DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 198O»
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR NOVEMBER.................... 1
AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE EXPECTED TO OPEN IN MARCH .......... 2
SIXTY YEARS OF LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS IN THE NT ........... 3
GOVERNMENT EVENING CLASSES BENEFIT MANY................ 4
TENDERS BEING INVITED TO OPERATE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL’S MUSIC AND BOOKSHOP ............................. 6
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1980
1
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR NOVEMBER *****
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES (A) AND (B) FOR NOVEMBER WERE 145 AND 146 RESPECTIVELY WITH CP I (A) DOWN BY ONE POINT AND CP 1(B) UNCHANGED COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THE CENTRED 12-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE FOR MAY 1979, THAT IS, THE SIMPLE AVERAGE OF THE TWO MOVING ANNUAL AVERAGES ENDING OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 1979 RESPECTIVELY, WAS 136.8 FOR CPI(A) AND 136.9 FOR CPI(B), EACH BEING 1.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH. WHEN COMPARED WITH THE CENTRED 12-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE FOR MAY A YEAR AGO, THE INCREASES WERE RESPECTIVELY 10.8 PER CENT AND 10.6 PER CENT.
THE CPI(A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE BETWEEN $400-$l 499 A MONTH AND THE CP 1(B), BETWEEN $1 500-12 999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 1973/74.
THE SECTION INDICES FOR NOVEMBER 1979, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1978, ARE AS FOLLOWS!
SECTION NOV.79 CPI(A) OCT.79 NOV.78 NOV.79 CP 1(B)
OCT.79 NOV.78
FOODSTUFFS 139 142 124 141 144 124
HOUSING 146 146 132 146 146 132
FUEL AND LIGHT 198 199 134 193 194 133
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 168 167 147 162 162 142
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 117 112 107 115 110 106
DURABLE GOODS 130 130 118 127 127 116
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 162 148 137 157 147 134
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 163 159 128 169 165 130
SERVICES 156 155 139 159 158 140
ALL ITEMS 145 146 127 146 146 127
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECLINED BY THREE POINTS IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B). REDUCTIONS WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, FRESH FRUITS, LIVE POULTRY AND SALT-WATER FISH.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF PORK AND RICE ADVANCED; THE COST OF MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME ALSO WENT UP AS SOME RESTAURANTS AND EATING-PLACES RAISED THEIR PRICES. MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1980
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DUE TO THE FLUCTUATION OF THE FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT, ELECTRICITY CHARGES FOR NOVEMBER WERE REDUCED AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED BY ONE POINT IN BOTH CP I (A) AND CPI(B).
THE ONE-POINT RISE IN THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO IN CP I(A) WAS MAINLY BROUGHT ABOUT BY HIGHER PRICES FOR FOREIGN-STYLE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY FIVE POINTS EACH IN CPI(A) AND CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES FOR OUTERCLOTHING ITEMS.
HIGHER PRICES FOR NEWSPAPERS PUSHED THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS UP BY 14 POINTS IN CP I (A) AND BY 10 POINTS IN CP 1(B).
FOLLOWING HIGHER FARES FOR HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY SERVICES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES ROSE BY FOUR POINTS IN BOTH INDICES.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ADVANCED BY ONE POINT EACH IN CPI(A) AND CP 1(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIR DRESSING.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
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AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE EXPECTED TO OPEN IN MARCH * * * * *
THE AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE AND ITS APPROACH ROADS AT BOTH ENDS ARE EXPECTED TO OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
WORK ON THE S32 MILLION BRIDGE AND ITS NORTHERN ROAD CONNECTIONS IN ABERDEEN HAS BEEN COMPLETED WHILE WORK ON THE SOUTHERN APPROACH ROADS ON AP LEI CHAU IS PROGRESSING.
THE PWD HAS ALSO BUILT A SPECIAL ACCESS ROAD LINKING THE BRIDGE WITH THE NEW AP LEI CHAU PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF RESIDENTS WHO WILL SHORTLY MOVE INTO THEIR NEW HOMES.
THE 230-METRE BRIDGE, THE FIRST TO JOIN HONG KONG ISLAND WITH AN OFFSHORE ISLAND, CARRIES TWO TRAFFIC LANES, WITH A CAPACITY OF ABOUT 1 500 VEHICLES PER HOUR IN EACH DIRECTION.
IT ALSO CARRIES A WATER MAIN AND OTHER ESSENTIAL UTILITIES TO SERVE THE POPULATION ON AP LEI CHAU.
THE BRIDGE WILL ALSO ENABLE THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE A QUICK SERVICE FROM THE MAINLAND.
TO ALLOW PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS SAFELY, A FOOTWAY HAS BEEN BUILT ALONG ITS SIDE.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, I960
SIXTY YEARS OF LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS |N THE NT
FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS IN 1919, THE GOVERNMENT’S LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS (LPW) PROGRAMME HAS GROWN INTO A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT,
SIXTY YEARS AGO, WHEN THE PROGRAMME WAS LAUNCHED, THE BUDGET WAS ONLY 15 OOO.
DURING THE CERENT FINANCIAL YEAR, IT IS MORE THAN $8 MILLION,
THE PROGRAMME, WHICH IMPROVES THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF VILLAGERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, IS ADMINISTERED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
PROJECTS LAUNCHED UNDER THE PROGRAMME INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF V|-LAGE ROADS, VILLAGE SCHOOLS, PAVEMENTS, BRIDGES, PIERS, INCINERATORS, REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS. LATRINES, INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICITY GENERATORS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL
WATER SUPPLIES AN
.ECTRICITY GENERATORS AND IMPROVEMENTS*TO LOCAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS.
MORE SOPHISTICATED PROJECTS, SUCH AS BUILDING OF PLAYGROUNDS, RECREATIONAL HALL?', LIBRARIES AND VILLAGE HALLS, ARE ALSO UNDERTAKEN.
AMONG THE PROJECTS FOR 1979/80 AREl
M A FOOTBR|^pE ON PO TOI ISLAND (COSTING >61 000)-
M A 1 260-METRE FOOTPATH BETWEEN FAN LAU AND Yl 0 ON LANTAU (COSTING *165 00Q)"
M A COMMUNAL BATHROOM ON CHEUNG CHAU (COSTING
S70 OOQJwr
# A YOUTH CENTRE AT HO SHEUNG HEUNG, 8HEUNG SHU| (COSTING ||7I 000)- AND
K A RECREATIONAL centre AT TSI NG LUNG TAU, TSUEN WAN (COSTING >150 000).
SINCE 1977 THE LPW PROGRAMME HAS INCLUDED INSTALLATION OF VILLAGE LIGHTING.
THIS FINANCIAL YEAR 497 STREET LAMPS WITH ABOUT 30 KILOMETR|| CF UNDERGROUND CABLE WILL BE INSTALLED AT A COST OF Si.6 MILLJON,
IN THE LAST IVO YEARS, 548 STREET LAMPS WERE INSTALLED WITH 35 KILOMETRES OF UNDERGROUND CABLE AT A COST OF Si,75 MILLION,
VILLAGE LIGHTING SCHEMES WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE OVIRA|»|> ROAD LIGHTING PROGRAMME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS REORGANISED AND EXPARPJP ITS WORKS SECTION TO DEAL WITH INCREASING DEMANDS ON THE LPW PROGRAMME.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1980
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HEADED BY AN ENGINEER ON SECONDMENT FROM PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THE SECTION HAS MORE THAN 60 STAFF STATIONED IN THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF SHA TIN, SAI KUNG, TAI PO, NORTHERN, TSUEN WAN, 7UEN MUN, YUEN LONG AND ISLANDS.
MORE THAN $28 MILLION WERE SPENT ON LPW AND RELATED PROJECTS DURING THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 1979.
IN CARRYING OUT THIS PROGRAMME, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION MAINTAINS CLOSE LIAISON WITH PWD AND NT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE ARMY AND UTILITY COMPANIES TO ENSURE SMOOTH PROGRESS.
PROJECTS ARE INITIATED BY DISTRICT OFFICERS AND LOCAL VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES WHILE THE NTA’S WORKS SECTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DESIGN AND SUPERVISION.
THE PROJECTS ARE OFTEN CONSTRUCTED WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL VILLAGERS, WHOSE PARTICIPATION IS ENCOURAGED.
SOME ARE JOINT EFFORTS WITH THE ARMY OR OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE CO-OPERATIVE FOR AMERICAN RELIEF EVERYWHERE (CARE).
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GOVERNMENT EVENING CLASSES BENEFIT MANY ******
A FORMER HAWKER IS NOW A SCHOOL TEACHER, AND A FORM II SCHOOL DROPOUT IS NOW AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
THEY BOTH HAVE AT LEAST ONE THING IN COMMON — THE DETERMINATION TO BETTER THEMSELVES BY ATTENDING EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES RUN BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THEY DID SO WELL IN THEIR PART-TIME STUDIES THAT BOTH CAME OFF WITH FLYING COLOURS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, EACH SCORING ONE DISTINCTION AND FOUR CREDITS.
WITH THE HELP OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THEY OBTAINED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES IN THE MATRICULATION COURSE AND EVENTUALLY TO UNIVERSITY, WHICH LANDED THEM IN THEIR PRESENT JOBS.
MR. C.H. YIP, A FORMER HAWKER IS THE ELDEST SON IN A FAMILY OF EIGHT. HE HAD TO QUIT SCHOOL AFTER COMPLETING PRIMARY SIX TO HELP OUT AT HIS PARENTS’ POULTRY STALL.
ADVISED BY HIS FRIENDS, HE LATER ENROLLED IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE AT THE TIN KWONG ROAD GOVERNMENT SCHOOL CENTRE WHERE HE RECEIVED FORMAL SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE EVENING.
/MR. M.F. ...
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1980
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MR. M.F. CHENG, A FORM II SCHOOL DROPOUT, HAD A DIFFERENT STORY.
HE QUITTED DAY SCHOOL BECAUSE OF POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.
♦ I WASN’T A~MRtOUS STUDENT WHEN I FIRST ENROLLED IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE AT THE CLEMENTI MIDDLE SCHOOL CENTRE BUT SOON I WAS IMPRESSED BY THE LEARNING ENTHUSIASM OF MY CLASS-MATES AND THE DEDICATION OF THE TEACHERS,* MR. CHENG SAID.
♦THE SPIRIT WAS CATCHING AND I WAS TOTALLY IMMERSED IN IT,* HE ADDED.
THEIR SUCCESS IN ATTAINING HIGHER EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS IS A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE ATTENDED EVENING CLASSES OPERATED BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (ADULT EDUCATION), M?. TANG CHUN-SING SAID 1 +THE AIM OF OUR EVENING SCHOOLS IS TO PROVIDE PEOPLE LIKE MR. YIP AND MR. CHENG WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION. THERE WERE OTHERS WHO WENT ON TO COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, ENTERED THE NURSING PROFESSION OR GOT PROMOTION BECAUSE OF THEIR HIGHER EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.*
AT PRESENT SECONDARY SCHOOL EVENING COURSES ARE OFFERED AT 10 CENTRES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG WITH AN ENROLMENT OF ABOUT 4 800. THE MAJORITY OF THE STUDENTS ARE CLERKS OR FACTORY WORKERS.
THEY ARE ENROLLED IN EITHER THE CHINESE OR THE ENGLISH SECTION AND AIM AT SITTING THE HKCEE ON COMPLETION OF THEIR COURSE.
CLASSES MEET FIVE EVENINGS A WEEK AND THE ENTIRE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE LASTS SIX YEARS.
YEAR I TO III CLASSES ARE FREE BUT FOR YEAR IV TO VI A FEE CF $260 PER SCHOOL YEAR IS CHARGED.
MR. TANG DISCLOSED THAT THERE ARE PLANS TO ENLARGE THE EXISTING CURRICULUM BY INTRODUCING SCIENCE SUBJECTS OF PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY IN SENIOR CLASSES AND THE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF SETTING UP CENTRES IN THE NEW TOWNS.
THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE IS ONLY ONE OF THE MANY FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS CURRENTLY OPERATING 10 COURSES IN ALL, WITH A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF 24 441 STUDENTS IN 123 CENTRES. IN ADDITION, IT HAS 8 939 ACTIVE MEMBERS IN 16 ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES.
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TENDERS BEING INVITED TO OPERATE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL’S MUSIC AND BOOKSHOP *****
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE OPERATION OF A MUSIC AND BOOKSHOP IN TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
THE MUSIC AND BOOKSHOP WILL SELL PUBLICATIONS ON ARTS, GRAMOPHONE RECORDS, AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT, ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO THE PUBLIC.
THE BOOKSHOB WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 37 SQUARE METRES ON THE FIRST FLOOR NEXT TO THE EXHIBITION GALLERY, IS SURROUNDED CN THREE SIDES BY TINTED GLASS OVERLOOKING THE TOWN HALL’S PROMENADE.
THE RENTAL PERIOD WILL BE THREE YEARS, STARTING FROM FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR UNTIL JANUARY 31, 1983.
TENDER FORMS AND PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF AUSTIN CENTRE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN RUNNING THE MUSIC AND BOOKSHOP MUST PUT THEIR TENDERS INTO THE TENDER BOX AT THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BEFORE 9 AM ON JANUARY 11 (FRIDAY).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
'WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ANOTHER YEAR OF GROWTH FOR EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION ..................................... 1
INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY IN MARINE FISH CULTURE MEANS MCRE JOBS ................................... 2
GLOSSARIES OF COMMONLY USED GOVERNMENT BUSINESS TERMS AVAILABLE IN CHINESE ....................... 4
OVERLOAD DEVICE IN LIFTS .................................. 4
PUBLIC ADVISED TO LOOK OUT FOR PICKPOCKETS ................ 5
EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN WORKERS IN INDUSTRY ................... 5
PA APPLICATIONS FROM OLD PEOPLE ........................... 6
CHECK FOR FACTORY FIRE HAZARDS ............................ 6
REVENUE REWARD FUND TO BE WOUND UP......................... 7
GUARANTEE FOR REPAYMENT OF MTRC LOAN ...................... 8
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1978-79) BILL ................ 9
MRS. F.K. LI TO VISIT CHILDREN'S CENTRE.................... 9
REMINDER ON PAYMENT OF INTEREST TAX....................... 10
SNT TO LAY SCHOOL'S FOUNDATION STONE...................... 11
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1980
1
ANOTHER YEAR OF GROWTH FOR EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION * * * *
THE BUSINESS OF THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION HAS BEEN GROWING STEADILY WITH INSURED EXPORTS UP BY 38 PER CENT IN 1978/79 OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR TO NEARLY $2.5 BILLION IN VALUE COMPARED WITH A 22 PER CENT INCREASE FOR OVERALL DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON WHEN THE CORPORATION’S 1978/79 ANNUAL REPORT WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR. JEAFFRESON ALSO NOTED THAT BOTH GROSS INCOME FROM PREMIUMS AND THE UNDERWRITING RESERVE HAVE EXCEEDED $10 MILLION FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND THE NUMBER OF CURRENT POLICIES IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF 1 041.
♦WITH THIS INCREASE IN BUSINESS, LIABILITY NOW STANDS AT $1 774 MILLION AND IN THE FAIRLY NEAR FUTURE WE MAY HAVE TO SEEK THIS COUNCIL’S AGREEMENT TO .AN INCREASE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S GUARANTEE SO AS TO ALLOW ADEQUATE ROOM FOR FURTHER GROWTH,* HE SAID.
IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, THE CORPORATION REQUIRED NEARLY $7 MILLION TO MEET AND TO PROVIDE FOR CLAIMS, REPRESENTING A LITTLE OVER 50 PER CENT OF GROSS PREMIUM INCOME, COMPARED WITH $6.5 MILLION IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
MR. JEAFFRESON NOTED HOWEVER BUSINESS OF INSURANCE.
THAT RISKS WERE INHERENT IN THE
♦IN EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE, CREDIT RISKS AND DANGERS TEND TO INCREASE IN ANY PERIOD OF RAPID GROWTH IN EXPORTS. BUT IF THE CORPORATION COULD MAINTAIN CLAIMS AT A LEVEL OF ABOUT HALF OF PREMIUM INCOME, I THINK IT WOULD BE DOING VERY WELL,+ HE SAID.
THE CORPORATION’S ANNUAL REPORT ALSO SHOWED THAT CONSISTENT WITH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS, CLOTHING WAS BY FAR THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PRODUCT THE CORPORATION COVERED, IN TERMS OF VALUE REPRESENTING 39 PER CENT OF EXPORTS INSURED.
THE UNITED KINGDOM CONTINUED TO BE THE LARGEST MARKET COVERED WITH 34 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL, AND EXPORTS TO THE EEC ACCOUNTED FOR NEARLY 60 PER CENT OF EXPORTS INSURED BY THE CORPORATION.
♦THERE IS STILL SCOPE FOR THE CORPORATION TO INCREASE ITS BUSINESS AND TO IMPROVE ITS SPREAD OF EXPORT MARKETS, BUYERS AND PRODUCTS FROM HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED.
ESTABLISHED IN 1966, THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION IS CHARGED WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR CARRYING OUT THE FUNCTIONS OF HONG KONG’S OFFICIAL EXPORT CREDIT INSURER, OPERATING ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS.
/IT HAS .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1?80
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IT HAS PROVIDED PROTECTION FOR MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS CF HONG KONG AGAINST THE RISKS OF THEIR NOT BEING PAID FOR THE GOODS AND SERVICES THEY SUPPLY TO OVERSEAS CLIENTS, AND IN THIS WAY HAS CONTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG’S EXPORT TRADE.
THERE ARE TWO MAIN CAUSES OF CLAIMS: THE COMMERCIAL ONE, IN THAT AN OVERSEAS BUYER BECOMES BANKRUPT, DEFAULTS ON PAYMENT OR REPUDIATES HIS CONTRACT- AND THE POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC ONE, INVOLVING A CHANGE IN THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE BUYER’S COUNTRY.
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INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY IN MARINE FISH CULTURE MEANS MORE JOBS
* X X * X
INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY IN THE MARINE FISH CULTURE INDUSTRY WOULD MEAN AN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY OF SOME 20 000 JOBS, MAINLY ON A PART-TIME BASIS FOR OLDER PEOPLE OR WOMEN, SAID THE DIRECTOR CF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE HON. TED NICHOLS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SECOND READING OF THE MARINE FISH CULTURE BILL 1980 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. NICHOLS SAID THE LOCAL INDUSTRY EMPLOYED SOME 5 600 ADULTS, OF WHOM 70 PER CENT REGARDED MARICULTURE AS THEIR PRINCIPAL, BUT NOT NECESSARILY FULL TIME, OCCUPATION.
♦ASSUMING ADEQUATE SUPPLIES OF FISH FRY AND FISH FEED, THE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF APPROPRIATE REGULATORY MEASURES, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT BY INTRODUCING MORE SOPHISTICATED HUSBANDRY TECHNIQUES, THE PRODUCTION OF CAGE FISH CULTURE CAN BE DOUBLED.
♦BASED ON THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM AREA OF WATER AVAILABLE FOR MARICULTURE, THE PRODUCTION OF FISH FROM SUCH CULTURE COULD POTENTIALLY REACH 15 000 METRIC TONNES A YEAR, OR ABOUT 10 PER CENT BY WEIGHT OF THE 1978 LEVEL OF MARINE CAPTURE FISHERY LANDINGS,* SAID ffi. NICHOLS.
HE SAID THAT AT PRESENT THERE WERE SOME 2 300 RAFTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 16.5 HECTARES IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS. ABOUT 16 HECTARES OF THE SEA WERE IMPOUNDED.
IN 1978 THE INDUSTRY PRODUCED 680 METRIC TONNES OF FISH,MAINLY SEA BREAM, GAROUPA AND SNAPPER. THE PRODUCTION REPRESENTED 0.5 PER CENT BY WEIGHT AND FIVE PER CENT BY VALUE OF THE TOTAL LANDINGS OF FISH AND OTHER MARINE PRODUCTS.
MR. NICHOLS SAID ALTHOUGH THE DEMAND FOR LIVE FISH WAS LIKELY TO GROW WITH INCREASED PROSPERITY, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY WAS SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF CONSTRAINTS INCLUDING THE SUPPLY OF FRY AND FEED- THE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE LOCATIONS- LOCALISED OVERCROWDING DUE TO LACK OF CO-ORDINATED CONTROL- INEFFICIENT TECHNIQUES CAUSING HIGHER PRODUCTION COSTS- AND A GENERAL LACK OF SUITABLE REGULATIONS.
ON THE CREDIT SIDE MR. NICHOLS SAID ALTHOUGH THE LOCAL MARINE FISH CULTURE INDUSTRY PROVIDED ONLY A LIMITED CONTRIBUTION TO FETING THE PROTEIN NEEDS OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION, IT DID HAVE SOME MERITS.
/AS AN ...
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1980
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AS AN EXAMPLE, HE CITED THAT IT MET THE DEMAND FOR LIVE FISH, WHICH THE CAPTURE FISH INDUSTRY COULD NOT MEET IN FULL.
+THE POPULATION TRADITIONALLY FAVOURS LIVE FISH AND IS PREPARED TO PAY HIGH PRICES FOR IT,+ HE ADDED.
HE ALSO SAID THE INDUSTRY PROVIDED A MARKET FOR TRASH FISH, WHICH CONSTITUTES BETWEEN FIVE TO TEN PER CENT OF FISH CAUGHT.
+ON THE OTHER HAND,* MR. NICHOLS SAID, +MARINE FISH CULTURE.
IF ALLOWED TO PROLIFERATE WITHOUT PROPER CONTROL, COULD BLOCK NAVIGATION CHANNELS AND OBSTRUCT USERS OF TYPHOON SHELTERS AND PUBLIC PIERS- AND OCCUPY AREAS OF WATER BETTER SUITED FOR RECREATIONAL OR OTHER USES AND SPOIL SCENIC AREAS.+
REGARDING POLLUTION, MR. NICHOLS SAID THAT MARINE FISH CULTURE, IF PROPERLY CONTROLLED AND SITED IN SUITABLE AREAS WAS UNLIKELY TO GENERATE POLLUTION.
+IN FACT, CULTURED FISH THEMSELVES ARE HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO WATER POLLUTION. THEY WILL DIE IF, BECAUSE OF AN INADEQUATE TIDAL FLOW, OXYGEN IS INSUFFICIENT, OR IF THERE IS AN EXCESS OF NUTRIENT CONTENT OR OTHER POLLUTANTS IN THE SEA,+ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS THEREFORE IN THE INTEREST OF OPERATORS TO MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF WATER BY EXERCISING PROPER MANAGEMENT.
ENACTMENT OF THE BILL WILL MEAN SETTING ASIDE SPECIFIC AREAS FOR MARINE FISH CULTURE.
IT IS INTENDED TO GAZETTE ZONES OF ABOUT 360 HECTARES OF WATER, MOST OF WHICH ARE ALREADY OCCUPIED BY FISH FARMERS. THESE ZONES WILL BE AWAY FROM NAVIGATIONAL CHANNELS, TYPHOON CHANNELS, PUBLIC PIERS AND GAZETTED BEACHES.
THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN PLACED TO HAVE ONLY MINIMAL EFFECT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND THE AESTHETIC ENVIRONMENT NEAR COUNTRY PARKS.
ABOUT 1 700 RAFTS OR 74 PER CENT OF EXISTING FISH CULTURE OPERATIONS LIE WITHIN THE PROPOSED AREAS AND OWNERS WOULD BE PERMITTED TO CARRY ON THEIR BUSINESS PROVIDED THEY COMPLY WITH RELEVANT CONDITIONS.
MR. NICHOLS NOTED THAT SOME MINOR RESITING OF RAFTS WITHIN INDIVIDUAL ZONES MAY BE NECESSARY.
+THE OPERATORS OF THE 600 RAFTS (26 PER CENT) LYING OUTSIDE THE PROPOSED ZONES WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR RELOCATION WITHIN THE SPECIFIED ZONES. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO SUCH RELOCATION OF ESTABLISHED RAFTS AS COMPARED TO NEWCOMERS WISHING TO ENTER THE INDUSTRY. NEWCOMERS WILL BE PERMITTED TO OPERATE ONLY WITHIN THE SPECIFIED ZONES,* SAID MR. NICHOLS.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATION, ITS PROVISIONS AND PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY THOSE WISHING TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE WILL REQUIRE CAREFUL EXPLANATION OVER SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE PROVISION REQUIRING MARINE FISH CULTURE OPERATORS TO OBTAIN LICENCES WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON A DATE TO BE SPECIFIED BY THE GOVERNOR.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED. ------------------------------0 ------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 19.80
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GLOSSARIES OF COMMONLY USED GOVERNMENT BUSINESS TERMS AVAILABLE IN CHINESE * * * *
TRANSLATORS OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HAVE COMPILED EIGHT GLOSSARIES OF CHINESE EQUIVALENTS OF ENGLISH TERMS COMMONLY USED IN GOVERNMENT BUSINESS.
THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. JOHN WALDEN SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN ANSWERING A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ALEX WU WHO WANTED TO KNOW WHETHER SUCH GLOSSARIES WERE AVAILABLE,IN THE LIGHT OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PROMOTE THE USE OF CHINESE IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC.
MR. WALDEN SAID THE GLOSSARIES COVERED FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC MATTERS, TRANSPORT, EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE, HOUSING, URBAN SERVICES, THE CIVIL SERVICE AND NEW TERRITORIES AFFAIRS.
+A FULL SET OF THESE GLOSSARIES IS KEPT AT THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT ON THE 25TH FLOOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUILDING AND ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISHES TO CONSULT THEM IS WELCOME TO DO SO,* HE SAID.
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OVERLOAD DEVICE IN LIFTS * * * *
ALL LIFTS INSTALLED ON OR AFTER MAY 3, 1969 MUST BE PROVIDED WITH AN OVERLOAD DEVICE WHICH WILL OPERATE WHEN THE LOAD IN THE CAR IS 10 PER CENT OR MORE IN EXCESS OF THE RATED LOAD FOR THE LIFT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ALEX WU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR. MCDONALD SAIDi +WHEN THE DEVICE COMES INTO OPERATION IT PREVENTS MOVEMENT OF THE CAR AND PREVENTS THE CLOSING OF POWEROPERATED DOORS FITTED TO THE CAR OR TO THE LIFT LANDING.*
HE EMPHASISED THAT ALTHOUGH LIFTS INSTALLED PRIOR TO MAY 3, 1969 WERE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE OVERLOAD DEVICES IT SHOULD NOT BE ASSUMED THAT THEY WERE THEREFORE UNSAFE AS VERY HIGH SAFETY FACTORS WERE EMPLOYED IN LIFT DESIGN PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF ROPE STRENGTHS.
+THE MOST LIKELY EFFECT OF OVERLOADING ONE OF THESE OLDER GENERATION LIFTS WOULD BE ITS FAILURE TO STOP AT THE CORRECT DESIGNED LEVEL. THE CAR COULD OVERRUN THE LEVELLING ZONE AND AS A RESULT THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN,* MR. MCDONALD SAID.
+IN SUCH A SITUATION THE PASSENGERS WOULD REQUIRE OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE TO OPEN THE DOORS OR TO RAISE THE CAR TO THE RIGHT LEVEL TO ENABLE THEM TO EXIT.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE OVERLOAD DEVICE WAS IN EFFECT A DESIRABLE REFINEMENT IN LIFT DESIGN WHICH WAS INCORPORATED MORE FOR CONVENIENCE THAN FOR SAFETY.
- - - - 0----- /5.......................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1980
5
PUBLIC ADVISED TO LOOK OUT FOR PICKPOCKETS *****
THE POLICE WILL STEP UP THEIR PUBLICITY EFFORTS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD ADVISING THE PUBLIC TO BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR PICKPOCKETS, IN ADDITION TO REDEPLOYING MANPOWER ON ANTI-CRIME PATROLS. THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON.LEW IS DAVIES SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON.ANDREW SO, MR. DAVIES SAID THE PUBLIC WOULD BE ADVISED TO TAKE GREATER CARE OF THEIR CASH AND VALUABLES, NOT TO CARRY LARGE SUMS OF MONEY, AND TO REPORT AT ONCE IF AN INCIDENT OCCURRED.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF PICK POCKETING OFFENCES WAS UNLIKELY TO INCREASE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, BUT HE STRESSED THERE WOULD BE NO RELAXATION OF POLICE VIGILANCE DURING THIS PERIOD.
_ 0 -------
EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN WORKERS IN INDUSTRY
* * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON.NEIL HENDERSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN WORKERS AT NIGHT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS GOVERNED BY THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REGULATIONS.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. LYDIA DUNN, MR. HENDERSON SAID THAT BRIEFLY THE REGULATIONS STATED THAT WOMEN WORKERS COULD NOT BE EMPLOYED BEFORE 6 AM OR AFTER 8 PM.
♦IF OVERTIME IS WORKED, THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT CAN BE EXTENDED TO 9 PM. HOWEVER, WITH THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR AND SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS, WOMEN CAN BE EMPLOYED ON SHIFT WORK UP TO 11 PM,+ HE SAID.
THESE REGULATIONS DID NOT APPLY TO EMPLOYMENT OTHER THAN IN FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, MR. HENDERSON ADDED.
0
/6
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1980
- ‘ 6
PA APPLICATIONS FROM OLD PEOPLE
* * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PROCESSES IN THE NORMAL WAY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS FROM OLD PEOPLE WHO LIVE APART FROM AND ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY THEIR ADULT CHILDREN.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. ERIC HO IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR.THE HON. HO KAM-FAI AT TODAY’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
DR.HO HAD ASKED HOW THE GOVERNMENT DETERMINED THE ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WHOSE ADULT CHILDREN DECLINED TO SUPPORT THEM AND REFUSED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE WELFARE AUTHORITIES.
IN REPLY, MR. HO POINTED OUT THAT FOR ELDERLY APPLICANTS LIVING WITH THEIR ADULT CHILD OR CHILDREN, AND WHERE THERE WERE CONTRADICTORY CLAIMS FROM THE PARTIES CONCERNED, ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WOULD HAVE TO BE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF THE DEPARTMENTAL INVESTIGATOR’S OBSERVATIONS OF THE DAILY PATTERN CF LIFE OF THE APPLICANT, SUPPLEMENTED BY ANY EVIDENCE OF THE SOURCE OF SUPPORT.
+IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY CONCRETE EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY, SHARING OF COOKING UTENSILS AND MEALS WITH INDEPENDENT ADULT CHILDREN WOULD USUALLY BE TAKEN AS PR IMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT BY THE LATTER, AND THE FAMILY WOULD HAVE TO BE ASSESSED AS A UNIT FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PURPOSES,* HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ANY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPLICANT, WHO IS AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, CAN APPEAL TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY APPEAL BOARD WHOSE MEMBERS ARE ALL CANTONESE-SPEAKING PRIVATE CITIZENS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
------o-------
CHECK FOR FACTORY FIRE HAZARDS
* * * *
THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU MADE 268 000 INSPECTIONS OF BUILDINGS OF ALL KINDS INCLUDING FACTORIES AND DANGEROUS GOODS STORES IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1979.
IN ADDITION, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT 33 477 INSPECTIONS OF FACTORIES INCLUDING CHECKS FOR FIRE HAZARDS DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
THESE FIGURES WERE GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. S.L. CHEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR. DAVIES ALSO NOTED THAT DURING THE SAME PERIOD THERE WERE 460 FIRES IN FACTORIES IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND 92 IN FACTORIES IN DOMESTIC PREMISES COMPARED WITH 474 AND 80 RESPECTIVELY IN 1978.
+FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN NEW INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS ARE CONSIDERED BEFORE BUILDING PLANS ARE APPROVED. AT THAT STAGE THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES SPECIFIES THE FIRE EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS REQUIRED TO PROTECT THE BUILDING AND THOSE FORKING IN IT.
/+0N COMPLETION ..
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1980
7
+0N COMPLETION, THE BUILDING IS INSPECTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL SUCH INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED.
♦THEREAFTER IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER TO ENSURE THAT THESE FACILITIES ARE KEPT IN EFFICIENT WORKING ORDER AND ARE INSPECTED BY A REGISTERED CONTRACTOR AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 12 MONTHS,* HE SAID, ADDING THAT IQ PER CENT OF ALL SUCH INSTALLATIONS WERE CHECKED ANNUALLY BY THE FIRE SERVICES.
REFERRING TO THE INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU,MR. DAVIES SAID ABOUT 151 QOO OF THE TOTAL WERE IN RESPECT OF STAIRCASES AND MEANS OF ESCAPE.
ALTHOUGH SEPARATE STATISTICS WERE NOT KEPT FOR FACTORIES, INCLUDED IN THE FIGURES WERE 2 720 INSPECTIONS OF THE 1 730 DANGEROUS GOODS STORES, HE ADDED.
MR. DAVIES STRESSED THAT WHERE FIRE HAZARDS WERE IDENTIFIED, ABATEMENT NOTICES WERE ISSUED TO THE OWNERS AND PROSECUTION MIGHT FOLLOW IF THE HAZARD WAS NOT REMOVED WITHIN A SPECIFIED TIME.
+IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1979,+ HE SAID, +9 663 SUCH NOTICES WERE ISSUED IN RESPECT OF ALL TYPES OF PREMISES AND 3 422 PROSECUTIONS FOLLOWED INCLUDING 109 FOR THE IMPROPER STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS,* HE SAID.
-------0---------
REVENUE REWARD FUND TO BE WOUND UP * * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A RESOLUTION TO DISSOLVE THE REVENUE REWARD FUND WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1980 AND TO TRANSFER ITS ASSETS OF MORE THAN $218 000 AT MARCH 31, 1979 TO THE GENERAL REVENUE.
-me RESOLUTION in the council the financial secretary,
THE HON.SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED IN JULY 1949 WITH TWO PURPOSES 1
PE$E’VE THE procEEDS OF SALE OF CONFISCATED CONTRABAND UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE OR THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, AND FINES IMPOSED FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE- AND
X TO PAY REWARDS FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE FORFEITURE OF CONTRABAND OR TO THE CONVICTION OF ANY PERSON OF AN OFFENCE RELATED TO THE CONTRABAND.
-me Y'EW 0F THE small NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS PASSED THROUGH
THE FUND IN RECENT YEARS, AND THE CONSIDERABLE ACCOUNTING AND AUDIT WORK INVOLVED, IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE FUND SHOULD BE WOUND UP,* SIR PHILIP SAID.
/WITH the
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1900
8
WITH THE WINDING UP OF THE FUND THE PROCEEDS OF SALE OF CONFISCATED CONTRABAND AND FINES WILL BE CREDITED TO GENERAL REVENUE WHILE REWARDS FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE FORFEITURE OF CONTRABAND OR TO THE CONVICTION OF ANY PERSON OF AN OFFENCE RELATED TO THE CONTRABAND, WOULD BE PAID FROM FUNDS VOTED FOR THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT FOR PAYMENT OF REWARDS AND SPECIAL SERVICES.
+THE NECESSITY FOR SPEED AND SECRECY IN PAYMENTS TO INFORMERS WILL NOT BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IN ANY WAY BY THESE REVISED ARRANGEMENTS,* HE ADDED.
----o------
GUARANTEE FOR REPAYMENT OF MTRC LOAN ******
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY ADOPTED A MOTION TO INCREASE THE LIMIT OF A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE FOR THE REPAYMENT OF A SUM BY $2 MILLION TO $144 MILLION REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION’S RAILWAY DEPOT AT TSUEN WAN.
THE MOTION ALSO SOUGHT THE AUTHORITY FOR A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE FOR THE PAYMENT OF DEFERRED INTEREST AMOUNTING TO $7.5 MILLION INSTEAD OF $4.5 MILLION.
MOVING THE MOTION IN THE COUNCIL TODAY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON.SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE POINTED OUT THAT ON AUGUST 1, 1979, THE COUNCIL AUTHORISED HIM TO GRANT GUARANTEES OF UP TO HK$142 MILLION IN RESPECT OF EXPORT CREDITS TO FINANCE A CONTRACT PLACED IN FRANCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MTRC’S DEPOT AT TSUEN WAN, AND TO GUARANTEE THE PAYMENT OF DEFERRED INTEREST ON THE CREDITS NOT EXCEEDING HKS4.5 MILLION.
+SINCE THEN THE CORPORATION HAS BEEN GRANTED AN EXTRA HK$2 MILLION IN CREDITS BY THE LENDERS AND HAS MANAGED TO NEGOTIATE AN IMPROVED DRAWDOWN SCHEDULE WHICH ALLOWS THE CORPORATION TO USE CHEAPER FUNDS EARLIER THAN ORIGINALLY AGREED,* HE SAID.
+N0 OTHER TERMS OF ORIGINAL LOAN AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN CHANGED,* HE ADDED.
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/9
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1980
9
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1978-79) BILL
******
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO GIVE FINAL LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION OF $1 017 MILLION FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1978-1979 WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1978-79) BILL 1980, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THE BILL WAS THE LAST STAGE IN DISPOSING OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1978-79.
♦ IT ALSO SEEKS AN APPROPRIATION TO MEET EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY DEPARTMENTS WHERE RECEIPTS APPROPRIATED-IN-AID FELL SHORT OF THE SUMS ORIGINALLY ESTIMATED,* HE SAID.
♦THE TOTAL SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION REQUIRED IS $1 017 MILLION UNDER 41 HEADS AS AGAINST SAVINGS OF $174 MILLION UNDER VARIOUS OTHER HEADS,♦ MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0-----
MRS. F.K. LI TO VISIT CHILDREN’S CENTRE
*****
MRS. F.K. LI, WIFE OF THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, WILL VISIT THE KWAI SHING CHILDREN CENTRE AT KWAI SHING (EAST) ESTATE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE CENTRE, OPERATED BY PO LEUNG KUK, PROVIDES LONG-TERM PROTECTIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES TO 80 SEVERE GRADE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN RANGING IN AGES FROM SIX TO 16.
IT OFFERS EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE CHILDREN AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES.
MRS. LI WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY MRS. KITTY SIU HON—SUM, CHAIRMAN OF PO LEUNG KUK, AND MR. CHAN HON-KONG, CHIEF LIAISON OFFICER OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE VISIT CF MRS. F.K. LI, WIFE OF THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, TO PO LEUNG KUK’S KWAI SHING CHILDREN CENTRE AT BLOCK 13, GROUND FLOOR, KWAI SHING (EAST) ESTATE, AT 10 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1980
10
REMINDER ON PAYMENT OF INTEREST TAX
* * X * *
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IN COMPLYING WITH THE LAW GOVERNING THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST TAX.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID AT PRESENT, 15 PER CENT OF THE INTEREST CHARGEABLE WITH INTEREST TAX MUST BE DEDUCTED BY THE PAYER AT THE TIME HE MAKES THE PAYMENT OR CREDITS THE INTEREST TO THE RECIPIENT.
THEREFORE, HE SAID, THE RECIPIENT SHOULD RECEIVE 85 PER CENT OF THE INTEREST AT THE TIME, EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS PROVIDED UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
WITHIN 30 DAYS OF MAKING THE DEDUCTION, THE PAYER MUST REMIT THE TAX DEDUCTED TO THE GOVERNMENT, ADDRESSED TO THE COLLECTOR, INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, THIRD FLOOR, WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG.
+THE PAYER OF THE INTEREST MUST NOT AWAIT THE ISSUE OF AN INTEREST TAX RETURN OR WAIT FOR A NOTICE OF DEMAND FOR THE TAX FROM THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT,+ THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
THE REMITTANCE SHOULD HAVE A COVERING NOTE GIVING PARTICULARS OF THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE RECIPIENT, THE GROSS AMOUNT OF INTEREST, THE NET INTEREST PAID, PERIOD OF ACCRUAL OF THE INTEREST, AND THE DATE OF THE PAYMENT OR CREDIT OF THE NET INTEREST.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL THEN ISSUE A SPECIFIED DEDUCTION CERTIFICATE TO THE PAYER, WHICH SHOULD BE TRANSMITTED TO THE RECIPIENT OF THE INTEREST WITHIN 42 DAYS OF MAKING THE DEDUCTION.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, SPECIAL CERTIFICATE ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE WITH LICENSED BANKS AND CERTAIN SPECIFIED CORPORATIONS.
HE SAID FAILURE, WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE, TO MAKE THE DEDUCTION OR REMIT THE AMOUNT OF THE TAX IS AN OFFENCE AND THE PENALTY, ON CONVICTION, IS A FINE OF $2 000.
+THE DEPARTMENT TAKES A SERIOUS VIEW OF THIS OFFENCE AND WILL, WHERE NECESSARY, TAKE APPROPRIATE LEGAL ACTION,+ HE SAID.
THE INTEREST TAX SECTION OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT IS ON THE 17TH FLOOR OF WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG (TELi 5-7959-5236). ITS POSTAL ADDRESS IS GPO BOX 132, HONG KONG.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2,1980
11
NOTE TO EDITORS;
SNT TO LAY SCHOOL’S * * * *
FOUNDATION STONE *
F0R THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, <THURSDAY) OFFICIATE AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF SAI KUNG HANG HAU CHENG CHEK CHEE SECONDARY SCHOOL.
THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2 PM AT THE SITE OF THE NEW SCHOOL AT THE JUNCTION OF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND CLEARWATER BAY ROAD.
Y0U ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EYENT A GOVERNMENT VAN, AM 2088 WILL TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO SAI KUNG, LEAVING KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 12.45 PM TOMORROW.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1980
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
RESULTS OF LABOUR FORCE SURVEY ........................... 1
FOUNDATION STONE LAID FOR SAI KUNG SCHOOL ................ 2
REMINDER TO RATEPAYERS .................................. 3
NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR FOR TAI 0........................... 3
CHEMISTRY TEACHERS TO DISCUSS SYLLABUS ................... 4
OPENING OF LEGAL YEAR..................................... 5
HAPPY VALLEY TRAMS TO STOP EARLIER........................ 5
PRISON OFFICER RETIRING .................................. 6
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK ............ 6
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1980
1
RESULTS OF LABOUR FORCE SURVEY *****
THE RESULTS OF A SAMPLE LABOUR FORCE SURVEY CONDUCTED LAST SEPTEMBER BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT THERE WERE AT THAT TIME 74 600 UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN HONG KONG REPRESENTING 3.4 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LABOUR FORCE, COMPARED WITH 55 600 OR 2.7 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER 1978 AND 48 200 OR 2.3 PER CENT IN MARCH 1979.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THE INCREASE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 1.1 PER CENT (OR 26 400 PERSONS) OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS WAS TO A SIGNIFICANT DEGREE DUE TO SEASONAL EFFECTS.
THERE ARE USUALLY SUBSTANTIALLY MORE FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) IN SEPTEMBER THAN IN MARCH.
THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS ESTIMATED IN THE SEPTEMBER 1979 SURVEY WAS 18 600 AS COMPARED WITH 4 500 IN THE MARCH 1979 SURVEY (AN INCREASE OF 14 100 PERSONS).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID* +IF THE SEPTEMBER 1979 RATE IS ADJUSTED FOR THIS SEASONAL INFLUENCE TO PUT IT ON THE SAME BASIS AS THE MARCH 1979 RATE, IT BECOMES 2.8 PER CENT.
+THE CORRECTED DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS FIGURE AND THE MARCH 1979 RATE OF 0.5 PER CENT IS STILL STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
+ALTHOUGH THERE WAS AN ACTUAL INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF UNEMPLOYMENT OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS, THERE WAS ALSO AN INCREASE IN JOB OPPORTUNITIES TAKEN UP BECAUSE THE SIZE OF THE LABOUR FORCE ROSE BY 98 000.+
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY, PERSONS AGED BETWEEN 14 - 64 WHO WERE NOT IN EMPLOYMENT, OR WHO HAD WORKED FOR LESS THAN 15 HOURS IN THE SEVEN DAYS BEFORE THE SURVEY DATE, BUT WERE LOOKING FOR WORK, WERE CLASSIFIED AS UNEMPLOYED.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF UNEMPLOYMENT USED BY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN HONG KONG ’UNEMPLOYED’ INCLUDED PEOPLE WHO HAD JUST LEFT SCHOOL AND WHO REALLY HAD NOT HAD MUCH CHANCE TO FIND A JOB- OR WHO HAD JUST, BUT ONLY JUST, TAKEN UP WORK- OR WHO HAD TEMPORARILY BEEN LAID OFF WORK (WORKING LESS THAN 15 HOURS IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS)- OR WHO WERE AVAILABLE FOR WORK, BUT WERE NOT ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR WORK BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS NONE OR BECAUSE THEY WERE TEMPORARILY SICK.
HE SAID A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE SURVEY WAS NOW AVAILABLE AND COPIES COULD BE OBTAINED ON REQUEST FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
HE ADDED THAT SIMILAR INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT WAS SOUGHT AT REGULAR SIX-MONTHLY INTERVALS. THE b£XT LABOUR FORCE SURVEY WOULD BE HELD IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, I960
2 -
FOUNDATION STONE LAID FOR SAI KUNG SCHOOL
*****
THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR +ONE OF THE FINEST NEW SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG+ WAS LAID TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES.
THE SCHOOL IS THE CO-EDUCATIONAL SAI KUNG HANG HAU SECONDARY SCHOOL AND IS NAMED AFTER PHILANTHROPIST, MR. CHENG CHEK-CHEE, WHO DONATED MORE THAN SI MILLION TOWARDS THE PROJECT.
SITUATED CLOSE TO THE JUNCTION OF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND CLEARWATER BAY ROAD, THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE 24 CLASSROOMS CATERING FOR 1 350 STUDENTS IN FORMS I - VI.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROVIDED A CAPITAL SUBSIDY OF $12,254 MILLION, WITH THE BALANCE OF $1,618 MILLION COMING FROM MR. CHENG AND MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING SOME WHO ARE LIVING OVERSEAS.
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THE SCHOOL WAS DESIGNED TO THE MOST MODERN EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS AND ENJOYED UNUSUALLY ATTRACTIVE SURROUNDINGS. +IT WILL BE ONE OF THE FINEST NEW SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
♦THESE ADVANTAGES, COMBINED WITH THE HIGH CALIBRE OF THE TEACHING STAFF, WILL ENSURE THE BEST EDUCATION AVAILABLE FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU.+
MR. AKERS-JONES PRAISED THE SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU COMMUNITIES FOR THE ENERGY AND GENEROSITY WITH WHICH THEY HAD SUPPORTED THE PROJECT.
THE BUILDING OF THE SCHOOL WAS ALSO THE RESULT OF THE FORESIGHT AND ENERGY OF HANG HAU RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, PR. YAU KEI, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOL’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE OTHER DIRECTORS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE WHO TOGETHER FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS HAD WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE THE PROJECT A SUCCESS.
THE NEW SCHOOL, THE BUILDINGS OF WHICH HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, WILL TAKE IN ITS FIRST STUDENTS NEXT SEPTEMBER. SINCE LAST SEPTEMBER, STUDENTS WHO WILL BE ATTENDING IT HAVE BEEN HAVING LESSONS IN THE NEARBY SENG KUNG WUI YAT SHAU PRIMARY SCHOOL.
THE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SCHOOL WILL BE OPERATED BY THE CHENG CHEK-CHEE SECONDARY SCHOOL OF SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU DISTRICT LIMITED.
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/3.....
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1980
3
REMINDER TO RATEPAYERS *****
RATEPAYERS ARE REMINDED THAT RATES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980 MUST BE PAID BY JANUARY 31.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) DEMAND NOTES HAD ALREADY BEEN SENT TO RATEPAYERS AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THEM SHOULD APPLY FOR A COPY AT THE RATES SECTION OF THE TREASURY, ROOM 203, HANG CHONG BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, 5 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
+NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES SHOULD BE PAID BY THE DUE DATE,+ HE SAID.
TO AVOID QUEUING, RATEPAYERS ARE ADVISED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER BY POST, OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT WOULD BE IMPOSED ON LATE PAYMENTS. A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MIGHT BE ADDED TO THE AMOUNT, INCLUDING THE INITIAL FIVE PER CENT, IF LATE PAYMENTS WERE STILL NOT PAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PREMISES BUT REFUNDABLE UNDER CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE RATING ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED, THERE WOULD BE NO REFUND IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED, OR INTENDED TO BE USED, WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT.
- - 0
NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR FOR TAI 0 * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD A NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR AND TO EXTEND THE EXISTING WATER TREATMENT WORKS AT TAI 0, LANTAU ISLAND TO FURTHER IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY TO THE AREA.
TENDERS FOR THE WORKS WILL BE INVITED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL BE BUILT ON A SITE NEXT TO THE EXISTING ONE. IT WILL HAVE A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 490 CUBIC METRES.
THE EXTENSION TO THE WATER TREATMENT WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF AN ADDITIONAL PRESSURE FILTER AS WELL AS UPGRADING CHEMICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES AND ENLARGING STORAGE AREAS.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF BARRACK ROOM ACCOMMODATION AND OFFICE FOR STAFF.
ON COMPLETION OF THE WHOLE PROJECT, THE CAPACITY OF THE TREATMENT WORKS WILL BE RAISED FROM 910 TO 1 460 CUBIC METRES A DAY.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 198Q
4
CHEMISTRY TEACHERS TO DISCUSS SYLLABUS
* * * *
THREE HUNDRED CHEMISTRY TEACHERS FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS
WILL ATTEND A SEMINAR THIS SATURDAY (JANUARY 5) TO DISCUSS THE DRAFT REVISED +CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS+ FOR FORMS IV AND V.
THE AIM OF THE SEMINAR IS TO INTRODUCE THE DRAFT SYLLABUS TO THE TEACHERS AND TO INVITE GENERAL COMMENTS FROM THEM.
THE CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS WAS RECENTLY REVISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CHEMISTRY EXAMINATION SYLLABUS OF THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY.
+AFTER COLLATING COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK FROM SCHOOLS AND TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES, THE DRAFT SYLLABUS WILL BE FINALISED THIS SUMMER,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SEMINAR WILL INCLUDE ILLUSTRATED TALKS, DISCUSSIONS AND AN EXHIBITION OF PRACTICAL WORK AND RESOURCE MATERIAL, HE SAID. A DISPLAY OF CHEMISTRY BOOKS WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED.
MRS. LOUISE MOK, DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS WILL GIVE AN OPENING ADDRESS AT THE SEMINAR, TO BE FOLLOWED BY AN INTRODUCTORY TALK BY MR. W.M. TANG, SENIOR INSPECTOR (CHEMISTRY).
TWO CHEMISTRY INSPECTORS, MR. W.S. CHAN AND MR. K.M. MOK WILL SPEAK ON THE OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT OF THE REVISED SYLLABUS.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL, ARGYLE STREET, KOWLOON, FROM 9.30 AM TO 12.30 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SEMINAR ON THE DRAFT REVISED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS*. IT WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 5) AT THE DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL, ARGYLE STREET, KOWLOON, FROM 9.30 AM TO 12.30 PM.
- - o - -
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1980
5
OPENING OF LEGAL YEAR * * * *
A CHURCH SERVICE TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR WILL BE HELD AT 4 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 7) IN ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WILL INSPECT A MILITARY GUARD OF HONOUR AT EDINBURGH PLACE AFTER THE SERVICE.
THERE WILL THEN BE ADDRESSES IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL BY SIR DENYS- THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR. JOHN GRIFFITHS- AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION, MR. HENRY LITTON.
AFTER THE CEREMONIES, A RECEPTION WILL BE HELD IN THE EXHIBITION HALL OF CITY HALL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONIAL OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR COMMENCING WITH A SERVICE IN ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL AT 4 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 7).
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY AN INSPECTION OF A GUARD OF HONOUR BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS AT EDINBURGH PLACE AT 4.45 PM. SIR DENYS TOGETHER WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION WILL GIVE SPEECHES AT 5 PM IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL WHERE SEATS WILL BE RESERVED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
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HAPPY VALLEY TRAMS TO STOP EARLIER M * * *
TRAM SERVICES FROM HAPPY VALLEY TO KENNEDY TOWN AND SHAU KEI WAN WILL STOP AT 11.30 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 5) AND AGAIN ON JANUARY 11 AND 12 TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.
ON THESE DAYS THE LAST TRAM FROM HAPPY VALLEY FOR SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE AT 11.24 PM AND THAT FOR KENNEDY TOWN WILL LEAVE WITHIN SECONDS.
THE LAST TRAMS FROM SHAU KEI WAN AND KENNEDY TOWN FOR HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE AT 10.26 PM AND 10.46 PM RESPECTIVELY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO COMPLETE THE NIGHT WORK SO AS NOT TO CAUSE DISRUPTION TO THE NORMAL TRAM SERVICE IN HAPPY VALLEY ON THE FOLLOWING MORNINGS.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1980
6
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRISON OFFICER RETIRING
* * * M
AN ASSISTANT OFFICER I OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT, MR. MOHAMED SAFDAR IS RETIRING AFTER MORE THAN 28 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR. SAFDAR IS THE LAST JUNIOR PRISON OFFICER ON EXPATRIATE TERMS TO LEAVE THE PRISON SERVICE. TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT, THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR. T.G. GARNER WILL PRESENT HIM A SOUVENIR ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES AT A CEREMONY AT THE PRISON OFFICERS’ CLUB IN STANLEY AT NOON ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 5).
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED, LEAVI NG GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY.
_ _ o - -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK
K * K * K
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE MURRAY BARRACKS OPEN AIR CAR PARK IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE CLOSED FROM 5 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 5) TO / PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 7).
THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS TO MAKE THE SITE AVAILABLE FOR A FUN FAIR TO BE STAGED ON SUNDAY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FIRING PRACTICE CANCELLED
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1980.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR KO.VLOON TONG REVISED .............................................. 1
CRCV/N LAND FOR SALE.................................. 1
LONG SERVICE AWARD TO 12 CAS MEMBERS ................. 2
CONSTRUCTION OF TWO FOOTBRIDGES IN SUA TIN ........... 2
TRANSPORT DEPART! TINT TO HOLD FUN FAIR............... 3
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT.............. 3
3
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1980
1
OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR KOWLOON TONG REVISED *****
TUC PLANN,NG BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED AMENDMENTS TO
THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR THE KOWLOON TONG AREA.
PROPOSALS WERE ALSO MADE TO REVISE THE SCHEDULE OF NOTES.
nAKMn'SJ!! £ THE AMENDMENTS DEALS WITH THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE BOUNDARY OF THE PLANNING AREA, INCREASING THE AREA BY Q.14 HECTARE.
AN°THER AMENDMENT CONCERNS THE CHANGE FROM GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USE TO OTHER SPECIFIED PURPOSES 6f A SITE BOUNDED BY SUFFOLK ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD AND NORFOLK ROAD.
THE AMENDED PLAN IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS UNTIL JANUARY 24 IN THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE- THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY), MA TAU GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FIRST FLOOR, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD- AND ™E PLANN,NG 0FFICE> 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG*
.r^LP^RS0N affeCTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECT ION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD C/0 DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, BEFORE vAIMUAW I •
COPIES OF THE AMENDED PLAN ARE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH GARDEN ROAD.
ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING,
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CROWN LAND FOR SALE
* * * *
FIVE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON JANUARY 29 (THURSDAY) AT 2.30 PM.
ONE OF THE LOTS, MEASURING ABOUT 18 600 SQUARE METRES AT SUNDERLAND ROAD, KOWLOON, IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
TWO OTHER SITES, FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, ARE LOCATED AT CHA KWO LING ROAD, KOWLOON AND SHEK PAI WAN ROAD, ABERDEEN. THE AREAS ARE ABOUT 2 300 SQUARE METRES AND 2 200 SQUARE hETRES RESPECTIVELY.
ANOTHER SITE, SITUATED AT ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, MEASURES ABOUT 2 700 SQUARE METRES. IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
THE LAST LOT AT THE JUNCTION OF CHO YUEN STREET AND SZE SHAN STREET, YAU TONG, COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 580 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL USES.
/PARTICULARS...
FRIDAY, JANUARY <+, 19»0
2
PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED IN THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR. HONG KONG AND THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1OTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
LONG SERVICE AWARD * X X
TO 12 CAS MEMBERS X X
TWELVE CIVIL AID SERVICES MEMBERS WHO BETWEEN THEM CHALKED UP 324 YEARS OF SERVICE HAVE BEEN AWARDED CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE CLASPS BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE AWARDS, ANNOUNCED IN TODAY'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, RECOGNISE THEIR DEDICATION TO WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY.
THEY HAVE EACH BEEN WITH THE CAS FOR 27 YEARS AND HAD ALREADY RECEIVED THEIR CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS.
THEY ALL HAVE OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND GOOD ATTENDANCE RECORDS AND WERE RECOMMENDED BY THEIR SENIOR OFFICERS FOR THE AWARDS.
THE 12 CAS MEMBERS ARE: MR. LI SING-YAN, MR. NG KAM-KIN, MR. CHAN CHIN, MR. CHEUNG LEUNG-YUK, MR. LI MING-KIN, MR. LAM CHUNG-PAK, MR. CHENG KOON-TO, MR. LEON HUNG, MR. GABRIEL TANG CHIK-SUM, MR. CHEUNG CHOW, MR. LUK CHEUK-TIM AND MR. NG KWOK-YIN.
- - 0 --------
CONSTRUCTION OF TWO FOOTBRIDGES IN SHA TIN
X X X X
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BUILD TWO FOOTBRIDGES IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO PROVIDE SAFE CROSSING FOR PEDESTRIANS.
ONE OF THE FOOTBRIDGES WILL BE OVER THE RAILWAY TRACK AT TIN LIU AND THE OTHER OVER THE RAILWAY AND A TRUNK ROAD AT WO CHE.
MR. KWEI SEE-KAN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE PWD’S SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE PROJECT FORMED PART CF A PROGRAMME TO SEGRAGATE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC FROM THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
THE FOOTBRIDGES, EACH WITH A CONCRETE ROOF, WILL BE 2.8-METRE WIDE.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED. WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MESSRS. MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
------0------- /?....................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1980
3 -
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO HOLD FUN FAIR
*****
THE SECOND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FUN FAIR, ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF CLUB. WILL BE HELD AT THE MURRAY BARRACKS OPEN AIR CAR PARK ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 6) FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM.
THE FUN FAIR. FOR STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR FAMILIES, WILL FEATURE GAMES STALLS, A POLICE DOG SHOW,' PERFORMANCES BY TV ARTISTES AS WELL AS MAGIC AND PUPPET SHOWS.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A MERRY-GO-ROUND AND TAMAR BELLE IRA IN FOR CHILDREN.
NOTE TO EDITORSi YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FUN FAIR AT THE MURRAY BARRACKS OPEN AIR CAR PARK IN CENTRAL DISTRICT BETWEEN 1 PM AND 5 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 6).
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT * * * *
A SECTION OF THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN JUBILEE STREET AND REDDER STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1.15 AM AND 5.30 AM DAILY FROM SUNDAY TO TUESDAY (JANUARY 6 - 8) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE AREA.
DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA JUBILEE STREET, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND REDDER STREET.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------0-------
FIRING PRACTICE CANCELLED
*****
FIRING PRACTICE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FROM JANUARY 7 (MONDAY) TO JANUARY 11 (FRIDAY) HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
THE CANCELLATION NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
-----0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NG.
REMINDER TO IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS ........................ 1
LAST JUNIOR PRISON OFFICER ON EXPATRIATE TERMS RETIRES ..........................................
MORE LAND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ............................... 2
COMMON CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS PLANNED FOR 1983 HKCEE ........... 3
REDEVELOPMENT OF BOUNDARY STREET SPORTS GROUND ............. 4
PUMPHOUSE FOR AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM ...................... 4
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CITY HaLL CAR PARK..................... 5
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1980
1
REMINDER TO IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS
*****
DCM1 ™E T2»R^1NDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) re?ncDnL. .£?£TERS AND ExpORTERS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO LODGE TRADE DECLARATIONS AND PAY AD VALOREM CHARGES.
URDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS THEY £nnnQEcvnco? T0 D0 TH,S WITHIN 1A DAYS OF IMPORTING OR EXPORTING THE GOODS EXCEPT FOR -CATEGORIES EXEMPTED UNDER REGULATION 3.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT TRADE £.C!‘AEfr.,0NS SUBMITTED OUTSIDE THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD OF 14 DAYS WILL BE LIABLE, WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE, TO PENALTY CHARGES.
Jf!.CHAR6ES RISE AFTER MONTHS TO A MAXIMUM OF $100 PER ^be5AI12N WHERE TH! T0TAL VALUE 0F ARTICLES SPECIFIED DOES NOT EXCEED $20 000, AND $200 PER DECLARATION WHERE IT EXCEEDS $20 000.
fa,l to lodge ™e necessary TRADE DECLARATIONS WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE WILL BE PROSECUTED,* HE WARNED.
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LAST JUNIOR PRISON OFFICER ON EXPATRIATE TERMS RETIRES ******
THE LAST JUNIOR PRISON OFFICER ON EXPATRIATE TERMS, ASSISTANT OFFICER I, MR. MOHAMED SAFDAR, IS RETIRING AFTER 28 YEARS’ LOYAL AND DEDICATED SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR. SAFDAR, BORN IN PAKISTAN, FIRST JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A POLICE CONSTABLE IN 1952, AND THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT AS A WARDER THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT OFFICER I IN 1973. IN 1971, HE WAS AWARDED THE COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL AND THE FIRST CLASP TO THE MEDAL IN 1978.
TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT, THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, W*. T.G. GARNER, TODAY (SATURDAY) PRESENTED HIM WITH A SOUVENIR ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE PRISON OFFICERS’ CLUB IN STANLEY.
THE EMPLOYMENT OF JUNIOR PRISON OFFICERS ON EXPATRIATE TERMS DATED BACK TO THE PRE-WORLD WAR II PERIOD WHEN THE MAJORITY OF THE DISCIPLINED PRISON STAFF WERE RECRUITED FROM THE COUNTRY THEN CALLED INDIA WHICH NOW INCLUDES INDIA AND PAKISTAN.
THESE INDIAN STAFF GAVE MANY YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT PARTICULARLY WITH THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.
/DURING THE ..
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1980
2
DURING THE OCCUPATION PERIOD, MANY OF THEM WERE CONFINED IN THE PRISONER-OF-WAR CAMPS WHICH SO UNDERMINED THEIR HEALTH THAT MOST RETURNED TO THEIR COUNTRY AFTER THE WAR.
IN AUGUST 1947, A TOTAL OF 103 PRE-WAR INDIAN WARDERS WERE BROUGHT BACK TO HONG KONG FOR DUTY. HOWEVER ONLY 78 WERE FIT FOR SERVICE AND A YEAR LATER THE REST WERE RETIRED AND SENT HOME.
MANY OF THESE STAFF WERE DEVOUT MOSLEMS AND SO GOVERNMENT BUILT THEM A MOSQUE WITHIN STANLEY PRISON AREA, WHICH NOW STILL REMAINS AS A SPECIAL FEATURE MARKING THEIR MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE.
THE RETIREMENT OF MR. SAFDAR ENDS AN ERA OF JUNIOR PRISON OFFICERS EMPLOYED ON EXPATRIATE TERMS. BUT NEVERTHELESS MANY INDIAN AND PAKISTANI STAFF, SOME OF WHOM ARE CHILDREN OF THOSE PRE-WAR STAFF, ARE STILL WITH THE PRISON SERVICE AND ARE EMPLOYED ON LOCAL TERMS AS THEY WERE BORN AND BROUGHT UP IN HONG KONG.
-----o------
MORE LAND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING *****
ANOTHER EIGHT HECTARES OF LAND WILL PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING
BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
me rSuc’SoJK J^arthent?rh*t'°" work are beii,s invitei> bv
A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE LAND FORMED WILL ENABLE ACCOMMODATION TO BE PROVIDED FOR ABOUT 21 000 PEOPLE.
THE AREA IS NEXT TO THE VILLAGE OF SHA TIN TAU NEAR the i miu ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AT SAN TIN WAI.
tuc THAT THE engineering WORK WOULD INCLUDE
hi|EvfrtSTRUCT °N °F ST0RM DRAINS, SEWERS AND A MAIN DRAINAGE
m “0R* ,N MARCH TH,S YEAR AND W,LL TAKE ABOUT 12
rwNino IU 1-urirLtlt,
/3
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1980
3
COMMON CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS M * *
PLANNED FOR 1983 HKCEE * M
A REVISED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE’S CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS AT PRESENT IN THE DRAFT STAGE IS PLANNED TO FORM THE BASIS OF A COMMON EXAMINATION SYLLABUS FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) IN 1983, MRS. LOUISE MOK, DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
®!JLWAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A SEMINAR ATTENDED BY ABOUT 300 CHEMISTRY TEACHERS FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO DISCUSS THE DRAFT REVISED CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS.
rwe »fLER£2E!!LTHERE ARE 71-0 EXAMINATION SYLLABUSES FOR HKCEE, ONE BASED ON THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE’S AND THE OTHER ON THE TRADITIONAL ONE.
said ,T WAS undesirable to HAVE two DIFFERENT CHEMISTRY COURSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TI ME •
*A COMMON EXAMINATION SYLLABUS IS URGENTLY NEEDED,* SHE SA ID.
NOTING THAT THE TARGET DATE OF 1983 WAS A TENTATIVE ONE, MIS. MOK SAID SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT +THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS authority *^E DEF,N,TE announcements concerning a common CHEMISTRY EXAMINATION SYLLABUS IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.*
SHE ”°PED THA7 I* THE SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO DISCUSS THE REVISED SYLLABUS AND EXCHANGE VIEWS ON
-rr< Tu2T!A?2ERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND THEIR COMMENTS TO THE SCIENCE INSPECTORATE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE REVISED SYLLABUS IS FINALISED THIS SUMMER,* MRS. MOK SAID
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, I960
4
REDEVELOPMENT OF BOUNDARY STREET SPORTS GROUND ft * * * *
THE BOUNDARY STREET SPORTS GROUND WILL UNDERGO MAJOR REDEVELOPMENT SHORTLY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE PROJECT, TO BE FINANCED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, CONSISTED OF TWO CONTRACTS.
ONE OF THE CONTRACTS IS FOR THE SUPPLY AND LAYING OF AN ARTIFICIAL TURF ON THE SOCCER PITCH WHILE THE OTHER INVOLVES THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF A FLOODLIGHTING SYSTEM FOR THE SOCCER PITCH AND THE PROVISION OF FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL TRAINING FACILITIES, CHANGING ROOMS, MANAGEMENT OFFICES AND A REST GARDEN.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY PWD.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WORK ON THE TWO CONTRACTS WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MARCH AND WOULD TAKE SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
ON COMPLETION, HE ADDED, THE RECREATION FACILITIES AT THE SPORTS GROUND WOULD BE IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY.
THE BOUNDARY STREET SPORTS GROUND WILL BE THE SECOND SPORTS GROUND IN HONG KONG WITH AN ARTIFICIAL TURF PITCH FUNDED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THE FIRST ONE IS IN MORSE PARK.
------0-------
PUMPHOUSE FOR AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM ft ft ft ft
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL BUILD AN UNDERGROUND SEA-WATER PUMPHOUSE AT HUNG HOM TO PROVIDE AIR-CONDITIONING
NG WATER FOR THE KOWLOON RAILWAY STATION, THE HUNG HOM INDOOR STADIUM AND THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENtRE.
THE PUMPHOUSE WILL BE BUILT BEHIND THE EXISTING SEAWALL, SOUTHERN END OF THE RAILWAY STATION GOODS YARD.
AT THE
MARCH
TENDERS ARE BEING CALLED FOR THE PROJECT AND WORK WILL BEGIN IN , TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT NINE MONTHS.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE PORT WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, PWD.
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/5
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1980
5
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CITY HALL CAR PARK
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE CITY HALL CAR PARK WILL BE CLOSED FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 7).
THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS FOR THE OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR 1980 CEREMONIES, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT NEARBY EDINBURGH PLACE AND IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.
DURING THAT PERIOD, MOTORISTS MAY USE THE MURRAY ROAD CAR PARK OR STAR FERRY CAR PARK AS AN ALTERNATIVE.
A SECTION OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST, BETWEEN CITY HALL MAIN ENTRANCE AND QUEEN’S PIER, WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 2 PM AND 5 PM ON THAT DAY FOR THE EVENT.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1980.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL NEARS COMPLETION ................ 1
EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ................................ 2
MORE NT VILLAGES TO GET STREET-LIGHTS ............... 4
NEW DSNT OFFICIATES AT ISLANDS DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET ....................................... 4
COMPANIES REMINDED OF OBLIGATION TO FILE RETURNS ............................................. 5
RADIO TALKS ON WOMEN’S HEALTH ........................ 5
WATER CUT IN HUNG HOM ................................ 6
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1980
1
TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL NEARS COMPLETION
******
FINAL TOUCHES ARE BEING PUT TO THE MULTIrHLLLION DOLLAR TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL IN PREPARATION FOR ITS OFFICIAL OPENING BY PRINCESS ALEXANDRA EARLY NEXT MONTH.
ENGINEERS ARE NOW INSTALLING THE LAST PIECES OF EQUIPMENT FOR A MODERN STAGE LIGHTING AND SOUND SYSTEM WHICH WILL BE USED FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN THE SECOND TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 23.
THE TOWN HALL TO BE BUILT IN THE
IS THE FIRST MULTI-PURPOSE CULTURAL COMPLEX NEW TERRITORIES.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER 1977, WHEN CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE TOWN HALL BEGAN, STATED THAT THE STANDARD OF AMENITIES IN URBANISED AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SHOULD BE COMPARABLE TO THOSE IN THE OLD URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG.
HE SAID HE ATTACHED GREAT CF TOWN HALLS AND AUD I TOR IA IN INTEREST AND ACTIVITY.
IMPORTANCE TO THE CONSTRUCTION THE NEW TOWNS AS A FOCUS OF LOCAL
THE 125 MILLION TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL IS CONSTRUCTED ON A 5 872 SQUARE-METRE SITE NEXT TO THE TSUEN WAN MAGISTRACY BUILDING AND IS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED NEAR THE BUS TERMINUS AND FERRY PIER.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB DONATED $10 MILLION TOWARDS THE CAPITAL COST OF THE PROJECT AND THE REST MET BY THE GOVERNMENT
THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE BUILDING IS A 1 500 SEAT AUDITORIUM WHICH IS SIMILAR IN DESIGN TO THE CONCERT HALL OF THE CITY HALL, BUT WITH MODIFICATIONS TO MAKE IT MORE SUITABLE FOR CHINESE OPERA PERFORMANCES. THE THREE-STOREY HALL WILL SERVE AS AN IDEAL VENUE FOR CONCERTS, DRAMA AND DANCE PERFORMANCES.
THE MAIN STAGE COVERS AN AREA OF 186 SQUARE METRES WITH AREAS FOR SIDE AND BACK STAGES TOTALLING 233 SQUARE METRES. THE ORCHESTRA PIT MEASURES 75 SQUARE METRES WITH ROOM FOR UP TO 50 MUSICIANS. ANOTHER 100 PLAYERS CAN BE ACCOMMODATED ON STAGE.
APART FROM WORKING SPACE AND OFFICES FOR PRODUCTION TEAMS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, THERE WILL BE SIX DRESSING ROOMS AND TWO REHEARSAL ROOMS IN THE AUDITORIUM.
THE CONCERT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AVAILABLE TO PERFORMING ARTISTS INCLUDE A STEINWAY GRAND PIANO AND A MEDIUM-SIZED •♦GRAND*. THE LIONS CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS DONATED $30 000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE LATTER INSTRUMENT.
THE BACK STAGE AREA ALSO HOUSES A LECTURE ROOM AND CONFERENCE ROOM FOR HOLDING CLASSES AND MEETINGS.
/ON THE....
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1980
2
ON THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS OF THE TOWN HALL ARE A CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL AND AN EXHIBITION GALLERY TOTALLING 747 SQUARE METRES IN AREA WHICH ARE SUITABLE FOR STAGING DISPLAYS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS.
ON THE GROUND FLOOR IS THE FOYER AND A COFFEE LOUNGE.
THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL IS A PROJECT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN REALISED IN THE PLANNING STAGE.
THE DESIGNS FOR ITS EMBLEM AND MURALS WERE CHOSEN THROUGH AN OPEN COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD IN WHICH $23 OOO IN CASH AND OTHER PRIZES WERE AWARDED TO THE WINNERS.
THE DESIGN OF THE EMBLEM, WHICH WILL BE PLACED ON THE OUTER WALL OF THE TOWN HALL, INCORPORATES THE CHINESE CHARACTER FOR ♦TSUEN+ TO SIGNIFY THE SHAPE OF A BUILDING.
THERE ARE THREE MURALS IN THE BUILDING, ONE ON EACH FLOOR.
- - 0 - -
EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN * * X * *
MORE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EDUCATION THROUGH THE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR, MORE THAN 700 PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PUPILS ARE STUDYING IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
THE PROGRESS OF THEIR STUDIES IS CLOSELY WATCHED BY THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WITH THE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS’ CO-OPERATION.
♦THESE STUDENTS ARE VIRTUALLY TREATED THE SAME WAY AS OTHERS. THEY ARE TAUGHT BY THE SAME TEACHERS, FOLLOW THE SAME CURRICULUM AND DO THE SAME AMOUNT OF CLASSWORK AND HOMEWORK,♦ SAID THE PRINCIPAL OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE WHICH HAS THREE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED STUDENTS.
♦THOUGH THEY HAVE TO WALK ON CRUTCHES, THEY ARE IN EVERY WAY, AND LIKE EVERYBODY, VALUABLE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY. IN FACT, THEY ARE AS COMPETENT AS THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS AND MIX WELL WITH THEM,+ HE SAID.
AMONG THE THREE, A FORM 4 STUDENT, MR. YEUNG MING-KUNG, HAS DEMONSTRATED HIS ABILITY AND CAME FOURTH IN THE LAST ACADEMIC SESSION. THE OTHER TWO, ONE IN FORM 7 AND ONE IN FORM 5, ARE ALSO DOING WELL IN THEIR STUDIES.
ALL THREE OF THEM ARE ALSO ENJOYING THEIR SCHOOL LIFE.
/♦MY SCHOOL
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1980
3
♦ MY SCHOOL LIFE HAS NOT BEEN DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS. MY CLASSMATES AND I STUDY AND DO PROJECTS TOGETHER AND AFTER SCHOOL WE OFTEN GO TO THE CINEMA AND ATTEND CONCERTS,* MING-KUNG SAID.
♦ I FIND THE TEACHERS AND FELLOW STUDENTS ALL VERY HELPFUL AND FRIENDLY, AND INDEED I HAVE ENJOYED SCHOOLING VERY MUCH,* HE ADDED.
MR. C.K. LAM, SENIOR INSPECTOR IN THE EDUCATION OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION, SAID THAT EDUCATIONAL PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR INTEGRATION OF PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS WAS STARTED IN THE EARLY 196O’S BUT INITIAL RESPONSE FROM THE SCHOOLS WAS NOT SO GOOD.
♦ HOWEVER, MANY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ARE NOW VERY WILLING TO TAKE IN PHYSJCALLY HANDICAPPED STUDENTS,* HE SAID.
♦ EVEN MORE ENCOURAGING, SOME OF THEM APPROACH US ON THEIR OWN INITIATIVE TO INFORM US OF THE ADMISSIONS OF THESE STUDENTS AND TO KEEP US INFORMED OF THEIR PROGRESS OR REFER THOSE WHO HAVE LEARNING AND ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION FOR GUIDANCE,^ HE ADDED.
MR. LAM EXPLAINED THAT WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN SHOULD BE PLACED IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENT AS THE NON-HANDICAPPED.
ONLY THOSE WHO BY REASON OF THEIR SEVERE HANDICAP CANNOT BE SATISFACTORILY EDUCATED IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR PLACEMENT IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS.
HE SAID WHEN PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WERE REFERRED TO THE SECTION FOR EDUCATIONAL PLACEMENT, THEY WOULD BE ASSESSED EDUCATIONALLY AND, IF NECESSARY, A MEDICAL ASSESSMENT WILL BE ARRANGED FOR THEM BEFORE CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN FOR PLACEMENT IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS.
ONCE THEY ENROL IN A SCHOOL, THEIR HEALTH AND MOBILITY, ACADEMIC PROGRESS, SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT AND ADAPTABILITY IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT ARE REGULARLY FOLLOWED UP AND REVIEWED WITH THE CO-OPERATION OFTHE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND TEACHERS.
MR. LAM SAID INSPECTORS OF THE SECTION OFTEN PAY VISITS TO SCHOOLS AND HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF THEIR HANDICAPPED STUDENTS.
♦THE SECTION ALSO OFFERS COUNSELLING SERVICE TO PARENTS OF PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PUPILS AND GIVE ADVICE ON VARIOUS PROBLEMS SUCH AS SCHOOL LEAVING OR TRANSFER, RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME AND MATTERS RELATING TO THEIR CHILDREN’S PRESENT AND FUTURE EDUCATION,+ MR. LAM SAID.
PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED STUDENTS TAKING VARIOUS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS CAN BE REFERRED TO SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION FOR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND IF NECESSARY SPECIAL EXAMINATION CENTRES ARE SET UP FOR THEM.
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY COURSES ON EDUCATION OF PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ARE ALSO CONDUCTED FOR ORDINARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ON BASIC KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING THESE STUDENTS IN A NORMAL SCHOOL SETTING. SO FAR, MORE THAN 1 200 TEACHERS HAVE ATTENDED THESE COURSES.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1980
4
MORE NT VILLAGES TO GET STREET-LIGHTS
* * * * ft
NINE MORE NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGES WILL SOON BE PROVIDED WITH STREET-LIGHTS UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S VILLAGE LIGHTING SCHEME.
TWO CONTRACTS VALUED AT 1210 000 HAVE BEEN AWARDED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF 66 LIGHTS AT PAK WAI, CHUNG WAI AND NAM WAI, NEAR FANLING, AND AT TUNG TAU TSUEN, FOOK HING TSUEN, CHUNG SAM WAI, LAM UK TSUEN, YEUNG UK TSUEN AND SAI TAU WAI, NEAR YUEN LONG.
WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED ON THE TWO PROJECTS AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE END OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE LIGHTS WILL BE INSTALLED ON ROADS LEADING TO THE VILLAGES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THE PROJECTS WOULD HELP ENSURE VILLAGERS’ SAFETY AS ACCESS TO THE VILLAGES WAS OFTEN ALONG NARROW PATHS.
THE VILLAGE LIGHTING SCHEME FIRST STARTED IN OCTOBER, 1977, AND A TOTAL OF 39 PROJECTS HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES AT A COST OF 13.41 MILLION.
THERE ARE PLANS FOR ANOTHER 792 STREET-LIGHTS TO BE INSTALLED NEXT YEAR WHEN THE SCHEME WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE OVERALL ROAD LIGHTING PROGRAMME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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NEW DSNT OFFICIATES AT ISLANDS DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET ft ft ft ft
THE NEWLY APPOINTED DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, CHUI KAM TODAY (SUNDAY) MADE HIS FIRST OFFICIAL APPEARANCE WHEN HE PRESENTED PRIZES AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT ANNUAL ATHLETICS MEETING.
MR. CHUI PRAISED THE HARDWORK AND CO-OPERATION OF THE RURAL COMMITTEES IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
HE SAID, *AS THE ISLANDS DISTRICT COVERS A WIDE AREA AND HAS FINE NATURAL SURROUNDINGS, THE MAJORITY OF YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE ACQUIRED A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR SPORTS.♦
HOWEVER, THERE WAS, IN THE PAST, A LACK OF OPPORTUNITY FOR APPROPRIATE TRAINING AND COMPETITION.
♦THE FACT THAT TODAY’S 2ND ATHLETICS MEETING INVOLVED OVER 400 ATHLETES - AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 80 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR’S FIGURE - SERVES TO DEMONSTRATE THE ATHLETICS MEETING’S POPULARITY WITH THE DISTRICT’S YOUTHS.*
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1980
5
COMPANIES REMINDED OF OBLIGATION TO FILE RETURNS
*****
OPERATORS OF LOCAL AND FOREIGN COMPANIES ARE REMINDED OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO SEND IN THEIR ANNUAL RETURNS AND REPORT CHANGES TO THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES.
COMPANIES INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND FOREIGN COMPANIES WHICH HAVE A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT RETURNS AND TO INFORM THE REGISTRAR OF ANY CHANGES.
FOR LOCAL COMPANIES, THEY SHOULD SEND IN THEIR ANNUAL RETURNS WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THEIR FIRST OR ONLY GENERAL MEETING IN THE YEAR.
♦IF FOR ANY REASON A COMPANY HAS BEEN UNABLE TO HOLD A GENERAL MEETING IN 1979, AN ANNUAL RETURN MADE UP TO DECEMBER 31, 1979 SHOULD BE FILED NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 28, 1980,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES OFFICE SAID.
THESE COMPANIES ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO INFORM THE REGISTRAR WITHIN 14 DAYS OF ANY CHANGE IN THE REGISTERED PARTICULARS OF THE DIRECTORS, OR WITHIN 28 DAYS OF ANY CHANGE IN THE SITUATION OF THE REGISTERED OFFICE.
FOR FOREIGN COMPANIES, THEY SHOULD IN EVERY CALENDAR YEAR MAKE OUT A BALANCE SHEET IN THE PRESCRIBED FORM AND SEND A COPY TO THE REGISTRAR.
THEY SHOULD ALSO INFORM HIM WITHIN 21 DAYS OF ANY CHANGE EITHER IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMPANY, IN THE LIST OF DIRECTORS OR IN THE NAMES OR ADDRESSES OF THE PERSONS AUTHORISED TO ACCEPT SERVICE ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY.
THE REGISTRAR POINTED OUT THAT FAILURE TO FILE ANY OF THESE DOCUMENTS MAY RENDER COMPANIES AND THEIR OFFICERS LIABLE TO PENALTIES.
- - 0 - -
RADIO TALKS ON WOMEN’S HEALTH ******
A SERIES OF 10 RADIO TALKS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HEALTH FOR WOMEN WILL BE GIVEN BY STAFF OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT STARTING TUESDAY (JANUARY 8).
THE SERIES OF WEEKLY PROGRAMMES PRODUCED JOINTLY BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WILL BE ON AIR IN TUESDAY AFTERNOON FROM 2.30 PM TO 3 PM ON THE CHINESE AM CHANNEL.
THE TALKS WILL CENTRE ON THE COMMON PROBLEMS OF WOMEN, INCLUDING BACKACHE, MENSTRUATION, BREAST CANCER AND MENTAL HEALTH.
/THE FIRST
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1980
THE FIRST HALF OF THE 30-MINUTE PROGRAMME IS A BRIEF TALK BY A SPEAKER WHO IS A SPECIALIST IN A PARTICULAR FIELD, AND THE REMAINING HALF IS FOR ANSWERING PHONE-IN QUESTIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID RADIO TALKS HAD PROVED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS IN EDUCATING THE PUBLIC.
THE TWO DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN RUNNING PROGRAMMES FOR MORE THAN A YEAR AS PART OF A LONG-TERM HEALTH EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
IN THE PAST, TOPICS PRESENTED INCLUDED HEALTH FOR THE ELDERLY, HYPER-TENSION, KIDNEY DISEASES, CARE FOR THE EYE, EAR AND NOSE, AND MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH.
+IN VIEW OF THE GOOD RESPONSE TO THESE PROGRAMMES, AND THE FREQUENT REQUESTS FOR MORE, THE TWO DEPARTMENTS HAVE DECIDED TO BROADCAST EPISODES ON PERSONAL HYGIENE AND FAMILY HEALTH,* HE SAID.
ASIDE FROM ARRANGING RADIO TALKS, THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT ALSO HOLDS CONTESTS AND EXHIBITIONS TO ENHANCE THE AWARENESS OF THE PUBLIC ON HEALTH. FURTHERMORE, IT PRODUCES A VARIETY OF VISUAL AID MATERIALS, SUCH AS MOVIES, SLIDES, POSTERS AND LEAFLETS FOR DISTRIBUTION.
0 - -
WATER CUT IN HUNG HOM
* X X * X
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HUNG HOM WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR NINE HOURS FROM 9 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 8) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WATER MAIN WORK.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY MA TAU WAI ROAD, HOK YUEN STREET AND KAI MING STREET, INCLUDING CHUN TING STREET, SUNG KIT STREET, WAN LOK STREET, WAN HING STREET, WAN FAT STREET, WAN KING STREET, WAN SHUN STREET, WAN FUK STREET, WAN ON STREET AND WING KWONG STREET.
ALSO AFFECTED IS THE AREA BOUNDED BY HOK YUEN STREET, PAK KUNG STREET, MA TAU WAI ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980
CONT SNTS PAGE NO.
HK/USA TEXTILE TAIKS TO RESUME ............................ 1
HK'S SUCCESS RELIES ON FREE COMPETITION ................... 2
CONFIDENCE IN COURT CONTRIBUTES TO HK'S STABILITY ................................................. 3
MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS .....................
MORE LAND AUCTIONED....................................... 11
BETT.2R COMMUNICATION BETTE JN TEACHERS AND EDUCATION DEPARTl-LNT .................................... 11
DDHA TO ATTEND CLARITY CONCERT ........................... 12
TRAFFIC DIVERSION IN HUNG HOM ............................ 12
/ATER CUT IN CAUSE JAY BAY .............................. 12
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980
1
HK/USA TEXTILE TALKS TO RESUME
* * * *
MEMBERS OF THE TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD WILL ACCOMPANY HONG KONG’S NEGOTIATORS TO WASHINGTON WHEN TALKS ON THE HK/USA TEXTILE AGREEMENT RESUME THERE ON JANUARY 9. THIS WAS DECIDED AT THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON’S MEETING OF THE BOARD.
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. WILLIAM DORWARD WILL CUT SHORT HIS CURRENT VISIT TO EUROPE AND JOIN THE BOARD IN HIS ROLE AS CHAIRMAN. HE WILL ALSO BE ON HAND TO GIVE ADVICE TO THE HONG KONG NEGOTIATING TEAM AND DIRECT ITS EFFORTS AS NECESSARY.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL, AS IN THE PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS, BE LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR. PETER TSAO.
+1 DO NOT WISH TO PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF THESE TALKS, BUT I HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF A NUMBER OF STATEMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO WASHINGTON SOURCES,* SAID MR. TSAO.
+FIRST AND FOREMOST WE MUST REMEMBER WE HAVE A BILATERAL AGREEMENT WITH THE USA NEGOTIATED ONLY IN 1977 AND EFFECTIVE FROM THE BEGINNING OF 1978.
+WHEN THAT AGREEMENT WAS CONCLUDED, HONG KONG EXPRESSED CERTAIN RESERVATIONS ON IT, BECAUSE IT wAS THE MOST RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENT HONG KONG HAS EVER NEGOTIATED WITH THE USA AND OUR NEGOTIATING HISTORY GOES BACK TO THE EARLY 196O’S,+ HE SAID.
+ IN ONE CONCESSION WE MADE IN 1977 WE GAVE UP DURING THE FIVE-YEAR LIFETIME OF THIS AGREEMENT SOMETHING LIKE 300 MILLION SQUARE YARDS OF TRADE POTENTIAL. NEVERTHELESS, WE ACCEPTED IT BECAUSE WE FELT THAT, ON AN OVERALL BASIS, THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT REPRESENTED A BALANCED PACKAGE. THE DIFFICULTY THAT WE HAVE HAD IN TALKING TO THE USA THIS TIME IS THAT AN ATTEMPT IS BEING MADE TO UPSET THAT BALANCE,* ADDED MR. TSAO.
MODIFICATIONS WERE BEING SOUGHT ON THE BASIS OF A POLITICAL COMMITMENT MAtlE BY THE USA ADMINISTRATION TO ITS TEXTILE INDUSTRY, AND NOT ON THE BASIS OF ECONOMIC RATIONALE, HE COMMENTED. NUMEROUS PRESS REPORTS AND ECONOMIC PUBLICATIONS HAVE REPORTED ON THE EXPANSION IN PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS OF USA TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND APPAREL.
MR. TSAO CONTENDED THAT NEVERTHELESS HONG KONG HAD A REPUTATION OF BEING CO-OPERATIVE AND PRAGMATIC IN ITS TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.
+THIS IS EVIDENCED BY THE HELP WE GAVE THE USA IN 1979, WHEN WE AGREED NOT TO USE THE CARRY-OVER AND CARRY-FORWARD PROVISIONS TO WHICH WE ARE ENTITLED UNDER THE AGREEMENT.
+WE ARE STILL WILLING TO HELP, PROVIDED THE REQUEST IS NOT EXCESSIVE, AND PROVIDED THAT IN MEETING THE USA DEMANDS wE WOULD NOT BE TRIGGERING A CHAIN REACTION FOR OTHER SIMILAR, OR WORSE, PROTECTIONIST DEMANDS FROM IMPORTING COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE USA ITSELF AFTER 1980,+ HE COMMENTED.
MR. TSAO CONFIRMED THAT THE CURRENT DISCUSSIONS DO NOT AFFECT INDIVIDUAL COMPANY QUOTAS FOR 1980.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980
2
HK’S SUCCESS RELIES ON FREE COMPETITION * * * *
HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IS VERY EXPOSED TO FORCES WAY BEYOND OUR CONTROL AND THE ONLY WAY WE CAN SUCCEED IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES IS TO RELY HEAVILY ON FREE COMPETITION AND ON BUSINESSMEN MAKING THEIR COMMERCIAL DECISIONS WITH MINIMUM INTERFERENCE, SAYS THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR. DAVID JEAFFRESON.
HE WAS SPEAKING TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE OPENING OF AN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON +THE LAW AND THE CONSUMER* ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF CONSUMERS UNIONS AND THE HONG KONG CONSUMER COUNCIL. DELEGATES FROM 26 COUNTRIES ARE ATTENDING THE FIVE-DAY SEMINAR AT THE YWCA IN WATERLOO ROAD HILL, KOWLOON.
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR. JEAFFRESON ALSO TOLD DELEGATES THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TOWARDS A FREE ECONOMY WAS TO ALLOW MARKET FORCES TO CONTROL ECONOMIC LIFE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO A ROLE IN IT.
♦IT MUST FIRST MAKE SURE THAT ITS OWN POLICIES, ITS BUDGETARY AND FISCAL POLICIES, FOR EXAMPLE, AFFECT MARKET FORCES AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.
+SECOND, IT PROVIDES THE BASIC INFRA-STRUCTURE FOR ECONOMIC LIFE AND THOSE SERVICES WHICH THE PRIVATE SECTOR CANNOT POSSIBLE BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE ITSELF.
+THIRD, IT PLAYS A ROLE IN BRINGING VARIOUS GROUPS WITHIN INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE TOGETHER IN ORDER THAT DECISIONS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE CAN BE REACHED EFFECTIVELY.*
TURNING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID: +IT SEEMS TO US THAT LEGISLATION, WHERE ABSOLUTELY APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY, AND EDUCATION MUST GO HAND IN HAND IN ORDER THAT CONSUMER PROTECTION CAN BE REALLY EFFECTIVE.*
IN ADDITION, THERE MUST BE A BODY TO WHICH CONSUMERS CAN TURN WHEN THEY FIND THEY ARE BEING EXPLOITED AND THIS BODY MUST ITSELF BE IN A POSITION TO EXPOSE SUCH PRACTICES AND TO TURN PUBLIC OPINION AGAINST THE SUPPLIERS CONCERNED AND TO DO SO WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRISAL.
HE SAID IF BOTH EDUCATION AND EXPOSURE FAILED, THEN THIS BODY COULD RECOMMEND, WITH AUTHORITY, RECOURSE TO LEGISLATION.
MR. JEAFFRESON ALSO BELIEVED THAT CONSUMER EDUCATION WAS VERY IMPORTANT AS LACK OF INFORMATION WAS AT THE ROOT OF MANY CONSUMER PROBLEMS. +IT IS THE PREPARATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE SKILLS, CONCEPTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE, WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF HIS OWN STANDARDS, MAXIMUM SATISFACTION AND UTILISATION OF HIS RESOURCES,* HE SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH MARKET FORCES ARE UNABLE TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY FELL ROUGHLY INTO TWO GROUPS — ’THE LAW WHERE CONSUMERS CANNOT PROTECT THEMSELVES’ AND 'THE LAW AND OTHER MARKET IMPERFECTIONS’.
/for the .....
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980
3
FOR THE FIRST CATEGORY, HE SAID THE ESSENCE OF SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES WAS THAT THE PROVIDERS OF THE GOODS AND SERVICES WERE IN A STRONG POSITION TO CONCEAL SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION FROM CONSUMERS AND THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS WAY FOR MOST CONSUMERS TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SO. HE CITED AS EXAMPLES, THE STATE OF LIQUIDITY OF A BANK IN WHICH THE CONSUMER IS DEPOSITING HIS MONEY" THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY WITH WHICH HE IS TAKING OUT LIFE INSURANCE- THE CONTENT OF A GOLD RING- THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THOSE PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES- AND THE WEIGHTS HAWKERS USE IN THE MARKETS.
+IN ALL THESE, AND IN MANY OTHER SUCH AREAS, THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE HAS BEEN TO ENACT SPECIFIC LAWS DESIGNED TO PROTECT CONSUMERS,* HE SAID.
ON THE SECOND CATEGORY, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID IT CONSISTED MAINLY OF MONOPOLIES AND CARTELS, CITING AS EXAMPLES THE TWO ELECTRICITY COMPANIES, THE BUS COMPANIES, AND THE TELEPHONE COMPANY.
+THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN MONOPOLIES AS PROVIDERS OF THEIR PARTICULAR PUBLIC UTILITIES IN SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREAS BECAUSE FOR ONE GOOD REASON OR ANOTHER IT HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO DO SO.
+OUR OBJECT, AND ON THE WHOLE IT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED, IS TO GRANT THEM THEIR MONOPOLIES BY FORCE OF LAW AND TO USE THE SAME PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF CONSUMERS IN THE THUS CREATED,* HE SAID.
MONOPOLY SITUATIONS
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CONFIDENCE IN COURT CONTRIBUTES TO HK’S STABILITY ******
THERE WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG IF THE PUBLIC CAN BE INSTILLED WITH CONFIDENCE IN THE COURTS AND RESPECT FOR THEIR METHODS AND DECISIONS, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY MARKING THE OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.
SIR DENYS SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT EVERY CITIZEN SHOULD HAVE A REASONABLE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE, AND ONE OF THE AIMS OF TODAY’S CEREMONY, PREVIOUSLY CALLED THE OPENING OF THE ASSIZES AND LAST HELD IN 1973, WAS TO FOCUS THE PUBLIC’S ATTENTION, HOWEVER TEMPORARILY, ON THE COURTS AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION.
+IT IS NOT EASY FOR THE AVERAGE MAN TO DISTINGUISH CLEARLY BETWEEN A COURT AND THE EXECUTIVE IN A PART OF THE WORLD WHERE THE DISTINCTION IS NOT WIDELY ESTABLISHED.
+MISGUIDED THOUGH THIS MAY BE, IT IS THEREFORE PROBABLE THAT MANY PEOPLE WILL JUDGE THE QUALITY OF THEIR GOVERNMENT BY WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM DURING THE JUDICIAL PROCESS. SO THE COURTS BECOME IMPORTANT IN PRESERVING RESPECT FOR OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF AUTHORITY AS WELL AS FOR THEMSELVES. THE MAINTENANCE OF THIS RESPECT IS A POTENT FACTOR IN THE STABILITY OF SOCIETY,* SIR DENYS EXPLAINED.
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980'
4
A SECOND OBJECTIVE OF THE CEREMONY, HE SAID, WAS TO REMIND ALL THOSE WHO SERVE THE LAW OF THEIR ESSENTIAL UNITY.
+FOR MUCH OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL LIVES, SOLICITORS, COUNSEL, JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES PERFORM DIFFERENT, IF COMPLEMENTARY, FUNCTIONS WITH DIVERGENT INTEREST AND AIMS. IT IS ALL TOO EASY FOR EACH GROUP TO FORGET THAT IT IS A PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND NOT THE WHOLE OF IT.+
THE UNDERLYING UNITY OF PURPOSE WHICH LINKED THEM TOGETHER WAS OF FAR GREATER MOMENT THAN THE INTERESTS OF A PARTICULAR CLIENT OR THE WINNING OF A CASE, HE SAID.
A FURTHER OBJECTIVE OF THE OCCASION WAS FOR THEM TO BE REMINDED THAT A LEGAL PROFESSION AND A JUDICIARY DO NOT EXIST TO FURTHER THEIR OWN INTERESTS.
+THEIR PROPER GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, BY MAINTAINING A REASONABLY SWIFT AND EFFECTIVE PROCEDURE FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES.
+NO SYSTEM WHICH KEEPS ACCUSED PERSONS IN GAOL FOR MANY MONTHS WITHOUT TRIAL IS A JUST ONE. NO SYSTEM WHICH KEEPS AN INJURED MAN WAITING FOR YEARS BEFORE HIS ACTION FOR PERSONAL INJURIES IS HEARD, IS A FAIR ONE. A SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWS A PARTY TO DENY RELIEF TO ANOTHER FOR A SUBSTANTIAL TIME BY TECHNICAL OBJECTIONS, BY DELAYING TACTICS OR BY A MISUSE OF COURT PROCEDURES IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN A CIVILISED SOCIETY,+ SIR DENYS SAID.
HE NOTED THAT A HIGH PROPORTION OF OUR POPULATION CAME HERE FROM ELSEWHERE, FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, AND HE DOUBTED IF MANY OF THEM REGARDED THE MERIT OF OUR LEGAL AND JUDICIAL PRINCIPLES AS ONE OF THEM ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE.
HONG KONG DOES NOT OFFER WHAT IS COMMONLY CALLED A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY BUT WHAT IT DOES PROVIDE IS A GENUINELY FREE SOCIETY.
+BY THIS, I MEAN A SOCIETY IN WHICH EVERYONE IS SUBJECT TO THE LAW, WHERE NOBODY CAN BE DEPRIVED OF HIS PROPERTY OR PERSONAL FREEDOM SAVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW AND WHERE HE CAN, WITHIN THOSE LIMITS WHICH EVERY COMMUNITY PRESCRIBES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF ORDER AND PERSONAL REPUTATION, SAY WHAT HE THINKS AND PURSUE HIS OWN LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF THE STATE.
+THE ONLY SURE GUARANTEE OF SUCH A FREE SOCIETY IS AN IMPARTIAL, INDEPENDENT AND FEARLESS JUDICIARY. THIS PRICELESS ADVANTAGE HAS BEEN ENJOYED BY HONG KONG SINCE 1841. OUR JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES ARE NOT ALWAYS WISE, OR PATIENT, OR CLEVER, OR LEARNED. BUT THERE ARE FEW WHO DO NOT POSSESS IN FULL MEASURE THE QUALITIES WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE PRESERVATION OF PERSONAL FREEDOM,+ SIR DENYS SAID.
EARLIER IN THE AFTERNOON, SIR DENYS INSPECTED A GUARD OF HONOUR COMPRISING MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY SERVICE CORPS AT EDINBURGH PLACE AND ATTENDED A CHURCH SERVICE IN ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980
5
MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS ******
THE MONTHLY CALCULATIONS OF THE MONEY SUPPLY ON THE NARROWER DEFINITIONS (Ml AND M2), AND OF BANK LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG, HAVE BECN REVISED FROM DECEMBER 1978, TO ELIMINATE GROWING DISTORTIONS CAUSED BY TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN LICENSED BANKS AND REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
THE CALCULATION OF M3 (THE MONEY SUPPLY ON THE WIDEST DEFINITION) AND OF TOTAL CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS REVISION.
THE MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER 1979 WERE PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY), ON THIS REVISED CALCULATION.
REVISION OF THE STATISTICS
THE TWO-WAY INTERMEDIATION TRAFFIC BETWEEN BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES GREW VERY SUBSTANTIALLY DURING THE COURSE OF 1979. THAT YEAR FORMED A HALF-WAY STAGE IN THE INTEGRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INTO THE FINANCIAL SECTOR OF HONG KONG. UP UNTIL NOVEMBER 1978 THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT RECEIVE REGULAR STATISTICAL RETURNS FROM DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
FROM DECEMBER 1978 THESE COMPANIES HAVE SUPPLIED MONTHLY STATISTICS OF THEIR ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, INCLUDING DETAILS OF THEIR POSITIONS IN RESPECT OF BANKS IN HONG KONG- BUT THE STATISTICS SUPPLIED BY BANKS HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED THEIR POSITIONS IN RELATION TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
FROM JANUARY 1, 1980 THE SITUATION CHANGES AGAIN, WITH BANKS GIVING DETAILS ON THEIR MONTHLY RETURNS OF THE DEPOSITS RECEIVED FROM, AND THEIR ADVANCES TO, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES. THIS IS NECESSARY BECAUSE FROM THAT DATE BANKS’ DEPOSIT LIABILITIES (WHICH, WITH NOTES AND COIN IN CIRCULATION, MAKE UP THE MONEY SUPPLY ON THE NARROWER DEFINITIONS OF Ml AND M2) ARE DEFINED BY LAW TO EXCLUDE THEIR DEPOSIT LIABILITIES TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES- AND BANKS’ SHORT TERM ADVANCES TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ARE SPECIFIED BY LAW AS LIQUID ASSETS FOR BANKS.
THE BASE FOR CALCULATING Ml AND M2, AND BANKS’ ADVANCES IN HONG KONG, WILL, THEREFORE, AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE WITH THE JANUARY 31, 1980 STATISTICS (WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 1980). THE STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER 30, 1979, WHICH WERE PUBLISHED TODAY, AND FOR EACH MONTH BACK TO DECEMBER 1978, HAVE BEEN RECALCULATED ONTO THE NEW BASE TO ANTICIPATE THE JANUARY 1980 CHANGE, AND TO ELIMINATE AN ELEMENT OF DISTORTION WHICH HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT THROUGH 1979. TABLE 1 (AT THE END OF THIS RELEASE) SETS OUT THE FIGURES, UNREVISED AND REVISED, FOR THE WHOLE OF THIS PERIOD.
/FROM DECEMBER .....
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980
€>
FROM DECEMBER 1978 (I.E. THE FIRST MONTH WHEN THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES STATISTICS WERE AVAILABLE) TO NOVEMBER 1979, THE DEPOSITS OF THESE COMPANIES WITH LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG ROSE FROM 86.9 BILLIONS TO $17.6 BILLIONS (MUCH OF THIS INCREASE REPRESENTS BALANCES GATHERED BY LICENSED BANKS’ DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES, WHICH ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE EXCHANGE BANKS’ ASSOCIATION INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT, AND ARE PASSED ON TO THE PARENT BANKS).
THESE DEPOSITS HAVE HITHERTO BEEN INCLUDED IN M2 WHICH, OVER THE SAME PERIOD, ROSE FROM $73.4 BILLIONS TO $90.5 BILLIONS, OR BY 23.3 PER CENT. IF M2 IS REDEFINED TO REMOVE THESE DEPOSITS ITS LEVEL HAS RISEN OVER THE SAME PERIOD BY ONLY 9.8 PER CENT FROM $66.5 BILLIONS TO $73.0 BILLIONS.
OVER THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 1978 TO NOVEMBER 1979, BANKS’ ADVANCES TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAVE RISEN FROM $6.4 BILLIONS TO $11.5 BILLIONS. (MUCH OF THIS INCREASE IS ACCOUNTED FOR BY FOREIGN CURRENCY ADVANCES BY BANKS, TO FUND THE OFFSHORE LENDING ACTIVITIES OF THEIR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES). BANK LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG (ON THE EXISTING CALCULATION) ROSE OVER THE PERIOD FROM $52.8 BILLIONS TO $70.1 BILLIONS, OR BY 32.8 PER CENT. IF BANKS’ ADVANCES TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ARE SUBTRACTED, BANK LENDING IN HONG KONG HAS RISEN OVER THE SAME PERIOD BY ONLY 26.3 PER CENT, FROM $46.4 BILLIONS TO $58.7 BILLIONS.
WHEN THE FIGURES FOR Ml AND M2, AND BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG, ARE RECALCULATED IN THIS WAY, THEY PROVIDE A BETTER INDICATION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG.
CLEARLY THE ACTIVITIES OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ARE ALSO IMPORTANT, IN RELATION TO THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE: IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT M3 (THE MONEY SUPPLY ON THE WIDEST DEFINITION) IS CALCULATED TO INCLUDE PUBLIC DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, AND THAT THE TOTAL CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY IS CALCULATED TO INCLUDE LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES. THESE TWO INDICATORS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED EACH MONTH SINCE MID-1979: THEIR TOTALS ARE NOT AFFECTED IN ANY WAY BY THE REVISED CALCULATIONS OF THE FIGURES FOR THE BANKING SECTOR.
THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS WILL, THEREFORE, BE USED FORTHWITH, BACKDATED TO DECEMBER 1978:-
M1 — LEGAL TENDER COINS AND NOTES IN THE HANDS OF THE NON-BANK AND NON-DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY PUBLIC, PLUS DEMAND DEPOSITS (OTHER THAN FROM BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) WITH LICENSED BANKS.
M2 — Ml PLUS SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS (OTHER THAN FROM BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) WITH LICENSED BANKS.
M3 _ m2 PLUS DEPOSITS FROM THE NON-BANK AND NON-DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY PUBLIC WITH REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
/bank loans .....
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1y8O
BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG — LOANS AND ADVANCES TO CUSTOMERS
IN HONG KONG (OTHER THAN BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) BY LICENSED BANKS.
DTC LOANS IN HONG KONG — LOANS AND ADVANCES TO CUSTOMERS
IN HONG KONG (OTHER THAN BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) BY REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
TOTAL CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY -- BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG, PLUS
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY LOANS IN HONG KONG.
TABLE 1 SHOWS THE REVISED CALCULATIONS OF Ml, M2 AND BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG, FOR EACH MONTH FROM DECEMBER 1978 TO NOVEMBER 1979. MORE DETAILED TABLES OF THE REVISED CALCULATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST TO THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
THE STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER 1979
TABLE 2 (AT THE END OF THIS RELEASE) SETS OUT THE DETAILED STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER 1979, WITH THE FIGURES FOR Ml, M2 AND BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG REVISED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. THEY SHOW A FALL IN THE MONTHLY INCREASE IN THE MONEY SUPPLY ON THE WIDEST DEFINITION (M3), DESPITE A SLIGHTLY FASTER INCREASE IN TOTAL CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY.
MONEY SUPPLY
Ml (REVISED) ROSE BY 1.8 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, WHICH WAS SHARPLY DOWN ON ITS OCTOBER INCREASE OF 3.5 PER CENTt THIS INDICATOR FELL QUITE SHARPLY IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF 1979, AND IS NOW STILL BELOW ITS END-DECEMBER 1978 LEVEL.
M2 (REVISED) ROSE BY 3.0 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, UP FROM 2.1 PER CENT IN OCTOBER, BUT IT IS UP BY ONLY 9.8 PER CENT ON ITS END-DECEMBER LEVEL (10.7 PER CENT ANNUALISED).
M3 ROSE BY 2.4 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, DOWN FROM ITS OCTOBER INCREASE OF 3.0 PER CENT- IT IS NOW 24.6 PER CENT UP ON ITS END-DECEMBER LEVEL (26.8 PER CENT ANNUALISED). THIS IS CLOSELY IN LINE WITH THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF GDP AT CURRENT PRICES OF ABOUT 27 PER CENT IN 1979.
/CRSDIT TO
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980
8
CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY
BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG (REVISED) ROSE IN NOVEMBER BY 1.5 PER CENT DOWN FROM 2.1 PER CENT IN OCTOBER, TO A LEVEL 26.3 PER CENT ABOVE THE END-DECEMBER 1978 FIGURE (28.7 PER CENT ANNUALISED).
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY LOANS IN HONG KONG ROSE IN NOVEMBER BY A SUBSTANTIAL 6.5 PER CENT, SHARPLY UP FROM 2.6 PER CENT IN OCTOBER, AND REACHED A LEVEL 29.1 PER CENT UP ON THE END-DECEMBER 1978 FIGURE (31.7 PER CENT ANNUALISED).
TOTAL CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY ROSE IN NOVEMBER BY 2.4 PER CENT , LITTLE CHANGED FROM OCTOBER’S 2.2 PER CENT RISE, TO REACH A LEVEL OF 26.8 PER CENT ABOVE END-DECEMBER 1978 (29.2 PER CENT ANNUALISED). WHILST THE ANNUALISED GROWTH RATE IS STILL A CAUSE OF CONCERN, IT IS AT LEAST BROADLY CONSISTENT WITH THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS.
LOANS ABROAD
THE TOTAL OF LOANS ABROAD ROSE VERY SHARPLY, WITH BANK LOANS ABROAD UP BY $548 MILLIONS TO $20 260 MILLIONS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES’ LOANS ABROAD UP BY $1 459 MILLIONS TO $24 399 MILLIONS.
BALANCE SHEET RATIOS
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO FOR ALL BANKS DECLINED A LITTLE TO 48.9 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, HAVING BEEN AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF 50.1 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. BANKS’ LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIOS (REVISED) DECLINED FROM 90.2 PER CENT TO 88.8 PER CENT.
THE LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE (REFLECTING THE SHARP RISE IN THEIR ADVANCES) FROM 54.0 PER CENT TO 57.2 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING BANKS WAS UNCHANGED AT 135 AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. ONE MORE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY BEGAN TO REPORT DURING THE MONTH, BRINGING THE TOTAL OF THESE COMPANIES TO 265.
/THE FOLLC'.'.ING .........
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980
9
THE FOLLOWING TABLES 1 AND 2 SHOW THE MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICSt-
TABLE 1
MONEY SUPPLY AND BANK LENDING (HK$ MILLIONS)
Ml UNREVISED REVISED M2 UNREVISED I REVISED BANK LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG
UNREVISED REVISED
1978 DECEMBER 22 281 20 110 73 406 66 472 52 814 46 428
1979 JANUARY 23 511 20 816 76 097 67 821 55 077 48 376
FEBRUARY 22 099 .19 033 75 982 67 057 56 550 49 359
MARCH 22 307 18 945 76 794 66 855 5T 555 50 439
APRIL 23 355 18 902 78 376 66 571 60 116 51 874
MAY 23 437 18 331 78 620 66 552 60 640 52 534
JUNE 24 303 18 526 80 928 61 387 62 358 53 284
JULY 24 769 18 667 82 536 67 937 64 268 54 890
AUGUST 25 169 18 449 83 939 68 050 64 719 55 118
SEPTEMBER 26 062 19 022 85 904 69 417 67 191 56 562
OCTOBER 26 382 19 692 87 923 70 844 68 717 57 773
NOVEMBER 26 393 20 039 90 539 72 957 70 136 58 653
A able 2
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980
10
TABLE 2
MONEY AND BANKING FIGURES - NOVEMBER 1979 (HK$ MILLIONS)
FIGURES FOR r
EARLIER MONTHS NOV. 1979 (% CHANGE): OCT. 1979 AUG. 1979 DEC. 1978
Ml * 20 039 19 692(+1.8%) 18 449(+8.6%) 20 110(-0.4%)
M2 * 72 957 70 844(+3.0%) 68 O5O(+7.2%) 66 472(+9.8%)
M3 * 95 833 93 598(+2.4%) 88 464(+8.3%) 76 919(+24.6%)
BANKS -
DEPOSITS*
66 028
64 O85(+3.O%) 61 352(+7.6%) 59 929(+10.2%)
LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG*
58 653
57 773(+1.5%) 55 118(+6.4%) 46 428(+26.3%)
LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO*
88.8% 90.2% 89.8% 77.5%
AVERAGE LIQUIDITY
RATIO
48.9% 50.1% 48.7% 46.2%
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES -
DEPOSITS
22 876 22 752(0.5%)
LOANS AND ADVANCES
IN HONG KONG
13 085 12 281(+6.5%)
LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO
57.2% 54.0%
BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES -
20 414(+12.1%) 10 447(+119.0%)
11 515(+13.6%) 10 139(+29.1%)
56.4% 97.1%
TOTAL CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY
71 738 70 054(+2.4%)
66 633(+7.7%) 56 567(+26.8%)
* (THESE FIGURES ARE REVISED TO EXCLUDE CLAIMS ON, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.)
BANKS’ LIABILITIES TO, AND
- 0 - -
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980
11
MORE LAND AUCTIONED
fl * * *
A 7 400-SQUARE METRE SITE AT BELLEVIEW DRIVE, REPULSE BAY, WAS SOLD FOR $63 MILLION AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE CITY HALL TODAY (MONDAY).
THE SITE, FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, WAS BOUGHT BY EVASTA LTD AT $8 513.51 PER SQUARE METRE.
AT THE SAME AUCTION, ANOTHER LOT LOCATED AT WINSLOW STREET, HUNG HOM, aAS SOLD TO HIP KEE GODOWN CO (HK) LTD FOR $116 MILLION OR $36 250 PER SQUARE METRE.
THE SITE, COVERING AN AREA OF 3 200 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR PUBLIC PARKING OF LORRIES AND GODOWN PURPOSES.
-----o------
BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TEACHERS AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT *****
SMALL-GROUP DISCUSSIONS TO FURTHER IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AIDED SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 11, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
THE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE KEPT INFORMAL TO ENSURE A FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON TOPICS OF MUTUAL INTEREST AND CONCERN, HE SAID.
♦THE IDEA IS TO PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CLOSE CONTACT WITH SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN AN INFORMAL SETTING, WHICH WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO EXPRESS THEIR OWN VIEWS FREELY AND SPONTANEOUSLY,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED THE NAMES OF TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES WHO WILL BE ATTENDING THE DISCUSSIONS AND THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SENT IN THEIR SUBMISSIONS ARE URGED TO DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE GROUP DISCUSSIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE, AND EACH GROUP WILL BE CHAIRED BY A SENIOR OFFICER OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE AGENDA FOR EACH GROUP, TOGETHER WITH THE TIME AND PLACE FOR DISCUSSION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 26 GROUPS, WITH DISCUSSION SESSIONS BOTH IN THE MORNING AND IN THE AFTERNOON.
o - -
/12
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1980
12
DDHA TO ATTEND CHARITY CONCERT *****
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. MICHAEL LEUNG MAN-KIN WILL ATTEND THE PO LEUNG KUK’S FUND-RAISING CHARITY CONCERT PRESENTED BY THE HONG KONG CITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 8 PM IN THE CONCERT HALL, CITY HALL.
THIS IS ONE OF THE ANNUAL FUNCTIONS ORGANISED BY THE KUK TO RAISE FUND FOR ITS EXPANDING RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
THE CONCERT WILL ALSO BE ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE KUK.
MR. LEUNG WILL PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO FIVE BOARD MEMBERS WHO HAVE SCORED TOP RESULTS IN THE FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN.
_ _ 0 - -
TRAFFIC DIVERSION IN HUNG HOM ******
A SECTION OF HOK YUEN STREET EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHATHAM ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE CLOSURE WAS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EAST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
DURING THE CLOSURE, WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON HOK YUEN STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA GILLIES AVENUE AND PAK KUNG STREET TO CHATHAM ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0 - -
WATER CUT IN CAUSEWAY BAY *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 11) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY GREAT GEORGE STREET, SUGAR STREET AND THE NORTH SIDE OF YEE WO STREET INCLUDING CHEE ON BUILDING, ISLAND HOTEL, HONG KONG BUILDING, HANG LUNG CENTRE, PLAZA HOTEL, PEARL CITY MANSION, GREENFIELD MANSION AND GREAT GEORGE BUILDING.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RESULTS OF SURVEY ON TRADES ................................. 1
NEW SHA TIN FIRE STATION TO OPEN IN MARCH.................... 4
AIR LETTER MAIL TO VIETNAM RESUMED........................... 4
BUILDING ON WAN CHAI ROAD DECLARED DANGEROUS................. 5
FIRE SERVICES WELFARE FUND TO RECEIVE tf^OO OOO' BOOST.... 5
BUSINESS STUDENTS DO WELL IN EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS ................................................ 6
DONATIONS TO CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WELFARE FUND......................................................... g
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1980
1
RESULTS OF SURVEY ON TRADES * * * *
THE SEPTEMBER 1979 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS SUMMARY RESULTS OF A LARGE SCALE ECONOMIC CENSUS OF THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, AS WELL AS RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS.
THE SURVEY, TO PROVIDE BENCHMARK STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE, CONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE OF THE TRADE SECTOR, SHOWED THAT IN 1977, 50 392 WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT ESTABLISHMENTS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS WERE FOUND IN OPERATION.
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED A TOTAL OF 363 365 PERSONS, WITH ESTIMATED TOTAL SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS OF S108 578 MILLION, CENSUS VALUE ADDED OF $15 454 MILLION, LABOUR COST OF $5 077 MILLION AND OTHER OPERATING COSTS OF $7 468 MILLION.
OVER 56 PER CENT OF THE 50 392 REPORTING ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN THE RETAIL TRADE WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 31 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED.
RESTAURANTS REPRESENTED ONLY SEVEN PER CENT OF THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS BUT 28 PER CENT OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT.
IMPORT/EXPORT AND WHOLESALE TRADES EACH MADE UP 21 PER CENT AND 14 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS, AND 24 PER CENT AND 12 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT.
HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY ONE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS AND FIVE PER CENT OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT.
IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE ACCOUNTED FOR 62 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, WHILE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES EACH HAD 16 PER CENT, RESTAURANTS, FIVE PER CENT, AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES, ONE PER CENT.
ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE, RESTAURANTS WERE THE ONLY ACTIVITY WHICH SPENT MORE ON LABOUR THAN OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES. IMPORT/ EXPORT TRADE WAS AT THE OTHER EXTREME, WITH OTHER OPERATING COSTS TWICE THAT OF LABOUR.
SMALL ESTABLISHMENTS WITH ONE TO FOUR PERSONS DOMINATED THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADES AND IN BOARDING HOUSES. THESE SMALL ESTABLISHMENTS MADE UP 58 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS IN WHOLESALE TRADE, 80 PER CENT IN RETAIL TRADE, 52 PER CENT IN IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE AND 77 PER CENT IN BOARDING HOUSES. ONLY 24 PER CENT OF RESTAURANTS ENGAGED LESS THAN FIVE PERSONS.
IN TERMS OF SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 10 TO 19 PERSONS WERE THE MOST IMPORTANT GROUP IN WHOLESALE ACTIVITY, CONTRIBUTING 27 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TURNOVER.
A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT PATTERN WAS FOUND IN RETAIL BUSINESSES IN WHICH ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING ONE TO FOUR PERSONS AND THOSE WITH 50 OR MORE PERSONS EACH CONTRIBUTED 25 PER CENT OF TOTAL SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS.
/IN IMPORT/EXPORT .....
TUESDAY, JANUABY 8, 1980
2
IN IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE, BUSINESS WAS CONCENTRATED ON A SMALL NUMBER OF LARGE FIRMS. THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT 64 LARGE FIRMS REPRESENTING ABOUT HALF A PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENT ENGAGED 100 OR MORE PERSONS. THEY ACCOUNTED FOR 22 PER CENT OF TOTAL SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS.
RESTAURANTS WITH 100 OR MORE PERSONS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER 43 PER CENT OF TOTAL SALES WHILE IN HOTELS/BOARDI NG HOUSES 89 PER CENT OF TOTAL SALES WERE SHARED BY THOSE ENGAGING 100 OR MORE PERSONS.
BY CENSUS DISTRICT, SHEUNG WAN AND ISLAND WEST WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT DISTRICT IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS AND BUSINESS TURNOVER IN WHOLESALE ACTIVITY. THE DISTRICT ACCOUNTED FOR 24 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WHOLESALE ESTABLISHMENTS AND 30 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL SALES. THE NEXT IMPORTANT DISTRICT WAS CHEUNG SHA WAN, SHEK KIP MEI, FOLLOWED BY YAU MA TEI.
THE NEW TERRITORIES EXCLUDING TSUEN WAN HAD THE LARGEST NUMBER OF RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY KAI TAK AND SAN PO KONG. THE TWO DISTRICTS ACCOUNTED FOR 24 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETAILERS. IN TERMS OF SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, TSIM SHA TSUI WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT DISTRICT, CONTRIBUTING 18 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL RETAIL SALES.
SHEUNG WAN AND ISLAND WEST, CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI WERE THE MOST PROMINENT AREAS IN IMPORT/EXPORT BUSINESS. SHEUNG WAN AND ISLAND WEST HAD THE LARGEST NUMBER OF IMPORTERS/ EXPORTERS, WITH A 20 PER CENT SHARE OF TOTAL SALES. CENTRAL, WITH THE SECOND LARGEST NUMBER OF IMPORT/EXPORT ESTABLISHMENTS, CONTRIBUTED 40 PER CENT OF TOTAL BUSINESS TURNOVER, AND TSIM SHA TSUI, 15 PER CENT.
THE NEW TERRITORIES EXCLUDING TSUEN WAN HAD THE LARGEST NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS BUT CONTRIBUTED ONLY SEVEN PER CENT CF THE TOTAL BUSINESS TURNOVER. DISTRICTS WITH THE LARGEST TURNOVERS WERE WAN CHAI (INCLUDING CAUSEWAY BAY), YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI, EACH CONTRIBUTING 14 PER CENT, 12 PER CENT AND 11 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS.
ABOUT 92 PER CENT OF THE HOTEL BUSINESS WAS LOCATED IN TSIM SHA TSUI, CENTRAL, AND WAN CHAI (INCLUDING CAUSEWAY BAY). CENTRAL DISTRICT HAD ONLY THREE HOTELS WITH A TURNOVER OF 21 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL. TSIM SHA TSUI, WITH 92 HOTELS/BOARDI NG HOUSES, CONTRIBUTED 50 PER CENT OF TOTAL BUSINESS TURNOVER. WAN CHAI (INCLUDING CAUSEWAY BAY) HAD 145 HOTELS/BOARDI NG HOUSES, THE LARGEST NUMBER BY CENSUS DISTRICT, AND ACCOUNTED FOR 20 PER CENT OF TOTAL SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS.
THE MAJORITY OF ESTABLISHMENTS IN THIS SECTOR WAS SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, FOLLOWED BY PARTNERSHIP, PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANIES AND PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANIES.
IN TERMS OF SALES, PARTNERSHIP WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT, FOLLOWED BY PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANIES IN WHOLESALE TRADE. IN RETAIL TRADE, SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP ACCOUNTED FOR 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL SALES. SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE SHARE OF PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANIES.
/A SOMEWHAT ..
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1980
T>
A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT PATTERN WAS SHOWN IN IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE AND RESTAURANTS IN WHICH PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANIES ACCOUNTED FOR 72 PER CENT AND 62 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL TURNOVER. IN HOTELS/BOARDI NG HOUSES, PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANIES HAD A 57 PER CENT SHARE OF THE TOTAL SALES, FOLLOWED BY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANIES WITH A 37 PER CENT SHARE.
THE SEPTEMBER 1979 ISSUE OF THE MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS A SUMMARY OF STATISTICS OBTAINED IN THE ECONOMIC CENSUS 1-
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR REPORTING ESTABLISHMENTS BY ACTIVITY
WHOLESALE RETAIL IMPORT/ EXPORT RESTAURANTS HOTELS TOTAL
NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS 7 175 28 417 10 474 3 672 655 50 392
NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED 43 1 280 113 618 87 955 101 718 16 795 363 365
LABOUR COST ($ MNS) 504 1 074 1 943 1 305 251 5 077
OPERATING COST (S MNS) 630 1 519 3 960 963 396 7 468
PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE (S MNS) 15 611 14 262 59 963 2 570 142 92 546
CHANGES IN STOCKS ($ MNS) 203 651 901 14 2 1 771
SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS (S MNS) 17 067 17 492 67 788 5 131 1 100 108 578
CENSUS VALUE ADDED (S MNS) 1 451 3 486 7 623 2 100 794 15 454
(NOTE 1 FIGURES MAY NOT ADD UP TO THE TOTALS DUE TO ROUNDING .)
- 0 /4
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1980
4
NEW SHA TIN FIRE STATION TO OPEN IN MARCH
* * * * *
THE NEW FIRE STATION FOR THE FAST DEVELOPING SHA TIN NEW TOWN IS EXPECTED TO BECOME OPERATIONAL IN EARLY MARCH.
STRUCTURAL WORK ON THE NEW DIVISIONAL STATION, A PROJECT OF THE PWD ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND WORKMEN ARE PUTTING FINISHING TOUCHES TO IT.
A PWD SPOKESMAN SAIDi +THE NEW THREE-STOREY STATION OCCUPIES A
9 OOO-SQUARE-METRE SITE ADJACENT TO THE SHING MUN RIVER AND WILL HAVE ROOM FOR 10 FIRE APPLIANCES.*
+ IN ADDITION,* HE SAID, +THERE WILL BE DUTY AND SERVICES ROOMS, OFFICES, A LECTURE ROOM, BARRACKS ACCOMMODATION FOR OPERATIONAL STAFF, DINING AND RECREATIONAL AREAS AND A STORE FOR DANGEROUS GOODS.*
A SEPARATE TWO-STOREY BUILDING ON THE SAME SITE WOULD PROVIDE OFFICE ACCOMMODATION FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES FIRE COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, HE SAID.
ONE OF THE FEATURES OF THE STATION WILL BE THE ELECTRIC-OPERATED SHUTTER DOORS ALL OF WHICH COULD BE OPENED IN LESS THAN 10 SECONDS AFTER THE CONTROL BUTTON IS ACTIVATED.
THE SYSTEM WILL REDUCE THE TIME TAKEN BY FIREMEN TO GET TO THE SCENE OF A FIRE.
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AIR LETTER MAIL TO VIETNAM RESUMED * * * * *
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT ORDINARY AIR LETTER MAIL TO VIETNAM SUSPENDED SINCE DECEMBER Pl LAST YEAR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT AIR OUTLETS, HAVE NOW BEEN RESUMED,
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID THE RESUMPTION MIGHT OFLIl REoSTLFTSE?o°5f^l1lil5TURE ANP **S PEPENDENT 0N THE SahIi^ENANCE vr Min UUILcIo Iu V I t I N AM e
susf>E;rev‘SeEi!>re?.‘LL SU"F,CE M‘IL S"VICES T0 ”EmM REM4IN
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1980
- 5
BUILDING ON WAN CHAI ROAD DECLARED DANGEROUS *****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED A FOUR-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING AT 164 WAN CHAI ROAD TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE BUILDING HAD BEEN UNDER REGULAR OBSERVATION SINCE 1969. DURING RECENT MONTHS THE CONDITION OF THE LOAD-BEARING WALLS, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF THE REAR KITCHEN BLOCK, HAD DETERIORATED CONSIDERABLY.
♦THERE IS NOW A SERIOUS RISK THAT SECTIONS OF THE KITCHEN BLOCK COULD COLLAPSE AND ACCORDINGLY THE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF THIS BUILDING IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY,* HE SAID.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER WAS POSTED ON THE BUILDING TODAY. THE APPLICATION WILL BE HEARD IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON FEBRUARY 5, 1980.
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FIRE SERVICES WELFARE FUND TO RECEIVE $300 000 BOOST *****
A LOCAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER AND BUSINESSMAN, MR. PETER LEUNG, WILL DONATE $300 000 TO THE FIRE SERVICES WELFARE FUND IN APPRECIATION OF THE BRAVERY AND DEVOTION TO DUTY DISPLAYED BY HONG KONG’S 5 000 FIREMEN.
MR. LEUNG WILL PRESENT THE CHEQUE TO THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. M.K. LANE AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 11 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 323 JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT.
NOTE TO ED I TORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PRESENTATION OF A $300 000 DONATION TO THE FIRE SERVICES WELFARE FUND AT 11 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON 10TH FLOOR OF THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 323 JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT.
0
/6
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, I960'\
6
BUSINESS STUDENTS DO WELL IN EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS
* * * * *
STUDENTS STUDYING COMMERCIAL COURSES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE HAVE OBTAINED GOOD RESULTS IN THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY EXAMINATIONS HELD LAST YEAR.
+OUT OF 43 CANDIDATES FROM THE COMMERCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT CF KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WHO SAT THE ELEMENTARY STAGE OF THE BOOK-KEEPING EXAMINATION IN THE SPRING SERIES, 35 HAVE BEEN AWARDED PASSES WITH DISTINCTION,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THIS MEANS THAT OVER 80 PER CENT OF THE CANDIDATES FROM THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE HAVE RECEIVED DISTINCTION.
IN THE HIGHER STAGE OF THE COSTING EXAMINATION, 12 OUT OF 16 CANDIDATES, ALSO FROM KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, HAD BEEN AWARDED PASSES WITH DISTINCTION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
STUDENTS FROM MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE TOOK PART IN THE BOOK-KEEPING EXAMINATION IN THE SUMMER SERIES LAST YEAR.
AT THE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL, 15 OUT OF 104 CANDIDATES PASSED WITH DISTINCTION, WHILE AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL EIGHT OUT OF 63 OBTAINED PASS WITH DISTINCTION.
FOURTEEN COMMERCIAL STUDENTS OF THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE PASSED WITH DISTINCTION AT THE HIGHER STAGE OF THE TYPEWRITING EXAMINATION IN THE SUMMER SERIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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DONATIONS TO CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WELFARE FUND
*****
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WELFARE FUND WILL GET ANOTHER BOOST TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN THE HONG KONG GROUP OF IFPI (INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF PRODUCERS OF PHONOGRAMS AND VIDEOGRAMS) AND 11 RECORD COMPANIES PRESENT DONATIONS TOTALLING «34 500 AND A BANNER IN APPRECIATION OF THE SERVICE’S COPYRIGHT PROTECTION UNIT IN STAMPING OUT RECORDING PIRACY IN HONG KONG.
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS, MR. DOUGLAS JORDAN, WILL RECEIVE THE DONATIONS AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW AT 4 PM AT THE SERVICE’S MESS ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF RUMSEY STREET MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUILDING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER PRESENTATION OF DONATIONS TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WELFARE FUND WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 4 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE SERVICE’S MESS ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF RUMSEY STREET MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUILDING.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NG.
HK PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE IN CHINA’S MODERNISATION......... 1
S3OO OOO DONATION TO FIRE SERVICES ./ELFARE FUND............ 2
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE’S EFFORTS IN STAMPING OUT RECORDING PIRACY RECOGNISED ................... 3
SEMINAR FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIANS .............................. 4
DECEMBER WEATHER SUNNY AND DRY ............................. 4
SCHOOL HEADS TO DISCUSS TEACHING CHILDREN 7/ITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES ....................... 5
HAPPY VALLEY TRAMS TO STOP EARLIER.......................... 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT ................... 6
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1980
1
HK PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE IN CHINA’S MODERNISATION * * * *
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER SAYS IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT SEES HONG KONG AS PLAYING AN IMPORTANT PART IN ITS MODERNISATION AND ECONOMIC PROGRAMMES.
SPEAKING AT THE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SHIPBROKERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), SIR JACK SAID HONG KONG WAS NO LONGER JUST A DOT ON THE MAP, BY VALUE OF EXPORTS IT WAS AMONGST THE 18 LEADING TRADERS OF THE WORLD.
+IN A WORLD WHICH WAS SEEMINGLY BECOMING MORE AND MORE PROTECTIONIST, HONG KONG’S PERFORMANCE OVER THE LAST DECADE HAS ONCE MOR& VINDICATED OUR BELIEF IN FREE TRADE.
+IN A PERIOD WHEN THE WORLD HAS BEEN FULL OF DOUBTS AND ANXIETIES EXACERBATED BY OIL CRISES, HONG KONG HAS RECORDED A SUSTAINED HIGH LEVEL OF GROWTH, ILLUSTRATED BY A 119 PER CENT INCREASE IN CARGO HANDLING THROUGH THE PORT, FROM 13.7 MILLION TONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEVENTIES TO ALMOST 30 MILLION TONS TODAY,+ HE SAID.
SIR JACK ALSO NOTED THAT OUR SUCCESS AS A PORT AND AS A MANUFACTURING CENTRE +IS DUE NOT ONLY TO THE FACILITIES WE PROVIDE AND TO THE QUALITY OF THE GOODS WHICH WE PRODUCE, BUT ALSO TO THE ATMOSPHERE WHICH WE HAVE SOUGHT TO ENCOURAGE, AN ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH THE DEVELOPER, THE TRADER, THE INDUSTRIALIST AND THE BUSINESSMAN WILL FLOURISH.
♦ HE WILL FLOURISH BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT HE IS WANTED HERE, BECAUSE HE IS OPERATING IN A COMMUNITY WHICH BELIEVES IN INITIATIVE, IN HARD WORK AND THINKS IT RIGHT THAT A MAN SHOULD RETAIN A FAIR PROPORTION OF THE FRUITS OF HIS LABOUR AND INGENUITY, BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT WE REGARD THE FREE MOVEMENT OF CAPITAL AND GOODS AS ESSENTIAL TO OUR GROWTH, BECAUSE HE MAY FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE SHALL MAINTAIN OUR FREE PORT STATUS AND OUR LOW TAX STRUCTURE.
♦ABOVE ALL, HE IS AWARE THAT WE BELIEVE FIRMLY IN THE BENEFITS OF VIGOROUS TRADE, FREE FROM ARTIFICIAL BARRIERS,+ HE ADDED.
SIR JACK ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MUCH OF THE SUCCESS OF OUR BUSINESS ENTERPRISES WAS DUE TO THE HARD WORK, FLEXIBILITY AND GOOD SENSE OF THE ORDINARY WORKING PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THEY DESERVED A FAIR SHARE OF THE INCREASING PROSPERITY. +THE BUSINESSMAN - INDUSTRIALIST OR TRADER - FORGETS THAT AT HIS, AND OUR PER IL,+ HE CAUTIONED.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1980
2
$300 000 DONATION TO FIRE SERVICES WELFARE FUND *****
A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, MR. PETER LEUNG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DONATED $300 000 TO THE FIRE SERVICES WELFARE FUND TO BE USED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF WIDOWS AND DEPENDANTS OF FIRE OFFICERS AND FIREMEN KILLED ON DUTY.
AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD TODAY AT THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS IN NORTH POINT, MR. LEUNG PRESENTED A CHEQUE FOR $300 000 TO THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. M.K. LANE.
+LAST NOVEMBER, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES SET UP A SPECIAL FUND WITHIN THE WELFARE FUND TO ASSIST WIDOWS AND DEPENDANTS OF MEMBERS KILLED IN ACTION,+ SAID A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN.
+THE $300 000 WILL BE PLACED IN THE ACCOUNT OF THIS SPECIAL FUND AND THE INTERESTS EARNED WILL BE USED TO PAY WIDOWS OR DEPENDANTS A MONTHLY GRANT TO SUBSIDISE THEIR OTHER INCOME,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY MR. LEUNG RECALLED THE INCIDENT LAST SEPTEMBER IN WHICH A SENIOR FIREMAN LOST HIS LIFE AS A RESULT OF INJURIES AND BURNS SUFFERED WHILE FIGHTING A FIRE IN A DANGEROUS GOODS STORE IN LAI CHI KOK.
+HIS COURAGE AND TRAGIC DEATH STRUCK A SYMPATHETIC CHORD AMONG THE PUBLIC WHO DONATED VARIOUS SUMS IN RESPONSE,* SAID MR. LEUNG.
ON THE DEATH OF ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE SERVICE WHO WAS KILLED LAST WEEK WHILE RACING TO RESCUE A DRIVER IN A CAR ACCIDENT, MR. LEUNG SAIDi +THIS SAD CASE RECEIVED LITTLE PUBLICITY BUT THE CONSEQUENCES TO THE WIDOW AND CHILDREN ARE EQUALLY DISTRESSING AND SERIOUS AS IN THE FIRST CASE.*
+THEREFORE,* HE SAID, +l ASKED THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES TO DEVOTE MY CONTRIBUTION TO THE BENEFIT OF THE DEPENDANTS OF THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE FIRE SERVICES — THOSE WHO QUIETLY GIVE THEIR LIVES IN THE PURSUIT OF THEIR PROFESSION.*
+AND IN PARTICULAR, I WISHED TO MAKE A FITTING GESTURE TO RECOGNISE THE MANY HAZARDS FACED BY HONG KONG’S 5 000 FIRE OFFICERS AND MEN IN GOING ABOUT THEIR DAILY DUTIES,* MR. LEUNG ADDED.
MR. LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE REPORTED MONETARY LOSSES FROM THE RAVAGES OF FIRE IN 1978 AMOUNTED TO $113.1 MILLION AND HE ANTICIPATED THAT THE LOSSES IN 1979 WOULD BE EVEN GREATER.
+THIS IS A VERY HIGH LOSS IN REAL TERMS AND EVEN DISCOUNTING THE HUMAN SUFFERING AND DEPRIVATION WHICH ALSO RESULTED FROM THOSE SAME FIRES AND THE MUCH HIGHER VALUE OF PROPERTY AT RISK, THIS IS TOO HIGH A PRICE,* SAID MR. LEUNG.
HE URGED ALL MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS, COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO INCREASE THEIR AWARENESS OF THE FIRE RISK IN THEIR OWN SURROUNDINGS AND CO-OPERATE WITH THE FIRE SERVICES.
FINALLY, HE CALLED ON MANAGEMENT OF FACTORIES AND OFFICES TO TRY THEIR BEST TO MINIMISE THE OUTBREAK OF FIRE IN THEIR BUILDINGS AND NOT TO USE THEIR COMMON AREAS AND STAIRCASES FOR THE STORAGE OF COMBUSTIBLE GOODS OR WORK PROCESSES BECAUSE SUCH ANTI-SOCIAL ACTS WOULD RESTRICT OR OBSTRUCT THE DESIGNED EXITS IN THE EVENT OF FIRE AND ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF THEIR WORKERS AND THEMSELVES.
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CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE’S EFFORTS IN STAMPING OUT RECORDING PIRACY RECOGNISED
X X X X X X
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE HAS WORKED INTENSIVELY TO DEFEAT THOSE WHO WOULD ATTEMPT TO ROB LEGITIMATE RECORDING COMPANIES AND ARTISTS OF 7HEIR PROPERTY, SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS, MR. DOUGLAS JORDAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
♦THERE IS NOTHING ROMANTIC ABOUT THESE MODERN DAY PIRATES. THEY ARE OUT AND OUT ROGUES ROBBING THE INDUSTRY, AND DECEIVING THE PUBLIC WITH THEIR INFERIOR PRODUCTS,+ HE SAID.
MR. JORDAN WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY AT THE SERVICE’S HEADQUARTERS WHEN DONATIONS TOTALLING 534 500 WERE MADE BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE RECORDING INDUSTRY TO THE SERVICE’S WELFARE FUND.
AT THE CEREMONY, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FUNG HANG RECORDS COMPANY, MR. CHUNG KAM PUI, ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP, ALSO PRESENTED A BANNER TO MR. JORDAN IN APPRECIATION OF THE SUCCESS OF THE SERVICE’S COPYRIGHT PROTECTION UNIT IN STAMPING OUT RECORDING PIRACY IN HONG KONG.
THANKING THE ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS, MR. JORDAN SAID s +IT IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE, AND IS SAID TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER ADMINISTRATIONS THAT THE COPYRIGHT PROTECTION UNIT OF THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE HAS ACHIEVED NOTABLE RESULTS IN REDUCING TO A MINIMUM, IF NOT COMPLETELY STAMPING OUT RECORDING PIRACY IN THE TERRITORY.+
ASSURING THE RECORDING INDUSTRY OF THE CONTINUING VIGILANCE AND CLOSE ATTENTION OF THE COPYRIGHT PROTECTION UNIT TO THEIR INTERESTS, HE SAID : +OUR INTERESTS COINCIDE BECAUSE HARM DONE TO YOUR INDUSTRY IS HARM DONE TO THE LEGITIMATE TRADE OF HONG KONG.+
♦IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, OF WHICH THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE FORMS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART, TO DO EVERYTHING IN ITS POWER TO MAINTAIN THE TRADING INTEGRITY OF HONG KONG.
+IT IS ENCOURAGING TO THE SERVICE TO KNOW THAT THEIR EFFORTS IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR INDUSTRY HAVE BEEN BOTH RECOGNISED AND APPRECIATED TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU ARE TODAY MAKING THESE GENEROUS DONATIONS.+
MR. JORDAN EXPLAINED THAT THE SERVICE’S WELFARE FUND, TO WHICH THE INDUSTRY HAD CONTRIBUTED EEFORE, EXISTED BY LAW TO PROVIDE VARIOUS BENEFITS AND COMFORTS FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE.
+SUCH BENEFITS AND COMFORTS DO MUCH TO ENABLE OFFICERS OF THE SERVICE TO RELAX PROPERLY AND ENJOY THEIR LEISURE IN OFF-DUTY MOMENTS, WHICH IN TURN CONTRIBUTES TO THE BETTER PERFORMANCE OF THEIR WORK,* HE SAID.
DONATIONS TO THE SERVICE’S WELFARE FUND WERE MADE BY : H.K. GROUP OF IFPI (INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF PRODUCERS OF PHONOGRAMS AND VIDEOGRAMS)- FUNG HANG RECORDS LTD.- SUN HING PANSONIC LTD.- MAN CHI RECORDS CO.- WING CHEUNG RECORDS CO. LTD.- CROWN RECORD CO.- HONG KONG KING YOKO LTD.- a I NG HANG RECORD TRADING CO.- TIEN SHING RECORDS CO.- BAILEY RECORD CO.-SING TAO PANSONIC LTD. AND MOUTRIES AND CO. (HK LTD).
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1980
SEMINAR FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIANS * * * *
ABOUT 120 RECENTLY APPOINTED TEACHER LIBRARIANS ATTENDED A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S LIBRARY SECTION AT THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY EXTRA-MURAL TOWN CENTRE AT WING ON CENTRE TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MRS. LOUISE MOK, DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS SAID THE AIM OF THE SEMINAR WAS TO ACQUAINT PARTICIPANTS WITH DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANSHIP, BROADEN THEIR OUTLOOK ON LIBRARIES, RESOURCES AND RELATED TOPICS SUCH AS PUBLISHING.
♦YOU WILL ALSO KNOW ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, TO ENABLE YOU TO SHARE THE RICH EXPERIENCE OF FELLOW LIBRARIANS OVERSEAS AND TO LEARN FROM THEIR WISDOM,+ SHE SAID.
A GROUP OF 15 EDUCATIONISTS AND SCHOOL LIBRARIANS FROM THE UNITED STATES NOW VISITING HONG KONG ALSO ATTENDED THE SEMINAR -AND GAVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE ROLE OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON STUDENTS.
MRS. DONNA HARSH TOGETHER WITH TWO COLLEAGUES FROM THE GROUP SPOKE ON +CHILDREN’S LITERATURE IN THE UNITED STATES*.
THREE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GROUP SPOKE ON SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN THE UNITED STATES.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR WERE MISS CHRISTINA LEE, CHIEF EDITOR OF THE RED APPLE MAGAZINE, WHO SPOKE ON +READING AND PUBLISHING IN HONG KONG+- AND MRS. KATE CHIANG, SCHOOL LIBRARIAN OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, ON +AMERICAN SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN HONG KONG+.
DECEMBER WEATHER SUNNY AND DRY ft ft ft ft ft
THE WEATHER IN DECEMBER WAS MILD, SUNNY AND DRY ACCORDING ATHER SUMMARY ,SSUED BY ™E ROYAL OBSERVATORY
IvUAT \ WuDiMt. oD A I ) •
THERE WAS ONLY ONE DAY (DECEMBER 18) WITH MEASURAR1 F raiki AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE TOTAL RAINFALL REGISTERED FOR JeCEHBE™ "*S °-2 "AK",G IT THE SEVEHT" ‘oWST ih "c?RDOFOR
.... ^I0TAL SUNSHINE FOR THE MONTH AMOUNTED TO 230 4 HOURS WHIOW HOURS M0RE THAN normal while THE MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 18.6 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS 1.1 DEGREES HIGHER THAN AVERAGE
/THERE WAS ...
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1980
5
THERE WAS A TRACE OF RAIN ON DECEMBER 3 APART FROM WHICH THE WEATHER REMAINED FINE AND SUNNY FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH UNTIL DECEMBER 17. ON THE AFTERNOON OF DECEMBER 5, TEMPERATURE ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 25.3 DEGREES CELSIUS - THE HIGHEST IN THE MONTH.
IT WAS RATHER HUMID FROM DECEMBER 18 TO 22 HEN A
MOIST EASTERLY AIRSTREAM COVERED SOUTH CHINA AND THERE WERE REPORTS CF MIST AND FOG ALONG THE COAST DURING THIS PERIOD WITH VISIBILITIES REDUCED TO A MINIMUM OF 200 METRES AT WAGLAN ISLAND AND 800 METRES AT CHEUNG CHAU.
A COLD FRONT PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG EARLY ON DECEMBER 23 AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A FEW PATCHES OF VERY LIGHT RAIN. HOWEVER, THE WEATHER IMPROVED VERY RAPIDLY DURING THE DAY.
AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THE COLD FRONT, CONDITIONS BECAME COOLER AND LESS HUMID AND THE REST OF THE MONTH WAS FINE AND SUNNY. TEMPERATURES FELL STEADILY AND ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 25 THE MONTH’S MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 11.4 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED. FRESH TO STRONG WINDS WERE EXPERIENCED FROM DECEMBER 23 TO 25.
DURING THE MONTH NO AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO WEATHER.
THREE TROPICAL CYCLONES WERE REPORTED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA BUT NONE AFFECTED HONG KONG.
THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ON THREE OCCASIONS TO WARN OF STRONG WINDS OF THE WINTER MONSOON.
THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS EFFECTIVE ON 12 DAYS WHILE THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN FORCE ON 15 DAYS. NO THUNDERSTORM OR HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS WERE ISSUED.
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SCHOOL HEADS MEET TO DISCUSS
TEACHING CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
*****
MORE THAN 100 HEADS OF AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE MEETING THIS WEEK FOR DISCUSSIONS ON TEACHING CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES IN SPECIAL OR RESOURCE CLASSES.
THE FIRST MEETING WAS HELD THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING AT THE WAN CHAI KAIFONG ASSOCIATION PRIMARY SCHOOL AT 01 KWAN ROAD AND ATTENDED BY 44 SCHOOL HEADS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY DISCUSSED THE AIMS, NATURE AND ORGANISATION OF SPECIAL CLASSES AND RESOURCE CLASSES, AND THE CRITERIA OF SELECTING PUPILS FOR PLACEMENT IN THESE CLASSES.
FOLLOWING THE DISCUSSIONS THE GROUP VISITED SPECIAL AND RESOURCE CLASSES IN SESSION AT THE WAN CHAI KAIFONG ASSOCIATION PRIMARY SCHOOL.
HEADS FROM AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KOWLOON AND TSUEN WAN WILL BE ATTENDING SIMILAR DISCUSSIONS TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND FRIDAY RESPECTIVELY.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1980
6
HAPPY VALLEY TRAMS TO STOP EARLIER
* X * *
TRAM SERVICES FROM HAPPY VALLEY TO KENNEDY TOWN AND SHAU KEI WAN WILL STOP AT 11.30 PM ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY (JANUARY 11 AND 12) TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.
ON THESE TWO DAYS THE LAST TRAM FROM HAPPY VALLEY FOR SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE AT 11.24 PM AND THAT FOR KENNEDY TOWN WILL LEAVE WITHIN SECONDS.
THE LAST TRAMS FROM SHAU KEI WAN AND KENNEDY TOWN FOR HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE AT 10.26 PM AND 10.46 PM RESPECTIVELY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO COMPLETE THE NIGHT WORK SO AS NOT TO CAUSE DISRUPTION TO THE NORMAL TRAM SERVICE IN HAPPY VALLEY ON THE FOLLOWING MORNINGS.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT X X X X X
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT BOTH JACKSON ROAD AND CLUB STREET AT THEIR JUNCTION WITH CHATER ROAD IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL JANUARY 31 FOR ROAD WORKS.
ALSO BECAUSE OF ROAD WORKS, THE SERVICE LANE BETWEEN SUTHERLAND HOUSE AND FURAMA HOTEL AT ITS JUNCTION WITH CHATER ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM FRIDAY (JANUARY 11) TO JANUARY 24.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN SUPPLEMENT Wednesday, January 9,19&0 » ;
ACTING GOVERNOR ATTENDS CHARTERED SHIPBROKERS LUNCHEON
The following is the full text of speech by the Acting Governor, Sir Jack Cater, at the Diamond Anniversary Luncheon of the Hong Kong Branch of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers on Wednesday January 9» 1980.
I am most grateul to you, Mr Chairman, and to the Fellows, Members and Students of the Hong Kong Branch of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers for inviting me to this, your Diamond Anniversary luncheon. I congratulate the Institute on the achievements of the last 60 years; your Chairman has with his customary, but quite unwarranted, modesty touched only briefly on these quite remarkable achievements.
Your Institute - The Institute - is a leader in the provision of qualified professional shipbrokers for world chartering markets and agency expertise; and although today you are becoming involved in seemingly far wider and weightier matters, I trust you will never forget that your raison d’etre is the provision of education and training and the fostering of professional expertise (and as a former Commissioner of the ICAC you would expect me to say this) - importantly, integrity. And what a great, inspiring but simple Motto you have ”0ur Word Our Bond”.
It is through the Institute’s substantial overseas membership that its
standards have come to be accepted as the international yardstick for professional shipbrokers; it is extremely gratifying - but not surprising - to find, not only that Hong Kong as the largest overseas branch of the Institute,, but also that the record of Hong Kong students in the Institute’s examinations is so outstanding.
/The conception.....
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
2 -
The conception, the birth, the growth to maturity of this remarkable place called Hong Kong have been dominated by our ability to provide a safe haven and efficient, reliable services for trading vessels operating in this part of the world. In the past 3° years we have transformed ourselves from a transhipment port to a major manufacturing centre. Wherever one looks one is reminded that our very existence depends upon the sea and that directly or indirectly, shipping plays a dominant role in the lives of all who live here.
As you have rightly said, Mr Chairman, Hong Kong is no longer just a dot on the map; by value of exports we are aniongst—the '18 leading traders Of the .wofIcI. ■"in’~consequence, we have had to develop to the full those facilities which the shipping industry requires. Major' container terminals have been built which handle nearly 50 per cent of our imports and exports. Although this percentage may well increase, we shall continue to retain, our capacity to deal by traditional methods with the remainder of our cargoes with the skill, speed and economy which have been an outstanding feature of the port for more than 100 years. These facilities and services have been provided largely through the vision and resources of private enterprise, with only gentle guidance from a Government which is reluctant to meddle in matters which are best left to those who both are experienced in them, and willing through professional institutes to ensure the highest standards of operation.
But our success as a port and as a manufacturing centre is due . not only to the facilities which we provide and to the quality of the goods ...... . * which we produce but also to the atmosphere which we have sought to encourage, an atmosphere in which the developer, the trader, the industrialist and the businessman will flourish. He will flourish because he knows that he is wanted here, because he is operating in a community which believes in initiative, in hard work and thinks it right that a man should retain a fair proportion of the fruits of his labour and ingenuity, because he knows that we regard the free movement of capital and goods as essential /to our .................................................................
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to our growth, because he may feel confident that we shall maintain our free port status and our low tax structure. Above all, he is aware that we believe firmly in the benefits of vigorous trade, free from artificial barriers. For my part I would wish that the businessman will be mindful • • • J
that much of the success of our business - industrial i st or trader -forgets that at his, and our peril.
In a world which is seemingly becoming more and more protectionist, Hong Kong’s performance over the last decade has once more vindicated our belief in free trade. In a period when the world has been full of doubts and anxieties exacerbated by oil crises, Hong Kong has recorded a sustained high level of growth, illustrated by a 119 per cent increase in cargo handling through the port, from 13«7 million tons at the beginning of the seventies to almost 50 million tons today.
As we enter the eighties the future looks brighter for the shipping industry than it did just a year ago. Frieght rates for bulk carriers have improved, laid-up tonnage has gone down and second-hand prices have risen. And locally, it is now clear that the Chinese Government sees Hong Kong as playing an important part in its modernisation and economic development programmes. The challenge is there and I am sure that you ladies and gentlemen of the shipbroking profession, are well prepared to play your vital role in meeting it. The pressure of competition will be there too: and it was therefore most encouraging to me Mr Chairman to hear you say that, as you move into the eighties, it will be your duty to set the example and to enforce the policy ’’Ethics must come first”. There can be no doubt that honest business is good business.
/Ladies and .....
• - 4 -
Ladies and Gentleman the "back of the envelope" has long since passed: I know that the Institute's well established history and tradition of initiative and energy, professionalism and integrity will stand you in good stead in the future: I know beyond doubt that you are well equipped to deal with, and overcome, the many problems which will undoubtedly arise in the years to come: I wish you all success and happiness in the future.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
.... Toast: "The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers".
- - 0 - -
PR 33
SUPPLEMENT
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 9,1980
ACTING GOVERNOR ATTENDS CHARTERED SHIPBROKERS1 LUNCHEON
The following is the full text of speech by the Acting Governor, Sir Jack Cater, at the Diamond Anniversary Luncheon of the Hong Kong Branch of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers on Wednesday January 9» 1980.
I am most grateul to you, Mr Chairman, and to the Fellows, Members and Students of the Hong Kong Branch of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers for inviting me to this, your Diamond Anniversary luncheon. I congratulate the Institute on the achievements of the last 60 years; your Chairman has with his customary, but quite unwarranted, modesty touched only briefly on these quite remarkable achievements.
Your Institute - The Institute - is a leader in the provision of qualified professional shipbrokers for world chartering markets and agency expertise; and although today you are becoming involved in seemingly far wider and weightier matters, I trust you will never forget that your raison d’etre is the provision of education and training and the fostering of professional expertise (and as a former Commissioner of the ICAC you would expect me to say this) - importantly integrity. And what a great, inspiring but simple Motto you have "Our Word Our Bond".
It is through the Institute’s substantial overseas membership’ that its standards have come to be accepted as the international yardstick for professional shipbrokers; it is extremely gratifying - but not surprising - to find, not only that Hong Kong as the largest overseas branch of the Institute, but also that the record of Hong Kong students in the Institute’s examinations is so outstanding.
/The conception.....
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
2
The conception, the birth, the growth to maturity of this remarkable place called Hong Kong have been dominated by our ability to provide a safe haven and efficient, reliable services for trading vessels operating in thi-s-part_.pf^ the world. In the past 30 years we have transformed ourselves from a transhipment port To a* ■ma-jer-manufacturing centre. Wherever one looks one is reminded that our very existence depends upon the sea and that directly or indirectly, shipping plays a dominant role in the lives of all who live here.
As you have rightly said, Mr Chairman, Hong Kong is no longer just a dot on the map; by value of exports we are amongst the 18 leading traders of the world. In consequence, we have had to develop to the full those facilities which the shipping industry requires. Major container i • . : ....
terminals have been built which handle nearly 50 per cent of our imports and exports. Although this percentage may well increase, we shall continue to retain our capacity to deal by traditional methods with the remainder of our cargoes with the skill, speed and economy which have been an outstanding feature of the port for more than 100 years. These facilities and services have been provided largely through.the vision and resources of private • enterprise, with only gentle guidance from a Government which is reluctant to meddle in matters which are best left to those who both are experienced in them, and willing through professional institutes to ensure the highest standards of operation.
But our success as a port and as a manufacturing centre is due not only to the facilities which we provide and to the quality of the goods which we produce but also to the atmosphere which we have sought to encourage, an atmosphere in which the developer, the trader, the industrialist and the businessman will flourish. He will flourish because he knows that he is wanted here, because he is operating in a community which believes in initiative, in hard work and thinks it right that a man should retain a fair proportion of the fruits of his labour and ingenuity, because he knows that we regard the free movement of capital and goods as essential /to our ..................................................................
- 5 -to our growth, because he may feel confident that we shall maintain our free port status and our low tax structure. Above all, he is aware that we believe firmly in the benefits of vigorous trade, free from arti finial barriers. FOr my part I would wish that the businessman will be mindful that much of the success of our business - industrialist or trader -forgets that at his, and our peril.
In a world which is seemingly becoming more and more protectionist, Hong Kong’s performance over the last decade has once more vindicated our belief in free trade. In a period when the world has been full of doubts and anxieties exacerbated by oil crises, Hong Kong has recorded a sustained high level of growth, illustrated by a 119 per cent increase in cargo handling through the port, from 13*7 million tons at the beginning of the seventies to almost 30 million tons today.
As we enter the eighties the future looks brighter for the shipping industry than it did just a year ago. Frieght rates for bulk carriers have improved, laid-up tonnage has gone down and second-hand prices have risen. And locally, it is now clear that the Chinese Government sees Hong Kong as playing an important part in its modernisation and economic development programmes. The challenge is there and I am sure that you ladies and gentlemen of the shipbroking profession, are well prepared to play your vital role in meeting it. The pressure of competition will be there too: and it was therefore most encouraging to me Mr Chairman to hear you say that, as you move into the eighties, it will be your duty to set the example and to enforce the policy ’’Ethics must come first”. There can be no doubt that honest business is good business.
/Ladies and .....
- 4 -
Ladies and Gentleman the "back of the envelope" has long since passed: I know that the Institute’s well established history and tradition of initiative and energy, professionalism and integrity will stand you in good stead in the future: I know beyond doubt that you are well equipped to deal with, and overcome, the many problems which will undoubtedly arise in the years to come: I wish you all success and happiness in the future.
... ; ■ • . ' .,h ' - - \
Ladies and Gentlemen,
.... Toast: "The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers".
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NC.
ACTING GOVERNOR SPEAKS ABOUT HK’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROBLEMS ............................................... 1
CRITICISM ABOUT INADEQUATE LAND SUPPLY PUT IN PERSPECTIVE.......................................... 5
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION LAW TO BE AMENDED.................... 7
WAYS TO TACKLE TRANSPORT PROBLEM ........................... 9
OVER 460 RECREATION AND SPORT ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR THIS MONTH ............................................ 10
FINAL STAGE OF TAI HING ESTATE COMPLETED................... 11
TEACHER’S ROLE NOW MORE COMPLEX........................... 12
EMPLOYMENT OF CREWS ON VESSELS REGISTERED IN HK...................................................
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1980
1
ACTING GOVERNOR SPEAKS ABOUT HK’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROBLEMS * * * * *
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER SPOKE ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE PAST DECADE AND THE PROBLEMS FACING HONG KONG IN AN INTERVIEW BROADCAST OVER RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
SIR JACK TOUCHED ON HOUSING, EDUCATION, TRANSPORT, THE ECONOMY AND THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH LEGAL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN THE FIRST OF A TWO-PART INTERVIEW. THE SECOND PART WILL BE BROADCAST TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THIS MORNING’S INTERVIEW:
SIR JACK: I SUPPOSE LOOKING BACK THERE HAS BEEN ENORMOUS DEVELOPMENT, ENORMOUS ACHIEVEMENT. BUT WHAT STICKS IN MY MIND AT THIS MOMENT IS THE AMOUNT OF SOCIAL PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS OR SO. AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL OF US: HOUSING, I KNOW THERE IS STILL ENORMOUS PROBLEMS OF HOUSING, BUT WE HAVE ACHIEVED A VERY GREAT DEAL.
ONLY, BUT A YEAR AND A HALF OR SO IT SEEMED TO THE GOVERNOR THAT WE HAD THE END IN SIGHT BUT BY THE MID-EIGHTIES WE WOULD OVERCOME THIS SEEMINGLY INTRACTABLE PROBLEM.
AND NOW AS A RESULT FROM THE IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA LAST YEAR OF SOME 200 000 PEOPLE SO WE SEE OURSELVES SLIPPING IN THE PROVISION OF HOUSING, A SLIPPAGE WHICH CLEARLY IS GOING TO TAKE TIME TO CATCH UP ON.
IN OTHER AREAS, EDUCATION, AND I THINK BACK TO THE LATE SIXTIES IS THE TIME WHEN WE WERE THINKING THEN OF JUST INTRODUCED FREE, AND COMPULSORY PRIMARY EDUCATION. DOESN’T SEEM MUCH NOW. WE NOW HAVE, OF COURSE, FREE AND COMPULSORY JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION. AND THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT.
UNIVERSITIES.....? I THINK A FACT WHICH IMPRESSES ME MORE
THAN ANYTHING ELSE ARE THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE THERE ARE IN THE UNIVERSITIES WHO COME FROM THE LOW-COST HOUSING ESTATES. WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE, THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY WAS VERY MUCH A RICH MAN’S UNIVERSITY. NOWADAYS, SOMETHING LIKE 55, 60 PER CENT OF THOSE AT THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY COME FROM LOW-COST HOUSING ESTATES AND OVER 70 PER CENT OF THOSE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY COME FROM THAT BACKGROUND.
INTERVIEWER: THIS IS VERY IMPRESSIVE AND THEY ARE GREAT TIPS. I NOTICE THAT YOU TEND TO STEER AWAY FROM WHAT PEOPLE WOULD CONSIDER TO BE THE ACHIEVEMENTS IN MATERIAL TERMS FOR HONG KONG WHICH PEOPLE TEND TO ASSOCIATE HONG KONG WITH. FOR INSTANCE THE MASSIVE NUMBER OF SKYSCRAPERS THAT HAVE GONE UP.
/SIR JACK: ......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1980
2
SIR JACK: YES, AND IF I DO, PERHAPS IT’S SOMETHING WHICH IS BUILT INTO ME THAT I DO TEND TO, OF COURSE CAN’T MISS THIS TREMENDOUS DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE, THAT IS THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM, ALL AROUND US BUILDINGS GOING UP, NEW ROADS BEING BUILT, OUR ECONOMY BOOMING AWAY, AND THIS IS GREAT.
BUT IT SEEMS TO ME AT TIMES TOO, THAT PERHAPS WHAT ONE TENDS TO FORGET IS THAT PEOPLE ARE ACHIEVING THIS AND GOVERNMENT SHOULD EE CONCERNED WITH PEOPLE. I TEND TO EMPHASISE, PERHAPS THIS IS RIGHT, THE ROLE OF PEOPLE IN THIS. I THINK THAT IS PARAMOUNT. IT IS A BIT OF A PARADOX PERHAPS BUT IT IS ALSO PEOPLE, I THINK, THAT ARE OUR MAIN PROBLEM FOR THE COMING YEARS.
INTERVIEWER: WHAT DO YOU SEE IS PERHAPS THE MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE GOING TO FACE IN THE EIGHTIES?
SIR JACK: WELL WE ENDED 1979 WITH A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM OF IMMIGRATION, BOTH LEGAL AND ILLEGAL, FROM CHINA. IT IS STILL WITH US. WE HAVE HAD PROMISES FROM CHAIRMAN HUA GUOFENG IN LONDON AND DENG XIAOPING IN PEKING AND MORE RECENTLY GOVERNOR XI, THE GOVERNOR OF GUANGDONG, THAT SOMETHING WOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. AND AS WE KNOW, FROM THE FIRST OF JANUARY NEW LAWS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED, A NEW CAMPAIGN AGAINST EMIGRATION FROM CHINA TO HONG KONG.
SO AT THIS PRECISE MOMENT IN TIME IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAY HOW THIS WILL GO. HOPEFULLY THEIR PLANS WILL MATERIALISE AND THEIR PLANS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WILL NOT BE THE PROBLEM THAT IT WAS THIS LAST YEAR. BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE CHINESE HAVE AN ENORMOUS PROBLEM TOO.
SINCE THE OVERTHROW OF THE GANG OF FOUR, SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FOUR MODERNISATIONS, GREATER LIBERALISM, THERE HAS UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT IN SOUTH CHINA, SOCIAL DISCIPLINE PERHAPS IN THE COMMUNES HAS TENDED TO BREAK DOWN. THE ’DOWN TO THE COUNTRYSIDE YOUTH MOVEMENT’ IS A THING OF THE PAST. AND SO WE HAVE LARGE NUMBERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE MOVING AROUND ESPECIALLY HERE IN SOUTH CHINA. AND MANY OF THEM CLEARLY WOULD LIKE TO COME TO HONG KONG. IN FACT I WAS LOOKING AT FIGURES THIS MORNING WHICH INDICATE THAT PROBABLY SOMETHING LIKE HALF A MILLION THIS LAST YEAR ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE THE VILLAGES AND COME TO HONG KONG, AND AS WE KNOW, UNHAPPILY MAINLY WAS SUCCESSFUL, UNHAPPILY AS FAR AS HONG KONG IS CONCERNED.
AND SO THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH US NOW BUT MAYBE THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS OR SO WILL SHOW AN IMPROVEMENT. BUT WHILST THE STANDARDS OF LIVING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THOSE IN GUANGDONG, WHILST THERE IS THIS DIFFERENTIAL, I WOULD IMAGINE THERE WOULD BE THE DESIRE STILL IN YOUNG PEOPLE’S MINDS ESPECIALLY TO COME TO HONG KONG.
/INTERVIEWER: .....
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1980
5 -
INTERVIEWER: PRESUMABLY THE PEOPLE PROBLEM THAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO IS GOING 0 HAVE RAMIFICATIONS IN OTHER AREAS WITHIN HONG KONG, I AM THINKING HERE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT, FOR INSTANCE, THE PROBLEMS OF TRANSPORT FOR THE EIGHTIES.
SIR JACK: OUR PROBLEMS, PARTLY BECAUSE OF THIS INCREASE IN IMMIGRATION HERE, ARE ENORMOUS. THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT AND I DON’T THINK ANYBODY SHOULD TRY TO HIDE THAT FACT. IT'S NOT JUST HOUSING, IT’S NOT JUST TRANSPORT. CLEARLY THERE HAVE TO BE IMPROVEMENTS. I’M HOPEFUL THAT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM WILL BE THE BACKBONE AS IT WERE OF OUR TRANSPORT SYSTEM.
BUT IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT THE BUS COMPANIES AND THE TRAMWAY COMPANY WILL HAVE ANY LESS TO DO. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THERE IS ROOM FOR VERY CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THE CARRIAGE OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
INTERVIEWER: IN TALKING ABOUT THESE ACHIEVEMENTS, SIR JACK, IN TALKING ABOUT THE MASSIVE PEOPLE PROBLEM THAT HONG KONG HAS. CAN WE SUSTAIN THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT YOU SPEAK OF INTO THE EIGHTIES, THROUGH THINGS LIKE RECREATION, THROUGH BETTER LABOUR CONDITIONS AND SO FORTH?
SIR JACK: WELL, LOOKING BACK OVER THE 70S’ YOU KNOW I AM IMPRESSED WITH WHAT ALREADY HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN TERMS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEISURE. I CAN RECALL ONLY TOO CLEARLY THE PROBLEMS FACING US IN 1967 AND EARLY 1968 WHEN WE DISCUSSED WITH INDUSTRIALISTS THE NEED TO BRING DOWN THE WORKING WEEK IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR FROM 60 TO 48 HOURS. IN SOME WAYS THAT SEEMS A LIFETIME AGO BUT IT WAS ONLY JUST OVER 10 YEARS. AND I’M DELIGHTED THAT THEY AGREED TO OUR SUGGESTION, DELIGHTED THAT THIS WAS ACHIEVED IN THE EARLY 70S’. AND THEN THE SUNDAY HOLIDAY. WHAT A BATTLE THAT WAS AT ONE TIME AND YET IT HAS TAKEN QUITE PROBABLY AS BEING THE NATURAL THING AND IT GIVES ME THE GREATEST OF POSSIBLE PLEASURE TO SEE YOUNG PEOPLE UP ON THE HILLSIDES, OUT WALKING ENJOYING THE COUNTRY PARKS, ENJOYING OUR COUNTRYSIDE AND I WOULD CERTAINLY EXPECT THAT SORT OF THING TO CONTINUE, I WOULD EXPECT OUR COUNTRY PARK SYSTEM TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE. I THINK THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES HAS DONE A GRAND JOB HERE BUT THERE IS STILL MUCH MORE TO BE DONE IN TERMS OF MAKING THE COUNTRY PARKS ATTRACTIVE TO YOUNG PEOPLE ESPECIALLY AND WE HAVE GOT TO GET OLDER AND MORE ELDERLY PEOPLE OUT THERE.
SO I THINK THAT’S BEEN GOOD AND THAT IT WILL BE MAINTAINED AND THERE CAN BE NO GOING BACK. AND TALKING ABOUT LABOUR CONDITIONS, THERE CAN CERTAINLY BE NO GOING BACK ON WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED.
INTERVIEWER: SIR JACK, IS IT NOW POSSIBLE THAT WITH ALL THIS PROSPERITY AND YET AT THE SAME TIME THE PROBLEMS THAT GO HAND IN HAND WITH IT, THAT HONG KONG WILL EVENTUALLY SINK IN ITS OwN MIRE BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW, THE TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF PEOPLE HERE, THE TREMENDOUS PRESSURES THAT HAS PUT ON PEOPLE.
ONE CAN’T DENY THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURES AND THE PRESSURES GENERALLY ON PEOPLE HERE IN HONG KONG. THERE IS NO QUESTION ON THAT. BUT I DON’T SEE THERE IS ANY QUESTION ABOUT OUR SINKING INTO ANY PARTICULAR MIRE. NO SYSTEM IS PERFECT, THIS IS TRUE.
/SIR JACK: ......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1980
4
SIR JACK: I THINK THAT WE ARE VERY MUCH CONCENTRATED ON THE ECONOMY, VERY MUCH CONCENTRATED ON PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND IN IMPROVING OUR OWN PROSPERITY. BUT I THINK IN THAT LIES A DANGER, THE DANGER THAT WHEN WE ARE TRAVELLING AT SUCH A PACE WE MIGHT JUST OCCASIONALLY OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT SOME AREN’T KEEPING UP WITH US, THE OLD AND THE LAME, THAT SOME ARE AS IT WERE FALLING THROUGH THE NET.
AND THESE ARE THE PEOPLE, I THINK, THAT INCREASINGLY WE MUST LOOK FOR, WE MUST SEEK OUT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON’T SUFFER BECAUSE THEY CAN’T COPE WITH THE PACE OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
INTERVIEWER: PRESUMABLY THIS WOULD GO FOR MEDICAL SERVICE FOR EVERYONE ELSE TOO, I MEAN, YOU’D HOPE TO SEE DEVELOPMENT IN THAT AREA.
SIR JACK: WITHOUT ANY DOUBT WHATSOEVER. THE PLANS WE HAVE ARE THERE FOR ALL TO SEE BUT THERE CAN BE NO DOUBTING, NOT ONLY THAT THEY ARE NECESSARY, BUT NOT JUST IN THE MEDICAL FIELD IN THE SOCIAL FIELD GENERALLY. BUT SO OFTEN WHEN YOU PLAN, WHEN YOU HAVE IDEAS ON A BROAD SCALE IT IS THE INDIVIDUAL WHO SO OFTEN YOU CAN FIND HIM SUFFER ING,AND IT IS THIS PERSON I AM BEGINNING TO WORRY ABOUT. I THINK WE HAVE GOT TO FIND THEM OUT, WE HAVE GOT TO SEEK THEM OUT, WE HAVE GOT TO HELP THEM.
INTERVIEWER: WHAT ABOUT EMPLOYMENT? CAN HONG KONG SUSTAIN THE VAST NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WITH ITS INDUSTRIES AND WITH ITS TRADE?
SIR JACK: I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WITH THESE ENORMOUS NUMBERS OF PEOPLE COMING HERE THAT WE WOULD HAVE HAD PROBLEMS BUILDING UP BY NOW UPON UNEMPLOYMENT. BUT HONG KONG IS AN EXTRAORDINARY PLACE AND, AS YOU KNOW, THIS PAST YEAR OUR EXPORTS ARE UP 42 PER CENT AND I AM TOLD BY INDUSTRIALISTS THAT THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF LABOUR ESPECIALLY AMONG THE SKILLED AND SEMI-SKILLED. AND SO IT SEEMS AS THOUGH WE ARE IN FACT ABSORBING THESE PEOPLE.
BUT AS WE LOOK AT THE EIGHTIES WE LOOK ALSO INTO A TIME WHEN THE WEST, WHEN THE REST OF THE WORLD, THE BETTER-OFF NATIONS ARE BECOMING, IT SEEMS TO ME, INCREASINGLY PROTECTIONIST. AND THIS, I THINK, MUST BE A GREAT WORRY THAT WE WORRY FOR US AND WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO COMBAT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. BECAUSE UNLESS WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN DOING THAT THEN YOU MIGHT WELL BE RIGHT, WE MIGHT WELL HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM TO DO WITH EMPLOYMENT. BUT IT IS NOT YET ON THE CARDS THAT THAT IN FACT SHOULD BE.
INTERVIEWER: SO THE CHALLENGES REALLY THEN FOR THE COMING DECADE YOU’D SEE AS BEING PEOPLE PROBLEMS AND THINGS SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT AND TRADE, THE ECONOMY. ON THE SUBJECT OF THE ECONOMY WE HAVE ALREADY HAD THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE COMMENTING. BUT WHAT WOULD YOU SEE AS AN OVER-VIEw TO HIS REMARKS?
SIR JACK: I WOULDN’T LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING TO WHAT SIR PHILIP HAS SAID. BUT I THINK HE VERY SENSIBLY HAS REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE ECONOMY DURING THE EIGHTIES. SO MUCH COULD HAPPEN IN THE REST OF THE WORLD TO AFFECT US HERE IN HONG KONG. BUT ONE THING IS QUITE CERTAIN: THAT WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AS WE GO INTO THE EIGHTIES. *E ARE FORTUNATE IN HAVING A HARD WORKING, SENSIBLE COMMUNITY. OUR ENTREPRENEURS, OUR INDUSTRIALISTS ARE FLEXIBLE. THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IS STANDING UP,HAVING HAD A LOT OF PRESSURE ON IT OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO. AND SO WE GO INTO THE EIGHTIES IN GOOD SHAPE.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1980
5
CRITICISM ABOUT INADEQUATE LAND SUPPLY PUT IN PERSPECTIVE
* X * *
CRITICISM THAT GOVERNMENT WAS NOT MAKING ENOUGH LAND AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITlES AVAILABLE TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS HAD TO BE LOOKED AT AGAINST THE GENERAL DECISION THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY HAD MADE TO HOUSE ALL THE INADEQUATELY HOUSED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON.
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THIS WAS THE REASON FOR THE 10-YEAR HOUSING PROGRAMME +AND NO ONE HAS CRITICISED IT.*
NO ONE HAD SAID IT WAS WRONG, BUT IT DID MEAN, IN ORDER TO MEET THOSE TARGETS, THAT 70 PER CENT OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR NEW TOWNS WOULD BE HOUSED IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND THIS MEANT ROUGHLY THAT ONLY 30 PER CENT OF THE LAND RESERVED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES WAS AVAILABLE FOR OFFER.
♦THEREFORE, BY ADOPTING THE PUBLIC HOUSING POLICY, QUITE A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES HAVE THUS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO THE PUBLIC SECTOR.+
THIS WAS NOT TO SAY THAT THERE WAS A DEARTH OF PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+1 WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU OF THE NUMBER OF VERY LARGE SCHEMES WHICH HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT DURING THE SAME PERIOD THAT WE HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING THE NEW TOWNS.
♦YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT IN 1975 AND EARLY 1976 WE SOLD TWO LARGE LOTS OF SEABED IN SHA TIN AMOUNTING TO 51 ACRES (20.6 HECTARES) FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT BY WAY OF RECLAMATION,* HE SAID.
THE RECLAMATION WORKS HAD BEEN LARGELY COMPLETED AND DEVELOPMENT WAS UNDERWAY. WITH A VIEW TO OCCUPANCY OF THE EARLY PHASES OF ONE OF THE DEVELOPMENTS LATER THIS YEAR, AND BY THE OTHER IN MID-1981, WITH A LONG-TERM OVERALL PROJECTED POPULATION OF 35 000.
IN ADDITION, AT FAIRVIEW PARK IN YUEN LONG, A FURTHER SUBSTANTIAL SITE WAS GRANTED IN 1975 TO PERMIT A DEVELOPMENT OF SOME 5 000 HOUSES, AND THE EARLY PHASES OF THIS PROJECT HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THE HOUSES OCCUPIED.
AT HONG LOK YUEN IN TAI PO ANOTHER ESTATE FOR 500 HOUSES WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED.
RECENTLY AT TSI NG LUNG TAU ANOTHER LARGE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT WAS APPROVED, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE NEARLY 1 500 FLATS- AND AT DISCOVERY BAY WHICH, ALTHOUGH IT WAS A RECREATIONAL AND RESORT AREA WITH HOTELS AND GOLF COURSES AND PRIVATE AND PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, IT WOULD NEVERTHELESS PROVIDE HOUSING FOR ANOTHER 30 000 PEOPLE.
/AT SAI ...
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1980
6
AT SAI KUNG WE HAD APPROVED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MARINA PROJECT WHICH WOULD PROVIDE 230 HOUSES, AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER SCHEMES IN THE PIPELINE WHICH WOULD ADD SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE STOCK OF PRIVATE HOUSING.
♦BY ALL MEANS LET US TRY TO DO MORE, BUT LET US ALSO REMEMBER THE VAST SCALE ON WHICH BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT IS NOW TAKING PLACE.*
MR. AKERS-JONES SAID HE DID NOT INTEND HIS SPEECH TO BE A DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT, BUT TO GIVE A PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON AND PERHAPS TO SEE AGAINST THIS PERSPECTIVE HOW WE SHOULD RESPOND TO THE PRESENT PRESSURE TO MAKE MORE LAND AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT, THAT WE ARE NOT BUILDING ENOUGH HOUSING AND THAT ONLY BY MAKING MORE LAND AVAILABLE COULD WE BRING THE PRICE OF LAND AND PROPERTY DOWN.
*WE HAVE HAD A HOUSING SHORTAGE FOR YEARS, BUT WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THE PRESENT PRESSURE THAT WE HAVE NOW FOR PROPERTY OF ALL KINDS AND THIS IS EVIDENCED IN ESCALATING RENTS AND HIGH LAND AND BUILDING PRICES.
+LET US NOT FORGET THAT IT IS ONLY COMPARATIVELY RECENTLY IN THE 1970’S THAT, WITH THE RESOURCES DEVELOPED FROM OUR ECONOMIC EXPANSION, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ADOPT A MORE PROGRESSIVE POLICY, NOT MERELY RESPONDING TO PRESSURE BUT ATTEMPTING TO GET ON TOP OF OUR PROBLEMS, BUT IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS THE PRESSURES GENERATED FROM PROSPERITY AND FROM OTHER SOURCES HAVE INCREASED FASTER THAN OUR ABILITY TO COPE WITH THEM.*
THIS WAS OUR REAL PROBLEM, AND THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ON WHICH WE SO CONFIDENTLY EMBARKED IN 1973 NOW FELL FAR SHORT OF WHAT WAS REQUIRED.
MOREOVER, THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING MORE LAND AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT WAS MORE DIFFICULT BECAUSE THERE WAS A LIMIT TO HOW MUCH THE ECONOMY AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY COULD BEAR.
ANOTHER FACTOR WAS THAT IT WAS VERY EASY TO SEE IN 1973 WHAT WE HAD TO DO- WE HAD TO PICK UP THE PLANS THAT HAD BEEN PREPARED IN THE 1960’S FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN AND NORTH TSUEN WAN AND GET ON WITH THEM.
* BUT IT IS NOT SO EASY TO SEE NOW WHERE WE OUGHT TO BE GOING NEXT AND WHERE WE ARE GOING TO PUT OUR EXPANDING POPULATION,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.
* IF YOU PUT MORE PEOPLE IN THE YUEN LONG AREA, IN THE NORTH-WEST, THEN IT PUTS FURTHER STRAIN ON THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY.
+IF YOU PUT MORE PEOPLE IN SHA TIN AND TAI PO, THEN IT WILL PUT MORE STRAIN ON THE LION ROCK TUNNELS AND WATERLOO ROAD.
♦ IF YOU PUT PEOPLE IN JUNK BAY, IT WILL PUT INCREASING PRESSURE ON THE COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH EAST KOWLOON AND KWUN TONG, AND SO FORTH.
/♦SIMILARLY ..
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1980
7
♦SIMILARLY POPULATION INCREASES OF THE SIZE WHICH WE MUST CONTEMPLATE REQUIRE SUBSTANTIAL QUANTITIES OF WATER AND THE QUESTION OF WATER DISTRIBUTION HAS ALSO TO BE SOLVED.
♦CLEARLY WE CAN’T STOP DEVELOPING, BUT CLEARLY THE SORT OF PROBLEMS I HAVE HINTED AT MUST BE EVALUATED.
♦ SO LET ME RE-ASSURE TODAY THAT THERE IS A LOT OF WORK GOING ON NOW WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT TO FIND AN ANSWER AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO THE QUESTION OF HOW TO DISTRIBUTE THE FUTURE INCREASE IN POPULATION, WHAT THE SIZE OF THE HOUSING REQUIREMENT IS LIKELY TO BE IN THE YEARS AHEAD AND HOW SUCH BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE QUESTIONS AS TRANSPORT AND WATER SUPPLY AFFECT THE SOLUTION.
♦ MY OWN FEELING IS THAT WE WILL EVENTUALLY END UP, NOT WITH A PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON ANY SINGLE PLACE - THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT IS LARGELY PAST - BUT WITH EXPANSION OF THE URBAN AREAS THAT HAVE GROWN UP IN THE LAST TEN YEARS OR SO.
♦ I HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO MENTION OTHER EFFECTS OF THIS URBANISATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, BUT QUITE OBVIOUSLY EACH OF THESE NEW TOWNS IS GOING TO AFFECT ALL THE FLAT LAND SURROUNDING IT AND WE MIGHT AS WELL PREPARE FOR THIS AND DECIDE HOW WE ARE GOING TO CONTAIN AND CONTROL THE INEVITABLE CHANGES WHICH WE WILL HAVE TO ACCEPT WILL COME TO THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE 1980S.+
- - 0 - -
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION LAW TO BE AMENDED
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT RECOGNISES THE NEED TO RAISE THE EXISTING LEVELS OF COMPENSATION PROVIDED UNDER THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW ARE BEING DRAFTED AND THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. DAVID LIN, IN A REPLY TO REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE, THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CEMENT AND CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION TRADE WORKERS UNION AND THE RELATIVES OF TWO WORKERS KILLED IN A RECENT ACCIDENT AT A TSUEN WAN CONSTRUCTION SITE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS NOW EXPANDING ITS FACTORY INSPECTORATE UNDER A FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME AS ONE OF THE MAJOR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE AND ACHIEVE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
THE REPLY ALSO TOUCHED ON EXISTING LEGISLATION ON SAFETY AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE DEPARTMENT’S INVESTIGATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND THE ROLES MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS CAN PLAY IN REDUCING THESE ACCIDENTS.
ON WORKERS’ SAFETY, MR. LIN EMPHASISED THAT THIS HAD ALWAYS BEEN THE PRIMARY CONCERN OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WHICH INVESTIGATED EVERY ACCIDENT CAUSING DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.
/THE INSPECTORATE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1980
8
THE INSPECTORATE HAD THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED THE ACCIDENTS AT THE TELFORD GARDEN AND THE HOPEWELL CENTRE AND A SIMILAR INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALL WAY GARDENS INCIDENT IS NOW BEING UNDERTAKEN. IF BREACHES OF SAFETY REGULATIONS ARE FOUND, THE CONTRACTORS OR PERSONS CONCERNED WOULD BE PROSECUTED.
APART FROM THE INVESTIGATIONS, MR. LIN POINTED OUT, THE INSPECTORATE HAD ALSO ADVISED THE CONTRACTORS CONCERNED ON APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL SAFETY MEASURES TO AVOID SIMILAR ACCIDENTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, ALL THE HOISTS ON THE TELFORD GARDEN SITE, ON THE DEPARTMENT’S ADVICE, HAD BEEN SUSPENDED FROM USE UNTIL THEIR OPERATIONAL SAFETY HAD BEEN ENSURED. ALL THE GONDOLAS USED BY THE COMPANY HAD BEEN TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE UNTIL THEY HAD BEEN EXAMINED BY AN ENGINEER AND CERTIFIED SAFE AND SUITABLE FOR USE.
ON SAFETY LEGISLATION, MR. LIN SAID THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS IMPOSED AN OVERALL LIABILITY ON A PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF A CONSTRUCTION SITE UNDER HIS CONTROL. THEY ALSO IMPOSED A SIMILAR LIABILITY ON OTHER CONTRACTORS, SUB-CONTRACTORS AND PERSONS INCLUDING WORKERS ON THE SITE.
AS FAR AS THE DEPARTMENT IS CONCERNED, IT ALWAYS TRIED ITS BEST TO USE ALL POSSIBLE MEANS TO PROMOTE AND ACHIEVE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, PRIMARILY THROUGH PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS, ORGANISING SAFETY COURSES AND STRENGTHENING THE INSPECTORATE.
+l AM SURE YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME THAT ENFORCEMENT THROUGH INSPECTION OR PROSECUTION ALONE WILL NOT DRASTICALLY REDUCE ACCIDENTS UNLESS EVERYONE, FROM TOP MANAGEMENT DOWN TO THE FIRST LINE WORKERS, ALSO TAKES AN INTEREST AND PLAYS AN ACTIVE PART IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
+A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS MIGHT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD BOTH THE CONTRACTORS AND THE WORKERS THEMSELVES BEEN SAFETY CONSCIOUS AND TAKEN HEED OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ADVICE ON SAFETY DEVICES, SUCH AS THE USE OF SAFETY BELTS WHILE WORKING AT HEIGHTS,+ SAID MR. LIN.
SPEAKING OF WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION CASES, MR. LIN SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO BEEN TRYING ITS BEST TO MINIMISE THE PERIOD REQUIRED TO SETTLE A CLAIM IN RESPECT OF FATAL CASES.
HOWEVER, SOME CASES INEVITABLY TOOK A LONG TIME TO SETTLE EECAUSE OF THE NEED TO LOCATE ALL THE DEPENDANTS, VERIFY THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE DECEASED WORKERS AND CHECK THEIR DEGREE OF DEPENDENCY. IN PARTICULAR, CASES WHERE THE SURVIVING DEPENDANTS LIVED IN CHINA TOOK LONGER TIME.
APART FROM HANDLING THESE CASES, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO REFERRED THE FAMILY OF AN INJURED WORKER OR A DECEASED WORKER SUFFERING FROM FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE, MR. LIN SAID.
inunuvrti, umpiuah r iu, 170U
WAYS TO TACKLE TRANSPORT PROBLEM *****
HONG KONG’S ROADS ARE CONGESTED TO A POINT WHERE IT IS A CASE OF THE AUTHORITIES +TRYING TO GET A QUART OUT OF A PINT POT.*
THIS COMMENT WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, DR. RICHARD BUTLER, AT THE ROTARY (ISLAND SOUTH) CLUB TODAY (THURSDAY).
HOWEVER, DR. BUTLER FELT THERE WERE FIVE WAYS OF ATTACKING THE PROBLEM OF CONGESTION;
* BY DELIBERATELY RESTRAINING THE INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC COMING ONTO THE ROAD SYSTEM-
* AS MORE THAN 80 PER CENT OF THE PUBLIC MAKE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THE GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER DEMANDS THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT USERS SHOULD BE GIVEN PRIORITY OVER PRIVATE TRANSPORT USERS-
* EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE FOR THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR SERVICES-
* AS FERRIES, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND BUSES ARE FREED FROM THEIR PRESENT USE BY THE PUBLIC OPTING TO USE THE MTR, THEY MUST BE REDEPLOYED TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR MOVEMENT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY- AND
* OFF-STREET SYSTEMS AVAILABLE, OR POTENTIALLY AVAILABLE, MUST BE EXPLOITED TO THE FULL.
ON THE FIRST POINT DR. BUTLER SAID: +IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT THE ADDITIONAL MOTOR VEHICLES WHOSE NUMBERS WE SHOULD PARTICULARLY AIM TO CONTROL ARE PRIVATE CARS WHICH ACCOUNT FOR TWO THIRDS OF OUR VEHICLE FLEET, FOR WHICH SUBSTITUTES ARE AVAILABLE, AND WHICH ARE PECULIARLY WASTEFUL IN THEIR USE OF SCARCE ROAD SPACE.*
DR. BUTLER STRESSED THAT HE WAS NOT ADVOCATING A REDUCTION IN THE PRESENT NUMBER OF REGISTERED PRIVATE CARS. RATHER, HE REFERRED TO A CURBING OF THE RATE OF INCREASE LN THE NUMBER. ■
+ IN FACT, I FORESEE AN INCREASE - BUT AT A SMALLER RATE THAN AT PRESENT,* HE SAID.
THE SECOND POINT, HE SAID, MEANT EARMARKING BUS-ONLY LANES, TRAM RESERVES AND EVEN PUBLIC-VEHICLE-ONLY ROADS WHERE APPROPRIATE.
+T0 DOUBLE THE SPEED OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS TO DOUBLE ITS CAPACITY IN A GIVEN TIME FRAME,* SAID DR. BUTLER.
+IF WE CANNOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE ROAD SPACE FOR ALL, LET US AT LEAST PROVIDE IT FOR THE VAST MAJORITY WHOSE NEEDS IN RELATION TO THEIR NUMBERS ARE MODEST.*
ON THE FIFTH POINT, DR. BUTLER SAID: +WE SHOULD INTRODUCE MORE FERRY SERVICES, PARTICULARLY COASTAL SERVICES, SUCH AS SHAU KEI WAN/ CENTRAL DISTRICT.
+WE MUST PRESS ON WITH THE KCR MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION AND WITH THE TUSEN WAN ESTENS ION OF THE MTR PLANNED FOR 1982.+
- 0 -
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1980
10
OVER 460 RECREATION AND SPORT ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR THIS MONTH
* * * * *
THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (RSS) HAS LINED UP MORE THAN 460 ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH FOR PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND INTERESTS. OVER ONE-THIRD OF THESE ARE NEW EVENTS AND EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN.
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO RELAX OVER A LONG WEEKEND, THERE IS AN +AWAY FROM IT ALL+ EVENT ORGANISED BY THE RSS HEADQUARTERS, WHICH GIVES AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAMPING, FOLK DANCING, HORSE-RIDING AND HIKING.
THOSE WHO CAN ONLY AFFORD ONE DAY AWAY FROM THEIR WORK CAN JOIN +HORSE RIDING AND HIKING* ON SUNDAYS ORGANISED BY THE RSS TUEN MUN OFFICE AT THE SHA TIN RIDING SCHOOL AND IN TAI PO COUNTRY PARK.
PEOPLE IN REMOTE AREAS ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. OUTINGS TO THE OCEAN PARK FOR MA WAN RESIDENTS AND FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE ARRANGED AND A VARIETY OF SPORTS EVENTS ARE SPECIALLY ORGANISED FOR KUT 0 FISHERMEN, SAI KUNG CHILDREN AND CHILDREN OF YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER.
ALTOGETHER THERE ARE MORE THAN 170 NEW EVENTS, SOME 60 OF WHICH ARE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. THERE ARE ALSO TEAM GAMES, ATHLETIC AND AQUATIC EVENTS, GYMNASTIC EXERCISES, DANCE COURSES AND FITNESS TRAINING CLASSES.
COMING ATTRACTIONS IN FEBRUARY INCLUDE A +DANCE CAMP+ AT THE SAI KUNG RECREATION CENTRE AND A +MACLEHOSE TRAIL WALK*.
THE PROGRAMME FOR THIS MONTH IS OBTAINABLE FROM VARIOUS CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES AND OFFICES OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO JOIN ANY OF THE EVENTS CAN ENQUIRE ABOUT ENROLMENT AT THEIR LOCAL RSS OFFICE.
THEIR TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE:
HEADQUARTERS (5-458511), HONG KONG EASTERN (5-641543), WAN CHAI (5-724844), HONG KONG CENTRAL/WESTERN (5-438559), HONG KONG SOUTHERN (5-534111 EXT 10), SHAM SHU I PO (3-860945), MONG KOK (3-808781), YAU MA TEI (3-682585), KOWLOON CITY (3-028500), WONG TAI SIN (3-272641), KWUN TONG (3-436123), SHA TIN (12-620170), TAI PO (12-677111 EXT 140), SAI KUNG (3-2814683), NT ISLANDS (5-454616). YUEN LONG (12-764246), TUEN MUN (12-813210 EXT 264), TSUEN WAN (12-404361), AND SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE (3-2813828).
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/11 .....
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, I960
11
FINAL STAGE OF TAI HING ESTATE COMPLETED .
*****
THE LAST THREE 30-STOREY CRUCIFORM BLOCKS OF THE FINAL STAGE OF TAI HING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.
THE DEPARTMENT IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF HANDING OVER TWO OF THE NEWLY-COMPLETED BLOCKS TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE REMAINING ONE WILL BE HANDED OVER LATER THIS MONTH.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT NEW TENANTS WILL BE MOVING IN TO THE NEW BLOCKS SHORTLY.
A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT TAI HING ESTATE WAS THE SECOND LAST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE BUILT BY PWD’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE UNDER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S HOUSING PLAN.
TAI HING ESTATE COMPRISES A TOTAL OF SIX 30-STOREY CRUCIFORM DOMESTIC BLOCKS AND A SEVEN-STOREY DOMESTIC BLOCK, PROVIDING HOMES FOR ABOUT 50 000 PEOPLE.
+THREE CRUCIFORM BLOCKS AND THE SEVEN-STOREY BLOCK WERE COMPLETED IN THE FIRST STAGE AND THEY ARE NOW HOUSING MORE THAN 20 000 PEOPLE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+EACH OF THE NEWLY-COMPLETED CRUCIFORM BLOCKS OF THE FINAL STAGE CONTAINS 1 388 FLATS FOR ABOUT 7 500 PEOPLE. EVERY FLAT IS PROVIDED WITH INDIVIDUAL BALCONY, PROPER KITCHEN AND TOILET.+
LIKE THE FIRST STAGE OF THE ESTATE, HE SAID, THERE WERE OPEN AND RECREATIONAL SPACE IN AND AROUND THE ESTATE WITH PLAYGROUNDS AND REST GARDENS FOR RESIDENTS.
+COMMERCIAL FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS. THESE INCLUDE SHOPS AND A CENTRALLY LOCATED MARKET CONSISTING OF ABOUT 50 STALLS OF VARIOUS SIZES AND A LARGE RESTAURANT.+
THE RESTAURANT, HE ADDED, MEASURED ABOUT 1 500 SQUARE METRES AND WAS LOCATED AT THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX WITH PARKING FACILITIES.
+IN ALL,+ HE POINTED OUT, +THE HIGH QUALITY TAI HING ESTATE INCORPORATES ALL BASIC COMMUNITY AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO A BALANCED COMMUNITY.+
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/12 ...
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1980
12
TEACHER’S ROLE NOW MORE COMPLEX *****
THE ROLF OF THE PRESENT DAY TEACHER IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMPLEX AND DEMANDING AND NOT SIMPLY ONE OF IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE CONTAINED IN TEXTBOOKS TO STUDENTS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR. TOPLEY WAS SPEAKING AT THE JOINT SPEECH DAY OF THE COGNIT IC COLLEGE AT SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.
A GOOD TEACHER, HE SAID, SHOULD +AWAKEN STUDENTS’ INTEREST TO THINK INDEPENDENTLY AND CRITICALLY THROUGH THE LEARNING OF ALL SUBJECTS*.
THIS, MR. TOPLEY ADDED, WOULD MEAN THAT TEACHERS WOULD HAVE TO PUT IN EXTRA EFFORT AND PROFESSIONAL DEDICATION INTO THEIR WORK.
♦STUDENTS SHOULD BE GIVEN AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO THINK OUT AND SOLVE PROBLEMS INDEPENDENTLY IN IMAGINED AND REAL SITUATIONS.
♦THEY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO ANALYSE THE RELATION BETWEEN CAUSE AND EFFECT, AND TO FIND OUT WHY ONE EVENT SHOULD LEAD TO ANOTHER. THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO EXPERIMENT AND ARRIVE AT THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS, TO COLLECT THEIR OWN DATA AND FORM THEIR OWN JUDGEMENTS,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
HE SAID THAT ANOTHER IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE TEACHER WAS TO HELP THE STUDENTS DEVELOP A HEALTHY, BALANCED PERSONALITY AND BUILD UP A KEEN SENSE OF SOCIAL AWARENESS.
ASIDE FROM SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE, THE TEACHER SHOULD BE ALIVE TO EACH ONE OF HIS STUDENTS’ DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS AND NEEDS.
+HE SHOULD MAKE HIS STUDENTS FEEL THAT THEY MAY BRING TO HIM THEIR PERSONAL PROBLEMS, HOWEVER PETTY THESE MAY APPEAR, AND HE WILL BE THERE TO LISTEN AND OFFER HIS FRIENDLY COUNSEL AND ADVICE,* NR. TOPLEY SAID.
FURTHER TO BUILD UP THE STUDENTS’ SENSE OF SOCIAL AWARENESS, THE TEACHER SHOULD KINDLE THEIR INTEREST IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BY INITIATING STUDY PROJECTS SUCH AS VISITS AND FIELD TRIPS TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF HOW COMMUNITY AGENCIES WORK.
COGNITIO COLLEGE, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED 17 YEARS AGO BY A GROUP OF YOUNG AND ENTHUSIASTIC GRADUATES FROM HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, NOW HAS ITS OWN PURPOSE-BUILT SCHOOL BUILDINGS - ONE IN SAN PO KONG AND THE OTHER IN CHAI WAN.
LAST SEPTEMBER, THE COLLEGE JOINED THE SCHEME OF CONVERSION TO AIDED SCHOOL STATUS AND BY SEPTEMBER 1982 IT WILL RECEIVE FULL GOVERNMENT AID UNDER THE CODE OF AID FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, I960
13
EMPLOYMENT OF CREWS ON VESSELS REGISTERED IN HK *****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED MASTERS, OWNERS, AGEN.'S AND CHARTERERS OF BRITISH VESSELS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG THAT THEY MUST COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IN LAW RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT AND DISCHARGE OF SEAMEN AND OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING CREWS.
THESE REQUIREMENTS LAID DOWN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM MERCHANT SHIPPING ACTS 1894 TO 1967, AND THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE, CHAPTER 281 OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG ARE APPLICABLE TO BRITISH SHIPS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID, +FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS AS LAID DOWN COULD RESULT IN PROSECUTIONS AGAINST THE MASTERS, OWNERS, AGENTS OR CHARTERERS AND DELAYS IN SAILING OF SHIPS.+
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ACTING GOVERNOR SPEAKS ABOUT FUTURE OF HONG KONG ................ 1
RENTAL CONTROL FOR POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES ............... 5
POPULATION CENSUS IN 1981 ....................................... 7
REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT ) BILL 1980 .................. 8
TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR COLLECTING PA PAYMENT VOUCHERS ........................................................ 8
RECORDS MUST BE KEPT FOR CHILD EMPLOYEES ........................ 9
NEW APPOINTMENTS TO METRICATION COMMITTEE ...................... 10
IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO KEEP UP WITH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ........................................ 11
TWO PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IN YUEN LONG DECLARED DANGEROUS........ 12
FEES FOR SERVICE IN LAND OFFICE REVISED......................... 12
CLOSURE OF AN ACCESS WAY ON AP LEI CHAU PROPOSED................ 1J
SEMINARS ON VOCAL MUSIC ........................................ 15
LABOUR OFFICER ATTENDS COURSE IN ITALY ......................... 1J
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980
1
ACTING GOVERNOR SPEAKS ABOUT FUTURE OF HONG KONG ******
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, SPOKE ABOUT THE CIVIL SERVICE, ICAC AND THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IN PART TWO OF HIS INTERVIEW WliH RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG BROADCAST THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT
OF THIS MORNING’S INTERVIEWi
INTERVIEWERi COULD WE JUST TAKE A LOOK FOR A MOMENT, SIR JACK, THE SHIP THAT YOU YOURSELF RUN ------ THAT IS, THE CIVIL SERVICE.
IS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE CIVIL SERVICE GOING TO BE ABLE TO COPE WITH GOVERNING HONG KONG IN THE COMING DECADE?
SIR JACKi I THINK THERE COULD BE NO DOUBTING THE ABILITY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE TO COPE WITH THE PROBLEM BUT I DO FEEL THAT AT TIMES OVER THESE LAST 10 YEARS OR SO WE HAVE EXPECTED TOO MUCH OF THE SERVICE. THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF OVERSTRETCH. THE ANXIETY HAS BEEN TO FINISH THE JOB IN HAND, TO GET THINGS DONE IN A HURRY. WE HAVE BEEN IN AN ENORMOUS TEARING HURRY IN THESE LAST 10 YEARS AND I SUPPOSE INEVITABLY, BUT TO ME VERY SADLY, IT SEEMS THAT STAFF RELATIONSHIPS AND GOOD STAFF MANAGEMENT HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN TO THE FORM AND I BELIEVE THAT, PROVIDED WE ARE SENSIBLE, AND WE INTEND TO BE, PROVIDED WE ARE SENSIBLE THIS CAN BE PUT RIGHT. BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS. WE NEED TO GET OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT. MACHINERY MUST BE DEVELOPED TO INVOLVE CIVIL SERVANTS IN THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT, MORE IN THE PLANNING AS WELL AS THE EXECUTIONAL NEED. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE GREATER EMPHASIS BEING PLACED ON, SIMPLY ON GOOD STAFF RELATIONSHIPS.
INTERVIEWERi I TAKE IT FROM THAT THAT YOU MEAN THERE IS A NEED FOR IMPROVING MACHINERY FOR STAFF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS?
SIR JACKi NOT JUST THAT. I THINK THAT, OF COURSE, VARIOUS THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE PAST YEAR OR SOi THE SETTING UP OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN TERMS, I BELIEVE, IN THESE TERMS. SIR Y.K. KAN AND HIS COMMISSION HAS DONE A REMARKABLY GOOD JOB. WE HAVE GOT TO BUILD ON THIS THOUGH. IT IS A STANDING COMMISSION WHICH, AT THIS MOMENT, IS CONSIDERING WAYS AND MEANS OF IMPROVING STAFF RELATIONSHIPS WITH A CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY THAT WILL BE NECESSARY AND I WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO THAT REPORT VERY KEENLY. SO I THINK THERE IS MUCH TO BE DONE HERE. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME WHO WORRY, THAT PERHAPS TRADE UNIONS ARE TENDING TO GO THE WRONG WAY. PERSONALLY, I AM PLEASED TO SEE STAFF TAKING INTEREST IN AFFAIRS THAT CONCERN THEM. I THINK THIS IS TO BE ENCOURAGED, BUT IT DOES MEAN, OF COURSE, THAT BOTH SIDES — MANAGEMENT AND STAFF — HAVE TO BE SENSIBLE AND RESPONSIBLE IN WHAT THEY DO.
/INTERVIEWER:
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980
2
INTERVIEWER 1 DO YOU REGARD THE PRESENT UNREST IF YOU LIKE, IF IN SOME SECTIONS OF CIVIL SERVICE, BEING AN ALARMING OR A HEALTHY TREND?
SIR JACK 1 CERTAINLY NOT ALARMING, AND I SUPPOSE I WOULD BE MISUNDERSTOOD IF I SAID HEALTHY. NO, I THINK THAT THEIR REACTION TO THE COMMISSION’S REPORT IN MANY WAYS WAS TO BE EXPECTED. THOSE WHO GOT WHAT THEY WANTED OUT OF THE COMMISSION OR GOT WHAT THEY EXPECTED, YOU CAN’T EXPECT THEM, THE ASSOCIATION CHAIRMEN AND OTHERS, TO GO AROUND SAYING WHAT A GREAT COMMISSION REPORT IT WAS. THE BEST YOU GET FROM THEM IS +NOT BAD* OR +WE WILL SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT.* OTHERS WHO PERHAPS HAVE FAILED TO PUT THEIR CASE ACROSS CONVINCINGLY TO THE COMMISSION, OR PERHAPS WHO MAY WELL HAVE BEEN UNDERSTOOD, THIS IS WHAT THEY CLAIMED, NEVERTHELESS THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO JT THEIR CASE AGAIN AND THIS IS THE VALUE OF A STANDING COMMISSION. IT IS AN EXPERIMENT HERE IN HONG KONG BUT ONF WHICH I THINK HAS ALL THE MAKINGS OF GREAT SUCCESS AND WE MUST GIVE IT A CHANCE.
INTERVIEWERi WHAT WE MIGHT CONSIDER A PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR YOURSELF DURING THE SEVENTIES WAS OF COURSE THE SETTING UP OF THE ICAC. SIR JACK, WHERE DO YOU SEE THE ICAC MOVING IN THIS COMING DECADE?
SIR JACK 1 I THINK ONE SHOULD LOOK BACK JUST A LITTLE ON THAT. I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING THAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE SETTING UP OF THE ICAC IS THAT, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHO ACCEPTED THAT THIS GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED AT THE TIME, AND VERY OBVIOUSLY REMAINS DETERMINED, TO STAMP OUT CORRUPTION. THE MAIN ACHIEVEMENT HAS BEEN, OF COURSE, THE CUTTING OUT, THE STAMPING OUT OF SYNDICATED CORRUPTION. THE BIG SYNDICATES OF THE PAST NO LONGER EXIST AND IT IS NOW THE ICAC’S JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON’T COME BACK. THEY HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS OBVIOUSLY — CORRUPTION HAS JUST NOT SIMPLY GONE AWAY SINCE 1974. THERE IS CORRUPTION STILL IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND I AM SURE THAT SIR DONALD LUDDINGTON HAS THIS IN MIND FOR FUTURE ACTION. THERE IS LOW LEVEL CORRUPTION, TOO, WITHIN SOME PARTS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE. AND SO THERE ARE STILL AREAS OF ACTIVITY FOR THE ICAC. BUT I THINK INCREASINGLY, THEIR ACTION WILL BE, AND THIS WAS FORESEEN SOME YEARS AGO, ON PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS. IT WILL BE SEEN, I THINK, MORE AND MORE TO BE INVOLVED WITH AND EMPHASISING THIS ASPECT OF THEIR WORK.
INTERVIEWERi DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE ICAC CAN SUCCEED IN CERTAINLY PUTTING CORRUPTION TO THE VERY LOWEST LEVEL WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT HONG KONG WITH ALL ITS PROSPERITY AND WITH EVERYTHING CENTRED AROUND + THE DOLLAR+ BECOMES PART OF THE WAY OF LIFE.
SIR JACKi THIS, I THINK, WAS ONE OF THE GREAT PROBLEMS THAT THE ICAC HAD TO TACKLE AND THAT IS OUR OVER-CONCENTRATION ON MATERIALISM. I THINK IT HAS BEGUN TO TACKLE THAT ALREADY. I THINK THE MERE FACT OF HAVING AN ORGANISATION WHICH IS INTERESTED IN STAMPING OUT CORRUPTION BUT AT THE SAME TIME IMPROVING, I WOULD THINK, THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN A MORAL SENSE. I THINK THIS MUST HELP IN THIS AREA YOU TALKED OF AND SO I WOULD SAY THAT THE MERE FACT THAT THE ICAC BEING THERE, THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE NOW BY ITS COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, MUST HAVE ITS EFFECT IN THE LONG RUN.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980
3
INTERVIEWER! TURNING TO DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN HONG KONG, IS THERE ANY PROSPECT FOR THIS? IT’S A PERENNIAL QUESTION AND IT IS ONE THAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE BEGINNING TO PERHAPS THINK EVEN MORE ABOUT NOW FOR THE EIGHTIES. IS THERE ANY QUESTION OF THIS?
SIR JACKi DEMOCRATIC REFORM AND INDEPENDENCE, I SUPPOSE, ARE THINGS WHICH ARE TALKED ABOUT FROM TIME TO TIME BUT CERTAINLY INDEPENDENCE, AS WE ALL KNOW — QUITE OUT OF THE QUESTION. HONG KONG IS BRITISH OR IT IS CHINESE. I THINK IN TERMS OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT HERE IS, GETTING TO PUBLIC OPINION, INCREASINGLY INVOLVING HONG KONG PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE WESTMINSTER STYLE, WESTMINSTER PATTERN OF DEMOCRACY TO ACHIEVE THIS. INDEED AT THIS VERY MOMENT WE ARE GOING AHEAD WITH AN EXPERIMENT IN KWUN TONG WHICH I HOPE NOT ONLY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL BUT EXPANDED TO OTHER AREAS WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWING THIS THOUGHT THROUGH, THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING MORE TO INVOLVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WITH THEIR DAY-TO-DAY AFFAIRS. AND I THINK THIS IS WHAT IS NEEDED. WE INCREASINGLY, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE — WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE UNIVERSITIES AND HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TOWARDS OUR FUTURE. I THINK INCREASINGLY THEY WILL WANT TO SAY AT THAT LOCAL LEVEL AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND THAT IS WHAT WE MUST ACHIEVE.
INTERVIEWER! TURNING TO HONG KONG-CHINA RELATIONS, SIR JACK, YOU’VE ALLUDED TO THIS BRIEFLY EARLIER ON, BUT COULD I GET YOU TO BE A LITTLE MORE SPECIFIC? WE KNOW THEY ARE GOOD, ARE THEY GOING TO IMPROVE, ARE THEY GOING TO BRING US CLOSER TOGETHER, ARE WE GOING TO SEE HONG KONG AND CHINA INCREASINGLY ALONG THE ROAD TO CO-OPERATION?
SIR JACKi THE SIMPLE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN. WE ALREADY ARE FINDING, OF COURSE, WE HAVE INTEREST IN JOINT VENTURES AND IMPROVED COmJN IC AT IONS, THROUGH TRAlNTO CANTON, AIR SERVICE TO CANTON AND NOW WE ARE CONSIDERING THE POSSIBILITY OF A BUS SERVICE INTO GUANGDONG. SO YES OF COURSE THERE WILL BE INCREASING CO-OPERATION, INCREASING UNDERSTANDING TOO. I HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT^HONG KONG’S VALUE TO CHINA AND YOU DON’T NEED ME TO EMPHASISE THIS, THIS IS WELL KNOWN, BUT WITH THEIR INTEREST AND WITH THEIR CONCENTRATION ON THE FOUR MODERNISATIONS, HONG KONG, PRODUCING SOMETHING LIKE ONE-THIRD OF THEIR FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS, MUST BE OF TREMENDOUS VALUE AND I HAVE NO DOUBT TOO THAT ONE OF THEIR AIMS MUST BE TO MAXIMISE THEIR EARNINGS THROUGH AND IN HONG KONG.
INTERVIEWER! BRINGING US A LITTLE CLOSER TO JOHN CITIZEN, WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN OPEN BORDER BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SAY, GUANGDONG?
/ST J? JACK: .
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980
4
SIR JACK 1 I AM NOT QUITE SURE OF WHAT YOU MEAN BY AN OPEN BORDER BUT WE DO HAVE OF COURSE INCREASINGLY... MOVEMENT, FRIENDLY MOVEMENT, ACROSS THE BORDER, SO IT’S ALREADY THERE IF YOU LIKE, TO THAT EXTENT. THE SETTING UP OF THE INDUSTRIAL PARK AS IT IS CALLED IN SHUMCHUN, HAS MEANT THAT QUITE A NUMBER OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIALISTS, AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE GOING UP THERE FOR WEEKEND TRIPS TOO, AS YOU KNOW. SO IF YOU LIKE, BARRIERS ARE BREAKING DOWN, IT IS A GOOD THING, IT MUST BE.
INTERVIEWER 1 WE ARE MOVING OF COURSE TOWARDS 1997 AND THE LEASE, THE EXPIRATION OF THE LEASE ON THE NEW TERRITORIES. CAN WE GET SOME SORT OF POLICY STATEMENT ON THIS FROM YOU, CAN WE GET SOME SORT OF COMMENT THAT, IF YOU LIKE, WILL PUT INVESTORS’ MINDS AT EASE IN HONG KONG?
SIR JACK 1 YOU HAVE USED THE RIGHT TERM BECAUSE THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT HUA GUOFENG SAID TO MRS.THATCHER IN LONDON AND DENG XIAOPING TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE IN PEKING DURING THE SPRING OF LAST YEAR. IT IS CLEARLY A MATTER WHICH THE CHINESE HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT OTHERWISE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE SAID WHAT THEY DID AND THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE JUST SAID AND THAT IS THAT INVESTORS IN HONG KONG SHOULD PUT THEIR HEARTS AT EASE. AND I THINK THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT. CLEARLY THE CHINESE THEMSELVES THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE AND ONE MUST ACCEPT IT AS SUCH. THERE IS NO DOUBT TOO IN MY MIND THE FACT OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN HONG KONG, THEIR INCREASING INVOLVEMENT IN HONG KONG, MUST BE ALL TO THE GOOD. 1997 IS A DATE WHICH OF COURSE IS STILL SOMEWAY AWAY AND THIS WAS PRECISELY THE COMMENT WHICH WAS MADE BY THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER IN LONDON. IT IS A DATE WHICH IS VERY MUCH IN THE MINDS OF EXPATRIATES, I KNOW, LESS IN THE MIND VERY OBVIOUSLY OF THE CHINESE THEMSELVES. SO AS THINGS ARE GOING THERE WILL BE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT HONG KONG’S FUTURE MUST BE GOOD. IT IS DEVELOPING AND I THINK THE MERE FACT OF CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG IS A SIGN THAT OTHERS WOULD AGREE WITH ME HERE.
INTERVIEWER: IS THIS THE TYPE OF SUBJECT THAT THIS GOVERNMENT WILL PURSUE DURING THE NEXT DECADE WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO HAVE PERHAPS SOMETHING MORE FIRM WHICH LAWYERS AND BUSINESSMEN OBVIOUSLY ARE LOOKING FOR?
SIR JACKi THIS IS THE SORT OF THING WHICH IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE OVER THIS NEXT DECADE. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT AND I THINK IT IS THE SORT OF PROBLEM WHICH LAWYERS AND ACCOUNTANTS WORRY ABOUT.
INTERVIEWER: SIR JACK, RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN. HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE LAST REMAINING COLONIAL TERRITORIES Of ANY SIGNIFICANCE. DO YOU SEE PRESSURE INCREASING IN THE UK FOR BRITAIN TO RELINQUISH HONG KONG VOLUNTARILY?
/SI? JACK: ......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980 ' ’ 5 •
SIR JACK 1 NOT AT ALL, QUITE THE OPPOSITE. I HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED IN MY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LEADERS OF THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT HOW MUCH THEY ADMIRE THE WAY HONG KONG IS RUN AND HOW PLEASED THEY ARE TO HAVE HONG KONG. SO I DON’T THINK THAT’S A PROBLEM AND I THINK TOO THAT THE WAY THEY HAVE HELPED US AND PROMIS'D MORE HELP IN TERMS OF DEFENCE, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT OUR PROBLEMS IN, IMMIGRATION, AND HERE I SHOULD SAY WHAT A MAGNIFICENT JO1LTHE ARMY IS DOING ALONG WITH THE POLICE FORCE IN HELPLNG TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM JUST FLOODING ACROSS THAT BORDER OF OURS AND WE IN HONG KONG OWE THEM A GREAT DEBT OF GRATITUDE. SO QUITE THE OPPOSITE, I THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT IN BRITAIN IS PLEASED AND PROUD OF HONG KONG AND WANTS TO SEE IT CONTINUING.
INTERVIEWER 1 TO SUM UP, ulR JACK, WOULD YOU THINK THAT HONG KONG FOR THE 198O’S IS GOING TO BE AS DYNAMIC A TIME AS IT WAS DURING THE 1970’S AND ARE PEOPLE GOING TO BE THE KEY ISSUE FOR HONG KONG?
SIR JACKi WITHOUT ANY DOUBT WHATSOEVER, THE ANSWER TO BOTH THESE QUESTIONS IS YES. HONG KONG ENTERS THE 1980’S WITH AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT TO ACHIEVE AND I AM QUITE SURE IT WILL ACHIEVE WHATEVER IT SETS OUT TO AND THE KEY AS ALWAYS LIES IN OUR PEOPLE. WE IN HONG KONG MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS AND NEVER FORGET IT. WE DO SO AT OUR PERIL.
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RENTAL CONTROL FOR POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES
*****
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOL I DAT I ON)(AMENDMENT) BILL CONTAINING RENT CONTROL PROPOSALS FOR POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROPOSALS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT ITS NEXT SITTING ON JANUARY 16 AND A FULL DEBATE IS EXPECTED ON JANUARY 30.
THE BILL, IF APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL, WOULD MAKE EFFECTIVE THE PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED ON DECEMBER 18 LAST YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT AT THIS STAGE THE PROPOSAL WAS FOR THE PART II CONTROLS TO REMAIN IN FORCE UNTIL DECEMBER 18, 1981.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSALS WERE INTENDED TO EXTEND
THE BENEFITS OF THE PART II CONTROLS RELATING TO RENT INCREASES AND SECURITY OF TENURE TO CERTAIN CLASSES OF TENANCIES PRESENTLY EXCLUDED. THESE WERE DOMESTIC TENANCIES':-
* IN BUILDINGS CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION AFTER DECEMBER 14, 1973-
* WHERE AGREEMENTS FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS OR MORE WERE ENTERED INTO AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1975- AND
* WHERE THE TENANT WAS A PUBLIC BODY, CORPORATION, FOREIGN OR COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT, PARTNERSHIP OR FIRM.
/RSNTS ON ..
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980
6
RENTS ON FIRST LETTINGS OF NEWLY-BUILT PREMISES, AND FRESH LETTINGS OF EXISTING PREMISES, MAY BE FREELY DETERMINED BETWEEN LANDLORD AND TENANT. SUBSEQUENT RENT INCREASES WILL BE EITHER FREELY AGREED BY THE LANDLORD AND HIS TENANT OR DETERMINED ACCORDING TO THE FORMULA LAID DOWN IN THE LEGISLATION, SUBJECT TO A CEILING OF 21 PER CENT EVERY TWO YEARS.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO EXPLAINED THAT RISING RENT AGREEMENTS IN BEING AS AT DECEMBER 18, 1979, WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON INCREASES OF RENT, BUT THE SECURITY OF TENURE PROVIDED FOR THE TENANT WILL BE THE SAME AS FOR THE PROTECTED TENANTS, NAMELY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AFTER THE LAST INCREASE STIPULATED IN THE AGREEMENT.
AT PRESENT, A LANDLORD WHO HAS ACQUIRED PREMISES SUBJECT TO A CONTROLLED TENANCY S' CE DECEMBER 14, 1973 IS DEBARRED FROM SEEKING AN ORDER FROM THE COURT ON THE GROUNDS THAT HE REQUIRES THE PREMISES FOR HIS 0 . OR FAMILY USE. HOWEVER, THE PROPOSALS WOULD ALLOW ANY LANDLORD, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHEN HE BECAME A LANDLORD OR WHETHER HE ACQUIRED THE PREMISES TENANTED OR WITH VACANT POSSESSION, TO RECOVER POSSESSION BY PROVING THAT HE REQUIRES THE PREMISES FOR HIS OWN OR HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY’S OCCUPATION, PROVIDED THAT HE CAN SHOW THAT GREATER HARDSHIP COULD BE CAUSED BY REFUSING THE ORDER THAN BY GRANTING IT.
+THIS PROPOSAL IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ALLOW LANDLORDS WHO MAY HAVE PURCHASED PROPERTY WITH A VIEW TO OBTAINING POSSESSION AT A FUTURE DATE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
THE BILL PROPOSES PENALTIES FOR LANDLORDS WHO OBTAIN AN ORDER OF POSSESSION FROM THE COURT FOR EITHER THEIR OWN OR FAMILY USE OR FOR REBUILDING, AND WHO SUBSEQUENTLY LET OR ASSIGN THE PREMISES WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE COURT WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE ORDER.
A NEW PROVISION IN THE BILL PERMITS THE LANDLORD TO SEEK AN ORDER FOR POSSESSION WHERE HE CAN SHOW THAT THE PREMISES HAVE BEEN USED FOR AN IMMORAL OR ILLEGAL PURPOSE.
CERTAIN TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS TO COVER THE LEGISLATION RETROSPECTIVELY TO DECEMBER 18, 1979 ARE PROVIDED.
+ THE INTENTION IS TO NULLIFY ANY NOTICE OF TERMINATION WHICH HAD NOT EXPIRED, OR ANY AGREEMENT AFFECTING A TENANT IN POSSESSION, WHICH HAS NOT COMMENCED PRIOR TO DECEMBER 18, 1979,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
+WHERE A LANDLORD HAS ENTERED INTO AGREEMENT WITH A NEW TENANT ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE EXISTING TENANT WILL BE VACATING ON EXPIRY OF A NOTICE OF TERMINATION AFTER DECEMBER 18, 1979, SUCH AN AGREEMENT CANNOT BE ENFORCED AND THE EXISTING TENANT CAN REMAIN IN OCCUPATION BECAUSE OF THE PROTECTION PROPOSED UNDER THIS BILL.+
THE BILL PROPOSES TO BRING FORWARD THE EXPIRY DATE
CF THE PART II CONTROLS FROM DECEMBER 14, 1982 TO DECEMBER 18, 1981. THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT IS THE INTENTION CF THE GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIE* OF THE LEGISLATION WHICH HAS OVER THE YEARS BECOME EXTENSIVE AND VERY COMPLICATED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IF ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC HAD QUERIES ABOUT INDIVIDUAL CASES, THEY SHOULD SEEK APPOINTMENTS WITH RENT OFFICERS OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT BY FIRST CONTACTING THEIR LOCAL CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.
7
POPULATION CENSUS IN 1981 * * * ft
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO HOLD THE NEXT POPULATION CENSUS IN 1981. THE LAST FULL CENSUS WAS CARRIED OUT IN 1971, AND A BYCENSUS IN 1976 BASED ON A 10 PER CENT SAMPLE OF THE POPULATION.
A PILOT CENSUS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH THIS YEAR TO TEST VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE CENSUS ORGANISATION AND TO CORRECT ANY DEFECTS WHICH MAY EMERGE.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN LAYING GROUNDWORK FOR THE CENSUS. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT URGED THE PUBLIC TO CO-OPERATE WITH ITS ENUMERATORS WHEN THEY CALL ON THEM.
HE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CENSUS FOR EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITYI +WE MUST HAVE UP-TO-DATE AND ACCURATE INFORMATION ON THE 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 FOR THOSE IN SPECIAL NEED.
♦FOR EXAMPLE, THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THE COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT DISABLED PEOPLE AND THEIR PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG SO AS TO BETTER HELP THEM,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PILOT CENSUS WILL COVER BOTH THE FLOATING AS WELL AS THE LAND POPULATION. THE SURVEY OF THE MARINE POPULATION WILL BE HELD FROM FEBRUARY 12 TO 15 IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, WHEN ALL FISHERFOLKS WILL HAVE RETURNED TO BASE- AND OF THE LAND POPULATION FROM MARCH 7 TO 16.
ONE THOUSAND HOUSEHOLDS FROM DIFFERENT TYPES OF VESSELS IN THREE MARINE DISTRICTSl ABERDEEN, YAU MA TEI AND CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE RANDOMLY SELECTED FOR THIS PILOT CENSUS. ON LAND, 20 000 HOUSEHOLDS FROM VARIOUS TYPES OF LIVING QUARTERS IN 11 LAND DISTRICTS WILL BE SIMILARLY SELECTED SO THAT AN ENTIRE CROSS-SECTION OF THE POPULATION WILL BE COVERED. HOUSEHOLDS IN PERMANENT LIVING QUARTERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BEFORE HAND BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN ASSURED ALL THOSE WHO WILL BE TAKING PART IN THE CENSUS THAT ANY INFORMATION THEY SUPPLY WILL BE TREATED AS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
THE ENUMERATORS WILL BE UNDER OATH NOT TO DISCLOSE THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE CENSUS. THE DATA WILL BE PROCESSED BY COMPUTER AND THE OUTPUT WILL BE IN AGGREGATED FORM, MAKING INDIVIDUAL PARTICULARS UNIDENTIFIABLE. FURTHERMORE, ALL COMPLETED CENSUS SCHEDULES WILL BE DESTROYED WITHIN 12 MONTHS AFTER THE CENSUS.
THE CENSUS WILL BE A TWO-PHASE OPERATION, WITHALL PERSONS BEING ASKED TO GIVE A FEW BASIC DETAILS, SUCH AS AGE, SEX AND RELATIONSHIP TO HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD- AND A 20 PER CENT SAMPLE BEING ASKED FOR FURTHER PERSONAL PARTICULARS, SUCH AS EDUCATION AND TRAINING. EMPLOYMENT, INCOME,\AND INTERNAL MOVEMENT. THE FLOATING POPULATION WILL BE ASKED FOR ALL' OF'THE DETAILED INFORMATION.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980 -
8
REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980
* X ft * *
AMENDMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS ORDINANCE TO ENABLE REGULATIONS TO BE MADE FOR THE EXCLUSION OF PERSONS FROM REGISTRATION AND THE PROVISION OF IDENTITY CARDS.
, A BILL SEEKING TO EFFECT THIS - THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 - IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY'S) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE BILL WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 16).
IF PASSED IT WAS THE INTENTION THAT REGULATIONS WOULD BE MADE TO EXCLUDE ALL PERSONS PREVIOUSLY RESIDENT IN VIETNAM WHO ARE PERMITTED TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG AS REFUGEES PENDING RESETTLEMENT ELSEWHERE, FROM THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF REGISTERING FOR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS.
THE REFUGEES, HE EXPLAINED, HAD BEEN ADMITTED TO HONG KONG ONLY FOR TEMPORARY STAY PENDING THEIR RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS BY THE UNHCR. NONE HAD IN FACT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS ORDINANCE.
♦THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS COMPREHENSIVE RECORDS, INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS, OF ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG. IN ADDITION, THE CAMP MANAGEMENTS ALSO ISSUE REFUGEES WITH LOCAL CAMP IDENTITY PAPERS,* HE SAID.
+THE EXCLUSION OF THIS CATEGORY OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE WILL NOT, THEREFORE, LESSEN GOVERNMENT CONTROL,* HE SAID.
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TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR COLLECTING PA PAYMENT VOUCHERS ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IN THE LIGHT OF THE CURRENT SUSPENSION OF REGISTERED MAIL SERVICE, IS MAKING TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS TO COLLECT THEIR CASH ORDER BOOKS FROM ITS 26 SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) CASH ORDER BOOKS WERE VOUCHERS FOR CASHING PAYMENTS AND WERE NORMALLY MAILED TO THE RECIPIENTS BY REGISTRATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT WITH THE SUSPENSION OF REGISTERED MAIL SERVICE, THE DEPARTMENT HAD TO MAKE OTHER PRACTICABLE ARRANGEMENTS IN ORDER THAT THE RECIPIENTS MIGHT NOT SUFFER UNDUE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.
HE SAID THOSE RECIPIENTS WHO WERE DUE TO RECEIVE THEIR CASH ORDER BOOKS WERE NOW ASKED TO COLLECT THEM OR MAKE ENQUIRIES AT THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS LOCATED IN THEIR DISTRICT.
/AT THE .
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980
9
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, STAFF IN THE FIELD UNITS WILL BE CONTACTING RECIPIENTS, BY TELEPHONE OR BY LETTER WHERE POSSIBLE, INFORMING THEM TO COLLECT FROM THE OFFICES.
♦IN INDIVIDUAL CASES WHERE CONTACT CANNOT BE MADE AND THE CASH ORDER BOOK REMAINS UNCOLLECTED, ONE ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE TO SEND IT TO THE RECIPIENT BY STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT,+ HE SAID.
CASH ORDER BOOKS COVER SEVERAL PAYMENTS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND ARE CASHED AT THE TREASURY OFFICES, POST OFFICES AND NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES, HE SAID.
HE SAID PEOPLE RECEIVING DISABILITY ALLOWANCE OR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE WERE LITTLE AFFECTED AS PAYMENTS WERE NORMALLY MADE THROUGH AUTO-PAY SYSTEM IN BAN"'S .THOUGH A VERY SMALL NUMBER WERE PAID THROUGH CASH ORDER BOOf~S.
THESE RECIPIENTS WILL BE CATERED FOR BY THE DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE PAYMENT TEAMS, HE ADDED.
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RECORDS MUST BE KEPT FOR CHILD EMPLOYEES
*****
EMPLOYERS WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS 1979 THEY ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP RECORDS OF THEIR CHILD EMPLOYEES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE RECORDS SHOULD BE KEPT ON A FORM PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
HE SAID THAT AN EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO KEEP RECORDS ON A FORM SPECIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER IN RESPECT OF EACH CHILD.
UNTIL AUGUST 31, 1980 A +CHILD+ IS DEFINED AS A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 14 YEARS, AND WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1980 A PERSON UNDER 15.
THE REGULATIONS PROHIBIT GENERALLY THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN UNDER 14 IN ANY OCCUPATION UNLESS THEY FALL WITHIN SPECIFIC EXCEPTIONS.
THOSE WHO HAVE ATTAINED 13 YEARS MAY, WITH THE WRITTEN CONSENT CF THEIR PARENTS AND UPON THE PRODUCTION OF A SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE, BE ENGAGED IN PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT IN NON-1NDUSTRI AL ESTABLISHMENTS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AIMED AT PROTECTING THEIR HEALTH AND MORALS.
THE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE IN A BINDER AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE BINDER AND 50 FORMS COSTS $6.50 AND ADDITIONAL FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT $3 FOR 50.
EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE QUERIES ABOUT THE REGULATIONS MAY APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT’S W0M6:N AND YOUNG PERSONS UNIT ON TELEPHONE 3-688111 EXT. 409.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980
10
NEW APPOINTMENTS TO METRICATION COMMITTEE ******
NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE METRICATION COMMITTEE WERE ANNOUNCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY’S) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
PROFESSOR KING SING-YU I, HEAD OF THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG HAS BEEN RE-APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1980.
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE. THEY ARE MR. PAUL T.S. YIN- MISS OPHELIA CHEUNG- MR. CECIL S.O. CHAN- MR. J.H. HENDERSON- MS. ELIZABETH SHING- AND DR. J.C. WRIGHT.
THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC OFFICERS HAVE ALSO BEEN APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. THEY ARE THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE, WHO SHALL ALSO BE VICE-CHAIRMAN- THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE- THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE- THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE- AND THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE.
THE COMMITTEE’S TERMS OF REFERENCE AREi
* TO BE THE FOCAL POINT OF LIAISON ON ALL MATTERS CONCERNING METRICATION-
* TO COLLECT, COLLATE AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION, BOTH OF A TECHNICAL NATURE AND OTHERWISE, RELATING TO METRIC USAGE GENERALLY OR TO DEVELOPMENTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES-
* TO ADVISE PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS ON ALL ASPECTS OF METRICATION-
* TO ADVISE AND ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUAL SECTORS IN THE FRAMING OF THEIR PROGRAMMES AND TIMETABLE FOR METRICATION, WITH A VIEW TO SECURING COHERENT SECTORAL OR INDUSTRY-WIDE PROGRAMMES-
* TO CO-ORDINATE METRICATION PUBLICITY- AND
* TO LIAISE WITH BOARDS AND SIMILAR BODIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE A CHANGE TO THE METRIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN ACHIEVED OR IS IN PROCESS.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980
11
IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO KEEP UP WITH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT *****
TECHNOLOGY IS EXPECTED TO GROW RAPIDLY IN THE NEXT 25 YEARS AND THE WORK FORCE WILL REQUIRE IN-SERVICE TRAINING TO KEEP UP WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT, MR. DAN WATERS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF ST. BENEDICT’S SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL IN CHOI HUNG ESTATE.
♦MANY OF YOU YOUNG PEOPLE HERE WITH ME TODAY WILL HAVE TO LEARN NEW JOBS AND WILL HAVE TO BE RETRAINED THREE OR MORE TIMES IN YOUR WORKING LIFE TIME IN ORDER TO KEEP PACE WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS OF TECHNOLOGY.
♦HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE BOTH INTELLIGENT AND ADAPTABLE SO THEY SHOULD HAVE LITTLE DIFFICULTY IN COPING WITH THE SITUATION,♦ MR. WATERS SAID.
HE PRAISED THE PEOPLE AS +THE REAL SECRET^ BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG.
♦WE ARE FORTUNATE IN HONG KONG BECAUSE WE HAVE A LARGE ACTIVE POPULATION AND OUR PEOPLE ARE INTELLIGENT AND WILLING TO WORK HARD, W. WATERS SAID.
YOUNG PEOPLE MUST LEARN TO COMMUNICATE AND WORK WITH THEIR HANDS WHILE IN SCHOOL IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE RAPID CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENT IN FUTURE, HE SAID.
STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK, READ AND WRITE WELL, NOT ONLY IN CHINESE BUT ALSO IN ENGLISH WHICH IS AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE, HE ADDED.
IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THEY LEARN TO LIVE WITH TECHNOLOGY WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE GOING TO WORK IN INDUSTRY.
♦BECAUSE WE LIVE IN AN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE LEARN TO ACCEPT AND TO ADAPT TO TECHNOLOGY,♦ MR. WATERS SAID.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1983
12
T«0 PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IN YUEN LONG DECLARED DANGEROUS ******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (FRIDAY) DECLARED TWO PRE-WAR BUILDINGS AT 28 AND 30 TAI CHEUNG STREET IN YUEN LONG TO EE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE TWO-STOREY BUILDINGS WERE PART OF A TERRACE OF BUILDINGS FRONTING SHUI CHEA KOON STREET AND TAI CHEUNG STREET.
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ON DECEMBER 13 CLOSED THE BUILDINGS AT 3, 5, 7, 9 AND 11 SHUI CHEA KOON STREET AND 32 TAI CHEUNG STREET *HICH WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED IN A FIRE.
+THEY ARE TO BE DEMOLISHED TO AVOID FURTHER COLLAPSE. THE ADJOINING BUILDINGS AT 28 AND 30 TAI CHEUNG STREET WOULD NOT SAFELY WITHSTAND THE EFFECTS OF THE DEMOLITION OF FIRE-AFFECTED BUILDINGS AND IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THEM,+ HE EXPLAINED.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON FEBRUARY 8, 1980, WERE POSTED TODAY.
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FEES FOR SERVICE IN LAND OFFICE REVISED
*****
FEES FOR SEARCHING PUBLIC RECORDS AND FOR OBTAINING A PHOTOSTATIC COPY OF RECORDS IN THE LAND OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT WILL BE REVISED FROM TODAY (FRIDAY) TO MEET INCREASING ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
ACCORDING TO A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, THE FEE FOR A SEARCH IN THE LAND OFFICE FOR EACH MEMORIAL OR CROWN LEASE IS INCREASED FROM $2 TO 55.
FOR PHOTOSTATIC COPYING SERVICE, THE FEE FOR OBTAINING A COPY OF ANY LAND OFFICE PUBLIC RECORD OTHER THAN A REGISTER CARD IS INCREASED FROM S2 TO $3 PER SHEET.
THE FEE FOR OBTAINING A COPY OF THE REGISTER CARD ALSO GOES UP FROM $3 TO $5.
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/13 .....
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1980
CLOSURE OF AN ACCESS WAY ON AP LEI CHAU PROPOSED ft * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO CLOSE PART OF THE ACCESS WAY FROM AP LEI CHAU MAIN STREET TO AP LEI CHAU (WEST) HOUSING ESTATE AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA PERMANENTLY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AP LEI CHAU.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT EXISTING TRAFFIC WOULD NOT BE DISRUPTED UNTIL THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ALTERNATIVE ROAD WAS COMPLETED.
NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE, WHICH STIPULATES THAT ANY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSAL MUST BE SUBMITTED IN MUTING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS BY FEBRUARY 11, 1980, AND ANY CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION MUST REACH THE DIRECTOR’S OFFICE NOT LATER THAN MARCH 11, 1980.
SEMINARS ON VOCAL MUSIC ft ft ft ft
THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH WILL HOLD A SERIES OF THREE SEMINARS ON VOCAL MUSIC IN ITS OFFICE IN THE ARTS CENTRE THIS MONTH.
THREE LOCAL VOCALISTS, MISS VIVIEN LEE. MR. CHEUNG YUE-GWUN AND MISS LO FONG-LI WILL GIVE TALKS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF VOCAL MUSIC WITH EMPHASIS ON OPERAS, ART-SONGS AND FOLK-SONGS.
THE SEMINARS WILL BE HELD AT 6 PM ON JANUARY 14, 21 AND 28 AND ADMISSION IS FREE.
LABOUR OFFICER ATTENDS COURSE IN ITALY ft ft ft ft
MR. CHONG SHIK-KAM, AN INDUSTRIAL TRAINING OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S TRAINING COUNCIL DIVISION. TODAY (FRIDAY) LEFT FOR ITALY ON AN INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO) FELLOWSHIP TO ATTEND A MANAGEMENT COURSE ON TRAINING PROJECTS.
THE EIGHT-WEEK COURSE WHICH WILL BE HELD AT ILO’S TRAINING' CENTRE AT TURIN IS AIMED AT UPGRADING THE MANAGERIAL CAPACITY OF MANAGERS CURRENTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING TRAINING PROJECTS.
MR. CHONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE COURSE IS ONE OF A SERIES OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WET SUMMER IN 1979 ........................................... 1
STUBBS ROAD FLYOVER TAKING S 'APE ............................ 3
MORS PUPILS JOIN HEALTH CARE SCHEME ..........................
VETERAN SOCIAL WELFARE WORKER RETIRES ........................ **
MAC SCHEME EXTENDED TO ISLANDS DISTRICT ...................... 5
PUBLIC DUMP TO OPEN IN SIU CHAI AN ........................... 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ON '.VANG TAU HOM ROAD ................... 6
WATER INTERRUPTION IN TSIM SHA TSUI .......................... 6
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1980
1
WET SUMMER IN 1979
* * * *
LAST SUMMER WAS MUCH WETTER THAN NORMAL, ACCORDING TO THE 1979 WEATHER REVIEW ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY.
THE ANNUAL RAINFALL FOR 1979 AMOUNTED TO 2 614.7 MM WHICH WAS 368.3 MM ABOVE NORMAL BUT THE YEAR’S MEAN CLOUDINESS AND TEMPORATURES WERE NEAR NORMAL.
THE FIRST QUARTER WAS VERY WARM AND THE MEAN TEMPERATURE FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS WAS 18.6 DEGREES CELSIUS - THE THIRD HIGHEST ON RECORD. THE SUMMER WAS COOLER AND LESS SUNNY THAN USUAL WITH AN EXCEPTIONALLY WET AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.
THE LAST QUARTER OF THE YEAR WAS SUNNY AND VERY DRY WITH ONLY 11.4 MM OF RAINFALL - THE SECOND LOWEST ON RECORD. DUE TO THE VERY DRY CONDITIONS MANY HILL FIRES BROKE OUT DESTROYING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TREES AND THOUSANDS OF HECTARES OF VEGETATION.
DURING THE YEAR, THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 29 TROPICAL CYCLONES OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND FOR SIX OF THEM TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS WERE HOISTED IN HONG KONG. THESE SIX BROUGHT ALONG MORE THAN 1 □□□ MM OF RAINFALL, NEARLY HALF THE AMOUNT OF THE SUMMER RAIN.
HURRICANE SIGNAL NO. 10 WAS HOISTED ON AUGUST 2 WHEN HONG KONG WAS DIRECTLY HIT BY TYPHOON HOPE - THE MOST SEVERE TYPHOON TO AFFECT HONG KONG SINCE TYPHOON ROSE IN 1971. THE LAST TIME THE HURRICANE SIGNAL WAS HOISTED WAS IN OCTOBER 1975 FOR TYPHOON ELSIE.
SEVERE TROPICAL STORM MAC PASSED OVER WESTERN LANTAU DURING THE NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER 23 BRINGING GALES AND HEAVY RAIN TO HONG KONG. THE OTHER FOUR TROPICAL CYCLONES ONLY CAUSED STRONG WINDS AND DAMAGE WAS MINIMAL.
THE YEAR BEGAN WITH THE WARMEST JANUARY SINCE 1966 WITH ONLY THREE DAYS WITH MINIMUM TEMPERATURES BELOW 10 DEGREES CELSIUS. THE MONTH WAS CLOUDIER, LESS SUNNY AND SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN NORMAL.
THE YEAR’S LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF 6.1 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 1. ON THE SAME DAY, THE TEMPERATURES AT TATE’S CAIRN AND TAI MO SHAN WERE MINUS 0.1 DEGREE AND MINUS 2.4 DEGREES RESPECTIVELY. TEMPERATURES BEGAN TO RISE THE NEXT DAY AND ON THE WHOLE THE MONTH WAS THE SECOND WARMEST FEBRUARY SINCE 1884 WITH A MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 18.9 DEGREES CELSIUS OR 3.0 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL. THE WARMEST FEBRUARY WAS IN 1973 WITH A MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 19.2 DEGREES.
MARCH WAS WET, SLIGHTLY WARMER AND MORE HUMID THAN USUAL. THERE WERE ONLY SIX DAYS WITHOUT RAIN AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED WAS 71.9 MM OR 22.6 MM ABOVE NORMAL.
/THE ’VET...
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1900 - 2 -
THE WET SPELL CONTINUED INTO APRIL WHICH HAD A TOTAL RAINFALL OF 234.5 MM OR 73 PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE. THOUGH THE WEATHER WAS SLIGHTLY COOLER THAN NORMAL, A MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 32.4 DEGREES WAS RECORDED ON APRIL 26 - THE HIGHEST APRIL TEMPERATURE SINCE 1956.
AN INTENSE COLD FRONT ARRIVING ON APRIL 2 BROUGHT HEAVY SQUALLY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, AND ACCORDING TO PRESS REPORTS HAIL LASTING FOR A FEW MINUTES OCCURRED AT SHA TAU KOK AND PING CHAU. AN OIL BARGE SANK, A SAILING DINGHY CAPSIZED AND FIVE VESSELS BROKE THEIR ANCHOR CHAINS AND WENT ADRIFT. A MINOR LANDSLIP OCCURRED IN AU TAU AND FLOODING WAS REPORTED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF HONG KONG. THE FOGGY WEATHER ON APRIL 7 AND 8 AFFECTED FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG, MACAO AND GUANGZHOU AND A FISHING BOAT SANK AFTER COLLIDING IN THICK FOG WITH AN UNKNOWN VESSEL 80 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF HONG KONG.
MAY WAS CLOUDIER AND LESS SUNNY THAN USUAL. THE MONTH’S RAINFALL AMOUNTED TO 311.6 MM WHICH WAS EIGHT PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL. MORE THAN HALF OF THE MONTH’S RAIN FELL BETWEEN MAY 13 AND 15 WHEN A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE WAS NEAR HONG KONG.
THERE WAS LESS RAIN IN JUNE AND MOST OF IT (113.6 MM) FELL ON JUNE 11. THE HEAVY RAIN CAUSED THREE LANDSLIPS AND THE EVACUATION OF 200 PEOPLE.
THE YEAR’S HIGHEST TEMPERATURE OF 33.8 DEGREES WAS RECORDED ON JULY 5 AND THE MONTH WAS SUNNIER AND HOTTER THAN USUAL. RAINFALL WAS SLIGHTLY ABOVE AVERAGE AND MOST OF THE RAIN FELL ON THE LAST THREE DAYS OF THE MONTH.
DURING THE MONTH FOUR TROPICAL CYCLONES DEVELOPED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS FOR TWO OF THEM WERE HOISTED IN HONG KONG. TYPHOON ELLIS PASSED BY HONG KONG AROUND MIDNIGHT ON JULY 5 RESULTING IN A SHORT PERIOD OF STRONG EASTERLY WINDS AND SOME SHOWERS. SEVERE TROPICAL STORM GORDON GOT CLOSE TO HONG KONG IN THE EARLY MORNING OF JULY 29, BRINGING VERY HEAVY RAIN AND CAUSING WIDESPREAD FLOODINGS AND SOME MINOR LANDSLIPS.
ON AUGUST 2 HURRICANE FORCE WINDS AND TORRENTIAL RAIN WERE EXPERIENCED DURING THE PASSAGE OF TYPHOON HOPE WHICH CAUSED 12 DEATHS, INJURED 260 PEOPLE AND MADE 800 PEOPLE HOMELESS. WIDESPREAD FLOODING OCCURRED ALL OVER THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ABOUT 75 PER CENT OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS AND FRUIT TREES WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED.
TYPHOON HOPE SET TWO NEW RECORDS - AN HOURLY RAINFALL OF 82.1 MM AND THE LOWEST INSTANTANEOUS MEAN SEA-LEVEL PRESSURE OF 961.6 MILLIBARS FOR AUGUST. THE TYPHOON TOGETHER WITH A TROPICAL CYCLONE BROUGHT THE MONTH’S RAINFALL TO 706.9 MM WHICH WAS 286.7 MM ABOVE AVERAGE FOR THE MONTH. THERE WERE ONLY 138.2 HOURS OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE, THE FOURTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR AUGUST.
IN SEPTEMBER THERE WAS THE RARE OCCASION OF HAVING TWO TROPICAL CYCLONES CENTRED WITHIN 400 NAUTICAL MILES OF HONG KONG AT THE SAME TIME. ON SEPTEMBER 19 STANDBY SIGNAL NO. 1 WAS HOISTED FOR TROPICAL STORM NANCY AND THE SIGNAL REMAINED HOISTED FOR SEVERE TROPICAL STORM MAC APPROACHING FROM THE SOUTHEAST. MAC LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD AND 67 PEOPLE INJURED WHEN HE PASSED OVER WESTERN LANTAU DURING THE NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER 23. MAC ALSO BROUGHT THE RAINFALL OF THE MONTH TO 506.3 MM WHICH WAS 53 PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE.
/THE WEATHEK ...
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1980
3
THE WEATHER BECAME VERY DRY IN THE LAST QUARTER OF THE YEAR AND OCTOBER 1979 WAS THE DRIEST OCTOBER ON RECORD WITH NO RAINFALL REGISTERED IN THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. IT WAS ALSO THE SUNNIEST, LEAST HUMID AND LEAST CLOUDY OCTOBER ON RECORD. MORE THAN 2 OOO FIRES OCCURRED INCLUDING SOME 400 HILL FIRES WHICH RAVAGED 200 000 TREES AND 1 600 HECTARES OF VEGETATION.
ANOTHER RECORD WAS SET IN NOVEMBER WHEN THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND WAS DISPLAYED FOR A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 108 HOURS - BOTH FIGURES ARE THE HIGHEST FOR NOVEMBER SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SIGNAL IN 1950. THE 200 HILL FIRES IN THE MONTH DESTROYED 300 000 TREES AND 1 105 HECTARES OF VEGETATION. ONE OF THESE BROKE OUT ON THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 18 IN THE TAI LAM CHUNG AREA AND RAGED FOR 30 HOURS, DESTROYING 265 000 TREES AND 500 HECTARES OF VEGETATION.
THE STRONG TO GALE FORCE WINDS ON THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 18 WERE REPORTED TO HAVE CAUSED 13 ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN 16 INJURIES MOSTLY CAUSED BY FALLING SCAFFOLDINGS, SIGN BOARDS AND DEBRIS.
THE YEAR ENDED WITH A MILD, SUNNY AND DRY DECEMBER WHICH HAD ONLY ONE DAY WITH MEASURABLE RAIN AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY -A MERE 0.2 MM, THE SEVENTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR THE MONTH.
STUBBS ROAD FLYOVER TAKING SHAPE
*****
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE $54.6 MILLION STUBBS ROAD FLYOVER IS MAKING HEADWAY.
♦THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE SINKING OF MORE THAN 170 PILES AND NEARLY 100 OF THEM HAVE NOW BEEN COMPLETED,* SAID MR. YEUNG KIM-CHOY, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
HE ADDED THAT ONE-QUARTER OF THE NUMBER OF COLUMNS FOR THE ELEVATED ROAD HAD ALSO BEEN BUILT, AND OVER 200 BEAMS, REQUIRED FOR THE FLYOVER, HAD BEEN PRODUCED AT THE CASTING YARD NEARBY.
SOME OF THESE BEAMS, MR. YEUNG SAID, HAD BEEN PUT INTO POSITION ON THE UPPER SECTION OF THE FLYOVER.
ON COMPLETION BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE 450-METRE FLYOVER WILL LINK LOWER STUBBS ROAD WITH WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD, THUS IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW AT THE STUBBS ROAD ROUNDABOUT.
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A
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1980
4
MORE PUPILS JOIN HEALTH CARE SCHEME
* * * *
THERE HAS BEEN A HEALTHY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
FIGURES RELEASED BY THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD SHOW ENROLMENT AT DECEMBER 31, 1979 TO BE 168 500 PUPILS COMPARED WITH 124 500 PUPILS AT THE END OF 1978, REPRESENTING A JUMP OF 35 PER CENT.
THE BOARD BELIEVES THAT MORE AND MORE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND PARENTS ARE BECOMING AWARE OF THE ADVANTAGES OFFERED BY THIS ECONOMICAL MEDICAL SCHEME, WHICH FOR $5 A YEAR ALLOWS A CHILD TO VISIT THE DOCTOR AS MANY TIMES AS HE WISHES WITH FREE MEDICATION.
ENROLMENT IS VOLUNTARY AS IS PARTICIPATION BY THE 200 OR SO PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS SUPPORTING THE SCHEME, AND A CHILD IN PRIMARY SCHOOL UP TO FORM III MAY JOIN ANY DAY OF THE YEAR FOR TWELVE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF JOINING.
IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED THE SCHEME IN THE AMOUNT $4 MILLION, AND THIS YEAR THE SUBSIDY SHOULD REACH NEARLY S5 MILLION.
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VETERAN SOCIAL WELFARE WORKER RETIRES
*****
A VETERAN OFFICER OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WHO BEGAN HIS CAREER IN SOCIAL WELFARE WITH THE GOVERNMENT EVEN BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT CAME INTO BEING, IS RETIRING AFTER 24 YEARS’ SERVICE.
MR. LU YU-HUA JOINED IN 1956 THE THEN SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARIAT FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS AS AN ASSISTANT RELIEVING OFFICER. THE OFFICE BECAME THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 1958.
MR. LU, LAST APPOINTED AS REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF WEST KOWLOON, HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
HE IS PARTICULARLY HIGHLY REGARDED FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND RELIEF WORK. HE SERVED FOR YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY DIVISION AND WAS LATER APPOINTED HEAD OF THE DIVISION.
IN 1959, THE POST OF ASSISTANT RELIEVING OFFICER WAS RETITLED SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER CLASS II, AND AGAIN IN 1964 AS ASSISTANT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER.
MR. LU WAS PROMOTED TO SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER IN 1965, PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER IN 1971, AND TO SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER FIVE YEARS LATER.
/TXO YEARS.......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1930
5
TWO YEARS AGO, HE WAS APPOINTED ONE OF THE FOUR REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS IN PREPARATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S REORGANISATION LAST APRIL ON A REGIONAL BASIS.
IN A FAREWELL DINNER HELD LAST (FRIDAY) EVENING IN HONOUR OF LU, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, PRESENTED HIM WITH A SOUVENIR ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES.
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MAC SCHEME EXTENDED TO ISLANDS DISTRICT
X * * * * X
THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE (MAC) SCHEME WHICH IS EXPANDING RAPIDLY IN THE NEW TOWNS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS RECENTLY BEEN EXTENDED TO HONG KONG’S OFFSHORE ISLANDS.
WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE FIRST EVER MAC IN ISLANDS DISTRICT WAS FORMED THIS MONTH IN A FIVE-STOREY COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDING AT MUI WO ON LANTAU.
THE SILVERMINE CENTRE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE INCLUDES SHOP OWNERS, HOLIDAY HOME OPERATORS AND FLAT OWNERS IN THE BUILDING.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE OF 12 IS MR. CHAN YIU-CHEUNG, A TEXTILE FACTORY MANAGER WHO LIVES IN THE BUILDING.
ITS OBJECTIVES ARE TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF FRIENDSHIP AND MUTUAL CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY AMONG MEMBERS, AND TO PROMOTE BETTER SECURITY, A BETTER ENVIRONMENT AND MORE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE BUILDING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE ISLANDS WERE DEVELOPING QUICKLY AND FORMATION CF MAC’S WOULD CONTRIBUTE MUCH TO COMMUNITY BUILDING AND HELP PREVENT SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT HAD OCCURRED IN THE URBAN AREAS.
THEY SHOULD PLAY A PART IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE ISLANDS COMMUNITIES, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S AIM TO SET UP MORE MAC’S IN THE MAIN CENTRES OF POPULATION IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT AND URGED ISLANDERS INTERESTED IN FORMING SUCH COMMITTEES TO APPROACH THEIR DISTRICT OFFICE.
A LEAFLET DESCRIBING THE MAC SCHEME HAS BEEN PRODUCED.
COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM ANY DISTRICT OFFICE OR CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.
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6
PUBLIC DUMP TO OPEN IN SIU CHAI WAN
*****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A PUBLIC DUMP AT SIU CHAI WAN WILL BE OPENED ON MONDAY (JANUARY 14) AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR DUMPING BETWEEN 8 AM AND 6 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY.
ACCESS TO THE NEW DUMP WILL BE FROM CHAI WAN ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH SUN YIP STREET.
DUMPING LICENCES MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE ON APPLICATION TO THE CHIEF ENGINEER, PORT WORKS DIVISION, PWD AT MURRAY BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
HOLDERS OF VALID LICENCES FOR PUBLIC DUMPS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE PERMITTED TO DISCARD APPROVED SOFT MATERIAL, BUILDING DEBRIS AND UP TO A CERTAI SIZE OF STONES PROVIDED THESE ARE WELL MIXED WITH EARTH.
ALL DUMPING MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DUMP SUPERVISORS.
THE PWD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL DUMPING LICENCES AT ANY TIME OR TO CLOSE THE DUMP WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ON WANG TAU HOM ROAD *****
A SECTION OF WANG TAU HOM ROAD BETWEEN JUNCTION ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES NORTH-EAST OF FU MEI STREET EAST WILL ONLY BE OPEN TO SINGLE-LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 15).
THIS ARRANGEMENT, WHICH WILL LAST ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS, IS TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE AREA.
TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD SECTION WILL BE CONTROLLED BY LIGHT SIGNALS.
o - -
WATER INTERRUPTION IN TSIM SHA TSUI ******
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 15) FOR WORK ON A WATER MAIN.
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE AT 1A-C, 3 OBSERVATORY ROAD-79, 79A CHATHAM ROAD- 35-41, 41A-D, 43-75 GRANVILLE ROAD- 1, 1A-L, 3. 3A-B, 5, 5A, 7-11 KIMBERLEY STREET- KOWLOON INLAND LOTS 10474-5 AND 10598-603 TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, AND THE OFFICE OF THE USD GENERAL DUTIES TRAINING UNIT.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POPULAR LIBRARY SERVICE REACHING MORE RURAL CHILDREN .......................................... 1
180 SAFETY TRAINING COURSES HELD FUR WORKERS LAST YEAR ....................................... 2
WORK TO START ON SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ................................... 3
PIPELINES TO BE LAID FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TSING YI ISLAND .........................................
LUNAR NEB YEAR FAIR STALLS AVAILABLE IN NT ......................................................
TEMPORARY CUT IN SALT WATER SUPPLY TO EAST KOWLOON ............................................ 5
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1980
1
POPULAR LIBRARY SERVICE REACHING MORE RURAL CHILDREN * * * * ft *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S RURAL MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF A NEW GENERATION OF YOUNGSTERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH A FLEET OF FOUR *LIBRARIES-ON-WHEELS’, THE SERVICE IS NOW EXTENDED TO TUEN MUN AND MANY VILLAGES ELSEWHERE.
EACH MOBILE LIBRARY VAN IS MANNED BY TWO WELFARE ASSISTANTS AND A DRIVER. THE FOUR VANS, TOGETHER STOCKING OVER 20 000 BOOKS AND PICTORIALS, TOYS AND GAME SETS, CALL REGULARLY EACH DAY AT LOCATIONS IN SHEUNG SHU I, FANLING, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, SHA TIN, TAI PO AND SAI KUNG.
FROM A MODEST START OVER 20 YEARS AGO, THE SERVICE HAS GROWN TO ITS PRESENT SIZE AND IS BECOMING FAST POPULAR WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE, ACCORDING TO MR. MAK HUNG-CHEUNG, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE MOBILE UNIT.
+ IN THE EARLY DAYS,* HE RECALLED, +WE HAD ONLY ONE VAN LOOKED AFTER BY ONE MAN WHO WAS THEN AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN TO THE VILLAGE BOYS AS THE ’STORY-TELLER’.*
♦CONSIDERING THAT RADIO AND TELEVISION WERE NOT SO POPULAR AT THAT TIME, STORY-TELLING WAS ONE OF THE MOST WELCOMED PASTIMES TO THE CHILDREN.*
EVEN THOUGH THE ELECTRONIC ERA HAS COME AND STAYED, THE MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE STILL CREATES INTEREST WHEREVER IT GOES.
IT NOW HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF 8 230 AND THE AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE BY YOUNGSTERS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 14 IS 338.
APART FROM PROVIDING BOOK-LENDING FACILITIES, IT ORGANISES A WIDE AND INTERESTING RANGE OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ITS READERS AND OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE.
THESE INCLUDE FILM-SHOWS, PICNICS, VISITS, CAMPING TRIPS, FOOTBALL MATCHES AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS.
SPECIAL PROGRAMMES, SUCH AS A +PLAYLEADERSHIP SCHEME*, ARE ALSO INTRODUCED FROM TIME TO TIME.
WHILE PURSUING THESE ACTIVITIES, THE SERVICE ALSO TRIES TO INSTIL A SENSE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN ITS YOUNG SUPPORTERS.
+WE DO THIS BY ENCOURAGING AND ARRANGING FOR THEM TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, TOGETHER WITH VOLUNTARY BODIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,* SAID MR. MAK.
+THIS HELPS TO KEEP THE YOUNGSTERS FROM THE STREETS AND AWAY FROM BAD COMPANY. IT IS GRATIFYING TO SEE OUR SERVICE EXPANDING AND MORE AND MORE YOUNG PEOPLE SPENDING THEIR LEISURE TIME DOING SOMETHING MEANINGFUL AND FOR THE COMMUNITY,* HE NOTED.
MR. MAK WAS HOPEFUL THAT THE MOBILE SERVICE WILL FURTHER REPLENISH ITS STOCK OF BOOKS AND GAME EQUIPMENT, SO THAT ITS ACTIVITIES CAN REACH MORE YOUNGSTERS, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS, AND HOSPITALS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
•-----o------- /2.....
. 5
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, I960
2 -
180 SAFETY TRAINING COURSES HELD FOR WORKERS LAST YEAR ******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE HAD OFFERED 180 SAFETY TRAINING COURSES TO 6 200 TECHNICIANS, FOREMEN, WORKS SUPERVISORS AND WORKERS LAST YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO BENEFITED FROM THIS FREE SERVICE REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 17 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURE OF 1978.
IN ADDITION, FACTORY INSPECTORS FROM THE CENTRE GAVE 62 TALKS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES, SCHOOLS AND VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS.
THEY ALSO CONDUCTED 25 SAFETY TRAINING COURSES FOR APPRENTICES IN FACTORIES AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS.
THE CENTRE, LOCATED ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN YAU MA TEI, OFFERS NO LESS THAN 13 DIFFERENT TYPES OF SAFETY COURSES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THE COURSES ARE ON BASIC INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION, CONSTRUCTION SAFETY, MANUAL LIFTING AND HANDLING, WORK IN CONFINED SPACE, SLINGING SAFETY, ELECTRICAL SAFETY, SAFETY IN THE USE OF ABRASIVE WHEELS, MACHINERY SAFETY, SAFETY IN DIE-CASTING WORK, SAFETY IN PLASTICS INDUSTRY, SAFETY IN WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR, SAFE USE OF WOODWORKING MACHINERY AND SAFE USE OF POWER PRESSES.
THE DURATION OF THESE COURSES VARIES FROM ONE TO THREE DAYS.
THEIR MAIN OBJECTIVES ARE TO ENABLE THE ATTENDANTS TO IDENTIFY AND ELIMINATE UNSAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENTS AND TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE DUTIES OF A SAFETY SUPERVISOR IN ADDITION TO THEIR NORMAL DUTIES.
THE CENTRE IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CHARTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, POSTERS, GRAPHS, MACHINERY AND MODELS TO HELP IN CARRYING THE SAFETY MESSAGE ACROSS TO THE PARTICIPANTS.
THE MACHINERY DEMONSTRATES THE CORRECT METHODS OF MACHINE GUARDING AND THE MODELS SHOW SAFETY MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THIRTY-FIVE APPRENTICES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECENTLY COMPLETED THE BASIC PREVENTION COURSE AT THE CENTRE.
THE SYLLABUS OF THE THREE-DAY COURSE COVERS EXISTING SAFETY LEGISLATION- SAFE USE OF MACHINERY, HAND TOOL, LIFTING APPLIANCE AND LIFTING GEAR- MACHINE HAZARD AND GUARDING- ELECTRIC HAZARD AND SAFETY- CHEMICAL HAZARD AND FIRE PREVENTION AND WORK IN CONFINED SPACES.
EMPLOYERS ARE WELCOME TO SEND THEIR EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND THE COURSES AND DETAILS ABOUT THEM CAN BE OBTAINED ON TELEPHONE 3-688111 EXT. 347.
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/3.....
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1980
- 3 -
WORK TO START ON SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
* * * * *
CONSTRUCTION OF THE YUEN LONG SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS WILL SHORTLY BEGIN AT WANG CHAU. ON COMPLETION IT WILL PROVIDE FULL SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND PART OF THE DEVELOPING NEW TOWN.
TENDERS FOR PHASE ONE OF THE FIRST STAGE UF THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
CIVIL ENGINEERING WORK, WHICH FORMS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF CONTRACTS TO BE LET, IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 28 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORK WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUMPING STATIONS, SCREEN CHAMBERS, GRIT REMOVAL TANKS, PRIMARY AND FINAL SETTLING TANKS, AERATION TANKS, AND ANCILLARY DRAINAGE.
+IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE FOR ROADWORKS AND THE LAYING OF ABOUT 1 000 METRES OF PIPES, RANGING FROM 100 MM TO 1 800 MM IN DIAMETER,* SAID MR. WONG WAN-MING, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION OF THE PWD CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE.
+WHEN COMPLETED, IT WILL PROVIDE SEWAGE PURIFICATION BY WAY OF PRELIMINARY TREATMENT FOR SCREENINGS AND GRIT REMOVAL, PRIMARY SEDIMENTATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF SUSPENDED SOLIDS, AND BIOLOGICAL REDUCTION OF ORGANIC MATTERS UTILISING THE DIFFUSED AIR ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS.
♦THE FINAL TREATED EFFLUENT WILL BE DISCHARGED INTO SHAN PUI RIVER AND WILL NOT HAVE ANY DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS ON RECEIVING WATERS,♦ MR. WONG SAID.
THIS SCHEME WILL BE JOINTLY FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
A
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1980
4 -
PIPELINES TO BE LAID FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TSI NG Yl ISLAND ft ft ft ft ft
A SYSTEM OF PIPELINES WILL BE LAID ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND TO IMPROVE THE FRESH AND SALT WATER SUPPLY TO THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ISLAND.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE WORK INVOLVED THE LAYING OF 1 100 METRES OF MILD STEEL PIPELINE OF 600 MM IN DIAMETER BETWEEN CHEUNG CHING ESTATE AND THE RECLAMATION ON THE NORTHERN PART OF THE ENTRANCE OF TSI NG Yl BRIDGE.
THIS PIPELINE WOULD PROVIDE SALT WATER FOR FLUSHING PURPOSES TO THE ESTATE FROM THE PROPOSED SALT WATER PUMPING STATION NEXT TO THE BRIDGE.
+THE CONTRACT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE LAYING OF 4 900 METRES OF SIMILAR PIPELINES OF DIFFERENT SIZES BETWEEN CHEUNG CHING ESTATE AND NAM WAN, WESTERN PART OF TSI NG Yl, FOR THE SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO NEW LARGE-SCALE INDUSTRIAL CONCERNS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦ADDITIONAL SMALLER DISTRIBUTION PIPELINES WILL ALSO BE LAID TO AUGMENT EXISTING FRESH AND SALT WATER SUPPLIES AND IMPROVE FIRE-FIGHTING FACILITIES.+
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----0------
LUNAR NEW
YEAR FAIR STALLS AVAILABLE IN NT ft ft ft ft ft
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR STALLS ALLOCATED TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OPEN AUCTIONS THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WILL BE FOUR FAIR SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES — ONE EACH AT TAI PO, YUEN LONG, SHEUNG SHU I AND TSUEN WAN.
♦THE FAIRS WILL BE HELD BETWEEN FEBRUARY 9 AND 16 AT TAI PO PLAYGROUND, YUEN LONG SPORTS GROUND, SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND AT SHEUNG SHU I AND SHA TSUI ROAD SPORTS GROUND AT TSUEN WAN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/ HOWEVER, ......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1980
5
HOWEVER, THE AUCTIONS, AT WHICH THE UPSET PRICE FOR EACH STALL WILL BE 130, WILL BE HELD ON DIFFERENT DAYS FOR DIFFERENT SITES FROM 9.30 AM TO 12 NOON AND 2.30 PM TO 4 PM AS FOLLOWS:
TAJ PO PLAYGROUND FAIR 1 JANUARY 16 AT TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE, PO HEUNG STREET.
YUEN LONG SPORTS GROUND FAIR : JANUARY 17 AT PING SHAN RURAL COMMITTEE, ON NING ROAD.
SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND FAIR : JANUARY 18 AT FANLING SWIMMING POOL, TAI PO ROAD.
SHA TSUI ROAD SPORTS GROUND FAIR : JANUARY 21 AT PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, TAI HO ROAD.
A TOTAL OF 654 STALLS WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE FOUR FAIR SITES FOR THE SALE OF BOTH WET AND DRY GOODS — 120 IN TAI PO, 180 IN YUEN LONG, 100 IN SHEUNG SHU I AND 254 IN TSUEN WAN.
♦ONLY PERSONS AGED 21 OR ABOVE CAN TAKE PART IN THE AUCTIONS,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
♦THEY SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND TWO PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE AUCTION VENUE.♦
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE ISSUED A TEMPORARY HAWKER LICENCE AT $25 EACH AND THE AMOUNT BID SHOULD BE PAID IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION.
DETAILED SITE PLANS OF THE FAIRS AND A LIST OF SALEABLE COMMODITIES FOR FAIR STALLS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ALL NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DISTRICT OFFICES.
-----0------
TEMPORARY CUT IN SALT WATER SUPPLY TO EAST KOWLOON
******
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO MOST AREAS IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR 15 HOURS FROM 9 AM TO MIDNIGHT ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 15) FOR THE REPAIR OF WATER MAINS AT KWUN TONG SALT WATER PUMPING STATION.
ALL PREMISES IN SAN PO KONG, NGAU CHI WAN, JORDAN VALLEY, NGAU TAU KOK, SAU MAU PING, KWUN TONG AND LAM TIN WILL BE AFFECTED.
-------0 --------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1980.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JAN - NCV 1979 ............................... 1
VCM TO BE INCLUDED IN PROHIBITED GOODS LIST ..................... 5
ANOTHER SECONDARY SCHOOL TO BE BUILT IN SHA TIN ......................................................... 6
EMPLOYERS URGED TO SEND THEIR MANAGEMENT STAFF TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CC-NFERZNCE................................. 6
CONSTRUCTION OF SEWER IN KO./LOON BAY ........................... 7
OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO MONKEY GOLD COIN OFFER................. 8
VATER CUT IN KWUN TONG .......................................... 8
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1980
1
EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JAN - NOV 1979
* X K * X
HONG KONG’S MERCHANDISE TRADE VALUE FOR JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1979 AMOUNTED TO $145 980 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 40 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1978.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 38 PER CENT TO $50 323 MILLION IMPORTS ALSO BY 38 PER CENT TO $77 524 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 52 PER CENT TO $18 133 MILLION, ACCORDING TO TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 42 PER CENT, REACHING $68 456 MILLION. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TEN MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE AS
FOLLOWSi- JAN.-NOV. 78 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE (HK$ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
JAN.-NOV. 79 (HK$ MN.)
USA 17 043 13 670 +3 373 ♦25
WEST GERMANY 5 600 3 843 ♦1 757 +46
UK 5 358 3 414 + 1 944 ♦57
JAPAN 2 466 1 658 + 808 +49
AUSTRALIA 1 623 1 362 + 261 +19
CANADA 1 457 1 144 * 313 +27
SINGAPORE 1 287 988 + 299 +30
NETHERLANDS 1 223 804 ♦ 419 +52
FRANCE 871 491 4- 380 +77
SWITZERLAND 853 611 ♦ 242 +40
GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO USA WAS RELATIVELY SLOW.
INCREASES WERE REGISTERED MAINLY IN CLOTHING (BY $895 MILLION
OR 16 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $495 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT), PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $377 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $255 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT), AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $223 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO WEST GERMANY INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, CHIEFLY IN CLOTHING (BY $898 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $280 MILLION OR 155 PER CENT), AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $196 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO UK WERE ALSO REMARKABLE, PARTICULARLY FOR CLOTHING (BY $860 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $235 MILLION OR 125 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY $159 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $120 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT).
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1980
- 2 -
MARKED INCREASES WERE ALSO REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING (BY $278 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $86 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT) TO JAPAN.
AN ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS IS AS FOLLOWSt-
JAN.-NOV. 79 JAN.-NOV. 78 INCREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) CHANGE
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND
CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 18 053 13 980 +4 073 +29
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 8 549 5 977 +2 572 +43
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 4 656 2 923 ♦1 733 +59
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 3 643 2 519 +1 124 +45
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3 621 2 542 +1 079 +42
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES) 9 2 930 1 901 +1 029 +54
PROMINENT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1 512 MILLION OR 62 PER CENT), PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $922 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT), TEXTILE FABRICS (BY $877 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT), AND ELECTRICAL AND NON-ELECTRICAL HOUSEHOLD TYPE EQUIPMENT (BY $396 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINES WERE RECORDED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS (BY $20 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT) AND CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $4 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT).
/THE CHANGES .....
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1980
3
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWSs-
JAN.-NOV. 79 (HK$ MN.) JAN.-NOV. 78 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE (HK$ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
JAPAN 17 386 12 789 ♦4 597 +36
CHINA 13 429 9 431 +3 998 +42
USA 9 465 6 819 +2 646 +39
TAIWAN 5 371 3 759 +1 612 +43
SINGAPORE 4 358 2 898 + 1 460 *50
UK 4 033 2 674 +1 359 +51
WEST GERMANY 2 554 1 857 + 697 +38
SWITZERLAND 2 332 1 851 + 481 +26
REP. OF KOREA 2 285 1 587 + 698 *44
AUSTRALIA 1 448 1 121 + 327 +29
IMPORTS FROM JAPAN ROSE CONSIDERABLY, MAINLY OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $631 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $554 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY $504 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $401 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT), AND IRON AND STEEL (BY $309 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT).
IMPORTS FROM CHINA ALSO SHOWED SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH, CHIEFLY IN TEXTILES (BY $848 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT), PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $609 MILLION OR 89 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $375 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT), FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS (BY $159 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT) AS WELL AS VEGETABLES AND FRUITS (BY $144 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM USA WERE REGISTERED MAINLY IN ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $359 MILLION OR 161 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $328 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $270 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT), AND MISCELLANEOUS TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (BY $212 MILLION OR 151 PER CENT).
THERE WERE ALSO SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORTS OF TEXTILES (BY $621 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT) FROM TAIWAN AND PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS FROM SINGAPORE (BY $836 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT).
/the following .....
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1980
4
THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE MORE IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECT IONS«-
IMPORTANT CHANGES IN
JAN.-NOV. 79 JAN.-NOV. 78 INCREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) CHANGE
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND DIAMONDS) 24 409 18 251 +6 158 +34
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 16 908 10 982 ♦ 5 926 +54
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 11 235 7 860 ♦3 375 +43
FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 8 714 7 342 +1 372 +19
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 6 107 4 161 +1 946 +47
MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 4 466 2 863 +1 603 +56
INCREASES IN IMPORTS WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN TEXTILES (BY $2 946 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $1 822 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT), PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $1 563 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1 133 MILLION OR 64 PER CENT) AS WELL AS WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1 091 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA INCREASED REMARKABLY BY $933 MILLION OR 494 PER CENT. INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO USA (BY $709 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT), TAIWAN (BY $481 MILLION OR 44 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (BY $369 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT), AND INDONESIA (BY $323 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT).
BY COMMODITY, INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS WERE IN RESPECT OF TEXTILES (BY $896 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $481 MILLION OR 82 PER CENT), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $428 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $418 MILLION OR 99 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $324-MILLION OR 40 PER CENT).
. /THE TRADE ..
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1980
5
THE TRADE AS FOLLOWS: INDICES FOR OCTOBER 1979 (1973 - 100) WERE RELEASED
VALUE INDEX UNIT VALUE INDEX QUANTUM INDEX
DOMESTIC IMPORTS THE EXPORTS 328 171 343 177 TRADE INDEX FOR OCTOBER 1979 WAS 97. 192 195
------0 - -
VCM TO BE INCLUDED IN PROHIBITED GOODS LIST *****
VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER (VCM), USED AS A RAW MATERIAL IN THE PRODUCTION OF BULK POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) AND AS A PROPELLANT IN AEROSOL PRODUCTS, WILL BE PUT ON THE LIST OF PROHIBITED GOODS UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS REGULATIONS.
THE BAN, TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM MARCH 1, 1980 AND RECOMMENDED BY THE DANGEROUS GOODS STANDING COMMITTEE, IS SET OUT IN THE DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL)(AMENDMENT)(NO.2) REGULATIONS 1979 ALREADY PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: +INVESTIGATIONS IN RECENT YEARS HAVE SHOWN THAT PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THE SUBSTANCE, A COLOURLESS INFLAMMABLE GAS AT ORDINARY TEMPERATURE AND NORMAL PRESSURE, MAY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR A CANCER OF THE LIVER IN A NUMBER OF WORKERS AT BULK PVC PRODUCTION PLANTS OVERSEAS.+
MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN UK AND USA TO REDUCE THE PERMITTED LEVEL OF VCM TO WHICH WORKERS MAY BE EXPOSED AND TO STRICTLY CONTROL ITS USE AS A PROPELLANT IN AEROSOL PRODUCTS.
♦IN HONG KONG, VCM IS NOT KNOWN TO BE USED AS A RAW MATERIAL BY ANY LOCAL MANUFACTURER. WORKERS IN WAREHOUSES WHICH STORE PVC OR IN FACTORIES WHICH FABRICATE FINISHED PRODUCTS FROM BULK PVC RUN NO HEALTH RISK IF THESE PLACES ARE WELL VENTILATED.
♦THE SUBSTANCE IS ONLY KNOWN TO BE CONTAINED IN CERTAIN FOREIGN-MADE AEROSOL PRODUCTS. THE BAN WILL THEREFORE BAR THEIR IMPORT AND SALE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN CASE ANYONE IS IN POSSESSION OF VCM, THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR ADVICE ON ITS SAFE DISPOSAL.
0 -
/6
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1980
6
ANOTHER SECONDARY SCHOOL TO BE BUILT IN SHA TIN
*****
ANOTHER SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT IN THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE SCHOOL, THE EIGHTH GOVERNMENT SCHOOL IN THE NEW TOWN, WILL BE SITUATED AT THE JAT MIN CHUEN HOUSING ESTATE OF THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY.
TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SCHOOL ARE BEING INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE SCHOOL, TO BE BUILT ON A 5 145-SQUARE METRE SITE, WOULD CONSIST OF;
* A MAIN TEACHING BLOCK, COMPRISING 24 CLASSROOMS, ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND CHANGING ROOMS-
* AN ASSEMBLY HALL WITH A COVERED PLAY AREA ON THE GROUND FLOOR-
* A BLOCK OF SPECIAL ROOMS, PROVIDING FACILITIES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS, A LIBRARY AND WORKSHOPSAND
* SEPARATE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS AND MENIAL STAFF QUARTERS.
+WORK ON THE PROJECT, WHICH IS PART OF THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, WILL START IN MAY THIS YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 1981,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----o------
EMPLOYERS URGED TO SEND THEIR MANAGEMENT STAFF TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CONFERENCE *****
EMPLOYERS WERE URGED TODAY (MONDAY) TO SEND THEIR SENIOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL TO AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CONFERENCE SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN MARCH.
THE CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD’S COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID PARTICIPANTS WOULD GREATLY BENEFIT FROM THE MEETING.
THERE WILL BE TALKS BY EXPERTS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING, TEXTILES, PLASTICS, METAL WORK AND OTHER RELATED SUBJECTS, WITH EMPHASIS ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES BY MANAGEMENT TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS.
PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN PLENARY DISCUSSIONS, VIEW TWO SAFETY FILMS AND VISIT A MINI-EXH IB ITION OF SAFETY DEVICES AND APPLIANCES AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG.
/THE FILMS ...
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1980
7
THE FILMS DEAL WITH THE NEED FOR CAREFUL INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS AND SAFETY MATTERS IN A FACTORY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SENIOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL FROM INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS OR OTHER ORGANISATIONS WERE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE.
A DETA I-ED PROGRAMME AND APPLICATION FORM FOR THE CONFERENCE ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM MR. HO HONG-WAI OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, YAU MA TEI, TELEPHONE 3-688111 EXT 346.
THE ONE-DAY CONFERENCE, DESIGNED TO MAKE SENIOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL MORE AWARE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, WILL BE HELD IN THE NEW WORLD HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI, ON MARCH 25.
IT IS BEING SPONSORED BY THE ACCIDENT INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG COTTON SPINNERS ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG PLASTIC MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION.
THE SPEAKERS AT THE CONFERENCE WILL BE MR. C. STEELE, SENIOR COMMERCIAL ENGINEER, CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. LTD.- MR. T.L. NG, PLANT MANAGER AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY COMMITTEE OF SONCA INDUSTRIES LTD.- MR. CHAN SHIU-LAP, CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF LABOUR DEPARTMENT- MR. K.Y. TONGSON, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG PLASTIC MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION LTD.- MR. G. FREEMAN, CHIEF FIRE AND SECURITY OFFICER, HONG KONG ELECTRIC HOLDINGS LTD.- MR. WILLIAM LAW, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ASSOCIATION- MR. LINCOLN YUNG, DIRECTOR AND MANAGER OF NANYANG COTTON MILL LTD.- AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT.
-----0------
CONSTRUCTION OF SEWER IN KOWLOON BAY *****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) AWARDED A $17 MILLION CONTRACT TO HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MAJOR SEWER ALONG HOI BUN ROAD ON THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY MR. WONG
ENGINEER
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY MR. WONG WAN-MING, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION OF THE PWD’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY.
SPEAKING AFTER THE CEREMONY, MR.WONG SAID, +AT PRESENT THERE ARE NO MAIN PUBLIC SEWERS ON THE RECLAMATION. AS IT IS INTENDED TO DEVELOP THIS AREA IN THE NEAR FUTURE, A MAIN SEWER WILL BE REQUIRED.*
JHAT THE SEWER W0ULD COLLECT SEWAGE FROM FUTURE ^LOPMENTS AND W0ULD ALS0 SERVE THE KAI TAK PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON THE FORMER RAF SITE. tftlAlt
INVOLVING THE LAYING OF ABOUT 2 700 METRES OF
16 M0NTHSNT0NC0MPLETE25 MM T0 1 650 MM IN DIAMETER> W,LL TAKE ABOUT
0 -
/8
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, I960
8
OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO MONKEY GOLD COIN OFFER
*****
THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION HAS RECEIVED 651 504 APPLICATIONS FOR THE GOLD COIN COMMEMORATING THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY.
OF THESE, 176 148 WERE FOR THE PROOF COIN AND 475 356 FOR THE UNCIRCULATED VERSION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID 735 600 OF THE 740 000 APPLICATION FORMS PRINTED WERE ISSUED.
+THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WAS SIX-AND-ONE-HALF TIMES GREATER THAN THAT FOR THE GOAT GOLD COIN, AND NEARLY 19 TIMES GREATER THAN THE DEMAND FOR THE DRAGON COIN,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
IN VIEW OF THE UNPRECEDENTED AND UNEXPECTED HIGH DEMAND FOR THE MONKEY COIN, AND THE TIME NECESSARY TO PROCESS THE APPLICATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT WAS NOW UNLIKELY THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO ADHERE TO THE ADVERTISED DATES FOR RETURNING CHEQUES AND CASHIER’S ORDERS TO THOSE WHO WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.
+EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO PROCESS ALL APPLICATIONS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
+BUT IT NOW SEEMS CLEAR THAT THE TASK WILL NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.*
ADDITIONAL MANPOWER IS BEING EMPLOYED.
- 0 ----------
WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES I TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 9 AM ON WEDNESDAY WATER MAINS WORK.
N KWUN TONG WILL BE (JANUARY 16) FOR
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ROAD BETWEEN LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND THE SHELL CO LTD DEPOT.
ARE THOSE ALONG CHA KWO LING CHA KWO LING TSUEN, INCLUDING
0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ACTING GOVERNOR PRESENTS INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AWARDS .......... 1
BILL TO EXTEND RENT CONTROL TO BE INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO TOMORROW ............................. 2
ISSUE OF 300 MORE TAXI LICENCES ............................ 3
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS RETIRES .................. 4
AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING BLIND PEOPLE ON HK ISLAND............ 5
SHA TIN SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL HAVE NEW LIBRARY............... 6
NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR FOR POKFULAM ......................... 6
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS.............................. 7
SITE GRANTED FOR BUILDING CEMENT PLANT IN THEN MUN........ 7
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1980
1
ACTING GOVERNOR PRESENTS INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AWARDS
******
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING TOLD HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS THAT THE DAYS WHEN THE MOTTO ’YOU MAKE IT WE FAKE IT’, FOR THE UNSCRUPULOUS FEW, WERE HOPEFULLY LONG OVER.
SIR JACK WAS SPEAKING AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT THE PRESENTATION OF AWARDS FOR GOOD PRODUCT DESIGNS PROMOTED BY THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COUNCIL. THE PREMIER ’GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR HONG KONG DESIGN' WAS HOWEVER WITHHELD THIS YEAR ON THE DECISION OF THE PANEL OF JUDGES.
SIR JACK NOTED THAT COMPARATIVELY FEW MANUFACTURERS HAD FELT SUFFICIENTLY CONFIDENT TO SUBMIT THEIR PRODUCTS FOR SCRUTINY, MAY BE BECAUSE SOME OF THEM WERE CHARY OF PUTTING NEWLY-DESIGNED PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY FOR FEAR OF PIRATING, OR BECAUSE THEY LACKED CONFIDENCE OR SIMPLY COULD NOT BE BOTHERED.
♦WHATEVER THE REASON, IT IS A PITYi A PITY BECAUSE, IN THOSE LONG YEARS AGO IN 1969, IT SEEMED TO THOSE OF US INVOLVED IN SETTING UP THE DESIGN COUNCIL THAT HONG KONG FOR FAR TOO LONG HAD BEEN A WORKSHOP. THAT WE RELIED TOO MUCH ON MANUFACTURING TO ORDER, OFTEN UNDER LICENCEi WE WERE KEEN TO SEE HONG KONG MOVING AWAY FROM ITS CONTRACTING ROLE TO PRODUCING GOODS OF OUR OWN DESIGN, AS WELL AS MANUFACTURE.
♦THERE HAVE BEEN NOTABLE ACKNOWLEDGE THEMj BUT HONESTY TOO THAT WE REMAIN STILL VERY PRODUCT ION.♦
SUCCESSES, AND I AM PLEASED TO REQUIRES US THIS EVENING TO ADMIT MUCH IN THE OLD PATTERN — SELLING
THIS WAS CLEARLY STILL VERY PROFITABLE, HE SAID, OTHERWISE HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS WOULD NOT BE DOING IT, BUT THE WAY AHEAD LAY WITH IMPROVING QUALITY, MARKET DIVERSIFICATION AND, NOT ONLY UP-GRADING OUR TECHNOLOGY, BUT ALSO OUR DESIGN STANDARDS.
ALTHOUGH OUR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST TEN YEARS HAD BEEN REMARKABLE ♦BY ANY STANDARDS — EVEN HONG KONG’S+, SIR JACK SAID, WE COULD NOT AND MUST NOT BE COMPLACENT.
♦PROTECTIONISM AMONG OUR MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS IS ON THE INCREASE- COMPETITION FROM OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE FAR EAST AND ELSEWHERE IS UNDOUBTEDLY GOING TO INCREASE.*
FORTUNATELY, HE SAID, WE HAVE A LOT GOING FOR US TOO — ABLE AND COMPETENT ENTREPRENEURS, A WORK-FORCE SECOND TO NONE FOR ITS HARD WORK AND FLEXIBILITY AND A MUCH IMPROVED AND IMPROVING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA.
THERE WAS ALSO THE WORK OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION. ♦DIVERSIFICATION CAN AND DOES TAKE THE FORM OF CHANGES AND INNOVATIONS WITHIN EXISTING PRODUCT GROUPS, IN TERMS OF BOTH THE RANGE AND THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS. IT IS WITHIN THIS CONTEXT THAT NEW IDEAS IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN ARE OF IMPORTANCE TO INDUSTRY,♦ HE ADDED.
/MR. JAMES WU.......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1980
2
MR. JAMES WU, CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES WHICH,ORGANISED THE ANNUAL DESIGN COMPETITION, ALSO SPOKE DURING THE■PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
FIVE AWARDS AND FIVE CERTIFICATES OF MERIT WERE PRESENTED TO OUTSTANDING DESIGNS. THE AWARDS WEREi
* FOR THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED PRODUCT, WHICH WENT TO GP ELECTRONICS LTD FOR THEIR ’GP-714 CAR STEREO SYSTEM*-
* FOR GOOD DESIGN IN THE ELECTRICAL CATEGORY, TO HO-NU-GO INTERNATIONAL LTD FOR THEIR 'SUPER CLEANER’"
* FOR GOOD DESIGN IN THE JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND CLOCKS CATEGORY, TO MS MARILYN HUI HANG-CHUNG FOR HER 'CHAIN WITH PENDANT’-
* FOR GOOD DESIGN IN THE METAL CATEGORY, TO UNION METAL WORKS LTD FOR THEIR ’BARBERACK’- AND
* FOR GOOD DESIGN IN THE TOYS CATEGORY, TO VIDEO TECHNOLOGY LTD FOR THEIR ’4 COMPUTER GAME’.
BILL TO EXTEND RENT CONTROL TO BE INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO TOMORROW ******
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WHICH SEEKS TO EXTEND RENT CONTROL TO ALL POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES WILL BE INTRODUCED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL TOGETHER WITH THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT AND THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 2 WILL BE TABLED AT TOMORROW’S SITTING.
DURING QUESTION TIME, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL RAISE 12 QUESTIONS ON VARIOUS MATTERS.
ON SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE HON PETER C. WONG WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO STATE THE STEPS TAKEN TO CHECK THE SAFETY OF CRADLES AND LIFTS USED ON SITES- THE FREQUENCY CF SAFETY CHECKS AND WHETHER NEW SAFETY MEASURES AND CHECKING PROCEDURES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE LIGHT OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF FATALITIES AND SERIOUS INJURIES ON THE SITES.
HE WILL ALSO ASK WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER IMPOSING SOME FORM OF CONTROL ON THE HONG KONG GOLD. AND SILVER MARKET.
/THE HON ANDREW .
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1980
5
THE HON ANDREW SO WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE CURRENT CIVIL SERVICE DISPUTES AND INDICATE THE EXTENT TO WHICH SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED AND WHETHER EARLY PEACEFUL SETTLEMENTS ARE IN SIGHT.
OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED CONCERN POSSESSION AND USE OF FIRE-ARMS BY OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS, THE NEED FOR AN EXHIBITION CENTRE, REFUSE COLLECTING VEHICLES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, FRINGE BENEFITS FOR MARRIED FEMALE OFFICERS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, CONTROL OF ELECTRIC AND OXY-ACETYLENE WELDING IN PUBLIC PLACES, REMOVAL OF BROKEN-DOWN AND ABANDONED VEHICLES, ADOPTION OF UNIFORM CHINESE TITLES FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE PRESENT POSITION OF THE DRAFT SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS BILL.
------0 ------
ISSUE OF 300 MORE TAXI LICENCES * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE INVITING TENDERS FOR A FURTHER BATCH OF 300 HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXI LICENCES ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 18).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT TENDER FORMS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM FRIDAY FROM EITHER THE HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE, MEZZANINE FLOOR, MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, OR FROM THE KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICE, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, DUNDAS STREET.
HE SAID THAT TENDER FORMS FOR THIS EXERCISE WOULD BE IN PINK COLOUR AND ADVISED INTENDING TENDERERS NOT TO USE ANY OTHER TYPE CF FORMS ISSUED PREVIOUSLY, AS OTHERWISE THEIR TENDERS MAY BE DECLARED VOID.
AS ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THE TENDER WILL BE IN THE FORM CF A PREMIUM IN RESPECT OF ONE OR MORE HONG KONG OR KOWLOON TAXI.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT A TENDERER MAY SUBMIT ONE TENDER FORM FOR ONE OR MORE LICENCE BUT NOT EXCEEDING 300. THE TENDERER MAY ALSO SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE TENDER FORM, BUT IF A SINGLE TENDER FORM IS SUBMITTED FOR MORE THAN ONE LICENCE THEN THE PREMIUM OFFERED FOR EACH LICENCE MUST BE THE SAME.
HE ADDEDi +IF THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE LICENCES IS LESS THAN THE NUMBER REQUIRED BY A TENDERER THEN A SMALLER NUMBER OF LICENCES MAY BE ALLOCATED TO HIM AS APPROPRIATE.♦
A PUBLIC BALLOT MAY BE HELD TO DETERMINE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THOSE TENDERS IF THE UNIT PREMIA WHICH THEY HAVE OFFERED ARE IDENTICAL.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS TOGETHER WITH THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT MUST BE SUBMITTED IN A SEALED ENVELOPE, ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX AT THE ENTRANCE HALL ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE 12 NOON ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1.
/LATE TENDERS .....
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1980
- 4
LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
SUCCESSFUL TENDERS WILL BE ISSUED TAXI LICENCES AT THE RATE OF 100 PER MONTH STARTING FROM THE MIDDLE OF MARCH WITH THE HIGHEST TENDERS RECEIVING PRIORITY,
-----0------
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS RETIRES
* * * M
, STAFF OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID FAREWELL TO THEIR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, MR ROY HATTON, WHO IS RETIRING AFTER NEARLY 30 YEARS' SERVICE IN THE GOVERNMENT.
ON THEIR BEHALF, THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS, hfi DOUGLAS JORDAN, AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE’S MESS, PRESENTED MR HATTON WITH A TYPEWRITER AND TOKENS OF A SET OF GARDEN TOOLS. ,
AT THE PRESENTATION, MR JORDAN THANKED MR HATTON FOR THE GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINED DIRECTION HE HAD GIVEN TO HIS OFFICERS, AND ATTRIBUTED MUCH OF THE SUCCESS OF THE SERVICE TO HATTON’S EFFORTS AND PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT.
♦UNDER YOUR DIRECTION THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE HAS ACHIEVED REMARKABLE OPERATIONAL SUCCESSES IN ANTI-NARCOTICS WORK, IN COPYRIGHT PROTECTION, IN REVENUE PROTECTION AND IN OTHER FIELDS,+ SAID MR JORDAN. + IN CONSEQUENCE IT IS HELD IN HIGH REGARD NOT ONLY IN HONG KONG BUT INTERNATIONALLY.
♦SOME OF ITS ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN RECOGNISED IN TANGIBLE TERMS, SUCH AS THE RECENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STAFF WELFARE FUND BY AN APPRECIATIVE RECORDING INDUSTRY.*
MR HATTON FIRST JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1950 AS A POLICE SUB-INSPECTOR. HE WAS APPOINTED A REVENUE INSPECTOR IN 1952 AND ROSE THROUGH THE REVENUE INSPECTORATE GRADE TO THE RANK OF CHIEF REVENUE INSPECTOR IN 1964.
HE WAS APPOINTED A SENIOR INDUSTRY OFFICER IN 1965 TO TAKE COMMAND OF THE NEWLY-FORMED TRADE INVESTIGATION BRANCH OF THE TICD.
IN 1972, MR HATTON RE-JOINED THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE AS A SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK CF ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN SEPTEMBER 1974, AND SINCE THEN HAS HEADED THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE, MR HATTON WAS AWARDED THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE MEDAL IN JUNE 1977, AND WAS HONOURED BY THE AWARD OF THE IMPERIAL SERVICE ORDER IN THE 1980 NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST.
MR HATTON WILL SETTLE IN WALES AFTER HIS RETIREMENT.
- - - - o ----
/5.....
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1980
- 5 -AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING BLIND PEOPLE ON HK ISLAND
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS ORGANISING AN AWARD SCHEME FOR OUTSTANDING BLIND PEOPLE IN ALL DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S REHABILITATION OFFICES IN THE HONG KONG ISLAND REGION, THE SCHEME AIMS AT PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE BLIND.
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FROM WELFARE AGENCIES. ORGANISATIONS OR RESIDENTS AGED OVER 21 YEARS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) BLIND PEOPLE TO BE NOMINATED MUST HAVE REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND RESIDED ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
HE SAID CANDIDATES WOULD BE JUDGED ON THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS OR ACHIEVEMENTS MADE IN THE FIELDS OF ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT. ART, FAMILY CAREER, WELFARE FOR THE BLIND, LEADERSHIP OR HELPFULNESS TO OTHERS.
AWARDS WILL BE MADE TO FIVE OUTSTANDING BLIND PERSONS. >€ SAID, AND EACH WILL RECEIVE 1500 AND A SOUVENIR.
SELECTION WILL BE MADE BY A PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISING MR K.L. STUMPF, DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND- MR K.J. MARSHALL, PRINCIPAL OF EBENEZER SCHOOL AND HOME FOR THE BLIND- SISTER ROSA HONG, PRINCIPAL OF CANOSSA SCHOOL FOR THE VISUALLY DISABLED- MR BRIAN LUI, REHABILITATION DIVISION OFFICER FOR THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE-AND MISS LUCY CHING, SOCIAL WORK OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT.
AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 29 AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
NOMINATION FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE AT FOUR OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT ON HONG KONG ISLAND OR BY TELEPHONING 5-498087 OR 5-497032. THE FORMS SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED BEFORE FEBRUARY 5.
THE FOUR DISTRICT OFFICES ARE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AT WESTERN STREET, SAI YING PUN- CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 230 CHAI WAN ROAD- EASTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE AT ROOM 707, CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING-AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE AT 52-64 ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, ABERDEEN.
----0-----
/6
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1980
6
SHA TIN SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL HAVE NEW LIBRARY ******
SHA TIN SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL HAVE ANOTHER QUIET PLACE TO READ AND TO BORROW BOOKS WHEN A MINI LIBRARY IS OPENED IN LEK YUEN ESTATE IN MARCH.
THE LIBRARY, OCCUPYING SOME 56 SQUARE METRES (600 SQUARE FEET) ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD OFFICE IN SAU CHUEN HOUSE, WILL ALSO BE USED AS A STUDY ROOM.
THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH IS MAKING FINAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE OPENING, WILL FINANCE THE *30 000 PROJECT.
THE BOARD IS STOCKING BOOKS AND PERIODICALS AND IS RECRUITING PART-TIME STAFF TO RUN IT.
OPENING HOURS WILL BE FROM 5 PM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT TUESDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SUNDAY.
A SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT EXPANSION OF LIBRARY SERVICE IN SHA TIN WAS NECESSARY TO SERVE THE RAPIDLY INCREASING POPULATION OF THE NEW TOWN. ♦WE ARE SURE THIS MINI LIBRARY WILL BE VERY POPULAR,* HE SAID.
AT PRESENT THERE IS A PUBLIC LIBRARY IN SHA TIN OPERATED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE FOUR SMALLER LIBRARIES RUN BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND A MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN THE NEW TOWN.
-----o------
NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR FOR POKFULAM
*****
A NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL BE BUILT SHORTLY TO IMPROVF ISLANDTER SUPPLY T0 THE POKFULAM HIGH LEVEL AREAS ON HONG KONG
’J WILL BE LOCATED SOUTH-EAST OF THE EXISTING NO 2 ^OOO^UB^MFTRF^^ P0KFULAM AND WILL HAyE A CAPACITY OF o uuu uudIU metres.
m A CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT WHICH COSTS MORE THAN $8 MILLION WAS SIGNED THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING BETWEEN THE CHIEF ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION), MR LEE GUN-CHEUNG OF ?HE ANDErnSU|PThIES DEPARTMENT AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WAN HIN MINU Uv LID.
WITH ™0C0?^HT«'?S?';NGTHSeR??^CRTESETRHV0?RS ™RL|STI*NVE«METER?*ONTCHtLXAPOm^" R°‘D FS°" ™E CHINESE
is moStSs to M“CT WILL start next "eek and will Tt«
0 - -
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1980
- 7 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 19) AT 10 AM IN THE LECTURE HALL OF CITY HALL.
A TOTAL OF 30 NUMBERS WILL BE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC. THEY ARE:
CB 733 CB 1813 CB 1811 CB 2822 CB 7202
CB 980 CB 299 CB 5224 CB 8319 CB 7383
CB 690 CB 998 CB 7728 AA 107 CC 113
CB 9928 CB 336 CB 368 CC 133 CC 285
CC 121 CB 1 CC 50 CC 1 CC 329
CA 8 CC 323 CA 88 CB 3900 CC 1931
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
----o-----
NOTE TO EDITORS:
SITE GRANTED FOR BUILDING CEMENT PLANT IN TUEN MUN *****
PRIVATE TREATY DOCUMENTS FOR THE GRANT OF A SITE AT SIU LANG SHU I, NEAR TUEN MUN, ON WHICH A CEMENT PLANT IS TO BE BUILT WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 4.30 PM AT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS.
THE DOCUMENTS WILL BE SIGNED BY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, AND MR LI KA-SHING, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 0^ CHINA CEMENT COMPANY (HONG KONG) LTD WHICH WILL BUILD AND OPERATE THE PLANT.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE SIGNING CEREMONY. THEY SHOULD BE AT THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 1Q1 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN, KOW-OON, BY 4.15 PM TOMORROW.
- o -
PR 33
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUPPLEMENT
Tuesday, January 15» 1980 ACTING GOVERNOR PRESENTS INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AWARDS
The following- is the _full text of the speech by the Acting Governor, Sir Jack Cater, at the presentation of the 1980 Awards for Hong Kong Design at Government House this evening:
Mr Wu, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to welcome you here this evening to this annual event when we acknowledge the efforts of our industry to advance the quality and design of Hong Kong products.
This occasion brings back fond memories of my association with the Hong Kong Industrial Design Council. Hr Wu has mentioned that I was in the judging panel for the first Governor’s Award Design Competition. I recall that the product selected for the Award was the aluminium frame window developed by Petman Ltd. That was in 19&9» Of course there have been many changes since then: our products have come a long way in terms of improvement of design and quality.
I was somewhat surprised to learn that the Panel of Judges had decided to withhold the -’Governor’s Award for Hong Kong Design1’ this year. The Judges are perfectly entitled to do this. The Governor’s Award is something special and it would be wrong to assume that it has to be awarded each year. Indeed, by withholding the Award on this occasion the Judgeshave enhanced the award’s status, and, in the process, perhaps given an additional incentive to our designers to atch the high standards associated with it. The Judges have clearly served notice on our designers /that they .............................................
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
2
that they will accept nothing but the highest international standards for the Governor’s Award.
You have expressed your regret, Mr Chair nan, that comparatively few manufacturers have felt sufficiently confident to submit their products for scrutiny of the judging panel: it i.iay be lack of confidence, it may be that sone were chary of putting newly-designed products on display for fear of pirating - don’t they know that the days when the motto for those few (never many) unscrupulous Hong Kong manufacturers was ;,you make it we fake it” are - hopefully - long over? It may, of course, be that others simply could not be bothered, -./hatever the reason, it is a pity: a pity because, in those long years ago in 1969, it seemed to those of us involved in setting up the Design Council that Hong Kong for far too long had been a workshop, that we relied too much on manufacturing to order, often under licence: we were keen to see, as you have indicated Mr V?u, Hong Kong moving away from its contracting role to producing goods of our own design, as well as manufacture. There have been notable successes, and I am pleased to acknowledge them: but honesty requires us this evening to admit too that we remain still very much in the old pattern - selling production. It is clearly still very profitable otherwise Hong Kong manufacturers would not be doing it: but looking to the future, Mr Chairman, there can be no doubting that your Council still has a great deal to do. The way ahead lies still with improving quality, market diversification, and, I agree with you, hot only up-grading our technology but our design standards too.
As we move into the ’80s, it is of interest to look back briefly to what has been achieved in the past 10 years. In 1969 our domestic exports were valued at 10 000 million: in 1979 it looks like being some .56 000 million - an increase of 4^2 per cent, cr, in real terms 132 per cent. Remarkable by any standards - even Hong Kong’s.
/But we ......
3
But we cannot, must not, be complacent: although our manufacturing industry is in good shape as we go into the eighties there can be no denying the problems, the challenges ahead: protectionism among our major trading partners is on the increase; competition from other developing countries in the Far East and elsewhere is undoubtedly going to increase- Fortunately we have a lot going for us too: able and competent entrepreneurs, and a work-force second to none for its hard work- and .flexibility* We have too a much improved and improving relationship with China: there can be no doubting our vklue to China in terms of helping to earn foreign exchange and, in the long term perhaps equally important, our role - yet to be fully explored - in assisting, in helping that great Country with its four modernisations.
You have referred, Mr Wu, to the diversification and broadening of our industrial base- I would have been surprised if you hadn’t. To many, diversification would perhaps mean venturing into new product groups. But those who are associated with industry have long recognised that diversification can and does take the form of changes and innovations within existing product groups, in terms of both the range and the quality of products. It is within this context that new ideas in industrial design are of importance to industry.
The Advisory Committee on Diversification’s Report contains a number of recommendations concerning the provision of better organised and more extensive ’’industry support facilities” and ’’technical back-up services” for our manufacturing industries. This fine report is presently under intensive study: it is timely: a most valuable contribution as we go into the eighties.
/Since its.....
4
Since its establishment in 19&9, the Design Council has actively promoted the development of products, of new designs and of improvements in quality. It has encouraged local design talents to contribute to our industry, and instilled an awareness of the importance of good design in manufacturing. The present design competition is a concrete example of the Council’s work in this direction. I am sure that the Council will continue vigorously with its vital task: and we all wish the Council further success in it. I need hardly add that the Council can continue to count on Government support in the future as it has in the past.
Finally may I extend my congratulations to the winners of the various prizes this year and wish them every success in the future.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
' ’ - ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
UNREASONABLE- R5NT INCREASES — A MAJOR FACTOR IN EXTENDING RENT CONTROL TO ALL DOMESTIC PREMISES .................... 1
T VC UNOFFICIAL LEGCO MEMBERS' EXPRESS VIEWS ON RENT CONTROL BILL.................................................. 3
GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS OPcN MU® TOWARDS REASONABLE STAFF REQUESTS ..................................................... ?
HK/USA TEXTILES RESTRAINT AGRE.I-i'JIT MODIFIED ................... 9
TICD COM.ENTS ON MODIFIED HK/USA TEXTILE AGREEMENT ................ 10
LABOUR COMMISSIONER ORDERS STUDY OF CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENTS ...... ............................................. 10
GOVERNMENT STUDYING PROPOSALS 'TO REGULATE UNDESIRABLE PRACTICES IN GOLD TRANSACTIONS ................................... 'll
SPECIAL FUND TO B E SET UP TO FINANCE STUD3VT LOANS ............... 12
POLICE IO BE BETTER 'KJUTPPED TO TOW AWAY ILLEGALLY PARKED CARS ....................................................... 1?
/MARINE .....
t
MARINE FISH CULTURE BILL 1980 PASSED .'ITH AMENDMENTS ............. 14
REGISTRATION CF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO ........................................................ 15
REPORT ON UK EXHIBITION C3ITRE UNDER STUDY ........................ 15
EIGHT STATISTICAL SURVEYS PLANNED FOR KIS YEAR .................... 16
REFUSE COLLECTION FLEET IN NT TO GRO"/ ............................ 17
MORE MONEY INJECTED INTO PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS..................... 17
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE SATISFIED 7/ITH GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ................................... 18
LAND GRANTED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CEMENT PLANT ..................... 19
SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS BILL TO BE INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO SHORTLY ................................................ 20
USE OF FIRE ARilS BY OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICERS ..................... 20
DON’T USE ROOM HEATERS TO DRY CLOTHES ............................. 21
WELDING IN PUBLIC PUCES CONTROLLED BY LAW ......................... 21
GOVERNMENT guarantee for MTRC LOAN ..................;.............. 22
GOVERNMENT PROBES IMPLICATIONS OF EXTENDING MEDICAL CARE TO CHILDREN OF FEMALE OFFICERS .................................... 23
CHINESE TITLES FOR’ GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ........................ 23
DORWARD TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE .................................. 24
BILLS PASSED ...................................................... 24
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
1
UNREASONABLE RENT INCREASES — A MAJOR FACTOR IN EXTENDING RENT CONTROL TO ALL DOMESTIC PREMISES
*****
INCREASING EVIDENCE OF UNREASONABLE RENT INCREASES WAS ONE OF THE MAIN FACTORS LEADING TO THE DECISION OF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 18 THAT RENT CONTROLS SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON THE REMAINING UNCONTROLLED PRIVATE DOMESTIC PREMISES IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE SECOND READING OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1980.
HE SAID THE BILL PROPOSED THAT CONTROLS BE EXTENDED TO THE FOLLOWING TENANCIES:
* IN BUILDINGS CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION AFTER DECEMBER 14, 1973-
* WHERE A LEASE OF THREE YEARS OR MORE HAD BEEN ENTERED INTO AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1975- AND
* WHERE THE TENANT WAS A PUBLIC BODY, CORPORATION, FOREIGN OR COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT, PARTNERSHIP OR FIRM.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT THE PART II RENT CONTROLS, AT PRESENT DUE TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 14, 1982, SHOULD NOW BE BROUGHT BACK TO DECEMBER 18 NEXT YEAR.
HE SAID: +WHEN GOVERNMENT IN THE PAST HAS INTRODUCED RENT CONTROLS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN HOPED THAT THEY WOULD BE SHORT-TERM bEASURES- AND GOVERNMENT CANNOT VIEW WITH EQUANIMITY THE INEQUITIES AND ANOMALIES WHICH ARE CAUSED AS BETWEEN LANDLORDS AND LANDLORDS, LANDLORDS AND TENANTS AND TENANTS AND TENANTS.
♦ THESE HAVE TO BE ACCEPTED IN THE SHORT-TERM, BUT THE PRESENT CONTROLS ARE ALREADY UP TO 10 YEARS OLD+.
THEREFORE, HE SAID, IT WAS INTENDED TO CONDUCT A WIDE-RANGING REVIEW OF THE RENT-CONTROL LEGISLATION.
THE TWO-YEAR +LIFE+ OF THE PART II RENT CONTROLS WOULD ENABLE THE REVIEW GROUP TO DO A THOROUGH JOB AND PRODUCE PROPOSALS WHICH COULD BE FULLY CONSIDERED IN GOOD TIME FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY THE END OF 1981.
+1 HOPE THAT THE TASK OF REVIEW CAN BE COMPLETED WELL WITHIN THE TIME ALLOWED, BUT THERE IS NEED FOR WIDE CONSULTATION AND ALTHOUGH A FEW OF THE SEVERAL INTERESTS INVOLVED ARE REPRESENTED BY ASSOCIATIONS, SOME ARE NOT,+ SAID MR SCOTT.
HE CLARIFIED THE FOLLOWING POINTS CONCERNING THE RENT-CONTROL PROPOSALS:
NEW FLATS:
RENTS FOR FIRST LETTINGS OF NEWLY-BUILT PREMISES, AND FRESH LETTINGS OF EXISTING PREMISES, WILL NOT BE CONTROLLED.
/POSSESSION: ...
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
2
POSSESSION!
ANY LANDLORD MAY RECOVER POSSESSION OF A FLAT BY A COURT ORDER PROVIDING HE CAN PROVE THAT HE NEEDS THE PREMISES FOR HIS OWN OR HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY’S OCCUPATION, AND HE CAN SHOW THAT GREATER HARDSHIP WOULD BE CAUSED BY REFUSING THE ORDER THAN BY GRANTING IT. HOWEVER, SEVERE PENALTIES ARE PROPOSED FOR LANDLORDS WHO OBTAIN SUCH A COURT ORDER BUT WITHIN TWO YEARS EITHER LET OR ASSIGN THE PREMISES.
BACK-DATING:
THE LEGISLATION WILL BE RETROSPECTIVE TO DECEMBER 18 LAST YEAR. ANY NOTICE OF TERMINATION THAT HAD NOT EXPIRED BY THAT DATE, OR ANY AGREEMENT AFFECTING A TENANT IN POSSESSION WHICH HAD NOT COMMENCED BY THAT DATE, WILL BE NULLIFIED.
CHANGE OF TENANCIES:
WHERE A LANDLORD HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH A NEW TENANT ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE EXISTING TENANT WOULD BE VACATING ON EXPIRY OF THE LEASE OR THE NOTICE OF TERMINATION AFTER DECEMBER 18, SUCH AN AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE ENFORCEABLE IF THE EXISTING TENANT REMAINS IN OCCUPATION BECAUSE OF THE PROTECTION GIVEN TO HIM UNDER THE BILL.
MR SCOTT ALSO ANSWERED THE MAIN POINTS MADE BY LANDLORDS AND DEVELOPERS, AS FOLLOWS:
1. +BEING DEPRIVED OF THE RIGHT TO RECOVER THE USE OF THEIR PROPERTY+ — THIS INVOLVED SECURITY OF TENURE, WHICH WAS THE *VERY CORE* OF THE LEGISLATION. MR SCOTT SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT IMPOSED RENT CONTROL WITH GREAT RELUCTANCE AND ONLY WHEN THE SITUATION VERY CLEARLY REQUIRED IT.
2. +RENT INCREASES BEING LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 21 PER CENT EVERY TWO YEARS* — MR SCOTT SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S MIND WAS OPEN ON THIS POINT, WHICH WOULD BE CONSIDERED TOGETHER WITH MANY RELATED MATTERS WHEN THE OVERALL REVIEW WAS MADE.
3. *BUS INESSMEN IN COMPANY-LEASED ACCOMMODATION BEING GIVEN THE BENEFIT OF RENT CONTROLS WHEN THE PRICES OF THEIR PRODUCTS ARE UNCONTROLLED* — THE MARKED UPSURGE IN RENTS FOR LARGE COMPANY FLATS AND HOUSES IN TURN ENCOURAGED SOME LANDLORDS TO PUSH UP RENTS OF MEDIUM NON-COMPANY FLATS, HE SAID. FURTHER, TO EXCLUDE COMPANY LEASES WOULD ENCOURAGE MORE LANDLORDS TO INSIST ON LEASING ONLY TO COMPANIES, TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS.
ON THE SUBJECT OF EXCESSIVE SPECULATION IN DOMESTIC PROPERTY, MR SCOTT SAID THIS +CONTINUES TO BE THE SUBJECT OF CLOSE STUDY BY GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF LEGISLATION.*
HE ADDED: +1 CAN, HOWEVER, AT THIS STAGE SAY THAT GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE IN MIND RESTRICTIONS ON THE FIRST PRE-COMPLET ION SALE OF SUCH PROPERTY.*
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
3
TWO UNOFFICIAL LEGCO MEMBERS EXPRESS VIEWS ON RENT CONTROL BILL » » * » X
THE ACCELERATING TREND TOWARDS UNCONSCIONABLE RENT INCREASES WAS BEGINNING SERIOUSLY TO AFFECT NOT ONLY THE WHOLE PROPERTY MARKET, BUT ALSO - IF ALLOWED TO CONTINUE - THE STABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID.
, SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY). HE SAID THE LEGISLATION PUT FORWARD WOULD PROVIDE A COOLING OFF PERIOD DURING WHICH THE GOVERNMENT MUST CONSIDER MORE EQUITABLE LONG TERM MEASURES.
AND HE HOPED THESE WILL INCLUDE PROVISION FOR A RATHER HIGHER PERCENTAGE INCREASE FOR RENTS AND NEW THINKING ON RELATED ISSUES SUCH AS PLOT RATIOS.
ALTHOUGH HE BELIEVED THE BILL WAS IN THE IMMEDIATE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS ONLY A ♦TEMPORARY PALLIATIVE WHICH MUST GIVE WAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MORE SATISFACTORY LONG TERM MEASURES*.
THERE ARE IN FACT TWO MAJOR AND INTERTWINED ISSUES CONFRONTING THE GOVERNMENT - THE PROTECTION FOR EXISTING DOMESTIC TENANTS AND, MORE IMPORTANT, THE PROVISION OF MORE FLATS FOR RENTING, HE SAID.
ON THE FIRST ISSUE, HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT 43 000 UNCONTROLLED FLATS WITH ABOUT 200 000 PEOPLE BEING INVOLVED IN RENTAL INCREASE PROBLEMS.
A NUMBER OF THE TENANTS WERE RICH OR OBTAINED ASSISTANCE OF SOME SORT OR ANOTHER, BUT A SUBSTANTIAL PERCENTAGE REPRESENTED THE 01BATTLED MIDDLE CLASS.
♦ I BELIEVE MYSELF THAT GOVERNMENT CAN BE FAULTED FOR NOT TAKING STRONG ACTION SOME SIX MONTHS AGO WHEN ALL THE WARNING SIGNS WERE APPARENT.
♦ HOWEVER THIS MAY BE, AND DESPITE EARLIER ASSURANCES ABOUT FREEDOM FROM CONTROLS, NO RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT NOW COULD TOLERATE THE PROBLEMS BEING INFLICTED BY SOME GREEDY LANDLORDS ON SOME TENANTS LIVING IN UNCONTROLLED FLATS,♦ MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE PROPOSED MEASURES BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL RENT INCREASES WERE OF NECESSITY BLUNT AND BLUNT MEASURES HAD TO BRING WITH THEM SOME DEGREE OF INEQUITY.
♦ I WOULD PREFER MYSELF A TWO TIERED SYSTEM WITH PREVIOUSLY UNCONTROLLED RENTS BEING PEGGED TO A 14 PER CENT PER YEAR INCREASE, THAT IS 30 PER CENT IN TWO YEARS.
♦ I CAN SEE HOWEVER THE IMMEDIATE COMPLICATIONS THAT THIS LATTER PROPOSAL WOULD CAUSE, AND I AGREE THAT THE LEGISLATION PUT FORWARD WILL PROVIDE A COOLING OFF PERIOD DURING WHICH GOVERNMENT MUST CONSIDER OTHER AND MORE EQUITABLE LONG TERM MEASURES.*
/A KAJOH
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
4
A MAJOR ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED IS OF PREMISES.
THE RIGHT OF REPOSSESSION
MR BREMRIDGE STATED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO CONSIDER SPECIAL REVERSIONARY LEASES OF SAY FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, WHICH WOULD BE REGISTERABLE. THEY WOULD BE AT A FLAT RENT, AND THE LANDLORD WOULD KNOW IN ADVANCE THAT HE WAS NOT COMMITTED TO A LIFETIME TENANT.
HE SAID HE WAS LESS CONCERNED WITH THE RENTAL PROBLEMS IN RESPECT OF TENANCIES TAKEN BY EXPATRIATES, LARGE FIRMS, CONSULATES AND SIMILAR TENANTS.
WHILE CONCEDING THERE WAS INDEED SOME VALIDITY IN THE ACCUSATION THAT THEY WOULD BE AS IT WERE SUBSIDISED BY THEIR LANDLORDS, HE POINTED OUT THAT SOME LANDLORDS HAD FOR SOME TIME BEEN INSISTING ON SIGNING LEASES ONLY WITH COMPANIES AND NOT WITH INDIVIDUALS, AND HAD EVEN ARRANGED FOR INDIVIDUALS TO TURN THEMSELVES INTO PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANIES.
♦WITH THIS BACKGROUND UNLESS CRISP ALTERNATIVE MEASURES CAN BE DEVISED IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT ALL FLATS SHOULD FOR THE TIME BEING BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL, AND NOT ONLY JUST THOSE UP TO A CERTAIN VALUATION, OR LEASED TO CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY.
♦OTHERWISE THE LOOPHOLE TO EXCESSIVE INCREASES WOULD REMAIN OPEN.+
REGARDING THE PROVISION OF MORE LAND, MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE WAS NOT IN FAVOUR OF GOVERNMENT SELLING LAND AT BELOW MARKET PRICE BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THAT FINAL RENTS AND SALE PRICES OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES WOULD REFLECT GOING MARKET VALUES.
HE SUGGESTED THAT NEW LAND SHOULD BE FED ONTO THE MARKET IN BULK, AND NOT DRIBBLED ON IN SMALL LOTS.
♦THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT DESPITE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY GOVERNMENT IN LAND SALES, LAND IS BEING HOARDED IN THE PROSPECT OF SPECULATIVE GAIN. THERE THUS SEEMS TO BE A CASE FOR THE SALE OF LARGER LOTS, POSSIBLY WITH THE RELEASE OF STAGES BEING TIED TO PERFORMANCE BY THE DEVELOPER.
♦THE POSSIBILITIES THAT THIS WOULD PROVIDE FOR A BETTER PLANNED ENVIRONMENT ARE NOT TO BE IGNORED. NOR TO BE IGNORED ARE THE REDUCED OPPORTUNITIES THUS AFFORDED TO THE PREVALENT PROPERTY RINGS.♦
HE QUERIED WHY INFRASTRUCTURE SHOULD NOT BE PROVIDED BY THE DEVELOPERS RATHER THAN BY THE INEVITABLY DELIBERATE GOVERNMENT PROCESS AND URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE THIS MATTER MORE SERIOUSLY.
MR BREMRIDGE ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF TAKING THE PROBLEMS OF LAND OUT OF THE OVER-BURDENED ENVIRONMENT BRANCH, THE NTA AND THE PWD. +SURELY A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT OF LANDS IS LONG-OVERDUE7+ HE ASKED.
AS TO THE SUGGESTION THAT RENTAL CONTROL MEASURES COULD BE APPLIED TO COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY, MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE, FOR ONE, WOULD BE OPPOSED TO THIS, CERTAINLY AT THIS JUNCTURE.
/-rTHEHE IS ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
- 5 -
♦THERE IS IN GENERAL PLENTY OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY AVAILABLE FDR RENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. WHILE RENTAL CRITERIA FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES REQUIRE DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHICAL CONSIDERATIONS THAN FOR RENTED DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION,♦ HE SAID.
♦A FAMILY WITH A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD CANNOT BE UNFAIRLY EJECTED IF SOCIETY IS TO REMAIN STABLE. I DO NOT FEEL AT ALL THE SAME WAY ABOUT COMMERCIAL TENANTS. IF THEY CANNOT PAY THE RENT ASKED AND OTHERS CAN, WHY SHOULD NOT THE LATTER BE GIVEN A CHANCE? THERE IS CERTAINLY NO EVIDENCE OF THE WAREHOUSING OF EMPTY COMMERCIAL PREMISES.♦
MR BREMRIDGE NOTED THAT THE MEASURES TO CURB RENTAL INCREASES IN SOME 43 000 FLATS MIGHT ONLY AFFECT A SMALL SEGMENT OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION, BUT IT WOULD HAVE A SALUTARY EFFECT ON THE WHOLE PROPERTY MARKET WHICH HAD BEEN +FRIGHTENINGLY BALLOONED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS - FAR BEYOND WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPECTED FROM THE INEVITABLE COLLISION OF EXUBERANT DEMAND AND SHORT SUPPLY+.
♦THOUGH FOR SOME TIME THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS BEEN TRYING TO MODERATE THE MONEY SUPPLY. STILL TOO MUCH HAS BEEN GOING INTO LAND SPECULATION AS OPPOSED TO SOUND DEVELOPMENT.
♦NOT ONLY SHOULD THESE RELATIVELY MODEST AND TEMPORARY RENTAL CONTROL MEASURES AMELIORATE THIS SITUATION, BUT I HOPE ALSO THAT SOME INVESTORS’ ATTENTION WILL AGAIN BE TURNED TO THE FACT THAT HONG KONG LIVES ON ITS EXPORTS.
♦THERE MUST COME A TIME ALSO WHEN EVEN THE MOST AVARICIOUS DEVELOPER SHOULD REALISE THAT IRRESPONSIBLE LAND SPECULATION RESULTING IN EVER INFLATING COSTS FOR THE DOMESTIC RESIDENT, FACTORY OWNER, BUSINESSMAN, OR SHOPKEEPER CAN HAVE ONLY ONE END.+ ADDED.
ALSO COMMENTING ON THE BILL, THE HON DAVID NEWBIGGING URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A +DEFINITE, REALISTIC AND POSITIVE STATEMENT^ OVER ITS POLICY ON FUTURE LAND SUPPLY AND DEVELOPMENT.
HE SAID THE CURRENT SPIRALLING RESIDENTIAL RENTS HAD CREATED A SITUATION WHICH REQUIRED SOME IMMEDIATE ACTION TO COOL IT DOWN, BUT POINTED OUT THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD BEAR A LARGE SHARE OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT HAVING SUPPLIED SUFFICIENT LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
♦HOWEVER, THIS BILL BY ITSELF WILL PROVIDE, AT BEST, ONLY A COOLING-OFF PERIOD RATHER THAN A SOLUTION AND FOR THIS REASON I HAVE SOME DIFFICULTY IN SUPPORTING IT IN ISOLATION.
♦I BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT MUST ANNOUNCE CONCURRENTLY A FIRM POLICY COMMITMENT TO INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF LAND OVER AND ABOVE WHAT IS ALREADY PLANNED AND MUST OUTLINE HOW AND WHEN IT PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY.+
/MH NEWBIGGING .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
6
MR NEWBIGGING NOTED THAT CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY WOULD INEVITABLY FEEL HARD DONE BY IF THE BILL WAS PASSED. THEY INCLUDED RESPONSIBLE LANDLORDS WHO HAD NOT EXPLOITED THE MARKET TO THE ULTIMATE EXTENT- CORPORATIONS AND SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT BE UNABLE TO OBTAIN POSSESSION OF RESIDENTIAL PREMISES FOR THEIR OWN USE- GENUINE INVESTORS WHO MIGHT FIND THEMSELVES LIMITED TO A GROWTH IN RENTS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE LEVEL OF INFLATION- AND OTHER GENUINE INVESTORS WHO ACCEPTED, AND ACTED UPON, AN UNDERTAKING GIVEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER SOME FOUft AND A HALF YEARS AGO BY THE THEN SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, ONLY TO FIND THIS UNDERTAKING NOW BEING BROKEN.
HOWEVER, MR NEWBIGGING SAID HIS FUNDAMENTAL CONCERN WAS THAT WE SHOULD CURE THE DISEASE ITSELF RATHER THAN MERELY TREATING ITS SYMPTOMS.
ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, MR NEWBIGGING URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER 1
* SOME FLEXIBILITY ON THE 21 PER CENT INCREASE IN RENTS PERMITTED OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD IF THE INFLATION RATE CONTINUES AT ITS PRESENT LEVEL, OR ACCELERATES. A SIMPLE INDEXED FORMULA MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE-
* WHETHER THERE IS LIKELY TO BE A CONSEQUENT SLOWING DOWN OF THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS BECOMING AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL- AND
X WHETHER, BY NOT EXEMPTING UNITS AT THE VERY TOP END OF THE MARKET, INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES MORE CONCERNED WITH THE ACTUAL AVAILABILITY OF RENTED ACCOMMODATION THAN THE LEVEL OF RENTS, MAY BE INHIBITED FROM ESTABLISHING BRANCHES OR REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES IN HONG KONG.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE LAND AVAILABLE IN BULK - NOT IN DRIBS AND DRABS. HE STRONGLY FELT THAT THIS SHOULD BE LINKED TO THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.
FIRSTLY, HE SAID, HE DID NOT ACCEPT THE OFTEN-VOICED CONTENTION THAT THE CAPACITY OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS THE LIMITING FACTOR ON PRODUCING INCREASED RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION. BECAUSE, HE SAID, THE PRINCIPAL LIMITING FACTOR IS INSUFFICIENT LAND BEING MADE AVAILABLE.
SECONDLY, THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SOLD NEARLY 20 PER CENT LESS LAND OVERALL IN 1979 THAN IN 1978 AND THAT, WITHIN THE TOTAL FIGURE, THE DECLINE OF THE RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT WAS EVEN GREATER, DOES NOT AUGUR WELL FOR THE FUTURE.
THE THIRD REASON HE GAVE WAS THAT HE BELIEVED THERE MIGHT BE SCOPE FOR INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION BY INCREASING THE PERMITTED PLOT RATIO IN SOME AREAS.
/LASTLY, ...
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
7
LASTLY. MR NEWBIGGING SAID HE DID NOT ACCEPT STATEMENTS BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS THAT ONLY LIMITED ADDITIONAL LAND WAS AVAILABLE, FOR EXAMPLE IN THE MEW TERRITORIES. HE POINTED OUT THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT FOUND DIFFICULTY IN PROVIDING EITHER RAW OR FORMED LAND WITH THE ACCOMPANYING INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES, THEN IT SHOULD TURN THE JOB OVER TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR EVEN IF IT WAS IN THE FORM OF SEABED OR OLD RESERVOIRS, WITH A REQUIREMENT AT LEAST TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS ROADS.
HE NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH THIS BILL WOULD MOT PLEASE OR SATISFY ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, MOST RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS WOULD ACCEPT IT IF THEY WERE CONVINCED THAT IT WAS TEMPORARY.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TILL THE NEXT SITTING OF THE COUNCIL.
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GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS OPEN MIND TOWARDS REASONABLE STAFF REQUESTS
IM HX X
IN DEALING WITH STAFF DISPUTES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS TRIED TO MAINTAIN AN OPEN MIND AND A SYMPATHETIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS ALL REASONABLE STAFF REQUESTS, BUT THE PRIME CONSIDERATION MUST BE TO ENSURE THAT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC ARE NOT DISRUPTED AND THAT THE OVERALL PUBLIC INTEREST IS NOT IMPAIRED, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON MARTIN ROWLANDS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ANDREW SO, MR ROWLANDS DREW ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE VAST BULK OF THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS GOING ABOUT ITS DAILY BUSINESS QUIETLY AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY.
HE ALSO AFFIRMED THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE DID RECOGNISE ITS OVERRIDING DUTY TO DO EVERYTHING IN ITS POWER TO MAINTAIN, AT ALL TIMES AND EFFICIENTLY, THE VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES WHICH ARE SO NECESSARY FOR THE STABILITY AND WELL BEING OF HONG KONG.
♦ AT THE SAME TIME, THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE RECOGNISES ITS SPECIAL OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE THE STAFF OF THE CIVIL SERVICE WITH FAIR RENUMERATION AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, SATISFACTORY WORKING CONDITIONS AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT,+ HE ADDED.
♦ MOST DISPUTES WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE HAVE THEIR ORIGINS IN PROBLEMS OF MANAGEMENT, AND RESOLUTE ACTION IS. BEING TAKEN TO STRENGTHEN MANAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE CIVIL SERVICE.
♦ MOST DISPUTES SPILL OVER INTO QUESTIONS OF PAY, AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ADVICE OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IS SOUGHT,♦ HE EXPLAINED.
HE NOTED THAT IN RECENT MONTHS THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE INSTANCES OF DISPUTES AFFECTING SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
/• THE DISRUPTIVE......
WEDNESDAY, JANUAHY 1o, 190C
8
* THE DISRUPTIVE ACTION BY NURSING STAFF CAUSED SOME INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC FOR A SHORT PERIOD BUT ALL NURSING SERVICES ARE NOW BACK TO NORMAL AND A MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE IS BEING CARRIED ON BETWEEN THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT"
* THE 26 DISPENSERS WHO REFUSED TO PERFORM CERTAIN DUTIES IN SUPPORT OF A PAY CLAIM HAVE ALL RETURNED TO NORMAL DUTY AND ON JANUARY 10 THE SEVEN EVENING CLINICS WHICH WERE CLOSED EARLIER WERE REOPENED-
M DISRUPTIVE ACTION BY HEALTH INSPECTORS IN SUPPORT OF A PAY CLAIM LED QUICKLY TO A REDUCTION IN FRESH MEAT SUPPLIES. BUT THESE RETURNED TO NORMAL WITHIN A WEEK FOLLOWING A DECISION BY THE STAFF ASSOCIATION CONCERNED TO PURSUE ITS CLAIM FURTHER WITH THE STANDING COMMISSION-
M THE ACTION BY A GROUP OF POSTAL OFFICERS WHO DECLINED TO WORK VOLUNTARY OVERTIME TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THEIR CLAIMS FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS AND PAY. THIS, COMING IN THE WAKE OF THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PEAK, CAUSED IMMEDIATE OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS FOR THE POST OFFICE AND IT WAS NECESSARY TO SUSPEND CERTAIN SERVICES AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE. HOWEVER, RE-DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF AND RECRUITMENT OF TEMPORARY STAFF HAS SUBSTANTIALLY REMOVED THE BACKLOG OF MAIL AND ENABLED RESUMPTION OF SOME SERVICES. THE POSITION IS IMPROVING STEADILY AND MR ROWLANDS HOPED ALL SERVICES WILL HAVE BEEN RESUMED AND ALL BACKLOGS CLEARED BY NEXT WEEK- AND
* THE DECISION BY A GROUP OF LABOURERS IN THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT ENGAGED ON HAWKER CONTROL WORK NOT TO CARRY OUT SOME OF THEIR DUTIES, WHICH IN THEIR VIEW ARE INAPPROPRIATE TO THE RANK OF LABOURER, HAS HAD A MINOR EFFECT ON CONDITIONS IN SOME HAWKERS AREAS. IT DOES SEEM TO MR ROWLANDS THAT THERE IS A NEED TO RE-EXAMINE THE DUTIES OF THESE STAFF AND THIS IS NOW BEING DONE. HE HOPED TO PERSUADE THE STAFF CONCERNED TO RESUME NORMAL DUTIES PENDING RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM.
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/9
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
9
HK/USA TEXTILES RESTRAINT AGREEMENT MODIFIED
* * * M *
AFTER MORE THAN SIX MONTHS OF CONSULTATIONS, HONG KONG HAS CONCEDED TO INSISTENT USA DEMANDS THAT THE TERMS OF THE CURRENT FIVE YEAR TEXTILES RESTRAINT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THEM BE MODIFIED DOWNWARDS FOR 1980.
THE ACTUAL TRADE EFFECTS OF THE REVISION ARE EXPECTED TO BE SLIGHT. BASIC LIMITS ARE UNAFFECTED AND THE MAIN REVISION AFFECTS ONLY THE SO-CALLED FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS.
HONG KONG DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR WILLIAM DORWARD, EXPLAINED WHY SUCH AN APPARENTLY MINOR CHANGE HAD TAKEN OVER SIX MONTHS TO BE SETTLED.
♦APART FROM THE FACT THAT WHEN HONG KONG MAKES AN AGREEMENT WE BELIEVE IN LIVING UP TO IT, OUR MAIN CONCERN HERE WAS THAT THE USA WAS SEEKING TO ESTABLISH A PRECEDENT WHICH COULD BE VERY DAMAGING IN FUTURE,* HE SAID. +WHY ELSE USE A SLEDGEHAMMER TO CRACK A WALNUT?*
FINAL AGREEMENT BY HONG KONG WAS MADE IN THE FACE OF A TAKE-IT-OR-LEAVE-IT PROPOSITION MADE THIS WEEK BY THE USA, THE EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO WHICH WAS NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF AN AGREEMENT WHICH STILL HAS NEARLY THREE YEARS TO RUN.
CHIEF HONG KONG NEGOTIATOR, MR PETER TSAO, EXPLAINED THAT THE SERIES OF CONSULTATIONS HAD BEGUN IN MID-1979 WITH A USA REQUEST TO HONG KONG FOR ASSISTANCE IN DEALING WITH A THEORETICAL PROBLEM OF 'SURGES’. THESE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE THE USA CONSIDERS THAT CHANGING MARKET CONDITIONS MIGHT MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR IMPORTS TO RISE SUBSTANTIALLY IN SPITE OF AGREED RESTRICTIONS.
♦WE EVENTUALLY REACHED AGREEMENT ON A FORMULA TO TAKE CARE OF THAT,+ MR TSAO SAID. +BUT AS TIME WENT ON IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE USA OFFICIALS WERE IN FACT SET IN CUTTING BACK ON THE HONG KONG TRADE POTENTIAL TO WHICH THEY HAD AGREED LESS THAN TWO YEARS EARL I ER.♦
HONG KONG OFFICIALS EXPRESS THEMSELVES BEWILDERED BY THE VEHEMENCE OF THE USA DEMANDS. +IN TERMS OF THE USA MARKET,♦ ONE SAID,+IT DOESN’T ADD UP TO A ROW OF BEANS. NO ONE COULD EXPLAIN TO US WHY THE CONCESSION HAD TO BE EXACTED, EXCEPT THAT THE REASON WAS POLITICAL.^
THIS IS BELIEVED TO REFER TO AN INTERPRETATION OF THE USA ADMINISTRATION’S COMMITMENT TO THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY CONTAINED IN A WHITE PAPER ISSUED IN FEBRUARY 1979.
♦WE POINTED OUT ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT THIS INTERPRETATION WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS THE USA HAD FREELY ACCEPTED,+ MR DOWARD SAID. *AND THAT TO FORCE IT ON HONG KONG UNDER THREAT OF ACTION WHICH WOULD CAUSE CHAOS IN OUR MAJOR INDUSTRY WOULD DAMAGE THE CREDIBILITY OF FUTURE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN UNEQUAL PARTNERS.*
HONG KONG IS UNIQUELY DEPENDENT ON ITS TEXTILE AND APPAREL TRADE. HALF ITS INDUSTRY AND WORKFORCE ARE IN THIS SECTOR AND A THIRD OF ITS EXPORTS GO TO THE UNITED STATES.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
10
TICD COMMENTS ON MODIFIED HK/USA TEXTILE AGREEMENT *****
COMMENTING ON A REPORT FROM WASHINGTON ON THE EFFECT OF THE MODIFICATIONS TO THE HONG KONG/USA TEXTILE AGREEMENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT SAID THE ARRANGEMENT WAS LIMITED TO 10 CATEGORIES IN THE COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRE (MMF) GROUP.
ACCORDING TO 1979 UTILIZATION, TRADE IN THESE CATEGORIES REPRESENTED 40 PER CENT BY VOLUME OF TEXTILE AND APPAREL EXPORTS TO THE USA FOR THAT YEAR.
THE REDUCTION IN FLEXIBILITY (THAT IS, CARRY-OVER,. CARRY-FORWARD AND SWING) FOR THE 10 CATEGORIES REPRESENTS EIGHT PER CENT OF THE POTENTIAL WE SHOULD HAVE HAD IN THE CATEGORIES IN 1980- OR IN TERMS OF THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT 2.67 PER CENT.
THE USA PROPOSED, AS A FINAL PACKAGE, THAT CATEGORIES 350 (DRESSING GOWN, COTTON), 351 (PYJAMAS AND OTHER NIGHT WEAR, COTTON), AND 649 (BRASSIERES, MMF) SHOULD BE DROPPED INTO THE APPAREL BASKET.
IN RESPECT OF 10 CATEGORIES, NAMELY 331 (GLOVES, COTTON), 333/4/5 (COATS, COTTON), 340 (SHIRTS, COTTON) 347/8 (TROUSERS, SLACKS AND SHORTS, COTTON), 341 (BLOUSES, NOT KNIT), 338/9 (1) (TANK TOPS, KNIT), 638/9 (SHIRTS AND BLOUSES, KNIT, MMF) AND 640 (SHIRTS, MMF), SWINGS SHOULD BE REDUCED FROM THE PRESENT LEVEL TO FIVE PER CENT AND THERE SHOULD BE NO CARRY-OVER OR CARRY-FORWARD FOR THESE CATEGORIES.
CARRY-OVER AND CARRY-FORWARD FOR THE APPAREL GROUP AS A WHOLE WOULD, HOWEVER, STILL APPLY WHERE APPROPRIATE. THERE WOULD ALSO BE SOME SLIGHT TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE EXPORT AUTHORISATION SYSTEM.
- _ o - -
LABOUR COMMISSIONER ORDERS STUDY OF CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENTS ******
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, HAS ORDERED A SPECIAL STUDY OF ALL RECENT ACCIDENTS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON PETER C. WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), HE SAID THE STUDY WAS IN ADDITION TO INVESTIGATIONS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE INTO RECENT SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
MR HENDERSON SAID HE AND THE INSPECTORATE WERE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THESE ACCIDENTS.
♦IF AS A RESULT OF THIS MORE EXTENSIVE ANALYSIS A NEED IS SHOWN TO AMEND THE REGULATIONS I SHALL PROPOSE AMENDMENTS ACCORDINGLY AND GIVE APPROPRIATE WARNINGS OR ADVICE TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY,+ HE STRESSED.
/XR HENDERSON
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
11
MR HENDERSON SAID INVESTIGATIONS INTO RECENT SERIOUS ACCIDENTS HAD NOT SHOWN, HOWEVER, THAT THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS WERE NECESSARILY DEFECTIVE.
♦HOWEVER, THE INVESTIGATIONS HAVE NOT YET ALL BEEN COMPLETED. IF THEY DO REVEAL ANY DEFECTS IN THE LEGISLATION I WILL CERTAINLY CONSIDER AMENDING THE REGULATIONS.
♦IN SOME CASES THE REGULATIONS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY OBSERVED AND IF OUR INVESTIGATIONS SHOW THIS TO BE THE CASE, LEGAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST THE OFFENDERS,+ HE ADDED.
EARLIER, MR HENDERSON EXPLAINED THE CONTROL PROVIDED BY THE REGULATIONS ON PASSENGER HOISTS AND CRADLES USED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
BEFORE THE HOISTS WERE PUT INTO USE, HE SAID, THEY WERE REQUIRED TO BE TESTED AND THOROUGHLY EXAMINED BY A COMPETENT EXAMINER AND THEREAFTER TO BE THOROUGHLY EXAMINED EVERY SIX MONTHS.
IF A HOIST WAS REMOVED TO A NEW LOCATION OR AFTER EXTENSIVE ALTERATION OR REPAIR, IT MUST BE TESTED AND THOROUGHLY EXAMINED AGAIN BEFORE BEING PUT INTO USE.
SUSPENSION PLATFORMS, INCLUDING CRADLES, MUST BE SIMILARLY EXAMINED BEFORE USE AND THEREAFTER WITHIN EVERY 14 MONTHS.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO CONTAINED PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE EXAMINATION AND SAFE USE OF OTHER LIFTING APPLIANCES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.
♦FACTORY INSPECTORS DURING THEIR INSPECTIONS OF CONSTRUCTION SITES, CHECK THE CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY COMPETENT EXAMINERS TO ENSURE THAT THE REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN PROPERLY OBSERVED,♦ SAID MR HENDERSON.
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GOVERNMENT STUDYING PROPOSALS TO REGULATE UNDESIRABLE PRACTICES IN GOLD TRANSACTIONS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING AT PROPOSALS TO REGULATE UNDESIRABLE PRACTICES RELATED TO GOLD TRANSACTIONS OUTSIDE THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR PHILIP SAID HE WOULD BE CONSULTING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
AS TO CONTROL OVER THE OPERATIONS OF THE EXCHANGE SOCIETY, SIR PHILIP SAID HE SAW NO REASON AT PRESENT TO ALTER THE VIEW HE EXPRESSED IN THE COUNCIL A YEAR AGO.
♦AS I SAID THEN, THE EXCHANGE SOCIETY HAS A LONG HISTORY OF WELL CONDUCTED OPERATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT SO FAR CONSIDERED IT NECESSARY TO EXERCISE CONTROL OVER IT,+ HE SAID.
SIR PHILIP WAS REPLYING TO THE HON PETER C WONG WHO ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT NOW THOUGHT THE TIME HAD COME TO INTRODUCE SOME FORM OF CONTROL OVER THE HONG KONG GOLD AND SILVER MARKET IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
12 -
SPECIAL FUND TO BE SET UP TO FINANCE STUDENT LOANS * * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON APPROVED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STUDENT LOAN FUND FROM FEBRUARY 1, 1980 TO FINANCE LOANS TO NEEDY STUDENTS AT THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, AND POST SECONDARY COLLEGES.
UNDER THIS SCHEME, LOANS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS IN AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL. THE FUND WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
AT PRESENT ALL STUDENT LOANS, EXCEPT THOSE GRANTED TO TRAINEES AT THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, ARE CHARGED TO THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE EXPLAINING THE REASONS FOR THE CREATION OF A SEPARATE LOAN FUND FOR STUDENTS SAID AN INITIAL ALLOCATION OF $15 MILLION FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND WAS APPROVED IN 1969 TO SET UP THE LOAN SCHEME AT THE TWO UNIVERSITIES. IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE IN DUE COURSE TO MEET EXPENDITURE ON LOANS ALMOST ENTIRELY FROM REPAYMENTS.
HOWEVER THE FUND HAD NOT BEEN REVOLVING BECAUSE OF SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE NUMBERS OF STUDENTS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR LOANS — 1 599 IN 1969 COMPARED WITH 11 881 IN 1979.
FURTHERMORE. HE ADDED, THE MAXIMUM LOAN WAS INCREASED FROM TIME TO TIME TO KEEP PACE WITH INCREASES IN THE COST OF LIVING. FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, IT HAD RISEN FROM $4 □□□ A YEAR IN 1969 TO $5 400 A YEAR IN 1979.
HE ALSO DISCLOSED THAT NEARLY $182 MILLION HAD BEEN ALLOCATED FOR LOANS AND FURTHER ALLOCATIONS, BRINGING THIS TOTAL TO MORE THAN $218 MILLION, WOULD BE SOUGHT FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
SIR PHILIP SAID THE CONTINUING DEPLETION OF THE RESOURCES OF THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND FOR STUDENT LOANS HAD BEEN CAUSING HIM CONCERN FOR SOME TIME, AND HE THOUGHT THE LOANS SHOULD MORE APPROPRIATELY BE FUNDED SEPARATELY AS A CLEARLY IDENTIFIABLE ELEMENT WITHIN THE TOTAL FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
13
POLICE TO BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO TOW AWAY ILLEGALLY PARKED CARS *****
THE POLICE WILL BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO TOW AWAY ABANDONED CARS AND CARS CAUSING OBSTRUCTION WHEN IT REPLACES FI^E OF ITS LANDROVERS THIS YEAR WITH LARGER TOWING VEHICLES CAPABLE OF LIFTING UP TO FOUR TONS IN WEIGHT. IN ADDITION, FUNDS ARE BEING SOUGHT FOR THE PURCHASE OF THREE MORE TOW TRUCKS CAPABLE OF LIFTING UP TO EIGHT TONS WEIGHT.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. THE HON DEREK JONES IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT AND THE HON ALEX WU IN TODAY’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
MR JONES SAID THAT THE POLICE NOW HAD 14 LANDROVERS TO TOW AWAY VEHICLES THAT HAD BEEN ABANDONED, INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR PARKED ILLEGALLY ON THE STREETS.
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THESE LANDROVERS WERE ONLY CAPABLE OF MOVING SMALL OR MEDIUM-SIZED SALOON CARS AND ANY LARGER VEHICLES HAD TO BE REMOVED BY COMMERCIAL OPERATORS HIRED FOR THE PURPOSE.
♦WHERE THERE IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, OR VERY HEAVY VEHICLES ARE INVOLVED, HEAVY DUTY TOW TRUCKS BELONGING TO THE ARMY, THE FIRE SERVICES, OR THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF THE PWD ARE ASKED TO ASS 1ST,♦ HE SAID.
REFERRING TO ILLEGAL PARKING AND DOUBLE PARKING IN THE STREETS, MR JONES SAID A FIXED PENALTY TICKET WOULD USUALLY BE ISSUED BUT IF THE VEHICLES CAUSED SERIOUS OBSTRUCTION TO TRAFFIC OR POSED A SAFETY HAZARD THEY WOULD BE TOWED AWAY.
OWNERS MAY RECOVER THEIR CARS BY PAYING A TOWING FEE OF $80 PLUS $20 PER DAY, AFTER THE SECOND DAY, FOR EVERY DAY THE VEHICLE IS LEFT IN THE POLICE POUND.
IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1979, A TOTAL OF 1 115 ENFORCEMENT TOWS WERE CARRIED OUT BY THE POLICE.
REFERRING TO ABANDONED VEHICLES, MR JONES POINTED OUT THAT ACCORDING TO THE LAW, WHEN A VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN ABANDONED FOR MORE THAN 72 HOURS, THE POLICE MUST GIVE THE REGISTERED OWNER SEVEN DAYS’ NOTICE TO REMOVE IT FROM THE STREETS.
IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT REMOVED IN THIS PERIOD, IT IS THEN TAKEN TO THE POLICE POUND WHERE THE OWNER IS ALLOWED ONE MONTH TO RECLAIM IT. THEREAFTER, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE CAN DISPOSE OF THE VEHICLE BY AUCTION OR AS HE THINKS FIT.
♦IT IS NOT THE PRACTICE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE LAST REGISTERED OWNERS OF ABANDONED VEHICLES BECAUSE THE SALE OF SUCH VEHICLES BY AUCTION OR FOR SCRAP USUALLY MORE THAN COVERS THE COST OF REMOVAL,+ HE SAID.
/HOWEVER, ....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980 • 14
HOWEVER, MR JONES ADMITTED THAT THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES IN HANDLING ABANDONED CARS SINCE FEBRUARY 1979-BECAUSE THE COMPANY WHICH HELD THE GOVERNMENT CAR CRUSHING CONTRACT HAD TO GIVE UP ITS SITE FOR MTR CONSTRUCTION WORK, BUT HE ADDED THAT A NEW SITE HAD BEEN FOUND IN KWAI CHUNG AND CRUSHING OPERATIONS WOULD RESUME BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
♦IN THE LONGER TERM, CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN A SYSTEM OF REFUNDABLE DEPOSITS BY VEHICLE OWNERS. SUCH A SYSTEM WOULD ENCOURAGE OWNERS OF OLD CARS TO ARRANGE FOR THEM TO BE SCRAPPED ON THEIR OWN INITIATIVE BECAUSE THEY'WOULD THEN BE ABLE TO RECLAIM THEIR DEPOSITS FROM THE GOVERNMENT,+ HE SAID.
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MARINE FISH CULTURE BILL 1980 * * * *
PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS *
THE MARINE FISH CULTURE BILL 1980 WHICH AIMS TO REGULATE AND PROTECT THE CULTURE OF MARINE FISH IN HONG KONG WATERS WAS PASSED INTO LAW WITH AMENDMENTS BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE AMENDMENTS WEREi
* FISH CULTURE ZONES WOULD BE DEMARCATED IN THE PRESCRIBED MANNER"
M AN AUTHORISED OFFICER WHEN EXERCISING POWER OR PERFORMING A DUTY OR FUNCTION UNDER THE BILL WOULD PRODUCE WRITTEN AUTHORISATION TO ANY PERSON WHO QUESTIONS HIS AUTHORITY-
* EVERY PERSON ARRESTED UNDER THE BILL WOULD BE GIVEN INTO THE CUSTODY OF A POLICE OFFICER WITHIN 24 HOURS OF HIS ARREST- AND
M FISH CULTURE WOULD BE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED PROHIBITED ZONES, FROM A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL, THE HON PETER C. WONG, ALTERNATE CONVENOR OF THE LEGISLATION SCRUTINY GROUP OF UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WHO HAD DISCUSSED THE BILL WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAID THESE AMENDMENTS WERE PRIMARILY MADE TO SAFEGUARD THE INDIVIDUAL.
MR WONG ALSO SAID THE BILL SHOULD DESERVE MORE PUBLICITY THAN IT HAD SO FAR ATTRACTED.
♦THIS IS NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT IS A FINE PIECE OF WELL-CONCEIVED LEGISLATION TAILORED FOR THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG, BUT, MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, BECAUSE IT PROVIDES FOR THE KIND OF PIONEERING PROJECT THAT HONG KONG NEEDS IN ITS EFFORTS TO DIVERSIFY INDUSTRY,+ HE SAID.
/ANOTHER COUNCILLOR, ..
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
15
ANOTHER COUNCILLOR, THE HON WONG LAM, ALSO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE LICENCE FEES FOR FISH CULTURE OPERATIONS SHOULD NOT BE TOO HIGH AT FIRST.
HE SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD, AFTER TWO YEARS, EXAMINE THE EXPENDITURE INCURRED IN IMPLEMENTING THE LEGISLATION AND THE TURNOVER ACHIEVED BY FISH FARMERS, SO AS TO MAKE A REASONABLE ADJUSTMENT.
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REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO ft ft ft ft
A BILL WHICH ENABLES REGULATIONS TO BE MADE FOR EXCLUDING CERTAIN PERSONS FROM REGISTERING AND OBTAINING IDENTITY CARDS' WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES SAID IF IT WAS PASSED, IT WAS INTENDED TO EXCLUDE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ALLOWED TO STAY TEMPORARILY IN HONG KONG PENDING RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS FROM ANY ENTITLEMENT TO REGISTER AND BE ISSUED WITH IDENTITY CARDS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT MAINTAINED COMPREHENSIVE RECORDS OF ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG, AND THEY WERE ISSUED WITH IDENTITY PAPERS BY THE MANAGERS OF THE VARIOUS REFUGEE CAMPS. AT PRESENT THERE ARE ABOUT 55 000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG.
♦THERE IS THEREFORE NO PRACTICAL REASON FOR THEM TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE ORDINANCE,♦ HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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REPORT ON HK EXHIBITION CENTRE UNDER STUDY ft ft ft ft ft
THE CONSULTANT’S REPORT ON THE NEED FOR AN EXHIBITION CENTRE IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND IS NOW BEING CONSIDERED IN DETAIL, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR LAWRENCE MILLS SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ALLEN LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MILLS SAID THE REPORT WAS RECEIVED BY HIS DEPARTMENT ON JANUARY 2.
/IT WAS .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
16
IT WAS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL DOCUMENT AND CONTAINED A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRING DETAILED CONSIDERATION BY HIS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH WERE BEING CONSULTED. HE HOPED THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORK COULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.
THEIR JOINT VIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TOGETHER WITH THE REPORT WOULD THEN BE FORWARDED TO THE GOVERNMENT.
♦PROVIDED THAT THE CONSULTANT’S REPORT IS FOUND TO BE ADEQUATE, THE INTENTION IS TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AS TO THE NEXT STEPS TO BE TAKEN,♦ HE SAID.
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EIGHT STATISTICAL SURVEYS PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR *****
EIGHT ORDERS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL, SIX AUTHORISING STATISTICAL SURVEYS ON ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND TWO AUTHORISING PILOT CENSUSES IN PREPARATION FOR THE MAJOR POPULATION CENSUS IN 1981 WERE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THESE AUTHORISATIONS WERE THOSE THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS WAS LIKELY TO NEED FOR HIS WORK DURING THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON EXPLAINED.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID THE COMMISSIONER WAS UNDERTAKING A LONGTERM PROGRAMME OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS AND IN A PARTICULAR YEAR THERE WAS A COMBINATION OF THEMi
* A BENCHMARK SURVEY — THE ONE THIS YEAR WOULD COLLECT DATA IN RESPECT OF 1979 RELATING TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION (INCLUDING CIVIL ENGINEERING) AND THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR-
* SEVERAL ANNUAL FOLLOW-UP SURVEYS -- THREE THIS YEAR, ON INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1979, ON WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS, AND ON IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF SERVICES- AND
* QUARTERLY AND MONTHLY SURVEYS •— TWO SERIES IN 1980, A QUARTERLY SERIES ON INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, AND A MONTHLY SERIES ON RETAIL SALES AIMED AT PROVIDING UP-TO-DATE ASSESSMENT OF TRENDS IN CONSUMER DEMAND.
IN THE TWO REMAINING SURVEYS THIS YEAR -- THE LAND AND MARINE POPULATION PILOT CENSUSES, ALL ASPECTS OF THE 1981 CENSUS WOULD BE TESTED, PARTICULARLY THE CENSUS CONTENT, FIELD ORGANISATION AND DATA PROCESSING, MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
♦THE STATISTICS ADVISORY BOARD HAS ENDORSED THE OVERALL PLANS FOR THE VARIOUS ECONOMIC SURVEYS AND THE OVERALL POPULATION CENSUS PLAN WHICH INCLUDES THE TWO PILOT POPULATION CENSUSES,♦ HE ADDED.
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/17.....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
17
REFUSE COLLECTION FLEET IN NT TO GROW
*****
THERE ARE 83 COLLECTION VEHICLES IN USE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, OF WHICH 67 OR 81 PER CENT ARE OF THE REFUSE COMPACTING TYPE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON DAVID AKERS-JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR AKERS-JONES SAID IT WAS THE INTENTION OF THE GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND THE USE OF COMPACTION TYPE REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES. SEVEN NEW VEHICLES WOULD BE DELIVERED IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
IN ADDITION, THE PURCHASE OF 17 VEHICLES HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 1980/81 DRAFT ESTIMATES.
HE SAID THE EXISTING REFUSE COLLECTION FLEET INCLUDED TWO COMPACTION VEHICLES AND 11 TIPPER LORRIES HIRED FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLE WHICH HAD A CARRYING CAPACITY OF TWO TONS THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE FLEET VARIED BETWEEN THREE TO EIGHT TONS.
OF THE 83 VEHICLES, 31 VEHICLES OR 37 PER CENT WERE OVER FIVE YEARS OLD, 34 OR 41 PER CENT WERE BETWEEN TWO TO FIVE YEARS AND 18 OR 22 PER CENT WERE UNDER TWO YEARS OLD.
MR AKERS-JONES WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHARLES YEUNG, CONCERNING THE NUMBER, TYPE, CAPACITY AND AGE OF REFUSE COLLECTING VEHICLES IN USE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO EXTEND THE USE OF REFUSE COMPACTING VEHICLES.
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MORE MONEY INJECTED INTO PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME *****
MORE RAPID PROGRESS ON A NUMBER OF APPROVED PROJECTS AND THE UPGRADING OF ANOTHER TEN PROJECTS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME HAD REQUIRED THE SPENDING OF AN ADDITIONAL $136 MILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THIS AMOUNT WAS MET BY SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS TOTALLING $180 MILLION FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1979/80 APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
ANOTHER MAJOR ITEM OF SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE WAS $16 MILLION TO MEET THE REVISED OPERATING COSTS OF THE DENTAL SCHOOL AND DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND FOR THE POLYTECHNIC’S MAIN BUILDING PROGRAMME.
ASKING FOR THE COVERING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNCIL FOR THESE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE OFFSETTING SAVINGS OF $160 MILLION UNDER OTHER GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES. THE REMAINING $20 MILLION NOT OFFSET BY SAVINGS WAS REQUIRED TO MEET EXPENSES RELATING TO REFUGEES AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
/18......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
18
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE SATISFIED WITH GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO ITS RECOMMENDATIONS *****
THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE IS SATISFIED WITH GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN ITS FIRST REPORT, THE HON LI FOOK-WO SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR LI WAS SPEAKING AT THE TABLING OF THE SECOND REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE OF WHICH HE IS THE CHAIRMAN.
♦ BY AND LARGE, THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE IN RESPONSE TO OUR PREVIOUS REPORT COMMENTED ADEQUATELY ON THE CONCLUSIONS DRAWN AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE COMMITTEE, AND INDICATED WHAT ACTION, IF ANY, WOULD BE TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT TO RECTIFY THE IRREGULARITIES BROUGHT TO NOTICE BY THE COMMITTEE AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT,* HE SAID.
♦ WE HOPE THAT ON THIS OCCASION THE RESPONSE WILL BE EQUALLY SATISFACTORY.+
THIS YEAR, THE COMMITTEE HAD AGAIN CONFINED ITS ATTENTION TO 21 ITEMS WHICH, IN ITS OPINION, WERE IRREGULARITIES OR SHORTCOMINGS OF A MORE SERIOUS NATURE, MR LI SAID.
HE APPRECIATED THE CO-OPERATION OF ALL BRANCH SECRETARIES OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS WHO GAVE EVIDENCE ON ITEMS RELEVANT TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AT MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE. HE ALSO THANKED THE ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE GIVEN TO THE COMMITTEE BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT, THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES.
MR LI ALSO NOTED THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT HAD IN HIS MORE RECENT REPORTS REFERRED TO CERTAIN SHORTCOMINGS IN A NUMBER OF PUBLIC BODIES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHICH ARE HEAVILY SUBSIDISED FROM THE PUBLIC PURSE.
♦ AS IN THE CASE OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE TAX-PAYERS FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF THEIR FUNDS,♦ HE SAID.
/19......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
- 19 -
LAND GRANTED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CEMENT PLANT
*****
TREATY DOCUMENTS FOR THE GRANT OF A SITE ON WHICH A CEMENT PLANT IS TO BE BUILT AT SIU LANG SHU I, NEAR TAP SHEK KOK IN TUEN MUN, WERE SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, SIGNED FOR THE GOVERNMENT WHILE MR LI KA-SHING, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CHINA CEMENT COMPANY (HONG KONG) LIMITED, SIGNED FOR THE COMPANY, WHICH WILL BUILD AND OPERATE THE PLANT.
CHINA CEMENT COMPANY (HONG KONG) LIMITED IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN CHEUNG KONG (HOLDINGS) LIMITED AND KAISER CEMENT CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.
THE SITE. NEXT TO THAT ON WHICH THE KOWLOON ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY’S POWER STATION IS BEING CONSTRUCTED, HAS A TOTAL AREA OF 15 HECTARES AND INCLUDES UNFORMED LAND AND SEABED. IT IS BEING GRANTED BY PRIVATE TREATY.
THE PLANT WILL BE MODERN, SOPHISTICATED AND FULLY INTEGRATED, AND WILL BE CAPABLE OF EXPANSION. IT WILL HAVE AN ANNUAL PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF 1.4 MILLION METRIC TONS WITH A WORKFORCE OF 3D0, MOST OF WHOM WILL BE SKILLED. THE GOVERNMENT WILL APPLY CAREFUL MONITORING AND CONTROL TECHNIQUES TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO UNDUE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
UNDER THE AGREEMENT WITH THE COMPANY, THE HIGH QUALITY PORTLAND AND OTHER SPECIALISED CEMENTS PRODUCED BY THE PLANT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR USE IN HONG KONG. THIS WILL BE BENEFICIAL IN TIMES OF SHORT SUPPLY OR HIGH DEMAND.
ANOTHER BENEFIT WILL BE THAT THE PLANT WILL USE AS A BASIC RAW MATERIAL FUEL ASH PRODUCED BY THE POWER STATION.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE SITE IS STARTING SHORTLY AND THE PLANT IS DUE TO BE READY BY 1982. ESTIMATED COST OF THE PROJECT IS $1 BILLION.
WELCOMING THE INVESTMENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID IT CONSTITUTED A FURTHER TANGIBLE SIGN OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE. HE SAID ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PLANT ALSO ENHANCED OUR IMAGE AS A MANUFACTURING BASE IN THE REGION.
♦IT IS PARTICULARLY WELCOME THAT THE PLANT WILL BE BUILT CLOSE TO THE POWER STATION AS THIS WILL DO A GREAT DEAL TO REDUCE THE PROBLEM OF DISPOSAL OF ASH PRODUCED BY THE STATION,♦ HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
20
SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS BILL TO BE INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO SHORTLY
* X I M I *
THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON E.P. HO SAYS THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HARRY FANG IN THE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY, MR HO SAID THE MEDICAL SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN THE PROPOSALS FOR LEGISLATION.
THOUGH THIS MAY HAVE SLOWED PROGRESS A LITTLE, THE METICULOUS CARE WITH WHICH THE SUB-COMMITTEE EXAMINED THE APPROACH FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE COURSES OF PARA-MEDICAL TRAINING ON WHICH THEY HAD TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT HAD RESULTED IN SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DRAFT LEGISLATION.
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE PROPOSALS FOR THE LEGISLATION ARE NOW IN THEIR FINAL FORM AND HAVE BEEN REFERRED BACK TO THE UPGC AND OTHER BODIES FOR ANY FURTHER VIEWS THEY MAY HAVE.
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USE OF FIRE ARMS BY OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICERS
X X X X
THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED WITH PRESENT CONTROLS GOVERNING THE POSSESSION AND USE OF FIRE ARMS BY OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICERS.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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/21
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
21
DON’T USE ROOM HEATERS TO DRY CLOTHES
*****
ELECTRIC ROOM HEATERS ARE DESIGNED FOR THAT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR DRYING CLOTHES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
♦NO ROOM HEATER OF ANY KIND SHOULD BE USED FOR DRYING PURPOSES OR PLACED NEAR ANY COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS SUCH AS CLOTHES, CURTAINS, FURNITURE AND UPHOLSTERY,♦ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
♦PARTICULAR CARE IN THIS RESPECT SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN REGARD TO RADIANT HEATERS (GLOWING BURN ELEMENT), FAN HEATERS AND CONVECTOR HEATERS AND THESE SHOULD ALWAYS BE PLACED OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN,* HE ADDED.
HE ALSO URGED THE PUBLIC TO BE CAUTIOUS WHEN USING PORTABLE HEATERS AT HOME AND AT PLACES OF WORK WITH THE APPROACH OF COOLER AND DRYER WEATHER.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT A COMMON CAUSE OF FIRES ARISING FROM THE USE OF ROOM HEATERS WAS BY PLACING THEM IN UNSUITABLE LOCATIONS. THESE INCLUDED AREAS CLOSE TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS IN DRAUGHTS OR WHERE CHILDREN PLAY.
♦BEFORE TURNING ON ANY TYPE OF HEATERS,♦ HE SAID, +IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THOUGHT SHOULD BE GIVEN AS TO WHICH IS THE SAFEST SPOT TO PLACE THEM. KEEP IT WELL AWAY FROM CLOTHES, CURTAINS OR BEDDING MATERIALS AND ALSO MAKE SURE IT IS NOT TOO CLOSE TO UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE. SATISFY YOURSELF FULLY THAT IT CANNOT BE KNOCKED OVER BY PLAYING CHILDREN OR ELDERLY PEOPLE.♦
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED THAT BEFORE TURNING ON AN ELECTRIC ROOM HEATER FOR THE FIRST TIME IT SHOULD BE GIVEN A THOROUGH CHECK TO ENSURE THAT IT WAS CLEAN AND THAT ALL POWER CONNECTIONS AND PLUG LEADS WERE IN GOOD CONDITIONS.
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WELDING IN PUBLIC PLACES CONTROLLED BY LAW *****
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON DAVID MCDONALD, TOLD THE LEGISLATICE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT WELDING IN PUBLIC PLACES WAS CONTROLLED BY LAW UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG TAT-SHING, HE SAID UNDER SECTION 4 (28) OF THE ORDINANCE ANY PERSON WHO CARRIED OUT SUCH WORKS IN A MANNER WHEREBY INJURY OR OBSTRUCTION MAY ACCRUE TO A PUBLIC PLACE WAS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $500 OR TO THREE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.
/+IN CASES .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
22
♦ IN CASES WHERE ANYTHING, INCLUDING WELDING DEBRIS, IS DROPPED OR FALLS FROM A BUILDING TO THE DANGER OR INJURY OF ANY PERSON IN OR NEAR A PUBLIC PLACE THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OFFENCE IS LIABLE, UNDER SECTION 4 B(l), TO A FINE OF $10 000 AND IMPRISONENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
♦ AND, UNDER SECTION 4 B(2) WHERE THE OFFENCE RELATES TO MATERIAL WHICH IS DROPPED OR FALLS FROM A BUILDING IN THE COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR OR DECORATION THE CONTRACTOR CARRYING OUT THE WORK IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $50 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR.+
MR MCDONALD SAID THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MIGHT, BY INFORMING THE POLICE, INITIATE PROSECUTIONS AGAINST OFFENDERS.
THEY MIGHT ALSO HAVE RECOURSE TO LEGAL ACTION FOR DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF INJURIES SUFFERED, HE ADDED.
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GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE FOR MTRC LOAN K K I *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ADOPTED A MOTION TO GIVE AUTHORITY FOR A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE FOR EXPORT CREDITS AMOUNTING TO $37 MILLION TO FINANCE A CONTRACT PLACED IN THE UNITED RAILWAY TORTSUENTWANKWORK F°R ™E EXTENSI0N 0F THE MASS TRANSIT nlTr THE GUARANTEE ALSO COVERS DEFERRED INTEREST AT A FIXED INTEREST RATE OF 7.75 PER CENT PER ANNUM OF UP TO $7.5 MILLION.
MOVING THE MOTION IN THE COUNCIL TODAY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT Wlfn THE ADDITIONAL LOAN, THE GOVERNMENT’S TOTAL GUARANTEE COMMITMENT IN RESPECT OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION WOULD AMOUNT TO $8 942 MILLION AND THIS CONTINGENT LIABILITY ON THE PUBLIC FINANCES WAS WELL PROVIDED FOR WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT’S FISCAL RESERVES.
nn.. 0F THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED IN HONG KONG
DOLLARS TO AVOID ANY EXCHANGE RISK TO THE CORPORATION AND TO THE TOVCOVERNIt*+ HESADDED°F ANY GUARANTEE wh,ch MIGHT be granted
/23
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
23
GOVERNMENT PROBES IMPLICATIONS OF EXTENDING MEDICAL CARE TO CHILDREN OF FEMALE OFFICERS ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS STUDYING THE IMPLICATIONS OF EXTENDING KDICAL CARE TO THE ESTIMATED 28 000 CHILDREN OF ITS 14 000 MARRIED WOMEN EMPLOYEES.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON MARTIN ROWLANDS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HARRY FANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR ROWLANDS POINTED OUT THAT MARRIED WOMEN OFFICERS, AS A GENERAL RULE, DID NOT RECEIVE THE SAME FRINGE BENEFITS AS THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO ADHERE TO THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED COMMUNITY VIEW IN THESE MATTERS, NAMELY THAT THE HUSBAND SHOULD BE THE PROVIDER.
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT COMMUNITY ATTITUDES WERE CHANGING AND A SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTION OF PRIVATE COMPANIES NOW PROVIDED MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR THE CHILDREN OF THEIR MARRIED WOMEN EMPLOYEES.
♦ I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT WE ARE KEEPING THIS MATTER UNDER CLOSE STUDY. I MIGHT ADD THAT THE FRINGE BENEFITS OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ITS WOMEN OFFICERS ARE STILL THOUGHT TO COMPARE FAVOURABLY WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR,+ HE SAID.
-----o------
CHINESE TITLES FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ******
THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON JOHN WALDEN WILL LOOK INTO THE QUESTION OF WHETHER IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSISTENTLY USE ONE OF THE TWO CHINESE CHARACTERS PRESENTLY USED FOR THE WORD •DEPARTMENT’.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON WONG LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR WALDEN SAID THAT IF SUCH A CHANGE WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THE PUBLIC THE DEPARTMENT WOULD EXAMINE THE IMPLICATIONS OF INTRODUCING IT.
HE ALSO ADMITTED THAT THE CHINESE TITLES FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT COMPLETELY UNIFORM PARTICULARLY IN REGARD TO THE CHINESE CHARACTER USED TO TRANSLATE ’DEPARTMENT’.
/24 .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980
24
NOTE TO EDITORS!
DORWARD TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE
* * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR WILLIAM DORWARD AND THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR PETER TSAO WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 10 PM AT KAI TAK AIRPORT IN THE V. I.P. PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, PASSENGER TERMINAL ON THEIR RETURN FROM THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE HONG KONG/US TEXTILE AGREEMENT.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE. MR DORWARD AND MR TSAO WILL RETURN BY PAN AMERICAN WORLD AIRWAYS FLIGHT PA 5. THE EXPECTED TIME OF ARRIVAL IS 2120 HOURS.
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BILLS PASSED ft ft ft ft
TWO BILLS WERE PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WERE THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1978-79) BILL 1980 AND THE MARINE FISH CULTURE BILL 1980.
0
DAILY INFORMTION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1980.
C0NT31TS PAGE NO.
HRH'PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HONG KONG NEXT MONTH ........................................................... 1
ACTING GOVERNOR EXPLAINS NEED FOR OVERALL REVIEV OF EDUCATION SYSTiM ............................................ 2
SECOND EXPRESS TRAIN TO GUANGZHOU ............................. 3
APPLICATIONS INVITED TO OPERATE NEW MAXICAB ROUTES ......................................................... *
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT EDUCATION DIxTjCTOR DUE IN TODAY ........................................................ 5
X
SCHOOLS IN BRITAIN TO GET /ALL-SHEET ON HONG KONG................ 6
FACTORY INSPECTORS IN UK ON CONSTRUCTION SAFETY COURSE ...........................................................?
VEGETABLE GRRDENIHG COMPETITION ................................. 8
LANTAU DEVELOPMENTS TO GET LATER oUPPLY .................•........9
FIRE PR JT 2ITI0N CHECK IN KVAI CHUNG ........................... 9
SEMINAR FOR MAC OFFICIALS IN TSUEN WAN ......................... 10
PVffi STAFF GIVE BLOOD
10
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, I960
1
HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HONG KONG NEXT MONTH * ft * * ft ft
HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND HER HUSBAND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG NEXT MONTH FOR A NINE-DAY VISIT DURING WHICH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
DURING THE VISIT, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ALSO OPEN THE NEW TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL ARRIVE ON FEBRUARY 5 — THEIR SIXTH VISIT TO HONG KONG — AND RETURN TO LONDON ON FEBRUARY 13.
ALSO DURING HER STAY HERE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL TOUR THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME WHERE SHE WILL SEE THE WORLD’S LARGEST MAN-MADE DAM FACING THE SEA AND WHERE SHE WILL START A PUMP TO DRAW WATER FROM THE RESERVOIR FOR THE FIRST TIME.
UNLIKE HER LAST VISIT TO HONG KONG IN 1977 WHEN SHE CROSSED THE HARBOUR IN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL THIS TIME TRAVEL IN A SPECIAL TRAIN FROM TSIM SHA TSUI STATION. ON HER ARRIVAL AT CHATER STATION ON THE ISLAND PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE MARKING THE COMPLETION OF HONG KONG’S LARGEST PUBLIC TRANSPORT PROJECT — THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MTR.
AT TSUEN WAN SHE WILL OPEN THE TOWN’S LATEST CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY VENUE WHERE SHE WILL VIEW A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION SHOWING THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA, AS WELL AS SEE A COLOURFUL PERFORMANCE BY A GROUP OF YOUNG DANCERS.
AS WELL AS TSUEN WAN THE PRINCESS WILL VISIT TAI 0 AND CHEUNG CHAU WHERE SHE WILL MEET WITH VILLAGERS AND RURAL LEADERS.
SHE WILL ALSO SPEND A MORNING WITH SOME OF HONG KONG’S YOUTH — INCLUDING PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AT THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE.
HRH WILL ALSO PAY A CALL ON THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, TOUR THE CHEUNG CHING ESTATE ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND AND SEE A RED CROSS MOBILE BLOOD DONOR UNIT IN OPERATION.
AS HONORARY COMMANDANT-GENERAL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT A BEATING RETREAT AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN ABERDEEN, AND SHE WILL BE GIVEN A SPECIAL WELCOME BY MEMBERS OF THE FORCE AT AN INFORMAL GATHERING IN THE POLICE CLUB AT KAI TAK.
ALSO DURING HER STAY IN HONG KONG PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL MEET UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
/PRINCESS......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1980
2
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, KNOWN TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS AS NGAR LAI SAN KUN TZU — PRINCESS ELEGANT AND BEAUTIFUL CORAL — FIRST VISITED HONG KONG IN 1961. SINCE THEN SHE HAS RETURNED IN 1965, 1967, 1972 (WHEN SHE OPENED THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL) AND 1977.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE ROYAL VISIT PRESS OFFICER, MR JOHNNIE JOHNSTON, WILL GIVE A PRESS BRIEFING AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY, JANUARY 21 ON FACILITIES AND ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE VISIT OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO THE BRIEFING WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE GIS THEATRE, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
- - - - 0 ---------
ACTING GOVERNOR EXPLAINS NEED FOR OVERALL REVIEW OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
» HU UK *
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, SAID TODAY THAT THE REVIEW OF OUR WHOLE EDUCATION SYSTEM, INTENDED TO BE CONDUCTED IN 1981, WAS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE AND WOULD ENSURE THAT WE WERE, IN FACT, ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
SIR JACK WAS SPEAKING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF THE DIOCESAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL THIS AFTERNOON.
HE EXPLAINED THAT FOR JUNIOR, SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, WE HAD REVIEWED, DEBATED AT GREAT LENGTH, AND ADOPTED DEVELOPMENT PLANS WHICH WERE NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED, AND SOON WE SHOULD GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS FOR PRIMARY AND PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION.
♦SO FAR WE HAVE, PERHAPS INEVITABLY, LOOKED AT THE SYSTEM PIECEMEAL: WE NOW FEEL IT IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE BEFORE OUR PLANS BECOME TOO ENTRENCHED,♦ HE SAID.
HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE PLANS HAD BEEN DESIGNED TO SUIT OUR OWN LOCAL AND PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND HAD BEEN EVOLVED OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH ADVICE FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, AS WELL AS OTHER INTERESTED BODIES, IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS.
ALTHOUGH IN MANY WAYS WE WERE AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WITH AN INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK, IN SOME WAYS TOO WE WERE PAROCHIAL AND OFTEN INWARD-LOOKING.
/♦IT IS ...
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1980
- 3 -
ulLJS*NTENDE$ THEREFORE THAT THOSE INVITED TO CARRY OUT THIS MAJOR REVIEW SHOULD INCLUDE PERSONS FROM ABROAD WITH EXPERTlCF E*PER'ER?E IN EDUCATION IN ADDITION TO LOCAL PARTICIPATION?
It MAYSTA?cE^?cRLIoeI 0UR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS UP-TO-DATE, THAT murATiJJKE TS PR0PER’ AND IMPORTANT, PLACE IN THE WORLD OF
♦PERHAPS, THE IDEA OF BEING INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED AND
thanAsome may^thInk iAs?R ,N H0MG K0NG* ,s M0RE REAL
INAN SOME MAY THINK,* SIR JACK SAID.
ADDRESSING THE GIRLS AT THE SCHOOL, SIR JACK SAID THERE WAS A TIME WHEN ONE COULD GENERALLY BE CATEGORISED AS EITHER A LEADER OR A FOLLOWER BUT NOW WE HAD TO BE PREPARED TO BE BOTH.
♦WE NEED LEADERS WHO LISTEN AND FOLLOWERS WHO ARE ALERT Alin CO-OPFRAT?vr ALS0 C0NSTRUCTIVE IN THEIR CRITICISM AND SENSIBLY ° V'/Vi tnA I I VCL •
■m euilnSlIP* A PR,NC,P*L TASK OF LEADERSHIP IS TO ENCOURAGE IDEAS rn npfoATmS 0THERS T0 SPEAK 0UT* To W0RK F0R, AND TO INDUCE, * vv*vrcKAI IUN.
AOC. ♦*J!EN Y0U ARE ,N A ’FOLLOWING’ ROLE THERE IS ROOM FOR POSITIVE FORMS OFUSUPPORT-AL?F YOU^L IKEYATNEEDVENOTHFOR MERE MM1®," TOT& ™ •*’*& 15
SECOND EXPRESS TRAIN TO GUANGZHOU » K K » » »
A SECOND THROUGH PASSENGER TRAIN BETWEEN KOWLOON AND GUANGZHOU WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON FEBRUARY 1, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOLWOON-CANTON RAILWAY SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID FINAL DETAILS OF THIS AGREEMENT WAS SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED WITH OFFICIALS OF THE GUANGZHOU RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION ON JANUARY 10.
THE TRAIN WITH NEW FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED COACHES AND A DINING CAR, WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE GUANGZHOU RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION.
IT CAN ACCOMMODATE 680 PASSENGERS — 40 MORE THAN THE FIRST TRAIN WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
DESCRIBING IT AS A VERY WELCOME ADDITION. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TWO TRAINS WILL ENABLE 2 640 PASSENGERS TO TRAVEL DAILY DIRECT TO AND FROM GUANGZHOU FROM FEBRUARY 1.
ON THE TIMING OF THE NEW SERVICE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRAIN WILL LEAVE GUANGZHOU AT 11.10 AM AND ARRIVE AT THE KOWLOON TERMINAL IN HUNG HOM AT 2.06 PM. IT WILL LEAVE HUNG HOM AT 4 PM AND ARRIVE IN GUANGZHOU AT 6.54 PM.
/ALTHOUGH THE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 19g0
4
ALTHOUGH THE NEW TRAIN OFFERS SOME IMPROVED FACILITIES OVER THE EXISTING THROUGH TRAIN, THE SINGLE JOURNEY FARE FROM KOWLOON TO GUANGZHOU WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT 154.40 PLUS $5 SERVICE CHARGE TO CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE WHO WILL CONTINUE TO ACT AS THE SOLE AGENT.
CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIVE AND TEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, WILL ONLY HAVE TO PAY HALF FARE. ONE CHILD UNDER FIVE YEARS OLD ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT CAN TRAVEL FREE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A FREE BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE OF 20 KILOGRAMMES FOR EACH PASSENGER WHICH THEY CAN CARRY WITH THEM INTO THE COMPARTMENTS. EXCESSIVE BAGGAGE WILL HAVE TO BE CONVEYED IN THE LUGGAGE VAN WITH ADDITIONAL CHARGES ACCORDING TO WEIGHT.
TICKETS CAN BE BOOKED AT THE CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE OFFICES IN WAN CHAI AND TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT LIKE THE FIRST EXPRESS TRAIN, ONLY THREE CATEGORIES OF PASSENGERS WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE NEW SERVICE t
ft HOLDERS OF PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA PASSPORTS WITH VISAS FOR HONG KONG-
* FOREIGNERS (I.E. HOLDERS OF OTHER PASSPORTS) WHO EITHER HAVE VISAS FOR HONG KONG OR WHO ARE NATIONALS OF COUNTRIES NOT REQUIRING VISAS FOR HONG KONG- AND
* HOLDERS OF HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS.
AS A RESULT OF THE ADDITIONAL THROUGH TRAIN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE TIMINGS OF SOME LOCAL TRAINS BETWEEN KOWLOON AND LO WU WILL BE MARGINALLY ADJUSTED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADDED THAT AS A MATTER OF INTEREST, A RECORD 5 032 897 PEOPLE TRAVELLED TO AND FROM CHINA LAST YEAR — A 95 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1978.
------0----
APPLICATIONS INVITED TO OPERATE NEW MAX ICAB ROUTES ft ft ft ft ft
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM REGISTERED OWNERS OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES FOR THE RIGHT TO OPERATE 10 MAXICAB ROUTES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR.
THESE ROUTES WILL BE GROUPED INTO SIX SEPARATE PACKAGES WITH FARES RANGING FROM $1.50 TO 40 CENTS.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE ON THE APPROPRIATE APPLICATION FORM ENTITLED +APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS MAXICAB ROUTES*.
THESE FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), FROM EITHER THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, SIXTH FLOOR. GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, HONG KONG OR FROM THE KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICE, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, NINTH FLOOR, 56 DUNDAS STREET.
/COMPLETED ..
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1980
5
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY REGISTERED MAIL TO REACH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BY 5 PM ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7.
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
THE MAX ICAB ROUTES WILL SERVE MOUNT BUTLER, ADMIRALTY MTR STATION, UPPER BRAEMAR HILL, POK FU LAM GARDENS, STAR FERRY PIER AT EDINBURGH PLACE, KENNEDY TOWN, BAGUIO VILLAS, CAUSEWAY BAY, AP LEI CHAU, WONG CHUK HANG, WATFORD ROAD, JORDAN ROAD FERRY PIER, KING’S PARK RISE, HO MAN TIN HILL, KADOORIE AVENUE, KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION, BEACON HILL ROAD, NAM SHAN ESTATE AND SHAM SHU I PO FERRY PIER.
FULL DETAILS OF THE MAXICAB ROUTES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR, WHICH WILL TAKE IN 50 PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT EDUCATION DIRECTOR DUE IN TODAY ******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT, MR ARTHUR BECKENHAM, WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON FOR A TWO-WEEK VISIT.
THIS WILL BE HIS SECOND VISIT TO HONG KONG SINCE 1976.
THE VISIT SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE WHICH THE INSTITUTE PLACES ON EXTENDING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN TRANSPORT TO HONG KONG.
THE PROGRAMME IS JOINTLY ARRANGED BY THE LOCAL BRANCH OF THE INSTITUTE AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC WHO HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING COURSES IN TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING FOR LOCAL STUDENTS.
DURING HIS VISIT, MR BECKENHAM WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT AND SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE TRANSPORT, CIVIL AVIATION AND MARINE DEPARTMENTS AND ALSO THE ENVIRONMENT BRANCH, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, THE ARMY TRANSPORT HEADQUARTERS AND THE GOVERNMENT TRAINING DIVISION.
HE WILL ALSO VISIT SENIOR MANAGEMENT STAFF OF CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS, KOWLOON MOTOR BUS, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, AND HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY. DURING THE VISITS HE WILL DISCUSS WITH THEM THEIR TRAINING ACTIVITIES AND THE INSTITUTE’S QUALIFICATIONS AS A CRITERION OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE.
/A SUBSTANTIAL ..
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1980
6
A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF MR BECKENHAM’S PROGRAMME WILL INVOLVE REVIEWING WITH THE DIRECTOR AND SENIOR STAFF OF HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC THE FULL AND PART-TIME TRANSPORT COURSES NOW TAUGHT IN THE POLYTECHNIC AND EXEMPTIONS FOR STUDENTS ON THESE COURSES FROM THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE’S INTERMEDIATE AND FINAL EXAMINATIONS WITH A CHANGE IN THE INSTITUTE’S EXAMINATION STRUCTURE.
BESIDES REVIEWING TRANSPORT COURSES, THE VISIT WILL ALSO SEEK TO FIND WAYS AND MEANS OF MAKING THE INSTITUTE MORE EFFECTIVE IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE EFFICIENCY OF TRANSPORT IN HONG KONG, ESPECIALLY BY EXPANDING A SOUND EDUCATIONAL BASE AND A HIGH DEGREE OF PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES.
THE INSTITUTE’S LOCAL BRANCH COMMITTEE SERVES AS THE POLYTECHNIC’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR TRANSPORT STUDIES AND THUS PROVIDES A HIGH DEGREE OF LIAISON BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION.
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SCHOOLS IN BRITAIN TO GET WALL-SHEET ON HONG KONG * * ft * * *
A NEW WALL-SHEET ON HONG KONG HAS BEEN SPECIALLY PRODUCED TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE TERRITORY AMONG SCHOOLS IN BRITAIN.
OBSERVING THAT HONG KONG HAS SOMETIMES BEEN CALLED +A CITY CF CHILDREN* - SINCE ONE IN FOUR OF ITS POPULATION OF 4.9 MILLION IS AT SCHOOL - THE WALL-SHEET PRESENTS A CONCISELY-WORDED INTRODUCTION TO THE TERRITORY.
IT HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES WHICH HAS CREATED AN ATTRACTIVE FORMAT FEATURING FULL-COLOUR ILLUSTRATIONS DEPICTING NOTABLE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOCAL SCENE.
A PANORAMIC VIEW OF HONG KONG ISLAND, WITH THE HARBOUR IN THE FOREGROUND, AND SHOWING THE SKY-SCRAPERS OF CENTRAL DISTRICT AGAINST THE GREEN-CLAD SLOPES OF THE PEAK, IS THE DOMINANT FEATURE OF THE DESIGN.
TO ILLUSTRATE THE SMALL LAND AREA OF HONG KONG, AND THE HIGH DENSITY OF ITS POPULATION, THE TERRITORY IS COMPARED DIAGRAMATICALLY WITH THE ISLE OF WIGHT, SITUATED OFF BRITAIN’S SOUTH COAST. HONG KONG ISLAND, IT IS NOTED, IS ONLY ONE-FIFTH THE SIZE OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT BUT ITS POPULATION IS 10 TIMES GREATER WITH DENSITIES UP TO 98 595 PER SQUARE KILOMETRE.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE WALL-SHEET TO SCHOOLS IN BRITAIN WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON WHICH RECEIVES NUMEROUS REQUESTS FROM TEACHERS AND STUDENTS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HONG KONG.
/*IT IS .....
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1?, 1980
7
♦IT IS FITTING THAT PRODUCTION OF A NEW SOURCE OF REFERENCE WAS UNDERTAKEN DURING THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD AS IT WILL SERVE TO FOSTER CLOSER INTEREST IN HONG KONG AMONG BRITAIN’S SCHOOL-CHILDREN,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES COMMENTED.
HE ALSO ADVISED THAT ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE WALL-SHEET HAVE BEEN PRINTED FOR SALE IN HONG KONG AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $3 EACH.
IT IS ANTICIPATED, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, THAT THE WALL-SHEET WILL BE OF INTEREST TO VISITORS AS A SOUVENIR ITEM, AND THAT LOCAL SCHOOLS MAY ALSO WISH TO OBTAIN COPIES.
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FACTORY INSPECTORS IN UK ON CONSTRUCTION SAFETY COURSE
*****
TWO FACTORY INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR LEE SZE-CHOI AND MR YUNG WING-CHEE, HAVE LEFT FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM TO ATTEND A CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TRAINING COURSE.
THE COURSE DEALS WITH TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY AND TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW IN ACHIEVING SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE OFFICERS WILL ATTEND THE EIGHT-WEEK COURSE AT THE BROOKLANDS SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS STUDIES IN WEYBRIDGE, SURREY.
AFTERWARDS THEY WILL SPEND FIVE WEEKS ON ATTACHMENT TO HM CONSTRUCTION INSPECTORATE BRANCH OFFICE IN THE ENGLISH MIDLANDS AND THE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY GROUP IN LONDON.
-----0------
/8
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1980
8
VEGETABLE GARDENING COMPETITION
*****
JUDGING OF THIS YEAR'S VEGETABLE GARDENING COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND PARTICIPATED BY 16 GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 23). _
THE PARTICIPANTS ARE GROWING TOMATO, SWEET PEA AND BROCCOLI, ALL OF WHICH ARE SUITABLE FOR GROWING IN WINTER IN HONG KONG. THE SEEDS WERE PROVIDED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
♦THE VEGETABLE PLANTING COMPETITION IS A MEANINGFUL EXERCISE THROUGH WHICH PUPILS HAVE THE CHANCE TO PRACTISE WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED FROM TEXTBOOKS,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
♦PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS ALSO FIND THIS EVENT FEASIBLE BECAUSE THE VEGETABLES ARE GROWN IN POTS THUS SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT GARDENING PLOTS.+
THE COMPETITION WAS HELD FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST YEAR AS PART OF THE JOINT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS EXHIBITION.
SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION BEGAN PLANTING THE THREE VEGETABLES LAST SEPTEMBER. ALL THE WORK, FROM SEED PLANTING TO HARVEST, WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE PUPILS THEMSELVES UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF TEACHERS.
DURING THIS PERIOD, OFFICERS FROM THE PRIMARY SCIENCE SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE VISITED THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND HELPED TEACHERS IN CHARGE WITH ANY PROBLEMS THEY MIGHT ENCOUNTER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S TEACHING CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, NORTH POINT, ON WEDNESDAY.
THE PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISE MR C.S. PAO, HORTICULTURIST OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, AND OFFICERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE.
MRS RUBY LAU, PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (PRIMARY) WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS.
AN EXHIBITION OF ALL THE ENTRIES TO THE COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT THE TEACHING CENTRE ON JANUARY 23 AND 24, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
/9
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, I960
9
LANTAU DEVELOPMENTS TO GET WATER SUPPLY * * * *
WORK WILL BEGIN NEXT WEEK ON LANTAU ISLAND TO PROVIDE WATER SUPPLY FROM SHEK PIK RESERVOIR TO DEVELOPMENTS IN CHEUNG SHA.
A CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT WAS SIGNED THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING BETWEEN MR LEE GUN-CHEUNG, CHIEF ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION), OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF HUNG YUE AND CO.
WORK ON THE $1.5 MILLION PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION CF A GLASS-REINFORCED PLASTIC WATER STORAGE TANK AND THE LAYING OF A TOTAL OF 2 190 METRES CF MAINS.
THE PROJECT WILL T*KE ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----o------
NOTE TO ED I TORSt
FIRE PREVENTION CHECK IN KWAI CHUNG
* * * X
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OFFICERS WILL CARRY OUT A FULL SCALE FIRE PREVENTION CHECK IN KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL AREA TOMORROW (FR IDAY).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INSPECTION. THEY SHOULD REPORT TO A MOBILE COMMAND UNIT WHICH WILL BE SET UP AT THE JUNCTION OF TA CHUEN PING STREET AND CHUN PIN STREET AT 10 AM.
- - 0 -----------
/1O.....
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1980
10
SEMINAR FOR MAC OFFICIALS IN TSUEN WAN
*****
A SEMINAR FOR MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE (MAC) OFFICIALS IN TSUEN WAN, WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE IS AIMED AT IMPROVING MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION OF MACS IN THE NEW TOWN.
MORE THAN 400 MAC MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEVEN-DAY SEMINAR ENDING ON FEBRUARY 1. IT WILL BE HELD IN THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.
THE KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE FIRST MAC SEMINAR IN THE DISTRICT TOOK PLACE LAST MARCH AND WAS ATTENDED BY 300 PEOPLE.
A TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE MAC ORGANISATION WAS GROWING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN TSUEN WAN, WITH MORE THAN 120 NEW COMMITTEES FORMED LAST YEAR.
THE GROWTH, HE SAID, HAD INCREASED THE NUMBER OF MACS IN THE TOWN TO 470, SERVING MORE THAN 432 000 PEOPLE.
♦WE ARE SURE THAT THIS SECOND SEMINAR WILL BENEFIT LOCAL MACS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.+
THE SEMINAR WILL INCLUDE TALKS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE ACCOUNTING, SECURITY, ENVIRONMENT HYGIENE, ACTIVITY ORGANISATION AND THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD.
ALSO INCLUDED WILL BE VISITS TO LOCAL FIRE AND POLICE STATIONS.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES AT THE END OF THE SEMINAR.
-----o--------
PWD STAFF GIVE BLOOD * * * *
STAFF OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT YESTERDAY DONATED A TOTAL OF 103 UNITS OF BLOOD TO THE HONG KONG RED CROSS.
THIS WAS THE FIRST DONATION BY THE DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR.
PWD LAST YEAR DONATED A TOTAL OF 458 UNITS OF BLOOD ON FOUR OCCASIONS.
- - 0 - -
PR 33
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUPPLEMENT
• Thursday, January 17, 1980
ACTING GOVERNOR ADDRESSES PGS SPEECH DAY
The following is the address by the Acting Governor, Sir Jack
Cater, at the Diocesan Girls’ School Speech Day today (Thursday) :
Bishop Baker, Mrs Symons, Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls of DGS, Friends:
My wife and I are grateful for the invitation to be here today. Speech Days are important occasions which we are delighted to attend -and particularly when the school is DGS.
First a few words about your school: as you know, DGS is one of Hong Kong’s best known and well-respected, as well as venerable, institutions. It is over one hundred years old - and this is very special because we are a comparatively young community and one hundred years covers the best part of our history. It has been a century of great change and growth.
This school is an integral part of Hong Kong; it has grown with Hong Kong and proved that it can adapt to advances and to change. That says a great deal for an organisation which started with only about 50 girls (and a government grant of 315 per month - and that fact should make the Financial Secretary look back with nostalgia to the mid-nineteenth century!). Today the school has an enrolment of 900 with a grant of nearly 35 million per year.
/I know •••.•
’ * ' Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
2
I know how proud you must be to belong to DGS: and you have much to be proud of.
My theme today is nothing new but is, I think, of importance: it is "Leadership in the contemporary world”: or perhaps more accurately "Leaders and Followers".
None of us can be winners all the time. In the same way, we cannot be leaders all the timec In the v?orld that was one could be general 1 y categorised as either a leader or a follower. But now I believe we must be prepared to be both leaders and followers. None of us can be big shots every moment of every day; neither, importantly, should we be small potatoes all the time.
We need leaders who listen and followers who are alert and critical but also constructive in their criticism and sensibly co-operative. Indeed, a principal task of leadership is to encourage ideas, to encourage others to speak out; to work for, and to induce, co-operation. When you are in a "following" role,there is room for obedience, of course; and sometimes indeed, necessity - real necessity for obedience. But it is also necessary to have other, more positive, forms of support; if you like a need, not for mere blind obedience, but rather an understanding of why obedience is necessary for a general good. It is in your family and social group activities- your various clubs and organisations, such as the Guides, that you can learn these "inter-personal" skills and understandings. A sense of knowing when to take the lead: how to do it without annoying everyone, when to be firm, when to be tactful; when to give backing and support to someone else’s ideas: when and how to make suggestions; and-when just simply to carry out orders intelligently. These skills need to be learnt and will form a first class basis for all your working and social activities in adult life. These are skills that DGS, and all good schools should help to train you for.
/I believe .....
5
I believe that your Headmistress and your staff will have taught you much about leaders and leadership in the contemporary world. Their team work, their inspiring example should guide you. The world outside is a great deal less well-organised than the smaller world in here, I am sorry to tell
you, but the disciplines you have learnt here will help you make your mark
out there. You have learned to work hard and to play hard. Your books are full of knowledge; and I know that your teachers have taught you that what is
important is not so much what you know but how you know it. The many extra-
curricular activities which are open to you will also have taught you that knowledge is something rather more than book learning, important though this is. Getting on with people is at least as important as getting on with History or Geography or English or Mathematics. Serving your school and your school mates is as important as serving your community.
Now I speak to the prize-winners and equally to those who did not win prizes. I have just pointed to the fact that not everybody can be first, second or third. Nor can anyone be first, second or third all their lives all the time. The important thing is to work hard, to do your best: I am sure all of you have done that. Of course, the prize-winners deserve special congratulations but I am sure they will be the first to admit that what they have got most from the school is not only a prize or a certificate. They have had the opportunity to learn that hard work is its own reward. Every one of you is well aware, I know, that you are privileged to be a part of DGS.
Today, Mrs Symons has mentioned especially the Government’s intention that our whole education system should be reviewed in 1981: I regard this as being of particular importance and would like to comment .briefly on it. Of course, we are all familiar - are we not? - with the many and various Green and White Papers which have been produced over the past few years: we have reviewed, debated at great length, and adopted
/development.....
4
development plans for junior, senior secondary and tertiary education, and these plans are now being implemented. Soon we shall go through the same process in respect of primary and pre-primary education. $o why, you may well ask, yet another review? Are we not in danger of too much planning, too many reviews? The plans I have referred to, have been designed to suit our own local and particular circumstances, they have been evolved over a number of years by Government with advice from the Board of Education, UPGC, as well as other interested bodies, in the light of public comments: they include much-needed, far reaching changes and improvements, and undoubtedly by the mid-eighties we shall have an improved educational system. So - again - why the big review in 1981? It is to ensure that we are, in fact, on the fight track. $o far we have, perhaps inevitably, looked at the system piece-meal: we now feel it important to look at the system as a whole before our plans become too entrenched: to study what Mrs Symons has called the interfaces between the various levels of education: to study too the part which non-academic subjects have to play in the education system in the context of modern Hong Kong. Hong Kong is changing at a rapid pace; it.is inevitable that, as a community, our hopes and aspirations will be changing too. In many ways we are an international community with an international outlook - as one would expect of one of the World’s greatest ports, as one would expect of a leading manufacturing and trading territory: but in some ways too we are parochial and often inward-looking. It is intended therefore that those invited to carry out this major review should include persons from abroad with expertise and experience in education in addition to local participation: this to ensure that our education system is up-to-date, that it may take its proper, and important, place in the World of Education. Perhaps, Mrs Symons, the idea of being internationally accepted and acclaimed under the label ’’Educated in Hong Kong” is more real than some may think.
/Clearly the.....
5
Clearly the Hong Kong Government pays a very great deal of time and attention to Education: and rightly so. Paradoxically, although ’’people” may well be one of our greatest problems at the moment (and here I refer especially to the vast influx of immigrants from China this past year): although ’’people” are a worry in that sense - it is also undoubtedly true that ’’people” are our most valuable asset, and - in Hong Kong - will always be so. It would be a criminal waste of this priceless asset if we did not encourage its development in every way practicable: not just academically, important though that is, but even more importantly in terms of our people as citizens, and all that that implies. Education is the Key: and the teaching profession, surely, must be one of the most important, most satisfying and valuable of all professions.
Which brings me to a happy task. I must take this opportunity to pay an especial tribute to your Headmistress, Mrs Joyce Symons. She is a modest woman but I will not spare her blushes and will say how very much I admire her example not only in DGS but in the community of Hong Kong. I venture to say that as you all grow older you will come to appreciate your Headmistress and admire her bravery, her compassion and her reliability much more even than you do today. Mrs Symons and I have known each other for a good many years and I have had the privilege of serving with her in both the Legislative and Executive Councils of Government. How she manages to do everything she does has always amazed me, still amazes me. She is of course an old girl of the school who has become the embodiment of DGS. Mark well her example and follow it. Mrs Symons is my idea of a community leader, ready to listen and ready to act, modest in acknowledging others’ ideas but unafraid to supply her own while always conceding that they may not be exclusive wisdom. That is an aim of perfection.
/Girls of.....
6
Girls of DGS, I wish you all those qualities of resilience and dependability, the commonsense and charity which will make your lives full and beautiful in your successful futures.
Thank you.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMTION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1980
CONTENTS PAG3 NO,
BASALT ISLAND FIRING RANGE.................................... 1
HUNTING BANNED IN PUBLIC INTEREST ............................ 1
BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 198O PUBLISHED ...................... 2
TRADE 7ITH RHODESIA RESUMED .................................. 3
AIR MAIL CENTRE TO BE BUILT AT AIRPORT........................ 4
FIRE PREVENTION CHECK IN K7AI CHUNG........................... 4
PRIMARY PRODUCERS SAY FAREWELL TO NICHOLS .................... 5
FANLING S./IPMNG POOL CAFE TO LET ............................ 6
COMMODITY DEALERS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AUDITED ACCOUNTS ........ 7
CLOSURE OF ACCESS ROAD IN CHAI ’./AN PROPOSED ................ 7
LAYING OF WATER PIPELINE IN TSUEN /AN ........................ 7
JURY LIST .................................................... 8
SNT TO OP'IN SAILING CENTRE’S NE7 EXTENSION .................. 8
TR/iFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN EDINBURGH PLACE EAST ................ 8
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SECTION OF CONNAUGHT ROr.D CENTRAL....... 9
DS'7 TO ATTEND PARTY FOR THE ELDERLY ..........................9
FIRING PRACTICE.............................................. 10
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1980
1
BASALT ISLAND FIRING RANGE
*****
THE PORT SHELTER NAVAL FIRING AREA IS TO BE CONSIDERABLY REDUCED WITH THE PRACTICE RANGE BEING CONFINED TO BASALT ISLAND ITSELF.
THE CHANGE IS INCORPORATED IN THE DEFENCE (FIRING AREAS) ORDINANCE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PORT SHELTER RANGE, INCLUDING MANY OF THE ISLANDS AND INLETS TO THE SOUTH OF SAI KUNG PENINSULA WHICH HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR SOME YEARS, WILL BE GIVEN UP.
THE NEW RANGE WILL PROVIDE ESSENTIAL TARGET PRACTICE FOR ROYAL NAVY PATROL CRAFT AND CRAFT OF THE MARINE POLICE.
IT WILL INCORPORATE BASALT ISLAND ITSELF AND THE OPEN SEA TO THE EAST OF IT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE RANGE WOULD BE USED TWICE EACH MONTH. ADVANCE PUBLICITY WOULD ALWAYS BE GIVEN THE DAY BEFORE, AND THE RANGE ITSELF WOULD BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH FLAGS AND BUOYS.
FIRING WOULD ONLY TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 8 AM AND MIDDAY ON TWO TWO-DAY PERIODS. LAUNCHES AND PATROL CRAFT WOULD PATROL THE PERIMETER DURING FIRING.
♦FIRING WILL NOT TAKE PLACE ON WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS,* SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
HE SAID THE BASALT ISLAND RANGE WOULD ALLOW FOR THE CORRECT CALIBRATION OF GUNS ABOARD THE VESSELS.
o - -
HUNTING BANNED IN PUBLIC INTEREST ******
HONG KONG’S DIMINISHING WILDLIFE POPULATION WILL BE PROTECTED BY A GOVERNMENT DECISION NOT TO RENEW GAME HUNTING LICENCES.
THE DISCONTINUANCE OF GAME HUNTING LICENCES COMES INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, SAID LICENSED HUNTERS ASSOCIATION AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE DECISION, WHICH WAS ALSO MADE IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
HE SAID THAT AT ANY ONE TIME DURING A WINTER WEEKEND ABOUT 100 000 PEOPLE COULD BE EXPECTED TO VISIT THE COUNTRYSIDE. THERE WERE ALMOST SEVEN MILLION VISITS TO THE COUNTRY PARKS ALONE IN 1979, AND THE NUMBER COULD RISE 30 PER CENT ANNUALLY IF CURRENT PATTERNS WERE MAINTAINED.
♦THE LEGAL PROVISIONS PERMITTING HUNTING DATED FROM 1936 WHEN THE COUNTRYSIDE WAS VISITED BY VERY FEW PEOPLE. BUT THIS SITUATION. HAS CHANGED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, AND SEVERAL FORMER VILLAGES HAVE BECOME MAJOR TOWNS,* HE SAID.
/HE ADDED
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1980
2
UNDER ALL
HE ADDED THERE WERE ALREADY CONSTRAINTS ON HUNTING THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE WHICH PROHIBITED HUNTING IN ?$UaJRL^RKS’ THE WILD an,mals protection ORDINANCE WHICH MADE ,$££^£^1° SH00T AT ANY WILD ANIMAL WITHIN 100 YARDS OF AN .9? R0AD« AND THE SUMMARY OFFENCES WHICH PROHIBITED DISCHARGING A FIREARM WITHIN 200 YARDS OF A DWELLING OR ROAD.
THERE WERE ALSO CONSTRAINTS IN AREAS INCLUDED IN TOWN PLANNING LAYOUTS, AREAS WHICH ARE DEVELOPING HIGH RURAL POPULATION DENSITIES AND THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREAS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THERE WERE CURRENTLY ONLY ABOUT 414 GAME LICENCE HOLDERS, AND THE PERCENTAGE OF THOSE WHO ACTUALLY WENT HUNTING WAS NOT HIGH.
DOaU,II^0V!FNMENT VOIDED THAT GAME HUNTING SHOULD BE ^2c2cnTE?:mATuyALoAAME licences would no longer be issued or AN$ ™E USE OF SHOOTING ARMS WOULD BE RESTRICTED TO
SPECIFIC LOCALITIES SUCH AS GUN CLUB PREMISES AND TO HUNTING PARTIES THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED IN THE PUBLIC
SUPERVISED INTEREST.
-----0------
BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 PUBLISHED
*****
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE BILL ADDS A SHORT NEW SECTION TO THE BANKING ORDINANCE, TO EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO AMEND OR REVOKE A CONDITION ALREADY ATTACHED TO A BANK LICENCE, OR TO ATTACH A NEW CONDITION TO A LICENCE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL OPEN THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 30.
THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE MERELY PERMIT A CONDITION TO BE ATTACHED TO A LICENCE AT THE TIME WHEN THE LICENCE IS FIRST GRANTED BY THE GOVERNOR-1N-COUNCIL 1 THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR THAT CONDITION TO BE SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED OR REVOKED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THIS NEW POWER WAS NEEDED TO PERMIT THE CLARIFICATION OF A CONDITION ATTACHED TO 41 LICENCES GRANTED TO BANKS BETWEEN MARCH 1978 (WWHEN THE PREVIOUS LONG-STANDING MORATORIUM ON BANK LICENCES WAS EASED) AND AUGUST 1979 (WHEN THE GRANT OF FURTHER LICENCES WAS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED).
THOSE LICENCES WERE SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION THAT THE BANKS CONCERNED WOULD CONDUCT BUSINESS FROM ONLY ONE OFFICE IN HONG KONG.
♦IT IS NOW APPARENT,* SAID THE SPOKESMAN, +THAT THIS CONDITION IS NOT ADEQUATELY WORDED IN THE LIGHT OF THE PRESENT SHORTAGE OF OFFICE SPACE, ESPECIALLY IN CENTRAL, WHEN BANKS ARE FINDING GREAT DIFFICULTY IN LOCATING ALL THEIR STAFF IN ONE BUILDING.*
/THIS CONDITION .
1
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1980
- 3 -
THE CONDITION, THEREFORE, NEEDS TO BE REVISED- BUT THIS CANNOT BE DONE WITHOUT THE POWER SET OUT IN THE BILL PUBLISHED TODAY.
IF THE BILL IS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ATTACH TO THE 41 BANK LICENCES GRANTED SINCE MARCH 1978 A REVISED CONDITION WHICH WILL PERMIT THOSE BANKS TO MAINTAIN OFFICES TO WHICH CUSTOMERS HAVE ACCESS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY BUSINESS, INCLUDING BANKING BUSINESS, IN ONLY ONE BUILDING.
THE BANKS WILL BE PERMITTED TO MAINTAIN OFFICES FOR ADMINISTRATION OR SIMILAR PURPOSES, TO WHICH CUSTOMERS HAVE NO ACCESS WHATSOEVER, IN AS MANY BUILDINGS AS THEY FIND NECESSARY.
----0------
TRADE WITH RHODESIA RESUMED *****
THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT AS A RESULT OF THE REVOCATION OF THE SOUTHERN RHODESIA (UNITED NATIONALS SANCTIONS) (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1968, TRADE WITH RHODESIA MAY NOW BE RESUMED.
TRADE WITH RHODESIA HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO LICENSING CONTROL SINCE MAY 1966, AND, APART FROM A FEW PERMITTED ITEMS, LICENCES HAVE NOT BEEN ISSUED SINCE THEN.
WITH THE LIFTING OF THE SANCTION ORDER, THE DEPARTMENT IS NOW PREPARED TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE APPLICATIONS TO IMPORT FROM OR EXPORT TO RHODESIA ANY ARTICLE, SUBJECT TO OTHER CONDITIONS BEING MET.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (GENERAL) REGULATIONS HOWEVER, ALL EXPORTS TO AND IMPORTS FROM RHODESIA WERE SUBJECT TO LICENSING CONTROL. AS A RESULT, TRADE WITH RHODESIA MUST BE COVERED BY LICENCES IRRESPECTIVE OF THE ITEMS CONCERNED.
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/4
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1980
- 4
AIR MAIL CENTRE TO BE BUILT AT AIRPORT * * * *
THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL HAVE A NEW AND MODERN AIR MAIL CENTRE NEXT YEAR.
THE NEW TWO-STOREY CENTRE WILL BE BUILT ON AN 1 OOO-SQUARE-METRE SITE ADJACENT TO THE HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINAL.
MR PETER YUEN, PROJECT ARCHITECT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID PILING WORK AT THE SITE WAS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN MARCH.
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY PWD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION CF THE TWO-STOREY BUILDING.
MR YUEN SAID THE NEW CENTRE WAS DESIGNED TO HOUSE OFFICES AND MECHANICAL SYSTEMS -OR THE HANDLING OF AIR MAIL AND AIR PARCELS.
+SECURITY FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR OVERNIGHT STORAGE OF INSURED ARTICLES,* HE SAID.
♦LOADING AREAS WILL BE SITUATED ON THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN ENDS OF THE BUILDING FOR EASY TRANSPORTATION OF MAIL TO AND FROM THE AIRCRAFT.*
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL START IN MARCH AND BE COMPLETED IN 12 MONTHS.
-----o------
FIRE PREVENTION CHECK IN KWAI CHUNG ft ft ft ft ft l ' •
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OFFICERS TODAY (FRIDAY) CARRIED OUT CHECKS ON 1 602 KWAI C^F ACTOR IES TO REMOVE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.
A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN SAID A TOTAL OF 242 FACTORIES WOULD BE SERVED WITH FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES, MOSTLY FOR CAUSING OBSTRUCTION IN COMMON AREAS AND ON STAIRCASES.
+IN ADDITION, SUMMONSES WILL,BE SERVED ON SEVEN OTHER FACTORIES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES PREVEIOUSLY SERVED ON THEM,* SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
DURING THE SIX-HOUR INSPECTION HEADED BY DIVISIONAL FIRE OFFICER, MR KWAN SAI-YIU, FIRE OFFICERS FOUND MANY STAIRWAYS, COMMON CORRIDORS, FIRE EXITS AND LIFT LOBBIES BLOCKED WITH PAPER CARTONS AND UNFINISHED PRODUCTS.
♦SPECIAL ATTENTION WAS ALSO PAID TO THE STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS IN SOME FACTORIES DURING TODAY’S OPERATION,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID. v’
. S; •:
FIRE OFFICERS ALSO FOUND 39 CASES OF ILLEGAL ROOFTOP STRUCTURES USED FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES AND UNAUTHORISED BUILDING ALTERATIONS. THESE CASES WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR ACTION.
-’.Jr.< -
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1980
5
PRIMARY PRODUCERS SAY FAREWELL TO NICHOLS ***** ft
MORE THAN 500 PRIMARY PRODUCERS REPRESENTING THE FARMING, FISHING AND FOOD INDUSTRIES TONIGHT TOASTED THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR TED NICHOLS WHO WILL PROCEED ON VACATION LEAVE NEXT MONTH PRIOR TO HIS RETIREMENT IN JUNE.
CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR KO COK SAID THAT DURING THE PAST 20 YEARS MR NICHOLS SPARED NO EFFORTS TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND WHOLESALE MARKETING.
CITING A NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE YEARS, MR KO SAID, ♦THEY ALL CLEARLY REFLECT THE ACHIEVEMENTS GAINED BY MR NICHOLS FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.*
+BECAUSE OF HIS RETIREMENT, WE WILL SURELY MISS HIM. HOWEVER, WE ARE HAPPY TO NOTE THAT HE WILL HAVE A GOOD SUCCESSOR. MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN HAS BEEN APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND HE HAS BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR MORE THAN 23 YEARS,* SAID MR KO.
MR NICHOLS JOINED THE DEPARTMENT AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN 1959 WHEN HONG KONG HAD 10 400 FISHING BOATS OF WHICH 7 000 WERE SAILING BOATS AND ONLY 3 300 VESSELS WERE MECHANISED. NOW THERE WERE ONLY 350 SAILING BOATS WHILE THE NUMBER OF MECHANISED VESSELS EXCEEDS 5 000.
IN 1959 THE ANNUAL TOTAL FISH HARVEST WEIGHED 52 000 TONNES AND THIS WAS INCREASED TO 86 000 TONNES IN 1979.
THE TOTAL ACREAGE OF FISH PONDS INCREASED FROM 239 HECTARES IN 1959 TO 1 963 HECTARES IN 1979.
♦THE NUMBER OF FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAS INCREASED FROM EIGHT TO 13 AND IN ADDITION, ONE TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL HAS ALSO BEEN ESTABLISHED TO TRAIN YOUNGSTERS INTERESTED IN THE FISHING INDUSTRY,* SAID MR KO.
MORE THAN 3 600 STUDENTS NOW ATTEND SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION.
MR KO ADDED THAT DURING THE 20-YEAR PERIOD, MUCH HAD BEEN DONE ON FISHERMEN’S HOUSING SCHEMES WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS INCREASED FROM 48 TO 731.
ON AGRICULTURE, MR KO SAID THAT IN 1959 THERE WERE 1 793 HECTARES OF VEGETABLE LAND AND THE PRESENT FIGURE EXCEEDS 3 489 HECTARES. THE PRODUCTION OF VEGETABLES SHOWS AN INCREASE FROM 1.4 MILLION PICULS TO 3.2 MILLION PICULS IN THE SAME PERIOD.
♦CURRENTLY 2 000 FARMS HAVE SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND 2 900 HOUSEHOLDS OF FARMERS USE ROTARY CULT IVATORS,♦ HE SAID.
/DURING THE ..
YKIVtCi, JANUARY 18, 1980
DURING THE 20 YEARS*
* CHICKEN PRODUCTION INCREASED FROM 4.8 MILLION HEADS TO 16 MILLION-
* LOCAL PIGS SLAUGHTERED INCREASED FROM QUARTER A MILLION TO HALF A MILLION"
* FISHERMEN’S LOAN FUNDS JUMPED FROM $1 MILLION TO $14 MILLION"
* AGRICULTURAL LOAN FUNDS ROSE FRQM $2 MILLION TO $9.45 MILLION"
* FISHERMEN’.S LOANS ISSUED INCREASED FROI0 $829 000 TO $5.94 MILLION- AND
* FARMERS LOANS ISSUED ROSE FROM $1.95 MILLION TO $11.5 MILLION.
♦ AS FISHERMEN AND FARMERS HAVE ALWAYS WORKED HARD AND HAVE BEEN WILLING TO ACCEPT THE NEW METHODS AND TECHNIQUES PROVIDED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THEIR PRODUCTS CAN MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS.
+SOME 91 PER CENT OF OUR MARINE FISH, 68 PER CENT OF OUR CHICKENS, 40 PER CENT OF OUR VEGETABLES AND 20 PER CENT OF OUR PIGS ARE SUPPLIED BY THE LOCAL INDUSTRY,* SAID MR KO.
MR KO ALSO NOTED THAT IN RECENT YEARS THE DEPARTMENT HAD SET UP 21 COUNTRY PARKS, ^PROVIDING LOCAL RESIDENTS RURAL RECREATIONAL AREAS WHERE THEY CAN ENJOY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.*
----0-----
FANLING SWIMMING POOL CAFE TO LET
*****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CAFE AT THE FANLING SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX FOR A TWO-YEAR PERIOD COMMENCING MARCH 15, 1980.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE CAFE, SITUATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX NEXT TO THE SPECTATOR STAND, OCCUPIED AN AREA OF ABOUT 46 SQUARE METRES. IT WOULD SELL SOFT DRINKS AND SNACKS TO THE PUBLIC.
THE FANLING SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, OPEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WAS BUILT IN OCTOBER 1978.
+LAST YEAR ABOUT 200 000 PEOPLE USED THE FOUR SWIMMING POOLS — A HEATED POOL, A SECONDARY POOL, A TRAINING POOL AND A PADDLING POOL,* HE SAID.
TENDER FORMS AND PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF AUSTIN CENTRE AT 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON.
♦TENDERS MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BEFORE 9 AM ON FEBRUARY 15,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0------- /7.................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1980
7
COMMODITY DEALERS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AUDITED ACCOUNTS ******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED IN A GAZETTE NOTICE TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT SECTION 50 OF THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE, WILL COME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 30, 1980.
THE SECTION REQUIRES COMMODITY DEALERS WHOSE FINANCIAL YEARS END ON OR AFTER JANUARY 31, 1980 TO SUBMIT THEIR AUDITED ACCOUNTS TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR COMMODITIES TRADING WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF THEIR ACCOUNTING YEAR-ENDS.
THE REQUIREMENT IS SIMILAR TO THAT IMPOSED ON DEALERS IN SECURITIES UNDER SECTION 88 OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE.
-----0------
CLOSURE OF ACCESS ROAD IN CHAI WAN PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO CLOSE PART OF THE ROAD AND CERTAIN STEPS LEADING FROM CHAI WAN ROAD TO HING WAH ESTATE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT BEFORE CLOSING THE ROAD, A NEW ROAD ACCESS FROM HONG MAN STREET WOULD BE PROVIDED.
A NOTICE ABOUT THE PROPOSAL WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
ANY OBJECTION AGAINST THE PROPOSAL MUST REACH THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS BY FEBRUARY 18, 1980, AND ANY CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION BY MARCH 18, 1980.
-------o - - - -
LAYING OF WATER PIPELINE IN TSUEN WAN *****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF A FRESH WATER PIPELINE BETWEEN CHAI WAN KOK AND SUNNY VILLA IN TSUEN WAN.
THE 2 800-METRE PIPELINE, WITH A DIAMETER OF 300 MM, WILL SERVE THE PROPOSED MAJOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
IT WILL ALSO AUGMENT THE EXISTING WATER SUPPLIES TO TIN KAU WHERE LOW WATER PRESSURE IS EXPERIENCED DURING PERIODS OF PEAK DEMAND.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------0------- /8 .......................
FRIDAY, JANUARY lb, 1980
8 -
JURY LIST
* * *
THE ACTING REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR N.J. BARNETT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING ON JANUARY 28, 1980.
THE LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS DURING WHICH PERIOD ANY PERSON MAY APPLY BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE REGISTRAR REQUIRING THAT HIS NAME OR THE NAME OF SOME OTHER PERSON BE POSTED OR REMOVED UPON CAUSE DULY ASSIGNED IN SUCH NOTICE.
THE REGISTRAR SHALL IN HIS DISCRETION, POST OR REMOVE SUCH NAME ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL IF NECESSARY ALTER THE LIST.
0 -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
SNT TO OPEN SAILING CENTRE’S NEW EXTENSION
X * X X X
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE EXTENSION TO HONG KONG SCHOOLS SAILING ASSOCIATION’S SAILING CENTRE AT TAI' MEI TUK, TAI PO, AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
MR. AKERS-JONES WILL OPEN THE $110 000 EXTENSION BY SAILING UNDER A RIBBON IN A DINGHY.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HKSSA SAILING CENTRE EXTENSION. A GOVERNMENT VAN (AM 2088) WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 1.15 PM TO TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO TAI MEI TUK.
0
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN EDINBURGH PLACE EAST
X X X X X
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE ACCESS ROAD TO EDINBURGH PLACE EAST FROM THE EAST END NEAR HMS TAMAR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 21) TO JANUARY 31 TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE AREA.
DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE, AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO EDINBURGH PLACE EAST WILL BE PROVIDED FROM THE WEST END NEAR STAR FERRY PIER.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1980
9
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SECTION OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL
******
CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL EASTBOUND, BETWEEN JUBILEE STREET AND REDDER STREET, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1.15 AM AND 5.30 AM ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY (JANUARY 20 AND 21) FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE AREA.
DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA JUBILEE STREET, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND REDDER STREET.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTOR I STS.
------- 0 -----
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DSW TO ATTEND PARTY FOR THE ELDERLY
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20) OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A PARTY ORGANISED FOR OLD PEOPLE BY THE SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION.
HUNDREDS OF OLD PEOPLE IN KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT, ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE PARTY WfilCH WILL FEATURE A CANTONESE OPERA SHOW AND A VARIETY OF STALL GAMES.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PARTY AND ITS OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 1 PM AT THE LEE SHAU KEE COLLEGE, 303 KWAI CHUNG CIRCUIT, KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, NEW TERRITORIES.
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/10.....
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18. 1980
10
FIRING PRACTICE
*****
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON SIX DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.
THE PRACTISING TIMES ARE:
DATE TIME
FEBRUARY 6 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM
FEBRUARY 7 (THURSDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM
FEBRUARY 8 (FRIDAY) 8 AM — 4 PM
FEBRUARY 21 (THURSDAY) 8 AM — 10.30 PM
FEBRUARY 22 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 4 PM
FEBRUARY 25 (MONDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMTION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1980.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRESSURE KEPT ON DRUG TRAFFICKERS ............................ 1
LABOUR DEPARTMENT HANDLES AIR POLLUTION COMPLAINTS ........... 2
TAXPAYERS BE VARY OF IMPOSTERS ............................... 3
SNT OPENS SAILING CENTRE EXTENSION ........................... 4
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS FETCH >5426 600 FOR CHARITY............... 5
ADVERTISING SPACES AVAILABLE AT HUNG HOM RAIL/AY STATION.......6
MOTORISTS ADVISED NOT TO SEND IN LICENCE RENE /AL APPLICATIONS BY POST ...................................................... 6
NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR IN CHAI ’JAN ........................... 7
section of cleverly ST TO BE CLOSED .......................... 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST....................8
SECTION CF CHI KIANG ST DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAY ............ 8
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1980
- 1 -
PRESSURE KEPT ON DRUG TRAFFICKERS ******
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE HAD ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR IN 1979 IN ITS CONTINUING WAR AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING, SEIZING MORE THAN $61 MILLION WORTH OF DANGEROUS DRUGS.
DURING THE YEAR, OFFICERS OF THE SERVICE SEIZED ABOUT 205 KILOGRAMS OF DRUGS, INCLUDING 78.7 KILOGRAMS OF HEROIN, 10.5 KILOGRAMS OF MORPHINE AND 105.6 KILOGRAMS OF OPIUM. A QUANTITY CF ACETIC ANHYDRIDE AND DRUG-MANUFACTURING PARAPHERNALIA WERE ALSO SEIZED.
IN ADDITION, 850 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH VARIOUS DRUG OFFENCES, INCLUDING 177 PROSECUTED FOR POSSESSION CF DANGEROUS DRUGS FOR ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING.
COMMENTING ON THESE ACHIEVEMENTS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE SAID THAT WITH THE SUCCESSFUL PREVENTIVE EFFORTS OF THE SERVICE AND THE POLICE, LARGE-SCALE DRUG SYNDICATES HAD DISAPPEARED FROM THE SCENE.
+WHAT WE NOW HAVE ARE MUCH SMALLER AND FRAGMENTED SYNDICATES AND THE PATTERN OF SMUGGLING INTO HONG KONG HAS ALSO CHANGED.
WE NOW HAVE SMALL-QUANTITY, HIGH-FREQUENCY IMPORTS OF DRUGS CARRIED BY COURIERS AND CONCEALED ON OCEAN-GOING VESSELS OR IN AIR-CARGO AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS,* HE SAID.
OF THE HAULS OF DANGEROUS DRUGS LAST YEAR, 44.6 KILOGRAMS 'WERE SEIZED AT THE AIRPORT, 122.1 KILOGRAMS FROM VESSELS AND 38.1 KILOGRAMS ON LAND.
HOWEVER, IN TERMS OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF DRUGS SEIZED, LAST YEAR SAW A DECREASE OF 13 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE 236 KILOGRAMS SEIZED IN 1978. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARRESTED AND CHARGED ALSO DROPPED BY 228 PERSONS BELOW THE 1978 FIGURE.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE BAD HARVEST IN THE ’GOLDEN TRIANGLE AREA’ LAST YEAR.
♦THE SCARCITY OF SUPPLY, COUPLED WITH FREQUENT RAIDS BY THE ANTI-NARCOTICS FORCES, MADE PRICES OF HEROIN SOAR TO AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF SOME $50 TO $100 PER PACKET OF 0.1 GRAM AT ONE TIME BETWEEN JULY AND AUGUST,* HE SAID.
+THIS TURNED THOUSANDS OF ADDICTS TO DRUG TREATMENT CLINICS,* HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR’S SUCCESSES WAS THE SEIZURE OF $24 MILLION WORTH OF HEROIN AND MORPHINE BLOCKS --THE BIGGEST IN RECENT YEARS — ON BOARD THE PANAMANIAN REGISTERED VESSEL +TAI FOOK SHAN* ARRIVING FROM BANGKOK ON OCTOBER 20.
FIVE PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CASE, OF WHOM ONE WAS CHARGED UNDER THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE AND FOUR UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE.
/OTHTR MAJOR ..
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1980
2
OTHER MAJOR SUCCESSES INCLUDED 1
* A CRACK-DOWN ON A DRUG LABORATORY IN A REMOTE FARM
IN KEI LUN HILL, NEW TERRITORIES, ON MARCH 8 RESULTING IN THE SEIZURE OF OVER $1.1 MILLION WORTH OF NO. 3 HEROIN AND A LARGE QUANTITY OF HEROIN MANUFACTURING PARAPHERNALIA AND CHEMICALS- AND
* A $203 000 HEROIN HAUL FROM A FACTORY IN KO FAI ROAD, YAU TONG, ON MAY 19 AND A SERIES OF RAIDS IN FOUR DIFFERENT PLACES IN KOWLOON FOLLOWING THE SEIZURE.
+THESE SUCCESSES MADE LIFE HARD FOR THE ’PUSHERS’ BUT OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO INFILTRATE, HARASS AND BREAK UP THE TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS, AND GO ALL OUT TO APPREHEND DRUG CARRIERS ATTEMPTING TO BRING SUPPLIES INTO HONG KONG,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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LABOUR DEPARTMENT HANDLES AIR POLLUTION COMPLAINTS * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION HAS BEEN ABLE TO ENFORCE THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE AND ASSOCIATED REGULATIONS MORE EFFICIENTLY SINCE AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGISLATION WERE MADE IN JUNE LAST YEAR.
THE AMENDMENTS STREAMLINED INTERNAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND ELIMINATED AMBIGUITY IN THE LEGISLATION.
IN 1979, THE DIVISION INVESTIGATED A TOTAL OF 975 COMPLAINTS CF AIR POLLUTION AND REMEDIAL MEASURES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN.
OF THE COMPLAINTS, A GREAT PROPORTION WAS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WHILE SOME WERE REFERRED TO THE DIVISION BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. THE TARGETS OF THESE COMPLAINTS WERE MAINLY FACTORIES AND RESTAURANTS.
LAST YEAR THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ALMOST EQUALLED THE 974 IN 1978, BUT THERE WAS A 20 PER CENT INCREASE IN COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE INCREASE CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE RAPID NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE AT SHA TIN, TAI PO AND TUEN MUN.
IF A COMPLAINT IS SUBSTANTIATED, THE DIVISION NORMALLY GIVES ADVICE TO THE OFFENDER ON REMEDIAL MEASURES AND ONLY RESORTS TO PROSECUTION IN RESPECT OF PERSISTENT OFFENDERS.
LAST YEAR, 58 PERSISTENT OFFENDERS, MOSTLY FACTORIES AND RESTAURANTS OPERATORS, WERE PROSECUTED AND CONVICTED AND THEIR FINES RANGED FROM $200 TO $2 700. IN 1978 A TOTAL OF 50 OFFENDERS WERE PROSECUTED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE DIVISION PROCESSED 361 SETS OF PLANS FOR INSTALLATION OF OR ALTERATION TO FURNACES AND CHIMNEYS.
/IN APPROVING ..
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1980
3
IN APPROVING THE PLANS, THE DIVISION ENSURES THAT THE DESIGN CF A FURNACE OR A CHIMNEY IS UP TO THE CURRENT ANT I-POLLUTI ON STANDARDS.
OFFICERS OF THE DIVISION ARE SENT OVERSEAS TO ATTEND TRAINING COURSES OR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES TO KEEP THEM ABREAST WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL FIELD.
LAST YEAR, THE DIVISION'S HEAD, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICER CHUNG MOON-KUN, ATTENDED THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAN AIR POLLUTION ASSOCIATION IN CINCINNATI. THERE HE EXCHANGED VIEWS, INFORMATION AND WORKING EXPERIENCE WITH LEADING ANTI-POLLUTION EXPERTS.
IN THE SAME YEAR A SENIOR SMOKE INSPECTOR FROM THE DIVISION ATTENDED AN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING TRAINING COURSE IN JAPAN.
OFFICERS ARE ALSO SENT TO LOCAL UNIVERSITIES TO ACQUIRE FURTHER QUALIFICATIONS BENEFICIAL TO THEIR JOBS.
FOR EXAMPLE A SMOKE INSPECTOR IS NOW ATTENDING A MASTER DEGREE COURSE ON THERMAL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ON A PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE BASIS.
- - - - 0 ----
TAXPAYERS BE WARY OF IMPOSTERS
******
TAXPAYERS ARE URGED TO BE WARY OF IMPOSTERS CLAIMING TO BE OFFICERS OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY DISCLOSED THAT RECENTLY THERE WERE SEVERAL REPORTS OF SUCH IMPERSONATION.
+WE HAVE RECEIVED REPORTS THAT A MAN CLAIMING TO BE AN OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN APPROACHING BUSINESS FIRMS TO SOLICIT FUNDS ALLEGEDLY FOR THE PRINTING OF PUBLICATIONS OR FOR CHARITIES.
♦OBVIOUSLY THIS PERSON IS AN IMPOSTER BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT INSERT ANY ADVERTISEMENT IN THE INFORMATION PAMPHLETS IT ISSUES TO THE PUBLIC, NOR DOES IT SOLICIT FUNDS FOR CHARITIES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICERS, ACTING IN THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITY, DO CALL AT TAXPAYERS’ HOUSES OR PLACES OF BUSINESS TO MAKE OFFICIAL ENQUIRIES OR TO DELIVER CORRESPONDENCE SUCH AS URGENT DEMAND NOTES FOR UNPAID TAX.
HOWEVER, IN SUCH CASES, THESE OFFICERS ALWAYS CARRY A DEPARTMENTAL IDENTITY CARD OR A WRITTEN AUTHORISATION FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE.
MOREOVER, THESE OFFICERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RECEIVE CASH OR CHEQUES IN SETTLEMENT OF TAXES. PAYMENT OF CASH MUST BE MADE ONLY TO THE LISTED OFFICIAL REVENUE COLLECTION CENTRES SHOWN ON THE DEMAND NOTES.
THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON TAXPAYERS, WHO HAVE ANY DOUBT OF THE AUTHENTICITY AND INTENTION OF THEIR CALLER, TO CHECK WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S COMPLAINTS OFFICER (TEL NO 5-79595656) DURING OFFICE HOURS.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, I960
4
SNT OPENS SAILING CENTRE EXTENSION * X * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) HE HOPED THAT VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS WHICH NOW HAD THE USE OF THE TAI MEI TUK HEADLAND TO DEVELOP WATER SPORTS WOULD MAKE AN EARLY START +FOR WE MUST NOT WASTE THIS EXCEPTIONAL SITE.*
MR AKERS-JONES WAS OPENING THE EXTENSION OF HONG KONG SCHOOLS SAILING ASSOCIATION’S SAILING CENTRE AT TAI MEI TUK.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD MILES OF RUGGED COASTLINE AND WIDE STRETCHES OF WATER. UNTIL RECENTLY USE OF BOATS AND THE SEA FOR RECREATION WAS LARGELY RESTRICTED TO A FEW- NOW MORE AND MORE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HAD DISCOVERED THE PLEASURE OF SAILING AND CANOEING AND CENTRES SUCH AS THIS PROVIDED EXCELLENT FACILITIES FOR THEM.
DESCRIBING THE CENTRE AS +AN EXCITING PROSPECT*, MR AKERS-JONES SAID IN TIME TO COME HE HOPED THE WHOLE OF THE SHELTERED STRETCH OF WATER AND ITS ADJOINING COAST WOULD BE DEVELOPED FOR RECREATION AT SEA.
+ YOU WILL BE INTERESTED TO LEARN THAT PLANS ARE ALSO IN HAND FOR A SIMILAR SEA ACTIVITIES CENTRE NEXT DOOR TO OUR OTHER LARGE RESERVOIR AT HIGH ISLAND,* HE SAID.
HE SAID TO ENSURE FULL USE OF THE AREA THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE WAS ALREADY CONSTRUCTING A MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING FOR STORAGE OF BOATS AND CHANGING AND OTHER FACILITIES WITH AN ALLOCATION OF $1.5 MILLION FROM THE GOVERNOR’S SPECIAL FUND FOR RECREATION. A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAD ALSO BEEN FORMED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT.
THE ASSOCIATION’S CENTRE AT TAI MEI TUK WAS OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IN APRIL, 1976. AN EXTENSION WAS AGREED LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF RAPID GROWTH OF THE ASSOCIATION. FUNDS FOR THE $110 000 PROJECT WERE ALLOCATED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE EXTENSION, WHICH MR AKERS-JONES OPENED BY SAILING UNDER A RIBBON IN A DINGHY, HAS A LECTURE ROOM, A WORKSHOP, STORAGE SPACE AND A STAFF DORMITORY.
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/5
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1980
- 5
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS FETCH $462 600 FOR CHARITY
******
THIRTY SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $462 600, WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD IN THE LECTURE HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW REGISTRATION NUMBER CC 1 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $160 000.
NUMBER CB 1 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST 1 >RICE OF $85 000
WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1 000 EACH FOR EIGHT NUMBERS CB 3900,
CB 690, CB 1813, CB 5224, CB 7728, CB 8319, CB 7202, AND CB 7383.
THE OTHER REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT PR ICES: THE FOLLOWING
CA 88 $61 000 CC 1931 $5 500 CB 980 $2 200
CA 8 $31 000 CB 733 $5 000 CC 50 $20 000 CC 368 $4 700 CC 323 $16 500 CC 329 $4 500 CC 113 $12 500 CB 336 $3 800 CC 121 $11 000 CB 2822 $3 200 AA 107 $ 7 000 CB 299 $2 800 CC 133 $ 7 000 CC 285 $2 500 CB 998 $ 6 000 CB 1811 $2 200 CB 9928 »1 200
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 50TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED FOR CHARITY SO FAR TO $11 556 232.
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/6
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1983
6
ADVERTISING SPACES AVAILABLE AT HUNG HOM RAILWAY STATION ******
ADVERTISERS INTERESTED IN PROMOTING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AT A BUSY PUBLIC PLACE NOW HAVE THE CHANCE TO BID FOR SPACES AT THE HUNG HOM RAILWAY STATION.
THE LEASE OF ADVERTISING SPACES IS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS FROM MARCH 1, 1980, AND WILL BE RENEWABLE FOR A FURTHER THREE YEARS SUBJECT TO NEGOTIATIONS.
TENDERS FOR THESE ADVERTISING SPACES ARE BEING INVITED.
TENDER FORMS AND PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE KCR TRAFFIC DIVISION ON THE MEZZANINE FLOOR OF THE KOWLOON STATION BUILDING IN HUNG HOM.
TENDERS ADDRESSED TO THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE MAIN GATE OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, OIL STREET, NORTH POINT BEFORE 9 AM ON JANUARY 31 (THURSDAY).
+EACH TENDER MUST HAVE A RECEIPT SHOWING THAT $20 000 HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED AS PLEDGE OF ITS BONA FIDES, EITHER AT THE TREASURY REVENUE BRANCH, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), FIRST FLOOR, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG, OR AT SUBTREASURY OFFICES IN THE CAUSEWAY BAY, YAU MA TEI OR KOWLOON CITY,+ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
DEPOSITS WILL BE RETURNED TO UNSUCCESSFUL TENDERERS.
-----o------
MOTORISTS ADVISED NOT TO SEND
IN LICENCE RENEWAL APPLICATIONS BY POST
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ADVISED VEHICLE OWNERS AND DRIVERS NOT TO SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCE RENEWAL BY POST TO AVOID ANY DELAY DUE TO SUSPENSION OF SOME POSTAL SERVICES.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THOSE WHO HAD SENT IN THEIR LICENCE RENEWALS BY POST SHOULD NOW CONTACT THE HONG KONG OR KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICES ON TELEPHONE NUMBERS 5-259494 AND 3-317735 RESPECTIVELY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR COLLECTING THEIR LICENCES IN PERSON BECAUSE OF SUSPENSION OF RECORDED DELIVERY MAIL.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES MAY BE RENEWED AT ANY TIME DURING THE FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE EXPIRY DATE. IN BOTH CASES, THE NEW LICENCE WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM THE DATE OF EXPIRY.
+WE STRONGLY ADVISE OWNERS AND DRIVERS TO RENEW THEIR LICENCES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH. THIS WILL SAVE A LOT OF WAITING TIME COMPARED TO THOSE WHO RENEW THEIR LICENCES AT THE END OR BEGINNING OF THE MONTH,+ HE ADDED.
------ 0 ---- /7...................
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1980
7
NEW SERVICE RESERVOIR IN CHAI WAN
* * * * *
A NEW FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL BE BUILT IN CHAI WAN TO COPE WITH DEMAND FROM NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE RESERVOIR, LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHAI WAN HILL WILL HAVE A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 22 000 CUBIC METRES. IT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED WITH A REINFORCED CONCRETE DECKING.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----o------
SECTION OF CLEVERLY ST TO BE CLOSED
*****
CLEVERLY STREET BETWEEN WING LOK STREET AND BONHAM STRAND WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 21) TO FEBRUARY 4 FOR THE LAYING OF WATER MAINS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS GOING SOUTH ON CLEVERLY STREET MAY TURN RIGHT INTO WING LOK STREET WESTBOUND AND TURN LEFT AGAIN TO REJOIN BONHAM STRAND EASTBOUND.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP 10 GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/8
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1980
8
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST X * * X
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG DES VOEUX ROAD WEST NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH EASTERN STREET WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE-LANE ONLY BETWEEN 8 PM AND 5 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 21).
THE ARRANGEMENT, WHICH WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS, IS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEA-WATER MAINS.
DURING THIS PERIOD, MOTORISTS MAY USE QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AS AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS WILL BE IN OPERATION TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
_ _ 0 - -
SECTION OF CHI KIANG ST DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAY
X X X X X X
A SECTION OF CHI KIANG STREET BETWEEN TO KWA WAN ROAD AND YUK YAT STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AS AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM TUESDAY (JANUARY 22).
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS IN THE RESTRICTED ZONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 10 AM, AND BETWEEN 4 PM AND 7 PM DAILY.
WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM THE SAME DAY (TUESDAY), ANOTHER SECTION OF CHI KIANG STREET, EAST OF YUK YAT STREET, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT LICENSED DUMP TRUCKS OR AUTHORISED VEHICLES.
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
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NG.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT CHEUNG CHAU .................... 1
HK/EEC TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS ................................... 2
FIRST TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITE TO BE AUCTIONED............. 3
1980 EEC GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES ..................... 4
SECOND CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE TO OPEN SOON.............. 4
WATER BILLING SIMPLIFIED ................................... 5
FREE LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTER FOR THE PUBLIC................... 5
PARTY FOR OLD PEOPLE ....................................... 5
PUBLIC DUMP IN TO KWA WAN OPENS ON TUESDAY.................. 7
SALT WATER CUT IN EAST KOWLOON.............................. 7
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1980
1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT CHEUNG CHAU
X * * X
A FIRST EVER VISIT TO CHEUNG CHAU WILL BE PART OF THE PROGRAMME OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WHEN SHE SPENDS NINE DAYS IN HONG KONG NEXT MONTH.
THE PRINCESS AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY WILL RECEIVE A WARM WELCOME FROM THE ISLANDERS ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, THE FINAL DAY OF HER VISIT.
THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES.
THE PRINCESS IS DUE TO ARRIVE ON THE +LADY MAURINE+ AT CHEUNG CHAU PUBLIC PIER AND TO BE MET BY SEVERAL LOCAL DIGNITARIES. SHE WILL THEN WALK TO THE COUNTRY CLUB FOR LUNCH HOSTED BY MR AKERS-JONES.
ATTENDING THE LUNCH WILL BE A NUMBER OF PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ISLANDS DISTRICT COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF SEVERAL RURAL COMMITTEES, AS WELL AS OFFICIALS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A SOUVENIR TO MARK HER VISIT WILL BE PRESENTED TO PRINCESS ALEXANDRA BY THE CHAIRMAN OF CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE, MR KWONG PING-YAU.
AFTER LUNCH, THE PRINCESS WILL WALK ALONG TUNG WAN BEACH ROAD AND SOME OF THE ISLAND’S BUSY STREETS TO THE ANCIENT PAK TAI TEMPLE. AFTERWARDS, SHE WILL WALK BACK TO THE PIER TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ISLAND.
DESPITE ITS SMALLNESS - ONLY 228 HECTARES IN AREA - CHEUNG CHAU IS THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ISLANDS DISTRICT WITH 35 000 PEOPLE LIVING THERE.
SETTLEMENT BEGAN MANY CENTURIES AGO WITH THE ARRIVAL OF FISHING PEOPLE FROM THE CHINESE MAINLAND. THE ISLAND PROSPERED AS A HOME BASE FOR FISHING JUNKS UNTIL THE INTRODUCTION OF MECHANISED VESSELS.
WITH INCREASING URBANISATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS EMBARKED ON A $100 MILLION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR CHEUNG CHAU.
IN THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND 12 HECTARES OF LAND HAVE BEEN FORMED, HALF THROUGH RECLAMATION. ENGINEERING WORKS STARTED IN NOVEMBER, 1978, AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE MIDDLE OF 1981.
A HILL HAS BEEN REMOVED AND THE FILL USED FOR RECLAMATION ALONG THE EXISTING WATERFRONT.
ON THE RECLAIMED AREA A SITE WILL BE RESERVED FOR A SECOND FERRY PIER TO CATER FOR INCREASED WATERBORNE TRAFFIC. THERE WILL ALSO BE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AREAS AND SITES FOR BOATYARDS AND VILLAGE-TYPE HOUSING.
/SITES FOR ..
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1980
2
SITES FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE FOR 2 000 PEOPLE, AN INCINERATOR, AND A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT HAVE ALSO BEEN INCLUDED IN PLANS.
THE NEXT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN AREAS SOUTH OF THE FERRY PIER. THIS PACKAGE INVOLVES THE FORMATION OF FOUR HECTARES OF LAND FOR PRIVATE HOUSING, A MODERN FOUR-STOREY MARKET COMPLEX AND OPEN SPACE.
THERE ARE PLANS TO FORM ANOTHER 6.6 HECTARES OF LAND FURTHER SOUTH TO PROVIDE SITES FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND A GOVERNMENT SCHOOL.
WORK ON A TYPHOON SHELTER AT SAI WAN STARTED 18 MONTHS AGO. SUBMARINE WORK FOR THREE BREAKWATERS WAS COMPLETED LATE LAST YEAR AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE BREAKWATERS IS TO BEGIN SHORTLY. THE SHELTER WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE 1 000 VESSELS WHEN COMPLETED IN 1982. ♦
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ISLAND INCLUDE A SIX-STOREY HOTEL AND A LARGE PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PROJECT COMPRISING 48 BLOCKS OF SPANISH-TYPE HOUSES NEAR TUNG WAN BEACH.
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HK/EEC TEXTILE CONSULTATIONS
* * * X
A THREE-MAN EEC TEAM, LED BY MR HORST KRENZLER, HEAD OF THE DIVISION OF THE DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS OF THE COMMISSION, WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND ON TUESDAY WITH THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR WILLIAM DORWARD AND OTHER SENIOR TICD OFFICERS.
+OUR DISCUSSIONS WILL COVER A WIDE RANGE OF TEXTILE MATTERS,+ SAID MR DORWARD.
+THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR PETER TSAO WILL BE HOLDING CONSULTATIONS ON EXPORTS OF CATEGORY 79 (WOVEN SWIMWEAR) TO THE BENELUX AND SOME OTHER TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE AGREEMENT,+ HE SAID.
MR DORWARD RECALLED THAT THE ISSUE OF EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS OF CATEGORY 79 WAS SUSPENDED ON JANUARY 9, 1980.
THE EEC TEAM WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF VISITING TWO FACTORIES AND VIEWING SOME OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT DURING A HELICOPTER FLIGHT.
THEY WILL VISIT THE VACUUM PACKAGING COMPANY PREMISES OF TEXPORT TERMINALS (HK) LTD. AND THE TEXTILE GARMENT FACTORY OF REGALTEX MANUFACTURERS LTD., BOTH SITUATED IN KWAI CHUNG.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1980
- 3 -
FIRST TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITE TO BE AUCTIONED ft * ft * * *
THE FIRST TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITE WILL BE AUCTIONED ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 22).
THE SITE, MEASURING 1.068 HECTARES, IS LOCATED NEXT TO TUEN MUN HIGHWAY. THE PLOT RATIO IS 5 FOR DOMESTIC PREMISES AND AN ADDITIONAL 1.22 FOR NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES. IT HAS A BUILDING COVENANT OF $22 MILLION TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 56 MONTHS.
UNDER SALE CONDITIONS, THE PURCHASER WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT A FOUR-LEVEL PODIUM, WHICH WILL HAVE A RANGE OF FACILITIES INCLUDING OPEN ARCADES, TWO-WAY ESCALATORS, COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL ZONES, PARKING AND SERVICE AREAS, AN AIR-CONDITIONED COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL ZONE, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING AND A PEDESTRIAN WAY.
THERE WILL BE TWO DOUBLE AND ONE SINGLE CRUCIFORM RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS CONTAINING 1 128 FLATS.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT THE ST SIMON LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL, TUEN MUN, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
ANOTHER SIX TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITES ARE TO BE SOLD IN PACKAGE DEALS OVER THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS COMPRISING ALTOGETHER ABOUT FIVE HECTARES.
WHEN FULLY COMPLETED, THE TOWN CENTRE WILL HAVE A CIVIC AND CULTURAL CENTRE. FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE AN AUDITORIUM, A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, A LIBRARY, A POST OFFICE, A MAGISTRACY AND A BUS STATION.
A POLYCLINIC AND A PRIMARY SCHOOL WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE TOWN CENTRE. AN AREA ADJACENT TO THE TOWN CENTRE WILL BE DEVELOPED AS THE TOWN PARK.
IN THE TOWN CENTRE, THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF EIGHT DOUBLE AND SEVEN SINGLE CRUCIFORM RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS OF UP TO 29 STOREYS EACH. THESE WILL HOUSE 26 000 PEOPLE IN 5 000 UNITS.
THE TOWN CENTRE WILL PROVIDE A FOCAL POINT OF THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
TUEN MUN WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A MODERN, BALANCED AND SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITY OF 580 000 PEOPLE BY THE MID-1980S.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE AUCTION OF THE 1.068 HECTARE SITE AT TUEN MUN, ON WHICH THE FIRST PART OF THE NEW TOWN CENTRE IS TO BE BUILT. THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 22) AT THE ST SIMON LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL, TUEN MUN, STARTING AT 2.30 PM. PRESS TRANSPORT TO TUEN MUN WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 1.15 PM. THE CAR NOS ARE AM 2088 AND AM 3213.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1980
1980 EEC GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES ******
THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) DETAILS OF THE 1980 EEC GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES (GSP).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT SAID, +THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE 1980 EEC GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES IN THAT TARIFF PREFERENCES ARE NOW GRANTED TO A WIDE RANGE OF TEXTILE -PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM HONG KONG WHICH WERE HITHERTO EXCLUDED. THIS APART, THE PRODUCT COVERAGE AND ORIGIN CRITERIA OF THE 1980 ARRANGEMENTS REMAIN LARGELY THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE 1979 SCHEME.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN, FORM A, MAY NOW BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT TO COVER GOODS ENTERING INTO THE EEC ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1980.
COPIES OF THE CERTIFICATE OF PREFERENCE CIRCULAR NO 1/80 DATED JANUARY 17, 1980 ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE 1980 EEC SCHEME ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE RECEPTIONIST COUNTER OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, G/F, OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
SECOND CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE TO OPEN SOON * * * *
THE SECOND CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT CAREERS OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPLORE THE WORLD OF WORK WILL SOON BE SET UP BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE CENTRE, SITUATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY, IS SCHEDULED TO BE OPENED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, W HU FA-KONG ON FEBRUARY 1. IT IS AIMED AT CATERING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THOSE LIVING IN KOWLOON ARE CATERED FOR BY THE DEPARTMENT’S FIRST CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES. ‘
SINCE ITS OPENING IN SEPTEMBER 1978, THE FIRST CENTRE HAS BEEN FREQUENTLY USED BY YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING CAREERS INFORMATION. IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, IT ATTRACTED MORE THAN 9 000 VISITORS.
AS THE KOWLOON OFFICE, THE NEW CENTRE WILL PROVIDE CAREERS INFORMATION FREE OF CHARGE NOT ONLY TO YOUNG PEOPLE BUT TO PARENTS, TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHERS.
IT WILL BE COMPLETE WITH A VARIETY OF CAREERS FACILITIES AND VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO BROWSE THROUGH BOOKS ON CAREERS, VIEW SLIDES OF THEIR CHOICE AND LISTEN TO TAPE-RECORDINGS OF TALKS BY SPECIALISTS.
/THE CENTRE
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1980
5
THE CENTRE WILL ALSO FEATURE INFORMATIVE DISPLAY MATERIALS, NOTABLY CHARTS SHOWING TRAINING AVENUES AND THE COURSES YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE TO TAKE IN THE PURSUIT OF A CAREER.
APART FROM DISTRIBUTING ITS OWN CAREERS INFORMATION MATERIALS, SUCH AS NEWSLETTERS AND LEAFLETS, THE CENTRE WILL ASLO MAINTAIN A DISTRIBUTION SERVICE FOR CAREERS INFORMATION ON GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS.
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WATER BILLING SIMPLIFIED
*****
THE EXISTING FORM OF BILLING TRADE CONSUMERS OF WATER WILL BE SLIGHTLY MODIFIED FROM TUESDAY (JANUARY 22).
♦BILLS ISSUED TO TRADE CONSUMERS AFTER THIS DATE WILL BE ROUNDED DOWN TO THE NEAREST DOLLAR, LEAVING THE ODD CENTS TO BE CARRIED FORWARD TO THE NEXT BILL,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
♦AN EXCEPTION IS, OF COURSE, THE FINAL BILL AFTER WHICH THE CONSUMER’S WATER ACCOUNT IS CLOSED,* HE ADDED.
THE MODIFICATION WILL BE CONVENIENT TO BOTH CONSUMERS AND THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IN THE PAYMENT AND COLLECTION OF WATER CHARGES.
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FREE LUNAR NEW YEAR *
POSTER FOR THE PUBLIC * * *
A DECORATIVE FULL-COLOURED LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTER WILL BE GIVEN AWAY FREE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BY THE KEEP HONG KONG
CLEAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.
THIS GIVE-AWAY ITEM WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT ANY OF THE URBAN SERVICES DISTRICT OFFICES AS WELL AS CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.
IT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
THE POSTER FEATURES THREE CHINESE FIGURES REPRESENTING HAPPINESS, WEALTH AND LONGEVITY TOGETHER WITH A SYMBOLIC MONKEY DESIGN DENOTING THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY.
IT ALSO CARRIES A CHINESE COUPLET WHICH WHEN TRANSLATED MEANS:
+MAN CELEBRATES ANOTHER BIRTHDAY, AS HEAVEN BRINGS IN A NEW YEAR.*
/ +MAY EVERY .....
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1980
6
♦MAY EVERY HOME BE BLESSED AS SPRING FILLS THE AIR.+
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN SAID THE POSTER WAS OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC IN APPRECIATION OF THEIR SUPPORT TO THE CAMPAIGN DURING THE PAST YEAR.
HE ADDED THAT THE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE EXTENDED ITS FELICITATIONS THROUGH THE POSTER FOR A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS YEAR TO EVERY HOUSEHOLD.
THIS IS THE SECOND LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTER THAT THE COMMITTEE HAS PRODUCED. THE FIRST, PRINTED LAST YEAR FOR THE YEAR OF THE GOAT, PROVED EXTREMELY POPULAR.
PARTY FOR OLD PEOPLE
* * M *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR THOMAS LEE, TODAY (SUNDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED A MAMMOTH PARTY FOR HUNDREDS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT.
THE PARTY WAS ORGANISED BY THE SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION AS PART OF ITS ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY.
IN THE PARTY HELD AT THE LEE SHAU KEE COLLEGE IN KWAI CHUNG, THE OLD PEOPLE WERE ENTERTAINED TO A CANTONESE OPERA AND ENJOYED A VARIETY OF STALL GAMES.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR LEE SAID THE PARTY WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF CONTRIBUTION BY COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS TOWARDS BETTER CARE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF OUR OLD PEOPLE.
MR LEE SAID THEIR CONTRIBUTION WAS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO DEVELOP AND EXPAND VARIOUS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY OVER THE PAST YEARS.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS IN PROMOTING WELFARE SERVICES, EDUCATION, AS WELL AS RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1980
1
PUBLIC DUMP IN TO KWA WAN OPENS ON TUESDAY *****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT A PUBLIC EARTH DUMP ON TO KWA WAN RECLAMATION, SOUTH OF HOI SHAM PARK BETWEEN CHI KIANG STREET AND BAILEY STREET, WOULD BE OPEN FROM TUESDAY (JANUARY 22).
DUMPING MAY BE CARRIED OUT AT THE SITE BETWEEN 8 AM AND 6 PM DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ACCESS TO THE NEW DUMP WILL BE FROM CHI KIANG STREET AND VEHICLES LEAVING THE DUMP WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO YUK YAT STREET.
DUMPING LICENCES MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE ON APPLICATION TO THE CHIEF ENGINEER, DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION, PWD, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 14TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD.
HOLDERS OF VALID DUMPING LICENCE FOR PUBLIC DUMPS IN KOWLOON WILL BE PERMITTED TO DISCARD APPROVED SOFT EARTH, BUILDING DEBRIS AND CERTAIN SIZE OF STONES PROVIDED THEY ARE WELL MIXED WITH EARTH.
DUMPING MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DUMP SUPERVISORS.
THE PWD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL DUMPING LICENCES AT ANY TIME OR TO CLOSE THE DUMP WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
- - 0 -
SALT WATER CUT IN EAST KOWLOON * * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO MOST AREAS IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR SIX HOURS FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 23) FOR THE REPAIR OF WATER MAINS AT KWUN TONG SALT WATER PUMPING STATION.
ALL PREMISES IN SAN PO KONG, NGAU CHI WAN, JORDAN VALLEY, NGAU TAU KOK, SAU MAU PING, KWUN TONG AND LAM TIN WILL BE AFFECTED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DORWARD HOLDS TALKS WITH EEC TEAM ............................ 1
NEW BOOKLET ON TSUEN WAN...................................... 1
GOVERNOR DUE BACK CN WEDNESDAY............................... 2
DCA LEAVES FOR AIR SERVICES TALKS IN LONDON .................. 2
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR CONTROLLED TIP IN TUEN MUN............... 3
GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDIES IN UK ..................... A
HONG KONG REPRESENTED IN TRADE SEMINAR IN BANGKOK ............ 5
CONTRACT SIGNING FOR KCR DEPOT DEVELOPMENT ................... 5
COMPETITION TO PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH ......................... 6
OPENING OF NEW FMO SCHOOL .................................... 7
WATER CUT IN SHA TIN AND HUNG HOM ............................ 7
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1980
1
DORWARD HOLDS TALKS WITH EEC TEAM
* * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR WILLIAM DORWARD, AND THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR PETER TSAO TODAY (MONDAY) HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH AN EEC THREE-MEN TEAM LED EY MR HORST KRENZLER, HEAD OF THE DIVISION OF THE DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS OF THE COMMISSION.
+W'E HAD A GENERAL DISCUSS-ION ON TEXTILE MATTERS INCLUDING THE FUTURE OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) AND THE OUTCOME OF THE USA-HK CONSULTATIONS CONCLUDED LAST WEEK IN WASHINGTON,* SAID MR DORWARD.
+THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE HAD DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WITH THE EEC OFFICIALS ON MEASURES TO PREVENT QUOTA EVASION THROUGH TRANS-SHIPMENT EY THIRD COUNTRIES. A NUMBER OF MEASURES WERE AGREED TO STRENGTHEN PRESENT CONTROL,* HE SAID.
THE TWO SIDES ALSO DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING EXPORTS OF CATEGORY 79 (WOVEN SWIM-WEAR) TO THE BENELUX. THE DISCUSSIONS WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
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NEW BOOKLET ON TSUEN WAN ******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED A REVISED VERSION OF A BOOKLET ON TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
THE 52-PAGE FULL-COLOUR BOOKLET IS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG, AT $11 EACH.
THE PUBLICATION, AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE ONE PUBLISHED IN 1976. CONTAINS MANY NEW PHOTOGRAPHS (INCLUDING AERIAL PICTURES), TABLES. DIAGRAMS, AND MAPS. THE COVER SHOWS A NIGHT VIEW OF TSUEN WAN FROM THE FAST DEVELOPING TSI NG Yl ISLAND.
COMMENTING ON THE BOOKLET, MR JOHN DON, DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT SAID THAT IT PORTRAYED VIVIDLY THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE AT TSI NG Yl, KWAI CHUNG AND TSUEN WAN.
+MANY OF THESE WORKS ARE IN FULL SWING IN THE NEW AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT. NEW HOUSING ESTATES, COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES, AND RECREATIONAL AREAS, ARE FAST COMING UP.*
+THERE ARE ALREADY MORE THAN 600 000 PEOPLE IN THE NEW TOwN --MORE THAN HALF OF ITS ULTIMATE POPULATION OF 990 000,+ MR DON SAID.
+THE NEW BOOKLET WILL PROVIDE A VALUABLE VISUAL GUIDE TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS AS WELL AS TO VISITORS WHO MAY NOT HAVE THE TIME TO SEE PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, WHERE CONSTRUCTION IS TAKING PLACE AT A PACE UNRIVALLED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD.*
+THE BOOKLET IS ALSO INTENDED TO BE DISTRIBUTED OVERSEAS TO PROMOTE INVESTMENT INTEREST IN HONG KONG,* HE ADDED.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1980
2
NOTE TO EDITORS*
GOVERNOR DUE BACK ON WEDNESDAY * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AND LADY MACLEHOSE, WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 23) FROM ANNUAL LEAVE.
A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA. PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WISHING TO COVER THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL (ON FLIGHT BA 37, ETA 0840 HOURS) ARE ADVISED TO ASSEMBLE IN THE PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING AT LEAST 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL. GlS OFFICERS WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST THEM.
PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE ALSO ADVISED TO BRING THEIR IDENTITY CARDS OR PASSPORTS TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT’S RESTRICTED AREAS.
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DCA LEAVES FOR AIR SERVICES TALKS IN LONDON ******
THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR BRIAN KEEP, LEFT FOR LONDON THIS (MONDAY) EVENING TO REPRESENT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AT DISCUSSIONS AMONG THE BRITISH, THE UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN GOVERNMENTS OVER AIR SERVICES MATTERS.
MR KEEP WILL JOIN THE UK DELEGATES IN THEIR REVIEW WITH THE UNITED STATES AND THE CANADIAN NEGOTIATORS OF PROVISIONS IN THE RESPECTIVE STANDING BILATERAL AIR ACCORDS.
INFORMAL TALKS BETWEEN UK AND CANADIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE DUE TO TAKE PLACE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND THE UK/USA TALKS ARE SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 28.
IN ADDITION TO ATTENDING THESE TALKS, MR KEEP WILL ALSO TAKE PART AT THE RESUMED HEARING TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 25 AND 28 EY THE UNITED KINGDOM CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FROM CATHAY PACIFIC, BRITISH CALEDONIA AND LAKER AIRWAYS FOR RIGHTS TO OPERATE SERVICES ON THE HONG KONG/LONDON ROUTE.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
3
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR CONTROLLED TIP IN TUEN MUN *****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) rtl.ARDcD a CONTRACT FOR THE THIRD PHASE OF WORK AT THE SIU LANG SHU I CONTROLLED TIP OFF PILLAR POINT ROAD IN TUEN MUN.
THE CONTRACT, WORTH ABOUT 87.5 MILLION, WAS GIVEN TO ON LEE AND COMPANY.
IT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED THIS MORNING BY MR CHAN YAN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION OF THE PWD’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR.
WORK ON THE FIRST AND SECOND PHASES, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADWAY FROM PILLAR POINT TO SIU LANG SHU I HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
MR CHAN SAID, +IN THE THIRD PHASE, FILLING OF THE SI" LANG SHUI CONTROLLED TIP WILL CONTINUE TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.
♦WHEN THE TIP IS FILLED TO ITS DESIGNED CAPACITY BY SANITARY LANDFILL METHOD IN LATE 1982, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 2.4 HECTARES OF OPEN SPACE IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR RECREATIONAL AND AMENITY USES.
+SANITARY LANDFILL CONSISTS OF THE SPREADING OF REFUSE IN LAYERS, COVERING EACH LAYER WITH INERT EARTH AS TIPPING PROCEEDS, AND SEALING OFF ALL WORKING FACES AT THE CONCLUSION OF EACH DAY’S WORK TO OBVIATE NOXIOUS SMELLS, CONTROL VERMIN AND ELIMINATE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARDS,+ HE EXPLAINED.
COVERING MATERIAL FOR THE SIU LANG SHUI TIP WOULD BE OBTAINED FROM ON-SITE EXCAVATION WITHIN THE TIP BOUNDARIES AND FROM AN ADJACENT BORROW AREA WHERE ABOUT 9.2 HECTARE OF LAND WOULD BE FORMED FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, MR CHAN SAID.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY JULY 1981.
THE DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION OF PWD’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN OF THE WORK, WILL SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1989
4
GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDIES IN UK *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING A SCHOLARSHIP TO A HONG KONG RESIDENT TO UNDERTAKE STUDIES IN BRITAIN TO BECOME A FORESTRY OFFICER WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
ON COMPLETION OF THE ONE-YEAR STUDY COURSE, THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK FOR THREE YEARS IN THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT ASPECTS OF HONG KONG’S COUNTRY PARKS.
♦
THE CANDIDATE’S WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT WILL INVOLVE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT ASPECTS AND PREPARATION OF PARK PLANS- IMPLEMENTATION OF RECREATION, CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION PLANS- AND PROVISION AND MANAGEMENT OF RECREATION FACILITIES IN THE PARKS.
THE DUTIES WILL ALSO INCLUDE WOODLAND MANAGEMENT INCLUDING FIRE PROTECTION- WORKING WITH PARK RANGERS- LAW ENFORCEMENT-PUBLICITY- AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT OVER A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT VEGETATION TYPES.
THE SCHOLARSHIP IS OFFERED TO ANY PERSON, PREFERABLY UNDER 33 YEARS OF AGE, WHO WAS BORN IN HONG KONG OR A RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS AND WHO SHOULD POSSESS A BACHELOR DEGREE IN BIOLOGY, GEOGRAPHY OR ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE, TO BE CHOSEN BY AN INTERVIEW BOARD, WOULD SPEND SIX MONTHS WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO GAIN AN INSIGHT INTO THE PROFESSION BEFORE TRAVELLING OVERSEAS FOR STUDY.
THE SCHOLARSHIP INCLUDES RETURN AIRFARES, COURSE AND EXAMINATION FEES, TRAVELLING EXPENSES AND A MONTHLY SUBSISTENCE OF $2 250 FOR BOARD AND LODGING.
THE UNIVERSITY STUDY COURSE IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER 1980.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING DIVISION, 17TH FLOOR, WING ON CENTRE, 111 CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON FEBRUARY 13, 1980.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1980
5
HONG KONG REPRESENTED IN TRADE SEMINAR IN BANGKOK
*****
HONG KONG IS REPRESENTED AT A FOUR-DAY SEMINAR BEING HELD IN BANGKOK FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE REGION ON THE OUTCOME CF THE TOKYO-ROUND OF THE MULTI-LATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS (MTN).
TAKING PART IN THE DISCUSSIONS, WHICH ALSO COVER THE FUTURE OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) ARE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE (EXTERNAL AFFAIRS), MR K.Y. YEUNG AND THE SECOND SECRETARY AT THE HONG KONG OFFICE IN GENEVA, MR TIMOTHY TONG.
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR PETER TSAO LEAVES HONG KONG TOMORROW (JANUARY 22) TO SPEND ONE DAY AT THE SEMINAR, HE WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE PRESENCE OF LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES TO DISCUSS TEXTILE PROBLEMS COMMON TO THEM ALL.
- - 0 - -
NOTE TO EDITORS:
CONTRACT SIGNING FOR KCR DEPOT DEVELOPMENT
******
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL AWARD A MULTI-MlLLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PODIUM ABOVE THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY DEPOT AT HO TUNG LAU, SHA TIN.
THE CONTRACT WILL BE SIGNED IN THE GlS THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 5TH FLOOR AT 10.30 AM.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
OFFICERS OF THE PWD PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
- o - -
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1980
6 -
COMPETITION TO PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH
******
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO JOIN A HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION AIMED AT AROUSING THEIR INTEREST IN AND AWARENESS OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
THE THEMES FOR THE PROJECTS ARE A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, RECREATION AND HEALTH, AND CONTROL OF COMMON PESTS.
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
+IT IS HOPED THAT TEACHERS WILL MAKE USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF THEIR PUPILS TO FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, THE IMPORTANCE OF RECREATION IN PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH, AND THE PROPER CONTROL OF PESTS,+ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS MAY CHOOSE ANY ONE OF THE THEMES TO PRODUCE AN INTERESTING AND EYE-CATCHING DISPLAY IN A FLOOR AREA MEASURING THREE METRES SQUARE.
THE DISPLAY MAY INCLUDE PICTURES, PHOTOGRAPHS, MODELS, SPECIMENS, GRAPHS, CHARTS, FEATURE ARTICLES AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CAPTIONS MAY EITHER BE IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH, OR BOTH, HE SAID.
FIVE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED CASH PRIZES RANGING FROM $1 800 TO $700 TOGETHER WITH A TROPHY FOR EACH.
THERE WILL ALSO BE 10 MERIT PRIZES OF $500 EACH.
THE EXHIBIT WITH THE BEST ARTWORK DESIGN WILL ALSO BE AWARDED A TROPHY. A SOUVENIR PLAQUE WILL BE PRESENTED TO EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL.
SCHOOLS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMPETITION ARE REQUESTED TO SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1 TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR (HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 5TH FLOOR, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR (HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION) ON TELEPHONE 5-774001 EXT 33, OR THE SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR, HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ON TELEPHONE 5-279446.
JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN MARCH 21 AND 27, WHEN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO SET UP THE PROJECT ON THEIR SCHOOL PREMISES.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, A JOINT EXHIBITION OF THE PRIZE-WINNING PROJECTS WILL BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL FROM APRIL 27 TO 29.
THE THREE BEST PROJECTS WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY CENTRES OR SCHOOL HALLS AT A LATER DATE.
------0------- /7.......................
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1980
7
OPENING OF NEW FMO SCHOOL
*****
A NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN WILL BE OPENED AT AP LEI CHAU BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR TED NICHOLS ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 24).
THE NEW SCHOOL WILL BE OPERATED BY THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION.
PUPILS AT THE ABERDEEN FMO PRIMARY SCHOOL WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW PREMISES ON AP LEI CHAU WHILE THE EXISTING CLASSROOMS WILL BE USED BY STUDENTS ATTENDING THE FMO SECONDARY SCHOOL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE OPENING OF A NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN AT AP LEI CHAU ESTATE (WEST) AT 10.30 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 24).
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED LEAVING EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL DISTRICT AT 9.30 AM ON THURSDAY. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO USE THEIR OWN TRANSPORT ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT MR MARK PINKSTONE AT TEL: 3-688111 EXT 210 FOR A PERMIT TO USE THE PRIVATE ROAD ON AP LEI CHAU.
- - o -
WATER CUT IN SHA TIN AND HUNG HOM *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO MOST AREAS IN SHA TIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR 11 HOURS FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 24) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAIN WORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI PO ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROA?.
THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED ARE SHA TIN OLD TOWN, LEK YUEN ESTATE, WO CHE ESTATE, PAI TAU VILLAGE, SHEUNG WO CHE TSUEN, HA WO CHE >
TSUEN, FO TAN, SHA TIN RACE COURSE, LOK LO HA VILLAGE, SHA TIN \
SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
ALSO ON THURSDAY, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HUNG HOM WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR 10 HOURS FROM 9 PM TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WATER MAIN WORKS AT GILLIES AVENUE, WUHU STREET AND STATION LANE.
PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY STATION LANE, WUHU STREET, CHATHAM ROAD, AND MA TAU WAI ROAD, INCLUDING LO LUNG HANG STREcT, WALKER ROAD, GILLIES AVENUE, KUN YAM STREET, MARSH STREET AND TAKU STREET WILL BE AFFECTED.
_ _ o - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NC.
TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITE SOLD FOR DEVELOPMENT ............ 1
WILDLIFE THREATENED BY ILLEGAL HUNTING .................... 2
CONTRACT FOR KCR DEPOT DEVELOPMENT SIGNED ................. 3
TALKS BETWEEN HK AUD EEC ADJOURNED......................... 4
OPENING OF METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE GROUND STATION ........ 4
NEW FARE FOR MAXI CAB ROUTE TO THE PEAK ................... 5
NEW SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ................................ 5
WORKSHOPS ON ENGLISH LISTENING COMPREHENSION .............. 6
MORE JOIN CAS COMMUNITY SERVICE ........................... 6
SIX BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS .......................... 7
SALT WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG
8
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1980
1
TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITE SOLD FOR DEVELOPMENT *****
A 1.068 HECTARE SITE ON WHICH THE FIRST PART OF THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN CENTRE IS TO BE BUILT WAS SOLD FOR 1191 MILLION (117 868.80 PER SQUARE METRE) AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE PURCHASER WAS WALDORF REALTY LTD.
BIDDING OPENED AT 1150 MILLION AND THE FINAL FIGURE WAS REACHED IN JUST OVER 30 MINUTES.
THE AUCTION WAS CONDUCTED BY MR L.Y. LEUNG, SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR, TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE SITE AUCTIONED TODAY IS ONE OF SEVEN TOWN CENTRE SITES TO BE SOLD TO PRIVATE CONTRACTORS OVER THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS, ALTOGETHER MEASURING MORE THAN SIX HECTARES IN AREA.
THE SITE IS NEXT TO TUEN MUN HIGHWAY.
THE PLOT RATIO IS 5 FOR DOMESTIC PREMISES AND AN ADDITIONAL 1.22 FOR NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES. THE BUILDING COVENANT IS $22 MILLION TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 56 MONTHS.
SALE CONDITIONS REQUIRE THE PURCHASER TO PAY $5 MILLION FIRST AND THE BALANCE OF PREMIUM HAS TO BE PAID WITHIN ONE MONTH. HE IS REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT A FOUR-LEVEL PODIUM, WITH FACILITIES INCLUDING OPEN ARCADES, TWO-WAY ESCALATORS, COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL ZONES, PARKING AND SERVICE AREAS, AN AIR-CONDITIONED COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL ZONE, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING AND A PEDESTRIAN WAY.
TWO DOUBLE AND ONE SINGLE CRUCIFORM RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS CONTAINING 1 128 FLATS ARE TO BE CONSTRUCTED TO HOUSE ABOUT 5 500 PEOPLE.
THE TOWN CENTRE, WHEN IT IS FULLY COMPLETED, WILL HAVE A CIVIC AND CULTURAL CENTRE INCORPORATING AN AUDITORIUM, A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, A LIBRARY, A POST OFFICE, A MAGISTRACY AND A BUS STATION. IT WILL ALSO HAVE A POLYCLINIC AND A PRIMARY SCHOOL.
AN AREA NEXT TO THE TOWN CENTRE WILL BE DEVELOPED AS THE TOWN PARK.
A TOTAL OF EIGHT DOUBLE AND SEVEN SINGLE CRUCIFORM RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS OF UP TO 29 STOREYS EACH WILL BE BUILT TO HOUSE 26 000 PEOPLE IN 5 000 FLATS.
TUEN MUN HIGHWAY WILL RUN THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN CENTRE.
THE TOTAL POPULATION OF THE NEW TOWN IS EXPECTED TO BE 600 000 WHEN IT IS COMPLETED IN THE LATTER PART OF THE 1980S, OF WHOM 70 PER CENT WILL BE LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING.
------o-------
/2
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1980
2
WILDLIFE THREATENED BY ILLEGAL HUNTING
*****
HONG KONG’S DIMINISHING WILDLIFE IS UNDER CONSTANT PRESSURE FROM ILLEGAL HUNTING, A CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR K.C. IU SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THAT DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER SOME 63 BIRD NETS taERE SEIZED BY GAME WARDENS IN THE MAI PO MARSHES AND OTHER TRAPS WERE DISCOVERED AT TA KWU LING, TAI LAM CHUNG AND MA ON SHAN.
+THUS,* HE SAID, +THERE IS A CONTINUING NEED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT BY GAME WARDENS, PARK RANGERS AND OTHER AUTHORISED OFFICERS.*
MR IU MADE THE COMMENTS AT THE WEEKLY MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON EAST.
HE SAID THAT WHEN OUR PREDECESSORS ARRIVED HERE MORE THAN A THOUSAND YEARS AGO, THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS COVERED BY LUSH SUBTROPICAL RAIN FOREST ABOUNDING WITH ELEPHANTS, TIGERS, WILD RED DOGS AND A VARIETY OF LESSER KNOWN ANIMALS. IN THE RIVERS AND ALONG THE COASTS WERE DUGONGS AND CROCODILES.
♦THE EARLY PIONEERS DRAINED THE VALLEYS, FARMED PADDY, AND REARED PIGS AND CHICKENS. FOR FUEL, AND TO DISCOURAGE THE WILD BEASTS, THE HUGE FORESTS WERE GRADUALLY LOGGED AND BURNED.
+WITH THEIR NATURAL<HABITAIS.4)IMINISHING, THE WILDLIFE BEGAN TO DIE OUT. ELEPHANTS LAUKHDSUFFICIENT FOOD AND QUICKLY DISAPPEARED AS DID WOLVES AND MOST OF THE LEOPARDS AND TIGERS,* HE SAID.
MR IU ADDED THAT THESE WERE MOST PROBABLY FOLLOWED BY MONKEYS, SQUIRRELS AND A HOST OF OTHER ANIMALS.
BIRDS WERE ABLE TO ADAPT TO THEIR NEW SURROUNDINGS AND DURING THE PAST 50 YEARS MORE THAN 350 SPECIES OF BIRDS HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN THE WILD. OF THESE, ABOUT 70 SPECIES WERE RECORDED BREEDING IN THE TERRITORY. WILDLIFE WAS LEGALLY PROTECTED IN HONG KONG IN 1880 WHEN AN ORDINANCE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF BIRDS WAS ENACTED. IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS THERE WERE SEVERAL REVISIONS, RESULTING IN THE PRESENT LEGISLATION, THE WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION ORDINANCE 1976.
THIS ORDINANCE PROTECTS ALL BIRDS, MONKEYS, PANGOLINS, PORCUPINES, SQUIRRELS, CIVET CATS, LEOPARD CATS, BARKING DEER, DOLPHINS, WHALES, PORPOISES, TURTLES, TERRAPINS, TORTOISES AND BURMESE PYTHONS. THE MAI PO MARSHES AND THE EGRET COLONY AT YIM TSO HA (NEAR SHA TAU KOK) ARE ALSO PROTECTED AREAS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
MR IU SAID THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE ENACTED IN 1976 ALSO CONTROLLED HUNTING, AND BY THE TIME THE COUNTRY PARKS DESIGNATION PROGRAMME WAS COMPLETED IN 1979, THE COMBINED EFFECT OF THESE TWO ORDINANCES WAS TO LEAVE FEW AREAS IN WHICH LICENSED HUNTING COULD BE CARRIED OUT.
/♦AND EVEN
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1980
3
♦AND EVEN THESE AREAS ARE HEAVILY USED BY THE PUBLIC, COMPARED WITH 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO WHEN FEW PEOPLE EVER WENT TO THE COUNTRYSIDE, APART FROM THE LOCAL VILLAGERS,♦ SAID MR IU.
MR IU SPOKE ON THE NEED FOR PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE IN REGARD TO THE BALANCE OF NATURE AND POINTED OUT THAT INDISCRIMINATE/ ERADICATION OF SOME BIRDS COULD RESULT IN AN OUTBREAK OF INSECT PESTS, WHICH IN TURN COULD CAUSE THE FAILURE OF CROPS.
♦NOT ALL OF US MAY HAVE THE SAME INTEREST IN THE OBSERVATION OF WILDLIFE, OR IN TRADING WILD ANIMALS AND THEIR PRODUCTS, BUT WE ALL HAVE ONE INESCAPABLE RESPONSIBILITY — TO CONSERVE WILDLIFE BECAUSE IT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR OWN LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM,♦ HE TOLD THE ROTARIANS.
------0-------
CONTRACT FOR KCR DEPOT DEVELOPMENT SIGNED * M * M
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) AWARDED A CONTRACT, WORTH MORE THAN 178 MILLION, TO PAUL Y CONSTRUCTION CO LTD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PODIUM ABOVE THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY DEPOT AT HO TUNG LAU, SHA TIN.
THE AGREEMENT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED BETWEEN MR WONG MANG-KI, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT CIVIL ENGINEER OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AND MR GEORGE C. TSO, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT, SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1982, INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PODIUM DECK OF ABOUT 2.7 HECTARES AND ITS SUPPORTING COLUMNS, AN ADJOINING ELEVATED ROAD AS WELL AS PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE TO THE RACECOURSE BUS TERMINUS.
MR WONG SAIDi +TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HO TUNG LAU KCR DEPOT WHICH WILL BE BENEATH THE PODIUM, HAVE ALREADY BEEN INVITED AND WORK WILL ALSO START SHORTLY.
♦THE WORK WILL INCLUDE SITE FORMATION, TRACK-LAYING, ANCILLARY ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL WORKS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LARGE MAINTENANCE SHED AND OFF ICES.♦
UPON COMPLETION, HE SAID, THE DEPOT WOULD PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING OF THE NEW ELECTRIC ROLLING STOCKS.
ON THE PODIUM DEVELOPMENT ABOVE THE KCR DEPOT, MR WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD APPROVED THAT THE UPPER LEVELS OF THE PODIUM BE DEVELOPED INTO A LARGE-SCALE, SELF-CONTAINED RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL COMPLEX OVERLOOKING THE RACECOURSE.
♦UNDER THE PRESENT PLAN BY THE PRIVATE DEVELOPER ABOUT NINE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS WILL BE BUILT ABOVE THE PODIUM, PROVIDING HOUSING FOR ABOUT 13 000 PEOPLE,♦ HE SAID.
THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE PODIUM HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, WHO WILL ALSO SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION. IN THEIR CAPACITY AS SUB-CONSULTANTS TO TRANSMARK, WHO ARE ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT ON THE MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KCR.
------0---- /4....
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1980
- 4 -
TALKS BETWEEN HK AND EEC TEAM ADJOURNED
*****
INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AN EEC DELEGATION WERE ADJOURNED TODAY (TUESDAY).
A TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BOTH SIDES HAD A USEFUL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES INCLUDING EXPORT OF CATEGORY 79 (WOVEN SWIMWEAR) TO THE BENELUX.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FORMAL CONSULTATIONS ON CATEGORY 79 EXPORT TO THE BENELUX WILL BE HELD IN BRUSSELS IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
LATER IN THE MORNING LEADER OF THE EEC TEAM, MR HORST KRENZLER, HEAD OF THE DIVISION OF THE EEC’S DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS VISITED TWO FACTORIES IN KWAI CHUNG.
HE TOURED THE VACUUM PACKAGING PLANT OF TEXPORT TERMINAL (HONG KONG) LIMITED WHOSE SERVICES AT THE MOMENT ARE USED MAINLY BY EXPORTERS OF TEXTILE GOODS FROM HONG KONG TO UK, USA AND AUSTRALIA.
MR KRENZLER ALSO VISITED REGALTEX MANUFACTURE LIMITED, A GARMENT FACTORY WHICH PRODUCES RAINCOATS, JACKETS, CARCOATS, SLACKS, SKIRTS, LADY DRESSES AND SUITS FOR THE WEST GERMANY AND UNITED STATES MARKETS.
IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1979, THE TOTAL VALUE OF HONG KONG’S CLOTHING EXPORTS TO THE EEC WAS $6 870 MILLION, REPRESENTING 38 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL GARMENT EXPORTS IN THIS PERIOD.
-----0-------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
OPENING OF METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE GROUND STATION * * * * *
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHEN SHOU-LUM WILL OFFICIATE AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE NEW GEOSTATIONARY METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE GROUND RECEIVING STATION AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 24).
THE DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY. MR GORDON BELL WILL ALSO ATTEND THE CEREMONY AND ADDRESS THE GATHERING. AMONG THE GUESTS WILL BE THE JAPANESE CONSUL GENERAL, MR SUMIO EDAMURA AND THE CANADIAN COMMISSIONER, MR W.T. WARDEN.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY AT 4.45 PM ON THURSDAY AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS, IN TSIM SHA TSUI. ENTRY TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY CAN BE GAINED VIA AN ACCESS ROAD ADJACENT TO ST ANDREW’S CHURCH IN NATHAN ROAD.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, I960
5
NEW FARE FOR MAXICAB ROUTE TO THE PEAK *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE FARE FOR MAX ICAB ROUTE NO 1 OPERATING BETWEEN CENTRAL DISTRICT (HMS TAMAR) AND THE PEAK WOULD BE INCREASED FROM FEBRUARY 1.
THE NEW FARE FOR A SINGLE JOURNEY WILL BE RAISED FROM Si TO $1.50 AND THE SECTIONAL FARE WILL BE ABOLISHED.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE INCREASE FOR MAX I CAB ROUTE NO 1 HAD ACTUALLY BEEN APPROVED OVER A YEAR AGO WHEN FARES FOR SEVERAL MAXICAB ROUTES WERE ANNOUNCED BUT THE OPERATOR OF ROUTE NO 1 CHOSE THEN NOT TO EFFECT THE INCREASE.
HOWEVER, DUE TO RISING OPERATING COSTS AND FUEL PRICES THE OPERATOR HAS NOW APPLIED FOR THE INCREASE TO COME INTO EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 1.
NOTICES ADVISING PASSENGERS OF THE NEW FARES IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH WILL BE POSTED AT THE TERMINALS OF THE ROUTE.
------o-------
NOTE TO ED ITORSt
NEW SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL AWARD A MULT I-MILL ION-DOLLAR CONTRACT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHEK WU HUI SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
THE CONTRACT WILL BE SIGNED AT THE TAI PO AND FANLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IN SHA TIN AT 11 AM TOMORROW.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO USE THIS FACILITY ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE OPEN CAR PARK OUTSIDE THE RECEPTION OFFICE, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, NOT LATER THAN 10 AM.
AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY, OFFICERS OF THE TAI PO AND FANLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH. OFFICERS OF THE PWD’S PUBLICITY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
-------o----------
I /€>......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1980
6
WORKSHOPS ON ENGLISH LISTENING COMPREHENSION *****
FOUR WORKSHOPS ON THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH LISTENING COMPREHENSION HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR TEACHERS OF SENIOR CLASSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE WORKSHOPS. ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, WILL BE HELD DURING FEBRUARY AND MARCH.
EACH WORKSHOP WILL CONSIST OF THREE MEETINGS WHICH INCLUDE TALKS AND DEMONSTRATIONS.
♦PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO DESIGN A LISTENING COMPREHENSION EXERCISE SUITABLE FOR USE IN THEIR OWN CLASSES,♦ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE SAID.
THE FIRST AND SECOND WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD AT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE AT 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG, WHILE THE TWO OTHERS WILL BE HELD AT THE KOWLOON CENTRE AT 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD.
THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS FOR EACH WORKSHOP WILL BE LIMITED TO 20 AND HEADS OF SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO LIST THE NAMES OF THEIR TEACHERS WISHING TO ATTEND IN ORDER OF PRIORITY.
A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE AWARDED TO THOSE WHO HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED A WORKSHOP.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, ENGLISH TEACHING CENTRE, TEL 5-482537.
-----o - - - -
MORE JOIN CAS COMMUNITY SERVICE
*****
ABOUT 150 YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO JOIN THE CIVIL AID SERVICES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WILL COMPLETE THEIR BASIC TRAINING THIS WEEK.
A PASSING OUT PARADE TO MARK THE OCCASION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS COMPOUND AT 8 PM THIS FRIDAY (JANUARY 25).
MR CHEN SHOU-LUM, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AND PRESENT SPECIAL CERTIFICATES TO THE MOST OUTSTANDING RECRUITS.
HE WILL ALSO PRESENT CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO NINE CAS MEMBERS WHO EACH HAVE HAD 15 YEARS OF EFFICIENT SERVICE AND CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE CLASPS TO NINE OTHERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR BEST TO THE SERVICE IN THE LAST 27 YEARS.
THE CAS BAND WILL PROVIDE MUSIC FOR THE CEREMONY.
/THE recruits ...
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1980
7
THE RECRUITS HAVE RECEIVED BASIC INSTRUCTIONS IN FOOT FIRST AID AND CIVIL DEFENCE, AND WILL BE POSTED TO VARIOUS FOR FURTHER OPERATIONAL TRAINING AND ACTIVE DUTY.
DR ILL, CAS UNITS
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO OUT PARADE OF THE CIVIL
SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE
PASSING
........... ~ - AID SERVICES’ RECRUITS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS COMPOUND, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 8 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 25).
-----0------
SIX BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS
* * * X
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED TWO BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND FOUR BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON TO BE IN DANGEROUS CONDITION.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS WERE POSTED ON THE BUILDINGS TODAY. THE BUILDINGS ARE:
NOS 33 AND 35 MORRISON HILL ROAD, HONG KONG ISLAND
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDING AUTHORITY SAID THAT THESE TWO THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS WERE FIRST INSPECTED LAST AUGUST FOLLOWING A CEILING COLLAPSE AND HAD SINCE BEEN KEPT UNDER REGULAR OBSERVATION.
THE BUILDINGS ARE GENERALLY VERY DILAPIDATED. THE LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS ARE IN POOR CONDITION AND THE STRUCTURAL TIMBERS BADLY DECAYED.
♦ AS THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK OF FURTHER COLLAPSE, IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILD INGS,♦ HE SAID.
NOS 119 AND 121 TAI NAN STREET, KOWLOON
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THESE TWO THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS HAD BEEN UNDER CONTINUOUS SURVEILLANCE SINCE 1971.
♦ THEY ARE EXTREMELY DILAPIDATED WITH MANY AREAS OF BADLY ERODED BRICKWORK AND SEVERELY DECAYED REINFORCED CONCRETE,♦ HE SAID.
♦ IN VIEW OF THE RISK TO THE OCCUPANTS, IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILD INGS.♦ HE ADDED.
/Np_5P_SOUTH.....
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1980
8
NO 50 SOUTH WALL ROAD, KOWLOON
THIS THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING WAS FIRST SURVEYED IN 1971 AND WAS RECENTLY RE-INSPECTED FOLLOWING A REPORT THAT CRACKS WERE APPEARING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE INSPECTION SHOWED THAT SERIOUS SETTLEMENT WAS OCCURRING WITHIN THE LOAD-BEARING WALLS AND THAT THE BUILDING WAS GENERALLY VERY DILAPIDATED.
♦AS THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE, IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THE BUILD ING,♦ HE SAID.
REAR OF NOS 41 AND 41A OAK STREET, KOWLOON
THE SINGLE-STOREY POWER SUB-STATION ON KIL 10372 AT THE REAR OF NOS 41 AND 41A OAK STREET WAS INSPECTED FOLLOWING A REPORT THAT SERIOUS CRACKS HAD APPEARED.
♦THE BUILDING WAS FOUND TO BE IN DANGER OF COLLAPSING INTO THE REAR LANE AND ACCORDINGLY MUST BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.♦ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
APPLICATION FOR CLOSURE OF THE SUB-STATION WILL BE HEARD IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON JANUARY 31, AND THE OTHER BUILDINGS AT 9.30 AM ON FEBRUARY 25.
-----0------
SALT WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG * * ft * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR 24 (JANUARY 25) TO 10 AM THE FOLLOWING KWOK SHU I ROAD.
OF AREAS IN KWAI CHUNG HOURS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY DAY FOR WATER MAIN WORK AT
THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED ARE KWAI CHUNG, HA KWAI CHUNG SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG AND KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL. ’
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2}, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BRITISH TRADE SECRETARY ARRIVES ON SATURDAY ................. 1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO SPEND A MORNING WITH DISABLED CHILDREN ..................................... 2
KOREAN FIRM WINS SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS CONTRACT.......... J
VETERAN RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER RETIRING................. 4
SWD HEADQUARTERS TO MOVE TO WORLD TRADE CENTRE................ 4
WINNERS SELECTED IN VEGETABLE GARDENING COMPETITION .................................................. 5
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1980
1
BRITISH TRADE SECRETARY ARRIVES ON SATURDAY ******
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, THE RT HON JOHN NOTT, MP WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 26) FOR A FIVE-DAY VISIT FOLLOWING VISITS TO JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA.
ONE OF THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF HIS TOUR OF THE FAR EAST, AS ANNOUNCED IN BRITAIN, IS TO EXPLORE FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE EXCHANGE OF TECHNOLOGY.
DURING HIS STAY HERE, MR NOTT WILL HAVE TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER. HE WILL ALSO MEET bEMBERS OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE TEXTILES AND TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARDS, UMELCO MEMBERS, AS WELL AS LEADING BRITISH BUSINESSMEN IN HONG KONG.
HE WILL ATTEND A LUNCHEON WITH MEMBERS OF THE HK GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND WILL MAKE A PUBLIC SPEECH.
MR NOTT WILL ALSO INSPECT THE NEW POWER STATION DEVELOPMENT AT TAP SHEK KOK, AND TAKE A RIDE ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TO KOWLOON BAY DEPOT WHERE HE WILL MEET MEMBERS OF THE MTRC BOARD. THE PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDES A VISIT TO AN ELECTRONICS FACTORY.
BOTH THE MTR AND THE NEW POWER STATION PROJECTS HAVE HAD IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION FROM BRITISH INDUSTRIAL FIRMS AND THEIR TECHNICAL EXPERTS.
MR NOTT HAD PREVIOUSLY VISITED HONG KONG WITH TWO OTHER CONSERVATIVE MPS IN SEPTEMBER 1977 AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, THE RT HON JOHN NOTT, MP WILL ARRIVE AT KAI TAK ON FLIGHT KE617 FROM SEOUL, ETA 11.50 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 26). HE WILL BE MET BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE. PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT. THEY SHOULD BE IN THE PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE FLIGHT. BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE NEXT WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 30) AFTERNOON, MR NOTT IS EXPECTED TO GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE AIRPORT.
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/2......
1
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1980 2 -
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO SPEND A MORNING WITH DISABLED CHILDREN ******
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL SPEND A MORNING WITH PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WHEN SHE VISITS THE LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE IN POKFULAM ON FEBRUARY 11.
DURING THE VISIT, THE PRINCESS WILL TOUR THE CENTRE AND INSPECT VARIOUS FACILITIES THERE WHICH ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO INTEGRATE THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY.
SHE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY LADY MACLEHOSE WHO OPENED THE ULTRA MODERN CENTRE LAST APRIL IN HER CAPACITY AS PATRON OF THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION.
THE CENTRE, BUILT ON A 2 800 SQUARE METRES SITE IN POKFULAM RESERVOIR ROAD, IS OPERATED BY THE PHAB ASSOCIATION WITH SUBVENTIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
IT IS OPEN TO BOTH DISABLED AND ABLE-BODIED GROUPS WITH THE AIM OF INTEGRATING THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED BY PROVIDING THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO MIX WITH ORDINARY PEOPLE.
IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH JOINT PARTICIPATION, THE DISABLED WILL THINK LESS ABOUT THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, GAIN MORE CONFIDENCE AND ENJOY A FULLER LIFE WHILST AT THE SAME TIME ABLE-BODIED PERSONS WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNISE THE ABILITY OF THE DISABLED.
FACILITIES AT THE CENTRE INCLUDE A PURPOSE-BUILT SWIMMING POOL FOR THE HANDICAPPED, AN ARCHERY RANGE, A BASKETBALL COURT, AND A HORSE RIDING AREA WITH A PUBLIC RIDING SCHOOL MANAGED BY THE JOCKEY CLUB.
THE CENTRE ALSO CONTAINS A HALL SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED TO PARTICIPATE WITH ABLE-BODIED PERSONS IN VARIOUS BALL GAMES, FOLK DANCE AND GYMNASTICS* A PLAY AREA- AN OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURT- A DORMITORY FOR 100 PEOPLE AND A DINING HALL.
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/3
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1980
— 3 -KOREAN FIRM WINS SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS CONTRACT ft * * * ft
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AWARDED THE MAIN CONTRACT FOR THE NEW SHEK WU HUI SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO OKPO CONS AUCTION AND ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED OF SOUTH KOREA.
THE CONTRACT, WORTH MORE THAN $70 MILLION, IS FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS OF PHASE ONE OF THE PROJECT AND IS THE FIRST MAJOR CONTRACT OF THIS NATURE AWARDED BY THE PWD TO A KOREAN CONTRACTOR.
IT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED THIS MORNING BY MR GEORGE CHIEN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE TAI PO AND FANLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF PWD AND MR R.H. HONG OF THE COMPANY.
SPEAKING AFTER THE CEREMONY, MR CHIEN SAID THAT THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS FORMED PART OF THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT BEING UNDERTAKEN IN FANLING AND SHEK WU HUI.
PHASE ONE OF THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF 11 CONTRACTS - ONE FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS AND THE REMAINING 10 FOR ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL WORKS.
SO FAR, FIVE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO BRITISH. AUSTRALIAN, JAPANESE AND DUTCH MANUFACTURERS AND THE REMAINING FIVE WILL BE LET IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.
TODAY’S CONTRACT COVERS AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMPING STATION, INLET WORKS, PRIMARY SEDIMENTATION TANKS, AERATION TANKS, FINAL SETTLING TANKS, SLUDGE DIGESTION AND HOLDING TANKS, A SLUDGE PRESS HOUSE, AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND ASSOCIATED ROADWORKS.
MR CHIEN SAIDi +THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS WILL BE BUILT ON A SITE OF ABOUT 10 HECTARES IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO AND INCORPORATING THE EXISTING SHEK WU HUI PILOT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
♦PHASE ONE OF THE TREATMENT WORKS WILL SERVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 127 000 TOGETHER WITH THE ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES IN THE NEW DEVELOPMENT, AND WILL TREAT SEWAGE BROUGHT BY A NEW SYSTEM OF SEWERS AND PUMPING STATIONS FROM THE URBAN AREAS OF FANLING AND SHEK WU HUI.+
THE LATEST METHODS OF SEWAGE TREATMENT, MR CHIEN ADDED, WOULD BE INCORPORATED IN THE WORKS AND WOULD ENABLE THE PRODUCTION OF A HIGH STANDARD OF EFFLUENT.
PART OF THE WORKS WILL BE OPERATIONAL BY JANUARY 1982, TO PROVIDE A TREATMENT FACILITY FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN THE AREA NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND WORK ON THE WHOLE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MAY 1982.
THE WORK HAS 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 OF PWD.
_ _ _ _ 0 - - - - /i* ....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1980 - 4 -
VETERAN RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER RETIRING
* * * *
PRINCIPAL RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER OF RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (RSS), MISS BETTY MAIR IS RETIRING AFTER 20 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE GOVERNMENT.
AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR KENNETH TOPLEY PRESENTED A RETIREMENT GIFT TO MISS MAIR ON BEHALF OF HER COLLEAGUES.
MISS MAIR FIRST JOINED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS A MISTRESS AND WAS LATER TRANSFERRED TO THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION.
SHE WAS PROMOTED TO EDUCATION OFFICER IN 1968. HER POST WAS RETITLED SENIOR INSPECTOR IN 1973. SHE BECAME A PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR IN 1974 AND WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER (ADMINISTRATOR) FOUR YEARS LATER.
SHE HAS BEEN HEADING THE RSS SINCE IT WAS FORMED IN 1974, AND MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION IN PROMOTING SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
. . • . 0 •---
SWD HEADQUARTERS TO MOVE TO WORLD TRADE CENTRE ******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS WILL MOVE OVER THE WEEKEND FROM LEE GARDENS TO THE 19TH AND 20TH FLOORS OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE AT 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEPARTMENTAL HEADQUARTERS INCLUDES BRANCHES OF ADMINISTRATION, OPERATIONS, DEVELOPMENT, SUBVENTION AND SOCIAL SECURITY.
THE ENQUIRY COUNTER WILL BE ON THE 19TH FLOOR (TEL: 5-761088).
TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR MOST OFFICERS AT THE HEADQUARTERS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
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t
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1980 5 -
WINNERS SELECTED IN VEGETABLE GARDENING COMPETITION
******
TAI PO GOVERNMENT PRIMARY PM SCHOOL HAS BEEN AWARDED THE OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT A VEGETABLE PLANTING COMPETITION.
THE FIRST RUNNER-UP IS HENNESSY ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY AM SCHOOL AND THE ISLAND ROAD GOVERNMENT PM SCHOOL CAME THIRD.
THE WINNERS WERE SELECTED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY A PANEL OF JJDGES HEADED BY MR C.S. PAO, HORTICULTURIST OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FROM AMONG 16 GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHICH TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION.
THEY WERE LATER PRESENTED WITH PRIZES BY MRS RUBY LAU, PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (PRIMARY) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND PUPILS FROM THESE SCHOOLS ALSO ATTENDED TODAY’S JUDGING AND PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY AT THE DEPARTMENT’S TEACHING CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
THE COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE PRIMARY SCIENCE SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE. PUPILS TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION GREW TOMATO, SWEETPEA AND BROCCOLI IN POTS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF TEACHERS.
ALL THE ENTRIES ARE ON DISPLAY AT THE TEACHING CENTRE TODAY <
AND TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRUE HONG KONG STYLE TO TACKLE OUR PRGRT.K1.1S
SAYS SIR JACK ........
.................................. 1
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1979 ........... 4
ROYAL OBSERVATORY ACQUIRES SATELLITE RECEIVING STATION ..................................... 6
T1O HORE JUIiBC JET PIERS AT AIRPORT .................. 7
NEW SCHOOL FOR FISHERMEN'S CHILDREN ................... g
CHIEF SECRETARY OPENS NEW HOME FOR LANGUAGE CENTRE ....................................... g
CUSTOMS SERVICE OFFICERS COMMENDED ..................... 9
STUDENTS URGED TO JOIN FLOWER ARRANGEMENT COMPETITION .......................................... 10
TEMPORARY CLOSURE CF EDINBURGH PLACE EaST ............. 10
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1980
1
TRUE HONG KONG STYLE TO TACKLE OUR PROBLEMS SAYS SIR JACK *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER SAYS ALL GOVERNMENT PLANNING, WHETHER IN TERMS OF LAND PRODUCTION, HOUSING, SOCIAL SERVICES, HAS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED OR OUR SUDDEN, STARTLING, POPULATION INCREASE IN 1979.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TONIGHT, SIR JACK SAIDi ♦UNFORESEEN, UNPLANNED FOR THOUGH THAT INCREASE WAS, WE ARE NEVERTHELESS TACKLING OUR PROBLEMS IN TRUE HONG KONG STYLE.+
♦IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMED WITH PEOPLE AND AS USUAL, HONG KONG WILL NO DOUBT MAKE SOME EXTRA BOOTSTRAPS, PICK ITSELF UP BY THEM AND CARRY ON TO THE VERY BEST OF ITS ABILITY.♦
SIR JACK SAID THOUGH WE MAY WELL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE RESULTS OF THE 1981 CENSUS BEFORE GETTING A REASONABLY ACCURATE COUNT OF OUR POPULATION, THE 'GUESS ESTIMATE’ WAS THAT AT THE END OF 1979, 70 000 LEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND 110 000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAD ARRIVED DURING THE YEAR FROM CHINA APART FROM THE 50 000 BOAT REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM PRESENTLY HERE.
NET MIGRATION IN RESPECT OF COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA SHOWED A SMALL LOSS OF SOME 2 000, LEAVING A BALANCE OF NET MIGRATION INTO HONG KONG OF ABOUT 178 000. EXCLUDING THE TRANSIENT 50 000 VIETNAMESE BOAT REFUGEES, HONG KONG IS STILL LEFT WITH A POPULATION GROWTH RATE OF 5.2 PER CENT LAST YEAR WHICH IS A LOT MORE THAN THE 1.2 PER CENT NATURAL GROWTH RATE.
STARTING WITH THE BASE OF A PRESENT FIVE MILLION POPULATION WHICH SIR JACK DESCRIBED AS ADMITTEDLY MODEST AND IT COULD WELL BE AT LEAST 5.5 MILLION, HE SAID 1986 WOULD SEE HONG KONG’S POPULATION STANDING AT AROUND 6.5 MILLION AND BY 1991 NEARLY EIGHT MILLION.
♦IN TERMS OF ONE ASPECT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (BASED ON THOSE THEORETICAL FIGURES) BY THE YEAR 1986 WE SHOULD NEED TO HAVE SOME SEVEN MORE HOSPITALS OF THE CAPACITY OF PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL THAN WE ARE AT PRESENT PLANNING FOR.
ON PUBLIC HOUSING NEED, HE SAID A FURTHER 30 000 FLATS A YEAR WOULD BE REQUIRED ON TOP OF THE CURRENT PRODUCTION RATE OF 35 000 FLATS A YEAR - THE HIGHEST RATE WE HAVE EVER ACHIEVED.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT TO HOUSE AN EXTRA 1.4 MILLION PEOPLE BY 1986 ACCORDING TO THE PROJECTION, WE WOULD NEED THREE MORE TOWNS.
ON LEGAL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, SIR JACK SAID AS A RESULT OF VARIOUS MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT, THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE LEGAL OUTFLOW FROM CHINA FROM ABOUT 300 A DAY IN DECEMBER TO ABOUT 150 A DAY AT PRESENT. AND FOLLOWING MEASURES INTRODUCED BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES THIS MONTH, THERE HAS BEEN A WELCOME DECREASE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION TOO. SO FAR THIS MONTH THE AVERAGE DAILY ARRESTS HAVE NUMBERED 137.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1980
2.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH IN THE FIRST WEEK OF THIS MONTH, DAILY ARRESTS WERE ENCOURAGINGLY LOW, IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE J NOT THE FIGURES OF DECEMBER, BUT NEVERTHELESS RATHER WORRYING.
TURNING TO THE ECONOMY, SIR JACK SAID 1979 PROVED TO BE ANOTHER YEAR OF RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH AND THE LATEST GDP FORECAST SUGGESTED THAT THE GROWTH RATE WOULD BE 10 PER CENT OR MORE FOR THE FOURTH YEAR RUNNING. HE DESCRIBED IT AS A +QUITE REMARKABLE RECORD* WHICH WAS ACHIEVED AGAINST A MUCH MORE STABLE BACKGROUND THAN HONG KONG EXPERIENCED IN 1978.
REVIEWING 1979, HE SAID MUCH OF HONG KONG’S INFLATION IN THE YEAR WAS IMPORTEDi +INCREASES IN WORLD OIL PRICES, WHICH AFFECT OUR LIVES NOT JUST THROUGH INCREASED COSTS IN OIL-BASED FUELS AND THE GAS AND ELECTRICITY DERIVED FROM THEM, BUT ALSO OUR IMPORTS AND THE TRANSPORT COST OF ALL GOODS, VERY FEW ASPECTS OF OUR DAILY LIVES, INDEED, ARE NOT AFFECTED,* HE SAID.
HE SAID WHILE THERE WAS LITTLE THE GOVERNMENT COULD DO TO CUSHION HONG KONG AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF RISES IN WORLD PRICES GENERALLY, WE WERE ONLY TOO WELL AWARE DURING LAST YEAR, THAT, IN SPITE OF THE ECONOMY’S MOVE TOWARDS GREATER STABILITY, THERE WAS STILL AN UNACCEPTABLY HIGH LEVEL OF DOMESTICALLY-GENERATED INFLATION.
THIS WAS PARTICULARLY TRUE OF ONE IMPORTANT SECTOR 1 THE PROPERTY MARKET. HE SAID 1979 SAW PRICES OF FLATS ESCALATING TO DIZZY NEW HEIGHTS AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF UNREASONABLE LEVELS OF RENT-INCREASE BEING ASKED BY LANDLORDS.
AS A RESULT THE GOVERNMENT LAST MONTH DECIDED TO EXTEND RENT-INCREASE CONTROL TO ALL DOMESTIC TENANCIES AND SCHEMES ARE PRESENTLY BEING CONSIDERED TO CURB SPECULATION ON UNCOMPLETED FLATS.
HE SAID THESE MEASURES WHILE STILL ONLY PROPOSALS AND YET TO BE FULLY DEBATED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HAD ALREADY HAD A CALMING EFFECT ON THE DOMESTIC PROPERTY MARKET.
SIR JACK SAID RENT-INCREASE CONTROLS COULD NOT OF THEMSELVES BE THE ANSWER: THE ONLY ANSWER TO A SHORTAGE OF HOUSING WAS THE BUILDING OF MORE HOUSING.
+WE RECOGNISE, AND ACCEPT, THAT WHAT IS NEEDED IS A PACKAGE - A PACKAGE TO INCLUDE NOT JUST ACTION IN RESPECT OF THE PROPERTY MARKET, BUT ALSO AN INCREASE IN THE PRODUCTION OF FORMED LAND, A CONTINUING HIGH RATE OF PRODUCTION OF HOUSING FOR RENT AND AN EXPANDED HOME-OWNERSHIP SCHEME.*
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ENVISAGED THAT THERE WOULD BE A MARKED INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF LAND MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR PRIVATE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, IN ADDITION TO A GOOD PERCENTAGE OF PRIVATE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE GOVERNMENT’S TARGET IS TO BRING UP PRODUCTION TO AT LEAST 400 HECTARES OF SERVICED LAND EACH YEAR FOR ALL PURPOSES BY 1982/83 AND IT IS HOPED TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST THIS RATE OF PRODUCTION THEREAFTER.
/TURNING TO ...
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1980
3
TURNING TO THE CONSTRAINING EFFECT OF PROTECTIONISM ON OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH, SIR JACK SAID IN 1961 ONLY ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF OUR TEXTILES AND CLOTHING EXPORTS WERE COVERED BY BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH OUR TRADING PARTNERS. THIS PROPORTION HAS NOW INCREASED TO ABOUT 60 PER CENT AND +AT PRESENT, MOST UNHAPPILY, THE TENDENCY IS FOR THIS PROGRESSIVE SHIFT TOWARDS PROTECTIONISM TO CONTINUE.
♦WHILE WE SHALL OF COURSE RESIST ITS APPLICATION TO HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH AS MUCH DETERMINATION AS EVER, PROTECTIONISM REMAINS A VERY REAL THREAT TO OUR WELL-BEING,♦ HE SAID.
HE SAID DUE TO THE SLACKENING IN THE PACE OF GROWTH OF OUR EXPORT SECTION RESULTING FROM PROTECTIONISM, OUR ECONOMY MUST DIVERSIFY TO A MUCH GREATER EXTENT THAN IT HAS SO FAR, IN UKUtR THAT WE MAY CONTINUE TO PROSPER.
THE GOVERNMENT IS INTENSIVELY CONSIDERING RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION AND WILL SHORTLY BE SEEKING THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THEM.
ON THE SUGGESTION THAT THE AVAILABILITY OF IMMIGRANT SEMI-SKILLED AND UNSKILLED WORKERS AT THE PRESENT TIME HAS ASSISTED OUR ECONOMY TO EXPAND, AND THAT IT HAS HELPED LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS BY HAVING A SOBERING EFFECT ON THE SO-CALLED ^UNREASONABLE* WAGE DEMANDS, SIR JACK SAID NO ONE COULD DENY THESE CLAIMS BECAUSE THE LATEST INFLUX OF PEOPLE CAME AT A TIME WHEN OUR LABOUR MARKET WAS TIGHT AND IT HAD BEEN POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE MOST OF THEM WITH EMPLOYMENT.
BUT HE SAID WHEN OUR ECONOMY WAS FLOURISHING, IT WAS ALL TOO EASY TO FORGET THE UNHAPPY TIMES OF 1973 AND ‘74 WHEN THE SITUATION WAS FAR FROM ROSY.
♦IT IS, ALSO, PERHAPS, CONVENIENT TO OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT HONG KONG’S WORKERS RESPONDED MAGNIFICENTLY AT THAT TIME BY TIGHTENING THEIR BELTS AND SHARING THE WORK THAT WAS AVAILABLE.
♦THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO A FAIR SHARE OF OUR PROSPERITY: AND ESPECIALLY SHOULD THIS BE SEEN TO BE THE CASE WHEN - AS NOW -WE ARE PROSPERING AS A COMMUNITY.+
SIR JACK SAID IF THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF SKILLED AND SEMI-SKILLED LABOUR, SURELY THE ANSWER WAS IN IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY. HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE TO RELY ON INDUSTRY AS OUR MAJOR SOURCE OF WEALTH, +SURELY WE MUST NOT ONLY DIVERSIFY, BUT MOVE FURTHER UP THE SCALE OF INDUSTRIAL SOPHISTICATION: SURELY, THEN WE NEED IMPROVED AND EXPANDED VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.
♦THE WAY AHEAD LIES IN FURTHER AND CONTINUING INVESTMENT IN OUR ONLY NATURAL RESOURCE - PEOPLE,+ HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1980
4
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1979 ******
THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN DECEMBER 1979 SHOW THAT THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THAT MONTH WAS $7 493 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AT $5 602 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS AT $1 891 MILLION.
WITH IMPORTS AT $8 328 MILLION, THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT FOR DECEMBER WAS $835'MILL ION.
THESE FIGURES WERE PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
FOR THE YEAR 1979 AS A WHOLE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS $75 949 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $55 925 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $20 024 MILLION. WITH IMPORTS AT $85 852 MILLION, THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT FOR 1979 WAS $9 903 MILLION.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT FOR 1979 AS A WHOLE SHOWED TWO SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS OVER THAT FOR 1978.
FIRST, THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS AT 41 PER CENT WAS SIGNIFICANTLY FASTER THAN THAT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS AT 36 PER CENT. THIS WAS THE REVERSE OF THE WORRYING TREND APPARENT IN 1978 WHEN THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS AT 29 PER CENT HAD BEEN VERY MUCH FASTER THAN THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL EXPORTS AT 20 PER CENT.
SECONDLY, THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP, THAT IS THE EXTENT TO WHICH IMPORTS WERE NOT PAID FOR BY EXPORTS, NARROWED TO 11.5 PER CENT IN 1979 FROM 14.5 PER CENT IN 1978.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE IMPROVING TREND IN THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT DURING 1979 WAS EVEN MORE MARKED. IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1979 THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT WAS LARGER THAN IN THE CORRESPONDING HALF OF 1978. IN THE SECOND HALF, IT WAS LESS THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1978. ’
THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT FOR 1979 AT $9 903 MILLION
IS ABOUT $2 000 MILLION LESS THAN THE FIGURE FORECAST AT THE BEGINNING OF 1979, THUS CONFIRMING THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW THAT THE ECONOMY WAS ADJUSTING FAVOURABLY.
THE FOLLOWING ARE COMPARATIVE FOR DECEMBERx
MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
OCT-DEC 1979
$ MN.
16 245
OCT-DEC 1978
$ MN.
11 953
INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. %
+ 4 292 +35.9
/RE-EXPORTS.....
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1980
5
RE-EXPORTS 5 688 3 873 + 1 816 +46.9
TOTAL EXPORTS 21 933 15 825 + 6 108 +38.6
IMPORTS 24 832 18 958 + 5 875 +31.0
TRADE BALANCE -2 899 -3 133 + 234
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR DECEMBER 1979 DECEMBER 1978 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. 3 MN. S MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 5 602 (74.8%) 4 305 (77.9%) + 1 297 +30.1
RE-EXPORTS 1 891 1 218 + 673 ♦55.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 7 493 5 524 + 1 970 +35.7
IMPORTS 8 328 6 809 + 1 519 +22.3
TRADE BALANCE - 835 -1 285 ♦ 450
LAST MONTH DECEMBER 1979 NOVEMBER 1979 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 5 602 (74.8%) 5 337 (72.7%) + 265 *5.0
RE-EXPORTS 1 891 2 002 - Ill -5.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 7 493 7 339 + 155 +2.1
IMPORTS 8 328 8 232 + 96 ♦1.2
TRADE BALANCE - 835 - 893 + 58
LAST 12 MONTHS JAN-DEC 1979 JAN-DEC 1978 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 55 925 (73.6%) 40 711 (75.5%) +15 214 ♦37.4
RE-EXPORTS 20 024 13 197 + 6 827 +51.7
TOTAL EXPORTS 75 949 53 908 +22 041 +40.9
IMPORTS 85 852 63 056 +22 796 ♦36.2
TRADE BALANCE -9 903 - 9 148 - 755
• 0 /6
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1980
6
ROYAL OBSERVATORY ACQUIRES SATELLITE RECEIVING STATION ******
A NEW GEOSTATIONARY METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE RECEIVING STATION AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS WAS OPENED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY MR CHEN SHOU-LUM, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE STATION IS PART OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S ON-GOING PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE HONG KONG’S WEATHER AND TYPHOON WARNING SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
IT WILL BE REGULARLY RECEIVING CLOUD IMAGERY INFORMATION FROM THE GEOSTATIONARY METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE (GMS) WHICH WAS LAUNCHED BY JAPAN IN JULY 1977.
THE JAPANESE WEATHER SATELLITE, NOW STATIONARY AT 35 800 KILOMETRES ABOVE THE EQUATOR AT LONGITUDE 140 DEGREE EAST, CONTINUOUSLY MONITORS THE WEATHER CONDITIONS OVER SOUTHEAST ASIA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN AND THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND TRANSMITS CLOUD PICTURES TO GROUND RECEIVING STATIONS EIGHT TIMES A DAY.
WITH THE SATELLITE INFORMATION RECEIVED BY THE NEW STATION THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW IN DETAIL THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE WEATHER SYSTEMS AND THE FORMATION AND MOVEMENT OF TROPICAL CYCLONES AFFECTING HONG KONG.
THE MOST NOTABLE FEATURE OF THE RECEIVING EQUIPMENT IS A FIVE-METRE DIAMETER DISH-SHAPE ANTENNA ERECTED WITHIN THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY COMPOUND IN TSIM SHA TSUI. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A NETWORK OF RECEIVERS, DEDICATED MICRO-PROCESSORS, IMAGE PROCESSING AND DATA DISSEMINATING DEVICES.
THE EQUIPMENT RECEIVES CLOUD IMAGERY INFORMATION FROM THE SATELLITE AND REPRODUCES THE INFORMATION IN BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS. IT CAN ALSO DISPLAY THE INFORMATION ON A VIDEO COLOUR MONITOR.
ALSO A SEQUENCE OF CONSECUTIVE SATELLITE PICTURES CAN BE DISPLAYED IN AN ANIMATED FASHION ON A TELEVISION SCREEN FOR OBSERVING THE MOVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF WEATHER SYSTEMS DURING THE PRECEDING 24 TO 48 HOURS. THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY IS EXTREMELY USEFUL FOR TRACKING TROPICAL CYCLONES. IT IS PLANNED THAT ANIMATED SATELLITE PICTURES WILL BE SUPPLIED TO THE SPACE MUSEUM FOR VIEWING BY THE PUBLIC.
SINCE THE EARLY 196OS, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HAS BEEN MONITORING WEATHER SATELLITE TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES POLAR ORBITING SATELLITES WHICH PROVIDE CLOUD PICTURES ONLY TWICE A DAY WHEN THEY PASS OVER HONG KONG. THE JAPANESE SATELLITE, BEING STATIONARY, PROVIDES MORE FREQUENT PICTURES.
ALTHOUGH THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WAS AMONG THE FIRST FEW ORGANISATIONS IN THE WORLD TO RECEIVE SATELLITE PICTURES,PREVIOUS EQUIPMENT WAS MAINLY HOME MADE. THIS IS THE FIRST COMPLETE SATELLITE SYSTEM TO BE PURCHASED AND TOGETHER WITH ITS COMPUTER COST Sl.Q MILLION.
INDONESIA NOW OPERATES A SYSTEM BY THE SAME MANUFACTURER COSTING ABOUT TWICE AS MUCH, AS IT HAS THE ADDITIONAL FACILITY TO FOLLOW ORBITING SATELLITES. MALAYSIA WILL OPERATE A SIMILAR SYSTEM TO INDONESIA LATER THIS YEAR. OTHER METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES IN THC REGION INCLUDING THOSE IN TAIWAN AND THE PHILIPPINES ARE IN TH-PROCESS OF OBTAINING SIMILAR ADVANCED EQUIPMENT.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1980
7
TWO MORE JUMBO JET PIERS AT AIRPORT
******
♦TWO NEW PARKING BAYS WITH PIERS AND AEROBRIDGES WILL COME INTO OPERATION WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO ACCOMMODATE WIDE-BODIED AIRCRAFT CALLING AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.*
THESE AIRCRAFT PARKING BAYS ARE ALONGSIDE THE SIX EXISTING INNER BAYS AND THE NEW PIERS ARE MADE AVAILABLE BY EXTENDING THE LINE OF EXISTING PASSENGER BOARDING PIERS WESTWARD BY ABOUT 120 bETRES.
THESE WILL BRING TO EIGHT, THE NUMBER OF INNER AIRCRAFT PARKING BAYS WITH PIERS AND AEROBRIDGES AT KAI TAK. IN ADDITION
THERE ARE 24 OUTER BAYS.
AN ASSOCIATED BUS DOCK FOR TRANSFER VEHICLES TO FERRY PASSENGERS BETWEEN AN AIRCRAFT AT AN OUTER BAY AND THE PASSENGER TERMINAL WILL ALSO BE BROUGHT INTO USE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT SAID THAT PASSENGERS WOULD FIND IT MORE CONVENIENT TO BOARD OR DISEMBARK AIRCRAFT AT THESE NEW INNER BAYS BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO TRAVEL ANY GREAT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE AIRCRAFT AND THE TERMINAL BY VEHICLE.
+FROM MANAGEMENT POINT OF VIEW, IT IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE TO PROVIDE MORE INNER BAYS FOR WIDE-BODIED JETS TO ENHANCE AIRPORT OPERATION EFFICIENCY.
+SUCH AIRCRAFT CARRY OVER 300 PASSENGERS EACH AND IT WOULD TAKE TIME IF THE PASSENGERS HAVE TO USE AN AIRPORT COACH TO GO TO OR FROM THE PLANE SIDE FOR BOARDING OR DISEMBARKATION,* HE EXPLAINED.
THE NEW PARKING BAYS AND PIERS WERE BUILT UNDER THE AIRPORT’S LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
EARLIER THIS MONTH, LARGE EXTENSIONS ON BOTH THE DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS LEVELS TOGETHER WITH A THIRD BAGGAGE RECLAIM UNIT AND A GROUP BAGGAGE CONVEYING SYSTEM WERE BROUGHT INTO USE UNDER THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
o -------
/8
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1980
8
NEW SCHOOL FOR FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN *****
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR TED NICHOLS, PERFORMED HIS LAST OFFICIAL CEREMONY TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN HE OPENED THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION SCHOOL IN AP LEI CHAU.
WITH THE ADDITION OF THE NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL, THE FMO IS NOW CATERING FOR MORE THAN 7 000 PLACES, PARTICULARLY BIASED TOWARDS SERVING THE NEEDS OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY, MR NICHOLS SAID AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
+1 FEEL THAT THE TEACHING STAFF MUST TAKE NO SMALL PRIDE IN HAVING SUCH EXCELLENT FACILITIES AT THEIR DISPOSAL AND I AM CERTAIN THAT THE STUDENTS WHO ATTEND THE SCHOOL WILL CONSIDER THEMSELVES FORTUNATE IN BEING ABLE TO WORK AND LEARN IN SUCH SURROUNDINGS,* HE SAID.
THE NEW SCHOOL, THE FOURTEENTH OPERATED BY THE ORGANISATION, CONSISTS OF 24 CLASSROOMS AND THREE SPECIAL ROOMS FOR WOODWORK, DOMESTIC SCIENCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES.
THE NEED FOR THE SCHOOL CAME ABOUT IN 1978 WHEN THE ABERDEEN FMO SECONDARY SCHOOL EMBARKED UPON A PROGRAMME OF CONVERSION INTO A FIVE-YEAR SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL. THIS ENTAILED TAKING OVER THE CLASSROOMS USED BY THE PRIMARY SCHOOL AND TRANSFERRING THE 453 PRIMARY PUPILS TO THE NEW SCHOOL AT AP LEI CHAU ESTATE.
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO FIND PLACES IN ABERDEEN FOR ABOUT 40 PUPILS WHO COULD NOT TRANSFER TO THE AP LEI CHAU SCHOOL.
MR NICHOLS SAIDt +PERHAPS IT IS SIGNIFICANT THAT MY LAST OFFICIAL FUNCTION AS DIRECTOR HAS COMMITTED ME TO THIS OPENING CEREMONY, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF MY PAST AND PRESENT INTERESTS IN THE FMO SCHOOLS, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF TODAY’S CEREMONY FOR THE COMING GENERATIONS OF OUR FISHING INDUSTRY, WHICH I BELIEVE HAS A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE.*
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/9
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1980
9
CHIEF SECRETARY OPENS NEW HOME FOR LANGUAGE CENTRE ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER TODAY (THURSDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED A NEW HOME FOR THE CHINESE LANGUAGE CENTRE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE $1.5 MILLION CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE NEW FONG SHU CHUEN BUILDING WAS DONATED ENTIRELY BY THE FONG FOOK TONG FOUNDATION.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, SIR JACK SAID THE CHINESE LANGUAGE CENTRE WAS FOUNDED IN 1963 UNDER THE JOINT AUSPICES OF THE NEW ASIA COLLEGE AND THE YALE-CHINA ASSOCIATION AND HAD BEEN PART CF THE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1974.
+STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, RANGING FROM ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TO TRAINED SINOLOGISTS WHO WISH TO IMPROVE THEIR SPOKEN CHINESE OR LEARN A CHINESE DIALECT ARE ADMITTED FOR TRAINING SUITABLE TO THEIR NEEDS AND ABILITIES,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THE MOVE OF THE CENTRE INTO A NEW BUILDING WITH MORE SPACE AND BETTER FACILITIES, THE STANDING THAT THE CENTRE HAD ESTABLISHED IN ACADEMIC CIRCLES OVER THE YEARS, AND THE FACT THAT LANGUAGE WAS THE BASIC MEDIUM OF COMMUNICATION WOULD ENSURE ITS CONTINUED ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN EASTERN AND WESTERN PEOPLE.
- - 0 - -
CUSTOMS SERVICE OFFICERS COMMENDED ft ft ft ft
SEVEN OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE WERE TODAY (THURSDAY) COMMENDED BY THEIR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, MR WALTER NEIL FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A NUMBER OF DRUG SEIZURES AND IN DETECTING REVENUE EVASION.
MR NEIL, RECENTLY APPOINTED ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE SERVICE AFTER MR ROY HATTON’S RETIREMENT, PRESENTED COMMENDATIONS TO THE OFFICERS AND PRAISED THEM FOR THEIR INITIATIVE, EFFICIENCY AND HIGH STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL SKILL.
CUSTOMS INSPECTOR WONG MAN-MING, CUSTOMS OFFICERS WU HOK-MING AND CHAU CHUNG-PING OF AIRPORT INVESTIGATION SECTION WERE COMMENDED FOR THEIR PART IN THE SEIZURE OF 4.5 KILOGRAMS OF HEROIN ON DECEMBER 12 LAST YEAR FROM A DRUG COURIER FROM BANGKOK.
THE WORK OF CUSTOMS INSPECTOR CHAN LAM IN AUGUST LAST YEAR LED TO THE DISCOVERY THAT CONSIGNMENTS OF A BRAND OF SPARKLING WINE WERE BEING IMPROPERLY DECLARED AS STILL WINE. ABOUT $35 760 IN REVENUE COULD HAVE BEEN LOST. HE WAS AWARDED A COMMENDATION FOR HIS DETECTION, WHICH RESULTED IN LEGAL ACTION TAKEN AGAINST A LIQUOR IMPORTER.
/WHILE ON
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1980
10
WHILE ON BAGGAGE EXAMINATION DUTIES AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ON SEPTEMBER 27 LAST YEAR, SENIOR CUSTOMS OFFICER TO KAM-WING FOUND 890 GRAMS OF HEROIN INGENIOUSLY CONCEALED IN THE LINING OF A HANDBAG OF A WOMAN PASSENGER FROM BANGKOK.
ALSO COMMENDED TODAY WERE CUSTOMS OFFICERS CHAN KAM-CHUEN AND THAM KOW-CHYE, WHOSE WORK IN APRIL’ LAST YEAR SUCCESSFULLY LED TO THE SEIZURE OF 27 KILOGRAMS OF HEROIN.
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STUDENTS URGED TO JOIN FLOWER ARRANGEMENT COMPETITION
X- * M- * M- *
STUDENTS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE ARE URGED TO TAKE PART IN A FLORAL ART COMPETITION IN THE COMING URBAN COUNCIL 1980 FLOWER SHOW.
IN MAKING THE CALL, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: +THIS COMPETITION PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES VISUALLY THROUGH A LESS FAMILIAR MEDIUM.*
THE COMPETITION WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 20 IN THE CITY HALL.
IT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO CLASSES, ONE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS OLD, AND THE OTHER FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN 12 AND 16. A NOMINAL FEE OF $1 IS REQUIRED FOR EACH ENTRY. THE CLOSING DATE IS FEBRUARY 29.
EACH ENTRANT WILL BE ISSUED WITH A BADGE WHICH GIVES FREE ADMISSION TO THE EXHIBITION AT SPECIFIED TIMES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENTRY FORMS AND DETAILS OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES FROM NEXT MONDAY (JANUARY 28):
M GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG
X CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES
X KOWLOON PARK OFFICE, HAIPHONG ROAD, KOWLOON
* CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,
4 PAK FUK ROAD, HONG KONG
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST
* X X X X X
PART OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST IN FRONT OF QUEEN’S PIER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 26) FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM FOR THE REHEARSAL OF THIS YEAR’S HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.
THE AREA WILL BE CLOSED AGAIN FROM 5 PM ON FEBRUARY 2 TILL MIDNIGHT ON FEBRUARY 3 FOR THE GALA OPENING OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL.
DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE ON FEBRUARY 3, THE NEARBY MAX I CAB STAND WILL BE RESITED TO LAMBETH WALK.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN — SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5 233191
Thursday, January 24, 1980.
CHI3F SEC32TA?Y ATTENDS GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL DINNER ♦ * *
The following is the speech by the Chief Secretary, Sir Jack Cater, at the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce annual dinner on Thursday, January 24, 1980.
In your speech, Mr Chairman, you said how happy you and the members of the Chamber were that Sir Murray’s term of office had again been extended, I am sure these sentiments are shared by the community generally and I shall certainly pass on to him the good wishes you have expressed tonight.
A year ago, the main problem facing our economy was ’’overheating” -a consequence of three years of very rapid economic growth following the recessionary period of 1974 and 1975«
Government took various measures to counter this, mainly by slowing down the rate of growth of Government spending, particularly in the building and construction industries; and of influencing the behaviour of the monetary aggregates.
/I suspect ......
2
I suspect that in his next budget, the Financial Secretary will say that overall the economy performed well in 1979; and that while some of the major problems we faced last year are still with us, that others have largely disappeared.
For example, 1979 proved to be another year of rapid economic growth. The latest GDP forecast suggests that for the fourth year running, the growth rate of our economy was 10 per cent or more. Tbie is quite a remarkable record, and was achieved against a much more stable background than we experienced in 1978.
However, there are, as we are all well aware, a number of worrisome spectres on the scene as we enter the Eighties and you, Mr Chairman, have referred to some of them. Under the broad headings of ’’Inflation, Immigration and Protectionism” I propose to consider further some aspects of our problems of the future. I shall also have something to say later about Labour-Management relations.
•An inflationary situation is worrying and unsettling. For Hong Kong in 1979 much of our inflation was imported: the obvious consequence, for example, of the substantial increases in world oil prices, which affect our lives not just through increased costs in oil-based fuels and the gas and electricity derived from them, but also our imports and the transport costs of al 1 goods. Very few aspects of our daily lives, indeed, are not affected.
/However, .....
3
However, while there is little the Government can do to cushion Hong Kong against the effects of rises in world prices generally, we were only too well aware during last year that, in spite of the economy’s move towards greater stability, there was still an unacceptably high level of domestically-generated inflation. This was particularly true of one important sector: the property market.
1979 saw prices of flats escalating to dizzy new heights and there was evidence of unreasonable levels of rent-increase being asked by landlords. As you all know, last month Government decided to extend rent-incease control to domestic tenancies not previously covered, and schemes are presently being considered to curb speculation on uncompleted flats. I am told that, these measures while still only proposals and yet to be fully debated in Legislative Council, have already had a calming effect on the domestic property market. This is good.
At the same time, the Government has, in particular, kept a firm grip on the growth of Public 'forks* When we had, perforce, to decide where to slow down the rate of growth of Government’s capital expenditure, the least possible reduction in speed was applied to our public housing programme. This was clearly right and proper in view of our severe housing shortage, but in doing this it has inevitably meant that we have had to delay a number of other important projects (and you, Mr Chairman, have mentioned some, including the HK Island Eastern Corridor and the Tai Po Coastal Road). I assure you that these and other items will be re-introduced into our capital spending programme just as soon as this can be done without too much risk of further fuelling our domestically-generated inflation.
I want to say that once more: just as soon as our domestically-generated inflation is down to a reasonable level, then we can go ahead /with the.................................................................
4
with the necessary and longed-for new roads and other important capital developments. It is therefore up to all of us to ensure that the inflation we can help to control is kept down. Runaway inflation in any sector is not good for anybody in the long run.
What is clearly imperative is to ensure a continuing high rate of landproduction both for private and public development. The past three financial years have seen an average annual production of ab.ut 370 hectares of serviced land in both the urban areas and the New Territories, of which about 23 per cent was for industrial use and 9 per cent for private commercial and residential development. Our present target is to bring up production to at least 400 hectares of serviced land each year for all purposes by 1982/3) and it is hoped to be able to maintain at least this rate of production thereafter. envisage that there will be a marked increase in the amount made available to the private sector for private commercial and residential development, in addition to a good percentage for private industrial development.
I said ”at least” 400 hectares a year. This, remember, refers to present plans: we are clearly going to need new areas to maintain this rate, so in parallel we are proceeding with engineering design work for further development areas in Junie Say and Tide Cove, and further investigation of Tuen Mun Eastern Extension and North Lantau with a view to ensuring that sufficient land will be made available to meet demand. In saying this, I am well aware, very well aware, of the increased and increasing demand for housing. Rent-increase controls cannot of themselves be the answer: the only answer to a shortage of housing is the building of more housing. We recognise, and accept, that what is needed is a package - a package to include not just action in respect of the property market, but also an increase in the production of formed land, a continuing high rate of production of housing for rent and additional emphasis on home-ownership.
/I make .....
5
I make no excuses in respect of our present difficulties. I would merely comment that few people, if any, could have been looking with accuracy into their crystal balls two or three years ago. 20-20 hindsight on the other hand is a gift most of us acquire with diligent practice even, apparently, dong hong’s taipans: the trick is to apply the lessons of the past intelligently to the future ... and even then, as we all know, one can be wrong.
Seriously, who here foresaw two-and-a-half years ago, the immense increase in our population, not only from immigration, but from business interests drawn to Hong Kong in response to China’s rour Modernisations?
Two-and-a-half years is, incidentallyr a magic figure: it takes at least that time to ’’create1' new formed and serviced land. I dare say that the various decisions, the additional plans that are being formed now for putting into the Government machine - in any number of directions - will not show fruit for a while, but in the provision of formed land we know that about two-and-a-half years will pass before those plans begin to show through in practical terms. But show through they will.
. All Government planning, whether in terms of land-production, housing, social services, what you will, all planning has been, and will continue to be, affected by our sudden, startling, population increase in 1979- Unforeseen, unplanned for though that increase was, we are nevertheless tackling our problems in true Hong Kong style. It is not the first time we have been overwhelmed with people. And, as usual, Hong Kong will no doubt make some extra bootstraps, pick itself up by them and carry on to the very best of its ability. Planning has to be flexible: these days more flexible than ever. We have to take frequent up-dates on our balance sheets and act accordingly.
/For one .....
6
For one thing, we do not yet know precisely what the position was at the end of last year in respect of immigration, because, so much of it was illegal. We. have some idea from the. numbers of identity cards supplied to those "illegals" who have applied for them. Others have not, and we may well have to wait for the results of the 1981 census before getting a reasonably accurate count of our population. The ’’guesstimate" is that at the end of 1979, 70,000 legal immigrants and 110,000 illegal immigrants had arrived during the year from China. I do not include the 50,000 odd boat refugees from Vietnam presently here because hopefully they will all eventually be resettled elsewhere. Net migration in respect of countries other than China showed a small loss of some 2,000, leaving a balance of net migration into Hong Kong of about 178,000. Rather a lot of people in one year.
The statisticians have got busy on these figures: and-I shall give you just one or two examples of what they have come up with. For instance our usual rate of natural increase in population is said to have been approximately 1.2 per cent - a rate that most countries would consider very reasonable indeed. But adding in last year’s arrivals in total (that is including our refugees) the rate becomes a staggering 6*1 pur cent! Even when the sums are done without counting the transient 50,000 (and diminishing) Vietnamese boat refugees, we are still left with the calculation that our population increased last year by 5*2 per cent. Which, of course, is a lot more than 1.2 per cent.
A projection was then made to see what would happen if the experience of 1979 were to be repeated and on-going. A progression based on the past year’s intake calculated ahead, gives figures that become seemingly fantastic. Starting with the base of a present 5 million /population.....
7
population (and this is admittedly modest: it could well be at least 5-5 million) 1986 would see Hong Kong’s population standing at around 6.5 million; and by 1991 nearly 8 million.
In terms of just one aspect of social services (based on those theoretical figures) by the year 1986 we should need to have some seven more hospitals of the capacity of the Princess Margaret Hospital than we are at present planning for.
Still more mind-boggling is the prospect the statisticians present that we would need, in the public sector, to add to our current production plans of 35,000 flats a year, a further 30,000 to keep, pace with the increase in demand! And remember, the target of 35,000 flats per year is the highest rate we have ever achieved: that was done, as I mentioned earlier, at a cost in terms of inflationary pressures, by assigning lower priorities to other and important capital works.
This then is the sort of scale on which our social servioes would be effected. In our already crowded - over-crowded - conditions, the stresses and strains of fitting everybody in would be simply enormous. Not to put too fine a point on it, to house an extra 1.4 million people by 1986 we would need three more towns, f
As things stand at present then, we have in addition to our natural increase at least 178,000 more people in Hong Kong than we had a year ago, and the prospect that many more may be wanting to come, ilhat to do about it? '••Jell, as you know, we have strengthened and redeployed our security forces - and here I must pay tribute to the Services and the Police: working together closely they have been and are doing a truly
/magnificent.....
8
magnificent job to counter this influx over the border, both on land and sea. The border fences themselves have been reinforced and improved. Ie have amended the Law on aiding and abetting. At the same time we have taken, and continue to take, every opportunity to make representations to the Chinese authorities. As a result of these measures, we have seen a reduction in the legal outflow from China (which was about 300 a day in December 1978) to about 150 per day at present. And, following measures announced by the Chinese authorities last month and introduced during this month, there has been a welcome decrease in illegal immigration too. So far this month, the average daily arrests have numbered 15?. The decreases are welcome but the figures, both fpr legal arrivals and for those attempting to come here illegally, are still.too high. Furthermore, although in the first week of January, daily arrests were encouragingly low, in the past two weeks there has been an increase: not to the figures of December, but nevertheless rather worrying.
Now let us consider another area of concern in 1979 which continues into the Righties: the constraining effect of protectionism on our economic growth. In 1961 only about 10 per cent of our domestic exports of textiles and clothing were covered by the bilateral agreements our trading partners had obliged us to conclude with them to restrain our exports. This proportion has now increased to about 60 per cent, and at present, most unhappily, the tendency is for this progressive shift towards protectionism to continue. While we shall of course resist its application to Hong Kong's trade with as much determination as ever, protectionism remains a very real threat to our well-being.
In the report of the Advisory Committee on Diversification published recently, it was forecast that the growth potential of textiles and clothing
/exports in.....
9
exports in the near future would only be about 5% to 6.5% p' r annum in volume terms; suggesting that the growth potential of the export sector as a whole may not be enough to enable us to sustain through the Eighties, the growth rate of the economy we have experienced in the Seventies. Although our tertiary services sector is expanding rapidly, it is unlikely that its contribution to economic growth can compensate completely for the slackening in the pace of growth in the export sector which will result as a direct consequence of protectionism. L
It has, therefore, and for long, been our view that the economy must diversify to a much greater extent than it has so far, in order that we may continue to prosper. This is, indeed, the main conclusion of the Advisory Committee on Diversification, which has now come up with a list of recommendations for strengthening and instituting further Government policies aimed at facilitating the process of diversification. Government is now intensively considering these timely recommendations and will shortly be seeking the advice of Executive Council on them. I can assure you, Mr Chairman, that the Government will play its part: I am confident too that industry and commerce, the private sector, will also recognise the advisability, the necessity of speeding up plans for diversification.
You may well be forgiven for thinking this is a long speech: it is. You may also be forgiven for thinking that I have burdened you with too many figures and percentages. I probably have. I am afraid, though those figures and percentages are inevitable considerations in the scenario of Hong Kong’s economic future - and particularly in our recurring and now, once more, very serious problem of people.
In our endeavours to prosper as a business community, Hong Kong’s competitiveness in world markets is important; but this single economic
/factor is.....
10
factor is often used by some employers, arguing in favour of imported labour and in maintaining a relatively low wage structure. It is also used as an argument against any strengthening of organisations representing labour.
What is now so often overlooked in sophisticated arguments about our economy is that its success is, and will always be, based on the hard work, versatility and pragmatism of our work force. And when -we say ''work force”, we are talking about our people. People who expect and have a right to share fully in the affluence of their community, people who have a right to put their grievances and worries to their employers and to be treated with sympathy1 and understanding when they du so.
The extraordinary fact about Hong Kong in 1980 is that such basic elements of good employer/management’ relations as these will undoubtedly be regarded as ’’’dangerous” by a substantial number of Hong Kong employers. If you find that difficult to believe you should have sat in my chair over the past few months and listened to the dire warnings I have been given over the ’’dangerous” development of representation or if you prefer’’trade unionism" in the civil service, the effect this is having, or may have, on the private sector, upon our competitiveness and there from upon the v/hole economy f Hong Kong.
In case I should be misunderstood, I do not believe that the development of particular patterns of imported trade unionism would necessarily be beneficial to H mg Kon-; workers, to employers or to the prosperity of this place generally but this is by no neahs to condemn organisations which look after the interests of our workforce, and which strive to improve- labour-management relations. As our community matures, demands more of a say in its own affairs, and expects a greater measure of social equality, it is very natural that such organisations should develop and flourish.
/I have .....
11
I have no doubt that it is the inherent strengths of our workforce that will enable Hong Kong to continue to flourish in the 193O’s. But I do ask, Mr Chairman, that we as a community (and particularly those in management) take not our workers for granted. In my experience, their aspirations are modest and usually their requests realistic. The principle of ’’fair shares for all” may have been regarded by many as revolutionary in the 196O’s. I am confident that most - perhaps all - of us here tonight accept that principle, personally and individually, as reasonable and right; is it too much to ask that in the 1980’s our business community generally, should see the good sense of it, to the general benefit?
I have heard it suggested that the availability .of immigrant semi-skilled and unskilled workers at the present time has assisted our economy to expand: that it has had a ’’beneficial” effect on wage rates and thus upon Hong Kong’s competitiveness; has indeed, it is claimed, helped labour-management relations by having a sobering effect on so-called “unreasonable” wage demands.
Well, no one can deny that because the latest influx of people came at a time when our labour market was tight it has been possible to provide most of them with employment: indeed, one of the wonders of this past year has been that most of these immigrants (a high percentage of them are young; 18 to 26, and male) have found employment. But I need hardly remind this audience of the vulnerability of our economy to changes in the pattern of world trade. When our economy is flourishing, it is all too easy to forget the unhappy times of .1973 and ’7*+ when the situation was far from rosy. It is, also, perhaps, convenient to overlook the fact that Hong Kong’s workers responded magnificently at that time by tightening their belts and sharing the work that was- available. They have a right to a fair share of our prosperity: and especially should this be seen to be the case when - as now - we are prospering as a community.
/If there is.....
12
If there is a shortage of skilled and semi-skilled labour, surely our answer is in improved productivity- If - as assume - we shall continue to rely on industry as our major source of wealth, surely we must not only diversify, but move further up the scale of industrial sophistication: surely, then we need improved and expanded vocational education. The- way ahead lies in further and. continuing investment in our. only natural resource people.
Some of what I have said earlier tonight, ir Chairman, may have sounded depressing. But I have been, of course, talking about Hong Kong, a community which has overcome seemingly insuperable problems in the past, when all odds appeared to be against us.
It is important to recognise, to face up to, our problems: - it is important to rememb.r our strengths. And as wo go into the Eight’.es we still have an enormous amount going for us. Relations with China have never been better, and although our precise role in the Four Modernisations has yet to be evolved, there can be no doubt of Hong Kong’s economic importance to China nor of the mutual benefits whi.ch will accrue. We have our quite remarkable labour force, flexible and hard-working; we have businessmen who are shrewd and able to take advantage of whatever situations arise; and a Government dedicated to the well-being of the community. A recipe which has stood us in good stead in the past and, I have no doubt, will continue to do so in the years ahead.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LAW TO CONTROL BILL POSTING TC BE AMENDED.................. 1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HOSPITAL ...................... 2
CAS WORK LAST YEAR WIDELY ACCLAIMED........................ 5
QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM NEARING COMPLETION................. 4
TUEN MUN TO HOLD CRIME PREVENTION CAMPAIGN................. 4
#10 OOO DONATION FOR FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CARNIVAL......................................... 5
DISCUSSIONS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TEACHERS AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ......................... 6
BUS RE-ROUTING ............................................ 7
VEHICLE RESTRICTED ZONE IN PINE TREE HILL ROAD......... 7
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1980
1
LAW TO CONTROL BILL POSTING TO BE AMENDED *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING STEPS TO PREVENT THE INDISCRIMINATE DISPLAY OF BILLS AND POSTERS ON CROWN AND PRIVATE LAND.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS BEING DONE BY AMENDING THE EXISTING LAW ON BILL POSTING.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1980, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) SEEKS TO PROHIBIT THE DISPLAY OF BILLS OR POSTERS WITHOUT PERMISSION INCLUDING ADVERTISEMENTS PAINTED ON WALLS OR FENCES.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION PROVIDES THE POWER TO REMOVE BILLS OR POSTERS WHICH ARE DISPLAYED WITHOUT PERMISSION, OR WHICH ARE NOT BEING MAINTAINED IN A CLEAN AND TIDY CONDITION.
THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL BE THE AUTHORITY FOR THE URBAN AREAS, AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES. EXCEPTIONS ARE WHERE PARTICULAR AREAS OF LAND OR PROPERTY ARE CONTROLLED OR MANAGED BY DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE CIVIL AVIATION, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OR OTHER PUBLIC BODIES.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ALSO PROVIDES THAT FOR DISPLAYING OR FIXING A POSTER WITHOUT PERMISSION, NOT ONLY WILL THE PERSON PUTTING UP THE BILL BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION, BUT ALSO THE EMPLOYER AND THE PERSON WHOSE GOODS,TRADE, BUSINESS OR OTHER CONCERNS ARE GIVEN PUBLICITY.
ALSO, IF A PERSON IS CONVICTED OF AN OFFENCE THE COURT MAY ORDER THAT PERSON TO PAY, IN ADDITION TO ANY FINE, THE COST OF REMOVING THE BILL OR POSTERS.
♦HOWEVER, A PERSON WILL NOT BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE, OR LIABLE TO THE COST OF REMOVAL, IF HE CAN PROVE THAT THE BILL OR POSTER WAS PUT UP WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS DEFENCE HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO PROTECT ANY PERSON AGAINST BEING UNFAIRLY PENALISED.
UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION ACTION CAN ONLY BE TAKEN AGAINST THE PERSON WHO ACTUALLY PUTS UP THE BILL OR POSTER. AND, NO PROVISION IS MADE FOR THE RECOVERY OF REMOVAL COSTS.
UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, THE MAXIMUM FINE WILL BE $2 000.
♦THESE AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE WOULD MEAN MORE EFFECTIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL OVER BILL-POST I NG,♦ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS AND WILL TAKE STEPS TO AMEND THE ADVERTISEMENTS BY-LAWS AS REQUIRED IF THE BILL IS ENACTED.
ALSO IN TODAY’S GAZETTE ANOTHER BILL, THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL, IS PUBLISHED WHICH MAKES IT UNNECESSARY TO SEEK PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, OR THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, BEFORE A PERSON CAN PUT UP POSTERS OR DISTRIBUTE HAND-BILLS IN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1980
2
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HOSPITAL
X * * *
YOUNG PATIENTS IN THE PAEDIATRIC WARD OF PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA NEXT MONTH.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL VISIT THE HOSPITAL ON FEBRUARY 8 AND SEE SOME OF THE CHILDREN IN THE PAEDIATRIC WARD, ONE OF THE MAIN UNITS OF PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.
THIS REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES, EQUIPPED WITH MANY TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED INSTRUMENTS, WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEDICAL PROJECTS COMPLETED DURING THE 70S.
THE HOSPITAL COMPLEX, OCCUPYING A SITE OF MORE THAN 27 ACRES ON THE PROMONTORY AT LAI CHI KOK, CONSISTS OF A PSYCHIATRIC WING, A GENERAL WING AND COMBINED STAFF QUARTERS.
THE GENERAL WING OF THE HOSPITAL WAS OPENED IN 1975 AND PROVIDES MEDICAL SERVICES TO RESIDENTS IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHERE THE POPULATION IS APPROACHING ONE MILLION AS A RESULT OF THE GROWTH OF NEW TOWNS.
THE HOSPITAL’S CASUALTY DEPARTMENT BEGAN ROUND-THE-CLOCK SERVICES IN APRIL 1977 AND NOW HANDLES AN AVERAGE OF 350 EMERGENCY CASES DAILY.
SOME $20 MILLION WAS SPENT ON EQUIPMENT FOR THE VARIOUS UNITS OF THE HOSPITAL.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE HOSPITAL SUCH AS THE THEATRE SERVICE CENTRE, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG. THIS CENTRALISED SYSTEM PROVIDES STERILE PRE-SET TRAYS, UTENSILS AND MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUMENTS FOR USE IN ANY SURGICAL OPERATION PERFORMED IN ALL THE NINE OPERATING THEATRES WITHIN THE HOSPITAL.
PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL HAS EMBARKED ON A NEW ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A GERIATRIC UNIT WITHIN A GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL. THE PURPOSE OF THIS UNIT IS TO DEAL WITH THE CLINICAL, PREVENTIVE, REHAB ILITATIONAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF ILLNESS AMONG THE ELDERLY.
A +DAY HOSPITAL* IS ALSO SET UP FOR DISCHARGED OLD PEOPLE WHO MAY RETURN FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION, PHYSIOTHERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.
ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE HOSPITAL IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE UNIT — ANOTHER FIRST IN A GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL. OPERATIONS ON DISFIGURED PEOPLE ARE PERFORMED TO RESTORE THEIR FUNCTIONING POWER.
OTHER UNITS IN THE HOSPITAL INCLUDE OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, HAEMODIALYSIS AND PAEDIATRICS.
IN ITS FOUR YEARS OF OPERATION, THE HOSPITAL HAS TREATED SOME 232 000 IN-PATIENTS IN ADDITION TO OVER 350 000 CASUALTY CASES.
/THE PSYCHIATRIC
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1980
THE PSYCHIATRIC WING, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WILL BE COMPLETED THIS SUMMER. IT CONSISTS OF SEVEN BUILDINGS LINKED BY TUNNELS. THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 1 334 BEDS WITH 34 SEPARATE WARDS FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, THE ELDERLY AND NEUROTIC PEOPLE.
A STEREOTAXIC PSYCHOSURGI CAL THEATRE, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WILL BE SET UP FOR INTRACTABLE CASES.
A CONCERT HALL, A PLAYGROUND, SPORTS FIELD AND COVERED ROOF GARDENS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED FOR THE RECREATION OF MENTAL PATIENTS.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT WHEN ADMISSION OF PATIENTS BEGINS IN OCTOBER, THE CONGESTION OF CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL WILL BE GREATLY ALLEVIATED.
------0-------
CAS WORK LAST YEAR WIDELY ACCLAIMED *****
LAST YEAR SAW THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF MANY OPERATIONAL COMMITMENTS BY THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, INCLUDING MANAGEMENT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CAMPS, DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AT SEA TO THE BOAT PEOPLE, AND COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE FIGHTING.
THE WORK HAS BEEN +WIDELY ACCLAIMED NOT ONLY LOCALLY BUT ALSO INTERNATIONALLY,* SAID LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR CHEN SHOU-LUM, WHO TOOK THE SALUTE AT THE 19TH RECRUITS PASSING OUT PARADE OF THE SERVICE THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
+THE AUXILIARY SERVICES IN HONG KONG GREATLY ASSIST IN HELPING TO CREATE A SENSE OF STABILITY AND SECURITY WHICH HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN ALLOWING OUR THRIVING TERRITORY TO RAPIDLY MODERNISE AND DEVELOP INTO ONE OF THE LEADING BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRES OF EAST ASIA.
♦WITHOUT A FIRM AND STABLE ADMINISTRATION HONG KONG’S PROGRESS COULD NEVER HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED,* MR CHEN SAID.
TAKING PART IN THIS EVENING’S PARADE HELD AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS COMPOUND, WERE 150 RECRUITS WHO HAD COMPLETED SIX MONTHS INTENSIVE TRAINING. THEY WILL SHORTLY JOIN THE 3 000 TRAINED ADULTS AND 2 200 CADETS ALREADY IN THE SERVICE.
MR CHEN ALSO PRESENTED CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO NINE CAS MEMBERS WHO EACH HAVE HAD 15 YEARS OF EFFICIENT SERVICE AND CLASPS TO THE MEDAL TO NINE OTHERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR BEST TO THE SERVICE IN THE LAST 27 YEARS.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1980
4
QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM NEARING COMPLETION ******
THE NEW QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM IS NEARING COMPLETION AND WILL OPEN LATER THIS YEAR FOR MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAIDi +WORK ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE $47 MILLION STADIUM, THE FINEST OF ITS KIND IN ASIA, HAS VIRTUALLY BEEN COMPLETED WHILE WORK ON THE INTERIOR IS IN AN ADVANCED STAGE.*
BUILT ON A 3 OOO-SQUARE METRE SITE BETWEEN 01 KWAN ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, THE STADIUM WILL PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTING FACILITIES FOR BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.
IT WILL HAVE FACILITIES FOR NEARLY EVERY INDOOR SPORT, FROM TABLE TENNIS AND BADMINTON TO ATHLETICS AND GYMNASTICS.
WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF ABOUT 3 500, THE STADIUM WILL HAVE TRAINING ROOMS, LECTURE AND COMMITTEE ROOMS, OFFICES, A SPORTS REFERENCE LIBRARY AND CANTEEN FACILITIES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE THREE SQUASH COURTS AND A MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS AND GAMES HALL IN THE BASEMENT.
THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS CONTRIBUTED $5.1 MILLION TOWARDS THE COST OF THE PROJECT, AND WHEN COMPLETED IN APRIL IT WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT.
------o-------
TUEN MUN TO HOLD CRIME PREVENTION CAMPAIGN * * K M * *
A CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO SUPPORT THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME IN THE NEW TOWN IS TO START IN TUEN MUN TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE CAMPAIGN IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE LOCAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
IT AIMS TO INCREASE AWARENESS AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS OF CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES AND OF POTENTIAL CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES.
THE ONE-WEEK CAMPAIGN WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW BY THE DEPUTY DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER NEW TERRITORIES, M? JOHN GRIEVE, THE CHAIRMAN OF TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU WONG-FAT, AND THE TUEN MUN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SANDRA LEE.
MORE THAN 2 000 PEOPLE WILL ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY, WHICH WILL INCLUDE A CRIME PREVENTION EXHIBITION, IN THE HEUNG SZE WUI STREET PLAYGROUND.
IN TAI PO, WHERE THE LOCAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS BEEN CONDUCTING A CAMPAIGN SINCE LAST NOVEMBER. PRIZES ARE TO ?re°.1srEBS oF cobpet iti5ns
/THE CEREMONY .....
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1980
5
THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM WITH A RIBBON-CUTTING TO BE PERFORMED BY THE REGIONAL COMMISSIONER NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES, MR JAMES SWEETMAN, THE DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER NEW TERRITORIES, MR MIKE ILLINGWORTH, THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NICHOLAS NG, THE DISTRICT OFFICER NORTHERN, MR PETER JOHNSON, AND THE LOCAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.
LATER, MR SWEETMAN WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THIS YEAR’S DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AWARD SCHEME AND POSTER AND ESSAY COMPETITIONS.
THE DAY’S EVENTS WILL INCLUDE A VARIETY SHOW BY TV ARTISTES AND ACROBATIC PERFORMANCES. THE HONG KONG ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION WILL ENTERTAIN THE AUDIENCE WITH A DEMONSTRATION OF REMOTE CONTROL MODEL CARS.
THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HEUNG SZE WUI STREET PLAYGROUND.
----0------
NOTE TO EDITORS*
$10 000 DONATION FOR FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CARNIVAL ******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER (HONG KONG ISLAND), MR KWOK KA-CHI, WILL TOMORROW (SATURDAY) RECEIVE A $10 000 DONATION MADE BY THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG (WEST) TO SPONSOR A FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CARNIVAL ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE PRESENTATION WILL BE MADE AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE CLUB, AT WHICH MR KWOK WILL BE THE GUEST SPEAKER. HE WILL TALK ABOUT THE INFLUENCE OF COMMUNITY PROGRESS ON THE FAMILY.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES. TO COVER THE PRESENTATION AND SPEECH AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 1 PM AT FURAMA HOTEL, PACIFIC ROOM, IN CENTRAL DISTR ICT.
0
/6
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1980
6
DISCUSSIONS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TEACHERS AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
******
AIDED SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE EXCHANGING VIEWS WITH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFICERS ON TOPICS RELATING TO COMMUNICATION AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AT SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS ON FEBRUARY 11.
THESE INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS AIM TO FURTHER IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TEACHERS AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE TOPICS FOR THE COMING DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN RAISED BY PARTICIPATING TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS. THEY INCLUDE COMMUNICATION AMONG TEACHERS, SCHOOLS, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND PARENTS" PROVIDENT FUND- TEACHER-CLASS RATIO- SALARY STRUCTURE AND PROMOTION- AND FRINGE BENEFITS AS ENJOYED BY GOVERNMENT SCHOOL TEACHERS.
AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSING STUDENT GUIDANCE- OUTSIDE WORK, MORAL AND SEX EDUCATIONTEACHING PERIODS AND TIMETABLE ARRANGEMENTS.
THE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE AND EACH GROUP BE CHAIRED BY A SENIOR OFFICER OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 26 GROUPS, WITH DISCUSSION SESSIONS BOTH IN THE MORNING AND IN THE AFTERNOON TO BE F£LD AT VARIOUS CENTRES.
-------o
/7
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1980
7
BUS RE-ROUTING * * * *
KMB ROUTE NO 42 BETWEEN SHUN LEE ESTATE IN NGAU CHI WAN AND CHEUNG CHING ESTATE ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND WILL OPERATE FROM SUNDAY (JANUARY 27) VIA A SECTION OF NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WHICH WAS OPENED TO TRAFFIC EARLIER THIS WEEK.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THIS BUS RE-ROUTING WILL PROVIDE A MUCH MORE DIRECT SERVICE TO RESIDENTS OF SHUN LEE BY AVOIDING THE CONGESTED DETOUR VIA KWUN TONG ROAD AND HIP WO STREET.
------o---------
VEHICLE RESTRICTED ZONE IN PINE TREE HILL ROAD *****
or^-r.I^EJRANSP0RT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A SECTION OF PINE TREE HILL ROAD IN TSIM SHA TSUI FROM ITS ^iN(CT^NneJT^^STIN R0AD T0 25 METRES SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION wA “I™™/ restr,cted 20ne for vehicles froh 10 AH
11 S-WTUtS J"
zS“Ere™kJ"7 iS‘S;3G7°?HUM?L‘?!"G G00DSTHE ReSTB'CTE°
TRAFFIC S,SNS WILL BE SET UP TO INDICATE THE nLOlnlbltD ZONc.
---0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 19^0
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MCRE BUILDING PLANS APPROVED LAST YEAR ..........
COMMUNITY PROGRESS CAN EXERT PRESSURE ON THE FAMILY ... 2
IMPROVEMENTS IN ./ATER SUPPLY TO TAI 0 .............. 3
SECOND IMMIGRATION OFFICE OPENS IN TSUEN WAN ........ 3
FUN PACKED PARTY FOR SHAM SHUI PO CHILDREN .......... 4
PRISONS STAFF RAISE FUND FOR CHARITY ............
WINNER CHOSEN FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER COMPETITION .................................. 5
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON TAI HANG ROAD AND NEAR FURAMA HOTEL ...............
5
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1980
1
MORE BUILDING PLANS APPROVED LAST YEAR ******
A TOTAL OF 859 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED IN 1979 — THE HIGHEST NUMBER SINCE 1974, ACCORDING TO FIGURES ISSUED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
DURING THE YEAR, THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED WAS S3 268 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $3 022 MILLION IN 1978.
THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED WAS ABOUT 2.87 MILLION SQUARE METRES AS AGAINST 2.71 MILLION SQUARE METRES IN 1978.
IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 70 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, COMPARED WITH 66 IN NOVEMBER.
OF THESE, 24 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 13 FOR KOWLOON AND 33 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INCLUDED PLANS FOR A SCHOOL BUILDING AT THE JUNCTION OF LEIGHTON ROAD AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD, A HOSTEL AT MOUNT DAVIS, TWO BLOCKS OF CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE AGED AT TIN WAN, AN ELECTRICITY SUB-STATION AT DYER AVENUE, HUNG HOM, ONE CLOCK TOWER NEAR THE KWUN TONG FERRY CONCOURSE AND A NUMBER OF HIGHRISE APARTMENT AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.
DURING THE MONTH, THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED AMOUNTED TO 497 240.4 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 331 629.4 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 165 611 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN THE MONTH AMOUNTED TO $570.42 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $194.42 MILLION IN THE SAME MONTH IN 1978.
IN DECEMBER, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 53 NEW PROJECTS INCLUDING THREE SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND A POWER STATION CONTROL BLOCK IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
A TOTAL OF 52 NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION IN THE MONTH, INCLUDING A SCHOOL IN PUI CHING ROAD, A LANGUAGE CENTRE AND A MARINE SCIENCE BUILDING EXTENSION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING OF THE MTR DEPOT AT KOWLOON BAY, A TEMPLE ON LANTAU ISLAND AND A FUNERAL PARLOUR IN CHEONG HANG ROAD.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO ASSENTED TO THE DEMOLITION OF 36 BUILDINGS.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1980
2
COMMUNITY PROGRESS CAN EXERT PRESSURE ON THE FAMILY *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER (HONG KONG), MR KWOK KA-CHI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT A PROGRESSING SOCIETY COULD BRING ABOUT SOCIAL PROBLEMS MANY OF WHICH MIGHT HAVE DIRECT BEARING ON THE FAMILY.
MR KWOK SAID THE MAJOR FACTORS GIVING RISE TO FAMILY PROBLEMS INCLUDED INCREASES IN POPULATION. CHANGES IN FAMILY SETUP, MORE WOMEN GOING INTO EMPLOYMENT AND THE IMPACT OF WESTERN CULTURES.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG (WEST) DURING WHICH HE RECEIVED A $10 000 DONATION FROM THE CLUB TO SPONSOR A FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CARNIVAL BEING ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
MR KWOK SAID POPULATION GROWTH INEVITABLY MADE LIFE MORE COMPETITIVE, RESULTING IN SOME WORKING PARENTS NOT GIVING THEIR CHILDREN ADEQUATE CARE AND GUIDANCE.
HE SAID THE TRADITIONAL BIG FAMILY SETUP HAD GRADUALLY GIVEN WAY TO ONE OF SMALL NUCLEUS FAMILY WHICH MIGHT SOMETIMES FIND IT LESS EASY TO COPE WITH SOCIAL STRAINS.
IN THE LIGHT OF MODERNISATION AND BETTER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, HE SAID, MORE WOMEN ARE GOING INTO EMPLOYMENT AND SOME OF THEM MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SPARE ENOUGH TIME FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF WESTERN CULTURES, YOUNG PEOPLE TEND TO GO FOR A MORE INDEPENDENT WAY OF LIFE, AND UNLESS THERE IS ADEQUATE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, IT COULD EASILY LEAD TO GAPS BETWEEN GENERATIONS, HE SAID.
MR KWOK SAID FAMILY PROBLEMS COULD GENERALLY BE SOLVED BY REMEDIAL SOCIAL WORK, SUCH AS ASSISTANCE FOR UNMARRIED MOTHERS, AND BY PREVENTIVE SOCIAL WORK, AN EXAMPLE OF WHICH WAS FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
AT THE END OF LAST MONTH, HE SAID, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES WERE HANDLING 1 067 CASES INVOLVING MARITAL DISCORD, 1 581 CASES OF FAMILY CONFLICTS, 1 990 CASES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH EMOTIONAL OR BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS, 1 297 CASES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH REQUIRING CARE AND PROTECTION, AND 3 095 CASES INVOLVING OTHER CHILD AND YOUTH PROBLEMS.
HE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTIVE SOCIAL WORK IN WHICH THE DEPARTMENT’S EFFORTS OVER THE PAST YEARS INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER SCHEME AND CHILD CARE LEGISLATION, AS WELL AS INCREASED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES AND OUTREACH SOCIAL WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WHICH AIMS AT STRENGTHENING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND FORESTALLING FAMILY BREAKDOWN.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1980
3
IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER SUPPLY TO TAI 0 * * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES IN TAI 0 ON LANTAU ISLAND WILL BE FURTHER IMPROVED.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF WATER MAINS AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BREAK PRESSURE TANKS, TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE TREATED FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE AREA FROM 910 CUBIC METRES TO 1 460 CUBIC METRES A DAY.
WORK WILL INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF NEW PUMPS, CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BREAK WATER PRESSURE TANKS AT KEUNG SHAN AND Yl 0 AND THE LAYING OF A STEEL WATER MAIN OF 200 MM IN DIAMETER AT SHEK PIK, AND A NEW PIPELINE OF 250 MM IN DIAMETER BETWEEN Yl 0 AND NAM CHUNG.
IT IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
----o------
SECOND IMMIGRATION OFFICE OPENS IN TSUEN WAN
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE QUICKER SERVICE TO THE GROWING POPULATION IN TSUEN WAN WITH THE OPENING OF AN ADDITIONAL OFFICE ON MONDAY (JANUARY 28).
THE OFFICE, LOCATED ON THE MEZZANINE FLOOR OF THE FAR EAST BANK BUILDING, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, WILL HANDLE APPLICATIONS SUCH AS THOSE FOR BRITISH PASSPORT, CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY, AND EXTENSION OF STAY FOR PERSONS OTHER THAN ENTRANTS FROM CHINA.
THE EXISTING OFFICE IN THE NEARBY KAPOK MANSION WILL DEVOTE ITS WORK TO PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMIT.
THE NEW OFFICE IS OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS.
-----o-------
A
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1980 •
4
FUN PACKED PARTY FOR PO CHILDREN
* * * * -
A PARTY FOR SHAM SHU I PO CHILDREN WHICH COMBINES ANTI-CRIME PROMOTION AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS WITH A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF GAMES WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THIS ANTI-CRIME CHILDREN SPORTS DAY AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE RECENT SHAM S'i'.l PO FORTNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST WILL BE HELD FROM 9.30 AM TO 12.30 PM AT THE TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE PLAYGROUND.
THE EVENT, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE, NAM SHAN DISTRICT/YAU YAT CHUEN AREA COMMITTEE AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, PROMISES TO BE A TREAT FOR SOME 1 000 CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT.
THE CDO, MR STEPHEN IP, DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT, MR HUI KI-ON AND OTHER LOCAL LEADERS WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
COMPETITIONS MODELLED ON POPULAR TV SPORTS GAMES WILL BE STAGED OUTSTANDING ENTRIES IN THE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED.
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NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRISONS STAFF RAISE FUND FOR CHARITY
*****
REPRESENTATIVES FROM FIVE CHARITY ORGANISATIONS WILL RECEIVE DONATIONS FROM THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT SPORTS ASSOCIATION AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 29).
THE DONATIONS WERE PART OF A SUM OF S142 600 RAISED FOR CHARITY AT THE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL AUTUMN FAIR HELD ON NOVEMBER 3 LAST YEAR.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY 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.
- - - - 0-----------
/5
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1980
- 5 -
WINNER CHOSEN FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER COMPETITION ******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED TREMENDOUS RESPONSE TO ITS INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER COMPETITION HELD EACH YEAR TO PROMOTE CONSTANT VIGILANCE TO WORK SAFETY.
THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO 'LL 14 TO 22-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS ATTENDING POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES, VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES OR SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT-AIDED AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION - THE 12TH SO FAR - ATTRACTED MORE THAN 340 ENTRIES FROM 39 SCHOOLS.
ON THE PANEL OF JUDGES WERE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT- DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC- THE PRINTING CO-ORDINATOR OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S SUPERINTENDENT OF FACTORY INSPECTORS (TRAINING) AND THE DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR (TRAINING).
THE FIRST PRIZE OF $500 WAS WON BY LAM KING-FAI OF S.K.H. LAM WOO MEMORIAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE SECOND AND THIRD PRIZES OF $400 AND S300 WERE WON BY KWAN KIN-PUI OF KEI HEEP SECONDARY SCHOOL AND CHENG YUK-LUN OF JOCKEY CLUB GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
TEN ENTRIES WILL BE AWARDED CONSOLATION PRIZES OF $100 EACH. IN ADDITION, ALL PRIZE-WINNERS WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT.
THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, TO BE HELD IN MARCH, WILL BE OFFICIATED BY MR JOHN LOO, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE NGO KEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON TAI HANG ROAD AND NEAR FURAMA HOTEL ******
A SECTION OF TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN THE ROUNDABOUT AT STUBBS ROAD AND ITS JUNCTION WITH BLUE POOL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 5.30 AM EACH NIGHT FROM TUESDAY (JANUARY 29) TO NEXT SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 2) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE AREA.
DURING THE CLOSURE PERIODS, MOTORISTS MAY USE STUBBS ROAD AS AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE.
MEANWHILE, THE SERVICE LANE BETWEEN SUTHERLAND HOUSE AND FURAMA HOTEL AT ITS JUNCTION WITH CHATER ROAD IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH (JANUARY 31) FOR ROAD REINSTATEMENT WORK.
MOTORISTS WILL BE GUIDED BY TRAFFIC SIGNS AT THESE PLACES.
o --------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT TAI 0 ..................... 1
SLIGHT UPWARD MCVJMENTS IN CONSUMER INDICES ........... 2
MORE INTERESTED IN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES ............. 4
GIRL BREAKS NEW GROUND IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION ......... 5
ANTI-RABIES MESSAGE TO BE BROUGHT TO FISHERMEN ........ 6
BRITISH TRADE SECRETARY TO VISIT LOCAL FACTCRY ........ 7
NEW YEAR FAIR STALLS AVAILABLE ........................ 8
WATER PIPELINES FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ................. 9
SWD MOVES TO WORLD TRADE CENTRE ....................... 9
NIGHT CLOSURE OF SECTION OF MA TAU WAI RD
9
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, lYOU
1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT TAI 0
*****
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL TOUR TA I 0 - THE OLDEST FISHING VILLAGE ON LANTAU ISLAND - DURING HER NINE-DAY VISIT NEXT MONTH.
THE PRINCESS WILL ARRIVE AT TA I 0 BY HELICOPTER, ACCOMPANIED BY HER HUSBAND, THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES.
SHE WILL BE MET BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NICKY LO, AND RURAL COMMITTEE LEADERS OF LANTAU ISLAND.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL WALK TO THE RIVER CHANNEL WHICH RUNS THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN AND WHICH IS USED BY FISHING JUNKS AND TRAWLERS ON THEIR WAY TO AND FROM THE TYPHOON SHELTER.
SHE WILL CROSS THE CHANNEL BY HONG KONG’S ONLY ROPE-FERRY, A NON-PROFIT SERVICE OPERATED BY THE TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL VISIT THE 3OO-YEAR-OLD 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.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL THEN HAVE TEA WITH LOCAL LEADERS IN THE TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, SITUATED NEXT TO THE TEMPLE, DURING WHICH THE TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR YUE YUN-NEI, WILL GIVE A SHORT WELCOMING ADDRESS.
TAI 0 IS THE MOST WESTERLY COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG, AND A NUMBER CF DEVELOPMENT PLANS ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF ITS 11 OQO INHABITANTS.
THESE INCLUDE A $21 MILLION PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, THE FIRST PHASE OF WHICH WILL PROVIDE HOMES FOR 1 300 PEOPLE IN 27 THREE-STOREY BLOCKS. THE LOW-RISE DESIGN OF THE BLOCKS IS INTENDED TO MAINTAIN TAI O’S VILLAGE CHARACTERISTICS.
THE ESTATE, BEING BUILT ON A 4.2-HECTARE SITE, WILL INCLUDE SHOPPING FACILITIES, A MARKET AND HAWKER BAZAAR, AS WELL AS LANDSCAPED AREAS AND PLAYGROUNDS.
IT HAS BEEN NAMED LUNG TIN, MEANING +THE FIELD OF DRAGONS*.
FROM TAI 0, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL PROCEED BY CAR TO MUI WO, TRAVELLING ALONG SOUTH LANTAU ROAD.
THIS ROAD HAS BEEN STEADILY IMPROVED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $35 MILLION TO PROVIDE A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY BETWEEN ONE END OF LANTAU ISLAND AND THE OTHER.
A REGULAR BUS SERVICE NOW RUNS FROM THE FERRY PIER AT MUI WO TO THE MONASTERY AT NGONG PING AND TAI 0.
THE PRINCESS’S ROUTE WILL TAKE HER THROUGH PARTS OF THE NORTH AND SOUTH LANTAU COUNTRY PARKS WHICH WERE BOTH GAZETTED IN 1978. THEY TOTAL 30.27 SQUARE MILES IN AREA.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1980
2
IT WILL ALSO TAKE HER PAST LANTAU’S ONLY RESERVOIR, SHEK PIK, COMPLETED IN THE EARLY 196OS, WHICH HAS A CAPACITY OF 5 515 MILLION GALLONS.
THE PRINCESS WILL ALSO PASS THROUGH CHEUNG SHA WITH ITS FINE, CURVED BEACH, WHERE FACILITIES FOR BATHERS AND CAMPERS ARE BEING IMPROVED.
LANTAU IS FAST BECOMING A RESORT AREA WITH SEVERAL MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR HOLIDAY HOME PROJECTS.
THESE INCLUDE, AT Yl LONG WAN, THE SEA RANCH, A $70 MILLION HOTEL PROJECT, COMPRISING 20 FOUR-STOREY BLOCKS WITH A TOTAL OF 184 FLATS. THE PROJECT OFFERS RECREATION ON THE DOORSTEP INCLUDING TENNIS AND BADMINTON, SWIMMING AND WATER SKI-1 NG.
AT DISCOVERY BAY A LARGE RESORT PROJECT IS BEING BUILT, WHILE AT TAI LONG WAN GOVERNMENT IS NEGOTIATING CONSTRUCTION OF ANOTHER RESORT. ALSO PROPOSED IS A HOLIDAY HOMES PROJECT AT SILVERMINE BAY.
FROM MUI WO, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL TRAVEL BY LAUNCH TO CHEUNG CHAU.
------0-------
SLIGHT UPWARD MOVEMENTS IN CONSUMER INDICES * * * * *
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR DECEMBER 1979 WERE BOTH 147-. COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, CPI (A) ADVANCED BY TWO POINTS AND CPI (B), BY ONE POINT.
THE CENTRED 12-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE FOR JUNE 1979, THAT IS THE SIMPLE AVERAGE OF THE TWO MOVING ANNUAL AVERAGES ENDING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1979 RESPECTIVELY, WAS 138.3 FOR CPI (A) AND 138.5 FOR CPI (B), BEING 1.1 PER CENT AND 1.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
WHEN COMPARED WITH THE CENTRED 12-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE FOR JUNE A YEAR AGO, THE INCREASES WERE RESPECTIVELY 11.3 PER CENT AND 11.2 PER CENT.
THE CPI (A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400-$l 499 A MONTH AND THE CPI (B), BETWEEN $1 500-$2 999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 1973/74.
/THE SECTION .....
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1980
5
THE SECTION INDICES FOR DECEMBER 1979, COMPARED WITH THE
PREVIOUS MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1978, ARE GIVEN CPI (B) ; DEC 79 NOV 79 DEC 78
BELOW;- SECTION DEC 79 CPI (A)
NOV 79 DEC 78
FOODSTUFFS 140 139 121 142 141 123
HOUSING 148 146 137 148 146 136
FUEL AND LIGHT 208 198 135 200 193 134
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 168 168 147 163 162 142
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 117 117 107 116 115 106
DURABLE GOODS 131 130 119 127 127 117
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 163 162 137 158 157 135
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 165 163 128 171 169 130
SERVICES 157 156 140 160 159 141
ALL ITEMS 147 145 127 147 146 128
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ADVANCED 1 3Y ONE POINT IN BOTH CPI (A)
AND CPI (B). RISES WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF
FRESH VEGETABLES, PORK, LIVE POULTRY AND RICE.
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 PRICES OF FRESH-WATER FISH AND FRESH FRUITS DECLINED.
MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING ROSE BY TWO POINTS IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B) AS HIGHER RENT WAS REGISTERED IN PRIVATE DWELLINGS.
HIGHER PRICE FOR KEROSENE PUSHED THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT UP BY 10 POINTS IN CPI (A) AND BY SEVEN POINTS IN CPI (B).
THE ONE-POINT RISE IN THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO IN CPI (B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR FOREIGN-STYLE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN CPI (B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER TAILORING CHARGES.
THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS WENT UP BY ONE POINT IN CPI (A) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR STEEL FURNITURE, HARDWARE, OPTICAL AND SPORTS GOODS.
FOLLOWING HIGHER PRICES FOR MEDICINES, SOFT FURNISHINGS, FRESH FLOWERS, SOAP AND DETERGENTS, THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ADVANCED BY ONE POINT EACH IN CPI (A) AND CPI (B).
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES ROSE BY TWO POINTS IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER FARES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND HIGHER PRICES FOR PETROL AND OIL.
THE ONE-POINT RISE IN THE INDEX FOR SERVICES IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B) WAS MAINLY BROUGHT ABOUT BY HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT, DOMESTIC HELP AND HAIRDRESSING.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT
0 -
A
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1980
4
MORE INTERESTED IN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES ******
THERE WAS A 30 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF APPRENTICESHIP CONTRACTS REGISTERED WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR.
A TOTAL OF 5 161 CONTRACTS WERE REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT IN 1979 COMPARED WITH 3 954 IN 1978.
+THIS IS VERY ENCOURAGING INDEED. THE FIGURES DEMONSTRATE THAT EMPLOYERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SUPPORTING AND ATTACHING GREAT IMPORTANCE TO APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD REGISTERED A TOTAL OF 12 791 APPRENTICESHIP CONTRACTS SINCE THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE CAME INTO FORCE IN JULY 1976.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 8 858 APPRENTICES RECEIVING TRAINING IN DIFFERENT TRADES IN 2 461 FACTORIES, HE ADDED.
THE ORDINANCE, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING PROPER APPRENTICE TRAINING IN DESIGNATED TRADES AND TO REGULATE THE EMPLOYMENT OF APPRENTICES IN THESE TRADES.
BY ENSURING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WERE PROPERLY TRAINED THE ORDINANCE ENSURED THAT INDUSTRY WOULD HAVE THE SUPPLY OF WELL-TRAINED SKILLED MANPOWER NEEDED FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT.
A DESIGNATED TRADE IS ONE SPECIFIED BY THE GOVERNOR AND COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE 36 DESIGNATED TRADES, INCLUDING VEHICLE REPAIR, PLASTERING, FURNITURE-MAKING, PRINTING, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, MOULD AND DIE MAKING AND REPAIR, TEXTILE AND CLOTHING MACHINE REPAIR, AND TELEVISION SERVICING.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYER MAY EMPLOY A YOUNG PERSON IN A DESIGNATED TRADE ONLY IF THE YOUNGSTER IS EMPLOYED AS AN APPRENTICE UNDER A VALID CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP, UNLESS THE YOUNGSTER HAS ALREADY COMPLETED AN APPRENTICESHIP IN THAT TRADE OR THE EMPLOYER HAS OBTAINED AN EXEMPTION FROM THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
THE CONTRACT MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE APPRENTICE OBTAINS PROPER TRAINING AND THAT THE EMPLOYER IS PROTECTED FROM LOSING -HIS APPRENTICE TO ANOTHER EMPLOYER.
THE CONTRACT ALSO SPECIFIES WORKING HOURS, REST DAYS, TRAINING PERIOD, WAGE AND OTHER FRINGE BENEFITS.
EVERY REGISTERED APPRENTICE SHOULD RECEIVE PROPER TRAINING WHICH INCLUDES ATTENDING A TECHNICAL COURSE AT A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ON A PART-TIME DAY—RELEASE BASIS AT THE EMPLOYER’S EXPENSE, IN ADDITION TO PRACTICAL ON-THE-JOB-TRAINING.
ON COMPLETION OF THE APPRENTICESHIP, THE APPRENTICE IS AWARDED A CERTIFICATE COUNTER-SIGNED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
/THE SPOKESMAN .....
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1980
5
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IN ENFORCING THE ORDINANCE, INSPECTORS CF APPRENTICES FROM THE DEPARTMENT VISIT REGISTERED APPRENTICES TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE RECEIVING ADEQUATE TRAINING AND TO ASSIST THE EMPLOYERS IN DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING TRAINING PROGRAMMES.
THEY ALSO CARRY OUT INSPECTIONS TO FIND OUT WHETHER YOUNG PERSONS ARE BEING EMPLOYED IN DESIGNATED TRADES WITHOUT VALID CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESHIP.
IF ANY SUCH CASE COMES TO LIGHT THE INSPECTORS WILL ADVISE THE EMPLOYER TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH HIS APPRENTICES.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT EMPLOYERS IN NON-DESIGNATED TRADES MIGHT ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH THEIR APPRENTICES WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT.
ANY EMPLOYER REQUIRING ASSISTANCE MAY CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S
APPRENTICESHIP DIVISION ON
TELEPHONE 5-280545.
0 - -
GIRL BREAKS NEW GROUND IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION
******
HO FUNG-YEE, A FORMER FORM THREE STUDENT, HAS BROKEN NEW GROUND IN THE HISTORY OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
FOR SHE IS THE FIRST GIRL TO APPLY AND TO BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION TO THE FULL-TIME CIVIL ENGINEERING CRAFT COURSE OFFERED BY GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES — A COURSE PREVIOUSLY REGARDED AS A PRESERVE FOR BOYS.
IN THIS ONE YEAR COURSE, APART FROM ATTENDING LECTURES IN THE CLASSROOM, MOST OF HER TIME WILL BE SPENT IN THE WORKSHOPS OF MAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, WHERE SHE WILL, UNOBTRUSIVELY WITH DOZENS OF OTHER BOYS, TRY HER HAND AT BRICKLAYING, PLUMBING AND CARPENTRY.
ON ENROLLING HER, MR HSU KA-PANG, HEAD OF THE INSTITUTE’S CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT, SAID THAT SHE WAS SELECTED NOT SO MUCH BECAUSE SHE WAS VERY NOTICEABLE — SHE WAS THE ONLY GIRL AMONG SEVERAL HUNDRED APPLICANTS -- BUT BECAUSE SHE ALREADY KNEW MUCH ABOUT THE SUBJECT FROM HER FAMILY AND BECAUSE OF HER GENUINE INTEREST IN THE COURSE.
♦HER PERFORMANCE SINCE IT STARTED HAS PROVED THAT SHE IS EQUALLY CAPABLE AND GENERALLY MORE ATTENTIVE AND INQUISITIVE THAN THE BOYS,+ MR HSU SAID.
FUNG-YEE IS LIKE ANY OTHER GIRL OF SIXTEEN. HER DECISION TO TAKE UP HER CHOSEN CAREER, NORMALLY ASSUMED TO BE AN ALL-MALE AREA, WAS HOWEVER QUITE PREDICTABLE.
BOTH HER FATHER AND GRANDFATHER HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF INTERIOR DECORATION AND FURNISHING AND HER INTEREST IN CARPENTRY AND IN BRICKWORK WAS INHERITED IN HER CHILDHOOD DAYS WHEN SHE SAT AND WATCHED HER FATHER AT WORK.
/DETERMINED TO .....
6
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1980
DETERMINED TO SUCCEED IN THE FAMILY TRADE, FUNG-YEE DECIDED TO START WITH THE GROUND WORK AND APPLIED FOR THE CRAFT COURSE AT THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. AFTER COMPLETING THE COMPREHENSIVE BASIC COURSE SHE INTENDS TO SPECIALISE IN INTERIOR DESIGN AND DECORATION AND TO DISPLAY HER TALENT INHERITED FROM THREE GENERATIONS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP.
TOGETHER WITH HO FUNG-YEE, THREE OTHER GIRLS STUDY IN THE CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT AT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. THEIR TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME TECHNICIAN COURSE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING IS COMPARATIVELY MORE CONCERNED «ITH THE THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF THE SUBJECT.
MR HSU NOTED THAT YOUNG PEOPLE NOWADAYS ARE MORE CAREER CONSCIOUS AND LESS BOUND BY TRADITIONAL CONCEPTS WHEN THEY SELECT THEIR STUDY COURSES.
+WITH THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, THE DEMAND FOR TECHNOLOGISTS, TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN WILL BE GREATER THAN IT HAS BEEN AT ANY TIME.
+THERE ARE ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OF BOTH SEXES TO PURSUE AN EXCITING AND REWARDING CAREER IN THIS FIELD.
+THE CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENTS OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ARE ESTABLISHED PRIMARILY TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE IN THE LONG TERM BY PROVIDING THE NECESSARY COMPLEMENTARY EDUCATION ON A MORE SYSTEMATIC AND SCIENTIFIC BASIS,+ MR HSU SAID.
AT PRESENT, THE DEPARTMENT AT HAKING WONG INSTITUTE RUNS A WIDE RANGE OF COURSES FOR BOTH FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME STUDENTS VARYING IN DURATION FROM ONE TO THREE YEARS.
THE COURSES COVER ALMOST EVERY SEGMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG AND ARE AT CRAFTSMAN TO TECHNICIAN LEVELS.
ON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF A COURSE, STUDENTS ARE AWARDED EITHER DIPLOMAS OR CERTIFICATES.
WITH THESE QUALIFICATIONS, SOME GRADUATES MOVE ON TO FURTHER STUDIES- THE MAJORITY OF GRADUATES FROM FULL-TIME COURSES ARE QUICKLY ABSORBED EVERY YEAR BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
ANTI-RABIES MESSAGE TO BE BROUGHT TO FISHERMEN * * * * *
A TWO-WEEK CAMPAIGN TO INOCULATE ALL DOGS ON FISHING VESSELS AGAINST RABIES WILL START ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 31).
THE CAMPAIGN, CONDUCTED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS GEARED TOWARDS THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD WHEN MOST OF THE FLEET RETURNS TO HOME PORTS FOR THE FESTIVITIES.
/THE DEPARTMENT'S
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1980
7
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER, MR THOMAS K.S. YIP, SAID TODAY THE CAMPAIGN MESSAGE WOULD BE MAINLY DIRECTED TO CHEUNG CHAU, SHAU KEI WAN, ABERDEEN, TAI PO AND TUEN MUN WHERE SOME 4 500 VESSELS ARE EXPECTED TO BERTH. MANY OF THESE VESSELS WOULD HAVE DOGS ONBOARD.
+THE KEEPING OF DOGS IS COMMON ON LOCAL FISHING VESSELS AND THESE DOGS ARE SUBJECT TO THE SAME LEGAL CONTROLS AS DOGS ON LAND. THAT IS, THEY MUST BE INOCULATED AGAINST RABIES AND LICENSED AT THE AGE OF FIVE MONTHS AND AGAIN AT INTERVALS OF THREE YEARS THEREAFTER,+ SAID MR YIP.
LAST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED A SUCCESSFUL ANTI-RABIES CAMPAIGN AIMED AT VILLAGERS IN THE NORTHERN NEW TERRITORIES WHEN SOME 1 000 DOGS WERE INOCULATED AND LICENSED IN A TEN-DAY PERIOD.
MR YIP SAID RABIES IS A FATAL ANIMAL TO MAN.
DISEASE COMMUNICABLE FROM
♦OF ALL ANIMALS, THE DOMESTIC DOG, BY VIRTUE OF ITS INTIMACY WITHIN THE HOUSEHOLD, PRESENTS THE GREATEST DANGER TO MAN.
+IT IS THEREFORE MOST IMPORTANT THAT ALL DOMESTIC DOGS, WHETHER ON LAND OR AT SEA, ARE PROTECTED AGAINST THIS DISEASE AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO DO THIS IS TO HAVE THE DOG INOCULATED AGAINST RABIES,+ HE SAID.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF FISHERMEN WHO KEEP DOGS ON THEIR VESSELS, THE DEPARTMENT IS ARRANGING FOR DOG INOCULATION AND LICENSING TEAMS TO VISIT EACH OF THE MAIN PORTS DURING THE TWO WEEK PERIOD.
THE TEAMS WILL BE AT THE CHEUNG CHAU PRAYA ON JANUARY 31 AND FEBRUARY 1- AT THE SHAU KEI WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET ON FEBRUARY 4 AND 5- THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET ON FEBRUARY 6, 7 AND 8- THE TAI PO FISHERIES OFFICE (TAI PO KAU PIER) AND YUE KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA ON FEBRUARY 11 AND 12- AND THE CASTLE' PEAK WHOLESALE FISH MARKET ON FEBRUARY 13 AND 14. THE HOURS OF OPERATION EACH DAY WILL BE FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM.
MR YIP SAID THE CAMPAIGN WAS NOT CONFINED TO THE FISHERFOLK- DOG-OWNERS ON LAND COULD ALSO USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR DOGS INOCULATED AND LICENSED BY THE VISITING TEAMS.
THE INOCULATION IS FREE, BUT THE CHARGE FOR EACH DOG LICENCE IS 315 AND THE VALIDITY OF BOTH INOCULATION AND LICENCE IS THREE YEARS.
♦FAILURE TO HAVE YOUR DOG LICENSED AND INOCULATED IS AN OFFENCE AND THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS SI 000 AND SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT,* SAID MR YIP.
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/8
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1980
8
NOTE TO EDITORS:
BRITISH TRADE SECRETARY TO VISIT LOCAL FACTORY
******
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, MR JOHN NOTT, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR WILLIAM DORwARD WILL VISIT THE RADOFIN ELECTRONICS (FAR EAST) LTD FACTORY AT PORTLAND HOUSE, 41 MA TAU WAI ROAD, 11TH FLOOR, KOWLOON AT 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 29). YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE VISIT.
AS SPACE AT THE FACTORY IS LIMITED, IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF YOU WILL ADVISE THE TICD PRESS OFFICE (TEL: 3-670451- 3-670256) BEFORE 3 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IF YOU INTEND TO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE.
A BRIEFING WILL BE HELD AT 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 29) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM AT RADOFIN ELECTRONICS LTD.
-------o----------
NEW YEAR FAIR STALLS AVAILABLE
*****
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR STALLS ARE STILL AVAILABLE IN TAI PO AND SHEK WU HUI.
AT PREVIOUS AUCTIONS, ALL STALLS IN TSUEN WAN AND YUEN LONG WERE TAKEN.
A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE UNALLOCATED STALLS IN TAI PO AND SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUNDS WOULD AGAIN BE OFFERED FOR AUCTION TO THE PUBLIC.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 30 (WEDNESDAY) IN THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE AT PO HEUNG STREET, TAI PO FROM 9.30 AM TO 12 NOON.
THE UNALLOCATED STALLS INCLUDE 55 WET GOODS STALLS, 21 DRY GOODS STALLS AND ONE BOTTLED DRINKS STALL AT TAI PO PLAYGROUND AND SIX DRY GOODS STALLS AT SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND. THE UP-SET PRICE FOR EACH STALL IS $30.
BIDDERS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND TWO PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE ISSUED A TEMPORARY HAWKER LICENCE AT S25 EACH AND THE AMOUNT BID SHOULD BE PAID IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION.
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/9
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1980
9
WATER PIPELINES FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE * * * *
PART OF THE WORK ON SUPPLYING WATER TO YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT WANG CHAU AND THE INDUSTRIAL AREA TO THE NORTH-EAST OF YUEN LONG NEW TOWN WILL BEGIN SOON. THE WORK WILL ALSO REINFORCE THE CURRENT SUPPLY TO THE TOWN.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF A SYSTEM OF PIPELINES IN AND NEXT TO THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE FOR THIS PROJECT.
IT COMPRISES THE LAYING OF ABOUT 14 700 METRES OF ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPES AND MILD STEEL PIPES, RANGING FROM 150 MM TO 930 MM IN DIAMETER.
IT WILL START IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 19 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
- - 0 - -
SWD MOVES TO WORLD TRADE CENTRE *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS HAS MOVED FROM LEE GARDENS IN HYSAN AVENUE TO THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE AT 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
IT IS NOW ACCOMMODATED ON THE 19TH AND 20TH FLOORS OF THE BUILDING WHICH IS NEXT TO EXCELSIOR HOTEL.
THE DEPARTMENTAL HEADQUARTERS COMPRISES SEVERAL BRANCHES: ADMINISTRATION, OPERATIONS, DEVELOPMENT, SUBVENTION AND SOCIAL SECUR ITY.
THE ENQUIRY COUNTER IS ON THE 19TH FLOOR, AND THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES REMAINS AT 5-761088. TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR MOST OFFICES ALSO REMAIN UNCHANGED.
- - 0 - -
NIGHT CLOSURE OF SECTION OF MA TAU WAI RD
*****
THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF MA TAU WAI ROAD BETWEEN CHI KIANG STREET AND SAN LAU STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 5.30 AM EACH NIGHT FROM TUESDAY (JANUARY 29).
THE TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EAST KOWLOON WAT, WILL LAST ABOUT EIGHT WEEKS.
DURING THE PERIODS OF CLOSURE, SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL EE DIVERTED VIA CHI KIANG STREET, TO KWA WAN ROAD, GILLIES AVENUE AND SAN LAU STREET TO REJOIN CHATHAM ROAD.
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
Monday, January 28, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR ............... 1
POINTS IN RENT CONTROL BILL CLARIFIED ........................... 2
UK TRANSPORT EXPERT IMPRESSED WITH MTR .......................... 3
LOGO FOR ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS ..................... 4
IN-SERVICE COURSES FOR TEACHERS ................................. 4
49 P’.VD CONTRACTS AWARDED IN DECEMBER........................... 5
CHILDREN SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION ....................... 6
LABOUR COMMISSIONER VISITS BREWERY AND BAKERY ................... 7
LONG SERVICE;- AWARDS TO FIRE OFFICERS AND FIREMEN............... 7
LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTERS SNAPPED UP ............................... 8
PASSING OUT PARADE OF THE VOLUNTEERS ............................ 8
STREET CLOSURE IN HUNG HOM
9
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1980
1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR * * * * *
WATER FROM THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME, THE WORLD’S LARGEST MAN-MADE RESERVOIR CARVED OUT FROM THE SEA, WILL START GUSHING THROUGH A MAZE OF TUNNELS ON FEBRUARY 9, WHEN HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA PAYS A VISIT TO THE ARTIFICIAL LAKE IN SAI KUNG.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL START THE MOTORS WHICH WILL PUMP WATER FROM THE RESERVOIR TO A TREATMENT CENTRE WHERE IT WILL BE FILTERED FOR CONSUMPTION.
THE PRINCESS AND THE HON ANGUS OGILVY WILL ALSO TOUR THE H<$1 348 MILLION WATER SCHEME WHICH HAS A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 273 MILLION CUBIC METRES NEARLY 10 000 TIMES LARGER THAN THE POKFULAM RESERVOIR — HONG KONG’S FIRST RESERVOIR BROUGHT INTO USE IN 1877.
THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE WATER SCHEME BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD, AND THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WILLIAM TUCKER.
THEY WILL HAVE A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE ENTIRE RESERVOIR WHICH HAS DRAWN WIDE INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM AND WON THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT THE PRESTIGIOUS INGERSOLL RAND ITALIA 1979 PRIZE.
THE AWARD, WHICH DRAWS PUBLIC ATTENTION TO SOCIAL, TECHNICAL AND AESTHETIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN IMPORTANT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, WAS SHARED BY VIAN IN I SPA, THE PROJECT’S MAJOR CONTRACTOR, AND THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, BINNIE AND PARTNERS.
THE PRINCESS WILL HAVE A CLOSE UP LOOK OF THE TWO MAIN DAMS SPANNING THE EASTERN AND WESTERN APPROACHES OF THE NARROW STRAIT RUNNING BETWEEN AN ISLAND AND THE EASTERN END OF SAI KUNG PENINSULA.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ALSO SEE THE SPECTACULAR VIEW PRESENTED BY THE 7 000 CONCRETE ’DOLOSSES’ — EACH WEIGHING 25 000 KILOGRAMS -COVERING THE SEAWARD FACE OF THE EASTERN COFFERDAM.
THE ’DOLOSSES’, WHICH RESEMBLE SHEEP KNUCKLES, ARE DESIGNED TO DISSIPATE THE FORCE OF OCEAN WAVES WHICH AT TIMES CAN REACH HEIGHTS OF ABOUT 12 METRES.
THE WATER SCHEME WAS CONCEIVED IN THE LATE SIXTIES AFTER PWD ENGINEERS HAD COMPLETED PLOVER COVE — THE WORLD’S FIRST FRESH WATER RESERVOIR IN THE SEA..
THE PROJECT BASICALLY INVOLVED DAMMING, DRAINING AND FILLING WITH FRESH WATER A LARGE INLET AT SAI KUNG PENINSULA. IT WAS COMPLETED IN LATE 1978 AND INAUGURATED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, ON NOVEMBER 27, 1978.
FOLLOWING THE GENERAL PATTERN OF PREVIOUS WATER SCHEMES IN HONG KONG, THE HIGH ISLAND PROJECT COMPRISES A RESERVOIR FED FROM A CATCHMENT AREA COVERING THE SURROUNDING HILLS BUT COMPLEMENTED BY EXTENSIVE INDIRECT CATCHMENTS.
/WATER FROM ..
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1980
2
WATER FROM THE SAI KUNG ENTIRE CATCHMENT AREA IS FED INTO THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR THROUGH A NETWORK OF SUBSIDIARY TUNNELS LEADING TO A MAIN TUNNEL LINKING THE RESERVOIR TO SHA TIN TREATMENT WORKS AND THE LOWER SHING MUN RESERVOIR.
THE CAPACITY OF SHA TIN TREATMENT WORKS, BUILT EARLIER FOR THE PLOVER COVE SCHEME, HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM 800 000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY TO 1.1 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER DAY. THE CAPACITY OF EXISTING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS IN KOWLOON AND HONG KONG HAVE ALSO BEEN INCREASED, AND BOOSTER STATIONS CONSTRUCTED TO SERVE SOME OF THE MORE DENSELY POPULATED AREAS.
------0-------
POINTS IN RENT CONTROL BILL CLARIFIED
*****
SOME LANDLORDS AND THEIR ADVISERS MAY STILL BE UNAWARE OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1980 TO BE DEBATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 30).
MISS ELAINE CHUNG, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (HOUSING) REVEALED IN A SPEECH TO A ROTARY MEETING TODAY THAT THIS HAD COME TO GOVERNMENT’S ATTENTION IN RECENT WEEKS.
MISS CHUNG SAID THAT IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ACCEPTED, AND DID NOT AMEND, CLAUSE 7(A) AND CLAUSE 7(B) OF THE BILL, THE EFFECT OF THE PROVISIONS WOULD BE THAT RISING RENT AGREEMENTS WHICH HAD NOT COMMENCED BY DECEMBER 18 LAST YEAR WOULD NOT BE EFFECTIVE.
SECTION 55 OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE PERMITS - AND WILL CONTINUE TO PERMIT - A LANDLORD AND TENANT TO AGREE ON ANY RENT INCREASE WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING.AND VALUATION AS LONG AS THE COMMISSIONER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCREASE, SHE EXPLAINED.
BUT NOW, SAID MISS CHUNG, CLAUSE 7(B) OF THE BILL WOULD AMEND SECTION 55 SO THAT ANY AGREED INCREASE IN RENT PAYABLE AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION.) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1980 WOULD HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED TO THE COMMISSIONER WITHIN A MONTH OF THE DUE DATE OF THE INCREASE, IN ORDER THAT THE RENT MAY BE RECOVERABLE.
+IF THE BILL IS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THIS PROVISION WILL PREVENT UNSCRUPULOUS LANDLORDS FROM REQUIRING TENANTS TO SIGN POST DATED AGREEMENTS FOR INCREASES IN RENT UNDER SECTION 55, SO AS TO CIRCUMVENT THE STATUTORY BENEFIT TO BE CONFERRED ON SITTING TENANTS,* SAID MISS CHUNG.
ANY INCREASES AGREED BETWEEN A LANDLORD AND TENANT WOULD, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION WITHIN A MONTH OF THE DATE ON WHICH THE AGREEMENT IS ACTUALLY SIGNED BY THE TENANT AND THE RENT INCREASE IS TO TAKE EFFECT WITHIN A MONTH OF THE DATE OF NOTIFICATION.
SHE SAID: +THE POSITION IS THAT IF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1980, IS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ANY RISING RENT AGREEMENT COMMENCING AFTER DECEMBER 18, 1979 AND PROVIDING FOR RENT INCREASE IN EXCESS OF THE STATUTORY FORMULA - WHICH PERMITS AT MOST AN INCREASE OF 21 PER CENT OVER TWO YEARS - WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE*.
------0 ------ /3...................
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1980
UK TRANSPORT EXPERT IMPRESSED WITH MTR *****
THERE IS NO SHORT TERM SOLUTION TO HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT PROBLEMS, SAID MR ARTHUR BECKENHAM, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF THE UK’S CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT TODAY (MONDAY). BUT HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE WAY THE MTR HAD BEEN DEVELGrcv ii< A nELmi<ELi SHOR । ■ Ir'E.
+NOT SO LONG AGO THEY WERE DIGGING HOLES IN THE ROAD. NOW THEY ARE RUNNING TRAINS THERE. THAT’S TREMENDOUS,+ HE SAID.
MR BECKENHAM HAS BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR TWO WEEKS DURING WHICH HE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT AND ALL MAJOR ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN TRANSPORT.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TO ASSESS THE SITUATION HERE AND TO RE-NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE POLYTECHNIC FOR A HIGHER DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS STUDIES (TRANSPORT). THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED TODAY (MONDAY).
MR BECKENHAM SAID THAT SINCE HIS LAST VISIT THREE YEARS AGO THE DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM IN TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT HAD IMPROVED IN SPITE OF GROWING PROBLEMS ON ALL SIDES.
+TRANSPORT OPERATORS ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED ON MAINTAINING SERVICES AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF ESCALATING FUEL COSTS, WAGES AND A GROWING POPULATION AND OTHER PROBLEMS,+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER HE HAS SOME RESERVATIONS ABOUT ROAD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT.
♦IF THIS WERE BETTER CO-ORDINATED IT WOULD RELIEVE CONGESTION,+ HE SAID. +1 LOOK FORWARD TO THE EXTENSION OF THE TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH IS NOW RUNNING WELL IN WEST KOWLOON.+
REFERRING TO THE CURRENT PROGRAMME OF LOCAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT, MR BECKENHAM SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS CLOSELY RELATED TO MANY OF HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT PROBLEMS AND AN AID TO GREATER MANAGEMENT UNDERSTANDING.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT (PUBLIC TRANSPORT), MR PETER MILLER, WHO IS THE INSTITUTE’S EDUCATION AND TRANSPORT OFFICER IN HONG KONG SAIDj +THE RENEWAL OF THE AGREEMENT WILL ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT SECTOR WILL BE PROVIDED WITH QUALIFIED PEOPLE IN TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING- THIS IS GOOD FOR OUR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.+
-----0-------
A
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1980
4
LOGO FOR ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS * * * *
THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS HAS PRODUCED A LOGO WHICH WILL BE USED IN ALL ACAN PUBLICATIONS.
THE ACAN LOGO WAS DESIGNED BY MR VICTOR LEE KI-KWOK, AN ARTIST WHO WAS ASSIGNED TO COM^ UP WITH A SYMPOI THAT WOULD ADEQUATELY AND APPROPRIATELY REPRESENT THE WORK OF ACAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ACAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) OVER THE YEARS, A NUMBER OF DESIGNS HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE ACAN FOR CONSIDERATION, BUT NONE WERE FOUND SATISFACTORY.
HE SAID THE NEW LOGO SYMBOLISED TWO THINGSt A MAN EXPRESSING VICTORY OVER DRUG ADDICTION AND A MAN APPEALING FOR HELP IN OVERCOMING ADDICTION AND BEING GIVEN PROTECTION.
THE DOT IN THE LOGO REPRESENTS A MAN WHILE THE FOUR STRANDS SIGNIFY ACAN’S FOUR BASIC PROGRAMMES : LAW ENFORCEMENT- TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION- PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY- AND INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW LOGO WAS ACCEPTED BY THE ACAN BECAUSE IT WAS SIMPLE AND ITS UNDERLYING CONCEPT COULD BEST REFLECT THE AIMS OF THE ACAN.
HE SAID THE LOGO WOULD BE USED EXTENSIVELY IN ALL ACAN PUBLICATIONS, SUCH AS POSTERS, LEAFLETS, NARCOTICS REPORTS AND FILM ’CLIPS’ SO THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN EASILY IDENTIFY THEM WITH ITS ANT I-NARCOTICS WORK.
- - 0
IN-SERVICE COURSES FOR TEACHERS *****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES TO TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT-AIDED OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHO WISH TO BECOME QUALIFIED TEACHERS.
THE COURSES, FREE OF CHARGE, WILL BE HELD AT THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION. THEY CONSIST OF LECTURES, TUTORIALS, DEMONSTRATIONS. ASSIGNMENTS AND SUPERVISION OF TEACHING OVER TWO ACADEMIC YEARS FROM 1980 TO 1982.
CERTIFICATES ACCORDING +QUALIFIED TEACHER+ STATUS WILL BE AWARDED TO THOSE WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE COURSE.
DETAILS OF THE COURSES ARE CONTAINED IN A GENERAL SCHOOLS TRAINING CIRCULAR ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ON JANUARY 14,
THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF COURSES, ONE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THE OTHER TWO FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
THE PRIMARY COURSE IS CONDUCTED IN CHINESE EXCEPT FOR THE ENGLISH SUBJECT. THE SECONDARY COURSES ARE CONDUCTED EITHER IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH, DEPENDING ON WHICH LANGUAGE THE TEACHERS USE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION.
/EACH OF
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1980
5
EACH OF THE THREE COURSES IS DIVIDED INTO TWO CLASSES, THE MORNING AND EVENING SESSIONS, SO AS TO GIVE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS AND THEIR SPONSORING SCHOOLS FLEXIBILITY IN ARRANGING ATTENDANCE AT THE COURSES.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE COURSES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, LEE GARDENS, THIRD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG AND THE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE, 405 NATHAN ROAD, SIXTH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG (SECONDARY ENGLISH COURSE ONLY), GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, 42 GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON (PRIMARY COURSE ONLY) AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, PIPER’S HILL, KOWLOON (SECONDARY CHINESE COURSE ONLY).
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO WHICH ADMISSION IS SOUGHT, BY 5 PM ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1980.
HEADS OF SCHOOLS ARE ASKED TO NOTE THAT AS STATED IN THE 1978 EDUCATION WHITE PAPER IT WAS DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE PRIMARY COURSE IN 1980 SINCE IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT ITS CONTINUATION. IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT THE COURSE WOULD BE OFFERED IN 1981.
THE ACTUAL DATE OF. THE EXTENSION COURSE TO A THREE-YEAR ONE HAS YET TO
OF’THE TWO-YEAR SECONDARY BE FINALISED.
-----0------
49 PWD CONTRACTS AWARDED IN DECEMBER
X X * X X
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AWARDED A TOTAL OF 49 CONTRACTS WORTH MORE THAN $279.3 MILLION IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
OF THESE. 29 WERE AWARDED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD AND OTHERS ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PWD TENDER BOARD.
LARGEST CONTRACTS WAS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONTRACT, WORTH ABOUT $75 MILLION, IS FOR
ABOUT 44 HECTARES OF LAND TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED
ONE OF THE TAI PO NEW TOWN. THE FORMATION OF
BRIDGE WORKS.
------0
/6
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, I960
- 6 -
CHILDREN SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION *****
BUDDING ARTISTS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE +SAFETY OF CHILDREN POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION* ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS SECRETARIAT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE CONTEST, ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WAS TO MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE IN TAKING NECESSARY MEASURES, TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN FROM ACCIDENTS AT HOME AND AT PLAY.
ENTRIES TO THE COMPETITION SHOULD CONTAIN MESSAGES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING SAFETY MEASURES FOR CHILDREN AT HOME OR AT PLAY.
THE CONTEST COMPRISES THREE DIVISIONS, AN OPEN DIVISION FOR MEMBERS OF PUBLIC, DISREGARDING AGE, SEX AND OCCUPATION, AND THE OTHER TWO DIVISIONS FOR STUDENTS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE TOP SIX ENTRIES OF EACH DIVISION. THE WINNER OF EACH DIVISION WILL RECEIVE AN AWARD OF $700 WORTH OF BOOK COUPONS, AND THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP WILL RECEIVE $500 AND $300 BOOK COUPONS RESPECTIVELY. THEY WILL ALSO BE AWARDED A TROPHY EACH. MERIT AWARDS OF $100 WORTH OF BOOK COUPONS AND A SOUVENIR PLAQUE WILL BE GIVEN TO EACH OF THE NEXT THREE BEST ENTRIES IN EACH OF THE THREE DIVISIONS.
ENTRIES MUST BE OF 42 CM. BY 59 CM., COMPLETED WITH THE CONTESTANT’S NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER, OCCUPATION, SCHOOL AND CLASS (FOR A STUDENT), AND SENT TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT FOURTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS BEFORE FEBRUARY 29.
ENTRIES ARE ALSO COLLECTED AT THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT AT 181 GLOUCESTER ROAD, SECOND FLOOR, HONG KONG OR ITS SUB-OFFICES AT KOWLOON HOSPITAL AND SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KOWLOON.
THE BEST ENTRIES WILL BE DISPLAYED IN AN EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY HALL FROM MARCH 28 TO 30.
-----o------
/7
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1980
7
LABOUR COMMISSIONER VISITS BREWERY AND BAKERY *****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR J.N. HENDERSON, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED SAN MIGUEL BREWERY LTD. AND GARDEN CO. LTD. TO KEEP HIMSELF UP-TO-DATE ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BREWERY, BAKERY AND CONFECTIONARY INDUSTRY.
MR HENDERSON FIRST VISITED SAN MIGUEL AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE PRODUCTION LINES BY THE COMPANY’S CHIEF BREWMASTER, MR H.A. WALLER, BEFORE STARTING A TOUR OF THE PLANT.
IN THE AFTERNOON, HE WENT TO GARDEN COMPANY WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE GENERAL MANAGER, MR STEPHEN CHEUNG.
FOLLOWING A BRIEFING GIVEN BY MR CHEUNG, MR HENDERSON TOURED THE PLANT AND INSPECTED THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF BREAD AND BISCUITS.
-------0----------
LONG SERVICE AWARDS TO FIRE OFFICERS AND FIREMEN *****
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR M.K. LANE WILL TOMORROW (TUESDAY) PRESENT COLONIAL LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS TO EIGHT SENIOR FIRE OFFICERS AND SIX FIREMEN AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 323 JAVA ROAD AT 10 AM.
CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, MR B.G. FENDER AND DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF NT FIRE COMMAND MR S.M. ELCOCK WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE FIRE SERVICES FOR 30 YEARS WILL BE AWARDED SECOND CLASPS TO THEIR MEDALS.
DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, MR A.S. CONWAY, SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER, MR LAM LOK-BUN, SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER, CHEUNG SHU-SHING, DIVISIONAL OFFICER, KWAN SAI-YIU AND A SENIOR FIREMAN WHO HAVE EACH COMPLETED 25 YEARS OF SERVICE WILL BE PRESENTED WITH FIRST CLASPS TO THEIR MEDALS.
STATION OFFICER NG MAN-FAT, SENIOR AMBULANCE OFFICER HO .WAI-MAN AND FIVE PRINCIPAL FIREMEN WILL RECEIVE LONG SERVICE MEDALS, MARKING THEIR 18 YEARS’ SERVICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE PRESENTATION OF LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS TO FIRE OFFICERS IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 323 JAVA ROAD AT 10 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1980
8
LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTERS SNAPPED UP *****
ALL 300 000 COPIES OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTER PRODUCED BY THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WERE SNAPPED UP IN THE FIRST WEEK OF DISTRIBUTION LAST MONDAY, JANUARY 21.
THE POSTER WAS OFFERED FREE TO THE PUBLIC IN APPRECIATION CF THEIR SUPPORT TO THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN DURING THE PAST YEAR.
THE POSTER WAS GIVEN AWAY ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS AT URBAN SERVICES DISTRICT OFFICES, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ONCE THE NEWS SPREAD, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC RUSHED TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE FULL-COLOURED POSTER.
THE POPULAR POSTER FEATURES THREE CHINESE FIGURES - REPRESENTING HAPPINESS, WEALTH AND LONGEVITY WITH A SYMBOLIC MONKEY DESIGN DENOTING THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY.
IT ALSO CARRIES A CHINESE COUPLET WHICH WHEN TRANSLATED MEANS:
+MAN CELEBRATES ANOTHER BIRTHDAY, AS HEAVEN BRINGS IN
A NEW YEAR.+
+MAY EVERY HOME BE BLESSED AS SPRING FILLS THE AIR.+
- - 0 -
PASSING OUT PARADE OF THE VOLUNTEERS *****
A PASSING OUT PARADE OF RECRUITS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) EVENING.
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR ROY HENRY, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE PARADE TO BE HELD AT THE REGIMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY, AT 6.30 PM.
A PRESENTATION OF COMMANDING OFFICER’S COMMENDATIONS TO 31 VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO BE HELD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PASSING OUT PARADE OF RECRUITS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT AT 6.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE VOLUNTEERS HEADQUARTERS IN SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1980
9
STREET CLOSURE IN HUNG HOM * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT A SECTION OF WO CHUNG STREET BETWEEN FAT KWONG STREET AND CHATHAM ROAD IN HUNG HOM WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1) FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EAST KOWLOON WAY.
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON FAT KWONG STREET CAN GAIN ACCESS TO CHATHAM ROAD VIA MA TAU WEI ROAD AND WUHU STREET.
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
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW BUS FARES ANNOUNCED ................................ 1
DEBATE GN RJNT CONTROL BILL TO RESUME IN LEGCO TOMORROW ............................................... 2
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO OPEN TSUEN WAN TC7N HALL ......... 3
BRITISH TRADE SECRETARY VISITS SITE OF NEW POWER PLANT .................................................. 5
FOUR LOTS OF CROWN LAND SOLD ........................... 5
BRITISH TRADE SECRETARY VISITS ELECTRONICS FACTORY ..... 6
PRESS CONFERENCE BY TRADE SECRETARY .................... 7
PEOPLE STAYING IN HOTELS .JW LODGING PLACES REQUIRED TO FURNISH PARTICULARS ................................. 7
TEACHING AID DISPLAY FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHJRS ..... 8
LONG SERVICE AWARDS TO JTREM3<
9
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1980
- 1
NEW BUS FARES ANNOUNCED
*****
BUS FARES WILL BE RAISED FROM SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 3).
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE INCREASES WERE NECESSARY TO COMPENSATE FOR INCREASED OPERATIONAL COSTS OVER THE YEARS, AND TO ENSURE BETTER AND MORE STREAMLINED SERVICES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR.
URBAN KOWLOON FARES, PRESENTLY RANGING FROM 20 CENTS TO 50 CENTS, WILL BE RAISED TO 30 CENTS TO ONE DOLLAR. CMB’S URBAN FARES WILL BE EITHER 50 CENTS OR 70 CENTS, COMPARED WITH THE EXISTING 30 CENTS, 40 CENTS AND 50 CENTS.
CROSS HARBOUR FARES FOR BOTH COMPANIES WHICH ARE NOW 11 WILL BE $1.50.
♦NEITHER KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY NOR CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY HAVE HAD FARE INCREASES FOR MANY YEARS, BUT DURING THIS PERIOD OPERATIONAL COSTS - NOT THE LEAST IMPORTANT BEING FUEL PRICES - HAVE RISEN SHARPLY,♦ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
HE ALSO STRESSED THAT AS GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF BUS SERVICES THE FARE INCREASES WERE ESSENTIAL.
GOVERNMENT AND BOTH KMB AND CMB HAVE FORMALLY AGREED ON FIVE POINTS THAT WILL ENSURE IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICES IN THE URBAN, SUBURBAN AND RURAL AREAS OF THE TERRITORY.
THEY ARE I
* A FLEET DEVELOPMENT RENEWAL AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF NEW AND SCRAPPING OF OLD BUSES, ACQUISITION OF SPARE PARTS AND PROVISION FOR AN ANNUAL REVIEW EVERY APRIL-
* THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE CLEANING, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING FACILITIES FOR BUSES-
* THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE DEPOTS, INCORPORATING PROPER MAINTENANCE FACILITIES-
* THE IMPROVEMENT OF WORKING CONDITIONS TO INCREASE THE WORK-FORCE, PARTICULARLY DRIVERS AND MAINTENANCE WORKERS- AND
* IMPROVEMENTS IN MANAGEMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT KMB HAD NOT HAD FARE INCREASES SINCE 1973 IN THE RURAL AREAS, SINCE 1972 FOR CROSS HARBOUR SERVICES AND SINCE 1971 FOR URBAN ROUTES.
CMB’S CROSS HARBOUR SERVICE FARES HAD NOT CHANGED SINCE
1972 AND ALL OTHER SERVICES NAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1976.
/THE GOVERNMENT ..
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1980
2
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FARE INCREASES WERE AN INEVITABLE RESULT OF RISES IN WAGES, FUEL AND OTHER OPERATING COSTS.
♦THE FARES WILL STILL BE LOW IN RELATION TO INCOMES,* SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THE COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE MORE BUSES, DEPOTS AND STAFF, IMPROVED MAINTENANCE AND BETTER MANAGEMENT.
BUS PURCHASING PROGRAMMES TO THE MIDDLE OF 1981 HAVE BEEN AGREED WITH BOTH COMPANIES AND ARE ALREADY BEING IMPLEMENTED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID 1 ♦THESE AGREEMENTS SHOULD LEAD TO MORE AND BETTER BUSES, BETTER MAINTAINED VEHICLES AND LESS OVERCROWDING.*
THE REVISED FARE SCHEDULE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1).
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DEBATE ON RENT CONTROL BILL TO RESUME IN LEGCO TOMORROW * ft ft *
DEBATE ON THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WILL RESUME AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE BILL AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE DEBATE WILL BE FURTHER ADJOURNED.
DURING QUESTION TIME. UNOFFICIAL COUNCILLORS WILL RAISE 15 QUESTIONS ON VARIOUS MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST.
THE HON LEUNG TAT-SHING WILL ASK WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER ENCOURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF FURTHER PRIVATE, LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ESTATES FOR MIDDLE-INCOME WAGE EARNERS, SUCH AS THE ESTATE CURRENTLY BEING DEVELOPED AT TAI SANG WAI IN YUEN LONG
THE HON FRANCIS TIEN WILL ASK WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT TO MONITOR OIL PRICES, PARTICULARLY INDUSTRIAL FUELS, AND TO ENSURE THAT INCREASES IMPOSED BY THE OIL COMPANIES ARE REASONABLE AND NOT OUT OF STEP WITH PRICES PREVAILING ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION.
THE HON PETER C. WONG WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE RECENT SPATE OF ROBBERIES ON BANKS AND GOLDSMITH SHOPS AND THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO COUNTER SUCH CRIMES.
THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO STATE WHEN IT IS PROPOSED TO ENABLE THE SCHEME FOR LIMITED LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS TO BE EXTENDED TO ALL SUCH COURTS AND TO MORE OFFENCES.
/OTHER QUESTIONS .
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1980
3
OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED CONCERN THE REPAYMENT OF STUDENT LOANS TO THE STUDENTS LOAN FUND, THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION DIVISION IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, TRAIN SERVICES SERVING THE NEW TERRITORIES ESPECIALLY ON SHA TIN RACE DAYS, THE DUAL CARRIAGE ROAD SYSTEM BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND FANLING, RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON CROWN LAND AND AGRICULTURAL LAND, SAFETY TRAINING FOR CYCLISTS, MEASURES TO COUNTER ROBBERY AND THEFT IN PUBLIC CAR PARKS, THE PRESENT DRIVING TEST SYSTEM, THE INTRODUCTION OF PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR WOMEN WORKERS AND THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC CAR-PARKS FOR PASSENGER CARS AND LORRIES, AND THE RECENT ARRIVAL OF A VIETNAMESE REFUGEE VESSEL IN THE HARBOUR.
THREE BILLS, THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL I960, WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
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PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO OPEN TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL * X X * M *
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, THE FIRST MULTI-PURPOSE CULTURAL COMPLEX IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, ON FEBRUARY 7.
THE OPENING WILL BE AMONG THE MAJOR EVENTS DURING THE PRINCESS’S NINE DAYS IN HONG KONG.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL BE ACCOMPANIED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY BY THE HON ANGUS OGILVY, AND THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE.
SHE WILL ARRIVE AT THE TOWN HALL AT 3 PM AND BE MET BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD, THE DIRECTOR CF URBAN SERVICES, MR BRIAN WILSON, THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES HAYES, AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL WATCH LION AND UNICORN DANCES AFTER PERFORMING THE TRADITIONAL EYE DOTTING CEREMONIES.
IN THE MAIN FOYER THE PRINCESS WILL MEET MEMBERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND DIGNITARIES FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES.
AFTER AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY MR WILSON, THE PRINCESS WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE OFFICIALLY OPENING THE TOWN HALL.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL THEN WALK TO THE AUDITORIUM WHERE, FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES SUB-COMMITTEE OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, MR CHAN PO-FONG, WILL GIVE A SPEECH Or THANKS.
/AFTER MR CHAN'S .
TUESDAY, JANUABY 29, 1980
4
AFTER MR CHAN'S SPEECH, THE PRINCESS WILL WATCH PERFORMANCES BY TSUEN WAN GIRLS* AND CHILDREN'S CHOIRS AND TSUEN WAN DANCE TROUPE.
THE PRINCESS WILL NEXT GO TO THE EXHIBITION GALLERY TO SEE A PICTORIAL AND MAP DISPLAY TRACING TSUEN WAN’S HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS PLANS SHOWING FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN.
THE DISPLAY IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.
AFTER VIEWING THE DISPLAY, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ATTEND A RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES FOR 550 GUESTS.
DURING HER ONE HOUR VISIT TO THE TOWN HALL, THE WINNERS OF A MURALS COMPETITION, ONE OF WHOM WAS ONLY 11 WHEN SHE ENTERED, WILL BE PRESENTED TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS.
THE COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED BY TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE LOCAL DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD. IT ATTRACTED OVER 600 ENTRIES.
THE MURALS ARE ON THE GROUND, FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS. THE TOWN HALL HAS ITS OWN EMBLEM.
THE TOWN HALL COST *23 MILLION TO BUILD, OF WHICH *10 MILLION WAS DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
IT IS BUILT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND WILL BE MANAGED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
FINISHING TOUCHES ARE NOW BEING PUT IN THE TOWN HALL IN READINESS TO RECEIVE THE ROYAL VISITORS IN TWO WEEKS’ TIME.
A FEATURE OF THE BUILDING IS ITS AUDITORIUM WHICH HAS 1 500 SEATS ON THREE STOREYS.
THE MAIN STAGE COVERS AN AREA OF 186 SQUARE METRES WITH ANOTHER 50 SQUARE METRES OF SIDE AND BACK STAGES.
THE AUDITORIUM WILL BE USED DAILY DURING THE SECOND TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL FROM FEBRUARY 23 TO MARCH 16.
/5
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1980
5
TRADE SECRETARY VISITS SITE OF NEW POWER PLANT
* * X * *
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, THE RT HON JOHN NOTT TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED THE SITE OF THE NEW POWER PLANT UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT TAP SHEK KOK AND HAD TALKS WITH SENIOR ENGINEERS OF CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY WHICH WILL MANAGE THE STATION.
THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE DUAL (COAL/OIL) FIRED GENERATION UNITS ARE SUPPLIED BY THE BRITISH GEC TURBINE GENERATORS LTD BRITISH EXPERTISE AND SUPPLY OF OTHER ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ARE ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT.
THE STATION IS BEING DEVELOPED IN TWO PHASES. THE ’A’ STATION WILL HOUSE FOUR 350 MW GENERATING UNITS, TO BE COMMISSIONED BETWEEN 1982 AND 1985, AND A NUMBER OF GAS TURBINES.
DETAILED STUDIES ARE IN HAND ON THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROJECT, THE ’B’ STATION. THOUGH NO FIRM DECISION HAS YET BEEN MADE, THE SIZE OF ITS GENERATING UNITS WILL PROBABLY BE 660 MW.
CONSTRUCTION WORK, INITIALLY INVOLVING EXTENSIVE SITE FORMATION AND RECLAMATION BEGAN IN 1978. THE STATION IS OWNED BY KOWLOON ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CO LTD WHICH IS JOINTLY FINANCED BY ESSO AND CHINA LIGHT.
MR NOTT WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR D.M. MARCH.
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FOUR LOTS OF CROWN LAND SOLD
» UK
A 18 600-SQUARE METRE SITE AT SUNDERLAND ROAD, KOWLOON, WAS SOLD FOR $210 MILLION AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE CITY HALL TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE SITE, FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, WAS BOUGHT BY HANG BONG CO LTD AT $11 286.08 PER SQUARE METRE.
A NON-INDUSTRIAL SITE AT ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, MEASURING ABOUT 2 700 SQUARE METRES, WAS SOLD FOR $135 MILLION OR $50 223.22 PER SQUARE METRE. IT WAS BOUGHT BY IRON COURT LTD.
ANOTHER 2 200-SQUARE METRE SITE, FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN USES. WAS BOUGHT BY HOPES ICE AND COLD STORAGE LTD. THE LOT, LOCATED AT SHEK PAI WAN ROAD, ABERDEEN, WAS SOLD FOR $84 MILLION OR $37 854.90 PER SQUARE METRE.
THE FOURTH LOT AT THE JUNCTION OF CHO YUEN STREET AND SZE SHAN STREET, YAU TONG, WAS SOLD TO RICH PEARL LTD FOR $14.5 MILLION OR J25 000 PER SQUARE METRE. THE SITE COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 580 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL PURPOSES EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL USES.
THE LAST LOT AT CHA KWO LING ROAD, KOWLOON, MEASURING ABOUT 2 300 SQUARE METRES, WAS WITHDRAWN BECAUSE THERE WERE NO BIDDERS. THIS LOT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, I960
6
BRITISH TRADE SECRETARY VISITS ELECTRONICS FACTORY * * * *
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, THE RT HON JOHN NOTT THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING VISITED AN ELECTRONICS FACTORY WHICH HAS WON NINE HONG KONG AWARDS FOR ITS PRODUCTS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
MR NOTT, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR WILLIAM DORWARD, AND THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR DEREK MARCH, WAS CONDUCTED ON A TOUR OF RADOFIN ELECTRONICS (FAR EAST) LTD FACTORY AT MA TAU WEI ROAD, KOWLOON BY THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR LAWRENCE SCOTT.
THE COMPANY MAKES VIDEO MICRO-PROCESSOR GAMES- DESK TOP CALCULATORS- NON-VIDEO SPORTS AND LOGIC GAMES- AND MICRO-PROCESSOR BASED EQUIPMENT - INCLUDING THE TELETEXT DECODING RECEIVER WHICH WON THE 1979 GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR HONG KONG DESIGN.
MR NOTT WAS TOLD BY MR SCOTT THAT THE COMPANY, WHICH BEGAN PRODUCTION IN 1975, THIS YEAR EXPECTED TO PURCHASE FROM TWO COMPANIES IN BRITAIN SEMI-CONDUCTORS VALUED AT 125 MILLION.
THE COMPANY, WHICH IS 51 PER CENT BRITISH-OWNED, IS ABOUT TO LAUNCH A NEW SOPHISTICATED MICRO-PROCESSOR CARTRIDGE GAME, AND MR NOTT WAS SHOWN THE $835 OOO COMPUTER-CONTROLLED IN-CIRCUIT TESTER, JUST BOUGHT FROM THE USA. MR SCOTT SAID IT WAS THE MOST MODERN MODEL IN HONG KONG, AND WOULD ENSURE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF QUALITY CONTROL.
MR NOTT’S TOUR ALSO INCLUDED THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, THE QUALITY CONTROL SECTION, AND THE PRODUCTION AREA WHERE HE CHATTED WITH WORKERS. THE VISIT ENDED WITH A DISCUSSION WITH MANY OF THE COMPANY’S MANAGERS.
RADOFIN ELECTRONICS, WHICH HAS TWO FACTORIES TOTALLING 70 000 SQUARE FEET, AND EMPLOYS 1 100 STAFF, SELLS MOST OF ITS PRODUCTS TO THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED KINGDOM, GERMANY AND HOLLAND.
THE AWARDS IT CAPTURED IN 1977 COMPRISE THE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR CONTEST- THE HONG KONG NEW PRODUCTS COMPETITION- THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AWARD IN THE NEW PRODUCTS COMPETITION-THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES’ AWARD FOR GOOD DESIGN AND THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION BEST PRODUCT FOR EXPORT AWARD - ALL FOR TV GAMES.
THE COMPANY ALSO WON THE 1978 FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES’ AWARD FOR GOOD DESIGN FOR A THERMAL PRINTER AND DESK CALCULATOR- AND LAST YEAR RECEIVED THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR HONG KONG DESIGN- THE NEW PRODUCT AWARD IN THE HONG KONG NEW PRODUCTS COMPETITION- AND THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS AWARD IN THE HONG KONG NEW PRODUCTS COMPETITION - ALL FOR THE COMPANY’S TELETEXT DECODING RECEIVER.
ELECTRONICS IS HONG KONG’S SECOND LARGEST INDUSTRY IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, WITH 1978 EXPORTS TOTALLING $4 741 MILLION.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1980
7
NOTE TO EDITORS:
BRITITRADE SECRETARY TO GIVE PRESS CONFERENCE ******
THE VISITING SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE, THE RT HON JOHN NOTT, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT KAI TAK AIRPORT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WIL. START AT 3.45 PM TOMORROW IN THE VIP PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING.
TELEVISION CREWS ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
- - 0 - -
PEOPLE STAYING IN HOTELS AND LODGING PLACES REQUIRED TO FURNISH PARTICULARS ******
PEOPLE STAYING IN HOTELS AND LODGING PLACES ARE REMINDED OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO FURNISH PERSONAL PARTICULARS TO KEEPERS OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY), UNDER SECTION 17 OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, A PERSON OVER THE AGE OF 15 WISHING TO STAY AT ANY LODGING PLACES MUST INFORM THE KEEPER OF HIS NAME AND NATIONALITY.
+IN ADDITION A VISITOR TO HONG KONG IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE DATE OF HIS ARRIVAL HERE, THE NAME OF THE SHIP OR AIRLINER BY WHICH HE ARRIVED AND HIS OCCUPATION,* HE SAID.
♦BEFORE HE CHECKS OUT HE MUST LET THE KEEPER KNOW THE PLACE TO WHICH HE IS GOING, OR THE NAME OF THE SHIP OR AIRLINER BY WHICH HE WILL DEPART IF HE IS LEAVING HONG KONG,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SUCH PARTICULARS COULD BE GIVEN BY A PERSON ACTING ON HIS BEHALF.
ON THE KEEPERS’ LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES, HE SAID: +THEY ARE TO ENSURE THAT THEIR CLIENTS COMPLY WITH THESE OBLIGATIONS AND MUST KEEP THESE RECORDS IN WRITING FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS. THESE RECORDS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION UPON THE REQUEST OF IMMIGRATION OR POLICE OFFICERS.*
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1980
8
TEACHING AID DISPLAY FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS
* X * *
A PERMANENT DISPLAY OF TEACHING RESOURCES FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE HAS BEEN SET UP IN THE KOWLOON UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE FOR TEACHERS.
ON DISPLAY ARE SAMPLED TEACHING MATERIALS, AIDS AND PROJECTS OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE SUBJECT. IT IS OPEN TO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS, EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TEACHING CENTRE SAID.
OPENING HOURS ON WEDNESDAYS ARE FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM, AND ON SATURDAYS FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON.
THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE’S KOWLOON UNIT IS AT 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, MA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
FOR INDIVIDUAL VISITS TO THE DISPLAY, NO ARRANGEMENT WITH THE CENTRE IS NECESSARY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦HOWEVER, SCHOOLS WISHING TO ARRANGE VISITS IN LARGE GROUPS AND TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS ON THE SPOT WITH PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF THE CENTRE SHOULD MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH THE CENTRE IN ADVANCE,* FE SAID.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE CENTRE’S KOWLOON UNIT IS 3-028404, AND THAT FOR THE HONG KONG UNIT IS 5-485348.
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/9
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1980
9
LONG SERVICE AWARDS TO FIREMEN *****
EIGHT SENIOR FIRE OFFICERS AND SIX FIREMEN TODAY (TUESDAY) RECEIVED THE COLONIAL FIRE BRIGADE LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS.
AT A CEREMONY HELD AT FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS IN NORTH POINT, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR M.K. LANE PRAISED THE EFFORTS MADE BY THE RECIPIENTS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY.
MR LANE SAID THE RECIPIENTS HAD CONTRIBUTED A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 360 YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. +THIS IS INDEED A SPLENDID RECORD,* HE SAID.
+1 KNOW THESE AWARDS ARE NOT LIGHTLY EARNED, THEY STAND FOR THE INVESTMENT OF OUR WORKING LIVES AND I FURTHER KNOW THE PUBLIC YOU HAVE SERVED AND CONTINUE TO SERVE HAS BENEFITTED BY YOUR DEVOTION TO YOUR PROFESSION,* MR LANE TOLD THE RECIPIENTS.
CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, MR B.G. FENDER AND DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF NEW TERRITORIES FIRE COMMAND, MR S.M. ELCOCK WERE AWARDED SECOND CLASPS TO THEIR MEDALS. THEY HAVE EACH SERVED IN THE FIRE SERVICE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, MR A.S. CONWAY, SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER MR LAM LOK-BUN, SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER MR CHEUNG SHUSHING, DIVISIONAL OFFICER MR KWAI SAI-YIU AND A SENIOR FIREMAN WHO HAVE COMPLETED 25 YEARS’ OF SERVICE RECEIVED FIRST CLASPS TO THEIR MEDALS.
STATION OFFICER NG MAN-FAT, SENIOR AMBULANCE OFFICER HO WAI-MAN AND FIVE PRINCIPAL FIREMEN RECEIVED THE LONG SERVICE MEDALS, MARKING THEIR 18 YEARS’ OF SERVICE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DEBATE ON RENT CONTROL BILL RESUMES ........................ 1
DEVELOPMENT IN AR.EAS WITHOUT ADEQUATE SERVICES NOT DESIRABLE ............................................. 10
GOVERNMENT MONITORS MOVEMENTS IN OIL PRICES ................ 11
NO RELAXATION OF POLICE EFFORTS TO CURB ROBBERIES .......... 11
LEGAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME SHOULD BE EXTENDED ................. 12
WORKING GROUP STUDYING PARKING POLICY ...................... 13
DEVELOPMENT STUDY OF NORTH- TEST NT UNDERWAY ............... 13
DEPLOYMENT OF ROYAL NAVY AND MARINE POLICE IS SATISFACTORY'.............................................. 14
NEW DRIVING EXAMINER POSTS CREATED TO HELP REDUCE WAITING TIME FOR TESTS .................................... 15
NT CIRCULAR ROUTE .......................................... 15
RULES ON HEARING OF APPEALS AMENDED ........................ 16
BANKING (AMENDM.JNT)BILL 1980 .............................. 17
. /BILL TO ..
<
BILL TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL OVER BILL POSTING INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO ........................................ 18
SUMMARY OFFENCSS (AMENDbi JNT) BILL 1980 ..................... 18
REPAYMENT TO STUDENT LOAN FUND PROCEEDING WELL ............... 19
SEMI-AUTOMATIC BARRIERS FeR GOVERNMENT CAR PARKS ............. 20
MATERNITY BENEFITS FOR WOMEN WORKERS ......................... 20
KCR PROVIDING THE BEST SERVICE IT CAN ........................ 21
SPECIAL TRAINING FOR CYCLISTS NOT ADVISABLE .................. 22
SUPERVISION AND INSPECTION OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION TO BE STRENGTHENED ........................................... 22
ANTI-TB ASSOCIATION TO HAVE NEV NAME ......................... 23
REGISTRATION OF PERSONS .(AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 BECOMES LAW .................................................. 23
RETIRING DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES LAUDED ........ 24
DECEMBER MONEY SUPPLY.AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS ............... 24
SHA TIN TO GET A NEW ELEVATED ROAD ........................... 28
APPLICATION FOR RIGHT TO OPERATE NEW MAXICAB ROUTES TO CLOSE ON FEBRUARY 7.......................... ............ 29
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
1
DEBATE ON RENT CONTROL BILL RESUMES
* * * *
FOURTEEN UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS TODAY EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS ON THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MOST OF THEM SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AS A SHORT-TERM MEASURE TO CURB SPIRALLING RENT AND CALLED FOR LONG-TERM PLANS TO SOLVE THE HOUSING PROBLEM.
THEIR PROPOSALS RANGE FROM AN INCREASE IN LAND SUPPLY AND A REVIEW OF LAND POLICY TO MEASURES TO CURB PROPERTY SPECULATION AND THE SETTING UP OF A COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE LONG-TERM HOUSING PLANS.
THEY ALSO COMMENTED ON THE RENT CONTROL BILL ON THE PROVISIONS FOR A MAXIMUM 21 PER CENT RENT INCREASE IN EVERY TWO YEARS AND THE RIGHT FOR THE LANDLORD TO REPOSSESS HIS FLAT.
STARTING OFF THE RESUMED DEBATE WAS THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL COUNCILLOR, THE HON OSWALD CHEUNG.
THE HON OSWALD CHEUNG
MR CHEUNG SAID HE FOUND IT EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT, AS A LAWYER, TO ACCEPT THAT A GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACT DIFFERENTLY FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN DEPARTING FROM THE TERMS OF A PROMISE.
♦ WE ARE ASKED TO EXTEND RENT CONTROLS TO PREMISES AS TO WHICH GOVERNMENT GAVE ASSURANCES THERE WOULD BE NO CONTROLS FOR FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE THEY RECEIVED THEIR OCCUPATION PERMIT.
♦ IT IS ARGUED THAT LEGISLATURES EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK CHANGE THE LAW AND AFFECT THE RIGHTS AND PROPERTIES OF CITIZENS.
♦ THAT IS PERFECTLY CORRECT, BUT, WITH GREAT RESPECT, THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAKING CHANGES WHERE NO UNDERTAKING HAS BEEN GIVEN THAT THE STATUS QUO WOULD BE PRESERVED, AND OUR PRESENT SITUATION,♦ HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG ACCEPTED THE REPRESENTATION MADE TO THE UNOFFICIALS THAT SURVEYS CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT SHOWED THAT TENANTS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM FLATS WERE HAVING TO PAY A HIGHER PROPORTION OF THEIR EARNINGS TOWARDS RENT WHICH WOULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE HARDSHIP.
STILL, HE SAID, THE FIGURES HAD TO BE VIEWED AGAINST GENERAL INFLATION, WHICH HAD REDUCED THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE DOLLAR TODAY TO 86 PER CENT OF WHAT IT WAS A YEAR AGO, +AND A RAISE IN RENT BY 25 PER CENT, OR EVEN 30 PER CENT AFTER A TENANCY FOR TWO YEARS DOES NO MORE FOR THE OWNER THAN PRESERVE HIS PURCHASING POWER.*
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 1980
2
HE AGREED THAT TO THE TENANTS A MEASURE OF RELIEF HAD TO BE GIVEN ALTHOUGH HE THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE RECOGNISED THAT THE BULK OF THE AFFECTED PREMISES WERE OWNED, NOT BY LARGE OWNERS, BUT BY THOSE WHO OWNED PROBABLY ONE FLAT WITH THE INTENTION OF RESUMING IT FOR PERSONAL USE AT THE END OF A FIXED TERM OF RENTAL.
HE SAID HOWEVER THAT HIS CONCERN FOR THE HARDSHIPS OF THE SANDWICHED CLASSES DID NOT EXTEND TO CORPORATIONS, GOVERNMENT OR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENTS, AND HE DID NOT ACCEPT THE ARGUMENT THAT FOR THE SAKE OF SIMPLICITY MEASURES ADOPTED FOR THOSE IN NEED SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THOSE WHO WERE NOT.
THE HON ROGER LOBO
HE SAID THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE EXTENDED RENT CONTROL BILL WAS RECEIVED WITH GENERAL RELIEF THAT DECISIVE ACTION WAS AT LAST BEING TAKEN TO HALT THE DETERIORATION OF A DANGEROUS AND UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION.
♦WHEN RENTS RISE TO LEVELS AT WHICH AN UNDULY HIGH PROPORTION OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS COMMITTED THEN, THE WHOLE QUALITY OF LIFE IS IN DANGER AND, WHEN REASONABLE, SECURITY OF TENURE IS THREATENED AS A RESULT, IT IS LONG PAST TIME FOR GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE, EVEN IF IT MEANS GOING BACK ON PREVIOUS STATEMENTS,♦ MR LOBO SAID.
♦GOVERNMENT NOT ONLY BUT HAS THE OBLIGATION TO
HAS THE RIGHT TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES DO SO WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES DEMAND.♦
HE NOTED THAT NOBODY SUPPOSES THAT THIS LEGISLATION SHOULD EVER BE MORE THAN A STRICTLY TEMPORARY RELIEF OR EXPECTS IT TO COVER EVERY EVENTUALITY.
♦IF WE WORKED FOR MONTHS ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THIS BILL WE WOULD ONLY DRAG OUT THE PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY AND FRUSTRATION AND DELAY PROGRESS ON THE MUCH MORE POSITIVE ACTION WHICH IS URGENTLY REQUIRED.^ HE ADDED.
THE HON T.S. LO
MR LO IS IN FAVOUR OF THE RENT CONTROL WHICH IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT ALL HONG KONG BELONGERS NEEDING PROTECTION.
BUT HE FIRMLY OPPOSED TO EXTENDING SUCH PROTECTION TO THOSE ♦WHO ARE NOT HONG KONG BELONGERS SUCH AS CORPORATIONS AND CONSULATES OR THOSE WITH MORE THAN ADEQUATE RESOURCES SUCH AS THE GOVERNMENT OR TENANTS OF LUXURY FLATS*.
THE MIDDLE-CLASS HONG KONG BELONGER DOES NOT RENT LUXURY FLATS TO LIVE IN, HE SAID.
♦I SUSPECT THAT THE REAL REASON FOR THOSE IN FAVOUR OF CONTROLLING LUXURY FLATS IS AN UNEXPRESSED FEAR THAT THE DEFINITION OF A LUXURY FLAT MAY CATCH MEDIUM SIZED FLATS AS WELL.+
/BY LUXURY ..
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 198c
- 3 -
BY LUXURY FLATS, MR LO SAID HE MEANT THOSE WHICH EXCEED 2 300 SQUARE FEET IN GROSS AREA AND $100 000 IN RATEABLE VALUE ACCORDING TO THE 1977 ASSESSMENT.
ON THE CONTROL OF PREMISES RENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT, MR LO POINTED OUT THAT GOVERNMENT HAS BY FAR THE LARGEST LAND BANK, NO SHORTAGE OF FUNDS AND CAN BUILD ALMOST UNLIMITED NUMBER OF FLATS AT ANY TIME FOR ITS EMPLOYEES.,
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CHOOSE TO DO THAT AND, INSTEAD, CHOOSES TO GO INTO THE MARKET TO ENTER INTO BARGAINS WITH OPEN EYES AND NOW BY THIS BILL SEEKS TO NEGATE THE EFFECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS WHICH WERE FREELY ENTERED INTO, HE SAID.
MR LO SUGGESTED THAT ONE
ON RENT CONTROL FOR CORPORATIONS, MR LO SUGGESTED THAT ONE METHOD TO PREVENT LANDLORDS FROM INSISTING ON TENANTS TAKING NEW TENANCIES IN THE NAME OF NEWLY FORMED COMPANIES WOULD BE TO EXTEND CONTROL TO DOMESTIC TENANCIES TAKEN OUT ONLY BY THOSE CORPORATIONS FORMED, SAY, WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF THE DATE OF THE LEASE, NOT BEING A SUBSIDIARY OF ANOTHER CORPORATION FORMED OUTSIDE THAT PERIOD.
HE NOTED REGRETFULLY THAT DESPITE A MAJORITY OF UNOFFICIALS BEING IN FAVOUR OF NOT CONTROLLING FLATS RENTED OUT TO THE GOVERNMENT, CONSULATES OR CORPORATIONS OR LUXURY FLATS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING HAS DECIDED TO MOVE NO AMENDMENTS IN THESE ASPECTS.
THE HON FRANCIS TIEN
MR TIEN EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE TEMPORARY POWERS AS PROVIDED IN THE BILL SHOULD NOT BECOME PERMANENT, THROUGH HABIT, CUSTOM OR GOVERNMENTAL CONVENIENCE.
♦ WE. IN THIS COUNCIL MUST NOT WRITE A BLANK CHEQUE RESULTING IN OUR RE-APPEARANCE HERE IN 1982 WITH YET ANOTHER MAGIC NUMBER ALLOWING A FURTHER EXTENSION,♦ HE SAID.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN WHY THE PERMITTED INCREASE IN RENTS AFTER TWO YEARS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO 21 PER CENT.
HE ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO AMEND THE CLAUSE WHEREBY THE LANDLORD HAS TO PROVE HARDSHIP IN ORDER TO REPOSSESS HIS PROPERTY.
IN THIS RESPECT, MR TIEN SUGGESTED STIFFER PENALTIES, SUCH AS POSSIBLE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE, IN ORDER TO PREVENT LANDLORDS ABUSING THEIR POSITION.
ON THE PROPOSAL THAT PREMISES MAY BE RECOVERED WHERE THEY ARE USED FOR PURPOSES DESCRIBED AS IMMORAL OR ILLEGAL, MR TIEN DREW THE GOVERNMENT’S ATTENTION TO THE EXISTENCE OF SOME 15 SO-CALLED 'MOTELS’ IN KOWLOON TONG, AS THESE PROPERTIES COULD BE CONSIDERED, ACCORDING TO TASTE, AS ’RESIDENTIAL’ OR ’COMMERCIAL’.
/THE HON ...
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 19'
4
THE HON ALEX WU
MR WU SAID HE SUPPORTED THE LEGISLATION ONLY FOR THE REASON THAT IT WAS THE ONLY MEANS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME TO DEAL URGENTLY WITH AN INTOLERABLE SITUATION.
HE SAID THE TEMPORARY ’BLANKET’ MEASURE SUFFERED FROM ALL THE INEVITABLE DEFICIENCIES OF HASTILY CONCEIVED LEGISLATION:
* IN THOSE CASES WHERE THE NATURAL RIGHTS OF A LANDLORD ARE UNREASONABLY DENIED-
* IN THE 21 PER CENT PERMISSIBLE RENT INCREASE OVER TWO YEARS WHICH SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED, PERHAPS ADJUSTED TO 30 PER CENT IN LINE WITH INFLATION- AND
* IN THE PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT FROM RENT INCREASE, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE HEALTHY FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO SHARE THE GENERAL ANXIETIES.
MR WU ADDED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE LOGIC OF THE PROPOSAL THAT A ’LUXURY’ FLAT OCCUPIED BY A ’PROFIT-MAKING CORPORATION’ SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM THE LEGISLATION.
THERE ARE LARGE FLATS BUILT MANY YEARS AGO WHICH CANNOT BE CALLED LUXURIOUS AND THERE ARE LOCALLY ESTABLISHED CORPORATIONS WHICH ARE NOT NECESSARILY RICH, HE EXPLAINED.
EVEN IF THIS WAS NOT SO, +THE IDEA THAT THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS OF TENANTS, MOSTLY OVERSEAS CORPORATIONS, WHO SHOULD BE FAIR GAME TO BE FLEECED WITHOUT MERCY* CANNOT BE TO HONG KONG’S ADVANTAGE AND THE SITUATION IS BEING CAREFULLY WATCHED FROM OVERSEAS, HE SAID.
HE SAID ANOTHER AREA OF ANXIETY ARISING FROM LEGISLATION WAS THE NEED FOR POLICING AND RECOURSE TO THE COURTS, WHICH WOULD BE NO REMEDY AT ALL IF IT WAS NOT SWIFT.
MR WU ASKED FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION ON LONG-TERM MEASURES, AFTER HAVING OBTAINED THIS BREATHING SPACE.
THESE INCLUDED THE SETTING UP OF A LANDS DEPARTMENT, A REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANNING STANDARDS, MORE EXTENSIVE CO-OPERATION AND AT AN EARLIER STAGE WITH PRIVATE DEVELOPERS, AND PLANNING FOR LARGER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, PARTICULARLY ON LANTAU ISLAND.
REV THE HON JOYCE M. BENNETT
SHE WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT ACTION TO CURB THE SPIRALLING COST OF RENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION BUT HOPED THAT THE ’MORE HARDSHIP’ CLAUSE BE REMOVED FROM THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE BECAUSE +TWO FAMILIES CANNOT FAIRLY BE COMPARED FOR HARDSHIP*.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 198c
- 5
SHE SAID IN ALL HER DISCUSSIONS AMONG FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES AT WORK AND IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NOT ONE PERSON HAD BEEN ABLE TO SHOW CLEARLY THE SENSE OF THIS CLAUSE.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT ’HARDSHIP’ IS A RELATIVE TERM WHICH CANNOT BE EASILY DEFINED.
+1 THINK IT IS THAT NEED TO PROVE GREATER HARDSHIP THAN YOUR TENANT WHICH HAS TURNED THE PROFESSIONAL AND MIDDLE-CLASS OWNER OF ONE FLAT INTO A CRITIC OF 'HiS BILL,+ MISS BENNETT SAID.
SHE SAID SHE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE GOVERNMENT. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY SHOULD BE PROTECTED AS TENANTS, AS PROPOSED IN THE BILL.
SHE ALSO ASKED WHAT PROVISIONS WERE TO BE MADE TO CONTROL SUB-TENANCIES.
MISS BENNETT WAS HOPEFUL THAT THESE AND OTHER MATTERS WOULD BE RESOLVED EARLY AND CERTAINLY WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THE HON S.L. CHEN
HE SAID HE WOULD SUPPORT THE BILL ONLY AS A TEMPORARY bEANS TO COOL OFF THE RAPIDLY OVERHEATING SITUATION AND REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT TO COMPLETE ALL THE RELEVANT STUDIES IN TIME FOR A PACKAGE SOLUTION TO BE PRODUCED BEFORE THE END OF 1981.
WHILE AGREEING THAT AN INCREASE IN LAND SUPPLY WILL PROVIDE THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THE IMBALANCE BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND CF DOMESTIC PREMISES, MR CHEN POINTED OUT THAT AN IMMEDIATE ANSWER TO THE PRESENT SPIRALLING RENT INCREASE PROBLEM IS TO CURB SPECULATION.
+1 AM SURPRISED THAT GOVERNMENT DID NOT OPT FOR THIS LATTER COURSE OF REMEDY, ALTHOUGH THE POSSIBILITY OF LEGISLATION PROHIBITING EXCESSIVE SPECULATION HAS NOT BEEN RULED OUT AS INDICATED IN THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING,* HE SAID.
MR CHEN REMINDED THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE RESTRICTIONS ON PLOT RATIO AND ON BUILDING HEIGHT IN ORDER TO MAXIMISE LAND USAGE AS WELL AS THE EXISTING ZONING POLICY, AS SUGGESTED BY A FORMER UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR Q.W. LEE, IN 1978.
HE SAID THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN UP AS A MATTER OF URGENCY IN THE LIGHT OF THE CURRENT SITUATION.
ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, MR CHEN SUGGESTED:
X A MORE REALISTIC RATE OF RENT INCREASE PERMITTED OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD-
* LUXURIOUS PREMISES IN EXCESS OF 160 SQUARE METRES AND WITH AN ANNUAL RENT OF OVER $100 000 BE EXCLUDED FROM RENT CONTROL- AND
/• CONSIDERATION
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
- 6
* CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO REMOVING THE NEED TO PROVE GREATER HARDSHIP FROM THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND TO IMPLEMENTING REGISTERABLE REVERSIONARY LEASES FOR A DEFINITE PERIOD OF TENANCY FOR 4 - 6 YEARS.
REV THE HON PATRICK MCGOVERN
HE WOULD SUPPORT EXTENDING THE RENT CONTROL TO NON-RESIDENTI AL PREMISES IF THE SITUATION SHOULD ARISE.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL AS IT STANDS, FR MCGOVERN SAID HE WOULD NOT OPPOSE TO SOME MODIFICATION ON THE ’HARDSHIP’ CLAUSE ITSELF, OR PERHAPS BETTER, THE WAY IN WHICH THE CLAUSE IS APPLIED.
♦THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM IN A FEW CASES WHERE GENUINE OWNERS CANNOT GET POSSESSION OF THEIR PROPERTY FOR THEIR OWN LEGITIMATE USE,* HE NOTED.
♦I WOULD BE HAPPY IF A REMEDY COULD BE FOUND FOR THAT SITUATION WITHOUT WIDENING THE EXISTING LOOPHOLE BY WHICH IN FACT LANDLORDS DO RE-POSSESS PROPERTY UNDER FALSE PRETENCES.♦
FR MCGOVERN AGREED THAT RENT CONTROL IN ITSELF WOULD NOT CURE THE PRESENT HOUSING PROBLEMS OF HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, HE HOPED THAT THE PRESENT CRISIS SHOULD SPUR GOVERNMENT TO DEVISE URGENTLY *A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY OF LAND PRODUCTION. REASONABLY PRICED LAND SALES, THE ELIMINATION OF SPECULATION, FOR THE OVERALL PURPOSE OF PROVIDING MORE HOUSING AT A PRICE THAT PEOPLE CAN AFFORD.♦ THE HON PETER C. WONG
HE COMMENTED BRIEFLY ON T¥0 POINTS - SECURITY OF TENURE AND CORPORATION LEASES.
ON THE FIRST POINT, MR WONG AGREED THAT THE ’HARDSHIP’ PROVISION SHOULD BE MODIFIED IN RESPECT OF TENANCIES TO BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL BY THE BILL, SO THAT A LANDLORD WOULD HAVE TO SHOW ONLY THAT HE HAS A REASONABLE CASE FOR REQUIRING POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES.
HOWEVER, HE THOUGHT THE MODIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE EXTENDED TO THOSE PREMISES ACQUIRED AFTER DECEMBER 18, 1979 WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO A CONTROLLED TENANCY.
ON THE SECOND POINT, MR WONG NOTED THAT THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF PROTECTION TO LIMITED COMPANIES HAS RAISED TWO ISSUES.
FIRST, A CORPORATION, UNLIKE AN INDIVIDUAL, IS PERPETUAL AND WILL ENJOY PERPETUAL SECURITY TO TENURE AS LONG AS THE PROPOSED PROVISION REMAINS IN FORCE. HE CONSIDERED THIS ♦BOTH UNDESIRABLE AND INEQUITABLE*.
/SECOND, ...
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 1980
7
SECOND, IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE PRACTICE OR MALPRACTICE CF REQUIRING A PROSPECTIVE TENANT TO TURN HIMSELF INTO A LIMITED COMPANY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENTERING INTO A TENANCY AGREEMENT HAS BEEN QUITE PREVALENT AND, IT IS ARGUED, THAT TO STOP THIS MALPRACTICE, IT IS NECESSARY TO EXTEND PROTECTION TO LIMITED COMPANIES.
HE ASKED WOULD IT NOT BE BETTER TO RECTIFY SUCH DEFECTS IN THE LEGISLATION BY SPECIFIC PROVISIONS RATHER THAN EXTENDING BLANKET PROTECTION TO ALL CORPORATIONS?
THE HON WONG LAM
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW ITS LAND POLICY AND RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO SEE IF THEY ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESENT NEEDS OF HONG KONG.
HE ALSO ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY NEW IDEAS OR SIMPLER AND QUICKER ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES TO COPE WITH NEW CONDITIONS AND NEEDS.
♦I AM OF THE OPINION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET UP A LAND POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO WHICH EXPERIENCED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD BE INVITED TO JOIN,* HE SAID.
HE BELIEVED THIS WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE PRESENT PRACTICE OF HAVING THE LAND POLICY FORMULATED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ALONE.
TO DEAL WITH THE HOUSING PROBLEM, MR WONG SUGGESTED THAT OVERALL AND THOROUGH MEASURES HAVE TO BE TAKEN, SUCH AS TO PROVIDE MORE LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AT A FASTER RATE, TO INCREASE THE RATIO OF BUILDING AREA TO LAND, TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS AND EXPEDITE THE SCHEME AND TO PERMIT PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION THEMSELVES.
ON THE BILL ITSELF, MR WONG CRITICISED IT AS HAVING PLACED TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE PROTECTION OF THE INTERESTS OF PRINCIPAL TENANTS BUT THAT OF THE SUB-TENANTS WAS NEGLECTED.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE WORDINGS OF THE BILL SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE SUB-TENANTS WITHOUT DELAY.
/THE HON ...
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 1980
8
THE HON CHARLES YEUNG
MR YEUNG SAID THE SPIRIT AND INTENTION OF THE BILL HAD HIS FULLEST AND UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT AND UNDOUBTEDLY THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF THE COUNCIL AND THE GENERAL SUPPORT.
HE POINTED OUT HOWEVER THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL METHOD OF
SOLVING THE SOCIAL PROBLEM WAS TO RE-ESTABLISH EQUILIBRIUM OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND IN THE HOUSING SITUATION, AND RENT CONTROL IF PROLONGED WOULD BE COUNTER- PRODUCTIVE.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ATTACK THE ROOT CAUSE AS A MATTER OF URGENCY BY FORMULATING AND EXECUTING EFFECTIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE PLANS TO ENABLE ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FLATS.
IT SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RE-EXAMINE ITS LAND POLICY AND ITS FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO MAKE THIS SUPPLY AVAILABLE TO THE MARKET AT THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME AND AT THE MOST REASONABLE PRICE PEOPLE CAN AFFORD, HE ADDED.
HE CALLED ATTENTION TO FIVE POINTSi
* IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO GO BACK ON ITS WORDS IN THE NAME OF WIDER PUBLIC INTEREST-
X THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BRING PUBLIC HOUSING UNDER THE SAME CONTROL — +JUST ICE SHOULD NOT ONLY BE DONE BUT SEEN TO BE DONE+-
X THE RIGHT OF SMALL LANDLORDS TO REPOSSESS THE PREMISES FOR THEIR OR THEIR FAMILY’S USE SHOULD BE PRESERVED WITHOUT PROVING COMPARATIVE HARDSHIP-
X THE LANDLORD OR HIS MORTGAGEE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO REPOSSESS THE PREMISES ON PAYMENT OF A CERTAIN ASCERTAINABLE SUM, AND
X RENTAL INCREASE SHOULD BE COMMENSURABLE WITH THE BANK INTEREST RATE AND THE INFLATION RATE.
DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI
HE SUGGESTED SETTING UP A COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE LONG-TERM PLANS TO SOLVE HONG KONG’S HOUSING PROBLEM.
THE COMMITTEE SHOULD COMPRISE EXPERTS FROM BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, WITH A WELL DEFINED TERMS OF REFERENCE AND A FIXED TIME SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETING THEIR ASSIGNMENT, HE SAID.
THE WORK AND PROGRESS OF THE COMMITTEE SHOULD BE REPORTED PERIODICALLY TO THE PUBLIC AND THE PLANS PROMULGATED BY THE COMMITTEE SHOULD 1
/ ’ L£AD TO ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 1980
9
* LEAD TO AN INCREASING SUPPLY OF OVERALL HOUSING STOCK, IN THE FORM OF EXPANDED PRIVATE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME- AND
* STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE INTERESTS OF LANDLORDS AND TENANTS.
ON REPOSSESSION OF PREMISES, DR HO SUGGESTED THAT BONA-FIDE LANDLORDS WHO WISH TO REPOSSESS THEIR FLATS FOR THEIR OWN USE OR FOR THE USE OF THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO WITHOUT HAVING TO PROVE GREATER HARDSHIP, PROVIDED:
* THEY HAVE ALREADY RENTED THEIR FLATS OUT TO THE EXISTING TENANTS FOR A PERIOD OF SAY, FIVE YEARS- AND
M THEY HAVE ACCEPTABLE REASONS FOR DOING SO.
THE HON ANDREW SO
HE SAID THE PROPOSED RENT CONTROL BILL REFLECTED THE GOVERNMENT’S USUAL SHORTCOMING - TO TAKE PALLIATIVE MEASURES INSTEAD OF GETTING AT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
HE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT WHY IT DID NOT TAKE ACTIVE STEPS TO PROVIDE MORE LAND AND SEEK SOLUTIONS IN THE PROPER USE OF LAND AND SOUND HOUSING POLICIES.
HE NOTED THAT UNLESS THERE IS A SHARP DECLINE IN POPULATION, THE HOUSING SHORTAGE IN HONG KONG IS A PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE SOLVED COMPLETELY.
THE HON WONG PO-YAN
MR WONG URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A FIRM STATEMENT ON HOW IT INTENDED TO INCREASE HOUSING PRODUCTION BOTH IN THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS.
HE SAID THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT THE ONLY FEASIBLE LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THE HOUSING PROBLEM WAS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE SUFFICIENT LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
♦ THE PRESENT ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF 65 000 HOUSING UNITS IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS STILL SEEMS TO LAG BEHIND THE DEMAND.
♦ I THEREFORE SUGGEST THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD INCREASE ITS HOUSING TARGET FROM 35 000 UNITS PER YEAR TO 45 000.
♦ MORE LAND SHOULD ALSO BE RELEASED TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR WITH A VIEW TO INDUCE A PRODUCTION RATE OF AT LEAST 35 000 TO 40 000 UNITS PER YEAR, THAT IS, 20 PER CENT MORE THAN THE PRESENT RATE OF PRODUCT ION,♦ MR WONG SAID.
MR WONG ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REVISE ITS LAND SALE POLICY,
♦ FOR EXAMPLE, LOTS SHOULD NOT BE WITHDRAWN FROM SALE BY AUCTION ONCE THEIR UPSET PRICE HAS BEEN REACHED,♦ HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS FURTHER ADJOURNED.
------0-------- /10 ....................
4
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
10 -
DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS WITHOUT ADEQUATE SERVICES NOT DESIRABLE * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID IT WOULD NOT BE DESIRABLE TO PERMIT DEVELOPMENT TO GO AHEAD WHERE SERVICES WERE NOT ADEQUATE AND THAT THE BEST DIRECTION OF PUBLIC WORKS EFFORT WAS TO THOSE AREAS WHERE THE GREATEST SUPPLIES CF LAND FOR HOUSING AND OTHER D.T ILOPMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHARLES YEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, MR JONES SAID THERE WERE CERTAINLY AREAS OF CROWN LAND WHICH COULD BE SUITABLE FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT BUT WHICH COULD NOT BE PUT ON THE MARKET BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ADEQUATE PUBLIC ROADS AND SERVICES.
ONE EXAMPLE IS POK FU LAM, WHERE THE PRESENT ROAD SYSTEM IS ALREADY HEAVILY OVERLOADED, AND WHERE THE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED ARE VERY COSTLY.
MR JONES SAID THE PROVISION OF ROADS AND OTHER PUBLIC FACILITIES WAS AN ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT FOR ANY DEVELOPMENT, BUT THE NECESSARILY FINITE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THESE PURPOSES MUST BE DEPLOYED TO THE BEST ADVANTAGE IN TERMS OF MAXIMISING THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL MADE AVAILABLE.
♦THIS THE GOVERNMENT DOES THROUGH THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, WHERE PRIORITIES ARE VERY CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AND WHERE THE MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION OF RESOURCES IS NOW DIRECTED TO THE NEW TOWNS AND PUBLIC HOUSING,* HE SAID.
WHEN IT IS DEFINITELY KNOWN THAT WORK IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO ANY PARTICULAR AREA IS GOING AHEAD, FORWARD SELLING OF SITES IS ARRANGED IN ORDER TO SPEED UP THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND, HE ADDED.
ON THE SUBJECT OF TURNING AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT, MR JONES SAID SUCH APPLICATIONS WERE BEING RECEIVED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES ALMOST DAILY.
♦SOME OF THEM HAVE TO BE REJECTED FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF REASONS, WHICH MAY INCLUDE LACK OF, OR INADEQUACY OF, SERVICES, THE EFFECT ON ADJOINING PROPERTY OR SIMPLY THAT THEY ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE FOR THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT APPLIED FOR,+ HE SAID.
_ 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
11
GOVERNMENT MONITORS MOVEMENTS IN OIL PRICES *****
THE GOVERNMENT WATCHES CLOSELY MOVEMENTS IN OIL PRICES AND IF THERE ARE DOUBTS ABOUT THE WAY HONG KONG CONSUMERS ARE BEING TREATED, IT WOULD REFER THEM TO THE APPROPRIATE OIL COMPANY.
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON FRANCIS TIEN.
HE ALSO SAID, + IN THIS aAY, WE TRY TO ENSURE THAT INCREASES ARE REASONABLE IN THE SENSE THAT THERE IS JUSTIFICATION FOR THEM.*
BUT HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT FOUND COMPARISON WITH PRICES ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION DIFFICULT.
♦THE PROBLEM IS TO COMPARE LIKE WITH LIKE. SOME COUNTRIES IN THE REGION HAVE THEIR OWN SOURCES OF CRUDE OIL. MANY HAVE THEIR OWN REFINERIES. THEN THERE IS DIRECT TAXATION TO DEDUCT. AND AT LEAST ONE BUYS CRUDE, REFINES IT AND WHOLESALES THE PRODUCTS, SO THERE COULD BE HIDDEN TAXATION OR HIDDEN SUBSIDY,+ MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
♦NEVERTHELESS, WE DO COMPARE THEM AND WE REFER ANY DOUBTS WE MAY HAVE TO THE OIL COMPANIES,+ HE ADDED.
_ _ 0 - -
NO RELAXATION OF POLICE EFFORTS TO CURB ROBBERIES *****
THERE HAD BEEN NO RELAXATION OF POLICE EFFORTS TO CURB ROBBERIES AND POLICE COUNTER ACTION AGAINST ROBBERIES IN BOTH BANKS AND GOLDSMITH SHOPS WAS CONTINUING, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER C. WONG, MR DAVIES SAIDi +THERE IS CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS AND THE POLICE FORCE WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING SECURITY AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN SUCH PREMISES.+
HE ALSO RECALLED HIS EARLIER STATEMENT SAYING THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAD DEPLOYED THE FORCE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO COUNTER THE UPSURGE IN ROBBERIES BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CRIME PREVENTION PATROLS AND DEPLOYING PLAIN CLOTHES OFFICERS IN SOME BANKS.
ON BANK ROBBERIES MR DAVIES SAID* +THERE WERE 84 BANK ROBBERIES INVOLVING PROPERTY VALUED AT 52.9 MILLION IN 1979, COMPARED WITH 11 INVOLVING PROPERTY VALUED AT $85 000 IN 1978. IN 1979, 26 PERSONS WERE ARRESTED IN RELATION TO 22 BANK ROBBERIES.*
/+IN 1980
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 1980
12
+ IN 1980 THERE HAVE BEEN SIX ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERIES INVOLVING PROPERTY VALUED AT $36 000. AS A RESULT OF POLICE ACTION AND OTHER MEASURES TAKEN BY THE BANKS, SO FAR SIX PERSONS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN FOUR OF THESE,* HE SAID, ADDING THAT A FIFTH ROBBERY WAS PREVENTED WITH NO LOSS OF PROPERTY.
THE NUMBER OF ROBBERIES OF GOLDSMITH SHOPS TOTALLED 38 IN 1979 WITH PROPERTY LOSS VALUED AT $7.8 MILLION, COMPARED WITH SIX ROBBERIES INVOLVING PROPERTY VALUED AT $1.5 MILLION IN 1978. MR DAVIES POINTED OUT.
ELEVEN PERSONS WERE ARRESTED IN RELATION TO SEVEN ROBBERIES IN GOLDSMITH SHOPS IN 1979, HE SAID.
♦IN 1980 THERE HAVE BEEN 16 ROBBERIES OF GOLDSMITH SHOPS INVOLVING PROPERTY VALUED AT $4 MILLION AND FOUR PERSONS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN TWO SUCH ROBBERIES. THE OTHERS REMAIN UNDER INVESTIGATION,* HE ADDED.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT IN ALL THESE STATISTICS THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY STOLEN WAS THE VALUE AT THE DATE OF THE CRIME.
-----0------
LEGAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME SHOULD BE EXTENDED * * * * *
THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL MAGISTRACIES AND THE CATEGORIES OF OFFENCE TO WHICH THE SCHEME NOW APPLIES SHOULD ALSO BE EXTENDED, ACCORDING TO RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE OF THE LAW SOCIETY LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JOHN GRIFFITHS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM REV THE HON JOYCE M. BENNETT.
HE SAID THE REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.
HOWEVER HE SAID BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT COULD COMMIT ITSELF TO A TIMETABLE FOR EXPANSION, OR DECIDE WHETHER THE ASSISTANCE SCHEME OR THE ADVICE SCHEME SHOULD FIRST BE EXPANDED, THE REPORT MUST BE STUDIED AND INTERESTED BODIES CONSULTED.
MR GRIFFITHS SAID THE REPORT HAD HIS FULL SUPPORT AND HOPED THAT THE EXPANSION WOULD NOT BE LONG DELAYED.
+BUT IT MUST BE REMEMBERED THAT THIS SCHEME WILL HAVE TO COMPETE FOR GOVERNMENT FUNDS WITH OTHER SOCIALLY DESIRABLE PROJECTS IN OTHER FIELDS,* HE ADDED.
-------0----------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
13
WORKING GROUP STUDYING PARKING POLICY
*****
A WORKING GROUP WHICH HAS BEEN STUDYING PARKING POLICY IN GENERAL IN THE LIGHT OF THE PRINCIPLES CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY IS EXPECTED TO REPORT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN ANSWERING A QUESTION FROM THE HON F.K. HU ON THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC CAR PARKS FOR PASSENGER CARS AND LORRIES.
MR JONES SAID THE GROUP HAD BEEN CONSIDERING IN DETAIL THE PROVISION OF PARKING FACILITIES FOR ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES, INCLUDING PASSENGER CARS AND LORRIES, AND HOW SUCH FACILITIES RELATED TO OTHER TRANSPORT MODES, SUCH AS THE MTR, THE KCR AND FERRIES.
♦ITS FINDINGS WILL FIRST BE CONSIDERED BY THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THEY WILL THEN BE SUBMITTED TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE,* HE SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT AT PRESENT THERE WERE SOME 15 PROJECTS FOR NEW CAR PARKS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD, IN TOTAL, PROVIDE MORE THAN 8 000 PARKING SPACES.
♦THEY WILL PROCEED IN THE NORMAL WAY AS AND WHEN THEY CAN BE GIVEN SUFFICIENT PRIORITY.+ MR JONES ADDED.
----o-------
DEVELOPMENT STUDY OF NORTH-WEST NT UNDERWAY *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW UNDERTAKING A PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT STUDY OF THE NORTH-WEST OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THIS WILL ENABLE DECISIONS TO BE MADE ON THE EXTENT AND TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT THAT CAN BEST BE CARRIED OUT IN THIS AREA, INCLUDING LOW DENSITY DEVELOPMENT IN PLACES WHERE IT CAN BE ACCOMMODATED, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
“E "AS REPLYING TO a QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG TAT-SHING WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER ENCOURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF FURTHER PRIVATE, LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ESTATES FOR INCOME WAGE EARNERS, SUCH AS THE ESTATE AT TAI SANG WAI IN ----
YUEN LONG
CURRENTLY BEING
MIDDLE DEVELOPED
MR JONES SAID LAND HAD GENERALLY PRODUCING LAND FOR
THE HEAVY DEMAND FOR HOUSING AND THE SHORTAGE OF COMPELLED GOVERNMENT TO CONCENTRATE MAINLY ON FAIRLY HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT.
THE TAI SANG WAI OR FAIRVIEW PARK DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID. WAS BEING BUILT ON PRIVATE LAND WHICH HAD BEEN CONVERTED FROM AGRICULTURAL TO BUILDING STATUS AND LAY IN AN AREA WHERE MOST OF THE LAND WAS PRIVATELY OWNED AGRICULTURAL LAND.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 1980
14
♦THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE INTEREST ON THE PART OF OTHER LANDLORDS IN THIS AREA TO DEVELOP LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL HOUSING WHICH MIGHT BE SUITABLE FOR THE PURPOSE MR LEUNG HAS IN MIND.
♦ANY LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA MUST, HOWEVER, DEPEND ON THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER SERVICES AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES,+ HE SAID. ♦GIVEN THE LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THESE PURPOSES IT IS GENERALLY BETTER TO CONCENTRATE THESE ON AREAS OF HIGHER DENSITY DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS THE NEW TOWNS.
-----0------
DEPLOYMENT OF ROYAL NAVY AND MARINE POLICE IS SATISFACTORY * * * M
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE ROYAL NAVY AND THE MARINE POLICE EVEN THOUGH A SMALL VESSEL WITH 62 VIETNAMESE ENTERED THE HARBOUR UNOBSERVED ON JANUARY 17.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR DAVIES SAID THE 50-FOOT VESSEL, WHICH APPROACHED HONG KONG FROM THE SOUTH AND PASSED THROUGH WEST LAMMA CHANNEL BEFORE DROPPING ANCHOR OFF KENNEDY TOWN, DID NOT LOOK LIKE A LOCAL VESSEL, NEITHER WAS IT DISTINCTIVELY VIETNAMESE.
♦DURING THE MORNING WHEN THE VESSEL ARRIVED,♦ HE SAID, +FOUR POLICE LAUNCHES WERE OPERATING IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR AND THREE IN THE HARBOUR.
♦TRAFFIC ENTERING AND LEAVING THE HARBOUR WAS HEAVY AND VISIBILITY WAS POOR.+
MR DAVIES ADDED THAT TWO POLICE LAUNCHES WERE ALSO ON DUTY OFF ABERDEEN HARBOUR BUT DID NOT SPOT IT, NOR WAS IT SPOTTED BY GREEN ISLAND OBSERVATION POST.
♦OBVIOUSLY IT IS A MATTER OF SOME CONCERN AND REGRET THAT THE VESSEL WAS NOT INTERCEPTED, BUT DESPITE THIS INCIDENT I AM SATISFIED THAT THE VESSELS OF THE ROYAL NAVY AND THE MARINE POLICE ARE DEPLOYED TO THE BEST POSSIBLE ADVANTAGE,+ HE SAID.
-------0 -
/-15
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
15
NEW DRIVING EXAMINER POSTS CREATED TO HELP REDUCE WAITING TIME FOR TESTS *****
A RECRUITMENT EXERCISE IS NOW UNDER WAY TO FILL 11 NEWLY CREATED DRIVING EXAMINER POSTS WITH THE AIM TO HELP REDUCE THE WAITING TIME FOR DRIVING TESTS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ANDREW SO, MR JONES ALSO REVEALED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR OPENING NEW DRIVING TEST CENTRES IN CERTAIN EXPANDING AREAS OF POPULATION.
HE SAID THE STANDARD OF HONG KONG DRIVING TESTS WAS FULLY UP TO THE BEST LEVELS OVERSEAS AND THE TESTS WERE SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR LOCAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
MR JONES ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ON DECEMBER 31, 1979 THERE WERE 143 000 HOLDERS OF PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCES FOR PRIVATE CARS AND 45 000 FOR OTHER VEHICLES CATEGORIES.
------0-------
NT CIRCULAR ROUTE * * * *
WORK ON THE DUAL-CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND AU TAU, A SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROUTE BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND FANLING, IS EXPECTED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1982.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON DAVID MCDONALD, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHARLES YEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR MCDONALD ALSO SAID THAT PRIORITY WAS GIVEN TO THE CIRCULAR ROUTE SECTIONS BETWEEN FANLING AND SHA TIN WHICH WERE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1984.
THE DUAL CARRIAGEWAY FROM AU TAU TO FANLING VIA MAI PO, « ADDED, WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN SECTIONS. PROGRAMMED FOR COMPLETION IN 1986, THIS WOULD BE THE LAST OF THE CIRCULAR ROUTE WORKS TO BE CONSTRUCTED.
MR YEUNG HAD ASKED FOR DETAILS AND THE LATEST POSITION OF THE CIRCULAR ROUTE IN VIEW OF THE +IMPENDING INTENSIVE INDUSTRIAL AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER WITH CHINA.*
MR MCDONALD POINTED OUT THAT THE ITEMS COVERING THE SECTIONS OF THE NT CIRCULAR ROUTE WERE FIRST INCLUDED IN CATEGORY B OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME IN 1965 TO ENABLE PRELIMINARY PLANNING TO COMMENCE.
/HOWEVER, ...
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 1980
16
HOWEVER. HE SAID, THEY WERE DOWNGRADED TO CATEGORY C IN 1969 AS, IN THE INTERVENING YEARS, DEVELOPMENT AND TRAFFIC GROWTH TRENDS WERE SUCH THAT OTHER SECTIONS OF THE CIRCULAR ROUTE, SUCH AS THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG AND THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, WARRANTED HIGHER PRIORITY.
REFERRING TO THE ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATES HE HAD GIVEN. MR MCDONALD SAID THEY WERE LATER THAN THOSE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED BUT HAD BEEN DETERMINED FROM THE PRIORITIES ACCORDED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS PRIORITIES COMMITTEE.
♦OBVIOUSLY, THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND THE FORECAST OF TRAFFIC GROWTH WERE MAJOR FACTORS IN THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE WHEN ASSESSING PROJECT PRIORITIES,* HE SAID.
------0-------
RULES ON HEARING OF APPEALS AMENDED * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED THE CRIMINAL APPEAL (AMENDMENT) RULES 1980 MADE BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AS PART OF HIS PLANS TO CUT DELAYS IN THE HEARING OF APPEALS.
THE LAW DRAFTSMAN, THE HON G.P. NAZARETH EXPLAINED TO THE COUNCIL THAT THESE RULES WOULD INTRODUCE PRECAUTIONS SIMILAR TO THOSE ADOPTED IN ENGLAND DESIGNED FIRSTLY, TO ENSURE THAT AN APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO APPEAL SETS OUT CLEARLY AND ACCURATELY THE GROUNDS OF COMPLAINT- AND SECOND, TO DISCOURAGE FRIVOLOUS RENEWAL OF AN APPLICATION BEFORE A FULL COURT OF THREE JUDGES AFTER IT HAS BEEN REJECTED BY A SINGLE JUDGE.
UNDER ONE OF THE AMENDED RULES, THERE WILL BE AN EXPRESS WARNING THAT RENEWAL OF AN APPLICATION WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION AFTER IT HAS BEEN REJECTED BY A SINGLE JUDGE MAY WELL RESULT IN A DIRECTION THAT THE TIME SPENT IN CUSTODY WILL NOT COUNT AS PART OF THE APPLICANT’S TERM OF IMPRISONMENT.
♦THE RULES REPRESENT ONLY THE LEGISLATIVE TIP OF A LEGAL, PROCEDURAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SCHEME THAT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY DEVISED BY A COMMITTEE PRESIDED OVER BY A JUSTICE OF APPEAL,♦ MR NAZARETH SAID.
THE COMMITTEE COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY, THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID AND THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, HE ADDED.
0 - -
/17
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
17
BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 *****
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, WHICH SEEKS TO GIVE THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL POWER TO AMEND OR REVOKE A CONDITION ALREADY ATTACHED TO A BANK LICENCE, OR TO ATTACH A NEW CONDITION TO A LICENCE, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING CF THE BILL THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE EMPHASISED THAT THE POWER BEING SOUGHT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH SO-CALLED MONETARY POLICY.
THE NEED FOR THE AMENDMENT AROSE FROM THE CONDITION THAT BANKS WITH LICENCES GRANTED BETWEEN MARCH 1978 AND AUGUST 1979, MAY ONLY CONDUCT BUSINESS FROM ONE OFFICE IN HONG KONG. THIS HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE IMPRACTICABLE DUE TO SHORTAGE OF OFFICE SPACE IN CENTRAL, AND THE SUBSEQUENT LEGAL INTERPRETATION OF THE CONDITION WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S ORIGINAL INTENTION WHEN APPLYING IT, SIR PHILIP EXPLAINED.
AT PRESENT, THE ORDINANCE MERELY PERMITS A CONDITION TO BE ATTACHED TO A LICENCE AT THE TIME WHEN IT IS FIRST GRANTED. THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH A CONDITION CAN BE AMENDED OR WITHDRAWN OR ADDED IS FOR THE LICENCE TO BE REVOKED - DESIGNED FOR CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS A BANK MEETING SERIOUS LIQUIDITY PROBLEMS -AND A NEW LICENCE GRANTED.
WITH THE EASIER PROCEDURE PROVIDED BY THE BILL THE CONDITION TO THE BANKING LICENCES COULD BE AMENDED SO AS TO PERMIT THE 41 BANKS IN QUESTION TO OPEN SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, TO CARRY OUT COMPUTER OR SIMILAR FUNCTIONS, IN AS MANY LOCATIONS AS THEY CHOOSE, PROVIDED THAT THEIR CUSTOMERS HAVE NO ACCESS WHATEVER TO THOSE OFFICES, SIR PHILIP SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE NEW POWER TO AMEND AN EXISTING CONDITION, OR TO ATTACH NEW CONDITIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR USE IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN RELATION TO ALL LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG.
HE BELIEVED IT WAS RIGHT AND PROPER THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE THIS POWER, AS PART OF THE ARMOURY OF MEASURES AVAILABLE TO CONTROL THE BANKING SECTOR FOR PRUDENTIAL PURPOSES, IN OTHER WORDS FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARD OF DEPOSITORS.
THE POWER IS COMMONLY AVAILABLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THE LICENSING AUTHORITIES CAN GRANT CONDITIONAL LICENCES, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------o ---------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
18
BILL TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL OVER BILL POSTING INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO *****
A BILL DESIGNED TO CONSOLIDATE AND STRENGTHEN THE CONTROL OVER THE POSTING OF BILLS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON TO DISPLAY ANY BILL OR POSTER ON CROWN OR PRIVATE LAND WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHORITY OR OF THE OWNER OR OCCUPIER OF THE LAND.
IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT ANY BILL OR POSTER BEING DISPLAYED MUST BE MAINTAINED IN A CLEAN AND TIDY CONDITION.
FAILURE TO DO SO CONSTITUTES AN OFFENCE AND THE AUTHORITY IS EMPOWERED TO REMOVE ANY SUCH POSTERS AND TO RECOVER THE COST OF REMOVAL FROM THE OFFENDERS.
FURTHERMORE, THE LIABILITY FOR THE OFFENCES AND ANY REMOVAL COSTS WILL FALL NOT ONLY ON THE BILL-POSTER BUT ALSO, IN THE CASE OF UNAUTHORISED POSTER DISPLAY, ON THE EMPLOYER OF THE BILL-POSTER AND THE PERSON WHO BENEFITS FROM THE DISPLAY OF THE POSTER- AND IN THE CASE OF FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE POSTER IN A CLEAN AND TIDY CONDITION, ON THE OWNER OR OCCUPIER OF THE LAND AND THE PERSON WHOSE GOODS OR SERVICES ARE ADVERTISED.
♦THIS IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE LIABILITY FOR THESE OFFENCES WILL FALL ON THOSE PERSONS WHO SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISPLAY AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BILL OR POSTER.
♦ON THE OTHER HAND, TO PROTECT THOSE WHO MIGHT BE CONCERNED FROM BEING UNFAIRLY PENALISED, A PERSON WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR THE OFFENCE, OR THE REMOVAL COSTS, IF HE CAN PROVE THAT THE POSTER HAS BEEN DISPLAYED WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT,♦ HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------o-------
SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 ******
A ®I^L SEEKING TO DELETE A PROVISION WHIOH ramq tuc DISTRIBUTION, POSTING OR EXHIBITION OF NOTICES IN THF ohinpsf LANGUAGE IN A PUBLIC PLACE WITHOUT THE PERMISSION J? tSE SECRETARY AFFAIRS 0R THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (amendmfnt> BILL 1980, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS THE HON F K LI said nonco NOW OTHER LAWS DEALING WITH SPECIFIED ASPECTS OF PUBLIC order, environmental control and objectionable publications with K?'^S^R"iG P0STERS’ H,ND HA?eR™4LS
in Rm LRribUAbt •
/HE POINTED .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
19
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ORIGIN OF THE PROVISION TO BE DELETED DATED BACK TO 1884 ALTHOUGH THE WORDS AND PHRASES INCLUDED THEREIN HAD BEEN AMENDED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, THE LAST OF WHICH WAS IN 1936.
♦WHEN THE 1936 BILL WAS DEBATED IN THIS COUNCIL, THE LATE SIR M.K. LO PROPOSED TO REPEAL THE PROVISION ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT WAS BOTH UNNECESSARY AND DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST THE CHINESE LANGUAGE. HIS MOTION WAS DEFEATED BY 15 VOTES TO ONE,+ HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED. --------------------------0------- REPAYMENT TO STUDENT LOAN FUND PROCEEDING WELL * * * * *
NEARLY $230 MILLION HAD BEEN PAID OUT IN OVER 100 000 LOANS TO STUDENTS AT THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, THE POLYTECHNIC AND THE APPROVED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES BUT ONLY LESS THAN $30 000 IN IRRECOVERABLE DEBTS WAS REQUIRED TO BE WRITTEN OFF, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE BELIEVED REPAYMENT OF THESE LOANS WAS PROCEEDING SATISFACTORILY.
THERE WERE ONLY TWO CASES IN WHICH IT HAD BEEN NECESSARY TO REFER THE CLAIMS TO THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL AND HEARINGS WERE PENDING, HE ADDED.
ON ACTION TAKEN AGAINST STUDENTS WHO FAIL TO MAINTAIN REPAYMENT, SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT STUDENTS WHO DEFAULTED ON THEIR OBLIGATIONS WITHOUT GOOD REASON WERE PURSUED.
HE SAID, +A LOAN IS DEEMED TO BE IN ARREARS WHEN TWO CONSECUTIVE INSTALMENTS OF THE REPAYMENT HAVE BEEN MISSED.
♦WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CASE IS REFERRED, BY THE TREASURY, TO EITHER THE SECRETARIAT OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, IF THE CASE INVOLVES A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OR THE POLYTECHNIC OR TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IF IT INVOLVES A STUDENT AT ONE OF THE APPROVED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES.
♦STAFF IN THESE DEPARTMENTS ARE THEN RESPONSIBLE FOR INITIATING ENQUIRIES TO DETERMINE WHY REPAYMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE.+ SIR PHILIP SAID.
HE NOTED THAT AT PRESENT, THERE WERE 176 CASES OF ARREARS OF REPAYMENTS, INVOLVING SOME $215 000. IN MOST CASES ARREARS WERE DUE TO A FAILURE TO NOTIFY THE TREASURY OF A CHANGE OF ADDRESS, WITH THE RESULT THAT REPAYMENT NOTICES WERE WRONGLY DELIVERED.
♦SUBSEQUENT ENQUIRIES WITH GUARANTORS, NEIGHBOURS AND EMPLOYERS USUALLY RESULT IN CONTACT BEING RE-ESTABLISHED AND REPAYMENTS RESUMED,+ HE SAID.
♦IN A MINORITY OF CASES, WHICH INVOLVE PERSISTENT DEFAULTERS IT IS NECESSARY TO REFER THE DETAILS TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO,’ AFTER ISSUE OF FORMAL WARNING LETTERS MAY INITIATE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS FOR RECOVERY OF THE DEBT,+ HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
20
SEMI-AUTOMATIC BARRIERS FOR GOVERNMENT CAR PARKS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERING THE POSSIBLE INSTALLATION SEMI-AUTOMATIC BARRIERS AT ENTRANCES AND EXITS OF CAR PARKS WHICH WOULD RELEASE MORE STAFF TO BE DEPLOYED ON SECURITY PATROLS, SAYS THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES.
IN REPLY TO THE QUESTION FROM THE HON F.K. HU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, MR T IES SAID AT PRESENT THE DEPARTMENT ASSIGNED AT LEAST ONE MEMBER STAFF TO PATROL EACH GOVERNMENT CAR PARK.
♦UNIFORMED AND PLA 11 CLOTHES POLICE OFFICERS MAKE REGULAR INSPECTIONS OF PUBL ’: <R PARKS AS PART OF THEIR PATROL DUTIES.
♦IN ADDITION, THE POLICE CONTINUE TO ADVISE MOTORISTS BY MEANS OF PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS, NOT TO LEAVE VALUABLE PROPERTY ON VIEW IN PARKED CARS,* HE SAID.
HE ALSO DISCLOSED THAT IN RESPECT OF ALL GOVERNMENT CAR PARKS, STAFF OF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT DURING 1979 RECEIVED REPORTS OF EIGHT ROBBERIES, 61 CASES OF THEFT, AND 13 VEHICLES STOLEN. OF ALL THESE CASES, 12 OCCURRED IN YAU MA TEI CAR PARK.
MR DAVIES POINTED OUT THAT IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1979, THE POLICE MADE THREE PREVENTIVE ARRESTS OF PERSONS FOR LOITERING IN THE YAU MA TEI CAR PARK RESULTING IN TWO CONVICTIONS AND ONE CASE PENDING.
DURING THAT PERIOD, NO THEFTS FROM THAT CAR PARK WERE REPORTED TO THE POLICE, HE ADDED.
- - o - -
MATERNITY BENEFITS FOR WOMEN WORKERS
*****
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON MATERNITY BENEFITS FOR WOMEN WORKERS RECENTLY SUBMITTED ITS REPORT AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM REV THE HON P.T. MCGOVERN, M? HENDERSON SAID THAT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS COPIES OF THE REPORT, WHICH HAD BEEN TRANSLATED INTO CHINESE, WOULD BE CIRCULATED TO INTERESTED PARTIES, INCLUDING WORKERS’ TRADE UNIONS, EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION. THEIR COMMENTS WOULD BE INVITED.
♦AFTER THEIR COMMENTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND CONSIDERED, I INTEND TO SEEK ALSO THE ADVICE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD BEFORE FORMULATING PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,+ HE SAID.
MR HENDERSON ADDED THAT THE WORKING GROUP WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN DECEMBER 1978 s
/ • TO EXAMINE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 1980
21
* TO EXAMINE PRACTICES REGARDING MATERNITY BENEFITS FOR WOMEN IN EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION-
* TO EXAMINE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION REQUIREMENTS-
X TO EXAMINE PROPOSALS MADE BY VARIOUS BODIES IN HONG KONG- AND
X TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR WOMEN WORKERS IN HONG KONG FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION BY THE GOVERNMENT.
-----0------
KCR PROVIDING THE BEST SERVICE IT CAN
X X X X X
THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY MANAGEMENT IS PROVIDING THE BEST SERVICE IT CAN WITHIN THE LIMITS CF THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE SYSTEM, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON WONG LAM, MR JONES SAID HOWEVER THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT ENTIRELY SATISFIED WITH THE ADEQUACY OF EXISTING TRAIN SERVICES.
HE SAID THE CAPACITY OF THE SYSTEM WAS NOW STRETCHED TO THE FULL AND IT WOULD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MEET DEMAND IN THE PERIOD PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION OF ELECTRIFICATION IN LATE 1982. THEREAFTER IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO MEET ALL DEMANDS WITH FAST AND FREQUENT PASSENGER TRAINS, HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ON SHA TIN RACE DAYS, THE RAILWAY PROVIDES SIX SPECIAL TRAINS TO AND FROM RACECOURSE STATION. THESE ARE ADDITIONAL TO THE NORMAL SCHEDULED TIMETABLE AND ARE NOT THEREFORE PROVIDED AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER TRAVELLERS TO AND FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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/22
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
22
SPECIAL TRAINING FOR CYCLISTS NOT ADVISABLE
******
THE GOVERNMENT’S STANDING CONFERENCE ON ROAD SAFETY HAS ADVISED-THAT, GIVEN THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE URBAN AREAS AND THE DANGERS THAT EXIST EVEN FOR EXPERIENCED CYCLISTS ON MANY OF OUR ROADS, PROVIDING SPECIAL TRAINING FOR CYCLISTS WOULD ENCOURAGE MORE OF THEM TO TAKE TO THE ROADS AND THUS PUT THEMSELVES TO RISK.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ANDREW SO.
MR JONES SAID HOWEVER THAT POLICE ROAD SAFETY OFFICERS DID VISIT SCHOOLS REGULARLY TO LECTURE ON ROAD SAFETY, PARTICULARLY AS REGARDS PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS. DURING 1979 OVER 2 000 SCHOOLS WERE VISITED AND 200 000 CHILDREN WERE GIVEN INSTRUCTION IN THIS WAY.
+AS REGARDS RECREATIONAL AREAS, POLICE ROAD SAFETY TEAMS PAY REGULAR VISITS TO THE MAIN AREAS WHERE BICYCLING IS PRACTISED, SUCH AS SAI KUNG, AND GIVE ADVICE TO CYCLISTS ON HOW TO HANDLE THEIR MACHINES IN A SAFE MANNER,* HE ADDED.
HE SAID IT WAS NOTEWORTHY THAT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CYCLISTS HAD FALLEN STEADILY IN RECENT YEARS FROM 6.5 PER CENT OF ALL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN 1975 TO LESS THAN FOUR PER CENT IN 1979.
_ _ o - -
SUPERVISION AND INSPECTION OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION TO BE STRENGTHENED
******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. THE HON KENNETH TOPLFY sayq uc INTENDS TO STRENGTHEN SUPERVISION AND INSPECTION OF TECHNICA1 2UTHE,NEEDRARISES HEADQUARTERS 0F h,s DEPARTMENT WITH MORE STAFF
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE REV THE HON iaycf IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY HE SAID THREE ADDITIONAL POSTS IN THE FIELD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR THE HEADQUARTERS WER? BEING SOUGHT IN 1980/81 AND THREE MORE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE 20 TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL SPPOlAi istq ^AT^^DlSlsyON^J^E^GHTniJ^E^D^SOR1? INSPECTORATE‘cOVERING A^D^cJnICaTeDUCAtIoI^'?^ ^D°IcIApePd!‘V°CAT,°NAL SCH°°LS
TOPLEY SAID THESE HEADQUARTERS STAFF WERE IN ADDITION TO THOSE WORKING IN THE FIELD AT THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLFCP
‘ND PRE-''0C‘t1 <>««•
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/23
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
23
ANTI-TB ASSOCIATION TO HAVE NEW NAME
*****
THE HON ALEX WU TODAY INTRODUCED A BILL TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE HK ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS AND THORACIC DISEASES ASSOCIATION TO ONE WHICH MORE ACCURATELY DESCRIBES ITS PRESENT PURPOSES.
ITS PROPOSED NEW NAME IS +HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION*.
THE HK ANT I-TUBERCULOSIS AND THORACIC DISEASES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 ALSO SEEKS TO AMEND THE OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION SO AS TO ENABLE IT TO COLLABORATE WITH THE HONG KONG HEART FOUNDATION TO ESTABLISH, ADMINISTER AND OPERATE A MAJOR CARDIAC AND THORACIC CENTRE AT THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL.
THE ASSOCIATION HAD CONTRIBUTED $2 MILLION FROM ITS OWN RESOURCES AND ALL THE FACILITIES AND EXPERTISE OF THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL TOWARDS THIS PROJECT. THE HEART DONATION HAD SUCCESSFULLY RAISED $10 MILLION IN ONE SINGLE DONATION.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 BECOMES LAW *****
THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THREE OTHER BILLS, THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SmH SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
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/2U......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980
24
RETIRING DIRECtOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES LAUDED ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HON TED NICHOLS, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WHO IS DUE TO RETIRE SOON AFTER SERVING IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR 21 YEARS.
SIR MURRAY THANKED MR NICHOLS IN HIS LAST SITTING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY FOR ALL HIS VALUABLE SERVICES TO HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE FISHING INDUSTRY AND THE SETTING UP OF COUNTRY PARKS.
HE SAID THAT MR NICHOLS HAD ENCOURAGED THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE FISHING FLEET, CHANGES IN THE DESIGN OF FISHING VESSELS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARICULTURE AND PELAGIC FISHING.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE COUNTRY PARKS AND THEIR MANAGEMENTS WERE ABLE TO BE ESTABLISHED WITH EXTRAORDINARY SPEED BECAUSE OF THE ENERGY AND IMAGINATION WITH WHICH MR NICHOLS HAD LED HIS STAFF. *
*
♦HE WILL BE REMEMBERED AS A PRESERVER OF HONG KONG’S COUNTRYSIDE, AND AN ORGANISER OF RECREATION IN IT,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
THE HON OSWALD CHEUNG, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL JOINED THE GOVERNOR IN WISHING MR NICHOLS A LONG, HAPPY AND ACTIVE RETIREMENT.
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DECEMBER MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS *****
THE MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER 1979 ARE PUBLISHED TODAY. THEY ARE CALCULATED ON THE REVISED BASIS SET OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT EARLIER THIS MONTH (GIS PRESS RELEASE OF JANUARY 7).
THE STATISTICS SHOW GROWTH OF MONEY SUPPLY (M3) WHICH IS PARTLY SEASONAL- IT ALSO REFLECTS AN EXPANSION IN TOTAL CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY, AND ALSO PERHAPS AN INFLOW OF FUNDS ACROSS THE EXCHANGES, WHICH WAS DEMONSTRATED BY THE STRENGTH OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR TOWARDS THE END OF DECEMBER.
MONEY SUPPLY
THE MONEY SUPPLY ON THE NARROWEST DEFINITION (Ml) (NOTES AND COIN WITH THE PUBLIC, PLUS DEMAND DEPOSITS, OTHER THAN FROM BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, WITH LICENSED BANKS) ROSE BY 4.1 PER CENT IN DECEMBER, UP FROM 1.8 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. THE MONTHLY CHANGES IN THIS MEASURE ARE VERY ERRATIC- IT ROSE DURING 1979 BY 3.7 PER CENT. (COMPARABLE FIGURES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR 1978 FOR ANY DEFINITIONS OF THE MONEY SUPPLY.)
/M2, WHICH IS .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 1980
25
M2, WHICH IS DEFINED AS Ml PLUS SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS (OTHER THAN FROM BANKS AND DTCS) WITH LICENSED BANKS, ROSE IN DECEMBER BY 3.2 PER CENT, ALMOST UNCHANGED FROM THE NOVEMBER INCREASE OF 3.1 PER CENT- OVER 1979 AS A WHOLE IT ROSE BY 13.2 PER CENT.
M3 CONSISTS OF M2 PLUS PUBLIC DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES. IT ROSE IN DECEMBER BY 4.1 PER CENT (REFLECTING AN INCREASE OF 7.1 PER CENT IN THE PUBLIC’S DEPOSITS WITH DTCS), UP FROM 2.4 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. OVER 1979 M3 ROSE BY 29.7 PER CENT.
CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY
BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG (TO CUSTOMERS OTHER THAN DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES) ROSE BY 6.1 PER CENT IN DECEMBER, UP FROM A 1.5 PER CENT INCREASE IN NOVEMBER. DURING THE YEAR BANK LOANS ROSE BY 34.0 PER CENT, SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN IN 1978, WHEN LOANS TO CUSTOMERS OTHER THAN DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE RISEN BY 39 PER CENT, THOUGH EXACT FIGURES ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
LOANS IN HONG KONG BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE IN DECEMBER BY 3.7 PER CENT, WELL DOWN FROM NOVEMBER’S 6.5 PER CENT INCREASE. DURING 1979 LOANS BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 33.8 PER CENT (NO FIGURES ARE AVAILABLE FOR 1978).
TOTAL CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY ROSE IN DECEMBER BY 5.7 PER CENT, WHICH WAS UP FROM THE 2.4 PER CENT INCREASE IN NOVEMBER. TOTAL CREDIT ROSE IN 1979 BY 34.0 PER CENT. AGAIN NO FIGURES ARE AVAILABLE FOR 1978 FOR COMPARISON.
LOANS ABROAD
THE TOTAL OF LOANS ABROAD CONTINUED TO RISE, WITH BANK LOANS INCREASING BY 1518 MN TO $20 778 MN, AND DTC LOANS ABROAD UP BY 1379 MN TO 124 778 MN.
BALANCE SHEET RATIOS
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO FOR ALL BANKS DECLINED FURTHER IN DECEMBER TO 48.0 PER CENT, DOWN FROM 48.9 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, TO REACH ITS LOWEST LEVEL FOR NINE MONTHS. BANKS’ LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIOS ROSE IN DECEMBER TO 91.5 PER CENT* THE INCREASE FROM THE NOVEMBER LEVEL OF 88.8 PER CENT REFLECTS THE INCREASE IN BANK LOANS DURING THE MONTH. THE LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BACK IN DECEMBER TO 55.4 PER CENT (57.2 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER), AS A RESULT OF THE 7 PER CENT INCREASE IN DTCS’ DEPOSITS IN DECEMBER.
/ANALYSIS CF......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 198J)
26
ANALYSIS OF LENDING BY SECTORS
DETAILS OF THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG SHOW THAT LOANS BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKI NG COMPANIES TOGETHER TO MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY ROSE DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF 1979 BY 10.1 PER CENT, WHILE LOANS FOR TRANSPORT AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT ROSE BY 11.0 PER CENT. LOANS TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR INCREASED BY 12.5 PER CENT, WHILE LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (EXCLUDING LOANS TO BANKS OR TO DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES) ROSE BY 32.4 PER CENT. LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY INCREASED BY 11.5 PER CENT, AND LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR ALL OTHER PURPOSES ROSE BY 11.2 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING BANKS WAS UNCHANGED AT 105 AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1979. FOUR MORE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BEGAN TO REPORT DURING THE MONTH, BRINGING THEIR TOTAL TO 269.
THE FOLLOWING ARE TABLES SHOWING MONEY AND BANKING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1979, AND THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONGi-
MONEY AND BANKING FIGURES — DECEMBER 1979
S MN
DEC 1979 FIGURES FOR EARLIER MONTHS (% CHANGE)! NOV 79 SEPT 79 DEC 78
Ml * 20 851 20 039 (*4.1%) 19 022 (+9.6%) 20 110 (+3.7%)
M2 * 75 270 72 957 (*3.2%) 69 417 (+8.4%) 66 472 (+13.2%)
M3 99 765 95 833 (*4.1%) 90 839 (+9.8%) 76 919 (+29.7%)
BANKS —
DEPOSITS * 67 985 66 028 (+3.0%) 62 545 (+8.7%) 59 929 (+13.4%)
LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG * 62 227 58 653 (+6.1%) 56 562 (+10.0%) 46 428 (+34.0%)
LOAN/DEPOSIT 91.5% 88.8% 90.4% 77.5%
RATIO *
AVERAGE LIQUIDITY 48.0% 48.9% 49.2% 46.2%
RATIO
/DEPOSIT-TAKING .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 1980
27
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES —
DEPOSITS 24 495
LOANS AND ADVANCES 13 566 IN HONG KONG
LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO 55.4%
BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES —
22 876 21 422 10 447
(*7.1%) (+14.3%)(+134.5%)
13 085 11 964 10 139
(*3.7%) (*13.4%) (*33.8%)
57.2% 55.8% 97.1%
TOTAL CREDIT TO 75 793 71 738 68 526 56 567
THE ECONOMY (*5.7%) (*10.6%) (+34.0%)
* THESE FIGURES ARE RECALCULATED TO EXCLUDE BANKS’ LIABILITIES TO, AND CLAIMS ON, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
QUARTERLY ANALYSES OF LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG $ MN
CATEGORY OF BORROWER LOANS AND ADVANCES BY BANKS LOANS AND ADVANCES BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES
DEC 79 SEPT 79 DEC 79 SEPT 79
MANUFACTURING OF WHICHi 8 540 7 686 (+11.1%) 932 917 (+1.6%)
TEXTILES 1 941 1 864 (+4.1%) 206 239 (-13.8%)
TRANSPORT AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 5 112 4 407 (+16.0%) 2 651 2 585 (+2.6%)
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 7 299 6 650 (+9.8%) 2 586 2 136 (+21.1%)
GENERAL COMMERCE 19 695 18 393 (+7.1%) 2 334 2 076 (+12.4%)
FINANCIAL CONCERNS * 2 239 1 839 (+21.8%) 1’5 1 108 688 (+61.0%) /INDIVIDUALS: i
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JO, 1$8O
28
INDIVIDUALS! TO PURCHASE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY 7 524 (♦10.5%) 6 812 1 128 (+18.9%) 949
OTHER PURPOSES 5 348 (♦10.2%) 4 852 1 155 (+15.7%) 998
OTHERS 6 470 (+9.2%) 5 923 1 672 (+3.5%) 1 615
TOTAL * 62 227 (♦10.0%) 56 562 13 566 (+13.4%) 11 964
* THIS EXCLUDES FUNDS ADVANCED BY BANKS TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
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SHA TIN TO GET A NEW ELEVATED ROAD *****
WORK WILL BEGIN NEXT WEEK ON AN ELEVATED ROAD BETWEEN FO TAN NULLAH AND THE PODIUM, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, OVER THE HO TUNG LAU KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY DEPOT IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
CONTRACT FOR THE WORK WORTH ABOUT $27 MILLION WAS AWARDED TO PAUL Y. CONSTRUCTION CO LTD, AND WAS FORMALLY SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR K.T. KUO, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND MR GEORGE C. TSO FOR THE CONTRACTOR.
MR KUO SAID THAT THE CONTRACT FORMED PART OF A ROAD PROJECT WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY LINK THE RAILWAY PODIUM WITH A PRIMARY DISTRIBUTOR ROAD KNOWN AS P6.
♦INITIALLY THIS SECTION OF ROAD WILL ONLY PROVIDE A PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE LINK BETWEEN THE PODIUM AND CENTRAL SHA TIN,* HE SAID.
♦HOWEVER, WHEN THE REMAINING SECTION OF THE ROAD BETWEEN FO TAN NULLAH AND ROAD P6 IS BUILT, IT WILL PROVIDE DIRECT VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE PODIUM FROM ROAD P6 WHICH IS CONNECTED WITH THE TRUNK ROAD NETWORK THROUGH SHA TIN.*
WORK FOR THIS STAGE, WHICH WILL TAKE 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE, WILL ALSO INCLUDE A GROUND.LEVEL ROAD WITHIN THE KCR DEPOT AND SEWER AND STORM WATER DRAINS TO SERVICE THE DEPOT.
THE ROAD HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND ITS CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF PWD.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1980 - 29 -
APPLICATION FOR RIGHT TO OPERATE NEW MAX ICAB ROUTES TO CLOSE ON FEBRUARY 7 ft * ft X ft
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED REGISTERED OWNERS OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES THAT THE CLOSING DATE OF APPLICATION FOR THE RIGHT TO OPERATE TEN NEW MAXICAB ROUTES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR IS FEBRUARY 7.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAIDi +LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.*
APPLICATION FORMS AND DETAILS OF THE MAXICAB ROUTES CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE FROM EITHER THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 6TH FLOOR, GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI OR THE KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICE, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 9TH FLOOR, 56 DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE APPROPRIATE APPLICATION FORM ENTITLED ♦APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS MAXICAB ROUTES^ MUST BE RETURNED BY REGISTERED MAIL TO REACH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BY 5 PM ON FEBRUARY 7.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE OPENS TOMORROW ............ 1
STRONG DEMAND FOR BOOK ON HONG KONG BIRDS ................ 2
COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS TO ATTEND TWO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES ................................ 3
SHA TO OPEN NEW SCHOOL EXTENSION ......................... 3
REMINDER TO PROPERTY TAX PAYERS IN NE7 KOWLOON ........... 4
DHA TO VISIT OLD PEOPLE'S HOSTEL ......................... 4
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF EDINBURGH PLACE AND ^UEEN’S PIER FOR ARTS FESTIVAL OPENING............................ 5
SECTION OF JACKSON ROAD TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FEBRUARY 7................................................ 5
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1980
1
NEW CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE OPENS TOMORROW ' ft ft ft * ft ft
THE FIRST CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE OPENED BY MRS HU, WIFE OF MR HU FA-KONG, AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND URBAN COUNCILS, TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CENTRE IN NEW RODNEY BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 99 QUEENSWAY, WAN CHAI, AT 3 PM.
THE CENTRE IS THE SECOND OPERATED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE (YEAS) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE YEAS OPENED ITS FIRST CAREERS CENTRE IN MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD. KOWLOON, IN SEPTEMBER 1978. IT HAS SINCE BECOME POPULAR WITH YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING CAREERS INFORMATION AND ATTRACTED MORE THAN 9 000 VISITORS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION.
LIKE THE KOWLOON OFFICE, THE NEW CENTRE PROVIDES CAREERS INFORMATION FREE OF CHARGE TO YOUNG PEOPLE, PARENTS, TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHER INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS.
IT IS COMPLETE WITH A VARIETY OF CAREERS FACILITIES INCLUDING A CAREERS REFERENCE LIBRARY WITH SOME 1 100 PUBLICATIONS. VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO BROWSE THROUGH BOOKS, VIEW SLIDES AND FILMS OF THEIR CHOICE AND LISTEN TO TAPE-RECORDINGS OF TALKS GIVEN BY SPECIALISTS.
BOTH CENTRES OPEN BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5.30 PM DAILY FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND BETWEEN 9 AM AND 12 NOON ON SATURDAY.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE FIRST CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF NEW RODNEY BLOCK, 99 QUEENSWAY, WAN CHAI AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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/2
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1980
2
STRONG DEMAND FOR BOOK ON HONG KONG BIRDS
* M * *
A BOOK CONTAINING ORIGINAL PAINTINGS OF HONG KONG BIRDS HAS PROVED SO POPULAR THAT A SECOND EDITION HAS BEEN PRINTED TO MEET CONTINUING DEMAND.
FIRST PUBLISHED AT THE END OF 1977, *A COLOUR GUIDE TO HONG KONG BIRDS* HAS BEEN WIDELY-ACCLAIMED FOR ITS AUTHORITATIVE AND EASY-TO-READ TEXT BY CLIVE VINEY, AND THE REALISM OF KAREN PHILLIPPS FULL-COLOUR ILLUSTRATIONS.
A NEW COVER HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR THE SECOND EDITION WHICH IS AVAILABLE IN TWO VERSIONS -- SOFT-COVER AT $20 AND HARD-COVER, $32 -- AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE.
THE BIRDS ARE DEPICTED IN THEIR NATURAL HABITATS, ENABLING READERS TO READILY IDENTIFY ALL LOCAL RESIDENT SPECIES, THE REGULAR AND OCCASIONAL VISITORS, AND A FEW OF THE MORE STRIKING STRAGGLERS.
GOOD BIRD-WATCHING AREAS ARE SUGGESTED, ALONG WITH MAPS AND A GUIDE TO THE BEST MONTHS TO GO OUT LOOKING.
♦THE BOOK PROVIDES A DETAILED SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR THE EXPERIENCED ENTHUSIAST, AS WELL AS FOR THE BEGINNER,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES WHICH WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRANGING ITS PUBLICATION.
+THE KEEN DEMAND FOR IT REFLECTS THE INCREASING INTEREST AND PRIDE BEING TAKEN IN HONG KONG’S NATURAL HERITAGE — ESPECIALLY BY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
♦WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT THIS EXCELLENT BOOK IS SERVING TO ENCOURAGE THE TREND,+ HE SAID.
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/3
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, I960
3
COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS TO ATTEND TWO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
* ft ft *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR PETER LEE, LEFT HONG KONG THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING TO ATTEND TWO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES ON DRUG ABUSE.
HE WILL ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION’S CONSULTATION GROUP ON DRUG DEPENDENCE PROGRAMMES IN GENEVA ON FEBRUARY 8.
THE MEETING WILL ADVISE WHO lit THE FIELD OF DRUG DEPENDENCE AND PROVIDE A FORUM TO DISCUSS THE INTER-RELATIONSHIP OF ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION AND WHO.
AFTER THE MEETING MR LEE WILL FLY TO VIENNA FOR THE SIXTH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE UNITED NATION’S COMMISSION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS WHICH WILL BE HELD FROM FEBRUARY 11 TO 20.
AT THE VIENNA CONFERENCE, MR LEE WILL OUTLINE HONG KONG’S MEASURES IN TACKLING DRUG ABUSE AND REDUCING ILLICIT SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF NARCOTIC DRUGS.
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NOTE TO EDITORS i
SHA TO OPEN NEW SCHOOL EXTENSION ft ft ft ft
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR F.K. LI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MCDOUALL WING OF THE ABERDEEN TECHNICAL SCHOOL TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE NEW SCHOOL EXTENSION IS NAMED AFTER THE LATE MR J.C. MCDOUALL, A FORMER SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS AND CHAIRMAN CF THE ABERDEEN TECHNICAL SCHOOL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AT THE TIME WHEN THE NEW SCHOOL EXTENSION PROJECT WAS INITIATED.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE ABERDEEN TECHNICAL SCHOOL AT 1 WONG CHUK HANG ROAD AT 3 PM TOMORROW.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1980
4
REMINDER TO PROPERTY TAX PAYERS IN NEW KOWLOON
******
PROPERTY TAX PAYERS IN NEW KOWLOON (NORTH OF BOUNDARY STREET) SHOULD HAVE BY NOW RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR TAX FOR THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 1979/80.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE DEMAND NOTES HAD BEEN SENT TO PROPERTY TAX PAYERS, WHETHER OWNERS, AGENTS, OR OCCUPIERS, WHO PAID RATES ON PROPERTIES IN THE DISTRICT.
♦THOSE WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE SHOULD IMMEDIATELY APPLY TO THE TREASURY ACCOUNTS BRANCH OF THE TREASURY, AT ROOM 203, HANG CHONG BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, 5 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG, FOR A COPY,+ HE SAID.
THE AMOUNT PAYABLE, BY FEBRUARY 29, IS INDICATED ON THE DEMAND NOTE IN THE APPROPRIATE BOX BY AN ARROW-HEAD.
♦TO AVOID QUEUEING, PROPERTY TAX PAYERS ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER BY POST OR BY GOING EARLY TO ANY OF THE TREASURY’S COLLECTION OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE, « POINTED OUT.
THOSE WHO WISH TO SEEK ADVICE CAN CONTACT THE PROPERTY TAX SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT ON THE 17TH FLOOR OF WINDSOR HOUSE AT 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
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NOTE TO EDITORSi
DHA TO VISIT OLD PEOPLE’S HOSTEL
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, WAH HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY OF THE CHAI WAN TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING
MR JOHN WALDEN WILL VISIT HING TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS IN
HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (EASTERN), MR C.G. GATELY, CHIEF LIAISON OFFICER, MR H.K. CHAN- CHAIRMAN OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR STEPHEN YOW MOK-SHING AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
MR WALDEN WILL TOUR THE PREMISES AND SEE DAILY ACTIVITIES OF PEOPLE0 PE0PLE* THE H0STEL PROVIDES ACCOMMODATION TO 73 OLD
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER MR WALDEN’S VISIT TO HING WAH HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS ON FOURTH FLOOR OF CHIN HING HOUSE, HING WAH ESTATE. CHAI WAN AT 11 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, U80
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF EDINBURGH PLACE AND QUEEN’S PIER FOR ARTS FESTIVAL OPENING
* * * ft ft
PART OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST IN FRONT OF QUEEN’S PIER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 5 PM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 2) TILL MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY FOR THE GALA OPENING OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL.
QUEEN’S PIER WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO NORMAL MARINE TRAFFIC ON SUNDAY FROM 3 PM TO MIDNIGHT. DURING THIS PERIOD, OPERATORS OF SMALL CRAFT ARE ADVISED TO USE BLAKE PIER.
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SECTION OF JACKSON ROAD TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FEBRUARY 7 ft ft ft ft ft
JACKSON ROAD BETWEEN CHATER ROAD AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FEBRUARY 7 FOR ROAD REINSTATEMENT WORK.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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