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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION ON MARCH 8 ......................... 1

ENGLISH SCHOOL GIRL WILL ’STAND OUT’ AT YOUTH RALLY FOR PRINCE CHARLES ............................................ 5

PRESS BADGES FOR ROYAL VISIT .............................. 6

SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS FOR AUCTION ........................... 6

AUCTION OF FLAT AND FIVE LOTS OF CROWN LAND................ 7

NEW POST OFFICE TO OPEN ON MONDAY.......................... 8

DAILY OPENING HOURS OF NT SWIMMING POOLS .................. 9

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE-COURSE .................... 10

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS SHARE IN TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT . 11

SECTION OF KWAI HING ROAD CLOSED......................... 11

TEMPORARY MOVE OF MAX I CAB STANDS ....................... 12

NO RIGHT TURN ............................................ 12

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

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION ON MARCH 8

******

THE RETURNING OFFICER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION, MISS DENISE YUE, TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 8.

SHE SAID THERE WOULD BE 13 POLLING STATIONS - FOUR ON

HONG KONG ISLAND, SIX IN KOWLOON AND THREE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THEY ARE LOCATED AT:

HONG KONG ISLAND

1. THE HALL OF KING’S COLLEGE, 63A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG-

2. THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL, CENTRAL DISTRICT, HONG KONG'

3. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE HENNESSY ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 169 THOMSON ROAD, HONG KONG-

4. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE NORTH POINT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 888 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG-

KOWLOON

1. THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, NEXT TO THE EAST WING OF KOWLOON STAR FERRY, KOWLOON-

2. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL, 152 SAI YEE STREET, KOWLOON-

3. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL, 332 CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, KOWLOON-

4. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE HO MAN TIN GOVERNMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL, 8 PERTH STREET, KOWLOON-

5. THE HALL OF THE NG WAH COLLEGE, 5 CHOI HUNG ROAD, KOWLOON-

6. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 240 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON-

NEW TERRITORIES

1. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, HOI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES

2. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL, KAU YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES- AND

3. THE COVERED PLAYGROUND OF THE WONG SHIU CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL, TAI PO ROAD, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES.

/PERSONS .....

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

2 -

PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ARE THOSE WHOSE NAMES APPEAR IN THE ELECTORAL REGISTER, WHICH CAME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 15.

ELECTORS MUST IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AT POLLING STATIONS BY PRODUCING THEIR IDENTITY CARD OR SOME OTHER POSITIVE MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION, SUCH AS A PASSPORT, DRIVING LICENCE, OR IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY ONE OF THE AUXILIARY DEFENCE SERVICES.

THE PRODUCTION OF A POLL CARD, ON ITS OWN, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY. ,

POLL CARDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MAILED TO ALL REGISTERED ELECTORS.. THESE WILL HELP THE POLLING STATION STAFF TO TRACE THE ELECTOR’S NAME IN THE REGISTER, THUS SPEEDING UP THE ISSUE OF BALLOT PAPERS.

ELECTORS MUST VOTE AT THE POLLING STATION SHOWN IN THE POLL CARDS --- THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO VOTE AT ANY OTHER POLLING

STATION.

MISS YUE POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE HEAVY PENALTIES FOR IMPERSONATION AT POLLING STATIONS.

♦ELECTORS ARE FORBIDDEN TO TALK TO OTHER VOTERS, TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS, OR DISPLAY POSTERS WHILE IN THE POLLING STATION,* SHE SAID.

+THEY ARE ALSO FORBIDDEN TO REMOVE ANY BALLOT PAPER, MARKED OR UNMARKED, FROM A POLLING STATION, OR TO DEPOSIT IN THE BALLOT BOX ANY PAPER OTHER THAN THE BALLOT PAPER PROVIDED BY THE POLL CLERK.*

ELECTORS WERE REMINDED THAT THEY MAY VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN SIX CANDIDATES.

COUNTING OF VOTES WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CITY HALL AFTER THE CLOSING OF THE POLL. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE VOTE COUNT. THE RESULT WILL BE DECLARED AS SOON AS COUNTING IS FINISHED.

THE 13 CANDIDATES NOMINATED FOR THE ELECTION AREi

MR. FRANCIS CHAINE, MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR. AUGUSTINE CHUNG SHAI-KIT, MRS. ELSIE ELLIOTT, DR. DENNY HUANG MONG-HWA, MR. FRANCIS GILBERT KNIGHT, MR. LAW CHE-KE'JNG, DR. KEESON PATRICK SHUM, MISS MARIA TAM WAI-CHU, MR. ANDREW TU HSEUH-KWEI, MR. ANTHONY WONG CHI-HUNG, DR. WONG PUN—CHEUK AND KISS CECILIA YEUNG LAI-YIN.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS WHO WISH TO VISIT ANY OF THE 13 POLLING STATIONS OR TO BE PRESENT AT THE COUNTING OF THE VOTES ON MARCH 8 (THURSDAY), URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION DAY, MUST COMPLETE FORM 20 -------

DECLARATION OF SECRECY-----BE "ORE A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, A

PRESIDING OFFICER OR THF. RETURNING OFFICER.

/THEY SHOULD .....

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

- 3 -

THEY SHOULD HAVE THE FORMS WITH THEM WHEN THEY CALL AT ANY OF THE POLLING STATIONS.

COPIES OF THESE FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE GIS PRESS ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOMINATED BY YOU TO COVER THE ELECTION, THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MR. JOHN SLIMMING, JP, WILL BE PLEASED TO ADMINISTER THE DECLARATION BETWEEN 3.30 P.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON MARCH 6 (TUESDAY).

THE RETURNING OFFICER, MISS DENISE YUE, WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, FIFTH FLOOR, DURING OFFICE HOURS FROM MONDAY (MARCH 5). ALTERNATIVELY THIS DECLARATION CAN BE ADMINISTERED BY ANY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

TO MAKE RECOGNITION EASIER FOR STAFF AT THE POLLING STATIONS, SPECIAL LAPEL BADGES HAVE BEEN PREPARED. THESE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ON TUESDAY, MARCH 6, FROM THE GIS PRESS ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HOWEVER, THE COMPLETED DECLARATION FORM MUST BE PRODUCED FOR ADMISSION.

THE ATTENTION OF PRESS REPRESENTATIVES IS DRAWN TO REGULATION 29 (SEE FOOTNOTE) OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS (PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS UNDER WHICH IT IS AN OFFENCE INTER ALIA TO SPEAK TO ANY ELECTOR OR TAKE ANY PHOTOGRAPH WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY POLLING STATION.

FOOTNOTE:

REGULATION 29 STATES:

29 (1) ANY PERSON OTHER THAN -

(A) THE RETURNING OFFICER OR AN ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICER -

(B) THE PRESIDING OFFICER OR AN ASSISTANT PRESIDING OFFICER -

(D) POLICE ON DUTY AT ANY POLLING STATION -

(E) A COMPANION OF A BLIND VOTER ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION 36,

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 197°

WHO SPEAKS TO ANY ELECTOR WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY POLLING STATION SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND SHALL BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION THEREFORE TO A FINE OF $500.

(2) ANY PERSON WHO -

(A) TAKES ANY PHOTOGRAPHS -

(B) CANVASSES - OR

WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY POLLING STATION SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND SHALL BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION THEREFORE TO A FINE OF $500.

(3) ANY ELECTOR WHO -

(A) TAKES ANY BALLOT PAPER, WHETHER MARKED OR UNMARKED, OUT OF THE POLLING STATION - OR

(B) DEPOSITS IN THE BALLOT BOX ANY PAPER OTHER THAN THE BALLOT PAPER GIVEN TO HIM BY THE POLL CLERK,

SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND SHALL BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION THEREFORE TO A FINE OF $500 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

- 5 -

ENGLISH SCHOOLGIRL WILL ’STAND OUT’ AT YOUTH RALLY FOR PRINCE CHARLES

* * * * *

IF IT IS AT ALL POSSIBLE TO STAND OUT AMONG HUNDREDS OF YOUNGSTERS IN A MASS YOUTH DISPLAY, THEN JOANNE JOHNSON SHOULD BE EASY ENOUGH TO SPOT.

FOR 13-YEAR-OLD JOANNE IS THE ONLY EUROPEAN AMONG SOME 1,000 STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WILL BE PUTTING ON A COLOURFUL DISPLAY FOR HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES AT YUEN LONG STADIUM ON MONDAY (MARCH 5).

JOANNE, A THIRD FORM STUDENT OF KING GEORGE V SCHOOL, IS A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG AMATEUR GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION AND PART OF A 20-STR0NG TEAM TAKING PART IN THE DISPLAY.

+1 AM REALLY THRILLED TO BE IN THE DISPLAY,+ SAID JOANNE, ♦BUT I MUST ADMIT THAT I AM A BIT NERVOUS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE PRINCE BEFORE.♦

♦ WE HAVE BEEN PRACTISING FOR WEEKS FOR THE SHOW AND WE ARE KEEPING OUR FINGERS CROSSED THAT ALL GOES WELL.+

JOANNE, WHO COMES FROM LONDON, HAS BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR FIVE YEARS. HER FATHER IS A CIVIL ENGINEER WITH A LARGE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. SHE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR TWO YEARS.

♦ I DID NOT TAKE UP GYMNASTICS UNTIL I GOT TO HONG KONG AND WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD TIME LEARNING THE SPORT,♦ SHE SAID.

ANOTHER GIRL IN THE GYMNASTIC DISPLAY WHO WILL BE EASILY IDENTIFIABLE IS LAW SHUE-LIN, WHO IS ALSO 13 YEARS OLD, BUT WEIGHS ONLY 32 KILOGRAMMES WRINGING WET.

AND WHILE SHE MAY BE THE SMALLEST GIRL IN THE DISPLAY, HER INSTRUCTORS ARE FULL OF PRAISE FOR HER. +1 HAVE BEEN TAKING PART IN GYNMASTICS FOR FIVE YEARS NOW AND I WOULD LOVE TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION ONE DAY,+ SHE SAID.

♦ BUT AT THE MOMENT, THE ONLY THING I CAN CONCENTRATE ON IS PRACTISING FOR MONDAY’S ROYAL VISIT DISPLAY.+

NINE MEMBERS OF THE GYMNASTIC TEAM REPRESENTED HONG KONG IN THE LAST ASIAN GAMES HELD IN BANGKOK. THE TEAM WILL PERFORM A NUMBER OF MEDIUM AND SUPERIOR STUNTS ON TRAMPOLINES DURING MONDAY’S DISPLAY.

TWO SMALLER GROUPS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL AUGMENT THE MAIN GYMNASTIC ROUTINES.

_ _ 0----------

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

NOTE TO EDITORSi

PRESS BADGES FOR ROYAL VISIT

*****

PRESS BADGES FOR REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS COVERING THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE VISIT OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN THE GIS PRESS ROOM, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, SIXTH FLOOR, AS FROM 3 P.M. TODAY (THURSDAY).

YOU ARE ADVISED THAT SOME FORM OF IDENTIFICATION, SUCH AS PRESS PASSES, NEWSPAPER STAFF IDENTITY CARDS OR A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR SHOULD BE PRODUCED WHEN COLLECTING THE BADGES.

THE MEDIA WILL BE GIVEN EVERY POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE BUT LIMITATIONS ON SPACE IN SOME CASES HAVE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MEET ALL REQUESTS AS SOME PRESS POSITIONS HAD BEEN HEAVILY OVERSUBSCRIBED. AS A RESULT, IT IS REGRETTED THAT CERTAIN APPLICATIONS FOR PRESS PASSES CANNOT BE MET.

SOME POSITIONS HAVE HAD TO BE CHANGED SO THAT IT WILL STILL BE POSSIBLE FOR REPORTERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS TO COVER THE SAME EVENT FROM ANOTHER POSITION.

PRESS RELEASES AND PHOTOGRAPHS FOR VARIOUS EVENTS WILL ALSO BE ISSUED BY GIS TOGETHER WITH DETAILS OF TRANSPORT AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PRESS COVERING EACH FUNCTION, OVER THE TELEPRINTER, FACSIMILE MACHINE AND IN THE DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN.

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

SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS FOR AUCTION * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL AUCTION ANOTHER 25 +SPECIAL+

CAR NUMBERS ON SATURDAY AT 10 A.M. IN THE LECTURE HALL OF THE CITY HALL

THE NUMBERS ARE:

BX688, BX280, BW3781, BW6820,

BW6698, BW6628, BW7832, BX1088,

BW7333, BX150, BW8092, BX108,

BX23O, HK3781, BX823, BX819,

BX882, BX6668, BX3228, XX595,

BW75, BS16, BW2992, AV323,

BW7667.

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH OR BY

CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSING OF THE AUCTION.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE CAR NUMBER WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.

PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL GO TO THE LOTTERIES FUND.

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

AUCTION OF FLAT AND FIVE LOTS OF CROWN LAND *****

A FLAT IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN WILL BE FOR SALE AT AN AUCTION IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON MARCH 22 AT 11 A.M.

THE PREMISES, INCLUDING ONE CAR PARK SPACE, IS AT 9 GLEE PATH, FLAT D, 17TH FLOOR, MEI FOO SUN CHUEN, KOWLOON. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 66.27 SQUARE METRES.

AT THE SAME AUCTION FIVE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL ALSO BE OFFERED FOR SALE.

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

INSPECTION OF THE FLAT MAY BE MADE ON MARCH 8 AND MARCH 15, BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 12 NOON.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

8 -

NEW POST OFFICE TO OPEN ON MONDAY *****

A NEW POST OFFICE WILL OPEN IN PEKING ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, ON MONDAY TO REPLACE THE EXISTING OFFICE IN SALISBURY ROAD WHICH HAS BEEN IN USE SINCE 1928.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, MR. YU LOOK-YAU, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO CUSTOMERS, BEING CENTRALLY LOCATED IN TSIM SHA TSUI.

♦UNLIKE THE OLD OFFICE WHERE THE PARCEL DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE SERVICES ARE ACCOMMODATED AWAY FROM THE MAIN BUILDING, THE FULL RANGE OF POST OFFICE COUNTER SERVICES WILL BE OFFERED UNDER ONE ROOF IN THE NEW PREMISES.

♦THE NEW OFFICE WILL ALSO HOUSE AN ADDITIONAL 1,650 POSTAL BOXES TO MEET A DEMAND WHICH COULD NOT BE MET IN THE OLD BUILDING DUE TO LACK OF SPACE,* HE SAID.

POSTAL BOX SERVICE WILL COMMENCE AT THE NEW OFFICE AT 8 A.M. ON MONDAY. THE CALL-FOR PARCEL SERVICE WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED THAT MORNING BUT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE NEW OFFICE FROM 10.30 A.M.

ALL OTHER COUNTER SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE OLD TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND THE KOWLOON PARCEL OFFICE ON MONDAY MORNING UNTIL 10.30 A.M. AND THEREAFTER AT THE NEW OFFICE.

THE EXISTING HOURS OF BUSINESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER K-664111 REMAINS UNCHANGED AT THE NEW OF.rlCE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW POST OFFICE IN PEKING ROAD AT 10 A.M.

ON MONDAY (MARCH 5).

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

DAILY OPENING HOURS OF NT SWIMMING POOLS

*****

THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES -- THE KWAI SHING AND THE FANLING SWIMMING

POOL COMPLEXES -- RE-OPENED TO THE PUBLIC TODAY (THURSDAY) AND

WILL REMAIN SO UNTIL NOVEMBER 30.

ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S NEW TERRITORIES REGION THE DAILY OPENING HOURS OF THE SWIMMING POOLS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FIVE SESSIONS:

7 A.M. TO 9.15 A.M.

9.45 A.M. TO NOON

1 P.M. TO 4 P.M.

4.30 P.M. TO 6.45 P.M.

7.45 P.M. TO 10 P.M.

+THERE WILL BE NO EVENING SESSIONS IN MARCH AND NOVEMBER BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS STILL COOL DURING THOSE EVENINGS AND VERY FEW PEOPLE WILL GO SWIMMING,* HE SAID.

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/10 .....

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

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

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE THREE SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE-COURSE STATION ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

THREE SPECIAL NON-STOP TRAINS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON STATION IN HUNG HOM AT 11.59 A.M., 12.33 P.M. AND 1.00 P.M.

THERE WILL BE THREE SPECIAL TRAINS ON THE RETURN JOURNEY, ON SATURDAY AND FOUR ON SUNDAY TO BRING PASSENGERS BACK FROM THE RACE-COURSE STATION TO KOWLOON. IN ADDITION, KCR WILL RE-ROUTE THREE OF ITS SCHEDULED TRAINS VIA THE RACE-COURSE STATION AT 5.22 P.M., 7.15 P.M. AND 8.08 P.M. TO PICK UP PASSENGERS.

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

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

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

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE TIMETABLES OF THE SCHEDULED TRAIN SERVICES HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY AMENDED. THE REVISED TIMETABLES BETWEEN 11 A.M. AND 11 P.M. ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ARE:

SATURDAY --

FROM KOWLOON STATION: 11.09 A.M., 12.12 P.M., 2.19 P.M., 3.07 P.M., 3. 6 P.M., 7.04 P.M., 7.46 9.20 P.M., AND 11 P.M. 1.18 P.M., 54 P.M., 5.06 P.M P.M., 8.36 P.M.,

FROM LO WU STATION : 10.52 A.M., 11.50 A.M., 1.43 P.M., 3 P.M., 4.01 5.29 P.M., 6.26 P.M., 7. AND 9.28 P.M. 12.49 P.M., P.M., 4.35 P.M., 21 P.M., 8.21 P.M

SUNDAY —

FROM KOWLOON STATION: 9.56 A.M., 10.25 A.M., 11.15 A.M., 11.58 A.M., 1.14 P.M., 2.17 P.M., 3.16 P.M., 4.16 P.M., 5.18 P.M., 6.53 P.M. 7.38 P.M., 8.23 P.M., 9.13 P.M., 10.03 P.M. AND 11 P.M.

FROM LO WU STATION

13.10 A.M., 10.49 A.M. 11.57 A.M., 12.41 P.M., 1.52 P.M., 2.40 P.M., 3.40 P.M. , i.46 P.M., 5.58 P.M., 7.02 P.M., 8.18 P.M., 9.09 P.M., AND 9.59 P.M.

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/11

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS SHARE IN TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT ******

THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IN TSUEN WAN WILL KEEP LOCAL RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS INFORMED OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS AND ASSIST THEM WITH THEIR OWN EXPANSION PLANS WHEREVER POSSIBLE, THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

ADDRESSING A GATHERING FROM LOCAL BUDDHIST AND TAOIST INSTITUTIONS AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. HAYES SAID THE RELIGIOUS HOUSES HAD SHARED IN THE GENERAL EXPANSION AND ONGOING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN THE NEW TOWN.

+MANY OF YOUR PREMISES HAVE ADDED EXTENSIONS IN RECENT YEARS, AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ADDITIONS TO THEIR NUMBER,+ HE NOTED.

+IT IS VERY MUCH IN TSUEN WAN’S INTERESTS THAT, IN PARTICULAR, THE DISTRICT OFFICE, AS THE LAND AUTHORITY, AND THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, AS THE PLANNING AUTHORITY, ARE IN TOUCH WITH YOU, KEEPING YOU INFORMED OF OUR PROPOSALS, MODIFYING IN DISCUSSIONS WITH YOU, AND ASSISTING YOU WITH YOUR OWN EXPANSION PLANS WHEREVER POSSIBLE.*

MR. HAYES REVEALED THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE WAS STILL LOOKING FOR A RESITE FOR LOOK YEAR YUEN MONASTERY WHICH HAD UNFORTUNATELY TO BE REMOVED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE LARGE SHEK WAI KOK HOUSING ESTATE.

HE CALLED ON RELIGIOUS HOUSES IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IN THE TOWN TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE SO AS TO REMOVE ANY UNNECESSARY DIFFICULTIES IN REGULARISATION.

ON THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THESE RELIGIOUS HOUSES, SOME OF WHOM HAVE BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, MR. HAYES REMARKED: + IN THE CASE OF THE LARGE ESTABLISHMENTS THEY NOT ONLY PROVIDE FOR RELIGIOUS COMFORT BUT, WITH THE SPACIOUS PREMISES, LARGE GARDENS, AND COLLECTION OF CHINESE ART OBJECTS ALSO MAKE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES IN TSUEN WAN.

+THIS PROVIDES A VERY WELCOME AND NECESSARY BALANCE OF THE HUGE GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, SERVICES AND AMENITIES IN THE NEW TOWN,* HE ADDED.

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SECTION OF KWAI HING ROAD CLOSED

*****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED MOTORISTS OF THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE SINCE FEBRUARY 26 OF THE SECTION OF KWAI HING ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HING FONG ROAD TO A POINT OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC LATRINE AT KWAI HING ESTATE IN KWAI CHUNG.

THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY KWAI HING STATION.

MOTORISTS CAN STILL USE THE SECTION OF KWAI HING ROAD BETWEEN KWAI CHUNG CENTRE AND KWAI HING ESTATE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

TRAFFIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1979

TEMPORARY MOVE OF MAXICAB STANDS

* * *

THE MAXICAB STANDS IN EDINBURGH PLACE WILL BE TEMPORARILY MOVED TO LAMBETH WALK BETWEEN 1 P.M. AND 5 P.M. ON SUNDAY BECAUSE OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW BRITISH FORCES HEADQUARTERS.

NOTICES WILL BE PUT UP AT TERMINAL POINTS TO ADVISE PASSENGERS.

MEANWHILE, THE SECTION OF EDINBURGH’S PLACE EAST BETWEEN QUEEN’S PIER AND HARCOURT ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 1 P.M. TO 11 P.M. THE SAME DAY.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP AND POLICEMEN WILL BE ON HAND TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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NO RIGHT TURN * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT MOTORISTS ARE PROHIBITED TO TURN RIGHT FROM THE BAPTIST COLLEGE ACCESS ROAD ONTO WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY

THE PROHIBITION IS TO IMPROVE SAFETY IN WATERLOO ROAD WHILE CONSTRUCTION WORKS ARE IN PROGRESS.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSliFN wii i nr STOPPED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY FOR LEAK^e IeST^ THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HEUNG CHI STREET EH viiiur

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN'

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

PRINCE CHARLES ARRIVES TOMORROW .............................. 1

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES ....................... 3

WHERE TO SEE THE PRINCE TOMORROW (3.30 P.M. - 3.55 P.M.) . 6

PRINCE TO ENJOY A BRITISH MUSICAL +EXPORT+ IN YUEN LONG .. 6

TENDERS INVITED FOR AIRPORT DUTY-FREE LIQUOR AND TOBACCO CONCESSION .......................................... • • • ’ 7

536,327 VISITORS IN JANUARY .................................. 8

VALUATION LISTS FOR 1979-80 .................................. 8

NO SCRAMBLE AT THIS YEAR’S BUN FESTIVAL....................... 9

PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION REALISTICALLY ADAPTED TO PRESENT DAY LIFE, SAYS DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION......................... 10

CARELESS BEHAVIOUR SPOILS BEAUTY OF NEW TERRITORIES, SAYS AKERS-JONES ................................................. 12

SHAU KEI WAN-RENNIE'S MILL-HANG HAU FERRY FARE INCREASE .. 13

NEW SERIES OF BUDGET PUBLICATIONS ........................... 13

NEW ADDRESS FOR WATER SUPPLIES DEPT’S CONSUMER SERVICES UNIT......................................................... 14

3 BUILDINGS DECLARED LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS ............. 14

JOINT GOVT PRIMARY SCHOOLS EXHIBITION ....................... 15

AIR MAIL SERVICES TO IRISH REPUBLIC.......................... 15

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES ARRIVES TOMORROW ******

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES ARRIVES IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 3.30 P.M. FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT.

ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENTOURAGE OF NINE OFFICIALS AND STAFF, THIS WILL BE HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG. PRINCE CHARLES WAS HERE FOR A BRIEF STOPOVER IN 1970 EN ROUTE TO EXPO 70 IN OSAKA.

ON THE DAY OF HIS ARRIVAL, A LIGHT PROGRAMME HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR THE PRINCE.

AFTER THE AIRPORT RECEPTION WHERE HE WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR GENERAL SIR ROY REDGRAVE, TOGETHER WITH SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LOCAL DIGNITARIES, PRINCE CHARLES WILL TRAVEL BY CAR STRAIGHT TO FLAGSTAFF HOUSE VIA THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL.

AT FLAGSTAFF HOUSE, LADY MACLEHOSE WILL RECEIVE THE PRINCE. LATER IN THE EVENING PRINCE CHARLES WILL BE PRESENTED AT A RECEPTION AT FLAGSTAFF HOUSE ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRESS AND BY COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONERS.

BUSY OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS AWAIT THE PRINCE ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY WHICH WILL GIVE HIM AN UP-TO-DATE IMPRESSION OF HONG KONG AND HOW IT IS COPING WITH THE MOUNTING PROBLEMS OF POPULATION EXPANSION IN A TIGHT 1,055.61 SQUARE KILOMETRES OF TERRITORY.

HE WILL ALSO MEET A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY AT A RECEPTION IN HMS TAMAR WHERE HE WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE NEW MULTISTOREY HEADQUARTERS OF THE BRITISH FORCES ON SUNDAY.

IN A LESS FORMAL SETTING, PRINCE CHARLES WILL SPEND SOME TIME WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AT THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK, A NATURE RESERVE THAT HAS BECOME EXTREMELY POPULAR WITH PICNICKERS. AND AT YUEN LONG, SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SPECIAL HOLIDAY WILL ACCORD PRINCE CHARLES AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME.

ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YUEN LONG EVENT WILL BE A YOUTH RALLY IN THE STADIUM WHERE A MASSED BAND OF 450 PLAYERS WILL PROVIDE A FANFARE FOR PRINCE CHARLES.

A KEEN STUDENT OF HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY, PRINCE CHARLES WILL EXPERIENCE A BIT OF OLD AND NEW HONG KONG WHEN HE VISITS TSANG TAI UK, A 130-YEAR-OLD WALLED VILLAGE IN SHA TIN, AND NEARBY, THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN WITH ALL THE MODERN FACILITIES OF A SELF-CONTAINED TOWNSHIP FOR 500,000 PEOPLE WHO WILL LIVE THERE BY THE MID-EIGHTIES.

/ths phincs .....

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

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THE PRINCE WILL ALSO SPEND MUCH TIME VISITING THE 2ND KING EDWARD Vil’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES OF WHICH HE IS A COLONEL-IN-CHIEF. FE WILL STAY FOR TWO NIGHTS AT CASS INO LINES WHERE HE WILL REVIEW A PARADE BY THE 2ND GURKHAS, TOUR THEIR TRAINING AREAS AND VIEW A DISPLAY. ANOTHER FUNCTION HE WILL ATTEND AT CASS INO LINES IS THE BEATING THE RETREAT CEREMONY.

FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, THE VISIT OF PRINCE CHARLES TO HONG KONG WILL TAKE ON ADDED SIGNIFICANCE AS HE WILL PRESENT THE SQUADRON STANDARD TO THE FORCE WHICH IT WAS AWARDED IN RECOGNITION OF ITS OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.

PRINCE CHARLES’ VISIT OF HONG KONG WILL END IN THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 6. BUT BEFORE THAT HE WILL TOUR A TOY FACTORY WHICH MANUFACTURES RADIO-OPERATED TOYS AND RADIO ANTENNA IN SAN PO KONG.

NOTE TO EDITORS: PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROYAL VISIT KAI TAK AIRPORT ARRIVAL: 3.30 P.M.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL ARRIVE ON AN RAF VC-10 WITH AN ENTOURAGE OF NINE OFFICIALS AND STAFF. ON LEAVING THE AIRCRAFT, PRINCE CHARLES WILL BE GREETED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MJRRAY MACLEHOSE, WHO WILL PRESENT HIS AIDE-DE-CAMP, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, AND THE COLONEL COMMANDANT 2ND KING EDWARD Vil’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES (THE SIRMOOR RIFLES). AFTER THE PRESENTATIONS ARE CONCLUDED, PRINCE CHARLES WILL DRIVE TO FLAGSTAFF HOUSE WHERE HE WILL BE RECEIVED BY LADY MACLEHOSE.

PRESS FACILITY

TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS FOR KAI TAK WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AT 2.15 P.M. SHARP. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY TO THE AIRPORT SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING AT LEAST 40 MINUTES BEFORE THE ARRIVAL TIME. THEY WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE PRESS POSITION BY GIS OFFICERS. THOSE COVERING THE PRINCE’S ARRIVAL ARE REMINDED TO BRING ALONG THEIR PRESS BADGES FOR THE ROYAL VISIT AS WELL AS THEIR IDENTITY CARD OR PASSPORT.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

3 -

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS X K *

THE PRINCE OF WALES XXX

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES, ELDEST SON OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II AND PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH, IS HEIR APPARENT TO THE THRONE.

THE PRINCE WAS BORN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1948, IN THE 12TH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HIS GRANDFATHER KING GEORGE VI. AT HIS CHRISTENING BY THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY HE WAS GIVEN THE NAMES OF CHARLES PHILIP ARTHUR GEORGE.

WHEN ON THE ACCESSION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH IN 1952 HE BECAME HEIR APPARENT, PRINCE CHARLES AUTOMATICALLY BECAME DUKE OF CORNWALL UNDER A CHARTER OF KING EDWARD III WHICH, ISSUED IN 1337, GAVE THAT TITLE TO THE SOVEREIGN’S ELDEST SON.

HE ALSO BECAME, IN THE SCOTTISH PEERAGE, DUKE OF ROTHESAY, EARL OF CARRICK AND BARON RENFREW, LORD OF THE ISLES, AND PRINCE AND GREAT STEWARD OF SCOTLAND. (HIS CREATION AS PRINCE OF WALES AND EARL OF CHESTER, HOWEVER -- A MATTER FOR THE SOVEREIGN’S PLEASURE — DID NOT COME FOR ANOTHER SIX YEARS).

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WAS EDUCATED AT CHEAM SCHOOL (A PREPARATORY SCHOOL WHICH HAD BEEN ATTENDED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH) AND AT GORDONSTOUN, ON THE MORAY FIRTH (WHICH HIS FATHER HAD ALSO ATTENDED). HERE THE PRINCE WON THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD IN 1964 AND 1965, WINNING A BRONZE ON THE FIRST OCCASION AND A SILVER ON THE SECOND.

HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE GORDONSTOUN CADET FORCE, AND UNDERTOOK SEA TRAINING WITH THE ROYAL NAVY AT PORTSMOUTH. HE ENJOYED ACTING, TAKING THE TITLE ROLE IN A SCHOOL PRESENTATION OF +MACBETH+.

AT THE END OF JANUARY 1966 THE PRINCE LEFT BRITAIN TO SPEND PART OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN AUSTRALIA AS AN EXCHANGE STUDENT AT THE GEELONG CHURCH OF ENGLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL, MELBOURNE — THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY TO ATTEND AN OVERSEAS COMMONWEALTH SCHOOL.

HIS SIX MONTHS THERE WERE SPENT AT TIMBERTOP, ABOUT 180 MILES FROM THE MAIN SCHOOL IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE VICTORIAN ALPS. THERE THE BOYS ARE ENCOURAGED TO LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES AND TO EXPLORE THE SURROUNDING BUSH COUNTRY- THE PRINCE WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH THE SUPERVISION OF BOYS FROM 14 TO 15 YEARS OLD.

WHILE IN AUSTRALIA HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS VISITED MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. HE SPENT A WEEKEND IN THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS WITH HIS GRANDMOTHER, QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER, DURING HER OFFICIAL VISIT TO AUSTRALIA, AND LATER VISITED CANBERRA, QUEENSLAND (INCLUDING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF) AND NEW SOUTH WALES. IN MAY HE WAS ONE OF A GROUP FROM THE SCHOOL TO VISIT THE MARTYRS’ MEMORIAL SCHOOL IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA.

/IK AUGUST .....

FRIDAY, .MARCH 2, 1979

IN AUGUST 1966 PRINCE CHARLES LEFT AUSTRALIA, AND AFTER A BRIEF STAY IN MEXICO JOINED HIS FATHER AND SISTER AT THE OPENING OF THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN KINGSTON, JAMAICA. IN SEPTEMBER HE RETURNED TO GORDONSTOUN TO BECOME HEAD OF HIS HOUSE- THE FOLLOWING JANUARY HE BECAME ’GUARDIAN’ (HEAD BOY) OF THE SCHOOL, A POSITION HIS FATHER HAD HELD BEFORE HIM.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS LEFT GORDONSTOUN IN 1967, AND AFTER VISITING FACTORIES AND THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT TO LEARN SOMETHING OF BRITAIN’S INDUSTRIAL AND POLITICAL LIFE, WENT UP TO CAMBRIDGE IN OCTOBER. THERE HE READ ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY DURING HIS FIRST YEAR- CHANGING OVER TO THE HISTORICAL SCHOOL IN 1968, AT THE END OF HIS FIRST YEAR.

HE TOOK AN ACTIVE PART IN UNDERGRADUATE LIFE, APPEARING IN SEVERAL COLLEGE REVUES, AND GAINING HIS UNIVERSITY COLOURS (♦HALF-BLUE+) FOR POLO. ONE SUMMER TERM WAS SPENT IN ABERYSTWYTH IN THE UNIVERSITY OF WALES, BEFORE THE PRINCE GRADUATED BA (CANTAB) IN HISTORY IN 1970.

PRINCE CHARLES BECAME A COUNSELLOR OF STATE FOR THE FIRST TIME WHILE THE QUEEN WAS ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO CANADA IN 1967. HE REPRESENTED HER MAJESTY OVERSEAS FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN HE ATTENDED THE MEMORIAL SERVICE OF MR. HAROLD HOLT, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA, LATER IN THE SAME YEAR AND SINCE THEN HE HAS REPRESENTED THE QUEEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE INVESTITURE OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS AS PRINCE OF WALES TOOK PLACE ON JULY 1, 1969.

THE PRINCE OF WALES TOOK UP HIS FIRST SERVICE APPOINTMENT IN 1969 AS COLONEL-IN-CHIEF OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF WALES. HE TOOK HIS SEAT IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS IN 1970. IN MARCH 1971 HE JOINED THE ROYAL AIR FORCE COLLEGE AT CRANWELL, WHERE HE TRAINED TO WING STANDARD.

IN THE AUTUMN OF 1971, AFTER COMPLETING HIS COURSE AT CRANWELL, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS ENTERED THE ROYAL NAVY (CONTINUING A FAMILY TRADITION, SINCE HIS FATHER, GRANDFATHER AND GREAT GRANDFATHER HAD SERVED AT SEA).

HE SERVED IN THE WEST INDIES FOR MOST OF 1973, BEING PROMOTED TO ACTING LIEUTENANT IN MAY AND BEING THE QUEEN’S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE AT THE INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS IN THE BAHAMAS. IN JANUARY 1974 HE FLEW TO SINGAPORE TO JOIN THE FRIGATE HMS JUPITER AS COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER.

LATER THAT MONTH HE JOINED THE QUEEN AND DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN NEW ZEALAND, WHERE THEY ATTENDED THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN CHRISTCHURCH.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS LEFT THE JUPITER IN AUGUST, AND IN SEPTEMBER, WENT TO THE ROYAL NAVAL AIR SCHOOL AT YEOVILTON IN SOMERSET TO LEARN TO FLY HELICOPTERS. IN OCTOBER, HE VISITED FIJI AND AUSTRALIA, AFTERWARDS RETURNING TO THE AIR SCHOOL TO BECOME A QUALIFIED HELICOPTER PILOT IN DECEMBER 1974.

/FRO?.: JANUARY...........

FRIDAY, .'.'ARCH 2, 1979

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FROM JANUARY TO JULY 1975, HE SERVED IN HMS HERMES, FLYING HELICOPTERS WITH THE ROYAL NAVY. DURING THIS PERIOD, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS SPENT THREE DAYS IN OTTAWA BEFORE GOING TO THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES FOR A WEEK IN THE ARCTIC.

AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER HE STARTED LIEUTENANT’S COURSES AT THE ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE, GREENWICH, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, IN THE WINTER OF 1976, TOOK COMMAND OF THE COASTAL MINE-HUNTER HMS BRONINGTON. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS GAVE UP HIS COMMAND IN DECEMBER 1976 AND LEFT THE ROYAL NAVY AT THE END OF THE YEAR, AFTER FIVE YEARS IN THE SERVICE.

IN JANUARY 1977 HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF COMMANDER IN THE ROYAL NAVY AND TO THE RANK OF WING COMMANDER IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS REPRESENTED THE QUEEN IN FEBRUARY 1975 AT THE CORONATION OF THE KING OF NEPAL AND IN SEPTEMBER AT THE INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA.

IN 1977 PRINCE CHARLES CHAIRED THE COMMITTEE FOR THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE APPEAL. HE WAS, SEPARATELY, PATRON OF THE AUSTRALIAN SILVER JUBILEE APPEAL AND IN THAT CONNECTION VISITED AUSTRALIA IN NOVEMBER.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WAS INSTALLED AS CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WALES IN JULY 1977 AND IN JANUARY 1978 HE TOOK UP THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED WORLD COLLEGES. HE BECAME A PRIVY COUNSELLOR AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1977.

HE IS A FREEMAN OF THE CITIES OF CARDIFF, LONDON AND CANTERBURY AND OF THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR. HE IS ALSO A MASTER OF THE BENCH OF GRAY’S INN AND IS PATRON (OR HAS SPECIFIC CONNECTIONS WITH) A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF OTHER ORGANISATIONS. IN NOVEMBER 1978 HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS ACCEPTED MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF THE COMMONWEALTH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

IN 1974 THE PRINCE OF WALES ACCEPTED NOMINATION BY THE PRIME MINISTER AS RESIDENT OF CHEVENING HOUSE IN KENT (WHICH HAD BEEN LEFT TO THE NATION IN 1967 BY EARL STANHOPE ON THE CONDITION THAT IT SHOULD BE THE COUNTRY RESIDENCE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE DAY, A CABINET MINISTER, OR A DESCENDANT OF KING GEORGE VI).

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

TOTE TO EDITORSi

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WHERE TO SEE THE PRINCE TOMORROW (3.30 P.M.-3.55 P.M.) * * * *

THE FOLLOWING IS A GUIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SEE HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AS THE ROYAL MOTORCADE PROCEEDS FROM KAI TAK AIRPORT TO FLAGSTAFF HOUSE ON HONG KONG ISLANDt

THE PRINCE’S MOTORCADE WILL EMERGE FROM KAI TAK AIRPORT GATE AND PROCEED TO FLAGSTAFF HOUSE VIA ---- OLYMPIC AVENUE, SUNG WONG

TOI ROAD, FU NING STREET, ARGYLE STREET, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL, WATERFRONT ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE AND FLAGSTAFF HOUSE.

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PRINCE TO ENJOY A BRITISH MUSICAL +EXPORT* IN YUEN LONG MMX

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUDGE AND ENJOY THE QUALITY OF A BRITISH MUSICAL ♦EXPORT* WHEN HE VISITS YUEN LONG ON MONDAY (MARCH 5).

AS HE DOTS THE EYES OF A DRAGON, A 450-MAN BAND WILL STRIKE UP A DRAMATIC FANFARE ESPECIALLY WRITTEN FOR HONG KONG BY THE BRITISH COMPOSER, DOUGLAS COOMBES.

THE FANFARE HAS HAD ONLY A FEW +OUTINGS+ THE FIRST OCCASION BEING THE RECENT VISIT TO HONG KONG OF THE COUNTY OF AVON SCHOOLS’ ORCHESTRA.

THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MR. GORDON SIU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) HIS OFFICE HAD COMMISSIONED MR. COOMBES TO WRITE THE FANFARE TO COINCIDE WITH THE VISIT OF THE AVON BAND.

MR. COOMBES, A BRITISH ARTS COUNCIL AWARD WINNER, IS WELL-KNOWN FOR HIS COMPOSITIONS FOR THE BBC’S SCHOOLS MUSIC PROGRAMMES.

♦IT IS A VERY STRIKING PIECE, AND I AM VERY HAPPY THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IT FOR PRINCE CHARLES,* HE SAID.

MR. SIU SAID HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WOULD BE TREATED TO SOME STARTLING MUSIC ON HIS ARRIVAL AT THE YUEN LONG STADIUM. THE 14 LOCAL BANDS WHICH MAKE UP THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND HAVE BEEN PRACTISING FOR WEEKS FOR THE BIG DAY TO PRODUCE A +LIVE QUADRAPHONIC* EFFECT AT THE STADIUM.

THE BAND COMPRISES SOME 450 PLAYERS WHO PRODUCE WHAT MR. SIU DESCRIBES AS A *SENSAT I ONAL SOUND*.

THE MASSED BAND WILL PROVIDE A FANFARE FOR PRINCE CHARLES’ ARRIVAL AT THE STADIUM, THE SPECIALLY-WRITTEN FANFARE FOR THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY AND SELECTED POPULAR NUMBERS DURING THE YOUTH RALLY AND THE PRINCE’S DEPARTURE.

/lEAKWHILE A......

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

MEANWHILE A WEEK-LONG FESTIVAL IS BEING PLANNED TO MARK THE VISIT OF PRINCE CHARLES TO THE DISTRICT.

THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE HAS DRAWN UP A PROGRAMME STARTING ON MONDAY TO PROVIDE LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH A WEEK OF ENTERTAINMENT TO CELEBRATE WHAT IS DESCRIBED AS +THE DISTRICT’S BIGGEST OCCASION* SINCE THE VISIT OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MARGARET 13 YEARS AGO.

SPONSORED BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, THE PROGRAMME REPRESENTS THE CONCERTED EFFORT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

YUEN LONG’S ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. JOSEPH WONG, WHO IS THE PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATOR, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE ACTIVITIES PROMISED TO BE THE MOST ENJOYABLE PUT ON LOCALLY FOR YEARS. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE A +TELE-MATCH+ AT YUEN LONG STADIUM AND A FUN FAIR AT YUEN LONG TOWN HALL FOR 1,000 LOCAL CHILDREN.

THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, HE SAID, THERE WOULD ALSO BE DANCE, DRAMA AND ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCES AND A DISTRICT-WIDE INTER-SCHOOL QUIZ WHILE THE YUEN LONG EXHIBITION, DEPICTING THE DISTRICT’S PAST, ITS GROWTH AND FUTURE PLANS, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM MARCH 6 TO 12.

o---------

TENDERS INVITED FOR AIRPORT DUTY-FREE LIQUOR AND TOBACCO CONCESSION *****

TENDERS FOR THE TENANCY OF CERTAIN AREAS IN THE PASSENGER TERMINAL OF KAI TAK AIRPORT FOR SELLING +DUTY-FREE+ LIQUOR, CIGARETTES, CIGARS AND PIPE TOBACCO ARE BEING INVITED.

THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL BE GIVEN THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO OPERATE THE DUTY-FREE LIQUOR AND TOBACCO CONCESSION AT THE AIRPORT FOR FIVE YEARS FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1979 OR SUCH LATER DATE AS MAY BE FIXED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION.

THE TENANCY MAY BE EXTENDED FOR A PERIOD OF ANOTHER THREE YEARS ON TERMS TO BE AGREED BY BOTH PARTIES.

TENDERS FOR THE CONCESSION HAVE TO BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, APRIL 6.

ALL TENDERS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A RECEIPT FOR A SUM OF $5 MILLION DEPOSITED WITH A BANK IN THE NAME OF THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES AS A PLEDGE OF THEIR BONA FIDES. THIS DEPOSIT WILL BE FORFEITED IF THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER FAILS OR REFUSES TO IMPLEMENT HIS TENDER.

TENDERERS MUST ALSO BE ABLE TO PRODUCE EVIDENCE THAT THEY HAVE OVER THREE YEARS EXPERIENCE OF SUBSTANTIAL AND SUCCESSFUL TRADING IN THE WINE AND LIQUOR TRADE IN ALL FIELDS INCLUDING IMPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.

TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, NEW RODNEY BLOCK, 99 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG OR FROM THE AIRPORT GENERAL MANAGER AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

536,327 VISITORS IN JANUARY

*****

THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO HONG KONG IN JANUARY TOTALLED 536,327, AN INCREASE OF 91,568 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1978, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY).

OF THE ARRIVALS, 210,629 CAME BY AIR WHILE 210,561 CAME BY SEA AND 115,137 BY LAND.

DEPARTURES NEARLY DOUBLED THAT OF THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, WITH 795,792 LEAVING HONG KONG TO OTHER COUNTRIES WHILE 439,367 LEFT LAST YEAR.

OF THE DEPARTURES, 256,967 LEFT BY AIR, 247,060 BY SEA AND 291,765 BY LAND.

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VALUATION LISTS FOR 1979-80

******

THE VALUATION LISTS FOR 1979-80 FOR ALL ASSESSED TENEMENTS IN THE AREAS WHERE RATES ARE CHARGED WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

THIS WAS OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

THE LISTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS FOR 21 DAYS ENDING MARCH 23 AT THE OFFICE OF THE COLLECTOR OF RATES IN HANG CHONG BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, ROOM 202, 5 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT DURING THE 21 DAYS ANY PERSON WHO DISAGREES WITH THE ENTRY OR OMISSION OF A TENEMENT IN OR FROM A VALUATION LIST, OR THE RATEABLE VALUE ASSESSED, MAY SERVE ON THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE LIST.

FORMS FOR THIS PURPOSE ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT 1 GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND SUB-OFFICES AND ALSO FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN URBAN AREAS AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT PEOPLE DISSATISFIED *ITH THE IP ASSESSMENTS AND INTENDING TO LODGE A PROPOSAL ARE INVITED TO FIRST CONTACT THE VALUER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AREA IN *HICi THE PREMISES ARE SITUATED.

♦ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE wILL BE GIVEN,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

IF ENQUIRIES ARE IN RESPECT OF PREMISES IN HONG KONG ISLAND OR IN KOWLOON THEY SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO NEW MERCURY HOUSE.

17TH FLOOR, 22 FENWICK STREET, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 5-281424), IF IN NEW KOWLOON OR THE NEW TERRITORIES TO TAI SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 24-34 HENNESSY ROAD, SEVENTH FLOOR, HONG KONG

(TEL. NO. 5-284047 FOR NEW KOWLOON AND 5-284037 FOR NEW TERRITORIES)

+ IT IS EMPHASISED THAT, NOTV/ITHSTAND ING THE LODGING OF A PROPOSAL OR AN APPEAL, RATES MUST BE PAID BY THE DUE DATE. IN THE CASE OF RATE DEMANDS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER 1979 THIS rEANS THAT PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BY THE END OF APR IL,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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NO SCRAMBLE AT THIS YEAR’S BUN FESTIVAL

» * U * *

APPROVAL HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE ORGANISERS OF THE CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL TO ERECT BUN TOWERS AGAIN AT THIS YEAR’S EVENT ----

BUT, IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THERE WILL BE NO SCRAMBLE.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID CONSTRUCTION OF THE TOWERS WOULD ALSO BE SUBJECT TO SUBMISSION OF SPECIFICATIONS TO, AND INSPECTION BY, THE AUTHORITIES.

♦THE DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN FOLLOWING A MEETING BETWEEN THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES AND MEMBERS OF THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE RURAL COMMITTEE HAD GIVEN AN ASSURANCE THAT THE MIDNIGHT SCRAMBLE FOR BUNS PROGRAMME WOULD BE CANCELLED THIS YEAR.

THE BUNS INSTEAD WOULD BE TAKEN DOWN FROM THE TOWERS BY THE ORGANISERS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO LOCAL VILLAGERS AFTERWARDS.

LAST YEAR, TWO OF THE THREE 70-F00T HIGH TOWERS COLLAPSED DURING THE SCRAMBLE FOR BUNS, RESULTING IN 24 PEOPLE BEING INJURED.

THE GOVERNMENT LATER ANNOUNCED THAT IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE BUN TOWERS SCRAMBLE AT THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL SHOULD COME TO AN END.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT WISH TO, IN ANY WAY, DETRACT FROM WHAT WAS A VERY POPULAR AND COLOURFUL FESTIVAL.

♦THIS AGREEMENT TO ALLOW TALL BUN TOWERS WILL BE REVIEWED AFTER THE COMING FESTIVAL IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHAT CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS ARE REQUIRED,* HE ADDED.

THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL IS EXPECTED TO BE HELD IN MAY, BUT NO FINAL DATE HAS YET BEEN FIXED.

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/10

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION REALISTICALLY ADAPTED TO PRESENT DAY LIFE, SAYS DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION *****

PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ARE OFFERING A FORM OF EDUCATION • VERY REALISTICALLY ADAPTED TO THE PRESENT DAY HONG KONG AND TO THE NEW PATTERN OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE COMMEMORATIVE STONE UNVEILING CEREMONY CF THE MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL — CHAI WAN, NR. TOPLEY SAID THESE SCHOOLS WERE OFFERING AN EDUCATION POPULAR TO BOTH PUPILS AND THEIR PARENTS.

ASIDE FROM PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND AN INTRODUCTION TO BROADLY-BASED TECHNICAL SKILLS, THE DIRECTOR SAID PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WERE CLEARLY PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE AS A SOURCE OF TECHNICAL MANPOWER VITAL TO THE INDUSTRY OF HONG KONG WHICH REQUIRED AN ADAPTABLE WORKFORCE TO SUSTAIN ITS DEVELOPMENT.

BUT HE WARNED THAT PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS MUST NOT BECOME VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES NOR MINIATURE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.

♦THEY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS SYSTEM. AND SCHOOL EDUCATION SHOULD NOT, EXCEPT PERHAPS IN THE CASE OF MUSICIANS AND BALLET DANCERS, PREPARE PUPILS FOR A SINGLE VOCATION,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

THERE ARE NOW 11 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS INCLUDING ONE OPERATING IN BORROWED PREMISES. SIX SCHOOLS ARE CO-EDUCATIONAL AND ONE OTHER WILL BECOME CO-EDUCATIONAL IN THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR.

THE TOTAL PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL ENROLMENT NOW IS ABOUT 7,500. IN SEPTEMBER, WITH THE ADDITION OF TWO NEW CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOLS OF THE MARDEN FOUNDATION, ONE IN SHA TIN AND ONE IN CHAI WAN, THERE WILL BE 13 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND AN ENROLMENT OF 9,100.

THE MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN CHAI WAN IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1980. HOWEVER, IT WILL OPERATE THIS SEPTEMBER IN BORROWED PREMISES AT ST. FRANCIS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN CAINE ROAD. IT IS EXPECTED THAT BY SEPTEMBER, 1982, THE TOTAL PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL ENROLMENT WILL RISE TO 10,800.

MR. TOPLEY SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION HAD BEEN ACCEPTED E* MANY PARENTS AND FULLY APPRECIATED BY THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS IN HONG KONG.

FRIDAY, ?,XRCH 2, 1979

11 -

+IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, OVER 65 PER CENT OF THE 3,000 ODD SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR FORM I PLACES IN 11 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WERE OF GOOD OR ABOVE AVERAGE ABILITY. THIS RECENT INTAKE INDICATES THAT PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ARE POPULAR AND ATTRACT A GOODLY PROPORTION OF PUPILS OF GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING,* HE SAID.

AS A RESULT, MR. TOPLEY SAID A PROPORTION OF SENIOR SECONDARY PLACES WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AS FROM 1981 TO ENABLE THE ACADEMICALLY MORE CAPABLE PUPILS TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES UP TO AT LEAST THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION LEVEL AND LATER TO PROCEED DIRECTLY TO TECHNICIAN PROGRAMMES IN THE POLYTECHNIC OR THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.

GIRL PUPILS, THE DIRECTOR ADDED, CERTAINLY HAD A PLACE IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS.

+THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING AS WELL AS THE BOYS ESPECIALLY IN THOSE SUBJECT AREAS WHICH INVOLVE PROBLEM-SOLVING,* HE SAID.

MR. TOPLEY ALSO PRAISED CARITAS HONG KONG FOR OPENING THE MARDEN FOUNDATION SCHOOLS IN THE EVENINGS FOR COMMUNITY USE.

+THIS IS INDEED A VALUABLE INITIATIVE AND ENSURES THAT FULL USE IS MADE OF THE SCHOOL AND OF THE FINE SCHOOL HALL. I HOPE OTHER AIDED SCHOOLS WILL FOLLOW THIS EXAMPLE.

♦FACILITIES IN THE SCHOOLS SPONSORED BY THE MARDEN FOUNDATION CAN ALSO CATER FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED STUDENTS, AND THIS IS YET ANOTHER STEP FORWARD,* HE SAID.

FOLLOWING THE UNVEILING OF THE COMMEMORATIVE STONE BY MR. TOPLEY, THE MOST REV. JOHN BAPTIST WU, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF HONG KONG, ALSO GAVE HIS BLESSING ON THE OCCASION.

THE CEREMONY WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY MR. J.L. MARDEN, GOVERNOR OF MARDEN FOUNDATION LTD., AND MRS. MARDEN- MRS. MARJORIE TOPLEY, WIFE OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND THE REV. F. LERDA, PRESIDENT CF CAR ITAS HONG KONG.

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

/12

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

- 12

CARELESS BEHAVIOUR SPOILS BEAUTY OF NEW TERRITORIES SAYS AKERS-JONES

*****

THE REAL BEAUTY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, BOTH TOWN AND COUNTRY, IS TOO OFTEN SPOILT BY CARELESS AND INDIFFERENT BEHAVIOUR, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO FIGHT POLLUTION AND TO PROTECT AND RESTORE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.

MR. AKERS-JONES, SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE THIRD TAI PO SIX DISTRICTS COMMITTEE FLOWER SHOW AT FANLING PARK, SAID THE EXHIBITS ON SHOW WERE AN EXAMPLE OF THE BEAUTY WHICH CAN BE CREATED BY SKILL AND CARE IN A SMALL SURROUNDING — AND +AN EXAMPLE TO US ALL OF WHAT WE CAN DO IF WE ALL CARE EQUALLY FOR THE WIDER ENVIRONMENT OF OUR DAILY LIVES.*

THE THREE-DAY SHOW IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE TAI PO SIX DISTRICTS ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.

INCLUDED IN THE 1,000 ENTRIES IS A CENTURY-OLD BONSAI PLANT AND A WIDE VARIETY OF RARE SPECIES, SOME OF THEM FROM CHINA.

THE THREE-FOOT HIGH BONSAI PLANT — ZELKOVA — IS BELIEVED TO HAVE GRACED THE SUMMER PALACE OF EMPRESS DOWAGER TS’U HSI IN CHINA IN 1880S.

IT WAS FIRST PUT ON DISPLAY IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR AND IS BEING KEPT BY CHING CHUNG KOON IN TAI PO.

THE FLOWER SHOW IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS — THE COMPETITION SECTION AND THE DISPLAY SECTION.

THE COMPETITION SECTION IS SUB-DIVIDED INTO CUT FLOWERS, SCENTED CUT FLOWERS, POT PLANTS, ORCHIDS, BONSAI PLANT AND MINIATURE POT PLANT.

IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 6 P.M. DAILY UNTIL SUNDAY.

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

/13....

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

- 13 -

SHAU KEI WAN-RENNIE’S MILL-HANG HAU FERRY FARE INCREASE

* * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS APPROVED FARE INCREASES FOR THE PASSENGER FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN, RENNIE’S MILL AND HANG HAU.

THE FARE INCREASES, FROM MONDAY, MARCH 5, WILL BEi SHAU KEI WAN TO RENNIE’S MILL FROM 50 CENTS TO 80 CENTS- RENNIE’S MILL TO HANG HAU FROM 30 CENTS TO 50 CENTS- AND SHAU KEI WAN TO HANG HAU FROM 80 CENTS TO SI.

THE SERVICES ARE OPERATED BY THE HOP SHING KUNG FERRY COMPANY WHICH HAS JUST HAD ITS LICENCE EXTENDED FOR THREE YEARS FROM MARCH 1, 1979.

NEW SERIES OF BUDGET PUBLICATIONS * * * *

A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CONNECTED WITH THE 1979-80 BUDGET ARE NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT PLACE.

THREE PUBLICATIONS —• THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1979-80, THE DRAFT REVENUE ESTIMATES 1979-80, AND THE DRAFT SUPPORTING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND STATISTICAL APPENDICES --ARE ON SALE IN A SET WHICH COSTS S200.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS ON SALE INCLUDE THE 1979-80 BUDGET: ECONOMIC BACKGROUND AVAILABLE AT $14 IN SEPARATE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS- ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT 1966 TO 1977 ($7) AND THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE 1978 (3270).

BOOKLET COPIES OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S.SPEECH ARE NOW BEING PRINTED IN SEPARATE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS AND SHOULD BE RECEIVED IN ABOUT TwO WEEKS’ TIME.

THESE WILL BE ISSUED FREE OF CHARGE ON REQUEST AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

7*0 OTHER BOOKLETS -- THE GRAPHIC GUIDE TO THE BUDGET AND A NEW EDITION OF HONG KONG IN FIGURES — ARE ALSO BEING PRINTED FOR FREE ISSUE AT THE SAME OUTLETS AND COPIES WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

NEW ADDRESS FOR WATER SUPPLIES DEPT’S CONSUMER SERVICES UNIT *****

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S CONSUMER SERVICES UNIT FOR HONG KONG ISLAND WILL MOVE FROM THE MEZZANINE FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING IN GARDEN ROAD TO NEW PREMISES AT BULLOCK LANE ON SUNDAY.

THE NEW OFFICE IS IN THE COMPOUND OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ISLAND DEPOT IN BULLOCK LANE, BEHIND THE CATHAY THEATRE IN WAN CHAI.

FROM MONDAY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING AUTHORISED PERSONS AND LICENSED PLUMBERS, WISHING TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT CONSUMER SERVICES SHOULD EITHER CALL AT THE DEPOT OR TELEPHONE 5-726311.

- - 0

3 BUILDINGS DECLARED LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS *****

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (FRIDAY) DECLARED 58-64 LEI MUK ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, 1 TUNG YUEN STREET, YAU TONG, KOWLOON, AND KWAI HING INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, 10-18 CHUN PIN STREET, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID THESE THREE INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF INTENSIVE INVESTIGATIONS AFTER SHEAR CRACKS HAD BEEN FOUND IN THE REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS.

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

IN EACH CASE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED THAT THESE THREE BUILDINGS ARE CONSIDERABLY SUB-STANDARD IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION.

+A HIGH PROPORTION OF THE CONCRETE SAMPLES WERE FOUND NOT TO HAVE THE REQUIRED CRUSHING STRENGTH AND THE REINFORCEMENT STEEL PROVIDED WAS BELOW THAT REQUIRED BY THE APPROVED DESIGN. FURTHERMORE IN TWO BUILDINGS DEFICIENCIES IN CEMENT CONTENT WERE FOUND EY ANALYSIS,+ HE SAID.

+AS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE LEADING TO COLLAPSE IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE THESE BUILDINGS,+ HE ADDED.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON MAY 2 WERE POSTED TODAY.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1979

JOINT GOVT PRIMARY SCHOOLS EXHIBITION *****

THE JOINT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS EXHIBITION WILL OPEN AGAIN TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL IN KOWLOON.

THE EXHIBITION FIRST OPENED LAST WEEKEND AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND ATTRACTED MORE THAN 12,000 PEOPLE.

THE THEME OF THE EXHIBITION, INTENDED TO CO-1 NCIDE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD, IS +HAPPY SCHOOL LIFE.+

JOINT ORGANISERS OF THE EVENT ARE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE UNION OF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS HEADMASTERS AND HEADMISTRESSES, AND THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS’ NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS UNION.

THE OPENING HOURS OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

- - 0 - -

AIR MAIL SERVICES TO IRISH REPUBLIC * * * *

DUE TO A POSTAL STRIKE IN THE IRISH REPUBLIC, AIR MAIL SERVICES TO THAT COUNTRY ARE SUBJECT TO DELAY, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCE OF WALES ARRIVES TODAY FOR FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO HK ..................................................... 1

BUSY PROGRAMME FOR ROYAL VISITOR .......................... 2

WHERE TO SEE THE PRINCE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) ................. 5

MONEY SUPPLY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY ................... 5

SPECIAL CAR NUMBER AUCTFON REALISES $67,000 ............... 7

PRISONS DEPARTMENT RECRUITING CAMPAIGN..................... 8

FELLOWSHIP OUTSIDE SCHOOLS ................................ 9

FIRING PRACTICE .......................................... 10

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1979

PRINCE OF WALES ARRIVES TODAY FOR FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO HK * * * * *

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES ARRIVED AT KAI TAK AIRPORT AT 3.26 P.M. TODAY (SATURDAY) TO BEGIN HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG.

AS PRINCE CHARLES CAME OUT FROM THE AIRBRIDGE TO THE TERMINAL PIER AT THE AIRPORT, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE GREETED THE PRINCE AND THEN PRESENTED HIS AIDE-DE-CAMP, MR. ANGUS STEVENSON-HAMILTON FOLLOWED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER- THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR GENERAL SIR ROY REDGRAVE- SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL- THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL- AND GENERAL SIR EDWIN BRAMALL, COLONEL COMMANDANT, 2ND KING EDWARD Vil’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES.

PRINCE CHARLES LOOKED DASHING AND FRESH IN HIS DARK BLUE SUIT AFTER HIS 6,OOO-MILE JOURNEY FROM OXFORDSHIRE, U.K.

PRINCE CHARLES IS NO STRANGER TO HONG KONG — HE WAS HERE FOR A BRIEF STOPOVER IN 1970 ON HIS WAY TO EXPO '70.

IN A SPAN OF NINE YEARS, HONG KONG HAS CHANGED TREMENDOUSLY. THE AIRPORT ITSELF HAS UNDERGONE MASSIVE EXTENSION, RENOVATION AND MODERNISATION.

PRINCE CHARLES AFTERWARDS WAS ESCORTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO HIS CAR FOR THE JOURNEY TO FLAGSTAFF HOUSE, THE GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCE.

HAD PRINCE CHARLES VISITED HONG KONG IN 1970, HE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE CROSSED THE HARBOUR ON A LAUNCH AT KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER. BUT SO MUCH HAVE CHANGED SINCE. THE ROYAL MOTORCADE WENT THROUGH THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN 1972. THE CROSSING TOOK ABOUT THREE MINUTES WHEREAS, BY LAUNCH, IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN ABOUT 15 MINUTES.

ON HIS WAY TO FLAGSTAFF HOUSE, PRINCE CHARLES HAD HIS FIRST GLIMPSE OF SOME OF HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST NINE YEARS AND WHAT IS BEING DONE TODAY.

TO HIS LEFT AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE TUNNEL IN KOWLOON IS THE MODERN, NEW RAILWAY TERMINAL WHICH REPLACED THE TSIM SHA TSUI MAIN TERMINAL.

BEHIND THE TERMINAL BUILDING, THE GIGANTIC SKELETON OF THE >93 MILLION HUNG HOM INDOOR STADIUM WHICH WILL ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN 12,000 PEOPLE IS TAKING SHAPE. THE STADIUM SUPERSTRUCTURE IS SYMBOLIC OF WHAT HONG KONG IS TRYING TO DO IN THE FIELD OF SPORTS AND RECREATION.

THEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TUNNEL IS THE POLYTECHNIC, PREVIOUSLY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

/OUT OF......

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1979

OUT OF THE TUNNEL AND ON TO HONG KONG ISLAND, PRINCE CHARLES WILL SEE A NETWORK OF ELEVATED ROADS AND PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS — PROJECTS LIKE THESE ARE CONTINUALLY BEING BUILT BECAUSE OF HONG KONG’S GROWING TRAFFIC AND POPULATION.

FURTHER DOWN WATERFRONT ROAD AND BEHIND THE CABLE AND WIRELESS BUILDING IS THE $30 MILLION ARTS CENTRE WHICH MARKED THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER IN HONG KONG’S CULTURAL HISTORY.

STILL FURTHER AWAY IS THE MASSIVE CONSTRUCTION SITE OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY’S ADMIRALTY STATION. ONE OF THE MAIN FEATURES OF THIS STATION, PRINCE CHARLES WOULD LEARN, IS THAT A SHOPPING COMPLEX AND TWO OFFICE TOWERS OF 29 AND 23 STOREYS WILL BE BUILT ON IT.

LEAVING THE SITES OF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, PRINCE CHARLES’ MOTORCADE ARRIVED AT FLAGSTAFF HOUSE ABOUT 25 MINUTES LATER, WHERE LADY MACLEHOSE WELCOMED HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS.

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

BUSY PROGRAMME FOR ROYAL VISITOR *****

PRINCE CHARLES WILL VISIT THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, HRH WILL PROCEED VIA THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TO SHA TIN WHERE MR. AKERS-JONES WILL PRESENT THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SHA TIN, MR. GERALD HIGGINSON, AND THE SHA TIN PROJECT MANAGER, MR. FONG CHUN-NAM WHO WILL BRIEF THE PRINCE ON THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

AFTERWARDS, PRINCE CHARLES WILL VISIT TSANG TAI UK, AN OLD WALLED VILLAGE BUILT AROUND 1850, WHICH IS TO BE PRESERVED AS PART OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

AFTER TOURING TSANG TAI UK, PRINCE CHARLES WILL PROCEED TO LEK YUEN ESTATE WHERE MR. AKERS-JONES WILL PRESENT THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR. DONALD LIAO, THE LEK YUEN ESTATE HOUSING MANAGER, MR. ANTONY HUI CHEE-CHUNG, AND THE WO CHE ESTATE HOUSING MANAGER, MR. MICHAEL HO KWOK-CHO. PRINCE CHARLES WILL THEN WALK THROUGH THE ESTATES, VISITING THE MARKET AND SHOPPING PRECINCTS.

FOLLOWING HIS TOUR OF LEK YUEN AND WO CHE ESTATES, PRINCE CHARLES WILL BOARD A HELICOPTER AT SHA TIN RACE-COURSE FOR KEI LING HA COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE IN SAI KUNG. HERE AKERS-JONES WILL PRESENT THE OFF ICER-1N-CHARGE OF COUNTRY PARKS, MR. MARTIN LEWIS. THE ROYAL PARTY WILL THEN DRIVE A LANDROVER AND VISIT SITES WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE HAVING PICNICS.

/PHINCE CHARLES,

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1979

- 3 -

PRINCE CHARLES, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, WILL LUNCH WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE CLUB IN THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL.

IN THE AFTERNOON, PRINCE CHARLES WILL ARRIVE AT HMS TAMAR ON HMS WASPERTON AND WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES. THE LATTER THEN PRESENTS THE CAPTAIN-IN-CHARGE HONG KONG, CAPTAIN R.W. MOLAND, RN. THE GOVERNOR PRESENTS THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. F.K. LI WHO WILL ESCORT THE PRINCE DURING THE COMMUNITY RECEPTION.

AFTER THE COMMUNITY RECEPTION, PRINCE CHARLES WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE NEW BRITISH FORCES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING. THE PRINCE WILL TOUR THE BUILDING AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

IN THE EVENING, PRINCE CHARLES WILL ATTEND A CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL. HE WILL BE GREETED ON ARRIVAL AT THE CITY HALL BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR. A. DE 0. SALES, AND MRS. SALES AND BY SIR RUN RUN SHAW, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL COMMITTEE.

PRESS FACILITIES

NOTE TO EDITORSi

VISIT TO SHA TINi 9.55 A.M. - 11 A.M.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK FOR TSANG TAI UK, SHA TIN AT 9 A.M. SHARP. DUE TO LIMITATION OF TIME, PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL NOT (REPEAT NOT) BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO LEK YUEN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE. A SEPARATE TRANSPORT FACILITY HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE AT CGO FOR THIS VISIT AT 9.15 A.M. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE BRIEFING ON THE VANTAGE POINT WILL BE PROVIDED BY GIS.

PRESS TRANSPORT FOR LEK YUEN AND WO CHE ESTATES WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AT 9.15 A.M. SHARP.

EDITORS ARE REMINDED THAT MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN POSITION 1 (NEAR THE BUS TERMINUS) WILL BE ESCORTED TO POSITION 3 (NEAR THE FOUNTAIN) AFTER PRINCE CHARLES’ ARRIVAL AND WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE AHEAD OF THE PRINCE AS HE PASSES THROUGH THE FOUNTAIN AREA (BADGE C IS FOR THESE TWO POSITIONS). THIS PRESS PARTY WILL NOT (REPEAT NOT) BE ABLE TO PROCEED TO WO CHE ESTATE, BUT WILL BE ESCORTED TO ANOTHER POSITION TO COVER THE PRINCE’S DEPARTURE FROM WO CHE. POSITION 2 (INSIDE THE ESTATE MARKET) IS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY (BADGE B). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN POSITION 4 (BADGE WO CHE A) (ON THE PLATFORM AT WO CHE ESTATE) WILL NOT (REPEAT NOT) BE ABLE TO LEAVE THEIR POSITION.

/SAI KUNG .....

SATUHDAY, MARCH 3, 1979

SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARKi 11.30 A.M. - NOON

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AT 10 A.M. (REPEAT 10 A.M. NOT 9.30 A.M.) SHARP. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL TAKE UP POSITION AT A BARBECUE AREA, ACCOMPANIED BY G.I.S. PRESS LIAISON OFFICERS. POOL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PRINCE’S ARRIVAL AT THE HELICOPTER LANDING AREA AT KEI LING HA WILL BE PROVIDED BY G.I.S.

LUNCH WITH UMELCO MEMBERS

PHOTOGRAPHS OF PRINCE CHARLES’ ARRIVAL AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE CLUB WILL BE ISSUED BY G.I.S.

IMS TAMARi 2.45 P.M. - 4.00 P.M.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE OPENING OF THE NEW BRITISH FORCES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO COVER THE ARRIVAL OF HRH IN POSITION 1 (ON THE QUAY). THEY WILL THEN BE ESCORTED TO POSITION 3 TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY. THOSE COVERING THE COMMUNITY RECEPTION WILL BE IN POSITION 2 (ON THE BALCONY OF BLOCK A) AND WILL NOT (REPEAT NOT) BE ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE BALCONY AREA.

EDITORS ARE REMINDED THAT MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING BOTH FUNCTIONS SHOULD MEET G.I.S. LIAISON OFFICERS BY 1.55 P.M. (REPEAT 1.55 P.M. NOT 2.15 P.M.) AT THE LATEST IN FRONT OF THE MURRAY ROAD ENTRANCE TO HUTCHINSON HOUSE OPPOSITE FURAMA HOTEL. bEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE ADVISED TO BE ON TIME AS LATE COMERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER HMS TAMAR.

BECAUSE OF THE CONFINED SPACE IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR PEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER PRINCE CHARLES’ TOUR OF THE IEADQUARTERS. PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ISSUED BY JOINT SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS STAFF THROUGH G.I.S.

CITY HALLi 8.05 P.M. - 10.00 P.M.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES (PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY) ASSIGNED TO POSITION 1 (CITY HALL FOYER) (BADGE A) AND 2 (RIGHT PROMENADE OF CONCERT HALL) (BADGE B) SHOULD MEET G.I.S. OFFICERS IN FRONT OF THE CITY HALL MAIN ENTRANCE NEAR THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS BY 7.30 P.M. THOSE IN POSITION 2 MUST LEAVE THE CONCERT HALL BEFORE THE START OF THE CONCERT.

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1979

NOTE TO EDITORSi

- 5 -

WHERE TO SEE THE PRINCE TOMORROW (SUNDAY)

*****

THE FOLLOWING IS A GUIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SEE HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES WHEN HE LEAVES FLAGSTAFF HOUSE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FOR HIS SHA TIN ENGAGEMENT!

FROM FLAGSTAFF HOUSE TO SHA TIN (9.30 A.M. - 9.55 A.M.)

THE PRINCE’S MOTORCADE WILL LEAVE FLAGSTAFF HOUSE AND PROCEED TO SHA TIN VIA — COTTON TREE DRIVE, GARDEN ROAD, QUEENSWAY, ARSENAL STREET, WATERFRONT ROAD, CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, LION ROCK TUNNEL AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.

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

MONEY SUPPLY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY *****

GOVERNMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) RELEASED THE MONEY SUPPLY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY, TOGETHER WITH THE MONTHLY STATISTICS FOR BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.

THE FIGURES ARE UP TO JANUARY 27, THE LAST WORKING DAY BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, AND ARE THEREFORE SUBJECT TO STRONG SEASONAL DISTORTIONS.

THIS ALSO APPLIES TO THE LONGER TERM TREND, SINCE LUNAR NEW YEAR CAME LATER IN 1978 THAN IT DID IN 1979, SO THAT THE YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON DOES NOT REFLECT IDENTICAL SEASONAL PRESSURES IN THE TWO YEARS.

THE MONEY SUPPLY

THE MONEY SUPPLY ON BOTH DEFINITIONS ROSE AGAIN IN JANUARY, AND THE LONGER-TERM SLOWING DOWN IN THE RATE OF GROWTH OF THE MONEY SUPPLY, WHICH HAS BEEN APPARENT IN RECENT MONTHS, APPEARS TO HAVE HALTED (AT LEAST TEMPORARILY).

Ml (NOTES AND COIN IN CIRCULATION AND DEMAND DEPOSITS AT LICENSED BANKS) ROSE BY $1,230 MILLION (5.5 PER CENT) IN JANUARY TO $23,511 MILLION WHICH WAS 22.5 PER CENT ABOVE JANUARY, 1978.

M2 (Ml PLUS TIME AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS) ROSE BY $2,691 MILLION (3.7 PER CENT) IN JANUARY TO $76,097 MILLION, WHICH WAS 26.2 PER CENT ABOVE JANUARY, 1978.

THERE WAS A VERY SHARP SEASONAL RISE IN THE VOLUME OF CURRENCY IN CIRCULATION, INCLUDING BOTH NOTES AND COIN. WITH THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE YEAR OF THE GOAT GOLD COINSi THAT RISE WAS PARTIALLY FINANCED BY A FALL IN DEMAND AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS.

/THE annual .....

SATOHDAY, MARCH 3, 1979

THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF M2 ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY IN JANUARY, HAVING FALLEN IN EACH OF THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS BUT, AS EXPLAINED ABOVE, SEASONAL FACTORS MAKE THIS A MISLEADING COMPARISON.

LOOKING AT THE THREE-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE, TO SMOOTH OUT MONTHLY FLUCTUATIONS, M2 IN THE PERIOD NOVEMBER, 1978, TO . JANUARY, 1979, WAS 26.2 PER CENT ABOVE THE SAME MONTHS OF 1977-78, AND Ml WAS 22.2 PER CENT HIGHER.

ON THIS COMPARISON, THE GROWTH RATE OF BOTH MEASURES HAS FALLEN FOR EACH OF THE LAST THREE MONTHS.

BANKING STATISTICS

BANK LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN JANUARY, WITH THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING RISING DURING THE MONTH BY $2,263 MILLION (4.3 PER CENT) TO $55,077 MILLION, WHICH WAS 45.2 PER CENT ABOVE THE LEVEL OF JANUARY, 1978.

THIS VERY RAPID RATE OF GROWTH CONTINUED THE TREND APPARENT SINCE JUNE, 1978, WITH THE INCREASE IN LOANS AND ADVANCES, ON AN ANNUAL COMPARISON, ACCELERATING EACH MONTH. LOOKING AT THE THREE-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE, LOANS AND ADVANCES IN NOVEMBER, 1978, TO JANUARY, 1979, WERE 43.9 PER CENT ABOVE THE SAME MONTHS OF 1977-78.

THE NET IDENTIFIABLE FOREIGN ASSETS OF THE BANKS FELL BY $753 MILLION TO $15,414 MILLION* A FALL IN CLAIMS ON BANKS ABROAD WAS NOT ENTIRELY OFFSET BY A RISE IN OTHER OVERSEAS ASSETS. LOANS ABROAD ROSE BY $57 MILLION TO $16,468 MILLION.

THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO OF THE BANKING SECTOR FELL FROM 46.2 PER CENT TO 45.4 PER CENT. THE RATIO OF LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG TO DEPOSITS ROSE FROM 79 PER CENT TO 81 PER CENT.

DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY STATISTICS

DEPOSIT LIABILITIES OF DEPOSIT-TAKI NG COMPANIES ROSE BY $1,494 MILLION (14.3 PER CENT) IN JANUARY TO $11,941 MILLION (NO FIGURES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THESE COMPANIES EARLIER THAN DECEMBER 1978).

LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG FELL BY $26 MILLION (0.3 PER CENT) TO $10,113 MILLION, WHILE LOANS AND ADVANCES ABROAD ROSE BY $781 MILLION (3.7 PER CENT) TO $21,946 MILLION.

THE NET IDENTIFIABLE FOREIGN ASSETS OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY $1,105 MILLION TO $6,449 MILLION, REFLECTING THE INCREASE IN LOANS ABROAD AND A FALL IN BORROWINGS FROM BANKS ABROAD.

THE NET CLAIMS OF DEPOSIT-TAKI NG COMPANIES ON BANKS IN HONG KONG ROSE FROM $374 MILLION TO $1,430 MILLION.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1979

- 7 -

SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS AUCTION REALISES $67,000 ******

TWENTY-FIVE SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $67,600 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.

THE AUCTION, HELD IN THE LECTURE HALL OF CITY HALL SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER AV 323 FETCHING THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $6,200.

ANOTHER NUMBER, BW 2992, WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF 85,500 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000.

THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PR ICESi

BX688, 84,500 BX280, $4,100 BW3781, $1,000 BW6820, $1,000

BW7333, 81,200 BW6628, $3,000 BW7832, $1,000 BX1088, $2,200

BX230, $2,300 BX150, $2,200 BW8092, $1,000 BX108, $3,500

BX882, $3,300 HK3781, 81,500 BX823, $2,300 BX819, $1,500

BW75, $3,900 BX6668, $3,500 BX3228, $2,500 XX595, 83,100

BW7667, 81,800 BS16, 84,500 BW6698, $1,000

THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS CF THE DATE OF AUCTION.

TODAY’S SALE, THE 42ND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO ABOUT $9 MILLION.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1979

PRISONS DEPARTMENT RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN

*****

THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WILL BE STARTING A SERIES OF RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGNS FROM MONDAY (MARCH 5) TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO JOIN THE SERVICE.

A MOBILE RECRUITMENT CENTRE WILL BE SET UP AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE DURING OFFICE HOURS ON MONDAY.

PRISONS DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON JOINING THE SERVICE AND TO ASSIST THOSE MAKING DIRECT APPLICATIONS. PUBLICITY MATERIAL WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE ON MONDAY, MARCH 5, DURING OFFICE HOURS WHEN A MOBILE RECRUITMENT CENTRE OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WILL BE SET UP TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO JOIN THE SERVICE.

FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT MR. RAYMOND LEUNG AT 5-756521 EXT. 48 DURING OFFICE HOURS.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1979 - 9 -

FELLOWSHIP OUTSIDE SCHOOLS

*****

THE OCEAN PARK WELCOMED A GROUP OF 2,000 STUDENTS FROM 40 SCHOOLS IN AN EDUCATIONAL VISIT ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECRETARIAT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY).

THE VISIT WAS PART OF THE +LUEN YI+, OR FELLOWSHIP SCHEME WHICH THE CYC HAS RECENTLY ADOPTED .TO PROMOTE LARGE SCALE INTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. ALTOGETHER 5,000 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE TWO VISITS WHICH THE CYC ARRANGED OVER TWO CONSECUTIVE WEEKENDS.

HAVING ENTERED THE OCEAN PARK, THE STUDENTS SPLIT UP INTO SMALL GROUPS COMPRISING EQUAL NUMBER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS HEADED BY AN ELDER LEADER.

DURING THEIR TOUR, THE ELDER MEMBERS ASSISTED THE YOUNGER ONES ONTO THE CABLE CARS, ENJOYED TOGETHER THE PERFORMANCES AND PATIENTLY INTRODUCED TO THEM THE LIFE OF THE SEA ANIMALS BY APPLYING THE KNOWLEDGE LEARNED IN THE COURSE OF THEIR STUDIES.

THE +LUEN YI + SCHEME WAS FIRST LAUNCHED A DECADE AGO IN 1966, WHEN FIVE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE URBAN AREA TOOK THE INITIATIVE TO +ADOPT+ FIVE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

UNDER THE SCHEME, FREQUENT EXCHANGE VISITS OF STAFF AND STUDENTS WERE ARRANGED, SO THAT STUDENTS HAVING DIFFERENT FAMILY, SCHOOL AND SOCIAL BACKGROUNDS MIGHT MEET, LEARN OF EACH OTHER’S EXPERIENCE, AND THUS BROADEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE.

OVER THE YEARS, THE SCHEME HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO COVER 100 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND 100 PRIMARY SCHOOLS. NOW IT IS PLACED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECRETARIAT, AND WILL BE FURTHER EXPANDED TO ENCOMPASS A WIDER RANGE OF ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PRACTICIAL TRAINING, PROBLEM RESEARCHES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.

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/10

PRACTISING TIMES AREt

DATE

(MONDAY)

(TUESDAY)

(WEDNESDAY)

(THURSDAY)

(FRIDAY)

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1979 10 -

FIRING PRACTICE *****

R*NGeFiJl?lv|RD*«<:«XTLWE™E "•*“ THE "* TSUEM-CASTLE PEAK

ME fl?ihgUdurihs’the‘?ime ofWactice" the are‘ whe“ FLA8S THE

MARCH 5 MARCH 6 MARCH 7 MARCH 8 MARCH 9

TIME

8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

8 A.M. - 5 p.M.

8 A.M. - 11 p.M.

0--------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCE CHARLES DELIGHTED TO BE IN HONG KONG............... 1

SPEECH BY HRH AT CITY HALL CONCERT........................ 2

PRINCE CHARLES TOURS SHA TIN ............................. 3

PRINCE CHARLES JOINS PICNICKERS .......................... 5

HRH AT HMS TAMAR RECEPTION................................ 6

HRH TO SPEND WHOLE DAY IN NT.............................. 7

WHERE TO SEE THE PRINCE TOMORROW (MONDAY) ................ 9

CHECK BEFORE APPLYING TO STUDY OVERSEAS ................. 10

DECEMBER 1978 EMPLOYMENT FIGURES ........................ 11

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

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES DELIGHTED TO BE IN HONG KONG ft ft ft ft ft

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING THAT HE WAS DELIGHTED TO BE IN HONG KONG AND HE LOOKED FORWARD TO MANY OPPORTUNITIES OF RETURNING.

HE SAID THIS AT A CONCERT OF THE SEVENTH HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL HELD AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.

THE CONCERT WAS PERFORMED BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, HONG KONG’S OWN ORCHESTRA WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED ON A PROFESSIONAL BASIS IN 1974.

PRINCE CHARLES, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE, WAS RECEIVED AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE CITY HALL BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR. A. DE 0. SALES AND MRS. SALES AND WAS WELCOMED IN THE FOYER BY SIR RUN RUN SHAW, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL COMMITTEE. A GUARD-OF-HONOUR WAS PROVIDED BY CADETS OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES.

THE PRINCE’S ARRIVAL IN THE CONCERT HALL WAS SIGNALLED BY A ROLL OF DRUMS, FOLLOWED BY THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. THE PARTY THEN SETTLED DOWN TO LISTEN TO THE OPENING ITEM OF THE PHILHARMONIC CONCERT, WEBER’S OVERTURE TO OBERON, UNDER THE BATON OF GUEST CONDUCTOR bfi. ALUN FRANCIS.

ALSO APPEARING IN THE CONCERT WAS MISS MELODY WU, A LOCAL PIANIST WHO WAS THE SOLOIST IN THE GRIEG PIANO CONCERTO.

DURING THE CONCERT INTERVAL, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS MET SOME OF THE LEADING CONTRIBUTORS TO HONG KONG’S CULTURAL LIFE AT A RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE IN THE EXHIBITION HALL.

AMONG THE PEOPLE PRESENTED TO THE PRINCE WERE MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL COMMITTEE AND THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC COMMITTEE. A SMALL GROUP OF MUSICIANS, INCLUDING COMPOSERS AND PERFORMERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF CHINESE OPERA AND LOCAL BALLET AND DRAMA GROUPS, WERE ALSO PRESENTED TO PRINCE CHARLES.

THE INTERVAL WAS THEN FOLLOWED BY TCHAIKOVSKY’S 4TH SYMPHONY.

PRINCE CHARLES WAS THE SECOND MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY TO HAVE ATTENDED THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL. IN 1977, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING OF THE FIFTH HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL IN THE CITY HALL. THE OPENING CONCERT AT THAT TIME WAS ALSO PERFORMED BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, CONDUCTED BY HELEN QUACH.

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/2.....

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1979

2 -

SPEECH BY HRH AT CITY HALL CONCERT ******

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SPFECH BY HIS R.OYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES DURING THE INTERVAL OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL CONCERT AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING:

+SIR RUN RUN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR WELCOMING ME HERE THIS EVENING. I FEEL THAT I HAVE TO EXPLAIN THE REASON THAT I AM STANDING HERE NOW IN THE INTERVAL AND ACTUALLY I HAVE AN AUDIENCE TO SPEAK TO, BECAUSE I HAVE A FEELING THAT IF I TRIED IT AT THE END THERE WOULDN’T BE ANY BODY HERE LEFT AT ALL. HOWEVER, I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO HONG KONG ON THIS PARTICULAR OCCASION AND ALTHOUGH IT IS A VERY SHORT VISIT I KNOW I CAN SEE A GREAT DEAL, AND NOT ENOUGH PERHAPS,, BUT I SHALL LOOK FORWARD TO, I HOPE MANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, TO COME BACK HERE AND SEE MORE OF THIS AMAZING, BUSTLING, FLOURISHING PLACE, WHICH I HAD SEEN A CERTAIN AMOUNT TODAY ALREADY. AND I AM ALSO PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR WHAT IS, I BELIEVE, THE LAST CONCERT PERFORMANCE IN THE FESTIVAL SEASON. NORMALLY I AM ASKED TO OPEN THINGS, IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO CLOSE IT.

+1 DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK BUT HAVING HEARD AT LEAST THE FIRST PART OF THE CONCERT THIS EVENING, YOU NEVER KNOW, IT MIGHT GET WORSE- I THINK THAT THE ARTS OBVIOUSLY SEEM TO BE FLOURISHING IN HONG KONG AND FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD THIS EVENING IT SOUNDS THAT THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IS DOING THE MOST MARVELLOUS THINGS HERE AND I WAS PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED BY THE LAST PIECE BY THE SOLOIST, WHO I THOUGHT PLAYED GRIEG’S CONCERTO QUITE BRILLIANTLY. AND WITH A NAME LIKE MELODY (WU) YOU SIMPLY CAN’T GO WRONG.

-^LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I WON’T KEEP YOU ANY MORE BECAUSE THERE ARE FAR MORE IMPORTANT THINGS LIKE MUSIC.. I OFTEN FEEL THAT IF I WAS STANDING HERE I WOULD HAVE TO PLAY SOMETHING, BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE CONDUCTOR JUST NOW THAT HE HAS A SPARE CELLO WAITING FOR ME. I HAVE ACTUALLY TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO HIM I HAVEN’T HAD TIME TO PRACTISE, AND THAT WHEN YOU ARE WITH THE NAVY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU BANG THE BOW AGAINST THE BULKHEAD ALL THE TIME. ANYWAY, I AM MOST DELIGHTED TO BE HERE AND I DO LOOK FORWARD TO MANY OPPORTUNITIES OF RETURNING.*

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES TOURS SHA TIN ft ft ft ft

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES BEGAN HIS SECOND DAY’S BUSY SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS IN HONG KONG THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING WHEN HE TOURED SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO SEE ITS LATEST DEVELOPMENT.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, M?. DAVID AKERS-JONES, PRINCE CHARLES ARRIVED AT SIU LEK YUEN AT 10.10 A.M. OVERLOOKING THE MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT UNDERWAY AT SHA TIN. ON HAND TO GREET HIM WAS THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, MR. JOHN DON- SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, Ml. GERRY HIGGINSON, AND SHA TIN PROJECT MANAGER, MR. FONG CHUN-NAM.

PRINCE CHARLES WAS TOLD THAT THE FOCAL POINT OF SHA TIN DEVELOPMENT WAS THE TOWN CENTRE OCCUPYING A SITE OF 22 HECTARES BORDERED BY RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND RIVERSIDE PARK. THE WHOLE TOWNSHIP WILL BE A SELF-CONTAINED ONE AND WILL EVENTUALLY ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN 500,000 PEOPLE BY THE MID-EIGHTIES. SHA TIN’S PRESENT POPULATION IS NEARLY 50,000.

HE ALSO LEARNED THAT THERE WILL BE 41 GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS, 45 GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS, TWO SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES, A 1,400-BED TEACHING HOSPITAL AND COMMUNTIY CENTRE AND HALLS.

FOLLOWING THE SHA TIN VISIT, PRINCE CHARLES TOURED ONE OF THE OLDEST SIGHTS OF SHA TIN --- TSANG TAI UK.

TSANG TAI UK IS A 130-YEAR-OLD, TRADITIONAL WALLED VILLAGE FOUNDED BY A MASON NAMED TSANG SAM LEE.

AT THE VILLAGE, NOW INHABITED BY ABOUT 700 PEOPLE, MR. AKERS JONES .PRESENTED THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE- SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, VILLAGE ELDERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.

WHILE THE VILLAGE ELDERS WERE BEING INTRODUCED TO THE PRINCE, MANY CHILDREN DASHED OUT AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY JOSTLED WITH EACH OTHER FOR A CLOSER LOOK AT PRINCE CHARLES, THE FIRST ROYALTY TO VISIT THEM.

SOME VILLAGERS ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAPTURE THE hEMORABLE OCCASION WITH THEIR CAMERAS.

AFTER THE TOUR OF THE VILLAGE, PRINCE CHARLES PROCEEDED TO LEK YUEN AND WO CHE ESTATES WHERE HE SAW AT FIRST HAND THE PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG AND ITS FACILITIES.

/PHIJTC5 CHARLES

SUNDAY, MABCH 4, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES WAS DELIGHTED WITH THE WELCOME GIVEN TO HIM BY THOUSANDS OF FLAG-WAVING CHILDREN AT THE TWO ESTATES, AND STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES TO TALK TO SOME OF THEM.

ACCOMPANIED BY MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, PRINCE CHARLES FIRST ARRIVED BY CAR AT THE BUS TERMINUS IN FRONT OF LEK YUEN’S COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.

THEY WERE WELCOMED BY MR. DONALD LIAO, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, NR. ANTHONY HUI CHEE-CHUNG, HOUSING MANAGER OF LEK YUEN ESTATE, AND MR. MICHAEL HO KWOK-CHO, HOUSING MANAGER OF WO CHE ESTATE.

THE ROYAL PARTY THEN WENT UP TO THE PODIUM OF THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX AND THROUGH A SUPERMARKET TO THE MODULAR MARKET OPPOSITE BLOCK 3.

AT THE LEK YUEN MARKET, HE SHOOK HANDS WITH THE OPERATORS CF SEVERAL STALLS INCLUDING A FISHMONGER WHO, GRINNING BROADLY, HELD UP A LARGE FISH FOR HIS INSPECTION THEN SHOOK HIS HAND WHILE THE PRINCE ALSO BROKE INTO A SMILE AS HE RESPONDED.

HE ASKED STALL-HOLDERS QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR PRODUCE AND AT A BEAN MERCHANT’S STALL WAS OFFERED AND ATE A BEAN SPROUT.

AT WO CHE, MR. LIAO SHOWED THE PRINCE MODELS OF THAT ESTATE AND A NEARBY HOME OWNERSHIP ESTATE, AND EXPLAINED TO HIM THE CONCEPT OF +PEDESTRI ANISATION+ BY WHICH WO CHE AND LEK YUEN ARE LINKED BY A SERIES OF OVERHEAD WALKWAYS.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES JOINS PICNICKERS

******

SEVERAL HUNDRED PICNICKERS WERE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TODAY (SUNDAY) TO FIND PRINCE CHARLES IN THEIR MIDST AT A BARBECUE SITE IN THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK.

AS THEY ATE THEIR BARBECUE LUNCH AND PLAYED ON THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, PRINCE CHARLES SPENT ABOUT 20 MINUTES WANDERING THROUGH THE THRONG, TALKING AMICABLY WITH THE PICNICKERS. FOR THEM THEIR SUNDAY OUTING OFFERED MORE THAN EXPECTED.

AFTER PRINCE CHARLES COMPLETED HIS SHA TIN TOUR THIS MORNING, HE FLEW AN RAF WESSEX HELICOPTER FROM THE SHA TIN RACE-COURSE TO THE NEW LANDING ZONE AT THE COUNTRY PARK’S KEI LING HA MANAGEMENT CENTRE.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, PRINCE CHARLES MET THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR. MARTIN LEWIS AND SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER, MR. JOHN WHOLLEY.

IN OPEN LANDROVERS, THE PARTY DROVE TO THE TSO WO HANG BARBECUE SITE WHERE PRINCE CHARLES MET SENIOR FIELD OFFICER (EAST), MR. Y.O. CHENG, AND MINGLED WITH THE PICNICKERS.

BUT IT WAS NOT ONLY THE PICNICKERS AT TSO WO HANG WHO RECEIVED PRINCE CHARLES.

AFTER THE PARTY PROCEEDED THROUGH THE TAI MONG TSAI BARRIER, PRINCE CHARLES MADE AN UNSCHEDULED STOP AT ANOTHER BARBECUE SITE TO VIEW THE SCENERY OF TSAM CHUK WAN AND SPEAK TO VISITORS TO THE PARK.

THE GROUP THEN CONTINUED TO PAK TAM CHUNG WHERE PRINCE CHARLES BOARDED THE WESSEX FOR A FLIGHT TO HARCOURT ROAD.

THROUGHOUT THE 40-MINUTE JOURNEY FROM KEI LING HA TO PAK TAM CHUNG, PRINCE CHARLES WAS BRIEFED ON THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME BY hF. LEWIS.

MR. LEWIS SAID THAT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL LAND AREA OF 1,055.61 SQUARE KILOMETRES, ABOUT 272.58 SQUARE KILOMETRES HAD BEEN EITHER DESIGNATED OR GAZETTED AS COUNTRY PARKS.

HE TOLD PRINCE CHARLES THAT THE SETTING ASIDE OF LAND FOR COUNTRY PARKS WAS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AS WELL AS PROVIDING A RECREATIONAL ASSET FOR OUR 4.7 MILLION POPULATION.

AND HE SAID THE POPULARITY OF THE COUNTRY PARKS WAS SHOWN TODAY WITH THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE SAI KUNG AREA ALONE DURING REASONABLY INCLEMENT WEATHER.

MR. LEWIS SAID ABOUT FIVE MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO VISIT THE COUNTRY PARKS THIS YEAR AND THE DEPARTMENT WAS WORKING FEVERISHLY TO PROVIDE ENOUGH AMENITIES FOR THESE VISITORS.

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/6........

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1979

HRH AT HMS TAMAR RECEPTION

* * * * *

MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE FROM A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY GREETED HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON AT A RECEPTION AT HMS TAMAR.

WEARING HIS NAVAL UNIFORM, PRINCE CHARLES ARRIVED AT THE PIER OF HMS TAMAR ON BOARD THE HMS WASPERTON AT 2.45 P.M. AFTER PASSING OTHER VESSELS OF THE ROYAL NAVY AND A FIREBOAT DISPLAY IN MID-HARBOUR.

AS HE STEPPED TOWARDS THE CARPETED GANGPLANK OF THE WASPERTON, THE BUGLERS OF THE 1ST BATTALION ROYAL GREEN JACKETS SOUNDED THE ALERT, FOLLOWED BY THE STRAINS OF THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS BAND.

ON HAND TO MEET PRINCE CHARLES AT THE WIND-SWEPT PIER WAS THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, SIR ROY REDGRAVE AND CAPTAIN-IN-CHARGE HONG. KONG, CAPTAIN R.W. MOLAND, RN.

AT THE RECEPTION, PRINCE CHARLES MET MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING CHURCH LEADERS, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH LEADERS AND ALSO MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.

HE WAS ACCOMPANIED THROUGHOUT THE RECEPTION BY MR. LI FOOK-KOW, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.

AFTER THE RECEPTION ENDED, PRINCE CHARLES PROCEEDED TO UNVEIL A PLAQUE TO MARK THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES.

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[This page is blank in the original document]

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1979

- 8

NOTE TO EDITORS!

CASSINO LINES: 8 A.M. - 2.20 P.M.

A PRESS COACH FOR THOSE WISHING TO COVER THE PARADE (BADGE A) WILL LEAVE FOR CASSINO LINES AT 6 A.M. SHARP FROM THE QUEEN’S ROAD EAST ENTRANCE TO VICTORIA BARRACKS.

A SECOND PRESS COACH (FOR HOLDERS OF BADGE B) WILL LEAVE VICTORIA BARRACKS AT 9 A.M. FOR THE PRINCE’S TOUR OF THE TRAINING AREAS AT CASSINO LINES.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES MAKING USE OF THE EARLY PRESS COACH AT 6 A.M. MAY REMAIN AT CASSINO LINES, IF THEY SO WISH, TO COVER THE PRINCE’S TOUR OF THE TRAINING AREAS LATER IN THE MORNING, AND RETURN ON THE LATER PRESS COACH. THOSE WISHING TO RETURN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PARADE MAY DO SO ON THE EARLY PRESS COACH.

SEK KONG: 2.30 P.M. - 2.55 P.M.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AT 12.30 P.M. SHARP. POSITION 1 ON THE PARADE GROUND IS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY AND POSITION 2 FOR REPORTERS.

FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION OF THE STANDARD, MEDIA REPRESENTA-7TIVESIN POSITION 1 WILL HAVE TO MOVE FURTHER INFIELD TO MAKE WAY FOR A MARCH PAST.

EDITORS ARE ADVISED THAT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ASSIGNED TO THIS FUNCTION WILL NOT (REPEAT NOT) BE ABLE TO COVER THE THREE YUEN LONG FUNCTIONS BELOW.

YUEN LONG: 3.10 P.M. - 3.55 P.M.

TWO PRESS COACHES, ONE FOR TOWN HALL AND THE OTHER FOR THE STADIUM, WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AT 1 P.M. SHARP. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING YUEN LONG TOWN HALL WILL BE FIRST TAKEN TO A FIXED PRESS POSITION AT THE JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TAI YUK ROAD TO COVER THE ARRIVAL OF THE ROYAL MOTORCADE. AFTER THAT THEY WILL MOVE FROM THE ROUNDABOUT TO THE TOWN HALL (POSITION 1).

IN THE STADIUM, A FIXED POSITION FOR GENERAL PRESS WILL BE IN FRONT OF THE GRANDSTANDS NEAR THE ROYAL BOX. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE ESCORTED FORWARD FOR THE ♦EYE-DOTTING* CEREMONY BUT MUST RETURN TO THE PRESS ENCLOSURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER. LATER, THE PRESS PARTY WILL BE ESCORTED TO TAKE UP POSITION 2 IN THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL TO COVER THE PR1NCErS TOUR OF THE EXHIBITION IN THE TOWN HALL.

BEATING THE RETREAT: 7.15 P.M.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE QUEEN’S ROAD EAST ENTRANCE TO VICTORIA BARRACKS AT 5.30 P.M. FOR CASSINO LINES (BADGE C).

0---------

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1979

WHERE TO SEE THE PRINCE TOMORROW (MONDAY) ******

THE FOLLOWING IS A GUIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SEE HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES WHO WILL BE TRAVELLING TOMORROW (MONDAY) FROM RAF SEK KONG TO YUEN LONG AND FROM THERE TO CASS I NO LINESi

FROM RAF SEK KONG TO YUEN LONG STADIUM (2.55 P.M. - 3.10 P.M.)

SEK KONG CAMP, KAM TIN ROAD, AU TAU CROSS ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG MAIN ROAD, YUEN LONG STADIUM.

FROM YUEN LONG TOWN HALL TO CASS I NO LINES (4 P.M. - 4.20 P.M.)

TOWN HALL, YUEN LONG MAIN ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, AU TAU CROSS ROAD, SAN TIN ROAD, RIGHT TURN TO TAM MEI CAMP, FAMILY LINES.

WEATHER PERMITTING, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WILL RELAY THE YUEN LONG RALLY LIVE ON RTV 1 AND TVB JADE AT 3.10 P.M. THE ENGLISH VERSION WILL BE SHOWN ON TVB PEARL AT 6.10 P.M. AND AFTERWARDS AT 7 P.M. ON RTV 2.

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/10

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1979

CHECK BEFORE APPLYING TO STUDY OVERSEAS

*****

STUDENTS INTENDING TO PURSUE PRE-UN I VERS ITY, SECRETARIAL OR TECHNICAL COURSES IN INSTITUTIONS OVERSEAS ARE CAUTIONED AGAINST MAKING APPLICATIONS TOO HASTILY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY)» +THIS IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE IF THE PROCEEDINGS INVOLVE DEPOSITING A LARGE DOWN PAYMENT AS REGISTRATION OR TUITION FEES.+

HE ADVISED STUDENTS TO CONSULT NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS FIRST BEFORE MAKING APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION.

SOME OF THESE ORGANISATIONS ARE THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION, THE EDUCATION ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE HANG SENG BANK LTD., AND CONSULATES OR COMMISSIONS.

♦STUDENTS SHOULD ALSO FIND OUT WHETHER THEY WILL BE AT LIBERTY TO MOVE TO ANOTHER INSTITUTION IN THE SAME COUNTRY SHOULD THEY SO WISH, AND IN WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES ANY FEES PAID WOULD BE REFUNDABLE,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE ONLY ORGANISATIONS AUTHORISED TO PROVIDE IMMIGRATION FACILITIES TO ENTER OVERSEAS COUNTRIES ARE THE IMMIGRATION SERVICES OR CONSULATES IN HONG KONG.

♦STUDENTS WHO MAKE PAYMENTS TO TRAVEL OR OTHER AGENCIES IN THE HOPE THAT THEIR ENTRY INTO A FOREIGN COUNTRY FOR FURTHER EDUCATION WILL BE FACILITATED DO SO AT THE RISK OF BEING DECEIVED BY THE AGENCIES AND EVEN BEING DISQUALIFIED BY THE PROPER AUTHORITIES, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GRANTING OF A VISA AFTER PAYMENT TO AN AGENCY DOES NOT ESTABLISH ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO ACTIONS.

- 0

/11

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1979

DECEMBER 1978 EMPLOYMENT FIGURES *****

A RECENT EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT IN DECEMBER 1978, THERE WERE 280,300 PEOPLE ENGAGED IN WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES, AN INCREASE OF 11,160 OR 4.1 PER CENT OVER SEPTEMBER 1978 AND 12,270 OR 4.6 PER CENT OVER DECEMBER 1977.

EMPLOYMENT IN RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS REACHED 102,440 PEOPLE, BEING 1.4 PER CENT AND 1.7 PER CENT ABOVE THE SEPTEMBER 1978 AND DECEMBER 1977 FIGURES.

THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWED 18,820 PEOPLE ENGAGED IN HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES, AN INCREASE OF 6.4 PER CENT OVER SEPTEMBER 1978. WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1977, THE EMPLOYMENT IN HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES ROSE BY 7.3 PER CENT.

DETAILS OF EMPLOYMENT IN WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS IN DECEMBER 1978 AND SEPTEMBER 1978 AND A COMPARISON BETWEEN THEM AREt

WHOLESALE TRADE PERSONS ENGAGED IN DECEMBER 1978 PERSONS ENGAGED IN SEPTEMBER 1978 CHANGES OF DEC. 1978 OVER SEPT. 1978

PERSONS %

41,680 40,390

♦ 1,290 ♦ 3.2

RETAIL TRADE 141,860 134,880 ♦ 6,980 ♦ 5.2

IMPORT-EXPORT BUSINESS 96,770 93,870 ♦ 2,890 ♦ 3.1

RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS 102,440 101,000 + 1,430 ♦ 1.4

HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES 18,820 17,690 ♦ 1,130 + 6.4

TOTAL 401,560 387,830 +13,730 ♦ 3.5

NOTE t COMPONENTS MAY NOT ADD UP TO TOTAL DUE TO ROUNDING UP OF FIGURES.

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1979

WATER CUT

* * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREAS IN CHEUNG SHA WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 7) TO 8 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MTR CHEUNG SHA WAN STATION.

A$£AS aFFected are UN CHAU ESTATE, CHEUNG SHA WAN ESTATE, ™£UNG SHA WAN P0LICE MARRIED QUARTERS, CHEUNG SHA WAN GOVERNMENT nn?.T2?Y BUILDING BLOCK 1 AND 2, FORTUNE STREET AND A FACTORY BUILDING AT THE JUNCTION OF UN CHAU STREET AND WING LUNG STREET

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1979

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

ROUSING WELCOME FOR PRINCE CHARLES IN YUEN LONG HRH PAYS WARM TRIBUTE TO RHKAAF ................ SCHOOL HOLIDAY TO MARK PRINCE CHARLES VISIT ... PRINCE CHARLES WINDS UP VISIT .................. WHERE TO SEE THE PRINCE TOMORROW ............... NEW YEAR BOOK CHARTS HONG KONG’S PROGRESS ...... STUDENT FARES ON KCR TO BE REVISED ............. ABERDEEN SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT OPENDED ........ NEW OFFICE OF WATER CONSUMER SERVICES UNIT ....

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

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1979

ROUSING WELCOME FOR PRINCE CHARLES IN YUEN LONG * * * *

YUEN LONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE TURNED OUT IN FORCE TO GIVE HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES A ROUSING RIGHT ROYAL WELCOME THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.

MORE THAN 10,000 YOUNG PEOPLE OF YUEN LONG, MOST OF THEM SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO WERE GIVEN A SPECIAL HOLIDAY TODAY, TURNED ON AN EXUBERANT WELCOME FOR PRINCE CHARLES WHO WAS VISIBLY DELIGHTED BY THE SIGHT AND SOUND OF THE RECEPTION.

AS PRINCE CHARLES ARRIVED IN YUEN LONG ON AN OPEN ROLLS ROYCE FROM SEK KONG BY WAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, HE DROVE THROUGH A FOREST OF UNION JACK, PAI LAUS, AND CHEERING CHILDREN. THE PRINCE IN HIS ROYAL AIR FORCE UNIFORM WAVED BACK WITH A BIG SMILE.

PRINCE CHARLES’ MOTORCADE THEN TURNED SLOWLY AT THE ROUNDABOUT. THERE WERE MORE CHEERS FROM OTHER SPECTATORS AT VARIOUS VANTAGE POINTS.

THE CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE IN YUEN LONG WAS MADE ALL THE MORE MERRIER WITH THE SPRING SUNSHINE WARMING THE AIR. THE YUEN LONG FESTIVAL WILL CONTINUE FOR A WEEK TO PROVIDE THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT WITH ENTERTAINMENT TO CELEBRATE WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS +THE DISTRICT’S BIGGEST OCCASION+ SINCE THE VISIT OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MARGARET 13 YEARS AGO.

THE MAGNIFICENT SCENE THROUGHOUT YUEN LONG FOR WHICH MANY WEEKS OF PREPARATION HAD GONE IN TO MAKE PRINCE CHARLES’ VISIT A MEMORABLE ONE BY THE YUEN LONG COMMUNITY, WAS FURTHER ENHANCED IN THE YOUTH RALLY AT THE YUEN LONG STADIUM.

MORE THAN 5,000 STUDENTS WAVING THE UNION JACK PACKED THE STADIUM AND, AS SOON AS PRINCE CHARLES ENTERED IN HIS CAR, A MASS BAND OF ABOUT 450 FROM THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND STRUCK UP A DRAMATIC FANFARE.

THE BAND WAS POSITIONED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT PRODUCED A QUADRAPHONIC EFFECT AT THE STADIUM.

THEN CAME THE CEREMONIAL EYE-DOTTING OF THE 145-FOOT-LONG SILVER DRAGON. SOON AFTERWARDS THE DRAGON POUNCED TO LIFE, TRIGGERING INTO ACTIVITY THE VARIOUS COLOURFUL EVENTS PREPARED FOR THE PRINCE.

THE YOUTH RALLY PROGRAMME, WHICH INCLUDED A FLAG PATTERN, FAN DANCE AND A GYMNASTIC DISPLAY, CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES.

THE PRINCE TOOK MORE THAN 10 MINUTES TO WALK FROM THE STADIUM TO THE ADJACENT TOWN HALL. HE STOPPED REPEATEDLY TO CHAT AND JOKE WITH YOUNGSTERS WHO FORMED A GUARD-OF-HONOUR ALONG THE WALK. THE YOUNGSTERS WERE FROM YOUTH GROUPS SUCH AS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME, AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, CIVIL AID SERVICES, ST. JOHN’S AMBULANCE BRIGADE, AND ROAD SAFETY PATROL.

/THE PRINCE......

MONDAY, MABCH 5, 1979

THE PRINCE WAS CLEARLY DELIGHTED AND INTERESTED TO MEET THE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.

AS HE ENTERED THE TOWN HALL FROM THE STADIUM PRINCE CHARLES WATCHED A MIXED GROUP OF YOUNG AND OLD PEOPLE DEMONSTRATING THE GRACEFUL MOVEMENTS OF TAI CHI CHUAN (SHADOW BOXING) AND THE VIGOUROUS JUDO IN THE PLAYGROUND AND STOPPED TO TALK TO SEVERAL CF THEM.

INSIDE THE HALL, THE AIR WAS FILLED WITH THE SOOTHING SOUNDS OF CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. THE NUMBERS WERE PLAYED BY THE YUEN LONG CHINESE ORCHESTRA FORMED ONLY IN 1974 BUT ALREADY ENJOYING A HIGH REPUTATION WELL BEYOND THE DISTRICT.

WHILE THE ORCHESTRA PLAYED ON, PRINCE CHARLES VIEWED A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION DEPICTING THE DISTRICT’S HISTORY, COMMUNITY LIFE, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, AND THE SPIRIT OF PROGRESS.

HE DISPLAYED AN INTEREST IN A NUMBER OF THE PICTURES AND SOUGHT FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE VARIOUS SUBJECTS FROM OFFICIALS ACCOMPAYING HIM.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS ENDED THE VISIT ABOUT 4.12 P.M. — ABOUT 12 MINUTES BEHIND SCHEDULE — AND RETURNED TO CASS I NO LINES IN SEK KONG TO CONTINUE HIS EVENING PROGRAMME ARRANGED BY HIS REGIMENT, INCLUDING A BEATING THE RETREAT. HE IS STAYING OVERNIGHT THERE.

-------o - -

HRH PAYS WARM TRIBUTE TO RHKAAF X X X *

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES TODAY (MONDAY) PAID WARM TRIBUTE TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE -- HONG KONG’S OWN AIR CORPS.

♦THE RHKAAF HAD SERVED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WITH ENTHUSIASM AND DEVOTION AND COULD BE JUSTLY PROUD OF ITS PAST RECORD,♦ PRINCE CHARLES TOLD THE FLYING VOLUNTEERS.

PRINCE CHARLES WAS ADDRESSING MEMBERS OF THE RHKAAF AT A CEREMONY AT SEK KONG AT WHICH HE OFFICIALLY PRESENTED THE SQUADRON STANDARD TO THE FORCE. THE STANDARD WAS AWARDED BY THE QUEEN TWO YEARS AHEAD OF THE NORMAL 25-YEAR QUALIFYING PERIOD.

APPROPRIATELY, PRINCE CHARLES ARRIVED FOR THE OCCASION BY HELICOPTER WHICH HE PILOTED HIMSELF. HE WAS WELCOMED BY THE RHKAAF HON. AIR COMMODORE GORDON BELL WHO PRESENTED AIR VICE MARSHALL G.C. CAIRNS, GROUP CAPTAIN L.E. ROBINS, AND SQUADRON LEADER D.K. CHEUNG.

THE PRINCE SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH THE RHKAAF AND RECALLED THAT HIS FATHER, PRINCE PHILIP, AND HIS AUNT, PRINCESS MARGARET, HAD HAD THE PLEASURE OF FLYING WITH THE FORCE.

/PRINCE CHARLES .....

mokday, march 5, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES NOTED THAT SINCE ITS FORMATION IN 1949 THE FORCE HAD CARRIED OUT OVER 1,500 FLIGHTS INVOLVING EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AND AIRLIFTS TO HOSPITAL.

*0N MANY OCCASIONS THESE INVOLVED OPERATIONS FROM SHIPS AT SEA IN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS,* HE SAID.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS NOTED THAT A SQUADRON STANDARD IS AWARDED AS RECOGNITION OF LOYAL SERVICE TO THE CROWN AND TO THE COMMUNITY. IT WAS FITTING, HE SAID, THAT THE PRESENTATION SHOULD BE HELD AT SEK KONG AS MANY OF THE FORCE’S OPERATIONS ARE UNDERTAKEN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

PRINCE CHARLES NOTED THAT THE RHKAAF WAS COMPOSED OF MEN DRAWN FROM A WIDE RANGE OF THE COMMUNITY. WITH MEMBERS GIVING UP MUCH OF THEIR LEISURE TIME TO TRAIN AND CARRY OUT THEIR DUTY WITH THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS. *THE MEMBERS OF THE RHKAAF HAVE COMBINED TOGETHER TO FORM A USE OF WHICH HONG KONG CAN BE JUSTLY PROUD AND WHICH CAN LOOK BACK ON ITS PAST RECORD WITH A REAL SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT,* PRINCE CHARLES SAID.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS ALSO EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION TO THE FAMILIES OF THE FORCE’S MEMBERS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS +WITHOUT WHOSE ENCOURAGEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING THE HIGH STANDARDS OF THE AIR FORCE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE MAINTAINED.*

BEFORE PRESENTING THE STANDARD, WHICH HAD BEEN CONSECRATED BY THE RT. REV. GILBERT BAKER, PRINCE CHARLES SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT THE FORCE WOULD CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WITH THE SAME DISTINCTION THAT IT ALWAYS HAS SHOWN.

SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE, INCLUDING FORMER MEMBERS OF THE RHKAAF SOME OF WHOM HAD TRAVELLED THOUSANDS OF MILES FOR THE ROYAL OCCASION, ATTENDED THE CEREMONY.

IN HIS ADDRESS OF THANKS TO THE PRINCE, WING COMMANDER ROSS PENLINGTON NOTED THAT THE RHKAAF SQUADRON STANDARD WAS A BIT UNUSUAL IN THAT IT FEATURED A WINGED DRAGON INSTEAD OF THE USUAL EAGLE.

UNLIKE MEDIEVAL SCIENCE IN EUROPE, HE SAID, A DRAGON IN CHINA WAS REGARDED AS A BENEVOLENT CREATURE AND AS A GUARDIAN PARTICULARLY OF THE INTERESTS OF THE FAMILY.

*THE DRAGON AT THE HEAD OF OUR STANDARD WILL REMIND THE RHKAAF IN THE YEARS TO COME THAT WE ARE THE GUARDIANS OF THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND WE WILL DO WHAT WE CAN TO SAFEGUARD THOSE INTERESTS,* THE WING COMMANDER SAID.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY TO MARK PRINCE CHARLES VISIT ******

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES HAS TOLD THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO DECLARE A SCHOOL HOLIDAY ON A SUITABLE DATE TO BE CHOSEN BY THE DIRECTOR.

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MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES WINDS UP VISIT * * * *

PRINCE CHARLES WHO ARRIVED LAST SATURDAY, WILL WIND UP HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG TOMORROW (TUESDAY) WITH A TOUR OF A TOY FACTORY IN SAN PO KONG.

HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR TO THE SUN CHUNG PRECISION METAL INDUSTRIES. THEY WILL BE GREETED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. DAVID JORDAN, WHO WILL ESCORT PRINCE CHARLES ON A TOUR OF THE VARIOUS WORKSHOPS.

THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL THEN GO DIRECT TO THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND LEAVE ON AN RAF VC-10 FOR SINGAPORE. HE WILL BE SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE- THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER- THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR GENERAL SIR ROY REDGRAVE- SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN- THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG- THE SINGAPORE COMMISSIONER, MR. LIM KIN-KUAY- AND GENERAL SIR EDWIN BRAMALL.

PRESS FACILITIES

NOTE TO EDITORS!

VISIT TO FACTORY: 11 A.M. - 11.45 A.M.

THREE FIXED POSITIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FACTORY.

POSITION 1 (BADGE A) IS AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE FACTORYPOSITION 2 (BADGE B) ON THE NINTH FLOOR AND POSITION 3 (BADGE C) ON THE 11TH FLOOR.

EDITORS ARE ADVISED THAT PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AT 9.45 A.M.

DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG: 11.50 A.M.

A PRESS COACH WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AT 10.45 A.M. SHARP. THOSE WISHING TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY TO THE AIRPORT SHOULD MEET GIS OFFICERS IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE TERMINAL BUILDING AT LEAST 40 MINUTES BEFORE THE DEPARTURE TIME.

THEY WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE PRESS POSITION BY GIS OFFICERS.

THOSE COVERING THE PRINCE'S DEPARTURE ARE REMINDED TO BRING ALONG THEIR PRESS BADGES FOR THE ROYAL VISIT AS WELL AS THEIR IDENTITY CARD OR PASSPORT.

- - 0 - -

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1979

WHERE TO SEE THE PRINCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) * * * * *

THE FOLLOWING IS A GUIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SEE HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES ON HIS VISIT TO A FACTORY IN SAN PO KONG TOMORROW (TUESDAY)I

FROM KAI TAK AIRPORT TO SUN CHUNG FACTORY (10.55 A.M. TO 11.00 A.M.)

KAI TAK AIRPORT, AIR CARGO TERMINAL ROAD, CARGO HANDLING BASIN FLYOVER, LEFT DOWN TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KING TAI STREET, KING FUK STREET, SUN CHUNG FACTORY.

FROM SUN CHUNG FACTORY TO AIRPORT (11.45 A.M. TO 11.50 A.M.)

f - _______________________________

SUN CHUNG FACTORY, KING FUK STREET, KING TAI STREET, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, CARGO HANDLING BASIN, AIR CARGO TERMINAL ROAD AND KAI TAK AIRPORT.

- 0 -

NEW YEAR BOOK CHARTS HONG KONG’S PROGRESS

* * * *

WIDE-RANGING COVERAGE OF HONG KONG’S CONTINUING PROGRESS IS CONTAINED IN THE OFFICIAL YEAR BOOK, HONG KONG 1979, WHICH GOES ON SALE TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

A RECORD 37,000 ENGLISH AND 11,000 CHINESE COPIES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR THE BOOK WHICH HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL BESTSELLER IN HONG KONG.

COSTING $18, HONG KONG 1979 CAN BE BOUGHT AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL- CITY DISTRICT OFFICES- NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES- AND LEADING BOOKSHOPS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY ^MONDAY) THAT BECAUSE OF THE POPULARITY OF THE BOOK AN ADDITIONAL 4,000 CHINESE AND 2,000 ENGLISH COPIES HAD BEEN PRINTED THIS YEAR.

+LAST YEAR, THE CHINESE EDITION OF HCNG KONG 1978 SOLD OUT WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF PUBLICATION,* HE SAID.

/+.V73 7fE ...

I.'ONDAY, MARCH 5, 1979

♦AND WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT 200 COPIES OF THE ENGLISH EDITION OF HONG KONG 1978 LEFT EVEN THOUGH WE PRINTED 35,000 COPIES.*

THE BOOK'S SUCCESS IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH STANDARD OF ITS PRODUCTION AND ITS OUTSTANDING VALUE FOR MONEY.

BESIDES PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG, IT CONTAINS NEARLY 80 COLOUR PLATES FEATURING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF LIFE IN THE TERRITORY.

PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAYS IN HONG KONG 1979 COVER FARMING, THE JEWELLERY, FILM AND ADVERTISING INDUSTRIES, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, THE FIRE SERVICES, WATER SUPPLIES, PROGRESS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, PEOPLE, AND THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

ACCORDING TO THE SPOKESMAN, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN THE PUBLICATION OF THE BOOK HAS BEEN THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE CHINESE MARKET.

♦A CHINESE EDITION OF THE YEAR BOOK WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1970 AND ONLY A FEW HUNDRED COPIES WERE SOLD,* HE SAID.

♦SINCE THEN THE DEMAND HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY AND OUR PRINT RUNS HAVE JUMPED FROM 4,000 IN 1977 TO 7,000 IN 1978 AND 11,000 IN 1979.*

MARKET SURVEYS HAVE REVEALED THAT THE BOOK’S MAIN CONSUMERS ARE THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY SECTOR, WHICH WANTS TO BE INFORMED ABOUT THE MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG, STUDENTS, TOUR I S'r AND AN INCREASING NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS.

♦THE OFFICIAL YEAR BOOK PROVIDES AN INVALUABLE SOURCE OF MATERIAL ABOUT HONG KONG AND IS AN ESSENTIAL REFERENCE ON THE TERRITORY’S CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦IN HONG KONG 1979, THERE IS A SPECIAL REVIEW OF THE EMERGING NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OTHER TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE THE ECONOMY, SOCIAL SERVICES, IMMIGRATION, POPULATION, BUILDING PROJECTS AND THE TERRITORY’S CONSTITUTION AND ADM INISTRATI ON.+

MORE THAN 40 TABLES GIVING DETAILED STATISTICS ARE PART OF THE BOOK. A NEW GEOLOGICAL MAP OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, PREPARED BY THE LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT, IS ALSO INCLUDED.

HONG KONG 1979 WAS PRODUCED IN ENGLISH BY THE INFORMATION

SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TRANSLATED BY THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION

OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND PRINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT PR INTER.

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1979

- 7 -STUDENT FARES ON KCR TO BE REVISED * * * *

STUDENT FARES ON THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (KCR) WHICH HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1957 ARE TO BE REVISED OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD BEGINNING ON SEPTEMBER 1.

STUDENT TICKETS, PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FOR SIX-MONTHLY PERIODS AT A COST OF $48, WILL FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1979, BE ISSUED MONTHLY. THE FARE STRUCTURE WILL BEt

* FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1979 — 116, OR THE NORMAL CHILD FARE, WHICHEVER IS THE LESS-

X FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1980 — $24, OR THE NORMAL CHILD FARE, WHICHEVER IS THE LESS**

X FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1981 -- THE EQUIVALENT OF THE STANDARD CHILD FARE (I.E. 50 PER CENT OF THE ADULT FARE).

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE LEVEL OF SUBSIDY TO STUDENTS TRAVELLING ON KCR WAS AT PRESENT AS HIGH AS 80 PER CENT IN SOME CASES, WHEREAS IT WAS 50 PER CENT ON BUSES AND TRAMS.

THE NEW STRUCTURE, HE SAID, WOULD BRING SUBSIDISED RAIL TRAVEL FOR STUDENTS INTO LINE WITH OTHER TRANSPORT, BUT THIS WOULD NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE THIRD YEAR.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID GOVERNMENT FULLY RECOGNISED THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS TRAVELLING TO AND FROM THE CHINESE UNVERS ITY OR FROM OUTLYING PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES IN THE URBAN AREAS BUT, NONE OF THE INCREASED COSTS WHICH HAD ARISEN SINCE 1957 HAD BEEN REFLECTED IN TICKET CHARGES FOR STUDENTS.

NOR, HE SAID, HAD THE COST OF STUDENT TRAVEL ON KCR BEEN REFLECTED IN THE GENERAL FARE INCREASES IN 1974.

♦THE PHASING OF THE INCREASE OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD AND THE DECISION TO ISSUE TICKETS FOR MONTHLY INSTEAD OF SIX-MONTHLY PERIODS ARE BOTH DELIBERATELY DESIGNED TO EASE ANY FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE FAMILIES OF STUDENTS,+ HE SAID.

DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING THE NEW STUDENT TICKETS WOULD BE MADE KNOWN TO STUDENTS THROUGH APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL AUTHORITIES, HE ADDED.

0 -

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1979

ABERDEEN SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT OPENED

* * *

ABERDEEN’S NEW S4.2 MILLION SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT WENT INTO OPERATION TODAY (MONDAY).

IT WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MR. DAVID STEAD.

THE PLANT, COMPLETED IN 26 MONTHS, WAS DESIGNED TO SERVE ABERDEEN WHICH IS EXPECTED TO HAVE AN ULTIMATE POPULATION OF 200,000.

OPENING THE PLANT, MR. STEAD SAID IT WOULD ENSURE THAT ABERDEEN’S SEWAGE WOULD BE ADEQUATELY TREATED BEFORE BEING DISCHARGED THROUGH A SUBMARINE OUTFALL INTO THE SEA FOR DILUTION AND DISPERSION.

IT INCLUDES AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, CONTROL ROOM, A SCREW PUMP CHAMBER, SCREEN CHANNELS AND CIRCULAR GRIT TANKS.

THE ABERDEEN PLANT IS ONE OF THREE DESIGNED TO SERVE THE SOUTHERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND. IT HAS THREE PUMPS TO CATER FOR FULL CAPACITY AND A FOURTH FOR STAND-BY.

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

NEW OFFICE OF WATER CONSUMER SERVICES UNIT

* * * X *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S CONSUMER SERVICES UNIT FOR HONG KONG ISLAND HAS MOVED TO NEW PREMISES IN BULLOCK LANE.

THE NEW OFFICE IS IN THE COMPOUND OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ISLAND DEPOT IN BULLOCK LANE, BEHIND CATHAY THEATRE IN WAN CHAI.

FROM TODAY (MONDAY) MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING AUTHORISED PERSONS AND LICENSED PLUMBERS, WISHING TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT CONSUMER SERVICES SHOULD EITHER CALL AT THE DEPOT OR TELEPHONE 5-726311.

0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCE CHARLES ENDS VISIT TO HONG KONG................... 1

WORKERS GIVE HRH THUNDEROUS WELCOME ..................... 1

GOVERNOR TO VISIT CHINA ................................. 2

YEAR BOOK SPOTLIGHTS PROGRESS ON NEW TOWNS............... 3

WARNING ON BOGUS LABOUR OFFICERS ........................ 5

SEMINAR FOR M.A.C. OFFICIALS IN TSUEN WAN ............... 6

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE-COURSE ................... 7

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY .......... 8

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1979

PRINCE CHARLES ENDS VISIT TO HONG KONG ft ft ft ft ft

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES TODAY (TUESDAY) ENDED HIS FOUR-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG --- A CITY HE DESCRIBED AS

+AMAZING, BUSTLING AND FLOURISHING.*

BEFORE HE LEFT, PRINCE CHARLES THANKED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR MAKING HIS PROGRAMME A MOST MEMORABLE ONE.

PRINCE CHARLES FLEW OUT ON BOARD AN RAF VC-10 WITH AN ENTOURAGE OF NINE OFFICIALS AND STAFF AT NOON FOR SINGAPORE, THE SECOND LEG OF HIS ROUND-THE-WORLD TOUR, WHICH WILL TAKE HIM TO AUSTRALIA AND CANADA.

AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO SEE HIM OFF WERE THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE- THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER- THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, SIR ROY REDGRAVE- SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN-SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG- THE SINGAPORE COMMISSIONER, MR. LIM KIM-KUAY- AND GENERAL SIR EDWIN BRAMALL.

BEFORE HE WOUND UP HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG, PRINCE CHARLES TOURED A TOY FACTORY IN SAN PO KONG, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE.

THROUGHOUT HIS FOUR-DAY PROGRAMME, WHICH BEGAN LAST SATURDAY. PRINCE CHARLES SAW HOW HONG KONG IS TACKLING THE HOUSING PROBLEM AND THE MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS WAS CLEARLY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT HE SAW AND ONE OF HIS PARTING MESSAGES WAS THAT HE WILL CERTAINLY REMEMBER HIS VISIT HERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME TO COME.

- - o -

WORKERS GIVE HRH THUNDEROUS WELCOME ft ft ft ft ft ft

THOUSANDS OF HONG KONG’S YOUNG FACTORY WORKFORCE GAVE HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES A THUNDEROUS WELCOME WHEN HE VISITED A FACTORY IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA OF SAN PO KONG TODAY (TUESDAY).

THEY WERE LINED FOUR-DEEP ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROUTE THE ROYAL MOTORCADE TOOK TO AND FROM THE VISIT OF SUN CHUNG PRECISION METAL INDUSTRY LTD., A MANUFACTURER OF ELECTRONIC TOYS AND TELESCOPIC ROD ANTENNAS.

/THE YOUNG

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1979

- 2 -

THE YOUNG FACTORY WORKERS ALSO PACKED ALL VANTAGE POINTS — BALCONIES, WINDOWS AND ROOFS OF THE FACTORIES IN THE AREA.

AND THE PRINCE CONSTANTLY ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR CHEERS.

DURING HIS VISIT PRINCE CHARLES WAS SHOWN OVER SEVERAL FLOORS OF THE FACTORY.

THE PRINCE’S PARTY, WHICH INCLUDED THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. DAVID JORDAN, WAS SHOWN OVER THE FACTORY BY THE DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER, MR. YEUNG DOR.

PRINCE CHARLES STOPPED TO TALK TO WORKERS AND SHOWED INTEREST IN THEIR WORK AND THE ITEMS THEY PRODUCE.

WHILE WALKING ROUND THE FACTORY, THE ROYAL VISITOR WAS TOLD HOW THE FACTORY HAD GROWN IN LESS THAN 20 YEARS FROM A SMALL SIDE-STREET WORKSHOP PRODUCING RADIO PARTS TO A SUCCESSFUL EXPORTER OF SOPHISTICATED RADIO-CONTROLLED TOYS AND RADIO AERIALS.

SUN CHUNG HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A LEADING LOCAL MANUFACTURER OF TELESCOPIC RADIO AERIALS -- FROM 10,000 A MONTH 18 YEARS AGO IT NOW PRODUCES NEARLY A MILLION AERIALS A MONTH, HALF OF WHICH ARE EXPORTED.

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

GOVERNOR TO VISIT CHINA

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL VIS T CHINA FROM MARCH 24 TO APRIL 4 AT THE INVITATION OF MR. LI QIANG, MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

SIR MURRAY WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY MACLEHOSE, SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LADY KAN, AND THE POLITICAL ADVISER, DR. D.C. WILSON AND MRS. WILSON.

- - 0 - -

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1979

- 3

YEAR BOOK SPOTLIGHTS PROGRESS ON NEW TOWNS ******

THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW URBAN CENTRES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY HOUSE MORE THAN TWO MILLION PEOPLE, IS HAILED IN THE NEW HONG KONG YEAR BOOK AS +ONE OF THE BIGGEST SOCIAL ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG,*

THE THREE MAJOR NEW TOWNS ---- TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN

--- ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN THE REVIEW CHAPTER OF THE BOOK PUBLISHED TODAY (TUESDAY).

HONG KONG 1979. COSTING $16 AND AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE EDITIONS, IS BEING SOLD AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRALCITY DISTRICT OFFICES- NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT LEADING BOOKSHOPS.

THE BOOK DESCRIBES THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AS INDICATIVE OF THE TERRITORY’S +TREMENDOUS PROGRESS AND ACCOMPLISHMENT.+

+THE GOVERNMENT’S AMBITIOUS PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME AIMS AT PROVIDING BY THE MID-1980S ENOUGH PERMANENT, SELF-CONTAINED HOMES, WITH GOOD AMENITIES AND IN A REASONABLE ENVIRONMENT, FOR EVERY ELIGIBLE FAMILY AT PRESENT UNSATISFACTORILY HOUSED IN HONG KONG.+ THE YEAR BOOK SAYS.

♦NOWHERE HAS SUCH A PROGRAMME PROCEEDED ON SO GREAT A SCALE OR WITH SUCH SPEED. RARELY, TOO, HAVE THE ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS BEEN SO CHALLENGING.*

THE BOOK POINTS OUT THAT IN MOST COUNTRIES A NEW TOWN WILL BE PLANNED TO ACCOMMODATE FROM 50,000 TO 100,000 PEOPLE, AND PHASES WILL BE SCHEDULED OVER A PERIOD OF 30 YEARS OR MORE.

♦BUT IN HONG KONG MANY PEOPLE NEED BETTER HOMES IN A SHORTER TIME AND THE NEW TOWNS, WHICH ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN LESS THAN A DECADE, ARE TO HOUSE TWO MILLION PEOPLE,* IT SAYS.

THE THREE MAJOR NEW TOWNS, AS WELL AS THE SMALLER CENTRES OF TAI PO, FANLING-SHEUNG SHUI-SHEK WU HUI AND YUEN LONG, ARE BEING DEVELOPED AS INTEGRATED COMMUNITIES PROVIDING A FULL RANGE OF FACILITIES AS WELL AS HOUSING.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EACH MONTH ARE EXCHANGING THEIR FORMER HOMES --- IN OLDER RESETTLEMENT BLOCKS, TENEMENTS AND SQUATTER

AREAS --- FOR CONTEMPORARY FLATS IN THE NEW ESTATES.

+MULTI-STOREY HOUSING BLOCKS ARE INEVITABLE BECAUSE OF SPACE LIMITATIONS BUT THEY ARE OF A FAR BETTER DESIGN THAN EARLIER HOUSING ESTATES,* THE YEAR BOOK SAYS.

'I^I IC.G KONG'S..

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1979

♦WITH HONG KONG'S RISING STANDARD OF LIVING AND PEOPLE'S INCREASED EXPECTATIONS, THE FLATS ARE DESIGNED TO FULFIL THE REQUIREMENTS OF A MORE DEMANDING GENERATION.

♦DENSITY IS ABOUT 2,470 PEOPLE TO ONE HECTARE COMPARED WITH UP TO 7,000 PEOPLE TO THE HECTARE IN THE OLDER ESTATES IN THE URBAN AREAS.♦

WHILE GIVING TOP PRIORITY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWNS, THE GOVERNMENT IS MAINTAINING A RURAL BALANCE, ENSURING THAT PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL CONTINUE TO BE USED FOR FARMING TO HELP SUPPLY SOME OF HONG KONG’S DAILY MARKET NEEDS.

LARGE EXPANSES OF COUNTRYSIDE HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS COUNTRY PARKS WHERE PEOPLE CAN ENJOY THE TRANQUILLITY AND BEAUTY OF NATURAL SURROUNDINGS.

IN THE NEW TOWNS THEMSELVES, SPECIAL EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON LANDSCAPING TO GIVE STREETS, SQUARES AND RIVER BANKS A PLEASING APPEARANCE. THERE ARE SPORTSGROUNDS FOR THE YOUNG AND ENERGETIC, AND OPEN SPACES FOR STROLLING UNDER THE TREES OR PICNICKING ON THE GRASS.

♦DURING THE PLANNING OF THE NEW TOWNS, MUCH THOUGHT WAS GIVEN TO THE QUESTION OF TRANSPORT,♦ THE YEAR BOOK SAYS.

♦THE CENTRES ARE BEING LINKED WITH OTHER REGIONS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND BY A MODERN ROAD NETWORK ON WHICH MUCH PROGRESS HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE.

♦DOUBLE-TRACKING AND ELECTRIFICATION IS PROCEEDING ON THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WILL BE OPERATING BY THE END OF 1982.

♦GREATER USE OF BICYCLES IS BEING ENCOURAGED, WITH SPECIAL PATHS BOTH FOR RECREATION AND GOING TO WORK AT THE LOCAL FACTORY OR OFF ICE.♦

THE YEAR BOOK EXPLAINS THAT, AS THE BUILDING OF THE NEW TOWNS PROCEEDS, CARE IS BEING EXERCISED TO ENSURE THAT THE CENTRES ARE CO-ORDINATED UNITS, NOT ONLY PROVIDING HOUSING BUT OTHER NECESSARY AMENITIES AT THE SAME TIME.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW CENTRES HAS ALSO VARIED ACCORDING TO EACH AREA’S HISTORY AND PREVIOUS GROWTH PATTERNS. IN BUILDING THE NEW, IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT THE MOST WORTHWHILE FEATURES OF THE OLD WERE PRESERVED. CONSEQUENTLY, THESE AREAS WILL NOT LOSE THEIR TRADITIONAL WALLED VILLAGES, PEACEFUL TEMPLES AND QUIET PATHWAYS AMONG WOODED HILLS.

♦THE NEW TOWN SCHEME HAS SEVERAL OBJECTIVES,* HONG KONG 1979 SAYS.

♦IT WILL HELP SOLVE THE HOUSING PROBLEM- ATTRACT INDUSTRY TO IEW AREAS- AND ALLEVIATE HONG KONG’S GENERAL PROBLEMS OF CONGESTION BY DIFFUSING THE PRESSURES OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

/+ITS IMPLEMENTATION

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1979

♦ITS IMPLEMENTATION IS BEING TACKLED WITH THE SAME VIGOUR AND ENTERPRISE THAT HAVE BEEN FEATURES OF HONG KONG’S REMARKABLE GROWTH. ♦

HONG KONG 1979 WAS PRODUCED IN ENGLISH BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, TRANSLATED BY THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND PRINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER.

CONTAINING THOUSANDS OF THE LATEST FACTS, FIGURES AND STATISTICS, THE BOOK PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG, AND IS EXTENSIVELY ILLUSTRATED WITH 80 COLOUR PLATES.

- - o -

WARNING ON BOGUS LABOUR OFFICERS

* X X * X X

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) WARNED FACTORY PROPRIETORS TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST BOGUS LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS.

HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED A COMPLAINT FROM A FACTORY PROPRIETOR WHO WAS APPROACHED FOR MONEY FOR A DEPARTMENTAL PUBLICATION BY PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS.

HE STRESSED THAT ALL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WERE FREE AND, FROM TIME TO TIME, THE DEPARTMENT PUBLISHED PAMPHLETS ON LABOUR LEGISLATIONS, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WHICH WERE ALSO AVAILABLE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

HE REMINDED FACTORY PROPRIETORS THAT ALL LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS CARRY WITH THEM GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS AND WARRANTS WHICH SHOWED THE PHOTOGRAPH AND NAME OF THE HOLDER.

MEMBERS OF THE FACTORY AND LABOUR INSPECTORATE ARE INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES BY PRODUCING THEIR WARRANTS WHEN VISITING FACTORIES, HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED FACTORY PROPRIETORS TO CHECK ON THE IDENTITY OF VISITORS CLAIMING TO BE OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND, IF IN ANY DOUBT, TO REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION.

- - 0 -

/6 ....

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1979

SEMINAR FOR M.A.C. OFFICIALS IN TSUEN WAN ft ft ft ft * *

MORE THAN 200 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OFFICIALS IN TSUEN WAN ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND A FOUR-DAY SEMINAR AT THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

THE SEMINAR, THE FIRST STAGED IN THE DISTRICT, IS ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT OF OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN THE NEW TOWN.

IT WILL BE JOINTLY OPENED BY TSUEN WAN’S DISTRICT OFFICER (TOWN MANAGEMENT), MR. DAVID TSUI AND A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, MR. CHOI YUK-WAH.

THE LIAISON OFFICER (MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE) OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. CHOW KIM-MING, WHO IS ALSO THE SEMINAR ORGANISER, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY):

♦THERE ARE AT PRESENT 370 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN TSUEN WAN.

♦THEY SERVE MORE THAN 400,000 PEOPLE WHICH REPRESENTS ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION OF THE NEW TOWN.+

THE FOUR-DAY SEMINAR FEATURES TALKS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE ACCOUNTING, FIRE PREVENTION, SECURITY MEASURE, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, ACTIVITY ORGANISATION, AND WORK OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR AT THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL AT HOI PAK STREET, TSUEN WAN TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 8 P.M.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT MR. HO LEUNG OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE ON ARRIVAL.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1979

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE-COURSE

* * * * ft

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE THREE SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS TO THE SHA TIN RACE-COURSE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

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

THERE WILL BE FOUR SPECIAL TRAINS ON THE RETURN JOURNEY TO CONVEY PASSENGERS BACK FROM THE RACE-COURSE STATION TO KOWLOON STATION.

KCR WILL ALSO RE-ROUTE ITS SCHEDULED TRAINS VIA THE RACECOURSE STATION AT 9.11 P.M. AND 9.53 P.M. TO PICK UP PASSENGERS.

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

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

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

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE TIMETABLES OF THE SCHEDULED TRAIN SERVICES HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY AMENDED. THE REVISED TIMETABLES OF THE SCHEDULED TRAINS OPERATING BETWEEN 4 P.M. AND 11 P.M. AREi

FROM KOWLOON STATION I 5 P.M., 5.42 P.M., 6.25 P.M., 7 P.M.,

7.30 P.M., 8.12 P.M., 9 P.M. AND 10.30 P.M.

FROM LO WU STATION i 4.29 P.M., 5.26 P.M., 6.26 P.M.,

7.11 P.M., 8.15 P.M. AND 9.02 P.M.

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1979

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY

******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE IN HAPPY VALLEY FOR TWO NIGHTS ON THURSDAY (MARCH 8) AND FRIDAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.

FROM 8 P.M. THURSDAY TO 5 A.M. THE NEXT DAY AND FROM 8 P.M. ON FRIDAY TO MIDNIGHT THE SAME DAY THE FOLLOWING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE i-

* THE WESTBOUND BUS ONLY LANE IN LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, BUT WESTBOUND BUSES 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- AND

* ALL TRAFFIC FROM CANAL ROAD EAST WILL BE DIVERTED INTO WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

*720,000 PAID OUT FROM EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND ....... 1

263,685 FIRE INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT LAST YEAR .... 2

TENDERS FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS .............. 3

CONTRACT FOR AIRCRAFT FIRE-FIGHTING VEHICLES ....... 4

APPLY NOW FOR BRITISH PASSPORTS ISSUED IN LONDON .. 4

TECHNICAL INSTITUTE PROGRAMMES ARE RECOGNISED IN UK .............................................. 5

NEW POST OFFICE .................................... 6

SPECIAL SCHOOL HOLIDAY TO MARK ROYAL VISIT ......... 7

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

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1979

$720,000 PAID OUT FROM EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND

*****

ABOUT $720,000 FROM THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND WAS PAID OUT TO NEEDY PEOPLE DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1978.

THIS WAS ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF THE RELIEF PAYMENTS MADE IN 1976-77 WHICH AMOUNTED TO $2,706,000.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE SHARP DROP IN PAYMENT WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT NO SIGNIFICANT NATURAL DISASTERS OCCURRED DURING THE PERIOD.

+LARGE PAYMENTS WERE MADE IN 1976-77 BECAUSE OF TYPHOON ELLEN, THE SAU MAU PING LANDSLIDE AND MANY FLOODINGS,* SHE POINTED OUT.

♦ IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR $604,550 WAS PAID OUT AS RE-ACCOMMODATION AND RE-EQUIPMENT GRANTS WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 84 PER CENT OF THE YEAR’S PAYMENT.

TOPPING LAST YEAR’S LIST OF GRANT RECIPIENTS WERE FIRE VICTIMS WHO RECEIVED $454,000.

LAST YEAR, THE FUND RECEIVED $850,500 FROM REVENUE ---

$800,000 FROM GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND THE REST FROM PUBLIC DONATIONS.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED! +GRANTS AND LOANS ARE ONLY MADE TO PEOPLE IN NEED OF RELIEF AS A RESULT OF FIRE, FLOODING, TYPHOON OR NATURAL DISASTERS.

♦GRANTS FROM THE FUND ARE AVAILABLE FOR DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY- DOMESTIC RE-ACCOMMODATION AND RE-EQUIPMENT EXPENSES-REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF VESSELS- AGRICULTURAL LOSS AND SPECIAL CASES,+ SHE ADDED.

THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPROVING GRANTS AND MAKING PAYMENTS IS, IN MOST CASES, VESTED IN OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.

THE FUND WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN JUNE 1962 AS THE COMMUNITY RELIEF TRUST FUND AND WAS RENAMED THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND IN 1973.

THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1979

- 2 -

263,685 FIRE INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT LAST YEAR

******

THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT 263,685 INSPECTIONS OF ALL TYPES OF PREMISES LAST YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE INSPECTIONS RESULTED IN 9,357 FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES BEING ISSUED AND 5,555 PROSECUTIONS WLTH FJNES AMOUNTING TO MORE THAN Sl.l MILLION IMPOSED FOR CONTRAVENING FIRE REGULATIONS.

COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTED FOR 63 PER CENT OF THE INSPECTIONS, WITH 150,139 RELATING TO MEANS OF ESCAPE AND 16,983 CONCERNING VARIOUS HAZARDS.

APART FROM INVESTIGATING THESE COMPLAINTS, STAFF OF THE BUREAU ALSO CARRIED OUT 15,749 REGULAR VISITS TO BUILDINGS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR COMMON CORRIDORS AND EXITS WERE NOT OBSTRUCTED.

THE BUREAU CONDUCTED 52,329 INSPECTIONS OF FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL PREMISES AND 4,623 INSPECTIONS OF VENTILATION SYSTEMS.

INSPECTIONS RELATED TO THE MANUFACTURE AND STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS TOTALLED 5,064. MORE THAN 2,500 INSPECTIONS WERE MADE ON FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS AND NEON SIGNS.

BUREAU STAFF MADE MORE THAN 11,700 VISITS TO RESTAURANTS, NIGHTCLUBS, SCHOOLS, CINEMAS, MATSHEDS, DANCE HALLS, BILLIARD ROOMS AND TIMBER YARDS.

IN ADDITION, 1,915 INSPECTIONS WERE MADE OF VEHICLES USED FOR CONVEYING COMPRESSED GASES AND INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND 751 INSPECTIONS WERE CARRIED OUT ON CHILD CARE CENTRES.

THE BUREAU ALSO FINALISED 8,466 NEW BUILDING PLANS AND ISSUED OR RENEWED 3,393 DANGEROUS GOODS AND TIMBER YARD STORAGE LICENCES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

FIRE OFFICERS ALSO INVESTIGATED 58 FIRES IN DEPTH AND CONDUCTED 168 LECTURES AND EXHIBITIONS ON THE RUDIMENTS OF FIRE-FIGHTING FOR STUDENTS, STAFF OF PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1979

TENDERS FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS *****

WITHIN THE THE

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MAY INVITE TENDERS NEXT THREE MONTHS FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD, DRAINAGE AND BUILDING WORKS OF PHASE ONE OF THE SHEK WU HUI SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.

THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS IS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT IN FANLING AND SHEK WU HUI AND WILL BE BUILT ON A SITE OF ABOUT 10 HECTARES, ADJACENT TO AND INCORPORATING THE EXISTING PILOT TREATMENT PLANT.

THE PROJECT WILL SERVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 127,000 AND THE ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES IN THE NEW DEVELOPMENT, AND TREAT SEWAGE BROUGHT BY A SYSTEM OF SEWERS AND PUMPING STATIONS FROM ALL THE URBANISED AREAS OF FANLING AND SHEK WU HUI, USING THE LATEST METHODS OF SEWAGE TREATMENT.

CONTRACTORS WITH PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF MAJOR SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS CONSTRUCTION WHO WISH TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PREQUALIFICATION FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS SHOULD CONTACT MESSRS. MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL, FIRST FLOOR, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.

SEPARATE CONTRACTS ARE TO BE LET FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT, FOR WHICH TENDERS WILL BE INVITED OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS FROM INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTORS.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CONTRACT FOR STAGE ONE OF THE ROAD, DRAINAGE AND BUILDING WORKS WILL START IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED BY MAY 1982, ALTHOUGH PARTS OF THE WORKS WILL BE IN OPERATION BY JANUARY 1982.

THE WORKS ARE BEING DESIGNED, AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY, MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA IN ASSOCIATION WITH WATSON (HONG KONG) ON BEHALF OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

-----0-----

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1979

- 4 -

CONTRACT FOR AIRCRAFT FIRE-FIGHTING VEHICLES

*****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS PLACED AN ORDER FOR THREE AIRCRAFT FIRE-FIGHTING VEHICLES ON BEHALF OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT.

A CONTRACT TO SUPPLY THESE VEHICLES, WORTH SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS, WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

THE SIGNING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE AT CAROLINE HILL, SECOND FLOOR, AT 3 P.M.

NOTE TO EDITORSt

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY.

IT WILL BE HELD AT THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, CAROLINE HILL, SECOND FLOOR, AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

OFFICERS FROM PWD’S PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

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

APPLY NOW FOR BRITISH PASSPORTS ISSUED IN LONDON

* * * *

DELAYS ARE EXPECTED IN THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS AND THE DELIVERY OF BRITISH PASSPORTS ISSUED IN LONDON.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WHEN HE ADVISED ALL THOSE REQUIRING THESE PASSPORTS TO APPLY EARLY.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE DELAY WAS DUE TO THE SEASONAL INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR PASSPORTS IN U.K. FROM APRIL TO AUGUST.

HE POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR THESE APPLICATIONS TOOK 12 WEEKS OR MORE TO FINALISE INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL EIGHT WEEKS, AND THEREFORE, SIMILAR DELAYS ARE EXPECTED THIS YEAR.

REGARDING BRITISH PASSPORTS ISSUED IN HONG KONG, THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN THE PROCESSING TIME OF 10 WORKING DAYS, HE SAID.

THE HONG KONG IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ACTS AS AN AGENT FOR THE U.K. IN RESPECT OF APPLICATIONS FOR LONDON-ISSUED UK PASSPORTS.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1979

TECHNICAL INSTITUTE PROGRAMMES ARE RECOGNISED IN UK ******

TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS IN BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDIES WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR TECHNICIAN EDUCATION COUNCIL (TEC) AWARDS IN UK WHEN THEY GRADUATE THIS SUMMER.

FOUR STUDY PROGRAMMES IN THESE TWO DISCIPLINES LEADING TO THE AWARDS OF CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA OFFERED BY THE MORRISON HILL AND HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY TEC. STUDENTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THESE PROGRAMMES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TEC AWARDS.

THESE PROGRAMMES ARE OFFERED ON THE BASIS OF A CREDIT-UNIT SYSTEM AND ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

A CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME COMPRISES 15 UNITS (60 HOURS EACH) AND A DIPLOMA PROGRAMME 25 UNITS PLUS EIGHT TO 10 PRACTICAL UNITS.

THE TEC WAS SET UP IN 1973 BY THE UK GOVERNMENT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICIES FOR SCHEMES OF TECHNICIAN EDUCATION IN ENGLAND, WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND TO MEET BOTH THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF INDUSTRY.

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF TEC ARE RECOGNISED FOR QUALIFYING OR EXEMPTION PURPOSES BY MANY PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICIAN BODIES IN UK.

THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES HAVE SUBMITTED 10 MORE STUDY PROGRAMMES TO TEC FOR VALIDATION. THESE PROGRAMMES ARE IN THE DISCIPLINES OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, SHIPBUILDING AND SHIPREPAIR, TEXTILE AND KNITWEAR TECHNOLOGY, TEXTILE COLOURATION AND AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1979

6 -

NEW POST OFFICE

* * * *

THE OPENING OF A NEW POST OFFICE IN PEKING ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, POSTPONED ON MONDAY (MARCH 5) WILL NOW BE HELD THIS SATURDAY.

THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE IN SALISBURY ROAD WHICH HAS BEEN IN USE SINCE 1928.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI DISTRICT KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, MR. YU LOOK-YAU WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL BE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO CUSTOMERS AS IT IS CENTRALLY LOCATED IN TSIM SHA TSUI.

♦THE NEW OFFICE WILL ALSO HOUSE AN ADDITIONAL 1,650 POSTAL BOXES TO MEET DEMAND WHICH COULD NOT BE MET IN THE OLD BUILDING DUE TO LACK OF SPACE,♦ HE SAID.

POSTAL BOX SERVICE WILL START AT THE NEW OFFICE AT 8 A.M. ON SATURDAY. THE CALL-FOR PARCEL SERVICE WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED THAT MORNING BUT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE NEW OFFICE FROM 10.30 A.M.

ALL OTHER COUNTER SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE OLD TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND THE KOWLOON PARCEL OFFICE ON SATURDAY MORNING UNTIL 10.30 A.M. AND THEREAFTER AT THE NEW OFFICE.

THE EXISTING HOURS OF BUSINESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER K-664111 REMAINS UNCHANGED AT THE NEW OFFICE. .

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW POST OFFICE IN PEKING ROAD AT 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY (MARCH 10).

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1979

SPECIAL SCHOOL HOLIDAY TO MARK ROYAL VISIT

*****

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY HAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A SPECIAL SCHOOL HOLIDAY TO MARK PRINCE CHARLES’ VISIT TO HONG KONG.

SCHOOL SUPERVISORS AND PRINCIPALS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE DISCRETION TO DECIDE A DATE FOR THIS ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY.

A CIRCULAR TO THIS EFFECT WILL BE SENT TO ALL SCHOOLS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

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

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY IN LUEN WO MARKET, FANLING AND YAU MA TEI WILL BE TEMPORARILY STOPPED ON FRIDAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS AND MTR CONSTRUCTION WORKS.

IN LUEN WO MARKET, THE STOPPAGE WILL BE FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. THAT DAY.

IN YAU MA TEI, THE STOPPAGE WILL BE FROM 8 P.M. ON FRIDAY TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY.

AFFECTED ARE THE EAST SIDE OF NATHAN ROAD FROM 438-524, 524A AND 524B, 40-42 WATERLOO ROAD (INCLUDING THE AMBULANCE DEPOT), 2-8 AND 11 WING SING LANE, 1-11 AND 2 CLIFF ROAD, METHODIST COLLEGE, 50 GASCOIGNE ROAD AND 80 AND 81 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, |IARCH 8, 1979

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

AIRCRAFT FIRE-FIGHTING VEHICLE CONTRACT SIGNED ...........

APPLICATION FOR ENTRY FROM CHINA TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ................................................

MARCH LABOUR FORCE SURVEY ................................

INTENDING TAXI TENDERERS REMINDED TO USE MARCH TENDER

FORMS ...................................................... J

THREE CROWN LAND LOTS SOLD.................................. 3

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

TEMPORARY WATER CHARGES COLLECTION CENTRES IN TAI PO .... 4

REMOVAL OF INSURANCE REGISTRY AND SUB-OFFICE OF COMPANIES REGISTRY ......................................... 5

BANK EXAMINERS PROMOTED .................................... 6

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION ON CHEUNG CHAU ................... 6

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ARGYLE STREET ......................... 7

CHANGE OF ADDRESS .......................................... 7

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

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1979

1 -

AIRCRAFT FIRE-FIGHTING VEHICLE CONTRACT SIGNED

*****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A CONTRACT TO MESSRS. CHUBB (H.K.) LTD. TO SUPPLY AIRCRAFT FIRE-FIGHTING VEHICLES WORTH ABOUT >3 MILLION.

THE CONTRACT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY MR. GRAHAM OSBORNE, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND MR. W.E. RANDALL, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY.

MR. OSBORNE SAID THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE WAS PURCHASING THESE VEHICLES ON BEHALF OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT FOR USE AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO MAINTAIN THE AIRPORT'S CRASH FIRE AND RESCUE CAPABILITIES WELL IN EXCESS OF THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS.

THE CONTRACT IS FOR THE SUPPLY OF THREE VEHICLES — AN AIRFIELD CRASH TENDER AND TWO RAPID INTERVENTION VEHICLES.

THESE VEHICLES, WHICH SHOULD BE OPERATIONAL EARLY NEXT YEAR, WILL ADD TO THE PRESENT STRENGTH OF FIVE CRASH TENDERS, TWO HOSE LAYERS AND THREE RESCUE TENDERS AT THE AIRPORT.

REFERRING TO THE AIRFIELD CRASH TENDER, MR. OSBORNE SAIDi ■♦WHILE ACCOMMODATION IS PROVIDED FOR A CREW OF FIVE THE VEHICLE CAN, IN AN EMERGENCY, BE OPERATED BY ONE MAN.+

+THE TENDER HAS THE ABILITY TO DEAL QUICKLY AND DECISIVELY WITH FIRE EMERGENCIES INVOLVING CRASHED AIRCRAFT UP TO JUMBO PROPORTIONS.*

THE RAPID INTERVENTION VEHICLES ARE SIMILAR TO THE RESCUE TENDERS NOW IN USE AT THE AIRPORT.

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

APPLICATION FOR ENTRY FROM CHINA TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED *****

AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IS NOT ACCEPTING ANY MORE APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION FROM CHINA OF RELATIVES OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT, SINCE JANUARY 15, 1979, MORE THAN 100,000 APPLICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN ISSUED AND MORE THAN 11,000 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FOR THE ENTRY OF RELATIVES FROM CHINA, AS COMPARED TO 231 IN THE WHOLE OF 1978.

BECAUSE OF THE VERY LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS AND THE BACKLOG OF WORK CREATED IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO SUSPEND THE ISSUE OF NEW APPLICATION FORMS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1979

MARCH LABOUR FORCE SURVEY

*****

THE SEVENTH LABOUR FORCE SURVEY WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF THIS MONTH.

IT IS PART OF A SERIES OF SIX-MONTHLY LABOUR FORCE SURVEYS TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.

THE SURVEY WILL BE TAKEN ON A SAMPLE BASIS COVERING ABOUT 16,000 HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT ALL DISTRICTS.

BEFORE THE FIELD ENUMERATION BEGINS, AN OFFICIAL LETTER, IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, WILL BE SENT TO HOUSEHOLDS SELECTED IN THE SAMPLE EXPLAINING THE PURPOSES OF THE SURVEY AND SEEKING THEIR CO-OPERATION IN PARTICIPATING.

A NUMBER OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ENUMERATORS WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS ON A DAY BETWEEN MARCH 15 - 29.

EACH ENUMERATOR WILL CARRY AN OFFICIAL IDENTITY CARD BEARING HIS PHOTOGRAPH FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSE.

QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED WILL CONCERN PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD DATA SUCH AS AGE, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, EMPLOYMENT STATUS, SECONDARY EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR MOBILITY, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, EARNINGS, HOURS OF WORK AND TENURE AND RENT.

INFORMATION WILL ALSO BE SOUGHT ON EXPENDITURE ON DURABLE GOODS AND TRIPS ABROAD.

ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.

0---------

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1979

INTENDING TAXI TENDERERS REMINDED TO USE MARCH TENDER FORMS

* * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED INTENDING TENDERERS FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF 300 HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXI LICENCES TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE TENDER FORMS.

THESE FORMS CAN BE COLLECTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) ONWARDS FROM EITHER THE HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE AT 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 FORMS. +ONLY TENDER FORMS CLEARLY MARKED ’MARCH TENDER’ SHOULD BE SUBMITTED, OTHERWISE THE TENDER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.+

THE CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIVING TENDERS IS MARCH 23 BEFORE NOON.

AS IN PREVIOUS TAXI TENDERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, 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.

+ALSO, TAXI LICENCES MAY BE ISSUED ON A DIFFERENT BASIS AFTER THIS TENDER,+ HE SAID.

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.

THREE CROWN LAND LOTS SOLD

*****

A 1.322-SQUARE-METRE SITE OFF SUN SING STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN WAS SOLD FOR $25.7 MILLION AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE CITY HALL TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE SITE, FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES, WAS BOUGHT BY GILA REALTY LTD. AT $19,440.24 PER SQUARE METRE.

ANOTHER LOT, AT HONG NING ROAD, KOWLOON, WAS SOLD TO HAMDEN COURT CO. LTD. FOR $26.4 MILLION OR 313,894.74 PER SQUARE METRE.

THE SITE, MEASURING 1,900 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

THE LAST LOT AT 475 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON, WAS SOLD FOR $1.04 MILLION TO PRINCE COURT LTD. THE 68.1-SQUARE-METRE SITE IS FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES.

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1979

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

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE THREE SPECIAL TRAINS TO THE SHA TIN RACE-COURSE ON SATURDAY.

THESE NON-STOP TRAINS WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON STATION IN HUNG HOM AT 11.59 A.M., 12.33 P.M. AND 1 P.M. RESPECTIVELY.

THERE WILL BE THREE SPECIAL TRAINS ON THE RETURN JOURNEY TO CONVEY PASSENGERS BACK FROM THE RACE-COURSE STATION TO KOWLOON STATION.

IN ADDITION, KCR WILL RE-ROUTE THREE OF ITS SCHEDULED TRAINS VIA THE RACE-COURSE STATION AT 5.22 P.M., 7.25 P.M. AND 8.08 P.M. TO PICK UP PASSENGERS.

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

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

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE TIMETABLES OF THE SCHEDULED TRAIN SERVICES HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY AMENDED. THE REVISED TIMETABLES OF THE SCHEDULED TRAINS FROM 10.30 A.M. TO 11 P.M. ARE:

FROM KOWLOON STATION : 11.09 A.M., 12.12 P.M., 1.18 P.M., 2.19 P.M., 3.07 P.M., 3.54 P.M., 5.06 P.M., 6 P.M. 7.04 P.M., 7.46 P.M., 8.36 P.M., 9.20 P.M. AND 11 P.M.

FROM LO WU STATION : 10.52 A.M., 11.50 A.M., 12.49 P.M., 1.43 P.M., 3 P.M., 4.01 P.M., 4.35 P.M., 5.29 P.M., 6.26 P.M., 7.21 P.M., 8.21 P.M., AND 9.28 P.M.

------0 _-----

TEMPORARY WATER CHARGES COLLECTION CENTRES IN TAI PO ******

THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE WILL SET UP TWO TEMPORARY COLLECTION CENTRES IN FAN LING AND SHEUNG SHU I TO FACILITATE PAYMENT BY LOCAL RESIDENTS OF WATER CHARGES FOR THE THIRD 1978 PERIOD.

A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE TWO CENTRES WOULD BE LOCATED AT THE FAN LING RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE IN LUEN WO HUI AND THE SHEUNG SHU I PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE AT SHEK WU HUI IN SHEUNG SHUI.

/+THE FAN ....

THURSDAY, KARCH 6, 197?

- 5 -

+THE FAN LING CENTRE Witt OPERATE ON MARCH 12 AND 13 WHILE THE SHEUNG SHUI CENTRE WILL RUN FROM MARCH 14, 15 AND 16,+ HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE HOURS OF BUSINESS FOR BOTH CENTRES WOULD BE FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

THE SPOKESMAN URGED LOCAL PEOPLE TO MAKE FULL USE OF THESE TEMPORARY FACILITIES.

+ALTHOUGH PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE TO THE DISTRICT ACCOUNTING OFFICE AS USUAL,+ HE SAID, +THESE TEMPORARY CENTRES ARE SPECIALLY OPENED FOR THEIR CONVENIENCE, AND WILL SAVE THEM THE TROUBLE OF MAKING LONG JOURNEYS AND QUEUEING TO PAY THEIR BILLS.+

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

REMOVAL OF INSURANCE REGISTRY AND SUB-OFFICE OF COMPANIES REGISTRY *****

THE INSURANCE REGISTRY NOW LOCATED AT KAYAMALLY BUILDING, NINTH FLOOR, 22 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, AND THE SUB-OFFICE OF THE COMPANIES REGISTRY AT SINCERE BUILDING, NINTH FLOOR, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, WILL MOVE TO THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOWER, 37TH FLOOR, 16 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL ON MONDAY (MARCH 12).

FILES OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES WILL BE LOCATED AT THE NEW PREMISESj-

* LOCAL COMPANIES INCORPORATED BEFORE OCTOBER 21, 1972 AND REGISTERED UNDER NOS. 1 - 30,000-

* FOREIGN CORPORATIONS REGISTERED UNDER PART XI OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE-

* INSURANCE COMPANIES (INCLUDING INSURANCE COMPANIES OPERATING THROUGH AGENTS IN HONG KONG) CARRYING ON THE REGULATED CLASSES OF INSURANCE BUSINESS ------ LIFE, FIRE,

MARINE AND MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE-

* CORPORATIONS REGISTERED UNDER THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES INCORPORATION ORDINANCE.

FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE NEW PREMISES FOR INSPECTING FILES LOCATED THERE AND FOR PRODUCING COPIES OF ANY OF THE DOCUMENTS IN THOSE FILES.

THE USUAL SEARCH FEES AND FEES FOR COPIES MAY BE PAID AT THE NEW PREMISES.

FILING FEES AND OTHER PRESCRIBED FEES, HOWEVER, SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE PAID AT THE ACCOUNTS OFFICE OF THE COMPANIES REGISTRY AT KAYAMALLY BUILDING, 11TH FLOOR, 22 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.

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

A ....

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1979

BANK EXAMINERS PROMOTED *****

THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE PROMOTION OF THREE BANK EXAMINERS TO THE GRADE OF SENIOR BANK EXAMINER. THEY ARE MR. CHEUNG SHIU-MING, MR. WONG KWAI-KIN AND MR. LO IU-WAH.

MR. CHEUNG IS A SENIOR ASSOCIATE OF THE AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS AND HAS BEEN WITH THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING SINCE IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1964.

MR. WONG IS AN ASSOCIATE OF THE INSTITUTE OF BANKERS AND WAS APPOINTED A BANK EXAMINER IN 1967.

MR. LO IS AN ASSOCIATE OF THE AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS AND WAS APPOINTED A BANK EXAMINER IN 1970.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION ON CHEUNG CHAU

******

RECENTLY THE STAFF OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS SECTION OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ASSISTED BY MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, CARRIED OUT A SALVAGE EXCAVATION IN TAI KWAI WAN, A BAY ON THE NORTH-WESTERN SHORE OF CHEUNG CHAU.

THE BAY IS AT PRESENT THE SCENE OF A LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL AFFECT A SMALL ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE ON A SANDBAR ABOVE THE BEACH.

THE PRESENT EXCAVATION WAS CONDUCTED TO RESCUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RELICS FROM AN AREA MARKED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD, AND TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION TO PROCEED ON SCHEDULE.

IN A TWO-PHASE EXCAVATION LASTING 12 DAYS, THE EXCAVATION TEAM, LED BY DR. SOLOMON BARD, THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY (ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS), GATHERED INFORMATION AND RECOVERED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF ARTIFACTS OF STONE AND POTTERY.

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1979

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ARGYLE STREET *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE SECTION OF ARGYLE STREET BETWEEN YIM PO FONG STREET AND PEACE AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY (MARCH 11-12) FROM 1 A.M. TO 5 A.M. FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY BRIDGE.

WESTBOUND TRAFFIC DURING THE CLOSURE, CAN USE THE GROUND LEVEL OF THE ARGYLE STREET FLYOVER VIA WATERLOO ROAD, TURN RIGHT INTO YIM PO FONG STREET AND TURN LEFT INTO ARGYLE STREET.

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

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

----0------

CHANGE OF ADDRESS * * * *

THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES SUB-DIVISION (KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE) OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, NOW LOCATED IN OCEAN CENTRE, 15TH FLOOR, WILL MOVE TO A NEW OFFICE IN TUNG YING BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, WHICH WILL BE OPEN ON MONDAY (MARCH 12).

THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE 3-676758.

THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES SUB-DIVISION (HONG KONG OFFICE) AT 2 RUMSEY STREET, 10TH FLOOR, HONG KONG, WILL REMAIN WHERE IT IS.

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

WATER CUT

* * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY IN SHEUNG SHU I WILL BE STOPPED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY FOR NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY SHEUNG SHU I TSUEN, SHEUNG SHU I PO SHEUNG TSUEN, MING TAK TONG, CHUK YUEN TSUEN AND Yl YUEN.

MEANWHILE SALT WATER SUPPLY IN SHAM SHU I PO, CHEUNG SHA WAN, MONG KOK AND YAU MA TEI WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 1 P.M. ON SATURDAY TO 5 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS EXTENSION WORK.

THE AFFECTED AREA IN YAU MA TEI IS BOUNDED BY JORDAN ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD AND WEST OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.

- 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1979

contents PAGE no<

SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR 1979 . 1

BILL ON RAISING WAGE CEILING OF NON-MANUAL WORKERS GAZETTED ........................................... 2

HK OFFICIALS TO MEET IN LONDON .................... 3

YUEN LONG EXHIBITION PROVES POPU .AR .............. 4

HANDICAPPED HAILED AS MILESTONE ................... 5

TWO BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS .................. 6

PHOTOGRAPH FOR ID RE-REGISTRATION ................. 7

HOW TO EVALUATE FACILITIES FOR SCHOOLS ............ 7

PART OF PALM STREET TO BE REBUILT.................. 8

1979 EEC GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES ........ 8

♦GOOD CITIZEN AWARD+ PRESENTATION CEREMONY ........ 9

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1979

SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR 1979 *****

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR 1979.

THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED DURING DECEMBER 1978 AND JANUARY THIS YEAR, GATHERED MAINLY FROM MANUFACTURERS THEIR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE WHOLE OF 1979 ABOUT MARKET DEMAND, EMPLOYMENT, WAGES, MATERIAL PRICES, CAPACITY UTILISATION AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

THE SURVEY COVERED 524 ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 100 OR MORE PEOPLE IN 10 MAJOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AND 57 LARGEST CONTRACTORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE SURVEY WAS ONE OF A SERIES OF ENQUIRIES DESIGNED TO OBTAIN INDICATORS OF ECONOMIC PROSPECTS IN HONG KONG.

♦RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY WERE ONE OF THE MANY SOURCES OF INFORMATION THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE) USED IN DRAWING UP HIS ECONOMIC FORECASTS IN THE BUDGET SPEECH,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+AS THE DYNAMIC NATURE OF THE ECONOMY IS SUCH THAT RESPONDENTS IN THE SURVEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PREDICT ACCURATELY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE YEAR TO COME.+ HE SAID, +RESULTS OF THE SURVEY SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CAUTION.+

HE ADDED THAT IN THE SURVEY ON ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR 1978, FOR EXAMPLE, THE VIEWS GIVEN BY RESPONDENTS, COMPARED WITH THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY THAT YEAR, TURNED OUT TO BE SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE.

AS FAR AS PROSPECTS FOR 1979 ARE CONCERNED, MANUFACTURERS EXPECTED AN OVERALL GROWTH RATE (COMPARED WITH 1978) OF SIX PER CENT IN REAL TERMS, IN BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS DEMAND FOR THE GOODS AND SERVICES THEY PRODUCE.

THEY THOUGHT THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF DEMAND FOR HONG KONG’S EXPORTS IN THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE LESS THAN SIX PER CENT BUT THAT IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WOULD BE HIGHER THAN THIS FIGURE.

MANUFACTURERS ALSO EXPECTED THAT PERFORMANCE IN THE ELECTRONICS, PLASTICS, FOOD PRODUCTS AND WATCHES INDUSTRIES IN 1979 WOULD PROBABLY BE BETTER THAN THAT IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, THE TWO LARGEST INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.

THEY EXPECTED THAT THEY WOULD BE OF EMPLOYMENT BY SIX PER CENT IN 1979

ABLE TO INCREASE THEIR LEVEL OVER THE LEVEL LAST YEAR.

THEY FELT THAT THE LABOUR MARKET WOULD REMAIN TIGHT IN 1979. IN FACT, 44 PER CENT OF THE MANUFACTURERS ENUMERATED CONSIDERED IT WOULD BE MORE DIFFICULT TO RECRUIT ADDITIONAL WORKERS THIS YEAR WHILE ANOTHER 48 PER CENT FELT THAT RECRUITMENT WOULD BE JUST AS DIFFICULT AS IN 1978.

/CONSISTENT .....

FRIDAY, M1HCH 9, 1979

- 2 -

CONSISTENT WITH THIS VIEW, THEY EXPECTED WAGE RATES IN 1979 TO AVERAGE NINE PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN 1978. THE SAME PERCENTAGE INCREASE WAS ENVISAGED FOR THE PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES. BUT THEY EXPECTED EXPORT PRICES OF MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS TO INCREASE LESS, BY SE"FN PER CENT.

PRODUCTION WAS EXPECTED TO RUN AT 89 PER CENT AGAINST THE TOTAL CAPACITY DURING 1979, COMPARED WITH AN 87 PER CENT CAPACITY UTILISATION ATTAINED IN 1978. AT THE TIME OF SURVEY, MANUFACTURERS RECKONED THAT THEIR PRODUCTION CAPACITY, IN RESPECT OF BOTH MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT. AND FACTORY AREAS, WOULD EXPAND BY ABOUT FIVE PER CENT THIS YEAR.

CONTRACTORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY EXPECTED PRICES OF BUILDING MATERIALS WOULD, IN 1979, AVERAGE 12 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN 1978. THEY ALSO EXPECTED WAGE RATES FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS TO SHOW SIMILAR INCREASES.

MACHINE CAPACITY IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED WOULD PROBABLY EXPAND BY EIGHT PER CENT AND THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE BY 10 PER CENT THIS YEAR.

COPIES OF THE REPORT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS AS WELL AS TO RESPONDENTS IN THE SURVEY. ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

-------u --------

BILL ON RAISING WAGE

CEILING uF NON-MANUAL WORKERS GAZETTED ******

THE WAGE CEILING ON NON-MANUAL WORKERS COVERED BY THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WILL BE RAISED IF A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE IS PASSED BY THE LEG'SLAT IVE COUNCIL.

THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (FO. 2) BILL 1979, PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), PROPOSES TO RAISE THE PRESENT CEILING UNDER THE ORDINANCE FROM $2,000 TO $3,500 A MONTH.

HOWEVER, FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING SEVERANCE PAY, THE BILL PROPOSES TO REGARD THE MONTHLY WAGES OF NON-MANUAL WORKERS AS LIMITED TO $3,000 OR THE ACTUAL WAGES, WHICHEVER IS THE LESS.

COMMENTING ON THE BILL A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAIDi ♦SINCE WAGES HAVE RISEN, MAINLY BECAUSE OF COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS, A NUMBER OF NON-MANUAL WORKERS PREVIOUSLY ENTITLED TO PROTECTION AND BENEFITS OF THE ORDINANCE HAVE NOW BECOME FROM ITS COVERAGE.

♦ACCORDING TO A REVIEW OF THE WAGE CEILING, IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THE INCREASE IN WAGES BETWEEN JULY 1973 AND JUNE 1978 WAS ABOUT 54 PER CENT.

EXCLUDED

/+THEREFORE, .....

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1979

3 -

♦THEREFORE, BASED ON THIS PERCENTAGE, THE EXISTING WAGE CEILING FOR NON-MANUAL WORKERS SHOULD BE RAISED TO PROVIDE COVERAGE AGAIN FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EITHER BECOME ’DISENFRANCHISED’ DUE TO COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS IN WAGES OVER THIS PERIOD OR

WHO ARE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE BECAUSE OF

PERIODIC WAGE ADJUSTMENTS,* HE SAID.

THE LAST INCREASE IN THE WAGE CEILING UNDER THE ORDINANCE

WAS IN APRIL 1974 WHEN IT WAS RAISED FROM $1,500 TO $2,000 PER

MONTH.

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

HK OFFICIALS TO MEET IN LONDON * O

THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. DAVID JORDAN LEFT FOR LONDON TODAY (FRIDAY) TO HOLD HIS ANNUAL LIAISON MEETING WITH HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIVES OVERSEAS.

THE TWO-DAY MEETING WILL COVER A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS WHICH FALL WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT’S SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES. ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE HONG KONG OFFICIALS FROM THE LONDON, BRUSSELS, GENEVA AND WASHINGTON OFFICES.

ALSO ATTENDING WILL BE HONG KONG’S DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR. LAWRENCE MILLS WHO WENT TO EUROPE LAST MONTH TO RESUME TALKS WITH THE UNITED STATES AND SWEDISH OFFICIALS ON HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF TEXTILES.

WHILE IN LONDON, MR. JORDAN WILL MEET THE BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, MR. JOHN SMITH AND OTHER OFFICIALS OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY.

DURING THE WEEK-LONG VISIT, MR. JORDAN WILL ALSO ADDRESS A JOINT MEETING OF THE ANGLO-HONG KONG AND TEXTILES PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS. HE WILL ALSO HAVE TALKS WITH THE BRITISH TEXTILE CONFEDERATION AND THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT.

FROM LONDON HE WILL TRAVEL TO GENEVA TO CALL ON THE HONG KONG PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE THERE, THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT OF TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) AND THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD).

FROM GENEVA MR. JORDAN WILL GO TO BRUSSELS WHERE HE WILL MEET THE EEC VICE-PRESIDENT, MR. WILHELM HAFEKAMP AND THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS, SIR ROY DENMAN, BOTH OF WHOM VISITED HONG KONG LAST OCTOBER.

MR. JORDAN WILL VISIT WASHINGTON FOR FURTHER TALKS BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG ON MARCH 26.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1979

YUEN LONG EXHIBITION PROVES POPULAR *****

THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION NOW ON DISPLAY AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL HAS BEEN A BIG HIT WITH LOCAL PEOPLE.

SINCE ITS OPENING ON MONDAY (MARCH 5) THE EXHIBITION — ENTITLED ♦YUEN LONG: THE SPIRIT OF PROGRESS+ — HAS ATTRACTED MORE THAN 3,000 VISITORS DAILY FROM YUEN LONG ITSELF AND OTHER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

IT HAS PROVED TO BE MOST POPULAR WITH LOCAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO HAVE TURNED OUT IN FORCE TO GAIN AN INSIGHT INTO THE TOWN WHICH HAS GROWN IN POST-WAR YEARS FROM A TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURAL MARKETING CENTRE TO A THRIVING MINIMETROPOLIS.

PRODUCED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND DESIGNED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, THE EXHIBITION IS A PICTORIAL EASSY ON THE DISTRICT’S PAST, ITS GROWTH AND ITS PLANS FOR THE NEXT DECADE.

IT HAS 20 LARGE PHOTOGRAPHIC MURALS ON EACH AND EVERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF YUEN LONG MOUNTED ON A 18-F00T-HIGH PAGODA-LIKE STRUCTURE AND LIT BY SPOTLIGHTS.

FITTED INTO THE STRUCTURE IS A SCALE MODEL OF THE FUTURE TOWN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO SPEND $726 MILLION TO DEVELOP AS ONE OF THE SIX NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

ONE VISITORS, 40-YEAR-0LD CHAN SIU-WAH, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) : ♦THIS IS THE BEST EXHIBITION I HAVE EVER BEEN TO IN MY SIX YEARS OF RESIDENCE IN YUEN LONG.

+IT IS VERY INFORMATIVE. VIEWING THE EXHIBITS IS JUST AS ENLIGHTENING AS READING A 50-PAGE BOOK ABOUT THE DISTRICT., AND THE STRUCTURE IS SO SUPERBLY DESIGNED THAT WHEN I FIRST ENTERED THE EXHIBITION HALL, I COULD SENSE THE ’FEELING’ OF YUEN LONG.+

ANOTHER VISITOR, 14-YEAR-OLD FORM II STUDENT, MAN KWOK-KIN SAID: +THE EXHIBITION REALLY OPENS MY EYES.

UNTIL TODAY, I NEVER KNEW THAT YUEN LONG HAS SUCH A LONG HISTORY AND THAT MY FAMILY IS CLOSELY RELATED TO MAN TIN-CHEUNG, VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE SOUTHERN SUNG DYNASTY, WHO IS A HERO IN CHINESE HISTORY.

+IT HAS GIVEN ME MUCH FOOD FOR THOUGHT AND MADE ME FEEL PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE MAN CLAN.+

THE VISITORS ARE ALSO FULL OF PRAISE FOR THE VARIETY AND QUANTITY OF INFORMATION MATERIAL THE ORGANISERS HAS MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND FREE DISTRIBUTION.

/THE ADMINISTRATION .....

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1979

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS PRODUCED A SPECIAL BI-LIGUAL BOOK TELLING THE STORY OF YUEN LONG WHICH DATES BACK MORE THAN 1,000 YEARS WHEN THE TANG FAMILY FIRST SETTLED IN KAM TIN.

A FORM III STUDENT, CHENG WAI-KEUNG WHO TOOK THE VISIT AS AN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY REMARKED: +THEY ALL MAKE INTERESTING READING AND PROVIDE USEFUL KNOWLEDGE THAT CANNOT OTHERWISE BE ACQUIRED AT SCHOOL.+

THE EXHIBITION WILL REMAIN OPEN DAILY BETWEEN 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M. UNTIL MONDAY, MARCH 12.

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OPENING OF PO LEUNG KUK SCHOOL FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED HAILED AS MILESTONE M * * M

THE OFFICIAL OPENING TODAY (FRIDAY) OF THE PO LEUNG KUK’S THel"“I MDEdSpEC ~

*m,lestone4 by the Ie™ ™

AND HE ADDED THAT ITS PROXIMITY TO THE PO LEUNG KUK NO 6 FR MARY SCHOOL PROVIDED FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN TO INTEGRATE SOCIALLY WITH NORMAL CHILDREN WHICH

As ANOTHER WELL RECOGNISED OBJECTIVE OF SPECIAL tDUCATI ON*.

,A.T THE 0PENING CEREMONY OF Tid CENTENARY SCHOOL AT r-WAN ESTATE MR» HO PRAISED THE PO LEUNG KUK FOR BEING THE FIRST ORGANISATION TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT’S WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION SERVICES BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL PLACES FOR MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

+MUCH HAS YET TO BE DONE IN IE FIELD OF REHABILITATION THE TARGETS 0F THE WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG.+ MR. HO SAiD.

Will TnFEDSLinrM^r?IL,THIS YEAR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

ricLM^el.-rJ?wPR()VIDF SPECIAL SCHOOL PLACES AND SERVICES FOR THE MODERATELY, AND LATER SEVERELY, MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

THE SUPP0RT 0F M0RE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INTERESTED IN SPONSORING SUCH PROVISIONS TO CO-OPERATE AND DISCUSS WITH US ABOUT FURTHER POSSIBILITIES.*

/MR. HO EXPRESSED

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1979

MR. HO EXPRESSED SINCERE APPRECIATION TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE PO LEUNG KUK FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS AND FOR SPENDING SO MUCH OF THEIR PRECIOUS TIME IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EDUCATION AND WELFARE SERVICES OF THE COMMUNITY.

HE NOTED THAT THE KUK STARTED TO OPERATE SPECIAL AND RESOURCE CLASSES FOR SLOW LEARNING CHILDREN IN ITS AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN 1973.

+ITS MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDRENS’ SECTION IN LEIGHTON ROAD HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND THE FORM OF THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY IT RECEIVES WILL SOON CHANGE FROM A DISCRETIONARY SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTION TO THAT FOR AN AIDED SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR THE MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN UNDER THE CODE OF AID,* HE SAID.

+ ITS CENTRE AT KWAI SHING PROVIDES TRAINING AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN. THE KUK ALSO OPERATES SHELTERED WORKSHOPS FOR HANDICAPPED ADULTS.+

MR. HO SAID PO LEUNG KUK IS ONE OF THE PIONEERING AGENCIES IN THE PROVISION OF A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE HANDICAPPED.

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TWO BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS X M * *

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (FRIDAY) DECLARED NOS. 10 AND 12 CROSS STREET, HONG KONG, TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID THESE FOUR-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS, CONSTRUCTED WITH LOAD-BEARING WALLS AND TIMBER FLOORS, HAD BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

DURING A RECENT INSPECTION, NEW OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF THE REAR OCCURRED.

HE SAID, IT WAS NOTED THAT MAIN WALLS AND KITCHEN BLOCK HAD

+AS THERE IS NOW A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE THE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF THESE BUILDINGS IS NECESSARY,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN

VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON MARCH 19 WERE POSTED TODAY

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/7......

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1979

PHOTOGRAPH FOR ID RE-REGISTRATION *****

WITH EFFECT FROM THURSDAY (MARCH 15) THE COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION WILL REQUIRE ALL ADULTS AT THE AGE OF 18 HOLDING JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS TO PRODUCE A RECENT PHOTOGRAPH ON RE-REGISTRATION FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS.

THE SIZE OF THE PHOTOGRAPH SHOULD BE 2” X 1-1/2”.

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HOW TO EVALUATE FACILITIES FOR SCHOOLS ******

QUALITY, CONVENIENCE AND COST ARE THE MAIN FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN EVALUATING EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES FOR SCHOOLS, MR. ARTHUR BROWN, SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT) SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF AN EXHIBITION OF RANK XEROX DUPLICATING FACILITIES FOR SCHOOLS AT THE CHINESE YMCA IN WATERLOO ROAD.

CITING AN EXAMPLE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY IN RELATION TO DUPLICATING FACILITIES, MR. BROWN SAID A BADLY REPRODUCED EXAMINATION PAPER WOULD POSE A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTIES FOR CANDIDATES.

TURNING TO CONVENIENCE, HE LISTED SUCH CONSIDERATIONS AS THE EASE OF PRODUCING THE COPIES, SIZE LIMITATION AND THE SPEED OF PRODUCTION.

COSTING, HOWEVER, REQUIRED CAREFUL CALCULATION TO SEE HOW THE PRICING FIT PARTICULAR NEEDS, MR. BROWN SAID.

+FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS LITTLE POINT THE COSTING COMING A LITTLE LESS PER COPY IF YOU HAVE TO MAKE MORE COPIES THAN YOU NEED TO GET THAT ADVANTAGE,* HE SAID.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1979

- 8 -

PART OF PALM STREET TO BE REBUILT

X X X X

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO REBUILD THE SECTION OF PALM STREET BETWEEN CHERRY STREET AND ANCHOR STREET IN TAI KOK TSUI SHORTLY.

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

MR. T.D. ARMOUR, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION, SAID THE SURFACE OF PALM STREET HAD DETERIORATED TO THE EXTENT THAT IT REQUIRED FREQUENT MAINTENANCE AND THAT CAUSED DISRUPTON TO TRAFFIC AND INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC.

HE SAID THAT OPPORTUNITY WOULD BE TAKEN TO RECONSTRUCT FOOTWAYS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET.

IN ADDITION, MR. ARMOUR SAID, MINOR ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ROAD WORKS.

WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

DURING THIS PERIOD, THE ROAD WILL BE RETAINED IN ITS EXISTING ONE-WAY DIRECTION WITH ONE TRAFFIC LANE AND ACCESS TO PREMISES BEING MAINTAINED.

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

1979 EEC GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES

X * * X

CIRCULARS GIVING DETAILS OF THE 1979 EEC GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES (GSP) HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).

APART FROM THE ADDITION OF A FEW ITEMS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, THE 1979 EEC GSP IS SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR’S SCHEME.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APPLICATIONS MAY NOW BE MADE TO THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT FOR CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN, FORMS A TO COVER GOODS TO BE SHIPPED TO THE EEC UNDER ITS GSP ARRANGEMENT.

COPIES OF THE CIRCULAR (CERTIFICATE OF PREFERENCE CIRCULAR NO. 2/79 DATED MARCH 9, 1979) CONTAINING DETAILS OF 1979 EEC GSP ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE RECEPTIONIST COUNTER OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, GROUND FLOOR OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1979

♦GOOD CITIZEN AWARD+ PRESENTATION CEREMONY *****

THREE OUTSTANDING RESIDENTS IN WONG TAI SIN DI STR ICT WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TREMENDOUSLY TOWARDS CRIME PREVENTION IN 1978 WILL BE PUBLICLY RECOGNISED AND AWARDED FREE TRIPS TO THE PHILIPPINES AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING.

MR. HAROLD KWOK, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (KOWLOON EAST) WILL OFFICIATE.

EIGHTEEN OTHERS WHO HAD ASSISTED POLICE IN DETECTING-PREVENTING CRIMES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED WITH MEDALS AND SOUVENIRS.

THE CEREMONY INCLUDES A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING MAGIC, ACROBATICS, SONGS BY THE WONG TAI SIN CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND DRAMA.

THE FUNCTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN) AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD PRESENTATION AT 8 P.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE SCHOOL HALL OF HO LAP COLLEGE, CHEUK LUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.

_ o - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SECOND WARMEST FEBRUARY SINCE 1884 ........................ 1

REGISTRATION OF CLAIMS FOR SAN SHEK WAN FISHERMEN .......... 2

FIRE HAZARDS UNDER CLOSE WATCH ............................. 3

OLD PEOPLE’S HOSTEL OPENED ................................. 4

CROSS-COUNTRY RACES ........................................ 4

KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE TO CELEBRATE 15TH ANNIVERSARY ................................................ «

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

REMOVAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SECTION ................... 6

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

3A1TJJKUAX, MAKUtl 1U, iy/y

SECOND WARMEST FEBRUARY SINCE 1884

******

LAST (FEBRUARY) MONTH WAS THE SECOND WARMEST FEBRUARY SINCE 1884 --- THE MEAN TEMPERATURE AT 18.9 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS

THREE DEGREES HIGHER THAN NORMAL.

THE WARMEST FEBRUARY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID TODAY (SATURDAY), WAS IN 1973 WHEN A MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 19.2 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE THREE WINTER MONTHS OF DECEMBER, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY TOGETHER WERE THE WARMEST ON RECORD WITH A MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 18.4 DEGREES CELSIUS COMPARED WITH A NORMAL OF 16.3 DEGREES.

THE EXCEPTIONALLY WARM WINTER WAS DUE TO THE WEAKNESS OF THE WINTER MONSOON WHICH DID NOT OFTEN BRING COLD AIR TO THE SOUTH CHINA COAST.

ALTHOUGH THERE WAS VERY LITTLE RAIN WHICH WAS 35.5 MM BELOW NORMAL, THE MONTH WAS LESS SUNNY THAN USUAL.

THE MONTH STARTED WITH A VERY COLD WEATHER. IN THE MORNING OF THE FIRST DAY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY RECORDED A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 6.1 DEGREES --- THE LOWEST RECORDED THIS WINTER.

TEMPERATURES BEGAN TO RISE THE NEXT DAY AND CONDITIONS REMAINED QUITE MILD FROM FEBRUARY 8 TO 25, REACHING 26.5 DEGREES — THE HIGHEST IN THE MONTH --- ON FEBRUARY 22 AFTERNOON.

FINE AND SUNNY WEATHER DEVELOPED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH BUT BECAME CLOUDY ON FEBRUARY 2 WITH PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN DURING THE FOLLOWING THREE DAYS.

FROM FEBRUARY 6 CONDITIONS BECAME MAINLY FINE AND PERSISTED UNTIL THE NINTH. THE FOLLOWING FIVE DAYS WERE CLOUDY WITH RAIN ON FEBRUARY 13 AND 14 DURING THE PASSAGE OF A WEAK TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE.

A SMALL ANTICYCLONE DEVELOPED OVER SOUTHWEST CHINA LATE ON FEBRUARY 14 AND THE WEATHER WAS FINE AND SUNNY THE FOLLOWING FOUR DAYS. CLOUDY WEATHER RETURNED ON FEBRUARY 19 WHEN THE ANTICYCLONE MOVED AWAY.

CONDITIONS BECAME WARM AND HUMID WITH MIST AND FOG DEVELOPING ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 23. VISIBILITY AT CHEUNG CHAU WAS REDUCED TO ONLY 600 METRES AND AT WAGLAN ISLAND AND KAI TAK AIRPORT, IT WAS DOWN TO 1,400 METRES AND 4,000 METRES RESPECTIVELY.

THE WARM AND HUMID WEATHER ENDED ON THE ARRIVAL OF A COLD FRONT DURING THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 25 AND CONDITIONS CHANGED TO MUCH COOLER BUT REMAINED OVERCAST WITH RAIN FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH.

DURING THE MONTH, THERE WERE NO DIVERSION OF AIRCRAFT DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER NOR THUNDERSTORM OR HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS ISSUED.

THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL, HOISTED ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 30, WAS LOWERED AT 10 A.M. ON FEBRUARY 1.

FIRE DANGER WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON FIVE OCCASIONS DURING THE MONTH.

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/2 ....

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1979

REGISTRATION OF CLAIMS FOR SAN SHEK WAN FISHERMEN * ft ft ft *

A SPECIAL GOVERNMENT TEAM WILL START WORK ON MONDAY TO REGISTER CLAIMS BY FISHERMEN AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE JUNK BAY CONTROLLED TIP.

THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. COLIN BOSHER, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THE TEAM’S BRIEF WOULD BE TO ASSESS THE IMPACT ON FISHERMEN WHO REGULARLY FISH AT SAN SHEK WAN.

■

PREPARATORY SITE WORK IS TO START SOON ON THE TIP PROJECT, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEA WALL TO ENCLOSE PART OF THE SEA AT SAN SHEK WAN.

THE TEAM, COMPRISING STAFF FROM THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE. THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, WILL CARRY OUT REGISTRATION ON BOARD A MARINE DEPARTMENT LAUNCH ANCHORED NEAR THE HONG KONG OXYGEN CO. LTD. AT PAK SHIN KOK, HANG HAU, BETWEEN 10 A.M.-l P.M. AND 2 P.M.-4 P.M. DAILY FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND MARCH 19 TO 23.

♦FISHERMEN ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER IN PERSON AND BRING WITH THEM THEIR VESSEL’S MARINE DEPARTMENT LICENCES, IDENTITY Cards, crew books and fish market receipts,* mr. bosher said.

♦THEY WILL BE ASKED TO SIGN A DECLARATION VERIFYING THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE PRESENCE OF A WITNESS.*

HE SAID VESSELS EXCEEDING 50 FEET IN LENGTH AS SHOWN IN THE LICENCE BOOK AND THOSE NOT LICENSED AS A FISHING BOAT BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 28, 1978, WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTRATION.

AFTER THE FISHERMEN HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED AND THEIR VESSELS INSPECTED, THEY WILL BE INFORMED OF THE AMOUNT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO THEM.

MR. BOSHER SAID THAT IN ORDER TO DETERMINE HOW FAR THE FISHERMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE SCHEME, A DETAILED SURVEY ON THE FISHING ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE IN THE AREA AND THE AMOUNT AND VALUE OF FISH CAUGHT HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS.

♦AS A RESULT, IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO STREAMLINE THE PROCEDURES FOR PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES AND TO IDENTIFY IMPOSTERS MUCH MORE EASILY,^ HE ADDED.

NOTICES ON THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN POSTED AT THE FISHING PORTS AT HANG HAU, LEI YUE MUN, YAU TONG WAN, TIU KENG WAN, TIN HA WAN, CHIK SHA WAN, SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN.

NO FISHERMEN WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR REGISTRATION AFTER MARCH 23 THIS YEAR.

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1979 - 3 -

FIRE HAZARDS UNDER CLOSE WATCH K M I * M *

MEMBERS OF THE RECENTLY-FORMED FIRE WATCH PATROLS ARE NOW ON LOOKOUT POST DUTY IN THE EVENING IN SQUATTER AND RURAL VILLAGES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

THE PATROLS ARE VOLUNTARY BODIES FORMED UNDER THE FIRE WATCH SCHEME IN THE CURRENT FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN. IN THE INITIAL STAGE, IT IS DIRECTED MAINLY AT SQUATTER AND RURAL VILLAGES TO ELIMINATE THE DANGER OF FIRE OUTBREAKS IN THESE AREAS.

IN GENERAL, THE PATROLS COMPRISE LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO PATROL THEIR OWN AREAS ESPECIALLY DURING DRY SEASONS TO MONITOR CLOSELY THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO ELIMINATE FIRE HAZARDS AND OBSTRUCTIONS TO PASSAGEWAYS.

IF NECESSARY, THE PATROLS WILL REFER CASES TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE. THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO HELP THE TEAMS TO ORGANISE FIRE DRILLS AND TO IMPART PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.

IN THE EVENT OF FIRE, THE TEAMS WILL REPORT PROMPTLY TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ALERTING THE RESIDENTS AND ASSISTING IN EVACUATION.

WHERE VILLAGES COVER A LARGE AREA. THE SCHEME WILL OPERATE ON A DIVISIONAL SYSTEM UNDER THE CO-ORDINATION OF A CENTRAL LEADERSHIP. THE TEAM LEADERS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR DRAWING UP DUTY ROSTERS, AND MORE IMPORTANT, TO WORK OUT EMERGENCY MEASURES SUCH AS PLANNING FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES, INSTALLING FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND ALARM SYSTEMS.

APART FROM THE ADVICE AND GUIDANCE GIVEN BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES, THE PATROLS ALSO RECEIVED KEEN SUPPORT FROM THE FIRE PREVENTION PUBLICITY COMMITTEE WHICH HELPED TO EQUIP THE TEAMS WITH GONGS , FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND OTHER FIRE-FIGHTING APPARATUS.

IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR COMMITMENT, THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO ASSIGNED FIRE OFFICERS TO VISIT THE VILLAGES AND SQUATTER AREAS TO BRIEF THE RESIDENTS ON GENERAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AND DEMONSTRATE THE PROPER USE OF FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT.

♦THE JOINT EFFORT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC ADDS A NEW DIMENSION TO OUR FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.

♦NOW THAT THE FIRE WATCH SCHEME HAS GOT OFF TO A GOOD START, WE HOPE IT WILL GRADUALLY BE EXTENDED TO OTHER AREAS AS WELL AS TO MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS. I BELIEVE EVENTUALLY THIS CONCERTED EFFORT WILL HELP TO CURB THE UNNECESSARY LOSS OF PROPERTY AND LIVES DUE TO F IRE.+

- - 0

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1979

OLD PEOPLE’S HOSTEL OPENED *****

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (SOCIAL WORK), MRS. EVELYN DOE TODAY (SATURDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED A $600,000 OLD PEOPLE'S HOSTEL IN TSUEN WAN THAT CONSIDERABLY INCREASES HONG KONG’S RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES FOR THE AGED.

THE HOSTEL, IN KWAI SHING ESTATE, HAS A CAPACITY FOR 149 AND IS THE FIRST TO BE RUN BY THE CHINESE RHENISH CHURCH HONG KONG SYNOD.

MRS. DOE SAID AT THE OPENING CEREMONY THAT WITH EXISTING OLD PEOPLE’S HOSTEL SPACES TOTALLING ABOUT 700, THE NEW HOSTEL PROJECT WAS PARTICULARLY WELCOME AS IT WILL BENEFIT MORE AGED PEOPLE.

♦ IT IS GRATIFYING TO LEARN THAT THE CHINESE RHENISH CHURCH PLANS TO OPEN A SECOND OLD PEOPLE’S HOSTEL IN SHA KOK ESTATE AS WELL AS ANOTHER CENTRE FOR THE AGED IN WO CHE ESTATE, BOTH IN SHA TIN,+ SHE SAID.

AT THE SAME TIME, SHE SAID, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERING RECOMMENDING THE ALLOCATION OF PREMISES FOR THE RHENISH CHURCH TO OPERATE TWO MOR£ HOSTELS FOR THE AGED ---- IN

MUI WO ESTATE ON CHEUNG CHAU AND SHU I PIN WAI ESTATE IN YUEN LONG.

MRS. DOE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE RHENISH CHURCH FOR ITS OUTSTANDING WORK IN THE VARIOUS FIELDS OF WELFARE SERVICES.

APART FROM AN OLD PEOPLE’S CENTRE ALREADY IN OPERATION IN WONG CHUK HANG, SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE RHENISH CHURCH INCLUDE SCHOOLS, NURSERIES, CLINICS AND CHILDREN’S CLUBS.

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CROSS-COUNTRY RACES * * *

OVER 700 YOUTHS, STUDENTS AND WORKERS IN KWUN TONG AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS WILL TAKE PART IN TWO SEPARATE CROSS-COUNTRY RACES TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING.

THE RACES ARE ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN THESE TWO DISTRICTS AND OTHER DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

BOTH RACES ARE GRADED INTO ADULTS, YOUTH AND WOMEN GROUPS.

THE RACE IN KWUN TONG WILL START AT 9 A.M. IN JUNK BAY ROAD (OPPOSITE THE KWUN TONG POLICE STATION), SAU MAU PING ROAD, HIP WO STREET, TSUI PING ROAD AND BACK TO THE STARTING POINT COVERING A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 5,300 METRES.

/the eace .....

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 197?

- 5 -

THE RACE IN THE' SOUTHERN DISTRICT STARTS AT 10 A.M. AT PITCH NO. 1, ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND, WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, OCEAN PARK ROAD, POLICE SCHOOL ROAD, NAM LONG SHAN ROAD AND BACK TO THE ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND. THE JOURNEY IS ABOUT 4,000 METRES.

THE FIRST 10 OF EACH GROUP TO FINISH THE RACE WILL BE PRESENTED WITH MEDALS WHILE THE REST WILL RECEIVE SOUVENIRS.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE TWO CROSS-COUNTRY RACES IN KWUN TONG, JUNK BAY ROAD (OPPOSITE KWUN TONG POLICE STATION) AT 9 A.M. ON SUNDAY AND AT ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND AT 10 A.M. THE SAME DAY.

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KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE TO CELEBRATE 15TH ANNIVERSARY ******

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE IS ORGANISING A CARNIVAL FOR 1,000 CHILDREN OF THE DISTRICT TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING TO CELEBRATE ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY.

THE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER FOR EAST KOWLOON, MR. T.P. KHOO WILL BE AMONG THE GUESTS OFFICIATING AT THE CELEBRATION.

THE HONOURABLE WONG LAM, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE ANNIVERSARY CUP BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, YOUTH DEBATE COMPETITION, CHILDREN STORY-TELLING COMPETITION AND FAMILY GAMES COMPETITION.

MR. WONG WILL ALSO CUT THE RIBBON TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE CARNIVAL WHICH INCLUDES MORE THAN 20 GAMES STALLS.

THE CARNIVAL, TO BE HELD IN THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE BASKETBALL COURT, IS ORGANISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CENTRE MEMBER’S COUNCIL.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE CENTRE IN 17 TSUI PING ROAD, KWUN TONG.

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1979

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FIVE DAYS NEXT WEEK.

THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.

THERE ARE A FEW CHANGES IN THE MONTH. THE NEW SCHEDULE ISi

DATE

MARCH 12 (MONDAY) t

MARCH 13 (TUESDAY)

MARCH 14 (WEDNESDAY)

MARCH 15 (THURSDAY)

MARCH 16 (FRIDAY)

PRACTISING TIMES PUBLISHED LAST

TIME

8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

8 A.M. - 11 P.M.

8 A.M. - 10 P.M.

8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

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REMOVAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SECTION

THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SECTION OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICE WILL MOVE FROM THE UN CHAU STREET GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO 11TH FLOOR, SUI SING BUILDING, 202-204 CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, KOWLOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 16.

THE GENERAL OFFICE TELEPHONE WILL BE 3-786986.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HK SOCIAL WORKER WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD ................. • 1

QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE ............................ 2

EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES IN PRIVATE SECTOR ........................................... 3

AFTER-CARE SERVICE ACHIEVES REMARKABLE RESULTS .............. 3

QUARTERS FOR FIREMEN ........................................ 5

SEMINAR ON MAC .............................................. 6

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM PRAISED .......................... 7

SEMINAR AND COURSE FOR P.E. TEACHERS ........................ 8

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1979

HK SOCIAL WORKER WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD ******

A SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL BECOME THE FIRST BLIND WOMAN IN ASIA TO RECEIVE AN INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING WORK IN THE FIELD OF WELFARE FOR THE BLIND.

MISS LUCY CHING, IN CHARGE OF THE WELFARE UNIT FOR THE BLIND, HAS BEEN SELECTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON ASIAN AFFAIRS OF THE WORLD COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF THE BLIND AS THE WINNER OF THE 1979 TAKEO IWAHASHI AWARD.

THE AWARD IS GIVEN EACH YEAR BY THE COUNCIL TO AN OUTSTANDING WORKER, SIGHTED OR BLIND, IN THE FIELD OF BLIND WELFARE. THE 1978 WINNER WAS MR. HIDEYUKI IWAHASHI OF JAPAN.

IN HIS LETTER INFORMING MISS CHING OF THE AWARD, MR. SURESH C. AHUJA, COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, SAID HER COURAGE AND DETERMINATION IN OVERCOMING THE DISABILITY OF BLINDNESS HAD SERVED AS AN INSPIRATION TO OTHER BLIND PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY TO BLIND WOMEN IN HONG KONG AND OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES.

MR. AHUJA SAID HER EFFORTS TO HELP THE BLIND AND TO PROMOTE SERVICES FOR THEM WERE WELL KNOWN AND IT WAS THEREFORE MOST BEFITTING THAT SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS THE FIRST BLIND WOMAN TO RECEIVE THE AWARD.

+1 FEEL GREATLY HONOURED TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FOR THE AWARD. IT WILL BE A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE BLIND PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, MISS CHING SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

+1 SHALL ALWAYS CHERISH IT AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS IN MY CAREER,* SHE ADDED.

MISS CHING, WHO LOST HER EYESIGHT WHEN SHE WAS SIX MONTHS OLD, HAS BEEN A DEDICATED WORKER IN THE FIELD OF BLIND WELFARE, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

DESPITE HER DISABILITY, SHE FINISHED HER SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG AND SPENT THREE YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES STUDYING TEACHING OF THE BLIND, ON A SCHOLARSHIP.

UPON GRADUATION 20 YEARS AGO, SHE TURNED DOWN A FEW OFFERS OF TEACHING POST IN THE UNITED STATES AND RETURNED TO HONG KONG TO JOIN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AS SOCIAL WORKER IN THE BLIND TRAINING CENTRE.

MISS CHING WAS AWARDED THE M.B.E. IN 1975 AND APPOINTED OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S BLIND WELFARE UNIT IN 1978.

LAST YEAR, SHE HELPED ORGANISE THE FIFTH ASIAN CONFERENCE ON WORK FOR THE BLIND HOSTED IN HONG KONG BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND FOR 145 DELEGATES FROM 21 COUNTRIES.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1979 2 -

THE FOLLOWING IS EMBARGOED UNTIL 8 A.M. ON MONDAY (MARCH 12).

QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE *****

THE QUEFN, IN HER COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE THIS YEAR, SAID THE COMMONWEALTH WORKS ON MANY LEVELS — IT IS INVOLVED IN POLITICAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND IN ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION, BUT ABOVE ALL IT IS CONCERNED WITH THE LIVES OF PEOPLE.

+IT IS THEREFORE GOOD TO BE ABLE TO LOOK BACK ON TWO SPECIAL SUCCESSES IN COMMONWEALTH UNDERSTANDING DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, DURING WHICH THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE AND THE LIFE OF THE COMMONWEALTH HAVE BEEN CLOUDED BY SO MANY INTRACTABLE PROBLEMS.+

FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE QUEEN’S MESSAGE:-

+THE COMMONWEALTH WORKS ON MANY LEVELS. IT IS INVOLVED IN POLITICAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND IN ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION, BUT ABOVE ALL IT IS CONCERNED WITH THE LIVES OF PEOPLE.

♦ THE TWO EVENTS WERE THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES AND THE SIMULTANEOUS FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, FESTIVAL ’78, WHICH WERE HELD IN EDMONTON, ALBERTA, IN AUGUST LAST YEAR.

♦ BOTH BROUGHT TOGETHER IN FRIENDSHIP YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ALL ROUND THE WORLD. THE FESTIVAL WAS A BRILLIANTLY SUCCESSFUL MINGLING OF CULTURES WHICH ADDED A SPECIAL MAGIC TO THE SPLENDID TRADITIONAL SPIRIT OF THE GAMES.

♦ THE GAMES WILL GO ON, BEING HELD NEXT IN BRISBANE IN 1982. I BELIEVE THAT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE FESTIVAL, IN WHICH ALL THE ARTISTS SHARED, BUT FOR WHICH PARTICULAR CREDIT GOES TO THE IMAGINATION AND HARD WORK OF THE CANADIAN ORGANISERS, WILL ALSO BE LASTING, HELPING ALL OF US TO SHARE IN THE RICH AND DIVERSE CULTURES OF OUR COMMONWEALTH.+

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SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1979

EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES IN PRIVATE SECTOR ******

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) APPEALED TO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO CO-OPERATE IN AN EMPLOYMENT SURVEY NEXT WEEK.

THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICERS AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS, IS TO HELP COMPILE STATISTICAL TABLES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EMPHASISED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTORS OR SITES WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.

HE SAID LETTERS AND SURVEY FORMS FOR THE MARCH 1979 SURVEY HAD BEEN SENT TO CONTRACTORS SEEKING INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF MANUAL WORKERS AT EACH SITE UNDER THEIR CHARGE AS AT MARCH 15.

SURVEY OFFICERS, EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL VISIT WORK SITES FROM MARCH 15 TO 17 TO COLLECT THE COMPLETED FORMS, HE ADDED.

DEPARTMENT RECORDS SHOWED THAT THERE WERE 73,716 MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED AT VARIOUS WORK SITES IN MID-DECEMBER LAST YEAR, OF WHICH 35,512 WERE INVOLVED IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS CF THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

ALL ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THIS SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO NR. CHIU FOOK-CHING, STATISTICIAN (EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS) AT 5-444938, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

AFTER-CARE SERVICE ACHIEVES REMARKABLE RESULTS

******

AFTER-CARE HAS BECOME AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR DRUG ADDICTS AND HAS ACHIEVED REMARKABLE RESULTS IN PREVENTING RELAPSES.

STATISTICS SHOW THAT BETWEEN THE START OF THE PROGRAMME IN 1969 AND THE END OF 1978, 12,319 MEN AND WOMEN AFTER DISCHARGE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE STATUTORY ONE-YEAR PERIOD OF AFTER-CARE.

DURING THIS PERIOD, 7,536 MEN OR 63.53 PER CENT AND 343

WOMEN OR 75.22 PER CENT WERE CERTIFIED TO HAVE REMAINED DRUG-FREE AND, AT THE SAME TIME, WERE NOT RE-CONVICTED OF ANY CRIMINAL OFFENCES.

suiiday, :.xrch 11, 197?

- 4 -

THE DEPARTMENT ALSO CONDUCTED A RANDOM-SAMPLING SURVEY FOR A FURTHER TWO YEARS ON 10 PER CENT OF THE INMATES WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PROPORTION OF THOSE STILL DRUG-FREE AND NOT CONVICTED OF ANY CRIMINAL OFFENCES WAS 271 OR 40.15 PER CENT FOR MEN AND 19 OR 59.38 PER CENT FOR WOMEN.

IF THE ABSTINENCE RATE IS CONSIDERED ALONE, THE ONE-YEAR AND THREE-YEAR RESULTS WERE 8,725 OR 73.55 PER CENT AND 358 OR 53.04 PER CENT FOR MEN, AND 360 OR 78.95 PER CENT AND 19 OR 59.38 PER CENT FOR WOMEN.

THE DEPARTMENT’S PROGRAMME IS AIMED AT TOTAL REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTS. THIS ENTAILS THREE PHASES OF METICULOUS EFFORTS --FIRST TO RESTORE THE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF AN INMATE, THEN TO UPROOT HIS PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCE ON DRUGS, AND FINALLY TO FACILITATE HIS RE-ADJUSTMENT INTO SOCIETY.

THE SOCIAL RE-ADJUSTMENT PRIMARILY INVOLVES ARRANGING POST-RELEASE EMPLOYMENT AND ACCOMMODATION BY AN AFTER-CARE OFFICER.

BUT OF GREATER IMPORTANCE IS THAT THE AFTER-CARE OFFICER IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR COUNSELLING AND ADVICE.

ONCE AN INMATE IS ADMITTED TO A TREATMENT CENTRE AN AFTER-CARE OFFICER INTERVIEWS HIM, GATHERS INFORMATION ON HIS BACKGROUND, DRUG ADDICTION AND PREVIOUS TREATMENT HISTORY.

AN AFTER-CARE OFFICER’S JOB IS TO HELP THE INMATE THROUGH DIFFICULT PERIODS, NOT ONLY WHILE HE IS IN THE CENTRE BUT ALSO AFTER HIS RELEASE.

DURING AN INMATE’S DETENTION, PERSONAL CONSULTATIONS AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS ARE HELD TO PROMOTE POSITIVE ATTITUDES.

AN INMATE’S FAMILY PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HIS SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION. FAMILY ACCEPTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING ARE ESSENTIAL IF HE OR SHE IS TO RE-INTEGRATE BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

+A LARGE NUMBER COME FROM BROKEN FAMILIES AND WE MAKE A TREMENDOUS EFFORT TO RE-UNITE THEM. WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN MOST CASES,+ SAID MR. LI TING-CHEONG, CHIEF OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE AFTER-CARE UNIT.

TO PROMOTE FAMILY COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING, REGULAR DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN INMATES, THEIR FAMILIES AND AFTER-CARE OFFICERS ARE ARRANGED, AND HOME LEAVE IS GRANTED TO INMATES BEFORE THEIR RELEASE.

GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT FOR EX-DRUG ADDICTS IS ALSO ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT THEM FROM RELAPSE AND THE PLACEMENT SERVICE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE AFTER-CARE UNIT PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES.

EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT EX-ADDICTS ARE STABLE AND DILIGENT WORKERS AND A NUMBER OF EMPLOYERS *H0 HAVE GIVEN *ORK TO THEM HAVE FOUND THEIR PERFORMANCE VERY SATISFACTORY. IN FACT THEY HAVE APPROACHED -HE DEPARTMENT FOR MORE.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1979

♦EMPLOYERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S EX-DRUG ADDICTS PLACEMENT SERVICE. AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT DEFINITELY HELPS EX-ADDICTS TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF,* M?. LI SAID.

THERE ARE NOW THREE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES FOR MEN — ONE AT TAI LAM, AND TWO ON HEI LING CHAU ISLAND INCLUDING ONE FOR YOUNG INMATES. IN ADDITION, THE TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN IS FOR WOMEN ADDICTS OF ALL AGES.

AT THE END OF THE FOUR TO 12 MONTHS TREATMENT PERIOD, AN INMATE IS PUT UNDER STATUTORY SUPERVISION FOR 12 MONTHS FOLLOWING RELEASE. THIS IS IMPORTANT AS RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT AN ADDICT IS MOST VULNERABLE TO RELAPSE DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER TREATMENT.

DURING THIS PERIOD, HIS AFTER-CARE OFFICER CONTINUES TO COUNSEL, ADVISE AND ASSIST. IF AN INMATE UNDER SUPERVISION HAS RELAPSED OR IN ANY WAY FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS OF HIS SUPERVISION ORDER HE IS LIABLE TO BE RECALLED FOR FURTHER DETENTION IN A DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE.

FOR INMATES WHO REQUIRE CLOSE SUPERVISION AFTER THEIR RELEASE, OR WHO HAVE NO READY ACCOMMODATION, QUARTERS ARE PROVIDED IN THE ’NEW LIFE HOUSE’ AT TAI LAM CHUNG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHERE A PROGRAMME OF RE-INTEGRATION IS OPERATIVE.

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QUARTERS FOR FIREMEN

*****

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE ANOTHER 769 MARRIED QUARTERS IN TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN FOR MARRIED MEMBERS OF THE RANK-AND-FILE.

+CONSTRUCTION ON THE TWO QUARTERS IS ABOUT 90 PER CENT COMPLETE AND THE MEN ARE EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THEIR NEW HOMES TOWARDS THE END OF NEXT MONTH,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROJECTS WERE PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LONG-TERM EXPANSION PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE HOMES TO AS MANY SERVING NEMBERS AS POSSIBLE.

THE $26.5 MILLION QUARTERS WILL EACH COMPRISE TWO 20-STOREY BLOCKS, A CAR PARK, A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND A GARDEN.

PILING WORK ON PHASE II OF THE SHA TIN QUARTERS IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED SOON. THE SECOND STAGE OF THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE ANOTHER 229 UNITS.

THE TSUEN WAN QUARTERS IS NEAR THE JUNCTION 0? LEI MUK SHUE ROAD AND WO YEE HO? ROAD, ADJACENT TO THE LEI MUK SHU I AMBULANCE TRAINING CENTRE.

THE SHA TIN COMPLEX IS OPPOSITE LEK YUEN ESTATE NEAR THE SHA TIN BY-PASS IN TAIPO ROAD.

THERE ARE 383 CLAT3 । Si EACH, INCLUDING 20 GRADE ’G’ (ABOUT 1,200 SO. FT.) 140 'I' ;ABCUT 470 SQ. FT.) AND 229 GRADE ’ IJ’ (ABOUT 365 S.. F".’, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1979

SEMINAR ON MAC

* * *

A SEMINAR ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN PRIVATE DOMESTIC BUILDINGS WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) EVENING AT THE SHAM SHUI PO KAIFONG ASSOCIATION.

ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO), THE SEMINAR IS TO GIVE THE PARTICIPANTS A PERSPECTIVE OF M.A.C. SC AS TO IMPROVE THEIR BUILDING MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY.

DURING THE SEMINAR, OFFICERS FROM THE C.D.O. WILL DISCUSS WITH PARTICIPANTS THE BY-LAWS GOVERNING MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN-PRIVATE BUILDINGS AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS.

ABOUT 100 OFFICE-BEARERS FROM THE DISTRICT’S 113 M.A.C.*S WILL ATTEND.

NOTE«

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH TAKtS PLACE AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL OF THE SHAM SHUI PO KAIFONG ASSOCIATION, 88 YU CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, AT 8 P.M.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, j979

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM PRAISED ft ft ft ft ft

THE EXISTENCE OF A SOUND AND EFFICIENT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM HAS BEEN LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG’S MEDICAL AND HEALTH ACHIEVEMENTS AS REFLECTED BY THE FAVOURABLE INDICES OF FEALTH AND THE CHANGED PATTERN OF DISEASES.

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. K.L. THONG, SAID THIS AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG COLLEGE CF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN HONG KONG IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES AND ITS PREVENTIVE HEALTH PROGRAMMES OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES.

THESE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, HE SAID, HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THE INFANT MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY RATES WHICH ARE ♦COMPARABLE TO SOME OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD.+

♦THE PATTERN OF DISEASES HAS CHANGED SO DRAMATICALLY THAT WE ARE NOW IN THE BIG LEAGUE OF THE ADVANCED COUNTRIES,* HE ADDED.

DR. THONG EXPLAINED THAT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IS A SYSTEM OF ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE MADE UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN A COMMUNITY BY MEANS ACCEPTABLE TO THEM THROUGH FULL PARTICIPATION AND AT A COST THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN AFFORD.

+PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FOCUSES ITS SERVICES ON THE MAIN HEALTH PROBLEMS IN A COMMUNITY PROVIDING PROMOTIVE, PREVENTIVE, CURATIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES ACCORDING TO THE COUNTRY’S NEEDS,* HE SAID.

REGRETTABLY, HE CONTINUED, THERE ARE MANY COUNTRIES WHERE MJCH OF THE HEALTH RESOURCES AND TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AVAILABLE HAVE BEEN UTILISED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY ARE NOT EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED.

+IN SUCH COUNTRIES LIMITED RESOURCES SOMETIMES HAVE BEEN USED TO SUPPORT SOPHISTICATED MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS WITHOUT, AT THE SAME TIME, PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WHICH SHOULD BE MADE WIDELY AVAILABLE TO THE MAJORITY WHO NEEDS IT,* HE ADDED.

IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG, SAID DR. THONG, OUR PRIMARY FEALTH CARE SYSTEM HAS AS ITS NUCLEUS THE WIDESPREAD AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES BOTH IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.

♦THIS IS THE FRONTIER WHERE PATIENTS FIRST CONTACT THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND WHERE SERIOUS AND NON-SERIOUS CASES, ACUTE AND NON-ACUTE PATIENTS ARE FIRST SEEN, DIAGNOSED AND TREATED AND, WHERE MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN IN CERTAIN CASES, WHICH WILL PREVENT MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FROM OCCURRING LATER,* HE SAID.

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1979

- 8 -

A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE SYSTEM IN HONG KONG IS THAT HEALTH CARE IS PROVIDED AT ONLY MINIMAL COSTS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT IS FULLY ACCESSIBLE TO THE BULK OF THE POPULATION

DR. THONG SAID THE QUALITY OF THE SYSTEM, HOWEVER, RELIES ENTIRELY ON THE STANDARD OF THE HEALTH PERSONNEL.

♦IT IS THEREFORE MOST TIMELY THAT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY TODAY HAS TURNED THE SPOTLIGHT ON THAT IMPORTANT GROUP OF MY COLLEAGUES BOTH IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND IN THE PRIVATE PRACTICE WHO HAVE, OVER THE YEARS, PLAYED AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN PROVIDING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TO THE COMMUNITY, I.E, THE GENERAL PRACTITIONERS,♦ HE SAID.

♦JUDGING FROM THE GATHERING OF DISTINGUISHED PERSONALITIES AND THE SPLENDOUR AND POMP OF TODAY’S CEREMONY, I CAN SEE THAT GENERAL PRACTICE IN HONG KONG HAS COME INTO ITS OWN AND THAT THE INFANT COLLEGE HAS ANNOUNCED ITS ARRIVAL ON THE MEDICAL SCENE WITH RESOUNDING VOICE QUITE IN KEEPING WITH THE BEHAVIOUR OF ANY NORMAL FULL TERM AND HEALTHY CHILD BORN INTO THIS WORLD,♦ HE *DDED.

DR. THONG SAID IT WAS GRATIFYING TO NOTE THAT ONE OF THE MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THE COLLEGE IS TO PROVIDE FOR A FORMAL, ORGANISED SYSTEM OF CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION FOR ALL GENERAL PRACTITIONERS AND TO ENDEAVOUR TO BETTER THE STANDARD OF PRIVATE PRACTICE AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN HONG KONG.

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SEMINAR AND COURSE FOR P.E. TEACHERS

*****

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION WILL ORGANISE A SEMINAR AND A GYMNASTICS TEACHING COURSE NEXT MONTH FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE THEIR DAILY WORK.

THE SEMINAR IS TO PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON GYMNASTICS AND INTRODUCE NEW APPROACHES IN TEACHING.

ITS THEME IS PLANNING AND EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS. IT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HO MAN TIN GOVERNMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL IN PERTH STREET, KOWLOON, ON APRIL 12.

THE GYMNASTICS TEACHING COURSE, HELD BETWEEN APRIL 17 AND 20, AIMS TO IMPROVE THE ABILITY OF PARTICIPANTS IN TEACHING THE SUBJECT.

CONTENTS OF THE COURSE INCLUDE SELECTION OF TEACHING MATERIALS, LESSON PLANNING AND ORGANISATION, TEACHING METHODS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE PART IN BOTH THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL SESSIONS.

NO FEES WILL BE CHARGED AND A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE AWARDED TO TEACHERS WHO HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED THE COURSE. IT WILL BE HELD IN THE GYMNASIUM OF THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

QUALITY OF CHILD CARE CENTRES IMPROVED ................... 1

LORD CACCIA LOOKS AT TUEN MUN ......................... 2

HONG KONG’S FIRST REFUSE BALING PLANT OPENED .......... 3

MORE PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREAS ...................... 4

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

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1979

- 1 -

QUALITY OF CHILD CARE CENTRE^'IMPROVED *******

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE QUALITY AND SERVICES OF CHILD CARE CENTRES HAVE GENERALLY IMPROVED SINCE THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE CAME INTO OPERATION THREE YEARS AGO.

MR. LEE SAID THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR SPENT OVER $20 MILLION IN SUBVENTION FOR CHILD CARE CENTRES TO HELP THEM BRING THEIR SERVICES IN LINE WITH THE REGULATIONS AND CODE OF PRACTICE.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PO LEUNG KUK’S FUNG PAK LIM NURSERY IN UPPER PAK TIN ESTATE, IN WHICH HIS WIFE LATER UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO MARK THE OPENING, FOLLOWED BY TOUR OF ITS FACILITIES.

THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT SINCE THE ORDINANCE CAME INTO OPERATION, MORE THAN 200 CHILD CARE CENTRES HAD REGISTERED WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AS HAVING MET THE REQUIRED STATUTORY STANDARDS.

MORE THAN HALF OF THESE CENTRES ARE SUBSIDISED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND PROVIDE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHICH CANNOT AFFORD PAYING HIGHER FEES AT PRIVATE NURSERIES, HE SAID.

THE PURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCE, HE SAID, IS TO ENSURE THAT THE CENTRES ARE SAFE AND THE SERVICES PROVIDED ARE UP TO AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD IN THE INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN.

MR. LEE PRAISED THE PO LEUNG KUK FOR ITS OUTSTANDING WORK IN VARIOUS FIELDS OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICE, PARTICULARLY IN CHILD CARE.

♦THE KUK OPENED ITS FIRST DAY NURSERY AS EARLY AS IN 1964 AND IS NOW RUNNING A TOTAL OF 11 DAY NURSERIES AND TWO DAY CRECHES ALL OVER HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.

WITH A CAPACITY FOR 120 CHILDREN, THE FUNG PAK LIM NURSERY REPRESENTS YET ANOTHER ACHIEVEMENT BY THE KUK IN THE FIELD OF CHILD CARE IN RESPONSE TO THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD, HE ADDED.

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1979

- 2 -

LORD CACCIA LOOKS AT TUEN MUN

******

LORD CACCIA, LORD PRIOR OF THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN, VISITED TUEN MUN -- ONE OF THE THREE MAJOR NEW TOWNS BEING DEVELOPED

BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES - THIS (MONDAY)

AFTERNOON.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, LORD CACCIA STARTED HIS VISIT WITH A HELICOPTER TOUR OVER KWAI CHUNG, TSI NG Yl, TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN.

ON LANDING AT THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL IN TUEN MUN LORD CACCIA AND SIR MURRAY WERE MET BY THE ACTING TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. GEOFFREY ORR AND THE TUEN MUN PROJECT MANAGER, ►R. STAN BARDEN.

THE PARTY THEN PROCEEDED TO +TOP COURT+ IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN FOR A BIRD’S EYEVIEW AND BRIEFING ON THE NEW TOWN.

LORD CACCIA WAS TOLD THAT THE VAST DEVELOPMENT NOW TAKING PLACE IN TUEN MUN AIMS AT PROVIDING AN IMPROVED URBAN ENVIRONMENT INCORPORATING ADEQUATE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO SERVE A TARGET POPULATION OF MORE THAN HALF A MILLION BY THE MID-1980’S.

EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE ESTATES TO ACCOMMODATE 70 PER

A TOTAL OF NINE PUBLIC HOUSING CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION.

LORD CACCIA SEEMED TO BE VERY IMPRESSED BY THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND INDUSTRY IN THE NEW TOWN. HE WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE OF ITS DISTANCE FROM KOWLOON GREATER EMPHASIS IS BEING PLACED ON PROVIDING INDUSTRIAL LAND IN TUEN MUN SO THAT JOBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR IN-COMING RESIDENTS.

INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS COMPLETED INCLUDED THOSE FOR A TEXTILE MANUFACTURING PLANT, PLASTIC FACTORIES, FLATTED FACTORIES, A CLOTH PRINTING FACTORY, A ZIPPER MANUFACTURING PLANT AND A BUS DEPOT.

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MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1979

HONG KONG’S FIRST REFUSE BALING PLANT OPENED ft ft ft ft ft

HONG KONG’S FIRST HIGH DENSITY SOLID WASTE BALING PLANT AT SAI TSO WAN IN EAST KOWLOON BEGAN A 12-MONTH TRIAL RUN TODAY (MONDAY) FOLLOWING ITS OPENING BY THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MR. DAVID STEAD.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR. STEAD SAID THE OPENING OF THE $16 MILLION PLANT MARKED ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THE FULFILMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S 10-YEAR PROGRAMME FOR DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTES.

HE SAID THAT HIGH DENSITY BALING WAS A TREATMENT PROCESS WHEREBY REFUSE WAS COMPACTED IN A HYDRAULIC PRESS TO FORM BALES OF ABOUT 1-1/2 CUBIC METRES IN VOLUME AND 1-1/2 TONNES IN WEIGHT.

THE REFUSE TREATED WOULD THEREFORE BE MORE CONVENIENT FOR TRANSPORTATION BY ROAD, RAIL OR SEA TO CONTROLLED TIPPING SITES.

ALSO, THE DENSE BALES PRODUCED WOULD TAKE UP LESS SPACE IN THE CONTROLLED TIP THAN REFUSE IN ITS LOOSE STATE, HE ADDED.

MR. STEAD SAID THE BALING OF REFUSE WAS USED SUCCESSFULLY IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT WAS TRIED OUT IN HONG KONG.

♦DURING THE NEXT 12 MONTHS,* HE ADDED, +EXTENSIVE TRIALS WILL BE CARRIED OUT TO ESTABLISH WHAT CONTRIBUTION THIS PROCESS CAN MAKE IN DEALING WITH OUR EVER-GROWING REFUSE DISPOSAL PROBLEM AND WHETHER IT IS WORTHWHILE DEVELOPING A MORE PERMANENT INSTALLATION.*

THE PLANT, WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL, IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING 600 TONNES OF REFUSE A DAY.

MR. STEAD SAID THAT UNDER THE 10-YEAR PROGRAMME A COMPOSTING PLANT WAS BEING BUILT AT CHAI WAN. IT WOULD BE READY IN A FEW MONTHS.

ACCORDING TO A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY CARRIED OUT BEFORE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME, SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL BY BALING AND COMPOSTING IS SANITARY AND DOES NOT CAUSE POLLUTION PROBLEMS.

SAI TSO WAN BALING PLANT WILL BE OPERATED BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF PWD.

AMONG THOSE PRESENT AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, M*. G.J. OSBORNE AND THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT CIVIL ENGINEER, ffi. M.K. WONG.

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/4 ....

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1979

MORE PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREAS

* M * *

MORE AND BETTER CARGO HANDLING FACILITIES WILL SHORTLY BE AVAILABLE WITH THE PARTIAL OPENING OF A NEW PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA IN WESTERN DISTRICT IN MAY.

♦IN PARTICULAR, THIS WILL BENEFIT THE CARGO OPERATORS DISPLACED BY THE STAGE I WESTERN RECLAMATION,♦ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

THE SITE, WITH A SEAFRONTAGE OF 170 METRES AT SHEK TONG TSUI, WILL FORM PART OF A 761-METRE CARGO HANDLING AREA SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1982.

THE NEW CARGO HANDLING AREA WILL HAVE 21 UNIT BERTHS FOR LIGHTERS OR MOTOR CARGO BOATS AND PARKING SPACES FOR ABOUT 100 LORRIES. IT WILL BE MANNED DAILY BY MARINE DEPARTMENT STAFF FROM 7 A.M. TO 11 P.M.

MEANWHILE, FOUR OTHER PROJECTS IN CHAI WAN, RAMBLER CHANNEL TYPHOON SHELTERS, TUEN MUN AND CHEUNG SHA WAN RECLAMATIONS ARE PROGRESSING ON SCHEDULE.

THE CHAI WAN COMPOUND, WITH AN INITIAL SEAFRONTAGE OF 340 METRES, WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL EARLY NEXT YEAR. THE AREA WILL BE EXTENDED TO 1,122 METRES BY 1985 AND WILL EMBRACE THE ENTIRE PERIPHERY OF THE TYPHOON SHELTER.

COMMENTING ON THE ADVANTAGES OF CONTROLLED PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, A MAR I NE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAIDi +PAST EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT NOT ONLY WAS A HIGHER THROUGHPUT RATE ACHIEVED BUT THESE FACILITIES ALSO HELPED REDUCE CARGO HANDLING COSTS.♦

AN +AMENITY BUILDING+ --- THE FIRST TO BE BUILT IN A PUBLIC

CARGO WORKING AREA --- COMPLETE WITH CHANGING ROOMS, LOCKERS

AND HOT AND COLD SHOWERS, WILL SOON BE OPENED IN THE WAN CHAI PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA.

♦THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT PROVIDING THIS BUILDING IS TO MAKE THESE FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO WORKERS ENGAGED IN HANDLING DUSTY CARGOES SUCH AS CEMENT, LIME AND AGGREGATES,+ THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT, IS RATED AS ONE OF THE BUSIEST PORTS IN THE WORLD. IT HANDLED 23 MILLION TONNES OF CARGO LAST YEAR THROUGH ITS MODERN WHARVES, CONTAINER TERMINALS AND PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO

SEVEN QUESTIONS AT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING ............ 1

FIRST ECONOMIC CENSUS FOR THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTION FOR 1979 .............................. 2

SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS ................................ 3

TWO DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED .............................. 3

’HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY’ EXHIBITION ........................ 4

YUEN LONG EXHIBITION CLOSES ............................... 5

PRINCE CHARLES ON CAMERA .................................. 5

NT LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD TO MEET ON THURSDAY ............. 6

TWO BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS .......................... 6

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WAN ..................... 7

NEW WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION UNIT BRANCH OFFICE ............. 8

PHOTOGRAPH OF SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION ................... 8

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

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1979

SEVEN QUESTIONS AT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING *****

THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL RAISE SEVEN QUESTIONS OF PUBLIC INTEREST AT TOMORROW’S (WEDNESDAY) COUNCIL MEETING.

THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO STATE HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE UNDER THE CARE AND SUPERVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS ARE CONSIDERED UNFIT TO LOOK AFTER THEM.

SHE WILL ALSO ASK HOW MANY ARE LIVING AT HOME AND IN INSTITUTIONS- HOW OFTEN THEY AND THEIR PARENTS ARE VISITED BY GOVERNMENT SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE NUMBER OF CASE WORKERS AND CASEWORK SUPERVISORS WHO DEAL WITH THESE CHILDREN.

THE HON. ANDREW SO WILL ASK IF THE GOVERNMENT WILL CARRY OUT MORE INSPECTIONS OF THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF CRANES AND OTHER HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND TAKE ALL REASONABLE MEASURES, INCLUDING PROSECUTIONS, TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS ARISING FROM NEGLIGENCE.

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE AN ESTIMATE OF THE PERCENTAGE OF UNROADWORTHY LORRIES AND WHETHER MORE SPOT CHECKS WILL BE MADE TO GET DEFECTIVE LORRIES OFF THE ROAD.

HE WILL ALSO ASK IF THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONDUCT A SURVEY OF NOISE LEVELS IN DISCOTHEQUES TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THERE IS ANY DANGER OF SOME FORM OF DEAFNESS BEING CAUSED BY PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUCH NOISES.

OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED WILL INCLUDE MEASURES TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO DEFECTIVE LORRIES, STEPS TO REDUCE EXCESSIVE NOISE BY PILING AND DRILLING MACHINES AND PROVISION OF MORE CREMATORIA.

DURING THE MEETING, SIX BILLS WILL HAVE THEIR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND ONE FOR SECOND AND THIRD READINGS.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1979

FIRST ECONOMIC CENSUS FOR THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTION FOR 1979 ******

A NEW SECTION HAS BEEN FORMED IN THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT AN ECONOMIC CENSUS EARLY NEXT YEAR OF THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS FOR 1979.

TWO ECONOMIC CENSUSES HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN ON THE ECONOMIC SECTORS ENGAGED IN MINING, MANUFACTURING, ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER, AND WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) IN ANNOUNCING THIS.

THESE SECTORS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, CONTRIBUTED OVER 53 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) IN 1976.

THE NEW ECONOMIC CENSUS WILL COLLECT DATA ON THE TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, EMPLOYMENT, DAYS AND HOURS WORKED, LABOUR AND MATERIAL COSTS, SUB-CONTRACT PAYMENTS, OPERATING EXPENSES, SALES AND RECEIPTS, WORK-IN-PROGRESS, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, STOCK OF FIXED ASSETS AND SO ON.

TO FACILITATE DATA COLLECTION, THE QUESTIONNAIRE WILL BE ALIGNED AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE TO THE TRADE PRACTICE OF ACCOUNTING AND BOOK-KEEPING.

DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THE DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT A SERIES OF CONSULTATION DISCUSSIONS WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATIONS AND SELECTED LAND DEVELOPERS AND REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENTS.

THE DISCUSSIONS WILL ENABLE A QUESTIONNAIRE AND A TABULATION PROGRAMME TO BE DRAFTED.

IT IS PROPOSED TO CARRY OUT, BY OCTOBER, A PILOT CENSUS TO TEST THE DRAFT QUESTIONNAIRE AND THE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1979

SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IS INVITING TENDERS BY WAY OF ANNUAL RENTAL FOR A SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF CROWN LAND AT HOK LO MAIN STREET, KOWLOON CITY, KOWLOON.

THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 79 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR STORAGE AND/OR NURSERY GARDEN.

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

TENDERS FORMS, NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, MURRAY BUILDING, 19TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 1OTH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 30,

1979

TWO DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED * * * *

TWO DEATH SENTENCES WERE COMMUTED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON FUNG KAP-HUEN, 24, ON JANUARY 4, 1978, FOR THE MURDER OF A RETIRED BUSINESSMAN, CHAN MUK-WING, 83, ON NOVEMBER 23, 1976 AT HIS HOME AT LAM TEI WAS COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.

AND THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON MAN HONG, 55, ON MARCH 3, 1978, FOR THE MURDER OF CHEUNG KWOK-YAM. AGED ABOUT 40, ON JULY 28, 1977, AT A HOUSE IN WESTERN DISTRICT WAS COMMUTED TO IMPRISONMENT FOR 15 YEARS.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1979

’HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY’ EXHIBITION

X X X X X M M

A THREE-DAY +HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY+ EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL END ON THURSDAY, IS BEING HELD AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE, CAUSEWAY BAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

THE EXHIBITION, MOUNTED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT. IS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY.

ITEMS MAKING UP THE EXHIBITION INCLUDE NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS, DRAWINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND CARTOONS.

THERE ARE ALSO SLIDE SHOWS ON FOOD AND NUTRITION, EXERCISE AND POSTURE FOR THE ELDERLY AND CARE OF THE EYES, EAR AND ORAL HYGIENE OF THE ELDERLY.

FREE COPIES OF +HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY* MANUAL ARE DISTRIBUTED AT THE EXHIBITION.

SIMILAR EXHIBITIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, TSUEN WAN, FROM NEXT MONDAY TO THURSDAY (MARCH 19 TO 21), AT YUEN LONG TOWN HALL FROM MARCH 27 TO 29, AND AT THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE FROM APRIL 3 TO 4.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE CAMPAIGN ARE»

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

X TO IMPART KNOWLEDGE TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE VARIOUS FACTORS LEADING TO ILL HELATH IN THE ELDERLY-

X 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

X TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ON THE AVAILABILITY AND THE USE OF EXISTING HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1979

YUEN LONG EXHIBITION CLOSES

*****

THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION --- +YUEN LONG! THE SPIRIT OF

PROGRESS* --- WHICH HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES OPENED

WITH HIS VISIT TO THE DISTRICT JUST OVER A WEEK AGO CLOSED TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH REMARKABLE RESULTS.

IN EIGHT DAYS, IT ATTRACTED MORE THAN 25,000 VISITORS, MOST OF THEM LOCAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO FOUND THE EXHIBITION +HIGHLY INFORMATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL.*

+WE ARE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED WITH THE EXCELLENT PUBLIC RESPONSE TO AN EXHIBITION OF SUCH A LOCALISED NATURE,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID.

+IT DREW CROWDS NOT ONLY FROM YUEN LONG ITSELF BUT ALSO OTHER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.*

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE POPULARITY OF THE EXHIBITION CLEARLY REFLECTED THE GROWING PUBLIC INTEREST IN GOVERNMENT’S $726 MILLION DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE NEW TOWN.

+IT IS HOPED THAT THIS INTEREST WILL LAST TO GIVE STRONG BACKING TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE PROJECTS IT WILL UNDERTAKE IN THE YEARS TO COME,* HE ADDED.

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PRINCE CHARLES ON CAMERA * * * *

ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR PEOPLE TO OBTAIN OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN DURING THE VISIT TO HONG KONG OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES.

HIS ENGAGEMENTS WERE COVERED EXTENSIVELY BY PHOTOGRAPHERS OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND BLACK AND WHITE PRINTS CAN NOW BE ORDERED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.

A SET OF CONTACT PRINTS, FROM WHICH CUSTOMERS CAN MAKE THEIR OWN SELECTION, IS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT THE CENTRE AND ORDER FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED ON REQUEST FROM THE COUNTER STAFF.

THE CHARGES FOR MAKING PRINTS RANGE FROM $6 FOR 5 X 7 INCHES (OR UNDER) TO $40 FOR 16 X 20 INCHES AND ARE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.

ORDERS WILL BE DEALT WITH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BUT, IN VIEW OF OTHER DARKROOM COMMITMENTS, IT MAY TAKE ABOUT A WEEK TO PRODUCE PRINTS.

CUSTOMERS WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PHOTOGRAPHS THEY HAVE ORDERED ARE READY FOR COLLECTION.

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/6 .....

TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1979

NT LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD TO MEET ON THURSDAY * * * * ft *

THE NEW TERRITORIES LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD WILL HOLD A MEETING ON THURSDAY ON LICENCE APPLICATIONS.

THE APPLICATIONS COMPRISE FOUR FOR NEW LICENCES, 26 FOR RENEWAL AND THREE TRANSFERS.

MR. GRAHAME FLETCHER, BOARD SECRETARY, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE BOARD WILL ALSO HEAR AN OBJECTION TO THE ISSUE OF A NEW LICENCE IN YUEN LONG.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT NOON IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.

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TWO BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED NOS. 1 AND 3 CENTRE STREET, HONG KONG, TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID THESE FOUR-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS HAD BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN VIEW OF THEIR GENERALLY DILAPIDATED CONDITION.

DURING A RECENT INSPECTION, HE SAID, IT WAS NOTED THE BRICKWORK WAS IN VERY POOR CONDITION, BEING BADLY ERODED AND FRACTURED IN MANY PLACES.

+FURTHERMORE, THE REINFORCED CONCRETE THROUGHOUT THE BUILDINGS IS IN AN ADVANCED STATE OF DETERIORATION. AS THERE IS NOW A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE THE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF THESE BUILDINGS IS NECESSARY,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON APRIL 10 WERE POSTED TODAY.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1979

- 7 -

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WAN * * * *

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN TSUEN WAN FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY FOR ABOUT NINE MONTHS.

THIS IS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN UNDERGROUND CULVERT AT SHING MUN ROAD.

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED, DURING THIS PERIOD, TO NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGESi

* THE SECTION OF SHING MUN ROAD BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND KWOK SHU I ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY SOUTHBOUND-

* THE TEMPORARY LINK ROAD BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND KWOK SHU I ROAD ACROSS TAI WO HAU PARK------ABOUT 150 METRES

EAST OF THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD-TEXACO ROAD JUNCTION ----

WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC-

ALL VEHICLES (INCLUDING FRANCHISED BUSES) TRAVELLING ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD WISHING TO PROCEED TO SHING MUN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO THIS NEW LINK ROAD NORTHBOUND AND TO REJOIN KWOK SHU I ROAD WESTBOUND AND THEN TURN RIGHT TO SHING MUN ROAD NORTHBOUND.

* VEHICLES WILL BE PROHIBITED TO TURN RIGHT FROM THE LINK ROAD TO KWOK SHU I ROAD-

* MOTORISTS TRAVELLING ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD WISHING TO GET ACCESS TO THE KWOK SHU I ROAD SECTION BETWEEN THE LINK ROAD AND LEI MUK ROAD, WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, LEI MUK ROAD AND THEN TURN LEFT TO KWOK SHU I ROAD WESTBOUND-

* THE BUS STOP PRESENTLY LOCATED ON SHING MUN ROAD IN FRONT OF CARITAS FOR NORTHBOUND KMB ROUTES NO. 32, 32A, 32B AND 36 WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED. A NEW BUS STOP FOR ROUTES NO. 32, 32A AND 32B WILL BE PROVIDED ON SHING MUN ROAD (OPPOSITE THE TSUEN WAN VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY), ABOUT 46 METRES NORTH OF THE SHING MUN ROAD-KWOK SHU I ROAD JUNCTION.

* BUS ROUTE NO. 36 FROM THE TSUEN WAN FERRY PIER TO LEI MUK SHUE, WILL BE DIVERTED AT THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD-SHING MUN ROAD JUNCTION TO TRAVEL VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, LEI MUK ROAD TO REJOIN WO Yl HOP ROAD.

THE BUS STOPS FOR THIS ROUTE ON KWOK SHU I ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ARD REPROVISIONED AT THE EXISTING EASTBOUND BUS STOPS ON THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD SECTION BETWEEN SHING MUN ROAD AND LEI MUK ROAD.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AFFECTED AREAS TO GUIDE MOTOR I STS.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1979

NEW WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION UNIT BRANCH OFFICE ******

A NEW BRANCH OFFICE WAS OPENED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR ITS WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION UNIT THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING IN NGAU TAU KOK, KWUN TONG.

THE OFFICE, ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF YEN HAU MANSION, 100 TING FU STREET, ALSO SERVES THE KWUN TONG, YAU TONG, SAU MAU PING, LAM TIN, RENNIE’S MILL, JORDAN VALLEY, NGAU TAU KOK, NGAU CHI WAN, TZE WAN SHAN, DIAMOND HILL, SAN PO KONG, SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU AREAS.

ITS MAIN WORK IS TO PROCESS EMPLOYMENT INJURY CASES AS WELL AS ADVISE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ON THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.

THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR ENQUIRIES IS 3-441443.

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PHOTOGRAPH OF SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION ******

COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION, bR. DAVID FORD, ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM G.I.S. PRESS BOXES, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.

THE NEW PHOTOGRAPH IS FOR YOUR RECORD AND EDITORIAL USE. IT WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED IF, WHEN THE OCCASION ARISES, THE NEW PHOTOGRAPH IS USED INSTEAD OF THE OLD ONES.

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

WATER CUT * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT WATER SUPPLY IN HUNG HOM WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY FOR NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY LOK SHAN ROAD, KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TIN KWONG ROAD, FARM ROAD, MA T«U WAI ROAD, .MA TAU KOK ROAD, AND PAU CHUNG STREET INCLUDING SHEUNG HEUNG ROAD, HUNG KWONG STREET, MA HANG CHUNG ROAD, SAN SHAN ROAD, HOP YAT ROAD AND MAIDSTONE LANE.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

TAX APPEAL BILL............................................ 1

EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 PASSED ................... 2

NEW DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTED .......... 4

ADVICE ON FUTURE DEMAND FOR LAWYERS ....................... 4

LORRIES TO BE TESTED ANNUALLY ............................. 6

CALL FOR SAFETY-CONSCIOUS SUPERVISION AT CONSTRUCTION SITES . 7

ADEQUATE CREMATION FACILITIES AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE 198O‘S .................................................... 8

GOVERNMENT GUARANTEES LOANS FOR MTR ....................... 9

996 CHILDREN UNDER SWD’S CARE AND SUPERVISION ............ 10

OPERATING PILING, DRILLING MACHINES OUTSIDE PERMITTED HOURS RARE ..................................................... 10

WIDER PROTECTION FOR INVENTORS ........................... 11

PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 ......... 13

DISCOTHEQUES — POPULAR FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT ............. 13

LEGAL OFFICERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 ..................... 14

MACHINERY CONTRACT FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS ............ 14

BILL ON COURT RECORDS .................................... 14

PRISONS DEPARTMENT STAFF PARADE .......................... 15

NEW ROAD OPEN TO TRAFFIC.................................. 15

WATER CUT................................................. 16

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

TAX APPEAL BILL M * *

A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO FACILITATE BETWEEN TAXPAYERS AND THE COMMISSIONER ITS SECOND READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE

JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF INLAND REVENUE HAD COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY)

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID +CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL INTRODUCES A NEW PROCEDURE WHEREBY DIRECT APPEAL AGAINST THE COMMISSIONER’S DETERMINATION MAY BE MADE TO THE HIGH COURT, IF THE PARTIES CONCERNED ARE IN AGREEMENT.*

HE SAID THE PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE FOR THE RIGHT OF DIRECT APPEAL, BY-PASSING THE BOARD OF REVIEW, WAS MADE IN THE INTERESTS OF BOTH THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE AND TAXPAYERS.

♦THE COMMISSIONER WISHES TO SEE THAT, IN CASES WHICH INVOLVE IMPORTANT OR DIFFICULT POINTS OF LAW, BINDING JUDICIAL PRECEDENTS ARE ESTABLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.*

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE TAXPAYERS ALSO WISHED TO SEE THAT THEIR EXPENSES ARE MINIMISED.

WHERE LARGE SUMS ARE IN DISPUTE, A TAXPAYER OFTEN ENGAGES AT HIS EXPENSE, A TAX LAWER TO REPRESENT HIM BEFORE THE BOARD BECAUSE ADVERSE DECISIONS BY THE BOARD, PARTICULARLY ON QUESTIONS OF FACT, ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO UPSET THE SUBSEQUENT APPEALS TO THE COURTS.

+IN SUCH CASES, IT OUGHT TO BE POSSIBLE, IF THE PARTIES SO PREFER, TO HAVE THE APPEAL ARGUED BEFORE THE HIGH COURT.*

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID AT PRESENT AND NOT INFREQUENTLY, CASES CONCERNING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF THE LAW, AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD, +ARE SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN ON APPEAL TO THE HIGH COURT.*

♦HOWEVER, NO SUCH ENABLING PROVISIONS IS CONTAINED IN THE PRESENT SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE. CLAUSE 5 OF THE BILL PROPOSES TO RESTORE A PROCEDURE WHICH EXISTED PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE IN FEBRUARY 1976, WHEREBY AN APPEAL AGAINST A DECISION OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW MAY BE MADE DIRECT TO THE COURT OF APPEAL WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE HIGH COURT FIRST, SUBJECT TO THE LEAVE OF THE COURT OF APPEAL.

+FI NALLY, CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL SEEKS TO INTRODUCE TWO MINOR TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 63C(1) OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IN ASSESSING PROVISIONAL SALARIES TAX FOR ANY YEAR OF ASSESSMENT, LOSSES AVAILABLE FOR SET-OFF IN THAT YEAR WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

+BUT, NEEDLESS TO SAY, LOSSES TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE PRECEDING YEAR WILL NOT AGAIN BE AVAILABLE FOR SET-OFF IN THAT YEAR OF ASSESSMENT. CLAUSE 2 ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE STANDARD RATE APPLICABLE TO PROVISIONAL SALARIES TAX WILL BE THE RATE PREVAILING IN THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT.*

/MH. EADDCN-CAVE.....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THESE TWO PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 63C(1) +GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO EXISTING DEPARTMENTAL PRACTICE AND WILL OPERATE TO THE ADVANTAGE OF TAXPAYERS.

EARLIER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE PRESENTLY PROVIDES FOR THREE LEVELS OF APPEALSi

* A RIGHT OF OBJECTION TO THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE AGAINST AN ASSESSMENT MADE BY THE ASSESSOR-

* A RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW AGAINST THE COMMISSIONER’S DETERMINATION OF THE OBJECTION AND,

* A RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE HIGH COURT, ON A POINT OF LAW, AGAINST THE BOARD’S DECISION.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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

EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 PASSED ******

AN AMENDMENT BILL CLARIFYING THE EXISTING WORDINGS ON THE PROVISIONS OF PAID ANNUAL LEAVE FOR WORKERS COVERED BY THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING ON THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. NEIL HENDERSON, SAID THE BILL INTRODUCED NO CHANGES OF POLICY, OR ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS, BUT HELPED TO ENSURE EMPLOYEES GET THEIR LEAVE AS INTENDED.

THE AMENDMENTS MADE CLEAR THE FOLLOWING POINTS i-

* THAT IF A REST DAY OR HOLIDAY FALLS WITHIN ANY PERIOD OF ANNUAL LEAVE GRANTED, IT MUST BE GRANTED AS ANNUAL LEAVE AND ANOTHER REST DAY OR HOLIDAY MUST BE SUBSTITUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING PROVISIONS GOVERNING SUBSTITUTIONS.

* THAT ANNUAL LEAVE IS IN ADDITION TO THE REST DAYS AND STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.

* THAT EACH OF THE SEVEN DAYS ANNUAL LEAVE MUST BE A PAID DAY.

* THAT A PERSON COMPLETING THREE MONTHS OF SERVICE OR MORE WILL BE ENTITLED TO PROPORTIONATE ANNUAL LEAVE PAY.

THREE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT BILL.

/but ths rev. .

WEDNESDAY, MAECH 14, 1979

- 3 -

BUT THE REV. THE HON. PATRICK MCGOVERN SAID HE STILL HAD MISGIVINGS.

WHILE HE SUPPORTED THE BILL’S AIM TO REMOVE CONFUSION BETWEEN STATUTORY HOLIDAYS AND REST DAYS, AND THE ADDITIONAL SEVEN CONSECUTIVE DAYS PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, HE THOUGHT THE COMPROMISE FLEXIBILITY CLAUSE ALLOWING ONLY FOUR CONSECUTIVE DAYS. IF THE EMPLOYEE SO REQUESTS, WAS OPEN TO MISUNDERSTANDING AND ABUSE. ' 'x

♦THE MAJORITY OF EMPLOYEES IN HONG KONG ARE IN NO POSITION TO MAKE REQUESTS. MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN BRAINWASHED INTO THEIR EMPLOYERS’ OWN MENTALITY THAT A WORKER IS THERE TO DO MIAT HE IS TOLD, AND SHOULD FEEL HONOURED TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ALLOWED TO DO SO,^ HE SAID.

FR. MCGOVERN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IF A WORKER DOES REQUEST. FREELY OR UNDER THREAT, TO OPT FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE DAYS INSTEAD OF SEVEN, HE STILL HAS NO FREEDOM OF CHOICE AS TO WHEN HE TAKES THE REMAINING THREE DAYS.

THE ORDINANCE STATES THAT ♦... THE TIME WHEN THE LEAVE IS SO GRANTED SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE EMPLOYER.♦ IT GOES ON — ♦AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE EMPLOYEE OR HIS REPRESENTATIVES.^

♦YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT THE REST OF THE SENTENCE,♦ FR. MCGOVERN SAID. ♦THIS IS HONG KONG WHERE CONSULTATION. WITH EMPLOYEES IS ABOUT AS RARE AS FRESH LICHEES AT CHRISTMAS TIME.+

HE REFERRED TO THE LATEST HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT WHERE IT IS SAID THAT 25 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE KNOWN TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO HAVE FORMAL JOINT CONSULTATION COMMITTEES.

IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THIS WAS 25 OUT OF THE SOME 59,000

REGISTERED COMPANIES, OR THE 39,000 MORE ODD MANUFACTURING

ESTABLISHMENTS.

♦BUT IN EITHER CASE THE FIGURE IS A FAIR INDICATION OF THE

PART CONSULTATION PLAYS IN THE LIFE OF A HONG KONG WORKER,♦

HE SAID.

THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN FULLY SUPPORTED THE BILL AND POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO PUT THE PAID ANNUAL LEAVE PROVISIONS INTO PRACTICE.

RECENTLY, HE SAID, THE PRESS HAD REPORTED THAT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN PARTICULAR, EMPLOYERS HAD COMBINED THE SEVEN DAYS PAID ANNUAL LEAVE WITH THOSE OF THE STATUTORY LUNAR NEW YEAR-HOLIDAYS, AND THIS HAD ENABLED MANY WORKERS TO PAY CUSTOMARY VISITS TO THEIR RELATIVES IN CHINA.

THE HON. PETER C. WONG SAID THAT AFTER CAREFUL STUDY, HE WAS SATISFIED THAT THE BILL HAD ACHIEVED ITS OBJECTIVE OF REMOVING AMBIGUITIES.

HE SAID HE WOULD ALWAYS GIVE WHOLE-HEARTED SUPPORT TO ANY PROPOSAL TO REMOVE VAGUENESS AND IMPRECISION IN LEGISLATION.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

- 4 -

NEW DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTED *****

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. JAMES SO, 38, AS A DEPUTY SECRETARY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT. HE WILL BE ONE OF THE THREE DEPUTY SECRETARIES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH.

IN HIS NEW APPOINTMENT, MR. SO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICY ON CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, HOUSING AND QUARTERING, DISCIPLINE, STAFF MANAGEMENT AND STAFF RELATIONS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.

MR. SO WILL REPLACE MR. JOHN HUNTER WHO WILL BE RETIRING EARLY IN MAY.

HE WAS APPOINTED AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1966 AND HAS SINCE WORKED IN THE RESETTLEMENT DEPARTMENT, THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND SEVERAL BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.

HE IS AT PRESENT THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH OF THE SECRETARIAT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUTH AND RECREATION PROGRAMMES.

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

ADVICE ON FUTURE DEMAND FOR LAWYERS

*****

THE SECOND READING OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 WAS MOVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IT MAKES TWO PROPOSALS.

♦FIRSTLY, IT WILL RECONSTITUTE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON LEGAL EDUCATION WITH AN ENLARGED MEMBERSHIP AND NEW TERMS OF REFERENCE, WHICH PARTICULARLY REQUIRE IT TO ADVISE ON THE FUTURE DEMAND FOR LAWYERS AND THE MEANS WHEREBY THAT DEMAND MAY BE MET,+ MR. HOBLEY SAID.

♦SECONDLY,* THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ADDED, +THE BILL PROPOSES SOME RESTRICTION ON ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION TO THE ROLL OF STUDENTS MAINTAINED BY THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, WHICH EFFECTIVELY DETERMINES WHICH STUDENTS MAY ULTIMATELY QUALIFY FOR ADMISSION AS SOLICITORS OTHER THAN THOSE WHO FIRST QUALIFY AS ENGLISH SOLICITORS WHOLLY IN ENGLAND. THE CHANGE IS AN UNWELCOME ONE.+

/JJH. H0BL3Y.....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

- 5 -

MR. HOBLEY SAID FOR MANY YEARS, THE LAW SOCIETY HAD PROVIDED FACILITIES IN HONG KONG SO THAT STUDENTS MAY QUALIFY FOR ADMISSION AS SOLICITORS HERE WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO ENGLAND EITHER FOR EXAMINATION OR FOR THE PURPOSE OF ARTICLES.

+THIS IS ONE OF THE THREE MAIN METHODS BY WHICH STUDENTS MAY NOW QUALIFY FOR ADMISSION IN HONG KONG.+

BUT, MR. HOBLEY SAID THAT BECAUSE OF CHANGES IN THE SYSTEM OF LEGAL EDUCATION IN ENGLAND, +THAT FACILITY WILL BE WITHDRAWN WITH EFFECT FROM THE END OF 1980.♦

♦FORTUNATELY, THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG HAS BEEN ABLE TO PROCURE THE SERVICE OF THE ENGLISH LAW SOCIETY’S EXAMINERS UNTIL THE END OF 1982. THIS MEANS THAT STUDENTS NOW ENROLLED HAVE FOUR YEARS TO QUALIFY AS A SOLICITOR BY THIS METHOD.+

MR. HOBLEY POINTED OUT THAT THE ROLL OF STUDENTS WILL, IF +THIS BILL BECOMES LAW AS IT NOW STANDS, BE CLOSED WITH EFFECT FROM ITS PUBLICATION IN THE GAZETTE ON FEBRUARY 23 EXCEPT TO STUDENTS WHO HOLD THE POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN LAW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG OR A LAW DEGREE CONFERRED BY A RECOGNISED UN IVERSITY.+

♦NO FURTHER STUDENTS WILL BE ADMITTED WITH A VIEW TO QUALIFICATION BY THE METHOD WHICH IS TO DISAPPEAR BY 1983.+

MR. HOBLEY SAID THIS RETROSPECTIVE CLOSING OF THE ROLL +IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO AVOID A POSSIBLE RUSH OF STUDENTS SEEKING ADMISSION IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THEIR POSITION IN RELATION TO THAT METHOD OF QUALIFY ING.♦

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THAT THE LOSS OF THIS METHOD OF QUALIFYING AS A SOLICITOR WILL +HOPEFULLY BE OFFSET BY AN INCREASED NUMBER OF QUALIFIED STUDENTS LEAVING THE SCHOOL OF LAW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN 1982.♦

♦NEVERTHELESS, THERE WILL BE A NET LOSS AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON LEGAL EDUCATION IS URGENTLY CONSIDERING HOW THE FUTURE DEMAND FOR LAWYERS SHOULD BE MET IN TERMS OF TYPE OF TRAINING AND METHOD OF QUALIFY ING.+

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

LORRIES TO BE TESTED ANNUALLY

*****

THE OPENING OF THE NEW KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE LATER THIS YEAR WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO INSPECT GOODS VEHICLES ANNUALLY SO AS TO IMPROVE THEIR MAINTENANCE STANDARDS.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. JONES SAID ANNUAL INSPECTIONS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE IMPOSSIBLE AT PRESENT BECAUSE OF LACK OF TESTING FACILITIES.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF ALL GOODS VEHICLES HAVE SOME DEFECT OR OTHER, BUT MOSTLY MINOR, WHICH ARE NOT SERIOUS ENOUGH TO MAKE THE VEHICLES CONCERNED DANGEROUS OR UNROADWORTHY, THE ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY SAID.

ON SPOT CHECKS, MR. JONES SAID THE POLICE, WITH THE ASSISTANCE CF MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINERS, CARRY OUT LIMITED CHECKS OF VEHICLES AT THE ROADSIDE.

♦IT IS PERTINENT THAT MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINERS CAN UNDERTAKE MORE INSPECTIONS, AND MORE THOROUGH INSPECTIONS, IN VEHICLE TESTING CENTRES,♦ HE ADDED.

ANSWERING A SEPARATE QUESTION FROM MR. CHEONG-LEEN, MR. JONES SAID INFORMATION WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO SAY HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE LORRIES.

LAST YEAR, HE SAID, THERE WERE 3,277 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING GOODS VEHICLES BUT THEY AND THEIR DRIVERS WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THESE.

♦EVEN WHEN THEY WERE, IT WAS NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS DEFECTIVE,♦ HE SAID.

♦NEVERTHELESS,♦ HE ADDED, *THE RECORDS OF ALL THE 3,277 ACCIDENTS WILL BE EXAMINED MANUALLY TO EXTRACT WHAT INFORMATION THERE IS ON THE ROADWORTHINESS OF THE VEHICLES INVOLVED.*

HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ACCIDENTS INVOLVING GOODS VEHICLES AS A PERCENTAGE OF ALL ACCIDENTS HAVE INCREASED FROM ABOUT 12 PER CENT TO JUST UNDER 16 PER CENT.

BUT OVER THAT PERIOD THE NUMBER OF LORRIES ON THE ROAD HAS INCREASED FASTER THAN OTHER VEHICLES AND THEY NOW COMPRISE OVER 20 PER CENT OF ALL VEHICLES.

♦THE PLANNED INTRODUCTION LATER THIS YEAR CF COMPULSORY ANNUAL INSPECTIONS FOR ALL GOODS VEHICLES SHOULD IN DUE COURSE CONSIDERABLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LORRIES ON THE ROADS WITH SERIOUS MECHANICAL DEFECTS,* HE SAID.

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

/7 ...

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

CALL FOR SAFETY-CONSCIOUS SUPERVISION AT CONSTRUCTION SITES * * * * * *

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. NEIL HENDERSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IT WAS VITAL THAT THERE SHOULD BE SAFETY-CONSCIOUS SUPERVISION BY CONTRACTORS, ENGINEERS AND THEIR STAFF IN HELPING TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.

HE SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT INTENDED TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF FACTORY INSPECTORS FOR SITE INSPECTION DURING THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS AND TO INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF INSPECTION.

BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT +WHILE THIS MAY BE AN IMPROVEMENT IT IS OF ITSELF ONLY A PART OF WHAT IS NECESSARY TO BETTER SAFETY STANDARDS.*

♦INSPECTION BY THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE CANNOT MAINTAIN A CONTINUOUS PRESENCE ON THE SITES,* HE ADDED.

MR. HENDERSON WAS REPLYING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO THE HON. ANDREW SO WHO ASKED WHETHER OR NOT GOVERNMENT WOULD CARRY OUT MORE INSPECTIONS OF THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF CRANES AND OTHER HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND TAKE ALL REASONABLE btASURES, INCLUDING PROSECUTIONS TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS ARISING FROM NEGLIGENCE.

MR. HENDERSON ALSO SAID THAT AT PRESENT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS A STAFF OF 15 INSPECTORS TO INSPECT CONSTRUCTION SITES TO ENSURE THAT BUILDING CONTRACTORS WERE AWARE OF AND FULFIL THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.

THESE REGULATIONS COVERED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF CRANES AND PLACED THE RESPONSIBILITY ON BUILDING CONSTRUCTORS FOR ENSURING THAT SUCH EQUIPMENT WAS MAINTAINED IN SAFE WORKING ORDER AND WAS OPERATED ONLY BY TRAINED AND COMPETENT PERSONS.

HE REPORTED THAT IN 1977 LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INSPECTORS MADE 4,626 INSPECTIONS OF CONSTRUCTION SITES AND 5,750 IN 1978.

ON AVERAGE THIS MEANT BETWEEN THREE AND FOUR VISITS TO EACH SITE EACH YEAR, ALTHOUGH IN PRACTICE MORE INSPECTIONS WERE MADE TO THE LARGER OR MORE HAZARDOUS SITES THAN TO THE OTHERS.

ON PROSECUTIONS, MR. HENDERSON SAID 144 SUMMONSES UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS WERE HEARD IN THE MAGISTRACIES DURING 1977 OF WHICH 13 INVOLVED LIFTING APPLIANCES AND FINES TOTALLING $159,150 WERE IMPOSED.

DURING 1978, 385 SUCH CASES INCLUDING 66 INVOLVING LIFTING APPLIANCES, WERE HEARD AND FINES TOTALLING $231,850 WERE IMPOSED.

-----o------ /8

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

ADEQUATE CREMATION FACILITIES AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE 1980’S *******

THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE GROWING DEMAND FOR CREMATION FACILITIES AND THE POLICY IS TO ENCOURAGE IT TO CONSERVE LAND THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED FOR BURIAL IN CEMETERIES.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. WONG LAM AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. JONES SAID THERE WERE 9,889 CREMATIONS IN 1978.

THIS REPRESENTED A RATIO OF ABOUT 45 PER CENT CREMATIONS TO 55 PER CENT BURIALS.

♦ THE AIM IS TO ACHIEVE A RATIO OF 70 PER CENT CREMATIONS TO 30 PER CENT BURIALS IN 10 YEARS’ TIME AND, ON THIS BASIS, BY THE LATE 1980’S THE PROJECTED ANNUAL DEMAND FOR CREMATIONS SHOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 24,000,* HE SAID.

THE EXISTING CREMATORIA AT CAPE COLLINSON AND DIAMOND HILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 9,200 CREMATIONS PER YEAR AND, SO FAR, THEY HAVE MANAGED TO COPE WITH THE EXISTING DEMAND OF JUST UNDER 10,000 CREMATIONS BY OPERATING EXTENDED HOURS.

♦ A NEW CREMATORIUM TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE AT DIAMOND HILL WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR, GIVING AN ADDITIONAL CAPACITY OF 2,700 CREMATIONS PER ANNUM.

♦ ANOTHER NEW CREMATORIUM, WITH A CAPACITY OF 4,000 CREMATIONS PER YEAR, IS ALSO BEING CONSTRUCTED AT TSUEN WAN AND WILL BE IN OPERATION BY THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.+ MR. JONES SAID.

PLANNING PROVISION HAS ALSO BEEN MADE FOR THE FURTHER EXPANSION OF THESE TWO CREMATORIA TO ALLOW FOR AN ADDITIONAL 4,000 CREMATIONS PER YEAR IF THIS IS REQUIRED.

♦ SO, BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THERE SHOULD BE A TOTAL CAPACITY OF APPROXIMATELY 16,000 CREMATIONS PER YEAR, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPANDING THIS BY A FURTHER 4,000 AS AND WHEN REQUIRED.+

ON TOP OF THIS, HE SAID, THERE IS ALSO PROVISION IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR TWO MORE CREMATORIA TO BE BUILT AT SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN, EACH HAVING A CAPACITY OF 4,000 CREMATIONS PER YEAR AND EACH WITH PLANNING PROVISION FOR A FURTHER EXPANSION OF 2,000 PER YEAR AS AND WHEN NECESSARY.

BOTH THESE FACILITIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1981, NR. JONES SAID.

/+3Y THE .....

V.’SDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

- 9 -

♦BY THE BEGINNING OF 1982, THEREFORE, THE CAPACITY OF THE THEN AVAILABLE CREMATORIA WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 24,000, WITH A PROVISION FOR A FURTHER 8,000 CREMATIONS PER YEAR AS AND WHEN REQUIRED.

♦THIS PROGRAMME WILL ENSURE THAT, ADEQUATE CREMATION FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE 1980S. FURTHERMORE THE LOCATION OF CREMATORIA AT CAPE COLLINSON, DIAMOND HILL, TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN WILL ENSURE A REASONABLE GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD,+ MR. JONES ADDED.

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

GOVERNMENT GUARANTEES LOANS FOR MTR ******

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SOUGHT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL FOR GOVERNMENT GUARANTEES FOR LOANS, EXPORT CREDITS AND A SUPPLIER CREDIT BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION FOR EXTENSION OF ITS RAILWAY TO TSUEN WAN.

IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THE LOANS WILL BE FOR FIVE CONTRACTS. ALL ARE ON A FIXED PRICE BASIS.

TWO LOANS AMOUNTING TO US$111 MILLION ARE TO FINANCE CONTRACTS PLACED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR 150 RAIL-CARS AND POWER SUPPLY EQUIPMENT.

♦BUT THERE IS PROVISION FOR SWITCHING THE LOANS INTO HONG KONG DOLLARS AT ANY TIME DURING THEIR CURRENCY IN THE EVENT THAT HONG KONG DOLLARS BECOME AVAILABLE ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS ACCEPTABLE TO ALL PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENTS,+ HE SAID.

THE TWO EXPORT CREDITS, INVOLVING HKS127 MILLION, ARE TO FINANCE CONTRACTS PLACED IN FRANCE FOR ESCALATORS AND CIVIL WORKS IN RELATION TO KWAI HING AND KWAI FONG STATIONS AND STRUCTURES.

THE SUPPLIER CREDIT OF US$6 MILLION IS TO FINANCE A CONTRACT PLACED IN GERMANY FOR THE SUPPLY OF OVERHEAD CONDUCTORS.

♦THE INTEREST RATES INVOLVED WILL EE COMPETITIVE AND AMOUNTS DUE IN RESPECT OF INTEREST WILL BE COVERED BY THE GUARANTEES,♦ HE SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S TOTAL GUARANTEE COMMITMENT IN THE CORPORATION WILL BE HK$8,580 MILLION.

MOTION WAS APPROVED.

- - 0 -

/10

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

- 10 -

996 CHILDREN UNDER SWD’S CARE AND SUPERVISION ft ft ft ft * *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) 996 CHILDREN ARE NOW UNDER THE CARE-AND SUPERVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR VARIOUS REASONS WHICH RENDER THE PARENTS UNFIT OR UNABLE TO LOOK AFTER THEM.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. LEE SAID THAT, OF THESE CHILDREN, 688 ARE LIVING WITH THEIR PARENTS AT HOME AND 308 ARE STAYING IN INSTITUTIONS.

HE SAID THAT DURING THE FIRST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE CASEWORKER CONTACTS THE PARENTS AND THE CHILDREN ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK, DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION.

LATER ON AS THE SITUATION IMPROVES, HE SAID, THE FREQUENCY OF SUCH CONTACTS IS GRADUALLY REDUCED TO ABOUT ONCE A MONTH.

MR. LEE SAID THAT AT PRESENT 67 PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED CASEWORKERS IN THE DEPARTMENT CARRY SUCH CASES, WHICH CONSTITUTE ABOUT 13 PER CENT OF THEIR TOTAL CASELOAD AS THEY ALSO DEAL WITH OTHER TYPES OF CASES.

IN THE FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION WITH A TOTAL WORKLOAD OF 15,000 CASES, HE SAID, THERE ARE ALTOGETHER 17 CASEWORK SUPERVISORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WORK OF 144 CASEWORKERS.

ON AVERAGE, ONE SUPERVISOR SUPERVISES ABOUT NINE CASEWORKERS, HE ADDED.

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

OPERATING PILING, DRILLING MACHINES OUTSIDE PERMITTED HOURS RARE ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE OFFENCE OF OPERATING PILING AND DRILLING MACHINES OUTSIDE PERMITTED HOURS HAS RARELY, IF EVER, BEEN COMMITTED IN RECENT YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ANDREW SO, MR. JONES SAID COMPLAINTS AGAINST CONSTRUCTION NOISE WERE OVERWHELMINGLY RELATED TO NOISE DURING PERMITTED HOURS.

MR. JONES ADDED THAT AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE SUMMARY-OFFENCES ORDINANCE TO EXTEND THE HOURS DURING WHICH PILING OPERATIONS ARE BANNED, FROM BETWEEN 8 P.M. AND 6 A.M. AT PRESENT, TO BETWEEN 7 P.M. AND 7 A.M. AND +T0 APPLY THE BAN TO ALL CONSTRUCTION MACHINES OF HIGHER THAN ONE HORSE-POWER.♦

'.TZKESDAY, LIABCH 14, 1979

- 11 -

♦THE EXTENDED BAN WILL COME INTO FORCE ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR,* MR. JONES SAID.

♦WORK IS ALSO PROCEEDING ON THE PREPARATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE NOISE ABATEMENT BILL AND THIS WILL, AMONG OTHER THINGS, PERMIT MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO BETTER CONTROL CONSTRUCTION NOISE DURING PERMITTED HOURS OF WORK.

♦I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS BILL FORWARD DURING THE NEXT SESSION OF THIS COUNCIL,* MR. JONES SAID.

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

WIDER PROTECTION FOR INVENTORS *****

INVENTORS WISHING TO PROTECT THEIR INVENTIONS IN HONG KONG MAY SOON BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A EUROPEAN PATENT IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIRED UNITED KINGDOM REGISTRATION TO GIVE THEM WIDER PROTECTION.

THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. DAVID T.K. WONG SAID THIS IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM PATENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. WONG SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO AMEND THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGES INTRODUCED IN THE U.K. BY THE PATENTS ACT 1977 AND TO ALLOW FOR THE REGISTRATION OF BOTH UNITED KINGDOM AND EUROPEAN (U.K.) PATENTS HERE.

BECAUSE HONG KONG DOES NOT HAVE AN ORIGINAL PATENTS REGISTRATION SYSTEM, HE SAID, INVENTORS, UNDER THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT, MUST APPLY FOR A U.K. PATENT AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY REGISTER IT HERE.

BUT FOLLOWING THE CHANGES OF THE U.K. PATENT LAW RECENTLY, THE PATENTS ACT 1977 PROVIDES THAT INVENTORS MAY NOW APPLY NOT ONLY FOR UNITED KINGDOM PATENTS BUT ALSO FOR EUROPEAN PATENTS (U.K.) GRANTED UNDER THE CONVENTION ON THE GRANT OF EUROPEAN PATENTS.

♦IT IS THEREFORE LIKELY THAT INVENTORS WILL PREFER TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT OF EUROPEAN PATENTS (U.K.) RATHER THAN A UNITED KINGDOM PATENT,* HE ADDED.

DEBATE ON THE MOTION WAS ADJOURNED.

- 0 -

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

- 12 -

VOTE ON ACCOUNT * * * *

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ADOPTED A MOTION WHICH SEEKS FUNDS ON ACCOUNT TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY ON EXISTING SERVICES BETWEEN THE START OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR ON APRIL 1, 1979, AND THE ISSUE OF THE GENERAL WARRANT FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE.

MOVING THE MOTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAIDi +THE FUNDS ON ACCOUNT SOUGHT UNDER EACH HEAD HAVE BEEN DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULES WHICH HAVE BEEN AGREED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL.*

HE SAID THE EXPENDITURE WILL BE REGULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HEADS AND SUBHEADS SHOWN IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES 1979-80.

♦ A VOTE ON ACCOUNT WARRANT WILL BE ISSUED TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES AUTHORISING HIM TO MAKE PAYMENTS UP TO THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED IN THIS MOTION, AND WILL LIMIT THE EXPENDITURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREED RULES.*

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT UNDER THE APPROPRIATION-IN-AID SYSTEM, +CERTAIN RECEIPTS, CONSISTING OF FEES AND CHARGES, WILL BE APPROPRIATED-IN-AID AND USED TO OFFSET EXPENDITURE INSTEAD OF BEING CREDITED TO GENERAL REVENUE.*

♦ THE MOTION ALSO SEEKS THE AUTHORITY OF THIS COUNCIL TO ENABLE ME TO DIRECT THAT SUCH RECEIPTS SHOULD BE APPLIED IN THIS WAY DURING THE PERIOD COVERED BY THE VOTE ON ACCOUNT.*

EARLIER, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPR I AT ION BILL HAD TO BE EXTENDED INTO APRIL TO ALLOW HONOURABLE MEMBERS MORE TIME TO EXAMINE THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR 1979-80.

♦ THUS THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE WILL NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL THE END OF APR IL.+

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 ******

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. MARTIN ROWLANDS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1979 AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

HE SAID THE BILL HAS TWO MAIN PURPOSESi

* TO PROVIDE FOR THE TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF A CHAIRMAN OR MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION WHEN THOSE OFFICES ARE VACANT, AND

* TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMISSION TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON ANY MATTER AFFECTING THE CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE OF PUBLIC OFFICERS.

THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE COMMISSION FROM +PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION* TO +PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION*. HE SAID.

DEBATE ON THE MOTION WAS ADJOURNED.

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DISCOTHEQUES — POPULAR FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT ******

DISCOTHEQUES HAPPEN TO BE A PARTICULARLY POPULAR FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT AT THE PRESENT TIME, BUT NO ONE IS COMPELLED TO FREQUENT THEM.

THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. E.P. HO SAID IMIS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.

MR. HO SAID DISCO FEVER HAD ALSO HIT OTHER COUNTRIES AND IE WAS NOT AWARE OF ITS CURTAILMENT OR SUPPRESSION BY ANY AUTHORITIES ON PUBLIC HEALTH GROUNDS.

♦ACCORDINGLY ANY SURVEY OF NOISE LEVELS IN DISCOTHEQUES IS LIKELY TO BE AN ACADEMIC EXERCISE, AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO ME TO BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT ONE AT PRESENT,* MR. HO ADDED.

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/14

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

- 14 -

LEGAL OFFICERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 * * * * *

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE RECENTLY APPROVED PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES IN THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WEDNESDAY) WHEN HE MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE LEGAL OFFICERS AMENDMENT) BILL 1979.

THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO MAKE NECESSARY CONSEQUENTIAL CHANGES.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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MACHINERY CONTRACT FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS

*****

A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT TO SUPPLY AND INSTALL MACHINERY FOR THE INITIAL STAGE OF THE PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS IN TUEN MUN WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

THE CONTRACT WILL BE THE FIRST OF TWO FOR THIS STAGE.

THE SIGNING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, CAROLINE HILL.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE MULT I-MILL ION-DOLLAR CONTRACT TO SUPPLY AND INSTALL MACHINERY FOR THE INITIAL STAGE OF THE PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 11.30 A.M. AT THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, PWD, IN CAROLINE HILL.

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BILL ON COURT RECORDS

* * * *

THE PURPOSE OF THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 IS TO AUTHORISE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO OBTAIN A COPY OF A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS BEFORE A MAGISTRATE FOR THE USE OF UMELCO, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TOLD TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY SAID MEMBERS Or THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS FROM TIME TO TIME HAVE +A VERY CLEAR AND PROPER INTEREST THEREIN.*

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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/15 .....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

PRISONS DEPARTMENT STAFF PARADE * * * * *

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. T.G. GARNER, WILL PRESENT COLONIAL SERVICE MEDAL CLASPS.TO 32 PRISONS DEPARTMENT MEMBERS DURING A CEREMONIAL PARADE ON FRIDAY AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT STANLEY.

A TOTAL OF 120 PRISON OFFICERS, COMMANDED BY MR. PI WING-LEE, PRINCIPAL OF THE TRAINING INSTITUTE, AND THE CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE BAND WILL BE ON PARADE.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PARADE AND TO JOIN THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS OFFICERS FOR REFRESHMENTS IN THE PRISON OFFICERS’ CLUB AFTERWARDS. A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE AT THE CLUB CONCERNING THE PRESENTATION TO THE CLUB OF A TROPHY DONATED BY ONE OF THE LONGEST SERVING LIFE MEMBERS OF THE CLUB.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WANCHAI, AT 3 P.M. ON FRIDAY AND RETURN AFTER THE PARADE.

- - 0 - -

NEW ROAD OPEN TO TRAFFIC *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE NEW ROAD BETWEEN SHING HO ROAD AND TAI WAI ROAD WILL BE OPENED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY.

FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS FROM THE SAME DAY, SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED AT THE SHING HO ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD JUNCTION TO TRAVEL ON THE NEW ROAD AND TO REJOIN TAI PO ROAD AT THE TAI WAI ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD JUNCTION.

THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN SHING HO ROAD AND TAI WAI ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND AT THE SAME TIME.

THE BUS STOP FOR KMB ROUTE NOS. 71 AND 72, KOWLOON-POUND, WILL BE MOVED TO A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES FURTHER SOUTH DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF TAI WAI ON THE NEW ROAD.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

•EDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1979

- 16 -

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HUNG HOM WILL BE STOPPED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY FOR NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY DYER AVENUE, DOCK STREET, BULKELEY STREET, CHATHAM ROAD, WUHU STREET, LO LUNG HANG STREET, STATION LANE AND MA TAU WAI ROAD, INCLUDING TAKU STREET, MARSH STREET, KUN YAM STREET, GILLIES AVENUE, WALKER STREET AND VALLEY ROAD.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR PRAISES DEVELOPMENT OF JAPAN-HONG KONG ECONOMIC RELATIONS ....................................... 1

COMPENSATION ZONES FOR RESUMED LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES .............................................. 3

18 LOTS OF CROWN LAND TO BE AUCTIONED .................... A

MORE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT DUE ......................... 5

CAREERS INFORMATION SERVICE TAKES THE WHEELS ............. 6

ENGINEERING CONTRACT FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS SIGNED ................................................... 7

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE-COURSE .................... 8

VISITORS TO REMOTE AREAS URGED TO CARRY IDENTITY CARDS .................................................... 9

FREE MEDICAL ADVICE ON TV................................. 9

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF JACKSON ROAD ........................ 9

SEMINAR ON MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES ........................ 10

FURTHER CLOSURE OF ACCESS ROAD IN N.T.................... 10

FIFTH KWAI CHUNG COMMUNITY HALL OPENS TOMORROW ......... 11

ROAD CLOSURE ............................................ 12

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

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979

GOVERNOR PRAISES DEVELOPMENT OF JAPAN-HONG KONG ECONOMIC RELATIONS * ft ft * * ft

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING DESCRIBED THE FIRST JOINT MEETING OF THE JAPAN-HONG KONG AND HONG KONG-JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEES AS A +MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF JAPANESE-HONG KONG ECONOMIC RELATIONS.*

SIR MURRAY WAS SPEAKING AT A DINNER FOR THE HONG KONG-JAPAN JOINT COMMITTEE AT FLAGSTAFF HOUSE.

♦CONSIDERING IT WAS ONLY LAST NOVEMBER THAT THIS COMMITTEE WAS FIRST SUGGESTED, I AM IMPRESSED BY THE SPEED WITH WHICH THIS FIRST JOINT MEETING HAS BEEN INAUGURATED. IT INDICATES THE DETERMINATION OF BOTH SIDES TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG,+ SIR MURRAY TOLD MEMBERS OF THE TWO COMMITTEES.

THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE COMPRISES EIGHT TOP BANKERS AND BUSINESSMEN HEADED BY SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BANK OF EAST ASIA.

THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN OF SONCA INDUSTRIES LTD- MR. MICHAEL SANDBERG, MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN OF HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION- MR. BILL DORWARD, MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS-M?. DAVID NEWBIGGING, MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN AND SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR OF JARDINE, MATHESON AND COMPANY- SIR YUE-KONG PAO, CHAIRMAN OF THE WORLD WIDE SHIPPING GROUP- MR. T.K. ANN, CHAIRMAN OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCILAND MR. LEN DUNNING, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

THE JAPAN COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF NINE, LED BY MR. K. YASUI, SENIOR ADVISER, TORAY INDUSTRIES INC. AND VICE-PRESIDENT, KEIDAREN, AND MR. N. GOTOH, PRESIDENT, TOKYU CORPORATION AND VICE-PRESIDENT, TOKYO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES.

THE OTHER MEMBERS AREl- MR. N. HASEGAWA, CHAIRMAN, SUMITOMO CHEMICAL CO. LTD. AND VICE-PRESIDENT, KEIDAREN- MR. S. MIYAKE, CHAIRMAN, TOKAI BANK LTD. AND PRESIDENT, THE NAGOYA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY- MR. C. TAKEDA, CHAIRMAN, TAKEDA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. AND VICE-PRESIDENT, THE OSAKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY- MR. H. YOSHIYAMA, PRESIDENT, HITACHI LTD-

M. SEGAWA, SENIOR ADVISER, THE NOMURA SECURITIES CO. LTD-M*. K. TSUYUKI, CHAIRMAN, ISETAN CO. LTD- AND MR. K. YAMADA, VICE-CHAIRMAN, MITSUBISHI CORPORATION.

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

♦MR. YASUI, CONSUL-GENERAL, SIR Y K, DELEGATES OF THE FIRST JOINT MEETING OF THE JAPAN/HONG KONG AND HONG KONG/JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEES.

/♦I AM V'P" : LEASED ...

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979

+l AM VERY PLEASED TO WELCOME YOU AFTER YOUR VERY BUSY DAY CF DELIBERATIONS. INDEED IT SEEMED THE MOST PRACTICAL WAY IN WHICH I COULD DEMONSTRATE MY GREAT INTEREST IN YOUR PROCEEDINGS AND THE IMPORTANCE I ATTACH TO THIS FIRST JOINT MEETING. IT IS CLEARLY A MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF JAPANESE/HONG KONG ECONOMIC RELATIONS.

♦SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN HAS TOLD ME THAT YOUR DISCUSSIONS WERE FRUITFUL AND THAT THREE WORKING COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN SET UP TO CARRY FORWARD PRACTICAL STUDIES. I AM SURE IT IS THE WISH OF ALL CF YOU THAT FROM THE START THESE JOINT COMMITTEE MEETINGS SHOULD TAKE AN ENTIRELY PRACTICAL FORM AND I DO CONGRATULATE YOU ON THE OUTCOME OF TODAY’S MEETING.

♦I WAS PLEASED AND TOUCHED THAT MR. SONODA SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED A MESSAGE TO THE FIRST JOINT MEETING. THE JOINT MEETINGS WERE HIS IDEA, AND I WILL HAVE MUCH PLEASURE IN WRITING TO HIM TO TELL HIM OF MY SATISFACTION OF THE OUTCOME OF THIS FIRST SESSION IN HONG KONG.

♦LIKE HIM, I ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE AND EXTEND TO IT MY VERY BEST WISHES FOR ITS CONTINUING SUCCESS.+

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979-

COMPENSATION ZONES FOR RESUMED LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ******

THE GOVERNMENT HAS DRAWN UP SEVEN ZONES ON WHICH IT WILL BASE COMPENSATION PAYMENTS FOR PRIVATE LAND RESUMED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE ZONES COVER AGRICULTURAL AND BUILDING LAND BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT LAYOUTS AND ARE TIED TO A TWICE-YEARLY REVIEW OF COMPENSATION RATES.

THE FIRST TWO ZONES - A AND B - INCLUDE LAND WITHIN AN URBAN DEVELOPMENT LAYOUT AND LAND TECHNICALLY OUTSIDE THE LAYOUT BUT EITHER ADJACENT TO IT OR HAVING ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A LAYOUT AND WHICH IS RESUMED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR RESALE.

COMPENSATION IN THESE ZONES WILL BE PAID AT PRESENT FULL RATE WHICH IS $39 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND AND VALUATION PLUS $79 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR BUILDING LAND.

THESE RATES ARE CURRENTLY BEING REVIEWED AND WILL BE ADJUSTED ON APRIL 1, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR. FRANK ROOME, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

HE SAID THE OTHER FIVE ZONES HAD BEEN DRAWN UP TO COVER LAND AWAY FROM URBAN DEVELOPMENT AREAS WHERE COMPENSATION WOULD BE PAID ON A REDUCING SCALE GOVERNED EITHER BY LOCATION OR DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL. IN THE CASE OF BUILDING LAND, THE PROPORTIONATE COMPENSATION WOULD BE PAID IN ADDITION TO FULL VALUATION.

BACKDATED TO NOVEMBER 1 LAST YEAR, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PAY THE FOLLOWING FIXED PERCENTAGESi-

* SEVENTY FIVE PER CENT FOR AREAS IN WHICH NO DEVELOPMENT IS PLANNED BUT WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED BY LATER EXTENSIONS TO THE LAYOUT BECAUSE OF THEIR PROXIMITY-

* FIFTY PER CENT FOR AREAS IN WHICH NO DEVELOPMENT IS PLANNED AND ARE UNLIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY LATER EXTENSIONS BUT WHICH ARE REQUIRED SOMETIMES FOR PURPOSES DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH LAYOUT DEVELOPMENT OR FOR LOCAL IMPROVEMENT -

* FIFTY PER CENT FOR OUTLYING AREAS WHERE LAND EXCHANGES ARE THE RULE BUT RESUMPTIONS FOR CASH ARE SOMETIMES UNAVOIDABLE"

* THIRTY PER CENT FOR AREAS NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER ZONES- AND

* TWENTY PER CENT FOR LAND IN AREAS WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS RESTRICTED - SUCH AS COUNTRY PARKS, FIRING RANGES AND CLOSED AREAS.

MR. ROOME SAID THAT DETAILS OF THE NEW ZONES WERE SHOWN ON A ZONAL PLAN WHICH WAS NOW AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATION’S SEVEN DISTRICT OFFICES.

HE ADDED THAT THE PRACTICE OF OFFERING LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS IN CERTAIN AREAS, PARTICULARLY IN THE NEW NEW TOWNS, WOULD IN NO WAY BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW COMPENSATION PROCEDURES.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979

18 LOTS OF CROWN LAND TO BE AUCTIONED ft ft ft ft ft ft

EIGHTEEN LOTS OF CROWN LAND WITH A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 74,000 SQUARE METRES WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION AND TENDER DURING THE NEXT SIX MONTHS FROM APRIL 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE LOTS COMPRISED SEVEN NON-INDUSTRI AL SITES, SEVEN INDUSTRIAL SITES, THREE FOR PETROL FILLING STATIONS AND ONE FOR A MARINA AT ABERDEEN.

HE SAID THAT THE NON-INDUSTRI AL SITES, MEASURING A TOTAL OF ABOUT 9,800 SQUARE METRES, WERE LOCATED AT SHANGHAI STREET, NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, NEW STREET, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, RECLAMATION STREET AND CHAI WAN.

OF THE SEVEN INDUSTRIAL SITES, FIVE ARE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND TWO IN KOWLOON. THE AREAS OF THESE SITES VARY FROM 480 SQUARE METRES TO 3,200 SQUARE METRES.

THE OTHER FOUR SITES, FOR PETROL FILLING STATION AND MARINA PURPOSES, ARE SITUATED AT HIU KWONG STREET, CHAI WAN AND SHAM WAN, COVERING A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 55,000 SQUARE METRES.

THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE PROGRAMME IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

SALES DATES FOR EACH LOT WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE AND ADVERTISED IN NEWSPAPERS.

DETAILS OF THE LAND SALES FORECAST TOGETHER WITH PLANS SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE LOTS TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE MAY BE SEEN AT THE PWD’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND AT THE KOWLOON BRANCH OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.

THEY MAY BE INSPECTED ALSO AT ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND AT THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT.

COPIES OF THE SIX-MONTH FORECAST MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE FROM ANY OF THESE OFFICES OR BY WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PWD.

THURSDAY, MARCH" 15, 1979

MORE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT DUE * * * *

TWO 37-METRE TURNTABLE LADDERS ORDERED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT A COST OF MORE THAN $2 MILLION WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG SOON.

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, MR. D. A. KINGSTON, WILL LEAVE FOR WEST GERMANY ON MARCH 23 TO INSPECT AND TEST THE LADDERS BEFORE THEY ARE SHIPPED HERE IN MAY OR JUNE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

MR. KINGSTON WILL ALSO DISCUSS WITH THE SUPPLIER <«• MAGIRUS-DEUTZ A.G. — TECHNICAL AND SAFETY POINTS RELATED TO HONG KONG CONDITIONS. +THE ADDITIONAL APPLIANCES WILL FURTHER ADD TO THE EFFICIENCY OF FIREMEN FIGHTING FIRE IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE SAID A THIRD 37-METRE TURNTABLE LADDER HAD BEEN ORDERED AND WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER. +FOUR 37-METRE TURNTABLE LADDERS HAVE SO FAR BEEN BROUGHT INTO SERVICE AS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE CAPABILITIES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦EIGHTEEN FIREMEN WILL UNDERGO AN EXTENSIVE SIX-MONTH TRAINING COURSE ON HOW TO OPERATE THE APPLIANCES EFFICIENTLY AND SAFELY,* HE ADDED.

THE THREE NEW LADDERS ARE SPECIALLY FITTED WITH WIND-GAUGES TO COUNTER THE DANGER POSED BY FREQUENT WIND GUSTS IN SOME PARTS OF HONG KONG.

EACH LADDER, MOUNTED ON A VEHICULAR CHASSIS AND POWERED BY AN AIR-COOLED DIESEL ENGINE, IS EQUIPPED WITH A REMOTE CONTROL CAGE FOR SMOOTH OPERATION AT VARIABLE HEIGHTS.

♦THIS TYPE OF LADDER IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL BECAUSE OF THE PROLIFERATION OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG,* SAID THE SPOKESMAN.

FOLLOWING HIS WEST GERMAN VISIT, MR. KINGSTON WILL GO TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WHERE HE WILL DISCUSS THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF TWO 50-FOOT SNORKEL FIRE APPLIANCES BEING BUILT FOR THE DEPARTMENT BY SIMON ENGINEERING IN DUDLEY, WEST MIDLANDS.

THE TWO SNORKELS, COSTING $1.5 MILLION, ARE DUE FOR COMPLETION IN OCTOBER AND WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

MR. KINGSTON’S LAST MISSION WILL BE TO INSPECT A $400,000 MAJOR PUMP APPLIANCE ORDERED FROM THE HESTAIR DENNIS COMPANY IN GUILDFORD. THE PUMP IS DUE TO ARRIVE HERE IN MAY.

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/6......

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979

CAREERS INFORMATION SERVICE TAKES THE WHEELS

*****

CAREERS INFORMATION SERVICE IS NO LONGER CONFINED TO CLASSROOMS — THANKS TO AN EXHIBITION VAN DONATED TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON, THE LABOUR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE, MRS. ANGELA HO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE ROTARY CLUB’S LUNCHEON MEETING AT THE PENINSULA HOTEL MRS. HO SAID THE EXHIBITION VAN ADDED A NEW DIMENSION TO THE WORK OF THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE.

+THE VAN PROVIDES AN ATTRACTIVE MEANS TO DISSEMINATE CAREERS INFORMATION ALMOST ANYWHERE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR,* SHE SAID.

♦A PORTABLE ELECTRIC GENERATOR MAKES IT INDEPENDENT OF ANY SOURCE OF POWER SUPPLY.*

MRS. HO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A VERY REAL NEED FOR CAREERS GUIDANCE IN HONG KONG AND THE MOBILE EXHIBITION UNIT DONATED BY THE CLUB WAS TO MEET THIS NEED.

SHE EXPLAINED THAT THE VALUE OF A MOBILE CAREERS SERVICE LIES NOT ONLY IN ITS MOBILITY TO OFFER A SERVICE ALMOST AT ONE’S DOORSTEP BUT ALSO IN BEING ABLE TO STIMULATE THE INTEREST OF YOUNG PEOPLE AS WELL AS THEIR PARENTS WHO OTHERWISE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PAY MUCH OR EVEN VERY LITTLE ATTENTION TO THE QUESTION OF A CAREERS CHOICE.

+IF A MOBILE DISPLAY COULD LEAD THEM TO ASK FURTHER QUESTIONS, AN INFORMAL CHAT COULD START THEM THINKING ABOUT THE CHOICE OF A CAREER- MUCH WOULD HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED,* MRS. HO SAID.

SHE SAID THE VAN VISITED SCHOOLS, YOUTH CENTRES, PARKS, HOUSING ESTATES AND PUBLIC PLACES SUCH AS EDINBURGH PLACE AND KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER.

OVER THE YEARS, IT HAD MADE MANY OUTINGS AND HAD BEEN PRACTICALLY ALL OVER HONG KONG, EXCEPT THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.

MRS. HO ALSO SAID THAT WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE ROTARY CLUB, THE MOBILE UNIT WAS USED TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AT CONSTRUCTION SITES AS WELL AS INDUSTRIAL AREAS AND THIS HAD PROVED TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE.

TO DATE MORE THAN 50 EXHIBITIONS INCLUDING CAREERS AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY EXHIBITIONS HAD BEEN STAGED, ATTRACTING SOME 45,000 VISITORS.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979

ENGINEERING CONTRACT FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS SIGNED ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $7 MILLION CONTRACT TO MESSRS SWIRE AND MACLAINE LTD. FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF MACHINERY FOR THE INITIAL STAGE OF THE PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS IN TUEN MUN.

THE CONTRACT IS THE FIRST OF TWO FOR THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PLANT.

IT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY MR. GRAHAM OSBORNE, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, AND MR. PATRICK WAI OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE.

MR. OSBORNE SAID THAT WORK ON THE CONTRACT, COVERING THE INSTALLATION OF PUMPING AND SCREENING MACHINERY, WOULD BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.

THE MACHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ASPECTS OF THE PLANT HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY THrELECTR ICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE WHICH WILL SUPERVISE THE INSTALLATION WORK.

+THE PLANT AIMS TO SERVE THE EXISTING AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN TUEN MUN AND WILL BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING SEWAGE FLOW FROM AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 530,000,+ MR. OSBORNE SAID.

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 DISPERSION.

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE-COURSE

MM*

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE THREE SPECIAL TRAINS TO THE SHA TIN RACE-COURSE ON SATURDAY (MARCH 17).

THESE SPECIAL NON-STOP TRAINS WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON STATION IN HUNG HOM AT 11.59 A.M., 12.33 P.M. AND 1 P.M. RESPECTIVELY.

ON THE RETURN JOURNEY, THERE WILL BE THREE SPECIAL TRAINS TO TAKE PASSENGERS BACK FROM THE RACE-COURSE STATION TO KOWLOON STATION.

IN ADDITION KCR WILL RE-ROUTE THREE OF ITS SCHEDULED TRAINS VIA THE RACE-COURSE STATION AT 5.22 P.M., 7.15 P.M. AND 8.08 P.M. TO PICK UP PASSENGERS.

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

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

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

HE ADDED THAT THE TIMETABLES OF THE SCHEDULED TRAIN SERVICES HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY AMENDED. THE REVISED TIMETABLES OF THE SCHEDULED TRAINS BETWEEN 10.30 A.M. AND 11 P.M. AREi

2.19

7.46

1.43

7.21

FROM KOWLOON STATIONi 11.09 A.M., 12.12 P.M., 1.18 P.M., P.M., 3.07 P.M., 3.54 P.M., 5.06 P.M., 6 P.M., 7.04 P.M., P.M., 8.36 P.M., 9.20 P.M. AND 11 P.M.

FROM LO WU STATIONi 10.52 A.M., 11.50 A.M., 12.49 P.M., P.M., 3 P.M., 4.01 P.M., 4.35 P.M., 5.29 P.M., 6.26 P.M., P.M., 8.21 P.M. AND 9.28 P.M.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979

VISITORS 'TO REMOTE AREAS URGED TO CARRY IDENTITY CARDS *****

RESIDENTS WHO GO ON RECREATIONAL VISITS TO REMOTE AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OUTLYING ISLANDS ARE ADVISED TO CARRY THEIR IDENTITY CARD WITH THEM SO THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH THEIR IDENTITY IF REQUESTED TO DO SO BY MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY FORCE.

IN GIVING THIS ADVICE TODAY (THURSDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN THE NUMBERS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ENTERING HONG KONG BOTH OVER THE LAND BORDER AND LANDING ON SHORES HAS NECESSITATED THE SECURITY FORCE TO STEP UP SEARCHES. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THIS WILL INCREASE DURING SUMMER MONTHS.

SIMILARLY, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE MAKING RECREATIONAL VISITS TO REMOTE AREAS GIVES RISE TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CONCERN THAT SOME MISUNDERSTANDING MAY OCCUR, WHEN SEARCHES ARE CONDUCTED.

THEREFORE, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO CARRY THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND HAVE THEM AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY THE SECURITY FORCE IF SO REQUESTED.

+BY SO DOING, IT IS HOPED IT COULD MINIMISE THE POSSIBILITY OF INCONVENIENCE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE QUITE LAWFULLY VISITING OR WORKING IN THESE AREAS,* HE SAID.

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

FREE MEDICAL ADVICE ON TV * * * *

A NEW TELEVISION SERIES DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH FREE MEDICAL AND HEALTH ADVICE WILL BE SCREENED ON RTV’S CHINESE CHANNEL EVERY SATURDAY EVENING, STARTING FROM MARCH 24.

THE PROGRAMME, ENTITLED +THE DOCTOR AND YOU*, HAS BEEN JOINTLY PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

DURING THE HALF-HOUR PROGRAMME, WHICH WILL BE BROADCAST FROM 7 P.M. TO 7.30 P.M., DOCTORS WILL ANSWER CALLS AND LETTERS FROM VIEWERS. HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT RECOMMEND MEDICINES OR DOCTORS.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE PROGRAMME BY CALLING 3-384848 DURING SCREENING TIME OR BY WRITING TO P.O. BOX 200, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE.

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

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF JACKSON ROAD * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECTION OF JACKSON ROAD BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND CHATER ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO MOTOR VEHICLES FROM 10 A.M. TO 11.30 A.M. ON SATURDAY — ST. PATRICK’S DAY — FOR A WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY AT THE CENOTAPH.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

------0-------- /-io.......................

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979

SEMINAR ON MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES *****

A FOUR-EVENING SEMINAR ON MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES FOR 100 OFFICE-BEARERS FROM THE 86 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN PUBLIC IOUSING ESTATES IN SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO) AS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN THE DISTRICT.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL JOINTLY CHAIR THE SEMINAR. THE PROGRAMME INCLUDE THE WORK OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS, ANTI-CORRUPTION AND HOW TO ORGANISE COMMUNITY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

NOTE TO ED I TORSt

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR AT 8 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE HALL OF THE SHAM SHUI PO KAIFONG ASSOCIATION, 88 YU CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO.

- - 0 - -

FURTHER CLOSURE OF ACCESS ROAD IN N.T *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED 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 (WHICH HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE FEBRUARY 19) WILL BE FURTHER CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC UNTIL MARCH 31 INCLUSIVE, TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.

DURING THIS PERIOD, THE NEW TERR I TOR IES-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THIS SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS ALTERNATIVELY.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS AND SIGNALS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979

FIFTH KWAI CHUNG COMMUNITY HALL OPENS TOMORROW ft ft ft ft ft

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S FIFTH COMMUNITY HALL IN KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED TOMORROW (FRIDAY), PROVIDING ANOTHER FOCAL POINT OF GROUP AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICT.

THE SHEK YAM COMMUNITY HALL IS THE EIGHTH OF A SERIES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN VARIOUS PARTS OF HONG KONG TO MEET A GROWING NEED FOR SUCH FACILITIES.

A NEW COMMUNITY HALL, WHICH IS ALREADY OPERATING AT TAI HING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN, WILL ALSO BE OFFICIALLY OPENED LATER THIS YEAR.

OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW WILL BE MR. CHAU HOW—CHEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD. THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE.

THE COMMUNITY HALL ORGANISES REGULAR CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO HELP RESIDENTS BECOME MORE CIVIC-MINDED AND ENABLE THEM TO BUILD UP A MORE INTEGRATED COMMUNITY.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE INTEREST GROUPS, VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMMES AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSES.

FACILITIES AT THE COMMUNITY HALL ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR LOAN TO LOCAL GROUPS, SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS FOR HOLDING ACTIVITIES AND MEETINGS.

NOTE TO ED ITORS«

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SOCIAL \€LFARE DEPARTMENT’S SHEK YAM COMMUNITY HALL WHICH WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 4 P.M. AT THE COMMUNITY HALL IN TAI PAK TIN STREET NEXT TO SHEK YAM ESTATE IN NORTH KWAI CHUNG.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. IT WILL LEAVE AT 3.10 P.M. FROM LEE GARDENS, EASTERN ENTRANCE, CAUSEWAY BAY.

/12......

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1979

ROAD CLOSURE * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE SECTION OF SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET BETWEEN THE JUNCTIONS OF ARGYLE STREET AND NELSON STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 A.M. AND 5.30 A.M. TOMORROW AND SATURDAY TO FACILITATE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WORKS.

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE NATHAN ROAD AS AN ALTERNATIVE.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

WATER CUT * * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 P.M. ON SATURDAY TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY (SUNDAY) FOR DIVERSION OF WATER MAINS.

THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY 15-47 AND 16-54 GRAMPIAN ROAD, KOWLOON CITY.

_ - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO

TOP LEVEL JAPANESE BUSINESS GROUP VISITS SHA TIN NEW TOWN 1

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT SET TO GO IN FAN LING ................ 2

TENDERS INVITED FOR INSTALLATION OF CLOSED CIRCUIT TV TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM ............................ 3

SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO KUWAIT ............................ 4

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ................................... 5

FIFTH COMMUNITY HALL FOR KWAI CHUNG .................... 7

NEW BRANCH OFFICE FOR LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION ............................................... 8

OPENING OF NEW CENTRE FOR THE DEAF ..................... 9

MEMORIAL TROPHY PRESENTED TO PRISONS DEPARTMENT ........ 9

880 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH PRISONS DEPARTMENT .......... 10

JOGGING TRACK TO BE BUILT IN VICTORIA PARK ............ 11

FRESH WATER STORAGE TANK — TENDERS INVITED ............ 11

TAI KOK TSUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ...................... 12

SECTION OF LION ROCK ROAD RESTRICTED .................. 12

TEMPORARY RESTRICTED ZONE IN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST......... 12

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1979

TOP LEVEL JAPANESE BUSINESS GROUP VISITS SHA TIN NEW TOWN *****

A DELEGATION OF JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS WHO ARE IN HONG KONG TO ATTEND THE FIRST JOINT MEETING OF THE HONG KONG-JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEES, TOOK TIME OFF THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING TO TAKE A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.

HEADED BY MR. KIZO YASUI, 23 MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION STARTED THEIR TOUR WITH A BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION WITH THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN TODD, AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, KOWLOON.

THE GROUP THEN WENT UP TO A VANTAGE POINT ABOVE SIU LEK YUEN AT SHA TIN WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, Wl. GERRY HIGGINSON, AND THE SHA TIN PROJECT MANAGER, MR. FONG CHUN NAM, ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN INTO A BALANCED AND SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITY OF HALF A MILLION PEOPLE BY 1986, WITH ABOUT 6D PER CENT LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING.

THE VISITING BUSINESSMEN APPEARED TO BE VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE DRAMATIC PROGRESS AND MAGNITUDE OF THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.

THEY WERE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE GENERAL CONDITIONS OF LAND SALE, ITS PLOT RATIO AND OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT, SUCH AS THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

THE HONG KONG-JAPAN AND THE JAPAN-HONG KONG BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEES, ESTABLISHED IN JAPAN AND HONG KONG RESPECTIVELY, AIM AT FOSTERING FRIENDSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITIES OF THE TWO PLACES AND AT PROMOTING TRADE. INVESTMENT AND OTHER ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION.

THE DELEGATION WILL BE RETURNING TO JAPAN TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1979

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT SET TO GO IN FANLING

M * M * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT TO LAUNCH THE FIRST MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE IN FANLING AS PART OF ITS OVERALL $2,067 MILLION PLAN TO DEVELOP FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI/SHEK WU HUI INTO A MODERN NEW TOWN.

THE DEVELOPMENT AREA COVERS 14.1 HECTARES SOUTH OF THE FANLING RAILWAY STATION AND INCLUDES A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND AN AMBULANCE DEPOT.

THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE — THE ONLY ONE PLANNED FOR FANLING — WILL BE BUILT IN TWO PHASES AND WILL PROVIDE HOMES FOR A TOTAL OF 20,000 PEOPLE BY 1984.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) FORMATION WORK ON THE SITE WOULD START IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ONE YEAR’S TIME.

♦THE $83 MILLION PROJECT ALSO INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TRUNK DRAINAGE SYSTEM TO SERVE THE HOUSING ESTATE AND THE NEIGHBOURING FANLING LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AREA WHICH IS NOW BEING DEVELOPED,♦ HE SAID.

♦THE SYSTEM IS OF GREAT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPORTANCE AND FOR REASONS CF PUBLIC HYGIENE AND AS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT FOR THE EXPANDED INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, WILL BE BUILT SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE SITE FORMATION WORK.+

TO FACILITATE THE ENGINEERING WORK ON THE PROJECT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RESUME A TOTAL OF 104,664.1 SQUARE METRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AND 2,963.6 SQUARE METRES OF BUILDING AND GARDEN LAND.

THREE MONTHS’ NOTICE OF THE RESUMPTION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

HE SAID THE RESUMPTION WOULD REQUIRE THE CLEARANCE OF 290 TEMPORARY DOMESTIC STRUCTURES — SEVEN ON CROWN LAND AND 283 ON PRIVATE LAND — AND 883 OTHER ANCILLARY TEMPORARY STRUCTURES.

COMPENSATION FOR CROPS, FRUIT TREES, FISH PONDS, FENCES, WELLS, IRRIGATION PIPES TOGETHER WITH EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR DISPLACED PIG BREEDERS AND POULTRY FARMERS WILL BE PAYABLE.

♦DISPLACED FAMILIES WILL BE OFFERED EITHER LAND EXCHANGE OR CASH COMPENSATION AT CURRENT RATES.

♦DEPENDING ON THEIR ELIGIBILITIES, THEY WILL ALSO BE OFFERED PUBLIC HOUSING OR SPACE IN A LOCAL TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA,* HE ADDED.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1979

TENDERS INVITED FOR INSTALLATION OF CLOSED CIRCUIT TV TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

* * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM TO COMPLEMENT THE OPERATION OF THE WEST KOWLOON AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM.

THIS TELEVISION SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE THE OPERATOR VISUAL INFORMATION OF THE ACTUAL TRAFFIC CONDITION.

WITH THIS VISUAL INFORMATION AND THE INFORMATION FROM THE TRAFFIC DETECTORS, THE OPERATOR WILL BE ABLE TO DEAL MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC SITUATIONS IN THE AREA.

THE INITIAL SYSTEM WILL CONSIST OF 10 CAMERAS STRATEGICALLY LOCATED AT BUSY TRAFFIC LOCATIONS IN WEST KOWLOON. THE PICTURES WILL BE TRANSMITTED VIA CABLES TO THE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE AT KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND THE POLICE TRAFFIC OFFICE AT ARGYLE STREET.

IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE INSTALLATION OF THIS SYSTEM WILL TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

SIMILAR CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN MOST CITIES OVERSEAS WHERE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL IS USED AND HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE OF CONSIDERABLE BENEFIT.

THE WEST KOWLOON AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE MARCH 1977 AND IS NOW CONTROLLING 114 SETS OF TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS.

THE SYSTEM CONTROLS AND CO-ORDINATES THE TIMINGS OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS THROUGHOUT AN AREA TO ENSURE TRAFFIC CAN MOVE AS QUICKLY AND SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE. IT ALSO PERMITS THE CONTROL OF INDIVIDUAL SETS OR GROUPS OF SIGNALS BY THE CONTROL ROOM OPERATOR. FOR THE LATTER FORM OF CONTROL, THE OPERATOR HAS TO HAVE FIRST HAND INFORMATION OF THE TRAFFIC SITUATION AT THE JUNCTIONS BEING CONSIDERED.

TRAFFIC DETECTORS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TO MONITOR THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THE CONTROL AREA AND TO ALERT THE OPERATOR TO POINTS WHERE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS SEVERE.

HOWEVER, TO ENABLE EFFECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN THE OPERATOR REQUIRES VISUAL INFORMATION OF THE ACTUAL STREET TRAFFIC.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1979

SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO KUWAIT

*****

SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO KUWAIT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON A CONTRACT BASIS AND +ON DEMAND* STARTING FROM MONDAY (MARCH 19).

BUSINESS DOCUMENTS, SAMPLES AND MERCHANDISE CAN BE SENT THROUGH THIS SERVICE, AND ITEMS HANDED IN BEFORE THE POSTING DEADLINE WILL BE DELIVERED IN KUWAIT THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON.

FOR CONTRACT SERVICES, SENDERS SHOULD SIGN A CONTRACT FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS, WITH A MINIMUM OF ONE REGULAR PRE-DETERMINED POSTING PER MONTH. TIMES OF COLLECTION AND DELIVERY OF PACKAGES WILL BE SPECIFIED AND AGREED WITH THE CUSTOMERS.

THE COST OF THE SERVICE, WHICH INCLUDES PICK UP AT THE CUSTOMER’S PREMISES AT A TIME AGREED BY THE CUSTOMER AND DIRECT DELIVERY TO THE ADDRESSEE, IS A BASIC CHARGE OF $80 FOR THE FIRST POUND PLUS $15 PER EACH ADDITIONAL POUND OR PART OF A POUND.

THE *0N DEMAND* SERVICE IS PROVIDED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF CASUAL USERS OF SPEEDPOST OR TO SUPPLEMENT A CUSTOMER’S CONTRACT SERVICE.

+0N DEMAND* ITEMS MAY BE HANDED IN AT SPECIALLY DESIGNATED COUNTERS AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI AND KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE.

THE CHARGE FOR THESE +0N DEMAND* ITEMS IS $90 FOR THE FIRST POUND AND $15 PER EACH ADDITIONAL POUND.

COMMENTING ON THE SUCCESS OF THE POST OFFICE’S MARKETING DRIVE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID THAT PACKAGES CARRIED BY SPEEDPOST, AND COMMERCIAL PAPERS AND OTHER URGENT ITEMS DELIVERED BY THE POST OFFICE’S PREMIER SERVICE FOR HIGH-SPEED CONVEYANCE LAST YEAR INCREASED BY 60 PER CENT.

HE SAID, +THE REMARKABLE EXPANSION OF SPEEDPOST RESULTS FROM THE CUSTOMERS’ HIGH SATISFACTION WITH ITS SPEED AND RELIABILITY AND SERVICES WILL BE FURTHER EXPANDED NEXT WEEK WITH THE EXTENSION OF SPEEDPOST TO KUWAIT.*

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MORE AND MORE CUSTOMERS ARE BENEFITING FROM PERSONAL VISITS BY POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES.

HE SAID, *THE REPRESENTATIVES, ACTING AS AMBASSADORS FOR THE POST OFFICE, VISIT BUSINESSES AND OFFER ADVICE ON THE BEST WAY TO MAKE USE OF THE WIDE RANGE OF POST OFFICE SERVICES AVAILABLE.

+THEY ALSO HELP TO IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE THE POST OFFICE NEEDS TO GEAR ITS SERVICES MORE CLOSELY TO THE CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES MAY BE CONTACTED ON 5-2671108.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1979

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

K * KKK

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR LAST MONTH (FEBRUARY) WERE BOTH 131. COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, BOTH C.P.I. (A) AND C.P. I. (B) ADVANCED BY TWO POINTS.

THE C.P.I. (A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400 - $1,499 A MONTH AND THE C.P.I. (B), BETWEEN $1,500 - $2,999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 1973-74.

THE SECTION INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY 1979, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1978, ARE GIVEN BELOWt-

SECTION FEB. 79 C.P. 1. JAN. (A) C.P.1. (B)

79 FEB. 78 FEB. 79 JAN. 79 FEB. 78

FOODSTUFFS 125 123 120 127 125 120

HOUSING 137 137 127 136 136 126

FUEL AND LIGHT 141 135 135 140 134 134

ALCOHOL IC DR INKS AND TOBACCO 1 155 150 137 150 145 133

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 106 105 102 105 104 101

DURABLE GOODS 121 120 112 118 118 109

MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 139 138 128 137 135 125

TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 145 136 121 151 139 124

SERVICES 142 143 136 144 144 137

ALL ITEMS 131 129 123 131 129 123

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WENT UP BY TWO POINTS IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B). RISES WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, FRESH-WATER FISH AND PORK. THE COST OF MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME ALSO WENT UP AS SOME RESTAURANTS AND EATING PLACES RAISED THEIR PRICES. ON THE OTHER HAND, A REDUCTION WAS RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH FRUITS. MOVEMENTS IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

/THE DJDEX

FRIDA’.’, t.xlICH In, 1979

THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT ADVANCED BY SIX POINTS EACH IN C. P.l. (A) AND C.P.I. (B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES FOR KEROSENE AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS.

THE INDEX OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY FIVE POINTS IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B) , REFLECTING THE FULL IMPACT OF PRICE INCREASES OF CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO SINCE JANUARY.

HIGHER PRICES FOR MEN’S AND WOMEN’S UNDERCLOTHING, AND WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S FOOTWEAR CAUSED THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR TO RISE BY ONE POINT IN BOTH C.P.I. (A) AND C.P. I. (B).

THE RISE OF ONE POINT IN THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS IN CPI (A) WAS MAINLY BROUGHT ABOUT BY HIGHER PR ICES FOR HARDWARE, IRONMONGERY AND CUTLERY, AND CAMERaS AND OPTICAL GOODS.

THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS WENT UP BY ONE POINT IN CPI (A) AND BY TWO POINTS IN CPI (B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES FOR MEDICINES, RELIGIOUS ITEMS, FRESH FLOWERS AND PLASTIC CONTAINERS.

THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES ROSE BY NINE POINTS IN CPI (A) AND BY 12 POINTS IN CPI (B) AS THE FULL EFFECT OF INCREASES IN TAXI FARES AND PRICES OF GASOLINE SINCE JANUARY WAS FELT. HIGHER FARES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND HIGHER PRICES FOR PURCHASE AND REPAIRS OF MOTOR VEHICLES WERE ALSO REGISTERED.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES FELL BY ONE POINT IN C.P. I. (A) FOLLOWING REDUCED CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE MOVEMENTS OF THE C.P. I. (A) AND C.P. I. (B) BASED ON THE MONTHLY AVERAGE OF A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS, OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS ARE SHOWN BELOWs-

C.P. I. (A)

C.P. I. (B)

PER IOD MONTHLY AVERAGE % CHANGE OVER PREVIOUS PERIOD MONTHLY AVERAGE % CHANGE OVER PREVIOUS PERIOD

APR. 1976 -MAR. 1977 113.2 ♦ 4.6% 113.6 ♦4.9%

APR. 1977- MAR. 1978 119.0 + 5.1% 119.3 ♦5.0%

APR. 1978-FEB. 1979 (11 MONTHS) 126.4 + 6.2% 126.6 ♦6.1%

FRIDAY , MARCH 16, 1979

- 7 -

FIFTH COMMUNITY HALL FOR KWAI CHUNG

*****

A TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY LEADER, MR. CHAU HOW-CHEN, TODAY (FRIDAY) DESCRIBED THE OPENING OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SHEK YAM COMMUNITY HALL AS YET ANOTHER STRIDE FORWARD IN THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR TSUEN WAN.

AT ITS OPENING CEREMONY, MR. CHAU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, SAID THE NEW COMMUNITY HALL WOULD CONSIDERABLY HELP MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR SUCH FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT IN ITS TOWN PLANNING HAD TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THE NEED OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE FOR BETTER RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE FACILITIES.

+IT IS GRATIFYING TO NOTE THAT THE NEW COMMUNITY HALL, WHICH ALREADY STARTED OPERATION LAST YEAR, HAS BEEN WELL ACCEPTED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS,* HE SAID.

THE SHEK YAM COMMUNITY HALL IS THE FIFTH PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT. THE OTHER FOUR ARE IN LEI MUK SHUE, KWAI SHING, KWAI FONG AND LAI KING ESTATES.

IN HIS WELCOMING ADDRESS, MR. CHAN SA I-TAK, OFF ICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE NEW COMMUNITY HALL, SAID IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PROVIDE A COMMUNITY HALL AS A FOCAL POINT FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WITH A POPULATION OF 20,000 TO 50,000.

♦THROUGH ITS VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE HELPED TO BECOME INCREASINGLY CAPABLE OF BUILDING UP A MORE INTEGRATED COMMUNITY AMONG THEMSELVES,+ HE SAID.

REGULAR ACTIVITIES, HE SAID, INCLUDE INTEREST GROUPS, VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMMES AND YOUTH TRAINING COURSES.

♦FACILITIES AT THE COMMUNITY HALL ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR LOAN TO LOCAL GROUPS, SCHOOLS AND ORGAN I SAT IONS,+ HE ADDED.

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1979

NEW BRANCH OFFICE FOR LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION

*******

A NEW BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION OPENED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN KWUN TONG.

THE NEW OFFICE SITUATED AT YEN HAU MANSION, 100 TING FU STREET, THIRD FLOOR, IS THE FIFTH OF ITS KIND OPENED BY THE DEPARTMENT. ITS TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE: 3-441418 AND 3-440838.

THE OTHER FOUR OFFICES ARE IN NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG- 7 KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON- SALISBURY ROAD (OPPOSITE SHERATON HOTEL), TSIM SHA TSUI AND 31 SHING FONG STREET, FIFTH FLOOR, KWAI CHUNG.

THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THESE OFFICES IS TO ADMINISTER THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE AND TO PROMOTE APPRENTICE TRAINING IN THE 31 DESIGNATED TRADES WHICH ARE OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.

A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: +THE AIM OF THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE IS TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE BETWEEN OVER THE AGE OF 14 AND UNDER 19 WORKING IN THESE TRADES RECEIVE ADEQUATE TRAINING SO THAT HONG KONG WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF SKILLED MANPOWER IN THESE TRADES.*

♦THE APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION WOULD ALSO HELP SETTLE DISPUTES BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND THEIR REGISTERED APPRENTICES,+ HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALL CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESHIP OF YOUNG PERSONS IN DESIGNATED TRADES SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION FOR REGISTRATION WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER EXECUTION. FAILURE TO DO SO MIGHT RENDER AN EMPLOYER LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.

HOWEVER, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR HAS THE POWER TO GRANT EXEMPTION IN CERTAIN CASES, IF, FOR EXAMPLE, HE IS SATISFIED THAT THE YOUNG PERSON HAS UNDERGONE SUFFICIENT TRAINING IN A PARTICULAR TRADE.

THE SPOKESMAN INVITED EMPLOYERS IN NON-DESIGNATED TRADES TO SEND CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESHIP TO THE DIVISION FOR VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE CAN BE MADE AT THE OFFICES OF THE APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION MENTIONED ABOVE.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1979

NOTE TO EDITORSi

OPENING OF NEW CENTRE FOR THE DEAF * * * * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL TOMORROW (SATURDAY) OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A MULTI-PURPOSE CENTRE FOR THE DEAF IN 01 MAN ESTATE, KOWLOON.

THE CENTRE, FINANCED BY A GRANT FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND A DONATION FROM THE LIONS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SERVICES FOR THE DEAF, INCLUDING CASE COUNSELLING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. IT IS RUN BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 3 P.M. AT THE PODIUM ABOVE THE 01 MAN ESTATE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IN HO MAN TIN.

- o -

MEMORIAL TROPHY PRESENTED TO PRISONS DEPARTMENT

******

IN THE EARLY MORNING OF NOVEMBER 17. 1958, A 23—YEAR—OLD PRISON OFFICER ON PATROL DUTY AT THE CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE WAS ATTACKED AND KILLED BY SIX INMATES DURING AN ESCAPE ATTEMPT.

MR. SO SHUI-BOR WHO JOINED THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT IN APRIL 1957 ON TWO YEARS PROBATION, WAS BURIED WITH FULL HONOURS THE FOLLOWING DAY AT THE CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETRY IN ABERDEEN.

A LASTING MEMORIAL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE SO SHUI-BOR MEMORIAL CUP, WAS PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, W. T.G. GARNER, ON BEHALF OF THE PRISON OFFICER’S CLUB, BY DR. J.H. YAP AND HIS WIFE DURING A SHORT BUT MOVING CEREMONY IN THE CLUB THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.

RECEIVING THE CUP, MR. GARNER SAID: +THE NAME SO SHUI-BOR HAS LONG BEEN REVERED BY THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE HAS BEEN, IN ITSELF, A MEMORIAL TO THIS OFFICER’S TRAGIC DEATH+.

♦HOWEVER, I AM DELIGHTED AND PROUD TO ACCEPT THIS MAGNIFICANT AND LASTING MEMORIAL TO THE DEVOTION AND LOYALTY CF AN OFFICER KILLED IN THE LINE OF HIS DUTY,+ HE ADDED.

DR. YAP, THE BROTHER-IN-LAW OF THE LATE MR. SO SHUI-BOR, AND A LIFE MEMBER OF THE CLUB, HAS RECENTLY RETIRED FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE AS THE CONSULTANT DENTAL SURGEON WITH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

/IT HAS BEHN . .

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1979

IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THE TROPHY WILL BE AWARDED ANNUALLY, ON SECRET BALLOT, TO THE MEMBER OF THE PRISON OFFICER’S CLUB WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED MOST TO THE CLUB DURING THE YEAR. DR. AND MRS. YAP HAVE ALSO PRESENTED FIVE Ml NATURES OF THE TROPHY, ID IE CEPT BY AWARDEES.

880 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH PRISONS DEPARTMENT ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. T.G. GARNER, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRESENTED COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS TO 32 PRISONS DEPARTMENT STAFF MEMBERS WHO BETWEEN THEM HAVE 880 YEARS OF SERVICE.

THE PRESENTATION TOOK PLACE DURING A CEREMONIAL PARADE AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT STANLEY THIS AFTERNOON.

ON PARADE WERE 126 OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE BAND FROM THE CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE.

THE COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL IS PRESENTED FOR 18 YEARS SERVICEl THE FIRST CLASP TO THE MEDAL IS AWARDED FOR A TOTAL OF 25 YEARS SERVICE AND THE SECOND CLASP FOR 30 YEARS SERVICE. THESE AWARDS MAY ONLY BE MADE TO OFFICERS WITH CONTINUOUS AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE.

DUE TO LEAVE AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FIVE OF THE AWARDEES COULD NOT ATTEND THE PARADE.

AMONG THE RECIPIENTS WAS MR. POON LAI-CHIU, A 47-YEAR-OLD SENIOR CLERICAL OFFICER WHO JOINED THE DEPARTMENT IN 1953 AS A TEMPORARY CLERK, AND WHO TODAY RECEIVED HIS FIRST CLASP TO THE MEDAL AWARDED IN 1971.

MR. POON HAS WORKED IN THE MAJORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTIONS, AND IS NOW AT THE HEADQUARTERS WORKING ON A SPECIAL PROJECT. HE IS AN OUTSTANDING SPORTSMAN, WELL KNOWN IN HONG KONG AS A LEADING SOFT-BALL PLAYER, BEING THE BATTING CHAMPION IN 1957 AND 1963. A TALENTED ATHLETE, HE HAS TAKEN PART IN EVERY MAJOR DEPARTMENTAL SPORTS MEETING SINCE HE JOINED, AND STILL MAINTAINS AN ACTIVE INTEREST THROUGH TRAINING AND ORGANISATION ACTIVITIES.

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

/11 ......

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1979

JOGGING TRACK TO BE BUILT IN VICTORIA PARK

*****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD A JOGGING TRACK IN VICTORIA PARK SHORTLY TO CATER FOR THE GROWING INTEREST OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THIS FORM OF EXERCISE.

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

MRS. C. ALUNAN, PWD'S CHIEF ARCHITECT, SAID THAT THE JOGGING TRACK WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG.

MEASURING ABOUT 630 METRES LONG AND 1.5 METRES WIDE, THE TRACK IS ROUGHLY RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE.

DISTANCE MARKERS WILL BE PAINTED ON THE TRACK SURFACE AT 100-METRE INTERVALS.

WORK ON THE PROJECT, FINANCED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, WILL BEGIN IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

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

FRESH WATER STORAGE TANK — TENDERS INVITED

*****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY INVITED TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FRESH WATER STORAGE TANK OFF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD TO COPE WITH THE DEMAND FROM THE HIGH LEVEL AREAS OF LION ROCK VILLAGE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PWD SAID THAT THE CONTRACT ALSO COVERED THE LAYING OF INLET AND OUTLET WATER MAINS RANGING FROM 50 MM TO 150 MM IN DIAMETER.

™E ,TANK» L0CATED 0N THE HILLSIDE ABOUT 500 METRES TO THE J*?!*™ 0F LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, WILL HAVE A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 550,000 LITRES. IT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN REINFORCED CONCRETE WITH DECKING

MONTHS°TO COMPLETE^0 T° BEGIN ,N MAY AND W'LL TAKE AB0UT THREE

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/12......

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1979

12 -

TAI KOK TSUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ******

THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY PUBLISHED THE TAI KOK TSUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.

THE PLAN, WHICH INCORPORATES SOME SLIGHT AMENDMENTS AS A RESULT OF HEARING OBJECTIONS, HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNORIN-COUNCIL.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE PLAN, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 156 HECTARES, AIMED TO PROVIDE MORE LAND FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES, SUCH AS OPEN SPACE, SCHOOLS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USES.

THIS, HE ADDED, SHOULD LEAD TO THE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT IN TAI KOK TSUI.

UNDER THE PLAN, OVER 16 HECTARES ARE ZONED FOR OPEN SPACE, 12.61 HECTARES FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USES, 66.42 HECTARES FOR MAJOR ROADS, 49.3 HECTARES FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, 7.44 HECTARES FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND 0.31 HECTARE FOR OTHER SPECIFIED USES.

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

SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD RESTRICTED

*****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THE SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD FROM THE SOUTHERN END OF THE SHING MUN RIVER BRIDGE TO A POINT ABOUT 155 METRES NORTH OF THE NORTHERN END OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL BOOTHS WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A 24-HOUR RESTRICTED ZONE DAILY FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY, (MARCH 19).

ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, ARE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THIS RESTRICTED ZONE.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

TEMPORARY RESTRICTED ZONE IN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE SECTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HILL ROAD AND HOUSE NO. 526 WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A RESTRICTED ZONE WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (MARCH 19) TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS.

ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, ARE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.

THE ARRANGEMENT WILL LAST UNTIL THE END OF JULY.

THE BOUNDARIES OF THE RESTRICTED ZONE WILL BE INDICATED BY TRAFFIC SIGNS.

- - o -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

RATES ARREARS RECOVERED THROUGH SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ....... 1

GOING TO TECHNICAL SCHOOL CAN BE QUITE A REWARDING EXPERIENCE .................................................. 2

MORE LAND FOR SALE AT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN...................... 4

NEW CENTRE FOR THE DEAF IN HO MAN TIN ....................... 5

NEW VEHICLE INSPECTION CENTRE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE ........ 5

ANTI-NARCOTICS SINGING CONTEST .............................. 6

PWD’S ANNUAL SPORTS DAY...................................... 7

FIRING PRACTICE ............................................. 8

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

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1979

RATES ARREARS RECOVERED THROUGH SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL

* * * * * *

THE TREASURY HAS SUCCESSFULLY RECOVERED MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF ARREARS FROM DEFAULTING RATE-PAYERS THROUGH THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL.

THE ARREARS RECOVERED TO DATE AMOUNT TO $2,896,645.09.

ACTION TO RECOVER THE BALANCE OF $980,000 IS WELL UNDER WAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

+BY THE TIME WE HAVE DEALT WITH ALL THE OUTSTANDING ARREARS, WE WOULD HAVE HANDLED A TOTAL OF 6,078 CASES INVOLVING $3,876,149.94,+ HE ADDED.

IT ALL STARTED IN MID-1977 WHEN THE TREASURY TOOK OVER RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO ENFORCE CLAIMS FOR RATES ARREARS IN CASES NOT EXCEEDING $3,000.

♦WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT OUR STAFF BEGAN TO DELVE THROUGH RECORDS AS WELL AS CARRYING OU SPOT INVESTIGATION,* THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.

THE SPOKESMAN ATTRIBUTED THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION TO THEIR ABILITY TO INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS DIRECTLY AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL.

HE SAIDt + IF REMINDERS ARE IGNORED, LEGAL ACTION IS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN AGAINST DEFAULTERS.*

HE URGED ALL RATE-PAYERS TO SETTLE THEIR ACCOUNTS BY THE DUE DATE SPECIFIED.

IF NOT, THESE ACCOUNTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT. A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE ADDED TO ACCOUNTS (INCLUDING THE NORMAL FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE) WHICH REMAIN UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.

♦DEFAULTERS, THEREFORE^ HE WARNED, +WILL NOT ONLY FACE THESE SURCHARGES BUT MAY ALSO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL.'

HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 500,000 RATEABLE PROPERTIES IN HONG KONG AND GOVERNMENT'S TOTAL REVENUE FROM GENERAL RATES IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1977-1978 AMOUNTED TO $722.87 MILLION.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1979

GOING TO TECHNICAL SCHOOL CAN BE QUITE A REWARDING EXPERIENCE

M * I * * X

GOING TO SCHOOL EVEN WHEN YOU ARE 60 YEARS OF AGE CAN PROVE

TO BE QUITE A REWARDING EXPERIENCE ..... LITERALLY.

IT HAS BEEN SO FOR MR. CHOW CHUN-BON WHO BELIEVES THAT IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN.

AND IT HAS PAID OFF HANDSOMELY FOR HIM.

FOR HIS SON, DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW TOO.

ALL FOUR ARE NOW OPERATING A FASHION DESIGN HOUSE IN KOWLOON CATERING SPECIALLY FOR THE GARMENT-MAKING INDUSTRY.

ALL FOUR ARE ALSO QUALIFIED TRADE INSTRUCTORS -- THANKS TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

♦ALL OF US NEARLY BECAME CLASSMATES,+ QUIPPED THE DAUGHTER, MRS. KAM SIU-MAN.

♦BUT AS THE COURSE WAS ALREADY FULL, MY FATHER HAD TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST.+

THE FATHER DID MANAGE TO GET A PLACE IN A SUBSEQUENT COURSE AND COMPLETE HIS TRAINING A FEW MONTHS LATER.

MRS. KAM HAD THIS TO SAY OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S FOUR-WEEK BLOCK RELEASE INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS’ COURSE: +NOT ONLY DOES IT HELP BOOST PRODUCTION RATE BUT IT WILL ALSO HELP IMPROVE FASHION DESIGNING IN HONG KONG.+

URGING ALL EMPLOYERS TO RECOMMEND THEIR EMPLOYEES TO TAKE UP THE COURSE, MRS. KAM SAID EMPLOYERS WOULD EVENTUALLY BENEFIT FROM THIS.

THE COURSE HAS INDEED PROVED TO BE VERY POPULAR.

♦DEMAND FOR PLACES IS STEADILY GROWING,+ SAID THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE RESOURCES CENTRE, HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, MR. NGAN HIN-WAH.

JUST WHY THIS PARTICULAR COURSE IS SO POPULAR IS, MR. NGAN SUGGESTED, +PERHAPS IT’S THE DECEPTIVELY SHORT DURATION OF THE COURSE.+

IN REALITY, THE COURSE IS VERY INTENSIVE AND IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SOME YEARS OF WORKING EXPERIENCE IN INDUSTRIES, AND ARE INSTRUCTING OTHER WORKERS AS PART OF THEIR JOB.

♦THE CHOW AND KAM FAMILIES FOR INSTANCE, HAVE HAD LONG EXPERIENCE IN A GARMENT FACTORY,* MR. NGAN SAID.

/th. edsins...........

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1979

TRAINING BEGINS IN A CLASSROOM WITH TWO WEEKS OF LECTURES ON METHODS OF TEACHING THE SKILLS AS APPLIED TO THE RESPECTIVE FIELDS OF THE INSTRUCTOR.

AFTER THE CLASSROOM LESSONS, THE INSTRUCTORS RETURN TO THEIR PLACE OF WORK. BUT WITH THIS DIFFERENCEi TUTORS FROM THE COLLEGE VISIT THEM TO GIVE THEM FURTHER ADVICE AND GUIDANCE.

IF IT SOUNDS SIMPLE, IT IS.

APPARENTLY QUITE SUCCESSFUL TOO.

FOR, ACCORDING TO MR. NGAN, MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE HAVE COMPLETED THE COURSE SINCE IT FIRST STARTED IN SEPTEMBER, 1976.

MANY HAVE GRADUATED TO BECOME TRADE INSTRUCTORS IN THEIR OWN COMPANY.

OTHERS LIKE THE CHOW FAMILY MAY HAVE BRANCHED OUT ON THEIR OWN.

THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WAS OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 1974 IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING NEEDS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.

THE COLLEGE WAS ESPECIALLY SET UP TO TRAIN TEACHERS

OF TECHNICAL SUBJECTS AND ALSO OFFERS A SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE FORM OF A VARIETY OF SHORT COURSES — THE FOUR-WEEK BLOCK RELEASE COURSE BEING AN EXAMPLE.

THERE ARE FULL-TIME COURSES, PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSES, PART-TIME EVENING COURSES AND SHORT COURSES FOR SERVING TEACHERS AND THOSE WORKING AS INSTRUCTORS IN THE INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE SECTORS.

DURATION OF THE COURSES RANGE FROM A FEW DAYS TO THREE YEARS.

MR. NGAN SAID ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION IS BEING PLANNED TO COPE WITH THE GROWING DEMAND FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND TO KEEP PACE WITH THE INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION MOVEMENT.

♦AN ANNEXE IN THE JOCKEY CLUB PRIMARY SCHOOL IS EXPECTED TO BE OCCUPIED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR. FURTHERMORE, THE COLLEGE, AT PRESENT MAKING USE OF THE OLD MORRISON HILL GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, WILL HAVE ITS PERMANENT PREMISES BY SEPTEMBER 1982 IN KOWLOON TONG,+ MR. NGAN SAID.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1979

MORE LAND FOR SALE AT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN ft ft * * ft *

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND TOTALLING 5,428 SQUARE METRES IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON FOR BOTH INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTI AL-COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, «. VICTOR LEUNG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO SELL TWO LOTS BY PUBLIC AUCTION WHILE A COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL SITE WOULD BE SOLD BY TENDER TO OWNERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS.

THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT THE ST. SIMON LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TUEN MUN ON TUESDAY (MARCH 20), STARTING AT 2.30 P.M.

THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF SHEK PAI TAU ROAD AND MING KUM ROAD. MEASURES ABOUT 2,935 SQUARE METRES AND CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF $4,740,000 OVER 30 MONTHS.

THE SECOND LOT, SITUATED ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR SAM SHING HUI, MEASURES ABOUT 1,600 SQUARE METRES AND CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF $3,440,000 OVER 48 MONTHS. THIS SITE IS EARMARKED FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

MR. LEUNG SAID THAT HE WAS CONFIDENT OF THE CONTINUING INTEREST FROM ENTREPRENEURS IN THE INVESTMENT PROSPECTS OF THE NEW TOWN.

♦JUDGING FROM THE LARGE NUMBER OF INQUIRIES ABOUT THE LOTS THERE WILL BE KEEN INTEREST IN THE LAND AUCTION,♦ HE SAID.

♦THERE IS ALSO PLENTY OF INTEREST IN COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL SITES AND FLATS IN RECENTLY COMPLETED MULTI-STOREY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS HAVE SOLD OUT ON THE FIRST DAY.*

THE LOT WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT HOLDERS IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND PUI TO ROAD IN SAN HUI.

MEASURING ABOUT 893 SQUARE METRES, IT CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF $1,900,000 TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 36 MONTHS AND WILL BE USED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES ONLY.

APPLICATION FOR THIS LOT MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES BY NOON ON MARCH 30 THIS YEAR AND SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE APPLICATION BOX IN THE RECEPTION LOBBY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, FIFTH FLOOR, HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.

MR. LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE INDUSTRIAL BOOM IN THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS SEEN A TOTAL OF 26 NEW FACTORY BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND ANOTHER 19 CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THREE OTHER SITES IS DUE TO COMMENCE SHORTLY.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1979 .

- 5 -

NEW CENTRE FOR THE DEAF IN HO MAN TIN ft ft ft ft ft

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TODAY (SATURDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED A MULTI-PURPOSE CENTRE IN 01 MAN ESTATE WHICH OFFERS A VARIETY OF SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE DEAF.

ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON CENTRE FOR THE DEAF, MR. LEE SAID THE PROJECT WAS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN WHICH STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED.

HE SAID APART FROM INCREASED PROVISION IN MEDICAL, EDUCATION AND WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE DEAF, THERE WAS A NEED FOR MORE CENTRES WHICH HELPED SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS AND DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN GROUP ACTIVITIES.

BECAUSE OF THEIR DISABILITY IN HEARING, HE SAID, DEAF PEOPLE DO SOMETIMES ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES IN THEIR DAILY LIFE, AND IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THEY ARE HELPED TO STRENGTHEN THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE AND TO ADJUST TO CHANGING SOCIAL NEEDS.

THE NEW CENTRE, THE SECOND TO BE RUN BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF, PROVIDES CASEWORK SERVICES, GUIDANCE FOR DEAF PEOPLE WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL MALADJUSTMENT, ADULT EDUCATION SERVICES AS WELL AS RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

IN ADDITION, IT OFFERS SIGN-LANGUAGE COURSES, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES FOR HEARING AIDS AND SPECIAL CARE FOR DEAF CHILDREN OF PRE-SCHOOL AGE.

THE CENTRE IS FUNDED BY A GRANT FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND ARRANGED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AND A DONATION FROM THE LIONS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303.

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

NEW VEHICLE INSPECTION CENTRE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE ft ft ft ft ft

WORKS DEPARTMENT IN KOWLOON

THE NEW VEHICLE INSPECTION CENTRE BEING BUILT BY THE PUBLIC ncB1BWUT .m BAY |s SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE.

THE INSPECTION CENTRE, THE EIGHTH BEST IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA.

IN HONG KONG, IS ONE OF THE

IT IS BEING BUILT ON A BAY RECLAMATION AND WILL BE

13,000-SQUARE METRE SITE ON THE KOWLOON ACCESSIBLE FROM WAI YIP STREET.

ON COMPLETION IN JUNE, IT WILL HAVE EIGHT INSPECTION LANES CAPABLE OF HANDLING 200 VEHICLES A DAY.

/these will .....

SATBDDAY, MARCH 17, 1979

THERE WILL BE AN OFFICE BLOCK, AN INSPECTION WORKSHOP, A STORE HOUSE, OFFICES FOR STAFF, A PUBLIC WAITING ROOM, LECTURE ROOM AND CONFERENCE ROOM.

THE WORKSHOP WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SERVICE PITS AND VARIOUS TYPES OF TESTING DEVICES, INCLUDING A DYNAMO METER FOR TESTING ENGINES.

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

ANTI-NARCOTICS SINGING CONTEST

M * * *

STUDENTS FROM 15 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL TAKE PART IN A DISTRICT-WIDE ANTI-NARCOTICS SINGING CONTEST TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE CONTEST — THE FIRST EVER BEING STAGED IN SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT-— IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHUI PO), SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS COMMITTEE AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT MUSIC ADMINISTRATION SUB-COMMITTEE.

THE AIM OF THE ANT I-NARCOTICS DRIVE IS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN TNE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS.

TO AROUSE THE INTEREST

ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL SING AN ANT I-NARCOTICS SONG SELECTED BY TNE ORGANISING COMMITTEE IN ADDITION TO A SELF-SELECTED SONG.

DR. P.H. HASE, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (SHAM SHUI PO) AND W. PETER CHOI, SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) WILL PRESENT BANNERS AND SOUVENIRS TO THE WINNERS.

MEANWHILE, THERE WILL ALSO BE A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY FOR A CROSSWORD PUZZLE COMPETITION AND ANTI-NARCOTICS ESSAY COMPETITION ORGANISED EARLIER BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS COMMITTEE AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE LIONS CLUB OF BAYVIEW, HONG KONG.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

AN ANTI-NARCOTICS SINGING CONTEST WILL BE HELD AT 2 P.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE HONG KONG SZE YAP COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION WONG TAI SHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE, 250 NAM CHEONG STREET, SHEK KIP MEI, KOWLOON. YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1979

- 7 -

PWD’S ANNUAL SPORTS DAY *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ITS 1OTH ANNUAL SPORTS DAY AT THE ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

MORE THAN 500 MEMBERS OF THE STAFF WILL COMPETE IN 32 TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS.

IN ADDITION, OVER 100 UNDER-PRIVILEGED CHILDREN HAVE BEEN INVITED THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION OF ROUND TABLES OF HONG KONG TO TAKE PART IN VARIOUS GAMES AND EVENTS.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY BY DOTTING THE EYES OF A +LION.+

DURING LUNCH, A PUPPET SHOW WILL BE STAGED BY THE STREET THEATRE GROUP OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE CAPE COLLINSON SILVER BAND WILL ALSO BE IN ATTENDANCE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE WINNERS BY DIRECTORS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE PWD.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PWD’S SPORTS DAY TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND, WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, AT 2 P.M.

OFFICIAL TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES, WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THIS FACILITY, SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE OPEN CARPARK OUTSIDE THE RECEPTION OFFICE, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, NOT LATER THAN 1.15 P.M.

OFFICERS OF THE PWD’S PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1979

- 8

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON FIVE DAYS NEXT WEEK.

THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.

THERE ARE A FEW CHANGES IN THE PRACTISING TIMES PUBLISHED LAST MONTH. THE NEW SCHEDULE ISt

DATE

TIME

MARCH 19 (MONDAY)

8 A.M. - 5 P.M

MARCH 20 (TUESDAY)

8 A.M. - 4.30 P.M

MARCH 21 (WEDNESDAY)

8 A.M. - 4.30 P.M

MARCH 22 (THURSDAY)

8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

MARCH 23 (FRIDAY)

8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

- - 0 - -

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HO MAN TIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 P.M. ON MONDAY (MARCH 19) TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY HO MAN TIN HILL ROAD, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD BETWEEN PUI CHING ROAD AND WYLIE ROAD, WYLIE ROAD BETWEEN HO MAN TIN HILL ROAD AND PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD AND THE LOK TOA HOSPITAL.

- 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

TSUEN WAN BLITZ ON UNAUTHORISED CONVERTED LORRY LOADING AND PARKING AREAS ................................ 1

NEW FIRE STATION AND AMBULANCE DEPOT FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.................................................. 2

PWD OFFICERS TO ATTEND WORLD CONGRESS ON WASTE RECYCLING ................................................ 3

PRIZES FOR WINNERS OF SWD’S LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION .... 4

SNIFFER DOGS FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE ............. 5

CAS TAKES LEAD IN CONTROLLING MOUNTAIN RESCUE ............ 7

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING TO VISIT PWD WORK SITES .......... 8

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY ........... 9

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

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 18,

1979

TSUEN WAN BLITZ ON UNAUTHORISED CONVERTED LORRY LOADING

AND PARKING AREAS

M M M * M

THE GOVERNMENT IS STEPPING UP ITS DRIVE AGAINST THE UNAUTHORISED CONVERSION OF CAR PARKS AND LOADING SPACES IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN THE RAPIDLY-EXPANDING TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.

A SPECIAL TEAM HAS BEEN SET UP WITHIN THE LEASE ENFORCEMENT UNIT OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED AS +QUITE SERIOUS+ BY THE CHIEF LAND EXECUTIVE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. BASIL OLD.

♦MANY INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG HAVE CLAUSES IN THEIR NEW GRANT CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE THE LESSEES TO PROVIDE PROPER SPACES WITHIN THEIR PROPERTY FOR PARKING, LOADING AND UNLOADING OF VEHICLES,* MR. OLD SAID.

♦HOWEVER, IN A GREAT MANY CASES THIS SPACE HAS BEEN UTILISED FOR INDUSTRIAL, STORAGE, OFFICE OR OTHER PURPOSES.

♦ AS A RESULT, LORRIES OR CONTAINER TRUCKS HAVE TO LOAD OR UNLOAD THEIR GOODS ON THE STREETS, THUS CAUSING SERIOUS CONGESTION AND DISRUPTION TO THE TRAFFIC IN THE AREAS.+

MR. OLD POINTED OUT THAT A SURVEY CARRIED OUT RECENTLY HAS SHOWN THAT MORE THAN 300 INDUSTRIAL LOTS OR PROPERTIES IN THE DISTRICT WERE FOUND TO HAVE THEIR PARKING SPACES CONVERTED INTO OTHER USE.

♦ OF THE TOTAL, THE CONDITIONS IN SOME 200 SUCH PROPERTIES ARE QUITE SERIOUS,* HE NOTED.

♦ THESE PREMISES ARE MAINLY SITUATED IN WANG LUNG STREET, MA KOK STREET, TAI PA STREET AND CHAI WAN KOK STREET IN TSUEN WAN AND IN TA CHUEN PING STREET, LAM TIN STREET, TAI LIN PAI ROAD AND KWAI CHEONG ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG.

♦OUR EFFORTS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TOWARDS THE MANY CASES OF BREACH OF USER IN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL LAND TEAM, WE ARE ABLE TO TACKLE THE NEXT PRIORITY.*

AS A FIRST STEP TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, A LETTER WOULD BE SENT AS FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO ALL INDUSTRIALISTS IN THE AREA WARNING THEM ABOUT BREACHES OF LEASE CONDITIONS IN THEIR BUILDINGS.

THEY WILL BE GIVEN A REASONABLE TIME TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND AFTER THIS GRACE PERIOD, LEASE ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THESE PREMISES.

/+LF WE STILL

SUNDAY, MAHCH 18, 1979

♦ IF WE STILL FIND THAT THERE IS A BREACH OF THE LEASE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, WE WILL SERVE A WARNING NOTICE ON THE LESSEES REQUIRING THEM TO PURGE THE BREACHES WITHIN A STIPULATED PERIOD.

♦ IF THEY FAIL TO DO SO WITHIN THE TIME GIVEN, WE WILL PROCEED TO VEST OR RE-ENTER THE PREMISES UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE CROWN RIGHT (RE-ENTRY AND VESTING REMEDIES) ORDINANCE,+ MR. OLD WARNED.

HE SAID THAT, BY USING THE PARKING SPACES FOR OTHER PURPOSES, IT NOT ONLY LOWERED THE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS OF OTHER OCCUPANTS OF THE BUILDINGS, THEY MIGHT ALSO CAUSE OBSTRUCTIONS OR BECOME A FIRE HAZARD.

♦ THERE SHOULD BE NO REAL EXCUSE FOR SUCH BREACHES OF THE LEASE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS IT IS NOW POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN INDUSTRIAL FLOOR SPACE IN TSUEN WAN AND ELSEWHERE,♦ MR. OLD ADDED.

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

NEW FIRE STATION AND AMBULANCE DEPOT FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN

******

FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES IN THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WILL BE FURTHER IMPROVED WHEN A NEW DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION AND AN AMBULANCE DEPOT BECOME OPERATIONAL IN A FEW MONTHS TIME.

♦CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE STATION AND THE DEPOT ARE ALREADY 60 PER CENT COMPLETED AND THE SCHEDULED COMPLETION DATE IS IN JUNE,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

♦THE PROJECTS ARE PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S EXPANSION PROGRAMME TO ENSURE ADEQUATE AND SPEEDY FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES IN FAST-DEVELOPING NEW TOWNS,♦ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.

♦MANY FACTORIES HAVE SPRUNG UP IN TUEN MUN IN RECENT YEARS WHICH CALLED FOR GREATER FIRE PROTECTION TO SAFEGUARD LIFE AND PROPERTY,♦ HE SAID.

THE STATION AND THE DEPOT ARE BUILT ON A COMBINED SITE OF 5,000 SQUARE METRES IN PUI TO ROAD, SAN HUI.

THE STATION, TO COST MORE THAN $5 MILLION, IS THE FIRST STANDARD DESIGNED DIVISIONAL STATION EVER BUILT. A SECOND STANDARD DESIGNED STATION IS NOW BEING BUILT IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

THE THREE-STOREY STRUCTURE CONSISTS OF FIVE DOUBLE BAYS FOR 10 FIRE APPLIANCES, OFFICE ACCOMMODATION, A DRILL TOWER AND A YARD, A LECTURE ROOM, STAND-BY QUARTERS, DINING AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.

THE $1.2 MILLION AMBULANCE DEPOT HAS FOUR AMBULANCE BAYS AND OTHER SIMILAR FEATURES TO THE FIRE STATION.

AT PRESENT, THE FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN ARE PROVIDED BY A TEMPORARY FIRE STATION IN TAI HING ESTATE.

----0------

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1979

- 3 -

PWD OFFICERS TO ATTEND WORLD CONGRESS ON WASTE RECYCLING ******

THREE SENIOR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OFFICERS LEFT TODAY (SUNDAY) FOR MANILA TO ATTEND THE SECOND WORLD CONGRESS ON WASTE RECYCLING.

THEY WERE THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT CIVIL ENGINEER, WONG MANG-KI- THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, MR. GRAHAM OSBORNE AND THE SENIOR ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, MR. JOHN COLLIER.

THE CONGRESS WILL ALSO BE ATTENDED BY DELEGATES FROM THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM, ITALY, NORWAY, SWITZERLAND, INDIA AND NIGERIA.

THE FOUR-DAY CONGRESS, ENTITLED RECYCLING '79, WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE.

DURING THE CONGRESS, THE SPEAKERS, ALL RECOGNISED AUTHORITIES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS, WILL DISCUSS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THEIR PARTICULAR AREA OF RESEARCH IN NEW AND BETTER USES OF SECONDARY RESOURCES.

A TOTAL OF 36 PAPERS WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE CONGRESS. AMONG THEM ARE THOSE ON *MI NERAL CONSERVATION THROUGH RECYCLING*, *A COMPOSTING PLANT FOR THE ORGANIC FRACTION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE*, +DEVELOPMENT OF SEPARATION METHODS AND SYSTEM DESIGN OF THE RECYCLING OF SOLID WASTES* AND +THE SEPARATION OF WASTE BY ELUTRIATION*.

DURING THEIR STAY IN MANILA, THE HONG KONG DELEGATES WILL VISIT AN EXHIBITION STAGED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CONGRESS.

--------0 -

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1979

PRIZES FOR WINNERS OF SWD’S LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION

******

THREE YOUNG TALENTS SKILL AND IMAGINATION IN DEPARTMENTAL LOGO DESIGN

WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) REWARDED FOR THEIR WINNING THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMPETITION.

AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS. ANSON CHAN PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP AS WELL AS CONSOLATION PRIZES TO FIVE OTHER ENTRANTS.

THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE, AIMS AT PROMOTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING TOWARDS THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT.

ADDRESSING THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MRS. CHAN SAID THE DEPARTMENTAL LOGO CARRIES A NOTION ON THE WORD +MUTUAL+ WHICH APTLY UNDERLINES THE FEATURES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK --MUTUAL HELP, MUTUAL RESPECT, MUTUAL CONCERN AND CO-OPERATION.

SHE PAID TRIBUTE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE COMPETITION FOR THEIR CREATIVENESS AND SKILL IN GRAPHIC DESIGNS.

THE OPEN COMPETITION ATTRACTED 145 ENTRIES WHICH WERE DISPLAYED AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1979

- 5 -

SNIFFER DOGS FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE

******

THE NAME OF THE GAME IS SCENT.

AND BOTH OLIVER AND DEWARS EXCEL AT IT.

MOST IMPORTANT, THEY ENJOY IT.

WHICH IS WHY OLIVER, A LABRADOR, AND DEWARS, A WEIMARANER, ARE NOW THE +PRIDE AND JOY+ OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE.

♦THIS IS QUITE UNDERSTANDABLE,+ SAYS INSPECTOR POON YEUNG-KWONG, +BECAUSE OF THEIR INCREDIBLE KNACK IN SNIFFING OUT DRUGS CONCEALED IN THE MOST INCONCEIVABLE AND INGENIUS PLACES.♦

RAW OR PREPARED OPIUM, HEROIN, MORPHINE, MARIJUANA OR HASHISH RARELY, IF EVER, ESCAPE THEIR ULTRA-SENSITIVE NOSES.

CITING ONE OF THE MORE EXTREME EXAMPLES, INSPECTOR POON WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE DOG UNIT SAID, +ONE TEST WE CONDUCTED WAS TO HIDE A SMALL PACKET OF OPIUM INSIDE A HOLLOWED-OUT TABLE TOP TO SEE IF THEY COULD DETECT IT.+

THEY DID — IN RECORD TIME.

AND SPEAKING OF TIME, INSPECTOR POON SAID IT TOOK HIM 12 WEEKS TO TRAIN DEWARS IN AMERICA WHERE HE WAS SENT ON A SPECIAL COURSE BY THE GOVERNMENT. HE RETURNED WITH DEWARS.

♦OLIVER WAS ALREADY A VETERAN ’SNIFFER’ WHEN HE WAS GIVEN TO US BY THE POLICE,+ INSPECTOR POON SAID.

RECOUNTING HIS EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA, INSPECTOR POON SAID THAT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, DEWARS AND THE OTHER DOGS TOOK TO THE TRAINING EAGERLY.

THIS WAS BECAUSE THE DOGS TREATED IT LIKE A GAME.

♦WHICH WAS EXACTLY THE WAY THE AMERICAN TRAINERS WANTED IT,+ INSPECTOR POON SAID.

♦THEIR METHOD WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE DOGS ENJOYED THEIR WORK.+ INSPECTOR POON EMPHASISED.

SO GAMES WERE DEVISED THROUGHOUT THE TRAINING PERIOD — WITH TOWELS.

INSPECTOR POON EXPLAINED, +DURING THE FIRST WEEK, WE TAUGHT THEM THE TECHNIQUE OF RETRIEVING WITH THIS DIFFERENCE! ONCE THEY BROUGHT BACK THE TOWEL, THE HANDLERS ENGAGED IN A ’TUG-OF-WAR’ WITH THEM.

/♦THIS....

SUNDAY, MABCH 18, 1979

♦THIS 'TOWEL GAME’ PROVED TO BE EXTREMELY POPULAR WITH THE DOGS PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY WON MOST OF THE TIME.*

THERE WAS ANOTHER REASON WHY THE HANDLERS ’DELIBERATELY’ ALLOWED THE DOGS TO WIN — TO ENHANCE THE BOND BETWEEN THE TWO.

FOR A COMMON SAYING AMONG DOG HANDLERS GOES LIKE THIS i ♦THE FEELINGS OF THE HANDLER GOES DOWN THE LEASH.+

♦IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HANDLERS ARE GENUINELY FOND OF DOGS.+ INSPECTOR POON STRESSED.

WITH THIS GUIDING PRINCIPLE, THE GAME MERRILY CONTINUED.

THE SECOND STAGE OF THE TRAINING WAS CRUCIAL, INSPECTOR POON SAID.

♦NARCOTICS WERE WRAPPED INSIDE THE TOWELS AND PLACED INTO A CARTON. THE DOGS MUST THEN LEARN NOT ONLY TO RETRIEVE THE CLOTH BUT ALSO THE DRUGS. THIS EXERCISE ENABLES THEM TO IDENTIFY THE SCENT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRUGS.♦

THIS TRAINING WAS REPEATED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. (

BUT AS IT PROGRESSED, THE TOWEL WAS DISCARDED WITH THE DOGS HAVING TO DETECT NARCOTICS SCATTERED ALL OVER THE SPRAWLING TRAINING GROUND.

♦ONLY WHEN DOGS HAD RETRIEVED ’ALL’ THE DRUGS — AND THEY WERE HIDDEN IN SUCH UNLIKELY PLACES AS TREE BRANCHES, BENEATH PILES OF STONES AND UNDERNEATH BOULDERS — WOULD THEY BE SHOWERED WITH AFFECTION. AND, OF COURSE, THEIR FAVOURITE TOWEL GAME,+ INSPECTOR POON SAID.

AT PRESENT, ONLY OLIVER AND DEWARS COMPRISE THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE’S DOG UNIT.

♦ITS A PILOT SCHEME BUT WE ARE VERY CONFIDENT THAT BOTH DOGS WILL CONTRIBUTE GREATLY IN OUR EFFORT TO STAMP OUT THE ILLICIT DRUG TRADE,+ INSPECTOR POON SAID.

OLIVER AND DEWARS ARE ALREADY WORKING AT VARIOUS CHECK-POINTS INCLUDING THE POST OFFICE, CONTAINER TERMINALS AND AT KAI TAK AIRPORT.

♦THESE TWO ’EAGER BEAVERS’ REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR DAILY ASSIGNMENTS,♦ INSPECTOR POON SAID.

WHO CAN BLAME THEM.

AFTER ALL, ITS ONLY A GAME TO THEM.

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

/7....

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1979 '

CAS TAKES LEAD IN CONTROLLING MOUNTAIN RESCUE ******

JUST HOW GOOD IS OUR CIVIL AID SERVICES* MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAMS?

IN THE WORDS OF SQUADRON LEADER JOHN VERNON, INSPECTOR OF LAND RESCUE FROM THE BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE I +THE CAS MRT IS NOW WELL ESTABLISHED AND HAS TAKEN THE LEAD IN CONTROLLING MOUNTAIN RESCUE.*

SQUADRON LEADER VERNON’S COMMENT CAME AFTER HE INSPECTED A SERIES OF EXERCISES CARRIED OUT BY THE UNIT IN VARIOUS HILLY AND COUNTRYSIDE AREAS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG BETWEEN NOVEMBER 20 AND 25 LAST YEAR.

♦THROUGHOUT THE VISIT IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE TEAM IS GAINING A MORE INDEPENDENT, SELF-RELIANT APPROACH TO RESCUE. THIS IS APPARENTLY GENERATED BY THE PERSONNEL WHO HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM,* HE ADDED.

DURING HIS BIENNIAL INSPECTION, WHICH COINCIDED WITH THE ANNUAL CAS MRT TRAINING COURSE, SQUADRON LEADER VERNON SAW THE TEAMS CONDUCT CROSS-COUNTRY EXPEDITIONS, NIGHT NAVIGATION, MOUNTAIN SEARCH AND RESCUE AND DEMONSTRATIONS OF MOUNTAIN AND CLIFF RESCUE TECHNIQUES.

THESE TOOK PART ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING LANTAU ISLAND.

ON THE EXERCISE AS A WHOLE, SQUADRON LEADER VERNON SAID THE UNIT HAD EXHIBITED A GOOD STANDARD OF TRAINING AND FITNESS, ADDING THAT TEAM WORK AND INDIVIDUAL SKILLS WERE ALSO OF A HIGH STANDARD.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WAS *A GENERAL AIR OF SELF-CONFIDENCE AND THE TEAM IS NOW IN A POSITION WHERE IT IS ABLE TO VET THE SKILLS OF MOUNTAINEERS WHO MAY BE CALLED UPON TO ASSIST THEM IN ANY MAJOR OPERATION.*

IN HIS REPORT, SQUADRON LEADER VERNON SAID THAT ONLY IN ONE AREA HAD ACTION NOT BEEN COMPLETED •— RADIO COMMUNICATIONS.

+THE PROBLEM OF POOR RADIO SERVICEABILITY HAS HAMPERED THE TEAMS FOR SOME YEARS AND IT WILL ONLY BE OVERCOME WITH THE ISSUE OF IMPROVED EQUIPMENT,* HE SAID.

COMMENTING ON THIS, MR. JOHN FORTUNE, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, CAS, AGREED WITH SQUADRON LEADER VERNON THAT IT WAS REGRETTABLE THAT THE TEAM WAS STILL USING THE PYE BANTAM RADIOS WHICH WERE THE SUBJECT OF CRITICISM IN THE LAST REPORT.

♦THE RADIOS WE ARE LOOKING FOR MUST BE WEATHER-PROOF AND STRONGLY-CONSTRUCTED- AND IN FACT DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE APPROACHED FIVE DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS TO LOOK FOR A SUITABLE TYPE,* HE EXPLAINED.

/the long .....

SUNDAY, MABCH 18, 1979

THE LONG SEARCH, HE SAID, HAS PROVED FRUITFUL, ADDING ♦WE HAVE FINALLY BEEN ABLE TO GET HOLD OF AN APPROPRIATE TYPE AND WE HOPE THAT BY THE END OF THIS JULY THE NEW RADIO EQUIPMENT WILL BE IN USE.*

♦GOOD COMMUNICATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL IN CO-ORDINATING MOUNTAIN RESCUE WORK,+ HE STRESSED.

AND IT IS VITAL THAT THE MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAMS ARE WELL EQUIPPED AND IN TOP FORM.

FOR, AS SQUADRON LEADER VERNON OBSERVED IN HIS REPORT* ♦THE INCREASING EROSION ON THE PATHS IS AN INDICATION OF THE GREATER NUMBERS USING THE MOUNTAINS IN HONG KONG AND THE EVER INCREASING NEED FOR THE MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAMS.+

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

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING TO VISIT PWD WORK SITES

******

MR. DAVID STEAD. DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WILL INSPECT SOME OF THE PWD WORK SITES ON HONG KONG ISLAND TOMORROW (MONDAY).

HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY CHIEF ENGINEERS OF VARIOUS OFFICES CONCERNED.

AMONG THE SITES TO BE VISITED WILL BE THE CHAI WAN COMPOSTING PLANT.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT OF THE PWD TO THE WORK SITES TOMORROW (MONDAY).

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 9.45 A.M.

OFFICERS OF THE PWD’S PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1979 - 9 -

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY

******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE IN HAPPY VALLEY FROM TUESDAY (MARCH 20) TO WEDNESDAY TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.

FROM 8 P.M. ON TUESDAY TO 4 A.M. THE NEXT DAY THE FOLLOWING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE I-

* THE WESTBOUND BUS ONLY LANE IN LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, AND WESTBOUND BUSES 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 SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE MID-LEVELS WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON TUESDAY (MARCH 20)

TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY 40-50 STUBBS ROAD AND 4-14 WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD INCLUDING THE HONG KONG ADVENTIST HOSPITAL.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

APPOINTMENT OF THREE NEW HIGH COURT JUDGES APPROVED ....... 1

REFUSE COMPOSTING PLANT NEARING COMPLETION ............... 2

SALE OF TWO LAND LOTS POSTPONED............................ 2

NEW KA I FONG RESEARCH COUNCIL OFFICE-BEARERS CALL ON DHA ....................................................... 3

LEARNER DRIVERS PROHIBITED IN ROSE STREET ................ 3

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHEK KIP MEI STREET EXTENSION ........ 4

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

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

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1979

APPOINTMENT OF THREE NEW HIGH COURT JUDGES APPROVED *****

THE APPOINTMENT OF THREE NEW HIGH COURT JUDGES TO HONG KONG’S SUPREME COURT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE QUEEN.

THE JUDGES ARE MR. ARTHUR GARCIA, MR. WILLIAM JAMES SILKE AND HL NOEL PLUNKETT POWER.

MR. GARCIA WAS BORN ON JULY 3. 1924, IN HONG KONG. HE WAS EDUCATED AT LA SALLE COLLEGE. HE JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1939 AS A CLERK AND RESIGNED IN 1947.

HE REJOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1951, WAS AWARDED A COLONIAL DEPARTMENT AND WELFARE SCHEME SCHOLARSHIP BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1954 AND WAS CALLED TO THE BAR OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE IN LONDON IN 1957.

HE WAS SECONDED TO THE JUDICIARY AS A MAGISTRATE IN 1959 AND BECAME A PERMANENT MAGISTRATE IN I960. HE BECAME A SENIOR MAGISTRATE IN 1968 AND A PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE IN MARCH OF THAT YEAR. HE WAS APPOINTED A DISTRICT JUDGE IN 1971. ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS HE SAT AS A COMMISSIONER OF THE HIGH COURT.

MR. SILKE WAS BORN ON SEPTEMBER 21, 1929, IN DUBLIN, IRELAND. HE WAS EDUCATED AT XAVIER SCHOOL, DUBLIN, AND DUBLIN UNIVERSITY. HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR AT KING’S INNS, DUBLIN, IN 1955.

HE SERVED AS A MAGISTRATE IN NORTH BORNEO AND AS A PUISNE JUDGE OF THE MALAYSIAN JUDICIARY.

HE JOINED THE HONG KONG JUDICIARY AS A MAGISTRATE IN 1969, WAS PROMOTED TO PRESIDENT OF THE TENANCY TRIBUNAL IN 1971 AND WAS MADE PRESIDENT OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL IN 1974. HE WAS APPOINTED A DISTRICT JUDGE IN 1975. ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS HE SAT AS A COMMISSIONER OF THE HIGH COURT.

MR. POWER WAS BORN ON DECEMBER 4, 1929, IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA. HE WAS EDUCATED AT DOWNLANDS COLLEGE, TOOWOOMBA, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND. HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA, IN 1955.

HE JOINED THE JUDICIARY AS A MAGISTRATE IN 1965 AND WAS MADE A SENIOR MAGISTRATE IN 1969. HE WAS APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL IN 1976. ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS HE SAT AS A COMMISSIONER OF THE HIGH COURT.

- o - -

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1979

REFUSE COMPOSTING PLANT NEARING COMPLETION ******

HONG KONG’S FIRST REFUSE COMPOSTING PLANT, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN CHAI WAN, WILL BE READY IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS.

WORK ON THE STOCK PILE BUILDING, WHERE COMPOST WILL BE STORED, HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND MACHINERY, INCLUDING CONVEYOR BELTS AND A GRAB, IS BEING INSTALLED.

MR DAVID STEAD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, WHO VISITED THE SITE TODAY (MONDAY), SAID ™e Sew plant represented a MAJOR STEP IN THE DEPARTMENT’S efforts TO DEVELOP BETTER AND MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MEANS OF DISPOSING REFUSE.

HE SAID THE COMPOSTING PROCESS INVOLVED THE TREATMENT OF SOLID WASTE THROUGH GRADUAL DECOMPOSITION INTO HYGIENICALLY SAFE, INERT AND INOFFENSIVE MATERIAL.

♦THIS METHOD DOES NOT PRODUCE ANY ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION AND THE COMPOSTED WASTES MAY BE USED AS INTERMEDIATE AND FINAL COVER MATERIAL IN CONTROLLED TIPPING,+ HE ADDED.

AMONG OTHER PWD PROJECTS VISITED TODAY WERE THE SECOND PASSENGER FERRY PIER AT NORTH POINT AND THE WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD-STUBBS ROAD FLYOVER.

THE FERRY PIER, COSTING $10.5 MILLION, WILL BE COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR WHILE THE $55 MILLION FLYOVER IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ANOTHER 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

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

SALE OF TWO LAND * * *

LOTS POSTPONED * * *

THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE SALE OF TWO LOTS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

THEY ARE AT SHEK 0, HONG KONG, AND 136 WATERLOO ROAD AND

1 CAMBRIDGE ROAD, KOWLOON, RESPECTIVELY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE SAID THESE LOTS WOULD BE PUT UP FOR SALE AGAIN AT A LATER DATE TO BE PUBLISHED.

THE SALE OF THE REMAINING THREE LOTS WILL TAKE PLACE AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, HE ADDED.

THE OTHER THREE SITES ARE LOCATED OFF SUN SING STREET, SHAU KEI WAN, 15-21 LA SALLE ROAD, AND SZE SHAN STREET, YAU TONG.

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/3.....

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1979

- 3 -

NEW KAIFONG RESEARCH COUNCIL OFFICE-BEARERS CALL ON DHA *****

THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON JOINT KAIFONG RESEARCH COUNCIL PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.

THEY WERE RECEIVED BY MR. WALDEN IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AT INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, CENTRAL.

DURING A BRIEF DISCUSSION, THE NEWLY ELECTED CHAIRMAN, bfi. SO CHING, REPORTED THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF THE COUNCIL DURING THE PAST YEAR. HE ALSO DISCLOSED THE OBJECTIVES OF THE COUNCIL, ONE OF WHICH IS TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS IN VARIOUS KAIFONG DISTRICTS.

MR. WALDEN SHOWED GREAT INTEREST IN THE COUNCIL’S FUTURE WORKING PLANS AND MADE DETAILED ENQUIRIES ABOUT THEM.

ALSO PRESENT AT THE MEETING WERE MR. MICHAEL LEUNG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MRS. ALICE LAI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, AND MR. STEPHEN HO, CHIEF LIAISON OFFICER.

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

LEARNER DRIVERS PROHIBITED IN ROSE STREET * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING AND PRACTISING IN ROSE STREET, YAU YAT CHUEN, FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

0 --------

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1979

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHEK KIP MEI STREET EXTENSION ft * * * ft

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE SKEK KIP MEI STREET EXTENSION BETWEEN WOH CHAI STREET AND BERWICK STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON THURSDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M. FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGES.

DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO NAM CHEONG STREET.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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WATER CUT ft ft ft

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11'P.M. ON THURSDAY TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY 1-25 REPULSE BAY ROAD-NOS. 14 AND 141 PETROL FILLING STATIONS IN WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD- 3 AND 6 DEEP WATER BAY ROAD AND 4-22 BLACK’S LINK.

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■ V

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1979

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR’S TERM EXTENDED ................................... 1

ANOTHER $100 MILLION SHIPYARD PROJECT ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND.. 1

AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE IN 1978 TOTALLED $25,982 MILLION.................................................... 3

TAX EXEMPTION ON INTEREST RAISED ........................... 5

KEEN BIDDING FOR TUEN MUN COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL SITE .... 5

NEW SOUTH KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT BUILDING .................. 6

D.S.W. TO OPEN +INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD+ PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAY ....................................... 6

HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY ................................................... 7

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1979

GOVERNOR’S TERM EXTENDED

*****

H.M. THE QUEEN HAS APPROVED THAT SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE WILL REMAIN GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG UNTIL APRIL 1980.

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ANOTHER $100 MILLION SHIPYARD PROJECT ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND *****

HONG KONG’S SHIPPING INDUSTRY HAS RECEIVED ANOTHER BOOST WITH THE LEASE OF A LARGE AREA OF LAND ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A $100 MILLION SHIPYARD FINANCED BY THE BANK OF CHINA.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE YIU LIAN MACHINERY REPAIRING WORKS LTD., MR. CHAN CHUNG, SIGNED THE CONDITIONS OF GRANT TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR A LEASE OF 11.6 HECTARES OF LAND AT NAM WAN ON THE WESTERN COAST OF THE ISLAND.

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE LAND WOULD BE INTENSIVELY USED FOR SHIP BUILDING, SHIP REPAIRING AND ANCILLARY SERVICES AND WOULD INVOLVE THE INSTALLATION OF A FLOATING DOCK, CONSTRUCTION OF A SLIPWAY, A NUMBER OF ALONGSIDE REPAIR BERTHS, MACHINE SHOPS, AN ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING AND WORKERS’ QUARTERS WITH A TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF MORE THAN $100 MILLION.

PERMISSION WAS FIRST GIVEN TO THE COMPANY TO COMMENCE SITE FORMATION WORK IN APRIL 1977, PENDING THE FINALISATION OF DETAILS.

THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROJECT, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF REPAIR BERTHS, WORKSHOPS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING, IS WELL ADVANCED AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN A YEAR. THE FLOATING DOCK HAS ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED.

YIU LIAN MACHINERY REPAIRING WORKS LTD. IS A HONG KONG REGISTERED COMPANY CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH CHINA MERCHANTS STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY LTD.

THE TSI NG Yl FACILITIES ARE EXPECTED TO CATER FOR MORE THAN 200 VESSELS A YEAR AT THE ALONGSIDE BERTHS AND SLIPWAY, WITH ABOUT 50 VESSELS A YEAR AT THE FLOATING DOCK, TOGETHER WITH SHIPBUILDING AS ORDERS ARE RECEIVED.

MORE THAN 2,500 PEOPLE WILL BE EMPLOYED AT THE SHIPYARD WHEN IT IS FULLY OPERATIONAL.

/+THE GOVERNMENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1979

+THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THIS SIGNIFICANT ADDITION TO OUR SHIPPING INDUSTRY AND THE INVESTMENT THAT GOES WITH IT,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

+TSING Yl IS A MUCH BETTER LOCATION FOR SHIP BUILDING AND REPAIRING THAN THE CENTRAL HARBOUR AREA BECAUSE IT IS SITUATED ON THE WESTERN APPROACH TO THE HONG KONG HARBOUR.*

TSING Yl ISLAND ALREADY HAS THREE DOCKYARDS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, A POWER STATION AND OTHER INDUSTRIES INCLUDING THOSE SET UP BY DOW CHEMICAL, OUTBOARD MARINE , CHEMSYN AND THE FEOSO OIL STORAGE DEPOT.

+THESE PROJECTS REPRESENT INVESTMENTS OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN HONG KONG AND SHOULD BE OF GREAT LONG-TERM BENEFIT,* W. AKERS-JONES NOTED.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF TSING Yl WAS BEING ACCOMPANIED BY HOUSING AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES AS PART OF THE BALANCED OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF TSEUN WAN AS A NEW TOWN. ,

THE PROJECTED POPULATION ON THE ISLAND IS ABOUT 190,000 PEOPLE BY THE MID-1980’S.

+THE INDUSTRIAL PLANTS ON THE ISLAND WILL NO DOUBT PROVIDE MANY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WHO WILL LIVE THERE,* W. AKERS-JONES ADDED.

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/3 ....

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1979 /

- 3 -

AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE IN 1978 TOTALLED $25,982 MILLION ******

AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE IN 1978, VALUED AT $25,982 MILLION, WAS ABOUT 39 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN 1977.

AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT.. R€ACHI NG $9,980 MILLION AND REPRESENTING A 25 PER CENT SHARE OF OVERALL DOMESTIC EXPORTS.

AIRBORNE IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 45 PER CENT TO $11,811 MILLION WHILE RE-EXPORTS, AT $4,191 MILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 44 PER CENT.

AIRBORNE IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ACCOUNTED FOR 19 PER CENT AND 32 PER CENT OF TOTAL IMPORTS AND TOTAL RE-EXPORTS.

SUMMARY TRADE STATISTICS ON AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR 1978 WERE RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY ’ (TUESDAY).

THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES HONG KONG’S AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SIX MAJOR MARKETS:

1978 1977 INCREASE PERCENTAGE

b fHK$ MN) (HK$ MN) (HKS MN) CHANGE

4 U.S.A. ' 4,439 3,713 + 726 . ♦ 20

• V

F.R. OF GERMANY 4,170 819 + 351 ♦ 43

JAPAN 721 444 + 277 + 62

U.K. 652 403 + 249 + 62

SWITZERLAND 298 233 + 65 + 28

CANADA 282 249 + 33 + 13

THE INCREASE IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS MAINLY

ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE GROWTH IN DELIVERIES OF ARTICLES OF APPAREL " AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($3,686 MILLION, + 31 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($2,442 MILLION, + 63 PER CENT), THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES AND MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL APPARATUS ($892 MILLION, + NINE PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT ($855 MILLION, ♦ NINE PER CENT) AS WELL AS JEWELLERY AND OTHER PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES ($533 MILLION, + 19 PER CENT)..

A MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWN REVEALED THAT THE GROWTH IN AIRBORNE EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. WAS DUE MAINLY TO INCREASED DELIVERIES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($1,762 MILLION, + 31 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($693 MILLION, + 57 PER CENT), ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND PARTS FOR COMPUTERS ($554 MILLION, + TWO PER CENT) AND INTEGRATED MICRO CIRCUITS ($195 MILLION, + 16 PER CENT).

/GROWTH......

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1979

GROWTH IN AIRBORNE EXPORTS TO THE F.R. OF GERMANY WAS RECORDED IN APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES ($692 MILLION, ♦ 43 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($188 MILLION, + 172 PER CENT). IN ADDITION, PROMINENT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN AIRBORNE EXPORTS OF WATCHES TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SWITZERLAND.

IMPORTS BY AIR FROM THE FOLLOWING MAJOR SUPPLIERS ALSO

RECORDED INCREASESi PERCENTAGE CHANGE

1978 (HK$ MN) 1977 (HK$ MN) INCREASE (HK$ MN)

JAPAN 2,644 1,758 + 886 + 50

U.S.A. 2,031 1,957 + 74 ♦ 4

SWITZERLAND 1,442 873 + 569 ♦ 65

ISRAEL 961 178 + 783 + 440

UNITED KINGDOM 558 409 + 149 ♦ 36

SINGAPORE 519 358 + 161 ♦ 45

IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, INTO HONG KONG BY AIR.

MORE AND MORE PRODUCTS WERE IMPORTED

INCREASES DURING 1978 WERE REGISTERED CHIEFLY IN WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($3,016 MILLION, + 46 PER CENT), THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, AND MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL APPARATUS ($1,885 MILLION, + 29 PER CENT), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES ($1,640 MILLION, + 150 PER CENT), AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT ($912 MILLION, + 48 PER CENT).

BY COUNTRY, INCREASES IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM JAPAN WERE LARGELY DUE TO RISES IN WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($1,224 MILLION, + 38 PER CENT), AND FROM THE U.S.A., RISES IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND PARTS FOR COMPUTERS ($520 MILLION, + EIGHT PER CENT), GINSENG ($86 MILLION, ♦ NINE PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($76 MILLION, + 38 PER CENT) AND DIAMONDS ($50 MILLION, + 81 PER CENT).

REMARKABLE INCREASES WERE NOTED IN ARRIVALS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($1,141 MILLION, + 56 PER CENT), FROM SWITZERLAND AND OF DIAMONDS ($952 MILLION, + 480 PER CENT) FROM ISRAEL VIA AIR.

INCREASES WERE ALSO FOUND IN AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS WITH MAJOR ITEMS LIKE PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES ($935 MILLION, + 71 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS ($812 MILLION, + 13 PER CENT), THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES AND MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY ($495 MILLION, + 24 PER CENT) AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND PHOTO GRAPHIC APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT ($209 MILLION, + 25 PER CENT).

MAIN MARKETS FOR AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS INCLUDED JAPAN ($1,316 MILLION, + 80 PER CENT), TAIWAN ($585 MILLION, + 43 PER CENT), SINGAPORE ($528 MILLION, + 33 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. ($452 MILLION, + 40 PER CENT) WHICH TOGETHER ABSORBED ABOUT 69 PER CENT OF RE-EXPORTS DESPATCHED FROM HONG KONG BY AIR DURING 1978.

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1979

TAX EXEMPTION ON INTEREST RAISED H M M M

GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED.

^T^REst pS5able°oh*'savin6s^accounts^woulo^be^sTmIlarlyTra?sed

TO 5-3/4 PER CENT, ALSO WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY.

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

KEEN BIDDING FOR TUEN MUN COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL SITE

X X X X X X

A COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SITE AT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WAS TODAY (TUESDAY) SOLD FOR $32.5 MILLLION AT A PUBLIC AUCTION.

THE PRICE WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF $20,312 PER SQUARE METRE ----

ALMOST DOUBLE THE PRICE OF $10,760 PAID FOR A LOT IN THE SAME AREA IN JANUARY LAST YEAR.

THE 1,600-SQUARE METRE SITE WAS KNOCKED DOWN TO THE KAI HEI LAND CO. LTD. AFTER SPIRITED BIDDING AMONG AT LEAST SIX POTENTIAL BUYERS PUSHED UP THE OPENING BID OF $14.5 MILLION.

THE SITE IS ADJACENT TO TUEN MUN’S PROPOSED TOWN CENTRE, THE FIRST STAGE OF WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR DEVELOPMENT LATER THIS YEAR.

THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. VICTOR LEUNG, SAID THE COMPETITION AMONG TODAY’S BIDDERS REFLECTED A KEEN AWARENESS OF THE POTENTIAL OF THE NEW TOWN.

♦THE TOWN CENTRE WILL BE THE SHOWPIECE OF TUEN MUN AND AS THIS SITE IS RIGHT ALONGSIDE IT WILL BE MUCH SOUGHT-AFTER RESIDENTIAL AREA,+ HE ADDED.

MR. LEUNG ALSO AUCTIONED AN INDUSTRIAL SITE OF 2,935 SQUARE METRES IN SHEK PAI TAU ROAD. THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WAS THE HOI KA CO. LTD., WHICH PAID $22.1 MILLION, OR $7,530 PER SQUARE METRE.

THIS WAS DOWN ON THE PREVIOUS PRICE OF $9,180 PER SQUARE METRE AT AN AUCTION LAST OCTOBER BUT WAS NONETHELESS SATISFACTORY PRICE IN VIEW OF THE RECENT INCREASE IN INTEREST RATES, MR. LEUNG SAID.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1979

NEW SOUTH KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT BUILDING ******

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO THE NEW SOUTH KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT BUILDING IN GASCOIGNE ROAD.

A SPOKESMAN FOR PWD SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE FIVE-STOREY BUILDING WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE JUDICIARY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

THE COURT BUILDING IS ON A 3,070 SQUARE-METRE SITE NEXT TO THE EXISTING SOUTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY.

IT HOUSES SIX COURTROOMS WITH CELL ACCOMMODATION AT THE BASEMENT. THERE IS A CAR PARK CAPABLE OF ACCOMMODATING 16 CARS.

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D.S.W. TO OPEN ♦INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD* PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAY

******

, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF AN +INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD* PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION AT THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.

THE EXHIBITION WILL DISPLAY 250 PICTURES PORTRAYING THE DAILY LIFE OF CHILDREN THROUGH THE LENS OF PHOTO ENTHUSIASTS FROM HONG KONG AND ASIA.

THE EXHIBITS ARE PART OF THE 1,350 ENTRIES IN AN ASIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE PO LEUNG KUK AND THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG IN RESPONSE TO THE ♦INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD*.

AT TOMORROW’S OPENING CEREMONY, MR. LEE WILL ALSO PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST AND TO THOSE WON A RECENT CHILDREN’S PAINTING COMPETITION.

WHO HAVE

THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM TO SATURDAY BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 7 P.M. ON THE FOURTH FLOOR HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.

THURSDAY OF THE

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE +INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD* PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, AT 5.30 P.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE. HARBOUR ROAD. 9

--------0

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1979

HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY ***** P?.

WINNING ENTRIES OF THE 1979 HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION FOR SCHOOLS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL FROM THURSDAY TO SUNDAY.

THE COMPETITION IS AN ANNUAL EVENT JOINTLY ^RGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. ITS AIM IS TO AROUSE INTEREST AND AWARENESS AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN ON PUBLIC HEALTH, PERSONAL HYGIENE, +CLEAN HONG KONG+ AND SAFETY IN SWIMMING.

URBAN COUNCILLOR, DR. WONG PUN-CHEUK, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE ’ PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 3 P.M^ON THURSDAY (MARCH 22).

THIS YEAR’S TOP FIVE WINNERS ARE S.K.41* LAM WOO MEMORIAL SECONDARY SCHOOL, TANG KING PO SCHOOL, PO LEUNG KUK C.F.A. NO. 1 COLLEGE, BUDDHIST SIN TAK COLLEGE, AND CHAN SU I KI COLLEGE. THEY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH CASH PRIZES AND TROPHIES.

ANOTHER 10 SCHOOLS WILL ALSO EACH RECEIVE A $500 MERIT PRIZE FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING DESIGNS.

A SPECIAL AWARD WILL BE GIVEN TO THE WINNER OF THE BEST ARTWORK DESIGN WHICH WILL BE CHOSEN BY THE ADJUDICATORS FROM THE ENTRIES SHORTLY BEFORE THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY.

ON DISPLAY WILL BE PICTURES, PHOTOGRAPHS, MODELS, GRAPHS, CHARTS AND FEATURE ARTICLES PRODUCED BY THE COMPETING SCHOOLS OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS. AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE JOINT EXHIBITION, THE BEST PROJECTS WILL GO ON DISPLAY AT VARIOUS COMMUNITY CENTRES AND SCHOOLS BY ROTATION.

--------- (

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL AT 3 P.M. ON THURSDAY.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

THROUGH TRAIN PASSENGER SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON AND GUANGZHOU TO BEGIN ON APRIL 4............................... 1

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TAKES OVER 12 SPECIAL CENTRES ......... 2

SURVEY OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF SERVICES 1978 ............. 4

FREE SERVICE FOR INJURED WORKERS ........................... 4

62 AND 63 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL DECLARED DANGEROUS .... 5

GOVERNOR TO OPEN SHUN LEE ESTATE ........................... 5

IMPORTANCE OF SELF-HELP STRESSED ........................... 6

D.S.W. OPENS EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS ON CHILDREN ......... 7

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

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1979

THROUGH TRAIN PASSENGER SERVICE BETWEEN

KOWLOON AND GUANGZHOU TO BEGIN ON APRIL 4

* * * *

A DIRECT EXPRESS THROUGH TRAIN PASSENGER SERVICE FROM KOWLOON TO GUANGZHOU (CANTON) WILL BEGIN ON APRIL 4.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (BRITISH SECTION), MR. D.M. HOWES ON HIS RETURN FROM GUANGZHOU WHERE HE HAS SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED NEGOTIATIONS ON THE FINAL DETAILS OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH OFFICIALS OF THE GUANGZHOU RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION.

MR. HOWES WHO LED A DELEGATION TO GUANGZHOU ON MONDAY DESCRIBED THE AGREEMENT AS A +HI STORY MAKING EVENT,+ POINTING OUT THAT THE LAST THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE WAS IN OCTOBER 1949.

♦THIS NEW ADDITIONAL PRESTIGE SERVICE IS MAINLY AIMED AT THE BUSINESS AND TOUR 1ST COMMUNITY,+MR. HOWES SAID.

HE QUICKLY EMPHASISED THAT ONLY THREE CATEGORIES OF PASSENGERS WILL BE ABLE TO USE THIS NEW SERVICE:

* HOLDERS OF PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA PASSPORTS WITH VISAS FOR HONG KONG-

* FOREIGNERS (I.E. HOLDERS OF OTHER PASSPORTS) WHO EITHER HAVE VISAS FOR HONG KONG OR WHO ARE NATIONALS OF COUNTRIES NOT REQUIRING VISAS FOR HONG KONG AND,

M HOLDERS OF HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS.

THE TRAIN — FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED WITH A DINING CAR AND BUFFET — WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE GUANGZHOU RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION.

♦IT’S A FIRST CLASS SERVICE COMPLETE WITH RECLINING CHAIRS. IT CAN SEAT 600 PEOPLE. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR STANDING,* MR. HOWES SAID.

AS TO THE TRAIN’S TIMETABLE, MR. HOWES SAID THAT THE TRAIN — WHICH WILL COMPRISE 10 PASSENGER COACHES, ONE MAIL VAN, ONE RESTAURANT CAR AND ONE AIR-CONDITIONING POWER UNIT — WILL OPERATE ONE SERVICE EACH WAY DAILY, LEAVING GUANZHOU AT 8.30 A.M. AND ARRIVING AT THE HUNG HOM TERMINAL AT 11.28 A.M. IT WILL DEPART FROM HUNG HOM AT 1 P.M. AND ARRIVE AT GUANGZHOU AT 3.54 P.M.

THE ONE-WAY FARE IS $50 AND TICKETS CAN BE BOOKED AND RESERVED IN ADVANCE AT ALL CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE BRANCHES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG

BECAUSE OF THE +TIGHT TURN-AROUND TIME* OF ONE AND A HALF HOURS, MR. HOWES URGED ALL DEPARTING PASSENGERS TO CHECK IN AT LEAST ONE HOUR BEFORE THE TRAIN LEAVES HUNG HOM.

/THE TIMETABLE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1079

2 -

THE TIMETABLE HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO CONNECT, ON DEPARTURE FROM GUANGZHOU, WITH THE OVERNIGHT EXPRESS FROM PEKING, AND ON RETURN IN THE EVENING THE LAST FLIGHT FROM GUANGZHOU TO PEKING IN THE EVENING.

THE CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION PROCESSING AREA WILL BE HOUSED IN PART OF THE SOUTHERN CONCOURSE OF THE TERMINAL.

+BECAUSE THIS IS JUST A TEMPORARY FACILITY, PASSENGERS MAY EXPERIENCE SOME INCONVENIENCE. HOWEVER, THE SITUATION WILL BE RECTIFIED WHEN THE WHOLE OF THE SOUTHERN CONCOURSE CAN BE USED NEXT YEAR,* MR. HOWES SAID.

HE ADDED THAT PLATFORM 6 HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR THE THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE AND FOR THIS REASON, THE PUBLIC WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO IT WHILE THE TRAIN IS IN THE STATION.

MR. HOWES ALSO STRESSED THAT TEST RUNS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OPERATIONAL SAFETY MATTERS HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

THERE WILL BE A FREE BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE OF 20 KILOGRAMMES FOR EACH PASSENGER WHICH THEY CAN CARRY WITH THEM INTO THE COMPARTMENTS. ANYTHING ABOVE THAT WILL HAVE TO BE STORED IN THE LUGGAGE VAN WITH A NOMINAL CHARGE FOR EXCESS BAGGAGE.

♦CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIVE AND 10 WILL ONLY HAVE TO PAY HALF FARE. ONE CHILD UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT CAN TRAVEL FREE,* MR. HOWES SAID.

ON THE THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE AS A WHOLE, MR. HOWES SAID THAT NOT ONLY DOES IT HALVE THE PRESENT TRAVELLING TIME — THREE HOURS ONLY — BUT IT WILL OFFER A CITY CENTRE TO CITY CENTRE SERVICE WITH CONVENIENT CONNECTIONS FOR TRAINS AND FLIGHTS IN CHINA.

+THIS SHOULD MAKE THE RAIL SERVICE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORT OPERATING BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES FOR THE EXECUTIVE AND TOURIST SECTOR OF THE MARKET.*

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TAKES OVER 12 SPECIAL CENTRES

******

THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE SPENDING ABOUT S8.2 MILLION ANNUALLY TO BRING ALL ASPECTS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED INTO THE CODE OF AID AND TO EXPAND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CARE IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

FROM APRIL 1 THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF ALL MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IRRESPECTIVE OF THE IP DEGREE OF HANDICAP.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1979

- 3 -

THIS SERVICE IS NOW DIVIDED AMONG THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ACCORDING TO THE I.Q. LEVEL OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED.

ON APRIL 1 THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE OVER FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SUBVENTION AND SUPERVISION OF 12 CHILDREN’S TRAINING CENTRES WITH 720 PLACES FOR MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

♦THE TAKE-OVER OF RESPONSIBILITY BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IMPLIES THAT THE CHILDREN’S TRAINING CENTRES WHICH AT PRESENT RECEIVE DISCRETIONARY GRANTS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL BE RECEIVING FULL GRANTS TO COVER ALL EXPENDITURE FOR APPROVED ACTIVITIES AND POSTS ON A DEFICIENCY BASIS UNDER THE CODE OF AID ADMINISTERED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

SERVING STAFF OF THESE CENTRES WILL RECEIVE TEACHER TRAINING AND SPECIAL EDUCATION TRAINING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

CLASS SIZES FOR MODERATELY AND SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WILL ALSO BE REDUCED TO PERMIT GREATER CARE FOR THESE CHILDREN.

WITH REGARD TO THE EXPANSION OF MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CARE IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID SOCIAL WORKERS AND PARA-MEDICAL STAFF WILL BE PROVIDED IN THESE SCHOOLS.

SOCIAL WORKERS WILL HELP HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS TO OVERCOME THEIR SENSE OF INFERIORITY AND INADEQUACY, AND TO SOLVE THEIR EMOTIONAL AND ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS.

PARENTS WILL ALSO NEED THE COUNSELLING OF THESE SOCIAL WORKERS IN LOOKING AFTER THEIR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS WILL BE EMPLOYED TO ASSIST PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN TO GAIN MOBILITY, TO MAINTAIN AND INCREASE MUSCLE STRENGTH, AND TO ADVISE THEM IN THE USE OF WHEELCHAIRS AND WALKING AIDS.

THESE CHILDREN WILL ALSO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FROM OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS IN ASSESSING AND DEVELOPING THEIR PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL SKILLS AND APTITUDES.

SPEECH THERAPISTS WILL BE PROVIDED IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF, FOR THE MULTI-HANDICAPPED WITH SPEECH PROBLEMS AND FOR THE KENTALLY HANDICAPPED.

A FULL-TIME REGISTERED NURSE IS PROPOSED FOR EVERY SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, BECAUSE THESE CHILDREN REQUIRE FREQUENT NURSING CARE.

♦THE PROVISION OF THESE STAFF WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

IN ADDITION, RESOURCE TEACHERS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND BLIND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING FULL-TIME EDUCATION IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1979

- 4 -

SURVEY OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF SERVICES 1978 M M U * M

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING A SURVEY TO COLLECT DATA ON IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF SERVICES IN 1978. THIS SURVEY IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG.

DATA COLLECTED WILL BE USED IN ESTIMATING THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG WHICH IS THE CHIEF SUMMARY ECONOMIC INDICATOR FOR ANALYSING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY.

THE SURVEY COVERS SHIPPING, AIR TRANSPORTATION, CARGO FORWARDING, INSURANCE, FILM-PROGRAMME PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION AND HOTEL MANAGEMENT.

QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE SENT TO FIRMS ENGAGED IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AND WHICH HAVE BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS OVERSEAS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STRESSED THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE 1978, FROM WHICH THE SURVEY DERIVES ITS LEGAL AUTHORITY, DATA SUPPLIED ON ANY INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE WILL BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL NOT BE REVEALED TO ANY OTHER PERSON OR GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION.

QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT AT THE MOMENT. THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM UNDER CONFIDENTIAL COVER TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, IF POSSIBLE, BEFORE APRIL 30 AND, IN ANY CASE, NOT LATER THAN JUNE 30.

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FREE SERVICE FOR INJURED WORKERS X * * *

WH0 HAVE BEEN MA’MED AS A RESULT OF INDUSTRIAL OR *BO!UvAj ONAL ACCIDENTS WERE REMINDED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THEY CAN

Ar,, r- t?2WEVER» A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE WORKER MUST rc TO PROVE THAT THE INITIAL FITTING OF THE IR PROSTHESES WAS A

RESULT OF INDUSTRIAL OR OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS.

1T,V,ND!R The WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE. EXPENSES FOR THE FITTING OF THE PROSTHESIS OR SURGICAL APPLIANCE ARE BORNE RY

UpLiSe^Fl lSi?EDT^E USABLE LIFE 0F A RROSTHEs7s5RNiuRAGICABLRNE BY

JHE SPOKESMAN URGED THOSE INJURED EMPLOYEES WHO WISHED TO INFORMATION ON THE ARRANGEMENT FOR RENEWAL OR REPAIR OF PROSTHESES OR SURGICAL APPLICANCES TO APPROACH EITHER THE LAROi 5 °F 0FF*CESENJlHTH0FLOM’<TE?Mf>E^»a2«lNAT AT CANT0N GOVERNMENT ‘TT Fda FUSE^NOr?E?fBP^jAHST^ATI ('S“RGE 259)" KOWLOON REHABILITATION CENTRE IN KOWLOON HOSP ITAI ^3i«?2i^(^e\v?EuRTRH,^;E^NG ^«wp,TAL ------------------------------o-------

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1979

62 AND 63 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL DECLARED DANGEROUS ft ft ft ft ft

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DECLARED NOS. 62 AND 63 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID THESE FOUR-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS HAD BEEN UNDER REGULAR OBSERVATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

♦THE BRICKWORK THROUGHOUT THESE BUILDINGS IS BADLY FRACTURED AND RECENT INSPECTIONS HAVE CONFIRMED THAT OUTWARD MOVEMENT IS OCCURRING IN THE REAR OF THESE BUILDINGS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THERE IS NOW A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE AND IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILDINGS,+ HE ADDED.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON APRIL 18 WERE POSTED TODAY.

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GOVERNOR TO OPEN SHUN LEE ESTATE ft ft ft

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOMORROW (THURSDAY) WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN SHUN LEE ESTATE IN EAST KOWLOON.

THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. A.T. SCOTT WILL INVITE THE GOVERNOR TO UNVEIL A PLAQUE ON THE FOUNTAIN IN THE ESTATE’S COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.

NOTE TO ED I TORSj

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF SHUN LEE ESTATE, EAST KOWLOON, BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 3.30 P.M.

TRANSPORT FOR THE MEDIA WILL LEAVE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK LOWER ALBERT ROAD, PROMPTLY AT 2.30 P.M. FOR SHUN LEE, RETURNING TO THE C.G.O. CAR PARK AFTERWARDS.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1979

IMPORTANCE OF SELF-HELP STRESSED ******

MR. COLVYN HAYE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TOLD STUDENTS OF KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-HELP.

SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE COLLEGE, MR. HAYE DEFINED SELF-HELP AS BASICALLY SELF-RELIANCE, AN INTELLIGENT APPRECIATION OF ONE’S STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES COUPLED WITH THE DETERMINATION TO MAKE THE BEST OF ONESELF.

+SELF-HELP MEANS HELPING YOURSELF AND IF YOU PRACTISE IT YOU WILL SOON FIND THAT OTHERS WILL BE READY TO HELP YOU,* HE SAID.

♦NEVER FORGET THAT SELF-HELP STARTS WITH YOU, YOURSELF, AND THAT IF YOU ARE TO MAKE YOUR WAY IN LIFE YOU MUST FIRST RELY ON YOURSELF,* MR. HAYE ADDED.

TO MAKE THE BEST OF ONE’S ABILITIES, HE SAID, IT WAS NECESSARY TO WORK HARD, AND NOTED THAT THE COURSES PROVIDED BY KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE GAVE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HARD WORK AND THE ENJOYMENT OF LIFE.

+THE COURSES YOU FOLLOW GIVE YOU A WIDE CHOICE OF EXCITING AND USEFUL STUDIES AND THE COLLEGE ORGANISATION WITH ITS EMPHASIS ^i£^?Si..^ESA.SP0RTS’ CH0RUS» folk dance, dramatics, western and CHINESE MUSIC, PHOTOGRAPHY, PUBLIC SPEAKING, ART, CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY, AND A VARIETY OF ACADEMIC CLUBS, GUARANTEES A BROADBASED PREPARATION FOR LIFE,* MR. HAYE SAID.

REFERRING TO THE EDUCATION WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED LAST YEAR WHICH POINTED TO A FUTURE THAT PRODUCES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR VIRTUALLY ALL YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, MR. HAYE SAID: +A VITAL ROLE IN THIS ACHIEVEMENT HAS BEEN PLAYED BY THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE AND ALL INSTITUTIONS LIKE IT.*

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/7.....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1979

D.S.W. OPENS EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS ON CHILDREN

N * N * *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OPENED AN EXHIBITION WHICH FEATURES 250 PICTURES PORTRAYING THE DAILY LIFE OF CHILDREN THROUGH THE CAMERAS OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ENTHUSIASTS FROM HONG KONG AND ASIA.

THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION, STARTING TOMORROW AT THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE PO LEUNG KUK AND THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG IN RESPONSE TO THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD ( I.Y.C.).

MR. LEE SAID AT THE OPENING CEREMONY THAT IN PROMOTING THE SPIRIT OF THE I.Y.C., IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE PUBLIC CO-OPERATION, PARTICULARLY FROM PARENTS, TO ENSURE A +SWEET AND HAPPY LIFE+ FOR CHILDREN.

HE SAID THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE I.Y.C., THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES HAVE SET UP A COMMITTEE TO PLAN AND CO-ORDINATE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES FOR CHILDREN.

THE PHOTOGRAPHS ON DISPLAY ARE PART OF THE 1,350 ENTRIES IN AN ASIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST ALSO SPONSORED BY THE KUK AND THE SOCIETY.

MR. LEE ALSO PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST AND THOSE WHO WON A RECENT CHILDREN’S PAINTING COMPETITION.

THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) UNTIL SATURDAY BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 7 P.M. ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.

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WATER CUT

* * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY GRAMPIAN ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, NGA TSIN LONG ROAD AND CARPENTER ROAD INCLUDING JUNCTION ROAD, FUK LO TSUN ROAD, LION ROCK ROAD AND NGA TSIN WAI ROAD.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979 '->*■" ■ •

J *'

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVT ACCOUNTS FOR DECEMBER ........................... 1

PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ACCOMMODATE NEARLY TWO MILLION PEOPLE .............................................. 1

GOVT RESTRICTS LIVESTOCK IMPORTS ...................... 3

INCREASES IN COMPENSATION FOR RESUMED LAND IN N.T...... 3

S.W.D. TO BECOME FULLY REGIONALISED IN APRIL .......... 4

TAG SYSTEM FOR RE-ENTRY PERMIT APPLICANTS ............. 6

SPECIAL CHING MING TRAINS ............................. 6

THREE LAND LOTS, FLAT AUCTIONED ....................... 7

TWO CROWN LAND LOTS TO BE AUCTIONED ................... 8

JAPANESE DELEGATION BRIEFED ON HONG KONG WATER SUPPLY .... 8

COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO PRESENT CERTIFICATES ....... 9

NEW PUBLIC DUMP OPENED................................. 9

LAUNCH PICNIC FOR MAC MEMBERS IN TAI PC .............. 10

PWD OFFICER RETIRING AFTER 32 YEARS’ SERVICE ......... 10

TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL .... 11

NEW HAWKER PERMITTED AREA ............................ 12

CAUSEWAY BAY TRAFFIC CHANGES ......................... 13

BROADWOOD ROAD IMPROVEMENT ........................... 14

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

GOVT ACCOUNTS FOR DECEMBER

* * * *

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR DECEMBER 1978 SHOW A DEFICIT OF $4.9 MILLION, COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $23 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1977.

THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED SURPLUS OF $857.6 MILLION FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $213 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1977.

TOTAL EXPENDITURE, AT $942.7 MILLION, WAS $197.6 MILLION MORE THAN IN DECEMBER 1977.

TOTAL REVENUE AND RECEIPTS, AT $937.8 MILLION, WERE $169.7 MILLION MORE THAN FOR THE SAME MONTH IN 1977.

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PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ACCOMMODATE NEARLY TWO MILLION PEOPLE *****

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON THAT NEARLY TWO MILLION PEOPLE — ALMOST HALF OF THE POPULATION — ARE LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW SHUN LEE ESTATE IN EAST KOWLOON, SIR MURRAY SAID THIS YEAR MARKED THE SILVER JUBILEE OF PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG — A QUARTER OF A CENTURY CF ACHIEVEMENTS WHICH, BY ANY YARDSTICK, HAVE BEEN REMARKABLE.

HE POINTED OUT THE QUALITIES OF PUBLIC HOUSING HAD BEEN VASTLY IMPROVED SINCE THE 1950’S.

+FROM THE EMERGENCY HOUSING OF THE 1950’S, WE HAVE PROGRESSED THROUGH A RANGE OF DIFFERENT DESIGNS- FROM THE MOST BASIC, BARE ESSENTIALS TO THE CONCEPT OF FULLY-INTEGRATED, SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITIES IN NEW ESTATES PROVIDED WITH A FULL RANGE OF COMMERCIAL AND SOCIAL FACILITIES — SUCH AS WE SEE AROUND US HERE AT SHUN LEE-AND AS WE CAN SEE IN OTHER PARTS OF HONG KONG WHERE ESTATES ARE BEING BUILT ON 12 OTHER SITES,+ SIR MURRAY ADDED.

ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME LAUNCHED LAST YEAR, SIR MURRAY SAID IT HAD BEEN ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED, AND THAT GOOD PROGRESS IS BEING MADE ON THE FIRST SIX ESTATES, INCLUDING ONE AT SHUN CHI COURT ADJACENT TO THE NEW SHUN LEE ESTATE.

+ALTHOUGH THIS IS A NEW VENTURE, I AM SURE THAT THE SCHEME WILL PROVE A VALUABLE ADDITION TO THE RENTED HOUSING PROGRAMME AND MAY ItELL MAKE A CONSIDERABLE CONTRIBUTION TO SOLVING OUR HOUSING PROBLEMS,♦ SIR MURRAY ADDED.

/the following .....

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

2 -

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

♦THIS YEAR MARKS THE SILVER JUBILLE OF PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG — A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OF ACHIEVEMENTS WHICH, BY ANY YARDSTICK, HAVE BEEN REMARKABLE.

♦STATISTICS CAN SPEAK FOR THE SCALE AND SPEED OF DEVELOPMENT — THE HOUSING AUTHORITY NOW MANAGES 69 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WITH NEARLY TWO MILLION RESIDENTS -- ALMOST HALF OUR POPULATION.

♦FROM THE EMERGENCY HOUSING OF THE 195O’S, WE HAVE PROGRESSED THROUGH A RANGE OF DIFFERENT DESIGNS- FROM THE MOST BASIC, BARE ESSENTIALS TO THE CONCEPT OF FULLY-INTEGRATED, SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITIES IN NEW ESTATES PROVIDED WITH A FULL RANGE OF COMMERCIAL AND SOCIAL FACILITIES — SUCH AS WE SEE AROUND US HERE AT SHUN LEE-AND AS WE CAN SEE IN OTHER PARTS OF HONG KONG WHERE ESTATES ARE BEING BUILT ON 12 OTHER SITES.

♦STEADILY IMPROVING STANDARDS MEAN THAT THE OLD ESTATES BECOME LESS ATTRACTIVE THAN MODERN DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS SHUN LEE-HOWE VER, THE TENANTS OF THE OLD ESTATES ARE NOT BEING NEGLECTED AND THE PROGRAMME OF REDEVELOPMENT IS WELL UNDERWAY.

♦INDEED, SOME OF THE NEW RESIDENTS HERE HAVE COME FROM WONG TAI SIN, WHERE DEMOLITION IS TAKING PLACE TO ENABLE REDEVELOPMENT.

♦THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, LAUNCHED IN 1978, HAS BEEN ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED. GOOD PROGRESS IS BEING MADE ON THE FIRST SIX ESTATES, INCLUDING ONE AT SHUN CHI COURT ADJACENT TO THIS ESTATE.

♦ALTHOUGH THIS IS A NEW VENTURE, I AM SURE THAT THE SCHEME WILL PROVE A VALUABLE ADDITION TO THE RENTED HOUSING PROGRAMME AND MAY WELL MAKE A CONSIDERABLE CONTRIBUTION TO SOLVING OUR HOUSING PROBLEMS.

♦OUR OBJECTIVE IS THE PROVISION OF DECENT SELF-CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL WHO LIVE IN HONG KONG- BUT, AS RECENT IMMIGRATION TRENDS EMPHASISE, THE ROAD IS LONG AND DIFFICULT AND WILL REQUIRE UNCEASING EFFORT AND PLANNING AND A SUSTAINED HIGH LEVEL OF HOUSING PRODUCTION.

♦IN FORMALLY DECLARING OPEN THIS NEW ESTATE, I WOULD LIKE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND TO THE STAFF OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR HARD AND DEDICATED WORK, AND WISH THEM SUCCESS IN THEIR IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE CREATION OF NEW COMMUNITIES IN BETTER ENVIRONMENTS THAN HONG KONG HAS EVER KNOWN. AND TO THE RESIDENTS OF SHUN LEE ESTATE, I WISH GOOD FORTUNE AND HAPPINESS IN YOUR NEW HOMES.

♦OF COURSE ENTERING A NEW HOME IS JUST THE BEGINNING- TO LEAD A FULL LIFE THEY MUST GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER, PLAN TO HELP EACH OTHER, AND TO BUILD UP THEIR COMMUNITY INTO A UNIT THAT CAN BE SECURE, AND INTERESTING AND A PLACE OF HAPPINESS.

♦IN ALL THIS THEIR GOVERNMENT STANDS READY TO HELP AND I WISH THEM ALL SUCCESS.+

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

- 3 -

GOVT RESTRICTS LIVESTOCK IMPORTS

*****

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ADVISED IMPORTERS THAT THE IMPORT OF CATTLE AND PIGS FROM OVERSEAS WILL BE RESTRICTED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

THE ORDER WAS MADE AS THE BUTCHERS’ GO-SLOW ACTION ENTERED ITS SECOND DAY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT ALL IMPORTERS OF OVERSEAS CATTLE AND PIGS AND SHIPPING COMPANIES WERE ADVISED BY LETTER NOT TO PREPARE FOR THE IMPORTATION OF LIVESTOCK UNLESS THEY HAD A SPECIAL PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

THE PERMIT, IF ISSUED, WOULD RESTRICT THE NUMBER OF LIVESTOCK WHICH COULD BE IMPORTED.

THE PERMITS WOULD BE ISSUED ON AN INDIVIDUAL AND DAY-BY-DAY BASIS DEPENDING ON THE HOLDING CAPACITY AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

THE MAXIMUM ESTIMATED CAPACITY FOR CATTLE IS 7,177 HEAD AND PIGS, 24,120.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT AN INSPECTION OF THE ABATTOIRS AND DEPOTS TODAY REVEALED THAT HOLDING CAPACITY* WAS ABOUT FULL.+

PERMITS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO IMPORTERS OF OVERSEAS LIVESTOCK FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 4,100 HEAD OF CATTLE AND 600 PIGS BETWEEN MARCH 19 AND 31.

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INCREASES IN COMPENSATION FOR RESUMED LAND IN N.T.

*****

THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED INCREASES IN ITS COMPENSATION RATES FOR LAND RESUMED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

AS FROM APRIL 1, 1979, OWNERS OF RESUMED AGRICULTURAL LAND WITHIN THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS WILL BE COMPENSATED AT THE hEW FULL RATE OF $53 PER SQUARE FOOT INSTEAD OF $39 PER SQUARE FOOT — AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 36 PER CENT.

THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE OFFERED TO OWNERS OF RESUMED BUILDING LAND WITHIN THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS WILL BE AT THE NEW FULL RATE OF $113 PER SQUARE FOOT INSTEAD OF $79 PER SQUARE FOOT — A 43 PER CENT INCREASE.

GIVING DETAILS OF THE NEK RATES TODAY, THE PDINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR. F.D. RGOME SAID THEY HAD BEEN DRAWN UP IN LINE KITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY* OF CONDUCTING HALF-YEARLY REVIEWS QF COMPENSATE1 RAT-S IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

THE POLICY WAS ADOPTED EARLY LAST YEAR ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE WORKING GROUP ON NEW TERRITORIES URBAN LAND ACQUISITION HEADED BY SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN.

MR. ROOME SAID THE NEW RATES WOULD BE EFFECTIVE UP TO SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR, WHEN A FURTHER REVIEW WILL BE CARRIED OUT.

HE POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE REVISED GOVERNMENT LAND RESUMPTION POLICY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, OWNERS OF RESUMED LAND OUTSIDE THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AREAS WOULD BE COMPENSATED AT A PROPORTIONATE PERCENTAGE OF THE NEW FULL RATES DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE LAND RESUMED, AND MORE PARTICULARLY AS DEFINED ON A ZONAL PLAN AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY THE PUBLIC AT EACH OF THE DISTR ICT OFF ICES.

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S.W.D. TO BECOME FULLY REGIONALISED IN APRIL *****

THE OPERATIONS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL ENTER A NEW ERA NEXT MONTH AS PREPARATIONS ARE NOW IN TOP GEAR TO FULLY REGIONALISE ITS SERVICES TO BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF TSUEN WAN.

MR. LEE SAID THAT WITH FULL REGIONALISATION IN APRIL, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO MORE EFFECTIVELY DELIVER AND BETTER CO-ORDINATE ITS WELFARE SERVICES ON A REGIONAL BASIS.

HE SAID THE NEW SET-UP WOULD SEE THE DEPARTMENT’S DAY-TO-DAY WELFARE ACTIVITIES DECENTRALISED INTO FOUR REGIONS AND 11 DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE A MORE RATIONAL AND CO-ORDINATED SERVICE AT A LOCAL LEVEL.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE DEPARTMENTAL HEADQUARTERS WILL RETAIN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SERVICES, ADMINISTRATION OF SUBVENTIONS AND TRAINING.

IN CHARGE OF EACH OF THE FOUR REGIONS ---- HONG KONG ISLAND,

EAST KOWLOON, WEST KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ---- WILL BE A

REGIONAL OFFICER ACTING AS THE DEPARTMENT’S OVERALL ADMINISTRATOR IN SOCIAL WELFARE MATTERS, HE SAID.

MR. LEE SAID EACH REGIONAL OFFICER WOULD CO-ORDINATE ALL WELFARE SERVICES IN HIS REGION TO SERVE THE PARTICULAR NEEDS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, IMPLEMENT DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES, LIAISE WITH LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND TO REFLECT CHANGING NEEDS IN THE AREA.

AXU AMUxzrx X , i.xnJJVxi c-c. ,

HE SAID THE FOUR REGIONAL OFFICERS, WHO ARE OF DIRECTORATE LEVEL, WERE APPOINTED AKO POSTED LATE LAST YEAR TO LAY THE GROUND-WORK FOR THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORGANISATIONAL OVERHAUL.

ON THE DISTRICT LEVEL, HE SAID, 11 DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS HAVE JUST BEEN APPOINTED AND THEY WILL BE ASSISTED BY A TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS SPECIALISING IN VARIOUS FIELDS OF SERVICE.

+THIS WILL PERMIT A CO-ORDINATED APPROACH TO SOCIAL WORK, SERVING PEOPLE IN NEED ACROSS THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF WELFARE SERVICES,* HE SAID.

MR. LEE SAID THE REGIONALISATION SCHEME, APART FROM PRESENTING A FOCAL POINT IN REGIONS AND DISTRICTS FOR THE PUBLIC TO TURN TO ON WELFARE MATTERS, ALSO AIMS AT INCREASING ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING GREATER AUTONOMY ON A REGIONAL LEVEL.

+MOST DECISIONS ON OPERATIONAL MATTERS WILL IN FUTURE BE TAKEN AT DISTRICT OR REGIONAL LEVEL RATHER THAN IN THE DEPARTMENTAL HEADQUARTERS,* HE SAID.

WITH REGARD TO THE ESTABLISHED PARTNERSHIP EXISTING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR, MR. LEE SAID THIS WOULD BE IMPROVED BY CHANGES INVOLVED IN THE DEPARTMENT’S OPERATIONAL SIDE AS A RESULT OF REGIONALISATION.

♦THROUGH CLOSER LIAISON WITH THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES OPERATING IN THEIR REGIONS, THE REGIONAL OFFICERS WILL ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO UNNECESSARY OVERLAP IN THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR,* HE SAID.

EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR REGIONALISATION, MR. LEE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAS IN RECENT YEARS EXPERIENCED DRAMATIC INCREASE IN BOTH STAFF AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE EXPANDING SERVICES IT PROVIDES.

PLANS ARE WELL IN HAND FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN THE VARIOUS FIELDS SUCH AS FAMILY SERVICES, REHABILITATION FOR THE DISABLED, SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND YOUTH, PROBATION AND CORRECTION WORK, AND SOCIAL SECURITY, HE SAID.

FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAS EARMARKED $633 MILLION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, WHICH REPRESENTS A THREE-FOLD INCREASE OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

ON SOCIAL SECURITY ALONE, THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDE AN EXPENDITURE OF $405 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 500 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURE OF $72 MILLION FIVE YEARS AGO, HE SAID.

IN ADDITION, MR. LEE SAID A COMPREHENSIVE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY AND THE PROPOSALS IN THE PAPER WOULD ENTAIL AN ADDITIONAL $235 MILLION IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE BY 1982-83.

+T0 COPE WITH SUCH A RAPID DEVELOPMENT, AND IN ORDER TO IMPROVE ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO BE RE-ORGANISED BY DECENTRALISING ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS IN THE VARIOUS FIELDS OF WELFARE SERVICE,* HE SAID.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

- 6 -

TAG SYSTEM FOR RE-ENTRY PERMIT APPLICANTS ******

IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS FOR HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS INTRODUCED A TAG SYSTEM ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ADVISED LOCAL RESIDENTS APPLYING FOR THESE PERMITS TO TRAVEL TO CHINA AND MACAU DURING THE CHING MING AND EASTER HOLIDAYS TO CALL EARLY AT THE IMMIGRATION OFFICES AS THE TAGS ARE NORMALLY DISTRIBUTED AT 9 A.M.

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

SPECIAL CHING MING TRAINS

* * * *

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE SPECIAL TRAINS TO WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY AND SANDY RIDGE ON THREE DAYS DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL --- APRIL 1, 5 AND 8.

A KCR SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID ADDITIONAL TRAINS MAY RUN IN THE LATE EVENINGS DEPENDING ON DEMAND. STATIONMASTERS WILL ADVISE ON THE TIMING OF THESE TRAINS.

THE FARE OF AN ORDINARY CLASS RETURN TICKET FOR THE JOURNEY FROM KOWLOON TO WO HOP SHEK IS $2.60 FOR ADULTS AND $1.30 FOR CHILDREN, WHILE THAT FOR THE JOURNEY FROM KOWLOON TO LO WU (SANDY RIDGE) IS $3.20 FOR ADULTS AND $1.60 FOR CHILDREN.

THE TICKETS WILL BE VALID FOR THE DATE OF ISSUE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT KOWLOON STATION (HUNG HOM) ON APRIL 1, 5 AND 8. THERE WILL BE NO ADVANCE BOOKING OF TICKETS.

THE SPECIAL TRAINS WILL NOT STOP AT MONG KOK STATION TO PICK UP PASSENGERS, NOR WILL THE REGULAR NEW TERRITORIES-BOUND TRAINS BEFORE 2 P.M. THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID TICKETS FOR TRAINS TO KOWLOON WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT MONG KOK STATION DURING THESE THREE DAYS.

PASSENGERS ARE REQUESTED TO GO TO KOWLOON STATION (HUNG HOM) WHERE MONTHLY TICKET HOLDERS WILL BE PERMITTED TO BOARD THE TRAINS WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRAINS FROM KOWLOON TO THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL PROBABLY BE FULL BETWEEN 6 A.M. AND 2 P.M. AND THE TRAINS BACK TO KOWLOON BETWEEN 3 P.M. AND 9 P.M.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM INSTALLED OUTSIDE THE STATION WILL INFORM THE PASSENGERS ABOUT THE TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS.

/THE FOLLO'.HNG.......

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

- 7 -

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE SCHEDULES FOR THE SPECIAL TRAINS i

ON APRIL 1 (SUNDAY), TRAINS TO WO HOP SHEK WILL LEAVE KOWLOON STATION AT 6 A.M., 6.50 A.M., 8.07 A.M., 9.13 A.M., 10.46 A.M., 11.43 A.M., 12.34 P.M., 1.40 P.M., 2.35 P.M., 3.44 P.M. AND 5 P.M., ARRIVING THERE AT 6.48 A.M., 7.43 A.M., 8.56 A.M., 10 A.M., 11.43 A.M., 12.46 P.M., 1.36 P.M., 2.35 P.M., 3.46 P.M., 4.46 P.M. AND 5.52 P.M.

KOWLOON-BOUND TRAINS WILL LEAVE WO HOP SHEK AT 7.01 A.M., 8.01 A.M., 9.30 A.M., 10.46 A.M., 12.24 P.M., 1.14 P.M., 2.13 P.M., 3.24 P.M., 4.24 P.M., 5.30 P.M. AND 6.04 P.M., ARRIVING AT KOWLOON STATION AT 8.03 A.Ml’, 9.03 A.M., 10.23 A.M., 11.54 A.M., 1.26 P.M., 2.20 P.M., 3.15 P.M., 4.35 P.M., 5.17 P.M., 6.50 P.M. AND 7.14 P.M.

ON APRIL 5 (THURSDAY) AND 8 (SUNDAY), TRAINS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON STATION AT 6 A.M., 6.50 A.M., 8.07 A.M., 9.33 A.M., 10.48 A.M., 11.44 A.M., 12.35 P.M., 1.51 P.M., 2.43 P.M., 3.44 P.M. AND 5 P.M., ARRIVING AT WO HOP SHEK AT 6.48 A.M., 7.43 A.M., 9.04 A.M., 10.26 A.M., 11.51 A.M., 12.46 P.M., 1.31 P.M., 2.44 P.M., 3.43 P.M., 4.41 P.M. AND 5.52 P.M.

TRAINS WILL LEAVE WO HOP SHEK AT 7.01 A.M., 8.01 A.M., 9.30 A.M., 11.29 A.M., 12.24 P.M., 1.09 P.M., 2.22 P.M., 3.21 P.M., 4.19 P.M., 5.30 P.M. AND 6.04 P.M., ARRIVING AT KOWLOON STATION AT 8.03 A.M., 9.04 A.M., 10.32 A.M., 12.48 P.M., 1.40 P.M., 2.27 P.M., 3.37 P.M., 4.35 P.M., 5.17 P.M., 6.50 P.M. AND 7.14 P.M.

THESE SCHEDULES, HOWEVER, ARE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION AND CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

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

THREE LAND LOTS, FLAT AUCTIONED

*****

A 3,289-SQUARE METRE SITE AT 15-21 LA SALLE ROAD, KOWLOON, WAS SOLD FOR $35 MILLION AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE CITY HALL TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE SITE, WHICH IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, WAS BOUGHT BY SEAVIEW LAND DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD. AT 510,641.53 PER SQUARE METRE.

ANOTHER LOT, OFF SUN SING STREET, SHAU KEI WAN, WAS SOLD TO XYLOID DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD. FOR $28.9 MILLION OR $14,515.32 PER SQUARE METRE. IT IS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES.

THE LAST LOT AT SZE SHAN STREET, YAU TONG, KOWLOON, WAS SOLD FOR $20 MILLION TO MEER ING DEVELOPMENT LTD. THE 3,587-SQUARE METRE SITE IS FOR CARGO CONSOLIDATION FOR CONTAINERS AND ANCILLARY GODOWN PURPOSES.

AT THE SAME AUCTION, A FLAT IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN, MEASURING 66.27 SQUARE METRES, WAS SOLD TO YEUNG WIN CO. LTD. FOR $320,000.

THE PREMISES, INCLUDING ONE CAR PARK SPACE, IS AT 9 GLEE PATH, FLAT D, 17TH FLOOR, MEI FOO SUN CHUEN.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

TWO CROWN LAND LOTS TO BE AUCTIONED *****

TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON APRIL 26 AT 2.30 P.M.

ONE SITE, MEASURING 2,329 SQUARE METRES AT CHO YUEN STREET, SAM KA TSUEN, KOWLOON, IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.

THE OTHER LOT AT 460 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON, IS FOR NONINDUSTRIAL PURPOSES. IT COVERS AN AREA OF 87.4 SQUARE METRES.

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

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

JAPANESE DELEGATION BRIEFED ON HONG KONG WATER SUPPLY

*****

A GROUP OF 42 LEADING JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS ARE IN HONG KONG TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE STRIDES MADE IN THE FIELD OF WATER SUPPLY.

THE VISITORS ARE MEMBERS OF THE KYUSHU YAMAGUCHI ECONOMIC FEDERATION.

DURING THEIR BRIEF STAY IN HONG KONG LEARNING HONG KONG’S RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT, THE DELEGATION ALSO VISITED THE MAMMOTH HIGH ISLAND PROJECT.

TODAY (THURSDAY) THE DIRECTOR OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, MR. WILLIAM TUCKER, BRIEFED THE VISITORS ON HONG KONG’S POLICIES AND EFFORTS IN THIS FIELD, AND DESCRIBED THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF HIS DEPARTMENT’S WORK.

AFTER THE BRIEFING HE ANSWERED MANY INTERESTING QUERIES FROM THE DELEGATION MEMBERS.

0 - -

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO PRESENT CERTIFICATES

******

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. J.N. HENDERSON, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO 79 GOVERNMENT APPRENTICES AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 5.30 P.M. TOMORROW (FR IDAY).

HE WILL ALSO PRESENT THE +LAISHLEY CUP+ TO THE BEST APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR.

OF THE 79 WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING AT THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, 55 ARE CRAFT APPRENTICES AND 24 TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF 79 GOVERNMENT APPRENTICES AT THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 5.30 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY). THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. J.N. HENDERSON, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO THE APPRENTICES.

AN OFFICER FROM PWD’S PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.

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

NEW PUBLIC DUMP OPENED

*****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) OPENED A NEW PUBLIC DUMP AT CHEUNG SHA WAN RECLAMATION STAGE I OFF THE GOVERNMENT SAND DEPOT.

DUMPING LICENCES MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE ON APPLICATION TO THE CHIEF ENGINEER, DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION, PWD, AT THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 14TH FLOOR.

HOLDERS OF VALID DUMPING LICENCES FOR PUBLIC DUMPS IN KOWLOON WILL BE PERMITTED TO DUMP MATERIALS SUCH AS APPROVED SOFT EARTH, BUILDING DEBRIS AND CERTAIN SIZE OF STONES PROVIDING THEY ARE WELL MIXED WITH EARTH.

DUMPING MAY BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 6 P.M. DAILY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

ALL DUMPING MUST EE CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DUMP SUPERVISORS.

7w...

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

10 -

LAUNCH PICNIC FOR MAC MEMBERS IN TAI PO

******

MORE THAN 430 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN TAI PO WILL BE GIVEN A SPECIAL +OUTDOOR+ TREAT THIS SATURDAY WHEN THEY WILL BE TAKEN ON A LAUNCH PICNIC TO CHEUNG CHAU.

THE LAUNCH PICNIC - THE FIRST EVER ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE SINCE THE SETTING UP OF THE FIRST MAC’S IN THE DISTRICT FIVE YEARS AGO - HAS BEEN ARRANGED TO PROMOTE HARMONIOUS TIES BETWEEN THEM AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEIR MEMBERS TO. MEET NEW ACQUAINTANCES.

IT IS CO-SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD WHICH HAS CONTRIBUTED $3,600 TO HELP MEET THE EXPENSES.

THE OUTING WILL START AT 10 A.M. AT THE SHAM SHU I PO FERRY PIER, FROM WHERE A HONG KONG AND YAU MA TEI FERRY COMPANY TREBLE DECKER WILL TAKE THEM TO SCENIC CHEUNG CHAU.

THE RURAL SERVICES GROUP OF THE HONG KONG TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE DAY’S ACTIVITIES. MEMBERS OF THE GROUP WILL ENTERTAIN THE PARTICIPANTS WITH SONGS, DANCES AND COMEDIES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE LAUNCH PICNIC FOR 430 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN TAI PO WHICH WILL START AT THE SHAM SHU I PO FERRY PIER AT 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY (MARCH 24).

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE LIAISON OFFICER, TAI PO, MR. LEE SHI-HEI ON ARRIVAL.

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

PWD OFFICER RETIRING AFTER 32 YEARS’ SERVICE *****

MR. KWOK KAM-TONG, WORK SUPERVISOR I OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE, WILL SOON PROCEED ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE AFTER 32 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE GOVERNMENT.

HE FIRST JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1947 AS A TIMEKEEPER IN THE THEN ROAD OFFICE OF PWD.

HE WAS PROMOTED TO FOREMAN II IN NOVEMBER 1949 AND TO FOREMAN I IN JULY 1958. THIS POST WAS REGRADED TO SUPERVISOR I IN AUGUST 1977.

MR. HO KWOK-YU, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS (HK) DIVISION, WILL PRESENT HIM WITH A RETIREMENT GIFT ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

11 -

TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL X X X X * X

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN THE JUNCTIONS OF PEDDER STREET AND ICE HOUSE STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON SUNDAY (MARCH 25), AND FROM 1 A.M. TO 4 A.M. ON MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY (MARCH 26, 27 AND 28).

THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE BETWEEN GLOUCESTER TOWER AND ALEXANDRA HOUSE ACROSS DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.

DURING THE CLOSURES, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE ENFORCED:

TRAM

TRAM SERVICES WEST OF WANCHAI WILL BE SUSPENDED SHORTLY BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY. THE LAST TRAMS WILL DEPART FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE TERMINI AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES:

WESTBOUND SERVICES:

SHAU KEI WAN TO WESTERN MARKET NORTH POINT TO WHITTY STREET NORTH POINT TO WESTERN MARKET HAPPY VALLEY TO KENNEDY TOWN HAPPY VALLEY TO WHITTY STREET 10.58 P.M. 11.00 P.M. 11.12 P.M. 10.53 P.M. 11.05 P.M. 11.17 P.M.

HAPPY VALLEY TO EASTBOUND SERVICES: WESTERN MARKET

KENNEDY TOWN TO HAPPY VALLEY 11.27 P.M.

WHITTY STREET TO NORTH POINT 11.35 P.M.

WHITTY STREET TO HAPPY VALLEY 11.32 P.M.

WESTERN MARKET TO SHAU KEI '*A’, 11.40 P.M.

WESTERN MARKET TO NORTH POINT 11.43 P.M.

WESTERN MARKET TO HAPPY VALLEY 11.40 P.M.

THURSDAY, MAXH 22, 1979

THE TRAM SERVICE BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND HAPPY VALLEY WILL CONTINUE AND BE AUGMENTED TO OPERATE EVERY FOUR MINUTES AFTER 11 P.M. FROM SHAU KEI WAN. A SPECIAL TRAM SERVICE WILL ALSO BE OPERATING AFTER 11 P.M. BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND WAN CHAI (JOHNSTON ROAD) EVERY FIVE MINUTES.

NORMAL TRAM SERVICES WILL RESUME AFTER 6 A.M. ON SUNDAY.

BUS

(I) BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 A.M. ON SUNDAY AND BETWEEN

1 A.M. AND 4 A.M. ON MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, CMB ROUTES 5B, 10 AND CMB/KMB ROUTES 101, 104, 105, 111, 113 AND 121 TRAVELLING ON DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WESTBOUND WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO TURN RIGHT ONTO PEDDER STREET, TO TURN LEFT ONTO DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND THEN TO PROCEED TO ORIGINAL ROUTINGS.

(II) CMB ROUTES 5, 5E, 10, CMB/KMB ROUTES 101, 104, 105, 111, 113 AND 121 TRAVELLING ON DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL EASTBOUND WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TURN LEFT ONTO PEDDER STREET, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HARCOURT ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE, QUEENSWAY AND THEN TO PROCEED TO ORIGINAL ROUTINGS.

BUS COMPANY INSPECTORS AND ADVANCE NOTICE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ADVISE PASSENGERS.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA TO INDICATE THE CLOSURE.

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

NEW HAWKER PERMITTED AREA * * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY^ THAT THE PAVEMENT OUTSIDE NOS. 43-4gC KWEILIN STREET, SHAM SH'JI PO, HAS BEEN DECLARED A RAWKE0 PERMITTE7' AREA FRO- NDAY (MARCH 26'.

THIS IS TO ENABLE SEVEN LICENSE" Fi'-ED PIT' HAWKERS RESITED FROM FUK WING STREET TO T=ADE IN T*£ NE- si~E.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

- 13 -

CAUSEWAY BAY TRAFFIC CHANGES

*****

FURTHER TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN CAUSEWAY BAY FROM 10 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, A NUMBER OF ROADS WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES FOR ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, FROM 7 A.M. TO MIDNIGHT DURING WHICH STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WILL BE PROHIBITED.

THE ROADS AFFECTED ARE :

* THE SECTION OF HENNESSY ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 231 AND 295-

* THE SECTION OF JOHNSTON ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBER 226 AND ITS JUNCTION WITH HENNESSY ROAD-

* THE SECTION OF HENNESSY ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 353 AND 391-

* THE SECTION OF HENNESSY ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 417 AND 499- AND

* THE SECTION OF PERCIVAL STREET BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 24 AND 48.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) ADVISED MOTORISTS THAT THE BOUNDARIES OF THESE RESTRICTED ZONES WILL BE INDICATED BY TRAFFIC SIGNS.

0 - - - -

/14

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

- 14 -

BROADWOOD ROAD IMPROVEMENT

*****

APPROVAL TO WIDEN BROADWOOD ROAD FROM THE PRESENT 12 FEET TO 24 FEET WITH FOOT-PATHS ON BOTH SIDES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THE APPROVAL HAS BEEN GIVEN UNDER SECTION 6(1)(A) OF THE STREETS (ALTERATION) ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 130).

THE ROAD WIDENING PROJECT WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY HOPEWELL HOLDINGS LIMITED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEIR REDEVELOPMENT FOR THEIR PROPERTIES ALONG THIS ROAD.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE ROAD WIDENING WILL ENABLE THE PROVISION OF MORE AND BETTER HOUSING OF A TYPE OF WHICH THERE IS A SERIOUS SHORTAGE.

MANY OF THE EXISTING PROPERTIES ALONG BROADWOOD ROAD ARE PRE-WAR AND ARE GENERALLY OF A FAIRLY LOW DENSITY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID A LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT EMPLOYED BY HOPEWELL HOLDINGS LIMITED HAS HAD A NUMBER OF MEETINGS WITH STAFF OF RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO WORK OUT A CONCEPTUAL LANDSCAPE PLAN FOR THE COMBINED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS.

THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN TO BE PRODUCED BY THE CONSULTANT WHICH WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR FORMAL APPROVAL.

THIS MASTER LANDSCAPE PLAN, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, WILL DEFINE THE DETAILED LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS AREA TO ENSURE THAT ITS PRESENT PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT IS PRESERVED.

--------0 - _ _

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO

CHINA’S MODERNISATION PROGRAMMES HAVE SIGNIFICANCE FOR HONG KONG .................................................... 1

GOVERNOR OFF TO CHINA TOMORROW ............................... 2

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1979 .................. 3

STIFF NEW PENALTIES FOR BUILDING OFFENDERS PROPOSED .......... 6

NEW TOWNS BRING BLOOMS BOOM .................................. 7

NO BAN ON IMPORT OF LIVESTOCK ................................ 8

1979 U.S. GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES .................. 9

47 FACTORY OWNERS GET FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES ......... 10

EMPLOYERS URGED TO FOLLOW PWD LEAD IN APPRENTICE TRAINING 11

20 NEW TENNIS COURTS ........................................ 11

NEW ERA IN SPORTS DEVELOPMENT................................ 12

SOCCER TOURNAMENT TO PROMOTE ARMY-TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY RELATIONS ................................................... 13

PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S WALK FOR CHARITY ...................... 14

TWO RETIRE FROM E. AND M. OFFICE ............................ 14

FIRING PRACTICE ............................................. 15

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

- 1 -

CHINA’S MODERNISATION PROGRAMMES HAVE SIGNIFICANCE FOR HK * * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING THAT THE NEW MODERNISATION PROGRAMMES IN CHINA HAVE SIGNIFICANCE FOR HONG KONG.

THE GREATER PROSPERITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF CHINA CAN ONLY BENEFIT THE ENTIRE WEST PACIFIC REGION, AND GIVE ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH YET FURTHER IMPETUS, HE ADDED.

SPEAKING AT THE FOURTH ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, SIR MURRAY SAIDt +CLEARLY THEY (THE PROGRAMMES) ARE WELCOME TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND OUR ATTITUDE TO THEM IN PRINCIPLE IS TOTALLY POSITIVE, AND MANY HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN ARE ALREADY SEEKING TO PART ICIPATE.+

HE WAS CERTAIN THAT HONG KONG, WITH THE MANY SPECIAL FACILITIES IT HAS TO OFFER, HAS A PART TO PLAY IN THE MODERNISATION PROGRAMME.

♦EXACTLY WHAT IT IS WILL EMERGE AS THE PLANS TAKE SHAPE. BUT I THINK AS THE PROGRAMME GATHERS MOMENTUM ONE OF ITS EFFECTS MAY BE TO EXERT UPWARD PRESSURE ON THE SOPHISTICATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL CONTENT OF OUR PRODUCTION. THERE IS NOTHING NEW ABOUT SUCH PRESSURE. IT HAS BEEN EXERTED ON US FROM SO MANY QUARTERS FOR MANY YEARS AND WE HAVE ALWAYS MANAGED TO RESPOND.

♦BUT THIS BRINGS ME BACK TO ENGINEERS, BECAUSE IN THIS PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT, THE PART OF OUR ENGINEERS AND OF ALL DISCIPLINES OF ENGINEERING WILL BE VITAL- SO WILL THE PART OF THE INSTITUTIONS THAT TRAIN THEM,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.

EARLIER, SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION HELPED SOLVE ONE OF HONG KONG’S BASIC PROBLEMS — LACK OF LAND AND SPACE FOR WHICH TO BUILD NEW INDUSTRIES, AND NEW TOWNS TO MAN THEM.

HOWEVER, HE SAID HE DID NOT IMPLY THAT ENGINEERING WAS ONLY CONCERNED WITH THE MANIPULATION OF MUD AND ROCK, CONCRETE AND STEEL.

LOCAL ENGINEERS ALSO PLAYED A PART IN DESIGNING MACHINES AND PRODUCTS, KEEPING FACTORIES IN TOUCH WITH LATEST TECHNOLOGY AND APPLYING THEM TO HONG KONG’S REQUIREMENTS AND CONSTANTLY PUSHING UPWARDS THE SOPHISTICATION AND COMPETITIVENESS OF THE LOCAL INDUSTRY.

FURTHERMORE, THEY WERE OCCUPYING MANAGERIAL POSITIONS IN MOST OF HONG KONG’S SIGNIFICANT FACTORIES. +AND I AM SURE THAT IF HONG KONG IS TO GROW AND ADAPT TO THE CHANGING WORLD AROUND US, THIS IS ESSENTIAL,♦ SIR MURRAY NOTED.

REFERRING TO THE INSTITUTION’S REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION OF ITS CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP, QUALIFICATION AND OTHER THINGS, SIR MURRAY SAID HE DID NOT FORESEE A LONG DELAY BEFORE THE FIRST STAGE OF RECOGNITION IS GRANTED.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

- 2

ON THE INSTITUTION’S RECENT MERGER WITH THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE INSTITUTION OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS, SIR MURRAY SAID THE AMALGAMATION STRENGTHENED THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION, BUT IT WAS ALSO EASIER FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DEAL WITH A PROFESSION THAT IS UNITED.

SIR MURRAY COMPLIMENTED THE INSTITUTION FOR STRENGTHENING ITS TIES WITH INSTITUTIONS IN OTHER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES, RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN HONG KONG AND FOR RE-OPENING PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS THROUGH ENGINEERING TOURS OF CHINA.

♦ALL THIS AUGURS WELL FOR THE FUTURE. I WISH YOU WELL AND

KNOW THAT YOU WILL NOT FAIL HONG KONG,+

SIR MURRAY CONCLUDED

- 0

GOVERNOR OFF TO CHINA TOMORROW * * * * *

WILL LEAVE FOR CHINA

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE -----

TOMORROW (SATURDAY) ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT AT THE INVITATION OF MR. LI QIANG, MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE. HE WILL RETURN

ON APRIL 4.

ACCOMPANYING SIR MURRAY ON THE VISIT WILL BE LADY MACLEHOSE, SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, LADY KAN, DR. DAVID WILSON, POLITICAL ADVISER, AND MRS. WILSON.

THE GOVERNOR WILL FIRST TRAVEL TO CANTON BY HOVERFERRY, DUE TO LEAVE TAI KOK TSUI FERRY PIER AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW.

A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE ARRANGED OUTSIDE THE PIER FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER SIR MURRAY’S DEPARTURE. G.I.S. STAFF WILL BE PRESENrTO ASSIST. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITY ARE ASKED TO BE IN POSITION HALF AN HOUR BEFORE THE DEPARTURE TIME.

PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING TELE—LENSES WITH THEM.

--------o -

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY, 1979 ******

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL MERCHANDISE TRADE DURING FEBRUARY 1979.

THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR FEBRUARY WAS $2,43* MILLION, IMPORTS WERE WORTH $5,602 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS $1,303 MILLION. THE TRADE DEFICIT FOR FEBRUARY WAS $1,865 MILLION.

COMPARED WITH THE SAME-MONTH IN 1978, INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF $308 MILLION OR 14.5 PER CENT IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, $1,692 MILLION OR 43.3 PER CENT IN IMPORTS AND $526 MILLION OR 67.6 PER CENT IN RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED.

COMMENTING ON THE TRADE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO MAKE INTERPRETATIONS BASED ON ONE MONTH’S FIGURES, PARTICULARLY WHEN, AT THE BEGINNING OF A YEAR, THESE ARE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE TRADE DEFICIT IN FEBRUARY IS LARGE, THE AVERAGE TRADE DEFICIT FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WAS JUST OVER $1,000 MILLION. THIS AGREES WITH THE TRADE DEFICIT FIGURE IMPLICIT IN THE BUDGET SPEECH FORECAST ON THE ECONOMY.

THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, THAT IS, DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS, FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS THIS YEAR WAS 36.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE CORRESPONDING MONTHS IN 1978.

THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS 33.7 PER CENT HIGHER. SO, TOTAL EXPORTS WERE ACTUALLY GROWING FASTER THAN IMPORTS, WHICH, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, IS AN ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT.

THE ORDERS ON WHICH THESE IMPORTS AND EXPORTS WERE BASED WERE PLACED MANY MONTHS BEFORE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE) INTRODUCED MEASURES IN HIS BUDGET DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SHARE OF RESOURCES GOING TO EXPORTS.

THE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM MARCH 1978 TO FEBRUARY 1979 COMPARED WITH THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 20.7 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 41.7 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS, 25.3 PER CENT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS AND 32.5 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS.

FRIDAY, '4ABCH 23, 1979

- 4 -

FOLLOWING ARE THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY:

MERCHANDISE:

DOMESTIC EXPORTS i $2,434 MILLION

IMPORTS • 15,602 MILLION

RE-EXPORTS : SI,303 MILL ION

TRADE BALANCE : $1,865 MILLION (IN DEFICIT)

COMPARATIVE F IGURES

LATEST 3 MONTHS DECEMBER 1978 TO FEBRUARY 1979 DECEMBER 1977 TO FEBRUARY 1978 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. S MN. S MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 10,556 8,423 ♦2,133 +25.3

IMPORTS 17,769 13,114 +4,655 +35.5

RE-EXPORTS 3,833 2,634 ♦1,199 +45.5

TRADE BALANCE - 3,380 - 2,057 -1,323

SAME MONTH LAST YEAR FEBRUARY 1979 FEBRUARY 1978 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 2,434 (65.1%) 2,125 (73.2%) + 308 +14.5

IMPORTS 5,602 3,910 ♦1,692 +43.3

RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 1,303 (34.9%) 778 (26.8%) ♦ 526 +67.6

TRADE BALANCE - 1,865 - 1,307 • 858

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

- 5 -

FEBRUARY JANUARY INCREASE OR

LAST MONTH 1979 1979 DECREASE

$ MN. S MN. S MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 2,434 3,817 -1,383 -36.2

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (65.1%) (74.4%)

IMPORTS 5,602 5,358 ♦ 244 ♦ 4.6

RE-EXPORTS 1,303 1,311 8-0.6

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (34.9%) (25.6%)

TRADE BALANCE - 1,865 230 -1,635

JAN.-FEB. JAN.-FEB. INCREASE OR

CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE 1979 1978 DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. S MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 6,251 4,846 ♦1,405 +29.0

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (70.5%) (74.5%)

IMPORTS 10,959 8,197 ♦2,762 +33.7

RE-EXPORTS 2,615 1,660 ♦ 955 *57.5

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (29.5%) (25.5%)

TRADE BALANCE - 2,093 - 1,691 - 402

MARCH 1978 MARCH 1977

TO TO INCREASE OR

LAST 12 MONTHS FEBRUARY 1979 FEBRUARY 1978 DECREASE

I MN. S MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 42,116 34,906 ♦7,210 +20.7

IMPORTS 65,818 49,689 ♦16,129 +32.5

RE-EXPORTS 14,152 9,989 +4,163 +41.7

TRADE BALANCE - 9,550 - 4,794 -4,756

FR IDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

STIFF NEW PENALTIES FOR BUILDING OFFENDERS PROPOSED *******

AN AMENDMENT BILL PROPOSING STIFF NEW PENALTIES FOR CONTRAVENTIONS OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WILL BE TABLED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 11, 1979.

THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 WILL EFFECTIVELY INCREASE PENALTIES UNDER CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE FROM A FINE OF $50,000 AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT TO $250,000 AND THREE YEARS.

OFFENCES COVERED BY THE REGULATIONS INCLUDE USING OR AUTHORISING THE USE OF DEFECTIVE MATERIALS, DEVIATING FROM THE APPROVED PLAN, CARRYING ON OR AUTHORISING ANY BUILDING WORKS IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT CAUSES OR IS LIKELY TO CAUSE INJURY OR DAMAGE AND FAILING TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER TO CEASE OR REMEDY DANGEROUS WORK.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1955 AND SINCE THEN HAD BEEN AMENDED ON A PIECE-MEAL BASIS ON MORE THAN 20 OCCASIONS.

AN EXERCISE WAS NOW IN HAND TO OVERHAUL AND UP-DATE THE ORDINANCE TO REFLECT PRESENT REQUIREMENTS. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE EXERCISE, IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO COMPLETE.

THE BASIC GROUNDWORK, INCLUDING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE PROFESSIONAL BODIES CONCERNED WITH THE BUILDING INDUSTRY, HAD ALREADY BEEN UNDERTAKEN AND IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT PROPOSALS COULD BE PUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR, HE SAID.

ONE ASPECT OF THE ORDINANCE THAT HAD BEEN UNDER REVIEW WAS THE NEED TO INTRODUCE DETERRENT PENALTIES. APART FROM AN AMENDMENT IN 1972, WHICH INCREASED THE LEVEL OF PENALTIES FOR A FEW OFFENCES, THE PENALTIES FOR THE REMAINING OFFENCES WERE FIXED IN 1955 WHEN THE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED AND REMAINED AT A FINE OF $2,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.

THIS WAS GROSSLY INADEQUATE TO COPE WITH A SITUATION WHERE SUBSTANTIAL BUILDING WORKS HAD BEEN DELIBERATELY CARRIED OUT IN DEFIANCE OF THE LAW AND WHICH COULD RESULT IN UNDERMINING SAFETY TO BOTH LIFE AND PROPERTY, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

IN RECENT CASES BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURTS, THE PRESENT LEVEL OF PENALTIES HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO COMMENTARY AND CRITICISM FROM THE JUDICIARY WHICH HAD SUGGESTED THAT FINES AND CUSTODIAL SENTENCES NEEDED TO BE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY TO REFLECT THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENCES.

THEREFORE, THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THAT AN AMENDING BILL SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO INCREASE PENALTIES WITHOUT WAITING FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE OVERALL REVIEW OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID, HOWEVER, THAT THE NEW PENALTIES WOULD NOT BE RETROSPECTIVE.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

NEW TOWNS BRING BLOOMS BOOM * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT WILL NEED TO GROW OR BUY 8.5 MILLION TREES, PLANTS, SHRUBS AND FLOWERS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO IMPLEMENT PROPOSALS FOR LANDSCAPING THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE GOVERNMENT WAS THINKING OF DEVELOPING ITS OWN PLANTATIONS — BUT STRESSED THAT THE +ENORMOUS NEED+ PRESENTED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL GROWERS TO CULTIVATE UNUSED LAND TO HELP MEET THE SUPPLY.

AND HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LANDSCAPING OF THE NEW TOWNS WOULD ALSO PROVIDE THE STIMULUS AND INCENTIVE FOR THE GROWTH OF A NEW PROFESSION OF LANDSCAPING IN HONG KONG.

MR. AKERS-JONES TOLD A LUNCH MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG ISLAND WEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY SPENT $4 MILLION IN THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS IN ATTRACTING SOME OF THE WORLD’S FINEST LANDSCAPE CONSULTANTS TO DRAW UP DETAILED AND STRATEGIC PLANS FOR THE NEW TOWNS OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN, TAI PO AND FANLING-SHEUNG SHU I.

HE DESCRIBED THE RESULTS OF THE CONSULTANTS’ STUDIES AS +HIGHLY STIMULATING AND EXCITING* MASTER LANDSCAPE PLANS. +THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT AT THE HEART OF THESE PRACTICAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES LIES THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF OUR NEW TOWNS,* HE SAID.

+THESE PLANS SHOW US HOW TO DESIGN OUR HIGH DENSITY TOWNS IN HONG KONG IN SOME MEASURE LIKE THE LOW DENSITY GARDEN CITIES OF OTHER COUNTRIES.

♦HIGH DENSITY LIVING NEED NOT, IF WE TAKE CARE, BE HIGH DENSITY CONCRETE. GOING HIGH GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAN THE OPEN SPACE AS THOUGH WE WERE DEALING WITH MUCH LOWER HUMAN DENSITIES.

+IT IS THE PLANNING AND THE PLANTING OF THE OPEN SPACES BETWEEN THE TOWER BLOCKS WHICH PROVIDES THE STIMULUS AND INCENTIVE FOR A NEW PROFESSION IN HONG KONG OF LANDSCAPING,* HE SAID.

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S LANDSCAPING PLANS FOR THE NEW TOWNS INCLUDED:

M A 10.5-HECTARE PARK AS PART OF THE TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE.

* A RIVERSIDE PARK RUNNING THE WHOLE STRETCH OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

K THE TRAINING OF THE LAM TSUEN AND TAI PO RIVERS THROUGH THE HEART OF A *NEW LOOK* TAI PO WITH ITS BANKS BEAUTIFIED AND SHADED BY TREES.

* THE CONVERSION OF THE FORMER KWAI CHUNG RUBBISH TIP INTO A 27-HECTARE PARK.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

- 8

♦HOWEVER, LANDSCAPING IS NOT JUST A PROGRAMME FOR MAJOR PARKS,* MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED. +IT IS A TOTAL PLAN FOR THE WHOLE TOWN — TREES ALONG STREETS, STREET FURNITURE, AND BANKS PLANTED WITH SHRUBS IN PREFERENCE TO PLASTER AND CONCRETE.*

HE SAID STUDIES SHOWED THAT 1.7 MILLION TREES AND SHRUBS WOULD HF NEEDED EACH YEAR FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO CARRY OUT THE PLANS -700,000 SEEDLINGS, 800,000 SHRUBS, MORE THAN 100,000 TREES AND A VARIETY OF OTHER FLORA.

+IT TAKES FOUR TO FIVE-YEARS TO GROW A STURDY TREE AND AT PRESENT WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMMERCIAL GROWERS IN HONG KONG AND, AS A RESULT, WE HAVE TO IMPORT MANY TREES AND SHRUBS.

+WE ARE THINKING OF DEVELOPING SOME GOVERNMENT PLANTATIONS, BUT THERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR GROWERS TO MAKE USE OF UNUSED LAND, WHICH IS NOW LYING UNUSED, TO SUPPLY THIS FUTURE ENORMOUS NEED.

+THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY, TOO, FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A FEELING FOR NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT TO SPECIALISE IN LANDSCAPE STUDIES SO THAT WE EXPAND OUR OWN LOCAL EXPERTISE AND USE OUR OWN SKILLS TO DEVELOP AND ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENT OF OUR OWN NEW TOWNS.*

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NO BAN ON IMPORT OF LIVESTOCK

*****

/Friday' tuatCt!lIocE ioNLF ISHER ,ES APARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THERE IS NO BAN ON THE IMPORT OF LIVESTOCK INTO HONC

KONG AS SUGGESTED IN SOME MEDIA LAST (THURSDAY) NIGHT AND TODAY?

„ F0R THE DEPARTMENT CLARIFIED TODAY THAT WITH THF

f?”2FERATIDN OF IMPORTERS AND SHIPPING COMPANIES THE IMPORT OF CATT^^ANn'oirc REGULATED DEPENDING ON THE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR CATTLE AND PIGS AT GOVERNMENT DEPOTS AND ABATTOIRS.

THE

, ♦JMF0RTERS AND SHIPPERS OF OVERSEAS CATTLE AND PIGS HAVE BEEN hudaotDaJHAT DUE TO THE GO-SLOW ACTION BY GOVERNMENT BUTCHERS THE IMPORT OF SUCH LIVESTOCK WILL BE RESTRICTED UNTIL FURTHER nStIce"

+THIS MEANS THAT ALL IMPORTERS SHOULD CONSULT THE department C0UNTRy1’?AHENSa1dY LIVEST0CK B0UND F0R hong kong from THE EXPORTING

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

1979 U.S. GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES ft * * * *

DETAILS OF THE 1979 U.S. GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES (GSP) WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON MARCH 1. 1979, WERE BEING SENT TO ALL TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS AND REGISTERED FACTORIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE PRODUCT COVERAGE OF THE 1979 U.S. GSP IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF LAST-YEAR’S SCHEME AS A RESULT OF ADDITION AND DELETION OF CERTAIN ITEMS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APPLICATIONS MAY NOW BE MADE TO THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT FOR CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN, FORMS A FOR GOODS COVERED BY THE 1979 SCHEME TO BE SHIPPED TO THE U.S.A. FOR CLAIM TO PREFERENTIAL TARIFF TREATMENT.

COPIES OF THE CIRCULAR (CERTIFICATE OF PREFERENCE CIRCULAR NO. 4/79 DATED MARCH 23, 1979) CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE 1979 U.S. GSP ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE RECEPTIONIST COUNTER OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, GROUND FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.

0 --------

/1O

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

10 -

47 FACTORY OWNERS GET FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES ******

FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OFFICERS THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING MADE A SURPRISE CHECK IN THE CHAI WAN INDUSTRIAL AREA TO LOOK FOR OBSTRUCTIONS TO MEANS OF ESCAPE, STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS WITHOUT LICENCE AND OTHER POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.

DURING THE THREE-HOUR OPERATION COMMANDED BY DIVISIONAL OFFICER hR. KWAN SAI-YIU, MORE THAN 550 FACTORIES IN 17 INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WERE INSPECTED.

♦AS A RESULT, 47 FACTORY OWNERS WILL BE SERVED WITH FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES, MOSTLY FOR GENERAL OBSTRUCTIONS. THE OWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO REMOVE THE HAZARDS IN 72 HOURS OR ELSE BE SUMMONSED,*

KWAN SAID.

♦THEY ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000 PLUS A DAILY FINE OF $20 IF THE NOTICES ARE NOT OBSERVED. FOR THOSE WITH PREVIOUS RECORDS, THE MAXIMUM FINE WOULD BE $4,000 AND THE DAILY FINE, $40,+ HE ADDED.

FIRE OFFICERS ALSO FOUND 14 CASES OF ILLEGAL ROOFTOP STRUCTURES USED FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES AND AN UNLICENSED FOODSTALL. THE CASES WILL BE REFERRED TO THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS FOR ACTION.

MORE THAN 500 FIRE PREVENTION PAMPHLETS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO THE FACTORIES, REMINDING THEM THAT ALL FIRE EXITS, LIFT LOBBIES, ROOF EXITS AND STAIRCASES SHOULD BE FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION TO MINIMISE FIRE RISK.

+THE GENERAL SITUATION IN THE CHAI WAN INDUSTRIAL AREA IS QUITE SATISFACTORY. THERE HAS BEEN MUCH IMPROVEMENT IN THE FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES ADOPTED BY FACTORY OWNERS,* MR. KWAN SAID.

HE SAID THE OPERATORS GENERALLY WERE CO-OPERATIVE AND WERE AWARE OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN SATISFACTORY FIRE PREVENTION STANDARDS, SPECIALLY ON BLOCKED MEANS OF ESCAPE.

MORE THAN 20 OFFICERS AND 10 SENIOR FIREMEN TOOK PART IN TODAY’S OPERATION.

/11

rix iuhi , riAKUH cj,

i-y

- 11 -

EMPLOYERS URGED TO FOLLOW PWD LEAD IN APPRENTICE TRAINING ******

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. J.N. HENDERSON, TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED EMPLOYERS IN INDUSTRY TO FOLLOW THE LEAD SET BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND EITHER TO START PROPER APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEMES IN THEIR ESTABLISHMENTS OR IMPROVE EXISTING ONES.

HE STRESSED THAT THE EXISTENCE OF A GOOD TRAINING SCHEME WOULD NOT ONLY RESULT IN A BETTER TRAINED WORKFORCE BUT ALSO ASSIST IN ATTRACTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT IN INDUSTRY.

MR. HENDERSON WAS SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR GOVERNMENT APPRENTICES AT THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.

SINCE THE GOVERNMENT APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEME STARTED IN 1969, HE SAID, IT HAD BEEN EXPANDED CONSIDERABLY. HE DESCRIBED THIS AS A FAR-SIGHTED AND TIMELY MOVE.

MR. HENDERSON RECALLED THAT SINCE THE START OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMME, SOME 459 CRAFT APPRENTICES AND 105 TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES HAD ALREADY GRADUATED UNDER THE SCHEME.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 513 APPRENTICES UNDER TRAINING •— 388 FOR CRAFT APPRENTICESHIP AND 125 FOR TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP.

HE THOUGHT THAT THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF THIS OUTPUT REFLECTED THE GREATEST CREDIT ON ALL THE STAFF INVOLVED, BOTH IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT GENERALLY AND IN THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE APPRENTICE TRAINING CENTRE IN PARTICULAR.

DURING THE CEREMONY, MR. HENDERSON PRESENTED GRADUATION CERTIFICATES TO 55 CRAFT APPRENTICES AND 24 TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES.

HE ALSO PRESENTED THE +LAISHLEY CUP+ TO THE BEST CRAFT APPRENTICE- WOO NGOI-CHUA OF THE E. AND M. OFFICE.

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20 NEW TENNIS COURTS

*****

SOME 20 TENNIS COURTS ARE TO BE BUILT SHORTLY ON A SITE ADJOINING THE HONG KONG CRICKET CLUB IN WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK WERE INVITED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE SITE, CONSISTING OF TWO PLATFORMS, MEASURED 18,700 SQUARE METRES.

♦A TOTAL OF 17 TENNIS COURTS AND TWO TENNIS PRACTICE COURTS WITH FLOODLIGHTING FACILITIES WILL BE BUILT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE MALE AND FEMALE CHANGING ROOMS AND TOILET FACILITIES, A REFRESHMENT KIOSK AND AN OFFICE, A PARKING AREA FOR 10 CARS AND A SUNKEN GARDEN WITH FOUNTAINS.*

WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AT THE END OF MAY AND BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.

THE PROJECT IS MAINLY FINANCED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

NEW ERA IN SPORTS DEVELOPMENT ft ft ft ft ft

HONG KONG IS ENTERING A NEW ERA OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE CONCLUSION OF THE ANNUAL INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS AT WAN CHAI SPORTS GROUND.

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY TOLD HIM THIS WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST SCHOOLS ATHLETIC MEETS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD AND, +IN ITSELF THAT IS A PRETTY AMAZING AND WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT*, SIR JACK NOTED.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY WENT ONt +MUCH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED, TOO, BY THE SPORTS COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF INDIVIDUAL AND VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS, INCLUDING OUR WELL-KNOWN AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG, AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.

+BUT COMPARATIVELY RECENTLY EVEN MORE EFFORT HAS BEEN PUT INTO DEVELOPING SPORTS AND RECREATION ON A COMMUNITY-WIDE BASIS.

+MUCH MORE MONEY HAS BECOME AVAILABLE FOR COACHING PROMISING ATHLETES, BUILDING FACILITIES AND FOR PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL AND INTERPORT EVENTS.

+1 AM GLAD THESE DEVELOPMENTS ARE TAKING PLACE AND I HOPE YOU WILL MAKE FULL USE OF THEM*.

SIR JACK TOLD THE STUDENTS THAT WHEN THEY LEAVE SCHOOL THERE WILL INCREASINGLY BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR CHOSEN SPORTS.

♦THE NATIONAL SPORTS BODIES, THE SILVER JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL ARE ALL WORKING IN THE SAME DIRECTION — TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES GIVEN TO YOU IN YOUR EARLY SCHOOL DAYS BY THE TWO SCHOOLS’ SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS AND THE SCHOOLS’ SPORTS COUNCIL, WILL CONTINUE,* HE ADDED.

REFERRING TO THE STADIUM’S MAGNIFICENT NEW TRACK •— THE FIRST IN HONG KONG BUILT TO FULL INTERNATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS, SIR JACK SAID OTHER FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON AND HOPED THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WILL MAKE THE GREATEST POSSIBLE USE OF THEM FOR THEIR ENJOYMENT, IMPROVEMENT AND GENERAL GOOD HEALTH.

SPEAKING AT THE SAME CEREMONY, MR. TOPLEY, WHO IS ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION, THANKED VARIOUS VOLUNTEERS, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR MAKING THE MEETING A SUCCESS.

HE SAID ABOUT 30,000 PARTICIPANTS FROM MORE THAN 120 SCHOOLS HAD TAKEN PART IN THE 15-DAY ATHLETIC MEETING.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

SOCCER TOURNAMENT TO PROMOTE ARMY-TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY RELATIONS ******

THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ARMY AND THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE HOLDING A MINI-SOCCER MARATHON TOURNAMENT AT GALLIPOLI LINES, FANLING, ON SUNDAY.

MORE THAN 400 PLAYERS FROM 24 TEAMS WILL COMPETE FOR THE GURKHA SOCCER CUP 1979 DONATED BY THE ARMY.

AMONG THE TEAMS, 22 ARE FROM VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY, INCLUDING SCHOOLS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. THE REMAINING TEAMS ARE REPRESENTING THE 7TH DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES.

THE TOURNAMENT IS ONE OF A SERIES OF SPORTING COMPETITIONS FOR GURKHA CUPS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE CLOSER CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE ARMED SERVICES AND THE PEOPLE OF TSUEN WAN.

THESE GOOD-WILL SPORTING EVENTS WERE FIRST STARTED IN NOVEMBER 1976 AND HAVE NOW BECOME A PERMANENT FEATURE IN THE SPORTING CALENDAR OF THE NEW TOWN.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, ffi. DAVID TSUI, THE COMMANDING OFFICER, 7TH DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MILES HUNT-DAVIS AND THE CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, MISS BETTY MAIR, WILL PRESENT THE GURKHA SOCCER CUP AND OTHER PRIZES TO THE WINNING TEAMS.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE GURKHA SOCCER CUP TOURNAMENT ON SUNDAY.

THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. DAVID TSUI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION AT GALLIPOLI LINES, FANLING AT 4 P.M.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A GOVERNMENT VAN, AM 2086, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 2 P.M. FOR FANLING.

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/14

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S WALK FOR CHARITY * * * *

PRISONS DEPARTMENT STAFF AND FAMILIES WILL TAKE PART IN A SPONSORED WALK FOR CHARITY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) STARTING AT 11 A.M. FROM THE TAI LAM TREATMENT CENTRE FOOTBALL GROUND.

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. T.G. GARNER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY. THE WALK WILL BE ON A FOUR-MILE CIRCUIT ROUND TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR. THERE WILL ALSO BE A BARBECUE, CHILDREN’S GAMES AND A LUCKY DRAW.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY PERFORMED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. T.G. GARNER AND TO TAKE PART IN A SPONSORED WALK FOR CHARITY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 11 A.M. ROUND TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR.

TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. THERE WILL BE ONE LEAVING GUARDIAN HOUSE, 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 9.30 A.M. AND ANOTHER IN KOWLOON WHICH WILL DEPART LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE AT 10 A.M.

TWO RETIRE FROM E. AND M. OFFICE

* * * *

TWO MEMBERS OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WILL RETIRE SHORTLY AFTER SERVING IN THE GOVERNMENT FOR A TOTAL OF 46 YEARS.

AT A CEREMONY TODAY (FRIDAY), MR. MICHAEL HUTTON, GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, PRESENTED THEM WITH RETIREMENT GIFTS ON BEHALF OF THEIR COLLEAGUES.

MR. TO YICK-KWAN, WORKS SUPPERVISOR II, JOINED PWD AS AN ARTISAN I IN 1958 AND HAS WORKED IN THE VEHICLE SECTION IN KOWLOON EVER SINCE.

MR. LAW WING-SANG, CLERICAL ASSISTANT, HAS SERVED IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR 25 YEARS. HE FIRST JOINED AS A STORE ATTENDANT IN 1954 AND BECAME OFFICE-WORKSHOP ASSISTANT IN 1959 AND CLERICAL ASSISTANT IN 1969.

/15

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1979

- 15 -

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 17 DAYS NEXT (APRIL) MONTH.

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

THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE J

DATE APR IL 4. 2 (MONDAY) HOURS

8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

APR IL 3 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

APR IL 4 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 4. 30 P.M.

APR IL 9 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

APRIL 10 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

APR IL 11 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

APR IL 12 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

APR IL 17 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 4. 30 P.M.

APRIL 18 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 4. 30 P.M.

APRIL 19 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

APR IL 20 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

APR IL 23 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.

APR IL 24 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 6 P.M.

APRIL 25 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - IC 1.30 P.M.

APR IL 26 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

APR IL 27 (FRIDAY) 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

APR IL 30 (MONDAY) o - - 8 A.M. - IC 1.30 P.M.

PR 33

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

Friday, March 23, 1979

EMBARGOED:

The following item is embargoed until 10.30 p^mi today (Friday).

SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR IURRaY MACLEHOSE, G.B.E*, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O, _AT THE FOURTH ZJWAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS

”1 am most grateful to you for your hospitality. When I arrived, and it seems a long time ago, I gladly accepted your invitation to become Patron of the Engineering Society which has since been transformed into the present statutory Institution.

”1 have seen what your profession is doing to change the physical face of Hong Kong. Indeed as a professional group, to our mutual benefit, you do raise more dust to the acre than any other. But it is remarkable how quickly the dust settles.

’’One of my early tasks was to open the cross-harbour tunnel. Now, it is hard to remember what Hong Kong was like without it.

’’Perhaps in 18 months it will be hard to remember what Hong Kong was like without a Mass Transit Railway, and we will have taken for granted the massive deployment and coordination of the many disciplines of engineering, let alone the financial arrangements, that made it possible. I hope we will forget equally rapidly the inconvenience that its construction created.

/”I must .....

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

"I must admit to special interest in engineering that helps to solve one of our most basic problems la4k of land and spaie for which to build new industries, and new towns to man them in which a better life is possible than in the crowded area around the harbour• ”If ever we have to choose between works for convenience in the old areas on the one hand and the opening up of new areas on the other, I have no doubt our prosperity and our future will depend on our choosing the new.

"So for my part I watch with special interest: the Aberdeen Tunnel and its associated roadworks; the Tsuen Wan/Tuen Mun motorway becoming six-lane; the double' tracking and electrification of the Hong Kong section of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, and also the other highways linking the towns of the New Territories, and then with the old urban areas, and above all the massive v/orks of reclamation and construction to which they give access, and which spread out from them to provide new land and new possibilities and elbow room for the future.

”Please do not misunderstand me. I do not imply that engineering is only concerned with the manipulation of mud and rock, concrete and steel. But that is how it all has to start.

’’Then comes the part of the engineers who design our machines and our products, who keep our factories in touch with latest technology, and apply them to our own requirements, who constantly push upwards the sophistication and competitiveness of our industry.

”In a recent speech by The Prince of Wales in the United Kingdom he deplored the resistance of industry in the United Kingdom to promoting engineers to managerial positions, and the difficulty of managing well if you do not know the machines you are managing. I have been impressed that this is not the case in Hong Kong.

/’’Most of our

•3

"Most of our significant factories have engineers at the managerial and policy making level, and I am sure that if Hong Kong is to grow and adapt to the changing world around us, this is essential.

"We have been adapting for a quarter of a century and continue to adapt we must. None know better than ourselves the external pressures to which our industry must respond, pressures often originating thousands of miles away.

"The new modernisation programmes in China must have significance for Hong Kong. Clearly they are welcome to the people of Hong Kong and our attitude to them in principle is totally positive, and many Hong Kong businessmen are already seeking to participate.

"The greater prosperity and productivity of China can only benefit the entire West Pacific region, and give its economic growth yet further impetus. And in the centre of this lies Hong Kong with the many special facilities it has to offer; so I am sure that Hong Kong has a part to play in the modernisation programme.

"Exactly what it is will emerge as the plans take shape. But I think as the programme gathers momentum one of its effects may be to exert upward pressure on the sophistication and technological content of our production..

"There is nothing new about such pressure, it has been exerted on us from so many quarters for many years and we have always managed to respond.

"But this brings me back to engineers, because in this process of development, the part of our engineers and of all disciplines of engineering will be vital; so will the part of the institutions that train them. So the responsibility of the profession will be great.

/"You have .....

"You have reminded me, Mr. President, of your Institution's request for recognition of its corporate memberships that is recognition of it first as a qualification for employment within the Government; secondly for work where Government exercises control over the private sector, and ultimately as the sole qualification recognised for Hong Kong engineers.

"These are ambitious targets and before they can be achieved the Government will need to be satisfied that the Institution is geared to ensure that the training and admission of candidates meet the highest international standards, and also that, should the need arise, the strength and will to exercise discipline and maintain those standards throughout your practising membership exist.

"These decisions, once taken, cannot easily be reversed so do please be understanding if we seem to be moving towards them -with caution. But, having said this, I do not foresee a long delay before the first stage of recognition is granted.

"The Institution has achieved much during the year. It is good to know that you have successfully negotiated the merger with the Hong Kong Branch of the Institution of Structural Engineers.

"It strengthens your profession, but it is also easier for the Government to deal with a profession that is united.

"I am glad to hear how your contacts are developing farther afield: strengthening the ties you have with institutions in other Commonwealth countries, running a successful international conference here; and reopening professional contacts through engineering tours of China.

"All this augurs well for the future. I wish you well and know that you will not fail Hong Kong.”

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR OFF TO CHINA .................................... 1

SIR JACK CATER ACTING GOVERNOR ........................... 1

STAGE II OF SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT ............ 2

MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR SEWAGE TREATMENT PLAN ............... 3

SUITABLE SITES FOR HOLIDAY CAMPS AND HOSTELS IN THE N.T....................................................... 5

WHITE-NAPED CRANES SEIZED ................................ 6

D.S.W. TO PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF COMPETITIONS ... 7

FIRING PRACTICE .......................................... 7

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

SERVICE ROAD TO CLOSE .................................... 8

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1979

GOVERNOR OFF TO CHINA ft ft ft ft ft

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON LEFT HONG KONG FOR CANTON BY A SPECIAL HOVERFERRY ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT AT THE INVITATION OF MR. LI QIANG, MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE.

ACCOMPANYING SIR MURRAY ON THE VISIT WAS LADY MACLEHOSE-SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL- LADY KAN- DR. DAVID WILSON, POLITICAL ADVISER, AND ffiS. WILSON.

SIR MURRAY ARRIVED AT TAI KOK TSUI FERRY PIER AT 2.50 P.M. AND WAS SEEN OFF BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER-UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR SIDNEY GORDON-SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. OSWALD CHEUNG- MR. OSCAR MICHELENA, CONSUL-GENERAL OF VENEZUELA WHO IS THE DOYEN OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF XINHUA NEWS AGENCY.

ALSO AT THE PIER TO SEE THE GOVERNOR OFF WAS A LARGE CROWD OF PEOPLE WHO WAVED AT HIM AS THE HOVERFERRY BEGAN PULLING OUT. SIR MURRAY AND SIR YUET-KEUNG, WHO WERE ON THE DECK OF THE BOAT, WAVED BACK.

SIR MURRAY AND HIS PARTY WILL BE IN CHINA FOR 11 DAYS AND WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON APRIL 4 ON AN INAUGURAL EXPRESS TRAIN.

- - 0 -

SIR JACK CATER ACTING GOVERNOR ft ft ft ft ft ft

SIR JACK CATER HAS ASSUMED THE FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR FROM THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING, FOLLOWING THE DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG OF THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1979

STAGE II OF SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT VIRTUALLY COMPLETE

* * * *

THE SECOND STAGE OF THE SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT, BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, IS VIRTUALLY COMPLETE.

THE WORK INVOLVES DEMOLISHING THREE MARK I SEVEN-STOREY BLOCKS AND BUILDING THREE 13-STOREY BLOCKS.

MRS. C. ALUNAN, PWD’S CHIEF ARCHITECT, SAID THAT THESE BLOCKS WERE EXPECTED TO BE HANDED OVER TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT LATER THIS MONTH.

MEANWHILE, WORK ON TWO MORE 13-STOREY BLOCKS UNDER THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SHEK KIP MEI REDEVELOPMENT IS NEARING COMPLETION AND IS EXPECTED TO BE FINISHED IN MAY.

STAGE THREE WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COMPLEX AND THREE 13-STOREY BLOCKS TO REPLACE THREE MARK I SEVEN-STOREY BLOCKS.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AT THE END OF THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

MRS. ALUNAN POINTED OUT THAT THIS WOULD BE THE LAST PUBLIC HOUSING CONTRACT HANDLED BY THE PWD.

OTHER WORK ON PUBLIC HOUSING BEING UNDERTAKEN BY PWD INCLUDES THREE BLOCKS OF 3O-STOREY BUILDING AT TA I HING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN.

THIS PROJECT IS PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN JANUARY 1980.

FOUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT LAI KING ESTATE AND TAI HING ESTATE ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS.

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1979

MULTl-MILL ION-DOLLAR SEWAGE TREATMENT PLAN ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS EMBARKED ON A MULT I-MILL ION-DOLLAR PLAN TO BUILD 17 SEWAGE TREATMENT AND SCREENING PLANTS WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO COPE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND INCREASE IN POPULATION.

IN TOTAL, 35 PLANTS ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF PLANNING OR CONSTRUCTION.

DISCLOSING THIS TODAY (SATURDAY), THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE PW1*S DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION, MR. WONG WAN-M1 NG; SA ID i ... ♦OF THE 17, FIVE ARE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCT ION. ♦

THEY ARE THE AP LEI CHAU SCREENING PLANT AND DEEP WATER BAY-REPULSE BAY TREATMENT PLANT ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT STAGE 1, THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS STAGE 1 AND THE SHEK WU HUI-FANLING SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

ON COMPLETION AT THE END OF 1981, DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF EXISTING PLANTS.

MR. WONG SAID, THEY WOULD

OF THE 30 PLANTS NOW BEING PLANNED, HE ADDED, 20 WOULD BE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, SEVEN ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND THREE IN KOWLOON.

MR. WONG SAIDi *THE GOVERNMENT HAS LONG BEEN AWARE OF THE NEED FOR PROPER TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE.

♦IN VIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT TAKING PLACE IN THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES HAVE TO BE PROVIDED TO THESE AREAS.

♦HOWEVER, THE PHASING OF SUCH PLANTS HAS TO BE TIED IN WITH THE LAND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

♦ IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO AREAS WHERE EXISTING TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES ARE INADEQUATE OR WILL BE RENDERED INADEQUATE BECAUSE OF ANTICIPATED POPULATION INCREASE OR OTHER REASONS,♦ HE SAID.

MR. WONG RECALLED THAT IN THE OLD DAYS, BEFORE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEWAGE COLLECTION SYSTEM, NIGHTSOIL COLLECTION SERVICE WAS EXTENSIVELY PROVIDED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

IN PRE-WAR DAYS, SEWER SYSTEMS FOR THE CARRIAGE OF FOUL WATER WERE GRADUALLY INTRODUCED IN URBAN AREAS AND FLUSHED TOILETS BECAME STANDARD PROVISIONS IN NEW BUILDINGS.

AT THAT TIME, SEWAGE WAS DISCHARGED DIRECTLY INTO THE SEA THROUGH OPENINGS IN SEAWALLS, CREATING PATCHES OF UNSIGHTLY SPOTS ALONG THE HARBOUR.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1979

- 4 -

HOWEVER, MR. WONG POINTED OUT THAT PROGRESSIVELY AFTER THE WAR, INTERCEPTING SEWERS WERE CONSTRUCTED TO CONVEY ALL SEWAGE TO A CENTRAL SCREENING PLANT TO REMOVE LARGE SOLIDS AND FLOATING OBJECTS.

THE SCREENED SEWAGE WAS THEN DISCHARGED IN DEEP WATERS THROUGH LONG SUBMARINE OUTFALLS TO ACHIEVE ADEQUATE INITIAL DILUTION AND SUBSEQUENT DISPERSION.

+FOR DISCHARGES INTO STREAMS OR WHERE SEA CURRENTS ARE WEAK, FURTHER TREATMENT OTHER THAN SCREENING IS USUALLY NECESSARY,* HE SAID.

IN 1974, THE FIRST SECONDARY SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, WHICH WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL PLANT, WAS BUILT IN SHEK WU HUI.

IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR, A TEMPORARY SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS FOR SHA TIN WAS COMMISSIONED.

SINCE THEN, MORE SECONDARY TREATMENT WORKS HAVE BEEN PUT UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. AND TWO OF THEM, THE SHA TIN INTERIM SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS (STAGE 1), ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMMISSIONED LATER THIS YEAR.

THESE SECONDARY TREATMENT PLANTS EMPLOY BIOCHEMICAL PROCESSES, IN ADDITION TO PHYSICAL TREATMENT, TO REMOVE THE POLLUTANTS. IN GENERAL, AT LEAST 92 PER CENT REMOVAL IS ACHIEVED.

TURNING TO THE EXPERIMENTAL PLANT IN SHEK WU HUI, MR. WONG SAID: + IT HAS BEEN USED TO OBTAIN DESIGN DATA FOR VARIOUS BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT PROCESSES TO FIND THE MOST SUITABLE PROCESS FOR HONG KONG AND TO TRAIN LOCAL OPERATION PERSONNEL.

♦EXPERIENCE AND FEED-BACK OF PERFORMANCE DATA FROM OPERATION OF OTHER PLANTS ARE ALSO A USEFUL SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR THESE PURPOSES.+

TO MONITOR THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SEWAGE AND THE QUALITY OF THE TREATED EFFLUENT AND TO ENSURE THAT THE PLANTS ARE PRODUCING EFFLUENTS OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY, MR. WONG SAID: ♦ABOUT 420 TESTS ARE CARRIED OUT AT THE SHEK WU HUI PILOT PLANT EACH MONTH AND 210 TESTS AT THE SHA TIN TEMPORARY PLANT.

♦ALSO, TERRITORIAL WATERS ARE MONITORED TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES TO ESTABLISH POLLUTION TREND DATA FOR DESIGN PURPOSES AND TO PROVIDE AN EARLY WARNING FOR THE TIMELY IMPLEMENTATION OF NECESSARY SEWAGE TREATMENT TO PREVENT DETERIORATION IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE RECEIVING WATER BODIES.*

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1979

- 5 -

SUITABLE SITES FOR HOLIDAY CAMPS AND HOSTELS IN THE N.T. *****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SUITABLE FOR BUILDING YOUTH HOSTELS AND HOLIDAY CAMPS BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES,, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT ORGANISATIONS WERE WELCOME TO APPROACH THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION FOR SUCH SITES FOR A PUBLIC CAUSE

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF PHASE I OF THE PO LEUNG KUK HOLIDAY CAMP AT PAK TAM CHUNG, HE SAIDi +AS A RESULT OF A PLANNING INVESTIGATION WHICH HAS BEEN COMPLETED. ANY ORGANISATION WHICH APPLIES TO MY DEPARTMENT FOR LAND FOR THIS USE CAN NOW BE DIRECTED TO SPECIFIC AREAS AS POTENTFAL SITES, FOR HOLIDAY CAMPS AND HOSTELS.

A WORKING GROUP — KNOWN AS THE LEISURE ACCOMMODATION SITE COMMITTEE -- WAS SET UP IN JUNE 1977 TO CO-ORDINATE THE ACTIVITIES CF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED SO THAT SITES FOR SUCH PURPOSES CAN BE CHOSEN AND GRANTED IN A PLANNED MANNER.

INITIALLY, THE COMMITTEE HAS FOUND 58 SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SUITABLE FOR TENTED CAMPING. THESE SITES ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES — 40 WITHIN AND 18 OUTSIDE COUNTRY PARK AREAS.

OF THE 40 SITES IN THE FIRST CATEGORY, 12 ARE EXPECTED TO BE DEVELOPED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

AREAS SUITABLE FOR YOUTH HOSTELS HAVE ALSO BEEN IDENTIFIED ALONG THE COASTAL AREA OF LANTAU ISLAND, SOUTHERN SAI KUNG AND NORTHERN TAI PO.

MR. AKERS-JONES POINTED OUT THAT THE PO LEUNG KUK HOLIDAY CAMP WAS BUILT IN RESPONSE TO A TREMENDOUS NEED FOR CAMPS AND HOSTELS WHERE YOUNG AND OLD, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, COULD GET AWAY FROM THE NOISES AND TENSION OF LIFE IN AN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY INTO THE QUIET OF THE COUNTRYSIDE.

♦WITH GREAT FORESIGHT, THE PO LEUNG KUK HAS OBTAINED LAND FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND IN THE RECORD TIME OF LESS THAN A YEAR HAS BUILT THE FIRST STAGE OF THIS SPLENDID CAMP,+ HE SAID.

THE HOLIDAY CAMP OCCUPIES 4.8 HECTARES OF LAND BETWEEN TAI MONG TSAI AND THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR AT PAK TAM CHUNG AND WILL BE DEVELOPED IN THREE STAGES.

PHASE I INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEVEN TWO-STOREY HOSTEL BLOCKS AND SITE FORMATION FOR THE WHOLE CAMP, INCLUDING SPORTS GROUND, CAR PARKS AND AN EMBANKMENT.

THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS MORE THAN S15 MILLION.

MR. AKERS-JONES PAID TRIBUTE TO THE PO LEUNG KUK FOR THE PROVISION OF WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG AND SAID THAT THE CAMP WAS +A SPLENDID EXAMPLE OF ITS CONTINUED CONCERN FOR THE WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY.

, -t-HO 4’

IT2ING

SATURDAY, YARCH 24, 1970

- 6 -

+HOW FITTING IT IS THAT 100 YEARS AGO THE PO LEUNG KUK WAS ESTABLISHED TO TAKE CARE OF THE YOUNG AND INNOCENT WHO WERE MISUSED OR ABUSED BY SOCIETY AND NOW IT HAS CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS WHICH WILL AGAIN PROVIDE AN ESCAPE AND A HAVEN FOR MANY PEOPLE FROM THE PRESSURES OF MODERN LIFE.

♦THE KUK HAS KEPT TO THE AIMS FOR WHICH IT WAS ESTABLISHED AND HAS KEPT PACE WITH THE MARCH OF TIME,+ HE NOTED.

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

WHITE-NAPED cranes seized

*****

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS CONTINUING ITS INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE IMPORTATION AND POSSESSION OF THE 14 RARE WHITE-NAPED CRANES SEIZED LAST WEEK FROM AN ANIMAL TRADER’S STORE.

MONG KOK POLICE AND OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT SEIZED DOCUMENTS AND FILES RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF ENDANGERED ANIMALS ON THURSDAY AFTER A THREE-HOUR SEARCH IN THE ANIMAL TRADER'S PREMISES IN KOWLOON.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THE 14 RARE BIRDS, WORTH ABOUT $350,000, WERE DISCOVERED IN THE PREMISES DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION BY THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICERS.

♦THE LIVE BIRDS WERE SEIZED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE WHICH PROHIBITS THE IMPORT AND POSSESSION OF THE SPECIES, UNLESS COVERED BY A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT,* HE SAID.

♦ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION IN WISCONSIN, U.S.A., THERE ARE LESS THAN 2,500 WHITE-NAPED CRANES IN THE WILD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

♦THE SPECIES IS ALSO LISTED IN APPENDIX I OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA WHICH PROHIBITS THE TRADE OF SUCH WILD ANIMALS, BIRDS AND PLANTS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦THE WHITE-NAPED CRANE’S BREEDING GROUNDS ARE IN SIBERIA, MONGOLIA AND NORTH CHINA. ABOUT 1,500 BIRDS MIGRATE TO KOREA IN LATE OCTOBER WHERE THEY FEED PRIMARILY ON TUBERS OF A SEDGE WHICH GROW IN THE COASTAL WETLANDS. MANY MOVE ON TO JAPAN AND RETURN TO THEIR BREEDING GROUNDS IN SPRING,+ HE SAID.

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT MADE TWO PREVIOUS SEIZURES OF WHITE-NAPED CRANES IN FEBRUARY 1977 AND SIX OF THESE BIRDS WERE SENT TO THE BREEDING CENTRE OPERATED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1979

D.S.W. TO PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF COMPETITIONS ******

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL TOMORROW (SUNDAY) PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL INTER-CENTRE COMPETITIONS ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION.

BEFORE THE PRIZE PRESENTATION, THE REMAINING EVENT IN THE COMPETITIONS — A DRESS-MAKING AND FASHION-DESIGN COMPETITION — WILL BE HELD AND JUDGED, FOLLOWED BY A FASHION SHOW BY THE PARTICIPANTS.

OTHER EVENTS HELD OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS INCLUDED ORIENTEERING, CHILDREN’S DRAWING, ESSAY, FOLK-SINGING, FOLK-DANCE, PHOTOGRAPHY, BASKETBALL AND SHUTTLECOCK KICKING.

NOTE TO ED I TORSt

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE DRESS-MAKING AND FASHION-DESIGN COMPETITION AND THE PRIZE PRESENTATION OF THE FOURTH INTER-CENTRE COMPETITIONS ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION TO BE HELD AT 2.30 P.M. IN THE COMMUNITY HALL OF CARITAS HOUSE, CAINE ROAD, HONG KONG.

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

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE RANGE ON FIVE DAYS NEXT WEEK.

IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK

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 AREt

DATE HOURS

MARCH 26 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. — 11 P.M.

MARCH 27 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. — 11 P.M.

MARCH 28 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. — 6 P.M.

MARCH 29 (THURSDAY) 8 A.M. — 6 P.M.

MARCH ?□ (FR IDAY) 3 A.M. — A. °.M.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1979

WATER CUT X K *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON MONDAY TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY POTTINGER STREET, LYNDHURST TERRACE, GAGE STREET, ABERDEEN STREET, WELLINGTON STREET, SOUTH SIDE OF QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL INCLUDING KIN SAU LANE, TUNG SHING LANE, STAUNTON STREET, PEEL STREET, GRAHAM STREET, STAVELEY STREET AND GUTZLAFF STREET.

- 0 - -

SERVICE ROAD TO CLOSE * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE SERVICE ROAD IN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD IN FRONT OF BLOCK 2, UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE, WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO INDICATE THE CLOSURE.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MORE STUDY ROOM PLACES FOR STUDENTS ........................... 1

SHA TIN NEW TOWN INDUSTRIAL SITE TO BE AUCTIONED............... 1

1 CHINA DELEGATION VISITS WASTE DISPOSAL PLANTS ..................... 2

YELLOW LEAF CHOI SUM BEATS SUMMER HEAT AND RAIN ............... 3

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SALISBURY ROAD ........................... 4

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1979

MORE STUDY ROOM PLACES FOR STUDENTS * * * * *

MORE THAN 9,000 STUDY ROOM PLACES WILL BE OPENED THROUGHOUT HONG KONG FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE WITH FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.

THIS FIGURE IS DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF PLACES PROVIDED IN THE PILOT SCHEME RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR WHICH HAD AN ATTENDANCE RECORD EXCEEDING 100,000.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SUNDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID MORE THAN 200 STUDY ROOMS WILL BE OPENED FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS BETWEEN APRIL 2 AND JUNE 29, EXCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A QUIET PLACE TO STUDY AND DO THEIR HOMEWORK.

THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED $213,000 TO PROVIDE 106 STUDY ROOMS EXCLUSIVELY FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. THESE ROOMS WILL BE OPEN FOR THREE HOURS IN THE EVENING FROM 6 P.M. TO 9 P.M.

AT THE SAME TIME, FUNDS ARE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO OPERATE 108 STUDY ROOMS IN 48 SCHOOLS FROM 7 P.M. TO 9 P.M. THESE ROOMS ARE INTENDED MAINLY FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS BUT SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS MAY ALSO USE THESE ROOMS IF THEY WISH.

♦THE STUDY ROOMS WILL BE LOCATED IN OR NEAR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHERE THE NEED IS PARAMOUNT, AND ALSO FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF STUDENTS LIVING IN THESE ESTATES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

QUALIFIED TEACHERS WILL BE RECRUITED AS SUPERVISORS AT THESE STUDY ROOMS TO SEE THAT THE STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO STUDY AND DO THEIR HOMEWORK.

THREE CO-ORDINATORS WILL ALSO BE APPOINTED FROM AMONG EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STAFF TO OVERSEE THE GENERAL RUNNING OF THESE ROOMS.

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

SHA TIN NEW TOWN INDUSTRIAL SITE TO BE AUCTIONED *****

A PRIME INDUSTRIAL SITE AT FO TAN, SHA TIN NEW TOWN, WILL BE SOLD BY AUCTION AT THE SHA TIN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL ON TUESDAY.

THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, NR. ROGER THOMPSON, SAID THE 3,102-SQUARE-METRE SITE IS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEAR THE FO TAN RAILWAY STATION AND HAS GOOD ROAD ACCESS TO KOWLOON VIA THE SHA TIN TRUNK ROAD.

/ths site ....

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1979

THE SITE CARRIES A BUILDING CONVENANT OF S5 MILLION TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 36 MONTHS AND A 9i5 PLOT RATIO ALLOWING FOR MULTI-STOREY INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN DEVELOPMENT.

THE CONDITIONS OF SALE ALSO INCLUDE. WLLUTLOKCONTROLS AIMED AT STOPPING THE EMISSION OF SMOKE AND POISONOUS OR NOXIOUS WASTES.

*THE CONTROL PROVISIONS ARE BEING INCLUDED IN THE LEASE CONDITIONS FOR ALL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SHA TIN AND ARE BEING MONITORED CLOSELY BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED,* MR. THOMPSON SAID.

+THIS WILL HELP US TO PROVIDE A VIRTUALLY POLLUTION-FREE ENVIRONMENT FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE NEW TOWN.*

MR. THOMPSON REVEALED THAT ANOTHER THREE INDUSTRIAL LOTS AT FO TAN WOULD BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY TENDER IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.

NOTE TO EDITORS’.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE AUCTION OF AN INDUSTRIAL SITE IN FO TAN, SHA TIN, WHICH WILL START AT 11 A.M. ON TUESDAY, AT THE SHA TIN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.

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CHINA DELEGATION VISITS WASTE DISPOSAL PLANTS X X X X X

A SEVEN-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM THE CHINA WASTE MATERIAL RECYCLING MANAGEMENT BUREAU TODAY VISITED THREE WASTE DISPOSAL PLANTS IN HONG KONG.

THE GROUP, LED BY MR. DING LIANG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU, TOURED THE LAI CHI KOK INCINERATION PLANT, THE NEW KWAI CHUNG INCINERATION PLANT, WHICH WAS OPENED LAST OCTOBER, AND THE CHAI WAN REFUSE COMPOSTING PLANT, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THE VISITORS WERE ACCOMPANIED BY MR. GRAHAM OSBORNE, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT- MR. J. COLLIER AND MR. I.M. D’SOUZA, P.W.D.’S SENIOR ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.

THE VISITORS ARRIVED HERE YESTERDAY ON THEIR WAY HOME AFTER ATTENDING THE SECOND WORLD CONGRESS ON WASTE RECYCLING IN MANILA.

THEY WILL RETURN HOME ON TUESDAY.

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1979

- 3 -

YELLOW LEAF CHOI SUM BEATS SUMMER HEAT AND RAIN * * * * *

BIGGER YIELD AND MORE TOLERANT TO HEAT AND RAIN ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A NEW STRAIN OF CHOI SUM (FLOWERING CABBAGE) RECENTLY INTRODUCED ON THE LOCAL MARKET.

OFFICERS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE WORKED ON THE SEED SELECTION PROGRAMME SINCE 1974 ARE CALLING IT THE +YELLOW LEAF CHOI SUM*.

HONG KONG CONSUMED 460,900 PICULS OF CHOI SUM LAST YEAR --WHICH INDICATES ITS POPULARITY. DEMAND IS STEADY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

BUT ITS GROWTH DURING THE SUMMER IS*AFFECTED BY THE PREVAILING HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HEAVY RAINFALL. YIELD AND QUALITY BECOME RELATIVELY POOR AS A RESULT.

TO HELP FARMERS OVERCOME THESE PROBLEMS THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED A SEED SELECTION PROGRAMME IN 1974 TO FIND A VARIETY WHICH CAN BE CULTIVATED WELL IN SUMMER. THIS EXPERIMENT WAS DONE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S SHEUNG SHU I FARM.

♦AFTER YEARS OF OBSERVATION, SELECTION AND ROGUING — WEEDING OUT REJECTS — WE FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN ISOLATING A STRAIN IN 1976 WHICH WE HAVE NAMED THE YELLOW LEAF CHOI SUM,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

HE ADDED THAT THE SEEDS WERE THEN MULTIPLIED FOR SALE TO FARMERS.

SALES HAD A POOR START — ONLY ONE TAEL WAS SOLD IN 1976.

BUT THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THE YELLOW LEAF CHOI SUM SOON ATTRACTED BUYERS, RESULTING IN SALES WHICH TOTALLED 700 TAELS LAST YEAR.

♦TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND AND TO PROVIDE A STEADY SUPPLY WE HAVE NOW 1,800 TAELS AVAILABLE THIS YEAR.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

COMPARING THE FAMILIAR GREEN CHOI SUM TO THE NEW STRAIN HE SAID THE LATTER YIELD IS 50 PER CENT HIGHER AND IT ALSO OFFERS A BETTER ASSURANCE OF PRODUCTION IN SUMMER.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID FARMERS INTERESTED IN USING THE NEW SEEDS ARE REQUESTED TO APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT’S AGRICULTURAL LIAISON OFFICERS OR SHEUNG SHU I FARM. +THEY ARE ALSO WELCOME TO MULTIPLY THE NEW SEEDS THEMSELVES,* HE ADDED.

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1979

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SALISBURY ROAD

*****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT SECTIONS OF SALISBURY ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE.

ON THESE TWO DAYS, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS WILL BE CLOSED!

* THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SALISBURY ROAD BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD-

* THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SALISBURY ROAD BETWEEN CHATHAM ROAD AND THE WEST ENTRANCE TO THE SLIP ROAD IN FRONT OF THE NEW WORLD CENTRE.

THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE DURING THE CLOSURES:

* ALL WESTBOUND TRAFFIC, INCLUDING FRANCHISED BUSES, ALONG THE SECTION OF SALISBURY ROAD MENTIONED ABOVE WILL BE DIVERTED AT THE CHATHAM ROAD-SALISBURY ROAD JUNCTION VIA THE SLIP ROAD IN FRONT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE, TO REJOIN SALISBURY ROAD AT THE WEST ENTRANCE OF THE SLIP ROAD-

* ALL EASTBOUND TRAFFIC, INCLUDING FRANCHISED BUSES, ALONG SALISBURY ROAD GOING ONTO CHATHAM ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED AT THE SALISBURY ROAD-NATHAN ROAD JUNCTION, VIA NATHAN ROAD NORTHBOUND, TURN RIGHT ONTO AUSTIN ROAD EASTBOUND TO REJOIN CHATHAM ROAD-

* BUS STOPS ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CHATHAM ROAD BETWEEN SALISBURY ROAD AND AUSTIN ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED-

* ALL SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG NATHAN ROAD AND MIDDLE ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED TO TURN LEFT ONTO SALISBURY ROAD EASTBOUND.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

1976 BY-CENSUS MAIN REPORT ............................. 1

MANPOWER SURVEY ON BUILDING AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRY ................................................ 1

HEREFORD ROAD RE-ROUTED ................................. 2

WATER CUT ............................................... 2

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

1976 BY-CENSUS MAIN REPORT

*****

THE MAIN REPORT OF THE HONG KONG 1976 BY-CENSUS IS ISSUED TODAY (MONDAY).

THIS REPORT. ENTITLED +HONG KONG BY-CENSUS 1976 I MAIN REPORT, IS THE LAST IN A SERIES OF PUBLISHED REPORTS ON THE 1976 BY-CENSUS.

IT CONTAINS THE MAIN BODY OF DATA FROM THE BY-CENSUS, COVERING THE BROAD RANGE OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HONG KONG POPULATION.

THE REPORT IS DIVIDED fNTO TWO VOLUMES. VOLUME I CONTAINS THE DETAILED ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF THE DATA. WHERE POSSIBLE, COMPARISONS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE 1961 AND 1971 CENSUSES.

VOLUME 2 CONTAINS THE DETAILED STATISTICAL TABLES REFERRED TO IN THE ANALYSIS OF VOLUME I.

COPIES ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE AT $100 PER SET OF TWO VOLUMES.

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

MANPOWER SURVEY ON BUILDING AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRY ******

THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL WILL CARRY OUT A MANPOWER SURVEY BETWEEN TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND APRIL 20.

THE SURVEY, THE FIFTH IN THE SERIES, WILL BE CONDUCTED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. IT WILL COVER ALL ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION SITES AND THE CONTRACTOR FIRMS CONCERNED. ESTATE DEVELOPERS, ARCHITECTS’, SURVEYORS’ AND CONSULTING ENGINEERS’ FIRMS WILL BE SURVEYED AT THE SAME TIME.

QUESTIONNAIRES AND RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL THE CONSTRUCTION SITES AND FIRMS.

THE INFORMATION WHICH EMPLOYERS ARE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY INCLUDES THE NUMBER OF WORKERS AT PRESENT EMPLOYED, THE NUMBER UNDER TRAINING AND THE NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANCIES.

DURING THE SURVEY, INTERVIEWERS WILL VISIT EACH OF THE PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION SITES AND FIRMS TO COLLECT COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR. HO SAI-CHU, STRESSED THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND PUBLISHED IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL SITE OR FIRM.

MR. HO URGED EMPLOYERS TO CO-OPERATE BY PROVIDING ACCURATE INFORMATION SO THAT PLANS CAN BE FORMULATED TO MEET THE INDUSTRY’S MANPOWER NEEDS.

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

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1979

2 -

HEREFORD ROAD RE-ROUTED ft ft ft *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE SECTION OF HEREFORD ROAD BETWEEN WATERLOO ROAD AND CAMBRIDGE ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY FROM 10 A.M. ON TMUaSSAY TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

WESTBOUND VEHICLES ALONG THIS ROAD CAN TURN LEFT ONTO WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND BUT THEY WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT AT THIS LOCATION ONTO WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

WATER CUT ft ft ft

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY TAI HANG ROAD FROM THE TAI TAM CONDUIT TO THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE GANG DEPOT, BROADWOOD ROAD AND SO KON PO COTTAGE AREA.

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SAI KUNG TOWN AND ALL VILLAGES ALONG HIRAM’S HIGHWAY WILL ALSO BE STOPPED ON WEDNESDAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. FOR METER INSTALLATION WORKS.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE N0’

GOVERNOR IN BEIJING ......................................

S3.3 MILLION PROGRAMME TO BRING COLOUR ETV TO SCHOOLS ................................................... 1

EXPANSION OF AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM .................. 2

BUDGET DEBATE RESUMES TOMORROW ............................ 3

FALL IN VALUE OF HK DOLLAR NOT JUSTIFIED .................. 3

SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS ................................ 4

OFFICIALS RETURN FROM TRADE TALKS ......................... 4

REGIONALISATION SCHEME WILL IMPROVE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ........................................... 5

PRESIDENT OF COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION TO VISIT HK ............................................... 6

CHING MING --- A STATUTORY HOLIDAY ........................ 7

MAJOR RETAILING GROUP BUYS SHA TIN SITE ................... 7

FREE AFTERNOON CONCERT .................................... 8

PRE-WAR BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS ....................... 9

SECOND REFRESHER COURSE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHERS .................................................. 9

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1979

GOVERNOR IN BEIJING * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, NOW VISITING BEIJING, SPENT THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON MEETING MR. LI QIANG, MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE, AND TOURING THE FORBIDDEN CITY.

HE WILL BE ATTENDING A BANQUET THIS EVENING, GIVEN IN HIS HONOUR BY MR. LI.

TOMORROW AFTERNOON, SIR MURRAY WILL CALL ON MR. HUANG HUA, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

IN THE MORNING, HE WILL VISIT THE GREAT WALL AND MING TOMBS.

THE GOVERNOR WILL SPEND THE EVENING WATCHING THE PERFORMANCES OF A BALLET.

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

$3.3 MILLION PROGRAMME TO BRING COLOUR ETV TO SCHOOLS ******

STUDENTS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMES IN COLOUR FROM THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR.

♦EXISTING BLACK AND WHITE TELEVISION SETS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS WILL BE REPLACED BY COLOUR TELEVISION SETS BY STAGES COMMENCING THIS SUMMER.+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

♦THIS MOVE WILL MAKE EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMES MORE INTERESTING AND EXCITING, AND WILL GREATLY ENHANCE THE TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE PROGRAMMES.♦

BLACK AND WHITE TELEVISION SETS FOR SCHOOLS WERE FIRST INSTALLED IN 1971 AND THESE ARE NOW DUE FOR REPLACEMENT OWING TO THE EXPIRY OF THEIR LIFE-SPAN.

AT THE SAME TIME, A VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO EVERY GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL WHICH ACCOMMODATES TWO OR MORE STREAMS OF PRIMARY 3 TO 6 IN ONE SESSION.

BY USING THESE RECORDERS THE TEACHERS CAN RECORD AND PLAY BACK EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMES AT TIMES CONVENIENT TO THEM.

♦THE INTRODUCTION OF VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS IN SCHOOLS WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF CLASSES WILL REDUCE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TELEVISION SETS REQUIRED.

♦IT WILL ALSO HELP EASE TIMETABLING DIFFICULTIES WHICH MANY SCHOOLS HAVE ENCOUNTERED SINCE SEPTEMBER 1978, AS A RESULT OF THE REDUCTION OF TRANSMISSION AIR-TIME DUE TO THE CLOSURE OF THE COMMERCIAL TELEVISION,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

/IT IS......

TUESDAY, MA8CH 27, 1979

2 -

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 655 COLOUR TELEVISION SETS, 380 VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS AND 3,000 VIDEO CASSETTE TAPES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR. THE TOTAL COST IS ABOUT S3.3 MILLION.

AT PRESENT THERE ARE MORE THAN 700 PRIMARY SCHOOLS USING EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION, WITH AN AUDIENCE OF OVER 340,000 PRIMARY 3 TO 6 STUDENTS.

EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 1971, AND WAS INITIALLY GEARED TO PRIMARY 3 STUDENTS IN BASIC SUBJECTS SUCH AS CHINESE LANGUAGE, ENGLISH LANGUAGE, MATHEMATICS AND SOCIAL STUDIES.

THE SERVICE WAS EXTENDED TO COVER PRIMARY 4, 5 AND 6 BY 1974, AND TO FORMS 1 TO 3 WITH THE ADDITION OF SCIENCE SUBJECT BY 1978.

ALL EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN PRODUCED IN COLOUR SINCE 1976.

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

EXPANSION OF AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM M * X *

THE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM. NOW OPERATING IN WEST KOWLOON, IS TO BE EXPANDED TO COVER EAST KOWLOON.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY MR. K.H. LEE, SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE UNIT OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AT THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON EAST LUNCHEON MEETING.

MR. LEE SAID THE DECISION TO EXPAND THE SYSTEM FOLLOWED AN EVALUATION STUDY CARRIED OUT EARLY LAST YEAR ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FIRST COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC CONTROL SCHEME.

THE FINDINGS INDICATED THAT, AMONG OTHER BENEFITS, THE SCHEME HAD RESULTED IN A 30 PER CENT REDUCTION IN JOURNEY TIME, A 52 PER CENT REDUCTION IN VEHICLE STOPPED TIME AND A 42 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE SPEED OF VEHICLES.

STUDIES CARRIED OUT ON SIMILAR SYSTEMS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD SHOWED A REDUCTION IN GENERAL CONGESTION, IN THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS, IN FUEL CONSUMPTION AND IN POLLUTION, BOTH IN RESPECT OF EXHAUST FUMES AND NOISE.

MR. LEE SAID THAT UNDER THE EXPANSION PLAN, THE SYSTEM WOULD CONTROL OVER 200 SETS OF TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS IN KOWLOON, COMPARED WITH THE EXISTING 114 SETS.

MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD NOT COMPLETELY CURE CONGESTION AS IT WOULD ONLY ENSURE THAT TRAFFIC SIGNALS WERE WELL CONTROLLED, INDIRECTLY PERMITTING THE OPTIMUM UTILISATION OF THE ROAD SPACE AVAILABLE.

HE HOPED THAT ROAD USERS WOULD PLAY THEIR PART IN MINIMISING OTHER CAUSES OF CONGESTION.

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

/3.....

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1979

BUDGET DEBATE RESUMES TOMORROW *****

THE BUDGET DEBATE WILL RESUME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN 10 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS SPEAK ON THE BUDGET PROPOSALS. IT WILL CONTINUE THE FOLLOWING DAY WITH NINE MORE UNOFFICIALS SPEAKING.

TOMORROW’S SPEAKERS ARE THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG, THE HON. LO TAK-SHING, THE HON. ROGER LOBO, THE HON. JAMES WU, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE HON. LI FOOK-WO, THE HON. JOHN BREMRIDGE, THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN, THE HON. ALEX WU AND THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE M. BENNETT.

SPEAKING ON THURSDAY ARE THE HON. CHEN SHOU-LUM, THE HON. LYDIA DUNN, THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING, THE HON. PETER C. WONG, THE HON. WONG LAM, THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG, DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI, THE HON. ALLEN LEE AND THE HON. D.K. NEWBIGGING.

RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WILL BROADCAST THE TWO-DAY RESUMED DEBATE LIVE ON RADIO 4 (ENGLISH), STARTING FROM 2.30 P.M.

- - 0 -

FALL IN VALUE OF HK DOLLAR NOT JUSTIFIED

******

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TONIGHT (TUESDAY) THAT THE SHARP FALL IN THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE LAST FEW DAYS WAS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE UNDERLYING ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HONG KONG.

THE FALL APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN MAINLY CAUSED BY IMPORTERS BUYING U.S. DOLLARS IN ADVANCE OF THEIR REQUIREMENTS AND BY EXPORTERS HOLDING ON TO THEIR EARNINGS OF U.S. DOLLARS AND OTHER CURRENCIES INSTEAD OF OFFERING THEM FOR SALE IN THE MARKET.

ALTHOUGH THIS OCCURS FROM TIME TO TIME IN MOST MARKETS, IT WAS OCCURRING IN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR MARKET AT THE PRESENT TIME ON AN EXAGGERATED SCALE, AND WOULD SOON BE REVERSED.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE SITUATION.

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1979

SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS * * * *

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 OFF CHA KWO LING ROAD, KWUN TONG, KOWLOON.

THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 290 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR STORAGE PURPOSES, INCLUDING VEHICLES AND NURSERY GARDEN.

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

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

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

CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 12.

- - 0 -

OFFICIALS RETURN FROM TRADE TALKS * * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR LAWRENCE MILLS, RETURNED TO HONG KONG AT THE WEEKEND FOLLOWING THREE WEEKS OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS IN EUROPE.

MR MILLS LED DELEGATIONS FOR TALKS WITH THE UNITED stATES AND SWEDEN ON HONG KONG’S TEXTILES EXPORTS TO THOSE COUNTRIES. A NEW TWO-YEAR TEXTILES RESTRAINT AGREEMENT EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1979, WAS CONCLUDED WITH SWEDEN.

THE AGREEMENT, WHICH IS SUBJECT TO RATIFICATION BY BOTH SIDES, PROVIDES FOR SLIGHTLY INCREASED EXPORTS TO SWEDEN OVER THE N^XT TWO YEARS. FULL DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY.

ON HIS TALKS WITH THE UNITED STATES MR MILLS SAID, +THE TWO DELEGATIONS CONTINUED DISUCSS ION ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE PRESENT HONG KONG-U.S. TEXTILES AGREEMENT. HOWEVER, AS TIME DID NOT ALLOW FINALISATION OF ALL POINTS, THE CONSULTATIONS WILL BE RESUMED IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF APRIL.

+THE POSITION REACHED SO FAR WAS REPORTED TO THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD THIS AFTERNOON AND THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WILL BE PREPARING A FURTHER PAPER ON THE MATTER FOR MEMBERS’ CONSIDERATION AT ITS NEXT MEETING.♦

MR. LULLS .....

TUESDAY, MAHCH 27, 1979

MR MILLS DENIED THAT ANY PROPOSALS HAD BEEN DISCUSSED WITH THE UNITED STATES TO CHANGE THE PRESENT CONTROL SYSTEM FROM A QUANTITY BASIS TO A VALUE BASIS.

THE TALKS WITH SWEDEN TOOK PLACE IN COPENHAGEN FROM MARCH 5-9 AND THOSE WITH THE UNITED STATES WERE HELD IN LONDON FROM MARCH 14-21.

MR MILLS ALSO ATTENDED THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL LIAISON MEETING HELD IN LONDON FOR HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVES. THE MEETING, CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR DAVID JORDAN, WAS HELD ON MARCH 12 AND 13.

MR JORDAN, WHO LEFT HONG KONG ON MARCH 9, ALSO VISITED GENEVA, BRUSSELS AND WASHINGTON WHERE HE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH VARIOUS OFFICIALS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN.

MR JORDAN IS DUE BACK IN HONG KONG THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.

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

REGIONALISATION SCHEME WILL IMPROVE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES *****

. THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. E.P HO SAID TODAY HOSFHTAl^ I2ATMCYellcKDcn,G0VERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT-ASSISTED

।JALS IN THE SAME REGION, IT IS POSSIBLE TO FORM AN INTEGRATED NETWORK OF SERVICES AND THUS ACHIEVE A MORE EVEN USE OF HOSPITAL

BEDS.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL EXTENSIONS AT TSUEN WAN, MR. HO SAID YAN CHAI IS A VALUABLE UNIT IN THE HOSPITAL REGIONALISATION SCHEME FOR THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES AND ITS EXPANSION PROGRAMME WILL IN DUE COURSE BE OF SIGNIFICANT HELP TO HOSPITAL SERVICES IN THE REGION.

IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG, MR. HO EXPLAINED, HONG KONG IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR REGIONS, EACH SERVED BY A MAJOR ACUTE REGIONAL HOSPITAL, ONE OR MORE DISTRICT HOSPITALS, ONE OR MORE SPECIALIST CLINICS AND A NUMBER OF GENERAL CLINICS.

♦SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REGIONALISATION SCHEME I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE BED OCCUPANCY RATE IN THE HOSPITAL. THE SCHEME IS STILL IN ITS EARLY STAGES AND THERE SHOULD BE CONTINUED IMPROVEMENTS AND BETTER ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES IN EACH AREA,+ HE ADDED.

SPEAKING OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. HO SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS WELL AWARE OF THE SHORTAGE OF HOSPITAL BEDS THERE, PARTICULARLY IN THE WEST REGION.

/+ .7ITB TH3........

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1°79

6 -

♦WITH THE RAPID GROWTH IN POPULATION IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG THERE IS A PRESSING NEED FOR YAN CHAI TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE ITS SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

+THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS TO KEEP PACE WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES BUT WITH THE STRONG SUPPORT OF HOSPITALS SUCH AS YAN CHAI WITH ITS FAR-SEEING BOARD OF DIRECTORS I BELIEVE WE CAN MEET THE CHALLENGE,+ MR. HO NOTED.

ON YAN CHAI’S EXPANSION PROGRAMME, MR. HO SAID THE FIRST STAGES WILL MAKE IT INTO AN ACUTE DISTRICT HOSPITAL.

+THE OTHER STAGES OF THIS PROJECT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ENDORSED BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON ITS MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

+THE GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING A CAPITAL SUBVENTION OF 75 PER CENT OF THE COST INVOLVED IN IMPLEMENTING THE FIRST PART OF THE PROGRAMME, BUT EVEN THE 25 PER CENT THE DIRECTORS HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO RAISE IS A SUBSTANTIAL EFFORT,* HE ADDED.

IN CONCLUSION, MR. HO ACKNOWLEDGED THE GOVERNMENT’S APPRECIATION OF THE GENEROUS DONATIONS BY THE YAN CHAI CHAIRMAN, MR. WU CHUNG, MR. JOHN TUNG, MRS. CHA CHI-MING AND THE LEE KWONG YIK CLAN, EACH HAVING CONTRIBUTED $500,000 OR MORE TOWARDS THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME.

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PRESIDENT OF COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION TO VISIT HK ******

THE HON. JOHN RICHARD HARRISON, MP, PRESIDENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION AND SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, NEW ZEALAND, WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FOR A TWO-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT.

MR. HARRISON, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, IS VISITING HONG KONG AS PART OF HIS SIX-WEEK TOUR OF MEMBER BRANCHES IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION.

HE WILL BE GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE ASSOCIATION, THE HON. LI FOOK-KOW AND ITS HONORARY SECRETARY, MR. STEPHEN TAM.

MR. HARRISON WILL ATTEND THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THURSDAY WHEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS SPEAK ON THE 1979-80 FINANCIAL BUDGET.

HE WILL ALSO MEET THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER AND THE NEW ZEALAND COMMISSIONER, MR. BART FINNY.

MR. HARRISON WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON THURSDAY EVENING.

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1979

CHING MING — A STATUTORY HOLIDAY ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THURSDAY, APRIL 5, THE DAY OF THE CHING MING FESTIVAL, IS ONE OF THE 10 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS APPOINTED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

MR. HENDERSON EMPHASISED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE APPLIED TO ALL EMPLOYEES WHEREVER THEY MAY WORK.

UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES WITHOUT DISTINCTION, INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $2,000 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY.

THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, FE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY-OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IF THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO BE GRANTED BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYER MUST NOTIFY THE EMPLOYEE 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY.

IN THE CASE WHERE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO BE GIVEN AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE NOTIFIED OF THE ARRANGEMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IF BOTH EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF A STATUTORY HOLIDAY OR ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY MAY BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY.

COMPLAINTS OR ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.

THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE: FOR KOWLOON EAST 3-205638-KOWLOON WEST 3-201652- KWUN TONG 3-898520- TSUEN WAN 12-422096-TUEN MUN 12-818443 EXT. 82 AND HONG KONG ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 60.

MAJOR RETAILING GROUP BUYS SHA TIN SITE ft ft ft ft ft

A MAJOR RETAILING ORGANISATION TODAY (TUESDAY) PAID $26.8 MILLION FOR A SHA TIN NEW TOWN INDUSTRIAL SITE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION.

THE 3,102—SQUARE METRE LOT WAS KNOCKED DOWN TO A.S. WATSON AND CO. LTD. AFTER 32 BIDS HAD RAISED THE OPENING PRICE OF $12.5 MILLION.

/THE COMPANY’S

TUESDAY, MAUCH 27, 1979

THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR. DAVID WILSON WHO ATTENDED THE AUCTION SAID LATER IT WAS INTENDED TO DEVELOP THE FO TAN SITE AS A WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITY FOR WATSON’S RETAILING OPERATIONS.

THE PRICE REALISED WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF $8,639 PER SQUARE KTRE — IN LINE WITH THE PRICES PAID AT AN AUCTION OF INDUSTRIAL SITES IN THE SAME AREA LAST DECEMBER.

THE ACTING SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. DON SMITH WHO CONDUCTED THE AUCTION SAID TODAY’S PRICE REFLECTED AN EMERGING TREND IN WHICH LARGE COMPANIES WERE BUYING SITES IN THE DEVELOPING AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO bEET FUTURE NEEDS.

♦AT THE DECEMBER AUCTION, TWO SITES WITH CONDITIONS STIPULATING HEAVY FLOOR LOADING AND HIGH CEILINGS WERE BOUGHT BY A SILK WEAVING COMPANY, +HE SAID.

♦THE SITE SOLD TODAY WAS A VERY GOOD ONE WITH ENTRANCES ON TWO SIDES AND ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED CYCLE PATH NETWORK THAT WILL EE A MAIN FEATURE OF THE NEW TOWN,+ HE SAID.

♦INDUSTRIALISTS AND BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONSCIOUS OF THE ADVANTAGES OF SHA TIN, WITH ITS READY ACCESS TO BOTH THE URBAN AREAS AND THE OTHER DEVELOPING AREAS OF THE NEW TERR I TOR IES.+

MR. SMITH ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO SELL ANOTHER THREE INDUSTRIAL SITES AT FO TAN BY TENDER TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.

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

FREE AFTERNOON CONCERT X M X X M

THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE WILL GIVE A FREE CONCERT AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL CONCOURSE ON SUNDAY (APRIL 1) FROM 3 P.M. TO 4.30 P.M. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

PERFORMING IN THE CONCERT WILL BE THE INSTRUCTOR’S ORCHESTRA FROM THE OFFICE, CONDUCTED BY MR. THOMAS WANG.

THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE SOME FAMOUS PIECES SUCH AS +BLUE DANUBE*, +VOICES OF SPRING* AND EXCERPTS FROM *THE SOUND OF MUSIC*.

IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE BALLET DANCES AND A FILM SHOW ENTITLED ♦FESTIVE VIENNA*.

THE CONCERT IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE AUSTRIAN CONSULATE GENERAL AND THE AUSTRIAN TOURIST ASSOCIATION.

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PRE-WAR BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS

*****

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED THE TWO-STOREY BUILDING BEHIND 74-76 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI, NEW TERRITORIES, TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID THE PRE-WAR BUILDING, CONSTRUCTED WITH A PITCHED TIMBER ROOF ON LOAD-BEARING WALLS, WAS RECENTLY INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE IN AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DILAPIDATION.

♦AS IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THE BUILDING,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON APRIL 10 WAS POSTED TODAY.

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SECOND REFRESHER COURSE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHERS *******

TEACHERS OF ENGLISH FROM GOVERNMENT AND SUBSIDISED PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR THE SECOND REFRESHER COURSE TO RUN FROM APRIL 23 TO JULY 12.

THE COURSE, ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AIMS AT IMPROVING TEACHERS' ORAL PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH AND DEVELOPING THEIR COMMUNICATION SKILLS.

♦THE BRITISH COUNCIL HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED TO CONDUCT THE COURSE, WHICH IS LIMITED TO 50 APPLICANTS ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS. THE COST WILL BE BORNE BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 6 AND INTERESTED ENGLISH TEACHERS SHOULD APPLY THROUGH THEIR HEADS OF SCHOOLS.

SHOULD THE COURSE BE OVER SUBSCRIBED, UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE PLACED ON A RESERVE LIST OF ANY FUTURE COURSES WHICH MAY BE HELD.

THE FIRST REFRESHER COURSE, WHICH STARTED ON JANUARY 8, IS DUE TO END ON APRIL 3. A TOTAL OF 50 TEACHERS JOINED THE COURSE.

WATER CUT * *

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT WATER SUPPLY TO TSING Yl ISLAND WILL EE SUSPENDED FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M. ON THURSDAY FOR MAINS DIVERSION WORK AT TEXACO ROAD-YEUNG UK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR MEETS CHINA’S MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ... 1

CALL FOR GOVT TO SET UP 'THINK TANK’ .................... 1

PEOPLE — HK’S ONE GREAT ASSET IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 5

CALL TO USE SURPLUSES TO AID INDUSTRIES ................. 7

LOANS FOR INDUSTRIALISTS SUGGESTED ...................... 9

VIEWS ON COMPULSORY EDUCATION .......................... 11

CALL ON GENERAL LEVY TO FINANCE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING .. 13

SUPPORT FOR CUTBACKS IN PUBLIC SPENDING ................ 15

PLEA ON CREATION OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BANK ........ 17

WATER SUPPLY CONTRACT SIGNED ........................... 18

PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHING EXPERIENCE FULLY RECOGNISED .. 19

S2O.8 MILLION TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT SIGNED .. 20

RETURN VISIT OF SPECIAL POLICE ADVISERS ................ 21

ACTING GOVERNOR TO OPEN SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE ......... 21

HK POST OFFICE DELEGATION RETURNS ...................... 22

TWO SWD REHABILITATION CENTRES TO HOLD JOINT OPEN DAY 22

INAUGURATION OF SCOUT GROUP AT BOYS’ HOME .............. 23

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY ......... 24

WATER CUT............................................... 24

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

GOVERNOR MEETS CHINA’S MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, NOW IN PEKING ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT, IS EXPECTED TO CALL ON A STATE LEADER TOMORROW (THURSDAY) MORNING.

IN THE AFTERNOON, SIR MURRAY WILL MEET MR. HUANG HUA, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND THE VICE-MINISTER OF RAILWAYS.

THE GOVERNOR WILL HOLD A RETURN BANQUET IN HONOUR OF MR. LI QIANG, MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE, IN THE RESIDENCE OF MR. PERCY CRADOCK, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO CHINA.

HE WILL LEAVE PEKING 'ON FRIDAY MORNING FOR S>AN.

THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING, THE GOVERNOR CALLED ON THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF TRAVEL, MR. LI XUZHANG, AND FOUND TIME TO VISIT THE OFFICES OF SUN HUNG KAI AND JARDINES.

IN THE AFTERNOON, SIR MURRAY WILL VISIT THE GREAT WALL AND MING TOMBS AND WILL ATTEND A BALLET PERFORMANCE (SWAN LAKE) IN THE EVENING.

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

CALL FOR GOVT TO SET UP ’THINK TANK’ * * * *

THE HON. JOHN BREMRIDGE SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SET UP A +THINK TANK* TO COPE WITH ITS GROWING MANAGEMENT ROLE, WHEN HE COMMENTED ON THE BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID THE PRESSURES ON SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS, WHO HAVE TO BE BOTH MINISTERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, ARE ENORMOUS AND HE WONDERED IF THEY HAVE ENOUGH TIME, +ANY TIME — FOR BROODING, FOR LATERAL THINKING, FOR REAL INNOVATION.*

HE SUGGESTED THAT IT MIGHT BE USEFUL TO HAVE REPORTING TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OR THE CHIEF SECRETARY, *A GROUP OF TWO OR THREE YOUNGISH BUT EXPERIENCED HONG KONG-BORN ADMINISTRATIVE GRADE OFFICERS WHOSE FULL TIME JOB OVER A THREE-YEAR POSTING WOULD BE TO THINK FORWARD AND SIDEWAYS EITHER AS SELF STARTERS OR ON GIVEN PROJECTS BUT WITHOUT ADMINISTRATIVE CHORES.*

MR. BREMR IDGE SET FORTH HIS OWN THINKING ON A NUMBER OF FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES ON WHICH, HE SAID, THERE CANNOT BE EXTREME BLACK OR WHITE VIEWS BUT WHICH ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO COMMON SENSE +GRAY* SOLUTIONS,

VEHICLE TAXATION

HE SAID HE REJECTS THE EQUITY OR LOGIC OF CONTROLLING ROAD USAGE BY LICENCE COST OR FIRST REGISTRATION TAX. MOREOVER HE THOUGHT WORKERS MUST BE GIVEN THE INCENTIVE OF CAR OWNERSHIP.

/♦LET US

'.7EDN3SDAY, ?&RCH 28, 1979

- 2 -

+LET US THEREFORE CONSIDER POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE TAXES ON USAGE NOT POSSESSION, AND ON CONTROLS ON AREAS AND TIMES IN PARTICULAR AND NOT IN GENERAL,* HE SAID.

THERE IS A PROPOSAL NOW IN THE U.K. FOR ABANDONING VEHICLE LICENCES IN FAVOUR OF FUEL TAX, AND THERE ARE STRONG ARGUMENTS FOR MEASURES DESIGNED DELIBERATELY TO LIMIT FUEL CONSUMPTION.

ROAD TOLLS

MR. BREMRIDGE SAID HE COULD SEE NO PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ABERDEEN AND LION ROCK TUNNELS, AND THE TUEN MUN FREEWAY AND COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE GOVERNMENT’S REFUSAL TO CONSIDER TOLLS FOR THE LATTER WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.

WHILE THERE IS SOME VALIDITY TO ARGUMENTS THAT THE ROAD USER SHOULD NOT PAY FOR UNIQUE FACILITIES IN ADDITION TO NORMAL ROAD TAXES, ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO THE $438 MILLION TUEN MUN FREEWAY ARE AVAILABLE AS ARE THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL.

HE THOUGHT IT IMPROVIDENT NOT TO CHARGE TOLLS SO THAT THE RUNNING COST AND FULL AMORTISATION OF THESE FACILITIES CAN FALL ON THE USER AND NOT PURELY AND SIMPLY ON THE TAXPAYER.

CUTTING THE CIVIL SERVICE

MR. BREMRIDGE SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE, WHICH IS VERY OVER-STRETCHED AT THIS JUNCTION, CAN DO WITH A LITTLE PERSONNEL SHRINKAGE.

HE ASKED FOR A FRESH LOOK AT POSSIBLE AREAS OF DEVOLUTIONi THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, COMPUTERS, AIRPORT MANAGEMENT, WATER SUPPLIES, THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, HARBOUR MANAGEMENT, AND REFUSE DISPOSAL.

HE SAID SOME OF THESE COULD PERHAPS BE SOLD OFF TO COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OR SET UP AS QUASI GOVERNMENT CORPORATIONS, RESULTING IN MAJOR SAVINGS AND A TIGHTER AND MORE COMPETENT CIVIL SERVICE, AND HELPING IN SALARY GRADING EXERCISES.

LAND SHORTAGE

MR. BREMRIDGE THOUGHT THE POSSIBILITY OF RECLAIMING VAST TRACTS OF LAND, INVOLVING PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, CAN BE FURTHER STUDIED. FURTHERMORE, THERE ARE STILL ALL THE UNTILLED PADDY LYING FALLOW IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

WEDNESDAY, KARCH 28, 1979

WHILE HE KNEW THAT MUCH IS BEING DONE ABOUT LAND SHORTAGE, WHICH CAUSES MANY OF THE UNDERLYING PROBLEMS OF HONG KONG, HE WONDERED IF THE TARGETS OF NEW LAND PROVISION WERE GENEROUS ENOUGH AND WHETHER THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION WAS SATISFIED.

NEW AIRPORT

MR. BREMRIDGE SAID THE TIMING OF A DECISION ON A NEW AIRPORT IS HIGHLY POLEMICAL AND THERE IS INDICATION FOR +A SPRINKLE OF COLD WATER.+ WHILE IT IS OBVIOUS THAT A NEW AIRPORT WOULD BENEFIT HOTELS, AIRLINES, THE TOURIST INDUSTRY, AND PR IMA FACIE THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, AND WOULD IMPROVE THE ECOLOGY AND AVOID THE CONSEQUENCES OF A CRASH AT KAI TAK, IT WILL HAVE TO BE SET AGAINST THE CLAIMS OF PUBLIC HOUSING, BETTER TRANSPORT, BETTER SCHOOLS AND ABOVE ALL LESS INFLATION CAUSED BY HEAVY GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

FERRY PIERS

MR. BREMRIDGE ASKED WHY THE FERRY PIERS IN ALL CASES WERE PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYER AND NOT BY THE FERRY COMPANIES. THE COMPANIES COULD HAVE RECOVERED THE COST FAIRLY BY IMAGINATIVE BUILDING OF COMMERCIAL PREMISES OR HIGHER FARES. THERE IS NOW A DISGRACEFUL WASTE AT THE STAR FERRY WHERE HALF OF THE VALUABLE AND EXPENSIVE PIERS ARE LYING EMPTY AND UNUSED.

LUXURY TAXES

IF IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO INCREASE TAXATION OR TO FIND NEW FORMS OF TAX +TO BALANCE FURTHER VERY NECESSARY MIDDLE CLASS BENEFITS,* MR. BREMRIDGE SUGGESTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY CONSIDER FURTHER SUMPTUARY TAXATION.

HE SAID SUCH TAXES ALREADY EXIST FOR WINES, SPIRITS AND TOBACCO BUT SUGGESTED THAT OTHERS, WHICH WILL BE RELATIVELY PAINLESS TO THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR POPULATION, CAN BE INTRODUCED, ON EXPENSIVE MOTOR CARS, PERFUMES, HOTEL ROOM RATES, JEWELLERY, PRIVATE SWIMMING POOLS, OVERSEAS TRAVEL BY WAY OF INCREASED AIRPORT TAX, AND IMPORTED PLEASURE BOATS.

HE SAID ANOTHER POSSIBILITY WORTH INVESTIGATING, THOUGH REJECTED ELSEWHERE, IS THE TAXATION OF ADVERTISING EXPENDITURE, WHICH SEEMS IDEALLY COUNTER-INFLATIONARY.

STOCK EXCHANGES

MR. BREMRIDGE BELIEVED THAT THE TIME HAS COME TO IMPOSE STRICTER CONDITIONS ON MARGINAL TRANSACTIONS AND SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUED EFFORT TO PRESS FOR ONE UNIFIED STOCK EXCHANGE.

'CTN2SDAY, 7JLHCH 26, 1979

4 -

HE CALLED FOR TIGHTER CONTROL AS WELL OVER THE LIQUIDITY CF BOTH DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES AND INSURANCE COMPANIES.

LAND HOLDINGS OF UTILITIES

FRANCHISED UTILITIES CAN SEPARATE THEIR SURPLUS LAND HOLDINGS TO THE PROFIT OF THEIR SHAREHOLDERS. MEANWHILE THEY CAN SUCCESSFULLY APPLY FOR INCREASED RATES ON GROUNDS OF OSTENSIBLY DROPPING PROFITS ON THEIR MONOPOLY OR FRANCHISE OPERATIONAL POSITION.

MR. BREMRIDGE SAID THIS POLICY IS WRONG AND SHOULD BE CHANGED, EVEN IF BY NOW MOST OF THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE.

BUS SERVICES

HE SUGGESTED THAT WITH BUS SERVICES, BIGGER IS NOT BETTER, AND THAT IT IS TIME AT LEAST TO CONSIDER NEW FRANCHISES FOR NEW COMPANIES.

IN RIO DE JANEIRO, HE SAID, A CITY WITH EQUIVALENT TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, BUS COMPANIES COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER ON THE SAME ROUTES OFFERING DIFFERENT FARE STANDARDS WITH SEEMING EFFICIENCY.

CROSS HARBOUR CONNECTIONS

MR. BREMRIDGE THOUGHT THE NEED FOR ANOTHER, PROBABLY WESTERN, CROSS HARBOUR LINK WITH THE NECESSARY ROAD CONNECTIONS IS SELF-EVIDENT, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE INSUFFICIENCY OF THE EXISTING TUNNEL AT CERTAIN TIMES OF DAY.

HE SAID SOME PRIORITY FOR THIS IS INDICATED, AND NOTED THE TIME THE GOVERNMENT PROCESS TAKES — A CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL WAS FIRST PROPOSED IN 1948.

MR. BREMRIDGE SAID ALL HIS PROPOSALS ARE NOT LIKELY TO COST MUCH EXCEPT-THE.ONE for another cross-harbour link, which in the PRIVATE SECTOR WILL BE SELF-AMORTISING. INSTEAD THEY OFFER HIGH POTENTIAL RETURNS.

HE SAID HIS COMMENTS MAY SHOW ONLY +HOW MUCH EASIER IT IS TO BE A CRITIC THAN TO BE CORRECT* AND HE +WREATHED HIS ROD OF CRITICISM WITH ROSES* BY PAYING TRIBUTE TO SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS, NOT LEAST THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WHO WORK LONGER HOURS FOR LESS REWARD THAN THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, FOR WHICH THEY REGULARLY GET CRITICISED, USUALLY WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

PEOPLE — HK’S ONE GREAT ASSET IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT * * * *

IT IS A GREAT PITY THAT THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SERVICES, WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE MUCH WORSE BY TREMENDOUS ARTIFICIAL GROWTH IN OUR POPULATION, IS TO BE RESTRAINED FOR PURELY ECONOMIC REASONS, THE HON. ROGER LOBO SAID IN COMMENTING ON THE BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S OWN PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 1979-80 ONWARDS OF SOME 40-45,000 FLATS A YEAR, WHICH WAS ALREADY REVISED FOR VARIOUS REASONS, INCLUDING THE CAPACITY CF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, IS TO BE LOWERED TO 35,000 FLATS.

HE SAID OUR ONE GREAT ASSET IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS OUR PEOPLE AND UPPERMOST IN MOST OF THEIR MINDS IS HOUSING, WHICH MEANS MUCH MORE THAN A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.

♦HOUSING MEANS FAMILY UNITY- IT MEANS PEACE OF MIND AND SECURITY- IT MEANS IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE- IT MEANS A CHANCE TO STUDY BETTER, TO WORK BETTER AND TO LIVE WITH SELF-RESPECT,* HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT ALTHOUGH THE TARGET PRODUCTION CF FLATS HAD TO BE LOWERED AS PART OF A DELIBERATE PLAN TO PROTECT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY EARMARKED FOR HOUSING HAS ACTUALLY BEEN INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT.

THE LEVEL OF PRODUCTION IS HIGH BY ANY STANDARDS AND WILL REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY AND A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT FROM ALL CONCERNED, HE SAID.

TO DATE, 1,915,711 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ACCOMMODATED IN PUBLIC HOUSING. OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, 142,220 PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS, INCLUDING 25,400 UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WOULD BE PROVIDED, WHILE ON THE PRESENT WAITING LIST THERE ARE 143,000 APPLICATIONS FOR FLATS.

TO US WHO KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT HOUSING, THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE WAITING LIST CAN BE WIPED OUT- THE FIGURES IN REALITY TELL US WHAT A LONG PROGRAMME IT IS STILL BEFORE US AND THE TIGHT SITUATION WILL GET TIGHTER WITH THE PRESS OF IMMIGRATION, H?. LOBO SAID.

♦IF WE ACCEPT THE NEED NOW TO CUT BACK FOR PURELY ECONOMIC REASONS, WE SHOULD ACCEPT FOR GOOD SOCIAL REASONS THE NEED FOR A FIRM COMMITMENT FROM GOVERNMENT THAT RESOURCES WILL BE PROVIDED TO REACH THE TARGET, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN SET.

♦ON THIS MINIMUM FIGURE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL BE ABLE TO DO THE NECESSARY FORWARD PLANNING AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL BE ABLE TO SEE CLEARLY THE PART WHICH THEY WILL HAVE TO PLAY IN MEETING PUBLIC DEMAND.+ HE SAID.

. 0 - xi—H uLMPIiXj

TfSDNESDAY, LIARCH 28, f°79

- 6 -

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE HEAVY PRESSURE ON OUR SOCIAL SERVICES IS TO BE FOUND IN OVERCROWDING HOSPITALS, WHERE CAMP BEDS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETELY ELIMINATED, MR. LOBO CONTINUED.

HE THOUGHT THE PROBLEM IS MAINLY DUE TO OUR OWN POLICY OF INSTANT ADMISSION TO A REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF EVERY QUALIFYING CASE, AND IS MADE WORSE IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCIES WHEN CASUALTIES FROM ACCIDENTS HAVE TO BE HANDLED.

HE SAID IT IS IRONIC THAT THIS RESULTS FROM A MORE LIBERAL POLICY THAN IN, FOR EXAMPLE, THE U.K. WHERE PATIENTS ARE SIMPLY NOT ADMITTED AT ALL |F THE BEDS ARE OCCUPIED.

THE PROBLEM IS NOT GOING TO BE ELIMINATED IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND MUST BE AGGRAVATED BY THE RAPID ARTIFICIAL INCREASE IN POPULATION.

♦ IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE SHOULD CONSIDER ENLARGING THE COMMUNITY NURSING SCHEME WHICH HAS POTENTIAL BEYOND ITS PRESENT SCOPE.

+WE CAN ALSO RE-EXAMINE THE CASE FOR CONVALESCENT HOMES OR 'SOME OTHER FORM OF HALF-WAY HOUSE’,+ HE SAID.

MR. LOBO ALSO SPOKE OUT FOR MIDDLE-CLASS TAX-PAYERS WHOM HE DESCRIBED AS THE +CLASS IN THE MIDDLE.*

♦THEY HAVE NOT BEEN THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES OF PUBLIC PROGRAMMES BUT HAVE CERTAINLY NOT BEEN RICH ENOUGH TO ESCAPE THE EFFECTS OF RECENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS,* HE SAID.

HE SAID THEY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO COPE WITH HIGH RENTS AND WHO HAVE TO USE BADLY-RUN FRANCHISED SERVICES.

THEY ARE OBLIGED, NOT ONLY BY CONVENTION BUT FOR THE SAKE CF THEIR EMPLOYMENT, TO DRESS LESS CASUALLY. THEY ARE THOSE WHO PAY RATES AND PERSONAL INCOME TAX WITHOUT ANY MEANS OF SHIFTING ANY PART OF THAT BURDEN.

♦ THEY ARE BEING SQUEEZED BETWEEN THE POOR AND THE RICH AND, IN REAL TERMS, MANY OF THEM MAY NOT BE ANY BETTER OFF THAN THOSE WHO NOW ENJOY SOCIAL BENEFITS AND PUBLIC HOUSING, OR THE WELL-PAID CASUAL WORKERS WHO PAY NO TAX,+ HE SAID.

WHILE HE WELCOMED THE MODEST RELIEF IN TAXATION PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, HE HOPED THAT WHEN OUR PLANS CAN BE REVIEWED IN MORE FAVOURABLE CIRCUMSTANCES THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS OF THIS GROUP OF +SILENT AND LOYAL+ PEOPLE.

ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PROPOSAL FOR INCREASED CHARGES ON FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT REGISTRATIONS OF MOTOR VEHICLES, MR. LOBO SAID HE FAILED TO UNDERSTAND WHY PRIVATE BUSES OR COACHES, WHICH OCCUPY MUCH ROAD SPACE AND STOP ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE, HAVE BEEN SPARED.

ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT HAVE STRONG VIEWS ON THE MATTER, HE WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A GOOD REASON FOR THE ANOMALY.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

CALL TO USE SURPLUSES TO AID INDUSTRIES *******

THE GOVERNMENT WAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED TO STUDY IF SOME OF THE HUGE ACCUMULATED SURPLUSES AND THOSE FORTHCOMING IN THE YEAR AHEAD COULD BE CHANNELLED INTO PRODUCTIVE PURPOSES.

SUGGESTING THIS AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON. JAMES M.H. WU SAID THE SURPLUSES COULD BE USED IN THE WAY OF INDUSTRIAL LOANS AT SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER BUT STILL MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE INTEREST RATES THAT CURRENT ACCOUNT DEPOSITS IN BANKS OFFER.

♦ I BELIEVE OUR EXISTING BANKING SYSTEM HAS THE EXPERTISE AND FACILITIES TO ADMINISTER THIS OPERATION ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND AT ITS DIRECTION, WITHOUT THE SETTING UP OF AN INDUSTRIAL BANK,* HE OBSERVED.

CITING SOME OF THE WAYS SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN HAVE TAKEN TO FINANCE THEIR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, MR. WU SAIDi +OUR GOVERNMENT SURPLUSES HAD BEEN DEPOSITED IN COMMERCIAL BANKS WHICH IN TURN LENT TO THE PROPERTY AND SPECULATIVE MARKETS, AS WELL AS OVERSEAS, AGGRAVATING THE INFLATIONARY TREND AND WEAKENING THE DOLLAR.*

EARLIER, MR. WU POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSED ANTI-INFLATION MEASURES +WERE THE VERY POINTS THAT FEATURED SIGNIFICANTLY IN MY SPEECHES IN THIS COUNCIL AND AT THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS.*

♦FOR THIS REASON I DO NOT INTEND TO BE REPET ITIOUS,♦ « SAID. +SUFFICE TO SAY, WHAT I HAD MENTIONED ABOUT THE SPECULATIVE ATMOSPHERE, THE PROPENSITY TO SPEND, THE RAPIDLY WIDENING TRADE DEFICIT, THE DE FACTO DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND THE SPIRALLING INFLATION HAVE NOW DEVELOPED TO SUCH AN ALARMED STAGE THAT OFFICIALDOM HAS AT LAST BEEN STUNNED INTO BELATED ACTION IN THE HOPE OF REMEDYING THE SITUATION.♦

MR. WU SAID THE QUESTION NOW IS WHETHER WHAT HAVE BEEN PLANNED AND INDEED IMPLEMENTED ARE ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULTS.

HE THEN CITED THE FOLLOWING +RAPID DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS THAT HAVE SO MUCH AFFECTED THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WHICH IS SUCH A VITAL PART OF OUR ECONOMY.♦

* THE DEVELOPMENT IN IRAK THAT THREATENED AN INTERRUPTION OF OIL SUPPLY AND CAUSED SHARP INCREASE IN OIL PRICES .........

/*THS 5H0HTAG3.....

7EDN3SDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

- 8

* THE SHORTAGE OF SUPPLY, AND SPECULATIVE PRICE INCREASES OF VITAL INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS SUCH AS PLASTICS AND METALS ETC.

* THE RAPID RISE OF INTEREST RATES IN HONG KONG, FROM 4.75 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER 1978 TO 11 PER CENT IN MARCH 1979, THUS GREATLY INCREASING OVERHEAD AND PRODUCTION COSTS.

* THE EFFECTIVE DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR TO AS MUCH AS FIVE PER CENT IN TWO MONTHS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO QUOTE FIRM PRICES AGAINST ENQUIRIES FOR FUTURE ORDERS.

X THE CHRONIC AND DETERIORATING LABOUR SHORTAGE THAT NOW RENDERS MOST FACTORIES UNDER-STAFFED BY AS MUCH AS 20 TO 30 PER CENT.

MR. WU SAID THESE ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS CONFRONTING LOCAL INDUSTRIES THAT WORK ON VERY CLOSE MARGINS, AND WHAT IS REALLY WORRYING IS THAT THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN THE HONG KONG ENVIRONMENT HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENTS.

♦ONE ONLY HAS TO LOOK AT OUR STOCK MARKETS WHERE PROPERTY SHARES DOMINATE AND WHERE SPECULATION HAD BEEN FUELLED BY EASY MONEY AT LOW INTEREST RATE.

♦WHILST THE RECENT RISE IN INTEREST RATE IS BEGINNING TO DISCOURAGE THE STOCK MARKET, ITS DETERRING EFFECT ON INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IS PERHAPS EVEN GREATER, IN VIEW OF THE SITUATIONS LISTED ABOVE.

♦ IN THE MEANTIME, THERE ARE ATTRACTIONS SUCH AS CERTIFICATE CF DEPOSITS IN U.S., EURO OR ASIAN DOLLARS THAT YIELD TAX-FREE INTEREST RATES THAT ARE HIGHER THAN THOSE OBTAINABLE IN HONG KONG. I BELIEVED NO SMALL AMOUNT OF HONG KONG MONEY HAS GONE OVERSEAS IN THIS WAY ALONE AND SO ERODED THE EXCHANGE RATE,+ HE ADDED.

DIFFICULT AND IMPORTANT THE ROLE LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS PLAY IN THE COMMUNITY, MR. WU CONTINUED, IT MAY NOT BE UNFAIR TO SAY THEIR VIEWPOINTS ARE SELDOM APPRECIATED AND ENCOURAGEMENT FORTHCOMING.

♦ INDEED,♦ HE *DDED>^GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE SO USED TO THIS SO CALLED ’HANDS FREE’ POLICY THAT EVEN IN RECENT DIVERSIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS, A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE STILL SEEMED TO PREVAIL IN THAT MEASURES TAKEN AND PROVEN SUCCESSFUL BY OUR COMPETITORS GOT BRUSHED ASIDE WITHOUT MUCH SCRUTINY, AS THESE WERE CONSIDERED NOT RELEVANT AND IMPRACTICABLE IN THE HONG KONG SENSE.

♦ THUS WE DWELL OURSELVES IN COMPLACENCY, REMINISCENT CF HOW WELL WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST, AND OBLIVIOUS TO THE PROGRESS MADE BY OUR COMPETITORS WHO HAVE NOW OVERTAKEN US IN A BROADER INDUSTRIAL BASE AND IN TOTAL EXPORT VALUE AND THEIR GROWTH IS STILL SURGING FORWARD AT TREMENDOUS RATES.♦

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/9 •

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

LOANS FOR INDUSTRIALISTS SUGGESTED * * * *

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT AN ORGANISATION SIMILAR TO THE HONG KONG BUILDING AND LOAN AGENCY BE SET UP TO HELP INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES BUY FACTORY PREMISES AND EXPENSIVE CAPITAL INTENSIVE MACHINERY.

SUCH AN INSTITUTION WILL HAVE TO BE FUNDED INITIALLY BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE BANKING SECTOR. REPAYMENTS CAN BE FOR OVER 10 TO 15 YEARS AT PRIME OR NEAR PRIME INTEREST RATES.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF AN IMPORT-EXPORT BANK IN HONG KONG, WHICH MAY NOT BE PRACTICAL IN OUR ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT, THE NEED FOR SUCH A NON-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION IS ALL TOO OBVIOUS.

THE GOVERNMENT COULD ALSO PLAY A MORE SOPHISTICATED ROLE IN THE EXCHANGE FUND, ITS NEAREST EQUIVALENT TO A CENTRAL BANK, IN STIMULATING TIMELY REALLOCATION OF RESOURCES OR CREDIT SO THAT HONG KONG’S EXPORT-ORIENTED ECONOMY WOULD BE LESS IMPERILLED, HE ADDED.

ONE OTHER WAY THE GOVERNMENT COULD HELP, MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID, IS TO ACCELERATE THE THIRD FIVE-YEAR PLAN OF THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WITHOUT WAITING FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION REPORT.

WHILE THE REPORT WILL ONLY BE READY IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS YEAR, THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN OUR INDUSTRIES REMAINS AS URGENT AS EVER, HE SAID.

HE REGRETTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DID NOT OFFER ANY SIGNIFICANT PROPOSALS TO STIMULATE OUR EXPORT-ORIENTED ECONOMY.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE BEST WAY TO DAMPEN INFLATION IS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.

♦TO GO ABOUT IT, WE SHOULD GIVE WORKERS BETTER TRAINING, MORE UP-TO-DATE TOOLS TO BE USED EFFICIENTLY SO THAT THEY CAN TURN OUT MORE AND BETTER QUALITY GOODS WITHOUT EXTRA TIME OR EFFORT,♦ HE SAID.

HE SAID THE PLANNING AND EXPANSION OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, ALSO, MUST NOT BE PULLED BACK AND IT WOULD BE WISE TO PROVIDE UNIVERSAL EDUCATION UP TO THE AGE OF 16 BY THE MID-80’S AND TO PROVIDE MORE TEACHING FACILITIES FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN

THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HE HAD SUGGESTIONS ON OTHER TOPICS NOT RELATED TO THE ECONOMY.

ON GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR A SECOND AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID AN ALTERNATIVE SITE ACROSS THE SHUM CHUN BORDER COULD BE CONSIDERED IN GREATER DEPTH WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF CHINA.

/ A OKhT,

7SDNESDAY, KARCH 28, 1979

10 -

SUCH A ONE, WHICH WOULD BE USED AS A SECOND AIRPORT, COULD BE LESS EXPENSIVE AND WOULD SERVE PARTICULARLY THE TWO MILLION RESIDENTS WHO WILL BE LIVING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BY THE END OF THE 1980’S.

SINCE BUDGET FARE TRAVEL IS NOW A COMMON PHENOMENON, HE ALSO ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE THE LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS OF TOURISM FOR HONG KONG, AND ITS PART IN THE HONG KONG ECONOMY IN REAL TERMS.

AS A MEASURE TO ALLAY +INCREASING SIGNS OF RESTIVENESS WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE,+ MR. CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS A SET OF PRODUCTIVITY GUIDE-LINES CAN BE WORKED OUT WHICH WOULD BE REALISTIC AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS GENERALLY.

A SYSTEM OF PRODUCTIVITY BONUSES COULD ALSO BE DEVISED FOR THOSE WHO ARE PROFESSIONALS, TO OVERCOME RECRUITMENT PROBLEMS, HE SAID.

HE THOUGHT MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE AND WILLING TO PAY INCOME TAX ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE NOT BEEN APPROACHED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND SUGGESTED THEREFORE THAT IT CASTS ITS TAX NET WIDER BY SENDING NOTICES TO SUPPLY INFORMATION ON INCOME TO ALL RESIDENTS WHO ARE OVER 18 OR 21 AND WHO HOLD IDENTITY CARDS.

INFLATION SHOULD BE CURBED WITH MORE PUBLIC SUPPORT AND MR. CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT EXPLAIN THIS IN SIMPLE AND PRACTICAL TERMS TO THE PUBLIC WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ESTABLISHING A PREMIUM SAVINGS BOND SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE SAVINGS.

THE BONDS COULD BE IN DENOMINATIONS OF SAY $50, $100, $500 AND $1,000 AND AN ATTRACTIVE INTEREST RATE OF ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT COULD BE OFFERED.

HE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS A BALLOT COULD BE HELD EVERY MONTH OR EVERY THREE MONTHS IN WHICH THE SELECTED NUMBERS WOULD DIVIDE UP THE ACCUMULATED INTEREST TAX FREE, WHILE THOSE NUMBERS NOT DRAWN WILL HAVE TO FOREGO RECEIVING ANY INTEREST.

THE OVERHEATED DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET COULD BE COOLED DOWN BY INCREASING DOWN PAYMENT FROM 30 TO 50 PER CENT AND REDUCING THE PAYMENT PERIOD FROM 10 TO FIVE YEARS.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID HONG KONG’S FUTURE WOULD NEED TO BE PROJECTED IN SPECIFIC PLANNING TERMS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION, PRODUCTIVITY AND MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT, TRANSFER OF RESOURCES TO TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED AND CAPITAL-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES, AND COMBINATION OF HONG KONG’S MARKETING AND TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED RESOURCES WITH CHINA’S MANPOWER.

HE HOPED THERE WOULD BE MORE FLEXIBLE INTERFACING BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION’S FIVE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND THE FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL FORECAST, IN BOTH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTAL TERMS.

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

/II .

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

VIEWS ON COMPULSORY EDUCATION * * * *

THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT, SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DREW THE GOVERNMENT’S ATTENTION TO PROBLEMS ARISING FROM ITS INCLUSION OF MORE SCHOOLS INTO THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO MEET ITS TARGETS FOR 'NINE YEARS’ FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS BROUGHT INTO THE SECTOR IN 1978 WAS 58, AND THIS YEAR THERE WILL BE 65, NEXT YEAR 77 AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT 82.

HOWEVER, THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS TO COPE WITH THE MASSIVE PROBLEMS INVOLVED. NEITHER HAS THERE BEEN MORE PROVISION FOR OTHER BACK-UP SERVICES, SUCH AS SHORT IN-SERVICE COURSES FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF TEACHING, VISUAL-AIDS AND LIBRARY SERVICES.

FURTHERMORE, ALTHOUGH VERBAL PROMISES HAVE BEEN MADE FROM TIME TO TIME THAT THERE IS ACTIVE CONSIDERATION TO IMPROVE THE STAFFING OF SCHOOLS WITH FLOATING CLASSES, THE ESTIMATES DO NOT SHOW ANY PROVISION FOR INCREASE IN SCHOOL PERSONNEL — LABORATORY TECHNICIANS, LIBRARIANS AND TEACHERS — TO IMPROVE THE CLASS-TEACHER RATIO.

SHE SAID GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN VERY WILLING IN IMPLEMENTING REQUESTS FOR MORE CLASSES, BUT THEY HAVE HOPED FOR SOME RELIEF IN RETURN.

MANY OF THEM WOULD PREFER THE GOVERNMENT SPEND ITS MONEY THIS WAY THAN ON ABOLISHING TONG FAI OR SUBSCRIPTIONS, SHE ADDED.

MISS BENNETT SAID SHE WAS DISTURBED TO DISCOVER THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT IS KNOWN TO HAVE COMMITTED ITSELF TO A POLICY OF PROVIDING NINE YEARS’ FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION, THERE ARE STILL 178 DAY-TIME PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS EDUCATING OVER 74,000 CHILDREN UNDER 1,828 UNTRAINED TEACHERS.

SHE WAS TOLD BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION THAT 153 GRADUATES ARE EXPECTED THIS YEAR FROM THE IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE FOR THESE TEACHERS, 103 GRADUATES IN 1980, 94 GRADUATES IN 1981 AND NO FIRM NUMBER AFTERWARDS.

SHE THEREFORE AGAIN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO BE MORE POSITIVE IN ITS APPROACH TO TRAINING THESE TEACHERS AND NOT STOPPING ANY COURSES.

SHE ASKED FOR A RE-EXAMINATION OF THE PARITY PRINCIPLE IN FINANCING ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOLS.

SHE SAID THIS IS ADMITTEDLY A MINORITY QUESTION BUT SHE BELIEVED A COMMUNITY WILL EE JUDGED ON HOW IT TREATS ITS MINOR IT IES.

SHS......

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

- 12 -

WHILE SHE BELIEVED THAT HONS KONG HAS HAD A VERY GOOD RECORD FOR RACIAL HARMONY AND LACK OF DISCRIMINATION, SHE SAW SOME VERY DISQUIETING DANGER SIGNALS BEING RAISED OVER THE ISSUE.

SHE POINTED OUT THAT EVEN IN THE ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOLS THERE IS NOT COMPLETE PARITY, FOR EXAMPLE, BETWEEN A TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND A GRAMMAR SCHOOL WHICH GETS LESS SUBSIDY, OR FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND CLASSES WHICH HAVE SMALLER CLASSES.

♦SUBSIDIES SHOULD, WITHIN REASONABLE LIMITS, RELATE TO THE NEEDS OF THE INSTITUTION AND CHILD,* SHE SAID.

SHE SAID HONG KONG HAS BENEFITTED FROM ITS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES LIKE THE INDIAN AND PORTUGUESE WHO HAVE MADE THEIR HOMES HERE AND MANY ENGLISH-SPEAKING CHILDREN ARE JUST AS LOCAL AS THE CHILDREN GOING TO THE ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOLS.

SHE SAID NO QUICK DECISION SHOULD BE MADE FOR REMOVING THE EDUCATION OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING CHILDREN OUT OF THE GENERAL SYSTEM. INDEED, SHE ADDED, THE 1965 WHITE PAPER WHICH PUT FORWARD THE PRINCIPLE OF PARITY, WITHOUT CLEARLY SPELLING IT, HAD IMPLIED UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHETHER IT WOULD BE PRACTICAL.

SHE THOUGHT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT FOSTER SEPARATISM IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM BUT INSTEAD WORK TOWARDS INCREASED INTEGRATION OF HONG KONG’S DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

SHE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING UP THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY CHINESE CHILDREN WHOSE PREVIOUS OVERSEAS RESIDENCE OR EDUCATION HINDER THEM FROM COPING WITH THE INTENSIVE STUDY OF CHINESE REQUIRED FOR PROMOTION TO SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION.

WHEN SHE FIRST CAME TO HONG KONG IN 1949, THESE CHILDREN COULD BE EXEMPTED FROM CHINESE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS BY TAKING A LOWER CHINESE LANGUAGE PAPER OR ALTERNATIVELY TAKE A FRENCH PAPER.

THE LOWER CHINESE PAPER IS NOW NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR FORM V STUDENTS OR UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE AND ONLY 11 SCHOOLS THIS YEAR ARE OFFERING FRENCH IN THE HKCE EXAMINATION AND FIVE AT THE ADVANCED LEVEL COURSE.

THESE CHILDREN ARE BEING PENALISED BY BEING PROVIDED WITH AN INADEQUATE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS THAT ARE FREE AT THE PRIMARY LEVEL AND UP TO FORM III AND ARE REASONABLY PRICED IN THE SENIOR SECONDARY COURSE FOR NON-CHINESE EXAMINATION STUDENTS, SHE SAID.

SHE-GAVE THE EXAMPLE OF A CHILD RETURNING TO HONG KONG AND JOINING AN ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL. UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEV, HE IS EXPECTED TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNISE AND WRITE 456 CHARACTERS BY THE END OF PRIMARY I, 2,680 CHARACTERS CN ENTRY TO FORM I AND 4,000 CHARACTERS BY THE END OF FORM 111.

HE WILL BE CONSIDERED STUPID BECAUSE HE CANNOT DO THIS AND WILL BE DEMOTED TO A LOWER CLASS.

/SHE SUGGESTED .....

WEDNESDAY, MAUCH 28, 1979

- 13 -

SHE SUGGESTED THAT THERE ARE THREE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS — PROVIDING FREE EDUCATION TO CHILDREN IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS WELL AS ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOLS, CONTINUANCE OF FEES IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS BUT WITH MUCH MORE ALLOWANCE FOR FEE REMISSION, OR SUBSIDISING TEACHING OF FRENCH IN DESIGNATED SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE SECOND LANGUAGE FOR THESE CHILDREN.

EACH OF THESE WILL COST MONEY BUT SHE BELIEVED PROVISION MUST BE MADE IN THE BUDGET.

SHE SUGGESTED THAT ONE WAY TO PROVIDE REASONABLY PRICED EDUCATION FOR THESE CHILDREN IS TO EMPLOY LOCAL CITIZENS WHO HAVE RETURNED FROM LESS EXAMINATION-ORIENTED STUDIES OVERSEAS. THEY DO NOT REQUIRE HOUSING AND TRAVEL AND ARE VERY CAPABLE OF EDUCATING THE CHILDREN, SHE SAID.

TURNING TO THE AREA OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, MISS BENNETT URGED THAT INSTITUTIONS SERVING CHILDREN AND OLD PEOPLE BE GIVEN CLEAR-CUT FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENCOURAGE MORE SUCH INSTITUTIONS TO BE RUN.

THE PRESENT SUBVENTION ARRANGEMENTS THROUGH FIVE STAGES UNDER THE ONE-LINE VOTE ARE CLUMSY AND TIME-CONSUMING AND UNCERTAIN, SHE SAID.

UNDER A CODE OF AID, THE GOVERNMENT COULD MAINTAIN A MUCH STRICTER CONTROL OF BUDGETTING AND EXPENDITURE, SHE ADDED. AT PRESENT, WITH LUMP-SUM SUBVENTIONS, ONCE AN INSTITUTION HAS HAD ITS SUBVENTION CUT BY THE AMOUNT OF ITS SURPLUS IN A YEAR, IT WILL BE VERY CAREFUL TO SPEND ITS FUNDS UP TO THE HILT NEXT YEAR, SHE SAID.

SHE ALSO THOUGHT THE GRANTS GIVEN BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST, THE LOTTERIES FUND AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OUGHT TO BE STUDIED TO SEE HOW THEY CAN BEST HELP VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT AT PRESENT IN A POSITION TO PROVIDE.

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

CALL ON GENERAL LEVY TO FINANCE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING *****

THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE EARLY APPROVAL TO A PROPOSAL BY THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL TO SET UP A GENERAL LEVY TO FINANCE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID THE COUNCIL HAS ESTIMATED THAT A VERY SMALL GENERAL LEVY WOULD SUFFICE TO FINANCEt

* THE EXISTING CONSTRUCTION AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES TRAINING SCHEMES-

'.7SDN3SDAY, 1CAHCH 28, I???-

- 14 -

* SCHEMES PROPOSED FOR OTHER INDUSTRIES-

* AN INDUSTRY-WIDE SCHEME TO PROVIDE SOUND BASIC PRACTICAL TRAINING IN KEY ENGINEERING TRADES TO TRAINEES AND,

* ANOTHER INDUSTRY-WIDE SCHEME TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR ENGINEERING GRADUATES.

MR. TIEN GAVE FOUR REASONS FOR PREFER ING A GENERAL LEVY TO INDIVIDUAL LEVIESt

* IT IS THE FAIREST WAY OF SHARING THE TOTAL COST OF TRAINING, PARTICULARLY OF MANPOWER NEEDED BY ALL INDUSTRIES AND THE COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS.

* IT WOULD BE SIMPLER TO ADMINISTER — ITS COLLECTION IS MORE STRAIGHT FORWARD AND IT WOULD ENABLE THE BODY ADMINISTERING THE SCHEME TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO THE MANPOWER TRAINING NEEDS OF THE ECONOMY.

* A GENERAL LEVY IS ALSO MORE ECONOMICAL TO COLLECT AND TO ADMINISTER THAN INDIVIDUAL LEVIES, WHICH MAY BE DIFFERENTLY BASED AND MANAGED BY INDIVIDUAL BODIES.

* THE GOVERNMENT’S PREFERENCE FOR A SINGLE BODY TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING RATHER THAN A HOST OF STATUTORY BODIES LOOKING AFTER INDIVIDUAL SCHEMES.

MR. TIEN POINTED OUT THAT THE CONCEPT OF A GENERAL LEVY WAS FIRST PROPOSED BY SIR S.Y. CHUNG, +AN EMINENT AND FAR-SIGHTED INDUSTRIALIST,* IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1975, AND EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT HE WAS RIGHT.

IN THE VIEW OF SIR SZE-YUEN, HE SAID, A GENERAL LEVY IS MORE DESIRABLE BECAUSE IT WOULD ENABLE TRAINING TO BE SO ORGANISED THAT THE OVERALL NEEDS CAN BEST BE MET AND WOULD AVOID PROLIFERATION OF TRAINING AUTHORITIES AND TRAINING CENTRES AND A TOO HEAVY BURDEN ON THE SMALLER INDUSTRIES WHICH ALSO NEED TRAINED MANPOWER.

MR. TIEN ENDORSED THE POLICY OF DIVIDING RESPONSIBILITY BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY — THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE ♦THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE AT ALL LEVELS AND SUCH PRACTICAL TRAINING AS IS NECESSARY TO ILLUSTRATE THE THEORY,+ AND INDUSTRY TO ACCEPT +THE FULL COST OF PROVIDING PRACTICAL TRAINING, WHETHER IT BE GIVEN IN INDUSTRIAL PREMISES OR IN TRAINING CENTRES,+ INCLUDING THE CAPITAL AND RECURRENT COSTS OF THESE CENTRES.

THE POLICY IS FAIR AND SENSIBLE BECAUSE THE OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PRODUCING TECHNICAL MANPOWER IS, AS IT SHOULD BE, SHARED BETWEEN ORDINARY TAXPAYERS AND EMPLOYERS WHO ARE USERS OF SUCH MANPOWER, HE SAID.

IN ANY EVENT, HE ADDED, THE BULK OF THE TRAINING, TO BE USEFUL AND EFFECTIVE, MUST BE DONE IN INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES, WHERE ACTUAL INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS CAN BE SIMULATED, OR IN INDUSTRY ITSELF.

/S3 UHGSD .....

’.7ZDKESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO RESPOND SOONER TO THE COUNCIL’S RECOMMENDATIONS, SUBMITTED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, FOR THE GENERAL LEVY SCHEME, +NEEDED TO COMPLEMENT AND COMPLETE THE WORK DONE BY THE TEACHING INSTITUTIONS.*

+INDEED, WITHOUT SUCH A TRAINING SYSTEM, THE COMMUNITY WOULD NOT GET A PROPER RETURN FROM ITS INVESTMENT ON EDUCATION,* HE SAID.

MR. TIEN POINTED OUT THE TRAINING COUNCIL HAS NOW EXTENDED ITS ACTIVITIES TO THE COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT RECENTLY OF NEW TRAINING BOARDS, AND IT IS LIKELY THAT OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING SCHEMES SIMILAR TO THOSE PROPOSED TO DATE WILL BE PLANNED.

HE SAID HONG KONG CANNOT AFFORD TO PROCRASTINATE.

♦AN INDUSTRIAL TRAINING SYSTEM WHICH IS CAPABLE OF MAKING AVAILABLE TRAINING IN ANY AREA, AS AND WHEN THE NEED ARISES, IS VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF ANY EFFORT AIMED AT UPGRADING PRODUCTS AND ITS DIVERSIFICATION AND ALSO TO ATTRACT OVERSEAS INVESTORS ENGAGED IN HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES,+ HE NOTED.

♦DIVERSIFICATION, UPGRADING OF THE LEVELS OF PRODUCTS, AND ADOPTION OF HIGHER TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES ARE LITTLE MORE THAN EMPTY WORDS AND PHRASES UNLESS WE HAVE SUITABLY TRAINED MANPOWER TO MAKE THESE ACTIVITIES POSSIBLE,* HE STRESSED.

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

SUPPORT FOR CUTBACKS IN PUBLIC SPENDING ******

THE HON. ALEX WU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT AS A RESULT OF THE DEVELOPMENT IN 1978, HONG KONG NOW FACES *THE POSSIBILITY OF A FURTHER GROWTH OF IMPORTS, A WIDENING VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT, A FURTHER DEPRECIATION IN THE HK DOLLAR AND SUBSTANTIAL INFLATION,* BEFORE THE ECONOMY’S EQUILIBRIUM CAN BE RESTORED.

MR. WU SUPPORTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PROPOSED REDUCTIONS IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, AND THE CONSEQUENTIAL POSTPONING OF THE INTRODUCTION OF FURTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

THIS IS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, INCLUDING THOSE MEMBERS WHOM THE SOCIAL SERVICES WOULD BE DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO HELP. * INFLAT ION SEEMS TO ME AN UNACCEPTABLE PRICE TO HAVE TO PAY FOR IMPROVING SOCIAL SERVICES TOO HURRIEDLY,* HE SAID.

HE WOULD ONLY SUGGEST THAT THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS OSES ANY POSTPONEMENT IN THE LETTING OF CONTRACTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS, TO BUILD Up A RESERVE OF CONTRACTS READY TO BE PUT OUT AS SOON AS THE STATE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PERMITS.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

16 -

WHEN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IS TRIMMED TO FIT IN WITH THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO FEED A STEADY FLOW OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS INTO THE CONTRACT STAGE, AS AND WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT, SO AS TO AVOID AN INVOLUNTARY +STOP GO*, HE EXPLAINED.

MR. WU SAID THE OPTIONS OPEN TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO COMBAT INFLATION ARE +RATHER SEVERELY LIMITED, PROVIDED THAT HE STICKS TO HIS PRINCIPLES*. THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE ARE:

* MAINTAINING PRESENT SERVICES AND EXPANDING THEM TO MEET DEMAND AT PRESENT STANDARDS, AND

X INTRODUCING DESIRABLE NEW SERVICES WHEN WE CAN AFFORD THEM, WITHOUT DISTURBING OUR LOW TAX ENVIRONMENT AND WITHOUT INTRODUCING DIRECT CONTROLS WHICH WOULD BE A DANGEROUS DEPARTURE FROM OUR FUNDAMENTAL POLICY.

BESIDES THE OPTION OF CONTROL ON PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, THERE IS THE OPTION OF LIMITATION ON THE WAYS IN WHICH THE HK DOLLAR BALANCES CAN BE USED.

+IF IT DOES NOT DO THE TRICK, THERE IS THE LIQUIDITY RATIO, AND IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH, A RELUCTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS SURE THAT HE CAN DEVISE SOME OTHER FORMS OF DIRECT CONSTRAINT IN THE GROWTH OF THE MONEY SUPPLY,* HE SAID.

HE HOPED THAT WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, THE EXCHANGE FUND DEPOSITS WILL OPERATE AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EXPECTS.

HE FURTHER REITERATED THAT HE SHARES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S DEVOTION TO THE PRINCIPLES OF LOW TAXATION AND MINIMUM DIRECT GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE IN THE MECHANISM OF THE ECONOMY.

HE SAID HE HAS SOME JUSTIFIABLE DOUBTS ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF INTERFERENCE. +THE ESSENTIAL ECONOMIC FACT ABOUT HONG KONG IS THAT IT RESPONDS TO INCENTIVE. IN MANY OTHER PLACES THE RESULT OF MIXING CONTROLS AND INCENTIVES HAS BEEN THAT THE INCENTIVES NO LONGER OPERATE. IN HONG KONG OUR TAXATION PATTERN AND THE RELATIVE ABSENCE OF DIRECT GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE RELEASE ECONOMIC ENERGY AND STIMULATE ENTERPRISE TO THE BENEFIT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.

HE THOUGHT THE TIME WILL SOON COME WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONDUCT A TRULY COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF OUR ECONOMY AND TREAT IT LIKE A THEORETICAL MODEL.

IF IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO DO SO NOW IT IS BECAUSE OUR ECONOMY IS STILL NARROW ENOUGH, COMPACT ENOUGHT AND VISIBLE ENOUGH- BUT EVEN NOW THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY RECOGNISES A MAJOR UNCERTAINTY APART FROM TRENDS IN WORLD TRADE - THE IMPACT OF CHINA’S NEW DIRECTIONS IN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID.

HE SAID HE SUPPORTS THE PRESENT BUDGET IN THE SPIRIT OF A COMMON CHINESE SAYING: ‘EXPLORE RESOURCES AND RESTRAIN SPENDING*.

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

/17 •

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

- 17 -

PLEA ON CREATION OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BANK ******

THE HON. LI FOOK-WO HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF USING INTEREST RATES TO RESTRICT THE GROWTH RATE OF LOANS AND ADVANCES AND HENCE EXCESSIVE DOMESTIC DEMAND, IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG’S EXPORT-ORIENTATED ECONOMY.

COMMENTING ON THE BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR. LI SAID IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT BY CONTINUING TO USE INTEREST RATES AS A WEAPON, THE BUDGET WILL EXERT ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, WHICH FACES DIFFICULT ENOUGH CONDITIONS ARISING FROM HIGHER LABOUR AND MATERIAL COSTS, SLACKENING DEMAND IN THE PRINCIPAL MARKETS AND INCREASING PROTECTIONISM.

HE THOUGHT SOME OVERALL DISTINCTION SHOULD BE MADE BY FREEING ADVANCES TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WHILE RESTRICTING LOANS FOR ALL OTHER PURPOSES.

ALTHOUGH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD GIVEN IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH AN ASSURANCE THAT OTHER FORMS OF DIRECT CONTROL, SUCH AS THE IMPOSITION OF CEILINGS ON LENDING FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES, HAD BEEN EXAMINED BUT DISCARDED DUE TO INEQUITY OR INEFFICIENCY, HE HAD NOT EXPLAINED HOW HE ARRIVED AT THIS DECISION, MR. LI SAID.

ANOTHER REASON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY GAVE WAS THAT IMPOSITION OF DIRECT CONTROLS MIGHT BE INTERPRETED AS A RADICAL CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT POLICY FROM WHICH AN ERRONEOUS CONCLUSION MIGHT BE DRAWN.

♦HOWEVER, THE INTRODUCTION OF ANY FORMAL MONETARY POLICY, SUCH AS THE ONE HE HAD PROPOSED, IS IN ITSELF A RADICAL CHANGE OF POLICY..

♦IS IT NOT THE DUTY OF GOVERNMENT, HAVING TAKEN MEASURES TO ATTACK AN ACKNOWLEDGED AREA REQUIRING REGULATION, TO ENSURE THAT THIS ACTION MUST BE AS EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE?* MR. LI ASKED.

HE WONDERED WHETHER THE MEASURES PROPOSED, WHICH ARE NON-FISCAL AND DEPENDENT PRIMARILY ON INTEREST RATES, WOULD BE ADEQUATE WITH THE PRESENT RELATIVELY HIGH AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO IN HONG KONG’S BANKING SYSTEM.

HE THOUGHT THE PROPOSALS ARE JUST A HOLDING OPERATION AND THAT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS ESSENTIAL TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.

♦FOR INSTANCE, HE (THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY) COULD HAVE ELABORATED ON THE VARIOUS MEASURES WHICH COULD BE INTRODUCED BY STAGES TO CONTROL INFLATION, EVEN IF NO DATES ARE GIVEN FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION,* HE SAID.

LI .....

’.73DNSSDAY, J4ABCH 28, 1979

- 18 -

MR. LI ADDED THAT IT WOULD BE USEFUL FOR THE PURPOSE OF INDICATIVE PLANNING BY THE ENTIRE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD STATE WHAT RATE OF MONEY SUPPLY GROWTH IN, SAY, M2 TERMS, IS IMPLICIT IN HIS FORECAST OF GDP GROWTH IN 1979, AND WHAT RATE OF M2 GROWTH HE WOULD REGARD AS MOST DESIRABLE IN TERMS OF AVERTING OUR +VERY REAL THREAT OF INFLATION.+

CONCERNED THAT HIGHER INTEREST RATES APPLIED GENERALLY WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT INDUSTRIES, MR. LI FURTHER ASKED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO SET UP A MONETARY AUTHORITY TO REGULATE MONEY SUPPLY IN THE ABSENCE OF A CENTRAL BANK.

HE THOUGHT THE BEST OPTION IS THE CREATION OF AN . INDUSTRIAL/DEVELOPMENT BANK OR INDUSTRIAL/DEVELOPMENT FINANCI CORPORATION WHICH WOULD ALLOW SHORT, MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM LOANS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AT PREFERENTIAL RATES OF INTEREST.

SUCH AN INSTITUTION HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF ALLOWING INDUSTRY TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PROPOSED +POOLING+ SYSTEM FOR DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES AND COULD PROVIDE A USEFUL MEANS FOR EMPLOYING PART OF HONG KONG’S FISCAL RESERVES, HE EXPLAINED.

HE SAID THIS YEAR’S BUDGET IS HISTORIC IN THAT THE EMPHASIS --- SLOWING DOWN THE GROWTH RATE OF GOVERNMENT

EXPENDITURE SO AS TO MINIMISE THE DISTORTIONS WITHIN INDIVIDUAL MARKETS, AND CONSTRAINING 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 ----

IS PRECEDENT-SETTING.

HE FELT RELIEVED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS WOULD BE DONE IN SUCH A MANNER THAT EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SERVICES AND APPROVED PROJECTS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.

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

WATER SUPPLY CONTRACT SIGNED X X X * X X

AN $82.8 MILLION CONTRACT FOR PIPELINES AND TUNNELS IN THE SECOND STAGE OF THE SCHEME TO TRANSPORT ADDITIONAL CHINESE WATER FROM THE RIVER INDUS PUMPING STATION TO PLOVER COVE WAS SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.

THE CONTRACT, WORTH $82,816,657, WAS AWARDED TO MITSUI CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.

THE JOB INVOLVESi

X 2,040 METRES OF STEEL PIPELINE, 2,020 MM IN DIAMETER, FROM THE RIVER INDUS STATION TO TOP HILL IN WA SHAN.

/* 2,377 ’.STHES....

T3DKBSDAY, ZAHCH 28, 1°7?

- 19 -

* 2,377 METRES OF STEEL PIPELINE, OF THE SAME DIAMETER, FROM LAMB HILL EAST TO MA MEI HA.

* A NEW UNLINED TUNNEL FROM TOP HILL TO LAMB HILL, 2,073 METRES LONG AND WITH A DIAMETER OF 3.3 METRES.

* A NEW UNLINED TUNNEL FROM MA MEI HA TO NAM CHUNG, 3,227 METRES LONG WITH A DIAMETER OF 3.6 METRES.

ALSO INVOLVED IN THE CONTRACT IS THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE EXISTING UNLINED TUNNEL FROM NAM CHUNG TO CHUNG MEI, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW INTAKE STRUCTURE AND NEW SUBSIDIARY TUNNEL 52 METRES LONG.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SAID WORK WAS EXPECTED TO START ON APRIL 4, 1979. COMPLETION DATE WAS EXPECTED TO BE APRIL 1981.

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

PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHING EXPERIENCE FULLY RECOGNISED *****

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED AN IMPROVED SCHEME OF AWARDING INCREMENTAL CREDIT TO TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS WITH PREVIOUS PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHING EXPERIENCE.

UNDER THE SCHEME THESE TEACHERS WILL BE GIVEN ONE INCREMENT FOR EACH YEAR’S APPROVED POST-QUALIFICATION TEACHING EXPERIENCE IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS OBTAINED AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1971.

THE AWARD SCHEME WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1978.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE SCHEME WILL ALSO BE APPLICABLE TO TEACHERS SERVING IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1978 WHO:

* HAD POST-1971 TEACHING EXPERIENCE IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHEN JOINING GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS-

* ARE STILL EMPLOYED IN BASIC RANKS E.G. CERTIFICATED MASTER/M(STRESS AND GRADUATE MASTER/M(STRESS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS- AND

* HAVE NOT REACHED THE MAXIMUM SALARY CF THEIR RANKS.

+THE TEACHERS’ INCREMENTAL POSITION WILL BE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY BUT NO RETROSPECTIVE PAYMENT OF SALARIES PRIOR TO SPETEMBER 1, 1978 WILL BE MADE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

PREVIOUSLY, TEACHERS WORKING IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON JOINING GOVERNMENT RECEIVED INCREMENTS OK THE BASIS OF ONE INCREMENT FOR EVERY TWO VEARS’ POST-QUALIFICATION FULL-TIME TEACHING EXPER IENCE.

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/20 ....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

$20.8 MILLION TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT SIGNED * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AWARDED A $20.8 MILLION CONTRACT TO LEIGHTON CONTRACTORS PTY LTD. FOR A FURTHER STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.

IT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED BY MR. C.R. SAUNDERS, CHIEF ENGINEER (NORTH), OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, AND NR. H. CHARITON OF THE COMPANY.

THE CONTRACT IS FOR SITE FORMATION WORKS AT TSO KUNG TAM IN THE NORTHWEST OF TSUEN WAN, DESIGNED PRINCIPALLY TO PROVIDE A LEVEL SITE FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WEST OF ITS DEPOT.

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

♦THE WORKS, WHICH FORM STAGE VI OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT, WILL INCLUDE DIVERTING HALF A KILOMETRE OF THE CHUNG HANG STREAM BY CHANNELLING IT INTO A CONCRETE LINED NULLAH CF ABOUT FIVE METRES DEEP AND 20 METRES WIDE,+ MR. SAUNDERS SAID.

SO FAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED THE EXPENDITURE OF $667 MILLION FOR DEVELOPMENT WORK.

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT MORE THAN HALF OF THE SUM WOULD GO TOWARDS MEETING THE COST OF LAND ACQUISITION.

OTHER STAGES OF THE WORK ALREADY IN HAND INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF A SITE NEAR THE CENTRE OF TSUEN WAN FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AT A COST OF $84 MILLION, AND SITE FORMATION WORKS AT CHUNG PEI SHAN AND CHAI WAN KOK AT A COST OF $92 MILLION.

MR. SAUNDERS SAID THAT TENDERS FOR FURTHER SITE FORMATION IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TSUEN WAN WOULD BE INVITED NEXT MONTH.

ON COMPLETION OF ALL THE SITE FORMATION WORKS IN SIX DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE PROJECT, MORE THAN 200 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT, HE ADDED.

THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK AND PARTNERS, CONSULTING ENGINEERS, ON BEHALF OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF PWD.

/21 ......

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

RETURN VISIT OF SPECIAL POLICE ADVISERS *****

MR. J.W.D. CRANE WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON APRIL 18 FOR A MONTH’S VISIT. HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT ALFRED WALLEN.

MR. CRANE, H.M. INSPECTOR OF CONSTABULARY FOR WALES AND SOUTH WEST ENGLAND, WAS IN HONG KONG BETWEEN JANUARY AND MAY LAST YEAR TO ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ON THE ORGANISATION AND OPERATION OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE.

ARISING FROM HIS VISIT A WIDE RANGE OF RECOMMENDATIONS WAS DEVELOPED, AIMED AT STRENGTHENING ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING AT ALL LEVELS WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE.

DURING THIS FOLLOW-UP VISIT MR. CRANE IS EXPECTED TO ASSESS THE RESULTS OF THE EXTENSIVE ADVICE WHICH HE OFFERED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE LAST YEAR. HE WILL ALSO CONSIDER HOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE DEVELOPED AND ARE OPERATING WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE.

THE VISIT WILL ALSO PROVIDE HIM WITH AN OPPORTUNITY OF DISCUSSING WITH THE COMMISSIONER ANY NEW MATTERS WHICH HAVE ARISEN SINCE HE WAS LAST HERE.

THE INVITATION FOR THE RETURN VISIT THIS YEAR WAS EXTENDED TO MR. CRANE BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND THE HOME OFFICE.

IT WILL BE RECALLED THAT MR. CRANE MENTIONED, AT HIS CLOSING PRESS CONFERENCE LAST MAY, THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAD SUGGESTED THE POSSIBILITY OF A RETURN VISIT TO HONG KONG.

ACTING GOVERNOR TO OPEN SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE

*****

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE CHAN HING SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE IN TAI KOK TSUI, TOMORROW (THURSDAY)

ALSO ATTENDING WILL BE MR. E.P. HO, SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES; MR. THOMAS LEE, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE; MR. J.C.C. WALDEN, DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS; MR. A.G. EASON, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (WEST KOWLOON) AND MISS REGINA LAU, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (MONG KOK).

THE CENTRE, SITUATED AT THE JUNCTION OF IVY STREET AND FUK TSUEN STREET, IS A FOUR-STOREY BUILDING WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 10,000 SQUARE FEET.

IT OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF FACILITIES INCLUDING A SPACIOUS MULTI-PURPOSE COMMUNITY HALL WITH A MAXIMUM SEATING CAPACITY OF 800, MEDICAL AND DENTAL CLINICS, A LOW-PRICED CANTEEN, A NUMBER OF ACTIVITY ROOMS FOR EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY USE AS WELL AS SEVERAL ROOF-TOP PLAY AREAS.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

- 22 -

HK POST OFFICE DELEGATION RETURNS *****

A DELEGATION FROM THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE ARRIVED BACK FROM CANTON TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE FIVE-MEMBER DELEGATION, HEADED BY THE DEPUTY POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR. A.C. HEATHCOTE, DISCUSSED WITH THE CANTON POSTAL AUTHORITIES THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF MAIL WHEN THE NEW THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE STARTS ON APRIL 4.

DISCUSSIONS ALSO COVERED OTHER RELATED POSTAL MATTERS AND THE OUTCOME OF THE TALKS PROVED VERY SUCCESSFUL.

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

TWO SWD REHABILITATION CENTRES TO HOLD JOINT OPEN DAY ******

TWO OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REHABILITATION CENTRES WILL HOLD A JOINT +OPEN DAY* STARTING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON WHEN PEOPLE CAN SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE WORK AND TRAINING CF THE DISABLED TRAINEES.

THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE AND THE ADJOINING KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE, BOTH IN WELFARE ROAD, WONG CHUK HANG, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 2.30 P.M. TO 4.30 P.M. TOMORROW AND FROM 9.30 A.M. TO NOON ON FRIDAY.

THE +OPEN DAY* IS TO MARK THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE.

BEFORE IT STARTS, AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CENTRE IN WHICH THERE WILL BE SINGING, DANCING AND MARTIAL ARTS PERFORMANCES TO BE STAGED BY DISABLED PEOPLE.

AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI. WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY. AT THE SAME TIME, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LIONS CLUB CENTRAL OF HONG KONG WILL CUT A HUGE +BIRTHDAY* CAKE DONATED BY THE CLUB TO CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY.

WITH A CAPACITY FOR 255, THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE PROVIDES FOR THE SOCIAL AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE. ITS TRAINEES LARGELY COMPRISE THE ORTHOPAEDICALLY DISABLED AND THE MENTALLY RETARDED.

/?HB KAI CHI ....

WEDNESDAY, LAHCH 28, 1979

- 23 -

THE KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE, WITH A CAPACITY FOR 140, PROVIDES BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND DAY TRAINING FACILITIES TO MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN AGED FIVE TO 16 YEARS.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE JOINT ■♦OPEN DAY+ ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE AND KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE IN WELFARE ROAD, WONG CHUK HANG.

THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE AT 9.15 A.M. FROM THE EASTERN ENTRANCE, LEE GARDENS, CAUSEWAY BAY.

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

INAUGURATION OF SCOUT GROUP AT BOYS’ HOME *****

TWENTY-FOUR BOYS UNDER TRAINING AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME WILL GIVE THE TRADITIONAL THREE CHEERS TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THEIR NEWLY-FORMED SCOUT GROUP.

THE BOYS, AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 15 YEARS, HAVE JUST UNDERGONE MONTHS OF SCOUT TRAINING AS PART OF THEIR SOCIAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMME AT THE HOME.

AMONG THE GUESTS WHO WILL OFFICIATE AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY WILL BE A JUVENILE COURT MAGISTRATE, MRS. C.B. MARR-THE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER FOR WEST KOWLOON, MR. LU YU-HUA-AND THE DEPUTY DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, KOWLOON, MR. LI KWAN-HA.

PROGRAMME AT THE CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE THE PRESENTATION OF SCOUT FLAG AND CERTIFICATES, AN INSPECTION OF PARADE BY MR. LI, AND DEMONSTRATIONS ON EMERGENCY RESCUE AND SCOUT CAMPING ACTIVITIES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF A SCOUT GROUP FORMED BY TRAINEES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME. THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT NOON AT THE COMPOUND OF THE HOME AT 62 BEGONIA ROAD, KOWLOON.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY ******

A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HAPPY VALLEY FROM 8 P.M. ON FRIDAY TO 5 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY AND FROM 8 P.M. TO 11 P.M. ON SUNDAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.

THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE:

* 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 TURN RIGHT AT THE JUNCTION OF LEIGHTON ROAD AND CANAL ROAD EAST.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

WATER CUT

* * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 P.M. ON FRIDAY TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR REPAIR WORK.

THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE NOS. 2-92, 63-105 HIGH STREET, NOS. 4-7, 99-115 POKFULAM ROAD, NOS. 71-83 BONHAM ROAD, UN SHING LANE AND KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK.

MEANWHILE, WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES ALSO ON FRIDAY IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE STOPPED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY WESTERN MARKET, BONHAM STRAND, WING LOK STREET, DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, SUTHERLAND STREET, CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND MORRISON STREET.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FIRM STANCE FOR REFUGEE PROBLEM URGED ..................... 1

INFLATION — HK’S NO. 1 ENEMY .............................. 4

INDUSTRIAL - DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION SUGGESTION SUPPORTED ...................................... 6

SUPPORT FOR GOVT’S DETERMINATION TO FIGHT INFLATION .... 9

CONSUMER COUNCIL NEEDS MORE SUPPORT ...................... 11

NEED FOR LONG-TERM INCOME PROTECTION SCHEME FOR RETIRED PEOPLE ........................................... 12

CALL FOR MORE POSITIVE APPROACH TO BUDGETTING ............ 14

GOVT URGED TO STICK TO MODERATE, GRADUAL APPROACH ........ 15

CALL TO ABOLISH DUTY ON LOCAL CHINESE LIQUOR ............. 16

A +FLAW+ IN THE BUDGET.................................... 17

CONSULTANTS ENGAGED FOR REPLACEMENT AIRPORT STUDIES .... 18

FACTORY PROPRIETORS REMINDED TO KEEP REGISTER OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS .................................. 16

EASTER HOLIDAYS TRAIN TICKETS ............................ 1?

WORK ON $29 MILLION LAUNDRY BEGINS SOON .................. 1°

ACTING GOVERNOR PRAISES MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION ... 20

FULL REHEARSAL FOR ANTI-DRUG RALLY ......................

AIR MAIL SERVICES TO VIETNAM RESUMED ..................... 22

STORM WARNING LIGHTS BACK TO WORK ........................ 23

ROAD CLOSURE EXTENDED ...................................

URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS .............................. 24

WATER CUT ................................................ 24

*' THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

6 - 1 -

FIRM STANCE FOR REFUGEE PROBLEM URGED ***** THE HON. LYDIA DUNN TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO URGENTLY DEVISE A FIRM POLICY TO DEAL WITH THE REFUGEE PROBLEM.

SHE ALSO CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE AD HOC MANNER IN DEALING WITH THE SITUATION. SHE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S PASSIVE AND EVEN WAVERING ATTITUDE IS BEING EXPLOITED BY THE REFUGEES THEMSELVES AS WELL AS THEIR TRAFFICKERS.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMPTION OF THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, MISS DUNN SAID THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM COULD BE POTENTIALLY MUCH GREATER THAN IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA, AND REPRESENTS VERY MUCH GREATER STRESSES AND STRAINS.

SHE ASKED THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL WHY THE PREFERMENT OF CHARGES AGAINST SHIP-OWNERS AND MASTERS IS SUCH A LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS AND WHETHER HE THINKS THE LAW, ITS ADMINISTRATION, OR OUR INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES, ARE DEFICIENT IN ANY RESPECT.

MISS DUNN SAID THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THAT BY TREATING THE REFUGEES IN A + HUMAN I TAR IAN+ WAY, WE ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL SYMPATHY AND EXPEDITE THEIR ULTIMATE RESETTLEMENT.

THIS IS BELIED BY THE WOEFUL RECORD OF REFUGEES ACCEPTED BY OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, SHE SAID.

THE 4,000 PEOPLE WHO ARRIVED ON THE CLARA MAERSK IN 1975 TOOK THREE YEARS TO RESETTLE, AND FROM JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 22 THIS YEAR, 12,129 REFUGEES HAVE ARRIVED, BUT ONLY 1,771 HAVE LEFT. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE QUOTA PLACES ON OFFER OF ONLY 6,000 FROM THE U.S.A. AND 2,340 FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UK, TO BE FILLED THIS YEAR.

AS FOR THE EMOTIVE CLAIM THAT REFUGEES, LIVING AS THEY DO IN APPALLING CONDITIONS ON BOARD SHIPS, DESERVE OUR PITY, MISS DUNN ASKED IF IT IS FAIR THAT THEY BE GIVEN PRIORITIES FOR FACILITIES WHEN SO MANY HONG KONG PEOPLE STILL LIVE IN SQUATTER HUTS.

♦IT IS MISGUIDED TO VIEW THE REFUGEE PROBLEM SIMPLY IN PERSONAL TERMS. THE GOVERNMENT MUST VIEW THE PROBLEM IN TERMS OF ITS IMPACT ON HONG KONG, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE,+ SHE SAID.

THE GOVERNMENT MUST ADOPT A HARD LINE AND NOT BE +SEDUCED BY THE HYPOCRISY AND BLANDISHMENTS OF THOSE GOVERNMENTS AND GROUPS WHO WOULD PREVAIL UPON US TO DO OTHERWISE.*

ITS OBLIGATION IS TO LOOK AFTER ITS OWN PEOPLE. IT MUST NOT ALLOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF ACCEPTING INCREASING NUMBERS OF PEOPLE TO BE OBSCURED — +ADDING TO OUR ALREADY DAUNTING HOUSING PROBLEM, A DETERIORATION IN LAW AND ORDER, A STRAIN ON OUR SOCIAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES, A SLOWING DOWN IN THE GROWTH RATE 0‘ OUR LIVING STANDARDS AND EVENTUALLY AN ACTUAL EROS IC* c THOSE STANDARDS,* ALL OF WHICH WE HAVE STRUGGLED SO HARD TO ACHIEVE IN RECENT YEARS WITH NO OUTSIDE HELP, SHE SAID.

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

♦LET US NOT FORGET ALSO.+ SHE ADDED, +THAT IN THESE RELATIVELY EXCITING TIMES WHEN THERE IS A NEW INTEREST IN US AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY, AS A MEETING PLACE OF EAST AND WEST AND AS A POINT OF ENTRY TO AND EXIT FROM CHINA THAT HONG KONG REMAINS A COMMUNITY IN ITS OWN RIGHT. ITS INTERESTS MUST NOT BE SACRIFICED ON THE ALTAR OF OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.+

MISS DUNN REFERRED TO FOUR ASPECTS OF THE ECONOMY AND GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT WHICH SHE THOUGHT WERE NOT WELL COVERED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH.

PR ICES

ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S FORECASTS OF PRICE INCREASES IN 1979 _ 0F ONLY NINE PER CENT IN CONSUMER PRICES, AND ONLY EIGHT PER CENT IN THE GENERAL PRICE LEVEL AS MEASURED BY THE GDP DEFLATOR — MISS DUNN SAID THESE ARE UNREALISTIC, BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT INSUFFICIENT WEIGHT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO POSSIBLE INCREASES IN OIL PRICES LATER ON THIS YEAR, AND THE FACT THAT THE TRADE DEFICIT FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WAS $400 MILLION MORE THAN FOR THE SAME PERIOD.

ALTHOUGH THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IS TO BE SLOWED DOWN FROM 25 PER CENT IN 1978-79 TO 7.5 PER CENT, IT WILL STILL BE GROWING FASTER THAN THE GDP, SHE SAID.

SHE THEREFORE ASKED IF ENOUGH HAS BEEN DONE TO RESTRAIN DOMESTIC DEMAND, IF THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN SUFFICIENTLY SLOWED DOWN, AND IF FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN TO CURTAIL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IF, DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, PRICES TEND TO INCREASE FASTER THAN FORECAST.

MTR AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR

MISS DUNN QUERIED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S CONSISTENT REFUSAL TO INCLUDE THE MTR PROJECT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, +EVEN THOUGH IT IS A STATUTORY CORPORATION, A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE GOVERNMENT AND ONE WHOSE LIABILITIES ARE GUARANTEED BY THE GOVERNMENT.+

SHE SAID IT IS MISLEADING NOT TO DO THIS WHEN CONSIDERING OUR APPROPRIATE BUDGETORY STRATEGY DESIGNED TO STABILISE THE ECONOMY.

SHE POINTED OUT THAT IF NET EXPENDITURE BY THE MTR CORPORATION IS INCLUDED, THE PUBLIC SECTOR WILL BE IN DEFICIT BY ABOUT $2,000 MILLION NEXT YEAR.

THE BUDGET, THEREFORE, WILL NOT BE AS DISINFLATIONARY AS THE GOVERNMENT CLAIMS, AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR W ILL NOT BE CONTRIBUTING AS MUCH AS IT SHOULD TO CORRECT THE IMBALANCE BETWEEN THE DEMAND FOR THE ECONOMY'S OUTPUT AND THE ECONOMY’S ABILITY TO SUPPLY THAT OUTPUT, SHE SAID.

/£C73?^gJT-0;.'Na .....

THURSDAY, MARCH 2?, 1°79

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GOVERNMENT-OWNED PUBLIC UTILITIES

MISS DUNN SAID CONSUMERS MUST BE SATISFIED THAT THEY ARE GETTING VALUE FOR MONEY IF THEY ARE CHARGED THE FULL COST UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S NO-SUBSIDY PRINCIPLE IN THE OPERATION OF ITS PUBLIC UTILITY UNDERTAKINGS.

SHE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE NOTIONAL ACCOUNTS, SAID TO DEMONSTRATE THE TRUE PROFIT AND LOSS POSITION OF EACH UNDERTAKING AND THE RETURN ON AVERAGE NET FIXED ASSETS EMPLOYED, WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET PAPERS.

SHE ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT IMPOSES ON ITSELF A RATIONAL SCHEME OF CONTROL AS IT DOES ON PRIVATELY-OWNED UTILITIES. SHE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO DISCLOSE THE RATES OF RETURN ON NET FIXED ASSETS EMPLOYED, AND HOW IT ARRIVES AT THESE RATES.

SHE WANTED TO KNOW HOW WELL THE GOVERNMENT IS MANAGING THESE FACILITIES TO ENSURE MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AND COURTEOUS SERVICE ON A PAR WITH ITS COUNTERPARTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

SHE ALSO ASKED HOW THE RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, LIKE THE PRIVATE-OWNED UTILITIES COMPANIES, ANTICIPATE OVERALL DEMAND, MAKE INVESTMENT DECISIONS TO CATER FOR THAT DEMAND, AND TO REMAIN TECHNICALLY UP-TO-DATE.

LAND POLICY

MISS DUNN POINTED OUT THAT OF THE 2,374 HECTARES OF LAND TO BE PRODUCED BY 1982-83, ONLY 715 HECTARES, OR 30 PER CENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL AND PRIVATE NON-INDUSTRIAL USE. THE POSITION AFTER 1982-83 IS NO BETTER IN THAT ONLY 252 HECTARES, OR 34 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TO BE PRODUCED, ARE DESIGNATED FOR SUCH USE.

THE GOVERNMENT ADMITS THAT IT HAS ♦INEVITABLY INFLUENCED LAND PRICES,* BUT APPEARS TO OFFER LITTLE TO ALLEVIATE CURRENT SPIRALLING LAND PRICES AND SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES IN PROPERTY, SHE SAID.

SHE AGREED THAT THE FINAL SOLUTION +LIES IN MORE LAND BEING PROVIDED, BUT THIS WILL NOT HAVE EFFECT ON PRICES OR HELP TO SATISFY DEMAND IF MOST OF THE LAND PRODUCED IS TAKEN UP BY THE GOVERNMENT.*

SHE THOUGHT THE GOVERNMENT’S LAND DISPOSAL POLICY, AS WELL AS ITS NON-INTERVENTION 1ST POLICY OF SELLING TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, MUST BE REVIEWED, UNLESS IT IS IN A POSITION TO PRODUCE SUFFICIENT LAND TO SATISFY PRIVATE DEMAND AS OPPOSED TO ITS OWN REQUIREMENTS.

SHE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER SETTING UP A SINGLE LAND DEPARTMENT.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

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INFLATION -- HK’S NO. 1 ENEMY

******

INFLATION IS HONG KONG’S PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE, AND IT IS WORTH PAYING A CONSIDERABLE PRICE TO PREVENT THE ^CRITICAL MASS EFFECT* * IT CAN HAVE, FROM GETTING A GRIP ON US, THE HON. DAVID NEWBIGGING TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE RESUMPTION OF THE BUDGET DEBATE TODAY (THURSDAY).

MR. NEWBIGGING SAID THE EFFECT HAS BEEN WITNESSED IN COUNTRIES *WHEN INFLATION REACHES 10 PER CENT OR ABOVE, REMAINS UNCHECKED AND GOES ON TO DEVELOP ITS OWN MOMENTUM.*

♦THE SYMPTONS ARE A WEAK CURRENCY, LABOUR UNREST, SOCIAL DIVISIONS, RISING UNPRODUCTIVE GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE TO BAIL OUT THOSE WHO CANNOT PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST INFLATION, AND ECONOMIC STAGNATION GENERALLY.*

HE SAID THE PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY OMINOUS AT A TIME WHEN HONG KONG IS SUFFERING +FROM INTERNAL INFLATION, CAUSED PRIMARILY BY A COMBINATION OF EXCESS PRIVATE SECTOR DEMAND AND HIGH PUBLIC SECTOR SPENDING --- AND OF WHICH A WEAKENING

EXCHANGE RATE IS ALSO BOTH PARTLY CAUSE AND EFFECT --- THAT IT

SEEMS THAT A FURTHER BOUT OF EXTERNAL OR IMPORTED INFLATION IS AGAIN WITH US.+

HE HOPED THE MEASURES PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO SLOW THE GROWTH OF TOTAL DEMAND WILL PROVE TO BE ENOUGH. VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT

HE CONTINUED: +IF INFLATION IS PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE, ITS PARTNER IN CRIME MUST BE THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT.

*AN ANNUAL VISIBLE DEFICIT OF 89,000 MILLION IS UNACCEPTABLE, LET ALONE A DEFICIT OF $12,000 MILLION THAT IS IMPLIED IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR,* HE SAID.

THE LATTER FIGURE EQUATES TO 20 PER CENT OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S FORECAST OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IN 1979.

HE THOUGHT IT IS UNREALISTIC TO EXPECT HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE TO BE BALANCED IN THE SHORT TERM BY REDUCING THIS AMOUNT OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, AND URGED THAT MORE POSITIVE WAYS BE FOUND TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S PROPOSAL TO LIMIT CREDIT CREATION WILL HAVE SOME IMPACT, BUT MORE FUNDAMENTAL IS THE NEED TO INCREASE EXPORTS (ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH A HIGH ADDED VALUE CONTENT) AND NEW INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT, PARTICULARLY FROM ABROAD, HE SAID.

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

IN VIEW OF CHINA’S NEW INDUSTRIAL AND EXPORTING ACTIVITIES WHICH COULD WELL COMPETE WITH THE LOWER END OF THOSE OF HONG KONG AND ALSO THE RECENT PERFORMANCE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, NR. NEWBIGGING SAID THERE IS AN EXTRA URGENCY IN THIS PROCESS OF ♦TRAD ING UP.+

INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENTS

+INWARD INVESTMENT BRINGS, NOT ONLY FOREIGN CAPITAL AND ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL MARKETS, BUT THE TECHNOLOGY WITH WHICH TO ACHIEVE HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND ADDED VALUE.+

HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT IMPORTANT THOUGH IMPORTED TECHNOLOGY IS, +THERE IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO BE PLAYED IN HONG KONG IN THE FIELDS OF APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL T9* IN ING SO AS TO EQUIP OURSELVES WITH THE SKILLS TO TRANSFORM IMPORTED TECHNOLOGY INTO FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARN INGS.+

LAND

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE EFFORTS IS ALSO LARGELY DEPENDENT UPON AN ADEQUATE AND PREDICTABLE SUPPLY OF INDUSTRIAL LAND AND NR. NEWBIGGING SAID HE WOULD HOPE TO SEE A SHIFT IN POLICY EMPHASIS AWAY FROM PRODUCING LAND TO MAXIMISE REVENUE, TOWARDS A POLICY OF HAVING A MASTER PLAN FOR LAND PRODUCTION TO MEET ANTICIPATED NEEDS.

UNDER SUCH A POLICY, HE EXPLAINED, LAND COULD BE SOLD ON A MORE PREDICTABLE PRICE PATTERN, THUS GREATLY REDUCING THE LAND SPECULATION ELEMENT IN AN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT DECISION, AND FAVOURING THE LONG TERM INVESTOR.

INVISIBLES

ON THE SUBJECT OF HONG KONG’S INVISIBLE EARNINGS, WHICH HE FIRST BROACHED IN THE COUNCIL LAST NOVEMBER, MR. NEWBIGGING SAID LITTLE PROGRESS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE THEN TO ANALYSE THEIR IMPORTANCE, AT LEAST IN SO FAR AS IS REFLECTED IN THE GDP ESTIMATES.

HE SAID WHETHER OR NOT THE $5,000 MILLION CONTRIBUTION OF INWARD TOURISM IN 1978 SHOULD BE NETTED OFF AGAINST OUTWARD TOURISM BY HONG KONG RESIDENTS IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN +THE CASE FOR BEING ABLE TO QUANTIFY, WITH A REASONABLE DEGREE OF ACCURACY, THE CONTRIBUTION OF OTHER LESS WELL DOCUMENTED ELEMENTS OF OUR INVISIBLE TRADE.+

♦THIS WOULD ENABLE (POSSIBLY NEW) PRIORITIES TO BE SET AND MIGHT EVEN PUT THE WIDENING GAP IN OUR VISIBLE TRADE IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT.+

/CRSDIT CREATION

THURSDAY, KABCH 29, 1979

6 -

CREDIT CREATION

HE THOUGHT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PROPOSALS TO LIMIT CREDIT CREATION SEEM SENSIBLE IN THE PARTICULAR STRUCTURE OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SECTOR.

WHILE IT MAY EE ARGUED THAT THE BANKS ARE BEING ASKED TO DO THE GOVERNMENT’S DIRTY WORK, BUT THIS IS CERTAINLY PREFERABLE TO THE ALTERNATIVE OF GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVES AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW MACHINERY TO CONTROL THE SUPPLY OF CREDIT, WHICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS QUITE RIGHTLY KEEN TO AVOID, HE SAID.

HE SAID HE WAS SURE, FURTHERMORE, THAT SOME PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO WISH TO BORROW TO FINANCE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT OR EXPORTS.

CONCLUSION

MR. NEWBIGGING SAID THE GOVERNMENT AND LEADERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAVE THESE UNDERLYING OBJECTIVES: MAKING HONG KONG A BETTER, HAPPIER AND MORE PROSPEROUS PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK, CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF STABILITY AND CONFIDENCE WHICH WILL ENCOURAGE LONG TERM TRADE AND INVESTMENT, AND DEVELOPING A SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC STRUCTURE WHICH WILL BENEFIT OUR RESIDENTS AND ENABLE US TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS IN THE REGION.

HE POINTED OUT TWO FACTORS WHICH COULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE FUTURE COURSE OF THESE EVENTS: THE INFLUX OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS WHICH SEEMS LIKELY TO BECOME AN INCREASING PROBLEM IN THE FORTHCOMING YEAR, AND THE CURRENT VISIT OF THE GOVERNOR TO CHINA.

THE VISIT REFLECTS THE EXCELLENT STATE OF THE IMPORTANT TRIANGULAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LONDON, PEKING AND HONG KONG WHICH --- COUPLED WITH THE EXTENSION OF THE GOVERNOR’S TERM OF

OFFICE --- PROVIDES MUCH GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM IN THE CONTEXT

OF THE EFFECT ON OUR ECONOMY ALONE.

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

INDUSTRIAL-DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION SUGGESTION SUPPORTED *****

THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) FULLY SUPPORTED SUGGESTIONS FOR THE CREATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL-DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION, WITH LOANS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, AT PREFERENTIAL RATES OF INTERESTS, OUT OF HONG KONG’S FISCAL RESOURCES.

/ -f-x /OUIxJ ......

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

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+1 WOULD ALSO URGE THAT HIGHER PRIORITY BE GIVEN TO DIVERSIFICATION, AND A REASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE THAT GOVERNMENT CAN PLAY IN ENCOURAGING A BROADENING AND UPGRADING OF OUR INDUSTRIAL BASE,* HE ADDED.

MR. CHEUNG SAID THAT LIKE SEVERAL OTHER FELLOW COUNCILLORS, « WAS PERTURBED AT THE ^DRAGGING OF FEET OVER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING SCHEME.*

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THESE WERE AREAS WHERE GOVERNMENT COULD TAKE PRACTICAL MEASURES TO REDUCE TRADE DEFICIT.

MR. CHEUNG, THE LAST OF THE 19 UNOFFICIAL SPEAKERS IN THE TWO-DAY RESUMED DEBATE, SAID IT WOULD BE INCONSISTENT FOR HIM TO SUPPORT A BUDGET WHICH PLACES IN +GRAVE JEOPARDY* POLICIES OUTLINED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS LAST AUTUMN WHICH NO MEMBER, OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL, FAILED TO SUPPORT.

HE SAID VARIOUS VIEWS AND VARIOUS ESTIMATES HAVE BEEN MADE OF THE LIKELY RATES OF INFLATION IN THE COMING YEAR.

♦HAS THE HIGH COST OF LAND AND RENTS EVER BEEN TAKEN SUFFICIENTLY INTO ACCOUNT IN MAKING THESE ESTIMATES OF INFLATION AND IN DETERMINING ITS COST?

+1 WOULD VENTURE TO THINK THAT IF OUR VARIOUS INDICES HAD BEEN PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED OVER THE YEARS FULLY REFLECTING THIS FACTOR, THEY WOULD SHOW WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING DOUBLE DIGIT INFLATION FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS,* MR. CHEUNG SAID.

THEREFORE, HE SAID, HE ASKED HIMSELF IF THE BUDGET WAS LIKELY TO BRING RELIEF FROM HIGH LAND COSTS AND THEREBY REDUCE INFLATION.

♦ I BEG HONOURABLE MEMBERS TO REMEMBER THE PRODUCTION OF LAND — LAND THAT CAN BE USED — REQUIRES A NUMBER OF THINGS TO BE DONE.

* IT HAS TO BE IDENTIFIED, SURVEYED, PLANNED, AND WHERE IT IS IN PRIVATE HANDS, MONEY PROVIDED FOR RESUMPTION,

* MOUNTAINS HAVE TO BE MOVED, SEA WALLS BUILT AND SOIL DUMPED INTO THE SPACE WHEREBY CREATED,

M SERVICES —WATER, DRAINAGE, SEWAGE, ELECTRICITY, TELEPHONES, TRANSPORT — HAVE TO BE LAID ON,

M THERE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CONVENIENT ACCESS TO LAND. « •

♦ WHAT DO I FIND IN THE BUDGET?

/+H3AD 71: .....

+HEAD 71s ONE MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF $65 MILLION REQUIRED FOR DOUBLE TRACKING THE RAILWAY FROM TA IPO MARKET TO LO WU.

TEN MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF THE $373 MILLION REQUIRED FOR HONG KONG ISLAND’S EASTERN CORRIDOR.

NOTHING TOWARDS THE COMMITTMENT OF $22 MILLION

FOR THE ROAD THROUGH ABERDEEN -- A MOST USEFUL IF SMALL, INDUSTRIAL ZONE.

NOTHING FOR THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER. A TOKEN OF $100,000 OUT OF $28 MILLION FOR A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY FROM YUEN LONG TO AU TAU CROSSROADS.

FOUR AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF $493 MILLION, RATHER LESS THAN ONE PER CENT FOR THE TRUNK ROAD FROM SHA TIN TO TA IPO.

NOTHING FOR TA IPO TO LAM KAM ROAD. $6.3 MILLION OUT OF $101 MILLION REQUIRED FOR CONTROLLED REFUSE TIPPING AT JUNK BAY.

+HEAD 169: NOTHING PROVIDED FOR OUTSTANDING COMMITTMENTS IN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AMOUNTING TO $194 MILLION FOR COMPENSATION, FOR SURRENDERS AND RESUMPTIONS.

+THE DISMAL LIST CAN BE MULTIPLIED,* MR. CHEUNG SAID.

HE SAID HE FOUND IT VERY HARD TO ACCEPT THE PROTESTATIONS OF CONCERN OVER INFLATION WHEN SAVAGE CUTS WERE MADE TO PROJECTS +WHICH LEAD DIRECTLY TO THE PRODUCTION OF LAND AND THE TOTALLY INADEQUATE MEASURES TAKEN TOWARDS THE REDUCTION OF THE GROSSEST INFLATOR OF THEM ALL — THE HIGH COST OF LAND WHICH IS ALSO THE MOST SERIOUS MENACE TO OUR COMPETIVENESS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE.

♦ IT IS SAID, WE MUST TAKE THE HEAT OUT OF DEMAND BY CUTTING BACK CAPITAL EXPENDITURE. MOST OF THE PRIVATE BUILDING SECTOR WOULD, OF COURSE, WELCOME IT: LESS COMPETITION FROM GOVERNMENT WOULD MEAN LOWER TENDER PRICES,* MR. CHEUNG SAID.

MR. CHEUNG THEN REFERRED TO AN ADDRESS MADE LAST AUTUMN BY THE GOVERNOR IN WHICH SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID:

+IT IS APPARENT THAT SHORTAGE OF LAND, AND PARTICULARLY SHORTAGE OF LAND FOR INDUSTRY AND TO SOME EXTENT FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT COULD DETER INVESTMENT AND STIFLE ECONOMIC GROWTH. CONSEQUENTLY PRODUCTION OF LAND IS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S HIGHEST PRIORITIES.*

MR. CHEUNG RECALLED THAT THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID:

+THE SPREADING OUT OF THE CITY AND ITS POPULATION INTO NEW AREAS WITH ACCESS TO NEW LAND IS ESSENTIAL IF IT IS TO ACHIEVE NOT ONLY BETTER LIVING STANDARDS BUT NEW INVESTMENT, NEW INDUSTRIES AND NEW ECONOMIC FLEXIBILITY. BUT OF COURSE THE ROADS, THE RAILWAYS AND THE TUNNELS ARE ONLY THE STARTONE MUST ADD TO THEM EVERYTHING FROM DRAINS TO SWIMMING COMPLEXES, WATER SUPPLY AND SEWAGE PLANTS.

RECALLING THAT NO OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER FAILED TO SUPPORT THE MOTION OF THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS, MR. CHEUNG SAID:

+IT WOULD BE INCONSISTENT, IN MY VIEW, HAVING ENDORSED THOSE POLICIES THEN, TO SUPPORT A BUDGET WHICH PLACES THOSE POLICIES IN GRAVE JEOPARDY, AND INDEED STRANGLES THEM, IN TWO YEARS WITH HUGE SURPLUSES AND I FOR ONE SIR, HAVE NO INTENTION OF BEING INCONSISTENT.*

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

SUPPORT FOR GOVT’S DETERMINATION TO FIGHT INFLATION *****

THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO FIGHT INFLATION AND TO STRENGTHEN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR FOR THE GOOD OF HONG KONG DESERVES THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY, THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE.

MR. YEUNG, HOWEVER, DOUBTED ONE OF THE TWO +MOST IMPORTANT* PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN ACHIEVING THIS GOAL THROUGH AMENDING EXCHANGE FUND ORDINANCE.

♦ADMITTEDLY THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT I DOUBT WHETHER THIS PROPOSAL WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO ACHIEVE THE DES IRED EFFECT+ HE SAID.

HIS DOUBT, HE SAID, IS BASED ON THE +LOOP-HOLE ACCESS OF SUCH FUNDS TO POTENTIAL BORROWERS THROUGH THE INTERBANK MARKET.+

♦INDEED, BY CHANGING THE STATUS OF GOVERNMENT’S SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS AS SUGGESTED, THE DEPOSITORY BANKS CANNOT USE SUCH FUNDS AS A BASE FOR DIRECT LENDING,+ MR. YEUNG SAID.

BUT HE STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE FUNDS ♦WILL NOT BE MADE AVAILABLE BY THE DEPOSITORY BANKS TO OTHER BANKS WHICH CAN IN TURN LEND TO THEIR NON-BANK CUSTOMERS.+

HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT GOVERNMENT WILL SEE TO IT THAT THIS WOULD NO LONGER BE THE CASE BY INTRODUCING MEASURES TO PLUG THIS LOOP-HOPE.

HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THERE IS A 100 PER CENT LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENT FOR DEMAND, CALL AND SEVEN-DAY MONEY OBTAINED FROM THE INTER-BANK MARKET, THIS REQUIREMENT CAN BE CIRCUMVENTED.

THE +WINDOW-DRESS ING+ SIMPLY INVOLVES THE DEPOSITING OF AN EQUIVALENT SUM BY THE HEAD OFFICE OF A FOREIGN BANK TO ITS LOCAL BRANCH, AND THE RE-DEPOSITING OF THAT SUM BY THE BRANCH TO A FELLOW BRANCH OR ANOTHER BANK OUTSIDE HONG KONG IN A FORM WHICH QUALIFIES AS A SPECIFIED LIQUID ASSET.

ON GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL TO SLOW DOWN THE GROWTH RATE CF DEMAND FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR, MR. YEUNG SAID: +1 NOTE THAT GOVERNMENT IS TO TAKE A LEAD BY IDENTIFYING THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME (INCLUDING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PROJECT) AS THE MAIN FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES AFFECTING THE WHOLE ECONOMY, AND BY ATTEMPTING TO CONSTRAIN THE GROWTH BY REPHASING THE STARTING DATES "OR SOME NEW PROJECTS IK THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME (OTHER THAN NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING), ACCORDING TO THE AGREED PRIORITY.♦

HE SAID HE WAS ALL FOR THE PROPOSAL TO EXERCISE CONSTRAIN ON THIS COMPONENT OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BUT '.CT ENTIRELY IN AGREEMENT WITH +POSTPONING SOME WORKS AND I AM QUITE UNHAPPY ABOUT THE PRIORITY RATING IK PRINCIPLE.*

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

MR. YEUNG SAID THAT APART FROM THE FACILITIES PROVIDED OR TO BE PROVIDED IN THE NEW TOWNS, + IN THE WHOLE NEW TERRITORIES THERE IS NOT A SINGLE CULTURAL COMPLEX, NOT A SINGLE AUDITORIUM, NOT A SINGLE INDOOR STADIUM, NOT A SINGLE GAMES HALL, NOT A SINGLE SQUASH COURT, NOT A SINGLE PUBLIC PARK, ONLY ONE FOOTBALL STADIUM, ONE SUB-STANDARD RUNNING TRACK, ONLY ONE SMALL SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, VERY FEW VILLAGES WITH STREET LIGHTS, MANY VILLAGES WITHOUT WATER SUPPLY AND MANY VILLAGES WITHOUT NORMAL POSTAL SERVICES.

+IN RECENT YEARS GOVERNMENT HAS ADDRESSED ITS ATTENTION TO REDRESS THIS SOCIAL IMBALANCE AND HAS BEGUN TO SPEED UP THE PROGRESS OF PROVIDING BASIC COMMUNITY SERVICES AS WELL AS THE INFRA-STRUCTURE FOR DEVELOPMENT.

♦SINCE THIS IS A NEW PHASE OF GOVERNMENT’S ACTIVITIES, ONLY A FEW PROJECTS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED OR COMMENCED, SOME ARE WAITING FOR THEIR TURN IN CATEGORY A TO COMMENCE WORK AND MANY ARE STILL ON THE DRAWING BOARD,♦ MR. YEUNG SAID.

HE SAID THE EFFECT OF THE GENERAL CONSTRAINT ACROSS THE BOARD WILL ONLY AGGRAVATE THE NEW TERRITORIES POSITION.

♦A WARM RAY OF HOPE IS, HOWEVER, DETECTED FROM THE WARNING OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ISSUED TO THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS FOR THE HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WHEN HE STRESSED THAT 'WHILE THE CASH LIMITS WILL BE APPLIED FIRMLY, THEY WILL ALSO BE APPLIED FLEXIBLY AND FAIRLY’.

♦INDEED THE VOTE PROVISION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME CAN BE, AND I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT, SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED FLEXIBLY AND FAIRLY BY ALLOWING CERTAIN VITAL CATEGORY A PROJECTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO PROCEED BY STAGES OR PHASES ACCORDING TO NEED.+

HE THOUGHT PLANNING FOR ALL MAJOR AND CIRCULAR ROAD PROJECTS SHOULD PROCEED, AS THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS WILL BE PHASED AND TAKE YEARS TO COMPLETE.

FOUR SECTIONS IN THE CIRCULAR ROAD SYSTEM PARTICULARLY NEED IMMEDIATE ACT ION« THE ROUND-ABOUT IN AU TAU JUNCTION, THE TAI PO BYPASS, THE FANLING BYPASS AND THE SHA TIN-TAI PO COASTAL ROAD.

HE SAID THE BASIC COMMUNITY FACILITY PROJECTS SHOULD ALSO BE DIVIDED INTO SUB-PROJECTS ACCORDING TO PRIORITY OF LOCAL NEEDS AND BE PROCEEDED WITH.

OF THESE, THE FOLLOWING SHOULD NOT BE POSTPONEDi THE AUDITOR IA OF THE CULTURAL COMPLEXES, PARTICULARLY IN TA I PO, YUEN LONG, SHA TIN, AND TUEN MUN- THE FOOTBALL STADIA CUM RUNNING TRACKS FOR TAI PO, SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN- THE SWIMMING POOLS- THE WATER SUPPLY PROGRAMME ESPECIALLY IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT- THE OVERALL VILLAGE LIGHTING PROGRAMME, AND THE PROGRAMME FOR KEEPING THE NEW TERRITORIES CLEAN AND POLLUTION FREE.

HE ADDED THAT THE REVENUE-GENERATING PROJECTS, SUCH AS THE PROVISION OF INFRA-STRUCTURE TO THE MINOR LAY-OUT OF TONG YAN SAN CHUEN AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL PODIA OVER RAILWAY STATIONS AND MASHALLING YARDS, SHOULD ALSO NOT BE POSTPONED.

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

CONSUMER COUNCIL NEEDS MORE SUPPORT

******

THE CONSUMER COUNCIL NEEDS MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN THE COMING YEAR TO HIRE ADDITIONAL STAFF AND TO SET UP A FOURTH ADVICE CENTRE, PREFERABLY IN THE DENSE AREA OF TSUEN WAN, THE HON. ALLEN LEE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE RESUMPTION OF THE BUDGET DEBATE TODAY (THURSDAY).

MR. LEE, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL, SAID ITS WORK HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN RECENT YEARS, PARTICULARLY IN CONSUMER EDUCATION AND PROTECTION, AND ITS MAGAZINE — +CHOICE+ — IS ONE OF THE 10 MOST POPULAR IN HONG KONG.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION IN 1979-80 WILL INCREASE BY 36 PER CENT TO $910,000, $770,000 WILL BE PAID FOR STAFF TERMINAL GRATUITIES. THE REMAINING AMOUNT WILL ONLY TAKE CARE OF INFLATION AND STAFF SALARY INCREASES.

THERE IS NEED FOR A FURTHER $500,000, HE SAID, WHICH IS A SMALL DROP IN THE BUCKET BUT WILL YIELD IMMEASURABLE RETURN IN TERMS OF DOLLARS.

COMMENTING ON THE DIFFICULTIES FACING OUR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, MR. LEE THOUGHT WE CAN LEARN FROM SOME OF THE INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY JAPAN WHICH, LIKE HONG KONG, IS ALSO DEVOID OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

HE SAID HE NOTICED DURING HIS MANY TRIPS THERE THAT THEIR GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND LABOUR DO WORK TOGETHER VERY CLOSELY.

THERE IS A PRESSING NEED FOR US TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT AND WIDEN OUR INDUSTRIAL BASE, BUT WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CHANGE ITS POLICY AND ASSIST INDUSTRY IS SOMETHING FOR IT TO PONDER, HE SAID.

MR. LEE SUGGESTED THAT THE PROBLEM OF LABOUR SHORTAGE, FOR WHICH HE SAID THERE IS NO SHORT TERM SOLUTION, SHOULD BE TACKLED BY INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY.

HE THEREFORE SUPPORTED THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN’S PROPOSAL EARLIER IN THE DEBATE FOR A GENERAL LEVY TO TRAIN WORKERS FOR ALL INDUSTRIES.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE ADVANTAGE OF A CENTRALISED TRAINING SCHEME IS MANYFOLD AND, ALTHOUGH TRAINING IS COSTLY, THE COST IS WELL JUSTIFIED IN OUR CASE BECAUSE WE DESPERATELY NEED IT, PARTICULARLY FOR SEMI-SKILLED AND SKILLED WORKERS.

HE SAID HE MISSED PREVIOUS OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMENT ON THE ISSUE OF WATER CHARGES AND IN REOPENING THE SUBJECT HE QUERIED THE LOGISTICS, IF NOT THE PRINCIPLE, BEHIND THE CONCESSION FOR LARGE INDUSTRIAL -ATER USERS.

THURSDAY, I4ABCH 29, 1979

12 -

♦THERE ARE ABOUT 200 TRADE CONSUMERS IN THIS CATEGORY OUT OF 85,000,+ HE SAID. +IT DOES MAKE GOOD BUSINESS SENSE TO INCREASE CHARGES IF NECESSARY, AT LEAST THE INCREASE MUST BE FAIR.*

HE WONDERED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT ONLY CARES FOR LARGE MANUFACTURERS AND LEAVES THE OTHERS ON THEIR OWN.

HE SAID WHETHER AN INCREASE IS JUSTIFIED AT THIS TIME, +WHILE THE GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS A HEALTHY SURPLUS AND WHEN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR NEEDS EVERY BIT OF HELP IT CAN GET IN COST REDUCTION IN ORDER TO COMPETE,* IS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE.

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

NEED FOR LONG-TERM INCOME PROTECTION SCHEME FOR RETIRED PEOPLE ******

DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI SPOKE ON THE NEED FOR A LONG-TERM INCOME PROTECTION SCHEME FOR RETIRED PEOPLE DURING THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

DR. HO POINTED OUT THAT THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES AT PRESENT ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ARE MEANT TO PROVIDE AN INCOME ALTERNATIVE WHEN A PERSON’S EMPLOYMENT IS DISRUPTED BY, FOR EXAMPLE, DISABLEMENT OR ACCIDENT.

THE SUPPLEMENTARY NATURE OF THESE SCHEMES MAKES THEM UNSUITABLE FOR THOSE ABSENT FROM WORK FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE OF INVALIDITY OR RETIREMENT, HE SAID.

♦PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IS NOT A SATISFACTORY FORM OF INCOME PROTECTION BECAUSE OF ITS REQUIREMENT FOR A MEANS TEST AND ITS LOW LEVEL OF PAYMENT,+ HE ADDED.

DR. HO SAID THE NUMBER OF OLD PEOPLE AGED 60 AND OVER, AT 400,000, WAS NINE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION IN 1977 AND WILL INCREASE TO ABOUT 10.6 PER CENT IN 1986.

THOUGH MANY OF THEM CONTINUE TO WORK AFTER RETIREMENT, MOSTLY PART-TIME, THE MAJORITY ARE IN THE LOWER LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT’S HEAVY FINANCIAL BURDEN CAN BE SEEN BY ASSUMING THAT HALF OF THE $405 MILLION EARMARKED FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE IN THE COMING YEAR WILL BE SPENT AS INCOME PAYMENTS FOR THE ELDERLY.

HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED INTRODUCTION OF A SCHEME WHEREBY INDIVIDUALS CAN CONTRIBUTE PARTIALLY TOWARD THEIR FUTURE ECONOMIC SECURITY, WITH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CONTINUING TO FUNCTION AS A SAFETY-NET.

THIS CAN BE BY WAY OF A PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME OR A PENSION SCHEME. THE FIRST IS QUITE EASY AND SIMPLE TO ADMINISTER BUT HAS DRAWBACKS IN THAT THE LUMP-SUM GRANT MAY BE QUITE SMALL AND ITS VALUE MAY WELL BE ERODED BY INFLATION, HE SAID.

A PENSION SCHEME, OPERATED OK SOCIAL INSURANCE PRINCIPLES, WITH POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION BY ADDING A SPECIFIED PERCENTAGE TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE, OR THROUGH BEARING THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, WOULD HAVE MORE ADVANTAGES.

THCHSDaY, LIAHCH 29, 1979

- 13 -

DR. HO EXPLAINED THAT UNDER SUCH A SCHEME, BENEFIT PAYMENTS ARE MADE PERIODICALLY AND THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD FOLLOWING THE RETIREMENT, DEATH OR INVALIDITY OF THE EMPLOYEE, AND THE RATE OF PAYMENT CAN BE ADJUSTED IN LINE WITH THE COST OF LIVING.

EITHER OF THE SCHEMES WOULD, HOWEVER, ENCOURAGE SAVINGS AND WILL CONSTRAIN SPENDING, THUS HELPING IN A SMALL WAY TO COOL DOWN THE OVERHEATED DOMESTIC MARKET.

ANOTHER SUGGESTION DR. HO HAD +TO IMPROVE THE LOT OF CERTAIN VULNERABLE AND UNDERPRIVILEGED CLASSES,* IS IN THE AREA OF GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.

HE SAID THE PRESENT ONE-LINE VOTE SYSTEM IS DETERMINED SOMEWHAT ARBITRARILY, +WITHOUT ADEQUATE CONSULTATION AND WITHOUT MUCH REFERENCE TO OVERALL SOCIAL NEEDS, PRIORITIES AND QUALITY OF SERVICES.*

THE PRACTICE OF DEDUCTING COMMUNITY CHEST CONTRIBUTIONS FROM SUBVENTION GRANTS ALSO GIVES RISE TO DISSATISFACTION AND IS COUNTER TO THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF THE CHEST, WHICH WAS TO RAISE MONEY TO OFFSET DWINDLING OVERSEAS FUNDING, HE SAID.

AS TO THE LUMP-SUM DISCRETIONARY GRANTS TO PARTIALLY SUBSIDISE THE OPERATIONAL EXPENSES OF THOSE AGENCIES NOT REQUIRED TO WORK TO APPROVED BUDGETS OR ADHERE STRICTLY TO GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS REGARDING STAFF RATIOS, STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND SALARIES, DR. HO SAID THERE CAN BE NO GUARANTEE THAT THE MONEY IS USED PRUDENTLY.

HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WILL COMMENT SOON ON A REPORT IT RECEIVED FROM THE WORKING PARTY ON SUBVENTION POLICY OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.

THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THREE TYPES OF SUBVENT lONi UNIT RATE, FOR THOSE SERVICES WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND WHICH CAN BE QUANTIFIED ON A UNIT COST BASIS- DEFICIENCY FUNDING, FOR THOSE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT ARE NOT AMENABLE TO UNITARY CALCULATION- AND DISCRETIONARY FUNDING, FOR THOSE SERVICES WHICH ARE NOT CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL BUT NEVERTHELESS DESIRABLE.

DR. HO EXPLAINED THAT ALTHOUGH AT PRESENT ONLY DAY NURSERIES ARE SUBVENTED ON A UNIT COST BASIS, SERVICES OF A MORE COMPLEX UNITARY MEASUREMENT MAY BE INCLUDED LATER.

SUBVENTION ON A DEFICIENCY BASIS WOULD REQUIRE CLOSER CONTROL AND GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION. DISCRETIONARY FUNDING HAS THE ADVANTAGE .-THAT THE SERVICES COVERED BY IT CAN BE SUSPENDED IF THERE ARE ?

COMPETING DEMANDS, OR WHEN THERE IS ECONOMIC STRINGENCY. f

•

HE THOUGHT THERE COULD BE A FOURTH SOURCE OF SUBVENTION ------ THE

COMMUNITY CHEST AND OTHER CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS.

PUBLIC MONEY IS NOT ALWAYS SUITABLE FOR EXPERIMENTAL PROJECTS WHICH REQUIRE TIME FOR TESTING, AND FREEDOM TO DEPART FROM ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES.

THIS FURTHER SOURCE OF FUNDING CAN BE USED TO SUPPORT

WORTHWHILE PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES LOW IN GOVERNMENT’S SUBVENTION PRIORITY, HE SAID.

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

CALL FOR MORE POSITIVE APPROACH TO BUDGETTING ******

THE BUDGET GIVES AMPLE EVIDENCE OF THE LATTER PART OF THE PRINCIPLE +EARN MORE, SPEND LESS,* BUT HAS VERY LITTLE TO OFFER ON THE FIRST PART, THE HON. S.L. CHEN SAID AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

HE SAID ANY FAMILY, COMPANY OR NATION WOULD FIND THIS ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLE A WISE ONE TO FOLLOW.

ALTHOUGH THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE MAY, IF WISELY RE-INVESTED, RESULT IN A CAPACITY TO +EARN MORE,* THERE SHOULD BE A MORE POSITIVE APPROACH TO BUDGETTING SO THAT INSTEAD OF ALLOWING A HUGE SURPLUS TO STAGNATE, SOME OF IT, AS WELL AS THE ANTICIPATED SURPLUS FOR 1978-79, COULD BE INVESTED TO FURTHER THIS EARNING CAPACITY, MR. CHEN SAID.

HE LISTED FOUR AREAS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

IN LAND PRODUCTION, HE THOUGHT THERE SHOULD BE A RE-THINK ON THE PRESENT POLICY OF LEAVING EVERYTHING TO THE DICTATES OF MARKET FORCES.

MORE INVESTMENT IN DEVELOPING MANPOWER RESOURCES THROUGH MANPOWER TRAINING IS NEEDED.

ALSO NEEDED IS GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN BUILDING UP AN EFFICIENT INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

AT PRESENT, MR. CHEN SAID, MANY GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION ARE OPERATING ON A SHOE-STRING BUDGET, AND THIS DOES NOT HELP TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR INDUSTRY.

THE FOURTH WAY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HELP IS THE INTRODUCTION OF SOME FORM OF INCENTIVE TO STIMULATE EXPORT PERFORMANCE, FOR EXAMPLE, A TAX REBATE AS A REWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT ADOPTED BY MANY EXPORTING COUNTRIES, HE SAID.

MR. CHEN WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE VERY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING COMPONENT CF THE EXPENDITURE, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSTRAINED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THIS, THE 1979-80 ESTIMATE IS STILL 13 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1978-79. HE SAID. '

WHAT IS MORE, HE ADDED, BECAUSE OF THE LARGE INCREASE IN THE NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING COMPONENT, THE TOTAL NON-RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, AT $3,599 MILLION, WILL BE 26.5 PER CENT MORE THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1978-79, WHICH WAS ITSELF NEARLY 50 PER CENT OVER THAT FOR 1977-78.

THURSDAY, LIARCH 2°, 1979

HE ASKED FOR A FRESH LOOK INTO THE NEED FOR REPHASING THE PROGRAMME.

♦IF THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WAS OVER-HEATED IN 1978-79, THE ADDITIONAL $754 MILLION WORTH OF WORK FOR THE COMING YEAR, EVEN ALLOWING FOR INFLATION, IS HARDLY GOING TO HELP RESTORE EQU ILIBRI UM,♦ HE SAID.

HE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT TO AVOID EMBARKING ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ON THE BASIS OF UNREALISTIC COST ESTIMATES, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET UP A TECHNICAL AUDIT SYSTEM TO ENSURE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF ITS TECHNICAL DEPARTMENTS.

HE THOL HT THE PRINCIPLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY CAN BE APPLIED IN THOSE PROJECTS HANDLED BY CONSULTANTS IF THE EXTRA COST COULD BE THE RESULT OF EITHER OVERSIGHT OR EVEN INCOMPETENCE ON THEIR PART.

ON THE ACUTE MANPOWER SHORTAGE SITUATION, MR. CHEN SAID IT WILL NOT IMPROVE FOR TWO REASONS: THE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO OBTAIN EDUCATION AND A GROWING PREFERENCE FOR LEISURE BY WORKERS.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE WORK-FORCE AVAILABLE AND THIS MEANS INTENSIVE TRAINING, HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT TRAINED TECHNICAL MANPOWER IS PARTICULARLY LACKING BECAUSE SOMEONE WHO HAS ONLY COMPLETED A COURSE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION BUT WITHOUT PRACTICAL TRAINING IS OF LITTLE USE TO INDUSTRY.

MANY EMPLOYERS RESORT TO POACHING WHICH LEADS TO ESCALATING WAGES. OTHERS MAY LOWER THEIR RECRUITMENT REQUIREMENTS WHICH LEAD TO LOWER PRODUCTIVITY, POORER PRODUCT QUALITY AND HIGHER PRODUCTION COSTS.

HE THEREFORE REPEATED AN EARLIER CALL ON THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE A SYSTEM OF PRACTICAL TRAINING TO MATCH ITS TECHNICAL EDUCATION SYSTEM WHICH HE THOUGHT IS NOW ADEQUATE.

GOVT URGED TO STICK TO MODERATE, GRADUAL APPROACH ******

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT MODIFY ITS HITHERTO MODERATE AND GRADUAL APPROACH DESPITE THE VIEW OF SOME PEOPLE IN FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CIRCLES THAT THE MEASURES PROPOSED TO CORRECT THE IMBALANCE IN THE ECONOMY ARE INADEQUATE. THE HON. WONG LAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

HE SAID NO ECONOMIC THEORY CAN DO AWAY WITH THE HUMAN FACTOR AND STAND ALONE AND THAT IS WHY, BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE, THE EFFECTS OF ANY ECONOMIC MEASURE ON THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SHOULD FIRST BE CONSIDERED.

T’.i'JRSDAY, MARCH 2% 1379

♦OVER-DRASTIC ADJUSTMENTS ON THE WHOLE MIGHT PRODUCE MORE SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS, BUT FOR CERTAIN TRADES AND INDIVIDUALS, IMMEDIATE ADAPTATION TO THE CHANGES IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE,* HE 'AID.

MR. WONG SUPPORTED THE BUDGET FOR THE CONSIDERATION IT HAS GIVEN TO THE MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP — THEY ARE TO BE ALLOWED SOME CONCESSION IN TAXATION- LARGE SUMS OF MONEY ALLOCATED FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, AND THE INCOME CEILING FOR APPLICATIONS UNDER THE SCHEME IS TO BE RAISED.

HE WELCOMED ALL THESE MEASURES BECAUSE THEY WILL EFFECTIVELY IMPROVE THE LIVING STANDARD OF THE MIDDLE-1NCOME GROUP AND DIRECTLY BENEFIT THEM.

MR. WONG WAS, HOWEVER, CONCERNED ABOUT THE LARGE INCREASE IN ESTIMATED GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE NEXT YEAR, TO SOME $12,400 MILLION OR ABOUT 21 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR’S ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF $10,200 MILLION.

LAST YEAR’S ESTIMATE WAS ITSELF EXCEEDED BY ACTUAL EXPENDITURE OF SOME $11,100 MILLION BY NINE PER CENT.

♦DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE EVER-INCREASING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE HAS SOMEHOW BEEN OFFSET BY A MODERATE GROWTH IN OUR ECONOMY AND PUBLIC REVENUE, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE THEIR PARTICULAR TENDENCY INTO CONSIDERATION AND CAREFULLY REVIEW ITS POLICY AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE,+ HE SAID.

HE SUGGESTED THAT ONE REASON FOR THE BIG INCREASE IS THE SHARP RISE IN THE NUMBER OF CIVIL SERVANTS. NEXT YEAR, THE NUMBER WILL STILL BE CONSIDERABLY INCREASED BY 7,500.

HE WONDERED WHETHER THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IS REALLY NECESSARY AND CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE FULL USE OF ITS MANPOWER RESOURCES BY RAISING EFFICIENCY AND IMPROVING MANAGEMENT METHODS.

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

CALL TO ABOLISH DUTY ON LOCAL CHINESE LIQUOR * X * X X X

THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE APPRECIATED BY THE LEAST PRIVILEGED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY IF IT WOULD ABOLISH DUTY ON LOCALLY PRODUCED CHINESE SPIRITS, THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) DURING THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

HE SAID A MODERATE CONSUMPTION OF LIQUOR IS ONE OF THE FEW REWARDS WORKERS ENJOY AFTER A HARD DAY’S WORK.

HE DID NOT BELIEVE ABOLITION OF DUTY WILL LEAD TO EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION. BESIDES, HE SAID, IT SHOULD MAKE IT UNPROFITABLE TO OPERATE ILLEGAL DISTILLERIES.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL SUFFER NO GREAT LOSS OF REVENUE, HE POINTED OUT. THE TOTAL QUANTITY OF CHINESE SPIRITS CONSUMED OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, 1976-78, AMOUNTED TO JUST OVER 12.4 MILLION IMPERIAL GALLONS, BRINGING IN TOTAL REVENUE OF JUST UNDER $140 MILLION.

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

OF THIS, ONLY THREE MILLION IMPERIAL GALLONS WERE LOCALLY PRODUCED, PROVIDING REVENUE OF ONLY $27.6 MILLION.

IN OTHER WORDS, LOCALLY PRODUCED CHINESE SPIRITS ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY 24.4 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL CONSUMPTION OF CHINESE SPIRITS, AND UNDER 20 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL REVENUE.

ON AVERAGE, THIS BRINGS IN $9.2 MILLION A YEAR, WHICH IS INSIGNIFICANT COMPARED WITH THE ESTIMATED REVENUE FOR THE GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE FOR THE COMING YEAR, HE SAID.

HE THOUGHT IT WILL ENHANCE ITS IMAGE AS AN UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT IF IT WOULD CONSIDER THIS VERY MINOR CONCESSION.

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

A *FLAW+ IN THE BUDGET

* * * *

THE HON. PETER C. WONG AGAIN ASKED FOR THE PROVISION OF AIR-CONDITIONING IN GENERAL HOSPITAL WARDS DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

HE SAID OMISSION OF THIS PROVISION IS ONE FLAW IN AN OTHERWISE PAINSTAKINGLY PRESENTED AND REALISTIC BUDGET.

HE HAD IN THE COUNCIL LAST MONTH URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE AIR-CONDITIONING TO THE MORE NEEDY PATIENTS BUT WAS TOLD BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AT THAT TIME THAT PRIORITY HAD TO BE ACCORDED IN THE LIGHT OF THE MANY COMPETING CLAIMS ON LIMITED RESOURCES.

♦ADMITTEDLY, THE KEY FACTOR IS THE QUESTION OF PRIORITIES AND COMPETING CLAIMS. BUT IN VIEW OF THE PREDICTED SURPLUS THIS YEAR AND THE ESTIMATED SURPLUS NEXT YEAR — AMOUNTING TO NO LESS THAN $3,000 MILLION, I FAIL TO SEE WHY THIS LONG OVERDUE NEED SHOULD NOT BE ACCORDED HIGH PRIORITY,* MR. WONG SAID.

♦WHATEVER COMPETING CLAIMS THERE MIGHT BE, GOVERNMENT POLICY SHOULD BE DICTATED BY COMMON SENSE AND A SENSE OF BALANCE. IT WOULD BE A SORRY DAY FOR HONG KONG IF GOVERNMENT WERE SO ENGROSSED IN WEIGHING THE VARIOUS SEEMINGLY COMPETING CLAIMS THAT URGENT NEEDS ARE RELEGATED TO THE BACKGROUND,* HE ADDED.

MR. WONG APPRECIATED THAT WHEN HE SPOKE LAST TIME, THE ESTIMATES HAD PROBABLY BEEN PREPARED. HE NOW SOUGHT AN ASSURANCE FROM THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT IGNORED HIS PLEA.

♦HOPEFULLY, A DECISION HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE AT LEAST REGARDING NEW HOSPITALS AND, IF SO, THIS COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE INFORMED,* HE SAID.

/IE

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

CONSULTANTS ENGAGED FOR REPLACEMENT AIRPORT STUDIES ******

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ENGAGED CONSULTANTS TO PREPARE AN AIRPORT LAYOUT PLAN FOR A POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT FOR HONG KONG IN THE VICINITY OF CHEK LAP KOK ISLAND OFF NORTH LANTAU.

AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED WITH THE AMERICAN CONSULTANTS, PARSONS OVERSEAS COMPANY OF PASEDENA, WHO WILL BE CARRYING OUT THE STUDY IN ASSOCIATION WITH WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES, THE GOLL INS MELVIN WARD PARTNERSHIP AND THE UNITED KINGDOM CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY.

MR. B.D. KEEP, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, SIGNED THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND MR. JOHN N. FEHRER, CONTRACTS MANAGER, ON BEHALF OF THE CONSULTANTS.

THE CONSULTANCY INCLUDES A STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS AT THE PROPOSED SITE, A COST ESTIMATE FOR THE LAND FORMATION BASED ON THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SITE INVESTIGATION STUDIES AND A CONCEPTUAL AIRPORT LAYOUT SHOWING THE DISPOSITION OF RUNWAYS, TERMINAL BUILDING AND OTHER AIRPORT FACILITIES.

♦THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE CONSULTANTS IS AN ESSENTIAL STEP TO TAKE AS THEIR PLANNING INVESTIGATION WORK WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT IN REACHING ITS DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO BUILD AN AIRPORT TO REPLACE KAI TAK,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

WITH THE PRESENT RATE OF GROWTH IN AIR TRAFFIC, THE PRESENT AIRPORT WILL REACH ITS CAPACITY IN THE MID-1980S. THEREAFTER, KAI TAK WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE AIR TRAFFIC DEMAND WITHOUT INTRODUCING CONSTRAINTS ON THE AIRLINES AND/OR PASSENGERS PLUS CARGO WHICH COULD RESULT IN ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS TO HONG KONG.

♦TO BUILD A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE ALTERNATIVES EXAMINED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN THE BENEFITS OF AVIATION TO HONG KONG,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CONSULTANTS WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE WORK AT WHICH TIME THE STUDIES, TOGETHER WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR TOTAL CONSIDERATION.

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

FACTORY PROPRIETORS REMINDED TO KEEP REGISTER OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS * * * *

FACTORY PROPRIETORS WERE TODAY (THURSDAY) AGAIN REMINDED TO MAINTAIN A PROPER REGISTER OF ALL THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THEIR ESTABLISHMENTS OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT FACE PROSECUTION FOR CONTRAVENING THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REGULATIONS.

/TE3 RS.JKBSR.....

THURSDAY, L'ARCH 29, 1979

THE REMINDER CAME FROM A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN FOLLOWING A RECENT COURT CASE AT TSUEN WAN MAGISTRACY WHERE THE OWNER OF A KNITTING FACTORY WAS FINED $2,000 FOR NOT KEEPING A REGISTER FOR SIX WOMEN WORKERS UNDER HIS EMPLOY. THE FINE WAS THE MAXIMUM FOR SUCH AN OFFENCE.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE LAW ALL FACTORY PROPRIETORS ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A REGISTER CONTAINING PARTICULARS OF ALL THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS OF 14 TO 17 YEARS OF AGE, UNDER THEIR EMPLOY.

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

EASTER HOLIDAYS TRAIN TICKETS

* * *

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT ORDINARY CLASS PERIOD RETURN TICKETS FROM KOWLOON TO LO WU WILL BE SOLD AT KOWLOON STATION FROM APRIL 1 UNTIL APRIL 30.

THE ARRANGEMENT IS MADE FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF PASSENGERS GOING TO CHINA DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAY PERIOD.

THE FARE OF AN ORDINARY CLASS RETURN TICKET IS $3.80. EACH TICKET WILL BE VALID FOR THE JOURNEY FROM KOWLOON TO LO WU ON THE DATE OF ISSUE AND FOR A RETURN JOURNEY ON ANY DAY FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE UNTIL APRIL 30.

THE PERIOD RETURN TICKETS WILL ONLY APPLY TO ORDINARY CLASS AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING AT KOWLOON STATION.

ON ARRIVAL AT LO WU, PASSENGERS HOLDING RETURN TICKETS ARE REQUESTED TO SHOW THE TICKETS TO THE TICKET COLLECTORS AT THE EXIT GATES AND THEN KEEP THE TICKETS FOR USE ON THE RETURN JOURNEY AFTER WHICH THE TICKETS W ILL BE COLLECTED AT KOWLOON OR MONG KOK STATIONS.

0 -

WORK ON $29 MILLION LAUNDRY BEGINS SOON

* * * *

CONSTRUCTION OF A SECOND MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT LAUNDRY AT PIK UK IN CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH.

THE WORK WILL INCLUDE A FIVE-STOREY BUILDING TO ACCOMMODATE LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT, AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 15 MONTHS.

WHEN THE 129 MILLION LAUNDRY BECOMES OPERATIONAL IN EARLY 1981, IT WILL HANDLE CLOTHING FROM GOVERNMENT MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE LAUNDRY WILL WASH, DRY AND IRON FROM FULL-SIZED BED SHEETS TO THE SMALLEST OPERATION CAPS AND BABY NAPKINS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

PROVIDING A MINIMUM THROUGHPUT OF 454,000 KILOGRAMS (ABOUT ONE MILLION POUNDS) DRY WEIGHT A MONTH, THE LAUNDRY IS TO MEET WITH INCREASING REQUIREMENT.

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

- 20 -

ACTING GOVERNOR PRAISES MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION *****

IT IS BOTH RE-ASSURING AND ENCOURAGING TO SEE COMMUNITY SELF-HELP FLOURISHING IN HONG KONG AT THE PRESENT TIME.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, WHEN HE OFFICIALLY OPENED THE FOUR-STOREY CHAN HING SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE IN TAI KOK TSUI THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.

HE ADDEDt ♦ INDEED, THERE COULD BE SAID TO BE A TRADITION AMONGST OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS OF NOT SITTING AROUND WAITING FOR THE GOVERNMENT OR OTHERS TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS THEY CAN SOLVE THEMSELVES.

+THE MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION’S COMPLETION OF THIS CENTRE IS PROOF THAT THIS FINE TRADITION CONTINUES.*

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR JACK’S SPEECH.

+1 AM DELIGHTED TO BE PRESENT TODAY AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE CHAN HING SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE OF THE MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION.

*THIS CEREMONY MARKS THE CLIMAX OF EFFORTS WHICH BEGAN AS EARLY AS 1968 TO MEET THE NEED OF THE MONG KOK COMMUNITY FOR THE FACILITIES NOW PROVIDED IN THIS CENTRE. A PROJECT LIKE THIS INVOLVES MUCH DETAILED PLANNING AND ORGANISATION AS WELL AS DETERMINED FUND-RAISING ACTIVITY. AND NOW, AS WELL AS THIS FINE HALL, SEVERAL ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE OTHER FLOORS OF THE CENTRE FOR RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL USE.

+THE INCLUSION OF SPACE FOR CLINICS, A CANTEEN AND STAFF ACCOMMODATION WITHIN THE BUILDING INDICATES HOW THOROUGHLY THE JOB HAS BEEN DONE.

+1 CONGRATULATE ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED ON THE SOLID CONTRIBUTION THEY HAVE MADE TOWARDS THE IMPROVEMENT OF AMENITIES IN THIS DISTR ICT.

+IT IS BOTH RE-ASSURING AND ENCOURAGING TO SEE THIS KIND OF COMMUNITY SELF-HELP FLOURISHING IN HONG KONG AT THE PRESENT TIME. IT IS BY NO MEANS NEW TO HONG KONG OF COURSE.

+ INDEED, THERE COULD BE SAID TO BE A TRADITION AMONGST OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS OF NOT SITTING AROUND WAITING FOR THE GOVERNMENT OR OTHERS TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS THEY CAN SOLVE THEMSELVES.

+THE MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION'S COMPLETION OF THIS CENTRE IS PROOF THAT THIS FINE TRADITION CONTINUES.

/+THS MONG KOK .....

THURSDAY, .’dARCH 29, 1979

+THE MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION IS ONE OF THE LONGEST ESTABLISHED AND HAS A PRAISEWORTHY RECORD OF GIVING A LEAD TO RESIDENTS WHEN, FROM TIME TO TIME, VARIOUS CHALLENGES HAVE FACED THE COMMUNITY.

♦IN RECENT YEARS, IT HAS BEEN MOST ACTIVE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR A CLEANER HONG KONG. ITS MEMBERS ARE ALSO HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE WORK OF AREA COMMITTEES AND HAVE GIVEN ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE FORMATION OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.

♦THE ASSOCIATION HAS CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE DISTRICT. ON THE OFFICIAL SIDE, WE VALUE THIS KIND OF CO-OPERATIVE SPIRIT.

♦LAST YEAR THE ASSOCIATION, UNDER YOUR ENERGETIC LEADERSHIP f-R. CHAIRMAN, GAVE FURTHER PROOF OF ITS VITALITY AND KEEN INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF MONG KOK RESIDENTS BY ORGANISING THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL MONG KOK WEEK: AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT WHICH SET OUT NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE ENJOYMENT FOR RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICT BUT TO PROMOTE A GREATER FEELING OF COMMUNITY AND A GREATER FEELING OF IDENTITY. AND THIS I MOST WARMLY WELCOME.

♦TODAY’S CEREMONY, THEREFORE, THOUGH IMPORTANT IN ITSELF, IS CLEARLY NOT TO BE SEEN AS AN ISOLATED EVENT BUT AS PART OF AN ON-GOING PROCESS OF WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY BEGUN BY THE MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION MANY YEARS AGO. I AM CERTAIN THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS KIND OF WORK WILL CONTINUE TO ARISE IN FUTURE.

♦FOR THE KAIFONG ASSOCIATION THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF THIS CENTRE WILL PRESENT AN EXCITING CHALLENGE, TO WHICH I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WILL RESPOND WITH ITS USUAL ENERGY AND THOROUGHNESS.

♦THE NEXT CHALLENGE, I UNDERSTAND, LIES IN THE PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP, UPON THE VACANT SITE NEXT TO THIS CENTRE, A CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS BUILDING WHICH WILL CONTAIN FACILITIES TO COMPLEMENT THOSE ALREADY AVAILABLE HERE. ALTHOUGH THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW' PROJECT IS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, I AM AWARE THAT THE KAIFONG ASSOCIATION WILL ALSO BE CONTRIBUTING TO IT. I WISH BOTH ORGANISATIONS EVERY SUCCESS IN THEIR CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT TO PROVIDE STILL FURTHER COMMUNITY BENEFITS FOR THE USE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.

♦THERE IS SOMETHING ESPECIALLY ADMIRABLE ABOUT FACILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THEMSELVES. I WOULD ADD THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS ALWAYS WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT CAN TO ASSIST AND SUPPORT THOSE WHO DEMONSTRATE SELF-HELP IN SUCH A WORTHWHILE MANNER.

♦THE CHAN HING CENTRE WILL BE AN INSPIRATION TO OTHERS WITH SIMILAR AMBITIONS. MR. CHAIRMAN, I HOPE AND EXPECT THAT THE PEOPLE OF MONG KOK WILL THOROUGHLY ENJOY THE CENTRE’S FACILITIES FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO COME.+

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/22

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

22 -

FULL REHEARSAL FOR ANTI-DRUG RALLY *****

A FULL REHEARSAL FOR THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS’ (ACAN) MASS RALLY WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG STADIUM ON SATURDAY STARTING AT 2 P.M.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. PETER E. I. LEE, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN’S PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR. KARL STUMPF, WILL ATTEND THE TWO-HOUR REHEARSAL.

THE RALLY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE STADIUM NEXT FRIDAY (APRIL 6). THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL BE ATTENDING.

THE REHEARSAL FEATURES A ♦TELE-MATCH* DEMONSTRATION BY SELECTED TEAMS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND A BRASS BAND, BUGLES, PIPES AND DRUMS PERFORMANCES BY THE BRITISH FORCES AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.

A MOCK BATTLE WILL BE STAGED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS).

MORE THAN 2,000 STUDENTS FROM NEU METHOD COLLEGE WILL GIVE AN ANTI-DRUG SLOGAN AND PICTURE DISPLAY WITH THE SKILFUL USE OF +FLIP BOARDS.+

OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE RIBBON AND LION DANCE PERFORMANCES BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, KARATE AND TAEKWANDO DEMONSTRATIONS BY POLICE CADETS, A MOTORCYCLE DEMONSTRATION BY THE CIVIL AID SERVICES AND A FREE-FALL PARACHUTE DISPLAY BY THE BRITISH FORCES’ +FLYING DRAGONS.*

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER A FULL REHEARSAL FOR THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS’ (ACAN) MASS RALLY TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG STADIUM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 31). INFORMATION OFFICERS FROM G.I.S. AND THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETAR IAT WILL BE PRESENT AT THE STADIUM AT 1.45 P.M. TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.

AIR MAIL SERVICES TO VIETNAM RESUMED

*****

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT AIR MAIL SERVICES TO VIETNAM HAVE BEEN RESUMED.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON DISRUPTION OF SERVICE WAS MADE ON FEBRUARY 22.

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/23 .

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

STORM WARNING LIGHTS BACK TO WORK * * * *

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING AND STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL LIGHTS ON TOP OF THE OLD KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY TERMINAL TOWER HAS RESUMED FUNCTIONING.

THE LIGHTS HAD CEASED OPERATION FOR FOUR MONTHS TO FACILITATE RENOVATION WORK OF THE BUILDING.

TROPICAL CYCLONE AND STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED AT 38 STATIONS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

- - 0 -

ROAD CLOSURE EXTENDED

* * X *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) 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, CLOSED SINCE FEBRUARY 19, WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 20 FOR ROAD AND DRAINS CONSTRUCTION WORKS.

DURING THIS PERIOD, THE NEW TERR I TOR IES-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THIS 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.

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1979

URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY, APRIL 2, THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD BETWEEN SAI YEE STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 15 NETRES TO THE EAST OF STREET LAMP POST NO. K2451 NEAR FA YUEN STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE TO ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, FROM 7 A.M. TO MIDNIGHT DAILY

ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, ARE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THIS ZONE.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

0 -

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MONG KOK WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA 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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

VICTORIA BARRACKS FORMALLY HANDED OVER TO GOVT TODAY .... 1

OIL POLICY COMMITTEE MEETS .............................. 2

19.2 HECTARES OF LAND FOR SALE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ... 3

NEW PRICE STRUCTURE FOR WATER ........................... 4

TB TREATMENT SHORTENED .................................. 5

TENDERS INVITED FOR NEW TOWN PROJECTS ................... 6

RTHK FILM ON HK SCENIC SPOTS ............................ 7

REGIONAL SEMINAR ON THE GSP FOR ASIAN COUNTRIES ......... 8

REVISED IMPORT/EXPORT DECLARATION AND EXPORT LICENCE FORMS ................................................... 9

67 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED LAST MONTH .............. 10

SURVEY ON QUALITY OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE COURSES ....... 11

MAIL DELAY ............................................. 12

MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 14 TO OPERATE BETWEEN WAN CHAI FERRY AND PURVES ROAD ........................................ 12

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

VICTORIA BARRACKS FORMALLY HANDED OVER TO GOVT TODAY ft ft ft ft ft ft ft

VICTORIA BARRACKS, HOME OF THE BRITISH FORCES IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 130 YEARS, WAS FORMALLY HANDED OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.

A FIRM OF LOCAL CONSULTANTS IS BEING APPOINTED TO REPORT TO GOVERNMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF THE AREA ZONED FOR RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE PURPOSES ON THE APPROVED LAND USE ZONING PLAN FOR VICTORIA BARRACKS.

IN THE MEANTIME, ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO TAKE OVER AND MANAGE THE WHOLE OF THE RELEASED AREA SO THAT IT IS SAFE FOR GENERAL PUBLIC ACCESS.

AS SOON AS THIS HAS BEEN DONE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON PUBLIC USE OF THE BARRACKS WILL BE MADE.

THE INTENTION IS THAT THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE ACCESS UNTIL GOVERNMENT IS READY TO BEGIN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE AREA WHICH IS LIKELY TO BE IN ABOUT 12 MONTHS TIME.

SHORTLY AFTER THIS, ROAD WORKS WILL ALSO HAVE TO START IN THE NORTHEAST OF THE BARRACKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF COMMERCIAL SITES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW SUPREME COURT.

AS FOR THE BUILDINGS VACATED BY THE ARMY, IT IS INTENDED TO I*KE USE OF THEM ON A STRICTLY TEMPORARY BASIS AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BE MOVING IN OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

THIS TEMPORARY USE WILL IN NO WAY PREJUDICE PERMANENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA, OR DELAY PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE FACILITIES IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE BARRACKS.

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

/2 ...

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

2 -

OIL POLICY COMMITTEE MEETS

X X X X

AT A MEETING OF THE OIL POLICY COMMITTEE THIS MORNING, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE POWER COMPANIES AND THE MAJOR OIL DISTRIBUTORS REVIEWED THE POSITION IN HONG KONG AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF A POSSIBLE OIL SHORTAGE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THE COMMITTEE CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE SHORTAGE IN MOST CATEGORIES OF OIL PRODUCTS EXCEPT FOR FUEL OIL WHICH IS USED PRIMARILY FOR THE GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY.

IT WILL BE STUDYING IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS WAYS AND MEANS OF REDUCING ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION INCLUDING THE RUNNING OF A SAVE FUEL CAMPAIGN.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT INDICATIONS FROM OIL COMPANIES WERE THAT WITH THE CURTAILMENT OF NORMAL OIL EXPORTS FROM IRAN, THE WORLD-WIDE SUPPLY OF OIL FALLS SHORT OF DEMAND AND THIS MEANT THAT CONSUMPTION WOULD HAVE TO BE REDUCED.

LEADING INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES MEETING TOGETHER IN THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY HAD ALREADY DECIDED TO REDUCE THEIR CONSUMPTION OF OIL PRODUCTS.

THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BEGIN TO CONSERVE FUEL NOW BY TAKING SUCH SIMPLE MEASURES AS REMEMBERING TO SWITCH OFF LIGHTS, AIR-CONDITIONING AND TELEVISION SETS WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED.

HE SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED INCREASE IN OIL PRICES, LOWER CONSUMPTION WOULD ALSO RESULT IN LOWER ELECTRICITY BILLS.

MEANWHILE, THE OIL COMPANIES PLAN TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO VISIT THEIR INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS TO ADVISE THEM ON MEASURES THEY MIGHT TAKE TO ECONOMISE ON THE USE OF FUEL.

THE POWER COMPANIES ARE CONSIDERING SETTING UP A UNIT TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO MAKE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF ELECTRICITY.

OTHER COUNTRIES HAYE ALREADY BEGUN ECONOMY MEASURES. hEW ZEALAND HAS IMPLEMENTED A CONSERVATION PROGRAMME. THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO ANNOUNCED RESTRICTIONS ON CONSUMPTION AND IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT WILL BEGIN A CONSERVATION PROGRAMME NEXT WEEK.

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

19.2 HECTARES OF LAND FOR SALE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ft * ft ft ft *

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO SELL 53 LOTS COVERING MORE THAN 19 HECTARES OF LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

THE BULK OF THE LAND IS FOR VARIOUS KINDS OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT — AND MOST OF IT IS TO BE SOLD BY TENDER TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS.

THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR. FRANK ROOME, SAID TODAY THE SALES PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDED PUBLIC AUCTIONS OF 15 SITES INCLUDING INDUSTRIAL LOTS AT SHA TIN, TUEN MUN AND SAI KUNG.

HOWEVER. TWO AREAS IN THE SALES PROGRAMME THAT WOULD ATTRACT CONSIDERABLE INTEREST WERE BIG PRESTIGE RESIDENTIAL SITES IN SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN.

HE SAID 11 DIFFERENT SITES ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE SHA TIN VALLEY OVERLOOKING THE RACECOURSE WOULD BE AUCTIONED OR TENDERED AS PRIME RESIDENTIAL LOTS FOR LOW AND MEDIUM RISE DEVELOPMENTS.

♦ THERE ARE FOUR SITES IN ONE PARCEL NEAR THE RACECOURSE RAILWAY STATION WHICH ARE EARMARKED FOR MEDIUM DENSITY DEVELOPMENT POSSIBLY ALONG THE LINES OF THE WORLD WIDE GARDENS COMPLEX ON THE SHA TIN APPROACH ROAD.

♦ IN THE SECOND PLANNING AREA, SEVEN SITES HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE FOR TWO-STOREY TOWN HOUSE DEVELOPMENT.

♦ THESE SITES HAVE A COMMANDING VIEW NOT ONLY OF THE RACECOURSE, BUT OF THE WHOLE VALLEY TO THE SOUTH AND TOLO HARBOUR TO THE NORTH.

♦ ACCESS ROADS ARE BEING BUILT AND ALL OTHER SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED, AND EVEN THOUGH THE SALES ARE SOME TIME OFF, THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN GREAT INTEREST IN THE SITES BECAUSE THEY ARE IN A LOCATION THAT IS KNOWN AS THE JARDINE'S LOOKOUT OF SHA TIN.+

MR. ROOME SAID THAT TWO SITES IN EACH OF THE PRESTIGE RESIDENTIAL AREAS WOULD BE AUCTIONED WHILE THE REMAINDER WOULD BE TENDERED TO LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT HOLDERS.

THE OTHER BIG RESIDENTIAL SITE AT TAI WO TSUEN - ON FORMED PLATFORMS COVERING SIX HECTARES - WOULD ALSO BE TENDERED TO EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT HOLDERS.

♦THIS IS A VERY BIG SITE - MORE THAN SIX HECTARES - AND THE CONDITIONS OF. SALE HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO ENSURE A FIRST-CLASS RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SOME 6,000 PEOPLE,* MR. ROOME SAID.

/♦THE PLOT ,...

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

♦THE PLOT RATIO HAS BEEN SET AT A LEVEL TO ALLOW FLEXIBILITY AND THE WHOLE SCHEME WILL INCORPORATE A PRIMARY SCHOOL. LANDSCAPING, OPEN SPACE, COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES - A SELF-CONTAINED DEVELOPMENT.♦

MR. ROOMS SAID A NUMBER OF GOOD RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SITES WOULD ALSO BE SOLD AT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, SAI KUNG AND ON LANTAU ISLAND AT CHEUNG SHA, NEAR THE SOUTH LANTAU HOSPITAL.

ON INDUSTRIAL LAND, MR. ROOME POINTED OUT THAT 17 LOTS COVERING MORE THAN 40,000 SQUARE METRES WOULD BE AUCTIONED OR TENDERED.

THESE WOULD BE AT KWAI CHUNG, TUEN MUN AND FO TAN IN SHA T4N AS WELL AS NEW INDUSTRIAL AREAS BEING OPENED UP IN SAI KUNG.

THE CONSIDERABLY INCREASED SALES PROGRAMME COMPARED WITH PREVIOUS YEARS RESULTED FROM THE RAPID PROGRESS OF THE LAND. PRODUCTION PROGRAMME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, PARTICULARLY -IN THE NEW TOWN AREAS, HE SAID.

♦THE INITIAL EMPHASIS WAS IN PROVIDING LAND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING BUT NOW THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF LAND BECOMING AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL GIVE THE TOWNS A PROPER BALANCE.

♦MOST OF OUR LAND IS BEING SOLD BY TENDER IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF REDUCING ITS COMMITMENT TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT DOCUMENTS,♦ MR. ROOME SAID.

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

NEW PRICE STRUCTURE FOR WATER

X * * * ft

■rue J>H,E^!T!RW0RKS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1979 INTRODUCING ESmnmcJt F0R WATER WERE POLISHED IN TODAY’S

taJVtKNMtNT 6AZc lit a

.NEW PR|CES WILL BE REFLECTED IN BILLS RELATING TO

*JTER Ae$boY1^HSU^ED ,N FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIODS, COMMENCING LW UK ArTcR APR IL 1, 1975•

SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THIS MEANT 2T«EtirHlTS«W0<hLBE APPLIED ,N RESPECT OF BILLS ISSUED ON OR Ar itR AUGUST 1, 1979.

, , A ™R0RARY CONCESSIONARY TARIFF WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO LARGE TRADE CONSUMERS WHO SATISFY CERTAIN CRITERIA. AND A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT IN THIS RESPECT WOULD BE MADE SHORTL?! FURTHER

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

TB TREATMENT SHORTENED

* * *

WITH THE ADVANCE MADE IN MODERN MEDICINE, PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM TUBERCULOSIS WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO UNDERGO LONG PERIOD OF TREATMENT WHICH USUALLY LASTS 18 MONTHS.

THIS HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY USING A COMBINATION OF DRUGS IN A NEW SHORT COURSE TREATMENT WHICH HAS NOW BEEN INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG.

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. K.L. THONG, STATED THIS WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS AND THORACIC DISEASE ASSOCIATION THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.

♦ONLY THE MOST DIFFICULT CASES, AND THESE ARE NOW IN SMALL MINORITY, NEED TO HAVE TREATMENT CONTINUED FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS aAd FOR MANY, FOUR OF FIVE MONTHS MAY BE ENOUGH,* HE SAID.

♦SIX-MONTH TREATMENT MAY STILL SOUND LONG BUT IS, NEVERTHELESS, SURELY A DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT ON THE PREVIOUS PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS,♦ HE ADDED.

DR. THONG POINTED OUT THAT THE NOTIFICATION RATE OF TUBERCULOSIS DROPPED FROM 160 PER 100,000 POPULATION IN 1977 TO 144 LAST YEAR AND THE DEATH RATE FROM 11.8 TO ONLY NINE.

HOWEVER, HE WARNED THAT THE DISEASE COULD NOT BE LIGHTLY DISREGARDED AS THERE WERE STILL SOME 6,600 NOTIFICATIONS WITH 420 DEATHS REPORTED LAST YEAR.

♦INDEED, IT MUST BE EMPHASISED THAT TUBERCULOSIS REMAINS THE WORLD’S MOST IMPORTANT COMMUNICABLE DISEASE AND IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE SOME SEVEN MILLION CASES OF ACTIVE TB IN THE WORLD TODAY WITH AT LEAST HALF A MILLION DEATHS A YEAR,* HE SAID.

AT THE MOMENT, SAID DR. THONG, THERE MUST BE ABOUT 16,000 CASES OF ACTIVE TB IN THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY REQUIRING ATTENTION.

ALTHOUGH MANY WERE ALREADY UNDER TREATMENT THERE MUST STILL BE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF HIDDEN CASES, HE SAID.

WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SHORT COURSE CHEMOTHERAPY, THE DEPARTMENT’S CHEST SERVICE WILL BE LAUNCHING A CASE-FINDING CAMPAIGN IN MAY.

AS ELDERLY MEN ARE ESPECIALLY LIABLE TO SUFFER FROM ACTIVE INFECTIOUS TUBERCULOSIS, THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE FOCUSED ON THIS GROUP.

DR. THONG STRESSED THAT THE TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS NOW IS +QUICK, FREE AND RARELY NEEDS HOSPITALISATION.*

♦IT WILL ALSO BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT TB, IF NOT TREATED, REMAINS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DISEASE,* IE ADDED.

/DH. thong .....

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

DR. THONG SAID THAT PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TB HAS BEEN STEADY RATHER THAN SPECTACULAR.

ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS MUST BE THE VERY HIGH POPULATION DENSITY IN HONG KONG WITH ITS INCREASED RISK OF INFECTION.

♦I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT THE LEVEL OF TUBERCULOSIS IN THE VAST NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS REMAINS BELOW THAT OF THE GENERAL POPULATION,* HE SAID.

♦I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE BETTER HOUSING WHICH IS BEING PROVIDED AND THE GENERAL RISE IN THE STANDARD OF LIVING IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DECREASE IN TUBERCULOSIS,* HE ADDED.

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TENDERS INVITED FOR NEW TOWN PROJECTS

* * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITED TENDERS FOR SITE FORMATION, ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

THE WORKS FORM PART OF THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

MR. K.T. KUO, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SAID 31 HECTARES OF LAND WOULD BE FORMED UNDER THE CONTRACT.

OF THESE, 14.7 HECTARES WILL BE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING- 1.3 HECTARES FOR PRIVATE HOUSING- 10 HECTARES FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USES AND FIVE HECTARES FOR COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL USES.

MR. KUO SAID THE LAND FORMED WOULD ENABLE ACCOMMODATION TO BE PROVIDED FOR SOME 46,000 PEOPLE IN PUBLIC AND 22,600 IN PRIVATE HOUSING.

THE CONTRACT, HE ADDED, WOULD ALSO INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TRUNK SEWER, SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE, FIVE BOX CULVERTS AND PART OF A RIVER WALL.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JUNE AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED, AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED, BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

- 7 -RTHK FILM ON HK SCENIC SPOTS ******

HONG KONG’S SCENIC SPOTS HAVE BEEN CAPTURED IN A RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG PRODUCTION TO BE BROADCAST ON TVB JADE AT 7.05 P.M. ON SUNDAY (APRIL 1).

THE FILM, ENTITLED +HONG KONG SCENIC SPOTS*, WILL BE SCREENED AS AN EPISODE OF +COMMON SENSE*, RTHK’S REGULAR WEEKLY PROGRAMME.

THE FILM WILL ALSO BE SHOWN AT AN EXHIBITION OF PRIZE-WINNING ENTRIES TO PHOTOGRAPHIC AND POETRY CONTESTS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY RTHK, THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.

THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD IN EDINBURGH PLACE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ON SUNDAY BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 5 P.M. THE FILM WILL ALSO BE SHOWN THERE ON TELEVISION SETS THROUGHOUT THE EXHIBITION.

AT 11 A.M. TOMORROW, PRIZES WILL BE GIVEN TO WINNERS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC, POETRY AND DANCE CONTESTS BY THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR. DONALD KERR, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. EDWARD NICHOLS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR. STUART WILKINSON, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MR.

JOHNNIE JOHNSTON.

OTHERS INVITED TO GIVE PRIZES ARE MRS. YUEN KANG-CHUEN, MRS. CHRISTINE LIAO, MISS JEAN WONG AND MR. CHAN SHU-KWAI, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF KA WAH BANK LTD.

FILM CREWS SPENT SEVERAL MONTHS PRODUCING THE +HONG KONG SCENIC SPOTS*, AND MANY BREATHTAKING SCENERIES IN HONG KONG ARE COVERED IN THE FILM. HIGHLIGHTS ARE THE FUNG WONG SHAN AT SUNRISE, THE TAI NG WATERFALLS, THE ROCK CAVE AT TIU CHUNG CHAU, TAI LONG WEST BAY WITH ITS ROLLING WAVES, AND THE PICTURESQUE PAT SIN RANGE OLD VILLAGE. BALLET, THE WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS AND POEMS ALSO FEATURE IN THE FILM. THE LEADING ROLES IN THE EPISODE ARE PLAYED BY CHOREOGRAPHER MR. LAU SIU-MING AND MISS YUEN LAI-WAH. EACH SCENIC SPOT IS DESCRIBED IN VERSES COMPOSED BY MR. SO MAN-CHOK, SENIOR LECTURER IN CHINESE AT THE THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.

THE MUSIC IS COMPOSED AND PLAYED BY WELL KNOWN PIANIST ffi. ALFRED LEE.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

A RTHK FILM ON HONG KONG’S SCENIC SPOTS WILL BE SHOWN ON TELEVISION SETS AT AN EXHIBITION OF PRIZE-WINKING ENTRIES TO PHOTOGRAPHIC AND POETRY CONTESTS AT EDINBURGH PLACE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ON SUNDAY BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 5 P.M.

/AT 11 A.M.

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

- 8 -

AT 11 A.M. TOMORROW, WINNERS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC, POETRY AND DANCE CONTESTS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES BY THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR. DONALD KERR, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. EDWARD NICHOLS. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR. STUART WILKINSON, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MR. JOHNNIE JOHNSTON.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION AND PRESENTATION OF PRIZES AT 11 A.M. TOMORROW AT EDINBURGH PLACE.

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

REGIONAL SEMINAR ON THE GSP FOR ASIAN COUNTRIES

* * * *

A GSP EXPERT FROM THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WILL REPRESENT HONG KONG IN THE REGIONAL SEMINAR ON THE GENERALISED SCHEMES OF PREFERENCES FOR ASIAN COUNTRIES JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD) AND THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) TO BE HELD IN NEW DELHI, INDIA DURING APRIL 2 - 12.

THE SEMINAR AIMS AT PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OFFICIALS FROM THE PREFERENCE-RECEIVING COUNTRIES IN ASIA TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE DIFFERENT SCHEMES OF PREFERENCES AND TO EXAMINE AND DISCUSS SPECIFIC TOPICS REGARDING THE WAYS AND MEANS FOR ENSURING THE FULLER UTILISATION OF THE VARIOUS GENERALISED SCHEMES OF PREFERENCES.

HONG KONG IS INCLUDED AS BENEFICIARY IN NINE DIFFERENT GENERALISED SCHEMES OF PREFERENCES OPERATED BY 17 COUNTRIES. THESE ARE AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, CANADA, THE NINE MEMBERS OF THE EEC, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND AND THE U.S.A.

HONG KONG HAS BEEN CERTIFYING GSP EXPORTS SINCE JULY 1971 WHEN THE EEC GSP WAS INTRODUCED. IN 1978, ABOUT 21 PER CENT BY VALUE OF OUR TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS ARE COVERED BY FORMS A ISSUED UNDER THE VARIOUS GENERALISED SCHEMES OF PREFERENCES. OF THESE GSP EXPORTS, 38 PER CENT WENT TO THE U.S.A. AND 45 PER CENT TO THE EEC COUNTRIES.

MR. P.C. LEUNG, PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER OF THE CERTIFICATION BRANCH OF THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON SUNDAY, APRIL 1, TO ATTEND THIS SEMINAR.

HE SAID THAT HE EXPECTED TO BE ABLE TO OBTAIN MORE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE VARIOUS GSP’S AND TO DISCUSS WITH PARTICIPANTS FROM OTHER ASIAN PREFERENCE-RECEIVING COUNTRIES THE PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GSPS IN THE SEMINAR.

MR. LEUNG WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON APRIL 13.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

REVISED IMP0RT/EXP0RT DECLARATION AND EXPORT LICENCE FORMS ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE A REVISED IMPORT DECLARATION FORM 1 (TIC 281), EXPORT DECLARATION -FORM 2 (TIC 418), EXPORT DECLARATION FORM 3 (TIC 418A) AND EXPORT LICENCE FORM 6 (TIC 394 REV.) WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1979

THE REVISED FORMS HAVE BEEN SIMPLIFIED AND ARE ALIGNED IN FORMAT. THE REVISED IMPORT DECLARATION FORM 1 AND THE EXPORT DECLARATION FORMS 2 AND 3 WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING IMPORT DECLARATION FORM 1 AND EXPORT DECLARATION FORMS 2 AND 3 RESPECTIVELY

HOWEVER, THE REVISED EXPORT LICENCE FORM 6 WILL REPLACE BOTH THE EXISTING EXPORT LICENCE FORMS 6 AND 7.

THE DEPARTMENT WILL NEVERTHELESS CONTINUE TO ACCEPT THE EXISTING FORMS UNTIL STOCKS ARE EXHAUSTED.

THE REVISED FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES1

* GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG- OR

ft TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT,

ACCOUNTS OFFICE,

OCEAN CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR,

CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON- OR

ft TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG SUB-OFFICE, 46 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG.

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/10

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

- 10

67 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED LAST MONTH ******

A TOTAL OF 67 NEW BUILDING PLANS WAS APPROVED LAST (FEBRUARY) MONTH BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, COMPARED WITH 51 IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.

OF THOSE APPROVED, 26 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 23 FOR KOWLOON AND 18 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THEY INCLUDED SEVERAL FACTORY BUILDINGS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, A HOTEL BUILDING IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, A CHURCH AND SCHOOL BUILDING IN SHU I PIN TSUEN, YUEN LONG, AND A NUMBER OF APARTMENT-COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.

THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS $107.95 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $376.45 MILLION LAST YEAR.

THE USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED LAST MONTH TOTALLED 101,947.5 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 67,283.8 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 34,663.7 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 47 NEW PROJECTS, INCLUDING A LANGUAGE CENTRE FOR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, A BUDDHIST TEMPLE IN TEI TONG TSAI, LANTAU ISLAND, A SEA WATER PUMP HOUSE IN CANTON ROAD AND AN L.P.G. STORAGE TANK AND VAPORISING PLANT ROOM IN TSUEN WAN.

A TOTAL OF 34 NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WAS CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING THE MONTH, INCLUDING A KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION BUILDING IN TUNG LO WAN ROAD, A HOSPITAL EXTENSION TO THE BAPTIST HOSPITAL IN WATERLOO ROAD AND A FEW FACTORY BUILDINGS.

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO ASSENTED TO THE DEMOLITION OF 90 BUILDINGS.

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/11

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

SURVEY ON QUALITY OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE COURSES ******

INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARDS AND EMPLOYERS IN GENERAL FEEL THAT THE COURSES OFFERED BY TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ARE GENERALLY RELEVANT TO THE ACTUAL NEEDS OF INDUSTRY, ACCORDING TO THE FINDINGS OF A RECENT SURVEY.

THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED LAST AUGUST BY THE COMMITTEE ON TECHNICAL TRAINING IN INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL TO GAUGE THE PRACTICABILITY OF COURSES RUN BY TECHNICAL INSTITUTES FOR EMPLOYEES IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.

RESPONDENTS TO THE SURVEY ALSO FEEL THAT AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS ATTENDED A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE COURSE IS MORE USEFUL TO THE EMPLOYER THAN ONE WHO HAS NOT.

INDUSTRIES INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY ARE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING, BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, CLOTHING, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING, PLASTICS, PRINTING, SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIRS, TEXTILE AND HOTEL.

EIGHT OUT OF 10 INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARDS APPROACHED BY THE COMMITTEE GAVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE ISSUE WHILE SOME 850 OUT OF 1,000 EMPLOYERS RETURNED THE QUESTIONAIRES.

BASED ON THE RETURNED QUESTIONAIRES, 87.5 PER CENT OF THE EMPLOYERS AGREE THAT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE COURSES ARE RELATED TO THE ACTUAL NEEDS OF INDUSTRY WHILE 80.3 PER CENT FEEL THAT AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS ATTENDED A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE COURSE IS MORE USEFUL THAN AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS NOT ATTENDED SUCH A COURSE.

THE COMMITTEE ON TECHNICAL TRAINING IN INSTITUTIONS COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

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/12

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1979

- 12 -

MAIL DELAY * M *

THE POST OFFICE INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY AND FROM GREAT BRI TA I

ANNOUNCED TODAY POSTAL STAFF IN

(FRIDAY) THAT OWING TO

LONDON, CORRESPONDENCE TO N MAY BE SUBJECTED TO -----

DELAY

- - 0 - -

MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 14 TO OPERATE BETWEEN WAN CHAI FERRY AND PURVES ROAD * X M M

MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 14 FROM MONDAY (APRIL 2) WILL BE REVISED TO OPERATE BETWEEN WAN CHAI FERRY AND PURVES ROAD INSTEAD OF OPERATING BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND PURVES ROAD.

THE ROUTE FROM WAN CHAI FERRY TO PURVES ROAD WILL BE VIA FLEMING ROAD, WAN CHAI ROAD, MORRISON HILL ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, HYSAN AVENUE, SUNNING ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, PENNINGTON STREET, KESWICK STREET, LEIGHTON ROAD, CAROLINE HILL ROAD, LINK ROAD, BROADWOOD ROAD, TAI HANG ROAD, PERKINS ROAD, CREASY ROAD, COOPER ROAD AND WILSON ROAD.

THE ROUTE FROM PURVES ROAD TO WAN CHAI FERRY WILL BE VIA PERKINS ROAD, MOORSOM ROAD, BOYCE ROAD, MOORSOM ROAD, PERKINS ROAD, TAI HANG ROAD, BROADWOOD ROAD, LINK ROAD, CAROLINE HILL ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, PENNINGTON STREET, YEE WO STREET, HENNESSY ROAD AND FLEMING ROAD.

FOUR MAXICABS WILL SERVICE THIS ROUTE FROM 7.06 A.M. TO 10.54 P.M. ON PEAK FREQUENCIES OF 12 MINUTES AND OFF-PEAK FREQUENCIES OF 20 MINUTES.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

50 ILLEGAL ALTERATIONS IN BUILDINGS REMOVED BY PWD ........ 1

ANOTHER PHASE OF SHEK WUI HUI DEVELOPMENT STARTS .......... 1

CARE NEEDED FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN SAYS SNT.................. 2

38 CONTRACTS AWARDED BY PWD LAST MONTH..................... 3

NO MAIL DELIVERY ON CHING MING FESTIVAL.................... 3

SEMINAR ON ART EXAMINATIONS ............................... *

FIRING PRACTICE ........................................... 4

WATER CUTS

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1979

50 ILLEGAL ALTERATIONS IN BUILDINGS REMOVED BY PWD *****

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS COMPLETED A TOTAL OF 50 JOBS INVOLVING THE PHYSICAL REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORISED OR ILLEGAL ALTERATIONS TO BUILDINGS DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS.

THIS WAS STATED BY MR. TED KENNARD, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, EARLIER THIS WEEK WHEN HE SIGNED A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT VALUED AT $4.8 MILLION WITH MR. FU CHI-HUNG OF FU HING CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.

IT INCLUDES REMOVALS OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES FROM BUILDINGS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, DEMOLITION WORKS AND REPAIR OF DEFECTIVE BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

MR. KENNARD SAID THAT THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE CARRIES OUT SUCH WORKS WHEN AN OWNER IS IN DEFAULT OF AN ORDER MADE BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.

THE COST OF DOING THE WORK IS THEN RECOVERED FROM THE OWNER.

♦EMERGENCY WORKS, SUCH AS PARTIAL OR FULL DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS, SIGNS AND OTHER STRUCTURES, CAN BE UNDERTAKEN AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC,+ HE SAID.

MR. KENNARD ADDED THAT A NEW SECTION HAD RECENTLY BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE TO CONCENTRATE EXCLUSIVELY ON ENFORCING COMPLIANCE WITH ORDERS SERVED ON OWNERS IN RESPECT OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES.

IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE TOTAL VOLUME OF SUCH WORK UNDERTAKEN BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL CONSIDERABLY INCREASE IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR,+ HE ADDED.

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ANOTHER PHASE OF SHEK WUI HUI DEVELOPMENT STARTS * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO EMBARK SHORTLY ON YET ANOTHER PACKAGE CF THE SHEK WUI HUI DEVELOPMENT TO PROVIDE LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USES AND AN ESTATE UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.

THE PROJECT, ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $441 MILLION, FORMS PART OF THE OVERALL PROGRAMME TO TURN FANLING-SHEUNG SHUI-SHEK WUI HUI AREAS INTO A MODERN NEW TOWN FOR ABOUT 170,000 PEOPLE BY THE MID 1980’S.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT COMPREHENSIVE PLANS HAD BEEN PREPARED TO COVER ALL THE THREE AREAS BUT EACH WOULD RETAIN ITS OWN INDIVIDUAL IDENTITY.

/UNDER THS.....

SATURDAY, MABCH 31, 1979

2 -

UNDER THE PROJECT, SITES WILL ALSO BE RESERVED FOR VILLAGE TYPE HOUSING, OPEN SPACE AND OTHER FACILITIES.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE ASSOCIATED ROADS, DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND RIVER TRAINING WORKS ON THE RIVER SUTLEJ TO AVOID POSSIBLE FLOODING IS SCHEDULED TO START IN OCTOBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

TO FACILITATE ENGINEERING WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT, THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESUME 37 HECTARES OF PRIVATE LAND SITUATED IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF SHEK WUI HUI IN A NUMBER OF STAGES OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

THE FIRST STAGE INVOLVING 68 TEMPORARY DOMESTIC STRUCTURES OCCUPIED BY 15 FAMILIES AND TWO TEMPORARY STRUCTURES USED AS SHOP AND WORKSHOP RESPECTIVELY WILL TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER.

♦DISPLACED FAMILIES WILL BE OFFERED EITHER PUBLIC HOUSING OR SPACES IN THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA DEPENDING ON THEIR ELIGIBILITY,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦GENUINE CULTIVATOR FAMILIES MAY BE GRANTED AN EX-GRATIA REHABILITATION ALLOWANCE OF $5,000 PER FAMILY BUT WILL FORFEIT THEIR PRIORITY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING,♦ HE ADDED.

AS THE LAND TO BE RESUMED LIES WITHIN THE FANLING-SHEUNG SHUI-SHEK WUI HUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN, LAND OWNERS CONCERNED WILL BE OFFERED THE ALTERNATIVES OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS OR CASH COMPENSATION.

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CAPE NEEDED FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN SAYS SNT ******

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) HONG KONG MUST AIM AT PROVIDING BASIC CARE AND ATTENTION FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN AND THEN STEADILY IMPROVE OUR FACILITIES AND CARE.

THIS GOAL SHOULD APPLY TO THE SICK, THE DISABLED AND THOSE WITHOUT PARENTS AS WELL AS THOSE WHO WERE MORE FORTUNATE, HE SAID.

SPEAKING AT THE OPEN DAY OF ST. CHRISTOPHER’S HOME AT TAI PO, ORGANISED TO COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD, M?. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT SINCE THE DECLARATION OF CHILD’S RIGHTS IN 1959, HONG KONG HAD TRAVELLED A LONG WAY FROM THE BASIC PROVISION OF PRIMARY EDUCATION TO NINE YEARS FREE EDUCATION FOR ALL.

IN ADDITION, A LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND A PROPER BASIC HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE PROVISION OF CHILD CARE CENTRES WHERE WORKING PARENTS CAN FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN SAFE HANDS WHILE THEY ARE AT WORK.

/♦ .3 ARE..

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1979

♦WE ARE NOW EXAMINING THE REQUIREMENT FOR PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOLSAND, AS A COMMUNITY, ARE SHOWING MORE CONCERN FOR THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.

+OUR AIM MUST BE TO PROVIDE BASIC CARE AND ATTENTION FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN, THE SICK, DISABLED AND THOSE WITHOUT PARENTS, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE MORE FORTUNATE, AND THEN STEADILY TO IMPROVE OUR FACILITIES AND CARE,* HE SAID.

MR. AKERS-JONES PRAISED ST. CHRISTOPHER’S HOME FOR HAVING SERVED A GREAT NEED IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS IN CARING FOR CHILDREN AND SAID HE LOOKED FORWARD TO THE FUTURE ROLE OF ST. CHRISTOPHER’S IN RELATION TO THE GROWTH OF SHA TIN INTO A TOWN OF HALF A MILLION TO THE SOUTH AND TAI PO TO 200,000 TO THE NORTH.

+l AM SURE THE ORGANISATION, WITH ITS CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES OF LAND, CAN MAKE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO THE WELFARE NEEDS OF THESE TWO GREAT COMMUNITIES,* HE ADDED.

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38 CONTRACTS AWARDED BY PWD LAST MONTH ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AWARDED A TOTAL OF 38 CONTRACTS WORTH $89.05 MILLION LAST MONTH (FEBRUARY).

THIRTEEN WERE AWARDED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD AND 25 ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PWD TENDER BOARD.

THE BIGGEST CONTRACT WAS FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT IN FANLING AND SHEK WU HUI. THE PROJECT IS TO BE COMPLETED OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

AMONG OTHER CONTRACTS WERE THOSE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF VILLAGE HOUSES AT SAM TUNG UK, TSUEN WAN NORTH AND THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF MACHINERY FOR PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.

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NO MAIL DELIVERY ON CHING MING FESTIVAL _ * * *

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THERE WILL EE NO MAIL DELIVERY ON THURSDAY, APRIL 5, WHICH IS THE CHING MING FESTIVAL AND A GENERAL HOLIDAY.

IN ADDITION, ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON THAT DAY.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1979

- 4 -

SEMINAR ON ART EXAMINATIONS

X * X *

A SEMINAR ON ART EXAMINATIONS AT FORM/MIDDLE V LEVEL WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 11 BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 1 P.M. AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.

THE SEMINAR, WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE, IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE ART SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

ALL ART TEACHERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

+THE AIMS OF THE SEMINAR ARE TO REVIEW THE PRESENT EXAMINATIONS, TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AMONG ART TEACHERS AND CONCERNED EDUCATIONISTS, AND TO EXPLORE POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

PANELISTS FOR THE SEMINAR INCLUDE MR. KWOK CHIU-LEUNG AND MISS NG CHI-BING OF THE ART SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR. CHAN PING-TIM OF THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, DR. CHENG SHIU-CHING AND DR. SIU PING-KEE OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND MR. K.C. CHENG AND MR. K.W. CHAN OF THE EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY.

FIRING PRACTICE

UK*

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FOR THREE DAYS NEXT WEEK.

THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.

THE PRACTISING TIMES AREi

DATE TIME

APRIL 2 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

APRIL 3 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

APRIL 4 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 4.30 P.M.

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/5....

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1979 - 5 -

WATER CUTS * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR 10 HOURS FROM 10 P.M. ON MONDAY TO 8 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS CONNECTION.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY TAI KOK TSUI ROAD BETWEEN WAI ON STREET AND FUK LEE STREET, LOK KWAN STREET, MAN ON STREET AND TUNG CHAU STREET BETWEEN TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND WALNUT STREET.

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO HUNG HOM, KOWLOON TONG, KOWLOON CITY, WANG TAU HOM AND WONG TAI SIN AREAS WILL ALSO BE STOPPED FROM 2 P.M. ON MONDAY TO 5 P.M. THE NEXT DAY FOR MAINS DIVERSION.

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Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1979 - MAR - ENG