DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DENTAL HOSPITAL NAMED AFTER PRINCE PHILIP ...................... 1
FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO VISIT CHINA ............................ 2
"PAY AS YOU EARN" NOT FOR HONG KONG ............................ 2
3192 MILLION SPENT ON PUBLIC PROJECTS .......................... 4
TELEVISION SURVEY RESULTS .................................... Zj.
CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT CHINESE MUSIC ............................ 5
PASSING-OUT PARADE OF FIREMEN .................................. 6
NEW PRISON OPENS FOR GIRLS ..................................... 6
PHOTOGRAPH OF DEPARTMENT HEAD................................... 7
NEW MAXICAB ROUTE TO BAGUIO VILLAS ............................. 7
NO SATURDAY NIGHT TRAFFIC ON DES VOEUX RD CENTRAL .............. 8
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1980
1
DENTAL HOSPITAL NAMED AFTER PRINCE PHILIP X X X X X X X
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH HAS CONSENTED TO THE NAMING OF THE NEW DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL AT SAI YING PUN AS +THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL*.
THE HOSPITAL, WHICH IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WILL PROVIDE CLINICAL TRAINING FOR STUDENTS OF THE DENTAL SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. IT IS NOW NEARING COMPLETION AND IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN OPERATION LATER THIS YEAR.
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WILL BE INDUCTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE BRITISH DENTAL ASSOCIATION THIS YEAR, DURING WHICH THE ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES ITS CENTENARY. IT IS THEREFORE PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE THAT THE HOSPITAL SHOULD BE NAMED AFTER HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS.
AT THE SAME TIME IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOSPITAL SHOULD BE VESTED IN A STATUTORY BOARD OF GOVERNORS. THIS BOARD WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOSPITAL, WITHIN WHICH TRAINING OF DENTISTS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE LEGISLATION NECESSARY TO SET UP THE BOARD WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO DRAFT AND ENACT. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT WHEN THE HOSPITAL OPENS, THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED A PROVISIONAL BOARD WHICH WILL ALSO BE CHARGED WITH THE TASK OF ADVISING ON THE DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATION AND THE FINANCIAL, STAFFING AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL BOARD IS TO BE MR T.S. LO, OBE, JP AND THE OTHER MEMBERS WILL BE:
THE HON MR JUSTICE T.L. YANG
MR ANDREW LI
MR WILSON CHEUNG, JP
THE DIRECTOR OF THE HOSPITAL (PROFESSOR G.L. HOWE)
TWO OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (PROFESSOR B. LOFTS AND MR N.J. GILLANDERS, JP)
TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DENTAL PROFESSION (DR WILLIAM W.L. SAN AND DR J.H. YAP, OBE,-JP)
FOUR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS, REPRESENTING THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES (TWO REPRESENTATIVES), THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY
THE COMPTROLLER OF THE HOSPITAL
(MR D.H. MACE)
THE PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO OVERSEE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOSPITAL, BUT ITS RESIDUAL FUNCTIONS WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE PROVISIONAL BOARD AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE.
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THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1980
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO VISIT CHINA
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL LEAVE FOR CHINA ON SUNDAY (MAY 4) AT THE INVITATION OF THE DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTOR OF CHINA’S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN TRADE, MR XI YESHENG.
SIR PHILIP WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY HADDON-CAVE AND THE POLITICAL ADVISER, DR DAVID WILSON, AND WILL RETURN ON MAY 11.
THEY WILL LEAVE BY HOVERFERRY AT 9.45 AM. A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE PROVIDED TO MEMBERS OF THE PRESS COVERING SIR PHILIP’S DEPARTURE AT THE TAI KOK TSUI FERRY PIER, MONG KOK. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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♦PAY AS YOU EARN+ NOT FOR HONG KONG * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, MR V.A. LADD, TODAY (THURSDAY) LISTED GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIONS TO IMPLEMENTING THE ♦PAY AS YOU EARN+ (PAYE) SYSTEM IN COLLECTING TAX.
SPEAKING AT A ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG SOUTH LUNCHEON MEETING, MR LADD SAID THERE HAD BEEN SUGGESTIONS THAT THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT COLLECTION METHODS COULD BE MORE EFFICIENT — OR AT LEAST, LESS PAINFUL FOR THE TAXPAYING PUBLIC.
♦SPECIFICALLY, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD ADOPT A +PAY AS YOU EARN+ SYSTEM, THUS RELIEVING THE INDIVIDUAL OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAKING PROVISION FOR HIS ANNUAL TAX BILL — OR RATHER, TAX BILLS,+ HE SAID.
GIVEN THE RIGHT SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND FISCAL ENVIRONMENT, THE PAYE SYSTEM COULD CERTAINLY CONTAIN ADVANTAGES, MR LADD ADMITTED.
/BUT,
THUBSDAY, MAY 1, 1980
~5
BUT, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT’S REASONS FOR NOT ADOPTING THE SYSTEM WERE:
* HONG KONG’S DEDICATION TO A COMPARATIVELY LOW LEVEL OF DIRECT TAXATION WHICH IS ON THE ONE HAND AS PRODUCTIVE OF REVENUE AS POSSIBLE AND AT THE SAME TIME SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE TO ADMINISTER*
* PAYE SYSTEM ARE INVARIABLY COMPLEX AND ALWAYS EXPENSIVE FOR GOVERNMENTS TO OPERATE*
* EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE HAS SHOWN THAT PAYE SYSTEMS INVOLVE A VERY REAL COST TO EMPLOYERS WHO ARE INEVITABLY INVOLVED IN THEIR OPERATION-
* THERE WOULD BE A NEED FOR A VERY LARGE POLICING OPERATION TO ENSURE ON THE ONE HAND THAT DEDUCTIONS MADE BY EMPLOYERS ARE PROPERLY ACCOUNTED FOR, AND ON THE OTHER TO GUARD AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS WHO MIGHT DEDUCT +TAX+ FROM UNSUSPECTING AND UNSOPHISTICATED EMPLOYEES, AND
* THE NOT INSIGNIFICANT COST TO THE TAXPAYER -- WHO LOSES THE USE OF HIS FUNDS AND IS THUS DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO EMPLOY THEM PROFITABLY UNTIL THE ANNUAL PAYMENT DATES FALL DUE.
MR LADD EXPLAINED THAT GIVEN THE LIGHTNESS OF THE LOAD AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF TAXPAYERS DO MANAGE TO PAY ON TIME WITH VERY LITTLE DIFFICULTY, IT WOULD NOT MAKE SENSE TO INTRODUCE WHAT WOULD BE A VERY COSTLY SYSTEM FOR BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC.
HE ALSO DREW ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM OF POLICING IF THE PAYE SYSTEM WAS ADOPTED HERE.
♦MOST COUNTRIES WHICH OPERATE PAYE SYSTEMS HAVE FOUND IT NECESSARY, OR AT LEAST ADVISABLE, TO ENGAGE SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF INSPECTION STAFF TO VISIT EMPLOYERS' PREMISES TO ENSURE THAT DEDUCTIONS MADE ARE PROPERLY ACCOUNTED FOR,* MR LADD SAID.
ON THE COST TO TAXPAYERS, MR LADD NOTED THAT UNDER THE PAYE SYSTEM, THE CASH DEDUCTED WAS IMMEDIATELY LOST TO AN EMPLOYEE.
+UNDER THE EXISTING SYSTEM, HOWEVER, HE RETAINS THE USE OF HIS MONEY AND IF, AS MANY PEOPLE DO, HE MAKES PROVISION BY SETTING ASIDE HIMSELF THE CASH WHICH HE WILL REQUIRE TO PAY HIS TAX, HE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY OF EARNING SOME ADDITIONAL INCOME,* HE ADDED.
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A....
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1980
4
8192 MILLION SPENT ON PUBLIC PROJECTS
* * * * *
MORE THAN $192 MILLION WORTH OF CONTRACTS FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WERE LET BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN MARCH.
ONE OF THE LARGEST OF THE 22 CONTRACTS AWARDED WAS FOR THE BUILDING OF A RAILWAY DEPOT AT HO TUNG LAU, SHA TIN.
THIS $101.8 MILLION CONTRACT WAS THE BIGGEST SINGLE ONE UNDER THE MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION SCHEME OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
WORK INCLUDES SITE FORMATION, TRACK LAYING, CONSTRUCTION OF A LARGE MAINTENANCE SHED, A CARRIAGE WASHING PLANT, OFFICES AND OTHER MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL WORKS.
THE DEPOT, WHEN COMPLETED IN ABOUT TWO YEARS, WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING OF THE NEW ROLLING STOCK.
OF THE CONTRACTS AWARDED, 20 WERE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD AND THE REMAINING TWO ON THE RECOMMENDATION CF THE PWD TENDER BOARD.
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NOTE TO EDITORS:
TELEVISION SURVEY RESULTS * * * *
A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY ON PUBLIC ATTITUDES TO TELEVISION WILL BE HELD IN THE GIS THEATRE. BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 5TH FLOOR, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY). '
THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY, MR NIGEL WATT, WILL PRESENT THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY. ALSO PRESENT WILL BE THE MANAGER OF FRANK SMALL AND ASSOCIATES, MR DANIEL CHAN, AND MISS MUSETTA WU TELEVISION STANDARDS CONTROL OFFICER.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE PRESS CONFERENCE COVERED.
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1980
- 5 -
CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT CHINESE MUSIC *****
THE MUSIC OFFICE IS HOLDING A SERIES OF LECTURES ON CHINESE MUSIC APPRECIATION THIS MONTH.
WELL-KNOWN MUSICIANS IN CHINESE MUSIC WILL GIVE THE LECTURES EVERY SATURDAY AT 2 PM IN THE MUSIC OFFICE’S KOWLOON EAST SUB-OFFICE.
THE FIRST LECTURE, ON MAY 3, WILL BE GIVEN BY MR HWANG YAU-TEI WHO WILL SPEAK ON CHINESE ART SONG APPRECIATION. MISS BARBARA FEI WILL TALK ON CHINESE FOLK SONG APPRECIATION ON MAY 10 AND MR LOUIS CHAN WILL DESCRIBE THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF CHINESE MUSIC IN HIS LECTURE ON MAY 17.
A WORKSHOP ON CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY l*R CHAN LING-CHI ON MAY 24.
ON MAY 31, THE BEGINNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHINESE MUSIC WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF A TALK BY MR LOO KAH-CHI.
THESE LECTURES, TO BE HELD IN THE SUB-OFFICE AT 100 TING FU STREET, YAN HAU MANSION, 2ND FLOOR, NGAU TAU KOK, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
FREE TICKETS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE FOUR BRANCHES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE!
* HEAD OFFICE, 2 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, NINTH FLOOR"
* KOWLOON EAST SUB-OFFICE, 100 TING FU STREET, NGAU TAU KOK-
* KOWLOON WEST SUB-OFFICE, 157-159 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, TUNG PING BUILDING, 2ND AND 3RD FLOORS- AND
* NEW TERRITORIES SUB-OFFICE, 167-173 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, CHEUNG YIU BUILDING, 1ST AND 2ND FLOORS, TSUEN WAN.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 3-411328.
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THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1980
- 6
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PASSING-OUT PARADE OF FIREMEN
* -X * *
THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, W B.G. FENDER, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 79 FIREMEN AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL IN PAT HEUNG TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 10.30 AM.
THE RECRUITS HAD JUST COMPLETED SIX MONTHS BASIC TRAINING. THE PARADE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A FIRE-FIGHTING DEMONSTRATION.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PARADE.
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NEW PRISON OPENS FOR GIRLS * * X X
THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HAS TODAY (THURSDAY) OPENED A SEPARATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR YOUNG FEMALE OFFENDERS. THE OTHER CENTRE FOR WOMEN IS AT TAI LAM.
THE NEW TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, FORMERLY USED FOR HOLDING YOUNG MALE OFFENDERS, IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS, A TRAINING CENTRE AND A PRISON FOR PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 21. IT HAS ACCOMMODATION FOR 160 INMATES AND IS ALREADY RECEIVING THEM.
THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE INSTITUTION IS MR KWONG CHUNG-WING. CHIEF OFFICER,WHO IS ASSISTED BY ABOUT 50 FEMALE SUPPORTING STAFF INCLUDING THOSE TAKING UP EDUCATION AND NURSING DUTIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG PRISON SERVICE THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS ADMINISTERING TWO WOMEN'S CENTRES AT THE SAME TIME.
HE SAID THERE WERE DISTINCT ADVANTAGES IN OPENING A SEPARATE INSTITUTION FOR YOUNG FEMALE OFFENDERS SO THAT INDEPENDENT REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES COULD BE IMPLEMENTED.
TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AS A PRISON FOR ADULT FEMALES AND AS A DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE.
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THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1989
7
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PHOTOGRAPH OF DEPARTMENT HEAD
*****
COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, MR NIGEL WATT, HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED IN GIS PRESS BOXES TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR YOUR RECORD AND EDITORIAL USE.
IT WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED IF YOU WOULD USE THESE PHOTOGRAPHS WHEN THE OCCASION ARISES.
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NEW MAXICAB ROUTE TO BAGUIO VILLAS
* * *
A NEW MAXICAB ROUTE NO 28 BETWEEN BAGUIO VILLAS (NORTH) AND CAUSEWAY BAY (PAK SHA ROAD) ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL OPERATE FROM SUNDAY (MAY 4).
THE SERVICE WILL START AT 6.30 AM AND END AT 11 PM AT A BASIC FREQUENCY OF TEN MINUTES.
THE FULL FARE WILL BE $1.50 AND SECTIONAL FARE WILL BE $1 BETWEEN HIGH STREET AND CAUSEWAY BAY ON EASTBOUND JOURNEYS AND BETWEEN CAINE ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH SEYMOUR ROAD AND BAGUIO VILLAS (NORTH) ON WESTBOUND JOURNEYS.
FROM BAGUIO VILLAS THE MAXICABS WILL TAKE THE ROUTE OF BAGUIO VILLAS (NORTH) ACCESS ROAD, VICTORIA ROAD, SASSOON ROAD, POK FU LAM ROAD, HIGH STREET, CAINE ROAD, OLD BAILEY STREET, WYNHAM STREET, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, GARDEN ROAD, MURRAY BARRACKS SLIP ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE, KENNEDY ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, MORRISON HILL ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, HYSAN AVENUE, YUN PING ROAD, KAI CHIU ROAD, LEE GARDEN ROAD AND PAK SHA ROAD.
THE RETURN TRIP WILL BE VIA PAK SHA ROAD, YUN PING ROAD, KAI CHIU ROAD, LEE GARDEN ROAD, FOO MING STREET, PERCIVAL STREET, LEIGHTON ROAD, MORRISON HILL ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, KENNEDY ROAD, GARDEN ROAD, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, GLENEALY, UPPER ALBERT ROAD, CAINE ROAD, BONHAM ROAD, POK FU LAM ROAD, SASSOON ROAD, VICTORIA ROAD AND BAGUIO VILLAS (NORTH) ACCESS ROAD.
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8
NO SATURDAY NIGHT TRAFFIC ON DES VOEUX RD CENTRAL
* ** *
THE EASTBOUND SECTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN PEDDER STREET AND ICE HOUSE STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM 11.30 PM ON SATURDAY (MAY 3) TO 6.30 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
DURING THIS PERIOD THE EASTBOUND TRAM TRACK WILL BE REALIGNED TO REINSTATE DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
TRAM SERVICE WEST OF WAN CHAI WILL BE SUSPENDED SHORTLY BEFORE 11.30 PM ON SATURDAY. THE LAST TRAMS WILL LEAVE AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES:
WESTBOUND SERVICE
SHAU KEI WAN TO WESTERN MARKET 10.35 PM
NORTH POINT TO WHITTY STREET 10.37 PM
NORTH POINT TO WESTERN MARKET 10.47 PM
HAPPY VALLEY TO KENNEDY TOWN 10.30 PM
HAPPY VALLEY TO WHITTY STREET 10.42 PM
HAPPY VALLEY TO WESTERN MARKET 10.53 PM
EASTBOUND SERVICE
KENNEDY TOWN TO HAPPY VALLEY 11.04 PM
WHITTY STREET TO NORTH POINT 11.12 PM
WHITTY STREET TO HAPPY VALLEY 11.09 PM
WESTERN MARKET TO SHAU KEI WAN 11.15 PM
WESTERN MARKET TO NORTH POINT 11.20 PM
WESTERN MARKET TO HAPPY VALLEY 11.17 PM
ADDITIONAL TRAMS WILL BE PUT ON THE SHAU KEI WAN TO HAPPY VALLEY ROUTE AFTER 10.35 PM TO INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF SERVICE TO FOUR MINUTES.
A SPECIAL SERVICE AT FIVE-MINUTE INTERVALS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND WAN CHAI CHURCH (JOHNSTON ROAD) AFTER 10.35 PM.
NORMAL TRAM SERVICE WILL RESUME ON SUNDAY MORNING AFTER 6.30 AM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SURVEY FINDS TV VIEWERS SATISFIED ...................... 1
DISTRICT COURT CIVIL PROCEDURES UNDER SCRUTINY ......... 2
STRONG SUPPORT FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS ..................... 3
HELPING OUT WITH LABOUR COMPLAINTS ..................... 4
SALARIES TAX RETURNS FALL DUE........................... 4
TAXI LICENCES ATTRACT LOWER BIDS ....................... 5
TECHNICAL TEACHER TRAINEES WANTED ...................... 5
FIREMAN RECRUITS GO THROUGH TOUGH TESTS ................ 6
OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS ................ 6
ROAD CLOSURE PROPOSALS ................................. ?
SAFE CROSSING FOR PEDESTRIANS ......................... 8
HEUNG YIP ROAD PARTLY CLOSED TO PLB'S ................. 8
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1980
1
SURVEY FINDS TV VIEWERS SATISFIED *****
IN HONG KONG, TELEVISION HAS BECOME AN INFLUENTIAL AND IMPORTANT MEMBER OF THE HOUSEHOLD, AND TV VIEWERS ARE GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH CURRENT PROGRAMME QUALITIES AND GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP STANDARDS.
TELEVISION CONTRIBUTES TO, RATHER THAN RESTRICTS, THE LIVES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AND THEIR CHILDREN. THIS WAS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL FINDINGS OF A SURVEY DESIGNED TO ASSESS PEOPLE’S ATTITUDES TO TELEVISION.
THE SURVEY, WHICH COVERED A SAMPLE OF 1 OOO CHINESE VIEWERS IN A CROSS-SECTION OF AGE AND INCOME GROUPS, WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY AND CONDUCTED BY FRANK SMALL AND ASSOCIATES, A COMPANY SPECIALISING IN PUBLIC OPINION AND CONSUMER RESEARCH.
THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY, MR NIGEL WATT, IN PRESENTING THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY TODAY SAID TELEVISION WAS A MAJOR WAY OF OCCUPYING PEOPLE’S SPARE TIME. +IT IS FREE, CONVENIENT, AND IS BOTH ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL.
♦THE QUALITY OF LOCALLY PRODUCED PROGRAMMES IS SEEN TO EE OF A VERY HIGH STANDARD, RATED SECOND ONLY TO U.S. PRODUCTIONS AND PEOPLE HAVE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH REGARD FOR THE DRAMA PROGRAMMES PRODUCED BY RTHK,+ HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE BROAD FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, MR WATT SAID THAT WHILE PEOPLE FEEL TELEVISION CONTRIBUTES POSITIVELY TO THEIR LIVES, THEY ADOPT A PASSIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE TYPES OF PROGRAMMES SHOWN AND PROGRAMMES VIEWED IN THE HOME ARE USUALLY SELECTED BY MAJORITY RULE RATHER THAN BY INDIVIDUAL CHOICE.
GENERALLY SPEAKING THE PRESENT HOURS OF TELEVISION, THE NUMBER OF CHANNELS, THE BALANCE OF PROGRAMME CATEGORIES AND BALANCE BETWEEN LOCAL AND OVERSEAS PROGRAMMES ARE ACCEPTED AS SATISFACTORY BY THE MAJORITY OF THOSE QUESTIONED.
WITH REGARD TO CHILDREN’S VIEWING, ALTHOUGH MOST PARENTS SEE TELEVISION DOING MORE GOOD THAN HARM FOR THE CHILDREN, THE MAJORITY DO NOT SEEM TO REGULATE THEIR CHILDREN’S VIEWING HABITS VERY CLOSELY.
+PARENTS ATTACH LITTLE SIGNIFICANCE TO THE NOT-SUITABLE-FOR-CHILDREN WARNINGS ALTHOUGH THEY ADMIT THAT WHEN THERE ARE PROGRAMMES WHICH THEY DO NOT WANT CHILDREN TO WATCH, GIVEN THE FAMILY SETTING, THEY FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THEM,+ MR WATT SAID.
+PARENTS ARE SATISFIED WITH THE EXISTING QUALITY AND AMOUNT CF CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES, BUT FEEL THAT THE NEEDS OF OLDER CHILDREN AGED 9 TO 15 SHOULD BE GIVEN GREATER ATTENTION.
+CURRENT RESTRICTIONS ON PROGRAMME CONTENT ARE SATISFACTORY. HOWEVER, PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT VIOLENCE AND TRIAD LANGUAGE SHOULD EE MORE TIGHTLY CONTROLLED THAN SEX. NEVERTHELESS THE SURVEY SHOWS THE PEOPLE ARE EMBARRASSED EY EXPLICIT SEX ON TELEVISION AND, ALTHOUGH A SIZEABLE MINORITY WOULD ACCEPT A MORE LIBERAL APPROACH TO THIS SUBJECT IN TELEVISION PROGRAMMES VERY LATE AT NIGHT, THE MAJORITY OF THOSE QUESTIONED WISHED TO SEE Tn IS SUBJECT FIRMLY CONTROLLED,+ HE SAID.
/♦THERE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1980
- 2 -
♦THERE IS AGREEMENT THAT SOME CENSORSHIP SHOULD EXIST. THE PERCEIVED ROLE OF THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY IS TO SET UP AND CONTROL TELEVISION STANDARDS ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC WHILST AT THE SAME TIME REFLECTING EXISTING PUBLIC ATTITUDES.
♦PEOPLE ARE SATISFIED WITH THE CURRENT LEVEL OF CONTROL ON TELEVISION ADVERTISING EXERCISED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THEY HAVE HIGH REGARD FOR THE QUALITY AND CREDIBILITY OF TELEVISION ADVERTISING IN GENERAL AND ACCEPT THE CURRENT FREQUENCY OF ADVERTISING SPOTS,+ NR WATT SAID.
ALTHOUGH THE SURVEY DEALT PRIMARILY WITH TELEVISION QUESTIONS IT DID TOUCH UPON ATTITUDES TOWARDS FILMS IN CINEMAS. THE SURVEY DIVIDED PEOPLE INTO HEAVY, MEDIUM AND LIGHT TELEVISION VIEWERS BUT DID NOT ASSESS THEIR FILM-GOING HABITS.
THERE IS COMMON BELIEF THAT CENSORSHIP STANDARDS IN CINEMAS SHOULD BE MORE RELAXED THAN TELEVISION CENSORSHIP. THE MAJORITY APPROVE RESTRICTED ENTRY BY AGE ACCORDING TO TYPES OF FILM SHOWN, AND ACCEPT THE IDEA OF CINEMAS FOR PEOPLE AGED 18 AND ABOVE, WHERE FILMS SHOWN ARE SUBJECT TO LESS RESTRICTIVE CENSORSHIP.
MR WATT SAID THE DETAILED FINDINGS WOULD REQUIRE FURTHER STUDY, BUT THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT THE SURVEY WOULD HELP THE AUTHORITY AND THE STATIONS TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH THE DEGREE AND TYPE OF PROTECTION IT WANTS.
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DISTRICT COURT CIVIL PROCEDURES UNDER SCRUTINY
*****
THE CHIEF JUSTICE HAS APPOINTED A WORKING PARTY UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF HIS HONOUR JUDGE JONES TO CONSIDER THE REVISION OF THE DISTRICT CIVIL PROCEDURE (GENERAL) RULES AND THE DISTRICT COURT CIVIL PROCEDURE (COSTS) RULES.
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY ARE:
MRS PAULINE CHEUNG OF THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT,
MR RONNY TONG OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION,
MR WILLIAM H.C. TSUI OF THE LAW SOCIETY,
MR R.A. MCCALLOUGH CF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, AND
MR HO YU-HO, DEPUTY REGISTRAR, KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT.
THE FIRST MEETING OF THIS WORKING PARTY WILL BE HELD SHORTLY.
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1980
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STRONG SUPPORT FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS
* * *
A TRUST FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH THE RECENT DONATION OF S10 MILLION BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO PROMOTE MUSIC AND DANCE ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
INCOME FROM THIS +HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND+ WILL BE USED TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUSIC AND DANCE, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
PREVIOUSLY, THE JOCKEY CLUB HAS MADE SIMILAR DONATIONS AMOUNTING TO S2.2 MILLION.
MR E.B. WIGGHAM, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, HAS BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. THE OTHER TRUSTEES ARE:
MR D. GWILT, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG,
MR J. MACKENZIE, J P, H K PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY LTD.,
MR R. TYRER, ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB,
MR J. DUNN, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,
MR D. LAN, HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,
MR D. CHEN, J P, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND
MRS E. WONG, MUSIC OFFICE
THE FUND PRIMARILY ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUSIC, THE ART OF DANCE, AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES, BY PROVIDING EDUCATION AND TRAINING GRANTS, AWARDS, LOANS AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO DESERVING INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS.
IN THE PAST, GRANTS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED ANNUALLY TO SUPPLY INSTRUMENTS TO NEW YOUTH ORCHESTRAS, TO PROVIDE FURTHER TRAINING TO YOUNG TALENTED MUSICIANS, TO ORGANISE INSTRUMENTAL TRAINING FOR CHILDREN AND GENERALLY TO DEVELOP MUSIC ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMING ARTS.
SO FAR TEN YOUNG ARTISTS HAVE BEEN SPONSORED TO GO ON OVERSEAS STUDIES.
ONE OF THEM IS MISS TO YAN, A 19-YEAR-OLD VIOLINIST AND ANOTHER IS MISS RAVENA TUCKER, A YOUNG BALLERINA.
WHILE PURSUING HER STUDIES IN THE U.K., MISS TO WAS CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 1979 INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION OF YOUNG VIOLINISTS IN POLAND.
MISS TUCKER HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED HER COURSE AT THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL AND HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO THE ROYAL BALLET COMPANY.
GRANTS FOR 1980/81 ARE NOW OPEN TO APPLICATION. APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION PAMPHLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MUSIC OFFICE 9TH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, 2 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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HELPING OUT WITH LABOUR COMPLAINTS i
*****
THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT DEALT WITH 115 COMPLAINTS THROUGH ITS REGIONAL OFFICES IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THE COMPLAINTS, MANY OF WHICH WERE OF A MINOR NATURE, WERE MADE IN PERSON, BY TELEPHONE OR IN WRITING. MANY HAD ALREADY BEEN INVESTIGATED AND ACTED UPON, WHILE OTHERS WERE BEING LOOKED INTO.
HE SAID THAT IN DEALING WITH THE COMPLAINTS, FACTORY INSPECTORS HAD BEEN ABLE TO KEEP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY WORKERS, AT THEIR REGIONAL OFFICES ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN YAU MA Tl, MONG KOK, HUNG HOM, KOWLOON CITY, SHAM SHUI PO, KWUN TONG, TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO.
APART FROM THEIR NORMAL DUTIES, THE INSPECTORS ALSO HANDLED PUBLIC ENQUIRIES AND INVESTIGATED COMPLAINTS.
♦MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING WORKERS, HAVE BEEN APPROACHING THE REGIONAL OFFICES WITH THEIR PROBLEMS OR COMPLAINTS.
♦THE REGIONAL OFFICES THUS PROVIDE AN IDEAL COMMUN(CATION CHANNEL WITH THE PUBLIC AND ENABLE FACTORY INSPECTORS TO KEEP ABREAST OF WORKERS’ ASPIRATIONS,+ HE NOTED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD ALSO USE THE 24-HOUR TELEPHONE SERVICE AT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE HEADQUARTERS IN THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE PUBLIC HAD BEEN USING THE SERVICE MAINLY TO REPORT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS — ONLY THREE COMPLAINTS MADE BY ANNONYMOUS CALLERS WERE RECEIVED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
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SALARIES TAX RETURNS FALL DUE
* * *
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED 425 409 SALARIES TAX RETURNS TO TAXPAYERS YESTERDAY (MAY 1) AND THEY ARE REMINDED THAT THE RETURNS MUST BE SENT BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN ONE MONTH.
♦THE DEADLINE IN THIS CASE IS MAY 31,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
♦THE LAW PROVIDES PENALTY FOR LATE SUBMISSION OF RETURNS AND TAXPAYERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO RUN THAT RISK,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE LIABLE TO PAY SALARIES TAX BUT DO NOT RECEIVE THE SALARIES TAX RETURN SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT AT TEL 5’79591111.
♦THOSE WHO ARE IN DOUBT AS TO WHETHER THEY ARE LIABLE ARE WELCOME TO MAKE ENQUIRIES AT THE SAME TELEPHONE,. NUMBER, + THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
0 - -
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1980
5
TAXI LICENCES ATTRACT LOWER BIDS
X * K M * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS OF ITS LATEST TENDER EXERCISE FOR 300 HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TAXI LICENCES.
A TOTAL OF 433 TENDERS SEEKING 470 LICENCES WERE RECEIVED WHEN THE OFFER CLOSED ON APRIL 11. THE HIGHEST BID WAS $200 000 AND THE LOWEST ACCEPTED PRICE WAS $171 066.
DETAILS OF THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERS AND THE AMOUNTS OFFERED ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE AVERAGE PREMIUM IN THE LATEST EXERCISE WAS $178 805.42, COMPARED WITH $210 797.80 IN THE PREVIOUS TENDER IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 15.18 PER CENT.
HE ADDED THAT LETTERS WOULD BE SENT TODAY TO SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS, AND THAT THE FIRST OF THE 300 TAXIS COULD BE INSPECTED FROM JUNE 1.
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TECHNICAL TEACHER TRAINEES WANTED
X * K * K
THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN TEACHING DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY OR COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WILL START TWO-YEAR AND THREE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSES IN THESE SUBJECTS THIS SEPTEMBER.
APPLICANTS MUST BE HOLDERS OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION WITH PASSES IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) AND IN APPROPRIATE TECHNICAL OR COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS, OR HAVE EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS.
THE COURSE COVERS THE THEORY OF EDUCATION, EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, TEACHING METHODOLOGY, TEACHING PRACTICE IN SCHOOLS, AND FURTHER STUDIES IN DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS.
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE ALL COURSE WORK INCLUDING EXAMINATIONS AND TEACHING PRACTICE IN SCHOOLS BEFORE THEY GRADUATE.
SCHOOL FEES, PAYABLE IN TEN MONTHLY INSTALMENTS, ARE $620 A YEAR. INTEREST-FREE LOANS AND MAINTENANCE GRANTS MAY BE AVAILABLE ON APPLICATION.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, 373, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED FORMS' SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE BY MAY 31.
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FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1980
- 6 -
FIREMAN RECRUITS GO THROUGH TOUGH TESTS
******
LESS THAN ONE IN 15 APPLICANTS CAN MEET THE PHYSICAL AND EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS REQUIRED TO BECOME A FIREMAN.
THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF THE FIRE PROTECTION BUREAU, W B.G. FENDER REVEALED THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 79 RECRUITS HELD AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL IN PAT HEUNG.
+ONLY ONE IN 20 EVENTUALLY COMPLETE RECRUIT TRAINING AT THE TRAIN ING SCHOOL,+ MR FENDER ADDED.
HE TOLD THE GRADUATING FIREMEN THAT WHEN THEY WERE RECRUITED THERE WERE 1 517 APPLICANTS. OUT OF THESE, 107 ENTERED THE TRAINING SCHOOL AND ONLY THEY HAD MANAGED TO COMPLETE THE COURSE.
+ INITIAL TRAINING IS DESIGNED TO PREPARE YOU FOR THE VERY DEMANDING WORK THAT YOU WILL SHORTLY BE CALLED UPON TO PERFORM AND PROVIDE A SOLID FOUNDATION UPON WHICH TO BUILD YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE IN THE FUTURE,* MR FENDER SAID.
HE TOLD THE SUCCESSFUL FIREMAN TRAINEES THAT THEY WOULD FIND A NEW AND VERY DIFFERENT LIFE IN A FIRE STATION AND VERY QUICKLY REALISE WHETHER THEY WERE FIT TO BE A FIREMAN.
+BUT, IT IS A VERY REWARDING PROFESSION, FOR THERE IS LITTLE IN LIFE MORE SATISFYING THAN TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE IN TIME OF NEED AND WHEN THEY ARE UNABLE TO HELP THEMSELVES,* HE ADDED.
NINETEEN STATION OFFICERS AND 42 FIREMEN STILL UNDER TRAINING ALSO TOOK PART IN THE PARADE, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY FIRE DRILL DEMONSTRATIONS.
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NOTE TO EDITORSi
OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS
******
THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT'S RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION IS ORGANISING AN OVERSEAS TOUR FOR HONG KONG’S YOUNG MUSICIANS THIS SUMMER.
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 5) IN THE GIS THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 5TH FLOOR, TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE TOUR.
SPEAKERS WILL BE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR E.B. WIGGHAM, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS ELIZABETH WONG AND THE MUSIC CONSULTANT, MR DAVID STONE.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO HAVE THIS EVENT COVERED.
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FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1980
7
ROAD CLOSURE PROPOSALS
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO CLOSE TWO ROADS IN KOWLOON TO FACILITATE THE THIRD AND FINAL STAGE OF SITE FORMATION FOR THE EAST NGAU TAU KOK PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
THE CLOSURE, WHICH WILL ONLY BE MADE AFTER THE COTTAGE AREA NEARBY IS CLEARED, WILL INVOLVE A SECTION OF CHUN WAH ROAD BETWEEN SAU YAN PATH AND THE FORMER POPE PIUS XII SCHOOL, AND AN UNNAMED ROAD BETWEEN CHUN WAH ROAD AND THE FORMER MARYKNOLL TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL WORKSHOPS AT JORDAN VALLEY.
THE PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD-THE CDO ENQUIRY COUNTER, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE- AND THE CDO (KWUN TONG), KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, THIRD FLOOR, TUNG YAN STREET.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL, ALSO PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY, IS FOR THE CLOSURE OF ONE MORE PART OF THE ACCESS WAY LEADING FROM MAIN STREET AP LEI CHAU TO AP LEI CHAU ESTATE (WEST) AND THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
RESIDENTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALTERNATIVE PATH BEFORE THIS ACCESS IS CLOSED.
THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN MURRAY BUILDING, THE CDO ENQUIRY COUNTER AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AND AT THE CDO (SOUTHERN), 22 ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD.
OBJECTIONS TO THE ROAD CLOSURE PROPOSALS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS BEFORE JUNE 2 AND CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE JULY 2. 1
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/8
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1980
- 8 -
SAFE CROSSING FOR PEDESTRIANS
K * * H K K X
A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY WILL BE BUILT UNDER NATHAN ROAD AT SOY STREET IN MONG KOK TO PROVIDE A SAFE CROSSING FOR PEDESTRIANS AND TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE ROAD JUNCTION.
THE SECTIONS OF SOY STREET IN EITHER SIDE OF NATHAN ROAD BETWEEN PORTLAND STREET AND SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET WILL ALSO BE CONVERTED INTO FOOTWAYS WITH AMENITY PLANTING AREAS.
A PROPOSAL TO UNDERTAKE THIS PROJECT IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE CDO PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE- THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1OTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, OR AT THE CDO (MONG KOK), 751 NATHAN ROAD.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS BEFORE JUNE 2 AND CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE JULY 2.
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HEUNG YIP ROAD PARTLY CLOSED TO PLB’S
HEUNG YIP ROAD EAST OF NAM LONG SHAN ROAD WILL BE A PLB PROHIBITED ZONE FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 5).
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORIZED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THAT SECTION OF THE ROAD.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO INDICATE THE ZONE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BOOST TO SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICES ..................... 1
TAI HANG TUNG TO GET NEW GENERAL CLINIC................ 2
ENRICHING LIFE OF NEW TOWN RESIDENTS .................. 2
TENDERS FOR WATER PROJECT ............................. 3
LEARNING SCIENCE CAN BE FUN............................ 5
GRAND PIANO FOR TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.................... 4
MAIL DELAY............................................ 4
FU YAN STREET CLOSED................................... 5
FIRING PRACTICE ....................................... 5
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1980
BOOST TO SCHOOL ft ft
LIBRARY SERVICES ft ft
LIBRARY GRANTS TO GOVERNMENT BE DOUBLED IN THE COMING ACADEMIC
AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL YEAR.
♦THIS RECOGNISES THAT SCHOOL LIBRARIES ARE BECOMING AN IMPORTANT AID IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG AND REFLECTS THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO SUPPORT THIS ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT,♦ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
MORE THAN $2 MILLION HAVE BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME. THE AMOUNT IS CALCULATED ON A PER CAPITA BASIS WHICH hEANS THAT THE GRANT FOR EACH STUDENT WILL GO UP FROM $5 TO $10.
FURTHERMORE, A SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICE SCHEME WAS IMPLEMENTED LAST SEPTEMBER TO DEVELOP SCHOOL LIBRARIES INTO RESOURCE CENTRES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH A RECOMMENDATION IN THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION.
UNDER THIS SCHEME, ONE ADDITIONAL POST WAS PROVIDED IN EACH GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH 18 OR MORE CLASSES, SO THAT THE SCHOOL COULD APPOINT A TEACHER-LIBRARIAN TO TAKE CHARGE OF ITS LIBRARY ON A FULL-TIME BASIS.
A TOTAL OF 90 SCHOOLS ARE NOW IN THE SCHEME AND THE NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE GRADUALLY TO 200, ACCORDING TO THE SPOKESMAN.
TEACHER-LIBRARIANS ARE EXPECTED TO KNOW THE BASIC SKILLS OF LIBRARY MANAGEMENT AND THE USE OF LIBRARY RESOURCES IN THE CONTEXT OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.
FOR THIS PURPOSE, AN IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED LAST DECEMBER BY THE EXTRA-MURAL DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE LIBRARY SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR COURSES AT BASIC AND ADVANCED LEVELS WILL BE ORGANISED IN THE FUTURE FOR NEWLY APPOINTED TEACHER-LIBRARIANS AS WELL AS THOSE ALREADY IN THE POST.
ONE FURTHER EFFORT TO PROMOTE ADEQUATE USE OF LIBRARY RESOURCES IN SCHOOLS IS AN EXHIBITION ON SCHOOL LIBRARY ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD ON MAY 17.
ITEMS ON DISPLAY AT THE EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT MUNSANG COLLEGE IN DUMBARTON ROAD, WILL INCLUDE PROJECTS AND COURSE WORK INTRODUCING THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER-LIBRARIAN AND THE EFFECTIVE USE OF LIBRARY RESOURCES.
♦TO START WITH, WE HOPE STUDENTS WILL LEARN HOW TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF EXISTING LIBRARY FACILITIES IN THEIR SCHOOLS.
♦WE ALSO HOPE TO INCULCATE THE HABIT OF READING AND TO ENCOURAGE PUPIL TO USE PUBLIC LIBRARIES FOR SELF-EDUCAT I ON,♦ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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/2
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1980
- 2 -
TAI HANG TUNG TO GET NEW GENERAL CLINIC ft ft * ft ft
A GENERAL CLINIC WILL BE BUILT SHORTLY AT NAM SHAN ESTATE TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND MEDICAL SERVICES IN TAI HANG TUNG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID THE NEW CLINIC, OCCUPYING ABOUT 870 SQUARE METRES ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF NAM YIU HOUSE, WOULD HAVE TWO CONSULTING ROOMS FOR THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT AND TWO FOR THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRE
UPON COMPLETION, IT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CLINIC AT TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE PWD ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.
WORK WILL START IN JULY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-------0----------
ENRICHING LIFE OF NEW TOWN RESIDENTS ft ft ft ft ft
AN ARTS ASSOCIATION AND A SPORTS ASSOCIATION ARE BEING FORMED IN SHA TIN TO PROMOTE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS IN THE NEW TOWN.
INITIAL WORK HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT BY PREPARATORY COMMITTEES COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT BOTH ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE REGISTERED IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS.
FORMATION OF THE ASSOCIATIONS IS BEING SUPPORTED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD.
ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEES, THE ARTS ASSOCIATION WILL CONCENTRATE ON ORGANISING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CONCERTS, DRAMA, CANTONESE OPERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY. THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION WILL PROMOTE FOOTBALL, ATHLETICS, VOLLEY BALL, TENNIS, ARCHERY AND BASKETBALL.
♦THE AIM IS TO PROVIDE THE GROWING POPULATION OF THE NEW TOWN WITH VARIOUS WELL-ORGANISED ACTIVITIES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEES HAD STARTED DRAWING UP PROGRAMMES OF EVENTS AND FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES.
♦THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION PREPARATORY COMMITTEE IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN BUILDING A SPORTS CENTRE,♦ HE SAID. *WE ARE NOW LOOKING FOR FUNDS AND A SUITABLE SITE.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ONCE THE ASSOCIATIONS HAD BECOME WELL ESTABLISHED, GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT WOULD BE REDUCED TO MAKE WAY FOR GREATER PARTICIPATION BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
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/3
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1980
3
TENDERS FOR WATER PROJECT
X X X X X
™ * THE TAI P0 TAU TREATMENT WORKS IS TO BE DOUBLED
™ ??^pS'I!1dThEi!,,S56‘hS?n?Srat“h^ water from ne“ bevelopments
CLAR AND
FLOW MEASUREMENT DEVICES, ARE HOW BE I HR INVITED.
TOO RE°r" «'??6 J'ultcT^lRECriCiI?.W,LL “ IMCREASED BV
a moISSs ?U JSLfJIf"810'' WILL START JULy ‘"D WILL «KE about
« nun I no iu lURrLt 11•
- - 0 - -
LEARNING SCIENCE CAN BE FUN X * N M
THE LEARNING OF SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS CAN BECOME MORE INTERESTING IF MORE EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON ’ENQUIRY AND ACTIVITY*. THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, MRS LOUISE MOK, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MRS MOK WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE TSUEN WAN JOINT SCHOOL SCIENCE EXHIBITION IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
SHE SAID THAT EFFORTS HAD BEEN MADE BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND TEACHERS TO MAKE SCIENCE MORE INTERESTING AND TO RELATE IT MORE DIRECTLY TO EVERYDAY LIFE.
♦WHEN ACTIVITIES, EXPERIMENTS AND PROJECTS ARE ORGANIZED BY THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES, AS IN THIS EXHIBITION, SCIENCE BECOMES A VITAL LIVING SUBJECT,♦ SHE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION. WITH THE THEME OF 'MODERN SCIENCE AND SOCIETY’, AIMS TO AROUSE PUBLIC INTEREST IN SCIENCE.
iKiwnffiAo?ioiH^Pui^E^,ic'L ‘ro urban serv,ces
- - 0 - -
A
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1980
NOTE TO ED I TORSi
GRAND PIANO FOR TSUEN * * *
WAN TOWN HALL
YOU ARE REMINDED THAT A NEW GRAND PIANO WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL BY THE LION'S CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TOMORROW (SUNDAY). THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2.30 PM IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL. THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR BRIAN WILSON WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT. YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT.
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MAIL DELAY * * *
_ P0ST TODAY ADVISES MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DUE TOJNDUSTR ,AL ACTION BY POST OFFICE STAFF IN JAMAICA TO THAT COUNTRY MAY BE SUBJECT TO DELAY.
THAT MAIL
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1980
FU YAN STREET CLOSED M * *
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT THE CUL-DE-SAC OF FU YAN STREET IN KWUN TONG WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FOR ROAD RESURFACING WORK FOR ABOUT 12 DAYS FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 5).
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0 - -
FIRING PRACTICE M * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE NEXT WEEK ON THURSDAY (MAY 8) FROM 8.30 AM TO 4.30 PM AND ON FRIDAY FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
YOUNG IDEAS WANTED ON COMMUNITY PROJECTS ...................... 1
FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE CAN BE DEADLY ......................... 2
MAKING OF AN IDEAL TOURIST GUIDE .............................. J
LAND AUCTION................................................... 4
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT AT SHEK WUHUI ............................... 5
VILLAGERS GAVE LAND TO BUILD PLAYGROUND........................ 5
RECLAMATION PUT TO USE ........................................ 6
REMINDER TO MOTORISTS ......................................... 6
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 1980
1
YOUNG IDEAS WANTED ON COMMUNITY PROJECTS
******
GROUPS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WISHING TO HAVE MONEY TO CARRY OUT THEIR OWN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS CAN NOW DO SO UNDER A SUBSIDY SCHEME ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT IS INVITING THE FIRST ROUND OF APPLICATIONS FOR SUBSIDY GRANTS IN 1980-81 UNDER THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME WHICH ENCOURAGES THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO INITIATE AND IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE SERVICE PROJECTS.
IN 1979-80, THE DEPARTMENT ALLOCATED OVER $88 000 FOR 82 PROJECTS, BRINGING TO $639 000 THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS ALLOCATED FOR 505 PROJECTS SINCE THE SCHEME STARTED IN 1974.
PREVIOUS PROJECTS COVERED SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, THE DISABLED, AND YOUNG PEOPLE, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, IMPROVEMENT WORKS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMMES. THEY WERE CARRIED OUT BY 17 709 YOUNG PEOPLE AND BENEFITTED AN ESTIMATED 856 000 PEOPLE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) ANY GROUP OF AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 25, AND SPONSORED BY A SCHOOL, YOUTH AGENCY OR BUSINESS ORGANISATION, MAY APPLY FOR GRANTS.
GROUPS WHICH ARE NOT SO SPONSORED MAY ALSO APPLY PROVIDED THEY HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICERS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS MAY 30, HE SAID, AND ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME CAN BE MADE AT THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICES IN THE DISTRICTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PROPOSED PROJECTS SHOULD BE GEARED TOWARDS THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND THE PROJECT DURATION SHOULD PREFERABLY BE SPREAD OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
EACH PROJECT WILL BE ASSESSED FOR ITS YOUTH INVOLVEMENT, BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY, INNOVATION, FEASIBILITY AND OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES.
THE MAXIMUM GRANT FOR EACH APPROVED PROJECT IS NORMALLY $2 500, AND THE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICERS WILL MAINTAIN CLOSE WORKING LIAISON WITH PARTICIPATING GROUPS, HE SAID.
♦THE SCHEME PROVIDES USEFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PUT THEIR IDEAS INTO PRACTICE, AND THROUGH THIS PRACTICE THEY CAN DEVELOP THEIR CO-OPERATIVE SPIRIT, SOCIAL AWARENESS AND SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY.
♦THE PROCESS IS BOTH CREATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL, IN THAT IT TAPS IMAGINATION. DEVELOPS LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL AND STRENGTHENS ORGANISING ABILITY,♦ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/2.........
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 1980
- 2 -
FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE CAN BE DEADLY ft ft ft ft ft ft
A MISUNDERSTOOD SIGNAL ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE COULD LEAD TO TRAGEDY, AND EMPLOYERS AND CONTRACTORS SHOULD ENDEAVOUR TO STREAMLINE THEIR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY.
THIS DRAMATIC CALL CAME FROM A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) IN THE WAKE OF A RECENT ACCIDENT IN WHICH TWO WORKERS FELL TO DEATH WHILE UNLOADING A HOIST ON AN UPPER FLOOR OF A MULTI-STOREY BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT EQUIPMENT KNOWN IN THE TRADE AS A ♦SKIP HOIST* HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN THE MISHAP. THE HOIST IS USED TO DELIVER CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TO VARIOUS FLOORS OF THE BUILDING.
MOST SKIP HOISTS ARE OPERATED THROUGH A SERIES OF WINCHES WHICH ARE LOCATED AT GROUND LEVEL. THIS MEANS THAT THE OPERATOR DOES NOT HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE HOIST AND IS FORCED TO RELY ON A SIGNALLING SYSTEM.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT WHILE THE BASIC EQUIPMENT WAS SAFE, CERTAIN FACTORS COULD MAKE THEM LETHAL. THE MOST COMMON WERE AN INADEQUATE SIGNALLING SYSTEM, HUMAN ERROR, AND POOR MAINTENANCE.
♦ IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE BELL-AND-STRI NG TYPE SIGNALLING SYSTEM BE USED BECAUSE IT IS SUBJECT TO INTERFERENCE WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE OPERATOR,+ THE SPOKESMAN WARNED.
♦IT IS NECESSARY THAT EFFECTIVE AND RELIABLE SIGNALLING ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE USED SO THAT THE WINCH OPERATOR CAN STOP THE CARRIAGE OR PLATFORM OF THE HOIST AT THE DESIRED LEVEL.+
EFFECTIVE DEVICES FOR GIVING SOUND, COLOUR OR LIGHT SIGNALS SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO ENABLE THE HOIST TO BE OPERATED SAFELY, AND ADEQUATELY PROTECTED FROM INTERFERENCE, HE ADDED.
OTHER PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN REGARDING MAINTENANCE, SAFETY LOAD AND TESTING, THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED.
THE HOIST SHOULD BE OF GOOD MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION, PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND SECURELY ANCHORED.
BEFORE BEING USED, IT SHOULD BE TESTED AND THOROUGHLY EXAMINED BY A COMPETENT EXAMINER AND THEN CLOSELY CHECKED EVERY SIX MONTHS AND INSPECTED AT LEAST ONCE EVERY WEEK BY A COMPETENT PERSON.
THE HOISTWAY OF THE HOIST SHOULD BE PROTECTED BY A SUBSTANTIAL ENCLOSURE AND ANY OPENING OF THE ENCLOSURE SHOULD BE FITTED WITH SECURE GATES.
/THE SPOKESMAN ........
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 1980
3
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASIZED THAT THE SAFE WORKING LOAD SHOULD BE CLEARLY AND LEGIBLY MARKED ON THE HOIST AND SHOULD NOT BE EXCEEDED.
ALSO, HOISTS NOT INTENDED FOR CARRYING PEOPLE SHOULD BEAR SUCH A NOTICE.
WHERE A HOIST WAS OPERATED BY A WINCH, THE WINCH SHOULD BE FITTED WITH AN EFFICIENT AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE BRAKE TO BE APPLIED WHEN THE CONTROL LEVER, HANDLE OR SWITCH WAS NOT HELD IN THE OPERATING POSITION, HE STRESSED.
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MAKING OF AN IDEAL TOURIST GUIDE ******
MIX FIRMNESS WITH COURTESY, ADD A DASH OF HUMOUR, AND YOU HAVE THE BASIC MATERIAL FOR AN IDEAL TOURIST GUIDE.
SUCH MATERIAL IS NOT DIFFICULT TO FIND IN HONG KONG AND A WHOLE NEW GENERATION OF PLEASANT, KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CAPABLE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ARE NOW COMING OUT OF THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WELL PREPARED TO FILL IMPORTANT POSITIONS IN OUR VITAL TOURIST INDUSTRY.
THE INSTITUTE HAS BEEN GROOMING THE YOUNG PEOPLE SINCE IT STARTED AN INTENSIVE TOURISM CO-ORDINATION OFFICERS COURSE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION TWO YEARS AGO.
THE THIRD BATCH OF ABOUT 40 STUDENTS ARE NOW RECEIVING ALL THE TRAINING THEY NEED TO PRESENT A GOOD IMAGE OF HONG KONG TO OVERSEAS VISITORS ON HOLIDAY HERE AND TO MAKE THEIR STAY AS ENJOYABLE AS IT IS MEMORABLE.
THE ONE-YEAR COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING COURSE BUILDS UP A SOLID FOUNDATION OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND THEORY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH FORM V EDUCATION WHO HAVE A GREAT DESIRE TO MAKE TOURISM THEIR CAREER, SAID THE COURSE LECTURER, MRS RITA YUNG.
SINCE A TOURISM CO-ORDINATION OFFICER, COMMONLY BUT TOO SIMPLY CALLED A TOURIST GUIDE, IS LIKELY TO ACT AS HOST OR HOSTESS TO VISITORS FROM MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, HE OR SHE MUST BE WELL-VERSED IN ALL ASPECTS OF HONG KONG AND BE ABLE TO DESCRIBE THEM TO OUR GUESTS WITH LIVELY AND APPROPRIATE COMMENTARIES. THIS IS NOT AT ALL AN EASY JOB, MRS YUNG SAID.
IN THE COURSE, THE STUDENTS ARE TRAINED INTENSIVELY FOR PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH AND JAPANESE, THE TWO LANGUAGES MOST FREQUENTLY USED BY TOURISTS, IN A SOPHISTICATED LANGUAGE LABORATORY INCORPORATI NG MODERN AUDIO-VISUAL TEACHING AIDS. SUCH TRAINING IS CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR.
/THE TRAINING ........
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 1980
4
THE TRAINING PROGRAMME ALSO GOES IN DEPTH INTO SUBJECTS SUCH AS LOCAL LEGENDS, BELIEFS, FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS, GENERAL KNOWLEDGE, SOCIAL SKILLS. CURRENT AFFAIRS AND EVEN TRADE PROCEDURES AS WELL AS STATISTICS.
TO COMPLEMENT THE CLASS WORK, ONE-THIRD OF THE COURSE IS DEVOTED TO PRACTICAL EXERCISES WHICH INCLUDE A WEEKLY +MOBILE CLASSROOM* TOUR OF VARIOUS POPULAR TOURIST HAUNTS, SHE WENT ON.
TO IMPROVE ON THESE EXERCISES, MRS YUNG EXPLAINED, STUDENTS CONSTANTLY HAVE THE CHANCE TO PRACTISE THEIR COMMENTARY SKILLS AND PLAY ROLES IN TURN AS GUIDES ON A TOURIST COACH OR FERRY.
WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE LOCAL TOURIST PROMOTING BODIES, WS YUNG SAID, STUDENTS WOULD IN ADDITION JOIN TRAVEL AGENCIES, HOTELS OR AIRLINES FOR A FORTNIGHT FOR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AT THE END OF EACH TERM TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE REAL PROFESSIONAL LIFE.
AN INTEGRATED COURSE WITH FURTHER SUPPORT FROM THE TRAVEL AGENCIES WILL HOPEFULLY BEGIN IN THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO RECEIVE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING IN AN AGENCY IWO DAYS A WEEK IN ADDITION TO THREE DAYS OF FULL-TIME STUDY BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.
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LAND AUCTION
* * *
THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE AUCTIONED BY THE PWD CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON MAY 29 (THURSDAY) AT 2.30 PM.
ONE LOT OF ABOUT 3 000 SQUARE METRES ON THE CHAI WAN RECLAMATION IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
ANOTHER SITE, ALSO FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN USES, IS AT CHA KWO LING ROAD, KOWLOON. IT MEASURES ABOUT 2 300 SQUARE METRES.
THE THIRD LOT AT RECLAMATION STREET, KOWLOON, COVERS ABOUT 48.4 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING ENTRANCE), AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD.
SALE PLANS MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE TWO PLACES.
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SUNDAY, MAY 4, 1980
- 5 -
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT AT SHEK WU HUI ft ft ft ft ft ft
A MAJOR CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECT WILL BE STARTED UNDER A SCHEME TO DEVELOP SHEK WU HUI INTO A NEW TOWN.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BRIDGE OVER THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND LINK ROADS WITH A TOTAL LENGTH OF ABOUT 1.5 KILOMETRES.
IMPROVEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE TO RIVER SUTLEJ WITH 350 METRES OF A NEW BOX CULVERT AND 900 METRES OF NEW RIVER CHANNEL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID THE THREE-SPAN BRIDGE WOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING LEVEL CROSSING AT SAN FUNG AVENUE AND FORM PART OF THE PLANNED ROAD NETWORK FOR THE FANLING/SHEK WU HUI NEW TOWN.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JUNE AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
IT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA FOR THE PWD NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
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VILLAGERS GAVE LAND TO BUILD PLAYGROUND ft ft ft ft ft
A PLAYGROUND HAS BEEN OPENED IN A VILLAGE NEAR YUEN LONG, LARGELY ON LAND RESIDENTS SURRENDERED TO THE GOVERNMENT.
THE VILLAGERS WANTED SOMEWHERE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO PLAY AND APPROACHED THE LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE OFFERING LAND IN RETURN FOR A PLAYGROUND.
THE OFFER WAS ACCEPTED AND 175 000 WAS ALLOCATED FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE FOR THE PROJECT.
THE 470 SQUARE METRE SITE AT TAI WAI TSUEN ON WHICH THE PLAYGROUND WAS BUILT INCLUDED SOME CROWN LAND.
♦THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF JOINT EFFORT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE IN PROVIDING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES,♦ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
THE PLAYGROUND FACILITIES INCLUDE A +JUNGLEGYM+, A FOUR-SEAT SWING, A SEESAW AND A SLIDE.
THERE ARE ALSO CONCRETE BENCHES AND FLOWER BEDS WHICH PROVIDE A SITTING AREA FOR THE VILLAGERS OF TAI WAI TSUEN AS WELL AS FOR RESIDENTS FROM THE NEARBY VILLAGES OF WONG UK, YING LUNG WAI, CHOI UK AND TUNG TAU TSUEN.
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/6.......
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 1980
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RECLAMATION PUT TO USE * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SURFACING OF AN EXTENSION TO THE TEMPORARY CARGO HANDLING AREA OPENED LAST YEAR ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION,STAGE ONE.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE WORK, EXISTING CARGO HANDLING ACTIVITIES ALONG PART OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THIS NEW AREA TO ENABLE FURTHER RECLAMATION AT THIS WATERFRONT.
THE WORK CONSISTS OF PAVING A BITUMINOUS SURFACE FOR THE USE OF LORRIES ON NEWLY RECLAIMED LAND ALONG A RECENTLY COMPLETED SEAWALL ON THE RECLAMATION. '
THE NEW CARGO HANDLING AREA WILL HAVE 300 METRES OF SEA FRONTAGE FOR THE USE OF CKRGO BARGES AND 200 PARKING SPACES FOR LORRIES.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN JULY AND TAKE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE PWD HIGHWAYS (HK) DIVISION.
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REMINDER TO MOTORISTS
* * * *
MOTORISTS WHO MAY TRAVEL ON NATHAN ROAD ARE REMINDED THAT A NUMBER OF TURNING MOVEMENTS HAVE BEEN BANNED, FOLLOWING REINSTATEMENT OF THE ROAD AT THE JORDAN AND TSIM SHA TSUI MTR STATIONS.
THEY ARE THE LEFT TURN FROM NATHAN ROAD NORTHBOUND INTO AUSTIN ROAD WESTBOUND- THE RIGHT TURN FROM NATHAN ROAD NORTHBOUND INTO AUSTIN ROAD EASTBOUND- AND THE RIGHT TURN FROM NATHAN ROAD NORTHBOUND INTO HUMPHREYS AVENUE.
TRAFFIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, MAY 5, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS STANDARDS TESTING PROPOSALS .................. 1
YOUNG MUSICIANS GET INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE ..................... 2
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES .................... b
FREE LEGAL ADVICE OBTAINABLE IN NT .............................. 5
FESTIVAL EXCITEMENT IN YUEN LONG................................. 6
OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN A TRADE .................................. 7
HOSPITAL DIRECTORS REVEAL WELFARE PLANS ......................... 8
ROAD SAFETY DESIGN COMPETITION .................................. 9
MAXICAB ROUTE WITHDRAWN ......................................... 9
MONDAY, MAY 5, 1980
— 1 —
GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS STANDARDS TESTING PROPOSALS
X X M * X
RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION CONCERNING QUALITY CERTIFICATION, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PRIMARY STANDARDS LABORATORY AND A SYSTEM FOR THE ACCREDITATION AND SUPERVISION OF SECONDARY LEVEL CALIBRATION LABORATORIES HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
THIS WAS REVEALED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR BILL DORWARD WHEN HE OPENED THE 7TH MEETING OF THE PACIFIC AREA STANDARDS CONGRESS HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS AND TESTING CENTRE.
MR DORWARD POINTED OUT TO THE DELEGATES THAT IN ITS REPORT, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOTED THAT HONG KONG PRODUCTS WERE INCREASINGLY SUBJECT TO OVERSEAS REQUIREMENTS TO MEET CERTAIN SPECIFICATIONS IN RESPECT OF STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY, AND CONSUMER SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
+IT CONCLUDED THAT HONG KONG’S EFFORTS TO MOVE UP-MARKET MIGHT BE INHIBITED BY THE LACK OF TECHNICAL BACK-UP SERVICES FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AS A WHOLE.
+SUCH SERVICES WOULD INCLUDE THE TESTING OF MATERIALS, COMPONENTS AND PRODUCTS, THE QUALITY CERTIFICATION OF FINISHED PRODUCTS AND THE CALIBRATION OF MEASURING INSTRUMENTS AND SYSTEMS,* HE SAID.
THE COMMITTEE HAD RECOMMENDED THAT A PRIMARY STANDARDS LABORATORY SHOULD AIM TO ESTABLISH COMPARABILITY OF HONG KONG PRIMARY STANDARDS WITH THOSE ESTABLISHED ELSEWHERE, AND TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM FOR THE ACCREDITATION AND SUPERVISION OF SECONDARY LEVEL CALIBRATION LABORATORIES.
COMMENTING ON THIS RECOMMENDATION, MR DORWARD SAID WE STILL HAD A LONG WAY TO GO, +BUT AS A FIRST STEP, IT IS OUR INTENTION SHORTLY TO ESTABLISH AN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC CALIBRATION LABORATORY TO PROVIDE A SERVICE OF ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS TO BOTH INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT.*
+IN HONG KONG THERE HAS BEEN RELATIVELY LITTLE GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE FIELD OF STANDARDS, EXCEPT IN THOSE AREAS SUCH AS FOOD AND DRUGS WHERE HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS JUSTIFY SUCH INVOLVEMENT,* HE SAID.
THE REPORT ALSO RECOMMENDED TO THE GOVERNMENT THE BUILDING OF AN IMPROVED AND A MORE CLEARLY INDEPENDENT RANGE OF QULAITY CERTIFICATION SERVICES THAN PRESENTLY EXIST.
IN SO DOING, IT RECOGNISED THE FOUNDATION ALREADY SUPPLIED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, PARTICULARLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS AND TESTING CENTRE AND THE LABORATORY NOW BEING DEVELOPED BY THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION.
MONDAY, MAY 5, 1980
2
+AS A FIRST STEP TOWARDS IMPLEMENTING THIS RECOMMENDATION, WE ARE ABOUT TO CONDUCT A SURVEY OF ALL PRIVATE SECTOR FACILITIES WHICH CURRENTLY EXIST IN HONG KONG.
+THE RESULTS OF THAT SURVEY WILL BE EVALUATED BY A SOON-TO-BE ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD WHICH WILL BE CHARGED WITH DETERMINING, IN SPECIFIC TERMS, WHAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE AND ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXTENT, IF ANY, TO WHICH PUBLIC FUNDS MAY BE REQUIRED TO AUGMENT THE PRESENT FACILITIES,* MR DORWARD SAID.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE PIONEERING WORK DONE BY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS AND TESTING CENTRE AND THEIR EFFORTS IN REPRESENTING HONG KONG INTERESTS IN INTERNATIONAL BODIES. +BY AND LARGE, THE TASK OF STANDARD DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITY CERTIFICATION HAS BEEN LEFT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR LABORATOR IES+, HE EXPLAINED.
♦THIS LACK OF DIRECT GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT DOES NOT REFLECT LACK OF INTEREST OR APPRECIATION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUBJECT. OUR EXPORT-ORIENTED ECONOMY MAKES US ACUTELY AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE CF BEING INFORMED ON AND ABLE TO MEET PRODUCT STANDARD REQUIREMENTS IN OUR OVERSEAS MARKETS.
♦ITS COMPARATIVE LACK OF INVOLVEMENT OTHERWISE HAS BEEN A REFLECTION OF OUR BASIC PHILOSOPHY, WHICH IS THAT GOVERNMENT INVOLVES ITSELF IN THE PROVISION OF INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT FACILITIES ONLY WHEN A CASE HAS BEEN MADE TO SHOW THAT THE ECONOMY REQUIRES SUCH FACILITIES AND THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR CANNOT, OR IS UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO, PROVIDE THEM AS EFFICIENTLY AND CONVENIENTLY AS GOVERNMENT,+ HE SAID, QUOTING THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT.
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YOUNG MUSICIANS GET INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE ft ft ft ft ft
YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM HONG KONG WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZON WHEN THEY GO ON AN OVERSEAS TOUR THIS SUMMER.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE TOUR TODAY, THE RECENTLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, EXPLAINED THAT HONG KONG’S YOUTH ORCHESTRAS HAD BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIRST COMMONWEALTH FILM AND TELEVISION FESTIVAL AND ARTS FESTIVAL, IN CYPRUS, AS WELL AS THE ISRAEL ARTS FESTIVAL IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
+THIS WILL BE A MARVELLOUS EXPERIENCE FOR OUR YOUNG MUSICIANS,* COMMENTED MR WIGGHAM. +THEY WILL BE PERFORMING AGAINST A HIGHLY INTERNATIONAL BACKGROUND IN BOTH FESTIVALS AND WILL DO MUCH TO PROJECT THE IMAGE OF HONG KONG AS A CULTURAL CENTRE FOR THE FAR EAST.*
APART FROM GIVING PERFORMANCES IN THE TWO FESTIVALS, THE YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL ALSO ATTEND AN INTENSIVE TRAINING COURSE IN ISRAEL, ARRANGED BY THE WORLD-RENOWNED VIOLINIST ISAAC STERN. ALEXANDER SCHNEIDER WILL BE THE COURSE DIRECTOR.
MONDAY, MAY 5, 1980
3
+ IN MANY WAYS THIS IS JUST AS EXCITING AS THE INVITATION TO TAKE PART IN THE TWO FESTIVALS,* SAID MR WIGGHAM. +OUR STUDENTS WILL BE GETTING THE BEST INSTRUCTION, IN ONE OF THE BEST EQUIPPED MUSIC ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE WORLD, THE JERUSALEM MUSIC CENTRE.* A FURTHER INTENSIVE COURSE IS BEING ARRANGED IN TEL AVIV UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE RESIDENT CONDUCTOR OF THE ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, SHALOM RONLY-RIKLIS.
IT IS INTENDED TO SEND TWO ENSEMBLES ON THE TOUR, ONE TO BE FORMED BY 22 OUTSTANDING YOUNG STRING PLAYERS AND THE OTHER BY 12 YOUNG CHINESE MUSICIANS. A SMALL CONTINGENT OF DANCERS, ARRANGED THROUGH THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS DANCE ASSOCIATION, WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THIS TOUR.
THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM YOUNG MUSICIANS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TOUR.
THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID APPLICATION FORMS WOULD BE AVAILABLE THROUGH HER OFFICE AND THROUGH THE SCHOOLS ALREADY INVOLVED IN THE GOVERNMENT’S INSTRUMENTAL TRAINING SCHEME.
+SELECTION WILL BE MADE THROUGH AUDITION,* SHE EXPLAINED, ♦SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE BEST OF OUR TALENT TO REPRESENT HONG KONG.*
THE COMMONWEALTH FILM AND TELEVISION FESTIVAL AND ARTS FESTIVAL IN CYPRUS IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND EVER TO BE HELD. IT AIMS TO PROMOTE THE ARTS, FILM AND TELEVISION, AND TO ENCOURAGE CO-OPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
THE OPENING CEREMONY FOR THE FESTIVAL, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN CONSIDERABLE COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH, WILL TAKE PLACE IN A MAGNIFICENT OPEN-AIR ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE AT CURIUM, OVERLOOKING THE MEDITERRANEAN.
THE ISRAEL ARTS FESTIVAL, WHICH PRESENTS PERFORMANCES IN VARIOUS CENTRES THROUGHOUT ISRAEL, HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A FOREMOST MUSICAL AND CULTURAL EVENT FOR INTERNATIONAL MUSICIANS AND A GATHERING PLACE FOR ARTISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
THE COMING VISIT WILL BRING TOGETHER YOUNG MUSICIANS OF HONG KONG WITH EMINENT ISRAELI MUSICIANS, MUSICOLOGISTS AND TEACHERS. CONSIDERABLE BENEFIT WILL BE ACHIEVED FROM THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND TECHNIQUES WITH ARTISTS WORKING AT THE JERUSALEM MUSIC CENTRE.
AS PART OF THE EXCHANGE AT THE CENTRE, SEMINARS ON CHINESE MUSIC AND MUSICOLOGY WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE RUBIN ACADEMY OF MUSIC IN JERUSALEM, THE JERUSALEM FOUNDATION AND THE JERUSALEM THEATRE.
THE TOUR WILL LAST ONE MONTH AND HONG KONG’S YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL BE PERFORMING IN SOME 20 CONCERTS IN THE TWO FESTIVALS. THEY ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.
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MONDAY, MAY 5, 1980
4
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES * * * *
BALANCED DEVELOPMENT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE, AND CANNOT BE EXPECTED AT EVERY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT IN EVERY DISTRICT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) AT A MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THERE ARE ALWAYS UNFORESEEABLE AND UNCONTROLLABLE FACTORS WHICH WILL GIVE RISE TO TEMPORARY IMBALANCES, HE EXPLAINED.
LOOKED AT FROM THE LONG TERM POINT OF VIEW, HOWEVER, ALL THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE LARGELY ACHIEVING THEIR GOALS, HE SAID.
MR CHUI SAID DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS PLAYING A VERY IMPORTANT AND SPECIAL ROLE IN THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
+AS GOVERNMENT HAS DETERMINED TO ACTIVELY OPEN UP AREAS OUTSIDE HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON PENINSULA TO PROVIDE NEW HOMES FOR THE EVER-INCREASING POPULATION, PUBLIC HOUSING SCHEMES ARE INCLUDED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS OF THE NEW TOWNS.
♦AT PRESENT, SIX NEW TOWNS AND TWO INDUSTRIAL ESTATES ARE BEING BUILT. UNDER CURRENT DEVELOPMENT PLANS, THE TOTAL POPULATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL INCREASE FROM ABOUT ONE MILLION TO 7W0-AND-A-HALF MILLION IN 1980’S, WITH MORE THAN HALF OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES,+ HE SAID.
THERE WERE ALSO PLANS TO REDEVELOP THE VILLAGE TOWNS OF MUI WO, TAI 0, CHEUNG CHAU AND SAI KUNG.
♦MOREOVER, THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO ESTABLISH SUFFICIENT COMMUNICATION NETWORKS BETWEEN THE NEW TOWNS AND THE OLD CITIES,* W CHUI SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WAS LINKING TSUEN WAN WITH KOWLOON, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WOULD BE ELECTRIFIED AND THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY PROJECT HAD ALREADY ENTERED THE SECOND PHASE.
CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD ALONG THE SHA TIN COAST WOULD START EARLY NEXT YEAR. A ROAD PROJECT BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN AND A LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM LINKING TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG WERE BEING CONSIDERED.
THESE MASSIVE PROJECTS HELP BOTH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING PLANS AND OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES. +FIRSTLY, THEY PROVIDE BASIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC HOUSING PLANS- SECONDLY, THEY MAINTAIN A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWNS- AND THIRDLY, THEY IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND THUS ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO LEAVE THE CROWDED CITIES OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TO LIVE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* HE SAID.
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MONDAY, MAY 5, 1980
- 5 -
FREE LEGAL ADVICE OBTAINABLE IN NT ******
THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME, INTRODUCED BY THE LAW SOCIETY IN THE URBAN AREA IN NOVEMBER, 1978, WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A LEGAL ADVICE CENTRE WILL BE SET UP ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGEMENT OFFICE, CHUEN KING BUILDING, 93 HOI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN, FROM MAY 20 (TUESDAY).
THE CENTRE WILL SERVE TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG. IT WILL BE MANNED BY TWO LAWYERS EVERY TUESDAY EVENING FROM 6.30 TO 9.30 PM.
A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE SHOULD APPROACH THEIR LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE OR PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE WHERE APPLICATION FORMS WOULD BE AVAILABLE.
ALSO AVAILABLE WILL BE A LEAFLET GIVING DETAILS OF THE SCHEME AND AN APPOINTMENT CARD SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE CENTRE.
STAFF AT THESE PLACES WILL TAKE DOWN DETAILS OF THEIR CASES AND MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR THEM WITH THE LAWYERS.
THE LAWYERS WILL ADVISE THEM ON STEPS WHICH MAY BE TAKEN, BUT CANNOT REPRESENT THEM IN COURT. THEIR CASES HOWEVER MAY BE REFERRED TO THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE LAW SOCIETY HAD BEEN ABLE TO EXTEND THE SERVICE TO THE NEW TERRITORIES AND WAS SURE THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD MAKE FULL USE OF THIS LATEST COMMUNITY FACILITY.
THE LAW SOCIETY WILL ALSO BE OPENING A NEW CENTRE IN WAN CHAI ON MAY 20. IT ALREADY OPERATES THREE OTHER CENTRES AT MONG KOK, WONG TAI SIN AND EASTERN DISTRICT. MORE THAN 170 LAWYERS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME WHICH HAS HANDLED 2 493 CASES SINCE IT BEGAN OPERATION.
THE SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO BE FURTHER EXTENDED TO THE EASTERN HALF OF THE NEW TERRITORIES NEXT YEAR.
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MONDAY, MAY 5, 1980
- 6 -FESTIVAL EXCITEMENT IN YUEN LONG * * * * M
MORE THAN 7 000 PEOPLE FROM 36 ORGANISATIONS WILL TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR’S TIN HAU FESTIVAL PROCESSION TO BE HELD IN YUEN LONG ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 7).
ANOTHER 50 000 PEOPLE IN YUEN LONG STADIUM AND ALONG THE ROUTE ARE EXPECTED TO WATCH THE PROCESSION, WHICH WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES.
A MEDLEY OF FLOATS AND PERFORMANCES WILL BE ON PARADE. INCLUDING FOUR GOLDEN DRAGONS, TWO SILVER DRAGONS, FOUR UNICORNS AND A NUMBER OF SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN LIONS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE PERFORMANCES OF CHIU CHOW GONGS AND DRUMS. LANTERN-BEAUTY TROUPES AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE FOLK DANCES AND MUSIC.
THE EVENT, ORGANISED BY SHAP PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE, IS TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF TIN HAU (THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN).
THE PROCESSION WILL SET OFF FROM EASTERN BUS TERMINUS AT 10.30 AM, ARRIVING AT YUEN LONG STADIUM VIA FUNG CHEUNG. CASTLE PEAK AND TAI YUK ROADS.
IT WILL TAKE ABOUT ONE AND A HALF HOURS TO PASS THROUGH THE STADIUM BEFORE 4 000 INVITED GUESTS.
IT WILL THEN MAKE ITS WAY TO THE TIN HAU TEMPLE AT TAI SHUE HA WHERE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES WILL TAKE PLACE.
THE TRADITIONAL +FA PAU+ DRAW WILL BE HELD AT 4 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL PROCESSION AT YUEN LONG STADIUM BEGINNING AT ABOUT 11.30 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 7). TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. TWO GOVERNMENT VEHICLES, AM 2088 AND AM 3214. WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 9.45 AM SHARP FOR YUEN LONG. SPECIAL BADGES FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS DUTY OFFICER.
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MONDAY, MAY 5, 1980
7
OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN A TRADE
******
THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIPS IN HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR INDUSTRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
♦THE TRAINING COUNCIL DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OFFERS A PLACEMENT SERVICE TO ANY SUITABLY QUALIFIED YOUNG PERSON WHO WISHES TO PURSUE A CAREER IN INDUSTRY THROUGH AN APPRENTICESHIP,* HE SAID.
VACANCIES EXIST IN AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING, BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING, CLOTHING, ELECTRICAL WORK, ELECTRONICS, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING, PLASTICS, PRINTING, SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIRS, AND TEXTILES.
DURING THE APPRENTICESHIP, NORMALLY LASTING FOUR YEARS, APPRENTICES RECEIVE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROVIDED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS AND AT THE SAME TIME ATTEND RELATED TECHNICAL EDUCATION ON A ONE DAY AND TWO EVENINGS PER WEEK BASIS, IN EITHER A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR CRAFT APPRENTICESHIP IS COMPLETION OF FORM THREE AND FOR TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP COMPLETION OF FORM FIVE WITH PASSES IN FOUR RELEVANT SUBJECTS IN THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
ON COMPLETION OF THE APPRENTICESHIP, THE APPRENTICES WILL BE AWARDED CERTIFICATES BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR RECOGNISING THEIR COMPETENCY IN THE TRADE OR OCCUPATION THEY HAD CHOSEN.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ANY SUITABLY QUALIFIED YOUNGSTER INTERESTED IN AN APPRENTICESHIP WOULD BE WELCOME TO ENQUIRE AT THE TRAINING COUNCIL DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT. IT IS ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF ASIAN HOUSE AT 1 HENNESSY ROAD, WANCHAI, HONG KONG.
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/8
MONDAY, MAY 5, 1980
- 8 -
HOSPITAL DIRECTORS REVEAL WELFARE PLANS ft ft ft ft ft
PLANS TO EXPAND CHILD CARE SERVICES TO THE NEW TOWNS WERE REVEALED BY DIRECTORS OF YAN CHAI HOSPITAL DURING THEIR COURTESY CALL ON THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR THOMAS LEE TODAY.
THE VISITORS, LED BY THEIR CHAIRMAN, MRS IVY WU, WERE RECEIVED BY MR LEE AND SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN WORLD TRADE CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
DURING DISCUSSIONS, MRS WU OUTLINED PLANS FOR THREE NEW CHILD CARE CENTRES TO BE OPENED BY THE HOSPITAL IN TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN TO HELP WORKING PARENTS.
SHE ALSO GAVE DETAILS OF PROJECTS THEY WERE PLANNING FOR THE ELDERLY, INCLUDING A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME IN KWAI CHUNG,AND THREE HOSTELS, IN TUEN MUN, SHA TIN AND TSI NG Yl.
MR LEE PRAISED THE DIRECTORS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS, PARTICULARLY IN THE EXTENSION OF THEIR SCOPE OF SERVICE TO COVER THE NEEDS OF OLD PEOPLE.
HE ASSURED THEM THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT WORTHWHILE WELFARE PROJECTS.
THE DISCUSSIONS WERE FOLLOWED BY A TOUR OF THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICES.
MONDAY, MAY 5, 1980
- 9 -
ROAD SAFETY DESIGN COMPETITION ******
STUDENTS ESPECIALLY MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS, ARE INVITED TO JOIN A ROAD SAFETY POSTER DES*6{j COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION AND INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
THE COMPETITION AIMS TO AROUSE THEIR AWARENESS OF PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT ROAD SAFETY.
THERE WILL BE A JUNIOR DIVISION FOR PRIMARY AND A SENIOR DIVISION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED IN THE FORM OF BOOK AND STATIONERY TOKENS.
FIRST PRIZE IS WORTH |250 IN TOKENS, THE SECOND PRIZE 1150 AND THE THIRD PRIZE 1100. WINNERS WILL ALSO GET A QUARTZ WATCH.
THERE WILL ALSO BE TEN OTHER PRIZES OF 150 EACH PLUS A SOUVENIR.
ADDITIONALLY, TEN SPECIAL PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO SCHOOLS WHICH SUBMIT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF ENTRIES.
ANY NUMBER OF DESIGN MAY BE SUBMITTED BY ONE STUDENT. THE POSTER SIZE MUST BE 42 CM BY 59 CM. DESIGNS SHOULD BE SELF-EXPLANATORY, AND THEIR WORDINGS SHOULD BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM.
HEADS OF SCHOOLS SHOULD SEND ALL POSTERS TO THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECRETARIAT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT CAROLINE MANSION, 4TH FLOOR, 8 YAN PING ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG BEFORE MAY 23.
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MAX I CAB ROUTE WITHDRAWN *****
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT KOWLOON MAXICAB ROUTE NO 2 BETWEEN WATERLOO HILL AND TSIM SHA TSUI WILL STOP TO RUN FROM WEDNESDAY (MAY 7).
A NOTICE WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE END STOPS TO INFORM PASSENGERS.
- - - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS TOR MARCH ................... 1
HONG KONG SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL REHABILITATION EFFORT ............ 5
M AND HD SETS UP STAFF RELATIONS UNIT ............................. 6
MORE WATER FOR TSUEN WAN........................................... 7
SETTING UP OF TSING YI TRADE ASSOCIATION -A MOST TIMELY EVENT ...................................-........... 8
SAFETY HINTS FOR TIN HAU WORSHIPPERS .............................. 9
SOCIAL STUDIES SEMINAR FOR SCHOOL HEADS .......................... 10
OPENING OF FLYOVER LOOP ROaD
10
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1980
1
MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR MARCH *****
MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR MARCH PUBLISHED TODAY SHOW A FURTHER MARKED FALL IN THE GROWTH RATE OF THE MONEY SUPPLY, AND OF CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY, BEYOND THE FALL WHICH WAS APPARENT IN FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1980.
THE MONEY SUPPLY, ON ALL DEFINITIONS, DECLINED IN THE MONTH, WHILE THE INCREASE IN TOTAL CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY WAS THE SMALLEST MONTHLY INCREASE, IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, SINCE
AUGUST 1979.
THE DETAILED FIGURES AND COMPARISONS WITH PREVIOUS MONTHS ARE SET OUT BELOWi
MONEY AND BANKING FIGURES - END OF MARCH 1980 (IN ^MILLION)
FIGURES FOR EARLIER MONTHS (% CHANGE):
MARCH 1980 FEB 1980 DEC 1979 MARCH 1979
Ml 20 310 21 647 (-6.2%) 20 851 (-2.6%)* 18 945 (+7.2%)*
M2 76 109 78 219 (-2.7%) 75 270 (+1.1%)* 66 855 (+13.8%)*
M3 106 657 107 770 (-1.0%) 99 765 (+6.9%) 80 871 (+31.9%)
BANKS:
DEPOSITS 68 393 70 065 (-2.4%) 67 985 (+0.6%)* 60 082 (+13.8%)*
LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG 69 560 69 306 (+0.4%) 62 227 (+11.8%)* 50 439 (+37.9%)*
LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO 101.7% 98.9% 91.5% 84.0%
AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO 52.6% 53.6% 48.0% 45.9%
/DEPOSIT-TAKING ........
tujssuaI, MAI t>, iyau
-2-
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES:
DEPOSITS 30 548 29 551 (*3.4%) 24 495 (+24.7%) 14 016 (+118.0%)
LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG 16 742 15 304 (*9.4%) 13 566 (*23.4%) 10 367 (+61.5%)
LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO 54.8% 51.8% 55.4% 74.0%
AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO « 44.6% 48.1% ft
BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES:
TOTAL CREDIT TO
THE ECONOMY 86 302 84 610 75 793 60 806
(+2.0%) (+13.996) (+41.9%)
M THESE FIGURES ARE RECALCULATED TO EXCLUDE BANKS’ LIABILITIES TO, AND CLAIMS ON, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
st THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO OBSERVE A MINIMUM LIQUID ASSETS RATIO CAME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 1, 1980.
MONEY SUPPLY
THE MONEY SUPPLY ON THE NARROWEST DEFINITION, Ml (NOTES AND COINS WITH THE PUBLIC, PLUS DEMAND DEPOSITS, OTHER THAN FROM BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, WITH LICENSED BANKS) FELL BY 6.2 PER CENT DURING MARCH, AFTER A 2 PER CENT RISE IN FEBRUARY.
THE MARCH OUT-TURN REFLECTED A SHARP SEASONAL FALL IN THE TOTAL OF NOTES AND COINS HELD BY THE PUBLIC, AND ALSO A REDUCTION IN DEMAND DEPOSITS.
M2 (Ml PLUS SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS, OTHER THAN FROM BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, WITH LICENSED BANKS) FELL BY 2.7 PER CENT, AGAINST A 1.0 PER CENT RISE IN FEBRUARY, REFLECTING A FALL OF 2.4 PER CENT IN ALL DEPOSITS WITH BANKS.
M3 (M2 PLUS PUBLIC DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) FELL BY 1.0 PER CENT IN MARCH, AFTER RISING BY 2.6 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY. THE MARCH DECLINE IS THE LARGEST RECORDED FALL IN M3 IN THE 15 MONTHS IN WHICH IT HAS BEEN CALCULATED.
M3 ROSE BY 6.9 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980, WHICH IS A SHARP REDUCTION FROM THE INCREASE OF 9.8 PER CENT RECORDED IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1979.
/CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY
TUESDAI, MAI 6, 1980
- 3 -
CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY
BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG ROSE IN MARCH BY 0.4 PER CENT,
VERY SHARPLY DOWN FROM THE FEBRUARY RISE OF 4.6 PER CENT, AND EQUIVALENT TO THE LOWEST RECORDED INCREASE IN THIS FIGURE IN THE LAST 15 MONTHS OF 0.4 PER CENT IN AUGUST 1979.
LOANS IN HONG KONG BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE IN MARCH BY 9.4 PER CENT, WELL UP FROM THE FEBRUARY RISE OF 5.2 PER CENT.
TOTAL CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY GREW BY 2.0 PER CENT IN MARCH, AGAIN A SHARP REDUCTION FROM THE FEBRUARY INCREASE OF 4.7 PER CENT, AND THE LOWEST MONTHLY RISE SINCE AUGUST 1979.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR TOTAL CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY ROSE BY 13.9 PER CENT, WHICH IS FASTER THAN THE INCREASE OF 10.6 PER CENT RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
BALANCE SHEET RATIOS
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO FOR ALL BANKS IN HONG KONG FELL SLIGHTLY IN MARCH TO 52.6 PER CENT, FROM 53.6 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY. THE LOANS/DEPOSIT RATIO HOWEVER CONTINUED TO RISE TO 101.7 PER CENT AT THE END OF MARCH, FROM 98.9 PER CENT AT THE END OF FEBRUARY.
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL MORE SHARPLY IN MARCH, REACHING 44.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 48.1 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY. THE LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO AT THE END OF MARCH HOWEVER ROSE TO 54.8 PER CENT FROM 51.8 PER CENT.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LENDING IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
LOANS TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ROSE BY 16.5 PER CENT BETWEEN DECEMBER 1979 AND MARCH 1980, WHILE LOANS TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR ROSE BY 17.9 PER CENT. LOANS TO THE TRANSPORT AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT SECTOR ROSE BY 10.3 PER CENT.
BORROWING BY INDIVIDUALS TO PURCHASE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY ROSE BY 7.9 PER CENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES BY 36.2 PER CENT (WITHIN THAT FIGURE LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES ROSE BY 76.0 PER CENT).
/THE DETAILED FIGURES
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1980
4
THE DETAILED FIGURES ARE SET OUT BELOW:
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG (IN $MILL ION)
CATEGORY OF BORROWER LOANS AND ADVANCES BY BANKS LOANS AND ADVANCES BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES
MARCH 1980 DEC 1979 MARCH 1980 DEC 1979
MANUFACTURING OF WHICH: 9 954 (+16.6%) 8 540 1 082 (+16.1%) 932
TEXTILES 2 370 (+22.1%) 1 941 217 (+5.3%) 206
TRANSPORT AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 5 645 (+10.4%) 5 112 2 919 (+10.1%) 2 651
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 8 779 (+20.3%) 7 299 2 875 (+11.2%) 2 586
GENERAL COMMERCE 21 187 (+7.6%) 19 695 2 743 (+17.5%) 2 334
FINANCIAL CONCERNS* 2 843 (+27.0%) 2 239 865 (-21.9%) 1 108
INDIVIDUALS: TO PURCHASE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY 7 729 (+2.7%) 7 524 1 605 (+42.3%) 1 128
OTHER PURPOSES 6 183 (+15.6%) 5 348 2 671 (+131.3%) 1 155
OTHERS 7 240 (+11.9%) 6 470 1 982 (+18.5%) 1 672
TOTAL* 69 560 (+11.8%) 62 227 16 742 (+23.4%) 13 566
* THIS EXCLUDES FUNDS ADVANCED BY BANKS TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
/NUMBER OF ........
TUESDAY,MAY 6, 1980
- 5 -
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING BANKS ROSE DURING MARCH TO 110, A$ F°UR M0RE 0F THE BANKS WH,CH WERE LICENSED IN THE COURSE OF T0 0PERATE IN HONG KONG. THE NUMBER OF REPORTING DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WAS UNCHANGED AT 272.
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HONG KONG SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL REHABILITATION EFFORT *&****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANllfaUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT HONG KONG WILL SUPPORT THE 1981 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS PROCLAIMED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
THE UNITED NATIONS’ THEME OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR IS +FULL PARTICIPATION AND EQUALITY*. IT HAS TWO AIMSt REALISATION OF THE RIGHT OF DISABLED PERSONS TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE SOCIAL LIFE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIETIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE, AND PROMOTION OF THEIR ENJOYMENT OF LIVING CONDITIONS EQUAL TO THOSE OF OTHER CITIZENS.
THE YEAR WILL BE GIVEN FULL RECOGNITION IN HONG KONG BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON THE ADVICE OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THE LOCAL THEME FOR THE YEAR SHOULD BE +INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY*.
THIS THEME RE-EMPHASIZES THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO INTEGRATE THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY AND IS IN LINE WITH THE POLICY OBJECTIVES STATED IN THE 1977 WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION.
A CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF DR HARRY S.Y. FANG HAS BEEN SET UP TO CO-ORDINATE THE EFFORTS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY BODIES.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, AND THE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, LABOUR, AND INFORMATION SERVICES.
A SERIES OF EVENTS IS NOW BEING PLANNED TO BE HELD IN 1981 TO PROMOTE THE LOCAL THEME OF INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO SOCIETY. AMONG THE PROPOSALS ARE AN EXHIBITION, COMPETITIONS, WORK CAMPS AND RECREATION CAMPS, SEMINARS AND TALENT QUESTS.
ALL THE EVENTS WILL BE GEARED TO BRING ABOUT A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE DISABLED AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP THEM SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS AND ACHIEVE INTEGRATION.
+THE ABILITIES OF THE DISABLED WILL ALSO BE EMPHASIZED IN THESE PROGRAMMES*, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE IS NOW WORKING CLOSELY WITH A NUMBER OF WORKING BODIES WHICH HAVE BEEN FORMED FOR THE VARIOUS EVENTS. DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMMES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE.
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1980
- 6 -
M AND HD SETS UP STAFF RELATIONS UNIT *****
AN EXPERIENCED ADMINISTRATOR HAS JOINED THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO HELP DEVELOP GOOD STAFF RELATIONS AND IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION PROCEDURES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. .
HE IS MR PETER NG, AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER FOR 20 YEARS, WHO HAS TAKEN UP A NEWLY CREATED POST OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING A STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND RELATIONS UNIT.
A SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE STRENGTH OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS GROWN TO SUCH MAGNITUDE THAT IT HAS BECOME ONE OF THE LARGEST GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THERE ARE NOW OVER 17 000 STAFF WORKING AS A TEAM TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES FOR HONG KONG’S RESIDENTS.
+WITH SUCH A LARGE NUMBER OF STAFF AND WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT GRADES OF PROFESSIONAL AND NON-PROFESSIONAL STAFF, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT GOOD STAFF RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATION IS MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND RELATIONS UNIT INDICATES THE IMPORTANCE WHICH IS GIVEN TO STAFF MANAGEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT,+ HE ADDED.
MR NG, WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE UNIT, IS ASSISTED BY ANOTHER ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AND AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIT IN MARCH, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, HAS DIRECTED THE TEAM TO GO TO HOSPITALS AND CLINICS TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS AND SUGGEST PRACTICAL REMEDIAL MEASURES.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASIZED THAT THE UNIT WILL FULFIL THIS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS ON A CONTINUING BASIS.
THE UNIT’S OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE MANAGING AND DEVELOPING STAFF WELFARE, OVERSEEING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CIVIL SERVICE POLICIES SUCH AS THOSE RELATING TO RECRUITMENT AND STAFF PERFORMANCE, AND MONITORING PROGRESS OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS SERVICES.
THIS STAFF DEPARTMENT AND RELATIONS UNIT, SAID THE SPOKESMAN, IS THE FIRST OF SUCH UNIT SET UP IN A MAJOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT.
+IT WILL FORM AN IMPORTANT LINK BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND STAFF BY MAINTAINING FREQUENT CONTACT WITH THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS,* HE ADDED.
Tuesday, may 6, 1980
- 7 -
MORE WATER FOR TSUEN WAN
******
ANOTHER FRESH WATER PUMPING STATION WILL BE BUILT IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN TO MEET THE INCREASE IN WATER DEMAND IN THE AREA.
THE CHIEF ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION) OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, MR LEE GUN-CHEUNG, SAID TODAY THE NEW PUMPING STATION WOULD BE THE SIXTH TO BE BUILT IN THE NEW TOWN AND WOULD BE LOCATED ON THE HILLSIDE OFF CHING CHEUNG ROAD.
IT WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 65 000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY.
♦WORK ON THE PROJECT, COSTING $836 000, WILL START LATER THIS WEEK AND WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE,+ HE SAID.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT WAS SIGNED TODAY BETWEEN MR LEE AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF WING MOU CONSTRUCTION CO. AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN LEIGHTON CENTRE.
TUESDAY, may 6, 1980
8
SETTING UP OF TSING Yl TRADE ASSOCIATION -A MOST TIMELY EVENT
X * X X
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TSING Yl TRADE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S POINT OF VIEW A MOST TIMELY EVENT, TOWN MANAGER ANT) DISTRICT OFFICER TSUEN WAN, MR JAMES HAYES, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR HAYES WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE SECOND-TERM OFFICE BEARERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
HE SAID THE ASSOCIATION CAME AT THE OUTSET OF THE ISLAND’S DEVELOPMENT AND WAS THE MORE TO BE WELCOMED ON THAT ACCOUNT BECAUSE AS DEVELOPMENT PROGRESSED, THERE WAS A GREAT NEED FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO LIAISE CLOSELY WITH THE LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS BOTH OLD AND NEW. ’
♦THIS WILL DRAW ATTENTION TO MATTERS WHICH REQUIRE GOVERNMENT’S ACTION AND IS PARTICULARLY VALUABLE IN HELPING TO DETERMINE SOME OF THE DETAIL AND TIMING OF COMMUNITY SERVICES.+
MR HAYES SAID THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRADE ASSOCIATION MR WONG TAK-YAN, HAD REFERRED TO +GROWING PAINS* IN THE COURSE OF ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT, MENTIONING TRANSPORT, MEDICAL SERVICES AND CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AS EXAMPLES. u.ural anu
♦ONE IS OBLIGED TO AGREE WITH HIM THAT IT IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE THAT SUPPLY MEETS DEMAND AT ALL POINTS,* HE SAID. +THIS IS PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THOUGH I CAN ASSURE THE ASSOCIATION AND OTHER RESIDENTS THAT THIS l£ THE FREQUENT CONCERN OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS SITTING ON THE NEW TOWN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.*
CURRENTLY, PROPOSALS FOR THE PROVISION OF MAXI-CAB SERVICES BETWEEN TSING Yl AND TSUEN WAN/KOWLOON AND ADDITIONAL BUS SERVICES WERE ALL IN HAND, AND DISCUSSIONS WERE TAKING PLACE WITH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE RECENTLY REDUCED FERRY SERVICES.
WITH REGARD TO MEDICAL FACILITIES, A GENERAL GOVERNMENT CLINIC PROVIDING OUT-PATIENT AND CASUALTY DEPARTMENTS AND FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES WOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1981-82 IF NOT EARLIER IN ACCOMMODATION RESERVED IN THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE OF CHEUNG CHING ESTATE. THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THE NEED TO MAKE SPEEDY PROVISION OF SERVICES ON THE ISLAND IN VIEW OF THE ALREADY LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY ISOLATED SITUATION ♦AND WE WILL BRING THIS CLINIC FORWARD IF WE CAN,* MR HAYES SAID.’
HE SAID THE CHAIRMAN HAD EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT SHOPS AND BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE GIVEN REASONABLE COMPENSATION. +THIS IS ALSO OUR AIM, WHETHER THOSE CONCERNED ARE ELIGIBLE FOR STATUTORY OR EX-GRATlA COMPENSATION. WE WILL KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE SITUATION AND, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, SEEK A REVIEW OF THE EXISTING RATES WHEN THIS APPEARS TO BE WARRANTED BY CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY.*
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TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1980
9
SAFETY HINTS FOR TIN HAU WORSHIPPERS ******
SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR COLIN BOSHER, TODAY URGES THE 10 000 WORSHIPPERS EXPECTED TO ATTEND TIN HAU FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS AT JOSS HOUSE BAY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO USE THE SPECIAL FERRIES BEING LAID ON FOR THEM WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
HE SAID THESE FERRIES WERE A CONVENIENT WAY OF GETTING TO JOSS HOUSE BAY WHICH IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE BY SEA.
♦I WOULD LIKE HOWEVER TO APPEAL TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING THOSE WHO GO BY THEIR OWN BOATS, TO TAKE SPECIAL CARE WHEN GETTING ON OR OFF THEM,* MR BOSHER SAID.
HE SAID MARINE POLICE AND MARINE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES WOULD KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON BOATS GOING TO JOSS HOUSE BAY AND WARNED THAT OPERATORS OF OVERLOADED VESSELS WOULD BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS WHO USUALLY OPERATE ON SUCH FESTIVE OCCASIONS. HE WARNED THAT IT WOULD BE AN OFFENCE TO POSSESS OR DISCHARGE FIREWORKS AND STRESSED THAT LION DANCES WOULD BE STRICTLY PROHIBITED ON THE SHORE.
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ALSO URGED ALL TIN HAU FESTIVAL WORSHIPPERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CAUSING FIRES.
A SPOKESMAN SAID SMOKERS MUST MAKE SURE THAT CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES ARE PROPERLY PUT OUT BEFORE DISPOSING OF THEM. A CHECK SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE LEAVING THE AREA TO ENSURE THAT CANDLES, JOSS-STICKS AND PAPER OFFERINGS ARE NO LONGER BURNING.
HE STRESSED THAT NO HYDROGEN-FILLED BALLOONS WOULD BE PERMITTED TO BE SOLD OR DISPLAYED.
VENDORS AND BUYERS OF HELIUM GAS-FILLED BALLOONS WERE WARNED NOT TO EXPOSE THEM TO OPEN FIRE BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF EXPLOSION.
A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO WORSHIPPERS TO PLACE ALL LITTER IN THE LARGE CONTAINERS BEING PROVIDED IN THE AREA FOR THEIR USE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT REFUSE DISCARDED INDISCRIMINATELY MIGHT RESULT IN A FINE.
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/1C.........
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1980
- 10 -
SOCIAL STUDIES SEMINAR FOR SCHOOL HEADS * * * *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING HEADS OF SECONDARY
SCHOOLS OR THEIR DEPUTIES TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON SOCIAL STUDIES TO SE CONDUCTED BY PROFESSOR ANGUS GUNN OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA. ’
THE SEMINAR WILL TAKE THE FORM OF INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS FOLLOWING AN INTRODUCTORY TALK BY PROFESSOR GUNN ON THE TOPIC OF +SOCIAL STUDIES AS A SECONDARY SCHOOL SUBJECT*.
SPECIAL EMPHASIS WILL BE GIVEN TO THE SUBJECT AT THE FORM IV-V LEVEL.
THERE WILL BE TWO SEPARATE SESSIONS, ON JUNE 11 AND 14 AT THE GOVERNMENT TRAINING DIVISION, 17TH FLOOR, WING ON CENTRE, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL. EACH CAN ACCOMMODATE 60 PARTICIPANTS.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD (SOCIAL SUBJECTS) OF THE
BE RETURNED TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BY MAY 23.
-----o-----------
OPENING OF FLYOVER LOOP ROAD * * * *
TO
THE LOOP ROAD ON THE LOWER GLENEALY FLYOVER TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 9).
WILL BE OPENED
TO
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON ROBINSON ROAD MAY USE THIS TURN BACK WESTWARDS ALONG ROBINSON ROAD.
LOOP 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
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN BACK-UP SERVICES FOR INDUSTRIES ...................... 1
COURSES ON WORK SAFETY OFFERED............................................. 2
TRADE BODIES TO BE CONSULTED ON ECONOMIC CENSUS ........................... 3
’’NEGLECTED" TSUEN WAN VILLAGE TO RECEIVE ATTENTION........................ 4
CHANCE TO QUALIFY AS KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ................................ 5
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR NEW ROADS ............................................ 6
CAR REGISTRATIONS IN APRIL................................................. 7
NEW MARINE OFFICE OPENS AT SAI KUNG ....................................... 7
NEW MAXICAB ROUTE TO WONG CHUK HANG........................................ 8
WATER CUT
8
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1980
1
GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN BACK-UP SERVICES FOR INDUSTRIES ******
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD, TO BE APPOINTED IN THE FAIRLY NEAR FUTURE, WILL SIGNIFY A NEW PROFESSIONALISM IN GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH TO THE ROLE IT CAN AND MUST PLAY IN RESPECT OF TECHNICAL SERVICES AND BACK-UP FACILITIES FOR INDUSTRY IN THE EIGHTIES.
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE. INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR BILL DORWARD SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT THE OPEN DAY OF LABTEST (HONG KONG) LTD., WHICH HAS MOVED TO NEW PREMISES IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD, SHAM SHU I PO.
MR DORWARD POINTED OUT HOWEVER THAT THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION, WHICH RECOMMENDED THE SETTING UP OF THE BOARD, HAS STRESSED THAT ANY SERVICE GOVERNMENT MAY PROVIDE TO INDUSTRY, DIRECTLY OR THROUGH SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS, SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO SUPPLEMENT, AND NOT SUPPLANT SUCH SERVICES AS ARE PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
ALSO, THEY SHOULD NOT BE SUCH, IN COST OR NATURE, AS TO DISCOURAGE FURTHER NON-OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SERVICES.
♦THIS IS, OF COURSE, IN COMPLETE CONFORMITY WITH THE BASIC PHILOSOPHY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE PRINCIPLE CONTINUES TO BE RESPECTED TO A DEGREE COMMENSURATE WITH THE APPARENT URGENCY OF THE NEED AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PRIVATE SECTOR APPEARS LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO SATISFY IT,* HE SAID.
ON QUALITY STANDARDS, MR DORWARD SAID THAT AT PRESENT THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL OR STATUTORY STANDARDS ORGANISATIONS, NOR DID HE THINK IT VERY LIKELY THERE WOULD BE ONE OUTSIDE THE FIELD OF PRIMARY STANDARDS.
LABTEST IS A JOINT VENTURE WITH UNITED STATES TESTING INC., ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT COMMERCIAL TESTING AND INSPECTION FIRMS IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH HAS ASSISTED LABTEST IN TECHNICAL MATTERS AND STAFF TRAINING.
+THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION WHICH HONG KONG NEEDS, AND WHICH OFFERS SUCH EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVERSEAS COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION,* MR DORWARD SAID.
THE COMPANY WAS SET UP IN 1972 WITH A STAFF OF THREE OPERATING IN 93 SQUARE METRES OF SPACE. TODAY IT HAS 55 PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND HAS MOVED INTO 1 488 SQUARE METRES OF PREMISES.
/2..........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1980
- 2 -COURSES ON WORK SAFETY OFFERED *****
A SERIES OF 86 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FROM JULY TO DECEMBER THIS YEAR AND EMPLOYERS ARE URGED TO SEND THEIR WORKERS TO ATTEND THEM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE COURSES, TO BE HELD AT THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE IN CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FELL INTO 12 CATEGORIES — BASIC INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION, CONSTRUCTION SAFETY, MANUAL LIFTING AND HANDLING, WORK IN CONFINED SPACES, SLING SAFETY, ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN INDUSTRY, SAFETY IN THE USE OF ABRASIVE WHEELS, MACHINERY SAFETY, SAFETY IN DIE-CASTING WORK, SAFETY IN PLASTIC INDUSTRY, SAFE USE OF WOODWORKING MACHINERY, AND SAFE USE OF POWER PRESS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE TRAINING CENTRE WAS TRYING TO OFFER MORE TRAINING COURSES WITHIN ITS RESOURCES.
+IT IS HOPED THAT EMPLOYERS CAN MAKE FULL USE OF OUR FREE SERVICES SO THAT MORE EMPLOYEES WILL BENEFIT FROM THE COURSES,* HE SAID.
THE COURSES ARE RECOMMENDED FOR TECHNICIANS, FOREMEN, WORKS SUPERVISORS AND THOSE WHO MAY FROM TIME TO TIME BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM SUPERVISORY DUTIES, HE ADDED.
THEY ARE DESIGNED TO ENABLE TRAINEES TO IDENTIFY UNSAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENTS, TO SUGGEST METHODS FOR THEIR ELIMINATION AND TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE DUTIES OF A SAFETY SUPERVISOR, IN ADDITION TO THEIR NORMAL RESPONSIBILITIES AT WORK.
THE COURSES, TO BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE, WILL LAST FROM ONE TO THREE DAYS. DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED ON TELEPHONE 3-688111 EXT. 347.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1980
- 3 -
TRADE BODIES TO BE CONSULTED ON ECONOMIC CENSUS ******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL IN THE COMING FEW MONTHS HAVE CONSULTATIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH TRADE AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING. INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICE SECTORS TO PREPARE FOR A BENCHMARK ECONOMIC CENSUS NEXT YEAR.
FOR THIS CENSUS, THE FINANCING SECTOR WILL EXCLUDE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
THE PURPOSE OF THESE DISCUSSIONS IS TO OBTAIN THEIR VIEWS ON THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO BE USED IN THE CENSUS AND THEIR REQUIREMENTS FOR ECONOMIC DATA.
IN UNDERTAKING ECONOMIC CENSUSES, THE DEPARTMENT ALWAYS FOLLOWS THE ACCOUNTING PRACTICE OF THE TRADE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, A SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
THE ASSOCIATIONS AND ESTABLISHMENTS SELECTED FOR CONSULTATIVE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE INFORMED BY LETTER IN ADVANCE. STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT VISITING THEM WILL CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE CENSUS, TO BE CONDUCTED IN 1981 FOR THIS YEAR, WAS PLANNED IN SUPPORT OF THE GENERAL EFFORTS TO DIVERSIFY INTO THE TERTIARY SERVICES SECTORS, AND IN ORDER TO BUILD UP THE BASIC DATA REQUIRED TO FACILITATE THE PROCESS OF DIVERSIFICATION.
THE CENSUS PROPOSES TO COLLECT DATA SUCH AS THOSE RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR COSTS, OTHER OPERATING COSTS, BUSINESS TURNOVER, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, AND CAPITAL STOCK.
THESE STATISTICS, WHICH ARE REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THEIR FORMULATION OF POLICY DECISIONS, WILL REFLECT THE COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF THE VARIOUS ECONOMIC SECTORS, PROVIDE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORKINGS AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TERTIARY SECTORS, AND ENABLE AN ASSESSMENT TO BE MADE OF THE SECTORAL CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS OPERATING SOME 60 000 COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND SOME 5 000 COMMERCIAL VESSELS, THERE ARE OVER 8 000 ESTABLISHMENTS IN THESE SECTORS. ALTOGETHER THEY EMPLOY ABOUT 200 000 PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1980
- 4 -
♦NEGLECTED* TSUEN WAN VILLAGE TO RECEIVE ATTENTION *****
A CONSULTANTS’ REPORT IS BEING EVALUATED FOR A VILLAGE AREA IN NORTH TSUEN WAN WHICH HAS, TO QUOTE THE TOWN MANAGER, MR JAMES HAYES, +BEEN NEGLECTED FOR A LONG TIME.*
THE VILLAGE IS LO WAI FOR WHICH MR HAYES SAID AN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN WAS IN PREPARATION, A HIGH-LEVEL WATER SCHEME WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT SCHEME WAS UNDER CONSIDERATION.
MR HAYES OUTLINED THESE PLANS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING A VISIT TO WESTERN MONASTERY, A BUDDHIST INSTITUTION LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE.
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THERE HAD BEEN NEGLECT, HE SAID CLEARANCE PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION WORK ON MAJOR PUBLIC PROJECTS IN TSUEN WAN SUCH AS THE MTR EXTENSION AND MANY OTHER NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES HAD MEANT THAT SPECIALIST OFFICERS HAD NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO GIVE THE AREA THE CLOSE ATTENTION IT DESERVED.
♦HOWEVER THINGS ARE IMPROVING, AND THE LO WAI AREA IS NOW BEGINNING TO RECEIVE ITS DUE MEASURE OF ATTENTION,♦ HE SAID.
♦AS A FIRST MODEST STEP, CONSTRUCTION OF A CARPARK FOR ABOUT 40 VEHICLES WILL START BY THE END OF 1980 AND THIS PROJECT IS DUE FOR COMPLETION A YEAR FROM NOW.+
HE SAID IT WAS ALSO INTENDED THAT YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE, WESTERN MONASTERY AND OTHER MAJOR INSTITUTIONS WOULD HAVE ROAD ACCESS AND PARKING THAT WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT EXTRA NEEDS DURING FESTIVAL TIMES.
HE SAID THAT CLEANING THE SAM DIP TAM STREAM AND BEAUTIFYING ITS BANKS HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
IT WAS INTENDED THAT WHERE POSSIBLE INDIVIDUAL MONASTERIES AND TEMPLES BE GIVEN LARGER AREAS OF LAND BY TAKING IN ADJACENT UNUSED PLOTS SO THAT THEY MIGHT ADD TO AND IMPROVE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC AND PROVIDE MORE AMENITIES FOR LOCAL PEOPLE AND OTHER VISITORS.
MR HAYES SAID ALL THE PLANS WOULD COME ABOUT GIVEN THE NECESSARY PERIOD OF TIME, SUSTAINED INTEREST ON THE PART OF GOVERNMENT OFFICERS, AND CLOSE LIAISON WITH LOCAL PEOPLE AND THE PREPARATION OF DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN CONSULTATION WITH THEM.
HE WARNED HOWEVER THAT THE NATURE OF TERRAIN AND EXISTING LAND USE IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT COULD BE DONE WHEREAS THE RATE AT WHICH THE WORK COULD PROCEED HAD NECESSARILY TO BE CONDITIONED BY THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, I960
- 5 -CHANCE TO QUALIFY AS KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS * ft * * ft
KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WHO HAVE NOT HAD PROFESSIONAL TRAINING BEFORE ARE NOW OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A TWO-YEAR PART-TIME IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE STARTING THIS SEPTEMBER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID! +DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND WE STARTED RUNNING THE COURSE ON AN OVERLAPPING BASIS LAST SEPTEMBER, AND ARE INVITING APPLICATIONS EVERY YEAR INSTEAD OF ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS.*
THOSE WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE COURSE WILL BE AWARDED THE STATUS OF QUALIFIED KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS, HE ADDED.
FIFTY STUDENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED IN THE COMING COURSE WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE.
PARTICIPANTS WILL ATTEND LECTURES, SCHOOL VISITS, WORKSHOP SESSIONS, AND TUTORIALS RUN BY STAFF OF THE KINDERGARTEN SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE.
THE LECTURES WILL COVER THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, AND SUBJECTS SUCH AS THE CHILD AND HIS ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY, NATURE EXPERIENCE AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND PROBLEMS IN LEARNING, KINDERGARTEN ACTIVITIES, AND LEARNING THROUGH PLAY.
THESE LECTURES WILL BE HELD ONCE OR TWICE EACH WEEK BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 5.30 PM IN THE DEPARTMENT’S TEACHING CENTRES AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, 3RD FLOOR, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
TEACHER TRAINEES ON THE COURSE WILL BE UNDER CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT THROUGH TEACHING PRACTICE, PROJECT WORK AND CASE STUDIES.
A WRITTEN EXAMINATION WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE END OF THE COURSE.
A CANDIDATE MUST HAVE ATTENDED AT LEAST 80 PER CENT OF ALL LECTURES IN A COURSE BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO SIT FOR THE FINAL EXAMINATION.
APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, LEE GARDENS, 5TH FLOOR, HONG KONG, OR AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SUB-OFFICE IN THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 6TH FLOOR, NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
APPLICANTS MUST BE HOLDERS OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION OR ITS EQUIVALENT, FULL-TIME PERMITTED TEACHERS IN KINDERGARTENS WITH A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS’ SUITABLE TEACHING EXPERIENCE IN REGISTERED SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, ABLE TO SPEAK CANTONESE FLUENTLY, AND BE OF GOOD CHARACTER AND SUITABLE PERSONALITY.
/ALL.......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, I960
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PHOTOSTAT COPY OF EVERY TEACHING PERMIT ISSUED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN RESPECT OF THE APPLICANT’S EMPLOYMENT IN SCHOOLS.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE’S KINDERGARTEN SECTION NOT LATER THAN JUNE 13.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY AUGUST 8.
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CONTRACT SIGNED FOR NEW ROADS
* * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $2 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ROADS AND DRAINS IN THE EASTERN PART OF KOWLOON BAY DEVELOPMENT AREA.
THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF A PLAN TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FUTURE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE CONTRACT. WON BY SHUN SHING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, WAS SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY MR TOM ARMOUR, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTRACTOR.
WORK WILL INCLUDE THE BUILDING OF A NEW 25O-METRE THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY THAT WILL BE 10 METRES ACROSS, WITH FOOTPATHS 2.75 METRES WIDE ON BOTH SIDES.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, A 9.2-METRE WIDE SERVICE ROAD WILL ALSO BE BUILT, TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.
ON COMPLETION, THE ROADS WILL LINK WITH WAI YIP STREET VIA TWO ACCESS ROADS.
CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN NEXT WEEK AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1980
- 7 -CAR REGISTRATIONS IN APRIL
* * * *
NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS IN HONG KONG LAST MONTH (APRIL) TOTALLED 1 885. WITH 840 REGISTRATIONS LAPSING, THE NET INCREASE WAS 1 045.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PRIVATE CARS REGISTERED AT THE END OF APRIL THIS YEAR WAS 172 780, WHICH REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 24 357 (16.4 PER CENT) OVER LAST APRIL’S FIGURE OF 148 427.
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NEW MARINE OFFICE OPENS AT SAI KUNG
MM*
THE SAI KUNG MARINE LICENSING OFFICE WILL ON FRIDAY (MAY 9) MOVE INTO NEWER AND LARGER PREMISES AT 65 MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG AND WILL BE RENAMED THE SAI KUNG MARINE OFFICE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE DESCRIPTION +LI CENSING* HAS BEEN DROPPED FROM THE TITLE OF THE NEW OFFICE NOT BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT HAS GIVEN UP THIS SERVICE BUT BECAUSE ITS RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE BROADENED TO AN EXTENT UNFORESEEN 10 YEARS AGO WHEN THE ORIGINAL OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED.
HE HOPED THAT THROUGH THIS INTERNAL REORGANISATION AN EVEN-MORE EFFICIENT SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL BOAT PEOPLE.
IN PARTICULAR, THE SMALL CRAFT LICENSING SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO ASSIST AND PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPING WATER-BORNE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN PORT SHELTER AND ROCKY HARBOUR.
THE NEW OFFICE, WHICH IS THREE TIMES LARGER THAN THE OLD ONE, WILL BE MORE CONVENIENT TO THOSE WHO REQUIRE ITS SERVICES. ITS CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE WATERFRONT ALSO MAKES IT BETTER SUITED TO OVERSEE AND PROMOTE WATER SAFETY.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE MR CHUNG PUN WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW OFFICE AT 11 AM ON FRIDAY.
MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND THE SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU RURAL COMMITTEES, LEADERS OF FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN SAI KUNG, AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO BEEN INVITED TO THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE NEW SAI KUNG MARINE OFFICE AT 65 MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG, AT 11 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 9).
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1980
- 8 -
NEW MAX I CAB ROUTE TO WONG CHUK HANG *****
A NEW MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 29 BETWEEN AP LEI CHAU AND WONG CHUK HANG ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM SUNDAY (MAY 11).
THE ROUTE WILL START FROM AP LEI CHAU ACCESS ROAD, GOING PAST AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE, WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, NAM LONG SHAN ROAD, HEUNG YIP ROAD, YIP FAT STREET, AND END AT HEUNG YIP ROAD.
THE RETURN TRIP WILL BE VIA HEUNG YIP ROAD, WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE AND AP LEI CHAU ACCESS ROAD.
ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, THE ROUTE WILL BE EXTENDED FROM HEUNG YIP ROAD TO OCEAN PARK ROAD.
THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE FROM 6 AM TO MIDNIGHT AT A
BASIC FREQUENCY OF FOUR MINUTES.
THE FARE WILL BE 50 CENTS, AND 70 CENTS ON JOURNEYS TO AND FROM OCEAN PARK.
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WATER CUT * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON TONG AND KOWLOON CITY WILL BE INTERRUPTED ON FRIDAY (MAY 9) TO ENABLE THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT ESSENTIAL WORKS.
IN KOWLOON TONG, SUPPLY WILL BE CUT OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY WATERLOO ROAD, SUFFOLK ROAD, TRUE LIGHT LANE AND CORNWALL STREET, AND INCLUDES SOMERSET ROAD, DEVON ROAD, DORSET CRESCENT, KENT ROAD, EDE ROAD, WARWICK ROAD, AND BEACON HILL ROAD (BUILDING NOS. 2-12).
SUPPLY TO KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SIX HOURS ENDING AT 6 AM ON FRIDAY.
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE IN BOUNDARY STREET, LA SALLE ROAD, NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, DUMBARTON ROAD, JUNCTION ROAD, GRAMPIAN ROAD, SAU CHUK YUEN ROAD, COLLEGE ROAD AND LAI CHI YUEN.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHILDREN NEED EARLY SUSTENANCE .............................. 1
WATER SUPPLIES DIRECTOR TO INSPECT TUEN MUN PROJECTS .......... 2
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FOR JUNIOR MANAGEMENT ....................... 2
SITE FOR COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE .......................... 3
BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION SCHOOL OPENED IN TUEN MUN ................ J
FERRY TRIP TO MA ON SHAN TO COST MORE ......................... 5
SURVEY ON HONG KONG'S SEA-GOING MANPOWER....................... 5
SATURDAY NIGHT CLOSURE OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL .............. 6
CONCERT BY MUSIC OFFICE STUDENTS .............................. 7
'.WEEKEND EVENTS AT PHAB CENTRE ............................... 7
UK ART EXHIBITION INVITES ENTRIES ............................. 8
1
CHILDREN NEED EARLY SUSTENANCE *****
PARENTAL CARE IS MOST IMPORTANT TO THE WELL-BEING OF A CHILD. PARTICULARLY IN HIS PRE-SCHOOL YEARS, A CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR LILLIAN KO GAVE THIS ADVICE TODAY.
♦THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF A CHILD’S LIFE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BECAUSE THESE EARLY PRE-SCHOOL YEARS FORM THE BASIC FOUNDATION FOR HIS PHYSICAL GROWTH, INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS HIS PERSONALITY STRUCTURE,+ SHE TOLD THE TAI PING SHAN JAYCEES AT THEIR DINNER MEETING THIS EVENING.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PRESENT SOCIAL STRUCTURE THE ROLE CF PARENTS HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY SIGNIFICANT.
IN OUR PRESENT SOCIETY WHERE LARGE EXTENDED FAMILIES GIVE WAY TO NUCLEUS FAMILIES, CHILDREN ARE USUALLY THE LONELY PEOPLE AT HOME AS THEY HAVE NEITHER COUSINS NOR OTHER PEER GROUP AROUND, SHE SAID.
♦CONSEQUENTLY PARENTS HAVE TO ASSUME A MORE SIGNIFICANT ROLE AND BECOME THEIR CHILDREN’S SOLE PILLARS OF REFERENCE AND RELIANCE IN MORAL JUDGEMENT AND PERSONALITY FORMATION,+ SHE EXPLAINED.
IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT CHILDREN NOW ENJOY MUCH BETTER HEALTH AND MATERIAL COMFORT, THEIR INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT HAS OFTEN BEEN NEGLECTED BECAUSE MORE AND MORE MOTHERS ARE TAKING FULL-TIME JOBS, AND MOST FAMILIES SPEND THEIR TIME WATCHING TELEVISION INSTEAD OF TALKING AND INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER, SAID DR KO.
FEW PARENTS REALISE THAT CHILDREN AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH HAVE DIFFERENT DEMANDS AND NEEDS, AND PARENTS MUST ADOPT DIFFERENT ATTITUDES TO THESE DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES, SHE SAID.
DR KO POINTED OUT THAT PARENTS NOWADAYS HAVE MUCH HIGHER DEMANDS AND EXPECTATION OF THEIR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY IN THE ACADEMIC FIELDS.
♦THE STERN TUTOR-PUPIL SITUATION HAS TAKEN THE PLACE OF THE WARM MOTHER-CHILD RELATIONSHIP FOR MOST FAMILIES,+ SHE SAID.
SOME PARENTS, SAID DR KO, SIMPLY DO NOT REALISE THAT SMALL CHILDREN, LIKE ADULTS, ARE ALSO CAPABLE OF FEELINGS AND EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES AND THAT CHILDREN MAY DEVELOP PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS OUT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS OR AS A SUBCONSCIOUS ATTEMPT TO DRAW THEIR ATTENTION.
♦DISRUPTED PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP CAN SOMETIMES LEAD TO SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OF GROWTH RETARDATION, CHILD ABUSE, EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES AND LEARNING DISABILITY,+ SHE WARNED.
DR KO SAID IT IS OFTEN THE PARENTS, RATHER THAN THE CHILD, WHO HAVE PROBLEMS AND REQUIRE HELP.
SOLUTION TO THESE PROBLEMS, SHE SAID, LIES IN RESTORING A NORMAL AND WARM PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP BROUGHT ABOUT BY CLOSE COOPERATION OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, SOCIAL WORKERS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS THEMSELVES.
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THURSDAY, MAY 8, 198Q
2
WATER SUPPLIES DIRECTOR TO INSPECT TUEN MUN PROJECTS *****
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WILLIAM TUCKER, WILL VISIT VARIOUS WATERWORKS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THESE PROJECTS AIM TO DOUBLE THE CAPACITY OF WATER SUPPLY TO THE FAST-GROWING NEW TOWN BY 1982. THEY INCLUDE THE BUILDING OF PARTFJfS?hEAD^STR,|CtSALT'’WATER SERVICE RESERVOIRS IN THE NORTHERN
MR TUCKER WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR LEE GUN-CHEUNG, CHIEF ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION) OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT.
OFFICIAL TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. THOSE WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE OPEN CAR-PARK OUTSIDE THE RECEPTION OFFICE, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD AT 9.30 AM SHARP.
OFFICERS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S PUBLICITY UNIT Wl BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
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INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FOR JUNIOR MANAGEMENT ******
FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN SUCCESSION, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ARE JOINTLY ORGANISING A PART-TIME EVENING COURSE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH FOR JUNIOR MANAGEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE ONE-YEAR COURSE WAS AIMED AT PROVIDING JUNIOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL WITH BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF ACCIDENT PREVENTION AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES.
IT WOULD LEAD TO THE AWARD OF A CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ISSUED UNDER THE JOINT AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLYTECHNIC, HE SAID.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE AND AT THE POLYTECHNIC TO WHICH THE FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED BEFORE MAY 23.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ON TELEPHONE 3-638344 EXT 527.
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THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1980
3
NOTE TO EDITORS*
SITE FOR COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL SIGN DOCUMENTS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOR THE GRANT BY PRIVATE TREATY OF A 4 359-SQUARE METRE SITE TO THE TUEN MUN BASED CHARITABLE ORGANISATION, YAN Ol TONG, TO BUILD A $32 MILLION COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE SIGNING CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 11 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE 15TH FLOOR OF HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.
MR DONALD STRANGE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION PRESS UNIT WILL MEET MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION SCHOOL OPENED IN TUEN MUN
*****
IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION IT IS PARTICULARLY ESSENTIAL TO HAVE A CO-ORDINATED PLAN BECAUSE IT IS A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR TOWARDS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF A BALANCED SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE REGIONAL COMMISSIONER FOR THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES, MR JAMES SWEETMAN, SAID THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE BUDDHIST SUM HEUNG LAM MEMORIAL SCHOOL
IN TUEN MUN
MR SWEETMAN SAID TUEN MUN WAS A DEVELOPING NEW TOWN WITH AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF HALF A MILLION IN 10 YEARS’ TIME.
rvl *AT THIS RATE 0F DEVELOPMENT IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT ALL EXISTING SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES WILL BE INADEQUATE TO COPE WITH DEMANDS GENERATED FROM THE POPULATION INCREASE,*
/GOVERNMENT'S
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1980
4
GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS ALONE WERE INADEQUATE AND SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY WAS NECESSARY. IT WAS IN THE BUDDHIST SPIRIT OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY THAT THE HONG KONG BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION FOUNDED THEIR SUM HEUNG LAM MEMORIAL SCHOOL.
+THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT STUDENTS IN TUEN MUN WILL BENEFIT FROM BEING ABLE TO STUDY IN SUCH A WELL-EQUIPPED SCHOOL REINFORCED BY THE MORAL TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHIST RELIGION.
+ l AM EVEN MORE HEARTENED TO SEE THAT THE HONG KONG BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION HAS DECIDED TO PROVIDE SUCH A USEFUL SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF TUEN MUN SO EARLY IN THE NEW TOWN’S DEVELOPMENT WHEN THE NEED FOR ALL KINDS OF SOCIAL SERVICES IS MOST PRESSING.*
MR SWEETMAN SAID THE BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION HAD A LONG HISTORY OF PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG AND IT ALREADY HAD OVER 25 OOO SECONDARY, PRIMARY AND KINDERGARTEN PLACES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
+WITH THE OPENING OF THIS SCHOOL TODAY THE ASSOCIATION CAN PROUDLY ADD ANOTHER 1 300 PLACES TO THE LIST,* HE SAID.
+THE ESTABLISHMENT OF YOUR SCHOOL WILL BE A MILESTONE IN THE FIELD OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN TUEN MUN BECAUSE GOVERNMENT’S EXISTING POLICY IS TO CO-ORDINATE EFFORTS FROM ALL SECTORS TOWARDS ACHIEVING THIS GOAL,* HE SAID.
+1 TRUST THAT YOUR SCHOOL WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND ASSOCIATIONS AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAMME OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN TUEN MUN.+
MR SWEETMAN EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION OF MADAM SUM HEUNG-LAM AND HER SONS, SUM TUNG-FUK AND SUM TUNG-HANG, FOR THEIR +GENEROUS DONATION* TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SCHOOL, NAMED AFTER THE LATE MR SUM HEUNG-LAM, A WELL-KNOWN PHILANTHROPIST.
THE SUM HEUNG LAM MEMORIAL SCHOOL IS THE SEVENTH SECONDARY SCHOOL RUN BY THE HONG KONG BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION.
IT WAS FOUNDED IN SEPTEMBER, 1978, IN TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED BY THE BUDDHIST LAU TIN SANG PRIMARY SCHOOL, MOVING TO THE PRESENT SITE LAST SEPTEMBER.
THE SCHOOL HAS 16 CLASSROOMS FOR ABOUT 650 STUDENTS AT PRESENT, BUT THE NUMBER WILL BE INCREASED TO 30 CLASSES BY 1984.
THE GOVERNMENT PAID FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SCHOOL WHICH IS HOUSED IN FIVE STOREYS.
IT WILL BECOME FULLY SUBSIDISED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1982.
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/5.........
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1980
5
FERRY TRIP TO MA ON SHAN TO COST MORE *****
THE FARES CHARGED FOR THE FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN MA LIU SHU I AND MA ON SHAN WILL BE REVISED FROM SATURDAY (MAY 10).
THE NEW FARES WILL BE $1.50 FOR A GROWN-UP AND $1 FOR A CHILD. THE TIMETABLE OF SAILINGS, AT A BASIC FREQUENCY OF 20 MINUTES, WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE APPLICATION FOR FARE INCREASE BY SHUN LEE MOTOR BOAT CO (NT), WHICH OPERATES THE SERVICE, WAS APPROVED AFTER A LENGTHY AND CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE FERRY OPERATION.
THE INCREASE IS DUE TO RISING FUEL COST AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES, HE SAID.
SURVEY ON HONG KONG’S SEA-GOING MANPOWER *****
A MANPOWER SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S SHIPPING INDUSTRY WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM MONDAY (MAY 12) TO THE END OF THE MONTH BY THE MERCHANT NAVY TRAINING BOARD WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY WILL COVER SELECTED SHIPPING COMPANIES WHICH TOGETHER EMPLOY ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF ALL HONG KONG’S REGISTERED SEAMEN.
A LETTER, TOGETHER WITH A QUESTIONNAIRE, WILL BE SENT TODAY TO THE COMPANIES REQUESTING THE EMPLOYERS TO SUPPLY INFORMATION ON THE NUMBERS OF SEAFARERS AT PRESENT EMPLOYED, UNDER TRAINING, LIKELY TO REQUIRE TRAINING, AND FORECAST TO BE REQUIRED ADDITIONALLY IN THE NEXT ONE, THREE AND FIVE YEARS. EMPLOYERS WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO STATE THE TYPE OF TRAINING COURSES THAT IS NEEDED.
OFFICERS FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO HELP THEM COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE IF THEY WANT ANY HELP.
INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND ONLY AGGREGATE STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT WILL BE PUBLISHED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THE TRAINING BOARD WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO CO-OPERATION BY THE EMPLOYERS IN THE SURVEY BY READILY PROVIDING THE INFORMATION BEING ASKED.
♦THIS INFORMATION IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO THE BOARD FOR FORMULATING MEANINGFUL PLANS TO MEET THE FUTURE NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY,+ HE SAID.
0
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1980
6
SATURDAY NIGHT CLOSURE OF DES VOEUX RD CENTRAL ******
THE EASTBOUND SECTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN REDDER STREET AND ICE HOUSE STREET WILL AGAIN BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC THIS SATURDAY (MAY 10) FROM 11.30 PM TO 6.30 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
DURING THIS PERIOD, THE WESTBOUND TRAM TRACK WILL BE REALIGNED TO REINSTATE THE ROAD.
TRAM SERVICES WEST OF WAN CHAI WILL BE SUSPENDED SHORTLY BEFORE 11.30 PM ON SATURDAY. THE LAST TRAMS WILL LEAVE AT THE FOLLOWING TIMESi
WESTBOUND SERVICES
SHAU KEI WAN TO WESTERN MARKET 10.35 PM
NORTH POINT TO WHITTY STREET 10.37 PM
NORTH POINT TO WESTERN MARKET 10.47 PM
HAPPY VALLEY TO KENNEDY TOWN 10.30 PM
HAPPY VALLEY TO WHITTY STREET 10.42 PM
HAPPY VALLEY TO WESTERN MARKET 10.53 PM
EASTBOUND SERVICES
KENNEDY TOWN TO HAPPY VALLEY 11.04 PM
WHITTY STREET TO NORTH POINT 11.12 PM
WHITTY STREET TO HAPPY VALLEY 11.09 PM
WESTERN MARKET TO SHAU KEI WAN 11.15 PM
WESTERN MARKET TO NORTH POINT 11.20 PM
WESTERN MARKET TO HAPPY VALLEY 11.17 PM
ADDITIONAL TRAMS WILL BE PUT ON THE SHAU KEI WAN TO HAPPY
VALLEY ROUTE AFTER 10.35 PM TO INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF SERVICE
TO FOUR MINUTES.
A SPECIAL SERVICE AT FIVE-MINUTE INTERVALS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND WAN CHAI CHURCH (JOHNSTON ROAD) AFTtR 10.35 PM.
NORMAL TRAM SERVICES WILL RESUME ON SUNDAY MORNING AFTER 6.30 AM.
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/7 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1980
7
CONCERT BY MUSIC OFFICE STUDENTS
*****
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL PRESENT A CONCERT TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING BY ITS STUDENT TRAINEES IN HONG KONG DISTRICT AND MEMBERS CF THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA.
THE CONCERT, TO BE HELD AT ITS HEADQUARTERS IN THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, WILL BEGIN AT 5.30 PM.
SIMILAR STUDENTS’ CONCERTS ARE REGULARLY HELD BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO GIVE THE TRAINEES AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM BEFORE AN AUDIENCE.
THIS HELPS THEM TO GAIN CONFIDENCE AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO PRACTISE EVEN HARDER AT THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO STUDY.
FOR THE CONCERT TOMORROW, A WIDE CHOICE OF MUSIC PIECES WILL BE PLAYED ON STRING, WIND AND CHINESE INSTRUMENTS, INCLUDING A SOLO PERFORMANCE ON THE HARP.
MR AIK YEW-GOH, INSTRUCTOR IN THE ER-HU, WILL GIVE A DEMONSTRATION PERFORMANCE.
UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ALEX WU AND MRS WU WILL BE THE GUESTS OF HONOUR AND WILL ADDRESS AND PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO THE TRAINEES.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE STUDENTS’ CONCERT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 5.30 PM TOMORROW (MAY 9) AT THE MUSIC OFFICE, 9TH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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WEEKEND EVENTS AT PHAB CENTRE * * * *
THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE IS ORGANISING A SERIES OF SWIMMING AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS OVER THIS WEEKEND AT THE LADY MACLEHOSE (PHAB) CENTRE AT POKFULAM FOR BOTH DISABLED AND ABLE-BODIED CHILDREN.
FOR THE DISABLED, A SWIM CLINIC WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY AND MONDAY. THEY WILL BE JOINED BY A GROUP OF ABOUT 50 MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN ON SATURDAY ON A RECREATIONAL DAY CAMP, ORGANISED WITH THE HELP OF THE PHAB ASSOCIATION.
FRIDAY EVENING AT THE CENTRE WILL ALSO SEE THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF A SWIMMING MEET THAT WILL HAVE YOUNG SWIMMERS FROM THE PHILIPPINES COMPETING AGAINST THE HONG KONG MANTAS SWIM TEAM.
/SOME 200 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1980
8
SOME 200 CHILDREN AGED 7 TO 19 WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITIONS WHICH WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT THE ABERDEEN POOL.
MUSIC AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. THE CEREMONY WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (RECREATION AND CULTURE), MR DAVID LAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SWIMMING MEET TO BE HELD AT 6 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 9) AT THE LADY MACLEHOSE (PHAB) CENTRE AT POKFULAM.
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UK ART EXHIBITION INVITES ENTRIES
* * K
STUDENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIX AND 18 ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT ENTRIES TO AN EXHIBITION OF ART WORK BY YOUNG PEOPLE IN COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES ORGANISED BY THE COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE IN LONDON.
ALL TYPES OF ART OR CRAFT WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR SELECTION AND THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON THE THEME OF THE WORK, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
PARTICIPANTS CAN SEND IN CHINESE OR WESTERN PAINTINGS, PRINTS, BATIK, FABRIC DESIGN, CARVING, COLLAGE, WEAVING, CERAMICS OR OTHER WORKS, HE SAID.
ENTRIES WILL BE CLASSIFIED INTO THREE GROUPS, ONE EACH FOR STUDENTS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND NINE, 10 AND 13, AND 14 AND 16.
TWO-DIMENSIONAL WORK SHOULD BE SUITABLY MOUNTED ON WHITE CARDS, AND SHOULD NOT EXCEED 60 CM BY 80 CM. THREE-DIMENSIONAL WORK SHOULD NOT BE TOO BULKY OR TOO FRAGILE, AND SHOULD NOT EXCEED 20 CM IN ANY DIMENSION.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS BEFORE JULY 8 TO THE INSPECTOR (ART), CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
WORKS CHOSEN IN HONG KONG WILL BE PASSED TO THE COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE FOR FURTHER SELECTION.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE INSTITUTE IN LONDON IN NOVEMBER, AND IN EDINBURGH.
THE INSTITUTE WILL ISSUE AN EXHIBITOR’S CERTIFICATE TO EVERY PARTICIPANT WHOSE WORK IS DISPLAYED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, HAY 9, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TREATY DOCUMENTS FOR COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE SIGNED ................................................... 1
HIGH COURT JUDGE APPOINTMENT ............................. 2
SIR HURRAY TC SPEAK AT SHIPPING COUNCIL .................. 2
FIN.1NCL.L SECRETARY RETURNS FROM CHINA GN SUNDAY....... J
WATER SUPPLIES DIRECTOR TOURS NEW PROJECTS ............... 3
MORE LrJID FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT .................... 4
NEW ROaD TO HOUSING ESTATE ............................... 5
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR ^aTER DRAIN PROJECT................... 5
10 000 NT GRAVES DUE FCR EXHUx^TICN ...................... 6
TECHNICIAN WINS TOP PRIZE IN LONDON EXAMINATION......... 7
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF HOLDS EXHIBITION DAY ................. 7
PLE RESTRICTIONS ......................................... 8
PIUTAS STREET TC BE CLOSED
8
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1980
1
TREATY DOCUMENTS FOR COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE SIGNED *****
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED TREATY DOCUMENTS FOR THE GRANT OF A 4 359 SQUARE METRE SITE IN TUEN MUN TO THE YAN 01 TONG TO BUILD A $32 MILLION COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE.
THE CENTRE, WITH A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 141 208 SQUARE METRES, WILL HAVE A ROLLER SKATING RINK, AN INDOOR SWIMMING POOL, A MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES HALL, A GYMNASIUM, A BOWLING CENTRE, A GAMES AREA, BILLIARDS AND TABLE TENNIS ROOMS, SQUASH COURTS, A RESTAURANT FOR 80 PEOPLE AND FIVE SHOPS,
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A LIBRARY, A MULTl-PURPOSE HALL, A GALLERY, MEETING AND STUDY ROOMS, A CRECHE AND PLAY AREA, YOUTH AND ADULT ACTIVITY ROOMS AND OFFICE SPACE.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB DONATED $8 MILLION AND THE LOTTERIES FUND $9 MILLION TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION COST. THE BALANCE IS EXPECTED TO BE RAISED BY PRIVATE DONATIONS AND BY THE SALE OF YAN 01 TONG PROPERTY. A FUND RAISING COMMITTEE WAS RECENTLY FORMED.
A GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY IS TO TAKE PLACE LATER THIS MONTH AND CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1982.
THE YAN 01 TONG IS A TUEN MUN-BASED CHARITABLE BODY FORMED MORE THAN 50 YEARS AGO. IT WAS RE-CONSTITUTED LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL, WELFARE AND OTHER SERVICES FOR THE GROWING POPULATION OF THE NEW TOWN.
THE RECENTLY-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE TONG, MR LAU WONG-FAT, SIGNED THE TREATY DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE TONG. THE LAND WAS GRANTED BY PRIVATE TREATY.
A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WOULD BE SET UP WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE YAN 01 TONG.
♦THIS IS TO ENSURE MAXIMUM USE OF THE CENTRE’S SPORTS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND ITS EFFICIENT RUNNING,* HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH LIMITED COMMERCIAL FACILITIES WERE BEING INCLUDED IN THE CENTRE THEY WOULD BE CLOSELY CONTROLLED AND RESTRICTED TO USES SUPPORTING THE OBJECTS OF THE CENTRE.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD DEVELOPMENT OF GENERAL OFFICE ACCOMMODATION OR COMMERCIAL SHOP SPACE BE PERMITTED AND THE BAN ON LETTING OF COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING RIGHTS WOULD BE MAINTAINED.
ALL FRANCHISES FOR THE COMMERCIAL PREMISES AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, SUCH AS THE BOWLING ALLEY, RESTAURANT AND ROLLER SKATING RINK, WOULD BE LET BY OPEN TENDER, HE SAID.
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/2
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1980
2
HIGH COURT JUDGE APPOINTMENT ft ft ft ft ft
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR KUTLU TEKIN FUAD TO BE A HIGH COURT JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT. HE WILL TAKE UP HIS POSITION IN EARLY OCTOBER.
MR FUAD WAS BORN IN CYPRUS ON APRIL 23. 1926. HE WAS EDUCATED AT MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE IN ENGLAND. HE UNDERTOOK MILITARY SERVICE IN THE 60TH RIFLES FROM 1944 TO 1948 AND SERVED AS A LIEUTENANT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, NORTH AFRICA AND PALESTINE. HE WAS FURTHER EDUCATED AT ST JOHN’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE AND WAS CALLED TO THE ENGLISH BAR IN 1952.
HE WAS APPOINTED A MAGISTRATE IN CYPRUS IN 1953 AND A MAGISTRATE IN UGANDA IN 1956. HE HELD SUCCESSIVELY THE POSTS OF CROWN COUNSEL, SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL, LEGAL DRAFTSMAN AND DIRECTOR CF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS, UNTIL 1963 WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED A JUDGE CF THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA.
IN 1972 MR FUAD WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF THE LEGAL DIVISION CF THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT, WHICH OFFICE HE STILL HOLDS.
0
SIR MURRAY TO SPEAK AT SHIPPING COUNCIL ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE HAS ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO SPEAK AT THE MEETING OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF BRITISH SHIPPING WHICH IS TO BE HELD IN LONDON ON NOVEMBER 5.
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/3
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1980
3
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FINANCIAL SECRETARY RETURNS FROM CHINA ON SUNDAY
******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG THIS SUNDAY (MAY 11) AFTER AN EIGHT-DAY VISIT TO CHINA.
SIR PHILIP, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY HADDON-CAVE AND THE POLITICAL ADVISER, DR DAVID WILSON, WILL RETURN BY THROUGH TRAIN SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT 2.06 PM.
A PRESS FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE ENQUIRY COUNTER, KOWLOON STATION, HUNG HOM, AT 1.30 PM. THEY SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR IDENTITY CARDS OR PASSPORTS TO FACILITATE THEIR ENTRY INTO THE RESTRICTED AREA. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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WATER SUPPLIES DIRECTOR TOURS NEW PROJECTS
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WILLIAM TUCKER, THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING VISITED WATERWORKS PROJECTS THAT ARE BEING CARRIED OUT IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
THE NEW PROJECTS, COSTING A TOTAL OF $53 MILLION, INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUEN MUN NORTH FRESH-WATER AND SALT-WATER SERVICE RESERVOIRS AND EXTENSIONS TO THE TUEN MUN TREATMENT WORKS AND PUMPING STATION.
ON COMPLETION IN 1982, THEY WILL DOUBLE THE CAPACITY OF WATER SUPPLY TO THE FAST-GROWING NEW TOWN.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR LEE GUN-CHEUNG, CHIEF ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION) OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, MR TUCKER WENT TO YEUNG SIU HANG AREA IN THE NORTH-WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TOWN WHERE THE IWO SERVICE RESERVOIRS ARE BEING BUILT AT A COST OF $22.8 MILLION.
THE FRESH-WATER RESERVOIR, THE FOURTH IN TUEN MUN, WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 61 000 CUBIC METRES. IT WILL SUPPLY AREAS WEST OF THE RIVER CHANNEL, INCLUDING THE NEW POWER STATION AND CEMENT PLANT AT TAP SHEK KOK.
THE SALT-WATER RESERVOIR IS THE FIRST IN THE NEW TOWN AND WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 12 000 CUBIC METRES.
WORK ON THE TWO RESERVOIRS BEGAN LAST SEPTEMBER AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1982.
/MR TUCKER .....
4
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1980
MR TUCKER WAS PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS OF WORK.
HE ALSO VISITED THE CONSTRUCTION SITE OF THE TUEN MUN TREATMENT WORKS EXTENSIONS.
THE $18.2 MILLION EXTENSIONS, SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1982, WILL ACCOMMODATE A CHEMICAL HOUSE, A 4 OOO-CUBIC METRE CLEAR WATER TANK, TWO RAPID GRAVITY FILTERS, TWO CLARIFIERS AND A WASH WATER RECOVERY TANK.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE CAPACITY OF THE TREATMENT WORKS WILL BE INCREASED BY 100 PER CENT TO 182 000 CUBIC METRES A DAY.
EARLIER IN THE MORNING, MR TUCKER INSPECTED WORK ON EXTENDING THE TUEN MUN PUMPING STATION WHICH IS NEXT TO THE TREATMENT WORKS, AND THE LAYING OF WATER MAINS ALONG LUNG MUN ROAD, MING KUN ROAD, TSI NG WAN ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND SHEK PAI TAU ROAD.
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MORE LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO RECLAIM ABOUT 56 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED TO THE NORTH OF TOLO HARBOUR FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
THE RECLAMATION, WHICH FORMS THE THIRD STAGE OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, WILL EXTEND THE EXISTING RECLAMATION TO THE SOUTH BY ABOUT 220 METRES.
THE EXTENT OF THE PROJECT IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.
THE NOTICE, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WITH A PLAN SHOWING THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED HAS BEEN POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, FIRST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG- AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDINGi OR AT THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO MARKET.
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/5
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1980
5
NEW ROAD TO HOUSING ESTATE
* * * *
A NEW ROAD WILL BE BUILT IN WONG TAI SIN TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO THE UPPER WONG TAI SIN HOUSING ESTATE AND THE NEW CHUK YUEN ESTATE.
A CONTRACT FOR THE WORK, COSTING ABOUT S9 MILLION, WAS SIGNED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY MR TOM ARMOUR, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF KUMAGAI GUMI (HK) LTD.
A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE ROAD WOULD BE AN EXTENSION OF WONG TAI SIN ROAD TO THE JUNCTION OF CHUK YUEN ROAD AND SHAT IN PASS ROAD.
HE SAID THE PROJECT INVOLVED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 330-METRE CARRIAGEWAY, TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS AND UTILITY DIVERSION. THE EXISTING ON FU ROAD WOULD ALSO BE REALIGNED.
CONSTRUCTION WORK, TO BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION, WILL START NEXT WEEK AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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CONTRACT SIGNED FOR WATER DRAIN PROJECT * * * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) AWARDED A CONTRACT FOR WORK ON DIVERTING THE STORM-WATER DRAIN NEAR THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL TO MAKE WAY FOR THE FUTURE TERMINAL COMPLEX.
THE CONTRACT IS FOR THE LAYING OF ABOUT 195 METRES OF STORMWATER DRAIN OF 2 100 MM IN DIAMETER, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEAWALL OUTLET.
MR PANG HAU-CHUNG. CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE PWD HIGHWAYS (HONG KONG) DIVISION SIGNED THE CONTRACT WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SANG LEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.
WORK ON THE PROJECT, WORTH MORE THAN S3.2 MILLION, WILL START NEXT WEEK AND WILL TAKE SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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/6
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1980
6
10 000 NT GRAVES DUE FOR EXHUMATION
* * * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ALL HUMAN REMAINS BURIED IN GRAVES IN NEW TERRITORIES PUBLIC CEMETERIES IN 1973 ARE DUE FOR EXHUMATION.
A REMOVAL ORDER, CITED AS THE CHEUNG CHAU CEMETERY, SANDY RIDGE CEMETERY AND WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY (REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF HUMAN REMAINS) ORDER 1980, IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
AN NTSD SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED IT WAS THE DEPARTMENT’S POLICY TO HAVE GRAVES EXHUMED AFTER SIX YEARS’ BURIAL SO AS TO RECOVER SPACES FOR FURTHER BURIALS.
♦A TOTAL OF 10 065 GRAVES - 8 644 IN WO HOP SHEK, 1 038 IN SANDY RIDGE AND 383 IN CHEUNG CHAU - ARE DUE FOR EXHUMAT ION,♦ HE SAID.
THE EXHUMED REMAINS CAN EITHER BE REBURIED IN GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE URN CEMETERIES, OR BE CREMATED.
IF SUCH REMAINS ARE NOT REMOVED. THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES WILL HAVE THE RIGHT, UNDER THE REMOVAL ORDER, TO REBURY THEM IN GOVERNMENT URN CEMETERIES OR HAVE THEM CREMATED AT A GOVERNMENT CREMATORIUM AND THE ASHES REBURIED AT SANDY RIDGE OR OTHER URN CEMETERIES.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ISSUED THE REMINDER THAT ANYONE REQUIRING EXHUMATION OF BURIED REMAINS MUST APPLY IN ADVANCE FOR AN EXHUMATION PERMIT.
PERMITS, AT $25 EACH, ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM OFFICE AT 6 CHEONG HANG ROAD, HUNG HOM.
HE ADVISED THAT KWAI CHUNG COLUMBARIUM, WHICH IS NEAR COMPLETION, WILL HAVE SPACE FOR 3 508 NICHES.
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FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1980
7
TECHNICIAN WINS TOP PRIZE IN LONDON EXAM
*****
FOR THE THIRD SUCCESSIVE YEAR, A GRADUATE FROM THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE HAS WON THE FIRST PRIZE IN THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE EXAMINATIONS.
HE IS MR WONG CHUN-KAU WHO GRADUATED FROM THE INSTITUTE’S TWO-YEAR DIPLOMA PROGRAMME IN ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING LAST YEAR. HE IS NOW WORKING AS A TRAINEE TECHNICIAN FOR A LEADING LOCAL FIRM AND IS ATTENDING THE PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE HIGHER CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME IN THE SAME SUBJECT AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
MR WONG, WHO TOOK THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE EXAMINATIONS LAST SUMMER, WAS RECENTLY INFORMED THAT HE HAD WON THE FIRST PRIZE - THE INSTITUTE’S SILVER MEDAL - FOR THE TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNICIAN’S COURSE.
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NOTE TO EDITORS:
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF HOLDS EXHIBITION DAY ******
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, WILL TOMORROW (SATURDAY) OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF AN EXHIBITION DAY OF THE VICTORIA PARK SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF.
MRS CHAN WILL MAKE A SPEECH AND WILL TAKE PART IN THE SCHOOL’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY THANKSGIVING SERVICE. THERE WILL BE SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES BY THE STUDENTS.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EXHIBITION DAY AND THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE, WHICH WILL START AT 10 AM. THE SCHOOL IS AT 38 HING FAT STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
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/8
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1980
8
PLB RESTRICTIONS * * * *
THE EASTBOUND SECTION OF JAVA ROAD IN NORTH POINT BETWEEN HOUSE NO 61 AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH --------------------------------- A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS CLEARWAY FROM
TONG SHU I ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 12).
PLB’S WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ZONE.
STOP FOR PASSENGERS WITHIN THIS
IN TSUEN WAN, PLB’S WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOAD OR UNLOAD GOODS IN HAM TIN STREET BETWEEN TAK WAH STREET AND SHA TSUI ROAD FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 16).
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP AT THESE PLACES TO GUIDE PLB DRIVERS.
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PRATAS STREET TO BE CLOSED
* * * *
THE SECTION OF PRATAS STREET OUTSIDE BLOCK 19 OF LEI CHENG UK ESTATE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 12) FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS FOR SLOPE MAINTENANCE WORK.
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
Saturday, kay -io, 1980
CONTENTS Page no.
DEFINITE TARGET TO HELP THE DEAF.......................... 1
FINAL SEASONAL RaINF.JLL FORECAST FOR 1980 ............... 2
PLASTICS WORKERS REMINDED OF JOE HAZARDS ................. 3
LESS SUNSHINE IN aPRIL ................................... 4
SCHOLARSHIP FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERaPY STUDY ............... 5
RAILWAY DOUBLE TRACKING TO ENTER NEW PHASE ............... 6
SNT OPENS TEMPLE CF TEN THOUSAND BUDD.AiS ................ 7
ENGINEERS TC ATTEND CONFERENCE IN US^ .................... 8
CHEUNG CHaU TO GET ANOTHER SERVICE RESERVOIR ............. 8
FIRING PRACTICE
9
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1980
1
DEFINITE TARGETS TO HELP THE DEAF
* * * * M
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (SATURDAY) OUTLINED THE MAJOR TARGETS THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET DEFINITELY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DEAF.
SPEAKING AT THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY THANKSGIVING SERVICE AND EXHIBITION DAY OF THE VICTORIA PARK SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, MRS CHAN SAID AMONG THESE TARGETS WAS CONTINUED GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN PROMOTING WELFARE SERVICES FOR DEAF PEOPLE.
OTHER TARGETS INCLUDE THE EXPANSION OF AUDIOMETRIC AND SPEECH SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT SERVICES BY THE EDUCATION AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, SHE SAID.
FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH HEARING PROBLEMS, SHE SAID LOTTERIES FUND GRANTS ARE MADE FOR THE PROVISION OF FREE HEARING AIDS, AND TO ASSIST SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF TO BUY AUDIO AND SPEECH TRAINING EQUIPMENT.
IN ORDER THAT MILDLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN MAY RECEIVE PROPER PRE-SCHOOL TRAINING AND CARE TOGETHER WITH NORMAL CHILDREN, SUBVENTED CHILD CARE CENTRES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ACCEPT THEM, SHE SAID.
FOR THE MORE SEVERELY DEAF, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SET UP SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES TO CATER FOR THEIR NEEDS, SHE ADDED.
MRS CHAN SAID ELIGIBLE DEAF AND DISABLED PERSONS MAY BE GIVEN COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING TO HELP THEM SOLVE THEIR HOUSING PROBLEMS.
AS REGARDS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS, SHE SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS IMPLEMENTED FROM LAST MONTH TWO NEW MEASURES PROVIDING SOCIAL SECURITY CASH BENEFITS TO THE PROFOUNDLY DEAF AND THE PARTIALLY DISABLED.
FOR RECREATION SERVICES, APART FROM HELPING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO SET UP RECREATION CENTRES THROUGH SUBVENTION, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ASSISTS THE HEARING-IMPAIRED TO FORM THEIR OWN SOCIETIES AND ORGANISE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, SHE SAID.
ANOTHER TARGET, SET BY THE GOVERNMENT, SHE ADDED, IS FOR THE JOB PLACEMENT SERVICE NOW PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE DISABLED TO BE TAKEN OVER BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
♦THERE WILL BE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE DEAF. WITH THE COOPERATION OF VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND CONSCIENTIOUS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, I BELIEVE ALL THE TARGETS WILL CERTAINLY BE ACHIEVED,♦ SHE SAID.
LOOKING BACK OVER THE PAST YEARS, MRS CHAN SAID THE DEVELOPMENTS WERE HIGHLIGHTED BY THE 1977 WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION SERVICES WHICH SET OUT GOVERNMENT POLICY FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND ANNUAL REVIEW.
/THE WHITE .....
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1980
2
THE WHITE PAPER, SHE SAID, WAS DERIVED FROM THE 1976 GREEN PAPER WHICH WAS EARLIER PREPARED AS A PROGRAMME PLAN, IN WHICH THE DEAF AND THE DISABLED WERE INCLUDED AS TARGET GROUPS OF THE SERVICES RECOMMENDED.
MRS CHAN PRAISED VICTORIA PARK SCHOOL FOR ITS ENDEAVOURS TO PROMOTE THE EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND FOR ITS ENTHUSIASTIC SPIRIT IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
♦IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT, APART FROM HEARING-IMPAIRED CHILDREN, THE SCHOOL ALSO ACCEPTS DEAF CHILDREN WITH OTHER DISABILITIES SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE THE CHANCE TO RECEIVE PROPER EDUCAT I ON,♦ SHE SAID.
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FINAL SEASONAL RAINFALL FORECAST FOR 1980
* M * * *
WHEN THE PRELIMINARY SEASONAL RAINFALL FORECAST WAS ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR IT WAS STATED THAT THE FORECAST WOULD BE UPDATED IN MAY WHEN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECAME AVAILABLE. METEOROLOGICAL DATA FOR APRIL WHICH HAS NOW BEEN ANALYSED INDICATES THAT MORE RAIN THAN PREVIOUSLY FORECAST MAY BE EXPECTED.
RAINFALL FOR THE PERIOD MAY TO OCTOBER IS NOW FORECAST TO BE BETWEEN 1 900 - 2 300 MILLIMETRES WHICH CORRESPOND TO A RANGE FROM NEAR NORMAL TO 20 PER CENT ABOVE THE 30-YEAR NORMAL OF 1 924 MILLIMETRES.
FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE THE RAINFALL IS FORECAST TO LIE WITHIN THE RANGE 2 300 - 2 700 MILLIMETRES, THAT IS FROM NEAR NORMAL TO 20 PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL OF 2 246 MILLIMETRES.
THE PRELIMINARY FORECAST ISSUED IN FEBRUARY PREDICTED THAT RAINFALL FOR THE PERIOD MAY TO OCTOBER WOULD LIE IN THE RANGE 1 600 - 2 000 MILLIMETRES.
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/3
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1980
3
PLASTICS WORKERS REMINDED OF JOB HAZARDS
* * * *
SOME TYPES OF MACHINE IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY COULD BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND WORKERS SHOULD TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION TO ENSURE THEIR OWN SAFETY, THE ACTING CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
IN PARTICULAR MR YIP POINTED OUT THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH WHAT ARE KNOWN AS +PLASTIC EXTRUDING MACHINES*. HE SAID THAT RECENTLY THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL SERIOUS ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THIS TYPE OF MACHINE, MANY OF WHICH HAD RESULTED IN WORKERS LOSING A HAND.
MR YIP SAID THESE MACHINES WERE USED TO CONVERT WASTE PLASTIC SHEETS INTO RIBBONS WHICH WERE IN TURN GRANULATED. IN THE MAJORITY OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THIS TYPE OF MACHINE THE ORIGINAL FEEDHOPPERS HAD BEEN REMOVED, EXPOSING THE INTERNAL MOVING PARTS.
MANY WORKERS HAD CAUGHT THEIR HANDS IN THE MACHINERY AND SEVERAL CASES RESULTED IN AMPUTATION.
MR YIP SAID THESE ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE MACHINES HAD BEEN EFFECTIVELY GUARDED, THE PROPER EQUIPMENT USED, AND THE CORRECT PROCEDURES FOLLOWED.
♦MANAGEMENT MUST PROVIDE OPERATORS WITH ADEQUATE TRAINING SO THAT THEY KNOW THESE POINTS,+ HE SAID.
♦THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE, OPERATED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, PROVIDES COURSES FREE OF CHARGE ON ALL KINDS OF MACHINES. MANAGEMENTS AND WORKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE COURSES.+
MR YIP ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS, 1976, SPECIFIED THAT PROPRIETORS MUST EFFECTIVELY GUARD THE DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY.
EXAMPLES OF DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY WERE ILLUSTRATED IN THE HANDBOOK ON GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY WHICH WAS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT VARIOUS DIVISIONAL OFFICES OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE, HE SAID.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE REGULATIONS MIGHT LEAD TO PROSECUTION AND A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000.
HE ADDED THAT PROPER MACHINE. GUARD ING WOULD ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AT ALL TIMES AND GIVE CONFIDENCE TO OPERATIVES. GUARDS WHICH WERE PROPERLY DESIGNED, INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED COULD HELP ELIMINATE MECHANICAL HAZARD AND INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.
IN ADDITION TO THE COURSES OFFERED AT THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE, MR YIP SAID THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE, AT VARIOUS DIVISIONAL OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, WERE PLEASED TO ADVIS£ THE PUBLIC ON MATTERS CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
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A
SATURDAY, MAY 10, I960
4
LESS SUNSHINE IN APRIL
* * * *
APRIL WAS CLOUDIER BUT DRIER THAN USUAL, ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY WEATHER SUMMARY RELEASED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY.
FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH, THERE WERE ONLY 95.4 HOURS OF SUNSHINE, WHICH WAS 23.9 HOURS LESS THAN USUAL.
THE MONTH’S TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITIES ON THE WHOLE WERE NEAR AVERAGE.
TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTED TO 120.1 MM, OR 15.2 MM LESS THAN NORMAL, BRINGING THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR TO THE END OF THE MONTH TO 255.8 MM, JUST ONE PER CENT BELOW AVERAGE.
A PERIOD OF FRESH TO STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS WERE EXPERIENCED OFF-SHORE EARLY ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 1 SHORTLY AFTER THE PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT.
DURING THE FOLLOWING THREE DAYS, THE WEATHER BECAME SLIGHTLY COOLER AND CONDITIONS REMAINED CLOUDY WITH A FEW LIGHT RAIN PATCHES.
MIST AND FOG WERE EXPERIENCED ON APRIL 5 UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A HUMID AND MOIST AIRSTREAM FROM THE PACIFIC. THE LOWEST VISIBILITIES REPORTED AT WAGLAND ISLAND, CHEK LAP KOK AND KAI TAK AIRPORT WERE 100 800 AND 1 800 METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THE WEATHER WAS FINE ON APRIL 6 BUT THE PASSAGE OF A WEAK COLD FRONT ON THE EARLY MORNING OF APRIL 7 BROUGHT THE RETURN OF CLOUDY CONDITIONS WITH SOME RAIN.
ANOTHER COLD FRONT PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG OVERNIGHT ON APRIL 9 AND GAVE RISE TO A PERIOD OF FRESH TO STRONG EASTERLY WINDS WHICH PERSISTED UNTIL THE MORNING OF APRIL 11.
IT REMAINED CLOUDY WITH LIGHT RAIN BUT SHOWERS BEGAN TO DEVELOP IN THE AFTERNOON OF APRIL 12.
AN INTENSE COLD FRONT COUPLED WITH TROUGHS IN THE UPPERATMOSPHERE ARRIVED IN THE AFTERNOON OF APRIL 13 AND BROUGHT WIDESPREAD THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY SHOWERS. THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY RECORDED 57.8 MM OF RAIN BETWEEN 4 PM AND 6 PM WHEN THE DOWNPOUR WAS HEAVIEST. FLOODING WAS REPORTED AT MANY LOCATIONS AND A LANDSLIP WAS REPORTED IN TUEN MUN.
A MAN WAS ELECTROCUTED WHEN HE STEPPED ONTO A LEAKY CABLE HIDDEN IN A PUDDLE OF WATER. THREE PICNICKERS SEEKING SHELTER UNDER A BRIDGE NEAR JUBILEE RESERVOIR WERE NEARLY WASHED AWAY BY A FLASH FLOOD.
DRIER AND COOLER CONDITIONS RETURNED WHEN STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS BEHIND THE COLD FRONT SET IN DURING THE EVENING.
WEATHER IMPROVED ON APRIL 14 AND THE FOLLOWING SIX DAYS WERE MAINLY FINE. THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE FOR THE MONTH WAS 14.4 DEGREES CELSIUS, RECORDED ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 15.
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1980
5
MIST AND FOG DEVELOPED DURING THE EVENING OF APRIL 19 AND PERSISTED UNTIL THE AFTERNOON OF APRIL 22.
DURING THIS PERIOD, BOTH WAGLAN ISLAND AND CHEUNG CHAU REPORTED MINIMUM VISIBILITIES OF 100 METRES WHILE VISIBILITIES AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND KAI TAK AIRPORT WERE REDUCED TO 2 800 AND 3 000 METRES RESPECTIVELY.
A COLD FRONT NEAR THE SOUTH CHINA COAST CAUSED CLOUDY CONDITIONS WITH RAIN FROM APRIL 21 TO APRIL 27. FRESH TO STRONG WINDS WERE EXPERIENCED OVERNIGHT ON APRIL 24, AND AGAIN ON APRIL 25 FOLLOWING THE OCCURRENCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THAT AFTERNOON.,
ON APRIL 27, WHEN THE COLD FRONT MOVED SOUTH AWAY FROM HONG KONG, THE WEATHER GRADUALLY IMPROVED AND THE REST OF THE MONTH WAS MAINLY FINE.
TEMPERATURES IN THE AFTERNOON OF APRIL 29 ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 29.9 DEGREES CELSIUS — THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH.
TROPICAL STORM CARMEN, WHICH WAS NEAR THE INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE FROM APRIL 5 TO 7, WAS THE ONLY TROPICAL CYCLONE THAT FORMED DURING THE MONTH.
FOUR AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER AND THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON NINE DAYS.
THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS GIVEN ON SIX DAYS WHILE THE YELLOW FIRE WARNING WAS IN FORCE ON NINE DAYS.
- - - - 0--------
SCHOLARSHIP FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STUDY *****
TO
THE GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING STUDY OVERSEAS SO AS TO QUAL
A SCHOLARSHIP TO LOCAL STUDENTS IFY AS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST.
THE SCHOLARSHIP WILL COVER A THREE-YEAR DIPLOMA COURSE
IN THE SUBJECT EITHER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BEGINNING THIS SEPTEMBER OR IN AUSTRALIA, BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
APPLICANTS SHOULD PREFERABLY BE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 26 AND UNMARRIED, AND SHOULD EE FLUENT IN SPOKEN AND WRITTEN ENGLISH- AND EITHER BORN IN HONG KONG OR HAVE LIVED HERE FOR NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS.
ACADEMICALLY, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE TWO SUBJECTS AT GRADE D OR ABOVE IN PHYSICS, BIOLOGY OR CHEMISTRY AT ADVANCED LEVEL OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAMINATION.
/ADDITIONALLY, .....
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1980
6
ADDITIONALLY, THEY SHOULD HAVE PASSED THREE FURTHER SUBJECTS, INCLUDING ENGLISH, AT GRADE C OR ABOVE OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (SYLLABUS B). EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
THE SCHOLARSHIP WILL MEET TUITION AND EXAMINATION FEES. A BOOK ALLOWANCE, A MONTHLY MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE FOR BOARD AND LODGING AND RETURN AIR PASSAGES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND COPIES OF THE APPLICATION FORM CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING DIVISION (TEL 5-448133), WING ON CENTRE, 17TH FLOOR, 111 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DIVISION NOT LATER THAN MAY 26 (MONDAY).
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RAILWAY DOUBLE TRACKING TO ENTER NEW PHASE ft ft ft ft ft
WORK ON DOUBLE TRACKING THE RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN SHA TIN AND FO TAN WILL BEGIN IN JUNE.
THE WORK, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION SCHEME, WILL INVOLVE SITE FORMATION, LAYING OF ABOUT TWO KILOMETRES OF TRAIN TRACK AND THE WIDENING OF THE EXISTING RAILWAY BRIDGE AT HA WO CHE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAIDi +THE NEW TRACK WILL ALSO LINK WITH THE RAILWAY DEPOT NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT HO TUNG LAU.
♦ON COMPLETION IN DECEMBER, THE DOUBLE-TRACK LINE WILL ENABLE KCR TO PROVIDE MORE PASSENGER SERVICES AND GREATER FREIGHTCARRYING CAPACITY BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND FO TAN,+ HE ADDED.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY PWD.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE RAILWAY DIVISION OF PWD’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE ON BEHALF OF KCR.
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SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1980 - 7 -
SNT OPENS TEMPLE OF TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS
* * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY (SATURDAY) OFFICIATED AT THE CEREMONY MARKING THE COMPLETION OF THE TEMPLE OF TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS AT THE MIU FAT BUDDHIST MONASTERY, TUEN MUN.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THE MONASTERY HAD, SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1950, GIVEN VALUABLE HELP IN SETTING UP SCHOOLS AND PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION FOR THE AGED. THROUGH ITS TEACHING OF THE BUDDHIST DOCTRINE IT HAD ALSO HELPED TO BALANCE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TOWN OF TUEN MUN WITH PRAYER AND CARE FOR THE SOULS OF ITS PEOPLE.
HE CONGRATULATED THE ABBOT, THE REVEREND SIK SAI CHUN, AND BUDDHIST LEADERS AND THE GENEROUS SUPPORTERS ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENT OF +THIS MAGNIFICENT TEMPLE.+ HE SAID HE WAS SURE THAT THE TEMPLE WOULD BECOME A LANDMARK AND PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE TO MANY VISITORS.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE THREE-STOREY TEMPLE OF TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS BEGAN SIX YEARS AGO. IT COST S60 MILLION.
THE TEMPLE, OCCUPYING AN AREA OF 20 500 SQUARE METRES, IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS ONE OF THE GREATEST TEMPLES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. IT IS DECORATED WITH MORE THAN 10 000 SCULPTURES OF BUDDHAS AS WELL AS CHINESE AND THAI PAINTINGS.
THE MIU FAT BUDDHIST MONASTERY IS AN ORGANISATION WHICH PUTS INTO PRACTICE BUDDHA’S DOCTRINES THROUGH ITS EDUCATIONAL AND WELFARE INSTITUTIONS. THESE INCLUDE THE NE I MING INSTITUTE, THE NE I MING KINDERGARTEN AND THE MADAM LAU KAM LUNG SECONDARY SCHOOL WHICH HAVE A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF 5 000, ALSO THE HONG KONG BUDDHIST COLLEGE, WITH ITS RESEARCH CENTRE OF PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES.
THE MONASTERY ALSO OPERATES A CONVALESCENT HOME FOR 100 OLD PEOPLE. AN INFIRMARY AND A HOUSE FOR THE AGED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 150 PEOPLE ARE BEING PLANNED.
/8
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1980 '
8
ENGINEERS TO ATTEND CONFERENCE IN USA ******
TWO SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE CF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL REPRESENT HONG KONG AT THE NINTH BIENNIAL NATIONAL WASTE PROCESSING CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN WASHINGTON D.C. TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THEY ARE MR GRAHAM OSBORNE, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, AND MR JOHN COLLIER, SENIOR ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER.
THE FOUR-DAY CONFERENCE WILL BE HOSTED BY THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.
IT WILL COVER SUCH SUBJECTS AS ENERGY RECOVERY FROM WASTE, HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL, REFUSE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY, INCINERATOR AIR POLLUTION CONTROL AND THE CO-DISPOSAL OF REFUSE AND SEWAGE SLUDGE.
- 0 - -
CHEUNG CHAU TO GET ANOTHER SERVICE RESERVOIR
*****
A NEW FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR WILL SHORTLY BE BUILT ON CHEUNG CHAU TO FURTHER IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY TO THE ISLAND.
IT WILL BE BUILT ON A SITE NEXT TO THE EXISTING ONE AND WILL HAVE A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 3 410 CUBIC METRES.
TENDERS FOR THE WORKS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT IS THE LAYING OF ABOUT 600 METRES OF WATER MAINS OF 450 MM IN DIAMETER ADJACENT TO THE RESERVOIR.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN AUGUST AND WILL TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 1980
9
FIRING PRACTICE
*****
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE NEXT WEEK ON THURSDAY (MAY 15) BETWEEN 8.30 AM AND 4.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, i-iAY 11, 1980
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
GOVERNMENT .'ELL-PREP-JiED TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY DURING TYPHOON SEASON ............................ 1
MORE STUDENTS JOIN SCHOOL MEDICAL SCHEME ................. 3
FACTORY INSPECTORATE GETS a FEMININE TOUCH ............... 4
BUS STATION TO BE BUILT IN SHA TIN ....................... 6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEiFNTS IN MID-LEVELS ....................... 7
NT TREE PLANTING DAYS .................................... 7
SAI KUNG CHILDREN'S CHOIR TO GET NEW LOOK................. 8
SUNDAY, MAY 11, I960
1
GOVERNMENT WELL-PREPARED TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY DURING TYPHOON SEASON *****
WHEN A TROPICAL CYCLONE APPROACHES HONG KONG, MOST PEOPLE WOULD EXPECT A DAY OF REST AT HOME, BUT FOR OFFICERS OF MANY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND MEMBERS OF AUXILIARY SERVICES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, IT MEANS SWINGING INTO FULL ALERT AND STEPPING UP PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY.
EACH YEAR, TROPICAL CYCLONES AND HEAVY RAINSTORMS THREATEN TO BRING DESTRUCTION AND DAMAGE. BUT LOSSES ARE KEPT TO A MINIMUM, THANKS TO THE EFFORTS AND SPEEDY ACTION OF THESE PEOPLE.
AS A STORM GETS CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE A THREAT, DEPARTMENTS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATE THEIR EMERGENCY ARRANGEMENTS AND OFFICERS WILL REPORT FOR DUTY, READY TO DEAL WITH ANY SITUATION.
LONG BEFORE THIS AND WELL BEFORE THE START OF THE TYPHOON SEASON EVERY YEAR, DETAILED CONTINGENCY PLANS AND COMPREHENSIVE WARNING SYSTEMS ARE DRAWN UP SO THAT ALL DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE. THIS ENSURES THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF ALL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS TO GIVE MAXIMUM PROTECTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HAS ARRANGED FOR THE OPENING OF 135 TEMPORARY SHELTERS TO HOUSE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SEEKING SAFE ACCOMMODATION DURING THE PASSAGE OF THE STORMS.
THESE SHELTERS CAN ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN 22 OOO PEOPLE AND WILL BE OPEN WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NO 8 IS HOISTED. THE PUBLIC CAN CONTACT THEIR NEAREST CITY DISTRICT OFFICE IF SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE REQUIRED.
THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR KEEPING THE PUBLIC INFORMED SO THAT ADVANCE PRECAUTIONS CAN BE TAKEN, ALSO GO ON FULL ALERT.
DURING TYPHOONS AND SEVERE RAINSTORMS, THE GIS PRESSROOM BECOMES A COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE WHICH CO-ORDINATES INFORMATION AND, MAINLY THROUGH RADIO AND TELEVISION, KEEPS THE PUBLIC INFORMED OF LATEST STORM INFORMATION ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND EVENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST.
WHEN TYPHOON HOPE HIT HONG KONG IN AUGUST LAST YEAR, GIS STAFF SPENT SOME 1 500 MAN HOURS ON EMERGENCY DUTY IN THE PRESS ROOM AND AT VARIOUS KEY POSTS IN OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH WERE ALSO MANNED.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ALSO HAS A BUSY TIME WHENEVER THERE IS A TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING, PARTICULARLY WHEN HONG KONG’S LARGE FLEET OF FISHING VESSELS AND JUNKS ARE RETURNING TO THEIR BASE.
/THE DEPARTMENT'S .....
SUNDAY, MAY 11, 1980
2
THE DEPARTMENT’S PATROL LAUNCHES INSPECT ALL TYPHOON SHELTERS TO ENSURE THAT BOATS ARE SAFELY SHELTERED AND THAT FIRE LANES AND FAIRWAYS ARE NOT BLOCKED. AS LONG AS WEATHER CONDITIONS PERMIT, THEY WILL ALSO PATROL THE HARBOUR TO OFFER ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY ADVICE TO OCEAN-GOING VESSELS.
IF A SHIP IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE, THE DEPARTMENT’S PORT COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE ACTS AS THE CO-ORDINATOR OF ANY SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION. GOVERNMENT VESSELS INCLUDING MARINE POLICE LAUNCHES, FIREBOATS, AND NAVY CRAFT MAY ALSO BE CALLED IN TO HELP.
OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS GOING ON ALERT INCLUDE THE FIRE SERVICES WHICH HANDLES RESCUE WORK AS WELL AS FIRE FIGHTING-THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHICH TAKES CARE OF THE INJURED-THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WHICH PROVIDES RELIEF, SHELTER AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRY PEOPLE- THE POLICE WHICH MAINTAIN ROAD COMMUNICATIONS AND TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS- THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WHICH REPAIRS DAMAGE TO ROADS, AND DRAINS- THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WHICH PROVIDES FOOD AND OTHER RELIEF.
PLAYING AN EQUALLY IMPORTANT ROLE DURING EMERGENCIES ARE THE AUXILIARY SERVICES INCLUDING THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.
MEMBERS OF THE CAS CAN BE CALLED OUT TO HELP TO CLEAR ROADS AND DANGEROUS BUILDINGS, TO EVACUATE CASUALTIES, TO CARRY URGENT DISPATCHES AND TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD AND OTHER RELIEF ARTICLES TO STORM VICTIMS WHILE AMS MEMBERS ARE MOBILISED TO STAFF EMERGENCY AMBULANCES IN FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S AMBULANCE DEPOTS.
AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE CAN BE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY ONCE STORM WARNING NO 3 IS UP, AND MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT, TOGETHER WITH THOSE OF THE ARMED FORCES, CAN BE QUICKLY MOBILISED TO FORM RESCUE PARTIES, FIRST AID TEAMS, EMERGENCY TREATMENT UNITS, OR TO SUPPORT THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES IN CLEARING ROADS, FIGHTING FIRES AND DISTRIBUTING RELIEF.
VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE HONG KONG RED CROSS AND THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE ARE ALSO ON STANDBY AND CAN BE CALLED OUT TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
RESPONSIBLE FOR DIRECTING AND CO-ORDINATING ALL THESE EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AUXILIARY SERVICES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IS THE CIVIL CO-ORDINATING CENTRE (CCC), WHICH IS USUALLY ACTIVATED WHEN TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING NO 8 OR HIGHER IS HOISTED.
UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE CCC ACTS AS THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY FOR THE ENTIRE EMERGENCY OPERATION.
THE SAME PRECAUTIONS ARE ALSO TAKEN DURING SEVERE RAINSTORMS, FLOODINGS AND OTHER EMERGENCIES.
THROUGH THESE ARRANGEMENTS THE GOVERNMENT IS ALWAYS WELL PREPARED TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND WORK TOWARDS A RAPID RETURN TO NORMAL CONDITIONS.
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SUNDAY, MAY 11, I960
3
MORE STUDENTS JOIN SCHOOL MEDICAL SCHEME
* * * *
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SCHEME HAS BECOME MORE POPULAR AMONG STUDENTS WITH A 30 PER CENT RISE IN MEMBERSHIP IN THE PAST YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD SAID THE NUMBER OF PUPILS ENROLLED IN THE SCHEME HAD NOW REACHED 170 574. THEY ARE FROM 763 SCHOOLS.
UNDER THE SCHEME A PUPIL WHO PAYS S5 A YEAR WILL RECEIVE FREE MEDICAL ATTENTION AND MEDICINE FROM THE DOCTOR CHOSEN BY HIS SCHOOL.
THE SERVICE IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO PUPILS WHO APPLY INDIVIDUALLY IN THE EVENT THAT HIS SCHOOL DECLINES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME.
ONCE A PUPIL IS ENROLLED, HE CAN VISIT THE DOCTOR ASSIGNED TO HIM AS MANY TIMES AS HE LIKES IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
HE IS ALSO ENTITLED TO A FULL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION ON ENROLMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SCHEME WAS AVAILABLE TO PUPILS FROM PRIMARY ONE TO FORM 3, AND WAS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF NINE YEARS SUBSIDISED EDUCATION.
IT IS HEAVILY SUBSIDISED BY THE GOVERNMENT WHICH PAYS A DOCTOR 130 A YEAR FOR EACH PUPIL ENROLLED. THE $5 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FEE ALSO GOES TO THE DOCTOR.
DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY AMOUNTED TO ABOUT S4.5 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT MEETS THE ADMINISTRATIVE COST CF THE SCHEME, NOW ABOUT 1350 000 A YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH ENROLMENT HAS STEADILY INCREASED OVER THE YEARS, THE PRESENT ENROLMENT REPRESENTS ONLY 20 PER CENT OF ALL ELIGIBLE SCHOOL CHILDREN.
HE URGED SCHOOL AUTHORITIES TO PLAY A MORE ACTIVE PART IN GETTING AS MANY PUPILS ENROLLED IN THE SCHEME AS POSSIBLE.
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SUNDAY, MAY 11, 1980
4
FACTORY INSPECTORATE GETS A FEMININE TOUCH
* * * * *
WOMEN AT WORK IN FACTORIES, OR EVEN AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, ARE NOT AN UNCOMMON SIGHT IN HONG KONG — BUT FEMALE FACTORY INSPECTORS ARE RARE, EVEN IN THESE DAYS.
SO FAR FIVE LADIES HAVE MADE THE BREAKTHROUGH IN WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY AN ALL MALE DOMAIN, THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE WOMEN INSPECTORS — MRS LAU CHONG SO-MEI, MRS AUYEUNG CHU KWOK-YING, MISS CHEUNG YUEN-YEE, MISS CHAN LIN-CHING AND MISS YEUNG KIM-CHING — ARE MEMBERS OF A 140-STR0NG FORCE DEDICATED TO UPHOLDING LABOUR LEGISLATION AND SAFEGUARDING WORKERS’ WELFARE AND SAFETY.
MRS LAU AND MRS AUYEUNG, THE MOST SENIOR, ARE NOW POSTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S PROSECUTIONS AND TRAINING DIVISION.
THE OTHERS, WHO ARE IN THE VARIOUS STAGES OF THEIR TRAINING, ARE ATTACHED TO THE INSPECTORATE’S DIVISIONAL OFFICES.
BEFORE BECOMING FULL-FLEDGED INSPECTORS, MRS LAU AND MRS AUYEUNG, LIKE THEIR MALE COLLEAGUES, WENT THROUGH THREE YEARS’ BASIC TRAINING DESIGNED TO GROOM FACTORY INSPECTORS AND ENSURE THAT THEY ARE WELL VERSED IN LABOUR LEGISLATION AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY. IT ALSO GIVES THEM SOUND KNOWLEDGE OF HONG KONG’S INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED INDUSTRIES.
AFTER THEIR TRAINING, THEY WERE POSTED TO DIVISIONAL OFFICES AND THEIR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES WERE TO INSPECT FACTORIES, ENFORCE LABOUR LEGISLATION AND INVESTIGATE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
VISITING FACTORIES IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE WORK OF AN INSPECTOR.
MRS LAU SAID THAT DURING A VISIT SHE AND HER COLLEAGUES ENSURED THAT EMPLOYERS COMPLIED WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS, AND CHECKED ON MATTERS RELATING TO WORKERS’ SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE.
ON SAFETY, MRS LAU SAID, SHE PAID SPECIAL ATTENTION TO MACHINERY AND OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS.
+FOR EXAMPLE, WE MAKE SURE THAT EVERY DANGEROUS PART OF ANY MACHINERY IS EFFECTIVELY GUARDED AND THAT ALL PLATFORMS, PITS AND OPENINGS AND OTHER POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PLACES ARE FENCED OFF.
+WE SEE TO IT THAT ALL DOORS LEADING OUT OF A WORKPLACE OR GIVING ACCESS TO A STAIRWAY IS OF FIRE-RESISTING MATERIAL, AND THAT ALL FIRE ESCAPES AND FIRE-FIGHTING APPLIANCES ARE MAINTAINED IN GOOD ORDER AND FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION.
/♦IN ADDITION, .....
SUNDAY, MAY 11, 198O
5
+IN ADDITION, THERE ARE MANY OTHER THINGS WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON. FOR EXAMPLE, WE MAKE SURE THAT THE WORKPLACE IS CLEAN AND NOT OVERCROWDED AND THAT EMPLOYERS PRACTISE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.
+FOR GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, EMPLOYERS MUST ENSURE THAT ALL FLOORS, WALLS, CEILINGS, WINDOWS AND SKYLIGHTS BE MAINTAINED IN TOP CONDITION. FLOOR SURFACES MUST NOT BE SLIPPERY, AND SHOULD BE FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION OR OTHER HAZARDS. ALL GOODS AND MATERIALS MUST BE STORED OR STACKED TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.*
MRS LAU SAID THAT ON DISCOVERING ANY DANGEROUS WORK PRACTICES SHE ADVISED THE MANAGEMENT, THE FOREMEN OR WORKERS ON HOW TO PUT THINGS RIGHT. IN CASES WHERE IT WAS NECESSARY, THE ADVICE WAS LATER CONVEYED TO THE MANAGEMENT BY CORRESPONDENCE.
+IT GIVES ME A LOT OF SATISFACTION ON SEEING AN EMPLOYER, A FOREMAN OR A WORKER LISTEN TO MY ADVICE AND TAKE NECESSARY ACTION,* SHE NOTED.
HOW IS A FEMALE FACTORY INSPECTOR RECEIVED BY EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS?
MRS LAU WAS CERTAIN THERE IS NO QUESTION OF DISCRIMINATION.
+WE ARE RECEIVED IN ALMOST THE SAME WAY AS OUR MALE COLLEAGUES. BUT A SMALL ADVANTAGE IS THAT SOME EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS TREAT US WITH A LITTLE MORE COURTESY.*
HOWEVER, MRS AUYEUNG DID ADMIT THAT SOME WORKERS WERE A LITTLE SURPRISED WHEN SHE VISITED CONSTRUCTION SITES.
+THE WORKERS LOOK AT YOU, SLIGHTLY AMAZED AND AMUSED,* SAID MRS AUYEUNG.
MRS AUYEUNG SAID AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF CONSTRUCTION SITE INSPECTION WAS TO SEE TO IT THAT EMPLOYERS AND CONTRACTORS COMPLIED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
THE REGULATIONS IMPOSE REQUIREMENTS ON CONTRACTORS AND OTHER PEOPLE ENGAGED IN VARIOUS TYPES OF CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION WORK TO ENSURE SATISFACTORY STANDARDS OF SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE FOR WORKERS.
MRS AUYEUNG POINTED OUT THAT SHE HAD A HOST OF THINGS SHE HAD TO CHECK ON DURING THE INSPECTION.
+l CHECK, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WHETHER VARIOUS LIFTING EQUIPMENT IS SUBJECTED TO PERIODICAL TESTING AND THOROUGH EXAMINATION- MACHINERY, WORKING PLATFORMS, OPENINGS IN FLOORS AND EXCAVATIONS ARE FENCED OFF- PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN AGAINST DANGER FROM LIVE ELECTRIC CABLES AND AGAINST FALLING OBJECTS= WORKERS ARE PROVIDED WITH SAFETY HELMETS AND SUITABLE LIGHTING IN CERTAIN WORKPLACES AS WELL AS FIRST AID EQUIPMENT AND TRAINED FIRST-AIDERS ARE AVAILABLE.*
IN MANY CASES CONSTRUCTION SITE INSPECTIONS ARE MORE STRENUOUS THAN FACTORY VISITS.
/+YCU HAVE .....
SUNDAY, MAY 11, 1980
6
♦YOU HAVE TO GO ROUND THE SITE AMONGST THE DEBRIS, SAND AND ROCK TO SEE EVERY CORNER OF THE SITE, WALK UP AND DOWN, CLIMB PARTLY FINISHED STAIRCASES, AND TALK TO WORKERS OR FOREMEN NEXT TO THE SOMETIMES DEAFENING SOUNDS OF VARIOUS MACHINERY.+
IT IS NOT A COMFORTABLE JOB, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS.
BUT MRS AUYEUNG AND ALL HER COLLEAGUES TAKE IT IN THEIR STRIDE, HOPING THAT THEIR EFFORTS WILL HELP REDUCE THE RATE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
OF
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BUS STATION TO BE BUILT IN SHA TIN * * * * *
A BUS STATION WILL SHORTLY BE BUILT NEAR THE NEW RAILWAY STATION IN SHA TIN.
THE STATION WILL HAVE BUS BAYS FOR SIX ROUTES AT AN ELEVATED LEVEL,WITH THE GROUND LEVEL TO BE USED AS A BUS LAYOVER AREA AND A MAX I CAB TERMINUS.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
WORK WILL START IN SEPTEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
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SUNDAY, MAY 11, 1980
7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN MID-LEVELS ******
A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE MID-LEVELS ON TUESDAY (MAY 13).
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT FROM 10 AM THAT DAY, TRAFFIC AT THE JUNCTION OF OLD PEAK ROAD, ALBANY ROAD AND ROBINSON ROAD WILL BE CONTROLLED BY TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THROUGH TRAFFIC FOR ROBINSON ROAD SHOULD USE THE ALBANY FLYOVER. AT THE SAME TIME, ALBANY ROAD WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
FURTHERMORE, SOUTHBOUND VEHICLES ON ALBANY ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING LEFT ONTO ROBINSON ROAD, AND NORTHBOUND VEHICLES ON OLD PEAK ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT ONTO ROBINSON ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0 - -
NT TREE PLANTING DAYS * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO ORGANISE A TREE PLANTING DAY IN EACH OF THE URBAN SERVICES DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE EVENT IS SUPPORTED BY VARIOUS NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS (DAB) AND LOCAL STUDENTS.
DAB MEMBERS AND STUDENTS OF EACH DISTRICT WILL BE INVITED TO PLANT TREES AT SELECTED SPOTS IN EACH DISTRICT.
DIFFERENT SPECIES OF TREES WILL BE PLANTED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE TYPE OF SOIL AND WEATHER OF THE DISTRICT. THESE INCLUDE: BAUHINIA, COTTON TREES, CASSIA SURATTENSIA, ALEURITIES MOLUCCANA, DELONIX REGIA AND JACARANDA ACUTIFOLIA.
A NTSD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE 4 OF THESE TREES THEREAFTER WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT.
♦STATISTICS SHOW THAT EVERY YEAR ABOUT 800 TREES ARE DAMAGED THROUGH VANDALISM,* HE SAID.
+IT IS HOPED THAT THE TREE PLANTING DAYS WILL AROUSE THE AWARENESS OF THE PUBLIC TO CARE FOR TREES SO THAT DAMAGE TO THE TREES THROUGH VANDALISM IS MINIMISED.*
THE TREE PLANTING DAY WILL TAKE PLACE IN TAI PO, TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN/KWAI CHUNG ON MAY 16- YUEN LONG ON MAY 17- ISLAND DISTRICT ON MAY 22- SAI KUNG ON MAY 23 AND SHA TIN ON MAY 27.
/IHi. SPOKESMAN
SUNDAY, MAY 11, 1980
8
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ABOUT 40 TREES WILL BE PLANTED IN EACH DISTRICT ON EACH TREE PLANTING DAY.
+APART FROM THAT, THE NTSD PLANS TO PLANT A TOTAL OF 4 □□□ TREES IN PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND ROADSIDES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE YEAR,* HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
SAI KUNG CHILDREN’S CHOIR TO GET NEW LOOK * * * *
THE SAI KUNG CHILDREN’S CHOIR, WHICH HAS PROVED A GREAT SUCCESS SINCE IT WAS FORMED A YEAR AGO, IS TO TAKE ON A NEW LOOK.
MEMBERS OF THE CHOIR WILL SHED THEIR WESTERN STYLE UNIFORMS AND, INSTEAD, PUT ON NEW OUTFITS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF FARMERS AND FISHERMEN.
♦THIS WILL BETTER IDENTIFY THE CHOIR WITH THE SAI KUNG AREA,* SAID MR FUNG KIN-HONG, ITS TUTOR.
THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD APPROVED EXPENDITURE AMOUNTING TO $7 000 FOR 70 UNIFORMS AT ONE OF ITS RECENT MEETINGS.
THE GIRLS WILL HAVE PINK DRESS WITH BLACK VELVET APRONS AND THE BOYS BLUE UNIFORMS WITH MARIGOLD COLOURED SILK BELTS.
THE UNIFORMS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY THE CHOIR’S INSTRUCTORS. THEY WILL BE USED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT A CONCERT THE CHOIR HOPES TO GIVE IN JUNE.
THE EXISTING UNIFORMS WILL BE KEPT FOR USE ON SOME OCCASIONS.
MR FUNG SAID A RECRUITMENT DRIVE LAUNCHED LAST WEEK TO ENLIST 90 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 15 FOR A TEENAGER GROUP HAD RECEIVED AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE.
HE SAID HUNDREDS OF APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED. +SELECTION IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT.*
BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH IN MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES, TWO CONDUCTORS, TWO PIANO ACCOMPANISTS, TWO ORGANISERS AND A PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR ARE BEING RECRUITED.
DETAILS OF THE POSTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, MAY 12, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CRACKDOWN ON IMPROPER USE OF VEHICLE PARKS AND LOADING BAYS ............................................... H
PUBLIC ADVISED TO TAKE EkRLY STORM PRECAUTIONS .......... 2
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION BY TV ............................. 3
GOVERNMENT CARS COME UNDER CENTRAL MANAGEMENT ........... 4
MORE WATER TO SUPPLY ISLAND SOUTH ....................... 5
MANUAL OF WEAVING JOBS PUBLISHED......................... 5
WATER CUT ............................................... 6
PLB CLEARWAY ON CHAI JAN RCaD
6
MONDAY, MAY 12, 1980
1
CRACKDOWN ON IMPROPER USE OF VEHICLE PARKS AND LOADING BAYS ******
A CRACKDOWN ON TSUEN WAN FACTORIES USING VEHICLE PARKS AND LOADING AND UNLOADING BAYS FOR STORAGE PURPOSES AND AS WORKSHOPS IS HAVING THE DESIRED EFFECT.
DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS, 400 VEHICLE PARKS AND BAYS HAVE BEEN REVERTED TO THEIR PROPER USAGE FOLLOWING ACTION BY A SPECIAL TEAM.
A FURTHER 100 CASES ARE BEING INVESTIGATED.
THE FIVE-MAN TEAM IS ATTACHED TO THE LEASE ENFORCEMENT UNIT OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE.
TSUEN WAN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEITH LAU, SAID BECAUSE THE BAYS AND VEHICLE PARKS WERE BEING USED IN BREACH OF LEASE CONDITIONS, LOADING AND UNLOADING ACTIVITIES HAD TO BE CARRIED OUT ON THE STREETS, CAUSING SERIOUS TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND DISRUPTION.
HE SAID AS A RESULT OF THE TEAM’S EFFORTS THE SITUATION NOW WAS +VERY DIFFERENT* FROM WHAT IT WAS A YEAR AGO. +ALTHOUGH A PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WE BELIEVE WE ARE GETTING ACROSS OUR MESSAGE THAT WE MEAN BUSINESS.*
MR LAU SAID THE TEAM HAD COMPLETED ITS WORK IN THE TAI LIN PE I-KWAI CHEONG ROAD AREA +FOR THE TIME BEING* AND WOULD NOW CONCENTRATE ON THE NORTH KWAI CHUNG FACTORY AREA.
+WE WILL GO TO OTHER AREAS LATER, AND THEN RE-VISIT FACTORIES TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE NOT GONE BACK TO THEIR FORMER WAYS.*
MR LAU SAID INITIALLY WARNING LETTERS WERE SENT TO FACTORIES FOUND BREAKING LEASE CONDITIONS.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A VISIT TO SEE WHETHER ACTION WAS BEING TAKEN TO COMPLY WITH THE LEASE.
IF A FACTORY OPERATOR WAS SEEN TO BE TAKING POSITIVE STEPS TO COMPLY, AN EXTENSION PERIOD WAS GRANTED ON PAYMENT OF A FEE.
IN CASES WHERE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT NO ACTION WAS BEING TAKEN, RE-ENTRY WAS RECOMMENDED, BUT FORTUNATELY THIS STEP HAD NOT HAD TO BE TAKEN YET.
MR LAU SAID FACTORY OWNERS HAD BEEN GENERALLY CO-OPERATIVE AND WERE USUALLY WILLING TO USE PARKING AND LOADING SPACES PROPERLY WHEN ASKED TO DO SO. +HOWEVER, WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON THE SITUATION TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T REVERT TO WHAT IT WAS.*
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MONDAY, MAY 12, 1980
2
PUBLIC ADVISED TO TAKE EARLY STORM PRECAUTIONS ******
THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR GORDON BELL REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TODAY (MONDAY) THAT PRELIMINARY PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE DANGERS OF HIGH WINDS, LANDSLIPS AND FLOODING DUE TO TROPICAL CYCLONES AND HEAVY RAINSTORMS SHOULD BE TAKEN.
+PREPAREDNESS IS THE KEYNOTE FOR MINIMISING DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, INJURIES AND LOSS OF LIFE WHICH CAN RESULT FROM THESE STORMS,* HE SAID.
THOSE WHO HAVE SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES DURING STORMS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR INSTRUCTIONS, INCLUDING RELEVANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS, ARE UP-TO-DATE.
GUTTERS AND DRAINS SHOULD BE CLEARED AND CHECKED FOR DAMAGE. WINDOW AND DOOR FASTENINGS SHOULD BE CHECKED AND, IF NECESSARY,. REPAIRED.
OWNERS OF SMALL CRAFT SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR MOORINGS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND THAT MOORING BITTS AND CLEATS ARE STRONG AND SECURELY FIXED TO WITHSTAND TYPHOON CONDITIONS.
CIVIL ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT SITE WORKS ARE PROTECTED AGAINST DAMAGE FROM HEAVY RAIN.
ON THE HOISTING OF A NO 8 TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNAL OR DURING PERIODS OF PROLONGED HEAVY RAIN, SHELTERS WILL BE OPENED FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES TEMPORARILY FOR SAFETY REASONS.
+ANYONE IN ANY DOUBT AS TO WHERE TO GO SHOULD CONTACT THE NEAREST CITY DISTRICT OFFICE OR POLICE STATION,* HE ADDED.
CARDS AND LEAFLETS EXPLAINING THE TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SERVICE AND THE THUNDERSTORM AND HEAVY RAIN WARNING SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
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MONDAY, MAY 12, 1980
3 -
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION BY TV * * * * *
A NOVEL ELECTRONIC GAME, SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO PROMOTE HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF A SERIES OF FAMILY QUIZ AND GAME SHOWS TO BE PRODUCED ON TELEVISION.
THE SERIES OF 13 WEEKLY PROGRAMMES WILL BE A JOINT VENTURE CF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AS PART OF A FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR.
THE SERIES WILL BE EDUCATIONAL AS WELL AS ENTERTAINING BECAUSE THE QUIZ, THE ELECTRONIC GAME AND OTHER COMPETITIVE GAMES WILL TAP THE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION OF PARTICIPATING FAMILY MEMBERS.
THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE ELECTRONIC GAME IS ESTIMATED TO COST $30 000 AND WILL BE DONATED BY A YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY LEADER, MR CHIU YU-HEI.
AT A CEREMONY THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, MR CHIU PRESENTED A CHEQUE FOR THIS AMOUNT TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, M? THOMAS LEE, AT THE DIRECTOR’S OFFICE.
MR LEE THANKED HIM FOR HIS GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION AND HIS CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS.
TWO YEARS AGO, MR CHIU DONATED $34 000 FOR THE PRODUCTION CF A FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WALL CALENDAR TO BRING HOME THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN.
MR CHIU HAS KEEN INTEREST IN COMMUNITY SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF YOUTH SERVICES. HE IS THE HONORARY PRESIDENT CF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TV SERIES IS SCHEDULED TO BE SCREENED FROM SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
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A
MONDAY, MAY 12, 1980
4
GOVERNMENT CARS COME UNDER CENTRAL MANAGEMENT
* * * * *
AN INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT AGENCY WAS RECENTLY ESTABLISHED TO INTRODUCE A CENTRALISED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE FLEET OF GOVERNMENT VEHICLES.
THE MAIN AIMS OF THE AGENCY ARE TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT AND TO OPERATE THE FLEET AS ECONOMICALLY AS POSSIBLE.
A TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO HELP ACHIEVE THESE AIMS.
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF ITS CONTROLLER, MR J.W. GRAY, THE AGENCY EVALUATES STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE UTILISATION OF GOVERNMENT VEHICLES SUBMITTED BY VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, AND IDENTIFIES AREAS WHERE MORE ECONOMICAL MEASURES CAN BE INTRODUCED.
THE INFORMATION SYSTEM IS ALSO USED TO SCREEN REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL CARS.
MR GRAY POINTED OUT THAT THE HIGH CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS INVOLVED IN MANAGING A LARGE VEHICLE FLEET REQUIRED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF FORWARD PLANNING.
THE MOST ECONOMICAL TYPES OF VEHICLES MUST BE OBTAINED IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND THEREAFTER, DAILY TRANSPORT OPERATIONS MUST BE CLOSELY SUPERVISED IN VIEW OF THE HIGH COST OF PETROL, HE EXPLAINED.
♦BY CENTRALISING ALL THE MANY ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS OF MANAGING A LARGE VEHICLE FLEET, THE LAND TRANSPORT AGENCY CAN ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF CUTTING OPERATING COSTS AND IMPROVING VEHICLE UTILISATION.
♦THE AGENCY ALSO CONTROLS THE USE OF ALL POOL VEHICLES AND WILL INTRODUCE FURTHER CENTRALISATION BY REDUCING DEPARTMENT TRANSPORT,* NR GRAY SAID.
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MONDAY, MAY 12, 1980 - 5 -
MORE WATER TO SUPPLY ISLAND SOUTH
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL CONSTRUCT A NEW 700-METRE FRESH WATER MAIN ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO FURTHER IMPROVE SUPPLY TO POK FU LAM, ABERDEEN, AP LEI CHAU, WONG CHUK HANG AND SHOUSON HILL
MR LEE GUN-CHEUNG, CHIEF ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION), SAID THE 900 MM MAIN WOULD BE LAID IN VICTORIA ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SASSOON ROAD TO CONSORT RISE.
WORK ON THE PROJECT, COSTING 81.73 MILLION, WILL START NEXT WEEK AND WILL TAKE TEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE NEW MAIN WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING SMALLER ONE.
MR LEE TODAY SIGNED THE CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT WITH MR LAW CHI—CHING, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LAW CHI YIP CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.
0
MANUAL OF WEAVING JOBS PUBLISHED ******
ANOTHER SET OF GUIDELINES ON THE MOST EFFICIENT METHODS OF OPERATION AND TRAINING IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IS SET OUT IN A RECENTLY PUBLISHED JOB MANUAL.
THE MANUAL, PUBLISHED BY THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL’S TEXTILE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, CONTAINS JOB STANDARDS AND TRADE TESTS FOR 48 PRINCIPAL JOBS AT TECHNOLOGIST, TECHNICIAN CRAFT AND OPERATIVE LEVELS IN THE WEAVING BRANCH OF THE INDUSTRY
EARLIER MANUALS WERE FOR THE SPINNING BRANCH AND THE TEXTURISING BRANCH.
THE LATEST PUBLICATION AIMS TO INTRODUCE A GENERAL ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF SKILL FOR PRINCIPAL JOBS, AND TO ASSIST TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS IN PLANNING COURSES, AND EMPLOYERS IN DRAWING UP PROPER TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR APPRENTICES OR TRAINEES AND IN ASSESSING THE COMPETENCE OF THEIR WORKERS.
COPIES OF THE MANUAL, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AT $15 EACH FROM THURSDAY (MAY 15).
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MONDAY, MAY 12, 1980
6
WATER CUT * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO A PART OF TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR A LEAKAGE TEST FOR SIX HOURS ENDING AT 6 AM ON THURSDAY (MAY 15).
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY AUSTIN ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD, KIMBERLEY ROAD, OBSERVATORY ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD, AND INCLUDE THOSE IN AUSTIN AVENUE, CHATHAM COURT AND LEE SHING VILLAS.
PLB CLEARWAY ON CHAI WAN ROAD ******
A SECTION OF CHAI WAN ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 14).
IT BEGINS FROM THE WESTERN JUNCTION OF THE ROAD WITH WAN TSUI ROAD AND EXTENDS TO A POINT ABOUT 75 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HONG MAN STREET.
PLB DRIVERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS WITHIN THIS ZONE DAILY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 12 MIDNIGHT.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE THEM.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, 1-iAY 1J, 1980
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
CLOSE LOOK AT DAMAGE 3Y RED TIDE............................ 1
NEW WATER AGREEMENT WITH GUaNGDOIG ......................... 2
TWELVE LEGCO QUESTIONS TOMORROW ............................ 2
FUNDS BEING SOUGHT FCR TAI PO SPORTS CENTRE................. 3
REGISTER OPENS FOR AIDED SCHOOL SURPLUS TEaCHERS ........... 4
COMBINED EFFORTS IN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION .................. 4
CONTRACT FOR WATER PROJECT SIGNED .......................... 5
TEACHERS MEET TO DISCUSS TECHNICAL COURSES ................. 6
TRADE DISPUTES SETTLED LAST MONTH .......................... 6
DIS.’xBLED SPORTSMEN REPRESENT HK OVERSEAS ................. 7
URBAN CLE.iRW.xY NEaR ADMIRALTY EXTENDED.................... 7
WATER CUT IN KOWLOON CITY .................................. 8
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1980
1
CLOSE LOOK AT DAMAGE BY RED TIDE
* X ft ft
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AMD FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, AND AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR HO KAM-FAI, TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED THE FISH FARMS IN YIM TIN TSAI THAT WERE BADLY AFFECTED BY THE RECENT RED TIDES.
THEIR AIM WAS TO HAVE A LOOK AT PRESENT CONDITIONS AND TO SEE AT FIRST HAND THE DAMAGE TO FISH FARMS.
THEY ALSO DISCUSSED WITH THE FARMERS THEIR PLANS FOR GETTING BACK ON THEIR OWN FEET AND ASSESSED WHAT ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT COULD PROVIDE TO HELP THEM.
FOR DR HO IT WAS HIS FIRST VISIT TO A FISH MARICULTURE FARM AND HE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO +LOOK AND LEARN* AND TO TALK TO THE FISH FARMERS ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY THE OCCURRENCE OF RED TIDE.
HE AND MR RIDDELL-SWAN BOTH AGREED WITH THE FISH FARMERS THAT GREATER EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE IN RESEARCH TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FACTORS LEADING TO IT.
MR RIDDELL-SWAN HOPED THAT IN TIME SOME SORT OF AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM COULD BE DEVISED.
HE SAIDi +WE ARE AT PRESENT INVESTIGATING EVERY OUTBREAK IN AN EFFORT TO GET CLOSER TO THE FACTORS LEADING TO RED TIDES AND CARRYING OUT REGULAR MONITORING OF THE SEA WATER IN CERTAIN AREAS. FISH FARMERS,CAN HELP US IN THIS BY LETTING US KNOW OF OUTBREAKS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.*
THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF RED TIDE BETWEEN APRIL 17 AND 19 AFFECTED 320 FISH FARMS IN SHA TAU KOK, AP CHAU, KAT 0, SAI LAU KONG, WONG WAN, TAP MUN, KAU LAU WAN AND SHAM WAN.
THE SECOND OCCURRENCE BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND 30 AFFECTED ANOTHER 322 FISH FARMS IN YIM TIN TSAI, HA HANG, TAI MEI TUK, WU KAI SHA, TAP MUN, SHAM WAN AND KAU SAI.
ABOUT 37 TONNES OF CULTURED FISH WORTH OVER $1 MILLION WERE REPORTED LOST IN THE TWO OUTBREAKS.
IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT VISITED ALL THE AFFECTED FARMS TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE AND TO GIVE ADVICE AND INITIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE FISH FARMERS.
FURTHER VISITS WERE MADE WHERE NECESSARY AND, IN CASES OF EXTREME HARDSHIP WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS GIVEN FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S EMERGENCY RELIEF TRUST FUND.
TO DATE, A TOTAL OF SOME $46 000 HAS BEEN GIVEN TO 22 FISH FARMERS.
A FURTHER 100 APPLICATIONS FOR RELIEF ARE NOW BEING QUICKLY PROCESSED AND PAYMENTS, AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $200 000, ARE EXPECTED TO BE PAID IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
/2......
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1980
2
NEW WATER AGREEMENT WITH GUANGDONG
* * * * ft ft
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD LEFT FOR GUANGZHOU TODAY TO SIGN A NEW WATER AGREEMENT WITH THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL AUTHORITIES.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, W WILLIAM TUCKER AND OTHER OFFICIALS.
THE AGREEMENT FOLLOWS THE WITH THE WATER CONSERVANCY AND
TALKS IN GUANGZHOU LAST DECEMBER ELECTRIC POWER BUREAU OF GUANGDONG.
MR MCDONALD AND MR TUCKER ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG LATER THIS WEEK.
-------o - - - -
TWELVE LEGCO QUESTIONS TOMORROW ft ft ft ft ft
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL RAISE 12 QUESTIONS ON VARIOUS MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE HON WONG LAM WILL ASK FOR THE NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT.ON DRAINAGE INSTALLATIONS AND THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES BEING TAKEN AGAINST FLOODING FROM HEAVY RAINS.
THE HON ALEX WU WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT WHAT RESPONSE HAS BEEN OR WILL BE MADE TO BRITISH CALEDONIAN AIRWAYS’ REPRESENTATIONS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE IN CONNECTION WITH THE LONDON/HONG KONG AIR ROUTE APPEAL.
THE HON FRANCIS TIEN WILL’WANT TO KNOW WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S TRADING INTERESTS ARE FULLY PROTECTED IN THE RENEWAL OF THE WA.
ON HONG KONG’S FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, THE HON WONG PO-YAN WILL ASK FOR A GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT.
OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED CONCERN STATISTICS ON THE DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS BY POLICE OFFICERS, EXISTING LETTER B LAND EXCHANGE COMMITMENT, MEASURES TAKEN TO IMPROVE SLOPE STABILITY, PROGRESS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT REGIONALISATION SCHEME AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DENTAL HEALTH SERVICE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THERE WILL ALSO. BE QUESTIONS ON THE ADEQUACY OF MARRIAGE REGISTRIES, THE ONE-YEAR TEACHER TRAINING COURSE, AND THE SETTING UP OF A ROAD SAFETY/ACCIDENT RESEARCH UNIT WITHIN THE PWD HIGHWAY OFFICE.
/THE SECRETARY .....
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 198O
THE SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION, THE HON DAVID FORD WILL MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE SEVENTH REPORT OF THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD TO BE TABLED TOMORROW.
THE HON ROGER LOBO WILL SPEAK ON THE ANNUAL REPORT BY THE ICAC COMMISSIONER FOR 1979.
TWO BILLS, THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AND
THE FIRE INVESTIGATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATE ON THE PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WILL RESUME.
- - 0 -
FUNDS BEING SOUGHT FOR TAI PO SPORTS CENTRE ft ft ft ft ft ft
A COMMITTEE IS BEING SET UP IN TAI PO TO RAISE FUNDS FOR A LOCAL INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE COSTING $12 MILLION.
THE PROJECT ALREADY HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, WHICH IS TO DONATE $4 MILLION, AND THERE IS A PRIVATE DONATION OF $3 MILLION. A FURTHER $150 000 HAS BEEN DONATED BY HONG LOK YUEN ESTATES LTD TO MARK THE OPENING OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT AT TAI PO RECENTLY.
THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION LTD, A NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATION ESTABLISHED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE AND FOSTER SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, IS UNDERTAKING THE PROJECT. THE ASSOCIATION’S HONORARY PATRON IS SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES.
THE CENTRE WILL BE BUILT ON A 2 500-SQUARE-METRE SITE WHICH GOVERNMENT IS NOW CONSIDERING GRANTING TO THE ASSOCIATION BY PRIVATE TREATY. IT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FUTURE CENTRE OF TAI PO NEW TOWN WHERE 220 000 PEOPLE WILL EVENTUALLY BE LIVING.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE CENTRE WILL START AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE CENTRE WILL HAVE THREE STOREYS WITH A BOWLING ALLEY AND RESTAURANT ON THE GROUND FLOOR, AND AN OFFICE, A CONFERENCE ROOM, A RECREATIONAL ROOM AND A DANCE STUDIO ON THE MIDDLE FLOOR. A SPORT HALL WILL BE BUILT ON THE TOP FLOOR WHICH CAN BE USED AS EITHER A BASKETBALL COURT, TWO VOLLEY BALL COURTS OR NINE BADMINTON COURTS. A SPECTATOR STAND WILL BE PROVIDED.
OTHER ACTIVITIES PROVIDED AT THE CENTRE WILL INCLUDE TENNIS, GYMNASTICS AND FENCING.
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1980
4
REGISTER OPENS FOR AIDED SCHOOL SURPLUS TEACHERS
*****
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL START TO REGISTER SOME 480 SURPLUS TEACHERS FROM AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS FROM THURSDAY (MAY 15).
THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE SERVICE, M? CHAN YAM-PANG SAID TODAY THE TEACHERS HAD BEEN NOTIFIED IN WRITING THAT THEY SHOULD REGISTER BY 4.30 PM ON MAY 27.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT ABOUT 300 TEACHING VACANCIES WILL ARISE IN SEPTEMBER RESULTING FROM RETIREMENT AND RESIGNATION.
+THESE, TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER 200 VACANCIES FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF NEW ORDINARY AND SPECIAL CLASSES, WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE SURPLUS TEACHERS IN SEPTEMBER,* MR CHAN SAID.
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE IS ON THE 5TH FLOOR OF THE
MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON.
FOR ENQUIRIES, TEACHERS CAN CONTACT MR Y.P. CHAN (TEL. NO. 3-017187), MR S.K. LUK (3-038135), MR K.C. NG (3-038004), OR W M.T. CHAN (3-038584).
COMBINED EFFORTS IN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S EASTERN AND WANCHAI DISTRICT OFFICE HAS JOINED FORCES WITH LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE PROMOTION OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
THEY HAVE SET UP A FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MRS HENRIETTA CHEN, TO FURTHER EXPLORE SOCIAL NEEDS IN THE DISTRICT AND TO PLAN APPROPRIATE SERVICES.
MRS CHEN TODAY STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IN PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING AND STRENGTHENING UNITY IN THE FAMILY, PARTICULARLY IN THESE DAYS OF RAPID SOCIAL CHANGES ARISING rROM INDUSTRIALISATION AND MODERNISATION.
SHE SAID THESE CHANGES, TOGETHER WITH POPULATION GROWTH, HAD GREAT IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE.
+THE TRADITIONAL BIG FAMILY SYSTEM IS GIVING WAY GRADUALLY TO THE CONCEPT OF SMALL NUCLEUS FAMILY, WHICH INEVITABLY CHANGES THE MODE OF LIFE OF MANY PEOPLE,* SHE SAID.
/IN RECENT ..
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1980
5
IN RECENT YEARS, SHE ADDED, THE GOVERNMENT HAS EMBARKED ON COMMUNITY-WIDE PROGRAMMES TO FOSTER HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIPS AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS AND TO FORESTALL FAMILY BREAKDOWNS.
MRS CHEN SAID THAT WITH THE FULL COOPERATION OF THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES OPERATING IN THE DISTRICT, A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN WORKED OUT FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
THESE ACTIVITIES, TO BE HELD THIS MONTH AND IN JUNE, INCLUDE WEEKLY SEMINARS ON THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF OLD PEOPLE, FAMILY VARIETY SHOWS, DISPLAYS ILLUSTRATING THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN, AND YOUTH CAMPS AIMED AT EDUCATING THE PARTICIPANTS ON HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS.
-----0-----
CONTRACT FOR WATER PROJECT SIGNED
* * * * ft
WATER SUPPLY TO EXISTING INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS AND FUTURE MAJOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN TSUEN WAN WEST WILL BE IMPROVED.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL LAY A NEW 2 800-METRE MAIN WITH A DIAMETER OF 300 MM BETWEEN CHAI WAN KOK AND YAU KOM TAU.
A CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT, COSTING $2.2 MILLION, WAS SIGNED TODAY BETWEEN MR LEE GUN-CHEUNG, CHIEF ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION) OF THE DEPARTMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SANG LEE CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START NEXT WEEK AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
ON COMPLETION, MR LEE SAID, WATER SUPPLIES TO TING KAU WHERE LOW WATER PRESSURE WAS EXPERIENCED DURING PERIODS OF PEAK DEMAND, WOULD BE IMPROVED.
/6
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1980
6
TEACHERS MEET TO DISCUSS TECHNICAL COURSES
*****
MORE THAN 70 CAREERS TEACHERS WILL BE ATTENDING A DISCUSSION SESSION ON THURSDAY (MAY 15) TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH COURSES OFFERED AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
THIS KNOWLEDGE WILL HELP THEM IN GIVING COUNSEL TO STUDENTS.
THE EVENT, ORGANISED BY THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION DIVISION AND THE CAREERS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN CHEUNG SHA WAN.
♦CAREERS TEACHERS AND STAFF OF THE INSTITUTES AND THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE CAN ALSO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS ANY PROBLEM THEY WISH TO RAISE.+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DIVISION SAID.
GROUP DISCUSSIONS WILL MAINLY CENTRE ON THE VARIOUS DISCIPLINES, INCLUDING ENGINEERING, TEXTILE AND CLOTHING, COMMERCE AND DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, HOTEL AND OTHER SERVICES, AND TECHNICAL TEACHER TRAINING.
STAFF FROM THE INSTITUTES AND THE COLLEGE WILL LEAD THE DISCUSSIONS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A SLIDE SHOW ON THE COURSES AVAILABLE, AND A PLENARY SESSION IN WHICH MR I.T. TSANG, SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION DIVISION, WILL ANSWER QUERIES FROM PARTICIPANTS AND SUM UP THE SESSION.
-----o------
TRADE DISPUTES SETTLED-LAST MONTH
*****
THE LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HELPED SETTLE A TOTAL OF 15 TRADE DISPUTES AND 1 101 CLAIMS LAST MONTH.
IN MARCH THE NUMBER OF DISPUTES AND CLAIMS SUCCESSFULLY DEALT WITH BY THE DIVISION WAS 13 AND 1 078 RESPECTIVELY.
LAST MONTH’S DISPUTES AFFECTED A TOTAL OF 1 786 WORKERS, MOSTLY IN ELECTRONICS, PLASTICS, COTTON TEXTILES, WOOLLEN KNITTING AND SPINNING, GARMENTS, METAL AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES, AND RESTAURANTS.
A BREAKDOWN OF CAUSES OF THE DISPUTES SHOWS THAT MOST CONCERNED PAYMENT OF WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE AND SEVERANCE PAY. OTHERS INVOLVED WAGE ARREARS, ANNUAL BONUSES, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER MATTERS.
OF THE CLAIMS, 765 INVOLVED SUMS OF MONEY UP TO $2 000, 204 BETWEEN >2 001 AND $5 000 AND 132 ABOVE 15 000.
-----o------
TUESDAY, MAY 13, I960
7
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DISABLED SPORTSMEN REPRESENT HK OVERSEAS *****
HONG KONG IS SENDING A TEAM OF EIGHT DISABLED SPORTSMEN AND SKILLED COMPETITORS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OITA GAMES AND SKILL CONTEST IN JAPAN FROM MAY 15 TO 20.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, WILL PRESENT THE HONG KONG FLAG TO THE TEAM LEADER, DR HARRY S.Y. FANG, PRESIDENT OF THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.
THE FLAG PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 9 AM ON THURSDAY (MAY 15), PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE OF THE TEAM, IN FRONT CF THE CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS’ CHECK-IN COUNTER AT KAI TAK AIRPORT.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FLAG PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
-------0 - - - -
URBAN CLEARWAY NEAR ADMIRALTY EXTENDED
*****
THE URBAN CLEARWAY ON QUEENSWAY WILL BE EXTENDED ONTO TWO SUBSIDIARY ROADS NEAR MTR ADMIRALTY STATION FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 16).
THEY ARE THE EASTERN ACCESS ROAD FROM QUEENSWAY TO THE ADMIRALTY STATION (EAST) BUS TERMINUS, AND A 20 METRE SECTION OF THE SLIP ROAD NORTH OF THE UNITED CENTRE.
ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE AUTHORIZED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, ARE NOT ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR TO LOAD OR UNLOAD GOODS WITHIN THIS 24 HOUR RESTRICTION ZONE.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO INDICATE THE EXACT BOUNDARIES CF THE ZONE.
- - 0
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1980
8
WATER CUT IN KOWLOON CITY *****
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE H°URS FR0M MIDNIeHT T0 6 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 16) run A LEAKAGE TtST.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET, LA SALLE ROAD AND
BY JUNCTION ROAD, GRAMPIAN NGA TSIN WAI ROAD.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG: TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, haY 14, 1980 edte'TS PaGE no.
RECCUEKDATIOKS FOR BETTER TV VIEWING .......................... 1
ICnC HaD BUSY AND SUCCESSFUL YEAR ............................. 4
CLEAR LEGISLATION NEEDED GN EriTERr.iINLEilT PLACES ........... 4
CORRECT. APPRAISAL OF- JORLD CONDITIONS -Aliz.D FOR.......
MFA NEGOTIATIONS .............................................. 6
EXTORT CREDIT CONTINGENT LIABILITY INCREASED .................. 7
VISIBLE TRADE "GaP" STANDS AT 18 PER CENT ..................... 8
15 MILLION SQ FEET OWED IN LAND EXCHANGE....................... 8
ROaD SAFETY TO RECEIVE SPECIALIST ATTEi-ITIC;' ................ 9
STATISTICS CN POLICE FIREARMS USAGE............................ 10
PREVENTIVE TORE CARRIED OUT CN SLOPES ......................... 11
FULL ALERT TO BLOCKED DRAINS .................................. 11
/CHANNEL FOR ...
I
CHANNEL FDR COM ENT IK AIR ROUTE APPEAL............................ 12
SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO B„ BUILT TO HIGHEST liMTEiu'.iTICC.iL
STaND-iRDS 1^
RENEWED WnRNIi'G OK CONFINED SPACES ............................... 15
PRESS CONFERENCE ON HK IN LOKDOi; FESTIVAL......................... 16
PROPOSAL TO RAISE CEILING OF T.-DC-FREE INTEREST .................. 17
REGIONALISATION OF SSID WORKS WELL ................................ 17
981 ONE-YEAR-TRAINED TEACHERS IN GCVT U1PL0Y ...................... 18
BETTER DENT..L HEALTH CARE FOR NT RESIDENTS ....................... 18
. . ........ j
POWER TO RELEASE PRE!.ISES HELD UNDER FIRE INVESTIGATION REDEFINED ......................................................... 19
TRANSFER OF LICENSING AUTHORITY ................................... 20
LORE WEDDING FACILITIES UNDER PLANNING ............................ 20
ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR VISITS PWD WORK SITES ............ 21
VICTORIA BARRACKS RECREATION AREA STUDY ........................... 21
COURTESY C.iL GN HOi-iE AFFAIRS DIRECTOR........................... 22
SWIMTING LESSONS FOR 12 000 PUPILS ................................ 22
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SC KOH PO................................... 23
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
1
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BETTER TV VIEWING
M M M K M M
THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD HAS MADE RECOMMENDATIONS AIMED AT RAISING THE STANDARD, QUALITY AND CONTROL OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG, SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION, THE HON DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
PRESENTING THE SEVENTH REPORT OF THE BOARD FOR THE PERIOD JJLY 1978 TO DECEMBER 1979, MR FORD POINTED OUT THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FELL MAINLY IN TWO AREASi
M THOSE RELATED TO DEFICIENCIES AND PROBLEM AREAS IN TELEVISION PROGRAMMING WHICH COULD BE REMEDIED BY AMENDMENTS TO THE CODES OF PRACTICE, AND
M THOSE CONCERNED WITH THE SHAREHOLDINGS OF THE COMPANIES AND CONDITIONS OF LICENCES, WHICH IF APPROVED, WOULD REQUIRE AMENDMENTS TO THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE ITSELF.
ON PROGRAMME STANDARDS, MR FORD SAID THAT AS INDICATED BY A RECENT SURVEY, THERE WAS SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE AND THE USE OF BAD LANGUAGE ON TELEVISION.
CONTROLS ALREADY EXIST UNDER THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE AND IN THE CODES OF PRACTICE WHICH ENABLE THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY TO ACT AS A WATCHDOG ON ANY BREACHES OF PROGRAMME STANDARDS, HE POINTED OUT.
BUT, HE SAID, THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD TOOK THE VIEW THAT A MORE DETERMINED EFFORT WAS NEEDED ON THE PART OF THE LICENSEES TO CONTROL THEIR OWN PROGRAMMES.
IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, HE SAID, TO WRITE INTO THE CODES OF PRACTICE GUIDELINES GOVERNING EVERY SITUATION.
+IN ANY CASE A COMPANY LICENSED TO BROADCAST TELEVISION PROGRAMMES HAS A CLEAR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT HIGH STANDARDS ARE MAINTAINED AND IN RECOGNITION OF THIS THE BOARD RECOMMENDED THAT THE STATIONS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO LAY DOWN GUIDELINES FOR THEIR OWN STAFF SPELLING OUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PUBLIC,* MR FORD SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IN CASES WHERE, IN SPITE OF THIS, COMPANIES CONTINUE TO BREACH STANDARDS THE BOARD HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE GREATER READINESS ON GOVERNMENT’S PART TO IMPOSE FINANCIAL PENALTIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
/OTHEB RECOMMENDATIONS ..
WEDNESDAY, KAY 1A, 198c
2
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE BOARD ON PROGRAMME SCHEDULING WERE:
* AT LEAST 1-1/2 HOURS OF CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES DAILY AND AT LEAST AN HOUR OF THESE BETWEEN 4 PM AND 6.30 PM, AND
* ESTABLISHING FAMILY VIEWING HOURS AS BETWEEN 4 PM AND 8.30 PM, DURING WHICH TIME ANY MATERIAL POSITIVELY UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE BROADCAST.
FURTHERMORE, ALTHOUGH BY AND LARGE THE BOARD WAS SATISFIED WITH BOTH THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF THE NEWS PROGRAMMES PRODUCED BY THE TWO STATIONS, IT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A TENDENCY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS TO SCHEDULE NEWS PROGRAMMES AT TIMES OUTSIDE THE PEAK VIEWING HOURS.
+THE BOARD HAS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT AT LEAST TWO NEWS BULLETINS MUST BE SCHEDULED BETWEEN 6 PM AND 12 MIDNIGHT AND THAT NOT MORE THAN 3-1/2 HOURS SHOULD LAPSE BETWEEN THE BEGINNING OF ONE NEWS PROGRAMME AND THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEXT.
+THEY HAVE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS CF NEWS TOPICS SHOULD BE KEPT SEPARATE AND CLEARLY DISTINGUISHABLE FROM NEWS BROADCASTS,* MR FORD SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE CERTAINLY SHORTFALLS IN QUALITY AND QUANTITY TERMS IN THE AREAS OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES, CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES, EDUCATIONAL AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES.
TURNING AGAIN TO THE SURVEY OF TELEVISION VIEWING, HE SAID THERE WAS A CLEAR INDICATION OF A DEMAND FOR MORE DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMMES WHICH BOTH INFORM AND ENTERTAIN.
+THE TREMENDOUS POPULARITY OF RTHK PROGRAMMES IS A CLEAR ENDORSEMENT OF THIS,* HE SAID.
MR FORD SAID THE ARGUMENT OFTEN PRODUCED BY THE TELEVISION STATIONS THAT PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES HAVE A LOW AUDIENCE RATING COULD NOT BE NECESSARILY SUSTAINED +UNTIL AND UNLESS THE COMPANIES ARE PREPARED TO PUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF EFFORT AND MONEY INTO THE PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES AS THEY DO INTO ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES.*
+IT IS HARDLY SURPRISING THAT IF THE VIEWERS CAN ONLY COMPARE CUT-RATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES WITH LAVISHLY PRODUCED ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES THEY WILL GO ON PREFERRING THE LATTER,* M? FORD ADDED.
/IN
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1^, 1980
3
IN THE MATTER OF SHAREHOLDINGS, THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD HAD CONCLUDED THAT SOME CHANGES WERE NECESSARY.
+UNDER SECTION 11 OF THE ORDINANCE THERE IS REQUIREMENT ON THE LICENCES TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC NOT LESS THAN 25 PER CENT OF THEIR VOTING SHARES WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD,* MR FORD SAID.
THIS OBLIGATION, HE ADDED, HAD ALREADY BEEN POSTPONED BY THE GOVERNMENT UNTIL DECEMBER 1980 BECAUSE IT WAS FELT THAT IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE BEST PUBLIC INTERESTS TO REQUIRE THE COMPANIES TO FLOAT THEIR SHARES.
+AS ONE NEWSPAPER COMMENTED THIS MORNING, A TELEVISION LICENCE IS NO LONGER A PERMIT TO PRINT MONEY,* HE POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THE BOARD HAD NOTED THAT FROM INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS IT HAD APPEARED THAT TOTAL REVENUES FROM TELEVISION ADVERTISING WERE, ON THE MOST OPTIMISTIC CALCULATIONS, ONLY MARGINALLY GREATER THAN THE COMBINED OPERATIONAL COSTS OF BOTH STATIONS.
IT WAS THE BOARD’S VIEW THAT IT WAS UNABLE TO LOOK FORWARD TO ANY IMPROVEMENT IN THIS SITUATION, MR FORD SAID.
+THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THEREFORE THAT THE OBLIGATION WHICH REQUIRES THE COMPANIES TO FLOAT THEIR SHARES BE REMOVED BUT THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO RETAIN THE RIGHT TO GO PUBLIC IF THEY WISH TO DO SO.*
HE SAID THE TWO LICENSEES WERE GENERALLY IN AGREEMENT WITH AND ACCEPT THE BOARD’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
MR FORD SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO THE BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING MEASURES TO AMEND THE CONDITIONS OF LICENCES UNDER SECTION 10 OF THE ORDINANCE TO CONTROL THE APPOINTMENT OF PERSONS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS TO IMPORTANT MANAGERIAL POSITIONS WITH THE STATIONS AND TO STREAMLINE THE APPEALS PROCEDURE IN RESPECT OF PROGRAMME STANDARDS.
♦WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THESE PROPOSALS ARE BEING EXAMINED AND WILL BE OUTLINED IN MORE DETAIL WHEN THE AMENDMENTS ARE INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL LATER IN THE YEAR,* HE SAID.
EARLIER, MR FORD SAID THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RECOMMENDATION BY THE BOARD WAS THAT THE LICENCES HELD BY HONG KONG TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD (TVB) AND REDIFFUSION TELEVISION LTD (RTV) SHOULD BE RENEWED WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 31, 1980, FOR A FURTHER EIGHT YEARS, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
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A
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, I960
4
4
ICAC HAD BUSY AND SUCCESSFUL YEAR
*****
THE HON ROGER LOBO TODAY CALLED ON EVERYONE WITH THE GOOD OF HONG KONG AT HEART TO PLAY HIS PART IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION.
HE MADE THIS CALL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHILE COMMENTING ON THE ANNUAL REPORT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION FOR 1979 WHICH WAS TABLED AT THE COUNCIL.
MR LOBO SAID THAT THE PAST YEAR HAD BEEN A BUSY AND SUCCESSFUL ONE FOR ICAC WITHOUT ANY MAJOR SETBACKS. THERE HAD BEEN INCREASED ACTIVITIES IN ALL THREE DEPARTMENTS OF THE COMMISSION.
♦HOWEVER, WHILE THE STAFF OF THE COMMISSION SHOULD BE CONGRATULATED FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION, THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION CANNOT BE WON WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF PRIVATE CITIZENS,* HE POINTED OUT.
HE HIGHLIGHTED THE COMMISSIONER’S INDEBTEDNESS TO THE ICAC’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR THEIR GUIDANCE TO THE COMMISSION.
HE ALSO PAID SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO SIR Y.K. KAN WHO RETIRED IN MARCH THIS YEAR, AFTER HAVING SERVED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND LATER THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CORRUPTION.
+1 HAVE NO DOUBT SIR Y.K. KAN WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE A CLOSE INTEREST IN THE COMMISSION’S ACTIVITIES IN HIS OTHER CAPACITIES,* MR LOBO SAID.
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CLEAR LEGISLATION NEEDED ON ENTERTAINMENT PLACES
******
THE HON ALEX WU TODAY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE A CLEAR VIEW OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE AREA OF ENTERTAINMENT AS IT AFFECTS SAFETY, HEALTH, THE ENVIRONMENT, BEHAVIOUR AND LAW AND ORDER, AND TO FRAME LEGISLATION WHICH MEETS MODERN CONDITIONS.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR WU SAID THE RELATIVELY SMALL AMENDMENT PROPOSED, TO REGULARISE THE PROCEDURES FOR PERMITTING CINEMAS ABOVE GROUND IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS. GAVE THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AN OCCASION TO LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION AS A WHOLE.
HE SAID THE EXISTING LEGISLATION WAS +UNTIDY AND OUT-OF-DATE ON MANY THINGS BESIDES CINEMAS*.
+THE MAIN FAULT IS ITS COMPLEXITY AND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROCEDURES WHICH ARISE FROM IT.
AIT IS ...
WEDNESDAY, KAY 1A, I90C
5
+IT IS INTERESTING THAT THIS WAS PRECISELY THE COMPLAINT MADE BY AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER IN 1919 WHEN THE ORDINANCE WAS FIRST INTRODUCED AS CONSOLIDATING LEGISLATION,* HE SAID.
MR WU NOTED THAT THE PRESENT PROCEDURES WERE +MORE CUMBERSOME BEWILDERING AND FRUSTRATING*.
THERE IS A DIVERSITY OF AUTHORITY WHICH IS UNDESIRABLE IN ITSELF AND THERE ARE NEW FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT WHICH DO NOT NECESSARILY FALL COMFORTABLY INTO THE PROVISIONS OF AN ORDINANCE WHICH WAS OUT-OF-DATE WHEN IT WAS ENACTED 60 YEARS AGO, HE SAID.
+PERHAPS THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS LEGISLATION REPRESENTS THE WRONG APPROACH TO THE CONTROL OF ENTERTAINMENT,* HE ADDED.
MR WU SAID WHAT THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION MISSED ALTOGETHER WAS THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ACTIVITIES WHICH THE TERM COVERED.
♦IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DEAL PROPERLY WITH THE SOCIAL IMPACT WHEN THE STARTING POINT IS LEGISLATION LAYING DOWN THE HEIGHT OF THE PIT AND THE STALL ABOVE STREET LEVEL AND THE NUMBER OF TIERS OF SEATS.
+IT IS VERY UNSATISFACTORY THAT WE HAVE HAD TO GRAFT ON, AGAIN, TO LEGISLATION OF THIS TYPE OUR ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONTROLLING THE CONTENT OF ENTERTAINMENT.
+1 KNOW THIS IS A CONTENTIOUS SUBJECT BUT I DO NOT THINK ANYONE BELIEVES THERE SHOULD BE NO CONCERN AT ALL FOR THE CONTENT OF WHAT MAY BE OFFERED AS PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT,* HE ADDED.
HE WELCOMED THE NEWS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING FURTHER LEGISLATION AND HOPED THAT IT WOULD BE BASED ON THE APPROACH HE PROPOSED.
IN REPLY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS WERE IN MANY RESPECTS OBSOLETE, THEY WERE WORKABLE.
HE PROMISED HOWEVER THAT A SERIOUS EXAMINATION WOULD BE MADE CF THE WHOLE LEGISLATION AS IT AFFECTS CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED SAFETY MATTERS.
IT WOULD BE MADE AFTER A STUDY NOW BEING CONDUCTED ON FIRE SAFETY IN BUILDINGS HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND IN THE LIGHT OF AMENDMENTS TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WHICH ARE ALSO UNDER CONSIDERATION, HE ADDED.
AS REGARDS LICENSING AND WHAT MR WU TERMED +THE SOCIAL IMPACT CF ENTERTAINMENT*, MR JONES SAID THESE HAD BEEN STUDIED BY A WORKING PARTY UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING WHICH HAD MADE CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS.
THESE ARE NOW BEING CONSIDERED WITH A VIEW TO DRAWING UP NEW LEGISLATION MORE SUITED TO PRESENT DAY CONDITIONS, HE SAID.
THE PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 LATER PASSED ITS THIRD READING.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
6
CORRECT APPRAISAL OF WORLD CONDITIONS AIMED FOR MFA NEGOTIATIONS *****
WHEN THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT NEGOTIATIONS ARE EVENTUALLY HELD, IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM TO ENSURE THAT THEY WILL BE BASED ON A FACTUAL AND COMPLETE APPRAISAL OF WORLD CONDITIONS IN THE TEXTILE AND GARMENT TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, THE HON BILL DORWARD, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FRANCIS TIEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR DORWARD SAID THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH WERE HELD TO JUSTIFY PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENTS COULD NOT BE ASSUMED TO BE AUTOMATICALLY VALID THIS YEAR.
+NOR CAN AN EXTENDED MFA, IN ANY FORM, BE JUSTIFIED BY PROBLEMS FACED BY INDUSTRIES IN THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, SUCH AS UNEVEN GROWTH IN TRADE BETWEEN EEC COUNTRIES AND ASSOCIATES OR UNEMPLOYMENT CAUSED BY IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY, WHICH ARE NOT OF A NATURE THE MFA WAS DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE,* HE SAID.
♦WE SHALL BE SEEKING, THROUGH OUR REGULAR CONTACTS WITH DEVELOPING AND DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, TO GAIN SUPPORT FOR THIS APPROACH DURING THE COMING MONTHS,* MR DORWARD STRESSED.
THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT, UNDER WHICH HONG KONG’S CURRENT BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENTS ARE NEGOTIATED, DOES NOT EXPIRE UNTIL THE END OF 1981.
MR DORWARD SAID IT WAS TOO EARLY TO SAY HOW WE WOULD SEEK TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S TRADING INTERESTS THROUGHOUT THE RENEGOTIATION PROCESS.
HE SAID IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO SEE WHAT WAS BEING SOUGHT BY THOSE SEEKING CONTINUED SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR THEIR TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES BEYOND THE 20 YEARS OF SUCH PROTECTION WHICH THEY WOULD BY THEN ALREADY HAVE ENJOYED.
+IT WILL, HOWEVER, BE THE SUBJECT OF A MAJOR REVIEW IN THE AUTUMN OF THIS YEAR,* MR DORWARD SAID, +FOLLOWING WHICH THE PARTICIPANTS WILL MEET IN GENEVA AROUND THE END OF 1980 TO CONSIDER, IN THE WORDS OF THE ARRANGEMENT, WHETHER IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED, MODIFIED OR DISCONTINUED.*
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/7
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
7
EXPORT CREDIT CONTINGENT LIABILITY INCREASED
******
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM CONTINGENT LIABILITY OF THE EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION FROM 32 000 MILLION TO 32 500 MILLION.
ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID THE CORPORATION’S ADVISORY BOARD HAD UNANIMOUSLY ADVISED MAKING THE INCREASE AS THE EXISTING STATUTORY LIMIT MIGHT BE REACHED SHORTLY.
♦FAILURE TO RAISE THE LIMIT WOULD RESULT IN THE CORPORATION HAVING TO TURN AWAY FURTHER BUSINESS,♦ HE SAID.
MR JEAFFRESON EXPLAINED THAT THIS MAXIMUM LIABILITY WAS A THEORETICAL AMOUNT AND WOULD NEVER LIKELY TO BE AT RISK AT ONE TIME.
♦THE CORPORATION ESTIMATES THE ACTUAL AMOUNT PRESENTLY AT RISK AT ANY ONE TIME AT 3950 MILLION,+ HE SAID.
SINCE THE COUNCIL HAD AGREED TO AN INCREASE FROM 31 750
MILLION TO 32 000 MILLION THREE YEARS AGO, HE SAID, THE CORPORATION’S LIABILITY UNDER CONTRACTS OF INSURANCE HAD RISEN BY 3441 MILLION AND AT THE END OF LAST MONTH (APRIL) STOOD AT 31 934 MILLION.
♦THE CORPORATION NOW SERVICES 1 102 POLICIES AND PROTECTS EXPORTS ON CREDIT TERMS TO VIRTUALLY ALL HONG KONG’S MARKETS. THE EXPORTS INSURED BY THE CORPORATION AMOUNT TO APPROXIMATELY S3 530 MILLION IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR,+ HE SAID.
MR JEAFFRESON ADDED THAT INCREASES IN THE CONTINGENT LIABILITIES THE CORPORATION WAS ASSUMING WERE BROUGHT ABOUT BOTH EY THE CORPORATION ISSUING NEW POLICIES AND BY INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF INSURABLE BUSINESSES CARRIED OUT BY EXISTING POLICY HOLDERS.
AT PRESENT, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES ARE INCREASING AT THE RATE OF ABOUT 340 TO 350 MILLION EACH QUARTER.
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/8
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
8
VISIBLE TRADE +GAP+ STANDS AT 18 PER CENT *****
THE VISIBLE TRADE +GAP+ AT 18 PER CENT FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WAS THE SAME AS THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR DESPITE AN INCREASING TRADE DEFICIT, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON WONG PO-YAN, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF A RAPID OVERALL EXPANSION IN THE VOLUME AND VALUE OF EXTERNAL TRADE, THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT IN THE FIRST QUARTER AT $4 468 MILLION WAS LARGER THAN THAT IN LAST YEAR’S FIRST QUARTER ($3 236 MILLION).
BUT HE STRESSED THAT THE EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON THE VISIBLE TRADE +GAP+ RATHER THAN THE ABSOLUTE SIZE OF THE DEFICIT.
MR JEAFFRESON POINTED OUT THAT THE VISIBLE TRADE +GAP+ REFERRED TO THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY RECEIPTS FROM TOTAL EXPORTS.
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15 MILLION SQ FEET OWED IN LAND EXCHANGE ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING MORE THAN 15 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF BUILDING LAND TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON DAVID AKERS-JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR AKERS-JONES WAS ASKED BY THE HON CHARLES VEUNG TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S LIABILITY AND WHAT PROGRESS IT WAS MAKING TO MEET THE COMMITMENT.
HE SAID THE POSITION AT DECEMBER 31, 1978, WAS THAT COMMITMENTS IN TERMS OF PROVIDING BUILDING LAND TO MEET EXCHANGE COMMITMENTS AMOUNTED TO 14 774 846 SQUARE FEET AND AT DECEMBER 31, 1979, IT WAS 15 065 411 SQUARE FEET.
IN THIS PERIOD A TOTAL OF 36 SITES AMOUNTING TO 795 880.61 SQUARE FEET WERE SOLD BY WAY OF THE LETTER B TENDER SYSTEM.
THIS INDICATED THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAND WAS RESUMED FOR CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT WHICH GAVE RISE TO AN INCREASED COMMITMENT EQUIVALENT TO 1 086 445.6 SQUARE FEET OF BUILDING LAND.
+THESE FIGURES DO NOT REVEAL THE COMPLETE PICTURE! OUR FORECAST OF LAND PRODUCTION AND THUS OF LAND SALES INDICATE THAT THE -A IT I NG PERIOD, THAT IS THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE ISSUE OF A LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT AND THE TIME WHEN GOVERNMENT MEETS THAT COMMITMENT, SHOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED BY THE END OF 1982, ASSUMING THAT ALL THE LAND THAT WE PLACE ON OFFER BY TENDER IS TAKEN UP,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
9
♦ IN THIS LATTER CONNECTION, I HAVE NOTICED RECENTLY THAT NO TENDERS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FOR SOME OF OUR SITES WITH LOWER PLOT RATIOS.
+YET, ON CURRENT LETTER B PRICES, WHICH I UNDERSTAND HAVE FALLEN BY SOME 30 PER CENT SINCE DECEMBER LAST, THESE SITES, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT, WOULD HAVE REPRESENTED AN ATTRACTIVE PROPOSITION TO HOLDERS OF EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS.+
HE COULD ONLY ASSUME THAT THESE HOLDERS WERE HANGING BACK IN ANTICIPATION OF BETTER THINGS TO COME, BUT IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT NOT EVERYONE COULD BE SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING PRIME SITES IN TOWN CENTRES.
♦ IF LESS DESIRABLE SITES CONTINUE TO RECEIVE NO BIDS IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO RECONSIDER OUR PRESENT METHOD OF DISPOSING OF THESE SITES BY WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE VINTAGE TENDER SYSTEM,+ HE SAID.
♦ BUT MEANWHILE I MUST ADVISE EVEN THE HOLDERS OF MORE RECENTLY ISSUED ENTITLEMENTS TO APPLY FOR LAND WHEN IT IS OFFERED.+
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ROAD SAFETY TO RECEIVE SPECIALIST ATTENTION * * * *
A NEW ROAD SAFETY DIVISION IS EXPECTED TO BE SET UP IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE LATER THIS YEAR, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON JACK STEAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT, HE SAID THAT APPROVAL WAS EXPECTED TO BE GIVEN SHORTLY FOR THE CREATION OF POSTS FOR THE NEW DIVISION AND IT WAS HOPED THAT THE DIVISION WOULD BE STAFFED BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
HE SAIDi +THE PROPOSED UNIT, WHICH WILL CONSIST OF A SMALL GROUP OF SPECIALISTS HEADED BY A ROAD SAFETY EXPERT SECONDED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT, WILL COMPRISE AN ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY SECTION AND AN INVESTIGATION AND REMEDIES SECTION.
♦THE ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY SECTION WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANALYSIS OF THE COMPUTER-BASED TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS AND THE FORMULATION OF GENERAL STRATEGY IN IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY.
♦THE OTHER SECTION WILL BE CONCERNED ESSENTIALLY WITH THE MORE IMMEDIATE LOCAL ACCIDENT PROBLEMS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING REMEDIAL MEASURES.+
INITIALLY, MR STEAN ADDED, THE MAIN PREOCCUPATION OF THE ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY SECTION WOULD BE THE SETTING UP OF AN ACCIDENT STATISTICS SYSTEM, REVIEWING THE PRESENT DATA COLLECTION ARRANGEMENTS AND DEVELOPING COMPUTER PROGRAMMES FOR DATA ANALYSIS.
/+UNDEB THE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
10
+UNDER THE DIRECTION OF AND REMEDIES SECTION WILL BE INITIAL MONTHS IN DEVELOPING
THE DIVISION HEAD, THE INVESTIGATION ABLE TO MAKE RAPID PROGRESS IN THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS TO THE
PROBLEM OF ACCIDENT BLACK SPOTS,+ HE SAID
+THE UNIT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER AND ITS WORK WILL BE GUIDED AND MONITORED BY AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL STEERING COMMITTEE.*
MR STEAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE APPLICATION OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES TO THE PROBLEM OF ROAD ACCIDENTS HAD BEEN AN ON-GOING TASK OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE SINCE THE 196O’S BUT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROPOSED ROAD SAFETY DIVISION WOULD MEAN AN UPGRADING AND CONCENTRATION OF THIS EFFORT TO COMBAT AN INCREASING PROBLEM.
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STATISTICS ON POLICE FIREARMS USAGE
*****
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 1977 POLICE OFFICERS HAVE DISCHARGED FIREARMS ON 114 OCCASIONS IN THE COURSE OF PREVENTING THE COMMISSION OF SERIOUS CRIME OR IN ATTEMPTING TO APPREHEND VIOLENT CRIMINALS.
ON 78 OF THESE OCCASIONS ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE AS A DIRECT RESULT OF OPENING FIRE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON S.L. CHEN, MR DAVIES SAID FIREARMS HAD BEEN DISCHARGED ON A FURTHER 34 OCCASIONS IN WHICH THE PUBLIC WERE NOT INVOLVED.
♦THESE COMPRISE SUICIDE CASES, HUMANE DISPOSAL OF ANIMALS AND ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE,* HE EXPLAINED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
11
PREVENTIVE WORK CARRIED OUT ON SLOPES * * * *
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON JACK STEAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT PREVENTIVE WORKS HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON OVER 100 MAJOR FILL SLOPES.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON S.L. CHEN ON THE CURRENT STATE OF GEOTECHNICAL WORKS AND WORKS UNDERTAKEN TO IMPROVE SLOPE STABILITY.
MR STEAN SAID THAT WORKS WERE CURRENTLY IN HAND ON A FURTHER 18 SLOPES AS PART OF AN ON-GOING STABILISATION PROGRAMME.
HE SAID THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY INFORMED THAT GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT ON MORE THAN 10 000 SLOPES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHICH WERE FOUND TO BE SATISFACTORY AND REQUIRED LITTLE OR NO REMEDIAL WORKS.
♦THE PROGRESSIVE PROGRAMME OF DETAILED STUDIES ON THE REMAINDER OF THESE SLOPES IS CONTINUING AND IN CASES WHERE THE STABILITY IS FOUND TO BE INADEQUATE, PREVENTIVE WORKS ARE PUT IN HAND AS A MATTER OF URGENCY,♦ HE ADDED.
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Fum ALERT TO BLOCKED DRAINS * * * *
THE DRAINAGE SPECIALIST GANGS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. OPERATING ON A 24-HOUR STAND-BY SYSTEM DURING THE WET SEASON, ARE AVAILABLE TO DEAL PROMPTLY WITH BLOCKAGES IN THE STORMWATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON JACK STEAN, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON WONG LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE SAID THAT THE STAND-BY PERSONNEL WOULD BE INCREASED WHEN HEAVY RAIN WAS FORECAST AND COULD BE SUPPLEMENTED AS NECESSARY BY CONTRACT LABOUR.
MR STEAN SAID: +INSPECTIONS OF DRAINAGE INSTALLATIONS ARE CARRIED OUT ABOUT ONCE EVERY WEEK ON AVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
♦ANY MINOR BLOCKAGES FOUND ARE CLEARED IMMEDIATELY AND WHERE MORE EXTENSIVE WORKS ARE NECESSARY THEY ARE ORDERED DIRECTLY ON THE MAINTENANCE CONTRACTORS.+
IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED, HE ADDED, THAT STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT REGULARLY CLEARED ROAD GULLIES AS PART OF THEIR CLEANSING DUTIES.
/♦DESPITE THESE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
12
♦DESPITE THESE ARRANGEMENTS, GULLIES AND STORMWATER DRAINS CAN STILL BE BLOCKED BY RUBBISH WASHED FROM THE ROAD OR FOOTPATH SURFACES IN THE INTERVALS BETWEEN CLEARINGS AND, IF THIS COINCIDES WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN, FLOODING CAN OCCUR,+ MR STEAN SAID.
♦HOWEVER, PROBLEM SPOTS ARE GENERALLY KNOWN AND BY PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THESE, THE FREQUENCY OF LOCAL FLOODING IS MINIMISED.+
IN THIS CONNECTION, HE SAID, THE CO-OPERATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN KEEPING THE ROADS AND FOOTPATHS FREE OF LITTER WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN REDUCING THE RISK OF FLOODING.
CHANNEL FOR COMMENT IN AIR ROUTE APPEAL ******
UNDER THE U.K. CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY REGULATIONS, THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A RESPONSE TO THE BRITISH CALEDONIAN AIRWAYS’ SUBMISSION IN THE LONDON/ HONG KONG AIR ROUTE APPEAL, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALEX WU WHO ASKED WHAT RESPONSE, IF ANY, HAD BEEN OR WOULD BE MADE TO THE AIRWAYS’ REPRESENTATIONS.
MR JEAFFRESON POINTED OUT THAT BOTH CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND LAKER AIRWAYS HAVE APPEALED AGAINST THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY’S DECISION TO GRANT TO BRITISH CALEDONIAN AIRWAYS ONLY A LICENCE TO OPERATE ON THE ROUTE.
NOTICES OF THE APPEALS, SETTING OUT THEIR GROUNDS AND ARGUMENTS WERE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CAA REGULATIONS, SERVED UPON, AMONG OTHERS, BRITISH CALEDONIAN AIRWAYS AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
BOTH SUBMITTED WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS WITHIN THE TIME ALLOWED BY THE REGULATIONS, HE ADDED.
HE SAID HOWEVER THAT THE REGULATIONS DO NOT MAKE PROVISION FDR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT NOR THE BRITISH CALEDONIAN AIRWAYS TO MAKE A RESPONSE TO EACH OTHER’S SUBMISSION.
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V
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
13
SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO BE BUILT TO HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS *****
SHA TIN IS TO BE A MAJOR NEW TOWN FOR THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION PEOPLE BUILT TO THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
THIS HOPE WAS EXPRESSED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE, WHEN HE SPOKE TO MEMBERS OF KOWLOON WEST ROTARY CLUB.
HE SAID THE NEW TOWN WOULD BE BEAUTIFUL AND WELL WOODED, FULL CF RECREATIONAL AND OTHER FACILITIES, WITH MASSIVE COMMERCIAL FACILITIES SUFFICIENT TO MAKE IT THE NATURAL +CAPITAL+ AND SHOPPING CENTRE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+IT WILL BE COMPLETED IN 19 YEARS FROM THE FIRST SPADE CEREMONY AND THIS, WHILE BRINGING US INTERNATIONAL INTEREST, BRINGS ALSO MANY PROBLEMS, SOME AT LEAST OF WHICH WE CANNOT SOLVE AS QUICKLY AS WE WOULD LIKE, AND SOME OF WHICH, THE HUMAN PROBLEMS, WILL REQUIRE A MASSIVE EFFORT EXTENDING OVER MANY YEARS TO OVERCOME.+
DR HASE SAID NONETHELESS BY 1990 HE WAS SURE SHA TIN WOULD BE A CITY KNOWN FAR AND WIDE, A CITY TO BE PROUD OF.
BY 1989, SHA TIN WOULD HAVE A POPULATION OF 750 000- AND THE BUILT-OVER URBAN AREA WOULD EXTEND FROM THE MOUTH OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ALMOST WITHOUT INTERRUPTION DOWN TO WU KAI SHA.
THE AREA WOULD INCLUDE 16 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, SIX OR SEVEN MAJOR PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES AND LARGE AREAS OF HIGH CLASS RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION. THERE WOULD ALSO BE FOUR MAJOR AREAS OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL SERVICE FACILITIES A MAJOR CITY REQUIRED SUCH AS SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, ROADS, AND SPORTS FACILITIES.
DR HASE SAID THESE DEVELOPMENTS WERE TO FIND SPACE FOR THE GREAT INCREASE IN POPULATION IN HONG KONG. +THE EXISTING URBAN AREA CANNOT TAKE THE INCREASES IN POPULATION THAT WE HAVE TO FACE NOW AS A RESULT OF BOTH NATURAL INCREASE AND THE CONTINUING HEAVY FLOW OF IMMIGRANTS.*
HE SAID THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY REASON FOR DEVELOPMENT. THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN EXISTING URBAN AREAS WAS IN MANY WAYS BELOW wHAT COULD BE CLASSED AS INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTABLE.
+ IN THE NEW TOWN IT IS OUR HOPE TO BUILD A LIVING ENVIRONMENT SUBSTANTIALLY BETTER THAN IN THE EXISTING URBAN AREA. HENCE THE HOUSING ESTATES, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, ARE BEING PLANNED TO A MUCH MORE SPACIOUS AND OPEN PLAN THAN IN THE PAST AND SERVICE FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR THEM WILL BE, WE HOPE, ON A MUCH MORE GENEROUS SCALE.
+ IT IS THEREFORE NOT MERELY TO PROVIDE MORE LIVING ACCOMMODATION, BUT BETTER ACCOMMODATION *HICH IS THE REaSON FOR OUR PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP THIS NEW TOWN.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980 ‘
14
♦WITHIN THE NEW TOWN WE ARE ENDEAVOURING TO KEEP ALL WOODED SLOPES THAT EXISTED BEFORE THE NEW TOWN BEGAN AS INTACT AS POSSIBLE. CONSEQUENTLY MOST OF OUR HOUSING ESTATES WILL BE BROKEN UP BY SPURS OF THE MOUNTAIN SLOPES WHICH WILL BE LEFT AS NATURAL WOODED AREAS.+
DR HASE DISCLOSED THAT A LANDSCAPE TEAM, INCLUDING AN ARCHITECT, A HORTICULTURIST AND A FORESTRY EXPERT, WERE LOOKING CAREFULLY AT ALL THE WOODED SLOPES TO SEE HOW BEST THEY COULD BE MANAGED TO PROVIDE A CONTINUING +LUNG+ FOR THE POPULATION. PATHS WOULD BE CUT THROUGH THE WOODS, AND SEATS AND LIGHTS PROVIDED WHERE NECESSARY TO MAKE THESE SLOPES USABLE BY THE POPULATION.
OF THE SHING MUN RIVER, DR HASE SAID IT HAD BEEN FOR MANY YEARS AN EVIL SMELLING EXPANSE OF WHAT COULD BE CALLED +OFFENSIVE MATERIAL*. THIS WAS AT PRESENT BEING DREDGED SO THAT THE MINIMUM DEPTH OF WATER WOULD BE SOME FOUR TO SIX FEET.
♦HOPEFULLY, AS WE CLEAR THE REMAINING FACTORIES AND PIGFARMS THIS YEAR AND NEXT WITHIN THE SHA TIN VALLEY, THE AMOUNT OF OFFENSIVE MATERIAL ENTERING THE RIVER SHOULD DROP TO ALMOST NOTHING.
♦WE ARE SEEKING NEW LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THIS RIVER TO MAKE OF IT A MAJOR RECREATIONAL FACILITY. POWER BOATS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INTO THE RIVER, WHICH WILL BE RESERVED FOR PLEASURE ROWING, CANOEING, AND SPORTS USES, EACH USE HAVING A SECTION OF RIVER ABOUT ONE MILE LONG RESERVED TO IT.
♦GRANDSTANDS AND OTHER FACILITIES WILL, WE HOPE, BE PROVIDED TO ALLOW FOR RACES - INTERNATIONAL AS WELL AS TERRITORY WIDE, INCLUDING DRAGON BOAT RACES - TO BE HELD HERE.+
HE SAID TO ENSURE THAT THE RIVER WAS AS BEAUTIFUL AS POSSIBLE, BOTH BANKS WOULD BE USED AS RECREATIONAL SPACE: A MILE-LONG TOWN PARK ON THE NORTHERN BANK AND A FIVE-MILE-LONG RIVER FRONT 7REELINED PROMENADE STRETCHING FROM TAI WAI RIGHT DOWN TO WU KAI SHA. HE ADDED THAT HE HOPED THE WHOLE RIVER WOULD BECOME A MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTION.
TURNING TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TOWN, DR HASE SAID THE FOUR MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AREAS AT FO TAN, YUEN CHAU KOK, SHA TIN VALLEY AND AT MA ON SHAN WERE VERY LARGE WITH MANY TENS OF SUBSTANTIAL SITES. ALL SITES - OR ALL BUT ONE OR TWO - WOULD BE SOLD FOR MULTI-STOREY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF A LOS ANGELES TYPE SMOG DEVELOPMENT, DUE TO THE SMALL AMOUNT OF WIND IN THE VALLEY, THERE WOULD BE SEVERE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON USERS - NO SMOKE EMISSIONS OR FUME EMISSIONS WOULD BE ALLOWED AND ONLY ELECTRICITY ALLOWED AS A FUEL. THESE BUILDINGS, THEREFORE, WOULD BE PARTICULARLY SUITED FOR USE AS GODOWNS OR FOR REALLY CLEAN INDUSTRIES.
♦ABOUT 10 SUCH SITES A YEAR WILL BE SOLD IN SHA TIN FOR THE NEXT FIVE OR SIX YEARS,+ HE SAID.
FOR THE BUSINESSMEN THERE WOULD BE 25 COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES IN SHA TIN PLUS ONE OLD-FASHIONED SHOPPING AREA AT TA I WAI. THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES WOULD BE MOSTLY INDOOR, WITH ACCESS FROM INTERNAL CORRIDORS, SIMILAR TO THE ALREADY EXISTING WO CHE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX. THREE SUCH COMPLEXES WOULD BE LET THIS YEAR AND ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER NEXT.
/+THE ;-.hJ0R.........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, I98O
15
+THE MAJOR COMPLEX, IN THE TOWN CENTRE ON THE SITE OF THE OLD MARKET, WHICH IS TO BE SOLD THIS AUTUMN, AND ADJACENT TO THE RAILWAY AND BUS TERMINI WILL BE SIMILAR IN DESIGN TO THE OCEAN TERMINAL - OCEAN CENTRE COMPLEX, BUT NEARLY TWICE AS LARGE.
+IT WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A HUGE PUBLIC CAR PARK FOR MANY THOUSANDS OF CARS. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE THREE MEDIUM-RISE OFFICE BLOCKS, PLUS SEVERAL THOUSAND SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE SPACE WITHIN THE TOWN CENTRE.
+FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPERS THERE IS ALSO MUCH. ALREADY WE HAVE SOLD MORE THAN 50 MAJOR LOTS AND THERE WILL BE PLENTY MORE IN YEARS TO COME. THESE LOTS COME IN ALL SIZES, FROM THE VERY LARGE TOWN CENTRE LOTS AND THE LOTS SOLD FOR MAJOR PRIVATE ESTATES, TO INDIVIDUAL HOUSE LOTS FOR HIGH CLASS HOUSING ON THE ELEVATED PLATFORMS, OVERLOOKING THE RACE COURSE AND THE RIVER.*
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RENEWED WARNING ON CONFINED SPACES
******
+A CONFINED SPACE COULD PROVE TO BE A DEATH TRAP! THE DANGER LIES WITH OXYGEN DEFICIENCY OR THE PRESENCE OF DEADLY GASES INSIDE.*
THIS MAY SOUND LIKE CRYING OVER SPILT MILK IN VIEW OF YESTERDAY’S TRAGEDY AT SHA TIN IN WHICH THREE MEN DIED IN A WELL ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE.
BUT IN FACT THIS WAS AN APPEAL MADE BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON APRIL 21 — JUST THREE WEEKS BEFORE YESTERDAY’S MULTIPLE FATALITY.
THE DEPARTMENT’S WARNING RECEIVED EXTENSIVE COVERAGE IN THE LOCAL MEDIA, ESPECIALLY THE CHINESE PRESS. ALSO, WORK IN CONFINED SPACES IS THE SUBJECT OF A TELEVISION MESSAGE CURRENTLY BEING SCREENED BY HONG KONG’S TELEVISION STATIONS.
TODAY THE ACTING CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN, EXPRESSED DISMAY AT THIS LATEST TRAGEDY.
+1 IMPLORE EVERYONE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO LISTEN TO OUR ADVICE AND TAKE CARE WHEN WORKING IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS,* HE SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT’S EARLIER WARNING PLEADED WITH BOTH EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS TO TAKE ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS IN RESPECT OF WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES.
♦EXAMPLES OF CONFINED SPACES COMMONLY FOUND IN INDUSTRY ARE CHAMBERS, TANKS, VATS, PITS, WELLS, TUNNELS, PIPES, FLUES, BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS, IN ALL OF WHICH DANGEROUS FUMES MIGHT BE PRESENT,* THE STATEMENT SAID.
+FOR THEIR PART, EMPLOYERS SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT A CONFINED SPACE IS FREE FROM DANGEROUS FUMES, HARMFUL GASES, OR OXYGEN DEFICIENCY.
/+THEY SHOULD .
16
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
♦THEY SHOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT THE SPACE IS ADEQUATELY VENTILATED AND HAD PLENTY OF AIR.
♦IN ADDITION, EMPLOYERS MUST PROVIDE SUFFICIENT BREATHING APPARATUS, SUITABLE REVIVING EQUIPMENT, OXYGEN VESSELS, SAFETY BELTS AND ROPES.
•
♦THIS EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE READILY AVAILABLE AND IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION, AND WORKERS MUST BE PROPERLY INSTRUCTED IN ITS USE.
+IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR WORKERS TO BE MORE SAFETY CONSCIOUS. THEY SHOULD NOT ENTER A CONFINED SPACE UNLESS AUTHORISED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS.
♦WHILE ENTERING OR REMAINING IN A CONFINED SPACE, THEY MUST WEAR BREATHING APPARATUS UNLESS IT HAD BEEN CERTIFIED THAT THE SPACE IS SAFE AND FREE FROM DANGEROUS FUMES OR OXYGEN DEFICIENCY.
♦IF PRACTICABLE, THEY SHOULD WEAR A SAFETY BELT AND ROPE SO THAT THEY CAN BE PULLED OUT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.+
THE STATEMENT ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CONFINED SPACES) REGULATIONS REQUIRED EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO OBSERVE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WHEN ENTERING OR WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT MIGHT LEAD TO PROSECUTION AND A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2 OOO.
IT SAID THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OFFERED A WIDE RANGE OF SAFETY TRAINING COURSES FREE OF CHARGE, INCLUDING CONFINED SPACE SAFETY.
IN ADDITION, THE FACTORY INSPECTORS AT VARIOUS DIVISIONAL OFFICES WERE ALWAYS READY TO OFFER ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC ON MATTERS CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
-----0----------
NOTE TO EDITORSi
PRESS CONFERENCE ON HK IN LONDON FESTIVAL
M * X X X X
THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR DENIS BRAY WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE HONG KONG IN LONDON FESTIVAL AT 11.30 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 17).
AT THE CONFERENCE, MR BRAY WILL ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL, TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 20 AND 21.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE GIS THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 5TH FLOOR, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
TELEVISION CREWS ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
17
PROPOSAL TO RAISE CEILING OF TAX-FREE INTEREST OK*
A BILL SEEKING TO RAISE TO 10.5 PER CENT THE MAXIMUM RATE WHICH MAY BE SPECIFIED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXEMPTING INTEREST FROM TAX WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A REVENUE PROTECTION ORDER, GIVING EFFECT TO THE NEW RATE FOR THE TIME BEING WAS MADE ON MARCH 11.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT THE MAIN ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR EXEMPTION FROM TAX OF INTEREST PAYABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT, BY LICENSED BANKS AND BY CERTAIN SPECIFIED PUBLIC UTILITIES, PROVIDED THAT THE RATES OF INTEREST DO NOT EXCEED THE PERCENTAGE RATE SPECIFIED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, FROM TIME TO TIME, BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE.
HIS AUTHORITY TO SPECIFY THE RATE OF EXEMPTION IS IN TURN SUBJECT TO A CEILING SET IN THE ORDINANCE WHICH HAS, FOR MANY YEARS, BEEN VARIED TO ACCORD WITH THE RATE PAID BY BANKS ON SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.
SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT IN MARCH THIS YEAR THE EXCHANGE BANKS’ ASSOCIATION RAISED THE RATE OF INTEREST ON SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, AND ON CERTAIN OTHER DEPOSITS, FROM 9.25 PER CENT TO 10.5 PER CENT.
ACCORDINGLY, THE BILL IS INTENDED TO RAISE FROM 9.25 PER CENT TO 10.5 PER CENT THE CEILING ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S AUTHORITY TO SPECIFY THE RATE OF EXEMPTION, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----o-----
REGIONALISATION OF SWD WORKS WELL
* K * K
REGIONALISATION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, INTRODUCED IN APRIL LAST YEAR, HAS WORKED WELL, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON THOMAS LEE SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LEE SAID THE REGIONALISATION SCHEME HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLY MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN MANY OF THE STAFF AFFECTED BY IT HAD EXPECTED BEFORE ITS INTRODUCTION.
THIS, HE SAID, HAS BECOME APPARENT DURING AN INTERNAL REVIEW STARTED THIS YEAR.
THE REVIEW WILL BE COMPLETED SHORTLY AND PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES, IF ANY, WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE GOVERNMENT WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCING THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, HE ADDED.
LEE......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
18
MR LEE SAID THAT UNDER THE SCHEME, THE OPERATIONAL SIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT WAS REGIONALISED AND NEW BRANCHES AT THE HEADQUARTERS WERE CREATED TO DEAL WITH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUBVENTION.
THIS REORGANISATION WAS THE CUMULATION OF PROCESS THAT BEGAN WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF A MANAGEMENT REVIEW TEAM IN LATE 1977,
HE ADDED
- - 0 - -
981 ONE-YEAR-TRAINED TEACHERS IN GOVT EMPLOY ******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON KENNETH TOPLEY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT 981 ONE-YEAR-TRAINED TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT, MR TOPLEY SAID 56 WERE IN SECONDARY AND 925 IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME TRAINING COURSE HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED FROM SEPTEMBER 1968.
♦A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME SPECIAL COURSE WAS PROVIDED IN 1976 AND 1977 TO PREPARE GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS FOR TEACHING DUTIES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS,+ HE SAID.
♦OF THE 87 TEACHERS WHO ATTENDED THE COURSE, 51 WERE ONE-YEAR TRAINED,* HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
BETTER DENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR NT RESIDENTS ******
SIX MORE DENTAL CLINICS ARE TO BE BUILT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO PROVIDE DENTAL HEALTH SERVICE FOR RESIDENTS IN THE REGION, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON K.L. THONG SAID TODAY.
AT PRESENT NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS WITH ACUTE DENTAL PROBLEMS CAN RECEIVE TREATMENT IN ANY OF THE SIX EXISTING GOVERNMENT DENTAL CLINICS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, HE SAID, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHARLES YEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPECIALIST DENTAL SERVICE, AS PART OF THE GENERAL MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR APPROPRIATE CASES, IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE REGIONAL HOSPITAL, THAT IS PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, DR THONG ADDED.
/IN ADDITION
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
19
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, THREE SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS WILL BEGIN OPERATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO SERVE SCHOOL CHILDREN BY 1985, IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE IN THE 1974 WHITE PAPER ON DENTAL DEVELOPMENT.
UNDER THIS SCHEME, THE FIRST SCHOOL CLINIC FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN WAS OPENED LAST NOVEMBER ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
ANOTHER MEASURE THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN TO IMPROVE DENTAL SERVICE IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL TO TRAIN QUALIFIED DENTISTS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC, DR THONG SAID.
CONSTRUCTION OF THIS DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL IS ALMOST COMPLETED, AND THE FIRST BATCH OF 60 GRADUATED DENTISTS WILL BEGIN SERVING THE PUBLIC BY 1985, HE SAID.
-----0-----
POWER TO RELEASE PREMISES HELD UNDER FIRE INVESTIGATION REDEFINED X * X X X
THE FIRE INVESTIGATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, WHICH EMPOWERS A MAGISTRATE IN ALL APPROPRIATE CIRCUMSTANCES TO ORDER THE RELEASE OF PREMISES HELD UNDER FIRE INVESTIGATION BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES SAID THAT UNDER THE MAIN ORDINANCE. THE MAGISTRATE COULD CARRY OUT AN INQUIRY ON A FIRE INVESTIGATION AND ON CONCLUSION OF THE INQUIRY, MIGHT ORDER THE PREMISES TO BE RELEASED FROM POLICE POSSESSION IF NO OFFENCE WAS DISCLOSED, OR IF THERE WAS NO SUSPECT.
MR DAVIES POINTED OUT HOWEVER THAT IN A CASE LAST YEAR, THE POLICE TOOK POSSESSION OF CERTAIN PREMISES AND THE RESULTING INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED AN OFFENCE OF ARSON AND A PERSON WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED.
AN APPLICATION WAS THEN MADE FOR RELEASE OF THE PREMISES BUT THE MAGISTRATE HELD THAT THE EXISTING LAW DID NOT EMPOWER HIM TO RELEASE PREMISES WHEN AN OFFENCE HAD BEEN DISCLOSED AND A PERSON CHARGED.
+OBVIOUSLY MAGISTRATES SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO ORDER THE RELEASE OF PREMISES IN ALL APPROPRIATE CIRCUMSTANCES, WHETHER OR NOT AN ENQUIRY IS CARRIED OUT, AND WHETHER OR NOT ANY PERSON IS CHARGED WITH AN OFFENCE. THE BILL IF ENACTED WILL PROVIDE ACCORDINGLY,* MR DAVIES SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0 -------
AO....
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
20
TRANSFER OF LICENSING AUTHORITY * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING WILL NOW BE THE ISSUING AUTHORITY FOR TRADE PROMOTION COMPETITION LICENCES.
THIS FOLLOWS THE PASSING OF A RESOLUTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY TRANSFERRING TO HIM THE AUTHORITY WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY VESTED IN THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE. AMENDMENTS TO THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS ARISING FROM THE TRANSFER WERE ALSO APPROVED.
IN MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON F.K. LI SAID THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY CHANGE IN THE EXISTING LICENSING POLICY AND THAT THE POLICE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE LICENCES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WAS PROPOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A POLICY TO TRANSFER NON-CONSTABULARY LICENSING FUNCTIONS FROM THE POLICE TO ENABLE IT TO DEVOTE ITS RESOURCES TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
-----0------
MORE WEDDING FACILITIES UNDER PLANNING * * * *
PLANS ARE IN HAND TO OPEN MORE MARRIAGE REGISTRIES TO COPE WITH INCREASING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR FACILITIES.
DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON
$ ?AVIES' ,N REPLY T0 A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW SO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
reidTon 2^11? SAID ADDITIONAL REGISTRIES WERE BEING PLANNED IN CENTRAL DISTRICT, TSIM SHA TSUI AND TSUEN WAN.
rv.r^?DDITI0NAL MARRIAGE ROOM IN THE CITY HALL REGISTRY IS
BE 0PENED ,n OCTOBER TO EXTEND THE SUNDAY MORNING MARRIAGE SERVICE THERE TO SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AFTERNOONS.
FURTHERMORE, A SUNDAY MORNING MARRIAGE SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE YAU MA TEI AND TAI PO REGISTRIES LATER THIS YEAR, HE SAID. 9
-----o-----
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
21
ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR VISIT PWD WORK SITES
* * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MR DAVID STEAD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED WORK SITES ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE PROGRESS OF VARIOUS PWD PROJECTS.
AMONG THESE PROJECTS WAS THE HILL ROAD FLYOVER WHICH AIMS TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN POK FU LAM AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
THE $49 MILLION PROJECT IS 60 PER CENT COMPLETE AND IS EXPECTED TO BE FINISHED IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
IT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 660-METRE ELEVATED ROAD, THE RE-ALIGNMENT OF A SECTION OF HILL ROAD AND MODIFICATION OF THE EXISTING DRAINAGE WORKS.
THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE ELEVATED ROAD IS ITS 20-METRE SUPPORTS WHICH ARE THE HIGHEST OF THEIR KIND IN HONG KONG.
OTHER PROJECTS MR STEAD VISITED INCLUDED THE WONG CHUK HANG INTERCHANGE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BREAKWATER OFF KELLETT ISLAND.
- - 0 - -
NOTE TO ED I TORSi
VICTORIA BARRACKS RECREATION AREA STUDY ******
A CONSULTANTS’ REPORT ON THE VICTORIA BARRACKS RECREATION AND LEISURE AREA DEVELOPMENT STUDY HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT. DETAILS OF THE REPORT WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE GIS THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 5TH FLOOR, TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 3 PM. YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND A REPORTER/ PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT.
- - 0 - -
/22 ....
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1980
22
COURTESY CALL ON HOME AFFAIRS DIRECTOR * * * *
THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS LTD. PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR JOHN WALDEN THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORN ING.
THEY WERE RECEIVED BY MR WALDEN IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.
DURING A BRIEF DISCUSSION, THE CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW YIN-SUM REPORTED ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION LAST YEAR AND DISCLOSED ITS FUTURE PLANS, WHICH INCLUDE THE SETTING UP OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE STUDENTS AND PROMOTION OF BETTER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE KAIFONGS.
MR WALDEN WAS GREATLY INTERESTED IN THE ASSOCIATION’S PLANS AND MADE DETAILED ENQUIRIES ABOUT THEM.
THEY EXCHANGED OPINIONS ON SOME CURRENT ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION, POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS, EDUCATION, HOUSING, AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND KAIFONG BODIES.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE MEETING WERE MR H.H.T. BARMA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MRS ALICE LAI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS AND MR CHAN HON-KWONG, CHIEF LIAISON OFFICER.
- - 0 -
SWIMMING LESSONS FOR 12 090 PUPILS
******
MORE THAN 12 000 PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL LEARN TO SVw IM THIS SUMMER UNDER A SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS PART OF ITS SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAMME.
BETWEEN JULY 14 AND AUGUST 23, FREE LESSONS WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE CHAI WAN, VICTORIA PARK, ABERDEEN, KWUN TONG, TAI WAN SHAN, MORSE PARK, LEI CHENG UK, KWAI SHING AND FANLING SWIMMING POOLS.
TUITION AND ADMISSION TO THE POOLS WILL BE FREE.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS SENT A CIRCULAR TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS INVITING PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHEME. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS EXPECTED, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO DRAW LOTS.
♦ALL APPLICATIONS MUST REACH THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (PE) AT THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 7TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON NOT LATER THAN MAY 26.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 198c
23
+THE DRAWING OF LOTS WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN MAY 29 AND JUNE 4 AT THE NEW TERRITORIES SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION, OXFORD COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 9TH FLOOR, 494-496 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON,+ A SPOKESMAN SAID.
SCHOOLS WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THE SCHEME MUST SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND THE DRAW.
EACH SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL WILL BE GIVEN A CLASS OF 30 PLACES. PUPILS NOMINATED TO TAKE PART MUST BE OVER 10 YEARS OF AGE AND MUST AGREE TO ATTEND 12 ONE-HOUR LESSONS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE QUALIFIED SWIMMING INSTRUCTORS AND WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE CHILDREN’S SWIMMING ABILITIES FOR DISTANCE CERTIFICATES AND SWIMMING AWARDS.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SO KON PO
*****
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 16). TRAFFIC ALONG EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD IN SO KON PO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN INTO THE EASTERN PATH OF HONG KONG STADIUM.
THERE WILL BE TRENCH OPENING WORKS IN THE AREA AND THE ARRANGEMENT WILL LAST ABOUT 20 DAYS.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE THEM.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, HaY 1$, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WOODED PARK PLANNED FOR VICTORIA EARRACKS SITE................. 1
BUN FESTIVAL TIKE AG^IN ON CHEUNG CHAU ........................ 4
CALL FOR TRAINED MANPOWER IN ELECTRIC.X INDUSTRY .............. 5
REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICE OPENS ON i.ONDAY .................... 6
HISTORY CF -.ALTER SUPPLY TOLD IN BOOKLET ..................... 7
OPENING OF MENTAL HEALTH PHOTO EXHIBITION ..................... 7
SPECIAL COUNCILLORS FOR HEUNG YEE KUK ELECTED ................. 8
ENTRIES INVITED FOR EXHIBITION CF CER.J1IC hRT ................ 8
PLS RESTRICTIONS .............................................. 9
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1980
1
WOODED PARK PLANNED FOR VICTORIA BARRACKS SITE M H
A MAJOR PORTION OF THE VICTORIA BARRACKS SITE WILL BE TURNED INTO A LARGE WOODED PARK INCORPORATING FACILITIES FOR BOTH RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES, IF A CONSULTANTS’ REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY IS ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE CONSULTANTS WERE COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR TO STUDY THE BEST USE OF THE AREA RESERVED FOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE WHICH COVERS ABOUT TEN HECTARES OF LAND STRETCHING FROM THE EASTERN TO WESTERN ENDS OF THE SITE.
COMMENTING ON THE REPORT, MR GRAHAM BARNES, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, SAID THE URBAN COUNCIL WOULD BE INVITED TO SAY WHETHER IT WAS PREPARED TO DEVELOP AND MANAGE THE PARK ALONG THE LINES OF THE CONSULTANTS’ PROPOSALS.
♦COPIES OF THE REPORT HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE COUNCIL FOR ITS COMMENTS AND CONSULTATIONS ON THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL BE HELD WITH THE COUNCIL BEFORE A FINAL PLAN IS DRAWN UP,+ HE ADDED.
AS THE LARGEST WOODED AREA IN CENTRAL, THE VICTORIA BARRACKS SITE HAS AN OUTSTANDING LANDSCAPE WHICH FORMS A GREEN WEDGE IN THE MIDST OF A CLOSELY BUILT-UP AREA.
THE CONSULTANTS’ REPORT PROPOSES A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARK BY COMBINING ITS NATURAL LANDSCAPE AND HISTORIC QUALITIES WITH THE CREATION OF NEW FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACE FOR MORE INTENSIVE PUBLIC USE.
A MAJOR GOAL OF SITE PLANNING HAS BEEN TO CREATE A VARIED SEQUENCE OF OUTDOOR SPACES PROVIDING INTEREST FOR PEDESTRIANS AS THEY WALK THROUGH THE PARK.
A CENTRAL GARDEN IS PROPOSED FOR THE RELATIVELY LEVEL GROUNDS OF FLAGSTAFF HOUSE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE THE MOST HEAVILY USED SECTION OF THE SITE, LARGELY BECAUSE OF ITS PROXIMITY TO CENTRAL.
THE GROUNDS ARE ALREADY SURROUNDED BY FINE TREE SPECIMENS AND GRASSLAND AND CONTAIN A LAWN SCATTERED WITH TALL PALMS.
IN ORDER TO CATER FOR THE HIGH INTENSITY OF USE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT CAREFULLY DESIGNED PAVING, FOUNTAINS, PONDS, TERRACED GARDENS AND SITTING-OUT AREAS BE PROVIDED IN THIS AREA. THE GARDEN SETTING IS ALSO CONSIDERED SUITABLE FOR THE DISPLAY OF FLAMINGOES.
THE LARGEST AREAS OF WOODLAND IN VICTORIA BARRACKS ARE ON THE STEEP SLOPES BELOW KENNEDY ROAD TO THE EAST OF THE SITE.
BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSITY OF PLANT LIFE PRESENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THESE AREAS BE PRESERVED AS A BOTANIC RESERVE. THE EXISTENCE OF MAJOR DRAINAGE CHANNELS THERE ALSO ALLOWS FOR THE CREATION OF ORNAMENTAL PONDS AND WATERFALLS.
THE MAJOR GRASSED VALLEY OF THE BARRACKS SITE LIES TO THE WEST, BETWEEN ALEXANDER AND BIRDWOOD BLOCKS.
/THIS GENTLY .....
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1980
2
THIS GENTLY SLOPING VALLEY IS ALSO PLANTED WITH NATIVE AND EXOTIC SPECIES OF TREES AND PROVIDES AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DISPLAY OF BIRDS TO THE PUBLIC. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS AREA BE RESERVED FOR AN AVIARY, SERVING AS A HOME FOR SUCH COLOURFUL VARIETIES OF BIRDS AS CRANES AND PEAFOWL.
TO COMPLEMENT THESE LARGE WOODED AREAS, THE CONSULTANTS RECOMMEND THAT THE MORE ELEVATED SECTIONS OF THE PARK SHOULD CONTAIN A SYSTEM OF TRAILS, EXERCISE CIRCUITS, GARDENS, SITTING-OUT AREAS, PLAYGROUNDS AND LOOKOUT POINTS.
MR BARNES SAID ONE OF THE GREATEST ASSETS OF THE PROPOSED PARK IS THE SENSE OF SECLUSION IT WILL OFFER TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
+ THIS BENEFIT WILL BE FURTHER ENHANCED WITH THE INCREASE IN BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IN SURROUNDING AREAS. WITHIN FIVE TO TEN MINUTES WALKING DISTANCE FROM THEIR OFFICES, WORKERS IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI WILL BE ABLE TO ESCAPE FROM THE NOISE AND FUMES OF THE BUSINESS DISTRICTS.*
THE REPORT IDENTIFIES A NUMBER OF EXISTING BUILDINGS WHICH SHOULD BE RETAINED AND RECOMMENDS THAT THEY BE DEVOTED PRIMARILY TO LEISURE ACTIVITIES, WITH FORMAL SPORTING FACILITIES RESTRICTED TO A FEW BUILDINGS AT THE WESTERN TIP OF THE SITE.
THE BUILDINGS WHICH ARE CONSIDERED WORTHY OF PRESERVATION ON THEIR ARCHITECTURAL, HISTORICAL OR FUNCTIONAL MERITS ARE s
* FLAGSTAFF HOUSE, TOGETHER WITH ITS SERVICE WING AND GATEHOUSE-
* CASSELS BLOCK-
* BIRDWOOD BLOCK-
* WAVELL HOUSE-
* RAWLINSON HOUSE-
* THE SQUASH COURTS-
* CAUSEWAY BAY JUNIOR SCHOOL.
MR BARNES STRESSED THAT WHILE THE CONSULTANTS’ REPORT ALSO INCLUDED PROPOSALS FOR THE CONVERSION OF THESE BUILDINGS, FINAL DECISIONS ON THEIR ACTUAL USES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE VIEWS CF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND FURTHER EXAMINATION BY THE GOVERNMENT.
A BUILDING WHICH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF MUCH PUBLIC INTEREST IS FLAGSTAFF HOUSE, WHICH DATES BACK TO 1846.
/BOTH THE .....
THURSDAY, MAY 1$, 1980
3
BOTH THE VICTORIA BARRACKS PLANNING COMMITTEE AND THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD HAD PREVIOUSLY RECOMMENDED THE PRESERVATION OF THE BUILDING. THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROPOSED SUBSEQUENTLY THAT IT BE CONVERTED INTO A SPECIALISED MUSEUM FOR THE DISPLAY OF CHINESE WORKS OF ART.
♦SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO CARRY OUT THE CONVERSION OF FLAGSTAFF HOUSE PROVIDED THAT IT IS USED AS A MUSEUM FOR A SPECIFIC COLLECTION,+ MR BARNES SAID.
THE CONSULTANTS HAVE AGREED WITH A PROPOSAL MADE ORIGINALLY BY THE VICTORIA BARRACKS PLANNING COMMITTEE THAT MURRAY HOUSE SHOULD BE RE-LOCATED IN VICTORIA BARRACKS, ON A SITE OCCUPIED AT PRESENT BY CAUSEWAY BAY INFANT SCHOOL.
IN ADDITION TO ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, MURRAY HOUSE, BUILT IN 1843, IS ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING EXAMPLES OF EARLY COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE IN HONG KONG.
AT ITS PRESENT LOCATION AT THE BOTTOM OF GARDEN ROAD, THE BUILDING HAS BECOME ALMOST HIDDEN FROM PUBLIC VIEW BY THE QUEENSWAY FLYOVER AND ITS STRUCTURAL CONDITION IS DETERIORATING STEADILY DUE TO THE EFFECTS OF HEAVY TRAFFIC ON NEARBY ROADS.
MR BARNES SA IDs +THE BUILDING WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WILL VACATE THE PREMISES IN SEPTEMBER AND THE 1AND ON WHICH IT STANDS WILL BE SOLD FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS.
♦THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE PLANS TO DISMANTLE AND STORE THE BUILDING FABRIC OF MURRAY HOUSE. BUT NO DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN YET ON THE POSSIBLE RE-ERECTION OF THE BUILDING ON ANOTHER SITE.
♦SO, CAUSEWAY BAY INFANT SCHOOL WILL BE RETAINED FOR THE TIME BEING, RATHER THAN DEMOLISHED AS SUGGESTED IN THE CONSULTANTS’ REPORT. +
SEVERAL FACTORS WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN DECIDING WHICH BUILDINGS SHOULD BE DEMOLISHED SUCH AS THEIR STATE OF DISREPAIR, INCOMPATIBILITY WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE BUILDINGS TO BE RETAINED, THE ABSENCE OF ESTABLISHED SUITABLE USES AND THEIR INTERFERENCE WITH OTHER MORE IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE PARK.
BUILDINGS TO BE DEMOLISHED INCLUDE:
* HEADQUARTERS LAND FORCES AND ITS EXTENSION-
X ALEXANDER BLOCK-
X KITCHENER BLOCK-
X GORT BLOCK-
X COLVIN HOUSE-
X THE SCOUT HALL.
/IN DRAWING .....
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1980
4
IN DRAWING UP ITS REPORT, THE CONSULTANTS HAD DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WITH SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF RECREATION AND LEISURE FACILITIES AND WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS REPRESENTING DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR EXTENSIVE CONTACTS WITH THE PUBLIC. +MANY OF THEIR SUGGESTIONS HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE PROPOSED PLANNING STRATEGY FOR THE VICTORIA BARRACKS PARK,+ MR BARNES SAID.
THE CONSULTANTS ADVISE THAT NO CONSTRUCTION WORK SHOULD COMMENCE BEFORE A MASTER PLAN IS PREPARED. THEIR ESTIMATE OF THE CAPITAL COSTS INVOLVED IS $79 MILLION BUT THE REPORT EMPHASISES THAT THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN AS ONLY A ROUGH INDICATION OF EXPENDITURE, PENDING THE COMPLETION OF THE MASTER PLAN AND DETAILED DESIGN WORK.
COPIES OF THE CONSULTANTS’ REPORT ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AND CITY DISTRICT OFFICES.
-------o - - - -
BUN FESTIVAL TIME AGAIN ON CHEUNG CHAU * X X X X
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THIS YEAR’S BUN FESTIVAL PROCESSION ON CHEUNG CHAU ON MONDAY (MAY 19).
THE PROCESSION IS THE MAJOR EVENT OF THE FIVE DAY FESTIVAL WHICH IS HELD EVERY YEAR TO PLACATE THE SPIRITS OF THOSE KILLED BY PIRATES IN PAST CENTURIES.
MORE THAN 20 000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO LINE THE STREETS OF THE ISLAND TO WATCH THE PROCESSION PASS. IT BEGINS AT 2.30 PM AND LASTS ONE AND A HALF HOURS.
TO ENSURE THE CELEBRATIONS ARE CONDUCTED IN AN ORDERLY MANNER, THE BUN SCRAMBLE WILL NOT TAKE PLACE. INSTEAD, BUNS, WHICH ACCORDING TO LEGEND BRING GOOD LUCK TO THE RECIPIENTS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON TUESDAY (MAY 20), THE DAY AFTER THE MAIN PROCESSION.
THIS YEAR, MORE THAN 2 000 PEOPLE FROM 23 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS WILL TAKE PART IN THE PROCESSION WHICH INCLUDES A PARADE OF ALL THE SHRINES FROM THE ISLAND’S TEMPLES, THE FAMOUS SWORD FROM PAK Tl TEMPLE, FLOATS, UNICORN AND LION DANCES, FAMOUS CHIU CHOW. GONGS AND DRUM PERFORMANCES, AS WELL AS TRADITIONAL CHINESE MUSIC AND DANCES.
THE FESTIVAL STARTS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND ENDS NEXT TUESDAY WITH A REPEAT OF THE PREVIOUS DAY’S PROCESSION.
ONE OF THE FESTIVAL’S AIMS IS TO BRING PEACE TO ALL LIVING THINGS SO WHILE IT LASTS THE ISLANDERS DO NOT EAT MEAT OR FISH.
/THERE WILL ..
THURSDAY, MAY 1$, 1980
5
THERE WILL BE CHINESE OPERA PERFORMANCES EACH NIGHT AND TAOIST PRIESTS WILL CHANT PRAYERS.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ARRANGED-FI-NANCI AL BACKING FOR THE SETTING UP OF THREE 13F7 METRE TALL BUN TOWERS.
THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION IS ALSO PLAYING A ROLE IN THE FESTIVAL AND IS DEVELOPING IT AS A TOURIST ATTRACTION.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
WE HAVE BEEN ASKED BY THE ORGANISERS OF THE FESTIVAL TO INVITE YOU TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE GRAND PROCESSION ON CHEUNG CHAU BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM NEXT MONDAY (MAY 19). 30 SPECIAL PRESS BADGES FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS ROOM. THE ORGANISERS REGRET THAT DUE TO THE LIMITED SPACE ON THE GRAND STAND, THEY ARE ABLE TO ALLOT ONE BADGE ONLY TO EACH NEWS ORGANISATION. A FERRY. MAN YAN. WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES AND OTHER INVITED GUESTS FROM HONG KONG TO CHEUNG CHAU. IT WILL LEAVE QUEEN’S PIER AT 12.30 PM AND IS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE CHEUNG CHAU ON THE RETURN JOURNEY AT 4 PM. STAFF OF THE NTA INFORMATION UNIT WILL ALSO TRAVEL ON THE FERRY.
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CALL FOR TRAINED MANPOWER IN ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY
* * * *
IMMEDIATE ACTION IS REQUIRED IF THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY IS TO MEET ITS MANPOWER NEEDS IN THE MID-1980S, SAYS A REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY).
AN EXTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME MUST BE IMPLEMENTED TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF SKILLED PERSONNEL FROM 1982 TO 1986, IT SAYS.
THE REPORT IS BASED ON A SURVEY UNDERTAKEN BY THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE SURVEY, THE FIFTH TAKEN, WAS CONDUCTED LAST YEAR WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING DIVISION.
IT CONTAINS DETAILED STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE OF THE INDUSTRY AND A FORECAST OF THE TRAINING NEEDS FOR THE PERIOD 1980 TO 1982 FOR EACH PRINCIPAL JOB.
IT ALSO CONTAINS RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE BOARD ON MEASURES NECESSARY TO COPE WITH THE MANPOWER NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY IN THE LIGHT OF THE SURVEY’S FINDINGS.
/THE BCAHD .....
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1980
6
THE BOARD HAS RECOMMENDED THE NUMBER OF TECHNOLOGIST TRAINEES AND TECHNICIAN AND CRAFT APPRENTICES WHICH THE INDUSTRY SHOULD TAKE ON FOR TRAINING BETWEEN 1980 AND 1982.
THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN ESTIMATED ON THE BASIS THAT CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS REQUIRE THREE TO FOUR YEARS’ TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGISTS REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS’ POST-COURSE TRAINING.
IN THE OPINION OF THE BOARD, BETTER TRAINED TECHNOLOGISTS ARE REQUIRED BY THE INDUSTRY TO CARRY OUT COMPLEX ELECTRICAL PROJECTS AS WELL AS THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF PRODUCTS WITH GREATER DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY CONTENT.
IT IS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR TECHNOLOGISTS HAS BEEN RECOGNISED BY THE INDUSTRY AND RECOMMENDS EMPLOYERS TO EXERT GREATER EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TRAINING.
NOTING THAT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF OVERSEAS EDUCATED GRADUATES ARE RETURNING TO HONG KONG FOR EMPLOYMENT, THE BOARD URGES EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, MORE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES — NOT ONLY FOR LOCAL BUT ALSO OVERSEAS ENGINEERING GRADUATES — TO PREPARE THEM FOR EMPLOYMENT AS FULLY-TRAINED ENGINEERS IN THE INDUSTRY.
FOR ORGANISED APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES, THE BOARD URGES EMPLOYERS TO MAKE USE OF THE FREE SERVICES OFFERED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S TRAINING COUNCIL DIVISION IN HELPING THEM TO START THESE SCHEMES.
COPIES OF THE REPORT IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE ARE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING. AT $12 EACH.
REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICE OPENS ON MONDAY * * * *
A REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT DIVISION WILL BE SET UP IN PUI CHING ROAD, HO MAN TIN, FROM MONDAY (MAY 19).
THE OFFICE WILL DEAL WITH ALL PARKING AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MATTERS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING LANTAU AND OTHER OUTLYING ISLANDS.
IT WILL ALSO HANDLE THE ISSUE AND RENEWAL OF CLOSED ROAD PERMITS FOR THESE PLACES.
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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1980
7
HISTORY OF WATER SUPPLY TOLD IN BOOKLET ******
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS BROUGHT OUT A NEW BOOKLET IN ENGLISH DESCRIBING THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER RESOURCES IN HONG KONG.
THE 36-PAGE BOOKLET, ENTITLED +HONG KONG’S WATER+, IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GPO BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT PLACE.
IT CONTAINS 32 FULL COLOUR PICTURES AND IS PRICED AT $11.
APART FROM TRACING THE HISTORY OF WATER SUPPLY AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SOURCES, THE PUBLICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION ON THE TREATMENT OF DRINKING WATER, SUPPLY OF FLUSHING WATER, MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE FUTURE SUPPLIES, AND ORGANISATION OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
THERE ARE ALSO APPENDICES AT THE END ILLUSTRATING HONG KONG’S RAINFALL, WATER DEMAND, METRED SERVICES, AND THE CAPITAL AS WELL AS RECURRENT EXPENDITURES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
----0----
NOTE TO EDITORS:
OPENING OF MENTAL HEALTH PHOTO EXHIBITION * * * *
z-^.-THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR THOMAS LEE, WILL TOMORROW
«"pKt,ofPthe,hEP2tIlSheZlth week!'T,0N To be held at the city hall
THE EXHIBITION OF 240 PHOTOGRAPHS ON MENTAL HEALTH IS nRRANisPn BY THE HONG KONG MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION, OF WHICH MR LEE IS ThI VICE-PRESIDENT, AND THE HONG KONG PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.
nocMHiA^r WELCOME to send your representatives to cover the OPENING CEREMONY AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION MALL •
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/8
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1980
8
SPECIAL COUNCILLORS FOR HEUNG YEE KUK ELECTED
*****
THE ELECTION OF SPECIAL COUNCILLORS FOR THE SOUTHERN ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK TOOK PLACE TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE KUK’S HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON TONG.
THERE WERE 12 CANDIDATES FOR THE SEVEN VACANCIES. ELECTED WERE: MR CHAN SUEN (29 VOTES)- MR LAI CHEONG-YUEN (25 VOTES)-MR LEE KENG-CHING (23 VOTES)- MR WONG TAI-HI (22 VOTES)-MR YUEN WAI (22 VOTES)- MR YUEN SHU-KWAN (21 VOTES) AND MR WONG WAI-KWAN (20 VOTES).
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WAS THE RETURNING OFFICER FOR THE ELECTION WHICH WAS HELD BY SECRET BALLOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HEUNG YEE KUK ORDINANCE.
THE ELECTORATE OF 35 COMPRISED THE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF RURAL COMMITTEES AND UNOFFICIAL JUSTICES OF THE PEACE OF SOUTHERN ELECTORAL DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES TSUEN WAN, ISLANDS AND SAI KUNG DISTRICTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
ELECTIONS WERE NOT NECESSARY FOR THE OTHER TWO KUK ELECTORAL DISTRICTS - YUEN LONG (INCLUDING TUEN MUN) AND TAI PO (INCLUDING SHAT IN AND NORTH) - BECAUSE ONLY THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF CANDIDATES - SEVEN - WERE NOMINATED IN EACH DISTRICT.
ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN, TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN AND 15 ORDINARY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK WILL BE HELD ON MAY 29. THE ELECTIONS ARE FOR THE KUK’S 24TH TERM WHICH BEGINS ON JUNE 1.
0 - -
ENTRIES INVITED FOR EXHIBITION OF CERAMIC ART *****
ALL STUDENTS IN HONG KONG ARE INVITED TO SEND IN WORKS IN CERAMIC FOR AN EXHIBITION OF STUDENTS’ CERAMIC ART AT THE FUNG PING SHAN MUSEUM.
THE EXHIBITION IS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE MUSEUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE EVENT, TO BE HELD FROM JULY 11 TO AUGUST 6, WILL GIVE STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM AND TO ENJOY ONE ANOTHER’S WORK, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT WILL ALSO PRESENT TO THE PUBLIC THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF LOCAL STUDENTS IN THIS ART FORM.
/A 3PECIaL
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1980
9
A SPECIAL SECTION DISPLAYING THE WORK OF WELL-KNOWN LOCAL POTTERS WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE EXHIBITION, HE ADDED.
STUDENTS AT PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY LEVELS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR ENTRIES THROUGH THEIR HEADS OF SCHOOLS.
THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON THE THEME AND SIZE OF CERAMIC WARES TO BE SUBMITTED, AND RELIEFS ARE ACCEPTABLE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE FUNG PING SHAN MUSEUM IN BONHAM ROAD DURING OFFICE HOURS BETWEEN JUNE 23 AND 30. IT CLOSES ON THURSDAYS.
A COMMITTEE COMPOSED DEPARTMENT AND THE MUSEUM
OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EDUCATION WILL SELECT THE ENTRIES TO BE DISPLAYED.
IT WILL ALSO DECIDE ON THE BEST 30 INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF WORK AND FIVE SCHOOLS SUBMITTING THE BEST WORKS. EACH OF THEM WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AND AN EXHIBITION CATALOGUE OF SHI WAN WARES PUBLISHED BY THE MUSEUM.
TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND MEMBERS AT THE EXHIBITION.
OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE WELCOME
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PLB RESTRICTIONS
X * X
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED AT BRAEMAR HILL IN NORTH POINT AND IN SHEK KIP MEI FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 17).
IN NORTH POINT, CLOUD VIEW ROAD EAST OF YEE KING ROAD, AND BRAEMAR HILL ROAD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE BRANCH ROAD LEADING TO THE ACCESS TO BRAEMAR HILL MANSIONS WILL BE DESIGNATED PLB PROHIBITED ZONES.
ALSO CLOSED TO PLB’S WILL BE TAI HANG TUNG ROAD NORTH OF WOH CHAI STREET, AND SHEK KIP MEI STREET NORTH OF BERWICK STREET.
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORIZED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THESE ROADS.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO INDICATE THE ZONES.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, iiAY 16, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO
MAJOR DiPROVEtiENTS TO ICaC LAWS ............................. 1
LAND PRODUCTION COMMITTEE RECONSTITUTED ...................... 3
NEW WATER AGREEMENT WITH GUaNGDONG ........................... 4
LAND SALE BY TENDER........................................... 5
LETTER B HOLDERS URGED TO BID WHEN LAND IS OFFERED............ 6
BASALT ISL--*ND FIRING RANGE OPENS ............................7
DIRECTOR OF TRADE LEAVES FOR EEC T.xLKS ...................... 8
TREE PLANTING - HELPING NATURE DO ITS v/ORK .................. 9
EXHIBITION OF MENTAL HJULTH PHOTOS .......................... 10
TEACHER LIBRARIANS COURSE WOK; ON DISPLAY.................... 10
VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CARDS STANDARDISED ....................... 11
SAFE CROSSING FOR PEDESTRIANS AT SAIGON ST................... 12
MAXICAB FARES REVISED ....................................... 12
MAXICAB NETWORK EXRxNDED
13
1
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO ICAC LAWS ******
A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS MAY BE MADE TO HONG KONG’S ANTI-CORRUPTION LAWS FOLLOWING A MAJOR REVIEW OF THE TWO ORDINANCES UNDER WHICH THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION OPERATES.
THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WHICH WERE PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE BILLS SEEK TO STRENGTHEN THE ICAC’S POWERS OF INVESTIGATION, INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR SERIOUS CORRUPTION OFFENCES AND TIGHTEN UP EXISTING LEGISLATION.
♦THE PROPOSALS ARE AIMED AT MAKING IMPROVEMENTS WHICH EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN TO BE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE ICAC HAS ADEQUATE POWERS TO CARRY OUT ITS TASK,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
AT PRESENT, THE ICAC MUST HAND OVER TO THE POLICE CASES OF BLACKMAIL WHICH ARISE DURING THE INVESTIGATION OF A CORRUPTION OFFENCE. A PROPOSED AMENDMENT WILL GIVE THE ICAC THE DISCRETION TO CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE AND TO CHARGE A CIVIL SERVANT SUSPECTED OF HAVING COMMITTED BLACKMAIL THROUGH THE MISUSE OF OFFICE.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED TO GIVE THE ICAC THE POWER OF ARREST WHEN OFFENCES OF THEFT OR FALSE ACCOUNTING ARE UNCOVERED IN THE COURSE OF THEIR INVESTIGATIONS.
OTHER NEW OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES WHICH MAY BE INTRODUCED INCLUDE THE DETENTION OF PERSONS FOUND ON PREMISES UNDERGOING AUTHORISED SEARCHES AND THE LOWERING OF THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF OFFICERS EMPOWERED TO DETAIN OR BAIL SUSPECTS, FROM ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TO SENIOR COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION OFFICER.
SEVERAL AMENDMENTS ARE PROPOSED TO A SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE DEALING WITH NOTICES COMPELLING SUSPECTS TO EXPLAIN THEIR WEALTH. IF ACCEPTED, THEY WILL REQUIRE SUSPECTS TO SUPPLY 1
* PARTICULARS OF ASSETS UNDER THEIR CONTROL OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE NOTICE, RATHER THAN ONE YEAR AS AT PRESENT-
* ALL INFORMATION TO WHICH THEY HAVE ACCESS, RATHER THAN JUST IN THEIR POSSESSION.
IN THE MATTER OF ORDERS DIRECTING SUSPECTS NOT TO DISPOSE OF OR DEAL WITH ANY PROPERTY SPECIFIED IN A NOTICE, THE BILLS PROVIDE FOR 8
* THE REGISTRATION OF RESTRAINING ORDERS IN THE LAND OFFICE, TO WARN PROSPECTIVE BUYERS-
* NOTICES TO BE SERVED ON BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES, DIRECTING THEM NOT TO PAY ANY MONEY TO ACCOUNT-HOLDERS-
/* THE GRANTING ......
j j *
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
2
* THE GRANTING OF ADDITIONAL EXTENSIONS OF RESTRAINING ORDERS ON PERSONS HOLDING PROPERTY FOR SUSPECTS.
♦IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT CERTAIN CORRUPTION OFFENCES CAN ONLY BE TRIED SUMMARILY AND THEREFORE A PROSECUTION MUST BE INSTITUTED WITHIN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE OFFENCE HAS OCCURRED,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID. +IN VIEW OF THE TIME WHICH ELAPSES BEFORE THEY COME TO LIGHT, AND THE NATURE OF THE OFFENCES, IT IS PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE TIME LIMIT OF PROSECUTION ON A TOTAL OF ELEVEN OFFENCES TO VARIOUS PERIODS OF UP TO THREE YEARS.♦
AMONG THE MOST SERIOUS CASES INVESTIGATED BY THE ICAC WERE THOSE INVOLVING CONSPIRACIES, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY ARE CURRENTLY BROUGHT UNDER COMMON LAW, WHICH PROVIDES FOR LESSER PENALTIES THAN FOR CORRUPTION OFFENCES. IT IS PROPOSED THAT, IN FUTURE, ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF CONSPIRACY INVOLVING SERIOUS CORRUPTION WILL BE DEALT WITH UNDER THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE.
UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, A PERSON CONVICTED OF A CORRUPTION OFFENCE IS DISQUALIFIED FROM BEING A MEMBER OF ANY PUBLIC BODY SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
♦MOST OF THE BODIES LISTED ARE CORPORATIONS AND A ’MEMBER’ OF A COMPANY MEANS A SHARE-HOLDER,♦ THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED. ♦AS THE.’QRDINANCE WAS NOT AIMED AT PREVENTING A CONVICTED PERSON FROM BEING A SHARE-HOLDER, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION ON MEMBERSHIP OF SCHEDULED PUBLIC BODIES. THE PROHIBITION WILL STILL APPLY TO MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND URBAN COUNCILS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED GROUPS.
♦WHILE THIS EFFECTIVELY EXCLUDES EMPLOYEES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, A PROPOSED NEW SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE WILL EMPOWER THE COURTS TO PROHIBIT THE EMPLOYMENT OF CONVICTED PERSONS AS DIRECTORS OR IN OTHER MANAGERIAL POSITIONS WHERE THE COURTS CONSIDER IT IN‘THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO DO SO.+
THE'MAX IMUM PERIOD OF THE ORDER WOULD BE SEVEN YEARS DURING WHICH PERSONS AFFECTED MAY APPLY TO THE COURTS TO HAVE IT VARIED OR CANCELLED. CONTRAVENTION OF THE COURT ORDER WOULD BE PUNISHABLE BY A.FINE OF $50 OOO AND IMPRISONMENT FOR UP TO 12 MONTHS.
.'if. ■
THE. REVIEW-nOF1 THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE ALSO COVERED PENALTIES FOR VARIOUS SERIOUS CORRUPTION OFFENCES WHICH HAVE*REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1974.
♦TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE GREAT WEALTH THAT CAN BE ACCUMULATED THROUGH CORRUPTION AS EVIDENCED IN COURT CASES SINCE THAT TIME, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE PENALTIES ARE REQUIRED IF THEY ARE TO HAVE A DETERRENT OR PUNITIVE EFFECT,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID. ' ■
THE PROPOSALS PROVIDE FOR THE MAXIMUM FINE ON A CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT TO BE RAkSED FROM $100 000 TO $500 000, AND ON A SUMMARY CONVICTION-FROM 150 000 TO 8100 000.
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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
- 3 -
LAND PRODUCTION COMMITTEE RECONSTITUTED
* * * * *
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION, WHICH WAS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN 1977 TO STUDY LAND PRODUCTION AND TO IDENTIFY NEW AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT, HAS RECENTLY BEEN RECONSTITUTED WITH REVISED TERMS OF REFERENCE.
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MISS LYDIA DUNN, WHO HAS SERVED AS A MEMBER ON THE COMMITTEE SINCE ITS INCEPTION, AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE. THE OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBER ON THE COMMITTEE, MR LI FOOK-WO, HAS ALSO BEEN RE-APPOINTED, AND MR W.C.L. BROWN HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS AN ADDITIONAL UNOFFICIAL MEMBER.
THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE RECONSTITUTED COMMITTEE ARE THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, MR DEREK JONES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR DAVID JEAFFRESON, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, W DONALD LIAO, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR JACK STEAN AND THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY (1), MR TONY SAVAGE.
THESE APPOINTMENTS ARE FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR ENDING ON MAY 31, 1981. THEY WERE ANNOUNCED IN TODAY’S ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MR BROWN’S. HIS WILL APPEAR IN A LATER EDITION.
UNDER ITS REVISED TERMS OF REFERENCE, THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION IS REQUIRED TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS FOR NEW LAND, TO RECOMMEND TARGETS FOR THE SUPPLY OF LAND FOR DIFFERENT USERS, TO ASSESS THE ADEQUACY OF GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IN MEETING THESE TARGETS AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW SHORTFALLS, IF ANY, ARE TO BE MET.
THE COMMITTEE IS EXPECTED TO SUBMIT ITS NEXT REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR IN JANUARY 1981.
A
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
4
NEW WATER AGREEMENT WITH GUANGDONG * ft * ft *
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD, RETURNED TO HONG KONG TODAY AFTER SIGNING A NEW WATER AGREEMENT WITH THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WILLIAM TUCKER, AND OTHER OFFICIALS.
THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED BY MR MCDONALD ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND MR WEI LI NJ I, DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER CONSERVATION AND HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE.
AMONG THOSE PRESENT AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY WERE MR ZHENG DINGSHI, DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF THE PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE- MR ZHANG BIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE GUANGDONG FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE, AND OTHER OFFICIALS.
AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY, REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH PARTIES ATTENDED A RECEPTION GIVEN BY MR ZHENG DINGSHI.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED ON HIS RETURN, MR MCDONALD SAID HE WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE NEW AGREEMENT.
HE SA IDx +UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT THE FORECAST INCREASE IN DEMAND WILL BE MET IN FULL BY THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.+
HONG KONG NOW GETS 168 MILLION CUBIC'METRES OF WATER FROM CHINA AND UNDER THE TERMS OF THE PREVIOUS AGREEMENT SIGNED IN NOVEMBER 1978, THE TERRITORY IS TO RECEIVE AN ANNUAL SUPPLY OF 182 MILLION CUBIC METRES BY 1982.
♦THE NEW AGREEMENT WILL ENSURE SUFFICIENT WATER SUPPLIES FOR HONG KONG WITH AN AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE IN SUPPLY OF ABOUT 35 MILLION CUBIC METRES FROM 1983,+ MR MCDONALD SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE DURATION OF THE AGREEMENT, HE SAID THAT IT WAS AN ON-GOING ONE AND THERE WAS NO TERMINAL DATE WHICH WAS A BIG STEP FORWARD.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROVISION MADE IN THE CURRENT AGREEMENT TO CATER FOR ANY REVISION OF REQUIREMENTS TO BE SETTLED BY MUTUAL CONSULTATION WOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY.
ON THE COST OF THE WATER TO BE SUPPLIED, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT NO CHANGE WAS PROPOSED TO THE CURRENT COST OF RMB 0.15 YUAN PER CUBIC METRE. HOWEVER, HE WARNED THAT IF OPERATING COSTS INCREASED OVER THE YEARS, A REVISION OF THE EXISTING CHARGES MIGHT PROVE NECESSARY LATER.
TO RECEIVE THE ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES, HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO EXPAND ITS RECEPTION AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES.
/♦THESE. WORKS ......
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
5
♦THESE WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THREE STAGES OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 12 YEARS AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF AROUND $1 100 MILL ION,+ MR MCDONALD SAID.
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RECEPTION TANK AND A LARGE PUMPING STATION AT MUK WU, AN AQUEDUCT FROM MUK WU TO TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR AND A PUMPING STATION AT FANLING. IN ADDITION, THE PUMPS AT TAI PO TAU AND TAI hEI TUK WILL NEED TO BE ENLARGED.
0
LAND SALE BY TENDER ft ft ft ft ft
TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND FORECAST FOR SALE IN THE COMING MONTHS WILL BE SOLD BY TENDER INSTEAD OF AUCTION AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED.
THE AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO THE PROVISIONAL LAND SALES FORECAST FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1980, PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED BY THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THEY RELATE TO TWO LARGE SITES — ONE IN HARCOURT ROAD (3 300 SQUARE METRES) AND THE OTHER IN CANTON ROAD AT THE CORNER OF HAIPHONG ROAD (6 600 SQUARE METRES).
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE SALE OF THE FIRST SITE IN HARCOURT ROAD WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON MAY 30.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE SAID THAT THESE TWO VALUABLE SITES COULD ACHIEVE EXTREMELY HIGH SALE PRICES WHICH WOULD NOW BE PAYABLE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF INSTALMENTS AND THE TENDER APPROACH WOULD ALLOW BIDDERS TO ARRANGE THEIR FINANCING ACCORDING TO THE ACTUAL BID MADE.
♦THIS WILL ALSO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF GIVING THE GOVERNMENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE THE STATUS AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF BIDDERS BEFORE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT,♦ HE ADDED.
0
/6
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
6
LETTER B HOLDERS URGED TO BID WHEN LAND IS OFFERED ******
A PLOT OF RESIDENTIAL LAND IN SHA TIN WHICH WAS SOLD AT AUCTION LAST DECEMBER FOR 1643.87 PER SQUARE FOOT WOULD HAVE BEEN OBTAINED BY HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LETTER B) ISSUED AFTER OCTOBER, 1979, FOR ONLY $296.25 PER SQUARE FOOT, A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN WAS COMMENTING ON A STATEMENT SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, MADE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID HE HAD NOTICED RECENTLY THAT NO TENDERS HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENT HOLDERS FOR SITES WITH LOW PLOT RATIOS, ALTHOUGH HE CONSIDERED THAT THESE SITES REPRESENTED AN ATTRACTIVE PROPOSITION.
HE SAID HE ASSUMED HOLDERS WERE HANGING BACK IN ANTICIPATION OF BETTER THINGS TO COME, BUT POINTED OUT THAT NOT EVERYONE COULD BE SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING PRIME SITES IN TOWN CENTRES. +1 MUST ADVISE EVEN THE HOLDERS OF MORE RECENTLY ISSUED ENTITLEMENTS TO APPLY FOR LAND WHEN IT IS OFFERED,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SIX RESIDENTIAL SITES IN SHA TIN OVERLOOKING THE RACECOURSE HAD BEEN OFFERED BY TENDER TO LETTER B HOLDERS IN JANUARY, BUT NO BIDS HAD BEEN RECEIVED. HE SAID THE SITES WOULD BE RE-OFFERED NEXT MONTH OR IN JULY.
+IT IS OBVIOUS FROM THE RESULTS OF THE AUCTION OF THE SHA TIN SITE THAT LETTER B HOLDERS WOULD HAVE OBTAINED IT FOR SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE MARKET PRICE,* HE SAID. *IT IS HARD TO SEE THEREFORE THE REASON FOR RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF HOLDERS TO BID FOR SUCH SITES.*
HE SAID, SIMILARLY, A 3 230-SQUARE METRE SITE AT TUI MIN HOI, SAI KUNG, WITH A PLOT RATIO OF 4, FAILED TO ATTRACT ANY BIDS WHEN OFFERED TO LETTER B HOLDERS, BUT WAS SOLD FOR $656 PER SQUARE FOOT WHEN AUCTIONED. IT WOULD HAVE COST A LETTER B HOLDER $396.25 PER SQUARE FOOT, A PRICE WHICH INCLUDED BOTH THE. COST OF THE LETTER B AND THE PREMIUM.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID HOLDERS MIGHT BE MISSING SOME GOOD OPPORTUNITIES BY WAITING IN THE HOPE OF PICKING UP A TOWN CENTRE SITE. +SOME OTHER VERY DESIRABLE SITES ARE COMING ONTO THE MARKET AND IT WOULD BE VERY MUCH IN THE HOLDERS’ BEST INTERESTS TO BID FOR THEM,* HE SAID.
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/7
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
7
BASALT ISLAND FIRING RANGE OPENS ******
THE NEW BASALT ISLAND FIRING RANGE IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT WILL COME INTO USE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON MAY 26. FIRING PRACTICE WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 8 AM AND 12 NOON ON THAT DAY AND THE FOLLOWING TWO DAYS (MAY 27 AND 28).
THE NEW RANGE WILL PROVIDE ESSENTIAL TARGET PRACTICE FOR ROYAL NAVY AND MARINE POLICE CRAFT AND REPLACES THE OLD PORT SHELTER RANGE. THE RANGE BOUNDARY INCORPORATES BASALT ISLAND AND THE OPEN SEA TO THE EAST OF IT.
IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, WARNING POSTERS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT SAI KUNG DISTRICT, AND TO OTHER CONCERNED ORGANISATIONS, CLEARLY SHOWING THE RANGE BOUNDARY, OTHER DANGER AREAS AND THE LOCATION OF FIRING DANGER FLAGS.
SPECIAL NOTICE BOARDS HAVE BEEN SET UP ON PUBLIC PIERS AND AT OTHER SELECTED POINTS, GIVING WARNING OF FIRING AND THE DANGERS OF ENTERING THE RANGE AND OTHER DANGER AREAS.
NOTICES, ANNOUNCING DATES AND TIMES OF FIRING, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE BEFORE EVERY FIRING PRACTICE.
ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE THROUGH THE PRESS, RADIO AND TV.
LAUNCHES AND PATROL CRAFT WILL PATROL- THE RANGE BOUNDARY DURING FIRING TO WARN LOCAL FISHING AND OTHER CRAFT.
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT ENTRY TO THE RANGE AREA IS PROHIBITED DURING FIRING AND WHEN THE RANGE DANGER FLAGS ARE FLYING. THEY ARE ALSO WARNED NOT TO TOUCH OR PICK UP ’ANY OBJECT IN THE DANGER AREAS.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SAI KUNG, MR COLIN BOSHER SAID TODAY HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE NEW RANGE WAS SMALLER AND FURTHER AWAY FROM INHABITED AREAS THAN THE OLD ONE.
+FIRING SHOULD NOT CAUSE INCONVENIENCE TO RESIDENTS OR VISITORS, AND ONLY MINIMUM INCONVENIENCE TO FISHING BOATS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
+IT WILL NOT TAKE PLACE DURING WEEKENDS OR ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND WILL ALWAYS END BY MID-DAY.
/+! AM .....
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
8
+l AM CONFIDENT THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE AREA WILL SUPPORT THE ROYAL NAVY AND MARINE POLICE BY STAYING WELL AWAY FROM THE RANGE DURING FIRING,* HE SAID.
NCTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE REQUESTED TO GIVE THIS AND ALL SUBSEQUENT ANNOUNCEMENTS OF FIRING PRACTICE AT THE BASALT ISLAND FIRING RANGE THE WIDEST PUBLICITY IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
MAPS SHOWING THE RANGE AREA AND OTHER DANGER AREAS ARE NO* AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM GIS PRESS BOXES.
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DIRECTOR OF TRADE LEAVES FOR EEC TALKS
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR PETER TSAO, WILL LEAVE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR BRUSSELS FOR CONSULTATIONS WITH THE EEC.
THE DISCUSSIONS WILL COVER THE EEC’S'REQUEST FOR THE SUSPENSION OF EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS FOR WOVEN OUTER GARMENT IN CATEGORIES 78 AND 81 FROM APRIL 12 AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE HK/EEC AGREEMENT.
HE WILL THEN VISIT THE HONG KONG OFFICE IN GENEVA FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COUNSELLOR FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS, MR T.H. CHAU, AND WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF A NUMBER OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE, INCLUDING THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA).
ON RETURN TO BRUSSELS, HE WILL TAKE PART IN A PANEL DISCUSSION ON MAY 29 IN A THREE-DAY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF THE MFA. CO-PANELISTS INCLUDE AMBASSADOR REITER WEBB, THE UNITED STATES CHIEF TEXTILE NEGOTIATOR, AND MR HORST KRENZLER, THE EEC’S CHIEF TEXTILE NEGOTIATOR.
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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
9
TREE PLANTING — HELPING NATURE DO ITS WORK ******
A TOTAL OF 140 TREES OF VARIOUS SPECIES WERE PLANTED AT RECREATION AND AMENITY AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TODAY (FRIDAY) DURING TREE PLANTING CEREMONIES HELD IN TAI PO, TUEN MUN, AND TSUEN WAN/KWAI CHUNG.
THESE TREE PLANTINGS, PLANNED FOR EVERY NT DISTRICT BY THE NT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ARE SPONSORED BY VARIOUS DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS AND LOCAL DIGNITARIES.
SCHOOL CHILDREN WERE ALSO INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXERCISES.
THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR H.S. GREWAL SPEAKING AT THE TUEN MUN TREE PLANTING CEREMONY TODAY, SAID THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT OF HIGH QUALITY MUST BE SHARED BY THE COMMUNITY.
+THESE TREE PLANTING DAYS ARE DIRECTED TOWARDS AWAKENING THE PUBLIC’S CONCERN FOR CARE OF PLANTS IN PUBLIC AREAS,♦ HE SAID.
HE ADDEDi +WE CAN SUPPLEMENT THE CARE OF NATURE TO NOURISH AND NURTURE THEM ONLY UP TO A POINT, AND BEYOND THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY RESTS WITH THE COMMUNITY TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF THESE TREES, TO PROTECT THEM AGAINST VANDALISM, AND TO TREAT THEM WITH THE RESPECT WHICH THEY DESERVE.*
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE SOIL, LAY-OUT AND LANDSCAPE OF THE DISTRICTS, DIFFERENT SPECIES OF TREES WERE PLANTED. PLANTED TODAY WERE 60 SAPLINGS OF DELONIX REGIA AND JACARANDA ACUTIFOLIA AT THE OPEN SPACES IN FRONT OF HA HANG VILLAGE ALONG TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO- 30 KAPOK TREES AT SHEK PAI TAU PLAYGROUND, TUEN MUN, AND 50 BAUHINIA BLAKENA AT THE HILL SLOPE BOUNDED BY LAI KING HILL ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD.
REGIONAL COMMISSIONER, NORTHWEST, OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR J.W. SWEETMAN, WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE TUEN MUN TREE PLANTING CEREMONY, SAID THAT THE TREES, APART FROM HAVING AMENITY VALUE, WOULD ALSO SERVE THE PURPOSES OF WIND BREAKING, SLOPE STABILISATION AND PROVIDING SHADE.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE TUEN MUN TREE PLANTING CEREMONY WERE MR BILLY C.L. LAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICER (TUEN MUN). AND MR LAU WONG-FAT, CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE.
THE TAI PO TREE PLANTING CEREMONY WAS OFFICIATED BY MR WONG YUEN-CHEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, WHILE THE TSUEN WAN/KWAI CHUNG TREE PLANTING CEREMONY WAS OFFICIATED BY MR HO TZE-PING, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD.
/"O......
0
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
10
EXHIBITION OF MENTAL HEALTH PHOTOS
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR THOMAS LEE, TODAY OPENED A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION WHICH EXPLORES THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH THE LENSES OF PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS.
THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION IN THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL HAS ON DISPLAY 240 PHOTOGRAPHS PORTRAYING STATES OF MIND RANGING FROM ANXIETY TO RELAXATION.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION, OF WHICH MR LEE IS THE VICE-PRESIDENT, AND THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, IS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH WEEK.
OTHER ACTIVITIES, RELATING MENTAL HEALTH TO THE INDIVIDUAL, HIS LIFE AND WORK, INCLUDE TALKS, LECTURES, FILMS AND SLIDE SHOWS, ESSAY AND POSTER COMPETITIONS, AND A STAGE PLAY.
THE EXHIBITION WILL STILL BE OPEN TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ON SUNDAY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM.
_ _ 0 - -
TEACHER LIBRARIANS COURSE WORK ON DISPLAY
*****
TEACHER LIBRARIANS WHO RECENTLY ATTENDED A BASIC TRAINING COURSE IN LIBRARIANSHIP WILL BE SHOWING SOME OF THEIR COURSE WORK TO THE PUBLIC AT AN EXHIBITION TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT PROJECTS SHOWING THE USE OF LIBRARY RESOURCES WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED.
THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT DEMONSTRATING WAYS OF INTEGRATING LIBRARY RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES WITH THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
THE 89 TEACHER LIBRARIANS CONTRIBUTING TO THE EXHIBITION HAVE PARTICIPATED IN A TRAINING COURSE WHICH BEGAN LAST DECEMBER. IT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LIBRARY SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S EXTRA-MURAL DEPARTMENT.
THE AIM OF THE COURSE WAS TO ACQUAINT THEM WITH DAILY LIBRARY ROUTINES AND PROCEDURES, BASIC MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES AND THE USE OF LIBRARY SERVICES TO COMPLEMENT THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
MR R.M. CAMERON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS) WILL OPEN THE EXHIBITION, TO BE HELD AT MUNSANG COLLEGE, 8 DUMBARTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
/MEMBERS OF
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
11
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO SEE THE EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 11.30 AM TO 4 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EXHIBITION SHOWING THE USE OF SCHOOL LIBRARY RESOURCES, TO BE HELD FROM 11.30 AM TO 4 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT MUNSANG COLLEGE, 8 DUMBARTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
-----0------
VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CARDS STANDARDISED
******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IS TO ISSUE A STANDARD ’VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CARD’ TO ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AGED 12 AND OVER IN HONG KONG AWAITING RESETTLEMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE CARD WOULD PROVIDE A STANDARDISED FORM OF IDENTIFICATION FOR REFUGEES IN THE VARIOUS CAMPS. +IT WILL NOT, HOWEVER', GIVE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ANY RIGHT TO RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG AND WILL BE WITHDRAWN ON THEIR DEPARTURE FOR RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS,* HE ADDED.
AT PRESENT, THE FIVE UNHCR CAMPS ISSUE THEIR OWN RESPECTIVE CAMP PASSES THE DESIGN OF WHICH DIFFERS FROM CAMP TO CAMP AND COULD LEAD TO CONFUSION.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT ALTHOUGH VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ARE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO APPLY FOR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS AND ARE NOT ENTITLED TO THE ISSUE OF HONG KONG TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, SOME FORM OF TEMPORARY BUT RELIABLE EVIDENCE OF THEIR IDENTITY IS DESIRABLE.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN ISSUING THE STANDARD REFUGEE CARD TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
12
SAFE CROSSING FOR PEDESTRIANS AT SAIGON ST
******
WORK WILL BEGIN NEXT WEEK ON A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY AT SAIGON STREET IN YAU MA TEI TO PROVIDE A SAFE CROSSING FOR THE PUBLIC AND TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN NATHAN ROAD.
A CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT, WORTH MORE THAN $4.5 MILLION, WAS SIGNED THIS AFTERNOON BETWEEN MR TOM ARMOUR, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF WING FAI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.
A PWD SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE WORK FORMED PART OF A PLAN TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN NATHAN ROAD.
IT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 33-METRE SUBWAY UNDER NATHAN ROAD WITH ENTRANCES AT SAIGON STREET, AND THE DIVERSION OF STORMWATER DRAINS. THE PROJECT WILL TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, TWO-LANE TRAFFIC IN EACH DIRECTION ALONG NATHAN ROAD WILL BE MAINTAINED.
THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY THE HIGHWAYS STRUCTURAL DESIGN DIVISION AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
----o------
MAXICAB FARES REVISED
*****
MAXICAB FARES IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE INCREASED FROM SUNDAY (MAY 18).
PRESENT FARES RANGE FROM 40 CENTS TO $2. THE REVISED RATE RANGES FROM 50 CENTS TO $3, AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 35 PER CENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE OCTOBER 1978 MAX I CAB FARES ARE RAISED.
THE REVISION, HE SAID, IS LARGELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO INCREASES IN FUEL COSTS, DRIVERS’ WAGES AND INSURANCE PREMIUMS.
_--------0-----------
/13
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1989
13
MAXICAB NETWORK EXPANDED
*****
THREE NEW MAXICAB ROUTES WILL BE STARTED ON SUNDAY (MAY 18) TO SERVE POK FU LAM GARDENS AND UPPER BRAEMAR HILL ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND NAM SHAN ESTATE IN KOWLOON.
ROUTE NO 22 FROM POK FU LAM GARDENS TO CENTRAL (STAR FERRY) WILL BE VIA CLAYMORE AVENUE, POK FU LAM ROAD, HIGH STREET, BONHAM ROAD, CAINE ROAD, OLD BAILEY STREET, WYNHAM STREET, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, GARDEN ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE SLIP ROAD, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND EDINBURGH PLACE.
THE RETURN TRIP WILL BE FROM EDINBURGH PLACE TO HARCOURT ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE, GARDEN ROAD, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, GLENEALY, CAINE ROAD, BONHAM ROAD, POK FU LAM ROAD AND CLAYMORE AVENUE.
THE FULL FARE WILL BE $2 AND THE SECTION FARE 11. THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE AT A BASIC FREQUENCY OF SEVEN TO EIGHT MINUTES FROM 6.30 AM TO 9 PM.
MAXICABS ON NEW ROUTE NO 25 FROM UPPER BRAEMAR HILL TO MIR ADMIRALTY STATION WILL GO PAST BRAEMAR HILL ROAD, CLOUD VIEW ROAD, YEE KING ROAD, LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD, TAI HANG ROAD, TUNG LO WAN ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, MORRISON HILL ROAD, WAN CHAI ROAD, FLEMING ROAD, LOCKHART ROAD, FENWICK STREET, GLOUCESTER ROAD, HARCOURT ROAD AND ADMIRALTY CENTRE ACCESS ROAD.
ON THE RETURN TRIP, THEY WILL START FROM ADMIRALTY CENTRE ACCESS ROAD, AND TAKE THE ROUTE OF COTTON'TREE DRIVE SLIP ROAD, QUEENSWAY, ARSENAL STREET, LOCKHART ROAD, O’BRIEN ROAD, HENNESSY ROAD, FLEMING ROAD, WAN CHAI ROAD, MORRISON HILL ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, HYSAN AVENUE, SUNNING ROAD, PENNINGTON STREET, YEE WO STREET, TUNG LO WAN ROAD, TAI HANG ROAD, LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD, YEE KING ROAD, CLOUD VIEW ROAD AND BRAEMAR HILL ROAD.
THE FARES WILL BE $1.50 AND $1 RESPECTIVELY FOR A FULL AND A SECTIONAL JOURNEY. THE MAXICABS WILL RUN AT A BASIC FREQUENCY OF 10 MINUTES FROM 7 AM TO 9 PM.
IN KOWLOON, MAX I CAB ROUTE NO 10 FROM NAM SHAN ESTATE TO SHAM SHU I PO FERRY WILL USE TO YUEN STREET, LUNG CHU STREET, TAI HANG TUNG ROAD, WOH CHOI STREET, SHEK KIP MEI STREET, UN CHAU STREET, NAM CHEONG STREET, YEE KUK STREET AND YEN CHOW STREET.
THE RETURN TRIP WILL BE ROUTED VIA YEN CHOW STREET, UN CHAU STREET, CAMP STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TAI PO ROAD, PEI HO STREET, BERWICK STREET, SHEK KIP MEI STREET, WOH CHAI STREET, TAI HANG TUNG ROAD, LUNG CHU STREET AND TO YUEN STREET.
THE FARE ON THIS ROUTE WILL BE 70 CENTS. SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT A BASIC FREQUENCY OF SIX MINUTES FROM 6 AM TO 10.30 PM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, iiAY 17, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
J8 PER CENT INCREASE IP TRADE IN FIRST QUARTER ............. 1
THOROUGHFARE FOR PEDESTRIANS IN CSNTR.AL DISTRICT .......... 6
DESERTED BUILDINGS TURNED INTO RECREATION CENTRE............ 7
PRISON OFFICERS OBTAIN NURSING QUALIFICATION ............... 8
PETROL ST. .TICK SIL FOR SALE............................... 8
TRAFFIC CADGES AT YAU TONG .2 D -ESTHRN DISTRICT ........... 8
FIRING PRACTICE ............................................ 9
WATER CUT
9
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1980
1
38 PER CENT INCREASE IN TRADE ******
IN FIRST QUARTER
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY TO MARCH 1980, VALUED AT $43 956 MILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 38 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1979, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 36 PER CENT TO $13 708 MILLION, IMPORTS BY 38 PER CENT TO $24 212 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 44 PER CENT TO $6 036 MILLION.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER SHOWED AN INCREASE CF 38 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TEN MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE AS FOLLOWS I
JAN - MAR 80 (HK$ M) JAN - MAR 79 (HK$ M) INCREASE/ DECREASE PERCENTAGE CHANGE
(HKJ 1 M)
U.S.A. 4 352 3 262. + 1 090 * 33
F.R. OF GERMANY 1 616 1 215 ♦ 401 ♦ 33
U.K. 1 373 1 144 ♦ 229 + 20
JAPAN 498 516 — 18 - 3
AUSTRALIA 452 379 ♦ 73 ♦ 19
SINGAPORE 369 275 ♦ 94 + 34
NETHERLANDS 349 263 + 86 + 33
CANADA 347 303 ♦ 44 + 15
CHINA 305 51 + 254 + 498
FRANCE 268 161 4- 107 ♦ 66
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S. WERE REGISTERED MAINLY IN CLOTHING (BY $252 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $126 MILLION OR 72 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $125 MILLION OR 69 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $122 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT), AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $88 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT).
/INCREASES IN .....
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1980
2
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE WEST GERMAN MARKET WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY |2O8 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY 49 MILLION OR 62 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $39 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT).
EXPORT GROWTH TO THE U.K. WAS RECORDED CHIEFLY IN CLOTHING (BY $99 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT), AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $53 MILLION OR 90 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN EXPORTS OF TEXTILES (BY $15 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT).
THE DOWNWARD TREND IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN CONTINUED. DECREASES WERE NOTED MAINLY FOR FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $21 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $9 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $4 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT).
AN ANALYSIS OF CHANGES DIVISION IS PRESENTED BELOW
IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY
JAN - MAR 80 JAN - MAR 79 INCREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ M) (HK$ M) (HK$ M) CHANGE
ARTICLES OF APPAREL 3 718 ♦ 856 ♦ 23
AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4 574
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 2 171 1 590 4- 581 + 37
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS. OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1 313 835 + 478 4- 57
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1 129 689 4- 440 4- 64
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1 035 792 4- 243 4- 31
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES) 883 590 ♦ 293 ♦ 50
/BY COMMODITY .....
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1980
3
BY COMMODITY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $414 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT), RADIO BROADCAST RECEIVERS OF ALL KINDS (BY $256 MILLION OR 75 PER CENT), PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $134 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT), HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL AND NON-ELECTRI CAL EQUIPMENT (BY $115 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT), AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $108 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND THEIR PREPARATIONS CONTINUED TO DECLINE (BY $36 MILLION OR 34 PER CFNT'I.
THE CHANGES AS FOLLOWS t-
IN IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED
JAN - MAR 80 (HK$ M) JAN - MAR 79 (HK$ M) INCREASE (HK$ M) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
JAPAN 5 383 4 048 ♦ 1 335 + 33
CHINA 4 419 2 875 ♦ 1 544 + 54
U.S.A. 2 892 2 062^ ♦ 830 + 40
TAIWAN 1 695 1 240 + 455 + 37
SINGAPORE 1 532 896 + 636 + 71
U.K. 1 111 788 ♦ 323 + 41
REP. OF KOREA 798 542 ♦ 256 ♦ 47
F.R. OF GERMANY 745 595 + 150 ♦ 25
SWITZERLAND 667 554 + 113 ♦ 20
THAILAND 413 310 ♦ 103 + 33
IMPORT DEMAND FOR JAPANESE GOODS REMAINED STRONG. INCREASES WERE NOTED PARTICULARLY FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $193 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $160 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT), IRON AND STEEL (BY $146 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY $133 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT) AS WELL AS WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $102 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT).
IMPORTS FROM CHINA ROSE CONSIDERABLY, MAINLY OF PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $331 MILLION OR 137 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $196 MILLION OR 146 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY $163 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT), MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS (BY $61 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT), AND MISCELLANEOUS CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $53 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT).
/INCREASES IN .....
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1980
4
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S. WERE LARGELY
OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $224 MILLION OR 228 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $102 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT), TEXTILE FIBRES AND THEIR WASTES (BY $98 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT), AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $71 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS OF PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $14 MILLION OR 6 PER CENT).
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $470 MILLION OR 99 PER CENT) FROM SINGAPORE, AS WELL AS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $89 MILLION OR 82 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $58 MILLION OR 71 PER CENT) FROM TAIWAN.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE MORE IN IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECTION 1-
IMPORTANT CHANGES
JAN - MAR 80 JAN - MAR 79 INCREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ M) (HK$ M) (HK$ M) CHANGE
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER) 7 221 A 5 810 ♦ 1 411 ♦ 24
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 5 129 3 800 ♦ 1 329 + 35
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 3 452 2 394 ♦ 1 058 + 44
FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 2 504 2 052 + 452 + 22
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2 118 1 301 + 817 + 63
MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 1 712 798 ♦ 914 ♦ 115
/ A MOlffi .....
SATURDAY, MAY 1?, 1980
5
A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS REVEALED THAT INCREASES IN IMPORTS WERE MAINLY OF PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY <888 MILLION OR 116 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY <523 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY <437 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT), ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY <394 MILLION OR 94 PER CENT), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY <378 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT).
AS TO RE-EXPORTS, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY <500 MILLION OR 309 PER CENT), U.K. (BY <242 MILLION OR 515 PER CENT), NIGERIA (BY <97 MILLION OR 166 PER CENT), SWITZERLAND (BY <92 MILLION OR 105 PER CENT), AND THE F.R. OF GERMANY (BY <90 MILLION OR 121 PER CENT).
INCREASES WERE MAINLY REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS OF NON-FERROUS METALS (BY <215 MILLION OR 360 PER CENT), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY <152 MILLION OR 64 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY <134 MILLION OR 90 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY <119 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY <108 MILLION OR 98 PER CENT), AND ROAD VEHICLES (BY <73 MILLION OR 78 PER CENT).
THE TRADE INDEX NUMBERS FOR FEBRUARY 1980 (1973 - 100) WERE AS FOLLOWS 1-
VALUE INDEX UNIT VALUE INDEX QUANTUM INDEX
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 255 173 147
IMPORTS 295 178 166
THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX, EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF UNIT VALUE INDEX FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THAT FOR IMPORTS, FOR FEBRUARY 1980 WAS 97.
+THE HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS - SUMMARY*, A SUMMARY REPORT ON HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN MARCH 1980, WILL SOON BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK<3 A COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*, WITH DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE MONTH’S IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN EARLY JUNE AND WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRE AT HK<10 A COPY.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTION TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE MADE TO THE SALES OF PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 1 5-214375).
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/6
SATURDAY, MAY 17, I960
6
THOROUGHFARE FOR PEDESTRIANS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT ft ft ft ft
COMMUTERS CROSSING CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE HEAVY TRAFFIC, STARTING NEXT WEEK.
AT 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 19) ALMOST THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE $25 MILLION CENTRAL FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM RUNNING FROM REDDER STREET TO GILMAN STREET WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID WORK ON THE 480-METRE ELEVATED WALKWAY, THE LONGEST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, HAD SUBSTANTIALLY BEEN COMPLETED.
♦TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS AREA AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINALS, AND TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO OPEN SECTIONS OF THE FOOTBRIDGE TO THE PUBLIC AS SOON AS THEY ARE COMPLETED,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN RECALLED THAT A SMALL SECTION OF THE COVERED FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM WAS FIRST OPENED TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY, MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT TO AND FROM THE NEARBY MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION.
♦OPENING ON MONDAY WILL BE THE REMAINING SECTION OF THE MAIN WALKWAY AND THE FOOTBRIDGE CONNECTING THE PAVEMENT OUTSIDE FIRE BRIGADE BUILDING TO THE MAIN WALKWAY.
♦SEVEN OF THE 12 ESCALATORS, WHICH FORM PART OF THE PROJECT, WILL ALSO COME INTO OPERATION, WORKING BETWEEN 7 AM AND 8 PM DAILY WHEN THE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IS HEAVY,+ HE SAID.
THE COVERED FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM CAN BE REACHED BYi ft THE FOOTBRIDGE LINKING CONNAUGHT CENTRE AND SWIRE HOUSE, ft THE ELEVATED WALKWAY ABOVE THE CENTRAL PROMENADE, ft THE CENTRAL BUS TERMINUS, ft THE STAIR AND ESCALATORS OUTSIDE FIRE BRIGADE BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, ft THE BACK OF THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TERMINUS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICULAR FERRY PIER, AND
ft EITHER SIDE OF GILMAN STREET TO THE NORTH OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COVERED FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM WOULD NOT ONLY ENABLE PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS THE PRESENTLY CONGESTED CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WITH EASE AND IN GREATER SAFETY, IT WOULD ALSO PROTECT THEM FROM BAD WEATHER.
AS FOR THE ESCALATORS, HE ADDED, THEY WERE THE FIRST TO BE PROVIDED IN THE OPEN IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG. APART FROM ENHANCING PEDESTRIAN COMFORT, THEY WOULD INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF PEDESTRIAN FLOW.
/uv. said
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1980
7
HE SAID THAT THE FOOTBRIDGE NEAR GILMAN STREET AND THE REMAINING FIVE ESCALATORS, BEING INSTALLED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF THE PWD, WOULD BE READY IN JULY, WHILE ANOTHER BRIDGE LINKING THE MAIN WALKWAY TO A FERRY PIER IN PIER ROAD WOULD BE COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
+WITH THE OPENING OF THE ELEVATED WALKWAY, THE TWO GROUND LEVEL PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AT CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL IN FRONT OF HANG SENG BANK BUILDING AND FIRE BRIGADE BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED LATER THIS MONTH TO IMPROVE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREA,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE SCHEME HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION IS BEING SUPERVISED BY CONSULTING ENGINEERS, MESSRS PALMER AND TURNER, ON BEHALF OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PWD.
-----0------
DESERTED BUILDINGS TURNED INTO RECREATION CENTRE * * * * *
TWO DESERTED CONSTRUCTION COMPANY BUILDINGS AT TAI SHU I HANG. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOLO HARBOUR FROM THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY. HAVE BEEN CONVERTED INTO AN OUTDOOR RECREATION AND CAMPING CENTRE.
THE BUILDINGS ARE ON A SITE WHICH WAS VACATED WHEN A ROAD PROJECT IN THE AREA WAS COMPLETED TWO YEARS AGO.
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD SAW THE POTENTIAL OF THE SITE AS AN OUTLET FOR THE GROWING NUMBERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND ARRANGED FOR IT TO BE CONVERTED TO RECREATIONAL Ubt •
THE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO HOSTELS.
RESIDENTS OF SHA TIN HAVE .DONATED BEDS, CHAIRS AND SLEEPING
THE CENTRE, WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE 50 PEOPLE AT A TIME IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH SIX CANOES AND 25 TENTS. '
LAST FINANCIAL YEAR THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD ALLOCATED $13 000 TO THE PROJECT AND HAS INCREASED THIS FIGURE TO $25 000 FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE SUM IS TO COVER THE COST OF EMPLOYING A FULL-TIME WARDEN, OF BUILDING A CANOE SHELTER AND MAINTAINING THE BUILDINGS.
THE CENTRE IS OPERATED BY THE SHA TIN CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE. WHOSE DIRECTOR, MR CHEUNG TSE-YUEN, SAID THAT THE SITE WOULD BE USED FOR ABOUT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS UNTIL THE AREA WAS REQUIRED TO BE HANDED OVER FOR NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT. APPLICATIONS TO ATTEND CAMPS ARE MADE TO THE CENTRE’S OFFICE WHICH IS IN LEK YUEN ESTATE.
THE CAMPSITE IS POPULAR WITH CHILDREN FROM SHA TIN AND IS USED MOST WEEK-ENDS. THE WARDEN IS A QUALIFIED CANOEING INSTRUCTOR AND VOLUNTEER LIFEGUARDS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
o -------
/8......
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1980
8
PRISON OFFICERS OBTAIN NURSING QUALIFICATION *****
TWENTY-TWO ASSISTANT PRISON OFFICERS INCLUDING TWO WOMEN OFFICERS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE FIRST AID AND HOME NURSING EXAMINATION CONDUCTED BY THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION AFTER COMPLETING A THREE-MONTH IN-SERVICE HOSPITAL TRAINING PROGRAMME.
AT A CEREMONY HELD IN THE STAFF RECREATION HALL AT STANLEY TODAY (SATURDAY), THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN CHARGE OF STANLEY PRISON, MR RAYMOND LAI, PRESENTED THE CERTIFICATES TO THE OFFICERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT SAID THE TRAINING PROGRAMME INCLUDED EIGHT WEEKS’ THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL TRAINING IN THE STANLEY PRISON HOSPITAL AND FOUR WEEKS’ FIELD TRAINING.
ON COMPLETING THE TRAINING AND PASSING THE RELEVANT EXAMINATIONS, THE OFFICERS WOULD BE POSTED TO THE HOSPITALS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS TO PERFORM NURSING DUTIES.
MORE THAN 200 SERVING PRISON OFFICERS HAVE RECEIVED PROPER NURSING TRAINING, AND MANY OF THEM ARE IN FACT QUALIFIED REGISTERED OR ENROLLED NURSES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN ADDITION, 16 OFFICERS ARE CURRENTLY ATTENDING PSYCHIATRIC NURSING COURSES CONDUCTED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, HE ADDED.
-----o------
PETROL STATION SITE FOR SALE ******
A SITE FOR A PETROL FILLING STATION IS BEING OFFERED FOR SALE BY TENDER BY THE PWD CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE.
THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 530 SQUARE METRES, IS SITUATED AT HIU KWONG STREET, SAU MAU PING.
THE DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 20.
TENDER FORMS, TOGETHER WITH NOTICES AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICES IN MURRAY BUILDING, 19TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, AND IN THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR.
TENDER PLANS MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES.
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/9
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1980
9
TRAFFIC CHANGES AT YAU TONG AND WESTERN DISTRICT ft ft ft ft ft
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED AT YAU TONG AND ON POKFULAM ROAD IN WESTERN DISTRICT NEXT WEEK.
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 19) THE SECTION OF YAU TONG ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH YAN WING STREET AND CHA KWO LING ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
ON TUESDAY (MAY 20) FROM 10 AM, ALL NORTHBOUND VEHICLES ON POKFULAM ROAD IN FRONT OF POKFIELD ROAD BUS TERMINUS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM U-TURNING OR TURNING RIGHT INTO THE SERVICE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE PETROL FILLING STATION.
AT THE SAME TIME ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ON EASTBOUND JOURNEYS ALONG POKFIELD ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO POKFULAM ROAD UNLESS AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP AT THESE MOTORISTS.
PLACES TO GUIDE
-----o-----
FIRING PRACTICE ft ft ft
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE NEXT WEEK FROM MONDAY TO THURSDAY (MAY 19 TO 22) BETWEEN 9 AM AND 11 PM AND ON FRIDAY (MAY 23) BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.
o --------
WATER CUT ft ft ft
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MID-LEVELS WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 19) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.
THE PREMISES ARE NOS. 7-15 MAGAZINE GAP ROAD, NOS. 1, 3, 5-11, TREGUNTER PATH, AND THOSE IN MAY ROAD AND CLOVELLY PATH.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, MaY 18, 1980
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
SHING KUN RIVES TO BE BOaT PaRK ....................... 1
BETTER USE OF PRISON LaBOUR ........................... 2
PROSECUTIONS AGAINST LaBOUR LAW BREAKERS .............. 3
REPAIRING COUNTRY PaRK LOSS ............................ 3
ORDERS-ON-HaND STATISTICS .............................. 5
TECHNICAL INSTITUTE GRADUATES POPULAR WITH EMPLOYERS .............................................. 6
SHEUNG WAN GETS A NEW FIRE STATION ..................... 7
SALT WATER CUT
7
1
SHING MUN RIVER TO BE BOAT PARK
*****
THE +DEAD+ SHING MUN RIVER IN SHA TIN WILL SPRING TO LIFE IN A FEW YEARS WHEN IT IS TURNED INTO A BOAT PARK.
THE RIVER IS AT PRESENT BEING DREDGED TO CLEAR IT OF ALL MUD AND RUBBISH TO GET IT FLOWING FREELY AGAIN.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE RIVER WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A DEPTH OF 1.8 METRES, MAKING IT IDEAL FOR BOATING ACTIVITIES.
THE 4 000 METRE LONG RIVER, WHICH FLOWS THROUGH WHAT WILL BE THE FUTURE CENTRE OF THE NEW TOWN, HAS AN OFFENSIVE SMELL AT PRESENT.
THIS IS CAUSED BY CHEMICALS BEING DUMPED INTO IT TOGETHER WITH REFUSE FROM PIGSTIES AND CHICKEN FARMS IN THE AREA.
A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID THE RIVER WAS REGARDED AS DEAD BECAUSE OF ITS PRESENT LOW WATER LEVEL.
HE SAID AFTER DREDGING AND CLEANING UP HAD BEEN COMPLETED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, WORK WOULD START IMMEDIATELY ON PREPARING THE RIVER FOR ITS NEW ROLE.
A STRETCH OF THE RIVER BETWEEN CHE KUNG MIU AND THE NEW TOWN CENTRE AREA, ABOUT TWO KILOMETRES LONG AND 200 METRES WIDE, WILL ACCOMMODATE UP TO 2 000 PLEASURE BOATS FOR HIRE.
ON THE SOUTH BANK OF THIS SECTION, A BOATING CENTRE WILL BE BUILT WITH STORAGE FACILITIES.
OTHER STRETCHES WILL BE USED FOR ROWING COMPETITIONS AND SPORTS EVENTS, WHILE THE SIU LEK YUEN CHANNEL HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR CANOEING^
GRAND STANDS AMD OTHER FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED ALONG THE BANKS OF THE REMAINING SECTION TO ALLOW FOR INTERNATIONAL RACES.
IT WAS HOPED THAT DRAGON BOAT COMPETITIONS WOULD BE HELD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SHA TIN IN 1982, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A WORKING PARTY ON THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF WATERWAYS IN SHA TIN HAS BEEN SET UP TO EXAMINE HOW BEST THEY CAN BE USED.
LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THE USE OF THE RIVER IS NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY THE PARTY WHICH CONSISTS OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALONG THE RIVER BANKS WOULD BE TWO GREEN BELTS. THESE WOULD INCLUDE A MILE-LONG TOWN PARK ON THE NORTHERN BANK AND A FIVE MILE LONG TREE LINED PROMENADE STRETCHING FROM TAI WAI TO WU KAI SHA.
HE SAID EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO KEEP THE RIVER CLEAR OF RUBBISH ONCE THE SPORTS CENTRE CAME INTO OPERATION.
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SUNDAY, MAY 18, 1980
2
BETTER USE OF PRISON LABOUR * * * * *
THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT IS EXPANDING ITS WORKS UNIT TO HAVE A GROUP OF TECHNICAL STAFF TO OVERSEE MORE EXTENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF PRISON LABOUR IN CONSTRUCTION WORK.
THIS FOLLOWS THE RESULT OF A STUDY CARRIED OUT JOINTLY BY THE PRISONS AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS WHICH INDICATED THAT MUCH OF THE BUILDING MAINTENANCE WORK AS WELL AS MINOR ALTERATION AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN THE PRISON INSTITUTIONS WERE SUITABLE FOR PRISON LABOUR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT SAID THE NEW APPROACH HAD THE ADVANTAGE OF GIVING REHABILITATIVE TRAINING TO THE PRISONERS AS WELL AS ACHIEVING GREATER SECURITY BY MINIMISING THE NEED FOR ADMITTING OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS INTO THE INSTITUTIONS.
HE ADDED I *IN FACT, THE USE OF PRISON LABOUR FOR SUCH WORK HAS BEEN A PRACTICE FOR MANY YEARS BUT HAS BEEN ON A MORE LIMITED SCALE THAN WE NOW ENVISAGE.*
THE TECHNICAL STAFF TAKEN ON INCLUDE A CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER, IWO CLERKS OF WORKS AND FOUR ASSISTANT CLERKS OF WORKS WHO ARE ALL SECONDED FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER, MR RODNEY ALLEN, HAS RECENTLY ARRIVED FROM BRITAIN TO TAKE UP HIS POST AS HEAD OF THE UNIT. HE WILL SHORTLY BE JOINED BY THE OTHERS.
MR ALLEN HAS WORKED FORMERLY WITH THE PWD ON ATTACHMENT FROM THE ROYAL ENGINEERS, FROM WHICH HE RECENTLY RETIRED AFTER 22 YEARS’ SERVICE.
THE EXPANDED WORKS UNIT WILL SUPERVISE ALL CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE WORK ON SITE AND WILL LIAISE WITH CONTRACTORS EMPLOYED ON LARGER PROJECTS.
IN ADDITION, THE CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING THE PROGRAMME OF CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR THE DEPARTMENT, LIAISING WITH THE PWD ON SPECIFIC PROJECTS, AND GIVING ADVICE ON OTHER MATTERS.
-----o------
SUNDAY, MAY 18, 1980
3
PROSECUTIONS AGAINST LABOUR LAW BREAKERS
*****
THERE WERE IN APRIL 752 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS FOR VIOLATING LABOUR LEGISLATION.
THE CASES — TAKEN OUT BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S PROSECUTIONS UNIT — RESULTED IN FINES TOTALLING >498 700 BEING IMPOSED BY THE COURTS.
THEMAJORITY OF CASES WERE RELATED TO BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND VARIOUS REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE ORDINANCE, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
AMONG THEM, 335 CONCERNED BREACHES OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ' REGULATIONS AND THE FINES AMOUNTED TO >312 900.
OF THESE 335 CASES, 211 (WITH >170 200 IN FINES) WERE FOR BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS AND 58 (WITH >88 400 IN FINES) WERE FOR BREACHES OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
OFFENCES RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACCOUNTED FOR 388 CASES AND FINES TOTALLED >160 900.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CASES WERE THE RESULT OF ACTION TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE AND THE LABOUR INSPECTORATE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH EXISTING LEGISLATION SAFEGUARDED EMPLOYEES AT WORK AND PROTECTED THE WELFARE OF WOMEN AND YOUNG WORKERS, IT TOOK MORE THAN LAWS TO STAMP OUT OFFENCES IN INDUSTRY, AND CO-OPERATION WAS NEEDED FROM ALL CONCERNED TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
------ 0 ---------
I
REPAIRING COUNTRY PARK LOSS * * * *
COUNTRY PARKS STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ARE WORKING HARD IN THE HILLS ONCE AGAIN TO MAKE GOOD SOME OF THE LOSSES CAUSED BY INCONSIDERATE AND CARELESS PICNICKERS.
MORE THAN HALF A MILLION TREES WERE DAMAGED IN 417 FIRES INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS LAST WINTER. THE AREAS DEVASTATED COVERED SOME 3 □□□ HECTARES.
YEARS OF PAINSTAKING LABOUR WILV HAVE TO BE DONE IN ORDER THAT THE SCORCHED GROUND CAN TURN GREEN WITH TREES AGAIN.
IT WILL HAVE TO START AGAIN FROM THE VERY BEGINNING - THE GERMINATION OF YOUNG TREES.
/LIMITED BY .....
SUNDAY, MAY 18, 1980
4
LIMITED BY THE AVAILABILITY OF SEEDLINGS AS WELL AS MANPOWER, ONLY 200 000 OF THEM WILL BE PLANTED THIS YEAR AT THE BURNT OUT AREAS. ANOTHER 100 000 SEEDLINGS WILL BE PLANTED ON HILLSIDES TO CONTROL EROSION AND FOR LANDSCAPING.
+WE ARE DEFINITELY NOT CATCHING UP WITH THE NUMBER OF TREES DAMAGED, BUT WE ARE DOING THE BEST UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT TREE PLANTING WAS NOT A SIMPLE PROCEDURE OF MERELY THROWING HANDFULS OF SEEDS ON THE GROUND AND LEAVING THE REST TO NATURE.
+ IT IS A TEDIOUS TASK INVOLVING PROLONGED PERIODS OF PREPARATION AND AFTERCARE,* HE SAID.
THE SEEDS HAVE FIRST TO BE COLLECTED AND SOWN IN SEEDBEDS. WHEN THEY HAVE GERMINATED, THEY ARE TRANSPLANTED TO POLYTHENE TUBES OF SOIL AND ARE TENDED FOR 10 MONTHS TO ONE YEAR UNTIL THEY ARE HARDY ENOUGH TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE NURSERY AND PLANTED IN THE WILD.
EVERY YEAR, STARTING IN JANUARY, WORKERS CARRYING HEAVY PICKS AND SPADES TRUDGE UP THE HILLS AND DIG PITS IN PREPARATION FOR THE PLANTING SEASON. IN THE PAST, THE PITS WE?E EVENLY SPACED IN ROWS. THEY ARE NOW ARRANGED ASYMMETRICALLY TO GIVE THE WOODLAND A MORE NATURAL APPEARANCE.
SHORTLY BEFORE THE RAINS COME, THE SEEDLINGS ARE PLACED IN THESE PITS ONE AT A TIME WITH A HELPING OF FERTILIZERS TO START THEM ON THEIR NEW LIFE. THEREAFTER, FERTILIZERS ARE APPLIED AT REGULAR INTERVALS. NEXT COMES A LONG PERIOD OF TENDING BEFORE THEY GROW TO THEIR FULL HEIGHT - IF THEY ARE NOT BURNT DOWN BEFORE THIS.
+CARE IS ALSO TAKEN IN THE SELECTION OF TREES FOR PLANTING.
WE ARE TURNING MORE AND MORE TO NATIVE SPECIES WHICH BLEND IN WITH THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT FAR MORE NATURALLY THAN THOSE ORIGINATING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ANOTHER MEASURE TO IMPROVE THE NATURAL LOOK OF OUR COUNTRYSIDE IS THE INTRODUCTION OF GREEN FIREBREAKS IN PLACE OF THE TRADITIONAL BARE ONES.
THESE ARE FORMED BY PLANTING FIRE-RESISTANT SPECIES OF VEGETATION CLOSELY TOGETHER TO FORM A BELT. IT TAKES MUCH LONGER TO BURN THROUGH AND SO GIVES THE FIREFIGHTERS TIME TO STOP THE FIRE FROM SPREADING. THEY ARE ATTRACTIVE AND EFFECTIVE AND DO NOT BRING ABOUT EROSION PROBLEMS.
+EVERY POSSIBLE MEANS IS BEING EXPLORED AND EVERY EFFORT IS MADE BY OUR STAFF TO PRESERVE THE CHARM AND NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRYSIDE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+HOWEVER, WE MUST HAVE THE BACKING OF A CARING PUBLIC WHO HAVE RESPECT FOR THE COUNTRY CODE AND FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSERVATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT,* HE STRESSED.
-----0------
SUNDAY, MAY 18, 1980
5
0RDERS-0N-HAND STATISTICS * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY RELEASED ORDERS-ON-HAND STATISTICS AS FOLLOWS I
ORDERS-ON-HAND IN TERMS OF MONTHS
INDUSTRY GROUP FEB 1980 MARCH 1980
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR 5.0 5.1
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL 2.8 3.2
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4.5 4.7
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT
MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 4.7 4.6
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC
MACHINERY, APPARATUS, APPLIANCES
AND SUPPLIES 5.0 5.1
OTHERS 4.0 4.0
ALL MANUFACTURING 4.5 4.6
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE STATISTICS WERE BASED ON AN UPDATED AND ENLARGED PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SELECTED BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZE IN SEPTEMBER 1979.
♦AS THE PANEL IS NOT A SCIENTIFICALLY DESIGNED SAMPLE, RESULTS OBTAINED WILL BE REPRESENTATIVE ONLY OF THE COMPANIES INCLUDED IN THE PANEL.
♦ IT IS HOPED HOWEVER THAT‘THEY WILL GENERALLY INDICATE THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE,♦ HE SAID.
THE SURVEY, WHICH IS CONDUCTED MONTHLY, ALSO ASKS QUESTIONS ON EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL AND COVERS THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS BESIDES MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR MARCH 1980 WILL SHORTLY BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AT SI A COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, AT TEL. 5-274203.
-----0-----
SUNDAY, MAY 18, 1980
G
TECHNICAL INSTITUTE GRADUATES POPULAR WITH EMPLOYERS
X * * *
MOST OF THE GRADUATES FROM THE FOUR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES LAST YEAR HAVE FOUND JOBS BY EARLY OCTOBER, ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY BY THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED AMONG MORE THAN 1 000 GRADUATES, AND OF THE 950 WHO SUBMITTED RETURNS, 77 PER CENT WERE WORKING BY THEN, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DIVISION SAID.
ANOTHER 17.2 PER CENT OF THE GRADUATES WERE PURSUING FURTHER FULL-TIME STUDIES, HE ADDED.
THE GRADUATES HAD ATTENDED FULL-TIME TECHNICIAN OR CRAFT LEVEL COURSES AT THE MORRISON HILL, KWAI CHUNG, KWUN TONG OR HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
THE AIM OF THE SURVEY WAS TO FIND OUT THEIR EMPLOYMENT SITUATION, AND TO ASSESS THE DEGREE OF ACCEPTANCE OF FULL-TIME TECHNICAL INSTITUTE GRADUATES BY INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE.
+ABOUT 13.8 PER CENT OF THE TECHNICIAN GRADUATES AND 55.7 PER CENT OF THE CRAFT GRADUATES JOINED THE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AVERAGE MONTHLY SALARIES OF THE GRADUATES RANGED FROM $755 TO $1 006 FOR THOSE WHO TOOK COMMERCIAL COURSES, AND FROM $704 TO $1 294 FOR THOSE WHO STUDIED TECHNICAL SUBJECTS.
♦PRESS ADVERTISEMENTS, TECHNICAL INSTITUTE CIRCULARS AND TEACHERS ARE FOUND TO BE THE CHIEF SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYMENT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ACCORDING TO THE RETURNS, 88.5 PER CENT OF THE EMPLOYED GRADUATES CONTINUED TO UNDERTAKE SOME FORM OF PART-TIME STUDY, MAINLY IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
0 -------
/7
SUNDAY, MAY 18, I960
7
SHEUNG WAN GETS A NEW FIRE STATION
*****
A NEW DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION WILL BE BUILT IN SHEUNG WAN TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FIRE COVER FOR THE DENSELY POPULATED AREA.
A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE STATION WOULD OCCUPY A 3 900 SQUARE METRE SITE ON THE RECLAMATION NEAR THE MACAU FERRY PIER.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE THREE-STOREY STATION WILL BE OF STANDARD DESIGN. IT WILL HAVE ROOM FOR 10 FIRE APPLIANCES AND ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR DUTY AND LECTURE ROOMS, OFFICES, BARRACK ACCOMMODATION FOR ESSENTIAL OPERATIONAL STAFF, DINING AND RECREATIONAL AREAS, A DRILL YARD AND A DRILL TOWER.
A FIRE COMMAND HEADQUARTERS WILL BE BUILT ON THE SAME SITE AND WILL BE A TWO-STOREY BUILDING WITH OFFICE ACCOMMODATION AND QUARTERS FOR THE SENIOR OFFICERS ON DUTY.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING DEPARTMENT’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.
INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS
-----0------
SALT WATER CUT * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG, INCLUDING THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL, WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR 26 HOURS FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MAY 20) TO 12 NOON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
DURING THIS PERIOD THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT ESSENTIAL ENGINEERING WORKS.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, HAY 19, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG aBREAST WITH PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT TREND .................................................... 1
LEASE-EXPIRED RESIDENTS WILL NOT BE FORCED OUT......... 2
TRADE MISSION LEAVING FOR GUANGZHOU...................... J
MONEY SUPPORT FOR MATRICULANTS .......................... 3
SURVEY OF iiANPOWER NEEDS IN CAR REPAIRS INDUSTRY...... 4
OLD PEOPLE’S HOLE PLANNED FOR YUEN LONG .................. 5
BEATING THS RUSH FCR TRAVEL PAPERS ....................... 6
ENTRIES INVITED TO WORLD ART EXHIBITION .................. 6
PWD ENGINEER HAD SURPRISE RETIREFiENT GIFT ............... 7
NO RIGHT-TURN ON FENWICK ST
8
MONDAY, MAY 19, 1980
1
HONG KONG ABREAST WITH PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT TREND ******
HONG KONG IS KEEPING ABREAST WITH THE WORLD-WIDE TREND OF TREATING PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS OUTSIDE MENTAL HOSPITALS, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE REGIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON +PRIORITIES IN PSYCHIATRY TODAY+, ORGANISED BY THE WORLD PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION, HE SAID THIS APPROACH HAD MANY ADVANTAGES OVER THE CONVENTIONAL METHOD OF PUTTING PATIENTS IN MENTAL INSTITUTIONS.
FOR INSTANCE, HE SAID, THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF INSTITUTI ON I SAT ION CAN BE AVOIDED AND THE STIGMA ATTACHED TO MENTAL ILLNESS MINIMISED. FURTHERMORE IT IS MORE ECONOMICAL.
DR THONG TOLD THE DELEGATES THAT THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAD FOR A LONG TIME TAKEN STEPS IN THE MOVEMENT OF COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRY.
IN HONG KONG, AS EARLY AS IN 1961 THE FIRST DAY-HOSPITAL WAS FOUNDED. THREE YEARS LATER, THE FIRST HALF-WAY HOUSE WAS ESTABLISHED. THEN THE SETTING UP OF PSYCHIATRIC UNITS IN GENERAL HOSPITALS BEGAN IN 1972.
AS A RESULT OF HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENT IN THIS FIELD, SAID DR THONG, MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THE 30 000 PATIENTS AT PRESENT RECEIVE SPECIALIST PSYCHIATRIC CARE OUTSIDE MENTAL HOSPITALS.
IN ORDER TO MEET THE NEED FOR PSYCHIATRIC BEDS, THE 1 300-BED SOUTH KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE PSYCHIATRIC WING OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL HAS BEEN BUILT AND WILL BE OPENED LATER THIS YEAR.
BY THE END OF THIS DECADE ANOTHER 1 700 PSYCHIATRIC BEDS WILL BE ADDED AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OR EXTENSION PROGRAMME FOR FIVE NEW AND THREE EXISTING GENERAL HOSPITALS. AT THE SAME TIME, 300 DAY HOSPITAL PLACES AND SIX PSYCHIATRIC OUTPATIENT CLINICS WILL BE BUILT IN THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS.
DR THONG WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE CARE OF OLD PEOPLE WITH MENTAL DISORDER WOULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM TO THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES OF ALL DEVELOPED COUNTRIES IN THE REMAINING DECADES OF THE CENTURY.
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, HE SAID, PATIENTS AGED 65 AND OVER CONSTITUTE 40 PER CENT OF THE PSYCHIATRIC IN-PATIENTS WHEREAS IN HONG KONG, POPULATION OF THAT AGE GROUP AT PRESENT ONLY OCCUPY NINE PER CENT OF THE PSYCHIATRIC BEDS.
HOWEVER, HE ENVISAGED THAT PSYCHOGERIATRIC CARE WILL BE A SUBJECT OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG IN THE YEARS TO COME.
/WITH HIGHER .....
MONDAY, MAY 19, 1980
2
WITH HIGHER STANDARDS OF LIVING AND MEDICAL CARE, HE SAID, THE LIFE EXPECTANCY HAS INCREASED TO 70 FOR MALES AND 77 FOR FEMALES, AND THIS, COUPLED WITH SUCCESS IN FAMILY PLANNING, WILL SOON GREATLY AUGMENT THE PROPORTION OF THE ELDERLY FROM THE PRESENT LEVEL OF SIX PER CENT.
♦RAPID SOCIAL CHANGE AND HIGH DENSITY LIVING ARE FACTORS THAT CAUSE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRADITIONAL AND EXTENDED FAMILY STRUCTURE BY SMALL NUCLEUS FAMILIES, MAKING MORE ELDERLY PERSONS RELY ON PUBLIC SUPPORT,♦ DR THONG SAID.
- - - - 0 ---------
LEASE-EXPIRED RESIDENTS WILL* NOT BE FORCED.OUT * * * * *
RESIDENTS OF A NUMBER OF YAU MA TEI PROPERTIES TAKEN INTO DIRECT GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT IN APRIL WILL NOT BE FORCIBLY EVICTED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT NO OCCUPIERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MOVE OUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AND THAT +N0 FORCED EVICTION ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED.♦
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO STRESSED THAT ALL GENUINE OCCUPIERS WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH PUBLIC HOUSING IN CASES WHERE BUILDINGS WERE REQUIRED TO BE DEMOLISHED FOR PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT IN DUE COURSE.
FORMER OWNERS ARE ALREADY BEING PAID EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR THE BUILDINGS TAKEN INTO DIRECT MANAGEMENT.
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FIELD STAFF HAVE ALSO STARTED INTERVIEWING THOSE EX-OWNERS WHO CLAIM FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AS A RESULT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DIRECT MANAGEMENT ACTION, WITH A VIEW TO OFFERING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WHERE APPROPRIATE.
THE PROPERTIES AFFECTED ARE IN CHING PING STREET, TUNG KUN STREET, LEE TAT STREET, CHEUNG SHU I STREET, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND CANTON ROAD.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THESE PROPERTIES FORMED A SITE WHICH WAS ZONED FOR OPEN SPACE AND A SCHOOL WHICH WILL IN DUE COURSE BE DEVELOPED TO REDRESS THE PRESENT DEFICIENCY IN THE DISTRICT.
HE ALSO DENIED THAT ALL PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE SIX STREETS HAD BEEN ASSURED THAT THEIR NON-RENEWABLE 75-YEAR LEASES WOULD BE RENEWED.
♦PRIOR TO 1970 THE GOVERNMENT MADE A GENERAL STATEMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT IF LEASE-EXPIRED PROPERTIES WERE NOT REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT, CONSIDERATION COULD BE GIVEN TO THEIR LEASES BEING REGRANTED,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
♦HOWEVER, THE DECISION IN RESPECT OF INDIVIDUAL CASES HAS OBVIOUSLY HAD TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THEIR OWN MERITS. NO ASSURANCES HAVE BEEN GIVEN.+
MONDAY, MAY 19, 1980
3
TRADE MISSION LEAVING FOR GUANGZHOU
*****
A TRADE MISSION, LED BY SIR Y.K. KAN, WILL VISIT GUANGZHOU FROM MAY 25 TO 29.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MISSION WILL BE MR Q.W. LEE, MR JAMES ’MJ MAN-HON, MR ALLEN LEE PENG-FEI, MR W. DORWARD, MR C.B. BENJAMIN (DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, LONDON), DR D.C. WILSON AND MR P.A.B, THOMSON (BRITISH EMBASSY, PEKING, ATTACHED TO THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION, HONG KONG).
THE PURPOSE OF THE MISSION, WHICH HAS BEEN WELCOMED BY THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES, WILL BE TO EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES FOR GREATER ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG.
THE HOST THE GUANGDONG
OF THE MISSION WILL BE MR FENG XUEYEN, PROVINCIAL FOREIGN TRADE BUREAU.
DIRECTOR OF
-----o------
MONEY SUPPORT FOR MATRICULANTS
*****
STUDENTS ASPIRING TO COMPLETE A FULL-TIME MATRICULATION COURSE IN HONG KONG ON OBTAINING THEIR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION NEED HAVE NO WORRY IF THEY ARE FINANCIALLY HARD UP.
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE, IN THE FORM OF FREE GRANTS, IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE OBTAINED FOUR SUBJECTS AT GRADE C OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION THE SAME YEAR.
MORE THAN 1 600 STUDENTS, REPRESENTING ABOUT SIX PER CENT OF THE TOTAL MATRICULATION DAY STUDENTS, ARE RECEIVING GRANTS RANGING FROM $400 TO $1 000 WHICH ARE BEING PAID OUT IN TEN INSTALMENTS OVER THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR. THESE GRANTS AMOUNT TO OVER $900 000.
COMPARED WITH THE TIME THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1954, WHEN ONLY A TOTAL OF $50 000 WAS AWARDED TO 70 STUDENTS, THIS IS A TREMENDOUS INCREASE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THOSE WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR A GRANT IN THE COMING YEAR STARTING THIS SEPTEMBER MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS FROM JUNE 1 FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE FULL DETAILS OF THEIR TOTAL FAMILY INCOME.
AWARD OF THE GRANTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE RECOMMENDATION OF A MAINTENANCE GRANTS COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
/+THE COMMITTEE .....
MONDAY, MAY 19, 19&)
4
+THE COMMITTEE WILL ASSESS THE Fl MANCI AL BACKGROUND OF EACH APPLICANT AND THE AMOUNT TO BE AWARDED DEPENDS ON THE FUNDS AVAILABLE, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THOSE WHO APPLIED AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL NEEDS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR STUDENTS NOW STUDYING IN FORM/MIDDLE 5, THE FORMS MUST BE RETURNED THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL HEADS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE MAINTENANCE GRANTS COMMITTEE NOT LATER THAN TEN DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION RESULTS.
STUDENTS IN FORM 6 AND PROMOTING TO FORM 7 MUST RETURN THE APPLICATION FORMS THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS TO THE SECRETARY NOT LATER THAN JULY 26.
♦GRANTS ARE AWARDED ON A YEARLY BASIS AND RENEWAL IS NOT AUTOMATIC. IF A RECIPIENT IN FORM 6 WISHES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A GRANT ON PROMOTION TO FORM 7, HE MUST APPLY AGAIN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦STUDENTS IN FORM 6 WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING ASSISTANCE IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR GRANTS TO COMPLETE THEIR ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION COURSE,♦ HE SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BRANCH OFFICE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, ROOM 1522, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 15TH FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
- - 0 --------
SURVEY OF MANPOWER NEEDS IN CAR REPAIRS INDUSTRY *****
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS WERE SENT TODAY TO ESTABLISHMENTS SELECTED FOR A MANPOWER SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S CAR REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY.
THE SURVEY — TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT — IS AIMED AT COLLECTING UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.
EMPLOYERS OF THE SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS ARE ASKED TO SUPPLY INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF WORKERS EMPLOYED AS WELL AS THOSE UNDER TRAINING- THE NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANCIES- AND A FORECAST OF ADDITIONAL WORKERS IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, MR D.C.J. BANFIELD, SAID THE SURVEY WAS NEEDED IN VIEW OF THE MANY CHANGES SINCE THE ONE CONDUCTED TWO YEARS AGO.
THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT, HF SAID.
/AS THE .....
MONDAY, MAY 19, 1980
5
AS THE INFORMATION FROM THIS SURVEY WAS IMPORTANT FOR FORMULATING MEANINGFUL TRAINING PLANS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INDUSTRY, CO-OPERATION OF THOSE COVERED IN THE SURVEY WAS SINCERELY SOLICITED.
WHEN THE SURVEY BEGINS ON STATISTICS OFFICERS WILL VISIT AND HELP EMPLOYERS TO COMPLETE
JUNE 2, ASSISTANT CENSUS AND
EACH OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED THE QUESTIONNAIRE.
-----o-----
OLD PEOPLE’S HOME PLANNED FOR YUEN LONG ******
DIRECTORS OF THE POK Ol HOSPITAL TODAY (MONDAY) OUTLINED THEIR PLAN TO BUILD A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE AGED IN YUEN LONG DURING A COURTESY CALL ON THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR THOMAS LEE.
THE VISITORS, LED BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEUNG SHUI-FAT, WERE RECEIVED BY MR LEE AND SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN WORLD TRADE CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
DURING DISCUSSIONS, MR LEUNG TOLD THE DIRECTOR THAT THE PROJECT WAS NOW AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF PLANNING AND WOULD CATER FOR 150 OLD PEOPLE.
IT REPRESENTS THE FIRST ATTEMPT BY THE HOSPITAL DIRECTORS TO EXTEND THEIR SCOPE OF WORK FROM MEDICAL CARE TO WELFARE SERVICES IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVES TO MEET THEIR GROWING NEEDS, HE SAID.
MR LEE APPRECIATED THEIR EFFORTS IN VENTURING INTO THE AREA OF WELFARE SERVICE AND ASSURED THEM THAT HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD SUPPORT WORTHWHILE PROJECTS.
THE DISCUSSIONS WERE FOLLOWED BY A CONDUCTED TOUR OF THE OFFICES AT THE SWD HEADQUARTERS.
-----o-----
/6
MONDAY, MAY 19', 1980
6
BEATING THE RUSH FOR TRAVEL PAPERS *****
STUDENTS INTENDING TO STUDY IN
FOR ENTRY CLEARANCE AS EARLY AS A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION
THE UNITED KINGDOM SHOULD APPLY POSSIBLE TO AVOID THE SUMMER RUSH, DEPARTMENT ADVISED TODAY.
♦LAST YEAR MORE THAN 5 000 NEARLY HALF OF THEM IN JUNE AND
APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED WITH JULY,* HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT NORMALLY, PROCESSING OF A TAKES ABOUT SEVEN DAYS TO TWO WEEKS DEPENDING ON APPLICATION. +BUT IT MAY TAKE TWO TO THREE WEEKS THE PEAK SEASON,* HE SAID.
I
STUDENT APPLICATION THE TYPE OF ORtLONGER DURING
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADIVSED PEOPLE PLANNING TO TRAVEL TO THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE SUMMER TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY CLEARANCE WELL IN ADVANCE.
♦HERE AGAIN, SUMMER IS THE PEAK SEASON. EARLY APPLICATION WILL NOT ONLY LIGHTEN THE WORKLOAD OF THE DEPARTMENT BUT ALSO GIVE APPLICANTS EXTRA TIME TO MEET ANY FURTHER PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS + HE ADDED. ’
0 -------
ENTRIES INVITED TO WORLD ART EXHIBITION
*****
HONG KONG HAS BEEN INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE 22ND WORLD SCHOOL CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE YOOK YOUNG FOUNDATION, KOREA, TO BE HELD AT THE KOREAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE IN SEOUL THIS OCTOBER.
SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 12 ARE WELCOME TO SUBMIT ENTRIES THROUGH THEIR HEADS OF SCHOOL FOR SELECT!ON.THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON THE THEME OF THEIR WORK.
ACCEPTABLE TYPES OF ENTRY ARE DRAWING, PAINTING, PRINT, COLLAGE OR ANY OTHER TWO-DIMENSIONAL WORK AT A MAXIMUM SIZE OF 55 CM BY AO CM.
MEDALS AND CERTIFICATES OF MERIT WILL BE AWARDED BY THE ORGANISER FOR OUTSTANDING PIECES OF WORK.
THE AIM OF THE EXHIBITION IS TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING, TO STRENGTHEN FRIENDSHIP AND TO ENCOURAGE ART EDUCATION THROUGH THE EXCHANGE OF CHILDREN’S ART.
HEADS OF ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE REQUESTED TO SEND IN THE ENTRIES OF THEIR PUPILS TO THE INSPECTOR (ART), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, BY JULY 8.
0--------
MONDAY, MAY 19, 1980
7 -
PWD ENGINEER HAD SURPRISE RETIREMENT GIFT
* M * * M
MR WONG MANG-KI, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT CIVIL ENGINEER, WHO IS RETIRING AFTER SERVING OVER 27 YEARS WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, HAD A PLEASANT SURPRISE TODAY.
THE SURPRISE CAME AT A FAREWELL CEREMONY DURING WHICH MR DAVID MCDONALD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, PRESENTED HIM WITH A BOTTLE OF MOU TEI, A FAMOUS CHINESE WINE, ON BEHALF OF TWO CHINESE ENGINEERS WHOM HE MET IN CHINA IN 1972.
MR WONG WAS ACCOMPANYING THE THEN DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR J.J. ROBSON, ON A WATERWORKS MISSION AIMED AT SECURING MORE WATER SUPPLIES FROM THE MAINLAND.
THE BOTTLE WAS BROUGHT BACK BY THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WHICH RETURNED FROM GUANGZHOU LAST WEEK AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE LATEST WATER AGREEMENT.
ADDRESSING THE GATHERING AT THE CEREMONY, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT MR WONG, KNOWN TO HIS COLLEAGUES AS M.K., WAS THE FIRST LOCAL OFFICER TO RETIRE WITH THE RANK OF PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEER.
HE RECALLED THAT AFTER BRIEF EXPERIENCE WITH PRIVATE FIRMS, M.K. JOINED THE PWD IN JANUARY 1953 AS A TEMPORARY ASSISTANT ENGINEERING SURVEYOR CLASS III AND WAS POSTED TO THE THEN ROADS OFFICE.
♦ HE HAD, HOWEVER, NO INTENTION OF REMAINING AN ENGINEERING SURVEYOR AND WITHIN A FEW MONTHS HE BECAME AN APPRENTICE ENGI NEER,+ MR MCDONALD SAID.
♦ IN 1955, HAVING PASSED PART II OF THE I.C.E. EXAMINATIONS, HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT ENGINEER AND TRANSFERRED TO PORT WORKS OFFICE, ALTHOUGH STILL ON A TEMPORARY BASIS.
♦ ELECTED TO ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP OF THE I.C.E. IN JANUARY 1958, HE WAS PROMOTED TO ENGINEER IN JUNE OF THAT YEAR AND TRANSFERRED TO THE PENSIONABLE-ESTABLISHMENT.♦
IN 1962, HE LEFT HONG KONG ON A ONE-YEAR ATTACHMENT TO A LEADING CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTOR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. THIS, HOWEVER, DID NOT PROVE VERY SATISFACTORY AS FAR AS EXPERIENCE WAS CONCERNED, SO HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO A CONSULTANT’S FIRM IN LONDON FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR, DURING WHICH TIME HE OBTAINED EXPERIENCE OF ENGINEERING WORKS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE U.K.
HE RETURNED TO THE PORT WORKS OFFICE IN 1963 AND STAYED IN THAT OFFICE, BECOMING A SENIOR ENGINEER, UNTIL TRANSFERRED TO THE POST OF CHIEF ENGINEER, ROADS AND DRAINS, IN 1969.
♦ IN 1971 HE WAS APPOINTED TO A UNITED NATIONS FELLOWSHIP TO ATTEND A SPECIAL COURSE ON PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AT THE U.N. ASIAN INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING IN BANGKOK. SINCE THEN HE HAS ATTENDED OTHER OFFICIAL SEMINARS,* MR MCDONALD SAID.
NG ACTED .....
MONDAY, MAY 19, 1980
8
GOV^NM^T HIGHWAY ENGINEER, HE WAS CONFIRMED IN THE RANK OF GOVERNMENT ENGINEER IN 1973 AND TRANSFERRED TO THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, ALSO, IN 1974 HE BECAME A FELLOW OF THE I.C.E. SINCE THEN HE HAS MOVED BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE AND THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE BOTH AS GOVERNMENT ENGINEER AND PR'NCIPAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEER, TO WHICH RANK HE WAS APPOINTED • N 19 I । +
AFTER THE ADDRESS, MR MCDONALD PRESENTED MR WONG WITH A SOUVENIR ON BEHALF OF HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE PWD.
MR WONG WILL PROCEED ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE LATER THIS ' »U Nin,
- - 0 - -
NO RIGHT-TURN ON FENWICK ST
*****
NORTHBOUND VEHICLES ALONG FENWICK STREET IN WAN CHAI WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO JAFFE ROAD FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 21).
THE ARRANGEMENT WILL IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION AT THIS ROAD JUNCTION.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK AGAIN HAVING EXPORT-LED ECONOMIC GROWS.............. 1
INDUSTRIES SHOULD HAVE SAFETY OFFICERS ................ 3
REPORT CN BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS PUBLISHED ............. 5
MAIN SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE SITE TO BE TENDERED........... 6
FMO EXPANSION LIKELY ...................................7
SURVEY OF ACTIVE SEAFARERS ............................ 8
EDUCATION DIRECTOR LEARNS nORE ABOUT INDUSTRIAL NEEDS . 8
RETIREMENT OF LONG-SERVING CAS ST.xFF ................. 9
SPECIAL CitR NUMBERS AUCTION.......................... 10
WATER CUT
10
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1980
1
HK AGAIN HAVING EXPORT-LED ECONOMIC GROWTH
* * * » *
ECONOMIC GROWTH IN 1979 WAS ONCE AGAIN EXPORT-LED AND THIS HAS PROBABLY CONTINUED TO BE SO IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980, ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRST QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT RELEASED TODAY.
THE REPORT BRINGS UP-TO-DATE THE ANALYSES IN THE ECONOMIC BACKGROUND DOCUMENT PUBLISHED ON BUDGET DAY. BESIDES ASSESSING ECONOMIC TRENDS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980, IT REVISES THE ANALYSES OF THE ECONOMY’S BEHAVIOUR IN 1979 IN THE LIGHT OF THE LATEST INFORMATION.
THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC DEMAND SLOWED DOWN IN 1979 AND AS A RESULT THE IMBALANCE BETWEEN THE DEMAND FOR AND THE SUPPLY OF DOMESTIC RESOURCES STARTED TO CORRECT ITSELF.
THE MOST CONSPICUOUS SIGNS OF SUCH A CHANGE WERE IN THE LABOUR SECTOR WHERE CONDITIONS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980 WERE LESS TIGHT THAN THEY WERE A YEAR AGO, IT SAYS.
AS FOR INFLATION, IT SUGGESTS THAT THERE IS A REAL PROSPECT THAT DOMESTICALLY GENERATED INFLATION WILL EASE OFF.
ALTHOUGH IMPORTED INFLATION WILL CONTINUE TO BE A FEATURE, IT POINTS OUT THAT MOVEMENTS IN THE EXCHANGE RATE IN THE PAST NINE MONTHS OR SO HAVE BEEN EXERCISING A FAVOURABLE EFFECT ON IMPORT PRICES AND SO THE PROSPECTS ARE THAT INFLATION IS UNLIKELY TO CONTINUE AT ITS PRESENT RATE.
THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT THE UNDERLYING GROWTH RATES OF THE MONETARY AGGREGATES. BUT IT POINTS OUT THAT IT IS NOT EASY TO IDENTIFY THE PRECISE IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY OF MOVEMENTS IN THESE AGGREGATES, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE STRUCTURE OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR IS CHANGING RELATIVELY RAPIDLY.
THE REPORT CONTAINS INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS ON THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, THE FINANCIAL SECTOR. THE LABOUR SECTOR, AND PRODUCTION AND PRICES. PRECEDED BY A CHAPTER GIVING THE OVERALL VIEW.
ON THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, IT EMPHASISES THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN 1979 WAS HIGHER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS AND THAT THIS CONTINUED TO BE THE SITUATION IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF THIS YEAR. SO THAT THE VISIBLE TRADE +GAP+, THAT IS THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY RECEIPTS FROM TOTAL EXPORTS. HAS BEEN NARROWING.
IT ADDS HOWEVER THAT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMIES OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS ARE SUCH THAT THE PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY UNCERTAIN. SUGGESTING THAT THE GAP MAY STOP NARROWING IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE CONSISTENT WITH THE VIEW TAKEN BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS SPEECH ON APRIL 16, 1980 CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE.
/ON THE .....
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1980
- 2 -
ON THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE REPORT INDICATES THAT THE GROWTH RATES OF THE MONEY SUPPLY AND OF TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING CORPANiES HAVE ACCELERATED DURING 1979, AND THAT, EVEN ALLOWING FOR SEASONAL FACTORS, THEY MIGHT HAVE CONTINUED TO DO SO IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF 1980.
IT ARGUES HOWEVER THAT IS NOT EASY TO IDENTIFY THE P^CISE IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY OF SUCH MOVEMENTS IN THE MONETARY AGGREGATES AND THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHAT IS THE OPTIMUM GROWTH RATE OF THE MONEY SUPPLY WHEN THE STRUCTURE OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR IN HONG KONG AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS CHANGING SO RAPIDLY. IT POINTS OUT THAT THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR HAS ------------------------ “ IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980.
REMAINED REMARKABLY STABLE
TURNING TO THE LABOUR SECTOR, THE REPORT SUGGESTS THAT A CLOSER BALANCE BETWEEN THE SUPPLY OF LABOUR AND THE DEMAND FOR IT WAS STARTING TO DEVELOP IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1979. IN SUPPORT OF THIS VIEW, IT INDICATES THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR- THE FIRST INCREASE RECORDED SINCE ESTIMATES FIRST BECAME AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER 1975.
THE SUDDEN INCREASE IN THE SUPPLY OF LABOUR AS A RESULT OF THE ARRIVAL OF LEGAL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IS THOUGHT TO BE ONE OF THE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS.
IT EMPHASISES THAT, WHILE THIS HAS BEEN USEFUL IN EASING THE LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE SHORT-TERM, THE UNDESIRABLE CONSEQUENCES ON THE ECONOMY OF SUCH ARRIVALS ARE OF MUCH GREATER SIGNIFICANCE.
ON THE SUBJECT OF PRODUCTION, THE REPORT GIVES PARTICULAR EMPHASIS TO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN RELATION TO THE PROPERTY MARKET.
IT INDICATES THAT THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR WAS PROBABLY OPERATING AGAINST ITS CAPACITY LIMITS AND THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF OUTPUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE WILL, TO A LARGE EXTENT, BE DETERMINED BY THE RATE OF EXPANSION OF THE SECTOR’S CAPACITY.
IT ADDS THAT. AS THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY UNDUE SHORTAGE OF UNSKILLED LABOUR IN 1980 AND AS THERE WILL BE ROOM FOR AN INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY, BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT WILL PROBABLY EXPAND IN 1980 AT A RATE FASTER THAN THAT IN 1979.
IT SUGGESTS THAT THE PROPERTY MARKET WAS MOVING IN THE DIRECTION OF BETTER BALANCE fN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980 WITH THE PRICES OF BOTH COMPLETED AND UNCOMPLETED FLATS SHOWING SIGNS OF LEVELLING OFF. IT ALSO FORECASTS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE SUPPLY OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES IN 1980.
AS FOR PRICES, THE REPORT SUGGESTS THAT, ALTHOUGH THE RATE OF INFLATION ACCELERATED IN 1979 AND IN THE BEGINNING MONTHS OF 1980, THIS ACCELERATION WAS NOT DUE TO ANY DETERIORATION IN THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE DEMAND FOR DOMESTIC RESOURCES AND THE SUPPLY OF THEM.
INSTEAD, SINCE THE SECOND HALF OF 1979, A CLOSER BALANCE HAS STARTED TO DEVELOP AND THE REPORT FORECASTS THAT THIS IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE IN 1980.
/However, it .....
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1980
3
HOWEVER, IT POINTS OUT THAT THE RATE OF INCREASE IN WORLD PRICES IN GENERAL AND FOR OIL IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN HIGHER THAN EXPECTED, AND SO HONG KONG HAS BEEN IMPORTING INFLATION.
COMMENTING ON THE REPORT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THE ECONOMY ON AN EXPORT-LED GROWTH PATH AGAIN.
HE THOUGHT THE CLOSER BALANCE BETWEEN THE DEMAND FOR DOMESTIC RESOURCES AND THE SUPPLY OF THEM WOULD PROVIDE A DAMPENING EFFECT ON INFLATION, BUT HE ADDED THAT WHILE THE ECONOMY WOULD PROBABLY CONTINUE TO DO WELL IN THE COMING MONTHS, PROSPECTS FOR THE LAST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR REMAINED UNCERTAIN.
THE FIRST QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1980 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $8 A COPY.
----0-----
INDUSTRIES SHOULD HAVE SAFETY OFFICERS * * * ft * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY HOLDING CONSULTATIONS WITH INTERESTED PARTIES BEFORE INTRODUCING FIRM PROPOSALS FOR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE LARGE COMPANIES IN THE MORE HAZARDOUS INDUSTRIES TO EMPLOY FULL-TIME SAFETY OFFICERS.
COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR J.N. HENDERSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE MOVE, BEING CONSIDERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD’S COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION, WAS JUST ONE OF MANY STEPS BEING TAKEN TO STOP THE RISING NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN HONG KONG.
+THE GOVERNMENT HAS LONG MAINTAINED THAT HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY SHOULD NOT BE ACHIEVED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE LIVES AND LIMBS OF ITS WORKFORCE, AND IS DETERMINED TO USE EVERY AVAILABLE MEANS WITHIN ITS POWER TO REDUCE THE TOLL OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS,* HE SAID.
MR HENDERSON, SPEAKING AT A ROTARY CLUB OF HONGKONG LUNCHEON, ALSO WELCOMED PROPOSALS TO INTRODUCE TWO PERMANENT CORONERS AND THEREFORE SPEEDING UP INQUEST PROCEDURES.
♦THIS HAS MY FULLEST SUPPORT. AND MUCH MORE CAN IN FUTURE BE ACHIEVED BY THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WITH THE OPEN INQUIRY THAT IS THE CORONER’S PEROGATIVE IN EXPOSING CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS.*
HE ADDED THAT DESPITE THESE EFFORTS THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS WAS STILL INCREASING.
♦THESE INCREASE, HOWEVER, MUST BE SEEN IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE EXPANDING INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE ESPECIALLY IN THE CONSTRUCTION FIELD WHERE EXPERIENCED LABOUR IS BECOMING DILUTED IN ITS SUDDEN EXPANSION.
/+FUBTHER, REPORTING .....
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1980
4
♦FURTHER, REPORTING OF ACCIDENTS HAS IMPROVED MARKEDLY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, SO THAT ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE ’APPARENT’ INCREASE IS DUE TO THIS FACTOR, AT LAST WE ARE SATISFIED THAT AT LEAST THE FULL PICTURE IS BEING REVEALED. ALTHOUGH, OF COURSE THE BULK OF ACCIDENTS REPORTED ARE QUITE MINOR.
♦THE REASONS FOR THE INCREASING TREND ARE NOT DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY.
♦ FOR AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PROGRAMME TO SUCCEED THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS ARE ESSENTIAL.
♦ I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT BOTH EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS ARE NOW BEGINNING TO SHOW MORE INTEREST IN THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS.
♦ HOWEVER, SHOWING INTEREST ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH- IT MUST BE BACKED UP BY POSITIVE STEPS TOWARDS THE COMMON GOAL.
♦EMPLOYERS MUST PROVIDE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOP PROPER SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND INSTRUCT THEIR EMPLOYEES IN SAFE PRACTICES. WORKERS MUST ABIDE BY SAFETY RULES AND USE THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT PROVIDED FOR THEM,+ HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE PROPOSAL REGARDING SAFETY OFFICERS, MR HENDERSON SAID THAT EMPLOYERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE MORE HAZARDOUS INDUSTRIES. WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO EMPLOY SAFETY OFFICERS AS PART OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS REGARDING ACCIDENT PREVENTION.
THE DUTIES OF A SAFETY OFFICER WOULD BRING HIM INTO CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH BOTH THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE AND THE EMPLOYEES IN THE UNDERTAKING, AND HE WOULD NEED THEIR ASSISTANCE AND CO-OPERATION TO CARRY OUT HIS DUTIES PROPERLY.
♦ TO BE FULLY EFFECTIVE THE SAFETY OFFICER SHOULD BE A QUALIFIED FULL-TIME MEMBER OF THE STAFF. THIS WILL HELP DEVELOP A SENSE OF PROFESSIONALISM IN THE JOB AND ENHANCE THE SAFETY OFFICER’S AUTHORITY AND INFLUENCE,♦ SAID MR HENDERSON.
LEGISLATION REQUIRING THE EMPLOYMENT OF SAFETY OFFICERS WAS ALREADY IN EXISTENCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN AND SINGAPORE, HE ADDED.
TO PRODUCE MORE QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICERS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC INTRODUCED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR A ONE-YEAR PART-TIME EVENING TRAINING COURSE FOR JUNIOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN THE INDUSTRY.
BY THIS SUMMER, THE FIRST BATCH OF ABOUT 30 SAFETY OFFICERS WOULD COMPLETE THE COURSE.
MR HENDERSON FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE DEVELOPMENT CF SAFETY OFFICERS WAS RATHER SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL OFFICERS.
/+NOT LONG .....
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1980
5
♦NOT LONG AGO PERSONNEL ONAGERS WERE RARELY HEARD OF im uAur irniur now THSRE IS A LARGE AND INCREASING NUMBtK Cf PERSONS TRAINED IN PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT WHO ARE FULFILLING * WORTANT FUNCTION IN OUR FAST GROWING ECONOMY.
AN
. uadc that thpre WILL BE AN EQUALLY LARGE NUMBER OF SAFETY OFFICERS EMPLOYED IN INDUSTRY IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE,+ HE SAID.
-----0-----
REPORT OH BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS PUBLISHED ******
THE RESULTS OF A QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY HAVE INDICATED THAT HONG KONG BUSINESSES PASSED THE SEASONALLY LOW FIRST QUARTER OF 1980 IN A FASHION NOT TOO DIFFERENT FROM THAT EXPECTED, AND ARE ANTICIPATING IMPROVEMENTS TO COME IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
A REPORT ON THE SURVEY, HELD IN APRIL, HAS BEEN COMPILED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND IS AVAILABLE AT $3 A COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE GPO BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT PLACE.
ABOUT 900 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, FORMING A CROSSSECTION OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980, AND THEIR BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER.
IN THE MANUFACTURING DIVISION, 'FOOD, BEVERAGE, TOBACCO’, ’ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES’ AND ’ELECTRONICS’ HAD PREDICTED SOME IMPROVEMENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER, BUT THIS IMPROVEMENT DID NOT MATERIALIZE. NEVERTHELESS, THESE SECTORS ARE CONFIDENT OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE COMING QUARTER.
THE REST OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTORS HAD PREDICTED SOME DETERIORATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER. ’MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES’, HOWEVER, HAD AN IMPROVED PERFORMANCE, WHILE •PRINTING’ AND ’FABRICATED PRODUCTS’ DID NOT DO AS BADLY AS EXPECTED. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ’TEXTILES’ WHICH EXPECTS FURTHER DETERIORATION IN THE COMING QUARTER, SECTORS ARE PREDICTING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAD STEADY BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER AND EXPECTS THIS TO CONTINUE INTO THE SECOND QUARTER.
FOR SERVICES, THE 'RESTAURANTS’ SECTOR, WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPECTED A SERIOUS DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER, REPORTED STEADY BUSINESS INSTEAD. BECAUSE OF SEASONALITY, IT PREDICTS A LOW SECOND QUARTER. ’WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE’, WHICH DID A LITTLE BETTER IN THE FIRST QUARTER THAN EXPECTED, IS ALSO MOVING INTO A SEASONAL LOW. NEITHER OF THOSE SECTORS, HOWEVER, SEEM TO DISPLAY ANY PESSIMISM. ON THE OTHER HAND, HOTELS ARE MOVING OUT OF A LOW FIRST QUARTER INTO A HIGH SECOND QUARTER.
/THE 'TRANSPORTATION' .
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1980
6
THE ’TRANSPORTATION’ SECTOR DID MUCH BETTER IN THE FIRST QUARTER THAN IT HAD EXPECTED, AND EXPECTS THE FAVOURABLE BUSINESS TREND TO CONTINUE. ’BANKS’ AND 'MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS SERVICES’ SHOULD ALSO CONTINUE WITH THEIR FAVOURABLE TRENDS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE DATA, OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, WERE BASICALLY INTENDED TO FACILITATE A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HONG KONG.
APART FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF QUESTIONS REQUIRING ANSWERS IN QUANTITATIVE TERMS, FIRMS WERE ASKED TO COMPARE THE QUARTER JUST PAST WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND SIMILARLY FOR THE FORTHCOMING ONE, AND ONLY HAD TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, A CERTAIN VARIABLE WAS ’UP’, 'SAME' OR 'DOWN'.
+IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, CONSIDERABLE RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE IN THE INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS, AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE RESPONDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS, AND THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE PROBABLY AFFECTED CONSIDERABLY BY SEASONALITY,* HE STRESSED.
COPIES OF THE REPORT, CONTAINING AN ANALYSIS OF AND STATISTICAL TABLES ON VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO FIRMS TAKING PART IN THE SURVEY AND OTHER BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS.
-_ - - 0 --
MAIN SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE SITE TO BE TENDERED * * * * *
THE LAND ON WHICH A LARGE PART OF THE COMMERCIAL AREA OF SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE WILL BE BUILT IS TO BE OFFERED BY TENDER TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS ISSUED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THE TENDER WILL BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER.
THE 25 000 SQUARE METRE SITE IS BETWEEN THE RAILWAY STATION AND THE SHING MUN RIVER.
DEVELOPMENT WILL FORM THE +CORE+ OF THE TOWN CENTRE IN THE SHAPE OF A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BECOME THE REGIONAL SHOPPING AND CULTURAL CENTRE FOR THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE COMPLEX WILL BE AT THE HUB OF THE TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE IN SHA TIN, LINKED ON TWO LEVELS TO THE RAILWAY STATION, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER RE-CONSTRUCTION.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 400 000 PEOPLE WILL PASS THROUGH THE INTERCHANGE EACH DAY AS THE NEW TOWN, WHICH WILL HAVE A POPULATION OF 750 000, IS COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE DECADE.
/INCLUDED in .....
7
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1980
INCLUDED IN THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX AREA WILL BE A BUS STATION FOR INTERNAL CITY ROUTES AND ADJACENT TO THE RAILWAY STATION WILL BE A FURTHER BUS STATION FOR EXTERNAL SERVICES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE TWO 800-SEAT CINEMAS.
THE GROSS COMMERCIAL FLOOR AREA OF THE COMPLEX WILL BE 86 000 SQUARE METRES.
A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID THE WORD ♦PR IME+ TENDED TO BE OVERWORKED WHEN APPLIED TO LAND IN HONG KONG, BUT +IF EVER THERE WAS A PRIME SITE, THIS IS ONE.+
HE SAID THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX WAS THE SECOND PHASE OF THE TOWN CENTRE DEVELOPMENT.
PROGRESS ON INITIAL STAGES OF THE FIRST PHASE, WHICH INCLUDES DEVELOPMENT OF EIGHT RESIDENTIAL TOWERS OVER THREE PODIUM DECKS, IS NOW CLEARLY VISIBLE.
PHASE III IS ALSO MAINLY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. PHASES I AND III WILL PROVIDE HOMES IN THE TOWN CENTRE FOR 40 000 TO 50 000 PEOPLE.
THE FOURTH PHASE WILL COMPRISE THREE MEDIUM-RISE COMMERCIAL OFFICE BLOCKS, A MAGISTRACY AND A CULTURAL COMPLEX. ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS PHASE IS A TOWN PARK FRONTING THE SHING MUN RIVER, WHICH GOVERNMENT HAS JUST ANNOUNCED WILL BE CLEANED UP AND MADE INTO A BOAT PARK STRETCHING FOR FIVE MILES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FURTHER DETAILS OF THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE ANNOUNCED IN A FEW WEEKS. CONTROL DRAWINGS CLEARLY DEFINING ALL ASPECTS WERE NOW BEING PREPARED.
------0-------
FMO EXPANSION LIKELY ft ft * ft
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, SAID THIS TUESDAY EVENING IT WAS LIKELY THAT IN THE YEARS MEAD THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WOULD INCREASE ITS MARKETING CAPACITY, AND REPROVISION AND REBUILD SOME MARKETS TO ALLOW FOR
IN A DINNER ADDRESS TO FISH MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONS, MR RIDDELL-SWAN RECALLED THAT 25 YEARS AGO THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION HANDLED 41 000 TONNES OF FRESH FISH A YEAR WHEREAS IT NOW HANDLES OVER 80 000 TONNES.
HE SAID THAT MARKETING ACTIVITIES HAD ALSO EXPANDED TO MEET INCREASED DEMAND AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION IS NOW OPERATING SEVEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
MR RIDDELL-SWAN THANKED THE FISH MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONS FOR THEIR VERY VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY AND ASSURED THEM THAT THE ORGANISATION WAS CONTINUALLY REVIEWING THE NEEDS OF THE TRADE.
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/8
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1980
8
SURVEY OF ACTIVE SEAFARERS
*****
THE SEAMEN’S RECRUITING OFFICE (SRO) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED SEAMEN WHO ARE STILL WILLING TO GO TO SEA WITHIN SPECIFIED TIME LIMITS.
QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE SENT TO ALL REGISTERED SEAMEN WHO ARE NOW CURRENTLY INACTIVE.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, AT THE END OF MARCH, 53 958 PEOPLE WERE INCLUDED IN PART I OF THE SEAMEN REGISTER. THEY HAD EITHER BEEN TO SEA DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS OR HAD HAD PRE-SEA TRAINING OR ACCEPTABLE SHORE EXPERIENCE TO QUALIFY FOR SERVICE.
ANOTHER 29 886 SEAMEN, WHOSE NAMES WERE LISTED WITH LICENSED CREW DEPARTMENTS IN SHIPPING COMPANIES, WERE INCLUDED IN PART IV OF THE REGISTER.
THERE WERE IN ADDITION, 2 089 IN PART I I I OF THE REGISTER WHO NEITHER HAD PRE-SEA TRAINING NOR ACCEPTABLE SHORE EXPERIENCE.
OF THE OVER 85 000 SEAMEN REGISTERED WITH THE SRO ONLY 19 000 ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN SEAFARING.
-----o------
EDUCATION DIRECTOR LEARNS MORE ABOUT INDUSTRIAL NEEDS *****
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR KENNETH TOPLEY THIS MORNING VISITED TWO FACTORIES IN KWUN TONG WHERE HE TALKED TO THE MANAGERS, ENGINEERS AND WORKERS.
THE PURPOSE OF HIS VISIT WAS TO GATHER VIEWS OF INDUSTRIALISTS AND TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INDUSTRIAL FIELD SO AS TO GEAR HIS DEPARTMENT’S TECHNICAL INSTITUTES TO THEIR NEEDS IN LINE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION REPORT.
MR TOPLEY FIRST WENT TO‘THE CHINA COLD STORAGE AND ENGINEERING CO. LTD., AND WAS MET BY MR LAWRENCE FREED, THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING, WHO ACCOMPANIED HIM ON A TOUR OF THE COMPANY’S AIR-CONDITIONER SECTION.
AFTERWARDS, MR TOPLEY VISITED THE EATERN TIME LTD., WHERE HE OBTAINED FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS IN THE COMPANY OF MR K.K. LEE, THE WORKS MANAGER OF THE FACTORY.
/9
TUESDAY, MAY 20, I960
9
RETIREMENT OF LONG-SERVING CAS STAFF
* ft ft ft ft
TWO LONG-SERVING MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES STAFF WHO HAVE HELPED SET UP THE CAS CADET CAMP AT YUEN TUN AND HELPED PROVIDE FACILITIES AT KAI TAK NORTH FOR THE REFUGEES CAMP WILL BE RETIRING THIS WEEK.
THEY ARE MR WONG WING-WO AND MR LEE KAN-YUEN WHO TOGETHER HAVE HAD A COMBINED SERVICE OF 48 YEARS WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR WONG JOINED THE CAS STAFF SERGEANT IN THE CADET
IN 1953 AS A CARETAKER AND IS NOW A CORPS.
HE IS A SPECIALIST IN HEAVY RESCUE AND HAS UNDERTAKEN MANY HAZARDOUS MISSIONS OVER THE YEARS.
HE HAS ALSO BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPING THE CADET CORPS’ 23.5 HECTARE SITE AT YUEN TUN WHERE MANY OF THE FACILITIES WERE INSTALLED UNDER HIS WATCHFUL SUPERVISION.
HIS FATHERLY GUIDANCE WILL BE SADLY MISSED IN THE CORPS.
MR LEE WAS EMPLOYED BY THE CAS IN 1959 AS A LABOURER BUT HIS SKILL IN METAL WORK, MASONRY AND CARPENTRY WAS QUICKLY RECOGNISED. HE WAS PROMOTED TO ARTISAN THE NEXT YEAR.
A VERY SKILFUL WORKER HIMSELF,HE CARRIED OUT WITH A SMALL STAFF IN ALMOST RECORD TIME MANY REPAIRS JOBS AT THE OLD RAF CAMP SO THAT IT COULD BE READY TO RECEIVE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WHEN THE CAS FIRST SET UP A CAMP FOR THEM AT KAI TAK NORTH.
MR LEE HAS ALSO HELPED TO SET UP THE MANY FACILITIES AT THE YUEN TUN CADET CAMP.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
THE CAS CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, MR JOHN FORTUNE WILL PRESENT FAREWELL GIFTS TO MR WONG AND MR LEE ON BEHALF OF THEIR COLLEAGUES THIS FRIDAY (MAY 23). THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE CAS HEADQUARTERS AT CAROLINE HILL AT 4 PM. YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
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/10......
A
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1980
10 -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS AUCTION
*****
ANOTHER BATCH OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS WILL BE AUCTIONED ON SATURDAY (MAY 24) AT 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 30 SPECIAL NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE i
AR 1971 CC 9888 CD 336 CC 3833 CC 6848
CC 2895 AA 14 CD 1828 CC 3388 CC 9919
CC 6888 CC 3 CC 6688 CE 1 CD 338
CD 928 CC 101 CC 66 AR 71 CC 5331
CD 633 CC 7202 CD 99 CD 233 CC 7873
CD 283 CC 7890 CC 6887 CC 9110 CC 2888
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH OR BY
CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A CAR REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
PROCEEDS WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 53RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
WATER CUT * * *
WATFR SUPPLY TO AN AREA OF TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR SIX HOURS ON FRIDAY (MAY 23) ENDING AT 6 AM FOR A LEAKAGE TES .
THE AREA IS BOUNDED BY KIMBERLY ROAD, CARNARVON ROAD, HUMPHREY AVENUE AND NATHAN ROAD.
-------o----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
KWUN TONG POLLUTION PROBLEM BEING TACKLED .............. 1
PLEA FOR SAFETY AT CONSTRUCTION SITES .................. 2
TICD TOUR BY SIR PHILIP ................................ 3
MR CALLaGHAN arrives tomorrow .......................... 4
CARE AND ATTENTION HOME DOCUMENTS SIGNED ............... 4
LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS SWD SHELTERED WORKSHOP ........... 5
NEV/ LOOK MAIL BOX ..................................... 6
BEWARE OF BOGUS LABOUR OFFICER ......................... 6
NEW ACCESS TO ABERDEEN WATERFRONT ...................... 7
KOWLOON TONG TRAFFIC RESTRICTION ....................... 7
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1980
1
KWUN TONG POLLUTION PROBLEM BEING TACKLED ******
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WILL SOON CARRY OUT A SURVEY ON SMOKE EMISSION FROM FACTORY CHIMNEYS IN ITS EFFORT TO COMBAT THE POLLUTION PROBLEM IN THE DISTRICT.
THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE KWUN TONG CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MR DAVID TSUI AT TODAY’S MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE’S ENVIRONMENT SUB-COMMITTEE, WHICH WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CHRISTIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE AND THE KWUN TONG LABOUR EDUCATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WHICH RECENTLY CONDUCTED A PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY ON POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN KWUN TONG.
AT THE MEETING MR TSUI TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE SURVEY WOULD ALSO COVER OTHER ASPECTS OF AIR POLLUTION, INCLUDING EMISSION OF POLLUTED AIR AND FIBRE FRAGMENTS.
IT WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITH THE SPECIFIC AIM OF IDENTIFYING THE POLLUTION PROBLEM AND DOING WHAT THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE COULD TO MINIMISE IT.
IT WAS ALSO DISCLOSED AT THE MEETING THAT PLANS ARE NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION TO BUILD TWO LARGE PARKS AND MORE RECREATIONAL AREAS WILL BE PROVIDED Mt KWUN TONG.
ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KWUN TONG LABOUR EDUCATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ASSERTED THAT SOCCER PITCHES AT TSUN YIP PLAYGROUND WERE UNDER-UTILISED AND ASKED WHETHER THE SPACE COULD BE TURNED INTO A RESTING AREA FOR WORKERS WHO BADLY NEEDED MORE OPEN SPACE TO REST DURING THEIR LUNCH BREAK.
IN REPLY, MR TSUI PROMISED TO LOOK INTO THE SUGGESTION AND SAID THAT THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD AGREED TO SURVEY THE ACTUAL USAGE OF THE SOCCER PITCHES BEFORE MAKING A DECISION TO CONVERT IT INTO AN OPEN AREA.
MR TSUI ALSO TOLD THE MEETING THAT A PILOT SCHEME TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS AND CLEAN UP BACK LANES IN THE DISTRICT HAD PROVED TO BE A SUCCESS.
THE SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED BY THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED. MORE STAFF WILL BE SOUGHT TO IMPLEMENT THE SCHEME WHICH AIMS TO RESTORE CROWN LAND TO ITS PROPER USAGE SO AS TO PROVIDE MORE RESTING PLACES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
FINALLY, ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, W TSUI APPEALED TO ALL TO ASSIST IN THE CLEARANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL BLACKSPOTS. HE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED INDUSTRIAL OPERATORS TO KEEP THEIR PREMISES CLEAN AND WORKERS TO REPORT ANY UNSATISFACTORY SITUATIONS.
♦THE EFFORT BY THE TWO ORGANISATIONS IN PREPARING THE PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND RESIDENTS OF KWUN TONG,+ HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1980
2
PLEA FOR SAFETY AT CONSTRUCTION SITES
*****
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES AND CONTRACTORS WERE URGED TODAY TO ADOPT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS AT HIGH LEVELS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE PLEA WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, bR YIP YUK-LUN, FOLLOWING YESTERDAY’S ACCIDENT ON A TSIM SHA TSUI SITE, IN WHICH A WORKER DIED IN A FALL.
MR YIP EMPHASISED THAT THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF WORKING AT HEIGHTS COULD BE MINIMISED BY ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS, SUCH AS FENCING AND RAILINGS.
+THOSE ENGAGED IN CONSTRUCTION WORK SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS. WHICH LAY DOWN LEGAL REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE WORKERS.+
MR YIP SAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE SAFETY OF PLANK BOARDS AS ACCESS BRIDGES OR WORKING PLATFORMS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
+BOTH EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THESE BOARDS ARE OF ADEQUATE WIDTH AND STRENGTH AND FREE FROM DEFECTS.*
MR YIP ALSO CALLED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE REGULATIONS REGARDING FENCING MACHINERY, OPENINGS AND DANGEROUS SPOTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THREE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES WERE FINED A TOTAL OF 115 000 AT WESTERN COURT YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS.
THE FIRST COMPANY WAS FINED $4 000 FOR FAILING TO SECURELY FENCE A FLOOR OPENING, THE SECOND $5 000 IN RESPECT OF A LIFT SHAFT AND THE THIRD $6 000 IN CONNECTION WITH ACCESS BRIDGES AND A PLATFORM.
*THE PROVISIONS REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO FENCE SECURELY MACHINERY, WORKING PLATFORMS, OPENINGS IN FLOORS AND EXCAVATIONS,* HE SAID.
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/3
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1980
3
TICD TOUR BY SIR PHILIP *****
THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY TOURED THE OCEAN CENTRE OFFICES OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT AND DISCUSSED THE DEPARTMENT’S PLANS FOR THE FUTURE AT A ONE-HOUR MEETING WITH THE FULL DIRECTORATE.
THESE PLANS COVERED THE MODERNISATION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS, CONSUMER PROTECTION, TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, AND THE NEW IMPETUS TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL COME FROM IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR, MR BILL DORWARD, SIR PHILIP VIEWED THE GROUND FLOOR LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION ISSUING OFFICES. HE WAS TOLD BY MR GORDON MORTIMER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR (ADMINISTRATION) THAT LAST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED NEARLY 64 □□□ CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN AND GENERAL PREFERENCE CERTIFICATES FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS VALUED AT |24 000 MILLION - REPRESENTING 43 PER CENT OF ALL DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1979.
NEARLY 2.5 MILLION DECLARATIONS FOR IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS WERE LODGED LAST YEAR, AND AD VALORUM CHARGES TOTALLING 181 MILLION WERE COLLECTED.
SIR PHILIP, WHO WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION, WAS INTERESTED IN THE NEWLY-OPENED INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
THE COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRY, MR ALEX PURVES SAID THE OFFICE WAS TO ASSIST TOWARDS THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD HAVE A +ONE-STOP+ FACILITY SO THAT MOST QUESTIONS ASKED BY POTENTIAL INDUSTRIAL INVESTORS, WHATEVER ASPECT THEY COVERED, COULD BE ANSWERED ON THE SPOT BY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS.
IN ADDITION TO DESCRIBING THE CURRENT REORGANISATION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE TO MEET THE GROWTH AND CONTEMPORARY NEEDS OF HONG KONG TRADE, THE WORK OF THE TRADE INVESTIGATION BRANCH WAS OUTLINED TO SIR PHILIP BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS, MR DOUGLAS JORDAN.
LAST YEAR OFFICERS OF THE BRANCH INSPECTED 41 000 FACTORIES AND CONSIGNMENTS. LEGAL ACTION WAS TAKEN AGAINST 720 COMPANIES AND PERSONS, RESULTING IN COURTS IMPOSING FINES TOTALLING $2 MILLION.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR JUSTIN YUE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE (INTERNAL AFFAIRS), SIR PHILIP VISITED THE TEXTILE QUOTA OFFICES. MR YUE SAID THAT LAST YEAR 823 000 APPLICATIONS FOR TEXTILE EXPORT LICENCES WERE HANDLED, INCLUDING 372 000 FOR RESTRAINED TEXTILES.
THE NUMBER OF QUOTA HOLDERS ON THE DEPARTMENT’S BOOKS HAD DOUBLED, TO 16 000 COMPANIES, SINCE 1977. IN THE PAST yEAR THE SPEED OF PROCESSING HAD BEEN STEPPED UP FOLLOWING THE COMPUTERISATION OF QUOTA CONTROLS FOR THE UNITED STATES. A SIMILAR SYSTEM IS BEING DEVISED FOR THE EEC QUOTAS AND WILL BE OPERATIONAL IN 1982, HE TOLD SIR PHILIP.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1980
4
MR CALLAGHAN ARRIVES TOMORROW * * * * *
THE RT HON JAMES CALLAGHAN, MP, AND HIS WIFE ARE DUE TO ARRIVE FROM GUANGZHOU BY HOVERFERRY TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FOR A ONE-DAY STOPOVER FOLLOWING THEIR VISIT TO CHINA.
THEY WILL BE MET ON ARRIVAL AT TAI KOK TSUI FERRY PIER BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE.
DURING HIS STAY, MR CALLAGHAN WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE SOME OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG AND MEET MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
MR CALLAGHAN IS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE FOR LONDON ON FRIDAY (MAY 23) EVENING.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
THE RT HON JAMES CALLAGHAN IS DUE TO ARRIVE AT TAI KOK TSUI FERRY PIER, MONG KOK, AT 5.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY). A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO MEET GIS OFFICERS OUTSIDE THE PIER AT 5 PM.
----0----
CARE AND ATTENTION HOME DOCUMENTS SIGNED *****
DOCUMENTS FOR A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME TO BE OPERATED BY POK 01 HOSPITAL AT HA TSUEN, YUEN LONG, WERE SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOSPITAL’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MR LEUNG SHUI-FAT.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS GRANTED A 3 090 SQUARE METRE SITE, AT PING HA ROAD, TO THE HOSPITAL BY PRIVATE TREATY.
THE HOME WILL BE A THREE-STOREY BUILDING PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION FOR 150 PEOPLE. ONE THIRD OF THE PLACES WILL BE RESERVED FOR THOSE REFERRED BY THE POK 01 HOSPITAL, WHILE THE REMAINING 100 PLACES WILL BE RESERVED FOR SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT CASES.
THE HOSPITAL HAS RAISED $1.5 MILLION TOWARDS THE PROJECT WHICH IS TO COST $6.5 MILLION. AN APPLICATION TO THE LOTTERIES FUND THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE BALANCE OF THE FUNDS HAS BEEN MADE.
OPERATING COSTS OF THE HOME ARE EXPECTED TO BE $1.5 MILLION PER ANNUM.
A COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION AND FINANCING OF THE PROJECT HAS BEEN FORMED.
THE HOME, WHOSE FOUNDATION STONE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, LAID IN MARCH, WILL BE READY NEXT YEAR. IT WILL BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN YUEN LONG DISTRICT.
------0------- /5......................
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1980 - 5 -
LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS SWD SHELTERED WORKSHOP
* * * ft ft ft
LADY MACLEHOSE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAW FOR HERSELF HOW DISABLED PEOPLE COULD CONTRIBUTE TO USEFUL WORK DURING A VISIT TO THE LEK YUEN SHELTERED WORKSHOP IN SHA TIN.
THE WORKSHOP IS THE SEVENTH RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AS ONE OF ITS REHABILITATION SERVICES.
LADY MACLEHOSE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT THIS MORNING BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, AND THE SHA TIN-TAI PO DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR CHEUNG HON-LEUNG.
THE WORKSHOP WAS STARTED IN 1978, OFFERING PRODUCTIVE AND REMUNERATIVE EMPLOYMENT IN A SHELTERED ENVIRONMENT TO UP TO 100 DISABLED PEOPLE.
LADY MACLEHOSE INSPECTED ITS FACILITIES AND TOURED THE PREMISES WHERE SHE MET THE DISABLED WORKERS DOING HANDICRAFT, MACHINE SEWING AND METAL WORK UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF TRADE INSTRUCTORS.
MR PETER LAU, THE OFF ICER-IN-CHARGE, EXPLAINED THAT THE WORKERS WERE PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN ASSEMBLING OR PACKING WORK, WITH MATERIALS AND JOB ORDERS SUPPLIED BY FIRMS AND MANUFACTURERS.
HE SAID MOST OF THE WORKERS WERE MENTALLY RETARDED, WHILE OTHERS WERE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, EX-MENTALLY ILL, BLIND OR MULT I-HAND ICAPPED.
THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO DIFFERENT WORKSHOP CLASSES ACCORDING TO ABILITY AND CAN EARN AS MUCH AS 1700 A MONTH ON A PIECE-RATE BASIS, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO WAGES, MR LAU SAID, THE DISABLED WORKERS ARE GIVEN AN INCENTIVE PAYMENT OF S3.50 A DAY AND FREE LUNCH.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE WHEELCHAIR-BOUND OR WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THE WORKSHOP PROVIDES A BUS SERVICE TAKING THEM TO AND FROM WORK EVERYDAY, HE ADDED.
THE WORKSHOP STAFF ALSO ORGANISE REGULAR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PICNICS, BARBECUES AND TEA PARTIES FOR THE WORKERS, HE SAID.
0 - -
/6
WEDNESDAY, HAY 21, 1980
6
NEW LOOK MAIL BOX ft * * ft ft
liee .IHF. P0ST 0FF,CE HAS INTRODUCED A NEW DESIGN MAIL BOX FOR USE IN HONG KONG'S BUSY COMMERCIAL AREAS.
* PROTOTYPE WAS INSTALLED IN MARCH AT THE JUNCTION OF PEDDER STREET AND WYNDHAM STREET IN CENTRAL DISTRICT AS AN EXPERIMENT. IT HAS PROVED HIGHLY SATISFACTORY.
THE BOX IS SQUARE INSTEAD OF ROUND AND CAN HOLD TWICE THE AMOUNT OF MAIL OF A CONVENTIONAL PILLAR BOX. IT HAS A DETACHABLE SAR*A?TBA® K easily REMOVED AND REPLACED TO
MAKE IT EASIER FOR POSTMEN TO CLEAR THE LETTERS.
♦WITH SUCH INCREASED CAPACITY, BOX OVERFLOWING IS MUCH REDUCED,♦ A
THE CHANCE OF SUCH A MAIL POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE hee^"«ises!?Xhe PUT '* SELECTED “EAS ‘s “HEN
THERE ARE AT PRESENT S0ME 600 PILLAR BOXES THROUGHOUT HONG
KUNG •
-----o-----
BEWARE OF BOGUS LABOUR OFFICER ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST A MAN POSING AS AN OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID REPORTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED THAT A MAN WAS CHEATING FAMILIES OF WORKERS KILLED IN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
THE REPORTS SAID THE IMPOSTOR, CLAIMING TO BE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION UNIT, HAD APPROACHED THREE FAMILIES ON THE PRETEXT OF MAKING ENQUIRIES ABOUT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
HE LATER RETURNED, SAYING HE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A MINOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, AND ASKED FOR AND WAS GIVEN LOANS RANGING FROM $60 TO $150 +T0 SETTLE THE DISPUTE WITH THE OTHER PARTIES*.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT SEVERAL SIMILAR REPORTS WERE RECEIVED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND A WARNING WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED TO THE PUBLIC.
♦IMPOSTORS ARE USING EVERY KIND OF TRICK AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE ON THE ALERT AGAINST IMPERSONATION OF CIVIL SERVANTS.
♦ALL OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT CARRY GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS AND WARRANTS BEARING THEIR NAMES AND PHOTOGRAPHS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
----0----
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1980
- 7 -
NEW ACCESS TO ABERDEEN WATERFRONT
*****
WORK WILL BEGIN NEXT WEEK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVICE AreRD«N RECLAMATION NEAR THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE
• 15 n MAn K w i •
WILL serveEasRa^mwraryWaccessKtoAstationary°craftTand°ferrIes SIe'sem® Ft^o? »?toT"O"T THIS ‘REA T° M‘KE ™
A CONTRACT FOR THE WORK, WORTH MORE THAN |84O 000. WAS SIGNED TODAY BY MR PANG HAU-CHUNG, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS (HONG KONG) DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, REPRESENTATIVE OF KO’S CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.
AND A
THE WORK WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 200 TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WITH A FOOTPATH ALONG ONE SIDE. METRES OF STORMWATER DRAINS WILL ALSO BE LAID.
METRE
SOME 175
0
KOWLOON TONG TRAFFIC RESTRICTION ******
THE TEMPORARY ACCESS ROAD FROM KENT ROAD TO KOWLOON TRUE LIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 24).
VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR TO LOAD OR UNLOAD GOODS WITHIN THIS CLEARWAY.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----o------
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
1979 — YEAR OF ACTIVE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT............... 1
LABOUR MPS TOUR TSUEN WAN ............................... 4
NEW RESEARCH VESSEL TO BE LAUNCHED........................5
INFORMATION WANTED FROM HONOURS HOLDERS ................. 6
VISIT BY CONSERVATIVE MPS ............................... 6
LABOUR OFFICIAL LEAVES FOR ILO CONFERENCE ............... 7
GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR TUEN MUN COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE ....................................... 7
NEW MAXICaB SERVICE ..................................... 8
KWAI FOO ROAD RESTRICTION EXTENDED....................... 9
WATER CUT ............................................... 9
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980
1
1979 — YEAR OF ACTIVE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT ******
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED ITS 1980 PROPERTY REVIEW, AVAILABLE NOW FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $50 A COPY.
COMMENTING ON THE REVIEW, THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR R.A. FRY, SAID 1979 WAS ANOTHER ACTIVE YEAR WITH PROPERTY PRICES REACHING UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS.
♦COMPLETIONS ESTABLISHED A NEW RECORD OF NEARLY 2.9 MILLION SQUARE METRES, WHILE CONSENT TO COMMENCE BUILDING WORKS WAS GIVEN IN RESPECT OF NEW PROJECTS TOTALLING SOME 3.1 MILLION SQUARE METRES,* HE SAID.
THE SUPPLY OF DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR LAST YEAR, AT 27 795 UNITS, WAS THE BEST ACHIEVEMENT SINCE 1966. A FURTHER 28 000 AND 32 000 UNITS ARE FORECAST TO BE COMPLETED IN 1980 AND 1981 RESPECTIVELY.
TRENDS
+THE PATTERN OF NEW DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENT BEING CONCENTRATED ON THE ISLAND IS BEGINNING TO CHANGE, AS DEVELOPERS RUN OUT OF SUITABLE SITES IN THIS AREA,* THE COMMISSIONER SAID.
MUCH OF THE FUTURE PRIVATE HOUSING STOCK WILL BE LOCATED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHERE ANTICIPATED COMPLETIONS IN 1981 WILL ACCOUNT FOR OVER 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL SUPPLY FORECAST FOR THAT YEAR.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF SMALLER UNITS STILL PREDOMINATES, WITH UNITS IN THE SIZE RANGE OF 30 TO 39.9 SQUARE METRES BEING THE MOST POPULAR. THIS TREND SEEMS LIKELY TO CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
ALTHOUGH THE PRODUCTION OF HOUSES IN 1979 WAS CONSIDERABLY UP ON PREVIOUS YEARS, A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE YEARS’ SUPPLY WAS OF SO-CALLED VILLAGE-TYPE HOUSES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MANY BEING FAIRLY SMALL UNITS, MR FRY ADDED.
DOMESTIC FLATS
TOTAL DOMESTIC VACANCIES AT DECEMBER 1979 WERE ABOUT 14 550 UNITS AND ALTHOUGH THIS WAS CONSIDERABLY UP ON LAST YEAR’S FIGURE, IT STILL REPRESENTS ONLY 3.2 PER CENT OF THE YEAR-END STOCK, A FAIRLY INSIGNIFICANT PROPORTION, GIVEN THE NORMAL DAY-TO-DAY MOVEMENTS WHICH INEVITABLY MUST TAKE PLACE IN SUCH A MARKET.
RENTAL SHOWED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE FOR ALL CLASSES OF DOMESTIC PROPERTY DURING 1979, WITH AVERAGE INCREASES RANGING FROM 26 PER CENT TO 64 PER CENT OVER THE 1978 FIGURES.
/♦HOWEVER
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980
2
♦HOWEVER, IT WAS IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE YEAR THAT THE MAIN UPWARD PRESSURE WAS FELT, WITH THE RESULT THAT THE GOVERNMENT FELT OBLIGED TO INTERVENE BY ANNOUNCING EXTENDED RENT CONTROL MEASURES COVERING NEARLY ALL PRIVATE DOMESTIC PREMISES,* MR FRY SAID.
SALE PRICES ALSO HIT NEW LEVELS, WITH AVERAGE INCREASES VARYING FROM 67 PER CENT TO 78 PER CENT OVER 1978.
SHOP SPACES
IN THE RETAIL SECTOR, 131 OOO SQUARE METRES OF SHOP SPACE WAS COMPLETED IN 1979, SIMILAR TO EACH OF THE TWO PREVIOUS YEARS. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES ARE FORECAST FOR I960 AND 1981.
THE TREND OF PROVIDING SMALL UNITS IN MULTI-STOREY SHOPPING ARCADES IS RAPIDLY INCREASING AND FORECASTS INDICATE THAT SUCH SPACE WILL DOMINATE THE SUPPLY FIGURES OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
VACANCIES AT THE END OF 1979 STOOD AT 148 500 SQUARE METRES, UP 21 PER CENT ON THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND REPRESENTING THE HIGHEST VACANCY SITUATION RECORDED SINCE 1975. THE COMMISSIONER EXPLAINED HOWEVER THAT ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF THIS WAS LOCATED IN BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN ONLY THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
OFFICE ACCOMMODATION
THE OUT-TURN IN OFFICE ACCOMMODATION AT 178 300 SQUARE METRES WAS THE LOWEST ANNUAL SUPPLY SINCE 1974. HOWEVER, IT IS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE CONSIDERABLY IN 1980 AND 1981 WITH OVER 275 000 AND 480 000 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
A GENERALLY HIGHER STANDARD OF ACCOMMODATION IS NOW BEING PRODUCED, MR FRY SAID, WITH OVER HALF THE YEAR’S SUPPLY CLASSIFIED AS GRADE A, AND FORECASTS INDICATE THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.
STRONG DEMAND REDUCED VACANCIES TO 78 700 SQUARE METRES, REPRESENTING ONLY 3.6 PER CENT OF THE YEAR-END STOCK, AS COMPARED WITH 6.5 PER CENT A YEAR PREVIOUSLY.
NOT SURPRISINGLY THERE WERE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN OFFICE RENTS ACROSS THE BOARD, WITH AVERAGE RENTS RANGING FROM THE LOWEST GRADE C AT 135.05 TO THE HIGHEST GRADE A AT $95.82.
TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR CONSIDERABLY HIGHER RENTS WERE BEING ADVERTISED, ALTHOUGH LITTLE EVIDENCE COULD BE FOUND TO SUBSTANTIATE SOME OF THE EXTRAVAGANT CLAIMS BEING MADE.
FACTORY FLATS
MR FRY POINTED OUT THAT POSSIBLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES HIGHLIGHTED IN THE REVIEW WAS IN REGARD TO FLATTED FACTORY ACCOMMODATION.
/A RECORD .....
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980
3
A RECORD SUPPLY OF NEARLY 1.3 MILLION SQUARE METRES WAS PRODUCED IN 1979, WHICH WAS 17 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS SUPPLY- FORECASTS INDICATE THAT ALMOST A MILLION SQUARE METRES IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1980 AND ABOUT 1.48 MILLION IN 1981.
THE AMOUNT OF FLATTED FACTORY SPACE IN THE NEW TERR ITOR I INCREASED BY AN ASTONISHING 35 PER CENT OVER 1979, AND NOW REPRESENTS ALMOST 40 PER CENT OF THE ENTIRE STOCK.
ES
SMALL UNITS CONTINUED TO PREDOMINATE WITH ALMOST 87 PER CENT CF THE YEARS’ SUPPLY BEING UNITS OF BELOW 400 SQUARE METRES. +IN FACT, AROUND 20 PER CENT OF THE SUPPLY FEATURED UNITS OF LESS THAN 50 SQUARE METRES, FOR WHICH THERE IS APPARENTLY A GOOD MARKET, MR FRY SAID. ’
CONSONANT WITH SUCH A LARGE SUPPLY, VACANCIES INCREASED TO 581 000 SQUARE METRES. HOWEVER, WHEN VIEWED AGAINST THE RECORD PRODUCTION IN 1979, THERE APPEARS NO REAL SLACKENING OF DEMAND. INDEED, THE AMOUNT OF SPACE TAKEN UP IN 1979 WAS EQUAL TO OVER 90 PER CENT OF THE YEAR’S SUPPLY.
THE COMMISSIONER NOTED THAT PURCHASE PRICES GENERALLY HAD RISEN FASTER THAN RENTS IN 1979, WITH THE AVERAGE RENTAL INCREASE CF AROUND NINE PER CENT OVER 1978, AS COMPARED TO PURCHASE PRICES WHICH REGISTERED A 31 PER CENT INCREASE FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MAIN STATISTICS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR THE YEARS 1978 AND 1979 TOGETHER WITH FORECAST FIGURES FOR 1980 AND 1981.
FORECAST
DOMESTIC 1978 1979 1980 1981
SUPPLY IN YEAR UNITS 26 230 27 795 28 370 32 730
TOTAL VACANT AT DECEMBER OF YEAR 9 9 9 300 14 550
SHOPS SUPPLY IN YEAR SQ M (BASED ON SAMPLE SURVEY) 131 000 131 000 186 900 296 400
TOTAL VACANT AT DECEMBER OF YEAR » I 122 500 148 500 — —
OFFICES SUPPLY IN YEAR SQ M 185 400 178 300 278 200 484 600
TOTAL VACANT AT DECEMBER OF YEAR 9 9 131 000 78 700 *
/MISCELLANEOUS
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980
4
MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL
SUPPLY IN YEAR SQ M 80
TOTAL VACANT AT DECEMBER OF YEAR ” 108
FLATTED FACTORIES
SUPPLY IN YEAR SQ M 1 091
TOTAL VACANT AT DECEMBER OF YEAR ” 472
STORAGE
SUPPLY IN YEAR SQ M 95
TOTAL VACANT AT DECEMBER OF YEAR »» 32
700 96 200 97 300 122 600
200 115 000
500 1 277 700 988 500 1 477 000
800 581 000
400 235 100 68 700 297 100
200 76 100
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LABOUR MPS TOUR TSUEH WAN X * * K
TWO LABOUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, MR THOMAS COX AND MR ROBERT EDWARDS, VISITED TSUEN WAN THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
THE TWO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG YESTERDAY FOLLOWING 10 DAYS IN CHINA.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE TOWN MANAGER, MR JAMES HAYES, THEY TRAVELLED BY PUBLIC FERRY FROM HONG KONG ISLAND TO TSUEN WAN. THEY WALKED FROM THE FERRY PIER TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE, BEING BRIEFED ON THE WAY ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING THE TOWN HALL AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING PROJECTS.
THEY WERE TAKEN TO THE TOP OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ROOF AND TO OTHER LOOKOUT POINTS IN KWAI CHUNG TO VIEW OLDER PARTS OF THE TOWN, AS WELL AS NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND AND RECLAMATION IN TSUEN WAN BAY.
AFTER MORE THAN TWO HOURS IN TSUEN WAN, THEY WENT TO THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS WHERE THEY WERE MET BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, WHO BRIEFED THEM ON THE NEW TOWNS WHICH HE SAID WOULD HAVE A COMBINED POPULATION OF MORE THAN TWO MILLION BEFORE THE END OF THE DECADE.
THE MPS VISITED VARIOUS HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE AFTERNOON. THEY WILL VISIT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), LEAVING HONG KONG ON SATURDAY EVENING.
0------
/5
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980
5
NEW RESEARCH VESSEL TO BE LAUNCHED ft ft ft ft ft ft
A HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED FISHERIES RESEARCH VESSEL WILL COME INTO SERVICE VERY SOON TO REPLACE THE EXISTING RESEARCH VESSEL, CAPE ST MARY, AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR A MATE TO HELP OPERATE IT.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT AT PRESENT HONG KONG’S FISHING FLEET SUPPLIED MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF LOCAL DEMAND, WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE WITH THE POPULATION GROWTH.
HE SAID, *T0 MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR FOOD FISH, THE DEPARTMENT SPARED NO EFFORT IN SEARCHING FOR NEW FISH STOCKS, DEVELOPING NEW FISHING METHODS AND IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF EXISTING METHODS.*
+RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES ARE CARRIED OUT TO SEEK WAYS OF GREATLY INCREASING FISH PRODUCTION. THE NEW VESSEL, TAI SHUN, WHICH IS A MORE VERSATILE CRAFT THAN CAPE ST MARY, WILL BE BETTER SUITED TO THIS PURPOSE,* HE ADDED.
THE NEW CRAFT, FITTED OUT•WTTR ADVANCED ELECTRONIC FISHFINDING EQUIPMENT, WILL HAVE A WIDER CRUISING RANGE OF OVER 12 800 KILOMETRES AND A LONGER JOURNEY TIME OF 30 DAYS. BESIDES ITS PRECISE NAVIGATIONAL ABILITY, THE CRAFT WILL ALSO BE CAPABLE OF TESTING OUT DIFFERENT FISHING METHODS.
THE MATE BEING SOUGHT TO HELP OPERATE THE NEW VESSEL SHOULD EITHER HAVE A TRAWLER MASTER CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY OR POSSESS A CLASS 2 (FIRST MATE) CERTIFICATE, A RADAR OBSERVER CERTIFICATE, A RADAR SIMULATOR CERTIFICATE AND AN ELECTRONIC NAVIGATIONAL AIDS (OPERATION) CERTIFICATE.
HIS KNOWLEDGE OF SPOKEN AND WRITTEN ENGLISH SHOULD BE AT A STANDARD EQUIVALENT TO GRADE E IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION.
THE STARTING SALARY WILL BE $4 000 A MONTH. APPLICATION FORMS (GF 340) CAN BE OBTAINED FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF DISTRICT OFFICES, AND THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD REACH THE SECRETARY, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, ROOM 416, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING), 4TH FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MONDAY (MAY 26).
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/6
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980
6
INFORMATION WANTED FROM HONOURS MOOERS
* * * *
HOLDERS OF BRITISH HONOURS AND DECORATIONS CONFERRED OUTSIDE HONG KONG ARE REQUESTED TO SEND DETAILS OF THEIR AWARDS, IF THEY HAVE NOT DONE SO PREVIOUSLY, TO THE LIBRARIAN AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BY JUNE 15.
THE DETAILS SHOULD INCLUDE THEIR FULL NAMES AND THE YEARS IN WHICH THE AWARDS WERE MADE.
THE REQUEST IS SENT OUT TO PEOPLE NORMALLY RESIDING IN HONG KONG, EXCEPT MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AND HER MAJESTY’S REGULAR FORCES.
THE AWARDS OF WHICH DETAILS ARE REQUIRED INCLUDE ALL ORDERS AND DECORATIONS, MEDALS FOR GALLANTRY AND DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT, IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDALS, MEDALS FOR VALUABLE SERVICES AND BADGES OF HONOUR.
HOWEVER DETAILS OF WAR MEDALS, POLAR MEDALS, JUBILEE OR CORONATION MEDALS, LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND EFFICIENCY MEDALS ARE NOT REQUIRED.
- - - - 0 --------
VISIT BY CONSERVATIVE MPS * * *
TWO CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WILL BE VISITING HONG KONG AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNMENT BETWEEN MAY 24 AND JUNE
THEY ARE DR HUNT, MEMBER FOR
KEITH HAMPSON, MEMBER FOR RIPPON, AND MR DAVID
W IRRAL.
THE PURPOSE
OF THEIR VISIT IS TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH HONG KONG’S URBAN ADMINISTRATION, INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING, LAND DEVELOPMENT AND TEXTILES INDUSTRY.
THE MPS’ PROGRAMME IN HONG KONG WILL INCLUDE DISCUSSIONS WITH V,S,TS T0 HOUSING ESTATES AND FACTORIES, A JOUR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND MEETINGS WITH MEMBERS OF THE S“coiHvJlT?8O«MlMT*OHs!*“" C°U"C'LS **“ ¥“'°US BUS'"ESS
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE THEM SHOULD CONTACT THE PROTOCOL OFFICE (TEL. NO. 5-95212) WHICH WILL PASS ON THE REQUEST TO THEM.
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980
7
LABOUR OFFICIAL LEAVES FOR ILO CONFERENCE *****
yeL£S£'?TANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS SOO MOK SAU-HA, * EE*VE H0NG K0NG THIS EVEN‘NG TO ATTEND THE 66TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN GENEVA.
SHE WILL BE PARTICIPATING AS AN ADVISER TO DELEGATION. THE CONFERENCE IS SCHEDULED TO 25.
THE UNITED KINGDOM
TO BE HELD FROM JUNE 4
SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED ARE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES A^D TRSATMFNT F0R MEN AND WOMEN WORKERS OR WORKERS WITH FAMILY B1LITIES’ SAFETY AND HEALTH AND THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT, AS WELL AS THE PROMOTION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
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NOTE TO EDITORS!
GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR TUEN MUN COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES WILL OFFICIATE AT THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR A t32 MILLION COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE TO BE BUILT BY THE YAN 01 TONG IN AREA 10 (NEAR KAI MING STREET), TUEN MUN, TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 4 PM. ^ucOY^\RL^0RDIALLY INVITED TO SEND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE CEREMONY. A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE (AM 3214) WILL LEAVC KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 2.30 PM SHARP. MR DONALD STRANGE OF THE NEW J|pRrU?J^1^,n1strat,0N press un,t W1LL help medu HE NEW ncrnCotN I A I I Vto,
/8
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980
8
NEW MAXI CAB SERVICE X * X X *
TWO MORE MAXICAB ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED ON HONG KONG ISLAND FROM SUNDAY (MAY 25).
THEY ARE CIRCULAR ROUTE NO. 23 FROM KENNEDY TOWN TO POK FU LAM AND ROUTE NO. 30 FROM CAUSEWAY BAY TO WATFORD ROAD ON THE PEAK.
MAXI CABS ON THE FIRST ROUTE WILL START FROM HOLLAND STREET AND GO PAST KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA, SANDS STREET, BELCHER’S STREET SMITHFIELD, POKFIELD ROAD, POK FU LAM ROAD, VICTORIA ROAD AND SASSOON ROAD, RETURNING BY POK FU LAM ROAD, POKFIELD ROAD, SMITHFIELD AND BELCHER’S STREET.
JOURNEYS MAY BE DIVERTED VIA THE ACCESS ROAD TO QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL DURING ITS VISITING HOURS TO MEET PASSENGER REQUIREMENTS.
THE FARES WILL BE 70 CENTS FROM KENNEDY TOWN TO TELEGRAPH BAY, AND 70 CENTS FOR A RETURN JOURNEY FROM QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL TO KENNEDY TOWN.
THE SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FROM 5.40 AM TO 8 PM AT A BASIC FREQUENCY OF 12 MINUTES.
THE OTHER NEW MAXI CAB ROUTE STARTING FROM SUNDAY WILL OPERATE FROM PATERSON STREET, PAST GLOUCESTER ROAD, PERCIVAL STREET, LOCKHART ROAD, FENWICK STREET, GLOUCESTER ROAD, HARCOURT ROAD, ADMIRALTY CENTRE ACCESS ROAD, HARCOURT ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE SLIP ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE, GARDEN ROAD, MAGAZINE GAP ROAD, PEAK ROAD, AND GUILDFORD ROAD, TO WATFORD ROAD.
THE RETURN TRIP WILL BE VIA GUILDFORD ROAD, PEAK ROAD, MAGAZINE GAP ROAD, GARDEN ROAD, QUEENSWAY, ARSENAL STREET, LOCKHART ROAD, EAST POINT ROAD, AND GREAT GEORGE STREET.
THE FULL FARE WILL BE 11.50. FARES FOR SECTIONAL JOURNEYS FROM MTR ADMIRALTY STATION TO WATFORD ROAD WILL BE fl AND 50 CENTS FROM ARSENAL STREET TO CAUSEWAY BAY.
MAXI CABS ON THIS ROUTE WILL RUN FROM 6.36 AM TO 9.40 PM AT A BASIC FREQUENCY OF 12 MINUTES.
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/9
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980
KWAI FOO ROAD RESTRICTION EXTENDED
*****
THE EXISTING PLB CLEARWAY IN KWAI FOO ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, WILL BE EXTENDED ABOUT 90 METRES WESTWARD FROM KWAI CHUNG POLICE STATION TO A POINT JUST BEYOND THE ZEBRA CROSSING FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 24).
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS WITHIN THE CLEARWAY.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE PLB DRIVERS.
- 0 - -
WATER CUT * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO AN AREA OF TSUEN WAN ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR TEN HOURS FROM 10 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 26) TO 3 AM THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED EXTENDS FROM CHAI WAN KOK STREET TO LIDO BEACH AT TING KAU.
- - 0
nRSi gisI I wl
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1980
NEV/ MONEY LENDING LAWS .................................. 1
STATEMENT BY AG ON MACLENNaN CASE ........................ 3
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL ...................... 5
$1 INCREASE IN OUT-PATIENT CHARGE ........................ 7
SECOND BRIDGE LINK 'WITH SHENZHEN ........................ 8
GROUND BREAKING FOR COMMUNITY Ar!D SPORTS CENTRE IN TUEN MUN .............................................. 9
CHECK ON FIRE HAZARDS .................................. 10
FOUR NEW TERRITORIES SITES FOR SALE ..................... 10
TUEN MUN GETS NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL ........................ 11
TRADE MISSION TO GUANGZHOU .............................. 12
TENDERS INVITED FOR aIRPORT SHOP ........................ 12
HA TSUEN RANGE FIRING PRACTICE .........................
PLB RESTRICTION ON WONG CHUK HANG ROAD .................
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1980
1
NEW MONEY LENDING LAWS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING NEW LAWS TO GOVERN THE LENDING CF MONEY IN HONG KONG.
THE AIM IS TO CLAMP DOWN ON LOANSHARKS, AND TO ENSURE BETTER CONSUMER PROTECTION IN ALL LOAN TRANSACTIONS BOTH AS REGARDS EXCESSIVE INTEREST RATES AND EXTORTIONATE STIPULATIONS.
THE MONEY LENDERS BILL 1980, WHICH CONTAINS PROPOSALS TO THIS EFFECT, IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE BILL SEEKS TO REPEAL THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION WHICH PROVIDES NO CONTROL OVER MONEY LENDERS, AND TO REPLACE IT WITH A LICENSING SCHEME WHEREBY APPLICANTS WOULD BE ’SCREENED’ FOR THEIR SUITABILITY TO OPERATE A MONEY LENDING BUSINESS.
UNDER THE NEW PROVISIONS, ANY PERSON WISHING TO OPERATE AS A MONEY LENDER WOULD BE REQUIRED TO APPLY TO THE REGISTRAR OF MONEY LENDERS FOR A LICENCE. APPLICATIONS WOULD BE PROCESSED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT AND DETERMINED BY A MAGISTRATE AND TWO ASSESSORS AS THE LICENSING COURT.
EXEMPTED WOULD BE BODIES SUCH AS BANKS AND OTHER REGISTERED INSTITUTIONS.
THE BILL WOULD RESTRICT MONEY LENDERS TO CARRYING ON BUSINESS IN LICENSED PREMISES ONLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF A LICENCE.
♦ AN APPLICANT FOR A MONEY LENDER LICENCE IS REQUIRED TO SEND A COPY OF THE APPLICATION TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WHO IS EMPOWERED TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER,♦ HE ADDED.
♦ IF THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS TO THE GRANT OF A LICENCE, THE COURT WILL GRANT IT WITHOUT FURTHER INQUIRY. HOWEVER, OBJECTIONS MAY BE MADE BY THE REGISTRAR OR THE POLICE OR BY ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC AND IN THAT EVENT THE COURT MUST MAKE FULL INQUIRY INTO THE FITNESS OF THE APPLICANT, AND OTHER RELATED ASPECTS, BEFORE GRANTING A LICENCE.♦
THE MAXIMUM EFFECTIVE RATE OF INTEREST PERMITTED BY THE BILL IN RESPECT OF ANY LOAN AGREEMENT WOULD BE 60 PER CENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AND, ANY AGREEMENT WHICH PROVIDED FOR AN EFFECTIVE RATE IN EXCESS OF THIS MAXIMUM WOULD BE UNENFORCEABLE AND THE LENDER WOULD BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
♦ AS REGARDS PROCEEDINGS FOR THE RECOVERY OF MONEY LENT, IF THE COURT IS SATISFIED THAT THE TRANSACTION IS EXTORTIONATE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE BILL, THE COURT MAY REOPEN THE TRANSACTION AND MAKE SUCH ADJUSTMENTS AS JUSTICE MAY REQUIRE BETWEEN THE PARTIES,♦ HE SAID.
/♦IF THE .....
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1980
2
♦IF THE EFFECTIVE RATE CHARGED EXCEEDS 48 PER CENT PER ANNUM, THE COURT MAY SIMILARLY INTERVENE EXCEPT WHERE IT IS SATISFIED THAT, IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THAT RATE IS NOT UNREASONABLE OR UNFAIR.♦
COMMENTING ON THE TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR EXISTING LOANS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID NOTHING IN THE BILL WOULD RENDER ANY AGREEMENT OR SECURITY VOID OR UNENFORCEABLE.
♦BUT WHERE THE INTEREST RATE ON SUCH AN AGREEMENT EXCEEDS 60 PER CENT, IT WILL HAVE TO BE BROUGHT INTO LINE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BILL.+ HE SAID.
♦THESE TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS ARE NECESSARY TO DISCOURAGE LOANSHARKS FROM ATTEMPTING TO SECURE THE BACKDATING OF AGREEMENTS.♦
THERE WILL ALSO BE PROVISIONS TO PREVENT MONEY LENDERS FROM CHARGING COMPOUND INTEREST AND OTHER FORMS OF LOANSHARKING.
♦AN AGREEMENT FOR THE LOAN OF MONEY BY A MONEY LENDER SHALL BE ILLEGAL IN SO FAR AS IT PROVIDES FOR THE PAYMENT OF COMPOUND INTEREST, OR FOR INCREASING THE RATE OF INTEREST, OR IF IT PROHIBITS THE REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN BY INSTALMENTS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES THE MONEY LENDER TO SUPPLY THE BORROWER WITH A COPY OF A NOTE OR MEMORANDUM WITHIN SEVEN DAYS CF THE AGREEMENT BEING SIGNED, TOGETHER WITH A PRESCRIBED SUMMARY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF PARTS III AND IV OF THE BILL.
THEREAFTER, THE MONEY LENDER WOULD BE OBLIGED, UPON REQUEST BY THE BORROWER, TO SUPPLY HIM WITH INFORMATION DISCLOSING THE UP-TO-DATE STATE OF THE LOAN, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THIS PROVISION WOULD ENABLE THE BORROWER TO PROVIDE A RECORD IN THE EVENT OF COURT PROCEEDINGS.
A SURETY WOULD ALSO BE ENTITLED TO A COPY OF THE AGREEMENT OR SECURITY INSTRUMENT, AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION DURING THE CONTINUANCE OF THE AGREEMENT.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR EARLY REPAYMENT BY THE BORROWER WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY THE LENDER ANY PENALTY OR PREMIUM. HOWEVER, THIS PROVISION WOULD NOT APPLY TO LOANS MADE BY A MONEY LENDER EXEMPTED UNDER THE BILL.
REGARDING CHARGES LEVIED BY THE LENDER, A CLAUSE IN THE BILL PREVENTS A MONEY LENDER FROM EXACTING FROM THE BORROWER A SUM ON ACCOUNT OF COSTS, CHARGES OR EXPENSES INCIDENTAL TO THE LOAN.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAlNEDl +AS THERE IS A FAIRLY WIDESPREAD COMMERCIAL PRACTICE BY REPUTABLE BODIES OF LEVYING FEES, THE REGISTRAR WILL BE EMPOWERED TO APPROVE CERTAIN CHARGES LIMITED TO SUCH AN AMOUNT OR PERCENTAGE AS HE SPECIFIES, OR TO EXEMPT CERTAIN GROUPS AFTER CONSULTING THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.+
ANY MONEY LENDER COMMITTING AN OFFENCE UNDER THE NEW ORDINANCE WOULD BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $100 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS. THAT PENALTY ALSO APPLIES TO ALL CASES OF EXCESSIVE INTEREST RATES. FOR LESSER OFFENCES, THE PENALTY IS A $10 000 FINE AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT.
/AND, A COURT ......
FRIDAY, MAY 2J,.198O
5
AND, A COURT MAY ORDER THAT THE CONVICTED PERSON BE DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING A LICENCE FOR A PERIOD OF NOT EXCEEDING FIVE YEARS.
REGARDING THE HEAVIER PENALTY SET OUT IN THE BILL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SINCE LOANSHARKING WAS CONSIDERED A SERIOUS SOCIAL THREAT IT WAS FELT THE PENALTIES SHOULD BE SEVERE.
ALSO CONTAINED IN THE BILL ARE PROVISIONS RESTRICTING MONEY LENDING ADVERTISEMENTS, AND POWERS FOR THE REGISTRAR TO ENTER PREMISES AND INSPECT BOOKS.
-------o--------
STATEMENT BY AG ON MACLENNAN CASE
» » » » »
♦THERE WAS OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF INSPECTOR MACLENNAN WHICH SHOWS THAT HE COMMITTED SUICIDE
♦ACCORDINGLY THERE IS NO REASON TO RE-OPEN THE INQUEST AND I WOULD HAVE NO POWER TO DO SO UNDER THE CORONER’S ORDINANCE.+
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JOHN GRIFFITHS, FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF HIS STUDY OF THE CORONER’S 160 PAGE RECORD OF THE INQUEST.
DRAWING ATTENTION TO SOME OF THE EVIDENCE WHICH LED HIM TO HIS CONCLUSION THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAIDt
♦IT IS CLEAR THAT INSPECTOR MACLENNAN DIED IN THE BEDROOM OF HIS FLAT FROM GUN SHOT WOUNDS TO HIS CHEST SHORTLY AFTER 6 AM. THE FLAT WAS ON THE FOURTH FLOOR.
Tur /.1J!J!?LA!E M0 ’"-CONIES, AND NO LATERAL COMMUNICATION AS ™E CONCRETE RIDGE SURROUNDING THE BUILDING IS. IN FACT, INI ERM ITTENT.+
THE ONLY ACCESS TO THE FOURTH FLOOR FLAT OCCUPIED BY INSPECTOR MACLENNAN WAS THE FRONT DOOR AND THE WINDOWS. THE DOOR WAS SECURELY LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE AND HAD TO BE SMASHED DOWN BY POLICE IN THE PRESENCE OF INSPECTOR MACLENNAN’S SOLI Cl TOR.
*JHERf WAS *° WESTION OF THE DOOR BEING OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE.* SAID MR GRIFFITHS. +THERE WERE FOUR LOCKS AND CHAINS SECURELY FASTENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE KEY TO THE MAIN LOCK WAS TOUND ON INSPECTOR MACLENNAN’S KEY-RING, WHICH WAS FOUND AFTER ENTRY ON A TABLE IN THE KITCHEN/LIVI NG AREA.*
+THE ONLY WAY OF EVEN ATTEMPTING TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE FLAT THROUGH THE WINDOWS WOULD HAVE BEEN FROM ABOVE USING A "°£E+\HE SA,D* *BUT THE W>*DOWS WERE LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE AND THEY HAD NOT BEEN FORCED OR BROKEN.*
/INSPECTOR MACLENNAN’S
FRIDAY, MAY 2J, 1980
4
INSPECTOR MACLENNAN'S BODY WAS FOUND IN HIS BEDROOM, THE DOOR OF WHICH WAS LOCKED. THE POLICE HAD TO BREAK DOWN THE DOOR WITH A CROWBAR AS IT COULD ONLY BE LOCKED, OR UNLOCKED, FROM THE INSIDE BY A SNIB ON THE HANDLE. THERE WAS NO KEY MECHANISM OR OTHER MEANS OF LOCKING OR UNLOCKING THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.
♦INSPECTOR MACLENNAN’S SOLICITOR WAS PRESENT NEARBY WHILE THAT DOOR WAS BROKEN DOWN TOO,+ SAID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
ON THE EVIDENCE CONCERNING INSPECTOR MACLENNAN’S ACTIONS IN THE PERIOD BEFORE HIS BODY WAS FOUND MR GRIFFITHS POINTED TO EVIDENCE THATi
* INSPECTOR MACLENNAN WAS WARNED THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO BE INTERVIEWED BY THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATION UNIT-
* HE MADE A REQUEST FOR AN EARLY CALL AT 5.30 AM ON THE MORNING HIS BODY WAS FOUND. GIVING HIS OWN NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER*
* INSPECTOR MACLENNAN VISITED THE POLICE ARMOURY AT 6 AM WHERE HE WAS RECOGNISED BY THE STATION SERGEANT ON DUTY WHO KNEW HIM. ON THIS OCCASION INSPECTOR MACLENNAN TOLD AN UNTRUE STORY TO THE ARMOURER, WHO ALSO KNEW HIM, THAT HE WAS GOING OUT ON A POLICE RAID AND REQUIRED HIS REVOLVER.
ON THE QUESTION OF THE REVOLVER USED AND THE BULLET WOUNDS MR GRIFFITHS SAID THE WEAPON WHICH WAS ISSUED TO INSPECTOR MACLENNAN PROVED TO BE THAT FOUND BESIDE HIS BODY, AND TWO OF THE FIVE BULLETS WERE POSITIVELY PROVED BY A BALLISTICS EXPERT TO HAVE BEEN FIRED FROM IT. THE OTHERS WERE TOO BADLY DAMAGED FDR IDENTIFICATION.
MR GRIFFITHS SAID THAT HE WAS INITIALLY CONCERNED THAT THERE WERE FIVE BULLET WOUNDS, BUT HE WAS NOW QUITE SATISFIED THAT THERE WERE DOCUMENTED CASES IN MEDICAL BOOKS OF OTHER PERSONS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD HAVING COMMITTED SUICIDE BY SHOOTING THEMSELVES IN THE CHEST MANY TIMES. THIS VIEW WAS SUPPORTED BY THE EVIDENCE OF AN INDEPENDENT PATHOLOGIST WHO SAID HE BELIEVED IT WAS PERFECTLY POSSIBLE FOR INSPECTOR MACLENNAN TO HAVE SHOT HIMSELF FIVE TIMES.
™ERE WAS ALS0 CLEAR EVIDENCE PRODUCED BY THE HANDWRITING EXPERT THAT THE SUICIDE NOTE FOUND IN THE LOCKED FLAT WAS WRITTEN BY INSPECTOR MACLENNAN.
♦HAVING REGARD TO ALL THESE ClRCUMSTANCES,♦ MR GRIFFITHS SAID, +l AM SATISFIED INSPECTOR MACLENNAN COMMITTED SUICIDE AND THAT NOTHING WOULD BE GAINED BY RE-OPENING THE INQUEST.♦
TURNING TO THE RIDER TO THE JURY’S VERDICT CONCERNING THE HOMOSEXUALITY LAW IN HONG KONG THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THAT THE LAW RELATING TO HOMOSEXUALITY WAS TO BE REFERRED TO THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED LAW REFORM COMMISSION.
/MKGRIFFITHS
FRIDAY, MAY 2J, 1980
5
MR GRIFFITHS SAID THAT HE BELIEVED THAT THE LAW IN RELATION TO HOMOSEXUALITY SHOULD BE REVIEWED BUT WITHOUT PRE-JUDGING WHETHER OR NOT THE LAW SHOULD BE CHANGED IN ANY WAY.
♦MUCH HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT THE HOMOSEXUALITY LAWS IN HONG KONG OVER THE PAST MONTHS WITH SOME ADVOCATING THEIR RELAXATION AND OTHERS TOTALLY AGAINST ANY CHANGE,♦ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID. ♦( THINK IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT TRE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, AND DOUBTLESS THE COMMISSION WILL WISH TO CO-OPT ADDITIONAL MEMBERS TO HELP IN THIS WORK. I AM SURE THE COMMISSION WILL TAKE VERY GREAT CARE TO SOUND PUBLIC OPINION BEFORE EXPRESSING A VIEW,* ADDED MR GRIFFITHS.
-------0 - - - -
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL ft * * * ft *
THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS LAST MONTH WAS $7 690 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AT S5 389 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS AT $2 302 MILLION, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL EXTERNAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
WITH IMPORTS AT 19 537 MILLION, THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT FOR APRIL WAS *1 847 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1979, THE FOLLOWING INCREASES BY VALUE WERE RECORDED! $1 234 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS- 1716 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT IN RE-EXPORTS- |1 950 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT IN TOTAL EXPORTS AND $2 423 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT IN IMPORTS.
COMMENTING ON THE APRIL FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THEY SHOW A CONTINUATION OF THE PATTERN APPARENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR. TOTAL EXPORTS HAVE CONTINUED TO GROW AT ROUGHLY THE SAME RATE AS TOTAL IMPORTS- AND, WITHIN TOTAL EXPORTS, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS HAS CONTINUED TO GROW RAPIDLY.
IN LINE WITH THIS PATTERN, IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR THE VALUES OF TOTAL EXPORTS AND OF IMPORTS WERE BOTH 37 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1979, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WAS 44 PER CENT HIGHER.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE VISIBLE TRADE +GAP+, THAT IS THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, WAS 19.4 PER CENT IN APRIL, NARROWER THAN MARCH'S VERY HIGH 24.2 PER CENT. IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR THE +GAP+ WAS 18.7 PER CENT, WHICH IS THE SAME AS IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1979.
/THE SPOKESMAN .....
FRIDAY, MAY 2J, 1980
6
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE FACT THAT THE VISIBLE TRADE ■»GAP+ HAS CEASED TO NARROW FURTHER SINCE THE END OF 1979 IS CONSISTENT WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET SPEECH FORECAST OF A SLIGHTLY LARGER VISIBLE TRADE +GAP+ FOR 1980 AS A WHOLE COMPARED WITH 1979.
THE FOLLOWING ARE COMPARATIVE TRADE FIGURESi
FEB-APRIL FEB-APRIL INCREASE OR
LATEST 3 MONTHS 1980 1979 DECREASE
M S M $ M %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 14 100 10 432 ♦ 3 669 ♦ 35.2
RE-EXPORTS 6 290 4 467 ♦ 1 824 + 40.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 20 391 14 898 ♦ 5 493 ♦ 36.9
IMPORTS 25 616 19 276 ♦ 6 340 + 32.9
TRADE BALANCE - 5 225 - 4 378 - 847
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR APRIL 1980 APRIL 1979 INCREASE OR DECREASE
I M $ M $ M %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 5 389 4 154 ♦ 1 234 ♦ 29.7
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (70.1%) (72.4%)
RE-EXPORTS 2 302 1 586 + 716 ♦ 45.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 7 690 5 740 ♦ 1 950 ♦ 34.0
IMPORTS 9 537 7 114 ♦ 2 423 ♦ 34.1
TRADE BALANCE - 1 847 - 1 374 - 473
APRIL MARCH INCREASE OR
LAST MONTH 1980 1980 DECREASE
S M $ M $ M %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 5 389 4 585 ♦ 804 ♦ 17.5
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (70.1%) (67.6%)
RE-EXPORTS 2 302 2 202 + 100 ♦ 4.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 7 690 6 787 ♦ 904 ♦ 13.3
IMPORTS 9 537 8 959 + 578 + 6.4
TRADE BALANCE - 1 847 - 2 172 + 325
/CALENDAR YEAR
FRIDAY, MAY 2J, 1980
7
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN-APRIL 1980 JAN-APRIL 1979 INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ M $ M $ M %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 19 097 14 270 + 4 827 + 33.8
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (69.6%) (71.1%)
RE-EXPORTS 8 338 5 795 + 2 543 * 43.9
TOTAL EXPORTS 27 435 20 065 + 7 369 + 36.7
IMPORTS 33 749 24 676 + 9 072 + 36.8
TRADE BALANCE - 6 314 - 4 611 - 1 703
MAY 1979 MAY 1978
TO TO INCREASE OR
LAST 12 MONTHS APRIL 1980 APRIL 1979 DECREASE
$ M $ M $ M %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 60 739 44 230 +16 509 ♦ 37.3
RE-EXPORTS 22 565 15 341 + 7 224 ♦ 47.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 83 304 59 571 ♦23 733 + 39.8
IMPORTS 94 909 69 668 +25 242 + 36.2
TRADE BALANCE -11 605 -10 097 - 1 508
0
$1 INCREASE IN OUT-PATIENT CHARGE ft ft ft ft ft
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY ADVISED THAT THE REVISED CHARGE OF $3 PER VISIT AT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM JUNE 1.
REVISED CHARGES FOR GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES WERE ANNOUNCED IN APRIL LAST YEAR WHEN THE FEE WAS INCREASED FROM SI TO $2 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 29 YEARS.
IN MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT THEN, THE DEPARTMENT HAD GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE CHARGE WAS TO BE INCREASED TO $3 IN JUNE THIS YEAR SO AS TO REDUCE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COST OF SERVICE AND THE FEES CHARGED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT AT MID-1977 PRICES THE AVERAGE COST OF A GENERAL OUT-PATIENT ATTENDANCE WAS $35.
HE SAID THESE FEES WILL BE REDUCED OR WAIVED IN CASES OF REAL HARDSHIP AS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PRACTICE AT ALL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
/THS SPOKESMAN .....
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1980
8
™E SPOKESMAN FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT CHARGE OF *1 PER VISIT FOR INJECTIONS AND DRESSINGS AT A GENERAL CLINIC AND ATTENDANCES AT A FAMILY PLANNING CLINIC WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
PATIENTS ATTENDING METHADONE TREATMENT CENTRES WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO BE CHARGED AT $1 A VISIT. rlou
AT THE SAME TIME, MANY OTHER TYPES OF SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE F!EE1 THESE ,NCLUDE ETERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, CHEST SERVICES, SOCIAL HYGIENE SERVICE, CASUALTY SERVICE. THE FLOATING CLINIC AND THE FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REVISED CHARGES HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AND ENDORSED BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
IN CHARGES OF TIME
ITS DELIBERATION, THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED A REVIEW OF THESE TO BE REASONABLE IN VIEW OF THE RISING COSTS AND THE LAPSE SINCE THE CHARGE OF $1 PER VISIT WAS FIXED, HE ADDED.
SECOND BRIDGE LINK WITH SHENZHEN
* * * * ft *
IN SIX MONTHS* TIME HONG KONG WILL BE LINKED TO SHENZHEN BY YET ANOTHER BRIDGE - THIS TIME FOR PEDESTRIANS - AT LO WU.
THE NEW BRIDGE, SITUATED EAST OF THE EXISTING LO WU RAILWAY BRIDGE, IS BUILT TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING VOLUME OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.
IT WILL BE EIGHT METRES WIDE AND 40 METRES LONG AND WILL BE BUILT IN CONCRETE. IT WILL RUN PARALLEL TO AND WILL BE ON THE SAME LEVEL AS THE RAILWAY BRIDGE.
FIBRE REINFORCED PLASTIC ROOFING WILL BE PROVIDED TO MATCH THAT OF THE EXISTING BRIDGE.
CONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT ON HONG KONG SIDE OF THE RIVER WILL BEGIN EARLY NEXT MONTH WHILE WORK ON THE SHENZHEN SIDE IS ALREADY IN PROGRESS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID THE BRIDGE WAS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
♦AT PRESENT, TRAIN PASSENGERS TRAVELLING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN HAVE TO WALK ON THE TRACK OF THE RAILWAY BRIDGE. THIS IS BOTH HAZARDOUS AND INCONVENIENT,^ HE SAID.
♦ON COMPLETION OF THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, THE SITUATION THERE WILL BE IMPROVED CONS IDERABLY.♦
THE SECTION OF THE BRIDGE ON HONG KONG SIDE COSTS *5.4 MILLION TO BUILD.
THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN DIVISION OF THE PWD’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (NEW TERRITORIES) DIVISION.
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/9
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1980
9
GROUND BREAKING FOR COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE IN TUEN MUN ft ft ft ft ft
OUR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS HAS BROUGHT WITH IT INCREASED LEISURE AND HEIGHTENED EXPECTATIONS, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT A GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR A COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE IN TUEN MUN.
THE CENTRE IS A «32 MILLION PROJECT BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE YAN 01 TONG, A LOCALLY BASED CHARITABLE ORGANISATION.
DESCRIBING THE PROJECT AS +MOST WORTHWHILE*, MR AKERS-JONES SAID ITS FACILITIES WHEW COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS’ TIME WOULD ENSURE THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF TUEN MUN HAD AN OUTLET TO REFRESH THEIR BODIES AND MINDS.
THE CENTRE WOULD BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, BRINGING UNDER ONE ROOF ACTIVITIES FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF TUEN MUN TO MAKE USE OF AND ENJOY.
♦THE YAN 01 TONG, WHICH HAS BEEN SERVING THIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 50 YEARS, HAS ONCE MORE REALIZED ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY IN SPONSORING THIS PROJECT, WHICH WILL COME INTO USE AT A TIME WHEN THE NEW TOWN POPULATION WILL BE VASTLY INCREASED AND WHEN FACILITIES OF THIS KIND WILL BE MOST NEEDED,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED $8 MILLION TOWARDS THE COST AND THE LOTTERIES FUND $9 MILLION. THE BALANCE IS EXPECTED TO BE RAISED BY THE SALE OF TONG PROPERTY AND BY PRIVATE DONATIONS.
THE CENTRE WILL HAVE A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 141 208 SQUARE f-ETRES. ITS FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A ROLLER SKATING RINK, AN INDOOR SWIMMING POOL, A MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES HALL, A GYMNASIUM, BOWLING CENTRE, BILLIARDS AND TABLE TENNIS ROOMS, SQUASH COURTS, A RESTAURANT AND FIVE SHOPS.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A LIBRARY, A GALLERY, MEETING AND STUDY ROOMS, A CRECHE AND PLAY AREA, YOUTH AND ADULT ACTIVITY ROOMS AND OFFICE SPACE.
THE 4 359 SQUARE METRE SITE ON WHICH THE CENTRE IS TO BE BUILT WAS GRANTED TO THE YAN 01 TONG BY PRIVATE TREATY.
/10.....
0
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1980
10
CHECK ON FIRE HAZARDS * * * *
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OFFICERS TODAY CARRIED OUT A SPOT CHECK CF MORE THAN 900 TAI KOK TSUI FACTORIES TO REMOVE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS.
AS A RESULT, 207 FACTORIES WILL BE SERVED WITH FIRE HAZARD M0STLY F0R CAUSING OBSTRUCTION IN COMMON AREAS AND ON STAIRCASES*
A'
FURTHERMORE, NINE FACTORIES ARE TO BE SUMMONSED FOR THE RECURRENCE OF FIRE HAZARDS.
DURING THE FIVE-HOUR OPERATION, THE OFFICERS VISITED 947 FACTORIES IN 36 INDUSTRIAL BUILDING^.
THEY ALSO FOUND 48 CASES OF .UNAUTHORISED BUILDING ALTERATIONS. ILLEGAL ROOFTOP STRUCTURES USED FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, UNLICENSED CANTEENS AND +BAD HOUSE-KEEPING*.
YHE CASES w,ll be REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED FOR ACTION.
FOUR NEW TERRITORIES SITES FOR SALE
* M * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO AUCTION FOUR SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES NEXT MONTH.
THREE OF THE SITES ARE FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ONE IS FOR INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN DEVELOPMENT.
THEY RANGE FROM 645 SQUARE METRES TO 11 700 SQUARE METRES IN AREA.
THE RESIDENTIAL SITES ARE IN SCENIC SETTINGS AT CHEUNG SHA ON LANTAU, ON THE SOUTHERN PART OF CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND AND IN SHA TIN.
THEY ARE FOR VILLA-TYPE HOUSES.
MEASURING 11 700 SQUARE METRES, THE CHEUNG SHA LOT IS ADJACENT TO THE SOUTH LANTAU ROAD AND WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF CHEUNG SHA BEACH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THE PLOT RATIO OF THIS LOT WAS ONLY 0.4 AND IT WOULD BE THE LAST TO BE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE SOUTH LANTAU HOSPITAL LAYOUT AREA. THE PURCHASER WOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD A SWIMMING POOL ON THE SITE.
THE CHEUNG CHAU LOT COMMANDS A CLEAR VIEW OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA. IT IS 913 SQUARE METRES IN AREA WITH A PLOT RATIO OF 0.6.
/These two .....
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1980
11
THESE TWO LOTS CARRY BUILDING COVENANTS OF |4.7 MILLION AND $600 000 TO BE FULFILLED BY JUNE 30, 1983.
THE SHA TIN LOT, SITUATED BETWEEN THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY STATION AND THE RACE COURSE, MEASURES 645 SQUARE METRES.
IT HAS A PLOT RATIO OF 0.4 AND CARRIES A BUILDING COVENANT OF $520 000 TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN THREE YEARS.
THE SITE FOR INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN DEVELOPMENT IS NEAR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND MEASURES 1 080 SQUARE METRES.
THE C0NDITI0J1S OF SALE SPECIFY A MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO OF 9.5 AND A BUILDING COVENANT OF $1.7 MILLION TO BE-FULFILLED WITHIN THREE YEARS.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 12, STARTING AT 11 AM.
DETAILS OF THE FOUR LOTS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
-------o - - - -
TUEN MUN GETS NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL
« » * * *
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW $5.8 MILLION PRIMARY SCHOOL, THE FIRST CF FIVE TO BE BUILT OUTSIDE THE HOUSING ESTATES IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, WILL BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH.
A CONTRACT FOR THE WORK, WHICH WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE, WAS SIGNED TODAY BY MR C.S. LEE, CHIEF ARCHITECT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF HOI SHING CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.
THE NEW SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT ON A 3 100 SQUARE METRE SITE ON THE CASTLE PEAK BAY RECLAMATION.
IT WILL BE HOUSED IN A SEVEN-STOREY BLOCK, WITH 24 CLASSROOMS AND SPECIAL ROOMS ON THE UPPER FLOORS AND AN ASSEMBLY HALL AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICES ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
A COVERED PLAY AREA WITH CHANGING ROOMS WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
THERE WILL ALSO BE MINOR STAFF QUARTERS, A BASKETBALL COURT, A CAR PARK AND PLANTING AREAS.
0
/12
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1980
12
NOTE TO EDITORSi
TRADE MISSION TO GUANGZHOU
*****
THE TRADE MISSION TO GUANGZHOU. LED BY SIR Y K KAN WILL LEAVE BY THROUGH TRAIN AT 1 PM THIS SUNDAY (MAY 25h ’
A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER THE DEPARTURE OF THE MISSION. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD
&WW THE REST""
0
TENDERS INVITED FOR AIRPORT SHOP
* * * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE OPERATION OF A GENERAL MERCHANDISE CONCESSION IN THE RESTRICTED AIRSIDE DEPARTURE LOUNGE OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL AT KAI TAK.
TENANCY OF THE SHOP PREMISES, WHICH MEASURES 67 SQUARE METRES, WILL BE FOR THREE YEARS, BEGINNING THIS SEPTEMBER. IT MAY BE EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS ON TERMS TO BE AGREED.
TENDERERS MUST PLACE THEIR BIDS IN THE TENDER BOX IN THE ENTRANCE HALL OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BEFORE 12 NOON ON JUNE 13 (FRIDAY).
THEY SHOULD ATTACH TO EACH TENDER A RECEIPT SHOWING THAT THEY HAVE DEPOSITED WITH THE TREASURY A SUM OF $200 000 AS A PLEDGE OF THE BONA FIDES OF THEIR TENDERS.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY, OR AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
- - 0
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1980
13
HA TSUEN RANGE FIRING PRACTICE *****
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 11 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.
THE PRACTICE TIMES AREi
DAY TIME
JUNE 2 (MONDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 3 (TUESDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 4 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 12 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
JUNE 16 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 18 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 19 (THURSDAY) 8 AM - 10 PM
JUNE 23 (MONDAY) 10 AM - 4 PM
JUNE 25 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
JUNE 26 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 PM
JUNE 27 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
PLB RESTRICTION ON WONG CHUK HANG ROAD
* * * *
A WESTBOUND SECTION OF WONG CHUK HANG ROAD EXTENDING ABOUT 80 METRES AT ITS JUNCTION WITH NAM LONG SHAN ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A PLB CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 26).
WITHIN THE CLEARWAY ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE PLB DRIVERS.
- - 0 - -
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SA'xlMAY 24, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NC.
UNIFICATION GF STOCK EXCH.J?GES ............................... 1
SNT OPENS NEW MUI WO FERRY PIER....................................
BE CAREFUL BEFORE BUYING HUTS WARNS YUEN LONG
DISTRICT OFFICE ............................................... 5
BASALT ISLAND FIRING RANGE CPENS ON MONDAY .................... 3
WORK ON MONG KOK STATION TO BEGIN SOON......................... A
RESPONSE TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY COURSE IS ENCOURAGING ........... 5
QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM TO BE HANDED OVER TO UC ................6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SaI KUNG............................... 6
SPEClZiL CAR NOS. FETCH 3372 4-00 FOR CHARITY.................. 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, MAY 24, I960
1
UNIFICATION OF STOCK EXCHANGES * * * M
THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON UNIFICATION, MR UISDEIN A. MCINNES, ANNOUNCED THAT AT A MEETING OF THE WORKING PARTY THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING MEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED ON THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS!
(1) THAT A NEW COMPANY, TO BE CALLED THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG (LIMITED), WOULD BE INCORPORATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE INITIAL SUBSCRIBERS TO THE NEW COMPANY WOULD BE THE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF STOCK EXCHANGES. THIS NEW COMPANY WOULD ULTIMATELY RUN THE NEW EXCHANGE, BUT ITS SHORT-TERM FUNCTION WOULD BE TO NEGOTIATE PURPOSE-BUILT PREMISES FOR THE NEW EXCHANGE TO OPERATE ON ONE TRADING FLOOR- AS WELL AS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF NEW MEMBERS.
(2) THAT MEMBERS OF THE FOUR EXISTING EXCHANGES WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR PARTLY-PAID SHARES IN THE NEW EXCHANGE COMPANY. EACH SHARE WILL ENTITLE THE HOLDER TO MEMBERSHIP OF THE NEW EXCHANGE WHEN THE PREMISES ARE READY. THE SIZE OF PREMISES REQUIRED WILL BE DICTATED BY THE NUMBER OF DEALERS WHO WISH TO CARRY ON BUSINESS ON THE NEW EXCHANGE. WITH SEVERAL NEW LARGE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS COMING ON STREAM, IT IS EXPECTED THAT NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW FLOOR WOULD BE CONCLUDED WITHIN SIX MONTHS.
(3) THAT WHEN THE PREMISES ARE READY, THE NEW EXCHANGE WILL COMMENCE OPERATIONS. THE FOUR EXISTING EXCHANGE COMPANIES WILL THEN 60 INTO LIQUIDATION, AND THEIR ASSETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO MEMBERS. THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG (LIMITED) WOULD THEN BE THE ONLY COMPANY LEGALLY ENTITLED TO UNDERTAKE STOCK EXCHANGE BUSINESS, AND
(4) THAT THE LEGISLATION FOR UNIFICATION, CURRENTLY BEING PREPARED, SHOULD TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE ABOVE PROPOSALS AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION.
-------o----------
/2 .....
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1980
2
SNT OPENS NEW MUI WO FERRY PIER
*****
A NEW FERRY PIER AT MUI WO, LANTAU, WAS PART OF THE CYCLE CF CHANGE ON THE ISLAND, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, M? DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE PIER, WHICH THE GOVERNMENT BUILT AND GRANTED TO THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY ON A SHORT TERM TENANCY.
HE SAID THE CYCLE OF CHANGE BEGAN WITH THE BUILDING OF THE SOUTH LANTAU ROAD AND THE RESERVOIR AT SHEK PIK, AND MORE RECENTLY NEW HOUSING TO REPLACE MANY OF THE TIN AND WOODEN SHEDS AT TAI 0.
NEXT TO BE BUILT, ON LAND CLOSE TO THIS PIER, WOULD BE A MODERN SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE ISLANDS OF LANTAU AND PING CHAU- AND THEREAFTER IT WAS HOPED TO FIND THE MEANS WHEREBY IN CO-OPERATION WITH PRIVATE DEVELOPERS THE UNTIDY MARKET AT MUI WO COULD BE CLEANED UP.
♦A STATUTORY PLAN WILL BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY WHICH DESCRIBES IN BROAD OUTLINE LAND USES FOR THE SOUTH OF THE ISLAND,* MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
♦THESE PROPOSALS LARGELY MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP THE RECREATIONAL CHARACTER OF THE ISLAND AND PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE NATURAL BEAUTY WHICH IS ENJOYED YEARLY BY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.*
ALL THESE WERE PART OF A PROCESS OF CHANGE THAT MANY OF US WOULD LIKE TO ARREST, BUT WE HAD TO BE REALISTIC AND FACE THE NEEDS AND PROBLEMS OF OUR EVER-EXPANDING POPULATION AND TRY TO CHANNEL DEVELOPMENT ALONG BROADLY ACCEPTABLE LINES.
♦LET ME, THEN, WELCOME THE OPENING OF THIS PIER WITH ITS VASTLY IMPROVED FACILITIES- I HOPE THE FERRY COMPANY WILL FIND SATISFACTION IN USING IT, AND THAT VISITORS TO LANTAU WILL ENJOY THIS BETTER SERVICE. FINALLY, LET ME MAKE A PLEA TO ALL WHO LIVE ON AND COME TO THIS ISLAND TO CO-OPERATE IN EVERY WAY TO PRESERVE THIS VERY BEAUTIFUL NATURAL ASSET FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.+
THE NEW PIER REPLACES THE OLD ONE WHICH WAS 13 YEARS OLD. THE TWO-STOREY BUILDING OCCUPYING A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 2 000 SQUARE METRES HAS A SPACIOUS WAITING ROOM AND SPECIAL GANGWAYS FOR VEHICLES.
W-ITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW PIER, THE ADJACENT BUS CONCOURSE AREA ALSO CAME INTO OPERATION.
--------o ---------
/J
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1980
- 3 -
BE CAREFUL BEFORE BUYING HUTS WARNS YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE * * *
THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT YUEN LONG HAS WARNED ANYONE BEING OFFERED A HUT IN THE AREA TO BE *VERY CAREFUL.*
ASSISTANT YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR QUENTIN LEWIS, SAID CASES WERE COMING TO LIGHT WHERE HUTS LISTED AS AGRICULTURAL PREMISES WERE BEING CONVERTED TO RESIDENTIAL PREMISES AND SOLD TO UNSUSPECTING FAMILIES.
HE SAID IT WAS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THESE FAMILIES WERE BEING WRONGLY INFORMED BY THE SELLER THAT THEY WOULD AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC OR TEMPORARY HOUSING SHOULD THE STRUCTURE BE DEMOLISHED.
MR LEWIS SAID TO CONVERT A STRUCTURE WITHOUT AUTHORITY WAS ILLEGAL. WHERE CASES WERE DISCOVERED A LETTER WAS SENT FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE POINTING OUT THE ILLEGAL USE AND WARNING THAT UNLESS THE STRUCTURE REVERTED TO ITS ORIGINAL USAGE IT WOULD BE DEMOLISHED.
IT WAS AT THIS POINT THAT SOME OWNERS OF ILLEGALLY CONVERTED STRUCTURES SOLD THEM - ONE STRUCTURE OF 18.1 SQUARE METRES WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF DISTRICT OFFICE ACTION WAS RECENTLY BOUGHT FOR $3 000 - LEAVING THE NEW OWNER TO FACE DEMOLITION ACTION, MR LEWIS SAID.
♦PEOPLE WHO ARE OFFERED STRUCTURES FOR ACCOMMODATION PURPOSES ARE URGED TO CHECK FIRST WHETHER DISTRICT OFFICE ACTION IS PENDING ON IT,+ HE SAID. THIS COULD BE DONE QUITE EASILY BY CHECKING WITH SQUATTER CONTROL STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
-----o------
BASALT ISLAND FIRING RANGE OPENS ON MONDAY ANN*
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WILL OPEN IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT
S’*’"® practice will take (MAY 26 TO 28) FROM 8 AM TO 12 INCORPORATES BASALT ISLAND AND
REMINDED THAT A NEW FIRING RANGE HEXT WEEK,
PLACE FROM MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY NOON EACH DAY AT THE RANGE WHICH THE OPEN SEA TO THE EAST OF IT.
FSSPjJJaiRESHElTer RANGE AND WILL PROVIDE ESSENTIAL TARGET PRACTICE FOR ROYAL NAVY AND MARINE POLICE CRAFT. into The range area is prohibited during firing
c WHEN THE RANGE DANGER FLAGS ARE FLYING THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO WARNED NOT TO TOUCH OR PICK UP ANY OBJECT IN IhE JaSgER
AAH C MO ,
/WARNING POSTEPS ..
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1980
4
nlArnNlrNLP?STERS SETTING OUT THESE AREAS AND THE LOCATIONS OF DANGER FLAGS, AS WELL AS THE RANGE BOUNDARY, HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT SAI KUNG DISTRICT AND TO OTHER CONCERNED ORGANISATIONS.
SPECIAL NOTICE BOARDS HAVE BEEN SET UP ON PUBLIC PIERS AND OTHER POINTS GIVING WARNING, AND LAUNCHES WILL PATROL THE RANGE BOUNDARY DURING FIRING TO WARN LOCAL CRAFT.
NOTE TO EDITORS*
COPIES OF A SKETCH MAP SHOWING THE BOUNDARY OF THE NEW P’”’"® F0R COLLECTION THIS AFTERNOON.
IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO GIVE THIS AND SUBSEQUENT ANNOUNCEMENTS ON FIRING PRACTICE AT THE BASALT ISLAND FIRING RANGE THE WIDEST PUBLICITY.
0 - -
WORK ON MONG KOK STATION TO BEGIN SOON * * * M * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE FOUNDATION WORK FOR THE NEW MONG KOK RAILWAY STATION.
THE CONTRACT, PART OF THE MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION CF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, WILL INVOLVE PILING WORK THE STAT,<* PLATFORMS, TRACK-LAYING AND ASSOCIATED
THE WORK PAVES THE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PODIUM. A*D THE tWTALLATION OF OVERHEAD CABLES FOR
I Mt uLuvTK IC T It A I
THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW STATION WILL ALSO INCLUDE A TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE, A PUBLIC AMENITY AREA, A GOODS YARD AND MULTI-STOREY OFFICE BLOCKS.
W0RK ,S PROCESSING SMOOTHLY ON THE TEMPORARY STATION BETWEEN ARGYLE STREET AND WATERLOO ROAD.
TRAINS WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE TEMPORARY STATION ON ITS COMPLETION IN JULY SO AS TO ALLOW WORK TO COMMENCE ON THE NEW STATION.
/5
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1980
- 5 -
RESPONSE TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY COURSE IS ENCOURAGING *****
RESPONSE TO THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING COURSE BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING AND THE DEADLINE FOR ENROLMENT APPLICATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JUNE 6.
IN AN ADDRESS TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR J.N. HENDERSON, SAID THE COURSE WAS AIMED AT PRODUCING MORE QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE NEW COURSE WERE RECEIVED BY THE POLYTECHNIC WITHIN TWO DAYS AFTER ENROLMENT BEGAN ON MAY 8.
♦THE COLLEGE ANTICIPATES MORE APPLICATIONS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. THE DEADLINE IS BEING EXTENDED TO ENABLE MORE PEOPLE TO APPLY AND TO ENABLE THOSE WHO HAVE OBTAINED APPLICATION FORMS ENOUGH TIME TO COMPLETE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION,♦ HE SAID.
THE ONE-YEAR PART-TIME EVENING COURSE IS BEING OFFERED FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN SUCCESSION TO JUNIOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN THE MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES.
THE COURSE WILL LEAD TO THE AWARD OF A CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY UNDER THE JOINT AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLYTECHNIC.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE MOW AVAILABLE AT THE POLYTECHNIC AND THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE.
ENQUIRIES ON THE COURSE CAN BE MADE TO THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC BY TELEPHONE 3-638344 EXT. 527.
-----o -
/6
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1980
QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM TO BE HANDED OVER TO UC
* * * *
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL HAND OVER THE NEWLY COMPLETED QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM AT WAN CHAI TO THE URBAN COUNCIL NEXT MONTH.
THE $47 MILLION STADIUM BUILT ON A 3 OOO-SQUARE-METRE SITE BETWEEN 01 KWAN ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, IS THE FINEST OF ITS KIND IN ASIA.
IT WILL PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTING FACILITIES FOR BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.
WITH A SEATING.CAPACITY OF ABOUT 3 500, IT WILL HAVE TRAINING ROOMS, LECTURE AND COMMITTEE ROOMS, OFFICES AND A SPORTS REFERENCE LIBRARY.
THERE WILL ALSO BE THREE SQUASH COURTS AND A MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS AND GAMES HALL IN THE BASEMENT.
-----0------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SAI KUNG ******
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED AT THE JUNCTION OF CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND HIRAM’S HIGHWAY IN SAI KUNG FROM 10 AM NEXT MONDAY FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
UNDER THESE ARRANGEMENTS EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD TURNING INTO HIRAM’S HIGHWAY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE NEW CARRIAGEWAY NEAR SHELL’S PETROL FILLING STATION.
AT THE SAME TIME, WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG CLEARWATER BAY ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN INTO HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AT THE EXISTING JUNCTION. A NEW TURNING POCKET NEAR THE SHELL’S PETROL FILLING STATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THIS MOVEMENT.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-------o---------
/7
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1980
7
SPECIAL CAR NOS. FETCH $372 400 FOR CHARITY ft ft * ft
TWENTY-NINE SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $372 400 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD IN THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL WITH REGISTRATION NUMBER CC 3 SOLD FOR THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $100 000.
ANOTHER NUMBER CC 66 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $51 000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1 000 FOR AR 1971, CC 2895. CC 7202, CC 6848, CC 5331 AND CC 9110. REGISTRATION NUMBER CE 1 WAS WITHDRAWN.
THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PRICES!
CC 6888 $10 000 CC 7890 $8 000 AR 71 $7 000
CD 928 $8 000 CD 336 $4 200 CD 233 $4 600
CD 633 $4 900 CD 1828 $3 000 CC 9919 $1 200
CD 283 $5 100 CC 6688 $40 000 CD 338 $11 000
CC 9888 $3 500 CD 99 $38 000 CC 7873 $3 000
AA 14 $3 000 CC 6887 $1 300 CC 2888 $14 000
CC 101 $6 000 CC 3833 $4 600 CC 3388 $35 000
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY'S SALE, THE 53RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY, 1973, BROUGHT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY RAISED FOR CHARITY TO $12 733 232.
- o ----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, MAY 25, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TV SERIES ON LABOUR MATTERS BEING PRODUCED .......... 1
SIR Y.K. KAN TO OPEN FIFTH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE....... 1
SURVEY ON CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES ... 2
CHILDREN WITH HEARING PROBLEMS INTEGRATED INTO NORMAL SCHOOLS ...................................... 4
KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL NEARS COMPLETION .................5
ICE STALL IN SHA TIN FOR LETTING .................... 6
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MID-LEVELS SLIP ROAD........... 6
SUNDAY, MAY 25, 1980
1
TV SERIES ON LABOUR MATTERS BEING PRODUCED
* * * X
THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF WORKERS AND SOME OTHER LABOUR MATTERS WILL SOON BE BROUGHT INTO THE SPOTLIGHT BY, A SERIES OF TELEVISION DRAMA PROGRAMMES.
THE SERIES IS BEING PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
EPISODES OF THE SERIES WILL FEATURE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WORKMEN’S LEGAL ENTITLEMENTS, APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING, LEGAL PROTECTION FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG WORKERS, INDUSTRIAL HEALTH, WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS GIVING FULL SUPPORT TO THE SERIES.
♦ QUITE A NUMBER OF OUR DIVISIONS AND UNITS ARE ASSISTING IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, INCLUDING THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE, LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION AND THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION DIVISION.
♦ HELP IS BEING GIVEN IN BRIEFING RTHK PRODUCERS ON LABOUR MATTERS, IN PREPARING THE SCRIPTS AND IN LOCATION SHOOTING.
♦ THE SERIES WILL MAKE WORKERS REALISE MORE FULLY THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT.♦
THE FIRST EPISODE IS EXPECTED TO BE SCREENED LATER THIS YEAR.
-------0 - - - -
SIR Y.K. KAN TO OPEN FIFTH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ******
LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, THE FIFTH RUN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY SIR Y.K. KAN ON FRIDAY (MAY 30). DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR KENNETH TOPLEY WILL ALSO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE INSTITUTE AT RENFREW ROAD, KOWLOON TONG HAS BEEN OPERATING A NUMBER OF CLASSES SINCE LAST OCTOBER IN A CLASS ROOM AND ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK, WITH AN ENROLMENT OF OVER 1 200 STUDENTS.
NOW WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE REMAINING BUILDINGS WHICH HOUSE MOST OF THE WORKSHOPS AND LABORATORIES, THE INSTITUTE WILL BE NEARLY FULLY EQUIPPED FOR THE START OF THE 1980/81 ACADEMIC YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE SAID.
♦BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR WE WILL BE READY TO ACCEPT 740 FULL-TIME AND 1 700 PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE STUDENTS,♦ HE SAID.
THIS, TOGETHER WITH THE INTAKE OF THE OTHER FOUR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WILL ACCOMMODATE A TOTAL OF 4 000 FULL-TIME AND 13 600 PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE STUDENTS.
/♦WHEN FULLY ..
SUNDAY, MAY 25, 1980
2
♦WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IS EXPECTED TO HAVE ABOUT 1 000 FULL-TIME STUDENTS AND UP TO 3 000 PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE STUDENTS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEW INSTITUTE WAS BUILT AT A COST OF ABOUT $19 MILLION WITH THE COST OF EQUIPPING AMOUNTING TO $10 MILLION.
IT COMPRISES 21 CLASS ROOMS, TWO DRAWING ROOMS, A COMPUTER ROOM, SIX LABORATORIES AND 27 WORKSHOPS OR SPECIAL ROOMS.
COURSES OFFERED AT THE INSTITUTE COVER THE FIELDS OF COMMERCIAL STUDIES, GENERAL STUDIES, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND TWO AREAS NEW TO LOCAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, NAMELY DESIGN AND INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY.
THE DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN OFFERS COURSES IN COMMUNICATION, GRAPHIC, INTERIOR, FURNITURE AND JEWELLERY DESIGNS.
THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES COURSES FOR MANUFACTURE AND INDUSTRY, INCLUDING METAL FINISHING, CLOCK AND WATCH, OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY AND FOOTWEAR. IT ALSO OFFERS A DIPLOMA COURSE IN PRODUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING.
THE INSTITUTE HAS ALSO BEEN DESIGNED TO INTEGRATE HANDICAPPED STUDENTS INTO CLASSES AND ABOUT 50 VACANCIES HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR THESE SPECIAL STUDENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS*
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT RENFREW ROAD, KOWLOON TONG WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 30). YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
- - 0
SURVEY ON CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING A COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC SURVEY ON CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
IT IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND EVER TAKEN, AND IS PART OF A LONG-TERM PROGRAMME TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THESE PARTICULAR SECTORS.
ACTIVITIES COVERED IN THE SURVEY FOR 1979 ARE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING FIRMS, AND REAL ESTATE LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
/IT IS
SUNDAY, MAY 25, 1980
3
IT IS INTENDED TO COVER ALL 8 OOO ESTABLISHMENTS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT TO BE ENGAGED IN SUCH ACTIVITIES.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS SURVEY IS TO COLLECT BASIC STATISTICS FOR ASCERTAINING THE CONTRIBUTION OF CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, FOR STUDYING THE COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS OF ESTABLISHMENTS BY TRADE, AND FOR ANALYSING CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. THESE STATISTICS ARE REQUIRED BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE IN THE FORMULATION OF THEIR DECISIONS.
THREE QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE USED 1 ONE FOR BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS, ONE FOR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS, AND ONE FOR PROFESSIONAL AND OTHER SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES. ANOTHER FORM WILL BE USED TO OBTAIN DATA ON INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS.
INFORMATION SOUGHT INCLUDES 1 TYPE OF OWNERSHIP- NUMBER OF DIRECT EMPLOYEES- LABOUR COSTS- PURCHASES OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND FITTINGS FOR CONSTRUCTION- SUB-CONTRACT WORKOPERATING EXPENSES- VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED-ACCRUED VALUE OF PROPERTY UNDER DEVELOPMENT- PROPERTY FOR RESALE- OTHER FORMS OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS- CAPITAL EXPENDITURE-DEPRECIATION- AND VALUE OF FIXED ASSETS.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS FOR 1979) ORDER 1980, MADE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AND PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY 11, 1980.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED. MANAGEMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT BY JUNE 30, 1980. CENSUS OFFICERS MAY VISIT ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES UPON REQUEST.
THE MANAGEMENT IS URGED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND CO-OPERATE WITH CENSUS OFFICERS IN THE COURSE OF ENUMERATION. INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL ONLY BE USED FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES.
-----0------
A
SUNDAY, MAY 25, 1980 4 -
CHILDREN WITH HEARING PROBLEMS INTEGRATED INTO NORMAL SCHOOLS * » * * X »
ABOUT 340 CHILDREN WITH HEARING PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTES FOR NORMAL STUDENTS UNDER AN INTEGRATION PROGRAMME ACTIVELY PROMOTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
INTEGRATION IS A MODERN TREND OPPORTUNITIES TO THE HANDICAPPED TO CHILDREN.
IN SPECIAL EDUCATION WHICH GIVES PLAY AND LEARN WITH OTHER
THIS HAS A DOUBLE BENEFIT — THE HANDICAPPED CAN ADAPT TO A NORMAL ENVIRONMENT WHILE PEOPLE IN CONTACT WITH THEM CAN COME TO UNDERSTAND AND BECOME MORE AWARE OF THEIR NEEDS.
IN PURSUIT OF THIS AIM, THE DEPARTMENT MAS, AMONG ITS SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES FOR THE HANDICAPPED, A TEAM OF EXPERIENCED TEACHERS OF THE DEAF TO HELP SMOOTH OUT ANY PROBLEM THE HEARING-IMPAIRED STUDENTS MAY COME UP WITH IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS.
OF THOSE HEARING-IMPAIRED STUDENTS BEING CARED FOR AT PRESENT, 207 ARE IN 144 PRIMARY SCHOOLS, 56 IN 51 SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOUR IN THREE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE OTHERS IN PREVOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES AND OTHER INSTITUTES.
ONE OF THE SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME IS LUI MING CHOI LUTHERAN SECONDARY SCHOOL IN CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE, TSUEN WAN.
IT IS LOOKING AFTER TWO SPECIAL PUPILS, A GIRL CHOW WAI-LAN AND A BOY CHEUNG KIN-CHEONG, BOTH IN FORM II.
ALTHOUGH WAI-LAN HAS A PROFOUND HEARING LOSS, SHE IS THE BEST STUDENT IN ENGLISH IN HER CLASS. HER PROFICIENCY IN THIS SECOND LANGUAGE IS REMARKABLE AND CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO HER TEACHER'S CONSTANT ENCOURAGEMENT AND HER OWN EFFORT.
KIN-CHEONG, WHO SUFFERS FROM MODERATE HEARING LOSS, IS PARTICULARLY WELL-ACCEPTED BY HIS CLASSMATES IN AND OUTSIDE CLASS. HIS OUTGOING PERSONALITY HELPS HIM ENJOY EVEN MORE HIS SCHOOL LIFE IN THE INTEGRATED EDUCATION SETTING.
SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION OF THE PAIR IN THE SCHOOL WAS PARTLY THE RESULT OF CO-OPERATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT BY THEIR PARENTS. THE SCHOOL TOO HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE BY MAKING THINGS EASIER FOR THEM.
MR SIMON LEE, HEAD OF THE SCHOOL, HAS BEEN MOST ENTHUSIASTIC IN HELPING HIS TWO HANDICAPPED STUDENTS.
♦TEACHING THEM REQUI RES GREATER INITIATIVE AND PATIENCE BUT IN SPITE OF THE DIFFICULTIES, I FIND IT A CHALLENGING AND WORTHWHILE TASK,* HE SAID.
HE CONSULTS THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON SPECIAL EDUCATION METHODS AND DISCUSSES THE PROBLEMS OF THE STUDENTS WITH HIS TEACHING STAFF.
/THE TEACHERS .....
SUNDAY, MAY 25, 1980
5
THE TEACHERS ARE THEREFORE FAMILIAR WITH THE NEEDS OF WAI-LAN AND KIM-CHEONG. THEY GIVE THEM SPECIAL SEATS NEAR THE TEACHING PLATFORM SO THAT THEY CAN EASILY LIP READ THE TEACHER IN CLASS- AND ADDITIONAL HELP IN THEIR WEAKER SUBJECTS SO AS TO MAINTAIN THEIR CONFIDENCE IN LEARNING. THEIR CLASSMATES toEm*xSwitNCtUemS£D T° umderstamd awd accept The,r handicap AND
„1OO.LRE8UL7« 807,1 *‘*-CHEONG AND WAI-LAM FOLLOW THE SAME CURRICULUM, DO THE SAME CLASS AND HOME WORK AND ENJOY THE SAME ACTIVITIES AFTER SCHOOL AS THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS.
,.I!£VL!ERI PATET| C TEACHER FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MRS CHOW'LEE KIT-HUNG REGULARLY VISITS THEM TO SEE HOW THEY ARE PROGRESSING AMD CALLS ON THEIR PARENTS TO GIVE COUNSEL.
, HER SPECIAL CONCERN IS THE LIP READING AMD COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF THE TWO STUDENTS, AS WELL AS THEIR SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT IN AM ORDINARY SCHOOL SETTING.
WITH THE CONCERTED EFFORT OF SCHOOLS, PARENTS AND PERIPATETIC TEACHERS, HANDICAPPED CHILDREN NOW HAVE A MUCH BETTER CHANCE TO STUDY AND TO GROW UP AS USEFUL MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY WITHOUT SUFFERING FROM THE IMPEDIMENT OF THEIR HANDICAPS.
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KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL NEARS COMPLETION
*****
WORK ON THE SOUTH KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL, FORMERLY KNOWN AS LAI CHI KOK MENTAL HOSPITAL, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID STRUCTURAL WORK ON THE 1 336-BED HOSPITAL HAD ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED AND INTERIOR BUILDING WORK WAS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY.
THE HOSPITAL LOCATED AT AN 11-HECTARE SITE NEAR THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL IS FOR PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, IT WILL RELIEVE THE OVERCROWDING IN CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL.
♦THE HOSPITAL IS DESIGNED ON A MULTI-LEVEL CONCEPT LEAVING AS MUCH SPACE AS POSSIBLE FOR RECREATIONAL, OCCUPATIONAL AND PHYSIOTHERAPY ACTIVITIES,♦ HE SAID.
♦RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A ROOF GARDEN, A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL FOR FILM SHOWS, CONCERTS OR INDOOR SPORTS, SHOP AMD SOFT DRINK BAR, HAIR DRESSING SALON, A LIBRARY, READING ROOMS, A FOOTBALL PITCH AND A BASKETBALL COURT.*
tHE HOSPITAL COMPRISES TWO MULTI-STOREY MALE AND FEMALE WARD BLOCKS WHICH WILL BE LINKED TO A FOUR-STOREY CLINICAL AND SERVICE BLOCK BY A SYSTEM OF SUBWAYS, ENABLING MORE SPACE AT THE UPPER GROUND A$EA TO BE LANDSCAPED AS RECREATIONAL GARDENS.
0 - - - -
/6......
SUNDAY, MAY 25, 1980
6
ICE STALL IN SHA TIN FOR LETTING
*****
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL LET OUT AN ICE STALL IN THE NEWLY COMPLETED SHA TIN MARKET BY AUCTION ON JUNE 4.
THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE TOP FLOOR OF SHA TIN MARKET AT SHA TIN AREA 7 NEAR THE LEK YUEN ESTATE. THE UP-SET PRICE WILL BE $300, AND THE AMOUNT BID WILL BE THE MONTHLY RENTAL OF THE ICE STALL.
THE 7.8 SQUARE METRE ICE STALL IS LOCATED ON THE FIRST
FLOOR OF THE MARKET WHICH ALSO HOUSES FOUR POULTRY STALLS, 20 MEAT STALLS AND 26 FISH STALLS. ON THE GROUND FLOOR THERE ARE ANOTHER 124 MINI STALLS FOR SELLING VEGETABLES AND OTHER DRY GOODS.
THE STALL IS FOR STORING ICE FOR SALE TO STALLS IN THE MARKET.
THE LEASE WHICH COVERS A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS WILL BEGIN ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MID-LEVELS SLIP ROAD * * * *
THE ELEVATED SLIP ROAD FROM MAGAZINE GAP ROAD TO GARDEN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 2.30 PM TO 3.15 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 28) FOR SKID RESISTANCE TESTS.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE ROAD.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, KAY 26, 1980
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
DROP IN CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR APRIL ..................... 1
PUBLIC CAI'iPaIGNS NEED PRIVATE HELP ......................... 2
CUSTOMERS SATISFIED WITH IMMIGRATION HOT LINE ................ 4
SCHOLARSHIP AT MALTA UNIVERSITY .............................. 5
Tax EXEMPTION ON EARNED INTEREST ............................. 6
SECTION OF ROBINSON RO^D CLOSED .............................. 6
WATER CUT .................................................... 6
MONDAY, MAY 26, 1980
1
DROP IN CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR APRIL M H M M
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES (A) AND (B) FOR LAST MONTH (APRIL) WERE BOTH 156, DOWN BY TWO POINTS AND ONE POINT RESPECTIVELY COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THE CPI (A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400 AND $1 499 A MONTH AND THE CPI (B) FROM THOSE SPENDING BETWEEN $1 500 AND $2 999 A MONTH, AS DETERMINED IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY OF 1973/74.
THE CHANGES FOR APRIL 1980 IN RESPECT OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE TWO INDICES, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND WITH THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1979, ARE AS FOLLOWSi
COMPONENT CPI (A) CPI (B)
APR IL 1980 ——————
APR IL 1980 MARCH 1980 APRIL 1979 MARCH 1980 APRIL 1979
FOODSTUFFS 148 153 134 151 154 134
HOUSING 151 148 140 150 149 139
FUEL AND LIGHT 263 263 149 248 247 147
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 181 181 156 174 174 151
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 118 118 106 116 115 104
DURABLE GOODS 133 133 123 129 129 120
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 167 166 141 165 164 139
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 194 192 148 195 192 154
SERVICES 165 163 144 169 167 146
ALL ITEMS 156 158 137 156 157 136
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY FIVE POINTS IN CPI (A) AND BY THREE POINTS IN CPI (B). PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT WERE THE DECREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, PORK, SALT-WATER FISH AND LIVE POULTRY. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF RICE INCREASED. THE COST OF MEALS BOUGHT IN RESTAURANTS ALSO WENT UP. MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
/THE INDEX
MONDAY, MAY 26, 1980
- 2
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY THREE POINTS IN CPI (A) AND BY ONE POINT IN CPI (B) AS HIGHER RENT WAS REGISTERED IN PRIVATE DWELLINGS AND IN SOME HOUSING SOCIETY ESTATES AND HOUSING AUTHORITY GROUP A ESTATES.
HIGHER CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY INCREASED THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT BY ONE POINT IN CPI (B). THE EFFECT OF THIS INCREASE WAS PARTLY OFFSET BY THE DECREASE IN THE PRICE OF KEROSENE.
THE ONE POINT INCREASE IN THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR IN CPI (B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR RUBBER FOOTWEAR.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES FOR MEDICINES, PERIODICALS, TOILET REQUISITES, RELIGIOUS ITEMS AND FRESH FLOWERS.
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY TWO POINTS IN CPI (A) AND BY THREE POINTS IN CPI (B), REFLECTING THE IMPACT CF THE UPWARD REVISION IN PEAK TRAM FARES AND MACAO FERRY AND HYDROFOIL FARES SINCE MARCH AS WELL AS HIGHER CHARGES FOR TRAIN FARES, STAR FERRY FARES, PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FARES AND REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
FOLLOWING HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND HAIRDRESSING, THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY TWO POINTS IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B).
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT* FOR APRIL 1980, WHICH WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE.
-*--------0-------------
PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS NEED •PRWATP'-HELP
*****
PRIVATE ENTERPRISE SHOULD PLAY A MORE POSITIVE ROLE IN PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS AIMED AT IMPROVING SOCIAL ATTITUDES, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION (PUBLICITY), MR PETER MOSS, TOLD THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING ON GOVERNMENT AND THE MEDIA, MR MOSS CITED THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN AS AN EXAMPLE.
HE SAID THE CAMPAIGN HAD AN ENORMOUS BOOST THROUGH THE EFFORTS CF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN ESTABLISHING AND PROMOTING ITS GOOD CITIZENS AWARD SCHEME.
+1 WISH THAT INDIVIDUAL COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS WOULD FOLLOW THEIR EXAMPLE IN OTHER FIELDS,* MR MOSS SAID.
/TIME AND ..
MONDAY, MAY 26, 198O
- 3 -
TIME AND AGAIN HE HAD SEEN TELEVISION COMMERCIALS IN WHICH THE PRODUCTS OF VARIOUS SOFT DRINK DISTRIBUTORS WERE CONSUMED BY VACATIONERS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
+WHAT HAPPENS TO THE IMPERISHABLE PACKAGING WHEN THE VACATIONERS DEPART? DO WE SEE THEIR BOTTLES AND CANS CONSCIENTIOUSLY DEPOSITED IN THE LITTER BINS PROVIDED? NO WE DON’T. IT TAKES UP TOO MUCH PRECIOUS AIR TIME.*
SIMILARLY, HE CONTINUED, THOSE INDIVIDUALISTS WHO PERSISTED IN SMOKING WERE DEPICTED ENJOYING THEIR FAVOURITE BLEND OF TOBACCO IN THE MIDST OF FORESTS THAT MIGHT WELL BE IN A HIGHLY IMFLAMMABLE CONDITION, DEPENDING ON THE PREVAILING FIRE WARNINGS.
+DO WE SEE THEM CAREFULLY EXTINGUISH THESE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS BEFORE THEY LEAVE? NO, WE MOST DECIDEDLY DO NOT,* HE OBSERVED.
MR MOSS ADMIRED THE FLAIR, THE IMAGINATION AND THE TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE THAT WENT INTO MUCH OF ADVERTISING DISPLAY, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF TV COMMERCIALS. +INDEED, SOME OF OUR BEST WORK BEARS COMPARISON WITH THE BEST YOU WILL SEE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.*
+HOWEVER, WHERE COMMUNITY AWARENESS IS CONCERNED, OUR ADVERTISERS HAVE YET TO GROW UP. THEY HAVE LARGELY DISREGARDED THE BENEFITS THEY STAND TO GAIN BY ASSOCIATING THEMSELVES WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
+AND IT IS A LESSON THAT, IN THE END, MAY COST THEM DEAR. FOR COMMUNITY LOBBIES ARE FORMING THAT WILL CAMPAIGN FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SOCIAL ATTITUDES OF OUR MAJOR PRODUCT DISTRIBUTORS.
+THE PUBLIC WILL DEMAND THAT THEY SHOW A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THEIR CONSUMERS,* HE SAID.
MR MOSS ALSO SPOKE ON PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE CAMPAIGNS, THE GOOD RESULTS OF WHICH COULD BE NEGATED BY A SELFISH FEW.
+YOUR INTENTION TO REPORT A PETTY CRIME IS NOT HELPED BY THE ACQUAINTANCE WHO ASSURES YOU IT IS A WASTE OF TIME- YOUR RESOLVE TO INFORM THE MANAGEMENT OF A STAIRWAY OBSTRUCTION THAT POSES A SERIOUS FIRE RISK TO YOUR BUILDING IS WEAKENED BY THE INDIFFERENCE DISPLAYED BY YOUR NEIGHBOURS,* HE SAID.
FORTUNATELY, HE POINTED OUT, THERE WERE SUFFICIENT PEOPLE WHO CARED ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE THINGS AND TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE.
THIS HAD BEEN DEMONSTRATED TIME AND AGAIN IN HONG KONG, SUCH AS WITH THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN, THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN, THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN, THE COMMUNITY AGAINST DRUGS CAMPAIGN, AND THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
+THE BALL IS ROLLING, AND IS PICKING UP MOMENTUM. BUT IT NEEDN’T ALWAYS BE GOVERNMENT THAT TAKES THE LEAD. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE COULD CONTRIBUTE A GREAT DEAL MORE THAN IT HAS DONE SO FAR,* HE SAID.
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A
MONDAY, MAY 26, 1980
4
CUSTOMERS SATISFIED WITH IMMIGRATION HOT LINE
******
THE EXTENDED TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES SERVICE OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, SET UP LAST DECEMBER, HAS BEEN VERY POPULAR WITH THE PUBLI C.
THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES MADE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, AT 80 715, SHOWED A 30 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
♦NOT ONLY ARE WE ABLE TO COPE WITH MORE ENQUIRIES, WE ARE ALSO GETTING MANY MORE SATISFIED CUSTOMERS,♦ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE DEPARTMENT EXTENDED THE SERVICE TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR TO COPE WITH GROWING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR ADVICE ON THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF SERVICE IT PROVIDED, WHETHER IT CONCERNS THE IMMIGRATION OR REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE OR THE BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRY.
♦TEN TELEPHONE HOT LINES FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRIES AND REQUESTS WERE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE NEW OFFICE, GREATLY AUGMENTING THE FOUR LINES PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED.
♦CALLERS ARE CONNECTED THROUGH ALMOST IMMEDIATELY NOW, EXCEPT DURING THE LUNCH HOUR WHEN HALF OF THE OFFICERS HAVE THEIR LUNCH BREAK,♦ HE SAID. GENERALLY, THE BUSY HOURS ARE 10 AM TO 4 PM.
MOST OF THE CALLERS ARE GIVEN SATISFACTORY ANSWERS IMMEDIATELY.
♦IT IS ENCOURAGING TO LEARN THAT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT LONG WAITING TIME FOR ANSWERS HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EXPANDED SERVICE,♦ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FROM 8.45 AM TO 5.15 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS.
A +DIAL - A - FORM+ SERVICE IS ALSO PROVIDED.
♦THIS SERVICE IS CONVENIENT AND TIME-SAVING. ANYONE WHO WANTS TO OBTAIN ANY APPLICATION FORM CAN SIMPLY DIAL 5-434711 AND THE FORM WILL BE SENT TO HIM BY POST,+ HE SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED IN PERSON FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S COUNTER IN THE BASEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
MONDAY, MAY 26, 1980
5
SCHOLARSHIP AT MALTA UNIVERSITY M * * *
UNIVERSITY AND MATRICULATION STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP TENABLE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MALTA IN THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE SCHOLARSHIP IS BEING OFFERED BY THE MALTA GOVERNMENT UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PLAN FOR STUDENTS FROM COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES.
IT GIVES A STUDENT A CHANCE TO FOLLOW AN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE, ACCOUNTANCY, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION, EDUCATION, MEDICINE, DENTISTRY, PHARMACY, LAW, OR OTHER SUBJECTS.
THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS FARES FROM AND RETURN TO HONG KONG, A MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE, AN ALLOWANCE FOR A NON-WORKING WIFE ACCOMPANYING THE STUDENT, APPROVED TUITION, LABORATORY AND EXAMINATION FEES, A BOOKS AND EQUIPMENT ALLOWANCE, AND FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT.
CANDIDATES MUST BE NORMALLY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG, GRADUATES OR MATRICULANTS OF RECOGNISED UNIVERSITIES, AND UNDER 35 YEARS CF AGE.
THEY MUST ALSO HAVE A GOOD COMMAND OF WRITTEN AND SPOKEN ENGLISH, AND BE PREPARED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG AT THE END OF THEIR STUDY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 15TH FLOOR, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS TOGETHER WITH RELEVANT DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY, COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS SELECTION COMMITTEE, AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS BEFORE JUNE 14. LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
CANDIDATES NOMINATED BY THE SELECTION COMMITTEE MAY BE REQUESTED TO FORWARD ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS AND WILL BE ASKED TO COMPLETE FURTHER STANDARD APPLICATION FORMS.
INFORMATION ON COURSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MALTA IS LISTED IN THE +COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY YEARBOOK* WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR READING AT THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION.
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/6
MONDAY, MAY 26, 1980
6
TAX EXEMPTION ON EARNED INTEREST ******
INTEREST PAYABLE BY LICENSED BANKS, BY CERTAIN PUBLIC UTILITIES AND BY THE GOVERNMENT AT RATES OF UP TO 9 PER CENT PER ANNUM WILL BE EXEMPT FROM INTEREST TAX FROM TODAY (MONDAY).
IN ANNOUNCING THIS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT REPRESENTS A REDUCTION OF 1-1/2 PER CENT IN THE EXEMPTION LIMIT, AND FOLLOWS THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE EXCHANGE BANKS’ ASSOCIATION ON SATURDAY THAT THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON SAVINGS ACCOUNTS WOULD BE REDUCED TO 9 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE REDUCED RATE OF EXEMPTION APPLIES TO INTEREST ON ALL TIME DEPOSITS PAID ON AND AFTER TODAY. INTEREST AT A RATE ABOVE 9 PER CENT ON ANY SUCH TIME DEPOSIT WILL NOT BE EXEMPTED FROM INTEREST TAX, EVEN THOUGH THE RATE OF INTEREST MAY HAVE BEEN BELOW THE EXEMPTION CEILING IN FORCE AT THE TIME WHEN THE DEPOSIT WAS PLACED.
A NOTICE SIGNED BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER SECTION 28(1) OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE IS PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE TODAY.
SECTION OF ROBINSON RD CLOSED *****
ROBINSON ROAD BETWEEN PARK ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO HOUSE NOS. 111-113 WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 28) FOR ABOUT A WEEK FOR ROAD WORKS.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, ANOTHER SECTION OF THE ROAD BETWEEN THE ACCESS ROAD AND OAKLANDS AVENUE WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO WAY.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
WATER CUT * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO AN AREA OF WESTERN DIS.'ICT ON HONG KONG rMA^oaV'tk INTERRUPTED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 28) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING MORNING FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA IS BOUNDED BY HIGH STREET, EASTERN STREET FIRST FRT5MEHoSSNDKOHiTUHIvlR™in’T$“l6HCSrafeT!'>EHISES °" P0KPULAM "0AD
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1980
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
PRESERVING HONG KONG'S HERITAGE ................................. 1
RAPID GROWTH IN IRD BUSINESS .................................... j
MP'S VISIT SHA TIN, CALL ON HEUNG YEE KUK ....................... 4
LEGCO QUESTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION ......................... 5
LOCAL FARMERS TO LEARN EROM JAPAN ............................... g
RESTRICTED COUNTRY AREAS NOT FOR CYCLING ........................ 7
COMPENSATION CLAIMS FOR ROAD CLOSURE ............................ 7
WATER CUT ....................................................... n
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1980
1
PRESERVING HONG KONG'S HERITAGE ft * ft * ft ft
THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD HAS EXAMINED A LARGE NUMBER OF POTENTIAL MONUMENTS, BUT HAS SO FAR BEEN ABLE TO SECURE THE DECLARATION OF COMPARATIVELY FEW OF THEM, IT WAS DISCLOSED IN THE BOARD’S REPORT FOR 1979 WHICH HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED. DECISIONS ARE STILL AWAITED IN THE MAJORITY OF CASES.
THE REPORT SAID THAT THE BOARD LAID CONSIDERABLE EMPHASIS LAST YEAR ON ITS EFFORTS TO SECURE THE PRESERVATION OF 11 OLD NEW TERRITORIES BUILDINGS.
♦UNFORTUNATELY, THESE BUILDINGS ARE ALL PRIVATELY OWNED AND THEIR OWNERS HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY OPPOSE DECLARATION AS MONUMENTS BECAUSE THEY FEEL THAT THIS WILL REDUCE THEIR RIGHTS OF OWNERSHIP,♦ SAID THE REPORT.
THE REPORT POINTED OUT THAT THE BOARD WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF PROGRESS BECAUSE MANY OF THESE BUILDINGS WERE SUPERB EXAMPLES OF THE ART OF STONEWORK, WOODEN DECORATION AND TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE, IN ADDITION TO THEIR HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.
AS REGARDS ARCHAEOLOGY IN HONG KONG, THE REPORT SAID THE BOARD HAS BEEN CONSULTED LAST YEAR ON THE INTRODUCTION OF A POLICY AS A GUIDE FOR THE URBAN AND NT AUTHORITIES IN PROTECTING THE TERRITORY’S ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES- IN EXERCISING CONTROL OVER EXCAVATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND IN THE ISSUE OF LICENCES TO EXCAVATE SUCH SITES.
♦THE BOARD WAS ALSO CONSULTED BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT, WITHIN THE URBAN COUNCIL’S MUSEUM OF HISTORY, OF A CENTRAL REPOSITORY FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIAL. THIS REPOSITORY IS ORGANISED SO AS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE VARIOUS STAGES OF ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE TERRITORY, WITH ALL THE MATERIAL COLLECTED IN ONE PLACE.♦
THE REPORT POINTED OUT THAT THE BOARD HAS DECIDED TO USE ELLIPTICAL-SHAPED METAL COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES TO MARK THE LOCATIONS OF FORMER WELL-KNOWN BUILDINGS OR LANDMARKS.
♦THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION HAS KINDLY AGREED TO THE INSTALLATION OF A PLAQUE ON THE OUTSIDE OF ITS HEAD OFFICE TO MARK THE SITE OF THE ORIGINAL CITY HALL.+ SAID THE REPORT.
/THE EXCELSIOR .....
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1980
2
THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL HAS ALSO KINDLY AGREED TO THE INSTALLATION OF A PLAQUE ON THE OUTSIDE OF ITS HEAD OFFICE, TO MARK THE SITE OF THE FIRST PLOT OF LAND SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION IN 1843 AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HONG KONG AS A COLONY.
THE REPORT POINTED OUT THAT MORE PLAQUES WILL BE ERECTED IN DUE COURSE AND THE BOARD WELCOMES SUGGESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC FOR THE POSSIBLE SITING OF SUtH PLAQUES.
DURING THE YEAR, THE BOARD WAS CONSULTED ON THE RESITING OF A CEREMONIAL ARCH MARKING THE FORMER SMALLPOX HOSPITAL OPERATED BY THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL IN KENNEDY TOWN AND THE ARCH IS NOW PERMANENTLY SITED WITH A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE IN A SMALL URBAN COUNCIL REST GARDEN IN THE SAME AREA.
ALSO, THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS SECTION, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL HAS AGREED TO PRESERVE A NUMBER OF HISTORICALLY INTERESTING POSTAL BOXES WITH THE DESIGNATIONS ’V.R.’ OR ’G.R.*. A KING EDWARD VII POSTBOX IS IN THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY.
THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC COMPANY TOO HAS AGREED TO DONATE A NUMBER OF OLD STREET LAMPS TO THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY WHICH DATED BACK FROM NEAR THE TURN OF THE CENTURY AND ARE OF CONSIDERABLE HISTORICAL INTEREST.
THE FOUR GAS LAMPS BY THE SIDES OF THE DUDDELL STREET STEPS WERE DONATED DURING THE YEAR TO THE GOVERNMENT BY THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY WHICH ALSO GENEROUSLY TRAINED CERTAIN USD STAFF IN THE MAINTENANCE OF THE LAMPS. THESE ARE THE LAST WORKING GAS LAMPS IN THE TERRITORY.
IN CONCLUSION, THE REPORT SAID THAT PRESERVATION ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH- IT IS ALSO NECESSARY TO MAKE THE MATERIAL AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE AND ENJOY, AND TO ACCOMPANY IT WITH EXPLANATORY TEXTS TO INDICATE THE BACKGROUND, THE PURPOSE OF THE MATERIAL AND HOW IT RELATES TO MODERN HONG
THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD IS A STATUTORY BODY SET UP UNDER THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE CHAIRED BY BRIAN WILSON, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES.
THE 1979 ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD REPORT AT $13 A COPY IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GPO BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
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TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1980
3
RAPID GROWTH IN I RD BUSINESS
*****
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT COLLECTED A RECORD $1 600 MILLION IN TAX IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, AN INCREASE OF NO LESS THAN FORTY-ONE TIMES THE YIELD IN 1957, THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, MR VICTOR LADD SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH-WEST, MR LADD RECALLED THAT IN 1957, WHEN HE JOINED THE DEPARTMENT, ITS TOTAL COLLECTION WAS A MERE $185 MILLION.
THE DEPARTMENT’S TOTAL ESTABLISHMENT THEN WAS JUST OVER 300 OFFICERS AND THE TOTAL COST OF THE DEPARTMENT WAS SOME $3.6 MILLION, EQUAL TO TWO PER CENT OF THE REVENUE COLLECTED.
TODAY, THE TOTAL ESTABLISHMENT IS AROUND 2 600 AND THE COST LAST YEAR AMOUNTED TO ABOUT $80 MILLION - OR JUST OVER ONE PER CENT OF TOTAL COLLECTIONS, HE SAID.
INEVITABLY, HOWEVER, WITH GROWTH HAVE COME PROBLEMS FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT TEAM, MR LADD SAID.
HE NOTED THAT TWENTY YEARS AGO, LESS THAN 20 000 SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENTS WERE RAISED ANNUALLY AND LESS THAN 17 000 BUSINESSES WERE CHARGEABLE TO TAX.
+BY CONTRAST, WE HAVE JUST ISSUED SOME 425 000 SALARIES TAX RETURNS AND 100 000 BUSINESS RETURNS, AND OTHER AREAS WITHIN OUR RESPONSIBILITY - PROPERTY TAX, INTEREST TAX, PERSONAL ASSESSMENT, BUSINESS REGISTRATIONS AND SO ON - HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED SIMILAR GROWTH PATTERNS,♦ HE SAID.
TO MEET THESE INCREASING DEMANDS IT HAS BEEN NECESSARY TO EXPAND THE STAFF ESTABLISHMENT CONSIDERABLY AND TO RELY MORE ON COMPUTERISATION, MR LADD EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THAT LATER THIS YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF ITS OWN COMPUTER AND DURING THE COURSE OF THE FOLLOWING 18 MONTHS OR SO A FULLY INTEGRATED DATA BASE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.
ANOTHER PROBLEM AREA WHICH CAME WITH EXPANSION WAS THAT CF OFFICE ACCOMMODATION.
MR LADD SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT NOW OCCUPIED SOME 330 000 SQUARE FEET IN WINDSOR HOUSE, FROM THE FIRST FLOOR RECEPTION LOBBY THROUGH TO THE 27TH FLOOR.
+1 DO NOT THINK THAT THERE CAN BE VERY MUCH DOUBT THAT THE MOVE TO WINDSOR HOUSE HAS BEEN A GOOD THING - GOOD IN THE SENSE THAT IT MAKES FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO BE HOUSED UNDER ONE ROOF AND GOOD TOO IN THAT THE FACILITIES FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE TAX-PAYING PUBLIC ARE BETTER THAN THEY EVER HAVE BEEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT,* MR LADD SAID.
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TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1980
4
MP’S VISIT SHA TIN, CALL ON HEUNG YEE KUK
* * * *
THE TWO CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, DR KEITH HAMPSON AND MR DAVID HUNT, WHO ARE ON A 10-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG, TOURED SHA TIN NEW TOWN THIS AFTERNOON (TUESDAY) AND CALLED ON THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
THE TWO MP’S FIRST CALLED AT NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS FOR A 30-MINUTE BRIEFING BY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, AND DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM.
THEY THEN TRAVELLED TO LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN, FOR LUNCH WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE, AND PROJECT MANAGER, MR KENNETH KWOK. ALSO PRESENT WERE EIGHT UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
AFTER LUNCH, THE TWO MP’S VISITED THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING UNIT IN LEK YUEN ESTATE, ACCOMPANIED BY SHA TIN DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT, MR IVAN SCOTT, AND THE WO CHE ESTATE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.
THE NEXT CALL WAS AT THE SHU I WO COURT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME LOOKOUT POINT WHERE DR HASE TOLD THE VISITORS THAT SHA TIN SHOULD BE A MAJOR NEW TOWN FOR THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION PEOPLE BY 1989, BUILT TO THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS. IT WOULD HAVE 16 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, SIX OR SEVEN MAJOR PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES AND LARGE AREAS OF HIGH CLASS RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION. HE SAID THE NEW TOWN WOULD BE WELL WOODED, EQUIPPED WITH A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES SUFFICIENT TO MAKE IT A MAJOR SHOPPING CENTRE IN THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
THE VISITORS ALSO TOURED THE FO TAN VALLEY FOR A BRIEFING ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TOWN.
AFTER SPENDING MORE THAN TWO HOURS IN SHA TIN, THE MP’S WENT TO THE HEUNG YEE KUK HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON TONG, WHERE THEY WERE f-ET BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN WONG AND THE VICE CHAIRMAN MR LAU WONG-FAT. A RANGE OF TOPICS WERE DISCUSSED.
DURING THEIR VISIT TO HONG KONG, THE MP’S WILL MEET OFFICIALS FROM THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT , THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE. THEY SPENT THIS MORNING WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND WILL ATTEND A RECEPTION AT THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
THEY WILL ALSO MEET THE GOVERNOR, URBAN COUNCILLORS AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1980
5
LEGCO QUESTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION
* * * *
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL RAISE NINE QUESTIONS ON VARIOUS MATTERS CF PUBLIC INTEREST INCLUDING THREE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE REPORT OF THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP FOR 1979 WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
THE HON CHEN SHOU-LUM WILL ASK FOR A GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON THE PRESENT STATE OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION IN AREAS SUCH AS KWUN TONG AND TSUEN WAN, AND THE IMMEDIATE STEPS TAKEN TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM.
THE HON ANDREW SO KWOK-WING WILL WANT TO KNOW THE STEPS BEING TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF WORKERS AND RESIDENTS IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS FROM INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION.
DR THE HON RAYSON HUANG WILL ASK WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE EXPERTISE TO IDENTIFY TOXIC GASES AND FUMES WHICH MIGHT BE PRESENT IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND TO TAKE EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO COUNTER THESE HEALTH HAZARDS.
OTHER QUESTIONS WILL BE ON MEASURES TO PREVENT HIGH-SPEED MOTOR BOATS FROM BRINGING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INTO HONG KONG, PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME WHICH ENABLES ELIGIBLE CIVIL SERVANTS TO BUY THEIR OWN HOMES, AND IMPROVEMENT TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL.
THERE WILL ALSO BE QUESTIONS ON THE INSTALLATION OF COMPUTER-AIDED TRANSCRIPTION MACHINES IN COURTS, UPGRADING THE LEVEL OF MUSIC TEACHING IN ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THE PROVISION OF PLACES FOR TAXIS AND PRIVATE CARS TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS AT ALL MTR STATIONS.
ALTOGETHER, FIVE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY ARE THE STAMP (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AND THE MONEY LENDERS BILL 1980.
DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AND THE FIRE INVESTIGATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WILL RESUME.
/6
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1980
6
LOCAL FARMERS TO LEARN FROM JAPAN
* * * *
A GROUP OF 17 VEGETABLE FARMERS FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL LEAVE ON SUNDAY (JUNE 1) FOR A NINE-DAY VISIT TO JAPAN TO STUDY THE LATEST AGRICULTURAL TECHNIQUES FROM THEIR JAPANESE COUNTERPARTS.
THE VISIT IS SPONSORED BY THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION AND ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THE GROUP WILL BE LED BY MR KO HOK, CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, AND ACCOMPANIED BY MR PAO CHUN-SHEN, AN AGRICULTURAL OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE FARMERS WILL TRAVEL EXTENSIVELY THROUGHOUT JAPAN TO STUDY INTENSIVE VEGETABLE CULTIVATION, THE USE OF SMALL FARM MACHINERY, THEIR CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT, AND VEGETABLE MARKETING SYSTEM.
LAST YEAR, A DELEGATION OF NINE NT FARMERS VISITED HOLLAND AND BRITAIN FOR TWO WEEKS TO STUDY THE VEGETABLE MARKETING TECHNIQUES IN THE TWO COUNTRIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT SOME OF THE FARMERS WHO WENT ON LAST YEAR’S TRIP ARE NOW GOING TO JAPAN WHERE THE FARMING SITUATION IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF EUROPE BUT SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO HONG KONG’S.
♦THEY SHOULD LEARN A LOT FROM THESE TWO VISITS,* HE ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS*
THE DELEGATION OF FARMERS WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR JAPAN ON CHINA AIRLINES FLIGHT Cl 012/802, ETD 10.45 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 1). PRESS REPRESENTATIVES MAY BE ABLE TO INTERVIEW THEM IN THE DEPARTURE HALL OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL AFTER 8.30 AM.
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TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1980
7
RESTRICTED COUNTRY AREAS NOT FOR CYCLING * * * *
THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY IS CONCERNED OVER THE INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE CYCLING IN THE RESTRICTED AREAS OF COUNTRY PARKS.
IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, NEARLY 80 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SUMMONSED TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR RIDING BICYCLES IN AREAS OTHER THAN PUBLIC ROADS WITHIN THE PARKS.
A NUMBER OF OFFENDERS HAVE ALREADY APPEARED IN COURT AND WERE EACH FINED S200,
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY SAID THAT THE OFFENCES WERE COMMITTED IN THE PLOVER COVE, SHING MUN, SAI KUNG AND MA ON SHAN COUNTRY PARKS.
HE URGED PEOPLE NOT TO RIDE BICYCLES IN RESTRICTED AREAS SUCH AS NEAR RESERVOIRS, BARBECUE PITS OR ON FOREST PATHS.
♦COUNTRY PARKS ARE FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY THE COUNTRYSIDE AND THE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES THERE AND NOT FOR CYCLING,* HE SAID ♦WHY SPOIL THE FUN FOR OTHERS AND AT THE SAME TIME LA?’ YOURSELF
OPEN TO PROSECUTION AND POSSIBLE FINE.*
THE CYCLING RESTRICTIONS HOWEVER DO NOT APPLY TO VILLAGERS WHO LIVE WITHIN THE AREAS.
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COMPENSATION CLAIMS FOR ROAD CLOSURE ft ft * ft
PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MTR WORKS IN ELEGANCE ROAD, KWUN TONG BETWEEN FEBRUARY 25, 1978 AND AUGUST 16 LAST YEAR MUST SUBMIT ALL CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION IN WRITING TO REACH THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 16 THIS YEAR.
AN ORDER WAS MADE ON FEBRUARY 2, 1978 UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE FOR CLOSING THE ROAD TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MTR.
THE ROAD WAS REOPENED ON AUGUST 16 LAST YEAR WHEN THE WORKS WERE COMPLETED.
A COPY OF THE PLAN SHOWING THE AFFECTED AREA IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE MASS TRANSIT OFFICE IN ROOM 416, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
------o-------
WATER CUT ft ft ft
WATER SUPPLY TO AN AREA OF YAU MA TEI WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR SIX HOURS OVERNIGHT ENDING AT 6 AM ON THURSDAY (MAY 29).
THE AREA IS BOUNDED BY WATERLOO ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, MhY 28, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
POLICE COMPLAINTS SYSTEM WORKING JELL ............................... 1
ANTI-CORRUPTION LAW UPDATED ......................................... 2
NEW MONEY LENDING LAW LONG OVERDUE .................................
HIGHER RENT INCREASES FOR PRELiR PREMISES ALLOWED ................... 5
POLLUTION PROBLEM REQUIRES JOINT SOLUTION ........................... 6
NEW LAW ON AIR POLLUTANTS ........................................... 7
PRIVATE C.tR SERVICE FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN ............................ 8
VISITING MP SEES SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE .......................... 8
CTO-PRONGED ATTACK ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION RACKETS .................. 10
IRD FORGING AHEaD WITH COMPUTERISATION ............................. 11
HARBOUR TUNNEL CONGESTION UNDER STUDY .............................. 12
HOME OWNERSHIP FOR CIVIL SERVANTS .................................. 13
1979 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SURVEY .................................. 14
TRADE MISSION RETURNS FROM GUANGZHOU ............................... 15
EaSIER WAY TO TRANSCRIBE COURT PROCEEDINGS ......................... 15
CONCESSIONARY STAMP DUTY ON CONVEYANCES ............................ 16
FACILITIES FOR CAR USERS «T MTR STATIONS ........................... 16
HIGHER DOCUMENTS COPYING FEE ..................................... 17
EMPLOYMENT OF GRADUATE MUSIC TEnCHERS .............................. 17
CHARGES FOR CONFERENCE CALL TELEPHONE SERVICE ...................... 18
BILLS PASSED ....................................................... 1g
WATER CUT.......................
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
1
POL ICE, COMPLAINTS SYSTEM WORKING WELL * * * *
THE SYSTEM OF HANDLING PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE IS FAIR, WORKABLE AND EFFECTIVE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE 1979 REPORT OF THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP, TABLED IN THE COUNCIL TODAY, MR DAVIES SAID IT WAS NOT THE INTENTION TO MAKE ANY SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES IN THE ARRANGEMENTS THOUGH THOSE OPERATING THEM WERE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
THE SYSTEM WAS ROUGHLY PARALLEL WITH THAT FOLLOWED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, HE SAID, EXCEPT THAT THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP’S TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE WIDER THAN ITS UK COUNTERPART.
♦THE GROUP REVIEWS EVERY SINGLE CASE AND IN ADDITION OPERATES A SYSTEM OF RANDOM SPOT CHECKS ON COMPLAINT CASE FILES,+ HE NOTED. ♦THESE CHECKS INVOLVE A DETAILED REVIEW OF ALL STATEMENTS AND OF THE CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM THEM.+
WHERE UMELCO REQUIRED CLARIFICATION OF ANY POINT THE CASE WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE COMPLAINT AGAINST POLICE OFFICE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION, OR OTHER APPROPRIATE ACTION, HE SAID.
MR DAVIES ADDEDi ♦TO PROVIDE A RELIABLE AND EFFECTIVE UNIT WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE FULLY FAMILIAR WITH POLICE PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE CONTINUES TO GIVE HIGH PRIORITY TO THE STAFFING OF CAPO WITH OFFICERS OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE.
THE REPORT SHOWS HOW ACTIVE THIS OFFICE HAS BEEN DURING THE YEAR.*
NOTING THAT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS MADE DIRECT TO CAPO OR OTHER POLICE FORMATIONS HAD INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT IN 1979 AS COMPARED WITH 1978, MR DAVIES SAID THIS INDICATES THAT THE PUBLIC IS MAKING USE OF THIS PROCEDURE AND WOULD APPEAR TO HAVE INCREASED CONFIDENCE IN IT.
♦IT SAYS MUCH FOR THE MUTUAL RESPECT IN WHICH THE PROCEDURE IS HELD THAT THE UMELCO GROUP ACKNOWLEDGES THE ESSENTIAL CO-OPERATION AND ASSISTANCE RECEIVED FROM THE POL ICE,+ HE SAID.
MR DAVIES SAID THE UMELCO GROUP’S REPORT PROVIDES A BODY OF EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT THE GROUP CONTINUES TO PLAY A MOST EFFECTIVE AND INCREASINGLY EXPERIENCED ROLE IN MONITORING THE HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE.
/DURING THE .....
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
2
DURING THE YEAR, 2 298 INVESTIGATION REPORTS, COVERING 2 881 SEPARATE POINTS OF COMPLAINT, WERE EXAMINED. A TOTAL OF 370 POINTS WERE FOUND ^SUBSTANTIATED*, AMD A FURTHER 212 WERE CLASSIFIED AS ♦NOT PROVEN* MEANING THAT CAREFUL INVESTIGATION HAD FAILED TO ADDUCE FACTS TO WARRANT CLASSIFICATION AS +SUBSTANTIATED+ OR ■►UNSUBSTANTIATED.*
♦POSITIVE ACTION, RANGING FROM THE INSTITUTION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION, TO ADVICE AND WARNINGS, WAS TAKEN IN RESPECT OF 312 POLICE OFFICERS - HARD EVIDENCE OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BOTH THE GROUP AND CAPO,* MR DAVIES SAID.
IN ADDITION, A TOTAL OF 1 779 POINTS OF COMPLAINT WERE CLASSIFIED AS UNSUBSTANTIATED, A FURTHER 22 WERE MALICIOUS AND 498 WERE WITHDRAWN.
+IN PONDERING THESE FIGURES AND ESPECIALLY THE NUMBER CLASSIFIED AS UNSUBSTANTIATED,* MR DAVIES SAID, *ONE MUST REMEMBER THAT BEFORE ANY ACTION CAN BE TAKEN IT IS NECESSARY TO PROVE THAT THE COMPLAINT IS WELL FOUNDED.*
♦WHERE, AS IS OFTEN THE CASE, IT IS ONE MAN’S WORD AGAINST ANOTHER’S THIS MAY BE DIFFICULT TO DO. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THE TASK OF ANY INVESTIGATOR TO ASCERTAIN THE TRUTH IS NOT EASY.
♦THIS PROBLEM OCCURS REGARDLESS OF WHO THE INVESTIGATOR MAY BE, OR OF THE SERVICE OR FORCE FROM WHICH HE IS DRAWN. IN COMING TO HIS CONCLUSION, ANY INVESTIGATOR CAN ONLY SIFT THE EVIDENCE AND MEASURE IT AGAINST THE CREDIBILITY OF THOSE INVOLVED,* MR DAVIES SAID.
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ANT I-CORRUPT I ON LAW UPDATED
*****
HONG KONG’S ANTI-CORRUPTION LAW IS BEING AMENDED TO GIVE IT MORE DETERRENT EFFECTS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JOHN GRIFFITHS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, MR GRIFFITHS SAIDi *IT IS NOW SOME FOUR YEARS SINCE THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE WAS LAST SUBJECT TO A MAJOR REVIEW.
♦IN THAT TIME THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION HAS FOUND THAT SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE HAVE LIMITATIONS WHICH MILITATE AGAINST THE PROPER PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES,* HE SAID.
THE BILL PROPOSES TO RAISE THE M/XIMUM PENALTIES SUBSTANTIALLY FOR THE MORE SERIOUS CORRUPTION OFFENCES IN VIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND THE VERY CONSIDERABLE REWARDS THAT CORRUPTION BRINGS.
/IT ALSO .....
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
3
IT ALSO PROPOSES TO GIVE STATUTORY PROTECTION TO INFORMERS AND TO GIVE THE COURTS POWERS TO PROHIBIT THE EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS CONVICTED OF SERIOUS CORRUPTION OFFENCES AS A DIRECTOR, PARTNER OR MANAGER OR SOME OTHER MANAGERIAL POSITION FOR A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING SEVEN YEARS, HE EXPLAINED.
UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, NEW DEFINITIONS WILL BE GIVEN TO BANKER’S AND COMPANY’S BOOKS TO BRING THEM AND OTHER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING COMPUTER RECORDS, IN THE POSSESSION OF A BANK OR COMPANY, UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE ICAC.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT MAKES IT AN OFFENCE FOR A PUBLIC SERVANT TO SOLICIT AND ACCEPT WITHOUT AUTHORITY ANY ADVANTAGE EVEN OUTSIDE HONG KONG, AS AN INDUCEMENT TO ABUSE HIS OFFICIAL POSITION.
HOWEVER, UNDER THE BILL, THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC BODIES WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE APPROPRIATE LIMITED PERMISSION IN WRITING TO THEIR EMPLOYEES TO ACCEPT ADVANTAGES WHICH RELATE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT, WHEN IN THEIR JUDGEMENT IT IS RIGHT TO DO SO.
THE AMENDMENT BILL ALSO CREATES A NEW SECTION IN THE LAW SO THAT ANY PERSON WHO IS CONVICTED OF CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT A SERIOUS CORRUPTION OFFENCE SHALL BE DEALT WITH AND PUNISHED AS IF HE WERE CONVICTED OF AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE. THE NEW SECTION WILL ALSO ENABLE OFFICERS OF THE ICAC WHEN INVESTIGATING A CONSPIRACY TO USE POWERS OF INVESTIGATION UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
A FURTHER AMENDMENT EXTENDS FROM ONE TO THREE YEARS THE PRESENT PERIOD OF LIMITATION FOR A SUSPECT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS DIRECTED AT HIM BY A WRITTEN NOTICE.
AT THE SAME TIME THE ICAC IS TO BE GIVEN POWER TO SEEK INFORMATION WHICH IS NOT ONLY IN THE POSSESSION OF THE PERSON FROM WHOM IT IS SOUGHT BUT TO WHICH HE ALSO HAS ACCESS.
OTHER CHANGES TO THE LAW INCLUDE THE REMOVAL OF ANY DOUBT AS TO WHETHER A SUSPECT CAN DRAW MONEY FROM HIS BANK ACCOUNT WHEN HE IS SUBJECT TO A RESTRICTION UNDER THE LAW- THE MAKING OF NOTICES AND COURT ORDERS REGISTRABLE IN THE LAND OFFICE SO AS TO ALERT PERSONS PROPOSING TO BUY A FLAT OR A HOUSE FROM A SUSPECT OR FROM A THIRD PARTY WHO IS HOLDING PROPERTY FOR A SUSPECT- AND THE POSSIBILITY OF APPLICATION BY THE ICAC TO THE COURT FOR EXTENSIONS OF AN INVESTIGATION ORDER TO BEYOND THE PRESENT NINE MONTHS WITHOUT BRINGING ON A PROSECUTION.
ICAC OFFICERS WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO DETAIN PERSONS FOUND IN PLACES BEING SEARCHED, FOR AS LONG AS TWO TO THREE HOURS.
ALSO INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WAS THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, WHICH PROPOSES TO ADD TO THE CATEGORIES OF OFFENCES IN WHICH ICAC OFFICERS MAY EXERCISE THEIR POWERS OF ARREST, CASES INVOLVING THEFT OR FALSE ACCOUNTING, OR INVOLVING BLACKMAIL COMMITTED BY A CROWN SERVANT BY OR THROUGH THE MISUSE OF HIS OFFICE. OTHER FORMS OF BLACKMAIL WILL REMAIN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POLICE.
DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE TWO BILLS WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
4
NEW MONEY LENDING LAWS LONG OVERDUE ft ft ft ft ft
UPDATING OF LEGISLATIONS GOVERNING MONEY LENDING IN HONG KONG IS LONG OVERDUE, ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE SERIOUS SOCIAL PROBLEMS THAT ARISE FROM LOANSHARKING. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE HON JOHN GRIFFITHS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE MONEY LENDERS BIL1 1980 W? GRIFFITHS SAID THAT THE PRESENT MONEY LENDER ORDINANCE PROVIDES NO CONTROL WHATSOEVER OVER THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO ENGAGE IN MONEY LENDING.
♦IT IS WELL-KNOWN FOR INSTANCE THAT A NUMBER OF LOANSHARKS ARE IN FACT RUN BY TRIADS AND THAT GROSSLY EXCESSIVE INTEREST RATES ARE VERY FREQUENTLY CHARGED... UP TO 1’400 PER CENT NOT UNKNOWN,♦ HE SAID.
MR GRIFFITHS ALSO NOTED THAT UNACCEPTABLE AND OFTEN CRIMINAL METHODS OF ENFORCING PAYMENT BY PHYSICAL FORCE ARE COMMON.
THE PRESENT LAW, THE MAIN PROVISIONS OF WHICH ARE A REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER WITH THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES WHO HAS NO POWER TO REFUSE REGISTRATION, IS NOT CAPABLE OF DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM, HE SAID.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO SAW THE PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDINANCE * A Si 000 FINE ON FIRST OFFENCE AND A FINE OF $2 □□□ OR THREE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT ON SUBSEQUENT OFFENCES - AS WHOLLY INADEQUATE.
UNDER THE NEW BILL, MR GRIFFITHS SAID, A TRANSACTION WILL BE PRESUMED PR IMA FACIE TO BE EXTORTIONATE WHERE THE EFFECTIVE RATE OF INTEREST CHARGED BY THE MONEY LENDER EXCEEDS 48 PER CENT.
♦BUT IN ORDER TO DECIDE WHETHER THE TRANSACTION IS IN FACT EXTORTIONATE IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PARTICULAR CASE THE COURT WILL HAVE REGARD TO ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES,* HE NOTED.
IN THE CASE OF A LOAN MADE BY ANY PERSON, WHETHER OR NOT A LICENSED MONEY LENDER, WHERE THE EFFECTIVE RATE OF INTEREST EXCEEDS 60 PER CENT THE AGREEMENT WILL BE UNENFORCEABLE AND THE LOAN IRRECOVERABLE IN LAW.
FURTHERMORE, THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT TO MAKE A LOAN AT A RATE OF INTEREST EXCEEDING 60 PER CENT WILL CONSTITUTE A CRIMINAL CFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY FINE AND/OR IMPRISONMENT, HE ADDED.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL EXPLAINED THAT THE QUESTION AS TO THE LEVEL AT WHICH INTEREST RATES BECOME UNACCEPTABLE WAS DECIDED BY REFERENCE TO THE REPUTABLE COMMERCIAL PRACTICE IN HONG KONG AS WELL AS TO ATTITUDES TAKEN IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
/♦A RATE .....
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
5
♦A RATE OF INTEREST IN EXCESS OF 60 PER CENT PER ANNUM IS CONSIDERED WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE AND HENCE THAT IS THE RATE CHOSEN ABOVE WHICH THE MORE STRINGENT SANCTIONS IN RESPECT OF SUCH TRANSACTIONS WILL APPLY,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THESE RATES MAY BE ALTERED BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IF FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WERE TO CHANGE OR THE RATES SHOULD APPEAR NO LONGER APPROPRIATE FOR ANY OTHER REASON.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO OUTLINED IN DETAIL PROVISIONS IN THE BILL REGARDING THE LICENSING OF MONEY LENDERS, REQUIREMENT FOR SUPPLY OF INFORMATION BY MONEY LENDERS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR EARLY PAYMENT OF THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF THE LOAN BY THE BORROWER.
TURNING TO THE PENALTIES PROPOSED TO BE IMPOSED FOR CONTRAVENTION OF THE PROVISIONS, MR GRIFFITHS SAID THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF $100 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
♦THE PROVISIONS WILL ONLY BE EFFECTIVE IN COMBATING LOANSHARKING IF ADEQUATE PENALTIES ARE IMPOSED FOR CONTRAVENTION OF THEM,* HE SAID.
-----0-----
HIGHER RENT INCREASES FOR PREWAR PREMISES ALLOWED * * * * * M
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A MOTION TO RAISE THE CEILING OF PERMITTED RENT INCREASES IN PREWAR PREMISES PROVIDED THAT THE PERMITTED RENT DID NOT EXCEED THE FAIR MARKET RENT.
FOR PREWAR DOMESTIC PREMISES, THE CEILING IS RAISED FROM FOUR TIMES TO SIX TIMES THE STANDARD RENT (I.E. THE RENT PASSING IN 1941) AND FOR NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES, THE CEILING IS RAISED FROM EIGHT TIMES TO 12 TIMES THE STANDARD RENT.
LANDLORDS ARE REQUIRED TO SERVE ONE MONTH’S NOTICE OF THE INCREASED RENTS TO THEIR TENANTS.
MOVING THE MOTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO SAID THERE WERE ABOUT 12 000 UNITS IN PREWAR BUILDINGS, 60 PER CENT (OR 7 100 UNITS) OF WHICH WERE EFFECTIVELY SUBJECT TO THE PART I CONTROLS PROVIDED IN THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.
THE BALANCE (4 900 UNITS) IS EITHER OCCUPIED BY OWNERS, SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED FROM CONTROLS OR LET AT RENTS AT OR APPROACHING THE MARKET LEVELS.
MR LIAO SAID DESPITE ANNUAL INCREASES SINCE 1976, AVERAGE PERMITTED RENTS OF PREMISES SUBJECT TO PART I CONTROLS STILL STOOD AT ABOUT 15 TO 20 PER CENT OF FAIR MARKET RENTS.
♦THIS IS DUE TO THE VERY LOW BASE ON WHICH RENT INCREASES ARE CALCULATED AND TO INCREASED MARKET RENTAL LEVELS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. UNLESS FURTHER INCREASES ARE ALLOWED, THE GAP BETWEEN EXISTING RENTS AND MARKET RENTS IS NOT LIKELY TO BE REDUCED,♦ HE SAID.
/ABOUT 4 900 ...
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
6
ABOUT 4 900 DOMESTIC UNITS IN PREWAR BUILDINGS ARE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS ADJUSTMENT. FOR A TYPICAL UPPER TENEMENT FLOOR SHARED USUALLY BY ABOUT THREE FAMILIES, IT WILL RESULT IN AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF LESS THAN $70 A MONTH, BRINGING THE RENT FROM ABOUT 15 PER CENT TO 22 PER CENT OF ITS MARKET RENT.
FOR A TYPICAL PREWAR COMMERCIAL GROUND TENEMENT FLOOR, THE AVERAGE INCREASE WILL BE UNDER $300 A MONTH, BRINGING THE RENT FROM ABOUT 20 PER CENT TO 30 PER CENT OF ITS FAIR MARKET RENT. ABOUT 2 200 NON-DOMESTIC UNITS ARE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED.
MR LIAO SAID THE INCREASES WERE SMALL IN ACTUAL CASH TERMS AND REPRESENTED ANOTHER SMALL STEP IN GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF LOOSENING THESE RIGID AND OUTDATED CONTROLS WHICH HAVE BEEN IN FORCE FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
♦IN THE CASE OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS, ANY INCREASE IN RENT WILL BE MATCHED BY REFUNDS FROM GOVERNMENT,* HE SAID.
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POLLUTION PROBLEM REQUIRES JOINT SOLUTION * * * M
THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. THE HON DEREK JONES, TODAY CALLED FOR JOINT EFFORT BY FACTORY OPERATORS AND THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO COMBAT INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION.
IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE HON S.L. CHEN AND THE HON ANDREW SO CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION, MR JONES SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO BRING ABOUT NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SOLELY BY GOVERNMENT ACTION BECAUSE MUCH OF THE PROBLEM AROSE SIMPLY FROM BAD HOUSEKEEPING BY FACTORY OPERATORS AND OTHERS IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
HE DISCLOSED THAT THIS MATTER HAD BEEN DISCUSSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND HE WAS CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL TO MOUNT A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE THEM.
HE SAIDl *FOR ITS PART GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF WORKERS AND RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIAL AREAS THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE.
♦THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE AND THE SMOKE INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS LEGISLATION. THE STAFF CONCERNED CARRY OUT MEASUREMENTS OF AIR POLLUTION LEVELS IN FACTORY ENVIRONMENTS TO ENSURE THAT LEVELS ARE WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LIMITS AS WELL AS PURSUING A PROGRAMME OF ADVICE AND EDUCATION TO REDUCE NOISE LEVELS WITHIN FACTORIES.♦
/REGARDING INDUSTRIAL .
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
7
REGARDING INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION IN AREAS SUCH AS KWUN TONG AND TSUEN WAN, MR JONES SAID THAT THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF SCIENTIFIC MONITORING THAT WAS CARRIED OUT AT PRESENT SHOWED THAT POLLUTION BY SULPHATE COMPOUNDS THERE WAS NOT PARTICULARLY HIGH FOR INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
HOWEVER, HE ADMITTED THAT THE INFORMATION WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE A REALLY SOUND ASSESSMcwt OF AIR POLLUTION IN THESE AREAS AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS THEREFORE RECRUITING STAFF AND ORDERING THE SCIENTIFIC MONITORING EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO CARRY OUT MORE COMPREHENSIVE MEASUREMENTS.
AS FOR KWUN TONG, IN PARTICULAR, MR JONES ADDED THAT FOLLOWING A RECENT REPORT BY THE CHRISTIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE ON THE AREAS’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS THE ENVIRONMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAD FORMULATED AN ACTION PLAN INVOLVING SELF-HELP MEASURES TO IMPROVE UNSATISFACTORY CONDITIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
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NEW LAW ON AIR POLLUTANTS ft ft ft ft ft
A NEW AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL SEEKING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS, INCLUDING DETAILED MONITORING OF AIR QUALITY AND THE STEPPING UP OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST UNACCEPTABLE POLLUTION CF THE ATMOSPHERE WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORE LONG.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON RAYSON HUANG ON THE GOVERNMENT’S CAPABILITY TO IDENTIFY AND COUNTER TOXIC GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE.
MR JONES SAID THAT INCIDENTS IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE TAKEN ILL AFTER BEING EXPOSED TO CERTAIN GASES ARE INVESTIGATED BY THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT. IT CAN CALL ON THE HELP OF THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY, WHICH HAS THE EXPERTISE TO ANALYSE ANY AIR SAMPLES TAKEN, TO IDENTIFY THE NATURE OF THE GAS OR GASES IN QUESTION.
♦THE PROBLEM IS THAT VERY OFTEN THE AIR POLLUTANTS INVOLVED HAVE DISPERSED BY THE TIME THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICER IS ABLE TO TAKE A SAMPLE FOR ANALYSIS,♦ HE EXPLAINED.
REFERRING TO RECENT INCIDENTS IN WHICH SCHOOLCHILDREN IN KWAI CHUNG WERE TAKEN ILL AFTER APPARENTLY BEING EXPOSED TO A NOXIOUS GAS, MR JONES SAID HE HAD ALREADY ARRANGED A MEETING YESTERDAY WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED AND A PRESS RELEASE ON THEIR CONCLUSIONS WAS ISSUED YESTERDAY.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
8
PRIVATE CAR SERVICE FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN
******
LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUE OF CONTRACT HIRE CAR PERMITS TO OWNERS OF PRIVATE CARS WHO MEET CERTAIN CONDITIONS WILL BE PLACED BEFORE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL THIS SUMMER AND AMENDING LEGISLATION IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLY IN THE NEXT SESSION.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON OSWALD CHEUNG IN THE COUNCIL TODAY,
♦THE AIM WILL ESSENTIALLY BE TO REGULARISE PAK PAI OPERATIONS CF GOOD AND ESTABLISHED STANDING AND ONE OF THE CATEGORIES TO BE PROVIDED FOR WILL BE SCHOOL SERVICES,♦ MR JONES SAID.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION BY MR CHEUNG, THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES WERE NOT LICENSED TO CARRY CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS.
♦IF THESE VEHICLES ARE RUN BY SCHOOLS OR KINDERGARTENS TO CARRY CHILDREN THEN THEY ARE NOT ILLEGAL. IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY ARE RUN BY PRIVATE OPERATORS AND CHARGE A FARE THEY BECOME PAK PAIS AND ARE ILLEGAL,♦ HE SAID.
-----o------
VISITING MP SEES SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE
******
A VISITING MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, DR KEITH HAMPSON TODAY DESCRIBED AS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE SYSTEM THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S ♦SHORT SHARP SHOCK* DETENTION CENTRE PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS.
HE SAID THERE WAS MUCH UK COULD LEARN FROM HONG KONG AND THAT HE WOULD RECOMMEND TO THE HOME OFFICE TO SEND A PARTY HERE TO STUDY IN DEPTH THE SYSTEM.
DR HAMPSON MADE THIS COMMENT AFTER A VISIT TO THE SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE. HE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR TOM GARNER AND THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (YOUNG OFFENDERS), MR I.K. BHAGAT.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE VARIOUS FACILITIES AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES PROVIDED AND TALKED TO SOME INMATES.
K WAS IMPRESSED THAT THEY HAD RESPONDED WELL TO THE PROGRAMME.
THE SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE, SITUATED ON THE SOUTHWEST SHORE OF LANTAU ISLAND, IS A MEDIUM SECURITY FACILITY WITH ACCOMMODATION FOR 220 DETAINEES.
/THE PERIOD .....
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
9
THE PERIOD OF DETENTION IS A MINIMUM OF ONE MONTH AND A MAXIMUM OF SIX MONTHS FOR OFFENDERS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 21, AND THREE MONTHS AND UP TO 12 MONTHS FOR THOSE AGED UP TO 25.
THEIR DETENTION IS FOLLOWED IN EACH CASE BY 12 MONTHS AFTERCARE SUPERVISION. NONE OF THOSE ADMITTED TO THE CENTRE HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN DETAINED IN A PRISON OR A TRAINING CENTRE.
THE SUCCESS RATE FOR ALL THE YOUNG OFFENDERS AT THE END OF ONE YEAR AFTER RELEASE FROM THE CENTRE IS OVER 95 PER CENT AND AT THE END OF THREE YEARS, THE RATE IS 77 PER CENT FOR THOSE AGED UNDER 21.
HOWEVER THE THREE-YEAR SUCCESS RATE FOR YOUNG ADULTS AGED BETWEEN 21 AND 25 HAS YET TO BE ASSESSED AS THE FIRST DETAINEE WAS ONLY RELEASED IN MARCH 1978.
THE BASIS OF THE DETENTION CENTRE PROGRAMME IS AN ORDERLY, REGULAR AND DEMANDING ROUTINE COMBINED WITH THE PERSONAL INFLUENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE STAFF.
THE PROGRAMME IS DESIGNED TO INDUCE IN YOUNG OFFENDERS A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND TO TEACH THEM HOW TO LIVE WITH PEOPLE AND RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS.
EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON STRCIT DISCIPLINE, HARD MANUAL WORK, PHYSICAL TRAINING AND FOOTDRILL. THE RIGOROUS TRAINING IS SUPPLEMENTED BY REMEDIAL EDUCATION AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELLING. A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST IS ON THE STAFF OF THE CENTRE.
PROGRESS OF A DETAINEE IS CLOSELY WATCHED AND ASSESSED DAILY BY THE STAFF. A DETAINEE IS RECOMMENDED FOR RELEASE WHEN HE REACHES HIS PEAK IN EFFORT AND PERFORMANCE AND WHEN SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT OR SCHOOL PLACEMENT IS SECURED FOR HIM EITHER BY HIS FAMILY OR THE AFTERCARE STAFF.
/1O
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
10
TWO-PRONGED ATTACK ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION RACKETS ft ft ft *
THE SECURITY FORCES ARE IDENTIFYING AND TAKING PRE-EMPTIVE ACTION IN ADDITION TO INTERCEPTING AND ARRESTING HIGH-SPEED BOATS BRINGING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INTO HONG KONG.
THESE TWO MEASURES WERE DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR DAVIES SAID INTELLIGENCE ON THE ACTIVITIES OF OPERATORS WERE BEING ACCUMULATED AND SEVERAL CASES WERE BEFORE THE COURTS.
♦ THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAS DEPLOYED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THE MARINE POLICE FOR THIS PURPOSE,♦ HE NOTED.
IN RESPECT OF THE INTERCEPTION AND ARREST OPERATION MR DAVIES SAID COUNTER MEASURES WERE BEING TAKEN BY THE MARINE POLICE, ROYAL NAVY PATROL VESSELS, INCLUDING HOVERCRAFT, WITH THE HELP OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE AND ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE HELICOPTERS AND THE ARMY.
♦ TWENTY SPEEDBOATS HAVE SO FAR BEEN SEIZED AND 84 PERSONS FROM 13 BOATS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED,+ HE POINTED OUT.
♦ THE SECURITY FORCES HAVE REACTED WITH THEIR USUAL INGENUITY AND VIGOUR TO THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT,♦ MR DAVIES SAID, ADDING THAT OPERATIONAL TECHNIQUES AND TACTICS WERE BEING REFINED AND TESTED AND ADDITIONAL SPEEDBOATS WERE BEING OPERATED TO ENSURE THE INTERCEPTION AND ARREST OF SUSPECT SPEEDBOATS ONCE THEY HAD BEEN DETECTED.
MR DAVIES SAID IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR HIM TO DISCLOSE THE METHODS NOR THE STEPS BEING TAKEN TO GAIN MORE INFORMATION ON THE SYNDICATES INVOLVED.
HE SAID HOWEVER THAT SOME SUCCESS WAS BEING ACHIEVED AND ALREADY THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT ILLICIT AND HAZARDOUS TRAFFIC WAS BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE OPERATORS.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
11
IRD FORGING AHEAD WITH COMPUTERISATION * ft ft * ft *
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY EMBARKS ON A $5 MILLION COMPUTER PROJECT WITH A CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM, THE PTS 6000, BY PHILIPS HONG KONG LTD.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED THIS MORNING BY THE IRD COMMISSIONER, W VICTOR LADD AND MR T. MEYER, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PHILIPS.
THE NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL HELP RELIEVE THE HEAVY WORKLOAD ON THE DEPARTMENT RESULTING FROM THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TAX-PAYERS. BY REDUCING PAPER-HANDL ING AND EXCESSIVE MANUAL INVOLVEMENT, IT WILL ALSO HELP PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
INITIALLY, 36 COMPUTERISED CASH RECEIPTING MACHINES WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE COLLECTING COUNTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT AT WINDSOR HOUSE, AT ITS HEADQUARTERS, AS WELL AS ITS KOWLOON AND TSUEN WAN BRANCHES. NINETEEN ADDITIONAL COMPUTERISED MACHINES WILL BE INSTALLED BY 1983-84.
ALL RECEIPTING INFORMATION AT EACH WORK STATION WILL BE INSTANTLY TRANSMITTED TO THE TREASURY THROUGH A DIRECT COMMUNICATION LINE FOR STORAGE IN COMPUTER MEDIA. AT THE END CF THE DAY, MAGNETIC TAPES WILL BE PRODUCED FOR UPDATING THE MAIN COMPUTER RECORD AT THE GOVERNMENT’S DATA PROCESSING DIVISION.
THE PROJECT IS NOT A STAND-ALONE SYSTEM OR AN ISOLATED DEVELOPMENT. THE SYSTEM WILL IN DUE COURSE BE INTEGRATED WITH THE DATA BASE SYSTEM TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN 1981 WHEN MOST OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE COMPUTERISED.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN USING ELECTRO-MECHANICAL CASH REGISTERS AT ITS TSUEN WAN, KOWLOON AND HONG KONG REGIONAL COLLECTION COUNTERS.
THESE REQUIRE MANUAL EFFORT IN PREPARING RECEIPTING INFORMATION BEFORE UPDATING THE COMPUTER RECORDS FOR SALARIES TAX-PAYERS AND BUSINESS REGISTRATIONS. MANAGEMENT REPORTS CANNOT BE READY FOR USE UNTIL 24 TO 48 HOURS LATER.
THE TIME CONSUMING PROCEDURES LEAD TO SURCHARGE NOTICES BEING ISSUED TO TAXPAYERS WHO HAVE SETTLED THEIR TAX ON THE SAME DAY. THIS TIME LAPSE WILL BE ELIMINATED ONCE THE NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM COMES INTO OPERATION.
OTHER THAN SUPPLYING TERMINAL COMPUTERS AND COMPUTERISED WORK STATIONS FROM THE PTS 6000 SYSTEM, PHILIPS WILL ALSO BE SUPPLYING SOFTWARE PACKAGES SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
12 -
HARBOUR TUNNEL CONGESTION UNDER STUDY ******
THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY IS CONSIDERING WAYS OF INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF THE EXISTING TUNNEL AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO COMMISSIONED CONSULTANTS TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ADDITIONAL HARBOUR CROSSINGS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON WONG LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JONES SAID THE FIRST PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S STUDY WAS RELATED TO THE COMPANY’S INVESTIGATIONS AND WAS CONCERNED PARTICULARLY WITH THE CAPACITY OF THE ROAD SYSTEM AT BOTH ENDS OF THE TUNNEL TO ACCOMMODATE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC.
♦THE LONG TERM GOVERNMENT STUDY WILL BE CONSIDERING A NUMBER OF OPTIONS, INCLUDING A WESTERN HAKBUUN CnuSSiNG. A LEI YUE MUN BRIDGE AND THE EAST KOWLOON LINE OF THE MTR.
♦ALL OF THEM WILL BE EVALUATED IN ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL, TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL TERMS TO DETERMINE THE OPTIMUM LOCATION FOR, AND THE FORM OF, ANY ADDITIONAL CROSSING,+ HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE CONGESTION AT THE TUNNEL HAD SOMEWHAT IMPROVED SINCE THE OPENING OF THE MTR ACROSS THE HARBOUR.
♦BEYOND THAT, IN THE SHORT TERM, THE ONLY WAY TO EASE THE CONGESTION IS TO INCREASE THE TUNNEL TOLLS AND THUS REDUCE THE DEMAND FOR ITS USE, BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS IDEA,+ HE ADDED.
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/U
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
13
HOME OWNERSHIP FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
* * * M
TWO SCHEMES HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP TO ASSIST CIVIL SERVANTS TO ACHIEVE HOME OWNERSHIP, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON MARTIN ROWLANDS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON T.S. LO, MR ROWLANDS SAID IT WAS NOW JUST ONE YEAR SINCE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVED THE PRINCIPLES TO BE FOLLOWED IN DRAWING UP SUCH SCHEMES.
HE SAID THAT UNDER THE FIRST SCHEME, ELIGIBLE CIVIL SERVANTS WOULD RECEIVE BOTH A DOWN-PAYMENT LOAN AND A MONTHLY HOME PURCHASE ALLOWANCE TOWARDS THE COST OF A PRIVATE SECTOR FLAT IN HONG KONG.
UNDER THE SECOND SCHEME, WHICH WOULD BE PRIMARILY FOR OVERSEAS OFFICERS WISHING TO RETIRE OUTSIDE HONG KONG, PRE-RETIREMENT LOANS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY OVERSEAS, HE SAID.
♦SINCE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL IN MAY LAST YEAR, EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE THROUGHOUT THE CIVIL SERVICE ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROPOSED SCHEMES,+ MR ROWLANDS SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE VIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND STAFF GROUPS HAD BEEN OBTAINED THROUGH HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND THAT DETAILED DISCUSSIONS - HAD TAKEN PLACE WITH THE THREE MAIN STAFF ASSOCIATIONS MAKING UP THE STAFF SIDE OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL.
♦CONSULTATIONS ARE NOW ALMOST FINISHED AND I HOPE TO RECEIVE THE FINAL VIEWS OF THE MAIN STAFF ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE NEXT 10 DAYS,+ MR ROWLANDS SAID.
♦THE CONSULTATIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER THE PAST YEAR HAVE PRODUCED A WIDE MEASURE OF SUPPORT FOR SCHEMES ALONG THE LINES OF THOSE PROPOSED.
♦STAFF ASSOCIATIONS HAVE MADE VARIOUS USEFUL SUGGESTIONS AND I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO INCORPORATE MOST OF THESE IN THE SUBSTANTIVE PROPOSALS WHICH I EXPECT TO BE IN A POSITION TO PUT TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR,+ HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
14
1979 INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SURVEY
* * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1979 WHICH REPRESENTS PART OF A LONG-TERM PROGRAMME TO COLLECT ECONOMIC STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.
THE AIM OF THE SURVEY IS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION WHICH IS REQUIRED BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISES IN ARRIVING AT DECISIONS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPHERES.
THE DATA WILL HELP TO UPDATE THE INDUSTRY’S SHARE OF CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, REVIEW CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF OUTPUT AND TYPE OF GOODS MANUFACTURED, AND MAKE INTER-INDUSTRY COMPARISONS.
SOME 8 500 ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE MINING AND QUARRYING, MANUFACTURING, AND ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER SECTORS WILL BE ENUMERATED. THEY INCLUDE ALL INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 100 OR MORE PERSONS, AND A RANDOMLY SELECTED SAMPLE OF THOSE ENGAGING FEWER THAN THIS NUMBER.
INFORMATION BEING SOUGHT INCLUDES TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, EMPLOYMENT, MAN-HOURS WORKED, LABOUR COST, CONTRACT AND COMMISSION WORK, MATERIAL PURCHASES, OPERATING EXPENSES, SALES AND WORK DONE, OTHER RECEIPTS, STOCKS, AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
THE SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION) ORDER 1980, WHICH WAS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AND ISSUED AS A LEGAL NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY 11.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS SELECTED. MANAGEMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH (JUNE 30). CENSUS OFFICERS MAY VISIT ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST IN FILLING THE QUESTIONNAIRES UPON REQUEST.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS TODAY APPEALED TO MANAGEMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH CENSUS OFFICERS CARRYING OUT ENUMERATION.
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD ONLY BE USED IN AN AGGREGATE FORM FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 28. 1980
15
NOTE TO EDITORSi
TRADE MISSION RETURNS FROM GUANGZHOU ft ft ft ft ft
THE TRADE MISSION TO GUANGZHOU, LED BY SIR Y.K. KAN, WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG BY TRAIN TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTER A FIVE-DAY VISIT.
MEMBERS OF THE MISSION WILL ARRIVE AT KOWLOON STATION AT 5.13 PM AND WILL MEET THE PRESS AT 5.30 PM IN THE STATION VIP ROOM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
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EASIER WAY TO TRANSCRIBE COURT PROCEEDINGS » ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT WILL DECIDE WHETHER A COMPUTPP linen ™Ah“«BSeS ’TSTE?FE?TlveNElS0*TAFI^TFH*ll™E C0U"TS AFTER
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HARRY FANG IN THF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THE HON JOHN sTHFs«rtM$ID 0NLy ™° both’ »5eri«<i,™d’desished
ouvn Oioltrio,
DOCUMENTATIONS OF THEIR METHODS ARE BEING STUDIED BY THE DATA PROCESSING DIVISION, HE SAID.
,AFTER CONSIDERING THE TWO SYSTEMS, IT IS PROPOSED THAT A
operat?onULD BE MADE T° SEE EACH 0f them in ACTUAL USER
♦A DECISION CAN SYSTEMS ARE SUITABLE W GRIFFITHS SAID.
THEN BE TAKEN WHETHER EITHER OF THE OR SHOULD BE OBTAINED FOR HONG KONG,*
/16......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
16
CONCESSIONARY STAMP DUTY ON CONVEYANCES
* ft ft ft *
THE STAMP (AMENDMENT) BILL I960 WHICH RAISES THE LIMIT FOR THE CONCESSIONARY AD VALOREM RATE OF DUTY OF ONE PER CENT IN RESPECT OF CONVEYANCES ON SALE AND VOLUNTARY DISPOSITIONS OF IMMOVABLE PROPERTY WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE PROPOSAL, TO RAISE THE LIMIT FROM 1175 000 TO $250 000, HAS ALREADY BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE FEBRUARY 28 BY AN ORDER UNDER THE PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDINANCE, AND WAS MADE IN RECOGNITION OF THE MUCH HIGHER PRICES OF DOMESTIC FLATS AT PRESENT.
SPEAKING AT THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL TODAY, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THE ESTIMATED COST TO THE REVENUE IN 1980-81 WOULD BE $67 MILLION. DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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FACILITIES FOR CAR USERS AT MTR STATIONS ft * ft ft
FACILITIES FOR TAXIS AND PRIVATE CARS TO SET DOWN OR PICK UP PASSENGERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED AT THREE MTR STATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES DISCLOSED IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE FACILITIES ARE AT ADMIRALTY, KOWLOON TONG AND CHOI HUNG STATIONS AND THEY ARE ALSO BEING PLANNED AT KWAI FONG AND TSUEN WAN STATIONS ON THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION, HE SAID.
♦A SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED ON THE EFFECT OF THE MTR ON TAXI OPERATIONS AND, IF THIS SHOWS A DEMAND FOR PICK-UP AND SET-DOWN POINTS AT MORE STATIONS. THEY WILL BE PROVIDED WHERE SPACE IS AVAILABLE,* MR JONES ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
17
HIGHER DOCUMENTS COPYING FEE *****
THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, WHICH SEEKS TO IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL TO INCREASE FROM $15 TO $30 THE FEE PRESCRIBED FOR THE ISSUE OF A CERTIFIED COPY OR CERTIFIED EXTRACTS OF DOCUMENTS, WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AN ORDER HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE UNDER THE PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDINANCE, GIVING EFFECT TO THIS PROPOSAL FROM FEBRUARY 28.
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON ESTIMATED THAT ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM THE REVISED FEE WOULD BE $1.5 MILLION FOR 1980-81.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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EMPLOYMENT OF GRADUATE MUSIC TEACHERS ******
GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE NOT SPECIALISED IN MUSICAL EDUCATION TO THE DEGREE THAT WOULD WARRANT THE APPOINTMENT OF GRADUATE MUSIC TEACHERS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON KENNETH TOPLEY TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT, M? TOPLEY POINTED OUT HOWEVER THAT A GRADUATE TEACHER OF MUSIC COULD BE APPOINTED TO ANY GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL WHICH WISHED TO DEVELOP MUSIC TO A FURTHER EXTENT.
♦A WIDE RANGING PLAN FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF MUSIC IS BEING PREPARED WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND THIS WILL INCLUDE PROPOSALS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF MUSICAL EDUCATION BOTH IN GOVERNMENT AND IN AIDED SCHOOLS,* HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1980
18
CHARGES FOR CONFERENCE CALL TELEPHONE SERVICE ******
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY PASSED A MOTION TO INCLUDE IN PART IV OF THE SCHEDULE TO THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE CHARGES FOR A NEW ^CONFERENCE CALL SERVICE+.
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID THE POSTMASTER GENERAL HAD ASSESSED THE CHARGES PROPOSED BY THE TELEPHONE COMPANY AND CONSIDERED THEM FAIR AND REASONABLE.
THE SERVICE WILL ENABLE A SUBSCRIBER TO SPEAK SIMULTANEOUSLY TO AS MANY AS SEVEN DIFFERENT PARTIES IN HONG KONG OR ABROAD.
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BILLS PASSED * * *
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AND THE FIRE INVESTIGATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 COMPLETED THEIR COMMITTEE STAGE AND PASSED THEIR THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
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WATER CUT * * *
WATER SUPPLY TO AN AREA IN SAU MAU PING WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR SIX HOURS ENDING AT 6 AM THIS FRIDAY (MAY 30) FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA IS BOUNDED BY SAU MAU PING ROAD, HIU KWONG STREET, SAU MING ROAD AND SAU MAU PATH. SUPPLY TO BLOCKS 19 TO 31 AND 42 TO 45, SAU MAU PING ESTATE WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
..URS DAY, HAY 29, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FORGET THE MYTHS - AND FACE THE FACTS, SAYS MISS DUNN .................................................. 1
HEUNG YEE KUK ELECTION HELD ................................ 7
BUILDINGS COMPLETED IT’ APRIL COST »2y\ MILLION..............8
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES ....................... 9
LABOUR DEP/kRTMENT OFFICERS BACK FROM CONFERENCE........... 10
LAND SALE RESULTS ......................................... 11
PRISON STAFF COMMENDED FOR GOOD WORK ...................... 11
TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT? PHOTO EXHIBITION........... 12
TALENT QUEST FOR YOUNG SINGERS ............................ 1J
EDINBURGH PLhCE TO BE CLOSED FOR CEREMONY ................. 14
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
1
FORGET THE MYTHS - AND FACE THE FACTS ******
IN A HARD-HITTING SPEECH A HONG KONG INDUSTRIALIST, MISS LYDIA DUNN, TODAY (THURSDAY) TOLD A BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TEXTILES: +WE DEPLORE THE WAY THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN ABUSED. THE RULES WORKED OUT IN 1973 ARE NOW HONOURED MORE IN THE BREACH THAN IN THE OBSERVANCE. WHAT STARTED OFF AS A TEMPORARY BUT BALANCED INSTRUMENT IS NOW ASSUMING THE SHAPE AND SUBSTANCE OF A PERMANENT AND LOP-SIDED FIXTURE IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES.*
MISS DUNN WAS SPEAKING AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING UNDER THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT, BEING HELD FROM MAY 27 TO 29 IN BRUSSELS.
ALTHOUGH A MEMBER OF HONG KONG’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS DUNN, STRESSING THAT SHE SPOKE FOR THE TRADERS AND MANUFACTURERS AND NOT FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, CONTINUED I +THE MFA IS BEING TRANSFORMED INTO AN INSTRUMENT OF DISCRIMINATION PRACTISED BY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AGAINST DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. THERE HAS BEEN A SYSTEMATIC EROSION OF THE SPIRIT AND THE LETTER OF THE ARRAGEMENT.
+THE FACT THAT TEXTILE EXPORTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN PLACED UNDER RESTRICTIONS FOR THE PAST TWENTY YEARS IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE THAT DEVELOPED COUNTRIES HAVE FAILED TO RECOGNISE THEIR OBLIGATION TO MAKE STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENTS,* SHE SAID.
+AWARE THAT THEY ARE VULNERABLE, THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES HAVE FORMULATED A NUMBER OF IDEAS WHICH, IF THEY GAIN CURRENCY, WILL NOT ASSIST IN AN OBJECTIVE APPRAISAL OF THE PROBLEMS TO BE FACED IN THE FORTHCOMING NEGOTIATIONS.*
MISS DUNN DEMOLISHED THE TWO OLDEST MYTHS USED AS REASONS FOR RESTRICTING IMPORTS FROM LOW COST SUPPLIERS - TO PRESERVE OR PROTECT THE DOMESTIC EMPLOYMENT SITUATION- AND AS PROTECTION FROM UNFAIR, LOW-COST COMPETITION.
ON CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT ARISING AS A RESULT OF IMPORT PENETRATION, SHE CHARGED I +IT IS ALL TOO EASY TO BLAME IMPORTS -PARTICULARLY IMPORTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. BUT ARE THEY REALLY TO BLAME? A NUMBER OF RECENT STUDIES HAVE POINTED TO IMPORTS BEING A RELATIVELY INSIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN CAUSING A FALL IN EMPLOYMENT, AND THAT THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FACTOR HAS BEEN INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY.
+MOREOVER, WHERE JOBS WERE LOST AS A RESULT OF EXTERNAL TRADE, IT HAS BEEN IMPORTS FROM DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, RATHER THAN IMPORTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR THE BULK OF THE LOSS,* SHE SAID.
ON SO-CALLED +LOW-COST+ IMPORTS, MISS DUNN COMMENTED : +1 WOULD CERTAINLY RESENT ANY SUGGESTION THAT THE COMPETITION WE OFFER FROM HONG KONG IS UNFAIR. OUR EXPORTS ARE NOT SUBSIDISED BY THE GOVERNMENT. WE DO NOT DUMP. HONG KONG HAS NO PROTECTED HOME MARKET. WHY THEN SHOULD OUR EXPORTS BE CONSIDERED AS CONSTITUTING UNFAIR COMPETITION? IT IS A FACT THAT CASH WAGES ARE LOWER IN HONG KONG AND IN OTHER MAJOR EXPORT CENTRES THAN IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD. BUT IS THAT NOT IN THE NATURE OF THINGS? WOULD YOU JUSTIFY RESTRAINTS ON BRITISH TEXTILES IN GERMANY OR BELGIUM BECAUSE OF THE VERY SUBSTANTIAL WAGE DIFFERENTIAL?*
/MISS DcM. .....
*
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
2
MISS DUNN COUNTERED ONE OF THE PROPOSALS, MADE RECENTLY BY THE BRITISH TEXTILES CONFEDERATION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE MFA THAT, IN TIMES OF RECESSION, THE ACCESS RIGHTS OF EXPORTING COUNTRIES COULD BE CURTAILED.
♦THIS IS A DOUBTFUL PROPOSITION, BECAUSE THE BRUNT OF ANY RECESSION IS NOT BORNE WHOLLY BY PRODUCERS IN IMPORTING COUNTRIES. THE FACT THAT QUOTA LEVELS ARE INCREASED BY A FIXED PERCENTAGE EACH YEAR DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT ACTUAL IMPORTS WILL GROW IN A MARKET BY THAT PERCENTAGE. IN A RECESSION, IMPORTS USUALLY FALL IN LINE WITH CONSUMPTION, WHATEVER THE AGREED RATE OF GROWTH FOR IMPORTS.
♦DIFFICULTIES WOULD ARISE IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A RECESSION WAS PRESENT, AND THE QUID PRO QUO OF INCREASED GROWTH IN GOOD TIMES WHICH MIGHT ACCOMPANY A RECESSION CLAUSE MIGHT NEVER BE GRANTED IN PRACTICE BECAUSE OF LACK OF AGREEMENT ON WHETHER OR NOT +GOOD TIMES+ HAD ARRIVED,* SHE SAID.
TRACING THE HISTORY OF THE MFA, MISS DUNN SAID THAT IT WAS A DEROGATION FROM THE MOST-FAVOURED-NATION (MFN) PRINCIPLE OF THE GATT. IT ENABLED IMPORTING COUNTRIES TO SEEK RESTRICTIONS ON EXPORTS OF PARTICULAR PRODUCTS FROM PARTICULAR SOURCES UNDER PRESCRIBED CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE EXPORTING COUNTRIES HAD, FOR TWO REASONS, RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED THAT WHILE THE MFA WAS DESIGNED AS A RESTRICTIVE INSTRUMENT, ONE OF ITS OBJECTIVES WOULD BE TO ACHIEVE THE EXPANSION OF TRADE, THE REDUCTION OF BARRIERS TO SUCH TRADE AND THE PROGRESSIVE LIBERALISATION OF WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILE PRODUCTS. IT ALSO SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED CERTAIN CHECKS AND BALANCES TO ENSURE THAT, HAVING ACCEPTED A DEROGATION FROM THEIR GATT RIGHTS, THE EXPORTING COUNTRIES WOULD, NEVERTHELESS, BE ACCORDED CERTAIN FORMS OF PROTECTION.
♦THESE INCLUDE MINIMUM LEVELS OF GROWTH AND FLEXIBILITY-A MORE OR LESS WORKABLE DEFINITION OF MARKET DISRUPTION ON THE BASIS OF WHICH RESTRICTIONS MIGHT BE SOUGHT- AN UNDERTAKING THAT BILATERAL AGREEMENTS SHOULD, IN OVERALL TERMS, BE MORE LIBERAL THAN MINIMUM STANDARDS SET OUT IN THE ARRANGEMENTLIMITS ON THE DURATION OF UNILATERAL RESTRICTIONS- AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY,+ SAID MISS DUNN.
THE MFA, FOLLOWING ITS PREDECESSOR THE LONG TERM ARRANGEMENT (LTA), OFFERED A CHANCE FOR STABILITY AND MODEST GROWTH.
♦I REPEAT ’MODEST’ GROWTH, FOR ALTHOUGH TODAY THE FIGURE OF SIX PER CENT IS BEING CONSIDERED AN EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH GROWTH RATE, YET IT WAS ONLY A MODEST ONE PER CENT UP ON THE LTA GROWTH RATE OF FIVE PER CENT, AND MUCH LESS THAN THE SORT OF GROWTH MOST TRADERS EXPECTED TO SEE IN MANUFACTURES OTHER THAN TEXTILES.♦
MISS DUNN ASKED TO WHAT EXTENT HAD THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE TWO OPPOSING INTEREST GROUPS BEEN EXERCISED ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THE MFA.
/+AS FAB......
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 198c
3
+AS FAR AS HONG KONG IS CONCERNED, IT WAS OUR GENERAL EXPERIENCE THAT THE MAIN BILATERAL AGREEMENTS CONCLUDED DURING THE YEARS 1974 TO 1977 UNDER THE ORIGINAL MFA HONOURED ITS PROVISIONS.
I THINK AN IMPARTIAL OBSERVER WOULD AGREE THAT THESE ARRANGEMENTS WORKED WELL ENOUGH IN THE RECESSION YEARS.
+AND THEN CAME 1977. EVEN BEFORE THE ORIGINAL MFA HAD EXPIRED IT WAS CLEAR THAT ALL THE FINE PROMISES ABOUT PROGRESSIVE LIBERALISATION WERE GOING TO BE CONVENIENTLY FORGOTTEN. WE WERE INSTEAD TREATED TO THE UNEDIFYING SPECTACLE OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE WORLD’S RICHEST AND MOST POWERFUL TRADING NATIONS GIVING IN TO PROTECTIONIST CLAMOUR, AND EXACTING FROM THEIR WEAKER TRADING PARTNERS REGRESSIVE AGREEMENTS ON THE FLIMSIEST OF ECONOMIC AND MORAL JUSTIFICATIONS,* SAID MISS DUNN.
WHILST IMPORTING COUNTRIES COULD ONLY SEEK TO RESTRAIN TEXTILE IMPORTS WHEN THE EXISTENCE OF MARKET DISRUPTION, OR REAL RISKS OF MARKET DISRUPTION, HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED, THE BURDEN WAS ON THE IMPORTING COUNTRY TO ESTABLISH ITS CASE.
SHE ACCUSED IMPORTING COUNTRIES OF GENERALLY SHOWING LITTLE RESPECT FOR THIS PROVISION WHEN SEEKING RESTRAINT.
+OFTEN INADEQUATE STATISTICS ARE PROVIDED WHICH DO NOT SUPPORT A CASE FOR RESTRAINT EITHER ON THE GROUNDS OF MARKET DISRUPTION, OR REAL RISKS THEREOF.
+ INDEED, IN SOME CASES, IT HAS BEEN OBVIOUS THAT REQUESTS FOR RESTRAINT HAD A POLITICAL RATHER THAN AN ECONOMIC BASIS. FAR FROM MAKING A GENUINE ATTEMPT TO JUSTIFY MARKET DISRUPTION, IMPORTING COUNTRIES HAVE OFTEN CIRCUMVENTED THIS BASIC CRITERION FOR RESTRAINT BY A VARIETY OF DEVICES, INCLUDING THE TRIGGER POINT MECHANISM, WHICH EXISTS IN BOTH THE EEC AND THE US AGREEMENTS WITH HONG KONG,* SHE SAID.
NOT ONLY HAVE DIFFICULTIES ARISEN WITH THE FAILURE OF IMPORTING COUNTRIES TO PROVE MARKET DISRUPTION, MISS DUNN SAID, BUT A NEW CONCEPT HAS ALSO EMERGED WHICH SEEKS TO JUSTIFY RESTRAINT BY AN IMPORTING COUNTRY ON THE BASIS OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS ’CUMULATIVE MARKET DISRUPTION’.
*THIS CONCEPT SUGGESTS THAT, WHEN AN IMPORTING COUNTRY HAS ESTABLISHED THAT ITS MARKET IS BEING DISRUPTED BY LOW-PRICED IMPORTS OF A PARTICULAR PRODUCT OR PRODUCTS FROM PARTICULAR SOURCES, ANY INCREASE IN THESE IMPORTS - HOWEVER SMALL AND FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES - WOULD CONSTITUTE A PART OF THAT DISRUPTION AND SHOULD BE RESTRAINED,* SAID MISS DUNN.
THE CONSEQUENCE WAS THAT IT BECAME POSSIBLE FOR AN IMPORTING COUNTRY, HAVING ONCE ESTABLISHED A CASE OF MARKET DISRUPTION, OR A REAL RISK, AGAINST ONE SUPPLIER, TO INTRODUCE RESTRAINTS AGAINST ALL OTHER SUPPLIERS WITHOUT HAVING TO MAKE A CASE FOR RESTRAINT WITH EACH OF THE SUPPLIERS, AS IS REQUIRED UNDER THE MFA.
+THIS CONCEPT CANNOT BE SUPPORTED BY REFERENCE TO THE MFA.
IT IS AN INVENTION OF THE IMPORTING COUNTRIES IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTRICT FURTHER THE ACCESS RIGHTS OF EXPORTING COUNTRIES, AND IT HAS GIVEN RISE TO YET ANOTHER BLATANT DISREGARD FOR THE RAISON D’ETRE OF THE MFA, NAMELY, THAT IT WAS CREATED SPECIFICALLY TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION WHERE DAMAGE IS BEING CAUSED BY IMPORTS OF PARTICULAR PRODUCTS FROM PARTICULAR SOURCES,* SHE DECLARED.
/MISS DUN!.'..
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
4 -
MISS DUNN WENT ON TO SAY THAT A RELATED CONCEPT, KNOWN AS ’GLOBALIZATION’, HAS ALSO EMERGED. +DEVELOPED IMPORTING COUNTRIES DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHAT EACH CONSIDERS TO BE ITS MAXIMUM TOLERABLE INTAKE OF TEXTILE IMPORTS FROM WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS LOW-COST COUNTRIES - WHICH, IN PRACTICE, MEANS DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. SO, WITHOUT LIMITING IMPORTS FROM DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, AN IMPORTING COUNTRY DETERMINES, ARBITRARILY, WHAT QUANTITIES DEVELOPING COUNTRY SUPPLIERS COLLECTIVELY MAY EXPORT TO IT, BY MEANS OF BILATERAL AGREEMENTS OR UNILATERAL RESTRAINTS UNDER, OR MORE APPROPRIATELY IN DEFIANCE OF, THE MFA.
♦SO THIS CONCEPT OF GLOBALIZATION DOES NOT COVER THE WHOLE GLOBE. IMPORTING COUNTRIES ONLY WANT TO CATCH THAT PART OF THE GLOBE WHICH THEY DECIDE SHOULD FALL WITHIN THE SCOPE OF RESTRAINT,+ SHE SAID.
♦THE CONSEQUENCE OF APPLYING A GLOBAL QUOTA APPROACH TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ONLY ALLOWED GROWTH OF IMPORTS FROM UNRESTRAINED DEVELOPED COUNTRY SOURCES,+ SAID MISS DUNN.
♦THE BULK OF THE INCREASE, AND THEREFORE THE CAUSE OF MARKET DISRUPTION, DID NOT COME FROM US. IT CAME FROM THE DEVELOPED, BUT UNRESTRICTED SUPPLIERS. SO THE APPROACH DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. IT IS MANIFESTLY UNFAIR.
♦THE REPORT FROM WHICH I EXTRACTED THESE FIGURES WAS PREPARED BY THE BRITISH TEXTILE CONFEDERATION, AND THE WRITER WENT ON TO ADMIT THAT, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE BULK - 58 PER CENT -OF THE INCREASE CAME FROM DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, GOVERNMENTS ARE NEVERTHELESS RESTRICTED IN THE ACTION THEY CAN TAKE TO RESTRAIN IMPORTS FROM THESE COUNTRIES,+ SHE SAID.
♦BUT THE CONCEPT OF GLOBALISATION IS ALSO POLITICALLY DEFICIENT. NO ROOM IS LEFT FOR NEW ENTRANTS TO THE MARKET FROM THE DEVELOPING WORLD. IN AN ATTEMPT TO OVERCOME THIS POLITICALLY EMBARRASSING SITUATION, THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES HAVE BLANDLY COME TO THE VIEW THAT, SINCE THE SHARE OF ITS IMPORT MARKET HELD BY THE DEVELOPING WORLD IS FIXED AT THE WHIM OF THE IMPORTING COUNTRY CONCERNED, THE MAJOR DEVELOPING COUNTRY SUPPLIERS MUST HAVE THEIR ACCESS RIGHTS REDUCED TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW AND SMALL SUPPL IERS.+
MISS DUNN QUOTED FROM THE BTC REPORT 1 ’THE (GLOBAL) CEILING MUST MAKE A GENEROUS ALLOWANCE FOR ACCESS TO THE EEC MARKET BY THE POORER COUNTRIES. IT FOLLOWS THAT THESE ADVANCED (DEVELOPING) COUNTRIES MUST ACCEPT REDUCTIONS IN THEIR SHARE OF THE CEILINGS.’
SHE CONDEMNED THIS PROPOSAL, SAYING 1 +BUT THIS SOLUTION, WHICH IS CHARITY TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES BY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, IS AT BEST ILL-CONCEIVED- AND, AT WORST, IT IS A DEVICE WHEREBY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES HOPE TO SALVE THEIR COLLECTIVE CONSCIENCE BY GIVING CHARITY AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.+
MISS DUNN ASKED WHY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WHICH ARE RELATIVELY SMALL EXPORTERS OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS SHOULD BE RESTRAINED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
/♦SURELY THEIR
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
5
♦SURELY THEIR EXPORTS COULD NOT HAVE INCREASED SHARPLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY TO A LEVEL CAPABLE OF CAUSING OR THREATENING SERIOUS DAMAGE. THE POINT IS NOT WHETHER OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SHOULD SHARE THEIR MARKETS, BUT RATHER WHY SHOULD NEW AND SMALL SUPPLIERS BE RESTRICTED AT ALL?*
THE CONCEPT WHICH HAS MOST UPSET THE BALANCE OF THE ORIGINAL f«FA WAS UNDOUBTEDLY THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REASONABLE DEPARTURES PROVISION WHEN THE ARRANGEMENT WAS RENEWED IN 1978, SHE SAID.
♦THE EEC INSISTED ON THIS PROVISION AS A CONDITION FOR RENEWING THE MFA IN ORDER TO STABILISE THE RATE OF PENETRATION OF IMPORTS INTO THE EEC AT 1976 TRADE LEVELS- AND TO PROVIDE MORE FAVOURABLE TREATMENT FOR SMALL SUPPLIER COUNTRIES AND OTHER NEWCOMERS TO THE MARKET.
♦TO BREAK THE DEADLOCK OVER THE PRE-OCCUPATION BY THE EEC WITH STABILISATION, A COMPROMISE WAS FORCED ON THE EXPORTING COUNTRIES IN THE FORM OF THE PROTOCOL EXTENDING THE MFA, WHICH STATED THAT TWO PARTIES MAY 'REACH A MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION .... WHICH DOES INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF JOINTLY AGREED REASONABLE DEPARTURES FROM PARTICULAR ELEMENTS IN PARTICULAR CASES’.
♦THIS PROVISION HAS BEEN USED BY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AS A LICENCE TO DISREGARD THE TERMS OF THE MFA AND TO EXTRACT HIGHLY RESTRICTIVE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS FROM DEVELOPING EXPORTING COUNTRIES,* DECLARED MISS DUNN.
+FOR TWO YEARS SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION WE HAVE WITNESSED A PROLIFERATION OF BILATERAL AGREEMENTS ALL HAVING FEATURES WHICH ARE AT VARIANCE WITH THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE MFA. THESE INCLUDE, AMONGST OTHERS, AGREEMENTS WITH FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS FAR LESS THAN THE MFA MINIMA.*
WHILE THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND USA PROVIDED FOR AN ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF SIX PER CENT IN THE AGGREGATE, THE GROWTH FOR WOOL PRODUCTS WAS ONLY ONE PER CENT. IN COTTON TROUSERS AND COATS, THE GROWTH WAS ONLY 4.4 PER CENT, QUOTED MISS DUNN. IN SO-CALLED +HOT ITEMS*, WHERE THE CONSUMER DEMAND WAS STRONG, THE AGREEMENT PROVIDED FOR A GROWTH RATE OF ONLY THREE PER CENT.
IN THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EEC AND HONG KONG, FIVE CATEGORIES HAD LESS THAN ONE PER CENT GROWTH, AND 32 CATEGORIES LESS THAN SIX PER CENT. REFERRING TO CUTBACKS IN QUOTAS, IN THE EEC’S AGREEMENT WITH HK, NOT ONLY WERE THE 1978 RESTRAINT LIMITS BASED ON 1976 TRADE LEVELS INSTEAD OF 1977 QUOTAS, BUT THEY ALSO INVOLVED CUTBACKS FOR CERTAIN CATEGORIES, SHE SAID.
THE REASONABLE DEPARTURES PROVISION WAS ACCEPTED BY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT DEPARTURES WOULD BE TEMPORARY AND THAT THE PARTICIPANTS SHOULD RETURN IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME TO THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ARRANGEMENT.
/+THE BAS IC ....
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
6
+THE BASIC OBJECTIVE OF THIS WAIVER WAS TO ENABLE THOSE PARTIES TO THE MFA WHICH WERE FACING SEVERE PROBLEMS TO ADOPT NECESSARY STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENTS,+ SAID MISS DUNN. +HOWEVER, WE IN THE TRADE HAVE SEEN LITTLE SIGN OF STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENTS, NOR ANY INDICATION THAT IMPORTING COUNTRIES ARE RETURNING TO THE FRAMEWORK OF THE MFA.+
THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT SOME DEVELOPED COUNTRIES WERE INSTEAD MOVING FURTHER AWAY FROM IT. MISS DUNN REFERRED TO THE US ADMINISTRATION TEXTILE PROGRAMME OF FEBRUARY 15, 1979, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE +WHITE PAPER+, AS AN ILLUSTRATION, WHICH COMMITTED THE US GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND FURTHER PROTECTION TO ITS TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY.
♦THE WHITE PAPER STARTS WITH THE PREMISE THAT ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED FOR A 'BELEAGUERED TEXTILE AND APPAREL INDUSTRY’. THIS DESCRIPTION OBVIOUSLY CANNOT STAND UP TO CLOSE EXAMINATION. A VARIETY OF SOURCES, INCLUDING THE GATT, INDICATE THAT THE PRODUCTION OF TEXTILES IN THE US HAS BEEN ON THE INCREASE DURING THE PERIOD 1976 TO 1978.
♦THE WHITE PAPER MAKES MUCH OF THE SO-CALLED SURGE PROBLEM. IT PROVIDES THAT, WHERE QUOTAS ARE UNDER-UTILIZED IN ONE YEAR, STEPS WOULD BE TAKEN IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR TO ENSURE THAT THERE WOULD BE NO SURGE OF IMPORTS RESULTING FROM THE COMBINATION OF GREATER UTILIZATION OF QUOTA AND THE FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS,+ SAID MISS DUNN.
♦THIS PROPOSITION IS COMPLETELY OPPOSED TO THE BASIC MFA PRINCIPLE THAT THE QUOTA CEILINGS AGREED BETWEEN THE PARTIES ARE THEMSELVES MEASURES DESIGNED TO REMOVE MARKET DISRUPTION OR ELIMINATE A REAL RISK OF MARKET DISRUPTION.
♦GIVEN THIS, HOW AN EXPORTING COUNTRY PERFORMS WITHIN THE AGREED QUOTA CEILINGS CANNOT BE REGARDED AS GIVING RISE TO MARKET DISRUPTION OR TO RISKS OF MARKET DISRUPTION. AT THE SAME TIME, QUOTA CEILINGS GUARANTEE THE ACCESS RIGHTS FOR THE EXPORTING COUNTRY, THE CERTAINTY OF WHICH IS THE QUID PRO QUO FOR AGREEMENT TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT.+
THE WHITE PAPER ALSO CALLED FOR THE ANNUAL EVALUATION OF IMPORT GROWTH ’IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ESTIMATED RATE OF GROWTH IN THE DOMESTIC MARKET’.
♦IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW THIS CONCEPT CAN BE APPLIED IN PRACTICE,+ SAID MISS DUNN. +EVEN IF THE EVALUATION OF DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION COULD BE ASSESSED QUICKLY AND OBJECTIVELY, THIS CONCEPT OVERLOOKS THE FACT THAT INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILE PRODUCTS IS HIGHLY CYCLICAL. AN EVALUATION BASED ON ONE PARTICULAR YEAR CANNOT BE USED AS A BASIS FOR ADJUSTING THE QUOTAS FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR BECAUSE THE SIZE OF THE MARKET MAY - INDEED, IS BOUND TO - VARY.+
THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, IN COMMON WITH THOSE OF OTHER DEVELOPING EXPORTING ECONOMIES, FELT STRONGLY THAT, BEFORE CONSIDERING WHAT THE NEXT MFA MIGHT LOOK LIKE, THERE SHOULD BE A CLEAR ASSURANCE THAT THE DEVELOPED IMPORTING COUNTRIES WILL STAND BY THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND ACT IN GOOD FAITH.
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
7
♦AS A STARTING POINT, THERE SHOULD BE A CRITICAL EXAMINATION CF THE BASIC OBJECTS OF THE MFA- THE EXTENT TO WHICH THESE OBJECTS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED- AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH, IN PRACTICE THE RIGHTS OF DEVELOPING EXPORTING COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN ERODED AND THE WAYS AND MEANS BY WHICH IMPORTI NG COUNTRIES HAVE AVOIDED THEIR OBLIGATIONS,* MISS DUNN CONCLUDED.
MISS DUNN’S AUDIENCE AT THE CONFERENCE COMPRISES ABOUT 170 REPRESENTATIVES FROM OVER 30 COUNTRIES.
AMONG OTHER SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS TAKING PART WERE LALITH ATULATHMUDALI, MINISTER OF TRADE AND SHIPPING, SR I LANKA-WILLIAM KLOPMAN, CHAIRMAN, BURLINGTON INDUSTRIES, USA AND VICE-PRESIDENT AMERICAN TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS INSTITUTE-HORSE-GUNTER KRENZLER, EEC CHIEF TEXTILES NEGOTIATOR- AMBASSADOR REITER WEBB, US CHIEF TEXTILES NEGOTIATOR- PETER TSAO, COMMISSIONER OF TRADE, HK- WILLIAM EBERLE, FORMER SPECIAL TRADE REPRESENTATIVE OF USA.
-----o------
HEUNG YEE KUK ELECTION HELD
X X X X
MR LAU WONG-FAT, CHAIRMAN OF TODAY (THURSDAY) ELECTED CHAIRMAN HEUNG YEE KUK.
TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, WAS FOR THE 24TH TERM OF THE
MR LAU RECEIVED 93 VOTES. HE TAKES OVER FROM MR STEPHEN WONG, WHO DID NOT STAND.
THE ONLY OTHER CANDIDATE, MR YOUNG WING-YAU, OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT, RECEIVED 12 VOTES.
ELECTED FIRST VICE-CHAIRMAN WAS MR LIU YUN-SUN. MR TSANG LIN WAS ELECTED SECOND VICE-CHAIRMAN.
EARLIER IN THE MORNING, 15 ORDINARY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE KUK WERE ELECTED. THEY WERE MR YAP TIN-YEUNG (83 VOTES), MR LAM WAI-KEUNG (80 VOTES), MR HO SUN-KUEN (80 VOTES), MR LAM CHAK-MAN (77 VOTES), MR LAM PAK-PING (74 VOTES), MR LAU HON-KIT (73 VOTES), MR HO WING-KWONG (63 VOTES), MR CHEUNG WAI-LAM (63 VOTES), MR TANG LA I-NAM (63 VOTES), MR LAM YIN (58 VOTES), MR HO YUN-LAM (55 VOTES), MR TANG PAK-YUI (54 VOTES), MR MAN PING-NAM (50 VOTES), MR LI WAI-KWONG (47 VOTES) AND MR YUEN SHU-KWAN (39 VOTES).
/THERE //ERE.....
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
8
THERE WERE 22 CANDIDATES, SEVEN FROM SOUTHERN DISTRICT (INCLUDING TSUEN WAN, ISLANDS AND SAI KUNG), 10 FROM YUEN LONG (INCLUDING TUEN MUN) AND FIVE FROM TAI PO (INCLUDING SHA TIN AND NORTH).
SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WAS THE RETURNING OFFICER FOR THE ELECTIONS WHICH WERE HELD BY SECRET BALLOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HEUNG YEE KUK ORDINANCE.
THE ELECTORATE CONSISTED OF 112 COUNCILLORS WHO CONSTITUTE THE FULL COUNCIL OF THE KUK. THE COUNCILLORS COMPRISE SPECIAL COUNCILLORS, RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN AND NEW TERRITORIES UNOFFICIAL JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
THE 24TH TERM OF THE KUK BEGINS ON JUNE 1.
- - 0 ----------
BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN APRIL COST $231 MILLION * * * * *
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN APRIL AMOUNTED TO $231 MILLION, ACCORDING TO FIGURES ISSUED TODAY BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THIS COMPARES WITH $76.9 MILLION IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF THE NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED AMOUNTED TO 153 490.6 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 98 360.7 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC AND 55 129.9 SQUARE METRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
BUILDING PLANS FOR A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, A SEWAGE PUMPING STATION IN DISCOVERY BAY, LANTAU, A LECTURE THEATRE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND 52 OTHER PROJECTS WERE APPROVED IN APRIL BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE.
OF THESE PLANS APPROVED, 27 WERE FOR PROJECTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, EIGHT FOR KOWLOON AND 20 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 51 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS INCLUDING A HOTEL IN CHEUNG CHAU, A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AT CHAI WAN KOK, TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN, A TEACHING BLOCK OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AN EXTENSION TO HONG KONG SANATORIUM AND HOSPITAL AND A SCHOOL IN WAH FU ROAD, POKFULAM.
THIRTY-FIVE COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION. ASSENT WAS GIVEN TO THE DEMOLITION OF 73 BUILDINGS.
- - 0--------
/9
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
9
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES ******
THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES WILL BE 9 PER CENT AS FROM TOMORROW (MAY 30), AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 10.5 PER CENT.
TOMORROW’S ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE WILL CONTAIN A LEGAL NOTICE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS AUTHORISED THIS DECREASE IN THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON THE CERTIFICATES.
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS TAX-FREE AND IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS — THE NEW RATE WILL BE 75 CENTS PER MONTH PER $100. IT WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETED MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX. NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID IN CASH.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 30.
CERTIFICATES ISSUED BEFORE THIS DATE WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWSs-
RATE PER ANNUM ISSUE DATE
4.2% SEPTEMBER 19, 1975 TO FEBRUARY 16, 1977
3% FEBRUARY 17, 1977 TO SEPTEMBER 21, 1978
3.24% SEPTEMBER 22, 1978 TO NOVEMBER 23, 1978
5.04% NOVEMBER 24, 1978 TO FEBRUARY 15, 1979
5.76% FEBRUARY 16, 1979 TO MAY 3, 1979
8.04% MAY 4, 1979 TO OCTOBER 25, 1979
8.4% OCTOBER 26, 1979 TO APRIL 10, 1980
10.5% APRIL 11, 1980 TO MAY 29, 1980
HOWEVER THERE IS A GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETED MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
/THE .-'CLLO..ING .........
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
10 -
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXAMPLE OF INTEREST CALCULATION:
SI 000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED JUNE 2, 1980, JULY 2, 1980 AND AUGUST 2, 1980 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDERED IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1980.
ON SI 000, JUNE 2, 1980 TO SEPT 2, 1980, 3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $7.50 PER MONTH
ON 51 000, JULY 2, 1980 TO SEPT 2, 1980, 2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $7.50 PER MONTH
$22.50
$15.00
ON SI 000, AUGUST 2, 1980 TO SEPT 2, 1980,
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $7.50 PER MONTH - $7-50
INTEREST ACCRUED $45.00
o -------
LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS BACK FROM CONFERENCES * * * *
TWO SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN SIU-LAP, CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, AND MR CHUNG MOON-KUN, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICER, HAVE RETURNED TO HONG KONG AFTER ATTENDING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES OVERSEAS.
MR CHAN ATTENDED THE NATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE IN LONDON AND THE 9TH WORLD CONGRESS ON PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS AND DISEASES IN AMSTERDAM.
HE ALSO OBSERVED THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HOLLAND AND HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BRITISH FACTORY INSPECTORATE.
MR CHUNG ATTENDED THE 14TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM IN ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION IN PARIS, AFTER WHICH HE SPENT A WEEK IN LONDON VISITING THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE.
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/11 .....
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
LAND SALE RESULTS * * *
THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WERE SOLD AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE TODAY.
A 3 000 SQUARE METRE LOT ON THE CHAI WAN RECLAMATION WAS
SOLD TO CHUEN SHING INVESTMENT CO. LTD. FOR $85 MILLION OR $28 333.33 PER SQUARE METRE. IT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
ANOTHER SITE OF ABOUT 2 300 SQUARE METRES IN CHA KWO LING ROAD, FOR SIMILAR USES, WAS SOLD TO AGINCOURT LTD. FOR $47 MILLION OR $20 434.78 PER SQUARE METRE.
THE THIRD LOT IS LOCATED IN RECLAMATION STREET, KOWLOON AND COVERS ABOUT 48.4 SQUARE METRES. IT WAS BOUGHT BY PRENTON CO. LTD. FOR $1.7 MILLION, OR $35 123.96 PER SQUARE METRE. IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL PURPOSES.
o - -
PRISON STAFF COMMENDED FOR GOOD WORK *****
ELEVEN PRISON STAFF, COMPRISING EIGHT ASSISTANT OFFICERS, TWO TEACHERS AND A TECHNICAL INSTRUCTOR, HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS’ COMMENDATION FOR EXCELLENT DUTY PERFORMANCE.
THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED TO THEM BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS (OPERATIONS), MR G.D. HYDES, AT A CEREMONY HELD IN THE PIK UK PRISON TODAY.
SENIOR MASTER CHEUNG KAI-KONG WAS COMMENDED FOR THE EXPERTISE HE DISPLAYED IN PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING A RADIO AND TELECOMMUNICATION COURSE FOR YOUNG PRISONERS AT PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. THEY OBTAINED OUTSTANDING RESULTS IN THE CITY AND GUILDS EXAMINATIONS LAST YEAR.
MR LO MUK-TIM, MASTER, AND MR KWAN CHUNG-TAT, TECHNICAL INSTRUCTOR, WHO ASSISTED IN IMPLEMENTING THE COURSE, ALSO WON COMMENDATIONS.
ASSISTANT OFFICER, MR KWOK WAI-HUNG, WAS PRAISED FOR HIS ALERTNESS AND PUBLIC SPIRITED ACTION IN APPREHENDING A BURGLAR SUSPECT NEAR THE ARGYLE STREET REFUGEE CAMP IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
ANOTHER ASSISTANT OFFICER, MR CHAN KAI-KUEN, WON HIS COMMENDATION FOR APPREHENDING WHILE OFF DUTY A TREATMENT CENTRE INMATE WHO FAILED TO RETURN FROM HOME LEAVE.
/TWC CTHER
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
12
TWO OTHER ASSISTANT OFFICERS, MR LUI KWAI-KEUNG AND MR KWAN WING-YAT, WERE BOTH COMMENDED FOR THEIR DILIGENCE AND ALERTNESS WHICH LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF DANGEROUS DRUGS CLEVERLY HIDDEN BY REMAND PRISONERS ON BEING ADMITTED TO THE LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE.
THE FOUR OTHER RECIPIENTS, ASSISTANT OFFICERS MESSRS AMERICO SCOBRAL DE SILVA, LAU KWOK-FU, TAM CHI-LEUNG AND SZETO KWAI-YUEN, WERE ALL PRAISED FOR THEIR ALERTNESS AND INITIATIVE IN PREVENTING UNAUTHORISED ARTICLES FROM BEING INTRODUCED INTO PRISONS BY VISITORS.
AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR HYDES HIMSELF WAS AWARDED THE PRISON COMMISSIONER’S COMMENDATION BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR TOM ECOB.
MR HYDES WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS OUTSTANDING DEVOTION TO DUTY AND EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY AND LEADERSHIP WHICH HE DISPLAYED AS SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT BETWEEN JANUARY AND MAY LAST YEAR, WHEN HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN FORMULATING THE ORGANISATION AND CO-ORDINATING THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF SEVERAL REFUGEE CAMPS DURING THE INITIAL INFLUX OF REFUGEES.
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TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PHOTO EXHIBITION *****
AN EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS DEPICTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN THE MAIN FOYER OF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
TOWN MANAGER AND DISTRICT OFFICER TSUEN WAN, MR JAMES HAYES, AND THE ACTING PROJECT MANAGER, MR NORMAN TUCKER, WILL OFFICIATE AT A RECEPTION HELD TO MARK THE EXHIBITION OPENING AT 4 PM. TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WILL ALSO BE PRESENT.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHS OF LOCAL HOUSING PROJECTS, SCHOOLS AND SPORTS FACILITIES. THERE WILL ALSO BE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CONTAINER TERMINAL AND TSING Yl BRIDGE TAKEN SINCE I960.
PLANS OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR THE NEW TOWN WILL ALSO BE FEATURED. THEY INCLUDE TSUEN WAN BYPASS, NEW ROADS IN NORTH TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN-TSUEN WAN HIGHWAY AND THE BRIDGE LINKING TSING Yl TO NORTHEAST LANTAU.
CAPTIONS WILL BE ATTACHED TO EACH PHOTOGRAPH TO PROVIDE VIEWERS WITH BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DETAILS OF THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS.
ORGANISED BY TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL MID-JULY, WHEN THE PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE MOVED TO KWAI CHUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR FURTHER DISPLAY.
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
15
TALENT QUEST FOR YOUNG SINGERS * * * *
KWUN TONG CHILDREN WITH A GOOD VOICE WILL SOON BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR SINGING TALENT.
THE MUSIC OFFICE, THE KWUN TONG CHILDREN’S CHORUS AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ARE JOINTLY ORGANISING A KWUN TONG CHILDREN’S SINGING CONTEST TO BE HELD FROM JULY 5 TO 13 IN THE SCHOOL HALL OF KEI CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL.
APPLICATION TO JOIN THE CONTEST IS NOW OPEN TO ALL CHILDREN AGED 7 TO 12 LIVING OR STUDYING IN KWUN TONG DISTRICT.
THERE WILL BE SEMI-FINALS FOR THE VOCAL SOLO SECTION ON JULY 6 AND FOR THE ENSEMBLE SECTION ON JULY 5.
THE FINAL WILL BE HELD ON JULY 12 AND WINNERS WILL PERFORM AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWUN TONG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ON JULY 13 AT TSUI PING ROAD PLAYGROUND.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE ATt
KEI CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL, 20 SHUI NING STREET,
MUSIC OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST SUB-OFFICE, TING FU STREET, NGAU TAU KOK,
KEI FAT SCHOOL,
34 YUET WAH STREET,
PO CHARK PRIMARY SCHOOL,
SCHOOL NO. 3, KO CHUI ROAD ESTATE,
LOK SIN TONG PRIMARY SCHOOL, KWUN TONG
BLOCK 24, KWUN TONG (TSUI PING ROAD) ESTATE,
S.K.H. ST BARNABAS’ PRIMARY SCHOOL,
BLOCK 11, KWUN TONG (TSUI PING ROAD) ESTATE,
COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE (KWUN TONG), KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR, TUNG YAU STREET,
KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, 17 TSUI PING ROAD.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS JUNE 20. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 3-411328.
0---------
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
14
EDINBURGH PLACE TO BE CLOSED FOR CEREMONY *****
THE SECTION OF EDINBURGH PLACE EAST ON HONG KONG ISLAND BETWEEN STAR FERRY AND HMS TAMAR WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 1) FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1980 ROAD SAFETY PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.
QUEEN’S PIER WILL ALSO BE CLOSED FROM 11 AM TO 6.30 PM THAT DAY FOR THE EVENT. OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF SMALL CRAFT ARE ADVISED TO USE BLAKE PIER INSTEAD.
o -------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO
INSTANT PAYMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL LaND.......................... 1
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR ISLAND CORRIDOR PROJECT ................. 2
JOIN VOICES TOGETHER, SAYS TICD DIRECTOR .................... 3
AIRCRAFT AIRPORT CHARGES TO GO UP IN JULY ................... 4
MP’S MEET THE PRESS ......................................... 5
SOUTH LANTaU ZONING PLAN PUBLISHED .......................... 6
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES MUST KA.VE INDUSTRY’S HELP ............. 7
JOINT HELP FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED...................... 8
TENDERS INVITED FOR OPEN STORAGE SITES ...................... 9
TRADE DIRECTOR RETITLED ..................................... 9
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ....................................... 10
FIRING PRACTICE
10
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1980
1
INSTANT PAYMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND ft ft ft ft
PURCHASERS OF INDUSTRIAL SITES SOLD AFTER THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY NEXT YEAR WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO PAY THE PREMIUM BY INSTALMENTS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AT PRESENT, BUYERS OF INDUSTRIAL LAND WITH A VALUE OF MORE THAN SI MILLION COULD PAY THE PREMIUM BY 10 ANNUAL INSTALMENTS AT FIVE PER CENT INTEREST.
FROM JULY 22 THIS YEAR THE DOWNPAYMENT WOULD BE INCREASED FROM 10 PER CENT TO 40 PER CENT OF THE SALE PRICE.
FROM JANUARY 1, 1981, THIS FACILITY WOULD BE WITHDRAWN, AND PURCHASERS WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE FULL PRICE OF THE LAND WiTHIN ONE CALENDAR MONTH OF THE DATE OF TRANSACTION.
ALSO TO BE TERMINATED WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1980 IS THE OPTION, AT PRESENT AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND IN THE URBAN AREA, OF PAYMENT OF PREMIUM BY FOUR EQUAL INSTALMENTS WITHOUT INTEREST WITHIN TWO YEARS.
EXCEPT WHERE THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALREADY COMMITTED BY NEGOTIATIONS, INSTALMENTS WOULD, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED FOR MODIFICATION PREMIA IN RESPECT OF INDUSTRIAL LAND.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLA I NED i ♦INDUSTRIAL LAND IS NOWADAYS PURCHASED MAINLY BY REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS FOR DEVELOPMENT INTO GENERAL MULTI-STOREY FACTORY BUILDINGS, RATHER THAN BY INDUSTRIALISTS WISHING TO BUILD PURPOSE-DESIGNED FACTORIES FOR THEIR OWN USE.
♦THE ORIGINAL INTENTION OF THE INSTALMENT SCHEME, INTRODUCED IN 1955 TO PROVIDE A FORM OF SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDUSTRY, IS, THEREFORE, NO LONGER GENERALLY APPLICABLE. THERE IS, FURTHEMORE, NO EVIDENCE THAT PROPERTY DEVELOPERS ARE HAVING DIFFICULTIES IN OBTAINING FINANCE TO PURCHASE AND DEVELOP INDUSTRIAL LAND.
♦INDUSTRIALISTS NORMALLY EITHER PAY FOR THEIR PREMISES IN A LUMPSUM OR MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PAYING INSTALMENTS THROUGH THE BANKING SYSTEM IN THE NORMAL WAY, AND THE ABOLITION OF THE INSTALMENT SYSTEM WOULD, THEREFORE, BE UNLIKELY TO AFFECT THEM.+
THE FACILITY FOR PAYMENT OF PREMIA BY INSTALMENTS FOR SALES AND MODIFICATIONS OF NON-INDUSTRI AL LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES WAS TERMINATED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
-----o------
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1980
2
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR ISLAND CORRIDOR PROJECT ft * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY LET ANOTHER PRELIMINARY CONTRACT FOR THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, STAGE I, LINKING CAUSEWAY BAY WITH NORTH POINT.
THE CONTRACT, WORTH MORE THAN $15.8 MILLION, IS FOR THE RECLAMATION OF ABOUT THREE HECTARES OF LAND BETWEEN WATSON ROAD AND OIL STREET.
IT WAS SIGNED THIS MORNING BY MR K.C. YEUNG, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE PWD’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED.
SPEAKING AT THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY, MR YEUNG SAID TENDERS FOR THE MAIN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR PROJECT, STAGE I, WAS EXPECTED TO BE CALLED LATER THIS YEAR.
HE SA IDi +IT CONSISTS OF BUILDING A TWO-KILOMETRE ELEVATED ROAD ALONG THE COAST BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND HEALTHY STREET WEST IN NORTH POINT.
♦THE ELEVATED ROAD WILL BE A DUAL FOUR-LANE CARRIAGEWAY OVER TWO THIRDS OF ITS LENGTH AND DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY OVER THE REMAINING SECTION.+
+THE NEW ROAD WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 10 000 VEHICLES PER HOUR, ABOUT THREE TIMES OF KING’S ROAD,+ HE ADDED.
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF FOUR REPROVISIONING WORK CONTRACTS, WORTH MORE THAN $55 MILLION, HAVE EITHER BEEN COMPLETED OR ARE IN HAND.
THEY INCLUDE THE RECLAMATION OF THE NORTH-EASTERN CORNER OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER, A NEW VEHICULAR FERRY PIER, ADVANCE FOUNDATION WORKS OFF NORTH POINT BUS TERMINUS AND A BREAKWATER OFF KELLETT ISLAND.
REFERRING TO THE PRESENT CONTRACT, MR YEUNG SAID THAT WORK WOULD START NEXT WEEK AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A SECTION OF THE ELEVATED ROAD UNDER WILL BE BUILT OVER THE RECLAMATION.
STAGE I OF THE PROJECT
MR YEUNG ADDED THAT THE RECLAMATION WILL ALSO PROVIDE FACILITIES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF WATER FRONTAGE AND SEA ACCESS TO WATERFRONT LOTS.
THE WORK ON THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA FOR PWD’S HIGHWAYS OFF ICE.
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FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1980
-5
JOIN VOICES TOGETHER, SAYS TICD DIRECTOR
* * * M
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR BILL DORWARD, TODAY URGED THAT HONG KONG{S TEXTILE AND GARMENT MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS SHOULD LET THEIR VIEWS BE HEARD ON THE EFFECT ON THEIR TRADE OF OTHER GOVERNMENTS’ POLICIES.
REFERRING TO MISS LYDIA DUNN’S +SPIRITED PRESENTATION OF YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY* TO AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TEXTILES IN BRUSSELS YESTERDAY, MR DORWARD SAIDi *1 AM NOT ADVOCATING A STREAM OF COMPLAINT AND CONTENTION, BUT RATHER A CANDID APPRECIATION OF WHAT GOVERNMENT POLICIES AROUND THE WORLD HAVE DONE AND ARE DOING TO YOUR TRADE.*
OPENING THE NEW OFFICES OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG GARMENT MANUFACTURERS, MR DORWARD CONTINUEDi *WE VERY OFTEN READ THE WELL PUBLICISED VIEWS OF AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN INDUSTRIALISTS AND ASSOCIATIONS. THEY PRODUCE SPEECHES AND GLOSSY PUBLICATIONS WHICH GET WIDE COVERAGE. IN CONTRAST THE HONG KONG TRADE AND INDUSTRY. BY AND LARGE, GETS ON WITH THE BUSINESS OF BUSINESS, AND LEAVES THE POLICY STATEMENTS TO THE OFFICIALS.
* 1 UNDERSTAND YOUR NATURAL INCLINATION TO DO SO, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WORK SO HARD AND EFFECTIVELY TO MANUFACTURE AND SELL YOUR PRODUCTS. BUT I SUGGEST THAT IT WOULD BE NO BAD THING IF THE WORLD HEARD FROM YOU A BIT MORE OFTEN.*
HE SAID THAT MISS DUNN HAD MADE A PLEA FOR A FACTUAL EXAMINATION OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THESE GOVERNMENTS’ POL IC I AND AS PREREQUISITE TO DISCUSSION OF FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS.
ES
* 1 BELIEVE THAT YOUR FEDERATION AND THE OTHER ASSOCIATIONS IN THE HONG KONG TEXTILE AND GARMENT INDUSTRIES COULD CONTRIBUTE SUBSTANTIALLY TO SUCH AN EFFORT.*
DORWARD REFERRED TO AN ELEGANTLY PRODUCED AND WELL PRESENTED STATEMENT OF THE VIEWS OF THE BRITISH TEXTILE CONFEDERATION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES IN THE 198O’S.
♦ I SUGGEST THAT THIS FEDERATION COOPERATES WITH OTHER INTERESTED BODIES IN HONG KONG TO PRODUCE SOMETHING OF THE KIND GIVING YOUR VIEWS. IT WOULD GIVE A COUNTERBALANCE TO THE STATEMENT BY THOSE WHO TAKE A DIFFERENT STANCE- AND WHOSE OPINIONS ARE SO OFTEN WIDELY REPORTED.*
/Ue said .....
FRIDAY, MAY JO, 1980
4
HE SAID THAT CLOTHING WAS THE LARGEST SECTOR OF HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY. MORE THAN 8 700 ESTABLISHMENTS EMPLOYED OVER 260 000 WORKERS — 30 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
IN TRADE TERMS AND DESPITE QUOTA RESTRICTIONS, CLOTHING EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO HK*19 400 MILLION IN 1979 REPRESENTING NEARLY 35 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORT, HE SAID.
+1 DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO THE VIEW THAT THIS IS AN UNHEALTHY SITUATION AND THAT WE SHOULD THEREFORE DIVERSIFY OUT OF THE GARMENT INDUSTRY.
+1 BELIEVE THE BEST FORM OF DIVERSIFICATION FOR THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WILL BE FOR OTHER INDUSTRIES TO DEMONSTRATE THE DYNAMISM AND VERSATILITY OF THE GARMENT SECTOR AND STRIVE TO KEEP UP WITH IT,+ SAID MR DORWARD.
_ _ _ _ 0 - -
AIRCRAFT AIRPORT CHARGES TO GO UP IN JULY M M K X W
INCREASES IN LANDING AND PARKING CHARGES FOR AIRLINES USING HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON JULY 1.
THE PERCENTAGE RISE, VARYING WITH THE MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED WEIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL AIRCRAFT, WILL BE 15 PER CENT OR LESS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ADULT PASSENGER SERVICE CHARGE WILL BE INCREASED FROM *15 TO *20. THE SERVICE CHARGE FOR CHILDREN --------------------- |5_
WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE THE INCREASES WERE MEANT COSTS AS WELL AS TO MEET EXPENSES.
CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT TO COVER HIGHER STAFF AND OPERATIONAL PART OF THE AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT
THE CURRENT RATE OF CHARGES FOR LANDING AND PARKING HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1975, AND FOR PASSENGER SERVICES SINCE 1974.
♦THE INCREASES WERE CONFIRMED AFTER LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS AND CONSULTATIONS WITH AIRLINES AND INVOLVED PARTIES*, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE REVISED CHARGES FOR THE LANDING OF AIRCRAFT AT KAI TAK AIRPORT WILL RANGE FROM *8 FOR EACH 500 KILOGRAMS FOR SMALLER PLANES OF NOT MORE THAN 50 000 KILOGRAMS IN WEIGHT, TO $1 850 FOR THE FIRST 100 000 KILOGRAMS PLUS *13 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL 500 KILOGRAMS FOR LARGER AIR CARRIERS OF OVER 100 000 KILOGRAMS IN WEIGHT.
THESE CHARGES INCLUDE ONE-AND-ONE-HALF HOURS OF FREE PARKING AT THE AIRPORT FOR PASSENGER AIRCRAFT AND THREE HOURS FOR ALL-CARGO AIRCRAFT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEIR LANDING.
FRIDAY, MAY JO, 1980
5
witu J^K1NS CHAR6ES will be levied in accordance
WITH THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT.
THEY RANGE FROM $15 FOR THE FIRST HALF-HOUR, $15 FOR THE SECOND HALF-HOUR, $12 FOR THE FOLLOWING HOUR AND $12 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL HOUR FOR SMALL AIRCRAFT OF LESS THAN 2.5 TONNES, FIRST HALF-HOUR, $144 FOR THE SECOND HALF-HOUR, S230F0R THE FOLLOWING HOUR AND $73 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL HOUR FOR LARGE CARRIERS OVER 280 TONNES.
THE NEW METHOD OF CHARGING FOR THE FIRST HOUR OF PARKING ON THE BASIS OF A FEE FOR EACH OF TWO HALF-HOUR PERIODS HAS BEEN INSTITUTED AFTER COMPLAINTS BY THE IATA USER CHARGES COMMITTEE THAT AN AIRLINE WHOSE AIRCRAFT STAYED ONLY A FEW MINUTES OVER THE FREE PARKING PERIOD HAD TO PAY THE $288 FEE FOR A FULL HOUR’S FURTHER PARKING.
THE PEAK PERIOD SURCHARGE OF $500 FOR EACH LANDING OR TAKE-OFF OF AIRCRAFT AT KAI TAK BETWEEN 1 PM AND 6 PM DAILY AND THE EN-ROUTE NAVIGATION CHARGE OF BETWEEN $1 350 AND $1 730 FOR EACH OVERFLIGHT, DEPENDING ON THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT, WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
THE IATA USER CHARGES COMMITTEE HAS ALSO BEEN ADVISED THAT A SIMILAR INCREASE OF THE ORDER OF 15 PER CENT IN AIRCRAFT LANDING AND PARKING FEES WILL BE MADE IN MID-1981. THE INCREASES IN AIRCRAFT LANDING AND PARKING FEES WILL THUS BE MADE IN TWO STAGES IN ORDER TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE DESIRED INCREASE ON AIRLINES WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN SOME FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY BECAUSE OF STEEP RISES IN THE COST OF FUEL OVER THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS.
A REVIEW OF LANDING AND PARKING FEES WILL BE MADE IN LATE 1981 TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE LEVELS OF CHARGES FOR 1982 AND BEYOND.
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MP’S MEET THE PRESS * * *
THE TWO CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AT PRESENT H0NG KONS1 DR KE,TH HAMPSON AND MR DAVID HUNT, WiL for^londoh’that’evehYhs.MOro‘T 2) BEF0RE DEPARTI"S
HUNT, WILL
_THE press conference will 5TH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE AT 4.30 PM.
BE HELD IN THE , QUEEN’S ROAD
GIS THEATRE ON THE CENTRAL, HONG KONG,
SO THATDTHEY^ILLiIi?,AMPLEE¥?M?RTnRccVEBlEI) TO ARRIVE EARLY in«i 1ncT WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
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/6
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1980
6
SOUTH LANTAU ZONING PLAN PUBLISHED
* * * *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY PUBLISHED A DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR THE MAIN COASTAL STRIP OF SOUTH LANTAU.
THE PLAN COVERS ABOUT 2 449 HECTARES AND COMPRISES THE WHOLE OF THE COASTAL PART OF LANTAU ISLAND SOUTH OF THE EXISTING WATER CATCHMENT.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN IS TO PROVIDE A STATUTORY LAND USE PATTERN AND MAJOR ROAD FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF LAND MAY BE LEGALLY CONTROLLED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID THAT UNDER THE DRAFT PLAN THE SOUTH LANTAU COAST WOULD BE MAINLY DEVELOPED FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.
MORE THAN 2 037 HECTARES ARE ZONED FOR GREEN BELT, INCLUDING ABOUT 1 565 HECTARES OF GAZETTED COUNTRY PARK.
HE SAID PREDOMINANT ZONING OF THE COASTAL STRIP AS GREEN BELT WAS AIMED TOWARDS GREATER USE OF THE AREA FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.
♦SOUTH LANTAU IN ITS NATURAL SCENIC SETTING OFFERS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND HOLIDAY-MAKERS FROM THE CROWDED URBAN AREAS,♦ HE EXPLAINED.
IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE CHARACTER OF THE SHORELINE, TO SAFEGUARD THE BEACHES AND THEIR IMMEDIATE HINTERLAND AND TO PREVENT RIBBON DEVELOPMENT IN A HAPHAZARD MANNER ALONG THE MAIN ROAD, SOME 140 HECTARES HAVE BEEN ZONED AS COASTAL PROTECTION AREA, HE SAID.
+THIS AREA IS RELATIVELY ACCESSIBLE AND CAN ALLOW FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITItS OF HIGH INTENSITY USE, SUCH AS PLAYGROUND OR PLAYING FIELD, PROMENADE, PARK AND GARDEN,+ HE ADDED.
OF THE REMAINING AREA COVERED BY THE PLAN, 44.6 HECTARES
HAVE BEEN ZONED FOR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL USE, 91.5 HECTARES FOR VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT AND 99 HECTARES FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY PURPOSES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PRESENT POPULATION OF THE PLANNING AREA WAS ABOUT 7 000, CONCENTRATED MAINLY IN THE VILLAGES AT PUI 0. CHEUNG SHA AND TONG FUK.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE POPULATION UPON FULL DEVELOPMENT WILL BE 13 300, COMPRISING 11 000 IN VILLAGE TYPE AND 2 250 IN OTHER RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
/COPIES OF .....
FRIDAY, MAY JO, 1980
7
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN INCLUDING NOTES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE" THE DISTRICT OFFICE (ISLANDS), INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, FOURTH FLOOR, 141 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
UNDER A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE DRAFT PLAN MAY SUBMIT WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE JULY 29.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, ALSO IN MURRAY BUILDING.
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TECHNICAL INSTITUTES MUST HAVE INDUSTRY’S HELP
*****
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES REQUIRE THE CO-OPERATION OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS RECEIVE THE ESSENTIAL UP-TO-DATE PRACTICAL CONTENT OF THEIR TRAINING, SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN SAID TODAY.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN KOWLOON TONG, THE FIFTH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE RUN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
SIR YUET-KEUNG SAID THAT MODERN TECHNOLOGY WAS ADVANCING RAPIDLY AND IT WAS THE TASK OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTES TO PREPARE THE TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN WHO WOULD BE HANDLING ALL MODERN SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT.
+THE TASK CANNOT BE COMPLETED BY THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ENTIRELY WITHIN THEIR OWN RESOURCES. EXPERIENCE IN THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT IS A NECESSARY PART OF THE TRAINING PROCESS, AND THIS IS WHERE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COME INTO THE EDUCATION PICTURE,* HE SAID.
AT PRESENT MORE THAN THREE-QUARTERS OF ALL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS ARE UNDERGOING PART-TIME COURSES WITH A LARGE PART OF THEIR WEEK SPENT IN INDUSTRY.
COLLABORATION WITH INDUSTRY IS NOT RESTRICTED TO STUDENT LEVEL, AND SIR YUET-KEUNG SAID: +EVERY YEAR A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STAFF RETURN TO INDUSTRY FOR PERIODS OF TWO TO FOUR WEEKS, USUALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS TO UP-DATE THEIR KNOWLEGDE OF INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES.*
SPEAKING ON THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS, HE SAID IN THE PRESENT DAY STUDENTS HAVE MORE FREEDOM OF CHOICE AND A FORM 3 STUDENT WOULD BE ABLE TO STATE HIS CHOICE IN THE POST FORM 3 ALLOCATION SYSTEM WITH EXPECTATION OF GETTING WHAT HE WANTS.
♦THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WILL BE PART OF THE SYSTEM OF ALLOCATION AND THEY PROVIDE CR'FT COURSES AS A WORTHWHILE ALTERNATIVE TO A FORM 4 PLACE IN A SECO RY SCHOOL,* SIR YUET-KEUNG SAID.
/SURVEYS CONDUCTED .
JfKiDAI, MAX 30, 1900
8
SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT MANY GRADUATES PROGRESS TO WELL-PAID JOBS IN THEIR CHOICE OF CAREER, HE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT
THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF SAID TECHNICAL EDUCATION WOULD BE
TOPLEY
EDUCATION, MR KENNETH FURTHER DEVELOPED WITH PLANS
TO BUILD TWO NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTES
THE FIRST IS LOCATED AT TUEN MUN AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1984, HE SAID.
THE TECHNCIAL INSTITUTES HAVE RECENTLY EMBARKED ON AN UPDATING CF ALL CRAFT LEVEL COURSES. +THIS WHOLE PROCESS OF RE-EXAMINING OUR CRAFT SYLLABUSES AND MAKING THEM MORE UP-TO-DATE AND SUITABLE FOR HONG KONG WILL TAKE ONE OR TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE,* HE ADDED.
-----0-----
JOINT HELP FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
* * * *
JOINT EFFORTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR ARE NEEDED TO ENABLE EXPANSION OF DAY CARE CENTRES AND RESIDENTIAL HOMES FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, hfl ERIC HO, WHEN HE OPENED HING WAH ADULT TRAINING CENTRE TODAY.
THE NEW CENTRE IS RUN BY THE SOCIETY OF HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED, ONE OF HONG KONG’S +VERY DEVOTED AND ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTARY AGENCIES,* HE SAID.
MR HO SAID THE NEED TO PROVIDE CARE SERVICES FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED HAD LONG BEEN FELT, BUT UNTIL RECENTLY ONLY VERY LIMITED FACILITIES FOR THIS GROUP HAD BEEN AVAILABLE.
*DAY AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AGED 16 AND OVER IS ONE OF THE SERVICE AREAS WHERE LARGE SHORTFALLS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN,* HE SAID.
♦BECAUSE OF THIS IT WAS PROPOSED IN THE 1979 REVIEW OF THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN THAT DAY CARE CENTRES AND RESIDENTIAL HOMES CATERING FOR THIS PARTICULAR GROUP SHOULD BE GREATLY EXPANDED.*
HE SAID THIS WAS SO IN ORDER THAT THE ESTIMATED DEMAND FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE WOULD BE MET AND THE SHORTFALL OF DAY CARE PLACES SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BY 1986.
♦FURTHER EXPANSION WILL HINGE ON SUITABLE PREMISES AND SPONSORING BODIES BEING AVAILABLE.
♦JOINT EFFORTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR WILL BE NECESSARY TO ENABLE FURTHER EXPANSION TO TAKE PLACE,+ HE ADDED.
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1980
9
TENDERS INVITED FOR OPEN STORAGE SITES ******
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR SHORT TERM TENANCIES FOR THREE SITES WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 16 100 SQUARE METRES FOR OPEN STORAGE PURPOSES IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
TWO OF THE SITES ARE SITUATED AT THE SOUTHWESTERN SIDE OF THE NEW TOWN WHICH IS SERVED BY LUNG MUN ROAD.
THEY MEASURE 5 500 SQUARE METRES AND 6 300 SQUARE METRES AND ARE FOR OPEN STORAGE WHICH MAY INCLUDE CARS.
THE TENANCY FOR THE SMALLER SITE IS FOR TWO YEARS CERTAIN AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER, WHILE THE TENANCY FOR THE OTHER SITE IS FOR ONE YEAR AND NON-RENEWABLE.
THE TENANCY FOR THE THIRD SITE MEASURING 4 300 SQUARE METRES IS FOR ONE YEAR CERTAIN AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER. SITUATED NEAR TSENG TAU HA TSUEN, IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF NEW MOTOR VEHICLES.
A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID CONTAINERS AND DANGEROUS GOODS WERE NOT PERMITTED ON THE SITES. SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS WOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD A WATCHMAN’S STRUCTURE ON EACH SITE.
A YEAR’S RENT WILL BE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE ON ALL THE SITES, DETAILS OF WHICH ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX IN THE RECEPTION LOBBY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HEADQUARTERS ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON, BEFORE 12 NOON ON JUNE 13. THEY SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY CHEQUES EQUIVALENT TO SIX MONTHS RENT TENDERED.
DETAILS OF THE TENDERS AND TENDER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE NOW FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AND DISTRICT OFFICES OF ISLANDS, SAI KUNG, SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.
- - 0 -
TRADE DIRECTOR RETITLED * * *
THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE TITLE OF THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, hfi PETER TSAO, HAS BEEN CHANGED TO COMMISSIONER OF TRADE.
THIS BRINGS THE TITLE INTO LINE WITH THOSE OF THE OTHER TWO TICD DEPARTMENTS — INDUSTRY, CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS — WHICH ARE ALSO HEADED BY COMMISSIONERS.
- - 0 - -
/10
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1980
10
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS K UK H X
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS AND URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE NORTHBOUND SECTION OF SMITHFIELD BETWEEN BELCHER'S STREET AND FORBES STREET IN KENNEDY TOWN FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 2).
WITHIN THE CLEARWAY, PLB’S WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY.
J \
THE SAME RESTRICTION WILL BE APPLIED TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM EACH DAY. THEY ARE BESIDES NOT ALLOWED TO STOP TO LOAD OR UNLOAD GOODS WITHIN THESE PERIODS.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, UNLESS AUTHORIZED IN WRITING, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE GAP OF THE TRAFFIC ISLAND AT THE WESTERN LAY-BY OF KCR HUNG HOM STATION.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP AT THESE PLACES TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- o - -
i
FIRING PRACTICE * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE BASALT ISLAND RANGE NEXT MONTH FROM JUNE 18 TO 20 BETWEEN 8 AM AND 12 NOON EACH DAY.
THIS NEW FIRING RANGE WAS OPENED THIS WEEK AND INCORPORATES BASALT ISLAND AND THE OPEN SEA TO THE EAST OF IT.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE NEXT WEEK FROM MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY (JUNE 2 TO 4) BETWEEN 8 AM AND 5 PM.
THEY ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THESE AREAS DURING TIMES OF PRACTICE WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING. •
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
S..TURDaY, may 31, 1980
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR CF BROADCASTING .................... 1
CROW LAND FOR SALE ......................................... 1
RECLAMATION FOR NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT ....................... 2
FISH SURVIVAL DEVICE ....................................... ?
MAINTENANCE GRANT APPLICATION FORMS AVAILABLE .............. 4
340 000 FOR SHA TIN CHILDREN'S CHOIR ....................... 5
NEW OFFICE FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION ............. 6
ROAD CHANGES IN SHA TIN FROM TUESDAY ....................... 6
WANTED : POLICE COOKS ...................................... 7
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1980
1
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING
******
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR JOHN TISDALL AS THE NEW DIRECTOR CF BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG.
MR TISDALL WILL TAKE OVER FROM MR DONALD KERR AS HEAD OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG IN JUNE WHEN MR KERR RETURNS TO THE BBC ON COMPLETION OF HIS SECONDMENT.
MR TISDALL, AGED 53, IS AT PRESENT THE BBC’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS. HE FIRST JOINED THE BBC IN 1956 AND HAS HAD CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE IN BOTH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL BROADCASTING.
DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS HE HAS HELD A NUMBER OF SENIOR POSITIONS IN THE BBC MAINLY CONCERNED WITH NATIONAL NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL RADIO AND REGIONAL TELEVISION.
MR TISDALL WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE POLICY STUDY GROUP WHICH THE BBC SET UP TO WORK ON THE SHAPE OF BROADCASTING IN THE SEVENTIES.
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CROWN LAND FOR SALE * * * *
A VALUABLE SITE AT HARCOURT ROAD IS BEING OFFERED FOR SALE BY TENDER BY THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 3 214 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL PURPOSES, EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL USES.
DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 11, 1980.
TENDER FORMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE FOR THIS SITE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICES IN MURRAY BUILDING, 19TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND IN THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, LOTH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
THE SALE PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE TWO PLACES.
THE OFFICE ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THREE OTHER LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY AUCTION IN THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE ON JUNE 27 AT 2.30 PM.
TWO OF THEM, FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, ARE LOCATED AT POLLOCK’S PATH, THE PEAK, AND BLUE POOL ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY. THEIR AREAS ARE ABOUT 4 800 SQUARE METRES AND 2 070 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
/ANOTHER SITE .....
2
SATURDAY, MAY , 1980
ANOTHER SITE, SITUATED AT YEE KUK STREET, SHAM SHU I RO, MEASURING ABOUT 1 030 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL USES.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE FOR THESE THREE SITES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
RECLAMATION FOR NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT *****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM ABOUT 188 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED OFF MA ON SHAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE SITE IS BETWEEN THE NORTH-EASTERN COAST OF TIDE COVE AND THE SOUTH-EASTERN COAST OF TOLO HARBOUR.
THE RECLAMATION WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING, LIGHT INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND LOCAL OPEN SPACE.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF SEABED INVOLVED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN YESTERDAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR CLAIMS OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF THE NOTIFICATION.
THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WITH A RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN SHOWING THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, FIRST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, OR AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE (SHA TIN), SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 2 TUNG LO WAN
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SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1980 - 3 -
FISH SURVIVAL DEVICE
* * ft *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO INTRODUCE A NEW DEVICE — AN AERATOR — TO IMPROVE LOCAL FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY.
THIS DEVICE IS THE RESULT OF A JOINT STUDY BY STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FISHERIES RESEARCH DIVISION AND THE INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY AND WILL HELP FISH FARMERS MINIMISE LOSS OF FISH DUE TO OXYGEN DEFICIENCY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT LACK OF OXYGEN IN WATER WAS ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES IN FISH MORTALITY. SUCH SITUATION USUALLY OCCURS DURING OUTBREAKS OF RED ALGAE AND AT TIMES OF MINIMAL TIDAL MOVEMENTS, HIGH TEMPERATURES AND HEAVY RAINFALL.
UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, LOSS OF FISH KEPT UNDER CULTURE CAN BE REDUCED BY USING ALMOST ANY MEANS TO INCREASE AERATION.
THE COMMON WAY IS TO USE A PADDLE OR RUN A BOAT PROPELLER TO CREATE WATER MOVEMENT. HOWEVER, THESE METHODS CAN ONLY HELP IN AERATING THE SURFACE WATER.
THE NEW DEVICE, INCORPORATING THREE SETS OF SPECIALLY DESIGNED POWER-DRIVEN PROPELLERS, IS A MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE GADGET TO INCREASE OXYGEN CONTENT.
+ITS MAJOR ADVANTAGE IS THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF AERATING BOTH THE SURFACE AND LOWER PART OF THE WATER DOWN TO A DEPTH OF MORE THAN THREE METRES,* THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
TEST RESULTS INDICATED THAT AFTER TURNING ON THE AERATOR, OXYGEN CONTENT IN WATER COULD INCREASE UP TO 12 PER CENT IN SATURATION. +THIS ADDITIONAL QUANTITY IS IMPORTANT DURING TIME OF DEFICIENCY AND THE EFFECT CAN HOLD FOR SOME TIME EVEN AFTER THE AERATOR IS TURNED OFF,* HE ADDED.
THE AERATOR IS SUITABLE FOR USE BOTH IN FISH CAGES AND PONDS WHEN OXYGEN DEFICIENCY OCCURS.
♦BUT DURING OUTBREAKS OF RED ALGAE, THE AERATOR CAN ONLY HELP TO SOLVE PART OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE BESIDES CAUSING OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, RED ALGAE SOMETIMES PRODUCES TOXINS WHICH HAVE HARMFUL EFFECTS ON FISH,* THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
FISH FARMERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE AERATOR MAY CONTACT THE INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
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A
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1980
MAINTENANCE GRANT APPLICATION FORMS AVAILABLE *****
APPLICATION FORMS FDR GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE GRANTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM NEXT WEEK TO STUDENTS AIMING TO PURSUE FULL-TIME MATRICULATION COURSES.
STUDENTS NOW STUDYING IN FORM/MIDDLE 5 OR FORM 6 WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR A GRANT CAN OBTAIN THE FORMS FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, ROOM 1522, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 15TH FLOOR, HONG KONG.
THE GRANT AMOUNTS TO ABOUT $500 A YEAR FOR A STUDENT. IT IS TO HELP NEEDY STUDENTS WHO WISH TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR ADVANCED LEVEL OR HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATIONS STUDIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
FOR STUDENTS NOW STUDYING IN FORM/MIDDLE 5, THE FORMS MUST BE RETURNED THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS TO THE SECRETARY, MAINTENANCE GRANTS COMMITTEE, NOT LATER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION RESULTS.
STUDENTS IN FORM 6 AND PROMOTING TO FORM 7 MUST RETURN THE APPLICATION FORMS IN THE SAME WAY NOT LATER THAN JULY 26.
+GRANTS ARE AWARDED ON A YEARLY BASIS AND RENEWAL IS NOT AUTOMATIC. IF A RECIPIENT IN FORM 6 WISHES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A GRANT ON PROMOTION TO FORM 7, HE MUST APPLY AGAIN,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
STUDENTS IN FORM 6 WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING GRANTS IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO ENABLE THEM TO COMPLETE THE ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION COURSE IN 1980/81, HE SAID.
GRANTS WILL BE PAID THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS AT THE END OF EACH MONTH IN ARREARS FOR 10 MONTHS IN THE YEAR, AND THERE WILL BE NO PAYMENTS FOR JULY AND AUGUST.
- o -
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1980
5
$40 000 FOR SHA TIN CHILDREN’S CHOIR ft ft ft ft
SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $40 000 TO ITS CHILDREN’S CHOIR FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE BOARD’S ARTS SUB-COMMITTEE AGREED THIS SUM, TO PAY INSTRUCTORS AND TO COVER THE COST OF HOLDING CONCERTS, AT A RECENT NEETING.
THE TOTAL BUDGET FOR THE ADVISORY BOARD IS $536 000 FOR 1980/81.
THE CHOIR, FORMED SIX MONTHS AGO, WILL GIVE ITS SECOND PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AT THE OPENING OF SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN SHA TIN IN JULY.
MORE THAN 300 GUESTS, INCLUDING SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS, WILL ATTEND THE OPENING IN WO CHE COMMUNITY HALL.
THE CHOIR MADE ITS DEBUT AT A ONE-HOUR CONCERT IN MARCH.
CHAIRMAN OF THE CHOIR’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR WONG PO-MING, SAID THE CHOIR WAS ALREADY SELECTING CHINESE AND ENGLISH SONGS IT WOULD SING AT THIS CONCERT.
THE COMMITTEE, JOINTLY WITH THE MUSIC OFFICE, IS ALSO ORGANISING A MAJOR CONCERT TO BE HELD BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.
MR WONG SAID THE COMMITTEE WAS PLANNING TO GIVE MORE PERFORMANCES SO THAT THE CHILDREN COULD GAIN EXPERIENCE.
HE SAID ATTENDANCE AT TRAINING SESSIONS HELD EVERY SATURDAY SINCE LAST NOVEMBER HAD BEEN EXCELLENT. THESE WERE RUN BY THREE INSTRUCTORS, ONE OF WHOM IS FROM THE MUSIC OFFICE.
THE CHOIR HAS 67 CHILDREN, AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND 10, WHO LIVE OR STUDY IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN. THEY WERE SELECTED FROM 170 APPLICANTS DURING A RECRUITMENT EXERCISE LAST SEPTEMBER.
IT WAS FORMED BY SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MUSIC OFFICE, AS PART OF A PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES LOCALLY.
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SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1980
6
NEW OFFICE FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION *****
THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WILL MOVE TO NEW ACCOMMODATION ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, ON MONDAY (JUNE 2).
ALSO MOVING TO THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, WHICH IS NOW ON THE 11TH FLOOR OF WING ON CENTRE, HONG KONG.
TELEPHONE NUMBERS AT THE NEW ACCOMMODATION ARE*
COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE 5-951868
(MR E.B. WIGGHAM)
ADMINISTRATION UNIT 5-951871
INFORMATION UNIT 5-951865
COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT* SECRETARY (MR NORMAN OEI) 5-951853
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ROAD CHANGES IN SHA TIN FROM TUESDAY * * * *
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT CHANGES IN THE ROAD SYSTEM IN SHA TIN WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON TUESDAY (JUNE 3).
SHA TIN BY-PASS BETWEEN LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND THE CENTRAL BUS TERMINUS WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM.
AS A RESULT OF THIS CLOSURE. WHICH MEANS TRAFFIC FROM KOWLOON WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE BY-PASS TO GET TO CENTRAL SHA TIN, A NEW JUNCTION, WHICH RUNS ALONGSIDE THE RAILWAY STATION, LINKING TAI PO ROAD WITH SHA TIN CENTRAL, WILL BE OPENED. THIS WILL GIVE ACCESS TO SHA TIN CENTRAL FROM TAI PO ROAD. TRAFFIC FROM SHA TIN CENTRAL USING THIS JUNCTION WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO EXIT NORTHWARDS TO TAI PO.
THE JUNCTION ON TAI PO ROAD BY THE POLICE STATION, WHICH RUNS BETWEEN LEK YUEN AND WO CHE ESTATES, WILL BE CHANGED TO PERMIT LEFT TURN ONLY ONTO TAI PO ROAD FOR KOWLOON-BOUND TRAFFIC.
A SLIP ROAD FROM TAI PO ROAD ONTO THE FO TAN PRIMARY ROAD WILL ALSO BE OPENED. THIS WILL PROVIDE NEW DIRECT ACCESS TO FO TAN FOR NORTH-BOUND TRAFFIC. AN EXIT FOR KOWLOON-BOUND TRAFFIC FROM FO TAN AND SHA TIN CENTRAL ONTO TAI PO ROAD WILL COME INTO USE AT THE SAME TIME.
/THE FOLLOWING .....
satubday, may 51, 1980
7
NOS ZJE 7HLL?nlNG,?US^0UTES WILL BE affected by the changes, nos. 48, 70, 70A, 71, 72, 86, 87, 88, 88A, 89, 170 AND 888.
FOR BE AT ALL UNCTIONS TO ASSIST MOTORISTS
s??Moncren”81 DAYS 0F THE NEW SCHEME. ALL CHANGES WILL BE
OIUNrUoIbD•
wfrf ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID THE CHANGES
*E*E rrSr!!ARY BECAUSE 0F DEVELOPMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW
I OWN Ch N1R E•
— — WW- 0 - — — -
WANTED. POLICE COOKS ft ft ft ft
CAN YOU COOK CHINESE FOOD FOR HUNDREDS OF HARD-WORKING HUNGRY POLICEMEN?
IF YOU CAN, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT MAY HAVE A JOB FOR YOU — PREPARING AND COOKING CANTONESE MEALS AT POLICE STATIONS OR ON POLICE LAUNCHES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT ITS LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE WAS RECRUITING CANDIDATES TO FILL 36 VACANT POSTS OF CLASS II COOK ON BEHALF OF THE FORCE.
CANDIDATES SHOULD PREFERABLY BE UNDER 35 AND WESTERN COOKING EXPERIENCE WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE.
THE POST CARRIES A MONTHLY SALARY OF $1 240 TO $1 360.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THOSE INTERESTED COULD APPROACH THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE’S BRANCH OFFICES, BRINGING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT APPLICATIONS COULD BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 3-683764 OR 3-666615.
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