港史文本 - HK In Texts: Daily Information Bulletin - 1980s - 1980 - FEB

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1980.

CONTENTS PAG? NO.

NEW OFFICE TO PROMOTE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ................................................... 1

CENSUS TO PROVIDE BASIS FOR FUTURE PLANNING .................. 1

PRESS BADGES FOR RCYaL VISIT ................................. 2

GENERAL HOLIDAYS FCR 1981 .................................... 3

CROV/N LAND FCR SALE.......................................... 4

PEOPLE /ITH HIGHER INCOME QUALIFIED FOR LEGAL AID............. 4

i92O OOO COMPENSATION PAID TO CRIME VICTIMS IN *978-79 ...................................................... 6

KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE INFORMED GF CAREER OPENINGS ANO PROSPECTS .................................................... 7

NE.7 SHIPPING SAFETY LAW EFFECTIVE FROM MAY 25 ............... 8

TENDERS INVITED FCR SUPPLY OF BOATS ON HIRE ................. 8

ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ...................................... 9

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1980

NEW OFFICE TO PROMOTE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ft ft ft ft

A NEW DIVISION HAS BEEN SET UP IN THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TO PROMOTE AND CO-ORDINATE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

THE DIVISION, KNOWN AS THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION, HAS TAKEN OVER FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE DECISION, THE RESULT OF AN ORGANISATIONAL STUDY CARRIED OUT LAST YEAR, WAS FIRST MENTIONED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF A NEW SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 10, 1979.

AS EXPLAINED SUBSEQUENTLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE AIM IS TO BRING TOGETHER UNDER ONE SECRETARY, POLICY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT’S INVOLVEMENT IN RECREATION AND CULTURE.

MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, WHO IS ALREADY GOVERNMENT’S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL AND THE GENERAL COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY, HAS BEEN APPOINTED EXECUTIVE HEAD OF THE NEW DIVISION AND WILL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, AS WELL AS FOR POLICY ASPECTS OF RECREATION IN COUNTRY PARKS.

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CENSUS TO PROVIDE BASIS FOR FUTURE PLANNING ft ft ft ft ft ft

A CENSUS IS NOT MERELY A COUNT OF HEADS BUT ALSO A CLASSIFICATION OF POPULATION INTO DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS GROUPS SO AS TO PROVIDE A BASIS ON WHICH SOUND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE CAN BE MADE, MR JOSEPH LEE, THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS (SOCIAL) SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG EAST, HE SAIDi +WE MUST HAVE UP-TO-DATE AND ACCURATE INFORMATION ON THESE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION IN ORDER TO MAKE MEANINGFUL PLANS.

♦WE CANNOT DO WITHOUT SUCH PLANS IF WE WANT TO HAVE ENOUGH HOUSING AND ADEQUATE TRANSPORT FOR OURSELVES, EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CHILDREN, AND THE MANY OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES AND MEDICAL CARE FOR THOSE IN SPECIAL NEED,+ HE SAID.

MR LEE ALSO LIKENED THE PILOT CENSUS, TO BE HELD JUST BEFORE THE COMING LUNAR NEW YEAR FOR BOAT PEOPLE AND IN MARCH FOR SOME 20 000 HOUSEHOLDS ON LAND, TO A 'DRESS REHEARSAL’.

THE 1981 CENSUS IS A VERY COMPLEX STATISTICAL EXERCISE-ONCE IT IS SET OFF THERE IS NO CHANGE OF CHANGING ITS COURSE, HE SAID.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1980

IT WILL INVOLVE ALL PERSONS IN HONG KONG, WHO WILL HAVE TO SUPPLY A FEW BASIC PERSONAL FACTS. ONE OUT OF FIVE, CHOSEN AT RANDOM, WILL BE ASKED IN ADDITION FOR MORE PARTICULARS. SOME 13 OOO SENIOR FORM STUDENTS WILL BE RECRUITED AND TRAINED AS ENUMERATORS.

BEFORE THIS MAIN CENSUS BEGINS, THE PILOT CENSUS WILL IDENTIFY ANY DEFECTS IN THE SYSTEM AND WEAKNESSES IN THE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES, HE SAID.

MR LEE EMPHASISED THAT GREAT PAINS ARE TAKEN TO MAKE SURE THAT PERSONAL DETAILS GIVEN TO THE ENUMERATOS WILL NOT BE DISCLOSED.

♦EVERYTHING, EXCEPT THE NAMES OF RESPONDENTS AND THEIR ADDRESS, IS CODED AND KEY-PUNCHED ONTO MAGNETIC TAPES FROM WHICH THE NECESSARY TABULATIONS ARE MADE BY COMPUTER.

♦AFTER THAT, THE ORIGINAL CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE WITH THE NAMES AND THE ADDRESS IS DESTROYED, AND NEITHER YOUR INQUISITIVE NEIGHBOUR, THE POLICE, THE TAX-COLLECTOR, NOR EVEN THE COURT CAN DISCOVER OR DETECT WHAT WAS RECORDED ABOUT ANY NAMED INDIV IDUAL,♦ HE SAID.

♦THE CENSUS IS AIMED AT DOING GOOD FOR EVERYBODY ... HOWEVER WITHOUT THE FULL AND WILLING COOPERATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN PROVIDING TRUTHFUL ANSWER TO OUR QUESTIONS, IT CANNOT BE SUCCESSFUL,♦ HE STRESSED.

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NOTE TO ED ITORSt

PRESS BADGES FOR ROYAL VISIT * * * * *

PRESS BADGES FOR REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS COVERING THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE VISIT OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM DUTY OFFICERS IN THE GIS NEWS ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, AS FROM 5 PM TODAY (FRIDAY).

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.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1,

1980

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GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1981 * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED THE LIST OF GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1981.

EXCLUDING SUNDAYS, THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 17 HOLIDAYS. THEY

AREj

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY THURSDAY, JANUARY 1

LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5

THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6

THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7

THE DAY FOLLOWING CHING MING FESTIVAL MONDAY, APRIL 6

GOOD FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 17

THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY SATURDAY, APRIL 18

EASTER MONDAY MONDAY, APRIL 20

THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN MONDAY, APRIL 27

TUEN NG (DRAGON BOAT) FESTIVAL SATURDAY, JUNE 6

THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JULY WEDNESDAY, JULY 1

THE FIRST MONDAY IN AUGUST MONDAY, AUGUST 3

THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST, WHICH SHALL BE LIBERATION DAY MONDAY, AUGUST 31

THE SECOND DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6

CHRISTMAS DAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25

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

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1980

CROWN LAND FOR SALE * * * *

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN THE GRAND BALLROOM, HILTON HOTEL, SECOND FLOOR, ON FEBRUARY 28 (THUR^uaY) AT 2.30 Pm.

ONE OF THE LOTS, MEASURING ABOUT 4 400 SQUARE METRES, IS AT CHUN FAI ROAD, JARDINES’ LOOKOUT, HONG KONG. IT IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

ANOTHER SITE, SITUATED AT CHA KWO LING ROAD, KOWLOON, IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN USES. IT MEASURES ABOUT 2 300 SQUARE METRES.

THE LAST LOT ON CHAI WAN RECLAMATION, HONG KONG, COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 896 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL USES.

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, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD.

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PEOPLE WITH HIGHER INCOME QUALIFIED FOR LEGAL AID ft ft ft ft *

PEOPLE WITH SOMEWHAT HIGHER INCOMES WILL NOW BE FINANCIALLY ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE LEGAL AID AS A RESULT OF RECENT AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGAL AID LEGISLATION.

UNDER THE LEGAL AID (ASSESSMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1980 WHICH COME INTO FORCE IMMEDIATELY, THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCES USED BY THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT IN CALCULATING THE DISPOSABLE INCOMES OF LEGAL AID APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN INCREASED.

A SPOKESMAN OF THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IN CALCULATING THE DISPOSABLE INCOME OF AN APPLICANT FOR LEGAL AID, CERTAIN ALLOWANCES ARE MADE.

THESE ARE SPECIFIED IN THE LEGAL AID LEGISLATION, AND CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF DEPENDANTS MAINTAINED BY AN APPLICANT AND THE AMOUNT OF RENT, IF ANY, THAT HE PAYS FOR HIS DWELL ING.

IT IS THE ALLOWANCES IN RESPECT OF DEPENDANTS THAT HAVE NOW BEEN INCREASED.

/THE NBA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1980

THE NEW RATES OF ALLOWANCE ARE SHOWN IN BRACKETS.

BELOW WITH THE OLD RATES

NEW RATE

OLD RATE

(1) APPLICANT WITH NO DEPENDANT $230 ($200)

(2) APPLICANT AND FIRST TWO DEPENDANTS $165 EACH ($145)

(3) 3RD, 4TH AND 5TH DEPENDANTS $140 EACH IN ADDITION TO (2) ($120 EACH IN ADDITION TO (2))

(4) 6TH AND ADDITIONAL DEPENDANTS $105 EACH IN ADDITION TO (2) AND (3) ($90 EACH IN ADDITION

TO (2) AND (3))

HE ADDED THAT PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN iHAT SUCH INCREASES IN THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCES MADE SO AS TO KEEP THEM IN LINE WITH THE CURRENT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATES WOULD NOT RESULT IN ANY INCREASE IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON LEGAL AID.

PRESENT FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY LIMITS FOR CIVIL CASES ARE A MONTHLY DISPOSABLE INCOME OF NOT MORE THAN SI OOO AND A DISPOSABLE CAPITAL OF NOT MORE THAN S10 000. FOR CRIMINAL CASES THESE LIMITS ARE A DISPOSABLE INCOME OF Si 500 PER MONTH AND A DISPOSABLE CAPITAL OF S10 000.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT PERSONS WITH REAL INCOMES WELL IN EXCESS OF SI 000 MIGHT BE FINANCIALLY ELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL AID FOR CIVIL CASES. EQUALLY PERSONS EARNING FAR MORE THAN Si 500 A MONTH MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL AID FOR CRIMINAL CASES.

LAST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT GAVE LEGAL AID TO MORE THAN 4 000 PEOPLE IN RESPECT OF CIVIL CASES. THESE INCLUDED CLAIMS FOR WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION, DAMAGES FOR DEATH OR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF TRAFFIC OR INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, WAGES CLAIMS, TENANCY CASES, INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS, ADMIRALTY ACTIONS, DIVORCE AND OTHER MATRIMONIAL CASES, AS WELL AS MANY OTHER TYPES OF PROCEEDINGS.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1980

*920 000 COMPENSATION PAID TO CRIME VICTIMS IN 1978-79 *****

THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION BOARDS RECEIVED 546 APPLICATIONS FOR COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF INJURIES ARISING FROM CRIMES OF VIOLENCE DURING THE YEAR 1978-79.

IN HIS SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDS, MR ROBERT W.N. WEI, SAID NO CLAIM WAS RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR IN RESPECT OF INJURIES CAUSED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHILST CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES.

MR WEI SAID THAT IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW, NEARLY *920 000 WERE PAID OUT AS COMPENSATION FOR INJURY CLAIMS, COMPARED WITH *1.4 MILLION IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THIS BROUGHT TO *7.16 MILLION THE TOTAL PAYMENTS MADE SINCE THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1973 TO PROVIDE QUICK CASH ASSISTANCE TO THE VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS.

MR WEI SAID THE 546 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED REPRESENTED A DECREASE OF 36 CLAIMS OR 6.2 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE OF THE PRECEDING YEAR.

HE ATTRIBUTED THE DECREASE TO THE FACT THAT IN CERTAIN FATAL CASES, THERE WERE NO SURVIVING RELATIVES COMING FORWARD TO MAKE A CLAIM.

ANOTHER FACTOR, HE SAID, IS THAT SOME VICTIMS INVOLVED IN ASSAULT AND WOUNDING CASES TOOK LITTLE INTEREST IN APPLYING, BEING THEMSELVES AWARE OF THEIR OWN CONDUCT AND WAY OF LIFE WHICH MIGHT HAVE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CAUSED THEIR INJURIES.

MR WEI SAID THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED COVERED 11 PER CENT OF THE 4 952 REPORTED CASES OF CRIMES OF VIOLENCE INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURIES. OF THESE APPLICATIONS, ROBBERY AND BURGLARY CASES MADE UP 28.8 PER CENT WHILE ASSAULT AND WOULD ING CASES REPRESENTED 59.1 PER CENT.

UNDER THE SCHEME. APPLICATIONS ARE CONSIDERED BY A PANEL OF BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WITH SECRETARIAT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

STAFF OF THE SECRETARIAT, APART FROM PROCESSING CLAIMS, ALSO EXPLORE OTHER WELFARE NEEDS OF THE VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS AND MAKE REFERRALS TO WELFARE AGENCIES FOR ASSISTANCE WHERE NECESSARY.

IN 1978-79. A TOTAL OF 127 REFERRALS WERE MADE FOR ASSISTANCE WHICH INCLUDED FAMILY COUNSELLING, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES, REHABILITATION SERVICES, LEGAL AID AND LABOUR MATTERS.

IN CASES WHERE THE VICTIM IS KILLED OR SUFFERS INJURIES AS A RESULT OF CRIME PREVENTION OR MAKING SUCH ATTEMPTS, THE BOARDS MAY INCREASE COMPENSATION UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 100 PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL AWARD.

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/7 ...

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1980

KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE INFORMED OF CAREER OPENINGS AND PROSPECTS *****

THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS SOLVING HONG KONG’S SHORTAGE OF TRAINED MANPOWER IS TO KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE INFORMED OF THE TRAINING FACILITIES AVAILABLE AS WELL AS CAREER OPENINGS AND PROSPECTS.

THIS WAS STATED BY MRS HU, WIFE OF THE HON HU FA-KONG, A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND URBAN COUNCILS, WHEN SHE DECLARED OPEN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S SECOND CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE AT NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE CENTRE, SHE SAID, WAS PLACE WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE COULD LEARN ABOUT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPLORE THE WORLD OF WORK. FOR EMPLOYERS, IT WAS A PLACE THROUGH WHICH CAREERS INFORMATION ON VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS WAS DISSEMINATED TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND SUCH INFORMATION WAS IMPORTANT FOR BOTH YOUNG PEOPLE AND EMPLOYERS, SHE SAID.

♦WHEN CAREER INFORMATION IS NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE, IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO CHOOSE A JOB IN ANY MEANINGFUL MANNER. THIS IS DETRIMENTAL BOTH TO THEMSELVES AND TO THEIR EMPLOYERS BECAUSE A WRONG CHOICE THROUGH THE LACK OF INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE WILL GIVE RISE TO FRUSTRATIONS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO RESULT IN GREATER LABOUR TURNOVER.* ~

MRS HU SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD RESPONDED QUICKLY TO THE STRONG DEMAND FOR CAREER SERVICE BY SETTING UP ANOTHER CENTRE ON HONG KONG ISLAND FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST CENTRE IN KOWLOON.

THE TWO CENTRES HAD MADE CAREER INFORMATION EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO SCHOOLS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THEIR VARIOUS FACILITIES, INCLUDING REFERENCE LIBRARIES, CAREERS FILMS, SLIDES, TELEVISION PROGRAMMES, CASSETTE-TAPE RECORDINGS OF SPECIALIST TALKS AND CAREER LEAFLETS, SHE ADDED.

NOTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE (YEAS) HAD BEEN STRIVING TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND THE WORLD OF WORK, MRS HU SAID IT REQUIRED CLOSE CO-OPERATION FROM SCHOOLS AND EMPLOYERS FOR ITS VARIOUS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CAREER TALKS, SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS. IT WAS THROUGH CO-OPERATION THAT YOUNG PEOPLE COULD TAKE PART IN THESE ACTIVITIES.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR J.N. HENDERSON, WHO ALSO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY SAID A THIRD CENTRE WOULD BE SET UP IN TSUEN WAN AT A LATER STAGE.

MR HENDERSON SAID HONG KONG HAD NOT BEEN SLOW IN ATTACHING IMPORTANCE TO CAREERS EDUCATION DURING THE 1970S.

OVER THE YEARS, THE YEAS HAD PROVIDED A CAREERS SERVICE TO AN INCREASING NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND HAD MADE USE OF MASS MEDIA SUCH AS TELEVISION CAREERS PROGRAMMES AND EXHIBITIONS TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE OF CHOICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1980

NEW SHIPPING SAFETY LAW EFFECTIVE FROM MAY 25

X X X X

THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ORDINANCE 1979, WHICH ENABLES HONG KONG TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE REVISED 1974 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA, WILL COME INTO FORCE ON MAY 25, 1980.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED IN A GAZETTE NOTICE PUBLISHED TODAY.

THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION PROVIDING FOR UNIFORM SAFETY STANDARDS FOR OCEAN-GOING SHIPS WILL ALSO BECOME EFFECTIVE ON THE SAME DAY.

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TENDERS INVITED FOR SUPPLY OF BOATS ON HIRE

X X X X X X

TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE SUPPLY OF AT LEAST THREE MOTOR BOATS ON HIRE AT ONE TIME AT HOURLY RATES TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT FOR 12 MONTHS STARTING FROM APRIL 1, 1980.

THE BOATS WILL BE USED TO CONVEY CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE OFFICERS FOR JOURNEYS BETWEEN THE SHORE AND SHIPS AT ANCHOR IN THE HARBOUR AND FOR PATROLS WITHIN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE TOTAL SAILING TIME PER MONTH WILL NOT BE LESS THAN 200 HOURS AND THE TOTAL WAITING TIME 500 HOURS.

FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SUPPLIES SECTION OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1321, 13TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.

TENDERS MUST BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX IN THE ENTRANCE HALL OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING BY NOON ON FEBRUARY 29. LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1980

ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ft ft ft ft

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CLOSE PART OF SHA TIN BY-PASS AND THE TEMPORARY ACCESS ROAD TO THE SHA TIN MARKET FOR SITE FORMATION AND ROAD WORKS IN THE SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE NEAR LEK YUEN ESTATE.

THE TOWN CENTRE WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A TRANSPORTATION INTERCHANGE, A CULTURAL COMPLEX, PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS OFFICE BLOCKS AND A PARK.

THE PROPOSED ROAD CLOSURE IF IMPLEMENTED, TOWN LOTS NOS 15 AND 16, LEK YUEN ESTATE AND WO CHE ESTATE WOULD BE ACCESSIBLE VIA THE NEW GRADE SEPARATED INTERCHANGE NEAR SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION AND ROAD P5.

ACCESS TO THE SHA TIN MARKET WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED AS THE AREA WILL BE CLEARED FOR ENGINEERING WORKS. IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW TRAFFIC SCHEME, THE JUNCTION OF SHA TIN BY-PASS AND TAI PO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED AT THE SAME TIME.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THIS PROJECT MAY SEE THE PLANS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IN THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY BRANCH, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG- THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON- OR AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL, SHA TIN.

ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE ORDER AUTHORIZING THIS UNDERTAKING MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO REACH HIS OFFICE NOT LATER THAN MARCH 1, 1980 AND ANY CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION MUST BE RECEIVED NOT LATER THAN APRIL 1, 1980.

THE NOTICE IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH CAN BE SEEN ON THE NOTICE BOARDS POSTED ON THE SITE.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1980.

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO SEE NEW GENERATION HOUSING ESTATE ......................................... 1

TIME LIMIT FOR OBJECTING PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS ............................................. 1

YOUNG MEN INVITED TO JOIN P./D'S CRAFT APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME ................................... 2

POWER SUB-STATION IN SHA TIN .............................. 3

DSW TO OFFICIATE AT RENAMING CEREMONIES OF OLD PEOPLE'S INSTITUTIONS ............................ 4

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWAI CHUNG ........................ 4

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

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO SEE NEW GENERATION HOUSING ESTATE ft ft ft ft ft ft

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL SEE AN EXAMPLE OF THE ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED BY THE NEW GENERATION OF HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATES WHEN SHE VISITS CHEUNG CHING ON TSING Yl ISLAND ON FEBRUARY 8 AS PART OF HER NINE-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG.

THE PRINCESS AND HER HUSBAND. THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, WILL BE MET ON THEIR ARRIVAL AT THE ESTATE BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR DONALD LIAO.

THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL THEN TOUR THE ESTATE, VISITING SHOPS, A FAMILY AND A NURSERY.

CHEUNG CHING, OPENED IN 1977. IS THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE TO BE BUILT ON TSING Yl WHICH IS LINKED BY A BRIDGE TO THE FAST-GROWING NEW TOWN OF TSUEN WAN.

THE ESTATE IS MADE UP OF SIX 22 TO 24-STOREY TWIN-TOWER BLOCKS AND ONE 13-STOREY SLAB BLOCK CONTAINING 4 500 FLATS WITH A DESIGNED CAPACITY OF ALMOST 35 000 PEOPLE.

RESIDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES, INCLUDING A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS, A SECONDARY SCHOOL, A KINDERGARTEN, A NURSERY AND STUDY CENTRES.

COVERED WALKWAYS OR PURPOSE-BUILT STAIRCASES PROVIDE CONVENIENT AND SAFE, TRAFFIC-FREE ACCESS WITHIN CHEUNG CHING AND CONNECT WITH NEIGHBOURING CHEUNG HONG ESTATE, WHICH IS BEING DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE 6 372 FLATS FOR MORE THAN 42 000 PEOPLE.

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TIME LIMIT FOR OBJECTING PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED ►EMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT IF THEY OBJECT TO PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS THEY SHOULD DO SO WITHIN ONE MONTH OF THE DATE OF THE NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT.

AS TO CLAIMS FOR PROPERTY TAX REFUND, THE TIME LIMIT IS 90 DAYS AFTER THE END OF THE RELEVANT YEAR OF ASSESSMENT, OR 90 DAYS AFTER THE PROPERTY TAX NOTICE IS GIVEN, WHICHEVER IS THE LATER.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID OBJECTIONS AND CLAIMS

FOR REFUND FOR OWNER-OCCUPIED PROPERTY AND UNOCCUPIED PREMISES SHOULD EE MADE IN WRITING WITHIN THESE TIME LIMITS TO THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE.

HE SAID THE DEADLINE WOULD BE EXTENDED IF THE COMMISSIONER IS SATISFIED THAT, OWING TO ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG, SICKNESS OR OTHER REASONABLE CAUSE, THE PERSON OBJECTING TO ASSESSMENTS AND CLAIMING FOR REFUNDS WERE PREVENTED FROM DOING SO WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIME.

/The spokesman .....

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 19&0

THE SPOKESMAN SAID VACANCY CLAIMS CAN ALWAYS BE MADE WITHOUT SUPPORTING EVIDENCE TO MEET THE TIME LIMIT- BUT PROPERTY OWNERS, AGENTS AND OCCUPIERS OF DOMESTIC FLATS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO FORWARD SUCH EVIDENCE AS ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER BILLS TO SUPPORT THEIR CLAIMS.

FOR NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES, HE SAID, THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WOULD ISSUE VACANCY CERTIFICATES IN ALL APPROPRIATE CASES AND THESE FORMS MUST BE PRODUCED TO SUPPORT CLAIMS FOR REFUND.

THOSE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION MAY CONTACT THE ASSESSOR (PROPERTY TAX) OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT AT 5-7959-5217 OR WRITE TO THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH GPO BOX 132, HONG KONG.

ADVICE IN PERSON IS OBTAINABLE FROM INLAND REVENUE OFFICES IN WINDSOR HOUSE, 17TH FLOOR, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG- 664 NATHAN ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, REAR PORTION, KOWLOON-AND FOU WAH CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN NEW TERRITORIES.

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YOUNG MEN INVITED TO JOIN PWD’S CRAFT APPRENTICESHIP SCHEirc *****

OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW OPENED TO YOUNG MEN TO JOIN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CRAFT APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEME.

YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 14 AMD 17 WITH A MINIMUM EDUCATION STANDARD OF FORM TWO ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE SCHEME.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES, LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICES AND THE APPRENTICE TRAINING CENTRE OF THE PWD’S ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE.

MR WONG SHIU-KWONG, SUPERINTENDENT OF APPRENTICES OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE SAID, ^CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR THE SCHEME WILL RECEIVE FOUR YEARS TRAINING AS CRAFTSMEN IN ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL OR AIR-CONDITIONING FIELD AND BE ENTITLED TO A MONTHLY SALARY BETWEEN $550 AND $830 WITH ANNUAL PAID LEAVE AND FREE MEDICAL CARE.

♦ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, APPRENTICES WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR APPOINTMENT AS ARTISAN IN THE GOVERNMENT. THEY ARE ALSO FREE TO JOIN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN WHICH WELL-TRAINED CRAFTSMEN ARE IN GREAT DEMAND,♦

MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT PROMOTION PROSPECTS FOR ARTISANS WERE GOOD AND THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION TO WORKS SUPERVISOR OR EVEN MORE SENIOR POSTS DEPENDING ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE.

♦THEY MAY BE EMPLOYED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, WATER SUPPLIES OFFICE AND GEOTECHNICAL OFFICE OF THE PWD OR KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WORKSHOPS ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL ALL BE TAKEN UP BY THE GOVERNMENT,+ HE ADDED.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1980

♦YET, ARTISAN I AND I I POSTS ARE NORMALLY FILLED BY CRAFT APPRENTICES WHO HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING.♦

ABOUT 120 APPRENTICES WILL BE RECRUITED THIS YEAR.

THE FOUR-YEAR APPRENTICESHIP CONSISTS OF BOTH BASIC AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.

DURING THE FIRST YEAR APPRENTICES WILL ATTEND A SIX-MONTH FULL-TIME ENGINEERING CRAFT COURSE AT MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER SIX MONTHS BASIC TRAINING IN THE APPRENTICE TRAINING CENTRE AT CAROLINE HILL.

IN THE FOLLOWING THREE YEARS, THEY WILL RECEIVE FURTHER TRAINING IN VARIOUS GOVERNMENT WORKSHOPS AND PLANTS AS WELL AS ATTENDING PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.

THE COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS ON BENCH FITTING, MACHINE TOOLS, WELDING, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS AND SHEET METAL WORK.

♦THE TRAINING SCHEME PRACTICALLY COVERS EVERY MAJOR ARTISAN TRADE THUS PROVIDING APPRENTICES WITH A BROAD ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE,♦ MR WONG SAID.

----.0---.

POWER SUB-STATION IN SHA TIN * * * *

AN ELECTRICITY SUB-STATION IS TO BE BUILT AT TAI WAI, SHA TIN, FOR THE FUTURE ELECTRIFIED RAILWAY SYSTEM.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

MR CHEN SHAO-CHI, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF PWD’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, SAID THE CONTRACT WOULD ALSO COVER THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ACCESS ROAD AS WELL AS SITE FORMATION, FOUNDATION AND DRAINAGE WORK.

THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF THE MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

MR CHEN SAID THAT TRANSFORMERS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WOULD BE SUPPLIED AND INSTALLED UNDER SEPARATE CONTRACTS.

THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY TRANSMARK, THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSULTING ENGINEERS, THROUGH THEIR SUB-CONSULTANTS, MAH4BELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, SPENCE ROBINSON AND RANKINE AND HILL, UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF PWD’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE.

----0-----

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1980

NOTE TO EDITORSi

DSW TO OFFICIATE AT RENAMING CEREMONIES OF OLD PEOPLE’S INSTITUTIONS

* * M M *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR THOMAS LEE, WILL PERFORM IWO CEREMONIES ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY A) TO MARK THE RENAMING OF TWO OLD PEOPLE INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.

THE RENAMING WILL BE MADE IN RECOGNITION OF DONATIONS MADE BY TWO LOCAL PHILANTROPISTS TOWARDS THE TUNG WAH GROUP’S SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.

THE RENAMING CEREMONY FOR THE HING WAH HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10.30 AM AT THE HOSTEL IN HING WAH ESTATE, CHIN HING HOUSE, FIFTH FLOOR, IN CHAI WAN, WHILE THAT FOR A BLOCK IN THE DAVID TRENCH HOME FOR THE AGED WILL BE HELD AT 12.30 PM AT THE HOME AT 29 NAM LONG SHAN ROAD, WONG CHUK HANG.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER BOTH CEREMONIES.

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWAI CHUNG if » IK « »

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN KWAI CHUNG FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 5) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AT THE JUNCTION OF WO YI HOP ROAD AND LEI MUK ROAD.

UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS SOUTHBOUND VEHICLES ON LEI MUK ROAD WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING LEFT ONTO WO Yl HOP ROAD EASTBOUND, WHILE WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON WO YI HOP ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM MAKING RIGHT TURN ONTO LEI MUK ROAD NORTHBOUND.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1980

- 5 -

WATER CUT * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS, FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 6) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE A LEAKAGE TEST.

PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY 1-50 STUBBS ROAD, 1-18 WONG NE I CHUNG GAP ROAD INCLUDING THE HONG KONG ADVENTIST HOSPITAL, TUNG SHAN TERRACE AND SHIU FAI TERRACE.

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

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 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

FEBRUARY 6 (WEDNESDAY)

FEBRUARY 7 (THURSDAY)

FEBRUARY 8 (FRIDAY)

TIME

8 AM — 5 PM

8 AM — 4 PM

0 - - - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY J, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO,

MORE PEOPLE USE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S EMPLOYMENT SERVICE .................................. 1

NEY SCHOOL FOR TUEN MUN ............................. 2

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN TUEN MUN ....................... 2

HK SEAMEN'S REPUTATION ON THE RISE .................. 3

SHA TIN VILLAGERS TO GET NEY HOUSES ................. 3

NET CATALOGUE OF AUDIO VISUAL TEACHING MATERIALS ............................................

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1980

MORE PEOPLE USE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S EMPLOYMENT SERVICE ft * ft ft

A TOTAL OF 22 362 PEOPLE OBTAINED JOBS THROUGH ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) LAST YEAR — A 44 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1978’S 15 564.

AMONG THEM WERE 254 UNIVERSITY OR POST-SECONDARY COLLEGE GRADUATES WHO OBTAINED SUITABLE POSITIONS.

OTHERS OBTAINED WORK MAINLY AS CLERKS, STORE-KEEPERS, TYPISTS, DRIVERS, TRAINEES, APPRENTICES, ASSEMBLERS, SALESMEN OR SALESGIRLS, bESSENGERS AND LABOURERS.

OF THE SUCCESSFUL JOB-SEEKERS, 11 157 OBTAINED EMPLOYMENT IN INDUSTRY, 6 286 IN COMMERCE, 2 888 IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE, 165 IN PUBLIC UTILITIES AND 1 866 IN OTHER SECTORS.

THE LES WHICH PROVIDES A FREE SERVICE TO HELP EMPLOYERS RECRUIT STAFF AND JOB-SEEKERS TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT HAD A BUSY YEAR IN 1979.

THIS WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE FACT THAT MORE EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS ARE MAKING USE OF ITS SERVICES.

MORE EMPLOYERS APPROACHED THE LES FOR RECRUITMENT OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF, AS DID PEOPLE POSSESSING PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SEEKING ASSISTANCE.

CONSEQUENTLY THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL JOB PLACEMENTS IN THIS CATEGORY WAS MORE THAN DOUBLE OF THE 123 IN 1978.

SINCE OCTOBER 1978, THE RECRUITMENT OF MODEL I PAY SCALE CIVIL SERVANTS HAS BEEN CENTRALISED THROUGH LES. LAST YEAR 2 794 PEOPLE WERE RECRUITED IN THIS WAY. THERE ARE VERY GOOD EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THIS AREA.

MODEL SCALE I JOBS INCLUDE SUCH POSTS AS DRIVER, LABOURER, CARETAKER, GARDENER, GANGER, LIFT OPERATOR, WATCHMAN, ETC.

ANYONE APPLYING FOR JOBS SHOULD REGISTER WITH THE NEAREST LES BRANCH OFFICE AND BRING THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND A RECENT PHOTOGRAPH.

FOR EMPLOYERS RECRUITING STAFF, THEY NEED ONLY TO CONTACT ANY OF LES’S 13 BRANCH OFFICES BY TELEPHONE OR IN PERSON GIVING INFORMATION CONCERNING PARTICULARS OF VACANT POSTS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, AND SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED.

AS SOON AS A VACANCY ORDER IS RECEIVED, LES STAFF SELECT SUITABLE CANDIDATES FROM THE REGISTER OF JOB-SEEKERS FOR INTRODUCTION TO EMPLOYERS.

VACANCIES NOTIFIED ARE DISPLAYED AT ALL LES OFFICES ENABLING JOB-SEEKERS TO MAKE THEIR OWN PRELIMINARY SELECTION.

-----0 - -

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1980

NEW SCHOOL FOR TUEN MUN * * ft *

WORK WILL START SHORTLY ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL WOULD BE THE FIRST OF FIVE SUCH SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT OUTSIDE THE HOUSING ESTATES IN THE NEW TOWN BY PWD’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.

♦THE NEW SCHOOL WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ON A SITE OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 3 100 SQUARE METRES ON THE CASTLE PEAK BAY RECLAMATION AND ACCESS WILL BE FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR SAM SHING HUI,* HE SAID.

♦IT WILL BE A SEVEN-STOREY BLOCK, WITH 24 CLASSROOMS AND SPECIAL ROOMS ON THE UPPER FLOORS AND AN ASSEMBLY HALL AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICES ON THE FIRST FLOOR. A COVERED PLAY AREA WITH CHANGING ROOMS WILL BE ON THE GROUND FLOOR,♦ HE ADDED.

THE SCHOOL WILL ALSO HAVE MENIAL STAFF QUARTERS, A BASKETBALL COURT, A CAR PARK, AND PLANTING AREAS.

WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

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

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN TUEN MUN ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING ROADS AROUND THE NEWLY COMPLETED SAM SHING HOUSING ESTATE AT SAM SHING HUI IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, WHICH WILL HOUSE ABOUT 9 000 PEOPLE.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED.

MR TANG KWOK-KEE, CHIEF ENGINEER OF PWD’S TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE WORK FORMED PART OF THE OVERALL NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

♦THIS CONTRACT,♦ HE SAID, +WILL INVOLVE THE WIDENING AND RESURFACING OF THE EXISTING ROADS AROUND THE ESTATE AND THE RE-ALIGNMENT OF A SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO THE SOUTH OF SAM SHING HUI.

♦IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE FINISHING WORK TO A FOOTBRIDGE BUILT ACROSS THE REALIGNED CASTLE PEAK ROAD LINKING THE ESTATE TO A FUTURE OPEN SPACE ON THE NORTH-EASTERN SI DE.♦

♦THE MAIN FOUL SEWER SERVING THE ESTATE WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO SERVE THE AREA ADJACENT TO THE DRAGON INN, WHERE A SERIES OF PLATFORMS HAVE BEEN FORMED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT TO HOUSE ABOUT 5 600,♦ MR TANG ADDED.

WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

------o ------ /j........................

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1980

HK SEAMEN'S REPUTATION ON THE RISE ******

HONG KOI’G SEAMEN HAVE RESTORED THEIR REPUTATION OF BEING HARD-WORKING, CAPABLE AND DEPENDABLE, FOLLOWING A SHARP DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DESERTIONS IN RECENT YEARS.

THE DESERTION RATE OF LOCAL SEAMEN DROPPED TO AN AVERAGE OF 18 CASES PER MONTH LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH OVER 100 A MONTH DURING THE BAD YEARS BETWEEN 1968 AND 1971.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SEAMEN’S RECRUITING OFFICE (SRO), MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THE ENCOURAGING TREND ALSO HELPED SHIPPING COMPANIES RECRUITING LOCALLY TO REGAIN CONFIDENCE IN THE RELIABILITY AND EFFICIENCY OF OUR SEAMEN.

HE ATTRIBUTED THE TREND TO INCREASED AVAILABILITY OF LOCAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, SCARCITY OF JOBS ABROAD, IMPROVED WELFARE AND WORKING CONDITIONS ON SHIPS AND TOUGHER PENALTIES.

UNDER THE MERCHANTSHIPPING (RECRUITMENT OF SEAMEN) ORDINANCE, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SRO HAS THE POWER TO SUSPEND A SEAMAN’S REGISTRATION IF HE HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE SEAMAN HAS DESERTED HIS SHIP OR FAILED TO JOIN HIS SHIP.

PLAYING THE ROLE OF IMPARTIAL +MIDDLE MAN*, THE SRO OPERATES A CENTRALISED REGISTRATION SYSTEM TO PROVIDE, ON THE ONE HAND, SHIPPING COMPANIES WITH SEAMEN WHO CAN BEST MEET THEIR JOB DEMANDS, AND ON THE OTHER, SEAMEN WITH THE BEST JOBS FITTING THEIR ABILITIES.

LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 21 793 SEAMEN WERE EMPLOYED AS COMPARED WITH 23 138 IN 1978.

THE SLIGHT DECLINE, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, WAS DUE TO THE ABSORPTION OF MANPOWER BY THE LOCAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND KEEN COMPETITION FROM OTHER SEAMEN OVERSEAS.

STAFF OF THE SRO ALSO REGULARLY INSPECT SHIPPING COMPANIES’ RECORDS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR SEAMEN ARE FULLY AWARE OF THEIR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND RIGHTS AND THAT THE SHIPPING COMPANIES ARE COMPLYING WITH THE REGULATIONS LAID DOWN BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.

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

SHA TIN VILLAGERS TO GET NEW HOUSES

******

ANOTHER EIGHT FAMILIES LIVING IN A SHA TIN VILLAGE REQUIRED ID BE CLEARED FOR NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT ARE TO MOVE INTO HOUSES SOON UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S VILLAGE REMOVAL SCHEME.

THE FAMILIES LIVE IN PAT TZE WO VILLAGE WHICH IS TO MAKE WAY FOR EXTENSION OF THE FO TAN INDUSTRIAL AREA.

/THIS WILL .

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY J, 1980

THEY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH THE KEYS TO THEIR NEW HOMES, WHICH ARE ON A HILLSIDE ABOVE FO TAN, ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 6) BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM.

IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THE FAMILIES WITH HOUSES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO GRANTED BY PRIVATE TREATY 12 SITES EACH OF 700 SQUARE FEET WHICH CAN BE DEVELOPED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS FURTHER AGREED TO GIVE TO EVERY FAMILY $8 000 TOWARDS THEIR REMOVAL EXPENSES.

EACH OF THE THREE-STOREY HOUSES IS 2 100 SQUARE FEET IN AREA AND COST $185 000. THEY HAVE BALCONIES ON THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS AND ONE FLOOR HAS BEEN PARTITIONED TO PROVIDE A LIVING ROOM AND TWO BEDROOMS.

THE VILLAGERS AGREED TO SURRENDER THEIR HOUSES TO THE GOVERNMENT IN 1974, BUT HAVE CONTINUED TO LIVE IN THEM UNTIL NOW.

THIS IS THE FINAL PHASE OF REMOVAL FROM THE AREA. UNDER AN EARLIER PHASE RESIDENTS OF FIVE NEARBY VILLAGES MOVED INTO SIMILAR HOUSES.

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NEW CATALOGUE OF AUDIO VISUAL TEACHING MATERIALS

* * M N

A BRAND-NEW CATALOGUE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S AUDIO VISUAL RESOURCES LIBRARY WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS LATER THIS MONTH FOR THE INFORMATION AND REFERENCE OF TEACHERS.

♦MOST OF THE MATERIALS IN THE LIBRARY FIT IN WITH THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM IN HONG KONG AND THEY ARE ON LOAN TO SCHOOLS FREE OF CHARGE FOR INSTRUCTIONAL AND TEACHING PURPOSES.

♦COPIES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SCHOOLS CURRENTLY USING THE FACILITIES OF THE AUDIO VISUAL RESOURCES LIBRARY.+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE VISUAL EDUCATION CENTRE SAID.

AN INDEX OF TITLES OF THE AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS ARRANGED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER IS ALSO ATTACHED FOR QUICK REFERENCE, HE ADDED.

THERE ARE OVER 4 000 TITLES OF AUDIO VISUAL MATERIALS IN THE LIBRARY, COVERING DIFFERENT TOPICS SUCH AS ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, HOME ECONOMICS, LANGUAGES, LITERATURE, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, MUSIC, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS.

THE 330-PAGE CATALOGUE CLASSIFIES THE AVAILABLE MATERIALS INTO EIGHT CATEGORIES, NAMELY 16MM FILMS, 8MM FILMLOOPS, 35MM FILMSTRIPS, COLOUR SLIDES, PHOTOGRAPH SETS, AUDIO TAPES, OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCIES AND LEARNING PACKAGES.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ARRIVES TOMORROW .................. 1

HEUNG YEE KUK BY ELECTION ............................ 5

MARKET STALLS IN SHA TIN TO LET .......................

RENAMING CEREMONIES FOR TWO OLD PEOPLE'S HOMES ................................................ 5

SEMINAR ON PRIMARY SCHOOL INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS ....... 6

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TWO FLYOVERS .................... 6

WATER CUT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ARRIVES TOMORROW ft ft ft ft ft ft

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBAND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG AT 4.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR A NINE-DAY VISIT.

THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL BE WELCOMED AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AND LADY MACLEHOSE- THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE, MR A.A. HUGGINS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER AND LADY CATER- COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR GENERAL SIR ROY REDGRAVE AND LADY REDGRAVE- THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SIR Y.K. KAN AND LADY KAN-SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR OSWALD CHEUNG AND MRS CHEUNG- AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR ROY HENRY.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL SPEND A DAY AT FANLING LODGE AND BEGIN HER OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 7) WHEN SHE WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE NEW TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.

ON FRIDAY, SHE WILL VISIT CHEUNG CHING ESTATE ON TSING Yl ISLAND AND PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL TOUR THE RED CROSS MEDICAL CENTRE AT KAI TAK AND SEE A RED CROSS MOBILE BLOOD DONOR UNIT IN OPERATION ON SATURDAY MORNING. IN THE AFTERNOON, SHE WILL GO TO THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME WHERE SHE WILL INAUGURATE THE RESERVOIR’S MAIN PUMPING STATION. SHE WILL THEN DRIVE THROUGH SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK AND SEE HOW SOME OF THE FACILITIES THERE ARE MANAGED.

HER ONLY OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENT ON SUNDAY WILL BE A VISIT TO THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE WHERE SHE WILL ATTEND A PERFORMANCE AND A RECEPTION.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL SPEND MONDAY MORNING NEXT WEEK WITH SOME OF HONG KONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE INCLUDING PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AT THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE.

AS HONORARY COMMANDANT-GENERAL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE, SHE WILL BE GUEST OF HONOUR IN THE AFTERNOON AT A LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR AT THE POLICE CLUB, KAI TAK, WHERE SHE WILL MEET hEMBERS OF THE POLICE RANK AND FILE. SHE WILL MEET UMELCO MEMBERS AT A DINNER THE SAME EVENING.

/ON FEBRUARY 13........

MONDAI, FEBRUARY 4, 1980

ON FEBRUARY 12, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE AT CHATER STATION MARKING THE COMPLETION OF HONG KONG’S LARGEST PUBLIC TRANSPORT PROJECT — THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MTR. THE EVENT WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON TV AND COMMERCIAL RADIO.

NOTE TO ED I TORS»

PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROYAL VISIT KAI TAK AIRPORT ARRIVALi 4.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY)

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBAND, THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, WILL ARRIVE ON AN RAF CHARTERED AIRCRAFT WITH AN ENTOURAGE OF OFFICIALS AND STAFF. ON LEAVING THE AIRCRAFT, THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL BE GREETED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND LADY MACLEHOSE AND OTHER LOCAL DIGNITARIES. AFTER THE PRESENTATIONS, THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL BE DRIVEN TO FANLING LODGE TO REST.,

PRESS FACILITY

TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED PRESS FOR KAI TAK AIRPORT WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAR PARK AT 3.15 PM SHARP. f€DIA 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 PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S ARRIVAL ARE REMINDED TO BRING THEIR PRESS BADGES FOR THE ROYAL VISIT AS WELL AS THEIR IDENTITY CARDS OR PASSPORTS.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1980

HEUNG YEE KUK BY-ELECTION *****

THE BY-ELECTION FOR AN ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE 23RD TERM OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK WILL BE HELD AT THE KUK’S OFFICE IN CUMBERLAND ROAD, KOWLOON TONG, ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 7) STARTING AT 11 AM.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL BE THE RETURNING OFFICER.

THE ELECTORATE CONSISTS OF THE 112 COUNCILLORS WHO CONSTITUTE THE FULL COUNCIL OF THE KUK. THE COUNCILLORS COMPRISE SPECIAL COUNCILLORS, RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN AND NEW TERRITORIES UNOFFICIAL JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

CANDIDATES WILL BE 54 RURAL COMMITTEE VICE-CHAIRMEN AND SPECIAL COUNCILLORS.

THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD BY SECRET BALLOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HEUNG YEE KUK ORDINANCE.

ADMISSION WILL BE LIMITED TO COUNCILLORS, ELECTION OFFICIALS, STAFF OF THE KUK AND PRESS REPRESENTATIVES.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE HEUNG YEE KUK BY-ELECTION ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 7). A MEMBER STAFF OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT WILL BE AT THE KUK’S OFFICE TO ASSIST PRESS REPRESENTATIVES FROM 11 AM.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1980

STALLS IN NEW SHA TIN MARKETS TO LET

* * X *

STALLS IN THE NEWLY COMPLETED SHA TIN MARKET AND TAI WAI TEMPORARY MARKET, AT PRESENT UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WILL BE LET BY RESTRICTED AUCTIONS, A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

THE SHA TIN MARKET, COMPRISING 20 MEAT STALLS, 26 FISH STALLS, 124 MINI STALLS, FOUR POULTRY STALLS AND ONE ICE STALL, IS LOCATED AT AREA 7 IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN NEAR LEK YUEN ESTATE.

ANOTHER 140 MINI STALLS WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE TAI WAI TEMPORARY MARKET WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.

♦TO COINCIDE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN, THE TWO MARKETS WILL BE USED TO RESITE THE HAWKERS IN SHA TIN OLD TOWN AND PAK HOK TING AS WELL AS THE STALLS IN BOTH THE SHA TIN TEMPORARY MARKET AND SHA TIN PRIVATE MARKET WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO BE CLEARED IN MARCH/APRIL 1980,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦MARKET TENANTS IN THE EXISTING TEMPORARY MARKET AND THE PRIVATE MARKET WILL BE GIVEN FIRST PRIORITY IN THE RESTRICTED AUCTIONS.

♦BUT, LICENSED FIXED PITCH HAWKERS, ITINERANT LICENSED HAWKERS, AND SURVEYED LONG-STANDING UNLICENSED HAWKERS IN SHA TIN WILL ALSO BE ELIGIBLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE PRIORITIES^ HE ADDED.

MOREOVER, A TEMPORARY COOKED-FOOD MARKET HAS ALSO BEEN BUILT IN THE FO TAN INDUSTRIAL AREA OF SHA TIN TO ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 20 LICENSED COOKED-FOOD HAWKERS CURRENTLY CARRYING OUT THEIR BUSINESS IN PAK HOK TING, SHA TIN.

♦THE AUCTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL, LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN ON FEBRUARY 6, 7, 8, 12 AND 13 FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF BIDDERS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE UPSET PRICES OF THE STALLS VARY IN DIFFERENT MARKETS FOR DIFFERENT STALLS - $400 FOR MEAT STALLS, $300 FOR FISH STALLS AND POULTRY STALLS AND $110 FOR MINI STALLS IN SHA TIN MARKET, $50 FOR MINI STALLS IN TAI WAI TEMPORARY MARKET, AND $100 FOR COOKED-FOOD STALLS IN THE FO TAN COOKED-FOOD MARKET.

♦ AN APPEALS TRIBUNAL WAS ALSO SET UP TO DEAL WITH APPEALS FROM INELIGIBLE HAWKERS WHO CANNOT MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA LAID DOWN+, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦ IT WAS CHAIRED BY DISTRICT OFFICER (SHA TIN) WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, SHA TIN GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND NTSD.+

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1980 5 -

RENAMING CEREMONIES FOR TWO OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES ft ft * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR THOMAS LEE, TODAY (MONDAY) UNVEILED PLAQUES IN TWO SEPARATE CEREMONIES TO MARK THE RENAMING OF TWO OLD PEOPLE’S INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.

THE HING WAH HOSTEL IN CHAI WAN WAS RENAMED THE LEE SEE PING HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY, WHILE ONE OF THE THREE BLOCKS IN THE DAVID TRENCH HOME FOR THE AGED IN WONG CHUK HANG WAS RENAMED THE WONG FUNG LING ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

THE RENAMING WAS MADE IN RECOGNITION OF GENEROUS DONATIONS MADE BY TWO LOCAL PHILANTHROPISTS TOWARDS THE TUNG WAH GROUP’S SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.

SPEAKING AT THE RENAMING CEREMONY OF THE LEE SEE PING HOSTEL, MR LEE SAID THE HOSTEL WAS THE SECOND RUN BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP TO ENABLE OLD PEOPLE TO ENJOY AN ACTIVE AND NORMAL LIFE WHILST MAINTAINING A LINK WITH THE COMMUNITY.

♦ IN RECOGNITION OF THE 1150 000 DONATION MADE BY MR MA KOON-SIK, IT IS FITTING THAT THE HOSTEL IS RENAMED IN HONOUR OF HIS MOTHER, MADAM MA LEE SEE-PING,♦ HE SAID.

THE HOSTEL PROVIDES ACCOMMODATION FOR 73 OLD PEOPLE WITH FACILITIES FOR THEM TO READ, RELAX, PLAY CHESS, ENJOY TELEVISION PROGRAMMES AND DO HANDICRAFT WORK.

MEAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AND ASSISTANCE IS GIVEN IN LAUNDRY AND CLEANING. IN ADDITION, SOCIAL WORKERS AND NURSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR GUIDANCE AND TO ORGANISE GROUP ACTIVITIES.

MR LEE PRAISED THE TUNG WAH GROUP FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS NOT ONLY IN MEDICAL CARE AND EDUCATION BUT ALSO IN SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.

THE WONG FUNG LING ADMINISTRATION BUILDING IN THE DAVID TRENCH HOME FOR THE AGED ACCOMMODATES THE GENERAL OFFICES, DINING HALL AND KITCHEN. IT IS NAMED AFTER THE DONOR, MADAM WONG FUNG-LING, WHO HAS DONATED 1520 000 TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP.

TWO OTHER BLOCKS IN THE HOME PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR 210 OLD PEOPLE, 76 OF WHOM ARE INCAPABLE OF SELF CARE.

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/6....

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1980

6 -

SEMINAR ON PRIMARY SCHOOL INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS

* * * * ft *

TWO SEMINARS ON PRIMARY SCHOOL INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS WILL BE HELD NEXT MONTH IN TWO CENTRES ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON.

AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY)t +THE SEMINARS ARE TO ACQUAINT PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS WITH MODERN CONCEPTS OF ASSESSMENTS AND TESTING, AND PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS IN QUESTIONING TECHNIQUES, CONTENTS OF QUESTION PAPERS, MARKING SCHEMES, WEIGHTINGS OF DIFFERENT SUBJECT COMPONENTS AND OTHERS.*

EACH SEMINAR WILL ALSO INCLUDE TALKS ON THE ACADEMIC APTITUDE TEST AND INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THREE MAIN SCHOOL SUBJECTS - CHINESE, MATHEMATICS AND ENGLISH.

APPLICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY FEBRUARY 12 TO THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, BLOCK +AA+, 2ND FLOOR, VICTORIA BARRACKS, QUEENSWAY, WAN CHAI.

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

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TWO FLYOVERS ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE FLYOVERS ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 8) AND SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 9) FOR ROAD MARKING WORK.

DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURES, ALTERNATIVE GROUND LEVEL ROUTES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR DIVERTED TRAFFIC AND APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

WATER CUT ....

ft ft ft

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO AP LEI CHAU WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 PM TO 6 PM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 6) FOR ESSENTIAL WORK ON THE SUPPLY SYSTEM.

ALL PREMISES ON AP LEI CHAU EXCEPT AP LEI CHAU POWER STATION AND THE LICENSED AREA WILL BE AFFECTED.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ARRIVES ................................ 1

POLICE MOUNT GUARD FOR PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ................. 2

NEW DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES MEETS PRIMARY PRODUCERS ................................... 3

USA DELEGATION HERE TO STUDY AIRPORT FACILITIES ........... 4

COURSE FOR MATHS TEACHERS ................................. 5

OPENING OF NEV/ VILLAGE IN SHA TIN......................... 6

CLOSURE OF CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL ROAD....................... 6

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ARRIVES * * * * *

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBAND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY ARRIVED THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON ON THEIR SIXTH OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG.

THE BLUE AND WHITE RAF CHARTERED 707 ON WHICH THE ROYAL COUPLE WERE TRAVELLING TOUCHED DOWN AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT PRECISELY 4.26 PM, FOUR MINUTES AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, DRESSED AGAINST THE COLD IN A VIVID NARROW CUT BLUE WOOLLEN OVERCOAT, BROWN FUR HAT AND BROWN BOOTS, STEPPED OUT OF THE AIR BRIDGE INTO THE AIRPORT’S TERMINAL BUILDING TO A WARM WELCOME BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND LADY MACLEHOSE.

SIR MURRAY THEN PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS HIS AIDE-DE-CAMP, MR ANGUS STEVENSON-HAMILTON, THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE, MR JUSTICE A.A. HUGGINS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER, AND LADY CATER, THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJ GEN SIR ROY REDGRAVE, AND LADY REDGRAVE, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR OSWALD CHEUNG, AND MRS CHEUN6, AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR ROY HENRY.

DESPITE THE EIGHT DEGREE WEATHER AND THE LONG 12 300-KILOMETRE JOURNEY FROM LONDON, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA LOOKED RADIANT AND REFRESHED AS SHE CHATTED WITH THE WELCOMING PARTY.

THE ROYAL COUPLE SMILED TO THE 40 PRESSMEN COVERING THEIR ARRIVAL BEFORE PROCEEDING TO A WAITING ROLLS ROYCE LIMOUSINE FOR THE TRIP TO FANLING LODGE WHERE THEY WILL REST BEFORE STARTING A BUSY SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS ON THURSDAY.

INCLUDED IN THE PRINCESS’S ENTOURAGE WERE HER LADY-IN-WAITING, LADY MARY FITZALAN-HOWARD, AS WELL AS HRH’S SECRETARY AND HAIRDRESSER.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S FIRST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ON THURSDAY WILL BE THE OPENING OF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL WHERE SHE WILL ALSO DOT THE EYES OF A LION AND A UNICORN AND WATCH A DANCE BY YOUNGSTERS OF TSUEN WAN.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF HER NINE-DAY VISIT WILL BE AT CHATER STATION WHERE THE PRINCESS WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE NEXT TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 12) TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY — HONG KONG’S LARGEST PUBLIC TRANSPORT PROJECT.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL MEET COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AT A RECEPTION IN THE CHATER STATION LOBBY.

DURING HER STAY IN HONG KONG, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OF SEEING VARIOUS NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT FIRST HAND. HER PROGRAMME INCLUDES VISITS TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, THE RED CROSS MEDICAL CENTRE AT KAI TAK AND THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR WHERE SHE WILL START A PUMP TO DRAW WATER FOR THE FIRST TIME FROM THE $1 348 MILLION WATER SCHEME.

THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL ALSO VISIT CHEUNG CHAU AND TAI 0 BEFORE LEAVING ON FEBRUARY 13.

------0------- /2....................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1980

POLICE MOUNT GUARD FOR PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ft * * * * *

AFTER WALKING THE BEATS OF KOWLOON, MOUNTING GUARD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE MIGHT SEEM LIKE A HOLIDAY FOR MANY POLICE OFFICERS. BUT FOR THE MEN OF THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT, THE GUARD DUTY PRESENTS A RARE HONOUR.

THE MEN OF NO 2 PLATOON, GOLF COMPANY, CHOSEN TO MOUNT GUARD FOR HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WHILST SHE IS IN RESIDENCE AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KNOW THAT WHEN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE IS SELECTED FOR ROYAL DUTIES, THE PTU IS THE POLICE CONTINGENT TRAINED TO REPRESENT THE FORCE. THE PRINCESS IS THE HONORARY COMMANDANT-GENERAL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE.

♦TWO MONTHS AGO THESE MEN WERE ALL POUNDING BEATS IN KOWLOON,+ SAID CHIEF INSPECTOR ALAN NEWTON, THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT OFFICER RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING THE PLATOON FOR ITS SIX DAYS’ GUARD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. +NOW THEY’RE TRAINING HARD FOR THEIR ROYAL DUTIES.♦

THE 32 MEN OF NO 2 PLATOON WILL FORM FOUR SQUADS OF SEVEN CONSTABLES AND A SERGEANT GUARD COMMANDER. THEY WILL WORK AS TWO GUARDS, MAINTAINING AN ALERT PRESENCE COMBINED WITH CEREMONIAL PROCEDURES AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

WHEN HER ROYAL HIGHNESS ARRIVES AT THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 8) AFTERNOON, GUARD COMMANDER SERGEANT CHAN HUNG-FUN WILL CALL OUT THE FIRST GUARD SQUAD AND GIVE THE ORDER TO PRESENT ARMS FOR A ROYAL SALUTE.

FROM THEN UNTIL THE PRINCESS LEAVES HONG KONG ON FEBRUARY 13 THE POLICE WILL STAND GUARD OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM EVERY DAY.

WHEN HER ROYAL HIGHNESS LEAVES GOVERNMENT HOUSE THE GUARD WILL AGAIN BE TURNED OUT, THIS TIME FOR INSPECTION BY THEIR HONORARY COMMANDANT-GENERAL. THE GUARD COMMANDER ON THIS OCCASION WILL BE SERGEANT LUK SHIU-PANG.

IT WILL BE THE SECOND TIME THAT THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT WILL BE REPRESENTING THE FORCE ON ROYAL GUARD DUTIES. IN 1972, WHEN PRINCESS ALEXANDRA MADE HER FIRST VISIT TO HONG KONG AS THE HONORARY COMMANDANT-GENERAL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE, THE UNIT WAS CHOSEN TO PROVIDE THE GUARD.

♦THE MEN HAVE BEEN HAND PICKED FOR THEIR SMARTNESS,+ SAID NEWTON. +THEY ARE WORKING HARD EVERY DAY TO LEARN THE DRILL AND I KNOW THAT THE SATISFACTION THEY WILL GAIN FROM MOUNTING GUARD FOR HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL MAKE THEIR EFFORTS ALL THE MORE WORTHWHILE.*

------0 ------ /j....................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1980

NEW DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES MEETS PRIMARY PRODUCERS

*****

THE NEW DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN WILL PAY A SERIES OF KUNG HEI FAT CHOY VISITS TO PRIMARY PRODUCERS AND RURAL LEADERS.

THE PROGRAMME STARTED TONIGHT WHEN HE ATTENDED A DINNER WITH FARMERS. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A LUNCH WITH FISHERMEN ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 8). HE WILL ALSO ATTEND A SERIES OF INFORMAL GATHERINGS WITH RURAL REPRESENTATIVES IN TAI PO AND YUEN LONG DISTRICTS.

HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISITS BY THE NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DR C.T. WONG- NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE, DR H.Y. LEE- NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES, MR ROY CHILVERS-AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS, MR MARTIN LEWIS.

THE CHANGES IN DIRECTORATE LEVEL OF THE DEPARTMENT CAME ABOUT WITH THE RETIREMENT OF MR TED NICHOLS WHO WAS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND THEN DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR 21 YEARS. THE CHANGES WERE EFFECTIVE FROM LAST FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1).

AT TONIGHT’S DINNER AT YUEN LONG, MR RIDDELL-SWAN TOLD THE FARMERS THAT THE YEAR OF THE GOAT HAD BEEN A GOOD YEAR DESPITE THE PASSAGE OF TYPHOON HOPE AND TYPHOON MAC IN SEPTEMBER.

♦FOR VEGETABLE FARMERS THE YEAR WAS MARKED BY GOOD YIELDS AND STEADY PRICES WHICH ENABLED FARMERS TO MAINTAIN THEIR SHARE OF THE LOCAL MARKET DESPITE THE ONGOING LOSS OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL LAND THROUGH INCREASED URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

♦I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT VEGETABLE FARMERS HAVE BEEN TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE AGRICULTURAL LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE LABOUR SAVING DEVICES, SUCH AS ROTARY CULTIVATORS AND SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEMS,♦ SAID M? RIDDELL-SWAN.

HE ALSO CONGRATULATED THREE FARMERS, MR LEUNG CH IK, MR TANG TUNG-CHIU, AND MR TANG CHE-LEUNG FOR BEING AWARDED BADGES OF HONOUR BY THE QUEEN.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1980

- 4 -

USA DELEGATION HERE TO STUDY AIRPORT FACILITIES

* * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR BRIAN KEEP TODAY (TUESDAY) RECEIVED A DELEGATION OF AIRPORT OFFICIALS FROM LOS ANGELES, USA WHO ARE HERE TO STUDY FACILITIES AT HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE DELEGATION HEADED BY MR CLIFTON MOORE, GENERAL MANAGER OF DEPARTMENT OF AIRPORTS ALSO INCLUDES AIRPORT COMMISSIONERS MR SAMUEL GREENBERG AND MR ROBERT COLLINS.

THEY ARE ON A SPECIAL TRIP TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF MODERN AIRPORT FACILITIES TO ASSIST THE AUTHORITIES IN DRAWING UP THE DESIGN OF A NEW INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER TERMINAL FOR LOS ANGELES.

THE GROUP IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN AIRPORT’S CUSTOMS, IMMIGRATION AND CONCESSION FACILITIES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE GROUP WILL VISIT KAI TAK AIRPORT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING. PHOTOGRAPHERS WISHING TO COVER THE EVENT SHOULD MEET SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER MR H.L. KO IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM NOT LATER THAN 9.45 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1980

COURSE FOR MATHS TEACHERS *****

A COURSE ON THE USE OF ELECTRONIC CALCULATORS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS WILL BE REPEATED IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS TO ENABLE MORE MATHEMATICS TEACHERS TO ATTEND.

AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID SIMILAR COURSES HELD IN OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR WERE HEAVILY OVERSUBSCR IBED.

♦IN VIEW OF THE ENTHUSIASM OF UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS AND AT THE REQUEST OF MANY OTHER TEACHERS, IT IS DECIDED TO REPEAT THIS COURSE FOR SIX MORE GROUPS OF TEACHERS,♦ HE SAID.

THE HALF-DAY COURSE WILL COVER ELEMENTARY OPERATIONS OF VARIOUS TYPES OF CALCULATORS, RANGING FROM THE ELEMENTARY ONES TO THE MORE COMPLEX PROGRAMMABLE TYPE.

A SELECTION OF MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE MATHEMATICS SYLLABUSES WILL BE USED TO DEMONSTRATE THE CAPABILITIES OF THE MODELS AVAILABLE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

LECTURES, PRACTICAL WORK AND DISCUSSIONS IN CANTONESE WILL BE CONDUCTED DURING THE COURSE WHICH WILL BE HELD EITHER ON TUESDAY AFTERNOONS OR SATURDAY MORNINGS AT THE MATHEMATICS TEACHING CENTRE IN NORTH POINT.

NO FEE IS CHARGED FOR THE COURSE, AND ATTENDANCE WILL NOT LEAD TO ANY NEW QUALIFICATIONS.

EACH SESSION IS FOR 25 TEACHERS AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED ON A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED BASIS.

♦HOWEVER, PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE APPLICANTS WHO WERE NOT SELECTED FOR COURSES LAST YEAR DUE TO OVERSUBSCRI PT ION,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS BEFORE FEBRUARY 29 TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (MATHEMATICS), MATHEMATICS SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, FIFTH FLOOR, HONG KONG.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE COURSE CAN BE MADE WITH THE MATHEMATICS SECTION ON TELEPHONE 5-774001 EXT 47.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1980

NOTE TO EDITORS*

OPENING OF NEW VILLAGE IN SHA TIN *****

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, WILL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY MARKING THE OPENING OF PAT TZE WO NEW VILLAGE NEAR SHA TIN WHICH HAS BEEN BUILT UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S VILLAGE REMOVAL SCHEME.

THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10.30 AM AT THE NEW VILLAGE ON A HILLSIDE ABOVE FO TAN.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE CEREMONY. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 9.30 AM

- - o - -

CLOSURE OF CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL ROAD

*****

CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL ROAD IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC PERMANENTLY FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 8) TO FACILITATE THE DEMOLITION OF A BRIDGE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

WITH THE CLOSURE OF THIS ROAD, ACCESS TO CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL, CHING CHUNG KOON, KEI LUN WAI AND OTHER VILLAGES IN THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN CAN BE VIA SEVERAL UNNAMED ROADS.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - o -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL TOMORROW ............................................. 1

PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADMIRALTY AND CHATER STATIONS ......................... 2

HONG KONG'S MINI-DIPLOMATIC SERVICE ....................... 3

MANY GOVERNMENT JOBS OPEN TO POLYTECHNIC GRADUATES ................................................. 6

PUMPING EQUIPMENT FOR NEW SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT .......... 7

DSNT OPENS NEW VILLAGE IN SHA TIN ......................... 7

SAFETY TRAINING COURSE FOR CAISSON WORKERS ................ 8

STUDENTS GIVEN KNITTING MACHINE IN PRACTICAL WORK ......... 9

TRAIN TO PENFOLD GARDEN SUSPENDED ......................... 9

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, I960

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL TOMORROW * * * * * *

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA BEGINS HER PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (THURSDAY) WHEN SHE OPENS THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY WILL ARRIVE AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AT 3 PM.

ON ARRIVAL, THE ROYAL VISITORS WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES- THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD- AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR BRIAN WILSON.

THE PRINCESS WILL BE INVITED TO DOT THE EYES OF A LION AND A UNICORN. SHE WILL THEN UNVEIL A PLAQUE IN THE MAIN FOYER OF THE CONCERT HALL AND DECLARE THE TOWN HALL OPEN.

AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY THE PARTY WILL PROCEED TO THE CONCERT HALL TO WATCH A PERFORMANCE OF SINGING AND DANCING BY THE TSUEN WAN YOUTH DANCE GROUP.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL ALSO ATTEND A RECEPTION IN THE EXHIBITION HALL WHERE SHE WILL MEET TSUEN WAN COMMUNITY LEADERS.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

PRESS FACILITIES

THERE WILL BE A POSITION FOR ACCREDITED PRESS IN FRONT OF THE TOWN HALL TO COVER THE ARRIVAL OF HRH AND THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY. A SEPARATE POSITION WITHIN THE FOYER WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE PLAQUE UNVEILING. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL THEN PROCEED INTO THE CONCERT HALL OPPOSITE THE ROYAL BOX TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS. THEY MUST LEAVE BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE BEGINS TO TAKE UP A POSITION IN THE EXHIBITION HALL.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE CGO CAR PARK AT 1.45 PM SHARP TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1980

PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADMIRALTY AND CHATER STATIONS ft ft ft ft ft ft

SPECIAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED NEXT TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 12) WITH THE OPENING OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY’S CHATER AND ADMIRALTY STATIONS AT 2 PM ON THAT DAY.

PASSENGERS ON WESTBOUND JOURNEYS ON THE FOLLOWING CMB ROUTES - 5, 5A, 5B, 6, 10, 11, 15, 23, 23A, 23B, 25, 61, 260 AND 262 -CAN ALIGHT AT THE BUS STOP ON QUEENSWAY NEAR VICTORIA BARRACKS AND USE THE FOOTBRIDGE TO GO TO ADMIRALTY STATION.

BUS PASSENGERS ON EASTBOUND JOURNEYS ON ROUTES 5, 5A, 5B, 10, 10A, 17, 20, 22, 23A, 23B AND 24 CAN GET OFF AT CHATER ROAD FOR CHATER STATION.

THOSE ON THE FOLLOWING CMB ROUTES - 1, 2, 10A, 22, 24 AND 80 - ON WESTBOUND JOURNEYS CAN ALIGHT AT CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL OUTSIDE THE CITY HALL AND INTERCHANGE AT CHATER STATION.

IN ADDITION, FIVE NEW CMB ROUTES WILL BE PROVIDED AT TWO NEW BUS TERMINI AT ADMIRALTY STATION FROM 1 PM NEXT TUESDAY. OF THESE TWO ROUTES WILL TERMINATE AT THE STATION’S WESTERN BUS TERMINUS. THEY ARE ROUTE 5M - ADMIRALTY TO WESTERN DISTRICT AND KENNEDY TOWN (FARE 50 CENTS), AND ROUTE 70M - ADMIRALTY TO WESTERN DISTRICT, POKFULAM AND ABERDEEN (FARE $1).

THREE OTHER ROUTES WILL TERMINATE AT THE STATION’S EASTERN BUS TERMINUS. THEY ARE ROUTE 10M - ADMIRALTY TO NORTH POINT (FARE 60 CENTS)- ROUTE 22M - ADMIRALTY TO QUARRY BAY (FARE 70 CENTS), AND ROUTE 20M - ADMIRALTY TO SHAU KEI WAN (FARE 80 CENTS). IN ADDITION BUS ROUTE 40 FROM WAH FU ESTATE WILL BE EXTENDED FROM CENTRAL BUS TERMINUS TO WAN CHAI FERRY VIA ADMIRALTY STATION. ROUTE 37 FROM CHI FU FA YUEN WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED FROM GILMAN STREET TO CENTRAL BUS TERMINUS WHICH HAS A FOOTBRIDGE LINK TO CHATER STATION.

WESTBOUND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES GOING TO CENTRAL DISTRICT ON QUEENSWAY WILL BE ABLE TO STOP IN THE WESTBOUND LOOP ROAD ON QUEENSWAY NEAR THE FOOTBRIDGE TO ADMIRALTY STATION.

EASTBOUND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES CAN USE THE PLB TERMINUS ON CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL NEXT TO THE CENTRAL BUS TERMINUS TO PICK UP MTR PASSENGERS ALIGHTING AT CHATER STATION.

TAXIS CAN REACH THE ADMIRALTY STATION VIA QUEENSWAY, WITH EXIT FROM COTTON TREE DRIVE. EXISTING TAXI STANDS AT JACKSON ROAD AND THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE WILL BE MAINTAINED.

TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN AREAS AROUND ADMIRALTY AND CHATER STATIONS, 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IMPOSED ON COTTON TREE DRIVE SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN HARCOURT ROAD AND QUEENSWAY, AND ON QUEENSWAY FROM COTTON TREE DRIVE TO ADMIRALTY STATION EASTERN BUS TERMINUS.

/ONLY BUSES ...

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1980

ONLY BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP ON QUEENSWAY WESTBOUND BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND COTTON TREE DRIVE. HOWEVER, THE WESTBOUND LOOP ROAD ON QUEENSWAY NEAR VICTORIA BARRACKS WILL BE OPENED AS A PICKING UP AND SETTING DOWN BAY FOR PLBS AND FRANCHISED BUSES. WAITING RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IMPOSED ON THIS SECTION OF ROAD.

LIMITED ACCESS FOR PRIVATE CARS AND TAXIS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICKING UP AND SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS WITHIN THE ADMIRALTY STATION COMPLEX. ENTRY WILL BE VIA THE APPROACH ROAD FROM QUEENSWAY EASTBOUND.

USE OF THE ACCESS ROAD TO ADMIRALTY STATION NEXT TO THE NEW RODNEY BLOCK WILL BE RESTRICTED TO FRANCHISED BUSES, CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES AND VEHICLES REQUIRING ACCESS TO NEW RODNEY BLOCK.

MORE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE WHEN THE TWO MTR STATIONS’ ROAD NETWORK IS COMPLETED.

HONG KONG’S MINI-DIPLOMATIC SERVICE *****

THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, FR PETER TSAO SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR HONG KONG, AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HONG KONG IN WORLD TRADE, REQUIRED THAT WE MUST SHOULDER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REPRESENTING OUR OWN COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN RELATION WITH OUR MAIN TRADING PARTNERS.

ADDRESSING A GATHERING OF THE HONG KONG KNITWEAR EXPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, MR TSAO EXPLAINED HOW HONG KONG WAS REPRESENTED IN WORLD TRADE, AND THE LIMITED DIPLOMATIC SERVICE THAT HONG KONG MAINTAINED OVERSEAS.

HE REFERRED TO A RECENT EDITORIAL IN A LEADING ENGLISH NEWSPAPER, IN WHICH THE WRITER LAMENTED THE FACT THAT, EXCEPT IN THE RECENT ROUND OF TEXTILE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE USA, HONG KONG HAD BEEN REPRESENTED BY BRITAIN.

♦THE WRITER SUGGESTED THAT WE SHOULD SET UP FULL-TIME GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN GENEVA, BRUSSELS AND WASHINGTON, IN ADDITION TO LONDON. I DON’T BLAME THE WRITER FOR BEING SOMEWHAT CONFUSED, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A SLIGHTLY CONFUSING SITUATION.

♦CONSTITUTIONALLY, BRITAIN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. THEREFORE BRITISH POSTS AROUND THE WORLD CAN BE, AND ARE, ASKED TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS ON HONG KONG’S BEHALF, IN MATTERS RELATING TO OUR EXTERNAL RELATIONS.

♦HOWEVER, IN COMMERCIAL RELATIONS HONG KONG HAS, OVER THE YEARS, ACQUIRED CONSIDERABLE FREEDOM IN CONDUCTING ITS OWN BUSINESS VIS-A-VIS FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS,♦ SAID MR TSAO.

/♦THIS IS ..

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1980

♦THIS IS AN INEVITABLE EVOLUTION, ARISING CHIEFLY, ALTHOUGH NOT EXCLUSIVELY, FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM’S ENTRY INTO THE EEC.+

MR TSAO CONTINUEDi +BUT EVEN BEFORE THE UNITED KINGDOM JOINED THE EEC, HONG KONG HAD FOR SOME YEARS BEEN CONDUCTING ITS OWN NEGOTIATIONS ON TEXTILES. INDEED, THE FIRST AGREEMENT WE EVER SIGNED WAS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM ITSELF. YOU WILL READILY APPRECIATE HOW IMPRACTICAL IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM TO NEGOTIATE WITH ITSELF, TO RESTRICT HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS.

♦OUR NEGOTIATING EXPERIENCE AND HISTORY DATE BACK TO 1960- AND SINCE THEN WE HAVE NEGOTIATED, ON OUR OWN, NUMEROUS BILATERAL AGREEMENTS, ALL OF WHICH COVERED TEXTILES.

♦SO IT’S NOT CORRECT TO SAY THAT +UP TO NOW, HONG KONG HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY BRITA IN,+ MR TSAO STRESSED. +FROM TIME TO TIME WE DO ASK HMG IN LONDON TO HELP US, IN THEIR CAPACITY AS OUR METROPOLITAN POWER AND, AS IN THE RECENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH USA, WE RECEIVED FULL SUPPORT FROM HMG. BUT HMG DID NOT CONDUCT THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR US. WE DID. I SAY THIS WITH SOME AUTHORITY BECAUSE I LED THE HONG KONG DELEGATION,♦ HE SAID.

IN ADDITION TO BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS, HONG KONG OFFICIALS ALSO SPEAK FOR HONG KONG IN SUCH MULTILATERAL FORUMS AS THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT), THE TEXTILE COMMITTEE, AND THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND PACIFIC (ESCAP).

♦WHILE THE HONG KONG SPEAKERS WOULD NORMALLY PREFACE THEIR SPEECH WITH THE WORDS +THE UNITED KINGDOM SPEAKING FOR HONG KONG*, OUR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN MANY INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS HAS LEFT NO DOUBT IN OUR MIND THAT NOWADAYS THE AUDIENCE ALMOST ALWAYS KNOW FULL WELL THAT THE SPEAKER IS DEFENDING AND/OR PROMOTING HONG KONG’S INTERESTS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE SITS WITH, AND SPEAKS FROM, THE UNITED KINGDOM DELEGATION,+ HE SAID.

ON THE CHOICE OF LOCATION OF MR TSAO SAID BRUSSELS IS THE SEAT COMMISSION, WHICH IS WHY THE HONG THERE IN 1965.

HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS OFFICES, OF THE EEC AND HOUSES ITS KONG OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED

♦WITH THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE EEC TO NINE - AND EVENTUALLY TO 12, IF AND WHEN GREECE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL JOIN IT - AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE COMMISSION AS EFFECTIVELY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMUNITY, OUR WORK IN BRUSSELS HAS ALSO EXPANDED. SO WE NOW HAVE A MINISTER AND A FIRST SECRETARY IN BRUSSELS, IN ADDITION TO A TEAM OF SUPPORTING STAFF.

♦OUR WASHINGTON DC OFFICE WAS OPENED IN 1966. THERE WE HAVE, IN TERMS OF DIPLOMATIC POSTS, A COUNSELLOR AND A SECOND SECRETARY.

/+CVER ONE ...

♦OVER ONE THIRD OF HK’S EXPORTS GO TO THE UNITED STATES. IT FOLLOWS THAT EVEN MINOR ADJUSTMENTS IN US TRADE POLICIES CAN HAVE MAJOR IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG. THE COMPLEXITY OF THE WASHINGTON SCENE IS SUCH THAT ONLY CONTINUING AND INFORMED OBSERVATION ON THE SPOT CAN ENSURE THAT WE BECOME AWARE OF DEVELOPMENTS IN TIME TO ADJUST TO THEM OR SEEK TO INFLUENCE THEM,* W TSAO EXPLAINED.

GENEVA WAS CHOSEN IN 1967 FOR THE LOCATION OF HONG KONG’S THIRD DIPLOMATIC POST BECAUSE IT CONTAINED THE HEADQUARTERS OF MANY INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS, NOTABLY FOR HONG KONG THOSE CONCERNED WITH TRADE - THE MAIN ONE BEING THE GATT.

THE HONG KONG OFFICE IN GENEVA NOW HAS TWO COUNSELLORS AND A SECOND SECRETARY. THEY REPRESENT HK’S INTERESTS IN MANY IMPORTANT FORMAL AND INFORMAL DEBATES AND NEGOTIATIONS.

♦BY FOCUSSING OUR EFFORTS THERE ON THOSE ISSUES WHERE WE HAVE DEVELOPED SOME EXPERTISE, AND BY CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH DELEGATIONS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WITH WHOM WE SHARE COMMON INTERESTS, I THINK WE CAN, WITH ALL DUE MODESTY, CLAIM TODAY TO EXERCISE A DEGREE OF INFLUENCE ON WORLD TRADE POLICIES GREATER THAN ONE MIGHT EXPECT FROM OUR SIZE AND STATUS,♦ SAID MR TSAO

THE LONDON OFFICE WAS, FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REASONS, NOT A DIPLOMATIC POST. ORIGINALLY SET UP IN 1955 AS A BRANCH OFFICE OF THE THEN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, IT HAD GROWN TO ITS PRESENT ESTABLISHMENT OF ABOUT 90 PEOPLE UNDER A COMMISSIONER WHOSE FUNCTIONS EXTENDED WELL BEYOND TRADE RELATIONS.

♦IN THAT OFFICE THERE ARE TWO MEMBERS OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WHO ARE CHARGED WITH LOOKING AFTER HONG KONG’S COMMERCIAL POLICY INTERESTS VIS-A-VIS THE UNITED KINGDOM. THIS ARRANGEMENT IS JUSTIFIED BY THE SPECIAL METROPOLITAN RELATIONSHIP, DESPITE THE UNITED KINGDOM’S MEMBERSHIP OF THE EEC,+ HE ADDED.

IN ADDITION TO HONG KONG’S MINI-DIPLOMATIC SERVICE, WHICH IS MODEST IN SCOPE AND ENTIRELY COMMERCIALLY RATHER THAN POLITICALLY ORIENTED, HONG KONG IS ALSO REPRESENTED OVERSEAS BY THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

THE FORMER’S ACTIVITIES ARE GEARED TO ENCOURAGING BUSINESS GROUPS TO HOLD CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS IN HONG KONG, AN AREA WHERE THEY ARE HAVING ENCOURAGING RESULTS, SAID MR TSAO. THE TDC HAD 18 OFFICES ACROSS THE WORLD. THEIR NETWORK, WHICH IS DIRECTED AT THE PROMOTION OF TWO-WAY TRADE, HAS ALSO A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR CREATING A FAVOURABLE IMAGE OF HONG KONG AND CULTIVATING INFLUENTIAL CONTACTS WITH LEVELS IN MANY ORGANISATIONS IN MANY COUNTRIES.

♦IN THE PAST HONG KONG HAS, INEVITABLY PERHAPS, BEEN ESSENTIALLY IN THE BUSINESS OF REACTING TO SITUATIONS AS THEY AROSE. THIS WILL ALWAYS BE THE CASE, BUT THE CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES OF WORLD TRADE WILL, IN MY VIEW, REQUIRE US TO PUT MORE EFFORT INTO IDENTIFYING LIKELY FUTURE THREATS TO HONG KONG’S TRADE AND PROSPERITY- SEEKING TO INFLUENCE THEM BEFORE THEY MATERIALISE-AND TACKLING THEM PROMPTLY AND FORCEFULLY WHEN THEY HAPPEN. FOR THAT WE WILL NEED TO EXAMINE AND UP-DATE OUR REPRESENTATIONS OVERSEAS, MR TSAO CONCLUDED.

------0------- /6 ..................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1980

MANY GOVERNMENT JOBS OPEN TO POLYTECHNIC GRADUATES

* * * * *

ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF THE VACANCIES WHICH ARISE EACH YEAR IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ARE APPROPRIATE FOR POLYTECHNIC GRADUATES.

THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR E.P. HO, SAID THIS AT THE OPENING OF THE CIVIL SERVICE CAREERS EXHIBITION AT THE POLYTECHNIC TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE VACANCIES COVERED 111 RANKS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, AND INVOLVED MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORK, WITH THE GREAT MAJORITY AT THE TECHNICAL AND THE ASSISTANT PROFESSIONAL LEVELS.

•►SUBSEQUENT ADVANCEMENT IS MAINLY BASED ON MERIT,* HE SAID, ♦AND MERITORIOUS OFFICERS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE SELECTED FOR TRANSFER TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE CLASS WITH PROSPECTS OF RISING TO THE VERY TOP THROUGH PERSONAL EFFORT.♦

AN AVERAGE OF 8 000 VACANCIES ARISE EACH YEAR FROM THE CREATION OF ADDITIONAL POSTS AND NORMAL WASTAGE THROUGH RESIGNATIONS AND RETIREMENTS.

WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE STUDENT AFFAIRS UNIT OF THE POLYTECHNIC ORGANISES THE CAREERS EXHIBITION ANNUALLY TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO FIND OUT WHAT THE CIVIL SERVICE HAS TO OFFER IN TERMS OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.

MR HO HOPED THAT THE STUDENTS WOULD MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE COUNSELLING SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE UNIT OFFICE IN CHOOSING A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, PERSONAL INTEREST AND APTITUDES.

HE SAIDi+CAREER COUNSELLING FOR STUDENTS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IS NOW GENERALLY AVAILABLE.

♦THIS SERVICE PROVIDES STUDENTS‘WITH THE WIDEST POSSIBLE RANGE OF INFORMATION ABOUT JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE EMPLOYMENT MARKET.♦

HE POINTED OUT THAT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN BOTH THE PRIVATE AND THE GOVERNMENT SECTORS HAD INCREASED OVER THE YEARS.

IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ALONE, THE 48 DEPARTMENTS HAD A TOTAL STAFF ESTABLISHMENT OF 135 000- AND THIS FIGURE WAS GROWING AT THE RATE OF ABOUT 5 000 A YEAR.

♦IF HONG KONG CONTINUES TO DIVERSIFY AND GROW — AS IT MUST — THIS NEED FOR TALENT WILL OBVIOUSLY BE SUSTAINABLE IN THE FUTURE,+ SAID MR HO.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1980

PUMPING EQUIPMENT FOR NEW SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AWARDED A CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF PUMPING EQUIPMENT FOR THE NEW SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT SHEK WU HUI IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE CONTRACT, COSTING JUST OVER $5 MILLION, WAS SIGNED BY M? GEORGE CHIEN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE TAI PO AND FANLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF HITACHI PLANT ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.

THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FORMS PART OF THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT IN FANLING AND SHEK WU HUI.

PHASE ONE OF THE PROJECT WILL SERVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 127 000 AND INDUSTRIES IN THE AREA. IT WILL TREAT SEWAGE BROUGHT BY A NEW SYSTEM OF SEWERS AND PUMPING STATIONS FROM URBAN AREAS IN FANLING AND SHEK WU HUI.

WORK ON THE WHOLE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MAY 1982. HOWEVER, PART OF THE WORKS WILL BE OPERATIONAL A FEW MONTHS EARLIER TO PROVIDE TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN THE AREA NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

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

---- 0 - - - -

DSNT OPENS NEW VILLAGE IN SHA TIN

*****

A NEW VILLAGE BUILT UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S VILLAGE REMOVAL SCHEME IN SHA TIN WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM.

THE VILLAGE, COMPRISING 10 THREE-STOREY HOUSES EACH COSTING $185 000, IS TO REHOUSE INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS FROM PAT TZE WO WHICH IS TO BE CLEARED TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.

IT IS THE SECOND SUCH VILLAGE TO BE BUILT IN THE DISTRICT AND IS LOCATED IN A RESITE AREA ABOVE FO TAN.

IN A BRIEF CEREMONY, MR CHUI HANDED OVER THE NEW HOUSES ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT BY PRESENTING THE KEYS TO THE VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVE, MR LAU SAM-YAU.

IN ADDITION TO THE NEW HOUSES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROVIDED THE VILLAGERS WITH A SPECIAL ALLOWANCE OF $8 000 FOR EACH FAMILY TO HELP MEET REMOVAL AND DECORATION EXPENSES.

/ASSISTED BY .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1980

ASSISTED BY SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GERRY HIGGINSON, AND A VILLAGE ELDER, MR LAU SUN-CHOY, MR CHUI ALSO PERFORMED A TRADITIONAL EARTH-BREAKING CEREMONY AT A NEARBY SITE WHICH IS ONE OF THE 12 GRANTED TO THE VILLAGERS BY PRIVATE TREATY. THESE ARE TO BE DEVELOPED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

TODAY’S HAND-OVER MARKS THE FINAL PHASE OF REMOVAL FROM THE AREA. UNDER AN EARLIER PHASE, RESIDENTS FROM FIVE NEIGHBOURING VILLAGES MOVED INTO SIMILAR HOUSES.

THE AREA VACATED BY THE VILLAGERS IS PART OF THE PLANNED EXTENSION OF FO TAN INDUSTRIAL AREA. TWO HECTARES OF INDUSTRIAL SITES HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED, SERVICED AND SOLD AT FO TAN.

WORK ON THE EXTENSION IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS. ON COMPLETION IN 1982, IT WILL PROVIDE A FURTHER 18 HECTARES OF LAND.

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

SAFETY TRAINING COURSE FOR CAISSON WORKERS X X X X

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE HAS FOR THE FIRST TIME ORGANISED A SAFETY TRAINING COURSE FOR CAISSON WORKERS.

THE ONE-DAY COURSE WAS HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE IN CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES WITH ABOUT 25 WORKERS FROM THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY ATTENDING.

THE COURSE WILL BE REPEATED FOR ANOTHER 25 WORKERS AT THE SAME PLACE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

IT COVERS THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CONFINED SPACES) REGULATIONS, HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH HAND DUG CAISSONS AND MEASURES TO PREVENT SUCH RISKS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CAISSON SAFETY TRAINING COURSE WAS IN ADDITION TO 13 DIFFERENT TYPES OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING OFFERED BY THE CENTRE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

LAST YEAR, THE CENTRE HELD 180 SAFETY TRAINING COURSES OF DIFFERENT NATURE TO 6 200 TECHNICIANS, FOREMEN, WORKER SUPERVISORS AND WORKERS. IN ADDITION 25 COURSES WERE ORGANISED FOR APPRENTICES DURING THE YEAR. AT THE SAME TIME FACTORY INSPECTORS GAVE 62 TALKS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES, SCHOOLS AND VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1980

STUDENTS GIVEN KNITTING MACHINE IN PRACTICAL WORK

* * * *

STUDENTS OF KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE’S TEXTILE DEPARTMENT WILL SOON BE ABLE TO MAKE USE OF A NEW KNITTING MACHINE WORTH ABOUT $100 000 DONATED BY A LOCAL COMPANY.

♦THE MACHINE IS A GERMAN MADE MAYER AND CIE SUPREME II CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE, AND WILL BE MOST PERTINENT AND VALUABLE FOR THE TRAINING OF STUDENTS IN PRACTICAL WORK,+ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

MR FOK YUN-TAI, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE K AND E COMPANY LTD AND MR WONG WING-KEUNG, THE SALES MANAGER, WILL OFFICIALLY PRESENT THE KNITTING MACHINE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO MR YUNG HO—KOON, ACTING PRINCIPAL OF KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.

THE TEXTILE DEPARTMENT OF KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE SPECIALISES IN KNITTING AND KNITWEAR TECHNOLOGY, AND OFFERS FULL-TIME, PART-TIME DAY RELEASE AND PART-TIME EVENING PROGRAMMES/ COURSES AT BOTH TECHNICIAN AND CRAFT LEVEL.

NOTE TO ED I TORS»

THE HANDING-OVER CEREMONY OF THE KNITTING MACHINE WILL BE HELD AT 11.30 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, 25 HIU MING STREET, KWUN TONG, KOWLOON. YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY.

TRAIN TO PENFOLD GARDEN SUSPENDED

* * * * *

THE SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICE TO PENFOLD GARDEN AT THE SHA TIN RACE COURSE WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 10), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE SERVICE WILL BE BACK AS SOON AS THE WEATHER IMPROVES AND THE DEMAND GROWS.

THE SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICE WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN JULY LAST YEAR.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NG.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS TSUEN '/AN TO'.TN HALL............ 1

AlfENDMENT TC RENT CONTROL BILL............................ 3

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HOUSING ESTATE AND HOSPITAL TOMORROW......................................... 4

EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR ........................ 5

HEUNG YEE KUK BY-ELECTION HELD TODAY ...................... 6

ADVISERS TO STUDY DEV LOPNLNT OF BALLET IN HONG KONG.......7

FORMER ADhIINIST\>kTIVE OFFICER PASSES AWAY ............... 7

REFRESHER COURSE IM LIFE SAVING FOR TEACHERS .............. 8

PASSING-OUT PARADE CF PRISON OFFICERS ..................... 8

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK..............9

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL

* * * *

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TODAY (THURSDAY) OPENED TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL - TO GIVE CULTURE A PERMANENT HOME IN THE NEW TOWN.

THE OPENING OF THE $23 MILLION MULTI-PURPOSE CULTURAL COMPLEX WAS THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT OF THE PRINCESS’S NINE DAYS IN HONG KONG.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, ACCOMPANIED BY HER HUSBAND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, AND THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WAS GIVEN A ROUSING WELCOME BY SCORES OF FLAG-WAVING PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO LINED THE RAISED WALKWAY OUTSIDE THE TOWN HALL ENTRANCE. THEY WERE FROM THE CHIU CHOW PUBLIC SCHOOL, THE HOI PA STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN SCHOOL, ALL IN TSUEN WAN.

ON ARRIVAL AT THE TOWN HALL SHE WAS MET BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD, THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR BRIAN WILSON, AND THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES HAYES.

MR P.G. WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, WHICH DONATED $10 MILLION TOWARDS THE CAPITAL COST OF THE TOWN HALL PROJECT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR STEPHEN WONG, AND THE KUK’S TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN, MR LAU WONG-FAT AND MR PETER YEUNG, WERE PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS, AS WELL AS THE TOWN HALL PROJECT ARCHITECT, MR FRED WOO, AND THE PROJECT CONTRACTOR, MR WILLIAM SIT.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA FIRST DOTTED THE EYES OF A LION AND A UNICORN AND WATCHED DANCES BY TEAMS FROM THE FEDERATION OF MARTIAL ARTS SOCIETIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THEN ENTERED THE TOWN HALL FOYER WHERE THE CHAIRMAN OF TSUEN WAN CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION, MR CHAN PO-FONG, WAS PRESENTED TO HER.

IN A WELCOMING SPEECH, MR WILSON DESCRIBED THE TOWN HALL OPENING AS +AN OCCASION OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.*

HE SA IDs +T0 EMPHASISE THAT THIS TOWN HALL BELONGS TO TSUEN WAN, IT WILL BE CONTROLLED BY A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF LOCAL RESIDENTS, MEMBERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, AND CIVIL SERVANTS, WITH DAY TO DAY RUNNING IN THE HANDS OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

+THE OBJECT OF THE TOWN HALL IS NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR CULTURE FOR TSUEN wAN AT PRICES PEOPLE CAN AFFORD, BUT ALSO TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR ARTISTIC TALENTS. THIS EMBRACES CHINESE CULTURE AS MUCH AS WESTERN CULTURE,* HE oA ID.

THERE WAS A GROWING AWARENESS OF LEISURE IN HONG KONG AND IT WAS HIGHLY DESIRABLE THAT THIS DEMAND EE MET BY THE TIMELY PROVISION OF VENUES OF CULTURE OF GOOD STANDARD.

/M.R .V1LS0N

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 198O

MR WILSON SAID SIMILAR TOWN HALLS WERE PLANNED FOR THE OTHER NEW TOWNS OF TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN, BUT FOR THE MOMENT TSUEN WAN LED THE WAY.

AMID APPLAUSE, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THEN UNVEILED A PLAQUE AND DECLARED THE TOWN HALL OFFICIALLY OPEN.

SHE SA IDs +HONG KONG IS WITHOUT DOUBT ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND PROGRESSIVE PLACES IN THE WORLD.

+EVERY TIME I RETURN, THERE ARE NEW PROJECTS UNDER WAY OR NEW BUILDINGS THAT HAVE SPRUNG UP AS IF BY MAGIC.

+THIS TOWN HALL IS A PRIME EXAMPLE. IT IS A NEW BUILDING IN A NEW TOWN TO CONTAIN NEW ACTIVITIES.*

MOVING TO THE AUDITORIUM, THE PRINCESS WAS GREETED BY 1 OOO STUDENTS FROM 25 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TSUEN WAN.

AFTER THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WAS PLAYED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND, MR CHAN GAVE A SPEECH OF THANKS DURING WHICH HE SAID +THIS FINE HALL IS A SYMBOL OF TSUEN WAN’S STEADY PROGRESS.*

HE SAID ITS COMPLETION HAD BEEN EAGERLY AWAITED BY LOCAL PEOPLE.

+OUR LARGE POPULATION INCLUDES MANY TALENTED PERSONS AND OTHERS WITH A KEEN INTEREST IN THE ARTS.

*OUR NEW TOWN HALL WILL ENABLE US TO DEVELOP THE PERFORMING ARTS AND TO EXTEND OUR CULTURAL APPRECIATION TO A HIGHER STANDARD.*

THE PRINCESS WATCHED PERFOMANCES BY THE ASSOCIATION’S TSUEN WAN GIRLS’ AND CHILDREN’S CHOIRS AND THE TSUEN WAN DANCE TROUPE. THE CHOIRS, COMPRISING RESPECTIVELY 40 YOUNG WOMEN AGED BETWEEN 17 AND 25 AND 50 CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND 13, SANG TWO CHINESE FOLK SONGS AND AN INDONESIAN SONG ON YOUTH AND FRIENDSHIP.

THE 30-MEMBER DANCE TROUPE, COMPOSED OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN AGED BETWEEN 17 AND 22, PERFORMED LION AND FOLK DANCES WEARING TRADITIONAL CHINESE COSTUMES.

THE PRINCESS THEN WENT TO THE EXHIBITION GALLERY ON THE FIRST FLOOR TO VIEW A DISPLAY TRACING TSUEN WAN’S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.

THE DISPLAY, ORGANISED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT AND THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL BE MOVED TO THE MAIN FOYER SHORTLY AND BE OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC UNTIL MARCH 16.

THE PROJECT MANAGER TSUEN WAN, MR EDDY SHORT, AND THE DIRECTOR CF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR HARNAM GREWAL, WERE PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS IN THE EXHIBITION GALLERY.

AN EXCITED 13-YEAR-OLD, MISS HUNG CHUI-LAN, ONE OF THE WINNERS CF A MURALS DESIGN COMPETITION, *AS PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS. CHUI-LAN WAS ONLY 11 WHEN SHE wON THE COMPETITION *HICH ATTRACTED 140 ENTRIES. HER WINNING DESIGN NOW GRACES THE FIRST FLOOR LIFT LOBBY OF THE TOWN HALL.

/OTHER WINNERS .....

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1980

OTHER WINNERS PRESENTED TO PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WERE MR TOMMY MOK, OF SS DESIGN AND PRODUCTION, WHICH WON THE EMBLEM COMPETITION, AND MR ARIES LEE, SCULPTOR AND LECTURER AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WHO WON THE GROUND FLOOR MURAL DESIGN COMPETITION. ALSO PRESENTED WAS 55-YEAR-OLD MR YAU TUNG-HOI, WHOSE PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK ON TSUEN WAN IN THE MID-1960S IS DISPLAYED ON THE SECOND FLOOR. MR YAU WAS BORN AND BROUGHT UP IN TSUEN WAN AND NOW LIVES IN HOI PA VILLAGE, TSUEN WAN.

AFTER THE PRESENTATIONS, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ATTENDED A RECEPTION HOSTED BY MR AKERS-JONES AND MR WILSON FOR 500 GUESTS INCLUDING SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. SHE LEFT THE TOWN HALL AT 4 PM.

AMENDMENT TO RENT CONTROL BILL

*****

A PROPOSED AMENDMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 IS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE EFFECT OF THIS WOULD BE TO REMOVE THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT FOR A LANDLORD OF CONTROLLED PREMISES, IF HE WISHES TO SEEK A REPOSSESSION ORDER FROM THE COURT, FOR HIS OWN USE OR FOR THE USE OF HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY, TO SHOW THAT GREATER HARDSHIP WOULD BE CAUSED TO THE LANDLORD THAN TO THE TENANT IF THE COURT DECLINES TO GRANT THE ORDER.

IF THE AMENDMENT IS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IT WOULD BE FOR A TENANT TO DISPUTE THE LANDLORD’S CLAIM, WHERE THE LANDLORD HAS MADE OUT A REASONABLE CASE FOR REQUIRING THE PREMISES, BY SHOWING THAT A COURT ORDER WOULD NOT BE JUST AND EQUITABLE IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE NEW PROVISION WOULD APPLY AS BETWEEN LANDLORDS AND TENANTS ONLY. THE EXISTING PROVISIONS, INCLUDING THE REQUIREMENT TO SHOW GREATER HARDSHIP, WILL APPLY AS BETWEEN PRINCIPAL TENANTS AND SUB-TENANTS.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE AMENDMENT WILL BE PROPOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING ON FEBRUARY 13, 1980 AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE DEBATE ON THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) BILL 1980. IF APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE BILL WILL TAKE EFFECT RETROSPECTIVELY FROM DECEMBER 18, 1979, THE DATE ON WHICH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED ITS INTENTION TO EXTEND RENT CONTROLS.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HOUSING ESTATE AND HOSPITAL TOMORROW ******

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL SPEND TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON VISITING CHEUNG CHING ESTATE ON TSING Yl ISLAND AND PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY WILL TRAVEL BY CAR FROM FANLING LODGE TO TSING Yl ISLAND.

UPON ARRIVAL AT CHEUNG CHING THEY WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR DONALD LIAO.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL TOUR THE ESTATE, VISITING SHOPS, A FAMILY AND A NURSERY. A MODEL ON TSING Yl WILL ALSO BE SHOWN TO THE PRINCESS.

LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE PRINCESS WILL VISIT THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL. HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL BE RECEIVED ON ARRIVAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, WHO WILL PRESENT SENIOR STAFF OF THE HOSPITAL TO THE PRINCESS.

DURING HER STAY THERE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL VISIT THE PAEDIATRIC WARD ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE HOSPITAL.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRESS FACILITIES

CHEUNG CHING ESTATE:

ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES CAN COVER THE ARRIVAL OF HRH IN POSITION 1 IN THE PODIUM. THEY WILL BE TAKEN TO POSITIONS 2 AND 3 AHEAD OF THE PRINCESS,

PLEASE NOTE THAT OFFICIAL TRANSPORT FOR PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL HAVE TO LEAVE 15 MINUTES EARLIER THAN SCHEDULED BECAUSE TRAFFIC IS EXPECTED TO BE CONGESTED. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (CGO) CAR PARK AT 11 AM SHARP TOMORROW (FRIDAY) INSTEAD OF 11.15 AM.

PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL:

THERE WILL BE TWO PRESS POSITIONS — POSITION A ON THE GROUND FLOOR TO COVER HRH’S ARRIVAL AND POSITION B OUTSIDE THE PAEDIATRIC WARD. PHOTOGRAPHERS IN ONE POSITION WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE TO THE OTHER. DUE TO LIMITED SPACE OF THE PAEDIATRIC WARD, COVERAGE INSIDE THE WARD WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY GIS PHOTOGRAPHERS ON BEHALF OF ALL. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CGO CAR PARK AT 2 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1980

EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR

*****

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1979 BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT THERE WAS A MARGINAL DECLINE IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.

A TOTAL OF 870 898 PERSONS WERE ENGAGED IN MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS AS AT DECEMBER 3, 1979.

THIS REPRESENTED A DECREASE OF ABOUT 8 800 PERSONS OR ONE PER CENT COMPARED WITH 879 742 PERSONS ENGAGED IN SEPTEMBER 1979. WHEN COMPARED WITH 816 683 PERSONS ENGAGED IN DECEMBER 1978, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 54 200 PERSONS OR 6.6 PER CENT.

THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 42 282 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION IN DECEMBER 1979.

THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 83 ESTABLISHMENTS WHEN COMPARED WITH 42 199 ESTABLISHMENTS IN SEPTEMBER 1979- AND AN INCREASE OF 1 042 ESTABLISHMENTS WHEN COMPARED WITH 41 240 ESTABLISHMENTS IN DECEMBER 1978.

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

A COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN THESE INDUSTRIES BETWEEN DECEMBER 1979 AND SEPTEMBER 1979 IS AS FOLLOWS I

CHANGE OF DEC 79

OVER SEPT 79

INDUSTRY GROUP PERSONS ENGAGED IN DEC 78 PERSONS ENGAGED IN SEPT 79 PERSONS ENGAGED IN DEC 79 PERSONS ENGAGED % CHANGE

WEARING APPAREL ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, 271 318 281 886 277 270 -4 616 -1.6

APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES,

INCLUDING ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 97 962 118 225 117 713 - ■ 512 -0.4

TEXTILES 98 607 100 865 100 825 - 40 -0.05

PLASTIC PRODUCTS FABRICATED METAL 86 512 91 596 87 853 -3 743 -4.1

PRODUCTS 80 106 84 243 84 805 + 562 +0.7

THE MORE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES ; IN EMPLOYMENT AT THE INDUSTRY

SECTOR LEVEL BETWEEN DECEMBER 1979 AND SEPTEMBER 1979 ARE AS FOLLOWSi

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1980

CHANGE OF DEC 79

OVER SEPT 79

INDUSTRY SECTOR PERSONS ENGAGED IN DEC 78 PERSONS ENGAGED IN SEPT 79 PERSONS ENGAGED IN DEC 79 PERSONS ENGAGED % CHANGE

WATCHES AND CLOCKS GARMENTS, EXCEPT 21 182 30 610 31 931 ♦1 321 +4.3

KNITWEAR FROM YARN 211 202 215 787 212 984 -2 803 “1.3

PLASTIC TOYS PLASTIC PRODUCTS OTHER THAN PLASTIC TOYS AND 46 201 49 186 46 705 -2 481 -5.0

PLASTIC FLOWERS 34 148 37 324 35 915 -1 409 -3.8

KNITWEAR FROM YARN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 24 358 27 078 25 926 -1 152 -4.3

AND HOUSEWARES 11 303 15 205 14 642 - 563 -3.7

GLOVES 11 574 12 522 12 022 - 500 -4.0

DETAILED FIGURES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR OTHER INDUSTRY GROUPS AND BREAKDOWNS BY INDUSTRY SECTORS ARE OBTAINABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

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

HEUNG YEE KUK BY-ELECTION HELD TODAY *****

THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF KAM TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR TANG PAK-YUI, WAS TODAY (THURSDAY) ELECTED AN ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE 23RD TERM OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AT A BY-ELECTION HELD AT THE KUK’S OFFICE IN CUMBERLAND ROAD, KOWLOON TONG.

HE RECEIVED 46 VOTES. THE NEXT HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES WAS POLLED BY THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE, MR KAN CHUNG-SHING WHO RECEIVED 19 VOTES. THERE WERE 13 CANDIDATES FOR THE VACANCY OUT OF 54 ELIGIBLE.

THE ELECTORATE CONSISTED OF 112 COUNCILLORS WHO CONSTITUTE THE FULL COUNCIL OF THE KUK. THE COUNCILLORS COMPRISE SPECIAL COUNCILLORS, RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN AND NEW TERRITORIES UNOFFICIAL JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

TODAY’S BY-ELECTION WAS HELD BY SECRET BALLOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROCEDURES LAID DOWN IN THE HEUNG YEE KUK ORDINANCE.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE WAS THE RETURNING OFFICER.

NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES,

ON JULY 18 LAST YEAR, A SPECIAL COUNCILLOR FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT AND AN ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE KUK, MR CHUNG PUN, WAS ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE TO FILL A VACANCY RESULTING FROM THE DEATH OF THE LATE MR LAU KWUN-SANG.

/ uPuft HIS.........

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1?80

UPON HIS BEING ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE, MR CHUNG AUTOMATICALLY RELINQUISHED HIS OFFICES OF SPECIAL COUNCILLOR FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT AND ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

AS A RESULT, THE VACANCY FOR AN ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE KUK AROSE. IT WAS FILLED BY MR TANG IN TODAY’S ELECTION.

THE VACANCY FOR A SPECIAL COUNCILLOR FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT WAS FILLED BY A VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVE OF SHAN SHEK WAN, SOUTH LANTAO, MR MO NGAN-FOOK, ON JANUARY 8.

---0------

ADVISERS TO STUDY DEVELOPMENT OF BALLET IN HONG KONG

******

A STUDY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BALLET IN HONG KONG IS BE I CARRIED OUT BY TWO VISITING EXPERTS FROM BRITAIN.

MISS JEAN WALLIS AND MR PETER BRINSON HAVE BEEN COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT THE STUDY THROUGH THE JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL.

AFTER THE STUDY, THEY WILL ADVISE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL FORMS OF WESTERN AND CHINESE DANCE AND BALLET IN HONG KONG.

PARTICULAR REGARD WILL BE MADE TO THE ROLE OF THE ACADEMY OF BALLET, OTHER BALLET GROUPS AND CHINESE DANCING GROUPS IN HONG KONG- THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR PERFORMANCE AND TEACHING AT ALL LEVELS OF BOTH WESTERN AND CHINESE DANCE- FUTURE FUNDING AND ORGANISATION, INCLUDING PRIORITY AREAS FOR FUNDING AND THE SOURCE OF SUCH FUNDING-AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAINING TO WESTERN AND CHINESE DANCE CONTAINED IN THE PROGRAMME PLAN FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.

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

FORMER ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER PASSES AWAY * * * *

MR A.P. RICHARDSON, A RETIRED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, STAFF GRADE B, DIED IN ENGLAND OF CANCER ON JANUARY 29.

HE WAS 52 YEARS OF AGE. THE FUNERAL SERVICE TOOK PLACE IN PLYMOUTH ON FEBRUARY 4.

HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE MARYGOLD AND TWO CHILDREN.

MR RICHARDSON JOINED THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 1950 AND SERVED IN MANY DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, SOCIAL WELFARE, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, LABOUR AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.

BECAUSE OF POOR HEALTH, HE RETIRED PREMATURELY IN EARLY 1974 AND SPENT HIS RETIREMENT IN IRELAND AND SPAIN.

------0 ------ /S.....................

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1980

REFRESHER COURSE IN LIFE SAVING FOR TEACHERS *****

A REFRESHER COURSE FOR SWIMMING TEACHERS HOLDING ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY BRONZE MEDALLIONS WILL BE HELD NEXT MONTH TO MAINTAIN THE STANDARD OF LIFE SAVING AMONG THE TEACHERS.

IT WILL INCLUDE A LECTURE ON MARCH 1 AND A PRACTICAL SESSION ON MARCH 8, BOTH OF WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE.

THE LECTURE WILL BE HELD IN THE OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION, OXFORD COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 9/F., NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM.

THE PRACTICAL SESSION WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 1 PM AND 4 PM AT THE MORRISON HILL SWIMMING POOL, 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI.

TEACHERS HOLDING A ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY BRONZE MEDALLION OR HIGHER QUALIFICATIONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. NO COURSE FEES WILL BE CHARGED.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS BEFORE FEBRUARY 25 TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (PHYSICAL EDUCATION) (ATTNt MR MA YING-KIN), PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION ON TELEPHONE 3-884111 EXT. 267 OR 266.

_ _ 0 - -

PASSING-OUT PARADE OF PRISON OFFICERS *****

THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A PASSING-OUT PARADE CF ANOTHER GROUP OF ITS RECRUITS AT ITS STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 9).

THE HONORARY AIR COMMODORE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, AIR COMMODORE GORDON BELL WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AND PRESENT GOLDEN WHISTLES TO TWO BEST RECRUITS.

ON PARADE WILL BE EIGHT PRISON OFFICERS AND 92 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO RECENTLY COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING.

NOTE TO ED ITORSt

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF PRISON OFFICERS WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 9).

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED LEAVING THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 9.15 AM SHARP.

- - 0 -

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, I960 - 9 -

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK ft ft ft ft ft

THE MURRAY BARRACKS OPEN AIR CAR PARK SITUATED IN GARDEN ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR 12 HOURS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 10).

THE CLOSURE IS TO MAKE THE SITE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST FOR A CHARITY CAR WASH EVENT.

- - o - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDhY, FEBRUARY 8, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

ESTATE TENANTS PLAY HOST TO THE PRINCESS ..............

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS PO/ER STATION.................... 2

YOUNG PATIENTS IN PhH HAVE A ROYAL VISITOR................. 2

THE HON ANGUS OGILVY VISITS RADIOLOGY INSTITUTE ........... 3

EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) SILL 198O GAZETTED.................. 3

SUN ECLIPSE ON LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY ......................... 4

SWD OPENS COMMUNITY CENTRES FOR OVERNIGHT STAY ........

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TG VISIT HIGH ISLaND RESERVOIR AND COUNTRY PARK ................................ 6

WHERE TO SEE THE PRINCESS ................................. 7

TENDERS INVITED TO PROVIDE CATERING SERVICE AT AIRPORT. 8

PROPOSAL TO CLOSE HEE ./ONG TERRACE ....................... 8

VOLUNTEERS TO CLEAN UP HOUSING ESTATE IN KWAI CHUNG.... ' 9

TWO OFFICERS OF BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE RETIRE ........ 10

LABOUR DEPARTMENT HOLDS SOCCER TOURNAMENT ................ 10

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1980

ESTATE TENANTS PLAY HOST TO THE PRINCESS

* * * #

THE LEE FAMILY OF CHING KWAI HOUSE, CHEUNG CHING ESTATE, TODAY (FRIDAY) PLAYED HOST TO PRINCESS ALEXANDRA.

♦WE NEVER IMAGINED THE PRINCESS WOULD EVER VISIT OUR HUMBLE HOME,* SAID MR LEE YUK-SHAN, THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY WHO RUNS AN EMBROIDERY SHOP AT NGAU TAU KOK.

AT THE LEE’S HOME, THE PRINCESS COMPLIMENTED THE FAMILY ON THEIR +NICE AND BRIGHT* FLAT.

THE PRINCESS INSPECTED THE BEDROOM, THE KITCHEN AND THE BATHROOM AND ASKED MR LEE WHAT HE THOUGHT OF THE FLAT.

♦IT’S MUCH MUCH BETTER THAN OUR OLD ROOM AT LI CHENG UK ESTATE,♦ HE SAID.

THE PRINCESS AND MR OGILVY ALSO INSPECTED THE BALCONY OF THE FLAT AND THOUGHT THAT THE MINI-ROCKERY THERE WAS +QUITE CHARMING*.

MR AND MRS LEE HAVE SIX DAUGHTERS AND ONE SON AND MOVED TO CHEUNG CHING MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO UNDER THE RELIEF-OF-OVERCROWDING SCHEME FROM THEIR FORMER ROOM AT LI CHENG UK

LATER THE ROYAL MISSIONS’ NURSERY AT AGED TWO TO FIVE ARE PARENTS ARE AT WORK.

VISITOR WENT TO THE NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN THE ESTATE WHERE MORE THAN 100 CHILDREN CARED FOR NINE HOURS A DAY WHILE THEIR

THE CHAIRMAN OF

THE MISSION, THE REV MAGNE YU WAH-CHUN AND THE CO-ORD

VISTNES, INATOR, MISS

THE SUPERVISOR, MISS

NORUNN STEINSCIK, WERE PRESENTED TO THE PRINCESS BEFORE SHE WALKED THROUGH THE WELL EQUIPPED AND COLOURFUL NURSERY.

..ct MR 0G,LVY SAMPLED THE HOT LUNCH THAT WAS

kAJST BEING SERVED TO THE CHILDREN, ♦DELICIOUS,* HE SAID.

THE MEAL CONSISTED OF LUNCHEON MEAT, SCRAMBLED EGG AND PEAS.

AT THE WUI CHUN YUEN MEDICINE SHOP, THE PRINCESS WAS HIGHLY INTERESTED IN THE VARIOUS CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES ON DISPLAY? SHE BOUGHT A PACKET OF KOREAN GINSENG TEA AND MR OGILVY - WITH A SMILE - PAID THE PURCHASE PRICE $27.

m^t B2NTA?RlYAt AT CHEUNG CHING ESTATE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WAS bET BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR DONALD LIAO, WHO ESCORTED HER ROUND WITH THE HOUSING MANAGER, MR ANTHONY CHUNG CHUN-CHIU

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS POWER STATION * * * * *

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBANDr THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, VISITED TSING Yl POWER STATION TODAY (FRIDAY) ON THE INVITATION OF SIR LAWRENCE KADOORIE, CHAIRMAN OF CHINA LIGHT.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA SHOWED GREAT INTEREST IN THE OPERATION OF THE STATION AND HAD LUNCH AT THE PENTHOUSE THERE.

TSING Yl POWER STATION IS THE LARGEST POWER GENERATING COMPLEX IN SOUTHEAST ASIA OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 32 HECTARES. IT HAS AN INSTALLED CAPACITY OF 1 562 MW AND SUPPLIES THE MAJORITY OF ELECTRICITY POWER REQUIRED IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

WORK ON THE STATION BEGAN IN 1965. THE FIRST GENERATING UNIT WAS COMMISSIONED IN 1969 AND THE STATION WAS COMPLETED IN 1977.

TSING Yl POWER STATION IS MANAGED BY CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, LIMITED AND OWNED BY PENINSULA ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, LIMITED, WHICH IS FINANCED 60 PER CENT BY ESSO AND 40 PER CENT BY CHINA LIGHT.

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

YOUNG PATIENTS IN PMH HAVE A ROYAL VISITOR

* * * *

FOR PRINCESS

THE 42 YOUNG PATIENTS IN THE PAEDIATRIC WARD OF MARGARET HOSPITAL, TODAY WAS A DAY TO REMEMBER — IT ™E DAY1 HER R0YAL HIGHNESS» PRINCESS ALEXANDRA CAME TO

i nt I n WARD•

THE PRINCESS ARRIVED AT THIS WEST NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL HOSPITAL AT 3.50 PM AND WAS WELCOMED BY DR K.L. THONG DIRECTOR (F MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES- DR P.Y. LAU, THE HOSPITAL’S £D CAL SUPERINTENDENT AND MISS RITA LEUNG, THE CHIEF NURSING vJr r i vtn •

HER ARRIVAL WAS A PLEASANT SURPRISE TO THE MANY VISITORS LEAV1 NG THE HOSPITAL AFTER VISITING THEIR RELATIVES va rR ItNDS.

SMILES AND CHEERS FROM CHILDREN GREETED HER WHEN SHE WAS D ^DIATRIC WARD BY A CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN,

Ln N.K. LtUNG•

-THE PR,NCESS WAS BRIEFED by the consultant on the staff “ ,nfa"ts from °“e m°nth

.wnM S SRE‘T

PATIENTS WERE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES SUFFERING FROM RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND OTHER CHILDHOOD DISEASES.

DR LEUNG ALSO BRIEFED THE PRINCESS ON THE DEVELOPMENT RAN FOR PAEDIATRIC FACILITIES IN THE HOSPITAL AND HOW THE UNIT COPED WITH REFUGEE PATIENTS.

0 - -

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1980

- 3 -

THE HON ANGUS OGILVY VISITS RADIOLOGY INSTITUTE

* * * *

THE HON ANGUS OGILVY THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON PAID A VISIT TO THE INSTITUTE OF RADIOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL WHILE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WAS TOURING THE PAEDIATRIC WARD AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.

MR OGILVY, WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE IMPERIAL CANCER RESEARCH FUND, WAS INTERESTED IN THE CANCER RESEARCH WORK CARRIED OUT IN THE INSTITUTE. HE WAS SHOWN AROUND BY THE CONSULTANT IN CHARGE, DR H.C. HO.

THE INSTITUTE, ESTABLISHED IN 1964, PROVIDES FACILITIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF CANCER AND CARRIES OUT RESEARCH ON IMPROVEMENT OF DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT TECHNIQUES OF THE DISEASE. IT COMPRISES THREE MAIN DIVISIONS — RADIODIAGNOSTIC, RADIOTHERAPY AND RADIATION PHYSICS.

IN COLLABORATION WITH MANITOBA INSTITUTE OF CELL BIOLOGY AND THE CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE OF FRANCE, THE INSTITUTE IS CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN THE STUDY OF NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA, A TUMOUR DEVELOPING BEHIND THE NOSE COMMONLY FOUND IN THE SOUTHERN CHINESE THAN IN OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS.

RESEARCH ON LUNG CANCER IS ALSO BEING CARRIED OUT. THIS DISEASE ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 25 PER CENT OF DEATHS FROM CANCER IN HONG KONG.

THE INSTITUTE IS ALSO CONDUCTING TESTS FOR VOLATILE NITROSAMINES IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE PRESERVED FOOD PRODUCTS WHICH MAY BE RISK FACTORS IN LIVER AND OESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA.

------0 - - - -

EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 GAZETTED * * ft * ft *

A BILL SEEKING TO TRANSFER THE REGULATIONS COVERING THE GENERAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS FROM THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE TRANSFER INVOLVES NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE EXISTING REGULATIONS.

THE MOVE WILL LEAVE THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE TO CONCENTRATE ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WORKERS.

THE BILL KNOWN AS THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE GENERALLY IN LINE WITH EXISTING PROVISIONS IN THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.

/HOWEVER .....

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1980

HOWEVER, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR'S POWER TO REQUIRE THE POSTING UP OF NOTICES CONTAINING VARIOUS ABSTRACTS OR EXPLANATIONS OF LABOUR LEGISLATION WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE NON-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DOMESTIC PREMISES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THAT A SEPARATE NEW PROPOSAL WAS IN RESPECT OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES DEALING SOLELY WITH DOMESTIC SERVANTS. THESE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE PRESENTLY EXCLUDED FROM THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH REQUIRED PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO BE LICENSED.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE IN THE SITUATION AND THE RISE OF VARIOUS MAL-PRACTICES IT WAS PROPOSED THAT FEE-CHARGING EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES DEALING SOLELY WITH DOMESTIC SERVANTS SHOULD NO LONGER BE EXCLUDED FROM THE ORDINANCE.

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

SUN ECLIPSE ON LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY ft ft ft * * ft

A TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN WILL OCCUR ON FEBRUARY 16, SATURDAY, THE LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAIDi *IF WEATHER PERMITTING IT WILL BE VISIBLE IN HONG KONG AS A PARTIAL ECLIPSE.*

DETAILS OF ECLIPSE ARE AS FOLLOWS 1

HONG KONG TIME (GMT+8)

ECLIPSE BEGINS

SUNSET IN HONG KONG

FEBRUARY 16 1737 HOURS

FEBRUARY 16 1820 HOURS

THE REMAINING PHASES OF THE ECLIPSE OCCUR AFTER SUNSET AND SO WILL NOT BE VISIBLE IN HONG KONG.

THE SPOKESMAN SAIDi *AT THE TIME OF THE ECLIPSE, THE SUN WILL BE LOW IN THE WEST SOUTHWESTERN SKY. THE BEST PLACE TO OBSERVE THE ECLIPSE WILL BE HIGH GROUNDS WITH NO OBSTRUCTION OF SIGHT TO THE WEST SOUTHWEST, FOR EXAMPLE THE LANTAU PEAK.

♦EVEN AT A LOW SOLAR ANGLE IT IS STILL DANGEROUS TO LOOK AT THE SUN WITH THE NAKED EYE. CITIZENS WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE ECLIPSE ARE ADVISED TO VIEW THE SUN THROUGH A PIECE OF SMOKED GLASS OR A PIECE OF FULLY EXPOSED FILM,* HE SAID.

THE SAME ECLIPSE WILL BE VISIBLE MOST PART OF ASIA, THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA BUT ONLY PEOPLE LOCATED ON A NARROW STRIP OF THE GLOBE EXTENDING FROM SOUTHWEST CHINA ACROSS CENTRAL INDIA AND CENTRAL AFRICA TO THE EASTERN ATLANTIC WILL BE ABLE TO SEE IT AS A TOTAL ECLIPSE.

AN ANNULAR ECLIPSE OF THE SUN WILL ALSO OCCUR ON AUGUST 11 THIS YEAR BUT THIS ECLIPSE WILL NOT BE VISIBLE IN HONG KONG.

------0------- /5....................

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1980

SWD OPENS COMMUNITY CENTRES FOR OVERNIGHT STAY * * ft * ft

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS OPENING FROM TONIGHT (FRIDAY) FIVE COMMUNITY CENTRES TO PROVIDE OVERNIGHT SHELTER TO PEOPLE WHO NEED IT IN THE COLD WEATHER.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAIDi ♦PEOPLE IN NEED ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THIS FACILITY AND WOOLLEN BLANKETS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED IN THE CENTRES.♦

THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS AMONG THE SERIES OF TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT SINCE LAST WEEK FOR STREET SLEEPERS AND OTHER PEOPLE TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE COLD SPELL.

HE SAID THE FIVE COMMUNITY CENTRES WILL BE OPENED FOR OVERNIGHT STAY DAILY FROM 7 PM TO 7 AM THE NEXT MORNING.

THEY ARE THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 230 CHAI WAN ROAD, AND THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AT WESTERN STREET ON HONG KONG ISLAND- THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 104 TSI NG TAK STREET, AND THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE AT TONG YAM STREET IN KOWLOON- AND THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE AT TAI HO ROAD, TSUEN WAN, THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID ARRANGEMENTS HAD ALSO BEEN MADE WITH THE STREET SLEEPERS SHELTER SOCIETY TO OPEN ITS TWO TEMPORARY SHELTERS DURING THE DAY TIME AS WELL. THEY ARE THE TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN AT 21 HOSPITAL ROAD IN SAI YING PUN, AND THE ONE FOR MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN AT ISA UN CHAU STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO.

SINCE LAST WEEK, HE SAID, THE DEPARTMENT STARTED DISTRIBUTING WOOLLEN BLANKETS AT ALL ITS COMMUNITY CENTRES, FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES AND SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS.

STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT ALSO GO OUT IN TRUCKS AT NIGHT TO REACH OUT TO STREET SLEEPERS AND GIVE THEM BLANKETS, HE SAID.

♦THEY HAVE ALSO RESPONDED QUICKLY TO TELEPHONE CALLS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INFORMING THE WHEREABOUTS OF PEOPLE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE,* HE ADDED.

SO FAR, HE SAID, NEARLY 3 000 BLANKETS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED, OF WHICH ABOUT ONE-THIRD WERE DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO STREET SLEEPERS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN HELPING STREET SLEEPERS WHERE IT COULD, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE OLD OR DISABLED.

HE SAID ALL STREET SLEEPERS KNOWN OR REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT WERE OFFERED HELP, WHETHER IN TERMS OF HOUSING, INSTITUTIONAL CARE, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR COUNSELLING.

THE DEPARTMENT CAN ONLY HELP THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT HELP AND UNFORTUNATELY SOME STREET SLEEPERS ARE UNWILLING TO COOPERATE OR UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE, WHILST SOME OTHERS ARE RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT ANY OFFER OF HELP AND PREFER TO THEIR OWN WAY CF LIFE, HE SAID.

- - " - 0 - - - - /6 ...

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR AND COUNTRY PARK * * * X X *

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL VISIT THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND START A PUMP TO DRAW WATER FOR THE FIRST TIME FROM THE $1 348 MILLION WATER SCHEME.

TOMORROW’S PROGRAMME FOR HRH ALSO INCLUDES VISITS TO A bCDICAL CENTRE, A RED CROSS MOBILE BLOOD DONOR UNIT, THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK AND A YOUTH HOSTEL.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THE PRINCESS AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY WILL BEGIN THE DAY BY VISITING THE RED CROSS MEDICAL CENTRE AT KAI TAK.

THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL BE MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS, SIR RUN RUN SHAW AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE RED CROSS TEMPORARY TRANSIT CENTRE.

THEY WILL TOUR THE MEDICAL CENTRE BEFORE LEAVING FOR CHOI HUNG ESTATE TO SEE HOW A RED CROSS MOBILE BLOOD DONOR UNIT OPERATES.

FOLLOWING THE VISIT THE PARTY WILL TRAVEL BY LAUNCH TO HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR WHERE THEY WILL DISEMBARK AT THE WEST DAM.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL BE RECEIVED ON ARRIVAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD AND THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WILLIAM TUCKER. THE PRINCESS WILL START A PUMP TO DRAW WATER FOR THE FIRST TIME FROM THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR AND ATTEND A RECEPTION.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL THEN DRIVE THROUGH THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK, VISITING ON THE WAY THE HOI HA COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE AND THE PAK SHA 0 YOUTH HOSTEL.

SHE WILL BE RECEIVED AT THE COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRE BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, W J.M. RIDDELL-SWAN AND COUNTRY PARK STAFF WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES AND STAFF OF THE YOUTH HOSTELS ASSOCIATION WILL MEET THE PRINCESS AT THE PAK SHA 0 YOUTH HOSTEL.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

PRESS FACILITIES

RED CROSS MEDICAL CENTRE: PRESS TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO COVER HRH’S VISIT TO THE KAI TAK RED CROSS MEDICAL CENTRE WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (CGO) CAR PARK AT 10.20 AM SHARP TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

/MOBILE BLOOD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1980

MOBILE BLOOD DONOR UNITi TRANSPORT FOR THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S VISIT TO THE RED CROSS MOBILE BLOOD DONOR UNIT AT CHOI HUNG ESTATE WILL LEAVE THE CGO CAR PARK AT 10.50 AM SHARP TOMORROW.

HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR AND SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARKi ACCREDITED f€DIA REPRESENTATIVES ASSIGNED TO COVER HRH’S VISIT TO HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR CAN ALSO COVER THE VISITS TO HOI HA MANAGEMENT CENTRE AND PAK SHA 0 YOUTH HOSTEL AT SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK IF THEY WISH TO DO SO. PRESS TRANSPORT TO HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR AND SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK WILL HAVE TO LEAVE HALF AN HOUR EARLIER THAN SCHEDULED BECAUSE TRAFFIC IS EXPECTED TO BE CONGESTED. THE TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CGO CAR PARK AT 12.30 PM INSTEAD OF 1 PM TOMORROW.

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

WHERE TO SEE HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ft * ft ft

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TOMORROW (SATURDAY) WILL HAVE A FULL DAY’S PROGRAMME. SHE WILL FIRST VISIT THE RED CROSS MEDICAL CENTRE AT KAI TAK, THE RED CROSS MOBILE BLOOD DONOR UNIT IN CHOI HUNG ESTATE, THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR, AND THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK AND THE PAK SHA 0 YOUTH HOSTEL.

THE FOLLOWING IS A GUIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SEE THE PRINCESS AS SHE PROCEEDS FROM ONE EVENT TO THE OTHERi

RED CROSS MEDICAL CENTRE, KAI TAK

HONG KONG ISLAND ROUTE — AT 11 AM THE ROYAL MOTORCADE WILL LEAVE GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND TRAVEL VIA GARDEN ROAD, QUEENSWAY, ARSENAL STREET, GLOUCESTER ROAD AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.

KOWLOON — AT THE KOWLOON END OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, THE MOTORCADE WILL TRAVEL THROUGH PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SHORT STREET, BOUNDARY STREET FLYOVER AND BACK TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE MEDICAL CENTRE ABOUT 11.25 AM.

RED CROSS MOBILE BLOOD DONOR UNIT, CHOI HUNG

THE ROYAL MOTORCADE WILL LEAVE THE MEDICAL CENTRE AT 11.50 AM, TRAVEL A SHORT DISTANCE ALONG PRINCE EDWARD ROAD TO LAM CHUNG AVENUE IN CHOI HUNG ESTATE AND TURN INTO LUK LAU AVENUE WHERE THE MOBILE UNIT IS LOCATED.

HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR AND SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK

THE ROYAL MOTORCADE WILL LEAVE THE MOBILE UNIT AT 12.05 PM AND TRAVEL VIA CLEARWATER BAY ROAD TO PAK SHA WAN, SAI KUNG, TO BOARD THE LADY MAUR INE FOR THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR AND THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK.

------0------- /8...................

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1980

TENDERS INVITED TO PROVIDE CATERING SERVICE AT AIRPORT

* * * *

THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO PROVIDE THE MAIN CATERING SERVICE IN THE PASSENGER TERMINAL OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL BE ABLE TO OPERATE A RESTAURANT, A RESTAURANT BAR AND A SNACK BAR IN THE PUBLIC AREA AS WELL AS A SNACK BAR AND A BAR IN THE RESTRICTED AREA OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS COMMENCING ON AUGUST 1, 1980 OR A LATER DATE AS MAY BE FIXED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION.

PARTICULARS OF THE TENDERS FOR THE TENANCY OF THE AREAS MEASURING IN TOTAL ABOUT 3 910 SQUARE METRES WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

APART FROM PROVIDING THE MAIN CATERING SERVICE, THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO OPERATE, ON A TEMPORARY BASIS, A SNACK BAR IN THE ARRIVAL HALL ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE TERMINAL BUILDING.

THIS SNACK BAR WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLY UP TO FEBRUARY 1981, BY WHICH TIME A NEW SNACK BAR WILL BE PROVIDED UNDER THE TERMINAL BUILDING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. IT IS INTENDED THAT TENDERS WILL BE CALLED SEPARATELY IN EARLY 1981 FOR THE OPERATION OF THIS NEW SNACK BAR.

ALL TENDERS FOR THE MAIN CATERING SERVICE MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1980.

EACH TENDER MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A RECEIPT SHOWING THAT THE TENDERER HAS DEPOSITED WITH THE TREASURY A SUM OF $30 000 AS A PLEDGE OF THE BONA FIDES OF HIS TENDER.

TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG OR AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

o - -

PROPOSAL TO CLOSE HEE WONG TERRACE ft ft ft

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY HEE WONG TERRACE IN KENNEDY TOWN.

THE PROPOSAL IS IN CONNECTION WITH A PROPOSED GRANT OF LAND AT HEE WONG TERRACE TO THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY FOR THEIR URBAN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.

THE PRIVATE LOTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TERRACE HAVE BEEN RESUMED AND REVERTED TO THE CROWN AND IT IS PROPOSED TO GRANT THEM, TOGETHER WITH HEE WONG TERRACE, TO THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY.

/AN ANNOUNCEMENT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1980

- 9 -

AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO THIS EFFECT WAS MADE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

PLANS SHOWING THE AFFECTED AREA CAN BE SEEN AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), 2O5A DES VOEUX ROAD WEST. ITS ENQUIRIES SUB-OFFICE AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE. MURRAY BUILDING, 19TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD.

ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED ROAD CLOSURE MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS BEFORE MARCH 8 THIS YEAR.

ANY CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION MUST BE MADE NOT LATER THAN APRIL 8 THIS YEAR.

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VOLUNTEERS TO CLEAN UP HOUSING ESTATE IN KWAI CHUNG

X X X * *

A GROUP OF 300 VOLUNTEERS FROM SHEK LEI ESTATE IN KWAI CHUNG WILL DEVOTE SPARE TIME NEXT WEEK TO CLEANING UP THE ESTATE IN READINESS FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

THE CLEAN ESTATE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE LOCAL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE.

IT AIMS TO SPREAD THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN MESSAGE AND TO PROMOTE MUTUAL HELP AND A SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

THE FIVE-DAY CAMPAIGN WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED THIS SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 10) AT THE SHEK LEI ESTATE PLAYGROUND BY THE KWAI CHUNG TOWN OFFICER, MR ALAN LAI.

MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE PRECEDED BY A TRADITIONAL LION DANCE.

AFTER THE CEREMONY, THE VOLUNTEERS, ASSISTED BY HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF, WILL IMMEDIATELY GET TO WORK ON CLEANING UP PLAYGROUNDS, PAVEMENTS AND OPEN SPACES.

DAILY CLEANING OPERATIONS WILL BE CARRIED OUT UNTIL NEXT THURSDAY IN INDIVIDUAL HOUSING BLOCKS.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE CLEAN ESTATE CAMPAIGN AT SHEK LEI ESTATE PLAYGROUND, KWAI CHUNG, AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY.

LIAISON STAFF OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST PRESS REPRESENTATIVES.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1980

TWO OFFICERS OF BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE RETIRE *****

TWO SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ARE RETIRING AFTER SERVING IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR A COMBINED TOTAL OF 48 YEARS.

THEY ARE MR HO HON-CHU, GOVERNMENT STRUCTURAL ENGINEER AND JOHN HSI YU-HUNG, CHIEF BUILDING SURVEYOR.

MR HO FIRST JOINED THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PWD AS AN ENGINEERING DRAFTSMAN III IN 1952. HE WAS PROMOTED TO STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IN 1959 AND SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IN 1967.

MR HO WAS LATER TRANSFERRED TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WHERE HE BECAME CHIEF STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IN 1973. HIS POST WAS RETITLED GOVERNMENT STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IN 1977.

MR HSI JOINED THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN 1959 AS AN ASSISTANT BUILDING SURVEYOR. HE BECAME BUILDING SURVEYOR IN 1964 AND SENIOR BUILDING SURVEYOR IN 1972. HE REACHED HIS PRESENT RANK IN 1976.

AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE PWD'S CONFERENCE ROOM THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING, MR E.T. KENNARD, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES, PRESENTED THEM WITH SOUVENIRS.

IN A SEPARATE CEREMONY LAST EVENING, MR KENNARD PRESENTED A RETIREMENT GIFT TO MR TSE CHI, AN OFFICE ASSISTANT OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE.

MR TSE IS RETIRING AFTER SERVING THE DEPARTMENT FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.

HE FIRST JOINED THE BOO IN 1939 AS A MESSENGER AND WAS PROMOTED TO OFFICE ASSISTANT IN 1957. HE RETIRED IN 1972 BUT WAS IMMEDIATELY RE-EMPLOYED. BECAUSE OF HIS EXAMPLARY SERVICE, HE WAS AWARDED THE BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL IN THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LAST YEAR.

LABOUR DEPARTMENT HOLDS SOCCER TOURNAMENT

******

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL SOCCER TOURNAMENT WILL KICK OFF TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

COMPETING FOR THE HENDERSON SHIELD ARE A TOTAL OF SEVEN TEAMS FROM THE LABOUR OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION- LABOUR INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION- ADMINISTRATION DIVISION- APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION- PROSECUTIONS AND TRAINING DIVISION AND MINES DIVISION.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR J.N. HENDERSON, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNER AND RUNNERS-UP ON MARCH 8.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA STARTS PUMPS AT HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR .................................................. q

PRINCESS VISITS SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK ...................... 2

RED CROSS MEDICAL CENTRE GETS ROYAL VISITOR ................ 3

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS BLOOD DONOR UNIT ................. 4

JANUARY - DRY AND MILD ..................................... 5

RIDING FOR A ROYAL OCCASION ................................ 6

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TC ATT2ND PERFORMANCE IN ARTS CENTRE................................................. 7

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOP ADMIRALTY STATION ................. 8

TWO 'JAN CHAI ROADS CLOSED TO LEARNER DRIVERS .............. 8

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA STARTS PUMPS AT HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR

*****

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TODAY (SATURDAY) TOURED HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME — THE WORLD’S LARGEST MAN-MADE RESERVOIR — AND STARTED PUMPS TO DRAW WATER FROM THE RESERVOIR FOR THE FIRST TIME.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE HON ANGUS OGILVY AND THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THE PRINCESS ARRIVED AT THE QUAY BELOW THE WEST DAM OF THE RESERVOIR ON THE LAUNCH +THE LADY MAURINE+.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WAS GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY MR DAVID MCDONALD, DIRECTOR.OF PUBLIC WORKS, WHO THEN PRESENTED MR W.D.A. TtlCKER, DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES.

THE ROYAL PARTY THEN BEGAN A TOUR OF THE RESERVOIR, WHICH HAS A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 273 MILLION CUBIC METRES.

THE PRINCESS FIRST STOPPED AT THE TOP OF THE EAST DAM WHERE THERE IS A MONUMENT IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO HAD LOST THEIR LIVES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT.

THERE, PRESENTED TO PRINCESS ALEXANDRA BY MR MCDONALD, WERE M? T.H. TOMLINSON, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER- MR A.J. VAIL, PARTNER OF BINNIE AND PARTNERS, THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE SCHEME, AND MR A. DE GIULI, CONTRACTS MANAGER OF VIAN IN I SPA, THE MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR THE PROJECT.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ALSO BRIEFED THE PRINCESS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE Si 348 MILLION WATER SCHEME.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS LATER DROVE TO THE EASTERN COFFER DAM

WHERE SHE SAW THE SPECTACULAR VIEW PRESENTED BY THE 7 000 CONCRETE ’DOLOSSES’ — EACH WEIGHING 25 000 KILOGRAMS — DESIGNED TO DISSIPATE THE FORCE OF OCEAN WAVES WHICH CAN REACH A HEIGHT OF 12 METRES AT TIMES.

CONTINUING HER TOUR, THE PRINCESS PROCEEDED TO THE MAIN PUMPING STATION ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE RESERVOIR WHERE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SAI KUNG, MR C.S.T. BOSHER, WAS PRESENTED.

ALSO PRESENTED WERE TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VILLAGES AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RESERVOIR — MESSRS LEE YUN-SAU AND LEE SIU-YAM- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG RURL COMMITTEE, MR CHUNG PUN, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HANG HAU RURAL COMMITTEE, MR YAU KEI.

LATER, AT A CEREMONY ATTENDED BY SOME 100 GUESTS, THE PRINCESS STARTED A PUMP TO DRAW WATER FOR THE FIRST TIME FROM THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR INTO THE SUPPLY SYSTEM.

AT A RECEPTION THAT FOLLOWED, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA HAD A CLOSE LOOK AT THE PRESTIGIOUS INGERSOLL RAND ITALIA 1979 PRIZE WHICH WAS AWARDED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR. SHARING THE PRIZE WERE VIANINI SPA AND BINNIE AND PARTNERS.

THE PRIZE AIMS TO DRAW PUBLIC ATTENTION TO SOCIAL, TECHNICAL AND AESTHETIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN IMPORTANT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD INVOLVING ITALIAN ENTERPRISE.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1980

PRINCESS VISITS SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK *****

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON TRAVELLED TO THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE FOR A FIRST HAND LOOK AT THE COUNTRY PARKS DEVELOPMENT.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TOURING THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY VISITED THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK’S LATEST MANAGEMENT CENTRE AT HOI HA.

THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WHO PRESENTED THE NEW DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, AND OTHER STAFF INCLUDING MR MARTIN LEWIS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR JOHN WHOLEY, SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER, AND SENIOR FIELD OFFICER (EAST), MR Y.O. CHENG.

FROM A VANTAGE POINT OVERLOOKING THE PICTURESQUE MIST-SHROUDED SHARP PEAK ACROSS THREE FATHOMS COVE, MR RIDDELL-SWAN EXPLAINED THE COUNTRY PARKS CONCEPT TO THE ROYAL COUPLE.

THEY WERE TOLD THAT MORE THAN 42 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LAND AREA OF HONG KONG WAS DESIGNATED AS COUNTRY PARKS. PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WAS ALSO SHOWN PHOTOGRAPHS DEPICTING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY ENJOYING COUNTRYSIDE RECREATION AMONGST THE BOUNTIFUL FLORA AND OTHER NATURAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS OF HONG KONG.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THEN PROCEEDED TO PAK SHA 0 YOUTH HOSTEL WHERE SHE CHATTED WITH THE CHILDREN AND JOINED THEM IN GAMES.

THE ROYAL COUPLE WAS RECEIVED BY MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHO PRESENTED CHAIRMAN OF THE YOUTH HOSTELS ASSOCIATION, MR J.L. MCLEAN, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR FRANK LIN MING-SHENG, TREASURER, MR RONALD HO YAU-HOO, GENERAL MANAGER, MR RAWDON LAU SIU-CHONG, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, ffiS ROS INNA NG CHUNG-YEE, AND RESIDENT WARDEN, MR LI KIU.

FROM THE ROADSIDE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA SAW THE 200-YEAR-0LD PAK SHA 0 VILLAGE IN THE VALLEY BELOW.

THE ROYAL COUPLE THEN PROCEEDED TO THE VILLAGE OF HOI HA WHERE THEY BOARDED A WESSEX HELICOPTER FOR HONG KONG.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1980

RED CROSS MEDICAL CENTRE GETS ROYAL VISIT

* * * M

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, WHO IS VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE BRITISH RED CROSS, TODAY (SATURDAY) HAD A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AT THE HONG KONG RED CROSS TEMPORARY TRANSIT CENTRE AT KAI TAK.

ON ARRIVAL AT THE CENTRE. THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, PRESENTED THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS, SIR RUN RUN SHAW TO THE PRINCESS.

SIR RUN RUN THEN PRESENTED THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS, MRS HENRY WONG- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRANSIT CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, LT-COL P.W.B. SCOTT- THE ADMINISTRATOR OF REFUGEE SERVICES, MR BRIAN WARD, AND THE CENTRE MANAGER, MR HENRY LOKE TO HRH.

ALSO PRESENTED WERE THE MEDICAL OFF ICER-IN-CHARGE, DR HELEN BROWN AND THE SENIOR NURSING OFFICER, SISTER HELEN COOKSON.

THE PRINCESS AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY THEN TOURED THE CENTRE. PRINCESS ALEXANDRA SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE WORK OF THE CENTRE AND OVERSTAYED HER SCHEDULED VISIT BY NEARLY HALF AN HOUR DURING WHICH SHE CHATTED WITH MANY OF THE PATIENTS IN THE CENTRE.

THE PRINCESS WAS TOLD THE CENTRE WAS OPENED LAST DECEMBER. IT HAS A PRE-NATAL AND A FAMILY PLANNING CLINIC AND PLANS ARE BEING MADE TO ADD A DENTAL CLINIC.

THE RED CROSS MEDICAL CENTRE, WHICH FORMERLY PROVIDED THE ICDICAL FACILITIES FOR THE ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION, KAI TAK, RECEIVES A DAILY AVERAGE OF 100 IN-PATIENTS AND OUT-PATIENTS.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WAS TOLD THAT CONVALESCENT AND MATERNITY CASES AND PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM MINOR AILMENTS WERE GIVEN MEDICAL TREATMENT WHILE SERIOUS CASES OR THOSE WHICH REQUIRE SURGERY ARE REFERRED TO GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.

AT PRESENT, THE CENTRE IS STAFFED BY TWO MEDICAL OFFICERS FROM BRITAIN AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF NURSING PERSONNEL RECRUITED IN HONG KONG.

AFTER LEAVING THE CENTRE, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA BRIEFLY STOPPED AT ONE OF THE NEARBY HUTS TO SEE THE ACCOMMODATION FOR THE REFUGEES.

- - o - -

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS BLOOD DONOR UNIT

* X * * *

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TODAY (SATURDAY) COMPLIMENTED THE HONG KONG RED CROSS FOR THEIR VALUABLE WORK.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, WHO IS VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE BRITISH RED CROSS, WAS PLEASED TO HEAR THAT BOTH MEN AND WOMEN WERE COMING FORWARD TO DONATE BLOOD DURING A VISIT TO THE RED CROSS MOBILE BLOOD DONOR UNIT AT CHOI HUNG ESTATE TODAY.

THE PRINCESS AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WERE WELCOMED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS, SIR RUN RUN SHAW.

SIR RUN RUN THEN PRESENTED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BLOOD TRANSFUSION MANAGEMENT BOARD, MR T.C. CHENG- THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE, DR SUSAN LEONG, AND THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE BLOOD COLLECTION SERVICE, MRS RUTH FRASER, TO THE ROYAL COUPLE.

CHOI HUNG ESTATE RESIDENTS PACKED EVERY VANTAGE POINT, INCLUDING BALCONIES, WINDOWS AND STAIRCASE LANDING AND HOUSEWIVES INTERRUPTED THEIR MID-DAY SHOPPING AT THE NEARBY MARKET TO WATCH THE ROYAL VISITORS.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR WELCOME WITH HER WELL-KNOWN WARM SMILE AND A FRIENDLY WAVE.

AFTER THE PRESENTATION, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS ENTERED THE MOBILE UNIT, A BRIGHTLY DECORATED BUS, TO SEE HOW THE SELF-CONTAINED •♦COLLECTION CENTRE* OPERATES.

THE MOBILE BLOOD DONOR UNIT, WHICH WAS RECENTLY GIVEN A FACE-LIFT, HAS A RECEPTION AREA. AN ASSESSMENT AREA, A REFRESHMENT AREA AND WASHROOM FACILITIES. THE OUTSIDE IS ATTRACTIVELY DECORATED WHILE THE INTERIOR DECORATION GIVES A COSY AND COMFORTABLE FEELING TO CALLERS.

DURING HER VISIT, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA SAW A PROSPECTIVE DONOR HAVING HIS BLOOD SAMPLE TESTED TO DETERMINE SUITABILITY FOR BLOOD DONATION.

SHE ALSO CHATTED WITH THREE OTHER DONORS ON THE BUS, ASKING THEM HOW THEY FELT.

THE PRINCESS WAS INFORMED THAT THE BUS VISITS VARIOUS PLACES ALL OVER HONG KONG SO THAT BLOOD DONATION IS MADE AS CONVENIENT AS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. SO FAR, THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING, PARTICULARLY IN THE FACTORY AREAS.

LAST YEAR, MORE THAN SEVEN PER CENT OF THE 85 000 UNITS OF BLOOD COLLECTED CAME FROM THE MOBILE UNIT.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1980

JANUARY - DRY AND MILD ******

HONG KONG WAS VERY DRY LAST MONTH (JANUARY) WITH ONLY 4.3 MM OF RAIN RECORDED. THE TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE FOUR MONTHS FROM OCTOBER LAST YEAR TO JANUARY AMOUNTED TO ONLY 15.7 MM OR EIGHT PER CENT OF NORMAL, MAKING THIS THE DRIEST FOUR-MONTH PERIOD ON RECORD.

THE WEATHER IN JANUARY AS A ALTHOUGH IT WAS VERY COLD AT THE

WHOLE WAS MILDER THAN USUAL END OF THE MONTH.

THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF THE MONTH WERE SUNNY AND MILD, BUT THE WEATHER TURNED CLOUDY ON JANUARY 4 WHEN A COLD FRONT OVER SOUTH CHINA MOVED SLOWLY TOWARDS THE SOUTH CHINA COAST. THE COLD FRONT PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG EARLY IN THE EVENING. AFTER ITS FRONTAL PASSAGE STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS WERE EXPERIENCED OFF-SHORE DURING THE NIGHT.

CONDITIONS IMPROVED ON JANUARY 6 AND THE FOLLOWING FIVE DAYS WERE MAINLY FINE. IT BECAME CLOUDY ON JANUARY 12 WHEN A COLD FRONT APPROACHED FROM THE NORTH AND PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG LATER IN THE DAY. IT REMAINED CLOUDY AND THERE WERE A FEW PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 15.

FROM JANUARY 16 TO 20, THE WEATHER WAS MAINLY FINE APART FROM SOME RAIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE ARRIVAL OF A MINOR SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 17. STRONG EASTERLY WINDS WERE EXPERIENCED ON JANUARY 18 WHEN THE CENTRE OF AN ANTICYCLONE OVER CHINA MOVED OUT OVER THE YELLOW SEA.

ON JANUARY 20, A WEAK COLD FRONT PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG AND CONDITIONS BECAME CLOUDY AGAIN.

IT BECAME FINE AND SUNNY AGAIN ON JANUARY 23 AND 24 BUT THE FOLLOWING FIVE DAYS WERE CLOUDY AND MILD WHEN HONG KONG WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A WARM AND MOIST AIRSTREAM FROM THE PACIFIC. MIST AND FOG WERE EXPERIENCED FROM JANUARY 26 UNTIL THE ARRIVAL OF AN INTENSE COLD FRONT ON JANUARY 29. DURING THIS PERIOD, IT WAS RATHER WARM AND VISIBILITIES WERE REDUCED TO A MINIMUM OF 300 METRES AT KAI TAK AND 600 METRES ON WAGLAN ISLAND.

FOUR DIVERSIONS OF AIRCRAFT WERE REPORTED ALL ON JANUARY 28. THE MONTH’S HIGHEST TEMPERATURE OF 25.4 DEGREES WAS RECORDED ON THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 29. • •

THE PASSAGE OF THE INTENSE COLD FRONT DURING THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 29 CLEARED THE MIST AND FOG BUT CONDITIONS REMAINED OVERCAST AND VERY COLD FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH. THE STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COLD FRONT CAUSED AN EXTREMELY SHARP DROP OF MORE THAN 19 DEGREES WITHIN AO HOURS. ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 31, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY RECORDED A TEMPERATURE OF 6.3 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE LOWEST IN THE MONTH. FROST WAS REPORTED AT TAI MO SHAN WHERE A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF -3.7 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1980

RIDING FOR A ROYAL OCCASION ft ft ft ft

FOR WU YUK-HAU, MONDAY (FEBRUARY 11) IS A SPECIAL DAY AND ONE HE IS EAGERLY LOOKING FORWARD TO.

THAT IS THE DAY WHEN THE 25-YEAR-OLD MEMBER OF THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OF MEETING HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND DISPLAY HIS HORSEMANSHIP.

YUK-HAU IS ONE OF FIVE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED RIDING ENTHUSIASTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF THEIR EQUESTRIAN SKILLS BEFORE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WHEN SHE VISITS THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE’S PUBLIC RIDING SCHOOL AT POKFULAM.

♦THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I WILL BE MEETING A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY AND I’M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT,+ HE SAID.

FOR YUK-HAU, RIDING IS MORE THAN A HOBBY.

+IT HAS GIVEN ME A NEW INSIGHT OF THE THINGS ONE CAN DO, DESPITE ONE’S PHYSICAL DISABILITY, AND AT THE SAME TIME HAVING A LOT OF FUN.+

APART FROM BOOSTING HIS SELF-CONFIDENCE, RIDING ENABLES YUK-HAU TO STRETCH HIS MUSCLES AND HELPS HIM OVERCOME HIS DISABILITY TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

SINCE HE PICKED UP RIDING FOUR YEARS AGO, YUK-HAU HAS BECOME QUITE AN EQUESTRIAN.

+1 ONLY FELL OFF A HORSE ONCE,+ HE SAYS PROUDLY, +AND THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO.+

♦IT WASN’T REALLY THE HORSE’S FAULT,♦ HE GRINNED.

IN FACT, YUK-HAU HAS DONE SO WELL THAT HE HAS BEEN AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT BY THE RIDING FOR DISABLED ASSOCIATION AND A HORSE SHOE LEATHER BELT FOR HIS OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE.

EACH FRIDAY HE TRAVELS FROM HIS TSZ WAN SHAN HOME TO EITHER FANLING, SHA TIN OR POKFULAM FOR A FAST GALLOP OR LEISURELY TROT.

♦HORSE RIDING ISN’T DIFFICULT ONCE YOU GET THE HANG OF IT,* HE SAYS, ♦AND I HOPE TO HAVE ONE OF MY BEST RIDES ON MONDAY FOR PRINCESS ALEXANDRA.+

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL BE ACCOMPANIED TO POKFULAM BY LADY MACLEHOSE, PATRON OF THE HONG KONG PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED ASSOCIATION.

/APART FROM......

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1980

APART FROM THE RIDING SCHOOL, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL SEE WHEEL-CHAIR AND ARCHERY EVENTS AND INSPECT VARIOUS FACILITIES IN THE CENTRE.

THE CENTRE, OPERATED BY THE PHAB ASSOCIATION WITH SUBVENTIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, WAS OPENED LAST APRIL WITH THE AIM OF INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO MIX WITH ABLE-BODIED GROUPS.

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

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO ATTEND PERFORMANCE IN ARTS CENTRE

X * * * X X

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY WILL ATTEND A PERFORMANCE IN THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE IN WAN CHAI TOMORROW (SUNDAY) EVENING.

THE ROYAL COUPLE, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AND LADY MACLEHOSE, WILL ARRIVE AT THE ARTS CENTRE AT 7.55 PM. THEY WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ARTS CENTRE, SIR RUN RUN SHAW- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ARTS CENTRE COMMITTEE, MR S.F. BAILEY AND THE CENTRE’S GENERAL MANAGER, MR NEIL DUNCAN.

THE PARTY WILL THEN PROCEED TO THE SHOUSON THEATRE TO ATTEND A PERFORMANCE OF STRAVINSKY’S ’THE SOLDIER’S TALE’, PRESENTED BY THE ARTS CENTRE AND RTHK.

AFTERWARDS, THE PRINCESS WILL ATTEND A RECEPTION IN THE PAO SUI LOONG GALLERIES.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

PRESS FACILITIES

THERE WILL BE A POSITION FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE TO COVER HRH’S ARRIVAL. NO PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO MEET GIS OFFICERS OUTSIDE THE ARTS CENTRE BEFORE 7.30 PM TOMORROW.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1980

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADMIRALTY STATION * * * *

MOTORISTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE APPROACH ROAD LEADING FROM QUEENSWAY TO MTR ADMIRALTY STATION (EAST) BUS TERMINUS FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 11), EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES IN THE STATION AND NEW RODNEY BLOCK.

THE ADMIRALTY STATION (EAST) BUS TERMINUS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES.

ALSO FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH WRITTEN AUTHORISATION BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE SOUTHERNMOST BAY OF THE ADMIRALTY STATION (WEST) BUS TERMINUS.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

TWO WAN CHAI ROADS CLOSED TO LEARNER DRIVERS

X * * *

LEARNER DRIVERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER TWO ROADS IN WAN CHAI FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 12).

THEY ARE THE SECTION OF HARBOUR ROAD BETWEEN FENWICK STREET AND FLEMING ROAD AND THE SECTION OF FENWICK STREET BETWEEN GLOUCESTER ROAD AND HARBOUR ROAD.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE LEARNER DRIVERS.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY-, FEBRUARY 10, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO SPEND A DAY WITH HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND POLICE FAMILIES ..................... 1

RESULTS OF BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS SURVEY ...................... 2

EXTRA TRAINS DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS .................. 4

WHERE TO SEE THE PRINCESS .................................... 5

REMINDER ON STATUTORY HOLIDAYS ............................

ROADS FOR KOWLOON BAY DEVELOPMENT ............................ 6

REPORT ON COMPANY RELEASED ................................

WATER CUT

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO SPEND A DAY WITH HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND POLICE FAMILIES * * * * *

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL SPEND A MORNING WITH PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AT THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE IN POK FU LAM TOMORROW (MONDAY).

THE PRINCESS, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY MACLEHOSE, WILL BE MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE CENTRE BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR THOMAS LEE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE BODIED (PHAB) ASSOCIATION, MR LI KWAN-HUNG, AND THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE ASSOCIATION, MRS DEBORA CHAN.

SHE WILL TOUR THE CENTRE AND INSPECT VARIOUS FACILITIES DESIGNED TO INTEGRATE THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

IN THE AFTERNOON, THE PRINCESS, AS HONORARY COMMANDANT-GENERAL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, WILL ATTEND A POLICE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR AT THE POLICE CLUB IN KAI TAK.

DURING AN HOUR-LONG VISIT TO THE FAIR, THE PRINCESS WILL MEET POLICE FAMILIES AND ALSO SEE SOME OF THE FORCE’S FINEST SPORTING TALENTS IN SPECIAL DISPLAYS OF JUDO AND TABLE TENNIS.

SAID MR YUEN KWOK-LEUNG, ACTING SENIOR FORCE WELFARE OFFICER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FAIR ORGANISING COMMITTEE i +THIS YEAR’S FAMILIES DAY FAIR WILL BE BIGGER THAN EVER BEFORE, WITH MORE STALLS, MORE ENTERTAINMENT AND MORE FUN FOR ALL POLICE FAMILIES. WE WANT AS MANY OF THEM AS POSSIBLE TO COME AND ENJOY THEMSELVES AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY ALSO TO SEE AND POSSIBLY MEET HER ROYAL HIGHNESS.+

THE PRINCESS WILL BE ACCOMPANIED TO THE FAIR BY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR ROY HENRY. MR YUEN AND MR DAVID LOW, FORCE WELFARE OFFICER FOR HONG KONG ISLAND AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, WILL BE PRESENTED TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS. SHE WILL THEN INSPECT A GUARD OF HONOUR OF CADETS FROM THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS AND HER HUSBAND, THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, WILL SEE DISPLAYS BY POLICE TABLE TENNIS AND JUDO TEAMS BEFORE DOTTING THE EYES OF A DRAGON AND A LION.

SHE WILL THEN VISIT SOME OF THE STALLS SET UP BY VARIOUS POLICE FORMATIONS AND SEE PART OF A MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT BEING PRESENTED BY WELL KNOWN TELEVISION PERSONALITIES.

IN ONE OF FIVE MARQUEES BEING SET UP AT THE GROUND, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL MEET AND TALK INFORMALLY WITH POLICE FAMILIES. LATER, SHE WILL MEET OVER REFRESHMENTS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION, THE JUNIOR CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL AND CHAIRMEN OF FAIR ORGANISING SUB-COMMITTEES.

SAID MR YUENt +WE EXPECT OVER 20 000 POLICE OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND THE FAIR. WE HAVE A FAMILIES DAY EVERY YEAR, BUT THIS YEAR WE HAYE EXPANDED THE USUAL T EME TO GIVE MORE OF EVERYTHING TO OUR FA*- IES. WE HAVE SPENT ^130 000 ON PREPARING WHAT IS SURE TO BE A MEMO ABLE AFTERNOON FOR EVERYONE.*

/HRH'S .....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1980

HRH’S ENGAGEMENTS FOR THE DAY WILL END WITH A DINNER WITH UMELCO btMBERS IN THE FURAMA HOTEL IN THE EVENING.

NOTE TO ED I TORSi

PRESS FACILITIES

LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE«

THERE WILL BE FOUR POSITIONS FOR ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES. POSITION 1 AT THE ENTRANCE IS TO COVER HRH’S ARRIVAL AND POSITIONS 2, 3, 4 INSIDE THE HALL, AT THE ARCHERY RANGE AND THE RIDING SCHOOL ARE TO COVER THE PRINCESS’S TOUR OF THE CENTRE.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CGO CAR PARK AT 10.30 AM TOMORROW (MONDAY).

POLICE CLUBx

ACCREDITED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE ARRIVAL OF THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL BE ESCORTED BY GIS OFFICERS INTO THE AREA OF THE NEW YEAR FAIR. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CGO CAR PARK AT 2.15 PM (REPEAT 2.15 PM) TOMORROW (MONDAY), INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TIME OF 2.40 PM.

DINNER WITH UMELCO MEMBERSi

ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES CAN COVER THE ARRIVAL OF H?H OUTSIDE THE FURAMA HOTEL’S CHATER ROAD ENTRANCE. THEY ARE REQUESTED TO MEET GIS LIAISON OFFICERS OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE AT 7.45 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY). NO PRESS TRANSPORT IS PROVIDED.

RESULTS OF BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS SURVEY

* * * * *

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS COMPILED A REPORT ON A QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY HELD IN JANUARY 1980.

ABOUT 900 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1979, AND THEIR BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980.

THE SURVEY SHOWS THAT AFTER EXPERIENCING MODERATE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1979, FIRMS AS A WHOLE ARE CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE IMMEDIATE PROSPECTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980. SEASONALITY PROBABLY ACCOUNTS FOR PART OF THIS OUTLOOK BUT REFERENCE TO PREVIOUS SURVEY DATA REVEALS THAT BUSINESS CONFIDENCE AS REGARDS FIRST QUARTER PROSPECTS IS WEAKER THAN AT THIS TIME OF LAST YEAR.

/WITHTN THE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1980

WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING DIVISION, THE ’ELECTRONICS’ AND ’ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES’ SECTORS ARE THE ONLY ONES EXPECTING BUSINESS TO IMPROVE IN THE COMING QUARTER. FOR THE SECTOR ’ELECTRONICS’, THIS REPRESENTS A FURTHER ADVANCE AS IT ALREADY REPORTED IMPROVEMENTS IN THE LAST QUARTER.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IN THE SECTOR 'ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES’, PERFORMANCE WAS NOT UNIFORM IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.

THE ’WATCHES AND CLOCKS’, ’WEARING APPAREL’ AND ’MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES’ SECTORS WHICH DID WELL IN THE FOURTH QUARTER PREDICT MILD DETERIORATIONS.

THE SECTOR ’TEXTILES’ REPORTED THAT ITS BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER WAS LARGELY THE SAME AS IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND IT PREDICTS A SLOW-DOWN IN THE COMING QUARTER.

MOST OTHER MANUFACTURING SECTORS REPORTED SOME DETERIORATIONS IN THE LAST QUARTER AND PREDICT FURTHER DETERIORATIONS IN THE COMING QUARTER.

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REPORTED MODERATE ADVANCES IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1979 WHICH IT EXPECTS WILL BE CARRIED FORWARD INTO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980.

FOR THE SERVICES SECTORS, THE ’HOTELS’ AND ’RESTAURANTS’ SECTORS EXPECT A LOW FIRST QUARTER AFTER PASSING THROUGH A FOURTH QUARTER IN WHICH BUSINESS IMPROVED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE THIRD QUARTER LEVELS.

THE ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE’ SECTOR ALSO HAD A HIGH FOURTH QUARTER, AND LOOKS FORWARD TO A SIMILAR LEVEL OF BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE ’TRANSPORTATION’ SECTOR WHICH HAD A STEADY FOURTH QUARTER EXPECTS SOME DETERIORATION.

THE ’BANKS’ AND ’MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS SERVICES’ SECTORS REPORTED APPRECIABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1979 AND ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT PROSPECTS IN THE COMING QUARTER.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE DATA, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, WERE BASICALLY INTENDED TO FACILITATE A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HONG KONG.

APART FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF QUESTIONS REQUIRING ANSWERS IN QUANTITATIVE TERMS, FIRMS WERE ASKED TO COMPARE THE QUARTER JUST PAST WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND SIMILARLY FOR THE FORTHCOMING ONE, AND ONLY HAD TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, A CERTAIN VARIABLE WAS ’UP’, ’SAME’ OR ’DOWN’.

HE SAID THAT IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, CONSIDERABLE RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE IN THE INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS, AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE RESPONDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS, AND THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE PROBABLY AFFECTED CONSIDERABLY BY SEASONALITY.

COPIES OF THE REPORT ON THE SURVEY, CONTAINING AN ANALYSIS OF AND STATISTICAL TABLES ON VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO FIRMS TAKING PART IN THE SURVEY AND OTHER BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS.

-----0---- /4....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1980

EXTRA TRAINS DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ******

ADDITIONAL TRAINS WILL BE OPERATING THROUGHOUT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

DURING THE SIX DAYS BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 18, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL BE VIRTUALLY OPERATING ROUND THE CLOCK.

A KCR SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) DURING THIS PERIOD THERE WOULD BE 32 TRAINS OPERATING DAILY EACH WAY BETWEEN KOWLOON AND LOWU — THE LARGEST NUMBER OF TRAINS EVER RUN BY KCR.

A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF OVERNIGHT AND EARLY MORNING TRAINS FOR WHICH TICKETS SHOULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE. WILL BE RUNNING NON-STOP BETWEEN THESE TWO TERMINALS.

DURING KCR’S NORMAL HOURS OF OPERATION, EXTRA TRAINS WILL ALSO BE PUT INTO SERVICE FOR PEOPLE TRAVELLING BETWEEN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE EXTRA TRAIN SERVICES WOULD FULLY STRETCH ALL THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES OF KCR.

IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT TRAINS DURING THIS PERIOD WILL BE FULL AND PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED IN THEIR OWN INTEREST TO EXERCISE SPECIAL CARE IN BOARDING AND ALIGHTING FROM TRAINS PARTICULARLY THOSE TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN.

PASSENGERS ARE ALSO ASKED TO MAKE USE OF THE BAGGAGE HANDLING FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT KOWLOON AND LOWU STATIONS SO AS TO MINIMISE CARRYING HEAVY AND BULKY LUGGAGES INTO PASSENGER COACHES.

ADDITIONAL KCR STAFF AND POLICE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST PASSENGERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF TRAIN INFORMATION WILL BE BROADCAST AT STATIONS AT FREQUENT INTERVALS.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED TRAIN COMMUTERS THAT AS A RESULT OF INTRODUCTION OF THE SECOND THROUGH- TRAIN BETWEEN KOWLOON AND GUANGZHOU ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 11) THE TIMETABLE OF REGULAR LOCAL TRAINS WILL BE SLIGHTLY ADJUSTED FROM THE SAME DAY.

o --------

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1980

- 5 -

WHERE TO SEE THE PRINCESS * * * * *

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TOMORROW (MONDAY) WILL VISIT THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE AT POK FU LAM.

THE FOLLOWING IS A GUIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SEE THE PRINCESSi

LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE, POK FU LAM

AT 11 AM THE ROYAL MOTORCADE WILL LEAVE GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND TRAVEL VIA UPPER ALBERT ROAD, CAINE ROAD, BONHAM ROAD, POKFULAM ROAD AND POKFULAM RESERVOIR ROAD BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE CENTRE AT 11.15 AM.

THE ROYAL MOTORCADE WILL LEAVE THE CENTRE AT 11.45 AM AND TRAVEL VIA POKFULAM RESERVOIR ROAD, POKFULAM ROAD, BONHAM ROAD, CAINE ROAD AND UPPER ALBERT ROAD TO RETURN TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

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

REMINDER ON STATUTORY HOLIDAYS

******

A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WHICH FALL-ON FEBRUARY 16, 17 AND 18 THIS YEAR ARE THREE OF THE 10 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS APPOINTED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

THE SECOND DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WHICH FALLS ON A SUNDAY IS LIKELY TO BE THE REST DAY FOR MANY EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE.

♦IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES,* SAID THE SPOKESMAN, +AN EMPLOYER MUST GRANT HIS EMPLOYEES ANOTHER REST DAY BECAUSE THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT A REST DAY SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO ANY STATUTORY HOLIDAY.*

UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES WITHOUT DISTINCTION, INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $3 500 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAYS. THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE THREE DAYS OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE HOLIDAYS.

IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.

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 ...

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1980

ntvo Ae EMPL0YER AND EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITHIN 30 wY?u^CMD.SIvJeT9?Y.H9L,DAY 0R alternative holiday may be taken BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT ANY 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.

ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 60.

ROADS FOR KOWLOON BAY DEVELOPMENT

*****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND DRAINS IN THE EASTERN PART OF KOWLOON BAY DEVELOPMENT AREA.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE WORK WOULD INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 250 METRES LONG AND 10 METRES WIDE THREE-LANE NEW CARRIAGEWAY WITH FOOTPATHS OF 2.75 METRES WIDE ON BOTH SIDES.

A 9.2-METRE WIDE SERVICE ROAD WILL ALSO BE BUILT, TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.

ON COMPLETION, THE ROADS WILL LINK WITH WAI YIP STREET VIA TWO ACCESS ROADS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CONTRACT WAS PART OF A PLAN TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY ROAD AND DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE FUTURE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.

WORK ON THIS PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION OF THE PWD’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1980

REPORT ON COMPANY RELEASED *****

THE REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS APPOINTED TO EXAMINE THE AFFAIRS OF SIU KING CHEUNG HING YIP COMPANY LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARY AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES HAS NOW BEEN RELEASED.

COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $18 EACH.

THE REPORT, BY SAMUEL GITTINS, QC AND JOHN MARSHALL, CA, FOLLOWED THEIR INVESTIGATION CARRIED OUT UNDER SECTION 127 (1) OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE.

0 - -

WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO MOST PREMISES IN SHOUSON HILL, REPULSE BAY AND DEEP WATER BAY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR NINE HOURS FROM 9.30 AM TO 6.30 PM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 12) FOR WORK ON THE SUPPLY SYSTEM.

THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE IN SHOUSON HILL, EXCEPT NOS. 1-12 SHOUSON HILL ROAD, ON REPULSE BAY ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD TO ITS JUNCTION WITH BEACH ROAD, ISLAND ROAD, DEEP WATER BAY ROAD, AND BELLEVIEW DRIVE.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

CONTENTS PAG.3 NO.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS MTR TOMORROW ............ 1

GUIDE FOR PUBLIC TO SEE THE PRINCESS ............. 2

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ATTENDS POLICE LUNAR NSV

YEAR FAIR ............................... ..... 3

HANDICAPPED CHILDREN SHO./ OFF TaLENTS TC THE PRINCESS .................................................... 4

ROYAL VISITORS ATTEND UMELCO DINNER ........................ 4

VALUE OF HK’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS UP 37 PER C^'T LAST YEAR.................................................... 5

PILOT MARINE CENSUS BEGINS TOMORROW ......................... 9

ELEVATED WALKWAY IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL OPENS TO PUBLIC TOMORROW ................................... HO

NORTH WESTERN NT TO BEAR BRUNT OF DEVELOPMENT .............. 11

EARLY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENT ............................ 13

MARINA TO BE DEVELOPED IN SHAM -VAN ........................ 13

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SEES GROUP DISCUSSIONS IN SESSION .................................................. 4

LEAFLET ON SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK PUBLISHED ................. 15

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ON LaNTAU ...........................

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS MTR TOMORROW

X X X X X

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY IN CHATER STATION TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORNING.

THE PRINCESS AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AND LADY MACLEHOSE, WILL ARRIVE AT TSIM SHA TSUI STATION AT 10.20 AM WHERE THEY WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MTR CORPORATION, MR NORMAN THOMPSON WHO WILL PRESENT TO THE PRINCESS EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE MTRC AND THEIR Wl VES.

THE PARTY WILL THEN BOARD A SPECIAL TRAIN FOR CHATER STATION WHERE THE PRINCESS WILL MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FIRMS INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MTR.

IN THE CHATER STATION LOBBY PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL BE INVITED TO UNVEIL A PLAQUE TO MARK THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF MTR. AFTER THE OPENING THE PRINCESS AND MR OGILVY WILL MEET A CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY AT A LARGE RECEPTION FOR ABOUT 1 500 PEOPLE.

IN THE AFTERNOON, THE PRINCESS AND MR OGILVY WILL ATTEND A LUNCHEON OF MTRC AT 1.15 PM IN THE GRAND BALLROOM OF HILTON HOTEL. AT THE END OF THE LUNCHEON, THE PRINCESS WILL GIVE A SPEECH.

THE ROYAL COUPLE’S LAST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FOR THE DAY WILL BE A DINNER WITH THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES AND OFFICERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AT THE OFFICERS’ MESS AT BRITISH FORCES HEADQUARTERS IN HMS TAMAR.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

PRESS FACILITIES

MTR OFFICIAL OPENING! TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT AT TSIM SHA TSUI STATION WILL LEAVE THE CGO CAR PARK AT 9.30 AM SHARP TOMORROW.

NO PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR COVERING THE PLAQUEUNVEILING IN CHATER STATION. ACCREDITED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ASSIGNED TO PRESS POSITIONS C AND D ARE REQUESTED TO MEET GlS OFFICERS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, AT 9.45 AM SHARP TOMORROW. THE PARTY WILL THEN PROCEED ON FOOT TO CHATER STATION. FOR PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND TV CAMERAMEN ASSIGNED TO POSITION C TO COVER THE ARRIVAL OF THE SPECIAL TRAIN FROM TSIM SHA TSUI, THEY ARE ADVISED TO BRING THEIR TELEPHOTO-LENSES TO COVER THE ASSIGNMENT.

/LUNCHEON

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

- 2 "

LUNCHEON IN HILTON HOTEL* ACCREDITED PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE ASKED TO MEET GIS OFFICERS OUTSIDE BEACONSFIELD HOUSE AT 1.15 PM SHARP TOMORROW.

DINNER WITH CBF AND OFFICERS OF THE ARMED FORCES*

A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE PROVIDED OUTSIDE HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES, HMS TAMAR FOR COVERING THE PRINCESS’S ARRIVAL FOR THE DINNER. THOSE WISHING TO USE THE FACILITY SHOULD MEET JSPRS AND GIS OFFICERS OUTSIDE HMS TAMAR AT 8 PM SHARP TOMORROW.

WHERE TO SEE HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA *****

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

FOLLOWING IS A GUIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SEE THE PRINCESS AS SHE PROCEEDS TO THE EVENT.

AT 10.05 AM THE ROYAL MOTORCADE WILL LEAVE GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND TRAVEL VIA GARDEN ROAD, QUEENSWAY, ARSENAL STREET, GLOUCESTER ROAD AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.

AFTER CROSSING THE HARBOUR, THE MOTORCADE WILL TRAVEL THROUGH CHEONG WAN ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD, SALISBURY ROAD TO ARRIVE AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI MTR STATION AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND HAIPHONG ROAD AT 10.20 AM.

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL BOARD A SPECIAL TRAIN AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI STATION FOR CHATER STATION.

AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE PRINCESS WILL LEAVE THE CHATER STATION AT 11.30 AM AND BOARD THE ROYAL MOTORCADE AT THE PEDDER STREET EXIT TO RETURN TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE VIA DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HARCOURT ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE AND UPPER ALBERT ROAD.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ATTENDS POLICE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR X X X * X X

CHEERS AND A SEA OF SMILING FACES GREETED HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY TODAY (MONDAY) WHEN THEY JOINED bEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AND THEIR FAMILIES AT THEIR ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR.

THE ACCENT WAS ON INFORMALITY AS THE PRINCESS MINGLED AND CHATTED WITH SOME OF THE 20 000 WHO THRONGED THE COLOURFUL FAIR GROUNDS AT THE POLICE CLUB AT KAI TAK.

ANXIOUS ORGANISERS WHO HAD BEEN KEEPING A WARY EYE ON THE WEATHER AND NERVOUSLY CHECKING LAST MINUTE DETAILS, SEEMED TO HAVE SUFFICIENTLY REGAINED THEIR COMPOSURE WHEN THE ROYAL COUPLE ARRIVED.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND MR OGILVY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY POLICE COMMISSIONER, MR ROY HENRY WHO PRESENTED MR K.L. YUEN, CHAIRMAN CF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR DAVID LOW, NRS ELAINE CHAN, CHAIRWOMAN OF THE RECEPTION SUB-COMMITTEE AND CLUB MANAGER, MR AU-YEUNG CHUN.

THE PRINCESS, WHO IS HONORARY COMMANDANT-GENERAL OF THE RHKPF, FIRST TOURED THE CLUB HOUSE WHERE SHE WATCHED LIVELY DISPLAYS OF JUDO AND TABLE TENNIS BY SOME OF THE FORCE’S FINEST SPORTING TALENTS.

OUTSIDE ON THE LAWN, SHE DOTTED THE EYES OF A LION AND A DRAGON AND RECEIVED A BOUQUET FROM NINE-YEAR-OLD LO KA-MUN, DAUGHTER OF SERGEANT LO HOK-YUEN.

SURROUNDED BY SCORES OF CHILDREN, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND MR OGILVY TOURED THE VARIOUS GAMES STALLS OFTEN STOPPING TO WATCH AND CHAT WITH PLAYING CHILDREN.

THE ROYAL COUPLE ALSO WATCHED A CHILDREN’S TALENT SHOW.

BEFORE WINDING UP A BUSY AFTERNOON, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA MET JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND HAD TEA WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JUNIOR CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL AND THE JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION.

DURING THE RECEPTION, THE ROYAL COUPLE RENEWED THEIR ACQUAINTANCE WITH INSPECTOR CHENG TAK-WAH, WHOM THEY FIRST bET IN UK IN AUGUST 1975.

MR CHENG, WHO WAS THEN 17, WAS AMONG THE FOUR WINNERS IN THE +HELP THE POLICE COMPETITION*. THEIR PRIZE WAS A TRIP TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WHERE THEY MET THE ROYAL COUPLE.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

HANDICAPPED CHILDREN SHOW OFF THEIR TALENTS TO THE PRINCESS * * * *

IT ISN’T OFTEN THAT YOU CAN SHOW OFF TO AN APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE HOW WELL YOU CAN HANDLE A BOW AND ARROW, DANCE, PLAY BASKETBALL, OR RIDE A HORSE, PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE DISABLED.

THIS MORNING, HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AT THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE IN POKFULAM NOT ONLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS, BUT ALSO DOING SO FOR PRINCESS ALEXANDRA.

THE PRINCESS WAS SO DELIGHTED WITH THEIR PERFORMANCE THAT SHE OVERSTAYED HER VISIT TO THE CENTRE AND GAVE THEM MANY ENCOURAGING SMILES.

AMONG THE CHILDREN SHE MET WERE FOUR YOUNGSTERS WHO WERE DOING THEIR RIDING LESSONS. OTHERS DISPLAYED THEIR SKILLS ON HORSE BACK DESPITE VARIOUS HANDICAPS.

THE HON ANGUS OGILVY JOINED THOSE PRACTISING ARCHERY AND WON THEIR APPLAUSE WHEN HE HIT THE TARGET WITH HIS ONE AND ONLY SHOT.

THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE, RUN BY THE PHAB ASSOCIATION, PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO MIX WITH THE ABLE-BODIED IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.

THE CENTRE HAS A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, A SWIMMING POOL, A DINING HALL, AN ARCHERY RANGE, A RIDING SCHOOL NEARBY, AND WELL FURNISHED LODGINGS FOR OVER-NIGHT CAMPERS.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY MACLEHOSE AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR THOMAS LEE, HAD A CLOSE LOOK AT SOME OF THESE FACILITIES.

THE PRINCESS ALSO MET THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PHAB ASSOCIATION, W LI KWAN-HUNG AND SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE WORK OF HIS ASSOCIATION.

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

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ATTENDS UMELCO DINNER

X X * X X

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBAND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY THIS (MONDAY) EVENING ATTENDED A DINNER PARTY GIVEN IN THEIR HONOUR BY UMELCO MEMBERS.

THE ROYAL COUPLE, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND LADY MACLEHOSE, WERE GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN- SIR SIDNEY GORDON, AND THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR OSWALD CHEUNG.

SIR YUET-KEUNG LATER PRESENTED OTHER UMELCO MEMBERS AND THEIR WIVES TO THE PRINCESS AND MR OGILVY.

- 0 - -

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, I960

VALUE OF HK’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1979 UP 37 PER CENT *****

THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1979 ROSE BY 37 PER CENT TO $55 912 MILLION COMPARED WITH PREVIOUS YEAR, IMPORTS UP BY 36 PER CENT TO $85 837 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS UP BY 52 PER CENT TO $20 022 MILLION, ACCORDING TO TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY).

THE MERCHANDISE TRADE VALUE FOR 1979 AMOUNTED TO $161 771 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 38 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TEN MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE AS FOLLOWS t

JAN-DEC 79 JAN-DEC 78 INCREASE PERCENTAGE (HKS MN.) (HKS MN.) (HK$ MN.) CHANGE

USA 18 797 15 125 ♦ 3 672 ♦ 24

WEST GERMANY 6 344 4 426 + 1 918 ♦ 43

UK 5 974 3 871 + 2 103 + 54

JAPAN 2 656 1 856 ♦ 800 ♦ 43

AUSTRALIA 1 789 1 494 ♦ 295 ♦ 20

CANADA 1 637 1 271 ♦ 366 + 29

SINGAPORE 1 413 1 104 ♦ 309 + 28

NETHERLANDS 1 406 937 + 469 + 50

FRANCE 1 004 575 ♦ 429 + 75

SWITZERLAND 949 683 ♦ 266 ♦ 39

INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO USA WERE REGISTERED MAINLY IN CLOTHING (BY $937 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $532 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT), PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $397 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $277 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT), AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $259 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT).

INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN SHIPMENTS TO WEST GERMANY, PARTICULARLY FOR CLOTHING (BY $991 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $287 MILLION OR 138 PER CENT), AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $214 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT).

INCREASED DEMAND FROM THE UK WAS LARGELY FOR CLOTHING (BY $920 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $266 MILLION OR 123 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY $161 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT), AND WATHCES AND CLOCKS (BY $132 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT).

/SUBSTANTIAL .....

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING (BY $271 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $88 MILLION OR 71 PER CENT) TO JAPAN AND OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $78 MILLION OR 126 PER CENT) TO CANADA.

AN ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION IS PRESENTED AS FOLLOWS:

JAN-DEC 79 JAN-DEC 78 INCREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) CHANGE

ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING

ACCESSOR IES 2C ) 131 15 709 4 4 422 4 28

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 9 454 6 634 4 2 820 4 43

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 5 126 3 263 4 1 863 4 57

TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4 065 2 869 4 1 196 4 42

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4 □63 2 819 4 1 244 4 44

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES) 3 235 2 109 4 1 126 4 53

OVERSEAS DEMAND FOR HONG KONG MANUFACTURED GOODS REMAINED FAIRLY ACTIVE DURING THE YEAR. MARKED INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN EXPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY SI 620 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT), PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $1 002 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT), TEXTILE FABRICS (BY $918 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT), AND RADIO BROADCAST RECEIVERS (BY $558 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT).

ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINES WERE NOTED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS (BY $19 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT), AND ORGANIC CHEMICALS (BY $6 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT).

/THE CHANGES .....

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

THE CHANGES AS FOLLOWSt

IN IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED

JAN-DEC 79 (HK$ MN.) JAN-DEC 78 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE (HK$ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

JAPAN 19 320 14 405 ♦ 4 915 + 34

CHINA 15 130 10 550 ♦ 4 580 + 43

USA 10 365 7 519 ♦ 2 846 ♦ 38

TAIWAN 6 035 4 257 ♦ 1 778 ♦ 42

SINGAPORE 4 821 3 219 ♦ 1 602 ♦ 50

UK 4 350 2 975 ♦ 1 375 ♦ 46

WEST GERMANY 2 775 2 072 + 703 + 34

SWITZERLAND 2 592 2 115 ♦ 477 + 23

SOUTH KOREA 2 529 1 793 + 736 + 41

AUSTRALIA 1 579 1 274 ♦ 305 + 24

IMPORTS FROM JAPAN ROSE CONSIDERABLY, MAINLY OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $670 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $609 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY $549 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $395 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT), IRON AND STEEL (BY $355 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT), AND ROAD VEHICLES (BY $303 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT).

INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM CHINA WERE LARGELY OF TEXTILES (BY $959 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT), PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $702 MILLION OR 93 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $471 MILLION OR 76 PER CENT), AND FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS (BY $168 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT).

IMPORTS FROM USA ALSO SHOWED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $409 MILLION OR 165 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $350 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $289 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT), AND TEXTILES (BY $117 MILLION OR 66 PER CENT).

MARKED INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $931 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT) FROM SINGAPORE, AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $259 MILLION OR 62 PER CENT) FROM TAIWAN.

/THE FOLLOWING .....

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECT ION«-

JAN-DEC 79 (HK$ MN)

JAN-DEC 78 INCREASE PERCENTAGE

(HK$ MN) (HK$ MN) CHANGE

MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND DIAMONDS) 26 931 20 498 + 6 433 4 31

MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 18 609 12 467 + 6 142 4 49

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 12 525 8 884 + 3 641 4 41

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 9 646 8 207 + 1 439 4 18

CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 6 819 4 606 ♦ 2 213 4 48

MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 4 906 3 122 + 1 784 4 57

BY COMMODITY, INCREASES IN IMPORTS WERE DUE MAINLY TO THE GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR TEXTILES (BY $3 182 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $1 925 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT), PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $1 731 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS (BY $1 200 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1 130 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT).

SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY $1 101 MILLION OR 514 PER CENT), TO USA (BY $763 MILLION OR 62 PER CENT), TO TAIWAN (BY $509 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT), TO SINGAPORE (BY $414 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT), AND TO INDONESIA (BY $382 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT).

THE DEMAND FOR RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO RISE, PARTICULARLY FOR TEXTILES (BY $958 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $531 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $471 MILLION OR 102 PER CENT), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMIPRECIOUS STONES (BY $445 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $366 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT).

/THE TRADE .....

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

THE TRADE INDICES AS FOLLOWS 1 FOR NOVEMBER 1979 (1973 - 100) WERE RELEASED <

VALUE INDEX UNIT VALUE INDEX QUANTUM INDEX

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 329 172 191

IMPORTS 341 178 191

THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX, INDEX FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO

WAS 97.

EXPRESSED AS THE RATIO OF UNIT VALUE THAT FOR IMPORTS, FOR NOVEMBER 1979

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

PILOT MARINE CENSUS BEGINS TOMORROW * X X X X

ABOUT 1 OOO HOUSEHOLDS LIVING ON HOUSE BOATS, FISHING JUNKS, LIGHTERS AND OTHER VESSELS IN ABERDEEN, CAUSEWAY BAY AND YAU MA TEI WILL BE VISITED BY ENUMERATORS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) UNTIL FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 15).

THEY WILL BE INTERVIEWED FOR THE PILOT MARINE CENSUS, TIMED TO TAKE PLACE JUST BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WHEN VIRTUALLY ALL VESSELS RETURN TO BASE. THE PILOT CENSUS FOR THE LAND POPULATION WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM MARCH 7 TO 16.

ALL ENUMERATORS WILL BE CARRYING A RED SATCHEL AND WILL HAVE TO SHOW A YELLOW CENSUS IDENTITY CARD, BEARING THE HOLDER’S PHOTOGRAPH AND NAME, BEFORE CONDUCTING AN INTERVIEW.

THESE MARINE HOUSEHOLDS HAVE ALL BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FOR THE PILOT CENSUS AND REPRESENT A CROSS-SECTION OF THE FLOATING POPULATION. THEY WILL BE ASKED QUESTIONS ON EACH OF THEIR MEMBERS, INCLUDING SOME BASIC PERSONAL PARTICULARS, SOME DETAILS ON OCCUPATION AND EARNINGS, EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, PLACE OF ORIGIN, AND DISABLEMENT.

IN ADDITION, THEY WILL BE ASKED TO GIVE THE LENGTH AND TYPE OF THEIR VESSEL, THE NUMBER AND POWER OF ITS ENGINES, AND TO STATE WHETHER LAND ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE.

THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EMPHASISED THAT INFORMATION WHICH THEY SUPPLY WILL BE TREATED AS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL NEVER DISCLOSED TO ANY INDIVIDUAL, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OR PRIVATE ORGANISATION.

/THE ENUMERATORS......

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

THE ENUMERATORS WILL HAVE TO TAKE AN OATH OF SECRECY BEFORE BE ING SENT OUT ON ASSIGNMENTS. THE DATA COLLECTED FROM THE PILOT CENSUS WILL BE PROCESSED BY COMPUTER AND THE RESULTS PRESENTED IN TABLE FORM. NO PERSONAL PARTICULARS COULD BE IDENTIFIED. ALL CENSUS SCHEDULES WITH THE NAMES WILL BE DESTROYED WITHIN A YEAR AFTER THE CENSUS.

THE PILOT MARINE CENSUS, AND THE PILOT LAND CENSUS ARE +DRESS REHEARSALS* FOR THE POPULATION CENSUS IN 1981.

THEY WILL TEST THE OPERATION PROCEDURES AND FIELD ORGANISATION TO BE ADOPTED AND WILL SHOW UP ANY DEFECTS IN THE SYSTEM FOR CORRECTION BEFORE THE MAIN OPERATION INVOLVING THE WHOLE POPULATION OF HONG KONG BEGINS.

+THE CENSUS IS FOR THE GOOD OF EVERYONE BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT CAN ONLY IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND PROVISION OF SERVICES IF IT IS SUPPLIED WITH UP-TO-DATE AND ACCURATE DATA TO FORMULATE SOLIDLY-BASED PLANS.

+BY HELPING THE ENUMERATORS TO MAKE A GOOD JOB OF IT, THEY WILL BE HELPING THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN TO PAVE THE WAY FOR A BETTER LIFE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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

ELEVATED WALKWAY IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL OPENS TO PUBLIC TOMORROW *****

A SECTION OF THE COVERED FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORE THAN THREE MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT TO AND FROM THE NEARBY MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY: +THE SECTION OF FOOTBRIDGE INVOLVED RUNS FROM THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE AT THE WESTERN SIDE OF CONNAUGHT CENTRE TO THE CENTRAL BUS TERMINUS.

+IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PEDESTRIANS FOLLOWING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MTR BY PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TOMORROW.*

TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE, PWD CONTRACTORS HAVE PUT UP THE RAILINGS ON BOTH SIDE OF THE ELEVATED WALKWAY WELL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

MEANWHILE, WORK ON THE $14.4 MILLION PROJECT, WHICH CONSISTS OF A 480-METRE-LONG ELEVATED WALKWAY RUNNING FROM REDDER STREET TO GILMAN STREET AND TWO FOOTBRIDGES ACROSS CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY.

THE COVERED FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM, THE BIGGEST PROJECT OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, IS EXPECTED TO BE READY IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.

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

/11 ...

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

NORTH WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES TO BEAR BRUNT OF DEVELOPMENT * * * *

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE NORTH WEST AREA OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL HAVE TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF FUTURE URBAN DEVELOPMENT OVER THE NEXT DECADE OR TWO AND WILL ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT COMPLEMENTARY ROLE TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE BORDER IN SHEKOU AND SHENZHEN.

THE REGIONAL COMMISSIONER NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES, MR JAMES SWEETMAN, SAID THIS TODAY (MONDAY) DURING A SPEECH AT A MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

MR SWEETMAN SAID: +HOWEVER, THE PRESSURE IS ALREADY ON AND WILL INCREASE DURING THE COMING YEAR OR TWO AS MORE TEMPORARY INDUSTRIES AND URBAN OPEN STORAGE FACILITIES WILL BE DISPLACED FROM KOWLOON, TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN TO MAKE ROOM FOR INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT THERE.

♦THERE WAS ALSO A DEMAND FOR SITES FOR SMALL INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS THAT COULD NOT ADAPT TO MULTI-STOREY FACTORY BUILDINGS.

♦ONE MAY ASK WHY WE STILL NEED THESE, BUT IN SOME CASES THEY OFFER A VALUABLE HOME FACTORY FOR ENTREPRENEURS WHO HAVE ALREADY OPENED BRANCHES OVERSEAS BUT WHO NEED A BASE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND TO INSURE AGAINST ECONOMIC VICISSITUDES IN THE COUNTRIES IN WHICH THEIR OVERSEAS FACTORIES ARE SITUATED.*

MR SWEETMAN SAID THIS RAPID URBAN DEVELOPMENT WAS SURE TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON AGRICULTURE, BUT THE SPECULATIVE NATURE OF MANY LAND HOLDINGS LEAD THE OWNERS TO LEAVE THEM LYING FALLOW WITHOUT TENANTS, THUS RESTRICTING THE GROWTH OF MARKET GARDENING IN AREAS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE SUITABLE FOR SUCH ACTIVITY.

♦ IT IS NECESSARY THEREFORE TO PROVIDE SOME FORM OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO BRING FALLOW LAND UNDER CULTIVATION WITHOUT PREJUDICING THE ULTIMATE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THAT LAND,* HE SAID.

♦ IT IS ALSO MOST DESIRABLE TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF LARGER PIG AND POULTRY FARMS CONCENTRATED INTO PARTICULAR AREAS, RATHER THAN SCATTERED AS THEY ARE NOW ALL OVER THE COUNTRYSIDE, IN ORDER TO BRING ABOUT ECONOMIES OF SCALE AND MORE EFFECTIVE ANTI-POLLUTION MEASURES.+

ALL THESE PRESSURES AND REQUIREMENTS CALLED FOR THE NEED FOR A POSITIVE POLICY, EASILY UNDERSTOOD BY THE PUBLIC, UNDER WHICH WE COULD MEET THESE PRESSURES IN AN ORDERLY MANNER, THUS REVERSING THE PRESENT TREND TOWARDS RURAL SQUALOR, MR SWEETMAN SAID.

/HE SAID .....

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

HE SAID: +WE HAVE RECENTLY INSTITUTED A PILOT SCHEME TO LIBERALISE THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH FACTORIES UNSUITABLE FOR MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS AND OPEN STORAGE FACILITIES CAN BE ESTABLISHED ON AGRICULTURAL LAND UNDER SHORT TERM WAIVERS, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND WE ARE INSISTING ON HIGHER STANDARDS OF ACCESS ROADS, FIRE-FIGHTING PRECAUTIONS, A LOWER SITE COVERAGE AND THE LANDSCAPING OF THESE AREAS TO CONVERT THEM INTO INDUSTRIAL PARKS RATHER THAN UNSIGHTLY RURAL SQUATTER SLUMS.+

IN FUTURE THE MAIN GOVERNMENT EFFORT IN DEVELOPMENT MUST, AS IN THE PAST, BE CONCENTRATED ON THE INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS PROVIDING A BALANCE OF HOUSING, INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.

OUR RESOURCES FOR SPENDING PUBLIC MONEY WERE LIMITED, BUT WE WERE HAPPY TO ENCOURAGE, OUTSIDE THE NEW TOWNS, MORE COMPREHENSIVE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT, USING PRIVATE CAPITAL AND INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE AN INTERIM FORM OF BALANCED DEVELOPMENT WHILE RETAINING SUFFICIENT OPEN AREAS IN ORDER NOT TO PREJUDICE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND ALSO TO BRING ABOUT A LONG OVERDUE CONSOLIDATION OF THE EXTREMELY FRAGMENTED LAND HOLDINGS WHICH CAME ABOUT AFTER CENTURIES OF RURAL OCCUPATION FOR CULTIVATION OF PADDY LAND.

♦ WE HAVE SO FAR BEEN HANDICAPPED IN RURAL RE-DEVELOPMENT IN THAT WE HAVE TOWN PLANNING LEGISLATION BUT NO GUIDELINES UNDER WHICH COMPREHENSIVE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT CAN TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE THE TOWNS.

♦THE EXPERIENCE NOW BEING GAINED IN NAM WAI IN SAI KUNG AND SAN TIN IN YUEN LONG IS THEREFORE INVALUABLE IN BRINGING ABOUT A NEW CONCEPT OF RURAL RE-DEVELOPMENT AND I AM ALWAYS HAPPY TO DISCUSS THIS WITH ANYONE CONSIDERING SETTING UP SIMILAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS ELSEWHERE IN THE NEW TERRR(TORIES FOR I BELIEVE THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT AND WE MUST PROVIDE A PRACTICAL AND HYGIENIC ALTERNATIVE TO THE INDISCRIMINATE RASH OF SMALL HOUSES BEING BUILT ALL OVER THE NEW TERRITORIES AND A SPREAD OF RURAL SQUATTER SQUALORS.+

BUT EVEN WITH PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT, MR SWEETMAN SAID, A CONSIDERABLE INPUT OF GOVERNMENT STAFF TIME AND OTHER RESOURCES WAS REQUIRED AND SUCH PROJECTS PUT AN INCREASING STRAIN ON OUR ROAD SYSTEM.

♦THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE DELAYED AND EVEN JEOPARDISED UNLESS SUFFICIENT GOVERNMENT RESOURCES IN MANPOWER AND FINANCE ARE MADE AVAILABLE NOT ONLY STEADILY TO CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NEW TOWNS BUT ALSO TO PROVIDE THE BASIC SUPPORT FOR WHAT I HAVE HOPED WILL BE AN INCREASING STREAM OF PRIVATE DEVELO3MENT SCHEMES THROUGHOUT THE REG ION.+

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

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EARLY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENT *****

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ADVANCE PAYMENTS TO THOSE RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE WHOSE COUPONS ARE DATED FOR PAYMENTS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THOSE WITH COUPONS TO BE CASHED ON FEBRUARY 16, 17, 18 AND 19 COULD DO SO ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 12, 13, 14 AND 15 RESPECTIVELY.

HE SAID THE ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE WITH TREASURY OFFICES, POST OFFICES, AND NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES WHERE THE COUPONS ARE CASHED.

HE ADVISED THOSE INVOLVED TO TAKE NOTE OF THEIR OWN CASHING DATES SO THAT THEY COULD GET THEIR PAYMENTS BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

MARINA TO BE DEVELOPED IN SHAM WAN * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE TENDER FOR THE ABERDEEN MARINE LOT AT SHAM WAN HAS BEEN AWARDED TO CLINTWOOD CO LTD.

THE LOT, NEXT TO THE FLOATING RESTAURANTS, WAS OFFERED FOR SALE BY PUBLIC TENDER IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR FOR DEVELOPMENT AS A MARINA.

THE CONDITIONS OF SALE REQUIRED THE DEVELOPER TO BUILD A MARINA WITH NOT LESS THAN 300 BERTHS ALONG WITH SUPPORTING FACILITIES OF DRY STORAGE, SLIPWAY, FUELLING AND WORKS AREA.

THE CONDITIONS ALSO REQUIRED THE DEVELOPER TO CONSTRUCT A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AND A CHANDLERY.

THE LAND BASED ACCOMMODATION WILL BE LOCATED IN AN AREA WHICH HAS TO BE RECLAIMED AS ONE OF THE CONDITIONS OF SALE.

0 - -

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SEES GROUP DISCUSSIONS IN SESSION * * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR KENNETH TOPLEY TODAY (MONDAY) SAW TWO OF THE SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS IN SESSION HELD BETWEEN AIDED SCHOOLS TEACHERS AND SENIOR STAFF OF HIS DEPARTMENT IN VARIOUS SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

FIRST HE WENT TO THE BUDDHIST WONG FUNG LING COLLEGE AT EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY WHERE HE TALKED TO TEACHERS AND LISTENED TO THEIR VIEWS REGARDING COMMUNICATION AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR TEACHERS.

LATER THE DIRECTOR VISITED ANOTHER GROUP AT THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS LO YU CH IK PRIMARY SCHOOL AT PITT STREET, KOWLOON.

SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ALSO PAID SIMILAR VISITS TO THE 26 GROUP DISCUSSIONS HELD TODAY AT VARIOUS CENTRES IN SCHOOLS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THESE INFORMAL GROUP DISCUSSIONS CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE AIM TO FURTHER IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TEACHERS AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND THE TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION HAD BEEN RAISED BY THE TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM AIDED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

THE TOPICS INCLUDED COMMUNICATION AMONG TEACHERS, SCHOOLS, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND PARENTS- LEAVE AND SUPPLY TEACHERS-PROVIDENT FUND- TEACHER-CLASS RATIO- SALARY STRUCTURE AND PROMOTION- AND FRINGE BENEFITS AS ENJOYED BY GOVERNMENT SCHOOL TEACHERS.

AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ALSO DISCUSSED STUDENT GUIDANCE- OUTSIDE WORK- MORAL AND SEX EDUCATION- TEACHING PERIODS AND TIMETABLE ARRANGEMENTS.

0 --------

/15

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1980

LEAFLET PUBLISHED ON SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK

*****

A FULL-COLOURED LEAFLET ON THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY TO INFORM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OF THE VARIOUS FACILITIES PROVIDED.

THE NEW LEAFLET IS THE FOURTH SPONSORED BY THE CHARTERED BANK AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE AND IS THE SIXTH IN THE SERIES OF PUBLICATIONS ON COUNTRY PARKS. THE OTHER FIVE LEAFLETS ARE ON THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK, THE KAM SHAN COUNTRY PARK, THE ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK, THE TAI TAM COUNTRY PARK AND THE LION ROCK COUNTRY PARK.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY SAID, +AS SAI KUNG HAS BECOME A FAVOURITE OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA, THE LEAFLET WILL BE A USEFUL GUIDE TO THOSE VISITING THE VARIOUS SCENIC SPOTS.+

THE LEAFLET INCORPORATES A MAP OF THE AREA WHICH IS MADE UP OF THE SAI KUNG (EAST) AND SAI KUNG (WEST) COUNTRY PARKS.

THE COUNTRY PARK COVERS ABOUT 7 500 HECTARES OF LAND ON WHICH FACILITIES FOR CAMPING, SWIMMING, BOATING, PICNICKING AND BARBECUING ARE PROVIDED. AS IN OTHER COUNTRY PARKS, THERE ARE ALSO MANAGEMENT CENTRES, RAIN SHELTERS, FIRST AID POSTS, TOILETS, BARBECUE PITS, PICNIC AREAS AND CAMP SITES.

INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF VEGETATION AND SPECIES OF WILDLIFE WITHIN THE COUNTRY PARK IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE LEAFLET.

COPIES OF THE LEAFLET ARE AVAILABLE FREE AT THE FOUR MANAGEMENT CENTRES - PAK TAM AU, HOI HA, KEI LING HA AND PAK TAM CHUNG IN THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARKS.

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ON LANTAU

*****

A SECTION OF KEUNG SHAN ROAD ON LANTAU ISLAND BETWEEN HANG PUI AND THE WESTERN EDGE OF SHEK PIK RESERVOIR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 11 AM TO 11.40 AM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 13) FOR HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA’S VISIT TO TAI 0.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS MTR MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM ............... 1

FOREIGN MINISTER CONGRATULATES HONG KONG CN COMPLETION OF MTR................................................................

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA HMDS NINE-DAY VISIT TCMORRO’.'................... 4

RENT CONTROL BILL FOR SECOND AND THIRD READINGS IN LEGCO TCMORRO’I..................................................... 5

UC ELECTORAL REGISTRATION CYCLE BEGINS ............................. 6

TEACHER TRAINING COURSES TO BE EXTENDED TO THREE YEARS.............. 7

HOLIDAY RUSH AT KAI TAK ............................................ 8

FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS ..................................................... $

RECORD NUMBER CF CALLS FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE........................ 9

EXTENSIONS TO RESERVOIRS ON TSING YI .............................. 10

LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY ARRANG EMENTS FOR GOVERNMENT

CLINICS....................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OPENS MTR MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM X X X * X

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA USHERED IN A NEW ERA FOR THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN SHE STARTED A SPECIAL MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TRAIN TO CROSS THE HARBOUR FROM TSIM SHA TSUI STATION IN KOWLOON TO CHATER STATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND.

THE OCCASION HERALDED THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FULL $5 800 MILLION MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL NOW BE ABLE TO TRAVEL FROM EAST KOWLOON (KWUN TONG) TO HONG KONG ISLAND IN 28 MINUTES.

THE PRINCESS AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE, ARRIVED AT TSIM SHA TSUI MTR STATION WHERE SIR MURRAY PRESENTED MR NORMAN THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC).

AT THE STATION PLATFORM, MR THOMPSON PRESENTED MEMBERS OF THE MTRC BOARD AND THEIR WIVES BEFORE THE ROYAL PARTY, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE PRESS, BOARDED THE SPECIAL TRAIN FOR THE UNDER-HARBOUR TRIP.

WITH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ON BOARD,THE TRAIN SPED BENEATH HONG KONG’S BUSY HARBOUR AND ARRIVED AT ADMIRALTY STATION IN THREE MINUTES FOR A SIGNAL CHANGE BEFORE PROCEEDING TO CHATER STATION.

EMERGING FROM THE TUNNEL AT THE MAIN CENTRAL STATION, THE SPECIAL TRAIN CUT THROUGH STRANDS OF COLOURFUL RIBBONS STRETCHED HIGH ACROSS THE TRACKS BEFORE COMING TO A SMOOTH STOP TO THE APPLAUSE OF THOSE AWAITING ITS ARRIVAL.

ON LEAVING THE TRAIN MR THOMPSON PRESENTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FIRMS INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MTR WHO WERE ASSEMBLED ON THE PLATFORM AND INTERMEDIATE LEVELS OF CHATER STATION.

STRAINS OF CORRIE CHOILLEIES (WELCOME TO THE NORTHERN MEETING) FROM THE BAGPIPES OF SGT. YAN BAHADUR GURUNG, PIPE MAJOR OF THE QUEEN'S GURKHA ENGINEERS, FILLED THE VAST UNDERGROUND COMPLEX AS THE ROYAL COUPLE ASCENDED TO THE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL BY ESCALATOR.

THE PIPE MAJOR, CLAD IN FULL CEREMONIAL PARADE DRESS, CONTINUED TO ENTERTAIN THE GATHERING AS THE PRINCESS SHOOK HANDS AND SPOKE TO THE PRESENTEES. STANDING SOLDIER STRAIGHT, SGT. YAN PLAYED THREE OTHER SCOTTISH AIRS, JENNY'S BAWBEE, TERI’S BUS AND MISS DELICIA CHISHOLM.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THEN PROCEEDED BY ESCALATOR TO THE STATION LOBBY WHERE SHE UNVEILED A PLAQUE COMMEMORATING THE COMPLETION OF THE MTR MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM.

THE EVENT WAS BROADCAST LIVE BY BOTH RADIO AND TELEVISION, AND SPECIAL CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION ENABLED THE 1 600 GUESTS THROUGHOUT THE LARGE LOBBY AREA OF CHATER STATION TO SHARE IN Th£ OCCASION.

AT THE COMMUNITY RECEPTION THAT FOLLOWED, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA CHATTED AND MINGLED FREELY WITH THE 1 600 GUESTS DRAWN FROM A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 19t>C

- 2

MTRC LUNCH

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TODAY (TUESDAY) PRAISED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR THEIR ABILITY TO FIND WAYS OF OVERCOMING +WHAT AT FIRST APPEAR TO BE INSUPERABLE DIFFICULTIES, COUPLED WITH STEADFASTNESS AND PERSERVERANCE.♦

SPEAKING AT A LUNCH OF MTRC IN THE GRAND BALLROOM OF HILTON HOTEL AFTER THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY THIS MORNING , THE PRINCESS SA ID:* IT IS A STRIKING TRIBUTE TO HONG KONG THAT THESE QUALITIES OF DEPENDABILITY ENCOURAGED MANY OF THE LARGEST COMPANIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO PARTICIPATE IN CREATING THE MASS TRANSIT RA-ILWAY.+

SHE SAID: + IN HONG KONG PEOPLE OF MANY RACES MEET AND WORK AND PROSPER TOGETHER IN HARMONY WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT THIS LATEST AND BIGGEST PROJECT SHOULD BE THE PRODUCT OF MATERIALS AND SKILLS FROM CHINA AS WELL AS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

-►NATURALLY I AM DELIGHTED THAT BRITISH FIRMS HAVE PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE. IN WORKING FOR HONG KONG, THEY WORK TOO FOR THE GOOD UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG WHICH WE VALUE SO MUCH,* THE PRINCESS SAID.

FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AT THE MTRC LUNCH:

+HONG KONG IS ALWAYS A STIMULATING PLACE TO VISIT AND THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL OCCASION. OF ALL THE MASSIVE ENGINEERING PROJECTS THAT HAVE GONE INTO THE BUILDING OF THIS GREAT CITY, THE NEW RAILWAY IS THE BIGGEST AND BOLDEST AND MOST COMPLEX, AND THE ONE THAT HAS ATTRACTED MOST INTERNATIONAL INTEREST. THIS MORNING’S CEREMONY AT WHICH IT WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED MARKED A MILESTONE IN YOUR HISTORY, AND I WAS DELIGHTED TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL THAT MOMENT OF PRIDE.

♦THE INCREDIBLE SPEED WITH WHICH THIS MAMMOTH ENTERPRISE HAS BEEN COMPLETED IS INDEED A TRIBUTE TO YOU, MR THOMPSON, TO THE BOARD, STAFF AND CONSULTANTS OF THE CORPORATION, AND TO ALL THE CONTRACTORS AND THEIR HARD-WORKING AND INTREPID WORK FORCE. BUT INSPITE OF YOUR EFFORTS I WARN YOU THAT WHAT PEOPLE WILL SAY IS SIMPLY +IT COULD ONLY HAVE HAPPENED IN HONG KONG+.

♦IN A PROJECT OF THIS SIZE IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT MANY SUFFERED FROM DUST, NOISE AND DISRUPTION AND THAT SOME EVEN HAD TO MOVE THEIR HOMES AND SHOPS. THEY SUFFERED WITH GREAT FORBEARANCE.

I PRAY THAT THEY WILL NOW REAP THEIR REWARD. HONG KONG CAN MOST CERTAINLY BE PROUD OF ITS RAILWAY, AND I AM SURE IT WILL BRING GREAT ADVANTAGES TO YOU ALL.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1980

- 3 -

♦IT WILL SOON BE THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY - THE MONKEY WHOSE AGILITY, QUICK WITS AND INGENUITY ENABLES HIM TO OVERCOME ALL OBSTACLES. THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE THIS SAME ABILITY TO FIND WAYS OF OVERCOMING WHAT AT FIRST APPEAR TO BE INSUPERABLE DIFFICULTIES, COUPLED WITH STEADFASTNESS AND PERSEVERANCE. IT IS A STRIKING TRIBUTE TO HONG KONG THAT THESE QUALITIES OF DEPENDABILITY ENCOURAGED MANY OF THE LARGEST COMPANIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO PARTICIPATE IN CREATING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.

♦IN HONG KONG PEOPLE OF MANY RACES MEET AND WORK AND PROSPER TOGETHER IN HARMONY WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT THIS LATEST AND BIGGEST PROJECT SHOULD BE THE PRODUCT OF MATERIAL AND SKILLS FROM CHINA AS WELL AS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. NATURALLY I AM DELIGHTED THAT BRITISH FIRMS HAVE PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE. IN WORKING FOR HONG KONG, THEY WORK TOO FOR THE GOOD UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG WHICH WE VALUE SO MUCH.

♦WE DO BOTH THANK YOU, MR CHAIRMAN, FOR INVITING US TO COME HERE TODAY, AND FOR YOUR VERY GENEROUS HOSPITALITY. OUR GOOD WISHES GO WITH YOU ALL, AND MAY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SERVE THE COMMUNITY FAITHFULLY, SAFELY AND WELL IN THE YEARS AHEAD.♦

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

FOREIGN MINISTER CONGRATULATES HONG KONG ON COMPLETION OF MTR * * * ft ft

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, W PETER BLAKER, HAS EXTENDED HIS CONGRATULATIONS TO HONG KONG ON THE COMPLETION OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.

IN A MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, MR BLAKER SAIDi ♦ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE FINAL STAGE OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY BY HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, PLEASE CONVEY MY CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, TO ITS CONTRACTORS AND STAFF AND TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT. THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOUR BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.+

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ENDS NINE-DAY VISIT TOMORROW

******

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBAND, THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, WILL SPEND THEIR LAST DAY IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) VISITING THE RURAL COMMUNITIES IN TAI 0 AND CHEUNG CHAU.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL FLY IN A RAF HELICOPTER TO TAI 0 WHERE THEY WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE DISTRICT OFFICER ISLANDS, MR LO KAR-CHUN, AND LEADERS OF THE LANTAU RURAL COMMUNITY.

THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL WALK INTO THE VILLAGE, CROSSING THE CREEK IN A SAMPAN FERRY.

THEY WILL THEN VISIT THE KWAN TAI TEMPLE AND CALL ON THE RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE BEFORE LEAVING FOR MUI WO WHERE THEY WILL BOARD THE LAUNCH +LADY MAUR INE* FOR CHEUNG CHAU.

PRINCESS AND MR OGILVY WILL DISEMBARK AT CHEUNG CHAU PIER WHERE THE DISTRICT OFFICER ISLANDS WILL PRESENT LEADERS OF THE RURAL COMMUNITIES OF LAMMA ISLAND AND CHEUNG CHAU.

THEY WILL THEN GO TO A RESTAURANT FOR LUNCH WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.

AFTER LUNCH, THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL VISIT THE PAK TAI TEMPLE BEFORE BOARDING A HOVER FERRY TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ISLAND.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND MR OGILVY WILL LEAVE TOMORROW EVENING AT THE END OF THEIR NINE-DAY VISIT.

THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED TO THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE. ALSO PRESENT TO SAY FAREWELL TO THEM AT THE AIRPORT WILL BE THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS- THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER AND LADY CATER- THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR GENERAL SIR ROY REDGRAVE AND LADY REDGRAVE-THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE HON SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN AND LADY KAN- THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON OSWALD CHEUNG AND MRS CHEUNG-AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR ROY HENRY.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

PRESS FACILITIES

TAI Oi DUE TO TRANSPORTATION DIFFICULTIES IN ARRANGING A PRESS FACILITY AT TAI 0 TO COVER THE 25-MINUTE VISIT OF THE PRINCESS THERE, GIS WILL BE ISSUING PHOTOGRAPHS AND FILMS OF THE VISIT.

CHEUNG CHAUt A PRESS LAUNCH FOR ACCREDITED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE QUEEN’S PIER AT 11 AM SHARP TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

/DEPARTURE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 198O

- 5 -

DEPARTURE AT KAI TAK« PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY WILL LEAVE BY FLIGHT BA018 (ETD 2115 HOURS). PRESS TRANSPORT FOR ACCREDITED MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE THE CGO CAR PARK AT 8.15 PM SHARP TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY). THOSE WISHING 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 DEPARTURE TIME OF HRH’S FLIGHT. THEY WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE POSITION BY GIS OFFICERS. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE ALSO REMINDED TO BRING THEIR PRESS BADGES FOR THE ROYAL VISIT AS WELL AS THEIR IDENTITY CARDS OR PASSPORTS.

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

RENT CONTROL BILL FOR SECOND AND THIRD READINGS IN LEGCO TOMORROW * » K *

THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) AMENDMENT BILL 1980 WHICH SEEKS TO EXTEND RENT CONTROL TO ALL DOMESTIC PREMISES WILL BE TABLED FOR SECOND AND THIRD READINGS AT TOMORROW’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL TOMORROW, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON ALAN SCOTT AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES WILL SPEAK.

A NUMBER OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE COMMENTING ON THE BILL.

AT TOMORROW’S SITTING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION TO FIX THE RATE PERCENTAGES FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 1980/81. THE RATE PERCENTAGE FOR URBAN AREAS WILL REMAIN THE SAME, THAT IS SEVEN AND HALF PER CENT FOR GENERAL RATES AND FOUR PER CENT FOR URBAN COUNCIL RATES.

THE RATE PERCENTAGES FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES IN 1980/81 WILL BE FIXED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PLANS ANNOUNCED BEFORE.

DURING QUESTION TIME, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL RAISE A TOTAL OF SIX QUESTIONS ON VARIOUS MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST.

THE HON LYDIA DUNN WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE RESETTLED OVERSEAS SINCE THE INFLUX BEGAN AND AT WHAT RATE THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESETTLED IN 1980.

DR THE HON HENRY HU WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT WHETHER IT WILL SPEED UP THE PROVISION OF HOUSING ESTATES ON EXISTING SUITABLE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS TO EASE THE HOUSING SITUATION.

OTHER QUESTIONS RELATE TO THE NUMBER OF STREET-SLEEPERS-KDICAL OFFICERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE- NUMBER OF PSYCHIATRIC CASES AND TRAINING FACILITIES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS.

TWO BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY ARE THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980.

------0 ------ /6..................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1980

- 6

UC ELECTORAL REGISTRATION CYCLE BEGINS

******

THE BIENNIAL URBAN COUNCIL ELECTORAL REGISTRATION CYCLE WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 15).

PEOPLE WHOSE NAMES ARE IN THE CURRENT FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS PUBLISHED IN JANUARY 1979 NEED NOT APPLY AGAIN.

NEW VOTERS WHO WISH TO ADD THEIR NAMES TO THE ELECTORAL ROLL MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS FROM ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES-DI STR ICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES- BRANCH OFFICES OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES- BIRTH, DEATH AND MARRIAGE REGISTRIES AND POST OFFICE ENQUIRY COUNTERS.

QUALIFIED ELECTORS MAY REGISTER BY POST UP TO JUNE 15 THIS YEAR.

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTRATION AS AN URBAN COUNCIL ELECTOR, A PERSON MUST BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER, HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND QUALIFY UNDER ONE OF THE 23 CATEGORIES IN THE FRANCHISE.

THE 23 CATEGORIES IN THE EXISTING FRANCHISE ENCOMPASS A WIDE RANGE OF QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONS. THEY INCLUDE SCHOOL AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS, UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND GRADUATES, TAXPAYERS, RATEPAYERS, CIVIL SERVANTS, TEACHERS, DOCTORS, NURSES AND MIDWIVES, MEMBERS OF VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY SERVICES.

DURING THE FORTHCOMING REGISTRATION CYCLE, THE POTENTIAL ELECTORS WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY OF SELECTING FROM AMONG THE 13 DESIGNATED POLLING STATIONS ONE STATION OF THEIR OWN CHOICE.

FOR REGISTERED ELECTORS, THE POLL CARD WHICH EACH ELECTOR RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY 1979 INDICATED THE POLLING STATION AT WHICH HE IS ENTITLED TO CAST HIS VOTE.

MR KUO KET-CHEN, REGISTRATION OFFICER FOR THE 1980 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION REGISTRATION, SAID TODAY, +BECAUSE SOME OF THE POLLING STATIONS HAVE CHANGED ADDRESSES, SOME REGISTERED ELECTORS MAY HAVE TO VOTE AT A NEW STAT ION.♦

THE REGISTRATION OFFICER WILL NOTIFY BY POST THE AFFECTED ELECTORS INDIVIDUALLY OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING THEIR POLLING STATIONS.

REGISTERED ELECTORS WHO WISH TO CHANGE POLLING STATIONS SHOULD LODGE A NOTICE OF CHANGE OF POLLING STATION WITH THE REGISTRATION OFFICE NOT LATER THAN JUNE 15 THIS YEAR. THE NOTICE SHOULD BE GIVEN ON FORM 7, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ELECTORAL AND JURY SECTION, REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE, ON 7TH FLOOR, KA CHEONG BUILDING, 4 SUNNING ROAD, HONG KONG.

ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGISTRATION MATTERS OR APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF POLLING STATIONS CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE AT 5-769567 OR 5-765912.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1980

teacher training courses to be extended to three years

* * * * » *

THE TWO-YEAR FULL TIME COURSES ON TEACHER EDUCATION OFFERED BY THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION WILL BE EXTENDED TO THREE YEARS FOR STUDENTS WITH CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS ENTERING THE COURSE FROM SEPTEMBER 1980.

HOWEVER, STUDENTS WITH GRADE E IN AT LEAST TWO SUBJECTS AT THE ADVANCED LEVEL, WHICH ARE RELEVANT TO THE MAIN SCHOOL CURRICULUM, WILL TAKE A SPECIALLY STRUCTURED TWO-YEAR COURSE AT NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THEIR EXTRA PERIOD OF STUDY AT SCHOOL.

THE EXTENSION OF THE TWO-YEAR COURSE TO THREE YEARS AND THE SEPARATELY STRUCTURED TWO-YEAR COURSE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE 1978 WHITE PAPER WHICH CALLED FOR AN IMPROVEMENT OF THE QJALITY OF NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS AND A HIGHER EDUCATIONAL STANDARD JMONG APPLICANTS.

*AMONG THE NEW INNOVATIVE FEATURES OF THE FULL-TIME COURSES ARE AN INCREASED EMPHASIS TO BE GIVEN TO LANGUAGE SKILLS IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH AND AN EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES OF CREATIVE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES,* AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

GRANTHAM, NORTHCOTE AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGES OF EDUCATION WILL OFFER A THREE-YEAR ENGLISH COURSE TO APPLICANTS WITH MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION LEVEL.

THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE, IN ADDITION, WILL RUN A THREE-YEAR CHINESE COURSE WITH THE SAME MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS.

♦THE AIM OF THESE BASIC COURSES IS TO TRAIN STUDENTS TO BECOME QUALIFIED TEACHERS TO TEACH GENERAL SUBJECTS AT THE PRIMARY SCHOOL LEVEL AND TO TEACH THREE ELECTED SUBJECTS UP TO FORM I I I LEVEL IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ON THE THREE-YEAR COURSE, EACH STUDENT WILL ELECT TWO SUBJECTS AS MAJOR ELECTIVES FOR STUDY OVER THREE YEARS AND ONE SUBJECT AS A MINOR ELECTIVE FOR STUDY OVER TWO YEARS.

ON THE TWO-YEAR COURSE, EACH STUDENT WILL ELECT TWO SUBJECTS AS MAJOR ELECTIVES AND ONE SUBJECT AS A MINOR ELECTIVE.

THE RANGE OF ELECTIVE SUBJECTS TO BE OFFERED INCLUDES ART/DESIGN CHINESE, CHINESE HISTORY, ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, ENGLISH, GEOGRAPHY, HEALTH SCIENCE, HISTORY, HOME ECONOMICS, MATHEMATICS, MUSIC, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES.

BASIC AREAS OF COMPULSORY STUDY FOR ALL STUDENTS IN BOTH COURSES WILL BE EDUCATION (THEORY AND PRACTICE), EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, PRIMARY STUDIES, AND LANGUAGE SKILLS (CHINESE AND ENGLISH).

/INTEREST-FREE......

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1980

- 8 -

INTEREST-FREE LOANS AND MAINTENANCE GRANTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE TO NEEDY STUDENTS IN THE 1980/81 ACADEMIC YEAR. THE MAXIMUM LOAN IS $2 400 AND THE MAXIMUM GRANT $2 000 PER ANNUM, the spokesman said.

FULL DETAILS OF BOTH COURSES WILL BE RELEASED TO SCHOOLS. APPLICATIONS ARE NORMALLY INVITED IN JUNE WITH THE CLOSING DATE SOME TIME IN AUGUST.

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HOLIDAY RUSH AT KAI TAK

*****

A HOLIDAY RUSH IS EXPECTED AT KAI TAK AIRPORT DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FROM SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 16) TO NEXT TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 19).

DURING THESE FOUR DAYS, OVER 20 000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO PASS THROUGH KAI TAK DAILY. LAST YEAR A DAILY AVERAGE OF 17 500 WAS RECORDED DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.

+IT IS HIGHLY ADVISABLE FOR PEOPLE TAKING THEIR HOLIDAYS ABROAD TO CHECK IN EARLY AND PROCEED TO IMMIGRATION CONTROL ON THEIR ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT SAID TODAY.

CONGESTION AND DELAY ARE UNAVOIDABLE AT SUCH TIME WITH THOUSANDS OF HOLIDAY-MAKERS USING THE AIRPORT ON TOP OF THE NORMAL DAILY TRAFFIC. +HOWEVER THE AIRPORT CAN BE LESS CONGESTED AND THE PASSENGER PROCESSING CAN FLOW MORE SPEEDILY WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

FREQUENT BROADCASTS WILL BE MADE AT THE AIRPORT TO REMIND PASSENGERS TO CHECK IN EARLY AND ADDITIONAL STAFF WILL BE POSTED TO MAINTAIN THE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY.

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1980

NOTE TO EDITORSi

FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS ******

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR T.G. GARNER WILL ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE FIRST EVER ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS TO BE HELD IN HONG KONG LATER THIS MONTH AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 14).

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 11.30 AM.

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

o - -

RECORD NUMBER OF CALLS FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE

*****

THE AMBULANCE COMMAND OF THE FIRE SERVICES YESTERDAY (MONDAY) EXPERIENCED ITS BUSIEST DAY ON RECORD - ANSWERING AN AVERAGE CF ONE CALL EVERY 1.9 MINUTES.

IN THE 24-HOUR PERIOD ENDED AT MIDNIGHT LAST NIGHT THE COMMAND ANSWERED A TOTAL OF 752 CALLS FOR VARIOUS SERVICES.

OF THESE CALLS, 599 WERE EMERGENCY AND 153 NON-EMERGENCY.

THE PREVIOUS RECORD SET IN JULY 1979 WAS 702 CALLS - AN AVERAGE OF ONE IN EVERY TWO MINUTES.

COMMENTING ON THE RECORD NUMBER OF CALLS DEALT WITH ON A SINGLE DAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES SAIDt +THE DEMAND FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES IS ON THE INCREASE EVERY YEAR.

♦IN 1979, THE AMBULANCE COMMAND ANSWERED A TOTAL OF 199 152 CALLS AND ITS AMBULANCES CARRIED 264 614 PATIENTS,* HE SAID.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1980

10 -

EXTENSIONS TO RESERVOIRS ON TSING Yl

*****

WORK WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSIONS TO THE EXISTING TSING Yl EAST FRESH AND SALT WATER RESERVOIRS ON TSING Yl ISLAND.

THE CONTRACT FOR THE WORK WAS SIGNED THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING BETWEEN THE CHIEF ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION), MR LEE GUN-CHEUNG OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF HUNG MAU CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LTD.

UNDER THE CONTRACT, THE EXISTING RESERVOIRS WILL BE EXTENDED TO PROVIDE ANOTHER 12 200 CUBIC METRES OF STORAGE CAPACITY FOR FRESH WATER AND 1 450 CUBIC METRES FOR SALT WATER.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE NEW EXTENSIONS, COSTING MORE THAN $6 MILLION, AIMED TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR WATER FROM DEVELOPMENTS ON TSING Yl ISLAND.

THE PROJECT WILL TAKE 17 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

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

LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR GOVERNMENT CLINICS *****

EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 18) AND TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 19) FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

THEY ARE THE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC IN WAN CHAI- THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB CLINICS IN SHAU KEI WAN, KWUN TONG, AND YAU MA TEI- THE ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE IN SAN PO KONG- THE LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC IN TSUEN WAN- THE YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND THE SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC.

OTHER GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FROM SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 16) TO TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 19).

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN - SUPPLEMENT

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.HONG KONG TEL 5-233J91

Tuesday, February 12, 1980

Princess Alexandra Attends MTRC Lunch

, The following is the full text of speech by Her Royal Highness

Princess Alexandra at the lunch of the Mass Transit Railway Corporation held in the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, February 12, 1980.

Hong Kong is always a stimulating place to visit- and this is a very special occasion. Of all the massive engineering projects that have gone into the building of this great city, the new railway is the biggest and boldest and most complex,.and the one that has attracted most international interest. This morning’s ceremony at which-it was officially opened marked a milestone in your history, and I was delighted to share with you all that moment of pride.

The incredible speed with which this mammoth enterprise has been completed is indeed a tribute to you, Mr Thompson, to the Board, staff and consultants of the Corporation, and to all the Contractors and their hard-working and intrepid work force. But inspite of your efforts I warn you that what people will say is simply ”It could only have happened in Hong Kong”.

In a project of this size it was inevitable that many suffered from dust, noise and disruption and that some even had to move their homes and shops. They suffered with great forbearance. I pray that they will now reap their reward. Hong Kong can most certainly be proud of its railway, and I am sure it will bring great advantages to you al 1 -

/It will....

It will soon be the Year of the Monkey - the monkey whose agility, quick wits and ingenuity enables him to overcome all obstacles. The people of Hong Kong have this same ability to find ways of overcoming what at first appear to be insuperable difficulties, coupled with steadfastness and perseverance. It is a striking tribute to Hong Kong that these qualities of dependability encouraged many of the largest companies from all over the world to participate in creating the Mass Transit Railway.

. I« , — ——.• - ■■ I —... — — III I ■! I! I ■ ' - " 11 " 1 '

In Hong Kong people of many races meet and work and prosper together in harmony with the People’s Republic of China. It is appropriate ..that.-this latest and biggest project should be the product of materials and skills ..from China as well as from all over the world. Naturally I am delighted that British firms have played a major role. In working for Hong Kong, they work too for the good understanding between China, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong which we value so much-

We do both thank you-, i r Chairman, for inviting us to come here today, and for your very generous hospitality. Our good wishes go with y 'U .all, and may the Mass Transit Railway serve the community faithfully, safely and well in the years ahead.

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• r f:"

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

CONTEXTS PAGE NO.

RENT CONTROL BILL BECOMES LAW............................... 1

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS TAI 0 AND CHEUNG CHAU..........,...8

BRITISH COUNCIL GETS ROYAL VISITOR .......................... -j-j

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ENDS VISIT ............................... 12

MEASURES TO INCREASE LAND SUPPLY AND HOUSING ................ 13

RESETTLEMENT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ......................... 15

PHASING IN OF GENERAL RATE IN NT ............................ -16

EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO ...... 17

PERMANENT USES FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA SITES ............. 18

S'YD HELPS STREET SLEEPERS .................................. 19

EMPHASIS ON CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN CIVIL SERVICE ............. 20

/GOVERNMENT .....

GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES MEDICAL OFFICERS TO OBTAIN QUALIFICATIONS CN MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION .................... 21

EXPANSION OF PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES ......................... 21

BILL TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL OVER BILL POSTING AMENDED......... 22

NEV TELEPHONE SERVICES TC BUSINESS SUBSCRIBERS .............. 23

BILLS PASSED................................................. 23

MORE LAND TO BE PRODUCED IN SHA TIN......,................... 24

CONTRACT FOR RECLAMATION IN TSUEN IAN ....................... 25

HOLIDAY ARRANG2MBNTS FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT .................. 26

DUTY FREE BRANDY ............................................ 26

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

- 1 -

RENT CONTROL BILL BECOMES LAW

*****

THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOL IDATION)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WHICH SEEKS TO EXTEND RENT CONTROL TO ALL DOMESTIC PREMISES WAS PASSED INTO LAW WITH SOME AMENDMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE AMENDED LEGISLATION WILL TAKE EFFECT RETROSPECTIVELY FROM DECEMBER 18, 1979, AND THE CONTROLS WILL REMAIN IN FORCE FOR TWO YEARS UNTIL DECEMBER 18, 1981.

ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS WAS PROPOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING THE HON ALAN SCOTT TO PROVIDE THAT A LANDLORD SEEKING A POSSESSION ORDER WILL HAVE TO SHOW THAT HE HAS A REASONABLE CASE FOR REQUIRING THE PREMISES FOR HIMSELF OR HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY. MOVING THE AMENDMENT AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL, MR SCOTT SAID *ONCE A LANDLORD HAS SHOWN A REASONABLE REQUIREMENT, IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE TENANT TO REPUDIATE THE LANDLORD’S CLAIM, BY SHOWING THAT A POSSESSION ORDER WOULD MANIFESTLY BE NOT JUST AND EQUITABLE IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES.*

THE NEW PROVISION WOULD APPLY AS BETWEEN LANDLORDS AND TENANTS ONLY- THE EXISTING PROVISIONS INCLUDING THE REQUIREMENT TO SHOW +GREATER HARDSHIP*, WOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY AS BETWEEN PRINCIPAL TENANTS AND SUB-TENANTS.

MR SCOTT BELIEVED THAT THE AMENDMENT WENT AS FAR AS WAS REASONABLE AT THIS STAGE TO MEET THE GENUINE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY LANDLORDS WANTING POSSESSION, AND THAT THE PRACTICAL EFFECTS OF THIS CHANGE SHOULD BE STUDIED BEFORE CONSIDERING FURTHER CHANGE.

HE ALSO DISCLOSED THAT A COMMITTEE OF REVIEW OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT LEGISLATION WOULD SHORTLY BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. ITS MEMBERSHIP WILL INCLUDE BOTH UNOFFICIALS AND OFFICIALS.

THE COMMITTEE WILL INVITE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS AS WELL AS ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP FOR DISCUSSIONS WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE SUBMITTED WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS.

IN ADDITION IT WILL BE ABLE TO REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY FOR INFORMATION ON OTHER MATTERS - SUCH AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION.

MR SCOTT SAID THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE SHOULD PROCEED EXPEDITIOUSLY BECAUSE IN GOOD TIME BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF THE AMENDED LEGISLATION IN TWO YEARS, +WE MUST REACH THE POINT OF PUTTING A FRESH BILL BEFORE THIS COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION AND DEBATE, BECAUSE A REASONABLE PERIOD OF NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN TO ALL CONCERNED BEFORE BRINGING INTO EFFECT THE PROVISIONS OF NEW LEGISLATION.

♦BEARING IN MIND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROBLEMS AND THE NEED FOR FULL PUBLIC CONSULTATION, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE PUBLICATION OF THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENABLE PUBLIC COMMENT AND DISCUSSION,* HE HOPED THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE THE NEW BILL BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR.

/ON RESOUBCES .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

2 -

ON RESOURCES TO POLICE THE NEW MEASURES IN THE AMENDED LEGISLATION, MR SCOTT SAIDi ^PROPOSALS ARE IN HAND TO EXPAND THE RENT CONTROL AND RELATED SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, INCLUDING AN ENFORCEMENT UNIT TO BACK UP THE CRIMINAL SANCTIONS PROPOSED IN THIS BILL.

♦THE COMMISSIONER WILL ESTABLISH A REGISTER OF CASES WHERE A LANDLORD HAS OBTAINED A COURT ORDER FOR POSSESSION UNDER SECTION 53(2) (B) AND (C), AND WILL FOLLOW UP THESE CASES BY REGULAR INSPECTIONS AT THE PREMISES AND BY CHECKS FROM OTHER SOURCES.

♦THE COMMISSIONER WILL ALSO ENDEAVOUR TO INFORM ANY FORMER TENANT WHO MAY BE ABLE TO INITIATE A CIVIL ACTION FOR DAMAGES WHERE A LANDLORD IS FOUND TO BE IN CONTRAVENTION OF A COURT ORDER,♦ HE SAID.

MR SCOTT ALSO REPLIED TO OTHER POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE RENT BILL DEBATE.

ADEQUACY OF MAXIMUM 21 PER CENT INCREASE OVER TWO YEARS 1

HE REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS AN OPEN MIND ON THIS ISSUE, BUT WOULD PREFER NOT TO ALTER THE MAXIMUM BEFORE THE COMMITTEE OF REVIEW HAS HAD THE CHANCE TO CONSIDER THE SEVERAL EXISTING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CONTROLLED RENTS, AND CAN RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE FORMULAE OF INCREASE.

GOVERNMENT, CONSULATE AND COMPANY LEASES*

HE EXPLAINED THE NEED AT THIS TIME TO INCLUDE SUCH TENANCIES AS AN INTERIM MEASURE IN THE DEBATE ON JANUARY 16 AND HE DID NOT WISH TO REPEAT IT WHILE THE COMMITTEE OF REVIEW GETS ON WITH ITS TASK. THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE PROBLEMS OF SETTING CRITERIA TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN OVERSEAS AND LOCAL COMPANIES, LARGE AND SMALL COMPANIES, COMPANIES OF CONVENIENCE AND BONA FIDE COMPANIES, OR EVEN COMPANIES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES.

PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS*

HE SAID THE EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS FROM RENT CONTROL WENT BACK TO 1963 WHEN IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WERE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED IN REGARD TO SECURITY OF TENURE AND RENT INCREASES.

SUB-TENANTS*

THEY ARE PROTECTED BY EXISTING LAW AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SO PROTECTED.

MOTELS:

THF ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT ANY USE OF PREMISES AS A BOARDING OR LODGING HOUSE IS A USE OTHER THAN AS A +DWELLING+ AND IS THEREFORE NOT SUBJECT TO RENT CONTROLS.

/ASSURANCE 1

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1980

ASSURANCE 1

MR SCOTT REITERATED THAT A DECISION TO GO BACK ON GOVERNMENT’S ASSURANCES ABOUT NON-IMPOSITION OF RENT CONTROL CAN ONLY BE TAKEN, AND WAS ONLY TAKEN, AFTER THE WEIGHTIEST CONSIDERATION CF THE WIDER PUBLIC INTEREST AND THE GOVERNMENT STOOD READY TO BE JJDGED BY THE PUBLIC AT LARGE IN THIS DECISION. HE BELIEVED THAT THE PUBLIC HAS IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS ENDORSED IT.

IN SUMMING UP HE SAID A PRINCIPAL OBJECT OF THIS LEGISLATION WAS TO ASSIST IN BRINGING A MEASURE OF STABILITY TO THE DOMESTIC PROPERTY MARKET. IT HAS UNDOUBTEDLY HAD THAT EFFECT ALREADY, AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO KEEP CLOSELY UNDER REVIEW WHETHER FURTHER MEASURES TOWARDS THAT END ARE NECESSARY.

FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THAT ANY PERSON OR GROUP WISHING TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD ADDRESS THEM TO THE SECRETARY, COMMITTEE OF REVIEW, LANDLORD AND TENANT LEGISLATION, C/O GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, PREFERABLY BY MARCH 15, 1980.

UNOFFICIALS SUPPORT RENT CONTROL

TWO MORE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, DR THE HON RAYSON HUANG AND THE HON F.K. HU COMMENTED ON THE BILL DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE.

DR HUANG SAID UNDER THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, RENT CONTROL MEASURES WERE NOT ONLY DESIRABLE BUT QUITE NECESSARY.

♦IT WILL REDUCE THE HARDSHIP OF MANY PEOPLE AND GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A BREATHING SPACE TO WORK OUT LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS. IF THE DISEASE HAS ALREADY BEEN ALLOWED TO DEVELOP, SURELY IT IS ONLY SENSIBLE TO ALLEVIATE THE SYMPTOM IMMEDIATELY WHILE DEALING WITH THE DISEASE ITSELF, AT A TIME WHEN THE SYMPTOM IS ALREADY CAUSING UNBEARABLE PAIN,* HE SAID.

DR HUANG CONCEDED THAT RENT CONTROL CAN +ONLY BE A TEMPORARY MEASURE TO COMBAT THE PROBLEMS AT HANDi FOR THE LONG TERM THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO AN INCREASED PRODUCTION CF HOUSING, AND TO THIS THE GOVERNMENT MUST WITHOUT DELAY ADDRESS ITSELF.*

HE SAIDi +IN THE PAST THREE YEARS AND IN PARTICULAR DURING THE PAST YEAR, RENT HAS BEEN GOING UP SO FAST THAT IN SOME CASES INCREASES REACH SEVERAL HUNDRED PER CENT.

+THIS SITUATION IS ECONOMICALLY UNJUSTIFIABLE AND SOCIALLY UNDESIRABLE, AND IF ALLOWED TO CONTINUE UNABATED, WOULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INSTABILITY IN OUR SOCIETY.

+IT IS ECONOMICALLY UNJUSTIFIABLE BECAUSE THIS RAPID RISE IN RENT HAS HAD ONLY A LIMITED EFFECT ON STIMULATING THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING, IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT LAND IS SCARCE AND IS MONOPOLISED BY THE GOVERNMENT.*

/THE RAPID .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1980

THE RAPID INCREASE IN RENT HAS ALSO RESULTED IN A TRANSFER OF INCOME FROM TENANTS TO LANDLORDS - A DIRECTION OF INCOME REDISTRIBUTION THAT IS SOCIALLY UNDESIRABLE FROM THE EQUITY POINT OF VIEW, HE SAID.

ALTHOUGH HE AGREED THAT RENT CONTROL SHOULD ONLY BE A TEMPORARY MEASURE, HE WONDERED WHETHER HONG KONG WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO TAKE OFF ALL CONTROL IN TWO YEARS’ TIME.

HE SAID INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING WAS A SLOW PROCESS AND NO ONE WOULD IMAGINE THAT IN TWO YEARS’ TIME THE IMBALANCE IN SUPPLY AND DEMAND WOULD BE COMPLETELY ERADICATED.

♦NEVERTHELESS, IF GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO IMPROVE THE SUPPLY SITUATION SHORTAGE SHOULD BE EASED CONSIDERABLY BY THE END OF TWO YEARS, AND THE MEASURES NOW PROPOSED COULD THEN BE MADE LESS RESTRICTIVE,* HE ADDED.

DR HUANG DID NOT AGREE WITH THOSE WHO ARGUED THAT THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF RENT CONTROL WOULD BRING ABOUT THE SAME DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY AS THE BANKING CRISIS DID IN 1965.

HE SAID WITH THE BANKING ORDINANCE NOW IN FORCE, BANK LOANS AND ADVANCES MADE TO INDIVIDUALS AS AT SEPTEMBER 1979 FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY CONSTITUTED ONLY ABOUT TEN PER CENT OF TOTAL BANK LOANS.

MOREOVER, THE LEVEL OF RENT WAS NOT THE ONLY FACTOR WHICH INDUCED PURCHASE OF PROPERTY, EQUALLY IMPORTANT FACTORS WERE THE CAPITAL GAIN AND THE HEDGE AGAINST INFLATION.

UNDER THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID, IT IS MOST UNLIKELY THAT RENT CONTROL WILL LEAD TO MORTGAGE DEFAULT AND DIFFICULTIES OVER THE RECOVERY OF LOANS BY FINANCIAL HOUSES, THEREBY PLUNGING HONG KONG INTO ECONOMIC RECESSION.

DR HUANG SUPPORTED CONTROLLING LUXURY FLATS AND PREMISES RENTED BY CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS BECAUSE IF THEY WERE NOT CONTROLLED, THERE WOULD BE A FILTERING EFFECT PRODUCING GREATER PRESSURE ON THE DEMAND FOR MEDIUM AND SMALL FLATS.

♦THE ARGUMENT THAT FOREIGN CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS SHOULD NOT BE PROTECTED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT HONG KONG BELONGERS SEEMS TO ME UNTENABLE.

♦IN THE HIGHLY INTERDEPENDENT WORLD ECONOMY TODAY, IT IS BAD POLICY TO ADOPT A BEGGAR-THY-NEIGHBOUR ATTITUDE.

♦BESIDES, WHY SHOULD FOREIGN CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS SUBSIDISE LANDLORDS IN HONG KONG MANY OF WHOM ARE INCIDENTALLY NOT HONG KONG BELONGERS7+ HE ASKED.

DR HUANG SAID IF CORPORATIONS HAD TO PAY EXCESSIVELY HIGH RENTS, THIS EXPENDITURE MIGHT WELL BE PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMERS RESULTING IN HIGHER PRICES AND HENCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC SUBSIDISING THE LANDLORDS.

/SIMILARLY, .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1980

SIMILARLY, IF THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO PAY EXCESSIVELY HIGH RENT, GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE WOULD BE INCREASED AND THIS COULD ONLY BE MET BY INCREASED TAXATION, THE RESULT OF WHICH WOULD BE THE TAX-PAYERS SUBSIDISING THE LANDLORDS.

DR HUANG ALSO QUERIED THE EQUITY OF THE 21 PER CENT CEILING FOR RENT INCREASE FOR ALL CATEGORIES OF PREMISES.

HE AGREED THAT A 21 PER CENT INCREASE EVERY TWO YEARS SEEMED REASONABLE FOR PREMISES TO BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL AS FROM DECEMBER 18, 1979 BUT SUGGESTED A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE FOR THOSE ALREADY UNDER CONTROL BEFORE THAT DATE SO AS TO NARROW THE GAP BETWEEN THE CONTROLLED LEVEL AND THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.

MR F.K. HU ALSO CALLED FOR A HIGHER CEILING OF RENT INCREASES.

THE 21 PER CENT INCREASE, INTRODUCED IN 1973, COULD HARDLY COVER THE BANK PRIME RATE AND IS BELOW THE CURRENT INFLATION RATE, HE SAID.

♦ALLOWANCE MUST BE MADE FOR THE LANDLORD TO ADJUST RENT FIXED IN 1976 AND EARLIER, 1977 AND 1978, TO 1979 LEVEL BEFORE THE 21 PER CENT INCREASE IS APPLIED.*

BASED ON THE PUBLISHED COST OF LIVING INDEX, MR HU SUGGESTED AN EIGHT PER CENT INCREASE A YEAR FOR RENT FIXED IN 1976 AND EARLIER, 1977 AND 1978, SUBJECT TO THE FINAL CALCULATED FIGURE BEING NOT MORE THAN FAIR MARKET RENT IN 1979.

HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE RENT INCREASE FOR LUXURY FLATS OF RATEABLE VALUE OVER $60 000 IN 1976 ASSESSMENT, OR OVER $30 000 IN THE 1973 ASSESSMENT, AND PREMISES RENTED BY CORPORATIONS AND. GOVERNMENTS SHOULD BE A MINIMUM OF 15 PER CENT A YEAR AT THE 1979 LEVEL, AND THAT A 12 PER CENT A YEAR INCREASE BE ALLOWED FOR RENTS FIXED BEFORE 1979.

ON THE PROVISION OF LAND, MR HU AGAIN CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO PARTICIPATE MORE ACTIVELY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.

HE SAID MORE SITES IN URBAN AREAS SHOULD BE RELEASED FOR TENDER FOR THIS PURPOSE AND EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON SOLVING THE HOUSING PROBLEM RATHER THAN FINANCIAL GAIN OR LOSS ON THE TENDER PREMIUM.

♦INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF LAND MAY SLOW DOWN THE INCREASE IN FLAT SELLING PRICE OR RENT BUT IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY LOWER THE FLAT SELLING PRICE OR RENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LOW AND MEDIUM INCOME GROUPS,+ HE SAID.

IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO COMBINE THIS AND THE LETTER B EXCHANGE SCHEME, HE SUGGESTED.

/AS THERE .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1980

AS THERE COULD BE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN SUCH A COMBINATION HE PROPOSED THAT 25 PER CENT OF LAND PRODUCED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR AUCTION, 25 PER CENT FOR LETTER B EXCHANGE AND THE REMAINING 50 PER CENT FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME. *

nr .nnHrrn0PEnD THAT A COMPREHENSIVE AND LONG-TERM HOUSING POLICY COULD

* IhTM by the G0VEBmENT BEF0RE THE “PIR*

COMMITTEE STAGE

SPEAKING AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL MR SCOTT SUGGESTED THAT THE PROPOSALS MADE BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON T.S. LO TO AMEND THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) BILL BE LEFT TO THE NEW COMMITTEE OF REVIEW TO CONSIDER.

MR LO PROPOSED THAT ’LUXURY’ FLATS AND FLATS RENTED BY CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF CORPORATIONS, FIRMS, PUBLIC BODIES AND GOVERNMENTS BE EXCLUDED FROM THE PROPOSED RENT CONTROL. THE PROPOSALS DID NOT HAVE THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE COUNCIL.

MR SCOTT, IN REPLY TO HIS PROPOSAL THAT FLATS WITH A RATEABLE VALUE OF OVER $100 000 AND AN INTERNAL FLOOR AREA OF OVER 2 300 SQ FT BE EXCLUDED FROM CONTROL, POINTED OUT THAT IS WAS DIFFICULT TO ARRIVE AT A SATISFACTORY DEFINITION OF ’LUXURY PREMISES’.

♦ANY DEFINITION WILL INVOLVE MARGINAL CASES, AND I SUGGEST STRONGLY TO MEMBERS THAT SUCH DEFINITIONS — AND MORE IMPORTANT, WHETHER SUCH CATEGORISATION IS REQUIRED — SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE COMMITTEE OF REVIEW TO EXAMINE IN THE WHOLE CONTEXT OF THE LEGISLATION,* HE SAID.

HE NOTED THAT MR LO’S PROPOSAL WOULD EXCLUDE LESS THAN 500 TENANCIES FROM RENT CONTROL.

AS TO THE OTHER TENANCIES PROPOSED FOR EXCLUSION BY MR LO, MR SCOTT SAID THAT UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THERE WAS SOME STRENGTH IN THE ARGUMENT THAT RENTS WERE A PART OF THE EXPENDITURE OF PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS, AND AS SUCH THEY SHOULD NOT BENEFIT BY RENT CONTROL.

HE SAID HOWEVER THE PRESENT SITUATION WAS ABNORMAL, WHICH WAS THE REASON FOR THE BILL, AS A HOLDING OPERATION.

HE ALSO NOTED WITH INTEREST THE POINTS MADE BY ANOTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, DR RAYSON HUANG TODAY WHO ASKED WHY GOVERNMENTS AND CORPORATIONS, AND TAX PAYERS, SHOULD SUBSIDISE LANDLORDS.

MR SCOTT DETAILED SOME DIFFICULTIES AND INEQUITIES WHICH WOULD ARISE IF MR LO’S PROPOSAL TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN SUBSIDIARIES OF FIRMS AND CORPORATIONS SET UP BEFORE OR AFTER FEBRUARY 15, 1973 IN CONFERRING PROTECTION WAS ACCEPTED

/HE HOPED

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1980

HE HOPED HE HAD ILLUSTRATED THE DESIRABILITY OF PUTTING PROPOSALS SUCH AS THIS TO THE COMMITTEE OF REVIEW +FOR MATURE AND DELIBERATE EXAMINATION*.

AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN

THE HON ALEX WU WITHDREW HIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 5 OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) BILL DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE.

CLAUSE 5 SPECIFIES CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A LANDLORD MAY REGAIN POSSESSION BUT RECOGNISES THAT THIS NATURAL RIGHT MAY HAVE TO BE LIMITED.

MR WU SAID THAT SINCE THE LIMITATIONS CANNOT BE SPECIFIED IN ADVANCE, OUR INTENTIONS MUST BE CLEAR TO THE COURTS WHEN THEY COME TO APPLY THE LAW IN INDIVIDUAL CASES.

♦EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT WE SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO REDUCE THE ROOM FOR DOUBT.

+THIS IS A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ONLY LOOKING AT THIS TEMPORARY HOLDING LEGISLATION BUT WE ARE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE AND TO LONG TERM LEGISLATION WHICH WILL ESTABLISH CLEARLY AND FAIRLY THE RESPECTIVE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF TENANTS AND LANDLORDS,* HE SAID.

MR WU POINTED OUT THAT HIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD IN EFFECT BE TO DELETE THE PROVISO RELATING TO THE MAKING OF A REPOSSESSION ORDER AND TO RELY ON THE SEVERE PENALTIES PRESCRIBED UNDER THE BILL TO DETER ANY LANDLORD WHO MIGHT BE TEMPTED ABUSE THE REPOSSESSION PROVISION.

HE NOTED THAT AFTER HEARINGS FROM THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE LATEST GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT AS PROPOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING GOES SOME WAY TOWARDS MEETING THEIR OBJECTIONS.

IN PARTICULAR, IT DISTINGUISHES BETWEEN THE CASES OF A LANDLORD AND A PRINCIPAL TENANT WHICH THE UNOFFICIALS THINK IS AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION.

+l HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING’S AMENDMENT COMES CLOSE ENOUGH TO MY VIEW, TO PERSUADE ME THAT WE SHOULD NOT NOW OPPOSE IT: OUR ENERGIES WILL BE BETTER DIRECTED TO A LONG-TERM ANSWER RATHER THAN TO FURTHER REFINEMENT OF THIS MAKESHIFT MEASURE.

♦ACCORDINGLY I ASK LEAVE TO WITHDRAW MY AMENDMENT.

+NEVERTHELESS, I HOPE THAT THIS ACCOUNT OF OUR DELIBERATIONS INDICATE THE DEEP CONCERN WHICH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE FELT OVER THIS LEGISLATION AND THE EFFORTS WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THAT IT MEETS OUR PRESENT NEED BUT DOES NOT FRUSTRATE OUR SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION WHICH WILL BE INTRINSICALLY JUST AND EQUITABLE,* MR WU SAID.

---0------

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS TAI 0 AND CHEUNG CHAU * * * *

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED TAI 0, THE OLDEST FISHING VILLAGE ON LANTAU ISLAND, AND THE RURAL TOWNSHIP OF CHEUNG CHAU.

THE PRINCESS WAS DELIGHTED WITH THE VISIT AND DESCRIBED IT AS WONDERFUL.

THE PRINCESS ARRIVED AT TAI 0 IN A WESSEX HELICOPTER PILOTED BY FL. LT. T.E. DUGGAN OF 28 SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE STATIONED AT SEK KONG.

SHE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE 15-MINUTE FLIGHT FROM HMS TAMAR BY HER HUSBAND, THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, AND THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE.

ALSO ON BOARD WAS GROUP CAPTAIN TOM BENNETT, COMMANDER, RAF.

AT TAI 0 PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WAS MET BY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WHO PRESENTED THE DISTRICT OFFICER ISLANDS, MR NICKY LO, TO HER.

MR LO THEN PRESENTED SEVEN LEADERS OF THE LANTAU RURAL COMMUNITY, ONE OF WHOM, MR YUE YUN-HEI, CHAIRMAN OF TA I 0 RURAL COMMITTEE, GAVE AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME. HE SAID TAI 0, ONE OF HONG KONG’S THREE BIG FISHING HARBOURS, HAD RETAINED ITS CHARACTER AS A FISHING VILLAGE.

♦THE LONG HISTORY OF THIS FISHING VILLAGE HAS A NEW AND MEANINGFUL PAGE ADDED WITH THE GRACEFUL PRESENCE OF YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS, WHICH RADIATES WARMTH AND FILLS OUR HEARTS WITH JOY.+ -MR YUE SAID.

ALSO GREETING THE PRINCESS WERE HUNDREDS OF FLAG WAVING AND CHEERING SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM FIVE LOCAL SCHOOLS AS WELL AS A LARGE CROWD OF LOCAL INHABITANTS, MANY OF THEM FISHERFOLK. MANY CALLED ♦hello: hello:+ as the princess passed.

A LION DANCE WAS PERFORMED BY THE TUNG HING SHE BEFORE THE PRINCESS SET OFF TO WALK ALONG WING ON STREET, WHICH WAS LINED WITH WAVING RESIDENTS AND CHILDREN. DOZENS OF YOUNGSTERS SWARMED ALONG BEHIND THE ROYAL PARTY. THE PRINCESS CONTINUALLY WAVED TO THE CHILDREN.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THEN BOARDED THE ROPE FERRY TO CROSS TAI 0 CREEK. THE FERRY, THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, IS OPERATED BY THE LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEE ON A NON-PROFIT MAKING BASIS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CREEK, THE PRINCESS WALKED UP MARKET STREET, ALSO LINED WITH RESIDENTS.

/SHE STOPPED .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1980

SHE STOPPED TO TALK TO SEVERAL PEOPLE. SHE ALSO STOPPED AT A STORE AND BOUGHT A PACKET OF JOSS STICKS FOR $4 FROM MRS CHOW MOON-YEE, THE STORE PROPRI ETRESS.

HER NEXT STOP WAS AT THE FAMOUS KWAN TAI TEMPLE, A POPULAR PLACE OF WORSHIP FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY DURING THE ANNUAL KWAN TAI FESTIVAL WHICH FALLS ON THE 13TH DAY OF THE FIFTH MOON IN THE LUNAR CALENDAR.

STILL THE CHILDREN SWARMED AROUND TO GET A GLIMPSE — OR IN SOME CASES PICTURES — OF THE ROYAL VISITOR.

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THEN HAD TEA WITH RURAL LEADERS IN TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, SITUATED NEXT TO THE TEMPLE, DURING WHICH SHE WAS PRESENTED WITH A CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY SCROLL CARRYING THE WELCOMING ADDRESS BY MR YUE.

THE PRINCESS WISHED THE COMMITTEE A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND SHE AND HER HUSBAND SIGNED THE VISITORS’ BOOK.

AS THE PRINCESS WALKED BACK TO THE ROPE FERRY, A STOREKEEPER RUSHED FORWARD AND PRESENTED HER WITH TWO PARCELS CONTAINING A STATUE OF BUDDHA AND A PAIR OF VASES. MANY ELDERLY RESIDENTS CALLED OUT +BYE-BYE+ TO THE PRINCESS.

THE PRINCESS WENT BY CAR TO MUI WO WHERE A LARGE CROWD WAS PRESENT TO WATCH HER BOARD THE +LADY MAURINE+ FOR CHEUNG CHAU.

ON THE 3O-MINUTE TRIP TO CHEUNG CHAU PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR AND MR AKERS-JONES.

SHE WAS MET AT CHEUNG CHAU PUBLIC PIER BY MR NICKY LO, WHO PRESENTED CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU AND NORTH LAMMA RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICIALS TO HER.

LINING THE PIER TO WELCOME HER WERE CHILDREN FROM NINE LOCAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS. ISLANDERS CROWDED ALONG BOTH SIDES OF THE PRAYA TO GET A CLOSE LOOK AT THE ROYAL VISITOR WHO WAVED AND STOPPED BRIEFLY TO TALK.

AFTER THE PRESENTATIONS, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WALKED TO THE COUNTRY CLUB RESTAURANT TO ATTEND A CHINESE LUNCH HOSTED BY MR AKERS-JONES.

ON THE WAY SHE CALLED AT A RATTANWARE SHOP AND BOUGHT TWO BAMBOO HATS AND TWO SMALL FISH BAIT BASKETS FOR $16 AFTER MR OGILVY TRIED ONE OF THE HATS.

THE PRINCESS ALSO STOPPED BRIEFLY AT THE CHEUNG CHAU FISHERIES JOINT ASSOCIATION SCHOOL AND TALKED TO THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, MR YEUNG TSANG-TAK.

THE PRINCESS ASKED MR YEUNG ABOUT THAT IT WAS A NON-PROFIT-MAKING SCHOOL

HIS SCHOOL AND WAS TOLD WITH 500 STUDENTS.

/PASSING TWO .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1980

PASSING TWO +PAI LAUS+ PUT UP IN HER HONOUR, THE PRINCESS HAD A CHAT WITH A YOUNG BRITISH COUPLE HOLIDAYING ON THE ISLAND.

IN THE RESTAURANT THE PRINCESS SIGNED THE VISITORS’ BOOK AND VIEWED A DISPLAY OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVALS.

SHE WAS THEN JOINED BY PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ISLANDS COMMUNITY AND OFFICIALS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

MR KWONG PING-YAU, CHAIRMAN OF CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE, GAVE A SHORT WELCOMING SPEECH BEFORE PRESENTING A SOUVENIR TO THE PRINCESS.

HE SAID CHEUNG CHAU HAD WITNESSED RAPID DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE LAST ROYAL VISIT BY PRINCESS MARGARET IN 1966.

♦TODAY, THE WHOLE OF THE ISLAND IS AGAIN PRIVILEGED WITH THE PRESENCE OF YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS AND WE REJOICE IN OUR GOOD FORTUNE WHICH AUGURS WELL FOR THE FUTURE.+

AFTER LUNCH, THE PRINCESS WALKED ALONG TUNG WAN BEACH WHERE A SIX-STOREY HOTEL AND A LARGE PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PROJECT COMPRISING 48 BLOCKS OF SPANISH-TYPE HOUSES ARE TAKING SHAPE.

SHE WAS ALSO TOLD BY MR LO THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD EMBARKED ON A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO DEVELOP THE ISLAND INTO A MODERN TOWNSHIP.

INCLUDED IN PLANS ARE A SECOND FERRY PIER, A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE FOR 2 000 PEOPLE, AS WELL AS LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AREAS AND SITES FOR BOATYARDS AND VILLAGE-TYPE HOUSING.

ALONG TUNG WAN-BEACH ROAD, SHE STOPPED TO TALK TO SOME CAMPERS FROM A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TSUEN WAN.

THE PRINCESS THEN WALKED ALONG SOME OF THE ISLAND’S BUSY STREETS AND VISITED THE FAMILY OF A LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF THE ISLAND, MR T.K. LAW. ON HER WAY TO THE 200-YEAR-0LD PAK TAI TEMPLE WHERE SHE WAS GREETED BY SEVERAL HUNDRED SCHOOL CHILDREN.

MR LAW IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE TSANG FOOK PIANO CO AND HIS FAMILY’S RESIDENCE ON CHEUNG CHAU DATED BACK TO THE CHING DYNASTY — MORE THAN 150 YEARS AGO.

NEAR THE TEMPLE SHE SAW A DISPLAY OF COLOURFUL FLOATS, WHICH ARE TRADITIONALLY PUT ON PARADE DURING CHINESE FESTIVALS AND ON OTHER IMPORTANT OCCASIONS.

AT THE TEMPLE ENTRANCE, THE PRINCESS MET THE 11 EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS OF THE RURAL COMMITTEE AND THE TEMPLE KEEPER, MR PONG

MR LO BRIEFED THE PRINCESS ON THE HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE WHICH IS DEDICATED TO THE SPIRIT OF THE NORTH, WHO, ACCORDING TO LEGEND, FREED THE ISLANDERS FROM A PLAGUE MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES AGO.

/SHE ALSO .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1980

SHE ALSO SAW TWO MARTIAL GODS IN FRONT OF THE ALTAR - THE THOUSAND-LI EYE AND THE FAVOURABLE WIND EAR GODS - AN ANCIENT SWORD BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN MADE DURING THE SUNG DYNASTY, AND A GILDED WOODEN SEDAN CHAIR, MADE IN 1894, IN WHICH THE GOD OF SEA-FARERS IS CARRIED DURING FESTIVALS.

CONTAINED IN A GLASS CASE, THE SWORD IS FIVE FEET LONG AND THREE INCHES WIDE. ITS THEFT AND RECOVERY MADE HEADLINES IN THE EARLY 197O’S.

THE PRINCESS, AFTER LEAVING THE TEMPLE, WALKED BACK TO THE PIER WHERE SHE BOARDED A HONG KONG AND YAU MA TEI FERRY COMPANY HOVERCRAFT TO RETURN TO QUEEN’S PIER.

THE PRINCESS AND MR OGILVY WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR LONDON THIS EVENING.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE WELCOME SPEECH BY NR KWONG PING-YAU, CHAIRMAN OF THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE:

+YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS, MR OGILVY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

♦WE ARE MOST HONOURED TO WELCOME YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS AND MR OGILVY IN CHEUNG CHAU. IT GIVES US GREAT PLEASURE TO GREET YOU IN PERSON.

+CHEUNG CHAU. AN ISLAND WITH A SERENE ENVIRONMENT, HAS WITNESSED RAPID DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE LAST ROYAL VISIT SOME 10 YEARS AGO. TODAY, OUR WHOLE TOWN IS AGAIN PRIVILEGED WITH THE PRESENCE OF YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS AND WE REJOICE IN OUR GOOD FORTUNE WHICH AUGURS WELL FOR THE FUTURE. MAY I NOW PRESENT YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS WITH A SOUVENIR AS A TOKEN OF OUR HEARTIEST WELCOME, AND WISH EVERYONE HERE GOOD LUCK AND GOOD HEALTH.+

0 - -

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS BRITISH COUNCIL ******

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON PAID A VISIT TO THE BRITISH COUNCIL IN WAN CHAI IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEIR CHEUNG CHAU TOUR.

THE ROYAL COUPLE WERE GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY MR ANTHONY LEWIS, ACTING REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL AND MR DAVID LEE, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION.

THE PRINCESS SIGNED THE VISITOR’S BOOK DURING HER TOUR OF THE COUNCIL’S STUDY ROOMS AND LIBRARY.

ABOUT 9 000 STUDENTS ATTEND SOME 350 ENGLISH COURSES RANGING FROM ELEMENTARY TO DIPLOMA IN ENGLISH'LITERATURE.

THE COUNCIL EMPLOYS 90 TEACHERS TO RUN THE COURSES. THE PRINCESS SAW ONE CLASS IN SESSION.

/THE PRINCES,

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

THE PRINCESS THEN WENT TO THE LIBRARY AND CHATTED WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE THERE. IN ADDITION TO SOME 10 000 BOOKS. THE LIBRARY HAS 500 SHORT 16 MM FILMS RANGING FROM BALLET TO NUCLEAR PHYSICS. THE FILMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR LOAN TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES FREE OF CHARGE.

SHE WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE COUNCIL’S ACTIVITIES IN PROMOTING CULTURAL AND ARTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE ARTS CENTRE.

- - 0 - -

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ENDS VISIT X * X X

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY LEFT HONG KONG FOR LONDON BY AIR AT 9.36 PM TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) AFTER A NINE-DAY VISIT HERE.

THE ROYAL COUPLE WERE SEEN OFF BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AND LADY MACLEHOSE.

ALSO AT THE AIRPORT TO SAY FAREWELL TO THE PRINCESS WERE MR ANGUS STEVENSON-HAMILTON, THE GOVERNOR’S.AIDE-DE-CAMP SIR DENYS ROBERTS, THE CHIEF JUSTICE- SIR JACK CATER, THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND LADY CATER- MAJOR-GENERAL SIR ROY REDGRAVE, THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES AND LADY REDGRAVE- SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL- MR OSWALD CHEUNG, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND MRS CHEUNG- MR ROY HENRY, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, AND SIR JOHN CURLE, DIRECTOR OF PROTOCOL AND LADY CURLE.

BOTH THE PRINCESS AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY ALSO THANKED THE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES FOR THEIR COVERAGE OF THEIR VISIT TO HONG KONG BEFORE THEY BOARDED THE PLANE.

THE ROYAL COUPLE LEFT HONG KONG BY FLIGHT BA 018.

- - 0 - -

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1?80

MEASURES TO INCREASE LAND SUPPLY AND HOUSING

*****

THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES TODAY OUTLINED VARIOUS MEASURES TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF LAND AND HOUSING.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE RENT CONTROL BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, MR JONES DIVIDED THE MEASURES INTO SHORT-TERM ONES WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO BOOST HOUSING PRODUCTION AND LONG-TERM ONES WHICH ARE DIRECTED TOWARDS INCREASED LAND PRODUCTION.

THE SHORT-TERM MEASURES AREj

(1) MEASURES ARE ALREADY BEING TAKEN TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME TO ENSURE THAT ALL LAND THAT CAN BE SOLD IS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE AND TO REDUCE SLIPPAGES TO THE MINIMUM.

(2) GOVERNMENT PLANS TO MODIFY VARIOUS RESTRICTIVE POLICIES ON DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING THE COVERAGE OF DENSITY ZONING CONTROLS.

(3) THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION, IS MONITORING LAND PRODUCTION THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND WORKING ON TARGETS DESIGNED TO MEET FUTURE NEEDS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES INCLUDING HOUSING.

(4) A SERIES OF MEASURES ARE IN HAND TO INCREASE THE OUTPUT OF HIGH CLASS AND MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING OVER-THE NEXT FEW YEARS WHERE THERE APPEARS TO BE A CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF SUPPLY AT PRESENT. SOME 11 LARGE SITES FOR THIS TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION, AND IF DEVELOPED, THEY COULD PRODUCE UP TO 1 700 NEW FLATS.

(5) A PROGRAMME IS BEING WORKED OUT OF JOINT VENTURE PROJECTS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT AT HIGHER DENSITIES OF CERTAIN GOVERNMENT QUARTERS SITES.

(6) POLICY PROPOSALS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL SHORTLY ON PERMITTING REDEVELOPMENT AT INCREASED DENSITIES OF SITES WHICH WERE GRANTED MAINLY IN THE 50S AND 60S ON CONCESSIONARY TERMS TO VARIOUS FIRMS FOR WORKERS’ QUARTERS. SOME 20 TO 30 LOTS INVOLVED HAVE SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL HOUSING POTENTIAL.

(7) THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING PROPOSALS TO SELL UNFORMED AND UNSERVICED LAND IN BULK FOR DEVELOPMENT BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

/MR JONES .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

MR JONES SAID IN THE 15 MONTHS COVERING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980 AND THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1980/81 THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO ACHIEVE SALES OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTI AL LAND TOTALLING ABOUT 63 HECTARES, OR ABOUT 3-3/4 TIMES MORE THAN IN CALENDAR 1979. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE SITES WOULD PRODUCE HOUSING FOR ABOUT 95 000 PEOPLE OVER THE NEXT TWO TO FIVE YEARS AS THE LAND IS DEVELOPED.

HE SAID MAKING ALLOWANCE FOR THE INEVITABLE SLIPPAGE IN THE SALES PROGRAMME, AND ASSUMED THAT ONLY 48 HECTARES ARE MADE AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING, THIS SHOULD STILL, WHEN DEVELOPED, PROVIDE HOUSING FOR SOME 72 000 PEOPLE. THE LAND SALES PROGRAMMES FOR THE FOLLOWING YEARS SHOULD ON AVERAGE PRODUCE THIS FIGURE, AT LEAST UNTIL 1985.

ON TOP OF THIS IS THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME OF 35 000 FLATS A YEAR OR ACCOMMODATION FOR ABOUT 175 000 PEOPLE PLUS THE SUBSTANTIAL REDEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE LAND IN THE URBAN AREAS.

ALTOGETHER IT SHOULD PRODUCE AN ANNUAL INCREMENT OF NEW HOUSING SUFFICIENT TO ACCOMMODATE OVER 300 000 PEOPLE EVERY YEAR COMPARED WITH THE AVERAGE OF 230 000 PEOPLE HOUSED A YEAR IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

MR JONES SAID IF THE MARKET DEMAND WERE TO SLACKEN. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE READY, TO STEP UP THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME INCLUDING THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME.

ON LONG-TERM MEASURES, MR JONES SAID NEW ITEMS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THE EXTENSION OF SHA TIN INTO AN AREA ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE COVE AND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY INTO A NEW TOWNSHIP. +THIS SHOULD EVENTUALLY EXPAND THE POPULATION OF SHA TIN TO OVER 650 000 AND PROVIDE FOR HOUSING SOME 240 000 PEOPLE IN JUNK BAY,+ HE SAID.

IN ADDITION, AN OUTLINE STUDY HAS BEEN CONDUCTED ON POSSIBILITIES OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES. THIS WILL BE EXPANDED IN THE NEAR FUTURE INTO A FULL SCALE PLANNING AND ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION AND WILL, IN ADDITION, TAKE IN THE NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON NORTH LANTAU DEVELOPMENT IS NOW ALMOST COMPLETE AND THIS WILL FIT IN WITH THE MAJOR CONSULTANCIES ON THE DESIGN OF A FIXED CROSSING AND ON THE POSSIBLE CONSTRUCTION OF A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.

♦THESE STUDIES COULD, IN DUE COURSES, LEAD TO MAJOR NEW INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ALL THROUGH THE NORTH EAST OF LANTAU, WHILE ANOTHER MAJOR POSSIBILITY WOULD LIE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KAI TAK/KOWLOON BAY AREA, IN CONJUNCTION, PERHAPS, WITH CERTAIN RECLAMATIONS,* HE ADDED.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

RESETTLEMENT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ft ft ft ft ft ft

SfCRETARY F°R SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ESTIMATED THAT BETWEEN 3 000 AND 4 000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WOULD LEAVE HONG KONG THIS MONTH AND DURING THE NEXT TWO MONTHS FOR RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS.

REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON LYDIA DUNN AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MR DAVIES SAID IT WAS HOPED TO MAINTAIN THAT RATE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR BUT ANY FIRMER PREDICTION WOULD BE PREMATURE.

♦THIS IS DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE BECAUSE THE MONTHLY FIGURES OF DEPARTURES TO RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES VARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH FACTORS SUCH AS THE QUOTA ACTUALLY ALLOCATED, TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS, SPEED OF PROCESSING AND PROGRESS WITH ACTUAL RESETTLEMENT.

♦FEW RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES MAKE DEFINITE COMMITMENTS MORE THAN THREE MONTHS AHEAD,♦ HE SAID.

MR DAVIES NOTED THAT ON FEBRUARY 8 THIS YEAR THERE WERE 49 630 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES STILL REMAINING IN HONG KONG.

BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1979 AND FEBRUARY 8 THIS YEAR, W DAVIES SAID, 27 765 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WERE RESETTLED OVERSEAS, REPRESENTING 36.3 PER CENT OF THE 76 412 REFUGEES WHO WERE IN HONG KONG ON JANUARY 1, 1979 PLUS THOSE WHO ARRIVED BETWEEN THAT DATE AND FEBRUARY 8, 1980.

♦THIS PERCENTAGE OF 36.3 PER CENT COMPARES WITH A TOTAL OF ABOUT 105 000 BOAT REFUGEES RESETTLED FROM SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES DURING THE YEAR 1979, WHICH REPRESENTS ABOUT 57.6 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BOAT REFUGEES WHO WERE IN THESE COUNTRIES ON JANUARY 1, 1979 PLUS THOSE WHO ARRIVED DURING 1979,+ HE ADDED.

RESETTLEMENT JANUARY 1980 WERE

FIGURES FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES FOR NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR COMPARISON.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

FOLLOWING IS A TABLE SHOWING THE BOAT REFUGEE POPULATION IN THE REGION AND RESETTLEMENT DURING 1979.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1980

A B C

BOAT REFUGEE

POPULATION AT

31.12.78 PLUS RESETTLEMENT IN 1979*

COUNTRY/TERRITORY 1979 ARRIVALS* (AS PERCENTAGE OF B)

1. HONG KONG. 76 000 24 000 (32%)

2. SOUTHEAST ASIA

MALAYSIA 103 000 69 000 (67%)

INDONESIA 51 000 19 000 (37%)

THAILAND** 15 000 9 000 (60%)

PHILIPPINES 9 000 4 000 (44%)

SINGAPORE 4 000 4 000 (100%)

SUB-TOTAL 182 000 105 000 (57.6%)

3. TOTAL ( I.E. 1 AND 2) 258 000 129 000 (50.0%)

* TO THE NEAREST 1 OOO

* * EXCLUDING LAND REFUGEES

----0------

PHASING IN OF GENERAL RATE IN NT

******

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY ADOPTED A MOTION TO GIVE EFFECT TO EXISTING POLICY ON THE PHASING IN OF THE GENERAL RATE IN THE NEWLY RATED AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

MOVING THE MOTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE STRESSED THAT THE SOLE OBJECT OF THE MOTION IS TO MAKE A RESOLUTION UNDER SECTION 18 (1) OF THE RATING ORDINANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING POLICY FOR THE EXTENSION OF RATING TO THE DEVELOPING AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND +NOTHING ELSE SHOULD BE READ INTO IT, GOOD OR BAD+.

UNDER THE EXISTING POLICY, THE GENERAL RATE FOR NEWLY ASSESSED AREAS, FROM AREA F ONWARDS, IS BEING PHASED IN.

/IN THE .....

WEDNESDAY, FHBRUARY 1J, 1980

IN THE FIRST YEAR THE RATE APPLIED IS EQUAL TO 50 PER CENT CF WHATEVER THE GENERAL RATE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES MIGHT BE IN THE SECOND YEAR 60 PER CENT, IN THE THIRD YEAR 70 PER CENT AND SO ON UP TO 100 PER CENT IN THE SIXTH YEAR.

AS THE GENERAL RATE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES IS 11 PER CENT. FOR 1980-81 THE PERCENTAGE TO BE APPLIED TO AREAS F TO M (FOR THEIR FIFTH YEAR OF ASSESSMENT) IS THEREFORE 90 PER CENT OF 11 PER CENT. OR 10 PER CENT, AND FOR AREA N (FOR ITS FOURTH YEAR OF ASSESSMENT^ IJ IS 80 PER CENT OF 11 PER CENT, OR 9 PER CENT, BOTH PERCENTAGES BEING ROUNDED UP TO THE NEAREST HALF POINT.

IN THE NEWLY ASSESSED AREAS P, Q, R AND S (CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU, LANTAU AND MA WAN, AND LAMMA ISLANDS) WHICH ARE IN THEIR FIRST YEAR OF ASSESSMENT, THE PERCENTAGE IS 50 PER CENT OF 11 PER CENT, OR 5.5 PER CENT.

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

EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO

******

A BILL SEEKING TO TRANSFER THE REGULATIONS COVERING THE EXISTING CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS FROM THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON, SAID THE TRANSFER WOULD LEAVE THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE TO CONCENTRATE ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WORKERS.

♦THE INTENTION HAS BEEN TO RATIONALISE THE POSITION SO THAT THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WILL DEAL WITH MEASURES OF A SOCIAL NATURE RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT, LEAVING THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE TO DEAL WITH SAFETY AT WORK,+ HE SAID.

MR HENDERSON STRESSED THAT THE AMENDMENTS WERE IN LINE WITH EXISTING PROVISIONS IN THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.

HOWEVER, ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF EXTENDING THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR’S POWER TO REQUIRE THE POSTING UP OF NOTICES CONTAINING VARIOUS ABSTRACTS OF LABOUR LEGISLATION TO COVER ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE NON-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, WITH THE EXCEPTION CF DOMESTIC PREMISES.

ONE NEW PROPOSAL, MR HENDERSON CONTINUED, SOUGHT TO BRING EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES DEALING SOLELY WITH DOMESTIC SERVANTS UNDER THE AMBIT OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

PART XII OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS ENACTED IN 1973 TO REGULATE PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ESSENTIALLY BY LICENSING, DID NOT APPLY TO THOSE AGENCIES DEALING SOLELY WITH DOMESTIC SERVANTS.

/THE REASON ..

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

THE REASON FOR THE EXCLUSION WAS THAT AT THAT TIME SUCH AGENCIES WERE GENERALLY OPERATING ON A SMALL SCALE, MOST UNDER STAIRCASES OR ON THE ROADSIDE NEAR MARKETS, WITH NO PROPERLY IDENTIFIABLE PREMISES. FURTHERMORE, LOCAL DOMESTIC SERVANTS WERE IN SUCH SHORT SUPPLY THAT THERE WAS LITTLE LIKELIHOOD OF THEIR BEING EXPLOITED BY THE AGENCIES.

HOWEVER, THE SITUATION HAD NOW CHANGED DUE TO AN INFLUX OF DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM OVERSEAS, MAINLY FROM THE PHILIPPINES, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NUMBER OF AGENCIES DEALING SPECIFICALLY WITH FILIPINO DOMESTIC HELPERS AND THE RISE OF MALPRACTICES.

♦ IT IS THEREFORE FELT THAT FEE-CHARGING EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES DEALING SOLELY WITH DOMESTIC SERVANTS SHOULD NO LONGER BE EXCLUDED FROM THE AMBIT OF PART XI I OF THE ORDINANCE,* MR HENDERSON SAID.

THE COMMISSIONER ALSO SAID HE PROPOSED TO ALLOW A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS BEFORE BRINGING THE LEGISLATION INTO OPERATION ON JULY 1, 1980 TO GIVE EMPLOYERS AND OPERATORS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES SUFFICIENT TIME TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY OPERATIONAL ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE CHANGES IN THE LAW.

MR HENDERSON ALSO MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WHICH CONTAINS A NUMBER OF CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS MADE NECESSARY AS A RESULT OF THE TRANSFER OF THE PROVISIONS.

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

PERMANENT USES FOR

TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA SITES * * * * *

EXAMINES THE POSSIBILITY OF RE-ZONING

THE GOVERNMENT REGULARLY____ , ~

EXISTING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA SITES IN ITS CONTINUING —- ----------------------------- PROGRAMME, THE SECRETARY FOR

SEARCH FOR SITES HOUSING, THE HON

FOR THE HOUSING

ALAN SCOTT

SAID

TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HENRY HU, MR SCOTT ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE 47 TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, OCCUPYING ABOUT 300 ACRES OF TEMPORARILY ALLOCATED LAND ZONED FOR VARIOUS EVENTUAL PERMANENT USES.

+THE PERMANENT USES INCLUDE INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, DISTRICT OR LOCAL OPEN SPACE, SWIMMING POOLS, SECONDARY SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND OTHER COMMUNITY USES,* HE EXPLAINED.

SOME WERE ZONED FOR PERMANENT HOUSING, INCLUDING A SITE AT AP LEI CHAU TO BE CLEARED SHORTLY FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, ONE AT TAI PO FOR ANOTHER ESTATE TO BE BUILT IN 1985, AND ONE AT CHAI WAN WHICH WOULD LATER THIS YEAR MAKE WAY FOR A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PROJECT.

HOWEVER, HE REGRETTED THAT IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT ANY MORE SUCH SITES COULD BE REZONED FOR HOUSING ESTATES.

0 - - - -

/19......

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

SWD HELPS STREET SLEEPERS

* * * * *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IN EACH CASE KNOWN OR REFERRED TO IT, ASSIGNS A SOCIAL WORKER FROM THE NEAREST FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE TO VISIT THE STREET SLEEPER, ASSESS HIS NEEDS AND OFFER APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON THOMAS LEE, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI ON THE NUMBER OF STREET SLEEPERS AND THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO HELP THEM.

MR LEE SAID ASSISTANCE OFFERED MIGHT INCLUDE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, TEMPORARY SHELTER OR CHARITABLE FUND GRANTS, OR IN THE LONGER-TERM, COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING OR ADMISSION TO A DAY OR RESIDENTIAL CENTRE.

HE EMPHASISED THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S ABILITY TO HELP STREET SLEEPERS DEPENDED PRIMARILY ON THEIR WILLINGNESS TO BE HELPED, AND SAID THIS WAS BY NO MEANS ALWAYS THE CASE.

THE NUMBER OF STREET SLEEPERS BEING ASSISTED BY THE DEPARTMENT IS 155, HE SAID, BUT OBVIOUSLY THE TOTAL NUMBER IS LARGER THAN THIS BECAUSE MANY ARE UNWILLING TO ACCEPT HELP.

HE SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN AN ACCURATE OVERALL FIGURE LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE CONSIDERABLE SEASONAL FLUCTUATION IN NUMBERS, BUT BASED ON ESTIMATES FROM RECENT SURVEYS BY THE DEPARTMENT IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS, IT WAS BELIEVED THERE MIGHT BE BETWEEN 500 AND 1 000 STREET SLEEPERS OF VARIOUS KINDS.

MR LEE SAID THE DEPARTMENT INTENDED TO CARRY OUT A MORE DETAILED SURVEY COVERING THE WHOLE TERRITORY LATER THIS YEAR.

ON ACCOUNT OF THE RECENT COLD WEATHER, HE SAID SPECIAL MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN TO HELP STREET SLEEPERS.

SINCE JANUARY 31, HE SAID, A TOTAL OF 2 872 BLANKETS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY CENTRES AND OFFICES OR BY DEPARTMENTAL STAFF IN THE STREETS.

IN ADDITION, FIVE COMMUNITY CENTRES OF THE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN KEPT OPEN OVERNIGHT SINCE FEBRUARY 8 AS TEMPORARY SHELTERS FOR THOSE WHO NEED THEM, HE ADDED.

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

/20......

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

EMPHASIS ON CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN CIVIL SERVICE

* * * * *

INCREASING EMPHASIS IS BEING PLACED ON CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROVISION OF MORE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRAINING COURSES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS, THE SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON MARTIN ROWLANDS SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON S.L. CHEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROWLANDS SAIDi +OUR AIM IS TO EXTEND AND IMPROVE OUR TRAINING ARRANGEMENTS BUT IN CLOSE RELATION TO OUR TRAINING NEEDS.+

HE SAID SUPERVISORY MANAGEMENT TRAINING PACKAGES FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WERE ABOUT TO BE INTRODUCED AND THERE WAS ALSO A MOVE TOWARDS JOB-RELATED LANGUAGE COURSES TO HELP IMPROVE WORK EFFICIENCY IN DEPARTMENTS.

+MORE TRAINING CADRES AND TRAINING OFFICER POSTS ARE BEING CREATED EACH YEAR,* HE ADDED.

MR ROWLANDS SAID THERE WERE IN ALL 35 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITH THEIR OWN TRAINING FACILITIES AND THE CIVIL SERVICE, AS A WHOLE, NOW HAD 40 SEPARATE TRAINING CENTRES OR SCHOOLS EMPLOYING ALTOGETHER 870 TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF. THE TOTAL TEACHING ACCOMMODATION NOW STANDS AT 226 CLASSROOMS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ABOUT 32 000 CIVIL SERVANTS WERE NOW RECEIVING SOME FORMAL TRAINING EACH YEAR ON BASIC OR INDUCTION COURSES AND ON TECHNICAL, PROFESSIONAL AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT COURSES.

♦THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH’S OWN TRAINING DIVISION PROVIDES CENTRAL SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS MANAGEMENT AND LANGUAGE TRAINING AND ADVICE ON TRAINING PROGRAMMES.

+IT ALSO ADMINISTERS ALL EXTERNAL TRAINING, WHETHER IN LOCAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS OR OVERSEAS,* MR ROWLANDS SAID.

THIS YEAR ABOUT 3 000 CIVIL SERVANTS ARE RECEIVING SUCH TRAINING LOCALLY AND OVER 300 IN OVERSEAS, EITHER AS PART OF THEIR CAREER DEVELOPMENT OR TO OBTAIN SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS NOT AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG, MR ROWLANDS ADDED.

- - 0 - -

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES MEDICAL OFFICERS TO OBTAIN QUALIFICATIONS ON MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION *****

GOVERNMENT MEDICAL OFFICERS WHO WISH TO PURSUE A CAREER IN PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE ONE OF THE POST-GRADUATE MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS WHICH COVER MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON MARTIN ROWLANDS SAID TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HARRY FANG, MR ROWLANDS SAID SUCH QUALIFICATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE THE DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC HEALTH OR THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH ALREADY ATTRACTED INCREMENTAL CREDIT.

HE ALSO UNDERSTOOD THAT THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WAS CONSIDERING RECOGNITION OF OTHER SIMILAR QUALIFICATIONS.

REGARDING THOSE WHO WISH TO PURSUE THEIR CAREERS IN THE CLINICAL STREAM, MR ROWLANDS SAID THE PRESENT VIEW WAS THAT A FORMAL QUALIFICATION IN MANAGEMENT WAS NOT A PRE-REQUISITE FOR ADVANCEMENT.

HOWEVER, THEY WERE STILL ENCOURAGED RECENTLY TO UNDERTAKE SOME GENERAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING ALTHOUGH THESE COURSES DO NOT ATTRACT INCREMENTAL CREDIT IN LINE WITH THE POLICY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE.

♦I FORESEE GREAT DIFFICULTY IN SINGLING OUT MEDICAL OFFICERS FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT IN THIS REGARD,* HE ADDED.

- 0 - -

EXPANSION OF PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES

*****

THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT PLANS TO EXPAND THE PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES BY PROVIDING OVER 3 000 ADDITIONAL BEDS, INCREASING THE EXISTING DAY CENTRE PLACES AND BUILDING MORE OUT-PATIENTS CLINICS, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON K.L. THONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

DR THONG SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD INTRODUCE A NEW FIELD OF PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE, NAMELY, PSYCHIATRIC COMMUNITY NURSING BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AS PART OF ITS REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS.

IN HIS REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON ANDREW SO, DR THONG SAID THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PSYCHIATRIC CASES REQUIRING TREATMENT, BASED ON ATTENDANCES AT THE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTIONS, WAS ABOUT 30 000.

TO PROVIDE PSYCHIATRIC CARE FOR THESE PATIENTS, DR THONG POINTED OUT THAT 1 336 BEDS WOULD BE OPERATIONAL IN THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

/BE SAID

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

HE SAID THAT, APART FROM THESE, AN ADDITIONAL 1 7OO BEDS FOR PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS ARE BEING PLANNED AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OR EXTENSION PROGRAMMES FOR FIVE NEW GENERAL HOSPITALS AND THREE EXISTING HOSPITALS BY THE END OF THIS DECADE.

THE EXISTING CAPACITY OF 180 PLACES IN DAY CENTRES WILL NEARLY BE TRIPLED WHEN ANOTHER 300 PLACES ARE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS, HE ADDED.

DR THONG SAID PLANS FOR MORE OUT-PATIENTS CLINICS ARE ALSO IN THE PIPELINE. IN ADDITION TO THE SEVEN EXISTING PSYCHIATRIC OUT-PATIENTS CLINICS, ANOTHER SIX SUCH CLINICS WILL ALSO BE BUILT IN THE NEXT SIX TO SEVEN YEARS, HE ADDED.

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

BILL TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL OVER BILL POSTING AMENDED ******

THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL DESIGNED TO CONSOLIDATE AND STRENGTHEN THE CONTROL OVER THE POSTING OF BILLS WAS AMENDED ON THE SUGGESTION OF THE HON. PETER C. WONG.

THE AMENDMENT PROVIDES THAT AN OFFENDER UNDER THE NEW SECTION 104B, WHICH REQUIRES THAT A BILL OR POSTER SHALL BE MAINTAINED IN A CLEAN AND TIDY CONDITION TO THE REASONABLE SATISFACTION OF THE AUTHORITY, WILL BE GIVEN A NOTICE IN WRIT ING ON THE CONDITION OF THE POSTER AND ADEQUATE TIME TO REMOVE IT BEFORE PROSECUTION IS CONTEMPLATED.

SPEAKING AT RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL, MR WONG SAID IT WAS FELT THAT THE DUTY IMPOSED BY THE NEW SECTION ON THE PERSON DISPLAYING THE POSTER WAS UNREASONABLY ONEROUS BECAUSE THE POSTER MIGHT BECOME DIRTY AND UNTIDY DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER OR ACTS OF VANDALISM.

♦UNLESS THE PERSON DISPLAYING THE POSTERS KEEPS A CONTINUOUS WATCH, HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CARRY THE DUTY IMPOSED UPON HIM,+ HE SAID.

THE AMENDMENT WILL HAVE THE DUAL ADVANTAGE OF REMOVING THE ONEROUS DUTY IMPOSED AND REDUCING THE NEED TO INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS, WHICH ARE OFTEN TIME CONSUMING, HE ADDED.

THE BILL WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS INTO LAW TODAY.

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

/23

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

23 -

NEW TELEPHONE SERVICES TO BUSINESS SUBSCRIBERS

*****

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED THE CHARGES FOR A NEW SERVICE TO BE INTRODUCED BY THE TELEPHONE COMPANY SHORTLY TO BUSINESS SUBSCRIBERS.

MOVING THE MOTION IN THE COUNCIL TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON SAID THE CHARGES FOR THE +GOLD STAR SYSTEM+ WHICH WILL HAVE CAPACITIES FOR FOUR EXCHANGE LINES PLUS 10 EXTENSIONS OR 15 EXCHANGE LINES PLUS 40 EXTENSIONS, HAVE BEEN EXAMINED BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL AND ARE CONSIDERED TO BE FAIR AND REASONABLE.

AT PRESENT THE TELEPHONE COMPANY OFFERS FOUR TYPES OF EXCHANGE CONNECTED INTERCOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS WITH CAPACITIES RANGING FROM TWO EXCHANGE LINES PLUS FIVE EXTENSIONS TO 10 EXCHANGE LINES PLUS 30 EXTENSIONS.

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

BILLS PASSED * * *

SIX BILLS, INCLUDING AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S BILL WERE PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THEY ARE THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE WASTE DISPOSAL BILL 1979 AND THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S HONG KONG ANT I-TUBERCULOSIS AND THORACIC DISEASES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980.

- - 0 - -

/24

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

2k -

MORE LAND TO BE PRODUCED- IN SHA TIN

* M M M

SOME 450 MORE HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE PRODUCED AND SERVICED FOR BUILDING DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES IN SHA TIN WITHIN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

SO FAR, SOME 400 HECTARES HAD BEEN FORMED - 71 FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, 17 FOR PRIVATE HOUSING, 46 FOR FOR GOVERNMENT AND OTHER USES AND 15 FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY MR FONG CHUN-NAM, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S PROJECT MANAGER FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN, WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE LIONS CLUB OF VICTORIA TODAY.

OF THE 450 HECTARES TO BE PRODUCED AND SERVICED, HE SAID, NO LESS THAN 99 WOULD BE FOR PRIVATE HOUSING AND 45 FOR INDUSTRIAL USE.

REGARDING THE SUGGESTION THAT PRIVATE COMPANIES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FORM AND SERVICE LAND SO AS TO ACCELERATE THE AVAILABILITY OF BUILDING SITES, MR FONG SAID IT HAD HIS PERSONAL SUPPORT.

♦IN FACT, WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS IN SHA TIN. FOR EXAMPLE IN 1975, A PRIVATE DEVELOPER ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT BY TENDER WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO FORM 58 HECTARES OF LAND AND ON COMPLETION THE DEVELOPER RETAINED 16 HECTARES FOR HIS OWN PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT AND RETURNED 42 HECTARES TO GOVERNMENT FOR PUBLIC USE,* HE SAID.

BASED ON HIS EXPERIENCE, HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS IN THIS APPROACH BECAUSE IN PRACTICE THERE WERE EXTREMELY FEW LOCATIONS WHERE THIS COULD BE POSSIBLE.

♦THE REASONS BEING WHERE, FOR EXAMPLE, DOES THE RAW SEWAGE GO UNLESS ALL THE DEVELOPMENT TIES IN WITH GOVERNMENT SERVICING AND HOW DO THE PEOPLE GET IN AND OUT IF ADJACENT ROADS ARE NOT PROVIDED IN TIME.*

ELABORATING ON OTHER ASPECTS OF LAND DEVELOPMENT, MR FONG SAID THAT BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO CONSIDER, ESPECIALLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WAS THE FACT THAT/ DEVELOPMENT OF LAND PRODUCTION INVOLVED A HUMAN ELEMENT, SOMETIMES TO THE SAME DEGREE AS CONSTRUCTION PROBLEMS.

♦THE DELICATE MATTER REGARDING TRADITIONAL VILLAGE LAND, CLEARANCE OF GRAVES, MATTERS INVOLVING FUNG SHUI, CROP COMPENSATIONS AND SO ON REALLY CAN ONLY BE TACKLED THROUGH GOVERNMENT,* HE SAID.

♦MUCH THOUGH WE WOULD LIKE TO ACCELERATE THE PROCESS OF LAND PRODUCTION THERE ARE DEFINITELY PRACTICAL LIMITATIONS EVEN THOUGH ONE MAY ASSUME HONG KONG HAS UNLIMITED FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES.

/+FOR THE .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1980

♦FOR THE LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE, INCLUDING THE LABOUR FORCE IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY, HONG KONG HAS NOT BEEN DOING TOO BADLY COMPARED WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.

♦BUT WE ARE NOT COMPLACENT AND A WAR HAS BEEN, AND IS BEING, VIGOROUSLY FOUGHT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MORE LAND TO MEET THE DEMAND, A DEMAND WHICH IS CONTINUOUSLY INCREASING,* HE SAID.

_____0------

CONTRACT FOR RECLAMATION IN TSUEN WAN * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL AWARD A MAJOR CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEAWALL AND RECLAMATION AT THE WESTERN PORTION OF TSUEN WAN BAY.

THE CONTRACT, WORTH MORE THAN $144 MILLION, IS THE BIGGEST SINGLE ONE LET BY PWD TO DATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN.

IT WILL BE SIGNED AT THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, TSUEN WAN AT 11.30 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THIS FACILITY ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE OPEN CAR PARK OUTSIDE THE RECEPTION OFFICE, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, NOT LATER THAN 10.30 AM.

AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY, OFFICERS OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.

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

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/26

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1980

- 26 -

HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT ft ft ft ft

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE FOUR PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS IN WAN CHAI, YAU MA TEI. KWUN TONG AND TSUEN WAN WILL BE CLOSED ON THE LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY (FEBRUARY 16) AND THE FOLLOWING DAY.

HOWEVER, VESSELS WITH VALID PERMITS MAY BERTH AT THESE FOUR AREAS DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

THE PORT COMMUNICATION CENTRE OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE OPEN CONTINUOUSLY AND THE MACAU FERRY WHARF UNIT OFFICES WILL OPERATE DAILY FROM 7.30 AM TO 1.30 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.

THE VICTORIA SMALL CRAFT LICENSING OFFICE AND THE ENTRY AND CLEARANCE OFFICE WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM ON FEBRUARY 18 (MONDAY).

ALL OTHER OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

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

DUTY FREE BRANDY ft ft ft ft ft

THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY' (WEDNESDAY) THAT PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM MACAU DURING THE TWO DAYS FOLLOWING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY (FEBRUARY 17 AND 18) MAY BRING INTO HONG KONG FREE OF DUTY ONE BOTTLE OF PORTUGUESE BRANDY CONTAINING NOT MORE THAN 1 LITRE.

THIS CONCESSION IS ALLOWED IN LIEU OF THE NORMAL ONE-QUART BOTTLE OF GRAPE WINE.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NC.

HK TO HOST FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS ............................... 1

KMB SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE SERVICE ....... 2

NEW LEGAL AID SERVICE FOR NT ................................. 5

OBE FOR CHEST PHYSICIAN ...................................... 4

TEXTILE QUOTA REVIEW TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH ..................... 4

PWD AWARDS MAJOR CONTRACT FOR RECLAMATION IN TSUEN WAN.... 5

BAN ON IMPORTING ANIMALS OR THEIR SPECIMENS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES ........................................ 6

TWO MORE NT MAXICAB ROUTES ................................... 6

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHE KUNG FESTIVAL ................... 7

SUPPLEMENTARY FERRY SERVICES DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ...................................... 8

PIPE ./ATER FOR LION RCCK VILLAGERS .......................... 9

ENGLISH SPEECH COURSES FOR TEACHERS........................... 9

HOLIDAY POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS.^................................ 10

METHADONE CENTRES REMAIN OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS ............... 11

24-HOUR SERVICE FOR MAXI CAB ROUTE 5 ........................ 11

SOME NT RECREATIONAL'FACILITIES CLOSED.FOR LUNAR NEW.YEAR .... 12

AWARDS FOR CHAMPION FISHERMEN ............................... 12

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1980

HK TO HOST FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS *****

HONG KONG WILL HOST THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS AT PRISONS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BETWEEN FEBRUARY 25 AND 29 THIS YEAR.

THE FIVE-DAY CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR T.G. GARNER SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS COMMON PROBLEMS AMONG CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGION.

IT IS ALSO AIMED AT PREPARING FOR THE SIXTH UNITED NATIONS CONGRESS ON THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN CARACAS, VENEZUELA LATER THIS YEAR, HE SAID.

SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE CONFERENCE INCLUDE THE TRENDS AND PROBLEMS OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES- ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT AND THEIR EFFECT ON PRISON MANAGEMENT AND THE PROVISION OF EXTERNAL SUPERVISION- MANAGEMENT SERVICES- AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGION ON THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS.

+CLEARLY THE CULTURAL VARIATIONS BETWEEN COUNTRIES WILL MAKE FOR CONTRAST AND DIVERSITY BUT THE PROBLEMS OF ORGANISING AND ADMINISTERING CORRECTIONAL SERVICES HAVE COMMON FEATURES,* MR GARNER SAID. HE FURTHER ADDED, +IT IS HOPED TO DISTIL THESE PROBLEMS FROM THE DISCUSSIONS AND TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES WHICH ARE OF MOST CONCERN TO CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS IN THE REGION.*

DELEGATES FROM 14 COUNTRIES IN THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGION AS WELL AS CANADA FROM NORTH AMERICA WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE. THESE INCLUDE AUSTRALIA, INDONESIA, JAPAN, MACAU, MALAYSIA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, SRI LANKA, THAILAND, TONGA, WESTERN SAMOA AND HONG KONG. IN ADDITION, THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY WILL BE REPRESENTED.

HONG KONG WILL BE REPRESENTED BY A TEAM OF FOUR SENIOR OFFICERS HEADED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR T.G. GARNER. THE OTHER OFFICERS ARE, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR CHAN WA-SHEK- SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT MR T.A. HANDLEY AND CHIEF OFFICER MISS CATHERINE SUN.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER ON FEBRUARY 25.

DURING THE CONFERENCE, DELEGATES WILL VISIT A NUMBER OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS TO SEE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMMES AND FACILITIES ADMINISTERED BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.

/INSTITUTIONS TO

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1980

INSTITUTIONS TO BE VISITED INCLUDE STANLEY PRISON, SHA TSUI DETENTION' OENTde, HF > LING CHAU ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE, LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE, SIU LAM PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE, TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN AS WELL AS THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.

THE CLOSING OF THE CONFERENCE WILL COINCIDE WITH THE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE PRISON SERVICE BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE ON FEBRUARY 29.

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KMB SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE SERVICE *****

THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY TODAY (THURSDAY) SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICE.

THE FIVE-POINT AGREEMENT CALLS FOR 1

* A FLEET DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME INCLUDING THE PURCHASE OF NEW BUSES, THE SCRAPPING OF OLD ONES AND THE ACQUISITION OF SUFFICIENT SPARE PARTS, WITH AN ANNUAL REVIEW EVERY APRIL-

* PROVISION OF ADEQUATE CLEANING, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING FACIL ITIES-

* PROVISION OF ADEQUATE DEPOTS-

* IMPROVEMENT OF WORKING CONDITIONS AND TO INCREASE IN THE WORKFORCE, PARTICULARLY DRIVERS AND MAINTENANCE MEN- AND

* IMPROVEMENT OF MANAGEMENT.

KMB FURTHER AGREED TO MAINTAIN PROPER RECORDS OF DEFECTS ON BUSES.

UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO PRESS AHEAD WITH BUS PRIORITY MEASURES AND TO ASSIST THE COMPANY TO ATTAIN THE NECESSARY LAND FOR DEPOTS.

MR LAWRENCE LOUEY, GENERAL MANAGER SIGNED FOR KMB, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT, SIGNED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

THE CHINA MOTOR BUS CO IS DUE TO SIGN A SIMILAR AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT SHORTLY.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1980

- 3 -

NEW LEGAL AID SERVICE FOR NT

* * * X

THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT IS TO LAUNCH A MOBILE OFFICE IN EARLY APRIL, TO SERVE THE QUICKLY GROWING NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THIS NEW CONCEPT OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE IS INTENDED TO SAVE RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TIME IN TRAVELLING TO AND FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICES IN KOWLOON AND ON HONG KONG ISLAND.

THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID, MR DESMOND O’REILLY MAYNE, SAID THE SERVICE WAS ESSENTIAL TO KEEP PACE WITH THE ENORMOUS POPULATION INCREASES ANTICIPATED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

+THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS SERVICE WILL NOT ONLY EASE THE BURDEN ON OUR EXISTING OFFICES BUT ALSO BENEFIT THE POPULATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TOWNS,+ HE SAID.

THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS PROVIDED THE VEHICLE - A BUS - AND THE CLUB IS AT PRESENT SUPERVISING ITS CONVERSION INTO AN OFFICE, TO FIT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT.

ALTHOUGH PLANS HAVE NOT YET BEEN FINALISED WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE FULLY STAFFED MOBILE OFFICE WILL SPEND ONE DAY A WEEK IN EACH OF THE MAJOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

IT IS PLANNED THAT THE OFFICE WILL CALL REGULARLY AT TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN, YUEN. LONG, TAI PO, FANLING-SHEK WU HUI AND SAI KUNG.

A DETAILED VISIT PROGRAMME WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE FREE LEGAL ADVISORY SERVICE ORGANISED BY THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE NEW TERRITORIES, STARTING WITH PILOT SCHEMES AT TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN. THIS SCHEME WAS ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE POSSIBILITY OF OPENING PERMANENT LEGAL AID OFFICES IN THE MAJOR NEW TOWNS IS BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE FUTURE, BUT THIS WILL DEPEND ON THE SUCCESS OF THE MOBILE OFFICE SCHEME DURING THE EARLY STAGES OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT.

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/A .....

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1980

OBE FOR CHEST PHYSICIAN * * * *

DR CATHLEEN MONAGHAN, A MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF ST COLUMBUS WHO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG IN 1949 TO TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM, AND HAS SERVED THERE CONTINUOUSLY IN THE FIELD OF TUBERCULOSIS FOR 29 YEARS, HAS BEEN AWARDED THE OFFICER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (OBE) BY THE QUEEN.

DR MONAGHAN IS ONE OF THE TWO CHEST PHYSICIANS IN CHARGE AND HER WORK HAS WON HER AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION AS THE SANATORIUM IS WELL KNOWN ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR THE RESULTS ACHIEVED AND FOR RESEARCH INTO THE DISEASE.

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TEXTILE QUOTA REVIEW TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH ******

A REVIEW OF THE TEXTILE EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), MR WILLIAM DORWARD, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, SAID +AS A FIRST STEP, THE DEPARTMENT IS SENDING OUT NOTICES TODAY TO INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS TO LET US HAVE ANY VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS THEY MAY HAVE TO PUT FORWARD ON THE CURRENT OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO WELCOME COMMENTS FROM ANY INTERESTED INDIVIDUAL.+

THESE VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE DEPARTMENT BY THE END OF MARCH. THEY WILL THEN BE EXAMINED BY AN EXPERT REVIEW COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF MEMBERS OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD.

MR DORWARD ENVISAGED THAT THE COMMITTEE WOULD COMPLETE ITS WORK BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.

THE LAST REVIEW OF THE SYSTEM WAS CONDUCTED IN 1976.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1980

PWD AWARDS MAJOR CONTRACT FOR RECLAMATION IN TSUEN WAN ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AWARDED A MAJOR ENGINEERING CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEAWALL AND RECLAMATION AT THE WESTERN PORTION OF TSUEN WAN BAY.

THE CONTRACT, WORTH MORE THAN S144 MILLION, ALSO COVERS SITE FORMATION WORKS ON TSING Yl ISLAND.

IT WAS SIGNED THIS MORNING BY MR EDDIE SHORT, PROJECT MANAGER OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, AND MR C.P. YU, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, KUMAGAI GUMI (HONG KONG) LIMITED.

MR SHORT SAID THAT IT WAS THE BIGGEST SINGLE CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACT LET BY THE PWD TO DATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN.

+UNDER THIS CONTRACT, WHICH FORMS THE FIRST PHASE OF STAGE TWO OF THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS PROJECT, ABOUT 19 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE RECLAIMED,* SAID MR SHORT.

+THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE USED TO ACCOMMODATE A NEW FERRY PIER AND TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE FOR THE NEW TOWN, AN EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREA AND A NEW SALT WATER PUMPING STATION.

+ IN ADDITION, IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE LAND FOR HOUSING, INDUSTRIAL AND RECREATIONAL USES,* HE ADDED.

MR SHORT SAID THAT LAND WOULD ALSO BE RESERVED FOR AN ELEVATED TRUNK ROAD WHICH WOULD TRAVERSE THE AREA PROVIDING A BY-PASS FOR THROUGH TRAFFIC AND RELIEVING CONGESTION WITHIN THE TOWN.

THE SITE FORMATION WORKS AT TSING Yl, HE ADDED, WOULD PROVIDE THE MATERIAL FOR THE RECLAMATION AND WOULD CREATE LAND FOR HOUSING AND EDUCATION PURPOSES.*

WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL START NEXT WEEK AND WILL TAKE ABOUT THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE.

MEANWHILE, WORK ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS PROJECT IS PROCESSING SMOOTHLY.

IT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SIX-LANE ROAD FROM KWAI CHUNG TO TSUEN WAN.

THE TWO-KILOMETRE ROAD WILL RUN FROM A POINT NEAR THE CONTAINER TERMINALS AT KWAI CHUNG ROAD TO TEXACO ROAD NEAR YEUNG UK ROAD.

IT WILL HAVE THREE INTERCHANGES LOCATED AT KWAI CHUNG ROAD, HING FONG ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD.

WORK ON THE FIRST STAGE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, I960

BAN ON IMPORTING ANIMALS OR THEIR SPECIMENS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES ******

RESIDENTS RETURNING TO HONG KONG FROM OVERSEAS AND CHINA ARE REMINDED NOT TO BRING BACK SOUVENIRS OF LIVE OR PRESERVED ANIMAL SPECIMENS LISTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.

THE WARNING WAS ISSUED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WHICH NOTED THERE HAD BEEN MANY CASES RECENTLY WHERE RESIDENTS RETURNING FROM ABROAD HAD BROUGHT BACK WITH THEM SOUVENIRS SUCH AS STUFFED SEA TURTLES, CROCODILES, TIGER AND LEOPARD SKINS, AND LIVE PANGOLIN. ALL OF THESE ANIMALS AND SOME RARE PLANTS SUCH AS WILD ORCHIDS, CACTUS AND WILD AMERICAN GINSENG ARE PROTECTED BY LAW.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS ILLEGAL FOR ANYONE TO IMPORT OR BE IN POSSESSION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

HE ADDED THAT DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS THERE HAD BEEN ABOUT 120 CASES OF THIS TYPE, MOST OF WHICH INVOLVED STUFFED SEA TURTLES BROUGHT IN FROM INDONESIA, THE PHILIPPINES, TAIWAN AND OTHER SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES.

♦ANY OF THESE ARTICLES BROUGHT IN WITHOUT A LICENCE WILL BE SEIZED BY ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE AND THE OFFENDERS PROSECUTED.

♦THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR A FIRST OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE IS $5 000 AND THE SEIZED SPECIMENS ARE FORFEITED TO THE CROWN,♦ HE SAID.

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TWO MORE NT MAXI CAB ROUTES * * * *

TWO NEW MAXI CAB ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN TSUEN WAN ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 17) BRINGING THE NUMBER OF MAXI CAB ROUTES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO SIX.

THE NEW ROUTES ARE NO 85 FROM SAN TSUEN (FU YUNG SHAN) TO TSUEN WAN (YAN CHAI STREET) AND NO 86 FROM SHEK LEI (SHEK PAI STREET) TO TSUEN WAN (YAN CHAI STREET).

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE FARE FOR ROUTE 85 IS 50 CENTS WHILE THE FARE FOR ROUTE 86 1S tl WITH A SECTIONAL FARE OF 50 CENTS. THE BASIC FREQUENCY FOR BOTH ROUTES IS SIX MINUTES.

WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TWO NEW MAXI CAB ROUTES IN THE FU YUNG SHAN AND SHEK LEI AREAS, THE FOLLOWING STREETS AND ROADS WILL BE DESIGNATED PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITED ZONES FROM FEBRUARY 17.

/THEY ARE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1980

THEY ARE KWUN MUN HAU STREET SECTION NORTH OF THE JUNCTION WITH TAK WAH STREET- TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET- FU YUNG SHAN ROAD- KWOK SHUI ROAD- CHEUNG WING ROAD- YAU MA HOM ROAD- THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUNG CHI STREET- TAI PAK TIN STREET SECTION BETWEEN SHEK LEI STREET AND THE UNNAMED ROAD LEADING TO THE SHEK YAM TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA-AND SHEK PAI STREET SECTION NORTH OF THE JUNCTION WITH WAI KEK STREET.

ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THESE AREAS EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHE KUNG FESTIVAL * * * *

UP TO 100 000 WORSHIPPERS ARE EXPECTED TO VISIT CHE KUNG TEMPLE IN SHA TIN DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS AND A STRONG APPEAL HAS BEEN MADE TO THEM TO AVOID GOING THERE BY CAR IF POSSIBLE.

THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER SHA TIN, MR ANDREW WELLS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT AT LEAST HALF OF THE WORSHIPPERS WERE EXPECTED TO VISIT THE TEMPLE ON THE THIRD DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY WHEN THE CHE KUNG FESTIVAL REACHES ITS PEAK.

♦ SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO HELP COPE WITH THIS LARGE NUMBER,* MR WELLS SAID.

♦ A ONE-WAY CIRCULATION SYSTEM WILL BE PROVIDED FOR PEDESTRIANS WHO WILL BE DIRECTED TO USE THE ACCESS TRACK FROM THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD EAST OF THE SHING MUN RIVER TO ENTER THE TEMPLE.+

PEDESTRIANS WOULD BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE TEMPLE BY USING THE FOOTBRIDGE LEADING TO THE MAIN ROAD ALONG THE SHING MUN RIVER.

THEY ARE ALSO REQUESTED TO USE THE SUBWAY WHEN CROSSING LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD IN VIEW OF THE EXPECTED HEAVY TRAFFIC.

MR WELLS STRONGLY URGED WORSHIPPERS TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT, AS PARKING FACILITIES WOULD BE VERY LIMITED DUE TO EXTENSIVE CONSTRUCTION WORK GOING ON IN THE AREA.

+PRIVATE CARS WILL FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK ANYWHERE IN THE VICINITY,* HE SAID.

ONLY FRANCHISED BUSES WOULD BE ALLOWED TO STOP ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.

/THE KOWLOON ..

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY lU, 1980

THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY WILL ARRANGE ADDITIONAL BUS SERVICES FOR THE FOLLOWING THREE ROUTES TO MEET EXPECTED HEAVY DEMAND:

* NO 70 - FROM JORDAN ROAD TO SHEUNG SHU I, VIA LI ON ROCK TUNNEL ROAD-

* NO 72 - FROM TAI PO MARKET TO TAI KOK TSUI FERRY, VIA TAI WAI- AND

* NO 89 - FROM KWUN TONG (YUE MAN SQUARE) TO LEK YUEN ESTATE, VIA LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND TAXIS

ARE AS FOLLOWS:

* A PLB AND TAXI ALIGHTING POINT WILL BE POSITIONED OUTSIDE THE SHA TIN KOWLOON MOTOR BUS DEPOT ADJACENT TO LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD FOR PLB*S AND TAXIS ARRIVING FROM LION ROCK TUNNEL-

* A PLB AND TAXI ALIGHTING POINT WILL BE POSITIONED

IN SHING HO ROAD FOR PLBS ARRIVING FROM TAI PO ROAD- AND

* A PLB AND TAXI STAND IN TAI WAI ROAD WILL BE OPERATING FOR WORSHIPPERS RETURNING TO KOWLOON.

SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP IN THE AREA DIRECTING WORSHIPPERS TO THE CHE KUNG TEMPLE.

MR WELLS WARNED ALL WORSHIPPERS TO TAKE SPECIAL CARE WHEN BURNING JOSS STICKS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, AND A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE ON THE ALERT FOR PICKPOCKETS WHO WERE LIKELY TO BE IN THE AREA. HAWKERS WERE WARNED THAT IT WAS HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO SELL HYDROGEN-FILLED BALLOONS WHICH WERE LIABLE TO EXPLODE.

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SUPPLEMENTARY FERRY SERVICES DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT SUPPLEMENTARY FERRY SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED ON SEVERAL ROUTES DURING THE LUNAR

NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

ON THE FIRST FOUR DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FROM FEBRUARY 16

TO 19 THE HONG KONG TO TSUEN WAN FERRY SERVICE WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY ADDITIONAL HOVERFERRY SAILINGS.

SPECIAL WATER TAXIS WILL BE OPERATING BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND KOWLOON CITY ON FEBRUARY 16 AND 17.

SERVICES FROM HONG KONG TO TUNG CHUNG, AND TSUEN WAN TO TUNG CHUNG. AND THE SPECIAL SAILING FROM KWUN TONG TO SILVERMINE BAY VIA CENTRAL DISTRICT AT 8.15 AM WILL BE SUSPENDED ON FEBRUARY 16 AND 17.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1980

PIPE WATER FOR LION ROCK VILLAGERS

*****

PEOPLE LIVING IN LION ROCK VILLAGE WILL NO LONGER NEED TO GET WATER FROM STREAMS AND WELLS AS FROM TODAY PIPE WATER IS AVAILABLE AT THEIR DOORSTEP.

THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

TO COPE WITH THE DEMAND FROM THE HIGH LEVEL AREA OF LION ROCK VILLAGE, A FRESH WATER STORAGE TANK WITH A CAPACITY OF 550 000 LITRES WAS BUILT ON THE HILL SIDE NORTH OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.

IN ADDITION, WATER MAINS RANGING FROM 55MM TO 150MM IN DIAMETER WERE LAID.

ALL THE WORK INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF qiANDPi. co WAS COMPLETED IN LESS THAN EIGHT MONTHS.

WELCOMING THE FRESH WATER SUPPLY, A WOMAN RESIDENT OF LION ROCK VILLAGE SAID» +THIS IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE BEST GIFT I COULD HAVE FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR.*

+A LOT OF TIME WILL BE SAVED AS THE STANDPIPES ARE SO CONVENIENTLY LOCATED,* SHE SAID.

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ENGLISH SPEECH COURSES FOR TEACHERS

*****

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE WILL BE HOLDING A NUMBER OF COURSES IN ENGLISH SPEECH FOR TEACHERS CF ENGLISH WHO ARE NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE.

THERE WILL BE FOUR COURSES, TWO EACH FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS. EACH COURSE WILL HAVE 24 MEETINGS OF TWO-HOUR DURATION.

THE COURSES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE HELD AT THE KOWLOON ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE AT MA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON- WHILE THE ONES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE HELD AT THE CENTRE AT 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG.

THE COURSES WILL BEGIN WITH AN INTRODUCTORY TALK ON ENGLISH PHONETICS.

+THE COURSE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL INCLUDE LANGUAGE LABORATORY PRACTICE IN PRONUNCIATION, STRESS AND INTONATION, SENTENCE PATTERNS, DIALOGUE AND LISTENING COMPREHENSION.

/+THE SECOND ..

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1980

♦THE SECOND PART OF THE COURSE WILL BE A PRACTICAL SESSION IN WHICH EACH PARTICIPANT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN VARIOUS SPEECH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS A DISCUSSION, A CONVERSATION, A SHORT TALK, POETRY RECITATION, PROSE-READING OR DRAMA. NO FORMAL LECTURES WILL BE GIVEN,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE SAID.

FOR THE SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER COURSE, THE FIRST PART OF THE COURSE WILL BE SIMILAR BUT THE SECOND PART WILL REQUIRE PARTICIPANTS TO EITHER LEAD A DISCUSSION ON A SELECTED TOPIC RELEVANT TO THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH OR DEMONSTRATE AN ENGLISH TEACHING TECHNIQUE.

THERE WILL BE NO CHARGES FOR THE COURSES. PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED THE COURSE WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE.

APPLICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL SCHOOLS. SCHOOL HEADS ARE REQUESTED TO LIST THE NAMES OF TEACHERS WISHING TO ATTEND IN ORDER OF PRIORITY AND RETURN THE FORM NOT LATER THAN MARCH 4 TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG.

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HOLIDAY POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS * X * *

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THERE WILL BE NO MAIL DELIVERY ON FEBRUARY 16 AND 18, THE FIRST AND THIRD DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

THERE WILL BE ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 17), THE SECOND DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR- AND ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 19), THE FOURTH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FROM FEBRUARY 16 TO 18.

ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 19), 32 POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE, THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, AND THE POST OFFICES IN TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO, WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1980

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METHADONE CENTRES REMAIN OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS ft ft ft ft ft

THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT ALL METHADONE TREATMENT CENTRES WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

ALL THE 13 EVENING CENTRES WILL BE OPERATING AS USUAL FROM 6 PM TO 10 PM, SIX FULL DAY CENTRES FROM 7 AM TO 10 PM AND THE CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND CENTRE FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM.

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24-HOUR SERVICE FOR MAX I CAB ROUTE 5 ft ft ft ft ft

MAXICAB ROUTE NO 5 FROM ABERDEEN TO CAUSEWAY BAY WILL OPERATE 24 HOURS DAILY FROM LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS.

THE SERVICE NOW OPERATES FROM 6 AM TO 11.30 PM FROM ABERDEEN AND FROM 6.35 AM TO 12.05 AM FROM CAUSEWAY BAY. THE FULL FARE OF $1.50 AND THE SECTIONAL FARE OF $1 WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED BUT OUTSIDE THESE HOURS. THE FARE IS $2.50 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.

MAXICABS ON THIS ROUTE WILL RUN AT 30-MINUTE INTERVALS.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1980

SOME NT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES CLOSED FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR *****

SOME OF THE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE TWO SWIMMING POOLS, THREE TENNIS COURTS, SIX SQUASH COURTS, ONE STADIUM AND FOUR SPORTS GROUNDS.

THE FANLING SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AND THE KWAI CHUNG SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WILL BE CLOSED FOR FOUR DAYS FROM FEBRUARY 16 TO 19 -THE FIRST FOUR DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

THE SQUASH COURTS, TWO OF WHICH AT KWAI CHUNG SQUASH COURTS AND FOUR AT SIR DENYS ROBERTS SQUASH COURTS, YUEN LONG, WILL BE CLOSED FOR TWO DAYS ON FEBRUARY 16 AND 17. THREE TENNIS COURTS AT SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND, TSUEN WAN WILL ALSO BE CLOSED ON THESE TWO DAYS.

THE YUEN LONG STADIUM, THE WO Yl HOP SPORTS GROUND AT KWAI CHUNG, THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND, THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS GROUND AT YEUNG UK ROAD, TSUEN WAN AND THE FANLING SPORTS GROUND WILL ALSO BE CLOSED DURING THE FIRST FOUR DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

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AWARDS FOR CHAMPION FISHERMEN * * * *

FISH PRODUCTION IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR SET A NEW HIGH WITH MORE THAN 180 700 TONNES VALUED AT $1 190 MILLION LANDED.

OF THE LANDINGS 96 PER CENT WAS MADE BY THE LOCAL FISHING FLEET.

TOMORROW (FRIDAY) 24 FISHERMEN WILL RECEIVE AWARDS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, FOR THEIR FISHING ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE YEAR.

ANOTHER 10 FISHERMEN WILL ALSO RECEIVE AWARDS FOR SAVING LIVES AT SEA. WHILE MOST OF THE LIVES SAVED WERE FROM SINKING VESSELS, TWO RESCUES WERE MADE FROM HELICOPTER ACCIDENTS IN MIRS BAY AND TOLO CHANNEL.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION AT THE FISHERMEN’S LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS AT THE ABERDEEN FISH MARKET AT 11 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY). TRANSPORT FOR THE PRESS WILL LEAVE EDINBURGH PLACE (QUEEN’S PIER) FOR ABERDEEN AT 10 AM.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE MO.

TENDERS TO 3E INVITED FOR OPEN STORAGE SITES IN TUEN MUN ................................................ 1

TO'/N PLANNING BOARD PLANS PUBLISHED .................... 2

PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 19oO/8l ........ 2

COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PRECAUTIONS ............................ 3

MEASURES FOR FISHERMEN TO SAVE FUEL .....................

PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IN LSI MUK ROAD .................... 5

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1980

TENDERS TO BE INVITED FOR OPEN STORAGE SITES IN TUEN MUN *****

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO INVITE TENDERS FOR SHORT TERM TENANCIES FOR MORE THAN 31 000 SQUARE METRES OF LAND FOR OPEN STORAGE PURPOSES IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.

THE TENANCIES ARE FOR FIVE SITES AT THE SOUTHWESTERN SIDE OF THE NEW TOWN WHICH IS SERVED BY LUNG MUN ROAD.

THREE SITES MEASURING 5 500, 5 000 AND 5 550 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY, ARE FOR OPEN STORAGE INCLUDING MOTOR VEHICLES. TENANCIES ARE FOR TWO YEARS INITIALLY AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.

THE TENANCY FOR A FOURTH SITE, MEASURING 6 300 SQUARE METRES IS FOR ONE YEAR AND NON-RENEWABLE. IT IS ALSO FOR OPEN STORAGE INCLUDING MOTOR VEHICLES.

the tenancy for the FIFTH SITE MEASURING 9 150 SQUARE metres IS FOR TWO YEARS INITIALLY AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER. IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE, EXCLUDING MOTOR VEHICLES.

THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, MR VICTOR LEUNG, POINTED OUT THAT STORAGE OF CONTAINERS AND DANGEROUS GOODS IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON THE SITES.

+ONE WATCHMAN'S STRUCTURE WILL BE PERMITTED ON EACH SITE.+ HE SAID.

A YEAR’S RENT IS PAYABLE IN ADVANCE ON ALL THE SITES. RENT FOR THE TWO-YEAR TENANCY SITES IS PAYABLE IN ADVANCE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX IN THE RECEPTION LOBBY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON, BEFORE NOON ON FEBRUARY 22 (FRIDAY).

DETAILS OF THE TENDERS AND TENDER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE NOW FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AND DISTRICT OFFICES OF ISLANDS, SAI KUNG, SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTHERN, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1980

- 2 -

TOWN PLANNING BOARD PLANS PUBLISHED *****

A LIST OF PLANS PREPARED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD AND NOTIFIED IN THE GAZETTE IS PUBLISHED TWICE YEARLY FOR THE GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE PUBLIC.

THE LIST PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE LISTS THOSE PLANS WHICH AT DECEMBER 31, 1979 HAVE BEEN!

(1) APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL-

(2) REFERRED BACK TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR AMENDMENT OR REPLACEMENT-

(3) EXHIBITED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD AS DRAFT PLANS FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.

CERTIFIED COPIES OF THE APPROVED PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FREE OF CHARGE AT THE LAND OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING).

COPIES OF APPROVED AND DRAFT PLANS MAY BE PURCHASED FROM THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.

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

PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 1980/81

******

PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE IS A RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FIXING THE PERCENTAGES TO BE CHARGED ?nnTHE RATEABLE VALUES FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1980.

R0R TJJE RAT,NG and VALUATION department SAID THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THE PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGES IN THE URBAN AREAS OR IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG OR TSING Yl.

-J-! 0NLY ChANGES WILL BE FOR THE NEW RATING AREAS IN THE TA? PORRSHARnN’ ri*FApTWATP0U5l YUEN L0NG> ^NLtNG/SHEUNG SHUI, iai PQ, SHA TIN, CLEAR WATER BAY AND SAI KUNG.

RAIES WILL ALS0 BE IMPOSED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON CHEUNG -HAU, PENG CHAU, LANTAU AND MA WAN, AND LAMMA ISLANDS.

50 IN UP

PER CENT OF THE SECOND TO 100 PER

THE ESTABLISHED POLICY FOR THE NEW RATING AREAS IS That THE RATE FOR THE FIRST YEAR SHALL BE EQUAL TO THE NEW TERRITORIES GENERAL RATE, 60 PER CENT YEAR, 70 PER CENT IN THE THIRD Yf:AR AND SO ON CENT IN THE SIXTH YEAR.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 198O

RATES (INCLUDING URBAN COUNCIL RATES WHERE APPLICABLE) TO BE CHARGED ON RATEABLE VALUES EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1980

HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON ...........................

TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, AND TSING Yl ............................

TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, FANLING/ SHEUNG SHUI, TA I PO, SHA TIN AND CLEAR WATER BAY .................

11-1/2 PER CENT

/MH '""V’GE)

11 PER CENT (NO CHANGE)

10 PER CENT

(INCREASED FROM 9 PER CENT)

SAI KUNG

9 PER CENT (INCREASED FROM 8 PER CENT)

CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU, LANTAU AND MA WAN, AND LAMMA ISLANDS ..............................

5-1/2 PER CENT

(FlPST ' 1 ABLE TO PAY

RATES 1/4/80)

COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PRECAUTIONS * * * *

VOLUNTEER GROUPS HAVE BEEN ENLISTED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY TO MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF THE RISK OF COUNTRYSIDE FIRE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

THE GROUPS ARE MADE UP OF INDIVIDUAL HIKING ORGANISATIONS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE AN INTENSIVE CRASH COURSE ON FIRE PREVENTION DURING THE PAST MONTH. THE LECTURES WERE GIVEN BY AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S EDUCATION AND PROTECTION OFFICERS AT THE KOWLOON HILLS FIRE CONTROL CENTRE.

THE EXPERIENCED HIKERS WILL MINGLE AMONG PICNICKERS ADVISING THEM OF FIRE PRECAUTIONS. IF THE VOLUNTEERS DETECT ANY BREACH OF THE COUNTRY CODE THEY WILL MAKE A REPORT TO THE NEAREST MANAGEMENT CENTRE OR PARK RANGER FOR FURTHER ACTION.

MEANWHILE, THE TOTAL FIRE BAN IS STILL IN FORCE IN THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK, TAI PO KAU SPECIAL AREA AND THE SHING MUN FOREST PLANTATION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT EVEN THOUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE HAD BEEN DAMPENED DURING THE PAST MONTH, THE RISK OF FIRE wAS STILL GREAT BECAUSE OF AN EXPECTED INCREASE IN VISITORS TO THE PARKS DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.

BARBECUES ARE ALLOWED IN AREAS OUTSIDE THE F(RE PROHIBITED AREAS BUT THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT IN DOING SO EXTREME CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN. HE ADVISED PICNICKERS THAT IF POSSIBLE THEY SHOULD TAKE PRE-COOKED FOOD WITH THEM TO MINIMISE THE RISK.

0 - - - -

/*»

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1980

MEASURES FOR FISHERMEN TO SAVE FUEL * * * * *

TO OFFSET INCREASED FUEL EXPENDITURE, FISHERMEN MUST ADOPT ALL MEASURES POSSIBLE TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

AT THE FISHERMEN’S ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CEREMONY AT THE ABERDEEN FISH MARKET, MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THAT AS FUEL COSTS REPRESENT A VERY LARGE PROPORTION OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF FISHING, INCREASES IN OIL PRICES HAVE VERY SERIOUS EFFECTS.

♦WE MUST ACCEPT THAT THE DAYS OF CHEAP FUEL ARE NOW OVER AND IN FACT BE PREPARED FOR FUEL PRICES TO CONTINUE TO RISE,+ HE SAID.

TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE, MR RIDDELL-SWAN ADVISED FISHERMEN TO ADOPT MORE MODERN TECHNIQUES WITH THE MOST UP-TO-DATE GEAR SUCH AS POWER WINCHES AND LINE HAULERS AND WITH MODERN LARGE MESH AND HIGH-OPENING TRAWL NETS.

♦NAVIGATION MUST BE MORE PRECISE AND TO OBTAIN GREATER FUEL ECONOMY, PARTICULAR ATTENTION MUST BE PAID TO REDUCING DRAG BY REMOVING FOULING ORGANISMS, EVEN IF THIS MEANS SLIPPING VESSELS MORE FREQUENTLY,+ HE SAID.

BUT KNOWING THE FISHERMEN’S CAPACITY FOR HARD WORK, THEIR HIGH TECHNICAL SKILLS AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO ADAPT, MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID HE WAS SURE THE FISHERMEN WOULD MEET AND SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME THE PROBLEM.

♦ TO ASSIST IN THIS, I CAN ASSURE ALL FISHERMEN THAT I AND MY COLLEAGUES WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE TO HELP THEM IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING HELPING THEM TO OBTAIN CREDIT FROM THE LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.

♦ I AM SURE THAT YOU WILL BE DELIGHTED TO HEAR THAT I AM LOOKING INTO WAYS AND MEANS OF SIMPLIFYING LOAN PROCEDURES AND SPEEDING UP THEIR ISSUE,+ HE SAID.

ALTHOUGH FISH LANDINGS INCREASED LAST YEAR (MARINE FISH UP TO 13 PER CENT, CRUSTACEANS UP 48 PER CENT, AND MOLLUSCA UP 25 PER CENT), AND PRICES WERE ALSO GENERALLY HIGHER, PROFITABILITY WAS SEVERELY REDUCED, WHICH ACCORDING TO MR RIDDELL-SWAN WAS DUE TO VERY CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE PRICE OF FUEL OIL.

DURING THE CEREMONY MR RIDDELL-SWAN PRESENTED AWARDS TO 24 CHAMPION FISHERMEN FOR THEIR FISHING ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE YEAR. ANOTHER 10 FISHERMEN ALSO RECEIVED AWARDS FOR SAVING LIVES AT SEA WHICH INCLUDED TWO RESCUES OF HELICOPTER ACCIDENTS IN MIRS BAY AND TOLO CHANNEL.

A GROUP OF TEN YOUNG FISHERMEN HAD ALSO COMPLETED A SIX-MONTH COURSE IN NAVIGATION AND MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID IT WAS PARTICULARLY SATISFYING TO SEE THAT AMONGST THE TEN WAS A YOUNG LADY, MISS FUNG YUK-YIN.

♦ MISS FUNG IS THE SECOND LADY TO GRADUATE SINCE THE COURSE WAS STARTED IN I960 AND I HOPE THAT OTHER FISHER GIRLS WILL FOLLOW MISS FUNG’S EXAMPLE AND ENROLL IN FISHERIES COURSES,+ HE SAID.

- o - -

/5 ....

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1980

PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IN LEI MUK ROAD

* * * *

A SECTION OF LEI MUK ROAD BETWEEN TUNG CHI STREET AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITED ZONE FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 17).

WITHIN THE ZONE, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1980

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

RECORD NUMBER OF MARRIAGES LAST YEAR .................... 1

SPACE MUSEUM NEARS COMPLETION ........................... 2

REMOTE ISLANDERS TO GET NEW PIER

PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IN SHA TIN

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1980

RECORD NUMBER OF MARRIAGES LAST YEAR *****

THE NUMBER OF MARRIAGES REGISTERED LAST YEAR REACHED A RECORD TOTAL OF 45 222, SHOWING AN INCREASE OF 12 PER CENT OVER 1978, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE MARRIAGE REGISTRY TODAY (SATURDAY).

OF THESE, 4 998 WERE MARRIAGES BETWEEN PARTIES PREVIOUSLY MARRIED OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MARRIAGE ORDINANCE, GENERALLY BY CHINESE CUSTOMARY CEREMONIES, AS COMPARED WITH 4 304 IN 1978. EXCLUDING THESE ’REMARRIAGES’ THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED MARRIAGES INCREASED BY 4 228 FROM 36 096 TO 40 224.

COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARRIAGE REGISTRY ATTRIBUTED THE INCREASE TO THE FACT THAT LAST YEAR HAPPENED TO HAVE TWO FIRST DAYS OF SPRING (LAP CHUN) IN THE LUNAR CALENDAR, AND WAS TRADITIONALLY REGARDED BY THE CHINESE AS AN AUSPICIOUS YEAR FOR MARRIAGES.

ANOTHER FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCREASE IS BELIEVED TO BE THE POPULATION STRUCTURE WHICH NOW HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF PERSONS IN THE AGE GROUP FOR MARRIAGES, THAT IS FROM 18 TO 35 FOR WOMEN AND 21 TO 39 FOR MEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

DURING THE YEAR 42 341 MARRIAGES WERE PERFORMED IN VARIOUS MARRIAGE REGISTRIES WHILE 2 881 RELIGIOUS MARRIAGES WERE CELEBRATED IN 158 LICENSED PLACES OF WORSHIP.

THE PEAK PERIOD OF THE MARRIAGE REGISTRY AGAIN OCCURRED IN THE MONTHS OF OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER WHEN 4 462 AND 4 334 MARRIAGES RESPECTIVELY WERE REGISTERED AS COMPARED WITH THE MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 3 768.

+MANY PEOPLE WANT TO GET MARRIED BEFORE THE YEAR ENDS TO CATCH UP THE FESTIVE HOLIDAYS OF CHRISTMAS AND LUNAR NEW YEAR,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

AMONG THE 12 MARRIAGE REGISTRIES, CITY HALL REMAINS THE MOST POPULAR ONE AND IS ALSO THE ONLY REGISTRY WHERE MARRIAGES ARE PERFORMED ON SUNDAYS. A TOTAL OF 6 478 MARRIAGES WERE REGISTERED THERE LAST YEAR.

IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE SERVICE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED LAST YEAR WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW TAI PO MARRIAGE REGISTRY. THE NEW REGISTRY NOT ONLY HELPS TO EASE MUCH THE PRESSURE ON MARRIAGE REGISTRIES IN URBAN AREAS BUT IS ALSO VERY CONVENIENT FOR THE RURAL RESIDENTS.

LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, THE NEW REGISTRY IS PROVIDED WITH A RANGE OF NEW FACILITIES INCLUDING A PARKING SPACE FOR THE WEDDING CAR, A BRIDAL CHAMBER AND A GARDEN OUTSIDE THE MARRIAGE CEREMONIAL HALL.

THE NEW REGISTRY BECAME OPERATIONAL IN JULY LAST YEAR. IT HAS PROVED ITS POPULARITY BY BOOSTING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN TAI PO DURING THE YEAR TO 2 600, MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF 1 129 IN 1978.

/APART FRGb .....

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1980

APART FROM THE SUB-OFFICES IN TAI PO, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN AND SHEUNG SHU I, FOUR PART-TIME REGISTRIES IN SHA TIN, SAI KUNG, CHEUNG CHAU AND TAI 0 ON LANTAU ISLAND ALSO RECORDED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE LAST YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

SINCE ALL REGISTRIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN RURAL AND URBAN DISTRICTS, THE SPOKESMAN STRONGLY ADVISED THOSE WHO INTEND TO CUT SHORT THEIR WAITING TIME FOR MARRIAGES TO MAKE FULL USE OF THESE RURAL FACILITIES WHICH ARE LESS USED BY URBAN RESIDENTS.

IN ADDITION THERE ARE MOBILE PART-TIME REGISTRIES AND INFORMATION ON THEIR TIME SCHEDULES COULD BE OBTAINED AT ALL MARRIAGE REGISTRIES AND IMMIGRATION OFFICES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

AS A RESULT OF THE CENTRALISATION OF PERSONAL REGISTRATION SERVICES, THE MARRIAGE REGISTRY FORMERLY UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT WAS TAKEN OVER BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SINCE JULY LAST YEAR.

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

SPACE MUSEUM NEARS COMPLETION *****

WORK ON THE HONG KONG SPACE MUSEUM IN TSIM SHA TSUI IS VIRTUALLY COMPLETED AND THE BUILDING IS EXPECTED TO BE HANDED OVER TO THE URBAN COUNCIL BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN APRIL.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT STRUCTURAL WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED AND THE ONLY THING LEFT TO BE DONE WAS DECORATION.

DESPITE THIS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE WORK HAD BEEN PROGRAMMED IN SUCH A WAY THAT URBAN COUNCIL CONTRACTORS COULD PROCEED WITH THE INSTALLATION OF PROJECTION EQUIPMENT, SCREEN AS WELL AS SOUND AND LIGHTING SYSTEM DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.

THE INSTALLATION WORK IS NOW IN AN ADVANCED STAGE AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE SPACE MUSEUM, ONE OF THE MOST MODERN PROJECTS OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD, WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.

THE DOMINANT FEATURE OF THE SPACE MUSEUM IS THE LARGE EGG-SHAPED DOME STRUCTURE WHICH HOUSES THE 320-SEAT SKY THEATRE.

THE SPACE MUSEUM, SITUATED AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI WATERFRONT, ALSO HOUSES AN EXHIBITION HALL AND A LECTURE HALL CAPABLE OF ACCOMMODATING 200 PEOPLE.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A SOLAR HALL IN WHICH EXHIBITS WILL BE ON DISPLAY TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUN.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989

- 3 -

REMOTE ISLANDERS TO GET NEW PIER ******

THE GOVERNMENT HAS COME TO THE AID OF A REMOTE VILLAGE COMMUNITY AT THE SOUTHERN TIP OF CHI MA WAN PENINSULA ON LANTAU ISLAND WHICH HAS A TRANSPORT PROBLEM.

THE VILLAGERS AT MONG TUNG WAN WILL HAVE A NEW PIER FOR +KAIDOS+ BY WHICH THEY TRANSPORT THEIR FARM PRODUCE AND GOODS DAILY TO AND FROM CHEUNG CHAU. IT WILL BE BUILT WITH A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.

THE NEW PIER WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING JETTY WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED DANGEROUS.

A THREE-FOOT PATH ACROSS HILLY TERRAIN THROUGH THE SOUTH LANTAU COUNTRY PARK TO HAM TIN IS THE VILLAGERS’ ONLY ROUTE TO OTHER PARTS OF LANTAU. HOWEVER, THE NARROWNESS OF THE PATH MAKES TRANSPORTATION VERY DIFFICULT.

LOCAL VILLAGERS APPLIED IN 1976 FOR ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE THE FOOTPATH BUT THE APPLICATION WAS TURNED DOWN DUE TO OBJECTIONS BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY.

IN RESPONSE TO A SECOND REQUEST THE LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE ARRANGED FOR A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY OF $50 000 TO HELP MEET THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING A NEW PIER TO GIVE THEM ACCESS TO CHEUNG CHAU.

THE SUBSIDY COMES FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS (LPW) VOTE.

THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NICKY LO, SAID MONG TUNG WAN FORMERLY HAD A POPULATION OF 84, BUT IN VIEW OF ITS LOCATION AND TRANSPORT DIFFICULTIES MANY OF THE RESIDENTS HAVE MOVED FURTHER . INLAND TO HAM TIN OR PUI 0 OVER THE YEARS.

HE SAID TO ENSURE SAFE TRAVEL FOR THE VILLAGERS, THE NEW PIER NEEDED TO BE BUILT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN PLACE OF THE ONE THEY HAD BEEN USING.

THE PIER WILL COST $80 000. WITH THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY CF $50 000, THE VILLAGERS HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO MEET THE REMAINDER OF THE COST THEMSELVES.

MR LO SAID THE VILLAGERS’ CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE PROJECT WAS COMPATIBLE WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LPW SCHEME -TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN IMPROVING THE IR LIVING CONDITIONS.

TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW PIER WILL BE INVITED IN JUNE. WORK WILL START SHORTLY AFTERWARDS AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

o --------

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1980

PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IN SHA TIN * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING SIU LEK YUEN ROAD, SHA TIN, FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 20).

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL 5-233191

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1980

CONT MS PAGE NC.

TANNERIES IN FACTORY BUILDINGS .............................. 1

ACTION STEPPED UP AGAINST COMMERCIAL FRAUD .................. 2

INTE NATIONAL MAIL C2NTR3 READY IN SIX MONTHS ............... J

PERFORMANCE BY MULTI-LINGUAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR ............... 4

DISPLAY OF RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR SCIENCE T SACKING ......... 5

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1980

TANNERIES IN FACTORY BUILDINGS

*****

TANNERS CLEARED FROM SHEUNG SHU I IN 1976 TO MAKE WAY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA HAVE RE-ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES IN MULTISTOREY FACTORY BUILDINGS IN THE OFFENSIVE TRADES ZONE IN KWAI CHUNG.

TWO TANNERY BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED TO DATE AND NOW HOUSE A TOTAL OF 28 TANNING COMPANIES, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM CAME FROM SHEUNG SHU I.

THE TANNERS OBTAINED THE LAND FROM THE GOVERNMENT EITHER BY SURRENDERING LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS OR THROUGH PRIVATE TREATY GRANTS.

THE CHIEF ESTATE SURVEYOR, TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, MR TIM MILLS, SAID THE BUILDINGS WERE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE TANNERY INDUSTRY.

HE SAID ONE REASON FOR THE REMOVAL FROM SHEUNG SHU I, APART FROM THE LAND BEING REQUIRED FOR A NEW TOWN, HAD BEEN THE HEAVY POLLUTION BEING CAUSED TO THE AREA THROUGH OPERATION OF TANNERIES.

♦ THE COMPANIES AT KWAI CHUNG HAVE INSTALLED THE MOST UP-TO-DATE EFFLUENT CONTROL EQUIPMENT TO MINIMISE POLLUTION,+ HE SAID. +AS A RESULT, THE LEVEL OF POLLUTION AT KWAI CHUNG IS VERY MUCH LOWER THAN AT SHEUNG SHUI.+

MR MILLS SAID TANNERS WERE PLEASED WITH THEIR NEW SURROUNDINGS, IN COMPARISON WITH THE SITES THEY OCCUPIED AT SHEUNG SHU I.

THEY PREFERRED THE BETTER WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY HAD INCREASED, HE SAID.

HE SAID THEY RAD ALSO BEEN ABLE TO IMPROVE QUALITY CONTROL DUE TO A METERED WATER SUPPLY AND THERE HAD BEEN SAVINGS IN TRANSPORT COSTS.

FURTHERMORE, THE SITES WERE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED CLOSE TO URBAN AREAS.

THE HEAD OF A TANNERY CONSORTIA IS MR PAK YIU, WHO WAS FORMERLY IN BUSINESS IN SHEUNG SHU I. HE SAID HE AND HIS PARTNERS WERE OPERATING FROM ONE OF THE TWO NEW BUILDINGS. HE SAID THE 20-STOREY BUILDING WAS USING THE MOST UP-TO-DATE ANTI-POLLUTION SYSTEM FROM EUROPE COSTING NEARLY $2 MILLION.

THE OTHER BUILDING OF 11 STOREYS HAS AN EFFLUENT CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH WAS PURCHASED FROM sJAPAN ALSO AT A COST OF NEARLY S2 MILLION.

/MB PAK .....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1980

Q8H YR A UP

MR PAK DESCRIBED AS +A RIGHT STEP* GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO MOVE THE TANNERIES FROM SHEUNG SHU I. +WE WERE OBVIOUSLY QUITE RELUCTANT TO MOVE AT THE TIME, BUT WE HAVE BENEFITED BY DOING SO,+ HE SAID. +NOW WE ARE HAPPY TO BE IN THE TANNING BUSINESS KNOWING THAT WE ARE NOT CAUSING THE AWFUL POLLUTION WE wERg AT SHEUNG SHUI.+

A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT OTHER TANNERY OPERATORS CLEARED FROM SHEUNG SHU I WOULD RE-ESTABLISH THEMSELVES AT KWAI CHUNG. +THERE ARE OBVIOUS ADVANTAGES IN DOING SO,+ HE SAID.

- 0 - -

ACTION STEPPED UP AGAINST COMMERCIAL FRAUD ******

THE TRADE INVESTIGATION BRANCH OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT IS APPLYING INCREASING PRESSURE ON UNSCRUPULOUS TRADERS TO PROTECT THE INTERNATIONAL TRADING REPUTATION OF HONG KONG.

LOCAL CONSUMERS, TOO, WILL BENEFIT FROM REINFORCED ACTION DIRECTED AGAINST FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS.

SOME MANUFACTURERS PROFIT BY FAKING SUPERIOR PRODUCTS. HOWEVER HONG KONG DOES NOT THRIVE ON THEIR MISPLACED INGENUITY AND THEIR MALPRACTICES MUST BE EXPOSED.

COUNTERFEITING COVERS NOT ONLY HIGH FASHION AND ACCESSORIES AND BRAND-NAME WATCHES, BUT ALSO SUCH HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AS DETERGENTS AND TOILET PAPER.

FREQUENTLY SUCH IMITATIONS ARE OF INFERIOR QUALITY AND THUS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AS WELL AS THE TRADING STANDING OF HONG KONG, SUFFER.

LAST YEAR, 77.CASES INVOLVING IMITATION TRADE MARKS OR MISLEADING LABELS WERE TAKEN TO COURT. SOME $1.6 MILLION WORTH OF COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS WERE SEIZED.

PRINCIPAL INDUSTRY OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S TRADE INVESTIGATION BRANCH, MR DAVID YIP NOTED THAT THERE WAS NOW INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF BUYER’S RIGHTS.

+WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE TRADE MARK OWNERS ON OUR SIDE BUT IT IS PLEASING THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOW PREPARED TO BRING CASES OF FALSE LABELLING TO US. OTHER REPORTS ARE BEING FED TO US BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION,* HE SAID.

+IF THE WRATH OF THE CONSUMER IS INSUFFICIENT INCENTIVE, THERE IS ALSO A MONETARY REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE SEIZURE OF FAKED WATCHES OR THE CONVICTION OF WATCH COUNTERFEITERS.

-►THIS REWARD SCHEME IS OPERATED BY THE SWISS WATCH INDUSTRY INFORMATION CENTRE AND TWO MAJOR JAPANESE WATCH MANUFACTURERS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT,* SAID MR YIP.

/ANOTHER IMPORT,

SUNDAY, FffiRUARY 17, 1980

ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE WORK OF THE TRADE INVESTIGATION BRANCH, IN DEFENCE OF HONG KONG’S GOOD TRADING NAME, IS THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN SYSTEM. CHECKS ARE MADE AT FACTCRIES AND ON EXPORT CONSIGNMENTS TO ENSURE THEY COMPLY a I TH TnE LICENSING AND QUOTA REQUIREMENTS OF HONG KONG’S VARIOUS BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENTS.

+LAST YEAR, IN CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES, WE SUCCESSFULLY INVESTIGATED A SERIES OF TRANSHIPMENT FRAUDS DESIGNED TO CIRCUMVENT THE QUOTA ARRANGEMENTS,+ SAID MR YIP.

OFFENDERS FACE HEAVY PENALTIES WHICH INCLUDE THE FORFEITURE OF QUOTAS AND THE SUSPENSION OR CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATES OR LICENCES GIVEN THEM BY THE DEPARTMENT. +WE ARE DETERMINED TO STAMP OUT THESE MALPRACTICES IN THE TEXTILE TRADE WHICH ARE COMMITTED BY A VERY FEW, BUT WHICH JEOPARDISE HONG KONG’S TRADING INTEGRITY,* .MR YIP ADDED.

OTHER AND MORE ROUTINE BUT, NEVERTHELESS, EQUALLY IMPORTANT WORK OF THE BRANCH IS THE CHECKING OF IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS, AND THE HANDLING OF OVERSEAS COMPLAINTS ABOUT LOCAL TRADERS.

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

INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE READY IN SIX MONTHS *****

THE S53-MILLION NEW INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE, THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, IS EXPECTED TO BE OPERATIONAL IN SIX MONTHS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) WORK ON THE MAIN BUILDING OF THE MAIL CENTRE NEAR KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION IN HUNG HOM HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THE INSTALLATION OF THE MAIL SORTING EQUIPMENT WAS ALSO NEAR COMPLETION.

HE SAID THAT THE MOST UP-TO-DATE AUTOMATIC MAIL SORTING EQUIPMENT WOULD IN MID-MARCH UNDERGO A TWO-MONTH TRIAL SUPERVISED BY CONSULTANT ENGINEERS OF THE BRITISH POSTAL CONSULTANCY SERVICES AND OFFICERS OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE.

+THE TWO-STOREY CENTRE OCCUPIES AN AREA OF 7 300 SQUARE METRES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

IT WILL HAVE A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 8 000 SQUARE METRES FOR THE MAIL SORTING COMPLEX WHICH INCLUDES MAIL SORTING, STORAGE AND PROCESSING, WITH ANCILLARY OFFICES.

+THE MAIL CENTRE WILL BE AIR-CONDITIONED AND THERE WILL ALSO BE A DINING ROOM, A REST ROOM AND RECREATION ROOM FOR STAFF.*

A RAILWAY SPUR AND PLATFORM WILL BE PROVIDED TO HANDLE MAIL TO AND FROM CHINA WHILE FOUR BERTHS FOR MAIL LAUNCHES ARE BEING BUILT ALONG THE SEAWALL SOUTH OF THE CENTRE.

ON COMPLETION, THE MAIL CENTRE WILL BECOME THE MAJOR SORTING OFFICE FOR HANDLING INTERNATIONAL MAIL TO AND FROM HONG KONG.

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1983

PERFORMANCE BY MULTI-LINGUAL CHILDREN’S CHOIR ******

THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR, NOW ONE YEAR OLD, HAS BEEN REHEARSING AN AMBITIOUS MULTI-LINGUAL PROGRAMME FOR ITS FIRST MAJOR PUBLIC CONCERT APPEARANCE IN THE BAPTIST COLLEGE AC HALL, ON MARCH 9 (SUNDAY).

FOLLOWING THE TRADITIONAL LION DANCE, THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THIS INAUGURAL CONCERT WILL BE OFFICIATED BY MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, BEFORE AN AUDIENCE OF INVITED DIGNITARIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND RESIDENTS OF SAI KUNG.

THE 75 YOUNG CHORISTERS - AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND 12 -WILL THEN PRESENT A FULL PROGRAMME OF 15 SONGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, SINGING IN CANTONESE, ENGLISH, ITALIAN, LATIN, MANDARIN AND THE HAKKA DIALECT.

CONDUCTING AND ACCOMPANYING THE CHOIR ON THE PIANO WILL BE THE CHIEF INSTRUCTOR, MR YIP CHI-KWONG, AND MISS WINNIE LIN FROM THE MUSIC OFFICE, AND MISS LEUNG YUET-MEI, A TEACHER IN SAI KUNG, WHO DEVOTE MUCH OF THEIR SPARE TIME TO TRAINING THE CHOIR.

THE CONCERT WILL BE SUPPORTED BY STUDENTS FROM SAI KUNG SUNG TSUN MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHO WILL PERFORM THREE TRADITIONAL CHINESE FOLK DANCES.

FORMED IN JANUARY LAST YEAR BY THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE, THE CHOIR PROVIDES RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT AND ENCOURAGES THEIR MUSICAL TALENT.

ALTHOUGH THE CHOIR HAS ALREADY TAKEN PART IN EIGHT CHORAL PRESENTATIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR, INCLUDING A CONCERT AT ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL LAST MONTH, THE INAUGURAL CONCERT NEXT MONTH MARKS BOTH THEIR 'COMING OF AGE’ AND THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRESS, TV AND RADIO ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CONCERT ON MARCH 9 AND ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE BEFORE 7.45 PM WHEN THE LION DANCE STARTS.

/5......

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1980

DISPLAY OF RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR SCIENCE TEACHING *****

A DISPLAY OF RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR THE TEACHING OF PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY IN FORMS IV AND V, AND PRIMARY SCIENCE ACCORDING TO THE SYLLABUS RECOMMENDED BY THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THE DISPLAY IS STAGED AT THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRE , PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.

IT IS OPENED EVERY TUESDAY, EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, DURING THE PERIOD OF FEBRUARY 12 TO APRIL 22, 1980.

HEADS OF SCHOOLS, SCIENCE TEACHERS AND LABORATORY TECHNICIANS ARE INVITED TO VISIT THE SCIENCE TEACHING CENTRE TO INSPECT THE RESOURCE MATERIALS INCLUDING HOME-MADE AND COMMERCIALLY PRODUCED EXHIBITS AND TO TRY SOME OF THE ’NEW’ EXPERIMENTS.

ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE AT THE SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION, TEL: 5-774001 EXT. 38, 41, OR 46.

- - o - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MORE NT LAND TO BE OFFERED FOR DEVELOPMENT ........... 1

SWD PAYS OUT OVER v8.8 MILLION UNDER TAVA SCHEME...... 2

WORK ON NEW RAILWAY TUNNEL PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY ...... 3

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE HANDLES RECORD NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES ........................................ 4

SNT TO OPEN MINI LIBRARY IN SHA TIN .................. 5

COURSE FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS................ 6

TALKS BY LABOUR OFFICERS .............................. 7

FIRING PRACTICE........................................ 7

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1980

MORE NT LAND TO BE OFFERED FOR DEVELOPMENT

******

THE AMOUNT OF NON-INDUSTRIAL LAND TO BE SOLD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IS TO BE 70 PER CENT HIGHER IN 1980/81 THAN DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.

A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE DEPARTMENT PLANNED TO SELL A TOTAL OF 357 525 SQUARE METRES OF LAND IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, OF WHICH 302 425 SQUARE METRES WOULD BE FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USE.

THIS COMPARED WITH A FIGURE OF 178 907 SQUARE METRES OF NON-INDUSTRIAL LAND SOLD DURING 1979/80.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SITES TO BE SOLD NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR IS 69, OF WHICH 52 WILL BE NON-INDUSTRIAL AND THE OTHER 17, MEASURING 55 100 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, INDUSTRIAL.

IN THE CURRENT YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, 75 SITES WERE BEING SOLD MEASURING TOTALLY 243 880 SQUARE METRES.

HE SAID THE NUMBER OF SITES TO BE SOLD WAS SMALLER IN NUMBER, BUT COMBINING INDUSTRIAL AND NON-INDUSTRI AL LAND THE AMOUNT WAS, OVERALL, NEARLY 47 PER CENT ABOVE THIS YEAR’S FIGURE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID 32 OF THE SITES TO BE SOLD UNDER NEXT YEAR’S PROGRAMME WERE IN SHA TIN AND TOTALLED 212 360 SQUARE METRES IN AREA.

TWELVE OF THE SITES WERE IN TUEN MUN (51 759 SQUARE f€TRES), EIGHT IN YUEN LONG (11 908.7 SQUARE METRES), SEVEN IN ISLANDS DISTRICT (39 625 SQUARE METRES), FIVE IN SAI KUNG (9 872.3 SQUARE METRES), THREE IN TSUEN WAN (19 500 SQUARE METRES), AND THE REMAINING TWO IN TAI PO (12 500 SQUARE NE TRES).

ON THE RESIDENTIAL SIDE, HE SAID THE LARGEST PACKAGE OF SITES FOR SALE WOULD BE IN SHA TIN, WHERE SIX LOTS MEASURING 78 915 SQUARE METRES WOULD BE AVAILABLE.

HE SAID THE LARGEST SINGLE SITE WOULD ALSO BE IN SHA TIN MEASURING 12 700 SQUARE METRES FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

ON THE INDUSTRIAL SIDE, NINE SITES IN SHA TIN TOTALLING 32 000 SQUARE METRES ARE TO BE SOLD TOGETHER. THE LARGEST SINGLE SITE WILL BE IN TSUEN WAN, MEASURING 8 800 SQUARE METRES. AN 11 200 SQUARE METRE SITE AT CHEUNG SHA IS TO BE SOLD FOR HOTEL DEVELOPMENT.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, I960

SWD PAYS OUT OVER $8.8 MILLION UNDER TAVA SCHEME

* * * * *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS PAID OUT MORE THAN $8.8 MILLION AS QUICK CASH RELIEF FOR PEOPLE APPLYING UNDER THE ♦NO FAULT+ TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME SINCE ITS IMPLEMENTATION LAST MAY.

ANOTHER $300 000 HAVE BEEN AUTHORISED FOR PAYMENT TO 71 CASES AND AWAIT COLLECTION AT THE DEPARTMENT.

THE PAYMENTS ALREADY MADE WERE GRANTED TO 271 CASES INVOLVING DEATH AND 2 355 CASES INVOLVING INJURIES WHICH HAVE CAUSED AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS’ LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY.

MRS DIANA LEE, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT’S TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) SECTION, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS FOR THE FATAL CASES TOTALLED $1.83 MILLION AND THAT FOR THE INJURY CASES, OVER $7 MILLION.

SHE SAID THE $7 MILLION INJURY GRANTS INCLUDED FURTHER PAYMENTS OF $1.4 MILLION IN 870 CASES WHEREBY THE APPLICANTS WERE MEDICALLY CERTIFIED TO REQUIRE EXTENDED SICK LEAVE.

IN THE CASES ALREADY PROCESSED, SHE SAID, THE HIGHEST PAYMENT WAS $21 100 MADE IN ONE FATAL CASE, WHILE OTHER PAYMENTS RANGED FROM $800 TO $20 100.

♦ AT PRESENT, 393 OTHER APPLICATIONS ARE BEING PROCESSED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND THE APPLICANTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS IN A FAIRLY SHORT TIME,+ SHE SAID.

THE NON-MEANS TESTED SCHEME AIMS AT PROVIDING QUICK CASH RELIEF FOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS REGARDLESS OF WHO WAS AT FAULT IN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT.

MRS LEE SAID PEOPLE INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AFTER MAY 1 LAST YEAR COULD APPLY WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE ACCIDENT.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME CAN BE MADE AT THE TAVA SECTION ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE FIRE BRIGADE BUILDING AT 46 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG (TEL. NOS. 5-222392 AND 5-223254).

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1980

WORK ON NEW RAILWAY TUNNEL PROGRESSES SMOOTHLY ft * ft ft ft *

WORK ON THE $78 MILLION NEW BEACON HILL RAILWAY TUNNEL IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY.

SO FAR, ABOUT 1 230 METRES OF TUNNELLING AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE TUNNEL HAS BEEN COMPLETED. OF THIS, SOME 830 METRES HAS BEEN LINED WITH CONCRETE OF 300 MM TO 550 MM THICK.

AT THE NORTHERN END, EXCAVATION WORK OF THE 750 METRES LONG PILOT TUNNEL HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND ABOUT 180 METRES OF IT HAS BEEN WIDENED TO FULL WIDTH.

MR LEUNG MIN-SUN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF PWD’S RAILWAY DIVISION SAID TODAY THAT THE BREAKTHROUGH OF THE NEW TUNNEL WAS EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE IN APRIL AS SCHEDULED.

THE 2.3 KM DOUBLE TRACK TUNNEL WILL BE ABOUT SEVEN METRES HIGH AND JUST OVER 10 METRES WIDE, ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AS THE TWO LION ROCK TUNNELS.

ITS HEIGHT WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW FOR THE ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.

♦ ON COMPLETION IN EARLY 1981, THE NEW TUNNEL WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING SINGLE TRACK TUNNEL, WHICH HAS BEEN IN USE SINCE 1910,♦ SAID MR LEUNG.

MEANWHILE. WORK IS UNDERWAY ON THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN APPROACHES TO THE TUNNEL.

MR LEUNG SAID THAT WORK ON THE SOUTHERN PORTAL OF THE TUNNEL AND THE RAILWAY EMBANKMENT HAD BEEN COMPLETED.

♦ CONTRACTORS ARE, AT PRESENT. LAYING TEMPORARY TRACKS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KCR AND MTR INTERCHANGE STATION AT KOWLOON TONG.+ HE SAID.

♦ AT THE NORTHERN APPROACH, WORK HAS JUST BEGUN ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE AND THE LAYING OF ABOUT 1 300 b€TRES OF RAILWAY TRACK.♦

THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN APPROACHES ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME OPERATIONAL TOGETHER WITH THE TUNNEL ITSELF EARLY NEXT YEAR.

- - - - 0 --

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1980

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE HANDLES RECORD NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES

*****

A RECORD 20 000 ENQUIRIES WERE MADE THROUGH THE POST OFFICE BOX FACILITY (GPO BOX 10161) OPERATED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE (YEAS) DURING THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR.

THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 400 PER CENT OVER ENQUIRIES RECEIVED IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

THE YEAS ALSO PROVIDED 246 CAREERS TALKS TO 37 973 STUDENTS IN 165 SCHOOLS LAST YEAR.

THESE SERVICES WERE SOME OF THE YEAS'S ACTIVITIES GEARED TO HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE CHOOSE A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR TALENTS, INTERESTS AND ABILITIES.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAS’S ACTIVITIES IN 1979 WERE«

* CONDUCTING 16 REGIONAL CAREERS SEMINARS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG"

* PARTICIPATING IN 25 OTHER ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH THE PROVISION OF CAREERS INFORMATION TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS AND INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS-

* STAGING 10 MINI CAREERS EXHIBITIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE EXHIBITION UNIT AT SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY CENTRES, PUBLIC PARKS AND HOUSING ESTATES"

* STAGING THE CAREERS '80 EXHIBITION IN HUNG HOM WHICH ATTRACTED MORE THAN 120 000 VISITORS- AND

* CONDUCTING A TWO-DAY SEMINAR FOR CAREERS TEACHERS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID SINCE THE INCEPTION CF YEAS IN 1968. IT HAD BEEN PROMOTING CAREERS EDUCATION AND DISSEMINATING CAREERS INFORMATION TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.

IT HAS ADOPTED A DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH WHEREBY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ACQUAINTED WITH THE WORLD OF WORK THROUGH THREE STAGES — CAREERS AWARENESS, CAREERS EXPLORATION AND CAREERS PREPARATION.

♦ IT IS AN INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED VIEW THAT CAREERS EDUCATION SHOULD START INITIALLY AT A JUNIOR LEVEL TO BE DEVELOPED THROUGH SECONDARY SCHOOL AND TO CONTINUE FURTHER FOR THOSE REQUIRING ADVICE AFTER LEAVING SCHOOL,♦ HE ADDED.

SUPPLYING UP-TO-DATE CAREERS INFORMATION TO YOUNG PEOPLE IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE YEAS’S FUNCTIONS, THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED.

THIS IS ACHIEVED MAINLY THROUGH THE PUBLICATION OF 37 DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAREERS PAMPHLETS ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES, 100 OCCUPATIONS LEAFLETS AND A MONTHLY CAREERS NEWSLETTER, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES AND THE STAGING CF ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITIONS.

/THE ESTABLISHMENT ....

MONDAI, FEBRUARY 18, 1980

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES IS THE YEAS’S LATEST MAJOR EFFORTS TO ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXPLORE THE WORLD OF WORK.

THE FIRST CENTRE SET UP IN SEPTEMBER 1978 IN KOWLOON ATTRACTED NEARLY 10 000 VISITORS LAST YEAR, HE SAID.

THE SECOND CENTRE WAS OPENED EARLIER THIS MONTH, BY THE SUCCESS OF ITS KOWLOON COUNTERPART.

ENCOURAGED

BOTH CENTRES ARE COMPLETE WITH A VARIETY OF CAREERS FACILITIES, INCLUDING REFERENCE LIBRARIES AND AUDIO-VISUAL UNITS, AND VISITORS ARE ABLE TO BROWSE THROUGH BOOKS ON CAREERS, VIEW SLIDES AND LISTEN TO TAPE-RECORDINGS OF TALKS BY SPECIALISTS.

THEY ALSO HAVE INFORMATIVE DISPLAY MATERIALS, NOTABLY CHARTS SHOWING TRAINING AVENUES AND THE COURSES YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE TO TAKE IN THE PURSUIT OF A CAREER.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ANOTHER IMPORTANT YEAS ACTIVITY WAS ORGANISING TRAINING SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CAREERS TEACHERS.

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

SNT TO OPEN MINI LIBRARY IN SHA TIN

MM M «

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN SHA TIN’S NEWEST LIBRARY IN LEK YUEN ESTATE ON MARCH 17.

THE MINI LIBRARY, THE SIXTH IN THE NEW TOWN, OCCUPIES 56 SQUARE METRES (600 SQUARE FEET) ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF SAU CHUEN HOUSE IN THE ESTATE CENTRE.

SPONSORED BY SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, THE <30 000 PROJECT WILL COMPLEMENT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARY AND FOUR SMALLER LIBRARIES OPERATED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

IT WILL BE KNOWN AS THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION LIBRARY. THIS ASSOCIATION IS BEING FORMED AS A PERMANENT BODY TO PROMOTE ARTS AND CULTURE IN THE NEW TOWN.

A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE NEED FOR EXPANDED LIBRARY FACILITIES TO KEEP PACE WITH THE RAPID POPULATION GROWTH IN THE DISTRICT HAD BEEN RECOGNISED.

♦THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD BY RESPONDING TO THIS NEED HAS SET AN EXAMPLE,♦ HE SAID.

OPENING HOURS OF THE LIBRARY WILL BE FROM 5.30 PM TO 9.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND SATURDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS EXCEPT NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, AND CHRISTMAS AND BOXING DAYS, WHEN IT WILL REMAIN CLOSED.

/two paid......

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1980

TWO PAID PART-TIME SUPERVISORS ARE BEING RECRUITED TO RUN THE LIBRARY.

SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GERRY HIGGINSON, AND MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD WILL ALSO OFFICIATE AT THE LIBRARY’S OPENING.

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

COURSE FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS * * * * *

A COURSE ON THE ORGANISATION AND JUDGING OF PRIMARY SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEETS HAS BEEN ORGANISED FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

ORGANISED BY THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THE COURSE IS OPEN TO ALL P.E. TEACHERS EXCEPT THOSE WHO HAVE ATTENDED SIMILAR COURSES BEFORE.

THE COURSE, FREE OF CHARGE, WILL BEGIN ON APRIL 8, 1980 FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE DAYS AT DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL, MONG KOK.

PARTICIPANTS WILL TAKE PART IN BOTH THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL SESSIONS. A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE ISSUED TO THOSE WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE COURSE.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THEIR SCHOOL. APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE FORM AND RETURN IT ON OR BEFORE MARCH 17, 1980 TO PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (PHYSICAL EDUCATION), (ATTNi MRS Y.C. LEUNG), PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 7TH FLOOR, 405, NATHAN ROAD.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED THROUGH THEIR HEAD OF SCHOOL IN DUE COURSE.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1980

TALKS BY LABOUR OFFICERS * * *

OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT GAVE A TOTAL OF 19 TALKS TO PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS LAST MONTH (JANUARY).

THE LECTURES COVERING DIFFERENT TOPICS WERE GIVEN TO VARIOUS GROUPS. RANGING FROM TRADE UNIONS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES TO NURSES IN A GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL.

TOPICS INCLUDED INDUSTRIAL SAFETY. THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE DEPARTMENT. LABOUR LEGISLATION, THE MEDICAL ASPECTS OF WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR AND LAWS ON AIR POLLUTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS.

LAST YEAR A TOTAL OF 129 TALKS WERE GIVEN, OF WHICH 42

WERE GIVEN BY OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE AND 35 BY OFFICERS OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE. THE REMAINDER WAS GIVEN BY THE DEPARTMENT’S OTHER UNITS.

- - o - -

FIRING PRACTICE *****

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON TWO DAYS THIS 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

FEBRUARY 21 (THURSDAY)

8 AM — 10.30 PM

FEBRUARY 22 (FRIDAY)

8.30 AM — 4 PM

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NC.

OLD ONE DOLLAR COIN CEASES TO BE LEGAL TENDER FROM MARCH 1 .................................. 1

FIRE SERVICES HELPING MORE PEOPLE IN DISTRESS ........ 2

APPROACH ROADS TO AIRPORT TUNNEL TO OPEN TO TRAFFIC IN JUNE ...................................... 3

COMMUNITY NURSES PLAYING GREATER ROLE ................ 4

SIX SCENIC LAND LOTS FOR SALE......................... 5

SHA TIN WILL HAVE CYCLE TRACKS AND PARKS ............. 6

SURVEY ON PRINTING INDUSTRY MANPOWER.................. 6

STUDENTS’ CREATIVE ART WORK ON DISPLAY................ 7

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1980

OLD ONE DOLLAR COIN CEASES TO BE LEGAL-TENDER FROM MARCH 1 * * * *

FOR THE FAMILIAR, BUT BIG AND HEAVY ONE DOLLAR COIN MARCH 1 IS D-DAY — DEMONETISING DAY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT FROM MARCH 1 THE OLD COIN WILL CEASE TO BE LEGAL TENDER.

A PROCLAMATION TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON OCTOBER 12 LAST YEAR.

+THIS MEANS THAT FROM MARCH 1 THE LEGAL OBLIGATION TO ACCEPT THESE COINS IN SATISFACTION OF DEBTS IS REMOVED,* THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

♦HOWEVER, ANY PERSON OWNING ANY OF THESE COINS WILL BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE THEM FOR THE NEWER ONE DOLLAR COINS OR FOR THE EQUIVALENT IN OTHER COINS OR NOTES BY PRESENTING THEM AT A BANK.*

THE NEW, SMALLER AND LIGHTER, ONE DOLLAR COIN WAS INTRODUCED ON AUGUST 14, 1978, AND SINCE THAT DATE THE OLD COINS, WHICH HAVE BEEN LEGAL TENDER SINCE DECEMBER 12, I960, HAVE BEEN GRADUALLY WITHDRAWN FROM CIRCULATION.

THE DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TWO COINS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

DIAMETER WEIGHT EDGE THICKNESS SHAPE TYPE OF EDGE

(MM) (GRAMS) (MM)

OLD: 30.00 11.664 2.25 ROUND MILLED

NEW: 25.50 7.10 1.95 ROUND MILLED

BOTH COINS ARE MADE OF CUPRO-NICKEL AND ARE SILVER COLOURED IN APPEARANCE.

AS AT JANUARY 31, 1980, 278 MILLION ONE DOLLAR COINS WERE IN CIRCULATION, AND OF THIS NUMBER 79 MILLION WERE OF THE SPECIFICATION WHICH IS TO BE DEMONETISED.

THE CHANGE STEMS FROM THE ACCEPTANCE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER, 1974 OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COINAGE REVIEW COMMITTEE. AN ABRIDGED COPY OF THIS COMMITTEE’S REPORT WAS PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER 1974 AND RECEIVED WIDE PRESS COVERAGE AT THE TIME.

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1980

FIRE SERVICES HELPING MORE PEOPLE IN DISTRESS ******

THE FIRE SERVICES RESPONDED TO A RECORD HIGH NUMBER OF 217 889 CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE OF ALL KINDS DURING LAST YEAR, 1979.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS MEANT AN INCREASE OF 28 752 CALLS COMPARED WITH 189 137 IN 1978.

OF THE TOTAL CALLS RESPONDED TO DURING THE YEAR BY THE OPERATIONAL DIVISIONS OF THE FIRE SERVICES INCLUDING BOTH THE FIRE AND AMBULANCE COMMANDS, 13 107 WERE FIRE ALARMS, RESULTING IN 45 PEOPLE KILLED, 768 INJURED AND THOUSANDS ENDANGERED, REQUIRING RESCUE BY FIREMEN.

IN ADDITION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, 199 152 AMBULANCE CALLS AND 5 630 SPECIAL CALLS WERE ANSWERED AND DEALT WITH.

♦THESE REPRESENT AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 596 REPONSES FROM FIRE AND AMBULANCE STATIONS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG EACH 24 HOURS. THE REQUESTS FOR HELP RANGED FROM A SICKNESS OR ACCIDENT CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE TO A REPORT OF CONFLAGRATION LASTING 24 HOURS OR MORE AND INVOLVING MORE THAN 200 FIREMEN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

SO AS TO BE CONSTANTLY PREPARED FOR THESE EMERGENCIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ABOUT 4 500 OFFICERS OPERATING A FLEET OF 130 AMBULANCES AND 500 FIRE APPLIANCES AND FIREBOATS, WORKING IN SHIFTS, WERE DEPLOYED.

TO FURTHER IMPROVE THEIR RESCUE AND FIRE-FIGHTING CAPABILITY, THREE 50-METRE TURNTABLE LADDER APPLIANCES — THE TALLEST PIECES OF APPARATUS AVAILABLE WHICH CAN BE USED IN HONG KONG — WERE COMMISSIONED IN MARCH LAST YEAR.

IN ADDITION, THREE NEW 37-METRE TURNTABLE LADDER APPLIANCES ALSO JOINED THE FLEET DURING THE YEAR.

♦TYPES AND STANDARDS OF FIRE APPLIANCES AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE ARE KEPT CONSTANTLY UNDER REVIEW AND ALL NEW DEVELOPMENTS ARE EVALUATED FOR THEIR POTENTIAL USEFULNESS IN HONG KONG,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

ANOTHER MAJOR ACQUIREMENT BY THE FIRE SERVICES LAST YEAR WAS A $10 MILLION CENTRALISED COMMUNICATIONS AND CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION IN OCTOBER. THE SYSTEM WAS AIMED AT BETTER MOBILISATION OF RESOURCES — THE 5 500 MEN AND MORE THAN 600 VEHICLES OF THE DEPARTMENT.

WHEN THE SOPHISTICATED NETWORK BECOMES FULLY OPERATIONAL NEXT MONTH, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, IT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR MANUALLY OPERATED COMMUNICATION IN FIRE AND AMBULANCE STATIONS.

♦THIS MEANS SAVINGS IN STAFF OF ABOUT 200 MEN AND IN THE ANNUAL PAYROLL OF ABOUT $6 MILLION.

/+AT THE ..

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1980

*AT THE SAME TIME, THE NETWORK WILL REDUCE RESPONSE TIME-'TO * EMERGENCY BY ONE PRECIOUS MINUTE — A SAVING OF MORE THAN 13 000 MINUTES A YEAR — THROUGH DIRECT CALL-OUT LINKS TO ALL FIRE AND AMBULANCE STATIONS AND A COMPUTER VEHICLE STATUS AND LOCATION SYSTEM FOR MOBILISING AMBULANCES,* HE SAID.

TO KEEP PACE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, AN EXPANSION PROGRAMME HAS ALSO BEEN DRAWN UP FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, BASED ON A GRADED RESPONSE TIME RANGING FROM SIX MINUTES IN THE URBAN AREAS UP TO ABOUT 20 MINUTES IN THE MORE RURAL AREAS.

MORE NEW STATIONS AND AMBULANCE DEPOTS WILL BE BUILT TO STREAMLINE OPERATIONS. PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ARE A DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION IN SHA TIN, A COMMAND HEADQUARTERS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, A SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION IN DISCOVERY BAY AND A FIRE STATION IN MAI PO. SITE FORMATION HAD STARTED FOR THE WONG TAI SIN DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION AND THE KOWLOON COMMAND HEADQUARTERS.

OTHER NEW PROJECTS ARE IN THE PIPELINE! THREE MORE FIRE STATIONS HAVE REACHED THE FINAL PLANNING STAGE AND CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL BEGIN AS SOON AS FINANCIAL APPROVAL IS GIVEN. THESE ARE AT CHAI WAN, SHEUNG WAN AND POK FU LAM.

0 -------

APPROACH ROADS TO AIRPORT TUNNEL TO OPEN TO TRAFFIC IN JUNE

******

PART OF THE WESTERN APPROACHES TO THE AIRPORT TUNNEL WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY: +WORK ON THE WESTERN APPROACHES, COMPRISING AN INTERCHANGE AT THE JUNCTION OF WUHU STREET AND CHATHAM ROAD, A 1 100-METRE ELEVATED ROADWAY ALONG CHATHAM ROAD AND KOWLOON CITY ROAD TOGETHER WITH AN INTERCHANGE AT SAN SHAN ROAD, IS NEAR COMPLETION.*

WHEN COMPLETED, HE ADDED, PARTS OF THESE ROADS WOULD BE OPENED IN JUNE TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN HUNG HOM AND TO KWA WAN.

LAST WEEK, A FOOTBRIDGE AT THE JUNCTION OF WUHU STREET AND CHATHAM ROAD WAS OPENED TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT IN THE AREA.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE WESTERN APPROACHES FORMED A SECTION OF A SIX-KILOMETRE HIGH CAPACITY ROUTE, KNOWN AS ROUTE 3.

ANOTHER SECTION IS MADE UP OF A 1 200-METRE TUNNEL UNDERNEATH KAI TAK AIRPORT AND AN 800-METRE ROAD IN KWUN TUNG, KNOWN AS EASTERN CONNECTION. I

CIVIL ENGINEERING WORK ON THE TUNNEL HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THAT ON THE EASTERN CONNECTION SHOULD BE FINISHED LATER THIS YEAR.

MEANWHILE, THE INSTALLATION OF LIGHTING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM OF THE AIRPORT TUNNEL IS PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY WHILE THE INSTALLATION OF THE TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM WILL BEGIN SHORTLY.

V ' /+IF EVERYTHING ..

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1980 '

♦ IF EVERYTHING WORKS ACCORDING TO PLAN, ONE OF THE TWO TUBES OF THE TUNNEL WILL BE OPENED FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THE ENTIRE PROJECT, COSTING $400 MILLION, WOULD BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY THE END OF 1982 WHEN TRAVELLING TIME BETWEEN URBAN KOWLOON AND KWUN TONG WOULD BE REDUCED CONSIDERABLY.

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

COMMUNITY NURSES PLAYING GREATER ROLE * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO TRAIN 75 REGISTERED AND ENROLLED NURSES EACH YEAR AS COMMUNITY NURSES, WHO HAVE PLAYED AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN RENDERING MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE TO THE SICK AND THE INFIRM.

THE NUMBER OF SICK PEOPLE THEY LOOK AFTER AT ANY ONE TIME HAS DOUBLED IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS. LAST DECEMBER, 794 PATIENTS WERE UNDER THEIR CARE COMPARED WITH 400 IN APRIL, 1977 WHEN THE GOVERNMENT BEGAN TO SUBSIDISE THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE.

COMMENTING ON THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR J.K. CRAIG NOTED THAT THE 794 PATIENTS REPRESENTED THE FULL CAPACITY OF A SMALL HOSPITAL.

COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE IS EXTENSION OF CARE TO PATIENTS DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITALS AFTER THEIR ACUTE STAGE OF ILLNESS. IT PROVIDES EFFICIENT HEALTH CARE FOR THE SICK, THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY IN THEIR HOMES, WHEN THEY HAVE DIFFICULTY IN VISITING CLINICS OR HOSPITALS FOR FOLLOW-UP TREATMENT.

♦THE SERVICE ALSO ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR OWN TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION WITH THE HELP OF THEIR FAMILIES, AS WELL AS TO PREVENT RELAPSE BY SUPPORTIVE CARE AND HEALTH EDUCATION,♦ DR CRAIG SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, OVER 6 400 PATIENTS BENEFITED FROM THIS SERVICE, AND THE NURSES MADE OVER 68 000 HOME VISITS.

THE STANDARD FEE FOR EACH VISIT IS $5, AND SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT AND DRUGS ARE CHARGED AT COST PRICE. +IN CASE OF FINANCIAL NEED, FEES CAN BE REDUCED OR WAIVED,* HE ADDED.

AT PRESENT SEVEN VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS JOIN HAND WITH THE NEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN PROVIDING THE SERVICE.

IT ONLY COVERS PATIENTS LIVING IN THE URBAN AREAS AND DISTRICTS AROUND RENNIE’S MILL AND TSUEN WAN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

PLANS ARE IN THE PIPELINE TO EXTEND THE SERVICE TO THE NEW TERRITORIES NEW TOWNS.

DR CRAIG ANTICIPATED THAT WHEN THE SERVICE IS IN FULL SWING, ♦IT WILL NOT ONLY BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN HOSPITALS AND HOMES, BUT ALSO HELP TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON THE MUCH NEEDED HOSPITAL BEDS.*

------0 ------ /5...............

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1980

SIX SCENIC LAND LOTS FOR SALE *****

THE GOVERNMENT WILL AUCTION SIX SITES IN THE ISLANDS AND SAI KUNG DISTRICTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES NEXT MONTH (MARCH).

THE SITES, ALL IN SCENIC SETTINGS, TOTAL 1.31 HECTARES AND ARE FOR RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT- ONE SITE IS FOR A SUPERMARKET.

TWO SITES IN ISLANDS DISTRICT AND THE OTHER ON CHEUNG CHAU - ARE

- ONE AT CHEUNG SHA ON LANTAU FOR VILLA-TYPE HOUSES.

MEASURING 855 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, THE CHEUNG SHA LOT IS ADJACENT TO THE SOUTH LANTAU ROAD AND WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF CHEUNG SHA BEACH.

THE CHEUNG CHAU LOT, WHICH IS 3 160 SQUARE METRES IN SIZE, IS ON A HILLSIDE AT FA PENG WHICH IS BEING DEVELOPED INTO A RESIDENTIAL ZONE.

THE LOTS CARRY BUILDING COVENANTS OF $2 MILLION AND $350 000 OVER 36 MONTHS.

PLOT RATIOS OF THE TWO LOTS, WHICH ARE RESTRICTED TO TWO-STOREY DEVELOPMENT, ARE 0.4 AND 0.6, WHILE THE SALES CONDITIONS OF THE FORMER ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN OPEN AIR SWIMMING POOL.

OF THE FOUR LOTS FOR SALE AT SAI KUNG, TWO ARE FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AT TUI MIN HOI CLOSE TO HIRAM’S HIGHWAY. THEY ARE NEIGHBOURING SITES OF 3 231 AND 2 638 SQUARE METRES AND ARE IN THE SAME AREA AS THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL LOT SOLD IN THE DISTRICT LAST JULY AT A RECORD PRICE OF $10 950 000.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE TWO SITES IS RESTRICTED TO A HEIGHT OF 16.7 METRES.

THE CONDITIONS OF SALE SPECIFY A PLOT RATIO OF 4 AND BUILDING COVENANTS OF $5 220 000 AND $4 260 000 TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 36 MONTHS.

FOR THE LARGER SITE, THERE IS ALSO A REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE SMALL FACTORY UNITS OF 75 SQUARE METRES EACH.

OF THE TWO REMAINING SITES AT SAI KUNG, ONE, OF 2 420 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES AT FUNG SAU TERRACE, TAI MONG TSAI, OVERLOOKING SAI KUNG HOI. THE OTHER SITE, WHICH IS FOR A RETAIL FOOD SUPERMARKET, IS OF 800 SQUARE METRES AT RAZOR HILL, CLEARWATER BAY ROAD.

THE SITES HAVE BUILDING COVENANTS OF $390 000 AND $800 000 TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 36 MONTHS. DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH IS LIMITED TO TWO STOREYS.

THE AUCTIONS, TO BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON MARCH 11, STARTING AT 11 AM, WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE CHIEF ESTATE SURVEYOR, NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR NIGEL BURLEY.

-----o ------- /6.....................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1980

SHA TIN WILL HAVE CYCLE TRACKS AND PARKS * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO BUILD A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF CYCLE TRACKS AND PARKS IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN THIS YEAR.

z THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) SHA TIN WOULD HAVE CYCLE TRACKS THAT WOULD LOOP AROUND THE TOWN AND OVER AND UNDER ROAD JUNCTIONS, ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO CYCLE TO AND FROM THEIR HOMES AND OFFICES, FACTORIES AND SCHOOLS.

RESIDENTS WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CYCLE TRACKS FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES, HE SAID.

THE FIRST 5.2 KILOMETRES OF TRACK LINKING TAI WAI AND FO TAN IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER.

ANOTHER 3.8 KILOMETRES ARE SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. THEY WILL START FROM TAI WAI AND RUN ON BOTH SIDES OF, AND OVER, THE SHING MUN RIVER CHANNEL.

MR CHOW SAID THE GENERAL WIDTH OF TRACKS WOULD BE 3.5 METRES, WHILE THE WIDTH OF TRACKS ON BRIDGES AND IN SUBWAYS WOULD BE 2.8 METRES.

THEY WILL BE SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN ROADS AND WILL HAVE THEIR OWN SIGNPOSTS.

CYCLE PARKS WILL BE BUILT IN SELECTED AREAS SUCH AS THE TAI WAI AND FO TAN RAILWAY STATIONS AND LEK YUEN AND WO CHE HOUSING ESTATES.

MR CHOW SAID SINCE SHA TIN NEW TOWN WOULD HAVE THE FIRST COMPLETED CYCLE TRACK NETWORK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THE DISTRICT OFFICE TOGETHER WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WOULD IMPLEMENT A MAJOR PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.

♦IT WILL AIM AT ADVISING LOCAL RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE, ABOUT THE OVERALL CYCLE TRACK PROGRAMME AND EDUCATING THEM ON THE PROPER USES OF THESE TRACKS WITH THE EMPHASIS ON SAFETY,♦ HE SAID.

- - o - -

SURVEY ON PRINTING INDUSTRY MANPOWER

*****

A MANPOWER SURVEY WILL BE CARRIED OUT NEXT MONTH TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS OF THE PRINTING INDUSTRY.

THE SURVEY - THE FIFTH SO FAR - WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL FROM MARCH 3 TO 22 WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

BASED ON THE SURVEY FINDINGS, THE BOARD WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON MANPOWER TRAINING FOR THE INDUSTRY.

/QUESTIONNAIRES AND

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1980

QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS WERE SENT TODAY (FEBRUARY 19) TO 500 ESTABLISHMENTS SELECTED BY RANDOM STRATIFIED SAMPLING.

EMPLOYERS OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ON EACH OF THE PRINCIPAL JOBS IN THE INDUSTRY! THE NUMBERS OF WORKERS AT PRESENT EMPLOYED AND UNDER TRAINING, THE NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANCIES, AND A FORECAST OF THE ADDITIONAL NUMBER OF WORKERS IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS WILL CALL AT EACH OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS DURING THE SURVEY TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR ALEX WUt TODAY URGED THE EMPLOYERS CONCERNED TO OFFER THEIR CO-OPERATION.

+AS THE INFORMATION TO BE COLLECTED FROM THIS SURVEY IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE FOR FORMULATING MEANINGFUL TRAINING PLANS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INDUSTRY, THE CO-OPERATION OF THOSE COVERED BY THE SURVEY IS SINCERELY SOUGHT,* HE SAID.

MR WU STRESSED THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT.

STUDENTS* CREATIVE ART WORK ON DISPLAY

*****

TEACHERS, PUPILS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AN EXHIBITION OF PUPILS’ CREATIVE ART WORK TO BE HELD FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) UNTIL MARCH 1 AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE IN NORTH POINT.

ON DISPLAY WILL BE SELECTED ART WORK BY FORM/MIDDLE-5 STUDENTS, CREATIVE WORK INCLUDING PAINTING, NEEDLEWORK AND OTHER CRAFTS BY PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS AND PAINTINGS BY KINDERGARTEN PUPILS.

THE WORK OF FORM/MIDDLE-5 STUDENTS WILL BE OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS PREPARING FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN ART, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE SAID.

WINNING ENTRIES, PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS FOR THE SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAMME 1979 WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE EXHIBITION, AS WELL AS PAINTINGS BY KOREAN AND JAPANESE CHILDREN, HE SAID.

THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE IS AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, 4TH AND 5TH FLOORS, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG. THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN DURING OFFICE HOURS.

- - o

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

RE-EXPORTS SET NEW RECORD ......................... 1

INDOOR STADIUM A STEP NEARER COMPLETION ........... 3

RACE DAY TRAINS CANCELLED ......................... 3

PORT WORKS CHIEF ENGINEER RETIRES ................. 4

PRISON OFFICERS RECEIVE RaNK INSIGNIA ............. k

BUS-ONLY LANES ON LUNG CHEUNG RChD................. 5

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, I960

RE-EXPORTS SET NEW RECORD

*****

HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS REACHED A RECORD OF $20 024 MILLION IN 1979, AN INCREASE OF 52 PER CENT OVER 1978, ACCORDING TO TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THE FIVE LARGEST MARKETS FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS AND COMPARATIVE FIGURES OF RE-EXPORTS VALUES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1979 (HK$ MN) 1978 (HK$ MN) INCREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

JAPAN 2 477 2 282 + 195 + 9

USA 1 995 1 232 + 763 ♦ 62

SINGAPORE 1 804 1 390 ♦ 414 + 30

TAIWAN 1 730 1 221 + 509 + 42

INDONESIA 1 684 1 302 + 382 ♦ 29

JAPAN REMAINED THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS WITH SIGNIFICANT GROWTH RECORDED IN FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS (BY $110 MILLION OR 75 PER CENT), AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $78 MILLION OR 149 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECLINES WERE REGISTERED IN THE DEMAND FOR TEXTILES (BY $81 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT) AND PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $76 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT).

AMONG THE INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO USA WERE CLOTHING (BY $182 MILLION OR 269 PER CENT), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $98 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT), AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $81 MILLION OR 70 PER CENT).

RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE ALSO SHOWED SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN TEXTILES (BY $74 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT), AND PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $60 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT).

RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN SHOWED GOOD ADVANCES IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY. APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $132 MILLION OR 76 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY $40 MILLION OR 74 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $39 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT).

INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS TO INDONESIA WERE MAINLY MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL (BY $46 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT), ROAD VEHICLES (BY $36 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT), AND MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $24 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT).

/RE-EXPORTS .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1980

RE-EXPORTS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1979 (HK3 MN) 1978 (HK$ MN) INCREASE (HKS MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

CHINA 5 663 3 659 + 2 004 + 55

JAPAN 3 393 2 243 + 1 150 ♦ 51

USA 2 286 1 694 ♦ 692 * 43

TAIWAN 898 402 + 496 +123

SWITZERLAND AND LIECHTENSTEIN 660 501 ♦ 159 + 32

OVERSEAS PURCHASES OF CHINESE PRODUCTS THROUGH HONG KONG REMAINED ACTIVE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILE MADE-UP ARTICLES (BY $255 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT). UNDER-GARMENTS OF TEXTILE FABRICS (BY $100 MILLION OR 235 PER CENT), NON-TEXTILE CLOTHING (BY $84 MILLION OR 118 PER CENT), LADIES’ AND INFANTS’ OUTER GARMENTS OF TEXTILE FABRICS (BY $70 MILLION OR 135 PER CENT), AND WOVEN FABRICS AND MAN-MADE FIBRES (BY $65 MILLION OR 103 PER CENT).

SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE OVERSEAS DEMAND FOR JAPANESE WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $202 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT), THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS, TRANSISTORS AND PARTS THEREOF (BY $65 MILLION OR 81 PER CENT), RADIO BROADCAST RECEIVERS (BY $56 MILLION OR 121 PER CENT), AND MISCELLANEOUS TEXTILE AND LEATHER MACHINERY (BY $51 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT).

INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS OF US ORIGIN WERE NOTED IN THERMIONIC, COLD CATHODE AND PHOTO-CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, PHOTOCELLS, TRANSISTORS AND PARTS THEREOF (BY $111 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $103 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT) AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHIC AND CINEMATOGRAPHIC SUPPLIES (BY $37 MILLION OR 77 PER CENT).

A SIZEABLE PORTION OF THE INCREASE IN RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATED FROM TAIWAN CONSTITUTED TEXTILE YARN (BY $123 MILLION OR 315 PER CENT), WOVEN FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES (BY $50 MILLION OR 84 PER CENT) AND MISCELLANEOUS TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND PARTS (BY $36 MILLION OR 139 PER CENT).

RE-EXPORTS OF SWISS ORIGIN ALSO SHOWED SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH, PARTICULARLY FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $79 MILLION OR 44 PER CENT).

WHEN ANALYSED BY COUNTRY OF DESTINATION, THERE WERE INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO USA (BY $362 MILLION OR 97 PER CENT), INDONESIA (BY $241 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (BY $159 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT) AND NIGERIA (BY $112 MILLION OR 91 PER CENT). INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS OF JAPAN ORIGIN WERE MAINLY TO CHINA (BY $323 MILLION OR 815 PER CENT), TAIWAN (BY $150 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT) AND WEST GERMANY (BY $56 MILLION OR 107 PER CENT). INCREASES WERE ALSO NOTED IN RE-EXPORTS OF US ORIGIN TO CHINA (BY $99 MILLION OR 309 PER CENT).

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1980

- 3 -

INDOOR STADIUM A STEP NEARER COMPLETION * * * * *

THE SPECTATOR STAND OF THE NEW HUNG HOM INDOOR STADIUM IS NOW TAKING SHAPE.

MR PAU SHIU-HUNG, SENIOR ARCHITECT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID MORE THAN 30 PER CENT OF THE WORK ON THE STAND HAD BEEN COMPLETED.

♦ ON ITS FULL COMPLETION AT THE END OF THE YEAR, THE 10 000 SQUARE-METRE STEEL-FRAMED ROOF WILL BE LOWERED ONTO ITS CONCRETE RIM.

♦ THEN, CONTRACTORS WILL PROCEED WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE AIR-CONDITIONING PLANT, SOUND SYSTEM AND SPORTS FACILITIES. IN ADDITION, 12 500 SEATS WILL BE FITTED,+ HE SAID.

MR PAU EXPECTED THAT THE $100 MILLION SPORTS STADIUM WOULD BE COMPLETED LATE NEXT YEAR.

ONE OF ITS FEATURES WILL BE A FOUR SIDED VIDEO SCREEN, SUSPENDED ABOVE THE CENTRE OF THE ARENA AND INCORPORATING SCOREBOARD AND CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION FACILITIES.

♦ WITH SUCH EQUIPMENT, LARGER-THAN-LIFE CLOSE-UPS AND INSTANT REPLAYS, ALL IN COLOUR, WILL BE POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.

♦ THE STADIUM WILL HAVE FACILITIES FOR STAGING EVENTS RANGING FROM GYMNASTICS AND BASKETBALL MATCHES TO THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES AND MAJOR EXHIBITIONS. FOR THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EVENT, DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS OF SEATING ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.+

THE ARENA ITSELF WILL BE LARGE ENOUGH FOR TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, VOLLEYBALL COURTS OR TENNIS COURTS, OR FOR EIGHT BADMINTON COURTS OR 24 TABLE-TENNIS TABLES AT ONE TIME.

OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE CHANGING ROOMS, MEETING ROOMS, GENERAL OFFICES, A LARGE EQUIPMENT STORE, FURNITURE STORE, CONTROL BOOTHS, BOOKING OFFICES AND TOILETS.

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

RACE DAY TRAINS CANCELLED ******

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL NOT BE RUNNING SPECIAL RACE DAY TRAINS TO SHA TIN THIS SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 23), A KCR SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.

THIS IS BECAUSE THAT DAY COINCIDES WITH THE HEAVIEST PERIOD OF THE RETURNING LUNAR NEW YEAR PASSENGER TRAFFIC TO HONG KONG, HE EXPLAINED.

ON THE SAME DAY IN THE LAST LUNAR NEW YEAR, SOME 32 000 PASSENGERS CAME BACK FROM CHINA. IN VIEW OF THE VERY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN NEW YEAR VISITS TO CHINA THIS YEAR, THE RETURN TRAFFIC WILL CLEARLY BE EVEN HEAVIER.

KCR RESOURCES WILL BE FULLY STRETCHED TO MEET THIS RETURN TRAFFIC AS WELL AS THE REQUIREMENTS OF REGULAR COMMUTERS.

------o ------ /4.......................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1980 ,

k -

PORT WORKS CHIEF ENGINEER RETIRES

* * * *

MR HOWARD CHAMBERLAIN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE PWD PORT WORKS DIVISION, WILL RETIRE NEXT WEEK AFTER NEARLY 26 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

AT A CEREMONY HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT MURRAY BUILDING, THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, MR DAVID STEAD, PRESENTED MR CHAMBERLAIN WITH A SOUVENIR ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE DEPARTMENT.

MR STEAD RECALLED THAT MR CHAMBERLAIN FIRST JOINED THE PORT WORKS DIVISION OF THE PWD’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE IN AUGUST 1954 AS ENGINEER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STAR FERRY PIERS.

SINCE THEN, HE HAS SPENT PRACTICALLY HIS ENTIRE CAREER IN PORT WORKS, EXCEPT FOR 18 MONTHS IN THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE.

MR CHAMBERLAIN WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR ENGINEER IN NOVEMBER 1961 AND TO THE PRESENT RANK IN SEPTEMBER IN 1966.

♦THROUGHOUT HIS ENTIRE CAREER IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, HE HAS MAINTAINED A HIGH STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE, AS WELL AS A STRONG SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY,* MR STEAD SAID.

+HIS SPECIALISED KNOWLEDGE IN MARINE ENGINEERING WORK HAS BEEN A GREAT ASSET TO THE DEPARTMENT AND HAS CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.+

IN RECOGNITION OF HIS MANY YEARS OF DEVOTED SERVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT AND TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, MR CHAMBERLAIN WAS RECENTLY AWARDED THE MBE.

OUTSIDE THE OFFICE, MR CHAMBERLAIN HAD BEEN A CLARINETTIST WITH THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA FOR TEN YEARS. ALSO HE WAS FOR SOME YEARS AN INSPECTOR OF THE AUXILIARY POLICE.

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

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRISON OFFICERS RECEIVE RANK INSIGNIA

* * * *

TWENTY-TWO OFFICER CADETS OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE RECENTLY BEEN PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF OFFICER WILL RECEIVE THEIR APPOINTMENT LETTER AND RANK INSIGNIA AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE PRISON OFFICERS CLUB IN STANLEY TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

THE CEREMONY WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR CHAN WA-SHEK.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL START AT 2 PM. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED LEAVING THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 1.15 PM SHARP.

-------0--------- /5.....................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, I960

- 5 -

BUS-ONLY LANES ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD *****

TWO +BUS ONLY+ LANES WILL BE INTRODUCED ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 22).

THEY ARE THE SECTION OF THE OUTERMOST LANE (THAT IS THE TRAFFIC LANE NEAREST TO THE CENTRAL DIVIDER) OF THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EXTENDING FROM THE CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD JUNCTION TO A POINT OF ABOUT 30 METRES NORTH OF THE JUNCTION- AND THE SECTION OF THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD BETWEEN THE EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAYS OF CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD.

ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT BUSES, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE +BUS ONLY* LANES UNLESS AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE AUTHOR ITY.

ON THE SAME DAY, A 24-HOUR CLEARWAY ZONE WILL BE SET UP ON THE SECTION OF THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD FROM THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY SIGN LOCATED ABOUT 90 METRES EAST OF THE CHOI HUNG INTERCHANGE TO A POINT OUTSIDE THE VENTILATION SHAFT OF MTR CHOI HUNG STATION.

WITHIN THE ZONE, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.

APPROPRIATE SIGNPOSTS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NG.

GOVERNOR TO OPEN TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL .................. 1

REVISION CF KCR FARES ..................................

BALLOT FOR NT BATHING SHEDS ............................... 3

RESULTS OF LATEST TENDER FOR JOO URBAN TAXI LICENCES ....................................... 3

PUBLIC ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GET TO TSUEN '.VAN ARTS FESTIVAL .......................... 4

ADDITIONAL SHORT COURSES ON CHINESE CULTURE ............... 5

EXTRA BUS SERVICES FOR RACE MEETING IN SHA TIN ............ 6

yan yat Parties to be held in nt .......................... 6

liAXICABS /ILL SERVE KWAI CHUNG/TSING YI

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1980

- 1 -

GOVERNOR TO OPEN TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL

* M * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL OPEN THE SECOND TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, A S25 MILLION PROJECT WHICH WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY PRINCESS ALEXANDRA EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, TSUEN WAN CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION AND THE MUSIC OFFICE. THE FESTIVAL CONSISTS OF 45 PROGRAMMES PERFORMED BY LOCAL AND OVERSEAS GROUPS.

PRIOR TO THE GOVERNOR’S ARRIVAL, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR BRIAN WILSON, WILL PERFORM AN EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY FOLLOWED BY A LION DANCE.

THE GOVERNOR WILL BE MET BY MR AKERS-JONES, MR WILSON, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SECOND TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL, MR JIMMY HAYES, THE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN PO FONG, VICE-PRESIDENT, MR HARNAM GREWAL, AND THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, WS ELIZABETH WONG.

THE GOVERNOR AND THE OFFICIAL PARTY WILL PROCEED TO THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL FOR A COCKTAIL RECEPTION. LATER, SIR MURRAY WILL MOVE TO-THE AUDITORIUM WHERE MR HAYES WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING.

FOLLOWING MR HAYES’S SPEECH, THE GOVERNOR WILL DECLARE THE FESTIVAL OPEN AND THEN ATTEND THE OPENING CONCERT OF +CHINESE ARTS SONGS* BY LEADING HONG KONG SINGERS AND CHORUS.

A FLOWER SHOW WILL ALSO BE HELD DURING THE FIRST THREE DAYS, UNTIL FEBRUARY 26.

NOTE TO ED ITORSi

SPECIAL PRESS FACILITIES WILL BE ARRANGED FOR THE TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONY ON SATURDAY. THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY WILL BE AT 6.35 PM. THE GOVERNOR ARRIVES AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AT 7.45 PM. THOSE WISHING TO COVER THE EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL (JUNCTION OF TAI HO ROAD AND SHA TSUI ROAD) BY 6 PM. TWO GOVERNMENT NINE-SEATER VANS, AM2082 AND AM2083, WILL TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO THE TOWN HALL. THE VANS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 5 PM.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1980

REVISION OF KCR FARES * * * *

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY IS TO RAISE ITS PASSENGER FARES BY AN AVERAGE OF 30 PER CENT FROM APRIL 1.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KCR SAID THAT THE FARES HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS AND IS ONLY THE SECOND INCREASE IN 33 YEARS.

HE EMPHASISED THAT THE INCREASE WAS NECESSARY TO OFFSET RISING FUEL, MAINTENANCE AND OTHER OPERATING COSTS.

STUDENTS AT PRESENT PAYING $16 FOR THEIR MONTHLY PASSES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED. HOWEVER, THOSE PAYING BETWEEN $6 AND $14 WILL HAVE TO PAY AN EXTRA $2.

THE NEW FARE STRUCTURE IS AS FOLLOWSi

JOURNEY EXISTING REVISED

KOWLOON - MONG KOK ” - SHA TIN ” - UNIVERSITY ” - TAI PO KAU/TAI PO MARKET ” - FANLING/SHEUNG SHU 1 ” - LO WU 40/ 70/ $1.00 $1.30 $1.60 $1.90 50/ 90/ $1.30 $1.70 $2.10 $2.50

SHA TIN - UNIVERSITY ” - TAI PO KAU/TAI PO MARKET ” - FANLING/SHEUNG SHU 1 ” - LO WU 40/ 70/ $1.00 $1.30 50/ 90/ $1.30 $1.70

UNIVERSITY - TAI PO KAU/TAI PO MARKET ” - FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI ” - LO WU 40/ 70/ $1.00 50/ 90/ $1.30

TAI PO KAU - TAI PO MARKET ” - FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI ” - LO WU 30/ 50/ 70/ 40/ 60/ 90/

FANLING - SHEUNG SHUI ” - LO WU 30/ 40/ 40/ 50/

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, I960

BALLOT FOR NT BATHING SHEDS * * * *

THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED APPLICANTS FOR BATHING SHEDS ON BEACHES ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO RETURN THE APPLICATION FORMS BEFORE NOON ON SATURDAY.

THE 45 BATHING SHEDS, FOUR OF WHICH ARE ABOUT 54 SQUARE METRES EACH AND 41 ABOUT 27 SQUARE METRES EACH, ARE FOR RENT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR TO MARCH 31, 1981.

THE OPEN BALLOT WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, AT 11 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, AUSTIN CENTRE, FIFTH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID THAT BALLOT TICKETS AT $20 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SECTION OF THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF AUSTIN CENTRE.

+APPLICATIONS MAY BE MADE BY INDIVIDUALS WHO MUST BE GENUINE RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG, AND ONLY ONE MEMBER OF A FAMILY MAY APPLY,+ HE SAID.

♦APPLICATIONS FROM CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS MUST BE SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT, CHAIRMAN OR SECRETARY.+

RENTAL FEES FOR THE 45 BATHING SHEDS VARY ACCORDING TO SIZE:

* EACH OF THE 40 BATHING SHEDS OF ABOUT 27 SQUARE METRES IS $1 125.

X ONE BATHING SHED OF ABOUT 27 SQUARE METRES IS $750.

* EACH OF THE FOUR BATHING SHEDS OF ABOUT 54 SQUARE METRES IS $1 350.

♦FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BALLOT MAY BE OBTAINED BY PHONING THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON 3-678275 DURING OFFICE HOURS,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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

RESULTS OF LATEST TENDER FOR 300 URBAN TAXI LICENCES *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS COMPLETED PROCESSING THE LATEST TENDERS FOR 300 HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXI LICENCES.

A TOTAL OF 434 TENDERS SEEKING 704 TAXI LICENCES HAD BEEN RECEIVED WHEN THE OFFER CLOSED ON FEBRUARY 1. THE HIGHEST TENDER WAS $240 600 AND THE LOWEST ACCEPTABLE BID WAS $205 003.

DETAILS OF SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS AND THE AMOUNTS OFFERED WILL BE PUBLISHED IN TOMORROW’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE AVERAGE PREMIUM IN THE LATEST TENDER EXERCISE WAS $210 797.80 COMPARED WITH $233 740 IN THE PREVIOUS TENDER LAST SEPTEMBER.

HE SAID

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1980

HE SAID.THE AVERAGE PREMIUM IN JUNE LAST YEAR WAS $219 900-IN MARCH IT WAS $208 500- IN DECEMBER 1978 IT WAS $258 500- IN AUGUST 1978 IT WAS $244 000 AND IN APRIL 1978 IT WAS $208 500.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT LETTERS WILL BE GOING OUT TOMORROW TO SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS AND THAT THE FIRST OF THE 300 TAXIS WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH.

- - o - -

PUBLIC ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GET TO TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL

*****

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ATTENDING THE VARIOUS TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL EVENTS HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GET TO THE NEWLY OPENED TOWN HALL.

THE TOWN MANAGER AND DISTRICT OFFICER TSUEN WAN, MR JAMES HAYES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT PARKING FACILITIES IN THE NEW TOWN WERE VERY LIMITED DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF REDEVELOPMENT GOING ON IN THE CENTRAL AREA.

THE FESTIVAL WILL BE OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, ON SATURDAY AND WILL LAST THREE WEEKS.

MR HAYES SAID THERE WAS AMPLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVING THE TOWN HALL AREA, INCLUDING BUSES AND FERRIES.

HE SAID THE TSUEN WAN BUS TERMINUS WAS LOCATED NEXT TO THE TOWN HALL AND THERE WERE DIRECT SERVICES BETWEEN THE TOWN HALL AND URBAN KOWLOON.

ROUTES 30, 33 AND 40 SERVED THE TOWN HALL FROM JORDAN ROAD FERRY, SHAM SHU I PO AND KWUN TONG RESPECTIVELY AND ROUTES 33M AND AOM CONNECTED THE TOWN HALL WITH THE MTR STATIONS AT MONG KOK AND SHEK KIP MEI.

+FURTHERMORE, THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED CF THE LIKELY HEAVIER DEMAND FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES,* MR HAYES SAID.

HE SAID PEOPLE COMING FROM HONG KONG ISLAND HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THE DIRECT FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN CENTRAL AND TSUEN WAN, POINTING OUT THAT THE FERRY TERMINAL WAS ALSO CLOSE TO THE TOWN HALL.

AS MOST OF THE FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES WILL END ABOUT 10.30 PM THERE WILL BE ADEQUATE TIME FOR PEOPLE TO CATCH THE 10.45 PM AND 11.30 PM FERRIES BACK TO CENTRAL.

MR HAYES SAID 75 PER CENT OF THE TICKETS FOR FESTIVAL EVENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UP TO FEBRUARY 19 AND ALREADY 10 OF THE PERFORMANCES HAVE BEEN TOTALLY SOLD OUT.

+THE POPULARITY OF THIS FESTIVAL EMPHASISES THE NEED FOR THE WIDEST POSSIBLE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT,* HE SAID.

- - o - -

/5 ....

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1980

ADDITIONAL SHORT COURSES ON CHINESE CULTURE

*****

SHORT COURSES ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF CHINESE CLASSICS AND CULTURE WILL BE HELD BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S EVENING SCHOOL OF HIGHER CHINESE STUDIES.

THESE THREE-MONTH COURSES WILL BE RUN IN ADDITION TO THE THREE-YEAR GENERAL ARTS COURSE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS INTERESTED IN FURTHER STUDIES OF CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CLASSICS.

AMONG THE TOPICS ARE CALLIGRAPHY, BASIC KNOWLEDGE IN CHINESE LITERATURE, CHINESE PAINTING, AN INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE MEDICINE AND A SEMINAR ON MANDARIN.

LECTURERS ARE ALL WELL-KNOWN CHINESE SCHOLARS SPECIALISING IN THEIR PARTICULAR FIELD OF STUDY. THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION WILL BE CANTONESE.

ATTENDANCE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR TWO EVENINGS A WEEK FROM 7.15 PM TO 9.15 PM AT EITHER QUEEN’S COLLEGE IN CAUSEWAY BAY OR THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN KOWLOON.

FEES FOR EACH COURSE WILL BE $100.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM:

* ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON.

* GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, 42 GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.

* EDUCATION DEPARTMENT KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SIXTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.

* EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, LEE GARDENS, THIRD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG.

COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BEFORE MARCH 15 TO THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY CONTACTING MR K.Y. CHUN OF THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION (TEL NO 3-034222).

ON COMPLETING THE COURSES, STUDENTS WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE ISSUED BY THE SECTION.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1980

EXTRA BUS SERVICES FOR RACE MEETING IN SHA TIN *****

EXTRA RACEDAY BUSES WILL OPERATE THIS SATURDAY TO COPE WITH THE THOUSANDS WHO NORMALLY TRAVEL TO THE SHA TIN RACECOURSE BY TRAIN.

KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HAS SUSPENDED ITS NORMAL SPECIALS ON THAT DAY BECAUSE OF THE ENORMOUS DEMAND BY TRAVELLERS RETURNING FROM CHINA.

TWENTY-FIVE EXTRA DOUBLE-DECKERS FROM BOTH KMB AND CMB WILL STRENGTHEN THE MORE POPULAR RACECOURSE ROUTES. TEN MORE WILL BE DEPLOYED TO MAKE EXTRA TRIPS IF NEEDED.

IN ADDITION, A NEW MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY FEEDER SERVICE, NO. 87OM FROM KOWLOON TONG TO SHA TIN, WILL START OPERATING. THE FARE IS FIXED AT |2.

THE MAIN RACECOURSE ROUTES ARE NO. 881, CROSS-HARBOUR, FROM KENNEDY TOWN $5- NO. 882, CROSS-HARBOUR, FROM CHAI WAN (EAST) $5-NO. 880 FROM STAR FERRY $3, AND NO. 887 FROM TAI KOK TSUI FERRY $2.

WITH THE EXTRA BUSES, THE TWO COMPANIES WILL OFFER ADDITIONAL CAPACITY FOR ABOUT 3 700 PASSENGERS.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT RACEGOERS SHOULD AVOID GOING TO HUNG HOM RAIL TERMINAL AND, IN VIEW OF THE EXTRA PRESSURE ON BUS SERVICES, THEY SHOULD SET OFF EARLY FOR SHA TIN.

- - o - -

YAN YAT PARTIES TO BE HELD IN NT ******

YAN YAT --- +EVERYBODY’S BIRTHDAY+ WHICH IS CELEBRATED

ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR ---- WILL BE MARKED

BY A SERIES OF PARTIES FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL HOST THE FIRST PARTY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING. EACH OF THE EIGHT DISTRICTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL HOLD LOCALISED RECEPTIONS WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICER AS HOST.

TOMORROW’S YAN YAT PARTY WILL BE HELD IN THE OCEANIA RESTAURANT IN KOWLOON. GUESTS ATTENDING WILL INCLUDE UNOFFICIAL bEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, MEMBERS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, OFFICIALS OF NEW TERRITORIES ORGANISATIONS AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

THE DISTRICT PARTIES WILL BE HELD UP TO THE 15TH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR (MARCH 1).

- 0 - -

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, I960

MAX I CABS WILL SERVE KWAI CHUNG/TSING Yl *****

THREE NEW MAXICAB ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl BEGINNING FROM SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 24), BRINGING THE NUMBER OF MAXICAB ROUTES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO NINE.

NEW ROUTE NO 89 FROM KWAI SHING NORTH (KWAI HAU STREET) TO TSUEN WAN (HO PUI STREET) WILL START ON SUNDAY WHILE THE OTHER TWO ROUTES, NOS 87 AND 88, FROM KWAI SHING (SHING FONG STREET) TO TSUEN WAN (CHUNG ON STREET) AND FROM TSING Yl FERRY TO NAM WAN KOK WILL BEGIN OPERATION THE FOLLOWING DAY (MONDAY).

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE FARE FOR ROUTE NO 87, WHICH OPERATES AT A BASIC FREQUENCY OF FOUR MINUTES, IS 50 CENTS. THE FARES FOR ROUTE NO 88 ARE 30 CENTS AND 50 CENTS. MAXICABS ON THIS ROUTE RUN EVERY 10 MINUTES. FOR ROUTE NO 89 THE FARES ARE $1 AND $1.50. THIS SERVICE HAS A BASIC FREQUENCY OF FOUR MINUTES.

AS PART OF THE ARRANGEMENT FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW ROUTES, A SECTION OF HO PUI STREET BETWEEN CHUNG ON STREET AND HAM TIN STREET AS WELL AS KWAI HAU STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITED ZONES FROM SUNDAY.

FROM MONDAY, SEVERAL STREETS AND ROADS WILL ALSO BE DESIGNATED PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITED ZONES.

THEY ARE THE SECTION OF CHUNG ON STREET BETWEEN HO PUI STREET AND YEUNG UK ROAD, SHING FUK STREET, HING SHING ROAD AND WING FONG ROAD.

ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE RESTRICTED ZONES UNLESS AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

POPULATION TOPS FIVE MILLION ........................... 1

CHIfff JUSTICE TO OPEN FIRST CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS CONFERENCE ............................. 2

RETIREMENT SOUVENIR FCR PUBLIC WORKS DEPUTY DIRECTOR .............................................. 2

CUTBACK ON LATE EVENING FERRY SAILINGS ................. 4

NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE...................................... 4

TAI WAI PUBLIC DUMP TO CLOSE ........................... 5

OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME TECHNICAL TEACHERS ............... 6

FIRING PRACTICE ........................................ 7

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1980

POPULATION TOPS FIVE MILLION

* * * * *

HONG KONG’S ESTIMATED POPULATION AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1979 WAS 5 017 000, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF OVER THE ESTIMATE IN 1978.

296 800 PEOPLE OR 6.3 PER CENT

THE LARGEST CONSTITUENT IN THE GROWTH RATE WAS NET IMMIGRATION, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 189 300 OR 4 PER CENT.

THE NATURAL INCREASE IN POPULATION WAS ONLY 57 800 OR 1.2 PER CENT. THE FIGURE INCLUDES 1 218 HONG KONG BORN BABIES OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.

THE BALANCE OF ARRIVALS OVER DEPARTURES OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 49 700 OR 1.1 PER CENT.

THE GAIN IN THE BALANCE OF IMMIGRATION WAS DUE SOLELY TO IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA.

THE NUMBER OF LEGAL CHINESE IMMIGRANTS WHO ARRIVED IN 1979 WAS 70 466, COMPARED WITH 71 490 IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ENTERING HONG KONG SUCCESSFULLY WAS 113 000, WHICH WAS THREE TIMES THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE FOR 1978.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THE TOTAL POPULATION FIGURE WAS OBTAINED BY UPDATING THE ESTIMATE FOR MID-1979.

+DURING THE YEAR, THERE HAS BEEN A GROWING TENDENCY AMONG ILLEGAL CHINESE IMMIGRANTS TO REPORT EARLIER TO THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE AND THIS HAS RESULTED IN A MORE ACCURATE ESTIMATE OF NEW ARRIVALS WHO EVADED ARREST,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+IN FACT, ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF THE ESTIMATED NUMBER FOR 1979 WAS BASED ON APPLICATIONS FOR ID CARDS,+ HE ADDED.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BIRTHS LAST YEAR WAS 83 019. REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 2.8 PER CENT OVER 1978’S ESTIMATE. THIS WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE GRADUAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OP WOMEN IN THE CHILDBEARING AGES 15-49.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS, AT 25 268, WAS HIGHER BY 5.7 PER CENT. THE INCREASE WAS ASSOCIATED MAINLY WITH THE GROWING NUMBER OF OLD PEOPLE IN THE POPULATION.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1980

CHIEF JUSTICE TO OPEN FIRST CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS CONFERENCE ft * * ft *

THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 25).

DELEGATES FROM 14 COUNTRIES IN THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGION AS WELL AS CANADA WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS FROM FEBRUARY 25-29.

THE CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, TO BE HELD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 25) STARTING AT 9.15 AM.

UAue CREWS ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY WILL

HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.

RETIREMENT SOUVENIR FOR PUBLIC WORKS DEPUTY DIRECTOR ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR WILLIAM BELL, WILL PROCEED ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE EARLY NEXT MONTH AFTER 27 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT, MR DAVID MCDONALD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, TODAY PRESENTED HIM WITH A SOUVENIR ON BEHALF OF HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.

♦LIKE MANY OF THE WORLD’S MOST RENOWNED ENGINEERS BILL IS A SCOT,* MR MCDONALD SAID.

HE GREW UP IN THE CLYDESIDE AREA AND AFTER LEAVING SCHOOL HE WORKED INITIALLY FOR A CONTRACTING FIRM BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF THE COUNTY OF DUNBARTON.

♦HIS CAREER WAS, HOWEVER, INTERRUPTED WHEN HE WAS CONSCRIPTED DURING WORLD WAR II FOR SERVICE IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE,♦ MR MCDONALD CONTINUED.

/+DUPING THESE .....

YKLTML, FEBRUARY 22, 1980

♦DURING THESE YEARS HE FLEW BOTH AS A PILOT AND AS A FLIGHT ENGINEER. AFTER DEMOBILISATION HE RETURNED TO WORK IN DUNBARTON AND IN 1951 WAS ELECTED A.M. I.C.E.+

IN 1953, MR BELL JOINED THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND WAS POSTED TO THE PORT WORKS OFFICE.

AFTER A TOUR IN PORT WORKS, HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE THEN ROADS OFFICE AND THERE HE REMAINED IN VARIOUS POSTS CULMINATING IN HIS APPOINTMENT AS PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER IN 1971.

MR BELL LEFT THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE IN 1973 TO ASSUME THE POST CF DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT.

IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR, HE WAS APPOINTED TO THE SPECIALLY CREATED POST OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS (MASS TRANSIT).

IN THIS CAPACITY, HE LIAISED WITH THE NEW MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ON EVALUATION OF TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY AND WAS INVOLVED IN THE RE-EXAMINATION OF GOVERNMENT’S FUTURE ROLE IN RELATION TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.

IT WAS IN AUGUST 1975 WHEN MR BELL WAS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS AND TOOK OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY RUNNING OF THE DEPARTMENT. HE HAS, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS DURING MR MCDONALD’S ABSENCE.

IN RECOGNITION OF HIS YEARS OF STEADY HARD WORK AND READY ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY, HE WAS AWARDED THE O.B.E. IN 1977.

MR BELL REACHED THE AGE OF NORMAL RETIREMENT IN 1978, W MCDONALD SAID, BUT WAS INVITED AND CONSENTED TO STAY ON FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS FOR THE FURTHER BENEFIT OF THE DEPARTMENT.

AFTER HIS RETIREMENT, MR BELL AND HIS WIFE GWEN WILL SETTLE DOWN IN ALFRISTON, A SMALL VILLAGE NEAR THE SUSSEX COAST.

MR JACK STEAN, DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO ACT AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1980

CUTBACK ON LATE EVENING FERRY SAILINGS

******

LATE EVENING FERRY SAILINGS ON FIVE CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES CF THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY WILL TERMINATE EARLIER FROM THIS SUNDAY.

THE ROUTES AFFECTED AREi

* JUBILEE STREET TO JORDAN ROAD WHICH WILL NOW TERMINATE AT MIDNIGHT INSTEAD OF 2 AM-

* NORTH POINT TO KOWLOON CITY WHICH WILL TERMINATE AT 10.30 PM INSTEAD OF 11.50 PM-

* NORTH POINT TO HUNG HOM WHICH WILL TERMINATE AT 10.20 PM INSTEAD OF 11.55 PM-

* WAN CHAI TO JORDAN ROAD WHICH WILL TERMINATE AT 10.40 PM INSTEAD OF MIDNIGHT, AND

* JUBILEE STREET TO SHAM SHU I PO WHICH WILL TERMINATE AT 10.30 PM INSTEAD OF MIDNIGHT.

ALTERNATIVE CROSS-HARBOUR TRANSPORT AFTER THE TERMINATION OF THE FIVE ROUTES WILL BE AVAILABLE BY STAR FERRY, ALL-NIGHT BUS ROUTES NO. 121 AND 122 AS WELL AS THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY UP TO 1 AM.

A TRANSPORT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY WAS MAKING THE CUTBACK IN ORDER TO SAVE FUEL.

HE ADDED THAT THE MAJORITY OF COMMUTERS WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED AS ONLY LATE EVENING SAILINGS WITH VERY LOW PASSENGER DEMAND WERE BEING CURTAILED.

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NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE * * * *

A NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE WILL SHORTLY LOWER LAM TSUEN RIVER TO REPLACE THE EX BRIDGE WHICH HAS BEEN IN USE SINCE 1910

BE CONSTRUCTED OVER THE I ST I NG STEEL SINGLE TRACK

TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE NOW BEING INVITED.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE NEW THREE-SPAN PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BRIDGE WILL BE ABOUT 80 METRES LONG AND 13 METRES WIDE.

HE SAID THE WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN STAGES TRAIN SERVICES WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED.

SO THAT NORMAL

/HE SAID, ......

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1980

HE SAID, +IT WILL ALSO BE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT SPACE BENEATH THE BRIDGE FOR FUTURE ROAD WIDENING AS WELL AS FOR RIVER TRAINING WORK WITH A CONSEQUENT IMPROVEMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT IN THIS PART OF TAI PO.+

+THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF THE DOUBLE-TRACKING PROGRAMME FROM HUNG HOM TO LO WU AND THE MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION CF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.*

WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN APRIL AND BE COMPLETED BY NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR.

THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE RAILWAY DIVISION OF THE PWD’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE.

- - 0

TAI WAI PUBLIC DUMP TO CLOSE *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE PUBLIC DUMP NEAR TAI WAI, SHA TIN, WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY.

ON THE THREE AREAS

SAME DAY, AN ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC DUMP WILL BE OPENED NEAR SIU LEK YUEN, SHA TIN.

ACCESS TO THE NEW DUMP WILL BE FROM SIU LEK YUEN ROAD OFF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.

* DUMPING PERMITS ALREADY ISSUED FOR USE WITHIN SHA TIN WILL REMAIN VALID FOR THE NEW DUMP.

ONLY APPROVED SOFT EARTH AND STONES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

VEHICLES WITHOUT DUMPING MATERIAL IN THE THREE SIU LEK

PERMITS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO DUMP YUEN AREAS.

DUMPING PERMITS MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE ON WRITTEN APPLICATION TO THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.

EACH APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER, THE ORIGIN, TYPE AND APPROXIMATE QUANTITY OF MATERIALS TO BE DUMPED AND THE PERIOD FOR WHICH THE PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR A PARTICULAR JOB.

DUMPING WILL BE ALLOWED BETWEEN 8 AM AND 6 PM ON WEEKDAYS EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

ALL DUMPING MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DUMP SUPERVISOR.

-----0------ /6

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1980

OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME TECHNICAL TEACHERS

******

YOUNG PEOPLE WITH EXPERIENCE IN INDUSTRY ARE INVITED TO ENROL IN TECHNICAL COURSES AND THE HOTEL-KEEPING AND CATERING COURSE RUN BY THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THESE COURSES WILL BE ONE YEAR FULL-TIME AND WILL COMMENCE THIS SEPTEMBER.

THEY ARE INTENDED FOR MATURE STUDENTS WITH SOME YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PASSING ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND IN TAKING UP TEACHING AS A PROFESSION.

FINANCIAL GRANTS MAY BE GIVEN, RANGING FROM $1 410 TO $2 155 PER MONTH, DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF POSTQUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE.

APPLICANTS TO THE TECHNICAL COURSES MUST POSSESS AN ORDINARY OR TECHNICIAN DIPLOMA AWARDED BY THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE, THE POLYTECHNIC OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, OR ITS EQUIVALENT. THEY CAN APPLY FOR THE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINES OFFERED, INCLUDING CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.

APPLICANTS TO THE HOTEL-KEEPING AND CATERING COURSE MUST HOLD AN ORDINARY NATIONAL DIPLOMA (UK) IN HOTEL AND CATERING OPERATIONS, OR ITS EQUIVALENT, WITH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE RELATED FIELDS.

A GOOD STANDARD OF BOTH WRITTEN AND SPOKEN ENGLISH AND CHINESE IS ESSENTIAL.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.

COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE ON MARCH 19.

- 0 ---------

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1980

FIRING PRACTICE ft ft ft ft

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 13 DAYS NEXT MONTH.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO £NTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.

THE PRACTISING TIMES AREi

DATE TIME

MARCH 3 (MONDAY) 7 AM — 5 PM

MARCH 4 (TUESDAY) 7 AM — 5 PM

MARCH 14 (FRIDAY) 9 AM — 4 PM

MARCH 17 (MONDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM

MARCH 18 (TUESDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM

MARCH 19 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM

MARCH 20 (THURSDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM

MARCH 21 (FRIDAY) 8 AM — 4 PM

MARCH 24 (MONDAY) 9 AM -- 5 PM

MARCH 25 (TUESDAY) 8 AM —11 PM

MARCH 26 (WEDNESDAY) 5 AM — 4 PM

MARCH 27 (THURSDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM

MARCH 28 (FRIDAY) 8 AM — 4 PM

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR OPENS TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL ..................... 1

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES SENIOR APPOINTMENTS ................... 3

LABOUR DEPARTMENT HELPS FIND JOBS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE .....................................................

FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION AND VARIETY SHOW .................... 5

AMS PROVIDES AMBULANCE SERVICE ............................. 6

'(ATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO/ HOLD ANNUAL LUNaI! NEW YEAR CHILDREN'S PARTY .................................. 7

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY AND WESTERN DISTRICT ................................................... 7

FIRING PRACTICE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1980

GOVERNOR OPENS TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL * * * * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NEW TOWNS HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARY, PARTICULARLY IN THE CONURBATION OF TUSEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING I WHICH HAS A TOTAL POPULATION OF ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILLION.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SECOND TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS CONCERNED THAT IN THE HASTE TO PROVIDE HOMES AND JOBS WE SHOULD NOT REPEAT IN THE NEW TOWNS THE MISTAKES IN THE OLD.

THE GOVERNOR SAID: +THEY MUST HAVE THEIR OWN FOCUS FOR ADMINISTRATION AND UNOFFICIAL PARTICIPATION, THEIR OWN RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES.

♦ONLY IN THIS WAY CAN THEIR INHABITANTS HAVE PRIDE IN THEIR CITIES, AND PARTICIPATE IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT INTO THE PLACES FOR A FINE NEW LIFE THEY ARE INTENDED TO BE.+

FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH:

♦IT GIVES ME ENORMOUS PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU THIS EVENING TO ATTEND THE OPENING OF THE SECOND TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL.

♦THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NEW TOWNS HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARY -YOU ALREADY HAVE A POPULATION OF CLOSE ON THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILLION IN THE CONURBATION OF TSUEN WAN/KWAI CHUNG/TSING I. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE HASTE TO PROVIDE HOMES AND JOBS WE SHOULD NOT REPEAT IN THE NEW TOWNS THE MISTAKES IN THE OLD. THEY MUST HAVE THEIR OWN FOCUS FOR ADMINISTRATION AND UNOFFICIAL PARTICIPATION, THEIR OWN RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES. ONLY IN THIS WAY CAN THEIR INHABITANTS HAVE PRIDE IN THEIR CITIES, AND PARTICIPATE IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT INTO THE PLACES FOR A FINE NEW LIFE THEY ARE INTENDED TO BE.

♦I THEREFORE CONGRATULATE THE PEOPLE OF TSUEN WAN, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THEIR'ACTIVE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, ON THE WAY THEY ARE WORKING TO DEVELOP A SEPARATE AND DISTINGUISHED IDENTITY. THE ENTHUSIASM OF THEIR WORK HAS BEEN APPLIED TO A WIDE FIELD, BUT ITS STRENGTH WAS WELL DEMONSTRATED IN THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST ARTS FESTIVAL LAST YEAR.

♦MUCH MUST BE DONE BEFORE TSUEN WAN BECOMES THE CITY WE WANT IT TO BE, BUT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS FINE HALL IN RECORD TIME, AND WITH THE GENEROUS HELP OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, IS AN EARNEST OF YOUR GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO RESPOND IN THE MOST PRACTICAL WAY TO YOUR WISH THAT TSUEN WAN SHOULD HAVE A CIVIC LIFE OF ITS OWN.

♦THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL THUS TAKES PLACE IN MUCH GRANDER AND MORE CONVENIENT SURROUNDINGS AND THE FESTIVAL ITSELF IS CONCEIVED ON A BOLDER SCALE. I WISH IT EVERY SUCCESS AND HAVE MUCH PLEASURE IN DECLARING OPEN THE SECOND ARTS FESTIVAL OF TSUEN WAN.+

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1980

2 -

SPEECH BY HAYES

ADDRESSING THE GATHERING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR J.W. HAYES, PRESIDENT OF THE SECOND TSUEN WAN FESTIVAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, POINTED OUT THAT CULTURE IN TSUEN WAN WAS NOT A NEW GROWTH.

MR HAYES WHO IS ALSO THE TOWN MANAGER AND DISTRICT OFFICER, SAID ALTHOUGH TSUEN WAN’S ORIGINAL RESIDENTS WERE MAINLY FARMERS AND FISHERMEN, WORKING HARD TO MAINTAIN AN UNCERTAIN LIVELIHOOD, THEIR LIFE WAS NOT DEVOID OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

♦ IT WAS USUAL TO HOLD OPERAS AND PUPPET SHOWS IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOCAL TEMPLES TO THANK THE GODS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY. THERE WERE MARTIAL ARTS AND DANCE GROUPS WHICH CELEBRATED HAPPY EVENTS AND WENT IN PROCESSION TO WARD OFF SICKNESS AND BAD FORTUNE.+

MR HAYES NOTED THAT DESPITE THE TOWN’S RAPID GROWTH, SOME ELEMENTS OF THE TRADITIONAL CULTURE HAD BEEN RETAINED.

♦THE TSUEN WAN RURAL COMMITTEE AND THE FELLOW COUNTRYMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS ESTABLISHED 20 YEARS AGO FOR SELF-HELP PURPOSES HAVE COMBINED WITH MARTIAL ARTS GROUPS AND OTHERS TO KEEP ALIVE TRADITIONAL OPERA PERFORMANCES AND PROCESSIONS, INTRODUCING NEW ELEMENTS FROM OTHER PARTS OF KWANGTUNG. ALSO, THE LOCAL SCHOOLS, OLD AND NEW, HAVE CONTINUED TO KEEP ALIVE THE SPIRIT OF CHINESE LEARNING AND CULTURE.*

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXISTING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HAD RECEIVED STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

MR HAYES SAID THAT THE BOARD HAD PAID THE BASIC EXPENSES OF THE FOUR MAJOR LOCAL PROMOTION GROUPS IN MUSIC, DANCE, DRAMA AND CULTURE SO THAT THEY COULD CONCENTRATE THEIR EFFORTS ON TRAINING AND EXPANSION.

♦GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE ALWAYS SHARED IN AND ENCOURAGED THESE ACTIVITIES,* HE ADDED.

IN MAKING A VOTE OF THANKS, MR CHAN PO-FONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SECOND TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL, SAID THAT THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME EXCELLED LAST YEAR’S BOTH IN CONTENT AND QUALITY, WELL MATCHING THE SPLENDID TOWN HALL.

MR CHAN SAID THAT FROM THE ENCOURAGING BOX OFFICE SALES, AN AUDIENCE OF OVER 60 000 WAS EXPECTED.

HE THANKED ALL THOSE CONCERNED IN ORGANISING THE FESTIVAL AND SAID THAT IT DEMONSTRATED THAT THE FESTIVAL WAS A RESULT OF VOLUNTARY COOPERATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND CONCERNED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

THE SECOND TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL PRESENTED JOINTLY BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, THE TSUEN WAN CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION AND THE MUSIC OFFICE, WILL BE ON UNTIL MARCH 16.

/BOTH LOCAL .....

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2J, 1980

BOTH LOCAL AND FOREIGN GROUPS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE FESTIVAL AND THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME HAS BEEN EXPANDED FROM LAST YEAR’S 36 EVENTS TO A TOTAL OF 45 INCLUDING OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES. IT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY EXTENDING THE DURATION OF THE FESTIVAL FROM 16 TO 23 DAYS AND BY USING THE NEW TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AS WELL AS OUTDOOR VENUES.

THE OUTDOOR VENUES WILL INCLUDE PLAYGROUNDS AT KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, KWAI SHING ESTATE, LAI YIU ESTATE, KWAI FONG ESTATE, SHEK LEI ESTATE, LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE, SHA TSUI ROAD AND TSING Yl ISLAND TO GUARANTEE MORE FREE ENTERTAINMENT AND ATTRACT GREATER ATTENDANCE.

APART FROM THE OPENING CONCERT OF CHINESE ART SONGS. PROGRAMMES OF THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE THE NEW ZEALAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, THE KEFKA MIME TROUPE OF WEST GERMANY, THE LIM KEK HAN CONCERT ORCHESTRA AND A SERIES OF SIX DIFFERENT CANTONESE OPERA PRODUCTIONS STARRING LI PO YING AND LAW KAR YING. OTHER ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE THE HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR, A CANTONESE DRAMA, FOLK DANCES OF VARIOUS NATIONS AND A DANCE DRAMA CALLED +LADY GENERAL LIANG HONG JU.+

LECTURES ON ORIENTAL FOLK DANCES, CHINESE PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY, TECHNIQUES AND APPRECIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHY, CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, LATE CHING IMPERIAL CERAMICS, ORCHESTRAL MUSIC APPRECIATION, CANTONESE OPERA APPRECIATI ON, FLOWER ARRANGEMENT TECHNIQUES AND ORIENTAL FOLK DANCES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED.

THERE WILL BE FOUR EXHIBITIONS INCLUDING AN ANCIENT CHINESE COINS EXHIBITION, A FLOWER SHOW, A GUANG IMPERIAL PORCELAIN EXHIBITION AND A BOOK EXHIBITION ON FINE ARTS.

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GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

** * M K

THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED A NUMBER OF SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.

MR LI FOOK-KOW WILL BE APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AFTER HE RETIRES FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE IN JUNE THIS YEAR. MR LI WILL BE SUCCEEDING MR IAN LIGHTBODY, WHOSE TERM OF OFFICE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION EXPIRES IN SEPTEMBER 1980.

THE POST OF SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL BE FILLED BY MR DENIS BRAY, WHO IS AT PRESENT COMMISSIONER OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON. MR DAVID FORD, NOW SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION, WILL SUCCEED MR BRAY AS COMMISSIONER IN LONDON.

MR ALAN SCOTT, SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, WILL BECOME SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION. MR DONALD LIAO, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, WILL TAKE OVER AS SECRETARY FOR HOUSING AND MR BERNARD WILLIAMS AS DIRECTOR OF HOUSING.

/MR LIGHTBODY ..

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2J, 1980

MR LIGHTBODY WILL BE RETIRING AT THE AGE OF 59 AFTER 35 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN HONG KONG. HIS FIRST APPOINTMENT WAS AS A STAFF OFFICER WITH THE MILITARY ADMINISTRATION IN 1945. HE XINED THE ADMINISTRATIVE CLASS IN 1946 AND SERVED ALTOGETHER IN EIGHT DEPARTMENTS. HIS APPOINTMENTS HAVE INCLUDED DISTRICT COMMISSIONER/NEW TERRITORIES, DEFENCE SECRETARY, COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT, SECRETARY FOR HOUSING AND SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION. HE WAS APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IN 1978. HE HAS SERVED ON THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND WAS AWARDED THE CMG IN 1974.

MR LI FOOK-KOW WILL BE 58 WHEN HE RETIRES AFTER 26 YEARS IN THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE. HE WAS FIRST APPOINTED AN ASSISTANT EDUCATION OFFICER IN 1954. HE TRANSFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE CLASS IN 1955 AND HAS SINCE SERVED IN SIX DEPARTMENTS. HIS APPOINTMENTS HAVE INCLUDED DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, AND SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES. HE WAS APPOINTED SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS IN 1977. MR LI HAS SERVED ON BOTH THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND WAS AWARDED THE CMG IN 1975.

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

LABOUR DEPARTMENT HELPS FIND JOBS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE * X X X X

MORE THAN 2 400 YOUNG PEOPLE FOUND A CRAFT OR TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP LAST YEAR WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S TRAINING COUNCIL DIVISION.

THE FIGURE REPRESENTS A 20 PER CENT INCREASE ON THE 2 000 IN 1978.

DISCLOSING THIS TODAY (SATURDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE DIVISION HAD BEEN OPERATING AN APPRENTICE PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WISHING TO PURSUE A CAREER IN INDUSTRY THROUGH AN APPRENTICESHIP.

+THESE APPRENTICES ARE NOW USEFULLY AND PRODUCTIVELY EMPLOYED. EARNING THEIR LIVING AND AT THE SAME TIME LEARNING A TRADE IN WHICH THEY ARE INTERESTED.

+THE DURATION OF THEIR APPRENTICESHIP IS EITHER THREE OR FOUR YEARS. IN ADDITION TO RECEIVING ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROVIDED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS, THE APPRENTICES ALSO ATTEND RELATED TECHNICAL COURSES THREE TIMES A WEEK -- ONE DAY AND TWO EVENINGS -- IN EITHER A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC,* HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE NOW OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED YOUNG PEOPLE FOR BOTH CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP IN HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR INDUSTRIES.

THESE ARE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING, BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, CLOTHING, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING, PLASTICS, PRINTING, SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIRS, AND TEXTILES.

/THE ENTRY ......

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2J, 19&)

- 5 -

THE ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR CRAFT APPRENTICESHIP IS COMPLETION OF FORM 3 SECONDARY EDUCATION WHILE FOR TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP IS COMPLETION OF FORM 5 WITH PASSES IN FOUR RELEVANT SUBJECTS IN THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.

ON COMPLETING THE APPRENTICESHIP, THE APPRENTICES WILL BE AWARDED CERTIFICATES BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR CERTIFYING THEIR COMPETENCY IN THE TRADE OR OCCUPATION THEY HAVE CHOSEN.

QUALIFIED YOUNGSTERS INTERESTED IN AN APPRENTICESHIP ARE WELCOME TO ENQUIRE AT THE DIVISION, 12TH FLOOR, ASIAN HOUSE, 1 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.

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

FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION AND VARIETY SHOW

*****

A FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION AND VARIETY SHOW ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AND THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD AT EDINBURGH PLACE, CENTRAL DISTRICT, TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.

THE EVENT IS THE LATEST OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR THE DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF POLICE EFFORTS IN CRIME FIGHTING AND PREVENTION.

THE WORK OF THE POLICE ON ANTI-NARCOTICS, RECRUITMENT AS WELL AS JUNIOR POLICE CALL ACTIVITIES WILL BE INTRODUCED TO THE PUBLIC.

THERE WILL ALSO BE PRESENTATION OF PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST, DRAWING AND SLOGAN COMPETITIONS ORGANISED FOR THE DISTRICT AS PART OF THE FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES.

FIGHT CRIME AWARDS WILL BE ALSO PRESENTED TO THOSE CITIZENS WHO HAVE HELPED THE POLICE IN CRIME FIGHTING DURING THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

A SERIES OF ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES HAS BEEN ARRANGED, INCLUDING PERFORMANCES BY TELEVISION ARTISTES, A LION DANCE, BAND PARADE AND ORIENTAL DANCES BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS.

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), MR RICKY FUNG AND OTHER LOCAL DIGNITARIES WILL OFFICIATE AT THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION AND VARIETY SHOW ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AND THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE HELD AT EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL FROM 2 TO 4 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

0 -

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1980

- 6 -

AMS PROVIDES AMBULANCE SERVICE *****

MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE ARE CONTRIBUTING THEIR WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO CARING FOR THE INJURED AND THE SICK.

THEY ASSIST IN MANNING AMBULANCES ATTACHED TO THE FIRE SERVICES AMBULANCE DEPOTS AND STATIONS TO ADMINISTER FIRST AID AND EVACUATE ACCIDENT VICTIMS.

+WITHIN THE 6 OOO-STRONG FORCE, MORE THAN 3 000 ARE QUALIFIED FOR AMBULANCE DUTY,+ THE MEDICAL DEFENCE STAFF OFFICER, AMS, MR K.C. TONG SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

+IN ADDITION TO 40 HOURS OF BASIC TRAINING IN FIRST AID, AMS MEMBERS HAVE TO UNDERGO ONE YEAR’S SPECIAL TRAINING IN CASUALTY HANDLING, AMBULANCE MANNING PROCEDURES AND USE OF MECHANICAL RESUSCITATION EQUIPMENT BEFORE THEY ARE POSTED FOR DUTY,+ HE SAID.

♦MANY ARE ALSO TRAINED TO DRIVE FIRE SERVICES AMBULANCES AND AT PRESENT WE HAVE 150 QUALIFIED AMBULANCE DRIVERS,* HE ADDED.

AMS PERSONNEL WHEN DEPLOYED FOR DUTY ARE ASSIGNED AS AMBULANCE SUPERVISORS, ATTENDANTS, AUXILIARY NURSES OR DRIVERS, ACCORDING TO THEIR RANK AND QUALIFICATION.

♦WORKING IN TWO SHIFTS SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH REGULAR AMBULANCE CREWS, THEY NOT ONLY HELP TO RELIEVE THE HEAVY WORKLOAD OF THE REGULARS BUT CAN ALSO LEARN AND GAIN EXPERIENCE THROUGH ACTUAL PRACTICE,♦ MR TONG SAID.

♦FOR THIS REASON, DEPLOYMENT OF MEMBERS AS PART-TIME AMBULANCEMEN HAS BECOME SCHEDULED TRAINING OF THE AMS SINCE 1959,+ HE SAID.

AT PRESENT, ABOUT 160 OF THEM ARE REGULARLY DEPLOYED FOR SUCH DUTY EVERY SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY. THEY ARE STATIONED AT AMBULANCE DEPOTS AND FIRE STATIONS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1980

WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO HOLD ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CHILDREN’S PARTY *****

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL BE HOLDING ITS ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY FOR CHILDREN OF ITS STAFF AT WAH YAN COLLEGE IN WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON, TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

A LAVISH PROGRAMME OF ENTERTAINMENT HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR THE CHILDREN AND WILL LAST FROM 12.30 PM TO ABOUT 4.30 PM.

THE OCCASION IS ALSO TAKEN BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR T.H. TOMLINSON, TO PRESENT THE W.K. KIRKWOOD AWARDS IN THE FORM OF GOLD MEDALS TO TWO OFFICERS.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CHILDREN’S PARTY AND PRESENTATION OF THE KIRKWOOD AWARDS TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 12.30 TO 4.30 PM AT WAH YAN COLLEGE, WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON.

MR K.A. AZAN, THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S CONSUMER RELATIONS OFFICER- MR MOK MAN-TAT, WELFARE OFFICER AND MR Y. ALLADIN, PROSECUTION OFFICER, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.

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

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HAPPY VALLEY AND WESTERN DISTRICT ****** %

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN HAPPY VALLEY AND WESTERN DISTRICT ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 25).

IN HAPPY VALLEY FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THE 'WESTBOUND BUS-ONLY LANE IN LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AND WESTBOUND BUSES ON ROUTES NOS. 5, 10, 15B, 17, 22 AND 170 WILL BE DIVERTED TO WONG NE I CHUNG ROAD.

THE DOWN-RAMP IN CANAL ROAD EAST WILL BE REDUCED TO SINGLE LANE TRAFF IC.

TRAFFIC MAY BE DIVERTED TO CENTRAL DISTRICT VIA WATERFRONT ROAD WHEN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL EXIT IS CONGESTED.

THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.

IN WESTERN DISTRICT, EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH EASTERN STREET WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE ONLY FROM MONDAY BETWEEN 8 PM AND 5 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEA WATER MAIN.

DURING THIS PERIOD TRAFFIC ALONG THIS SECTION OF DES VOUEX ROAD WEST WILL BE CONTROLLED BY TRAFFIC LIGHTS. TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL ALSO EE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

/8 ....

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1980

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON MONDAY FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM. VA&iLt rhAK

ADC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS

ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1980

CONTEL'L'S PAGE NO.

SPEEDPCST FINDS MORE CLIENTS ................................. 1

MORE AND BETTER RECREATION AND SPORT FACILITIES IN NT ........................................................ 2

LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE HELPS SETTLE CLAIMS ................. 3

SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL TO BEGIN NEXT TUESDAY ................. 4

1 500 CHILDREN ENJOY LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY .................... 5

SALT EATER CUT

SPEEDPOST FINDS MORE CLIENTS ft ft ft ft ft ft

MORE PEOPLE ARE FINDING THE SPECIAL +SPEEDPOST+ SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE POST OFFICE A HANDY AND RELIABLE AID IN CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITH OVERSEAS PARTNERS.

LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 75 OOO PACKAGES WERE POSTED THROUGH THE SERVICE. ABOUT 55 000 IN-COMING PACKAGES WERE DELIVERED TO BUSINESS HOUSES IN HONG KONG.

ITEMS SENT OR RECEIVED INCLUDED BUSINESS DOCUMENTS, COMPUTER DATA, MICROFILMS, SAMPLES, DRAWINGS, CHEQUES, AND SMALL CONSIGNMENTS OF MERCHANDISE.

TRANSMISSION OF THE PACKAGES WA§ CAREFULLY PROGRAMMED TO ENSURE SAFE, SPEEDY AND RELIABLE DELIVERY TO THEIR DESTINATIONS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE TODAY (SUNDAY) POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE SERVICE, MOST OF THE NORMAL MAIL PROCESSING STEPS BOTH IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS WERE ELIMINATED.

^PACKAGES SENT BY SPEEDPOST ARE GIVEN TOP PRIORITY. AT THE OVERSEAS END, THEY ARE GIVEN THE SAME PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT ALL THE WAY TO THEIR RECEIVER.

+FOR EXAMPLE, ITEMS CAN BE DELIVERED ALMOST ANYWHERE IN THE UK AND USA IN LESS THAN 48 HOURS- THOSE SENT TO MACAU IN THE MORNING CAN BE RECEIVED IN THE AFTERNOON,* HE SAID.

SPEEDPOST IS AVAILABLE, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF BUSINESS CONDUCTED, ON A CONTRACT BASIS OR +0N DEMAND*.

+THE CONTRACT SERVICE IS DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOR CUSTOMERS WHO REQUIRE TO SEND PACKAGES TO THE SAME ADDRESS REGULARLY OR ON A FIXED FREQUENCY,* THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

♦SENDERS HAVE TO SIGN A CONTRACT FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS, WITH A MINIMUM OF ONE REGULAR PRE-DETERMINED POSTING A MONTH.

+PACKAGES ARE COLLECTED AT SCHEDULED TIMES FROM THEIR OFFICE, DESPATCHED ON PRE-ARRANGED FLIGHTS, AND DELIVERED AT THE CONVENIENCE OF THE ADDRESSEES.

+TIMES OF COLLECTION AND DELIVERY OF PACKAGES ARE SPECIFIED IN THEIR AGREEMENT,* HE ADDED.

THE +0N DEMAND* SERVICE ON THE OTHER HAND MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF CASUAL USERS OF SPEEDPOST OR SUPPLEMENTS A CONTRACT SERVICE.

NOT ONLY COMMERCIAL FIRMS FIND +0N DEMAND* SPEEDPOST CONVENIENT, INDUSTRIALISTS AND CONSUMERS TOO SOMETIMES FIND IT INDISPENSABLE. +THE SERVICE CAN BE USED TO FILL URGENT ORDERS AND OBTAIN SPARE PARTS FOR MACHINERY,* THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.

/AT PRESENT ..

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1980

AT PRESENT, SPEEDPOST REACHES NEARLY EVERY OF OUR TRADING CLIENTS IN THE WORLD AND CAN BE EXPANDED IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT DEMAND. PACKAGES CAN BE SENT TO OUR NEAR NEIGHBOUR MACAU, TO TAIWAN, SINGAPORE, SOUTH KOREA, JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA IN THE PACIFIC REGION, TO KUWAIT IN THE MIDDLE EAST, ONWARD TO BRITAIN, BELGIUM, FRANCE, SWITZERLAND AND THE NETHERLANDS IN EUROPE, AND TO THE UNITED STATES, BRAZIL AND SOUTH AFRICA.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO HAVE FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SERVICE SHOULD CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ON 5-2671108.

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MORE AND BETTER RECREATION AND SPORT FACILITIES IN NT

* H X *

PROSPECTS WERE EXCELLENT FOR MORE AND BETTER RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

ADDRESSING THE 5TH NEW TERRITORIES ATHLETIC MEETING AT WAN CHAI SPORTS GROUND, MR CHUI SAID, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY BECAUSE CURRENT NEEDS WERE ALREADY PRESSING AND WE MUST REALISTICALLY ENDEAVOUR TO MEET THE PRESENT SHORTFALL BY INTERIM MEASURES WHEREVER AND WHENEVER WE COULD.

+OUR EXPERIENCES HAVE SHOWN THAT, WITH AN IMAGINATIVE AND ENERGETIC APPROACH, IT IS POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY FACILITIES QUICKLY AND INEXPENSIVELY TO MEET LOCAL NEEDS,+ HE SAID.

MR CHUI PAID TRIBUTE TO THE +GENEROUS DONATIONS* FROM VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS TOWARDS PROJECTS FOR RECREATION AND SPORT WHICH HE SAID CONSTITUTED IN TOTAL +AN IMPRESSIVE LIST*.

+1 SHOULD ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY LEADERS TO CONTINUE TO PRESS ON WITH OUR POLICY AND OBJECTIVES - SOUND LONG TERM PLANNING WITH HIGH PRIORITY FOR RECREATION AND SPORT PLUS PRACTICAL, ENERGETIC SHORT TERM MEASURES TO MEET THE CURRENT SHORTFALL,* HE SAID.

+THE MORE LOCAL INITIATIVES THAT CAN BE TAKEN IN THIS DIRECTION, THE BETTER.*

MR CHUI SAID GOVERNMENT HAD SET ASIDE ADEQUATE LAND FOR RECREATION AND SPORT IN THE DESIGNATION OF COUNTRY PARKS AND THE PLANNING OF OUTDOOR STADIA, GAMES HALLS AND RUNNING TRACKS FOR THE NEW TOWNS.

+PROJECTING FUTURE POPULATION GROWTH, WE AIM TO PROVIDE THREE INDOOR GAMES HALLS FOR TSUEN WAN, ONE FOR TAI PO AND ONE FOR THE NORTH DISTRICT, AS WELL AS STADIA WITH RUNNING TRACKS FOR TUEN MUN, TAI PO, SAI KUNG AND SHA TIN, IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING FACILITIES AT KWAI CHUNG, TSUEN WAN AND YUEN LONG.

/+! MUST .....

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1980

- 3 -

+l MUST EMPHASISE THAT THESE MAJOR PROJECTS MUST NECESSARILY TAKE MANY YEARS TO MATERIALISE BECAUSE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TAKES A LONG TIME TO-CONSTRUCT AND PROGRAMMES NEED TO BE PHASED,+ MR CHUI SAID.

THERE WAS ALSO THE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINT BECAUSE THEY MUST COMPETE FOR PUBLIC FUNDS ALONGSIDE OTHER COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND FACILITIES.

MR CHUI SAID PROGRESS IN THE FIELD OF RECREATION AND SPORT WAS A MANIFESTATION OF THE DYNAMISM OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND THE STRONG SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN GETTING FROM VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS IN EXTENDING AND EXPANDING SERVICES TO KEEP PACE WITH THE RAPID GROWTH IN POPULATION AND TO SATISFY THE GROWING NEEDS FOR RECREATION AND SPORT.

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

LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE HELPS SETTLE CLAIMS FROM WORKERS * * * *

A TOTAL OF 17 067 HONG KONG WORKERS LAST YEAR RECEIVED $14 MILLION FROM THEIR EMPLOYERS AFTER THEIR LABOUR-MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS WERE SETTLED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

OF THIS SUM, $2 985 503 OR ABOUT 21.4 PER CENT, WAS SEVERANCE PAYMENT MADE TO 1 389 EMPLOYEES RENDERED REDUNDANT BY OPERATIONAL OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE REMAINING $10 955 477 WAS PAID AS ARREARS OF WAGES, WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY, BONUSES AND OTHER PAYMENTS DUE TO 17 067 EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING 1 389 WHO RECEIVED SEVERANCE PAYMENT.

TRADE DISPUTES HANDLED BY THE SERVICE DURING THE YEAR TOTALLED 161 OF WHICH 128, OR MORE THAN 79.5 PER CENT, WERE SETTLED WITH THE HELP OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.

THE SERVICE ALSO PROVIDED CONCILIATION FOR 10 995 CLAIMS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE OR THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT- SETTLED 6 206, OR SOME 56.4 PER CENT OF THEM, AND REFERRED MOST OF THE REMAINDER TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL FOR JUDICIAL DECISION.

THE SERVICE ALSO INVESTIGATED 297 MAJOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT ALLEGED BREACHES OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE SUCH AS FAILURE TO PROVIDE REST DAYS, HOLIDAYS WITH PAY, ANNUAL LEAVE WITH PAY AND IMPROPER DEDUCTIONS OF WORKERS’ WAGES.

DURING 1979 THERE WERE 46 WORK STOPPAGES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, RESULTING IN 39 743 WORKING DAYS LOST. THIS REPRESENTED AN AVERAGE OF 20.6 DAYS LOST PER THOUSAND EMPLOYEES.

COMMENTING ON THE AVERAGE FIGURE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THIS WAS CONSIDERED LOW BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARD AND WAS A POSITIVE INDICATOR OF GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1980

IN THE SAME YEAR, THE SERVICE HANDLED 124 916 ENQUIRIES AND CONSULTATIONS COMPARED WITH 99 913 CASES IN 1978. MOST OF THEbE CONCERNED THE’PROVISIONS IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING LABOUR RELATIONS.

+THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES AND CONSULTATIONS REFLECTS THE GROWING IMPORTANCE NOW ATTACHED TO LABOUR RELATIONS AND EMptoYlm STANDARDS BY BOTH EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL TO BEGIN NEXT TUESDAY

*****

A TOTAL OF 329 TEAMS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE 16TH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH 254 IN 1979.

THE TEAMS FROM MORE THAN 240 SCHOOLS WILL COMPETE FOR TOP

HONOURS IN THE FESTIVAL TO BE HELD BETWEEN NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 AND MARCH 14.

PARTICIPANTS WILL INCLUDE 11 TEAMS OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN FROM NINE SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS COMPRISE 75 TEAMS FOR THE LOWER PRIMARY SECTION- 92 TEAMS FOR THE UPPER PRIMARY SECTION- AND 151 FOR THE SECONDARY SECTION.

THE DANCE FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE ASSOCIATION.

ORGANISED BY THE PHYSICAL

DEPARTMENT, THE NEW TERRITORIES

HONG KONG

SCHOOLS SPORTS

ITEMS IN THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE WESTERN FOLK OR ORIENTAL DANCE AND CREATIVE DANCE.

NATIONAL DANCES,

SPECIAL AWARD CERTIFICATES WILL BE PRESENTED FOR THE BEST CHOREOGRAPHY IN EACH DANCE ITEM.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE DANCE FESTIVAL TO BE HELD AT THREE CENTRES ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. ADMISSION IS FREE.

ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD AT CLEMENTI MIDDLE SCHOOL IN FORTRESS HILL ROAD, NORTH POINT- IN KOWLOON THE VENUE IS HONG KONG SZE YAP COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION WONG TAI SHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE, NAM CHEONG STREET- AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, 73 HOI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN.

PERFORMANCES WILL BE HELD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES CENTRE FROM FEBRUARY 26 TO 28- THE KOWLOON CENTRE FROM MARCH 3 TO 7- AND THE HONG KONG ISLAND CENTRE FROM MARCH 12 TO 14.

/WINNERS' ...

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1980

WINNERS’ PERFORMANCES WILL BE HELD BETWEEN APRIL 30 AND MAY 6 IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VARIOUS EVENTS IN THE 16TH SCHOOLS’ DANCE FESTIVAL.

0 - -

1 500 CHILDREN ENJOY LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY ******

THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES REACHED A CLIMAX FOR ABOUT 1 500 CHILDREN TODAY (SUNDAY) WHEN THEY WERE TREATED TO A DAY OF FUN AND GAMES BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

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

THE DAY’S EVENTS INCLUDED SONGS AND DANCES, A MAGIC SHOW, BAND DRILLS AND GAMES STALLS. IN ADDITION, THE CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO SEE +LIVE PERFORMANCES* BY POPULAR RTV AND RTHK ARTISTES.

THE +CANNON BALL EXPRESS* WHICH TOOK CHILDREN ON TOURS ROUND THE FAIR PROVED TO BE VERY POPULAR.

SIXTEEN GAMES STALLS WERE ORGANISED BY VARIOUS DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND TROPHIES WERE AWARDED TO THE BEST ONES BY MR T.H. TOMLINSON, ACTING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES.

ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WAS A RAFFLE DRAW. THE WINNING NUMBERS WERE DRAWN BY MRS TOMLINSON, WIFE OF THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES-MRS WONG KWOK-LA I, WIFE OF THE GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER (SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION) AND MRS LAU TO-HIN, WIFE OF THE GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER (DESIGN AND PLANNING).

MR TOMLINSON ALSO PRESENTED GOLD MEDALS TO TWO STAFF MEMBERS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE LAST YEAR.

THEY WERE MR CHAN CHI-KWAN AND MR KO TUNG, BOTH FROM THE MECHANICAL DIVISION.

MR CHAN HAS BEEN WITH THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS AND HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN THE MAINTENANCE OF DIESEL ENGINES AND PUMPS IN KOWLOON.

+HE POSSESSES THE SKILLS OF A FIRST-RATE CRAFTSMAN AND IS COMPETENT IN SUPERVISORY WORK,* MR TOMLINSON SAID.

+ HE ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY READILY AND EXERCISES HIS INITIATIVE TO EXTEND HIS JOB, AS DEMONSTRATED BY HIS DESIGNING OF SPECIAL TOOLS AND FIXTURES, TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK FROM TIME TO TIME.

/♦HE RESPONDS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1980

+HE RESPONDS ENTHUSIASTICALLY TO THE NEEDS OF HIS SECTION. HE AND HIS GANG FREQUENTLY DELAY THEIR LUNCH-BREAKS TO COMPLETE AN ITEM OF WORK WHICH THEY CONSIDER TO HAVE PRIORITY OVER TAKING A BREAK.+

MR KO HAS BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR 33 YEARS AND HAS BEEN A VALVE REPAIRER SINCE 1952.

+MR KO’S EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN THE REPAIR OF VALVES ARE RECOGNISED THROUGHOUT THE MECHANICAL DIVISION TO BE THE BEST,* SAID MR TOMLINSON.

+HIS DEVOTION TO DUTY AND ENTHUSIASM IN PRODUCING FIRST CLASS WORKMANSHIP HAVE MADE HIM A FIGURE OF ADMIRATION AMONG HIS COLLEAGUES.*

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

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

0 -------

SALT WATER CUT * * *

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF DISTRICTS IN KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 26) TO 1 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE PUMP REPAIR WORKS.

™E B,STR,CTS T0 BE AFFECTED ARE HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON TONG, KOWLOON CITY AND WONG TAI SIN INCLUDING WANG SU ?S?.^TATE’ L0K FU ESTATE- TUNG ™ ESTATE AND VONG TAI 01N ESTATE.

0 --------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SIR Y K KAN TO LEAVE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ................. 1

BUDGET DAY CN WEDNESDAY ................................ 2

CHIEF JUSTICE OPENS CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS' CONFERENCE ............................. 3

MR DAVY TO SUCCEED MR ALEXANDER AS DIRECTOR OF MARINE .. 5

20-HOUR BROADCASTING FOR RTHK .......................... 5

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY 1980 ............. 6

79 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY .................. 8

SURVEY TO GAUGE NEED OF STUDY ROOMS .................... 9

SALT WATER CUT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1980

SIR Y K KAN TO LEAVE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ******

THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE HON SIR Y K KAN, GBE, UP, WILL RETIRE SHORTLY, AFTER HAVING SERVED ON THE COUNCIL FOR 14 YEARS.

HE WILL ALSO RETIRE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE. FOLLOWING SIR Y K’S RETIREMENT ON MARCH 31, SIR S Y CHUNG, CBE WILL BECOME THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMISSION.

PRIOR TO HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN MAY 1966, SIR Y K SERVED ON THE URBAN COUNCIL FROM 1957 TO 1962 AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM 1961 TO 1972. HE WAS APPOINTED A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE IN 1949.

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TODAY (MONDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO SIR Y K’S PUBLIC SERVICE.

HE SAID THAT SIR Y K HAD MADE A UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION THROUGH HIS PERSONALITY, HARD WORK, IMMENSE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, AND HIS TOTAL COMMITMENT TO THE WELFARE OF HONG KONG.

SIR MURRAY SAIDj +SIR Y K HAS ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN SO MANY FIELDS BECAUSE HE IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL AND TRUSTED BY ALL. HIS WISE COUNSEL BASED ON HIS VAST EXPERIENCE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS HAS BEEN OF INESTIMABLE VALUE AND GREAT AUTHORITY. HE WILL BE MISSED ON EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE SALARIES COMMISSION, BUT IT IS REASSURING THAT HIS ADVICE WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE AND THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE CF HONG KONG.+

ALTHOUGH SIR Y K WILL RETIRE FROM THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND SALARIES COMMISSION, HE WILL CONTINUE ACTIVE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, INCLUDING IN PARTICULAR HIS CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WHOSE WORK IS SO VITAL TO THE PROMOTION OF HONG KONG’S EXPORT INDUSTRY.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1980

BUDGET DAY ON WEDNESDAY * * * *

HONG KONG’S BUDGET FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1980-81 WILL BE PRESENTED TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 27).

THE PROCEEDINGS WILL START AT 2.30 PM WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE MOVES THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS OF THE APPROPRI AT I ON BILL 1980 AND OUTLINES HONG KONG’S ESTIMATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1980-81.

THE ESTIMATED HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WILL BE SET OUT IN THE SCHEDULE OF THE BILL TO BE PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE AT 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WILL BE ADJOURNED UNTIL MARCH 26 AND 27 WHEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE BUDGET PROPOSALS.

OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES ON APRIL 16. IF NECESSARY, THE DEBATE WILL CONTINUE THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING OF THE BILL ON APRIL 30.

AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BE COMPREHENSIVELY COVERED BY THE MASS MEDIA.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH ON WEDNESDAY’S SITTING WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE OVER RTHK’S RADIO 2 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH).

RTHK WILL ALSO'BROADCAST LIVE THE OTHER BUDGET SITTINGS ON MARCH 26 AND 27, APRIL 16, 17 (IF NECESSARY) AND 30 ON RADIO 2 (CHINESE)" AND RADIO 4 (ENGLISH).

THE BUDGET SITTINGS WILL ALSO BE COVERED, IN NORMAL NEWS CASTS AND BULLETINS OF RTHK, COMMERCIAL RADIO, HK-TVB AND RTV.

o -------

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1980

CHIEF JUSTICE OPENS CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS* CONFERENCE * * » * *

THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, TODAY (MONDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS AT A CEREMONY HELD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.

DELEGATES FROM 14 TERRITORIES ARE ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE.

*USTRALIA. INDONESIA, JAPAN. MACAU, MALAYSIA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, SRl LANKA, THAILAND, TONGA WESTERN SAMOA, HONG KONG AND CANADA.

THE FIVE-DAY CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY WHICH IS ALSO REPRESENTED IN THE CONFERENCE.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS COMMON PROBLEMS AMONG CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS IN THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGION. IT IS ALSO AIMED AT PREPARING FOR THE SIXTH UNITED NATIONS CONGRESS ON THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN CARACAS, VENEZUELA LATER THIS YEAR.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, SIR DENYS SAID THE WORK OF A PRISON OFFICER WAS WIDE AND VARIED.

HE SAID, +1 DO NOT KNOW IF OUR EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG IS TYPICAL OR NOT, BUT WE HAVE FOUND, IN RECENT YEARS, EMPLOYMENT OF NOVEL KINDS FOR OUR PRISON ADMINISTRATORS.*

SIR DENYS SAID DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HAD ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR RUNNING CAMPS IN WHICH THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES HAD BEEN GIVEN TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION, BETWEEN THEIR ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG AND THEIR DEPARTURE FOR NEW HOMES ELSEWHERE.

+THE DISCIPLINED FIRMNESS, AND SENSE OF ORDER AND FAIRNESS, OF PRISON OFFICERS HAS PROVED INVALUABLE IN THE CARRYING OUT OF THIS UNUSUAL TASK,* HE SAID.

SOME TIME AGO, SIR DENYS WENT ON, PRISON OFFICERS WERE HANDED THE TASK OF DEALING WITH THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS.

HE SAID, +INSTEAD OF SENDING ADDICTS TO ORDINARY PENAL INSTITUTIONS, AS HAD BEEN THE PREVIOUS PRACTICE, THE COURTS WERE GIVEN POWER TO SEND THEM TO SPECIAL TREATMENT CENTRES, RUN BY PRISON OFFICERS, WHERE THEY REMAIN FOR LONG ENOUGH TO GIVE THEIR BODIES A REASONABLE CHANCE TO OVERCOME THE ADDICTIVE GRIP OF THE DRUG.*

*THE SUCCESS OF THIS EXPERIMENT HAS BEEN BEYOND THE MOST OPTIMISTIC PREDICTIONS MADE WHEN IT WAS LAUNCHED,* HE ADDED.

SIR DENYS NOTED THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE IN THE PUBLIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS CRIME AND ITS TREATMENT IN THE EAST, AS COMPARED WITH THE WEST.

/+IN THIS .....

MONDAT, FEBRUARY 25, 1980

♦IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD, THE ORDINARY MAN AND WOMAN BELIEVE THAT CERTAIN KINDS OF CRIME ARE WICKED AND INEXCUSABLE., AND THAT WICKEDNESS MUST BE TREATED WITH HARSHNESS. HE REGARDS CONSIDERATION FOR THE OFFENDER AS WEAKNESS AND AS AN AFFRONT TO THE VICTIM,* HE SAID.

+THIS MEANS THAT THE PRISON OFFICER IN THE EAST WILL OFTEN FIND HIMSELF PURSUING POLICIES WHICH ARE AT ODDS WITH PUBLIC OPINION. HE WILL BE ACCUSED OF PAMPERING THE EVIL AND OF PROVIDING STANDARDS OF FOOD, CLOTHING, ACCOMMODATION AND HEALTH WHICH MANY HONEST MEN CANNOT ATTAIN BY LAWFUL MEANS. AND THIS IS A DANGER, OF WHICH PRISON ADMINISTRATIONS ARE WELL AWARE AND WHICH THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE,* HE ADDED.

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, NR T.G. GARNER, IN HIS WELCOMING ADDRESS AT THE CEREMONY, EXTENDED A VERY WARM AND HEARTY WELCOME TO ALL THE DELEGATES.

HE SAID, +TO HAVE THE MOST SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS IN CHARGE OF PRISONS AND OTHER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS FROM 1A COUNTRIES COME TOGETHER TO DISCUSS VARIOUS MATTERS RELATING TO PRISON ADMINISTRATION AND THE MANY OTHER AREAS OF OUR WORK IS INDEED A VERY HEALTHY SIGN.*

HE ADDED THAT THEIR SUPPORT ENSURED A GOOD FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BUILD FOR A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THE CONFERENCE - THE VERY FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD- AND HE HOPED THAT IT WOULD LEAD TO MORE FREQUENT MEETINGS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS EMBRACING SUBJECTS OF SPECIFIC INTEREST IN THE FUTURE.

MR GARNER ALSO EXPRESSED HIS WARMEST THANKS TO MR WILLIAM CLIFFORD, DIRECTOR OF THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY, AND MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF FOR THE SUPERB WAY IN WHICH THEY HAD PUT THIS CONFERENCE TOGETHER. %

HE RECALLED THAT IT WAS SOME CONSIDERABLE TIME SINCE MR CLIFFORD 'AND HE GOT TOGETHER AND TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR IDEAS AND OPINIONS FROM THIS PART OF THE WORLD IN THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATION- AND THEY BOTH AGREED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO HAVE SOME SORT OF GET-TOGETHER ALONG THE SAME LINES WHICH PREVAILED IN OTHER AREAS OF THE WORLD.

*WE ALSO AGREED THAT ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY IDEAS AND OPINIONS WERE NOT READILY IDENTIFIABLE FROM THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGION WAS BECAUSE EXCEPT AT UNITED NATIONS LEVEL WE DID NOT HAVE REGULAR MEETINGS, MOST CERTAINLY NOT AT A WORKING LEVEL DURING WHICH WE COULD EXCHANGE IDEAS, EXPERIENCES AND DISCUSS OTHER MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST, PARTICULARLY PROBLEMS WHICH ARE COMMON TO MOST OF US IF NOT ALL,* MR GARNER SAID.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1989

MR DAVY TO SUCCEED MR-ALEXANDER AS DIRECTOR OF MARINE * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR M J ALEXANDER, JP, WILL LEAVE THE SERVICE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN MAY 1980 ON LEAVE PRIOR TO RETIREMENT.

HE WILL BE SUCCEEDED BY MR P E J DAVY, JP, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, WHOSE PROMOTION HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.

MR ALEXANDER WILL BE 55 YEARS OF AGE IN MAY 1980. HE JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN NOVEMBER 1954 AS A MARINE OFFICER AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR MARINE OFFICER IN JANUARY 1965, PRINCIPAL MARINE OFFICER IN MAY 1971, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE IN MARCH 1972 AND TO DIRECTOR OF MARINE IN APRIL 1977.

MR ALEXANDER IS CONCURRENTLY REGISTRAR OF BRITISH SHIPS, THE PILOTAGE AUTHORITY AND THE SEAMEN’S RECRUITING AUTHORITY. HE IS ALSO EX-OFFICIO CHAIRMAN OF THE PORT COMMITTEE., SEAMEN’S RECRUITING ADVISORY BOARD, MERCHANT NAVY TRAINING BOARD, SEAMEN’S BOARD OF REFERENCE AND MERCANTILE MARINE ASSISTANCE FUND.

MR DAVY IS AGED 52 AND WAS FIRST APPOINTED AS AN ENGINEER AND SHIP SURVEYOR IN THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT OF THE HOME CIVIL SERVICE.

HE JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN JULY 1961 AS A SURVEYOR OF SHIPS (ENGINEER AND SHIP). HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR SURVEYOR OF SHIPS IN FEBRUARY 1966, PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR OF SHIPS IN JUNE 1968, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE IN OCTOBER 1973, AND TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE IN APRIL 1977. MR DAVY HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF MARINE ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.

• ------------------------0 -------------------------------------------------

24-HOUR BROADCASTING FOR RTHK X * * *

RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WILL BECOME THE FIRST REGULAR 24-HOUR RADIO STATION IN HONG KONG FROM SUNDAY, MARCH 30 WHEN BROADCASTING ON BOTH THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH CHANNELS WILL BE EXTENDED AROUND THE CLOCK.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING (RADIO), MR KEN WARBURTON SAID TODAY THE FULL 24-HOUR SERVICE WOULD COINCIDE WITH THE START OF THE NEW PROGRAMME YEAR. AT PRESENT ALL FOUR RTHK CHANNELS CLOSE AT 1 AM AND BROADCASTING BEGINS AGAIN AT SIX O’CLOCK EACH MORNING.

MR WARBURTON SAID HONG KONG WAS A '24-HOUR COMMUNITY’ AND DESERVED A 24-HOUR RADIO STATION AS A PUBLIC SERVICE.

THE COST OF EXTENDING THE SERVICE WILL BE VERY SMALL. +ALREADY OUR NEWSROOM OPERATES AROUND THE CLOCK, AND TECHNICAL STAFF ARE ALSO ROSTERED ON A 24-HOUR BASIS. THE ONLY THING LACKING UP TILL NOW HAS BEEN PROGRAMME INPUT,* HE SAID.

/HEAD OF ..

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1980

HEAD OF THE ENGLISH PROGRAMME SERVICE, MR WARREN ROOKE, SAID THE MAIN ADVANTAGE OF 24-HOUR BROADCASTING WILL BE THE STATION’S ABILITY TO PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS NEWS SERVICE.

+FOR SOME TIME NOW WE HAVE HAD THE CAPABILITY TO.DO SO, AND APRIL SEEMS A GOOD TIME TO START THE NEW SERVICE.

+IN THE PAST RTHK HAS ONLY STAYED OPEN ALL NIGHT IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY OR DURING TYPHOONS WHEN IT HAS BEEN OUR DUTY TO KEEP THE POPULATION FULLY INFORMED.*

MR ROOKE SAID THE GOVERNMENT STATION LOOKED ON THE EXTENSION CF HOURS AS A PUBLIC SERVICE. THE DECISION WAS BASED ON A COMBINATION OF DEMAND AND ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE RATHER THAN EXPENSIVE OR TIME CONSUMING SURVEYS. PREVIOUSLY BOTH THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH CHANNELS BROADCAST TILL 3 AM AND THE SERVICE WAS WELCOMED. THE STATION RECEIVED A FLOOD OF LETTERS WHEN IT CUT HOURS BACK TO A 1 AM CLOSE BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL CLIMATE AT THAT TIME.

BOTH THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH SERVICE WILL RECRUIT ONE ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCER TO COVER THE OVERNIGHT SHIFT. THE REMAINDER CF THE EFFORT WILL BE PROVIDED BY STAFF ALREADY WITH THE STATION. INITIALLY THE OVERNIGHT SERVICE WILL STAY WITH NEWS AND LIGHT MUSIC FORMAT TOGETHER WITH WEATHER REPORTS. THERE IS HOWEVER THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING LATE NIGHT DISCUSSION PROGRAMMES AND EVEN JOINING UP WITH THE BBC WORLD SERVICE FOR UP TO THE MINUTE REPORTS AND SPORTS COVERAGE.

- - 0 - -

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY 1980 * * * *

THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR JANUARY THIS YEAR WAS $7 044 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AT $4 997 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS AT S2 047 MILL ION,ACCORD I NG TO PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR THE MONTH RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY).

WITH IMPORTS AT $8 132 MTU-ION, THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT FOR JANUARY WAS SI 088 MILLION.

COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1979, THE FOLLOWING INCREASES BY VALUE WERE RECORDED: $1 180 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS- 3736 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT IN RE-EXPORTS- 31 916 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT IN TOTAL EXPORTS AND 52 775 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT IN IMPORTS.

COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TRADE FIGURES FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF A YEAR ARE ALWAYS AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, AND SO HE WAS AT PAINS TO STRESS THAT THEY HAD TO BE INTERPRETED WITH CARE.

HE ADDED THAT THE RAPID GROWTH RATE CF IMPORTS IN JANUARY WAS ALMOST CERTAINLY SEASONAL, REFLECTING IMPORTS IN ANTICIPATION OF INCREASED RETAIL SALES AROUND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN FEBRUARY. THERE HAD BEEN A SIMILAR RAPID GROwTH RATE IN IMPORTS IN DECEMBER 1978 IN ANTICIPATION CF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN JANUARY 1979.

/IN SUPPORT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1980

IN SUPPORT OF THIS CONTENTION, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FIGURES FOR THE LATEST THREE MONTHS, THAT IS, NOVEMBER 1979 TO JANUARY 1980 SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, COMPARED WITH THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 1978 TO JANUARY 1979, OF 33 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 50 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS, 37 PER CENT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS AND 32 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS.

IN ADDITION, THE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 1979 TO JANUARY I960 COMPARED WITH THOSE FOR THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 36 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 52 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS, 40 PER CENT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS AND 38 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS. SO THE RECENT TRENDS IN THE TRADE STATISTICS, NAMELY THAT TOTAL EXPORTS ARE GROWING FASTER THAN IMPORTS AND THAT THE RE-EXPORT TRADE IS EXPANDING RAPIDLY ARE STILL APPARENT.

THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT, ALTHOUGH THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT WAS RELATIVELY LARGE IN JANUARY 1980, THE VISIBLE TRADE +GAP+, THAT IS THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IS NOT COVERED BY THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD NOVEMBER 1979 TO JANUARY 1980 WAS 11 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 15 PER CENT FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD NOVEMBER 1978 TO JANUARY 1979.

FOLLOWING ARE COMPARATIVE TRADE FIGURES:

LATEST THREE MONTHS NOVEMBER 1979 TO JANUARY 1980 NOVEMBER 1978 TO JANUARY 1979 INCREASE OR DECREASE

3 MN. 3 MN. 3 MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 15 914 11 968 + 3 946 + 33.0

RE-EXPORTS . 5 937 3 953 + 1 984 + 50.2

TOTAL EXPORTS 21 851 15 921 + 5 931 + 37.3

IMPORTS . 24 661 18 716 + 5 945 + 31.8

TRADE BALANCE - 2 810 - 2 795 15

JANUARY JANUARY INCREASE OR

SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1980 1979 DECREASE

$ MN. 3 MN. 3 MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 4 997 3 817 + 1 180 + 30.9

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (70.9%) (74.4%)

RE-EXPORTS 2 047 1 311 + 736 + 56.1

TOTAL EXPORTS 7 044 5 128 + 1 916 + 37.4

IMPORTS 8 132 5 358 + 2 775 + 51.8

TRADE BALANCE - 1 088 230 858

/LAST MONTH

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1980

LAST MONTH JANUARY 1980 $ MN. DECEMBER 1979 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 4 997 5 602 605 - 10.8

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) RE-EXPORTS (70.9%) 2 047 (74.8%) 1 891 + 156 + 8.3

TOTAL EXPORTS 7 044 7 493 - 449 - 6.0

IMPORTS 8 132 8 328 - 195 - 2.3

TRADE BALANCE - 1 088 FEBRUARY 1979 TO - 835 FEBRUARY 1978 TO - 253 INCREASE OR

LAST 12 MONTHS JANUARY 1980 JANUARY 1979 DECREASE

DOMESTIC EXPORTS $ MN. 57 070 $ MN. 41 829 $ MN. +15 241 % + 36.4

RE-EXPORTS 20 741 13 643 + 7 097 + 52.0

TOTAL EXPORTS 77 811 55 472 +22 339 + 40.3

IMPORTS 88 569 64 168 +24 401 + 38.0

TRADE BALANCE - 10 758 - 8 696 - 2 062

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

79 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY ******

A TOTAL OF 79 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED LAST MONTH (JANUARY) BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, COMPARED WITH 70 IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.

OF THESE, 29 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 12 FOR KOWLOON, AND 38 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THEY INCLUDED PLANS FOR AN ELECTRICITY SUB-STATION AT HAMMER HILL A MEMORIAL HALL IN FANLING AND A NUMBER OF HIGH-RISE APARTMENT/COMMERCI AL BUILDINGS.

THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS $427.65 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $198.02 MILLION IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.

THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED LAST MONTH AMOUNTED TO 279 398.7 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 128 097.9 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 151 300.8 SQUARc. METRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.

/DURING THE ...

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1980

DURING THE MONTH, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 74 NEW PROJECTS, INCLUDING AN EXTENSION TO A MEDICAL CENTRE AND LIBRARY BLOCK AT SASSOON ROAD, A PETROL FILLING STATION AT SING WOO ROAD, A HOTEL IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, A YOUTH CENTRE IN YUEN LONG AND A SCHOOL AT TAI PAK TIN STREET, KWAI CHUNG.

A TOTAL OF 54 NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING THE MONTH, INCLUDING A SCHOOL BUILDING IN TAI PO, AN ELECTRICITY SUB-STATION IN TUEN MUN AND A TELEPHONE EXCHANGE BUILDING IN SHAM TSENG.

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO ASSENTED TO THE DEMOLITION OF 118 BUILDINGS.

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

SURVEY TO GAUGE NEED OF STUDY ROOMS X X X X X

A SURVEY WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON THE NUMBER OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WISHING TO USE STUDY ROOMS AND ON AREAS WHERE SUCH SERVICES ARE MOST NEEDED.

THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY IS TO ENSURE THAT STUDY ROOMS PROVIDED IN A SCHOOL WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS LIVING IN THE VICINITY INSTEAD OF BEING RESTRICTED FOR USE BY STUDENTS OF THAT PARTICULAR SCHOOL.

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE CO-ORDINATING THE PROVISION OF STUDY ROOM FACILITIES WITH FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO COVER THE OPERATING COST.

IT IS PROPOSED TO OPEN STUDY ROOMS AGAIN THIS YEAR IN A NUMBER CF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS FROM APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30 FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. . THESE STUDY ROOMS WILL OPEN FROM 6 PM TO 9 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY EXCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. %

IT IS EMPHASISED THAT PRIORITY FOR OPENING STUDY ROOMS WILL BE GIVEN TO HIGH-DENSITY AREAS, SUBJECT TO DEMAND, AND THAT IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO COVER ALL AREAS.

TO ENSURE THAT THE ROOMS ARE USED PROPERLY, SUPERVISORS OF STUDY ROOMS WILL BE APPOINTED AND EVERY STUDENT WILL BE ISSUED WITH AN ADMISSION CARD.

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

SALT WATER CUT X X X X

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF AREAS IN KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR 15 HOURS FROM 9 AM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 28) UNTIL MIDNIGHT TO FACILITATE PUMP INSTALLATION WORKS.

THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED ARE KWUN TONG, LAM TIN, SAU MAU PING, NGAU TAU KOK, JORDAN VALLEY, NGAU CHI WAN AND SAN PO KONG.

----.0--------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NC.

GOVERNCR TC INSPECT PRISONS DEPARTMENT ANNUAL PARADE .... 1

GOVERNMENT TO TAKE INTO DIRECT MANAGEMENT LEASE

EXPIRED PROPERTIES IN YaU NA TEI .................... 2

NIGHT JETFOIL SERVICE TO MACAU BEGINS CN FRIDAY ..... 3

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE................ 3

TEMPORARY CLOSURE CF CAl.AL ROAD FLYOVERS........... I+

EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR 1979....................................... 4

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GIRL TO SPREAD MESSAGE AMONG WORKERS... 7

CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS VISIT STANLEY PRISON... 8

KNOW YOUR SOUTHERN DISTRICT CAMPAIGN ................ 9

DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE ALD FISHERIES MEETS PRIMARY PRODUCERS .................................... 9

SCIENCE TEACHERS SEE DISPLAY OF RESOURCE MATERIALS .. 10

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1980

GOVERNOR TO INSPECT PRISONS DEPARTMENT ANNUAL PARADE ******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL INSPECT THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL PARADE ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 29) AT THE PARADE GROUND OF THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.

SIR MURRAY WILL ALSO PRESENT COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 41 PRISON OFFICERS WHO HAVE EACH GIVEN 18 YEARS EXEMPLARY SERVICE IN THE DEPARTMENT.

EIGHT CONTINGENTS COMPRISING 218 OFFICERS FROM VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE PART IN THE PARADE COMMANDED BY SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PRISONS, MR LAI MING-KEE.

THE PIPES AND DRUMS BAND OF TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WILL PROVIDE LIGHT AND MARCHING MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE EVENT.

THE ANNUAL PARADE, ONE OF THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT, COINCIDES WITH THE END OF THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS BEING HELD IN HONG KONG.

DELEGATES AT THE CONFERENCE FROM 14 TERRITORIES IN THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGION AS WELL AS CANADA FROM NORTH AMERICA WILL ATTEND THE PARADE.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL PARADE AT 4 PM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 29) AT THE PARADE GROUND OF THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY. THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE WILL INSPECT THE PARADE.

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT GUARDIAN HOUSE, 31 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 3 PM SHaRP.

-------0 -

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1980

GOVERNMENT TO TAKE INTO DIRECT MANAGEMENT LEASE EXPIRED PROPERTIES IN YAU MA TEI ft ft * ft ft *

A NUMBER OF PROPERTIES IN YAU MA TEI WHICH WERE HELD UNDER 75-YEAR NON-RENEWABLE LEASES WILL BE TAKEN INTO DIRECT MANAGEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THE PROPERTIES AFFECTED ARE IN CHING PING STREET, TUNG KUN STREET, LEE TAT STREET, CHEUNG SHU I STREET, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND CANTON ROAD.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID. +THE DECISION MEANS THAT THE FORMER OWNERS’ REQUEST FOR THE REGRANT OF THE EXPIRED LEASES IS NOT GRANTED.

♦THIS IS BECAUSE THESE PROPERTIES FORM A SITE WHICH IS ZONED FOR OPEN SPACE AND A SCHOOL WHICH WILL, IN DUE COURSE, BE DEVELOPED TO REDRESS THE PRESENT DEFICIENCY OF THE PROVISION OF THESE FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT,* HE SAID.

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO TAKE THESE PROPERTIES INTO DIRECT MANAGEMENT FROM APRIL 1.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT NO OCCUPIERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MOVE OUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

+N0 IMMINENT FORCED EVICTION ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED,♦ HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO EMPHASISED THAT ALL GENUINE OCCUPIERS WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH PUBLIC HOUSING IN CASES WHERE BUILDINGS WERE REQUIRED TO BE DEMOLISHED FOR PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT IN DUE COURSE.

AND, FORMER OWNERS WILL BE PAID EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE FOR THE BUILDINGS AS SOON AS THE PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO DIRECT MANAGEMENT.

ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO FULLY INFORM AFFECTED RESIDENTS IN THE AREA. LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO OWNERS AND TENANTS, AND MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HELD TO EXPLAIN IN DETAIL WHAT THE DIRECT MANAGEMENT ACTION INVOLVES.

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLA INEDi +WHERE LEASE EXPIRED PROPERTIES ARE TAKEN INTO DIRECT MANAGEMENT ALL EXISTING TENANCIES BETWEEN THE FORMER OWNERS AND THE PRINCIPAL TENANTS WILL BE TAKEN OVER INITIALLY AT EXISTING RENTALS.*

+THESE WILL INCLUDE BOTH DOMESTIC AND BUSINESS PREMISES.*

♦NEW TENANCY AGREEMENTS WILL BE ESTABLISHED WITH THOSE FORMER OWNERS WHO ARE ALSO OCCUPIERS UNTIL THE PROPERTIES ARE REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT. RENTAL WILL BE ASSESSED AT ROUGHLY THE SAME LEVEL AS OTHER EXISTING TENANCIES.*

♦ IN CASES WHERE HARDSHIP IS CLAIMED BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO PAY RENTS, CLAIMS WILL BE REFERRED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR INVESTIGATION AND RECOMMENDATION,* SAID THE SPOKESMAN.

HOWEVER, HE RE-EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPERTIES AFFECTED WERE ALL LEASE-EXPIRED, AND THAT EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE FOR THE BUILDING WOULD BE PAID.

_ _ 0 - -

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, I960

NIGHT JETFOIL SERVICE TO MACAU BEGINS ON FRIDAY

* * * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAS APPROVED AN APPLICATION BY FAR EAST HYDROFOIL CO LTD TO OPERATE A NIGHT JETFOIL SERVICE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MACAU.

TWO SPECIALLY EQUIPPED JETFOILS, THE SANTA MARIA AND MADEIRA, ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN THE NEW SERVICE THIS FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 29).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE APPROVAL WAS GRANTED FOLLOWING A SERIES OF TRIAL RUNS AND EXTENSIVE TESTS ON THE ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT, CONDUCTED IN THE PRESENCE OF SENIOR MARINE OFFICERS.

*THESE INCLUDE THE TEST OF A VISUAL AUGMENTATION SYSTEM WHICH ENABLES CREW MEMBERS TO SEE IN THE DARK FOR A DISTANCE CF ABOUT TWO MILES.

♦AS A FURTHER SAFETY MEASURE, QUALIFICATIONS OF THE CREW MEMBERS OF THE TWO JETFOILS WERE RE-EXAMINED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THEY COMPLY WITH THE NIGHT NAVIGATION NEEDS,♦ HE SAID.

-------0 - -

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE

*1 UM »l

AT 6NpM?".>hTSKSf«SToI°RH™‘'"S '"LL LE‘*E l<0WL0<>" STAT'°"

to koKW!! cobwe

ADDITION, KCR WILL DIVERT ONE OF ITS RACE COURSE STATION AT 10.05 PM.

PM AND 11.57 PM. IN SCHEDULED TRAINS VIA

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1980

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CANAL ROAD FLYOVERS ******

THE DOWN-RAMP OF THE CANAL ROAD EAST FLYOVER AND THE UP-RAMP CF CANAL ROAD WEST FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1.30 AM AND 6 AM ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (MARCH 1-2).

DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE, HONG KONG-BOUND BUSES ON CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE 121 WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA WATERFRONT ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE FLYOVER, QUEENSWAY BEFORE BACK TO THEIR NORMAL ROUTING. KOWLOON-BOUND BUSES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HENNESSY ROAD, YEE WO STREET, GREAT GEORGE STREET, PATERSON STREET, GLOUCESTER ROAD, WATERFRONT ROAD FLYOVER AND THEN BACK TO THE NORMAL ROUTING.

HONG KONG-BOUND BUSES ON CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE 122 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WATERFRONT ROAD FLYOVER, GLOUCESTER ROAD, TONNOCHY ROAD, HENNESSY ROAD,YEE WO STREET AND THEN BACK TO THE NORMAL ROUTING. KOWLOON-BOUND BUSES WILL OPERATE VIA HENNESSY ROAD, FLEMING ROAD FLYOVER, WAN CHAI FERRY ROAD, WATERFRONT ROAD AND THEN BACK TO THE NORMAL ROUTING.

FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY, SEVERAL STREETS IN THE HAPPY VALLEY AREA WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION CF A NEW FLYOVER IN CANAL ROAD.

THEY ARE THE SECTION OF CANAL ROAD EAST FROM ABOUT 15 METERS NORTH OF SHARP STREET EAST TO ITS JUNCTION WITH LEIGHTON ROAD, SECTION OF MATHESON STREET FROM HOUSE NOS. 11-13 TO ITS JUNCTION WITH LEIGHTON ROAD, SECTION OF LEIGHTON ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CANAL ROAD EAST TO LEIGHTON CENTRE OPPOSITE HOUSE NOS. 22-24 LEIGHTON ROAD, AND YIU WAH STREET.

WITHIN THE CLEARWAYS, ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.

THE CLEARWAYS WILL BE INDICATED BY TRAFFIC SIGNS.

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

EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR 1979 ******

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR 1979.

THE STATISTICS ARE DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT COMMODITY ITEMS UNDER THE PRESENT EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE COMMODITY ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED.

FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, THE ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS IN 1979 WERE WEARING APPAREL, TEXTILES, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, PLASTIC PRODUCTS, AND PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT. THEY TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 81 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THE YEAR.

/INCREASES IN ...

■*

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1980

5 -

INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BETWEEN 1978 AND 1979 WERE HIGHEST FOR TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (76%), NON-ELECTRI CAL MACHINERY (71%), BEVERAGES (60%), LEATHER PRODUCTS (59%), NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS (58%), AND PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (55%).

BUT A DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR MINING AND QUARRYING (-25%).

FOR IMPORTS, PRODUCTS OF TEXTILES, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, CHEMICALS, METAL AND FOOD INDUSTRIES TOGETHER TOOK UP 51 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF IMPORTS FOR 1979.

LARGE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS BETWEEN 1978 AND 1979 WERE FOUND IN MINING AND QUARRYING (165%), PLASTIC PRODUCTS (72%), TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (69%), WOOD PRODUCTS (67%), FORESTRY AND LOGGING (65%), AND WEARING APPAREL (60%).

FURTHER DETAILS OF EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL: 5-274203).

THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS A COMPARISON OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND IMPORTS FOR 1978 AND 1979, RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN.

(VALUES IN HK$ MILLTOK)*

DOMESTIC EXPORTS IMPORTS

INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN OF TRADED COMMODITIES WHOLE YEAR OF 1978 WHOLE YEAR OF 1979 % CHANGE WHOLE Y&AR OF 1978 WHOLE YEAR OF 1979 % CHANGE

AGRICULTURE FORESTRY AND FISHING

AGR1 CULTURE, LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION 20 21 5 3 516 ' 4 056 15

FORESTRY AND LOGGING * * ** 237 391 65

OCEAN AND COASTAL FISHING 120 139 16 394 519 32

MINING AND QUARRYING 4 3 -25 1 739 4 617 165

/MANUFACTURING .....

TUESDAY, FJBRUARY 26, 1980

MANUFACTURING

FOOD 626 741 18 5 241 • 6 237 19

BEVERAGES 5 8 60 597 827 39

TOBACCO 50 65 30 403 528 31

TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 7 860 9 938 26 10 544 13 843 31

^EARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR 11 375 15 132 33 1 100 1 755 60

LEATHER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS 237 376 59 855 1 259 47

FOOTWEAR 171 207 21 230 344 53

WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, FURNITURE AND FIXTURES 399 518 30 600 1 004 67

PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING 520 726 40 1 469 1 931 31

CHEMICAL AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 399 508 27 5 874 8 317 42

PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM AND COAL * 1 X ** 3 107 4 895 58

RUBBER PRODUCTS 51 56 10 170 245 44

PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3 870 5 358 38 377 645 72

NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 116 183 58 1 177 1 625 33

BASIC METALS AND FABR ICATED METAL PRODUCTS 2 275 3 217 41 4 277 6 427 53

/MACHINERY

TUESDAY, ifBRUARY 26, 1980

MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL 289 494 71 3 153 4 195 33

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES 6 836 9 584 40 7 550 4 11 368 51

TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 55 97 76 1 991 3 360 69

PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT 3 327 5 159 55 4 223 5 711 35

OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 1 689 2 706 60 5 588 5 981 7

ELECTRICITY 50 ** — — ••

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 416 620 49 322 473 47

GRAND TOTAL 40 711 55 912 37 64 734 90 557 43

NOTES : INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES OF A COLUMN MAY NOT ADD UP EXACTLY TO THE CORRESPONDING TOTAL DUE TO ROUNDING.

’*» DENOTES LESS THAN HK$0.5 MILLION

»**’ DENOTES THE PERCENTAGE CHANGE BEING OF LITTLE ANALYTICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

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INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GIRL TO SPREAD MESSAGE AMONG WORKERS *****

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED A PACKAGE OF PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL TO INTRODUCE THE ♦INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GIRL+ TO HELP SPREAD INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MESSAGES AMONG WORKERS.

THE +INDUSTRI AL SAFETY GIRL+ WILL SOON APPEAR IN A SERIES OF SHORT TELEVISION FILMS SHOWING SAFETY MEASURES IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES. POSTERS AND STICKERS FEATURING THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GIRL HAVE ALSO BEEN PRODUCED FOR DISPLAY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN OFFICE SAID, ♦INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS CAN ONLY BE AVOIDED IF BOTH MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS CO-OPERATE BY OBSERVING SAFETY RULES.

/+THE INDUSTRIAL ..

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1980

+THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GIRL SETS AN EXAMPLE TO WORKERS BY WEARING SAFETY GEAR INCLUDING SAFETY HELMET, SAFETY BELT, EARMUFFS AND SAFETY BOOTS.*

SHE ALSO REMINDS EMPLOYERS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR WORKERS.

SHE STRESSES THAT EMPLOYERS IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SHOULD MAINTAIN A +GOOD HOUSE-KEEPING STANDARD* IN THEIR FACTORIES, AND EMPLOYERS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES SHOULD ENSURE THAT SAFETY DEVICES ARE EFFECTIVE AND THAT ALL SAFETY MEASURES ARE CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY THEIR WORKERS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WORKERS SHOULD FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY, USE SUITABLE SAFETY DEVICES. THEY SHOULD WEAR SAFETY HELMETS WHEN WORKING AT CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WEAR SAFETY BELTS WHEN WORKING AT HEIGHTS. THEY NEED TO WEAR EARMUFFS WHEN WORKING IN A NOISY ENVIRONMENT AND USE BREATHING APPARATUS WHEN WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES.

EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS WHO WISH TO ENQUIRE FURTHER ABOUT INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MAY CONTACT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION CF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT TELi 5-282523 EXT 55 OR 3-688111 EXT 401.

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CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS VISIT STANLEY PRISON ft ft ft *

DELEGATES FROM 14 COUNTRIES NOW ATTENDING THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED THE STANLEY PRISON AND THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR T G GARNER, THE GROUP FIRST TOURED STANLEY PRISON. THEY WERE BRIEFED BY SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PRISON, MR I K BHAGAT ON VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND FACILITIES IN THIS MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON WHICH ALSO INCLUDES AN INDUSTRIAL SECTION WITH LARGE AND WELL-EQUIPPED WORKSHOPS.

THE DELEGATES THEN WENT TO THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE WHICH OFFERS A VARIETY OF COURSES TO MEET THE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE PRISON SERVICE.

THEY WERE SHOWN ROUND THE INSTITUTE BY ITS PRINCIPAL, SUPERINTENDENT OF PRISON, MR PI WING-LEE AND SAW AN ANTI-DISTURBANCE DRILL BY PRISON OFFICERS.

THE GROUP WILL VISIT FOUR OTHER PENAL INSTITUTIONS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) - A PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE, A DETENTION CENTRE, A DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE AND THE TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN.

THE VISITS ARE AIMED AT GIVING THE DELEGATES AN INSIGHT INTO VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1980

KNOW YOUR SOUTHERN DISTRICT CAMPAIGN ft ft ft ft

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER, WILL LAUNCH THE *KNOW YOUR SOUTHERN DISTRICT* CAMPAIGN AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT OCEAN PARK AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 2).

THE TWO-WEEK CAMPAIGN, ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SOUTHERN) AND VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE DISTRICT, IS AIMED AT PROMOTING DISTRICT IDENTITY AND SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS.

THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (SOUTHERN), MISS ELLE SHUM, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE +KNOW YOUR SOUTHERN DISTRICT* ORGANISING COMMITTEE, W FONG YUN-WAH, WILL ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN IN A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 28).

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON +KNOW YOUR SOUTHERN DISTRICT* CAMPAIGN AT 11 AM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 28) IN THE GIS THEATRE, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE AND THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CAMPAIGN TO BE PERFORMED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER AT OCEAN PARK AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 2).

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DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES MEETS PRIMARY PRODUCERS ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE .DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, WILL CONCLUDE A SERIES OF LUNAR NEW YEAR VISITS WITH PRIMARY PRODUCERS ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 28) WHEN HE KEETS FARMERS AND RURAL LEADERS IN YUEN LONG DISTRICT.

PRIOR TO THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY PERIOD, MR RIDDELL-SWAN AND STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT MET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY. AND ON MONDAY THEY HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH RURAL LEADERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR STEPHEN WONG, AND OTHER DIGNITARIES IN TAI PO DISTRICT.

TODAY MR RIDDELL-SWAN MET FARMERS AND LEADERS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT (SAI KUNG, TSUEN WAN AND ISLANDS) INCLUDING VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR PETER YEUNG- MR CHAN KWONG-TSUEN OF MA WAN, MR TANG LAP-TAI OF TSI NG Yl, MR WONG CHING OF PING CHAU, I* CHONG CHU-CHOI OF TUNG CHUNG, MR LEE YUN-SAU AND MR CHUNG PIN OF SAI KUNG AND MR YIU KAI-HANG OF CHEUNG CHAU.

------0------- /10....................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1980

SCIENCE TEACHERS SEE DISPLAY OF RESOURCE MATERIALS

* * * ft ft

SCIENCE TEACHERS OF SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS TODAY (TUESDAY) FLOCKED TO THE SCIENCE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO SEE A DISPLAY OF RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR TEACHING.

THE DISPLAY IS OPEN EVERY TUESDAY UNTIL APRIL 22, AND ALL SCIENCE TEACHERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

RESOURCE MATERIALS EXHIBITED ARE RELATED TO THE TEACHING OF PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY (FORMS IV AND V) AND PRIMARY SCIENCE ACCORDING TO THE SYLLABUSES RECOMMENDED BY THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

MODELS, SPECIMENS, TOGETHER WITH HOME-MADE AND COMMERCIALLY PRODUCED TEACHING AID AND EQUIPMENT ARE ON DISPLAY. EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS ARE ALSO PROVIDED SO THAT TEACHERS CAN CONDUCT THEIR OWN EXPERIMENTS AT THE CENTRE.

STAFF OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION, WHO ORGANISED THE DISPLAY WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST TEACHERS AND TO ANSWER ANY QUERIES THEY MAY HAVE.

THE SCIENCE TEACHING CENTRE IS AT A PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

•••■»»••«• • . — - — ■ ■—F— ~ —■■■■», . » > I I ■ I ■ ■ . I ■ ■ I — ■■■ ■ ■ — ■ ■ .» । ■

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

‘ ' j j • »i ■, /. . • .

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 <1980

CONTENTS PAGE- NO.

INCREASE IN PERSONAL TAXATION ALLOWANCES PROPOSED................ 1

32 318 MILLION SURPLUS PREDICTED FOR 1979/80 ..................... 3

HK'S GDP IN 1980 TO GRO? BY NINE PER CENT ....................... 4

1979 ANXIETIES RECEDING AS HK ENTERS 1980 ....................... 5

.HK .ECONOMY MOVING TOWARDS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL equilibrium .....:..........................-8

DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1980 TO GROW BY SEVEN PER CENT...............• . 9

ONLY ONE FEE INCREASE PROPOSAL IN THE BUDGET .................... 10

REVALUATION OF RATEABLE VALUES ABANDONED ........................ 11

' • • • • ..... ....

TOTAL REVENUE TO RISE TO- $21 428. MILLION .•.................... 13

'STARTLING' RISE IN TOTAL EXPENDITURE............................ 13

TAX REFORM TO PLUG LOOPHOLE ..................................... 16

MORE LAND TO BE PUT ON SALE ..................................... 17

$2 943 MILLION .....

52 9^3 MILLION TO BE SPENT ON EDUCATION IN 198O-81 .............. 18

51 502 MILLION TO BE SPENT ON LA7 AND ORDER....................... 19

' 5792 MILLION FOR SOCIAL .'ELFARE ........................... • 21

MORS-HOSPITAL BEDS TO BE PROVIDED ............................... 22

PUBLIC 'SECTOR SIZE TO RISE TC 19.7 PER CENT ..................... 23

BUDGET FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES ............................. 2A

GOVERNOR VISITS TICD ............................................. 24

CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS VISIT MORS PENAL INSTITUTIONS ........ 25

FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS-ENDS ON FRIDAY .................................. 26

TO'.’/N’MANAGER SPEAKS ABOUT COMMUNITY BUILDING IN TSUEN ’7AN .... 26

TENDERS FOR'OPERATING BEACH FACILITIES IN NT ..................... 27

AUCTION OF SPECIAL OAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ...................... 28

9 OOO STUDENTS.TO ATTEND CAREER SEMINARS ......................... 28

MUSIC OFFICE-TO HOLD.STUDENTS’ CONCERT IN NT ....................• 29

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

INCREASE IN PERSONAL TAXATION ALLOWANCES PROPOSED

X X X X

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY PROPOSED TO INCREASE VARIOUS ALLOWANCES FOR BOTH SALARIES TAX AND PERSONAL ASSESSMENT TO BENEFIT MORE THAN 370 000 EXISTING AND POTENTIAL TAXPAYERS.

PRESENTING HIS BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR PHILIP OUTLINED HIS PROPOSALS AS FOLLOWSi

X PERSONAL ALLOWANCE FOR A SINGLE PERSON WILL GO UP FROM $10 000 TO $15 000 AND FOR MARRIED PERSONS FROM $20 000 TO $30 000-

X CHILD ALLOWANCE WILL BE INCREASED AS FOLLOWSt

FROM $4 000 TO $5 000 FOR THE FIRST CHILD-

$3 000 TO $4 000 FOR THE SECOND CHILD-

SR 000 TO $3 000 FOR THE THIRD CHILD-

$1 000 TO $2 000 FOR THE 4TH, 5TH AND

6TH CHILD- AND

$500 TO $1 000 FOR THE 7TH, 8TH AND 9TH CHILD.

X THE DEPENDENT PARENT ALLOWANCE WILL BE INCREASED FROM $4 000 TO $5 000 AND THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTING THIS ALLOWANCE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

HIS PROPOSAL FOR INCREASING THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCE CONSISTS OF INCREASING THE LEVEL OF PERSONAL ALLOWANCES FROM $10 000 TO $12 500 FOR A SINGLE PERSON, AND FROM $20 000 TO $25 000 FOR MARRIED PERSONS, AND ABOLISHING THE EXISTING CLAW-BACK PROVISION IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY PERSONAL ALLOWANCES SO THAT ALL TAXPAYERS WILL ENJOY THIS ALLOWANCE WHICH IS $2 500 FOR A SINGLE PERSON AND $5 000 FOR A MARRIED PERSON.

SIR PHILIP SAID THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROPOSALS WOULD BE EFFECTIVE FOR FINAL SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENT FOR 1979-80 (AND FOR PERSONAL ASSESSMENT ALSO) AND PROVISIONAL SALARIES TAX FOR 1980-81.

♦THE EFFECT OF THESE PROPOSALS WILL BE TO EXEMPT 15 000 PERSONS PREVIOUSLY LIABLE TO SALARIES TAX AND A FURTHER 45 000 WHO WOULD HAVE BECOME CHARGEABLE IN 1980-81, WILL REMAIN OUT OF THE TAX NET,* HE SAID.

♦ADDITIONALLY, 265 000 SALARIES TAXPAYERS WILL BENEFIT BY WAY OF REDUCED LIABILITY AND A FURTHER 50 000 WILL BENEFIT UNDER PERSONAL ASSESSMENT.*

SIR PHILIP SAID THE COST TO THE REVENUE IN 1980-81 TO IMPLEMENT THESE PROPOSALS WOULD BE $426 MILLION.

/UNDER THESE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUABY 27, 1980

UNDER THESE PROPOSALS, THE TAX PAYABLE BY A SINGLE PERSON EARNING $25 OOO A YEAR WILL BE REDUCED FROM $875 TO $500, FOR MARRIED PERSONS WITH NO CHILDREN AT AN ANNUAL INCOME OF $45 000, THE TAX WILL BE LOWERED FROM $1 800 TO $1 000.

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE DEPENDENT PARENT ALLOWANCE, FOR A SINGLE PERSON WITH TWO CHILDREN AND TWO DEPENDENT PARENTS EARNING $35 000 A YEAR, THE TAX PAYABLE WOULD BE LOWERED FROM $487 TO $50 AND FOR MARRIED PERSONS EARNING $60 000 WITH THE SAME NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND DEPENDENT PARENTS, THE TAX WOULD BE REDUCED FROM $2 025 TO $600.

SIR PHILIP ALSO PROPOSED THREE OTHER TAX CONCESSIONS RELATING TO INTEREST TAX LIABILITY OF CREDIT UNIONS, ESTATE DUTY AND STAMP DUTY ON CONVEYANCES OF LOW VALUE PROPERTIES.

SIR PHILIP PROPOSED TO AMEND THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE SO THAT INTEREST ON LOANS MADE BY CREDIT UNIONS TO THEIR MEMBERS BE EXEMPT FROM TAX FROM YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 1980-81. ON OUTSIDE INVESTMENT INCOME OF THESE UNIONS, HE SAW +N0 COMPELLING ARGUMENT* TO JUSTIFY EXEMPTION FROM INTEREST WITHHOLDING TAX, SINCE CREDIT UNIONS WERE NEITHER CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS NOR TRUSTS OF A PUBLIC CHARACTER.

THE PROPOSAL WOULD COST $100 000 TO THE REVENUE.

ON ESTATE DUTY, HE PROPOSED TO RAISE THE EXEMPTION LIMIT FROM $400 000 TO $600 000 FOR THE ESTATES OF PERSONS DYING AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION. THE COST TO THE REVENUE CF THIS PROPOSAL IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $5 MILLION IN 1980-81.

ON STAMP DUTY ON CONVEYANCE OF LOW VALUE PROPERTIES, HE PROPOSED TO RAISE THE LIMIT FOR THE CONCESSIONARY AD VALOREM RATE CF DUTY OF ONE PER CENT BY $75 000 TO $250 000 AT A COST TO THE REVENUE OF NO LESS THAN $67 MILLION IN 1980-81.

SIR PHILIP SAID THIS CONCESSION WAS IN ^RECOGNITION OF THE MUCH HIGHER LEVEL OF PRICES OF DOMESTIC FLATS*. A FURTHER 18 000 FLAT PURCHASERS WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS CONCESSION A YEAR IN ADDITION TO THE 40 000 FLAT PURCHASERS ALREADY ENJOYING IT NOW. THIS CONCESSION WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM THE OPENING OF BUSINESS TOMORROW MORNING.

BILLS TO AMEND THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF HIS PROPOSALS IN RESPECT OF PERSONAL TAXATION AND ESTATE DUTY WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

$2 318M SURPLUS PREDICTED FOR 1979/80 ft ft ft ft ft

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, HAS PREDICTED A RECORD SURPLUS OF >2 318 MILLION FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR 1979-60.

IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH, SIR PHILIP SAID THE REVISED ESTIMATES CF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1979-60 WERE $16 550 MILLION AND $14 232 MILLION RESPECTIVELY, THUS RESULTING IN A SURPLUS OF $2 318 MILLION.

♦THIS FIGURE DOES NOT QUITE MATCH UP WITH THE SURPLUS DERIVED FROM THE TREASURY’S CASH BOOK AT FEBRUARY 14,* HE ADDED. ♦AND SO I SHALL USE A FIGURE OF $2 500 MILLION WHEN CONSIDERING OUR CUMULATIVE FINANCIAL POSITION AT APRIL 1 NEXT.*

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT FOR THE THIRD YEAR RUNNING THIS LARGER THAN BUDGETTED FOR SURPLUS — $2 318 MILLION RATHER THAN $1 455 MILLION — + IS DUE TO A FLUSH OF REVENUE RATHER THAN A FAILURE OF EXPENDITURE, BUT THIS OUTCOME IS ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH THE CONSTRAINING OBJECTIVE OF BUDGETARY POLICY IN 1979-80.+

AT $16 550 MILLION, THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF REVENUE EXCEEDS THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF $13 888 MILLION BY $2 662 MILLION, OR BY 19 PER CENT.

RECURRENT REVENUE AT $13 214 MILLION IS UP BY A NET $1 738 MILLION, OR BY 15 PER CENT, ON THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE.

CAPITAL REVENUE IS UP BY $924 MILLION, OR BY 38 PER CENT, ON THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE AS PREMIA FROM LAND TRANSACTIONS ARE UP BY $886 MILLION, OR BY 45 PER CENT, AND THE YIELD FROM ESTATE DUTY IS UP BY $55 MILLION, OR BY 41 PER CENT.

ON EXPENDITURE, SIR PHILIP SAID THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURE, AT $14 232 MILLION, EXCEEDED THE APPROVED ESTIMATE OF $12 433 MILLION BY $1 799 MILLION, OR BY 14.5 PER CENT. FOR THE THIRD YEAR RUNNING, ACTUAL EXPENDITURE WOULD EXCEED THE APPROVED ESTIMATE, HE ADDED.

ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT, AT $9 081 MILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THERE WAS NET OVER-SPENDING OF $721 MILLION, OR NEARLY NINE PER CENT, LARGELY DUE TO THE PAY TREND SURVEY SALARY REVISION WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPORT NO. 2 OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AS FROM OCTOBER 1.

AS FOR CAPITAL ACCOUNT, AT $5 151 MILLION, THERE WAS NET OVER-SPENDING OF $1 078 MILLION, OR NEARLY 27 PER CENT, OF WHICH $591 MILLION IS ACCOUNTED FOR BY PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME OTHER THAN NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING.

IN ADDITION, SIR PHILIP SAID, AN EXTRA $382 MILLION WAS REQUIRED FOR EXTRAORDINARY ITEMS UNFORESEEN WHEN THE ESTIMATES WERE PREPARED, SUCH AS CAMPS FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, THE PURCHASE OF FAIRMOUNT GARDENS AND ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ON SLOPES.

/TURNING IC .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

TURNING TO HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL POSITION, SIR PHILIP SAID THAT AT APRIL 1 HONG KONG WOULD HAVE +FREE+ RESERVES OF AROUND $5 700 MILLION TO FINANCE ITS SEASONAL DEFICITS ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT, AND ANY UNEXPECTED SHORT TERM DIFFICULTIES AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WHICH COULD NOT BE — AND, INDEED, SHOULD NOT BE — DEALT WITH BY A REVISION OF EXPENDITURE AUTHORITIES OR BY FISCAL MEASURES.

♦THE LEVEL OF OUR ’FREE' FISCAL RESERVES IS ALSO SUCH AS TO ENABLE US TO MAINTAIN A GIVEN LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE, WITHOUT RESORTING TO DEBT FINANCE, AS AND WHEN THE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES BREACH THE RELEVANT GUIDELINES- AND AS AND WHEN THE FINANCING OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BECOMES MORE DEPENDENT AGAIN ON THE SURPLUS ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT,+ HE SAID.

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HK’S GDP IN 1980 TO GROW BY NINE PER CENT

* K * * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FORECAST THAT HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) WOULD GROW BY NINE PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN 1980 COMPARED WITH THE ACHIEVED GROWTH RATE OF 11.5 PER CENT IN 1979.

PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1980-81 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR PHILIP SAID IN PER CAPITA TERMS, ASSUMING THE GROWTH RATE OF THE POPULATION TO BE ABOUT 4.1 PER CENT, THE GROWTH RATE OF GDP PER CAPITA WOULD BE FIVE PER CENT, ROUGHLY THE SAME AS THE ACHIEVED GROWTH RATE OF 4.8 PER CENT IN 1979. THE GROWTH RATE OF REAL INCOME PER CAPITA WILL ALSO BE ABOUT FIVE PER CENT.

IN MONEY TERMS, THE GDP GROWTH RATE IN 1980 IS 21 PER CENT. THIS IMPLIES THAT TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON GDP AT CURRENT PRICES WILL BE $106 000 MILLION. IN PER CAPITA TERMS, GDP AT CURRENT PRICES WILL BE ALMOST $21 000 REPRESENTING A GROWTH RATE OF 17 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH THE ACHIEVED GROWTH RATE OF 18.7 PER CENT IN 1979.

HE ALSO PREDICTED THAT THE RATE OF INCREASE IN CONSUMER PRICES IN HONG KONG IN 1980 WAS 10 PER CENT REPRESENTING A SLOWDOWN FROM THE ACTUAL RATE OF INCREASE OF 11.6 PER CENT IN 1979, WHILE THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE GENERAL PRICE LEVEL - THE GDP DEFLATOR -WAS 11 PER CENT COMPARED WITH AN ACTUAL 13.3 PER CENT INCREASE IN 1979.

SIR PHILIP ALSO ANALYSED THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN 1980 BY COMPONENT.

FOR PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE PRICE, HE FORECAST A NINE PER CENT GROWTH RATE WHICH WAS LESS THAN MIGHT BE IMPLIED BY THE GROWTH RATE OF REAL INCOME IN 1979, AND THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE FOR 1980. THERE ARE THREE POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THISt FIRST, A RELATIVELY HIGH RATE OF INCREASE IN PRICES MAY, WHEN ALLIED WITH UNCERTAINTIES FACING OUR ECONOMY, EXERT A CONSTRAINING EFFECT ON CONSUMPTION AND PROVIDE A GREATER INCENTIVE TO SAVE.

/SECONDLY, ...

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

SECONDLY, THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASING TENDENCY FOR FAMILIES TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN FLATS- AND, WITH A HIGH RATE OF INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF FLATS AND HIGHER MORTGAGE RATES, A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE INCOMES OF SOME FAMILIES WILL BE TIED UP IN MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE.

THIRDLY, THE SPURT IN THE GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE FROM TWO PER CENT IN 1975 TO 8.8 PER CENT IN 1976 TO 18.4 PER CENT IN 1978 WILL CONTINUE TO DEPRESS REPLACEMENT DEMAND AS WAS PROBABLY THE CASE IN 1979.

ON GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IS 12 PER CENT, ROUGHLY THE SAME AS THAT ACHIEVED IN 1979.

ON GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IS 12 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE ACHIEVED GROWTH RATE OF 23.7 PER CENT IN 1979. THE GROWTH RATE OF INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY IN 1980 IS 15 PER CENT, A SLOWDOWN FROM THE GROWTH RATE OF OVER 40 PER CENT ACHIEVED IN 1979 WHICH WAS THE RESULT OF A RAPID GROWTH RATE OF INVESTMENT IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND OFFICE MACHINERY. TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION IS 10 PER CENT WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR GROWING BY FIVE PER CENT AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR, INCLUDING THE MTRC, BY 15 PER CENT.

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1979 ANXIETIES RECEDING AS HK ENTERS 1980

******

ARE THE

THE ANXIETIES WITH WHICH WE WERE SEIZED AS WE ENTERED 1979 BEGINNING TO RECEDE AS WE ENTER 1980, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY !N pKUI%fHl!^J!fi??N“CAVE' SA,D THI* WEDNESDAY) AFTErSooS ’ IN rKtotNI I No MIS dUDocT.

SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT INFLATION SUFFERED LAST YEAR WAS MAINLY IMPORTED, AND THAT THE ACCELERATING WORLD INFLATION WAS PARTLY A RESULT OF THE OIL SITUATION. uaiiun was

♦WE MUST ALSO RECOGNISE THAT THERE IS LITTLE WE CAN DO, WHICH WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH THE NEED TO MAINTAIN EXTERNAL COMPETITIVENESS, TO ISOLATE OURSELVES FROM WORLD INFLATION,♦ HE SAID.

BUT, HE SAID, THIS WAS NOT SO IN THE CASE OF DOMESTICALLY GENERATED INFLATION AND IN A MARKET ORIENTED ECONOMY LIKE HONG KONG, PRICES INCREASE BECAUSE DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY.

♦UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, DOMESTICALLY GENERATED INFLATION ARISING FROM AN IMBALANCE BETWEEN THE DEMAND FOR, AND THE SUPPLY OF, RESOURCES WILL TEND TO CORRECT ITSELF. I SAY, UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, BECAUSE COMPLETE DEPENDENCE ON MARKET FORCES MAY INVOLVE A SOCIAL COST WHICH MAY BE TOO LARGE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO BEAR,+ SIR PHILIP EXPLAINED.

HE SAID THAT WHERE THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT THIS WAS SO, DELIBERATE STEPS MIGHT HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO DAMPEN DOWN DOMESTICALLY GENERATED INFLATION, EITHER BY SLOWING DOWN DEMAND OR BY INCREASING SUPPLY.

/IN HIS .....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980 -

IN HIS PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF SDP IN 1979, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT DESPITE A SURGE IN THE SIZE OF OUR POPULATION, THE GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE WAS ONLY 7.7 PER CENT IN 1979 — REPRESENTING A SHARP DECELERATION WHEN COMPARED WITH THE GROWTH RATES IN 1977 AND 1978 OF 17.3 PER CENT AND 18.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

AT 12.3 PER CENT, THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF THE GROWTH RATE OF GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IN 1979 IS HIGHER THAN FORECAST (9 PER CENT) AND IS ABOUT THE SAME AS IN 1977 AND 1978 AT 12.5 PER CENT AND 12.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

THE GROWTH RATE OF EXPENDITURE ON GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION, FORECAST AT 9 PER CENT LAST YEAR, IS ESTIMATED AT AS HIGH AS 23.7 PER CENT FOR 1979 WITH THE DIFFERENCE BEING LARGELY THE RESULT OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY — 46.3 PER CENT INSTEAD OF 8 PER CENT.

MUCH OF THIS INVESTMENT WAS IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING AIRCRAFT), BUT MANUFACTURERS ALSO EXPANDED THEIR CAPACITY BECAUSE THEY WERE ABLE TO ACQUIRE THE LABOUR THEY NEEDED.

THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS FOR 1979 IS 19.5 PER CENT, MADE UP OF 16.6 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND 28.8 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS. SIR PHILIP SAID THESE GROWTH RATES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN HIS FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF 8 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT AND 12 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

♦THE UPSURGE IN THE RE-EXPORT TRADE, WHICH BEGAN TO GET UNDERWAY IN LATE 1977, WAS SUSTAINED FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING. THIS PROVIDES CONFIRMATION THAT OUR ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT IS NOW A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN OUR DEVELOPING AND DIVERSIFYING ECONOMY,+ HE SAID.

SIR PHILIP SAID THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF THE GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS FOR 1979 AT 15.6 PER CENT WAS ALSO HIGHER THAN HIS FORECAST OF 10 PER CENT BUT THIS WAS A REFLECTION OF THE BETTER THAN EXPECTED EXPORT PERFORMANCE — THE GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS SLOWED DOWN AS FORECAST, BUT THE GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES SLOWED DOWN LESS THAN HE EXPECTED, WHILE THE GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS ACTUALLY ACCELERATED.

HE SAID THAT THE NEW ESTIMATES NOW AVAILABLE ON IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF SERVICES SUGGESTED THAT, IN 1979, THE SURPLUS ON INVISIBLE TRADE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER THAN IN 1978 AND WAS ALMOST LARGE ENOUGH TO OFFSET THE DEFICIT ON THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT.

♦SO, TAKING THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF EXPENDITURE ON THE

GDP TOGETHER, INSTEAD OF MY FORECAST OF 7 PER CENT, THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE FOR 1979 IS FOR A GROWTH RATE OF GDP IN 1979 OF 11.5 PER CENT,+ HE SAID.

/HE ADDED: ......

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1900

HE ADDEDi +THIS UNEXPECTEDLY HIGH GROWTH RATE WAS THE RESULT OF A HIGHER THAN EXPECTED GROWTH RATE OF DEMAND FOR OUR EXPORTS WHICH WE WERE ABLE TO MEET AS A RESULT OF A RAPID EXPANSION IN THE PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF THE ECONOMY.

♦THIS. IN TURN. WAS THE RESULT OF THE UNEXPECTEDLY HIGH GROWTH RATE OF THE POPULATION, RATHER THAN ADDITIONAL PRODUCTIVITY.

♦THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE FACT THAT THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF THE GROWTH RATE OF GDP IN PER CAPITA TERMS AT 4.8 PER CENT IS IN LINE WITH THE FORECAST. AS SHIFTS IN THE TERMS OF TRADE WERE INSIGNIFICANT IN 1979, THE GROWTH RATE OF REAL INCOME AT 11.18 PER CENT WAS ROUGHLY THE SAME AS THAT OF GDP. AT CONSTANT PRICES, THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF GDP IN 1979 IS $56 577 MILLION.

BUT AT CURRENT PRICES, HE SAID THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF GDP FOR 1979 WAS $87 345 MILLION, OR 26.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN 1978.

SIR PHILIP SAID THIS EXCEEDED HIS FORECAST OF 16 PER CENT BECAUSE, IN ADDITION TO THE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED GROWTH RATE OF GDP IN REAL TERMS, THE RATE OF INCREASE IN PRICES WAS HIGHER THAN EXPECTED.

♦THE GDP DEFLATOR INCREASED BY 13.3 PER CENT COMPARED WITH MY FORECAST OF 8 PER CENT AND CONSUMER PRICES INCREASED BY 11.7 PER CENT COMPARED WITH MY FORECAST OF 9 PER CENT,+ HE SAID.

SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT FOR THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE TREND GROWTH RATE OF 9 PER CENT.

♦THIS IS A REMARKABLE RECORD INDEED, NOTWITHSTANDING THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF GDP PER CAPITA HAS BEEN SLOWED DOWN DURING THE FOUR POST-RECESSION YEARS FROM 17.5 PER CENT IN 1976, TO 8.1 PER CENT IN 1977, TO 7.8 PER CENT IN 1978, TO 4.8 PER CENT IN 1979, DUE TO THE EFFECTS OF IMMIGRATION ON THE GROWTH RATE OF POPULATION IN 1978 AND PARTICULARLY, OF COURSE, IN 1979,+ HE ADDED.

o --------

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

HK ECONOMY MOVING TOWARDS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL EQUILIBRIUM * * * ft ft

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THE PRESENT FORECAST OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN 1980 SUGGESTS THAT THE MOVEMENT TOWARDS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL EQUILIBRIUM WHICH BEGAN TO BECOME APPARENT IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1979, WILL NOT BE REVERSED.

HE GAVE THE INDICATIONS LEADING TO THIS TREND AS FOLLOWS:

ft THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL FINAL DEMAND IN 1980

AT 10 PER CENT WILL ONLY BE MARGINALLY HIGHER THAN THAT OF GDP AT NINE PER CENT"

ft GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC DEMAND AT 11 PER CENT WILL BE HIGHER THAN THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF GOODS AT SEVEN PER CENT, AND EVEN HIGHER THAN THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL EXPORTS AT NINE PER CENT-

* THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR DEMAND AT 13 PER CENT WILL BE HIGHER THAN THE GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE SECTOR DEMAND AT 11 PER CENT-

ft THE PRESSURE OF DEMAND FOR THE OUTPUT OF THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WILL STILL BE CONSIDERABLE WITH A FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF TEN PER CENT INCREASE IN THE EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCT ION-

ft GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE AT NINE PER CENT WILL BE LESS THAN MIGHT BE EXPECTED AND THIS IS USEFUL IN THE CONTEXT OF THE IMPACT OF THE RAPID GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR DEMAND-

* GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS OF GOODS AT 11 PER CENT WILL BE HIGHER THAN THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS AT NINE PER CENT-

ft THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP WILL IN 1980 WIDEN TO ABOUT 14 PER CENT FROM 12.1 PER CENT IN 1979 BUT THIS IS LARGELY OFFSET BY THE SURPLUS ON THE INVISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT, AND

ft WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, THE DEMAND FOR, AND THE SUPPLY OF, DOMESTIC RESOURCES IN THE ECONOMY, WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF A BETTER BALANCE AS REFLECTED BY SLOWER RATES OF INCREASE OF PRICES.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1980 TO GROW BY SEVEN PER CENT ft ft ft * * *

HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1980 IS FORECAST TO GROW BY SEVEN PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE ACHIEVED GROWTH RATE OF 16.6 PER CENT IN 1979. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY.

IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SIR PHILIP PREDICTED A NINE PER CENT GROWTH RATE IN THE TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS, INCLUDING RE-EXPORTS, IN I960 COMPARED WITH THE ACHIEVED GROWTH RATE OF 19.5 PER CENT IN 1979.

ON RE-EXPORTS, HE SAID THE BE RAPID AT 14 PER CENT, TAKING CHINA’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FACILITATING THIS EXPANSION. IN AN ACTUAL GROWTH RATE OF 29 PER

GROWTH RATE WOULD CONTINUE TO INTO ACCOUNT THE EXPANSION IN HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT 1979, RE-EXPORTS ACHIEVED CENT.

HE ALSO FORECAST THAT IMPORTS WOULD GROW BY 11 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE ACHIEVED GROWTH RATE OF 15.6 PER CENT IN 1979.

HE SAID THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP IN 1980 WOULD WIDEN TO ABOUT 14 PER CENT FROM 12.1 PER CENT IN 1979, BUT THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT IMPLIED SHOULD BE LARGELY OFFSET BY THE SURPLUS ON THE INVISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT.

♦ AT 14 PER CENT, THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP IS WITHIN THE HISTORICAL RANGE OF 10 PER CENT TO 16 PER CENT IN THE 1970S.+ HE SAID.

ON HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MARKETS, SIR PHILIP SAID HE EXPECTED THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE FAIRLY RAPID IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1980, BUT WOULD SLOW DOWN IN THE SECOND HALF. HE FORECAST THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE US FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE WOULD BE FOUR PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE ACHIEVED GROWTH RATE OF EIGHT PER CENT IN 1979.

HIS FORECAST FOR GROWTH RATE OF OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY WAS 10 PER CENT, TO UNITED KINGDOM SIX PER CENT AND TO THE REST OF THE WORLD NINE PER CENT, AS AGAINST THE 1979 GROWTH RATES OF 22 PER CENT, 28 PER CENT AND 20 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

ON THE AMERICAN MARKET, SIR PHILIP SAID THE GROWTH RATE OF OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1979 PICKED UP SIGNIFICANTLY- AND, AT THE END OF THE YEAR ORDER BOOKS STILL REMAINED REASONABLY FULL.

+BUT ONE OF THE FACTORS BEHIND THIS RECOVERY WAS THAT INVENTORIES WERE BEING REPLENISHED, HAVING BEEN RUN DOWN IN RESPONSE TO HIGH INTEREST RATES AND IN ANTICIPATION OF THE MUCH TALKED OF IMMINENT RECESSION.

♦INVENTORIES ARE REPORTED TO BE STILL BELOW NORMAL AND THERE MAY BE A TENDENCY TO RE-BUILD IN ANTICIPATION OF FURTHER INFLATION, BUT IT IS DIFFICULT TO BE CERTAIN ABOUT THIS,* HE SAID.

/ON OUR ...

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

ON OUR MAJOR MARKETS IN EUROPE, HE SAID REPORTED PROSPECTS OF THE ECONOMIES IN THESE MARKETS IN 1980 ALSO SUGGESTED A SLOWING DOWN IN THE GROWTH RATES OF REAL INCOMES AND CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE.

AS A WHOLE, HE EXPECTED THAT THERE WOULD BE A SMALL REPLENISHMENT OF STOCKS IN 1980 FOLLOWING THE DEPLETION IN 1979.

SIR PHILIP PREDICTED THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF THE NET BALANCE OF INVISIBLE TRADE IN 1980 TO BE ABOUT NINE PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE ACHIEVED GROWTH RATE OF 15 PER CENT IN 1979.

ONLY ONE FEE INCREASE PROPOSAL IN THE BUDGET X * * ft ft

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE IN HIS BUDGET PRESENTED BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY MADE ONLY ONE FEE INCREASE PROPOSAL AND THAT IS TO RAISE THE CHARGE FOR SUPPLYING CERTIFIED COPIES OR EXTRACTS OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS.

THE CHARGE FOR THIS SERVICE WILL BE INCREASED FROM |15 TO 130 EFFECTIVE FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

SIR PHILIP SAID HE DECIDED NOT TO PROPOSE OTHER FEE INCREASES FOR THE TIME BEING FOR TWO REASONS*

ft GENERALLY, BECAUSE OUR FINANCIAL POSITION DOES NOT INDICATE AN IMMEDIATE NEED TO BOOST RECURRENT REVENUE, FOR THE GUIDELINE WHICH REQUIRES US TO ENSURE THAT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ABSORBS NO MORE THAN 80 PER CENT OF RECURRENT REVENUE IS STILL BEING MET, AND

ft BECAUSE HE THOUGHT THAT, IN MOST CASES, THE ELASTICITIES ARE SUCH THAT INCREASE IN RATES OF CHARGE COULD BE MILDLY INFLATIONARY AND HE WISHED TO AVOID THIS AT THIS TIME.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT THERE IS NO NECESSARY REASON WHY FISCAL PROPOSALS HAVE TO BE ANNOUNCED IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET SPEECH-AND, *0F COURSE, COST-RELATED FEES AND CHARGES AND CHARGES RAISED FOR THE SERVICES OF OUR PUBLIC UTILITY-TYPE UNDERTAKINGS CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO LAG BEHIND FULL COSTS (APPROPRIATELY DEFINED) FOR VERY LONG.*

IN FACT, HE SAID, WE HAVE JUST ANNOUNCED A REVISION OF PASSENGER CHARGES FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 NEXT WHICH, INCIDENTALLY, WILL NOWHERE NEAR YIELD A SATISFACTORY RATE OF RETURN ON THAT ENTERPRISE EVEN IN RELATION TO PRESENT CAPITAL EMPLOYED, LET ALONE ONCE WE-HAVE FINISHED INVESTING NEARLY $2 000 MILLION IN DOUBLE TRACKING, ELECTRIFICATION, NEW ROLLING STOCK AND MODERNISED FACILITIES OVER THE FIVE YEARS ENDING 1983-84.

♦ I SHOULD MENTION ALSO THAT REVISED SAND PRICES ARE LONG OVERDUE- AND VARIOUS AIRPORT CHARGES ARE CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW AND MAY WELL BE INTRODUCED LATER ON THIS YEAR,* SIR PHILIP ADDED.

/ON THE ...

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

ON THE SERVICE FOR PROVIDING CERTIFIED COPIES OR EXTRACTS OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS, SIR PHILIP NOTED THAT IN RECENT YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR SUCH SERVICE WHICH, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON MAY REQUIRE THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE TO PROVIDE ON PAYMENT OF THE PRESCRIBED FEE.

IN 1978-79. THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE ISSUED OVER 92 OOO CERTIFIED COPIES OR EXTRACTS OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS AND, CURRENTLY, REQUESTS ARE BEING RECEIVED AT THE RATE OF 2 000 A WEEK.

HE SA ID 1 ♦CERTIFIED COPIES OR EXTRACTS ARE SOUGHT FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, BUT USUALLY RELATE TO A DESIRE TO ASCERTAIN THE IDENTITY OF THE PROPRIETORS OF A BUSINESS WITH WHOM A TRANSACTION IS INTENDED.

♦ I AM NOT SATISFIED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS BEING ADEQUATELY RECOMPENSED FOR THE EFFORT INVOLVED IN PROVIDING THESE CERTIFIED COPIES OR EXTRACTS BY THE PRESCRIBED FEE OF $15 AND SO I PROPOSE THAT THE FEE SHOULD BE DOUBLED TO $30 BRINGING IN EXTRA REVENUE OF $1.5 MILLION A YEAR.*

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

REVALUATION OF RATEABLE VALUES ABANDONED

THE REVALUATION EXERCISE FOR NEW LISTS OF RATEABLE VALUES INTO ABANDONED AND THE RATE PERCENTAGE UNCHANGED.

THIS YEAR WITH A VIEW TO BRINGING EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1981 HAS BEEN CHARGE FOR 1980-81 WILL REMAIN

THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE WHO ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT AN EXERCISE TO UPDATE ASSESSABLE VALUES FOR PROPERTY TAX HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

HOWEVER HE GAVE +DUE NOTICE OF MY INTENTION TO CONSIDER AN INCREASE IN THE GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGE FOR 1981-82.♦

SIR PHILIP GAVE THREE REASONS FOR THE ABANDONMENT OF THE REVALUATION EXERCISE FOR THE TIME BEING AS FOLLOWS:

M THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION HAS HAD TO DIVERT EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL STAFF TO RENT CONTROL WORK AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT DECISION TO EXTEND RENT CONTROLS TO ALL DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE NEW RENT CONTROL ORDINANCE"

* RATEABLE VALUES BY LAW HAVE TO BE RELATED TO UNAFFECTED MARKET RENTS. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPOSITION OF BLANKET RENT CONTROLS, THERE IS NOW UNLIKELY TO BE SUFFICIENT USABLE DATA TO PROVIDE A SOUND BASIS FOR UPDATING RATEABLE VALUES OF DOMESTIC PREMISES- AND

/• SUCH .......

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

* SUCH CONTROLS TEND TO DISTORT THE MARKET SITUATION IN THAT ALTHOUGH RENTS FOR FIRST AND FRESH LETTINGS ARE NOT RESTRICTED, THE FREE RENTAL MARKET IS SUBJECT TO ABNORMAL PRESSURES AS LANDLORDS ATTEMPT TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF BEING ENCUMBERED WITH CONTROLLED TENANTS.

HE SAID UNTIL A SUFFICIENTLY LARGE FREE RENTAL MARKET FOR DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION WAS RE-ESTABLISHED AND THE GAP BETWEEN CONTROLLED RENTS AND MARKET RENTS WAS NARROWED, +THERE ARE POOR PROSPECTS FOR A REVALUATION ON THE PRESENT HISTORICAL BASIS.*

ON THE POSTPONEMENT OF AN UPDATING OF THE ASSESSABLE VALUES FOR PROPERTY TAX, SIR PHILIP SAID ASSESSABLE VALUES, LIKE RATEABLE VALUES, WERE BASED ON THE FREE RENTAL MARKET CONCEPT, UNLESS THE RENT WAS CONTROLLED UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE, WHEN CONTROLLED RENT WAS SUBSTITUTED FOR THE FREE MARKET RENT. THIS ENSURES THAT A PROPERTY OWNER IS NOT TAXED ON GREATER AMOUNT.

HE SAID TO ASCERTAIN PROPER ASSESSABLE VALUES WITH A REASONABLE DEGREE OF CERTAINITY IT WOULD, THEREFORE. BE NECESSARY TO SEND OUT A FURTHER RETURN TO OBTAIN INFORMATION RELATIVE TO APRIL 1, 1980.

♦THIS INFORMATION WOULD THEN HAVE TO BE RECORDED AND ANALYSED AND, FOR THOSE PREMISES NEWLY BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL, IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO DELAY FIXING THE ASSESSABLE VALUES UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE PROCESSING OF INITIAL APPLICATIONS TO ESTABLISH CONTROLLED RENTS IS COMPLETED.

♦GIVEN THESE CONSTRAINTS, TIGHT SCHEDULES ON COMPUTER PROCESSING AND DOUBTS AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE NECESSARY STAFF, RELUCTANTLY I HAVE HAD TO CONCLUDE THAT THIS EXERCISE MUST BE POSTPONED,* HE SAID.

HOWEVER HE GAVE A WARNING THAT THERE COULD BE NO QUESTION OF THE NEXT REVIEW OF ASSESSABLE VALUES NOT BEING UNDERTAKEN FOR 1981-82.

-----0-_____

/1J

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

TOTAL REVENUE TO RISE TO 121 428M *****

TOTAL REVENUE COLLECTIONS FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, AFTER ADJUSTMENTS ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT, WILL BE >21 428 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF >4 878 MILLION, OR 29 PER CENT, OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT OF THE TOTAL COLLECT IONS,>14 798 MILLION WOULD BE RECURRENT REVENUE, AN INCREASE OF >1 584 MILLION, OR 12 PER CENT, OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80.

HE SAID EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAXES ACCOUNTED FOR >6 920 MILLION, OR 47 PER CENT, OF RECURRENT REVENUE, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 18 PER CENT ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80. OR 43 PER CENT UP ON ACTUAL COLLECTIONS IN THAT YEAR. +SUCH HAS BEEN THE GROWTH RATE OF MONEY INCOMES IN RECENT YEARS, PARTICULARLY IN THE BANKING AND PROPERTY SECTORS,* SAID SIR PHILIP.

SIR PHILIP ESTIMATED >1 700 MILLION FROM SALARY TAX, AN INCREASE OF 32 PER CENT ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80->750 MILLION FROM STAMP DUTIES. >50 MILLION LESS THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80- >720 MILLION FROM BETS AND SWEEPS TAXES, UP 12.5 PER CENT- >942 MILLION FROM DUTIABLE COMMODITIES, UP BY SIX PER CENT ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PREDICTED A CAPITAL REVENUE OF >6 630 MILLION FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, AN INCREASE OF 99 PER CENT OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80.

LAND TRANSACTIONS, WHICH INCLUDE THE SALE OF 197 ACRES OF LAND IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, AS WELL AS PRIVATE TREATY GRANTS, MODIFICATIONS AND REGRANTS, CONTRIBUTE >6 169 MILLION TO THE STAGGERING ESTIMATE, COMPARED WITH A MODEST >275 MILLION FROM TAXI CONCESSIONS AND A MERE >170 MILLION FROM ESTATE DUTY.

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

’STARTLING’ RISE IN TOTAL EXPENDITURE *****

TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN THE GOVERNMENT DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR IS >18 028 MILLION, REPRESENTING A ♦STARTLING* INCREASE OF >3 796 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, DISCLOSED IN HIS BUDGET TODAY.

THIS INCREASE, HE POINTED OUT, WAS MORE THAN TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN 1972-73.

THE PROVISION FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IS >7 326 MILLION. AN INCREASE OF >2 175 MILLION, OR 42 PER CENT, ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80. THAT FOR EXPENDITURE ON RECURRENT SERVICES IS >10 702 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF >1 621 MILLION, OR 18 PER CENT.

/INCLUDED IN ..

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2?, 1980

INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL ESTIMATE FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ARE $1 817 MILLION FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME (OTHER THAN NEW TOWN AND HOUSING), 11 542 MILLION FOR THE SAME PROGRAMME ON NEW TOWN AND HOUSING, $441 MILLION FOR LAND ACQUISITION AND $1 831 MILLION FOR TRANSFER TO THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND FOR ON-LENDING TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

THE PROVISION SOUGHT FOR THESE FOUR COMPONENTS, OUT OF THE 12 IN THE ESTIMATE, IS $5 631 MILLION, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR THIS YEAR OF $4 238 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 33 PER CENT.

SIR PHILIP ALSO QUANTIFIED IN TERMS OF BOTH EXPENDITURE AND PRODUCTION WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING TO SOLVE THE COMMUNITY’S HOUSING PROBLEM.

♦TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON HOUSING IN 1979-80 IS ESTIMATED TO BE $1 746 MILLION AND, IN 1980-81, IT IS ESTIMATED TO RISE TO $2 981 MILLION- AND THESE FIGURES EXCLUDE THE VALUE OF LAND USED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE RENTED HOUSING PROGRAMME,♦ HE SAID.

THE FORECAST OF PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION IN THE FOUR YEARS, 1980-81 TO 1983-84, AT 142 116 FLATS, EXCEEDS PRODUCTION IN THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS BY 72 271 FLATS, OR BY 103 PER CENT.

THESE PRODUCTION FIGURES DO NOT INCLUDE 7 207 HOUSING SOCIETY FLATS AND 2 274 HOME OWNERSHIP (PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION) SCHEME FLATS EXPECTED TO COME ON STREAM DURING THE SAME FOUR YEAR PERIOD, HE ADDED.

ON ESTIMATED RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, SIR PHILIP NOTED THAT PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS, AT $4 066 MILLION, ACCOUNT FOR 38 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL COMPARED WITH AN HISTORICAL RATIO BASED ON ACTUAL EXPERIENCE IN THE 1970S OF 41 PER CENT.

THE APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE SHOWN IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES IS 141 136, AN INCREASE OF 7 714 POSTS, OR 5.8 PER CENT, ON THE APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT OF 133 422 POSTS AT APRIL 1, 1979.

NO ALLOWANCE IS MADE IN THE PROVISION FOR THE COST OF A REVISION OF CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES IN 1980-81, HE ADDED.

OUT OF THE TOTAL NINE COMPONENTS OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, TWO, RECURRENT SUBVENTIONS AND THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AT $2 707 MILLION WILL ABSORB 25.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL, JUST BELOW THE HISTORICAL RATIO OF 26 PER CENT.

THIS IS PARTLY BECAUSE NO PROVISION HAS BEEN INCLUDED FOR GRANTS TO AGENCIES SUBVERTED ON A DISCRETIONARY GRANT BASIS AND TO THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNIC FOR SALARY REVISIONS FOLLOWING THE SECOND REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES, SIR PHILIP EXPLAINED.

/OVERALL, ..

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

OVERALL, TAKING RECURRENT AND CAPITAL SUBVENTIONS TOGETHER, 17.4 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT WILL BE DISBURSED BY SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS.

THIS IS LESS THAN THE HISTORICAL RATIO OF 20 PER CENT, BUT THE AVERAGE RATIO IN THE LAST TWO YEARS HAS BEEN 18.6 PER CENT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE LARGE INCREASES IN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT AND NOT BECAUSE THE ROLE OF SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS HAS DECLINED, HE SAID.

♦AND, INCIDENTALLY, CONTRARY TO THE UNSUBSTANTIATED BELIEF OF SOME COMMENTATORS, THE FINANCE BRANCH IS CONCERNED TO SEE THE VALUE-FOR-MONEY CRITERION OBSERVED BY SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONSAND SO IS THE DIRECTOR OF AUD IT,♦ HE ADDED.

ON THE PROPOSED PATTERN OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE

ON CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT IN 1980-81, SIR PHILIP GAVE A RUN-DOWN AS FOLLOWS!

GENERAL SERVICES

(LAW AND ORDER AND DEFENCE)

ECONOMIC SERVICES

COMMUNITY SERVICES

(TRANSPORT, ROADS, CIVIL ENGINEERING AND LAND)

SOCIAL SERVICES

(HOUSING)

PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL HISTORICAL RATIO BASED ON EX-

EXPENDITURE PERIENCE IN 1970S

14.8 16.7

(11.7) (12.8)

6 8.5

22 24

(12.8) (10.7)

44.3 41.3

(18.6) (9.8)

HE SAID HOWEVER THAT HE WAS THERE WAS SUFFICIENT EMPHASIS ON AND OUR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE THAN ENVISAGED START ON THE HONG

NOT ENTIRELY SATISFIED THAT LAW AND ORDER AND DEFENCE AND HE HOPED TO GET AN EARLIER KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.

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

/16

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

TAX REFORM TO PLUG LOOPHOLE ******

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE PROPOSED ONLY ONE TAX REFORM THIS YEAR.

DESCRIBING IT AS A ♦MILDLY COMPLICATED ONE,* SIR PHILIP SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE HAD DRAWN HIS ATTENTION TO A LOOPHOLE IN THE TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS ENACTED WHEN THE METHOD OF ASSESSMENT OF PROFITS TAX WAS CHANGED IN 1975-76 FROM A PRECEDING YEAR BASIS TO AN ACTUAL YEAR BASIS.

♦THE LOOPHOLE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN THE CONSEQUENCE OF AN ANXIETY ON OUR PART NOT TO DEPRIVE PERSONS GENUINELY GOING OUT OF BUSINESS OF THEIR RIGHTS TO A FORM OF TERMINAL RELIEF,♦ HE SAID.

SIR PHILIP SAID IT WAS NOW CLEAR THE GENEROUS APPROACH ADOPTED IN 1975 WAS NOW BEING EXPLOITED BY SOME PROPERTY DEVELOPERS AND SPECULATORS WHO, THROUGH THE USE OF CONTRIVED CESSATIONS OF BUSINESS, WERE SUCCEEDING IN DROPPING OUT OF CHARGE TO TAX ENORMOUS PROFITS ON SALES OF PROPERTIES AT A CONSIDERABLE COST TO THE REVENUE.

♦CLEARLY, THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE AND, ACCORDINGLY, AN AMENDING BILL WHICH WILL CLOSE THIS LOOPHOLE IS ABOUT TO BE PUBLISHED. AS I AM BOUND TO BE ACCUSED OF CLOSING THE STABLE DOOR AFTER THE HORSE HAS BOLTED. I SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT ON THOSE CONTRIVED CESSATIONS SO THAT, WITHOUT CORRECTIVE LEGISLATION NOW, CONSIDERABLE SUMS OF FUTURE REVENUE WILL REMAIN AT RISK.+ HE SAID.

ON TAX REFORMS IN HAVE AMENDMENTS TO THE

HAND, SIR PHILIP SAID HE UNDERTOOK TO INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE IN RESPECT OFj

* A SYSTEM OF +POOLING+ OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AS A MEANS OF SIMPLIFYING THE CALCULATION OF DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF PROFITS TAX- AND

* GRANTING RELIEF TO TRUSTEES WHO BECOME SUBJECT TO WITHHOLDING TAX ON INTEREST RECEIVED AND THEREAFTER ARE OBLIGED TO DEDUCT INTEREST TAX A SECOND TIME FROM INTEREST PAID TO BENEFICIARIES OF THE TRUST FUND.

HE SAID DESPITE THE RELATIVELY SIMPLE CONCEPTS INVOLVED, THE DRAFTING OF THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION HAD PROVED UNUSUALLY DIFFICULT, BUT IT WAS NOW NEARING COMPLETION.

AS REGARDS THE TAXATION TREATMENT OF CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSITS AND MONETARY INSTRUMENTS, SIR PHILIP CONCLUDED THAT ON THE GROUNDS OF EQUITY AND TO PROTECT THE REVENUE. THE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE AMENDED TO PLACE THE INTEREST TAX OR PROFITS TAX LIABILITY, AS THE CASE MAY BE, OF THE SURPLUSES REALISED ON THESE INSTRUMENTS BEYOND DOUBT. AND A BILL IS NOW IN DRAFT FORM.

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/17....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

MORE LAND TO BE PUT ON SALE ft ft ft * *

HORE LAND WILL BE PUT ON SALE IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR FOR INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WHILE LAND PRODUCTION WILL BE MAINTAINED AT A HIGH LEVEL.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE SALE OF 197 ACRES OF LAND IN NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD BRING IN $5 168 MILLION, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1979-80 OF 12 223 MILLION FROM THE SALE OF 95 ACRES.

IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, LAND SALES HAVE BEEN 38 ACRES, 34 ACRES, 57 ACRES AND 95 ACRES RESPECTIVELY. +THE FACT THAT THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME IN 1980-81 ENVISAGES THAT SALE OF NO LESS THAN 197 ACRES IS A REFLECTION OF THE BUILD-UP OF EXPENDITURE ON DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN THE POST-RECESS ION PERIOD,* SIR PHILIP SAID.

IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, 26 INDUSTRIAL LOTS AND 77 NON-INDUSTRIAL LOTS WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE. MANY OF THESE LOTS WILL BE LARGE INDUSTRIAL LOTS IN KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION, APLICHAU, CHAI WAN RECLAMATION, SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND TUEN MUN NEW TOWN. NON-INDUSTRIAL LOTS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WILL INCLUDE LARGE LOTS IN RED HILL, TAI TAM RESERVOIR ROAD, WONG CHUK HANG AND SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

NON-INDUSTRIAL LAND IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN WILL ALSO BE PUT ON SALE FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

♦IN ADDITION, TWO EXTREMELY VALUABLE SITES IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICTS OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON WILL BE READY FOR SALE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND THEY AFFECT THE REVENUE ESTIMATE,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

HE SAID THE OUTLOOK FOR LAND SALES IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS SHOULD BEi 219 ACRES IN 1981-82- 151 ACRES IN 1982-63- 193 ACRES IN 1983-84.

♦MORE LAND IS THOUGHT TO BE THE SOLUTION TO PRETTY WELL ALL OUR PROBLEMS FROM HOUSING TO RENTS TO INFLATION.♦ SAID SIR PHILIP. +NONE OF THESE PROBLEMS IS QUITE AS SIMPLE AS THAT.+

HE GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT OVER THE THREE YEARS OF THE NEW FORECAST PERIOD, LAND PRODUCTION WOULD BE MAINTAINED AT HIGH LEVELS. LAND PRODUCTION IN 1980-81 IS EXPECTED TO BE 853 ACRES, COMPARED WITH 1 236 ACRES IN 1979-80 AND 238 ACRES IN 1976-77.

♦IT IS DIFFICULT TO BE DEFINITIVE ABOUT THE ACTUAL GROSS AREAS LIKELY TO COME ON STREAM, BUT THEY SHOULD BE IN THE ORDER OF 1 100 ACRES PER ANNUM,♦ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

- - 0 - -

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, I960

12 943 MILLION TO BE SPENT ON EDUCATION IN 1980-81

M M M M M

THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND $2 943 MILLION ON EDUCATION IN 1980-81 REPRESENTING 16.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH TODAY.

REVIEWING ACHIEVEMENTS IN EDUCATION, SIR PHILIP SAID THE PROVISION OF PLACES IN JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS FOR ALL CHILDREN IN THE 12-14 AGE GROUP WILL BE FULLY ACHIEVED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.

TUITION FEES AT JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL WERE ABOLISHED, FOLLOWED BY THE ABOLITION OF TONG FAI AND SIMILAR CHARGES IN AIDED AND GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1979.

AT THE SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL THERE WILL BE IN THE COMING YEAR AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR FROM ABOUT 56 000 TO 64 000 THEREBY CATERING FOR 29 PER CENT CF THE 15-16 AGE GROUP.

THE PROPORTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS WILL RISE TO 90 PER CENT BY SEPTEMBER 1983, BY WHICH TIME THE MAJORITY OF PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SCHOOLS WILL HAVE COME ON TO FULL AID AND THE OPENING OF NEW SCHOOLS WILL PERMIT THE PHASING OUT OF THOSE BOUGHT PLACES WHICH ARE OF AN UNSATISFACTORY STANDARD, HE SAID.

SIR PHILIP SAID REVISED POPULATION PROJECTIONS HAVE NECESSITATED A RE-EXAMINATION OF THE SHORTFALL IN THE PROVISION OF NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES, AND THE BUILDING PROGRAMME HAS NOW BEEN EXPANDED TO 130 SCHOOLS OF WHICH 55 HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED.

FIFTY-SIX NON-PROFIT-MAKING SCHOOLS COMMENCED THE CONVERSION PROCESS IN SEPTEMBER 1979 TO BECOME FULLY SUBSIDISED, AND THE DRAFT ESTIMATES INCLUDE *28.5 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENT GRANTS TO ENABLE THEM TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF EDUCATION PROVIDED IN THEIR JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS, SIR PHILIP SAID.

AT THE POST-SECONDARY LEVEL, AS A RESULT OF ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE BAPTIST AND LINGNAN COLLEGES, FUNDS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED FOR THE OPENING OF COURSES AT THE SIXTH FORM LEVEL.

+A FURTHER *5 MILLION IS PROVIDED IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES TO ENABLE FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THESE COURSES PLUS THE OPENING OF NEW TWO-YEAR POST-FORM VI COURSES IN SEPTEMBER 1980,+ HE ADDED.

HE SAID THAT IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY THAT NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL AN UNREASONABLE DISTANCE TO ATTEND PRIMARY SCHOOL, EIGHT NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL 12 960 PLACES, ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1980-81, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

/IN THE ...

WEOfESDAT, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

IN THE FIELD OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, HE SAID, THE PROVISION OF HEARING TESTS AND EDUCATIONAL APTITUDE TESTS FOR PRIMARY I PUPILS WILL BE FULLY ACHIEVED IN 1980-81, WHILE THE FULL EXTENT OF DEMAND FOR VISION TESTS FOR THESE PUPILS WILL ALSO BE MET.

AN ADDITIONAL 3 741 PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND CLASSES, AND IN RESOURCE CLASSES, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH PLACES TO MORE THAN 26 500.

FOR THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC, IN ADDITION TO $403 MILLION PROVIDED IN APPROVED RECURRENT GRANTS, THE DRAFT ESTIMATES INCLUDE PROVISION FOR EARMARKED RECURRENT GRANTS TOTALLING $35.2 MILLION, OF WHICH $19.5 MILLION IS FOR THE SETTING UP OF A DENTAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT.

THE DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, WAS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN TIME FOR THE FIRST INTAKE OF 80 STUDENTS THIS SEPTEMBER, HE ADDED.

THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC, HE SAID, WERE COMMITTED TO MAJOR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME, BOTH IN RESPECT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL TEACHING AND STUDENT AMENITY BUILDINGS, AS WELL AS STAFF QUARTERS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. FOR THIS, THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDE $287 MILLION FOR THE FUNDING OF CAPITAL ITEMS IN 1980-81.

AS FOR STUDENT LOANS, HE EXPECTED THAT GROSS PAYMENTS OF SOME $53.8 MILLION WILL BE MADE FOR THE 1980-81 ACADEMIC YEAR.

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

$1 502M TO BE SPENT ON LAW AND ORDER mu * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE , THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON SAID THE 1980-81 DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR EXPENDITURE ON LAW AND ORDER WAS $1 502 MILLION, REPRESENTING 8.3 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE.

OF THE TOTAL , $979 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $731 MILLION APPROVED IN THE 1979-80 FISCAL YEAR, WILL GO TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.

SPEAKING ON THE FORCE, SIR PHILIP SAID THE PROCESS OF CONSOLIDATION WITHIN THE FORCE CONTINUED DURING 1979-80.

HE SAID POLICE MANAGEMENT SERVICES WERE EXPANDED TO INCREASE PLANNING CAPABILITY AND POLICE HEADQUARTERS WAS REORGANISED.

THIS HAS BEEN FOLLOWED BY A MANPOWER DEPLOYMENT STUDY OF COMMANDS AT DISTRICT AND DIVISIONAL LEVELS. THE FORCE CONTINUED TO EXPAND FROM THE APPROVED 1979-80 ESTABLISHMENT OF 22 687 (INCLUDING 3 617 CIVILIANS) TO THE 1980-81 ESTIMATES OF 24 769 (INCLUDING 3 884 CIVILIANS).

/SIH PHILIP ..

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

20. -

SIR PHILIP SAID REPORTED CRIME ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY DURING THE YEAR, SHOWING A 22 PER CENT INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRI‘£ (17 604 COMPARED WITH 14 376 IN 1978) AND A 17 PER CENT INCREASE IN SERIOUS CRIME (61 516 COMPARED WITH 52 383 IN 1978).. •*'

THIS TREND, HE SAID, COINCIDED WITH A MARKED SHORTAGE AT STREET LEVEL OF ILLEGAL NARCOTICS DUE PARTLY TO SUCCESSFUL ENFORCEMENT ACTION BOTH HERE AND IN THAILAND, RESULTING IN HIGHER PRICES OF ILLEGAL NARCOTICS.

♦THERE IS NO DOUBT AN INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THIS AND THE INCIDENCE OF QUICK-CASH CRIME SUCH AS ROBBERIES, BURGLARIES AND THEFT. BUT THE PRISON MUSTER OF CONVICTED CRIMINALS DROPPED FROM 6 406 IN JANUARY TO 5 919 IN DECEMBER 1979,+ HE SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE MORE REPORTING OF CRIME AND BETTER COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC INCLUDED THE EXPANSION BY 149 POSTS OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING SCHEME AND AN ADDITIONAL 46 NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNITS AND POLICE REPORTING CENTRES IN 1980-81.

♦A MAJOR EFFORT WAS REQUIRED FROM THE FORCE DURING THE YEAR IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION,♦ HE SAID, ADDING , +A SMALL BOAT UNIT WAS ESTABLISHED, AND NINE NEW SECTOR LAUNCHES V£RE ORDERED FQR DELIVERY IN 1980-81 AT A TOTAL CAPITAL COST OF $61.7 MILLION.♦

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT

SIR PHILIP SAID THAT TO MEET PRESSURES BROUGHT ON BY IMMIGRATION, LEGAL AND ILLEGAL, AND VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WAS EXPANDED DRAMATICALLY.

ITS AUTHORISED ESTABLISHMENT HAS INCREASED FROM 1 757 IN 1979-80 TO 2 570 IN THE 1980-61 DRAFT ESTIMATES. ABOUT 500 POSTS MAY BE REQUIRED DURING 1980-81.

♦THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDE FOR EXPENDITURE OF $101 MILLION FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, AN INCREASE OF 68 PER CENT OVER THE PROVISION IN THE 1979-80 APPROVED ESTIMATES ($60 MILL ION),♦ HE

DEFENCE

SIR PHILIP SAID THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDED FOR EXPENDITURE OF $928 MILLION ON DEFENCE.

THESE INCLUDED (1979-80 APPROVED ESTIMATES IN BRACKETS) AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE $4 MILLION ($4 MILLION)- CIVIL AID SERVICES $10 MILLION ($8 MILLION), DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT $471 ($390 MILLION), ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE $31 MILLION ($7 MILLION) AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT $11 MILLION ($9 MILLION).

/THE INCREASED ..

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

THE INCREASED DRAFT ESTIMATE (FROM *453 MILLION IN 1979-80) WAS DUE, AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, PRINCIPALLY TO THE GOVERNMENT’S 75 PER CENT SHARE OF THE COST OF THE GARRISON UNDER THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT, AND THE FULL COSTS OF CERTAIN MAJOR REPROVISIONING WORK AGREED IN SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMMES.

♦NEW LIABILITIES REFLECTED IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES INCLUDE A 75 PER CENT SHARE (APPROVED COMMITMENT AT *270 MILLION AND PROVISION IN DRAFT ESTIMATES AT $38 MILLION) OF THE COST OF FIVE REPLACEMENT PATROL CRAFT FOR THE ROYAL NAVY, AND AN ESTIMATED PAYMENT OF $180 MILLION AS THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION, ASSESSED PARTLY AT 75 PER CENT AND PARTLY AT 100 PER CENT, TOWARDS THE COST OF REINFORCEMENTS TO ASSIST THE RESIDENT GARRISON AND THE POLICE IN MEASURES TO PREVENT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION,♦ SIR PHILIP SAID.

HE SAID THAT THE REPROVISIONING OF LYEMUN BARRACKS, SHAM SHU I PO CAMP, BOWRING CAMP AND OTHER SITES TO BE RELEASED COMMENCED IN 1979, AND $132.7 MILLION WAS PROVIDED IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR THIS PURPOSE.

SIR PHILIP ALSO SAID IT WAS NECESSARY IN 1979-80 TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL FIXED WING TWIN-ENGINED AIRCRAFT FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE AT $3.1 MILLION, AND TO ORDER THREE NEW TWIN-ENGINED HELICOPTERS FOR DELIVERY IN 1980-81, AT $22.8 MILLION, TO REPLACE THE THREE SINGLE-ENGINED HELICOPTERS, ONE OF WHICH CRASHED DURING THE YEAR.

HE ADDED THAT A FURTHER MAJOR ITEM OF DEFENCE EXPENDITURE MADE NECESSARY IN 1979-80 WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BORDER FENCE FROM SHA TAU KOK TO LO WU, FOR WHICH $30 MILLION WAS PROVIDED IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES.

0--------

$792M FOR SOCIAL WELFARE

*****

YEAR PAST CAVE

PROPOSED SPENDING ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES NEXT FINANCIAL nlrfne2 REPRESENTS A TWENTYFOLD INCREASE DURING THE 2£$enE’<K1TuLFINANC,AL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-NOTED IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH TODAY.

tol HE P0,MTED OUT THAT TWO FURTHER SOCIAL SECURITY PROPOSALS ARISING FROM THE WHITE PAPER +SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1980S+ WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR« A DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT, UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, FOR THE PARTIALLY DISABLED. AND EXTENSION OF THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME TO THE PROFOUNDLY DEAF.

IN 1980-81, THESE PROPOSALS WILL BENEFIT AN ESTIMATED 1 000 PARTIALLY DISABLED PEOPLE AND 3 800 PROFOUNDLY DEAF PEOPLE. AND WILL REQUIRE AN ESTIMATED $8.9 MILLION.

EXPENDITURE ON ALL FORMS OF SOCIAL SECURITY DURING THE SAME YEAR IS EXPECTED TO BE $476 MILLION. SOME $211.3 MILLION WILL BE SPENT ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, $195.2 MILLION ON OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND $69.1 MILLION ON DISABILITY ALLOWANCE.

/SIR PHILIP....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

SIR PHILIP SAID SUFFICIENT FUNDS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO IMPLEMENT PROPOSALS SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER TO MEET TARGET SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND YOUNG,

IMPROVEMENT IN IN-SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY WILL INCLUDE 22 ADDITIONAL HOME HELPERS, 250 HOSTEL PLACES AND 40 PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES, AND THE SETTING UP OF ONE MORE HOME FOR THE AGED, TWO MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES AND 20 SOCIAL CENTRES.

FOR THE YOUNG, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WILL BE EXPANDED, TWO ADDITIONAL OUT-REACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAMS WILL BE SET UP AND 27 MORE PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS FOR SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK WILL BE PROVIDED.

ADDITIONAL ANNUALLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ARISING FROM IMPLEMENTATION IN 1980-61 ONWARDS OF THE WHITE PAPER PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION OF SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES AND OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND YOUNG IS ESTIMATED TO BE $73 MILLION BY 1984-85.

DURING THE SAME FIVE-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1980-81 TO 1984-85, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, INCLUDING DISBURSEMENTS FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND, WILL TOTAL $189 MILLION AT 1979 PRICES.

A MAJOR PORTION OF INCREASED RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WILL BE CHANNELLED THROUGH SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTIONS. THE AMOUNT, AT $145 MILLION, REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 24 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE APPROVED PROVISION OF $114 MILLION FOR 1979-80. THE BULK WILL BE DISBURSED, ON THE ADVICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, IN THE FORM OF DISCRETIONARY GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

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

MORE HOSPITAL BEDS TO BE PROVIDED

*****

AN ADDITIONAL 1 672 HOSPITAL BEDS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE IN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED HOSPITALS DURING THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID WHEN HE OUTLINED PROPOSED SPENDING ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN THE BUDGET.

TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON THESE SERVICES WILL BE $1 491 MILLION, REPRESENTING 8.3 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN 1980-81.

NEXT YEAR, THREE NEW GOVERNMENT CLINICS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED, TOGETHER WITH A NEW DEPARTMENTAL LAUNDRY. PROVISION IS ALSO MADE FOR STAFF FOR THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NEW SHATIN HOSPITAL.

IN SUBVERTED HOSPITALS, SEVERAL MAJOR PROJECTS ARE UNDERWAYi A CARDIAC THORACIC CENTRE AT GRANTHAM HOSPITAL, EXTENSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WONG TAI SIN INFIRMARY, THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE AND THE YAN CHAI AND POK 01 HOSPITALS, AND A NEW PATHOLOGY BUILDING AT KWONG WAH DUE TO OPEN IN LATE 1980.

/THE LARGE ..

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

THE LARGE NUMBER OF CAPITAL PROJECTS NOW UNDERWAY IS REFLECTED IN AN INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL SUBVENTIONS TO MEDICAL ORGANISATIONS FROM *29 MILLION IN THE 1979-60 APPROVED ESTIMATES TO *56 MILLION IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES.

FUNDS ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO IMPROVE STANDARD HOSPITAL DIETS FOR PATIENTS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND TO FURTHER EXPAND THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE, INCLUDING THE OPENING OF A NEW NURSING STATION AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WITH FIVE SATELLITE CENTRES IN TSUEN WAN.

THE SCHOOL DENTAL CARE SERVICE WILL COME INTO OPERATION THIS SEPTEMBER AND WILL GRADUALLY BE EXTENDED TO COVER ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN. FOUR SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS ARE PLANNED IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING ONE AT THE MACLEHOSE DENTAL CENTRE.

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

PUBLIC SECTOR SIZE TO RISE TO 19.7 PER CENT

* * * * M

THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT WILL BE FURTHER INCREASED FROM ITS HISTORICAL HIGH OF 18.7 PER CENT IN 1979-80 TO 19.7 PER CENT IN 1980-81, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.

♦THIS REFLECTS A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE ON CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT AND, WHILST IT MAY BE JUST ACCEPTABLE ON MACRO-ECONOMIC GROUNDS, IT DOES UNDERLINE THE IMPORTANCE OF ALL CONCERNED ENSURING THAT THE VALUE-FOR-MONEY CRITERION IS CONSCIENTIOUSLY OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES,♦ SIR PHILIP SAID.

HE SAID THE FACT WAS THAT THE GREATER THE VOLUME OF PUBLIC SECTOR TRANSACTIONS, THE GREATER THE SCOPE FOR PUBLIC FUNDS TO BE DISBURSED INEFFICIENTLY AND FOR ASSETS TO BE UNDERUTILISED.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO NOTED THAT THE TREND GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO EXCEED THE TREND GROWTH RATE OF GDP TO SUCH AN EXTENT AND SO PERSISTENTLY THAT THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR BECAME EXCESSIVE.

HE SAID ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT REGARD THE 18.7 PER CENT IN 1979-80 AS AN ABSOLUTE LIMIT, ANY FURTHER INCREASE +MUST BE CAREFULLY WATCHED.♦

SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT THE ESTIMATED SURPLUS ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT WAS *2 904 MILLION AND ON CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT, *2 649 MILLION.

♦TO ENSURE THAT THE SURPLUS ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT HAS ITS FULL CONSTRAINING EFFECT ON DOMESTIC DEMAND BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND HENCE ON TOTAL DOMESTIC DEMAND, THE CONSEQUENT INCREASE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S HONG KONG DOLLAR BALANCES WILL BE EITHER PLACED BY THE EXCHANGE FUND SHORT TERM, OR SWITCHED INTO FOREIGN CURRENCIES WHEN SUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES OCCUR,♦ HE SAID.

- 0 --------

/24......

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

BUDGET FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES ft ft ft ft ft

GOVERNMENT SPENDING ON PROVIDING INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES, IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, WILL INCLUDE $1 900 MILLION FOR THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS, A 41 PER CENT INCREASE ON THE 1979-80 REVISED ESTIMATE, AND 1549 MILLION FOR 22 RAILWAY PROJECTS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT AT THE AIRPORT, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO WATER SUPPLIES AND ROAD COMMUNICATIONS- WHILE THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ESTIMATES THAT IT WILL SPEND ABOUT $2 000 MILLION, EXCLUDING FINANCE CHARGES, DURING 1980 LARGELY ON THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION.

MANY OF THESE PROJECTS HAVE ALREADY STARTED AND INCLUDE THE START OF CONSTRUCTION ON STAGE I OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR- PLANNING AND DESIGN WORK FOR RECEPTION AND TRANSFER FACILITIES TO HANDLE INCREASED SUPPLY OF WATER BEYOND 1983 FROM THE EAST RIVER- AND DOUBLE TRACKING FROM HUNG HOM TO TAI PO AND EVENTUALLY TO LO WU WITH THE NEW DOUBLE-TRACK TUNNEL THROUGH BEACON HILL WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1981.

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

GOVERNOR VISITS TICD ft ft ft ft

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING TOURED THE OCEAN CENTRE OFFICES OF THE TRADE,INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT.

AT A ONE-HOUR MEETING WITH THE FULL DIRECTORATE, THE GOVERNOR DISCUSSED THE DEPARTMENT’S PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. THESE INCLUDED THE MODERNISATION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS, CONSUMER PROTECTION, TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, AND THE NEW IMPETUS TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL COME FROM IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR, MR BILL DORWARD, THE GOVERNOR VISITED THE GROUND FLOOR LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION ISSUING OFFICES. SIR MURRAY WAS TOLD BY MR DOUGLAS JORDAN, COMMISSIONER CF CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS THAT LAST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED 823 000 TEXTILE EXPORT LICENCES- AND NEARLY 64 000 CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN AND GENERAL PREFERENCE CERTIFICATES FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS VALUED AT $24 000 MILLION - REPRESENTING 43 PER CENT OF ALL DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1979.

MR GORDON MORTIMER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR (ADMINISTRATION) SAID THAT NEARLY 2.5 MILLION DECLARATIONS FOR IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS WERE LODGED LAST YEAR, AND AD VALORUM DUTIES TOTALLING $81 MILLION WERE COLLECTED.

/THE WORK ....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

- 25 -

THE WORK OF THE TRADE INVESTIGATION BRANCH WAS OUTLINED TO SIR MURRAY. IN 1979 ITS OFFICERS INSPECTED 41 000 FACTORIES AND CONSIGNMENTS. LEGAL ACTION WAS TAKEN AGAINST 324 COMPANIES AND PERSONS, RESULTING IN COURTS IMPOSING FINES TOTALLING S2 MILLION.

MR LAWRENCE MILLS. COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRY CONDUCTED THE GOVERNOR THROUGH HIS DEPARTMENT.

MR MILLS DESCRIBED THE CURRENT WORK OF THE INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT AND LIAISON DIVISION, WHICH PROVIDES THE MAIN POINT OF CONTACT BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY ON MANY IMPORTANT ISSUES.

THE GOVERNOR WAS INTERESTED IN THE PROGRAMME OF 11 OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION MISSIONS IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR - PART OF THE WORK OF THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION - TO PROMOTE INVESTMENT IN LOCAL INDUSTRY. COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED WILL INCLUDE THE USA, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, UK, DENMARK, SWEDEN, JAPAN, FRANCE, ITALY AND AUSTRALIA.

ACCOMPANIED BY MR PETER TSAO, DIRECTOR OF TRADE, SIR MURRAY ALSO VISITED THE TEXTILE QUOTA OFFICES. MR TSAO SAID THAT LAST YEAR 372 000 APPLICATIONS FOR RESTRAINED TEXTILE EXPORT LICENCES WERE HANDLED. THE SPEED OF PROCESSING HAD BEEN STEPPED UP IN THE PAST YEAR AS A RESULT OF QUOTA CONTROLS FOR THE UNITED STATES HAVING BEEN COMPUTERISED. A SIMILAR SYSTEM IS BEING DEVISED FOR THE EEC QUOTAS AND WILL BE OPERATIONAL IN 1902.

------ 0 - - - -

CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS VISIT MORE PENAL INSTITUTIONS

* * * *

DELEGATES TO THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CONTINUED THEIR SERIES OF VISITS TO PENAL INSTITUTIONS OF PRISONS DEPARTMENT.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR T G GARNER. THE GROUP VISITED SIU LAM PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE. TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN, SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE AND HEI LING CHAU DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE.

THEY ALL EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE PROGRAMMES AND FACILITIES PROVIDED IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS.

THEY FIRST WENT TO SIU LAM PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE TO SEE HOW INMATES WITH MENTAL DISORDER ARE BEING TREATED WHILE UNDER CONFINEMENT.

NEXT THEY MOVED TO THE TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN. APART FROM INSPECTING THE FACILITIES THERE, THEY ALSO SAW A COLOURFUL MARCHING DISPLAY BY THE INMATES. A MARCHING TEAM WAS FORMED RECENTLY IN THE CENTRE TO PROVIDE A NEW RECREATIONAL OUTLET FOR THE INMATES.

AT THE HEI LING CHAU DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE, THE VISITORS WATCHED A LION DANCE PERFORMED BY THE INMATES.

----0---.

/26 ...

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

NOTE TO EDITORS*

OF CORRECTIONAL

FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE RRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS ENDS ON FRIDAY

ft ft ft * ft

confeOI 8f B^JItISiSl Idministrators will HOLDCA press

CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 29) AT THE END OF THE FIVE-DAY CONFERENCE.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 11 AM ON FRIDAY.

TELEVISION CREWS ARE ADVISED TO WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR

ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY EQUIPMENT.

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

TOWN MANAGER SPEAKS ABOUT COMMUNITY BUILDING IN TSUEN WAN ft ft * * *

TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES HAYES, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRAISED THE COMMUNITY BUILDING WORK DONE BY RURAL COMMITTEES WITHIN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.

ADDRESSING THE TSUEN WAN, TSI NG Yl AND MA WAN RURAL COMMITTEES’ JOINT DINNER, MR HAYES SAIDi *THE TSUEN WAN RURAL COMMITTEE HAS LONG LED THE WAY IN COMMUNITY BUILDING WORK- IF I MAY SAY SO, TO AN EXCEPTIONAL DEGREE.

♦ I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT THE TSI NG Yl RURAL COMMITTEE AND OTHER LOCAL BODIES ON THE ISLAND ARE NOW FOLLOWING SUIT IN THE NEW COMMUNITY. THEY HAVE GOT IN ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, SO TO SPEAK, WHICH IS VERY PRAISEWORTHY.

♦THE MA WAN RURAL COMMITTEE DOES ITS BEST IN ALL FIELDS FOR THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES.*

MR HAYES SAID HE SPECIALLY APPRECIATED THE WORK OF THE RURAL COMMITTEES AND VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES IN FACILITATING NECESSARILY INTENSIVE AND WIDESPREAD DEVELOPMENT AND ENSURING RAPID SOCIAL CHANGE.

♦YOU ARE, AND HAVE LONG BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END OF DEVELOPMENT AND IT HAS ALWAYS MEANT A LOT OF TROUBLE AND INCONVENIENCE FOR YOU.

♦WE MUST ALWAYS BEAR THIS IN MIND AND GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE FOR CONTINUED FOREBEARANCE AND CO-OPERATION.*

/MH HAYES ...

'AY, FEBRUARY 2?, 1980

WEDN]

>80

MR HAYES SAID, FOR HIS PART, HE ALWAYS TRIED TO REDUCE THE OCCASIONS WHERE ANCESTRAL GRAVES HAD TO BE MOVED. HE SAID THE DISTRICT OFFICE WAS CURRENTLY DISCUSSING WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT THE QUESTION OF +FUNG SHUI + BURIALS AND ENTRY TO COUNTRY PARKS FOR GRAVE WORSHIPPING PURPOSE.

MR HAYES SAID HE HOPED TO BE IN A POSITION TO PUT PROPOSALS FOR A NECESSARILY MODEST SCHEME FOR THE INNER TSUEN WAN VILLAGES TO THE TSUEN WAN RURAL COMMITTEE AT ITS NEXT MEETING.

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

TENDERS FOR OPERATING BEACH FACILITIES IN NT

» M M * M

TENDERS ARE INVITED FOR THE PROVISION OF VARIOUS FACILITIES ON SIX BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES MANAGED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE TENDERS WILL COVER THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR TO NOVEMBER 30, 1982.

FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE THE SALE OF LIGHT REFRESHMENTS, THE ERECTION OF TENTS FOR HIRE AND THE PROVISION OF CHANGING FACILITIES.

TENDERS ARE CALLED FOR ALL THREE TYPES OF SERVICES AT ANGLER’S BEACH IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD, HUNG SHING YEH BEACH ON LAMMA ISLAND, AND CLEAR WATER BAY (FIRST) BEACH AND KIU TSUI BEACH IN SAI KUNG.

AT DRAGON BEACH IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TENDERS ARE INVITED FOR THE SALE OF LIGHT REFRESHMENTS ONLY, WHEREAS AT CAMPER’S BEACH IN SAI KUNG, TENDERS ARE CALLED FOR THE SALE OF LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF CHANGINv FACILITIES.

ALL TENDERS MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ACCOUNTS OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF AUSTIN CENTRE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON. BEFORE 9 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 29).

TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS AT AUSTIN CENTRE, KOWLOON.

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

/28....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1980

AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ft ft ft ft ft

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (MARCH 1). THE AUCTION WILL START AT 10 AM IN THE LECTURE HALL OF THE CITY HALL.

THIRTY NUMBERS WILL BE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC. THEY AREt

CC5224 CC 25 CC 564 CC 280 CD 1

CC 988 CC 810 CC 911 CC9616 CC 322

CC 993 CC 912 CB 31 CD 88 CC 730

CD 11 CC 103 CC 4 CC 380 CC 672

CC 288 CC 2 AA 987 CC2892 AZ 898

CC333O CC 178 CC 718 CC 308 CC 484

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY

AFTER THE CLOSE OF BIDDING.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN THE AUCTION.

PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO INTO THE LOTTERIES FUND.

THAT THE VEHICLE 12 MONTHS OF

GOVERNMENT

lEM»™f»T0£lll^AEfv,?!!™ILL BE THE 51ST V THE TRANSPORT

VurAnlnCIII Olllbt MAT r J.

9 000 STUDENTS TO ATTEND CAREERS SEMINARS ft ft ft ft ft

A SERIES OF 13 CAREERS SEMINARS WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO WILL BE LEAVING SCHOOL IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THE SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES BETWEEN TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND MARCH 18. A TOTAL OF 9 000 STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE DAY-LONG SEMINARS WERE AIMED AT PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH FIRST HAND INFORMATION ON THE WIDEST RANGE OF CAREERS AND TO HELP THEM MAKE A DECISION ON A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR INTEREST AND ABILITIES.

THE FIRST SEMINAR WILL TAKE PLACE AT DELIA MEMORIAL SCHOOL IN KWUN TONG AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW, AND STUDENTS FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.

/ETE PROGRAMME...

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

- 29 -

THE PROGRAMME FOR EACH SEMINAR WILL CONSIST OF SLIDE SHOWS. TALKS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON SUCH TOPICS AS SURVEYING, PHOTOGRAPHY. SALES, SPEECH THERAPY, SOCIAL WORK AND THE DENTAL PROFESSIONS.

THE TALKS WILL BE GIVEN BY EXPERTS FROM COMMERCE, INDUSTRY. THE SERVICES SECTOR AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, ON ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE TRADES AS WELL AS JOB REWARDS.

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

MUSIC OFFICE TO HOLD STUDENTS’ CONCERT IN NT *****

THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL HOLD A STUDENTS’ CONCERT AT 5 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE TSUEN WAN TRAINING CENTRE.

THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE FLUTE TRIO, CLARINET ENSEMBLE, CHINESE INSTRUMENT UNISON PLAYING, VIOLIN SOLO, CELLO DUET, GLOCKENSPIEL UNISON, HORN AND TRUMPET SOLO.

PERFORMERS IN THE CONCERT, AGED BETWEEN NINE AND 16, ARE MAINLY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS WHO JOINED THE INSTRUMENTAL TRAINING CLASSES IN DECEMBER 1978. MOST OF THEM COME FROM KWAI CHUNG, TSUEN WAN AND YUEN LONG.

GUEST PERFORMERS WILL BE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND.

INSTRUCTORS FROM THE MUSIC OFFICE, MISS LIU LI-CHUAN, A DISTINGUISHED ’CHENG’ PLAYER AND MR CHAN KWOK-FAI, A FAMOUS ’YANG CHIN’ PLAYER, WILL ALSO BE THERE TO GIVE A DEMONSTRATION PERFORMANCE.

SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES WILL GIVE A SPEECH AND PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO THE PERFORMERS.

ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE CONCERT MAY OBTAIN FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FROM THE MUSIC OFFICE NEW TERRITORIES SUB-OFFICE IN CHEUNG YIU BUILDING, TSUEN WAN OR TELEPHONE 12-428127 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

THE INSTRUMENTAL TRAINING SCHEME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES STARTED IN DECEMBER 1978. AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 413 TRAINEES TAKING WEEKLY LESSONS IN WESTERN AND CHINESE INSTRUMENTS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE OFFICE ALSO HELPS TO ORGANISE AND TRAIN ONE YOUTH BAND, TWO YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRAS AND TWO CHILDREN’S CHOIRS IN THESE AREAS.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND THE STUDENTS’ CONCERT AT 5 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE REHEARSAL HALL, MUSIC OFFICE NEW TERRITORIES SUB-OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, CHEUNG YIU BUILDING, 167-173 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN. FOR FURTHER DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT MISS PAULINE NG AT 5-283257.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR JANUARY ............................. 1

CBE FOR DR K L THONG ........................................... 2

SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED TO 3NTER MAI PO BIRD SANCTUARY ......... 3

THREE LOTS OF CROW LAND SOLD ................................... 3

NEW TELEPHONE LINES TO REPORT FAULTS IN WATER SUPPLY ........... 4

TUNG LUNG FORT DECLARED A MONUMENT ............................. 5

FIRE PREVENTION CHECK IN KWUN TONG ............................. 5

CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS VISIT HIGH-RISE PENAL INSTITUTION .................................................... 6

LAND EXECUTIVES COMPLETE COURSE.................................. 6

AWARDS FOR FIVE OUTSTANDING BLIND PEOPLE ....................... 7

OPENING OF NEW TUEN MUN FIRE STATION ........................... 7

PARTY FOR MHD STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES ......................... 8

STUDENTS ATTEND CAREERS SEMINAR ................................ 9

AMS FAMILY DAY ................................................. 9

URBAN CLEARWAY CN QUEENS’/AY

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR JANUARY

*****

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES (A) AND (B) FOR LAST MONTH (JANUARY) WERE BOTH 150, EACH BEING THREE POINTS HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THE CENTRED 12-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE FOR JULY 1979, THAT IS, THE SIMPLE AVERAGE OF THE TWO MOVING ANNUAL AVERAGES ENDING DECEMBER 1979 AND JANUARY 1980 RESPECTIVELY, WAS 140.0 FOR CPI (A) AND 140.1 FOR CPI (B), EACH BEING 1.2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH. WHEN COMPARED WITH THE CENTRED 12-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE FOR JULY A YEAR AGO, THE INCREASES WERE RESPECTIVELY 12 PER CENT AND 11.8 PER CENT.

THE CPI (A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400 - $1 499 A MONTH AND THE CPI (B), BETWEEN $1 500 - $2 999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 1973/74.

THE SECTION INDICES FOR JANUARY 1980, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1979, ARE GIVEN BELOWi

SECTION JAN 80 CPI (A) CPI (B)

DEC 79 JAN 79 JAN 80 DEC 79 JAN 79

FOODSTUFFS 142 140 123 145 142 125

HOUSING 148 148 137 148 148 136

FUEL AND LIGHT 239 208 135 226 200 134

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 168 168 150 163 163 145

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 117 117 105 115 116 104

DURABLE GOODS 131 131 120 127 127 118

MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 164 163 138 162 158 135

TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 167 165 136 173 171 139

SERVICES 158 157 143 162 160 144

ALL ITEMS 150 147 129 150 147 129

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS BY THREE POINTS IN CPI (B).

ADVANCED BY TWO POINTS

IN CPI (A) AND

RISES WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, FRESH-WATER FISH, SALT-WATER FISH AND LIVE POULTRY. THE COST OF MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME ALSO WENT UP AS SOME RESTAURANTS AND EATING-PLACES RAISED THEIR PRICES. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH FRUITS DECLINED.

/MOVEMENTS .....

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

HIGHER ELECTRICITY CHARGES AND HIGHER PRICES FOR KEROSENE AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS CAUSED THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT TO RISE SUBSTANTIALLY BY 31 POINTS IN CPI (A) AND BY 26 POINTS IN CPI (B).

THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR DECREASED BY ONE POINT IN CPI (B) DUE TO LOWER PRICES FOR MEN’S AND WOMEN’S OUTERCLOTHING ITEMS.

FOLLOWING HIGHER PRICES FOR GENUINE JEWELLERY, MEDICINES, SOAP AND DETERGENTS, THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ROSE BY ONE POINT IN CPI (A) AND BY FOUR POINTS IN CPI (B).

THE TWO-POINT RISE IN THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR PETROL AND OIL, AND HIGHER CHARGES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FARES AND DRIVING INSTRUCTORS’ FEES.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN CPI (A) AND BY TWO POINTS IN CPI (B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND HAIR-DRESSING.

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

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

CBE FOR DR K L THONG * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON THONG KAH-LEONG HAS BEEN AWARDED THE COMMANDER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (CBE) BY THE QUEEN.

DR THONG WAS BORN IN PENANG. HE WAS EDUCATED IN SINGAPORE AND AT HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNING TO SINGAPORE TO JOIN THE PUBLIC SERVICE THERE.

AFTER QUALIFYING, HE SPECIALISED IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE. HE GAINED A DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC HEALTH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA AND LATER BECAME A FELLOW OF THE FACULTY OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGES OF LONDON, EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW.

HE ACTED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH IN SINGAPORE AND IN 1969 WAS AWARDED THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION MEDAL.

IN 1970 HE WAS APPOINTED PRINCIPAL MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER IN HONG KONG AND PROMOTED TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN 1972. HE PLAYED A LEADING PART IN INTEGRATING FAMILY PLANNING INTO THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMME AND WAS, FOR A TIME, OFFICIAL VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.

DR THONG WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN 1977 AND HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUBSTANTIAL EXPANSION AND RATIONALISATION OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, AND FOR A LARGE SCALE PROGRAMME AIMED AT STANDARDISING THE SCOPE AND QUALITY OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND AIDED HOSPITALS.

------0 ------ /j........................

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

- 3 -

SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED TO ENTER MAI PO BIRD SANCTUARY

M H K K K K

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT MAI PO BIRD SANCTUARY IS A RESTRICTED AREA AND PEOPLE™^ C WISHING TO ENTER THIS AREA IS REQUIRED TO HAVE SPECIAL PERMITS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID MANY VISITORS RECENTLY TRIED TO ENTER MAI PO ON PRODUCTION OF THEIR IDENTITY CARDS ONLY.

18 IS A RESTRICTED AREA AND ANY PERSON WISHING TO ENTER PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHER!ES IN ADDITION TO HIS OWN IDENTITY CARD,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE ORDER DESIGNATING THE IN WHICH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRODUCE THEM FOR INSPECTION ON BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL ON

MAI PO BIRD SANCTUARY AS AN AREA MUST CARRY IDENTITY CARDS AND DEMAND BY SECURITY FORCES WAS MADE NOVEMBER 23 LAST YEAR.

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

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND SOLD

* * * * *

A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SITE AT CHUN FAI ROAD, JARDINE’S LOOKOUT, WAS SOLD FOR $126 MILLION AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE GRAND BALLROOM OF THE HILTON HOTEL TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 4 377 SQUARE METRES, WAS BOUGHT BY CHIPELLI INVESTMENTS LTD AT $28 786.84 PER SQUARE METRE.

A NON-INDUSTRI AL SITE ON CHAI WAN RECLAMATION, MEASURING ABOUT 896 SQUARE METRES, WAS SOLD FOR $25 MILLION OR $27 901.79 PER SQUARE METRE. IT WAS BOUGHT BY STRATTON CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING LTD.

THE LAST LOT AT CHA KWO LING*ROAD, KOWLOON WAS SOLD TO AGINCOURT LTD FOR $37 MILLION OR $16 086.96 PER SQUARE METRE. THE SITE COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2 300 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

NEW TELEPHONE LINES TO REPORT FAULTS IN WATER SUPPLY ft ft ft ft ft ft

TWO DIRECT TELEPHONE LINES FOR REPORTING TECHNICAL FAULTS CONCERNING WATER SUPPLY WILL COME INTO USE AT THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON TECHNICAL COMPLAINT CENTRE IN ARGYLE STREET ON SATURDAY (MARCH 1).

THE NEW TELEPHONE LINES 3-960219 AND 3-960210 WILL BE MANNED BETWEEN 8.30 AM AND 10 PM DAILY.

♦AFTER 10 PM EACH DAY ALL TECHNICAL COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO TELEPHONE 3-948261,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT AN AUTOMATIC ANSWERING SYSTEM HAS BEEN INSTALLED TO INFORM CALLERS OF THE DAILY SWITCH-OVER FROM 3-960219 AND 3-960210 TO 3-948261 BETWEEN 10 PM AND 8.30 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. THEREFORE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE NO DIFFICULTY WHEN REPORTING TECHNICAL FAULTS AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW DIRECT TELEPHONE LINES IS PART OF A MOVE TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE OF THE TECHNICAL COMPLAINT CENTRE, HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WHEN MAKING A REPORT ON TECHNICAL FAULTS* NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE CALLER, AS WELL AS NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT AND LOCATION. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CALLER SHOULD SPECIFY WHETHER THE FAULT IS IN A CARRIAGEWAY OR A FOOTPATH OR INSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF A BUILDING. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE FAULT IN CASE OF A MAINS LEAK OR BURST AND FOR HOW LONG A DEFECT IN SUPPLY HAS EXISTED.

♦THESE DETAILS ARE ESSENTIAL IF PROPER PRIORITIES ARE TO BE ESTABLISHED AND QUICK ATTENDANCE AND EFFECTIVE REPAIR WORK ARE TO BE CARRIED OUT BY OUR STAFF. UNLESS A COMPLAINANT KNOWS THAT THE FAULT IS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF A BUILDING, IT IS ADVISABLE TO CHECK FIRST WITH THE CARETAKER BEFORE REPORTING TO THIS DEPARTMENT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ANY COMPLAINT OR ENQUIRY OF A NON-TECHNICAL NATURE CONCERNING SUCH MATTERS AS WATER ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS OR ROUTINE ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO TELEPHONE 5-7900222/4 (3 LINES) AT THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, HEADQUARTERS, IN LEIGHTON CENTRE, DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

TUNG LUNG FORT DECLARED A MONUMENT *****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO DECLARE TUNG LUNG FORT, ONCE USED TO FACE PIRATES IN THE FAT TONG MUN STRAIT, A MONUMENT.

THE FORT IS HIGH UP ON THE NORTH-EASTERN PROMONTORY OF TUNG LUNG ISLAND TO THE EAST OF HONG KONG ISLAND. IT IS A RECTANGULAR STONE ENCLOSURE OF ABOUT 25 METRES BY 35 METRES WITH WALLS THREE METRES HIGH.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ITS COMMANDING LOCATION OVERLOOKING THE STRAIT +CLEARLY INDICATES THAT THIS STRUCTURE WAS USED AS A FORT TO CONTROL THIS NARROW SEA PASSAGE.+

♦THE GAZETTEER OF THE SAN ON DISTRICT INDICATES THAT THE FORT WAS BUILT IN THE KHANG HSI REIGN OF THE CHING DYNASTY TO CONTROL SHIPPING AND ALSO TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE NUMEROUS PIRATES INFESTING THESE WATERS AT THAT TIME,+ HE SAID.

BUT DUE TO INACCESSIBILITY IT WAS ABANDONED IN 1810 AND THE FORT HAS SINCE GRADUALLY FALLEN INTO A STATE OF RUIN.

THE SPOKESMAN DESCRIBED THE FORT AS +AN IMPORTANT FEATURE IN LOCAL HISTORY+ IN AN AREA WHICH CONTAINS OTHER IMPORTANT HISTORICAL ITEMS.

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

FIRE PREVENTION CHECK IN KWUN TONG *****

46 TO

FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OFFICERS TODAY (THURSDAY) INSPECTED FACTORY BUILDINGS SELECTED AT RANDOM IN KWUN TONG IN AN EFFORT REMOVE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.

A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN SAID IN TODAY’S OPERATION A TOTAL OF 230 FACTORIES HAD BEEN ISSUED ON THE SPOT WITH ABATEMENT NOTICES, MOSTLY FOR CAUSING OBSTRUCTION AND ON STAIRCASES.

FIRE HAZARD IN COMMON AREAS

♦IN ADDITION, SUMMONSES WILL BE SERVED ON 20 FOR THE RECURRENCE OF FIRE HAZARDS. THESE FACTORIES HAD ISSUED WITH FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES,♦ SAID Trie SPOKESMAN.

OTHER FACTORIES

DURING THE SIX-HOUR OPERATION HEADED BY DIVISIONAL OFFICER W KWAN SAI-YIU, A TOTAL OF 1 470 FACTORIES WERE INSPECTED. '

FIRE OFFICERS ALSO FOUND 53 CASES OF ILLEGAL ROOF-TOP ^DCTURES USED F0R INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES AND UNAUTHORISED BUILDING ALTERNATION. THESE CASES WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR ACTION.

0 - -

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS VISIT HIGH-RISE PENAL INSTITUTION ******

DELEGATES TO THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE - ONE OF THE FEW HIGH-RISE PENAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE WORLD.

THE MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON CONSISTS OF TWO NINE-STOREY BLOCKS OF CELLS FOR 960 INMATES, AN ADJOINING EIGHT-STOREY DORMITORY BLOCK FOR STAFF, AN ADMINISTRATION WING AND A HOSPITAL.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR T G GARNER, THE VISITORS TOURED THE CENTRE AND WERE BRIEFED BY THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PRISON, MR J ASHWORTH.

THEY WERE IMPRESSED WITH THE MODERN ELECTRONIC SECURITY DEVICES IN THE CENTRE WHICH WAS OPENED IN NOVEMBER 1977.

TODAY’S VISIT WAS THE LAST IN A SERIES ARRANGED BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT FOR THE DELEGATES.

THE FIVE-DAY CONFERENCE WILL END TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

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

NOTE TO ED I TORS»

LAND EXECUTIVES COMPLETE COURSE

*****

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, WILL TOMORROW (FRIDAY) PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO 39 LAND EXECUTIVES WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED A TWO-YEAR POLYTECHNIC COURSE ON LAND ADMINISTRATION.

THE PRESENTATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT 4 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, FOURTH FLOOR, HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY. THEY ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT MR DONALD STRANGE OF NTA ON ARRIVAL.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

AWARDS FOR FIVE OUTSTANDING BLIND PEOPLE *****

FIVE BLIND PERSONS HAVE WON THE AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING BLIND PEOPLE SPONSORED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REHABILITATION OFFICES OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND REGION.

THE FIVE +OUTSTANDING+ BLIND PEOPLE ARE BY PROFESSION A SOCIAL WORKER, A FACTORY WORKER, A HOUSEWIFE, A TELEPHONE OPERATOR, AND A FORTUNE TELLER.

EACH WILL BE PRESENTED AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) WITH A CASH AWARD OF $500 AND A SOUVENIR BY THE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER (HONG KONG ISLAND), MR KWOK KA-CHI. THE AWARD SCHEME AIMS AT PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE BLIND.

THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS OR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FIELDS OF ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT, FAMILY CAREER, WELFARE FOR THE BLIND, LEADERSHIP OR HELPFULNESS TO OTHERS.

JUDGING WAS MADE BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG

SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND, THE EBENEZER SCHOOL AND HOME FOR THE BLIND, THE CANOSSA SCHOOL FOR THE VISUALLY DISABLED, THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING BLIND PEOPLE WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 6.15 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S YUE WAN COMMUNITY HALL, YUE WAN ESTATE, CHAI WAN.

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

OPENING OF NEW TUEN MUN FIRE STATION

* * * *

THE NEW TUEN MUN DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION AND AMBULANCE DEPOT WAS TODAY (THURSDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU WONG-FAT.

THE NEW FIRE STATION BUILT ON A 6 145 SQUARE METRE SITE IN PUI TO ROAD CAME INTO OPERATION IN JULY LAST YEAR.

AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR ALAN JONES, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SAID THE COMMISSIONING OF THIS NEW STATION AND DEPOT DEMONSTRATED THAT THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS DEVELOPING AND PROGRESSING WITH THE GROWING AND IMPORTANT NEW TOWN OF TUEN MUN.

/♦WITHIN THESE .....

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

+WITHIN THESE PREMISES THERE IS PROVISION FOR 10 FIRE APPLIANCES AND EIGHT AMBULANCES, AND THE PRESENT ESTABLISHMENT OF PERSONNEL EXCEEDS 180,+ SAID MR JONES.

+THESE PREMISES REPRESENT ONLY HALF OF THE PLANNED FIRE SERVICES DEVELOPMENT FOR TUEN MUN AND IN THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FOUR TO FIVE YEARS A FURTHER FIRE STATION AND A SEPARATE AMBULANCE DEPOT WILL BE BUILT,* HE ADDED.

MR LAU DESCRIBED THE PROVISION OF THE NEW FIRE STATION AS +AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN, PROVIDING FURTHER PROTECTION FOR OUR LIVES AND PROPERTIES.*

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

PARTY FOR MHD STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES * * * *

STAFF OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL BE ENTERTAINED AT A PARTY TO BE HELD IN THE SPORTS FIELDS OF KOWLOON HOSPITAL ON SUNDAY (MARCH 2).

THIS WILL BE THE NINTH SUCH PARTY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF SOCIETY WHICH HAS NOW BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT.

PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE GAMES, MAGIC AND ACROBATIC SHOWS, A LUCKY DRAW, PIPERS’ BAND PERFORMANCE AND ARMOUR CARS DISPLAY.

DR K.L. THONG, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, WILL ATTEND THE PARTY AND PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS OF A LUCKY DRAW.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PARTY FOR STAFF OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THEIR FAMILIES WHICH WILL BE HELD ON THE LAWN BY THE ENTRANCE TO THE WEST WING OF KOWLOON HOSPITAL, ARGYLE STREET, BETWEEN 2 PM AND 5 PM ON SUNDAY.

0 - -

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

- 9 -

STUDENTS ATTEND CAREERS SEMINAR *****

MORE THAN 1 000 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TODAY (THURSDAY) ATTENDED THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF 13 CAREERS SEMINARS ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

THE SEMINAR, HELD AT DELIA MEMORIAL SCHOOL IN KWUN TONG, WAS AIMED AT PROVIDING SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS WITH FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON CAREERS AND HELPING THEM MAKE A DECISION ON A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR INTEREST AND ABILITIES.

DURING THE ONE-DAY SEMINAR, THE STUDENTS SAW SLIDES AND FILMS ON ACCOUNTANCY AND SOCIAL WORK AS WELL AS THE WORK OF ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND FACTORY INSPECTORS.

THEY ALSO HEARD TALKS BY EXPERTS ON HOTEL BUSINESS, PHOTOGRAPHY AND ENGINEERING.

TWELVE OTHER SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

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

AMS FAMILY DAY * * * *

THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE WILL HOLD A FAMILY DAY AT THE INDIAN RECREATION CLUB, SOO KON PO, ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON SUNDAY (MARCH 2).

ABOUT 2 500 AMS OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL ATTEND THE ANNUAL EVENT.

PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE GAMES, A VARIETY SHOW, LUCKY DRAW AND PERFORMANCE BY THE AMS MARCHING BAND.

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K L THONG, WHO IS ALSO THE AMS UNIT CONTROLLER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

THE AMS FAMILY DAY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE INDIAN RECREATION CLUB, SOO KON PO, HONG KONG ISLAND, ON SUNDAY (MARCH 2) FROM 1.30 PM TO 5.30 PM. YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT. THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE AT 1.45 PM.

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

/10 ....

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

URBAN CLEARWAY ON QUEENSWAY ******

TWO SECTIONS OF QUEENSWAY WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 1).

THEY ARE AN EASTBOUND SECTION OF QUEENSWAY BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH COTTON TREE DRIVE AND A POINT ABOUT 150 METRES TO THE EAST- AND ANOTHER EASTBOUND SECTION FROM A POINT ABOUT 200 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH COTTON TREE DRIVE TO ITS JUNCTION WITH ARSENAL STREET.

ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS IN THE URBAN CLEARWAY.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO INDICATE THE CLEARWAY.

--------o

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

CCNTE-JTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR PRAISES PRISON SERVICE ......................... 1

CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS CONFERENCE ENDS .............. 2

GRAPHIC GUIDES TO 1980-81 BUDGET .........................

FIVE OUTSTANDING BLIND PEOPLE RECEIVE A/ARDS ............. 5

SNT SEEKS HEUNG YEE KUK VIEWS ON PROHIBITING

BURNING OF GRAVESIDE WORSHIPPING ITEMS ................... 6

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS ............................... 6

NEW SAI WAN HO FERRY PIER PROPOSED ....................... 7

NTA LAND EXECUTIVES COMPLETE POLYTECHNIC COURSE .......... 8

AIRPORT BUSY DURING LUNAR NSW YEAR ....................... 8

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSIC STUDY OVERSEAS .................... 9

STREET CLGSUPLES FOR MIR TSUEN WAN DEPOT ................. 10

CROWN LAND FOR SALE ...................................... 1°

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR 7/ALK FOR MILLIONS ............ 11

EDINBURGH PLACE EAST TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON SUNDAY ........................................

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

GOVERNOR PRAISES PRISON SERVICE

*****

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE PRISON SERVICE IN 1979 EARNED LAURELS BY THE PART IT PLAYED IN DEALING WITH THE INFLUX OF REFUGEES AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL PARADE OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT AT ITS STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY, SIR MURRAY SAID: +THIS WAS A DIFFICULT TASK CALLING FOR LEADERSHIP, INGENUITY AND DEDICATED SERVICE WHICH HAS BEEN HANDLED WITH HUMANITY AND COMPASSION,♦ THE GOVERNOR SAID.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S DETENTION CENTRE PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS AND SAID THE PROGRAMME’S, SUCCESS RATE OF 76 PER CENT IN THE THREE YEARS FOLLOWING DISCHARGE ♦REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT ON ALL INVOLVED IN IT+.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PRISON INDUSTRIES EXPANSION HAS BEGUN AND OUTPUT INCREASED IN VALUE BY MORE THAN 22 PER CENT DURING THE YEAR.

♦ I AM SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL WELCOME THE USE THAT HAS BEEN MADE OF PRISON LABOUR IN THIS AND OTHER PROJECTS SUCH AS FIRE-FIGHTING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, OR THE ERECTION OF THE NEW BORDER FENCES,* HE SAID.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR T G GARNER, SIR MURRAY INSPECTED THE PARADE FORMED BY 218 PRISON OFFICERS FROM VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT.

DURING THE CEREMONY, SIR MURRAY ALSO PRESENTED COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 41 OFFICERS FOR THEIR 18 YEARS’ EXEMPLARY SERVICE.

THE BAND, PIPES AND DRUMS OF TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION PROVIDED MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE EVENT.

THE ANNUAL PARADE ALSO COINCIDED WITH THE CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS. DELEGATES TO THE CONFERENCE ALSO ATTENDED THE PARADE.

FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR AT THE PARADE I

♦ IT IS A HAPPY COINCIDENCE THAT THIS PARADE COINCIDES WITH THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO THE DISTINGUISHED OVERSEAS VISITORS HERE TODAY.

♦ IN 1979 THE PRISON SERVICE EARNED LAURELS BY THE PART IT PLAYED IN DEALING WITH THE INFLUX OF REFUGEES AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. THIS WAS A DIFFICULT TASK CALLING FOR LEADERSHIP, INGENUITY AND DEDICATED SERVICE WHICH HAS BEEN HANDLED WITH HUMANITY AND COMPASSION. I AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR THE FINE SERVICE WHICH HAS BEEN RENDERED BY YOUR DEPARTMENT.

/♦THE DEPARTMENT'S .

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

♦THE DEPARTMENT’S DETENTION CENTRE PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS HAS BEEN A SUCCESS STORY, AND I WELCOME ITS EXPANSION THROUGH THE OPENING OF THE NEW DETENTION CENTRE AT NE I KWU CHAU ON HEI LING CHAU. THIS PROGRAMME’S SUCCESS RATE OF 76 PER CENT IN THE THREE YEARS FOLLOWING DISCHARGE, REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT ON ALL INVOLVED IN IT.

♦NEARER HOME I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE THE COMMISSIONER ATTACHES TO TWO BUILDING PROJECTS. FIRSTLY THE EXTENSION TO THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE, AND SECONDLY THE NEW MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON AT SHEK PIK. THE LATTER IS NECESSARY BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THE OVERALL PRISON POPULATION HAS REMAINED STATIC THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS SERVING LONG SENTENCES. CONTRACTS FOR BOTH THESE PROJECTS WILL BE LET DURING THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR.

♦THE FIRST PHASE OF THE EXPANSION OF PRISON INDUSTRIES HAS BEGUN AND OUTPUT INCREASED IN VALUE BY MORE THAN 22 PER CENT DURING THE YEAR. I AM SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL WELCOME THE USE THAT HAS BEEN MADE OF PRISON LABOUR IN THIS AND OTHER PROJECTS SUCH AS FIRE-FIGHTING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, OR THE ERECTION OF THE NEW BORDER FENCES.

♦FINALLY I WISH TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ASSISTANCE OF THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY IN SETTING UP THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS.

♦I WISH YOU ALL, BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF, SUCCESS IN THE YEAR AHEAD, AND I CONGRATULATE THOSE ON PARADE ON THEIR SMART TURN-OUT.+

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CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS CONFERENCE ENDS

******

THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF ADMINISTRATORS ENDED TODAY (FRIDAY).

CORRECTIONAL

THE FIVE-DAY CONFERENCE WAS ATTENDED BY ADMINISTRATORS OF PRISONS AND OTHER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS FROM 13 TERRITORIES, NAMELY AUSTRALIA, INDONESIA, JAPAN, MACAU, MALAYSIA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, THE PHILIPPINES, SRI LANKA, THAILAND, TONGA, WESTERN SAMOA, HONG KONG AND CANADA. SINGAPORE WHICH WAS INVITED WAS NOT REPRESENTED IN THE CONFERENCE.

THE FOLLOWING IS A JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE DELEGATES AT THE END OF CONFERENCE:-

♦THE FIRST ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS ORGANISED BY THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY IN COOPERATION WITH THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HONG KONG ENDED TODAY.

/+THIS IS .....

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

- 3 -

■••THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT DIRECTORS OF PRISONS AND COMMISSIONERS CARRYING RESPONSIBILITY FOR PRISONS AND OTHER CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGION HAVE EVER MET TO SHARE EXPERIENCES AND CONSIDER POLICY. THE CONFERENCE DEMONSTRATED THAT PRISON INSTITUTIONS ALWAYS TENDED TO REFLECT THE PROBLEMS OF THE SOCIETIES THEY SERVED. MOST PROBLEMS AROSE FROM DEEP VALUE CONFLICTS WHICH WERE INTENSIFIED IN PRISON CONDITIONS. PROBLEMS IN PRISONS WERE THEREFORE MORE TYPICAL OF THE COUNTRIES OF PURELY WESTERN CULTURE IN THE REGION THAN OF THE COUNTRIES WITH AN ASIAN AND PACIFIC SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS TRADITION. THERE, THE PRISON PROBLEMS WERE RARELY SUCH THAT THEY COULD NOT BE SOLVED BY INCREASED RESOURCES AND IMPROVING TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT. HAVING COMPARED EACH COUNTRY’S ALLOCATIONS, IT WAS UNFORTUNATE THAT IN MOST COUNTRIES, BUDGETS FOR PRISONS CARRIED A LOW PRIORITY.

■•■DISCIPLINE IN THE SENSE OF MUTUAL RESPECT WAS AN ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF ALL WORK WITHIN PRISONS AND OTHER CORRECTIONAL SERVICES. ONLY WHERE THIS COULD BE DEVELOPED, MORALE KEPT HIGH AND THE PERSONAL INTER-RELATIONSHIPS FOSTERED COULD HARMONY AND SATISFACTION BE ASSURED. MEDIA LINKS WERE NECESSARY TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED AND TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR THE OFFENDER- BUT IN NO OTHER AREAS WAS THERE A GREATER NEED FOR MEDIA RESPONSIBILITY IN REPORTING.

+ASIA AND THE PACIFIC COUNTRIES WERE IN GENERAL COMMITTED TO THE IDEAL OF HELPING OFFENDERS TOWARDS REHAB ILITATION-THOUGH THEY ACCEPTED THAT THIS PRINCIPLE MUST NOT BE USED TO JUSTIFY DISCRIMINATION. REHABILITATION MEANS PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR TRAINING, INDUSTRY, EDUCATION AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES CONSISTENT WITH SECURITY AND PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC.

+THE CONFERENCE HAD FOUND ITS WORK VALUABLE AND CONSIDERED THAT SUCH A GATHERING SHOULD BE HELD ANNUALLY IN THE REGION. IF THEY CONTINUE IT WAS AGREED THAT THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY SHOULD CONTINUE TO CONVENE AND PROVIDE THE SUBSTANTIVE ORGANISATION OF THESE MEETINGS AND THAT THE PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTS SHOULD IN TURN PROVIDE HOST FACILITIES. THE CONFERENCE EXPRESSED ITS APPRECIATION TO THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY FOR THE EFFICIENT SERVICING OF THE CONFERENCE ON THIS OCCASION AND THE VALUABLE SUPPORT DOCUMENTS WHICH COULD BE USED THROUGHOUT THE REGION. IT SOUGHT TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND TRAINING TO BE IMPROVED IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC.

♦ THE CONFERENCE WAS FULL OF ADMIRATION FOR THE WAY IN WHICH IT HAD BEEN HOSTED BY HONG KONG ON THIS OCCASION. IT HAD BEEN DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT AND WAS PROFOUNDLY MOVED BY THE FRIENDSHIP, THE COOPERATION AND THE GENEROSITY WHICH HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO ALL PARTICIPANTS BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG PRISONS DEPARTMENT FROM THE JUNIOR RANKS TO ITS COMMISSIONER.

/♦PARTICIPANTS OF .....

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

♦PARTICIPANTS OF THE CONFERENCE HAD ALREADY EXPRESSED A DESIRE TO RECIPROCATE. THE MAJORITY ASKED FOR CONSIDERATION TO BE GIVEN TO THE FORMATION OF AN ASIAN AND PACIFIC CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION.

♦THE CONFERENCE DISCUSSED THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD MINIMUM RULES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS AND HAD NOTED THAT SOME COUNTRIES HAD DIFFICULTIES IN MEETING THE FULL REQUIREMENTS. HOWEVER, THE CONFERENCE AGREED THAT ALL COUNTRIES WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS THEIR FULL IMPLEMENTATION.+

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GRAPHIC GUIDE TO 1980-81 BUDGET * * * *

A GRAPHIC GUIDE TO THE 1980-81 BUDGET IS NOW AVAILABLE.

IT PRESENTS IN A COMBINED CHINESE AND ENGLISH VERSION A SERIES OF 17 CHARTS ILLUSTRATING SIGNIFICANT FEATURES OF THE ECONOMY AND THE PLANNED ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.

THE GUIDE CAN BE OBTAINED FREE.,OF CHARGE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING AT CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL DISTRICT, AND FROM THE MARKETING OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, FIRE BRIGADE BUILDING AT 46 CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL. EARLY NEXT WEEK IT WILL ALSO BE OBTAINABLE FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

TWO OTHER FREE PUBLICATIONS - BOOKLET COPIES OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S SPEECH IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH VERSIONS, AND A NEW EDITION OF THE POCKET-SIZE FOLDER +HONG KONG IN FIGURES* - WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE SAME OUTLETS WITHIN THE NEXT FORTNIGHT.

A PACKAGE OF THREE BUDGET PUBLICATIONS GIVING FULL DETAILS OF PLANNED EXPENDITURE BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE DRAFT REVENUE ESTIMATES FOR 1980-81 IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $260 A SET.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS ON SALE INCLUDE THE BOOKLET +THE 1980-81 BUDGETi ECONOMIC BACKGROUND*, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $14 EACH IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH VERSIONS.

THE ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT 1966 TO 1978 AT $7 EACH- AND THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE OF FINANCE COMMITTEE 1979 AT $280 EACH ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

FIVE OUTSTANDING BLIND PEOPLE RECEIVE AWARDS

*****

A BLIND YOUNG MAN, WHO DESPITE HIS DISABILITY HAS CLIMBED UP A LONG ACADEMIC LADDER TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKER, WAS AMONG FIVE OUTSTANDING BLIND PERSONS PRESENTED WITH AWARDS TODAY (FRIDAY).

TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD CHIU PO-ON AND FOUR OTHER BLIND PERSONS EACH RECEIVED A CASH GRANT OF 1500 AND A SOUVENIR FROM MR KWOK KA-CHI, REGIONAL OFFICER (HONG KONG ISLAND) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WHICH SPONSORED THE AWARD SCHEME.

THE OUTSTANDING BLIND PEOPLE AWARDS AIM AT HIGHLIGHTING THE FACT THROUGH REHABILITATION THE DISABLED CAN BE REINTEGRATED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

MR CHIU, BORN BLIND, WON THE AWARD FOR HIS OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS. HE FINISHED HIS SECONDARY EDUCATION WITH ONE DISTINCTION AND THREE CREDITS.

SIX YEARS AGO, HE BECAME THE FIRST BLIND PERSON TO ATTEND A TWO-YEAR CERTIFICATE COURSE IN SOCIAL WORK AT THE FORMER INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL WORK TRAINING - NOW THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

A SOCIAL WORKER WITH THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND, MR CHIU WILL LATER THIS YEAR REPRESENT THE SOCIETY IN A REHABILITATION CONFERENCE IN CANADA. HE ATTENDED A SIMILAR CONFERENCE IN KOREA LAST YEAR.

THE FOUR OTHER OUTSTANDING BLIND PERSONS RECEIVING AWARDS ARE MR CHAN KWOK-LEUNG, MR WONG KWOK-SO, MISS CHAU KIT-MUI AND MADAM LAI KWAI-FONG.

MR CHAN, AN ELECTRONIC FACTORY WORKER AGED 44, WAS SELECTED FOR HIS REMARKABLE SOCIAL READJUSTMENT AFTER HE LOST HIS EYESIGHT IN 1970, AND FOR HIS LEADERSHIP IN WELFARE ACTIVITIES FOR THE BLIND.

MR WONG, A FORTUNE TELLER, HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE BLIND. HE IS HEAD OF A HARMONICA GROUP IN A SOCIAL CENTRE.

MISS CHAU, A TELEPHONE OPERATOR, WON THE AWARD FOR HER REMARKABLE INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-CARE, AS WELL AS HELPFULNESS TO OTHER BLIND PEOPLE.

MADAM LAI, AGED 60, IS A HOUSEWIFE. SHE WAS AWARDED FOR HER DEDICATION TO HER FAMILY WITH SIX CHILDREN, ALL NORMAL, AND FOR HER UNTIRING EFFORTS TO LEARN DESPITE DISABILITY AND OLD AGE. SHE HAS COMPLETED AN INDUSTRIAL SEWING COURSE AT THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND.

SELECTION OF THE FIVE OUTSTANDING BLIND PERSONS WAS MADE BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND, THE EBENEZER SCHOOL AND HOME FOR THE BLIND, THE CANOSSA SCHOOL FOR THE VISUALLY DISABLED, THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

------0------- /6...................

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

SNT SEEKS HEUNG YEE KUK VIEWS ON PROHIBITING BURNING OF GRAVESIDE WORSHIPPING ITEMS *****

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WAS SEEKING HEUNG YEE KUK’S VIEWS ON PROHIBITING THE BURNING OF GRAVES IDE WORSHIPPING ITEMS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID MR AKERS-JONES HAD WRITTEN TO THE KUK FOR THEIR VIEWS ON SUCH A BAN IN CERTAIN FORESTED AREAS AS A MEASURE TO PREVENT FIRES.

HE SAID MR AKERS-JONES HAD REMINDED THE KUK THAT, IN A RECENT MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND HIMSELF, THEY HAD EXPRESSED SUPPORT IN GENERAL TO MEASURES WHICH COULD EFFECTIVELY PREVENT COUNTRYSIDE FIRE - *A SUBJECT OF CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC CONCERN.*

IT WAS NOW PROPOSED, THE LETTER SAID, TO PROHIBIT ALL FORMS OF GRAVESIDE FIRES SUCH AS JOSS STICKS, CANDLES, PAPER MONEY AND FIRE CRACKERS WITHIN THE TAI LAM, SHING MUN AND TAI PO KAU AREA WHERE THERE WAS GREATEST DANGER OF COUNTRYSIDE FIRE OCCURRING DURING THE DRY SEASON AND ESPECIALLY OVER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, CHING MING AND CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVALS.

WITHOUT DOUBT, THE MAJORITY OF FIRES DURING LAST YEAR AND PREVIOUS YEARS CAME FROM GRAVE WORSHIPPING. THERE WERE ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF GRAVES IN THESE AREAS, BUT THE RISK OF FIRE SPREADING FROM THEM TO ENGULF VERY EXTENSIVE AREAS OF HILL FOREST WAS VERY GREAT.

♦THIS IS A STRINGENT MEASURE, BUT IN VIEW OF THE WIDESPREAD DAMAGE WHICH IS CAUSED, I FEEL IT TO BE NECESSARY IN THESE LIMITED AREAS OF HIGH VULNERABILITY,+ THE LETTER SAID.

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS ******

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE INVITED BETWEEN MARCH 3 AND 17, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).

PER,0D’ ™E SPOKESMAN SAID, APPLICATION FORMS FOR PRIMARY 1 TO 6 WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED AT VARIOUS SCHOOLS ON THE PRODUCTION OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES OR OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS.

♦CHILDREN NEED NOT ACCOMPANY THEIR PARENTS FORMS,♦ HE SAID.

IN GETTING THESE

tuesdayTEmarchSi8°R admiss,on T0 PR,MARY 1 WILL TAKE PLACE ON

♦NO FORMAL TESTS WILL BE HELD,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

/SELECTION OF .....

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

SELECTION OF PRIMARY 2 TO 6 APPLICANTS WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, MARCH 21.

♦THE RIGHT AGE OF ENTRY TO PRIMARY 1 IS FULLY SIX ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1980. HOWEVER, ADMISSION WILL BE OPEN TO CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGE OF SIX AND EIGHT,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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

NEW SAI WAN HO FERRY PIER PROPOSED

* X X X

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO BUILD A NEW FERRY PIER AT THE WATERFRONT OF THE FUTURE SAI WAN HO RECLAMATION.

THE PIER, TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER ONE PROPOSED IN THE VICINITY, WILL REPLACE THE LANDING FACILITIES AFFECTED BY THE RECLAMATION.

THE NEW PIER WILL ALSO PROVIDE A TERMINAL FOR A FUTURE VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE.

A NOTICE ON THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

ANYONE HAVING OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL, OR CLAIMS OF PRIVATE RIGHT. SHOULD WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM TODAY.

THE NOTICE IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH WITH THE RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.

THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE PORT WORKS DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, FIRST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, OR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE ON THE 19TH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

NTA LAND EXECUTIVES COMPLETE POLYTECHNIC COURSE ft ft ft ft

THIRTY-NINE LAND EXECUTIVES FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, WHO HAVE COMPLETED A TWO-YEAR DAY RELEASE COURSE IN LAND ADMINISTRATION AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES.

THE PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE BY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, AT NTA HEADQUARTERS.

CONGRATULATING THE GRADUATES, MR CHUI TOLD THEM THAT THE SPECIALISED KNOWLEDGE THEY HAD GAINED FROM THE COURSE WOULD BE PUT TO VERY GOOD USE IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES.

♦YOU HAVE NO NEED TO DOUBT AT ALL THAT THE EFFORT YOU HAVE PUT INTO THE COURSE WILL BE OF VALUE,* HE SAID.

MR CHUI SAID SINCE THE COURSE STARTED IN 1974 A TOTAL OF 58 LAND EXECUTIVES HAD OBTAINED CERTIFICATES, EXCLUDING THE PRESENT 39, AND A FURTHER 54 WERE AT PRESENT ATTENDING THE COURSE.

♦THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ATTACHES A GREAT DEAL OF IMPORTANCE TO SUCCESS ON THIS COURSE AS IT IS CLEAR THAT THOSE WHO PASS ARE BETTER EQUIPPED TO MEET THE DAILY CHALLENGES IN THEIR FIELD.*

THE EXECUTIVES COME FROM ALL EIGHT DISTRICTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

THE COURSE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE POLYTECHNIC AND NTA IS HELD ONE DAY A WEEK.

THE SUBJECTS STUDIED INCLUDE VALUATION OF LAND AND BUILDINGS, LAW RELATED TO LAND ADMINISTRATION, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMICS.

LAND EXECUTIVES ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A PASS IN THE COURSE FOR CONFIRMATION TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PERMANENT AND PENSIONABLE ESTABLISHMENT.

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AIRPORT BUSY DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR ft ft ft ft

ABOUT 100 000 PEOPLE LEFT HONG KONG THROUGH KAI TAK AIRPORT DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD, AN INCREASE OF 24 PER CENT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY), A TOTAL OF 150 135 PEOPLE PASSED THROUGH THE AIRPORT BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 19 ~ 99 885 DEPARTURES AND 50 250 ARRIVALS.

♦THIS CLEARLY INDICATES THAT PASSENGER FACILITIES AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WERE UTILISED AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL DURING THIS PERIOD.+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

THE AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC WAS NEARLY 21 500 PASSENGERS, OR AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 25 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE NORMAL DAILY TRAFFIC.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PEAK TRAFFIC OCCURRED ON LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY (FEBRUARY 16) WHEN OVER 24 000 PEOPLE PASSED THROUGH THE AIRPORT AND OVER 30 000 PIECES OF BAGGAGE WERE HANDLED BY THE AIRPORT BAGGAGE SYSTEMS.

♦THE HIGHEST VOLUME FLOW RATE OF BAGGAGE REACHED 2 500 BAGS PER HOUR AT ONE SORTING POINT OF THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC COMPUTERISED DEPARTURE BAGGAGE SYSTEM,♦ HE SAID.

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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSIC STUDY OVERSEAS * * * * *

THE MUSIC OFFICE IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS IN ADVANCED INSTRUMENTAL STUDY.

THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR A ONE-YEAR STUDY ARE BEING OFFERED AT EITHER THE MENUHIN ACADEMY AT GSTAAD, SWITZERLAND OR THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR ORCHESTRAL STUDIES, LONDON. COURSES WILL START LATER THIS YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID CANDIDATES SHOULD REACH DIPLOMA STANDARD IN INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE, BUT CONSIDERATIONS WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE ACHIEVED AT LEAST A MERIT STANDARD IN GRADE EIGHT OR EQUIVALENT. THEY SHOULD BE AGED 16 OR OVER.

♦THE AWARD OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE BASED ON BOTH POTENTIAL AND ACHIEVEMENT,♦ HE ADDED.

APPLICANTS SHOULD APPLY IN PERSON ON OR BEFORE NEXT WEDNESDAY (MARCH 5) TO THE MUSIC OFFICE, ARTS CENTRE, NINTH FLOOR, 2 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

STREET CLOSURES FOR MTR TSUEN WAN DEPOT

*****

A NUMBER OF STREETS IN SAM TUNG UK WILL BE CLOSED PERMANENTLY FROM APRIL 1, 1980, TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TSUEN WAN DEPOT, ACCORDING TO A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

PLANS SHOWING THE AFFECTED AREAS MAY BE INSPECTED DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE IN FU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN- CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND 'WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE- AND THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 405 NATHAN ROAD.

THE NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY STIPULATED THAT CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.

CLAIMS MUST REACH THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF CLOSURE OF THE STREET OR FROM THE COMPLETION OF THE SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION WHICH IS ALLEGED TO HAVE CAUSED PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE.

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CROWN LAND FQR SALE * * * *

TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE AT AN AUCTION IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON MARCH 28 (FRIDAY) AT 2.30 PM.

ONE SITE, MEASURING 4 900 SQUARE METRES, IS SITUATED AT CHAI WAN ROAD. IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE.

THE OTHER SITE, ALSO OF 4 900 SQUARE METRES, AT TAI WAN ROAD, HUNG HOM, IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.

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, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR WALK FOR MILLIONS * * ft * *

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN KWUN TONG BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 3 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 2) FOR THE +WALK FOR MILLIONS*.

THE TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS!

ft THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF JUNK BAY ROAD BETWEEN LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND KAI TIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 11.30 AM-

ft THE SECTION OF KAI TIN ROAD BETWEEN PING TIN STREET AND LEI YUE MUN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 11.30 AM. VEHICLES REQUIRING ACCESS TO LAM TIN ESTATE SHOULD USE SAU MAU PING ROAD AND KAI TIN ROAD (SECTION NORTH OF PING TIN STREET). KMB ROUTES 15C, 15M AND 16 ON JOURNEYS TO LAM TIN ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND KAI TIN ROAD"

ft BETWEEN 9 AM AND 3 PM PO LAM ROAD, AN UN-NAMED ROAD LINKING SAU MAU PING ROAD AND ANDERSON ROAD AND A SECTION OF ANDERSON ROAD FROM THE UN-NAMED ROAD TO PO LAM ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES. KMB ROUTE 90 WILL BE SUSPENDED DURING THESE HOURS , AND

ft ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT FROM LEI YUE MUN ROAD ONTO TSUI PING ROAD BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 11.30 AM.

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EDINBURGH PLACE EAST TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON SUNDAY ft ft ft ft ft

PART OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST IN FRONT OF QUEEN’S PIER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 9 AM AND 11 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 2) FOR THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL’S GRAND FINALE AND LANTERN FUN FAIR.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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Daily Information Bulletin - 1980s - 1980 - FEB - ENG