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS HAD BEEN CONCLUDED ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF TEXTILES TO SWEDEN AFTER MARCH 31, 1979, WHEN THE CURRENT RESTRAINT ARRANGEMENTS EXPIRE.

+THE SWEDISH DELEGATION PUT FORWARD CERTAIN PROPOSALS FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE RESTRAINT ARRANGEMENTS AND WE EXAMINED THESE IN SOME DETAIL,* MR. MILLS SAID.

OTHER TECHNICAL MATTERS CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF THE PRESENT AGREEMENT WERE ALSO DISCUSSED.

THE HONG KONG AND SWEDISH DELEGATIONS WILL RESUME CONSULTATIONS IN COPENHAGEN IN THE WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 5, 1979.

THE CONSULTATIONS WERE HELD IN HONG KONG FROM FEBRUARY 12 TO TODAY. THE SWEDISH DELEGATION WAS LED BY AMBASSADOR B. DENNIS FROM THE SWEDISH MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS. THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WAS LED BY MR. MILLS.

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123

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

71 CASES OF MARRIAGE DISSOLUTIONS *****

THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A REGISTER OF DISSOLUTIONS OF MARRIAGE BY MUTUAL CONSENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MARRIAGE REFORM ORDINANCE.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HENRY HU AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, SAID AT PRESENT THE REGISTER CONTAINS 71 CASES.

ADVICE SOUGHT OF ENABLING THE DEAF TO ENJOY TV ******

THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY IS SEEKING ADVICE ON ENABLING THE DEAF TO UNDERSTAND AND ENJOY TELEVISION, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. E.P. HO TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR. HO SAID THE MATTER WAS RAISED IN THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING MEETING LAST MONTH.

MR. HO ADDED THAT THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY WAS ALREADY SEEKING ADVICE FROM THE INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING AUTHORITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ON THIS SPECIALISED SERVICES.

DISCUSSIONS WERE ALSO HELD WITH THE TELEVISION STATIONS IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.

♦BOTH STATIONS HAVE EXPRESSED SYMPATHY FOR THE PROBLEM BUT NEITHER OF THEM IS AT PRESENT IN A POSITION TO PROVIDE SUCH SPECIALISED SERVICES.*

BUT MR. HO STRESSED THAT THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY WAS KEEPING THIS MATTER UNDER REVIEW AND +IS MAINTAINING CONTACT WITH THE STATIONS AND THE INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING AUTHORITY REGARDING POSSIBLE FUTURE TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS FIELD.*

- 0 -

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

24 -

OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES * * * *

THE VIEWS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, KAIFONG AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS ARE SOUGHT BEFORE APPROVAL IS GIVEN TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO OPEN AN OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRE.

THIS IS CARRIED OUT INFORMALLY BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER CONCERNED, OR THE DISTRICT OFFICER IN THE CASE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. F.K. LI ADDED: +HE USES HIS OWN JUDGEMENT IN ASSESSING THE VIEWS HE HAS COLLECTED AND ADVISES ME WHETHER OR NOT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRE IN THE PROPOSED LOCALITY IS LIKELY TO MEET WITH OPPOSITION BY THE RESIDENTS IN THAT NEIGHBOURHOOD.*

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

ELDERLY COUPLE OFFERED TEMPORARY HOUSING *****

THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FIRST OFFERED ACCOMMODATION IN A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA TO AN ELDERLY YAU MA TEI COUPLE IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, AND THE OFFER REMAINS OPEN.

THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. ALAN SCOTT SAID THIS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CASE OF THE COUPLE WHO LIVE IN AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE ON THE PAVEMENT OUTSIDE NO. 5 TUNG FONG STREET.

MR. SCOTT SAID FURTHER EFFORTS HAD BEEN MADE TO PERSUADE THE COUPLE TO ACCEPT TEMPORARY HOUSING BUT THEY CONTINUED TO REFUSE IT, AND TO REPEAT A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION OF 8200,000 WHICH HAD NO BASIS AT ALL.

+ IN HIS INTERIM REPLY ON JANUARY 16 TO THE UMELCO OFFICE, THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, YAU MA TEI, OUTLINED THE UNHAPPY HISTORY OF MR. CHEUNG KWOK-MING AND HIS WIFE, THE CLEARANCE AND REAPPEARANCE OF THEIR STRUCTURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND THE OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE MADE TO THEM BY SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OUTSIDE AGENCIES OVER THE YEARS,* MR. SCOTT SAID.

+HE ALSO RELATED HOW THIS ELDERLY COUPLE HAS SO FAR REFUSED ALL EFFORTS TO ASSIST, EXCEPT FOR PAYMENTS UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME.*

MR. SCOTT SAID ALL EFFORTS TO MOVE THE COUPLE SO FAR HAD BEEN BASED ON PERSUASION, BUT IT MIGHT SOON BECOME NECESSARY TO DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURE, AND TO RE-ACCOMMODATE THEM AGAINST THEIR WISHES.

+NATURALLY, NO-ONE WANTS TO DO THIS TO AN ELDERLY AND ON OCCASION CONFUSED COUPLE, AND I HOPE THAT OUR EFFORTS AT PERSUASION WILL SOON BE SUCCESSFUL,* HE SAID.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS IN N.T. IMPROVING *****

ABOUT 1,200 MORE LABOURERS WILL BE RECRUITED AND 335 VEHICLES ORDERED IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO LOOK AFTER THE CLEANLINESS IN THE TOWNS, VILLAGES, POPULATED AREAS, ROADS AND COUNTRY LANES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG, MR. AKERS-JONES REVEALED THAT VILLAGES AND COUNTRY AREAS WERE UNDER VERY HEAVY PRESSURE FROM URBAN OVERSPILL OF VARIOUS KINDS AND SERVICING THEM WAS OFTEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT BUT SOME IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN RECENT YEARS.

AS FOR ROADS AND THE URBAN AREAS, HE POINTED OUT THE PROBLEM WAS ONE OF MATCHING MEN AND MACHINES TO COPE WITH THE RAPID CHANGES BROUGHT ABOUT BY DEVELOPMENT.

+OUR PLANS HERE ARE, TO SOME EXTENT, BEING FRUSTRATED BY DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING LABOURERS, AND IN QUICKLY OBTAINING THE VEHICLES WE REQUIRED.

+AT PRESENT WE HAVE 533 VACANT POSTS OUT OF 3,323, AND WE ARE AWAITING DELIVERY OF 40 VEHICLES OUT OF A TOTAL OF 213,+ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

HE SAID THE QUESTIONS ON HOW TO USE THE PRESENT STAFF AND EQUIPMENT TO BEST EFFECT AND HOW MANY MORE WOULD BE NEEDED IN THE LONG RUN WERE BEING EXAMINED.

+OUR PROPOSALS ARE FOR ABOUT 1,200 MORE STAFF AND 335 MORE VEHICLES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.+

HOWEVER, MR. AKERS-JONES BELIEVED THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD BE MUCH CLEANER AND TIDIER IF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS SHOW A GREATER SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.

HE CALLED ON THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS TO TAKE GREATER INTEREST IN THE PROBLEMS OF KEEPING THE N.T. CLEAN IN THE COMING YEAR.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

PLAY-LEADERSHIP SCHEMES WELL UNDERWAY * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRAMME OF DEVELOPMENT OF PLAY-LEADERSHIP SCHEMES AS PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER ON PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.

REPLYING TO THE HON. HENRY HU AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE, SAID THERE ARE AT PRESENT 34 PLAYGROUNDS WHERE PLAY-LEADERSHIP PROJECTS ARE OPERATING.

HE SAID THE NEW PROGRAMME HAD IDENTIFIED 16 DISTRICTS WHERE PLAY-LEADERSHIP SERVICE ON PLAYGROUNDS SHOULD BE PROVIDED AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY.

+BY CONCENTRATING EFFORTS IN THESE AREAS+, MR. LEE ADDED, +GOVERNMENT HOPES TO HELP AS MANY OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK AS POSSIBLE.*

- 0 -

PAID ANNUAL LEAVE SCHEME WORKING WELL * * * *

OVERALL, THE SEVEN DAYS PAID ANNUAL LEAVE SCHEME WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT LAST JANUARY, HAS WORKED WELL WITH EMPLOYEES GENERALLY WELCOMING ITS INTRODUCTION AND MOST EMPLOYERS READILY COMPLYING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW.

BUT SOME EMPLOYERS HAD ATTEMPTED TO EVADE THEIR OBLIGATIONS, SAID THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. J.N. HENDERSON IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

+A NUMBER OF DISPUTES HAVE ARISEN, USUALLY OUT OF MISUNDERSTANDING OR ON MATTERS OF INTERPRETATION, AND THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS HAD TO CONCILIATE AND EXPLAIN TO THE PARTIES CONCERNED WHAT THE LAW INTENDED AND HOW IT SHOULD EE COMPLIED WITH,* HE SAID.

MR. HENDERSON SAID THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME HAS BEEN REVIEWED RECENTLY AND, BASED ON THE EXPERIENCE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE, A NUMBER OF MINOR AMENDMENTS ARE NOW BEING PROPOSED.

47SDNSSDAY, PiSBHQAHY 14, 197$

- 27 -

+l MUST STRESS THAT THESE AMENDMENTS INTRODUCE NO CHANGES CF POLICY, OR ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS, EUT MERELY SEEK TO CLARIFY THE EXISTING WORDING OF THE LA* TO HELP ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEES GET THEIR LEAVE AS INTENDED,* HE TOLD THE COUNCIL.

CLAUSE 2 (A) OF THE BILL SETS OUT THE MANNER IN WHICH THE LEAVE IS TO BE GRANTED BY THE EMPLOYER AND TO BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE.

CLAUSE 2(B) MAKES IT CLEAR THAT IF A REST DAY OR HOLIDAY FALLS WITHIN ANY PERIOD OF ANNUAL LEAVE GRANTED, IT SHALL BE COUNTED AS ANNUAL LEAVE AND ANOTHER REST DAY OR HOLIDAY SHALL BE SUBSTITUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING PROVISIONS GOVERNING SUCH SUBSTITUTIONS.

+ THIS SECTION IS NOW SO WORDED THAT DEVIOUS EMPLOYERS MAY NO LONGER CLAIM THAT BOTH THE REST DAY OR HOLIDAY, AS THE CASE MAY BE, HAS BEEN GRANTED AND THE ’PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN SEVEN CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF ABSENCE FROM WORK’ SIMULTANEOUSLY OBSERVED AND TAKEN, AS BEING IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE PAID ANNUAL LEAVE PROVISIONS,* MR. HENDERSON EXPLAINED.

CLAUSE 2(C) ADDS A NEW SUBSECTION TO SECTION 41A FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT.

CLAUSE 3 MAKES CLEAR THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE SEVEN DAYS OF THE ANNUAL LEAVE SHALL BE A PAID DAY TO COMPLY WITH THE SPIRIT OF SEVEN DAYS OF PAID ANNUAL LEAVE.

CLAUSE 4(A) SEEKS TO REMOVE AN APPARENT ANOMALY IN THE PRESENT LAW IN THAT PERSONS WHOSE EMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN TERMINATED FOR CAUSE ARE DECLARED TO BE ENTITLED TO PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, WHILE NO MENTION IS MADE OF THOSE WHOSE EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.

CLAUSE 4(B) MERELY CLARIFIES THE ORIGINAL INTENTION, NAMELY, THAT A PERSON COMPLETING THREE MONTHS OF SERVICE WILL BE ENTITLED, PRO RATA, TO PAID ANNUAL LEAVE.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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/2E

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

- 28 -

POLYTECHNIC — UNPARALLELED IN ANY OTHER INSTITUTIONS ******

THE GROWTH OF THE POLYTECHNIC TO ITS PRESENT SCALE IS SAID BY WELL-KNOWN ACADEMIC LEADERS TO BE UNPARALLELED IN ANY OTHER SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS, THE HON. JAMES WU TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.

TABLING THE POLYTECHNIC’S 1977-78 ANNUAL REPORT, MR. WU EXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR THE SUPPORT IT RECEIVED +PARTICULARLY DURING THE CRUCIAL YEARS OF 1974 AND 1975 WHEN, DESPITE SETBACKS, THE POLYTECHNIC WAS ALLOWED TO EXPAND AT TOP SPEED.

MR. WU, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE NEWLY CONSTITUTED COUNCIL OF THE POLYTECHNIC, REPORTED A DRAMATIC GROWTH AND INCREASE IN ALL AREAS, WITH ALMOST 6,000 FULL-TIME AND 17,500 PART-TIME STUDENTS, SHOWING A 25 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

MR. WU ALSO STRESSED THAT THERE WAS A FURTHER DECREASE OF FULLTIME POLYTECHNIC GRADUATES UNABLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT.

♦THIS FIGURE HAS DROPPED TO AN ALL-TIME LOW OF 3.6 PER CENT AND IT IS PARTICULARLY ENCOURAGING,* HE SAID, +THAT DESPITE EARLIER FEARS TO THE CONTRARY IN CERTAIN QUARTERS, A GREATLY INCREASED OUTPUT OF STUDENTS FROM TERTIARY TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS NOT RESULTING IN MORE GRADUATES COMPETING FOR FEWER JOBS.

♦INDEED IT WOULD APPEAR THAT AT PRESENT, JOBS ARE BEING CREATED AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE POLYTECHNIC CAN PRODUCE MORE GRADUATES TO FILL THEM, AND THAT THERE ARE FAR TOO FEW PLACES FOR ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, IN SOME CASES, AS FEW AS ONE FOR !□□,♦ HE EMPHASISED.

MR. WU SAID THE NEW SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK COMPLETED ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION UNDER THE POLYTECHNIC’S ROOF, AND A NEW INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE BECAME OPERATIONAL LAST SEPTEMBER.

♦THESE TWO UNITS ARE OF COURSE A VITAL COMPLEMENT TO GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICE AVAILABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED.

MR. WU NOTED THAT THE ENLARGED POLYTECHNIC COUNCIL HAS BROUGHT A WIDER SPECTRUM OF EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE INTO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE POLYTECHNIC’S AFFAIRS +WHICH WILL STAND US IN GOOD STEAD IN THE YEARS OF CONSOLIDATION WHICH LIE AHEAD.*

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

SHOP-LIFTING NOT INCREASING * M * *

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SHOP-LIFTING IS ON THE INCREASE THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. DAVIES SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF SHOP-LIFTING COMMITTED BY STUDENTS.

IF SO, DR. HO ASKED, WHAT MEASURES WERE BEING TAKEN TO REDUCE THIS TYPE OF JUVENILE OFFENCE.

MR. DAVIES SAID 30 PER CENT (366) OF THE 1,189 CONVICTIONS FOR THEFTS FROM SHOPS RECORDED LAST YEAR INVOLVED PEOPLE WHO DESCRIBED THEMSELVES AS STUDENTS, COMPARED WITH THE 1.2 MILLION STUDENTS HERE.

+ THE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU IS AVAILABLE TO ADVISE SHOPOWNERS ON HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR SECURITY SO AS TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF PILFERING,* HE SAID.

BUT MODERN SELLING METHODS, HE EXPLAINED, IN WHICH GOODS ARE ARRANGED IN TEMPTING DISPLAYS AND IMMEDIATELY ACCESSIBLE TO POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS, POSE PROBLEMS IN ACHIEVING A DETERRENT.

+SOME SHOPS COMBAT THIS BY FITTING SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AND A FEW EMPLOY STORE DETECTIVES,* MR. DAVIES SAID.

+PARENTAL CONTROL AND THE INCULCATION OF STANDARDS OF HONESTY AND GOOD BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOLS AND IN ORGANISATIONS LIKE JUNIOR POLICE CALL ARE THE BEST METHODS OF DEALING WITH THIS SITUATION,* HE ADDED.

EXHIBITION CENTRE * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO APPOINT CONSULTANTS TO DEFINE THE DEMAND FOR AND VIABILITY OF AN EXHIBITION CENTRE IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. D.G. JEAFFRESON TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ALLEN LEE, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THAT AS REGARDS TO A SITE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD EARMARKED AN AREA IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST FOR THIS PURPOSE.

REITERATING WHAT HE TOLD THE COUNCIL IN NOVEMBER 1<?77, W. JEAFFRESON AGAIN STRESSED THAT AN EXHIBITION CENTRE WOULD BE EXPENSIVE, IN TERMS BOTH OF FINANCE AND OF LAND.

+S0 BEFORE GOING AHEAD WITH THE PROJECT, THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE SATISFIED THAT THE DEMAND FOR A CENTRE IS THERE AND THAT THE CENTRE WOULD BE VIABLE.*

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

LAW COVERS NO. OF LORRY PASSENGERS

*****

THERE ARE LEGISLATIVE CONTROL OVER THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS THAT CAN BE CARRIED IN LORRIES OUTSIDE OF THE CAB, THE HON. DEREK JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PREVENT LORRIES CARRYING PASSENGERS OTHER THAN IN THE CAB, MR. JONES SAID IT WOULD NOT BE PRACTICABLE TO BAN PASSENGERS ALTOGETHER FROM TRAVELLING IN LORRIES OUTSIDE THE CAB.

IT WAS OFTEN NECESSARY FOR THESE VEHICLES TO CARRY THE WORKERS NEEDED TO LOAD AND UNLOAD, HE SAID.

BUT THERE ARE CONTROLS OVER THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS THAT CAN BE CARRIED, HE SAID.

♦UNDER REGULATION 96 OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND USE) REGULATIONS, A LORRY WEIGHING LESS THAN TWO TONS CAN CARRY ONLY ONE PERSON ON THE REAR PLATFORM AND A LORRY EXCEEDING TWO TONS MAY CARRY UP TO SIX PASSENGERS.

♦IN CERTAIN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES, ALSO, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT IS EMPOWERED TO ISSUE EXCESS PASSENGER PERMITS IN CASES WHERE MORE PEOPLE NEED TO BE CARRIED,* HE SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT IT IS MAINLY DONE FOR GOODS VEHICLES CARRYING FARMERS AND THEIR PRODUCE TO MARKET IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND FOR PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES TAKING WORKMEN TO EMERGENCY REPAIR JOBS.

MR. JONES SAID THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT CONSIDERS THESE ARRANGEMENTS LAST REVIEWED IN 1976, ARE GENERALLY WORKING SATISFACTORILY.

0---------

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14,

REVIEW OF HOUSING CO-OPS PROPOSED

*****

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW THE QUESTION OF ALLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICERS’ HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES TO SELL OR RE-DEVELOP THEIR PROPERTIES, THE HON. MARTIN ROWLANDS, SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE, SAID AT TODAY’S (WEDNESDAY) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING, KR. ROWLANDS SAID IT WAS DOZEN YEARS OR MORE SINCE THE GOVERNMENT GAVE ANY FORMAL CONSIDERATION TO ALLOWING THE GOVERNMENT OFFICERS’ HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES WHICH HAVE FULLY REPAID THEIR GOVERNMENT LOANS TO SEEL OR RE-DEVELOP THEIR PROPERTIES.

UNTIL NOW, HE SAID, THE ISSUE HAS BEEN LARGELY AN ACADEMIC ONE, SINCE OUT OF A TOTAL OF 236 GOVERNMENT CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETIES ONLY SIX HAVE FULLY REPAID THEIR LOANS.

BUT, MR. ROWLANDS RECOGNISED THAT +FROM NOW ON THIS WILL BECOME AN INCREASINGLY LIVE ISSUE+ THUS HE PROPOSED THE GOVERNMENT TO EMBARK ON A REVIEW OF THE WHOLE QUESTION DURING THE COMING YEAR.

BAGGAGE TROLLEYS FOR AIRPORT PASSENGERS *****

THERE ARE 380 BAGGAGE TROLLEYS AVAILABLE FOR PASSENGERS AT KAI TAI AIRPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. D.G. JEAFFRESON, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ALEX WU.

REGARDING THE SUPERVISORY ARRANGEMENTS MADE, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THE COLLECTION AND RETURN OF TROLLEYS WAS CARRIED OUT BY STAFF OF THE HONG KONG AIR TERMINAL SERVICES (HATS) ENGAGED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS WORK.

THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT, HE POINTED OUT, ALSO CARRIED OUT FREQUENT CHECKS AND REPORTED ANY INADEQUACIES TO THE HATS MANAGEMENT.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

HAWKER PERMITTED PLACE * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT FROM NEXT MONDAY (FEBRUARY 19), A SECTION OF YIU TUNG STREET, SHEK KIP MEI WILL EE DECLARED AS A HAWKER PERMITTED PLACE.

THE EXACT LOCATION IS IN FRONT OF HOUSE NOS. 15 AND 16 YIU TUNG STREET.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE SETTING UP OF THE NEW HAWKER PERMITTED PLACE WAS TO ACCOMMODATE FIVE FIXED HAWKERS RESITED FROM WOH CHAI STREET, SHEK KIP MEI.

TWO BILLS PASSED * * * *

TWO BILLS WERE PASSED INTO LAW TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THEY ARE THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1979 AND THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1977-78) BILL 1979.

RESITING OF BUS TERMINI * * * *

THE EXISTING BUS TERMINI FOR ROUTES 33B AND 33C IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE RESITED ON FRIDAY FROM 10 A.M., THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE RESITING IS TO FACILITATE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WORK ON KWAI FONG AND KWAI HING STATIONS.

THE BUS TERMINUS FOR ROUTE 33B IN HING FONG ROAD WILL BE MOVED TO THE SLIP ROAD BETWEEN KWAI HING ESTATE AND KWAI CHUNG CENTRE WITHOUT AFFECTING THE PRESENT ROUTING.

THE BUS TERMINUS FOR ROUTE 33C WILL BE MOVED FROM WITHIN KWAI FONG ESTATE TO KWAI FOO ROAD AND THE NEW ROUTING TO SHAM SHU I PO FERRY WILL BE FROM KWAI FOO ROAD TO KWAI CHUNG ROAD VIA HING FONG ROAD AND KWAI ON ROAD.

AT THE SAME TIME, BUS ROUTE 37 WILL NO LONGER ENTER KWAI FONG ESTATE. NEW ROUTING FOR THIS SERVICE WILL BE FROM TAI WO HAU ROAD, HING FONG ROAD, KWAI FUK ROAD, CONTAINER PORT ROAD, CONTAINER PORT ROAD FLYOVER TO REJOIN KUAI CHUNG ROAD.

AN ADDITIONAL BUS STOP * ILL BE PROVIDED IN KWAI FONG ROAD FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF PASSENGERS.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

ACCESS ROAD CLOSED TEMPORARILY *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE KOWLOON-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KADOORIE BEACH TO ABOUT 150 METRES SOUTHWARD WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 19) TO MARCH 18.

THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE ROAD AND DRAINS CONSTRUCTION WORKS.

DURING THIS PERIOD, THE NEW TERR I TOR IES-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THIS CASTLE PEAK ROAD SECTION WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS ALTERNATIVELY.

TRAFFIC FLOW WILL BE REGULATED BY SIGNALS AND SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

URBAN CLEARWAY AND BOX JUNCTION RESTRICTIONS ******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY, THE SECTION OF WUHU STREET BETWEEN MA TAU WEI ROAD AND DOCK STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A RESTRICTED ZONE TO ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES FROM 7 A.M. TO 10 A.M. AND FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. DAILY.

ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES ARE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THIS RESTRICTED ZONE.

WITH EFFECT ALSO FROM 13 A.M. ON SATURDAY, A +BOX JUNCTION* RESTRICTION WILL BE IMPOSED AT THE JUNCTION OF MA TAU WEI ROAD, FAT KWONG STREET AND MAN YUE STREET TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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WATER CUT

* * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF HOUSES IN KWUN TONG AND KOWLOON TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.

IN KWUN TONG, THE AFFECTED HOUSES ARE BOUNDED BY KWUN TONG ROAD, HOI YUEN ROAD, HOW MING STREET AND TSUN YIP LANE.

THE PREMISES AFFECTED IN KOWLOON TONG ARE BOUNDED BY HEREFORD ROAD, LA SALLE ROAD, LANCASHIRE ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD, INCLUDING WILTSHIRE ROAD, DURHAM ROAD, HAMPSHIRE ROAD, SELKIRK ROAD, MORAY ROAD AND CAMBRIDGE ROAD.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATE INTEREST RATE RAISED .......... 1

GOVERNOR AGAIN OBSERVES WORK OF FREE LEGAL ADVICE

SCHEME ................................................ 2

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED FOR MARCH 8 URBAN COUNCIL

ELECTION .............................................. 3

SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS ............................ 3

DRAMA AND TV SCRIPT-WRITING COMPETITION ............... 4

LAND EXECUTIVES COMPLETE LAND ADMINISTRATION COURSE 5

CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY (B) ORCHESTRA 6

GOVT SUPPLIES DEPT TO HOLD ANNUAL CHILDREN’S PARTY . 6

SLOW-LEARNING CHILDREN COMPETE IN BALL GAME ........... 7

LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT MOVING OFFICE .................... 7

WATER CUT.............................................. 8

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1979.

TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATE INTEREST RATE RAISED *****

THE ANNUAL INTEREST RATE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES WILL BE RAISED FROM 5.04 PER CENT TO 5.76 PER CENT FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THE LEGAL NOTICE ON THE GOVERNOR’S AUTHORISATION ON INCREASING THIS TAX FREE INTEREST RATE IS CONTAINED IN TOMORROW’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE 48 CENTS PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETED MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.

INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID IN CASH.

THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER TOMORROW.

CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 24, 1978, AND BEFORE TOMORROW, WHEN THE RATE WAS 5.04 PER CENT, WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AT THAT RATE.

CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 19, 1975 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 17, 1977 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AT 4.2 PER CENT, THOSE ISSUED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 17, 1977 AND BEFORE SEPTEMBER 22, 1978 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AT THREE PER CENT AND THOSE ISSUED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 22, 1978 AND BEFORE NOVEMBER 24, 1978 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AT 3.24 PER CENT, BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETED MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.

EXAMPLE

$1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED FEBRUARY 16, 1979, MARCH 16, 1979 AND APRIL 17, 1979 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDERED IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON MAY 28, 1979, WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:

* ON $1,000, FEBRUARY 16, 1979 TO MAY 28, 1979,

THREE COMPLETE MONTHS AT $4.80 PER MONTH - $14.40

* ON $1,000, MARCH 16, 1979 TO MAY 28, 1979, TWO COMPLETE MONTHS AT $4.80 PER MONTH - $ 9.60

* ON $1,000, APRIL 17, 1979 TO MAY 28, 1979, ONE COMPLETE MONTH AT $4.80 PER MONTH - $ 4.80

INTEREST ACCRUED $28.80

THE INTEREST ACCRUED IS ROUNDED OFF TO $29 IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 7(3) OF THE TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES (FOURTH SERIES) RULES.

HURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1979

GOVERNOR AGAIN OBSERVES WORK OF FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME

******

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN JUST OVER TWO MONTHS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE OBSERVED CLOSELY THE WORK OF THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME WHEN HE VISITED MONG KOK DISTRICT THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.

SIR MURRAY VISITED EASTERN DISTRICT LAST DECEMBER AND WAS TOLD THEN THAT THE SCHEME — INTRODUCED IN NOVEMBER — WAS RECEIVING ENCOURAGING RESPONSE.

TODAY, THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (MONG KOK), MISS REGINA LAU THE SERVICE WAS GATHERING MOMENTUM.

WITH 140 LAWYERS, INCLUDING 40 EXPATRIATES PARTICIPATING ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, THE TWO LEGAL CENTRES AT EASTERN AND MONG KOK CITY DISTRICT OFFICES HAVE DEALT WITH 309 CASES.

THESE INCLUDED MONEY DISPUTES AND COMMERCIAL DISAGREEMENTS, DISCORD BETWEEN LANDLORDS AND TENANTS, DIVORCE AND SEPARATION MATTERS AND MANY OTHER MISCELLANEOUS CASES.

THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED BY THE LAW SOCIETY ON NOVEMBER 2 WITH FUNDS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER EXPENSES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

UNDER THE SCHEME, THREE PRACTISING LAWYERS ATTEND EACH CENTRE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS EVERY THURSDAY EVENING TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE REFERRED TO THEM BY VARIOUS AGENCIES AND CITY DISTRICT OFFICES.

EARLIER, SIR MURRAY TOURED TAI KOK TSUI AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE MANY DEVELOPMENTS THERE BY THE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (KOWLOON WEST), MR. A.G. EASON AND MISS LAU.

THESE INCLUDED THE DAILY HOVERFERRY SERVICE TO WHAMPAO, CANTON, AT THE TAI KOK TSUI PIER- THE PHASED RECLAMATION OF THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER FOR RECREATIONAL, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOR ROADS- AND THE $300 MILLION WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR, THE PRIMARY DISTRIBUTOR ROAD FOR LONG DISTANCE TRAFFIC BETWEEN SOUTH KOWLOON, NORTH-WEST KOWLOON, TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN.

EIGHTY PER CENT OF THIS 2.5-MILE-LONG PROJECT WILL BE ELEVATED AND WILL BE DEVELOPED IN FOUR STAGES. THIS IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION EARLY IN 1982.

SIR MURRAY VIEWED THE DEVELOPMENTS AND VARIOUS OTHER PROJECTS FROM THE ROOF OF A MULTI-STOREY BUILDING IN TAI KOK TSUI AND LATER TOURED THE AREA.

DURING HIS TOUR, SIR MURRAY ALSO VISITED THE NEWLY COMPLETED CHAN HING SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE.

WHEN OFFICIALLY OPENED NEXT MONTH, THIS FOUR-STOREY CENTRE WILL PROVIDE A COMBINATION OF CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES, INCLUDING A SPACIOUS COMMUNITY HALL SEATING 800.

SIR MURRAY ALSO MET DISTRICT COMMUNITY LEADERS AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MONG KOK CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1979

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NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED FOR MARCH 8 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION ******

THE RETURNING OFFICER, MISS DENISE YUE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT 13 NOMINATIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR THE FORTHCOMING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION.

THE NAMES OF THE CANDIDATES ARE:

MR. FRANCIS CHAINE- MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN- MR. AUGUSTINE CHUNG SHAI-KIT- MRS. ELSIE ELLIOTT- DR. DENNY HUANG MONG-HWA-ffi. FRANCIS GILBERT KNIGHT- MR. LAW CHE-KEUNG- MR. KEESON PATRICK SHUM- MISS MARIA TAM WAI-CHU- MR. ANDREW TU HSUEH-KWEI-14?. ANTHONY WONG CHI-HUNG- MR. WONG PUN-CHEUK AND MISS CECILIA YEUNG LAI-YIN.

THE ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 8, FROM 8 A.M. TO 8 P.M.

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SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS

*****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IS INVITING TENDERS BY WAY OF MONTHLY RENTAL FOR A SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF THE GROUND AND MEZZANINE FLOORS OF 17 GILMAN’S BAZAAR, HONG KONG.

THE PREMISES, HAVING A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 87 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CRWON LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE TENANCY WAS ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS, TERMINABLE AT THREE MONTHS’ NOTICE.

TENDER FORMS, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, NINTH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 16.

A ..

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1979

DRAMA AND TV SCRIPT-WRITING COMPETITION ft ft ft ft ft

THE WINNERS OF A COMMUNITY-WIDE YOUTH DRAMA AND TELEVISION SCRIPT-WRITING COMPETITION WILL EMERGE ON SATURDAY EVENING AT THE FINAL ROUND AT THE BAPTIST COLLEGE’S ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL.

THE WINNING TV SCRIPT WILL BE ADOPTED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, WHILE THE WINNER AND RUNNERS-UP OF THE YOUTH DRAMA AND SCRIPT-WRITING COMPETITION WILL BE AWARDED VALUABLE PRIZES.

THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. E.P. HO, WILL PRESENT PRIZES AFTER THE WINNERS ARE PICKED BY JUDGES COMPRISING PROFESSIONALS FROM THE LOCAL DRAMA AND SCRIPT-WRITING CIRCLES.

THE TWO-PRONG COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, RTHK AND THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REPERTORY THEATRE AND SPONSORED BY THE KOWLOON LIONS CLUB CENTRAL.

IT FORMS PART OF THE CURRENT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN JOINTLY LAUNCHED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO FOSTER STRONG FAMILY TIES THROUGH BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH ONE’S ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE FAMILY.

WITH ITS THEME CENTERED AROUND THREE CONCEPTS RELATING TO THE YOUTH — +FAMILY, GROWTH AND SELF+ — THE COMPETITION HAS DRAWN 33 GROUPS IN ITS DRAMA SECTION AND 96 ENTRIES IN THE SCRIPT-WRITING SECTION SINCE LAST NOVEMBER.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FINAL ROUND AND PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE YOUTH DRAMA AND TV SCRIPT-WRITING COMPETITION AT 7.30 P.M. ON SATURDAY AT THE BAPTIST COLLEGE’S ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL, KOWLOON.

INVITATION CARDS FROM THE COMPETITION’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN G.I.S. PRESS BOXES, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1979

LAND EXECUTIVES COMPLETE LAND ADMINISTRATION COURSE * X X X

SEVENTEEN LAND EXECUTIVES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAVE COMPLETED A CERTIFICATE COURSE IN LAND ADMINISTRATION.

THE COURSE, ORGANISED BY THE N.T.A. AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, AIMS AT PROVIDING FORMAL TRAINING IN LAND ADMINISTRATION IN LINE WITH THE INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF LAND WORK DUE TO RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

IT OFFERS TRAINING IN VALUATION OF LAND AND BUILDING, LAND SURVEYING AND MAP INTERPRETATION AND LAWS RELATED TO LAND ADMINISTRATION.

THE 17 GRADUATES FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE ADMINISTRATION WILL RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATES FROM MR. R.D. STRINGER, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC’S HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND SURVEY AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE N.T.A. HEADQUARTERS.

THIS IS THE THIRD GROUP TO HAVE COMPLETED THE TWO-YEAR PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSE CONDUCTED AT THE POLYTECHNIC. SINCE THE COURSE STARTED AS A PILOT TRAINING SCHEME IN 1975. SEVENTY-TW'0 OTHER LAND EXECUTIVES ARE NOW ATTENDING THE FOURTH AND FIFTH COURSES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER A CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF 17 LAND EXECUTIVES OF A LAND ADMINISTRATION COURSE AT 4 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 131 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1979

- 6 -

CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY (B) ORCHESTRA *****

THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY (B) ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE WILL GIVE ITS FIRST CONCERT THIS SUNDAY AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL, HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE.

THIS ORCHESTRA IS THE SECOND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE. MEMBERS COMPRISE 70 PLAYERS FROM 15 LOCAL POST-SECONDARY, SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND THEIR AGES RANGE FROM 11 TO 21 YEARS.

MOST OT THEM ARE ATTENDING INSTRUMENTAL CLASSES RUN BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE.

THE PROGRAMME OF THIS CONCERT STARTING AT 8 P.M. WILL INCLUDE +LE CALIFE DE BAGDAD+ OVERTURE BY BOIELDIEU- SYMPHONY NO. 101 IN D MAJOR BY HAYDN- IN THE STEPPES OF CENTRAL ASIA BY BORODIN- A SOMERSET RHAPSODY BY HOLST AND L’ARLES IENNE SUITES 1 AND 2 SELECTIONS BY BIZET.

MR. PAVID GW I LT AND MR, THOMAS WANG WILL CONDUCT.

FREE ADMISSION CARDS ARE AVAILABLE AT MUSIC ADM INSTRATOR’S OFFICE, NINTH FLOOR, ARTS CENTRE- CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHU I PO)- CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KWUN TONG)- TSUEN WAN CULTURAL AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION, FIRST FLOOR, SAI CHUEN LAU, 10-12 CHUNG ON STREET, TSUEN WAN.

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GOVT SUPPLIES DEPT TO HOLD ANNUAL CHILDREN’S PARTY ******

MORE THAN 1,300 CHILDREN WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL CHILDREN’S PARTY THIS SUNDAY.

THE PARTY FOR CHILDREN OF THE STAFF WILL FEATURE A WIDE RANGE OF GAMES INCLUDING A MERRY-GO-ROUND, TRAIN RIDE ARRANGED BY THE TAMAR BELLE AND AIR RIFLE SHOOTING.

THE DAY WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED BY A NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES INCLUDING SONGS BY A LOCAL TEENAGE SINGER, MISS CHOY LAI-CHING-MUSIC BY THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE BAND AND THE CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE PIPER’S BAND- POLICE DOG SHOW AND MAGIC AND ACROBATIC SHOWS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A CHILDREN’S PAINTING COMPETITION. WINNERS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES BY THE WIFE OF THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MRS. J.E. YOUNG WHILE MR. YOUNG WILL CONDUCT A LUCKY DRAW.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE ANNUAL CHILDREN’S PARTY OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY FROM 1 P.M. AT THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT COMPOUND, OIL STREET, NORTH POINT. YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.

/7 ...

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1979

SLOW-LEARNING CHILDREN COMPETE IN BALL GAME ******

THE FINALS OF AN INVITATION VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AMONG SLOW-LEARNING CHILDREN BETWEEN SAVIOUR LUTHERAN SCHOOL AND YAU TONG MORNINGHILL SCHOOL WILL BE HELD AT THE BOUNDARY STREET INDOOR GAMES HALL ON SATURDAY.

ORGANISED BY THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE COMPETITION AIMS TO FOSTER INTEREST IN BALL GAMES AND DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNIQUES AMONG THE SLOW-LEARNING CHILDREN.

SIX SPECIAL SCHOOLS HAVE TAKEN PART IN THE INVITATION CHAMPIONSHIP: LIONS MORNINGHILL SCHOOL, MARYROSE SCHOOL, SAM SHU I NATIVES ASSOCIATION THIRD SCHOOL, TSZ WAN SHAN KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION CHOI JUN SCHOOL, AND THE TWO SCHOOLS IN THE FINALS.

THE PRELIMINARY MATCHES WERE HELD ON JANUARY 13 AND 20, AND THE SEMI-FINALS WERE HELD LAST SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 10).

MR. RAYMOND BIRD, PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (PHYSICAL EDUCATION), MR. ANTHONY NG, PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (SPECIAL EDUCATION), AND MISS WINNIE HO, INSPECTOR (PHYSICAL EDUCATION) WILL PRESENT PRIZES AFTER THE FINALS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FINALS OF THE INVITATION VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AMONG SLOW-LEARNING CHILDREN WHICH WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY FROM 10.30 A.M. TO 11.30 A.M. AT THE BOUNDARY STREET INDOOR GAMES HALL.

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LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT MOVING OFFICE

*****

THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT ITS HEADQUARTERS AND PROCESSING UNIT, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION SECTION, WILL BE MOVED TO SINCERE BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, THIS WEEKEND.

THESE OFFICES WILL RESUME NORMAL BUSINESS AT THE NEW ADDRESS ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 19).

THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS STILL 5-457036. AN ADDITIONAL TELEPHONE, 5-434449, FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRIES HAS BEEN INSTALLED.

THE LITIGATION UNIT IS STILL ON THE 19TH FLOOR OF SINCERE BUILD ING.

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7 »

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15,

1979

WATER CUT * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED SALT WATER SUPPLY IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 A 9 P.M. ON SATURDAY FOR PIPE CONNECTION WORK.

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO HYDRANTS WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.

THAT M. TO

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1979

CONTENT PA6E NO.

PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGES .................................. 1

THREE MORE COUNTRY PARKS GAZETTED ........................ 2

FACTORY PROPRIETORS REMINDED TO USE MACHINE GUARDS ... 3

ACCOMMODATION OF SMALL ORGANISATIONS AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT ............................................ 4

OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME TECHNICAL TEACHERS ............... 5

LAND EXECUTIVES GET CERTIFICATES ......................... 6

WATER SUPPLY TO SAI KUNG TO BE IMPROVED................... 7

FIRE OFFICERS HONOURED FOR RESCUE ...................... 8

NEW MARKET PIERS ......................................... 9

MIRS BAY LIGHT BEACON..................................... 9

TENDERS INVITED FOR SUPPLY OF MOTOR BOATS ............... 10

FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST ............................. 10

YOUTH CARNIVAL FOR 6,000 IN ABERDEEN .................... 11

RE-ROUTING OF CENTRE STREET ............................. 11

FIRING PRACTICE ......................................... 12

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1979

PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGES

******

PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE IS THE RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FIXING THE PERCENTAGES TO BE CHARGED ON THE RATEABLE VALUES FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR STARTING ON APRIL 1.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THE PRECENTAGE RATE CHARGES IN THE URBAN AREAS OR IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG OR TSI NG Yl.

THE ONLY CHANGES WILL BE IN THE NEW RATING AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES --- YUEN LONG, TAI PO, FAN LING-SHEUNG SHU I, TUEN MUN,

SHA TIN, CLEAR WATER BAY AND SAI KUNG.

THESE INCREASES RESULT FROM THE APPROVED POLICY FOR THE EXTENSION OF RATING TO THE NEW TERRITORIES WHEREBY THE GENERAL RATE FOR NEWLY ASSESSED AREAS IS BEING PHASED IN SO THAT IN THE FIRST YEAR THE RATE APPLIED IS EQUAL TO 50 PER CENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES GENERAL RATE, IN THE SECOND YEAR 60 PER CENT, IN THE THIRD YEAR 70 PER CENT AND SO ON UP TO 100 PER CENT IN THE SIXTH YEAR.

THE TOTAL RATES OF CHARGE ON THE RATEABLE VALUES (INCLUDING

URBAN COUNCIL RATES WHERE APPLICABLE) EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 ARE:

HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON (AREAS A AND BC)

TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl (AREAS D AND E)

TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, FAN LING/( SHEUNG SHU I, TAI PO, SHA TIN AND CLEAR WATER BAY (AREAS F - M)

11-1/2 PER CENT (NO CHANGE)

11 PER CENT (NO CHANGE)

9 PER CENT (INCREASED FROM 8 PER CENT)

SAI KUNG (AREA N) 8 PER CENT

(INCREASED FROM 7 PER CENT)

ALL ENQUIRIES REGARDING THIS MATTER SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT EITHER BY PERSONAL CALL OR BY TELEPHONING:

* 5-281424 FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON

* 5-284047 FOR NEW KOWLOON

* 5-284037 FOR NEW TERRITORIES ------------------------0 ------ /2......................

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1979

- 2 -

THREE MORE COUNTRY PARKS GAZETTED ******

THREE MORE COUNTRY PARKS INCORPORATING A NUMBER OF ISLANDS HAVE BEEN GAZETTED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.

THE PARKS IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE INCLUDE THE PLOVER COVE (EXTENSION) COUNTRY PARK, KIU TSUI (SHARP ISLAND) COUNTRY PARK AND CLEAR WATER BAY COUNTRY PARK.

THESE WILL BE THE LAST COUNTRY PARKS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO BE GAZETTED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID.

OF THE 18 COUNTRY PARKS GAZETTED SINCE 1976 , 11 HAVE BEEN FORMALLY DESIGNATED. THE TAI PO KAU SPECIAL AREA HAS ALSO BEEN DESIGNATED UNDER THE PROGRAMME.

THE PLOVER COVE (EXTENSION) COUNTRY PARK COVERS AN AREA OF 630 HECTARES AND INCLUDES SOME OF THE MOST HIGHLY SCENIC COASTLINE IN HONG KONG. ISLANDS IN THE PROPOSED PARK INCLUDE MOST OF KAT 0 CHAU (CROOKED ISLAND), TUI MIN CHAU, NGO MEI CHAU (CRESENT ISLAND), WONG WAN CHAU (DOUBLE ISLAND), WU YEUNG CHAU, PING CHAU AND CHEK CHAU (PORT ISLAND). EXISTING VILLAGES AND THEIR FUTURE EXPANSION AREAS HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PARK.

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNTRY PARK WILL AIM PRIMARILY AT THE PROVISION FOR BARBECUE AND CAMPING ACTIVITIES BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT BY HIKERS.

VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE ARE TO BE PROTECTED AND SPECIAL ATTENTION WILL BE PAID TO CONSERVE THE UNSPOILT LANDSCAPE AND SCENIC VALUES OF THE AREA.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT LIMITED FERRY SERVICES AND +KAI-DOS+ SERVE THE LARGER ISLANDS AND THESE WILL BE IMPROVED TO A LEVEL COMPATIBLE WITH THE CAPACITY OF THE ISLANDS FOR RECREATION.

THE KIU TSUI (SHARP ISLAND) COUNTRY PARK WILL BE THE SMALLEST IN THE PROGRAMME, COVERING ONLY 100 HECTARES. INCLUDED IN ITS PROPOSED BOUNDARIES ARE PAK SHA CHAU, CHAM TAU CHAU, KIU TAU. TUEN TAU CHAU, HAM LUN KOK, TWO SMALL UNNAMED ISLANDS AND MOST OF KIU TSUI CHAU ITSELF.

THE AREA PREDOMINANTLY COMPRISES GRASSY HILLS WITH SOME WOODLANDS ON THE LOWER SLOPES AND A ROCKY SHORELINE.

MANAGEMENT OF THE PARK WILL AIM PRIMARILY AT THE PROVISION FOR BARBECUE AND PICNIC ACTIVITIES BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC TOGETHER WITH SOME USE BY HIKERS AND TO A LESSER EXTENT, CAMPERS.

THE ISLAND ARE SERVED BY +KAI-DOS+ WHILE KIU TSUI CHAU IS VISITED BY EXCURSION FERRIES FROM HONG KONG ISLAND.

/THE 660 .....

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1979

- 3

THE 660 HECTARES OF THE PROPOSED CLEAR WATER BAY COUNTRY PARK EMBRACES AN AREA OF MOUNTAINS AND SCENIC COASTLINE TO THE SOUTH OF HANG HAU LYING BETWEEN JUNK BAY AND PORT SHELTER.

IT INCLUDES THE MAIN MOUNTAIN RIDGE OF HIGH JUNK PEAK AND TIN HA SHAN AND A SEPARATE AREA OF HILL COUNTRY LYING TO THE NORTHEAST OF CLEAR WATER BAY.

THE ISLANDS OF TIT CHAM CHAU, KWUN TSAI AND KEI CHAU (STEEP ISLAND) ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE DRAFT MAP.

CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE PROPOSED MAIN RECREATION AREAS OF THE PARK AND THERE IS PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO THE EDGE OF THE PARK TO MEET THE NEEDS OF BOTH VISITORS AND VILLAGERS. ACCESS TO THE HEART OF THE PARK IS POSSIBLE FROM THE NETWORK OF FOOTPATHS IN THE AREA.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT PICNIC TABLES, BARBECUE PITS, BENCHES AND LITTER BINS WILL BE PROVIDED IN ALL THE PARKS IN ADDITION TO SHELTERS, REFRESHMENT KIOSKS AND TOILETS IN KEY LOCATIONS.

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

FACTORY PROPRIETORS REMINDED TO USE MACHINE GUARDS ******

FACTORY PROPRIETORS WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED THAT THEY COULD FACE PROSECUTION AND HEAVY FINES IF THEY FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE GUARDS ON DANGEROUS PARTS OF THEIR MACHINERY AS REQUIRED UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS.

THE REMINDER CAME FROM A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN FOLLOWING A RECENT COURT CASE AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY WHERE THE OWNER OF A CHAI WAN FACTORY WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $5,000 FOR FAILING TO GUARD DANGEROUS PARTS OF 10 PLASTIC INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES.

THE FINE WAS THE MAXIMUM FOR SUCH AN OFFENCE.

- - 0 -

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1979

* 4

ACCOMMODATION OF SMALL ORGANISATIONS AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT

* * * *

THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE IS TAKING A FLEXIBLE APPROACH TOWARDS THE ACCOMMODATION OF SMALL ORGANISATIONS AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT, THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

SPEAKING TO THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG, MR. HAYES POINTED OUT THAT THESE ORGANISATIONS OCCUPIED SMALL AREAS OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND ON MODIFICATION OF TENANCY LICENCE OR CROWN LAND ON PERMIT.

HE SA IDI +IN EITHER CASE THE LAND AND-OR EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION AVAILABLE TO THEM UPON CLEARANCE DOES NOT MEET THE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS OR PRIVATE REWtOVIS ION ING IN THE NEW TOWN.

+BY ADOPTING A VARIETY OF SOLUTIONS, WE HAVE MOSTLY ENABLED SUCH BODIES TO REMAIN IN EXISTENCE WHILST WE ARE NOW TRYING TO WIDEN THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO RE-ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION.*

MR. HAYES CITED AS EXAMPLES CHURCH, GIRL GUIDES AND BOY SCOUTS GROUPS WHICH HAD RECENTLY BEEN GIVEN TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION WHILE A CLANSMEN’S HALL AND SOME SHRINES AND TEMPLES HAD BEEN RESITED.

+AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE BEEN OBLIGED TO TELL THESE PEOPLE THAT OUR MEASURES ARE EMERGENCY AND SHORT TERM AND THAT THEY, AS WELL AS WE, MUST THINK MORE DEEPLY ABOUT THEIR FUTURE AND SOLVE IT PRIVATELY IF THEY CAN,* HE STRESSED.

TOUCHING ON THE TSUEN WAN VILLAGE PAST WHICH EXTENDS BACK TO 300 YEARS OR MORE, MR. HAYES REVEALED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO PRESERVE SOME REMEMBRANCE OF IT, BUT IN A PRACTICAL WAY THAT WILL INCORPORATE THE BUILDINGS CONCERNED INTO THE NEW LAYOUT AND ENABLE THEM TO SERVE A USEFUL PURPOSE.

+WE PLAN TO PRESERVE THE NUCLEUS OF ONE VILLAGE AND TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY TEMPLE — A TIN HAU KUNG — THAT HAS LONS SERVED A LARGE NUMBER OF LOCAL VILLAGES,* HE SAID.

UNDER GOVERNMENT POLICY. PRE-1898 VILLAGES WERE ALWAYS RESITED, AND IN CONSEQUENCE THE COMMUNITIES WHICH LOOK TO THIS TEMPLE FOR GROUP IDENTITY AND RELIGIOUS SUPPORT CONTINUE TO EXIST, AND THEY HAVE VERY GREAT INTEREST IN IT.

AS FOR THE VILLAGE, ITS PRESENT OWNERS WILL BE ASKED TO MOVE TO NEW HOUSES IN 1980 AFTER WHICH THE LAND AND HOUSES WILL BE SURRENDERED AND BECOME CROWN PROPERTY.

♦PROVIDED THERE ARE NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS, AND ALL THE CONCERNED AUTHORITIES ARE IN AGREEMENT, WE MAY LOOK FORWARD TO ITS RENOVATION AND RETENTION WITHIN THE NEW TOWN LAYOUT.

*IT MAY BE USED TO PROVIDE HOMES FOR ELDERLY COUPLES UNDER SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS WITH, TOO, A SMALL PERMANENT EXHIBITION ON LOCAL HISTORY AND FORMER WAYS OF LIFE,* M?. HAYES ADDED.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

- 5 -

OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME TECHNICAL TEACHERS * * * * *

YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WITH INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE ARE INVITED TO ENROL IN THE TECHNICAL COURSE AND THE HOTEL-KEEPING AND CATERING COURSE RUN BY THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.

THESE COURSES WILL BE ONE YEAR FULL-TIME AND WILL START IN SEPTEMBER.

THEY ARE INTENDED FOR MATURE STUDENTS WITH SOME YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE INTERESTED IN PASSING ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN THEIR SPECIAL FIELDS TO STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND IN TAKING UP TEACHING AS A PROFESSION.

INDUCEMENT GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS ON THE COURSES RANGING FROM $1,410 TO $2,155 PER MONTH, DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF POST-QUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS AN ORDINARY OR TECHNICIAN DIPLOMA AWARDED BY THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE, THE POLYTECHNIC OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, OR ITS EQUIVALENT.

THEY CAN APPLY FOR THE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINE OFFERED, INCLUDING CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MARINE AND FABRICATION, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING , PRINTING AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES.

APPLICANTS TO THE HOTEL-KEEPING AND CATERING COURSE MUST HOLD AN ORDINARY NATIONAL DIPLOMA (UK) IN HOTEL AND CATERING OPERATIONS, OR ITS EQUIVALENT, WITH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE RELATED FIELDS.

A GOOD STANDARD OF BOTH WRITTEN AND SPOKEN ENGLISH AND CHINESE IS ESSENTIAL.

FEES WILL BE $620 PER ANNUM PAYABLE IN 10 MONTHLY INSTALMENTS.

APPLICATION FORMS, OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG, MUST BE RETURNED BY MARCH 14.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1979 6 -

LAND EXECUTIVES GET CERTIFICATES ******

THE DUTIES OF LAND EXECUTIVES HAVE BECOME MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC’S HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND SURVEYING, MR. R.D. STRINGER, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE SAID IT WAS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A SOUND KNOWLEDGE OF THE RELEVANT SUBJECTS SO THAT THEY COULD CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES EFFICIENTLY.

MR. STRINGER WAS SPEAKING AT THE LAND ADMINISTRATION COURSE CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN WHICH 17 LAND EXECUTIVES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION RECEIVED THEIR CERTIFICATES THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.

MR. STRINGER RECALLED THAT THE COURSE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1974 TO REPLACE THE N.T.A.’S DEPARTMENTAL EXAMINATION WHICH QUALIFIED THE NEWLY-APPOINTED LAND EXECUTIVES FOR CONFIRMATION TO THE PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT.

♦THE COURSE WAS DESIGNED TO EQUIP THE NEWLY-APPOINTED LAND EXECUTIVES WITH THE NECESSARY TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING TO DEAL WITH THE DAY TO DAY LAND ADMINISTRATION WORK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* SAID HE.

TODAY’S GRADUATES WERE THE THIRD GROUP OF LAND EXECUTIVES TO HAVE COMPLETED THE TWO-YEAR PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE N.T.A. AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

AT PRESENT, 72 OTHER LAND EXECUTIVES ARE ATTENDING THE FOURTH AND FIFTH COURSES, WHICH INCLUDE TRAINING IN VALUATION OF LAND AND BUILDING, LAND SURVEYING, MAP INTERPRETATION AND LAWS RELATED TO LAND ADMINISTRATION.

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/7....

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1979

- 7 -WATER SUFPLY TO SAI KUNG TO BE IMPROVED * * * * * *

WORK WILL BEGIN SOON TO IMPROVE THE WATER SUPPLY TO SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK, INCLUDING A SERVICE RESERVOIR SOUTH OF SAI KUNG TO PROVIDE A SUPPLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT AT TUI MIN HOI, WERE INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY.

THE CONTRACT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE LAYING OF 6 KM OF WATER MAIN ALONG HIRAMS HIGHWAY NEAR SHAW STUDIO TO DUPLICATE THE EXISTING SUPPLY FROM SAU MAU PING TO SAI KUNG.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID THE SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL HAVE A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 1.2 MILLION LITRE.

♦A SPECIAL EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO BLEND THE RESERVOIR INTO THE SURROUNDING AREA AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND A POSITION HAS BEEN SELECTED WHICH WILL RETAIN MOST OF THE TREES,* HE SAID.

♦THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SUPPLY SYSTEM ARE REQUIRED BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA, PARTICULARLY AT TUI MIN HO I.♦

WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED ABOUT 12 MONTHS.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1979

FIRE OFFICERS HONOURED FOR RESCUE

*****

A FIRE OFFICER AND 13 FIREMEN HAVE BEEN HIGHLY COMMENDED FOR THEIR COURAGE, TENACITY AND PROFESSIONAL SKILL IN A RESCUE OPERATION LAST DECEMBER.

MR. ALAN JONES, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL PRESENT THE DIRECTOR’S COMMENDATION TO ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER WONG LOK-QUAN IN A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE TSI NG Yl FIRE STATION ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 20).

FAVOURABLE REMARKS WILL BE MADE IN THE PERSONAL FILES OF THE OTHER 13 FIREMEN IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND DEDICATED CONDUCT.

ADO WONG AND HIS MEN RESCUED TWO WOMEN HELD HOSTAGE BY A CHOPPER-WIELDING MAN IN A LOCKED ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF BLOCK 2, KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, TSUEN WAN ON DECEMBER 10 LAST YEAR.

THE MAN, BELIEVED TO BE MENTALLY-UNBALANCED, ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTED TO SET FIRE TO THE FLAT.

DETERMINED FIREMEN FORCED OPEN THE DOOR AND, WITH THE HELP OF A WELL-DIRECTED WATER JET SEPARATED THE HOSTAGES FROM THE MAN. THE WOMEN WERE PROMPTLY LED TO SAFETY, UNINJURED.

THE MAN SUBSEQUENTLY FELL OR JUMPED FROM THE THIRD FLOOR BUT WAS SAVED BY A WELL-PLACED JUMPING SHEET HELD BY FIREMEN ON THE GROUND.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE DIRECTOR’S COMMENDATION TO ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER, WONG LOK-QUAN, AT THE TSING Yl FIRE STATION AT 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 20).

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1b, 1979

NEW MARKET PIERS * * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) GAZETTED TWO AREAS OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON, INTENDED FOR BUILDING NEW MARKET PIERS FOR BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE USE.

TO AVOID DELAY, THE AREAS WERE GAZETTED UNDER BOTH THE PUBLIC RECLAMATION AND WORKS ORDINANCE AND FORESHORE AND SEA BED ORDINANCE BEFORE DECIDING ON WHICH PIER WILL BE SITUATED IN WHICH AREA.

THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED WAS DESCRIBED IN NOTICES IN THE GAZETTE.

OBJECTIONS OR ANY CLAIMS OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE NOTIFICATIONS.

THE NOTICES (IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE) WITH THEIR RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.

THE PLANS 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 CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1OTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.

MIRS BAY LIGHT BEACON * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO BUILD A LIGHT BEACON ON WONG MAU CHAU (SOUTH GAU) TO IMPROVE NAVIGATION SAFETY IN MIRS BAY.

A LANDING TO FACILITATE ROUTINE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BEACON WILL ALSO BE BUILT ON AN AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED NORTH OF THE ISLAND WITHIN THE LIMITS OF ABOUT 2,298 SQUARE METRES.

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

OBJECTIONS OR ANY CLAIMS 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, TAI PO, TAI PO MARKET, NEW TERRITORIES.

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/10....

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1979

TENDERS INVITED FOR SUPPLY OF MOTOR BOATS *****

TENDERS WERE INVITED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE FOR THE SUPPLY OF A MINIMUM OF THREE MOTOR BOATS ON HIRE TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE FOR THE 1979-1980 FINANCIAL YEAR.

THE BOATS, TO BE HIRED AT THE SAME TIME AND AT HOURLY RATES, WILL BE USED TO CONVEY CUSTOMS AND EXCISE OFFICERS FOR JOURNEYS BETWEEN THE SHORE AND SHIPS AT ANCHOR IN THE HARBOUR AND FOR PATROLS WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE TOTAL SAILING TIME PER MONTH WILL NOT BE LESS THAN 200 HOURS AND THE TOTAL WAITING TIME 500 HOURS.

TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE HEADQUARTERS, ROOM 1020, 2 RUMSEY STREET, 10TH FLOOR, HONG KONG.

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

FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST * * * *

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AND THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE ARE HOLDING A FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL GROUPS. COMPETING WILL BE STUDENTS FROM 12 PRIMARY AND SEVEN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE AREA. Amu stvtN

EACH PARTICIPATING TEAM WILL HAVE TO SING ON ONE OF THE FOUR SONGS PREPARED BY THE ORGANISERS.

MR. RICKY FUNG, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MUSIC SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE JUDGING THE CONTEST.

THE CHAMPION, FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP OF EACH GROUP WILL BE GIVEN TROPHIES WHILE BANNERS WILL BE PRESENTED TO EACH PARTICIPATING TEAM.

MR. FUNG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST AT 9.33 A.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE CARITAS CENTRE, CAINE ROAD, HONG KONG.

/1, .......

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1979

YOUTH CARNIVAL FOR 6,000 IN ABERDEEN *****

SIX THOUSAND YOUNGSTERS FROM THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL HAVE A DAY OF JOY ON SUNDAY AT A YOUTH CARNIVAL IN ABERDEEN.

THE DAY-LONG CARNIVAL IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG SOUTH, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND THE HONG KONG ISLAND WESTERN DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL, DISTRICT 303, HR. HO WING-KO, WILL CUT THE RIBBON TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY’S PROGRAMMES AT THE WONG CHUK HANG SPORTS GROUND.

THEY WILL ALSO PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE VARIOUS SINGING, STORY-TELLING AND ESSAY CONTESTS ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OVER THE PAST MONTHS TO PROMOTE BETTER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.

PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE LION AND FOLK DANCES, MARCHING DISPLAY, DRAMA AND MUSIC PERFORMANCES, VARIETY SHOW AND MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATION.

HANDICAPPED CHILDREN FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE WILL ALSO STAGE THEIR WINNING PERFORMANCE OF LAST YEAR’S TALENT QUEST FOR THE DISABLED — A DANCE AND MASQUERADE SHOW +THE WORLD IS SO SMALL* — WHILE TRAINEES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE WILL PERFORM A MIME SHOW.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY WILL BE THRILLING RIDES ON A HOT-AIR BALLOON.

EIGHTEEN STALLS WILL OFFER A WIDE VARIETY OF EXCITING GAMES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE DAY-LONG YOUTH CARNIVAL AND ITS OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL START AT 10 A.M. ON SUNDAY AT THE WONG CHUK HANG SPORTS GROUND IN WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, ABERDEEN.

RE-ROUTING OF CENTRE STREET

*****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECTION OF CENTRE STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD NEST AND SECOND STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY FOLLOWING THE CLEARANCE OF HAWKERS.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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/12

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1979

- 12 -

FIR ING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 22 DAYS NEXT (MARCH) MONTH.

THE 0UBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.

THE PRACTISING TIMES ARE:

DATE TIME

MARCH 1 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 11 P.M.

MARCH 2 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

MARCH 5 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

MARCH 6 (TUESDAY) 3 A.M. - 5 P.M.

MARCH 7 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

MARCH 8 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 11 P.M.

MARCH 9 (FR IDAY) 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

MARCH 12 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

MARCH 13 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

MARCH 14 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 11 P.M

MARCH 15 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 11 P.M.

MARCH 16 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 1 P.M.

MARCH 19 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

MARCH 20 (TUESDAY) i a. m 1 • co

MARCH 21 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

MARCH 22 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

MARCH 23 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

MARCH 26 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 11 P.M.

MARCH 27 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 11 P.M.

MARCH 28 (WEDNESDAY) • >_ a U) I • < co

MARCH 29 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.

MARCH 30 (FR IDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.

— — - - 0

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION STRESSED ................ 1

REFUSE DUMP TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO RECREATIONAL AREA ........ 2

WATER FOR NORTHERN PART OF AP LEI CHAU....................... 3

KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIFTH ATHLETIC MEET .................. 4

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

FIRING PRACTICES ............................................ 5

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1979

IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION STRESSED *****

THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. ERIC HO, TONIGHT (SATURDAY) STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TOWARDS THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

HE SAID THE FAMILY WAS A MINIATURE OF THE SOCIETY AND THAT ONLY A HEALTHY FAMILY COULD BREED MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE YOUNG PEOPLE, WHICH HAD A BEARING ON THE SECURITY AND PROSPERITY OF THE SOCIETY.

MR. HO WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY IN WHICH HE PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE YOUTH DRAMA AND TELEVISION SCRIPT-WRITING COMPETITION FOLLOWING ITS FINAL ROUND AT THE BAPTIST COLLEGE’S ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL.

AS PART OF THE CURRENT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, THE COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RADIO TELEIVISON HONG KONG AND THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REPERTORY THEATRE, AND SPONSORED BY THE LIONS CLUB OF KOWLOON CENTRAL.

MR. HO SAIDi +WHILE GOOD FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAN BRING ABOUT HEALTHY-MINDED AND MATURE TEENAGERS, YOUNG PEOPLE THEMSELVES MUST ALSO STRIVE TO LEARN TO BECOME A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN.+

THEY SHOULD START WITHIN THE FAMILY WHERE THEY OUGHT TO ADEQUATELY PLAY THEIR OWN ROLE, THROUGH WHICH THEY CAN REALISE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.

YOUNG PEOPLE CAN ALSO GET TO BETTER KNOW HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH THE RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE FAMILY, HE ADDED.

MR. HO SAID BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR HAD BEEN PROMOTING FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, ONE OF ITS OBJECTIVES BEING TO BRIDGE GENERATION GAPS AND TO FOSTER FAMILY TIES.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1979

REFUSE DUMP TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO RECREATIONAL AREA *****

THE GIN DRINKERS BAY CONTROLLED REFUSE TIP AT TSUEN WAN IS TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO A RECREATIONAL AREA.

THE TIP — BELIEVED TO BE ONE THE LARGEST OF ITS TYPE IN THE WORLD — IS TO BE CLOSED AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

MR. TSE HON-SUM, SENIOR ENGINEER (SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL) OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, SAID THAT THE REFUSE DUMP COVERED AN AREA OF ABOUT 27 HECTARES.

♦THE WHOLE AREA WILL BE USED FOR RECREATIONAL PUPOSES,+ HE SAID. +SO FAR, TWO ARTIFICIAL HILLS HAVE BEEN FORMED AND WORK ON THE THIRD IS IN PROGRESS.♦

MEANWHILE, RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY A CONSULTANT FIRM, YUNCKEN FREEMAN HONG KONG, ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATION FACILITIES ON TOP OF THE CONTROLLED TIP, ARE UNDER STUDY BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

A DECISION ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH WERE SUBMITTED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, IS EXPECTED TO BE MADE IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

♦FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, THE GIN DRINKERS BAY TIP HAS BEEN THE MAJOR DUMPING GROUND FOR REFUSE COLLECTED IN THE TERRITORY BY BOTH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND PRIVATE CONTRACTORS,♦ W. TSE RECALLED.

♦AFTER ITS CLOSURE, THE TIP WILL BE REPLACED BY THE NEW ONE AT MA YAU TONG WHICH WILL BE READY FOR TIPPING BY THE END OF THIS MONTH FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE PREPARATORY WORK.+

THE MA YAU TONG CONTROLLED TIP WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 1.5 MILLION TONNES.

AT PRESENT, THERE IS A TOTAL OF SEVEN TIPS. FIVE OF THEM ARE IN OPERATION WHILE SITE PREPARATORY WORK IS IN PROGRESS AT THE OTHER SITES.

IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, SITE PREPARATORY WORK FOR THE JUNK BAY CONTROLLED TIP HAS JUST STARTED. IT WILL TAKE ABOUT NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

IN YUEN LONG, REFUSE INTAKE AT MA TSO LUNG CONTROLLED REFUSE TIP IS NEARING COMPLETION WHILE THE TIPS AT SHUEN WAN IN TAI PO AND SHIU LANG SHU I IN TUEN MUN ARE ALREADY OPERATING.

IN URBAN KOWLOON, THE NGAU CHI WAN CONTROLLED TIP HAS BEEN CLOSED WHILE ANOTHER TIP AT SAI TSO WAN IS IN OPERATION.

WHEN ALL THESE TIPS ARE CLOSED, A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 100 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND FOR RECREATIONAL USE.

MR. TSE EXPLAINEDi +THIS IS ONE OF THE ADDED ADVANTAGES IN CONTROLLED TIPPING, BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES THE SYSTEM PROVIDE FOR AN ECONOMICAL AND SANITARY MEANS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, BUT IT ALSO ENABLES FULL USE TO BE MADE OF THE SITES FOR THE BENEFIT CF RESIDENTS ONCE THE TIPS ARE CLOSED AND TOPPED OFF.+

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1979

WATER FOR NORTHERN PART OF AP LEI CHAU

******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO EMBARK ON A MAJOR SCHEME TO PROVIDE FRESH AND SALT WATER SUPPLY TO THE NORTHERN PART OF AP LEI CHAU WHERE INTENSIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS TAKING PLACE.

THE SCHEME WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES.

TENDERS FOR WORK ON THE FIRST STAGE WERE INVITED YESTERDAY.

THIS CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE LAYING OF ABOUT 1,300 METRES OF FRESH WATER MAIN AND 800 METRES OF SALT WATER MAIN MAINLY ON THE AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE AND ITS SOUTHERN APPROACH ROAD.

WORK ON THIS CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH. IT WILL TAKE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE SCHEME WILL ALSO INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FRESH WATER RESERVOIR, A SALT WATER RESERVOIR AND A SALT WATER PUMPING STATION.

TENDERS FOR THIS WORK WILL BE INVITED LATER THIS YEAR.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAIDi +EARLY COMPLETION OF STAGE I OF THE SCHEME IS ESSENTIAL TO GIVE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE FIRST PHASE OF THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH WESTERN PART OF THE ISLAND.+

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/4....

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1979

- 4 -

KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIFTH ATHLETIC MEET * ft * ft ft *

OVER 1,000 YOUNGSTERS, STUDENTS, WORKERS AND RESIDENTS FROM KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TAKING PART IN A THREE-DAY ANNUAL DISTRICTWIDE SPORTS MEET TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY), THE RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY) AND IS THE FIFTH IN THE RUNNING.

THE ATHLETIC MEET IS DIVIDED INTO MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SECTIONS.

THE COMPETING EVENTS INCLUDE SPRINTS, LONG AND HIGH-JUMPS, TRIPLE-JUMP, HURDLES, DISCUS-THROWING, SHOT-PUT AND INVITATION RELAYS.

THE BEST SIX OF EACH EVENT WILL BE GIVEN MEDALS AND SOUVENIRS IN ADDITION TO REPRESENTING KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT IN THE FORTHCOMING KOWLOON EAST DISTRICTS ATHLETIC MEET TO BE HELD IN APRIL.

MR. HAROLD KWOK, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (KOWLOON EAST) WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FIFTH ANNUAL KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT-WIDE SPORTS MEET WHICH WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE KOWLOON TSAI PARK, STARTING AT 9 A.M.

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WATER CUT ft ft ft

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE STOPPED FROM 11 P.M. ON MONDAY TO 6 A.M. ON TUESDAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.

PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY JUBILEE STREET, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, WING WO STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, INCLUDING WING KUT STREET, GILMAN’S STREET, WING ON STREET, TUNG MAN STREET AND HING LUNG STREET.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1979

FIRING PRACTICES *****

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CASTLE PEAK RANGE FOR FIVE DAYS NEXT WEEK.

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

THE PRACTISING TIMES AREi-

DATE TIME

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. — 4.00 P.M.

- - 0

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

PRINCE CHARLES ARRIVES IN HK ON MARCH 3 ................... 1

SECOND PHASE OF YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE STARTS ........ 3

COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION OF SURVEYING AND LAND ECONOMY CONFERENCE ................................................ 5

MORE JUMBO LADDERS FOR FIRE SERVICES ...................... 6

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH EXHIBITION ..................... 7

MECHANISED IRRIGATION BENEFITS FARMERS .................... 8

CAREERS EXHIBITION FOR POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS ............... 9

FUN AT YOUTH CARNIVAL IN ABERDEEN ........................ 10

CAREERS SEMINARS ......................................... 11

MORE THAN 200 SCHOOLS JOIN DANCE FESTIVAL................. 12

SHUTTLE-COCK STARTS OFF SWD’S INTER-CENTRE COMPETITIONS 13

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES ARRIVES IN HK ON MARCH 3 *****

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL ARRIVE ON MARCH 3 ON HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG.

PRINCE CHARLES WILL BE HERE FOR FOUR DAYS DURING WHICH HE WILL CARRY OUT VARIOUS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS AND VISIT THE 2ND KING EDWARD Vil’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES OF WHICH HE IS COLONEL-IN-CHIEF.

THE PRINCE WILL BE MET AT KAI TAK AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND BEGIN A SERIES OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 4.

HE WILL FIRST VISIT SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO SEE HOW THE ONCE RURAL VALLEY IS BEING TRANSFORMED INTO A MODERN METROPOLIS FOR 500,000 PEOPLE BY THE MID-EIGHTIES, AND VISIT LEK YUEN AND WO CHE ESTATES — THE FIRST TWO OF ELEVEN SELF-CONTAINED HOUSING COMPLEXES COMPLETED IN THE NEW TOWN.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ALSO VISIT TSANG TAI UK, AN OLD WALLED VILLAGE FOUNDED SOME 120 YEARS AGO, WHICH IS BEING RETAINED AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE NEW TOWN.

THE PRINCE WILL ALSO SEE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK, ONE OF 18 COUNTRY PARKS WHICH HAVE PROVED EXTREMELY POPULAR WITH YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE.

DURING THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 4, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL LUNCH WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND ATTEND A COMMUNITY RECEPTION AT HMS TAMAR WHERE HE WILL MINGLE WITH SOME 2,000 GUESTS FROM A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.

AT HMS TAMAR, THE PRINCE WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE NEW BRITISH FORCES HEADQUARTERS, AND IN THE EVENING ATTEND A CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC CONDUCTED BY ALUN FRANCIS IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.

ON MARCH 5, PRINCE CHARLES WILL SPEND THE MORNING WITH THE 2ND GURKHAS AT CASSINO LINES WHERE HE WILL REVIEW A PARADE AND TOUR THE GURKHAS’ TRAINING AREAS.

/one of .....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

- 2

ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY WILL BE A MASS YOUTH RALLY AT YUEN LONG STADIUM WHERE HUNDREDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WILL ACCORD THE PRINCE A SPECIAL WELCOME. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL BE INVITED TO START THE ACTIVITIES BY DOTTING THE EYES OF A DRAGON AND WILL THEN WATCH A COLOURFUL DISPLAY PRESENTED BY THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF YUEN LONG.

THE PRINCE WILL ALSO VISIT YUEN LONG TOWN HALL WHERE HE WILL MEET LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS AND VIEW AN EXHIBITION DEPICTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF YUEN LONG.

DURING THE AFTERNOON, PRINCE CHARLES WILL PRESENT A SQUADRON STANDARD TO HONG KONG’S OWN AIR FORCE, THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL WIND UP HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG WITH A TOUR OF A TOY FACTORY IN SAN PO KONG BEFORE LEAVING ON MARCH 6.

NOTE TO ED ITORSt

A BRIEFING ON FACILITIES AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER THE VISIT OF HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL BE GIVEN BY THE ROYAL VISIT PRESS OFFICER, MR. JOHN SLIMMING, DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES AT 4 P.M. ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 20). YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE BRIEFING WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE GIS THEATRE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

SECOND PHASE OF YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE STARTS ******

SITE FORMATION WORK ON THE SECOND PHASE OF THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL THIS YEAR.

THE $467 MILLION ESTATE, THE SECOND INDUSTRIAL ESTATE FOR HONG KONG, IS TO BE BUILT ON A SITE AT WANG CHAU, NORTH OF THE RAPIDLY-EXPANDING NEW TOWN OF YUEN LONG, AND IS CLOSE TO THE MAIN DUAL CARRIAGEWAY FROM YUEN LONG TO TUEN MUN WHICH IS LINKED TO TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND KOWLOON BY THE NEW TUEN MUN HIGHWAY.

CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL TAKE THREE YEARS TO FINISH AND WHEN DEVELOPMENT IS COMPLETED, A TOTAL OF 72 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE PROVIDED FOR SPECIAL INDUSTRY TO HELP HONG KONG BROADEN ITS INDUSTRIAL BASE.

THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID THE IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICED LAND WAS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION AND WOULD IN ITSELF BE AN ATTRACTION TO POTENTIAL INVESTORS.

+THE PROJECT WILL BECOME A KEY FACTOR IN THE TOWN’S PLANNED GROWTH FROM ITS PRESENT POPULATION OF 40,000 TO NEARLY 100,000 BY THE MID 1980S,+ HE SAID.

+THE ESTATE AND THE MANY NEW AND EXPANDED FACILITIES IN THE TOWN WILL BE DEVELOPED IN TANDEM TO CONTRIBUTE TO A BALANCED TOWNSHIP WITH ALL MODERN FACILITIES.+

THE PROJECT IS DEVELOPED BY THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION IN TWO PHASES, WITH A MAJOR PORTION OF THE FUNDS BEING PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND.

THE FIRST PHASE INVOLVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVICE RESERVOIR AND AN ACCESS ROAD, A SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, A SECOND ACCESS ROAD TO THE ESTATE AND AN INDUSTRIAL LAND IS NOW IN HAND.

DEVELOPMENT ON THE SECOND PHASE WILL INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL LAND AND AN ACCESS ROAD, A BORROW AREA AT SHAN HA, SOUTH OF YUEN LONG TOWN, AND AN ACCESS ROAD TO THE BORROW AREA.

+THESE WORKS WOULD REQUIRE THE RESUMPTION OF MORE THAN 102,899 SQUARE METRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND BY MID-APRIL THIS YEAR AND OWNERS AFFECTED WOULD BE OFFERED COMPENSATION OF CURRENT RATES AND LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS,* MR. CARTLAND SAID.

/HE JLDDSD

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

HE ADDED 78 TEMPORARY DOMESTIC STRUCTURES, OCCUPIED BY 62 FAMILIES, AND 274 TEMPORARY STRUCTURES USED AS SHOPS, WORKSHOPS, AQUARIA, BATHROOMS, PIGSTIES AND POULTRY SHEDS WOULD BE CLEARED TO FACILITATE WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT.

♦DISPLACED FAMILIES WILL BE OFFERED EITHER PUBLIC HOUSING OR TEMPORARY PUBLIC HOUSING, DEPENDING ON THEIR ELIGIBILITY,* PR. CARTLAND SAID.

♦GENUINE CULTIVATOR FAMILIES MAY OPT FOR A RESITE TOGETHER WITH AN EX-GRATIA REHABILITATION ALLOWANCE OF $5,000 PER FAMILY, EUT WILL FORFEIT THEIR PRIORITY FOR PUBLIC HOUS ING.+

AS THE LAND TO BE RESUMED LIES WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE YUEN LONG OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN, OWNERS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND WILL BE OFFERED THE ALTERNATIVES OF CASH COMPENSATION AT THE RATE OF $39 PER SQUARE FOOT OR THE CHOICE OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS WITH A CREDIT VALUE OF $19.5 PER SQUARE FOOT.

OWNERS OF THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WILL EE OFFERED EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE UNDER CURRENT POLICY.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979 - 5 -

COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION OF SURVEYING AND LAND ECONOMY CONFERENCE ******

HONG KONG WILL PLAY HOST LATER THIS MONTH TO THE 1979 ASIA REGIONAL MEETING OF THE COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION OF SURVEYING AND LAND ECONOMY (CASLE).

THE CONFERENCE WILL OPEN ON FEBRUARY 25 AND EXTEND THROUGH TO MARCH 1.

TOPICS COVERED WILL INCLUDE s

* HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION.

* AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION.

* SURVEY REQUIREMENTS IN THE EIGHTIES, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYS.

* LAND ECONOMY.

* LAND SURVEYING.

* QUANTITY SURVEYING.

* THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROFESSION IN THE REGION DURING THE EIGHTIES.

* FUTURE ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES.

THE CASLE CONFERENCE WILL BE OPENED BY MR. DEREK JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS WILL BE GIVEN BY MR. FOX BUTTERFIELD OF THE NEW YORK TIMES. IT WILL BE ENTITLED : +CHINA IN THE ’805+.

SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE DR. R. BURCROFF, SENIOR PROJECT ECONOMIST, AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK- MR. T.D.W. MCCULLOCH, DIRECTOR OF OCEAN AND AQUATIC SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENT, GOVERNMENT OF CANADA- AND MR. J.R. HOLLWEY, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND SURVEYING NORTH EAST LONDON POLYTECHNIC.

SITUATION REPORTS FROM COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES IN ASIA WILL BE TABLED, AND LOCAL EXPERTS WILL ALSO OFFER THEIR VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE DISCUSSIONS.

t DR. E.G. PRYOR, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, HONG KONG (PLANNING AND RESEARCH DIVISION), AND MR. IVOR STANTON, DIRECTOR OF LANDS, SURVEY AND TOWN PLANNING WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL BOTH PRESENT PAPERS.

AS WELL AS PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND SITUATION REPORTS, GROUP MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AND DELEGATES FROM ABROAD WILL VISIT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND TOUR HONG KONG TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES PROGRESS MADE OVER THE YEARS.

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/6.....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

MORE JUMBO LADDERS FOR FIRE SERVICES ******

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE CAPABILITIES WILL BE FURTHER IMPROVED WHEN THREE 50-METRE (164-FT) TURNTABLE LADDERS COME INTO OPERATION ON MARCH 1.

THE +JUMBO+ LADDERS, ORDERED FROM WEST GERMANY AT A TOTAL COST OF $3.9 MILLION, ARE AMONG THE TALLEST IN USE IN THE WORLD.

EACH LADDER CAN ROTATE A FULL CIRCLE. A LIFT WHICH CAN BE FITTED TO THE LADDER CAN RAISE THREE FIREMEN AT ONE TIME. IT CAN ALSO BE OPERATED BY REMOTE CONTROL ENABLING THE OPERATOR TO CARRY OUT MOVEMENTS FROM A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

THE LADDER, MOUNTED ON ITS OWN VEHICULAR CHASSIS WITH AN AIR-COOLED DIESEL ENGINE, WILL ENABLE FIREMEN TO REACH THE 15TH FLOOR OF A BUILDING IN ANY FIRE-FIGHTING OR RESCUE OPERATION.

AT PRESENT, THE LONGEST LADDER IN SERVICE IS 37-METRE AND CAN REACH UP TO THE 11TH-12TH FLOOR OF A BUILDING.

♦HOWEVER, THE LADDERS WILL NOT BE USED FOR NORMAL RESPONSES BUT ONLY IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ON REQUEST FROM A FIRE OFFICER WHO HAS ACCESSED THE SITUATION AS WARRANTING THE USE OF THE LADDER,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

HE SAID THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE OPERATOR ON THE GROUND AND THE FIREMEN AT THE TOP OF THE LADDER HAS BEEN FACILITATED BY AN INTER-COMMUNICATION SYSTEM. THROUGH THIS SYSTEM, THE MEN AT THE TOP CAN CONSTANTLY REPORT THEIR OBSERVATIONS DOWN TO THE CONTROL POSITION.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE LADDERS WHICH WERE ACTUATED BY ELECTRONIC AND HYDRAULIC MEANS, AN EXTENSIVE AND THOROUGH TRAINING PROGRAMME HAD TO BE ARRANGED FOR FIREMEN TO ENSURE THAT THE MACHINES WERE ALWAYS OPERATED BY FULLY TRAINED MEN.

♦ AS A RESULT, THE CREWS HAD UNDERGONE A VERY DIFFICULT AND TIME-CONSUMING TRAINING COURSE,+ HE ADDED.

ADDITIONALLY, THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED, THE LADDERS WERE MANUFACTURED TO GENERAL EUROPEAN STANDARDS AND AFTER DELIVERY, HAD TO BE TESTED AND OPERATED IN HONG KONG’S DENSE ENVIRONMENT.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS HERE, MAGNIFIED THE SPEEDS AND EFFECTS OF WIND AND MODIFICATIONS TO COPE WITH THIS SAFELY HAD TO BE DESIGNED AND FITTED. SOME MODIFICATIONS WERE ALSO MADE TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMS.

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/7 ....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH EXHIBITION ******

HOW TO OBTAIN OPTIMAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AS ONE GETS OLD WILL BE THE MAIN THEME OF A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION THIS WEEK.

ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, IT IS PART OF ITS CURRENT CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY.

THE EXHIBITION, CLIMAXING A THREE-MONTH HEALTH EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, WILL BE HELD AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL FROM FEBRUARY 24 TO 26, AFTER WHICH SIMILAR EXHIBITIONS WILL BE MOUNTED IN FOUR OTHER DISTRICTS DURING MARCH AND APRIL.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE CAMPAIGN ARE s-

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

* TO IMPACT 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 OLD AGE GROUP- AND

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

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, AT ONE STAGE OR ANOTHER, HAVE TO UNDERGO THE PROCESS OF AGEING.

THE CAMPAIGN STARTED IN JANUARY WITH A PHOTO COMPETITION AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION LEAFLETS AND POSTERS.

THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF RADIO TALKS GIVEN BY MEDICAL EXPERTS ON ALL ASPECTS OF HEALTH IN THE ELDERLY. THE PROGRAMME CAN STILL BE HEARD OVER THE CHINESE CHANNEL OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG EVERY TUESDAY FROM 2.30 P.M. TO 3 P.M.

AT THE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

AT THE FORTHCOMING EXHIBITION, THREE SETS OF SLIDES WILL BE SHOWN, PROVIDING USEFUL INFORMATION ON FOOD AND NUTRITION, EXERCISE AND POSTURE AND CARE OF THE EYES, EARS AND ORAL HYGIENE OF THE ELDERLY.

A FREE BLOOD PRESSURE OFFERED TO VISITORS TO THE

CHECKING SERVICE WILL ALSO BE EXHIBITION.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH TO BE HELD AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL CONCOURSE AT 11 A.M. ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 24). AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR. HARRY FANG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

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MECHANISED IRRIGATION BENEFITS FARMERS ******

WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF MECHANISED IRRIGATION, MANY HONG KONG FARMERS NOW NO LONGER NEED TO WAIT ANXIOUSLY FOR THE RAIN TO FALL.

MOST OF THEM HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE EFFICIENT AND LABOUR SAVING METHODS OF BRINGING WATER TO THEIR FIELDS THROUGH THE PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND

FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.

MRS. VERA LEE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CROP DEVLOPMENT UNIT, SAID THAT AS AGRICULTURAL LABOUR FORCE IS BECOMING MORE SCARCE, MECHANISATION WILL BE PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT PART IN AGRICULTURE.

+AT PRESENT, THE TWO MOST COMMONLY USED MECHANISED IRRIGATION METHODS ARE THE FIXED HEAD IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND THE ROTARY SPRINKLER.

+THEY ARE COMMONLY EMPLOYED IN IRRIGATING VEGETABLES,+ SHE SAID.

ANOTHER METHOD OF IRRIGATION, MRS. LEE SAID, IS THE OSCILLATING BAR AND MIST BAR, MAINLY USED IN NURSERIES AND FOR SMALL FLOWER PLOTS.

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ALSO EXPERIMENTS WITH NEW IRRIGATION METHODS SUCCESSFULLY EMPLOYED IN OTHER COUNTRIES TO SEE IF THEY CAN EE ADOPTED FOR LOCAL USE.

/a H3LATIVSLY

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

- 9 -

A RELATIVELY NEW SYSTEM NOW BEING TESTED IS THE +DRIP AND TRICKLE IRRIGATION METHOD*.

EXPLAINING THIS NEW SYSTEM, MRS. LEE SAID : +LONG PLASTIC CR PAPER TUBES ARE LAID ON THE SOIL NEXT TO THE CROPS. WATER FROM THE STORAGE TANK, AFTER BEING FILTERED THEN OOZES OUT THROUGH THE TINY PERFORATIONS ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE TUBES.

+THIS SAVES WATER BECAUSE SMALL, MEASURED AMOUNTS OF THE FLUID SEEPS DIRECTLY INTO THE ROOT AREA OF PLANTS OR TREES AT REGULAR INTERVALS IN OPTIMUM QUANTITIES. WATER OF POORER QUALITY CAN ALSO BE USED WITHOUT HARMING THE CROPS.

+ IN HONG KONG, WHERE WATER IS SO VALUABLE, THIS IS UNDOUBTEDLY AN ADVANTAGE,* SHE SAID.

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S TANGERINE ORCHARD IN SAI KUNG HAS BEEN IRRIGATED BY THE TRICKLE SYSTEM FOR TWO YEARS. THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF FRUITS HAS SO FAR BEEN ENCOURAGING.

THE DRIP SYSTEM IS ALSO BEING EXPERIMENTED ON MARKET GARDEN CROPS AT THE GOVERNMENT’S TAI LUNG FARM, INCLUDING GLADIOLAS, CELERY, SPINACH, AND TOMATO.

FARMERS AND THE PUBLIC INTERESTED IN MECHANISED IRRIGATION ARE WELCOME TO APPROACH THE CROP DEVELOPMENT UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT.

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CAREERS EXHIBITION FOR POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS

******

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. MARTIN ROWLANDS, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING ON WEDNESDAY OF A CAREERS EXHIBITION AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

THE EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, WILL OPEN AT 10 A.M. AND CLOSE AT 6.30 P.M. ON BOTH DAYS.

IT IS INTENDED TO INFORM POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS OF THE WIDE RANGE OF JOBS IN GOVERNMENT AND ALSO TO INTEREST THEM IN GOVERNMENT CAREERS WHEN THEY GRADUATE.

A TOTAL OF 23 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IS PARTICIPATING.

THE EXHIBITION CONSISTS OF DISPLAYS OF MODELS AND PHOTOGRAPHS.

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/10....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

- 10 -

♦ FUN AT YOUTH CARNIVAL IN ABERDEEN ******

HUNDREDS OF YOUNGSTERS FROM THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING BEGAN THEIR DAY OF FUN AT A DAY-LONG YOUTH CARNIVAL STAGED IN WONG CHUK HANG SPORTS GROUND, ABERDEEN.

THE CARNIVAL, FEATURING ENTERTAINMENT SHOWS AND STALL GAMES, WAS ORGANISED BY THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG SOUTH, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND THE WESTERN DISTRICT BOY SCOUT COUNCIL.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, PRAISED THE ORGANISERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PROVIDING RECREATION OUTLETS FOR THE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.

THE CARNIVAL, HE SAID, ENABLES YOUNG PEOPLE, THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION, TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SOCIAL AIMS OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND BETTER REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS A PARTICULARLY MEANINGFUL OCCASION IN THAT IT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THREE BODIES WHICH HAD A COMMON GOAL OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

AT THE CEREMONY, MR. LEE AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, MR. HO WING-KO, CUT THE RIBBON TO MARK THE START OF THE DAY’S PROGRAMMES.

THEY ALSO PRESENTED PRIZES TO THOSE WHO HAD WON THE VARIOUS SINGING, STORY-TELLING AND ESSAY CONTESTS ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT F.L.E. COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE BETTER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.

PROGRAMMES FOR THE DAY FEATURED LION AND FOLK DANCES, MARCHING DISPLAY, DRAMA AND MUSIC PERFORMANCES, MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATION, AND A REPEAT PERFORMANCE BY TRAINEES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE WHO WON LAST YEAR’S TALENT QUEST FOR THE DISABLED.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY WERE THRILLING RIDES ON A HOT-AIR BALLOON.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

11 -

CAREERS SEMINARS * ft ft ft

A SERIES OF 16 CAREERS SEMINARS, SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF WOULD-BE SCHOOL LEAVERS, WILL BE HELD IN VARIOUS SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG STARTING FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).

ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE FIRST SEMINAR WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE YU CHUN KEUNG MEMORIAL COLLEGE IN HOMANTIN.

EACH SEMINAR WILL CONSIST OF TALKS, FILM SHOWS, AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS CHAIRED BY SPECIALISTS FROM VARIOUS FIELDS.

A WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS TOPICS WILL BE COVERED INCLUDING JOURNALISM, CIVIL ENGINEERING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TOURISM, INSURANCE, NURSING AND SOCIAL WORK.

EXPERTS FROM COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL TALK ABOUT THEIR WORK EXPERIENCE AND ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING FACILITIES AND JOB REWARD AND WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE STUDENTS.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT SOME 12,000 STUDENTS WILL TAKE PART IN THESE SEMINARS.

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/12

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

- 12 -

MORE THAN 200 SCHOOLS JOIN DANCE FESTIVAL ******

THE 15TH SCHOOLS’ DANCE COMPETITIONS WILL BE HELD FROM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 TO MARCH 9, AT THREE VENUES IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

ALTOGETHER 254 ENTRIES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM OVER 200 SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR THE VARIOUS EVENTS, WHICH INCLUDE WESTERN DANCE, ORIENTAL FOLK DANCE, ORIENTAL CLASSIC DANCE AND CREATIVE DANCE.

THE COMPETITIONS HAVE BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

EVENTS AT THE CENTRE IN THE CLEMENTI MIDDLE SCHOOL, FORTRESS HILL ROAD, NORTH POINT, WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 21, 22 AND 23.

AT THE KOWLOON CENTRE, SITUATED AT THE HONG KONG S2E YAP COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION WONG TAI SHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE IN NAM CHEONG STREET, SHEK KIP MEI, COMPETITIONS WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 26 AND 27, AND MARCH 7, 8 AND 9.

FOR SCHOOLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE EVENTS WILL BE HELD AT THE LAM WOO MEMORIAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KWAI CHUNG ON MARCH 1 AND 2.

ADMISSION TO ALL THE EVENTS IS FREE.

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/13

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1979

SHUTTLE-COCK STARTS OFF SWD’S INTER-CENTRE COMPETITIONS ******

A COMPETITION WITH A DIFFERENCE - SHUTTLE-COCK - THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING KICKED OFF A VARIETY OF OTHER COMPETITIVE EVENTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH THAT WILL SWING INTO ACTION OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF HONG KONG.

THE EVENTS ARE BEING ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION AS ITS 4TH ANNUAL INTER-CENTRE COMPETITIONS.

THE WIDE RANGE OF COMPETITIONS AIMS TO PROMOTE BETTER RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE MANY MEMBERS OF THE DIVISION’S COMMUNITY HALLS AS WELL AS YOUTH, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL CENTRES.

DESIGNED TO MEET THE INTERESTS OF VARIOUS AGE GROUPS, THE COMPETITIONS WILL BE ON ORIENTEERING, CHILDREN’S DRAWING, ESSAY, FOLK DANCE, PHOTOGRAPHY, BASKETBALL, FOLK SONG, DRESS-MAKING AND FASHION DESIGN.

AT AN OPENING CEREMONY THIS MORNING AT THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER FOR EAST KOWLOON, MR. KHOO TAI-PIN, MADE THE FIRST KICK TO START CFF THE SHUTTLE-COCK KICKING COMPETITION -- THE FIRST OF THE SERIES.

TWENTY SIX TEAMS TOOK PART IN TODAY’S CONTEST.

THE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT A CLOSING CEREMONY TO BE HELD LATER IN MARCH.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1979

CONTENT PAGE NO.

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY TO VISIT HK .................. 1

AIR LETTER DISPATCHES TO CHINA ............................... 2

POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ................................ 2

CAS HELPS HANDLE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ...................... 3

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE ................ 5

HK’S FISHERMEN ARE VOLUNTEER WEATHER OBSERVERS ............... 6

FACILITIES AT HAKI NG WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ............... 7

SEMINARS ON PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FOR SENIOR STAFF ............ 8

FARMERS HOST SPRING DINNER ................................... 8

ROYAL VISIT BRIEFING ......................................... 9

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHU I PO .................... 9

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1979

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY TO VISIT HK ******

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY, THE RT. HON. ERIC VARLEY MP, WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON WEDNESDAY FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT BEFORE LEAVING FOR PEKING.

HE WILL BE MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. DAVID JORDAN AND THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR. D.M, MARCH.

ACCOMPANYING MR. VARLEY ON THE VISIT TO PEKING WILL BE W. GEORGE PARK, MP, PARLIAMENTARY PRIVATE SECRETARY- MR. A. DUGUID, PRIVATE SECRETARY- LORD NELSON, CHAIRMAN OF GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND THE SI NO-BRITISH TRADE COUNCIL- MR. A.E. HAMMOND, EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS AND PLUMBERS TRADE UNION- MR. A.J. LIPPITT, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY AND MR. C. PRISTON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE.

DURING HIS STAY HERE MR. VARLEY WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE ECONOMY AND ON HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT. HIS PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDES VISITING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, MEETING WITH THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD AND TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, GOING ON A LAUNCH TRIP TO SEE THE HARBOUR, CONTAINER TERMINALS, TSUEN WAN AND MODERN FACTORIES.

MR. VARLEY WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY AT KAI TAK AIRPORT BEFORE LEAVING FOR PEKING BY AIR.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITIES WILL BE ARRANGED FOR COVERAGE OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY, THE RT. HON. ERIC VARLEY ON WEDNESDAY. HE IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT 1300 HOURS ON FLIGHT SQ8.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND PHOTOGRAPHERS TO COVER THE ARRIVAL. ML H.L. KO, SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER, WILL MEET MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN THE PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL AT 1215 HOURS.

PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSIGNED TO COVER THE ARRIVAL ARE REMINDED TO BRING WITH THEM THEIR IDENTITY CARDS OR PASSPORTS.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1979

AIR LETTER DISPATCHES TO CHINA *****

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY (MONDAY), AIR LETTER DISPATCHES TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, PREVIOUSLY CARRIED BY TRAIN TO CANTON, ARE NOW FORWARDED DAILY BY THE DIRECT FLIGHT BETWEEN THESE TWO CITIES.

THIS WILL ACCELERATE THE TRANSMISSION AND HANDLING TIME OF AIR MAIL ITEMS FOR CHINA.

IT IS ALSO PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE AN AIR CARGO SERVICE TO CHINA ON MARCH 5, 1979.

POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE * * * *

THE POST OFFICE WILL SOON BE SENDING OUT 'AMBASSADORS’ TO LARGE COMMERCIAL FIRMS AND ORGANISATIONS TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND TO ENSURE THE FULLEST UTILISATION OF POSTAL SERVICES.

THE ’AMBASSADORS’ ARE MR. CHARLES CHOY AND MR. LEE KI-PONG, TWO LONG-SERVING OFFICERS WHO HAVE RECENTLY BEEN APPOINTED AS POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES.

MR. ARTHUR DICKSON, SENIOR CONTROLLER OF POSTS, SAID THE REPRESENTATIVES WILL KEEP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE MAIN USERS OF POSTAL SERVICES, MAINLY FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, TO GET TO KNOW THEIR REQUIREMENTS AND PROBLEMS.

♦THEY WILL ALSO INFORM POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS OF THE FULL RANGE OF SERVICES WHICH THE POST OFFICE CAN OFFER,+ HE ADDED.

MR. DICKSON STRESSED THAT THE WHOLE OPERATION WILL BE OF MUTUAL BENEFIT TO THE CUSTOMER AND THE POST OFFICE.

THE REPRESENTATIVES, HE SAID, WILL ADVISE POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS OF THE MANY POSTAL SERVICES AVAILABLE AND THEIR ADVANTAGES OVER OTHER ALTERNATIVES. IN PARTICULAR THEY WILL BE SELLING THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE.

THIS IS A SPECIALLY DESIGNED POST OFFICE SERVICE PROGRAMMED TO MEET CUSTOMERS NEEDS FOR A RELIABLE HIGH SPEED OVERSEAS DELIVERY SERVICE.

♦ADVISING THE MAIN USERS ON IMPROVING THE PRESENTATION OF THEIR MAIL ITEMS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY RESULT IN A BETTER MAIL SERVICE FOR THE CUSTOMER,♦ HE SAID.

♦MANY LARGE FIRMS AND ORGANISATIONS HAVE THEIR OWN MAIL ROOMS AND THE POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER HELP ON IMPROVING THE SETUP.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1979

♦SOME MAY EVEN HAVE COMPUTERS FOR PUTTING ON ADDRESSES, IN WHICH CASE WE CAN OFFER ADVICE ON HOW TO CODE AND SORT THEIR ENVELOPES ACCORDING TO THE DIFFERENT DELIVERY AREAS WHICH WILL CERTAINLY BE A GREAT HELP TO OUR SORTERS,♦ HE ADDED.

♦ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE REPRESENTATIVES IS TO ACCESS PUBLIC REACTION TO THE STANDARD OF SERVICE RECEIVED FROM THE POST OFFICE AND WHETHER THE FACILITIES OFFERED ARE ADEQUATE OR CAN BE IMPROVED. SUCH TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL IF THE POST OFFICE IS TO CONTINUE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.*

♦TAKE SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE — MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT POSTAGE STAMPS AND FRANKING MACHINES BUT NOT MANY KNOW ABOUT POSTAGE PREPAID IN CASH, BULK AND PERMIT MAIL ARRANGEMENTS.♦

MR. DICKSON ADDED THAT THE ’AMBASSADOR’ SYSTEM IN BRITAIN, STARTED ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, HAS PROVED TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

COMMENTING ON HIS APPOINTMENT, MR. CHOY WHO SPEAKS ENGLISH, JAPANESE AND A NUMBER OF CHINESE DIALECTS INCLUDING CANTONESE, MANDARIN AND CHIU CHOW, SAID THE JOB +IS A CHALLENGING ONE+ AND THAT HE WILL DO HIS VERY BEST TO ENSURE POSTING REQUIREMENTS OF BUSINESS USERS AND OTHERS IN GENERAL ARE DULY MET IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY.

MR. CHOY WAS A FORMER INSTRUCTOR OF THE POST OFFICE TRAINING CENTRE WHILE MR. LI WAS THE POSTMASTER OF TSAT TSZ MUI POST OFFICE.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR A VISIT BY THE POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE CAN BE MADE BY CONTACTING MR. CHOY OR MR. LI ON 5-2671108.

- 0 - -

CAS HELPS HANDLE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ******

THE CIVIL AID SERVICES IS PLAYING AN IMPORTANT AND ACTIVE ROLE IN DEALING WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.

MANY ARE NOW ASSISTING THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT STAFF AT THE KAI TAK DETENTION CENTRE WHICH, AT PRESENT, IS ACCOMMODATING ABOUT 3,400 PEOPLE.

WORKING IN SHIFTS, THEY PROVIDE A 24-HOUR LOGISTIC AND SUPPORT SERVICE AT THE CENTRE. THEY ALSO LIAISE WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON FOOD SUPPLIES AND OTHER RELIEF ARTICLES.

IN ADDITION, THEIR PRESENCE IS ALSO REQUIRED TO ENSURE A HIGH STANDARD OF HYGIENE AND SANITATION.

MEANWHILE, AT THE SHAM SHU I PO CAMP, CAS PERSONNEL ARE STILL ERECTING TENTS FOR THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.

A TEAM HAS ALSO BEEN MOBILISED TO FERRY SUPPLIES TO THE SHIP +SKYLUCK+.

/THE CAS' SERVICE

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1979

THE CAS’ SERVICE TO THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES STARTED IN MAY 1975 WHEN THE M.V. CLARA MAERSK BROUGHT INTO PORT MORE THAN 3,500 REFUGEES. CAS PERSONNEL LOOKED AFTER THEM THROUGHOUT, FROM THE DAY THESE PEOPLE ARRIVED TILL ONE YEAR AFTER, THE DEPARTURE OF THE MAJORITY OF THEM FROM THE VARIOUS CAMPS FOR SETTLEMENT OVERSEAS.

MR. ROGER LOBO, COMMISSIONER OF CAS, SAID TODAY (MONDAY)i •♦MEMBERS OF THE CAS ARE DELIGHTED TO SHARE THE HEAVY BURDEN WITH VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, IN LOOKING AFTER THE LARGE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.+

MR. JOHN FORTUNE, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, CAS, COMMENTED! ■♦ADMITTEDLY, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY TESTING JOB, IN VIEW OF THE CROWDED CONDITIONS IN THE CAMPS AND THE DISTRESS OF THE REFUGEES. WE, HOWEVER, FEEL PROUD OF WHAT WE ARE DOING. INDEED, ALL MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED OUT FOR THIS DUTY, HAVE CONTRIBUTED TOWARD ACHIEVING ONE OF THE BASIS AIMS OF THE SERVICES — HUMANITY,* MR. FORTUNE SAID.

THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, FORMED IN 1952, HAS 2,750 MEMBERS, FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. ALL OFFER THEIR SERVICE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.

OVER THE PAST QUARTER OF A CENTURY, THE CAS HAS THROUGH THE PUBLIC SPIRITEDNESS AND THE DEDICATION OF ITS MEMBERS, ACCRUED AN EXCEPTIONAL OPERATIONAL RECORD. ITS MEMBERS VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND ENER'CT TO UNDERGO ARDUOUS TRAINING AND FACE THE CHALLENGES EXTENDED BY A WHOLE SPECTRUM OF CIVIL DUTIES AND CIVIL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

IN ADDITION TO THESE DUTIES, THEY ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN MANY OTHER IMPORTANT COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES INCLUDING CROWD CONTROL, ANTI-OIL POLLUTION AND FIRST AID.

IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, A GREATER EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON PROTECTION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE FROM FIRE AND IN THIS DUTY THE CIVIL AID SERVICES HAVE ALSO PROVED THEIR WORTH. THEY PROVIDE PATROLS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AREAS AT WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND PROVIDE ESSENTIAL REINFORCEMENTS IN LARGE SCALE COUNTRYSIDE FIRE FIGHTING.

TODAY, THE CIVIL AID SERVICES’ MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAMS, MADE UP OF SKILLED AND ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS, ARE AVAILABLE AT SHORT NOTICE AND HAVE GREATLY ASSISTED REGULAR EMERGENCY SERVICES IN THIS DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT DUTY.

+IT IS MOST REASSURING TO THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT SUCH A DISCIPLINED, SKILLED AND WILLING FORCE OF VOLUNTEERS IS AVAILABLE TO CALL UPON, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF NEED,* MR. LOBO SAID.

ACCORDING TO MR. FORTUNE, ON AVERAGE, THERE ARE 500 CAS fCMBERS ON DUTY SOMEWHERE IN HONG KONG ON ANY WEEKEND, ADDING THAT IT IS ALSO APPRECIATIVE THAT EMPLOYERS ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO RELEASE THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR CAS DUTIES.

/5......

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1979

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE ******

WORK ON THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND CONTROL ROOM OF THE DEEP WATER BAY - REPULSE BAY SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL WORKS IS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WHICH DESIGNS AND SUPERVISES CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL WIRING AND MACHINERY IN THE CONTROL ROOM WOULD BEGIN SHORTLY.

THE 55.3 MILLION PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMMISSIONED IN AUGUST.

MEANWHILE, WORK ON THE AP LEI CHAU SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT STAGE I, INCLUDING THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND STAFF QUARTERS, IS HALF COMPLETE WHILE MACHINERY HAS JUST BEEN ORDERED.

+ON COMPLETION IN AUTUMN NEXT YEAR SEWAGE FROM AP LEI CHAU PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE PHASE I, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WILL BE TREATED BEFORE IT IS DISCHARGED VIA THE SUBMARINE OUTFALL INTO DEEPER WATER FOR ADEQUATE DILUTION AND SATISFACTORY DISPERSION,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1979

- 6 -

HK’S FISHERMEN ARE VOLUNTEER WEATHER OBSERVERS ******

HONG KONG’S FISHERMEN ARE HELPING THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TO KEEP TRACK OF THE WEATHER.

THESE VOLUNTARY WEATHERMEN HAVE MADE MORE THAN 1,000 WEATHER OBSERVATIONS SINCE THE VOLUNTARY WEATHER OBSERVATION SCHEME STARTED THREE YEARS AGO.

EXPLAINING THE SCHEME, THE SCIENTIFIC OFFICER (MARINE METEOROLOGY) OF THE OBSERVATORY, MR. CHU WING-KI SAID THAT THE ASSISTANCE OF THESE FISHERMEN WAS MOST VALUABLE.

+THEY HAVE YEARS OF HARD-EARNED EXPERIENCE TO HANDLE THE JOB WHICH INVOLVES NOTING DOWN WIND DIRECTION AND STRENGTH, THE HEIGHT OF WAVES AND GENERAL WEATHER CONDITIONS,+ MR. CHU SAID.

THE INFORMATION, IN THE FORM OF A LOG, IS COLLECTED WHEN THE FISHERMEN RETURN TO PORT, VERIFIED, PUNCHED AND FED INTO THE OBSERVATORY COMPUTER.

♦ BY GIVING US THIS INFORMATION THE FISHERMEN ARE HELPING US TO HELP THEM AS IT ALL GOES INTO IMPROVING WEATHER SERVICES FOR FISHERMEN,+ THE SCIENTIFIC OFFICER SAID.

THE SYSTEM OF USING SHIPS IN WEATHER OBSERVATION HAS BEEN IN OPERATION INTERNATIONALLY FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY. WEATHER OBSERVATIONS BY SOME 50 VOLUNTARY OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ARE SENT BY RADIO TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AT FIXED INTERVALS EVERY SIX HOURS DAILY.

♦BUT INFORMATION ON COASTAL METEREOLOGI CAL CONDITIONS IS SCARCE AND INADEQUATE AND THAT WAS WHY WE SET UP THE VOLUNTARY WEATHER OBSERVATION SCHEME AMONG OUR FISHERMEN IN 1975,+ MR. CHU SAID.

+THEY THEMSELVES WOULD BE PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES OF WEATHER FORECASTS AND WARNINGS IN THE COASTAL AREAS,+ HE SAID.

THIS EXTRA COASTAL INFORMATION, HE SAID, WOULD ALSO BENEFIT COMPANIES INVOLVED IN BUILDING PIERS OR OFFSHORE DRILLING RIGS.

EIGHTEEN BOATS FROM HONG KONG’S FISHING FLEET ARE INVOLVED IN THIS VOLUNTARY WEATHER WORK. +WE HOPE MORE WILL TAKE PART,+ ffi. CHU SAID.

FISHERMEN INTERESTED SHOULD CONTACT THE LIAISON OFFICERS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WHERE THE WEATHER INFORMATION LOGS CAN BE OBTAINED.

- - 0 -

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1979

FACILITIES AT MAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ******

EMPLOYERS IN THE HOTEL AND TOURIST INDUSTRIES WERE TODAY (MONDAY) URGED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE MANPOWER TRAINING FACILITIES IN THE HAKI NG WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE BY SPONSORING THEIR EMPLOYEES TO THE PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSES AVAILABLE.

MR. HENDERSON MADE THE APPEAL DURING A VISIT TO THE SCHOOL AT CHEUNG SHA WAN.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE INSTITUTE IS THE ONLY ONE, AT PRESENT, OFFERING COURSES IN HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM AND THE COURSES PROVIDED ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF NEW ENTRANTS AS WELL AS THOSE ALREADY EMPLOYED IN THE HOTEL AND TOURIST INDUSTRIES.

MR. HENDERSON SAID THE HOTEL AND TOURIST INDUSTRIES WERE PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HONG KONG, BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY.

♦IN RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HOTEL AND TOURIST INDUSTRIES AND THEIR NEED FOR MORE AND BETTER TRAINING, A BOARD TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THESE INDUSTRIES WILL BE SET UP UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE,* MR. HENDERSON SAID.

IN THE MEANTIME, HE URGED THESE INDUSTRIES TO MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO EXTEND AND IMPROVE THEIR MANPOWER TRAINING.

HE ADDED THAT MANY HOTEL WORKERS COULD BEST BE TRAINED THROUGH ORGANISED APPRENTICESHIP DURING WHICH APPRENTICES RECEIVE BOTH ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AS WELL AS RELATED TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

MR. HENDERSON THEN INVITED THOSE EMPLOYERS WHO WISH TO START PROPER APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES TO CONTACT THE TRAINING COUNCIL DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN ASIAN HOUSE, OR TELEPHONE 5-278668 FOR GUIDANCE.

AFTER THE VISIT THE TOURING PARTY WAS ENTERTAINED TO A LUNCH AT THE TRAINING RESTAURANT.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1979

SEMINARS ON PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FOR SENIOR STAFF

******

SENIOR STAFF OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS WILL BE ATTENDING FOUR SEMINARS ON MANAGEMENT BETWEEN TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND MARCH 15 AT THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.

THE THEME OF THE SEMINARS WILL BE CENTRED AROUND THE PERSONNEL ASPECT IN THE RUNNING OF A SCHOOL. THE TOPICS TO BE COVERED ARE THE RECRUITMENT AND INDUCTION OF NEW STAFF, STAFF DEVELOPMENT, THE ESTIMATION OF FUTURE STAFF REQUIREMENTS, AND WRITING CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS.

SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE ADDRESSING THE SEMINARS.

THE FOUR MEETINGS WILL BE HELD THREE TIMES FOR THREE SEPARATE GROUPS OF PARTICIPANTS.

THE FIRST GROUP WILL BE THE PRINCIPALS AND VICE-PRINCIPALS IN GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, AND SECONDARY, TECHNICAL AND SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS- AND THE SECOND GROUP WILL COMPRISE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND SENIOR MASTERS AND MISTRESSES OF THESE INSTITUTES.

THE THIRD GROUP WILL INCLUDE PRINCIPALS, VICE-PRINCIPALS, HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS IN PRE-VOCATIONAL, DENOMINATIONAL AND GOVERNMENT AIDED SCHOOLS.

MR. COLVYN HAYE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WILL OPEN THE SEMINAR TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEMINAR ON MANAGEMENT IN EDUCATION. IT WILL BE HELD AT 9 A.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.

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FARMERS HOST SPRING DINNER * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. TED NICHOLS WILL REVIEW HONG KONG’S FARMING ACHIEVEMENTS AT A D INO

TO BE HOSTED ON THURSDAY BY THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES LTD.

THE DINNER WILL ALSO SERVE AS THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 27TH TERM COMMITTEE OF THE FEDERATION.

THE FEDERATION HAS 28 MEMBER SOCIETIES WITH 3,837 MEMBERS.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1979

ROYAL VISIT BRIEFING

******

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE BRIEFING BY THE ROYAL VISIT PRESS OFFICER, MR. JOHN SLIMMING, DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, ON PRESS FACILITIES AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR COVERING THE VISIT OF HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 5 P.M. (REPEAT 5 P.M. AND NOT 4 P.M. AS PREVIOUSLY STATED).

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE BRIEFING WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE GIS THEATRE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.

- 0 -

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHU I PO *****

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 21, TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).

FROM 10 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY, TRAFFIC ALONG PEI HO STREET BETWEEN LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND YEE KUK STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY NORTHBOUND AND TUNG CHAU STREET BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND PEI HO STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY SOUTHBOUND.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO

HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE FOR 1978 .......................... 1

POLL CARDS ISSUED FOR MARCH 8 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION ......... 6

NEW NURSERY TO OPEN IN SAV MAU PING ESTATE ................... 7

MULTI-MILL I ON-DOLLAR AIRPORT CONTRACT ...................... 7

SUPREME COURT ANNEXE ........................................ 8

POINTERS TO SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT ............................ 8

SWD HELPS STREET SLEEPERS .................................... 9

DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ..................................... 10

VIEWS OF RESIDENTS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION ................. 10

BACK FROM ASIA AQUATECH 79 CONFEREE • ....................... 11

SNT LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE SECONDARY SCHOOL ............................................ 12

PREVOCATIONAL STUDENTS COMPETE IN RACES ..................... 13

ROAD RE-ROUTED............................................. 14

WATER CUT................................................... 14

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE FOR 1978 *****

THE TOTAL ANNUAL TRADE VALUE FOR 1978 SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 25 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1977.

STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOWED IMPORTS RISING FROM $48,701 MILLION TO $63,056 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 29 PER CENT WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT, RISING FROM $35,004 MILLION TO $40,711 MILLION.

RE-EXPORTS SHOWED AN ACCELERATED GROWTH OF 34 PER CENT, REACHING $13,197 MILLION.

THE DEPARTMENT ALSO RELEASED DETAILED MERCHANDISE TRADE STATISTICS FOR 1978.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE:

‘ 1977 (HK$ MN) 1978 (HK$ MN) INCREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

U.S.A. 13,552 15,125 +1,573 ♦12

F.R. OF GERMANY 3,669 4,426 ♦ 758 +21

UNITED KINGDOM 3,035 3,871 + 836 +28

JAPAN 1,386 1,856 ♦ 470 ♦34

AUSTRALIA 1,247 1,494 + 247 +20

CANADA 1,171 1,271 ♦ 100 + 9

SINGAPORE 904 1,104 + 200 +22

NETHERLANDS 763 937 + 173 +23

SWITZERLAND AND LIECHTENSTEIN 572 683 ♦ 111 +19

NIGERIA 461 581 ♦ 120 ♦26

BY COUNTRY, EXPORTS TO THE U.S. ROSE BY 12 PER CENT, DUE MAINLY TO INCREASED SHIPMENTS OF ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($6,268 MILLION, +16 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY ($968 MILLION, +11 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($796 MILLION, +48 PER CENT) AS WELL AS OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT ($746 MILLION, +11 PER CENT).

/BUT DECLINES

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

BUT DECLINES WERE RECORDED IN DELIVERIES OF PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS ($1,192 MILLION, -TWO PER CENT) AND TEXTILE PRODUCTS ($476 MILLION, - 8 PER CENT).

DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.K. WERE BOOSTED BY INCREASES IN ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($1,904 MILLION, +24 PER CENT), TEXTILE PRODUCTS ($471 MILLION, +30 PER CENT) AS WELL AS WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($262 MILLION, +86 PER CENT).

EXPORTS TO THE F.R. OF GERMANY SHOWED A GROWTH OF 21 PER CENT DURING THE YEAR. INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN SHIPMENTS OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($2,608 MILLION, +19 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS, SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING EQUIPMENT ($480 MILLION, +13 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($207 MILLION, +129 PER CENT).

RISES IN SHIPMENTS OF CLOTHING ($537 MILLION, +34 PER CENT) AND WATCHES ($125 MILLION, +81 PER CENT) TO JAPAN HAD LARGELY CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERALL INCREASE OF 34 PER CENT IN EXPORT SALES TO JAPAN FOR 1978.

AN ANALYSIS'OF CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS DIVISIONS IS PRESENTED BELOW:

1977 1978 INCREASE

(HK$ MN) (HK$ MN) (HK$ MN)

BY MAJOR COMMODITY

PERCENTAGE CHANGE

ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 13,908 15,709 ♦1,800 +13

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 5,734 6,634 + 901 +16

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,131 3,263 +1,132 +53

TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2,696 2,869 ♦ 173 +6

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,769 2,819 + 50 +2

/FLSCTRICAL .....

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES

(MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD

TYPE APPLIANCES) 1,744

2,109

+365

♦21

APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES CONTINUED TO SHOW THE HIGHEST INCREASE IN VALUE TERMS ($15,709 MILLION, +13 PER CENT). OTHER EXPORT ITEMS WHICH ALSO REGISTERED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH WERE TEXTILE PRODUCTS ($2,869 MILLION, +SIX PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY ($2,109 MILLION, +21 PER CENT) AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS ($913 MILLION, +28 PER CENT).

BUT SLIGHT DECLINES WERE RECORDED IN DELIVERIES OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND PARTS FOR COMPUTERS ($678 MILLION, -ONE PER CENT) AND ALSO PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CONTROLLING APPARATUS ($120 MILLION, -32 PER CENT).

THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SOURCES AREi %

1977 (HK$ MN) 1978 (HK$ MN) INCREASE (HK% MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

JAPAN 11,547 14,405 +2,857 +25

CHINA 8,082 10,550 +2,468 ♦31

U.S.A. 6,093 7,519 +1,426 +23

TAIWAN 3,254 4,257 +1,004 ♦31

SINGAPORE 2,888 3,219 ♦ 331 + 11

UNITED KINGDOM 2,192 2,975 + 783 +36

SWITZERLAND AND LIECHTENSTEIN 1,292 2,115 ♦ 823 +64

F.R. OF GERMANY 1,463 2,072 + 610 +42

REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,682 1,793 + 110 + 7

AUSTRALIA 956 1,274 + 317 +33

IMPORTS FROM JAPAN ROSE BY 25 PER CENT, DUE MAINLY TO INCREASED SHIPMENTS OF TEXTILE FABRICS ($1,900 MILLION, +22 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($1,303 MILLION +34 PER CENT, ELECTRICAL MACHINERY ($1,263 MILLION, +44 PER CENT), AND ROAD VEHICLES ($881 MILLION, +62 PER CENT).

/INCREASED IMPORTS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

INCREASED IMPORTS FROM CHINA WERE ALSO REGISTERED IN ITEMS SUCH AS TEXTILE PRODUCTS ($2,138 MILLION, +68 PER CENT), LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD ($1,152 MILLION, +FOUR PER CENT), VEGETABLES AND FRUIT ($782 MILLION, +24 PER CENT) AND PETROLEUM AND RELATED MATERIALS ($753 MILLION, +55 PER CENT).

THE RISE IN IMPORTS FROM U.S.A. COULD BE ACCOUNTED FOR MAINLY BY INCREASES IN SHIPMENTS OF TEXTILE FIBRES ($827 MILLION +27 PER CENT), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES ($764 MILLION, +75 PER CENT) AND ALSO ELECTRICAL MACHINERY ($637 MILLION, +15 PER CENT) AND OFFICE MACHINES ($604 MILLION, +15 PER CENT).

THERE WAS ALSO A RISE IN SHIPMENTS OF TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS ($1,720 MILLION, +22 PER CENT) FROM TAIWAN AND IN SHIPMENTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY ($276 MILLION, +37 PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($166 MILLION, +67 PER CENT) FROM SINGAPORE.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE BY COMMODITY SECTIONS:

ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS

1977 1978 INCREASE

(HK$ MN) (HK$ MN) (HK$ MN)

PERCENTAGE CHANGE

MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND DIAMONDS) 14,612 20,498 +5,886 +40

MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 9,541 12,467 +2,925 +31

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS AND ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 6,356 8,884 +2,529 +40

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 7,234 8,207 + 973 ♦13

CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 3,641 4,606 * 965 ♦27

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

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REMARKABLE GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN IMPORTS OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS (18,681 MILLION, +31 PER CENT) AND PEARLS, PRECIOUS AF|D SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES ($4,271 MILLION, +77 PER CENT).

INCREASES WERE ALSO REGISTERED IN ARRIVALS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY ($3,896 MILLION, +30 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($3,179 MILLION, +44 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS, SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING EQUIPMENT ($2,057 MILLION. +36 PER CENT), IRON AND STEEL ($2,018 MILLION, +47 PER CENT) AND ROAD VEHICLES ($1,425 MILLION, +47 PER CENT).

HOWEVER, DECLINES WERE SIGHTED IN IMPORTS OF OTHER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT ($339 MILLION, -29 PER CENT) AND COFFEE, TEA, COCOA AND SPICES ($263 MILLION, -14 PER CENT).

RE-EXPORTS PROSPERED IN 1978 AND AN UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH OF 34 PER CENT WAS RECORDED. THE MAIN IMPORTING COUNTRIES INCLUDED JAPAN ($2,282 MILLION, +70 PER CENT), SINGAPORE ($1,390 MILLION, ♦31 PER CENT), INDONESIA ($1,302 MILLION, +23 PER CENT), U.S.A. ($1,232 MILLION, +39 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN ($1,221 MILLION, +40 PER CENT).

INCREASES WERE FOUND LARGELY IN DELIVERIES OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS ($1,815 MILLION, +51 PER CENT), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES ($1,739 MILLION, +52 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($874 MILLION, +15 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY ($664 MILLION, +30 PER CENT) AND CLOTHING ($464 MILLION, +50 PER CENT).

THE TRADE INDEX NUMBERS FOR NOVEMBER, 1978 (1973-100) WERE RELEASED AS FOLLOWS:

VALUE INDEX UNIT VALUE INDEX QUANTUM INDEX

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 234 144 162

IMPORTS 266 147 180

THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX FOR NOVEMBER WAS 98.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

POLL CARDS ISSUED FOR MARCH 8 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION

* * *

POLL CARDS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO FACILITATE THE SPEEDY ISSUE OF BALLOT PAPERS TO VOTERS ON URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION DAY, THURSDAY, MARCH 8 ARE IN THE POST TODAY (TUESDAY).

EACH CARD BEARS THE VOTER’S ELECTRAL NUMBER, HIS NAME AND THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE POLLING STATION AT WHICH HE IS REGISTERED TO VOTE.

THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, MR. KUO KET-CHEN SAID 31,481 POLL CARDS WERE POSTED.

HE REMINDED VOTERS THAT TO VOTE WITH THE MINIMUM OF DELAY, THEY SHOULD PRODUCE THEIR POLL CARDS AND IDENTITY CARDS TO THE STAFF AT THE POLLING STATIONS.

HE ADDED THAT IF AN ELECTOR IS UNABLE TO PRODUCE HIS POLL CARD, HE IS STILL ENTITLED TO VOTE IF HIS NAME IS ON THE FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS AND HE IS ABLE TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER.

+BUT THIS WILL NO DOUBT CAUSE INCONVENIENCE TO THE ELECTOR HIMSELF,+ MR. KUO SAID.

IF VOTERS HAVE MOVED THEIR RESIDENCES AND HAVE NOT NOTIFIED THE REGISTRATION OFFICER OF THE CHANGE, IT IS LIKELY THEIR POLL CARDS WILL BE RETURNED TO THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE.

ANY PERSON WHO DOES NOT RECEIVE HIS POLL CARD WITHIN THREE DAYS SHOULD CONTACT MR. LI KENG-HEI AT TELEPHONE NO. 5-769567

SO THAT A POLL CARD CAN BE DELIVERED TO HIM.

ENQUIRIES ALSO MAY BE MADE CALLING ON MR. LI AT 4 SUNNING ROAD,

KA CHEONG BUILDING, SEVENTH FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

NEW NURSERY TO OPEN IN SAU MAU PING ESTATE ******

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE WILL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ SIXTH GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED NURSERY IN SAU MAU PING ESTATE, KOWLOON.

MR. LEE WILL GIVE A SPEECH AT THE CEREMONY WHILE MRS. LEE WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE TO MARK THE OPENING, TO BE FOLLOWED BY A TOUR OF THE NURSERY’S FACILITIES.

FINANCED BY THE LOTTERIES FUND THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE NEW NURSERY CATERS FOR 120 CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX YEARS FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

NOTE TO EDITORSj

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ SIXTH GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED NURSERY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2.45 P.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT BLOCK 42, SAU MAU PING ESTATE. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE AT 2 P.M. FROM THE EASTERN ENTRANCE OF LEE GARDENS, CAUSEWAY BAY.

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MULT I-MILL ION-DOLLAR AIRPORT CONTRACT ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT TO A JAPANESE FIRM TO SUPPLY AND INSTAL STAGE TWO OF THE SEMI-AUTOMATED DEPARTURE BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE CONTRACT, WORTH MORE THAN $13 MILLION, WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

THE SIGNING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, CAROLINE HILL, SECOND FLOOR, AT NOON.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE MULT I-MILL I ON-DOLLAR STAGE II SEMI-AUTOMATED DEPARTURE BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM FOR THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

IT WILL BE HELD AT THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, CAROLINE HILL, SECOND FLOOR, AT NOON TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) .

OFFICIAL TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. THOSE WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THE TRANSPORT FACILITY SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE RECEPTION OFFICE AT MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, NOT LATER THAN 11.15 A.M.

f OFFICERS FROM PWD’S PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

SUPREME COURT ANNEXE

X X X X

HIGH COURT JUDGES WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR MORE CASES WHEN THE NEW SUPREME COURT ANNEXE OPENS ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR. SIMON MAYO SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE ANNEXE WHICH COMPRISES FOUR COURTS (11-14) IS AT THE FORMER CENTRAL MAGISTRACY IN ARBUTHNOT ROAD.

MR. MAYO SAID THE ANNEXE WAS INTENDED AS A TEMPORARY EXPEDIENT PENDING THE AVAILABILITY OF FURTHER ACCOMMODATION.

♦UNFORTUNATELY,* HE ADDED, +THERE WILL BE NO PARKING FACILITIES FOR LAWYERS AND WITNESSES.*

PROMINENT NOTICES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE NEW ANNEXE TO ENSURE THAT PERSONS HAVING RECOURSE TO THE COURTS KNOW WHERE TO ATTEND.

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POINTERS TO SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT

X X X X X X

nne.r!?’: COLVYN HAYE> DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, TODAY (TUESDAY) OPENED A SERIES OF SEMINARS ON MANAGEMENT IN EDUCATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF SENIOR STAFF IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY IN THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS NR. HAYE SA IDs *THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT IS THE ONLY TO DEAL WITH ONESELF BUT ALSO WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

COLLEGE, ABILITY NOT

+IN A PHRASE, MANAGEMENT IS PEOPLE.*

MR. HAYE FELT THAT MANAGEMENT WAS LARGELY A MATTER OF COMMON SENSE, AND THAT TEACHERS BY DEFINITION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING WERE MANAGERS.

♦THEY FIRST LEARN TO MANAGE THEIR THINKING, TO MANAGE THEMSELVES, TO MANAGE THEIR PUPILS AND, BY EXTENSION, TO MANAGE OTHER PEOPLE,* HE SAID.

LISTING A NUMBER OF MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES, MR. HAYE PLACED ORDERLY THINKING AT THE TOP, CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY TACT, DISCRETION, CONSIDERATION OF OTHERS AND A SENSE OF HUMOUR.

THREE GROUPS WILL BE ATTENDING THE SEMINARS BETWEEN TODAY AND MARCH 15.

THE SEMINARS CENTRE AROUND THE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT ASPECT, AND TOPICS TO BE COVERED ARE RECRUITMENT AND INDUCTION OF NEW STAFF, STAFF DEVELOPMENT, ESTIMATION OF FUTURE STAFF REQUIREMENTS, AND CONFIDENTIAL REPORT WRITING.

SENIOR STAFF FROM THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE ADDRESSING THE GROUPS.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

SWD HELPS STREET SLEEPERS * * *

A FRAGILE OLD MAN, WHO USED TO SLEEP IN THE STREET IN SHEUNG SHU I, NEW TERRITORIES, IS NOW IN GOOD CARE OF AN INSTITUTION WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

THE PLIGHT OF THIS 72-YEAR-OLD MAN, WHO HAS DIFFICULTIES IN MOVING, HEARING AND TALKING, IS AMONG THE 178 CASES OF STREET SLEEPERS BEING HELPED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

THROUGH ITS VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR, THE DEPARTMENT HELPS SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF STREET SLEEPERS EITHER KNOWN OR REFERRED TO IT.

THE DEPARTMENT’S CO-ORDINATOR OF SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS, KR. BASIL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT STREET SLEEPERS COULD BE PROVIDED WITH PUBLIC HOUSING AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE, INCLUDING CASH ASSISTANCE, COUNSELLING, PLACEMENT AND ASSISTANCE IN SEEKING JOBS.

IN ADDITION, HE SAID, A NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS PROVIDE TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STREET SLEEPERS.

MR. LEUNG SAID THE CASE OF THE OLD MAN IN SHEUNG SHU I, WHICH WAS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT LAST MONTH, WAS AN EXAMPLE OF THE MULTIPLE EFFORTS THAT ARE OFTEN NEEDED IN SOLVING A STREET SLEEPER’S PROBLEMS.

HE SAID THE CASEWORKER HELPED THE OLD MAN TO HAVE

MEDICAL CHECK-UPS, MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIM TO APPLY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND LOOKED FOR A SPACE IN AN OLD PEOPLE’S HOME TO MEET HIS NEED FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE.

+NOW HE IS LIVING COMFORTABLY UNDER CARE AND ATTENTION HOME IN KAM TIN. OUR HELP DOES NOT END THERE AS AT PRESENT WE ARE TRYING TO GET A WHEELCHAIR FOR HIM,+ HE SAID.

MR. LEUNG SAID EVERY STREET SLEEPER KNOWN OR REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT WAS VISITED BY ITS SOCIAL WORKERS WHO INVARIABLY MADE KNOWN TO THEM THE FULL RANGE OF SERVICES AVAILABLE AND ASSISTING THEM IN OBTAINING THESE SERVICES IF THEY SO WISHED.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, NOT ALL ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT HELP AND IN FACT SOME OF THEM HAVE EITHER IGNORED OR REFUSED OFFERS BECAUSE THEY PREFER TO LIVE IN THEIR OWN STYLE.

HE POINTED OUT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STREET SLEEPERS IN HONG KONG AS THEY WANDER FROM PLACE TO PLACE.

+WE WELCOME ANYONE WHO REFERS THE WHEREABOUTS OF STREET SLEEPERS AND OUR SOCIAL WORKERS WILL GO OUT TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR PROBLEMS,* HE SAID.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 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 CHAN PING-KUEN ON OCTOBER 5, 1977, BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.

CHAN WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF DETECTIVE CONSTABLE TSOI KOON-LOI IN KOWLOON ON OCTOBER 12, 1976.

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VIEWS OF RESIDENTS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION ******

THE GOVERNMENT WISHED TO MAKE SURE THE VIEWS OF LOCAL PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION IN ALL MATTERS AFFECTING THEIR WELL BEING, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR. JOHN TODD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

HE SAID THAT TO ACHIEVE THIS THERE MUST BE REGULAR CLOSE CONTACTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITIES.

MR. TODD WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ♦PANORAMA OF SHA TIN* PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION WHICH SHOWS THE RAPID TRANSFORMATION OF SHA TIN FROM A TRADITIONAL VILLAGE COMMUNITY TO A SELF-CONTAINED NEW TOWN.

♦THE'GOVERNMENT REALISES THAT ALL THIS LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENT HAS MEANT THAT THE DAILY LIVES OF A LARGE NUMBER OF SHA TIN RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN AND ARE BEING AFFECTED,+ HE SAID.

MR. TODD THANKED THE SHA TIN RESIDENTS AND SAID, +THEIR CO-OPERATION HAS ENABLED WORK ON SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO TAKE PLACE IN THE IMPRESSIVE SCALE WHICH WE CAN SEE TODAY.♦

MR. TODD PRAISED THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD FOR SETTING UP A PUBLICITY AND COMMUNICATION SUB-COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP BETTER CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE LOCAL PEOPLE, AND ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT BY ALL PEOPLE IN SHA TIN.

THE EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, HELD AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL TILL THURSDAY, FEATURES ILLUSTRATIONS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF SHA TIN IN THE MING AND CHING DYNASTIES, ITS SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE OLD DAYS AND THE PRESENT DAYS.

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/11

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

BACK FROM ASIA AQUATECH 79 CONFERENCE ******

MR. WONG KWOK-LAI, GOVERNMENT ENGINEER (SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION), OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, HAS RETURNED AFTER ATTENDING A THREE-DAY REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN SINGAPORE ON WATER SUPPLY.

IT WAS THE FIRST REGIONAL MEETING SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WATER SUPPLY ASSOCIATION (IWSA) WHICH HOLDS AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS.

THE CONFERENCE, ENTITLED ASIA AQUATECH 79 CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION, AIMS TO PROMOTE TECHNOLOGY IN WATER AND MANAGEMENT. IT WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 120 DELEGATES FRQM 25 COUNTRIES.

AT THE CONFERENCE, MR. WONG PRESENTED A PAPER ON STAFF TRAINING AT THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.

AMONG OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED WERE FINANCING, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF “WATER WORKS, WATER CONSUMPTION AS A DESIGNED CRITERIA AND WATER ENGINEERING IN THE PREVENTION OF TROPICAL WATER RELATED DISEASES.

WHILE IN SINGAPORE, MR. WONG DISCUSSED WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE SINGAPORE WATER DEPARTMENT ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.

HE ALSO VISITED THE EXHIBITION, STAGED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CONFERENCE, AND SOME OF THE WATER WORKS INSTALLATIONS IN SINGAPORE.

THE NEXT IWSA CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN PARIS.

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/12

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

SNT LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE SECONDARY SCHOOL ******

THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IS VITAL FOR THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN COMMUNITY, THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG TAOIST ASSOCIATION YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE NO. 1 SECONDARY SCHOOL AT WO YIP HO ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, MR. HAYES SAIDt + IN PURSUIT OF THIS AIM, FIVE NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS WERE COMPLETED IN TSUEN WAN LAST YE4R AND ANOTHER FIVE ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

♦TEN OTHERS ARE INCLUDED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, WITH SITE RESERVED, WITH MORE SECONDARY SCHOOLS PROJECTED FOR AREAS SCHEDULED FOR DEVELOPMENT OR RE-DEVELOPMENT.*

MR. HAYES PRAISED THE INSTITUTE AND THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROVISION OF A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING A HOME AT LO WAI FOR THE ELDERLY AND TWO PRIMARY SCHOOLS, ONE OF WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE KWAI SHING ESTATE OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.

TODAY’S FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY WAS PERFORMED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES.

THE NEW SCHOOL, AT A COST OF $8 MILLION, WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE ASSOCIATION FOR MANAGEMENT ON COMPLETION IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.

IT WILL CONSIST OF A SCHOOL HALL, 24 CLASSROOMS AND 12 SPECIAL LECTURE ROOMS FOR 1,250 STUDENTS.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

PREVOCATIONAL STUDENTS COMPETE IN RACES

******

MORE THAN 7,000 STUDENTS WILL BE ATTENDING A JOINT ATHLETIC l*EET OF THE 13 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE SOUTH CHINA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION STADIUM.

MR. Y.T. LI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND BUILDING) WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND PRESENT TROPHIES TO THE WINNERS AFTER THE EVENT.

ABOUT 700 ATHLETES FROM THE SCHOOLS WILL BE TAKING PART IN OVER 40 EVENTS, INCLUDING TRACK EVENTS, RELAY RACES, HIGH JUMP, LONG JUMP AND SHOT PUT.

PRELIMINARY RACES WERE HELD ON JANUARY 13.

THE 13 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ARE:

BISHOP HALL MEMORIAL PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL- CARITAS ST. FRANCIS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL- CARITAS ST. GODFREY PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLCAR ITAS ST. JOSEPH PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL- CARITAS ST. PAUL

• PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL- C.C.C. ROTARY PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL- CMA PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL- COTTON SPINNERS ASSOCIATION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL- HOLY CARPENTER PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL- MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL - CHAI WAN- MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL - SHATIN- MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL - TUEN MUN- AND TANG KING PO SCHOOL PREVOCATIONAL SECTION.

NOTE TO ED ITORS»

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE JOINT ATHLETIC MEET OF THE 13 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AT THE SOUTH CHINA ASSOCIATION STADIUM, CAROLINE HILL ROAD, TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FROM 9.15 A.M. THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 3 P.M.

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/14......

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1979

ROAD RE-ROUTED * * * *

THE SECTION OF PO YAN STREET BETWEEN NEW STREET AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY AND NEW STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE STREETS ARE BEING RE-ROUTED ON COMPLETION OF ROADWORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND PO YAN STREET.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

WATER CUT * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A BE STOPPED FROM.11 P.M. LEAKAGE TESTS.

DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE MID-LEVELS WILL ON THURSDAY TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY FOR

PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY LYTTELTON ROAD, BABINGTON ROAD aSd OAKLANDS PATH, INCLUDING BREEZY PATH, PO YUEN LANE BREEZY TERRACE 12-30 BONHAM ROAD, 6A-10 PARK ROAD, HON I TON ROAD, AND UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCE CHARLES VISITS SHA TIN ON MARCH 4 ....................... 1

ROYAL VISIT s PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISIT TO TOY FACTORY .. 2

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY ARRIVES FOR FOUR-DAY VISIT . 3

RHINO HORNS BANNED IN HONG KONG ................................ 3

COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR TSUEN WAN TOWN WELL UNDERWAY .......... 5

S13.2 MILLION AIRPORT CONTRACT ................................. 5

NEW NURSERY OPENS IN SAU MAU PING............................... 6

3 WAN CHAI BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ........................ 6

TWO-DAY CAMP FOR S.W.D.’S DISABLED TRAINEES .................... 7

FIRE WATCH SCHEME INAUGURATION CEREMONY ........................ 8

WATER CUT....................................................... 3

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES VISITS SHA TIN ON MARCH 4

*****

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE CHARLES, ON HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG EARLY NEXT MONTH, WILL BEGIN A SERIES OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS ON MARCH 4 BY TOURING SHA TIN.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, PRINCE CHARLES WILL ARRIVE AT A LOOKOUT POINT AT SIU LEK YUEN.

ON ARRIVAL HE WILL BE GREETED BY MR. JOHN DON, DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, MR. GERRY HIGGINSON, SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, AND MR. FONG CHUN-NAM, SHA TIN PROJECT MANAGER.

FROM THERE, THE PRINCE WILL HAVE A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE AREA WHILE MR. FONG WILL BRIEF HIM ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN SHA TIN.

THE POPULATION OF SHA TIN AT PRESENT IS 48,000, BUT THE FIGURE IS PROJECTED TO REACH 550,000 BY 1986, WITH ABOUT 60 PER CENT LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING.

THERE ARE SEVERAL SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS IN THE AREA, NOTABLY THE NEW RACE COURSE AND THE CLOSENESS TO BOTH URBAN AREAS AND SOME FINE COUNTRY PARKS.

THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. GERRY HIGGINSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE FOCAL POINT OF THE WHOLE SHA TIN DEVELOPMENT IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TOWN CENTRE OCCUPYING A SITE OF 22 HECTARES BORDERED BY RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND THE RIVERSIDE PARK.

♦IT WILL INCLUDE A MAJOR REGIONAL SHOPPING COMPLEX WITH MAJOR DEPARTMENT STORES AND OTHER SHOPS CLOSELY LINKED TO THE TOWN HALL AND THE RAILWAY STATION,+ HE SAID.

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OVER THE SHOPPING AREAS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SCHEME, AND TOWER BLOCKS FOR SOME 40,000 PEOPLE ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

OFFICE ACCOMMODATION WILL INITIALLY BE PROVIDED IN A 10-ST0REY BLOCK ADJACENT TO THE RAILWAY STATION, BUT SITES HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR ADDITIONAL BLOCKS NEXT TO THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE.

THE TOWN HALL WILL INCLUDE A 1,500 SEAT AUDITORIUM -- CONCERT HALL, A RESTAURANT, LIBRARY AND REHEARSAL ROOMS UNDER GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT.

MR. HIGGINSON POINTED OUT COMMUNICATIONS WOULD BE IMPROVED BY THE ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY BY 1981 WITH A HIGH FREQUENCY SERVICE TO KOWLOON AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE NEW STATIONS AT TAI WAI, THE TOWN CENTRE AND FO TAN.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1979

+A BUS SERVICE LINKED TO THE RAILWAY SYSTEM FORMS PART OF THE PLANNED INTEGRATED TRANSPORT SYSTEM, AS IS A NETWORK OF SEPARATE CYCLE PATHS RUNNING THROUGH THE CITY AND OUT TO THE COUNTRY,* HE ADDED.

THE TOWN CENTRE WILL BE DEVELOPED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAREFULLY-DEVISED CONTROL DRAWINGS AND LEASE CONDITIONS TO ENSURE HIGH STANDARDS.

OTHER FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE NEW TOWN WILL INCLUDE 41 GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS, 45 GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS, TWO SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES, A 1,400-BED TEACHING HOSPITAL, AND COMMUNITY CENTRE AND HALLS.

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ROYAL VISIT: PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISIT TO TOY FACTORY

#•*#***

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE VISIT OF HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES TO A FACTORY HAVE BEEN FINALISED.

COPIES OF THE ARRANGEMENTS, NOMINATION FORM AND THREE DIAGRAMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING FROM GIS PRESS BOXES ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. PAGE 15 OF THE PRESS ARRANGEMENTS PROGRAMME ISSUED ON TUESDAY SHOULD EE REPLACED WITH THE DETAILS RELEASED TODAY.

YOU ARE REMINDED THAT ALL NOMINATION FORMS MUST EE RETURNED TO THE ROYAL VISIT PRESS OFFICER, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, SIXTH FLOOR, BY 5 P.M. ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 23).

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1979.

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY ARRIVES FOR FOUR-DAY VISIT *****

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY, THE RT. HON. ERIC VARLEY, MP, ARRIVED IN HONG KONG THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT BEFORE LEAVING FOR PEKING.

MR. VARLEY WAS MET AT KAI TAK AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, l*R. DAVID JORDAN, THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR. D.M. MARCH AND THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR. G.T. BURGESS.

ACCOMPANYING MR. VARLEY ON HIS VISIT TO PEKING WILL BE NR. GEORGE PARK, MP, PARLIAMENTARY PRIVATE SECRETARY- MR. A. DUGUID, PRIVATE SECRETARY- LORD NELSON, CHAIRMAN OF GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SINO-BRITISH TRADE COUNCIL- MR. A.E. HAMMOND, EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS AND PLUMBERS TRADE UNION- MR. A.J. LIPPITT, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT CF INDUSTRY- MR. C. PRISTON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND MR. R. MATHRANI, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY.

DURING HIS STAY HERE, MR. VARLEY WILL BE BRIEFED ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENTS.

HIS PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDES A HELICOPTER TOUR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES.

SIR MURRAY WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY MR. VARLEY TO MEET MEMBERS OF THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BOARD AND TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD.

MR. VARLEY WILL THEN MEET SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY LEADERS AND BRITISH BUSINESSMEN, VISIT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND GO ON A LAUNCH TRIP TO SEE THE HARBOUR, CONTAINER TERMINALS AND MODERN FACTORIES.

HE WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY AT KAI TAK AIRPORT BEFORE LEAVING FOR PEKING BY AIR.

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RHINO HORNS BANNED IN HONG KONG

*****

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL NO LONGER ISSUE IMPORT LICENCES FOR RHINOCEROS HORNS, THEIR PARTS OR DERIVATIVES.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. TED NICHOLS, SAID ALL SPECIES OF RHINOCEROS ARE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE WHICH GIVES EFFECT LOCALLY TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES CF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1979

THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION WAS IMMEDIATELY HAILED BY THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND INTERNATIONAL BASED IN SWITZERLAND.

ITS CONSERVATION DIRECTOR AND SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC ADVISER, DR. LEE TALBOT SAID IN A TELEX MESSAGE TO THE FUND’S PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, MR. DAVID MITCHELL WHO IS NOW IN TOKYOi +THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S NEW MOVE IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PRECEDENT. RHINOS TODAY ARE ONE OF THE MOST CRITICALLY ENDANGERED AND MOST RAPIDLY DECLINING SPECIES IN THE WORLD DUE TO THE HEAVY DEMAND FOR THEIR HORNS.*

DR. TALBOT SAID THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, ESTABLISHED IN 1961, HAS BEEN CONCERNED FOR THE DEMAND FOR RHINO PRODUCTS PROVIDED BY HONG KONG AND ACCORDINGLY APPLAUDED THIS ACTION.

♦WE TRUST THAT OTHER MAJOR CENTRES OF TRADE IN ANIMAL PRODUCTS WILL FOLLOW HONG KONG’S EXCELLENT LEAD AND WILL SIMILARLY BAN ALL TRADE IN RHINO HORNS,+ HE ADDED.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK MR. MITCHELL WAS HERE FOR TALKS WITH NR. NICHOLS AND HIS CONSERVATION OFFICERS ON HONG KONG’S ENACTMENT OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THE LOCAL ORDINANCE.

MR. NICHOLS SAID SINCE THE ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT IN 1976, 15 LICENCES FOR IMPORTING RHINO HORNS AND ONE FOR RHINO HIDE HAVE BEEN ISSUED.

IN ALL CASES, HE CONTINUED, THE CONSIGNMENTS WERE SUPPORTED BY APPROPRIATE EXPORT PERMITS FROM THE COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN WHICH ARE PARTIES OR SIGNATORIES TO THE CONVENTION.

HE SAID THE BAN IS BEING INTRODUCED AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON IVORY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION LTD WHOSE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN THE MAJOR IMPORTERS OF RHINO HORNS.

♦SUCH SUPPORT FROM THE TRADE IS MOST ENCOURAGING AND IT IS ONLY THROUGH TRADE CO-OPERATION THAT EFFECTIVE CONTROLS CAN BE ACHIEVED.*

MR. NICHOLS EMPHASISED THAT SUCH TOTAL BANS WILL APPLY ONLY TO SPECIES WHICH ARE PARTICULARLY RARE. A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER WILDLIFE PRODUCTS CAN STILL BE TRADED WITHOUT HINDERANCE PROVIDED IT WAS DONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONVENTION.

FOLLOWING ALLEGATIONS IN RECENT PRESS REPORTS FROM TANZANIA THAT HONG KONG IS A MAJOR IMPORTER OF POACHED RHINO HORNS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECEIVED NO INFORMATION FROM THE AUTHORITIES IN TANZANIA OR ELSEWHERE OF ANY SUCH CONSIGNMENTS.

+IF THE GOVERNMENT RECEIVES SUCH INFORMATION, THE MATTER WILL BE MOST CAREFULLY INVESTIGATED,* HE SAID.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1979

COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR TSUEN WAN TOWN WELL UNDERWAY ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS IN THE FOREFRONT OF DEVELOPING COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR THE FAST GROWING SATELLITE CITY.

THE NEW TOWNS GENERALLY ARE PROGRESSING AT A RATE THAT MAKES VISITORS BLINK IN AWE, AND A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID TSUEN WAN IS IN NO WAY EXCLUDED.

MANY COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN THE TOWN TOOK SHAPE DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF LAST YEAR, HE POINTED OUT.

TWO PRIMARY AND FOUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS WERE COMPLETED, PILING TENDERS FOR THE URBAN CLINIC AT LEI MUK SHUE RECEIVED, AND PILING WORKS FOR THE KWAI CHUNG INDOOR GAMES HALL HAVE STARTED.

PLANS ALSO HAVE ALL BEEN UPGRADED FOR A COMMUNITY HALL AT SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE, A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX IN KWAI CHUNG, A MARKETLIBRARY BUILDING AT SHEK YAM AND A COOKED FOOD CENTRE AND LORRY PARKING AREA IN KWAI CHUNG.

PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION INCLUDED SEVEN SECONDARY AND TWO PRIMARY SCHOOLS, QUARTERS FOR FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL, A MULTIPURPOSE AUDITORIUM, A CREMATORIUM AND COLUMBARIUM, A PERMANENT MARKET AND AN ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING.

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813.2 MILLION AIRPORT CONTRACT * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $13.2 MILLION CONTRACT TO OKURA YUSOKI CO. LTD. TO SUPPLY AND INSTALL AN AUTOMATED DEPARTURE BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE CONTRACT IS BEING SUPERVISED BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF PWD ON BEHALF OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT. THE CONTRACT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY MR. GRAHAM OSBORNE, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND MR. N. OKURA, PRESIDENT OF OKURA LTD.

MR. OSBORNE SAID THE WORK CONSTITUTES THE SECOND AND FINAL STAGE OF A COMPUTERISED, CONVEYOR BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM. THE FIRST STAGE OF WHICH WAS ALSO UNDERTAKEN BY THE JAPANESE COMPANY.

THIS FINAL STAGE IS DESIGNED TO HANDLE 3,600 BAGS PER HOUR AND IS TO BE COMMISSIONED IN TWO PHASES, THE FIRST IN JANUARY ’ 1980 AND THE SECOND IN SEPTEMBER, 1981.

THE HONG KONG AGENT FOR OKURA LTD. IS SUMITOMO CORPORATION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1979

NEW NURSERY OPENS IN SAU MAU PING *****

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS REGISTERED MORE THAN 200 CHILD CARE CENTRES SINCE THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE CAME INTO OPERATION IN JUNE 1976.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID THIS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUNG WAH NURSERY IN SAU MAU PING ESTATE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HIS WIFE LATER UNVEILED A PLAQUE, FOLLOWED BY A TOUR OF ITS FACILITIES.

MR. LEE SAID MORE THAN HALF OF THE REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRES ARE SUBSIDISED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP PARENTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO PRIVATE NURSERIES.

WITH THE RAPID COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG, HE SAID, MORE MARRIED WOMEN ARE TAKING UP JOBS TO HELP BOOST FAMILY INCOME.

+WHILE SOME ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN TAKEN CARE OF BY FRIENDS OR RELATIVES, THERE ARE OTHER PARENTS OF SMALL FAMILIES WHO NEED CHILD CARE SERVICE,* HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT A CHILD CARE CENTRE NOT ONLY PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH MEALS BUT ALSO TAKES CARE OF THEIR DAILY LIFE WITH EMPHASIS ON THEIR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT.

HE PRAISED THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN VARIOUS SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF CHILD CARE.

THE SAU MAU PING NURSERY, WITH A CAPACITY OF 120, IS THE SIXTH GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED DAY NURSERY RUN BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP, WHICH ALSO OPERATES A SELF-SUPPORTING NON-PROFIT MAKING NURSERY.

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3 WAN CHAI BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ******

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DECLARED NOS. 2, 4 AND 6 TIK LUNG LANE, WAN CHAI, TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, A BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE TWO-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS, CONSTRUCTED WITH LOAD-BEARING WALLS AND TIMBER FLOORS AND ROOFS, HAVE BEEN UNDER REGULAR OBSERVATION SINCE 1966.

A RECENT INSPECTION REVEALED SERIOUS OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF THE KITCHEN BLOCKS TO NOS. 2 AND 4 AND THE MAIN FRONT WALL OF NO. 6 HAD OCCURRED.

THE STRUCTURAL TIMBERS ARE ALSO BADLY DECAYED IN MANY PLACES.

+AS THERE IS NOW A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILDINGS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON MARCH 22 WERE POSTED TODAY.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1979

7 -

TWO-DAY CAMP FOR S.W.D.’S DISABLED TRAINEES ******

MORE THAN 200 DISABLED TRAINEES FROM ONE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REHABILITATION CENTRES TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TOOK PART IN A TWO-DAY CAMP IN TUEN MUN ORGANISED IN RESPONSE TO THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD.

MOST OF THE TRAINEES, FROM THE WORLD REHABILITATION FUND DAY CENTRE, ARE STAYING OVERNIGHT AT THE CAMP SITE IN HOH FOK TONG CENTRE.

THEIR FUN-FILLED CAMPING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE BARBARCUE, GROUP GAMES, RAFFLE DRAW AND VARIETY SHOW.

A LEADING TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY LEADER, MR. YUENG CHUN-P&I, HAS DONATED 310,000 TOWARDS THE CAMP, AS WELL AS OTHER ACTIVITIES TO BE ORGANISED BY THE REHABILITATION CENTRE.

RECEIVING THE DONATION FROM MR. YEUNG AT A CEREMONY AT THE CAMP SITE THIS AFTERNOON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS. EVELYN DOE, SAID ORGANISING THE CAMP WAS IN LINE WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE YEAR OF THE CHILD, WHICH IS TO AROUSE WIDESPREAD CONCERN ON THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN.

MRS. DOE SAID THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OBJECTIVE, THE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES, HAD BEEN ORGANISING A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO HELP PROMOTE THE WELL BEING OF CHILDREN.

♦ON THE OTHER HAND, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO BEEN EQUALLY CONCERNED WITH THE WELL BEING OF THE DISABLED,+ SHE SAID.

AT PRESENT, SHE SAID, THE DEPARTMENT IS RUNNING 19 REHABILITATION INSTITUTIONS CATERING FOR ABOUT 1,780 PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND MENTALLY DISABLED PEOPLE.

OF THESE, THE WORLD REHABILITATION FUND DAY CENTRE IS ONE, PROVIDING BOTH PRE-VOCATIONAL AND VOCATION TRAINING TO THE DISABLED AS WELL AS HELPING THEM TO ACHIEVE A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT THROUGH A VARIETY OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, SHE SAID.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1979

- 8 -FIRE WATCH SCHEME INAUGURATION CEREMONY * * * *

A FIRE WATCH SCHEME WILL BE INAUGURATED AT A CEREMONY AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL, PAT HEUNG, YUEN LONG ON FRIDAY.

THE PILOT SCHEME IS A PART OF THIS YEAR’S FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN PREVENTING FIRE.

IN THE INITIAL STAGE, RESIDENTS IN SQUATTER AREAS AND VILLAGES WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO FORM FIRE PATROL TEAMS TO HELP PREVENT OUTBREAK OF FIRE IN HOMES.

ADVICE AND GUIDANCE WILL BE GIVEN TO THESE TEAMS. THE FIRE SERVICES AND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENTS AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAVE WORKED CLOSELY TOGETHER IN THE PAST MONTHS TO GET THE SCHEME STARTED.

DURING THE CEREMONY, REPRESENTATIVES FROM 26 NEWLY FORMED FIRE WATCH PATROLS FROM SQUATTER AREAS AND VILLAGES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG WILL EACH BE PRESENTED WITH A SOUVENIR PLAQUE.

THE HONOURABLE CHARLES YEUNG, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY WITH FOUR REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A FIRE DRILL BY TRAINEES OF THE TRAINING SCHOOL TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE AUDIENCE THE PROPER WAY OF USING DIFFERENT FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT TO COMBAT FIRE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FIRE WATCH SCHEME INAUGURATION CEREMONY ON FRIDAY AT 2.30 P.M. AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL, PAT HEUNG, YUEN LONG. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A PRESS COACH * ILL LEAVE QUEEN’S PIER, CENTRAL, AT 1.15 P.M. SHARP FOR YUEN LONG. G.I.S. OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

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WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU WILL BE STOPPED FROM 9 P.M. ON FRIDAY TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS CONNECTION AT ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD AND YUE KWONG ROAD.

IN ABERDEEN, AFFECTED PREMISES WILL BE FROM OLD MAIN STREET TO TIN WAN INCLUDING YUE KWONG , SHEK PAI WAN AND TIN WAN ESTATES, TIN WAN LICENSED AREA, DAIRY FARM IN TIN WAN AND HING *AI COLD STORAGE.

ALL PREMISES IN AP LEI CHAU, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC POWER STATION, wILL EE AFFECTED.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY MEETS MEMBERS OF TEXTILES, TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARDS ............... 1

PRINCE CHARLES TO ATTEND PHILHARMONIC CONCERT .............. 2

MORE TRADE TALKS FOR HONG KONG ............................ 3

INITIAL AGREEMENT REACHED ON TECHNICAL ASPECTS FOR THROUGH KOWLOON-GUANGZHOU PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICE .......... 3

KWANGTUNG OFFICIALS HERE TO SEE PWD PROJECTS ............... 4

INCREASES IN COMPENSATION FOR LAND RESUMED IN THE URBAN AREA ....................................................... 4

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS ...................................... 5

76 FACTORIES TO GET FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE ........... 5

SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY SERVICE FOR TWO KOWLOON URBAN COACH ROUTES ............................................... 6

CONTAINER OF MAIL LOST OVERBOARD ........................... 6

MORE MONEY FOR FARMERS ..................................... 7

TWO CROWN LAND LOTS SOLD ................................... 7

FIVE CROWN LAND LOTS TO BE SOLD ............................ 8

SLIP ROAD BECOMES URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ZONE .......... 8

CLEAN SHA TIN WEEK ......................................... 9

PRISONS DEPARTMENT PASSING OUT PARADE ...................... 9

WATER CUT ................................................. 10

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY MEETS MEMBERS OF TEXTILES, TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARDS ******

THE BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY, MR ERIC VARLEY, TODAY (THURSDAY) MET UNOFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VARIOUS SECTORS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AT A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD AND THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, MR VARLEY WAS INTRODUCED TO THE BOARDS’ MEMBERS BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. DAVID JORDAN WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF BOTH BOARDS.

THE JOINT MEETING WAS HELD IN THE OCEAN CENTRE HEADQUARTERS OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT.

THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS OF POLICY AFFECTING TRADE AND INDUSTRY OTHER THAN TEXTILES.

THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD IS A MORE SPECIALISED BODY WHICH ADVISES ON ALL MATTERS OF POLICY CONCERNING THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES. IT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN NEGOTIATIONS OF ALL TEXTILE RESTRAINT AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO BY HONG KONG.

EARLIER, MR. VARLEY AND SIR MURRAY HAD A MEETING WITH THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER- THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR. D.G. JEAFFRESON, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, MR. D.J.C. JONES- SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION, MR. DAVID FORD- DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR. DAVID WONG AND THE POLITICAL ADVISER, DR. D.C. WILSON.

FOLLOWING THIS, MR. VARLEY, ACCOMPANIED BY SIR MURRAY AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKER-JONES, BOARDED A HELICOPTER TO SEE THE MASSIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES TO ATTEND PHILHARMONIC CONCERT *****

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL MEET SOME OF THE LEADING CONTRIBUTORS TO HONG KONG’S CULTURAL LIFE WHEN HE ATTENDS A CONCERT ON SUNDAY, MARCH 4, BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA.

A SMALL GROUP OF MUSICIANS, INCLUDING COMPOSERS AND PERFORMERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF CHINESE OPERA AND LOCAL BALLET AND DRAMA GROUPS WILL BE PRESENTED TO HIM AT A RECEPTION TO BE GIVEN DURING THE INTERVAL BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND LADY MACLEHOSE.

PRINCE CHARLES HAS EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG’S CULTURAL LIFE AND ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT, AND IS TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY DURING HIS BRIEF VISIT HERE TO OBSERVE THE PHILHARMONIC IN PERFORMANCE AND TO SAVOUR SOMETHING OF THE ATMOSPHERE OF HONG KONG’S ANNUAL ARTS FESTIVAL, OF WHICH THE CONCERT FORMS A PART.

ON HIS ARRIVAL AT THE CITY HALL, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL BE MET BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR. A. DE 0. SALES, AND MRS. SALES, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL COMMITTEE. SIR RUN RUN SHAW.

IN THE CONCERT HALL, A ROLL OF DRUMS, TO SIGNAL THE PARTY’S ENTRY, WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, AFTER WHICH THE GUEST CONDUCTOR, ALUN FRANCIS WILL LEAD THE PHILHARMONIC IN THE OPENING ITEM OF THE PROGRAMME, WEBER’S OVERTURE TO OBERON.

THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE GRIEG PIANO CONCERTO, FOR WHICH THE SOLOIST WILL BE HONG KONG PIANIST MISS MELODY WU. THE INTERVAL WILL BE FOLLOWED BY TCHAIKOVSKY’S 4TH SYMPHONY.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979

MORE TRADE TALKS FOR HONG KONG

*****

HONG KONG DELEGATIONS WOULD BE LEAVING SHORTLY FOR FURTHER ROUNDS OF TRADE TALKS ON TEXTILES WITH SWEDEN AND THE UNITED STATES. THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR. LAWRENCE MILLS ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).

♦WE SHALL BE RESUMING TALKS REGARDING THE FUTURE OF OUR CURRENT EXPORT RESTRAINT AGREEMENT WITH SWEDEN IN THE WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 5 IN COPENHAGEN,♦ MR. MILLS SAID.

♦THESE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY FURTHER TALKS WITH THE UNITED STATES ON TEXTILES ON MARCH 14 IN LONDON.+

MR. MILLS WILL LEAVE HONG KONG TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING FOR GENEVA WHERE HE WILL ATTEND THE NEXT MEETING OF THE TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY.

HE WILL ALSO SEE MR. PETER TSAO, COUNSELLOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS, TO DISCUSS LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS CURRENTLY BEING HELD IN GENEVA.

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

INITIAL AGREEMENT REACHED ON TECHNICAL ASPECTS FOR THROUGH KOWLOON-GUANGZHOU PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICE *****

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (BRITISH SECTION) AND THE GUANGZHOU RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION HAVE, OVER THE PAST 10 DAYS. HELD DISCUSSIONS ON PROPOSALS TO INTRODUCE A THROUGH PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON AND GUANGZHOU (CANTON).

A SPOKESMAN FOR KCR SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN HELD IN A FRIENDLY AND CO-OPERATIVE ATMOSPHERE AND THAT INITIAL AGREEMENT HAS NOW BEEN REACHED ON THE MAIN TECHNICAL ASPECTS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SERVICE.

♦OUTSTANDING DETAILS WILL THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

BE RESOLVED AT A FURTHER MEETING,+

BOTH SIDES, HE SAID, HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO TAKE STEPS TO SPEED UP THE PREPARATORY WORK NECESSARY FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE AND, AS SOON AS THE PREPARATIONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, A DATE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED.

♦BEFORE FINAL INTRODUCTION OF THE SERVICE BOTH SIDES WILL CONDUCT A TEST RUN,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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j THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979

- 4 -

KWANGTUNG OFFICIALS HERE TO SEE PWD PROJECTS * * ft * *

A SEVEN-MEMBER TEAM OF OFFICIALS FROM THE KWANGTUNG BUREAU OF WATER CONSERVANCY AND ELECTRIC POWER ARE IN HONG KONG AS GUESTS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THE VISITORS, HEADED BY MR. FUNG CHI-YAN, DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU, WILL BE HERE FOR FIVE OR SIX DAYS.

ON ARRIVAL TODAY (THURSDAY) THE CHINESE OFFICIALS VISITED THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S PUMPING STATION AT MUK WU.

THEY WILL BE MEETING A NUMBER OF PWD OFFICIALS AND VISITING VARIOUS PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, INCLUDING HIGH ISLAND, SHA TIN NEW TOWN, THE SPACE MUSEUM IN TSIM SHA TSUI, PLOVER COVE AND OCEAN PARK.

MR. FUNG AND HIS TEAM WERE INVITED TO HONG KONG BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MACDONALD DURING HIS TRIP TO CHINA LAST YEAR TO SIGN THE LATEST WATER AGREEMENT.

MR. FUNG SIGNED THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE KWANGTUNG AUTHORITIES.

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

INCREASES IN COMPENSATION FOR LAND RESUMED IN THE URBAN AREA ft ft ft ft

COMPENSATION RATES FOR OLD SCHEDULED LOTS, WHICH ARE RESUMED IN NEW KOWLOON, AND VILLAGE LOTS, WHICH ARE RESUMED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, HAVE BEEN INCREASED, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE NEW RATES ARE EFFECTIVE FROM NOVEMBER 1 LAST YEAR.

OWNERS OF OLD SCHEDULED AGRICULTURAL LAND WILL BE COMPENSATED AT THE RATE OF $43 PER SQUARE FOOT INSTEAD OF $15 PER SQUARE FOOT, AN INCREASE OF OVER 180 PER CENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

OWNERS OF OLD SCHEDULED BUILDING LAND, WHICH IS REQUIRED TO BE RESUMED, WOULD BE OFFERED $600 PER SQUARE FOOT, AN AMOUNT WHICH INCLUDES THE VALUE OF THE LAND PLUS AN ELEMENT OF EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION.

THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 100 PER CENT OVER THE CURRENT FIGURE, HE SAID.

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/5....

IHURSDAT, t-tOKUAKT ZZ,

I'J

- 5 -

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS ******

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THE 65O-ODD GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE INVITED BETWEEN MARCH 1 AND 15, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).

DURING THIS TWO-WEEK PERIOD, THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICATION FORMS FOR PRIMARY 1 TO 6 WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS ON PRODUCTION OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES OR OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS.

♦CHILDREN NEED NOT ACCOMPANY THEIR PARENTS,+ HE SAID.

INTERVIEWS FOR ADMISSION TO PRIMARY 1 WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, MARCH 16.

♦NO FORMAL TESTS WILL BE HELD,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

SELECTION OF PRIMARY 2 TO 6 APPLICANTS WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 20.

♦THE RIGHT AGE OF ENTRY TO PRIMARY 1 IS FULLY SIX ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1979. HOWEVER, ADMISSION WILL BE OPEN TO CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGE OF SIX AND EIGHT,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE ADDED THAT PUPILS REGARDED AS OVERAGE BY MORE THAN TWO YEARS FOR ANY GRADE SHOULD BE REFERRED BY THE SCHOOL TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR TESTING AND FOR A RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE PLACED IN NORMAL OR SPECIAL CLASSES.

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

76 FACTORIES TO GET FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE *****

SEVENTY-SIX TAI KOK TSUI FACTORIES WILL BE SERVED WITH FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES FOLLOWING A SURPRISE CHECK BY FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OFFICERS THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.

THE FACTORIES ARE REQUIRED TO REMOVE THE HAZARDS WITHIN A STIPULATED PERIOD OR ELSE BE SUMMONSED.

MORE THAN 500 FACTORY UNITS IN 20 INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS CHOSEN AT RANDOM WERE INSPECTED BY 20 FIRE OFFICERS AND 10 SENIOR FIREMEN HEADED BY DIVISIONAL OFFICER, MR. K. HODGINS.

♦THE GENERAL SITUATION IN FIRE PREVENTION IN THE AREA HAS BEEN IMPROVED. MOST OF THE NOTICES TO BE SERVED ARE ONLY FOR MINOR OBSTRUCT IONS,+ MR. HODGINS SAID.

♦THIS TYPE OF SURPRISE INSPECTION WILL CONTINUE IN ORDER TO MINIMISE FIRE RISKS IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS,♦ HE SAID.

A TOTAL OF 13 CASES OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON ROOFTOPS USED FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES WILL BE REFERRED TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR ACTION.

DURING THE DAY’S INSPECTION, SPECIAL ATTENTION WAS PAID TO THE h€ANS OF ESCAPE AND ROOF EXITS.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979

SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY SERVICE FOR TWO KOWLOON URBAN COACH ROUTE . * * ft ft ft

TWO KOWLOON URBAN EXPRESS COACH ROUTES, NO. 207 AND 208, WILL BE EXTENDED TO OPERATE ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS STARTING THIS SUNDAY. „

‘THIS FOLLOWS RECENT REQUESTS FROM RESIDENTS IN BROADCAST DRIVE AND BEACON HILL TO EXTEND THE WEEKDAY SERVICE TO SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

ROUTE 207 OPERATES BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND BEACON HILL ROAD AND ROUTE 208 OPERATES BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND BROADCAST DRIVE.

FROM SUNDAY, THE HOLIDAY SERVICE ON ROUTE 207 WILL OPERATE ON 30-MINUTE AND 45-MINUTE FREQUENCIES.

THE FIRST BUS WILL LEAVE BEACON HILL ROAD AT 9 A.M. AND THE LAST BUS AT 6.45 P.M. THE FIRST BUS TO LEAVE TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE AT 9.30 A.M. AND THE LAST BUS AT 7.15 P.M.

THE HOLIDAY SERVICE FOR ROUTE 208 WILL ALSO OPERATE ON 30-MINUTE AND 45-MINUTE FREQUENCIES.

THE FIRST BUS TO LEAVE BROADCAST DRIVE WILL BE AT 9.15 A.M. AND THE LAST BUS, 7 P.M. FROM TSIM SHA TSUI, THE FIRST BUS WILL START AT 9.45 A.M. WITH THE LAST BUS AT 7.30 P.M.

THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE WEEKDAY HOURS OF OPERATION OF THE IWO COACH ROUTES.

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

CONTAINER OF MAIL LOST OVERBOARD ft ft ft ft ft

A CONTAINER OF MAIL ON BOARD THE M.S. SIBONGA WHICH SAILED FOR VANCOUVER, CANADA, ON DECEMBER 22 LAST YEAR, HAS BEEN LOST OVERBOARD DURING THE VOYAGE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE LOSS WAS REGRETTED, ADDINGi *THE SHIPPING LINE HAS INFORMED THE POSTMASTER GENERAL THAT THE LOSS WAS CAUSED BY THE EXTREMELY f€AVY WEATHER WHICH THE SHIP ENCOUNTERED DURING THE VOYAGE.*

THERE WERE 222 BAGS OF SURFACE MAIL IN THE CONTAINER WHICH HAD BEEN POSTED IN HONG KONG BETWEEN DECEMBER 10-18, FOR CANADA.

MEANWHILE THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT AIR MAIL SERVICES TO VIETNAM ARE NOW SUBJECT TO DELAY.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979

- 7 -

MORE MONEY FOR FARMERS * * * *

PIONEER VEGETABLE FARMERS INTERESTED IN ERECTING PLASTIC NETHOUSES WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR GRANT-IN-AID FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. TED NICHOLS, AT THE SPRING DINNER CF THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.

THERE ARE NOW SIX PLASTIC NETHOUSES ON HONG KONG FARMS WHICH HAVE RECEIVED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM A NUMBER OF FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

BUT MR. NICHOLS WARNEDj +THIS GRANT-IN-AID SCHEME CANNOT, UNFORTUNATELY, BE INDEFINITELY MADE AVAILABLE TO THE INDUSTRY SO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE INTERESTED WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT WHILST IT IS AVAILABLE.+

DURING THE YEAR, THE VMO WILL PURCHASE A TRACTOR AND EQUIPMENT TO ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO EXTEND ITS CULTIVATION SERVICES, ESPECIALLY TO FARMERS AIMED AT RE-OPENING FALLOW LAND.

MR. NICHOLS SAID THE VALUE OF VEGETABLES SOLD THROUGH THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET LAST YEAR ROSE ALMOST 20 PER CENT DESPITE A 10 PER CENT DECREASE IN THE THROUGHPUT.

♦PART OF THIS DECREASE IS UNDOUBTEDLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE IMPACT OF TYPHOON AGNES, BUT IT IS ALSO APPARENT THAT INCREASING LOCAL PRODUCTION IS FINDING ITS WAY INTO THE DEVELOPING NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND AS SUCH BEING DIVERTED FROM THE MORE TRADITIONAL OUTLET,* SAID MR. NICHOLS.

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

TWO CROWN LAND LOTS SOLD ft ft ft ft

TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND WERE SOLD AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE JADE BALLROOM OF THE FURAMA HOTEL TODAY (THURSDAY).

ONE LOT, AT TIN WAN HILL ROAD, ABERDEEN, WAS SOLD TO CHAN SENG YEE ESTATES LTD. FOR $11.1 MILLION OR $20,036.10 PER SQUARE l€TRE. THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 554 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.

THE OTHER LOT, COVERING AN AREA OF 1,550 SQUARE METRES, WAS BOUGHT BY HIP KEE GODOWN CO. (HONG KONG) LTD. FOR $33.8 MILLION OR $21,806.45 PER SQUARE METRE. THE SITE, FOR GODOWN PURPOSES. IS AT WINSLOW STREET, HUNG HOM. '

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/8....

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979

FIVE CROWN LAND LOTS TO BE SOLD *****

FIVE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE SOLD AT AN AUCTION IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON MARCH 22 AT 11 A.M.

ONE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 1,991 SQUARE METRES OFF SUN SING STREET, SHAU KEI WAN, IS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.

THREE OTHER SITES, FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, ARE AT SHEK 0- 15-21 LA SALLE ROAD AND 136 WATERLOO ROAD AND 1 CAMBRIDGE ROAD. THE AREAS ARE 39.1 SQUARE METRES, 3,289 SQUARE METRES AND 2,923 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.

THE LAST LOT AT SZE SHAN STREET, YAU TONG, COVERING 3,587 SQUARE METRES IS INTENDED FOR CARGO CONSOLIDATION FOR CONTAINERS AND ANCILLARY GODOWN PURPOSES.

FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

SLIP ROAD BECOMES URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ZONE * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE UNNAMED SLIP ROAD LINKING TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND BEECH STREET WILL BECOME A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ZONE DAILY STARTING THIS COMING MONDAY (FEBRUARY 26) FROM 10 A.M. TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, ARE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS ON THIS ROAD.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979

CLEAN SHA TIN WEEK

*****

RESIDENTS IN TAI WAI, LEK YUEN AND WO CHE ESTATES IN SHA TIN WILL TAKE PART IN A CLEAN-UP OPERATION AND CLEANING COMPETITION DURING CLEAN SHA TIN WEEK ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FROM THIS SATURDAY TO MARCH 3.

ABOUT 200 BOY SCOUTS, GIRL GUIDES, STUDENTS FROM THE AREA AND JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS WILL HELP RESIDENTS TO CLEAN UP THE BUILDINGS AND STREETS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE CAMPAIGN.

A JUDGING PANEL COMPRISING THE HONOURABLE CHARLES YEUNG, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER- MR. ALLAN CHOW, ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF SHA TIN- MR. J. JOHNSON, URBAN SERVICES OFFICER- MR. WAI HON-LEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE- AND MR. ROGER LAU, CHAIRMAN OF THE CLEAN SHA TIN WEEK COMMITTEE, WILL VISIT THE THREE SITES ON MARCH 1 TO JUDGE THE COMPETITION.

THE SEVEN-DAY EVENT WILL END WITH A FUN FAIR AND GAMES DAY IN THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL ON MARCH 3. PRIZES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS.

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PRISONS DEPARTMENT PASSING OUT PARADE

* * *

MR. W.T. GRIMSDALE, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT PASSING OUT PARADE ON SATURDAY AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.

ON PARADE WILL BE 27 OFFICERS INCLUDING ONE WOMAN AND 59 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING.

MR. GRIMSDALE, WHO HAS BEEN AN UNOFFICIAL VISITING JUSTICE TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR OVER 15 YEARS, WILL ALSO PRESENT GOLDEN WHISTLES TO THE BEST RECRUITS.

IN THE CEREMONY, HE WILL MAKE A SPEECH ON THE DUTIES OF VISITING JUSTICES AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRISON OFFICERS.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

A PRISONS DEPARTMENT PASSING OUT PARADE WILL BE HELD AT 11 A.M. ON SATURDAY AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE, TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY. YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY.

TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE GUARDIAN HOUSE, 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 10.15 A.M. AND RETURN AFTER THE PARADE.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT PRISON OFFICER, MR. RAYMOND LEUNG AT 5-756521 EXT.48.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1979

10 -

WATER CUT ft ft ft

WAttR SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE SUSPEND® FOR 14 HOURS FROM 8 P.M. ON SUNDAY TO 10 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR DIVERSION OF WATER MAINS.

THfi AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY NORTH AND SOUTH SJDE'PF CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM WO Yl HOP ROAD TO TEXACO ROAD- WEST SIDE OF’WO Yl HOP ROAD FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO CHEONG WING ROAD- EAST SIDE CF TEXACO ROAD FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO TAI WO HAU ROAD- FU UK TSUEN, TAI WO HAU ESTATE- HO PUI TSUEN, KWAI CHUNG ESTATE AND KWAI MUN HAU TSUEN.

- 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2?, 197^

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY, 1979 .......... 1

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR NOVEMBER ........... 3

ACCENT ON YOUTH FOR ROYAL VISIT TO YUEN LONG ......... 3

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY VISITS TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN ............................................. 5

PHARMACISTS REMINDED TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATES .......... 6

GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON TUNG WAH..................... 7

TENDERS FOR LAYING WATER MAIN ........................ 7

YUNG SHUE WAN RECLAMATION ............................ 9

MORE TSUEN WAN STREETS TO BE AFFECTED BY MTR WORK .. o

FIREMEN’S EFFICIENCY TESTED.......................... 9

30 PWD PROJECTS COMPLETED............................ 10

26 FIRE WATCH PATROLS FORMED......................... 11

BUSY YEAR FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES ................ 1?

EXHIBITION ON HAPPY LIFE IN GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS.............................................. 13

INAUGURATION OF NEW SCOUT GROUP ..................... 1 A

ONE-LANE TRAFFIC..................................... 15

WATER CUT............................................ 15

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY, 1979 *****

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL MERCHANDISE TRADE DURING JANUARY 1979.

THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR JANUARY WAS $3,817 MILLION, IMPORTS, $5,358 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS, $1,299 MILLION. THE TRADE DEFICIT FOR JANUARY WAS $242 MILLION.

THE NOVEMBER 1978 TO JANUARY 1979 FIGURES (LATEST THREE MONTHS) SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, COMPARED WITH THE SAME NOVEMBER 1977 TO JANUARY 1978 PERIOD OF 27.4 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 37.4 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 43.1 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER ROSE BY 31 PER CENT.

COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1978, INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF $1,096 MILLION OR 40.3 PER CENT IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, $1,069 MILLION OR 24.9 PER CENT IN IMPORTS AND $417 MILLION OR 47.2 PER CENT IN RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED.

THE SHORT TERM CHANGES, JANUARY 1979 COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1978, SHOWED DECREASES OF $488 MILLION OR 11.3 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND $1,451 MILLION OR 21.3 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS, AND AN INCREASE OF $80 MILLION OR 6.6 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.

THE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 1978 TO JANUARY 1979 COMPARED WITH THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 19.3 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 30.4 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 37.9 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARYj-

MERCHANDISEs DOMESTIC EXPORTS : $3,817 MILLION

IMPORTS

RE-EXPORTS

TRADE BALANCE

$5,358 MILLION

$1,299 MILLION

» 242 MILLION (IN DEF ICIT)

/COMPARATIVE

COMPARATIVE FIGURES

NOVEMBER 1978 NOVEMBER 1977

TO TO INCREASE OR

LATEST 3 MONTHS JANUARY 1979 JANUARY 1978 DECREASE

$ MN. S MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 11,920 9,353 ♦ 2,566 + 27.4

IMPORTS 18,586 13,530 ♦ 5,057 ♦ 37.4

RE-EXPORTS 3,901 2,725 + 1,175 ♦ 43.1

TRADE BALANCE - 2,765 - 1,452 - 1,313

JANUARY JANUARY INCREASE OR

SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1979 1978 DECREASE

S MN. $ MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 3,817 2,721 ♦ 1,096 ♦ 40.3

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (74.6%) (75.5%)

IMPORTS 5,358 4,288 ♦ 1,069 + 24.9

RE-EXPORTS 1,299 882 ♦ 417 ♦ 47.2

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (25.4%) (24.5%)

TRADE BALANCE 242 - 685 ♦ 443

JANUARY DECEMBER INCREASE OR

LAST MONTH 1979 1978 DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. S MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 3,817 4,305 - 488 - 11.3

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (74.6%) (77.9%)

IMPORTS 5,358 6,809 - 1,451 - 21.3

RE-EXPORTS 1,299 1,218 ♦ 80+6.6

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (25.4%) (22.1%)

TRADE BALANCE 242 - 1,286 ♦ 1,044

FEBRUARY 1978 FEBRUARY 1977

TO TO INCREASE OR

LAST 12 MONTHS JANUARY 1979 JANUARY 1978 DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 41,807 35,035 ♦ 6,772 + 19.3

IMPORTS 64,125 49,158 +14,967 ♦ 30.4

RE-EXPORTS 13,614 9,871 + 3,743 ♦ 37.9

TRADE BALANCE - 8,704 - 4,252 - 4,452

- o - /3

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR NOVEMBER *****

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR NOVEMBER LAST YEAR SHOW A SURPLUS OF $714.6 MILLION, COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $697.6 MILLION IN THE PREVIOUS NOVEMBER.

THIS WAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED SURPLUS OF $862.5 MILLION FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $190.0 MILLION FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.

TOTAL EXPENDITURE, AT $838.3 MILLION, WAS $200.2 MILLION MORE THAN IN NOVEMBER, 1977.

TOTAL REVENUE AND RECEIPTS, AT $1,552.9 MILLION, WAS $217.2 MILLION MORE THAN FOR THE SAME MONTH IN 1977.

ACCENT ON YOUTH FOR ROYAL VISIT TO YUEN LONG *****

THE ACCENT WILL BE ON YOUTH WHEN HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES VISITS YUEN LONG ON MARCH 5.

NEARLY 1,000 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REHEARSING A COLOURFUL DISPLAY OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS WHICH THEY WILL STAGE FOR PRINCE CHARLES AT THE YUEN LONG STADIUM.

THE STADIUM WILL BE PACKED WITH ABOUT 5,000 SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR THE VISIT AND THOUSANDS MORE WILL LINE THE ROUTE OF THE ROYAL MOTORCADE FROM SEK KONG TO YUEN LONG.

LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE ALSO WORKING HARD TO ENSURE A WARM WELCOME FOR THE ROYAL VISIT ---- A +PA I LAU+ COSTING ABOUT $40,000

IS BEING ERECTED AND FLAGS AND BUNTING WILL DECORATE THE TOWN.

♦YUEN LONG IS FAMOUS FOR PUTTING ON A GOOD SHOW.+ THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. MICHAEL CARTLAND SAID TODAY (FRIDAY), *AND WE HOPE TO TURN ON SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR PRINCE CHARLES.♦

MR. CARTLAND NOTED THAT IN ORDER TO ALLOW AS MANY YOUNG PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THE PRINCE AND TO ENJOY THE DAY, STUDENTS OF YUEN LONG WOULD BE GIVEN THE DAY OFF.

/Ill ADDITION

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1979

4 -

IN ADDITION TO THE STUDENTS WHO WILL PACK THE STADIUM, SEATS HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR MEMBERS OF LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS.

TO NAME A FEW, THEY ARE THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME WINNERS, AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, CIVIL AID SERVICES, ST. JOHN’S AMBULANCE BRIGADE, THE YUEN LONG FOOTBALL TEAM AND ROAD SAFETY PATROL.

ON MARCH 5, PRINCE CHARLES WILL ARRIVE AT THE STADIUM ABOUT 3.10 P.M. TO A QUADRAPHONIC FANFARE OF TRUMPETS PROVIDED BY THE COMBINED YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND OF HONG KONG, COMPRISING 450 PLAYERS FROM 14 DIFFERENT YOUTH BANDS.

HE WILL BE INVITED TO DOT THE EYES OF A 145-F00T-L0NG SILVER DRAGON SIGNALLING THE START Oc THE AFTERNOON’S ACTIVITIES BEFORE SETTLING BACK TO ENJOY THE DISPLAY STAGED BY 1,000 YOUNG PEOPLE DRAWN FROM ALL OVER HONG KONG.

THE PROGRAMME WILL FEATURE A FLAG PATTERN, FAN DANCE, AND GYMNASTIC DISPLAY LASTING 30 MINUTES.

FROM THE STADIUM PRINCE CHARLES WILL PROCEED TO THE YUEN LONG TOWN HAlL WHERE HE WILL WATCH A SERIES OF TAI CHI CHUAN AND JUDO ACTIVITIES IN THE PLAYGROUND BEFORE MEETING A NUMBER OF LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.

INSIDE THE HALL, THE AIR WILL BE FILLED WITH SOUND OF MUSIC -BY THE YUEN LONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA WHICH WAS FORMED ONLY IN 1974 BUT ALREADY ENJOYS A HIGH REPUTATION WELL BEYOND THE DISTRICT.

THE PRINCE WILL CONCLUDE HIS VISIT BY VIEWING A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION DEPICTING THE DISTRICT’S HISTORY, COMMUNITY LIFE, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.

ENTITLED +YUEN LONG - THE SPIRIT OF PROGRESS*, THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN MARCH 6 AND 12.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE DRESS REHEARSAL OF THE YOUTH RALLY AT YUEN LONG STADIUM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 25) AT 3.10 P.M.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE REHEARSAL ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE STADIUM ON ARRIVAL.

0 -------

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY VISITS TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN ******

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY, THE RT. HON. ERIC VARLEY TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED TSUEN WAN, HONG KONG’S FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRIAL TOWN.

THE MINISTER AND HIS PARTY WENT TO THE ROOF OF ONE OF TSUEN WAN’S NEWEST BUILDINGS, THE &2->ST0REY FU WAH CENTRE, WHERE THEY HAD A BIRD’S EYEVIEW OF THE TOWN’S DEVELOPMENT, AND BRIEFINGS FROM THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES AND THE PROJECT MANAGER, ML EDDIE SHORT.

MR. VARLEY WAS TOLD THAT TSUEN WAN WAS THE CRADLE OF HONG KONG’S POST-WAR INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION WHEN INDUSTRIALISTS SET UP TEXTILES AND GARMENT MANUFACTURING PLANTS IN THE EARLY 5O’S.

♦TSUEN WAN HAS NOT STOPPED GROWING SINCE AND ITS PRESENT POPULATION OF AROUND 500,000 WILL BE ALMOST DOUBLED BY THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT DECADE,+ MR. HAYES SAID.

HE ADDED THAT MR. VARLEY SEEMED VERY IMPRESSED BY THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH RATE OF THE INDUSTRY IN TSUEN WAN.

♦ IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS HAS ALMOST DOUBLED FROM 3,208 TO 6,227,+ MR. HAYES SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT FACTORY FLOOR SPACE WAS ALSO BECOMING AVAILABLE IN DRAMATICALLY INCREASING QUANTITIES. BETWEEN 1974-78 THE FLATTED FACTORY FLOOR SPACE SUPPLY IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG HAD REACHED JUST OVER ONE MILLION SQUARE METRES.

HOWEVER, IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, IT IS EXPECTED THAT SOME 1.2 MILLION SQUARE METRES WILL COME ON STREAM.

♦ APART FROM THIS TSING Yl ISLAND IS QUICKLY DEVELOPING AS THE TERRITORY’S HEAVY INDUSTRIAL BASE WITH THREE MAJOR SHIPYARDS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THE VARIETY OF OTHER SPECIALIST INDUSTRIES IN OPERATION.

♦ THE CONTAINER PORT AT KWAI CHUNG, WHICH HANDLED MOST OF HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS TRADE, COMPLETES THE PICTURE OF A VERY PROGRESSIVE AND GROWING INDUSTRIAL TOWN,+ MR. HAYES SAID.

LATER IN THE MORNING, MR. VARLEY TOOK A CLOSE LOOK AT HOW HONG KONG’S ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY WORKS.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND~CUSTOMS, NR. DAVID JORDAN, THE MINISTER TOURED TWO KWAI CHUNG MULTI-STOREY FACTORIES OF PHILIPS HONG KONG LTD.

IN THE FIRST FACTORY MR. VALEY’S PARTY WAS SHOWN THE ENTIRE SERIES OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES REQUIRED IN PRODUCING TRANSISTORS, DIODES AND OTHER SEMI-CONDUCTORS.

/?■'». VARL.’Tf .......

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2J, 1979

6 -

MR. VARLEY ALSO PAID A SHORT VISIT TO THE SECOND FACTORY WHICH MANUFACTURES RADIOS AND RADIO KITS.

IN HONG KONG THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY NOW RANKS SECOND ONLY TO THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY. LAST YEAR, EXPORTS OF ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS WERE VALUED AT $4,741 MILLION ---- REPRESENTING 11.6 PER CENT OF

HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS.

MR. VARLEY’S PROGRAMME FOR TODAY INCLUDED A VISIT TO THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO’S POWER STATION ON TSING Yl ISLAND AND A TOUR OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY’S OFFICES AT KOWLOON BAY DEPOT.

MR. VARLEY AND HIS PARTY LEAVES HONG KONG FOR PEKING TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

PHARMACISTS REMINDED TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATES

*****

ALL REGISTERED PHARMACISTS, BOTH IN PRIVATE PRACTICE AND PUBLIC SERVICE, ARE REMINDED TO APPLY FOR THEIR ANNUAL PRACTICING CERTIFICATES.

♦FAILURE TO APPLY FOR THE CERTIFICATE RENDERS THE PHARMACISTS TO HAVE HIS OR HER NAME REMOVED FROM THE REGISTER OF PHARMACISTS,+ THE SECRETARY OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD, MR. D.J. COMBES SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

THIS APPLIES TO ANY PHARMACIST WHO CONTINUES TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG FOR SIX MONTHS FROM JANUARY 1 WITHOUT THE ANNUAL CERTIFICATE.

♦FURTHERMORE, BY NOT OBTAINING THE CERTIFICATE IN GOOD TIME, THE PHARMACIST BECOMES LIABLE TO CIVIL ACTION,♦ MR. COMBES WARNED.

HE ALSO STRESSED THAT WITHOUT THE CERTIFICATE, THE PHARMACIST IS NOT ENTITLED TO RECOVER ANY FEES, COSTS OR OTHER REMUNERATIONS, CONNECTED WITH HIS PRACTICE.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT NOW TO THE SECRETARY, PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD, BONAVENTURE HOUSE, 81 LEIGHTON ROAD, THIRD FLOOR, HONG KONG.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

ATTENTION NEWS EDITORSt

GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON TUNG WAH * * * * *

REFERRING TO RECENT PRESS REPORTS ON PROPOSALS BY DOCTORS WORKING IN THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE OVER THE MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GROUP, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THAT THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOSPITALS WERE SET OUT IN A FORMAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP, WHICH WAS CONCLUDED IN 1971.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD AT PRESENT NO INTENTION OF INITIATING ANY CHANGE IN THE MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS.

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TENDERS FOR LAYING WATER MAIN

*****

TENDERS WERE INVITED TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR LAYING ABOUT ONE KILOMETRE WATER MAIN IN WESTERN DISTRICT, HONG KONG ISLAND.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID THE MAIN WOULD BE LAID IN THE TELEGRAPH BAY AND POKFULAM AREAS.

♦PART OF THE CONTRACT IS A DUPLICATION OF THE EXISTING 200 MM DISTRIBUTION MAIN NEAR CHI FU FA YUEN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦IT AIMS TO CATER FOR THE INCREASED DEMAND GENERATED BY DEVELOPMENT IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.+

WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AT THE END OF APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

YUNG SHUE WAN RECLAMATION * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ALLOW THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC CO. TO RECLAIM 2,600 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED AT YUNG SHUE WAN, LAMMA ISLAND.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MOST OF THIS AREA WILL BE USED AS PUBLIC RECREATIONAL OPEN SPACE.

+A HELICOPTER LANDING PAD WILL ALSO BE BUILT ON THE RECLAMATION NEAR THE EXISTING LOCAL CLINIC TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY RESCUE WORK,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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

OBJECTIONS 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, ISLANDS, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, FOURTH FLOOR, 141 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

MORE TSUEN WAN STREETS TO BE * * * *

AFFECTED BY MTR WORK *

SOME STREETS IN TSUEN WAN WILL HAVE TO BE CLOSED PERMANENTLY FROM APRIL 1 TO MAKE WAY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY DEPOT, ACCORDING TO A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

THE STREETS INCLUDE A NUMBER OF LANES, FOOTPATHS AND PASSAGES IN SAI LAU KOK AND IN THE VICINITY OF TIN HAU TEMPLE. HOWEVER, PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE TEMPLE WILL BE MAINTAINED FROM THE NORTH.

PLANS SHOWING THE AREAS AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FU WAH CENTRE, 310 CASTLE PEAK ROAD- THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE INQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, WEST WING ENTRANCE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG, OR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON ANY DAY EXCEPT SATURDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

THE NOTICE STIPULATED THAT ANY CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION RESULTING FROM CLOSURE OF THE STREETS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.

CLAIMS MUST BE LODGED WITHIN A YEAR OF THE CLOSURE OF THE STREET OR COMPLETION OF THE SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION ALLEGED TO HAVE CAUSED PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE.

WORK ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY DEPOT STARTED LAST OCTOBER AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED LATE IN 1982.

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FIREMEN’S EFFICIENCY TESTED

*****

A MOCK EXERCISE DESIGNED TO BOOST THE EFFICIENCY OF FIREMEN DEALING WITH FIRES INVOLVING INFLAMMABLE GOODS WAS HELD THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING AT THE KWUN TONG SHELL-OIL INSTALLATION.

MORE THAN 60 OFFICERS AND FIREMEN FROM THE EAST DIVISION OF THE KOWLOON COMMAND TOOK PART.

♦VALUABLE LESSONS WERE LEARNED FROM TODAY’S EXERCISER A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

♦IT ENABLED FIREMEN TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO TACKLE FIRES INVOLVING OIL INSTALLATIONS,* HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXERCISE WAS ALSO AIMED AT IMPROVING TEAM WORK AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN STATIONS IN HANDLING MAJOR INCIDENTS.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

30 PWD PROJECTS COMPLETED * * * *

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT COMPLETED 30 PROJECTS DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF LAST YEAR WHILE ANOTHER 81 WERE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THE COMPLETED PROJECTS INCLUDED DIVISIONAL POLICE STATIONS IN HOMANTIN AND SHA TIN, POLICE QUARTERS IN KWAI CHUNG, NON-DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS IN BROADCAST DRIVE IN KOWLOON, THE NEW WAN CHAI SPORTS GROUND ON THE WATERFRONT, A TEMPORARY MARKET IN WONG TAI SIN AND TEMPORARY COOKED FOOD STALLS IN PAK TIN.

OTHER FINISHED INCLUDED A DENTAL THERAPIST TRAINING SCHOOL, PEST CONTROL STORE OFFICES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OPERATING THEATRE AT TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL.

THE GURKHA FAMILIES COMMUNITY-WELFARE CENTRE AND MEDICAL CENTRE AND THE VEHICLE WASH DOWN IN GUN CLUB HILL BARRACKS WERE COMPLETED.

+THE WORKS WERE OBVIOUSLY VARIED AND PROGRESS WAS GENERALLY VERY SATISFACTORY,* A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID.

SOME OF THE MANY JOBS UNDER CONSTRUCTION INCLUDED THE DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION AND THE NEW TERRITORIES FIRE COMMAND FEADQUARTERS IN SHA TIN, A FIRE STATION AT SAN HUI, AMBULANCE DEPOTS AT TUEN MUN AND NGAU CHI WAN AND THE MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AT KAI TAK AIRPORT.

THE FIRST STAGE OF THE KOWLOON TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TSUEN WAN WERE BOTH PROGRESSING WELL.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT WORK ON THE PERMANENT SPECTATORS’ STANDS AT THE EXHIBITION TENNIS COURTS IN VICTORIA PARK, A SWIMMING POOL AND PARK IN CHAI WAN AND THE SECOND PHASE OF THE SECOND MENTAL HOSPITAL WAS ALSO MOVING ALONG.

/11 .....

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

26 FIRE WATCH PATROLS FORMED *****

REPRESENTATIVES FROM 26 FIRE WATCH PATROLS FORMED IN SQUATTER AREAS AND VILLAGES IN VARIOUS PARTS OF HONG KONG WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) COMMENDED FOR THEIR CIVIC-MINDEDNESS AT AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL IN PAT HEUNG, YUEN LONG.

THE TEAMS ARE VOLUNTARY BODIES FORMED UNDER THE FIRE WATCH SCHEME JOINTLY PLANNED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THE PROMOTION FOR THE CURRENT FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.

SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE HONOURABLE CHARLES YEUNG SIU-CHO, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, POINTED OUT THE SCHEME WAS A PILOT ONE AND THAT ITS AIMS WERE TO AROUSE THE AWARENESS OF RESIDENTS OF THE DANGERS OF FIRE AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO JOIN FORCES IN HELPING TO PREVENT ITS OUTBREAK.

IN THE INITIAL PERIOD, HE SAID, THE SCHEME IS INTRODUCED IN VILLAGES AND SQUATTER AREAS AND IT IS PLANNED TO HAVE THE SCHEME EXTENDED GRADUALLY TO OTHER AREAS IN A JOINT EFFORT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE.

IN APPRECIATION OF THE WARM RESPONSE FROM THE FIRST 26 TEAMS FORMED UNDER THE SCHEME, MR. YEUNG ANNOUNCED THAT A SET OF FIRE ALARM AND FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING GONGS, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND SAND BUCKETS WILL BE DONATED TO THEM BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE.

THE SHELL COMPANY OF HONG KONG HAS ALSO DONATED 100 OIL DRUMS TO BE USED AS WATER CONTAINERS IN THESE VILLAGES AND SQUATTER AREAS.

THE MAIN DUTIES OF THE FIRE WATCH PATROLS ARE TO HELP TO ELIMINATE FIRE HAZARDS AND TO CARRY OUT FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES IN THEIR AREAS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE LOCAL CITY DISTRICT OFFICE OR DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU.

AFTER MR. YEUNG’S ADDRESS, EACH OF THE 26 FIRE WATCH TEAMS WAS PRESENTED WITH A SOUVENIR PLAQUE.

THE PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE BY MR. NICHOLAS NG WING-FUI, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES- MR. H.H.T. BARMA, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS- MR. A.J. JONES, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER AND MR. PETER MOSS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES.

TRAINEES OF THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL ALSO GAVE A DEMONSTRATION ON FIRE FIGHTING DURING THE CEREMONY.

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/12......

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

BUSY YEAR FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES M * * N M M

THE 24 PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES OPERATED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT IN THE URBAN AREA LAST YEAR HANDLED A RECORD OF 3,436,959 ENQUIRIES AND CASES, AN INCREASE OF 36.6 PER CENT OVER THE 1977 FIGURE OF 2,515,973.

THE MOST POPULAR ENQUIRIES WERE ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (65,465), GOVERNMENT JOBS ON VACANCIES (52,417), APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING (51,601), GOVERNMENT PROCEDURES AND ADDRESSES (48,828), AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ON WELFARE ALLOWANCE (45,226).

THE DEMAND FOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AND CERTAIN NON-GOVERNMENT FORMS AND PAMPHLETS ALSO ROSE FROM 1,345,503 IN 1977 TO 2,095,971 LAST YEAR.

THESE CONSISTED OF APPLICATION FORMS FOR GOVERNMENT VACANCIES (319,414)- WALKS FOR MILLIONS SPONSOR FORMS (184,529)-APPLICATION FORMS FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION (168,146)- HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (145,859) AND PUBLIC EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS (91,418).

LEAFLETS AND BROCHURES CONCERNING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WERE ALSO VERY POPULAR, PARTICULARLY AMONG STUDENTS.

THE ALL-TIME HIGH FIGURE RECORDED LAST YEAR MAY BE REFLECTED BY THE INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE VARIOUS SERVICES RENDERED BY THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES IN THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES.

APART FROM HANDLING ENQUIRIES, DEALING WITH PERSONAL OR GROUP CASES, ADMINISTERING STATUTORY DECLARATIONS, DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION MATERIALS AND GOVERNMENT FORMS, THESE CENTRES ALSO SERVE AS REFERRAL AGENCIES FOR THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY AND THE RENT OFFICERS SCHEME OPERATED BY THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT.

IN VIEW OF THE GROWING DEMAND FOR ENQUIRY SERVICES, THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HAS PLANS TO ESTABLISH MORE SUB-OFFICES IN THE URBAN AREAS.

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/13

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

- 13 -

EXHIBITION ON HAPPY LIFE IN GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS

A JOINT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 24) AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

THE THEME IS *HAPPY SCHOOL LIFE+ AND IS INTENDED TO COINCIDE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD.

THE EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE UNION OF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS HEADMASTERS AND HEADMISTRESSES, AND THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS UNION.

+THE EXHIBITION7IS TO PUBLICISE THE TYPE OF EDUCATION BEING PROVIDED IN GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE SAID THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ON SUNDAY, AND IT WILL BE MOVED TO QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL IN KOWLOON ON MARCH 3 AND 4.

TOPICS ON DISPLAY WILL INCLUDE HAPPY CHILDHOOD, CREATIVITY THROUGH UTILISATION OF DISCARDED ARTICLES, ACTIVITY APPROACH SCHEME, STUDENT GUIDANCE, GARDENING, SPECIMEN COLLECTION, OUT-DOOR EDUCATION CAMP, EDUCATIONAL VISITS, SCHOOL DISTRIBUTION MODEL, AN IDEAL SCHOOL IN THE EYES OF THE PUPILS, TEACHING AIDS AND AUDIOVISUAL MATERIAL, PAST PUPILS’ IMPRESSIONS, PARENT-TEACHER RELATIONS, PUPILS PERFORMANCES AND SPECIAL EDUCATION.

SUB-COMMITTEES COMPRISING MEMBERS OF THE THREE ORGANISING BODIES WERE FORMED TO PREPARE THE VARIOUS TOPICS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦EACH SUB-COMMITTEE WILL MOUNT A STALL AT THE EXHIBITION AND USE GRAPHS AND PICTURES TO ILLUSTRATE ITS TOPIC.+

MR. Q.W. LEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE JOINT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS EXHIBITION ON ♦HAPPY SCHOOL LIFE* WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE.

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/-|4.......

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

INAUGURATION OF NEW SCOUT GROUP

*****

EIGHTEEN CHILDREN FROM THE TAI HANG TUNG DISTRICT IN KOWLOON, WHO HAVE JUST FINISHED MONTHS OF SCOUT TRAINING, WILL TOMORROW (SATURDAY) GIVE THE TRADITIONAL *GRAND HOWL* AT AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THEIR SCOUT GROUP.

THE GROUP IS THE FIRST SET UP BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE AS PART OF ITS LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR YOUNGSTERS IN THE DISTRICT.

THE +GRAND HOWL* IS TO PLEDGE TO THE SCOUTING MOVEMENT SPIRIT. RECEIVING IT WILL BE MR. LAM KWOK-WAN, PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT’S GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION.

TO COMPLETE ITS INAUGURATION, THE NEW SCOUT GROUP WILL BE PRESENTED WITH A CERTIFICATE AND SCOUT FLAG BY THE KOWLOON TSAI DISTRICT SCOUT COMMISSIONER, MR. FOK WING-KWONG.

THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, WILL BE FOLLOWED BY SONGS AND MARTIAL ART DEMONSTRATION.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE FIRST SCOUT GROUP SET UP BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TONG YAM STREET, SHAM SHU I PO AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

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/15

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1979

ONE-LANE TRAFFIC ft ft ft ft

ONE-LANE TRAFFIC WILL BE IN OPERATION IN WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH STUBBS ROAD BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6.30 A.M. ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

THIS IS TO ENABLE WORKMEN TO ERECT TEMPORARY STEELWORK FOR BUILDING THE NEW FLYOVER.

ONE-LANE TRAFFIC WILL ALSO BE IN OPERATION IN TAI HANG ROAD, ABOUT 300 METRES FROM THE JUNCTION WITH STUBBS ROAD FROM MONDAY BETWEEN 7.30 P.M. AND 6.30 A.M.

THIS TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT IS EXPECTED TO LAST FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO ALLOW THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS CO. TO LAY A NEW MAIN ACROSS TAI HANG ROAD.

DURING THE DAY THIS STRETCH OF ROAD WILL BE OPEN TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC AND IN THE EVENINGS AND EARLY MORNING HOURS THE ROAD WILL BE CONTROLLED BY TRAFFIC LIGHTS.

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WATER CUT ft ft ft

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 P.M. ON MONDAY TO 6 A.M. ON TUESDAY FOR NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY TUNG LO WAN ROAD, LIN FA KUNG STREET EAST, LIN FA KUNG STREET WEST, LILY STREET, LUNG KAI TERRACE, WU SHA STREET, BROWN STREET, JONES STREET, SCHOOL STREET, FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD LANE, SHEPHARD STREET, SUN CHUN STREET AND KWONG MING TERRACE.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

CONTENT PAGE NO.

SOCIAL SERVICES SECRETARY OPENS YEAR OF THE CHILD SEMINAR .................................................. 1

PRINCE CHARLES TO TOUR TSANG TAI UK WALLED VILLAGE .... 3

•

HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY EXHIBITION..........*............... 4

SCHOOLS SHOULD PREPARE STUDENTS TO BE GOOD CITIZENS ... 5

IMPORTANT ROLES OF M.A.C. IN TSUEN WAN -STRESSED........ 6

TUEN MUN’S LARGEST RECREATIONAL FACILITY ................. 7

PWD’S ACTIVE CONTRIBUTION TO MAKING HK ROADS SAFER .... 8

FAMILY CARNIVAL FOR TAI HANG TUNG RESIDENTS .............. 9

PASSING OUT PARADE IN STANLEY............................ 10

21 CONTRACTS AWARDED BY PWD LAST MONTH .................. 10

FIGHT CRIME DRAMA COMPETITION ........................... 11

TEMPORARLY ROAD CLOSURES ................................ 11

FIRING PRACTICE ......................................... 12

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

SOCIAL SERVICES SECRETARY OPENS YEAR OF THE CHILD SEMINAR ft ft ft * *

THE YEAR OF THE CHILD PROVIDES HONG KONG WITH A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE SERVICES PRESENTLY PROVIDED TO ASSIST CHILDREN, INCLUDING HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

IT ALSO GIVES HONG KONG THE CHANCE TO CONSIDER PLANNING OBJECTIVES TO EXPAND BOTH THE QUALITY AND THE QUANTITY OF THESE SERVICES FOR THEM TO DEVELOP THEIR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL CAPABILITIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.

MR. E.P. HO, SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) WHEN OPENING AN INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD SEMINAR ON +THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILD+ AT THE DUKE OF WINDSOR CENTRE.

MR. HO SAID MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WERE THE LARGEST GROUP OF DISABLED CHILDREN IN HONG KONG AND THE NATURE OF THEIR DISABILITY WAS USUALLY COMPLEX. REGRETTABLY, NO COUNTRY HAD YET DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR THEM.

♦ IT IS THEREFORE MOST STIMULATING THAT YOU HAVE GATHERED TOGETHER TODAY TO STUDY THE NEEDS OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND TO EXCHANGE IDEAS ON THE SERVICES THAT SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THEIR REHABILITATION,* HE SAID.

THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH SHOULD BE ADOPTED IN REHABILITATING A HANDICAPPED PERSON. SUCH AN APPROACH ENHANCED A BETTER AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED AND LED TO A BETTER CO-ORDINATED AND EFFECTIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR THEM.

THE WHITE PAPER, ’INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITYi A UNITED EFFORT’, HAD PROPOSED A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT AND CARE SERVICE FOR THE HANDICAPPED CHILD.

♦ A WORKING PARTY WILL SHORTLY REPORT TO ME WITH PROPOSALS AS TO HOW SUCH ASSESSMENT AND CARE SHOULD BEST BE DEVELOPED,♦ bR. HO SAP

THIS REPORT WOULD THEN BE REFERRED FOR THE ADVICE OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SERVICES.

♦ THE PRESENCE OF MANY PROFESSIONALS OF VARIOUS DISCIPLINES TODAY WELL ILLUSTRATES YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE INTER-RELATED TEAM APPROACH IN REHABILITATING THE DISABLED CHILD,+ MR. HO SAID.

HE WAS PARTICULARLY HAPPY, HE SAID, TO SEE AMONG THE PANELLISTS A PARENT AND ALSO PARENTS IN THE AUDIENCE.

THE ROLE OF PARENTS WAS VITAL IN THE PRE-SCHOOL YEARS OF A CHILD, AND WAS EVEN MORE SO IN THE REHABILITATION OF A DISABLED CHILD.

/NO ASSESSMENT

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

NO ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILD’S NEEDS COULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY THE PARENTS, AND NO REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PRESCRIBED TO MEET HIS NEEDS COULD BE SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT WITHOUT THEIR CO-OPERATION AND PARTICIPATION.

♦FINALLY, THERE IS THE GENERAL PUBLIC,+ MR. HO SAID. +THEY MUST BE CONVINCED OF THE VALUES OF ACCEPTING DISABLED PEOPLE AS PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE PUBLIC MUST THEREFORE BE HELPED TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS OF THE DISABLED.

■■■■ ■■■ . ■ 'i. \ ’/-J '

♦THE GREATER THE DEGREE OF DIRECT PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE REHABILITATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE, AND THE WIDER THE INTER-ACTION BETWEEN ABLE BODIED AND DISABLED PEOPLE, THE MORE LIKELY IT IS THAT THE PUBLIC WILL UNDERSTAND, ACCEPT AND ASSIST THE DISABLED IN THE COMMUNITY.+

HAVING ACCEPTED THAT THE NEEDS OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WERE COMPLEX AND THAT A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO THEIR REHABILITATION WAS MOST ESSENTIAL, IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT PROFESSIONALS OF VARIOUS DISCIPLINES HAD RECEIVED SUITABLE TRAINING.

PARENTS, AS PART OF THE REHABILITATION TEAM, SHOULD ALSO RECEIVE TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL ADVICE TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF CARE OF THEIR DISABLED CHILDREN AT HOME. IT WAS THEREFORE MOST APPROPRIATE THAT TRAINING HAD BEEN INCLUDED AS ONE OF THE THEMES FOR THE SEMINAR.

MR. HO CONCLUDED BY SAYING HE WAS CERTAIN THAT THE SEMINAR WOULD FURTHER STIMULATE AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEMS OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN HONG KONG AND RESULT IN GREATER INVOLVEMENT BY PROFESSIONALS, PARENTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THEIR REHABILITATION.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES TO TOUR TSANG TAI UK WALLED VILLAGE *****

TSANG TAI UK --- AN OLD WALLED VILLAGE AT SHA TIN ---- IS ALL

SET TO RECEIVE A DISTINGUISHED GUEST EARLY NEXT MONTH.

THE GUEST IS NONE OTHER THAN HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES WHO WILL BE ON HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG BETWEEN MARCH 3 AND 6.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, W. DAVID AKERS-JONES, PRINCE CHARLES WILL VISIT THE VILLAGE ON MARCH 4 (SUNDAY) AFTER TAKING A PANORAMIC VIEW OF SHA TIN DEVELOP-NENT FROM A VANTAGE POINT AT SIU LEK YUEN.

AT THE VILLAGE ENTRANCE, MR. AKERS-JONES WILL PRESENT LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, AND VILLAGE ELDERS TO PRINCE CHARLES.

HE WILL THEN WALK THROUGH THE VILLAGE ---- ONE OF THE FEW

STILL REMAINING INTACT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

TSANG TAI UK --- MEASURING ABOUT 137 METRES BY 46 METRES ----

WAS BUILT IN TRADITIONAL WALLED VILLAGE STYLE IN ABOUT 1850 BUT, DURING THE PAST 130 YEARS, IT HAS UNDERGONE EXTENSIVE CHANGES AND MODERNISATION WITHIN THE WALLS.

ACCORDING TO LONGTIME RESIDENTS OF THE AREA, THE VILLAGE WAS FOUNDED BY A MASON NAMED TSANG SAM LEE.

AFTER MAKING HIS FORTUNE QUARRYING FINE STONE, HE DECIDED TO BUILD A VILLAGE HOUSE FOR HIS FAMILY.

CONSTRUCTION WORK STARTED IN ABOUT 1850 AND TOOK SOME 20 YEARS TO COMPLETE AS THE SITE OF THE VILLAGE HAD TO BE RECLAIMED FROM THE SEA AND MOST OF THE BUILDING MATERIALS IMPORTED FROM CHINA.

THE VILLAGE IS DIVIDED INTO THREE ROWS OF TWO-STOREY HOUSES WITH MORE THAN 120 ROOMS.

AT PRESENT, IT HAS ABOUT 700 RESIDENTS, OF WHOM SOME 300 ARE MEMBERS OF THE TSANG CLAN.

BECAUSE OF ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS RESOLVED TO RETAIN IT AS PART OF SHA TIN’S HERITAGE IN THE NEW TOWN.

AS A RESULT OF MASSIVE RECLAMATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE SURROUNDING AREA, THE VILLAGE IS NOW LYING BELOW THE RECLAIMED LAND.

SPECIAL RESERVOIR AND PUMPING FACILITIES HAVE TO BE PROVIDED TO PREVENT IT FROM FLOODING. WORK ON THIS IS NOW IN PROGRESS.

THE OPEN SPACE IN FRONT OF THE VILLAGE WILL BE DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE A +BUFFER ZONE* FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.

AS MOST OF THE VILLAGE LAND HAS BEEN RESUMED FOR DEVELOPMENT, THE RESIDENTS HAVE TURNED FROM AN AGRICULTURAL TO AN URBAN TYPE ECONOMY.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY EXHIBITION

*****

MANY FORMS OF DISABILITIES WHICH OCCUR IN THE ELDERLY AGE GROUP CAN BE PREVENTED IF PEOPLE HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS NORMAL HEALTH IN ADVANCED AGE, THEIR HEALTH NEEDS AND THE WAYS TO PREVENT DISEASE.

THIS WAS STATED BY DR. HARRY S.Y. FANG, AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHEN HE DECLARED OPEN THE +HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY EXHIBITION* AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL THIS MORNING.

♦EVERYONE GROWS OLD WITH THE PASSING OF TIME, BUT THE ART OF LIVING LIES IN KNOWING HOW TO GROW OLD IN GOOD HEALTH,* HE SAID.

THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CURRENT HEALTH EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY.

DR. FANG SAID IN VIEW OF THE CHANGES IN HEALTH TRENDS AND THE AGE STRUCTURE OF THE POPULATION, THE MOUNTING OF HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ON THE HEALTH ASPECTS OF THE ELDERLY *IS MOST TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE IN TODAY’S CIRCUMSTANCES.*

HE SAID THAT WITH IMPROVED HEALTH SERVICES, BETTER HOUSING, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS, PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER.

♦IT IS TIME FOR US TO TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE OLDER GENERATION, TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS NORMAL HEALTH IN ADVANCED AGE, THEIR HEALTH NEEDS AND THE WAYS TO PREVENT DISEASE,* « ADDED.

DR. FANG COMMENDED THE DEPARTMENT FOR LAUNCHING THE HEALTH EDUCATION CAMPAIGN WHICH IS SO MUCH NEEDED AND WHICH IS IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE GREEN PAPER ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.

IN HIS WELCOMING ADDRESS, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. K.L. THONG, SAID THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CAMPAIGN WERE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON WAYS OF ACHIEVING OPTIMAL HEALTH AND THE PREVENTION OF DISEASES IN THE ELDERLY, AND THE USE OF AVAILABLE PERSONAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

HE SAID IMPARTING HEALTH KNOWLEDGE TO THE PUBLIC IN A CONTINUOUS MANNER AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY IN HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES +ARE CLOSELY AND MUTUALLY LINKED IN OUR EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE BETTER HEALTH AND A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE.*

DR. THONG POINTED OUT THAT TO BE ADVANCING IN YEARS DID NOT MEAN ILLNESS AND NON-PRODUCT IVITY AS MANY PEOPLE SEEMED TO THINK.

♦IN FACT, OLD AGE COULD BE A CONTINUED PHASE OF THE PRIME OF LIFE IN WHICH ONE CAN REMAIN HEALTHY AND ACTIVE, IF ONE UNDERSTANDS THE COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS IN OLD AGE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION,* HE SAID.

/2UHING THE .....

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE AGED, MRS. SIU HON-SUM PRESENTED PRIZES AND TROPHIES TO WINNERS OF A PHOTO COMPETITION WHICH WAS RUN IN CONNECTION WITH THE CAMPAIGN.

ALL THE CASH PRIZES AND TROPHIES WERE DONATED BY MRS. SIU, WHO HAS MADE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE CARE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.

SCHOOLS SHOULD PREPARE STUDENTS TO BE GOOD CITIZENS ******

PRIMARY SCHOOLS PROVIDE THE MOST BASIC EDUCATION AND TEACHERS SHOULD WORK TOWARDS FORMING PUPILS INTO GOOD CITIZENS, MR. Q.W. LEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE JOINT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS EXHIBITION AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE.

♦PRIMARY SCHOOLS PROVIDE THE BASIC EDUCATION IN LIFE. APART FROM TEACHING THE PUPILS GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND BASIC SKILLS, TEACHERS SHOULD HELP THEM DEVELOP INTERESTS, IDEALS AND A CORRECT ATTITUDE IN DEALING WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

♦IN THIS WAY THE PUPILS WILL ACHIEVE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT IN BODY AND MIND, AND GROW UP TO BECOME GOOD CITIZENS,+ MR. LEE SAID.

ON THE OTHER HAND, HE POINTED OUT THAT CHILDREN ARE PLAYFUL BY NATURE, AND IT WAS UP TO THE SCHOOLS, PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS TO HELP THEM TO STUDY VOLUNTARILY BY PROVIDING THEM WITH A SUITABLE AND HAPPY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

♦THEREFORE IT IS HIGHLY MEANINGFUL THAT THE THEME OF THE EXHIBITION IS ’HAPPY CHILDHOOD’.

♦FURTHERMORE, IT IS EXTREMELY TIMELY THAT SUCH AN EXHIBITION STRESSING ON CAPE FOR CHILDREN IN THEIR SCHOOL LIFE SHOULD BE HELD THIS YEAR, WHICH IS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD,+ MR. LEE SAID.

ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WAS MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WHO COMMENDED THE STAFF OF HIS DEPARTMENT, THE UNION CF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS HEADMASTERS AND HEADMISTRESSES, AND THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS UNION FOR THEIR WORK IN ORGANISING THIS EXHIBITION.

♦THE AIMS OF THE EXHIBITION ARE ON THE ONE HAND TO TELL THE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT- AND ON THE OTHER TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY AN INSIGHT INTO THE SPECIALITIES AND ACTUAL RUNNING OF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ORDER TO HELP THEM FORM A TRUE PICTURE OF THE SCHOOLS,♦ HE SAID.

THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD TODAY AND TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN QUEEN’S COLLEGE, AND WILL BE MOVED TO QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL IN KOWLOON NEXT WEEKEND (MARCH 3 AND 4). THE OPENING HOURS ARE FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

IMPORTANT ROLES OF M.A.C. IN TSUEN WAN STRESSED » K X K O

TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, TODAY (SATURDAY) SPOKE OF THE MANY IMPORTANT WAYS IN WHICH MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES CAN CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE WELL-BEING OF THE TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY.

SPEAKING AT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR SPRING GATHERING OF TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING, MR. HAYES STRESSED THAT THESE COMMITTEES, IF PROPERLY RUN AND UNDER GOOD LEADERSHIP, WOULD BE AN IMMENSE POTENTIAL ASSET TO TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.

♦THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE IS AN IMPORTANT INSTITUTION IN MODERN TSUEN WAN,* HE SAID.

+THIS APPLIES EQUALLY WHETHER IT IS IN A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING OR A SQUATTER AREA.*

ALTHOUGH THE PRIMARY REASON FOR THE EXISTENCE OF A MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE IS GOOD MANAGEMENT OF THE BUILDING IT SERVES, bfl. HAYES POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE OTHER IMPORTANT WAYS IN WHICH A MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY, IN PART AND AS A WHOLE.

IT CAN FORM THE BASIC UNIT OF COMMUNITY ORGANISATION AND ASSIST IN THE CREATION OF A COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND A SENSE OF IDENTITY IN THOSE BUILDINGS WHERE A SPIRIT OF GOODWILL AND MUTUAL CO-OPERATION EXISTS.

♦IT CAN LOOK AFTER ITS OLD PEOPLE AND CHILDREN AND FORM TEAMS AND GROUPS OF VARIOUS KINDS FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES AND PARTICIPATION IN THE MANY COMPETITIONS ARRANGED BY LOCAL BODIES.

♦ITS OFFICE BEARERS CAN JOIN IN THE CONSULTATIVE AND ADVISORY WORK OF AREA COMMITTEES,♦ MR. HAYES ADDED.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

TUEN MUN’S LARGEST RECREATIONAL FACILITY ft ft ft ft ft ft

MR. LAU WONG-FAT, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, TODAY (SATURDAY) DESCRIBED THE OPENING OF CASTLE PEAK SAN HUI PLAYGROUND AS A SIGN OF A NEW ERA OF DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT ITS OPENING CEREMONY.

THE PLAYGROUND COVERS AN AREA OF 6,600 SQUARE METRES AND IS THE LARGEST RECREATIONAL FACILITY IN TUEN MUN DISTRICT.

BEING THE FIRST STAGE OF A RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT CF THE NEW TOWN, THE PLAYGROUND CONSISTS OF A MINI-SOCCER PITCH, TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AND A SITTING-OUT AREA.

THE SECOND STAGE OF THE PROJECT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

MR. WONG SAID THAT WHEN THE SECOND STAGE IS COMPLETED THERE WILL BE ADEQUATE RECREATIONAL AND SPORT FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEED OF THE NEW TOWN’S EXPANDING POPULATION WHICH WILL INCREASE TO 500,000 WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

BEFORE DECLARING THE PLAYGROUND OPEN MR. WONG THANKED THE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS CONTINUOUS EFFORTS IN MAKING LAND AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN TUEN MUN DISTRICT.

MR. H.S. GREWAL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE URBAN SERVICES (NEW TERRITORIES), WHEN SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY SAID THE COMPLETION OF THE PLAYGROUND WAS A STEP FORWARD TO FULFIL THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, BOTH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE, TO MEET THE VARIED NEEDS CF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE NEW TOWN.

AS A DOUBLE CELEBRATION, A GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR A CLOCK TOWER WAS HELD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PLAYGROUND WAS DECLARED OPEN.

THE CLOCK TOWER IS BEING DONATED BY THE LIONS CLUB OF CASTLE PEAK.

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

SATURDAY, FSBRUARY 2L, 1979

- 8 -

PWD’S ACTIVE CONTRIBUTION TO MAKING HK ROADS SAFER *****

THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE HAS BEEN ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTING TO EFFORTS TO MAKE HONG KONG’S ROADS SAFER.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THE WORK OF THE HONG KONG AND MAINLAND DIVISIONS .ARE REFLECTED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

HE SAID THE CAUSEWAY BAY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WAS JUST ONE OF THE MANY PROJECTS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ISLAND DIVISION.

+THE SCHEME COMPRISES MAINLY THE REROUTING OF SIDE STREETS IN THE AREA SOUTH OF HENNESSY ROAD AND EAST OF PERCIVAL STREET,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

+IT IS DESIGNED TO FACILITATE LOCAL TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.*

THE SCHEME WAS IMPLEMENTED DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF 1978.

DURING THE SAME PERIOD THE HONG KONG DIVISION ADDED TO THE NUMBER OF STREET LAMPS, CARRIED OUT SEVERAL TRAFFIC STUDIES, CAREFULLY LOOKED AT ZEBRA CROSSINGS AND PREPARED A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DESIGNS.

THEIR COUNTERPARTS ACROSS THE HARBOUR ALSO INCREASED THE NUMBER OF ILLUMINATED TRAFFIC AIDS — THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 2,550 ON THE MAINLAND.

DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR THE MAINLAND DIVISION COMPLETED NO FEWER THAN 23 NEW SIGNAL-CONTROLLED CROSSINGS AND BROUGHT INTO OPERATION 13 NEW SETS OF TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS.

THE PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS, ON TOP OF THIS, A NET INCREASE OF 532 STREET LAMPS.

♦ALL OF THEIR WORK,* SAID THE SPOKESMAN, +CONTRIBUTED TO THE SAFETY OF THE MOTORIST AND THE PEDESTRIAN.*

-------C---------

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

FAMILY CARNIVAL FOR TAI HANG TUNG RESIDENTS MX*

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE IS ORGANISING A +FAMILY CARNIVAL+ FOR 3,000 RESIDENTS TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.

THE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER FOR WEST KOWLOON, MR. LU YU-HUA, WILL BE AMONG THE GUESTS TO OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

PROGRAMMES OF THE CARNIVAL, TO BE HELD AT THE TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE NO. 1 PLAYGROUND, WILL FEATURE BRASS BAND PERFORMANCE AND A VARIETY OF GAME STALLS.

PRIZES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED FOR THE BEST GAME STALL DESIGN AS WELL AS TO WINNERS OF A FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ESSAY COMPETITION.

THE CARNIVAL IS ORGANISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WEST KOWLOON YOUTH GUIDANCE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO).

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FAMILY CARNIVAL AND ITS OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE NO. 1 PLAYGROUND TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 2 P.M. TO 5 P.M.

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

/10......

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

PASSING OUT PARADE IN STANLEY ft ft ft ft

PRISON OFFICERS SHOULD NOT USE THEIR AUTHORITY INDISCRIMINATELY BUT TO TREAT ALL PRISONERS IN A STRICT AND HUMANE MANNER.

THIS WAS SAID BY MR. W.T. GRIMSDALE, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, WHEN HE ADDRESSED A PASSING OUT PARADE OF 86 PRISON OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.

MR. GRIMSDALE HAS BEEN A VISITING JUSTICE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTIONS FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS.

EXPLAINING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF VISITING JUSTICES, HE SAID TWO MUST VISIT EVERY INSTITUTION AT LEAST ONCE A FORTNIGHT TO CHECK ON ALL MANAGEMENT ASPECTS AND TO HEAR COMPLAINTS FROM PR ISOMERS.

HE ADDED THE VISITING JUSTICES ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO COMMENT ON ALL ASPECTS WITHIN INSTITUTIONS.

- 0 -

21 CONTRACTS AWARDED BY PWD LAST MONTH ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AWARDED 21 CONTRACTS WORTH 180.77 MILLION LAST MONTH.

THIRTEEN WERE AWARDED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD AND EIGHT ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PWD TENDER BOARD.

THE BIGGEST CONTRACT WAS FOR YUEN LONG DEVELOPMENT, WHICH INVOLVES FORMING 28 HECTARES OF LAND AND BUILDING SEVEN KILOMETRES OF ROAD AND CYCLE PATH.

AMONG OTHER CONTRACTS WERE THOSE FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF THE SEMI-AUTOMATED DEPARTURE BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM STAGE TWO AT KAI TAK AIRPORT AND FOR ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORK IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

FIGHT CRIME DRAMA COMPETITION ft ft ft ft ft

STUDENTS FROM 10 YAU MA TEI SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE TAKING PART IN A BEAT CRIME DRAMA COMPETITION TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO HELP PUBLICISE THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.

THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL SECTIONS. EACH SCHOOL WILL HAVE TO PERFORM A 20-MINUTE SHOW.

THE CHAMPION, FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP OF EACH SECTION WILL BE GIVEN SHIELDS AND SOUVENIRS.

MR. THOMAS SHARR, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (YAU MA TEI) WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY.

THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (YAU MA TEI) AND THE YAU MA TEI EAST AREA COMMITTEE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENATIVES TO COVER THE FIGHT CRIME DRAMA COMPETITION AT 9 A.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE YAU MA TEI KAIFONG ASSOCIATION PRIMARY SCHOOL, CLIFF ROAD, YAU MA TEI.

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES ft ft ft ft

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE NORTHBOUND SECTION OF FLEMING ROAD BETWEEN JAFFE ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 7 P.M. ON MONDAY TO 7 A.M. ON TUESDAY.

IN KWUN TONG, TING FU STREET, AT THE JUNCTION OF KWUN TONG ROAD, WILL BE CLOSED FOR FOUR WEEKS STARTING FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY TO FACILITATE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION WORKS.

TRAFFIC SIGNS IN THE TWO AREAS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1979

FIRING PRACTICE

* X * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN HA TSUEN, 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 PRACTISING TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS!

DATE HOURS

MONDAY (FEBRUARY 26) 8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 27) 9 A.M. - 5.30 P.M.

THURSDAY (MARCH 1) 8 A.M - 11 P.M.

FRIDAY (MARCH 2) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR TO OPEN ANTI-NARCOTICS MASS RALLY .................. 1

WELFARE PREMISES RESERVED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ......... 2

DRESS REHEARSAL OF YOUTH RALLY FOR H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES ....................................................... 3

$12 MILLION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL FOR CHAI WAN ............... 4

NEW FERRY PIER AT HUNG HOM .................................. 5

J14M CHEUNG SHA-KEUNG SHAN ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME .......... 6

FIRE SERVICES TO HOLD ANNUAL ATHLETIC MEET................... 7

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1979

GOVERNOR TO OPEN ANT I-NARCOTICS MASS RALLY ft * * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS’ (ACAN) MASS RALLY TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG STADIUM ON APRIL 6.

SIR MURRAY WILL ADDRESS ABOUT 30,000 STUDENTS AND YOUTHS EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE RALLY WHICH MARKS THE BEG IN ING OF YET ANOTHER YEAR’S (1979-80) INCREASED EFFORT IN ANTI-NARCOTICS PUBLICITY AND PREVENTIVE EDUCATION.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RALLY’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND ACAN’S PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR. KARL STUMPF, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY)t +THE RALLY AIMS AT MAKING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF THE ANTI-NARCOTICS ISSUE IN HONG KONG AND THE GOOD WORK BY THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE FIELD.+ x

+THE RALLY ALSO ADVOCATES INCREASED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS,♦ HE SAID.

WITH A THEME OF +HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES* AGAINST DRUG ABUSE, THE RALLY FEATURES A +TELEMATCH+ COMPETITION TO BE PARTICIPATED BY 30 TEAMS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, INCLUDING A TEAM COMPRISING EX-DRUG ADDICTS.

THE TWO-HOUR PROGRAMME, STARTING AT 3 P.M., ALSO FEATURES BRASS BAND, BUGLES, PIPES AND DRUMS PERFORMANCES BY THE BRITISH FORCES AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE. THERE WILL BE LION AND RIBBON DANCE PERFORMANCES BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL, KARATE AND JUDO DEMONSTRATIONS BY THE POLICE CADETS.

MEMBERS OF THE WORLD FAMOUS +RED DEVILS* PARACHUTE TEAM STATIONED WITH THE GARRISON IN HONG KONG WILL ENTERTAIN SPECTATORS WITH THEIR EXCITING PARACHUTE JUMPING DISPLAY INTO THE STADIUM. THEY WILL EACH CARRY THE CHINESE-LANGUAGE ANTINARCOTICS MESSAGE AS THEY MAKE THEIR SPECTACULAR DESCENT INTO THE PACKED STADIUM.

A MOCK BATTLE DISPLAY WILL BE STAGED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT AND A MOTORCYCLE DEMONSTRATION BY THE CIVIL AID SERVICES.

MORE THAN 2,000 STUDENTS FROM NEW METHOD COLLEGE WILL GIVE AN ANTI-DRUG SLOGAN AND PICTURE DISPLAY WITH THE WJ-W4UUSE OF ••FLIP BOARDS*.

IN ADDITION TO THE COLOURFUL RALLY, ACAN HAS PLANNED A COMPREHENSIVE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMME FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR (1979-80).

THE PROPOSED PROGRAMME INCLUDES A SERIES OF MONTH-LONG DISTRICT CAMPAIGNS, EXHIBITIONS, ANTI-DRUG SEMINARS AND TRAINING CAMPS, MOBILE THEATRE AND FILM SHOWS, TELEVISION EDUCATION FILMS AND DRAMAS, AND A DRUG ABUSE TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THERE WILL BE AN INTENSIVE PUBLICITY IN THE MASS MEDIA AND A WIDE VARIETY OF EDUCATION AND INFORMATION PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING THE ANNUAL ACAN’S NARCOTICS REPORT, WILL BE PRODUCED.

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/2....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1979.

2 -

WELFARE PREMISES RESERVED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES *****

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES FOR PREMISES RESERVED FOR SPECIFIC OR GENERAL WELFARE PURPOSES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

PREMISES HAVE BEEN RESERVED OR WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS ESTATES FOR RUNNING CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRES, NURSERIES, HOSTELS AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, CLUBS FOR THE DISABLED AND HOSTELS FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED.

THE DEPARTMENT’S PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SECTION HAS WRITTEN TO THE AGENCIES PROVIDING THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE AVAILABILITY OF SUCH PREMISES IN EXISTING ESTATES AND THOSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR SHORTLY TO BE BUILT.

THE SECTION, IN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOUSING SOCIETY, MONITORS THE ALLOCATION OF WELFARE PREMISES FOR DEPARTMENTAL AND AGENCIES’ PROJECTS TO ENSURE A BALANCED PROVISION OF WELFARE SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN NEW TOWNS AND NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

AT PRESENT, PREMISES WITH A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 36,700 SQ. FT. ARE AVAILABLE IN NINE EXISTING ESTATES FOR CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRES AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY TO MEET A GROWING NEED IN THE ESTATES.

OF THESE, THE LARGEST PREMISES IS AT FU SHAN ESTATE WITH A FLOOR SPACE OF 7,000 SQ. FT. RESERVED FOR RUNNING A CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRE.

ANOTHER PREMISES, COVERING 6,000 SQ. FT. AT NAM SHAN ESTATE (PHASE IC) IS ALSO FOR A CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRE.

THE OTHER SEVEN PREMISES HAVE FLOOR AREAS RANGING FROM 1,425 SQ. FT. TO 5,310 SQ. FT. AND ARE AVAILABLE IN HING WAH, LAI KING, LAI YIU, SHEK LEI, WAH FU, WO CHE AND TAI HING ESTATES.

FOR GENERAL WELFARE PURPOSES, SPACES WITH A TOTAL AREA OF OVER 28,200 SQ. FT. HAVE BEEN RESERVED IN 11 EXISTING ESTATES.

APPLICATIONS FOR WELFARE PREMISES IN EXISTING ESTATES WILL BE PROCESSED ON A +FIRST COME FIRST SERVED* BASIS.

IN ADDITION, A LARGE NUMBER OF PREMISES FOR RUNNING NURSERIES, HOSTELS AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE AGED, CLUBS FOR THE DISABLED, HOSTELS FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED AND YOUTH CENTRES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN ESTATES NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR TO BE BUILT SHORTLY. APPLICATIONS FOR THESE PREMISES SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE MARCH 31.

ON TOP OF THESE, PREMISES HAVE BEEN RESERVED IN THE HOUSING SOCIETY’S CHO YIU CHUEN IN KWAI CHUNG FOR OLD PEOPLE’S HOSTELS, CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CENTRES AND NURSERY. VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WISHING TO APPLY SHOULD SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE HOUSING SOCIETY, GENERAL POST OFFICE BOX 845, HONG KONG BEFORE MARCH 31.

APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER INFORMATION ON ALL THESE WELFARE PREMISES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SECTION (TEL. 5-773249).

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/3....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1979

- 3 -

DRESS REHEARSAL OF YOUTH RALLY FOR H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES * M M M * M

SPECTATORS AT YUEN LONG STADIUM COULD HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN FOR THINKING THEY WERE +SEEING DOUBLE+ TODAY (SUNDAY) WHEN AN OPEN CROWN ROLLS ROYCE ARRIVED AND BEARING A YOUNG ENGLISH MAN WEARING A DARK SUIT.

MANY ON-LOOKERS THOUGHT FOR A MOMENT THAT HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE PRINCE OF WALES HAD ARRIVED IN HONG KONG A WEEK EARLY, JUDGING BY +OOHS+ AND +AHS+ WHICH GREETED THE YOUNG MAN’S ARRIVAL.

IT WAS NOT, OF COURSE, PRINCE CHARLES BUT HIS OFFICIAL ♦STAND-IN+, CHIEF INSPECTOR DAVID RONALD OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WHO HAS BEEN SURROGAT PRINCE FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS AT REHEARSALS FOR THE FORTHCOMI NG "ROYAL VISIT.

CHIEF INSPECTOR RONALD, WHO IS ATTACHED TO POLICE HEADQUARTERS, WAS NOT CHOSEN FOR HIS LIKENESS TO PRINCE CHARLES — BUT ON-LOOKERS TODAY SAW A CLOSE RESEMBLANCE.

♦NOBODY HAD SAID BEFORE THAT I LOOK LIKE PRINCE CHARLES BUT SINCE THE REHEARSALS, QUITE A FEW PEOPLE HAVE REMARKED THAT THERE IS IN FACT A LIKENESS,+ SAID INSPECTOR RONALD.

♦BUT I AM SURE THEY ONLY THINK SO BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO BE PLAYING HIS PART.+

INSPECTOR RONALD SAYS HE IS ENJOYING HIS ROLE. SETTLING INTO THE BACK SEAT OF THE ROLLS, HE SAID, ♦! CAN SEE HOW YOU WOULD BECOME USED TO THIS.+

SEVERAL HUNDRED YUEN LONG RESIDENTS WATCHED TODAY’S REHEARSAL INCLUDING THE DOTTING OF THE EYES OF A 145 FEET LONG SILVER DRAGON, A COLOURFUL YOUTH DISPLAY AND MUSIC PROVIDED BY A MASS BAND OF MORE THAN 300 PLAYERS.

NEARLY 1,000 PEOPLE ARE TAKING PART IN THE DISPLAY AND DURING THE WEEK WILL BE POLISHING UP THEIR PERFORMANCE FOR PRINCE CHARLES’ OFFICIAL VISIT TO~YUEN LONG NEXT MONDAY, MARCH 5.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1979

$12 MILLION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL FOR CHAI WAN ******

WORK IS STARTING SOON ON A $12 MILLION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN CHAI WAN CAPABLE OF ACCOMMODATING ABOUT 1,000 STUDENTS FROM FORM 1 TO V.

THE CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL — CHAI WAN, WILL BE BUILT ON A 60,000 SQ. FT. SITE AT SAN HA STREET, DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE PO LEUNG KUK C.F.A. NO. 1 PRIMARY SCHOOL.

THE CAPITAL COST IS BEING PARTIALLY FINANCED BY THE MARDEN FOUNDATION AND MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WILL BE UNVEILING THE COMMEMORATIVE STONE OF THE NEW SCHOOL AT A BRIEF CEREMONY ON FRIDAY, MARCH 2.

THE MODERN DESIGN SCHOOL WILL HAVE THREE SEPARATE BLOCKS OF SIX TO SEVEN STOREYS LINKED TOGETHER TO PROVIDE 15 CLASSROOMS, NINE WORKSHOPS, EIGHT SPECIAL ROOMS, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND A LARGE COMMUNITY HALL.

AS IN THE OTHER TWO PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN SPONSORED BY THE MARDEN FOUNDATION, THE PREMISES ARE DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, AND THE SCHOOL FACILITIES ARE ALSO MADE AVAILABLE TO OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES AFTER NORMAL SCHOOL HOURS.

THOUGH THE SCHOOL WILL NOT BE READY TILL 1980, IT WILL COMMENCE OPERATING THIS SEPTEMBER WITH BORROWED PREMISES AND FACILITIES AT THE CARITAS ST. FRANCIS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN CAINE ROAD.

INITIALLY IT WILL HAVE SEVEN CLASSES STUDENTS.

TOTALLING ABOUT 280

THE SCHOOL HAS ALREADY ARRANGED INTERVIEWS EARLY THIS MONTH FOR ENROLMENT OF FORM 1 STUDENTS IN SEPTEMBER.

WHEN FULLY ESTABLISHED IN ITS NEW PREMISES IN CHAI WAN IT WILL OFFER A VARIETY OF TECHNICAL, COMMERCIAL AND PRODUCTION SUBJECTS SUCH AS ENGINEERING METALWORK, ELECTRICAL STUDIES, TECHNICAL DRAWING, PRINTING AND BOOK-BINDING, CLOTHING AND RELATED TEXTILES, TYPING, OFFICE PRACTICE, BOOK-KEEPING AND RETAILING.

THERE ARE ALREADY 11 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WITH A TOTAL OF 7,500 STUDENTS. TWO ARE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, FIVE IN KOWLOON AND ONE EACH AT KWAI CHUNG, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1979

- 5 -

NEW FERRY PIER AT HUNG HOM *****

THE NEW FERRY PIER AT HUNG HOM IS A VAST IMPROVEMENT ON THE OLD FACILITY AS COMMUTERS WILL SOON FIND OUT.

AND, THE CONCOURSE LEADING TO THE NEW FERRY PIER ALSO HAS TAKEN ON A NEW LOOK.

A PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE PIER SHOULD BE FINISHED NEXT MONTH AND THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CONCOURSE NOT LONG AFTER.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW PIER TO THE SOUTH OF THE EXISTING FERRY LANDINGS PROVIDES TWO BERTHS CAPABLE OF HANDLING LARGER PASSENGER VESSELS.

+A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE NEW COMPLEX,* HE SAID, *IS THE COVERED WALKWAY LINKING THE PIER WITH THE CONCOURSE AND THE NEARBY RAILWAY TERMINUS. THIS MEANS EASY AND CONVENIENT ACCESS BETWEEN THE TWO EMBARKATION POINTS.*

THE PIER IS A TWO-STOREY BUILDING WITH TWO BERTHS, EACH FITTED WITH ELECTRICALLY OPERATED LIFTS AND RAMPS.

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CONCOURSE INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF A BUS TERMINUS, A TAXI STAND AND A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TERMINUS. DRAINAGE IN THE AREA IS ALSO BEING IMPROVED.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1979

- 6 -

$14M CHEUNG SHA-KEUNG SHAN ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME

* * * *

THE 114 MILLION PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SCHEME TO IMPROVE SOUTH LANTAU ROAD FROM CHEUNG SHA TO KEUNG SHAN HAS TAKEN ANOTHER MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE THIRD STAGE OF THE PROJECT.

MR. S.C. CHEN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF PWD'S HIGHWAYS (NEW TERRITORIES) DIVISION, RECALLED THAT WORK ON THE PHASED IMPROVEMENTS TO SOUTH LANTAU ROAD FIRST BEGAN IN AUGUST 1976.

WORK ON THE FIRST OF FOUR STAGES, FROM CHEUNG SHA TO TONG FUK, WAS COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 1977.

THIS WAS FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND STAGE OF THE PROJECT FROM CHEUNG SHA FIRE STATION TO TUNG CHUNG ROAD WHICH WAS FINISHED ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER.

THE JUST COMPLETED THIRD STAGE INVOLVES THE SECTION OF ROAD BETWEEN TONG FUK AND SHU I HAU.

WORK ON THE FOURTH STAGE FROM SHU I HAU TO SHEK PIK HAS REACHED THE HALF-WAY MARK AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END CF THE YEAR.

MR. CHEN SAID THE ORIGINAL ROAD WAS NARROW AND WINDING WITH A NUMBER OF SHARP BENDS AND PASSING BAYS.

HE ADDED THAT THE IMPROVEMENTS MAINLY INVOLVED WIDENING THE ROAD TO 7.3 METRES OR TWO TRAFFIC LANES AND CUTTING SHARP BENDS. THE ALIGNMENT AND GRADIENT WERE ALSO IMPROVED.

THE ENTIRE SCHEME, COVERING ABOUT SEVEN KILOMETRES OF ROAD, WILL TAKE JUST OVER THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE.

MR. CHEN DISCLOSED THAT TWO MORE STAGES WERE BEING PLANNED, THE FIRST COVERING THE SECTION OR ROAD FROM SHEK PIK TO THE 11-MILESTONE, SOUTH LANTAU ROAD, AND THE SECOND FROM THE 11-MILESTONE, SOUTH LANTAU ROAD, TO KEUNG SHAN.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1979

FIRE SERVICES TO HOLD ANNUAL ATHLETIC MEET * * * * *

FIREMEN FROM MACAU WILL TAKE PART IN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL ATHLETIC MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE SOUTH CHINA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

THE 18-MEMBER TEAM IS LED BY THE COMMANDANT OF MACAU FIRE BRIGADE, MR. R.F.P. DE ASSIS.

THE ANNUAL MEET, ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SPORTS AND WELFARE CLUB, COMPRISES 19 TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY WILL BE THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL 4 X 100-METRE RELAY IN WHICH ATHLETES FROM 11 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL COMPETE.

THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. F. WATSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE PIPE BAND WILL PLAY DURING INTERVALS.

NOTE TO ED ITORSt

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FIRE SERVICES ANNUAL ATHLETIC MEET TO BE HELD AT THE SOUTH CHINA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, CAROLINE HILL ROAD, TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT 11 A.M.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

COMMITTEE SET UP TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR METRICATION IN MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES AND INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS SECTOR ......................................... 1

PRINCE CHARLES TO BRING DRAGON TO LIFE ................... 2

WET SUMMER PREDICTED ..................................... 3

HUGE INVESTMENT NEEDED FOR NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT 4

REORGANISATION OF URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN NEW TERRITORIES .............................................. 5

79 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY ................ 6

SIGNING OF MULTI-MILL I ON-DOLLAR PWD CONTRACT............ 7

TAI PO GOVT OFFICE BUILDING READY SOON.................... 8

45 AND 47 SQUARE STREET DECLARED DANGEROUS ............... 8

HK STUDENT WINS MUSIC AWARD .............................. 9

PRINTING DEPARTMENT GRADUATES RECEIVE AWARDS ............. 9

PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER CLOSED TEMPORARILY ....... 10

WATER CUT................................................ 10

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 197$

COMMITTEE SET UP TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR METRICATION IN MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES AND INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS SECTOR ******

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE, PROFESSOR S.Y. KING HAS APPOINTED AN 11-MAN COMMITTEE TO EE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENCOURAGING NETRICATION IN THE MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES AND IN THE INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS SECTOR.

THE SECTOR COMMITTEE WILL BE CHAIRED BY MR. CECIL S.O. CHAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, WITH MR. PAUL T.S. YIN, WHO REPRESENTS THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, AS VICE-CHAIRMAN. BOTH ARE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE.

THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE MR. ROLAND CHAN- MR. CHAN TSAN-KAN-MR. ANTHONY J. ENG- MR. PETER H.H. HUNG- MR. PHILIP LAI- DR. M.W. LUI- MR. A.C. MCDONALD- MR. K.Y. TONGSON AND MR. WARNER YEH.

EACH WILL FORM AND CHAIR A WORKING GROUP TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR METRICATION IN A SPECIFIC TRADE OR INDUSTRY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES AND THE INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS SECTOR WERE REGARDED AS AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS BEING INFLUENCED BY THE WORLD-WIDE MOVE TOWARDS THE USE OF METRIC (SI) UNITS.

HE SAID THE SECTOR COMMITTEE WOULD MAKE AN EARLY START ON DETERMINING A UNIFORM APPROACH FOR EACH INDUSTRY TO FOLLOW IN ITS METRICATION PROGRAMME.

THE SECTOR COMMITTEE’S TERM OF REFERENCE AREt

* TO MAKE A PLAN TO INTRODUCE AND IMPLEMENT AN ORDERLY CHANGEOVER TO THE USE OF SI UNITS IN MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES AND INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS.

* TO SET UP WORKING PARTIES IN THE VARIOUS RELATED AREAS TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN IN THESE AREAS AND TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS TO BE ENCOUNTERED.

* BASED ON (1) AND (2), TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMITTEE ON INDIVIDUAL AND OVERALL METRICATION PROGRAMMES WITH TARGET DATES IN THIS SECTOR, INCLUDING THE NEEDS FOR PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL.

* TO CO-ORDINATE AND REVIEW REGULARLY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METRICATION PROGRAMMES ENDORSED BY THE COMMITTEE IN THIS SECTOR.

* TO RECEIVE AND EXAMINE COMPLAINTS AND TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS OF METRICATION ENCOUNTERED IN THIS SECTOR AND TO DEAL WITH THEM DIRECTLY OR TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMITTEE FOR THE IR SOLUTION.

* TO ADVISE THE COMMITTEE ON ANY OTHER MATTER CONNECTED WITH THIS SECTOR AS DIRECTED BY THE COMMITTEE.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 197

2 -

PRINCE CHARLES TO BRING DRAGON TO LIFE

*****

EIGHTY PAINSTAKING WORKING HOURS AND CRAFTSMANSHIP PASSED ON THROUGH GENERATIONS HAVE GONE INTO THE CREATION OF A SPECTACULAR 145-FOOT-LONG DRAGON FOR THE VISIT OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES TO YUEN LONG NEXT MONDAY (MARCH 5).

THE DRAGON — IT IS SILVER, THE TRADITIONAL MARK OF THE NOBILITY — IS THE MASTERPIECE OF A LOCAL FLORIST, NR. LEUNG LAM WHO REGARDS IT AS THE FINEST HE HAS MADE SINCE HIS FIRST EFFORT IN CHINA MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO.

♦CERTAINLY, IT IS BY FAR THE LONGEST DRAGON I HAVE EVER MADE AND THE EQUAL OF ANY SEEN BEFORE IN HONG KONG,+ A PROUD MR. LEUNG SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

MR. LEUNG, NOTED FOR HIS SKILLS IN THE ART OF DRAGON-MAKING, WAS RECRUITED BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE FOR HIS LATEST TASK WHEN PLANS FOR THE ROYAL VISIT WERE FINALISED A FEW WEEKS AGO.

A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID MR. LEUNG WAS A LOGICAL CHOICE SINCE HE HAD MADE A DRAGON FOR A PREVIOUS ROYAL VISIT TO YUEN LONG, THAT OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MARGARET IN 1966.

PRINCE CHARLES WILL BRING THE DRAGON TO LIFE BY DOTTING ITS EYES AT THE YUEN LONG STADIUM ON MONDAY AFTERNOON, THUS STARTING A COLOURFUL YOUTH DISPLAY THAT WILL INVOLVE ALMOST 1,000 STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER HONG KONG.

MR. LEUNG WAS ON HAND AT THE STADIUM YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) TO SEE THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, AND THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. MICHAEL CARTLAND, GIVE THE DRAGON ITS ♦FIRST FLUSH OF LIFE* DURING A CENTURIES-OLD TAOIST BLESSING CEREMONY TO PREPARE THE DRAGON FOR THE EYE-DOTTING BY PRINCE CHARLES.

ON THE BIG DAY ITSELF, THE DRAGON WILL BE PROPELLED BY 160 SUPER-FIT YOUNG MEN FROM WANG CHAU VILLAGE WHO w ILL ACCOMPANY THE DRAGON THROUGH ITS RITUALS OF ♦ROLLING ON ITS BACK+, ♦GOING OVER THE BRIDGE+ AND +FLUTTERING LIKE TWO BUTTERFLIES+.

MR. LEUNG WAS IN CHARGE OF FIVE SKILLED WORKMEN WHO WORKED NON-STOP TO GET THE DRAGON READY ON TIME. THE CREATURE IS DIVIDED INTO 25 SECTIONS, INCLUDING THE 1.5-METRE HEAD.

SAYS MR. LEUNG : + THE HEAD WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART BECAUSE IT MUST BE JUST RIGHT.+

DBAGC?.T'S

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1979

THE DRAGON'S SKELETON IS MADE OF BAMBOO WHILE THE BODY IS LAYERED WITH GAUZE AND SILVER-COLOURED SCALES. BESIDES THE DRAGON, MR. LEUNG AND HIS DRAGON-MAKING TEAM ALSO PRODUCED THE EMBLEMS OF THE PEARL, MOON AND SUN WHICH MUST ACCOMPANY THE DRAGON ON ITS DANCE.

PRINCE CHARLES WILL BE OFFICIATING AT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CHINESE TRADITIONS WHEN HE DOTS THE EYES NEXT MONDAY.

THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY GOES BACK 1,400 YEARS TO THE REIGN OF EMPEROR LIANG WU Tl (AD 502-549) WHO ORDERED ONE OF HIS MASTER PAINTERS, CHEUNG TSANG YAU, TO PAINT FOUR DRAGONS ON THE WALLS OF A TEMPLE IN NANKING.

LEGEND HAS IT THAT WHEN CHEUNG FINISHED THE PAINTINGS, HE LEFT ALL THE EYES BLANK, EXPLAINING THAT IF THE EYES WERE DOTTED, THE DRAGONS WOULD +COME TO LIFE.* WHEN A DISBELIEVER CHALLENGED THE PAINTER’S PROPHECY BY DOTTING THE EYES OF TWO OF THE DRAGONS, THUNDER AND LIGHTNING FILLED THE AIR, AND THE DRAGONS INDEED FLEW AWAY.

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WET SUMMER PREDICTED * * * M

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY PREDICTED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE COMING SUMMER WILL BE VERY WET.

THE MAY TO OCTOBER RAINFALL THIS YEAR (1979) IS FORECAST TO LIE BETWEEN 2,100 AND 2,500 MILLIMETRES COMPARED WITH THE 30-YEAR AVERAGE OF 1,924 MILLIMETRES.

THE RAINFALL FOR THE YEAR 1979 AS A WHOLE IS EXPECTED TO BE IN THE RANGE 2,500-2,900 MILLIMETRES COMPARED WITH THE 30-YEAR AVERAGE OF 2.246 MILLIMETRES. IF NECESSARY THIS PRELIMINARY FORECAST WILL BE UPDATED IN MAY WHEN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1979

HUGE INVESTMENT NEEDED FOR NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT *****

THE SCOPE AND SPEED OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL INVOLVE A HUGE INVESTMENT BY THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN LAND, WATER AND POWER SUPPLIES, ROADS, BUILDINGS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, MR. DEREK JONES SAID THIS TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE OPENING OF THE 1979 ASIAN REGIONAL MEETING OF THE COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION OF SURVEYING AND LAND ECONOMY.

AND MR. JONES TOLD DELEGATES AT THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL CONVENTION CENTRE THAT THE COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEM OF LINKING NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH OLDER URBAN AREAS WAS ♦ENORMOUS*.

HE ADDED: + IT HAS TO BE TACKLED AT THE SAME TIME AS EFFORTS ARE MADE TO OVERCOME THE GROWING THREAT OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE OLD URBAN AREAS THROUGH NEW URBAN MOTORWAYS, ELEVATED ROADS. FLYOVERS, TUNNELS AND, ABOVE ALL, THROUGH THE BUILDING OF AN UNDERGROUND RAILWAY.*

OUTLINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NEW TOWNSHIPS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH, BY THE LATE 198OS, ARE EXPECTED TO CATER FOR A POPULATION OF OVER TWO MILLION PEOPLE AND THE CENTRAL URBAN REGION AROUND THE HARBOUR, MR. JONES WENT ON:

♦THE NEW TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS WILL BE LINKED TO THE CENTRAL LRBAN REGION BY TWO MAJOR CORRIDORS, ONE ON THE WEST COMPRISING AN EXTENSION OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY, LINKED AT ITS TERMINUS WITH EXPRESS BUS SERVICES DOWN A MAJOR MOTOR ROAD.

♦ON THE EAST THE OLD SURFACE RAILWAY IS BEING MODERNISED AND ELECTRIFIED TO TAKE A GREAT DEAL MORE TRAFFIC.

♦FINALLY ALL THE NEW TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS WILL BE JOINED TOGETHER BY A CIRCULAR HIGH STANDARD ROAD.+

MR. JONES SAID DEVELOPMENTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE WOULD CREATE PROBLEMS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING AIR AND WATER POLLUTION FROM NEW INDUSTRIES AND ELECTRIC POWER STATIONS, PROBLEMS OF SEWAGE AND SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, NOISE AND TRAFFIC.

BUT, HE SAID: ^MEASURES ARE ALREADY BEING TAKEN TO MONITOR ENVIRONMENTAL EMISSIONS AND TO LAY DOWN STANDARDS.

♦ALL LARGE NEW DEVELOPMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THEY MEET REASONABLE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.*

MR. JONES SAID HONG KONG WAS A FASCINATING PLACE FOR THE SURVEYOR AT THE PRESENT TIME. HE SAID IT PRESENTED A WIDE SPECTRUM OF THE PROBLEMS FACED BY +YOUR PROFESSION* ACROSS THE WHOLE RANGE CF ITS DISCIPLINES AND IN A CONCENTRATED FORM AND IN A RELATIVELY SMALL COMPASS.

/?.% SAID:

FEBRUARY 26, 1979

HE SAID* +FOR INSTANCE, THE BRINGING OF LAND INTO USE AND, IN SOME CASES, ITS CREATION, AS WELL AS ITS ACCURATE DEMARCATION HAVE REQUIRED THE SERVICES OF MORE AND MORE PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYORS AS WELL AS THOSE CONCERNED WITH LAND ECONOMY AND VALUATION.

♦THE STAFF OF THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS STEADILY INCREASED TO MEET THIS NEED.

♦THE EXPANSION OF NEW BUILDING ACTIVITY, WITH MORE COMPLEX AND HIGHER AND HIGHER STRUCTURES, AS WELL AS OTHER CONSTRUCTION, HAD PLACED GROWING DEMANDS ON BUILDING SURVEYORS AND QUANTITY SURVEYORS, BOTH IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.

♦THE EVER INCREASING NUMBERS OF BUILDINGS AND THE PROBLEMS OF MAINTAINING THEM AND KEEPING THEM IN GOOD STRUCTURAL REPAIR, THE CONTROL OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND SO ON WERE EXPANDING THE WORK REQUIRED OF THE SURVEYORS IN THE GOVERNMENT’S BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE AND, OF COURSE, THE VALUERS IN THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT ALSO HAD A CONTINUALLY GROWING TASK.

♦AND OVERALL THE GREATER SIZE AND COMPLEXITY OF MODERN DEVELOPMENTS ARE TAXING THE SKILLS OF ALL THE PROFESSIONS REPRESENTED HERE TODAY.♦

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

REORGANISATION OF URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN NEW TERRITORIES

*******

THE NEW TERRITORIES REGION OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO BE RENAMED THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS FROM APRIL 1.

IN ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (MONDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR. BRIAN WILSON, SAID THE NEW DEPARTMENT WILL REMAIN WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE USD UNDER THE OVERALL CONTROL OF THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES.

♦THE DECISION TO CREATE THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT RECOGNISES THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF SERVICES IN THE NT- TO IDENTIFY MORE CLOSELY THE PROVISION OF SERVICES IN AND FOR THE AREA AND TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE LARGE INCREASES IN RESOURCES WHICH ARE AND WILL BE NECESSARY TO MEET THE EXPANDING REQUIREMENTS THERE,+ HE EXPLAINED.

ON REORGANISATION, MR. H.S. GREWAL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES (NEW TERRITORIES), WILL ASSUME THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1979

79 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY ******

„ THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 79 NEW BUILDING PLANS LAST (JANUARY) MONTH COMPARED WITH 77 IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. '

OF THOSE APPROVED, 33 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 24 FOR KOWLOON AND 22 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THEY INCLUDED PLANS FOR TWO HOTEL BUILDINGS IN TSIM SHA TSUI, A SPECIAL SCHOOL IN KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TWO POLICE AND FIRE/AMBULANCE STATIONS AND A COMMERCIAL CENTRE IN DISCOVERY BAY, LANTAU ISLAND AND A CHURCH AND YOUTH CENTRE IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.

THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS $198.03 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $322.57 MILLION LAST YEAR.

THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING LAST MONTH AMOUNTED TO 231,822.1 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 179,451.4 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 52,370.7 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 45 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS, INCLUDING TWO SCHOOL BUILDINGS AT THE JUNCTION OF LA SALLE ROAD AND BOUNDARY STREET AND SHA TIN, A COLD STORAGE BUILDING AND A CARGO CONSOLIDATION COMPLEX IN KWAI CHUNG, AND A CINEMA/APARTMENT/COMMERCI AL BUILDING IN TAI PO.

FIFTY NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING THE MONTH, INCLUDING A DENTAL TECHNOLOGY BUILDING AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC IN CHEONG WAN ROAD, A SOCIAL CENTRE IN FUK TSUN STREET, A SPORTS CENTRE (STAGE I) AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND A NUMBER OF FACTORY OR WORKSHOP BUILDINGS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO CONSENTED TO THE DEMOLITION OF 61 BUILDINGS.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1979

SIGNING OF MULT I-MILL ION-DOLLAR PWD CONTRACT . * * * ft ft

•>1

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL AWARD A MULT I-MILL ION-DOLLAR CONTRACT TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR PART OF A MAJOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN FANLING AND SHEK WU HU I IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE CONTRACT WILL BE THE FIRST FOR THE AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME

BE CARRIED OUT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

IT WILL BE SIGNED AT THE SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 6 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE FANLING AND SHEK WU HUI ROAD AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME AT THE SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 6 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, AT 10.15 A.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

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 9.30 A.M.

OFFICERS OF PWD’S PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1979

- 8 .

TAI PO GOVT OFFICE BUILDING READY SOON ******

A NEW GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING WILL SOON BE READY IN TAI PO TO KEEP PACE WITH THE NEEDS OF THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING COMMUNITY.

THE BUILDING, AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI PO ROAD AND TING KOK ROAD, WILL SERVE TAI PO AND THE NORTH-EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

MR. PAUL YIU, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR ARCHITECT FOR THE PROJECT, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) WORK ON THE BUILDING WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN APRIL.

♦THE COMPLEX CONSISTS OF A SIX-STOREY HIGH BLOCK PROVIDING 9,000 SQUARE METRES OF OFFICE SPACE AND A SINGLE-STOREY ANNEX,+ HE SAID.

♦IT WILL PROVIDE OFFICES FOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE POST OFFICE, MARRIAGE REGISTRY, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE (MAINTENANCE DEPOT), REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE AS WELL AS THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFF ICE,♦ MR. YIU ADDED.

THE SINGLE-STOREY ANNEX WILL HOUSE ALL THE NECESSARY ANCILLARY SERVICES, SUCH AS AN AIR-CONDITIONING PLANT, STORES AND CARETAKER QUARTERS.

THE OFFICE COMPOUND HAS PARKING SPACES FOR 57 CARS AND ALSO FOR SEVERAL BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS.

45 AND 47 SQUARE STREET DECLARED DANGEROUS ******

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (MONDAY) DECLARED NOS. 45 AND 47 SQUARE STREET, HONG KONG, TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID THESE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS ARE CONSTRUCTED WITH LOAD-BEARING WALLS AND TIMBER FLOORS.

IN VIEW OF THEIR GENERALLY DILAPIDATED CONDITION THESE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN UNDER REGULAR OBSERVATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE E.0.0. SAID.

DURING A RECENT INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE CONDITION CF THESE BUILDINGS HAD DETERIORATED CONSIDERABLY AND IN PARTICULAR NEW MOVEMENT OF THE REAR MAIN WALL WAS DETECTED.

♦AS THERE IS NOW A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE THE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF THESE BUILDINGS IS NECESSARY,♦ HE ADDED.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. OK MARCH 26 WERE POSTED TODAY.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1979'

9 -

HK STUDENT WINS MUSIC AWARD * * * ft *

FOR THE 19TH SUCCESSIVE YEAR THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED ANNUALLY BY THE ASSOCIATED BOARD OF THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC JOINTLY TO INDIA AND HONG KONG HAS BEEN WON BY A HONG KONG STUDENT.

THE 1978 WINNER, JUST ANNOUNCED BY THE ASSOCIATED BOARD, IS MISS CYNTHIA CHAN BIC-AN, A FORM SIX STUDENT AT DIOCESAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL.

EVERY YEAR SEVEN SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PROVIDED BY THE ASSOCIATED BOARD FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE BRITAIN. EACH SCHOLARSHIP IS TENABLE FOR THREE YEARS AT ONE OF THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC IN LONDON.

EACH AWARD AMOUNTS IN ALL TO ABOUT 4,000 POUNDS STERLING WHICH INCLUDES TUITION FEES, A GRANT OF 600 POUNDS STERLING A YEAR TOWARDS LIVING EXPENSES AND A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE COST OF A PASSAGE BACK HOME AT THE END OF THE COURSE.

MISS CHAN WAS AWARDED A DISTINCTION IN THE 1975 GRADE 8 PIANO EXAMINATION AND A PASS IN THE 1978 L.R.S.M. PERFORMING EXAMINATION AND IT WAS ON THE BASIS OF THESE RESULTS THAT SHE WAS TWICE SELECTED BY THE VISITING PANELS OF EXAMINERS FROM LONDON FOR SCHOLARSHIP CONSIDERATION BY THE ASSOCIATED BOARD.

MISS CHAN FIRST TOOK PIANO LESSONS AT THE AGE OF FIVE AND HER TEACHER IS MISS KATHERINE HUANG.

PRINTING DEPARTMENT GRADUATES RECEIVE AWARDS ft ft ft ft ft ft

NINE GRADUATES OF THE KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE’S PRINTING DEPARTMENT RECENTLY RECEIVED PRIZES FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES.

THE AWARDS, IN THE FORM OF CHEQUES AMOUNTING TO >200 AND $300, WERE DONATED BY THE HONG KONG PRINTERS’ ASSOCIATION. MR. HO WAI-CHUEN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION OFFICIATED AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.

MR. ROBERT HARPER, HEAD OF THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT COMMENDED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION AND SAID IT HAD BEEN OF GREAT ASSISTANCE TO THE DEPARTMENT BY PROVIDING A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY AND THE GOVERNMENT.

♦THE ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SERVING STUDENTS AND PRIZES FOR OUTSTANDING GRADUATES PROVIDED BY THE ASSOCIATION HAVE PROVED TO BE A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO APPRENTICES IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY.+ HE ADDED.

STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED THE AWARDS ARE WONG YUEN-CHEUNG, CHU SEK-LEUNG AND CHUNG KWOK-HANG OF THE GRAPHIC REPRODUCTION SECTION- LIN CHI-HO AND TAM TAI-HO OF THE OFFSET PRINTING SECTION- CHAN JAN-VAY AND YIM SHEK-WAH OF THE LETTERPRESS PRINTING SECTION- HO SIU-KI OF THE GENERAL PRINTING SECTION- AND TSANG KEE-BUN OF THE GRAPHIC DESIGN SECTION.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1979

10 -

PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER CLOSED TEMPORARILY ******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 12.30 A.M. TO 5.30 A.M. ON MARCH 1 AND 2 FOR ROAD INVESTIGATORY WORKS.

BOTH NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC FROM PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD TO WATERLOO ROAD AND SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FROM WATERLOO ROAD TO PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO CROSS ARGYLE STREET AT GROUND LEVEL DURING THE CLOSURE.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON TONG WILL BE STOPPED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY WATERLOO ROAD, LANCASHIRE ROAD, LA SALLE ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, INCLUDING EARL STREET, BOUNDARY STREET, HO TUNG ROAD, OXFORD ROAD, CHESTER ROAD, DERBY ROAD, MORAY ROAD, AND SELKIRK ROAD.

0 -------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

BUDGET DAY ON WEDNESDAY ................................ 1

YUEN LONG AT A GLIMPSE FOR PRINCE CHARLES .............. 2

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR JANUARY ....................... 3

BIG PROJECTS IN NEW TOWNS WILL GO ON, SAYS SNT ......... 5

$43.8M ROAD CONTRACT FOR NT SIGNED...................... 7

UK ENVIRONMENT EXPERTS VISIT HONG KONG ................. 8

BIGGER RESTAURANT FOR AIRPORT .......................... 9

KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY PIER TO CLOSE ................... 9

SEMINAR ON ’POLYMER CHEMISTRY’ FOR CHEMISTRY TEACHERS 10

DHA TO VISIT TUNG WAH NURSERY.......................... 11

PRIZES PRESENTED TO BOOK REPORT COMPETITION WINNERS .. 12

WATER CUT.............................................. 13

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1979

BUDGET DAY ON WEDNESDAY ******

HONG KONG’S BUDGET FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1979-80 WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE WILL MOVE THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1979 AT 2.30 P.M. DURING WHICH HE WILL OUTLINE HONG KONG’S ESTIMATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1979-80.

THE ESTIMATED HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WILL BE SET OUT IN THE SCHEDULE OF THE BILL TO BE PUBLISHED IN A GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY AT 2.30 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY.

DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL WILL BE ADJOURNED AND RESUMED ON MARCH 28 WHEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC STATE OF HONG KONG AND THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT POLICY AND ADMINISTRATIONS AS INDICATED BY THE BILL AND THE ESTIMATES. IF NECESSARY, THE DEBATE WILL CONTINUE ON MARCH 29.

ON APRIL 11 AND 12, THE OFFICIALS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES.

THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED ON APRIL 25 BY COMMITTEE STAGE AND THE THIRD READING OF THE BILL.

AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, PROCEEDINGS WILL BE COMPREHENSIVELY COVERED BY RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH AT WEDNESDAY’S SITTING WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE OVER RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG’S CHINESE (RADIO 2) AND ENGLISH (RADIO 3) SERVICES.

RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WILL ALSO BE ARRANGING FOR A TELEVISION APPEARANCE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON +VIEWPOINT+ IN ENGLISH AND BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FINANCE BRANCH ON ♦VIEWPOINT AND ANGLES+ IN CHINESE.

COMMERCIAL RADIO’S CHINESE SERVICE WILL BROADCAST TOMORROW’S BUDGET SITTING LIVE ON CHANNEL ONE.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1979

YUEN LONG AT A GLIMPSE FOR PRINCE CHARLES ******

THE HISTORY OF YUEN LONG — DATING BACK MORE THAN 1,000 YEARS — AND ITS RAPID TRANSFORMATION FROM A TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURAL MARKETING CENTRE TO A NEW TOWN OF THE 80’S WILL BE THE FOCUS OF A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION TO BE STAGED AT YUEN LONG TOWN HALL NEXT MONDAY (MARCH 5) FOR THE VISIT OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES TO THE DISTRICT.

ENTITLED +YUEN LONG i THE SPIRIT OF PROGRESS*, THE WEEK-LONG EXHIBITION HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND DESIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.

THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. MICHAEL CARTLAND SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE EXHIBITION — A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY — WOULD GIVE PRINCE CHARLES A QUICK, BUT COMPREHENSIVE GLIMPSE OF THE DISTRICT’S PAST, ITS GROWTH AND ITS PLANS FOR THE NEXT DECADE.

THE PRINCE WILL BE ESCORTED AROUND THE EXHIBITION BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, l*R. CHARLES YEUNG AND MR. STEPHEN CHIU, THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

THERE WILL BE 20 LARGE PHOTOGRAPHIC MURALS MOUNTED ON A SPECIALLY-DESIGNED PAGODA-LIKE STRUCTURE -- SYMBOLISING YUEN LONG WITH ITS RESEMBLANCE TO THE FAMOUS PING SHAN PAGODA.

THE STRUCTURE, DESIGNED ON A MODULAR OF FOUR FEET BY EIGHT FEET, WILL RISE TO A HEIGHT OF 18 FEET. IT WILL BE PAINTED IN RED AND GOLD COLOURS AND LIT BY SPOTLIGHTS.

THE MURALS EACH REPRESENT AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF YUEN LONG. THEY DEPICT THE DISTRICT’S HISTORY, VIRTUELY THOSE OF THE TANG AND MAN FAMILIES WHO WERE THE FIRST SETTLERS IN YUEN LONG- THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND AMENITIES BUILT UP BY THE LOCAL PEOPLE WITH GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGEMENT- LOCAL FARMING WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR HALF OF HONG KONG’S ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION- AND COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY WHICH CONTRIBUTE MUCH TO THE PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY OF THE TOWN.

IN ADDITION, IT WILL FEATURE A SCALE MODEL OF THE FUTURE NEW TOWN — AN AMBITIOUS $726 MILLION PROGRAMME UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP THE TOWN INTO ONE OF THE SIX NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH A POPULATION OF NEARLY 100,000 PEOPLE BY THE MID-80’S.

+YUEN LONG IS VERY UNIQUE IN ITSELF IN THAT ITS CLOSELY-KNIT COMMUNITY HAS FOSTERED A STRONG SENSE OF IDENTITY AND BELONGING,* MR. CARTLAND SAID.

+THEY HAVE DONE MUCH TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT BY BUILDING THEIR DISTRICT HOSPITAL, SUPPORTING THEIR OWN FIRST DIVISION SOCCER TEAM AND FOUNDING THE FIRST DISTRICT CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND CHILDREN’S CHOIR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

/+THS SXHI3ITI0N

+THE EXHIBITION IS, IN FACT, A TESTIMONY OF THEIR CIVIC PRIDE.♦

THE PRESENCE OF THE PRINCE WILL FORMALLY INAUGURATE THE EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM THE FOLLOWING DAY UNTIL MONDAY, MARCH 12.

+TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE EXHIBITION,* HE SAID, +WE ARE ARRANGING FOR A SPECIAL BI-LINGUAL BOOKLET ON YUEN LONG AND OTHER INFORMATION MATERIAL TO BE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO VISITORS.*

+THE EXHIBITION IS SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, PARTICULARLY STUDENTS AND LOCAL SCHOOL PRINCIPALS HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO SEND THEIR STUDENTS IN ORGANISED GROUPS TO SEE IT,* HE ADDED.

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CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR JANUARY

******

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR JANUARY WERE BOTH 129. COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, C.P.I.(A) ADVANCED BY TWO POINTS AND C.P.I.(B), BY ONE POINT.

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 $1,500-$2,999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 1973-74.

THE SECTION INDEXES FOR JANUARY 1979, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1978, ARE»

SECTION C.P. 1.(A) C.P.1.(B)

JAN. 79 DEC. 78 JAN. 78 JAN. 79 DEC. 78 JAN. 78

FOODSTUFFS 123 121 116 125 123 117

HOUSING 137 137 127 136 136 126

FUEL AND LIGHT 135 135 135 134 134 134

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 150 147 137 145 142 133

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 105 107 102 104 106 101

DURABLE GOODS 120 119 111 118 117 108

MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 138 137 127 135 135 124

TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 136 128 117 139 130 122

SERVICES 143 140 134 144 141 135

ALL ITEMS 129 127 121 129 128 121

/THE INDEX

TUESDAY, FBBBDAHY 27, 1979

4 -

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WENT UP BY TWO POINTS IN BOTH C.P. I. (A) AND C.P.I.(B). RISES WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES CF PORK, LIVE POULTRY, FRESH-WATER FISH AND EGGS. BUT A REDUCTION WAS RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF SALT-WATER FISH. MOVEMENTS IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ADVANCED BY THREE POINTS EACH IN C.P.I.(A) AND C.P.I.(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES FOR CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO.

LOWER PRICES FOR MEN’S OUTERCLOTHING, WOMEN’S OUTERCLOTHING, AND CHILDREN’S OUTERCLOTHING CAUSED THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR TO FALL BY TWO POINTS EACH IN C.P.I.(A) AND C.P.I.(B).

THE RISE OF ONE POINT EACH IN THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS IN C.P.I.(A) AND C.P.I.(B) WAS MAINLY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR FURNITURE.

THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ROSE BY ONE POINT IN C.P.I.(A) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR TOILET REQUISITES, SOAP AND DETERGENTS, AND TOYS AND HOBBIES.

HIGHER FARES FOR TAXI AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUS, COUPLED WITH HIGHER PRICES FOR GASOLINE FROM JANUARY 26 PUSHED THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES UP BY EIGHT POINTS IN C.P.I.(A) AND BY NINE POINTS IN C.P. I.(B).

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES WENT UP BY THREE POINTS EACH IN C.P. I. (A) AND C.P.I.(B). THIS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR SCHOOL STATIONERY, HIGHER CHARGES FOR CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT, LAUNDRY AND DRY CLEANING, AND TRADITIONAL INCREASE IN CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

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

/5.....

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1979

- 5 -

BIG PROJECTS IN NEW TOWNS WILL GO ON, SAYS SNT *****

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE NEW TOWNS PROGRAMME HAS GAINED +AN INEXORABLE MOMENTUM* WHICH WILL SEE THE CONTINUATION OF A WIDE RANGE OF PROJECTS IN ALL THE DEVELOPING AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS DIRECTING 150 DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AT THE MOMENT WHILE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS 11 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

MANY OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS, HE ADDED, TOOK THREE OR FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE AND WERE INTERLOCKED WITH OTHERS SO THAT WORK ALREADY UNDER WAY WOULD CONTINUE DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, MR. AKERS-JONES SAIDs +THE WORK WILL GO ON — NEXT YEAR RECLAMATION, ENGINEERING INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORK, A CONTINUING GROWTH OF THE FOREST OF PILES AND CONCRETE WALLS RISING FROM THE LAND WITH AN INEXORABLE MOMENTUM.*

HE DESCRIBED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S BUILDING PROJECTS AS EQUALLY STRIKING WITH ABOUT HALF OF ITS $600 MILLION CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR BEING SPENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, AS AT NOVEMBER 1978, ON-GOING CONTRACTS LET BY THE AUTHORITY WILL ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY $950 MILLION WITH $550 MILLION OF THIS BEING SPENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* HE NOTED.

♦WORK IS GOING ON AT 11 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO, WHICH WILL PROVIDE HOMES FOR 280,000 PEOPLE.*

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID ALL THIS REQUIRED LARGE AREAS OF LAND, NOT ONLY FOR THE NEW HOMES AND SCHOOLS AND OTHER MODERN AMENITIES, BUT FOR INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE JOBS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TOWNS.

TO MEET THIS NEED BETWEEN NOW AND 1983-84, THE GOVERNMENT HAD A TARGET OF PRODUCING AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 80 HECTARES OF LAND

A YEAR FOR INDUSTRIAL USE, INCLUDING THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, MUCH OF IT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HE SAID THAT INDUSTRY HAS BEEN MOVING TO THE NEW TERRITORIES AT AN ACCELERATED PACE. IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, IT WAS FORECAST THAT 2.5 MILLION SQUARE METRES OF FACTORY FLOOR SPACE WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG — WITH 1.6 MILLION SQUARE METRES OF IT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

TUESDAY, FEBHUAHY 27, 1979

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS EXAMINING THE QUESTIONS OF SMALL FACTORY UNITS AND THOSE WITH SPECIAL MACHINERY REQUIREMENTS, BUT ADDED THAT THERE WAS +ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY THE PURCHASERS OF INDUSTRIAL LAND SHOULD NOT PROVIDE FOR THE MARKET WHICH CLEARLY EXISTS FOR THIS TYPE OF FACTORY ACCOMMODATION.*

AS A MEMBER OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, HE SAID, HE WAS ASTONISHED BY THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FROM INDUSTRIALISTS WHOSE ONLY CLAIM FOR SPECIAL STATUS WAS A REQUIREMENT FOR HEAVY FLOOR LOADINGS AND HIGH CEILING FOR HIGH MACHINERY.

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF WAS MOVING TOWARDS MEETING THIS NEED AND NOTED THAT +AN ENCOURAGING PRICE* HAD BEEN PAID AT A RECENT AUCTION OF LAND IN SHA TIN THAT CARRIED LEASE CONDITIONS STIPULATING THE PROVISION OF HEAVY FLOORS AND HIGH CEILINGS.

ON LAND PRICES, PARTICULARLY FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT DESPITE THE VAST EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING NEW TOWNS AND NEW INDUSTRIAL AREAS, DEMAND STILL OUTSTRIPPED SUPPLY AND THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF INDUSTRIALISTS AND DEVELOPERS TO BID FOR LAND.

♦COMPETITION IS KEEN AND PRICES ARE HIGH, BUT THE PURCHASERS OBVIOUSLY BELIEVE THAT PROFITS WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO PAY FOR THE LAND AND TO YIELD A SUFFICIENT RETURN FROM THE SALE OF PRODUCTS,* HE NOTED.

BUT HE ADDED THAT THE +SO-CALLED+ HIGH PRICES HAD TO BE SEEN AGAINST THE GENERALLY LOW LEVEL OF TAXATION.

+WE CAN’T HAVE IT ALL WAYS. BUT, SO THAT WE SHOULD NOT SHUT OUT OR DIVERT TO OTHER CENTRES IN THE FAR EAST THOSE INDUSTRIES WHICH MAY INTRODUCE NEW TECHNOLOGY, NEW PRODUCTS AND NEW IDEAS, WE HAVE CREATED THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.*

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ALREADY PROVING ITS WORTH.

IN TAI PO IS

♦THE FIRST FACTORY WILL BE IN OPERATION IN ABOUT 12 MONTHS AND THE 14 COMPANIES GRANTED LEASES SO FAR WILL BE PUTTING $300 MILLION INTO THEIR OPERATIONS AND WILL HAVE AN ESTIMATED ANNUAL PRODUCTION VALUE OF OVER $500 MILLION.

♦THESE INVESTORS COME FROM EUROPE, SAUDI ARABIA, JAPAN, THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA AND SINGAPORE,+ HE ADDED.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1979

$43.8M ROAD CONTRACT FOR NT SIGNED

*****

THE $250 MILLION GOVERNMENT ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME FOR FANLING AND SHEK WU HUI GOT OFF TO A GOOD START TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH THE SIGNING OF THE FIRST CONTRACT FOR THE AMBITIOUS SCHEME.

THE CONTRACT, WORTH MORE THAN $43.8 MILLION, WAS AWARDED TO FOOK LEE CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.

IT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED BY MR. GEORGE CHIEN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE TAI PO AND FANLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND MR. HO SAI-CHU, DIRECTOR AND MANAGER OF THE COMPANY.

SPEAKING AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY. MR. CHIEN SAID THE CONTRACT WAS THE FIRST IN A COMPREHENSIVE ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME AT FANLING AND SHEK WU HUI TO BE COMPLETED OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

THE PROGRAMME FORMS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S $2,200 MILLION PLAN TO TURN THE TWO AREAS INTO MODERN TOWNSHIPS FOR 170,000 PEOPLE UNDER THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS, HE ADDED, WOULD BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT.,

♦THE CONTRACT SIGNED TODAY INVOLVES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DISTRIBUTOR ROAD,+ MR. CHIEN SAID.

♦MEASURING ABOUT 2.4 KILOMETRES, THE NEW ROAD WILL BE A MAJOR LINK BETWEEN THE FUTURE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD NEAR WO HOP SHEK AND THE SHEK WU HUI TOWNSHIP.+

HE SAID THE ROAD WOULD BE A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY COMPLETE WITH FOOTPATHS AND A CYCLE TRACK.

THE CONTRACT ALSO COVERS THE CONSTRUCTION OF SIX SUBWAYS AND A FOOTBRIDGE FOR CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS.

WORK WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

MR. CHIEN SAID THE FULL PROGRAMME WOULD EVENTUALLY PROVIDE A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY FROM TAI PO TO SHEUNG SHU I.

THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED, AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED, BY THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF PWD.

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/8....

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1979

UK ENVIRONMENT EXPERTS VISIT HONS KONG

*****

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISERS TO THE UK MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT HAVE ARRIVED TO STUDY LOCAL POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.

DR. R.K. CUNNINGHAM, CHIEF NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISER AND DR. DAVID HALL, ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISER, ARE SPENDING A WEEK IN HONG KONG FOR TALKS WITH SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THEY WILL ALSO VISIT THE NEW TERRITORIES TO STUDY LOCAL PROBLEMS.

TODAY (TUESDAY) THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, ffi. TED NICHOLS TOOK DRS. CUNNINGHAM AND HALL TO THE GOVERNMENT FARM IN SAI KUNG WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED ON NEW IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, PLASTIC NETHOUSES, MUSHROOM CULTIVATION AND THE PIG MANURE TREATMENT PLANT. THEY WENT BY HELICOPTER TO THE KAT 0 FISHERIES RESEARCH STATION AND FLEW AROUND THE NEW COUNTRY PARKS GAZETTED LAST WEEK.

PREVIOUSLY THEY HAD SEEN THE POULTRY MANURE TREATMENT WORKS AT PAT HEUNG AND AGRICULTURAL AND LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENTS AT TAI LUNG AND TA KWU LING GOVERNMENT FARMS.

TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) THEY WILL VISIT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH AND VEGETABLE MARKETS WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR. J.M. RIDDELL-SWAN AND MEET PIG BREEDERS ON TSING Yl ISLAND AND IN CASTLE PEAK.

FRIDAY WILL BE DEVOTED TO FISHERIES RESEARCH INCLUDING LAUNCH TRIP ABOARD THE CAPE ST. MARY TO PICNIC BAY, LAMMA ISLAND, TO SEE THE PROBLEMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT TO MARINE CULTURE.

BESIDES MEETING SENIOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES OFFICIALS, THE TWO ADVISERS WILL ALSO MEET THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR. D.G. JEAFFRESON AND THE GOVERNMENT’S ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISER, DR. STUART REED.

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/9 ...

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1979

- 9 -

BIGGER RESTAURANT FOR AIRPORT * * ft * ft

THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL HAVE A NEW AND MUCH BIGGER RESTAURANT NEXT YEAR.

THE NEW RESTAURANT, WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF 800, WILL BE HOUSED IN A NEW THREE-STOREY BLOCK TO BE BUILT AT THE WESTERN END OF THE TERMINAL BUILDING.

MR. T.T. SIU, PROJECT ARCHITECT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, SAID PILING WORK FOR THE BUILDING WAS PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH.

TENDERS ARE NOW BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE THREE-STOREY STRUCTURE, THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS OF WHICH WILL BE LINKED TO THE TERMINAL BUILDING.

MR. SIU SAID THE NEW RESTAURANT, MEASURING ABOUT 800 SQUARE METRES, WOULD BE TWICE AS BIG AS THE PRESENT ONE.

IT WILL BE ON THE SECOND FLOOR WHILE THE FIRST FLOOR WOULD HOUSE A SNACK BAR AND OFFICES OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT.

MR. SIU ADDED THAT WORK ON THE PROJECT WOULD START IN MAY AND WOULD TAKE JUST OVER A YEAR TO COMPLETE.

ON COMPLETION, THE AREAS NOW OCCUPIED BY THE EXISTING RESTAURANT AND SOME OF THE OFFICES OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT WOULD BE USED FOR PASSENGER PROCESSING FACILITIES, COUNTERS FOR BAGGAGE RECLAIM AND SHOPS.

- - 0 - -

KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY PIER TO CLOSE ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY PIER AND THE EASTERN LANDING OF THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED FROM MONDAY (MARCH 5) FOR RECLAMATION WORKS.

OWNERS, COXSWAINS AND OPERATORS OF SMALL CRAFT ARE URGED TO USE LANDING FACILITIES AT MA TAU KOK PUBLIC PIER, TO KWA WAN, TO PREVENT CONGESTION AT KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, ESPECIALLY ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS DURING THE SUMMER.

- - 0 - -

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1979

- 10

SEMINAR ON +POLYMER CHEMISTRY* FOR CHEMISTRY TEACHERS ******

A ONE-DAY SEMINAR ON +POLYMER CHEMISTRY* WILL BE HELD AT THE DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL IN KOWLOON ON SATURDAY FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 12.30 P.M.

+THE AIM IS TO INTRODUCE TO CHEMISTRY TEACHERS THE UP-TO-DATE DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIELD OF POLYMER CHEMISTRY,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.

THE SEMINAR HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE.

TWO LECTURES WILL BE DELIVERED BY DR. WONG KAM-HAN, LECTURER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ON ♦INTRODUCTION TO POLYMERS* AND +POLYMERISATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF POLYMERS.*

THESE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A DISCUSSION PERIOD AND A DISPLAY AND PRACTICAL WORK SESSION ON POLYMER CHEMISTRY.

♦OVER 200 TEACHERS OF CHEMISTRY AT F/M4 TO 6 LEVEL ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

THE SEMINAR WILL BE OPENED BY MRS. LOUISE MOK, DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS.

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/11

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1979

DHA TO VISIT TUNG WAH NURSERY * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS. MR. JOHN WALDEN WILL PAY AN INSPECTION VISIT TO THE TUNG WAH Ol MAN DAY NURSERY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE CHILD CARE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS IN THE AREA.

LOCATED AT UNITS 425-434, GROUND FLOOR, PO MAN HOUSE, Ol MAN ESTATE, THE NURSERY WAS OPENED IN JANUARY LAST YEAR.

THE Ol MAN DAY NURSERY HAS AN AREA OF 4,375 SQUARE FEET, EQUIPPED WITH UP-TO-DATE FACILITIES AND TEACHING MATERIAL GEARED AT DEVELOPING THE CHILDREN PHYSICALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY.

THE NURSERY HAS AN INTAKE OF 140 CHILDREN AGED TWO TO FIVE. IT IS STAFFED BY PROFESSIONALS COMPRISING A SUPERVISOR, 10 CHILD CARE WORKERS AND SIX AMAHS.

THE MONTHLY CHARGE IS $80 PER CHILD WITH THE DEFICITS SUBVERTED PARTLY BY THE GOVERNMENT.

ACCOMPANIED BY MR. WILLIAM MA, CHAIRMAN OF TUNG WAH AND NINE ASSOCIATES AND MR. ANGUS MIU, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (KOWLOON CITY), MR. WALDEN WILL TOUR THE PREMISES AND SEE SOME TRAINING ACTIVITIES OF THE CHILDREN IN SESSION.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT OF THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, TO THE TUNG WAH 01 MAN DAY NURSERY AT 11.30 A.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT PO MAN HOUSE, 01 MAN ESTATE, KOWLOON.

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/12

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1979

PRIZES PRESENTED TO BOOK REPORT COMPETITION WINNERS *****

PRIZES WERE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF A BOOK REPORT COMPETITION TODAY (TUESDAY) BY MR. B.D. WILSON, DIRECTOR OF THE URBAN SERVICES, AT TSUEN WAN PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THIS COMPETITION, HELD RECENTLY, WAS THE SECOND ORGANISED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS OLD AS ONE OF MANY LIBRARY ACTIVITIES.

THE AIM IS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO READ, NOT ONLY CRITICALLY AND WITH AN OPEN MIND, BUT FOR ENJOYMENT.

MORE THAN 150 ENTRIES, BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WERE RECEIVED FROM 24 SCHOOLS IN TSUEN WAN, TAI PO, TUEN MUN, SHA TIN AND SHEUNG SHU I.

SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR. WILSON SAID ALL THE ENTRIES WERE OF A VERY HIGH STANDARD.

HE CONGRATULATED THE WINNERS AND ALSO REMINDED THOSE WHO DID NOT WIN THAT WINNING IS NOT THE IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE.

HE SAID, + IT’S THE SPIRIT TO PARTICIPATE IN WORTHWHILE ACTIVITIES THAT MATTERS, AND I HOPE YOU’LL ALL CONTINUE TO TAKE PART IN THE VARIOUS LIBRARY ACTIVITIES AND USE THE LIBRARY FACILITIES TO THE FULL.*

THE WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN THE JUNIOR LIBRARY OF THE TSUEN WAN PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY.

THE WINNERS AREt

CHINESE LANGUAGE GROUP

FIRSTi YIP SO-HAN, 13, TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.

SECONDi LAI MAY-LING, 11, CHING YEE PRIMARY SCHOOL (TAI PO).

THIRDi HO HON-MAN, 12, PO LEUNG KUK CENTENARY COLLEGE (TUEN MUN).

ENGLISH LANGUAGE GROUP

FIRST i CHAN WING-YEE, 14-1/2, TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.

SECONDi LEE WAI-FAN, 14, CHUEN YUEN COLLEGE.

THIRD! AU-YEUNG LAI-LING, 15, TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.

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/13....

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1979

WATER CUT

* * *

WATER SUPPLY IN ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR NINE HOURS FROM 9 P.M. ON THURSDAY TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR DIVERSION OF WATER CONNECTIONS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IN ABERDEEN STRETCHES FROM OLD MAIN STREET TO TIN WAN INCLUDING YUE KWONG ESTATE, SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE, TIN WAN ESTATE, TIN WA.'I LICENSED AREA, DAIRY FARM TIN WAN AND HING WAI COLD STORAGE.

IN AP LEI CHAU, THE WHOLE ISLAND IS AFFECTED INCLUDING THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC POWER STATION.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

TELEVISION TALK ON BUDGET ................................

F.S. STRESSES NEED FOR COOLING DOWN OVERHEATED ECONOMY .. 4 1979-80 REVENUE COLLECTIONS TO TOTAL 913,882 MILLION .... 6 812,454 MILLION EXPENDITURE PROPOSED FOR 1979-80 ......... 7 81,600 MILLION SURPLUS PREDICTED FOR 1978-79 ............. 9 81,434 MILLION SURPLUS BUDGETTED FOR 1979-80 ............. 10 MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES ............................ 10 MAINTAINING TREND GROWTH RATE OF GDP ..................... 12 ANTI-INFLATIONARY POLICIES OF OVERSEAS GOVTS ............. 12 MONETARY IMPLICATIONS OF GOVT’S BANK BALANCES ............ 13

PROPOSED TAX INCREASES TO AFFECT MOTORISTS, BUSINESSMEN AND SHIPPING............................................... 1*

FOUR TAX CONCESSIONS PROPOSED.............................. 16

EDUCATION TO GET 82,196 MILLION ........................... 17

81,117 MILLION TO BE SPENT ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES .................................................. I9

35 PER CENT MORE FUNDS EARMARKED FOR HOUSING .............. 20

81,090 MILLION FOR LAW AND ORDER SERVICES ................. 21

8680 MILLION EARMARKED FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES ........ 22

8453 MILLION FOR AUXILIARY FORCES AND DEFENCE COST CONTRIBUTION .............................................. 23

BILL PROPOSED TO AMEND EXCHANGE FUND ORDINANCE ........... 23

REASSESSMENT OF RATEABLE VALUES CONSIDERED ............... 26

/MORE LAND......

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

MORE LAND AVAILABLE ...................................... 28

FEW SIGNS OF PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES EASING .............. 29

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION .................... 29

FS CONCERNED OVER HIGH LEVEL OF NET IMMIGRATION .......... 30

CALL FOR REVIEW OF TAX LIABILITY ON SHARE OPTIONS ........ 31

THIRD INLAND REVENUE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS DESERVE SPECIAL ATTENTION — FS ................................... 32

UNIFICATION OF HK’S STOCK EXCHANGES ...................... 33

ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA ............................ 33

TENDER FOR 300 TAXI LICENCES ............................. 34

PLB PROHIBITED ZONE NEAR CHI FU FA YUEN .................. 35

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WAI YIP STREET....................... 35

WATER CUT................................................. 35

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

THE FINANCIAL THE 1979-80 BUDGET EVENING.

TELEVISION TALK ON BUDGET * M * M

SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SPOKE ON IN A TELEVISION BROADCAST THIS (WEDNESDAY)

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF HIS SPEECHi

GOOD EVENING:

♦THIS AFTERNOON IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL I SPENT SOME TIME EXPLAINING THE PRESENT STATE OF OUR ECONOMY AND OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCES. I THEN WENT ON TO SAY HOW I THOUGHT WE SHOULD DEAL WITH SUCH PROBLEMS AS LIE AHEAD, AND YET CONTINUE TO PROSPER, AND HOW THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO PUSH AHEAD WITH ITS VARIOUS PROGRAMMES.

♦YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT FOR TWO YEARS, IN 1974 AND 1975, OUR ECONOMY GREW VERY SLOWLY BECAUSE OF THE WORLD-WIDE RECESSION. BUT THANKS TO THE DYNAMIC THRUST AND FLEXIBILITY OF OUR FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM, WE QUICKLY MOVED INTO A PERIOD OF UNPARALLELED PROSPERITY AS SOON AS WORLD TRADE BEGAN TO RECOVER IN LATE 1975.

♦THE TOTAL VOLUME OF GOODS AND SERVICES PRODUCED BY OUR ECONOMY INCREASED BY 44 PER CENT IN THE THREE POST RECESSION YEARS 1976 TO 1978- AND THE SERVICES AND FACILITIES OF ALL KINDS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE INCREASED BY 50 PER CENT IN THESE SAME YEARS.

♦ BUT, BY THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR, IT WAS BECOMING APPARENT THAT THE OVER-RAPID GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC DEMAND, STEMMING FROM THE DEMANDS BEING MADE ON THE ECONOMY BY BOTH THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS, WAS BEGINNING TO LEAD US INTO TROUBLE: IT WAS NOT SO MUCH A MATTER OF RESOURCES NEEDED FOR EXPORTS BEING SIPHONED OFF FOR PRODUCTION FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES BUT, RATHER THAT TOTAL DEMAND FOR REAL RESOURCES, FOR EXAMPLE, OF LABOUR AND CAPITAL, WAS OUTSTRIPPING THEIR SUPPLY.

♦ IN FACT, OUR EXPORT PERFORMANCE IN 1978 WAS REALLY REMARKABLY GOOD — UP BY 14 PER C|NT IN REAL TERMS.

♦ BUT IMPORTS WERE GROWING VERY FAST INDEED — UP BY 22 PER CENT ON 1977 — THE TRADE DEFICIT WAS WIDENING RAPIDLY, THE RATE AT WHICH PRICES WERE INCREASING WAS BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE, THE MONEY SUPPLY WAS GROWING MUCH FASTER THAN THE ECONOMY’S TOTAL INCOME IN MONEY TERMS AND, BY THE END OF THE YEAR, BANK LOANS AND ADVANCES WERE UP BY 43 PER CENT.

♦ THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT 1978 WAS NOT, IN ITSELF, A GOOD YEAR- THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN REAL TERMS GREW BY 10 PER CENT HAVING GROWN BY 12 PER CENT IN 1977 AND 17 PER CENT IN 1976.

♦ AND, I MIGHT ADD, ALTHOUGH GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN 1978-79 IS LIKELY TO BE $900 MILLION ABOVE THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE, REVENUE — PARTICULARLY CAPITAL REVENUE — HAS BEEN SO BUOYANT THAT THE ACCOUNTS ARE LIKELY TO SHOW A SURPLUS OF ABOUT $1,600 MILL ION.

/♦THUS TEE .....

'.VEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

2 -

♦THUS THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL RESERVES AVAILABLE TO COVER CONTINGENT LIABILITIES, EMERGENCIES AND UNFORESEEABLE COMMITMENTS WILL STAND AT OVER $6,500 MILLION AS WE ENTER 1979-80.

♦BUT, AS THE TRADE DEFICIT WIDENED TO OVER $9,000 MILLION IN 1978, AND A VERY REAL THREAT OF INFLATION WAS BEGINNING TO EMERGE, I WAS NOT IN A VERY HAPPY FRAME OF MIND, WHEN I CAME TO PREPARE THE BUDGET FOR THE COMING YEAR.

♦I DECIDED I HAD TO DEVISE WAYS AND MEANS OF BRINGING THE DEMAND FROM BOTH THE PRIVATE AND THE PUBLIC SECTORS MORE INTO LINE WITH THE ECONOMY’S OUTPUT IN ORDER TO DAMPEN DOWN THESE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES- AND THAT I MUST TRY TO DO THIS IN SUCH AWAY AS TO REDUCE THE IMBALANCE BETWEEN IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

♦SO THE GOVERNMENT’S BUDGET PROVIDES FOR A SMALLER INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE NEXT YEAR THAN IN RECENT YEARS* IN REAL TERMS THE INCREASE IS FIVE PER CENT COMPARED WITH 25 PER CENT IN 1978-79 AND 16 PER CENT IN 1977-78.

♦NONETHELESS, WE SHALL BE SPENDING $12,500 MILLION IN 1979-80. NO LESS THAN ONE THIRD OF THIS WILL BE ON CAPITAL WORKS (AND, AMONG MANY OTHER THINGS, THIS VERY LARGE SUM OF MONEY WILL FINANCE THE COMPLETION OF 35,600 FLATS FOR RENTING AND SALE COMPARED WITH 14,000 THIS YEAR. A RATE OF COMPLETIONS OF ABOUT 35,000 WILL BE MAINTAINED OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS SINCE HOUSING IS ONE OF OUR TOP PRIORITIES).

♦BECAUSE THE GROWTH RATE OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IS BEING TRIMMED BACK AND REVENUE COLLECTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO GROW TO NEARLY $14,000 MILLION, I AM BUDGETTING FOR A SURPLUS — OF ABOUT $1,400 MILLION. THIS DOES NOT MEAN WE SHOULD SPEND MORE. I SAY THIS BECAUSE THE STRAINS ON THE ECONOMY, WHICH ARE NOW SO APPARENT, MUST BE EASED.

♦NOR DOES THE SURPLUS MEAN, I AM AFRAID, THAT THERE SHOULD BE A GENERAL REDUCTION IN TAXATION. I SAY THIS BECAUSE IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO RELEASE PURCHASING POWER BACK INTO THE ECONOMY, ALTHOUGH I DO NOT INTEND TO RAISE TAXES AS AN ANTI-INFLATIONARY DEVICE.

♦YET I DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD SHIRK FROM AMENDING OUR TAX LAWS IF, ON EQUITY GROUNDS, DESIRABLE REFORMS SUGGEST THEMSELVES, PROVIDED THE NET EFFECT IS NOT TO REDUCE THE SURPLUS I AM BUDGETTING FOR.

♦THIS AFTERNOON I PROPOSED, THEREFORE, THREE REFORMS AT A TOTAL COST TO THE REVENUE IN 1979-80 OF $80 MILLION. AS REGARDS PROFITS TAX, THE SYSTEM OF DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES FOR PLANT AND EQUIPMENT IS TO BE REFORMED AND SOME ANNUAL RATES OF DEPRECIATION INCREASED.

♦THEN, AS REGARDS PERSONAL TAXATION, THE SUPPLEMENTARY PERSONAL ALLOWANCE OF $2,500 FOR A SINGLE TAXPAYER AND $5,000 FOR A MARRIED TAXPAYER, INTRODUCED TWO YEARS AGO, WILL NOW BE CLAWED BACK MORE GRADUALLY AS THE TAXPAYER’S INCOME INCREASES.

/SO A SINGLE......

WEDNESDAY, FJ33UARY 28, 1979

♦SO A SINGLE TAXPAYER WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF THE ALLOWANCE UNTIL HIS INCOME REACHES $37,500 AS OPPOSED TO $29,167 NOW- AND A MARRIED TAXPAYER WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF THE ALLOWANCE UNTIL HIS INCOME REACHES $75,000 AS OPPOSED TO $58,334.

♦IN ADDITION, THE TOP MARGINAL RATE OF SALARIES TAX OF 30 PER CENT IS TO BE ABOLISHED. THIS WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF PUSHING FORWARD THE POINT-AT-WHICH A SINGLE TAXPAYER PAYS THE STANDARD RATE OF 15 PER CENT FROM $70,000 TO $75,000- AND WILL PUSH FORWARD THE POINT AT WHICH A MARRIED TAXPAYER WITH, SAY, TWO CHILDREN PAYS THE STANDARD RATE OF 15 PER CENT FROM $104,000 TO $117,500.

♦THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THESE TWO CHANGES IS TO REDUCE THE TAX BURDEN OF TAXPAYERS IN WHAT IS LOOSELY DESCRIBED AS THE MIDDLE-INCOME RANGE.

♦FOR THE VERY NECESSARY ECONOMIC REASONS I HAVE ALREADY EXPLAINED, I HAD TO OFFSET THE LOSS OF REVENUE INVOLVED IN THESE THREE TAX CONCESSIONS.

♦ I DID THIS BY PROPOSING INCREASES IN THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON PRIVATE CARS AND MOTORCYCLES AND INCREASES IN ANNUAL LICENCE FEES PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, OTHER THAN PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES.

♦ I ALSO PROPOSED SMALL INCREASES IN BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES AND IN THE BUOY AND ANCHORAGE FEES PAYABLE BY SHIPS.

♦ SO MUCH FOR THE BUDGET ITSELF AND THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION TO STABILISING THE ECONOMY. PUBLIC SECTOR DEMAND IS ONLY ONE COMPONENT OF DOMESTIC DEMAND AND SO, IF TOTAL DOMESTIC DEMAND IS TO BE SLOWED DOWN SUFFICIENTLY, THE GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE DOMESTIC DEMAND MUST BE SLOWED DOWN ALSO.

♦ IN OTHER WORDS, WE MUST FIRST SEEK TO INFLUENCE THE ABILITY OF THE BANKING SYSTEM TO CREATE CREDIT. THUS I ANNOUNCED THIS AFTERNOON THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO REDUCE THE EXTENT TO WHICH ITS OWN HONG KONG DOLLAR BALANCES CAN BE USED TO GENERATE CREDIT. PRIOR TO THE FLOATING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IT WAS RELATIVELY SIMPLE FOR US TO DO THIS, BUT THIS IS NO LONGER THE CASE.

♦ AND, SECONDLY, WE MUST DIMINISH THE DEMAND FOR LOANS AND ADVANCES. MY UNDERSTANDING CERTAINLY IS THAT WE SHALL SEE BANKS ALTERING THEIR LENDING RATES MORE FREQUENTLY AND ADOPTING A MORE SELECTIVE ATTITUDE AS BETWEEN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF BORROWERS.

♦I AM CONFIDENT THAT HIGHER INTEREST RATES AND A MORE SELECTIVE ATTITUDE BY BANKS TOWARDS WOULD-BE BORROWERS WILL EVENTUALLY SLOW DOWN THE GROWTH RATE OF LOANS AND ADVANCES.

♦THIS COMBINED WITH ACTION TO REDUCE THE CREDIT CREATION POTENTIAL OF THE GOVERNMENT’S OWN HONG KONG DOLLAR BALANCES AND THE LIMITATION ON THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR SHOULD BRING THE DEMAND FOR AND THE SUPPLY OF REAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE ECONOMY MORE CLOSELY INTO BALANCE.

♦THUS I BELIEVE THAT THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES WHICH AT THE MOMENT THREATEN OUR STABILITY AND, THEREFORE, OUR GROWTH PROSPECTS, WILL BE CONTAINED.+

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1919

F.S. STRESSES NEED FOR COOLING DOWN OVERHEATED ECONOMY ******

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE DOMESTIC DEMAND AND STRESSED THE NEED FOR COOLING DOWN THE OVERHEATED ECONOMY.

ANALYSING THE ECONOMY AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAIDi +CLEARLY, THE ECONOMY CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO DEVELOP THIS WAY IN 1979. IF THE PRESENT PATTERN AND THE GROWTH RATE OF DEMAND IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO DISTORT THE STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY, BOTH THE MAGNITUDE AND THE DURATION OF THE SUBSEQUENT ADJUSTMENT IS LIKELY TO BE VERY PAINFUL IN TERMS OF ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR INDIVIDUALS.

♦AND BEFORE THIS ADJUSTMENT TAKES PLACE, CONTINUING INFLATION WILL ERODE THE REAL INCOMES OF MANY GROUPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.♦

HE OUTLINED THREE BASIC STEPS TO DAMPEN THE ECONOMY SO AS TO FACILITATE A RELATIVE SHIFT IN FAVOUR OF EXPORTS AND TO PEG THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (TOTAL OUTPUT OF GOODS AND SERVICES) AT SEVEN PER CENT FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.

THE FIRST IS TO SLOW DOWN THE GROWTH RATE OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE WITHOUT AFFECTING COMMITMENTS TO MAJOR SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMMES- SECOND, TO ARRANGE THE SLOW-DOWN IN THE GROWTH RATE CF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO MINIMISE THE DISTORTIONS WITHIN INDIVIDUAL MARKETS (E.G. THE MARKET FOR THE OUTPUT OF THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY)- AND THIRD, TO CONSTRAIN THE GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE DOMESTIC DEMAND BY REDUCING THE GROWTH RATE OF THE MONEY SUPPLY IN THE HANDS OF THE NON-BANK PRIVATE SECTOR.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO CUT THE GROWTH RATE OF GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE ON THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BY FIVE PERCENTAGE POINTS TO NINE PER CENT AND GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION BY 26 PERCENTAGE POINTS TO FOUR PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE GROWTH RATES USED IN THE INITIAL FORECAST.

IN SPITE OF THESE CUTS, THE HOUSING PROGRAMME, AND OTHER COMMITMENTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY AND EDUCATION WHITE PAPERS WILL BE CARRIED OUT. OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPHASED.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, HOWEVER, THAT THE REDUCTIONS IN THE GROWTH RATES OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS IN THE GDP IN THE FINAL FORECAST COMPARED WITH THE INITIAL FORECAST, ARISE AS A RESULT OF THE SLOWER GROWTH RATE OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE.

HE PREDICTED THAT PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE GROWTH RATE WOULD BE HELD AT NiNE PER CENT COMPARED WITH 10 PER CENT IN THE INITIAL FORECAST- THE FINAL FORECAST FOR THE GROWTH RATE OF GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION WILL BE NINE PER CENT COMPARED WITH 13 PER CENT IN THE INITIAL FORECAST- OVERALL EXPORTS IS EXPECTED TO BE EIGHT PER CENT COMPARED WITH 14 PER CENT IN 1978 BUT THIS INVOLVES NO CHANGE FROM THE INITIAL FORECAST- AND IMPORTS’ GROWTH RATE WILL BE 10 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 11 PER CENT IN THE INITIAL FORECAST.

/+AFTZR MAKING ....

JjDNESDaY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

- 5 -

♦AFTER MAKING DUE ALLOWANCE FOR EXPORTS LESS IMPORTS OF SERVICES AND FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO STOCKS, THE FINAL FORECAST FOR THE GROWTH RATE OF GDP IS SEVEN PER CENT COMPARED WITH EIGHT PER CENT IN THE INITIAL FORECAST. THUS THE FINAL FORECAST OF GDP AT CONSTANT (1966) PRICES IS 531,160 MILLION.*

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT ALTHOUGH THE FINAL GDP FORECAST IS AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE INITIAL FORECAST, ITS IMPLICATIONS ARE STILL UNSATISFACTORY IN TERMS OF THE NECESSARY EMPHASIS OF BUDGETARY POLICY IN 1979-80.

FIRST, THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL FINAL DEMAND AT ABOUT NINE PER CENT EXCEEDS THE GROWTH RATE OF GDP AT SEVEN PER CENT. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE GROWTH RATE AT WHICH IMPORTS ARE SUCKED IN CONTINUES TO BE RAPID AT 10 PER CENT.

SECOND, THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC DEMAND AT NINE PER CENT EXCEEDS THE GROWTH RATE OF EXPORTS AT EIGHT PER CENT. THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE INITITAL FORECAST, BUT IT STILL REPRESENTS A RELATIVE WORSENING IN THE SHARE OF RESOURCES GOING TO EXPORTS COMPARED WITH 1978.

THIRD, WITHIN DOMESTIC DEMAND THERE IS ACTUALLY A SLIGHT DECREASE IN THE SHARE OF RESOURCES USED BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR COMPARED WITH THE GROWTH RATE IN THE INITIAL FORECAST OF 17 PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR DEMAND AT EIGHT PER CENT IS LESS THAN THE GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE DOMESTIC DEMAND AT NINE PER CENT.

FOURTH, THE GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS AT 10 PER CENT STILL EXCEEDS THE GROWTH RATE OF EXPORTS AT EIGHT PER CENT. AS A RESULT THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT CONTINUES TO WIDEN.

FIFTH, AS A RESULT OF THE TRADE DEFICIT WIDENING LESS THAN IN THE INITIAL FORECAST AND WITH THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL FINAL DEMAND BEING REDUCED FROM 10 PER CENT IN THE INITIAL FORECAST TO UNDER NINE PER CENT, THE DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON THE EXCHANGE VALUE CF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR SHOULD BE LESS. BUT THE TERMS OF TRADE, DEPENDING ON THE COURSE OF EXPORT PRICES, MAY DETERIORATE SLIGHTLY.

SIXTH, WITH THE GROWTH RATE OF GDP, THE IMBALANCE BETWEEN THE DEMAND FOR, AND THE SUPPLY OF, DOMESTIC RESOURCES STILL PERSISTS. BUT, WITH SOME SLACKENING OF THE PRESSURE OF DEMAND ON RESOURCES, THE RATE OF INCREASE IN PRICES SHOULD BE LESS THAN SHOWN IN THE INITIAL FORECAST.

MR. HADDON-CAVE ADDED THAT CONSUMER PRICES SHOULD SHOW A RATE OF INCREASE OF ABOUT NINE PER CENT COMPARED WITH 10 PER CENT IN THE INITIAL FORECAST, BUT THE GDP DEFLATOR SHOULD SHOW A RATE OF INCREASE OF ONLY EIGHT PER CENT COMPARED WITH 11 PER CENT FOR THE INITIAL FORECAST. THIS IMPLIED A FORECAST OF THE GROWTH RATE OF GDP AT CURRENT PRICES OF JUST UNDER 16 PER CENT BRINGING IT TO A VALUE OF $73,600 MILLION.

+S0, AS A RESULT OF REDUCING THE GROWTH RATE OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, THIS FINAL FORECAST REPRESENTS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER THE INITIAL FORECAST, PARTICULARLY AS REGARDS THE IMPLIED THREAT OF INFLATION,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

BUT HE EMPHASISED THAT THERE WAS STILL A NEED FOR A FURTHER RESTRAIN OF DOMESTIC DEMAND BEFORE THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY WAS SUSTAINABLE PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF THE TRADE DEFICIT.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

1979-80 REVENUE COLLECTIONS TO TOTAL $13,882 MILLION ******

TOTAL REVENUE COLLECTIONS, EXCLUDING THOSE FROM REVENUE PROPOSALS, FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE $13,882 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF $1,508 MILLION, OR OVER 12 PER CENT, OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $12,374 MILLION FOR 1978-79.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT OF THE TOTAL COLLECTIONS, $11,470 MILLION WOULD BE RECURRENT REVENUE, AN INCREASE OF $1,538 MILLION, OR 15.5 PER CENT, OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $9,932 MILLION FOR 1978-79.

HE SAID EARNINGS AND PROFIT TAXES ACCOUNTED FOR $5,070 MILLION OR 44 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF $936 MILLION, OR NEARLY 23 PER CENT, OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1978-79.

♦THE ESTIMATE MAKES DUE ALLOWANCE FOR THE EFFECT OF BRINGING THE TAXATION TREATMENT OF PROFITS OF BANKS AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS INTO LINE WITH THE TREATMENT OF ALL OTHER PROFITS GENERATED BY BUSINESSES LOCATED IN, AND OPERATING IN, HONG KONG, THE RE INTRODUCT ION OF DEPENDENT PARENT RELIEF AND THE EXEMPTION OF CLUBS FROM THE PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAX,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

ON RATES, HE SAID THE SCHEME OF RELIEF INTRODUCED A FEW YEARS AGO WOULD CEASE AND THAT FOR ALL PREMISES OTHER THAN THOSE PRE-WAR RENT-CONTROLLED PREMISES, THE RATES PAYABLE FROM APRIL 1 WOULD BE THE FULL RATE BASED ON THE RATEABLE VALUE OF THE PREMISES.

+THE CESSATION OF THE SCHEME OF RELIEF WILL RESTORE SOME $9 MILLION TO THE YIELD FROM RATES AND AFTER ALLOWING FOR INCREASED PRECENTAGE CHARGES IN RESPECT OF THE PHASING-IN OF RATES FOR NEW AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, I ESTIMATE THAT RATES REVENUE SHOULD INCREASE FROM $807 MILLION IN 1978-79 (REVISED ESTIMATE) TO $882 MILLION IN 1979-80, OR BY NEARLY 9.3 PER CENT,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

+ IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT, OTHER THAN IN REGARD TO THE PHAS ING-IN PROGRAMME, I SHALL NOT BE PROPOSING ANY CHANGE IN THE GENERAL RATE WHICH WAS REDUCED TO 7-1/2 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1977,+ HE ADDED.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

$12,454 MILLION EXPENDITURE PROPOSED FOR 1979-80

******

THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR PROVIDE FOR TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $12,454 MILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF $1,292 MILLION, OR NEARLY 12 PER CENT OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1978-79, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

HE RECALLED THAT ACTUAL EXPENDITURE IN 1972-73 WAS ONLY $3,550 MILLION, AND IN THE FIRST POST-RECESSION YEAR, 1976-77, IT HAD RISEN TO $6,591 MILLION.

AT $11,162 MILLION THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURE IN 1978-79 IS 37 PER CENT UP ON ACTUAL EXPENDITURE OF $8,174 MILLION IN THE SECOND POST-RECESSION YEAR, 1977-78.

+S0, ALTHOUGH I CANNOT DISGUISE MY GENERAL CONCERN WITH THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN RECENT YEARS, I AM SATISFIED WITH THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE GROWTH RATE HAS BEEN SLOWED DOWN IN THE YEAR AHEAD OF US,+ MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

THE PATTERN OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1979-80 ISt SOCIAL SERVICES 42 PER CENT- COMMUNITY SERVICES 22.5 PER CENT- GENERAL SERVICES (INCLUDING LAW AND ORDER) 16.4 PER CENT- ECONOMIC SERVICES 7.7 PER CENT, AND 11.4 PER CENT FOR ALL OTHER SERVICES.

+OVER THE FOUR YEARS 1975-76 TO 1978-79 THE PATTERN WAS RATHER DIFFERENT WITH GENERAL SERVICES ABSORBING AS MUCH AS 18.8 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE AND SOCIAL SERVICES 41.6 PER CENT, BUT WITH ECONOMIC SERVICES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ABSORBING ABOUT THE SAME. I EXPECT THE CURRENT EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL SERVICES TO REMAIN WITH US FOR SOME TIME,+ HE SAID.

THE PROVISION FOR EXPENDITURE ON RECURRENT SERVICES IS $8,360 MILLION, INCLUDING $200 MILLION FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS OF AN UNAVOIDABLE NATURE ARISING DURING THE YEAR. THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF $916 MILLION, OR 12 PER CENT, OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1978-79 OF $7,444 MILLION.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS AND ALLOWANCES (BUT NOT ON-COSTS) AT $3,151 MILLION ACCOUNT FOR 38 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF 40 PER CENT FOR THE FOUR YEARS 1975-76 TO 1978-79.

HE SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE HAS GROWN RAPIDLY OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, FROM AN APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT OF 114,692 IN APRIL 1976 TO A TOTAL ESTABLISHMENT OF 133,422 POSTS AT THE BEGINNING OF 1979-80.

PROVISION FOR ALL OTHER RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AMOUNTS TC $5,209 MILLION.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

PUBLIC WORKS RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AT $503 MILLION ACCOUNTS FOR SIX PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, A LITTLE BELOW THE AVERAGE OF THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

RECURRENT SUBVENTIONS AT $2,153 MILLION WILL ABSORB JUST UNDER 26 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF 26.2 PER CENT FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE PROVISION FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IS $4,094 MILLION MADE UP OF $1,299 MILLION FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, OTHER THAN NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING-$2 300 MILLION FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME (NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING), AND $495 MILLION FOR ALL OTHER COMPONENTS.

+1 SHOULD POINT OUT THAT THE GUIDELINE FIGURE FOR THE NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING COMPONENT OF $1,300 MILLION HAD TO BE REVISED UPWARDS BY $400 MILLION TO $1,700 MILLION, MAINLY TO MEET THE HIGHER COSTS OF LAND RESUMPTIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, NR. HADDON-CAVE NOTED.

THE FIGURE OF $1,700 MILLION HAD TO BE REVISED FURTHER UPWARDS BY $600 MILLION FOR DRAWINGS ON THE DEVELOPMENT LOAD FUND BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN 1979-80 WILL BE AS HIGH AS $1,005 MILLION OF WHICH $932 MILLION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THE RENTED PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME ALONE.

+S0, TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE ON THE NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING COMPONENT IS $2,300 MILLION WHICH IS $605 MILLION, OR 36 PER CENT, MORE THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1978-79 AND $1,150 MILLION, OR 100 PER CENT, MORE THAN THE APPROVED ESTIMATE FOR 1978-79.

♦THIS VERY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE HAS MEANT THAT EXPENDITURE ON THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, OTHER THAN NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING, HAS HAD TO BE CONSTRAINED BY A REPHASING OF THE START DATES OF CONTRACTS FOR SOME NEW PROJECTS,+ MR. HADDON-CAVE ADDED.

HOWEVER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID WE SHOULD BE CONTINUING TO IMPLEMENT SATISFACTORILY GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES ON THE BASIS OF AGREED PRIORITIES.

HE ALSO ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE BUDGET IS NOT LIKELY TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE STABILITY OF THE ECONOMY OR INCONSISTENT WITH THE MAIN EMPHASIS OF BUDGETARY POLICY GENERALLY.

HE DREW ATTENTION TO THE INCLUSION FOR THE FIRST TIME CF TITLE OF THE OFFICER IN WHOM THE COUNCIL WILL INVEST RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTROL OF THE FUNDS VOTED.

HE SAID: ♦TAKEN TOGETHER WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT LAST YEAR OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE AND A BILL WHICH I HOPE TO BE INTRODUCING LATER THIS SESSION TO PROVIDE FOR A SYSTEM OF STATUTORY CONTROL OVER PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, THE CONTROLLING OFFICER CONCEPT REPRESENTS A FURTHER STEP IN THE REORGANISATION CF OUR SYSTEM OF FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION.*

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

SI,600 MILLION SURPLUS PREDICTED FOR 1978-79 ******

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PREDICTED A SURPLUS OF Si,600 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR 1978-79, +THE HIGHEST ON RECORD.*

IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH, HE SAID THE REVISED ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1978-79 WERE $12,374 MILLION AND SU,162 MILLION RESPECTIVELY, THUS RESULTING IN A SURPLUS OF SI,212 MILLION.

+THIS FIGURE,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, +IS LOWER THAN THE ESTIMATE OF THE SURPLUS DERIVED FROM THE TREASURY’S CASH BOOK AT FEBRUARY 20 LAST OF Si,750 MILLION, BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT THE TRUTH LIES SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THESE TWO FIGURES AND SO I SHALL USE A FIGURE OF Si,600 MILLION AS MY PREDICTION OF THE SURPLUS WHEN CONSIDERING OUR CUMULATIVE FINANCIAL POSITION AT APRIL 1 NEXT.*

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY RECALLED THAT LAST YEAR EFFECTIVELY HE BUDGETTED FOR A BALANCE FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING. AFTER TAKING ACCOUNT OF HIS REVENUE PROPOSALS, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF S10,266 MILLION AND ESTIMATED REVENUE OF $10,246 MILLION WAS ONLY S20 MILLION.

HE SAID +A SURPLUS OF Si,212 MILLION DESERVES AN EXPLANATION, PARTICULARLY AS, IF IT TURNS OUT TO BE Si,600 MILLION, IT WILL BE THE HIGHEST ON RECORD.*

FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING, THE SURPLUS WAS DUE TO A FLUSH OF REVENUE RATHER THAN A FAILURE OF EXPENDITURE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID. BY CONTRAST, IN 1976-77 THE TURN-AROUND FROM A BUDGETTED DEFICIT OF S355 MILLION TO AN ACTUAL SURPLUS OF $902 MILLION WAS ALMOST EQUALLY SHARED BETWEEN EXCESS REVENUE AND UNDER-SPENDING.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF REVENUE EXCEEDED THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE BY 21 PER CENT.

RECURRENT REVENUE IS UP BY A NET S922 MILLION, OR BY 10 PER CENT ON THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE.

CAPITAL REVENUE IS UP BY $1,206 MILLION OR BY 98 PER CENT ON THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE. +PREMIA FROM LAND TRANSACTIONS,* MR. HADDON-CAVE EXPLAINED, +HAVE YIELDED $1,166 MILLION MORE THAN I EXPECTED DUE TO 249 ACRES OF LAND BEING SOLD INSTEAD OF THE EXPECTED 88 ACRES- AND TO LAND PRICES BEING HIGHER THAN EXPECTED AND TO PRONOUNCED TENDENCY TO PAY PREMIA IN A LUMP SUM RATHER THAN BY INSTALMENTS.*

REFERRING TO THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IT WAS NEARLY NINE PER CENT UP ON THE APPROVED ESTIMATE. THIS, HE SAID, +IS IN SHARP CONTRAST TO EXPERIENCE IN RECENT YEARS WHEN ACTUAL EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN BELOW THE APPROVED ESTIMATES.*

ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT THERE WAS NET OVER-SPENDING OF $121 MILLION LARGELY DUE TO THE 1978 SALARIES REVISION WHICH COST $340 MILLION.

ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT, THERE WAS NET OVER-SPENDING OF $775 MILLION, WHICH WAS MORE THAN ACCOUNTED FOR BY OVER-SPENDING OF $837 MILLION ON THE TWO PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME COMPONENTS OF THE CAPITAL ACCOUNT.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

- 10 -

$1,434 MILLION SURPLUS BUDGETTED FOR 1979-80 X K X *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, HAS BUDGETTED A SURPLUS OF $1,434 MILLION ON THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.

MAKING THE FORECAST IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE SURPLUS WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIS ESTIMATE OF REVENUE OF $13,888 MILLION SHOWN IN THE REVENUE ESTIMATES AND THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE OF $12,454 MILLION.

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MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES

I * * *

THE TOTAL EFFECT OF BUDGET GUIDELINE RATIOS IS THAT A BALANCE SHOULD BE ACHIEVED BETWEEN REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE, ALLOWING SURPLUSES TO ACCRUE WHEN THE ECONOMY IS GROWING FASTER, AND REVENUES FLUSHING AND NOT SEEKING TO ELIMINATE DEFICITS THAT ARISE FROM A TEMPORARY SLOWDOWN IN THE ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON.

PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WHEN HE RESTATED THE BUDGET GUIDELINES IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

+IN OTHER WORDS,+ HE SAID, +IN THEORY, THE IMPACT OF GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TRANSACTIONS ON THE GROWTH OF THE MONEY SUPPLY IS, ON AVERAGE, NEUTRAL (AFTER MAKING DUE ALLOWANCE FOR ANY NECESSARY ADDITIONS TO OUR FISCAL RESERVES IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH OF EXPENDITURE AND OUR CONTINGENT LIABILITIES).*

+BUT THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY TRUE OF THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR AS A WHOLE,* HE ADDED.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF BUDGETARY POLICY WEREt

* TO IMPLEMENT GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES*'

* TO ENSURE THAT THE REQUIRED REVENUE IS RAISED AS EQUITABLY AS POSSIBLY AS BETWEEN PARTICULAR CLASSES AND GROUPS OF TAXPAYERS"

* TO MINIMISE ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND OF THE FISCAL SYSTEM ON THE INTERNAL COST/PRICE STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY, ON THE SUPPLY OF HUMAN EFFORT AND ON PRIVATE INVESTMENT DECISIONS-

* TO MANAGE THE PUBLIC FINANCES GENERALLY SO AS TO MINIMISE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE MONETARY ENVIRONMENT IS DISTURBED-

* EXCEPT WHEN AN OBJECTIVE MUST BE TO INFLUENCE THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL FINAL DEMAND.

/OBVIOUSLY.......

'.'WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

OBVIOUSLY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID, THE EMPHASIS OF BUDGETARY POLICY AS BETWEEN THESE FIVE OBJECTIVES WOULD VARY FROM YEAR TO YEAR. WHATEVER THE EMPHASIS, HE SAID, DECISIONS HAD TO BE TAKEN EACH YEAR ON THE BASIS OF THE RELATIVE SIZE CF THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EXPENDITURE BUDGET, THE EMPHASIS OF FISCAL POLICY AND THE RATE AT WHICH POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES COULD BE IMPLEMENTED HAVING REGARD TO PREVAILING CAPACITY AND OTHER ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS.

♦TO ASSIST US IN THIS ANNUAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS, WE SUBJECT OUR THINKING IN EACH OF THESE FOUR AREAS TO THE DISCIPLINE OF CERTAIN GUIDELINE RATIOS,+ HE SAID.

REFERRING TO RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE ^ACCEPTABLE RELATIVE SIZE-*- WAS SMALLER ON THE UPSWING PHASE OF THE TRADE CYCLE THAN ON THE DOWNSWING BUT WOULD TEND TO INCREASE AGAIN AS THE RECOVERY PHASE MATURED.

♦THIS DOES NOT MEAN, OF COURSE, THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE SHOULD NOT BE TRIMMED BACK ON THE DOWNSWING AS PART AND PARCEL OF THE PROCESS OF THE ECONOMY DEFLATING OUT OF TROUBLE OR WHEN THE PRESSURE OF DEMAND IS SUCH THAT A SITUATION OF DEMAND-PULL INFLATION IS THREATENED,♦ HE SAID.

TOUCHING ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GUIDELINES WERE THAT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE SHOULD ABSORB NO MORE THAN 80 PER CENT OF RECURRENT REVENUE AND THAT AT LEAST 60 PER CENT OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE SHOULD BE FINANCED BY THE SURPLUS ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT.

FURTHERMORE, AN UPPER LIMIT WAS SET TO RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OF 70 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE.

BUT, AS THE SURPLUS ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT COULD FINANCE A QUANTUM OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WHICH THESE RATIOS DID NOT DEFINE, SEPARATE ABSOLUTE GUIDELINE FIGURES HAD TO BE SET FOR THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE CAPITAL ACCOUNT AND THESE WERE REVISED PERIODICALLY.

THE RESIDUAL DEFICIT ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT SHOULD BE FINANCED AT LEAST 50 PER CENT BY CAPITAL REVENUE AND NO MORE THAN 50 PER CENT BY DEBT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

HE SAID THE BALANCE OF THE FISCAL SYSTEM NEED TO BE DEFINED IN TERMS OF THE RATIO OF DIRECT TO INDIRECT TAXATION AND THE RATIO OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION TAKEN TOGETHER TO ALL OTHER RECURRENT REVENUE.

FOR THE TIME BEING HE SAID HE HAD SET THE RATE AT WHICH EXPENDITURE MIGHT BE ALLOWED TO GROW OVER TIME IN REAL TERMS AT 10 PER CENT, +WHICH IS A LITTLE HIGHER THAN THE HISTORICAL TREND GROWTH RATE OF G.D.P.+

REFERRING TO FISCAL RESERVES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD TAKEN THE VIEW THAT THE NET FISCAL RESERVES AT THE BEGINNING OF A FINANCIAL YEAR SHOULD ALWAYS BE SUFFICIENT TO FINANCE AT LEAST 15 PER CENT OF ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE IN THAT YEAR.

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/12

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

MAINTAINING TREND GROWTH RATE OF GDP ft ft ft ft ft

A HIGH GROWTH RATE OF THE LABOUR FORCE WILL RAISE THE GROWTH RATE OF THE PRODUCTIVE POTENTIAL OF THE ECONOMY AND COULD HELP MAINTAIN IN THE FORECAST PERIOD 1980-82, THE TREND GROWTH RATE OF G.D.P. EXPERIENCED SO FAR IN THE 197OS OF ABOUT NINE PER CENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID TODAY.

THIS WAS BECAUSE NEITHER DEVELOPMENTS RELATING TO CHINA NOR THE PRESENT HIGH RATE OF NET IMMIGRATION SEEMED LIKELY TO AFFECT THE GROWTH RATE OF PRODUCTIVITY IN THE FORECAST PERIOD.

HOWEVER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DID NOT RATE +VERY HIGHLY+ THE CHANCES OF MAINTAINING THE PRESENT RATE OF IMPROVEMENT IN REAL LIVING STANDARDS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

HE SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE OF THE MULTIPLICITY OF PRESSURES CAUSED BY FURTHER INCREASES IN THE POPULATION SUCH AS HONG KONG EXPERIENCED IN 1978, OF 3.4 PER CENT, THE HIGHEST INCREASE SINCE 1962.

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

ANTI-INFLATIONARY POLICIES OF OVERSEAS GOVTS ft ft ft ft ft

HONG KONG IS FACING A SITUATION IN WHICH THE GROWTH RATE OF WORLD TRADE IN MANUFACTURES WILL BE NO MORE THAN SIX PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE TREND GROWTH RATE OF NINE PER CENT FROM THE MID-1960’S TO THE MID-1970’S, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THIS CAME. HE SAID, +AT A TIME WHEN WE SHALL BE SEVERELY RESTRICTED IN THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SUCH GROWTH AS THERE IS.+

HE NOTED THAT THE FEAR OF ACCELERATING INFLATION WAS CAUSING THE UNITED STATES TO ADOPT LESS EXPANSIONARY POLICIES AND THAT THERE WAS RELATIVELY LITTLE EVIDENCE THAT UNEMPLOYMENT LEVELS IN O.E.C.D. COUNTRIES WOULD BE REDUCED.

THESE ADDED SUPPORT TO THE VIEW THAT THERE WAS LITTLE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE STRENGTH OF PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENTS WOULD LESSEN, HE SAID.

OIL PRICE INCREASES SCHEDULED BY O.P.E.C. AND ANY OTHER INCREASES OVER AND ABOVE THESE MADE THE ADOPTION OF REFLATIONARY POLICIES +EVEN LESS LIKELY,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

13 -

MONETARY IMPLICATIONS OF GOVT’S BANK BALANCES *****

ONE OF THE BUDGETARY POLICIES IS TO MANAGE PUBLIC FINANCES GENERALLY TO MINIMISE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE MONETARY ENVIRONMENT IS DISTURBED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE AIM, MR. HADDON-CAVE EXPLAINED, + IS TO MINIMISE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE GROWTH RATE OF MONEY SUPPLY IS ALTERED BY AN EXPANSION OR CONTRACTION OF CURRENCY IN CIRCULATION OR BY A BUDGET SURPLUS OR DEF IC IT. +

SINCE THE MIDDLE OF 1972, HE SAID, WHEN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR CEASED TO BE TIED TO STERLING, WHENEVER THE NOTE ISSUE HAD BEEN EXPANDED, CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS HAD BEEN ISSUED AGAINST THE CREATION OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS RATHER THAN AGAINST STERLING RECEIPTS.

♦SIMILARLY, AN INCREASE IN COINS IN CIRCULATION IS NOW EFFECTED BY THE SALE OF COINS BY THE EXCHANGE FUND AGAINST THE CREATION OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

IT HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN POSSIBLE, HE SAID, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE FLOATING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IN NOVEMBER 1974, TO USE THESE HONG KONG DOLLAR RECEIPTS TO ACQUIRE FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS BECAUSE THE EFFECT ON THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WOULD HAVE BEEN UNACCEPTABLE.

♦THUS THE MONETARY ENVIRONMENT HAS BEEN DISTURBED INASMUCH AS AN EXPANSION OF CURRENCY IN CIRCULATION HAS NOT BEEN MATCHED BY A REDUCTION IN BANK DEPOSITS IN HONG KONG AND HAS, THEREFORE, NOT BEEN NEUTRAL IN ITS EFFECT ON THE MONEY SUPPLY,+ MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

IN ORDER NOT TO DISTURB THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, HE SAID WE HAD NOT DISPOSED OF ANYTHING LIKE THE SAME PROPORTION OF THE BUDGET SURPLUSES WE HAD BEEN GENERATING RECENTLY, LARGELY INVOLUNTARILY, AS WE HAD DONE BEFORE 1972.

♦SO THERE HAS BEEN NO CONSTRAINING EFFECT ON THE GROWTH RATE OF THE MONEY SUPPLY,+ HE SAID, ADDING;

♦THIS IS BECAUSE A SURPLUS ON BUDGETARY ACCOUNT INVOLVES A TRANSFER OF DEPOSITS FROM THE NON-BANK PRIVATE SECTOR TO THE GOVERNMENT’S BANK ACCOUNTS. IF THIS SURPLUS IS RETAINED IN HONG KONG IN THE FORM OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, THE EFFECT ON THE MONEY SUPPLY IS LARGELY NEUTRAL BECAUSE THE SURPLUS CAN BE RE-CIRCULATED TO THE NON-BANK PRIVATE SECTOR THROUGH THE CREATION OF BANK CREDIT.

♦ONLY IF THERE IS A NEXT TRANSFER OF HONG KONG DOLLAR ASSETS INTO FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS HELD OVERSEAS (OR VICE VERSA) IS THE MONEY SUPPLY SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED.+

PROPOSED TAX INCREASES TO AFFECT MOTORISTS, BUSINESSMEN AND SHIPPING * * * *

A NUMBER OF TAX INCREASES'AFFECTING MOTORISTS, BUSINESSMEN AND SHIPPING, WERE PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE INCREASES APPLY TO FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTOR CYCLES, VEHICLE LICENCE FEES, BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES, AND BUOY AND*ANCHORAGE FEES.

IN OUTLINING THE REVISED RATES IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH, MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO INDICATED THAT CERTAIN FEES AND CHARGES MAY BE REVISED UPWARDS LATER ON.

AS FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY), FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON MOTOR VEHICLES WILL RISE FROM 30 PER CENT TO 35 PER CENT FOR BASIC CARS- FOR SEMI-LUXURY CARS FROM 35 PER CENT TO 40 PER CENT- AND FOR LUXURY CARS FROM 40 PER CENT TO 45 PER CENT.

IN LINE WITH THE NEW RATE OF TAX FOR THE BASIC CAR, THE RATE FOR MOTOR CYCLES AND MOTOR TRICYCLES WILL ALSO BE INCREASED FROM 30 PER CENT TO 35 PER CENT.

ANNOUNCING THE NEW RATES, MR. HADDON-CAVE NOTED THAT THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF CARS INCREASED BY 41 PER CENT IN 1977 OVER 1976, AND BY 76 PER CENT IN 1978 OVER 1977. +CLEARLY, THE EXISTING RATES ARE NO DISCOURAGEMENT TO ASPIRING CAR OWNERS,* HE SAID, ADDING THAT HE DID NOT THINK THE PROPOSED RATES WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DISCOURAGING.

REVENUE FROM FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, HE SAID, HAD INCREASED STEADILY FROM $102 MILLION IN 1976-77 TO $148 MILLION IN 1977-78 TO $254 MILLION IN 1978-79. AND THE ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80 WAS OVER $300 MILLION. +WE ARE CLEARLY NOWHERE NEAR THE POINT OF DIMINISHING RETURNS, AND I CONSIDER THAT THIS IS ONE SOURCE WHICH COULD CONTRIBUTE MORE TO THE REVENUE.*

THE NEW RATES, HE ADDED, ARE EXPECTED TO YIELD $35 MILLION IN 1979-80.

MOTOR VEHICLE LICENCES WILL ALSO COST MORE AS FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

THE NEW RATES FOR PRIVATE CARS AREi UP TO 1,000 C.C. $400, UP TO 1,500 C.C. $600, UP TO 2,500 C.C. $900, UP TO 3,500 C.C. $1,200, UP TO 4,500 C.C. $1,500, CARS OVER 4,500 C.C. $1,800.

FOR MOTOR CYCLES, THE RATES GO UP FROM $175 TO $200.

IN THE CASE OF GOODS VEHICLES, THE NEW FEE FOR A VEHICLE UP TO 20 CWT WILL BE $400, FOR THOSE UP TO 45 CWT $800, FOR THOSE UP TO 75 CWT $1,200, AND FOR THOSE OVER 75 CWT $1,600.

THE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENCE FEE FOR TAXIS AND FOR A PRIVATE LIGHT BUS WERE ALSO RAISED TO $900.

THE EXPECTED ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM THESE INCREASES AND ADJUSTMENTS WOULD YIELD AN ESTIMATED $41 MILLION IN 1979-80.

/MR. HADDON-CAVE..

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

MR. HADDON-CAVE EMPHASISED THAT HIS PROPOSALS RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE LICENCES HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH FUTURE TRANSPORT POLICY. +THEY ARE JUSTIFIED IN THEIR OWN RIGHT, AND THEY ARE PUT TO HON. MEMBERS FOR FISCAL REASONS ALONE,+ HE STRESSED.

IN THE CASE OF TAXIS, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE WAS MINDFUL THAT THE LICENCE FOR A HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXI IS GRANTED AFTER A PUBLIC TENDER, OR IN THE CASE OF AN NT TAXI BY BALLOT, AND THAT TAXI FARES HAD RECENTLY BEEN INCREASED.

HE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT THE ANNUAL FEE CHARGED FOR THE LICENCE IS A CHARGE FOR ROAD USE, AND A TAXI OCCUPIES ROAD SPACE FOR ABOUT 10-15 TIMES LONGER THAN THE AVERAGE PRIVATE CAR.

♦I CAN SEE NO REASON, THEREFORE, WHY THE FEE FOR A TAXI SHOULD NOT HAVE REGARD TO THE FEE FOR A PRIVATE CAR OR WHY THERE SHOULD BE ANY DISTINCTION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXIS AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS.+

ON BUOY AND ANCHORAGE FEES, MR. HADDON-CAVE PROPOSED AN INCREASE TO $700 A DAY FOR AN ’A’ BUOY AND $450 A DAY FOR A ’B* BUOY. HE ALSO PROPOSED TO RAISE THE ANCHORAGE FEES TO $14 PER 100 TONS PER DAY INSIDE THE HARBOUR LIMITS AND $4 PER 100 TONS A DAY ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG WATERS. HE ESTIMATED THAT THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE NEXT YEAR FROM THESE INCREASES WOULD BE AT LEAST $3 MILLION.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE PROPOSED INCREASES IN BUOY AND ANCHORAGE FEES WOULD BECOME EFFECTIVE AS SOON AS THE NECESSARY REGULATIONS ARE MADE, PROBABLY IN THE MIDDLE OF APRIL.

ON BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES, MR. HADDON-CAVE NOTED THE FEES HAD LAST BEEN REVISED IN 1975. HE PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE FEE FROM $150 A YEAR TO $175 A YEAR AS FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE DID NOT CONSIDER THAT THIS WOULD CONSTITUTE A HARDSHIP AT TODAY’S PRICES AND HE ENVISAGED AN ADDITIONAL YIELD TO REVENUE OF $6.5 MILLION IN 1979-80.

HE ESTIMATED THAT THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELDS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, VEHICLE LICENCES, BUOY AND ANCHORAGE FEES AND BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES WOULD AMOUNT TO $85.5 MILLION IN 1979-80.

+THESE REVENUE PROPOSALS FOR 1979-80 WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF SLIGHTLY IMPROVING THE BALANCE OF THE FISCAL SYSTEM COMPARED WITH WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THEM,+ HE SAID.

ON FEES AND CHARGES, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE WAS NOT SATISFIED THAT EVEN OUR COST-RELATED FEES AND CHARGES ARE REVIEWED FREQUENTLY ENOUGH, AND HE WOULD BE ASKING THE FINANCE BRANCH TO CONSIDER WAYS OF IMPROVING A SYSTEM OF MONITORING.

HE ALSO FELT THAT SEVERAL ROYALTY-LOADED FEES OUGHT TO BE UPDATED, BUT HE DID NOT PROPOSE ANY CHANGES ON THIS OCCASION.

AS FAR AS TAX-LOADED FEES AND CHARGES WERE CONERNED, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, A RECENT REVIEW BY THE MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING SERVICES DIVISION OF THE TREASURY HAD REVEALED THAT, WITH MOST INCREASES OVER THE YEAR, THERE HAD BEEN A SIGNIFICANT EROSION OF THE TAX-LOADING ELEMENT. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD THEREFORE DECIDED THAT THOSE MOST SERIOUSLY AFFECTED SHOULD BE REVISED UPWARDS TO OFFSET THIS EROSION.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

FOUR TAX CONCESSIONS PROPOSED * K *

FOUR TAX CONCESSIONS WERE PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON WHEN HE PRESENTED THE BUDGET FOR THE COMING YEAR.

ONE INVOLVED A REDUCTION FROM 15 PER CENT TO 10 PER CENT IN THE +CLAW-BACK+ OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY PERSONAL ALLOWANCE GRANTED TAXPAYERS IN 1976-77.

UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, THE SUPPLEMENTARY PERSONAL ALLOWANCE WILL NOW NOT DISAPPEAR UNTIL A SINGLE TAXPAYER EARNS $37,500 A YEAR (COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT $29,167), AND A MARRIED TAXPAYER $75,000 A YEAR (COMPARED WITH $58,334 AS AT PRESENT).

THE REDUCTION OF THE +CLAW-BACK+ WILL COST THE GOVERNMENT AN ESTIMATED $37 MILLION IN 1979-80.

MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO PROPOSED TO SCRAP THE 30 PER CENT RATE APPLICABLE TO NET CHARGEABLE INCOME IN EXCESS OF $50,000 A YEAR, AT A COST TO GENERAL REVENUE OF $20 MILLION.

THIS WOULD MEAN THE TOP MARGINAL RATE FOR SALARIES TAX IN FUTURE WOULD BE 25 PER CENT ON NET CHARGEABLE INCOME IN EXCESS OF $40,000 PER YEAR.

THUS A SINGLE TAXPAYER WOULD ENTER THE STANDARD RATE ZONE ON AN INCOME OF $75,000 A YEAR, COMPARED WITH $70,000 AT PRESENT, A MARRIED TAXPAYER AT $100,000 (AS AGAINST $90,000 NOW), AND A MARRIED TAXPAYER WITH TWO DEPENDENT CHILDREN AT $117,000 (INSTEAD OF $104,000 AS AT PRESENT).

THE EFFECT OF THESE TWO PROPOSALS TOGETHER WOULD BE TO REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE RATE OF TAX PAYABLE BY A SINGLE TAXPAYER ON, SAY, $20,000 A YEAR FROM 2.16 PER CENT TO 2.06 PER CENT, AND ON $30,000 A YEAR FROM FIVE PER CENT TO 4.75 PER CENT- BY A MARRIED TAXPAYER ON, SAY, $30,000 A YEAR FROM 0.96 PER CENT TO 0.92 PER CENT, ON $60,000 A YEAR FROM 8.33 PER CENT TO 7.83 PER CENT, ON $80,000 A YEAR FROM 13.13 PER CENT TO 12.5 PER CENT, AND ON $90,000 A YEAR FROM 15 PER CENT TO 13.89 PER CENT- AND BY A MARRIED TAXPAYER WITH TWO DEPENDENT CHILDREN ON, SAY, $60,000 A YEAR FROM SIX PER CENT TO 5.5 PER CENT, ON $90,000 A YEAR FROM 12.67 PER CENT TO 11.94 PER CENT AND ON $104,000 A YEAR FROM 15 PER CENT TO 13.7 PER CENT.+

MR. HADDON-CAVE POINTED OUT THAT THE TOTAL COST TO THE REVENUE IN 1979-80 OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DEPENDENT PARENT ALLOWANCE, THE REDUCTION OF THE +CLAW-BACK+ OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY PERSONAL ALLOWANCE TO 10 PER CENT AND THE SCRAPPING OF THE 30 PER CENT TOP MARGINAL RATE, WOULD AMOUNT TO $126 MILLION, OR $77 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.

ANOTHER CONCESSION INVOLVED INCREASING THE PRESENT ALLOWANCE FOR DEPRECIATION OF PLANT AND EQUIPMENT FROM 20 PERCENT TO 25 PER CENT. THIS WILL PRINCIPALLY BENEFIT THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND COST THE GOVERNMENT AN ESTIMATED 322.5 MILLION IN 1979-80. IN A FULL YEAR, THE COST TO REVENUE WOULD AMOUNT TO ROUGHLY $12.5 MILLION.

ncujuc^>±in.x, xfiionuAa.1 do, ly/y

- 17 -

UNDER THE FOURTH CONCESSION, THE ESTATE DUTY FREE LIMIT OF $5,000 ON GIFTS AND INTER VIVOS MADE LESS THAN THREE YEARS BEFORE DEATH (OR ONE YEAR IN THE CASE OF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS) IS TO BE RAISED TO $50,000 IN RESPECT OF PERSONS DYING ON OR AFTER APRIL 1, 1979.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT HE INTENDED TO INTRODUCE AN AMENDING BILL SHORTLY TO TIGHTEN EXISTING LEGISLATION RELATING TO ESTATE DUTY INVOLVING CONTROLLED COMPANIES.

MR. HADDON-CAVE DID NOT PROPOSE ANY CHANGE IN THE GENERAL TAX RATE, NOR DID HE PROPOSE REVISIONS IN THE DUTY ON LIQUOR, TOBACCO AND HYDROCARBON OILS AT THIS TIME.

SIMILARLY, HE CONSIDERED THAT THE YIELDS FROM STAMP DUTIES AND FROM TAXES ON BETS AND SWEEPS AND ENTERTAINMENT WERE SUCH AS NOT TO REQUIRE ANY INCREASES AT THIS TIME.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE TOTAL COST OF THE FOUR CONCESSIONS WOULD AMOUNT TO $79.7 MILLION IN 1979-80, OR $47.7 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.

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

EDUCATION TO GET $2,196 MILLION *****

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, HAS BUDGETTED $2,196 MILLION ON EDUCATION IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, REPRESENTING 17.6 PER CENT OF THE YEAR’S TOTAL EXPENDITURE.

SPEAKING ON HIS ANNUAL BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID PROVISION HAVE BEEN MADE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 11,565 NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES IN DEVELOPING AREAS IN 1979-80 TO BE OFFSET BY A REDUCTION OF EXISTING PLACES IN AREAS OF OVER-PROVISION.

♦NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL CONTINUE TO BE BUILT, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES- NINE SUCH SCHOOLS ARE EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 1979-80,+ HE SAID.

ON SPECIAL EDUCATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE COMING YEAR WOULD SEE A CONTINUED EXPANSION IN THE NUMBER OF PLACES FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS — A FURTHER 2,383 PLACES WOULD BE PROVIDED IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND 1,810 PLACES IN SPECIAL CLASSES IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS, AS PART OF THE OVERALL PLAN FOR REHABILITATION AS SET OUT IN THE 1977 WHITE PAPER ON +INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITYi A UNITED EFFORT.*

+IN ORDER TO IMPROVE SERVICES AND TO INTEGRATE THE WORK OF ALL DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, THE GOVERNMENT, WITH THE ADVICE OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, HAS BEEN REVIEWING THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS,* HE SAID.

+THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDE FUNDS TO ENABLE CERTAIN PROPOSALS, IN THE FORM OF REVISIONS TO THE RELEVANT CODES OF AID, TO COME INTO EFFECT IN APRIL 1979,+ HE ADDED.

/ON JUNIOR ....

WEDNESDAY, FEBEUAHY 28, 1979

- 18 -

ON JUNIOR EDUCATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID A FURTHER EXPANSION TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 29,932 FORMS I TO III PLACES WOULD CONTINUE IN 1979-80 WITH A VIEW TO ACCOMMODATING ALL CHILDREN IN THE 12-14 AGE-GROUP BY THE BEGINNING OF THE 1980-81 ACADEMIC YEAR.

TURNING TO SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, HE SAID THE 1979-80 DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 4,243 FORMS IV-V PLACES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WHITE PAPER, *THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION,* PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 1978.

♦THEY ALSO PROVIDE FOR INCREASES AT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES (INCLUDING A FIFTH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WHICH WILL OPEN IN KOWLOON TONG IN SEPTEMBER 1979) IN FULL-TIME STUDENTS FROM 3,400 TO 4,300, AND IN STUDENTS ON PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSES' FROM 8,600 TO 12,200. THESE PLACES WILL FURTHER AUGMENT THE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORM III LEAVERS,* HE SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE DRAFT ESTIMATES ALSO INCLUDED PROVISION FOR THE FIRST STAGE OF A SCHEME TO ASSIST CERTAIN APPROVED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES TO PROVIDE PLACES AT THE FORM VI AND TERTIARY LEVELS, WHICH WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE MEETING OF TARGETS ENVISAGED IN THE WHITE PAPER.

+DETAILED FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE STILL UNDER DISCUSSION WITH THE RELEVANT COLLEGE AUTHORITIES BUT FUNDS HAVE BEEN EARMARKED TO ENABLE ASSISTANCE TO BE PROVIDED FOR 950 FORM VI PLACES IN SEPTEMBER 1979,+ HE SAID.

MR. HADDON-CAVE ADDED THAT IT WAS PROPOSED TO BRING 70 PRIVATE NON-PROFIT MAKING SCHOOLS UNDER THE CODE OF AID FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS OVER A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER 1979.

+THE ESTIMATED COST OVER THE FOUR-YEAR PERIOD WILL BE ABOUT $146 MILLION,* HE SAID.

+THE EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICES DESCRIBED IN THE WHITE PAPER WILL RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ON SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION OF $177 MILLION IN 1979-80, RISING TO $644 MILLION BY 1985-86 (AT 1978 PRICES). THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WILL TOTAL ABOUT $940 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

♦AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND IT IS APPROPRIATE TO LOOK CLOSELY AT THE LEVEL OF FEES CHARGED AT THE SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY LEVELS TO ENSURE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO REFLECT A REASONABLE LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION TO THE COST OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED.

♦IN THIS CONTEXT THE WHITE PAPER HAS INDICATED THAT THE STANDARD SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL FEES, WHICH HAVE REMAINED STATIC SINCE 1965, WILL RISE TO $600 A YEAR IN FORMS IV AND V AND $800 IN FORMS VI BY 1980.

♦THE FIRST PHASES OF THESE INCREASES, TO $500 AND $620 RESPECTIVELY, WILL TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER 1979, BUT STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROTECTED BY THE EXISTING FEE REMISSION SCHEMES,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

/19

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

- 19 -

$1,117 MILLION TO BE SPENT ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES *****

ABOUT NINE PER CENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EXPENDITURE IN 1979-80, OR $1,117 MILLION, WILL BE SPENT ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID PRIORITY WOULD CONTINUE TO BE GIVEN TO THE STRENGTHENING OF A REGIONAL ISED INFRA-STRUCTURE OF HOSPITALS AND CLINICS TO PROVIDE GENERAL AND SPECIALIST MEDICAL SERVICES TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

HE SAID A FIFTH REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN SHA TIN NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION WHICH WILL ADMIT PATIENTS IN 1982, WOULD SERVE THE WHOLE OF THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING SHA TIN NEW TOWN, AND WOULD ALSO PROVIDE CLINICAL TEACHING FACILITIES FOR THE NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 449 HOSPITAL BEDS IN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS WHICH WOULD BRING THE TOTAL TO 17,966 BY MARCH 1980.

♦MAJOR PROJECTS WHICH WILL PROVIDE MORE BEDS AND WHICH ARE EITHER ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR WHICH WILL BEGIN DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR INCLUDE, IN THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR, THE SHA TIN HOSPITAL AND POLYCLINIC, A PSYCHIATRIC WING TO THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AND AN EXTENSION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FANLING HOSPITAL.

♦OTHER IMPORTANT PROJECTS IN THE PIPE-LINE INCLUDE AN URBAN CLINIC AT LEI MUK SHUE, AND, IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR, A CARD 10-THORACIC CENTRE AT THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL AND A CLINICAL PATHOLOGY BUILDING FOR KWONG WAH HOSPITAL,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO NOTED THAT SUBVENTED HOSPITALS WERE PLAYING A VITAL ROLE IN RELEASING MUCH-NEEDED ACUTE BEDS IN THE MAIN REGIONAL HOSPITALS AND, TO REFLECT THEIR SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES, THE GOVERNMENT HAD, WHERE APPROPRIATE, BROUGHT HOSPITALS ON TO A FULL DEFICIENCY GRANT SUBSIDY.

♦DURING 1978-79 THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL IN TSUEN WAN AND THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE IN KOWLOON CAME ON TO DEFICIENCY GRANTS AND THESE HOSPITALS WILL HELP TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AS WELL AS PROVIDE IMPROVED SERVICES TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

AS A FURTHER MEASURE FOR THE BETTER UTILISATION OF HOSPITAL BEDS, HE SAID, THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE SET UP ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS IN 1976 WOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER ALMOST ALL PARTS OF HONG KONG BY 1985.

♦THIS SERVICE ENABLES CONVALESCENT PATIENTS TO COMPLETE THEIR TREATMENT AT HOME WITH THE HELP OF REGULAR VISITS FROM A TRAINED NURSE.

♦THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDE FOR THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY NURSES TO EXPAND FROM THE PRESENT 33 TO 108 IN THE COMING YEAR,+ HE SAID.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

- 20 -

35 PER CENT MORE FUNDS EARMARKED FOR HOUSING *****

THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE A FURTHER 142,220 PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS OVER THE NEXT FOUR FISCAL YEARS FROM 1979-80 TO 1982-83, INCLUDING 25,400 FLATS TO BE BUILT UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.

PRESENTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR 1979-80 PROVIDED FOR EXPENDITURE OF $1,100 MILLION ON PUBLIC HOUSING FOR RENTING AND RELATED FACILITIES.

BUT HE ADDED THAT IF DRAWINGS FROM THE HOME OWNERSHIP FUND WERE ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS WOULD BE OF THE ORDER OF $1,450 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 35 PER CENT OR $373 MILLION OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1978-79.

♦ NO LESS THAN $932 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF $417 MILLION OR 81 PER CENT OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1978-79 OF $515 MILLION, IS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND FOR ON-LENDING TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE RENTED HOUSING PROGRAMME,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

♦THIS SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IS NECESSARY FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF A FOUR-YEAR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME AIMED AT ACHIEVING A LEVEL OF PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING OF ABOUT 35,000 FLATS A YEAR, FOR WHICH TOTAL DRAWINGS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND OF $3,260 MILLION AT MID-1978 PRICES WILL BE REQUIRED,* HE ADDED.

ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1978-79 OF PAYMENTS FROM THE HOME OWNERSHIP FUND ON THE PRODUCTION OF THE 12,733 FLATS IN PHASES I AND II OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME WAS NEARLY $298 MILLION AND THE ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80 WAS $349 MILLION.

♦THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1978-79 OF DRAWINGS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND FOR FINANCING THE COMMERCIAL FACILITIES IN PHASE I AND I I IS NEARLY $66 MILLION. THE ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80 IS $28 MILLION,* HE SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO NOTED THAT THE INCOME LIMIT FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR HOME OWNERSHIP IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OF $3,500 A MONTH WAS SET UP IN FEBRUARY 1977.

+AS INCOMES HAVE INCREASED IN BOTH REAL AND MONEY TERMS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE INCOME CRITERION OF ELIGIBILITY NEEDS TO BE REVISED,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

♦OTHERWISE, THE SCHEME WILL BE INCOME GROUP THAN IT WAS ORIGINALLY

CATERING FOR A LOWER

MEANT TO ASS 1ST,+ HE ADDED.

o---------

/21

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

$1,O9OM FOR LAW AND ORDER SERVICES *****

THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND $1,090 MILLION IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, OR NINE PER CENT OF THE YEAR’S TOTAL EXPENDITURE, ON LAW AND ORDER SERVICES.

ANNOUNCING THIS IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID IT WAS INTENDED TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE POLICE FORCE BY SOME 2,100 POSTS, ACCOMPANIED BY IMPROVEMENTS TO AMENITIES FOR POLICEMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

+FOLLOWING THE VISIT OF ADVISERS FROM THE HOME OFFICE IN EARLY 1978, MAJOR REVIEWS OF THE POLICE FORCE TOOK PLACE DURING 1978-79 AND ARE STILL CONTINUING. PARTICULAR ATTENTION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN THE FORCE AND BETWEEN THE FORCE AND THE PUBLIC,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

+ IN A FORCE WITH AN ESTABLISHMENT OF SOME 22,700 POSTS, THIS IS AN AREA REQUIRING CONTINUING ATTENTION, PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR SOME 2,100 ADDITIONAL POSTS IN 1979-80,+ HE ADDED.

OTHER APPROVED PROPOSALS AIMED AT IMPROVING MORALE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID, INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF COLOUR TELEVISION SETS IN REST ROOMS IN POLICE STATIONS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SPORTS CENTRE AND A STAFF CLUB AT KAI TAK AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF GRANTS FOR WELFARE,.

+FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING CONSIDERED,* HE ADDED.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE FORCE TRAINING PROGRAMME HAD ALSO BEEN REVIEWED, AND PROPOSALS TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE POLICE AND DETECTIVE TRAINING SCHOOLS HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.

♦COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSALS FOR ON THE JOB AND PART-TIME RELEASE TRAINING ARE CURRENTLY BEING EXAMINED, AND PROVISION FOR THIS HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES,* HE SAID.

THE FINANICAL SECRETARY ALSO NOTED THAT IT WAS ENCOURAGING THAT VIOLENT CRIMES AND SERIOUS CRIMES HAD CONTINUED TO DROP, AS REFLECTED IN THE PRISON MUSTER FROM 7,184 IN JANUARY 1978 TO 6,406 IN JANUARY 1979.

THE LATTER FIGURE DID NOT INCLUDE 1,013 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, A FEATURE WHICH COULD BE EXPECTED TO FIGURE MORE PROMINENTLY DURING 1979, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

+THE SCALE OF THE EXODUS FROM VIETNAM IS PARTICULARLY ALARMING WHEN SEEN AS AN INCREMENT TO THE LARGE NUMBERS ARRIVING, LEGALLY AND ILLEGALLY, FROM CHINA,* HE SAID.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

$680 MILLION EARMARKED FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES *****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS EARMARKED $680 MILLION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, REPRESENTING A THREE-FOLD INCREASE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

ANNOUNCING THIS IN HIS ANNUAL BUDGET SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THE SUM ALSO REPRESENTED 5.5 PER CENT OF THE YEAR’S TOTAL EXPENDITURE.

HE SAID THE DRAFT ESTIMATES ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURE OF $405 MILLION ON ALL FORMS OF SOCIAL SECURITY IN 1979-80, INCLUDING THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE.

+THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 500 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURE OF $72 MILLION FIVE YEARS AGO,+ HE SAID.

A COMPREHENSIVE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY AND THE PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER WOULD ENTAIL AN ADDITIONAL $235 MILLION IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE BY 1982-83.

+DURING THE SAME FOUR-YEAR PERIOD FOR 1979-80 TO 1982-83, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, INCLUDING DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND, WILL TOTAL $88 MILLION AT 1978 PRICES,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

+THESE FIGURES DO NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF EXPANDING SERVICES TO THE DISABLED AS OUTLINED IN THE 1977 WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION WHICH WILL, IN ADDITION, INVOLVE AN INCREASE OF $298 MILLION IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE BY 1982-83,+ HE ADDED.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT A MAJOR PORTION OF INCREASED RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WOULD BE CHANNELLED THROUGH SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTIONS, FOR WHICH PURPOSE THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDED $117 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 17 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE APPROVED PROVISION FOR 1978-79.

+AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS THE BULK OF THIS SUM WILL BE DISBURSED, ON THE ADVICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, IN THE FORM OF DISCRETIONARY GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES,* HE SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED THAT A WORKING PARTY WOULD SHORTLY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO HOW THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTORS MIGHT BEST WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THE PLANNING TARGETS EMBODIED IN RECENT GREEN AND WHITE PAPERS ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.

+THESE RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD PROVIDE A FRAME-WORK FOR THE STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTIONS,* HE SAID.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

23 -

$453 MILLION FOR AUXILIARY FORCES AND DEFENCE

COST CONTRIBUTION ft ft ft ft

THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR 1979-80 PROVIDE $453 MILLION FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS), THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE, CIVIL AID SERVICE AND MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE PROVISION WAS MAINLY FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S 75 PER CENT SHARE, UNDER THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT, OF THE COST OF THE GARRISON AND FOR THE FULL COST OF CERTAIN MAJOR REPROVISIONING WORKS, BOTH-UNDER AND SUBSEQUENT TO THE AGREEMENT.

HE SAID THAT LAND (33 ACRES) AT SHAM SHU I PO CAMP HAD BEEN RELEASED AND WORK WAS DUE TO START ON A FURTHER MAJOR REPROVISIONING TO ENABLE THE REMAINDER OF SHAM SHU I PO CAMP (12 ACRES), LEI YUE MUN CAMP (73 ACRES) AND BOWRING CAMP (10 ACRES) TO BE RELEASED BY 1983.

♦ALTHOUGH NOT REFLECTED IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES BECAUSE NO EXPENDITURE WILL BE REQUIRED IN 1979-80, FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED FUNDS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FIVE NAVAL PATROL CRAFT AT AN ESTIMATED COST TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OF $200 MILLION,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

+THE REPLACEMENTS WOULD BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL IN A REPEAT OF THE CURRENT SITUATION ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES,* HE ADDED.

- - 0 - -

BILL PROPOSED TO AMEND EXCHANGE FUND ORDINANCE ft ft ft ft

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WOULD PROPOSE TO INTRODUCE, SUBJECT TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVICE, A BILL TO AMEND THE EXCHANGE FUND ORDINANCE.

HE EXPLAINED THAT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE, SHORT TERM HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS OF THE EXCHANGE FUND SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE DEPOSITS FROM A BANK (AND SO SUBJECT TO THE 100 PER CENT LIQUID ASSETS REQUIREMENT), WHILE LONG TERM DEPOSITS OF THE FUND WILL CONTINUE TO BE REGARDED AS DEPOSITS FROM A NON-BANK CUSTOMER SUBJECT ONLY TO THE 25 PER CENT LIQUID ASSETS REQUIREMENT.

+THIS WILL HAVE THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF INCREASING THE MINIMUM LIQUID ASSETS WHICH HAVE TO BE HELD BY THE BANKS CONCERNED AGAINST THESE DEPOSITS,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

FURTHERMORE, HE SAID, THE IMPACT OF THE REQUIREMENT CAN EASILY BE ALTERED BY CONVERTING PART OR ALL OF THE EXCHANGE FUND’S LONG TERM DEPOSITS, AT 25 PER CENT, INTO SHORT TERM DEPOSITS AT 100 PER CENT OR VICE VERSA.

/any stiffening

7/3DNESDAY, KSBRUABY 28, 1979 .

- 24 -

ANY STIFFENING OF THIS REQUIREMENT BY SHORTENING THE MATURITY PATTERN OF THE EXCHANGE FUND’S DEPOSITS WILL ENTAIL SOME LOSS OF REVENUE TO THE FUND BECAUSE, MR. HADDON-CAVE EXPLAINED, WE CAN NORMALLY EXPECT TO EARN A LOWER RATE OF INTEREST ON THE FUND’S SHORT TERM DEPOSITS THAN WE CAN ON ITS LONG TERM DEPOSITS.

♦BUT THIS IS A COMPLETELY LEGITIMATE OUTCOME,+ HE ADDED.

♦THE FUND WAS SET UP IN 1935 WITH THE STATED PURPOSE OF REGULATING THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR ----- THAT

REMAINS ITS PRIME FUNCTION. THEN, THREE YEARS AGO, WE TRANSFERRED TO THE EXCHANGE FUND THE FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS OF THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TO CENTRALISE THE MANAGEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS, AND TO RELIEVE GENERAL REVENUE OF THE COST OF POSITIONAL EXCHANGE LOSSES AND BOOK LOSSES ON FIXED INTEREST INVESTMENTS,♦ MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

♦AND WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF PROGRESSIVELY TRANSFERRING TO THE EXCHANGE FUND ALL THE HONG KONG DOLLAR BALANCES OF THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT (EXCEPT FOR WORKING BALANCES WITH THE TREASURY).

♦SO THE EXCHANGE FUND HAS BECOME, EFFECTIVELY, BANKER TO THE GOVERNMENT.+

HE SAID IT WAS QUITE IN ORDER FOR THE FUND TO FOREGO SOME REVENUE ON ITS HONG KONG DOLLAR BALANCES IF THE INCREASE IN THOSE BALANCES WAS CAUSED BY OUR DESIRE NOT TO DISTURB THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSED REQUIREMENT, HE SAID, WOULD NOT LIKELY TO LEAD TO AN EXACTLY PROPORTIONATE REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF LOANS AND ADVANCES BY THE BANKS HOLDING THE GOVERNMENT’S DEPOSITS BECAUSE THEY WILL PROBABLY ADJUST THEIR CONVENTIONAL LIQUIDITY RATIO DOWNWARDS.

♦BUT THERE IS A LIMIT TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY WILL BE WILLING, AND ABLE, TO DO THIS SINCE BANKS HABITUALLY CHOOSE TO HOLD A CUSHION OF LIQUID ASSETS IN EXCESS OF THE STATUTORY MINIMUM.

♦THE SIZE OF THIS CUSHION REPRESENTS A TARGET (OR RATHER A RANGE) SELECTED BY EACH BANK IN THE LIGHT OF ITS OWN CRITERIA AND ITS OWN PARTICULAR SITUATION ---- AN INITIAL REDUCTION IN THE SIZE

OF THE CUSHION BROUGHT ABOUT, EFFECTIVELY, BY A GOVERNMENT DECISION WILL LEAD TO EACH BANK CONCERNED TAKING STEPS TO RESTORE ITS CUSHION, AT LEAST PARTIALLY,♦ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

BUT, HE SAID, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE BANKS CONCERNED WILL BE ABLE TO AVOID THE FULL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL, THE ABILITY OF THE BANKING SYSTEM AS A WHOLE TO EXPAND ITS LOANS AND ADVANCES ON THE BASIS OF GOVERNMENT DEPOSITS WILL BE REDUCED.

♦THE CREDIT CREATION POTENTIAL OF THE BANKING SYSTEM HAS BEEN, AS I SAID BEFORE, INVOLUNTARILY INCREASED BY THE ACCUMULATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S HONG KONG DOLLAR BALANCES IN A SITUATION IN WHICH THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IS FREELY FLOATING AND, FOR THE TIME BEING, UNDER SOME PRESSURE IN THE MARKET,+ HE SAID.

+THAT IS TO SAY,+ MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, +IT IS A CONSEQUENCE -YET ANOTHER CONSEQUENCE --- OF OUR ECONOMY HAVING TO OPERATE UNDER

A FLOATING AS OPPOSED TO A FIXED EXCHANGE RATE REGIME.*

THE PROPOSAL WOULD IN NO WAY BE AN ATTACK ON THE LENDING BEHAVIOUR, AS IT WERE, OF THE GOVERNMENT’S OWN BANKERS.

♦RATHER, IT STEMS FROM A REALISATION THAT IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S HONG KONG DOLLAR BALANCES CAN BE EASILY REMOVED FROM THE SYSTEM AND THAT, THEREFORE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS AN OBLIGATION TO LIMIT THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROWTH OF LOANS AND ADVANCES BY THE BANKING SYSTEM AS A WHOLE.

♦THE GOVERNMENT, HAVING PUT ITS OWN HOUSE IN ORDER, SO TO SPEAK, BY ASSUMING POWERS TO LIMIT THE SUPPLY OF CREDIT BASED ON ITS OWN HONG KONG DOLLAR BALANCES, THE QUESTION NOW TO BE CONSIDERED IS THE CONTROL OF THE GROWTH RATE OF THE MONEY SUPPLY TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS DETERMINED BY THE DEMAND FOR CREDIT WHICH, IN TURN, IS INFLUENCED BY THE RATES OF INTEREST AT WHICH LOANS AND ADVANCES ARE OFFERED BY THE BANKS,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

HE SAID HE HAD EXAMINED VARIOUS POSSIBLE METHODS OF RESTRAINT BEFORE CONCLUDING THAT THE ONLY REALLY SATISFACTORY AND PRACTICABLE METHOD OF EXERCISING CONTROL OVER THE GROWTH RATE OF THE MONEY SUPPLY WOULD BE THE USE OF INTEREST RATES.

THESE INCLUDED AN IMPOSITION OF CEILINGS ON LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES AND A LIMITATION ON THE GROWTH OF BANK RESOURCES.

♦ALL METHODS EXAMINED WERE EVALUATED IN TERMS OF WHETHER THEIR EFFECTS WOULD BE EQUITABLE AS BETWEEN TERMS OF WHETHER DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF BANKS (AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES), WHETHER THERE WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE EFFECTS ON THE EXCHANGE RATE OR ON INTEREST RATES AND, OF COURSE, WHETHER THEY WOULD EFFECTIVELY ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE.

+MY CONCLUSION WAS THAT NONE OF THE METHODS DEVISED WOULD BE WHOLLY EFFECTIVE AND SOME OF THEM WOULD BE OBJECTIONABLE IN TERMS OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE CRITERIA. I WAS SEIZED OF A FURTHER CONSIDERATION --- NO MATTER HOW SKILFULLY THE CASE FOR THE

IMPOSITION OF A FORM OF DIRECT CONTROL MIGHT BE PRESENTED, IT WOULD BE INTERPRETED AS A RADICAL CHANGE OF POLICY BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND ALL SORTS OF ERRONEOUS CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM THIS,* MR. HADDON-CAVE EXPLAINED.

HE SAID HE WOULD PREFER NOT TO IMPOSE ANY FORM OF DIRECT CONTROL ON THE SUPPLY OF CREDIT IN HONG KONG AND PREFERRED TO LEAVE MATTERS TO THE BANKING SYSTEM ITSELF.

HE ALSO EMPHASISED THAT HE DID NOT AT PRESENT INTEND TO RAISE THE MINIMUM LIQUIDITY RATIO.

♦NEVERTHELESS, I BELIEVE THAT AN INCREASE IN THIS RATIO MIGHT, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE PURPOSES OF MONETARY POLICY. IT WOULD NOT BE PARTICULARLY EQUITABLE AS BETWEEN GROUPS OF BANKS, AND IT WOULD NOT BE TOTALLY EFFECTIVE IN ACHIEVING ITS OBJECTIVE, BUT IT IS A CONSTRAINT WHICH DOES LIE TO HAND. A SIMILAR CONSTRAINT COULD, IN DUE COURSE, BE APPLIED TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE NOT YET SET THE MINIMUM LIQUIDITY RATIO TO BE OBSERVED BY THEM.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

- 26 -

REASSESSMENT OF RATEABLE VALUES CONSIDERED ******

CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN THIS YEAR TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A REASSESSMENT OF RATEABLE VALUES NEXT YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID REASSESSMENT WAS LAST CARRIED OUT IN 1976, EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1977.

♦THE NEW VALUES THEN ESTABLISHED INVOLVED VERY SIGNIFICANT INCREASES OVER THE PREVIOUS VALUES WHICH WERE SET AS THE RESULT OF REVALUATION IN 1972. THESE LARGE INCREASES REFLECTED THE MARKED UPWARD TREND IN MARKET RENTALS IN THE LONG INTERVAL OF FOUR YEARS BETWEEN THE TWO EXERCISES,* HE SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE INTENDED FURTHER REVALUATION IN 1978 TO AVOID A REPETITION OF THIS SITUATION BUT, AS THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION WAS SATISFIED THERE WERE NO CLEARLY ESTABLISHED TRENDS WHICH MADE IT ESSENTIAL TO REVISE THE BASE VALUES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, +1 DEFERRED THE INTENDED REVALUATION FOR THE TIME BEING.*

ALTHOUGH SOME TRENDS WERE NOW MORE CLEARLY DISCERNIBLE, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE EXERCISE BE DEFERRED.

*BUT, CLEARLY, SERIOUS CONSIDERATION WILL NEED TO BE GIVEN DURING THE YEAR TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A REVALUATION IN 1980, WITH OR WITHOUT A COMPENSATING REDUCTION IN THE RATE PERCENTAGE, BEARING IN MIND THAT AT LEAST FOUR YEARS WILL HAVE ELAPSED SINCE THE LAST EXERCISE.*

THERE WERE TWO REASONS FOR THIS: FIRST, TO ENSURE THAT RATEABLE VALUES ARE KEPT UP-TO-DATE AND THUS REMAIN AN EFFECTIVE TAX BASE- AND SECOND, TO ENSURE THAT RELATIVE CHANGES IN VALUES BETWEEN DIFFERENT PREMISES ARE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT SO THAT THE INCIDENCE OF THE TAX REMAINS FAIRLY DISTRIBUTED, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO COMMENTED ON THE PRICING POLICY ADOPTED FOR GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND OPERATED PUBLIC UTILITY UNDERTAKINGS.

THESE UNDERTAKINGS ARE THE LION ROCK TUNNELS, GOVERNMENT CAR PARKS, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, THE AIRPORT, THE POST OFFICE AND THE WATERWORKS.

+THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF PRICING POLICY MUST BE THAT CONSUMERS --- BE THEY INDIVIDUALS OR TRADES AND INDUSTRIES ------ SHOULD BE CHARGED THE FULL COST OF THE RESOURCES CONSUMED BY EACH UNDERTAKING UNLESS CONSCIOUS, AND I REPEAT UNLESS CONSCIOUS, POLICY DECISIONS DICTATE OTHERWISE.

/+THIS PRINCIPLE.....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

- 27 -

♦THIS PRINCIPLE IS NOT INVALIDATED SIMPLY BECAUSE THE SERVICES ARE NOT PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR OR BECAUSE THEY ARE OF A TYPE THAT ONLY THE GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE. AS A COROLLARY TO THIS PRINCIPLE, I REGARD THE PRICING OF PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES AS OUTSIDE THE AMBIT, AS IT WERE, OF FISCAL POLICY AS SUCH,+ MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

HE SAID FOR SOME YEARS NOTIONAL COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS WERE PREPARED FOR THESE UNDERTAKINGS THOUGH NOT ON A STANDARDISED BASIS. THE UNDERLYING ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES WERE BEING EXAMINED AND STANDARDISED.

THIS EXERCISE IS NOW COMPLETED AND, AS A RESULT, THERE ARE NOW STANDARDISED SETS OF ACCOUNTS FOR ALL UNDERTAKINGS WITH EFFECT FROM 1977-78 TOGETHER WITH FIVE-YEAR PROJECTIONS FOR THE PERIOD 1978-79 TO 1982-83.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID* +THESE DEMONSTRATE THE TRUE PROFIT AND LOSS POSITION OF EACH UNDERTAKING AND THE RETURN ON AVERAGE NET FIXED ASSETS EMPLOYED. THUS, WE NOW HAVE A RATIONAL BASIS FOR PRICING POLICIES AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT DECISIONS.*

ON THE STAMP ORDINANCE, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID FOLLOWING HIS PROPOSALS IN LAST YEAR’S BUDGET SPEECH, THE AMBIT OF THE ORDINANCE WAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED, SO THAT THE ORDINANCE NOW APPLIED TO ONLY THREE MAJOR SOURCES OF DUTY* TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES, ASSIGNMENTS OF IMMOVABLE PROPERTY AND LEASES AND AGREEMENTS FOR LEASES.

DESPITE THIS MAJOR SURGICAL EXERCISE, HE SAID, THERE ARE STILL UNSATISFACTORY FEATURES IN THE ORDINANCE WHICH REQUIRE A RESIDUAL TIDYING UP EXERCISE.

+TO ACHIEVE THIS, A STAMP DUTY SPECIALIST HAS BEEN APPOINTED AND IS NOW WORKING ON DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR A NEW ORDINANCE WHICH, IN BOTH LANGUAGE AND INTENT, WILL REFLECT THE REALITIES AND PRACTICES OF COMMERCIAL LIFE IN THE LATTER PART OF THE 20TH CENTURY,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

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/28 .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

- 2E -

MORE LAND AVAILABLE , * * * * *

INCREASING QUANTITIES OF LAND ARE EXPECTED TO BE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE COMING YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

BUT AS MOST OF THIS LAND WOULD BE IN THE NEW TOWNS, THE INCREASED SUPPLY MIGHT HAVE ONLY A LIMITED INFLUENCE ON LAND PRICES IN THE MAIN URBAN AREAS, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID.

HE SAID THE RECENT RAPID INCREASES IN LAND PRICES, PARTICULARLY IN THE MAIN URBAN AREAS, REFLECTED NOT ONLY THE FACT THAT THE SUPPLY OF LAND WAS LIMITED, BUT ALSO HONG KONG’S RECENT PROSPERITY AND THE VIEW CURRENTLY BEING TAKEN ABOUT THE FUTURE.

+THE BEST RESPONSE TO RISING LAND PRICES,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, + IS THE PROVISION OF MORE LAND AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO FEED MORE LAND ON TO THE MARKET THIS YEAR THAN I HAD THOUGHT POSSIBLE.*

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AGREED THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID HAVE +AN IMPORTANT INFLUENCE ON THE LAND MARKET.*

+WE HAVE GENERALLY ATTEMPTED TO EXERCISE THAT INFLUENCE IN A LARGE NON-INTERVENT ION 1ST MANNER, DISPOSING OF LAND TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER IN THE BELIEF THAT THIS WILL ENSURE ITS MOST EFFICIENT USE,* HE SAID.

INEVITABLY, THE GOVERNMENT HAD INFLUENCED LAND PRICES BY THE RATE OF LAND PRODUCTION, THE PROPORTION OF LAND PRODUCED TO BE RESERVED FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AND G.I.C. USE, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT, BY THE SPECIAL PAYMENT TERMS OFFERED TO BUYERS OF INDUSTRIAL SITES AND OF LARGE COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL SITES.

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/29 ....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

29 -

FEW SIGNS OF PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES EASING *****

THERE ARE VERY FEW SIGNS THAT PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES ARE EASING ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO SUBSTANTIAL TIGHTENING OF RESTRICTIONS DURING 1978, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REVIEWING THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IN THE FORECAST PERIOD 1980 TO 1982, HE SAID +THERE ARE SOME SIGNS THAT THE LIKELY CONSEQUENCE OF THE TARIFF REDUCTIONS WHICH EMERGE FROM THE PRESENT MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE YET FURTHER MOVES TOWARDS QUANTITATIVE ,RESTR ICT IONS.+

IN 1978, QUOTAS FOR CERTAIN KEY CLOTHING PRODUCTS TO MAJOR MARKETS WERE EXHAUSTED BEFORE THE END OF THE QUOTA YEAR.

♦AS THE GROWTH RATES FOR QUOTAS PERMITTED IN THE PRESENT AGREEMENTS ARE LOW, QUOTAS ARE LIKELY TO CONSTRAIN THE GROWTH RATE OF EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING IN THE YEARS TO COME, EVEN IF WORLD TRADE CONTINUES TO EXPAND AND THE TERMS OF EXISTING AGREEMENTS REMAIN UNALTERED,+ MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

HE ADDED THAT TEXTILES AND CLOTHING STILL CONSTITUTED AROUND 45-50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS.

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

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION * * * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE HOPED THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION WOULD ASSEMBLE ITS IDEAS DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR IN DEFINITE TERMS BY THIS AUTUMN.

HE SAID TWO OF THE SIX SUB-COMMITTEES HAD NOW COMPLETED THEIR REPORTS AND THE OTHER FOUR WOULD COMPLETE THEIRS SHORTLY.

HE DESCRIBED THE SETTING UP OF THE COMMITTEE AS +ONE 'RESPONSE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO THE SHIFT TO PROTECTIONISM, BUT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF OUR GENERAL COMMITMENT TO THE MARKET-BASED FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM.♦

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/30

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

FS CONCERNED OVER HIGH LEVEL OF NET IMMIGRATION * * * *

THE

LEVEL OF

FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE HIGH NET IMMIGRATION INTO HONG KONG.

HE SAID THE 1976 POPULATION PROJECTION WAS BASED ON AN ASSUMPTION THAT THE RATE OF NET IMMIGRATION WOULD BE ONLY 12.000 A YEAR, WHICH WAS VERY MUCH LOWER THAN THE ESTIMATED NET INTAKE CF 33,000 IN 1977 AND OF 96,000 IN 1978.

THESE FIGURES, HE SAID, WERE SEEN IN A WORRYING PERSPECTIVE IF ONE COMPARED THEM WITH THE FIGURES OF NATURAL INCREASE OF 56,500 IN 1977 AND 56,900 IN 1978.

♦FURTHERMORE, OUR PRESENT EXPECTATION MUST BE FOR A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS IN 1979 ALSO,+ HE ADDED.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID IF THE PRESENT HIGH LEVEL OF NET IMMIGRATION WAS MAINTAINED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, AND ON THE BASIS OF CERTAIN ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS CF IMMIGRANTS AND LABOUR PARTICIPATION RATES, THE EFFECT WOULD BE TO RAISE THE GROWTH RATE OF THE LABOUR FORCE ITSELF.

♦BUT THIS IS NOT AN UNMIXED BLESSING EVEN IN ECONOMIC TERMS,* HE SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED THAT HE WAS NOT OVERLOOKING THE GRAVE SOCIAL AND OTHER IMPLICATIONS OF THE PRESENT RATE OF NET IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA AND POTENTIALLY FROM ELSEWHERE.

♦ALREADY, OF COURSE, WE HAVE OVER 15,000 REFUGEES HELD ON BOATS AND IN CAMPS PENDING DETERMINATION OF THEIR FUTURE,* HE SAID.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

CALL FOR REVIEW OF TAX LIABILITY ON SHARE OPTIONS ******

A REVIEW OF THE PROVISIONS UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REGARDING LIABILITY TO TAX ON SHARE OPTIONS GRANTED TO EMPLOYEES IS CALLED FOR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE HAD RECEIVED REPRESENTATIONS THAT THE TREATMENT OF SHARE OPTIONS SHOULD BE ALTERED.

♦UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE THE RECIPIENT OF SHARE OPTIONS BECOMES LIABLE TO TAX AT THE TIME HE EXERCISES HIS OPTION TO BUY SHARES, AND THE AMOUNT OF TAX IS ASSESSED ON THE BASIS OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT HE PAYS FOR THE SHARES AND THEIR MARKET VALUE AT THE TIME.

♦SO, ON A RISING MARKET, THE TAX LIABILITY INCREASES THE LONGER THE EXERCISE OF THE OPTION IS DEFERRED,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE WOULD NOT WISH TO DISPUTE THE IDEA OF ENCOURAGING THE GIVING OF SHARE OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES, AND HE HAD ASKED THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE TO SEE WHETHER ANYTHING COULD BE DONE TO ALLEVIATE THE TAX LIABILITY.

HE SAID HE SAW LITTLE PROSPECT OF OUR BEING ABLE TO DEVISE AN ACCEPTABLE AND ADMINISTRATIVELY SIMPLE SCHEME WHICH WOULD NOT BE OPEN TO ABUSE.

♦AT THE SAME TIME, I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE THAT THERE ARE SIGNS THAT EVEN THE EXISTING CHARGE IS BEING AVOIDED. SO A REVIEW OF THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE IS CALLED FOR ANYWAY, PARTICULARLY AS THEY ARE BASED ON A RECOMMENDATION OF THE SECOND INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE WHICH REPORTED AS LONG AGO AS 1966,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED.

MR. HADDON-CAVE WENT ON TO COMMENT ON TAXATION TREATMENT OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS. HE RECALLED THAT ON AUGUST 2 LAST YEAR, THE FORMER SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG SPOKE ON THE SUBJECT.

SIR SZE-YUEN, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID, QUESTIONED THE DISCRETIONARY POWERS EXERCISED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE IN WITHHOLDING APPROVAL FROM UNFUNDED AND SELF-ADMINISTERED RETIREMENT SCHEMES.

SIR SZE-YUEN HAD PROPOSED THAT A SECOND CATEGORY OF APPROVED SCHEMES BY GIVEN OFFICIAL RECOGNITION, THAT IS TO SAY, NONCONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT SCHEMES, THE FUNDS OF WHICH ARE NOT SEPARATELY FUNDED AND ADMINISTERED, BUT LEFT IN THE COMPANY’S OWN BUS INESS.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAIDj +1 UNDERTOOK TO LOOK INTO THIS QUESTION BUT, AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, I AM AFRAID THAT, BOTH THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE AND I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE WOULD BE AS MANY OBJECTIONS TO SIR SZE-YUEN’S PROPOSALS AS THERE ARE SAID TO BE TO THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS.+

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28. 1979

THIRD INLAND REVENUE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS DESERVE SPECIAL ATTENTION ---------- FS

*****

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THREE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE DESERVED SPECIAL MENTION.

THESE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT BY A WORKING PARTY IN RECENT MONTHS, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

FIRST, HE SAID, THE REVIEW COMMITTEE MADE SEVERAL SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL TAX YIELD FROM SHIPPING PROFITS WITHOUT STRAINING THE TERRITORIAL AMBIT OF THE CHARGE.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE OF LITTLE BENEFIT TO THE REVENUE, HE NOTED.

♦SO LONG AS TAX HAVENS CONTINUE TO EXIST, A CHANGE TO TAXING THE WHOLE OF THE PROFITS OF RESIDENT SHIPPING COMPANIES WOULD NOT BE VERY PRODUCTIVE TO REVENUE (PERHAPS THE YIELD MIGHT BE $10 MILLION A YEAR),* HE SAID.

THERE WOULD ALSO BE DIFFICULTIES OF ENFORCEMENT, AND THE AMENDING LEGISLATION WOULD STILL BE OPEN TO AVOIDANCE MEASURES UNLESS STEPS WERE TAKEN TO GO CONSIDERABLY BEYOND THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS. THE COMMITTEE ALSO POINTED OUT AN ANOMALY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE WITHHOLDING SYSTEM ADOPTED FOR INTEREST TAX PURPOSES.

♦THAT IS TO SAY, A TRUSTEE RECEIVING INTEREST THAT HAS ALREADY SUFFERED WITHHOLDING TAX IS OBLIGED TO DEDUCT TAX A SECOND TIME FROM INTEREST PAID BY HIM TO THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE TRUST FUND.

♦THE REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT RELIEF SHOULD BE AVAILABLE WHERE TRUSTEES BOTH RECEIVE AND PAY OUT INTEREST. THE GOVERNMENT AGREES THAT THE ANOMALY IS CAPABLE OF BEING REMOVED AND AN AMENDING BILL IS NOW BEING DRAFTED.+

THE THIRD RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT ANY GAP IN THE INTEREST TAX CHARGE ON SURPLUSES ARISING FROM CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSITS SHOULD BE CLOSED, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

♦WHILST THE GOVERNMENT AGREES THAT A POSSIBLE LACUNA IN THE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE RECTIFIED AND THE QUESTION OF CHARGEABILITY PUT BEYOND DOUBT, THE SUBJECT MATTER IS COMPLEX AND IS BEING FURTHER EXAMINED,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

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UNIFICATION OF HK’S STOCK EXCHANGES

*****

A BILL TO BRING ABOUT UNIFICATION OF HONG KONG’S STOCK EXCHANGES WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS SESSION.

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HONG KONG WAS UNUSUAL IN HAVING AS MANY AS FOUR EXCHANGES.

♦THE FACT THAT HONG KONG HAS FOUR HAS NOT HAD A REASSURING EFFECT ON INVESTORS GENERALLY AND HAS HAMPERED THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IN THE STOCK MARKET HERE,* HE SAID.

SO, FOR SOME TIME NOW, GOVERNMENT POLICY HAD FAVOURED UNIFICATION, PREFERRABLY ARRANGED BY THE EXCHANGES THEMSELVES.

HOWEVER, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, NO +TANGIBLE EVIDENCE* OF PROGRESS TOWARDS THIS END HAD BEEN FORTHCOMING.

IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAD ADVISED THAT LEGISLATION ON UNIFICATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD AGREED.

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ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA

* * * *

HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT MUST TEND TO EXPAND AS CHINA’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE EXPANDS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

COMMENTING ON THE CHANGE IN THE RELATIONSHIP OF CHINA’S ECONOMY WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID: +HONG KONG IS IDEALLY SITUATED AS A PORT FOR CHINA AND AS A BASE FOR THOSE DOING BUSINESS WITH CHINA.*

HE ADDEDi +THUS THE SHIFT IN THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE TERTIARY SERVICES SECTOR IN OUR G.D.P. THAT HAS BEEN SUCH A FEATURE OF OUR DIVERSIFYING ECONOMY IN THE 1970’S CAN BE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AND, EVEN, ACCELERATE.*

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

TENDER FOR 3OO TAXI LICENCES * * X * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT TENDER FORMS FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF 300 HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXI LICENCES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM MARCH 9.

THE TENDER FORMS CAN BE COLLECTED FROM EITHER THE HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE AT NO. 2 MURRAY ROAD, OR FROM THE KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICE IN PARK-IN COMMERCIAL BUILDING, DUNDAS STREET.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT URGED TENDERERS NOT TO USE OUT-OF-DATE TENDER FORMS. +ONLY TENDER FORMS CLEARLY MARKED 'MARCH TENDER’ SHOULD BE SUBMITTED OTHERWISE THE TENDER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.+

HE ALSO ADVISED TENDERERS TO REMEMBER TO SIGN THE TENDER FORM, INCLUDE THE ORIGINAL OF THE TENDER DEPOSIT RECEIPT, AND IF THEY MAKE ANY AMENDMENTS IN THE TENDER FORM TO INITIAL THE AMENDMENTS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE TENDER WILL BE IN THE FORM OF A PREMIUM IN RESPECT OF ONE OR MORE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXIS. A TENDERER MAY SUBMIT ONE TENDER FORM FOR ONE OR MORE LICENCES BUT NOT EXCEEDING 300.

A TENDERER MAY ALSO SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE TENDER FORM, BUT IF A TENDER FOR MORE THAN ONE LICENCE IS SUBMITTED, ONLY ONE FIXED PREMIUM SHOULD BE OFFERED.

IF THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE LICENCES IS LESS THAN THE NUMBER REQUIRED BY A TENDERER THEN A SMALLER NUMBER OF LICENCES MAY BE ALLOCATED TO HIM AS APPROPRIATE.

A PUBLIC BALLOT MAY BE HELD TO DETERMINE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THOSE TENDERS IF THE UNIT PREMIA WHICH THEY OFFERED ARE IDENTICAL.

COMPLETED TENDER FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN SEALED ENVELOPES, ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX SITUATED IN THE ENTRANCE HALL ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, (MAIN WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE 12 NOON ON MARCH

LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AS IN PREVIOUS TAXI TENDERS, THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT BIND ITSELF TO ACCEPT THE HIGHEST OR ANY TENDER, AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT ALL OR ANY PART OF ANY TENDER.

HE SAID THAT TAXI LICENCES MAY BE ISSUED ON A DIFFERENT BASIS AFTER THIS TENDER.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE RECENT PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS ON TAXIS, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF MORE TAXI LICENCES, IS BEING REVIEWED AND THERE MAY BE CHANGES.

/35

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1979

- 35 -

PLB PROHIBITED ZONE NEAR CHI FU FA YUEN *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (MARCH 2), PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE NORTHERN ACCESS ROAD TO CHI FU FA YUEN UNLESS AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO INDICATE THE PROHIBITION.

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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WAI YIP STREET * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE SECTION OF WAI YIP STREET, BETWEEN KWUN TONG ROAD AND SIU YIP STREET IN KOWLOON BAY, KOWLOON, WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1.30 A.M. AND 5.30 A.M. DAILY FROM MARCH 2 TO 14.

THE ABOVE ARRANGEMENT IS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS WAI YIP STREET.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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WATER CUT * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT SALT WATER SUPPLY IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 A.M. TO 9 P.M. ON SATURDAY FOR INSTALLATION OF AN ADDITIONAL VALVE AT WING LUNG STREET NEAR CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD.

MEANWHILE, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TAI PO WILL BE STOPPED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON THE SAME DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY PO HEUNG STREET, KWONG FUK ROAD AND WAN TAU STREET, INCLUDING HEUNG SZE WIU STREET, TAI PO MARKET, PUN CHUNG, PAK KIU TSUEN, YIU TZE KIN TSUEN, LAI CHI SHAN AND WAN TAU TONG.

Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1979 - FEB - ENG