DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NT CIRCULAR ROAD CONTRACTS SIGNED ........................... 1
BIG BOOST FOR CHILD CARE .................................... 2
HONG KONG INDUSTRIES IN 1978 ................................ 2
ANOTHER SECTION OF POK FU LAM ROAD TO BE WIDENED............. J
BARBADOS INDUSTRIAL MISSION ARRIVES TOMORROW ................ 4
RATES FOR SECOND QUARTER .................................... 4
BIGGER COMPENSATION FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND ................... 5
NT CHAMBER MEMBERS TAKE OFFICE .............................. 5
COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS VISITS NEW REFUGEE CAMP ............. 6
NICHE AVAILABLE AT KWAI CHUNG COLUMBARIUM ................... 6
CRAFT CONTEST WINNERS TO GET PRIZES AT OPEN DAY ............. 7
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RETIRES ........ 8
SHORTER RESTRICTED ZONE ON CAUSEWAY ROAD .................... 8
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1981
1
NT CIRCULAR ROAD CONTRACTS SIGNED * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AWARDED TWO CONTRACTS TOTALLING MORE THAN $100 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SECTIONS OF THE FUTURE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD.
ONE OF THE CONTRACTS, WORTH MORE THAN 165 MILLION, WAS WON BY KUMAGAI GUM I LTD. FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE ON TAI PO ROAD AND THE OTHER, VALUED AT JUST OVER $40 MILLION, WAS AWARDED TO TOBISHIMA CORPORATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND AU TAU.
MR TOM ARMOUR, CHIEF ENGINEER, HIGHWAYS (NEW TERRITORIES) DIVISION, OF THE PWD’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SIGNED BOTH CONTRACTS FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
MR ARMOUR SAID THE TWO PROJECTS FORMED PART OF THE FUTURE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1984 AT A COST OF ABOUT $2 500 MILLION.
WORK ON THE WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE, DESIGNED BY THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGE WHICH WILL HAVE TWO BRIDGES, VARIOUS APPROACH ROADS AND SLIP ROADS AS WELL AS A BRIDGE FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS. FOOTPATHS AND CYCLE TRACKS WILL ALSO BE BUILT ON EITHER SIDE OF THE INTERCHANGE.
ALTHOUGH THE WHOLE INTERCHANGE PROJECT WOULD NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL 1983, MR ARMOUR SAID, THE BRIDGE WHICH WOULD SEPARATE TRAFFIC FLOW FROM THE RAILWAY WOULD BE FINISHED NEXT YEAR, THUS ELIMINATING THE EXISTING LEVEL CROSSING IN TAI PO ROAD IN TIME FOR THE ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
REFERRING TO THE OTHER CONTRACT, WHICH WAS AWARDED TO TOBISHIMA CORPORATION, HE SAID THE ROAD TO BE BUILT BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND AU TAU MEASURED ABOUT 1 600 METRES.
THE DUAL CARRIAGEWAY, SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION LATE NEXT YEAR, WILL RUN FROM THE EXISTING EASTERN ROUNDABOUT IN YUEN LONG TO THE JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND KAM TIN ROAD AT AU TAU.
MR ARMOUR SAID THAT CYCLE TRACK AND FOOTPATHS WOULD BE BUILT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD WITH PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS SEPARATED FROM VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BY CRASH BARRIERS AND A LANDSCAPED ROADSIDE VERGE.
SAFE CROSSING OF THE ROAD WILL BE PROVIDED BY THREE STRATEGICALLY PLACED FOOTBRIDGES AND SUBWAYS UNDER A NEW ROUNDABOUT AT AU TAU.
♦RAMPS IN ADDITION TO STEPS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ALL FOOTBRIDGES AND SUBWAYS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF THESE TWO ALTERNATIVES SHOULD BE PARTICULARLY HELPFUL TO PEOPLE VISITING POK 01 HOSPITAL WHICH IS SERVED BY ONE OF THE FOOTBRIDGES,+ SAID MR ARMOUR.
CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (NEW TERRITORIES) DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, PWD.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1981
2
BIG BOOST FOR CHILD CARE
* * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS SET ASIDE MORE THAN $37.8 MILLION FOR SUBSIDISING AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CHILD CARE PLACES IN 1981-82.
THIS IS NEARLY $6 MILLION MORE THAN IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND 3 700 TIMES MORE THAN THE $10 000 PROVIDED IN 1957.
MR LAU KAI-CHUEN, HEAD OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE NEED TO INCREASE THE SERVICE AND HAD PROVIDED 1 875 MORE SUBVENTED NURSERY PLACES FOR WORKING PARENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH LOW-INCOMES.
♦THESE NEW PLACES WILL INVOLVE A TOTAL ANNUAL RECURRENT SUBVENTION OF $4.1 MILLION, WITH CAPITAL COSTS TO BE MET BY LOTTERIES FUND GRANTS IN MOST CASES,* HE SAID.
THEY WILL BOOST THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUBVENTED CHILD CARE PLACES TO 13 556, HE ADDED.
PLANS ARE ALSO IN HAND TO EXTEND TWO RESIDENTIAL CENTRES RUN BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PROVIDE AN EXTRA 74 SUBVENTED PLACES FOR CHILDREN AGED UP TO SIX YEARS.
MR LAU SAID ABOUT $24.6 MILLION WOULD BE SPENT ON SUBSIDISING 10 093 EXISTING PLACES IN 91 DAY NURSERIES IN 1981-82, $3.2 MILLION ON 913 PLACES IN 19 DAY CRENCHES AND $5.1 MILLION ON 384 PLACES IN FOUR RESIDENTIAL CENTRES.
HE SAID THE MONTHLY GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY FOR EACH CHILD IN A DAY NURSERY HAD GONE UP TO $194, COMPARED WITH THE $10 IN 1967.
AT PRESENT, ABOUT 17 250 CHILDREN ARE RECEIVING PROPER CARE IN 208 REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRES, INCLUDING 82 PRIVATELY RUN AND SIX NON-PROFIT MAKING SELF-SUPPORTING CENTRES.
♦ALL REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRES ARE REGULARLY VISITED BY OUR INSPECTORATE STAFF TO ENSURE THEIR STANDARDS OF SERVICE ARE ADEQUATE AND OF BENEFIT TO CHILDREN UNDER CARE,* HE SAID.
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HONG KONG INDUSTRIES IN 1978 *****
THE JANUARY 1981 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS - NOW ON SALE - CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ENTITLED ♦HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES IN 1978+.
rpi_ ART,CLE PRESENTS SOME OF THE SALIENT FINDINGS OBTAINED FROM THE 1978 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BETWEEN 1979 AND 1980 ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.
THE 1978 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IS THE SECOND BENCHMARK ECONOMIC CENSUS OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG SINCE 1973. IT COVERED THE ACTIVITIES OF MINING AND QUARRYING, MANUFACTURING AND THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
/THE MAIN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1981
3 -
THE MAIN TOPICS SURVEYED INCLUDEi TYPE OF OWNERSHIP- NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED- MAN-HOURS WORKED- LABOUR COST- PURCHASES OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES, FUEL, ELECTRICITY AND WATER, AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES- OPERATING EXPENSES- SALES AND WORK DONE-OTHER BUSINESS RECEIPTS- STOCKS- CAPITAL EXPENDITURE- DEPRECIATION AND BOOK VALUE OF FIXED ASSETS- AND EFFECTIVE FLOOR AREA OF FACTORY PREMISES.
SUCH INFORMATION IS REQUIRED FOR ESTIMATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF INDUSTRIES TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, FOR ANALYSING INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE, FOR POLICY FORMULATION BY THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE BUSINESS, AND FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH.
THE ARTICLE ALSO CONTAINS A NUMBER OF TABLES ANALYSING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS ACCORDING TO THE AVERAGE EMPLOYMENT, INDUSTRY GROUP, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, CENSUS DISTRICT, TYPE OF PREMISES, EFFECTIVE FLOOR AREA, VALUE OF GROSS OUTPUT AND CENSUS VALUE ADDED OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS, AMONG OTHER THINGS. IT ALSO COMPARES THE RESULTS OF THE 1978 SURVEY WITH THOSE OBTAINED FROM PREVIOUS INDUSTRIAL CENSUSES.
THE DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS ON SALE AT $14 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, HONG KONG. ENQUIRIES ON RESULTS OF THE 1978 SURVEY MAY BE MADE WITH THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT 5-274203).
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ANOTHER SECTION OF POK FU LAM ROAD TO BE WIDENED
* * * *
ANOTHER SECTION OF POK FU LAM ROAD FROM THE WEST ENTRANCE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TO POKFIELD ROAD BUS TERMINUS IS TO BE WIDENED SHORTLY.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE SECTION MEASURES ABOUT 620 METRES. IT FORMS PART OF THE OVERALL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME TO WIDEN THE WHOLE LENGTH OF POK FU LAM ROAD TO A FOUR-LANE CARRIAGEWAY.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JUNE AND TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE HIGHWAYS (HONG KONG) DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT DESIGNED THE WORK AND WILL SUPERVISE ITS CONSTRUCTION.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1981
4
BARBADOS INDUSTRIAL MISSION ARRIVES TOMORROW *****
AN OFFICIAL MISSION FROM BARBADOS WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (THURSDAY) ON A FIVE-DAY VISIT TO STUDY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT HERE.
THE MISSION OF 17 SENIOR COMPANY EXECUTIVES OF VARIOUS INDUSTRIES IN BARBADOS IS LED BY THE HON H.B. ST. JOHN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND TOURISM. ALSO WITH THE TEAM ARE DR RICHARD CHELTENHAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE BARBADOS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND MR RAWLE CHASE, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE BARBADOS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
THEIR PROGRAMME, ARRANGED BY THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, BEGINS WITH A VISIT TO THE DEPARTMENT WHERE THE MISSION MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY MR PAUL WONG, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE GROUP WILL THEN PROCEED TO THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
MEETINGS ARE ALSO ARRANGED WITH THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE, THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CORPORATION.
THE GROUP WILL ALSO VISIT AN ELECTRONICS FACTORY AND THE ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRE OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
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RATES FOR SECOND QUARTER
* * * *
RATEPAYERS ARE REMINDED THAT RATES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1981 MUST BE PAID BY 4 PM ON APRIL 30.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT LATE PAYMENTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE AND A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT ON ACCOUNTS STILL OUTSTANDING SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
HE NOTED THAT RATEPAYERS SHOULD BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR THE CURRENT QUARTER.
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE SHOULD APPLY FOR A COPY WITH THE RATES SECTION OF THE TREASURY ON 9TH FLOOR. CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), ICE HOUSE STREET.
♦NON-RECEIPT OF A DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT RATES MUST BE PAID BY THE DUE DATE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO AVOID QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED THAT RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PREMISES BUT REFUNDABLE UNDER CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE RATING ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO REFUNDS IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES, UNLESS IT IS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1981
5
BIGGER COMPENSATION FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND
* * N *
THE COMPENSATION RATE FOR OLD SCHEDULED AGRICULTURAL LOTS RESUMED IN NEW KOWLOON OR ON HONG KONG ISLAND HAS BEEN INCREASED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT FROM $97.90 PER SQ. FT. TO $113.30 PER SQ. FT., A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE RATE FOR THE URBAN AREA IS PEGGED TO THE RATE FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH IS REVISED EVERY SIX MONTHS.
THE NEW TERRITORIES RATE WAS REVISED RECENTLY TO $103 PER SQ. FT.
0
NT CHAMBER MEMBERS TAKE OFFICE * * *
NEW TERRITORIES’ CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY INCREASES WITH THE MOVEMENT OF POPULATION TO THE NEW TOWNS, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHUI WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE NINTH TERM OF THE EXECUTIVE AND SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE, NEW TERRITORIES GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
HE SAID THE POPULATION MOVE TO THE NEW TOWNS, WITH THEIR NEW INDUSTRIES AND NEW OPPORTUNIT IES, MEANT AN EXPANSION OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+ IN EXPLOITING THESE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRADE AND PROFIT, THE WELFARE OF THE WIDER COMMUNITY MUST BE REMEMBERED,+ HE SAID.
THE NEW TERRITORIES GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, FORMED IN 1959 WITH NINE AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS AND CHAMBERS, NOW HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF 17.
MR DEACON CHIU, A PROMINENT BUSINESSMAN, IS PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER.
♦THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES GENERAL CHAMBER CF COMMERCE CAN BE VERY SIGNIFICANT, NOT ONLY IN BRINGING MEMBERS TOGETHER TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THEIR BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, BUT IN THE ORDINARY AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN - THE MAINTENANCE OF STREETS, BUILDINGS, SHOPS AND OFFICES, AND IN THE GENERAL EFFORT TO GIVE OUR TOWNS A SAFE, HEALTHY AND HAPPY ENVIRONMENT,* Ml CHUI SAID.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, 48 COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE INAUGURATED FOR A TERM OF TWO-YEAR.
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/fe..........
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COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS VISITS NEW REFUGEE CAMP MOO
THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR THOMAS GARNER, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE NEWLY-OPENED JUBILEE RECEPTION CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN SHAM SHU I PO, WHICH IS ADMINISTERED BY STAFF OF THE PRISON SERVICE SECONDED TO THE SECURITY BRANCH.
THE CENTRE NOW HOLDS 575 REFUGEES. IT CAME INTO OPERATION LAST WEEK, WITH THE CLOSURE OF THE CANTON ROAD RECEPTION CENTRE. NEWLY-ARRIVED REFUGEES WILL BE PLACED THERE FOR ABOUT SEVEN DAYS FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS, IMMIGRATION PROCESSING AND DOCUMENTATION BY THE UNHCR BEFORE BEING TRANSFERRED TO OPEN CAMPS.
MR GARNER WAS MET AT THE CENTRE BY MR RICHARD BROOKS, SUPERINTENDENT IN CHARGE. HE TOURED THE CENTRE AND SAW THE FACILITIES PROVIDED, INCLUDING THE ACCOMMODATION, SICK BAY AND RECREATION ROOMS.
HE ALSO TALKED TO VOLUNTEERS FROM THE WORLD RELIEF ORGANISATION, WHO HELP WITH RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EDUCATIONAL CLASSES FOR THE REFUGEES.
MORE THAN 80 PRISON OFFICERS HEADED BY MR BROOKS HAVE BEEN SECONDED TO ADMINISTER GOVERNMENT CAMPS FOR REFUGEES. APART FROM THE RECEPTION CENTRE, THE OTHER CAMPS ARE THE ARGYLE STREET CAMP AND THE MA TAU WAI CAMP.
MOST OF THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WHO HAVE COME SINCE 1979, HAVE AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, BEEN IN THE CARE OF PRISON OFFICERS.
STAFF OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ARE ALSO STATIONED IN THE CENTRE TO PROCESS THE REFUGEES.
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NICHES AVAILABLE AT KWAI CHUNG COLUMBARIUM
* * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR PERMANENT PLACING OF ASHES OF DECEASED IN THE COLUMBARIUM OF KWAI CHUNG CREMATORIUM AS FROM APRIL 15.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) A TOTAL OF 3 508 NICHES AT THE KWAI CHUNG COLUMBARIUM WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
THE CHARGE FOR EACH STANDARD NICHE IN THE KWAI CHUNG COLUMBARIUM, CAPABLE OF HOLDING TWO CINERARY URNS, IS $1 000. AN ADDITIONAL S50 WILL BE CHARGED FOR A COMMEMORATIVE TABLE TO BE FIXED ON THE WALL OF THE NICHE.
♦NO STANDARD NICHE CAPABLE OF HOLDING FOUR URNS IS AVAILABLE AT KWAI CHUNG COLUMBARIUM AT THIS STAGE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE KWAI CHUNG CREMATORIUM, PUT INTO OPERATION 17 MONTHS AGO, IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND URBAN AREAS.
WRITTEN APPLICATIONS, WITH DETAILS OF THE DECEASED AND A COPY OF THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE (CREMATION), CAN BE MADE TO THE CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA OFFICE OF NTSD AT 6 CHEONG HANG ROAD, HUNG HOM PUBLIC FUNERAL PARLOUR, HUNG HOM.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1981
7
CRAFT CONTEST WINNERS TO GET PRIZES AT OPEN DAY *****
KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WILL HOLD ITS OPEN DAY ON FRIDAY (APRIL 3) AND THE PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ANNUAL ENGINEERING CRAFT COMPETITION WILL ALSO BE HELD IN THE AFTERNOON.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE INSTITUTE 25HIU STREETX KWUN TONG, KOWLOON, BETWEEN 12 NOON AND 5 PM AND SEE ITS STUDENTS AT WORK IN THE VARIOUS WORKSHOPS AND LABORATOR IES.
AT
THE WINNING DESIGNS OF THE CRAFT COMPETITION WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED IN THE HALL OF THE INSTITUTE.
CURRENTLY THERE ARE 4 240 STUDENTS ATTENDING VARIOUS FULL-TIME, PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE AND EVENING COURSES IN KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WHICH ALSO RUNS A VARIETY OF SHORT COURSES FOR CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS IN INDUSTRY.
THERE ARE FIVE TEACHING DEPARTMENTS IN THE INSTITUTE, INCLUDING CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, PRINTING AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES.
NINE WINNERS OF THE MECHANICAL FITTING SKILLS COMPETITION, THE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CRAFT COMPETITION AND THE MACHINING SKILLS COMPETITION WILL RECEIVE CASH PRIZES RANGING FROM |1 □□□ TO 1300 DONATED BY CHEN HSONG MACHINERY CO. LTD.
WINNERS OF THE BASIC ELECTRICAL CRAFT COMPETITION AND THE BASIC MECHANICAL SKILLS COMPETITION WILL ALSO RECEIVE AWARDS.
ALL FINALISTS IN THE FIVE COMPETITIONS WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF MERIT.
MR CHIANG CHEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CHEN HSONG MACHINERY CO. LTD. WILL PRESENT THE PRIZES.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPEN DAY OF KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 25 HIU MING STREET, KWUN TONG, KOWLOON ON FRIDAY BETWEEN 12 NOON AND 5 PM.
THE PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ANNUAL ENGINEERING CRAFT COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT 2 PM IN THE HALL OF THE INSTITUTE.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1981
8
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RETIRES
AMU#
MR H.H. ROSS, MBE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, LICENSING, OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL SOON PROCEED ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE, AFTER MORE THAN 27 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR ROSS JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1954 AS A REVENUE INSPECTOR CLASS I, AND WAS APPOINTED EXECUTIVE OFFICER CLASS II IN 1956. HE WORKED HIS WAY THROUGH THE RANKS TO BECOME CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFF ICER.
HE SERVED MAINLY IN THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
WHILE WITH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN 1972, HE CO-ORDINATED THE FIRST AND VERY SUCCESSFUL +KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN* CAMPAIGN. HE WAS AWARDED THE MBE IN 1974.
A FORMER CHIEFTAIN OF THE HONG KONG ST. ANDREW’S SOCIETY, W ROSS IS ALSO A VERY KEEN OFFSHORE RACING YACHTSMAN. HE CAPTAINED THE HONG KONG ADMIRAL’S CUP TEAM WHICH FINISHED THIRD OUT OF 19 COUNTRIES IN 1979, BEHIND AUSTRALIA AND THE USA.
AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TOMORROW (THURSDAY) THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT, WILL PRESENT A FAREWELL GIFT TO MR ROSS ON BEHALF OF HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.
NOTE TO ED ITORSi
THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT 10 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY). YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
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SHORTER RESTRICTED ZONE ON CAUSEWAY ROAD
* ** I
WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 3), THE EXISTING RESTRICTED ZONE ON THE WESTBOUND SECTION OF CAUSEWAY ROAD WILL BE SHORTENED BY ABOUT EIGHT METRES FROM A POINT 80 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HING FAT STREET TO A POINT 72 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS MEASURE IS BEING INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE SHORTENED RESTRICTED ZONE, WHERE ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, ARE NOT ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS, WILL BE INDICATED BY TRAFFIC SIGNS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR INAUGURATES FIRST DISTRICT BOARD ..............
REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON JUVENILE CRIME................ 3
ADVICE ON DRUG SAFETY........................................ 9
DJAKARTA MEETING FORERUNNER OF MAJOR MFA NEGOTIATIONS . 6
YUEN LONG TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE NEW OFFICE-BEARERS SWORN IN...................................... y
WARNING ABOUT BOGUS LABOUR INSPECTORS ....................... 8
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HO MAN TIN................. 9
CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM DONATION.............................. 9
TAI PO DISTRICT TO HCLD TREE PLANTING DAY .................. 10
HONG KONG JING YING TO PERFORM
11
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1981
1
GOVERNOR INAUGURATES FIRST DISTRICT BOARD
*****
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD WOULD BRING NEW LIFE TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF KWUN TONG, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
PRESIDING AT THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THE FIRST OF 10 NEW BOARDS TO BE SET UP IN KOWLOON AND ON HONG KONG ISLAND BEFORE APRIL 1982. SIR MURRAY SAID THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST STAGE IN ESTABLISHING NEW DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN THE URBAN AREA.
HE SAID THE NEW STEP TOWARDS LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE EVIDENT WISH OF PEOPLE TO HAVE MORE INFLUENCE OVER LOCAL ADMINISTRATION, AND BY THE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL PARTICIPATION WHICH WAS SO APPARENT IN THE WORK OF MANY BODIES, INCLUDING THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, THE KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS, THE AREA COMMITTEES AND PARTICULARLY THE CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEES.
HE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THESE DIVERSE BODIES. *THE NEW STEP WE TAKE CAN ONLY SUCCEED WITH THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT,* HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF DISTRICT BOARDS HAVING AN INCREASING INFLUENCE ON THE WAY GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES ARE P-TAFTED AND IMPLEMENTED TO MEET DISTRICT NEEDS.
+A STRONG MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WILL BE AN ESSENTIAL COMPLEMENT TO THE WORK OF DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE URBAN AREA AS HAS BEEN PROVED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* HE ADDED.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH AT THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARDi
+THIS INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD ESTABLISHES THE FIRST OF 10 NEW BOARDS WHICH WILL BE SET UP IN KOWLOON AND ON HONG KONG ISLAND BEFORE APRIL 1982. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FIRSTLY BECAUSE IT IS THE FIRST STAGE IN ESTABLISHING NEW DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN THE URBAN AREA. BUT ALSO BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT WILL BRING NEW LIFE TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF KWUN TONG.
♦THIS NEW STEP TOWARDS LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE EVIDENT WISH OF PEOPLE TO HAVE MORE INFLUENCE OVER LOCAL ADMINISTRATION, AND BY THE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL PARTICIPATION WHICH HAS BEEN SO APPARENT IN THE WORK OF MANY BODIES INCLUDING THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, THE KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS, THE AREA COMMITTEES AND PARTICULARLY THE CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEES. THE MEMBERS OF THESE DIVERSE BODIES HAVE DONE AND DO MAGNIFICENT WORK. THEY MAY BE BEST KNOWN FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO CAMPAIGNS FOR KEEPING HONG KONG CLEAN, FIGHTING CRIME, PROVISION OF RECREATION SPORT AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNIT IES, FIGHTING NARCOTIC ADDICTION AND SO ON. BUT THE DECISION TO ESTABLISH DISTRICT BOARDS WITH WIDER RESPONSIBILITIES WAS BASED UPON THE SUCCESS OF THE DISTRICT COMMITTEES AND THE SUPPORT THEY HAVE RECEIVED FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN EACH DISTRICT. I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THESE PUBLIC-SPIRITED PEOPLE WHO OVER THE YEARS HAVE SERVED THE COMMUNITY IN THIS WAY. THE NEW STEP WE TAKE TODAY CAN ONLY SUCCEED WITH THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT.
/+THE FL&ST .....
TBDBSDAY, APHIL 2, 1?81
2
♦THE FIRST DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE URBAN AREA WILL CONSIST OF A MAJORITY OF APPOINTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS EITHER RESIDENT OR HAVING A STRONG INTEREST IN THEIR DISTRICTS- THEY WILL WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MORE IMPORTANT SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT. IN ADDITION THERE WILL BE SEATS FOR URBAN COUNCILLORS.
♦AMONG THE APPOINTED UNOFFICIALS ABOUT HALF - IN THE CASE OF KWUN TONG 12 - WILL BE AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN. THEIR TERM WILL EXTEND FROM THEIR DATE OF APPOINTMENT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 1982.
♦HOWEVER, FOR THE SECOND TERM, WHICH WILL BEGIN IN OCTOBER 1982 AND EXTEND FOR 3 YEARS, ABOUT HALF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL BE ELECTED ON A CONSTITUENCY BASIS WITHIN DISTRICTS. THE NUMBER OF SEATS TO BE FILLED BY APPOINTED MEMBERS WILL THEN BE REDUCED BY ABOUT HALF AND THE NEW APPOINTEES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AFTER THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION HAVE BEEN DECLARED. AT THAT TIME IN ADDITION TO SEATS FOR A FEW OFFICIALS, THERE WILL BE SEATS ON THE KWUN TONG BOARD FOR TWELVE ELECTED UNOFFICIALS AND FOR UP TO TWELVE APPOINTED UNOFFICIALS.
♦DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WILL PLACE INCREASING RESPONSIBILITIES ON AREA COMMITTEES TO ENSURE THAT AREA REPRESENTATIVES, WHETHER, AS IN THE FIRST TERM, THEIR OWN CHAIRMEN OR, AS IN SUBSEQUENT ONES, CONSTITUENCY ELECTED, ARE FULLY AWARE OF PROBLEMS WITHIN THEIR AREAS AND ARE ACTING ON THEM APPROPRIATELY ON THE DISTRICT BOARDS. I RELY ON THE AREA COMMITTEES TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE.
♦IT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE SCHEME THAT IT SHOULD BE ROOTED IN NEIGHBOURHOOD PROBLEMS. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE DAY TO DAY RUNNING OF MANY PUBLIC SERVICES CAN BE MADE MORE EFFECTIVE IF THOSE WHO USE THEM HAVE A STRONG INFLUENCE ON HOW THEY ARE RUN. THIS DEMANDS THAT THEY ARE CONSULTED ON THE PLANNING OF THESE SERVICES, AND THAT DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE AN INCREASING INFLUENCE ON THE WAY GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES ARE DRAFTED AND IMPLEMENTED TO MEET DISTRICT NEEDS. IT WILL BE DEMANDING WORK FOR UNOFFICIALS- IT WILL ALSO MAKE VERY SUBSTANTIAL DEMANDS ON OFFICIALS AND A STRONG MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WILL BE AN ESSENTIAL COMPLEMENT TO THE WORK OF DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE URBAN AREA AS HAS BEEN PROVED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
♦FOR THIS NEW EXPERIMENT TO WORK, ON THE ONE HAND UNOFFICIAL ADVICE MUST BE TIMELY, WELL INFORMED AND CONSTRUCTIVE AND ON THE OTHER HAND THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE ABLE AND WILLING TO RESPOND TO IT QUICKLY AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY- BY THIS I MEAN BY EITHER DOING WHAT IS ASKED, OR BY GIVING A CONVINCING EXPLANATION OF WHY IT CANNOT BE DONE, OR DONE AT THAT TIME. ONLY BY SUCH A TWO WAY EXCHANGE CAN THE PARTNERSHIP BE FORMED TO MOUNT AN EFFECTIVE ATTACK ON DISTRICT PROBLEMS.
♦ IT IS MY HOPE THAT THIS ADMINISTRATIVE PATTERN WHICH WE SEE TAKING SHAPE IN KWUN TONG TO-DAY, SHOULD BRING A BREATH OF FRESH AIR INTO ADMINISTRATION IN THE 1980S.
♦ I WISH THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD SUCCESS, AND I PROMISE MY INTEREST AND MY SUPPORT.+
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1981
3
REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON JUVENILE CRIME ******
THE WORKING GROUP FORMED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE UPSURGE IN JUVENILE CRIME HAS FOUND VARIOUS FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE TREND ALTHOUGH IT COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY SINGLE MAIN CONTRIBUTORY ONE. IT HAS ALSO MADE WIDE RANGING RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNTERACT THE UPSURGE.
THE WORKING GROUP CONSISTED OF THREE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS -DR HO KAM-FAI AND MR PANG HANG-YIN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, AND MRS CHAN WONG SHU I OF THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION -AND 11 OFFICIALS REPRESENTING THE HOME AFFAIRS, SOCIAL SERVICES AND SECURITY BRANCHES, THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS AND THE ROYAL HK POLICE FORCE. THE CONVENOR WAS MR NIGEL FRENCH, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH.
MR FRENCH EXPLAINED THAT THE RISE IN THE JUVENILE CRIME RATE WAS REMARKABLE AND DISTURBING IN THAT IT WAS SO SUDDEN AND STEEP, THAT IT WAS UNEXPECTED, AND THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN EARLIER.
RECORDS SHOW THAT WHILE BEFORE 1978 THE RATE (I.E. THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS OF JUVENILES PER 1OO 000 IN THE 7-15 AGE GROUP) HAD REMAINED STABLE AT BETWEEN 150 AND 200 EACH YEAR, THERE HAD BEEN AN ALARMING 250 PER CENT INCREASE SINCE THEN. THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WAS THEREFORE ASKED BY THE GOVERNOR TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE AND TO SUGGEST REMEDIAL MEASURES.
OUTLINING THE MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR FRENCH SAID THE PRECONDITIONS FOR A RISE IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND CH IME ALL EXISTED WELL BEFORE 1979.
♦VARIOUS NEW FACTORS HAVE EMERGED AS WELL. IT IS CLEAR THAT MANY FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THE UPSURGE AND THE WORKING GROUP FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY CONCLUSIVELY ANY SINGLE MAIN CONTRIBUTORY ONE. ONE POSSIBLE SUCH FACTOR HOWEVER MIGHT BE DELAYED EFFECTS OF THE PHASED INTRODUCTION OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION IN 1978.
♦WE HAVE FOUND CONSIDERABLE EVIDENCE FROM OUR RESEARCHES TO SUPPORT THIS,+ HE ADDED. +IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF UNIVERSAL JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION IS STILL IN A TRANSITIONAL STAGE AND THAT STUDENTS AS WELL AS TEACHERS AND PARENTS ARE TAKING TIME TO ADJUST TO THE CHANGES.
♦THE RISE IN JUVENILE CRIME COULD BE A SIDE-EFFECT OF THIS PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT BUT OTHER FACTORS HAVE ALSO UNDOUBTEDLY CONTRIBUTED TO VARYING EXTENTS,+ HE SAID.
MR FRENCH EMPHASISED HOWEVER THAT JUVENILE OFFENDERS STILL CONSTITUTED LESS THAN ONE HALF OF ONE PER CENT OF THE JUVENILE POPULATION AND THAT THE JUVENILE CRIME RATE WAS STILL RELATIVELY LOW- IT WAS LOWER THAN THE OVERALL, ADULT AND MOST PARTICULARLY THE YOUTH (16 - 20 YEARS OLD) CRIME RATES.
♦ IT SHOULD THEREFORE NOT BE CONCLUDED THAT COMPULSORY EDUCATION IS UNDESIRABLE SIMPLY FOR THE SIDE-EFFECTS ON SOME YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK OF MIXING A WIDER CROSS-SECTION OF STUDENTS TOGETHER,* HE SAID.
/i^Airr of......
THURSDAY, APEIL 2, 1?E1
4
MANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE WORKING GROUP HAVE ALREADY BEEN ENDORSED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WHILE OTHERS WILL BE FURTHER CONSIDERED. THE MEASURES INCLUDEt
(A) A REVIEW OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN OF WIDELY DIFFERING ABILITIES AND INTERESTS-
(B) A REVIEW OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SCHEME IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED WITH MIXED ABILITY IN SCHOOLS-
(C) A REVIEW OF THE STANDARDS AND PRIORITIES FOR THE PROGRAMME PLAN ON PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE COVERING SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, OUTREACH I NG SOCIAL WORK AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION-
(D) AN EXPANSION OF ORGANISED ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON MAKING JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND OTHER YOUTH MOVEMENTS AS WELL AS YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRES MORE ATTRACTIVE TO YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK-
(E) EDUCATION OF TEACHERS, PARENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE MEASURES WHICH CAN BE TAKEN TO COUNTERACT GANG INFLUENCES"
(F) EMPHASIS ON FIGHTING JUVENILE AND YOUTH CRIME IN THE 1981/82 FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN-
(G) STRICTER SECURITY AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES BY SUPERMARKETS AND DEPARTMENT STORES, ETC. TO COUNTERACT THE GROWING TREND TOWARDS SHOPLIFTING BY JUVENILES-
(H) GREATER EFFORTS TOWARDS STAMPING OUT CERTAIN VICE ACTIVITIES, INVOLVING YOUNG GIRLS IN PARTICULAR-
(I) FURTHER EFFORTS ON THE WART OF THE TELEVISION AUTHORITY AND THE TELEVISION STATIONS TO IMPROVE THE CONTENT AND STANDARDS PORTRAYED IN TELEVISION PROGRAMMES.
RESEARCHES BY THE WORKING GROUP WERE UNDERTAKEN ON THREE FRONTSi
(A) AN EXAMINATION Of^THE RECORDS OF 1 551 JUVENILE OFFENDERS PROSECUTED BETWEEN JANUARY 1978 AND OCTOBER 1980-
(B) DETAILED INTERVIEWS OF 377 OF THESE OFFENDERS ON THE BASIS OF A 27 PAGE QUESTIONNAIRE- AND
(C) WIDE-RANGING DISCUSSIONS, CONSULTATIONS AND OTHER RESEARCH.
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/5......
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1981
5
ADVICE ON DRUG SAFETY * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT CHIEF PHARMACIST (THURSDAY) CALLED FOR A CONCERTED
MR MERVYN LOIE, TODAY
CONCERNED — DOCTORS, PHARMACISTS DRUG SAFETY AT HOME.
EFFORT BY ALL PARTIES AND CONSUMERS — TO ENSURE
SPEAKING AT A ROTARY CLUB OF HE SAID CHILDREN ARE PARTICULARLY INGESTION OF DRUGS, OFTEN THROUGH
KOWLOON MEETING THIS AFTERNOON, PRONE TO THE ACCIDENTAL THE NEGLECTS OF PARENTS.
IT WOULD
WHILE THE GOVERNMENT HAD ENACTED LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THE SALE OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DRUGS, HE SAID, IT WOULD STILL BE UP TO THE PARENTS THEMSELVES TO ENSURE ALL MEDICINES ARE STORED OUT OF CHILDREN’S REACH.
MR LOIE SAID DOCTORS COULD HELP REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF DRUG POISONING BY GIVING CLEAR DIRECTIONS TO PATIENTS HOW DRUGS SHOULD BE TAKEN AND WHAT THE SIDE EFFECTS WERE LIKELY TO
PHARMACISTS, TOO, COULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROMOTING DRUG SAFETY BY GIVING ADVICE ON HOW DRUGS SHOULD BE STORED AND WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN IN THE ADMINISTERING OF CERTAIN DRUGS, THEIR COMPATIBILITY WITH ALCOHOL, THE ADVISABILITY OF DR' ING OR OPERATING MACHINES AND SO FORTH, HE SAID.
BUT AB0VE ALL» SA,D MR 101 E> THE MOST important ASPECT IN TH?MSELVESDMUSTSPLAY^THE IR^PART.H°^E* ™,S 'S ™E C0NSUMERS
ON STORAGE OF DRUGS, HE GAVE THIS ADVICE I
* UNKNOWN MEDICINES OR MEDICINES THAT HAVE BEEN KEPT FOR A LONG TIME SHOULD BE DISCARDED.
* ALL MEDICINES THAT HAVE SHOWN SIGNS OF DETERIORATION, SUCH AS CHANGE IN COLOUR, APPEARANCE OR SMELL SHOULD BE DISCARDED.
* ALL MEDICINES MUST BE LOCKED OR STORED OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
* STORE ALL MEDICINES IN COOL, CLEAN AND DRY PLACES, AWAY FROM DIRECT SUNLIGHT.
ON THE QUESTION OF ADMINISTERING OF DRUGS, MR LOIE ADVISED CONSUMERS THAT THEY i
* READ THE LABEL OR DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE CAREFULLY BEFORE TAKING THE MEDICINE.
* TAKE MEDICINES AT THE RIGHT TIME (I.E. IF THREE TIMES DAILY, ALWAYS AT THE SAME TIMES OF THE DAY) AND THE RIGHT DOSAGE.
M NOTE AND OBEY ALL WARNINGS ON THE LABEL.
A NOTE ALL .........
6
THfnSNCi, APBIL 2, 1961
* NOTE ALL REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS AFTER ADMINISTRATION AND, IF ANY, REPORT TO THE DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST.
* REPLACE CAP TIGHTLY AFTER TAKING THE MEDICINE.
* DO NOT TAKE CHINESE AND WESTERN MEDICINES AT THE SAME TIME.
* PREGNANT WOMEN AND LACTATING MOTHERS SHOULD TAKE MEDICINES ONLY UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS OF DOCTORS OR PHARMACISTS.
* SHOULD NOT TAKE MEDICINES SPECIALLY PRESCRIBED FOR OTHER PERSONS NOR SHOULD THEY RECOMMEND MEDICINE TO OTHER PEOPLE.
* NEVER TAKE ANY MEDICINES RECOMMENDED BY FRIENDS OR RELATIVES.
* DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO HELP THEMSELVES TO ADMINISTER MEDICINES, EVEN VITAMINS.
THE CHIEF PHARMACIST REFUTED ALLEGATIONS THAT HONG KONG IS THE +DUMPING+ GROUND OF DANGEROUS AND SHODDY MEDICINES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ANY IMPORTER WHO WISHED TO IMPORT A DRUG TO HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO OBTAIN A PERMIT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, ENDORSED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AFTER VERIFICATION THAT THE DRUG HAD BEEN REGISTERED AND WAS FROM A PROPER MANUFACTURER.
SINCE JULY 1978 WHEN THE LAW WAS ENFORCED, A NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AGAINST DEALERS SELLING UNREGISTERED PRODUCTS, HE ADDED.
MR LOIE ALSO SAID THAT BEFORE A DRUG IS INTRODUCED INTO THE MARKET, EXTENSIVE RESEARCH HAS TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE ITS EFFICACY AND SAFETY.
+A DRUG MAY NOT THUS BE READY FOR THE MARKET WITHOUT YEARS OF RESEARCH AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS POURED INTO IT,+ HE SAID.
-------- o---------
DJAKARTA MEETING FORERUNNER OF MAJOR MFA NEGOTIATIONS *****
AMBASSADOR FELIPE JARAMILLO, AMBASSADOR OF COLUMBIA, MR CARLOS SANTOS-NEVES, COUNSELLOR OF BRAZIL, AND MR ALVARO MOERZ INGER, FIRST SECRETARY OF URUGUAY, ARRIVED IN HONG KONG TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT BEFORE TRAVELLING ON TO INDONESIA TO ATTEND J1L*^S«am0?o^0I,AT,0NS 0N TRADE IN TEXTILES TO BE HELD IN DJAKARTA FROM APRIL 6.
MR PETER TSA0' MET THE VISITORS ON ARRIVAL AT KAI TAK AIRPORT.
THURSDAY, AERTT, 2, 1981
7
MR TSAO AND MR T.H. CHAU, COUNSELLOR FOR HONS KONG AFFAIRS IN GENEVA, BOTH REPRESENTING HONG KONG AT THE FORTHCOMING CONFERENCE, WILL TRAVEL TO DJAKARTA WITH THE VISITORS.
THE DJAKARTA CONFERENCE IS THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF l€ETINGS BETWEEN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN PREPARATION FOR THE MAJOR MULTI-FIBRE AGREEMENT (MFA) NEGOTIATIONS WHICH ARE CONTINUING IN GENEVA.
THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE DEVELOPING NATIONS WITH WHOM HONG KONG HAS COMMON TRADE INTERESTS WAS HELD IN BOGOTA, COLUMBIA, LAST NOVEMBER. THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, W. DORWARD, REPRESENTED HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
YUEN LONG TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE NEW OFFICE-BEARERS SWORN IN
* * *
THE SIXTH TERM OFFICE-BEARERS OF YUEN LONG TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WERE SWORN IN TODAY (THURSDAY).
ADMINISTERING THE OATH WAS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM.
THE COMMITTEE’S TERM OF OFFICE WILL LAST TWO YEARS, DURING WHICH THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING THE TOWN HALL, FOUNDED 10 YEARS AGO TO ORGANISE AND PROVIDE VENUES FOR RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL PEOPLE.
THE COST OF BUILDING THE TOWN HALL WAS MET BY THE LOTTERIES FUND, WHILE THE SITE WAS GRANTED BY GOVERNMENT.
A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, COMPRISING LOCAL JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, RURAL COMMITTEE LEADERS AND PROMINENT RECREATION AND SPORT FIGURES, WAS FORMED IN 1975.
OVER THE PAST DECADE A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN ORGANISED, INCLUDING EXHIBITIONS, INTEREST GROUPS, TRAINING CLASSES AND COMPETITIONS.
A CHILDREN’S CHOIR, A BALLET SCHOOL AND A SOCIAL SERVICE GROUP HAVE ALSO BEEN FORMED.
FUNDS FOR ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED BY YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.
/spbaking on
THURSDAY, ABRIL 2, 1J81
8
NEW TO LIVE
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE 50-MEMBER COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN, MADAM LEUNG SING-TAK, SAID THEY WOULD ALL TRY UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THEIR PREDECESSORS AND CONTINUE TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL
LIFE IN YUEN LONG.
OTHER GUESTS AT TODAY’S CEREMONY INCLUDED DEPUTY DIRECTOR CF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN- YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, Nft FUNG KWOK-KEUNG- AND FORMER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, M? STEPHEN CHIU.
-----o------
WARNING ABOUT BOGUS LABOUR INSPECTORS
X * * X
EMPLOYERS WERE REMINDED TODAY (THURSDAY) TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST BOGUS LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.
THE REMINDER WAS ISSUED BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING THE RECEIPT OF THREE REPORTS IN ONE WEEK OF PEOPLE IMPERSONATING LABOUR INSPECTORS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REPORTS WERE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT EY EMPLOYERS WHO HAD RECEIVED TELEPHONE CALLS FROM PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE LABOUR INSPECTORS.
THE CALLERS REPORTEDLY ASKED THE EMPLOYERS FOR PARTICULARS OF THEIR FACTORIES OR FIRMS AND INDICATED THEY WOULD BE CALLING ON THEM SHORTLY.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSEDi +ANY EMPLOYER WHO RECEIVES SUCH TELEPHONE CALLS IN THE FUTURE SHOULD INFORM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OR THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY.*
♦THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT NEVER TELEPHONES EMPLOYERS TO ALERT THEM OF ANY IMPENDING VISITS. LABOUR INSPECTORS VISIT FACTORIES OR COMMERCIAL FIRMS AT RANDOM AND WITHOUT GIVING NOT ICE.♦
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT ALL LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS CARRIED WITH THEM GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS AND WARRANTS BEARING THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS AND NAMES.
♦MEMBERS OF THE FACTORY, LABOUR AND OTHER INSPECTORATES OF THE DEPARTMENT ARE UNDER INSTRUCTION TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES BY PRODUCING THEIR WARRANTS WHEN VISITING PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT.+
♦EMPLOYERS SHOULD BE ALERT TO PEOPLE IMPERSONATING OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT. IF IN DOUBT THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY OR REPORT TO THE NEAREST POLICE STAT ION,+ HE ADDED.
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1981
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HO MAN TIN ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN HO MAN TIN WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD REPAIR AT THE JUNCTION OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD WHICH COLLAPSED WHEN A WATER MAIN BURST.
UNDER THESE ARRANGEMENTS, THE SOUTHBOUND GROUND LEVEL CARRIAGEWAY OF WATERLOO ROAD BETWEEN BOUNDARY STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD HAS BEEN CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS PURPOSE.
MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC TURNING RIGHT FROM WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY HAS BEEN BANNED.
NORTHBOUND BUSES OF KMB ROUTE NUMBERS 3, 7B, 10, 12B AND 208 ARE DIVERTED VIA WATERLOO ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (WESTBOUND), EMBANKMENT ROAD, AND BOUNDARY STREET INSTEAD OF WATERLOO ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (EASTBOUND).
TRAFFIC SIGNS AND BARRIERS HAVE BEEN PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM DONATION * * * *
W,LL BEMEF ,T BY *120 000 MONTHLY FROM INTEREST
^oElum M,LL,0N DONATED RECENTLY BY PHILANTHROPIST
COMPLETED* N 1983 T0WARDS THE TSUEN WAN GAMES HALL PROJECT TO BE
au u.eNIoLTn^£RJNCIPAL SUM OF >10 MILLION GIVEN BY SIR SHIU-KIN ws'Mx1» ®h w w the po leung kuk- *nd projects t°
°!?,GINAL DONATION IS NOW BEING HELD IN TRUST BY THE ^GREIARY F?R H0ME AFFAIRS incorporated and put in deposit at MAKING THE DONATION, SIR SHIU-KIN STATED !JG T0 THE TUNG WAH AND THE Po LEUNG KUK SHOULD BE NOT LESS THAN >500 000 EACH IN THE 1981-82 YEAR ENDING IN 0THERWISE HE WOULD MAKE A FURTHER DONATION TO KtACn THE FIGURE.
THE ORIGINAL $10 MILLION DONATION WAS PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, BY SIR SHIU-KIN ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY ON MARCH 21 FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPPING CF A GAMES HALL IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN. THE GAMES HALL WILL BE BUILT BETWEEN SHEK YAM AND LEI MUK SHUE ESTATES- WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ON IT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN 1983.
THDHSDAY, XPBIL 2, 1981
10
THE TWO ESTATES HAVE A TOTAL POPULATION OF 70 000 PEOPLE.
THE GAMES HALL WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE 1 000 RESIDENTS OF NEARBY TAI PAK TIN, SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG, DA CHUEN PING AND CHUNG KWAI CHUNG VILLAGES AS WELL. IT WILL HAVE PROVISION FOR BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL BADMINTON, TABLE TENNIS, SQUASH, GYMNASTICS AND OTHER INDOOR SPORTS.
IN MAKING THE DONATION, SIR SHIU-KIN SAID HE WAS HAPPY TO SUPPORT RECREATIONAL PROJECTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT OTHER PEOPLE WOULD ALSO GIVE THEIR SUPPORT.
-----0------
TAI PO DISTRICT TO HOLD TREE PLANTING DAY * * * *
MORE THAN 15 000 TREES, SHRUBS AND SEEDLINGS WILL BE PLANTED ALONG ROAD SIDES AND VARIOUS OPEN SPACES THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE FORTHCOMING TREE PLANTING SEASON BEGINNING ON FRIDAY (APRIL 3).
THE FIRST TREE PLANTING EXERCISE — THE TAI PO DISTRICT TREE PLANTING DAY — WILL BE HELD AT THE APPROACH ROADSIDES LEADING TO THE TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRE, TAI PO, AT 10.30 AM ON
THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JIMMY SWEETMAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE, MR STEPHEN WONG YUEN-CHEONG, WILL JOINTLY OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
ABOUT 100 CHILDREN FROM FIVE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN TAI PO DISTRICT WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE TREE PLANTING DRIVE WITH AN AIM TO AROUSE THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN PLANTING AND CARING FOR TREES AND CREATING A PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT IN THE AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE TAI PO DISTRICT TREE PLANTING CEREMONY AT THE OPEN SPACE IN THE VICINITY OF TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRE, TAI PO, TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A 11-SEATER VAN WILL LEAVE THE JJNCTION OF HANKOW ROAD AND MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 9 AM FOR TAI MEI TUK TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
AN OFFICER FROM NTSD INFORMATION UNIT ASSIST THE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
WILL BE ON HAND
TO
0
/11
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1981
11
HONG KONG JING YING TO PERFORM
* * * *
THE HONG KONG JING YING, WHO RECENTLY RETURNED FROM A SUCCESSFUL THREE-WEEK TOUR OF LONDON, WILL BE PERFORMING ON MONDAY (APRIL 6) AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, STARTING AT 8 PM.
THE 17-MEMBER HONG KONG JING YING GROUP HAD WON ACCLAIM FOR PERFORMANCES AT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD 25TH ANNIVERSARY COMMONWEALTH BALL, THE CAMDEN FESTIVAL, ON BBC-TV AND AT OTHER OCCASIONS.
ON MONDAY EVENING THE GROUP WILL PERFORM +AN EVENING OF CHINESE MUSIC AND DANCE*, WHICH WILL INCLUDE AN ENSEMBLE PIECE, +LEGEND+, A DI-ZI SOLO, +BIRDSONG+, A YANG QIN SOLO, +SHEN-BEI FOLK SONG+, A PIPA SOLO, +THE FLOWER FAIR+, AND A PERCUSSION SOLO, +NIGHT*.
DANCE ITEMS WILL INCLUDE SUCH FAMOUS PIECES +RAINBOW SILKS*, ■♦MOON IN THE WESTERN CHAMBER*, +THE CANARY*, * IMPROMPTU*, +THE FARM GIRL*, +SHADOWS IN THE MOONLIGHT* AND +EMBROIDER I NG THE SHAWLS*.
ADMMISION TO THE CONCERT IS FREE AND TICKETS MAY BE OBTAINED AT ALL OFFICES OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND THE MUSIC OFFICE-. TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL J, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIX NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO NT DISTRICT BOARDS ............... 1
NEED FOR GOOD FAMILY LIFE STRESSED ............................ 3
NEW SCHOOL OPENED IN TAI PO.................................... 4
TAI PO DISTRICT TREE PLANTING DAY LAUNCHED..................... 5
FESTIVAL FIRE DANGER........................................... 5
ISLAND FESTIVAL TRAFFIC PLAN .................................. 6
TRAFFIC PLANS FOR FESTIVAL .................................... 7
CRAFTMEN TO SHOW SKILLS ....................................... 8
HOLIDAY REMINDER .............................................. 8
REVISED CHAI WAN PLAN RELEASED ................................ 9
NT GRAVES DUE FOR EXHUMATION ................................. 10
SIR JACK OPENS EXHIBITION .................................... 10
CROSS HARBOUR POWER LINK COMMISSIONED ........................ 10
PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES FOR SCHOOL SERVICES ...................... 11
MAXICAB ROUTE 30 SCHEDULE REVISED ............................ 11
FOOTBRIDGE TO BE BUILT ....................................... 11
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR SCHOOLS ................................... 12
TENDERS FOR JOINT-VENTURE SOUGHT ............................. 12
SERVICE RESERVOIR TO BE BUILT ................................ 12
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1981
1
SIX NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO NT DISTRICT BOARDS
* * M * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF SIX NEW MEMBERS TO SERVE ON DISTRICT BOARDS.
THEY AREi
TSUEN WAN - MR CHAN YIU, AGED 51, A BUSINESSMAN, WHO IS ACTIVE IN MUTUAL AID AND AREA COMMITTEE WORK- AND
MADAM CHAN KWOK WAI-MAN, A HOUSEWIFE, WHO IS ALSO ACTIVE IN MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE WORK IN KWAI SHING ESTATE. MADAM CHAN IS A MEMBER OF KWAI SHING AREA COMMITTEE AND OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF KWAI SHING COMMUNITY HALL.
SHA TIN - MR CHEUNG CHI-YUEN, AGED 36, DIRECTOR OF SHA TIN CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE, AND A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT BOARD RECREATION AND SPORTS SUB-COMMITTEE- AND
MR FRANKLIN SHUM TUNG-KEUNG, AGED 50, AN INDUSTRIALIST WITH A KEEN INTEREST IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. MR SHUM IS PRESIDENT OF THE NEWLY-FOUNDED SHA TIN ROTARY CLUB.
TAI PO - MR STEPHEN TANG LUNG-WAI, AGED 30, ASSISTANT LECTURER IN SOCIOLOGY AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, OF WHICH HE IS A SOCIAL SCIENCES GRADUATE. MR TANG IS KEENLY INTERESTED IN THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME- AND
MR VINCENT LO WING-SANG, AGED 30, A LOCAL LAWYER, WITH AN INTEREST IN ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
WELCOMING THE NEWLY-APPOINTED MEMBERS, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, SAID THEIR RANGE OF INTERESTS WOULD ENSURE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THEIR LOCAL DISTRICT BOARDS.
MR CHUI SAID THE BOARDS WERE ENTERING A +VITAL STAGE+, WITH ELECTIONS OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ONLY ONE YEAR AWAY, AND ADDEDi OUR SUCCESS IN ATTRACTING SIX NEW MEMBERS OF SUCH CALIBRE AUGURS WELL FOR THE ELECTIONS.+
THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES BOARDS NOW HAVE 165 MEMBERS, FIVE MORE THAN LAST YEAR AND 25 MORE THAL I' 1979/80. OF THIS NUMBER, 106 (OR 64 PER CENT) ARE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
/BOARDS KERB
FRIDAY, APRIL J, 1981
2
BOARDS WERE FIRST ESTABLISHED IN NOVEMBER, 1977, WITH THE
FOLLOWING TERMS OF REFERENCE 1
* TO ADVISE ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL BEING OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE DISTRICT.
* TO ADVISE ON THE PROVISION AND USE OF PUBLIC FACILITIES WITHIN THE DISTRICT, IN PARTICULAR 1
(I) ON THE ADEQUACY AND PRIORITIES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT-
(II) ON THE USE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR EXPENDITURE WITHIN THE DISTRICT UNDER THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS VOTE.
* TO UNDERTAKE, USING PUBLIC FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE
FOR THE PURPOSE 1
(I) MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE DISTRICT-
(II) THE PROMOTION OF RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
THE LARGEST DISTRICT BOARD IS TSUEN WAN WHICH NOW HAS 29 NUMBERS FOLLOWED BY YUEN LONG WITH 24 MEMBERS AND TAI PO WITH 23.
THE BUDGET FOR 1978/79 WAS $3.7 MILLION, FOR 1979/80 IT WAS $4.5 MILLION AND FOR 1980/81 $6,148 MILLION. DETAILS OF "HE BUDGET FOR THE PRESENT FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.
MR CHUI SAID BOARDS HAD DONE A GREAT DEAL OF VALUABLE WORK IN THE COMPARATIVELY SHORT TIME THEY HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED.
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/3
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1981
5
NEED FOR GOOD FAMILY LIFE STRESSED ******
A HAPPY FAMILY LIFE WAS BASED ON GOOD PARENT AND CHILDREN RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATIONS, AND THE LACK OF A CARING FAMILY COULD DRIVE YOUNG PEOPLE TO LOOK INDISCRIMINATELY FOR FRIENDS, THEREBY INCREASING THEIR CHANCES OF GOING ASTRAY, A SOCIAL WORKER SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING BEFORE MEMBERS OF THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG EAST, MISS AGNES CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, URGED PARENTS TO SPEND TIME IN REVIEWING THEIR FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATIONS AND TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WHERE NECESSARY TO BUILD UP A HAPPY FAMILY LIFE.
RECOGNISING THESE FACTORS, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN TO HELP EDUCATE PEOPLE ON FAMILY LIFE, IN 1977.
♦IT IS A TERRITORY-WIDE COMMUNITY EDUCATION EXERCISE AIMED AT ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF AGE,+ MISS CHUNG STRESSED.
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IS PROMOTED AT DISTRICT LEVELS WHERE SOCIAL WORKERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES REACH INTO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, SCHOOLS, ORGANISATIONS AND FACTORIES T ORGANISE SEMINARS AND TALKS EXPLAINING HUMAN RELATIONSHIP AND •<4E NEED FOR HARMONIOUS FAMILIES.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES JOI ITLY LAUNCH COMMUNITY-WIDE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS EACH YEAR TO F I IG HOME MESSAGES THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA, THROUGH LITERATURE, .;;hibitions, and large-scale promotional events, SHE SAID.
SHE SAID THE TARGET WAS APPROACHED ON A PROGRESSIVE BASIS, STARTING IN 1978 WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE AIMS AND SCOPE OF F MILY LIFE EDUCATION, FOLLOWED BY AN EMPHASIS ON INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FAMILY, THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY, AND THEN MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS, WHICH IS THE THEME OF THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN.
♦PREPARATIONS ARE WELL UNDERWAY TO LAUNCH THE NEXT CAMPAIGN IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, WHICH WILL CARRY THE THEME OF THE ADOLESCENT AND THE FAMILY,* SHE SAID.
♦WE HOPE THAT AT A TIME WHEN WE FACE VARIOUS PROBLEMS CONCERNING YOUNG PEOPLE, THE FORTHCOMING PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN CAN BRING ABOUT CERTAIN GUIDELINES FOR SOLUTION.^ SHE ADDED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WAS A LONG-TERM EXERCISE AND TANGIBLE RESULTS COULD NOT BE SEEN IN ONE OR TWO YEARS.
VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY SHOULD GET TOGETHER AND GIVE THEIR SUPPORT TO THE EFFORT, SHE SAID.
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A
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1981
4
NEW SCHOOL OPENED IN TAI PO
* * *
THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT IN TAI PO OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES.
THE CARMEL PAK U SECONDARY SCHOOL IS LOCATED IN THE RECENTLY-COMPLETED TAI YUEN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.
UNVEILING A PLAQUE, MR AKERS-JONES SAID IT SEEMED DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST OF 14 SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT IN TAI PO DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
IT WAS ALSO DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT AFTER CENTURIES --INDEED THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF QUIET EXISTENCE, TAI PO HAD NOW EMBARKED ON A PERIOD OF EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT TRANSFORMING IT FROM A TRADITIONAL MARKET, INTO A BUSTLING MODERN TOWN.
+WE ARE INCLINED NOWADAYS TO THINK TOO MUCH OF NUMBERS, OF QUANTITY, OF CONCRETE, SO MANY BUILDINGS COMPLETED AND ROADS CONSTRUCTED, BUT THIS FINE SCHOOL BUILDING WILL BE EMPTY OF MEANING UNLESS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS SHARE A COMMITMENT TO BUILD I? AN IDENTITY AND A FINE TRADITION AS A PLACE OF LEARNING,* AKERS-JONES SAID.
♦LIKEWISE, ALL THE FACILITIES WE BUILD FOR TAI PO WILL NOT SERVE THEIR BEST PURPOSE IF THE RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TOWN DO NOT TAKE PRIDE IN THE TOWNSHIP, DO NOT SHARE THE SPIRIT OF MUTUAL CARE FOR THEIR TOWN AND FOR EACH OTHER, AND DO NOT COME FORWARD AND 7 .KE AN ACTIVE PART IN THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY.
♦LET US RESOLVE THEN AS WE GATHER HERE TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD AND WITH GOD’S HELP WE WILL SUCCEED,* M? AKERS-JONES SAID.
CARMEL PAK U SECONDARY SCHOOL IS ONE OF THREE SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED BY THE EVANGELICAL SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT INCORPORATION AND IS SUBSIDISED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE SCHOOL STARTED LESSONS IN SEPTEMBER 1979, IN BORROWED PREMISES AT BAPTIST LUI MING CHOI SCHOOL, SHA TIN. LAST SEPTEMBER IT MOVED INTO ITS PRESENT BUILDING CONSTRUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT A COST OF ABOUT $9 MILLION.
FUNDS FOR FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT WERE PROVIDED BY THE EVANGELICAL SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT INCORPORATION AND MADAM LEUNG SING-TAK, A MANAGER OF THE SCHOOL.
FACILITIES INCLUDE AN ASSEMBLY HALL, 24 CLASSROOMS, 12 SPECIAL ROOMS, A LIBRARY AND COVERED AND OPEN PLAYGROUNDS.
THE SCHOOL NOW OPERATES 16 CLASSES WITH 650 STUDENTS. THERE WILL EVENTUALLY BE 30 CLASSES FROM FORM ONE TO FORM SEVEN FOR 1 300 STUDENTS WHEN THE SCHOOL IS FULLY OPERATIONAL IN 1984.
MOST STUDENTS COME FROM TAI PO, FANLING, SHEUNG SHU I AND YUEN LONG.
0--------
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1981
5
TAI PO DISTRICT TREE PLANTING DAY LAUNCHED *****
THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED TO GIVE FULL COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE TO PROTECT 100 TREES OF VARIOUS SPECIES PLANTED IN TAI PO TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE TAI PO DISTRICT TREE PLANTING DAY, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, Ml JIMMY SWEETMAN SAID HE HOPED IT WOULD AROUSE THE PUBLIC’S CONCERN AND INTEREST IN THE LOVE AND CARE OF TREES.
MR SWEETMAN SAID THAT IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW TOWN AND NEW ROAD NETWORKS, IT WAS INEVITABLE MANY WOODLANDS AND ROADSIDE TREES HAD TO BE CLEARED OR HAD BEEN DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT.
TO REMEDY THE LOSS OF AMENITIES AND TO IMPROVE THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE DISTRICT, IT WAS NECESSARY THAT MORE NEW TREES SHOULD BE PLANTED, HE SAID.
♦THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PLANT MORE TREES IN THE DISTRICT TO BEAUTIFY THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO PROVIDE A PLEASANT SURROUNDINGS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE DI STR ICT.*
♦WE WILL ALSO MAKE IT OUR TASK TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE CARE, MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION TO THE TREES WE PLANTED,♦ HE SAID.
MR SWEETMAN PAID TRIBUTE TO THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND CHILDREN FROM FIVE TAI PO SCHOOLS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN TREE PLANTING.
ALSO OFFICIATING WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE MR STEPHEN WONG- THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF TAI PO, MR LO KAR-CHUN-THE PROJECT MANAGER OF TAI PO AND FANLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF T»E NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR J.W. THOMAS- AND THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF TAI PO, MR LAU PEI-PING.
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FESTIVAL FIRE DANGER * * * *
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRES DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (FRIDAY), +PEOPLE VISITING GRAVES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MUST TAKE EXTREME CARE IN BURNING JOSS STICKS AND OTHER SACRIFICIAL ITEMS.+
HE REPEATED THE FOLLOWING ADVICE TO HELP PREVENT HILL FIRESi
* BURN JOSS STICKS AND JOSS PAPERS IN METAI
CONTAINERS-
* DO NOT LEAVE LIGHTED CANDLES, JOSS STICKS AND JOSS PAPERS UNATTENDED-
/* PUT OUT....
FRIDAY, APRIL J, 1981
6
* PUT OUT ALL FIRES BEFORE LEAVING THE GRAVE SITE- AND
* RAISE ALARM AT THE FIRST SIGN OF A FIRE.
♦ FIRE PRECAUTIONS AT HOME ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT WHEN MANY PEOPLE ARE CONDUCTING RITUAL CEREMONIES,* HE SAID.
♦ PEOPLE IN SQUATTER AREAS, WHERE FIRE RISKS ARE PARTICULARLY HIGH, SHOULD TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN BURNING JOSS STICKS AND OTHER ITEMS.
♦ REMEMBER, CARELESSNESS DOES NOT PAY! +
TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF FIRE DANGERS DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD, THE MOBILE FILM UNIT OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES HAS BEEN MAKING SPECIAL MESSAGE BROADCASTS AT BUS TERMINALS AND FERRY PIERS IN THE URBAN AREAS SINCE LAST WEEK.
IN RURAL AREAS, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION'S CIVILIAN INFORMATION TEAMS HAVE BEEN VISITING COUNTRY PARKS AND GRAVE SITES TO GIVE FIRE PREVENTION ADVICE.
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY IS ALSO SUPPORTING THE PUBLICITY DRIVE BY ARRANGING REGULAR BROADCASTS AT ITS HUNG HOM TERMINUS, SHA TIN, FANLING AND SHEUNG SHU I STATIONS.
PEOPLE PLANNING TO VISIT THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE FESTFVAL PERIOD WERE ALSO URGED TO USE DESIGNATED BARBECUE AREAS AND KEEP THE COUNTRYSIDE CLEAN.
♦CAUSING A FIRE OR LITTERING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WILL LEAD TO HEAVY FINES.+ THE SPOKESMAN WARNED.
ISLAND FESTIVAL TRAFFIC PLAN
M * X M *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON SUNDAY (APRIL 5) FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
FROM 6 AM TO 7 PM ON SUNDAY, PEEL RISE FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WHILE CONSORT RISE WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM VICTORIA ROAD TO BISNEY ROAD.
CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM LIN SHING ROAD TO SHEK 0 ROAD.
LIN SHING ROAD WILL ALSO BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM WAN TSUI ROAD TO CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WHILE WAN TSUI ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE FROM EAST TO WEST.
WAH HA STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND FROM LIN SHING ROAD TO CHAI WAN ROAD AND CAPE COLLINSON ROAD MAY HAVE TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
I
FRIDAY, APRIL J, 1981
- 7 -
ootT °N In! 8AME DAY THE CH,NA M0T0R Bus COMPANY WILL OPERATE SPECIAL BUS SERVICES - NO. 57, BETWEEN CENTRAL BUS STATION AND THE Ex?!eLSco!STIA* CEMETERY AND sc- 89 BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI ™Ne?!u!T^L7e?ETWEEN 7 AM AND 6 PM AT A FREQUENCY OF EVERY SEVEN TO EIGHi MINUTEj.
7HE BUS ST0PS OUTSIDE BLOCK 27 WAN TSUI ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED EXCEPT FOR SPECIAL CEMETERY ROUTE NO. 89.
THE EASTBOUND BUS STOP IN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD OUTSIDE THE SHAU LANcWBETWEEN°7SAMEAN3R^ pENTRE WILL BE RES,TED EASTWARDS NEAR CHURCH uS^uR2nI!.1N?v,T?’..!0’.82’ 83» 84 AND CR0SS HARBOUR ROUTE NO.
106 WHICH NORMALLY TRAVEL IN AN ANTl-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION ON WAN TSUI ROAD TO CHAI WAN WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO RUN ALONG CHAI WAN ROAD.
,,.u 82 AND 84 WHICH NORMALLY TRAVEL SOUTHBOUND ON
WAH HA STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL ALONG WAN TSUI ROAD.
at u.^BJ^UI!tN0S- 81 AND 81M» AFTER LEAVING THEIR TERMINAL POINTS AT HING WAH ESTATE, WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE WESTERN CF EASTERN SECTION OF WAN TSUI ROAD BETWEEN FEI TSUI AN ROAD ONTO CHAI WAN ROAD.
SECTION INSTEAD ROAD AND CHAI
0 - -
TRAFFIC PLANS FOR FESTIVAL * * * *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN KOWLOON ON SUNDAY AND ON MONDAY (APRIL 5 AND 6) FOR THE CHING MING FESTIVAL, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
IN SHAM SHUI PO, THE +N0 WAITING* RESTRICTIONS ON CHING CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED AND WING MING STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM.
THE GOODS VEHICLE PARKING SPACES IN KING LAM STREET, WING HONG STREET AND YU CHAU WEST STREET WILL BE CANCELLED FROM 7 AM ON APRIL 5 TO 7 PM ON APRIL 6.
THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED THAT ACCESS TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY ABOVE CHING CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YEE KUK WEST STREET AND KING LAM STREET. PARKING FACILITIES ARE LIMITED AND THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
IN WONG TAI SIN, MOTORISTS WISHING TO GO TO THE HAMMER HILL CEMETERY ARE ADVISED TO USE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD. THE PO KONG VILLAGE INTERCHANGE AND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR AT HAMMER HILL ROAD JUNCTION WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
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/8.....
8
CRAFTSMEN TO SHOW SKILLS
* * * *
CRAFTSMEN IN HONG KONG ARE HIGHLY SKILLED AND IT IS HOPED THAT IN FUTURE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS, MR JEFFREY DEVEREUX, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY FOR WINNERS CF THE ANNUAL ENGINEERING CRAFT COMPETITION HELD AT KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
♦I BELIEVE THAT WITH THE INNATE SKILL OF OUR CRAFTSMEN AND THE RIGHT SORT OF TRAINING WE CAN MATCH THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IN THE WORLD.
♦IT IS THEREFORE THE HOPE OF THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, WHO HAVE JOINTLY ADMINISTERED THE COMPETITION, THAT HONG KONG WILL AT SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL CRAFT SKILL COMPETIT IONS,♦ M? DEVEREUX SAID.
THIS WAS THE SECOND CRAFT SKILL COMPETITION HELD. THE FIRST WAS HELD LAST YEAR.
ITS AIM IS TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF TRAINING AT CRAFT LEVEL, AND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING, ESPECIALLY AMONG STUDENTS AND LOCAL INDUSTRIES, OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
THE WINNERS OF THE CRAFT COMPETITION RECEIVED CASH PRIZES, TROPHIES AND AWARDS, AND ALL THE FINALISTS RECEIVED CERTIFICATES C7 MERIT.
THE CASH PRIZES WERE DONATED BY CHEN HSONG MACHINERY CO. LTD., AND THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR CHIANG CHEN OFFICIATED AT TODAY’S PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
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HOLIDAY REMINDER
* X * X *
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE CHING MING FESTIVAL WHICH FALLS ON SUNDAY, APRIL 5, IS ONE OF THE 10 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
THAT SUNDAY, HE POINTED OUT, IS PROBABLY ALSO A REST DAY FOR MANY EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE, AND IF THIS IS THE CASE AN EMPLOYER MUST APPOINT AN ALTERNATIVE REST DAY BECAUSE A REST DAY CANNOT BE COUNTED AS A STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
IN THE CASE OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS EMPLOYED IN INDUSTRY, IF THE CHING MING STATUTORY HOLIDAY FALLS ON THEIR REST DAY, THE HOLIDAY SHOULD BE TAKEN ON THE DAY FOLLOWING THE REST DAY.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS. IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS, AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $6 000 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY.
/tai MUST....
apktl j, 1981
- 9 -
THEY MUST ALSO BE ’AID COR THE DAY OFC IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTU •■’MEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY I DA Y.
”°L,DAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO THE EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS, OTHER THAN OVERTIME PAY, ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY. WHERE THE ^Ri!*r6«JARY FR0M DAY T0 DAY' HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE OF HE DAILY EARNINGS DURING A PERIOD OF 28 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY. PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE ON THE NORMAL PAY DAY.
1 ’•1 -S ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS COULD BE MADE TO THE \tARtST R-^NC- OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THC
1 F0R K0WL00N EAST 3-205638- KOWLOON WEST > T0NG 3-898520- TSUEN WAN 12-422096- TUEN MUN
-2—818-3 AND HONG KONG ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 60.
_ _ 0 - -
REVISED CHAI WAN UHM
PLAN RELEASED *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY DRAFT CHAI WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN
(FRIDAY) PUBLISHED A REVISED INCORPORATING THREE AMENDMENTS.
THE AMENDMENTS ENABLE THE EXTENSION OF THE PLANNING AREA ’■3UNDARY AT THE EASTERN END, CHANGE OF PART OF A +GREEN BELT* ZONE
♦RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A) + ZONE, AND REPLACEMENT OF THE +SCHEDULE CF MOTES* 70 THE PLAN BY A REVISED SET.
THE FIRST TWO AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO PROVIDE AN AREA FOR A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
AS A RESULT OF THE LATEST AMENDMENTS, THE TOTAL RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A) ZONE IN CHAI WAN, HAS BEEN INCREASED BY 4.6 HECTARES (i.E. FROM THE 42.9 HECTARES IN THE PREVIOUS PLAN TO 47.5 HECTARES IN THE LATEST PLAN).
THE REVISED SET OF NOTES BASICALLY UPDATES THE PREVIOUS NOTES.
THE AMENDED PLAN CAN BE SEEN DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS ATi THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG- THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN), CHAI WAN SUB-OFFICE, HING WAH ESTATE, BLOCK 2, CHAI WAN, HONG KONG AND THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN (NO. LH 2O/15D) IS ON SALE AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AT 38.50 EACH UNCOLOURED AND *60 EACH COLOURED.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE SCHEDULED AMENDMENTS MAY INFORM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD OF HIS OBJECTION, BEFORE APRIL 23, BY WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD.
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1?81
10 -
NT GRAVES DUE FOR EXHUMATION * * * *
HUMAN REMAINS BURIED IN THE GRAVES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES PUBLIC CEMETERIES IN 1974 ARE NOW DUE FOR EXHUMATION, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ADVISED THE PUBLIC.
AN ORDER DEALING WITH THIS MATTER, THE CHEUNG CHAU CEMETARY, SANDY RIDGE CEMETERY, SANDY RIDGE URNS CEMETERY AND WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY (REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF HUMAN REMAINS) ORDER, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
A TOTAL OF 15 086 GRAVES — 8 273 IN WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY, 1 152 IN SANDY RIDGE CEMETERY, 417 IN SANDY RIDGE URNS CEMETERY AND 5 189 IN CHEUNG CHAU CEMETERY — ARE DUE FOR EXHUMATION.
APPLICATION FOR A PERMISSION TO EXHUME ANY HUMAN REMAINS, WHICH COST $50, CAN BE MADE TO THE CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA OFFICE OF THE NEW fERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT 6 CHEONG HANG ROAD, HUNG HOM PUBLIC FUNERAL PARLOUR.
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NOTE TO EDITORS:
SIR JACK OPENS EXHIBITION
. TlJ ™E CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER, TODAY OFFICIALLY OPENED ffTaH2EEt^w^hib,t,0N on the theme +KN0W Y0UR GOVERNMENT* at the
EXHIBITION FEATURES DISPLAYS BY 14 SECONDARY SCHOOLS SqLECTFD fr0M 51 ENTRIES IN A +KNOW YOUR GOVERNMENT* COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE ICAC IN
¥0UTH CLUB
COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF SIR JACK’S SPEECH AND CHINESE, ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN THE GI
IN ENGLISH
S PRESS BOXES.
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NOTE TO EDITORS:
CROSS HARBOUR POWER LINK COMMISSIONED
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TODAY (FRIDAY) OFFICIATED AT THE CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMMISSIONING OF THE CROSS HARBOUR POWER SYSTEM INTERCONNECTION.
TODAY’S COMMISSIONING OF TWO CROSS-HARBOUR CIRCUITS OF 80 MVA EACH, BETWEEN NORTH POINT AND HOK UN, MARKS THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF STAGE 1 OF THE PROJECT.
COPIES OF SIR PHILIP’S SPEECH (IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH) AT THE CEREMONY ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS BOXES, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1981
11
PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES FOR SCHOOL SERVICES * * ft ft ft
TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR TRANSPORT OF STUDENTS TO AND FROM PERM?TSCFRTAiIRr5o??RIrDvcu^™!NT HAS EASED THE REGULATIONS TO PERMIT CERTAIN TYPES OF VEHICLES, CURRENTLY CLASSIFIED AS PRIVATE «’p6l?i?ECu2S^B2f9Fi‘RRV'"a ^ PASSENGERS, TO BE RE-REGISTERED^ "nlVMIC UlOrll DUwwwa
A-r ».EUkL DETAILS OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENT ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST HONGHKONQBL,C VEH,CLES SECTION, MEZZANINE FLOOR, 2 MURRAY ROAD,
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MAXICAB ROUTE 30 SCHEDULE REVISED ft ft ft ft
THE SCHEDULE FOR HONG KONG MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 30, OPERATING BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND WATFORD ROAD VIA ADMIRALTY MTR STATION, WILL BE REVISED AS FROM SUNDAY (APRIL 5), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE REVISED TIMETABLE, THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE AT 12-MINUTE INTERVALS DURING PEAK HOURS AND 30-MINUTE INTERVALS DURING OTHER HOURS.
THE LAST JOURNEY DEPARTING FROM WATFORD ROAD WILL BE ADVANCED TO 6.54 PM FROM 10.04 PM.
SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND THE ADMIRALTY MTR STATION WILL BE INTRODUCED DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS AT 12-MINUTE FREQUENCY AND AT 7 OR 8-MINUTE FREQUENCY IN THE EVENING UP TO 12.20 AM, AFTER THE CLOSURE OF THE WATFORD ROAD SERVICE.
THE CHARGE FOR THIS SERVICE IS FIXED AT Si. --------------------------o - - - -
FOOTBRIDGE TO BE BUILT ft ft ft ft
A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE IS TO BE BUILT ACROSS WAI YIP STREET NEAR SIU YIP STREET IN KOWLOON, TO PROVIDE A SAFE GLOSSING POI FOR PEDESTRIANS.
THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, DESIGNED THE FOOTBRIDGE AND WILL SUPERVISE ITS CONSTRUCTION. WORK WILL START IN JULY AND TAKE 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK HAVE BEEN INVITED. ----------------------------o--------
/12
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1981 .
- 12 -
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR SCHOOLS
M * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN CHAI WAN KOK WEST IN TSUEN WAN.
THE SCHOOLS. LOCATED NEAR ON YUK ROAD, WILL BE OF THE STANDARD 24 CLASSROOM TYPE.
IN ADDITION TO THE MAIN TEACHING BLOCK, THE SCHOOLS WILL HAVE ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND CHANGING ROOMS, FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS AS WELL AS A
SPECIAL FACILITIES LIBRARY, WORKSHOP,
ANCILLARY BUILDINGS AND MENIAL STAFF QUARTERS
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS TO BEGIN IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 1982.
------o» - - -
TENDER FOR JOINT-VENTURE SOUGHT * * *
THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR ANOTHER RESIDENTIAL SITE FOR JOINT VENTURE DEVELOPMENT.
THE 10 130-SQUARE-METRE SITE IS IN VENTRIS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.
THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER MUST BUILD FOR THE GOVERNMENT, FREE OF CHARGE, TWO RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS, AND THE SIZE OF THE UNITS IN THE BLOCKS MUST BE EITHER 176 OR 215 SQUARE METRES.
THE REMAINING BLOCKS WILL BE THE PROPERTY OF THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER.
CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS WILL BE NOON ON MAY 29.
TENDER FORMS, TOGETHER WITH NOTICES AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE ON THE 19TH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD AND ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD.
TENDER PLANS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THESE PLACES. ------------------------- 0 - - - -
SERVICE RESERVOIR TO * * *
BE
BUILT
A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR HANG IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
IS TO BE BUILT
AT PAI TAU
OF
1 000
CUBIC WATER
it WILL HAVE A STORAGE CAPACITY Mao&e™ ™°thICJ <Mam«'S? "ctherh PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
METRES, AND SUPPLY FOR SHA TIN, A
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JUNE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
AND TAKE ABOUT
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
GOVERNOR OPENS PC LEUNG KUK HOLIDAY CAMP IN SAI KUNG........................................................ 1
PRICE CHANGE AND TRADE VOLUME MOVEMENT FOR JANUARY 1981 ................................................... 2
MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 1981 .................................................. 5
TALKS ON REPLACEMENT AIRPORT.................................... 8
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MONDAY ................................. 9
MARINE DEPARTMENT'S HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS ...................... 9
FIRING PRACTICE REMINDER........................................ 9
WATCH YOUR LITTER ............................................. 10
FUN FOR DISABLED IN PRISONS SPORTS MEET ....................... 10
SHA TIN CHILDREN HAVE FUN
11
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1981
1
GOVERNOR bPENS PO LEUNG KUK HOLIDAY CAMP IN SAI KUNG
* * * *
THE DRIVE TO ENCOURAGE USE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR RECREATION OR LEISURE HAS CONTINUED WITH MARKED SUCCESS.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WHEN OPENING THE PO LEUNG KUK HOLIDAY CAMP PROJECT AT PAK TAM CHUNG, SAI KUNG, TODAY (SATURDAY).
+THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS CAMP BY THE PO LEUNG KUK ON THE EDGE OF SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK IS AN IMAGINATIVE AND A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THIS MOVEMENT,* SIR MURRAY SAID.
+ IT IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISE BETWEEN VERNMENT WHICH PROVIDED THE SITE, THE LOTTERIES FUND AND THE
> ■"'AL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WHICH HAVE MADE SUBSTANTIAL GRANTS, AD ABOVE ALL YOU IN THE PO LEUNG KUK WHOSE ENTHUSIASM FOR THE PROJECT HAS RAISED THE BULK OF THE FUNDS AND CO-ORDINATED DEVELOPMENT.
+1 AM DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE INITIATIVE AND IMAGINATION THAT THE CHAIRMAN, HIS PREDECESSORS AND COLLEAGUES HAVE DISPLAYED li CARRYING THE IDEA THROUGH TO FRUITION.
+ IT IS A PROJECT IN THE FINEST TRADITION OF THE PO LEUNG KUK AND A SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION OF THE RANGE OF ITS ACTIVITIES.*
SIR MURRAY CONGRATULATED THE 1980/81 CHAIRMAN OF THE PO LEUNG KUK BOARD, MR CHIU CHUN-BONG, AND BOARD MEMBERS ON A VERY SUCCESSFUL TERM OF OFFICE.
+YOUR RECORD-BREAKING FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES ARE A CLEAR REFLECTION OF THE COMMUNITY’S ENERGY.
+T0 THIS I ADD MY OWN THANKS ON BEHALF OF ALL THOSE WHO WILL ENJOY THEIR STAY AT THIS CAMP IN THE YEARS AHEAD.*
MR CHIU SAID IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT $25 MILLION IN CAPITAL FUNDING WOULD BE CALLED FOR TO BRING THE CAMP TO FULL COMPLETION.
AT PRESENT ABOUT $7 MILLION WAS NEEDED FOR SHORING PROTECTION, LANDSCAPING AND DEVELOPMENT OF A ONE HECTARE GARDEN.
+1 AM CONFIDENT THAT, WITH THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC, THE INCOMING BOARD WILL FIND NO DIFFICULTIES IN BRINGING THE PROJECT TO PERFECTION,* MR CHIU SAID.
HE SAID THE CAMP COULD ONLY BE A SUCCESS IF ITS FACILITIES WERE PROPERTY MAINTAINED AND FULLY USED.
HE HOPED IT WOULD ENCOURAGE OTHER ORGANISATIONS TO PROVIDE YET MORE RECREATIONAL SERVICES IN THE FORM OF NON-PROFIT MAKING HOLIDAY CAMPS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
HE PRAISED THE -INANCIA^ SUPPORT OF THE LOTTERIES FUND AND THE +GENEROUS DONATION* OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, AND, JUST AS IMPORTANT, THE +ENCOURAGING SUBPORT OF ’-E GENERAL PUBLIC.*
SATOxfflAY, APHIL 4, 1981
2
THE CAMP OCCUPIES A 4.8-HECTARE SITE GRANTED BY GOVERNMENT ON THE SAI KUNG-HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR ROAD. IT HAS 11 HOSTEL BLOCKS PROVIDING OVERNIGHT OR DAY ACCOMMODATION FOR GROUPS AND FAMILIES. A WIDE RANGE OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IS PROVIDED TO CATER FOR UP TO 200 000 CAMPER TRIPS A YEAR.
THS SITE WAS GRANTED TO THE PO LEUNG KUK IN 1975 AND THE CAMP’S FOUNDATION STONE WAS LAID 3Y THE GOVERNOR IN DECEMBER 1978. THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, OPENED PHASE I OF THE PROJECT IN MARCH 1979, AND PHASE II A YEAR LATER.
PRICE CHANGE AND TRADE VOLUME MOVEMENT FOR JANUARY 1981
*****
THE PRICES OF BOTH DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND IMPORTS ROSE BY
PER CENT IN JANUARY 1981 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1980 ACCORDING -0 ECONOMIC STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND 2TATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF THE DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX) WAS UNCHANGED.
, LARGER INCREASE IN VOLUME WAS REGISTERED FOR IMPORTS (+22%) THAN FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS (+18%). THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT, WITH VOLUME UP BY *9 PER CENT, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES ROSE BY 8 PER CENT AND VOLUME BY 27 PER CENT.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY GF GOODS TRADED CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE ARE DERIVED F°OM CHANGES IN TRADE VALUES, AFTER DISCOUNTING 7HE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUES DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY
, UNIT VALUES AND VOLUMES GROUP ARE SHOWN BELOW :
OF
SATUJOAX, A?2IL 4, 1981
3
1980
CHANGES COMPARING JANUARY 1981 WITH JANUARY
EXPORT VALUES EXPORT UNIT VALUES EXPORT VOLUMES
CLOTHING (EXCEPT FUR) +40% + 9% ♦28%
TEXTILE FABRICS ♦13% + 3% + 9%
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -24% ♦ 2% -25%
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES +12% +10% + 2%
ALL TRANSISTORISED RADIOS + 7% ♦ 4% + 3%
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS +32% +13% ♦17%
FOOTWEAR +25% + 3% +21%
METAL MANUFACTURES ♦26% +11% +13%
METAL ORES AND SCRAP +99% + 5% +90%
WATCHES AND CLOCKS +33% - 7% +44%
ALL COMMODITIES +27% + 8% +18%
APART FROM A DROP OF 7 PER CENT FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS, THE EXPORT PRICES OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED AT VARYING RATES, FROM A 2 PER CENT INCREASE FOR TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD TO A 13 PER CENT INCREASE FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS.
CONSIDERABLE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS NOTED FOR METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+90%), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+44%). HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TEXTILE YARN DECLINED (-25%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUES, UNIT VALUES AND VOLUMES OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN BELOW :
SATUBDAY, APBIL 4, 1981
4
CHANGES COMPARING JANUARY 1981 WITH JANUARY 1980
IMPORT VALUES IMPORT UNIT VALUES IMPORT VOLUMES
FOODSTUFFS +30% ♦14% +14%
CONSUMER GOODS +45% + 2% +42%
FUELS ♦35% +34% + 1%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES +26% + 6% +20%
CAPITAL GOODS +23% + 6% +16%
ALL COMMODITIES +31% ♦ 8% ♦22%
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FUELS, THE PRICES OF WHICH JUMPED BY 34 PER CENT, THE PRICES OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY INCREASED MODERATELY, RANGING FROM 2 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS TO 14 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS.
MOST IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS ROSE IN VOLUME TERMS, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING VEGETABLES AND FRUIT. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD FELL.
IN THE CONSUMER GOODS CATEGORY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING, CAMERAS AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY, RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS AND TAPE RECORDERS, AND HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES DECLINED.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE IMPORTS VOLUMES OF VARIOUS KINDS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES SHOWED A MIXED TREND. WHEREAS PURCHASES OF FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES, IRON AND STEEL, WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR ROSE SUBSTANTIALLY, DEMAND FOR CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS, COTTON YARN AND THREAD, AND RAW COTTON DECLINED.
AS FOR CAPITAL GOODS, INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUES, UNIT VALUES AND VOLUMES OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY APE SHOWN BELOW i
SAlUmr, AP2IL 4» 1981
5
CHANGES COMPARING JANUARY 1981 WITH JANUARY 1980
RE-EXPORT VALUES RE-EXPORT UNIT VALUES RE-EXPORT VOLUMES
FOODSTUFFS +35% + 7% ♦26%
CONSUMER GOODS ♦60% + 6% ♦52%
FUELS - 6% ♦32% -29%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES +70% ♦13% +51%
CAPITAL GOODS +61% ♦11% ♦45%
ALL COMMODITIES +63% + 9% ♦49%
DECLINED
APART FROM FUELS, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF WHICH DECLINED BY 29 PER CENT, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUMES OF THE MAJOR END-USE CATEGORIES, SHOWED SIGNIFICANT INCREASES, RANGING FROM 26 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 52 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS.
-----0------
MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 1981 X X * * *
THE MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 1981 ARE PUBLISHED TODAY (SATURDAY). THEY SHOW A MARKED FALL IN THE GROWTH RATES OF THE MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS. THERE WERE TWO REASONS FOR THISt THE GROWTH RATE OF LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG DECLINED FROM THE VERY HIGH GROWTH RATES IN JANUARY, AND THERE WAS A FURTHER OUTFLOW OF FUNDS FROM THE HONG KONG MONETARY SECTOR DURING THE MONTH.
THE FEBRUARY FIGURES ARE INFLUENCED BY TWO IMPORTANT FACTORS. FIRST IS THE SEASONAL DECREASE AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR OF THE PUBLIC HOLDINGS OF NOTES AND COINS AND, TO A LESSER EXTENT, OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY HELD BY THE PUBLIC ON DEMAND DEPOSITS WITH BANKS.
SECOND IS THE FACT THAT INTEREST RATES HAVE REMAINED HIGH, DESPITE EXPECTATIONS THAT THEY WOULD FALL IN LINE WITH TRENDS IN US DOLLAR RATES. THIS AFFECTED THE PATTERN OF DEPOSITS AND EXERTED A DAMPENING EFFECT ON THE GROWTH RATE OF LOANS AND ADVANCES, THE LATTER DESPITE THE SEASONAL INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR CREDIT ARISING FROM THE NEED TO PAY PROFITS AND SALARIES TAXES.
SATURDAY, ABBIL 4, 1981
6
AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT IN PARAGRAPH 32 OF HIS BUDGET SPEECH, OUR MONETARY STATISTICS DO NOT YET PROVIDE A BASIS FOR REALLY MEANINGFUL ECONOMIC ANALYSIS. THE GOVERNMENT IS HOWEVER NOT YET IN A POSITION TO PUBLISH ON A REGULAR BASIS THE STATISTICS WHICH ARE NOW BEING COLLECTED UNDER THE MONETARY STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
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 11.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, AFTER HAVING RISEN BY 10.3 PER CENT IN JANUARY. THE FEBRUARY OUTTURN REFLECTED A SEASONAL FALL OF 9.7 PER CENT IN THE TOTAL OF NOTES AND COINS HELD BY THE PUBLIC AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, AND ALSO A REDUCTION OF 12.2 PER CENT IN DEMAND DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS.
M2 (Ml PLUS SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS, OTHER THAN FROM BANKS AND DTCS, WITH LICENSED BANKS) FELL BY 1.4 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, AFTER A 6.1 PER CENT RISE IN JANUARY.
M3 (M2 PLUS DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) ROSE BY 0.9 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, WELL DOWN FROM AN INCREASE OF 4.9 PER CENT IN JANUARY.
IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS Ml FELL BY 3.2 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH A 1.3 PER CENT RISE IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS. BUT THE GROWTH RATES OF M2 AND M3 IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS AT, RESPECTIVELY, 6.5 PER CENT AND 10.2 PER CENT, WERE UP FROM THEIR INCREASES OF 2.2 PER CENT AND 8.0 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS.
LOANS IN HONG KONG
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG EXPANDED BY 2.3 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, WELL DOWN FROM A 6.0 PER CENT RISE IN JANUARY. IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG ROSE BY 12.7 PER CENT, MUCH LESS THAN AN INCREASE OF 17.7 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS. THIS MAY BE PARTLY DUE TO THE LEVEL CF INTEREST RATES IN HONG KONG HAVING RESTRAINED THE DEMAND FOR CREDIT.
BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 2.5 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AFTER A RISE OF 6.2 PER CENT IN JANUARY. LOANS IN HONG KONG BY DEPOSIT-TAK ING COMPANIES ROSE BY 1.6 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, AFTER 5,6 PER CENT IN JANUARY. IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, BANK LOANS IN HONG KONG GREW BY 13.7 PER CENT AND LOANS IN HONG KONG BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BY 9.6 PER CENT, WELL DOWN FROM THE INCREASES OF 18.4 PER CENT AND 15.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS.
/?C3EIS: AS5U2S........
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1981
7
FOREIGN ASSETS
THE NET IDENTIFIABLE FOREIGN ASSETS OF ALL BANKS FELL IN FEBRUARY BY $1 736 MILLION, WHILE THOSE OF DTCS ROSE BY $447 MILLION, SUGGESTING A NET OUTFLOW OF FUNDS FROM THE HONG KONG MONETARY SECTOR OF $1 289 MILLION, AS COMPARED WITH AN OUTFLOW OF $974 MILLION IN JANUARY.
BALANCE SHEET RATIOS
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO FOR ALL BANKS IN HONG KONG FELL IN FEBRUARY TO 46.1 PER CENT FROM 46.3 PER CENT IN JANUARY. THE LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO, HOWEVER, ROSE FURTHER TO 112.1 PER CENT AT THE END OF FEBRUARY FROM 108.8 PER CENT AT THE END OF JANUARY, REFLECTING THE FALL IN BANK DEPOSITS DURING THE MONTH.
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO FOR ALL DTCS ROSE IN FEBRUARY TO A5.0 PER CENT FROM 44.2 PER CENT IN JANUARY. THE LOAN/DEPOSIT RAT 0 FELL TO 67.7 PER CENT AT THE END OF FEBRUARY FROM 70.9 PER CENT AT THE END OF JANUARY, REFLECTING THE RAPID EXPANSION IN DEPOSITS WITH DTCS DURING THE MONTH.
’ JMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
ONE MORE BANK BEGAN TO REPORT IN FEBRUARY, BRINGING THEIR TOTAL TO 115. THE NUMBER OF REPORTING DTCS ROSE BY 5 DURING THE WNTH TO 317.
THE DETAILED FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1981, AND COMPARISONS WITH PREVIOUS MONTHS, ARE SET OUT IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
MONEY AND BANKING FIGURES - END OF FEBRUARY 1981 (IN $MILLION)
FIGURES FOR EARLIER MONTHS (% CHANGE):
FEB 1981 JAN 1981 NOV 1980 FEB 1980
Ml 23 615 26 607 (-11.2%) 24 394 (-3.2%) 21 647 (+9.1%)
M2 101 265 102 745 (-1.4%) 95 058 (*6.5%) 78 219 (+29.5%)
M3 147 753 146 430 (+0.9%) 134 117 (+10.2%) 107 770 (+37.1%)
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1981
8
BANKS
DEPOSITS 92 185 92 689 (-0.5%) 86 816 (+6.2%) 70 065 (+31.6%)
LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG 103 335 100 830 (+2.5%) 90 865 (+13.7%) 69 306 (+49.1%)
LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO 112.1% 108.8% 104.7% 98.9%
AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO 46.1% 46.3% 48.2% 53.6%
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES
DEPOSITS 46 488 43 685 (+6.4%) 39 059 (+19.0%) 29 551 (+57.3%)
LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG 31 454 30 965 (+1.6%) 28 689 (+9.6%) 15 304 (+105.5%)
LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO 67.7% 70.9% 73.5% 51.8%
AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO 45.0% 44.2% 46.6% 48.1%
BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG 134 789 131 795 (+2.3%) 119 554 (+12.7%) 84 610 (+59.3%)
-----o------
TALKS ON REPLACEMENT AIRPORT * * * *
MR G.T. OLIVER, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, WILL BE LEAVING FOR LONDON ON MONDAY (APRIL 6) FOR A MEETING WITH SENIOR AIRLINE REPRESENTATIVES AS PART OF THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT STUDIES NOW BEING CONDUCTED BY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
ALSO REPRESENTED WILL BE THE MAIN CONSULTANTS, R.M. PARSONS INTERNATIONAL, AND THE UK CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY WHO WILL PRESENT PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON AIR SPACE PLANNING. A FURTHER SESSION WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG IN JUNE.
THE AIR SPACE PLANNING FORMS PART OF THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN. ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ARE STUDIES OF CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN OF RECLAMATION, TOGETHER WITH METEOROLOGICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL STUDIES. THESE ARE PLANNED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END CF NEXT YEAR.
------0-------
/9.......
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1981
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MONDAY *****
THERE WILL BE ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON MONDAY (APRIL 6) — THE DAY FOLLOWING CHING MING FESTIVAL, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
THIRTY-THREE POST OFFICES. INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICt, THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, AND THE POST OFFICES IN TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO, WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON THAT DAY.
ALL OTHER POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED.
- - 0 - -
MARINE DEPARTMENT’S HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS * * *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT ITS PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS IN WAN CHAI, WESTERN, YAU MA TEI, K’. UN TONG AND TSUEN WAN AND ITS PORT COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE WILL REMAIN OPEN ON MONDAY (APRIL 6).
THE DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL CRAFT CONTROL SECTION WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM WHILE ITS MACAU FERRY TERMINAL OFFICE WILL BE OPEN FROM 7.30 AM TO 1.30 AM.
OTHER OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSED.
FIRING PRACTICE REMINDER * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN/CASTLE PEAK RANGE FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 7).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING.
- - 0 - -
/10 .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1981
10
WATCH YOUR LITTER
* * *
PEOPLE TRAVELLING TO LO WU ARE ADVISED TO KEEP THE RAILWAY TERMINAL AND ITS SURROUNDINGS CLEAN.
TIMING THE APPEAL ESPECIALLY FOR THE CHING MING AND EASTER HOLIDAYS, A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED THE PUBLIC TO MAKE SURE TO DISCARD ALL LITTER IN THE BINS AND DRUMS PROVIDED FOR THEIR USE.
LITTER WARDENS WILL BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HEED THE WARNING TO KEEP THE CITY CLEAN, AND PEOPLE FOUND GUILTY OF LITTERING COULD BE FINED UP TO $1 000 FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE AND $2 000 FOR THE NEXT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
--------0 - -
FUN FOR DISABLED IN PRISONS SPORTS MEET
*****
THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL SPORTS MEET WAS HELD TODAY (SATURDAY) ON THE STANLEY FOOTBALL FIELD WITH MORE THAN 200 STAFF COMPETING IN VARIOUS FIELD AND TRACK EVENTS.
SHARING THE FUN OF THE DAY WAS A GROUP OF DISABLED PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THREE SPECIAL EVENTS, NAMELY A 100-METRE DASH FOR AMPUTEES, SHOTPUT AND PRECISION JAVELIN FOR THE WHEELCHAIR CLASS.
THE EVENTS WERE ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE MARGARET TRENCH MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE AND THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AS PART OF ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS.
THE GIRLS MARCHING TEAM OF THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND THE PIPES AND DRUMS BAND OF THE CAPE COLLINSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION ALSO GAVE A PERFORMANCE TO ENTERTAIN THE ATHLETES AND SPECTATORS.
/11 .........
0---------
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1981
11
SHA TIN CHILDREN HAVE FUN * * *
SHA TIN HELD A CHILDREN’S DAY TODAY (SATURDAY) WHICH MORE THAN 390 YOUNGSTERS ATTENDED.
THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, -HA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION AND CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE, SHA TIN.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WAS THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER SHA TIN, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG.
THE TWO-AND-A-HALF-HOUR PROGRAMME INCLUDED DANCES, A TALENT SHOW, SINGING, DRAMA AND SING-ALONG.
THE LOCAL CHILDREN’S CHOIR ALSO TOOK PART.
A FEATURE OF THE DAY WAS A ^QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS* SESSION.
“HE OPENING CEREMONY INCLUDED PRESENTATION OF PRIZES TO WINNERS OF A DRAWING CONTEST HELD LAST MONTH WHICH ATTRACTED 330 ENTRIES.
WINNERS WERE MOK PUI-CHI, A PRIMARY TWO STUDENT AT WO CHE LUTHERAN SCHOOL- AND SHAM FUNG-MING, A PRIMARY FOUR STUDENT AT IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL.
THE EVENT WAS HELD AT ST. ALFRED’S CHURCH.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 1981
COOTE NTS PAGE NO
ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATIONS IN TSUEN WAN ......................... 1
PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS FCS? FEBRUARY ........................... 2
ANTI-CANCER SHOW OPENS THIS WEEK............................... 2
ETV SERIES ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ........................... 3
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TIN CHIU STREET .......................... 4
TAI WO TSUEN TRAFFIC .......................................... 4
WATER CUT IN SHAU KEI WAN
4
SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 1981
1
ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATIONS IN TSUEN WAN *****
A TOTAL OF 77 JOINT CLEARANCES OF ENVIRONMENTAL BLACKSPOTS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT IN TSUEN WAN DURING THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS SINCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SECTION OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE WAS SET UP.
THE FIGURES REFLECT THE PREVIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION IN TSUEN WAN WHICH HAS GREATLY IMPROVED AS A RESULT OF THE CLEARANCES, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (TSUEN WAN) IN CHARGE CF CONTROL WORK, MR STEVE YUEN, SAID.
DURING THE SEVEN-MONTH PERIOD, HE SAID, JOINT OPERATIONS WERE CO-ORDINATED BY STAFF OF THE SECTION TO REMOVE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES, EXTENSIONS, RUBBISH DUMPINGS, ILLEGAL STORAGE AND ABANDONED VEHICLES.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED INCLUDE THE POLICE, THE LAND TRANSPORT AGENCY, HOUSING AND NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES.
OF THE 77 OPERATIONS, 52 WERE CARRIED OUT IN URBAN AREAS AND THE REMAINDER IN RURAL AREAS OF TSUEN WAN. NINETEEN OPERATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT ON ROUTE TWISK FOLLOWING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE UNSATISFACTORY ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION ALONG BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD.
MR YUEN SAID SOME JOINT OPERATIONS MIGHT LOOK SMALL IN SCALE, WITH ONLY ONE OR TWO STRUCTURES BEING REMOVED, BUT IF PROMPT ACTION WAS NOT TAKEN TO EFFECT REMOVAL, THE ENTIRE PAVEMENT OR EACKLANES WOULD BE FILLED WITH STRUCTURES WITHIN A FEW MONTHS.
♦ASIDE FROM CLEARANCES AND REMOVALS OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AND ABANDONED VEHICLES, OUR STAFF ALSO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO SITUATIONS THAT CONSTITUTE ENVIRONMENTAL DETERIORATION AND AREAS WHICH NEED IMPROVEMENT,♦ HE SAID.
STAFF ON PATROL WERE TOLD TO WATCH OUT FOR THESE SITUATIONS, SUCH AS DANGEROUS SIGNBOARDS, HOLES IN THE ROAD, BROKEN RAILINGS OR DESERTED CROWN LAND WHICH COULD BE CONVERTED INTO SITTING-OUT AREAS OR CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS.
FOR INSTANCE, HE SAID, ONE OF THEIR JOBS LAST YEAR WAS TO CLEAR AND PUT UP FENCES AND GATES AROUND THE SITE NEXT TO THE LADY MAUR INE GRANTHAM HEALTH CENTRE TO GET IT READY FOR CONVERSION INTO A SPORTS CENTRE.
IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, HE SAID, THEY WOULD PUT EXTRA EFFORT INTO TACKLING THE ABANDONED VEHICLE PROBLEM IN TSUEN WAN.
ON THEIR DAILY WORK, HE SAID, EACH AREA WAS PATROLLED AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, AND WHER A OPERATION HAD JUST BEEN COMPLETED, THE AREA WOULD BE PATROLLED REGULARLY TO PREVENT RECURRENCE.
♦RECURRENCE IN SOME CASES IS BOUND TO HAPPEN, AND WILL BE DEALT WITH BY FURTHER JOINT OPERATIONS OR, IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT IT, PROSECUT IONS,+ HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC, AS WELL AS COMPLAINTS AND REFERRALS FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS WERE ALSO BEING HANDLED.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 1981
2
PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS FOR FEBRUARY * * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AWARDED 55 CONTRACTS WORTH MORE THAN $407 MILLION IN FEBRUARY.
ONE OF THE MAJOR CONTRACTS, WORTH ABOUT $81.6 MILLION, WAS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TRUNK ROAD BETWEEN LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND YUEN CHAU KOK IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
IT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF 1.4 KILOMETRES OF DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAYS, WITH ASSOCIATED FLYOVERS A FOOTBRIDGE AND STORMWATER DRAINAGE. u u c o, a
THE NEW TRUNK ROAD, IN ADDITION TO BEING PART nF Tmf mfw
rAA IJ t1LL EVENTUALLY CONNECT WITH AND FORM PART OF THE Coastal trunk road between sha tin new town and tai po new town
of the contracts awarded during the month SSS°S|PRnLIHE CENTRAL TENDER B0ARD AND rnu iCNUCn DuAnU.
34 WERE OTHERS BY THE
0
ANTI-CANCER SHOW OPENS THIS WEEK
* * * *
AN ANTI-CANCER EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD FOR THREE DAYS BEGINNING WEDNESDAY (APRIL 8) AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL.
THE EXHIBITION, OPEN DAILY FROM 10.30 AM TO 4 PM, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE ANTI-CANCER SOCIETY AND THE STOMA ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
THIS WILL BE THE THIRD SUCH EXHIBITION IN A YEAR. SIMILAR EXHIBITIONS WERE HELD IN CITY HALL AND TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL LAST AUGUST AND NOVEMBER, ATTRACTING THOUSANDS OF VISITORS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO CONTINUE WITH THE EXHIBITION ON A DISTRICT BASIS AS MISCONCEPTION AMONG THE PUBLIC ABOUT CANCER WAS QUITE WIDESPREAD.
+F IND INGS FROM A STUDY ON CANCER KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT IN 1979 HAVE SHOWN THAT IGNORANCE AND FEAR OF CANCER IS COMMON,+ HE SAID.
♦THIS IS BECAUSE CANCER HAS BEEN THE TOP KILLER DISEASE IN HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS,+ HE ADDED.
LAST YEAR CANCER DEATHS ROSE TO OVER 6 400, AN AVERAGE OF 18 A DAY.
+WHAT PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW IS THAT MANY FORMS OF CANCER CAN BE PREVENTED AND CURED IF DETECTED EARLY AND TREATED IN TIME.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/+THRCUGE TEIS ....
t
S^SiKL, APRIL 5, 1981
- 3 -
+THROUGH THIS EXHIBITION, WE HOPE THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND EARLY TREATMENT IS HAMMERED HOME TO THE PUBLIC,+ HE EMPHASISED.
VISITORS WILL SEE STATIC DISPLAYS ON THE COMMON FORMS OF CANCER IN HONG KONG, ILLUSTRATIONS ON PREVENTIVE AND TREATMENT METHODS, AND FEATURES OF RESEARCH IN COMBATTING CANCER. THERE WILL ALSO BE FILM AND SLIDE SHOWS.
TWO LEAFLETS, ONE ON HOW TO RECOGNISE EARLY SIGNS OF CANCER AND THE OTHER ON HOW TO CONDUCT SELF-EXAMINATION OF BREAST CANCER, WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED.
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ETV SERIES ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION
* * * * *
A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES TO ENRICH FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WILL BE SHOWN TO SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH EDUCATION TELEVISION BETWEEN THE END OF THIS MONTH AND EARLY JUNE.
THE PROGRAMMES ARE JOINTLY PRODUCED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
THERE ARE SIX PROGRAMMES IN THE SERIES ENTITLED +MIRROR+, +THE ONSET OF ADOLESCENCE+, +THE INVISIBLE GAP+, +FRIENDS+, +GO YOUR OWN WAY+ AND +GIGI’S FIRST DATE+.
A HALF-DAY SEMINAR WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY (APRIL 11) TO FAMILIARISE TEACHERS WITH THIS SERIES AND TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE f^ANS OF USING THESE PROGRAMMES TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AMONG STUDENTS.
MR COLVYN HAYE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THIS SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT THE AUDITORIUM, DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICE BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 15 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
PARTICIPANTS WILL VIEW THE SERIES AND TAKE PART IN AN OPEN FORUM.
0 - -
/a
SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 1981
- 4 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TIN CHIU STREET
* * * *
A SECTION OF TIN CHIU STREET BETWEEN KING’S ROAD AND MARBLE ROAD IN NORTH POINT WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 7), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF TELEPHONE DUCT.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PLACED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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TAI WO TSUEN TRAFFIC
* *
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT TAI WO TSUEN INTERCHANGE ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 7) FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE NEW CASTLE PEAK ROAD FLYOVER NEAR THE INTERCHANGE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD PROCEEDING TOWARDS TAI WO TSUEN MAY USE THE NEW FLYOVER ABOVE CASTLE PEAK ROAD VIA THE SLIP ROAD ABOUT 200 METRES BEFORE THE FLYOVER.
EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD PROCEEDING TOWARDS LAI KING MAY USE THE FLYOVER VIA THE SLIP ROAD ABOUT 180 METRES BEFORE THE FLYOVER.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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WATER CUT IN SHAU KEI WAN * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAU KEI WAN W’LL BE CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 7) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.
AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SHING ON STREET AND HOLYSCROSqSoATMT'HA|CbyB-'c--—- KE 1 WAN R0AD» SA1 WAN H0 STREET, HOLY CROS^ ATH, HOI NING STkcEj. HOI LEE STREET HOI CHING STRFFT HOI AN STREET, HING MAN STREET, HOI FOO STREET AND HOI KeSnG ’ wl Ktt I •
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
MDNDAY, APRIL 6, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SWD CENTRES HELP SOLVE FAMILY PROBLEMS ..................... 1
TIN HAU FESTIVAL IN YUEN WNG.............................. 2
SCHOOL HEADS TO DISCUSS MORAL EDUCATION .................... 2
VILLAGE GARDEN FOR SHAU KEI WAN ............................ 3
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CLOSURES ................................. 3
WATER CUT IN LEI YUE MON ................................... 4
MAMWTH CLEAN-UP AT KWAI CHUNG............................... 4
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 1981
1
SWD CENTRES HELP SOLVE FAMILY PROBLEMS * * * *
AS STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 26 FIELD UNITS LOOK AFTER 231 OOO SOCIAL SECURITY CASES, THEIR COLLEAGUES IN 19 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES ARE JUST AS BUSY WITH 19 000 CASES INVOLVING FAMILY AND PERSONAL PROBLEMS.
EACH MONTH, ABOUT 1 000 FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO THEIR NEAREST CENTRES DIRECTLY OR ON REFERRAL TO SEEK HELP ON VARIOUS PROBLEMS RANGING FROM CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOUR TO MARITAL BREAKDOWNS.
AND FAMILY SERVICES CASEWORKERS USE THEIR PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK KNOW-HOW AND EXPLORE WELFARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE ON THE GROUND TO HELP SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS.
THEY INTERVIEW CLIENTS AT HOME OR IN OFFICE TO LOOK AT THEIR FAMILY BACKGROUND, ASSESS THE PROBLEMS AND FIND SUITABLE SOLUTIONS.
MOST OF THE PROBLEMS REQUIRING FAMILY SERVICES CONCERN BEHAVIOUR AND EMOTION OF CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS, PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP, MARITAL DISCORD, FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES, OLD AGE AND DISABILITY.
OTHERS INCLUDE STRAINED IN-LAW RELATIONSHIP, EMPLOYMENT, ACCOMMODATION, ILL HEALTH, UNWED PARENTS, AND CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION.
THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES SERVICES RANGING FROM COUNSELLING, REFERRALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INSTITUTIONAL PLACEMENTS, SCHOOLING, REHOUSING, MEDICAL CARE AND EMPLOYMENT, TO CASH ASSISTANCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT IN 1980, THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES THROUGHOUT HONG KONK CHALKED UP A RECORD OF 230 000 CASEWORK ACTIVITIES, OF WHICH HOME VISITS AND INTERVIEWS FORMED THE LARGEST BULK.
HE SAID CASES REQUIRING HELP WERE FOLLOWED THROUGH BY SOCIAL WORKERS FROM THE START AND CONTACTS WERE KEPT WITH THE CLIENTS.
♦APART FROM THE CONVENTIONAL ONE-TO-ONE CASEWORK APPROACH, DISCUSSIONS AND TALKS OFTEN TAKE PLACE FOR GROUPS OF CLIENTS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦MOST CLIENTS DIRECTLY APPROACH THE CENTRES FOR HELP, BUT CASEWORKERS ALSO ACT ON MEDIA REPORTS AND REACH OUT TO HARDSHIP CASES,* HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT FAMILY SERVICES WERE IN ESSENCE REMEDIAL WORK AND THE DEPARTMENT HAD IN RECENT YEARS ACTIVELY DEVELOPED PREVENTIVE SOCIAL WORK.
♦THIS INCLUDES FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TO FOSTER STRONG FAMILY TIES, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK TO HELP STUDENTS WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS, AND OUTREACH ING SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE,* HE SAID.
PEOPLE REQUIRING HELP ON PERSONAL OR FAMILY PROBLEMS ARE WELCOME TO APPROACH THEIR NEAREST FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OR TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE - 3-432255.
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MUNDAY, APRIL 6, 1981
2
TIN HAU FESTIVAL IN YUEN LONG X * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, AND HIS WIFE WILL OFFICIATE AT THIS YEAR’S YUEN LONG TIN HAU FESTIVAL PROCESSION TO BE HELD ON APRIL 27.
THE EVENT, ORGANISED BY YUEN LONG SHAP PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE, CELEBRATES THE BIRTHDAY OF TIN HAU, THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN.
ABOUT 40 ORGANISATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE PROCESSION WHICH WILL INCLUDE LION, DRAGON AND UNICORN DANCES, CHIU CHAU GONGS AND DRUMS, FLOATS, ACROBATIC DISPLAYS AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE FOLK DANCES AND MUSIC.
THE TWO-HOUR PROCESSION WILL START AT 10.30 AM FROM YUEN LONG EASTERN BUS TERMINUS AND PASS IN FRONT OF 4 000 INVITED GUESTS IN YUEN LONG STADIUM.
AFTERWARDS, IT WILL MAKE ITS WAY TO THE TIN HAU TEMPLE AT TAI SHUE HA WHERE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES WILL BE STAGED.
LARGE CROWDS, ATTRACTED BY THE BELIEF THAT BLESSINGS WILL RESULT, ARE EXPECTED AT THE +FA PAU+ DRAW WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3 PM.
TIN HAU FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS IN YUEN LONG GO BACK TO THE 17TH CENTURY, WHEN IT WAS A COASTAL FISHING VILLAGE.
THE FESTIVAL IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO BOAT PEOPLE WHO PRAY TO TIN HAU FOR GOOD FISHING AND FAIR WEATHER.
EVEN THOUGH YUEN LONG IS NOW A NEW TOWN AND FEWER LOCAL PEOPLE EARN THEIR LIVING FROM THE SEA, THE TRADITION IS STILL MAINTAINED.
THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL IS ONE OF HONG KONG’S MOST COLOURFUL FESTIVALS AND IS CELEBRATED BY PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
EVERY YEAR, TIN HAU CELEBRATIONS ARE ALSO HELD AT JOSS HOUSE BAY AND THE MANY TIN HAU TEMPLES BUILT IN AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH FISHING.
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SCHOOL HEADS TO DISCUSS MORAL EDUCATION * * *
THE PRINCIPALS OF SOME 200 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL ATTEND A ONE-DAY SEMINAR ON MORAL EDUCATION TO BE HELD ON APRIL 14 AT NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
PARTICIPANTS WILL ENGAGE IN GROUP AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND LISTEN TO SPEECHES BY PANELISTS.
THEY WILL DISCUSS THE TERM +MORAL A SEPARATE SUBJECT SHOULD BE SET UP IN INTO THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
EDUCATION,* AND WHETHER
SCHOOLS OR BE INTEGRATED
z/TZ3Y '.till..........
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 1981
3
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE HOME, THE SCHOOL AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN INFLUENCING PUPILS’ MORAL CONDUCT AND WILL BE INVITED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON bEANS OF PROMOTING MORAL EDUCATION.
MR COLVYN HAYE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WILL ADDRESS THE OPENING AND MR MICHAEL LEUNG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL CHAIR THE PANEL DISCUSSION AND DELIVER THE CLOSING REMARKS.
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VILLAGE GARDEN FOR SHAU KEI WAN
* * *
RESIDENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL HAVE A NEW CH INESE-STYLE VILLAGE GARDEN EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE GARDEN, SITUATED AT TSIN SHUI MA TAU VILLAGE, WILL HAVE AN AREA OF ABOUT 3 700 SQUARE METRES.
IT WILL INCLUDE A TRADITIONAL ENTRANCE ARCH, PAVILIONS, COVERED WALKWAYS, BENCHES, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, PLANTING AREAS AND TOILETS.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
WORK WILL START IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
ON COMPLETION, THE GARDEN WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CLOSURES * * * *
A 300-METRE SECTION OF STUBBS ROAD NORTH OF ITS ROUNDABOUT WITH TAI HANG ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 0.30 AM AND 5.30 AM DAILY ON APRIL 8 - 11, 14 - 16, AND 22 - 23 TO FACILITATE FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION WORK.
MOTORISTS GOING TO TUNG SHAN TERRACE AND CRAIGMENT WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND STUBBS ROAD.
OTHER TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE TAI HANG ROAD.
AND FROM 2.30 PM TO 3.15 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 8), THE FLYOVER FROM MAGAZINE GAP ROAD TO GARDEN ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ROAD WORKS.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 1981
4
WATER CUT IN LEI YUE MUN * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO ALL AND LING NAM SAN TSUEN WILL 3E ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 8) TO 7 AM WATER MAINS CONNECTION.
PREMISES IN LEI YUE MUN VILLAGE TURNED OFF FOR 11 HOURS FROM 8 PM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE
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MAMMOTH CLEAN-UP AT KWAI CHUNG * *
THERE WILL BULKY DISCARDED JUNCTION OF TAI
BE A MAMMOTH CLEAN-UP OF A HEAP OF REFUSE AND ITEMS ACCUMULATING AT AN OPEN SPACE AT THE LOONG STREET AND WO Yl HOP ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
,cn tL^L9PE2ATION W,LL TAKE PLACE this WEEK t0 REMOVE ABOUT ^OJONNBS 0F RUBBISH being DUMPED THERE BY THE RESIDENTS OF A ^r^yr-^QUATTER AREA AND HAWKERS TRADING IN THE SURROUNDING AREA A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID. ’
THE REFUSE HAS BEEN A HEALTH HAZARD TO RESIDENTS AND CAUSED ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS, THE SPOKESMAN
I L a
SPECIAL CLEANSING TEAMS OF THE KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICE OFFICE AND THREE TIPPER LORRIES WILL BE USED IN THE CLEAN-UP WHICH WILL LAST FOR ABOUT A MONTH.
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN WARNED RESIDENTS TO USE THE REFUSE CONTAINERS PLACED IN THE SQUATTER AREA.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1?81
CONTENTS PAG# NO.
PUBCHASE OF RTV SILiRE HOLDING APPROVED ......................... 1
BUDGET DEBATE RESULIES TOMORROW ............................. j
NEW DRIVING SIMULATORS........................................... 2
TEMPORjlRY MARINE OFFICE IN TUEN MUN ........................... 2
CHILD CARE AND SERVICES FOR ELDERLY INSPECTED ................... 3
WATER CUT ....................................................... 3
SALT WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG...................................... 3
HOW TO TEACH HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ABOUT CULTURE.................. 4
BONSAI SHOW IN TUEN MUN ON SATURDAY.............................. 4
ANTI-DRUG FOLK CONC3.lT.......................................... 5
TU3SDAX, -J’aiL 7, 1981
1
PURCHASE OF RTV SHARE HOLDING APPROVED *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) APPROVED PROPOSALS BY AN AUSTRALIAN CONSORTIUM WHICH INVOLVE THE PURCHASE FROM REDIFFUSION (HK) LTD., OF 61.2 PER CENT OF THE SHAREHOLDING IN REDIFFUSION TELEVISION LTD. (RTV), AND THE APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONSORTIUM TO THE RTV BOARD.
THE DECISION COMES AFTER CLOSE EXAMINATION OF THE PROPOSALS BY THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD AND THE GOVERNMENT.
IN ORDER TO VERIFY THAT THE PROPOSALS WOULD PERMIT RTV TO CONTINUE TO BE RUN IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, A SMALL GOVERNMENT TEAM LED BY THE SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION, MR ALAN SCOTT, AND INCLUDING MR NIGEL WATT, COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, AND MR B.P. CLANCY, DEPUTY CROWN SOLICITOR, VISITED AUSTRALIA TO MAKE A DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF THE THREE COMPANIES WHICH FORM THE CONSORTIUM. THEY ARE DAVID SYME AND CO. LTD., HENRY JONES (IXL) LTD. AND CRA LTD.
AFTER CAREFUL SCRUTINY, THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT THE COMPANIES WERE AWARE OF AND FULLY ACCEPTED THEIR SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE LICENCE GRANTED TO RTV.
♦THEY ENTIRELY ACCEPT AND WILL COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT 'INDER THE LAWS OF HONG KONG THAT A MAJORITY OF THE RTV DIRECTORS VST BE BRITISH SUBJECTS RESIDENT IN HONG KONG, AND THEY VIEW T'EIR INVESTMENT IN AND COMMITMENT TO RTV AS LONG TERM,* MR SCOTT SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE AGREEMENT, MR SCOTT SAIDi +ALL THREE COMPANIES OF THE CONSORTIUM - AND THEY ARE HIGHLY REGARDED IN AUSTRALIA - HAVE INDICATED THEIR CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG AND IN RTV BY THEIR WILLINGNESS TO COMMIT SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS TO THIS VENTURE. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF VIEWERS TO HAVE TWO COMPETITIVE COMMERCIAL STATIONS, TO ENSURE A CONTINUING IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY AND STANDARDS.+
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BUDGET DEBATE RESUMES TOMORROW
*****
EIGHT OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AND ON THURSDAY.
THEY ARE THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
FOUR BILLS WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST READING. THEY ARE THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1981, THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1981 AND THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981.
THE TWO-DAY SITTING WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RTHK’S RADIO 2 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 4 (ENGLISH).
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1981
2
NEW DRIVING SIMULATORS
* * * *
TWENTY NEW DRIVING SIMULATORS CAME INTO USE FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY (TUESDAY) AT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S INDOOR DRIVING INSTRUCTION CENTRE AT PUI CHING ROAD, HO MAN TIN.
THE NEW EQUIPMENT INCLUDES ONE SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE BY HANDICAPPED PERSONS, AND IS COMPLEMENTED BY NINE NEW TRAINING FILMS, IN ENGLISH AND CANTONESE VERSIONS, FOR THE NEW SIMULATOR PROGRAMME.
THE OVERALL COST WAS NEARLY |1 250 000.
THIRTEEN INDOOR DRIVING CLASSES ARE NOW BEING CONDUCTED DAILY AT THE CENTRE BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 10.30 PM, INCLUDING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, EXCEPT LUNAR NEW YEAR AND CHRISTMAS.
REGISTRATION FORMS FOR THE INDOOR DRIVING SIMULATOR CLASSES MAY BE OBTAINED AT PUI CHING ROAD DRIVING TEST OFFICE IN KOWLOON ONLY BY THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED THE WRITTEN TEST (PART A CF THE DRIVING TEST).
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TEMPORARY MARINE OFFICE IN TUEN MUN
*****
A TEMPORARY MARINE OFFICE WILL BE OPENED ON FRIDAY (APRIL 10) A’ SAM SHING ESTATE, TUEN MUN, SO AS TO BRING THE WORK OF THE T:JARTMENT CLOSER TO FISHERMEN. IT WILL PROVIDE ALL THE SERVICES CF THE OLD OFFICE ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD WHICH HAS BECOME MORE DISTANT FROM THE WATERFRONT BECAUSE OF EXTENSIVE RECLAMATION WORK.
A NEW PERMANENT MARINE OFFICE WILL BE BUILT ON THE WATERFRONT NEAR THE SAME ESTATE BY 1986.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE MR P.E.J. DAVY, THE CHAIRMAN OF TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU WONG-FAT AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BILLY LAM WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE TEMPORARY OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CF THE TEMPORARY MARINE OFFICE IN TUEN MUN WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 11 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 10) AT UNITS 6 AND 7, GROUND FLOOR, CHUN YU HOUSE, SAM SHING ESTATE.
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/3.....
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1981
CHILD CARE AND SERVICES FOR ELDERLY INSPECTED * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, TODAY (TUESDAY) INSPECTED THE GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED INSTITUTIONS FOR OLD PEOPLE AND CHILD CARE OPERATED IN KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT BY THE CHINESE RHENISH CHURCH, HONG KONG SYNOD.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SYNOD PASTOR, THE REV CHAN YAT-KIN, AND CHAIRMAN, THE REV CHEUNG KING-MAN, HE VISITED THE SZE-TIAN RHENISH HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE KWAI CHUNG RHENISH NURSERIES.
HE COMMENDED THE SYNOD FOR ITS WELFARE SERVICES WHICH MEET AN INCREASING NEED IN THE FAST-DEVELOPING KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT.
AT THE HOSTEL, HE SAW THE FACILITIES WHICH CATER FOR 149 OLD PEOPLE WHO ARE CAPABLE OF MANAGING THEIR OWN HOUSEHOLD CHORES.
MR ALLEYNE LATER CALLED AT THE SYNOD’S TWO DAY-NURSERIES FOR CHILDREN AGED UP TO SIX YEARS AND ONE DAY CRECHE WHICH TAKES IN CHILDREN AGED UP TO TWO YEARS.
THE THREE CHILD CARE CENTRES PROVIDE PROPER CARE FOR 190 CHILDREN.
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WATER CUT
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL EE TURNED OFF FOR 11 HOURS FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 9) TO 7 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS CONNECTION WORK.
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE LOCATED ALONG LEE ON ROAD, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE AND SHUN CHI COURT.
------o-------
SALT WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG
X X X X X X
THE SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR 11 HOURS FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 9) TO 7 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS CONNECTION.
ALL PREMISES ALONG LEE ON ROAD, AT SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE AND SHUN CHI COURT _W ILL ^E AFFECTED.
/t.....
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1981
4
HOW TO TEACH HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ABOUT CULTURE
* * * *
TEACHERS OF ART, CRAFT AND MUSIC IN SPECIAL CLASSES ARE IfiGED TO PARTICIPATE IN A SEMINAR NEXT MONTH ON THE TEACHING OF CULTURAL SUBJECTS TO HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
THE SEMINAR AIMS AT HELPING TEACHERS OF CULTURAL SUBJECTS IN SPECIAL CLASSES TO UNDERSTAND THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND THE SPECIAL TEACHING METHODS FOR THESE SUBJECTS.
SPECIALISTS WILL BE DELIVERING LECTURES ON EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, ART THERAPY, MUSIC FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, AND TEACHING OF ART AND CRAFT TO HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
AFTER EACH LECTURE, PARTICIPANTS WILL ENGAGE IN A DISCUSSION SESSION.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON MAY 2 BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 PM AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, TEACHERS MAY CONTACT MR K.H. CHAN OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION ON 5-778311 EXT. 147.
0------
BONSAI SHOW IN TUEN MUN ON SATURDAY *****
A 10-DAY BONSAI (MINIATURE TREE) EXHIBITION WILL OPEN IN TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND ON SATURDAY (APRIL 11).
ON DISPLAY WILL BE OVER 400 BONSAI PLANTS PROVIDED BY THE CHING CHUNG TAOIST MONASTERY AND LOCAL SCHOOLS, INCLUDING A 200-YEAR-0LD BEECH TREE BELIEVED TO BE A FAVOURITE OF THE EMPRESS DOWAGER OF THE CHING DYNASTY.
THE ABBOT OF CHING CHUNG MONASTERY, THE «EV HAU PO-WOON SAID HE HOPED THE EXHIBITION WOULD BRING TO LOCAL PEOPLE THE ART OF POT LANDSCAPE WHICH WAS ALWAYS CONSIDERED SOMETHING FOR RICH AND INTELLECTUAL. PEOPLE IN CHINA.
♦JUST IMAGINE HAVING OLD TREES AND PRECIPITOUS ROCKS ON THE TABLE IN YOUR LIVING ROOM,+ REV HAU SAID. ♦BONSAI STRESSES THE EMBODIMENT OF THE BEAUTY OF NATURE IN A TC^PASS. THIS IS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO HONG KONG BECAUSE IT REMINDS US THAT QUALITY AND BEAUTY ARE ACHIEVABLE EVEN THOUGH LIFE IS BUSY AND ROOM IS LIMITED.+
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY. THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, AND THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JIMMY SWEETMAN, WILL OFFICIATE.
/THE EXHIBITION .
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1981
5
6 PM 3StILXJp®IL’aS/ILL BE 0PEN T0 THE PUBL,C DA,LY FR0M 9 *M TO
BOOKLETE’lNTRobuc?NGDTWpYApfMn?SI^I*,?N! 0F B0NSA ’ PLANTING AND A
DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS. B0NSAI PLANT GR0W,NG W,LL BE
THE EXHIBITION ASSOCIATION OF HONG
IS ORGANISED BY THE KONG AND SPONSORED
CHING CHUNG TAOIST
BY TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD
-----0------
NOTE TO EDITORSi
ANTI-DRUG FOLK CONCERT
* * * *
THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS WILL HOLD AN ACAN COLK CONCERT ON APRIL 19 (SUNDAY) AT 8 PM AT THE MORSE PARK OPEN-AIR THEATRE. THE CONCERT IS PRODUCED BY THE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
DETAILS OF THE CONCERT WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY (APRIL 10) AT 2 PM IN STUDIO 2, BROADCASTING HOUSE, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, BROADCAST DRIVE, KOWLOON.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
----0----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:
SOCIAL SERVICES IMPRESSIVE .............................. -]
STUDY ON HOW TO IMPROVE SQUATTER CONDITIONS .............. 4
BETTER MATERNITY BENEFITS ................................ 6
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FINES INCREASED ........................ 7
SUMMONSES PROCEDURES STREAMLINED......................... 8
BILL TO GIVE LEGCO POWER TO RAISE FINES .................. 9
OFFENDING MOTORISTS TO PAY MORE .......................... 9
NEW POWERS FOR KGR GENERAL MANAGER....................... 10
LIMIT ON NUMBER OF PLB'S TO REMAIN ...................... 10
REPORT ON DRAFT ESTIMATES ................................ H
THREE BILLS PASSED ....................................... H
JOGGERS TO HELP LAUNCH ANTI-NARCOTICS DRIVE ................... n
CHILDREN'S CHOIR IN TUEN MUN ................................ -10
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1981
1
SOCIAL SERVICES IMPRESSIVE * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT AND CAN NOT OPERATE BY ALLOCATING FIXED PERCENTAGES OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE FOR ITS VARIOUS SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON E.P. HO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR HO SAID THE BUDGET EACH YEAR IS CONSTRUCTED ON THE FUNDS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN ON-GOING AND APPROVED NEW SERVICES AND THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES IS BASED ON PROGRAMME PLANS WHICH ARE REVIEWED REGULARLY.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
SOCIAL SERVICES - EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE, MEDICAL AND HEALTH - WAS IMPRESSIVE AND THERE WERE NO SERIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE GENERAL =LANS.
ON FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG STUDENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, MR HO SAID THE LONGER TERM LOAN SCHEME SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ENSURE THAT FIRST DEGREE AND HIGHER DIPLOMA STUDENTS FROM HONG KONG WISHING TO STUDY IN THE UK WOULD NOT BE PREVENTED FROM DOING SO MERELY BECAUSE OF THE DISPARITY BETWEEN ♦HOME+ AND +OVERSEAS+ TUITION FEES.
WHILE HONG KONG VALUED THE ACADEMIC LINKS WITH THE UK, IT WAS ALSO REVIEWING THE PROVISION OF ITS OWN HIGHER EDUCATION PLACES, AND THIS MATTER WAS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW POST-SECONDARY AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR KENNETH TOPLEY, HE SAID.
HE AGREED WITH THE HON ALEX WU, HOWEVER, THAT IT WOULD NOT BE SENSIBLE FROM THE EDUCATIONAL POINT OF VIEW FOR HONG KONG TO ATTEMPT TO BE SELF SUFFICIENT IN ALL DISCIPLINES. MR HO ALSO GAVE ASSURANCE THAT ADEQUATE FUNDS WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION AS WELL AS INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.
ON THE QUESTION OF LANGUAGE TEACHING RAISED BY THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT, MR HO SAID THERE WAS AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME OF IMPROVEMENT IN TEACHING METHODS IN BOTH LANGUAGES.
A SYLLABUS FOR THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAD BEEN PREPARED FROM THE THREE-YEAR WORK OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ADVISER, AND WOULD SHORTLY BE ISSUED TO SCHOOLS FOR COMMENT.
WITH REGARD TO TEXTBOOKS FOR THE TEACHING OF CHINESE AND ENGLISH, HE SAID CERTAIN MEASURES TAKEN TO KEEP A CHECK ON THESE BOOKS HAD RESULTED IN MARKED IMPROVEMENT IN STANDARDS.
ON THE QUESTION OF THE VICE-PR INC I PAL’S SALARY, MR HO SAID THE REPORT NO. 5 OF THE STANDING COMMISSION HAD RECOMMENDED, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED SALARY ARRANGEMENT THAT HARMED NONE AND SUBSTANTIALLY BENEFITED MANY. HE STRESSED THAT THE STANDING COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS WERE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PAY SCALES OF THE ASSISTANT EDUCATiON OFFICER AND EDUCATION OFFICER RANKS AND NOT A REDUCTION IN THE PAY SCALE OF THE SENIOR MASTER RANK.
/H3 said .....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1981
2
HE SAID THE MERGER OF THE TWO RANKS OF EDUCATION OFFICER AND SENIOR MASTER RANKS DID NOT MEAN THAT THERE SHOULD NO LONGER BE VICE-PRINCIPALS- IT SIMPLY MEANT THAT THE PERSON SELECTED BY A SCHOOL MANAGEMENT (AND THIS INCLUDED THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IN CASE OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS) TO PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS OF THE VICE-PRINCIPAL WAS REMUNERATED UNDER THE MERGED EDUCATION OFFICER/ SENIOR MASTER SCALE.
ON THE QUESTION OF A RELAXATION OF ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE, RAISED BY THE HON WONG LAM AND DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, HE SAID THAT SINCE APRIL 1980, A DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT HAD BEEN PAYABLE TO RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WHO WERE PARTIALLY DISABLED WITH 50 PER CENT OR MORE LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY OR A BROADLY COMPARABLE DISABLEMENT AND WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE EXTRA DIFFICULTIES AND NEEDS ARISING FROM SUCH DISABILITY.
DEALING WITH VOCATIONAL TRAINING, MR HO SAID THAT SPECIAL STUDIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND OF NEW VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES TO LINK UP WITH THE NEEDS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY WERE BEING CARRIED OUT BY EXPERTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION UNDER THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY WOULD BE AVAILABLE BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
ON VOCATIONAL PLACES, HE SAID THE PLAN PROVIDES FOR THE EXPANSION OF PLACES FROM THE PRESENT 714 TO 1 600 BY 1984-5, V ITH PROVISION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED THEREIN RISING FROM 528 TO 900 PLACES.
WITH REGARD TO RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR THE AGED, HE SAID THE NEXT FEW YEARS WOULD SEE A RAPID GROWTH IN THIS SERVICE.
BY 1984-85 IT WAS PLANNED TO PROVIDE OVER 2 000 ADDITIONAL PLACES IN HOSTELS AND HOMES FOR OLD PEOPLE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. A FURTHER 875 PLACES WOULD BE PROVIDED IN PURPOSE-BUILT HOMES OUTSIDE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. SIXTEEN HOMES WITH CARE AND ATTENTION FACILITIES PLANNED TO OPEN DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS WOULD HAVE COMBINED FACILITIES.
♦ALTOGETHER AN ADDITIONAL 2 135 CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED BY 1983-84 WHICH SHOULD THEN MEET THE PRESENT PLANNING TARGET OF 4 PLACES PER 1 000 POPULATION OVER THE AGE OF 60.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS IN PROBATION AND OTHER SERVICES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, AND SUBJECT TO SUFFICIENT STAFF BEING AVAILABLE, THE AIM IS TO REDUCE THE CASELOADS OF PROBATION OFFICERS - ESPECIALLY THOSE DEALING WITH HIGH COURT CASES.
IN THE RELATED AREA OF TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS, AN OVERSEAS ADVISER HAS RECENTLY REVIEWED ALL ASPECTS OF THE OPERATION AND ORGANISATION OF THE FIVE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS OPERATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
/STS phsluotary......
3
HIS PRELIMINARY REPORT HAD OUTLINED SOME CONSTRUCTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE APPROACHES TO BE ADOPTED IN INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONAL WORK AND ON THE INTERNAL ORGANISATION, STRUCTURE AND STAFFING REQUIREMENTS OF OUR CORRECTIONAL HOMES. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE BEING STUDIED WITHIN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
ON SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS, HE SAID THE RELATIVE SUMS OF MONEY INVOLVED SHOULD NOT DETRACT FROM THE REAL INCREASES IN PROVISION FOR SOCIAL WORK ACTIVITIES BOTH BY THE DEPARTMENT AND, MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, BY THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES THROUGH WHOM AN EVER INCREASING SHARE OF THE FUNDS EARMARKED FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES ARE BEING CHANNELLED.
DEALING WITH THE QUESTION OF SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUNDS, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THAT THE PLANNING AND FINANCING OF UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION, INCLUDING SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION, WAS BEST PROVIDED FOR THROUGH THE TRIENNUM BLOCK GRANTS TO THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE.
THE TOPLEY COMMITTEE WAS NOW REVIEWING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AND PROVISION OF POST-SECONDARY AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND WOULD BE ADVISING ON STUDENT TARGET NUMBERS FOR THE DECADE BEGINNING 1984.
HE HAD APPOINTED A WORKING PARTY UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF HIS DEPUTY, WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, TO REVIEW THE PRESENT UTILISATION OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, TO REFINE THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND FIGURES, AND TO ADVISE ON WAYS AND MEANS OF MEETING THE ESTIMATED SHORTFALL IN MANPOWER, MR HO SAID.
ON THE PROPOSAL FOR A NON-MEANS TESTED UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE, HE SAID A CURSORY EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THIS PROPOSAL BROUGHT FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS. WHILE ASSISTANCE FOR THE SEVERELY DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY COULD BE EASILY DETERMINED, IT WAS NOT THE CASE WITH UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE.
♦WE WOULD NEED AN ARMY TO CHECK ON EACH CASE, AND THIS WOULD DESTROY THE SIMPLICITY OF DR HO’S PROPOSAL,+ HE SAID .
THE ABSENCE OF THESE SAFEGUARDS WOULD MEAN THAT THIS IS AN ALLOWANCE AVAILABLE ON DEMAND. APART FROM THE LARGE COMMITMENT THIS COULD INVOLVE SUCH A DEVELOPMENT COULD UNDERMINE THE BASIC PROVISIONS OF THE PA SCHEME AS WELL AS THE WORK ETHOS OF OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY.
THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WAS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE ABLE-BODIED UNEMPLOYED. THE SAVINGS LIMIT OF $4 500 FOR A SINGLETON AND S3 000 FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER MEANS THAT NO PERSON NEEDS TO EXHAUST HIS SAVINGS BEFORE HE BECOMES ELIGIBLE FOR «LP.
HE THEREFORE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT IT WAS RIGHT, NOR DID HE FEEL THAT THERE WAS PUBLIC SUPPORT, FOR THE UNEMPLOYED TO BE GIVEN A FLAT RATE NON-CONTRIBUTORY ALLOWANCE WITHOUT REGARD TO HIS MEANS OR THE RESOURCES OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS.
MR HO FELT PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO IMPROVE THE PA SCHEME TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE DEPENDENT ON IT WOULD BE ABLE TO BUY A BASKET OF GOODS AND SERVICES APPROPRIATE TO TODAY’S HONG KONG.
♦THIS LATTER MATTER IS PRESENTLY RECEIVING THE GOVERNMENT’S CAREFUL CONSIDERATION,+ HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1981
4
STUDY ON HOW TO IMPROVE SQUATTER CONDITIONS
* ft ft ft ft
A PILOT STUDY IS NOW BEING CONDUCTED IN A SELECTED SQUATTER AREA TO SEE HOW DIFFICULT IT WILL BE TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON DENIS BRAY TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF IMPROVED FACILITIES SUCH AS METERED WATER SUPPLY, CLEANSING AND DRAINAGE, IMPROVED PATHS AND PUBLIC LIGHTING.
MR BRAY WAS REPLYING TO REMARKS AT PREVIOUS SESSIONS FROM THE HON R.H. LOBO AND THE HON F.K. HU.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LATEST ESTIMATE OF SQUATTER POPULATION IS THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION PEOPLE.
♦RATHER MORE THAN HALF OF THEM OR ABOUT 400 000 - 450 000 ARE LIVING IN SQUATTER AREAS WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A LIFE OF AT LEAST THREE YEARS, BUT PROBABLY FIVE OR EVEN TEN MORE YEARS,♦ HE SAID.
MR BRAY NOTED THAT IT WAS NOT PART OF HOUSING POLICY TO DEPRIVE OCCUPANTS OF SQUATTER HUTS OF PROPER PUBLIC HOUSING, BUT ADDED THAT +THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ARE SO ENORMOUS THAT THEY CANNOT BE SATISFIED FOR SOME YEARS.♦
HE SAID THE FACT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE LIVED IN SQUATTER AREAS FOR A LONG TIME PROBABLY ARISES FROM THEIR OWN PERSONAL CHOICE OR PERHAPS IGNORANCE.
♦ ANY FAMILY WHICH SATISFIES THE INCOME CRITERIA FOR PUBLIC HOUSING SHOULD NOT BY NOW HAVE BEEN LIVING IN A SQUATTER AREA FOR MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS.
♦ HAD THEY APPLIED FOR PUBLIC HOUSING BEFORE 197* THEY WOULD BY NOW HAVE BEEN OFFERED PUBLIC HOUSING. YET MANY SQUATTERS HAVE LIVED IN THESE AREAS FOR A LONG TIME AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO S0.+
♦ IF WE ACKNOWLEGDE THAT PEOPLE WILL LIVE IN THESE PLACES FOR YEARS WE MUST MAKE SOME ALLOWANCES,♦ HE SAID.
HE SAID DISTRICT AND CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS WOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO INSTITUTE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES IN VARIOUS SQUATTER AREAS ON A DISTRICT SCALE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES.
♦WHEN WE HAVE COMPLETED PROPOSALS FOR RENOVATION OF THESE SQUATTER AREAS WE SHALL PROBABLY NEED THE HELP OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT THEM,+ HE ADDED.
REFERRING TO THE REMARK ON UNEVEN PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILTIEIS, MR BRAY DISAGREED THAT ♦ ALL GOOD THINGS ARE CONCENTRATED IN CENTRAL AREAS.♦
♦CHAI WAN IS FOR INSTANCE MUCH BETTER ENDOWED THAN SHAU KEI WAN,+ MR BRAY SAID.
/♦IT IS .....
5
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1981
♦IT IS PRECISELY THIS UNEVENNESS OF THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES - AND NOT ONLY IN RECREATION - THAT HAS LED TO THE NEW EMPHASIS ON DISTRICT ADMINI STRAT ION,♦ HE SAID.
MR BRAY ALSO TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT A COMPREHENSIVE LONG-TERM PLAN FOR THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL SERVICES WAS BEING DRAWN UP.
♦IN THE MEANTIME WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH A MUCH MORE ROUGH AND READY WORKING PLAN IN THE FORM OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR LEISURE WHICH WE ALREADY HAVE.
♦THIS PROVIDES THE FRAMEWORK ON WHICH CURRENT PLANS FOR THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ARE BASED.♦
MR BRAY ALSO LISTED THE WORK BEING DONE CONCERNING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN VARIOUS PLACES 1
I ON THE NEW TERRITORIES THERE HAVE BEEN RECENT DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PROPOSALS ARE NOW BEING PUT FORWARD TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BY ADVANCING THE TIMING IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME"
* ON MORE SPACE IN THE URBAN AREAS AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP HAS RECENTLY CONCLUDED A SURVEY OF THE SPACE UNDERNEATH FLYOVERS - THERE ARE DOZENS OF THEM AND SOME QUITE SPACIOUS PLACES TO BE FOUND. PROPOSALS FOR A NUMBER OF THESE TO BE PUT TO RECREATIONAL USE ARE NOW COMING FORWARD"
* ON HOUSING ESTATES THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING IS AT THE MOMENT LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN THE NEW TERR I TORIES-
* THREE AVENUES FOR ENCOURAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PROVIDE PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WERE PROPOSED. SEVERAL SCHEMES ARE UNDER EXAMINATION, AND IN SOME CASES DEVELOPERS HAVE NOT WAITED FOR ANY INITIATIVE FROM US. I AGREE THAT MORE CAN BE DONE HERE. MUCH IS DONE TO PROVIDE FREE OR CHEAP RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT PUBLIC EXPENSE BUT WITH INCREASING AFFLUENCE WE MUST MAKE IT EASIER FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO PAY FOR THEIR OWN RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO DO SO- AND
* ON THE PROMOTION OF WATER SPORTS, I AGREE THAT THERE IS MORE SPARE WATER THAN SPARE LAND BUT WATERSIDE LAND WHICH IS REQUIRED IS SCARCE. SEVERAL SCHEMES ARE BEING DEVELOPED.
HOWEVER, MR BRAY SAID THERE WERE NO PLANS AT PRESENT TO PROVIDE A SPECIALIST COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND RECREATION. THE CURRENT OUTPUT OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, AUGMENTED BY THE EXISTING UNIVERSITY EXTRA-MURAL COURSES ARE CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1981
6
BETTER MATERNITY BENEFITS ft ft ft ft
PAID MATERNITY LEAVE WILL APPLY TO THREE SURVIVING CHILDREN AND NOT TWO AS RECOMMENDED BY THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP SET UP TO EXAMINE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING MATERNITY BENEFITS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE ADDED THAT THE INCLUSION OF A LIMIT IN THE LEGISLATION AROSE FROM THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE WORKING GROUP THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE AN +OPEN-ENDED COMMITMENT* FOR THE PAID LEAVE AND THE NEED TO LIMIT EMPLOYER’S LIABILITY NOT FROM CONSIDERATIONS OF POPULATION.
HE STRESSED THAT THE EXISTING MATERNITY PROTECTION PROVISIONS TO SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF MOTHERS-TO-BE WHO ARE WORKING APPLIED WITHOUT ANY LIMITATION AS TO NUMBERS OF CONFINEMENTS OR SURVIVING CHILDREN.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1981 WHICH PROVIDES FOR PAID MATERNITY LEAVE, MR HENDERSON SAID THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF ADOPTING A SYSTEM OF PAID MATERNITY LEAVE WAS UNIVERSALLY SUPPORTED NOTWITHSTANDING DIFFERENCES ON THE EXTENT, AMOUNT, CONDITIONS, AND LIMITATION ON MATERNITY PAY ITSELF.
ON THE WHOLE, THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE WELL RECEIVED BY ALL THESE UNIONS AND ORGANISATIONS WHO WERE CONSULTED AS WELL AS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, HE ADDED.
AFTER CONSULTING THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE VARIETY OF VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, EMPLOYEES’ TRADE UNIONS, MAJOR EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES, HE PROPOSED TO AMEND THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR PAID MATERNITY LEAVE.
MR HENDERSON WENT ON TO SAY THAT IT WAS PROPOSED THAT ANY WOMAN EMPLOYEE COVERED BY THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE - THAT IS ALL WOMEN MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND ALL THOSE WOMEN NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING UP TO $6 OOO A MONTH - SHOULD BE PAID WHILE ON MATERNITY LEAVE AT THE RATE OF NOT LESS THAN TWO-THIRDS OF HER PREVIOUS WAGES.
PAID MATERNITY LEAVE SHOULD BE LIMITED TO THREE ^SURVIVING CHILDREN*- AND TO VERIFY THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE HAS AT THE TIME SHE APPLIES FOR PAID MATERNITY LEAVE, A WOMAN EMPLOYEE SHOULD PRODUCE A STATUTORY DECLARATION TO HER EMPLOYER.
THE QUALIFYING SERVICE FOR PAID MATERNITY LEAVE SHOULD BE AO WEEKS OF CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF MATERNITY LEAVE.
A WOMAN EMPLOYEE WHO, WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF HER EMPLOYER, WORKS FOR ANOTHER EMPLOYER WHILE SHE IS ON PAID MATERNITY LEAVE SHOULD NOT BE ENTITLED TO MATERNITY ALLOWANCE.
/LEAV3 TAKEN .......
.WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1981
7
LEAVE TAKEN IN CONNECTION WITH MISCARRIAGES SHOULD BE TREATED AS SICK LEAVE RATHER THAN MATERNITY LEAVE- AND DAYS OFF FOR PREGNANCY CHECK-UPS OR POST CONFINEMENT MEDICAL TREATMENT SHOULD ALSO BE REGARDED AS SICK LEAVE.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF A WOMAN EMPLOYEE IN CONNECTION WITH MATERNITY SHOULD BE MADE AN OFFENCE AND IF CONVICTED AN EMPLOYER SHOULD BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5 OOO.
IN ADDITION, A WOMAN EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE PAID FULL MATERNITY BENEFITS FOR THE WHOLE OF HER PAID MATERNITY LEAVE PERIOD IF SHE IS DISMISSED BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF THE LEAVE.
IN ORDER TO GIVE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SUFFICIENT TIME TO .MAKE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THESE CHANGES IN THE LAW, MR HENDERSON PROPOSED THAT THE PAID MATERNITY LEAVE LEGISLATION SHOULD COME INTO OPERATION ON JUNE 1 THIS YEAR BY NOTIFICATION IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----o-----
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FINES INCREASED * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED FIVE SETS CF AMENDMENT INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS WHICH PROVIDE FOR INCREASED MAXIMUM FINES RANGING FROM $5 000 TO $50 000.
THEY ARE THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1981, THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CONFINED SPACES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1981, THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1981, THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1981, AND THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1981.
IN SEEKING APPROVAL OF THE REGULATIONS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE.HON J.N. HENDERSON, RECALLED THAT LAST AUGUST THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) ORDINANCE 1980 WHICH RAISED THE MAXIMUM PENALTY THAT MAY BE PROVIDED IN ANY REGULATIONS MADE UNDER IT TO $50 000.
+WHEN I INTRODUCED THAT BILL I SAID THAT THIS WOULD ENABLE THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE TO ANALYSE AND GRADE THE OFFENCES WITH APPROPRIATE MAXIMUM PENALTIES DEPENDING ON THE SERIOUSNESS OF A BREACH OF EACH PARTICULAR REGULATION,* HE NOTED.
MR HENDERSON SAID THERE ARE 19 SETS OF SAFETY REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE, AND AS A RESULT OF THE ANALYSIS BY THE INSPECTORATE, HE HAD RAISED THE PENALTIES IN FIVE SETS WHICH HE CONSIDERED TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT AND MOST URGENTLY IN NEED OF AMENDMENT.
/THE B3VIEJ ........
8
, ATXUJj O, 1>O1
THE REVIEW OF THE NEXT SIX SETS OF REGULATIONS IS BEING FINALISED NOW AND HE PROPOSED TO AMEND THE REMAINING ONES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
IN THE FIVE SETS OF AMENDMENT REGULATIONS, ONLY THOSE OFFENCES WHICH HE CONSIDERED TO BE MOST SERIOUS, SUCH AS FAILURE BY A PROPRIETOR TO FENCE A WORKPLACE TO PREVENT WORKERS FROM FALLING FROM A HEIGHT AND THE GIVING OF FALSE PARTICULARS IN A REPORT, WILL ATTRACT THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $50 000.
FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES SUCH AS FAILURE TO GUARD A MACHINE, THE MAXIMUM FINE WILL BE $30 000. OTHER LESS SERIOUS OFFENCES WILL ATTRACT MAXIMUM FINES RANGING FROM $5 000 TO $20 000.
SUMMONSES PROCEDURES STREAMLINED
X * * *
THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981 WHICH DEALS WITH THE PROCEDURE BY WHICH SUMMONSES ARE ISSUED BY MAGISTRATES COURTS WENT THROUGH ITS THREE READINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JOHN GRIFFITHS SAID IT PROVIDES FOR THE ISSUE OF SUMMONSES BY OFFICERS OF MAGISTRATES COURTS WHO ARE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY MAGISTRATES.
MR GRIFFITHS SAID ABOUT 10 000 SUMMONSES ARE ISSUED EVERY WEEK AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE 40 MAGISTRATES TO PERSONALLY CONSIDER, APPROVE AND ISSUE EACH OF THEM. IN PRACTICE, THEREFORE, THE WORK HAD BEEN ATTENDED TO BY JUDICIAL CLERICAL STAFF UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF MAGISTRATES.
HE SAID THAT IN PRACTICE THE ISSUE OF SUMMONSES BY NON-PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN MAGISTRACIES HAS WORKED WELL AND PROPOSED THAT THIS PRACTICE SHOULD BE REGULARISED AND CONTINUED.
HOWEVER, MR GRIFFITHS CONSIDERED IT APPROPRIATE THAT CERTAIN SAFEGUARDS BE INTRODUCEDi
X THAT PRIVATE COMPLAINTS BY PRIVATE CITIZENS WILL CONTINUE TO BE INDIVIDUALLY AND PERSONALLY CONSIDERED BY MAGISTRATES"
M THAT MAGISTRATES SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO CANCEL SUMMONSES SO THAT IF IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT A SUMMONS HAS BEEN WRONGLY ISSUED AGAINST A DEFENDANT HE IS NOT SUBJECTED TO THE INCONVENIENCE OF UNNECESSARILY ATTENDING A COURT- AND
* THAT WHERE A SUMMONS IS CANCELLED AND THE PERSON SUMMONSED HAD ALREADY INCURRED COSTS A MAGISTRATE MAY IN APPROPRIATE CASES REIMBURSE HIM UP TO A LIMIT OF $5 000.
MR GRIFFITHS SAID THE BILL RETAINS THE MAGISTRATES’ POWER TO REFUSE TO ISSUE A SUMMONS UPON OFFICIAL COMPLAINT OR INFORMATION, I.E. UPON APPLICATION BY THE POLICE OR PUBLIC OFFICERS.
+THE BILL IN FACT REPRESENTS NO CHANGE FROM WHAT IS THE CURRENT PRACTICE- IT MERELY MAKES WATERTIGHT A LEGAL LOOPHOLE,* HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1981
9
BILL TO GIVE LEGCO POWER TO RAISE FINES *****
A BILL SEEKING TO INTRODUCE A SIMPLER AND MORE EXPEDITIOUS MEANS TO MAINTAIN THE PUNITIVE AND DETERRENT EFFECTS OF STATUTORY PENALTIES WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT)(NO 2) BILL, THE LAW DRAFTSMAN THE HON GERALD NAZARETH SAID THE BILL, WHEN PASSED, WILL EMPOWER THE COUNCIL TO REVISE THE FINES FOR STATUTORY OFFENCES BY RESOLUTION INSTEAD OF AN AMENDMENT BILL.
MR NAZARETH EXPLAINED THERE WAS A CONSTANT NEED TO INCREASE THE LEVELS OF STATUTORY FINES BECAUSE OF INFLATION AND CONTINUAL CHANGES IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENCES.
THE BILL WOULD ALSO RAISE THE CEILING OF FINES THAT MAY GENERALLY BE IMPOSED BY SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION FROM $2 OOO TO $5 000, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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OFFENDING MOTORISTS TO PAY MORE
* * * *
CHARGES ARE TO BE INCREASED FOR THE IMPOUNDING, REMOVAL AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES WHICH HAVE BEEN ILLEGALLY PARKED ON RESTRICTED ROADS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
THIS WAS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, WHEN INTRODUCING THE HOUSING (TRAFFIC) (AMENDMENT) BY-LAWS, 1981.
FROM MAY 1 THE IMPOUNDING CHARGE IS TO BE INCREASED FROM $20 TO $50, THE TOWAWAY CHARGE FROM $80 TO $110 AND THE STORAGE CHARGE FROM $20 TO $35 A DAY.
MR LIAO SAID THAT THE CURRENT CHARGES WERE TOO LOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1981
10 -
NEW POWERS FOR KCR GENERAL MANAGER * * * *
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WITH THE ADDITIONAL POWERS REQUIRED FOR THE OPERATION OF A THROUGH PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981, IF PASSED, WILL ALSO VALIDATE PREVIOUS ACTIONS OF THE GENERAL MANAGER IN THIS RESPECT.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID THAT THE BILL WOULD GIVE THE KCR GENERAL MANAGER THE AUTHORITY TO SETTLE DETAILS REGARDING THE OPERATION OF THE THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE, SUBJECT TO ANY DIRECTIONS BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE GENERAL MANAGER WOULD ALSO BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE REGULATIONS FOR AREAS OF THE RAILWAY TO BE DECLARED RESTRICTED AREAS, FOR THE iSSUE OF PERMITS FOR ACCESS TO SUCH AREAS, AND FOR THE MAKING AND ADMISSIBILITY IN COURT OF PLANS DELINEATING THEM.
-THESE PROVISIONS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE MADE FOR THE AIRPORT, AND ARE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO CONTROL ACCESS TO THOSE PARTS OF THE RAILWAY WHICH ARE USED FOR CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION PURPOSES,♦ HE ADDED.
THROUGH PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES TO AND FROM CANTON RESUMED IN APRIL 1979 BY AGREEMENT WITH THE GUANGZHOU RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION AND A SECOND DAILY SERVICE HAS BEEN OPERATED SINCE FEBRUARY I960.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----o------
LIMIT ON NUMBER OF PLB’S TO REMAIN * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 10, 1982 THE PERIOD FOR WHICH THERE REMAINS A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHICH MAY BE LICENSED AS PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.
IN MOVING THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 220), THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THE HON DEREK JONES SAID THE TOTAL PERMISSIBLE NUMBER OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES TO REMAIN AT 4 350 WAS ORDERED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 8 LAST YEAR.
MR JONES SAID UNDER A SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE THE LIMIT REMAINED IN FORCE UNTIL APRIL 10, 1981 WHEN IT COULD BE EXTENDED BY THE COUNCIL BY RESOLUTION.
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/II.....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1981
11
REPORT ON DRAFT ESTIMATES * * * *
REP0RT BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE DRAFT ESTIMATES TODAYP(WEDNESDAY)81’82 WAS PRESENTED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
TABLING THE REPORT, CATER THANKED MEMBERS OF TIME AND EFFORT THEY HAD EXPENDITURE.
THE HON THE CHIEF SECRETARY SIR JACK THE COMMITTEE FOR THE VERY CONSIDERABLE DEVOTED TO THE SCRUTINY OF PUBLIC
THE DRAFT WAS REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THIS YEAR AND THE REPORT WAS COMPILED AFTER A SERIES OF AND SPECIAL MEETINGS.
FEBRUARY 25 REGULAR
-----o------
THREE BILLS PASSED * * * *
THREE BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY ARE THE DEPOSIT-TAKING THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL CENTRES INCORPORATION BILL 1981.
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981, 1981, AND THE SOCIETY OF BOY’S
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JOGGERS TO HELP LAUNCH ANTI-NARCOTICS DRIVE * *
A MASS JOGGING EVENT AND A FUN FAIR FOR THOSE LESS ATHLETICALLY INCLINED WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, MAY 3, TO LAUNCH THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS’ EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES FOR THE YEAR.
GIVEN THE TITLE ’LIVELY DRAGON JOG,’ THE EVENT IS EXPECTED TO DRAW MORE THAN 2 500 JOGGERS OVER THE AGE OF 15 WHO MAY ENTER EITHER AS INDIVIDUALS OR IN GROUPS OF 20 OR MORE. IT WILL START AT 1 PM.
JOGGERS WILL BE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE TWO LAPS OF A ROUTE COVERING A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 6 500 METRES, STARTING FROM INVERNESS ROAD, AND GOING ALONG NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, LA SALLE ROAD, HEREFORD ROAD, RENFREW ROAD, JUNCTION ROAD, DUMBARTON ROAD AND RETURNING TO INVERNESS ROAD.
JOGGERS COMPLETING THE COURSE WILL BE AWARDED EITHER AN INDIVIDUAL 'JOGGER’S BADGE’ OR A ’GROUP TROPHY’.
/12
.TEDNSSDAY, APRIL o, 1?81
12
FOR OTHERS WISHING TO ATTEND THE EVENT, THERE WILL BE A FUN FAIR AND GAMES TO BE HELD AT THE KOWLOON TSAI PARK STADIUM, AS WELL AS ’TELEMATCH GAME’ IN WHICH TELEVISION ARTISTS, DISCO-JOCKEYS AND FOOTBALL STARS WILL COMPETE.
THE PIPES AND DRUMS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WILL PROVIDE THE MUSIC.
IT WILL BE THE BIGGEST ANTI-NARCOTICS PUBLICITY EVENT ORGANISED BY ACAN THIS YEAR, WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.
THE EVENT IS AIMED AT DRAWING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE ANTINARCOTICS CAUSE AND PROMOTING HEALTHY ACTIVITIES AMONG YOUNG -EOPLE, A SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE ’LIVELY DRAGON JOG’ MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HEADQUARTERS AND ITS BRANCH OFFICES, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE ON APRIL 24.
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CHILDREN’S CHOIR IN TUEN MUN
* *
TUEN MUN IS TO HAVE ITS OWN CHILDREN’S CHOIR SOON.
LAST DECEMBER THE DISTRICT BOARD ENDORSED THE IDEA OF A CHOIR AS A WAY OF PROMOTING MUSIC AND PROVIDING EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNGSTERS IN THE FAST-DEVELOPING NEW TOWN.
AN ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAS ALREADY BEEN SET UP WHICH INCLUDE RURAL COMMITTEE LEADERS, SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, COMMUNITY WORKERS AND DISTRICT OFFICE REPRESENTATIVES. THREE WELL-KNOWN LOCAL MUSICIANS, M? HUANG YAU-TAI, MR LIM SHING-YUNG AND MR WEI HON-CHEUNG, HAVE BEEN APPOINTED CHOIRMASTERS.
A DRIVE IS NOW ON TO RECRUIT 100 LOCAL CHILDREN FOR THE CHOIR. ALL THOSE AGED FROM SEVEN TO 15 ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO PASS A VOCAL TEST ARRANGED BY THE CHOIR’S CONDUCTOR, MR AU PUN-YIN.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI HING PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, TAI HING COMMUNITY HALL, THE ISLAMIC PRIMARY SCHOOL AND HOH FUK TONG PRIMARY SCHOOL.
TRAINING SESSIONS WILL START NEXT MONTH ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS AT HOH FUK TONG PRIMARY SCHOOL. THE CHOIR WILL GIVE AN INAUGURAL CONCERT DURING THE TUEN MUN FESTIVAL IN NOVEMBER.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL; 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 9. 1981
CONTENTS
page no.
legislative COUNCILS 'ECONOMY ADJUSTING WELL' — SIR PHILIP ......................... 1
SIR JACK SPEAKS ON BRITAIN'S RELATIONS WITH HONG KOIG .... 2
BANKING AND DTC BILLS OUT TOMORROW........................ 3
SEPARATE ASSESSMENT RULED OUT ............................ 5
SIR JACK: CIVIL SERVICE SHOULD GIVE ITS BEST ............. 7
TASK FORCE SEP UP FOR MFA NEGOTIATIONS ................... 8
HOUSING OUTPUT HIGHEST EVER ACHIEVED IN HONG KONG......... 11
UNIFIED LANDS DEPARTMENT BEDJG CONSIDERED ............... 12
DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE LEVEL SUFFICIENT ................. 14
PUBLIC SECTOR SIZE MUST BE CONTAINED .................... 16
NO TO LAND SUBSIDY ...................................... 16
•SELLING' INDUSTRIAL ESTATES ............................ 17
SIR PUTT,TP THANKS UNOFFICIALS .......................... 18
TUES MUN DISTRICT BOARD PLANS RECREATIONAL PROJECTS .......... 18
NEW ROAD FOR TUEN MUN TOW .................................... 20
PUBLIC WARNED ABOUT POLLUTED BEACHES ......................... 20
CARS REGISTERED .............................................. 21
EARLY PAYMENT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ........................... 21
TAPS OFF FOR TESTS............................................ 21
1
’ECONOMY ADJUSTING WELL’ —SIR PHILIP
* * * *
HONG KONG’S ECONOMY HAS BEEN ADJUSTING FAVOURABLE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, DESPITE EARLIER ANXIETY CAUSED BY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1980 ABOUT OUR IMMEDIATE PROSPECTS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
AND HE ADDED: +GROWTH WITH STABILITY IN 1981 LOOKS TO ME TO BE NOT IMPOSSIBLE OF ACHIEVEMENT.*
WINDING UP THE BUDGET DEBATE, SIR PHILIP NOTED THAT THE EXPORT SECTOR IS HOLDING UP EXTREMELY WELL IN THE FACE OF GENERALLY UNFAVOURABLE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN OUR MAJOR MARKETS.
THE RATE OF INFLATION IS SLOWING DOWN AS EXPECTED, ALTHOUGH NOT AS RAPIDLY AS EVERYONE WOULD WISH, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE GROWTH RATES OF THE MONETARY AGGREGATES ARE ALSO SLOWING DOWN AND THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR HAS BEEN STABLE.
SIR PHILIP SAID THE VALUE TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WAS 13 TWO MONTHS OF 1980, SUGGESTING FIVE PER CENT.
OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST A GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF
+ IT IS TOO EARLY TO DEDUCE CONCLUSIVELY THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IS BOTTOMING OUT,* SIR PHILIP SAID, *BUT THE FACT THAT THE GROWTH RATE HAS CEASED TO FALL IS ENCOURAGING.*
AS FURTHER INDICATIONS THAT OUR EXPORT PERFORMANCE COULD BE EXPECTED TO GRADUALLY IMPROVE DURING THE YEAR, SIR PHILIP POINTED TO THE RECENT IMPROVEMENT IN THE GROWTH RATE OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE ACCELERATED GROWTH RATE OF RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES.
THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES WAS FIVE PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, COMPARED WITH MINUS TWO PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1980 AND FOUR PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
REFERRING TO PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, SIR PHILIP SAID THE GROWTH RATE IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR CONTINUED TO BE RAPID AT 33 PER CENT, WHICH SUGGESTS THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE HAS REMAINED AT LEAST AS RAPID AS IN 1980.
THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR HAD WIDENED TO 17 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 15 PER CENT IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1980.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GROWTH RATES OF THE MONETARY AGGREGATES SEEM TO HAVE BEEN SLOWING DOWN, BUT THE SEASONAL FACTORS INVOLVED ARE SUCH THAT A DEFINITIVE VIEW CANNOT BE TAKEN AT THIS STAGE, HE ADDED.
SIR PHILIP SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE RATE OF INCREASE IN PRICES IS STILL FAIRLY RAPID, IT SEEMS TO HAVE SLOWED DOWN IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
/THE DEPRECIATION ..
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1981
2
THE DEPRECIATION OF THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DURING 1980 OF NEARLY FIVE PER CENT, HE SAID, DOES NOT APPEAR YET TO HAVE EXERTED ANY SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE RATE OF INCREASE IN PRICES OVER AND ABOVE THAT ARISING FROM WORLD INFLATION.
IN THE PROPERTY MARKET, SIR PHILIP SAID, SUPPLY RESPONSES HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE IN THE CASE OF NON-RESIDENTI AL ACCOMMODATION.
THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE SUPPLY OF NEW SHOP SPACE OF 38 PER CENT IN 1980, COMPARED WITH 1979= IN THE CASE OF OFFICES, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF 66 PER CENT- BUT, IN THE CASE OF FLATTED FACTORIES, THERE WAS A DECREASE OF 24 PER CENT, ALTHOUGH THE STOCK OF VACANT SPACE REMAINED HIGH.
THE RAPID INCREASE IN 1980 IN THE SUPPLY OF NEW SHOP AND OFFICE SPACE HAS BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY FAIRLY RAPID RATES OF INCREASE IN PRICES AND RENTALS, BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF SUPPLY CAUGHT UP WITH THAT OF DEMAND BY THE END OF THE YEAR, HE SAID.
ABOUT 65 PER CENT OF THE SUPPLY OF NEW SHOP SPACE IN 1980 WAS COMPLETED IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR AND 40 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER- AND ABOUT 86 PER CENT OF THE SUPPLY OF NEW OFFICE SPACE IN 1980 WAS COMPLETED IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR AND 52 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
♦THIS SUPPLY RESPONSE WILL PERSIST FOR SOME TIME YET AND, GIVEN THAT THE PRESENT LEVEL OF INTEREST RATES WILL MAKE IT VERY
EXPENSIVE FOR LANDLORDS TO ’WAREHOUSE’ THEIR PREMISES, A DAMPENING EFFECT ON ASKING PRICES AND RENTALS SHOULD SOON BECOME APPARENT,* HE SAID.
SIR JACK SPEAKS ON BRITAIN’S RELATIONS WITH HONG KONG *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JACK CATER, TODAY (THURSDAY) SPOKE ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND BRITAIN, DRAWING A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE EXPEDIENT AND THE FUNDAMENTAL.
+WE SHOULD BE DOING OURSELVES A GREAT DISSERVICE IF WE WERE TO CALL OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH BRITAIN INTO QUESTION BY RELATING TO IT ISSUES WHICH, HOWEVER IMPORTANT, HOWEVER SERIOUS, ARE NEVERTHELESS NOT FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF BRITAIN FOR HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, SIR JACK REFERRED TO THE TIMELY, STATESMAN-LIKE COMMENTARY BY THE HON ALEX WU WHO HAD EXHORTED US NOT TO CONFUSE THE EXPEDIENT WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL.
MR WU HAD SAID IN PART, +WHAT BRITAIN DOES ABOUT EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION, HOW BRITAIN BEHAVES IN TRADE NEGOTIATION, EVEN HOW BRITAIN ARRANGES HER NATIONALITY AND IMMIGRATION AFFAIRS, CANNOT BE LUMPED TOGETHER AS EVIDENCE OF A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND HONG KONG.
/+THERE IS .....
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1981
♦THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF SUCH A CHANGE AND IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG THAT WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE REAL MOTIVES OF BRITISH POLICIES, THE PROBLEMS WHICH BRITAIN FACES AND THE OPTIONS WHICH ARE OPEN TO HER POL IT IC IANS.+
SIR JACK SAID HE WAS SURE THAT MR WU WAS MUCH HEARTENED, AS HE AND NO DOUBT OTHERS WERE, BY LORD CARRINGTON’S SIMPLE BUT FIRM STATEMENT THAT A MAJOR PURPOSE OF HIS RECENT VISIT TO HONG KONG WAS +TO DEMONSTRATE, TO REITERATE, THE UNSHAKEABLE COMMITMENT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG.+
♦A FUNDAMENTAL STATEMENT, ABOUT FUNDAMENTAL MATTERS,* SIR JACK REMARKED.
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BANKING AND DTC BILLS OUT TOMORROW * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL INTRODUCE TWO BILLS TO AMEND THE BANKING ORDINANCE AND THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE AS PART OF ITS MONETARY REFORM, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE TWO RELATED PURPOSES OF THE BILLS, TO BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW, ARE TO REDEFINE BANKING BUSINESS TO COVER, INTER ALIA, THE BUSINESS OF TAKING FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC ANY MONEYS REPAYABLE IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS- AND TO CREATE A NEW CATEGORY OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WHICH MAY TAKE ANY DEPOSITS IN EXCESS OF S500 000.
THIS WOULD CREATE A THREE TIER STRUCTURE IN WHICH REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WOULD BE RESTRICTED TO TAKING DEPOSITS IN EXCESS OF $50 000 AND FOR PERIODS IN EXCESS OF THREE MONTHS.
LICENSED BANKS WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE A MONOPOLY OF ALL DEPOSITS, WHATEVER THEIR ORIGINAL TERM TO MATURITY, OF UP TO 350 000. THEY WOULD ALSO HAVE THE SOLE RIGHT TO TAKE DEPOSITS WITH AN ORIGINAL TERM TO MATURITY OF LESS THAN THREE MONTHS UP TO S500 000. '
FOR LARGER DEPOSITS OF ANY MATURITY, THEY WOULD HAVE TO COMPETE WITH THE PROPOSED NEW CATEGORY OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (^MERCHANT* OR +WHOLESALE* BANKS).
FOR DEPOSITS OF $50 000 OR MORE WITH AN ORIGINAL TERM TO MATURITY OF THREE MONTHS OR MORE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO COMPETE WITH THOSE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES NOT LICENSED AS SO-CALLED +MERCHANT BANKS*.
SIR PHILIP SAID THE REASON FOR CREATING THIS THREE TIER SYSTEM WAS THE NEED TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT.
♦THIS AGREEMENT HAS ASSUMED A NEW SIGNIFICANCE SINCE THE FLOATING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, A SIGNIFICANCE WHICH IT DID NOT HAVE WHEN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR HAD A PARITY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR, LET ALONE WHEN IT WAS TIED TO STERLING.
/+IN THOSE....
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1981
4
♦ IN THOSE DAYS, THE GROWTH RATE OF THE MONEY SUPPLY WAS MAINLY DETERMINED BY SHIFTS IN THE NEW EXTERNAL BALANCE. PUT THE OTHER WAY ROUND, DEFICITS AND SURPLUSES IN THE BALANCE OF PAYMENTS WERE LARGELY ELIMINATED BY CHANGES IN THE MONEY SUPPLY, THAT IS TO SAY, THE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM OPERATED THROUGH THE MONEY SUPPLY.
♦UNDER A FLOATING EXCHANGE RATE REGIME, SUCH DEFICITS AND SURPLUSES ARE ELIMINATED, IN THEORY AT LEAST, BY CHANGES IN THE EXCHANGE RATE WITH LITTLE OR NO EFFECT ON THE MONEY SUPPLY.
♦BUT IN AN OPEN ECONOMY LIKE OURS, WHERE THE VALUE OF OUR VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE TRADE IS 2.3 TIMES AS LARGE AS THE VALUE OF OUR GDP, AND GIVEN THE LOW PRICE ELASTICITY OF DEMAND FOR IMPORTS, THE EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES REQUIRED TO CORRECT LARGE DEFICITS OR SURPLUSES IN THE BALANCE OF PAYMENTS MAY BE TOO LARGE TO BE TOLERABLE.
♦THUS, IT IS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE ROLE OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES IN THE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM BY INFLUENCING THE GROWTH RATE OF THE MONEY SUPPLY, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEMAND FOR CREDIT AND NET FLOWS OF FUNDS ACROSS THE EXCHANGES, BY APPROPR IATE ADJUSTMENTS TO INTEREST RATES.+
SIR PHILIP SAID THE ORIGIN OF THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT LAY IN THE BANKING CRISIS OF THE EARLY 196OS BROUGHT ABOUT BY CUT-THROAT COMPETITION FOR DEPOSITS AND LOANS BY THE BANKS.
+ ITS PURPOSE NOW IS NOT SO MUCH TO PREVENT CUT-THROAT COMPETITION - AND THERE ARE MANY WAYS IN WHICH BANKS AND OTHER DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS CAN COMPETE FOR BUSINESS AMONGST THEMSELVES - AND TO PRESERVE TO THE BANKS A MONOPOLY OF SHORT TERM DEPOSITS AS AN END IN ITSELF.
♦RATHER IT IS TO ENSURE THAT THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT OPERATES IN RESPECT OF A SUBSTANTIAL SHARE OF THE TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSIT BASE SO THAT INTEREST RATE CHANGES ARE INFLUENTI AL.+
♦THE INTEREST RATE WEAPON IS EFFECTIVELY OUR ONLY WEAPON OF MONETARY POLICY, THAT IS TO SAY, THE ONLY MEANS AT OUR DISPOSAL TO INFLUENCE THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC LOANS AND ADVANCES AND SHIFTS IN THE NET ACQUISITION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS, AND THEREFORE, OF THE MONEY SUPPLY.+
SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT IF NON-BANK DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS CAN OFFER MORE ATTRACTIVE RATES FOR SHORT TERM DEPOSITS, THEN SOME BANKS WOULD SEEK AGGRESSIVELY TO EXPAND THEIR DEPOSIT GARNERING ACTIVITIES BY SETTING UP WHOLLY OWNED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES, WHILST OTHERS WILL THEN BE FORCED TO PROTECT THEIR SHARE OF THE MARKET BY LIKEWISE SETTING UP SUBSIDIARIES.
HE SAID SINCE THE END OF 1978 THERE HAD BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CREDIT-GRANTING INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG, WITH THE ADDITION OF 41 DEPOSIT-GARNERING LICENSED BANKS AND 99 DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
♦THIS HAS, TO SOME EXTENT, CREATED A BORROWERS’ MARKET AND LED TO MANY EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN ABOUT THE RATE OF EXPANSION OF THE MONETARY AGGREGATES, BUT IT CANNOT BE SAID TOO OFTEN THAT INTERPRETATION OF PRESENTLY AVAILABLE STATISTICS IS DIFFICULT.
/+THE SHARE...
5
+THE SHARE OF THE TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR BASE HELD BY BANKS HAS DECREASED FROM 85 PER CENT OF TOTAL DEPOSITS OF $70 BILLION AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1978 TO 66 PER CENT OF $139 BILLION AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 1981.+
THE GROWTH IN THE TOTAL DEPOSIT BASE SINCE THE END OF DECEMBER 1978, SIR PHILIP SAID, HAS LARGELY BEEN CAUSED BY AN INCREASE IN LOANS AND ADVANCES IN HONG KONG OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF $78 BILLION, OR 138 PER CENT.
+THE DISPROPORTIONATE GROWTH IN DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES IS LARGELY A RESPONSE TO THE HIGHER NOMINAL RATES OF INTEREST OFFERED BY THEM AND THE INCREASING INTEREST RATESENSITIVITY OF DEPOSITORS IN A PERIOD OF DOUBLE DIGIT INFLATION, COMPARED WITH THE MAXIMUM RATES OFFERED BY MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS.
+EANKS REACTED BY USING SUBSIDIARY OR ASSOCIATED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO BID FOR DEPOSITS OUTSIDE THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT, AND SUCCESSFULLY, FOR THE 94 COMPANIES CONCERNED HAVE ABOUT 75 PER CENT OF ALL DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES- AND NEARLY 70 PER CENT OF THESE DEPOSITS ARE ON-LENT TO THE PARENT BANKS (BUT AT A HIGHER COST TO THE BANKS AND PROBABLY TO BORROWERS TOO).
+THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT IS THE KEY TO THE DISTRIBUTION CF DEPOSITS BETWEEN DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND BANKS. SO LONG AS THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT AGREEMENT REMAINS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN ThE GOVERNMENT’S MONETARY POLICY, THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM SHOULD BE TO REINFORCE THE AGREEMENT BY PREVENTING ANY FURTHER RELATIVE DIMINUTION OF THE BANKS’ DEPOSIT BASE AND, INDEED, BY ROLLING BACK SOME OF THE RECENT SHIFT OF FUNDS,* SIR PHILIP ADDED.
- - - - 0 ----
SEPARATE ASSESSMENT RULED OUT X * X X
SEPARATE ASSESSMENT OF A WIFE’S INCOME WOULD INTRODUCE A QUITE INAPPROPRIATE COMPLEXITY INTO OUR SYSTEM OF PERSONAL TAXATION WHICH RESTS LIGHTLY ON THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUP, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE. HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
AND, GIVEN THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE FAMILY CONCEPT IN OUR SYSTEM, ANY REDUCTION OF LIABILITY THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF SEPARATE ASSESSMENT WOULD ALSO GIVE RISE TO INEQUITY.
IN HIS SPEECH WINDING UP THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR PHILIP SAID THE SYSTEM OF AGGREGATION OF THE INCOMES OF MARRIED COUPLES PROVIDED FOR IN THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REMAINS OUR PREFERRED ARRANGEMENT GIVEN THE ESSENTIAL SIMPLICITY AND HIGH THRESHOLDS OF OUR PERSONAL TAX SYSTEM.
+IT INVOLVES TREATING THE FAMILY AS A CONVENIENT TAX UNIT BEARING IN MIND THAT THE TOTAL INCOME OF THE UNIT IS NORMALLY EMPLOYED TO THE BENEFIT OF THE FAMILY,* HE SAID.
SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT THOSE WHO PLEADED FOR SEPARATE ASSESSMENTS WERE PERHAPS UNAWARE OF THE LIMITED VALUE OF SUCH AN APPROACH.
/+TT Vf
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1981
- 6 -
♦IT WOULD NEVER BE ADVANTAGEOUS FOR COUPLES TO OPT FOR SEPARATE ASSESSMENT ON INCOMES WHICH WERE BELOW $55 OOO FOR COUPLES WITHOUT CHILDREN, $62 000 FOR COUPLES WITH ONE CHILD, $67 000 FOR COUPLES WITH TWO CHILDREN AND $81 000 FOR COUPLES WITH TWO CHILDREN AND TWO DEPENDENT PARENTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE INCOME SPLIT.
♦SEPARATE ASSESSMENT, IN FACT, WOULD BE DISADVANTAGEOUS IN MOST SITUATIONS (EXCEPT SOME STANDARD RATE CASES) WHERE, IN THE CASE OF A COUPLE WITH NO CHILDREN, THE INCOME OF ONE OF THE SPOUSES IS BELOW $22 500 OR WHERE THE INCOME OF THE SPOUSE WHO MAINTAINS THE CHILDREN AND DEPENDENT PARENTS IS BELOW A FIGURE OF $22 500 PLUS CHILD ALLOWANCES AND DEPENDENT PARENTS ALLOWANCES.*
SIR PHILIP SAID THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF WORKING WIVES IN THE TAX NET IN 1980-81 WAS 66 000 OF WHOM THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE ESTIMATED ONLY 20 000 WOULD BENEFIT FROM SEPARATE ASSESSMENT, OR RATHER LESS THAN 6 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO PAY SALARIES TAX.
ON THE REMOVAL OF THE HALF PERCENTAGE POINT LOADING LEVIED WITH EFFECT FROM THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 1976-77 ON THE SURCHARGE OF ONE-AND-A-HALF PERCENTAGE POINTS ON THE STANDARD RATE OF CORPORATION PROFITS TAX, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IT WAS NOT SO MUCH AS A CONCESSION AS SUCH BUT RATHER BECAUSE ITS CONTINUANCE WAS NO LONGER JUSTIFIED.
+IT IS NO PART OF OUR FISCAL POLICY TO PERSEVERE WITH THE IMPOSITION OF A LEVY, DECLARED AT THE OUTSET TO BE TEMPORARY, WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE.*
HE STRESSED THAT THE MOVE WAS NOT DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION VIS-A-VIS OTHER MAJOR CITIES IN SOUTH EAST ASIA, NOR WAS IT DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE STATUS OF HONG KONG AS A F INANC IAL CENTRE.
+AGAIN, IT IS NO PART OF OUR FISCAL POLICY TO ADAPT OUR REVENUE LAWS, LET ALONE OUR TAX RATES, SPECIFICALLY TO ATTRACT PARTICULAR TYPES OF BUSINESS HERE.
+THE SAME PRINCIPLE LIES BEHIND THE PROPOSED IMPROVED DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES: THEY ARE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS AND OTHERS TO RE-EQUIP AND UPGRADE THEIR PLANT AND EQUIPMENT TO ASSIST THE DIVERSIFICATION PROCESS GENERALLY AND NOT SPECIFICALLY TO MAKE HONG KONG A MORE ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR INVESTMENT,* HE ADDED.
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/7
7
SIR JACKt CIVIL SERVICE SHOULD GIVE ITS BEST * * * *
EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE IS NOT ONLY UNITED AND CONTENT BUT ALSO EFFICIENT, PRODUCTIVE AND CONCERNED TO GIVE OF ITS BEST TO THE PUBLIC IT SERVES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JACK CATER, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR JACK AGREED WITH THE HON LYDIA DUNN’S CONTENTION THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS UNDER-MANAGED.
+THERE HAS BEEN SERIOUS OVER-STRETCH IN THE SERVICE IN THE PAST: THAT IS UNDENIABLE. IT IS ALSO UNDENIABLE THAT A GREAT DEAL OF OVER-STRETCH STILL EXISTS TODAY,+ HE SAID.
BUT HE ADDED THAT VERY CONSIDERABLE EXTRA RESOURCES HAD BEEN AND WERE BEING PROVIDED TO STRENGTHEN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THAT CONSCIOUS EFFORTS WERE NOW BEING MADE TO IDENTIFY THE UNDER-MANAGED AREAS.
♦WE ARE TAKING ACTION TO RECTIFY SUCH SITUATIONS BEFORE THEY ASSUME TROUBLESOME PROPORTIONS,* SIR JACK SAID.
HE ADDED THAT EFFORTS WERE CONTINUING TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RESOURCES AND STAFF MANAGEMENT WITHIN DEPARTMENTS. THE STRENGTHENING OF DIRECTORATES, ESPECIALLY IN MAJOR DEPARTMENTS, WOULD ENABLE MORE ATTENTION TO BE DEVOTED TO IMPROVING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STAFF AND MANAGEMENT AT ALL LEVELS AND TO THE ENHANCEMENT OF STAFF PRODUCTIVITY.
ANSWERING THE HON W.C.L. BROWN’S COMMENTS, SIR JACK SAID THERE MIGHT BE SCOPE IN THE EXCHANGE, OR INTERCHANGE, OF STAFF DEALING WITH PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT MATTERS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH WAS LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING SOME TRIAL EXCHANGES.
AS TO EXPENDITURE OF CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING, SIR JACK AGREED WITH THE HON PETER WONG THAT A NOTE ON THE SCOPE AND COST OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES PROVIDED AT DIFFERENT LEVELS IN THE SERVICE WOULD BE OF GENERAL INTEREST, AND THAT SUCH A NOTE WAS BEING PREPARED BY THE BRANCH.
ON ANOTHER POINT RAISED BY MISS DUNN, SIR JACK SAID THERE HAD BEEN CHANGES IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SYSTEM SINCE 1974 AND THAT VERY SOON HE WOULD BE PUTTING NEW, MAJOR PROPOSALS CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF TRANSPORT AND OF LAND AND WORKS.
HE AGREED WITH MISS DUNN THAT THE TIME HAD COME FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT THE OVERALL ORGANISATION OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
+ INDEED EARLIER THIS YEAR I GAVE INSTRUCTIONS THAT A REAPPRAISAL OF THE VERY ISSUES MISS DUNN HAS MENTIONED BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION BRANCH,* HE SAID.
TURNING TO GOVERNMENT’S OFFICE ACCOMMODATION AND QUARTERS, SIR JACK SAID THAT OF THE S525 MILLION SOUGHT IN THE ESTIMATES FOR RENTAL OF PREMISES, S39O MILLION OR 74 PER CENT WAS TO CONTINUE EXISTING LEASES THROUGH THIS FINANCIAL YEAR AND S135 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT FOR NEW LEASES.
/ANOTHER 5369
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1981
8
ANOTHER $369 MILLION IS BEING SOUGHT FOR OFFICES, $156 MILLION FOR QUARTERS, AND $25 MILLION FOR MINOR FITTING-OUT WORKS.
1A„, RE,^ID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT IT WAS PREFERABLE TO LOCATE ITS OFFICES WHEREVER POSSIBLE IN GOVERNMENT-OWNED BUILD INGS.
SIR JACK SAID PLANS HAD BEEN DRAWN UP FOR OVER HALF A MILLION NEXTRFEWEYEARS°F GENERAL PURP0SE OFFICES TO BE BUILT OVER THE
ALLOWING FOR MORE OFFICE REQUIREMENTS OVER THE PERIOD, AND FOR THE DEMOLITION OF 51 OOO SQUARE METRES OF EXISTING OFFICES FOR REDEVELOPMENT OR FOR SALE OF THE SITES, THE BUILDING PROGRAMME WOULD' REDUCE THE PROPORTION OF LEASED OFFICES FROM THE PRESENT HIGH FIGURE OF 66 PER CENT TO 21 PER CENT BY THE END OF THE 1986-87 YEAR, HE ADDED.
SIR JACK SAID THERE WERE CURRENTLY 1 640 GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND 758 LEASED DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS AND THAT A BUILDING AND REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME HAD STARTED UNDER WHICH OVER 1 600 NEW QUARTERS WOULD BE BUILT BY -------
DEMOLISHED. THESE PROJECTS PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPERS.
THE END OF 1985-86 AND SOME 460 WOULD PROCEED AS JOINT-VENTURES WITH
----0 _-----
TASK FORCE SET UP FOR MFA NEGOTIATIONS
* * * *
A SPECIAL TASK FORCE WHOSE PRIMARY FUNCTION, FROM NEXT SEPTEMBER, WILL BE CONDUCTING NEGOTIATIONS THIS YEAR ON THE RENEWAL OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) AND ON BI-LATERAL AGREEMENTS IN 1982 IS TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT.
THE DIRECTOR, THE HON BILL DORWARD, MADE THIS DISCLOSURE DURING THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) WHILE RESPONDING TO COMMENTS BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON THE FUTURE OF THE MFA.
+1 CONSIDER THAT WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE AVAILABLE FOR DEPLOYMENT A GROUP OF EXPERIENCED AND CAPABLE NEGOTIATORS, BOTH LOCALLY IN THE DEPARTMENT AND IN OUR OVERSEAS OFFICES, AND IT IS MY INTENTION TO FORM FROM IT A TASK FORCE WHOSE PRIMARY FUNCTION FROM, SAY, SEPTEMBER ONWARDS WILL BE THE CONDUCT OF THESE FUNDAMENTALLY IMPORTANT BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS WHICH WE FACE OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR MORE,* HE SAID.
+THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE AT THE COST OF SOME LOSS OF EFFECTIVENESS ELSEWHERE, BUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT ALLOW OF ANY OTHER SOLUTION. I KNOW I CAN COUNT ON MY COLLEAGUES OUTSIDE THE TASK FORCE TO MAKE AN EXTRA EFFORT TO MAINTAIN A SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AND KEEP UP MOMENTUM ON SUCH IMPORTANT ISSUES AS CONSUMER PROTECTION, TRADE CONTROLS AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT,* SAID M? DORWARD.
IT IS WIDELY CONCEDED THAT THE ILLS WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY ARE AFFLICTING SOME OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRIES OF THE WEST, NOTABLY IN EUROPE, ARE NOT ATTRIBUTABLE TO IMPORTS FROM THE THIRD WORLD.
/BUT ddCAUoE .....
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1981
- 9 -
BUT BECAUSE OF A WIDESPREAD ECONOMIC RECESSION AND FALLING UNEMPLOYMENT, THE REAL PROBLEMS ARE EITHER SO INTRACTABLE OR POLITICALLY POTENT THERE MUST BE A TEMPTATION FOR GOVERNMENTS TO TRY TO QUIET PROTECTIONIST DEMANDS BY DIRECTING EFFORTS AT SURROGATE TARGETS, HE SAID.
MR DORWARD CALLED ON THE EEC AND THE UNITED STATES TO ENSURE THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE REALISTICALLY AND FAIRLY CONDUCTED.
REFERRING TO A RECENT MAJOR DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON THE UK’S TEXTILE, CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INDUSTRIES, HE SAID IT WAS NOTABLE THAT AS FAR AS PROBLEM IMPORTS WERE CONCERNED THE FOCUS WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY ON THE UNITED STATES. EUROPEAN INDUSTRY SAW THE U.S. TEXTILE INDUSTRY AS A MAJOR THREAT TO THEIR OWN.
-THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST DRAMATIC NEW ELEMENT AS WE CONSIDER THE FUTURE OF THE MFA,+ SAID MR DORWARD.
+IN THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE, HONG KONG WAS MENTIONED ONLY TWICE., ONCE WHEN IT WAS RECOGNISED THAT THE U.K. INDUSTRY COULD ONLY REASONABLY HOPE TO COMPETE WITH US AT THE HIGH QUALITY END CF THE GARMENT MARKET- AND THE OTHER OCCASION WHEN IT WAS ALLEGED THE UNITED STATES WAS UNDERSELLING US,+ HE SAID.
HAVING RECENTLY RETURNED FROM A VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES, MR DORWARD SA IDs +JUST OVER TWO WEEKS AGO I SAW A REPORT IN THE HIGHLY REGARDED WASHINGTON POST HEADLINED ’PROFITS, PROGRESS LOOM LARGE FOR TEXTILE MAKERS’. IT DOCUMENTED THE DRAMATIC RESULTS OF A CAPITAL SPENDING OF US$11 BILLION BY U.S. MILLS OVER THE LAST DECADE, AND PREDICTED ANOTHER US$23 BILLION IN THE EIGHTIES. ALTHOUGH 1980 PROFITS WERE ONLY 7.2 PER CENT UP OVER 1978, IT WAS, AND I QUOTE, ’THE FIRST TIME IN MEMORY THAT THE MILLS HAD SURVIVED A RECESSION UNSCATHED - A REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE, IN THE FACE OF AUTO AND HOUSING SLUMPS’. THE ARTICLE CLOSED WITH A SENIOR INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE SAYING FLATLY AND CONFIDENTLY: ’THERE IS NO QUESTION NOW THAT WE CAN COMPETE’.
+THAT IS, OF COURSE, THE MILL SECTOR,♦ SAID MR DORWARD. +THE U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY IS MORE FRAGMENTED AND LESS CAPITAL INTENSIVE. IT DOES, HOWEVER, ENJOY OVER 85 PER CENT OF CONSUMPTION IN THE BIGGEST SINGLE MARKET IN THE WORLD.
+ABOUT 85 PER CENT OF U.S. IMPORTS ARE CONTROLLED UNDER BILATERAL AGREEMENTS. IMPORTS INTO THE U.S. FROM 1971 TO 1979 INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF ONLY 2.7 PER CENT A YEAR. AND HONG KONG, AS THE MAJOR SUPPLIER, HAD ONLY 1.3 PER CENT OF U.S. CONSUMPTION IN 1979,+ HE SAID.
+1 MENTION THESE FACTS AND FIGURES TO MAKE THIS BASIC POINT. I THINK WE WILL BE AMPLY JUSTIFIED THIS YEAR IN LOOKING TO THE UNITED STATES, IN ITS OWN ENLIGHTENED SELF INTEREST, TO EXERCISE ITS CONSIDERABLE AUTHORITY AND INFLUENCE TO ENSURE THAT NEGOTIATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF THE MFA ARE REALISTICALLY AND FAIRLY CONDUCTED-THAT THE PROVISIONS SOUGHT BY THE DEVELOPED IMPORTING COUNTRIES ARE COMMENSURATE WITH WHAT ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES CLEARLY JUST IFY-AND, MOST PARTICULARLY, THAT DEVELOPING COUNTRY EXPORTERS ARE NOT HELD SOMEHOW ACCOUNTABLE FOR DIFFICULTIES AND PROBLEMS FOR WHICH THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE,* SAID MR DORWARD.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 19S1
10
LAST YEAR 100 000 JOBS WERE LOST IN THE UK’S TEXTILES INDUSTRY BUT, AS MR DORWARD NOTED, +THE MINISTER FOR TRADE, MR CECIL PARKINSON, RECENTLY TOLD THE BRITISH TEXTILE EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION THAT ’THE PROBLEM OF CHEAP TEXTILE IMPORTS IS BEING OVERSTATED’. HE POINTED OUT, FURTHERMORE, THAT THREE QUARTERS OF BRITAIN’S TEXTILE IMPORTS CAME FROM THE DEVELOPED WORLD IN 1980, AND EXPORTS TO THE LOW COST COUNTRIES HAD ACTUALLY GROWN FASTER THAN IMPORTS.*
ALTHOUGH A TWENTY-YEAR SERIES OF MULTILATERAL TEXTILE ARRANGEMENTS WERE DESIGNED EXPLICITLY TO MODERATE TEMPORARILY THE GROWTH OF CERTAIN EXPORTS LIKELY TO CAUSE 'MARKET DISRUPTION’, THEIR EXISTENCE WAS NOW SO MUCH TAKEN FOR GRANTED BY THE INDUSTRIES WHICH HAD ENJOYED THEIR PROTECTION THAT THEY NO LONGER ATTEMPTED TO JUSTIFY THEM, BUT MERELY CALLED FOR THEIR INTENSIFICATION, MR DORWARD SAID.
THE DISCREDITED POLICY ADOPTED BY THE EEC IN 1977 IMPOSED A FINITE LIMIT ON IMPORTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, BUT NO LIMIT ON OTHERS. ESTABLISHED TRADE OPPORTUNITIES WERE THEN ARBITRARILY TAKEN FROM SOME RESTRAINED SUPPLIERS AND IN THEORY GIVEN TO OTHERS CONSIDERED MORE NEEDY. BUT THE ACTUAL CONSEQUENCE WAS THAT TRADE POTENTIAL TAKEN AWAY FROM HONG KONG AND OTHER MAJOR SUPPLIERS WENT TO THE RICH - NOTABLY THE UNITED STATES - AND NOT TO THE POOR.
+ IT WILL BE NOT ONLY DEPRESSING BUT DESTRUCTIVE IF THAT EXPERIENCE IS IGNORED,* HE SAID. *THE DEVELOPING COUNTRY EXPORTERS HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN IT, AND ARE FACING THE COMING NEGOTIATIONS WITH A COHESIVENESS THEY HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY SHOWN. AS I SPEAK, A WOP SHOP SEMINAR IS IN PROGRESS IN DJAKARTA, FOLLOWING UP THE FIRST CO-ORDINATION MEETING OF MFA DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WHICH I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING IN BOGOTA, COLOMBIA LAST NOVEMBER.
+HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN THIS SERIES OF MEETINGS - AND WE EXPECT THERE TO BE MORE AS THE YEAR GOES CN - AS WELL AS IN THE LESS OBVIOUS BUT VERY SUBSTANTIVE INFORMAL CONTACTS WHICH TAKE PLACE FROM DAY TO DAY, MAINLY IN GENEVA,* HE SAID.
+OUR AIM IN THIS EFFORT WILL BE TO DEVISE IN CONCERT WITH THE OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES A COHESIVE STRATEGY. WE RECOGNISE THE FUTILITY OF INVITING CONFRONTATION BY CHALLENGING THE JUSTIFICATION FOR HAVING AN MFA AT ALL, ALTHOUGH A LOGICAL CASE COULD BE MADE. INSTEAD WE SHALL SEEK TO ENCOURAGE A RESPONSIBLE AND REALISTIC APPROACH TO THE MFA NEGOTIATIONS WHICH WE WOULD EXPECT TO BE RECIPROCATED BY THE DEVELOPED IMPORTING COUNTRIES,* STRESSED MR DORWARD.
COMMENTING ON SUGGESTIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW ITS EFFORTS TO INFLUENCE PEOPLE IN HIGH POSITIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, MR DORWARD ACCEPTED THE NEED TO DO SO.
+THE TROUBLE WITH THE U.S., HOWEVER, IS THAT THE TARGETS ARE NUMEROUS, SCATTERED AND IN THE SIGHTS OF MANY OTHERS AT ANY GIVEN TIME. AND THE DIFFERENT CENTRES OF GOVERNMENT, COMMERCE, FINANCE AND INDUSTRY ARE SPREAD OVER THAT VAST CONTINENT.*
HE ADDED THAT A GOOD DEAL OF ACTIVITY WAS ALREADY TAKING PLACE AT OFFICIAL LEVEL. THE HONG KONG OFFICE IN WASHINGTON NOW HAD THREE DIPLOMATIC LEVEL STAFF AND OPPORTUN IT IES WERE ALWAYS TAKEN TO PAY CALLS AT APPROPRIATELY HIGH LEVELS WHEN THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT MEMBERS VISITED THE U.S. HOWEVER, HE UNDERTOOK TO RE-EXAMINE THE NATURE AND LEVEL OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS.
/+I HOPE ...
THUHSDAI, APRIL 9, 1981
11
+l HOPE WITHIN THIS YEAR TO ESTABLISH AN AMERICAN OFFICE FOR THE PURPOSE OF INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION,* SAID MR DOWARD.
+l HAVE DETECTED A GROWING AWARENESS OF THE POTENTIAL OF HONG KONG AS A MARKET AND AS AN ENTREPOT, AN AWARENESS THAT ALL SECTORS IN HONG KONG WOULD DO WELL TO STIMULATE AS THE U.S. SHOWS GREATER AND GREATER INTEREST IN EXPORT DEVELOPMENT.*
REFERRING TO THE PROBLEMS OF PROTECTIONISM, MR DORWARD SAID: *l DO BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE COUNTERS TO THEM IS TO STIMULATE THE INTEREST OF THE COUNTRIES CONCERNED TO SELL TO US. THE NEW FOUND COMPETITIVENESS OF THE U.S. TEXTILE INDUSTRY, FOR EXAMPLE, SHOULD MEAN THAT IT CAN OBTAIN FOR ITSELF A LARGER SHARE OF OUR YARNS AND FABRICS MARKET WHICH, AT OVER HKS14 BILLION A YEAR, IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD.*
REFERRING TO A PLEA FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO ASSIST THE DYEING AND FINISHING INDUSTRY, MR DORWARD SAID HE HAD INITIATED A SURVEY OF INDUSTRY OPINION THREE YEARS PREVIOUSLY, BUT THE RESPONSE HAD BEEN GENERALLY UNENTHUS I AST IC.
+WHEN THE PROPOSAL WAS REVIVED RECENTLY, THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES DECIDED TO CONDUCT A FULL STUDY OF THE SITUATION AD TO TRY TO PROVIDE GOVERNMENT WITH A DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF THE lEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY AND PROPOSALS SHOWING THE LAND AND I FRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS, TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF THE E /IRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM. THE RESULTS OF THAT STUDY ..ILL BE GIVEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WHEN RECEIVED,* CONCLUDED MR DORWARD.
0 - -
HOUSING OUTPUT HIGHEST EVER ACHIEVED IN HONG KONG X X K X
DURING 1980/81, COMBINED HOUSING PRODUCTION FROM THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TOTALLED WELL OVER 60 000 FLATS -- THE HIGHEST OUTPUT EVER ACHIEVED IN HONG KONG.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY DURING THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE.
ON THE PUBLIC HOUSING FRONT, HE SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD PRODUCED A RECORD 35 443 FLATS, AN ADDITIONAL 1 506 HAD BEEN PROVIDED UNDER THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY HAD PRODUCED 618 MORE FLATS — A +MOST SATISFACTORY START* TO THE FIRST YEAR OF THE NEW DECADE.
AS A RESULT OF THE HIGH LEVEL OF PRODUCTION, THE AUTHORITY HAD
BEEN ABLE TO MARGINALLY REDUCE THE WAITING LIST IN THE PAST TWO
YEARS, SAID MR LIAO.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO FURTHER REDUCE THE
LIST AND THE WAITING TIME, THEREBY ENCOURAGING ALL FAMILIES IN
NEED OF HOUSING TO APPLY THROUGH THE LIST.
♦THIS UNDERLINES THE NEED TO INCREASE OUR PRODUCTION OF ALL TYPES OF PUBLIC HOUSING WHENEVER POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1981
12
♦SUFFICIENT LAND AND OTHER RESOURCES HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE AND CONTRACTS HAVE EITHER BEEN LET OR ARE BEING PREPARED TO ENSURE THAT PRODUCTION IS MAINTAINED AT ITS CURRENT HIGH LEVEL WELL INTO THE MID-’SOS. NEVERTHELESS, ANY INCREASE ABOVE THESE LEVELS SHOULD BE EFFECTED GRADUALLY AND MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE AVAILABILITY CF RESOURCES.+
HOWEVER, THE KEY TO THE CONTINUATION AND EXPANSION OF THE HOUSING PROGRAMME WAS THE AVAILABILITY OF AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LAND, SAID MR LIAO.
FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE DECADE, INDICATIONS WERE THAT IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO IDENTIFY 20 PER CENT TO 25 PER CENT MORE SITES THAN WOULD NORMALLY BE REQUIRED, TO ALLOW FOR THE UNSUITABILITY CF SUCH SITES, WHICH WOULD GENERALLY BE MORE DIFFICULT TO FORM AND SERVICE, TO PERMIT A POSSIBLE GRADUAL EXPANSION OF OUTPUT AND TO GUARD AGAINST SLIPPAGE IN LAND PRODUCTION.
TURNING TO THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, MR LIAO SAID THAT ALREADY 13 453 FLATS HAD BEEN SOLD TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES, HALF OF THEM PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS. THE ARRANGEMENT BY WHICH HALF OF HOS OUTPUT WAS SOLD TO PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WOULD CONTINUE WITH LATER PHASES, THEREBY MAKING AVAILABLE PURCHASERS’ ORIGINAL FLATS FOR RE-ALLOCATION TO OTHER FAMILIES IN NEED OF HOUSING.
IT WAS CONSERVATIVELY ESTIMATED THAT THE SELLING PRICE OF THESE FLATS — INCLUDING THE 3 099 PHASE IHA FLATS NOW BEING SOLD -- WAS BETWEEN 26 AND 34 PER CENT BELOW MARKET LEVELS.
IF THE HOS WORKING PARTY CONSIDERED IT NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE ANY FURTHER DIRECT SUBSIDY TO BENEFIT PURCHASERS, ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON RE-SALE OF THE FLATS WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED.
CONCERNING MIDDLE-INCOME THAT A LARGE SITE AT TUEN MUN FLATS RANGING IN SIZE FROM 50 THIS GROUP.
+SANDWICHED+ FAMILIES, MR LIAO SAID HAD BEEN EARMARKED TO PROVIDE 2 000 TO 80 SQUARE METRES TO BE SOLD TO
- - 0 -----
UNIFIED LANDS DEPARTMENT BEING CONSIDERED X K * *
THE GOVERNMENT WAS STUDYING THE POSSIBILITY OF CREATING A UNIFIED LANDS DEPARTMENT AND HOPED TO REACH A DECISION ON THIS BEFORE VERY LONG, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
ESPECIALLY IN HONG KONG, THE AVAILABILITY OF LAND IS THE STARTING POINT FOR ALL FURTHER DEVELOPMENT, WHETHER FOR HOUSING, INDUSTRY, COMMERCE OR COMMUNITY FACILITIES, HE SAID.
REFERRING TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS THE HON LYDIA DUNN, THE HON DAVID NEWBIGGING AND THE HON S.L. CHEN, MR JONES SAID A GOOD DEAL OF WORK ON LAND DEVELOPMENT WAS ALREADY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE VERY WILLING TO CONSIDER OTHER CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS. MR JONES POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE PART TO BE PLAYED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE PRODUCTION OF NEW LAND.
/GIVING EXAMlLcxS ..
9, 1931
- 13 -
GIVING EXAMPLES OF THIS, KE SAID TWO SUCH SCHEMES INVOLVING THE RECLAMATION OF SEA BED AND PRODUCING 47 HECTARES OF LAND FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND 21 HECTARES FOR THE DEVELOPERS WERE NEARING COM°LCTION IN SHA TIN. +THE ELECTRICITY COMPANIES AND THE CHINA CEMENT COMPANY ARE ALSO FORMING THEIR OWN LARGE SITES FOR THEIR NEW DEVELOPMENT AND THE SAME HAS HAPPENED WITH CERTAIN PROJECTS FOR SPECIAL INDUSTRIES,* MR JONES SAID.
AFTER GIVING A FEW OTHER EXAMPLES OF PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT CF LAND, MR JONES SAID FURTHER THAT A SUBMISSION WAS BEING PREPARED FOR THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND PRODUCTION ON HOW THE PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRIBUTION MIGHT BE INCREASED.
HE ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT PRIVATE SECTOR LAND PRODUCTION, WHILE LESSENING THE CALL ON GOVERNMENT STAFF RESOURCES AND REDUCING DIRECT GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, WOULD STILL MAKE DEMANDS ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.
♦AND IT WILL NOT, IN THE LAST ANALYSIS, REDUCE GOVERNMENT SPENDING, NET OF REVENUE, ON THE PROJECTS CONCERNED,* HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, H- SAID THE ORGANISATION WAS AN INSTRUMENT TO CONSTRUCT AND MANAGE I.DUSTRIAL ESTATES AND TO LEASE THEM AT COST TO SPECIAL INDUSTRIES, A'.D HE SAW NO PARTICULAR BENEFIT IN IT ACTING AS AN INTERMEDIARY IN FORMING AND SELLING LAND FOR ORDINARY INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
.. ITH REGARD TO THE SHORTFALL OF +JUST OVER 16 HECTARES* O'7 LAND SOLD LAST YEAR, MR JONES EXPLAINED THIS WAS DUE TO ♦INEVITABLE DIFFICULTIES*, SUCH AS GEOTECHNICAL OR CLEARANCE PROBLEMS.
HOWEVER, MOST OF THE LAND WOULD EE AVAILABLE FOR THE 1981-82 SALES PROGRAMME.
♦CERTAINLY THERE WAS NO RESERVE OF LAND DELIBERATELY HELD BACK FROM WHICH NEW SITES CAN BE FOUND TO REPLACE THOSE WHICH HAVE BEEN LOST FROM OR DELAYED IN, THE PROGRAMME,* HE SAID.
STATING THAT THERE WERE CASES WHERE DEVELOPERS WERE SLOW WITH THEIR WORKS, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW USING ITS POWERS OF RE-ENTRY MORE OFTEN WHERE NO BUILDING WORK HAS BEEN DONE DURING THE COVENANT PERIOD. IN OTHER CASES, IT WAS BASING CHARGES FOR THE EXTENSION OF BUILDING COVENANTS ON CURRENT PRICES, RATHER THAN THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF LAND.
DISCUSSING MODIFICATION PREMIA, A QUESTION RAISED BY MISS DUNN, MR JONES SAID THE WIDE ACCEPTANCE BY DEVELOPERS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S MODIFICATION TERMS SHOWED THAT REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES WERE NOT BEING LOST THROUGH THE PRESENT PRACTICE.
THERE WERE, HOWEVER, A NUMBER OF OLDER DISTRICTS IN THE URBAN AREAS WHERE REDEVELOPMENT WAS DESIRABLE BUT WAS TAKING PLACE TOO SLOWLY, BUT THIS WAS DUE TO MULTI-OWNERSHIP PROBLEMS OF THE SMALL LOTS RATHER THAN PREMIUM. THERE WAS, NEVERTHELESS, SOME PROGRESS IN COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES BEING UNDERTAKEN IN THE AREAS, AND EFFORT WAS BEING MADE TO ENCOURAGE MORE SUCH SCHEMES.
ON THE QUESTION OF LAND FOR THE DYEING AND FINISHING INDUSTRY, HE SAID THAT CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO A STUDY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES ON THIS MATTER, WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.
/IF mhNI....
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1981
14
IF LAND WERE SOUGHT ON SPECIAL CONDITIONS, MR JONES SAID, THE CASE WOULD HAVE TO BE CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED, NOT JUST FOR THE INDUSTRY, BUT IN TERMS OF BENEFIT TO THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE. REFERRING TO THE HON ROGER LOBO’S CONCERN ABOUT THE DETERIORATION Cr THE STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS OF STREETS AND PUBLIC PLACES, MR JONES SAID +VERY SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES* WOULD BE DEVOTED TO 4 CLEAN UP CAMPAIGN, AS ELL AS TO +ESTABL ISH ING THE CAPACITY TO MOUNT AND SUSTAIN AN INCREASED CLEANSING EFFORT, PARTICULARLY IN THE NEW TERR ITOR IES.+
DISCUSSING ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, HE SAID THAT IN ADDITION iO BRINGING FORWARD AND PUTTING INTO EFFECT VARIOUS NEW PIECES OF LEGISLATION, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WAS SOLIDLY ESTABLISHED AND WAS MONITORING POLLUTION LEVELS IN VARIOUS PARTS CF HONG KONG.
LARGE NEW DEVELOPMENTS, SUCH AS THE NEW POWER STATIONS, THE CEMENT PLANT AND VARIOUS CHEMICAL INSTALLATIONS WERE BEING CONSTRUCTED IN WAYS WHICH TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS AGREED WITH THE AGENCY AND APPROVED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM).
MR JONES SAID IT WAS HOPED SOON TO DECLARE TOLO HARBOUR AS THE FIRST WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ZONE AND TO INITIATE COMPREHENSIVE MONITORING AND STEPS TO ENSURE THAT ITS WATER .ALITY DOES NOT FURTHER DETERIORATE.
IM ’LL CF THIS WORK THE AIM WAS AND WOULD BE TO FINE TUNE AND IMPOSE CONTROLS ONLY WHEN AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE CLEARLY SHOWN TO BE NECESSARY TO PREVENT SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN A PARTICULAR AREA OR TO BRING ABOUT POSITIVE BENEFIT IN RELATION TO THE COST INVOLVED.
MR JONES ALSO SAID THAT A STUDY WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN ON THE +SHORT, MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM MEASURES NECESSARY TO TACKLE THE KAI TAK NULLAH PROBLEM AND THE LIKELY COSTS AND TIMING.*
A SUGGESTION BY THE HON ANDREW SO THAT IT BE COVERED WAS BEING EXAMINED ALTHOUGH MORE RADICAL MEASURES WOULD BE LIKELY NEEDED FOR LASTING IMPROVEMENTS, HE SAID. MR JONES THEN SUPPORTED THE MOTION BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
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DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE LEVEL SUFFICIENT * * * * *
THE INITIAL DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE OF 35 PER CENT WILL PROVIDE SUFFICIENT ENCOURAGEMENT TO INVESTMENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE WAS REPLYING TO A SUGGESTION BY THE HON HENRY HU THAT THE INITIAL ALLOWANCE BE RAISED NOT FROM 25 PER CENT TO 35 PER CENT, BUT TO 50 PER CENT.
SIR PHILIP STRESSED THAT IT IS THE NEUTRALITY CF HONG KONG’S TAX SYSTEM WHICH IS IMPORTANT, RATHER THAN THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE CF F ISCAL INCENTIVES.
/+THIS IS .....
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1931
•5
♦THIS IS WHY I AM ENTIRELY OPPOSED TO ANY FORK OF SUBSIDY FOR PRODUCERS OR CONSUMERS (OTHER THAN, SO FAR AS THE LATTER IS CONCERNED, ON COMPELLING SOCIAL GROUNDS),* HE SAID.
+THE FACT IS THAT, SOONER OR LATER, THE NEUTRALITY OF OUR FISCAL SYSTEM. GENERALLY WOULD BE ERODED, FOR SUBSIDY PAYMENTS EVENTUALLY HAVE TO BE FINANCED.*
REFERRING TO A SUGGESTION BY THE HON S.L. CHEN FOR THE CREATION OF A FUND TO PROVIDE LOANS TO MANUFACTURERS FOR THE PURCHASE OF PuANT AND EQUIPMENT AT BELOW MARKET RATES, SIR PHILIP SAID THE E--ECT WOULD BE THAT THE CONTRIBUTION TO RECURRENT REVENUE OF E-RNINGS ON OUR FISCAL RESERVES WOULD FALL WITH ULTIMATE CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR NARROWLY BASED TAX SYSTEM WITH LOW RATES OF CHARGE.
+MAYBE ONE OR TWO ARGUABLY ONE-OFF SUBSIDY PAYMENTS WOULD LOT BE THE END OF THE WORLD,* HE SAID, +BUT ONE-OFF PAYMENTS WOULD I B. ITABLY BECOME ONE OR TWO ON-GOING SCHEMES AND ONE OR TWO O’-GOING SCHEMES WOULD INEVITABLY BREED OTHERS.*
SIR PHILIP ALSO DISMISSED CLAIMS THAT THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IS ’FLAGGING’. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT BORNE OUT BY OUR EXPORT PERFORMANCE IN RECENT YEARS, HE SAID.
+IF SOME INDUSTRIES ARE ’FLAGGING’, IT IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE CEASED TO BE COMPETITIVE FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER,* HE NOTED.
IN ORDER TO PRESERVE OUR COST-COMPETITIVENESS AND FLEXIBILITY OF RESPONSE, SIR PHILIP FELT THAT MARKET FORCES MUST BE ALLOWED ~D OPERATE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO DIVERT RESOURCES ELSEWHERE.
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH STILL CONTRIBUTES N-ARLY 27 PER CENT TO THE GDP AND EMPLOYS ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE LABOUR FORCE, WILL STILL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN THE DIVERSIFICATION CF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
ON THE HON WONG PO-YAN’S SUGGESTION FOR THE SETTING UP OF A CENTRAL BODY FOR PLANNING, CO-ORDINATION AND CONDUCT OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, SIR PHILIP SAID THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL SHOULD BECOME THE ORGANISATIONAL FOCUS FOR IMPROVING INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT FACILITIES, WHICH INCLUDE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
+THE COUNCIL HAS PUT UP A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS, WHICH THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD HAS CONSIDERED, OR IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING, COVERING VARIOUS SUPPORT FACILITIES,* HE SAID, ADDING THAT BOTH ORGANISATIONS WERE STILL WORKING OUT HOw TO TACKLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND MR WONG’S VIEWS WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
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/16.....
।nunodAY, APRIL 9, 1981
- 16 -
PUBLIC SECTOR SIZE MUST BE CONTAINED
* * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TODAY (THURSDAY) EMPHASISED THAT THE PERSISTENT UPWARD DRIFT IN THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR WILL HAVE TO BE CONTAINED.
WINDING UP THE BUDGET DEBATE, HE SAID THE GROWTH RATES OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE AND THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT WOULD HAVE TO BE BROUGHT MORE INTO LINE WITH EACH OTHER.
THE REASON THAT THE DRIFT MUST BE CONTAINED, GIVEN THE BUOYANCY CF OUR REVENUES AND THE STATE OF OUR FISCAL RESERVES, IS THAT +THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE, APPROPRIATELY DEFINED, SHOULD HAVE REGARD TO THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY,* HE SAID.
♦AND, ALLIED TO THIS, THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR SHOULD EE CAREFULLY WATCHED.*
SIR PHILIP SAID THE' PUBLIC SECTOR WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THE DISCIPLINE OF THE PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT AND HAD VIRTUALLY UNLIMITED POWER TO BARGAIN RESOURCES AWAY FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
+BUT IF THE GOVERNMENT CHOOSES TO USE THIS POWER, IT MUST BE AWARE OF THE CONSEQUENCES.
+ THUS THE NEED FOR SELF-IMPOSED RESTRAINT IS SELF-EVIDENT, FOR THIS IS THE ONLY SAFEGUARD AGAINST THE PRIVATE SECTOR BEING DEPRIVED OF ACCESS TO COMPETITIVELY PRICED RESOURCES, INFLATIONARY PRESSURES BEING GENERATED AND BALANCE OF PAYMENTS DIFFICULTIES EMERGING,* SIR PHILIP SAID.
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NO TO LAND SUBSIDY * * * *
IT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY OR PRACTICE TO SUBSIDISE LAND PRICES EXCEPT WHERE THERE ARE GOOD SOCIAL REASONS FOR DOING SO, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE wAS REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE HON LYDIA DUNN WHO HAD SPECIFICALLY SUGGESTED A SUBSIDY IN RESPECT OF LAND USED IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
SIR PHILIP SAID THE SCHEMES WERE INTENDED TO MAKE HOME OWNERSHIP POSSIBLE FOR LOWER MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES AT COST, WITHOUT A PROFIT ELEMENT AND WITH ACCESS TO MORTGAGE FACILITIES ON FAVOURABLE TERMS- AND, THEREFORE, THE CALCULATION OF FULL MARKET VALUES FOR THE SITES CONCERNED PROBABLY UNDERSTATED THE TRUE MARKET PRICES LIKELY TO BE REALISED IN AUCTIONS.
+THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN MANAGING RENTED PUBLIC HOUSING HAS A STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY ONLY TO ENSURE THAT ITS INCOME MATCHES ITS EXPENSES. AS LAND IS GRANTED TO THE AUTHORITY AT NIL PREMIUM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FLATS FOR RENT, CLEARLY THE AUTHORITY’S RENTALS SHOULD NOT INCLUDE ANY ELEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE LAND.
/+BUT, UNBER ..
THURSDAY, AF2IL 9, 1981
17
+ BUT, UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME, THE FLATS ARE SOLD, NOT RENTED, AND THERE IS NO COMPELLING ARGUMENT FOR PUBLIC FUNDS TO EE USED TO SUBSIDISE INDIVIDUALS IN THE ACQUISITION OF PERMANENT ASSETS,* SIR PHILIP SAID.
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’SELLING’ INDUSTRIAL ESTATES * * * *
THE CONTRAST BETWEEN LAND AVAILABLE ON INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AND THE NUMBER OF SITES BEING DEVELOPED DERIVES FROM VIRTUE RATHER THAN FROM A FAILING ON THE PART OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, THE HON D.G. JEAFFRESON, SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ANSWERING REMARKS MADE BY THE HON ALLEN LEE AND THE HON S.L. CHEN. MR JEAFFRESON SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT ONE AIM CF THE CORPORATION WAS TO KEEP THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ESTATES WELL ■HEAD OF THE GRANTING OF LOTS TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS.
♦IT IS CLEARLY IMPORTANT THAT, IF THEY ARE NOT TO BE DISCOURAGED, POSSIBLE USERS OF THE ESTATES SHOULD SEE WELL LAID OUT AND SERVICED SITES READY TO BE GRANTED,* HE SAID.
THE SECOND AIM, HE SAID, WAS THE PRINCIPLE OF BROADENING HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE BY CATERING FOR THOSE INDUSTRIES WHICH COULD NOT OPERATE IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
HE ADDED THAT THE CORPORATION HAS SO FAR RECEIVED 171 APPLICATIONS AND HAS APPROVED 55.
ON PROMOTION, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION, INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION HAS BEEN REORGANISED AND WAS NO* UNDER THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS.
ANSWERING A REMARK ON CRITERIA, HE SAID THE BOARD OF THE CORPORATION +ARE AT THEIR MOST CRITICAL, AND DARE I SAY IT, THEIR MOST CANTANKEROUS, WHEN THIS SUBJECT COMES UP.*
ON CONDITIONS OF LEASE, HE SAID THESE WERE FAIRLY TOUGH TO ENSURE THAT SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS USE THE SITES FOR THE PURPOSES WHICH CAUSED THE CORPORATION TO GRANT THEM.
THOSE WHO OBJECT +RATHER NOISILY* WERE VERY MUCH A MINORITY, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE MAJORITY UNDERSTOOD WHY THE LEASE CONDITIONS WERE FAIRLY TIGHT AND ACCEPTED THEM WITHOUT COMPLAINT.
MR JEAFFRESON ALSO SPOKE ON THE INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND PACKAGING COUNCILS IN WHICH HE SAID AN INCREASE IN SUBVENTION FOR 1981-32 MIGHT BE SOUGHT.
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/18 ...
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1981
18
SIR PHILIP THANKS UNOFFICIALS X H r: W- >■
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, IN WINDING UP THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY), THANKED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS FOR THEIR PATIENCE OVER THE YEARS.
+1 AM SURE MY SUCCESSOR WILL BE EQUALLY TREATED. AS MR OSWALD CHEUNG SAID IT WAS INEVITABLE - AND, I WOULD ADD, ABSOLUTELY RIGWT - THAT WE WOULD NOT ALWAYS EE IN AGREEMENT,+ HE SAID.
SIR PHILIP DENIED THAT HE WAS UNAWARE OF +THE FACTS OF LIFE* AND THAT HE VIEWED THE WORLD THROUGH A STATISTICAL LOOKING-GLASS.
+1 AM WELL AWARE OF THE HUMAN ASPECTS OF THE DISRUPTIONS AND THE FORCED ADJUSTMENTS WHICH ARE THE CONCOMITANT OF ECONOMIC PROGRESS.
+1 HAVE ALWAYS REGARDED THE ANNUAL BUDGET SPEECH AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE TASK OF ’(BRIDGING) THE GAP BETWEEN THE GOVERNED AND THE GOVERNING’ FOR, OF COURSE, EVERYO.E HAS ’OPINIONS ON LEVELS OF TAXATION (AND) ON THE DISPOSAL OF PUBLIC FUNDS’.*
♦BUT. IN RESPONSE TO MR LOBO’S PROPOSITION THAT ’A GAP (HAS DEVELOPED) BETWEEN WHAT IS STATISTICALLY SATISFACTORY AND WHAT IS PERSONALLY SATISFYING’, I WOULD SAY THIS: THAT WHAT IS STATISTICALLY UNSATISFACTORY IS MOST UNLIKELY TO BE ’PERSONALLY SATISFYING’.*
TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD PLANS RECREATIONAL PROJECTS * * * *
THERE IS A MASSIVE PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND AMENITIES IN TUEN MUN.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BILLY LAM, AT THE FIRST MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY) OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, OF WHICH HE IS CHAIRMAN.
THE BOARD WAS TOLD THAT THE PROGRAMME HAD BEEN DRAWN UP AFTER SEVERAL MEETINGS CF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND INCLUDES MORE THAN 30 PROJECTS, 10 OF WHICH HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR ACCELERATED COMPLETION.
ADDITIONALLY FOUR VACANT SITES ARE BEING LOOKED AT FOR TEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT AS TENNIS COURTS, A ROLLER SKATING RINK AND A JOGGING TRACK.
THE BOARD ALSO APPROVED A TOTAL OF 10 RECREATIONAL PROJECTS IN FIVE LOCAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
TUEN MUN HAS 120 000 PEOPLE AND THE BOARD WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT THE DEFICIENCY IN RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY CLOSE TO HOUSING ESTATES.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1981
- 19 -
THE BOARD AGREED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ITS SUB-COMMITTEES FROM FIVE TO SIX AND TO EXPAND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF SOME OF THEM. THE SUB-COMMITTEES ARE :
* FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLICITY (PREVIOUSLY FINANCE)-
* TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT-
* CULTURAL, RECREATION AND SPORTS-
* COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (PREVIOUSLY INDUSTRIAL)-
* ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT- AND
* SOCIAL SERVICES.
AT THE MEETING, CHAIRMEN OF THE SUB-COMMITTEES WERE APPOINTED. THEY ARE s MR CHAN YAT-SUN- MR LAU WONG-FAT- MR CHAU MAN-PING- THE DISTRICT OFFICER- MR AUGUSTINE NG CHAK-TAI- AND NR CHEUNG .KAM-HUNG.
AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH A NEW TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SUB-COMMITTEE IS IN RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE TWO SUBJECTS IN THE NEW TOWN, THE BOARD WAS TOLD. ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE EMPHASISE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE LOCAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SITUATION.
THE BOARD ALSO AGREED TO ENDORSE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT THAT THE PUBLIC BE ADVISED AGAINST SWIMMING AT TWO LOCAL BEACHES AT WHICH THE WATER QUALITY IS CONSIDERED TO BE BELOW AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES.
ONE UNOFFICIAL SAID: +WE ENDORSE THE RECOMMENDATION WITH GREAT RELUCTANCE, BUT WE URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO SEEK LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM.+
MR LAM GAVE BOARD MEMBERS A BRIEFING ON THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO -BE HELD NEXT YEAR.
HE SAID THERE WOULD BE FOUR DOUBLE-MEMBER CONSTITUENCIES WITH EIGHT ELECTED MEMBERS. REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS WOULD START IN LATE SUMMER.
THERE WOULD BE 17 POLLING STATIONS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED THROUGHOUT TUEN MUN DISTRICT AND ELECTION DAY WOULD BE EARLY IN MARCH. RESULTS aOULD BE PUBLISHED WITHIN A FEW DAYS AND ELECTED MEMBERS WOULD ASSUME OFFICE FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM ON APRIL 1, 1982.
/2O.....
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1981
20
NEW ROAD FOR TUEN MUN TOWN * * * *
A NE* ROAD WILL EE BUILT I : TUEN MUN NEW TOWN TO SERVE THE EUTTERFLY 3U3LIC HOUSING ESTATE FOR 60 000 PEOPLE.
A $15.3 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE WORK WAS AWARDED TODAY (THURSDAY) SY THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO DRAGAGES ET TRAVAUX PUBLICS, A FRENCH FIRM.
THE 1 250-METRE LONG ROAD WILL ALSO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE FUTURE INDUSTRIAL AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS ON THE 75-HECTARE RECLAMATION IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART Or THE NEW TOWN. NEA' THE BUTTERFLY BEACH.
THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INVOLVE THE WIDENING OF A SECTION OF LUNG MUN ROAD AND SITE FORMATION WORK FOR THE FUTURE LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM.
WORK ON THE PROJECT, FOR WHICH CONSULTANTS ARE SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK AND PARTNERS, WILL BEGIN THIS MONTH AND TAKE ABOUT A ''EAR TO COMPLETE.
0 - -
PUBL IC WARNED ABOUT POLLUTED BEACHES * K * *
BEACHGOERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM AT TWO BEACHES IN WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES. THEY ARE THE ANGLERS BEACH AND CASTLE PEAK BEACH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THE aATER AT THE BEACHES HAD BEEN POLLUTED BY HUMAN WASTE AND WASTE FROM PIG FARMS.
♦ WE ARE LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF DESIGNATING THE WATER OFF CASTLE PEAK BEACH AS A BOATING AREA AND TO ADD OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO MAKE UP FOR ITS LOSS AS A BATHING BEACH,+ HE SAID.
♦ IN THE LONGER TERM, wE HOPE TO ESTABLISH A POLLUTION-FREE enclosed swimming lagoon at castle peak beach, where the sea water CAN BE KEPT CLEAN FOR SWIMMING.
ON OTHER BEACHES IN THE WESTERN NEw TERRITORIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE WATER QUALITY WAS STILL SATISFACTORY FOR BATHING.
THERE WERE PLANS TO GAZETTE A BEACH AT MA WAN - THE TUNG *AN BEACH ON THE ISLAND - WHERE T.-E wATER IS GENERALLY VERY CLEAN, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THURSDAY, APR IL 9, 1931
21
CARS REGISTERED
* * *
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED PRIVATE CARS REACHED 196 700 AT THE END OF MARCH, A RISE OF MORE THAN 25 □□□ OR 14.5 PER CENT OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS. THIS COMPARES WITH A RISE OF ABOUT 24 630 DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1980.
THE NUMBER OF NEW CARS REGISTERED DURING MARCH WAS 1 627 AND THE NUMBER 0- REGISTRATIONS WHICH LAPSED WAS 1 088, REPRESENTING A NET INCREASE OF 539.
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EARLY PAYMENT OF * *
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE * M- *
PEOPLE DUE TO RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS WILL BE PAID AHEAD OF TIME.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) PEOPLE WITH COUPONS DATED APRIL 17, 18, 19 AND 20 MAY CASH THEM ON OR AFTER APRIL 13, 14, 15 AND 16 RESPECTIVELY.
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE WITH POST OFFICES, TREASURY OFFICES AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S DISTRICT OFFICES FOR THE COUPONS TO BE CASHED.
PEOPLE WERE TOLD TO NOTE THEIR DATES FOR COLLECTION.
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TAPS OFF FOR TESTS
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY TO 6 AM ON SATURDAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
AFFECTED PREMISES ARE LOCATED ON HIP WO STREET, TSUI PING ROAD AND HIU MING STREET, INCLUDING BLOCKS 7-10 OF THE KWUN TONG (TSUI PING ROAD) ESTATE AND BLOCKS 9 AND 10 OF WO LOK ESTATE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE no.
BUS FARES TO GO UP FROM SUNDAY................................ 1
NEW LAW ON PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PROCESSIONS TAKES EFFECT ON MAY 8 .............................................. 4
PROPOSALS TO REVISE DEFINITION OF BANKING BUSINESS ........... 5
PUBLIC URGED TO USE LESS WATER................................ 7
PRIVATE HIRE CAR OPERATORS MAY APPLY FOR PERMITS ............. 9
JAPAN EXTENDS GSP TO TWO MORE HONG KONG PRODUCTS ............ 10
SHA TIN RESIDENTIAL SITE FOR SALE ........................... 11
SCHOOLS REMINDED TO RETURN JSEA FORMS ....................... 11
PHOTOGRAPHY TALKS FOR ART TEACHERS .......................... 12
TWO NORTH POINT ROAD SECTIONS DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ... 12
NEW MAXICAB SERVICE FOR LAI KING RESIDENTS
13
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1981
1
BUS FARE RISE APPROVED
*****
BUS FARE INCREASES AVERAGING AND ABOUT 30 PER CENT FOR CMB WILL
JUST OVER 40 PER CENT FOR KMB COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 12.
*PPR0V,NS THE INCREASES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO ACCEPTED * P*£K*GE ^RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND THE SCHEME OF CONTROL AS THEY CURRENTLY APPLY TO THE BUS COMPANIES.
♦A PROJECTION OF KMB’S PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT BY THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL MONITORING UNIT SHOWS THAT IN ORDER TO BREAK EVEN IN 1981, THE COMPANY ACTUALLY REQUIRES AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF ABOUT 50 PER CENT IN FARES WITH EFFECT FROM THIS MONTH,♦ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦THE SMALLER INCREASE OF AROUND 40 PER CENT NOW APPROVED, WOULD HAVE ACHIEVED THE SAME RESULT, IF FARES HAD BEEN ADJUSTED ON FEBRUARY 1. HOWEVER, THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUES AND THE NEED TO GIVE FULL AND CAREFULL CONSIDERATION OF THE INTERESTS vZ THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC REQUIRED MUCH LONGER PERIOD OF DELIBERATION THAN HAS NORMALLY BEEN THE CASE.
♦THE GOVERNMENT HAS THEREFORE IN THESE UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES DECID'D TO MAKE A PAYMENT TO COVER THE ESTIMATED SHORTFALL IN KMB' OPERATING ACCOUNT IN 1981 ARISING FROM THE DECISION TO IMPLEMENT THE LOWER LEVEL OF INCREASE. THIS SHORTFALL IS ESTIMATED AT >40 MILL ION,♦ HE EXPLAINED.
♦IT MUST BE NOTED THAT THIS WILL SIMPLY PERMIT KMB TO BREAK EVEN, BUT NOT TO MAKE ANY PROFIT. THE 40 PER CENT FARE INCREASE WILL IN ANY CASE LEAVE KMB WITH A SUBSTANTIAL CASH FLOW PROBLEM BY THE END OF 1981,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE MAIN EFFECTS OF THE FARE INCREASES ON KMB’S SERVICES ARE THAT FARES ON URBAN ROUTES IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL GO UP FROM 30 CENTS TO 50 CENTS AT THE BOTTOM END OF THE SCALE AND FROM $1 TO Si.50 AT THE TOP END.
FARES ON RURAL ROUTES WILL BE RAISED FROM 40 CENTS TO 60 CENTS AT THE BOTTOM AND FROM $2 TO S3 AT THE TOP.
FOR EXAMPLE, PASSENGERS TRAVELLING FROM STAR FERRY TO KOWLOON CITY WILL PAY 60 CENTS INSTEAD OF 40 CENTS AND FROM STAR FERRY TO LAI CHI KOK 70 CENTS INSTEAD OF 50 CENTS. THOSE USING THE JORDAN ROAD FERRY TO TSUEN WAN FERRY ROUTE WILL PAY $1 INSTEAD OF 70 CENTS.
THE MAIN FEATURES OF CMB’S NEW SCALE ARE THAT FARES ON URBAN ROUTES WILL BE REVISED FROM 50 CENTS TO 60 CENTS AT THE BOTTOM END AND FROM 80 CENTS TO Si AT THE TOP END.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1981
2
THE LOWEST FARE ON CMB’S SUBURBAN ROUTES WILL ALSO BE RAISED FROM 50 CENTS TO 60 CENTS WHILE THE HIGHEST WILL GO UP FROM 11.50 TO 12.
THIS MEANS, FOR INSTANCE, THAT PASSENGERS TRAVELLING ON THE URBAN ROUTE FROM SHAU KEI WAN TO CLEVERLEY STREET WILL PAY 60 CENTS INSTEAD OF 50 CENTS AND THOSE FROM CHAI WAN TO WAN CHAI FERRY WILL PAY 80 CENTS INSTEAD OF 70 CENTS. THOSE TRAVELLING ON THE SUBURBAN ROUTE FROM WAH FU TO CENTRAL WILL PAY SI.30 INSTEAD OF $1.
FARES ON URBAN CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES OPERATED BY BOTH COMPANIES WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1.50 TO $2. ’BEYOND THE TUNNEL’ FARES ON THESE ROUTES WILL REMAIN AT $1.
STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT A NEW SCHEME OF STUDENT TRAVEL CONCESSIONS HAS BEEN APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE GOVERNORIN-COUNCIL. THIS SCHEME WOULD PROVIDE HALF-FARE TRAVEL FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS AGED 12 AND OVER INCLUDING FIRST DEGREE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, AND WOULD APPLY TO TRAVEL ON ALL FRANCHISED MODES OF TR',ISPORT AND THE MTR AND KCR. IT WOULD COVER TRAVEL ON MOST ROUTES WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS.
THE NEW SCHEME, WHICH IS SUBJECT TO DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS LS ING WORKED OUT AND TO FINANCE COMMITTEE’S APPROVAL, WOULD COME INTO EFFECT IN SEPTEMBER 1981.
MEANWHILE, INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS WITH A VIEW TO EXTENDING THE EXISTING SCHEME ARE BEING DISCUSSED WITH THOSE OPERATORS NOT AT PRESENT TAKING PART IN IT. THE EXISTING SCHEME COVERS TRAVEL FOR FULLTIME SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL ON MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS ONLY (EXCLUDING PUBLIC AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS), USUALLY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM.
ON THE KMB AND CMB APPLICATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE COMPANIES SUBMITTED THESE LAST YEAR FOR AN UPWARD REVISION IN FARES AVERAGING 100 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE NEW FARES ARE REQUIRED TO MEET INCREASED OPERATING COSTS FOR FUEL, WAGES, MAINTENANCE AND SPARE PARTS FOR THE EXISTING FLEET AS WELL AS FOR THE EXPANSION IN SERVICES. IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT THE CAPITAL COSTS OF EXPANSION, SUCH AS THE PURCHASE OF NEW BUSES, ARE MET BY THE COMPANIES’ SHAREHOLDERS OR BY BORROWING, NOT FROM OPERATING REVENUE.
♦IN ITS CONSIDERATION OF THE APPLICATIONS THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THAT THE BUS COMPANIES SHOULD ULTIMATELY OPERATE AT A LEVEL OF PROFITABILITY WHICH ALLOWED THEM TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A VITAL PUBLIC SERVICE WHICH CARRIED A TOTAL OF 3.4 MILLION PASSENGERS A DAY AND TO MAKE A REASONABLE RETURN ON THEIR ASSETS,♦ HE SAID.
/the SP0KESK4N....
mm, appjl 10, 1981
3
Ule .Je! ™?kE$MAN said the scale 0F THE INCREASE required by cmb WAS LESS THAN THAT REQUIRED FOR KMB, PARTLY BECAUSE THE BASIC CMB FARES WERE ALREADY HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING KMB FARES ON A PER KILOMETRE BASIS. HE POINTED OUT THAT, UNTIL 1980, KMB HAD MAINTAINED THE SAME FARE SCALE ON NON-CROSS HARBOUR SERVICES SINCE 1971 IN THE CASE OF URBAN ROUTES AND SINCE 1973 IN THE CASE OF NEW TERRITORIES ROUTES.
*THE LARGE INCREASE IN OPERATING COSTS IN THE CASE OF KMB WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE COMPANY’S OPERATIONS, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF NEW ROUTES TO NEW TOWNS AND OTHER DEVELOPING AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND NEW KOWLOON. SOME OF THESE ROUTES, UNTIL THEY ARE WELL ESTABLISHED, DO NOT COVER THEIR CWN COSTS,+ HE ADDED.
♦NEVERTHELESS, BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE FARE INCREASE PROPOSED BY KMB, IT WAS NECESSARY TO CONSIDER THIS APPLICATION CAREFULLY AND IN MORE DETA IL,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
BECAUSE OF THIS, THE TAC DID NOT MAKE FIRM AND FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON KMB’S FULL APPLICATION, BUT ADVISED THAT AN INTERIM FARE INCREASE SHOULD BE APPROVED TO ENABLE THE COMPANY TO BREAK EVEN IN 1981.
♦THIS WILL RESULT IN A HIGHER LEVEL OF INCREASE NEXT TIME, ALTHOUGH IT IS HOPED THAT THE REVIEW WILL ENABLE THIS TO BE AS LOW AS IS REASONABLY POSSIBLE,* THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
IN THE REVIEW OF THE MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING, ATTENTION WILL BE PAID TO THE SPARE PARTS STOCK LEVELS, DEPOT REQUIREMENTS, THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMES AND THE PROCEDURES FOR EXAMINING BUSES. THE ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, WHICH ARE ROLLED FORWARD EVERY YEAR, WILL ALSO BE REVIEWED WITH BOTH BUS COMPANIES.
THE REVIEW OF THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEMES WILL INCLUDE A STUDY OF SOURCES OF INCOME CURRENTLY EXCLUDED FROM THE SCHEME, AND THE POSITION OF THE TYLEELORD COMPANY.
♦THE GOVERNMENT VIEWS THESE STUDIES URGENTLY, AND EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO COMPLETE THEM AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE,+ HE CONCLUDED.
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/4
FiUJJAI, APfilL 10, 1581 4
PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE CHANGES ******
THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1980 WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON MAY 8.
THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) TO GIVE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AMPLE NOTICE AND TIME TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE NEW PROVISIONS CF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN DECEMBER.
TO ASSIST ORGANISERS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PUBLISH A LEAFLET WHICH PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON THE MAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE HOLDING OF PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PROCESSIONS.
COPIES OF THE LEAFLET, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FREE OF CHARGE AT CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, FROM NEXT WEDNESDAY (APRIL 15).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE AMENDING LEGISLATION REPRESENTED A RELAXATION OF EXISTING REQUIREMENTS IN THAT PUBLIC MEETINGS WOULD ONLY NEED TO BE NOTIFIED TO THE POLICE, INSTEAD OF BEING LICENSED.
HE ADDED THAT NOTIFICATION WOULD BE REQUIRED ONLY IN THE CASE OF SOME PUBLIC MEETINGS, WHEREAS THE EXISTING LICENSING REQUIREMENT APPLIED TO ALMOST EVERY TYPE OF PUBLIC MEETING.
PUBLIC MEETINGS ORGANISED EXCLUSIVELY FOR SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL, ACADEMIC, BUSINESS, COMMERCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS OR CHARITABLE PURPOSES WILL NOT HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED. ALSO EXEMPTED WILL BE PUBLIC MEETINGS OF UP TO 30 PEOPLE, MEETINGS FELD IN PRIVATE PREMISES WHERE UP TO 200 PEOPLE ARE ABLE OR EXPECTED TO ATTEND AND MEETINGS IN EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
OTHER PUBLIC MEETINGS ORGANISED FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPRESSING VIEWS ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, OR A SECTION CF IT, MUST BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING TO A POLICE STATION AT LEAST SEVEN WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE.
♦IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE POLICE WILL RETAIN THE POWERS TO PROHIBIT A POTENTIALLY UNRULY MEETING WHICH IS NOTIFIED AND TO DEAL WITH DISTURBANCES OR POSSIBLE BREACHES OF THE PEACE AT MEETINGS ALREADY UNDERWAY,♦ THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
ALSO PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY IS AN ORDER DESIGNATING PUBLIC AREAS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE ORDINANCE. THEY ARE 1
- THE HONG KONG STADIUM-
- THE BANDSTAND AREA IN VICTORIA PARK-
- THREE FOOTBALL PITCHES IN VICTORIA PARK-
-- THE OPEN AIR THEATRE IN MORSE PARK-
- THE FOOTBALL PITCH IN KOWLOON PARK-
- TWO FOOTBALL PITCHES IN KOWLOON TSAI PARK.
Z?7ELIC aEHPXIiGS...
FBIBAY, APKIL 10, 1981
5
PUBLIC MEETINGS IN THESE AREAS WILL STILL HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED BUT IT IS INTENDED THAT THEY COULD BE HELD MORE OR LESS AS A MATTER OF ROUTINE ON COMPLETION OF THE NORMAL BOOKINGS PROCEDURES FOR THE USE OF THESE GROUNDS.
LION, DRAGON AND UNICORN DANCES AND ATTENDANT MARTIAL ARTS DISPLAYS HELD IN PUBLIC PLACES WILL NOT BE LICENSED UNDER THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE FROM MAY 8- UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1981, WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ORGANISERS WILL INSTEAD BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A PERMIT FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT BECAUSE OF THE GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF DISRUPTION AND INCONVENIENCE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FROM GROUPS MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY, PUBLIC PROCESSIONS WOULD STILL HAVE TO BE LICENSED.
THE ONLY EXCEPTIONS ARE PUBLIC PROCESSIONS WHICH DO NOT TAKE PLACE ON A PUBLIC HIGHWAY OR THOROUGHFARE, OR IN A PUBLIC PARK, AND THOSE WHICH CONSIST OF NO MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR A LICENCE, OBTAINABLE FROM ANY POLICE STATION OR THE LICENSING OFFICE AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS, MUST EE SUBMITTED AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS IN ADVANCE.
0 -------
PROPOSALS TO REVISE
DEFINITION OF BANKING BUSINESS
* X
BETWEEN BANKS FINANCIAL
/ea BILLS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) CONTAINING DETAILS OF PROPOSALS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION CF BANKING BUSINESS AND TO DRAW A CLEAR DISTINCTION AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, AS REFERRED TO IN THE SECRETARY’S 1981 BUDGET SPEECH.
THEY ARE THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981 AND TAKING COMPANIES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1981.
THE DEPOSIT-
THE BILLS SEEK TO CREATE A NEW CLASS OF DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTION, SO THAT THE BUSINESS OF TAKING DEPOSITS WOULD IN FUTURE BE CARRIED OUT BY THREE DISTINCTIVE CATEGORIES OF INSTITUTIONS.
UAX1™E RIR^LIS LICENSED BANKS, WHICH TAKE DEPOSITS OF ANY MATURITY IN THE COURSE OF THEIR RETAIL AND WHOLESALE BANKING BUSINESS^ BUT WITH SUCH DEPOSITS SUBJECT TO THE INTEREST RATE
THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF LICENSING BANKS NOR IN THE FUNCTIONS UNDERTAKEN BY BANKS.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION REDEFINES BANKING BUSINESS AS RECEIVING FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC ANY DEPOSITS DUE IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS, OR PAYING OR COLLECTING CHEQUES, OR BOTH.
TH3......
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1?81
6
WHILE THE CARRYING ON OF BANKING BUSINESS WOULD BE RESTRICTED TO LICENSED BANKS, DEPOSITS DUE IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS MAY ALSO BE RECEIVED BY THE SECOND, NEW CATEGORY OF DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTION TO BE KNOWN AS LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
THERE WOULD BE NO LIMITATION TO THE TERM OF DEPOSITS SUCH COMPANIES COULD TAKE, BUT THE MINIMUM SIZE OF INITIAL DEPOSIT WOULD BE SET AT $500 000. THESE COMPANIES WOULD NOT OPERATE CURRENT ACCOUNTS.
TO OBTAIN A LICENCE, A COMPANY WOULD HAVE TO BE REGISTERED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY AND HAVE PAID-UP SHARE CAPITAL OF $100 MILLION OR MORE.
LICENCES WOULD BE GRANTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, AND UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS, AND THOSE WHO HAVE THEIR LICENCES REVOKED, WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
THE THIRD CATEGORY OF INSTITUTION WOULD BE REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, THAT IS, ANY WHICH ARE NOT LICENSED. THEY WOULD CARRY OUT THE EXISTING FUNCTIONS OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, EXCEPT THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE PERMITTED TO TAKE DEPOSITS WITH AN ORIGINAL TERM OF MATURITY OF LESS THAN THREE MONTHS.
THE MINIMUM INITIAL SIZE OF DEPOSIT WHICH COULD BE TAKEN BY THESE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WOULD REMAIN AT §50 000.
CERTAIN TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE PROPOSED TO ENSURE THAT COMPANIES WHICH ARE NOT GOING TO ACHIEVE LICENSED STATUS HAVE A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME IN WHICH TO RUN DOWN THEIR SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS. THE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD ALSO ALLOW COMPANIES WHICH APPEAR TO QUALIFY FOR THE STATUS OF A LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THEIR BUSINESS DURING THE PERIOD IN WHICH THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE BEING CONSIDERED.
THE TWO BILLS STATE THAT THE AMENDING LEGISLATION WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. IT IS FURTHER PROPOSED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE NEW ORDINANCES SHOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON TWO DATES, 12 AND 24 MONTHS FROM THE OPERATIVE DATE.
BY THE END OF THE FIRST 12-MONTH PERIOD, ANY DEPOSITTAKING COMPANY WHICH WAS REGISTERED ON THE OPERATIVE DATE, AND HAD NOT BEEN GRANTED LICENSED STATUS, WOULD HAVE TO HAVE REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF ITS SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS TO 50 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT IT HELD ON THE OPERATIVE DATE.
BY THE END OF THE SECOND 12-MONTH PERIOD, A REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO HOLD ON ITS BOOKS ANY DEPOSITS WITH AN ORIGINAL MATURITY PERIOD OF LESS THAN THREE MONTHS, AND FROM THAT DATE IT WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM ACCEPTING ANY MORE SUCH DEPOSITS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO REVOKE THE LICENCE AND REGISTRATION RESPECTIVELY OF A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY AT ITS OWN REQUEST IF THEY WERE SATISFIED THAT THE INTERESTS OF ITS DEPOSITORS WERE ADEQUATELY SAFEGUARDED.
/additionally, tee ...
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1981
7
ADDITIONALLY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD HAVE THE POWER TO REVOKE THE LICENCE OF A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY ON CERTAIN SPECIFIED GROUNDS, INCLUDING THE FACT THAT IT APPEARED TO HIM THAT THE COMPANY WAS NOT A FIT AND PROPER BODY TO REMAIN LICENSED.
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PUBLIC URGED TO USE LESS WATER * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WILLIAM TUCKER, TODAY APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO EXERCISE ECONOMY IN THE USE CF WATER.
THE APPEAL CAME IN THE LIGHT OF THE CURRENT LOW LEVEL OF WATER STORAGE AND THE BELOW AVERAGE RAINFALL FORECAST BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
u.n b,GHT 0F THESE ACTORS, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT
HAD DECIDED TO BRING THE LOK ON PAI DESALTING PLANT INTO OPERATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HE SAID THE AIM
, WAS TO RE-ACT IVATE THE FIRST UNIT OF THE
PLANT BY THE BEGINNING OF MAY WITH THE REMAINING UNITS BEING PHAciD INTO OPERATION BY THE END OF AUGUST.
IN A FURTHER EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF OVERALL RESOURCES, MR TUCKER SAID, A REQUEST HAD ALSO BEEN MADE TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES FOR THE SUPPLY OF ADDITIONAL QUANTITIES OF WATER, AND THEIR REPLY WAS AWAITED.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT EVEN WITH THESE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THERE WAS STILL THE POSSIBILITY OF WATER RESTRICTIONS LATER IN THE YEAR, IF RAINFALL DURING THIS SUMMER WAS INSUFFICIENT.
MR TUCKER SA ID: +THE OVERALL WATER SITUATION IS QUITE FAIR AT THIS STAGE, BUT THE POSITION IN REGARD TO HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE OUTLYING ISLANDS, INCLUDING LANTAU, DOES GIVE RISE TO SOME CONCERN.
+THIS IS DUE TO THE SMALL STORAGE CAPACITY OF THE ISLAND RESERVOIRS WHICH PROVIDE PART OF THE SUPPLY TO THESE AREAS.+
DESPITE MEASURES INITIATED EARLY LAST YEAR TO REDUCE DRAWOFF FROM THESE RESERVOIRS BY MAXIMISING DELIVERIES OF WATER FROM MAINLAND SOURCES, HE ADDED, THE PRESENT STORAGE WAS STILL DISAPPOINTINGLY LOW.
/'JR TUCKEB.....
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1?81
8
MR TUCKER SAIDi +THE STORAGE IN THE ISLAND RESERVOIRS AT THE END OF LAST SUMMER WAS NEAR THE MINIMUM REQUIRED FOR MAINTAINING A FULL SUPPLY THROUGHOUT THE DRY SEASON. THE QUANTITY OF THE WINTER YIELD LAST YEAR OR THE ADVENT OF SUFFICIENT RAIN BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THIS SUMMER WOULD THEREFORE DETERMINE WHETHER WE CAN CONTINUE FULL SUPPLY DURING THE EARLY SUMMER.
♦THE WINTER YIELD AND THE PRE-SUMMER RAIN YIELD HAS BEEN VERY LOW AND IT IS NOW EVIDENT THAT IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO BRING IN MILD RESTRICTIONS (A 16-HOUR DAILY SUPPLY WITH RESTRICTIONS FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY) FOR HONG KONG ISLAND BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, UNLESS SUFFICIENT RAINFALL IS RECEIVED BEFORE THEN.
♦IF THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY, THREE DAYS NOTICE WILL EE GIVEN.♦
AS FOR KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR TUCKER SAID, A FULL SUPPLY WOULD BE MAINTAINED UNTIL THE END OF JUNE, WHEN THE SITUATION WOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF STORAGE, RAINFALL RECEIVED AND THE RESPONSE FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO THE REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES OF WATER.
EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM AFFECTING SUPPLY IN HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE OUTLYING ISLANDS, HE SAIDi +THE ISLAND GETS MOST OF ITS WATER FROM THE MAINLAND VIA SUBMARINE PIPELINES AT NORTH POINT AND THE CENTRAL DISTRICT. THE YIELD OF THE ISLAND RESERVOIRS PROVIDES ABOUT O‘:S-THIRD OF ITS REQUIREMENT.
♦USUALLY THE YIELD FROM SUPPLEMENT THE CROSS-HARBOUR REQUIREMENT.
THE RESERVOIRS IS SUFFICIENT TO SUPPLIES, AND MEET THE TOTAL
♦SINCE THE BEGINNING OF LAST DRY SEASON, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED
VERY LOW YIELD AT A PROBABILITY OF OCCURRENCE OF ONCE IN 50 YEARS.+
TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, WORK IS IN HAND ON THREE PUMPING STATIONS WHICH WILL BOOST THE CROSS-HARBOUR FEED AT NORTH POINT. THIS WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR AND WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE COMPLETION OF A FURTHER CROSS-HARBOUR PIPE IN MID-1983.
WHILE MILD RESTRICTIONS FOR HONG KONG ISLAND SEEM LIKELY, MR TUCKER SAID, THE ISLAND STORAGE POSITION IS ALWAYS VOLATILE AND A FEW HEAVY RAINSTORMS DURING THE NEXT FORTNIGHT COULD RENDER RESTRICTIONS UNNECESSARY.
♦WATER,+ HE SAID, +IS A VERY PRECIOUS RESOURCE IN HONG KONG AND I WOULD URGE ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO SAVE WATER.+
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FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1981
9
PRIVATE HIRE CAR OPERATORS MAY APPLY FOR PERMITS *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATION FOR HIRE CAR PERMITS FOR PRIVATE CARS WHICH PROVIDE A PRIVATE HIRE CAR SERVICE.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE ISSUE OF PERMITS FOLLOWS AMENDMENTS TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS WHICH RELATE TO THE OPERATION OF PRIVATE HIRE CARS FOR PERSONALISED TRANSPORT SERVICES ON A CONTRACT HIRE BASIS.
UNDER THE NEW LAW, WHICH BECOMES EFFECTIVE TODAY, PERMITS CAN BE ISSUED FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF SERVICES SUCH AS HOTEL HIRE CARS, TOUR HIRE CARS, AIRPORT HIRE CARS, SCHOOL HIRE CARS AND PRIVATE HIRE CARS.
THE PRESENT INVITATION IS RESTRICTED TO PRIVATE HIRE A°PLICATIONS ONLY. APPLICATIONS FOR OTHER CATEGORIES WILL BE IN'/ITED AT A LATER DATE. ONLY ONE PERMIT AN APPLICANT WILL BE ISSUED AND THE APPLICANT MUST BE THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE PRIVATE CA, FOR WHICH A PERMIT IS SOUGHT.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT HAS THE DISCRETION TO ISSUE PE MITS IF HE IS SATISFIED THAT CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND R FRICTIONS SET OUT IN THE REGULATIONS ARE FULFILLED, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
GAZETTE NOTICES ISSUED TODAY (FRIDAY) GIVE DETAILS OF PROCEDURES, CLOSING DATES, ETC. AND SPECIFIES THE NUMBERS OF PERMITS TO BE ISSUED IN EACH CATEGORY.
PERMITS ARE SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENT FOR AN OPERATOR TO KEEP A RECORD OF CAR SERVICE HIRING AT HIS REGISTERED OPERATING ADDRESS, TO DISPLAY THE PERMIT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE GARAGING AND MAINTENANCE.
THE DECISION OF THE COMMISSIONER TO REFUSE TO ISSUE A PERMIT, TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL PERMIT CONDITIONS AND TO CANCEL A PERMIT CAN BE REVIEWED BY A TRANSPORT TRIBUNAL.
THE SPOKESMAN SA IDs +IN DETERMINING THE ELIGIBILITY OF EACH APPLICANT, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE EXTENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE IN THE AREA WHERE THE APPLICANT PROPOSES TO OPERATE THE HIRE CAR SERVICE- WHETHER THE APPLICANT CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT THE AREA FROM WHICH HE PROPOSES TO OPERATE REQUIRES A HIRE CAR SERVICE.
IF THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS EXCEEDS THE NUMBER OF PERMITS AVAILABLE, A BALLOT WILL BE HELD.
THE PERMIT FEE IS Si 000 PER ANNUM AND $350 FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR MONTHS. THE PERMIT WILL NOT BE TRANSFERABLE.
APPLICATION FORMS, WHICH CONTAIN DETAILED EXPLANATORY NOTES ON THE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED ON PRESENTATION OF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION BOOK, OR A CERTIFIED COPY OF ThE BOOK, OR OTHER WRITTEN PROOF Or THE VEHICLE OWNERSHIP FROMi
/transport ~t........
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1981
10
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION, MEZZANINE FLOOR, MURRAY ROAD CAR PARK, HONG KONG ISLAND
OR
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICE, 9TH FLOOR, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 56 DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON
ANY ENQUIRIES ON HIRE CAR PERMITS CAN BE MADE BY CONTACTING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PUBLIC VEHICLE SECTION, AT TELEPHONE 5-256527.
-----0------
JAPAN EXTENDS GSP TO TWO MORE HONG KONG PRODUCTS
X X * X
JAPAN HAS EXTENDED BENEFITS UNDER ITS GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES TO TWO MORE HONG KONG PRODUCTS - LEATHER FOOTWEAR AND JEWELLERY OF PRECIOUS METAL.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR BILL DORWARD SAID: +THIS IS A VERY WELCOME MOVE. HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BENEFICIARY UNDER THE JAPANESE SCHEME, BUT THERE HAS BEEN A SPECIAL LIST OF EXCLUSIONS FROM THE TIME IT BEGAN 10 YEARS AGO. ORIGINALLY THERE WERE ABOUT 90 PRODUCTS ON THE LIST BUT THESE HAVE BEEN GRADUALLY REDUCED, AND THIS LATEST IMPROVEMENT BRINGS THE NUMBER DOWN TO FIVE.+
THE FIVE ITEMS REMAINING ON THE EXCLUSION LIST ARE TRAVEL GOODS, ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, GLASS BEADS, IMMITATION JEWELLERY, AND TOYS. EXPORTS OF THESE ITEMS TO JAPAN IN 1980 WERE WORTH OVER HK$200 MILLION, ABOUT NINE PER CENT OF TOTAL HONG KONG EXPORTS TO JAPAN.
♦ALTHOUGH I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT A SPECIAL HONG KONG EXCLUSION LIST IS STILL BEING MAINTAINED, I APPRECIATE THE POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES WHICH THE JAPANESE AUTHORITIES HAVE HAD TO OVERCOME TO MAKE THIS IMPROVEMENT.
♦WE SHALL BE CONTINUING OUR EFFORTS TO TRY TO PERSUADE THEM TO EXTEND PREFERENCES ON THE REMAINING ITEMS IN THE SAME WAY AS THEY DO FOR OUR CLOSE COMPETITORS,+ SAID MR DORWARD.
0
/11 ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1981
11
SHA TIN RESIDENTIAL SITE FOR SALE *****
THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IS TO f^CTION A LARGE, HIGH-CLASS RESIDENTIAL SITE IN SHA TIN AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FR IDAY).
tuc 9 451 SQUARE-METRE SITE, SITUATED NEAR KAU TO AND OVERLOOKING THE RACECOURSE, IS FOR TWO-STOREY PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE PLOT RATIO IS 0.4.
THE BUILDING COVENANT IS $7.08 MILLION TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN FOUR YEARS.
THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON THURSDAY, APRIL 30, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
DETAILS OF THE AUCTION AND CONDITIONS OF SALE ARE OBTAINABLE AT NEW'TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AND ISLANDS, SAI KUNG. SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICES.
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SCHOOLS REMINDED TO RETURN JSEA FORMS
* * *
ALL SCHOOLS ARE REMINDED TO RETURN BY MONDAY, APRIL 13, THE CHOICE OF SCHOOL FORMS IN CONNECTION WITH THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT (JSEA) SYSTEM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED SCHOOLS TO CO-OPERATE TO AVOID UPSETTING THE TIMETABLE FOR ALLOCATION OF AIDED FORM 4 PLACES.
HE ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT PUBLIC MISCONCEPTION THAT THE JSEA WOULD DECIDE WHETHER A PUPIL COULD CONTINUE HIS EDUCATION.
♦THE SYSTEM MERELY SERVES THE PURPOSE OF ALLOCATING AIDED FORM 4 PLACES WHERE SUCCESSFUL PUPILS WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A STANDARD FEE.
♦PUPILS NOT ALLOCATED SUCH AIDED PLACES, OR THOSE WHO DO NOT WISH TO TAKE UP AIDED PLACES ALLOCATED TO THEM FOR VARIOUS REASONS, MAY PURSUE THEIR EDUCATION BY APPLYING FOR ADMISSION TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN FACT, PRIVATE SCHOOL PUPILS ARE FREE TO INFORM THEIR SCHOOLS IN ADVANCE OF THEIR INTENTION TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION IN THE SAME SCHOOL.
-----0------
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1981
12
PHOTOGRAPHY TALKS FOR ART TEACHERS * * * * * • r •
EXPERTS WILL BE GIVING TALKS TO SECONDARY SCHOOL ART TEACHERS LATER THIS MONTH ON PHOTOGRAPHY AS A MEANS OF VISUAL COMMUNICATION AND AS A MIXED MEDIUM.
PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE PLACE OF PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE CURRICULUM OF ART AND DESIGN IN SECONDARY SCHOOL AND HOW IT CAN BE INTEGRATED WITH OTHER CREATIVE ACTIVITIES.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE ART SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE. IT WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 22 AT THE RECITAL HALL ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
ART TEACHERS WISHING TO ATTEND THE ABOVE SEMINAR SHOULD APPLY THROUGH THEIR HEADS OF SCHOOL TO THE INSPECTOR (ART) OF THE ART SECTION.
-----o-----
TWO NORTH POINT ROAD SECTIONS DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON APRIL 14, TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN NORTH POINT WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES, AND ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TAKING ON AND SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS OR LOADING AND UNLOADING GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE TWO ROAD SECTIONS ARE SHU KUK STREET FROM TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD TO A POINT 71 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH JAVA ROAD" AND TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SHU KUK STREET TO A POINT 35 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
THE RESTRICTED ZONES WILL BE SHOWN BY TRAFFIC SIGNS.
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/13 .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1981
13
NEW MAXICAB SERVICE
FOR LAI KING RESIDENTS
A NEW MAXICAB ROUTE WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM SUNDAY (APRIL 12) TO OPERATE BETWEEN LAI KING HEADLAND AND LAI CHI KOK. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE ROUTES NO. 90, WILL START FROM LAI KING HEADLAND AND TRAVEL VIA LAI KONG STREET, LAI CHI LING ROAD, WAH YIU ROAD, LAI YIU STREET, LAI CHO ROAD, JOINT STREET, LAI KING HILL ROAD LAI WAN ROAD, MEI LAI ROAD, LAI CHI KOK BEACH ROAD AND WILL RETURN TO LAI KING HEADLAND IN THE SAME MANNER.
THE SERVICE WILL EXTEND TO COVER WAH YUEN CHUEN WHEN RESIDENTS MOVE INTO THE ESTATE IN MAY.
IT WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 5.45 AM AND 11 PM DAILY AT A BASIC SIX-MINUTE FREQUENCY.
FARES WILL BE FIXED AT $1 FOR A SINGLE JOURNEY WITH SECTIONAL FARE OF 50 CENTS AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
89 PEOPLE TO RECEIVE INSIGNIA................................... 1
NEW TRAINS FOR KCR ARRIVE.....................................
GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS URGED .................................... 2
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1978 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION ........ 3
SEARED TO BE RECLAIMED FOR INDUSTRY............................. 8
CALL FOR ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP BET /EEK HOME AND SCHOOL ........... 8
TUEN MUN BONSAI SHOW OPENS ...................................
FIRING PRACTICE REMINDER
9
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1981
1
89 PEOPLE TO RECEIVE INSIGNIA * * * *
EIGHTY-NINE PEOPLE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY WILL RECEIVE THEIR AWARDS FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE. AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON MONDAY (APRIL 13) EVENING.
THE INSIGNIA TO BE PRESENTED INCLUDE ONE CBE, FIVE OBE’S, FOUR ISO’S, NINE MBE’S, 23 BEM’S, AND ONE QPM.
SPECIAL PARKING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR GUESTS ATTENDING THE CEREMONY.
ALL CARS CARRYING GUESTS MAY ENTER BY THE MAIN GATE OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE. AFTER THEY HAVE ALIGHTED, VEHICLES BEARING G.H. LABELS MAY PARK IN THE FORECOURT AS DIRECTED, OR, IF CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN, RETURN AT 6.20 PM.
VEHICLES BEARING PINK LABELS MUST EXIT BY THE EAST GATE AND THEN PARK AT UPPER ALBERT ROAD, LOWER ALBERT ROAD NEAR CENTRAL HOSPITAL, THE METERED CAR PARK BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD AND THE CAR PARK AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
ALL VEHICLES PARKED INSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE SHOULD LEAVE BY THE EAST GATE. OTHER GUESTS ARE REQUESTED TO WALK TO THEIR CARS AFTER THE CEREMONY.
PUBLIC PARKING FACILITIES IN METERED SPACES IN UPPER AND LOWER ALBERT ROADS AND THE METERED CAR PARK BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 3 PM TO 7.30 PM ON THAT DAY
NOTE TO EDITORSi
COPIES OF A LIST OF THE RECIPIENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS NEWS ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, AT 4 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 13).
ONLY PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WITH SPECIAL LAPEL BADGES WILL BE ADMITTED TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE. THEY SHOULD MEET GIS OFFICERS IN THE GUARD ROOM OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE NOT LATER THAN 5.30 PM.
NEWSPAPERS NOT RECEIVING SUCH BADGES WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN PHOTOGRAPHS BY MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OF PRINTS WITH MAINLAND STUDIO AT 44 CARNARVON ROAD, KOWLOON, TELEPHONE 3-670959.
- - o - -
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1981
2 -
NOTE TO EDITORSi
NEW TRAINS FOR KCR ARRIVE
M * H *
THE FIRST OF 45 THREE-CAR SETS ORDERED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR THE MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY ARRIVED FROM ENGLAND ON BOARD THE KITANO MARU TODAY (SATURDAY).
THEY WILL BE UNLOADED ONTO A BARGE AND TAKEN TO THE KCR WHARF EARLY TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE LIFTING OF THE TRAINS ONTO THE RAIL TRACKS AT THE KCR WHARF.
THEY SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE KCR CANTEEN ON THE OPEN DECK CARPARK OF THE KCR TERMINAL AT HUNG HOM AT 8.30 AM SHARP.
INFORMATION OFFICERS FROM THE PWD AND KCR WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
ENGINEERS FROM THE RAILWAY DIVISION OF THE PWD’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW ON SITE.
------o-------
GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS URGED
* * * *
EMPLOYERS HAVE BEEN URGED TO BE ALERT TO IMPORTANT NEW FACTORS WHICH ARE AFFECTING THE PATTERN OF LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG.
THE PLEA WAS MADE TODAY (SATURDAY) BY MR DONALD CHAN, CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST OF FOUR LABOUR RELATIONS WORKSHOPS AT HOTEL FURAMA.
THE WORKSHOPS ARE PART OF A YEAR-LONG LABOUR AND STAFF RELATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH TRAINING ON LABOUR RELATIONS AND RELATED SUBJECTS TO STRENGTHEN THE SYSTEM OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IN HONG KONG WITH THE HOPE OF ENSURING THE HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY AND SOCIAL PROGRESS.
IN HIS OPENING REMARKS, MR CHAN OUTLINED THE DEVELOPMENT IN LABOUR RELATIONS IN THE PAST 30 YEARS AND ANALYSED THE FACTORS AFFECTING LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG TO DATE.
IN THE PAST, HE POINTED OUT, HONG KONG HAD AN EASILY CONTENTED LABOUR FORCE, AN AUTOCRATIC BUT BY AND LARGE BENEVOLENT CLASS OF EMPLOYERS AND A WELL-MEANING AND NON-1NTERFERI NG GOVERNMENT. THE RESULT WAS RELATIVELY PEACEFUL LABOUR RELATIONS, STABLE PRODUCTION, STEADY INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AND CONTINUOUS RISING OF THE STANDARD OF LIVING.
/HOWEVER ...
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1981
HOWEVER, THE CURRENT SITUATION IS DIFFERENT AND OTHER IMPORTANT NEW FACTORS ARE COMING INTO PLAY.
SOME NOTABLE EXAMPLES OF THESE FACTORS QUOTED BY MR CHAN ARE A MORE EDUCATED AND MORE ARTICULATE GENERATION OF WORKERS-RAPID CHANGES IN ECONOMY - UP-GRADING OF INDUSTRY, THE GROWTH IN THE FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE RE-EMERGENCE OF ENTREPOT- THE GROWING OF +WHITE—COLLAR* TRADE UNION MOVEMENT AND THE CHANGES IN THE TRADITIONAL +BLUE-COLLAR* UNIONS.
MR CHAN SAID THAT THESE NEW FACTORS WERE BOUND TO AFFECT THE PATTERN OF LABOUR RELATIONS AND THAT IT WOULD BE UP TO THE PERSONNEL MANAGERS AND THE UNION LEADERS TO PERCEIVE THESE CHANGES IN RELATION TO THEIR ORGANISATION AND BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH IN THEIR APPROACH.
♦I MUST SAY THERE IS NO PANACEA APPROACH TO LABOUR RELATIONS. YOU MUST FIND THE RIGHT MIX OF ATTITUDES AND STRUCTURAL RESPONSES FOR YOUR ORGANISATION,* MR CHAN NOTED.
ANOTHER SPEAKER, MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND MEMBER OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, OUTLINED THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS IN LABOUR RELATIONS BY TRACING THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS OF TRADE UNIONS IN BRITAIN AND HONG KONG.
NOTING THE DIFFERENT POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN EACH TERRITORY WHICH AFFECTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE UNIONS, HE SAID TRADE UNIONS IN HONG KONG PARTICIPATED IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, INFLUENCED LABOUR LEGISLATION IN A CONSTRUCTIVE MANNER AND PROVIDED RECREATION OR WELFARE TO MEMBERS.
HONG KONG, MR CHAN ADDED, HAD SHOWN THE WORLD THAT POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL STABILITY PRODUCED WEALTH AND FULL EMPLOYMENT WHICH GUARANTEED REAL GAIN IN PURCHASING POWER.
------0-------
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1978 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION *****
THE JANUARY 1981 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED RECENTLY CONTAINS A SPECIAL ARTICLE ENTITLED ♦HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES IN 1978*. THE ARTICLE PRESENTS THE SUMMARY RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR TO OBTAIN BENCHMARK INDUSTRY DATA FOR 1978. THE SALIENT FINDINGS ARE l-
/A. ANALYSIS .....
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1981
A. ANALYSIS BY MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY GROUP
CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS, CENSUS VALUE ADDED
NUMBER OF
REPORTING LABOUR COST SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES GROSS OUTPUT
MANUFACTURING
INDUSTRY ESTABLISHMENTS
FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO 818 ($MN) 350 ($MN) 1 667 ($MN) 2 837 ($MN) 1 170
TEXTILES (INCLUDING
KNITTING) 3 910 1 WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT KNITWEAR 958 8 598 12 176 3 578
AND FOOTWEAR 6 997 3 LEATHER, WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS 2 610 PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND 712 404 9 824 998 15 417 1 643 5 593 644
PUBLISHING 3 051 CHEMICALS, RUBBER AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 1 054 570 267 1 489 1 489 2 586 2 249 1 096 760
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3 517 1 BASIC METALS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY 165 2 688 4 587 1 899
AND EQUIPMENT 8 049 2 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC 163 7 249 10 924 3 674
PRODUCTS 1 218 1 OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 2 265 366 487 6 295 1 493 8 999 2 312 2 704 819
ALL MANUFACTURING
INDUSTRIES 33 489 12 443 41 791 63 729 21 938
BASED ON DATA PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY, $63 729 MILLION WORTH OF GROSS OUTPUT WERE PRODUCED BY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN 1978.
OF THIS TOTAL, $41 791 MILLION WERE SPENT ON MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES CONSUMED IN THE PROCESS OF PRODUCTION WHILE THE OTHER $21 938 MILLION WERE ACCRUED AS CENSUS VALUE ADDED. THE LATTER AMOUNT WAS IN TURN DISTRIBUTED AS LABOUR COST ($12 443 MILLION), MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENSES ($4 625 MILLION), AND OPERATING SURPLUS ($4 870 MILLION).
/IN TERMS .....
SATUHDAY, APRIL 11, 1981
5
IN TERMS OF CENSUS VALUE ADDED CONTRIBUTION, THE MORE IMPORTANT INDUSTRIES WERE 1 WEARING APPAREL ($5 593 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT OF TOTAL CENSUS VALUE ADDED IN MANUFACTURING), METAL PRODUCTS AND MACHINERY (S3 674 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT), TEXTILES (S3 578 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS ($2 704 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT), AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS (Si 899 MILLION OR 9 PER CENT).
COMPARED WITH THE AVERAGE FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE, INDUSTRIES HAVING A HIGHER CONTENT OF CENSUS VALUE ADDED IN GROSS OUTPUT WERE 1 PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING (42 PER CEN)T, PLASTIC PRODUCTS (41 PER CENT), FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO (41 PER CENT). LEATHER AND WOODEN PRODUCTS (39 PER CENT), AND WEARING APPAREL (36 PER CENT)- WHILE INDUSTRIES HAVING A HIGHER LABOUR COST CONTENT IN CENSUS VALUE ADDED WERE 1 WEARING APPAREL (66 PER CENT). LEATHER AND WOODEN PRODUCTS (63 PER CENT), PLASTIC PRODUCTS (61 PER CENT), AND METAL PRODUCTS AND MACHINERY (59 PER CENT).
B. ANALYSIS BY GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
CONSUMPTION NUMBER OF OF MATERIALS,
REPORTING SUPPLIES AND CENSUS
MANUFACTURING LABOUR INDUSTRIAL GROSS VALUE DISTRICT ESTABLISHMENTS COST SERVICES OUTPUT ADDED
($MN) (SMN) ($MN) ($MN)
HONG KONG ISLAND 5 818 1 764 6 089 9 684 3 595
KOWLOON 7 256 1 856 4 948 7 926 2 978
NEW KOWLOON 12 975 5 517 17 634 26 770 9 136
TSUEN WAN, KWAI •
CHUNG, TSI NG Yl 4 746 2 588 10 306 15 144 4 837
REST OF N.T. 2 695 719 2 814 4 206 1 392
ALL DISTRICTS 33 489 12 443 41 791 63 729 21 938
NEW KOWLOON WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT MANUFACTURING ZONE, FOLLOWED BY THE TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT. THEY TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR $41 914 MILLION WORTH OR 66 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL GROSS OUTPUT, AND $13 973 MILLION WORTH OR 64 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL CENSUS VALUE ADDED IN MANUFACTURING.
/C. ANALYSIS .....
6
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1981
C. ANALYSIS BY TYPE OF OWNERSHIP
TYPE OF OWNERSHIP NUMBER OF REPORTING MANUFACTURING LABOUR ESTABLISHMENTS COST CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES GROSS OUTPUT CENSUS VALUE ' ADDED
($MN) ($MN) ($MN) ($MN)
LIMITED COMPANY 4 839 8 356 31 704 47 255 15 551
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP 22 618 2 670 6 522 10 755 4 233
PARTNERSHIP 6 032 1 417 3 565 5 719 2 154
TOTAL 33 489 12 443 41 791 63 729 21 938
MOST OF THE MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES WERE UNDERTAKEN IN LIMITED COMPANIES. THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO TOTAL GROSS OUTPUT AND CENSUS VALUE ADDED IN MANUFACTURING WERE $47 255 MILLION OR 74 PER CENT, AND $15 551 MILLION OR 71 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. CONTRIBUTIONS TO CENSUS VALUE ADDED BY SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP UNDERTAKINGS WERE 19 PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
D. ANALYSIS BY EMPLOYMENT SIZE
NUMBER OF CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS,
AVERAGE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED REPORTING MANUFACTURING LABOUR ESTABLISHMENTS COST SUPPLIES AND INDUSTR IAL SERVICES GROSS OUTPUT CENSUS VALUE ADDED
($MN) ($MN) ($MN) ($MN)
1 - 9 20 626 976 2 373 4 213 1 840
10 - 19 5 671 1 147 2 821 4 613 1 792
20 - 49 4 076 2 002 5 580 8 686 3 106
50 - 99 1 742 1 976 6 555 9 773 3 218
100 - 199 823 1 907 6 778 9 971 3 193
200 - 499 392 1 911 7 935 11 691 3 755
500 - 999 116 1 335 6 157 9 159 3 002
1 000 AND OVER 43 1 188 3 592 5 624 2 032
TOTAL 33 489 12 443 41 791 63 729 21 938
ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 500 OR MORE PERSONS TOGETHER GENERATED 23 PER CENT OF TOTAL CENSUS VALUE ADDED IN MANUFACTURING. ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING FEWER THAN 20 PERSONS PUT OUT 17 PER CENT OF THE CORRESPONDING CENSUS VALUE ADDED. MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE SIZE GROUPS OF 20 TO 49 PERSONS, 50 TO 99 PERSONS, 100 TO 199 PERSONS, AND 200 TO 499 PERSONS ACCOUNTED FOR 14 PER CENT, 15 PER CENT, 14 PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT OF TOTAL CENSUS VALUE ADDED, RESPECTIVELY.
/E. ANALYSIS ..
7
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1981
E. ANALYSIS BY GROSS OUTPUT
NUMBER OF CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS.
VALUE OF REPORTING SUPPLIES AND CENSUS
GROSS OUTPUT MANUFACTURING LABOUR INDUSTRIAL GROSS VALUE
($’000) ESTABLISHMENTS COST SERVICES OUTPUT ADDED
(SMN) (SMN) (SMN) (SMN)
1 - 999 25 883 2 066 3 320 6 638 3 318
1 000 - 4 999 5 407 3 116 7 382 11 964 4 582
5 000 - 19 999 1 681 3 220 10 574 15 804 5 230
20 000 AND OVER 516 4 040 20 515 29 323 8 808
TOTAL 33 489 12 443 41 791 63 729 i >1 938
THE SHARES IN TOTAL CENSUS VALUE ADDED FOR ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED TO THE FOUR GROSS OUTPUT RANGES WERE 15 PER CENT, 21 PER CENT, 24 PER CENT AND 40 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN AN ASCENDING SEQUENCE. THE DISTRIBUTION OF ESTABLISHMENTS ACCORDING TO GROSS OUTPUT (AND LIKEWISE ACCORDING TO EMPLOYMENT AND CENSUS VALUE ADDED) REVEALS A CONCENTRATION OF MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES IN FACTORIES OF LARGER SIZES.
F. ANALYSIS BY CENSUS VALUE ADDED
TO 27
CENSUS VALUE ADDED (S’OOO) NUMBER OF REPORTING MANUFACTURING LABOUR ESTABLISHMENTS COST CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES • GROSS OUTPUT CENSUS VALUE ADDED
(SMN) (SMN) (SMN) (SMN)
UNDER 499 26 973 2 295 5 064 8 683 3 619
500 - 2 499 5 006 3 612 10 267 15 637 5 369
2 500 - 9 999 1 227 3 272 11 769 17 311 5 541
10 000 AND OVER 283 3 263 14 691 22 099 7 409
TOTAL 33 489 12 443 41 791 63 729 5 >1 938
THE SHARES IN THE FOUR CENSUS PER CENT AND 35 TOTAL GROSS VALUE ADDED PER CENT IN OUTPUT FOR ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED RANGES WERE 14 PER CENT, 24 PER CENT, AN ASCENDING SEQUENCE.
FURTHER ANALYSIS OF THE
RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THE 1978
A SURVEY SURVEY
OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WILL BE MADE IN A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. REQUESTS
FOR DETAILED SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT 5-274203).
0 -
/8
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1981
8
SEABED TO BE RECLAIMED FOR INDUSTRY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM ANOTHER 7.46 HECTARES OF SEABED IN QUARRY BAY AND SAI WAN HO AREAS FOR LIGHT INDUSTRY, OPEN SPACES, A BUS TERMINAL AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
THE WORK WILL FORM PART OF SAI WAN HO STAGE I RECLAMATION AND QUARRY BAY STAGE II RECLAMATION PROJECTS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED IS SET OUT IN A NOTICE IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIMS OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
A NOTICE, IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, WITH ITS RELATED PLAN IS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN SHOWING THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE PORT WORKS DIVISION ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING IN GARDEN ROAD, OR AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE ON THE 19TH FLOOR OF THE SAME BUILDING.
-----o--------
CALL FOR ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED FOR A MORE ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CHILDREN.
MR HAYE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR ON ETV-FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ENRICHMENT SERIES.
HE FELT IT IMPORTANT FOR A SCHOOL TO KEEP PARENTS FULLY INFORMED AND TO GIVE THEM AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED IN SCHOOL AFFAIRS IF THEY SO WISHED.
+EVEN A RUDIMENTARY PARENT-TEACHER ORGANISATION COULD PERFORM AN IMPORTANT SERVICE TO BOTH THE PARENTS AND THE SCHOOL AND I SEE AN IMPORTANT NEED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE PARENT-TEACHER ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG WITHIN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE,♦ MR HAYE SAID.
TURNING TO FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD MADE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION IN RECENT YEARS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACCEPTABLE SYLLABUSES IN SCHOOLS.
HOWEVER, TEACHERS ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE TO PLAY A VITAL PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CHILD’S PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL TRAINING. PARENTS TOO HAVE A KEY ROLE.
♦FAMILY LIFE WILL DETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH A CHILD FEELS SECURE AND THE QUALITY OF HOME LIFE IS ALL IMPORTANT TO THE PATTERN OF A CHILD’S BEHAVIOUR NOT SO MUCH IN MATERIAL COMFORTS BUT IN THE REALISATION OF LOVE, STABILITY AND TRUST,♦ MR HAYE SAID.
/SPEAKING ON ..
OHXUKVAI, ATKUj 11, 1^01
9
SPEAKING ON THE ROLE OF ETV IN HONG KONG’S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, THE DIRECTOR SAID IT WAS WITHOUT DOUBT AN EDUCATION TOOL OF VERY CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE.
♦IT IS WORTHY OF NOTE THAT ETV AS IT IS AT PRESENT IN HONG KONG CAN STAND UP TO COMPARISON WITH OTHER ETV SERVICES ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,+ MR HAYE COMMENTED.
HE ADDED THAT ETV, WHICH WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY IN SEPTEMBER, WILL IN THE NEAR FUTURE EXPAND ITS SERVICE TO INCLUDE NEW SUBJECTS TO ASSIST TEACHERS IN SCHOOLS.
-------o - - - .
TUEN MUN BONSAI SHOW OPENS
X X X *
AN EXHIBITION OF MORE THAN 400 BONSAI PLANTS WAS OPENED AT TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE 10-DAY SHOW, ORGANISED BY THE CHING CHUNG TAOIST ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG AND SPONSORED BY TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, IS THE SECOND TO BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT.
AMONG THE EXHIBITS IS A 200-YEAR-OLD BEECH TREE, BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN A FAVOURITE OF THE EMPRESS DOWAGER OF THE CHING DYNASTY.
THE SHOW INCLUDES COMPETITIVE SECTIONS FOR 10 LOCAL SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHICH ENTERED 100 EXHIBITS. THE CHING CHUNG KOON PROVIDED THE REST OF THE EXHIBITS.
OPENING THE SHOW, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, M? DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID THAT BONSAI AND KEEPING OF HOUSE PLANTS WAS A FASCINATING PASTIME WHICH REQUIRED SKILL, PATIENCE, AND AWARENESS OF BEAUTY AND PROPORTION.
HE HOPED THIS ANNUAL EVENT WOULD NURTURE APPRECIATION AND CONCERN FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF TUEN MUN TOWN AND THE PRESERVATION OF ITS BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS.
HE THANKED THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND ALL THOSE WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TO MAKING IT A SUCCESS.
ALSO AT THE OPENING WERE THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN- THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JIMMY SWEETMAN- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHOW COMMITTEE, REV HAU PO-WOON- THE CHAIRMAN OF CHING CHUNG TAOIST ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, MR NG WAI-SHUM- AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER TUEN MUN, PR BILLY LAM.
THE SHOW OPENS DAILY FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM. THERE ARE DAILY DEMONSTRATIONS OF BONSAI PLANTING AND A BOOKLET INTRODUCING THE ART IS-BE ING DISTRIBUTED FREE TO VISITORS.
-------0 -
FIRING PRACTICE REMINDER
X X * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN/CASiLt PEAK RANGE F?iS 8 TO 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 15).
members of the public are warred not to enter the area when
RED FLAGS ARE FLYING. _ . - - 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO
FIRST SHIPMENT OF ELECTRIC TRAINS ARRIVES ..................... 1
DISTRICT BOARD BUDGET ALMOST DOUBLED .......................... 2
53 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN FEBRUARY ........................ 3
BUILDING INDUSTRY MANPOWER SURVEY ............................. 3
LOGO FOR FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION................................. 4
VIEWS ON MORAL EDUCATION TO BE AIRED........................... 5
WORKSHOPS ON SMOKING HAZARD ................................... 5
KWAI CHUNG REFUSE BLACKSPOT TO BECOME AMENITY PLOT ............ 6
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PART OF WATERLOO ROAD..................... 7
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1981
1
FIRST SHIPMENT OF ELECTRIC TRAINS ARRIVES
*****
THE ELECTRIFICATION AND MODERNISATION OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY MOVED YET ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO REALITY TODAY WITH THE DELIVERY OF THE FIRST ELECTRIC TRAIN SET OF THREE CARS.
THE CARS, WHICH ARRIVED IN HONG KONG BY SEA YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) AFTER A 19 OOO-KILOMETRE JOURNEY FROM ENGLAND, WERE LIFTED BY FLOATING CRANE ONTO THE KCR TRACK AT HUNG HOM.
THEY ARE PART OF A S5OO MILLION ORDER FOR 45 THREE-CAR SETS PLACED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WITH METRO-CAMMELL LIMITED IN 1979.
MR LEUNG MIN-SUN, GOVERNMENT ENGINEER (RAILWAY), OF THE PWD, SAID 29 OF THE TRAIN SETS WOULD BE FOR OUTER SUBURBAN USE AND WOULD OPERATE ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE KCR WHILE THE REMAINING 16 SETS WOULD BE USED FOR INNER SUBURBAN SERVICE BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND SHA TIN.
THE OUTER SUBURBAN TRAIN SETS WILL PROVIDE FIRST AND ORDINARY CLASS SEATS, TOILETS AND A SEPARATE LUGGAGE AREA WITH SEATS AND S'ANDING ROOM FOR 775 PASSENGERS WHILE THE INNER SUBURBAN TRAIN UNITS, WHICH WILL ONLY HAVE ORDINARY CLASS SEATS, CAN CARRY UP TO 845 PASSENGERS.
♦ALL THESE CARS ARE FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED AND THE INTERIOR HAS BEEN CAREFULLY DESIGNED TO GIVE A CLEAN, SMART AND SPACIOUS APPEARANCE,+ SAID MR LEUNG.
♦THEY CAN BE LINKED TOGETHER TO FORM MULTIPLES OF UP TO 12 CARS.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE USE OF CONTINUOUSLY WELDED RAIL, AIR SUSPENSION AND NOISE INSULATION WILL MAKE THESE VEHICLES QUIET AND VERY COMFORTABLE FOR PASSENGERS.
MR LEUNG SAID THE TRAINS DELIVERED TODAY WERE THE TYPE FOR INNER SUBURBAN SERVICE.
♦TWO THREE-CAR TRAIN SETS WILL BE LEAVING THE FACTORY IN BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, EVERY THREE WEEKS WHEN PRODUCTION REACHES ITS PEAK EARLY THIS SUMMER,* HE ADDED.
♦AND BY THE END OF THE YEAR, 20 MORE TRAIN SETS, INCLUDING FIVE OUTER SUBURBAN UNITS ARE EXPECTED.+
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY SAID THAT ALL THE UNITS DELIVERED WOULD BE TESTED BY THE MANUFACTURER ON SECTIONS OF KCR TRACK CLOSED TO NORMAL TRAFFIC.
THE CARS WILL UNDERGO 400 KILOMETRES OF TROUBLE FREE RUNNING BEFORE ACCEPTANCE BY TRANSMARK, THE CONSULTANT, AND THE KCR.
REFERRING TO THE PROGRESS OF THE KCR ELECTRIFICATION AND MODERNISATION PROGRAMME, MR LEUNG SAID THAT AS A WHOLE IT WAS GOING WELL.
/♦THE NEW.....
SUNDAY, APHID 12, 1981
2
+THE NEW DOUBLE-TRACK BEACON HILL TUNNEL WILL BE OPENED SHORTLY. THE OVERHEAD WIRES TO PROVIDE POWER TO THE TRAIN ARE BEING ERECTED AND THE NEW ROLLING STOCK MAINTENANCE DEPOT IS HALF COMPLETE,* HE SAID.
THE KCR SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE INNER SUBURBAN SERVICE BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND SHA TIN WOULD COME INTO OPERATION IN THE SPRING OF 1982 AND THE REST OF THE LINE BY THE END OF 1982.
BY THEN, HE SAID, THE JOURNEY TIME BETWEEN KCR TERMINAL AT HUNG HOM AND LOWU WILL TAKE LESS THAN 40 MINUTES — NEARLY TWICE AS FAST AS THE PRESENT DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE SERVICE.
-----0-----
DISTRICT BOARD BUDGET ALMOST DOUBLED * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED $12.2 MILLION TO THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, ALMOST DOUBLE LAST YEAR’S ALLOCATION.
THE LARGEST SUM - ALMOST ONE QUARTER OF THE TOTAL BUDGET - GOES TO TSUEN WAN, WHICH WILL RECEIVE $3.99 MILLION. THIS IS AN INCREASE CF 96 PER CENT OVER THE AMOUNT PROVIDED DURING 1980/81.
YUEN LONG RECEIVES $2.03 MILLION, COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR'S S994 000, WHILE TUEN MUN HAS BEEN ALLOCATED $1,372 MILLION, EXACTLY DOUBLE THE 1980/81 ALLOCATION.
OTHER ALLOCATIONS ARE 1 SHA TIN ($1.07 MILLION)- TAI PO ($996 000)- SAI KUNG ($963 000)- ISLANDS ($939 000)- AND NORTH ($870 000).
THE DISTRICT BOARD BUDGET TOTALLED $6,112 MILLION LAST YEAR. FOR 1979/80 IT WAS $4.5 MILLION AND FOR 1978/79 IT WAS $3.7 MILLION.
OF THIS YEAR’S BUDGET, MORE THAN 65 PER CENT WILL BE SPENT ON CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES. THE BALANCE IS FOR MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.
DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT A +SUESTANTI ALLY LARGER AMOUNT* HAD BEEN PROVIDED FOR DISTRICT BOARDS THIS YEAR.
HE SAID SINCE BOARDS WERE SET UP AT THE END OF 1977 THEY HAD DONE A GREAT DEAL OF VALUABLE WORK AND THE PROVISION OF EXTRA MONEi WOULD ENABLE THEM TO INCREASE THE SCOPE AND RANGE OF THEIR ACTIVITIES.
+THE BOARDS ORGANISE RECREATION AND SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WHICH INVOLVE LARGE NUMBERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE,* MR CHUI SAID. +GOVERNMENT REGARDS THIS AS VITAL WORK AND IS GRATEFUL TO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE TIME THEY GIVE UP.*
THE EIGHT DISTRICT BOARDS NOW HAVE 165 MEMBERS, MORE THAN 60 PER CENT OF WHOM ARE UNOFFICIALS.
0 -
/3
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1981
3
53 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN FEBRUARY * * * *
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 53 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN FEBRUARY, COMPARED WITH 96 IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
OF THESE NEW PLANS, 17 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 7 FOR KOWLOON AND 29 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INCLUDED AN INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE IN TAI PO, A JETTY IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND AN OIL TANK AT CHA KWO LING ROAD.
THE DECLARED COST OF ALL NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY WAS S523.1 MILLION, COMPARED WITH S213.8 MILLION IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.
DURING THE MONTH, THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED AMOUNTED TO 514 295.4 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 393 830.8 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 120 464.6 SQUARE NETRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 40 PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN SHA TIN, AN INDOOR SPORTS AND COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TUEN MUN AND A HOTEL IN SILVERMINE BAY.
ALTOGETHER, 42 NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION IN FEBRUARY, INCLUDING A SCHOOL AT POKFULAM ROAD, A SCHOOL AND CHURCH BUILDING AT KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, A MEDICAL SCIENCES BUILDING AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND AN OIL STORAGE TANK AT CHA KWO LING ROAD.
THE OFFICE ALSO AGREED TO THE DEMOLITION OF 47 BUILDINGS.
- - 0 -
BUILDING INDUSTRY MANPOWER SURVEY * * * *
A MANPOWER SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY WILL BE CARRIED OUT LATER THIS MONTH.
THE SURVEY, THE SIXTH IN ITS SERIES, WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL FROM APRIL 21 TO 24, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR, CENSUS AND STATISTICS AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS. IT WILL COVER ALL ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE INFORMATION WHICH EMPLOYERS ARE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY INCLUDESi
(I) THE NUMBER OF WORKERS AT PRESENT EMPLOYED"
(II) THE NUMBER OF WORKERS AT PRESENT UNDER TRAINING- AND
(III) THE NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANCIES.
/dubing the
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1981
4
rnueT^J^.Te^r~RVEY' INTERVIEWERS WILL VISIT EACH OF THE PRIVATE a2NdI5aPI tuIEtA.^HILE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS WILL, mN. BOARD, LIAISE WITH THE SITE FOREMEN OF
ALL GOVERNMENT SITES TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
_A1™E 0F THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY
TRA'NING BOARD, MR HO SAI-CHU, STRESSED THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL SITE OR FIRM.
H° URGED EMpLOYERS TO CO-OPERATE BY PROVIDING ACCURATE INFORMATION SO THAT PLANS COULD BE FORMULATED TO MEET THE INDUSTRY’S MANPOWER NEEDS.
-----0------
LOGO FOR FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT A GRAPHIC LOGO HAD BEEN OFFICIALLY ADOPTED FOR THE FUTURE PROMOTION CF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
INTRODUCING THE LOGO, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS SO CONSTRUCTED AS TO SUGGEST AN IDEAL FAMILY WITH EMPHASIS ON LOVE, WARMTH, SECURITY AND PARENTAL GUIDANCE TO CHILDREN.
A BOLD CIRCLE CONTAINING THE GRAPHICS OF THE PARENTS HARBOURING TWO CHILDREN SUMS UP THE DOMESTIC BLISS WHICH FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION MAKES TO EVERY HOUSEHOLD, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, FOR SOME TIME, SOCIAL WORKERS HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR A SYMBOL WITH WHICH FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION COULD BE READILY IDENTIFIED.
THE LOGO, DESIGNED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL BE EXTENSIVELY USED IN PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS, POSTERS, PAMPHLETS, EXHIBITIONS, TELEVISION BRIEFS, PROMOTIONAL EVENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WAS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT ON HUMAN QUALITIES, PROMOTING FAMILY UNDERSTANDING AND STRONGER FAMILY TIES. +IT HELPS IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE BY ENHANCING UNDERSTANDING OF SELF, OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE FAMILY, AND OF THE ROLE EACH FAMILY MEMBER IS EXPECTED TO PLAY.+ HE SAID.
------0-------
/5.......
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1981
5
VIEWS ON MORAL EDUCATION TO BE AIRED
* * * *
MORAL EDUCATION WILL BE THE FOCUS AT A SEMINAR FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (APRIL 14) AT NORTHCOTE COLLEGE CF EDUCATION.
MORE THAN 200 SCHOOLS PRINCIPALS WILL BE DISCUSSING AT THE SEMINAR THE DEFINITION OF +MORAL EDUCATION* AND WHETHER IT SHOULD BE TAUGHT AS A SEPARATE SUBJECT AND INTEGRATED INTO THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER WHETHER THE HOME, THE SCHOOL OR THE ENVIRONMENT PROVIDE THE MAJOR INFLUENCE ON PUPILS’ MORAL CONDUCT, AND WILL BE INVITED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROMOTING MORAL EDUCATION.
APART FROM GROUP DISCUSSIONS, PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO HEAR SPEECHES BY EIGHT PANELISTS, AND TAKE PART IN A PANEL DISCUSSION.
THE EIGHT PANELISTS ARE MRS KWONG HA WAI-CHUNG, PRINCIPAL OF LAM WOO MEMORIAL SECONDARY SCHOOL- FR A.J. DEIGNAN, PRINCIPAL CF WAH YAN COLLEGE, KOWLOON- MR AU-YEUNG YING-CHEUNG, PRINCIPAL CF ISLAMIC COLLEGE- MR TIMOTHY YUNG, PRINCIPAL OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE-AND FR JOSEPH FOLEY, REV PETER WONG, MR LAI SZE-NUEN AND ■R TUET WAI-SIN, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JOINT SECRETARIAT FOR COLLOQUIUM OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS.
MR MICHAEL LEUNG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL DELIVER THE OPENING ADDRESS AND CHAIR THE PANEL DISCUSSION AND MR COLVYN HAYE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL DELIVER THE CLOSING REMARKS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE SEMINAR ON TUESDAY (APRIL 14) AT NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, SASSOON ROAD, HONG KONG.
MR COLVYN HAYE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY AT 4 PM.
- - - - 0 ------
WORKSHOPS ON SMOKING HAZARD *****
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS TO ORGANISE A SERIES CF WORKSHOPS TO EDUCATE YOUTHS ON THE HAZARD OF SMOKING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE PROJECT IS PART OF AN ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN WHICH BEGAN LAST YEAR.
+THE AIM IS TO EDUCATE YOUNGSTERS ON THE HARMFUL EFFECTS AND DANGERS CAUSED BY SMOKING SO AS TO DISSUADE THEM FROM PICKING UP THE HABIT,* HE SAID.
show........
SUNDAY, APHIL 12, 1981
6
+SURVEYS SHOW THAT MOST HABITUAL SMOKERS HAD THEIR FIRST PUFF DURING ADOLESCENCE AND THEN FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO RID OF IN THEIR ADULTHOOD,* HE ADDED.
AN EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR STUDENT GROUPS IN THE LOWER FORMS IN THE DEPARTMENT’S CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT AT 181-185 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE WORKSHOP WILL INCLUDE FILM AND SLIDE SHOWS, A GUIDED TOUR OF INFORMATIVE EXHIBITS, AND A DISCUSSION SESSION, ALL OF WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO ILLUSTRATE THE HEALTH HAZARD OF SMOKING.
STUDENTS WILL ALSO BE INVITED TO PLAY A GAME OF ROULETTE ON SMOKING, WHICH SERVES TO ILLUSTRATE THE HIGH RISK OF CONTRACTING VARIOUS DISEASES DUE TO SMOKING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. EDUCATIONAL LEAFLETS WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS.
INVITATION LETTERS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE WORKSHOPS ARE BEING SENT TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS. INTERESTED SCHOOLS ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT AT 5-720861 FOR ARRANGEMENT.
-----0------
KWAI CHUNG REFUSE BLACKSPO i'O BECOME AMENITY PLOT
X X X X X
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT PLANS TO TURN A RUEBUSH-RIDDEN OPEN SPACE AT KWAI CHUNG INTO AN AMENITY PLOT AFTER THE COMPLETION OF AN INTENSIVE CLEAN-UP BEING CARRIED OUT THERE.
A MONTH-LONG CLEARANCE OPERATION WAS LAUNCHED LATE LAST WEEK TO REMOVE ABOUT 150 TONNES OF REFUSE AND BULKY DISCARDED ITEMS AT THE OPEN GROUND AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI LOONG STREET AND WO Yl HOP ROAD.
THE EXERCISE WAS AIMED AT ELIMINATING HEALTH HAZARDS AND IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE FOR RESIDENTS IN NEARBY SQUATTER AREA AND MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, SAID THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SOUTH REGION) OF NTSD, MR JAMES WILSON.
+WE HOPE TO TURN THE REFUSE DUMPING GROUND INTO A SITTING OUT AREA AND PLANTING PLOT FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE NEAR FUTURE,* HE SAID.
HE APPEALED TO THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND HAWKERS PLYING THERE TO STOP DUMPING REFUSE INTO THE OPEN SPACE AND REMINDED THEM THAT IT WAS AN OFFENCE TO DISCARD ANY LITTER AND REFUSE IN A PUBLIC PLACE.
-----0------
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1981
7
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PART OF WATERLOO ROAD
*****
THE SECTION OF WATERLOO ROAD BETWEEN YIM PO FONG STREET AND PEACE AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE MORNINGS FROM APRIL 14 TO 17 TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER WATERLOO ROAD.
DURING THIS PER IOD. EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON WATERLOO ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA DUNDAS STREET, KWONG WAH STREET, YIM PO FONG STREET AND ARGYLE STREET, WHILE WESTBOUND VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HO MAN TIN HILL STREET, WYLIE ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD.
YIM PO FONG STREET AND WYLIE NORTH AND SOUTH BOUND TRAFFIC.
ROAD WILL REMAIN OPEN TO BOTH
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1981
CONTENTS PASS NO,
FULL SCaLE BUSINESS SERVICES SURVEY DUE........................ 1
GOVERNOR TO OPEN SHA TEI SWIMONG POOL COMPLEX.................. 2
INSIGNIA PRESENTATION ......................................... 3
PARTIAL OPENING OF TSUEN WAN BY-PASS .......................... 7
HAILSTORM AND A WET MARCH...................................... 8
SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN TUEN MUN ................... 10
THREE LAND LOTS FOR AUCTION .................................. 10
FILM OR TV STUDIO SITE FOR SALE .............................. 11
SALT WATER SUPPLY OFF ........................................ 11
SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH ............................. 12
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1981
1 -
FULL SCALE BUSINESS SERVICES SURVEY DUE
*****
AS PART OF A LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF ECONOMIC STATISTICS, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS NOW UNDERTAKING, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A SIMPLIFIED ECONOMIC SURVEY OF TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS AND A FULL SCALE BENCHMARK ECONOMIC SURVEY OF THE STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS.
CONCURRENT WITH THESE TWO ECONOMIC SURVEYS IS THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF SERVICES.
TRADES AND SERVICES COVERED IN THESE SURVEYS INCLUDE:
(A) STORAGE AND WAREHOUSING FACILITIES FOR HIRE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC-
(B) POSTAL, TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, RADIO AND CABLE COMMUNICATION, MESSAGE DELIVERY AND MESSAGE EXCHANGE SERVICES*
(C) ALL FINANCE (EXCEPT BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) AND INVESTMENT COMPANIES- LOAN, MORTGAGE AND DISCOUNT COMPANIES- DEALERS/BROKERS AND EXCHANGES IN STOCKS AND SHARES, COMMODITY FUTURES, GOLD BULLION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE- PAWNSHOPS- MONEY CHANGERS- AND OTHER FINANCIAL UNDERTAK INGS-
(D) INSURERS, RE-INSURERS, AGENTS AND BROKERS OF ALL KINDS OF INSURANCE AND RELATED INSURANCE SERVICES-
(E) ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING, ADVERTISING, DATA PROCESSING, EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, EQUIPMENT LEASING AND MACHINERY RENTAL, LEGAL, NEWS AGENCY, SECRETARIAL AND OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES- AND
(F) TRANSPORTATION AND SUPPORTING SERVICES BY LAND, WATER OR AIR- TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT RENTAL- AND AGENCIES, MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, BRANCH OR REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES OF ESTABLISHMENTS PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES BY LAND, WATER OR AIR.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING DESPATCHED TO ABOUT 15 OOO ESTABLISHMENTS RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM SOME 40 000 ESTABLISHMENTS.
ESTABLISHMENTS WITH INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES ON IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF SERVICES TOGETHER WITH THE ECONOMIC SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES.
MANAGEMENTS OF ESTABLISHMENTS ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN THE POSTAGE-PAID CONFIDENTIAL REPLY ENVELOPES PROVIDED.
THE DEADLINE DATE FOR THE RETURN OF QUESTIONNAIRES ON IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF SERVICES IS JUNE 30, 1981 AND THAT FOR THE RETURN OF QUESTIONNAIRES ON ECONOMIC SURVEYS IS JULY 31, 1981.
/CENSUS AND....
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1981
2
CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS WITH GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS WILL, UPON REQUEST, VISIT THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED AND ASSIST THEM IN COMPLETING QUESTIONNAIRES.
DATA TO BE COLLECTED RELATE TO THE YEAR 1980 AND INCLUDE TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR COSTS, OPERATING EXPENSES, BUSINESS TURNOVER, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND CAPITAL STOCK, AND TRANSACTIONS ON IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF SERVICES.
RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY WILL PROVIDE THE BASIC INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SECTORS COVERED AND WILL BE NEEDED FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE SECTORS’ CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
SUCH ECONOMIC DATA ARE REQUIRED BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR FORMULATION OF THEIR POLICY DECISIONS AND ARE ESSENTIAL IN CONSIDERING INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION.
CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDERS AUTHORISING THE CONDUCT OF THESE SURVEYS WERE MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 11 OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE ON JANUARY 27, 1981, AND WERE GAZETTED ON JANUARY 30, 1981 AS LEGAL NOTICE NOS. 27/1981 AND 28/1981 AND 26/1981 FOR THE SURVEY OF TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS, THE SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES AND THE SURVEY OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF SERVICES RESPECTIVELY.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALS TO MANAGEMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH CENSUS STAFF DURING THE SURVEY ENUMERATION PERIOD.
HE STRESSES THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND THAT ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS, WILL BE RELEASED.
-----o------
GOVERNOR TO OPEN SHA TIN SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX
* * M * X
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE J25 MILLION SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND SQUASH COURT ON THURSDAY (APRIL 16).
THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX — THE FIRST MAJOR PERMANENT RECREATIONAL OUTLET TO BE COMPLETED FOR THE PEOPLE OF SHA TIN — IS THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
+THE ENTIRE CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE PROJECT, WHICH WAS GENEROUSLY DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE CLUB’S KEEN INVOLVEMENT AND ASSOCIATION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/fellLT ON ....
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1981
3
BUILT ON A SITE OF 2.6 HECTARES ON THE WEST BANK OF THE SHING MUN RIVER, THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX CONSISTS OF SIX POOLS OF VARIOUS SIZES -- ONE MAIN POOL OF OLYMPIC STANDARD FOR COMPETITION, ONE DIVING POOL, THREE TRAINING AND TEACHING POOLS AND ONE FREE WADING POOL.
TO HELP THE DISABLED MAKE USE OF THE SWIMMING POOL, SPECIAL FACILITIES INCLUDING A RAMP AND CHANGING ROOM ARE AVAILABLE THERE.
A SQUASH COURT BUILDING WITH SIX COURTS, THREE TENNIS COURTS AND A LANDSCAPED GARDEN HAVE ALSO BEEN BUILT TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL OUTLETS TO PEOPLE IN SHA TIN.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND SQUASH COURT ON THURSDAY (APRIL 16) AT 3 PM.
TRANSPORT HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA. TOURIST COACHES WILL BE WAITING AT MIDDLE ROAD AT THE REAR OF THE PENINSULA HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 1.30 PM ON THURSDAY.
COPIES OF A PAMPHLET INTRODUCING THE SWIMMING COMPLEX ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM GIS PRESS BOXES.
_ _ 0 - -
INSIGNIA PRESENTATION * * M M
EIGHTY-NINE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, RECEIVED THEIR INSIGNIA FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS EVENING.
THE RECIPIENTS WEREi
CBE (COMMANDER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
DR HAKING WONG
OBE (OFFICER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
MR PIERS JACOBS
DR HENRY LI FOOK KUEN
MR PETER THOMAS MOOR
MR WILLIAM DUNCAN ALISTAIR TUCKER
THE HONOURABLE CHARLES YEUNG SIU CHO
Aso (IMPEBIAL
MMTDAY, APRIL 13, 1981
4
ISO (IMPERIAL SERVICE ORDER)
MR CHAN WA SHEK
MR CHOW KING CHOI
MR DERIC DANIEL WATERS
MR WONG MANG KI
MBE (MEMBER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
MR CHAN SHEK
MR CHAN WAI SHUN
MR CHEUNG KIM FUNG
MR LEE KEE HOI
MR LI KWAN HUNG
MR NG WANG YIU
MRS MARGARET SAU CHUNG O’HARA
MR JUSTIN YUE KWOK HUNG
MBE (MEMBER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE) (MILITARY)
CAPTAIN CHEUNG KWOK TONG
BEM (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL)
MR GABRIEL MANSO ANTONIO
MR CHAN KWOK LEUNG
MR CHENG KAM CHENG
MR CHIANG HON YING
MR FONG WAI
MR IP FOOK
MR KWOK YING NIN
MR LAI WING KAY
MR ALOYSIUS LAU
MR LAU KING WANG
/MR LEI SIU
MDNDAY, APRIL 13, 1981
5
MR LEI SIU KEUNG
MR LI BUT
MR LIU YIU TONG
MR TSANG KWONG FAI
MR YU LOONG KIN
MR YU TSO WING
MR TONY YUE TUNG PIK BEM (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL) (MILITARY)
SERGEANT BUDHAKUMAR GURUNG COLOUR SERGEANT HARKABAHADUR GURUNG SERGEANT PURNABAHADUR LIMBU SERGEANT SHAMSHER RAI SERGEANT MEHERMAN TAMANG COLOUR SERGEANT KENNETH SIDNEY WOODEN QPM (QUEEN'S POLICE MEDAL)
MR JOHN RONALDSON JOHNSTON
MR NYLON LEONARD TS’O ISM (IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL)
MR CHANG WAH
MR CHEUNG KAM TONG
MR LEUNG YEE
MR LI SUEN
CPM (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL)
MR CHAN KWONG
MR CHAN PING KI
MR CHUNG KAM KEUNG
MR CHARLES HOLDRICH FISHER
/MH 3B1AJI....
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1981
6
MR BRIAN HAIGH
MR KUNG MAU CHUEN
MR LAM MUN CHEONG
MR LAM PING MAN
MR LEE KWAN CHEUNG
MR LI CHUNG KEUNG
MR GWYN REES LLOYD
MR ANDREW MCKERRACHER QUINN
MR RICHARD COURTNEY SMALLSHAW
MR TANG KWONG YEE
MR EDWARD FORSTER TAYLOR
MR MICHAEL JOHN WATSON
MR YAU HUNG
CPM (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL) (FIRE SERVICE)
MR LAM CHEK YUEN
MR LI WAI
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR CHAU HOW CHEN
MR CHEUNG KUEN
MR CHEUNG LAI PING
MR CHIU CHUN FAI
MR CHIU YU HEI
MR CHONG CHU CHOI
MR CHOW YIN SUM
MR FUNG SAU CHUNG
DR ALEXANDER LAI MING WAH
MR LAM KIN MING
/MH LAM PAK
WNDAY, APRIL 13, 19S1
7
MR LAM PAK PING
MR LAM TAK MONG
MR LAM YAU KWONG
MR LAU MAN CHEONG
MR LUI DING
MR MA HUNG BUN
MADAM NG CHU LIEN FAN
MR TANG YUEN PUI
MR TO HANG KEUNG
MR YUNG CHEK CHOW
QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT
MR TSUI PUI LING
ORDER OF ST JOHN OFFICER
MR LEONARD CHIU KUNG PHOO
-----0------
PARTIAL OPENING OF TSUEN WAN BY-PASS
* * * *
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 11 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 15), FOLLOWING THE PARTIAL OPENING OF STAGE ONE CF THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON KWAI CHUNG ROAD MAY USE THE NEW SLIP ROAD OF THE BY-PASS AT THE HING FONG ROAD ROUNDABOUT TO TRAVEL ALONG TEXACO ROAD TO TSUEN WAN CENTRAL AND WEST.
WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON KWAI CHUNG ROAD MAY GAIN ACCESS TO TSI NG Yl BRIDGE BY USING THE AT-GRADE ROUNDABOUT AT HING FONG ROAD.
VEHICLES ON KWAI TSI NG ROAD MAY USE THE AT-GRADE ROUNDABOUT TO TRAVEL VIA HING FONG ROAD TO KWAI CHUNG.
VEHICLES ON KWAI TS I NG ROAD PROCEEDING TO TSUEN WAN MAY USE THE AT-GRADE ROUNDABOUT TO TRAVEL VIA THE NEW ROAD TO TEXACO ROAD.
/the partial ....
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 19^1
8
THE PARTIAL OPENING OF THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS STAGE ONE WILL SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN KWAI CHUNG, TSUEN WAN AND TSING Yl. WHEN FULLY OPENED IN JULY, IT WILL PROVIDE A DUAL 3-LANE HIGHWAY LINKING KWAI CHUNG ROAD WITH TEXACO ROAD.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----o-----
HAILSTORM AND A WET MARCH *****
LAST MONTH SAW THE MOST WIDESPREAD HAILSTORM OVER THE URBAN AREAS SINCE 1940, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID IN ITS MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT TODAY.
HAIL WAS REPORTED ON MARCH 19 FROM 5.35 PM TO 6 PM OVER KOWLOON AND AGAIN FROM 9.34 PM TO 11.10 PM OVER HONG KONG ISLAND AND PART OF LANTAU.
SOME OF THE HAILSTONES WERE REPORTED TO BE AS BROAD AS THE RIM OF A RICE BOWL, WHICH WAS ABOUT 10 CENTIMETRES IN DIAMETER.
THERE WERE REPORTS THAT CORRUGATED PLASTIC SHELTER IN CAR PARKS AND ON ROOF-TOPS WERE PUNCTURED. HOWEVER, NO DAMAGE TO CROPS WAS REPORTED. TWO AIRCRAFTS WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG BECAUSE OF THE HAIL.
THIS IS THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN WHICH HAILS WERE REPORTED OVER HONG KONG.
THERE WERE SIX DAYS WITH THUNDERSTORMS LAST MONTH - THE HIGHEST NUMBER ON RECORD FOR MARCH IN POST-WAR YEARS. THERE WERE ALSO SEVEN DAYS WITH COASTAL FOG.
THE MONTH WAS WETTER THAN USUAL WITH 123.9 MM OF RAIN WHICH IS 69.1 MM ABOVE NORMAL. IT WAS ALSO WARMER, CLOUDIER AND LESS SUNNY THAN USUAL. THE MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 20.6 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS THE THIRD HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR MARCH. THERE WERE ONLY 76.8 HOURS OF SUNSHINE - 24.6 HOURS LESS THAN AVERAGE.
FOG FORMED NEAR THE COAST ON MARCH 1 AND SPREAD INTO THE HARBOUR THE NEXT DAY.
THE LOWEST VISIBILITY RECORDED BOTH AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND AT THE AIRPORT ON THAT DAY WAS 500 METRES. THE MONTH’S MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 15.9 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED IN THAT MORNING. THE FOG CLEARED AFTER SOME RAIN LATER IN THE DAY.
THERE WAS DRIZZLE EARLY ON MARCH 3 BUT COASTAL FOG RETURNED AT NIGHT. WINDS TURNED NORTHERLY ON MARCH 4 AND THE FOG CLEARED. IT REMAINED CLOUDY AND MILD UNTIL MARCH 7.
/ON MABCH 8 ....
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1981
9
ON MARCH 8 IT BECAME SUNNY. HOWEVER, A COLD FRONT ARRIVED ON MARCH 9, BRINGING CLOUDY SKIES.
EASTERLY WINDS WERE STRONG ON MARCH 10 AND 11 AND THERE WERE SOME RAIN. IT WAS SLIGHTLY COOLER AND RAIN PERSISTED UNTIL THE MORNING OF MARCH 12.
APART FROM SOME COASTAL FOG ON MARCH 13, THE WEATHER REMAINED SUNNY AND WARM UNTIL MARCH 14 WHEN THE TEMPERATURE ROSE TO THE MONTH’S MAXIMUM OF 27.7 DEGREES CELSIUS.
SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS ACCOMPANIED THE PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT EARLY IN THE MORNING OF MARCH 15. GUSTS REACHED 64 KNOTS AT CHEUNG CHAU AND A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL WAS DROWNED WHEN A JUNK CAPSIZED OFF CHI MA WAN. THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY SHOWERS CAUSED A LANDSLIP IN SAU MAU PING. IT REMAINED CLOUDY ON MARCH 16 AND THERE WAS SOME MORE RAIN ON MARCH 17.
A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE ALONG THE SOUTH CHINA COAST BROUGHT THUNDERSTORM DURING THE -AFTERNOON OF MARCH 18. THUNDERSTORMS RECURRED AROUND NOON ON MARCH 19 AND A FUNNEL CLOUD WAS OBSERVED OVER THE SEA TO THE SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU.
IT WAS ON THE SAME DAY THAT HAILSTORMS WERE REPORTED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR.
THUNDERSTORM PERSISTED IN THE MORNING OF MARCH 20 BUT THE WEATHER IMPROVED IN THE AFTERNOON AND REMAINED FINE THE NEXT DAY. THUNDERSTORMS RECURRED EARLY ON MARCH 22 AND THERE WERE SHOWERS ALL DAY, CAUSING A LANDSLIP IN TSZ WAN SHAN.
IT REMAINED CLOUDY ON MARCH 23 AND THERE WERE OCCASIONAL SHOWERS THE FOLLOWING DAY AND COASTAL FOG AND RAIN ON MARCH 25.
A COLD FRONT PASSED IN THE EVENING AND BROUGHT STRONG EASTERLY WINDS ON MARCH 26. IT BECAME COOLER AND LIGHT RAIN PERSISTED ON MARCH 27. IN THE FOLLOWING TWO DAYS IT WAS SUNNY.
COASTAL FOG RETURNED ON MARCH 30 AND SOME THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED AROUND NOON. IT REMAINED CLOUDY ON MARCH 31 WITH A TRACE OF DRIZZLES.
DUR ING THE MONTH, THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON EIGHT DAYS. THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON MARCH 10 AND THE YELLOW WARNING ON SIX DAYS. STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ON MARCH 10-11 AND AGAIN ON MARCH 26-27.
-------o-----------
/10 .......
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1981
10
SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN TUEN MUN
* * * *
FIVE SPORTS EVENTS WILL BE HELD IN TUEN MUN ON APRIL 27 TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
THEY ARE A WALKATHON AND TENNIS, FOOTBALL, AND WOMEN’S AND MEN’S BASKETBALL COMPETITIONS, AND ARE EXPECTED TO ATTRACT OVER 5000 PARTICIPANTS AND SPECTATORS.
TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD ENDORSED THE PROGRAMME DURING A RECENT MEETING.
ALL LOCAL RESIDENTS CAN APPLY AT THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OFFICE TO TAKE PART IN THE ACTIVITIES.
THE DISTRICT BOARD IS PLANNING TO SPEND OVER $800 000, OUT OF A TOTAL BUDGET OF $1,372 MILLION, ON CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
OTHER DISTRICT-WIDE SPORTS ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD IN THE COMING MONTHS INCLUDE TABLE TENNIS COMPETITIONS (MAY), VOLLEY BALL COMPETITIONS (JULY), A FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT (SEPTEMBER), AND BASKETBALL AND TENNIS TOURNAMENTS (BOTH IN OCTOBER).
ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE FESTIVALS INCLUDE DRAGON BOAT RACES ON TUEN NG (JUNE 6)- A CONCERT AT ’"D-AUTUMN- AND A CARNIVAL, PARTY FOR THE AGED AND CONCERT DURING Or NESE NEW YEAR.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES WILL BE THE TUEN MUN FESTIVAL, TO BE HELD DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER. A TENTATIVE PROGRAMME, COMPRISING CONCERTS BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR, SINGING AND DANCE COMPETITIONS, SPORTS ACTIVITIES AND EXHIBITIONS, HAS BEEN DRAWN UP. OTHER ITEMS WILL BE ADDED LATER.
VARIETY SHOWS WILL BE HELD AT TAI HING, SAN FAT, SAM SHING, ON TING AND YAU 01 ESTATES AND AT LAM TEI, TAI LAM CHUNG, SO KWUN WAT AND SIU HANG VILLAGES.
-----o-----
THREE LAND LOTS FOR AUCTION * * X *
THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND BY THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY
WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY AUCTION OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD APRIL 30 AT 2.30 PM.
AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON
TWO ARE FOR I AND 2 600
SITES OFFERED ARE ON THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION, AND
NDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN PURPOSES. THEY MEASURE ABOUT 2 704 SQUARE METRES.
/THE HIWAINING.........
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1981
11
THE REMAINING LOT, LOCATED AT POSSESSION STREET, HONG KONG, MEASURES 596 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), HONG KONG AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 1OTH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD.
-----o------
FILM OR TV STUDIO SITE FOR SALE * * * *
A SITE FOR A FILM STUDIO OR TELEVISION BROADCASTING STUDIO AT HAMMER HILL ROAD, KOWLOON, IS BEING OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
COVERING AN AREA OF 7 600 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS FOR SALE BY TENDER, AND THE DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 29.
TENDER FORMS, TOGETHER WITH NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE ON 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, OR ON 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD.
-----o------
SALT WATER SUPPLY OFF
* *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 15) FOR PIPE TESTING.
AFFECTED PREMISES ARE LOCATED AT YAU TONG AND KO CHIU ROAD ESTATES, THE YAU TONG CENTRE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND CHA KWO LING.
- - - - 0-----------
/12........
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1981
12
SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH * * * * *
TWO SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE.
AT THE FIRST SEMINAR, MR B. BLOMFIELD OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH WILL SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT: +DON’T LEAVE DRAMA TO THE DRAMA CLUB+.
IT WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 25 FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM AT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE SECOND SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON MAY 2 AT THE SAME TIME AT THE CENTRE. MS MONIQUE HORSFALL OF ST. STEPHEN’S GIRLS’ COLLEGE WILL DISCUSS THE TEACHING OF SHORT STORIES.
TEACHING
TEACHERS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE MAY APPLY THROUGH THEIR
HEADS OF SCHOOLS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR AT THE
centre.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, THEY MAY CONTACT THE CENTRE ON 5-482537.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO
MORE STRESS ON MORAL EDUCATION ............................. •]
SOCIAL WELFARE DIRECTOR SEES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICE ..................................................... 2
SHA TIN FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME KEPT BUSY .................. 2
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO RETIRE ...................... 3
NEW CDO SUB-OFFICE........................................... 4
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR EASTER ............................. 5
JERVOIS STREET BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS .................. 5
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN ................... 5
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK ............... 6
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1981
1
MORE STRESS ON MORAL EDUCATION * * * *
MORAL EDUCATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY CURRICULUM PLANNERS IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND BY TEACHERS IN SCHOOLS, AND THIS CONCERN WILL BE UNDERLINED IN VIEW OF RECENT WIDESPREAD INTEREST IN THE MATTER, MR COLVYN HAYE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF A SEMINAR ON MORAL EDUCATION, ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 200 SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS AT NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
VIEWS EXPRESSED AT THE SEMINAR WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE DEPARTMENT, AND AT THE VERY LEAST, THERE WOULD BE FAR GREATER EMPHASIS ON WHAT WAS BEING DONE TO PROMOTE MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS, MR HAYE SAID.
THE PRESENT POSITION OF THE DEPARTMENT IS THAT MORAL EDUCATION SHOULD BE INTEGRATED IN A VARIETY OF SCHOOL SUBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES! MORAL VALUES AND ATTITUDES OUGHT TO BE INCULCATED, NOT EXPLICITLY TAUGHT.
THE 1978 WHITE PAPER IN DEALING WITH MORAL EDUCATION, STATED THAT SCHOOLS SHOULD HELP CHILDREN TO ACQUIRE A LIVELY INTEREST IN THE WORLD AROUND THEM AND THE ABILITY TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES, TO MAKE DECISIONS, TO ACQUIRE A SENSE OF MORAL AND SOCIAL VALUE INCLUDING RESPECT FOR OTHERS AND THEIR VIEWS AND BELIEFS, AND TO ACQUIRE AN APPRECIATION OF THE WORLD’S CULTURAL HERITAGE AND IN PARTICULAR OF THEIR OWN COMMUNITY.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BELIEVED THAT MORAL EDUCATION SHOULD PERMEATE THE WHOLE CURRICULUM AND THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE CONFINED TO A SINGLE SUBJECT OR A FEW SPECIFIC LESSONS, MR HAYE SAID.
CITING EXAMPLES, MR HAYE MENTIONED THE SOCIAL STUDIES SYLLABUS WHICH WAS SPECIFICALLY CONCERNED WITH MORAL ISSUES AND THE MAKING OF GOOD CITIZENS.
BUT THERE WERE ALSO A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES IN THE STUDY OF CHINESE TO INCULCATE TRADITIONAL MORAL CONCEPTS THROUGH THE STUDY OF FAMOUS CHARACTERS AND THEIR WRITINGS, IN HISTORY AND ECONOMICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, AND EVEN IN THE SCIENCES WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYTICAL AND OBJECTIVE JUDGMENT MUST ASSIST PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT.
+BUT NO MATTER HOW WELL PLANNED A CURRICULUM MAY BE, BOOKS ALONE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO PRODUCE RATIONAL, RESPONSIBLE AND SOCIALLY DESIRABLE INDIVIDUALS,* MR HAYE WENT ON.
------o-------
/2 .....
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1981
2
SOCIAL WELFARE DIRECTOR SEES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICE *****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED THE WONG TAI SIN BRADBURY CENTRE WHICH PROVIDES A BASE FOR A TEAM OF SOCIAL WORKERS HELPING TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY LIFE AT TAI HOM WOR VILLAGE.
THE VISIT WAS FOLLOWED BY AN INSPECTION TOUR OF THE NEARBY EVANGEL CHILDREN’S HOME, AN INSTITUTION FOR CARE OF CHILDREN DEPRIVED OF A PROPER HOME OR PARENTAL CARE.
AT THE BRADBURY CENTRE RUN BY THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVICE-ACTION COUNCIL, MR ALLEYNE WAS GIVEN A DETAILED BRIEFING ON THE CURRENT PROJECT CONDUCTED BY A TEAM IN TAI HOM WOR TO HELP THE RESIDENTS DEVELOP AWARENESS OF BETTER COMMUNITY LIFE.
THE TEAM, SUBVENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WORKS WITH RESIDENTS TO SOLVE COMMUNAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS INSTALLATION OF FIRE HOSES, REBUILDING OF ROADS AND SUPPLY OF WATER AND ELECTRICITY.
APART FROM BEING AN OPERATION BASE FOR THE TEAM, THE CENTRE SERVES AS A MEETING PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND SMALL GROUPS.
AT THE EVANGEL CHILDREN’S HOME RUN BY THE HONG KONG EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH ASSOCIATION, THE DIRECTOR INSPECTED THE FACILITIES AT ITS SELF-CONTAINED LIVING UNITS, LAUNDRY ROOM, KITCHEN, CHAPEL, PLAYROOMS AND LIBRARY.
THE INSTITUTION IS A SECOND HOME FOR 64 CHILDREN AGED THREE TO 18 YEARS FROM BROKEN FAMILIES, PROVIDING THEM WITH EDUCATION, MEDICAL CARE, RECREATION AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT.
MR ALLEYNE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOME, THE REV WILLIAM YUEN, AND DIRECTOR, MISS GRACE LAW.
-----0-------
SHA TIN FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME KEPT BUSY
*****
THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME OPERATED BY THE LAW SOCIETY HAS GOT OFF TO A SATISFACTORY START IN SHA TIN AND IT IS PROBABLE THAT ANOTHER LAWYER WILL HAVE TO BE ADDED.
A CENTRE WAS OPENED AT SAU CHUEN HOUSE, LEK YUEN ESTATE, ON MARCH 30 AND THE LAWYER ON DUTY HANDLED FIVE CASES -- THE MAXIMUM.
A FURTHER FIVE CASES WERE DEALT WITH WHEN THE CENTRE OPENED AGAIN ON APRIL 13.
+THIS IS A SATISFACTORY START,+ MR JOHN MILLER, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE SCHEME, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE SAID THE CENTRE WOULD BE OPEN NEXT ON MAY 4 BECAUSE OF INTERVENING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, AND ALREADY THE FIVE CASES HAD BEEN ARRANGED.
/a LAWYER ........
TU3SBAY, XPiCL'14, - 3 - " -
A LAWYER IS OH DUTY AT THE CENTRE EVERY MONDAY FROM 6 PM -3 PM, EXCEPT ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, TO ADVISE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON STEPS WHICH THEY MAY TAKE IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS.
HE CAN NOT REPRESENT THEM IN COURT, BUT WILL REFER APPROPRIATE CASES TO THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT.
A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID THE CENTRE IN SHA TIN MADE FREE LEGAL ADVICE MORE EASILY AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS CF THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
ANYONE WISHING TO SEEK ADVICE UNDER THE SCHEME SHOULD APPROACH THEIR LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE OR PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE WHERE APPLICATION FORMS WERE AVAILABLE, HE SAID.
DETAILS OF CASES ARE TAKEN DOWN AND APPOINTMENTS MADE WITH THE LAWYER.
THE LAW SOCIETY OPENED ITS FIRST NEW TERRITORIES LEGAL ADVICE CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN 11 MONTHS AGO. TWO LAWYERS ARE ON DUTY THERE ON TUESDAYS FROM 6.30 PM - 9.30 PM.
SO FAR, ABOUT 350 CASES, INCLUDING LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES, MATRIMONIAL MATTERS, COMPENSATION CLAIMS AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION, HAVE BEEN HANDLED BY THE TSUEN WAN CENTRE.
AS AT TSUEN WAN, MOST OF THE CASES BEING DEALT WITH AT SHA TIN ARE LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES. THE OTHER CASES ARE TAX, MATRIMONIAL AND CRIMINAL CASES.
THEY ORIGINATED FROM ALL THREE DISTRICTS OF THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
MR MILLER SAID THE NUMBER OF CASES HAD TO BE LIMITED TO FIVE EACH SESSION AS THIS WAS THE MOST ONE LAWYER COULD HANDLE DURING THE TWO-HOUR PERIOD.
♦THE DEMAND FOR THIS TYPE OF SERVICE IN THIS AREA CERTAINLY EXISTS AND I AM SURE ANOTHER LAWYER WILL NEED TO BE APPOINTED IN DUE COURSE, PROBABLY WITHIN SIX MONTHS,* HE SAID.
- - 0 -
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO RETIRE * * * *
AFTER 23 YEARS OF SERVICE, MR J.H. GOULD, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR HO^’^KONg'on'mAY8! R1981*NG FR0M G0VERNMENT serv|CE AND LEAVING
MR GOULD FIRST JOINED AND ROSE THROUGH THE YEARS IN JUNE 1978. DURING THIS THE PORT ADMINISTRATION AND
AS A MARINE OFFICER ON MAY 1, 1958
TO BECOME ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE TIME, HE DEALT WITH ALL ASPECTS OF CREWS DIVISIONS’ WORK.
/in recognition ........
TOSSBAY, APRIL U, 1981
4
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS WORK AND DEVOTION TO DUTY, HE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF COMMENDATIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR.
ON ONE OCCASION, ON NOVEMBER 2, 1962, HE WAS COMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS COURAGE AND FINE SEAMANSHIP IN CONNECTION WITH WORK IN AIDING THE STRANDED VESSEL 'TUNG FENG’.
MR GOULD ALSO RECEIVED A NUMBER OF COMMENDATIONS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
ON OCTOBER 12, 1976, HE WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS PART IN THE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION ON THE M.V. ’CHIEH LEE’, AND ON NOVEMBER 11, 1977 HE WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS DEDICATION TO DUTY AND QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP IN CONNECTION WITH THE ’ADRIAN MAERSK OIL POLLUTION EMERGENCY.
MR GOULD ALSO SERVED ONCE AS HONORARY ADC TO THE GOVERNOR, WHILE HOLDING THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG NAVAL RESERVE.
A GOLF ENTHUSIAST, HE IS A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL HK GOLF CLUB.
fOTE TO EDITORSi
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 4.30 PM ON THURSDAY
(APRIL 16), AT WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR P.E.J. DAVY WILL PRESENT A FAREWELL GIFT TO MR GOULD ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
-----o------
NEW CDO SUB-OFFICE
* * *
A NEW TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-OFFICE OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (YAU MA TEI), LOCATED AT 40 CARNARVON ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON, WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON THURSDAY, APRIL 16.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE:
ASSISTANT CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (TSIM SHA TSUI)
GENERAL OFF ICE
PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER
-- (3-695250 (3-695259
-- (3-695250 (3-695259
-- 3-661908
0 -------
/5 .........
TUESDAY, APR I - 14,
1981
- 5 -
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR EASTER * * * *
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED AND THERE WILL BE NO DELIVERY OF MAIL ON GOOD FRIDAY (ADP. IL 17), THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE ONE DELIVERY ON SATURDAY (APRIL 18) AND ONE ON EASTER MONDAY (APRIL 23). ON THESE TWO DAYS, 33 POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST FFICE, THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, AND THE POST OFFICES IN FL'EN WAN AND TAI PO, WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON.
ALL OTHER POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED.
0 --------
JERVOIS STREET
BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY STREET TO BE DANGEROUS.
TODAY (TUESDAY)
DECLARED NO. 94 JERVOIS
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDHG SURVEYOR STATED THAT THIS THREE STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING, CO .STR C7ED WITH LOAD-BEARING WALLS AND TIMBER FLOORS AND ROOF, HAD BEEN INDER SURVEILLANCE SINCE 1974.
R"C-NT MOVEMENT OF THE EXTERNAL AND PARTY WALLS WITH ASSOCIATED STRUCTURAL CRACKS HAD BEEN NOTED. THE DETERIORATION AT ROOF LEVEL IS SUCH THAT THERE IS A DANGER OF THE MAIN ROOF FAILING.
IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THERE CF COLLAPSE AND IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH
ACCORDINGLY, NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.33 AM ON MAY 12, 1981 TODAY.
IS A RISK THE BUILDING.
CLOSURE ORDER WERE POSTED
--------0 ---------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN * * * *
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED BETWEEN 11 PM AND 7 AM ON APRIL 16, 17, 18 AND 19, IN THE JUNCTION AREA OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND HILL ROAD TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HILL ROAD FLYOVER, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE SECTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST BETWEEN BELCHER’S STREET AND WHITTY STREET, AND THE SECTION OF HILL ROAD BETWEEN POKFULAM. ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD WEST.
/TH3 saCTICU ......
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 19® 1
6
THE SECTION OF WHITTY STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC IN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE DES VOEUX ROAD WEST VIA WHITTY STREET OR WESTERN STREET.
CMB ROUTE NOS. 5A, 5B, 5M, 10, 47, 101, 104, 105, 113, 881 AND MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 12 ON EASTBOUND JOURNEYS WILL BE DIVERTED FROM THE JUNCTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND BELCHER’S STREET INTO KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST.
CMB ROUTE NOS. 10, 101, 104, 105 AND 881 TRAVELLING ALONG QUEEN’S ROAD WEST ON WESTBOUND JOURNEYS WILL BE DIVERTED INTO WESTERN STREET, DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA, QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND BELCHER’S STREET.
MAXICAB ROUTE NOS. 12 AND 13 ON WESTBOUND JOURNEYS ALONG QUEEN’S ROAD WEST WILL BE DIVERTED INTO WHITTY STREET, DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA, QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND BELCHER’S STREET.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE
OF MURRAY BARRACKS CAR PARK *****
PARK IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED FRIDAY (APRIL 17) TO 7 PM ON SUNDAY ARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE MURRAY BARRACKS CAR TEMPORARILY FROM MIDNIGHT ON (APRIL 19), THE TRANSPORT DEP
THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE OPEN AIR CAR PARK IS TO MAKE THE SITE AVAILABLE TO THE ASSOCIATION OF ROUND TABLES AND THE ROTARACT CLUB OF VICTORIA FOR THEIR EASTER AND FUN FAIRS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS .................................. 1
SURVEY OF TRADES UNDERWAY....................................... 2
BAN ON ANIMAL SOUVENIRS ........................................ 3
HOLIDAY HOURS FOR CLINICS ...................................... 3
MARINE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY SCHEDULE.............................. 4
MORE LAND FOR HOME OWNERSHIP ................................... 4
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL ..................................... 5
MIT CLUB MEMBERS VISIT NEW TERRITORIES
5
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1981
1
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
******
THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WILL BE CELEBRATED IN HONG KONG ON APRIL 27, A PUBLIC HOLIDAY WITH A WIDE RANGE OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES APPEALING TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.
THE PROGRAMME WILL CONSIST OF MORE THAN 70 RECREATION AND SPORT EVENTS AT 32 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, AND IS ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE BRITISH FORCES.
ON TOP OF THIS, THERE WILL BE A MUSICAL CARNIVAL AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM AND A CONCERT IN TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL TO BE STAGED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL GIVE A GARDEN PARTY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE TO MEMBERS OF THE CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS IN THE AFTERNOON AND ATTEND THE TSUEN WAN CONCERT IN THE EVENING.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, OUTDOOR CELEBRATIONS WILL BE HELD MAINLY IN VICTORIA PARK.
THEY WILL BEGIN WITH A MILITARY BAND DISPLAY AT 8.45 AM, TO BE FOLLOWED BY AN OPENING CEREMONY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY. EVENTS WILL INCLUDE POTTED SPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY, A DISCO DANCE FOR THE MORE ENERGETIC ONES AND A WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL MATCH FOR THE HANDICAPPED. THE CELEBRATIONS WILL END WITH A PARACHUTING DISPLAY AT 11.30 AM.
OTHER OUTDOOR EVENTS ON THE ISLAND WILL BE A FOLK DANCE FOR ALL AT SOUTHORN STADIUM, POTTED SPORTS FOR CHILDREN AT FORBES STREET PLAYGROUND AND MINHSOCCER MATCHES AT WONG CHUK HANG FOOTBALL GROUND.
FOR THE MUSIC LOVERS, THERE WILL BE A +QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CARNIVAL* AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM AT 3 PM FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND AND LOCAL POP SINGERS INCLUDING LOUIS CASTRO, ROWENA CORTES AND ELIZA CHAN.
IN KOWLOON, A +SPORTS FdR ALL* WILL BE HELD AT THE KOWLOON PARK BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 PM. UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE REV JOYCE BENNETT WILL LAUNCH THE PROGRAMME AT 9.30 AM WHICH WILL INCLUDE TAE KWON DO AND TAI CHI DEMONSTRATIONS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DANCE-IN AT MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND, HALF-COURT BASKETBALL MATCHES AT FA HUI PARK, POTTED SPORTS FOR CHILDREN AT ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND, A TABLE TENNIS COMPETITION AT MORSE PARK AND BASKETBALL GAMES AT KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND.
CELEBRATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL TAKE PLACE AT
21 VENUES, MAINLY AT RECREATION GROUNDS IN THE NEW TOWNS. THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES WILL START THE PROGRAMME FOR EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES AT FANLING SPORTS GROUND AT 9.30 AM. THERE WILL BE AN ACROBATIC SHOW, A MOTORCYCLE DISPLAY BY THE HONG KONG MILITARY SERVICE CORPS, A PERFORMANCE BY THE BAND CF THE GURKHAS BRIGADE, A WATER-POLO COMPETITION AND A SPECTACULAR ■♦FREE FALL* BY A '»OUP OF PARACHUTISTS, THE +FLYING DRAGONS*.
‘/iNixiiai...
nEDKEsr&r, afeil 15, 1981
2
IN TUEN MUN, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM WILL LAUNCH THE PROGRAMME FOR WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES AT HOH FUK TONG COLLEGE AT 10 AM. FOLLOWING THE OPENING CEREMONY, ABOUT 1 000 PEOPLE WILL JOIN IN A WALK AROUND THE MOST SCENIC AREAS IN THE DISTRICT.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY IN THE NEW TOWNS, THERE WILL BE FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, VOLLEY BALL, BADMINTON AND TABLE TENNIS COMPETITIONS.
IN THE EVENING, THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE A CONCERT IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL. THE YOUTH ORCHESTRA WILL PLAY UNDER THE BATON OF THOMAS WANG AND GUEST CONDUCTOR RONLY RIKLIS OF THE ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AND THE HONG KONG COMBINED SCHOOLS CHOIR WILL SING.
DTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER ANY F THE SPORT EVENTS AT THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS ON MONDAY, ‘■'2 IL 27.
SURVEY OF TRADES UNDERWAY
* M M *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING A SERIES CF ANNUAL SURVEYS OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS FOR THE ECONOMIC SECTOR FOR 1980.
♦THE PURPOSE OF THIS SURVEY IS TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SECTOR AND ITS STRUCTURAL CHANGES OVER TIME,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
♦QUESTIONNAIRE FORMS HAVE BEEN SENT TO SOME 5 000 WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT ESTABLISHMENTS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS,♦ HE SAID.
♦THE SURVEY COVERS ALL ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 50 OR MORE PERSONS AND A SAMPLE OF SMALLER ESTABLISHMENTS^ HE ADDED.
MANAGEMENTS SHOULD COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORMS TO THE DEPARTMENT IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE BY JULY 31, 1981.
IF REQUIRED, CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS WILL VISIT THE ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR FOR DECISION-MAKING, TRADE PROMOTION AND MARKET ANALYSIS, AND TO SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR ESTIMATING THE SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE, INFORMATION GIVEN BY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND ONLY SUMMARY STATISTICAL TABLES WILL BE RELEASED.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1981
BAN ON ANIMAL SOUVENIRS * ft * ft
RESIDENTS RETURNING TO HONG KONG AFTER VISITS TO CHINA, THE PHILIPPINES AND OTHER COUNTRIES WERE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BRING BACK SOUVENIRS OF LIVE OR PRESERVED ANIMALS LISTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.
THIS ORDINANCE IS THE LOCAL LEGISLATION GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA. THE PENALTIES FOR CONTRAVENTION INCLUDE A FINE CF UP TO $5 OOO FOR FIRST OFFENCES AND FORFEITURE OF THE ILLEGAL ARTICLES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THERE HAD BEEN MANY CASES RECENTLY IN WHICH RESIDENTS BROUGHT BAC.< WITH THEM SOUVENIRS SUCH AS STUFFED SEA TURTLES, CROCODILES, TIGER AND LEOPARD SKINS AND LIVE PANGOLINS.
ALL THESE ANIMALS AND SOME RARE PLANTS, SUCH AS WILD ORCHIDS, CACTUS AND WILD AMERICAN GINSENG ARE ENDANGERED SPECIES AND ARE PROTECTED BY LAW.
IT IS ILLEGAL TO IMPORT OR POSSESS SUCH ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
DURING THE PAST FOUR MONTHS THERE WERE 45 CASES INVOLVING OFFENCES OF THIS NATURE, MOSTLY CONCERNED WITH BRINING IN STUFFED SEA TURTLES AND CROCODILES FROM THE PHILIPPINES, INDONESIA AND OTHER SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES.
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HOLIDAY HOURS FOR CLINICS ft ft ft ft ft
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS FROM APRIL 17-20.
THEY ARE THE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND SHAUKIWAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON KONG KONG ISLAND- THE KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, YAUMATEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC AND ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE IN KOWLOON- AND THE TSUEN WAN LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED DURING THIS PERIOD.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1981
4
MARINE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT ITS PORT COMMUNICATION CENTRE AND TSUEN WAN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA WILL REMAIN OPEN THROUGHOUT THE EASTER HOLIDAYS FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 17) TO MONDAY (APRIL 20).
THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS IN WAN CHAI, WESTERN DISTRICT, YAU MA TEI AND KWUN TONG WILL BE OPEN DAILY FROM 7 AM TO 11 PM AND THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL OFFICE FROM 7.30 AM TO 1.30 AM DURING THE PERIOD.
THE LOCAL CRAFT CONTROL SECTION WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 18) AND MONDAY (APRIL 20), WHILE THE ENTRY AND CLEARANCE OFFICE WILL BE OPEN ONLY ON SUNDAY (APRIL 19) FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM.
ALL OTHER OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE HOLIDAYS.
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MORE LAND FOR HOME OWNERSHIP * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A CONTRACT FOR SITE FORMATION WORK IN SHEK WU HUI WHICH WILL PRODUCE ABOUT 3.5 HECTARES OF LAND FOR A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ESTATE.
THE CONTRACT, WORTH ABOUT |15 MILLION, WAS AWARDED TO NISSAN CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.
THE WORK IS PART OF THE FANLING/SHEK WU HUI NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
IT ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 350 METRES OF DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, A PEDESTRIAN/CYCL1ST SUBWAY AND ASSOCIATED TRUNK SEWERS AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN NEXT WEEK AND WILL TAKE ABOUT IB MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA DESIGNED THE WORKS AND WILL SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1981
5
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL ft ft ft ft
FROM 7 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 17) TWO SECTIONS OF ROADS IN CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY ARE THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN JACKSON ROAD AND PEDDER STREET, AND A 20-METRE SECTION OF ICE HOUSE STREET NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
WITHIN THESE CLEARWAYS, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.
THE BOUNDARY OF THE RESTRICTED ZONES WILL BE INDICATED BY TRAFFIC SIGNS.
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MIT CLUB MEMBERS VISIT NEW TERRITORIES ft ft ft
MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT) CLID OF HONG KONG VISITED THE NEW TERRITORIES TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (NT), NRS SHELLEY LAU.
THE GROUP WAS FIRST GIVEN AN IN-DEPTH BRIEFING ON THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME BY NEW TERRITORIES SECRETARY, NR DAVID AKERS-JONES.
AFTERWARDS THEY TRAVELLED TO TSUEN WAN WHERE THE TOWN MANAGER, DR JAMES HAYES, OUTLINED SOME OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS NOW BEING COMPLETED IN THE TOWN, INCLUDING THE BY-PASS AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY EXTENSION.
IN TUEN MUN THEY WERE BRIEFED ON PLANS TO INCREASE THE POPULATION FROM THE PRESENT FIGURE OF 120 000 TO MORE THAN 500 000 BY THE END OF THIS DECADE.
THE ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, MR BILL PIERCEY, ALSO EXPLAINED TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENTS, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY PIER FROM WHICH SERVICES TO MEI FOO SUN CHUEN AND HONG KONG ISLAND WILL START IN SUMMER.
AFTER LUNCH AT ISLAND HOUSE, MR AKERS-JONES’S HOME, THE GROUP VISITED TAI PO, WHERE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NICKY LO, BRIEFED THEM, AND SHA TIN, WHERE A BRIEFING FROM A LOOK-OUT POINT WAS GIVEN BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE.
THE MIT CLUB OF HONG KONG IS THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE MASSACHUSSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. THE PRESIDENT IS NR BENJAMIN C. KWOK, WHO LED TODAY’S VISIT.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT ON REPLACEMENT AIRPORT.................... 1
MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR NEW TERRITORIES ............... 2
ORDERS-ON-HAND IN FEBRUARY 1981 ................................ 5
HOME SCHEME FOR CIVIL SERVANTS THIS YEAR........................ 6
CONTRACT FOR TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE............................ $
TUEN MUN VACANT SITES FOR RECREATIONAL USE...................... 7
GRAND BAZAAR TO RAISE FUNDS FOR WELFARE PROJECTS................ 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WO HOP SHEK ROAD........................ 8
1
CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT ON REPLACEMENT AIRPORT * * * *
HONG KONG’S PLANS FOR A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, OFF LANTAU, MOVED FURTHER AHEAD WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) OF A MAJOR CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT.
■THE AGREEMENT, FORMALLY SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, MR NICKY CHAN,iOF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, AND MR J.N. FEHRER OF R.M.P-. ENCON, LIMITED, OF THE UNITED STATES, IS FOR A CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN STUDY TO BE CARRIED OUT FOR THE AIRPORT.
IT IS ONE OF FIVE STUDIES APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 22 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE OTHER FOUR STUDIES RELATE TO AIRPORT MASTER PLANNING, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS, METEROLOGICAL AND OCEANOGRAPHIC INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS. THE RESULTS OF THESE STUDIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNMENT BY THE END OF 1982 AND ENABLE IT TO COME TO A FINAL DECISION ON THE BUILDING OF THE AIRPORT.
THE COST OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN STUDY WHICH COVERS CONSULTANTS FEES FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR THE WHOLE PROJECT, DETAILED DESIGN FOR PHASE I (TO BE DEFINED DURING PRELIMINARY DESIGN STAGE) AND MODEL TESTS, AMOUNTS TO JUST OVER $58 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, ANOTHER $42 MILLION WILL BE SPENT ON DETAILED SITE INVESTIGATIONS- THE CONSTRUCTION, TESTING AND MONITORING OF A TRIAL RECLAMATION AREA. THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIAL RECLAMATION IS TO VERIFY DESIGN PARAMETERS, AND TO CONFIRM OPTIMUM DESIGN AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION.
THIS STUDY WILL BASICALLY FALL INTO TWO STAGES.
FIRST, A GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND TEST RECLAMATION IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE SUB-SURFACE CONDITIONS FOR DESIGN PURPOSES, AND TO ENABLE DETAILED ESTIMATES OF CONSTRUCTION COSTS TO BE DRAWN UP.
ONCE THE TEST FILL PROGRAMME IS COMPLETED THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND SPECIFICATION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS WILL START AND A DETAILED CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME AND ESTIMATE OF COSTS WILL BE PREPARED.
♦THIS CONSULTANCY MARKS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN THE LONG PROCESS OF PLANNING AND PREPARING FOR CONSTRUCTING A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT FOR KAI TAK,+ SAID MR CHAN.
STUDIES CARRIED OUT IN THE MID-1960S BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IDENTIFIED A PROBABLE SHORTFALL IN KAI TAK’S CAPACITY EXPECTED DURING THE 198OS.
IN 1975, A STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS ESTABLISHED THE NEED FOR A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AND A SITE WAS SELECTED AT CHEK LAP KOK. FURTHER STUDIES IN 1979 BY A FIRM OF CONSULTANTS, COMMISSIONED BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, INDICATED THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING AND OPERATING AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
/IN JANUARY ..
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1981
2
IN JANUARY 1980, THE CONSULTANTS FORMULATED A PROGRAMME OF IMPLEMENTATION COMPATIBLE WITH THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH LANTAU AND THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT FURTHER PLANNING AND DESIGN STUDIES FOR THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT SHOULD PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO ENSURE THE POSSIBILITY OF TIMELY AVAILABILITY OF THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT.
ACCORDING TO PRESENT PROPOSALS, THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE DEVELOPED IN TWO PHASES.
+AN 840-HECTARE SITE FOR PHASE I (SINGLE RUNWAY OF
PAVED LENGTH OF 3 600 METRES) AND PHASE II (ADDITIONAL RUNWAY OF PAVED LENGTH OF 2 800 METRES) IS EXPECTED TO BE CREATED BY LEVELLING 310 HECTARES OF LAND FROM THE ISLANDS OF CHEK LAP KOK AND LAM CHAU AND BY RECLAIMING ANOTHER 530 HECTARES OF LAND FROM THE ADJOINING WATERS,* MR CHAN SAID.
+SITE PREPARATION WILL INVOLVE LARGE SCALE EXCAVATION FROM THE HILLSIDE ON NORTH LANTAU AND CHEK LAP KOK (100 MILLION CUBIC METRES), DREDGING AND DISPOSAL OF MARINE DEPOSITS FROM THE PROPOSED AIRPORT SITE (21 MILLION CUBIC METRES) AND PLACING OF FILL (77 MILLION CUBIC METRES). THIS IS TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN AIRFIELD AND SUPPORT FACILITIES.*
AN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME PROVIDED BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT STUDIES AIMS AT COMMENCING SITE PREPARATION WORK IN EARLY 1984 AND COMMENCING OPERATION OF PHASE I OF THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT IN 1990 WITH PHASE II FOLLOWING WHEN REQUIRED.
THE COST OF CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT IS ESTIMATED AT HKS5 500 MILLION FOR PHASE I AND HK$1 700 MILLION FOR PHASE II.
+MORE THAN 60 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL DEVELOPMENT COSTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS,* SAID MR CHAN.
+ALONG WITH THE AIRPORT STUDIES, PROGRESS IS ALSO BEING MAINTAINED ON THE DETAILED DESIGN OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES ON NORTH LANTAU.*
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MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR NEW TERRITORIES
X X X X
MORE SUPERVISED RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO MAKE LIFE THERE MORE ATTRACTIVE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND SQUASH COURTS, SIR MURRAY SAID EXPENDITURE ON RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM $21 MILLION TO 198 MILLION THIS YEAR.
AND IN SHA TIN ALONE, SEVEN MAJOR RECREATIONAL PROJECTS WILL START THIS YEAR.
SIR MURRAY SAID THE OPENING OF THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX COINCIDED WITH A DETERMINED EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT, ASSISTED BY SOME VERY GENEROUS PRIVATE DONATIONS, TO MAKE GOOD THE LACK OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
~/+IN R3CENT....
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1981
- 3 -
♦IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE CONCENTRATED ON HOUSING AND OTHER PROJECTS THAT SEEMED MORE NECESSARY. STEPS HAVE NOW BEEN TAKEN TO BRING FORWARD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE PROVISION OF NEW PARKS, RECREATION GROUNDS AND OTHER COMMUNITY BUILDINGS.
+UNSUPERVISED RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ARE OF LITTLE VALUE, SO THERE ARE COMPREHENSIVE PLANS TO PROVIDE THE STAFF TO MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THEM AND TO STIMULATE AND ORGANISE SO THAT THEY ARE FULLY USED,+ HE ADDED.
SIR MURRAY SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE SUPPORT AND STIMULUS OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, A STEADY IMPROVEMENT WOULD NOW TAKE PLACE.
EARLIER, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STEWARDS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MR P.G. WILLIAMS, SAID THE PROJECT REPRESENTED ANOTHER HAPPY RESULT OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE JOCKEY CLUB.
THE CLUB PROVIDED CAPITAL TOWARDS THE PROJECT WHICH WAS SCHEDULE.
FUNDS TOTALLING ABOUT $34.5 MILLION COMPLETED MORE THAN A YEAR AHEAD OF
MR WILLIAMS SAID MUCH OF THE JOCKEY CLUB’S ACTIVITY IS IN THE NATURE OF A TRUST -- A TRUST TO DISPENSE THE CLUB FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY WISELY, EFFICIENTLY, AND QUICKLY.
♦ANY FEELINGS OF PRIDE ATTACHED TO THE JOCKEY CLUB’S NAME BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT MUST BE COUNTERBALANCED BY ITS DISPLAY BEING A CONSTANT REMINDER TO US TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC AND MAINTAIN THE TRUST WHICH I BELIEVE WE ENJOY TODAY,♦ SAID MR WILLIAMS.
THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JIMMY SWEETMAN, SAID THE PROJECT WAS ONE OF OVER 200 SCHEMES, LARGE AND SMALL, WHICH HIS DEPARTMENT WAS PLANNING TO IMPLEMENT IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
REFERRING TO THE SEVEN MAJOR SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WHICH WOULD START CONSTRUCTION IN SHA TIN, MR SWEETMAN SAID THEY INCLUDED A SPORTSGROUND WITH A 400 METRE ALL WEATHER RUNNING TRACK AND COVERED SPECTATOR STAND, GRASS SOCCER PITCHES, BASKETBALL AND VOLLEY-BALL COURTS, TENNIS COURTS AND PLAYGROUNDS.
♦WE SHALL BE AIMING TO ACHIEVE WITH THESE PROJECTS THE SAME HIGH STANDARDS WHICH HAVE BEEN SET BY THIS COMPLEX,+ HE SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS 1
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND SQUASH COURTS:
/+! AM .....
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1981
4
+ l AM DELIGHTED TO OPEN THIS COMPLEX OF SWIMMING POOLS AND SQUASH COURTS, AND I SHOULD LIKE ESPECIALLY TO THANK THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR THE PRACTICAL CONTRIBUTION THEY ARE MAKING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN - PENFOLD PARK, THE TEMPORARY SPORTS GROUND, NOW THIS MAGNIFICENT COMPLEX, AND NEXT YEAR THE JUBILEE SPORT CENTRE. ALL THESE ARE OF IMMEASURABLE VALUE TO THE PEOPLE OF SHA TIN AND BRING LIFE, LIGHT AND INTEREST TO THIS NEW TOWN. HERE, AND ELSEWHERE THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, THE JOCKEY CLUB’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO A GREAT VARIETY OF PROJECTS GIVE INVALUABLE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO YOUR GOVERNMENT’S OWN PROGRAMMES.
+THE OPENING OF THIS COMPLEX TO-DAY COINCIDES WITH A DETERMINED EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT, ASSISTED BY SOME VERY GENEROUS PRIVATE DONATIONS, TO MAKE GOOD THE LACK OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. IN RECENT YEARS i- HAVE CONCENTRATED ON HOUSING AND OTHER PROJECTS THAT SEEMED MTE NECESSARY. STEPS HAVE NOW BEEN TAKEN TO BRING FORWARD AS F\- AS POSSIBLE PROVISION OF NEW PARKS, RECREATION GROUNDS AND OTHER COMMUNITY BUILDINGS.
+EXPENDITURE ON RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IS BEING INCREASED FROM $21 MILLION TO $98 MILLION IN THE CURRENT YE- . HERE IN SHA TIN ALONE 7 MAJOR RECREATIONAL PROJECTS WILL START THIS YEAR.
+UNSUPERVISED RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ARE OF LITTLE VALUE, SO THERE ARE COMPREHENSIVE PLANS TO PROVIDE THE STAFF TO MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THEM AND TO STIMULATE AND ORGANISE SO THAT THEY ARE FULLY USED. I AM CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE SUPPORT AND STIMULUS CF DISTRICT BOARDS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, A STEADY IMPROVEMENT WILL NOW TAKE PLACE.
+A HAPPY COMMUNITY CANNOT BE BUILT FROM RELUCTANT RESIDENTS, AND IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT PEOPLE DO NOT MERELY MOVE TO THE NEW TOWNS THROUGH LACK OF ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION" RATHER THEY SHOULD BE ATTRACTED TO THEM. THIS REQUIRES NOT ONLY GOOD COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE URBAN AREA, NOT ONLY THE MUCH HIGHER STANDARD OF HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT THAT ARE ASSURED, NOT ONLY THE SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORK FOR PARENTS, BUT ALSO BETTER AND HEALTHIER OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION, CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, AND INDEED AMUSEMENT, THAN IN THE CROWDED OLDER URBAN AREAS. THESE NEW TOWNS ARE BEING BUILT TO PROVIDE A BETTER LIFE. THEY ARE OUR SECOND CHANCE. WE ARE DETERMINED NOT TO MISS IT.
+ONCE AGAIN I THANK THE JOCKEY CLUB FOR HELPING THE GOVERNMENT IN THIS ENDEAVOUR AND I WISH THE PEOPLE CF SHA TIN JOY OF THIS NEW COMPLEX.+
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9
5
ORDERS-ON-HAND IN FEBRUARY 1981 * * K *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) RELEASED ORDERS-ON-HAND STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 1981 AS FOLLOWSt
ORDERS-ON-HAND IN TERMS OF MONTHS
INDUSTRY GROUP
FEB 1980 JAN 1981 FEB 1981
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR 5.0 4.6 4.6
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL 2.8 2.3 2.3
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4.5 3.6 4.1
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 4.7 3.6 3.7
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC MACHINERY, APPARATUS, APPL IANCES AND SUPPL IES 5.0 4.9 5.1
OTHERS 4.0 3.7 3.8
ALL MANUFACTURING 4.5 4.1 4.2
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND HELD BY MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED INCREASED FROM 4.1 MONTHS IN JANUARY 1981 TO 4.2 MONTHS IN FEBRUARY, SUGGESTING THAT THE TREND OF DECREASING VOLUME OF CRDERS-ON-HAND HELD BY MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED MAY HAVE CEASED. EUT IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER THIS DEVELOPMENT IS THE START OF A NEW TREND.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR, THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND HELD BY MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED IN FEBRUARY 1981 WAS STILL CONSIDERABLY SMALLER THOUGH THIS MAY NOT SUGGEST A DECREASE TO THE SAME EXTENT IN BUSINESS VOLUME BECAUSE OF THE TENDENCY FOR ORDERS RECEIVED TO HAVE BECOME SHORTER AND MORE FREQUENT.
THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE 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, BUT IT IS HOPED THAT THEY WILL GENERALLY INDICATE THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.
THIS 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 FEBRUARY 1981 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, AT fl PER COPY. ENQUIRIES ON THE SUR EY RESULTS MAY BE M-’DE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION 0" THE CENSUS AD STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT 5-27-203).
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g THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 198'
HOME SCHEME FOR CIVIL SERVANTS THIS YEAR
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO A HOME PURCHASE SCHEME WHICH WILL PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED NUMBER OF CIVIL SERVANTS WITH DIRECT ASSISTANCE TOWARDS HOME OWNERSHIP, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE WAH YUEN CHUEN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY'S HOUSING SCHEME IN KWAI CHUNG.
SIR JACK SAID THE HOME PURCHASE SCHEME, WHICH HAS BEEN DRAWN UP IN CONSULTATION WITH MORE THAN 100 STAFF ASSOCIATIONS, WILL BE SUBMITTED VERY SHORTLY TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.
♦SUBJECT TO COUNCIL’S ADVICE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE’S APPROVAL, WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT A START CAN BE MADE ON THE HOME PURCHASE SCHEME WITHIN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR,+ HE SAID.
♦WHILST THIS HOME PURCHASE SCHEME WILL COMPRISE THE MAIN THRUST OF GOVERNMENT’S HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO ITS STAFF, WE HAVE NOT OVERLOOKED THE POPULARITY OF CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SCHEMES.♦
SIR JACK SAID THAT ONCE THE NEW HOME PURCHASE SCHEME IS UNDERWAY, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE GROUP HOUSING SCHEMES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS AND TO CONSIDER THE PRECISE FORM WHICH THESE MIGHT TAKE.
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, BOTH AS AN ADMINISTRATION AND AS AN EMPLOYER, STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE FOR DECENT SELF-CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION.
SIR JACK SAID WAH YUEN CHUEN, WITH ITS FIVE BLOCKS AND 600 FLATS, WILL BE HOME TO SOME 3 000 PEOPLE COMPRISING CIVIL SERVANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND WILL PROVIDE QUALITY ACCOMMODATION AND AN EXCELLENT ENVIRONMENT FOR THOSE WHO LIVE THERE.
------0
CONTRACT FOR TSIM
J>
SHA TSUI PROMENADE
* * *
A PROMENADE WILL BE BUILT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI WATERFRONT, RUNNING FROM THE EAST OF THE NEW WORLD CENTRE TO THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE IN HUNG HOM, TO PROVIDE A REST SPOT FOR OFFICE WORKERS, RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS.
A S5 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT, AWARDED TO WING MING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY WAS SIGNED THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING BY M?S I SlUNAN, CHIEF pw5 ARCHITECT, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THt COMPANY.
A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROMENADE WILL BE LINKED TO THE ONE BEING CONSTRUCTED BY THE NEW WORLD CENTRE AND THE ONE PLANNED AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL COMPLEX.
ON COMPLETION. IT WILL FORM AN UNBROKEN PEDESTRIAN BELT EETWEeS THE CULTURAL COMPLEX, THE NEW WORLD CENTRE AND THE COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTI AL CENTRE OF EAST TSIM SHA TSUI.
WHICH IS FINANCED BY THE MONTH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROMENADE, URBAN COUNCIL, WILL BEGIN LATER THIS 13 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
/7 ......
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1981
- 7 -
TUEN MUN VACANT SITES FOR RECREATIONAL USE * * * *
THREE VACANT SITES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
THE FACILITIES, INCLUDING TWO TENNIS COURTS, A ROLLER-SKATING RINK AND A JOGGING TRACK, WILL EE COMPLETED BEFORE THE END OF NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
ONE SITE IS LOCATED NEAR TAI HING ESTATE WHERE THE TWO TENNIS COURTS WILL BE BUILT.
THE ROLLER-SKATING RINK WILL BE BUILT OPPOSITE TUEN MUN CLINIC WHILE THE SIX KILOMETRE JOGGING TRACK WILL CIRCLE THE NEW TOWN.
FUNDS FOR DEVELOPING THE FACILITIES, COSTING $330 000, WILL BE PROVIDED BY TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT WHERE THE POPULATION WAS INCREASING RAPIDLY.
AT PRESENT IT IS 120 000 AND WILL REACH 182 000 BY NEXT YEAR WITH THE COMPLETION OF MORE HOUSING ESTATES AND PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS.
OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES BEING DEVELOPED INCLUDE TUEN MUN SPORTSGROUND AND YAN 01 TONG SPORTS AND COMMUNITY CENTRE WHICH WILL EE COMPLETED THIS YEAR AND IN 1982.
-------0----------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
GRAND BAZAAR TO RAISE FUNDS FOR WELFARE PROJECTS * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE WILL ON SATURDAY (APRIL 18) OFFICIALLY OPEN A GRAND BAZAAR AND FUN FAIR ORGANISED BY THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-HONG KONG SYNOD TO RAISE FUNDS TOWARDS A $18 MILLION MULTI-SERVICE COMMUNITY CENTRE PROJECT.
THE PROJECT, WHICH HAS BEEN PLANNED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WILL ON COMPLETION PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE YOUNG, THE ELDERLY AND THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS GRANTED THE LUTHERAN CHURCH A 2 600-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN HO MAN TIN FOR THE 8-STOREY WELFARE BUILDING.
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BAZAAR AND FUN FAIR WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY AT THE PLAYGROUND OF THE CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL AT 12 TAI HANG TUNG ROAD, KOWLOON.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE EVENT.
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/= ....
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1981
8
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WO HOP SHEK ROAD * * * *
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT CERTAIN TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE INTRODUCED IN THE WO HOP SHEK AREA IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (APRIL 18 AND 19) TO FACILITATE GRAVE SWEEPERS VISITING THE AREA.
UNDER THE PLANNED ARRANGEMENTS, WO HOP SHEK ROAD MAY BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC EXCEPT HEARSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES FROM 5 AM TO 8 PM IF THE TRAFFIC SITUATION SO REQUIRES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
THERE MAY BE NO PARKING FACILITIES AVAILABLE AND ANY VEHICLES FOUND PARKED ILLEGALLY ON THE ROAD OR PAVEMENT MAY BE TOWED AWAY ITHOUT PR IOR WARNING.
SEVERE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS EXPECTED ON TAI PO ROAD ON THESE 7-.0 DAYS AND MOTORISTS GOING TO THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO USE ROUTE TWISK AND FAN KAM TOAD OR CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TUEN MUN HIGHWAY AS ALTERNATIVES ROUTES IN ORDER TO ALLEVIATE THE CONGESTION ON TAI PO ROAD.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WOULD BE DISPLAYED AND POLICE WOULD BE ON HAND TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1981 ...................... 1
COST OF BREACHING LABOUR LAWS ................................ 5
HOLIDAY MUSIC FOR PATIENTS ................................... 5
EAST KOWLOON WAY OPENS NEXT WEEK .............................. 6
NT VILLAGE GETS WATER SUPPLY................................... 6
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SECTION OF HILL ROAD
7
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1981
1
EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1981
*****
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1981, VALUED AT $36 259 MILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 28 PER CENT, AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1980.
ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 13 PER CENT TO $10 284 MILLION, IMPORTS BY 30 PER CENT TO $19 775 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 62 PER CENT TO $6 200 MILLION. DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 27 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS WERE AS FOLLOWSt
JAN - FEB 81 (HK$ MN) JAN - FEB 80 (HK$ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
U.S.A. 3 490 2 856 *634 +22
F.R. OF GERMANY 1 058 1 133 - 76 - 7
UK 878 946 - 68 - 7
CHINA 365 187 +178 ♦95
AUSTRALIA 355 318 + 36 ♦11
JAPAN 340 315 ♦ 25 + 8
CANADA 274 225 + 50 +22
NETHERLANDS 240 241 - 1 LESS THAN 0.5%
SINGAPORE 236 235 + 1 + 1
NIGERIA 228 133 + 96 +72
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S. CONTINUED TO GROW. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $432 MILLION OR 43%), ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND PARTS FOR COMPUTERS (BY $168 MILLION CR 129%), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $93 MILLION OR 39%) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $69 MILLION OR 36%). ON THE OTHER HAND, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS DECLINED (BY $42 MILLION OR 22%).
DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN MOST OF THE MAJOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE F.R. OF GERMANY, INCLUDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY S30 MILLION CR 27%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $7 MILLION OR 9a) AND CLOTHING (BY $4 MILLION OR 1%).
As .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1981
2
AS FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UK, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $23 MILLION OR 68%), AS WELL AS WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $4 MILLION OR 8%). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN CLOTHING (BY $54 MILLION OR 11%), AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $15 MILLION OR 19%).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA CONTINUED TO GROW, THE MAJOR COMMODITIES BEING WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $56 MILLION OR 753%), AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $27 MILLION OR 131%). DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING TO AUSTRALIA ALSO INCREASED (BY $6 MILLION OR 7%).
AN ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS DIVISION IS PRESENTED BELOWi
BY MAJOR COMMODITY
JAN - FEB 81 (HK$ MN) JAN - FEB 80 (HK$ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HKS MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3 811 3 234 *578 ♦ 18
MISCELLANEOUS MANU- FACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 1 380 1 433 - 53 - 4
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1 049 801 ♦248 ♦31
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 689 678 + 10 ♦ 2
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES) 685 560 +125 ♦22
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 684 734 - 50 - 7
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM THE TEN MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARIZED AS FOLLOWSi
/JAN - 723 S1 .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1981
JAN - FEB 81 (HK$ MN) 3
JAN - FEB 80 (HK$ MN) INCREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
JAPAN 4 768 F 3 293 +1 475 +45
CHINA 3 712 2 876 ♦ 836 +29
U.S.A. 2 126 1 823 + 304 +17
TAIWAN 1 655 1 046 ♦ 609 +58
SINGAPORE 1 501 1 052 + 448 +43
u. K, 869 708 ♦ 160 +23
SOUTH KOREA 850 523 ♦ 326 +62
OF GERMANY 532 481 + 51 ♦ 11
TZERLAND 425 397 + 29 + 7
AUSTRALIA 276 201 ♦ 75 +37
LOCAL DEMAND FOR JAPANESE GOODS REMAINED STRONG. INCREASES WERE NOTED PARTICULARLY FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $249 MILLION OR 80%), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $184 MILLION OR 54%), TEXTILES (BY $156 MILLION OR 38%), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $155 MILLION OR 50%), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $150 MILLION OR 49%).
AS FOR IMPORTS FROM CHINA, INCREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN TEXTILES (BY $212 MILLION OR 43%), CLOTHING (BY $198 MILLION OR 98%), VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $68 MILLION OR 46%), MANUFACTURES CF METAL (BY $53 MILLION OR 110%), AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD (BY $50 MILLION OR 25%).
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S. WERE LARGELY OF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $58 MILLION OR 31%), ORGANIC CHEMICALS (BY $57 MILLION OR 386%), VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $45 MILLION OR 45%), AS WELL AS PEARL, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $31 MILLION OR 27%).
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORTS OF TEXTILES (BY '306 MILLION OR 81%) FROM TAIWAN, AS WELL AS PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $406 MILLION OR 61%) FROM SINGAPORE.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECTION:
Zill - ?L3 81
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1981
4
JAN - FEB 81 JAN - FEB 80 INCREASE PERCENTAGE
(HK$ MN) (HK$ MN) (HK$ MN) CHANGE
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER) 5 854 4 384 *1 470 ♦34
.MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 4 520 3 248 *1 271 *39
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES VAI'ILY WATCHES AND OCKS, ARTICLES APPAREL) 3 120 2 186 + 935 +43
AND LIVE ANIMALS .FLY FOR FOOD 2 058 1 622 + 436 +27
■ AL FUELS, •'CANTS AND ED MATERIALS 1 499 1 168 + 331 +28 '
'EMICALS AND -i.AiED PRODUCTS 1 387 1 296 + 91 + 7
SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY 22 MILLION OR 252$), USA (BY $287 MILLION OR 78%), INDONESIA BY $280 MILLION OR 91%), SINGAPORE (BY $180 MILLION OR 59%), JAPAN (BY $97 MILLION OR 31%), NIGERIA (BY $77 MILLION OR 80%), NORTH KOREA (BY $59 MILLION OR 288%), MACAU (BY $48 MILLION OR 37%), IRAQ (BY $47 MILLION OR 4155%) AND TAIWAN (BY $44 MILLION OR 14%). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE F.R. OF GERMANY (BY $34 MILLION OR 30%) AND SWITZERLAND (BY $64 MILLION OR 48%).
MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG EXHIBITED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING TEXTILES (BY $612 MILLION OR 150%), ROAD VEHICLES (BY $243 MILLION OR 214%), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $201 MILLION OR 139%), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $188 MILLION OR 88%), AND CLOTHING (BY $161 MILLION OR 91%).
+THE HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS - SUMMARY*, A SUMMARY REPORT ON HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN FEBRUARY 1981, WILL SOON BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$3 PER COPY. A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*, WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE MONTH’S IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN EARLY MAY AND WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$10 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY EE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG 5-214375.
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1981
5
COST OF BREACHING LABOUR LAWS * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TOOK OUT 764 PROSECUTIONS LAST MONTH (MARCH) FOR BREACHES OF LABOUR LEGISLATION, OF THESE 749 CASES RESULTED IN CONVICTION WITH FINES TOTALLING MORE THAN $626 OOO.
THE MAJORITY OF THE CASES WERE RELATED TO BREACHES OF THE PiCTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS VARIOUS REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS.
SAFETY
AMONG THEM, 340 CONCERNED VIOLATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL REGULATIONS AND FINES AMOUNTED TO MORE THAN $415 910 INCLUDING 108 CASES FOR BREACHES OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATION
W'~H $157 610 IN FINES.
CCFENCES IN CONNECTION WITH EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACCOUNTED FOR 371 CASES WITH $179 900 IN FINES.
0- THE OTHER PROSECUTIONS, FIVE CASES RELATED TO FAILURE TO k.-:d -MPLOYEE RECORDS WITH $3 000 IN FINES.
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HOLIDAY MUSIC FOR PATIENTS
* * *
THE CADUCEUS CHORUS, FORMED BY STAFF OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WILL BRING EASTER MESSAGE TO PATIENTS IN KWAI CHUNG AND KOWLOON HOSPITALS.
THE CHORUS WILL SING FOR THE IN-PATIENTS A WIDE SELECTION OF HYMNS, CLASSICS AND FOLK SONGS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THIS WILL BE THE SECOND CONCERT GIVEN BY THE CHORUS SINCE IT WAS FORMED ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
IT MADE ITS DEBUT LAST CHRISTMAS WHEN IT BROUGHT TIDINGS TO PATIENTS IN THE FOUR GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF ORGANISING A CHOIR IS TO PROMOTE GOODWILL BETWEEN STAFF AND PATIENTS, TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR STAFF IN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND TO CULTIVATE MUSICAL INTEREST AMONG THE STAFF.
THE CADUCEUS CHORUS, ORGANISED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, HAVE A MEMBERSHIP OF 80, CONSISTING OF DOCTORS, NURSES, PARAMEDICAL AND GENERAL GRADE STAFF.
THE CONDUCTOR OF THE CHOIR IS MR C.W.B. OXLEY, A CIVIL SERVANT WITH A KEEN INTEREST IN MUSIC.
- - 0 -
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1981
6
EAST KOWLOON WAY OPENS NEXT WEEK
X X X X
TRAVELLING TIME BETWEEN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND KAI TAK AIRPORT WILL BE FURTHER REDUCED WITH THE OPENING NEXT WEEK OF THE $56 MILLION EAST KOWLOON WAY.
MEASURING ONE KILOMETRE IN LENGTH, EAST KOWLOON WAY IS AN ELEVATED DUAL TWO-LANE ROADWAY RUNNING ABOVE CHATHAM ROAD AND KOWLOON CITY ROAD. IT IS LOCATED IMMEDIATELY TO THE NORTH OF WUHU INTERCHANGE WHICH WAS OPENED TO TRAFFIC SOME NINE MONTHS AGO.
TOGETHER WITH SAN SHAN INTERCHANGE, A DEPRESSED ROADWAY JOINING EAST KOWLOON WAY AND THE AIRPORT TUNNEL, THEY FORM THE WESTERN APPROACHES TO THE AIRPORT TUNNEL WHICH IS PART OF A $410 MILLION HIGH CAPACITY ROUTE STRETCHING FOR SIX-KILOMETRES BETWEEN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND KWUN TONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID, +WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW ROAD, TRAFFIC TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT WILL NO LONGER BE DELAYED BY THE MANY ROAD JUNCTIONS ALONG THE SURFACE ROUTE -1 AT PRESENT.
+AT THE SAME TIME, BY DIVERTING AIRPORT TRAFFIC ONTO THE FLYOVER, TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT GROUND LEVEL IN HUNG HOM AND TO KWA WAN AREAS WILL BE GREATLY EASED.+
KE* TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO BE INTRODUCED FOLLOWING THE OPEN I . OF EAST KOWLOON WAY ARE EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
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NT VILLAGE GETS WATER SUPPLY
X X X X X
THE 300 RESIDENTS OF PAI MIN KOK VILLAGE IN SHAM TSENG WILL HAVE THEIR OWN WATER SUPPLY NEXT MONTH.
A PUMP AND SUMP SYSTEM, TOGETHER WITH A WATER TANK, HAVE BEEN BUILT IN THE VILLAGE.
BY MEANS OF PIPES, WATER FROM THE MAIN AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE PUMPED INTO THE TANK AND THEN FED TO INDIVIDUAL VILLAGE HOUSES.
OFFICERS OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE PUTTING FINISHING TOUCHES TO THE SYSTEM, INSTALLING ELECTRICITY IN THE PUMP HOUSE AND SETTING UP INDIVIDUAL WATER METERS IN EACH OF THE 27 VILLAGE HOUSES.
FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, VILLAGERS HAVE USED A STANDPIPE FOR DRINKING WATER AND WELL WATER FOR WASHING AND OTHER PURPOSES.
BEFORE THAT THE MAIN WATER SUPPLY CAME FROM A NEARBY STREAM, BUT THIS SUPPLY WAS AFFECTED BY CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY.
/SU3S3QDHKTLY, THROUGH ...
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 'Sf-1
SUBSEQUENTLY, THROUGH JOINT EFF2R^ °F VILLAGERS, THE DIS OFFICE, THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT £ND ™E ^.ECTRIC COMPANY, AGREEMENT WAS REACHED TO PROVIDE THE NEW SYSTEM.
COST OF THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS ABOUT $80 000, OF WHICH $15 000 WAS CONTRIBUTED BY VILLAGERS.
- - 0-------------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SECTION OF HILL ROAD * * * *
A SECTION OF HILL ROAD BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT A MONTH FROM 7 AM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 19) TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HILL ROAD FLYOVER.
DURING THIS CLOSURE, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL PE INTRODUCED :
K THE SECTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST BETWEEN HILL ROAD AND BELCHER’S STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
* AlL WESTBOUND VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE SECTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND BELCHER’S STREET.
* ALL VEHICLES COMING FROM THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF HILL ROAD WILL ONLY.EE PERMITTED TO TURN LEFT INTO QUEEN’S ROAD WEST.
CMB ROUTES NOS. 5A, 5E, 5M, 10, 47, 101, 104, 105, 113, 881 AND MAXICAB ROUTE NO. 12 ON THEIR EASTBOUND JOURNEY ALONG QUEEN’S ROAD WEST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA TO DES VOEUX ROAD WEST.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MAJOR CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE APPROVED ................ 1
HK PLAYS LEADING ROLE IN AVIATION ............................. 1
LAND GRANT FOR 3l8 M MULTI-SERVICE COMMUNITY CENTRE ........... 2
TEACHERS UPDATE KNOLLEDGE DURING EASTER ....................... J
SAFETY OF WORK AT HEIGHTS ..................................... 4
ANTI-TB CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED NEXT WEEK...................... 5
SCHOOLS OPEN SPORT FACILITIES TO PUBLIC ....................... 6
NEW SITE TO BE FORMED IN SHA TIN .............................. 6
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1981
1
MAJOR CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE APPROVED * ft ft
MAJOR CHANGES TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.
THE CHANGES WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE DEVELOPING REQUIREMENTS IN THE FIELD OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENT BRANCH AND PWD.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE RESTRUCTURING WOULD INVOLVE I
ft CREATION OF A LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH-
ft CREATION OF A TRANSPORT BRANCH-
ft CREATION OF A LANDS DEPARTMENT-
ft SPLITTING UP THE PWD INTO FIVE INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENT BRANCH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN THE NEW SECRETARIAT BRANCHES, AND THE EVIRONMENT BRANCH WOULD LAPSE.
+IN VIEW OF THE PACE AND COMPLEXITY OF DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG AND THE CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES INVOLVED, THE GOVERNMENT WISHES TO STRENGTHEN THE ORGANISATION OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, PROGRAMMING ANL CO-ORDINATION OF LAND AND TRANSPORT MATTERS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE RESTRUCTURING EXERCISE WAS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THAT SOME OF THE PERSONNEL CHANGES WOULD REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION.
HE ADDED THAT BEFORE THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE IMPLEMENTED, THE DETAILED ORGANISATIONAL AND STAFFING REQUIREMENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT. IN CONCLUSION, HE SAID THE HEUNG YEE KUK WOULD AS USUAL BE FULLY CONSULTED ON ASPECTS OF LAND ADMINISTRATION CONCERNING THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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HK PLAYS LEADING ROLE IN AVIATION ft ft ft ft
HONG KONG IS PLAYING A LEADING ROLE IN CIVIL AVIATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE EFFICIENCY OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS GENERALLY ACCLAIMED BY AIRPORT OPERATORS OF THE REGION.
ENQUIRIES FROM AVIATION AUTHORITIES OVERSEAS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED ALL YEAR ROUND CONCERNING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF OPERATION OF HONG KONG AIRPORT INCLUDING AIRPORT ECONOMY AND CHARGES, TERMINAL AND APRON FACILITIES, PUBLIC AND FLIGHT INFORMATION SERVICES, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITIES AND OTHERS OF AVIATION INTERESTS.
/AIRPORT OPERATORS
SATUBDAT, APRIL 18, 1981
- 2 -
AIRPORT OPERATORS AND PLANNERS IN THE REGION HAVE ALSO BEEN SENDING REPRESENTATIVES HERE TO HAKE ON-THE-SPOT STUDIES OF THE OPERATION OF HONG KONG AIRPORT WITH A VIEW TO BRINGING HOME PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE TO ENHANCE THE EFFICIENCY OF THEIR OWN AIRPORTS.
TWO SUCH DELEGATIONS WILL MONTH.
BE COMING TO HONG KONG LATER THIS
ARRIVING ON APRIL 22 WILL BE A THAI DELEGATION COMPRISING THREE SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS REPRESENTING THE AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF THAILAND. IN ADDITION TO TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT THE AIRPORT FACILITIES, IN AND OUT OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL, THEY WILL ALSO STUDY THE AIRPORT’S FLIGHT PROCEDURES, CHARGES COLLECTION, PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES, FLIGHT INFORMATION FACILITIES AND THE DAY TO DAY OPERATION OF THE TERMINAL BUILDING.
ANOTHER PARTY, COMPRISING TWO MANAGEMENT STAFF OF THE KOREAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, WILL ARRIVE ON APRIL 23. THEIR PURPOSE HERE IS TO OBSERVE THE OPERATION OF THE AIRPORT AND TO E CHANGE VIEWS ON CIVIL AVIATION MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST AS WELL AS TO FOSTER A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE AVIATION AUTHORITIES IN THE TWO PLACES.
EARLIER, THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT RECEIVED A MALAYSIAN DELEGATION CONSISTING OF HIGH OFFICIALS FROM BAHT IAR BUYONG AIRPORT AND A GROUP OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICIALS FROM BANGKOK.
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS CURRENTLY HANDLING OVER 19 OOO PASSENGERS, ABOUT 720 TONNES OF AIR CARGO AND OVER 140 FLIGHTS A DAY, WHICH MAKE IT ONE OF THE BUSIEST AIRPORTS IN THE REGION.
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LAND GRANT FOR >18 M. MULTI-SERVICE COMMUNITY CENTRE * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS GRANTED A 2 600-SQUARE METRE SITE IN HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON, TO THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-HONG KONG SYNOD FOR BUILDING AN >18 MILLION MULTI-SERVICE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN PLANNED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AND ON COMPLETION, WILL PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED SERVICES FOR THE YOUNG, THE ELDERLY AND THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING OFFICIALLY OPENED A GRAND BAZAAR AND FUN FAIR ORGANISED BY THE SYNOD IN A TAI HANG TUNG SCHOOL TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT.
ADDRESSING THE GATHERING, MR ALLEYNE PAID TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF THE SYNOD FOR THEIR UNTIRING EFFORTS IN PROMOTING WELFARE SERVICES AND, IN PARTICULAR, FOR THEIR COMMUNITY CENTRE PROJECT.
THE PIECE OF CROWN LAND, AT THE JUNCTION OF CHUNG HAU STREET AND SHEPHERD STREET, WAS GRANTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
THE COMMUNITY CENTRE WILL SERVE AS A FOCAL POINT FOR GROUP AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HO MAN TIN.
/IT KILL ...
SATUBDAY, APRIL 18, 1981
3
IT WILL HOUSE A NURSERY, A SOCIAL AND DAY CARE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, AS WELL AS FAMILY COUNSELLING AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK UNITS.
MR ALLEYNE DESCRIBED THE PROJECT AS +AMBITIOUS AND WORTHWHILE* AND HE FELT CONFIDENT THE SYNOD WOULD SUCCEED IN SOLICITING THE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE PROJECT A REALITY.
INDEED, HE SAID, THE SYNOD HAS A LONG HISTORY OF PROVIDING WELFARE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
HE NOTED THAT SERVICES NOW OPERATED BY THE SYNOD, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION, INCLUDED TWO CENTRES OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, A CENTRE FOR THE BLIND, THREE SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY AND A SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK UNIT.
THE NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE IN HO MAN TIN WILL BE NAMED THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE.
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TEACHERS UPDATE KNOWLEDGE DURING EASTER ft ft ft ft
RESPONSIBLE TEACHERS OFTEN DEVOTE THEIR HOLIDAYS TO UPDATING THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND THUS PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE FOR CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS, MR COLVYN HAYE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EDUCATION INTERFLOW WEEK AND COMMENDING THE PARTICIPANTS WHO WOULD BE SPENDING THEIR EASTER HOLIDAYS ATTENDING SEMINARS AND TALKS.
THE EDUCATION INTERFLOW WEEK IS ONE IN A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ORGANISED TO MARK THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
NOTING THE BUSY PROGRAMME THAT HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE WEEK, W HAYE DREW PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE PLANNERS OF EDUCATION INTERFLOW WEEK HAD ORGANISED ACTIVITIES IN THE AREAS OF PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION, AND THE TEACHING OF THE SPECIALISMS ON THE FIRST DAY BECAUSE GRANTHAM COLLEGE WAS OFFERING ART AND DESIGN AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT THE ADVANCED COURSE OF TEACHER EDUCATION LEVEL, AND A NEW KINDERGARTEN TEACHER COURSE STARTING THIS SEPTEMBER.
♦IT IS PARTICULARLY AUSPICIOUS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AT GRANTHAM WHICH IS CELEBRATING ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR*, HE SAID.
ALTHOUGH A GREAT VARIETY OF TALKS, DEMONSTRATION LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN ARRANGED TO MAKE INTERFLOW WEEK AS LIVELY AND AS STIMULATING AS POSSIBLE FOR PARTICIPANTS, THE DIRECTOR FELT THAT HE SHOULD DRAW ATTENTION TO HIS UNDERLYING CONCERN THAT THE ’80S OFFER A PARTICULAR CHALLENGE TO TEACHERS TO MAKE THE CLASSROOM AS ENTERTAINING A PLACE AS POSSIBLE FOR THE CHILDREN OF HONG KONG.
/Much had....
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1981
4
MUCH HAD BEEN SAID RECENTLY ABOUT THE MANNER IN WHICH COMPULSORY EDUCATION HAD POSSIBLY TAKEN SOME OF THE COMPETITIVE SPIRIT OUT OF EDUCATION AND CONSEQUENTLY CONTRIBUTED TO BOREDOM IN SCHOOL.
SOME HAD EVEN GONE SO FAR AS TO SEE A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN COMPULSORY EDUCATION AND REPORTS OF RISING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND OTHERS WERE INCREASINGLY CONCERNED WITH THE APPARENT COLLAPSE OF MORAL STANDARDS AND THE NEED TO PROMOTE MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.
♦WHERE DO TEACHERS STAND IN ALL THIS GLOOM AND DOOM?* MR HAYE ASKED.
THE TEACHER HAS A CARDINAL ROLE TO PLAY IN COMBATTING BOREDOM, IN PROMOTING INTELLIGENT AND RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR, AND IN INCULCATING A MORAL SENSE OF VALUES IN CHILDREN, HE SAID.
EDUCATION INTERFLOW WEEK WAS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW RESPONSIBLE PROFESSIONALS GATHERED TO EXCHANGE IDEAS, TO SHARE EXPERIENCES AND TO RETURN ENRICHED TO THEIR REWARDING TASK IN LOCATION, THE DIRECTOR CONCLUDED.
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SAFETY OF WORK AT HEIGHTS * * # *
WORKING AT HEIGHTS - WHETHER ON A SCAFFOLD, PLATFORM OR IN A BOSWAIN’S CHAIR - COULD PROVE FATAL IF NO ADEQUATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN.
THEREFORE BOTH BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES SHOULD STRICTLY OBSERVE ALL SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS LAID DOWN IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, 1978. SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE PLEA WAS PROMPTED IN WHICH WORKERS FELL FROM
BY A NUMBER OF RECENT FATAL ACCIDENTS HEIGHTS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT WORKING PLATFORM BE SECURELY FENCED THREE FEET IF A WORKER MAY FALL SIX
AND THE SAME PROVISION APPLIES AND EVERY OTHER DANGEROUS PLACE.
THE REGULATIONS REQUIRE EVERY TO A HEIGHT OF NOT LESS THAN FEET SIX INCHES OR MORE.
TO EVERY OPENING IN THE FLOORS
WHERE WORKS ON MBOO SCAFFOLDS AND PLATFORMS ARE CARRIED OUT, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED, THE CODE OF SAFE PRACTICES JOINTLY PREPARED BY THE INSPECTORATE AND THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION SHOULD BE OBSERVED.
THE CODE RECOMMENDS ’ HA i ERECTION, ALTERATION OR DISMANTLING CF A SCAFFOLD SHOULD BE CARRIED CUT BY A COMPETENT PERSON OR PERSONS AND ALL SCAFFOLDS SHOULD BE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND INSPECTED BY THESE PERSONS AND A RECORD OF SUCH INSPECTION SHOULD BE KEPT.
/’■KIERE WORKERS..........
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1981
WHERE WORKERS ARE WORKING ON OR FROM A DOUBLE-ROW SCAFFOLD, SCAFFOLD PLATFORMS SHOULD BE PROVIDED.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED BUILDING CONTRACTORS TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE STRUCTURE OF A SCAFFOLD PLATFORM.
THE CODE FURTHER RECOMMENDS THAT A SCAFFOLD PLATFORM SHOULD BE OF SOUND MATERIAL, ADEQUATE STRENGTH AND FREE FROM PATENT DEFECT AND BE AT LEAST 15 IN. (400 MM) IN WIDTH AND 1 IN. (25 MM) IN THICKNESS.
IN CASE OF A PLYWOOD PLATFORM, THE PLYWOOD SHOULD BE A SINGLE BOARD OF NOT LESS THAN 15 IN. (400 MM) IN WIDTH AND NOT LESS THAN 3/4 IN. (18 MM) THICK.
IN ADDITION, THE CODE RECOMMENDS THAT A SCAFFOLD PLATFORM SHOULD BE SECURELY PLACED IN POSITION AND, WHERE PRACTICABLE, SHOULD BE SECURELY FENCED ON ALL SIDES (EXCEPT THE INNER SIDE) FROM WHICH A PERSON MAY FALL SIX FEET SIX INCHES OR MORE.
WHERE IT IS NOT PRACTICABLE TO PROVIDE A WORKING PLATFORM AND A PERSON MAY FALL SIX FEET SIX INCHES OR MORE, HE SHOULD WEAR A SAFETY BELT SECURED TO AN ANCHORAGE OR AN INDEPENDENT LIFT LINE.
SAFETY BELTS SHOULD BE READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR USE BY SITE WORKERS AND BUILDING CONTRACTORS SHOULD TAKE ALL REASONABLE STEPS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO USE THE BELTS.
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ANTI-TB CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED NEXT WEEK X * X
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN A MASSIVE ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS CAMPAIGN NEXT WEEK IN AN EFFORT TO BRING DOWN THE INCIDENCE OF THIS INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CAMPAIGN AIMS AT BRINGING HOME THE MESSAGE THAT PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY MEN OVER 40 OF AGE, COUGHING PERSISTENTLY FOR MORE THAN A MONTH SHOULD GO TO A GOVERNMENT CHEST CLINIC FOR A FREE X-RAY.
+APPROPRIATE TREATMENT AT AN EARLY STAGE OF INFECTION IS MOST ESSENTIAL IN COMBATTING THE DISEASE,* HE SAID.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN POSTERS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT PUBLIC PLACES AND RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS AND TELEVISION CLIPS WILL BE BROADCAST REGULARLY.
UNTIL RECENT YEARS, TB HAD BEEN ONE OF THE TOP KILLER DISEASES IN HONG KONG. SINCE 1969, THE INCIDENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS HAD BEEN GOING DOWN. THE NOTIFICATION RATE OF 286.5 PER 100 000 POPULATION IN 1969 DROPPED TO 143.8 IN 1978.
IN 1980, IT CLAIMED 551 LIVES, OR TWO PER CENT OF ALL DEATHS. ♦THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE 1 470 DEATHS FROM TB, OR 7.8 PER CENT, IN 1969,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HOWEVER, THE TREND REVERTED UPWARD IN 1979 TO REACH A RATE OF 161.4, WHICH DROPPED SLIGHTLY LAST YEAR TO 159.
THE INCREASE, SAID THE SPOKESMAN, WAS PARTLY DUE TO THE LARGE INFLUX OF IMMIGRANTS DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS.
o
. IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 4 000 CASES OF TB NOTIFICATIONS CAME FROM THE IMMIGRANTS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, HE SAID.
. . . . 0 ----
SCHOOLS OPEN SPORT FACILITIES TO PUBLIC
* * *
THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE (RSS) IS TO HOLD A FUN-FOR-ALL DAY AT TWO TSUEN WAN SCHOOLS TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE OCCASION IS TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE SCHOOLS AS INTERIM SPORTS CENTRES UNTIL A NEW CENTRE IS READY IN TSUEN WAN BY EARLY AUGUST.
FROM MONDAY, THE HO CHUEN YIU MEMORIAL COLLEGE IN SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES FROM 5.30 PM TO 9 PM EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AND FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM ON SUNDAY.
THE PO ON COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION WONG SIU CHING SECONDARY SCHOOL NEAR TSUEN WAN FERRY PIER WILL OPEN AT THE SAME HOURS ON TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS AND ALSO FOR THE WHOLE DAY ON SUNDAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RSS SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO USE THE SPORTING FACILITIES PROVIDED IN THE TWO SCHOOLS.
ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FENCING, DANCING, ARCHERY, BADMINTON AND TABLE TENNIS ARE AVAILABLE. STAFF OF THE RSS WILL BE PRESENT TO SUPERVISE AND HELP ORGANISE ACTIVITIES AND TRAINING COURSES.
REPROVISIONING OF THE NEW CENTRE IS NOW BEING CARRIED OUT. IT IS LOCATED ON A 750-SQUARE-METRE SITE NEXT TO THE LADY GRANTHAM HEALTH CLINIC IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD. IT REPLACES THE CHAI WAN KOK TEMPORARY SPORTS CENTRE WHICH WAS CLOSED AT THE END OF LAST MONTH.
.---0--------
NEW SITE TO BE FORMED IN SHA TIN * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE SITE FORMATION, ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORK IN THE AREA TO THE SOUTH OF THE RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN BEACON HILL TUNNEL AND THE VILLAGE OF TIN SAM, AT THE SOUTH-WESTERN END OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE CONTRACT INVOLVES THE FORMATION OF ABOUT 10 HECTARES OF LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL USE, AS WELL AS OPEN SPACE.
A 1.3-KILOMETRE-LONG ROAD WILL BE BUILT TO LINK THE SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF THE TOWN WITH THE NEARBY LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD. INTERNAL ROADS AND DRAINS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA ALONG WITH A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY UNDER THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY EMBANKMENT.
THIS UNDERGROUND WALKWAY WILL JOIN UP THE INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RAILWAY LINE AT TAI WAI.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY AND TAKE ABOUT 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, CONSULTING ENGINEERS TO THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, DESIGNED THE WORK AND WILL SUPERVISE ITS CONSTRUCTION.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
NEW CLINIC FOR TAI HANG TUNG ................................... 1
MAC MOVEMENT IN TSUSN WAN COMES OF AGE.......................... 1
TSUEN WAN MARRIAGE REGISTRY MOVES .............................. 2
WORKS TO BOOST WaTER SUPPLY TO SAI KUNG AND KOWLOON BAY............................................................. 3
EAST KOWLOON WAY OPENS TO TRiJTIC .............................. 3
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 1981
1
NEW CLINIC FOR TAI HANG TUNG
* * *
A NEW GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC AT NAM SHAN ESTATE IN
TAI HANG TUNG, KOWLOON, WILL BEGIN SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC ON TUESDAY (APRIL 21) AS PART OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S PLAN TO IMPROVE MEDICAL FACILITIES.
THE NAM SHAN HEALTH CENTRE, OCCUPYING AN AREA OF 860 SQUARE METRES ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF NAM YIU HOUSE, WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CLINIC AT TAI HANG TUNG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE TAI HANG TUNG CLINIC, ESTABLISHED IN 1957, HAD ONLY ONE CONSULTING ROOM FOR GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICE AND THE BUILDING HAD BECOME RATHER DILAPIDATED.
+THE LIMITED FACILITIES ARE NO LONGER SUFFICIENT TO COPE WITH THE POPULATION IN THE AREA WHICH HAS RAPIDLY INCREASED DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS,* HE SAID.
THE NEW CLINIC, BUILT AT A COST OF ABOUT $1 MILLION, IS SEVEN TIMES LARGER THAN THE OLD ONE, AND PROVIDES A WIDER RANGE CF SERVICES WITH MORE UP-DATED EQUIPMENT.
IT PROVIDES ACCOMMODATION FOR FOUR CONSULTING ROOMS, A DISPENSARY, A TREATMENT/INJECTION ROOM, AN ADMINISTRATION ROOM AND A WAITING ROOM.
TWO OF THE CONSULTING ROOMS, EQUIPPED WITH STANDARD DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC INSTRUMENTS, WILL SERVE THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT, WHEREAS THE OTHER TWO WILL PROVIDE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE.
AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES, INCLUDING ANTE-NATAL AND POST-NATAL HEALTH CARE, A COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SCHEME FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY PLANNING, WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE FROM MAY 1.
THE EXPANDED SERVICE WILL BENEFIT AN ESTIMATED 100 000 PEOPLE IN THE VICINITY OF TAI HANG TUNG, TAI HANG SAI, NAM SHAN, SHEK KIP MEI UPPER ESTATES, KOWLOON TSAI SQUATTERS AND PAK TIN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
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MAC MOVEMENT IN TSUEN WAN COMES OF AGE * * *
THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE MOVEMENT IN TSUEN WAN HAS +COME OF AGE*, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR LUI WAS SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL TSUEN WAN/KWAI CHUNG MAC DINNER PARTY.
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 1981
2
♦WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO MORE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN TO THE DISTRICT BOARD, AND AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CHAIRMEN SITTING ON AREA COMMITTEES, THE MAC MOVEMENT IN TSUEN WAN MAY BE SAID TO HAVE COME OF AGE,* HE SAID.
♦I HOPE THAT THIS PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF YOUR GREAT VALUE TO THE NEW TOWN COMMUNITY WILL ENCOURAGE YOU TO YET FURTHER EFFORTS. IN PARTICULAR, I WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL.
+WE WERE ALL VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF ONGOING CONTINUOUS PROGRAMMES OF RECREATION AND SPORT AT THIS LEVEL.*
THERE WAS A LIMIT TO WHAT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS COULD DO AND IT WAS FELT THAT EFFORT IN NEIGHBOURHOODS WAS BEST LEFT TO LOCAL BODIES SUCH AS MACS.
♦WE WOULD LIKE NUMBERS OF YOU TO GET TOGETHER FOR THIS PURPOSE, CENTERING ON A LOCAL PLAYGROUND,* MR LUI SAID.
+WE WILL GIVE YOU EVERY ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE THESE PROGRAMMES, TO INCLUDE THE OFFER OF TRAINING FACILITIES BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICES, FUNDS FOR UNIFORMS OR SPORTS KITS FOR TEAMS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS, AND FOR VARIOUS OTHER EXPENSES.*
IN ADDITION, THE POLICE WOULD MAKE ADEQUATE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENABLE COMPETITIONS AND TRAINING TO PROCEED WITHOUT INTERFERENCE.
+l AM CONFIDENT THAT, WITH HELP FROM THE TOWN OFFICERS AND CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS, YOU WILL RESPOND TO THIS IMPORTANT CHALLENGE IN THE COMING YEAR,* MR LUI SAID.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 519 MACS AND 56 OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS IN TSUEN WAN DISTRICT.
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TSUEN WAN MARRIAGE REGISTRY MOVES * * *
THE TSUEN WAN MARRIAGE REGISTRY WILL MOVE TO ITS NEW OFFICE AT FAR EAST BANK BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR, LOT 2158 CASTLE PEAK ROAD. TSUEN WAN, ON TUESDAY (APRIL 21). ’
THE NEW OFFICE PROVIDES FACILITIES FOR GIVING NOTICES OF INTENDING MARRIAGES, MARRIAGE REGISTRATION AND APPLICATION FOR CERTIFIED COPIES OF MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES,
+WITH TWO MARRIAGE ROOMS IN THE NEW MARRIAGE REGISTRY, MORE MARRIAGE CEREMONIES CAN NOW BE HELD,* A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE EXISTING OFFICE AT THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANK BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR, 445 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN WILL BE USED FOR BIRTH REGISTRATION ONLY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES CAN TELEPHONE 12-449102.
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/3.......
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 1981
3
WORKS TO BOOST WATER SUPPLY TO SAI KUNG AND KOWLOON BAY ******
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY WATER TREATMENT WORKS AND STAFF QUARTERS NEAR PAK KONG VILLAGE IN SAI KUNG.
THE TREATMENT WORKS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COPE WITH THE INCREASED DEMAND IN WATER SUPPLIES IN THE AREA PENDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT SAI KUNG WATER TREATMENT WORKS.
IT WILL HAVE AN OUTPUT OF 12 000 CUBIC METRES A DAY. WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN JUNE AND TAKE ABOUT 11 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF ABOUT 3 KILOMETRES OF MAINS FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF FRESH AND SALT WATER TO THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION AREA.
A SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF THE SCHEME TO PROVIDE WATER SUPPLY TO THE RECLAMATION AREA WHICH WILL BE DEVELOPED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
WORK ON THIS PROJECT WILL START IN JULY AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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EAST KOWLOON WAY OPENS TO TRAFFIC *****
THE RECENTLY COMPLETED EAST KOWLOON WAY, AN ELEVATED ROADWAY PROVIDING A NEW LINK BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND TO KWA WAN IN KOWLOON, WILL BE OPENED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 22), A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF SAN SHAN ROAD BETWEEN TO KWA WAN ROAD AND EAST KOWLOON WAY WILL ALSO BE OPEN TO ONE-WAY WESTWARD TRAFFIC.
THE NEW ROAD WHICH IS BUILT OVER CHATHAM ROAD AND PART OF KOWLOON CITY ROAD, BETWEEN THE WUHU STREET INTERCHANGE AND SAN SHAN ROAD, TOTALS SOME 1 200 METRES IN LENGTH.
IT WILL PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO MOTORISTS TRAVELLING TO AND FROM KAI TAK AIRPORT.
THE EAST KOWLOON WAY, TOGETHER WITH THE SECTION OF SAN SHAN ROAD BETWEEN TO KWA WAN ROAD WILL, HOWEVER, BE PROHIBITED TO PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.
TRAFFIC SIGNS AND SIGNALS WILL BE ERECTED ON KOWLOON CITY ROAD AT ITS JUNCTIONS WITH MA TAU KOK ROAD, MOK CHEONG STREET AND SUNG WONG TOI ROAD TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
o
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1981
DEMONSTRATION NURSERY TRAINS CHILD CARE WORKERS ................ 1
EXPERT ADVISES ON VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION .................... 2
SIGNBOARD WELCOMES VISITORS TO TSUEN WAN........................ 2
GOOD RESPONSE TO SAI KUNG BALLET COURSE......................... 3
AMS TO REPRESENT HK IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEST ................... 4
ANTI-TB CAMPAIGN POSTER......................................... 4
TENDERS FOR ROAD WORK IN SHA TIN ............................... 5
WORK ON WATER SUPPLY TO TAI WO TSUEN............................ 5
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1981
1
DEMONSTRATION NURSERY TRAINS CHILD CARE WORKERS *****
WHILE HONG KONG’S 208 REGISTERED NURSERIES AND CRECHES ARE ALL RUN EITHER PRIVATELY OR BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AT AN ANNUAL GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION OF 333 MILLION, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ITSELF OPERATES A NURSERY WITH A DIFFERENCE IN ITS TRAINING SECTION.
ITS DEMONSTRATION DAY NURSERY IN WAN CHAI, APART FROM LOOKING AFTER 100 CHILDREN OF WORKING PARENTS, IS THE IN-SERVICE TRAINING GROUND FOR HONG KONG’S CHILD CARE WORKERS AND AN OBSERVATION POST FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT STUDIES.
THE NURSERY OCCUPIES THE ENTIRE FIRST FLOOR OF THE FIVE-STOREY LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE, THE DONOR OF WHICH HAS EXPRESSEDLY WISHED THE BUILDING TO BE USED FOR CHILD CARE TRAINING.
THE CENTRE ALSO ACCOMMODATES THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE AND SERVES AS THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING BASE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE 744-SQUARE METRE DEMONSTRATION NURSERY OPERATES JUST LIKE ANY OTHER NURSERY, EXCEPT THAT IT HAS HELPED TRAIN 2 650 NURSERY AND CRECHE WORKERS THROUGH 100 COURSES.
THE IN-SERVICE DAY-RELEASE COURSES COMPRISE FIVE WEEKS’ TRAINING SPREAD OVER THREE AND A HALF MONTHS AND ARE COMPULSORY FOR CHILD CARE STAFF WITH OVER ONE YEAR’S SERVICE, HE SAID.
AT THE MOMENT, HE SAID, THREE COURSES ARE RUNNING CONCURRENTLY, EACH FOR 25 TRAINEES WHO HAVE WORKED IN THE CHILD CARE FIELD FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS.
THE COURSES ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE THEM WITH COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING ON CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT AND TO STIMULATE THEM TO IMPROVE STANDARD OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN UNDER CARE, HE ADDED.
EACH COURSE BEGINS WITH TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS BY VETERAN SOCIAL WORKERS, DOCTORS, NURSES, NUTRITIONISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS AND ARTS AND CRAFTS EXPERTS ON NURSERY WORK, GENERAL PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN, AS WELL AS THE VARIOUS FORMS OF CHILD PLAY.
THESE ARE FOLLOWED BY OBSERVATION VISITS TO THE DEMONSTRATION NURSERY AND OTHER CHILD CARE CENTRES AND PRACTICE SESSIONS.
ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THEY ARE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE BY THE DEPARTMENT.
0 - -
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1981
2
EXPERT ADVISES ON VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION * * *
AN EXPERT FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, MR P.L. RICH IS IN HONG KONG TO ADVISE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION FOR THE DISABLED.
MR RICH, WHO HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, WILL BE ADVISING THE DEPARTMENT ON THE PROVISION OF A VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT SERVICE WHICH AIMS TO EVALUATE THE APTITUDE AND POTENTIAL OF DISABLED PERSONS FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
SUCH A SERVICE WILL ENSURE THAT THE DISABLED PERSON IS
GUIDED INTO SUITABLE VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT, AND THAT HE IS PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY EQUIPPED TO RETAIN THE JOB, THUS ENABLING HIM TO COMPETE ON EQUAL TERMS WITH ABLE-BODIED PERSONS.
EQUAL TERMS WITH ABLE-BODIED PERSONS.
MR RICH WILL AIDS AND RESOURCE
ALSO ADVISE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TECHNICAL CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED.
THE MAIN AIM OF THIS CENTRE IS TO DESIGN AND PRODUCE SPECIAL AIDS TO HELP THE DISABLED WIDEN THEIR SCOPE OF SKILL LEARNING AND TO ENABLE THEM TO RETAIN THEIR JOBS WHEN EMPLOYED. THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+IT WILL ACT AS A CENTRE OF RESOURCE MATERIALS AND WILL ALSO SERVE AS A VENUE FOR MEETING AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE FOR PERSONS CONCERNED WITH THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING OF THE DISABLED,+ HE SAID.-
THE TWO PROJECTS, WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, WILL LAST FOR SIX MONTHS.
MR RICH IS THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL EXPERT HERE TO ADVISE ON THE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE DISABLED. EARLIER THIS YEAR, MR ROBERT SPENCER ARRIVED FROM CANADA TO INTRODUCE A NEW TRAINING SYSTEM ENTITLED +MODULES OF EMPLOYABLE SKILL+.
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SIGNBOARD WELCOMES VISITORS TO TSUEN WAN
* * X
VISITORS TO TSUEN WAN VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR KAU WAH KENG VILLAGE WILL BE ATTRACTED BY A LARGE SIGNBOARD WELCOMING THEM TO THE NEW TOWN.
COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE TSUEN WAN 'PAI LAU’, THE SIGNBOARD WAS PUT UP EARLY THIS MONTH.
ON IT IS WRITTEN +WELCOME TO TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN+ IN GREEN, TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S COLOUR.
THE ’PAI LAU’ ALSO GIVES VISITORS AN OVERALL PICTURE OF TSUEN WAN - ITS HISTORY, GROWING POPULATION, DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
ADJACENT TO IT IS AN INFORMATION KIOSK, A MAP OF TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG, A LOOKOUT POINT AND CAR PARKING SPACES.
/DETAILS OF ..
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1981
3
DETAILS OF EVENTS TAKING WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND AT THE KIOSK. INFORMATION IS
PLACE AT THE TOWN HALL AND OF THE ITS SUB-COMMITTEES ARE DISPLAYED UPDATED REGULARLY.
A TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NOT JUST A LAYBY AND SITTING-OUT AREA.
'PAI LAU’ WAS
IT WAS ALSO AN INFORMATION CENTRE WHERE VISITORS TO TSUEN WAN COULD GET COMPREHENSIVE DETAILS OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE IN THE NEW TOWN.
—PAI LAU IS 0NE 0F A SERIES OF PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD. IT COST $160 000.
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GOOD RESPONSE TO SAI KUNG BALLET COURSE
* * M
A DRIVE BY SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD TO RECRUIT LOCAL CHILDREN FOR BALLET TRAINING HAS HAD A GOOD RESPONSE.
SO FAR NEARLY 200 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FOR 90 VACANCIES ON THE 10-WEEK COURSE WHICH STARTS ON APRIL 25.
♦BESIDES SAI KUNG TOWN, THERE ARE APPLICATIONS FROM HANG HAU AND OTHER VILLAGES,* A SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦THIS IS MOST ENCOURAGING AS IT SHOWS THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD’S AIM OF BRINGING RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES TO AS MANY LOCAL PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE IS BEING ACHIEVED.*
SHE SAID THE BALLET COURSE HAD BEEN DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN EIGHT AND 12,BUT SOME YOUNGER CHILDREN WERE BEING ACCEPTED BECAUSE OF THEIR KEEN INTEREST AND GOOD POTENTIAL.
+IN VIEW OF THE RESPONSE, WE WILL EXTEND THE COURSE AFTER THE 10-WEEK BASIC TRAINING PERIOD,* SHE SAID.
ONE-HOUR TRAINING SESSIONS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS AT CHENG CHIK CHEE SECONDARY SCHOOL. TRAINEES WILL EE DIVIDED INTO THREE CLASSES OF 30 EACH.
THE COACH WILL BE MISS WENDY LEE, A 23-YEAR-OLD BAPTIST COLLEGE STUDENT, WHO HOLDS AN ADVANCED CERTIFICATE OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCING AND WHO HAS BEEN TRAINED AT THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL IN LONDON.
SAI KUNG DISTRICT DOARD HAS ALLOCATED $30 000 OUT OF ITS 1981/82 BUDGET FOR THE COURSE WHICH IS FREE.
IT IS PLANNED THAT STUDENTS WILL GIVE THEIR FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE IN THE AUTUMN.
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A.....
a
AMS TO REPRESENT HK IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEST * * * *
THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE WILL FIELD A LIFE SAVING TEAM TO CARRY HONG KONG’S FLAG IN THE FORTHCOMING WORLD LIFE SAVING INTERCLUB SURF CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE HELD IN BALI, INDONESIA.
THE 32-MEMBER TEAM HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO REPRESENT HONG KONG FOR ITS OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE, HAVING CAPTURED THE GOVERNOR’S CUP, A LOCAL ANNUAL COMPETITION, FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS IN SUCCESSION.
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT AN AMS TEAM IS REPRESENTING HONG KONG IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEST. OTHER PARTICIPANTS IN THE EVENT, TO BE HELD ON APRIL 27, INCLUDE THE UNITED KINGDOM, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND INDONESIA.
DURING THEIR STAY IN BALI THE AMS LIFE SAVING TEAM WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE INDONESIAN SURF LIFE SAVING FESTIVAL TO BE HELD PRIOR TO THE SURF CHAMPIONSHIPS. THE FESTIVAL IS AIMED Ai PROMOTING FRIENDSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING AMONGST ALL PARTICIPANTS.
PRIOR TO THE TEAM’S DEPARTURE FOR BALI, THE AMS UNIT ^°LL^R4-°RnK-’L> thong will PRESENT ™E SERVICE colour to the LEADER OF THE DELEGATION AT A CEREMONY ON APRIL 22.
NOTE TO EDITORS i
„ Y9U ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVlR THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT 7 PM ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 AT THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB, REPULSE BAY.
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ANTI-TB CAMPAIGN POSTER * X * *
A HEALTHY LUNG, FRESH AIR AND A CLEAR ENVIRONMENT ARE ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT TUBERCULOSIS, AND THIS MESSAGE IS ARTISTICALLY CONVEYED IN A GOVERNMENT POSTER DESIGNED BY RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHER TCHAN FOU-LI.
THE POSTER IS BEING DISPLAYED IN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS AROUND TOWN AS PART OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S ANTI-TB CAMPAIGN.
IT DEPICTS A PHOTOGRAPH, ENTITLED +HUANG SHAN+, WHICH TYPIFIES CLEAR, CLEAN MOUNTAIN AIR, WHICH IN TURN SYMBOLIZE THE +HEALTHY LIVING-HEALTHY LUNGS+ PHILOSOPHY THAT THE ANTI-TB CAMPAIGN IS ADVOCATING.
THROUGH THE POSTER, THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED THAT IF THEY HAVE BEEN COUGHING CONTINUOUSLY FOR MORE THAN FOUR WEEKS THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY GO TO A GOVERNMENT CHEST CLINIC FOR A CHEST X-RAY.
MR TCHAN HAS BEEN AWARDED NUMEROUS PRIZES FOR HIS REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY. HE STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE ANTI-TB CAMPAIGN AND AGREED TO LEND HIS MASTERPIECE TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR USE ON THE POSTER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CREATIVE SUB-DIVISION OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES SAID THAT NATURE’S FRESHNESS, OPENNESS, VITALITY AND HEALTHINESS AS EXPRESSED IN MR TCr'AN’S BEAUTIFUL WORK, VIVIDLY UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY LUNGS.
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MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1981
5
TENDERS FOR ROAD WORK IN SHA TIN
*****
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS IN THE EASTERN PART OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
A SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE WORK FORMS PART OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN STAGE I DEVELOPMENT.
IN ADDITION TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND DRAINS, IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE BUILDING OF TWO PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST SUBWAYS IN THE RECLAIMED LAND BETWEEN YUEN CHAU KOK AND SIU LEK YUEN.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT, DESIGNED AND TO BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, CONSULTING ENGINEERS TO PWD'S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WILL START IN JULY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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WORK ON WATER SUPPLY TO TAI WO TSUEN
*****
TENDERS HAVE BEEN INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BREAK PRESSURE TANK AND THE LAYING OF 4 800 METRES OF FRESH AND SALT WATER MAINS IN TSUEN WAN.
THE MAINS WILL RANGE FROM 400 MM TO 150 MM IN DIAMETER AND WILL STRETCH FROM TAI WO TSUEN INTERCHANGE ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO THE TAI WO TSUEN SERVICE RESERVOIRS.
THE WORK, TO BEGIN IN JUNE AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE, IS THE LAST PART OF THE FRESH AND SALT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS TO THE TAI WO TSUEN DEVELOPMENT.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE SERVICE RESERVOIRS AND PUMPING STATION IS ALREADY IN PROGRESS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1981
DECISION ON WATER RESTRICTIONS DEFERRED ................... 1
CONSULTANTS APPOINTED TO REVIEW GAS SAFETY STANDARDS .. 1
NEW BEACON HILL RAILWAY TUNNEL OPENS ON MONDAY ............ 3
SUSPENSION OF TRAIN SERVICES BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN................................................ 4
VACCINATION FOR FISHERMEN CHILDREN ........................ 5
BUILDING INDUSTRY MANPOWER SURVEY STARTS .................. 5
SOCIAL WELFARE DIRECTOR SEES SERVICES FOR RETARDED CHILDREN ......................................... 6
ENTRIES OPEN FOR TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACES ................. 7
WATER CUT IN WONG TAI SIN
8
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1981
1
DECISION ON WATER RESTRICTIONS DEFERRED
* * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WILLIAM TUCKER, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE DECISION ON WHETHER THERE WOULD BE WATER RESTRICTIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND HAD BEEN DEFERRED FOR AT LEAST THREE WEEKS.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE AFTER A REVIEW OF THE WATER SITUATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
SO FAR THIS MONTH, THE YIELD IN THE ISLAND RESERVOIRS HAS BEEN 1.24 MILLION CUBIC METRES AND THE RAINFALL RECORDED HAS BEEN MORE THAN 65 MM.
MR TUCKER SAID: +THE YIELD FROM THE RAINFALL WE HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR THIS MONTH, THOUGH NOT ENCOURAGING, HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP IN MAINTAINING THE STORAGE POSITION THAT EXISTED ABOUT 10 DAYS BACK.
♦IN VIEW OF THIS SLIGHT POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT, WE HAVE DECIDED TO WAIT FOR SOME MORE TIME BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER ANY RESTRICTIONS NEED TO BE IMPOSED.♦
MR TUCKER SAID THAT THE WATER SUPPLY POSITION WOULD BE KEPT CONTINUOUSLY UNDER OBSERVATION FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
IF THE STORAGE SITUATION BECAME MORE FAVOURABLE, HE ADDED, THE RESTRICTIONS WOULD BE POSTPONED FURTHER.
THIS DECISION WILL VERY MUCH DEPEND ON THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE YIELD FROM THE RAINFALL AS WELL AS DRAW-OFF FROM RESERVOIRS DURING THE PERIOD.
MR TUCKER AGAIN URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ONCE AGAIN TO EXERCISE MAXIMUM ECONOMY IN THE USE OF WATER.
♦THIS WILL CONTRIBUTE GREATLY TOWARDS OUR EFFORTS IN MAINTAINING A FULL SUPPLY OF WATER,♦ HE ADDED.
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CONSULTANTS APPOINTED TO REVIEW GAS SAFETY STANDARDS * * * * *
THE INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY SERVICE OF THE BRITISH GAS CORPORATION HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF GAS SAFETY IN HONG KONG AND TO ADVISE ON IMPROVEMENTS.
THE CORPORATION, THE LARGEST SINGLE INTERNATIONAL GAS
,N THE W0RLD» AND WHICH HAS 160 YEARS EXPERIENCE, WAS SELECTED FROM A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL FIRMS WHICH BID FOR THE CONSvLiANCY •
/cOJMsHTING Oil ......
TUESDAY, APBIL 21, 1981
2
COMMENTING ON THE APPOINTMENT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: ♦BECAUSE OF THE WIDE-RANGING AND COMPLEX NATURE OF THE TASK INVOLVED, REQUIRING EXPERTISE THAT IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT INVITED PROPOSALS FROM RECOGNISED CONSULTANTS WITH THE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES.
♦THE SUCCESSFUL CONSULTANTS WERE CHOSEN AFTER A THOROUGH EVALUATION EXERCISE AIMED AT ENSURING THAT HONG KONG OBTAINED THE BEST AVAILABLE SERVICES IN THIS FIELD.+
THE REVIEW OF SAFETY STANDARDS WILL COVER ALL ASPECTS OF THE GAS INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG. THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE CONSULTANCY ARE :
- TO REVIEW THE EXISTING SITUATION ON THE IMPORTATION, MANUFACTURE, STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION AND SAFETY STANDARDS OF TOWN GAS AND LPG-
- TO REVIEW THE ADEQUACY OF EXISTING LEGISLATION IN AREAS ALREADY SUBJECT TO CONTROL-
- TO ASSESS THE DESIRABILITY OF EXTENDING LEGISLATIVE CONTROL TO AREAS NOT CURRENTLY, OR ADEQUATELY, COVERED, HAVING REGARD TO INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS AND PRACTICES-
- TO ADVISE HOW PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC IS TO BE SAFEGUARDED BY THE NEW OR AMENDING LEGISLATION*
- TO ASSESS THE LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF INTRODUCING NEW CONTROLS-
- TO ADVISE ON THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR AMENDING LEGISLATION WITH REGARD TO THE TECHNICAL STANDARDS REQUIRED-
- TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE BEST METHODS OF IMPLEMENTING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND OF ENFORCING LEGISLATION TO BE ENACTED*
AND
- AS NECESSARY, TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES OF A CONSULTANT TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED AND ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE BRITISH GAS CORPORATION WILL SEND A TEAM TO HONG KONG NEXT WEEK. AN INTERIM REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT IN ABOUT 12 WEEKS AND THE FULL STUDY IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 20 WEEKS TO COMPLETE.
AS A HIGH PRIORITY THE CONSULTANTS WILL ASSESS AND ADVISE ON THE PRESENT SITUATION WITH REGARD TO GAS WATER HEATERS.
TUESDAY, APBIL 21, 1981
3
THE TEAM WILL COMPRISE A SENIOR ENGINEERING MANAGER, A LEGAL ADVISER WITH DETAILED KNOWLEDGE OF ALL LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE GAS INDUSTRY AND A SENIOR DISTRIBUTION ENGINEER EXPERIENCED N THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY CODES AND PRACTICES, EACH WITH MORE THAN 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS.
THE TEAM WILL BE AUGMENTED AS NECESSARY FROM THE CONSIDERABLE BACK-UP EXPERTISE AND SPECIALIST SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THE CORPORATION.
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NEW BEACON HILL RAILWAY TUNNEL OPENS ON MONDAY ft ft ft ft
SINGLE-TRACK BEACON HILL TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED PERMANENTLY TO RAIL TRAFFIC FROM SATURDAY (APRIL 25) MARKING THF END OF A CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY.
THE LAST TRAIN WILL PASS THROUGH THE 71-YEAR-OLD TUNNEL WHICH WAS BUILT IN 1910, ON FRIDAY (APRIL 24). ’
THE OLD TUNNEL WILL BE REPLACED BY A NEW DOUBLE—TRACK RFArnw .tunnel which will be opened to rail traffic next 2™d*?EAC0N \ nia II. c. ( J #
„™E 2.3-KILOMETRE NEW TUNNEL HAD BEEN BUILT AT A LOWER LEVEL THE GRADIENTS ON THE APPROACHES, MR LEUNG MIN-SUN TODAYN('tuESDAY)NEER (RA,LWAY) 0F THE publ|C WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID
PRIOR TO THE CHANGEOVER, HE SAID, THE CONTRACTORS WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE TRACK ON BOTH SIDES OF fHE EXISTING TUNNEL FLATTEN THE EMWNKMENT AND RE-ROUTE THE TRACK TO THE NEW BEACON HILL I UNNEL.
TO SHA TIN EVENING COMPANY
unC1ILlIAJLI^.W9RK’ TRAIN SERVICES BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND W'LL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM FRIDAY EVENING TO SUNDAY AND THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY WILL ARRANGE WITH BUS SHUTTLE BUS SERVICES BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND SHA TIN.
MR
Ti.r* leUNG SAID ONLY A SINGLE TRACK WOULD BE OPERATIONAL AT J?E| ^nR?MCAEec3°JeLTUNN€L AFTER THE 0PENING- A SECOND TRACK WILL EE LAID IN A FEW WEEKS.
THE WHOLE PROJECT, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNNEL AND THE APPROACHES, COSTS S125 MILLION.
THE MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR THE TUNNEL IS AOKI CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. AND THE CONSTRACTOR FOR THE APPROACHES IS CHIU HING CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORTATION CO. LTD.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1981
4
SUSPENSION OF TRAIN SERVICES BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN ft ft ft ft ft
THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED COMMUTERS THAT TRAIN SERVICES BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (APRIL 25 AND 26).
THE TWO EXPRESS THROUGH TRAINS WILL ALSO NOT RUN ON THESE TWO DAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR KCR SAID THE RAILWAY LINE SOUTH OF SHA TIN STATION MUST BE COMPLETELY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC TO ENABLE THE VERY HEAVY CIVIL ENGINEERING WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NEW DOUBLE-TRACK BEACON HILL TUNNEL.
ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY (APRIL 27 AND 28), SIGNALLING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEW ROUTE WILL BE INTRODUCED AND A REDUCED SERVICE WILL BE OPERATED.
DETAILS OF THE AMENDED TIME-TABLE ARE DISPLAYED AT ALL STATIONS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC.
DURING THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION, ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE WITH KMB TO RUN A SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON AND THE RACECOURSE STATION IN SHA TIN.
♦THE INCONVENIENCE TO COMMUTERS IS VERY MUCH REGRETTED, BUT IT IS ENTIRELY UNAVOIDABLE. THE WORK CONSTITUTES A VITAL PART IN COMPLETING THE REBUILD OF THE RAILWAY IN TIME TO OPEN THE FIRST STAGE OF ELECTRIFIED SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN BY THE SPRING OF 1982,+ THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
♦CLEARLY ON APRIL 25 AND 26, AND TO A MUCH LESSER DEGREE ON APRIL 27 AND 28, WE SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO CARRY THE NORMAL NUMBER OF PASSENGERS AND COMMUTERS ARE ADVISED TO USE OTHER FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT,+ HE ADDED.
NORMAL TRAIN SERVICES WILL RESUME ON APRIL 29.
THE KCR SPOKESMAN SAID DUE TO A RACE MEETING IN SHA TIN ON APRIL 25, THERE WILL BE NO SHUTTLE BUS SERVICES ON THAT DAY BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN FROM 11.30 AM TO 6.30 PM.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1981
5
VACCINATION FOR FISHERMEN CHILDREN
* * * *
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS MADE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO FACILITATE FISHING FOLKS TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN IMMUNISED AGAINST CHILDHOOD DISEASES.
AN INOCULATION TEAM WILL STATION ON A MARINE LAUNCH AT THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 23) AND AT THE LEI YUE MUN TYPHOON SHELTER ON FRIDAY (APRIL 24).
THE TEAM WILL GIVE FREE VACCINATION TO CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SIX MONTHS AND 10 YEARS AGAINST MEASLES, DIPHTHERIA-TETANUS AND DOLIO.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT URGED ALL FISHERMEN TO MAKE USE CF THIS SPECIAL SERVICE FOR THE HEALTH OF THEIR CHILDREN.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +WE HAVE CHOSEN THIS PERIOD BECAUSE MOST CF THE FISHERMEN WOULD BE IN PORT TO PREPARE FOR THE CELEBRATION CF THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL.+
HE SAID THE PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN OF THE MARINE POPULATION RESPONDING TO IMMUNISATION IS RELATIVELY LOWER THAN THAT OF THOSE LIVING ON LAND.
♦THIS IS UNDERSTANDABLE AS THE BOAT PEOPLE MAY NOT FIND IT CONVENIENT TO VISIT THE MANY MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES ON SHORE,+ HE SAID.
FOR THIS REASON, THE DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN THE INITIATIVE OF ERINGING TO THEM A SERIES OF ESSENTIAL VACCINATION PROGRAMMES.
VACCINATION AGAINST CHILDHOOD DISEASES IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE ALL YEAR ROUND AT ANY OF THE 38 MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
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BUILDING INDUSTRY MANPOWER SURVEY STARTS *****
-e _UJHE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL TODAY MANPOWER SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S BUILDING INDUSTRY.
INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD (TUESDAY) STARTED A AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
THE FOUR-DAY SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED WITH ASSISTANT nr ™E DEPAR™ENT, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. IT ALSO COVERS ALL ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE INFORMATION WHICH EMPLOYERS ARE INCLUDES:
REQUESTED TO SUPPLY
/(l) THZ NUMBER .......
TUESDAY, APBIL 21, 1981
6
(I) THE NUMBER OF WORKERS AT PRESENT EMPLOYED-
(II) THE NUMBER OF WORKERS AT PRESENT UNDER TRAINING- AND
(III) THE NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANCIES.
DURING THE SURVEY PERIOD, SURVEY INTERVIEWERS WILL VISIT EACH OF THE PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION SITES TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION. AT THE SAME TIME, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS WILL, ON BEHALF OF THE TRAINING BOARD, LIAISE WITH THE SITE FOREMEN OF ALL GOVERNMENT SITES TO COLLECT THE SAME INFORMATION.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, MR HO SAI-CHU, STRESSED THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDE^ AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL SITE OR FIRM.
MR HO URGED EMPLOYERS TO CO-OPERATE BY PROVIDING ACCURATE INFORMATION SO THAT PLANS CAN BE FORMULATED TO MEET THE INDUSTRY’S MANPOWER NEEDS.
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SOCIAL WELFARE DIRECTOR SEES SERVICES FOR RETARDED CHILDREN * * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, SPENT A HALF DAY TODAY (TUESDAY) IN TWO INSTITUTIONAL HOMES INSPECTING THEIR SERVICES PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION AND FOR SEVERELY RETARDED CHILDREN.
DURING HIS AFTERNOON VISIT TO THE CHAK YAN CENTRE RUN BY THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES IN SHAM SHUI PO, HE TOURED SCHOOL CLASSES AND SAW PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS ON AIR-CONDITIONING, METAL AND ELECTRICAL WORK, CARPENTRY AND SEWING.
THE GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED CENTRE PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO 160 BOYS AGED EIGHT TO 16 YEARS WITH BEHAVIOURAL OR FAMILY PROBLEMS.
IT RUNS A SPECIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRAMME COMPRISING NORMAL SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND VARIOUS PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING, IN ADDITION TO RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SOCIETY’S SECRETARY, MR WILSON CHEUNG, THE DIRECTOR INSPECTED THE FACILITIES AT ITS DORMITORIES, GYMNASIUM AND ASSEMBLY HALL, PLAYGROUND AND KITCHEN.
MR ALLEYNE LATER CALLED AT THE PAK TIN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
RUN BY THE HONG KONG MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION FOR 80 SEVERELY MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN AGED SIX TO 16 YEARS.
/HE WAS ....
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1?8l
7
HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE SUPERVISOR, MR PETER MOK, ON THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES WHICH AIMED AT DEVELOPING THE CHILDREN’S ABILITIES WITH A VIEW TO REINTEGRATING THEM INTO THE COMMUNITY.
THE CHILDREN ARE TRAINED IN BASIC SELF-CARE, MOTOR SKILLS, AND ARE HELPED IN THEIR INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ORGANISED INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. THE CENTRE ALSO PROVIDES MEDICAL AND NURSING CARE FOR THE CHILDREN.
0 - -
ENTRIES OPEN FOR TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACES * * * *
THE NUMBER OF TEAMS ENTERING THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACES, PEGGED TO 36 FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, IS TO BE INCREASED THIS YEAR '0 50.
THE RACES WILL BE HELD AT SHUEN WAN HOI ON JUNE 6, THE FIFTH DAY OF THE 5TH MONTH ON THE LUNAR CALENDAR.
THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES IS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF KEEN DEMAND.
THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACES ARE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST COLOURFUL FESTIVAL EVENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TRADITIONALLY THEY TOOK PLACE AT YUEN CHAU TSAI, BUT HAD TO BE MOVED TO THE NEW COURSE LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF RECLAMATION WORK FOR TAI PO NEW TOWN.
LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, FACTORIES, COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONS, SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND SCHOOLS ARE BEING INVITED TO ENTER TEAMS.
EACH TEAM WILL CONSIST OF 30 MEMBERS, INCLUDING 27 OARSMEN, A DRUMMER, A GONG-BEATER AND A COX. THREE RESERVES WILL ALSO BE PERMITTED.
THERE WILL BE FIVE HEATS IN THE MORNING. THE WINNER AND RUNNER-UP IN EACH HEAT WILL COMPETE IN THE FINAL RACE IN THE AFTERNOON.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE. THEY SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED BY APRIL 30.
THE RACES ARE BEING ORGANISED BY A COMMITTEE COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, RURAL COMMITTEES, SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN WONG, IS CHAIRMAN CF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, WHILE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, AND THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WILLIAM TUCKER, ARE HONORARY PRESIDENTS.
FUNDS FOR THE EVENTS ARE BEING PROVIDED BY TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL DONATIONS.
/8 •
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1981
- 8 -
WATER CUT IN WONG TAI SIN * * * *
THE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY (APRIL 23) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, SHA TIN PASS ROAD, wONG TAI SIN ROAD AND MA CHAI HANG ROAD, INCLUDING BLOCK 8 OF LOwER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE, BLOCKS 1 - 15, UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE, LUNG CHEUNG TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND WONG TAI SIN GOVERNMENT SCHOOL.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1?81
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
1981 PROPERTY REVIEW ON SALE ................................. 1
PUBLIC COMMENTS INVITED ON SSPA WORKING PkRTY RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................ 4
SELECTION SYSTEMS AIM TO MINIMISE PRESSURE ON STUDENTS........ 6
WORK ON TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER STARTS NEXT MONTE ................ 7
LAW COURSE FOR JOURNALISTS ..................................... 8
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT ..................... 9
COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS GOES ON LECTURE TOUR .................
CANTONESE OPER^ COURSE FOR SI-L. TIN RESIDENTS ................ 1°
WATER CUT IN PAT HEUNG........................................
WEDNESDAY, APBIL 22, 1981
1
1981 PROPERTY REVIEW ON SALE *****
THE 1981 PROPERTY REVIEW, PUBLISHED BY THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, IS NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT 150 A COPY.
COMMENTING ON THE REVIEW, THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR R.A. FRY, SAID THAT OVERALL THE MARKET IN 1980 HAD REMAINED BUOYANT WITH RENTS AND PURCHASE PRICES CONTINUING TO MOVE UPWARDS.
THE RETURN TO HIGH INTEREST RATES IN THE LATTER PART OF THE YEAR HOWEVER HAD EFFECTIVELY DAMPENED DEMAND FOR DOMESTIC PREMISES AND THE MARKET WOULD APPEAR TO BE ENTERING A PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION.
COMPLETIONS OF AND CONSENTS TO COMMENCE NEW BUILDING WORKS AT 2.6 MILLION SQUARE METRES AND NEARLY 2.9 MILLION SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY WERE SLIGHTLY DOWN ON THE 1979 FIGURES BUT THIS IS SEEN AS NO MORE THAN PART OF THE CYCLICAL PATTERN OF THE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT SECTOR.
DOMESTIC «
THE 1980 SUPPLY OF DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AT 24 995 UNITS WAS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN FORECAST. IF, HOWEVER, UNITS FOUND TO BE INA COMPLETED STATE AT THE END OF THE YEAR AWAITING THE ISSUE OF AN OCCUPATION PERMIT ARE INCLUDED COMPLETIONS WERE FAIRLY CLOSE TO THE 1979 LEVEL. SOME 63 000 UNITS ARE FORECAST TO BE COMPLETED OVER THE TWO YEARS 1981 AND 1982.
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THE NUMBER OF DOMESTIC UNITS COMPLETED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SURPASSED THAT FOR HONG KONG ISLAND. AS SUITABLE SITES ON THE ISLAND BECOME DEPLETED THIS TREND SEEMS LIKELY TO CONTINUE SINCE THE GREATER PROPORTION OF THE SUPPLY FORECAST FOR 1981 AND 1982, SOME 41 PER CENT IN BOTH YEARS, WILL BE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF SMALLER UNITS CONTINUED TO PREDOMINATE WITH UNITS IN THE SIZE RANGE 20 TO 29.9 SQUARE METRES BEING THE MOST POPULAR. UNITS IN THE SIZE RANGE 30 TO 39.9 SQUARE METRES ARE EXPECTED TO FORM THE BULK OF NEW DEVELOPMENT IN 1981. ALTHOUGH THE PRODUCTION OF HOUSES IN 1980 WAS UP ON PREVIOUS YEARS A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE YEAR’S SUPPLY WAS OF SMALL UNITS IN AN OUTLYING DISTRICT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TOTAL DOMESTIC VACANCIES AT DECEMBER 1980 WERE AROUND 17 000 UNITS AND ALTHOUGH THIS IS UP ON LAST YEAR’S FIGURE IT REPRESENTS ONLY 3.6 PER CENT OF THE YEAR-END STOCK, A REASONABLY INSIGNIFICANT PROPORTION GIVEN THE NORMAL DAY TO DAY MOVEMENTS WHICH MUST OCCUR IN SUCH A MARKET. FURTHERMORE, OVER 7 800 UNITS OR 46 PER CENT WERE IN BUILDINGS COMPLETED ONLY IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
RENTALS SHOWED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE FOR ALL CLASSES OF DOMESTIC PREMISES DURING 1980, WITH AVERAGE INCREASES RANGING FROM 50 PER CENT TO 75 PER CENT OVER 1979 FIGURES. THERE WAS, HOWEVER, SOME INDICATION OF A LEVELLING OFF OF RENTS TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, PARTICULARLY AT THE TOP END OF THE MARKET WHERE AN ANTICIPATED IMPROVED SUPPLY OF LARGER UNITS IN 1981 AND 1982 SHOULD FURTHER EASE THE SITUATION.
/SALE PRICES ...
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1981
2
SALE PRICES, FOLLOWING AN INITIAL DOWNTURN AS A RESULT OF THE . EXTENSION OF RENT CONTROLS AND SUGGESTIONS THAT GOVERNMENT INTENDED INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO COMBAT SPECULATION, INCREASED SLOWLY DURING THE YEAR WITH AVERAGE INCREASES VARYING FROM 18 PER CENT TO 39 PER CENT OVER 1979.
SHOPS 1
IN THE RETAIL SECTOR, 180 600 SQUARE METRES OF SHOP SPACE WAS COMPLETED IN 1980, A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE ON 1979. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES ARE FORECAST FOR 1981 AND 1982 AS MORE SPACE IN THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST DEVELOPMENTS COMES ON-STREAM. VACANCIES AT THE END OF 1980 STOOD AT 221 700 SQUARE METRES, UP ALMOST 50 PER CENT ON THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THE HIGHEST VACANCY SITUATION EVER RECORDED.
OFFICES :
A RECORD SUPPLY OF 296 700 SQUARE METRES OF OFFICE SPACE WAS PRODUCED IN 1980, A 66 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE SUPPLY FOR 1979. FORECASTS INDICATE THAT THE RAPID INCREASE IN SUPPLY WILL BE MAINTAINED OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS WITH 417 600 SQUARE METRES SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1981 AND 554 000 SQUARE METRES IN 1982.
A HIGHER STANDARD OF ACCOMMODATION IS NOW BEING PRODUCED, MR FRY SAID, WITH OVER 70 PER CENT OF THE YEAR’S SUPPLY CLASSIFIED AS GRADE A, AND FORECASTS INDICATE THAT THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE IN 1981. THEREAFTER, THE BALANCE WILL SHIFT TO THE LOWER GRADES. WHILE THE BULK OF NEW ACCOMMODATION CONTINUED TO BE LOCATED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, FORECASTS FOR 1981 AND 1982 INDICATE A LARGER PROPORTION OF COMPLETIONS OCCURRING IN OTHER AREAS.
OF A TOTAL OF 202 900 SQUARE METRES VACANT AT DECEMBER 1980, 46 PER CENT WAS COMPLETED ONLY IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR WHILE ONLY 14 PER CENT RELATED TO PREMISES BUILT BEFORE 1980.
RENTS MORE THAN DOUBLED DURING THE YEAR WITH AVERAGE RENTS RANGING FROM THE LOWEST GRADE C AT $80 PER SQUARE METRE TO THE HIGHEST GRADE A AT $217. THERE WAS, HOWEVER, SOME INDICATION OF A LEVELLING OFF OF RENTS TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR AS THE BULK OF THE SUPPLY CAME ON-STREAM.
FLATTED FACTORIES 1
THE OUTTURN OF FLATTED FACTORY ACCOMMODATION AT 976 700 SQUARE METRES WAS IN LINE WITH THE FORECAST. ANTICIPATED COMPLETIONS TOTAL 1 074 200 SQUARE METRES IN 1981 AND A RECORD 1.75 MILLION SQUARE METRES IN 1982.
THE LARGEST ADDITIONS CONTINUED TO BE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH NOW ACCOUNTS FOR 41 PER CENT OF THE ENTIRE STOCK.
THE TOTAL VACANCY POSITION AS AT DECEMBER WAS JUST OVER 476 000 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 79 PER CENT WAS IN BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN 1980. DEMAND FOR NEW ACCOMMODATION CONTINUED AT A HIGH LEVEL WITH THE AMOUNT OF SPACE TAKEN UP IN I960 EQUAL TO 111 PER CENT OF THE YEAR’S SUPPLY.
THE COMMISSIONER NOTED THAT PURCHASE PRICES HAD INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF 43 PER CENT OVER 1979 AS COMPARED TO AVERAGE RENTS WHICH REGISTERED A 33 PER CENT INCREASE FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
I /CONCLUSION ...
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1981
5
CONCLUSION 1
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MAIN STATISTICS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR
THE TEARS 1979 AND 1980 WITH FORECAST FIGURES FOR 1981 AND 1982 i FORECAST
DOMESTIC 1979 1980 1981 1982
SUPPLY IN YEAR UNITS TOTAL AMOUNT VACANT AT DECEMBER OF 27 795 24 995 33 880 29 265
YEAR UNITS SHOPS 14 550 *17 000
SUPPLY IN YEAR SQ.M. TOTAL AMOUNT VACANT AT DECEMBER OF 131 000 180 600 244 300 291 300
YEAR SQ.M. OFFICES 148 500 221 700 ♦ •
SUPPLY IN YEAR SQ.M. TOTAL AMOUNT VACANT AT DECEMBER OF 178 300 296 700 417 600 554 000
YEAR SQ.M. 78 700 MISCELLANEOUS COMMERCIAL 202 900 *
SUPPLY IN YEAR SQ.M. TOTAL AMOUNT VACANT AT DECEMBER OF 96 200 91 700 112 100 109 300
YEAR SQ.M. FLATTED FACTORIES 115 000 111 300
SUPPLY IN YEAR SQ.M. TOTAL AMOUNT VACANT AT DECEMBER OF 1 277 700 976 700 1 074 200 1 745 600
YEAR SQ.M. 581 000 476 100 /STOBAGE .. •■V
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1981 ,
4
STORAGE
SUPPLY IN YEAR SQ.M. 235 100
TOTAL AMOUNT
VACANT AT
DECEMBER OF
YEAR SQ.M. 76 100
43 000 140 900 143 400
24 800
* BASED ON SAMPLE SURVEY
PUBLIC COMMENTS INVITED ON SSPA WORKING PARTY RECOMMENDATIONS ****** .
PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE INVITED ON THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY SET UP TO REVIEW THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SYSTEM.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
COPIES OF THE REPORT TOGETHER WITH A LEAFLET ON THE SUMMARY CF RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
INTERESTED GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENTS TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31.
+AS THERE IS WIDE INTERESTS IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SYSTEM, I FEEL MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO AIR THEIR VIEWS ON THE REPORT,+ MR C.H. HAYE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE SYSTEM WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF COMMENTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED IN 1978 TO REPLACE THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION WITH THE AIM OF ABOLISHING UNDUE PRESSURE ON PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS AND VARIOUS ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS WHICH WERE CONSIDERED UNHEALTHY AND WERE DISTORTING THE OBJECTS OF PRIMARY EDUCATION.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATED POLICY THAT THE SYSTEM WOULD BE REVIEWED IN 1980, A WORKING PARTY WAS SET UP BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IN JANUARY LAST YEAR WITH THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF REFERENCE t
* IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED TO DATE, AND TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS OF THOSE INVOLVED IN OPERATING THE SYSTEM AND PUBLIC OPINION GENERALLY, TO REVIEW THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF ALLOCATION OF JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES, AND HAVING REGARD TO THE NEEDS AND LEGITIMATE INTEREST OF PUPILS, SCHOOLS AND OPERATING BODIES, TO RECOMMEND TO THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ANY IMPROVEMENTS OR REFINEMENTS OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM AS THE WORKING PARTY DEEMS APPROPRIATE-AND
A TO HAKE .....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1981
- 5 -
* TO MAKE SUCH OTHER OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AS THE WORKING PARTY MAY CONSIDER RELEVANT TO THE ABOVE.
AS A RESULT OF THE WORKING PARTY’S INVITATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, A TOTAL OF 61 SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED OF WHICH 34 WERE FROM INDIVIDUALS AND 27 FROM GROUPS.
ALL THE SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED WERE CONSIDERED BY THE WORKING PARTY UNDER THE FOLLOWING MAIN HEADINGSi PUPIL ASSESSMENT- SCHOOL NETS- THE FEEDER AND NOMINATED SCHOOL SYSTEM- THE ALLOCATION SYSTEM, AND OTHER COMMENTS.
THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY WEREi
PUPIL ASSESSMENT
(I) SCHOOL INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS SHOULD BE CONTINUED- AND
(II) A NEW CURRICULUM-ORIENTATED TEST IN THE USE OF CHINESE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED FOR SCALING PURPOSES ONLY.
THE NET SYSTEM
(I) THE OVERALL STRUCTURE AND SIZE OF THE PRESENT NETS, WITH A BALANCE OF TECHNICAL, PUBLIC GRAMMAR (ANGLO-CHINESE AND CHINESE) AND PRIVATE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS FOR EACH NET SHOULD BE RETA I NED-
UI) FOR ALLOCATION PURPOSES ALL GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED OF EQUAL QUALITY- AND
(III) THE PRESENT NEW TERRITORIES NET 6 SHOULD BE SPLIT INTO TWO TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TAI PO AND NORTH DISTRICTS MORE ADEQUATELY.
THE FEEDER AND NOMINATED SCHOOL SYSTEM AND DISCRETIONARY PLACES
(I) AS A LONG TERM MEASURE PROVIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS BECOME MORE COMPARABLE IN STANDARD AND PROVIDED THERE WAS CONTROL OF ENTRY TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS, THE FEEDER AND NOMINATED SCHOOL SYSTEMS SHOULD BE RETAINED, EXTENDED AND MODIFIED TO MINIMISE DIFFERENCES-
(II) AS AN INTERIM MEASURE THE FEEDER QUOTA SHOULD BECOME 50 PER CENT IN 1983- AND
(III) THE FEEDER QUOTA SHOULD BE BASED ON ALL FORM/MIDDLE 1 CLASSES, INCLUDING ^FLOATING* CLASSES, AS FROM 1983.
THE ALLOCATION SYSTEM
(I) THE ALLOCATION SYSTEM SHOULD GIVE EACH SCHOOL AN ACCEPTABLE RANGE OF ABILITY WHICH COULD BE CONTROLLED-
/(II) THE .....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1981
6
T?Eda?I?!iNI ra?P2m element ,n allocation should be avoided lr rvQQIdLg“ AND
(III) FURTHER RESEARCH SHOULD BE CONDUCTED OF ALLOCATION.
INTO THE BEST METHOD
MR HAYE STRESSED THAT NO FINAL DECISIONS WILL BE TAKEN UNTIL DUE CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO PUBLIC COMMENTS
TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
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SELECTION SYSTEMS AIM TO ft *
MINIMISE PRESSURE ON STUDENTS ft ft ft
THE PRESENT SELECTION SYSTEMS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO GIVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS WITH THE MINIMUM EXAMINATION PRESSURE. MR ARTHUR BROWN. SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT) SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE VICTORIA LIONS CLUB MR BROWN REVIEWED CHANGES IN HONG KONG’S EDUCATION SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY IN THE ALLOCATION OF FREE AND COMPULSORY FORM 1 AND SUBSIDISED FORM 4 PLACES.
WITH THE SCALING TEST IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SYSTEM A CHILD’S FATE WAS NOT DECIDED IN ONE DAY, AND IT DID NOT MATTER EVEN IF HE MISSED THE TEST ENTIRELY, HE SAID.
WHAT WAS NOW MORE VITAL WAS THE STUDENT’S PERFORMANCE IN PRIMARY 5 AND 6 ON WHICH THE INTERNAL ASSESSMENT WAS BASED, AND A CHILD MUST WORK HARD AT ALL SUBJECTS.
♦THIS HAS CERTAINLY INCREASED INTEREST IN SUBJECTS LIKE SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUD IES,♦ MR BROWN SAID.
ANOTHER STEP TAKEN TO REDUCE THE PRESSURE ON SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION WAS THE INTRODUCTION OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT (JSEA) SYSTEM, HE SAID.
WITHOUT THE JSEA, THE SOLUTION MIGHT BE TO KEEP AS MANY FORM 3 GRADUATES AS POSSIBLE IN THEIR OWN SECONDARY SCHOOLS DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE FORMS 4 AND 5 PLACES.
THIS WILL MEAN PRIMARY 6 GRADUATES WOULD SCRAMBLE TO ENROL IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH THE MOST NUMBER OF SENIOR SECONDARY PLACES. THUS PUTTING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON SELECTION AT AN EARLIER LEVEL.
♦MANY PEOPLE ARE PRESSING FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE JSEA WITHOUT FULLY REALISING THE ADDITIONAL PRESSURE IT WOULD PUT ON PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN,* MR BROWN SAID.
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/7.....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1981
- 7 -
WORK ON TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER STARTS NEXT MONTH *****
THE 1981-82 ROAD BUILDING PROGRAMME OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT GOT OFF TO A FINE START TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WITH THE AWARD OF THE FIRST MAJOR ROAD CONTRACT THIS YEAR.
THE CONTRACT, WORTH $74 MILLION, IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER.
IT WAS AWARDED TO LEIGHTON CONTRACTORS PTY. LTD.
MR YEUNG KIM-CHOY, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE PWD’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID WORK ON THE CONTRACT, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE AND AN OFF-STREET BUS TERMINUS, WOULD START NEXT MONTH I AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 30 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
HE SAID THE FLYOVER, MEASURING 550 METRES IN LENGTH, WOULD RUN FROM THE LOWER END OF TAI HANG ROAD THROUGH MORETON TERRACE CROSSING CAUSEWAY ROAD TO JOIN GLOUCESTER ROAD ON THE WEST SIDE CF VICTORIA PARK.
INTENSIVE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS SERVED BY TAI HANG ROAD HAS GENERATED A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC VOLUME ON THIS ROAD.
DURING PEAK HOURS, TRAFFIC CONGESTION OFTEN OCCURS AT THE JJNCTION OF TAI HANG ROAD AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD WHERE THE SITUATION IS FURTHER WORSENED BY THE LARGE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT, MAINLY SCHOOL CHILDREN, ACROSS THE ROADS.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE ELEVATED ROAD, MR YEUNG SAID, THE SITUATION WOULD BE IMPROVED AS TRAFFIC COMING DOWN OR GOING UP TAI HANG ROAD COULD AVOID A SERIES OF ROAD JUNCTIONS AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS IN THE AREA. THIS, IN TURN, SHOULD IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
ON THE ALIGNMENT OF THE ELEVATED ROAD, HE SAIDi + IT HAS BEEN I DESIGNED IN AN 'S’ SHAPE IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE ENCROACHMENT CF THE FLYOVER INTO THE SOUTH-WESTERN CORNER OF VICTORIA PARK.
♦TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT IN THE AREA, A 35-METRE LONG COVERED FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE BUILT ACROSS CAUSEWAY ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH SHELTER STREET. +
REFERRING TO THE NEW BUS TERMINUS, MR YEUNG SAID IT WOULD BE LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF MORETON TERRACE AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT BUS TERMINI IN THE AREA WERE SCATTERED IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACES — AT THE BACK OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING, KINGSTON STREET AND MORETON TERRACE.
♦THIS IS NOT SATISFACTORY, AS THE TERMINI AT THE LAST TWO SPOTS HAVE TAKEN UP THE KERB-SIDE SPACE, THUS AFFECTING PEDESTRIAN AND TRAFFIC CIRCULATION,♦ MR YEUNG ADDED. +ADDITIONAL NEW BUS ROUTES TO SERVE THIS BUSY COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREA ARE ALSO HINDERED.♦
/THEREFQBEt THE ..
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1981
8
THEREFORE, THE PROVISION OF A NEW BUS TERMINUS WILL MEET THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL BUS TERMINATING FACILITIES FOR NEW PROPOSED BUS ROUTES, HE SAID.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY PETER Y.S. PUN AND ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PWD.
- - - - 0-----
LAW COURSE FOR JOURNALISTS O M *
AN INTRODUCTORY LAW COURSE FOR WORKING JOURNALISTS WILL BE OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY EXTRA-MURUAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT NEXT MONTH (MAY) IN COLLABORATION WITH THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL.
AND IN THE COMING SEPTEMBER, THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO OFFER AN ADVANCED LAW COURSE FOR JOURNALISTS IN THE FORM OF A WORKSHOP WITH ACTUAL CASE EXAMPLES TO BE STUDIED AND DISCUSSED.
ONE PRE-REQUISITE FOR ENROLMENT TO THE ADVANCED COURSE IS COMPLETION OF THE INTRODUCTORY COURSE.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAINING BOARD, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG, POINTED OUT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE TWO COURSES WILL MEET AN URGENT NEED FOR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR JOURNALISTS.
STARTING FROM MAY 16, THE INTRODUCTORY COURSE WILL BE HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S TOWN CENTRE ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR IN WING ON CENTRE EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON, LASTING FOR 13 WEEKS. IT WILL BE CONDUCTED MAINLY IN CANTONESE AND THE COURSE FEE IS $180.
CONSISTING OF 13 LECTURES TO BE GIVEN BY MR S.H. CHAN, BARRISTER-AT-LAW, THE SYLLABUS OF THE COURSE CONCERNS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE NATURE OF LAW, THE LEGAL SOURCES OF LAW, THE ADMINISTRATION OF LAW, LEGAL AID AND ADVICE, THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF A CONTRACT, ASPECTS OF LABOUR LEGISLATION, COURT PROCEDURES, REPORTING, POLICE POWERS OF ARREST AND DETENTION, ICAC AND THEIR POWERS.
ENROLMENT TO THE INTRODUCTORY COURSE WILL BEGIN ON MAY 9 AND ENROLMENT FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRE.
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/9......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1981
9
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT X * I M K
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
„ ---------------------------------- W,LL BE introduced IN WESTERN DISTRICT BETWEEN 0.30 AM AND 6 AM ON APRIL 26 AND 27 TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR THE HILL ROAD FLYOVER.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL INCLUDE THE PROHIBITION OF VEHICLES FROM ENTERING THE SECTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST BETWEEN WHITTY STREET AND HILL ROAD.
u... I«ArvS1E,<?J.,0^0F^QUEEN’S R0AD WEST BETWEEN BELCHER’S STREET AND HILL ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY WESTBOUND WHILE EASTBOUND TRAEF IC ALONG DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE DIVERTED INTO CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD.
vnciivTDA*SESIl$Nu9f. HlbL R0AD BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES IN THE AREA.
MOTORISTS IN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WISHING TO GO TO THE USE QUEEN’s rOAD WEST VIA WHITTY STREET ex WtoTeRN STREET.
VEHICLES COMING DOWN FROM THE UPPER SECTION OF HILL ROAD WILL HAVE TO TURN LEFT INTO QUEEN’S ROAD WEST.
... $°yiLNOS* 5B’ 10 AND 101 0N THEIR EASTBOUND JOURNEYS IN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA, CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST, CENTRE STREET AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE THE MOTORISTS.
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COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS GOES ON LECTURE TOUR * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS. MR THOMAS GARNER, WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED STATES TOMORROW AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF A FOUR-WEEK LECTURE TOUR DURING WHICH HE WILL SPEAK ON THE WORK OF HONG KONG’S PRISON SERVICE.
MR GARNER WAS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEVENTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SPEAKERS CONSORTIUM ORGANISED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK. HE WILL TOUR AT LEAST FIVE STATES ON THE EAST COAST.
SUBJECTS OF HIS TALK WILL COVER THE VARIED WORK OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT INCLUDING SECURITY PRISONS, THE COMPULSORY PLACEMENT PROGRAMME FOR DRUG ADDICTS, THE SUCCESSFUL CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, THE COMPREHENSIVE AFTER-CARE SERVICE AS WELL AS PRISON INDUSTRIES.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1981
10
CANTONESE OPERA TRAINING COURSE FOR SHA TIN RESIDENTS * * * *
SHA TIN WILL START A SIX-MONTH CANTONESE OPERA TRAINING COURSE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS NEXT MONTH.
THE CLASS, THE SECOND TO BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT, IS BEING ORGANISED BY SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION AND WO CHE COMMUNITY HALL.
BE iNG!Um1tEDET0T3OALL RES,DENTS’ BUT THE numbeR OF STUDENTS IS
TRAINING SESSIONS, CONDUCTED BY PART-TIME INSTRUCTORS. WILL BE HELD AT WO CHE COMMUNITY HALL ON TUESDAY AND SATURDAY EVENINGS AND AT SHA TIN KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE ON THURSDAY EVENINGS.
TRAINEES AND THEIR INSTRUCTORS WILL GIVE REGULAR PERFORMANCES DURING THE COURSE. STUDENTS WILL BE PROMOTED TO AN INTERMEDIATE CLASS AFTER IT ENDS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID IT WAS PLANNED THAT A THIRD CLASS WOULD BE HELD ON A PERMANENT BASIS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE LEK YUEN ESTATE SUB-OFFICE AND WO CHE COMMUNITY HALL.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SATURDAY (APRIL 25). CANDIDATES SELECTED TO ATTEND THE CLASS WILL PAY A MONTHLY TUITION FEE OF $10.
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WATER CUT IN PAT HEUNG M M M M M
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF VILLAGES IN PAT HEUNG YUEN LONG WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY (APRIL 24) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS ALONG KAM TIN ROAD, BETWEEN KO PO TSUEN AND WING LUNG WAI, INCLUDING KAM SHEUNG ROAD, TSZ TONG TSUEN, KO PO TSUEN, YUEN KONG TSUEN, YUEN KONG SAN TSUEN, TAI WO, CHEUNG PO, HO PUI, MA ON KONG, SHU I LAU TIN, SHU I TSAN TIN, NGAU KENG TSUEN, LIN FA TEI, KEI LING AND SHEUNG TSUEN.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ALL PRISONERS ARE TREATED EQTTAT.T.Y............................. 1
CARNIVAL FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED ............................... 3
GREEN BELT FOR BARREN BEACH IN CHEUNG CHAU ...................... 4
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON.................................. 4
RESULTS OF LATEST TENDER FOR URBAN TAXI LICENCES ................ 5
KWUN TONG DB TO VISIT TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN...................... 5
SAI KUNG BROWNIE PACKS FORMED
5
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1981
1
ALL PRISONERS ARE TREATED EQUALLY *****
PRISONERS OF ALL NATIONALITIES ARE TREATED EQUALLY INSIDE PRISONS, THE ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR GARTH HYDES SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCH MEETING OF ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON, M? HYDES SAID A CERTAIN SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY HAS RECENTLY BEEN RATHER VOCAL IN CRITICISING THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH FOREIGN PRISONERS ARE HELD AND THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR THEM.
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT HONG KONG DOES NOT INTEND TO PROVIDE SPECIAL AND LUXURIOUS FACILITIES FOR ITS EXPATRIATE COMMUNITY WHO MAY FIND THEMSELVES IN PRISON.
HE SA IDi +FRIENDS OR FAMILIES OF THESE PEOPLE SENTENCED TO PRISON ARE OFTEN CONCERNED THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO MIX WITH THIEVES, BLACKMAILERS AND OTHER CRIMINALS. HOWEVER, THEY FORGET THAT ONCE THEIR FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER HAS BEEN SENTENCED BY A COURT, THEY BECOME A CRIMINAL THEMSELVES AND ARE IN NO WAY SUPERIOR TO THE OTHER PRISONERS WITH WHOM THEY ARE REQUIRED TO SHARE FACILITIES IN AN INSTITUTION.*
♦IF ONE DOES NOT WISH TO BE DETAINED IN A HONG KONG PRISON, THEN ONE SHOULD NOT COMMIT A CRIME IN HONG KONG,+ HE REMARKED.
MR HYDES ALSO REFUTED ALLEGATIONS THAT PRISONS WERE DENS OF INEQUITY RUN BY TRIAD GANGS AND THAT PERSONS ADMITTED TO PRISON WERE RELEASED EVEN MORE CORRUPTED AND DEPRAVED, HAVING BEEN TAUGHT HOW TO COMMIT CRIMES BY FELLOW PRISONERS.
♦THIS IS FAR FROM THE TRUTH,♦ HE SAID. +WHILST MANY PRISONERS CLAIM TO HAVE TRIAD OR GANG AFFILIATIONS ON ADMISSION TO PRISON, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THERE IS NO TRIAD ACTIVITY IN THE INSTITUTIONS.+
HE SAID THE STAFF ARE WELL AWARE OF THE EVER PRESENT POSSIBILITY OF SUCH ACTIVITY AND ANY PERSON WHO TRIES TO INFLUENCE OTHERS IS IMMEDIATELY SEGREGATED AND MAINTAINED IN THAT SITUATION UNTIL THE AUTHORITIES ARE SATISFIED THAT HE WILL NOT TRY TO EXERT INFLUENCE OVER OTHER PRISONERS.
KNOWN TRIAD OFFICE-BEARERS ON ADMISSION TO AN INSTITUTION ARE SEGREGATED FOR THE GOOD OF THE REST OF THE PRISON COMMUNITY UNTIL THEY PROVE NOT TO BE A PROBLEM, AND, THERE IS NO DANGER OF THEM INFLUENCING OTHERS, HE ADDED.
TO FURTHER COUNTER THE MISBELIEF, MR HYDES REVEALED STATISTICS SHOWING MANY PERSONS WHO ENTER THE PRISON SYSTEM IN HONG KONG DO NOT COMMIT FURTHER CRIMES.
/FOR INSTANCE .......
THUBSDAY, APRIL 23, 198'1
2
FOR INSTANCE, OF THE PERSONS RELEASED FROM A DETENTION CENTRE, SOME 95 PER CENT DO NOT GET INTO TROUBLE AGAIN AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE AFTER-CARE SUPERVISION. IN TREATMENT CENTRES MORE THAN 66 PER CENT DO NOT RETURN TO DRUGS BUT IN THE CASE OF WOMEN THIS FIGURE IS OVER 73 PER CENT. IN TRAINING CENTRES, WHERE THE MORE DIFFICULT TYPE OF YOUTH IS SENT FOR TRAINING, MORE THAN 53 PER CENT FOR BOYS AND 90 PER CENT FOR GIRLS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THREE YEARS AFTER-CARE SUPERVISION. REGARDING PRISONERS IN GENERAL, LEANING THOSE SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT, OVER 46 PER CENT OF THOSE RELEASED OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS HAVE NOT BEEN RE-ADMITTED.
♦THIS, HOWEVER, IS AN AVERAGE FIGURE NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE VARIOUS TYPES OF PRISONS OR PRISONERS OR THE PETTY RECIDIVIST WHO RETURNS REGULARLY TO PR ISON,♦ HE POINTED OUT.
MR HYDES SAID THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT BELIEVES THAT MORE SUCCESS IS POSSIBLE WITH ADULT PRISONERS IF EITHER PAROLE OR AFTER-CARE IS INTRODUCED, WHICH CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, STIFFENS A SENTENCE CONSIDERABLY.
HE SAIDi +AS HAS BEEN PROVEN, INTENSIVE AFTER-CARE SUPERVISION CAN KEEP A PERSON ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW AND THERE IS THE EVER PRESENT THREAT OF RECALL TO PRISON SHOULD CONDITIONS OF SUPERVISION TO BE CONTRAVENED. THE COMMITTING OF ANOTHER CRIME IS NOT NECESSARY FOR THIS MEASURE TO BE INVOKED.^
♦WHILST THERE ARE SAFEGUARDS FOR PRESERVING INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, FREAKING THE RULES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND I BELIEVE, THIS IS FART OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS WITH THE PRESENT AFTER-CARE SYSTEM,♦ FE ADDED.
POINTING OUT THAT THE PRISONER POPULATION IN RECENT YEARS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY VIOLENT AND THE ATTITUDE OF MANY ON ADMISSION IS VERY ANTI-AUTHORITY, MR HYDES SAIDi +THEREFORE CONSIDERABLE CARE MUST BE TAKEN BY THE STAFF TO MINIMISE THE POSSIBILITY OF TROUBLE.♦
HE SAID LONG TERM PRISONERS, OR THOSE SERVING SENTENCES OVER SIX YEARS CAN BE PARTICULARLY VOLATILE- AND GREAT CARE, SELF CONTROL AND RESTRAINT MUST BE EXERCISED ON THE PART OF THE STAFF WHEN DEALING WITH PRISONERS SERVING LIFE, OR INDETERMINATE SENTENCES, AND WHO HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.
DESPITE PRECAUTIONS, HE REMARKED, ASSAULTS ON STAFF DO OCCUR AND THIS TREND CAN BE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE.
MR HYDES ALSO COMMENTED ON A NEWSPAPER REPORT THIS MORNING WHICH SAID YOUNG PEOPLE WERE TERRIFIED OF GOING TO PRISON. HE SAID THE YOUNG ARE DEALT WITH QUITE SEPARATELY FROM THE REST OF THE PENAL POPULATION AND ARE HOUSED IN INSTITUTIONS SET ASIDE FOR THEM.
♦IN FACT, HONG KONG HAS ONE OF THE MOST SOPHISTICATED AND INDIVIDUALISED PENAL SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD,♦ HE SAID.
THE YOUNG AGED 14 TO 21 WERE USUALLY DEALT WITH EITHER IN A TRAINING OR DETENTION CENTRE AND OTHERS IN A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (A PART OF WHICH INCLUDES A PRISON) WITH PROGRAMMES ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THEM.
ZraoTisioir is ...
THURSDAY, AP$IL 23, 1281
3
PROVISION IS ALSO MADE FOR THOSE YOUNG PERSONS WHO ATTAIN THE AGE OF 18 AND WHO ARE SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT BUT ARE TOO SOPHISTICATED OR A BAD INFLUENCE ON OTHERS TO BE CLASSIFIED AS ADULTS AND TRANSFERRED TO AN ADULT PRISON.
+THIS IS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE REST OF THE YOUNG PERSONS IN CUSTODY,* HE SAID. +FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE VERY FEW SUCH CASES.*
♦WHILST IT MAY BE NORMAL FOR THE YOUNG TO BE TERRIFIED OF GOING TO PRISON AND PROBABLY A PHILOSOPHY WHICH SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, THEY ARE PROPERLY CARED FOR ONCE IN CUSTODY,* M? HYDES WENT ON.
♦NEVERTHELESS, TERROR OR PERHAPS CONCERN, WHICH WOULD BE A MORE APPROPRIATE WORD, SHOULD EXIST BEFORE A CRIME IS COMMITTED,♦ bE ADDED.
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CARNIVAL FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED
* ft ft K
MORE THAN 1 500 ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE IN (THURSDAY) TOOK PART IN A CARNIVAL ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT AT WO CHE COMMUNITY HALL.
SHA TIN TODAY SOCIAL WELFARE
cDcriLH|E3 1° A VAR,ETY 0F GAMES AND PERFORMANCES
SPECIALLY ARRANGED FOR THEM.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN WELCOME FIRST STEP TOWARDS A
♦THE COMING TOGETHER OF OF ALL THOSE HERE TODAY WILL SPIRIT,+ HE SAID.
CEREMONY THIS AFTERNOON, THE DIRECTOR ALLEYNE, SAID THE CARNIVAL WAS A COMMUNITY BUILDING EFFORT.
RESIDENTS AND THE CO-OPERATIVE EFFORTS HELP TO DEVELOP A STRONGER COMMUNITY
MR ALLEYNE ALSO EXPRESSED IN ORGANISING THE EVENT.
HIS GRATITUDE TO THOSE WHO TOOK PART
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THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1981
4
GREEN BELT FOR BARREN BEACH IN CHEUNG CHAU * * *
MORE THAN 150 STUDENTS, VOLUNTEERS AND MEMBERS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (THURSDAY) CARRIED OUT A JOINT EFFORT TO TURN THE BARREN TUNG WAN BEACH ON CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND INTO A GREEN
THEY PLANTED 50 TREES INCLUDING HIBISCUS TILIACEUS AND MACARANGA TAXARIUS ALONG THE BEACH OF TUNG WAN DURING THE TREE PLANTING DAY FOR THE ISLAND DISTRICT.
OFFICIATING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OCCASION, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SOUTH REGION) OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JAMES WILSON, SAID THE MEANINGFUL EVENT WAS AIMED AT BEAUTIFYING THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT AND PROVIDING A BETTER REST AREA AND SHADE IN THE POPULAR SUMMER HOLIDAY RESORT.
MR WILSON SAID THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL PLANT 500 TREES OF VARIOUS SPECIES AT AMENITY PLOTS THROUGHOUT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
HE HOPED TODAY’S EXERCISE COULD AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEED OF TAKING CARE OF TREES AND REFRAINING FROM VANDALISM.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE TREE PLANTING EVENT WERE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF ISLANDS, MR M.J.T. ROWSE, THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF ISLANDS, MR YUNG CHING-FONG, THE CHAIRMAN Or CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE, MR FUNG PAK-TAI AND HIS DEPUTY, MR HO YUN-LAM.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON X X
WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 25), ALL VEHICLES OVER 2-1/2 TONS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING SHA TIN PASS ROAD FROM A POINT OF ABOUT 150 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD- JATS INCLINE- AND FEI NGO SHAN ROAD FROM A POINT OF ABOUT 800 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH OLD CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
ALSO STARTING FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, KWEI CHOW STREET BETWEEN TO KWA WAN ROAD AND MEI KING STREET IN KOWLOON WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY.
FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 29), THE EAST SIDE OF THE SECTION OF JUNCTION ROAD BETWEEN DUMBARTON ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD- AND THE SECTION OF NGA TSIN WAI ROAD BETWEEN GRAMPIAN ROAD AND FUK LO TSUEN ROAD WILL ALSO BE DESIGNATED AS URBAN CLEARWAYS.
WITHIN THESE CLEARWAYS, ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
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5
RESULTS OF LATEST TENDER FOR URBAN TAXI LICENCES
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 397 TENDERS SEEKING 500 URBAN TAXI LICENCES WHEN THE OFFER FOR 331 LICENCES CLOSED ON APRIL 3.
THE HIGHEST TENDER WAS $281 □□□ AND THE LOWEST ACCEPTABLE BID WAS $261 000.
NAMES OF THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS AND THE AMOUNTS OFFERED WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE AVERAGE PREMIUM IN THE LATEST TENDER EXERCISE WAS $267 957, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE PREMIUM OF $244 066.29 IN JANUARY 1981, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 9.79 PER CENT.
HE ADDED THAT LETTERS WOULD BE GOING OUT TOMORROW TO SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS AND THAT THE FIRST OF THE 331 TAXIS COULD BE INSPECTED IN JUNE 1981.
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NOTE TO EDITORS!
KWUN TONG DB TO VISIT TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN
M M M
MEMBERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL TOUR THE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN ON SATURDAY (APRIL 25).
THEY WILL VISIT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, THE TEMPORARY
CLUB HOUSE OF THE TSUEN WAN CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S TEMPORARY SPORTS GROUND.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT. A COACH WILL LEAVE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING CARPARK, TUNG YAN STREET, KWUN TONG AT 9 AM SHARP. STAFF OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KWUN TONG) WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
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SAI KUNG BROWNIE PACKS FORMED
M M M
SAI KUNG AND HANG HAU WILL FORM TWO BROWNIE PACKS IN JUNE TO PROVIDE MORE ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND
THE PACKS ARE BEING ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION WITH SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD SPONSORSHIP.
EACH PACK WILL CONSIST OF 38 MEMBERS.
THEY WILL HOLD REGULAR MEETINGS ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS AT HANG HAU KWONG PUI SCHOOL AND ST. VINCENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, DURING WHICH ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE FOLK-DANCING, SINGING AND ART WORK.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE. CHILDREN INTERESTED MUST SUBMIT APPLICATIONS BY MAY 10.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO
SECOND URBAN DISTRICT BOARD APPOINTED ........................ 1
GOVERNOR VISITS CAS CAMP SITE ................................ 2
SPECIAL FERRIES TO JOSS HOUSE BAY ............................ 3
FLYOVER EXTENSION PLAN ....................................... 4
PHILIPPINES JUSTICE OFFICIALS VISIT TREATMENT CENTRE ... 5
AIRPORT MANAGER OFF TO CONFERENCE ............................ 5
NIGHT SUBWAY WORK APPROVED.................................... 6
NGAU TAU KOK AMBULANCE DEPOT OPENED........................... 6
TENDERS INVITED FOR AIRPORT SHOPS ............................ 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE .......................................... 7
CHINESE ARTS EXHIBITION IN TAI PO............................. 8
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS CW QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY ...................... 8
MARINE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY HOURS .............................. 8
TRADE UNIONS REGISTRY TO MOVE ................................ 9
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CHA KWC LING ROAD FOR TIN HAU FESTIVAL ..................................................... 9
FIRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE IN MAY .............................. 9
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, ISbx
1
SECOND URBAN DISTRICT BOARD APPOINTED * * * *
MEMBERS TO THE SECOND DISTRICT BOARD IN THE URBAN AREA - WONG TAI SIN - HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE.
THE APPOINTMENT OF 20 MEMBERS TO THE BOARD FOR 17 MONTHS FROM MAY 1981 APPEARED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BOARD WILL ALSO COMPRISE TWO URBAN COUNCILLORS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM SIX GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. IT WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (WONG TAI SIN).
THE GOVERNOR WILL ATTEND THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE BOARD ON MAY 6 AT FUNG MING HALL IN THE WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.
THE APPOINTED MEMBERS ARE CHAN PAK KEUNG, MBE, UP, MICHAEL
CHENG TAK KIN, CHEUNG LAI BING, CHU CHUN TUNG, CHUNG SHE YEN, KWAN HOI SHAN, KWAN SHAN, DR CONRAD LAM KU I SHING, MRS LEE LO YUK SIM, JP, STEPHEN LEUNG, ALBERT LI SZE BAY, LIU KOON SING, MAK
HOI WAH, MRS PAULINE NG CHOW MAY LIN, TAM KUEN, TSE WANG WAI, WONG
KAN FONG, YAN SHEK TAI, MISS YAU YUK LAN AND MR YUEN CHAU.
ALSO SERVING ON THE BOARD TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1982 WILL BE URBAN COUNCILLORS AUGUSTINE S.K. CHUNG AND LAWRENCE H.L. FUNG AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING , DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT AND COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY (APR IL 28) AT 7.15 PM IN FUNG MING HALL IN THE WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE. MEMBERS OF THE PRESS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
THE FIRST MEETING OF THE BOARD, SCHEDULED FOR MAY 6, WILL BE A CLOSED MEETING.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1981
2
GOVERNOR VISITS CAS CAMP SITE ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE, THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON FLEW DY HELICOPTER TO TSUEN WAN TO VISIT THE CIVIL AID SERVICES CAMP SITE AT YUEN TUN.
THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, THE HON ROGER LOBO AND THE CAS CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, M? JOHN FORTUNE.
SIR MURRAY AND LADY MACLEHOSE FIRST TOURED THE SITE FACILITIES AND SAW ABOUT 300 CAS VOLUNTEERS AND CADETS BEING TRAINED ON FIRST AID AND OTHER CAS ACTIVITIES.
THEY THEN VISITED THE 200-YEAR-0LD YUEN TUN VILLAGE WITHIN THE CAMP SITE BEING RENOVATED AND PRESERVED AS PART OF HONG KONG’S HERITAGE.
THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, MR JOHN FORTUNE SAID THE 20-HECTARE SITE WAS GRANTED IN 1968 ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CAS WOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO CONSERVE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE THE OLD VILLAGE WHEN FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE.
YUEN TUN, WHICH MEANS +THE ROUND MOUND+ IN CHINESE, IS LOCATED SOME 200 METRES ABOVE TSI NG LUNG TAU. ITS INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS, THE CHUNGS, CAME ABOUT 300 YEARS AGO FROM THE VILLAGE OF TIT LO PA NEAR CHEUNG LOCK CITY IN NG WAH DISTRICT, GUANGDONG.
IN THE EARLY 196OS, THE CHUNGS WERE RE-SITED AT TSING LUNG TAU TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE 20-HECTARE SITE BEGAN IN FEBRUARY 1974 WITH THE COMPLETION OF AN ACCESS ROAD CONSTRUCTED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE BRITISH FORCES.
THE CAMP SITE, WHICH WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR IN NOVEMBER 1977, HAS A SWIMMING POOL, BASKETBALL COURTS, A SOCCER PITCH, ROPE INITIATIVE COURSES, VILLAGE PATHS, FISH PONDS, GARDENS AND CAMPS.
RENOVATION OF THE OLD VILLAGE HOUSES STARTED EARLY THIS YEAR WITH FUNDS RAISED PRIVATELY AMONG LOCAL DIGNITARIES IN TSUEN WAN. IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR.
MR FORTUNE SAID THAT THE HOUSES ARE FINE EXAMPLES OF ANCIENT CHINESE RURAL ARCHITECTURE. OF PARTICULAR INTEREST IS A BLOCK WHICH WAS CONSTRUCTED TO A DISTINCT ARCHITECTURAL PATTERN IN RECTANGULAR FORM. AN ANCESTRAL HALL FORMS THE CENTRAL PART, FROM WHICH THERE IS A CORRIDOR CONNECTING ROOMS AND KITCHENS ON EACH SIDE.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1981
3
SPECIAL FERRIES TO JOSS HOUSE BAY * * * *
THE THOUSANDS OF WORSHIPPERS EXPECTED TO ATTEND TIN HAU FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS IN JOSS HOUSE BAY ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY (APRIL 26 AND 27) HAVE BEEN URGED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHAN SUI-JEUNG, TO USE SnECIAL FERRIES BEING PROVIDED FOR THE OCCASION.
HE SAID FERRIES WERE THE MOST CONVENIENT WAY TO GET TO JOSS HOUSE BAY.
+1 WOULD, HOWEVER, LIKE TO APPEAL TO EVERYONE TO REMEMBER TO CARRY THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND ALSO TO PAY ATTENTION WHEN GETTING ON OR OFF FERRIES AND BOATS TO AVOID ACCIDENTS,* HE SAID.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, MARINE POLICE AND MARINE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES WILL PATROL THE AREA.
HE WARNED THAT OPERATORS WHO OVERLOADED THEIR VESSELS WERE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN REMINDED WORSHIPPERS TO BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS AND WARNED THAT IT WAS AN OFFENCE TO POSSESS OR DISCHARGE FIREWORKS. HE ALSO STRESSED THAT LION DANCES ON THE SHORE WERE STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
WORSHIPPERS WERE ALSO URGED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRES.
A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN APPEALED FOR CIGARETTE ENDS, MATCHES AND WORSHIPPING ITEMS SUCH AS CANDLES, JOSS STICKS AND BURNING PAPERS TO BE PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED.
NO SALES OR DISPLAYS OF HYDROGEN-FILLED BALLOONS WILL BE PERMITTED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO WARNED VENDORS OR PURCHASERS OF HELIUM GAS FILLED BALLOONS TO AVOID EXPOSING THEM TO OPEN FIRE BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF EXPLOSION.
A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO WORSHIPPERS TO KEEP THE AREA CLEAN BY PLACING ALL LITTER IN CONTAINERS BEING PROVIDED. HE WARNED THAT REFUSE THROWN AWAY INDISCRIMINATELY MIGHT RESULT IN A FINE BEING IMPOSED.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1981
FLYOVER EXTENSION PLAN ft ft ft ft
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE WESTERN END OF THE GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER NEAR KANSU STREET TO LINK WITH THE SECTION OF ELEVATED ROAD NOW BEING BUILT AT TAI KOK TSUI.
THE PROPOSED ELEVATED DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS, PART OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR, WILL RUN ALONG FERRY STREET AND BRANCH OUT NEAR SHAN TUNG STREET.
THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE ELEVATED ROAD WILL BRANCH OFF WESTWARD ACROSS THE YAU MA TEI RECLAMATION TO CHERRY STREET <HIL_ THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WILL CONTINUE NORTHWARD ALONG TONG MEI ROAD.
THESE TWO ELEVATED CARRIAGEWAYS WILL THEN LINK WITH THE COMPLETED PORTION OF THE TAI KOK TSUI SECTION OF WEST KOWLOON CO-RI DOR AT TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND TUNG CHAU STREET.
THE PROPOSED ELEVATED ROAD WILL BE ABOUT 1 700 METRES IN LENGTH.
IN GENERAL, EACH OF THE DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS WILL PROVIDE TWO TRAFFIC LANES EXCEPT AT THE SECTION IN FERRY STREET WHERE THE CA-'R I AGEwAY IS WIDENED TO ACCOMMODATE TWO CONNECTING RAMPS. ^TOGETHER FIVE SLIP ROADS WILL BE BUILT IN THIS SECTION TO INTEGRATE THE ELEVATED ROAD WITH THE GROUND LEVEL ROAD SYSTEMS.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS PROJECT, PART OF FERRY STREET, TONG ''El ROAD AND TUNG CHAU STREET WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED.
A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY ACROSS FERRY STREET NEAR SHAN TUNG STREET WILL ALSO BE BUILT TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS AT THE SAME TIME.
WHEN COMPLETED THIS SECTION OF THE ELEVATED ROAD ALONG WITH GASCOIGNE ROAD AND THE SECTION IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL SERVE AS A FAST TRAFFIC ROUTE BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND SHAM SHU I PO.
THE ELEVATED ROAD WILL BE EXTENDED EVENTUALLY ALONG THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WATERFRONT TO JOIN WITH LAI CHI KOK ROAD IN THE NORTH TO COMPLETE THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS SO AS TO REACH HIS OFFICE NOT LATER THAN MAY 24, 1981.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1981
PHILIPPINES JUSTICE OFFICIALS VISIT TREATMENT CENTRE
*****
A DELEGATION OF 20 OFFICIALS FROM PHILIPPINES MINISTRY OF JUSTICE HEADED BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF JUSTICE, MR JESUS N. BORROMEO AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF PRISONS, BRIGADIER SEN^RAL V.R. RAVAL, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED HEI LING CHAU DRUG ■DICTION TREATMENT CENTRE TO SEE THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S .OMPULSORY PLACEMENT PROGRAMME FOR DRUG ADDICTS.
THE GROUP WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR CHAN WA-SHEK. THEY TOURED THE CENTRE D WERE BRIEFED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT IN CHARGE, MR HIRO ANSUKHANI, ON THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND FACILITIES.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE OVER 800 INMATES IN THE CENTRE INCLUDING SOME 50 YOUNG INMATES WHO ARE BEING KEPT SEPARATELY FROM THE
“ REQUIRED TO UNDERGO A CONTROLLED CLINICAL FROM DRUGS COMBINED WITH WORK, PHYSICAL GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING AND
•'.LTS. ALL INMATES ARE .'GRAMME OF WITHDRAWAL REMEDIAL EDUCATION, F'CARE SUPERVISION.
THE DELEGATES WILL
THE DELEGATES WILL ALSO VISIT OTHER TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS DMINISTERED BY THE PRISONS APARTMENT, INCLUDING LAI CHI KOK
TION CENTRE, LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE, TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN, STANLEY PRISON AND THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.
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AIRPORT MANAGER OFF TO CONFERENCE * * * *
MR R.A. SIEGEL, AIRPORT GENERAL MANAGER OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, LEFT TODAY (FRIDAY)) FOR NOUMEA NEW CALEDONIA TO ATTEND THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL ASIA-PACIFIC BASIN Regional airports conference organised by the airport operators COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL.
THE FOUR-DAY CONFERENCE, STARTING ON MONDAY IS TO BE ATTENDED BY AIRPORT OPERATORS FROM OVER 15 COUNTRIES AND PLACES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
HONG KONG, AS A LEADING AVIATION CENTRE IN THE AREA, HAS BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL EVENT FOR SOME YEARS AND CHAIRED THE MEETING IN 1979.
VARIOUS TOPICS WILL BE DISCUSSED IN SEVEN SEPARATE SESSIONS THESE WILL INCLUDE AIRPORT ECONOMICS AND PLANNING, OPERATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS, CARGO HANDLING IN THE 80’S AS WELL AS OTHER TECHNICAL AND GENERAL SUBJECTS OF MUTUAL AVIATION INTERESTS.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1981
NIGHT SUBWAY WORK APPROVED * * * *
AN APPLICATION FOR WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT OUTSIDE THE PERMITTED HOURS *OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SUBWAY AT SURREY LANE \ ■. CWLOON HAS BEEN GRANTED BY THE GOVERNOR-1 N-COUNC IL.
THE SUBWAY FORMS PART OF THE OVERALL MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IN ORDER TO AVOID DISRUPTION TO THE DAILY RAIL SERVICE, IT WOULD FE NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE WORK AT NIGHT WHEN THE RAILWAY IS CLOSED.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT THE EQUIPMENT TO BE USED WOULD BE A SORING MACHINE AND NO NOISY PERCUSSIVE PILING EQUIPMENT WOULD BE L._D.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT DISTURBANCE TO THE PUBLIC WOULD -E AT A MINIMUM, AS THE CONSTRACTOR WOULD BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ,._L REASONABLY PRACTICABLE NOISE REDUCTION MEASURES.
THE WORK WILL LAST ONLY ABOUT THREE WEEKS.
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NGAU TAU KOK AMBULANCE DEPOT OPENED * * *
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S NEWEST AMBULANCE DEPOT IN NGAU TAU KOK WAS OPENED TODAY BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR THE HON HARRY FANG.
HE SAID THE OPENING OF THE DE°OT MARKED A FURTHER STEP IN GOVERNMENT’S PROVISION OF A MODERN AND EFFICIENT AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR THE PUBLIC OF HONG KONG.
BUILT AND EQUIPPED AT A COST OF S5 MILLION, THE DEPOT IS THE LARGEST OF A TOTAL OF 13.
THE AMBULANCE COMMAND HAS MORE THAN 1 200 PEOPLE AND A FLEET CF OVER 150 VEHICLES.
DR FANG SAID THE NGAU TAU KOK DEPOT WILL PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED ACCOMMODATION FOR AMBULANCE PERSONNEL SERVING THE BUSY KOWLOON AREA.
♦DURING 1980, AMBULANCES OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 228 134 CALLS - AN AVERAGE OF 525 CALLS PER DAY -REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 10.6 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR,* HE SAID.
♦WITH AN EVER-INCREASING URBAN POPULATION AND TRAFFIC DENSITY GROWTH, IT SEEMS CERTAIN THAT THIS DEMAND BY THE PUBLIC FOR AMBULANCE AID WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE,* HE ADDED.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING OF THE DEPOT WERE THE DIRECTOR CF FIRE SERVICES , MR FREDERICK WATSON AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS.
2*, '9?
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TENDERS INVITED FOR AIRPORT SHOPS
*****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE TENANCIES OF FOUR RETAIL SHOPS AND ONE TENANCY OF MONEY CHANGING IN THE WESTERN DEPARTURE HALL OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THE RETAIL SHOPS, NUMBERED D9O9, D91O, D913 AND D914, HAVE BEEN EARMARKED FOR DESIGNATED TRADES. THE TYPES OF BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED INCLUDE THE SALE OF NEWSPAPERS AND PUBLICATIONS, PHARMACEUTICALS, TOILETRIES AND PERFUMES, TOYS, AND CLOCKS AND WATCHES.
THE TENANCIES OF THE RETAIL SHOPS AND MONEY CHANGING CONCESSION ARE FOR THREE YEARS COMMENCING ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 1981.
TENDERS FOR THE OPERATION OF ANY OF THE SHOPS MUST REACH THE >AIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD BEFORE 12 NOON ON FRIDAY, .MAY 15, 1981.
FORMS OF TENDER AND OTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, NEW RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY, OR FROM THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE ******
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE AREA ON MONDAY (APRIL 27) WHEN A QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY GARDEN RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT 4.30 PM, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ALL CARS CARRYING GUESTS MAY ENTER BY THE MAIN GATE OF THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
VEHICLES BEARING G.H. LABELS MAY PARK IN THE FORECOURT OR TENNIS COURTS AS DIRECTED BY POLICE, OR, IF CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN, RETURN AT 4.50 PM.
VEHICLES BEARING PINK LABELS MUST EXIT BY THE EAST GATE AND MAY THEN PARK AT UPPER ALBERT ROAD- LOWER ALBERT ROAD NEAR CENTRAL HOSPITAL- SLIP ROAD TO THE SOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE GENERAL BUILDING- METERED CAR PARK BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD- AND THE CAR PARK AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
VEHICLES DEPARTING FROM GOVERNMENT HOUSE SHOULD LEAVE BY THE EAST GATE. GUESTS USING OTHER VEHICLES SHOULD WALK TO THEIR CARS.
PARKING FACILITIES IN METERED SPACES IN UPPER AND LOWER ALBERT ROADS AND THE METERED CAR PARK BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 3 PM AND 6 PM ON THAT DAY.
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FRIDAY, APR IL 24, 1981
p
CHINESE ARTS EXHIBITION IN TAI PO * * * * *
A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION OF WORKS BY CONTEMPORARY CHINESE ARTISTS IN HONG KONG WILL OPEN IN TAI PO TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
OK DISPLAY WILL BE OVER IDO CHINESE PAINTINGS AND CALLIGRAPHY ITEMS 3Y MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE ARTS ASSOCIATION.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL OF TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE AND WILL OPEN DAILY TO THE PUBLIC FROM
3 AM TO 6 PM UNTIL MONDAY.
TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NICKY LO, WILL OFFICIATE AT A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY AT 11 AM TOMORROW.
THE EXHIBITION HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY TAI PO ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION WITH FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD.
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POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS ON QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY
* * * *
THERE WILL BE ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON MONDAY (APRIL 27) — A GENERAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN CELEBRATION OF THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
THIRTY-THREE POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE, THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, AND THE POST OFFICES IN TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO, WILL BE CPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON THAT DAY.
ALL OTHER POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED.
MARINE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY HOURS * * * *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT ITS PORT COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE AND TSUEN WAN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA -ILL REMAIN OPEN ON MONDAY (APRIL 27), WHICH IS A GENERAL HOLIDAY.
THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS IN WAN CHAI, YAU MA TEI, KWUN TONG AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 11 PM ON THAT DAY. THE DEPARTMENT’S MACAU FERRY TERMINAL OFFICE WILL BE OPEN FROM 7.30 AM TO 1.30 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE LOCAL CRAFT CONTROL SECTION WILL BE OPERATING FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM.
ALL OTHER OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSED ON THAT DAY.
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. _ 9 _ FRIDAY, APRIL 24, io: -
TRADE UNIONS REGISTRY TO MOVE
* * * * *
«... «™E REGISTRY OF TRADE UNIONS ON THE 17TH FLOOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUILD I No, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL MOVE TO THE 12TH FLOOR OF CAPITOL CENTRE, 5-19 JARDINE’S BAZAAR, CAUSEWAY BAY ON TUESDAY (APR IL 28).
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE REGISTRY WILL BE 5-7951868
FOR THE REGISTRAR, 5-7^52002 FOR THE DEPUTY REGISTRAR, 5-7950789 AND 5-7951991 FOR ASSISTANT REGISTRARS AND 5-7950633 FOR THE GENERAL OFFICE.
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CHA KWO LING ROAD FOR TIN HAU FESTIVAL
*****
THE SECTION OF CHA KWO LING ROAD BETWEEN WAI YIP STREET AND ENTRANCE TO ANDERSON QUARRY WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR
' ■ \FrIC BETWEEN 8 AM AND 5 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 27) FOR THE CZ.EBRATION Oc TIN HAU FESTIVAL.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE DISPLAYED AND POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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FIRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE IN MAY * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON 11 DAYS IN THE CASTLE PEAK/HA TSUEN RANGE NEXT MONTH (MAY).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING TIMES OF PRACTICE.
THE PRACTISING TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS 1
DATE TIME
MAY 1 (FRIDAY) 8 AM — 11 PM
MAY 6 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM — 4 PM
MAY 7 (THURSDAY) 3 AM 5 PM
MAY 14 (THURSDAY) 8 AM — 11 PM
MAY 15 (FRIDAY) 8 AM • 5 PM
MAY 19 (TUESDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM
MAY 20 (WEDNESDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM
*AY 21 (THURSDAY) 8 AM — 5 PM
MAY 25 (MONDAY) 9 AM — a ✓ PM
MAY 26 (TUESDAY) 8 AM — 9 PM
MAY 27 (WEDNESDAY) 3 AM — 5 PM
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1981
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
SCOUTS' CRUCIAL ROLE STRESSED BY GOVERNOR......................... 1
BE CAREFUL, HIKERS ARE WARNED .................................... 2
GUANGDONG GROUP VISITS GPO ....................................... 3
QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS .................................... 3
TIN HAU FESTIVAL PROCESSION GUEST ................................ 4
OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME TECHNICAL TEACHERS ......................... 5
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS VISIT TSU EN WAN AND SHA TIN ... 6
GAMES DAY FOR ABLE AND DISABLED PERSONS .......................... 6
BOOK ON NAMES OF BUILDINGS ON SALE ............................... 7
PRISONS DEPARTMENT DONATES TO COMMUNITY CHEST .................... 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TIN HAU FESTIVAL IN THEN MUN ............ 8
ROAD CLOSURE PLAN ................................................ 8
CAR NUMBERS SOLD FOR $252 400 .................................... 9
SALT WATER SUPPLY CUT ........................................... 10
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1981
1
SCOUTS’ CRUCIAL ROLE STRESSED BY GOVERNOR * * * *
HONG KONG’S SCOUTS HAVE A +CRUCIAL ROLE+ TO PLAY IN THE COMMUNITIES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID AT THE ST. GEORGE’S DAY RALLY HELD THIS AFTERNOON (SATURDAY) AT THE DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL.
SPEAKING AS THE PATRON AND CHIEF SCOUT ON THE 7OTH YEAR OF THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION’S ^SERVICES TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.+ SIR MURRAY SAID THE SCOUTS COULD PARTICULARLY* HELP TO COUNTER THE UNSETTLING EFFECT OF THE RAPID CHANGES TAKING PLACE IN HONG KONG BY PROVIDING NEW TIES AND ASSOCIATIONS, NEW FRIENDS AND AN OUTLET FOR YOUTHFUL ENERGY AND INTEREST.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH j
FELLOW SCOUTS AND GUESTS,
THIS YEAR YOUR ASSOCIATION COMMEMORATES THE 7OTH ANNIVERSARY CF ITS SERVICE TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, A RECORD OF WHICH YOU CAN BE JUSTLY PROUD.
YOUR OFFICIALS ARE NOW PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO THE ♦BLUEPRINT FOR THE 8OS+, TO GUIDE THE ASSOCIATION THROUGH THIS DECADE. IT ENVISAGES GREATER INVOLVEMENT BY SCOUTING IN COMMUNITY BUILDING. SOME EXPERIMENTAL SCHEMES WILL BE RUN OVER THE NEXT 3 YEARS IN THE NEW TOWNS AND IN THE HOUSING ESTATES IN THE URBAN AREAS. IF SUCCESSFUL, THEY WILL BE EXTENDED TO ACHIEVE A CLOSER ASSOCIATION OF THE SCOUTING MOVEMENT WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
THE SCOUTS HAVE A CRUCIAL ROLE TO PLAY IN OUR COMMUNITIES. PARTICULARLY THEY CAN HELP TO COUNTER THE UNSETTLING EFFECT OF THE RAPID CHANGES TAKING PLACE IN HONG KONG BY PROVIDING NEW TIES AND ASSOCIATIONS, NEW FRIENDS, AND AN OUTLET FOR YOUTHFUL ENERGY AND INTEREST. I THEREFORE WISH YOU EVERY SUCCESS IN YOUR NEW ENDEAVOURS.
THE ASSOCIATION IS ALSO LOOKING AHEAD TO THE COMING YEAR, WHEN THE WORLD MOVEMENT WILL BE CELEBRATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF SCOUTING. IT IS PROPOSED THAT SPECIAL EVENTS BE ORGANISED TO COMMEMORATE THE GENIUS AND FORESIGHT OF YOUR FOUNDER.
AS YOUR PATRON AND CHIEF SCOUT I HAVE WATCHED WITH KEEN INTEREST THE PROGRESS MADE BY SCOUTING OVER THE YEARS. YOU HAVE GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH. I HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED BY THE MASSIVE SUPPORT YOU HAVE MANAGED TO CREATE IN SO MANY SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND BY THE STRENUOUS EFFORTS YOU HAVE MADE TO ENSURE THAT SCOUTING REMAINS ATTRACTIVE AND RELEVANT TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. YOUR SERVICES TO YOUTH AND TO SOCIETY ARE APPRECIATED BY ALL. I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COMMEND ALL OF YOU ON YOUR PAST CONTRIBUTION AND TO WISH YOU CONTINUING SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.
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/? / • • * *
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1981
2
BE CAREFUL, HIKERS ARE WARNED
X * * *
HIKERS AND MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS WERE GIVEN A TIMELY REMINDER FOR THE HOLIDAYS TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND TO FOLLOW ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, BY THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, MR J.A. FORTUNE.
RECALLING THE TWO ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED A FEW DAYS AGO, ONE OF WHICH WAS FATAL, MR FORTUNE STRESSED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT HONG KONG IS +NOTORIOUSLY MOUNTAINOUS AND UNLESS COMMON SENSE AND BASIC SAFETY FACTORS ARE FOLLOWED, ACCIDENTS — AND TRAGEDIES — CAN OCCUR.+
HE LISTED THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY HINTS:
1. ALWAYS WALK IN A MEDIUM-SIZED GROUP WHICH HAS AN EXPERIENCED LEADER.
2. THE LEADER SHOULD HAVE AN ASSISTANT TO BRING UP THE REAR OF THE PARTY TO KEEP THE GROUP TOGETHER.
3. THE LEADER SHOULD PLAN THE ROUTE AND CHECK THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND ENSURE EVERY MEMBER IS PROPERLY EQUIPPED. HE SHOULD LET A RESPONSIBLE PERSON KNOW THE ROUTE HE IS TAK ING.
4. THEY SHOULD HAVE ESSENTIAL CLOTHING, INCLUDING A GOOD PAIR OF WALKING BOOTS, THICK SOCKS, LONG TROUSERS, A LIGHTWEIGHT WATERPROOF JACKET, A SUN HAT AND A RUCKSACK IN WHICH SHOULD BE CARRIED SOME FOOD, A SMALL FIRST AID KIT, A MAP, A COMPASS, A TORCH, A WHISTLE, A NOTEBOOK, A PENCIL AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF CASH FOR EMERGENCY.
5. THE GROUP SHOULD MOVE AT THE SPEED OF THE SLOWEST PERSON AND ENSURE NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND.
6. DO NOT PANIC EVEN WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURS.
7. REMEMBER THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS SIGNAL, WHICH IS SIX LONG BLASTS ON A WHISTLE, OR SIX LONG FLASHES OF A TORCH AT NIGHT OR SIX LOUD SHOUTS. PAUSE ONE MINUTE AND THEN REPEAT.
THE REPLY BY A RESCUE TEAM IS THREE LONG BLASTS OR FLASHES OR SHOUTS. NEVER GIVE SIGNALS UNLESS NECESSARY.
8. IF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS, TREAT THE PATIENT FOR SHOCK AND DO NOT MOVE HIM UNLESS NECESSARY.
9. IF YOUR GROUP HAS MORE THAN THREE PERSONS, SEND TWO MEMBERS WITH WRITTEN MESSAGE FOR HELP. THE MESSAGE SHOULD CONTAIN ALL ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THE RESCUE TEAM.
10. AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT EVERYTHING POSSIBLE SHOULD BE DONE TO MAKE THE VICTIM COMFORTABLE AND TO KEEP UP HIS MORALE.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1981
GUANGDONG GROUP VISITS GPO * * * *
AN EIGHT-MEMBER DELEGATION HEADED BY MR LI QING-WAN, DIRECTOR OF GUANGDONG POSTS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU, WAS BEEN IN HONG KONG SINCE APRIL 20, 1981 AT THE INVITATION OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR A.C. HEATHCOTE.
DISCUSSIONS ON THE QUESTION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE RADIO SPECTRUM AFFECTING BOTH GUANGDONG AND HONG KONG WERE HELD IN A rRANK AND CORDIAL ATMOSPHERE. VIEWS WERE ALSO EXCHANGED ON THE USE OP RADIO FREQUENCY AND THE CONTROL OF RADIO INTERFERENCE. 3CTH PARTIES AGREED TO COOPERATE IN FUTURE IN THESE MATTERS AND .XCHANGE TECHNICAL INFORMATION EARLY.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY MEETINGS OF TECHNICAL STAFF IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS WITHIN "WE TWO TERRITORIES.
POTH PARTIES ALSO DISCUSSED THE OPERATIONS OF EXISTING T -ECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES AND THE PATTERN OF THE FUTURE :,EuOpMENT OF THESE SERVICES BETWEEN GUANGDONG AND HONG KONG, ANO WERE SATISFIED WITH THE GOOD COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO TERRITORIES.
DURING THEIR STAY IN HONG KONG, THE DELEGATES VISITED THE i'.TERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE, THE FREQUENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF 'HE POST OFFICE, STUDIOS OF THE TELEVISION BROADCAST LIMITED, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNICATION FACILITIES OF CABLE AND WIRELESS LTD AND THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LTD.
MR LI AND HIS PARTY WILL BE LEAVING FOR GUANGZHOU ON MONDAY APR IL 27), AFTER A STAY OF SEVEN DAYS IN HONG KONG.
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QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS * * * *
ABOUT 100 000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR’S QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT MORE THAN 33 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG ON MONDAY (APRIL 27), A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS WILL INCLUDE A MILITARY BAND DISPLAY, A PARACHUTE JUMP AND A DISCO DANCE AT VICTORIA PARK, A +SPOR' FOR ALL+ AT KOWLOON PARK, A MUSICAL CARNIVAL IN QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM AND AN EVENING CONCERT IN TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE WILL GIVE A GARDEN PARTY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE TO MEMBERS OF THE CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE AFTERNOON AND ATTEND THE TSUEN wAK CONCERT IN THE EVENING.
SATURDAY, APRIL
THE CELEBRATIONS IN VICTORIA PARK WHICH ALSO INCLUDE A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTS EVENTS WILL BE OPENED BY THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR DENIS BRAY, AT 9.15 AM, WHILE THE KOWLOON PARK PROGRAMME WILL BE LAUNCHED BY UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, REV JOYCE BENNETT, AT 9.30 AM.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, VARIOUS SPORTS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD IN THE NEW TOWNS.
THE SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES WILL START THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES PROGRAMME AT FANLING SPORTS GROUND, WHILE THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, WILL LAUNCH THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES CELEBRATIONS IN TUEN MUN.
ALL THESE OUTDOOR RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES ARE ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (RSS) WITH THE participation of British forces, they are open free to the public.
THE MUSICAL CARNIVAL AND THE TSUEN WAN CONCERT ARE PRESENTED if THE MUSIC OFFICE WHICH WILL ALSO STAGE A CHINESE MUSIC AND DANCE SHOW JOINTLY WITH THE RSS IN PUI YING MIDDLE SCHOOL, WO CHE EST TE, SHA TIN IN THE EVENING.
0 - -
TIN HAU FESTIVAL PROCESSION GUEST * * * *
SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL BE GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL PROCESSION IN YUEN LONG STADIUM ON MONDAY (APRIL 27). MRS AKERS-JONES WILL ALSO BE PRESENT.
MORE THAN 7 000 PEOPLE FROM 34 LOCAL RURAL ORGANISATIONS WILL TAKE PART IN THE PROCESSION, WHICH WILL BE WATCHED BY AN ESTIMATED 50 000 PEOPLE IN THE STADIUM AND ALONG THE ROUTE.
THE PROCESSION WILL INCLUDE FLOATS AND TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCES, SUCH AS DRAGON, UNICORN AND LION DANCES, CHIU CHAU GONGS AND DRUMS, LANTERN-BEAUTY TROUPES AND CHINESE FOLK DANCES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE BAND MUSIC AND WESTERN DANCES.
THE PROCESSION SETS OFF FROM THE EASTERN BUS TERMINUS OF YUEN LONG TOWN AT 10.30 AM, ARRIVING IN THE STADIUM VIA FUNG CHEUNG, CASTLE PEAK AND TAI YUK ROADS.
IN FRONT OF 4 000 INVITED GUESTS, THE PROCESSION WILL TAKE ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF TO PASS THROUGH THE STADIUM. IT WILL THEN MAKE ITS WAY TO THE TIN HAU TEMPLE AT TAI SHUE HA WHERE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES WILL BE HELD.
THE TRADITIONAL +FA PAU+ DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2 PM.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1981
5
ORGANISED BY SHAP PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE, THE EVENT CELEBRATES THE BIRTHDAY OF TIN HAU, QUEEN OF HEAVEN, WHICH FALLS ON THE 23RD DAY OF THE THIRD MOON ON THE LUNAR CALENDAR.
TIN HAU IS TRADITIONALLY THE PATRON SAINT OF CHINESE FISHERMEN, WHO PRAY TO HER FOR FAIR WEATHER AND GOOD FISHING. THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL HAS NOW BECOME ONE OF HONG KONG’S MOST COLOURFUL CHINESE FESTIVALS, WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TAKING PART.
BESIDES THE YUEN LONG PROCESSION, TIN HAU CELEBRATIONS ARE ALSO HELD AT JOSS HOUSE BAY, TAI PO, CHEUNG CHAU, LAMMA ISLAND AND OTHER FISHING AREAS AROUND HONG KONG WATERS.
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OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME TECHNICAL TEACHERS * * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE WITH EXPERIENCE IN INDUSTRY ARE INVITED TO ENROL IN THE COURSES IN BUILDING STUDIES AND HOTEL-KEEPING AND CATERING RUN BY THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE COURSES WILL BE ONE YEAR FULL-TIME AND WILL COMMENCE IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THEY ARE INTENDED FOR MATURE STUDENTS WITH SOME YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PASSING ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN THEIR SPECIAL FIELDS TO STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND IN TAKING UP TEACHING AS A PROFESSION.
FINANCIAL GRANTS MAY BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS ON THE COURSES RANGING FROM $1 650 TO $2 500 PER MONTH, DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF POST-QUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE.
APPLICANTS FOR BUILDING STUDIES MUST POSSESS A HIGHER CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA IN BUILDING STUDIES AWARDED BY THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE, THE POLYTECHNIC OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, OR ITS EQUIVALENT.
APPLICANTS TO THE HOTEL-KEEPING AND CATERING COURSE MUST HOLD AN ORDINARY NATIONAL DIPLOMA (UK) IN HOTEL AND CATERING OPERATIONS, OR ITS EQUIVALENT, WITH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE RELATED FIELDS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE ON OR BEFORE MAY 9.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1981
6
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS VISIT TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN
* * * *
THIRTY MEMBERS OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD VISITED TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING TO HEAR ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TWO NEW TOWNS.
LED BY THEIR CHAIRMAN AND CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MR DAVID TSUI, THE GROUP FIRST TOURED TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL WHERE THEY SHOWED GREAT INTEREST IN ITS FACILITIES.
THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE MANAGER, MR CHUNG LING-HOI, ON THE LARGE NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES AND ACTIVITIES HELD THERE SINCE THE OFFICIAL OPENING BY PRINCESS ALEXANDRA IN FEBRUARY, 1980.
LATER, AT THE INVITATION OF THE CHAIRMAN OF TSUEN WAN CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION, MR CHAN LAU-FONG, MEMBERS VISITED THE ASSOCIATION’S CLUB HOUSE AT CHUNG ON STREET. THEY SAID THEY WERE IMPRESSED BY THE WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION, ESPECIALLY II, 3ROMOTING CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AMONG THE LOCAL COMMON ITY.
AT SHA TIN THEY SAW HOW A PIECE OF VACANT CROWN LAND COULD BE PUT TO TEMPORARY RECREATIONAL USE FOR RESIDENTS.
TODAY’S VISIT WAS THE SECOND OF A SERIES OF STUDY TOURS MADE BY KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS. THE AIM IS TO LEARN FROM THEIR COLLEAGUES IN THE NEW TOWNS AND TO SEEK IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT.
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GAMES DAY FOR ABLE AND DISABLED PERSONS * * * *
THOUSANDS OF ABLE AND DISABLED PERSONS ENJOYED THEMSELVES IN A GAMES DAY THIS AFTERNOON AT VICTORIA PARK.
THE GAMES DAY WAS PART OF A SERIES OF EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF DISABLED PERSONS ( IYDP), ORGANIZED BY THE EASTERN/WANCHAI DISTRICT I.Y.D.P. CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (HONG KONG), MR KWOK KA-CHI, APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC NOT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE DISABLED, BUT TO ENCOURAGE THEM, SUPPORT THEM AND MAKE THEM CONFIDENT, AND ALSO TO WELCOME THE REHABILITATED BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
HE URGED EMPLOYERS TO RECOGNISE THE POTENTIAL OF THE DISABLED PEOPLE AND TRY TO HELP THEM TO DEVELOP THAT POTENTIAL SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO +REINTEGRATE+ INTO THE COMMUNITY.
VARIOUS PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING STALL GAMES AND SHOWS BY THE MOBILE THEATRE OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, WERE ARRANGED TO ENTERTAIN THE GUESTS AND PARTICIPANTS.
SOME OF THE DISABLED PARTICIPANTS SHOWED THEIR TALENT IN SINGING, DANCING, AND WHEELCHAIR DANCING PERFORMANCES TO THE DELIGHT OF THE GATHERING.
0
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1981
7
BOOK ON NAMES OF BUILDINGS ON SALE * * *
A NEW EDITION OF +NAMES OF BUILDINGS*
RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT
COMPILED BY THE
°UBLICATIONS CENTRE PLACE, AT $64 EACH.
IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT
GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT
THE BOOK CONTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF BUILDING NAMES WITH THE OFFICIAL ADDRESSES AND INCLUDES THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE NAMES.
THE BOOK IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS.
PART ONE CONTAINS NAMES OF BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON, AND PART TWO CONTAINS THOSE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES INCLUDING MOST OF THE OUTLYING ISLANDS. IN ADDITION, AN INDEX CF CHINESE NAMES IS PROVIDED IN EACH PART.
THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR R.A. FRY SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) +THE NUMBER OF BUILDING NAMES RECORDED HAS NOw GROWN TO OVER 7 500, AND THERE IS CONSIDERABLE DEMAND FOR THE BOOK FROM BOTH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES*.
PRISONS DEPARTMENT DONATES TO COMMUNITY CHEST
* H
THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT RAISED A TOTAL OF $33 402 FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING IN MARCH, 1981.
THE MONEY, A RECORD SUM RAISED BY THE DEPARTMENT, CAME FROM CONTRIBUTIONS BY ITS STAFF AND A CHARITY WALK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, JUST OVER $28 000 WAS RAISED FOR THE CHEST.
AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD IN PRISONS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS TODAY, THE VICE PATRON OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, MR YU LOOK-YAU, RECEIVED A CHEQUE FOR THE AMOUNT FROM SUPERINTENDENT OF PRISONS, MR SIMON LAM CHUN-PANG. SUPERINTENDENT LAM WAS THE DEPARTMENT'S CO-ORDINATOR OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE YEAR.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1981
- 8 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TIN HAU FESTIVAL IN TUEN MUN * * * *
FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 27) TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE ENFORCED IN TUEN MUN FOR THE CELEBRATION OF TIN HAU FESTIVAL IN THE AREA.
THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED:
* SECTION OF TIN HAU ROAD BETWEEN TSING WUN ROAD TO THE LOCATION ABOUT 100 METRES FROM SAN HOP LANE.
* SECTION OF HUNG CHEUNG ROAD ABOUT 150 METRES FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN HAU ROAD.
ft SECTION OF SAN ON CIRCUIT ABOUT 20 METRES FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
* SECTION OF HING WONG STREET ABOUT 20 METRES FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
THE EXISTING CAR PARK IN SAN ON CIRCUIT AND THE CAR PARK BETWEEN HUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND SAN LIK STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUS°ENDED AND USED FOR RESERVED PARKING.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID USING THOSE ROADS WHERE SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE DISPLAYED AND POLICE WILL BE ON HAND TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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ROAD CLOSURE PLAN ft * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CLOSE THE TEMPORARY ACCESS ROAD FROM HUNG HING ROAD TO HARBOUR ROAD AND THE ADJACENT FOOTWAY TC FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF STAGE II OF WANCHAI RECREATION CENTRE.
AN ALTERNATIVE ACCESS WILL BE PROVIDED TO LINK HUNG HING ROAD WITH TONNOCHY ROAD.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING WAS PUBLISHED IN YESTERDAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION MUST BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS NOT LATER THAN MAY 24 AND JUNE 24 RESPECTIVELY.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1981
- 9 -
CAR NUMBERS SOLD FOR $252 400 * * * *
THIRTY-FIVE SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $252 400 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL LECTURE HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER CM 3 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $50 000.
NUMBER CC 909 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $21 000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE OF $1 000 WAS PAID FOR CJ 6818, CK 859 AND CK 245.
THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PRICES:
CK 102 3 000 CK 928 7 000 XX 7351 2 500
CK 268 4 100 CJ 6668 5 500 CK 130 4 200
CH 1328 5 500 BB 909 13 000 CK 288 9 700
CK 7776 1 200 CM 8787 12 000 CK 177 1 200
CK 128 8 000 CL 6868 10 000 CK 250 3 500
CK 6668 6 000 CK 1118 4 000 CK 866 4 000
CK 3338 7 000 CJ 8168 5 200
AJ 13 10 000 CJ 9077 1 000
CH 353 3 000 CM 323 9 000
CK 4 11 000 CM 9779 3 500
CK 1138 2 000 CJ 8238 .1 800
CK 911 18 000 CK 1?39 2 500
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 63RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $18 748 332.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
10
SALT WATER SUPPLY CUT * * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A TERRITORIES WILL BE CUT OFF
NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE NEW
4rinil „ ..FOR 10 HOURS FROM 9 PM ON TUESDAY,
APRIL 28 TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS CONNECTION.
THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED INCLUDE THE WHOLE AREA IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN INCLUDING TAI HING ESTATE, ON TING, YAU 01 ESTATE, SAN FAT ESTATE AND INDUSTRIAL ZONE AREA 9 AND AREA 12 TUEN MUN.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 1^1
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD GETS LION'S SHARE .............
INTENSIVE TRAINING COURSE FOR WAITERS ..................
NEW FAMILY HEALTH CENTRE FOR SHA TIN ....................
WORKS TO PROVIDE FULL SEWAGE TREATMENT .................
SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 1981
1
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD GETS LION’S SHARE
* * * * *
NEARLY $4 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, A 96 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE AMOUNT PROVIDED LAST YEAR.
IT IS THE LARGEST SHARE - ALMOST ONE THIRD - OF THE $12.2 MILLION ALLOCATED BY GOVERNMENT TO THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS FOR 1981/82.
LAST YEAR’S BUDGET FOR THE TSUEN WAN BOARD WAS $2,036 MILLION, WHICH THE BOARD SPENT IN FULL.
♦THIS WAS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND WE WILL ENSURE THAT THE MONEY WILL BE FULLY SPENT AGAIN THIS YEAR FOR THE E EFIT OF LOCAL PEOPLE,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OF" ICE.
HE SAID THE INCREASED BUDGET WOULD ENABLE EACH INDIVIDUAL S'.B-COMMITTEE TO WIDEN THEIR SCOPE OF WORK AND ORGANISE MORE A’ ' IV IT IES.
OF THIS YEAR’S BUDGET, $2.9 MILLION WILL BE SPENT ON PROVIDING CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES.
BOTH THE TSUEN WAN ARTS AND SPORTS FESTIVALS HAVE PROVED TO BE POPULAR AND THEY WILL BE HELD AGAIN THIS YEAR. ABOUT $400 000 HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THE ARTS FESTIVAL AND $250 000 FOR THE SPORTS FESTIVAL.
THE BALANCE WILL BE SPENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, PARTICULARLY IN MAKING FULL USE OF VACANT CROWN LAND BY TURNING IT EITHER INTO SITTING-OUT AREAS OR TEMPORARY RECREATIONAL GROUNDS.
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INTENSIVE TRAINING COURSE FOR WAITERS
* * * *
AN EIGHT-WEEK, FULL-TIME COURSE FOR WAITERS IS BEING OFFERED NEXT MONTH BY HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR YOUTHS INTENDING TO JOIN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY.
♦THE COURSE IS GEARED TO MEET THE HEAVY DEMAND FOR RESTAURANT SERVICE STAFF, ESPECIALLY WITH THE OPENING OF SEVERAL MAJOR HOTELS IN THE NEAR FUTURE,♦ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT HAS BEEN WARMLY WELCOMED BY THE HOTEL CATERING AND TOURISM INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD AND HONG KONG HOTELIERS, HE SAID.
I
BASICALLY, THE COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR NEW ENTRANTS INTO THE HOTEL INDUSTRY, AND APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE FORM V STANDARD OR ITS EQUIVALENT.
/
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WITH A HIGH STANDARD OF WRITTEN AND SPOKEN ENGLISH, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. /
SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 1981
2
THE COURSE WILL FOCUS ON THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF RESTAURANT SERVICE INCLUDING HYGIENE, SAFETY, BILLING AND MENU STUDY.
FEES OF $185 WILL BE PAYABLE ON REGISTRATION.
A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE WILL EE AWARDED TO THOSE WHO COMPLETE THE COURSE AND PASS ALL ASSESSMENT TESTS.
APPLICATION. FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM HAKING WONG TECHNICAL ? INSTITUTE AT 702 LAI CHI KOK ROAD, KOWLOON.
COMPLETED FORKS SHOULD BE RETURNED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE INTERVIEWS FOR CANDIDATES WILL BE CONDUCTED ON MAY 4.
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NEW FAMILY HEALTH CENTRE FOR SHA TIN
*****
FROM TUESDAY (APRIL 28) THE FAST DEVELOPING NEW TOWN AT SHA TIN WILL HAVE FULL-TIME FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES CENTRE RUN BY THE MEDiChL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THE NEW FAMILY HEALTH CENTRE, COVERING 340 SQUARE METRES, WILL BE ACCOMMODATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE LEK YUEN GENERAL CLINIC.
IT WILL OFFER AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF MATERNAL AND CHILD
HEALTH SERVICE, INCLUDING ANTE-NATAL AND POST-NATAL HEALTH CARE, A COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SCHEME FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE FOR ADULTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE SERVICE WILL BENEFIT AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 140 000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THOSE LIVING IN LEK YUEN AND WO CHE ESTATES.
THE NEW FAMILY HEALTH CENTRE WILL REPLACE THE ONE NOW BEING :UN BY THE DEPARTMENT ON A PART-TIME BASIS AT SHAT IN MATERNITY IOME AT TAI WAI.
THE LEK YUEN GENERAL CLINIC, WHICH HAS BEEN BUILT AT A COST OF OVER $11 MILLION, IS A SEVEN-STOREY BLOCK, LOCATED OPPOSITE TO WAH FUNG HOUSE, LEK YUEN ESTATE.
GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE MULTI-STOREY CLINIC WHICH HAS BEEN OPEN SINCE JANUARY 2, 1931.
A PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY AND THE INSTITUTE OF PATHOLOGY OCCUPYING THE TOP TWO FLOORS ARE ALSO IN OPERATION.
SPACE IS ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT, A HEALTH EDUCATION CENTRE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 1981
5
WORKS TO PROVIDE FULL SEWAGE TREATMENT *****
CONSTRUCTION OF ANOTHER PHASE OF THE YUEN LONG SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS AT WANG CHAU WILL BEGIN SHORTLY, TO PROVIDE FULL SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR YUEN LONG NEW TOWN AND YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
TENDERS FOR PHASE TWO OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN JUNE AND TAKE ABOUT 27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THIS INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONSOLIDATION TANKS, FLOATATION THICKENER HOUSE, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DIGESTION TANKS, DEWATERING HOUSE, ASSOCIATED PIPEWORKS AND ROADWORKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID, +PHASE ONE OF THE WORK NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION WILL PROVIDE SEWAGE PURIFICATION, WHILE PHASE TWO WILL PROVIDE TREATMENT TO THE SLUDGE PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF PURIFICATION.
+SLUDGE TREATMENT PROCESS CONSISTS OF THICKENING, ANAEROBIC DIGESTION AND DEWATERING. THE FINAL DEWATERED SLUDGE WHICH IS IN A STABLE AND UNHARMFUL STATE WILL BE DISPOSED OF TO
CONTROLLED TIPS.+
THIS SCHEME WILL BE JOINTLY FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION.
THE DRAINAGE WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGII NEER•NG OFF ICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, HAS DESIGNED THE WORKS AND WILL SUPERVISE ITS CONSTRUCTION.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SCHOOL MEDICAL SCHEME POPULAR............................. 1
MARINE DEPARTMENT BUSY TRAINING SEAMEN.................... 2
SHA TIN TO HAVE FIRST EVER REGATTA ....................... 3
REVISED TENDERING PROCEDURES FOR AIDED SCHOOLS ........... 4
WATER CUT IN TUEN MUN..................................... 4
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1981
SCHOOL MEDICAL SCHEME POPULAR
* * * * *
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME IS CONTINUING TO ATTRACT CHILDREN FROM SCHOOLS AND THE TOTAL ENROLMENT NOW PASSES THE 290 000 MARK.
IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE OF 21 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF PUPILS TAKING PART, BRINGING THE TOTAL ENROLMENT TO 207 508 AT MARCH 31, COMPARED TO 170 574 IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING THAT MORE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ARE BECOMING AWARE OF THE BENEFITS OF THE MEDICAL SCHEME.
UNDER THE SCHEME, THE PUPIL PAYS $5 A YEAR AND RECEIVES MEDICAL ATTENTION AND MEDICINE FROM A DOCTOR CHOSEN BY THE SCHOOL.
THE SCHEME IS HEAVILY SUBSIDISED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO COMPLEMENT THE EXTENSIVE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT. FROM APRIL 1, THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION WAS INCREASED FROM $30 TO $50 A PUPIL ENROLLED A YEAR.
DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ECONOMICAL MEDICAL TREATMENT TO SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM PRIMARY ONE TO FORM THREE, THE SCHEME IS A SCHOOL-EASED, VOLUNTARY SCHEME UNDER WHICH CHILDREN ARE FREE TO TAKE PART.
DOCTORS WHO PARTICIPATE VOLUNTARILY IN THE SCHEME ARE REGISTERED PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS.
PUPILS MAY JOIN AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR AND ARE ENTITLED TO 12 MONTHS’ MEDICAL TREATMENT FROM THE DATE OF ENROLMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE SERVICE IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO PUPILS WHO APPLY INDIVIDUALLY IN THE EVENT THAT THE SCHOOL DOES NOT ADOPT THE SCHEME.
A PUPIL IS ENTITLED TO A FREE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION ON ENROLMENT AND MAY VISIT THE DOCTOR ASSIGNED TO HIM AS MANY TIMES AS HE NEEDS.
ALTHOUGH ENROLMENT HAS BEEN INCREASING, THE PRESENT ENROLMENT REPRESENTS ONLY 25 PER CENT OF ALL ELIGIBLE SCHOOL CHILDREN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE URGED SCHOOL AUTHORITIES TO PLAY A MORE ACTIVE PART IN GETTING AS MANY PUPILS ENROLLED AS POSSIBLE.
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MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
2
MARINE DEPARTMENT BUSY TRAINING SEAMEN * * * *
THE NAUTICAL TRAINING SCHOOL OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS THE ALMA MATER OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ENTIRE FLOATING STAFF.
THE SCHOOL, OPERATED BY THE TRAINING UNIT OF THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD AT CANTON ROAD, PROVIDES FULL-TIME NAUTICAL AND ENGINEERING TRAINING TO THE VARIOUS GRADES FROM SEAMAN TO SENIOR COXSWAIN AND FROM OILER TO SENIOR LAUNCH MECHANIC. IT ALSO OFFERS TRAINING FOR MARINE INSPECTORS Or THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THIS YEAR, THE SCHOOL PLANS TO PROVIDE 26 FULL-TIME COURSES FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S OWN STAFF.
THESE COURSES ARE AT VARIOUS LEVELS AND ARE FOR BOTH DECK HANDS AND ENGINE ROOM RATINGS, THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL, MR LAM YAU SUM SAID.
♦WITH THE EXCEPTION OF INDUCTION CLASSES FOR NEW RECRUITS,* W LAM SAID, +ALL COURSES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP IN-SERVICE STAFF TO OBTAIN THE STATUTORY QUALIFICATION OF A MASTER OF LOCAL ENGINEERS CF LOCAL VESSELS.
+TRAINEES ARE FIRST TAUGHT THE BASIC SKILLS OF SEAMANSHIP, MARINE ENGINEERING PRACTICE AND FIRE-FIGHTING. THEY WILL THEN EE TRAINED ON COASTAL NAVIGATION, PILOTAGE, SIGNALLING, CRAFT MANOEUVRING AND MECHANICAL SKILLS, REMEDY OF MACHINERY FAULTS AND GENERAL ENGINE ROOM HOUSE KEEPING.
♦IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE HIGHER EFFICIENCY, MODERN TEACHING TECHNIQUES ARE EMPLOYED. LECTURERS ARE SUPPLEMENTED WITH VISUAL AIDS AND VARIOUS KINDS OF WORKING MODELS LIKE SEXTANTS, COMPASSES AND STATION POINTERS. ON THE MECHANICAL ASPECT TRAINEES ARE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH RUDIMENTARY PRACTICES IN MACHINERY DISMANTLING AND REASSEMBLY AND FAMILIARISATION IN THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS ENCOUNTERED IN THE ENGINE ROOM OF VESSELS.*
TOURS ON BOARD LAUNCHES ARE ALSO ARRANGED TO PROVIDE TRAINEES WITH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES, MR LAM ADDED.
ON COMPLETION, THE TRAINEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIT A CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL SECTOR, WHICH IS NECESSARY FOR PROMOTION.
IN ADDITION TO TRAINING MARINE DEPARTMENT STAFF, THE SCHOOL ALSO TRAINS OTHER GOVERNMENT STAFF WHO ARE REQUIRED TO WORK ON BOARD GOVERNMENT VESSELS. THEY INCLUDE OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE AND THE CIVIL AID SERVICE.
THE SCHOOL ALSO ORGANISES COURSES ON THE USE OF RADAR EQUIPMENT FOR SENIOR FLOATING STAFF FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN CONDITONS OF RESTRICTED VISIBILITY, MR LAM SAID.
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MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1981
SHA TIN TO HAVE FIRST EVER REGATTA * * * *
THE ONCE HEAVILY POLLUTED SHING MUN RIVER, WHICH IS BEING CLEANED AT A COST OF $5 MILLION, WILL BE THE VENUE OF SHA TIN’S FIRST EVER REGATTA.
THE REGATTA IS BEING ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE HONG KONG AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION. IT WILL BE HELD ON THE AFTERNOON OF MAY 9.
THERE WILL BE FOURS AND SINGLE SCULLS EVENTS INVOLVING ABOUT 60 OARSMEN. THE COURSE WILL BE 500 METRES.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER SHA TIN, DR PATRICK HASE, SAID HE HOPED THE REGATTA WOULD BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT.
IT WAS INTENDED THAT THE RIVER WOULD BE OPENED UP FOR A 'ARIETY OF BOATING PASTIMES IN DUE COURSE, PROBABLY IN 12 - 18 MONTHS.
IN THE MEANTIME WORK ON THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE. THIS INCLUDES SUITING A FURTHER BRIDGE, COMPLETING DREDGING AND SEAWALL CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTING A RIVERSIDE TREELINED FOOT-PATH AND CYCLE TRACK.
+ONCE THIS IS FINISHED, WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE RIVER FOR FULL SCALE ACTIVITIES,* DR HASE SAID.
THE RIVER HAS BEEN POLLUTED WITH PIG AND CHICKEN WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT.
BUT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, IN ADDITION TO DREDGING WORK, A CLEARANCE OPERATION HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE TO REMOVE ALL POLLUTING ELEMENTS FROM NEAR THE RIVER.
THE HONG KONG AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION IS TO BUILD A RIVERSIDE BOATHOUSE AND GRANDSTAND COMPLEX IN SHA TIN ON A SITE WHICH IS AT PRESENT BEING USED AS THE CAR PARK FOR A FLOATING RESTAURANT. A NEW FLOATING RESTAURANT SITE IS TO BE PROVIDED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RIVER.
DR HASE SAID THIS YEAR’S REGATTA WOULD BE ON A COMPARAT IVELY SMALL SCALE, BUT WAS NEVERTHELESS WELCOME AS IT INDICATED THE IMPROVEMENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE CONDITION OF THE RIVER.
THE REGATTA WAS AN EARNEST OF GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION THAT THE RIVER WOULD BECOME, EVENTUALLY, A MAJOR AREA OF RECREATION FOR THE 750 000 PEOPLE WHO WILL BE LIVING IN SHA TIN BY 1990.
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1981
REVISED TENDERING PROCEDURES FOR AIDED SCHOOLS * * * *
SUPERVISORS AND PRINCIPALS OF AIDED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE URGED TO NOTE THAT REVISED TENDERING PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED REGARDING MAJOR AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS REQUIRING NON-RECURRENT GRANTS, AND FOR THE SUPPLY AND SERVICE OF FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT.
CIRCULARS OUTLINING THE REVISED TENDERING PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL AIDED SCHOOLS, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE TENDERING PRCEDURES FOR MAJOR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN REVISED AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION A RECOMMENDATION OF AN ICAC REPORT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S RULES AND PROCEDURES SHOULD BE CONFORMED TO FOR MAJOR REPAIRS IN THE AIDED SECTOR, IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THE SCHOOLS,+ HE SAID.
UNDER THE REVISED PROCEDURES, TENDERS FOR WORKS FOR WHICH SUBSIDY IS REQUIRED MUST NORMALLY BE INVITED FROM AT LEAST 10 REGISTERED CONTRACTORS.
INVITATIONS TO TENDER SHOULD CLEARLY INDICATE THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF TENDERS AND THE FORM IN WHICH THEY ARE TO BE DELIVERED TO THE APPROPRIATE TENDER BOX.
TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE TO SCHOOLS, COPIES OF +NOTES FOR GUIDANCE OF AIDED SCHOOLS ON BUILDING WORKS+ PREPARED BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAVE ALSO BEEN SENT TO ALL AIDED SCHOOLS.
AMENDMENTS TO THE TENDERING PROCEDURES FOR THE SUPPLY AND SERVICE OF FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO STREAMLINE THE WHOLE PROCESS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦THE EXISTING TENDERING PROCEDURES HAVE SHOWN, FROM PAST EXPERIENCE, TO BE RATHER TIME-CONSUMING AND HAVE SOMETIMES CAUSED UNNECESSARY DELAY,+ HE SAID.
UNDER THE REVISED SYSTEM SCHOOLS ARE REQUESTED TO GROUP ITEMS CF FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT OF THE SAME CATEGORY IN THE SAME TENDER SCHEDULE BEFORE INVITING SUPPLIERS TO TENDER.
SCHOOLS MUST ALSO ENSURE THAT INVITATIONS TO TENDER SHOULD CLEARLY INDICATE THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF TENDERS,
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WATER CUT IN TUEN MUN * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE CUT OFF FOR NINE HOURS FROM 10 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 30) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY, FOR WATER MAIN CONNECTION.
THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED INCLUDE INDUSTRIAL ZONE AREA 9 AND AREA 12 TUEN MUN, TAI HING ESTATE TUEN MUN, MING KUM ROAD LICENSED AREA TUEN MUN, ALONG LUNG MUN ROAD, FROM TSI NG WUN ROAD TO PILLAR POINT TUEN MUN. (INCLUDE BOYS’ HOME TUEN MUN AND CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. LTD.)
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GAS CONSULTANTS START WORK ................................... 1
SUBSTANTIAL SUPPLY OF FACTORY SPACE .AVAILABLE................ 2
GOVERNMENT TO BE ASKED ABOUT ANTI-ROBERRY MEASURES AT LEGCO ... 4
SATURDAY NIGHT RECREATION IN KWAI CHUNG ...................... 5
NEW ARCH OPENED FOR OLD PEOPLE'S HOME......................... 6
SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS TO ATTEND ADB MEETING...........6
PWD AWARDS 64 CONTRACTS
7
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1981
1
GAS CONSULTANTS START WORK * * * *
THE CONSULTANTS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE LOCAL GAS INDUSTRY STARTED WORK THIS WEEK.
THE TEAM IS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY SERVICE OF •DIE BRITISH GAS CORPORATION.
THE FIRST TWO MEMBERS TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ARE MR D.J. BUTLER, A SENIOR ENGINEERING MANAGER, AND MR G.F. WHITBREAD, A TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER, OF THE CORPORATION.
THEY WILL BE JOINED LATER BY MR R. WATTS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES OF THE BRITISH GAS CORPORATION.
THE CONSULTANTS WILL HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS OF A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VARIOUS COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THE SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION OF TOWN GAS AND LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS.
THEY WILL VISIT GAS MANUFACTURING AND STORAGE FACILITIES AND WILL SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE SITUATION RELATING TO GAS INSTALLATIONS AND APPLIANCES.
INTERESTED PARTIES, PARTICULARLY MEMBERS OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES, WHO HAVE SOME CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE TOWARDS THE STUDY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE CONSULTANTS BY TELEPHONING 5-7908990 OR 5-7908743.
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE CONSULTANCY ARE»
* TO REVIEW THE EXISTING SITUATION ON THE IMPORTATION, MANUFACTURE, STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION AND SAFETY STANDARDS OF TOWN GAS AND LPG-
* TO REVIEW THE ADEQUACY OF EXISTING LEGISLATION IN AREAS ALREADY SUBJECT TO CONTROL"
* TO ASSESS THE DESIRABILITY OF EXTENDING LEGISLATIVE CONTROL TO AREAS NOT CURRENTLY, OR ADEQUATELY, COVERED, HAVING REGARD TO INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS AND PRACTICES-
* TO ADVISE HOW PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC IS TO BE SAFEGUARDED BY THE NEW OR AMENDING LEGISLATION-
* TO ASSESS THE LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF INTRODUCING NEW CONTROLS-
* TO ADVISE ON THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW OR AMENDING LEGISLATION WITH REGARD TO THE TECHNICAL
STANDARDS REQUIRED-
* TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE BEST METHODS OF IMPLEMENTING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND OF ENFORCING LEGISLATION TO BE ENACTED- AND
/* AS NEC3SSAHY ....
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1981
2
* *ECESSARY> To PROVIDE the services of a T0 ,MPLEMENT recommendations APPROVED AND ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
A PRELIMINARY REPORT GOVERNMENT IN JUNE AND THE COMPLETE.
IS EXPECTED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE FULL STUDY WILL TAKE ABOUT 20 WEEKS
TO
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SUBSTANTIAL SUPPLY OF FACTORY SPACE AVAILABLE * * * *
DESPITE REFERENCES TO THE SHORTAGE OF LAND AFFECTING THE PACE AND PATTERN OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL GROWTH, PARADOXICALLY THE SUPPLY OF FLATTED FACTORY SPACE IS SUBSTANTIAL AND GROWING, SAID THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR BILL DORWARD TODAY (APRIL 28).
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1981 NEW PRODUCTS COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR DORWARD CONCURRED WITH A SUGGESTION THAT ONE REASON WHY RENTS AND SALE PRICES OF FLATTED FACTORY SPACE HAD FELD UP DESPITE THE SHARP GROWTH AND THE AMOUNT OF VACANT SPACE — NEARLY FIVE PER CENT AT THE END OF 1980 — WAS THAT THERE WAS A MISMATCH.
♦THAT IS TO SAY, THE SPACE IS EITHER IN THE WRONG PLACE OR IS OF THE WRONG TYPE TO MEET DEMAND.
♦THERE IS UNDOUBTEDLY SOMETHING IN THIS,+ SAID MR DORWARD. ♦THE HIGHEST VACANCY RATE IS IN TUEN MUN- THE LOWEST IN KOWLOON. RENTS ARE, NOT SURPRISINGLY THEREFORE, ABOUT TWICE AS HIGH IN KOWLOON AS IN TUEN MUN.
♦LIKEWISE GROUND FLOOR SPACE COMMANDS ROUGHLY DOUBLE THE RENTS OF HIGHER FLOORS, BECAUSE OF EASY ACCESS AND HIGHER FLOOR LOADING CAPACITY AND DEMAND IS STRONG FOR SMALL UNITS OF UP TO 100 SQUARE METRES,+ HE SAID.
MR DORWARD ADDED THAT THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY EASED BY SEVERAL DEVELOPMENTS.
♦THE FORECAST FOR 1982 IS FOR AN ADDITIONAL 1.7 MILLION SQUARE METRES. THAT IS THE HIGHEST ANNUAL FIGURE EVER PROJECTED, AND IS ONLY A LITTLE LESS THAN THE TOTAL SPACE PRODUCED IN THE FIVE YEARS FROM 1972 TO 1976,+ HE SAID.
THE SHIFT OF POPULATION TO THE NEW TOWNS, WHICH WAS ACCELERATING, WOULD MAKE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT THERE A GOOD DEAL MORE ATTRACTIVE. IN TUEN MUN, AT THE END OF 1979, 40 PER CENT OF THE AVAILABLE FACTORY SPACE WAS VACANT AND A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN STOCK TOOK PLACE IN 1980 AND IS SCHEDULED FOR 1981.
♦ABOUT 10 000 NEW HOUSING UNITS WERE COMPLETED LAST YEAR AND OVER 5 000 ARE DUE TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR.+ SAID MR DORWARD. ♦INSOFAR AS LABOUR SHORTAGE HAS BEEN A DETERRENT IN THAT AREA, THEREFORE, THE SITUATION IS OBVIOUSLY IMPROVING SIGNIFICANTLY-AT THE END OF 1980 VACANT FACTORY SPACE HAD DROPPED TO 7.6 PER CENT.
/COMMUNICATIONS SUCH
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1981
3
COMMUNICATIONS SUCH AS THE TSUEN WAN BYPASS, THE COMPLETION OF THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, THE MTR EXTENSION, THE ELECTRIFICATION CF THE KCR AND THE COASTAL ROAD TO TAI PO WERE ALL WORKING TOWARD A GRADUAL UNCLOGGING OF THE TRANSPORT ARTERIES OVER THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS, AND SHOULD ALSO IMPROVE THE ATTRACTIONS FOR INDUSTRY TO LOCATE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
RETURNING TO THE MISMATCH IN THE TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION, MR DORWARD SAID THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE HAD ALREADY PROVIDED SITES FOR ABOUT 29 TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED FACTORIES WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE FOUND IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCATE IN HONG KONG- AND SPACE WAS AVAILABLE FOR AS MANY AGAIN. THE YUEN LONG ESTATE WAS TAKING SHAPE, AND A LEASE ON THE FIRST SITE THERE WAS EXPECTED TO BE GRANTED VERY SHORTLY.
THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION IS ALSO IN PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTING AT TAI PO A NUMBER OF STANDARD FACTORIES WITH HIGH CEILING CLEARANCES, HEAVY FLOOR LOADINGS AND GOOD ACCESS AND LOADING FACILITIES. THESE ARE FOR INDUSTRIES WHICH MEET THE CRITERIA FOR BEING GRANTED SITES ON THE ESTATE, BUT WHICH DO NOT NEED A PURPOSE-BUILT FACTORY AND WANT TO GET QUICKLY INTO PRODUCTION. DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON AND THE FIRST FACTORY SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BY OCTOBER, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE INDUSTRIAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME IN 1979 AND AGAIN LAST YEAR WAS TAILORED TO ENSURE THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL SMALL UNITS OF UP TO 75 SQUARE METRES, AND OF UPPER FLOOR SPACE WITH HIGH CEILING CLEARANCE AND HEAVY FLOOR LOADING CAPACITY TO MEET THE DEMAND APPARENT FOR BOTH AS REFLECTED IN RELATIVE CURRENT COSTS.
♦DURING THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1981, 22 SITES TOTALLING ROUGHLY 68 OOO SQUARE METRES WERE DISPOSED OF WITH SPECIAL LEASE CONDITIONS OF VARIOUS TYPES TO ACHIEVE THIS PURPOSE AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT A FURTHER 28 000 SQUARE METRES IN 10 SITES WILL BE DEALT WITH SIMILARLY BETWEEN APRIL AND SEPTEMBER 1981.
♦TAKEN TOGETHER, THIS PACKAGE OF MEASURES WILL, I TRUST, HAVE A STABILISING EFFECT ON RENTAL AND SALE PRICES FOR FACTORY PREMISES. THERE ARE, I KNOW, INDICATIONS THAT SOME SPACE IS VACANT AND REMAINING SO BECAUSE RENTS OR SALE PRICES ARE BEING PITCHED ABOVE THE MARKET LEVEL. THE EXTENT TO WHICH SUCH AN ATTITUDE BY CERTAIN DEVELOPERS CAN BE SUSTAINED IN THE FACE OF THE CHANGING SITUATION I HAVE JUST DESCRIBED IS HARD TO PREDICT-BUT IT MUST BE LIMITED,+ HE SAID.
CONGRATULATING THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION FOR ITS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION IN STIMULATING INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION BY ORGANISING THE NEW PRODUCTS COMPETITION, MR DORWARD ANNOUNCED THAT THE WINNER OF THIS YEAR’S DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS’ AWARD WAS QUALIDUX INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD. FOR ITS PLASTIC FOLDING CHAIR.
♦THIS IS A PRODUCT WHICH COMBINES PROGRESS IN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY WITH IMAGINATIVE AND FUNCTIONAL DESIGN,+ HE CONCLUDED.
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A......
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1981
4
GOVERNMENT TO BE ASKED ABOUT ANTI-ROBBERY MEASURES AT LEGCO * * * *
AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG +WHETHER ANY SPECIAL MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN TO COMBAT THE RECENT DRAMATIC INCREASE IN ARMED ROBBERIES INVOLVING FIREARMS*.
MR CHEONG’S QUESTION WILL BE AMONG A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON VARIOUS MATTERS AFFECTING LIFE IN HONG KONG, RANGING FROM RECREATION AND EDUCATION TO CAR TRAVEL ACROSS THE HARBOUR AND NIGHT WORK ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION.
DR THE HON HARRY FANG WILL ASK THE SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT TO ASK THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY TO CONSIDER CHARGING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL FEES IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY, IN ORDER TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
ANOTHER QUESTION, FROM THE HON ANDREW SO, WILL DEAL WITH A REQUEST FOR THE GOVERNMENT, + IN VIEW OF THE CONSIDERABLE NUISANCE CAUSED TO THE PUBLIC,* TO CONSIDER LIFTING, +AS SOON AS IT IS PRACTICABLE TO DO SO, THE EXEMPTION GRANTED TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION WHICH ALLOWS THE CORPORATION TO CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORKS 24 HOURS A DAY, INCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.*
DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI WILL ASK WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICE SINCE IT ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLACING DISABLED PERSONS IN EMPLOYMENT FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN JULY I960.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WILL REPLY TO THE QUESTION.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL REPLY TO TWO QUESTIONS, ONE FROM THE HON WONG LAM, WHETHER, +IN VIEW OF THE GENERAL SHORTAGE OF VENUES FOR PUBLIC CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES*. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD +CONSIDER MAKING AVAILABLE, WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT, THE FACILITIES IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES.*
THE HON JOYCE BENNETT WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER ITS POLICY OF BUILDING PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN EACH HOUSING ESTATE WHEN THE NEW ESTATE IS SO CLOSE TO OTHER HOUSING ESTATES WHERE THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE NOT FULL AND LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM THE NEW PROPOSED SCHOOLS.
THE QUESTIONS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A NUMBER OF MOTIONS AND READINGS OF VARIOUS STAGES OF BILLS, INCLUDING THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING OF APPROPRIATION BILL 1981.
TWO BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL. THEY ARE THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1981 AND BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981.
DEBATE ON THREE BILLS WILL ALSO BE RESUMED. THEY ARE THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1981, AND THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1981.
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Z5.....
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1981
5
SATURDAY NIGHT RECREATION IN KWAI CHUNG
* * * *
AN EXPERIMENTAL RECREATION SCHEME IS TO BE LAUNCHED IN KWAI CHUNG ESTATE ON SATURDAY EVENINGS STARTING EARLY NEXT MONTH.
KNOWN AS THE +KWAI CHUNG ESTATE SATURDAY NIGHT RECREATION SCHEME,* IT WILL BE HELD FROM 6.30 PM TO 9 PM ON 10 EVENINGS UNTIL EARLY JULY.
SPORTING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, BADMINTON, TABLE TENNIS, TRAMPOLINING AND ROLLER SKATING WILL BE AVAILABLE INSIDE THE PLAYGROUND ADJACENT TO BLOCKS 3 TO 5 OF THE ESTATE.
A MOBILE CENTRE, MANNED BY STAFF OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, WILL BE PRESENT. STAFF WILL HELP ORGANISE AND ARRANGE SPORTING DEMONSTRATIONS, COMPETITIONS, TRAINING CLASSES AND EXHIBITIONS.
♦THE SCHEME IS BEING INTRODUCED BECAUSE SOME RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITHIN THE ESTATE ARE UNDER-UTILISED, ESPECIALLY AFTER DARK,* KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FRED TING, SAID.
HE SAID THIS MIGHT BE DUE TO LACK OF PROPER LIGHTING IN SOME OF THESE FACILITIES OR BECAUSE PARENTS OBJECTED TO THEIR CHILDREN PLAYING OUTSIDE AFTER DARK FOR FEAR THEY MIGHT BE INFLUENCED BY BAD ELEMENTS.
PROPER LIGHTING IS BEING INSTALLED IN THE PLAYGROUND AND STAFF OF THE ESTATE’S POLICE NEIGHBOURHOOD UNIT WILL PATROL THE AREA FREQUENTLY.
♦CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE ESTATE CAN GO THERE INDIVIDUALLY OR IN GROUPS AND JOIN THE SCHEME ON THE SPOT. THERE IS NO NEED FOR ADVANCE BOOKING AND ALL EQUIPMENT WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE,♦ HE SAID.
THE SCHEME WOULD BE EVALUATED AFTER THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD, AND WOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER ESTATES IN THE AREA IF FOUND TO BE POPULAR, MR TING SAID.
THE SCHEME IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, KWAI CHUNG POLICE DIVISION AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
IT IS FINANCED BY TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD.
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/6.....
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1981
6
NEW ARCH OPENED FOR OLD PEOPLE’S HOME
* * *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, TODAY (TUESDAY) OPENED A NEW ARCH FOR THE CHUNG SHEK HEI HOME FOR THE AGED ON CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR ALLEYNE SAID WHILE THE BASIC REQUIREMENT OF AN OLD PEOPLE’S HOME IS TO GIVE PHYSICAL COMFORT, IT IS DESIRABLE TO HAVE AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO HARMONIOUS INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
HE PRAISED THE BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF OF THE HOME FOR THEIR REMARKABLE PROGRESS IN PROVIDING IMPROVED INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY.
BESIDES EXTENDING BASIC CARE TO OLD PEOPLE IN NEED, HE SAID, THE HOME ENABLES THEM TO LEAD A SATISFYING AND USEFUL LIFE.
IT ORGANISES SOCIAL ACTIVITIES WHICH HELP THE RESIDENTS COMBAT BOREDOM, REGULATIONS AND ROUTINES.
AND THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTEER WORK, THE OLD PEOPLE FEEL THEY ARE STILL CONTRI BUT IVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, HE ADDED.
THE CHUNG SHEK HEI HOME FOR THE AGED WAS SET UP IN 1969 WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND. IT CARES FOR 138 MALE AND FEMALE ELDERLY PEOPLE.
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SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS TO ATTEND ADB MEETING OH*
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR D.W.A. BLYE, LEAVES HONG KONG TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO ATTEND THE 14TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN HONOLULU, HAWAII FROM APRIL 30 TO MAY 2. MR BLYE IS EXPECTED TO ADDRESS THE MEETING AT A GOVERNORS’ SESSION.
ALSO IN THE HONG KONG DELEGATION ARE MR COLIN MARTIN, COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR JOSEPH YAM, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (ECONOMIC SERVICES) AND MR ANDREW WELLS, ASSISTANT SECRETARY (MONETARY AFFAIRS).
MR BLYE IS DUE BACK IN HONG KONG ON MAY 4. DURING HIS ABSENCE, ME PETER ALLSOPP WILL ACT AS SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1981
7
PWD AWARDS 64 CONTRACTS
* M * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AWARDED A TOTAL OF 64 CONTRACTS WORTH MORE THAN $320 MILLION IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
OF THESE CONTRACTS, 33 WERE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD AND THE REMAINING 31 ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PWD TENDER BOARD.
THE BIGGEST CONTRACTS WERE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INTERCHANGE AT WO HOP SHEK ON THE TAI PO ROAD AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN YUEN LONG NEW TOWN AND AU TAU.
BOTH PROJECTS, COSTING A TOTAL OF MORE THAN $100 MILLION, WILL FORM PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD SCHEDULED TO EE COMPLETED BY 1984.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 19$1
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: BILLS PROPOSE CHANGES TO BANKING AND DTC BUSINESS ......... 1
MATERNITY LEAVE PROVISIONS APPROVED ..................
HOPE FOR ADJUSTMENT IN EDUCATION POLICY ..............
PLEA FOR MORE TEACHERS ........................ 7
SAFETY OF CHILDREN A MAJOR FACTOR .................... 10
GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS A TRY OUT: HAYE URGES ........... 10
SATISFACTORY START TO PLACEMENT SERVICE .............. 11
SPECIAL MEASURES AGAINST ARMED ROBBERIES ............. 12
MTR WORK EXEMPTION TO STAY ..................... ’ •' •
NO CHANGE IN TUNNEL FEE COLLECTION METHOD............. 13
PLAN TO EXTEND’ CHEUNG CHAU PIER ..................... 14
APPROPRIATION BILL PASSED .......................1^
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH 1981 .................
PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICE WINS AWARD .....................
AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERS VISIT ABERDEEN TUNNEL ...............
SCHOLARSHIP TO HONOUR COLLEGE PRINCIPAL ..................
SUPPLEMENTARY ROAD MARKING FOR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION .... 20
or
SHEUNG SHUT HEUNG VILLAGE OFFICE OPENED.................• • •
BALLET DEMONSTRATION IN NORTH DISTRICT ...................
21
BLACK’S LINK OPENING HOURS ...............................
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
BILLS PROPOSE CHANGES TO BANKING AND DTC BUSINESS *****
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981 AND THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1981 WERE GIVEN A SECOND READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE TWO BILLS HAVE TWO RELATED PURPOSES, NAMELY, THE REDEFINITION OF BANKING BUSINESS AND THE CREATION OF A NEW CLASS OF DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTION, SO THAT THE BUSINESS OF TAKING DEPOSITS WOULD IN FUTURE BE CARRIED OUT BY THREE DISTINCTIVE CLASSES OF INSTITUTION.
THEY ARE LICENSED BANKS, TAKING DEPOSITS OF ANY MATURITY AND IN ANY AMOUNT IN THE COURSE OF THEIR BANKING BUSINESS- LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, CARRYING OUT THE EXISTING FUNCTIONS OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, EXCEPT THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO TAKE DEPOSITS OF LESS THAN $500 000- AND, OTHER (REGISTERED) DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, CARRYING OUT THEIR EXISTING FUNCTIONS, EXCEPT THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE PERMITTED TO TAKE DEPOSITS WITH AN ORIGINAL TERM TO MATURITY OF LESS THAN THREE MONTHS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID SPLITTING THE BUSINESS OF TAKING DEPOSITS BETWEEN THREE TYPES CF INSTITUTIONS - BANKS, LICENSED DEPOSITS-TAKING COMPANIES AND REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES - WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE MONETARY SECTOR.
FIRST, AS REGARDS THE 30 COMPANIES USED BY LICENSED BANKS TO GARNER DEPOSITS OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENTi THE GREATER THE RESTORATION OF THE BANKS’ DEPOSIT BASE WHICH IS ACHIEVED, THE LESS THE NEED FOR THE BANKS TO MAINTAIN THESE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES. WHILE SOME OF THEM MIGHT BE WOUND UP, OTHERS MIGHT BE MAINTAINED TO COMPETE FOR TERM DEPOSITS BETWEEN 3 AND 17 MONTHS (THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO DEPOSITS PLACED FOR 18 MONTHS OR LONGER).
SECONDLY, AS REGARDS THE 182 COMPANIES DOING ♦WHOLESALE* BUSINESS: IT IS BASICALLY THESE COMPANIES WHICH WOULD BE ELIGIBLE (IF THEY MEET THE CRITERIA) FOR LICENSED STATUS, BUT ONLY A FEW WOULD QUALIFY. THERE ARE AT PRESENT ONLY 12 REGISTERED DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES WITH PAID-UP SHARE CAPITAL, OR PAID-UP SHARE CAPITAL PLUS RESERVES, IN EXCESS OF $100 MILLION AND WHICH COULD, THEREFORE, MEET THAT OBJECTIVE EITHER AS OF NOW, OR AFTER CAPITALISING THEIR RESERVES.
THIRDLY, AS REGARDS THOSE 130 COMPANIES ENGAGED PRIMARILY IN +F INANCE COMPANY* BUSINESS IN THE DOMESTIC ECONOMY: THEY WOULD LOSE A PROPORTION OF THEIR DEPOSIT BASE ONCE THEY WERE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO TAKE SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS, UNLESS THEY SUCCEEDED IN PERSUADING THOSE DEPOSITORS TO PLACE THEIR FUNDS FOR THREE MONTHS OR LONGER. AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 1981 THESE 130 COMPANIES HAD TOTAL DEPOSITS OF $17 BILLION OR 37 PER CENT OF TOTAL DEPOSITS HELD BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
/some of .....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
2
SOME OF THESE +FI NANCE COMPANIES* WOULD WITHDRAW FROM THE DEPOSIT-TAKING BUSINESS. THE CASE FOR WITHDRAWAL MAY BE STRENGTHENED FOR SOME OF THEM IF OTHER MEASURES, INCLUDING AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM PAID-UP SHARE CAPITAL, AND THE IMPOSITION OF TIGHTER PRUDENTIAL CONTROLS, PROPOSED IN THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL, TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE THIS COMING FRIDAY, ARE IMPLEMENTED.
FOR THOSE COMPANIES WHICH CHOSE TO STAY ON THE REGISTER, AND FOR OTHER COMPANIES WHICH APPLIED FOR REVOCATION OF THEIR REGISTRATION, CAREFUL TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE NEEDED.
THE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ENVISAGED HAVE TWO OBJECTIVES. THE FIRST IS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WHICH ARE NOT GOING TO APPLY FOR, LET ALONE ACHIEVE, LICENSED STATUS HAVE A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME IN WHICH TO RUN DOWN THEIR SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS.
THE SECOND OBJECTIVE IS TO ALLOW THOSE COMPANIES WHICH CHOOSE TO APPLY FOR LICENSED STATUS TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THEIR BUSINESS DURING THE PERIOD IN WHICH THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE BEING CONSIDERED AND DETERMINED.
SIR PHILIP SAID IT IS PROPOSED THAT A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN GRANTED LICENSED STATUS BY THE END OF 12 MONTHS FROM A NOMINATED DATE, MUST HAVE REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS IT HOLDS TO 50 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT WHICH IT HELD ON THE 'DOMINATED DATE.
BY THE END OF A FURTHER 12 MONTHS - THAT IS, WITH EFFECT FROM 24 MONTHS FROM THE NOMINATED DATE - A REGISTERED DEPOSITTAKING COMPANY, COULD NOT HOLD ON ITS BOOKS ANY DEPOSITS WITH AN ORIGINAL TERM TO MATURITY PERIOD OF LESS THAN THREE MONTHS, AND FROM THAT DATE IT COULD NOT ACCEPT ANY MORE SUCH DEPOSITS.
A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY WHICH WAS GRANTED A LICENCE WOULD, AS FROM THE DATE OF BEING GRANTED SUCH A LICENCE, BE RESTRICTED TO TAKING DEPOSITS OF AT LEAST $500 OOOi ALL ITS SMALLER DEPOSITS MATURING AFTER THAT DATE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAID ON MATURITY OR, IF AT CALL, AFTER A REASONABLE PERIOD.
SIR PHILIP SAID THESE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF PLACING A REDUCING ABSOLUTE CEILING ON THE TOTAL OF SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS HELD BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, NOT CAUSING APPLICANTS FOR LICENSED STATUS TO TURN AWAY NEW BUSINESS OVER THE PERIOD WHEN APPLICATIONS WERE BEING CONSIDERED.
DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WHICH ARE REGISTERED AFTER THE NOMINATED DATE WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE OR TO HOLD ANY DEPOSITS WITH AN ORIGINAL TERM TO MATURITY OF LESS THAN THREE MONTHS. IF, AFTER REGISTRATION, THEY APPLY FOR LICENSED STATUS THEY WOULD ONLY BE PERMITTED TO ACCEPT SHORT-TERM DEPOSITS (OF $500 000 OR MORE) ONLY FROM THE DATE THAT SUCH STATUS IS GRANTED.
/+IT MAY.....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
3
♦IT MAY BE THAT, IF THE THREE TIER STRUCTURE ENVISAGED IN THE TV/O BILLS NOW BEFORE MEMBERS IS IMPLEMENTED, THE SCOPE OF THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT COULD BE REDUCED SO THAT IT APPLIES ONLY TO DEPOSITS OF LESS THAN S5OO OOO,+ HE SAID.
♦THIS WOULD NEED TO BE CONSIDERED VERY CAREFULLY, WITH THE AID OF A STUDY OF THE SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF DEPOSITS WITH BANKS, WITH LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND WITH OTHER DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES AFTER THE MARKET HAS HAD SOME EXPERIENCE OF THE NEW STRUCTURE*.
SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT A STUDY UNDERTAKEN BEFORE SUCH EXPERIENCE HAD BEEN ACQUIRED WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY VALID TO UNDERPIN SUCH A FAR-REACHING (AND, IN PRACTICAL TERMS, PROBABLY IRREVOCABLE) CHANGE TO THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT.
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MATERNITY LEAVE PROVISIONS APPROVED * * * *
THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL WHICH PROVIDES PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR SOME WORKING MOTHERS WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING AT ITS SECOND READING, THE REV THE HON PATRICK MCGOVERN SAID HE SUPPORTED THE MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE BILL BUT HAD RESERVATIONS ON THE QUALIFYING PERIOD AND THE LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE CHILDREN.
ON THE FIRST POINT, FR MCGOVERN SAID THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON MATERNITY LEAVE, HAVING CONSIDERED INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION CONVENTIONS AND THE PRACTICE OF NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, RECOMMENDED THAT THE QUALIFYING PERIOD FOR PAY ENTITLEMENT IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE 26 WEEKS.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM WORKERS’ ORGANISATIONS MOSTLY ASKED FOR 26 WEEKS, THOUGH SOME WANTED A SHORTER PERIOD.
HOWEVER, FR MCGOVERN SAID: +IT WAS AN UNPLEASANT SURPIRSE THEREFORE THAT THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDED A QUALIFYING PERIOD OF 40 WEEKS AND THAT GOVERNMENT SAW FIT TO ACCEPT THAT ADVICE RATHER THAN THE ADVICE OF THE WORKING GROUP.
♦NO COUNTRY MENTIONED IN THE APPENDICES OF THE WORKING GROUP REPORT HAS A QUALIFYING PERIOD OF MORE THAN 26 WEEKS.
♦WE ARE OUT OF LINE WITH THE REST OF ASIA AND WE ARE OUT OF LINE WITH OUR OWN LAW.+
HE THOUGHT THE ONLY LOGICAL, THOUGH UNLIKELY, REASON FOR THE CHANGE FROM 26 WEEKS TO 40 WEEKS WAS THAT THE BILL WANTED TO IMPLY THAT +THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYER IS RESPONSIBLE NOT ONLY FOR THE PAYMENT FOR MATERNITY LEAVE, BUT ALSO FOR THE PREGNANCY ITSELF.*
/tubning to .....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
4
TURNING TO THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN COVERED BY THE SCHEME, FR MCGOVERN SAID HE WAS DISSATISFIED THAT LABOUR LEGISLATION SHOULD BRING IN ANY NUMBER WHETHER IT BE TWO OR THREE OR TEN.
♦WHILE MOST PEOPLE AGREE THAT SMALL FAMILIES ARE DESIRABLE IN THE OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS OF HONG KONG, MOST PEOPLE WITH ANY EXPERIENCE OF METHODS OF POPULATION CONTROL AS EXERCISED IN OTHER COUNTRIES ALSO AGREE THAT A POLICY OF DISINCENTIVES BRINGS DISASTROUS RESULTS,+ HE OBSERVED.
♦THE INTRODUCTION IN THIS BILL OF A LIMITATION OF BENEFITS TO THE MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN IS IN FACT A DISINCENTIVE.
♦THE STATED INTENTION IS THAT THE EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY SHOULD NOT BE AN OPEN-ENDED COMMITMENT, BUT THE EFFECT IS THAT THE MOTHER OF A FOURTH CHILD IS DISADVANTAGED IN THAT SHE HAS TO TAKE UNPAID MATERNITY LEAVE IF SUCH A SITUATION SHOULD ARISE.*
FR MCGOVERN ARGUED THAT THE LIMITING PROVISION IS BAD LAW AND CONSIDERED IT UNNECESSARY FOR TWO REASONS.
FIRST, ACCORDING TO THE SUPPORTING PAPERS TO THE BILL, THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF LIVING CHILDREN FOR MOTHERS BETWEEN 15 AND 49 YEARS OF AGE IN 1976 WAS 2.9. WITH SUCH AN AVERAGE, THE NUMBER OF WORKING MOTHERS OF CHILD-BEARING AGE WHO ARE LIKELY TO HAVE A FOURTH CHILD IS NOT LIKELY TO BE LARGE AND CERTAINLY WOULD NOT CONSTITUTE AN OPEN-ENDED COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYERS.
SECONDLY, A MOTHER OF FOUR OR MORE YOUNG CHILDREN COULD NOT IN FACT, AND SHOULD NOT FOR SOCIAL REASONS, HAVE TIME TO TAKE ON FULL-TIME WORK IN ADDITION TO HER VERY FULL-TIME AVOCATION OF HOME-MAKER AND EDUCATOR.
FR MCGOVERN SAID HE HAD ALSO INTENDED TO DO A COSTING EXERCISE ON THE LIKELY EXPENSE TO EMPLOYERS OF GIVING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE WITHOUT RESTRICTION OF NUMBERS OF CHILDREN BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET STATISTICS ON THE NUMBERS OF LIVE BIRTHS PER ANNUM TO MOTHERS WITH THREE OR FOUR OR MORE CHILDREN.
♦HOWEVER, IN SPITE OF THE LACK OF STATISTICS, I AM SURE THE NUMBERS AND HENCE THE COSTS WOULD BE VERY SMALL.
♦SO APART FROM THE SOCIAL AND POLICY ARGUMENT, THE FINANCIAL ARGUMENT IS RATHER ON THE WEAK SIDE,+ HE SAID.
TWO OTHER UNOFFICIALS, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI AND THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN ALSO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
DR HO SAID THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL WOULD BRING OUR LABOUR LEGISLATION IN BROAD COMPARABILITY WITH OUR NEIGHBOURING ASIA COUNTR IES.
HE SA ID 1 +THEY REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF THE EMPLOYERS IN ADVANCING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
♦THEY ALSO REFLECT A COMMENDABLE AND SINCERE EFFORT ON THE PARTS OF OUR EMPLOYERS AND GOVERNMENT TO CONSERVE OUR HUMAN RESOURCES WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO MOVE THE WHEELS OF OUR INDUSTRIES AND OTHER ECONOMIC ACT IV IT IES.♦
/MB CHAN ....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
5
MR CHAN NOTED THAT THERE WERE DIFFERENCES IN OPINION ON THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE CHILDREN, RANGING FROM TWO AS RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING GROUP TO THREE AS INTRODUCED IN THIS BILL, AND TO THE UNLIMITED NUMBER AS ADVOCATED BY THOSE ON SOCIAL AND OTHER GROUNDS.
BUT HE OPINED THAT WORKERS WERE FREE TO HAVE AS MANY CHILDREN AS THEY DESIRED LONG BEFORE MATERNITY BENEFITS WERE INTRODUCED, AND THEY ARE HAVING AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS FREEDOM AFTER PAID MATERNITY BENEFITS ARE LEGISLATED.
+IT IS THEREFORE THEIR HEALTH CONDITIONS, THEIR SENSE OF DUTY TOWARDS THEIR FAMILY PARTICULARLY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CHINESE CULTURE, AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SHOULDER THE LONG YEARS OF RESPONSIBILITY IN BRINGING UP AND EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN AS RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS, BUT NOT DELINQUENTS, WHICH MAINLY LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN RESPONSIBLE PARENTS WISH TO HAVE.
♦WHEN ONE COMPARES THESE HEAVY AND AWESOME RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THE MATERNITY BENEFITS GIVEN, EVEN WITHOUT ANY LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE CHILDREN, THE LATTER WILL NOT AFFECT MATERIALLY THE WORKERS’ DECISION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.+
MOREOVER, MR CHAN CONTINUED, IN ASKING FOR MATERNITY BENEFITS FOR AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF CHILDREN, ONE MUST BEAR IN MIND THAT THESE BENEFITS ARE PAID BY THE EMPLOYERS.
HE QUOTED STATISTICS TO SHOW THAT AN AVERAGE OF 96 PER CENT CF ALL ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG ARE SMALL IN SIZE AND ARE THEREFORE MOSTLY OF LIMITED MEANS TO COPE WITH AN OPEN-ENDED COMMITMENT FOR MATERNITY BENEFITS.
♦LET US REMEMBER, SIR, THAT IT IS ALWAYS EASY TO IMPROVE ON EXISTING BENEFITS BUT WHEN UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES OR OTHER SIDE-EFFECTS APPEAR, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT CUT-BACKS.
♦IT IS THEREFORE ADVISABLE TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS BILL AS THEY STAND AND REVIEW THE RESULTS PERIODICALLY AND MAKE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS WHEN THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY PERM ITS,♦ HE SAID.
IN REPLY, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON. SAID THE PROVISIONS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEW BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN THE SAME WAY AS ALL OTHER ITEMS OF LABOUR LEGISLATION.
MR HENDERSON THANKED THE AND SAID THE BILL REPRESENTED LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG.
UNOFFICIALS FOR THEIR SUPPORT A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN LABOUR
MR HENDERSON POINTED OUT THAT IN ENACTING LABOUR LEGISLATION IN THE PAST, THE NORMAL PRACTICE HAS BEEN TO ESTABLISH THE PRINCIPLE FIRST AND THEN TO REVIEW THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS REGULARLY AND TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AS AND WHEN NECESSARY, IN THE LIGHT nF EXPERIENCE AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS.
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WSDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
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HOPE FOR ADJUSTMENT IN EDUCATION POLICY * * * *
THE HON CHARLES YEUNG, COMMENTING ON SCHOOL EDUCATION, WAS HOPEFUL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ADJUST ITS EDUCATIONAL POLICY WITH THE CONSEQUENTIAL FINANCIAL PROVISION IN ORDER TO IMPROVE OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
SPEAKING AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL, 1981 HE FELT THAT IT WAS NOT FAIR FOR THE SCHOOL ALONE TO BEAR THE ENTIRE BLAME OF NOT GIVING OUR CHILDREN THE RIGHT SORT OF EDUCATION AND TO SHOULDER THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF EDUCATING THEM.
THIS RESPONSIBILITY, HE SAID, SCHOOL, THE PARENTS, THE COMMUNITY
SHOULD BE SHARED BETWEEN THE AND THE GOVERNMENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WITHIN THE SCHOOL, THE TEACHERS SHOULD ESTABLISH GOOD PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STUDENTS SO AS TO SECURE MUTUAL AFFECTION, TRUST AND CONFIDENCE.
♦EFFECTIVE AND SINCERE COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WILL ENCOURAGE THE STUDENTS TO RESPECT THEIR TEACHERS AND WILLINGLY TURN TO THEM FOR GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE THROUGH WHICH THE CHARACTER BUILDING AND MORAL EDUCATION OF STUDENTS MAY BE ACHIEVED.+
TO IMPROVE THIS PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AND TO CREATE A CLOSER BOND BETWEEN THEM, MR YEUNG SUGGESTED THAT THE TEACHER/CLASS RATIO MUST BE IMPROVED AND THE CLASS SIZE REDUCED, SO THAT THE TEACHERS WOULD HAVE THE TIME AND OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS MORE CLOSELY AND TO BE IN CONTACT WITH PARENTS MORE FREQUENTLY.
THE COMMUNITY MUST RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION AND ACCORD THE TEACHERS DUE RESPECT AND DIGNITY SO THAT THE TEACHERS ARE INSPIRED TO TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR WORK AND TREAT TEACHING AS A LIFE-LONG CAREER, HE ADDED.
THE SUCCESS OF A SCHOOL, MR YEUNG THOUGHT, DEPENDED VERY MUCH ON CAPABLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION, WHICH IN TURN DEPENDED ON INSPIRED AND ABLE LEADERS WITHIN THE SCHOOL.
♦THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ONLY IS INSUFFICIENT, AND HE SHOULD BE APPROPRIATELY ASSISTED BY LEADERS SELECTED FROM THE TEACHING STAFF.
♦SUCH LEADERS SHOULD BE GIVEN NOT ONLY GREATER RESPONSIBILITY BUT ALSO A HIGHER STATUS AND BETTER PROMOTIONAL PROSPECT AND THE TIME SPENT BY THEM IN ADMINISTRATIVE WORK SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AS WELL,+ HE SAID.
MR YEUNG ALSO CALLED FOR THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE SPECIAL CLASSES AND SPECIAL TUTORIALS WITHIN THE SCHOOL FOR SLOW LEARNERS AND LATE DEVELOPERS SO AS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION AND THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT WITH THE HOPE OF INTEGRATING THEM IN DUE COURSE INTO THE NORMAL CLASS, FAILING WHICH DEFERMENT SHOULD NOT BE DISCOURAGED.
♦SPECIAL SCHOOL STREAM HAS, THEREFORE, TO BE STRENGTHENED AND THE RE-INTEGRATIVE SYSTEM HAS TO BE UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW,* HE SA ID.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
7
PLEA FOR MORE TEACHERS * * * *
THE REV THE HON JOYCE M. BENNETT AGAIN PRESSED THE GOVERNMENT TO RE-EXAMINE ITS EDUCATIONAL POLICY FOR STRENGTHENING THE PERSONNEL IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE AND IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
SPEAKING AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE 1981 APPROPRI AT I ON BILL AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SHE CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT’S REPLIES TO HER QUESTIONS CONCERNING EDUCATIONAL POLICY WHICH SHE RAISED DURING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
SAID MISS BENNETT: +THE OFFICIAL ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS ATTEMPTED TO COVER UP ITS WEAKNESSES, WHILE INDICATING AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE OBSERVATIONS OF THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES WERE NOT INTENDED, AND I QUOTE, ’TO SUGGEST THAT SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED SOONER’.
♦IN MY SPEECH ON MARCH 25 I MADE A NUMBER OF SUGGESTIONS CF SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS.
♦BUT AS THESE SUGGESTIONS WERE NOT FULLY EXAMINED OR IN SOME CASES NOT EVEN CONSIDERED AT ALL, I WISH NOW TO REITERATE WAYS IN WHICH I BELIEVE WE CAN, WITHOUT GREAT EXPENSE, IMPROVE THE CONTENT OF OUR EDUCATIONAL POL ICY.♦
IN HER EARLIER SPEECH, MISS BENNETT ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER PROVIDING ONE CAREERS TEACHER FOR EACH STANDARD-SIZE SECONDARY SCHOOL AND TO RECOGNISE THE POST OF SENIOR MASTER OR DEPUTY PRINCIPAL AS EXTRA TO THE STAFFING.
SHE FURTHER SUGGESTED ONE TO THREE SUCH POSTS, AT THE NEW EDUCATION OFFICER LEVEL, ACCORDING TO THE SIZE OF THE SCHOOL.
♦OUR GOVERNMENT’S ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED TO COST PROPERLY THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND SCHOOL STAFF DONE OUTSIDE THEIR SCHOOLS.
♦ IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES MANY OF THE ACTIVITIES PROMOTED BY GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY BODIES ARE DONE BY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
♦ ADD UP THE COST IN MANY HOURS AND THOSE ORGANISATIONS WOULD HAVE FAR HEAVIER COSTS,♦ SHE SAID.
SCHOOL TEACHERS, MISS BENNETT EXPLAINED, ATTEND SPORTING ACTIVITIES, CDO SPONSORED DEBATES AND COMPETITIONS, AND GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNS REQUIRING THEIR HELP AS ASSISTANTS.
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS HAVE ALSO TO ACT AS ADVISERS AT JUVENILE COURTS, AS ASSESSORS IN OTHER MAGISTRATE COURTS AND ATTEND EXAMINATION AUTHORITY MEETINGS, AREA COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER ACTIVITIES.
♦ I WOULD NOT HAVE IT OTHERWISE, HOW ELSE WOULD I BE HERE THIS AFTERNOON PLEADING WITH YOU FOR MORE STAFF IN OUR SCHOOLS?
/+OVHR THS ....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
8
♦OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS MY COLLEAGUES IN THIS COUNCIL HAVE BEEN STAGGERED TO DISCOVER THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG DOES NOT RECOGNISE THAT SCHOOLS REQUIRE EXTRA BODIES AS DEPUTY PRINCIPALS, NOT JUST PROMOTION POSTS IN THE REGULAR ESTABLISHMENT.
♦ THEY HAVE BEEN STAGGERED TO DISCOVER THAT I TEACH EIGHT TO TEN PERIODS EACH WEEK.
♦ I CAN ASSURE YOU, SIR, THAT IF THERE IS NO RETHINK ON THE POSITION OF DEPUTY PRINCIPALS I MAY HAVE TO RESIGN FROM THIS COUNCIL IN ORDER TO PREVENT MY SENIOR STAFF AND MYSELF SUFFERING FROM EXCESSIVE OVERWORK,♦ SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED WITH ALARM MR ERIC HO’S SUGGESTION THAT ♦IF INSUPERABLE DIFFICULTIES DO ARISE A REVIEW IS STILL POSSIBLE*.
♦ DO INSUPERABLE DIFFICULTIES IMPLY AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO STRIKE OR WORK TO RULE?+ SHE ASKED.
ALTHOUGH SHE DEPLORED SUCH A SUGGESTION, SHE WOULD NOT ULE OUT THOSE POSSIBILITIES, POINTING OUT THAT +THERE ARE - ENTY OF PEOPLE WISHING TO FERMENT TROUBLE IN THIS PLACE OF AIRS+.
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, DEPUTY PRINCIPALS AND STAFF ARE ALSO EGULARLY DEALING WITH SUCH PROBLEMS AS STOLEN PROPERTY, ■'iHTING, GAMBLING AND FRAUD.
THESE PROBLEMS, WHICH WOULD WELL BE HANDED OVER TO THE ’’OL ICE, OCCUPY HOURS OF TIME AND OFTEN CAUSE STAFF TO WORK OVERTIME, MISS BENNETT SAID.
♦AT THE MOMENT SCHOOLS DO NOT HAND OVER ALL SUSPECTED OF THESE CRIMES TO THE POLICE.
♦ONLY THOSE THEY FIND UNABLE TO REFORM DO THEY HAND OVER TO THE POLICE TO BE PROSECUTED IN THE COURTS.
♦WITHOUT EXTRA STAFF IN OUR SCHOOLS PRINCIPALS WILL BE SORELY TEMPTED TO HAND OVER ALL SUCH PROBLEM CHILDREN TO THE POLICE ....
♦WE WOULD THEN HAVE FAR MORE JUVENILES AND YOUNG OFFENDERS CONVICTED IN THE COURTS AND WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS.♦
MISS BENNETT REITERATED THAT MANY SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR PROMOTION PROSPECTS.
ALTHOUGH SHE ELABORATED THIS IN DETAIL ON MARCH 25, NO ANSWER WAS GIVEN TO HER REQUEST FOR AN EXPLANATION OF THE RATIONALE FOR PROVIDING IN THE AIDED SECTOR FEWER PROMOTION POSTS FOR GRADUATE MASTER TEACHERS COMPARED WITH THE CERTIFICATED MASTER TEACHERS.
SHE THOUGHT THAT TEACHERS WERE WILLING TO WORK LONG HOURS FOR THEIR STUDENTS, ADDING THAT THEY WOULD WORK BETTER WERE THEIR EXTRA DUTIES RECOGNISED BY HAVING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTION AND FOR HAVING MORE TIME TO BE WITH THEIR STUDENTS.
/turning to ....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
9
TURNING TO THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, MISS BENNETT SAID THE 274 POSTS FOR THE WHOLE OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE-ARE TOTALLY INADEQUATE TO COPE WITH THE DEMANDS CREATED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION FOR NINE YEARS FROM PRIMARY ONE TO SECONDARY FORM THREE.
FURTHERMORE, MANY OFFICERS IN THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE ARE JUNIOR TO THE TEACHERS THEY ARE MEANT TO ADVISE AND WITH NO EXTRA TRAINING OR EXPERTISE.
♦IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT TEACHERS BECOME LAZY AND UNWILLING TO STIMULATE THEIR STUDENTS WITH NEW IDEAS.
♦THEY THEMSELVES NEED CONSTANT STIMULUS AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO EXPERIMENT AND TRY OUT NEW METHODS.
♦AND THIS MUST BE AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME,♦ SHE ADDED.
MISS BENNETT WAS ALSO DISTURBED TO SEE THAT THE
GOVERNMENT WAS CONTENT TO REPLY ON SURVEYS ON LANGAUAGE EACHING UNDERTAKEN BY OUTSIDE AGENCIES AND BY INTEREST ^OUPS.
SHE CONSIDERED THAT TO BE HIGHLY DANGEROUS AS SUCH SURVEYS MIGHT CONTAIN QUESTIONS LOADED TO SECURE ANSWERS "HAT WOULD HIGHLIGHT SITUATIONS THAT COULD BE USED BY GROUPS MCT WELL-SATISFIED WITH GOVERNMENT POLICY.
♦THE EDUCATIONALISTS OF HONG KONG ARE DEMANDING THAT THE MONEY SPENT ON LANGUAGE TEACHING SHOULD BE SPENT ON UP-TO-DATE UID SCIENTIFIC METHODS THAT WILL ENABLE OUR STUDENTS TO GAIN HIGH PROFICIENCY IN THE USE OF CHINESE, BOTH SPOKEN AND WRITTEN, AND COMPETENT FLUENCY IN EVERYDAY ENGLISH.+
SHE ENDED WITH A PLEA FOR THE PROVISION OF MORE TEACHERS TO SCHOOLS.
♦OUR SCHOOLS, PRINCIPALS, STAFF AND STUDENTS HAVE WAITED A LONG TIME TO SEE THESE IMPROVEMENTS.
♦OUR MODERN SOCIETY NEEDS THEM WITHOUT FURTHER POSTPONEMENT AND DELAY,♦ SHE SAID.
THE REV THE HON PATRICK MCGOVERN, WHO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF MISS BENNETT, SAID HE WAS NOT SATISFIED THAT THE NEEDED ANSWER HAD BEEN PROVIDED.
TO SUMMARISE HIS OWN IDEAS, FR MCGOVERN QUOTED AN EDITORIAL IM ONE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WEEKLYS, WHICH READ IN PART:
♦POINT AFTER POINT SEEMED TO DEMAND EITHER EQUALLY CLEAR REFUTATION OR GENEROUS ACQUIESCENCE. IT WILL BE DEMAGING TO THE REPUTATION OF GOVERNMENT IF THE OFFICIAL REPLY IS A BLAND DEFENSIVE JUSTIFICATION OF EVERYTHING THAT GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED OR DONE .... THEY (THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL) ARE ENTRENCHED IN RESPONSIBLE POSTS, AND THEIR DUTY IN DEBATE IS NOT TO SHOW THAT GOVERNMENT’S FIRST THOUGHTS ARE ALWAYS RIGHT, BUT RATHER TO SHOW THAT GOVERNMENT IS INTENT ON DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THAT IT IS READY, WHEN OCCASION OFFERS, TO ACCEPT VALID CRITICISM AND TO MODIFY ITS POLICY ACCORDINGLY.♦
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
10
SAFETY OF CHILDREN A MAJOR FACTOR * * * *
DISTANCES BETWEEN ESTATES AND THE SAFETY OF YOUNG CHILDREN ARE MAJOR CONSIDERATIONS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL SITES IN HOUSING ESTATES, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON COLVYN HAYE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT, MR HAYE SAID PRIMARY SCHOOL SITES SHOULD BE RESERVED TO A FORMULA WHICH WOULD ENSURE THAT CHILDREN WOULD NOT HAVE TO WALK MORE THAN 0.4 KM TO SCHOOL.
HE SAID THAT THE ACTUAL INCLUSION OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL PROJECTS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME ONLY TAKES PLACE AFTER AN EXAMINATION OF THE CAPACITY AND ENROLMENTS OF EXISTING PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN NEIGHBOURING ESTATES AND THE FEASIBILITY OF USING ANY SPARE CAPACITY IN SUCH SCHOOLS TO MEET THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE NEW ESTATE.
BUT IN THE CASES OF SOME HOUSING ESTATES WHICH ARE SEPARATED BY MAJOR ROADS OR A NATURAL BARRIER WHICH MAKE IT CFICULT OR UNSAFE FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN TO TRAVEL, IT WOULD BE appropriate for the government to build the new schools needed, ur e a i n
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON WONG LAM ABOUT MAKING THE AC IL IT IES GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, HE SAID GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS IRE REQUIRED TO DO SO AND AIDED SCHOOLS ARE URGED TO FOLLOW SUIT.
HEADS OF GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS ARE REMINDED OF THIS ANNUALLY.
THE EXTRA-CURRICULAR UTILISATION OF THESE PREMISES IS HIGH, HE ADDED.
MR HAYE AGREED WITH THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN THAT CHILDREN SHOULD ENROL AT THE SCHOOLS NEAREST TO THEIR RESIDENCE.
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GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS A TRY OUTi HAYE URGES * * * *
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE SHOULD BE TRIED OUT EVEN IF A VERY SMALL MINORITY OF THOSE AFFECTED FEEL AGGRIEVED, THE HON COLVYN HAYE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, URGED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
IN RESPONDING TO THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT AND HER SUPPORTERS AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1981 CONCERNING THE EDUCATION VOTE, MR HAYE ASSURED THAT ANY DECISION COULD BE REVIEWED IN DUE COURSE IF IT WAS FOUND TO REQUIRE MODIFICATION.
/MH HAYE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
11
uu,nUMrrrirYn WAS REFERR PARTICULARLY TO THE MERGER OF RANKS
WHICH SEEMED TO HAVE UPSET VICE PRINCIPALS IN SCHOOLS — A DECISION WHICH HAD BENEFITTED 871 TEACHERS AND IN NO WAY DIMINISHED THE ^L,ARY SCALE 0F AN0THER 150. ONLY EIGHT TEACHERS SO FAR SEEMED TO
U^aSting pay and ,n fairness TO THEM, THEIR ADDITIONAL DUTIES MIGHT BE REALLOCATED.
RESPONDING TO MISS BENNETT’S PLEA FOR EXTRA POSTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS — VICE PRINCIPALS AND OTHERS TO COVER ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND CAREERS GUIDANCE — WHICH WOULD NOT DISTURB THE GENERAL TEACHER :CLASS RATIO, HE SAID HE WAS PREPARED TO LOOK INTO THIS IN SOME DETAIL BUT WARNED THAT THIS WAS NOT OPENING THE FLOODGATES. CASES WOULD HAVE TO BE JUSTIFIED ON FUNCTIONAL GROUNDS.
♦MISS BENNETT AND I SHARE MUCH COMMON GROUND IN OUR MUTUAL CONCERN THAT SCHOOLS SHALL BE STAFFED ADEQUATELY TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE '80S.
♦ANY DIFFERENCES THAT WE MAY HAVE MUST BE THOSE OF APPROACH! I AM BOUND BY CERTAIN RULES, WHICH I AM SURE MISS BENNETT appreciates, and miss bennett is free to suggest variations of THESE RULES. TOGETHER WE MUST WORK OUT A SOLUTION TO OUR MUTUAL PROBLEM AND I KNOW THAT I CAN COUNT ON MISS BENNETT’S CONSTRUCTIVE aDvICE,* MR HAYE SAID.
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SATISFACTORY
START TO PLACEMENT SERVICE X * X X
DURING THE NINE MONTHS SINCE THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT CAME INTO OPERATION LAST JULY 7, THE SERVICE CARRIED OUT NEARLY 1 OOO IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS OF DISABLED JOB SEEKERS AND MADE 556 REFERRALS TO EMPLOYERS FOR SELECTION INTERVIEWS, WHICH RESULTED IN 214 SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENTS.
IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE PAID 181 PROMOTIONAL VISITS TO EMPLOYERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CANVASSING VACANCIES.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HO KAM-FAI, IN THE £®IS“T,.V£ C2^NC'L T0DAY (WEDNESDAY), THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, ^,N* henDERSON considered the placement rate a SATISFACTORY START.
RE POINTED OUT THAT IN ESTABLISHING THE SERVICE. THE DEPARTMENT FOLLOWED THE ADVICE OF TWO INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION EXPERTS THAT EFFORTS SHOULD BE PLACED ON ACHIEVING QUALITY RATHER THAN QUANTITY, I.E. ON PLACING THE RIGHT PERSON IN THE RIGHT JOB WITH A CONTINUING FUTURE RATHER THAN PLACING A GREATER NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS IN ANY KIND OF A JOB.
THE SERVICE THEREFORE CARRIES OUT AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIE* FOR EA£H REGISTRANT TO ASSESS HIS OR HER CAPABILITY AND ABILITY FOR WORK AND ALSO A PRE-SELECTION INTERVIEW TO MOTIVATE HIM OR HER FOR A PARTICULAR JOB WHICH IS CONSIDERED SUITABLE FOR HIM OR HER.
/THESE INTEHVIE.7S....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
12
THESE INTERVIEWS, ALTHOUGH TIME-CONSUMING, ARE ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT AFTER PLACING A DISABLED PERSON IN EMPLOYMENT, HE WILL STAY IN THE JOB THAT SUITS HIM. INDEED, OF THE 214 SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENTS, OVER 80 PER CENT HAVE STAYED IN THEIR JOBS.
PROGRESS SO FAR, MR HENDERSON NOTED, SHOULD BE VIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF THE MORE DIFFICULT GENERAL EMPLOYMENT SIUTATION PREVAILING OVER RECENT MONTHS AND THAT MANY OF THOSE JOB SEEKERS HAD LITTLE OR NO VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND SOME HAD A LOW LEVEL OF GENERAL EDUCATION.
TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR DISABLED PEOPLE TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FROM THE SERVICE, IT WAS PLANNED TO OPEN A KOWLOON OFFICE IN 1981/82, PROVIDED THAT SUITABLE PREMISES COULD BE ’BTAINED. FUNDS FOR THIS PURPOSE HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 1981/82 ST(MATES.
-----0------
SPECIAL MEASURES AGAINST ARMED ROBBERIES ******
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY THE HON LEWIS DAVIES TODAY WEDNESDAY) ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT °ECIAL MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN BY THE POLICE TO COMBAT THE NCREASE IN ARMED ROBBERIES INVOLVING FIREARMS.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG. MR $AV'ES SAID, H0WEVER» 'T WOULD NOT BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST 0 DESCRIBE THESE MEASURES, SINCE TO DO SO WOULD HAVE OBVIOUS OPERATIONAL DISADVANTAGES AND WOULD IMPAIR THEIR EFFECTIVENESS.
.HE SA,D THE NUMBER OF REPORTED ROBBERIES INVOLVING FIREARMS HAD INCREASED FROM 47 CASES IN 1977 TO 75 IN 1978, 133 IN 1979 AND 194 IN 1980.
™E FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR THERE HAVE BEEN 62 REPORTED CASES. THIS COMPARES WITH 53 CASES FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1980, AND 61 CASES FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF THAT YEAR.
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/13........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
- 13 -
MTR WORK EXEMPTION TO STAY ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO LIFT THE EXEMPTION GRANTED TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION WHICH ALLOWS THE CORPORATION TO CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORKS 24 HOURS A DAY, INCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ANDREW SO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THE HON DEREK JONES SAID THE EXEMPTION WAS GRANTED TO MTRC QUITE DELIBERATELY BY STATUTE AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY WAS CONSIDERED TO BE ESSENTIAL IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
+TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD ADD TO COSTS AND, WHAT IS MORE OBJECTIONABLE, LENGTHEN THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD,* HE SAID.
♦THE CORPORATION DOES, HOWEVER, TRY SO TO PROGRAMME ITS WORK AS TO REDUCE THE USE OF NOISY EQUIPMENT AT NIGHT TO THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM.+
A FURTHER PERTINENT POINT, MR JONES SAID, IS THAT THE GREATER °ART OF THE WORK ON THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION WILL BE FINISHED BY ~HE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR- AND THE NEED TO USE NOISY EQUIPMENT SHOULD CONSIDERABLY REDUCED IN THE LATTER PART OF THE WORK ON THIS SECTION OF THE NETWORK, AS WAS THE CASE EARLIER WITH THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM.
♦IN ADDITION, THE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION TO BE USED FOR ^HE ISLAND LINE WILL BE MUCH LESS NOISY, IN THAT IT WILL GENERALLY EMPLOY BORED TUNNELLING TECHNIQUES RATHER THAN CUT AND COVER, AND MOST OF THE STATION CONCOURSES W I’LL BE BUILT OFF-STREET UNDER BUILDINGS,♦ HE ADDED.
-----o------
NO CHANGE IN TUNNEL FEE COLLECTION METHOD ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT PROPOSE TO ASK THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY TO CONSIDER CHARGING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL FEES IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HARRY FANG, MR JONES SAID THAT THE CONSULTANTS STUDYING THE OPTIONS FOR ADDITIONAL CROSS HARBOUR FACILITIES HAVE ADVISED THAT THE MAJOR CAUSE OF CONGESTION IN THE TUNNEL IS NOT THE TOLL BOOTH CAPACITY TUNNEL^ MERGING 0F TRAFF,c at THE ENTRANCES AT BOTH
ENDS OF THE
♦THIS WOULD NOT BE ALLEVIATED — AND INDEED IT AGGRAVATED — BY THE INSTITUTION OF ONE DIRECTIONAL COLLECTION,♦ HE SAID.
COULD WELL BE TOLL
UNLESS STEPS WERE TAKEN TO WOULD HAVE INCENTIVE TO USE THE RETURN BY VEHICULAR FERRY, THUS IMBALANCE THE SERVICES AND LEAD COMPANIES.
PREVENT IT, HE ADDED, DRIVERS TUNNEL IN THE FREE DIRECTION AND AVOIDING PAYMENT WHICH WOULD TO A LOSS OF REVENUE FOR BOTH
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/14........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
14
PLAN TO EXTEND CHEUNG CHAU PIER KM**
PROPOSALS TO EXTEND THE PIER AT CHEUNG CHAU AND TO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR THE BERTHING OF LARGE FERRY VESSELS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PIER WILL BE SUBMITTED FOR INCLUSION IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME SHORTLY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THE HON DEREK JONES SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THERE ARE ALSO FIVE ITEMS NOW IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE, RESPECTIVELY, NEW FERRY BERTHING FACILITIES AT SOK KU WAN. YUNG SHUE WAN AND PO TOI, A NEW PIER AT PENG CHAU AND A COVERED CROWD MARSHALLING AREA NEXT TO THE NEW PIER AT SILVERMINE BAY.
MR JONES WAS REPLYING TO REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT WHO ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER REGULATING THE BOARDING AND LEAVING OF FERRIES AT CHEUNG CHAU AND AT THE OUTLYING ISLANDS FERRY PIERS AT WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS TO BRING ORDER OUT OF THE PRESENT CHAOS.
HE SAID THE OLDER PIERS AT THE OUTLYING ISLANDS WERE NOT DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THE VERY LARGE NUMBERS OF PASSENGERS WHO VISIT THE ISLANDS TODAY, PARTICULARLY AT WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
♦ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL ARE, HOWEVER, DEPLOYED BY BOTH THE FERRY COMPANY AND THE POLICE AT THESE TIMES TO CONTROL CROWDS WAITING FOR FERRIES AND TO HELP ENSURE ORDERLY BEHAVIOUR,* HE SAID.
MR JONES ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE FERRY COMPANIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING BY-LAWS GOVERNING THE CONDUCT OF PASSENGERS BOARDING AND DISEMBARKING FROM THEIR FERRY VESSELS, AND PERSONS FOUND CONTRAVENING THE BY-LAWS ARE LIABLE TO A FINE OF S2 OOO.
-----o------
APPROPR I AT ION BILL PASSED
X X *
THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1981 WAS PASSED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
OTHER BILLS PASSED WERE THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1981, THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1981, AND THE CHATER MASONIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1981.
- - 0 - -
/15 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
15
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH 1981 * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ffiSK«PS!SIM,L TRADE FIGURES F0R «OHG KONG'S MERCHANDISE InMUC 111 FIAKUn ±5yOl.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR MARCH WAS $9 111 MILLION
^D326Pm?ll?onESTIC exports at ,5 784 million and re-exports’at
FOR J«°sIS2?5 ‘“l|?N.’"LU0"’ ™E V'S'BLE TRADE BEFICIT
0Y VAlC£??A5?D*!?r4T!l<r’.*'}£i! IHERE W£RE THE FOLLOWING INCREASES
fZ i ? m20ADMRiLdeo 2? 26 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS-
»1 124 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS 52 ^24 Mill IAN np *RP“pOR?I.'OR T0T4L EXP0RTS AND SE 367 MILLION OR 26 PER «2?
mu rS?!!ME?iT4unii?u luc. F'<?URES’ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED THAT, ALTHOUGH FUEL OIL WORTH ABOUT $156 MILLION WAS IMPORTED THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT TO BUILD UP HONG KONG’S STRATEGIC RESERVES, THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN MARCH WAS FASTER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS. bXrOKTS
mr ^SAP+’ THAT ,S THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE
OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS 19 6 PER CENT IN MARCH THIS YEAR, COMPARED WITH 24.2 PER CENT IN MARCH 1980.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE ACCELERATION IN THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, FROM MINUS 5 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1980. TO 26 PER CENT IN MARCH THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH MARCH 1980, WAS PARTLY THE RESULT OF THE DIFFERENT TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR. HE EXPLAINED THAT, WHILE IN MARCH LAST YEAR DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF RECOVERING FROM THE LUNAR NEW YEAR LULL, IN MARCH THIS YEAR THEY HAD ALREADY RECOVERED.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980 TO AVOID THIS DISTORTION, THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS 17 PER CENT. THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONSIDERED THIS GROWTH RATE TO BE ENCOURAGING BECAUSE IT SUGGESTED THAT THE SHARP SLOW DOWN IN THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DURING THE SECOND HALF OF 1980 HAD BEEN ARRESTED. BUT HE CAUTIONED THAT IT WAS STILL TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER THIS DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTED THE START OF A NEW TREND.
USING THE SAME COMPARISON PERIOD, THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, AT 28 PER CENT, WAS SLOWER THAN THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL EXPORTS AT 30 PER CENT. THE VISIBLE TRADE +GAP+ IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WAS 17.7 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 18.5 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1980.
/the chisus ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
16
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED THE
FOLLOWING PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH:
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS t $ 5 784 MILLION
: $ 3 326 MILL ION
TOTAL EXPORTS : $ 9 111 MILLION
IMPORTS : $11 326 MILL ION
TRADE BALANCE 1 $ 2 215 MILLION (IN DEF IC IT)
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS JAN - MAR JAN - MAR INCREASE OR
1981 1980 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 16 068 13 708 * 2 359 ♦ 17.2
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (62.8%) (69.4%)
RE-EXPORTS 9 527 6 036 ♦ 3 491 ♦ 57.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 25 595 19 744 + 5 850 ♦ 29.6
IMPORTS 31 101 24 212 ♦ 6 889 + 28.5
trade BALANCE - 5 506 - 4 468 - 1 038
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR MARCH MARCH INCREASE OR
1981 1980 DECREASE
3 MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 5 784 4 585 ♦ 1 200 4 26.2
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (63.5%) (67.6%)
RE-EXPORTS 3 326 2 202 + 1 124 * 51.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 9 111 6 787 + 2 324 + 34.2
IMPORTS 11 326 8 959 + 2 367 + 26.4
TRADE BALANCE - 2 215 - 2 172 43
/last ..
WEDNESDAY, aPKIL 29, 1961
17
LAST MONTH MARCH 1981 $ MN. FEBRUARY 1981 $ MN. INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 5 784 (63.5%) 3 938 (57.8%) ♦ 1 846 + 46.9
RE-EXPORTS 3 326 2 878 ♦ 448 ♦ 15.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 9 111 6 817 ♦ 2 294 + 33.6
IMPORTS 11 326 9 091 + 2 235 * 24.6
trade BALANCE - 2 215 - 2 274 ♦ 59
LAST 12 MONTHS APRIL 1980 TO MARCH 1981
3 MN.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 70 530
RE-EXPORTS 33 563
TOTAL EXPORTS 104 093
IMPORTS 118 540
trade BALANCE 14 447
APRIL 1979 INCREASE OR
TO
MARCH 1980 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. %
59 505 ♦ 11 025 ♦ 18.5
21 851 * 11 712 ♦ 53.6
81 355 ♦ '22 737 * 27.9
92 490 + 26 050 + 28.2
- 11 135 - 3 312
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PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICE WINS AWARD * * * *
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICF ^RECEIVED THE VOCATIONAL SERVICE AWARD FOR THE YEAR 1980 TO°ASHEALTHY COMMuSTt^ CLUB °F K0WL00N» F0R ,TS CONTRIBUTIONS IU M ntAL. I FIT UUririUll I I T •
THE ANNUAL ROTARY CLUB ORGANISATION WHICH, IN THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AND ITS PEOPLE.
OF KOWLOON AWARD IS PRESENTED TO AN OPINION OF THE CLUB, HAS MADE
THE WELL-BEING AND BENEFIT OF HONG KONG
THE PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICE WORK ON THE PREVENTION OF EPIDEMICS DISEASES.
WAS CHOSEN ON THE BASIS OF ITS AND CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE
/the club ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
18
THE CLUB WAS OF THE OPINION THAT HONG KONG’S FREEDOM FROM COMMUNICABLE DISEASES HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE VIGILANCE AND HARD WORK OF THE HEALTH AUTHORITIES AND HEALTH WORKERS.
FOR MANY YEARS, HONG KONG HAS BEEN FREE FROM THE FOUR MOST FEARED QUARANTINABLE DISEASES WHICH ARE ENDEMIC IN MANY COUNTRIES — SMALLPOX, YELLOW FEVER, CHOLERA AND PLAGUE.
STRINGENT PREVENTIVE MEASURES CARRIED OUT BY HEALTH OFFICERS HAVE ALSO BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL MOST OF THE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES SUCH AS MALARIA, TYPHOID, DYSENTERIES AND TUBERCULOSIS.
A COMPREHENSIVE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME EXTENSIVELY CARRIED OUT BY HEALTH WORKERS HAS ALSO ELIMINATED OR KEPT DOWN TO THE MINIMUM MOST OF THE CHILDHOOD DISEASES SUCH AS POLIOMYELITIS, DIPHTHERIA, MEASLES AND WHOOPING COUGH.
AS A RESULT OF THE PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICE’S CONTINUOUS EFFORTS, HONG KONG HAS BEEN A LEADER IN RECORDING THE BEST INDICES CF INFANT AND MATERNITY HEALTH.
HONG KONG’S INFANT MORTALITY RATE, AT 11.8 PER 1 OOO LIVE BIRTHS, AND THE MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE, AT 0.05 PER 1 000 TOTAL BIRTHS, ARE AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE WORLD.
WITH THE CONTINUOUS INFLUX OF REFUGEES, THE PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN ALL POSSIBLE STEPS TO ENSURE TnAT NO QUARANTINABLE DISEASES ARE IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES DO NOT SPREAD.
THE FACT THAT NO MAJOR OUTBREAK OF DISEASE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE REFUGEE BOATS OR REFUGEE CENTRES IS A REFLECTION OF THE SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TAKEN BY THE HEALTH WORKERS.
HEALTH OFFICERS MAINTAIN TOTAL VIGILANCE ON THE FLEETS CF REFUGEES STREAMING INTO HONG KONG, IN ADDITION TO THEIR OTHER HEALTH WORK.
-.--0----
AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERS VISIT ABERDEEN TUNNEL * * * *
TWO GROUPS OF AUSTRALIAN CIVIL ENGINEERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED ONE OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS ROAD PROJECTS IN HONG KONG — THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL.
ONE OF THE GROUPS CAME FROM THE AUSTRALIA AND THE OTHER FROM WESTERN
EASTERN SEABOARD OF AUSTRAL IA.
THEY ARE ON THEIR WAY HOME FROM THE THIRD ASSOCIATION OF ASIA AND AUSTRALASIA CONFERENCE
ROAD ENG INEER ING IN TA IPE I.
THE TOUR WAS ARRANGED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WITH THE AUSTRALIA ROAD RESEARCH BOARD (ARRB) AND THE MAIN ROADS DEPARTMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
/the visitors........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
19
THE VISITORS, TOTALLING MORE THAN 60, WERE BRIEFED BY THE CHIEF RESIDENT ENGINEER, MR D.G.S. BARTLETT, AND THE TECHNICAL SECRETARY, MR H.C. PANG, OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
THE $270 MILLION ABERDEEN TUNNEL IS EXPECTED TO BE PARTIALLY OPENED TO TRAFFIC TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, MR HAROLD BEATON, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER, GAVE A SHORT TALK TO THE VISITORS ON HIGHWAY ENGINEERING AND ROAD PROJECTS IN HONG KONG.
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SCHOLARSHIP TO HONOUR COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
*****
STAFF OF THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION HAVE SET UP A $6 000 SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN HONOUR OF THEIR RETIRING PRINCIPAL, MISS M.R. TEMPLETON. ’
TO BE KNOWN AS THE MARJORIE TEMPLETON SCHOLARSHIP, THE ANNUAL AWARD WILL GO TO THE OUTSTANDING SECOND-YEAR STUDENT AT THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION BASED ON OVERALL ACHIEVEMENT.
AT A CEREMONY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MARKING HER RETIREMENT FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING 26 YEARS OF SERVICE, MISS TEMPLETON HANDED A $6 000 CHEQUE TO MR COLVYN HAYE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
IN TURN MR HAYE PRESENTED HER WITH A FAREWELL MEMENTO OF A GOLD NECKLACE ON BEHALF OF STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT.
MISS TEMPLETON JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1955 AS A TEACHER AT KOWLOON JUNIOR SCHOOL. SHE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER IN 1970 AND PRINCIPAL OF NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN 1974.
IN WISHING MISS TEMPLETON A HAPPY AND WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT, W HAYE SAID HER STRONG SENSE OF LOYALTY AND INTEGRITY AND HER COMPETENT MANNER HAVE COMMANDED THE RESPECT AND CO-OPERATION OF ALL THOSE WHO CAME INTO CONTACT WITH HER.
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/2o ......
20
Wednesday, april 29, 1981
SUPPLEMENTARY ROAD MARKING FOR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS TO PAINT A CONTINUOUS YELLOW LINE IN ALL ROADS WITH URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS TO HELP MOTORISTS IDENTIFY THEM. '
THE YELLOW LINE, WHICH WILL BE 100 MM IN WIDTH, WILL BE PAINTED AT THE EDGE OF CARRIAGEWAYS.
THE NEW MARKINGS WILL SERVE AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRESCRIBED STATUTORY TRAFFIC SIGNS INDICATING AN EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION.
WORK ON PAINTING THE YELLOW LINE WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY (MAY 1), AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON AND FOUR MONTHS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED THAT ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, ARE NOT ALLOWED TO STOP FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS IN AN URBAN CLEARWAY.
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SHEUNG SHU I HEUNG VILLAGE OFFICE OPENED * * * *
ABOUT 6 000 VILLAGERS OF SHEUNG SHU I HEUNG, NORTH DISTRICT, ATTENDED THE OPENING OF THEIR NEW VILLAGE OFFICE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE TWO-STOREY BUILDING IS ON A 1 700 SQUARE METRE SITE GRANTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND REPLACES THE PREVIOUS VILLAGE OFFICE WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE ANCESTRAL HALL.
viiia/IocAS BU,LT AT A C0ST 0F S1,5 DONATED BY LOCAL
ViLLAbtKb,
onnMcINCLUDED *N ™E BUILD,NG ARE OFFICES, RECEPTION AND CONFERENCE
OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER wcal "lla«: “ffSwivEs!1* CHAIRMAN’ HR LAU “0N6-FAT, and ’
. JOHNSON SAID THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW VILLAGE OFFICE WAS A JOINT EFFORT BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AND LOCAL
HE HOPED THE NEW BUILDING WOULD BE WELL USED AND VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES EVERY SUCCESS IN THEIR WORK.
BACK S3rTthANU6o5EYEARS?NS °F V'LLAGES AND
VILLAGERS.
WISHED THE
DATES
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/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1981
21
BALLET DEMONSTRATION IN NORTH DISTRICT *****
MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF BALLET WILL HOLD A BALLET DEMONSTRATION IN NORTH DISTRICT ON FRIDAY (MAY 1).
IT IS BEING ORGANISED BY NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION, WITH FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD. IT WILL LAST FOR THREE-AND-A-HALF-HOURS.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER NORTH, MR PETER JOHNSON, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION, MR LIU CHING-LEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE EVENT.
THE DEMONSTRATION, CONSISTING OF TWO SHOWS, WILL BE HELD AT KEI SUN COLLEGE HALL, FANLING.
TICKETS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL LOCAL SCHOOLS AND ARE AVAILABLE AT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AT TAI PO AND SHEUNG SHU I SUB-OFFICE.
ADMISSION TO THE SHOW, WHICH STARTS AT 2.30 PM, IS FREE.
IT IS PLANNED TO
ORGANISE A BALLET TRAINING COURSE FOR LOCAL
CHILDREN^WHEN THE DISTRICT COMMUNITY HALL IS READY BY THE END OF
-------0 - -
BLACK’S LINK OPENING HOURS * * *
THE OPENING HOURS OF BLACK’S LINK TO WESTBOUND TRAFFIC DURING MONDAY TO FRIDAY WILL BE EXTENDED TO LAST FROM 7 AM TO 9 AM WITH EFFECT FROM FRIDAY (MAY 1), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE EXISTING RESTRICTION ON THE USE OF THIS ROAD BY PRIVATE CARS AND TAXIS OVER 2 500 C.C. IS STILL IN FORCE.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1981
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
THREE NE.V CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ANNOUNCED .................... 1
NORTH POINT TRAM RESERVE TO BE REOPENED SUNDAY.................. 6
ACAN LAUNCHES ATHLETIC, GAMES FETE ............................. 7
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES JOIN IN ENROLMENT.......................... 8
BOOKLET ON EK'S HIGHWAYS ....................................... 9
HOSPITAL ARCHITECT RETIRES .................................... 10
JARDINES EXECUTIVES VISIT NErf TO’.ffiS ....................... 11
NIGHT CLOSURE OF ROADS FOR WORK ............................... 12
PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN HORSE SHOE LANE......................... 12
SHA TIN RESIDENTIAL SITE SOLD FOR $41 MILLION ................. 13
CROWN LAND SOLD AT AUCTION .................................... 13
JURY LIST TO BE POSTED
13
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1981
THREE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ANNOUNCED H M H * K*
THREE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (CPI’S) WILL BE PUBLISHED AS FROM MARCH 1981. THESE NEW INDEXES ARE BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 WHEN A HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY (HES) WAS CONDUCTED.
THE NEW CPI’S WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CPI’S WHICH WERE CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE HES CONDUCTED IN THE PERIOD JULY 1973 TO JUNE 1974. HOWEVER, TO FACILITATE USERS OF CPI’S TO ADJUST TO THE NEW SERIES, THE EXISTING CPI’S WILL CONTINUE TO BE PUBLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE NEW CPI’S FOR A SHORT PERIOD.
THE THREE NEW CPI’S ARE CP I (A) AND CP 1(B) COMPILED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, AND THE HANG SENG CPI COMPILED LY THE HANG SENG BANK. THESE DIFFERENT CPI’S ARE DEFINED MAINLY IN TERMS OF THE PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLDS BY EXPENDITURE AS FOLLOWS s
APPROXIMATE MONTHLY
% OF HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE
INDEX COVERED RANGE IN 1979/80
CP 1(A) 50% $ 1 000 - 3 499
CP 1(B) 30% $ 3 500 - 6 499
HSCPI 10% S 6 500 - 19 999
THE REMAINING 10 PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLD — AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SCALE -- ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE INDEX.
IN ORDER TO HELP USERS UNDERSTAND AND CORRECTLY INTERPRET THE NEW CPI’S, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS PREPARED AN INTRODUCTORY GUIDE ENTITLED +HOW TO APPLY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX*. THIS PAMPHLET WILL BE OBTAINABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION DISTRICT OFFICES IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS’ TIME.
TWO MORE DETAILED REPORTS ENTITLED +THE 1979/80 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REVISION REPORT* AND +HANG SENG CONSUMER PRICE INDEX THE 1980 REVISION* ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE HANG SENG BANK RESEARCH DEPARTMENT. THESE REPORTS DESCRIBE IN DETAIL VARIOUS TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE COMPILATION OF THE NEW CPI’S.
/A SUMMARY ......
2 THURSDAY, APRIL JO, 1981
A SUMMARY OF THESE ASPECTS IS GIVEN BELOW.
THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY
IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PUBLISH INDEXES TO REFLECT ACCURATELY THE MOVEMENT OF CONSUMER PRICES.
THIS NECESSITATED THE CARRYING OUT OF HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEYS AT APPROXIMATELY FIVE-YEARLY INTERVALS TO UPDATE THE WEIGHTS USED IN CALCULATING THE INDEXES. WEIGHTS FOR THE NEW CPI’S HAVE BEEN DERIVED FROM A HES CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE HANG SENG BANK DURING THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980.
THE SURVEY COVERED A SAMPLE OF DOMESTIC HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN THE URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG (I.E. HK ISLAND, KOWLOON, NEW KOWLOON, AND NEW TOWNS AND MARKET TOWNS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES). COLLECTIVE HOUSEHOLDS AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENT HOUSEHOLDS WERE EXCLUDED.
THE 1979/80 HES FROM WHICH THE NEW CPI’S ARE BASED HAD TWO MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE HES CONDUCTED IN 1973/74. FIRST, ITS GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE WAS EXTENDED TO URBAN TOWNSHIPS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. SECOND, ITS HOUSEHOLD COVERAGE WAS EXTENDED TO SINGLE-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS, OLD-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS, EXPATRIATE HOUSEHOLDS AND HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN TEMPORARY STRUCTURES.
SOME 4 200 HOUSEHOLDS TOOK PART IN THE 1979/80 HES, YIELDING AN OVERALL RESPONSE RATE OF 55 PER CENT. THE RESPONSE RATE OF THE SURVEY IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF SIMILAR SURVEYS CONDUCTED IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS WERE UNDERTAKEN AT VARIOUS STAGES OF THE SURVEY WITH MAJOR USERS SUCH AS GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT ERANCHES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, TRADE UNIONS, AND ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS.
THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WERE CHECKED AGAINST AND FOUND TO BE CONSISTENT WITH OTHER INDEPENDENT SOURCES OF STATISTICS.
WEIGHTS FOR THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES
THE DEMARCATION LINES FOR THE NEW CP 1(A), CP 1(B) AND HANG SENG CPI WERE DRAWN A POSTERIORI AFTER ANALYSING (I) THE SIMILARITIES OF THE CONSUMPTION PATTERNS OF HOUSEHOLDS IN DIFFERENT EXPENDITURE BRACKETS, (II) THE DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLDS BY EXPENDITURE AND (III) THE GROWTH RATE OF PER CAPITA INCOME SINCE 1973/74.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE HANG SENG CPI DOES NOT COVER HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND TEMPORARY HOUSING STRUCTURES BECAUSE THEIR EXPENDITURE PATTERNS ARE QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE LIVING IN PRIVATE HOUSING. THE HANG SENG CPI IS INTENDED TO SERVE AS AN INDEX FOR HIGH INCOME SALARY-EARNERS, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM DO NOT LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OR TEMPORARY STRUCTURES.
/HEIGHTS FOR ......
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1981
3
WEIGHTS FOR THE MAJOR SECTIONS OF THE EXISTING AND THE NEW CPI’S ARE COMPARED BELOW t
1979/80 CPI(B) 1979/80 HANG SENG CPI 1973/74 CPI(A) 1973/74 CPI(B) 1973/74 HANG SENG CPI
1979/80
SECTION CPI(A)
(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
FOODSTUFFS 46.39 38.59 26.21 56.60 47.82 26.27
HOUSING 15.05 17.77 27.20 14.08 16.79 28.14
FUEL AND 3.63 LIGHT 2.71 1.85 3.39 2.71 2.53
ALCOHOLIC 2.67 DR INKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION 1.90 1.07 2.65 2.04 0.73
CLOTHING 5.02 AND FOOTWEAR 7.03 7.50 3.82 5.92 6.11
DURABLE 6.71 GOODS 7.53 6.88 1.41 2.97 3.88
MISCELLANEOUS 5.68 GOODS 6.07 6.59 4.58 5.17 4.36
TRANSPORT AND 5.27 VEHICLES 6.09 9.13 4.36 5.11 7.47
SERVICES 9.58 12.31 13.57 9.11 11.47 20.51
ALL ITEMS 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
TWO POINTS MUST BE BORNE NEW WEIGHTS.
IN MIND WHEN COMPARING THE OLD AND
FIRST, SINCE ALL WEIGHTS MUST ADD TO 100 PER CENT, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ALL SECTION WEIGHTS TO INCREASE ALTHOUGH ABSOLUTE EXPENDITURE ON ALL SECTIONS HAS INCREASED. HOWEVER, IF OUTLAY ON A CERTAIN SECTION INCREASES AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE OVERALL RATE OF INCREASE IN HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE, THEN ITS SHARE IN THE AVERAGE MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD BUDGET WILL INCREASE, AND VICE VERSA.
SECOND, DIFFERENCES IN COVERAGE BETWEEN THE 1973/74 HES AND THE 1979/80 HES MAY AFFECT THEIR COMPARABILITY.
IN BOTH CP 1(A) AND CP 1(B), THE MOST NOTABLE CHANGE IN HEIGHTS WAS A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN THE WEIGHT FOR THE FOODSTUFFS SECTION DESPITE A DRAMATIC RISE IN THE SHARE OF MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME. *THE WEIGHT FOR THE DURABLE GOODS SECTION ALSO INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY.
/IN THE ....
THURSDAY, APRIL JO, 1981
IN THE HANG SENG CPI, THE DROP IN THE WEIGHT FOR THE SERVICES SECTION WAS MOST NOTICEABLE. THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO A SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN EXPENDITURE ON DOMESTIC SERVANTS. PART OF THE DROP COULD BE THE RESULT OF THE DIFFERENCES IN THE COVERAGE OF THE TWO SURVEYS, BUT A DECLINE WAS UNDERSTANDABLE IN THE LIGHT OF A TWO-FOLD RISE IN DOMESTIC SERVANT WAGE RATES BETWEEN 1973 AND 1980. THE WEIGHT FOR THE DURABLE GOODS SECTION ALSO INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY.
THE HOUSING COMPONENT OF AN AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET SHOWS ONLY A SMALL INCREASE BETWEEN 1973/74 AND 1979/80 BECAUSE A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION IS NOW LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. THE WEIGHTS FOR THE HOUSING SECTION IN CP 1(A) AND CP 1(B) ARE AVERAGES OF TWO GROUPS OF HOUSEHOLDS WITH LARGE DIFFERENCES IN THEIR EXPENDITURE ON HOUSING.
HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OR TEMPORARY STRUCTURES +52 PER CENT OF THE HOUSEHOLDS IN CP 1(A) AND 39 PER CENT IN CPI(B)+, ALLOCATE ON THE AVERAGE ONLY ABOUT 5 PER CENT OF THEIR TOTAL HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE TO HOUSING.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN PRIVATE PERMANENT DWELLINGS ALLOCATE AROUND 25 PER CENT OF THEIR TOTAL EXPENDITURE TO HOUSING. THUS, THE AVERAGE FIGURES — 15.05 PER CENT FOR CP 1(A) AND 17.77 PER CENT FOR CP 1(B) — ARE SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN THESE TWO EXTREMES.
IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT THE WEIGHT FOR THE HOUSING SECTION HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY OF DOMESTIC PREMISES ARE UNDER RENT CONTROL.
PRICE QUOTATIONS FOR THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES
BESIDES WEIGHTS, PRICE QUOTATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO CALCULATE THE CPI’S. THESE ARE DERIVED FROM PRICE SURVEYS. A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THESE SURVEYS. THE GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE OF THE SURVEY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THE NEW TERRITORIES.
NEW COMMODITIES AND SERVICES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED WHILE UNPOPULAR OR OBSOLETE ITEMS HAVE BEEN DELETED ON THE BASIS OF THE 1979/80 HES RESULTS. THERE ARE OVER 900 COMMODITIES/SERVICES IN THE NEW CPI.
INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF RETAIL SHOPS WHICH CONSUMER PATRONIZE WAS COLLECTED IN 1979/80 HES FOR THE FIRST TIME. SUCH INFORMATION HAS BEEN UTILIZED IN THE SELECTION OF RETAIL OUTLETS FOR THE PRICE SURVEYS. AN AVERAGE OF 7 500 VISITS ARE PAID TO SOME 3 500 RETAIL OUTLETS EACH MONTH AND A TOTAL OF 45 000 PRICE QUOTATIONS ARE COLLECTED.
THERE IS A SEPARATE SURVEY TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON RENT AND THIS SURVEY HAS ALSO BEEN IMPROVED. A QUARTERLY SURVEY IS CONDUCTED. INFORMATION ON RENTAL MOVEMENTS IS BEING SOUGHT FROM A SAMPLE OF ABOUT 3 030 HOUSEHOLDS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
A FRESH SAMPLE IS SELECTED EACH YEAR, SUPPLEMENTED BY THE QUARTERLY ADDITION OF NEWLY COMPLETED AND LET DWELLINGS. THIS SAMPLE COVERS A REPRESENTATIVE CROSS-SECTION OF RENTED PRIVATE DWELLINGS IN THE URBAN DISTRICTS AS WELL AS THE NEW TOWNS AND MARKET TOWNS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/THUS, ANY .......
THURSDAY, APRIL JO, 1981
5
THUS, ANY MOVEMENTS IN THE AVERAGE RENTAL LEVEL IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE ACCURATELY REFLECTED IN THE INDEX. RENTAL MOVEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AS AND WHEN THEY OCCUR ON THE BASIS OF COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED.
TABLE 1 (ATTACHED) GIVES THE NEW INDEXES FOR THE MONTHS OCTOBER 1980 TO MARCH 1981. DETAILS OF PRICE MOVEMENTS IN MARCH 1981 WILL BE GIVEN IN A SEPARATE PRESS RELEASE IN A FEW DAYS’ TIME.
IN INTRODUCING THE NEW CPI’S, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EMPHASIZED, HOWEVER, THAT THE EXISTING CPI’S ARE BY NO MEANS INACCURATE.
IN FACT, REBASING THE EXISTING CPI’S FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS IN THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1980 TO SEPTEMBER 1981 DOES NOT SUGGEST ANY SIGNIFICANT BIAS IN THE EXISTING INDEXES, AS INDICATED IN TABLE 2 ATTACHED.
HE ADDED THAT THE WEIGHTS OF THE EXISTING INDEXES ARE NEVERTHELESS OUT OF DATE AND REQUIRE REVISION.
TABLE 1 » NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES
(OCT. 1979 - SEP. 1980 - 100)
CP 1(A) CP 1(B) HANG SENG CPI
1980 OCT. 106 106 107
NOV. 107 107 108
DEC. 108 108 108
1981 JAN. 110 110 109
FEB. 112 112 111
MAR. 113 113 113
/TABLE 2 : COMPARISON .
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1981
6
TABLE 2 : COMPARISON OF THE MOVEMENT OF NEW AND OLD CPI’S
1980 CPI(A) OLD* CPI’S NEW CPI’S
CPI(B) HANG SENG CP 1 CPI(A) CP 1(B) HANG SENG CPI
OCT. 106 106 107 106 106 107
NOV. 107 108 108 107 107 138
DEC. 108 108 109 108 108 108
1981
JAN. 110 110 110 110 110 109
FEB. 113 113 112 112 112 111
MAR. 115 114 114 113 113 113
* THESE FIGURES ARE CALCULATED BY REBASING THE 1973/74 CPI IN THE PERIOD OCT. 1979 TO SEP. I960, SO AS TO GIVE A ROUGH COMPARISON OF THE MOVEMENT OF THE 1973/74 AND 1979/80 CPI’S.
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NORTH POINT TRAM RESERVE TO BE REOPENED SUNDAY
*****
THE TRAM RESERVE BETWEEN JAVA ROAD AND HING FAT STREET, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A FEW SHORT SECTIONS, WILL BE CANCELLED AS FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE BUS ONLY LANES FROM QUARRY BAY TO HING FAT STREET IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WILL BE SHORTENED BY ONE HOUR DURING BOTH THE MORNING AND EVENING RUSH HOURS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE CHANGES, AIMED AT IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW ON THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, ARE MADE ON THE ADVICE OF THE ISLAND CORRIDOR ACTION GROUP AND HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THE DOUBLE WHITE LINES INDICATING THE TRAM RESERVE ARE BEING REPLACED BY LANE MARKINGS PERMITTING OTHER VEHICLES TO USE TRAFFIC LANES ON THE TRAM TRACKS.
♦HOWEVER, ON GROUNDS OF ROAD SAFETY, SEVERAL SHORT SECTIONS OF THE TRAM RESERVE WILL BE RETAINED. THESE ARE MOSTLY LOCATED NEAR TRAM ISLANDS AND INDICATED BY LANE MARK INGS,+ HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE TRAM RESERVE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS ORIGINALLY AIMED AT PROVIDING AN ENHANCED TRAM SERVICE.
/HE WENT ...
THURSDAY, APRIL JO, 1981
7
HE WENT ONs ♦UNFORTUNATELY IT ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE OVERALL ROAD CAPACITY AND THE SPEED OF OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORT, IN PARTICULAR BUSES. ALTHOUGH THIS INCREASED TRAM PATRONAGE, THE SERVICE WAS STILL INSUFFICIENT TO COPE WITH ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS DIVERTED FROM OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORT.
♦THE EXTRA ROAD CAPACITY MADE AVAILABLE BY CANCELLING THE TRAM RESERVE WILL ABSORB MUCH OF THE OTHER TRAFFIC, RELIEVING CONGESTION AND ENABLING BUS SERVICES TO IMPROVE.♦
WITH REGARD TO THE SHORTENING OF THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE BUS-ONLY LANES IN THE AREA, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THEY WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 9 AM AND 5 PM AND 7 PM.
THIS CHANGE IS BASED ON PASSENGER VOLUME OBTAINED BY THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SURVEY DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WHICH INDICATED THAT THE DEMAND FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS LESS INTENSIVE BETWEEN 9 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 5 PM.
IN ADDITION, THE SECTION OF BUS-ONLY LANE ON KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN COMFORT TERRACE AND JUPITER STREET WILL BE RESCINDED TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC CONDITION NEAR THE TSING FUNG STREET FLYOVER.
THE SPOKESMAN REAFFIRMED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIME OBJECTIVE WAS TO FACILITATE MORE EFFECTIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT ON TK ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR AND THEREBY BENEFIT THE MAJORITY OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC. THEREFORE, THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN KING’S ROAD AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WOULD CONTINUE TO BE CLOSELY MONITORED BY THE ISLAND CORRIDOR ACTION GROUP.
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ACAN LAUNCHES ATHLETIC, GAMES FETE * * * *
MORE THAN 5 000 PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED TO TAKE PART IN THE MASS JOGGING EVENT ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS WHICH WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (MAY 3) IN KOWLOON TSAI PARK, KOWLOON CITY.
A NARCOTICS DIVISION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE NUMBER WAS DOUBLE WHAT THEY EXPECTED AND COULD BE ACCOMMODATED.
♦SUCH OVERWHELMING RESPONSE IS MOST GRATIFYING AND WE SEE THIS AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT AND INDEED A SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE,+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER, DUE TO OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES, ONLY 2 500 JOGGERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE PART.
THE EVENT, KNOWN AS +LIVELY DRAGON JOG+, IS THE BIGGEST ANTI-BYRTHElArAMRFnRNT.l^ y-a£AT,?¥ AND PUBLICITY ACTIVITY TO BE LAUNCHED ’TS A<M IS T0 DRA* PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR YOUNGNPEOPL'COT C;S CAUSE AND T° PR0M0TE HEa<-THY ACTIVITIES AMONG
MR ROY HENRY, COMMISSIONER OF POLI OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 1 PM ON ENTRANCE TO THE PARK.
CE, WILL OFF IC I ATE AT THE INVERNESS ROAD AT THE MAIN
/ALSO OFFICIATING......
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 19&1
8
ALSO OFFICIATING WILL BE MR HO SAl-CHU, A MEMBER OF ACAN-MR BARRY WIGGHAM, COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE- MR KARL STUMPF, CHAIRMAN OF THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE OF ACAN- AND MR PETER LEE, COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS.
FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY, THE 2 500 JOGGERS WILL START OFF AT INVERNESS ROAD, JOG ALONG NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, LA SALLE ROAD, HEREFORD ROAD, RENFREW ROAD, JUNCTION ROAD, DUMBARTON ROAD AND FINISH AT INVERNESS ROAD. THEY WILL RUN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO THE TRAFFIC AND MUST COMPLETE TWO LAPS OF THE ROUTE COVERING A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 6 500 METRES.
TO ADD COLOUR AND FUN TO THE EVENT, FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND CHILDREN OF THE JOGGERS AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC ATTENDING THE "UNCTION WILL BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A FUN FAIR. TWELVE GAME STALLS RUN BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL, TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE AND Y.W.C.A. WILL BE SET UP IN KOWLOON TSAI PARK STADIUM, wITH MANY ATTRACTIVE PRIZES TO BE WON.
THE PIPES AND DRUMS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WILL PROVIDE THE MUSIC.
THERE WILL ALSO BE TELEMATCH GAME AFTER THE JOGGING EVENT. .OMPETING IN THE GAME WILL BE TEAMS COMPRISING ARTISTS FROM ELEV IS ION BROADCASTS LTD., DISC-JOCKEYS FROM RADIO TELEVISION HONG ONG AND WELL-KNOWN FOOTBALL PLAYERS.
THE GAME WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY. ALL JOGGERS COMPLETING THE COURSE WILL BE AWARDED AN INDIVIDUAL ♦JOGGER’S BADGE* AND A +GROUP TROPHY* TO ANY TEAM OF 20 COMPLETING THE COURSE.
OFFICIATING AT THE PR IZE-PRSENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE
MR DOUGLAS JORDAN, COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS AND DR K.F. CHAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES. MR PETER LEE WILL PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO SPONSORING AGENCIES AND ORGANISATIONS WHICH INCLUDE THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES AND CIVIL AID SERVICES.
- - 0 - -
TECHNICAL INSTITUTES JOIN IN ENROLMENT *****
THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ARE HOLDING A JOINT ENROLMENT EXERCISE FROM TOMORROW (MAY 1) TO MAY 15 TO INVITE APPLICATIONS TO THEIR EVENING COURSES FOR THE 1981/82 SESS ION.
A TOTAL OF 89 EVENING COURSES IN 12 TEACHING DISCIPLINES WILL BE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC, AND ARE ESPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE TOURIST, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL FIELDS TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES.
COURSES WILL BE IN HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, PRINTING, TEXTILE INDUSTRIES, CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, MARINE AND FABRICATION. AND DESIGN.
/MOST OF .
THURSDAY, APRIL JO, 1961
9
MOST OF THE PART-TIME EVENING COURSES OFFERED ARE OF THREE YEARS DURATION, BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME ONE-YEAR AND TwO-YEAR COURSES.
THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS PER WEEK RANGES FROM ONE TO FOUR, AND THE EVENING CLASSES ARE NORMALLY CONDUCTED BETWEEN 7 PM AND 9 PM AT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND BORROWED SCHOOL PREMISES ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
COURSES OFFERED ARE MAINLY AT CRAFT LEVEL (POST FORM-1 I I) AND TECHNICIAN LEVEL (POST FORM V).
THE ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS VARY BETWEEN COURSES, AND SOME COURSES REQUIRE THAT THE APPLICANTS BE EMPLOYED IN THE RELEVANT TRADES.
FORM V STUDENTS SITTING THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION THIS YEAR MAY ALSO APPLY.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION SHEETS MAY BE OBTAINED DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, ALL CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, AND ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PER IOD.
THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ARE: HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 702 LAI CHI KOK ROAD, CHEUNG SHA WAN- MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 6 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI- KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 20 HING SHING ROAD, KWAI CHUNG- KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 25 HIU MING STREET, KWUN TONG- AND LEE wAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 30 RENFREW ROAD, KOWLOON TONG.
THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WILL BE INVITING APPLICATIONS TO THEIR FULL-TIME COURSES IN JULY.
------0-------
BOOKLET ON HK’S HIGHWAYS * * * *
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS BROUGHT OUT A FULL COLOUR 28-PAGE BOOKLET ON HONG KONG’S HIGHWAYS.
THE BOOKLET GIVES A BRIEF BACKGROUND TO THE HISTORY OF HIGHWAYS AND POST-WAR DEVELOPMENTS AND DETAILS OF THE EXISTING ROAD NETWORKS. AMONG THE OTHER TOPICS ARE SOME OF THE FUTURE PLANS, PLANNING METHODS AND ORGANISATION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
THERE ARE 28 PHOTOGRAPHS (25 IN FULL COLOUR AND THREE IN SEPIA TONE), THREE DIAGRAMS AND A TWO-PAGE COLOUR MAP (OF EXISTING ROAD AND RAILWAY SYSTEMS IN THE CENTRAL URBAN AREA) IN THE LAMINATED-COVER PUBLICATION. MANY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM VANTAGE POSITIONS OFTEN NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE.
THE BOOKLET IS ON SALE AT $7.50 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING.
/COMMEffTING ON........
THURSDAY, APRIL JO, 1981
10
COMMENTING ON THE BOOKLET MR EDDIE SHORT, ACTING DIRECTOR FOR ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT SAID THAT IT WOULD BE A USEFUL GUIDE ON HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENTS TO STUDENTS, VISITORS AND OTHERS.
*THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BRING HOME TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC MANY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS THAT HONG KONG CAN BE PROUD OF IN DEVELOPING A MODERN SYSTEM OF HIGHWAYS,+ HE SAID.
*WE HAVE DONE A LOT IN THIS FIELD AND CERTAINLY ARE TRYING TO DO MORE. OUR PROGRAMMES FOR HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENT ARE AMONG THE MOST AMBITIOUS FOR A CITY OF COMPARATIVE POPULATION OR SIZE,* HE SAID.
MR SHORT ADDED THAT HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD SPEND ABOUT $730 MILLION ON HIGHWAYS’ CAPITAL WORKS (INCLUDING THE WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT) THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
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HOSPITAL ARCHITECT RETIRES * * * *
MR EDWIN WONG, GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT IN THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WILL PROCEED ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE TOMORROW AFTER 24 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE DEPARTMENT.
TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC *ORKS, MR JACK STEAN, TODAY PRESENTED HIM WITH A SOUVENIR ON BEHALF OF HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE DEPARTMENT.
MR WONG FIRST JOINED THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AS AN ARCHITECT IN JULY 1957.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR ARCHITECT IN 1967, TO CHIEF ARCHITECT IN 1972 AND TO HIS PRESENT RANK IN OCTOBER 1977. IN JANUARY LAST YEAR, HE WAS APPOINTED AS AN OFFICIAL JUSTICE OF PEACE.
IN HIS SPEECH, MR STEAN SAID THAT MR WONG + IS KNOWN AND RESPECTED IN HONG KONG AND INDEED INTERNATIONALLY AS THE AUTHORITY ON HONG KONG HOSPITALS DESIGN.*
IN MANY ARCHITECTS’ AND MEDICAL ADMINISTRATORS’ OFFICES AROUND THE WORLD, HE ADDED, MR WONG PERSONIFIED THE HONG KONG HOSPITALS BUILDING EFFORT.
MR STEAN RECALLED THAT MR WONG HAD WORKED IN HOSPITAL DESIGN SINCE HIS FIRST APPOINTMENT IN JULY 1957 AND HE HAD GIVEN A GREAT DEAL TO THE DEPARTMENT, TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND TO THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY IN THAT FIELD THROUGH HIS UNIQUE INVOLVEMENT.
♦HIS PROFESSIONALISM, HIS EXPERIENCE, HIS WISDOM, HIS WHOLE-HEARTED DEVOTION HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE,* HE SAID.
/+HE HAS
THURSDAY, APRIL JO, 1981
11
+HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED FROM THE OUTSET WITH ALL THE MAJOR POST-WAR GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL PROJECTS, FROM QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, THROUGH PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AND KOWLOON HOSPITAL EXTENSIONS TO THE RECENTLY OPENED PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, THE SHAT IN TEACHING HOSPITAL NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND TO THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL AND THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL EXTENSIONS, BOTH OF WHICH ARE NOW BEING DESIGNED.*
MR STEAN GAVE SPECIAL MENTION TO TWO PROJECTS — THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL AND THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL EXTENSION — WITH WHICH MR WONG WAS ASSOCIATED.
HE SAID THAT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL ON WHICH MR WONG AND MR JOHN HIRST WORKED HAD BEEN AWARDED THE RIBA BRONZE MEDAL AS A BUILDING BEST DESERVING RECOGNITION AMONG BUILDINGS COMPLETED BETWEEN 1961 AND 1963.
THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL EXTENSION, WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN 1973 WAS AWARDED THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS SILVER MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURE.
----0------
JARDINES EXECUTIVES VISIT NEW TOWNS
******
MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE STAFF OF JARDINE, MATHESON AND COMPANY LIMITED SPENT TODAY (THURSDAY) IN THE NEW TERRITORIES UPDATING THEMSELVES ON THE LATEST PROGRESS IN BUILDING THE NEW TOWNS.
AFTER A BRIEFING AT NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR DEVELOPMENT, MISS DENISE YUE, THE PARTY TRAVELLED TO TSUEN WAN WHERE THE TOWN MANAGER, DR JAMES HAYES, BRIEFED THEM ON ’COMMUNICATIONS AND INDUSTRY IN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT’.
IN TUEN MUN, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BILLY LAM, BRIEFED THE PARTY ON ’NEW PEOPLE AND NEW INDUSTRY IN A NEW TOWN’.
THE EXECUTIVES ALSO VISITED TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, WHERE THE SUBJECT OF THE BRIEFING BY THE COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, MR P.K. WONG, WAS ’INDUSTRIAL ESTATE — A NEW TOWN CONCEPT’.
THE LAST CALL WAS SHA TIN FOR A BRIEFING ON ’PEOPLE AND THE NEW TOwN ENVIRONMENT’ BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE.
A TOTAL OF 20 EXECUTIVES FROM THE COMPANY TOOK PART IN THE VISIT.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1981
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NIGHT CLOSURE OF ROADS FOR WORK K X M H »
NULLAH ROAD IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AT KCR BRIDGE NO. 9 (NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH KENG HAU ROAD) BETWEEN 10 PM AND 6 AM FOR SIX CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS STARTING FROM FRIDAY (MAY 1), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE CLOSURE IS TO ENABLE WORK ON THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE KCR BRIDGE TO BE CARRIED OUT.
AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR TRAFFIC VIA TAI PO ROAD.
MEANWHILE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE SECTION OF TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN STUBBS ROAD/TAI HANG ROAD ROUNDABOUT AND BLUE POOL ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON MAY 1 AND 2 BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 5.30 AM.
THE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING IMPOSED TO FACILITATE FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION WORK.
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PLB RESTRICTED ZONE IN -HORSE SHOE LANE *****
WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 2), THE SECTION OF HORSE SHOE LANE FOR A LENGTH OF ABOUT 90 METRES FROM ITS WESTERN JUNCTION WITH NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PLACED TO INDICATE THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
MEANWHILE, WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE CUL-DE-SAC ON DIANTHUS ROAD TO THE NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH MAGNOLIA ROAD. THIS IS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ON MAGNOLIA ROAD.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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_ 15 _ THURSDAY, APRIL JO, 1981
SHA TIN RESIDENTIAL SITE SOLD FOR $41 MILLION
*****
A SITE IN SHA TIN FOR HIGH-CLASS RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WAS SOLD FOR $41 MILLION ($4 338 PER SQUARE METRE) AT AUCTION TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE PURCHASER WAS FULANI INVESTMENT LIMITED.
THE SITE, WITH A PLOT RATIO OF 0.4, IS NEAR KAU TO. IT OVERLOOKS THE RACECOURSE AND IS FOR TWO-STOREY PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE AREA IS 9 451 SQUARE METRES.
THE PURCHASER HAS TO FULFILL A BUILDING COVENANT OF $7.08 MILLION WITHIN FOUR YEARS.
THE AUCTION, AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, WAS CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR TONY HARLAND. BIDDING OPENED AT $33 MILLION.
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CROWN LAND SOLD AT AUCTION
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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 TODAY.
A 2 704 SQUARE METRE LOT AT KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION WAS SOLD TO LAC KAR INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED FOR $50 MILLION, OR $18 491.13 PER SQUARE METRE.
ANOTHER SITE, MEASURING 2 600 SQUARE METRES AND ALSO SITUATED AT KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION, WAS SOLD TO SHUREN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED FOR $48 MILLION, OR $18 461.54 PER SQUARE METRE.
BOTH SITES ARE FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE REMAINING SITE, MEASURING 596 SQUARE METRES IS AT POSSESSION STREET, HONG KONG. IT WAS SOLD TO CANOVA INVESTMENT LIMITED FOR $52 MILLION OR $87 248.32 PER SQUARE METRE. IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
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JURY LIST TO BE POSTED
* * * *
A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING ON MAY 6, 1981, THE ACTING REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR NICHOLAS JOHN BARNETT, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS DURING WHICH PERIOD ANY PERSON MAY APPLY BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE REGISTRAR REQUIRING THAT HIS NAME OR THE NAME OF SOME OTHER PERSON BE POSTED OR REMOVED UPON CAUSE DULY ASSIGNED IN SUCH NOTICE.
THE REGISTRAR SHALL IN HIS DISCRETION, POST OR REMOVE SUCH NAME ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL IF NECESSARY ALTER THE LIST.
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