DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR PHILIP VISITS CIVIL AVIATION HEADQUARTERS AND AIRPORT ... 1
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRAISED BY AUSTRALIAN CHIEF ............. 1
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS COMMENDED................................. 2
APPRENTICES COMPLETE COURSES ................................' 2
FAMILY DAY FOR JONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS ......................... 3
FRESH WATER MAINS WORK......................................... 3
FIRE SAFETY REMINDER FOR FESTIVAL.............................. 4
SEEING HOW LAND IS BEST USED................................... 4
A MUSICAL GIFT FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN ................... 5
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON FOR FESTIVAL........... 5
S3 MILLION VZAT5R WORKS CONTRACT AWARDED....................... 6
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR LAND TENANCIES ............................. 6
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1982
1
SIR PHILIP VISITS CIVIL AVIATION HEADQUARTERS AND AIRPORT
* * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY (THURSDAY VISITED THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AND HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
SIR PHILIP WAS MET AT THE HEADQUARTERS IN NEW RODNEY BLOCK BY MR B.D. KEEP, DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION.
HE LATER MET HEADS OF DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND WAS BRIEFED ON ITS ORGANISATION AND FUNCTIONS.
AFTER THE MEETING, SIR PHILIP, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR, VISITED THE AIRPORT TO SEE ITS OPERATION AND FACILITIES.
HE ALSO SAW THE WORK OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTION AND THE AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT DIVISION, BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS TOUR WITH A VISIT TO THE AIR CARGO COMPLEX.
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CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRAISED BY AUSTRALIAN CHIEF ft * ft *
THE VISITING DIRECTOR OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, MR M.J. DAWES, TODAY (THURSDAY) PRAISED HONG KONG’S CORRECTIONAL SERVICES FOR THE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF ITS INSTITUTIONS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, THOMAS GARNER, MR DAWES VISITED LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE THIS MORNING AND WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THE FACILITIES IN THE HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE SOME 960 INMATES.
LATER IN THE DAY HE WENT TO VISIT TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS AND THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY TO SEE RECRUIT OFFICERS IN TRAINING.
MR DAWES IS IN HONG KONG ON A TWO-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT. HE WILL CONTINUE HIS VISITS TO SEVERAL OTHER DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS TOMORROW, INCLUDING SIU LAM PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE, T LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN, PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, PIK UK PRISON AND ITS NEWLY-BUILT LAUNDRY.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1982 - 2 -
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS COMMENDED
* * * *
TWELVE IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WERE COMMENDED TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE LAST YEAR.
THE OFFICERS, TOGETHER WITH A PHOTOGRAPHER AND A CLERICAL OFFICER, RECEIVED COMMENDATION CERTIFICATES FROM THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR RON BRIDGE, AT A CEREMONY IN THE DEPARTMENT’S ICADQUARTERS.
AMONG THE RECIPIENTS WAS MR CHA YING-KUEN WHO WAS LAUDED FOR HIS ALERTNESS AND INITIATIVE IN DETECTING THE USE OF FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTS BY AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT.
MR CHA WAS APPOINTED ACTING IMMIGRATION OFFICER IN MARCH 1981. IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, HE SPOTTED AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO PRODUCED A FORGED DECLARATION OF IDENTITY AND A REGISTRATION OF PERSONS FORM TO IMMIGRATION TSUEN WAN OFFICE AND APPLIED FOR A RE-ENTRY PERMIT. AS A RESULT OF SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION IN THE CASE, THE DEPARTMENT UNCOVERED A SYNDICATE INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF FORGED IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
OTHER OFFICERS IN THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATION SECTION WERE ALSO COMMENDED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, INITIATIVE AND DEVOTION TO WORK IN LOCATING AND ARRESTING OVER 200 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS AND THE UNCOVERING OF MORE THAN AO FORGED HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS.
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APPRENTICES COMPLETE COURSES X * * *
TWENTY-THREE TECHNICIAN AND 42 CRAFT APPRENTICES WHO HAVE COMPLETED COURSES RUN BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATES TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR MU FA-KUAIrG, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO THEM AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY AT MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
MR HU WILL ALSO PRESENT THE +BROWN CUP* TO THE BEST TECHNICAL APPRENTICE AND THE +LEISHLEY CUP+ TO THE BEST CRAFT APPRENTICE.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1982
3
FAMILY DAY FOR WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS K * * * M
A TELE-MATCH COMPETITION WILL HIGHLIGHT A +FAMILY DAY* ORGANISED FOR RESIDENTS OF WONG TAI SIN AND SAI KUNG DISTRICTS ON SUNDAY (APRIL 4) AT THE SIK SIK YUEN HO LAP COLLEGE, SAN PO KONG.
THE COMPETITION, TOGETHER WITH AN EXHIBITION AND A FILM AND SLIDE SHOW, WILL FORM PART OF THE DISTRICT PUBLICITY PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE.
WINNERS IN THE TELE-MATCH COMPETITION WILL REPRESENT THE EAST KOWLOON REGION IN A GRAND FINAL TO BE HELD IN MAY AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.
THE DAY’S EVENTS, LASTING FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM, WILL START OFF WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY TO BE OFFICIATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SIK SIK YUEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MR WONG WAN-TIN, THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON), MR ALEXANDER FUNG, THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN), MR KEVIN HO, AND THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (SAI KUNG), MRS RITA LAU.
ALSO OFFICIATING WILL BE THE DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN/SAI KUNG), MR KWAN HOK-SHUN, AND MR BASIL LEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
THE FUNCTION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND THE SIK SIK YUEN, A BENEVOLENT ORGANISATION IN WONG TAI SIN, IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT MORE THAN 1 000 PEOPLE.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE +FAMILY DAY+ TO BE HELD AT HO LAP COLLEGE IN CHOI HUNG ROAD, SAN PO KONG, AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 4).
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FRESH WATER MAINS WORK KMX
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 3) FOR WATER MAINS CONNECTIONS.
THE AREAS AFFECTED ARE THOSE PROPERTIES ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM YAU SIN STREET TO SAN TIN, YUEN LONG, WHICH INCLUDE CASSINO LINES, TAM Ml CAMP, FAIRVIEW PARK AND ALL VILLAGES; ALONG KAM TIN ROAD FROM AU TAU TO SHEUNG TSUEN AND ALONG KAM SHEUNG ROAD FROM SHU I TAU TSUEN TO SHEUNG TSUEN, YUEN LONG, WHICH INCLUDE ALL VILLAGES.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1982
4
FIRE SAFETY REMINDER FOR FESTIVAL
* * ft
PEOPLE WHO WILL BE VISITING GRAVES DURING THE COMING CHING MING FESTIVAL ARE REMINDED TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO CAUSE ANY HILL FIRES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (THURSDAY)8
+IN VIEW OF THE CURRENT CLIMATIC CONDITIONS AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPECTED TO VISIT THEIR ANCESTORS’ GRAVES DURING THE THREE-DAY FESTIVAL PERIOD, THERE IS A GREATER DANGER OF FIRES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.*
HE RECALLED THAT THE 22 FIRES THAT OCCURRED DURING THE LAST CHING MING FESTIVAL CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO A VAST AREA OF GRASSLAND AND PLANTATION.
THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN FEWER FIRES IF THE PUBLIC HAD TAKEN THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE URGED THE PEOPLE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING ADVICEl
ft BURN JOSS STICKS AND JOSS PAPERS IN METAL CONTAINERS?
ft DO NOT LEAVE LIGHTED CANDLES, JOSS STICKS AND JOSS PAPERS UNATTENDED, AND PUT THEM ALL OUT BEFORE LEAVING A GRAVE SITE.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT CAUSING FIRES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE COULD LEAD TO HEAVY FINES AND IMPRISONMENT.
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SEEING HOW LAND IS BEST USED ft ft ft
MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE TUNNEL APPROACH GARDEN IN WAN CHAI TO LEARN HOW THE SPACES UNDER FLYOVERS ARE BEING USED TO FULLEST ADVANTAGE AS RECREATION AND REST AREAS FOR THE PUBLIC.
IT WAS NOTED THAT THESE AREAS WERE MAINLY BEING USED AS SITTING-OUT PLACES FOR THE PEOPLE AND FOR PLANTING.
THE KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM THE TOUR WILL HELP' BOARD MEMBERS ARRIVE AT DECISIONS WHEN THEY CONSIDER PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP THE SPACES UNDER THE HILL ROAD FLYOVER IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT.
AT THEIR FIRST DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON MARCH 18, THE KMBERS HAD DISCUSSED VARIOUS POSSIBLE WAYS OF DEVELOPING THE SPACES UNDER THE HILL ROAD FLYOVER FOR MAXIMUM BENEFIT TO THE RESIDENTS.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1982
5
A MUSICAL GIFT FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN *****
ON APRIL 4, CHILDREN’S DAY, THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT’S MUSIC OFFICE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH JARDINE MATHESON AND CO. LTD., WILL ORGANISE A MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN FROM VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATIONS.
THE MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL FROM 2.30 PM TO 5 PM. THE MUSIC PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A PERFORMANCE BY MUSIC OFFICE’S TRAINEES’ CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND TRAINEES’ STRING ORCHESTRA, KWAI CHUNG CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND A WIND ENSEMBLE. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE SOME MUSICAL GAMES, A QUIZ AND A MAGIC SHOW.
THE CHILDREN’S DAY’S MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW IS ONE OF A SERIES OF PLANNED ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY JARDINE MATHESON FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN AND THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST TWO OF THEM.
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SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON FOR FESTIVAL *****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN KOWLOON FOR THE CHING MING FESTIVAL ON APRIL 4 AND 5.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID AS PARKING FACILITIES AT THE CEMETERIES ARE LIMITED, GRAVE SWEEPERS SHOULD MAKE FULL USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
IN SHAM SHUI PO, THE ’NO WAITING’ RESTRICTION ON CHING CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL.
WING MING STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM ON APRIL 4 AND 5.
THE PARKING SPACES FOR GOODS VEHICLES IN KING LAM STREET, WING HONG STREET AND YU CHAU STREET WILL BE CANCELLED FROM 7 AM ON APRIL 4 TO 7 PM ON APRIL 5.
MOTORISTS WISHING TO GO TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY ABOVE CHING CHEUNG ROAD SHOULD TRAVEL VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YEE KUK WEST STREET AND KING LAM STREET.
IN WONG TAI SIN, MOTORISTS HEADING FOR THE HAMMER HILL CEMETERY ARE ADVISED TO USE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, THE PO KONG VILLAGE INTERCHANGE AND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AS TRAFFIC AT THE HAMMER HILL ROAD JUNCTION WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD IS EXPECTED TO BE VERY
CONGESTED.
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1982
6
$3 MILLION WATER WORKS CONTRACT AWARDED ft ft ft ft
A CONTRACT WORTH 13 MILLION WAS AWARDED TODAY BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT FOR THE LAYING OF ABOUT 3 OOO METRES OF FRESH AND SALT WATER MAINS NEAR TSANG TAI UK, SHA TIN WEI AND THE RACE COURSE IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED THIS MORNING BY MR LEE CHIEF ENGINEER (CONSTRUCTION) OF THE DEPARTMENT AND OF WO HING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.
GUN-CHEUNG, A REPRESENTATIVE
THE FRESH WATER PIPELINE IS TO SERVE PRIMARILY THE DEVELOPMENTS IN SHA TIN EAST WHILE THE SALT WATER PIPELINE FORMS PART OF A SYSTEM FOR CONVEYING FLUSHING WATER TO THE WHOLE OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
WORK WILL TO COMPLETE.
COMMENCE NEXT WEEK AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS
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TENDERS SOUGHT FOR LAND TENANCIES ft ft ft
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF TWO LOTS OF LAND.
THE LARGER LOT, OF ABOUT 1.3 HECTARES AT WESTERN RECLAMATION OFF CONNAUGHT ROAD, IS FOR A FEE-PAYING GOODS VEHICLE PARK.
THE SECOND LOT, MEASURING ABOUT 6 600 SQUARE METRES IN THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION, IS FOR THE STORAGE OF TENANTS GOODS VEHICLES, CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS (EXCLUDING CONCRETE AND ASPHALT BATCHING).
TENDERS FOR BOTH LOTS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON APRIL 16.
TENDER FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON. TENDER PLANS MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE LOCATIONS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
CONTENTS page no.
BIG TASK AHEAD FOR WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD .................. 1
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE GROWING FAST ......................... 2
SUPPORT HELPS GROWTH OF WELFARE AGENCIES .................... 3
FULL DAY'S WATER FOR FESTIVAL ............................... 4
PRIMARY SCHOOL OPENED AT TAI YUEN ESTATE..................... 4
STREET ALTERATIONS AND CLOSURES FOR MTR ISLAND LINE.......... 5
NEW ROADS TO LINK SHA TIN WITH NEW TOWNS .................... 7
REMINDER ON TAX PAYMENT ..................................... 9
AMS TO HOLD FAMILY DAY....................................... 9
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI .................. 10
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CHIEF LEAVES FOR TOKYO CONFERENCE ..... 10
BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS .............. 11
COURSE FOR WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS
12
FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
1
BIG TASK AHEAD FOR WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD * * * *
WAN CHAI DISTRICT, WITH ITS COMPLEX DIVERSITY AND NUMEROUS DEVELOPMENTS, POSES A FORMIDABLE CHALLENGE TO THE AREA’S DISTRICT BOARD, THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WAN CHAI), MR A.G. COOPER, SAID TODAY.
BUT HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT THE BOARD WOULD FACE UP TO THESE CHALLENGES AND SOON BRING MATERIAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LIVES OF THE 250 000 RESIDENTS OF WAN CHAI.
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON OF THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG EAST, W COOPER SAID BEING A MEMBER OF A DISTRICT BOARD WAS ONE OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.
AND HE URGED LIONS CLUB MEMBERS TO ADDRESS THEMSELVES TO THE CHALLENGE AND CONSIDER STANDING FOR ELECTION IN THE COMING DISTRICT BOARD POLLS IN SEPTEMBER.
WHILE IT WOULD NOT ALWAYS BE EASY TO CONSIDER AND DECIDE ON THE VARIED PROBLEMS, PRIORITIES AND INTERESTS, HE SAID, IT WAS ONLY RIGHT THAT THE BOARD SHOULD BE CONSULTED ON AND HAVE A SAY IN HOW THE NUMEROUS DEVELOPMENTS NOW TAKING PLACE OR PLANNED IN WAN CHAI WOULD AFFECT THE DISTRICT.
MR COOPER CITED SEVERAL EXAMPLES WHICH THE DISTRICT BOARD WOULD WISH TO CONSIDER - RELIEVING CONFLICT IN PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICLE TRAFFIC, REMOVING HAWKER AND RUBBISH BLACKSPOTS, IMPROVING THE LOT OF SQUATTERS IN THE DISTRICT, AND WHAT NEW DISTRICT-BASED ORGANISATIONS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF WAN CHAI RESIDENTS.
SINCE ITS FORMATION IN FEBRUARY THAT YEAR, THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD HAD ALREADY GOT DOWN TO CONSIDERING VARIOUS PROJECTS, RANGING FROM HOW BEST TO UTILISE OPEN SPACE UNDER FLYOVERS TO SETTING UP A DISTRICT RECREATION COUNCIL, HE SAID.
THE BOARD WAS SHORTLY EXPECTED TO VOTE FUNDS FOR IMPROVING DRAINAGE IN THE SO KON PO SQUATTER AREA, AND WOULD SOON BE ACQUAINTED WITH SCHEMES TO PEDESTRIANISE CERTAIN STREETS IN WAN CHAI.
IT WAS ALSO ASSESSING A COMPREHENSIVE RECREATION SCHEME FOR BOWEN ROAD FOR JOGGERS AS WELL AS OLD PEOPLE, AND HOPED TO HAVE A SMALL PARK AND PAVILION AT THE JUNCTION OF BOWEN ROAD AND WAN CHAI GAP ROAD.
MR COOPER ALSO POINTED TO THE VAST DEVELOPMENTS BEING UNDERTAKEN OR PLANNED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN WHICH THE BOARD WOULD BE INTERESTED.
THESE INCLUDED ADDITIONAL FLYOVERS PLANNED AT GLOUCESTER ROAD, BLUE POOL ROAD, FLEMING ROAD AND FENWICK PIER STREET. CONSULTANTS WERE EXPECTED TO REPORT ON THE PROPOSED ELEVATED ROAD ALONG GLOUCESTER ROAD IN 1984 AND NO DOUBT THE BOARD WOULD WISH TO CONSIDER THEIR FINDINGS, HE SAID.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
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ON THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION, NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES WERE UNDERWAY, TOGETHER WITH HIGH RISE GOVERNMENT OFFICE BLOCKS, A MULTI-STOREY CARPARK, A NEW DISTRICT COURT AND MAGISTRACY AS WELL AS A SERIES OF URBAN COUNCIL RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROJECTS.
THESE PROJECTS WOULD NOT ONLY RELIEVE THE PRESSURE FOR SUCH FACILITIES IN THE MORE INTENSIVELY DEVELOPED RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL AREAS OF WAN CHAI, BUT ALSO TRANSFORM THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION INTO A VERY HIGH CLASS COMMERCIAL AND RECREATION AREA, MR COOPER SAID.
♦INDEED, WHEN YOU CONSIDER ITS CONVENIENT LOCATION, THIS AREA, WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED, WILL BE ONE OF THE SHOW CASE PRECINCTS OF HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
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SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE GROWING FAST * * * *
THE ENROLMENT OF CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO REACH 270 000 BY THE END OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
AT PRESENT, ABOUT 244 800 PUPILS ARE ENROLLED IN THE SCHEME, AN INCREASE OF 18 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 207 500 A YEAR AGO.
♦IN EACH OF THE PAST THREE YEARS SINCE THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED, THERE HAS BEEN STEADY IMPROVEMENTS AND THE BOARD EXPECTS THIS TO CONTINUE IN THE COMING YEAR, LEADING TO THE ENROLMENT BY MARCH 1983 OF ONE PUPIL IN EVERY THREE OF THOSE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ABOUT 820 000 PUPILS ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VOLUNTARY SCHEME, WHICH IS RECEIVING GROWING SUPPORT FROM SCHOOL PRINCIPALS WHOSE ROLE IN PROMOTING INTEREST AMONG PARENTS AND PUPILS IS VITAL TO GREATER PARTICIPATION, HE ADDED.
THE SCHEME,IS HEAVILY SUBSIDISED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND IS DESIGNED TO MAKE AVAILABLE MEDICAL CONSULTATION AND TREATMENT TO STUDENTS FROM PRIMARY ONE TO FORM THREE AT A PRICE EVERY PARENT CAN AFFORD.
UNDER THE SCHEME, A PUPIL IS REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE ONLY S5 PER YEAR FOR WHICH HE MAY GET FREE MEDICAL CONSULTATION FROM A PRIVATE PRACTITIONER FROM THE DATE OF ENROLMENT.
ABOUT 200 PRIVATE DOCTORS ARE TAKING PART IN THE SCHEME AND EACH RECEIVES $55 A YEAR FOR EVERY PUPIL ALLOCATED TO HIM.
THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE SCHEME IN THE PAST FINANCIAL YEAR AMOUNTED TO NEARLY $18 MILLION.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
3
SUPPORT HELPS GROWTH OF WELFARE AGENCIES * ft *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY ITS OVERALL SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF OVER 30 PER CENT IN EACH OF THE PAST TEN YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR ERIC HO, SAID WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG TODAY (FRIDAY).
♦UNDOUBTEDLY, FUNDING FROM ALL SOURCES, WHETHER FROM THE GOVERNMENT, THE COMMUNITY CHEST OR PRIVATE DONORS HAVE TOGETHER ENABLED THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO GROW AND EXPAND AT A MUCH QUICKER PACE THAN WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE HAD THEY BEEN ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON THEIR OWN FUND RAISING, OR ON GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION ALONE,+ HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE +SEE-SAW EFFECT* OF COMMUNITY CHEST ALLOCATIONS ON THE GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION SYSTEM, HE SAIDi +THIS COLLECTIVE EFFORT HAS APPARENTLY BEEN OVERLOOKED OR IGNORED.
♦THE FACTS REMAIN THAT THE QUALITY OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST ALLOCATIONS IN THE HANDS OF THE VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IS NO DIFFERENT FROM THE FUNDS THEY RAISED ON THEIR OWN, OR UNSOLICITED DONATIONS RECEIVED DIRECT.
♦AND EVERY YEAR THE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES HAS INCREASED.*
THE OLD DISCRETIONARY SUBVENTION SYSTEM, HE SAID, HAD SERVED ITS PURPOSE, AND THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED LAST SUMMER A NEW SYSTEM THAT WOULD PROVIDE A MORE SECURE BASIS FOR THE COMBINED EFFORTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR.
♦UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, INCOME RAISED BY AGENCIES OTHER THAN PRESCRIBED FEES WILL NOT BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT,♦ MR HO EXPLAINED.
PENDING THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW SUBVENTION SYSTEM AND STARTING WITH THE 1982/83 SUBVENTIONS, NO ACCOUNT WOULD BE TAKEN OF ANY DONATIONS OR COMMUNITY CHEST ALLOCATIONS RECEIVED BY AGENCIES, HE ADDED.
♦ALL AGENCIES HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE DETAILS OF THE NEW SYSTEM AND THE CLASSIFICATION OF THEIR SERVICES. I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT SO FAR THERE HAVE BEEN NO ADVERSE REACT IONS,+ HE SAID.
♦THIS SCHEME WILL ENABLE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY, AND WITH AS MUCH FREEDOM AS POSSIBLE, IN PROVIDING THE SERVICES WHICH THE COMMUNITY REQU IRES.♦
MR HO STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT VIEWED ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AS A PARTNERSHIP.
♦MUTUAL CO-OPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING IS IMPORTANT, OTHERWISE THE NEW SUBVENTION SYSTEM CANNOT BE EFFECTIVELY APPLIED,+ HE SAID.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
4
FULL DAY’S WATER FOR FESTIVAL * O
WATER RESTRICTIONS ARE TO BE RELAXED ON CHING MING FESTIVAL DAY ON MONDAY, THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES NR TOM TOMLINSON ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
♦SUPPLY WILL BE TURNED ON FROM 6 AM NEXT MONDAY (APRIL 5) WHICH IS CHING MING FESTIVAL DAY TO 10 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY (APRIL 6),+ HE SAID.
MR TOMLINSON SAID THAT WITH THE REDUCTION IN CONSUMPTION OF ALMOST 20 PER CENT ACHIEVED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF WATER RESTRICTIONS, IT WAS FELT THAT RELAXATIONS COULD BE MADE FOR THE CHING MING FESTIVAL.
HOWEVER HE STRESSED THE CONTINUING NEED TO CONSERVE RESERVOIR STORAGE AND REITERATED HIS APPEAL TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE TO EXERCISE MAXIMUM ECONOMY IN THE USE OF WATER AND AVOID WASTE.
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PRIMARY SCHOOL OPENED AT TAI YUEN ESTATE
XXX
MRS JANE AKERS-JONES, WIFE OF THE SECRETARY FOR CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, TODAY OFFICIALLY OPENED THE LEUNG SING TAK PRIMARY SCHOOL AT TAI YUEN ESTATE IN TAI PO.
SHE DESCRIBED IT AS A +FINE, MODERN PRIMARY SCHOOL, FULLY EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE A SPLENDID EDUCATIONAL START FOR THE CHILDREN AT TAI YUEN.+
BUILT BY THE GOVERNMENT AT A COST OF |8 MILLION, THE SEVEN-STOREY SCHOOL IS LOCATED ON A 3 000 SQUARE-METRE SITE. FACILITIES INCLUDE AN ASSEMBLY HALL, 24 CLASSROOMS, COVERED AND OPENED PLAYGROUNDS, AND SPECIAL ROOMS FOR MUSIC, ARTS AND AUDIO VISUAL AIDS.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 1 400 PLACES FOR PRIMARY ONE TO SIX PUPILS, AND THIS NUMBER CAN BE EXPANDED TO A MAXIMUM OF OVER 2 000 IF AND WHEN NECESSARY.
THE GOVERNMENT-AIDED SCHOOL IS BEING MANAGED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES WOMEN AND JUVENILE WELFARE ASSOCIATION. IT HAS BEEN NAMED AFTER MADAM LEUNG SING-TAK, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION WHO IS ALSO THE SCHOOL SUPERVISOR.
MRS AKERS-JONES SA IDi +THE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN PROMOTING THE WELFARE AND RECREATION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR MANY YEARS AND HAS WON THE CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT CF THE COMMUNITY.*
THE ASSOCIATION NOW OPERATES FOUR CHILD-CARE CENTRES AND TWO KINDERGARTENS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
5
STREET ALTERATIONS AND CLOSURES FOR MTR ISLAND LINE
* * * * *
TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ISLAND LINE. A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT STREET ALTERATIONS AND CLOSURES WILL BE INTRODUCED. A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE DATES ON WHICH THE STREET ALTERATIONS AND CLOSURES ARE TO TAKE EFFECT WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER. IN EACH CASE, SUITABLE PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES AND ALTERNATIVE ROUTES FOR MOTORISTS WILL BE PROVIDED AND TRAFFIC SIGNS ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
THE STREETS AND AREAS TO BE AFFECTED ARE AS FOLLOWSi
CENTRAL STATION
* DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL I PART OF THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY EAST OF THE JUNCTION WITH CHATER ROAD.
CAUSEWAY BAY STATION
M PERCIVAL STREET: SECTION BETWEEN LOCKHART ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD.
* HENNESSY ROAD: PART OF THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY AND FOOTPATHS IN THE VICINITY OF THE JUNCTIONS WITH PERCIVAL STREET AND EAST POINT ROAD.
* GREAT GEORGE STREET: CARRIAGEWAY EAST OF THE JUNCTION WITH EAST POINT ROAD.
* EAST POINT ROAD: SECTION BETWEEN LOCKHART ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD.
* LOCKHART ROAD: SECTION IN THE VICINITY OF THE JUNCTIONS WITH PERCIVAL STREET AND EAST POINT ROAD.
NORTH POINT TO QUARRY BAY TUNNELS
* PAK FUK ROAD: SECTION BETWEEN HEALTHY STREET WEST AND HEALTHY STREET CENTRAL.
* CAR PARK AT THE JUNCTION OF PAK FUK ROAD AND HEALTHY STREET WEST.
SAI WAN HO STATION
* TAI ON STREET: EASTERN FOOTPATH BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND THE SEAWALL.
* TAI LOK STREET: SECTION BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND SAI WAN HO STREET.
* HOI NING STREET: SECTION BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND HING MAN STREET.
FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
6
SHAU KEI WAN STATION
X MONG LUNG STREET J FROM THE SOUTHERN BUILDING LINE OF PO MAN STREET NORTHWARDS FOR A DISTANCE OF 160 METRES.
* KENG SHAN LANEi SECTION WEST OF SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST.
* YUEN HING LANE« SECTION WEST OF SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST.
THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED ARE SHOWN ON PLANS MT/G/187, 177, 184, 186, 188, 189 AND 190 RESPECTIVELY. COPIES OF THESE PLANS AND THE ORDER AUTHORISING THE STREET ALTERATIONS AND CLOSURES MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 4.30 PM ON ANY DAY EXCEPT SATURDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS!
* CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUBOFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING (GROUND FLOOR), HONG KONG.
M CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), 2O5A DES VOEUX ROAD WEST (GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS), HONG KONG.
* CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WAN CHAI), 201 HENNESSY ROAD (GROUND FLOOR), HONG KONG.
* CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN), 884-886 KING’S ROAD (GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS), HONG KONG.
* CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, COTTON TREE DRIVE, HONG KONG.
THE NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY STIPULATED THAT CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT.
IN THE CASE OF PERMANENT CLOSURES AND ALTERATIONS, CLAIMS MUST REACH THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR WITHIN A YEAR AFTER THE CLOSURE OF THE STREET OR OF THE COMPLETION OF THE SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION.
IN THE CASE OF TEMPORARY ALTERATIONS AND CLOSURES, CLAIMS MUST REACH THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR WITHIN A YEAR AFTER THE RE-OPENING OR REINSTATEMENT OF THE STREET.
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/7
FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
7
NEW ROADS TO LINK SHA KM#
TIN WITH NEW TOWNS * *
NEW ROAD PROJECTS LINKING SHA TIN WITH TSUEN WAN, TAI PO AND SAI KUNG ARE EITHER ALREADY IN HAND OR LIKELY TO START WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 23RD TERM OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, HE SAID FINE NEW ROADS TO THESE THREE DESTINATIONS WOULD BE OPEN BY 1984-86 AND SHOULD COPE WITH ALL ANTICIPATED TRAFFIC IN THESE DIRECTIONS FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS.
AMONG THE PEOPLE ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WERE THE RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR WAI HON-LEUNG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK, LAU WONG-FAT, AND LEADERS FROM LOCAL AND OTHER DISTRICTS.
SPEAKING OF THE REGARDING LINK TO CENTRAL KOWLOON, DR HASE SAID THE PRESENT PLANNING PROVIDED ONLY THE EXISTING ROAD AND RAIL TUNNELS UNDER THE LION ROCK. THESE TUNNELS MUST COPE WITH ALL THE TRAFFIC TO CENTRAL KOWLOON GENERATED BY A TOTAL POPULATION OF 1.6 MILLION FROM SHA TIN, INCLUDING MA ON SHAN, AND TAI PO AND FANLING.
♦AT THE MOMENT,+ HE SAID, +THE NEED FOR FURTHER SITES FOR THE HOUSING PROGRAMME BEYOND 1987 IS LEADING TO THE CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER SITES IN THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES WHICH, IF AGREED, WOULD PUSH THE TOTAL POPULATION DEPENDENT ON THE LION ROCK CORRIDOR TUNNELS TO ALMOST TWO MILLION.
♦THERE IS VERY CONSIDERABLE DOUBT THAT THE LION ROCK CORRIDOR TUNNELS AS PLANNED CAN COPE WITH THE LIKELY TRAFFIC GENERATED BY SO HUGE A POPULATION. THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS BEEN PRESSING FOR SOME TIME FOR AGREEMENT TO CONSTRUCT A SECOND RAIL LINE TO RUN BETWEEN MA ON SHAN AND TSIM SHA TSUI AND, HOPEFULLY, CENTRAL.
♦IF SUCH AN ADDITIONAL RAIL LINK IS BUILT, 84 PER CENT OF THE RESIDENTS IN SHA TIN WILL LIVE WITHIN ONE-THIRD OF A MILE FROM A RAILWAY STATION, AND 90 PER CENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS WILL BE EQUALLY CLOSED.+
♦WITH SUCH A SECOND RAIL LINE SHA TIN WILL HAVE AN ADEQUATE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NET, BUT, NONETHELESS, TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS REMAIN.♦
THE FIRST WAS THAT EVEN IF A DECISION WERE TAKEN THIS YEAR ON THE SECOND RAIL LINE, ITS CONSTRUCTION COULD NOT BE COMPLETE BEFORE 1986 WHEN THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES POPULATION WOULD ALREADY HAVE DOUBLED TO MORE THAN A MILLION.
THE SECOND, DR HASE SAID, WAS THAT NOT ALL TRAFFIC COULD GO BY RAIL — SOME WOULD NEED TO GO BY ROAD — AND WATERLOO ROAD WAS ALREADY CLOSE TO SATURATION POINT.
♦NONETHELESS, THE PROBLEMS ARE RECOGNISED AND WORK TO ALLEVIATE THEM IS IN HAND.+
/he ware........
FBIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
8
HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE POPULATION OF SHA TIN WAS RISING BY ABOUT 225 PER WORKING DAY, AND THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT WAS MOST IMPORTANT.
IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS MADE BY MR WAI EARLIER, DR HASE SAID* +THE FIRST TASK IN ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY SPIRIT IS TO ENSURE THAT THE NEW ESTATE, WHETHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, HAS ALL THE FACILITIES A MODERN POPULATION NEEDS.+
WITHOUT ADEQUATE FACILITIES SUCH AS PUBLIC TRANSPORT, SCHOOLS, POSTAL SERVICE, MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL, THE INHABITANTS WOULD BE DISSATISFIED AND WOULD WISH THEY WERE LIVING SOMEWHERE ELSEi +NO COMMUNITY SPIRIT CAN EVER ARISE IN SUCH SITUATIONS.*
♦AS CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE I MUST STRESS THAT WE NEED TO RECEIVE THE CRITICAL COMMENTS OF THE PUBLIC TO DO THIS JOB PROPERLY,+ HE SAID.
THE NEXT STAGE WAS TO ENSURE THAT A VITAL COMMUNITY LIFE WAS AVAILABLE -- NAMELY A FULL RECREATIONAL, SPORTING AND CULTURAL PROGRAMME, HE SAID.
HE SHARED THE VIEW OF MR WAI THAT THE PRESENT SENSE OF BELONGING WAS INADEQUATE, BUT HE ASSURED THE COMMITTEE THAT. NECESSARY ACTION TO IMPROVE THE’POSITION WAS BEING TAKEN, AND THAT THE PRESENT POSITION WAS ALREADY SUBSTANTIALLY BETTER THAN IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
DR HASE SAID THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO ADVISE ON ALL MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL BEING OF THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT, AND ON THE ADEQUACY OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND PLANNING.
♦THIS STATUTORY RIGHT CARRIES WITH IT THE RIGHT TO INSIST ON BEING GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY OF ADVISING WHENEVER ANY MATTER ARISES WHICH THE BOARD CONSIDERS AFFECTS THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT, AND ALSO THE RIGHT TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS APPEAR BEFORE THE BOARD TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY ARE PROPOSING TO ENSURE THAT THE BOARD’S ADVICE IS BASED ON FULL INFORMATION.
♦IN ADDITION, THE BOARD HAS THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO DEAL WITH ALL MATTERS CONCERNING COMMUNITY BUILDING WITHIN THE DISTRICT, SETTING POLICY, IMPLEMENTING IT, AND CONTROLLING WHAT IS DONE,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, A GREAT DEAL DEPENDED ON THE UNOFFICIALS ON THE BOARD.
+IF THEY SIT QUIETLY, UNCRITICALLY, ACCEPTING WHATEVER IS SAID TO THEM, NEVER QUESTIONING OR COMPLAINING, THEN THE BOARD WILL NOT BECOME WHAT WE ALL HOPE IT WILL BECOME.
*WE MUST HAVE VIGOROUS, REASONABLE BUT AT THE SAME TIME CRITICAL, VOCAL AND INTERESTED UNOFFICIALS, WILLING TO LOOK INTO PROBLEMS, RESEARCH THEM, WILLING TO LISTEN TO NEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, INTELLIGENT AND SENSIBLE,* DR HASE SAID.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
9
REMINDER ON TAX PAYMENT * ft ft
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT REMINDED TAXPAYERS TO CHECK THEIR DEMAND NOTES TO ENSURE THAT THE SALARIES OR PROFITS TAX DUE IS PAID ON OR BEFORE THE DUE DATE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TAXPAYERS WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID THE FIRST INSTALMENT, SHOULD NOW CHECK THEIR DEMAND NOTES AND ENSURE THAT THE SECOND INSTALMENT IS PAID ON OR BEFORE THE DATE STIPULATED.
HE SAID PAYMENTS MAY BE MADE AT IRD COLLECTION OFFICESi WINDSOR HOUSE, 3RD FLOOR, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG- PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 12TH FLOOR, 56 DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK, KOWLOON AND FOU WAH CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES- OR BY POSTING A CROSSED CHEQUE, MADE OUT IN FAVOUR OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE DEMAND NOTE TO +THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, GPO BOX 132, HONG KONG*.
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AMS TO HOLD FAMILY DAY
XXX
THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES WILL HOLD A FAMILY DAY ON SUNDAY (APRIL 4) IN THE COMPOUND OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, OIL STREET, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG WITH OVER 2000 MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TAKING PART IN THE ANNUAL EVENT.
THE DAY’S PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCE BY THE AMS BRASS BAND, LION DANCE, ACROBATIC AND MAGIC SHOW AND A CYCLING DEMONSTRATION. ON DISPLAY WILL BE A FIRE ENGINE AND CHILDREN WILL BE TREATED TO FREE ICE CREAM AND SOFT DRINKS.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY WILL BE A LUCKY DRAW, WITH MANY ATTRACTIVE PRIZES TO BE GIVEN OUT.
THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, WHO IS ALSO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE AMS, WILL PERFORM THE CEREMONY OF +DOTTING THE LION’S EYES*.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
THE AMS FAMILY DAY WILL BE HELD IN THE COMPOUND OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, OIL STREET, NORTH POINT ON SUNDAY (APRIL 4) FROM 1 PM TO 5.30 PM. YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
10
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI *****
THE KERBSIDE LANE OF WESTBOUND HENNESSY ROAD IN WAN CHAI BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH THE BUS ONLY LANE UNDER THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES EAST OF CANAL ROAD EAST WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 7 AM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 4) TO 6 AM THE NEXT MORNING FOR ROAD WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ALONG HENNESSY ROAD WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO TURN INTO CANAL ROAD EAST OR THE BUS ONLY LANE UNDER THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.
VEHICLES HEADING FOR CANAL ROAD EAST CAN USE TANG LUNG STREET, WHICH WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY FROM HENNESSY ROAD TO CANAL ROAD EAST.
IN ADDITION, BUS ROUTES 38, 108, 112, 116 AND 122 WILL BE DIVERTED AT HENNESSY ROAD TO USE PERCIVAL STREET, LEIGHTON ROAD AND CANAL ROAD WEST.
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CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CHIEF LEAVES FOR TOKYO CONFERENCE * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR THOMAS GARNER AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR FRANCIS YANG WILL LEAVE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO ATTEND THE THIRD ASIAN AND PACIFIC CONFERENCE OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS TO BE HELD IN TOKYO FROM APRIL 5 TO 9.
FOUR OTHER OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ACCOMPANY THE OFFICIAL DELEGATES TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE AS OBSERVERS. THEY ARE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT CHOW SAI-WING, SUPERINTENDENTS WU CHUN-KAN, PI WING-LEE AND JOHNNY WONG.
THE FIVE-DAY CONFERENCE, WHICH IS HOSTED BY JAPAN’S MINISTRY OF JUSTICE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY, WILL BE ATTENDED BY HEADS OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES FROM THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGION.
THE COMMISSIONER HAS ALSO BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND A MEETING ON APRIL 10 AS A MEMBER OF THE AD HOC ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS TO DISCUSS FUTURE PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSES TO BE HELD AT THE UNITED NATIONS ASIA AND FAR EAST INSTITUTE FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS.
THE INSTITUTE, KNOWN AS +UNAFEI* AND FOUNDED IN 1962, HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REBUILT AND THE NEW BUILDINGS WILL BE OPENED AT AN OFFICIAL CEREMONY ON APRIL 8.
HONG KONG, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY, LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCH CONFERENCE BY HOLDING THE FIRST CONFERENCE HERE, AND THIS IS RECOGNISED BY PARTICIPATING NATIONS WHICH HAVE ELECTED MR GARNER TO BE A CO-DIRECTOR OF THE CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
11
BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS M M K M
CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS WITH RELEVANT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPER TRAINING WILL SURELY HAVE A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE, AS DEMAND GROWS, THE HON HU FA-KUANG, UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, SAID TODAY.
MR HU WAS SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF GOVERNMENT TECHNICIAN AND CRAFT APPRENTICES AT MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
HE SAID, +THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROVISION OF EFFICIENT TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN.
♦IN THIS CONNECTION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS EARMARKED $78 MILLION THIS YEAR FOR THE SETTING UP OF A NEW TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT TO BRING TOGETHER THE IMPORTANT AREAS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING UNDER ONE ROOF.+
MR HU NOTED THAT THE ANNUAL INTAKE OF APPRENTICES UNDER THE GOVERNMENT APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEME HAD INCREASED FROM 150 IN 1978 TO THE PRESENT FIGURE OF OVER 270 APPRENTICES - AN INCREASE OF OVER 80 PER CENT IN FOUR YEARS.
THERE ARE 628 CRAFT AND 192 TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES NOW RECEIVING TRAINING UNDER THIS SCHEME.
HE SAID THAT SOME 900 APPRENTICES HAD GRADUATED UNDER THE REVISED GOVERNMENT APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEME SINCE 1969 WHEN THE SCHEME WAS RESTRUCTURED TO TRAIN CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS AT THE SAME TIME.
MANY OF THEM, HE ADDED, WERE NOW HOLDING JOBS AS ENGINEERS, TECHNICIAN ENGINEERS AND INSPECTORS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE OR SIMILAR POSITIONS IN THE PRIVATE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.
MR HU SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS WERE MAKING GREAT EFFORT TO PROVIDE QUALIFIED TECHNICAL STAFF TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR TO THE POOL OF SKILLED LABOUR FOR HONG KONG IN GENERAL.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, MR HU PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO 23 TECHNICIANS AND 42 CRAFT APPRENTICES, ALL OF WHOM HAVE BEEN OFFERED APPOINTMENTS AS WORKS SUPERVISORS OR ARTISANS BY THE GOVERNMENT.
HE ALSO PRESENTED THE BROWN CUP TO THE BEST TECHNICAL APPRENTICE, MR PANG WAI-CHUEN OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND THE LAISHLEY CUP TO THE TOP CRAFT APPRENTICE, MR MAO SHU-LUNG OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD, PRESENTED MR HU WITH A SMALL BRASS ELEPHANT AS A SOUVENIR ON BEHALF OF THE GRADUATES.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
- 12 -
COURSE FOR WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS
* * * *
TRADE INSTRUCTORS AND WORKSHOP SUPERVISORS CAN NOW APPLY TO ATTEND THE LAST BLOCK-RELEASE TRAINING COURSE CONDUCTED IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR BY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
THE COURSE WILL COMMENCE ON MAY 17 AND WILL REQUIRE ATTENDANCE AT THE COLLEGE FOR TWO WEEKS FULL-TIME, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
TUTORS WILL VISIT STUDENTS AT THEIR INDIVIDUAL PLACES C* EMPLOYMENT TO GIVE FURTHER ADVICE WHEN THE COURSE IS COMPLETED, HE SAID.
PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY TRAINING FOR CARRYING OUT THEIR DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES. COURSE CONTENTS WILL INCLUDE METHODS OF INSTRUCTION BASED ON THE STUDY OF EDUCATION THEORY AND EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGY.
THE FEE FOR THE COURSE IS 1100.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE EMPLOYED AS A TRADE OR WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR AND MUST BE FULLY SKILLED IN HIS TRADE.
EXPERIENCED WORKERS WHO WILL TAKE UP INSTRUCTION DUTIES MAY ALSO APPLY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, AND COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED BEFORE APRIL 24 TO THE COLLEGE.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE SPREADS TO ALL SCHOOLS ...................... 1
GRAVE VISITORS URGED TO KEEP COUNTRYSIDE CLEAN ................ 2
INLAND REVENUE ISSUES REMINDER ................................ 3
CHING MING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ............................... 4
SALT WATER CUT ................................................ 5
THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND FOR SALE.............................. 5
SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1982
1
ANT I-DRUG MESSAGE SPREADS TO ALL SCHOOLS
*****
THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ARE JOINTLY ORGANISING AN ANT I-DRUG CHINESE ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION AND A POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
ANN$UNC,NG THIS T0DAY (SATURDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION SAID THE PROJECTS ARE EDUCATIONAL REQUIRING A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THE PART OF ENTRANTS AND IT IS HOPED THAT THE STUDENTS WOULD LEARN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE AND NEVER TO EXPERIMENT WITH DRUGS.
HE ADDED THAT A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT AND RESOURCES WILL BE DEVOTED BY ACAN THIS YEAR TO PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BECOMING ADDICTED AND INVOLVED IN DRUG CRIME.
THE ESSAY AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITIONS ARE THE FIRST TWO PROJECTS. OTHER YOUTH ACTIVITIES PLANNED INCLUDE A YOUTH AGAINST DRUGS SCHEME, YOUTH VOLUNTEER SCHEME, SCHOOL TALKS AND EXHIBITIONS AND SPECIAL TRAINING CAMPS FOR YOUTHS.
THE ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS — A JUNIOR SECTION FOR FORM 1-3 STUDENTS, AND A SENIOR SECTION FOR FORM 4-7 STUDENTS. THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES FOR EACH SECTION IS LIMITED TO 10 PER SCHOOL.
EACH PARTICIPANT SHOULD SUBMIT AN ESSAY OF 800 TO 1 000 WORDS ON ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS)
* HOW TO AVOID BECOMING INVOLVED IN DRUG TRAFFICKING)
* THE EFFECT OF ADDICTION ON INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITYl AND
M WHAT YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD DO TO HELP CURB THE INCREASE IN DRUG ABUSE.
THE POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION IS ALSO DIVIDED INTO JUNIOR AND SENIOR SECTIONS. THE JUNIOR SECTION IS FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS AND THE OTHER IS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS.
THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OR STYLE OF ENTRIES, BUT THE DESIGN MUST BE OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ORGANISATION A2 SIZE, I.E. 420 MM X 594 MM.
THE POSTER. APART FROM ORIGINALITY, SHOULD CONVEY AN ANT I-NARCOTICS THEME.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED THROUGH HEADS OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS TO THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT 8 YUN PING ROAD, CAROLINE MANSION, 4TH FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30.
/jNTfilES TO.........
SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1982
2
ENTRIES TO BOTH COMPETITIONS WILL BE JUDGED BY DIFFERENT PANELS OF ADJUDICATORS AND SCHOOLS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
FOR BOTH COMPETITIONS, THE FIRST THREE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES VALUED AT $500, $300 AND $200 RESPECTIVELY. THERE WILL ALSO BE 12 MERIT PRIZES FOR EACH SECTION.
IN ADDITION, ALL PART ICIPATING SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE SOUVENIRS.
THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECTION HAS ALREADY SENT OUT CIRCULARS CONTAINING REGULATIONS AND OTHER DETAILS OF THE COMPETITIONS AS WELL AS ENTRY FORMS TO SOME 2 000 SCHOOLS. FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE COMPETITIONS PLEASE CALL THE NARCOTICS DIVISION AT 5-295140 OR THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SECTION AT 5-779007.
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GRAVE VISITORS URGED TO KEEP COUNTRYSIDE CLEAN *****
■me eu!2?LE.G0ING T0 CEMETERIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL AND EASTER HOLIDAY-MAKERS ARE TODAY IFGED TO KEEP THE COUNTRYSIDE CLEAN.
e.._ eL«P0!^ESMAN F0R THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST LITTERBUGS WILL BE STEPPED UP CLEAN6 ™E H0LIDAY PER,0D IN AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT
C0ULD C0ST A GRAVE VISITOR, A PICNICKER OR A HIKER $5 000 ON FIRST CONVICTION FOR A LITTER OFFENCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, KEEPING THE PUBLIC CEMETERIES AND THE COUNTRYSIDE CLEAN BY MAKING USE OF THE REFUSE BINS OR REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS PROVIDED THERE WOULD COST NOTHING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+ONE OF THE BEST EFFORTS TO AVOID LITTERING A PUBLIC PLACE IS TO BRING ALONG WITH YOU A PLASTIC BAG FOR DISPOSAL OF LITTER WHILE OUT ON A JOURNEY.
+PLASTIC BAGS ARE BETTER THAN PAPER BAGS BECAUSE THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO TEAR OR LEAK.+
TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE NEED OF KEEPING THE COUNTRYSIDE CLEAN, A NUMBER OF WARNING BOARDS ARE BEING PUT UP IN THE RURAL AREAS AND ON OUTLYING ISLANDS.
+KEEP THE PICNIC SPOT CLEAN AND HAVE A NICE DAY+ IS THE £?EA<?E THE DEPARTMENT IS TRYING TO GET ACROSS AND WHICH COINCIDES WITH THE CURRENT CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID*
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SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1982
3
INLAND REVENUE ISSUES REMINDER
* * *
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND EMPLOYERS OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT UNDER THE ORDINANCE, EVERY PERSON CHARGEABLE TO TAX FOR ANY YEAR OF ASSESSMENT MUST NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE IN WRITING NOT LATER THAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE END OF THE BASIS PERIOD FOR THE YEAR IN WHICH HE IS SO CHARGEABLE UNLESS HE HAS ALREADY BEEN REQUIRED TO FURNISH A RETURN FOR THAT YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ANY PERSON WHO CEASES TO CARRY OUT A TRADE, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS- TO HOLD AN OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT IN RESPECT OF WHICH SALARIES TAX IS CHARGEABLE- OR TO HAVE A SOURCE OF INCOME IN RESPECT OF WHICH HE IS PERSONALLY ASSESSED, MUST ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING WITHIN ONE MONTH OF SUCH CESSATION.
ANY PERSON CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES, PROFITS OR PERSONAL TAX AND IS ABOUT TO LEAVE HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN ONE MONTH MUST NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE, HE SAID.
♦THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO PERSONS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO LEAVE HONG KONG FREQUENTLY IN THE COURSE OF BUSINESS OR EMPLOYMENT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO REMINDED TAXPAYERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR ADDRESS TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING OF THE PARTICULARS OF THE CHANGE.
EMPLOYERS ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING OF THE PARTICULARS OF ANY NEW EMPLOYEE LIKELY TO BE CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF HIS EMPLOYMENT.
AN EMPLOYER WHO IS ABOUT TO CEASE TO EMPLOY IN HONG KONG ANY PERSON LIKELY TO BE CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX MUST ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE THE TERMINATION OF SUCH EMPLOYMENT.
IT IS ALSO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AN EMPLOYER TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER WHENEVER AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX IS ABOUT TO LEAVE HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN A MONTH AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHEN AN EMPLOYER HAS INFORMED THE COMMISSIONER THAT HE IS ABOUT TO CEASE TO EMPLOY A PERSON CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX, HE MUST NOT MAKE ANY PAYMENT TO THAT EMPLOYEE WITHIN A MONTH FROM THE DATE OF GIVING SUCH NOTICE, EXCEPT WITH THE CONSENT IN WRITING OF THE COMMISSIONER.
/♦THE EMPLOYES........
S1TUHD1Y, APBIL 3. 1982
♦THE EMPLOYER MAY HOWEVER, DURING THAT MONTH PAY TO THE COMMISSIONER OUT OF MONEYS DUE TO THE EMPLOYEE SUCH SUM AS THE EMPLOYEE MAY DIRECT HIM TO PAY.*
FORMS FOR INLAND REVENUE WINDSOR HOUSE,
GIVING SUCH NOTICES MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
-----0------
CHING MING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS * * M *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THE CHING MING FESTIVAL ON MONDAY (APRIL 5).
ROAD CLOSURES (7 AM TO 7 PM)
* PEEL RISE, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD TO A POINT BEYOND THE WESTERN LIMIT OF ABERDEEN CEMETERY?
* MOUNT AUSTIN ROAD, EXCEPT FOR VEHICLES REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES ON THIS ROAD; AND
* THE SLIP ROAD TO ABERDEEN CHINESE CEMETERY FROM SHEK PAI WAN ROAD.
ROAD DIVERSIONS (7 AM TO 7 PM)
* CONSORT RISE, ONE-WAY SOUTH-BOUND FROM VICTORIA ROAD TO BISNEY ROAD;
* CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, ONE-WAY WEST-BOUND FROM LIN SHING ROAD TO SHEK 0 ROAD;
* LIN SHING ROAD, ONE-WAY SOUTH-BOUND FROM WAN TSUI ROAD TO CAPE COLLINSON ROAD;
* WAN TSUI ROAD, ONE-WAY IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION; AND
* WAH HA STREET, ONE-WAY FROM LIN SHING ROAD TO CHAI WAN ROAD.
IN ADDITION, THE PARKING SPACES ADJACENT TO THE CMB ROUTE NO. 15 BUS TERMINUS ON THE PEAK AND THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS PARKING SPACES ADJACENT TO THE UPPER PEAK TRAM TERMINUS WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 7 AM AND 9 PM.
AT THE SAME TIME, NO PARKING WILL BE PERMITTED ALONG CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, LIN SHING ROAD, WAH HA STREET AND A SECTION OF SHEK 0 ROAD BETWEEN CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE AND TAI TAM ROAD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID CAPE COLLINSON ROAD MAY BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE IF THE NEED ARISES.
SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1982
5
SALT WATER CUT
* * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME DISTRICTS IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE CUT OFF FOR 24 HOURS FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 6) TO 10 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAIN CHECKING.
THE DISTRICTS AFFECTED WILL BE HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, MA TAU KOK, MA TAU WAI, KAI TAK, KOWLOON CITY, KOWLOON TONG, WANG TAU HOM WONG TAI SIN AND TSZ WAN SHAN.
-----o------
THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND FOR SALE * * * *
nv TJH.R!Lb°I^0F,CR0WN LAND W,LL OFFERED FOR SALE BY AUCTION BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT ON APRIL 28.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE AT 2.30 PM.
THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE
L0TS’ TURING ABOUT 1 498 SQUARE METRES IN NAM R0AD’ H0NG K0NS» ,S F0R NON-INDUSTRI AL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
pen am^T^R ?'T!' 0F 3 050 SQUARE METRES, IN THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION, IS FOR DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE REMAINING LOT, MEASURING ABOUT SITUATED AT PENG CHAU, NEW TERRITORIES. RESIDENTIAL USES.
372 SQUARE METRES, IT IS FOR PRIVATE
IS
i£ArUC^ARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE gJJ-’c !™RY sub-office, central government offices (west wing), K9NS» 0R THE Dl STR I CT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
SALES PLANS MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE PLACES.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NCR SECTION BETWEEE KOWLOON AND SHA TIE ENERGISED ............. 1
HONG KONG HARBOUR AMONG BUSIEST AND SAFEST IN THE WORLD...... 2
BOOM NET TO TRAP SEk-BORNE REFUSE.............................. 4
PROPERTY OWNERS REQUIRED TO .REPORT CHANGE..................... 5
NEW TIMETABLE FOR TOC MAXICAB ROUTES .......................... 5
TENNIS WITHIN EASY REACH FOR TAI PO PEOPLE..................... 6
NEW SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX FOR KWAI CHUNG ...................... 7
SALT WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT
7
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1982
1
KCR SECTION BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN ENERGISED ******
THE THIRD SECTION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY FROM RAILWAY BRIDGE NO. 7 OVER BOUNDARY STREET TO HUNG HOM WILL BE ENERGISED AT 25 OOO VOLTS FROM 00.01 HOURS ON TUESDAY (APRIL 6).
THE FIRST SECTION BETWEEN THE SHA TIN RACECOURSE AND THE NORTHERN END OF BEACON HILL TUNNEL WAS ENERGISED LAST JULY, FOLLOWED BY THE SECTION FROM THE NORTH PORTAL OF BEACON HILL TUNNEL DOWN TO RAILWAY BRIDGE NO. 7 IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KCR SAID TODAY THE ENERGISATION OF ALL OVERHEAD WIRES IN THE THIRD SECTION IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN PREPARATION FOR THE COMMISSIONING OF THE STAGE I INNER SUBURBAN SERVICE FROM KOWLOON TO SHA TIN ON MAY 6 - EXACTLY ONE MONTH FROM NOW.
♦WE ARE NOW ABLE TO CONDUCT SIMULATION RUNS OF OUR NEW ELECTRIC TRAINS ALONG THE ENTIRE INNER SUBURBAN ROUTE,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ENERGISED SECTION OF THE RAILWAY FROM KOWLOON STATION TO RACECOURSE NORTH HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FENCED IN AND HE WARNED THE PUBLIC NOT TO ATTEMPT TO DAMAGE THE FENCES.
THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO WARNED TO KEEP OFF THE TRACKS AT ALL TIMES BECAUSE ELECTRIC TRAINS ON TEST RUNS ARE FAST AND, AT TIMES, RUNNING AT A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 120 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
♦A WALK ON OUR RAILWAY TRACK IS SIMPLY A WALK TO THE CEMETERY,* HE ADDED.
TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY, THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT FROM NOW ON ALL RAILWAY ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN THE SECTION BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND RACECOURSE NORTH MUST BE TREATED AS *LIVE*. ANYONE GETTING TOO CLOSE TO THE OVERHEAD WIRES OR TAMPERING WITH THE EQUIPMENT COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED.
THE SPOKESMAN GAVE THE FOLLOWING LIST OF *DON’TS+ i
(1) DON’T DANGLE THINGS FROM OVERHEAD BRIDGES.
(2) DON’T THROW ANY OBJECTS AT THE OVERHEAD WIRES AND INSULATIONS.
(3) DON’T FLY KITES ANYWHERE NEAR THE RAILWAY.
(4) DON’T ATTEMPT TO RECOVER ANYTHING CAUGHT UP IN THE OVERHEAD WIRES.
(5) DON’T CLIMB OR LEAN OVER BRIDGES.
(6) DON’T TOUCH ANY ELECTRICAL WIRING ON THE TRACKS.
(7) DON’T SPRAY WATER IN THE DIRECTION OF THE OVERHEAD WIRE FROM BELOW OR ABOVE.
0
2
HONG KONG HARBOUR AMONG BUSIEST AND SAFEST IN THE WORLD
* * * *
HONG KONG HARBOUR IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST AND SAFEST IN THE WORLD AND RANKS WITH SAN FRANCISCO AND RIO DE JANEIRO AMONG THE THREE BEST NATURAL HARBOURS.
LAST YEAR 10 667 OCEAN-GOING VESSELS, TOTALLING 60 MILLION TONS, AND JUST OVER 18 000 LOCALLY-LICENSED CRAFT PLIED THE WATERo CF HONG KONG.
ADDITIONALLY RIVER TRADE CRAFT BROUGHT IN FROM CHINA
3.1 MILLION TONNES OF CARGO - MAINLY FOODSTUFFS FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION - AND CARRIED OUT JUST OVER 500 000 TONNES Op MOSTLY CONSUMER GOODS.
THE VOLUME OF CONTAINER THROUGHPUT INCREASED BY 6.5 PER CENT TO 1.56 MILLION TEU’S (TWENTY EQUIVALENT UNITS) OR UP TO 10.8 MIlLIC. TONNES.
TOTAL CARGO CARRIED BY VESSELS OF ALL TYPES WAS 32 MILLION TONNES, AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 1.3 MILLION TONNES OVER THE PRECEDING YEAR OR UP BY 4.2 PER CENT.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ENSURING THE SMOOTH FLOW OF ALL VESSELS IN AND OUT OF HONG KONG HARBOUR.
ITS NERVE CENTRE IS THE PORT CONTROL AND COMMUNICATION CENTRE, WHICH DOUBLES AS A SEARCH AND RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE FOR VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT IN DISTRESS IN HONG KONG TERRITORIAL WATERS AND A LARGE PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
THE CENTRE ALSO ALERTS OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE PORT HEALTH OFFICE AND THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON THE ARRIVAL OF VESSELS THAT MIGHT REQUIRE THEIR ATTENTION.
INCOMING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ARE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE CENTRE AT LEAST ONE DAY AHEAD OF THEIR ARRIVAL AND THE CENTRE WOULD DIRECT THE VESSELS TO THEIR DESIGNATED MOORING AND MONITOR THEIR MOVEMENTS AT ALL TIMES UNTIL THEIR DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG WATERS.
THE CENTRE COULD ESTABLISH DIRECT TELEPHONE LINK-UPS WITH NEARLY ALL SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT. IT ALSO HAS DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS LINKS WITH ITS COUNTERPARTS IN MOST PARTS OF THE WORLD.
IN DECEMBER 1980 HONG KONG BECAME ONE OF THE FEW PORTS IN THE FULLY IMPLEMENTED THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIGHTHOUSE AUTHORITIES (I.A.L.A.) MARITIME BUOYAGE SYSTEM.
ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED BUOYAGE 0THER BUOYAGE SYSTEMS IN USE IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD IS THAT IT HELPS MARINERS TO ESTABLISH THE POSITIONS OF THEIR VESSELS AND TO AVOID NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS, SUCH AS A SUBMERGED ROCK, REEF, SHOAL OR WRECK.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS 72 HARBOUR MOORING BUOYS OF WHICH 44 ARE CLASSIFIED AS +A+ BUOYS OF LARGE SHIPS AND THE REMAINING 28 ARE CLASSIFIED AS +B+ BUOYS FOR SMALLER SHIPS. MOST OF THESE BUOYS ARE APPROVED FOR USE AS SPECIAL TYPHOON MOORINGS.
/ADDITIONALLY THERE
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1982
- 3 -
ADDITIONALLY THERE ARE 258 MODERN MARINE AIDS TO NAVIGATION LOCATED THROUGHOUT HONG KONG WATERS TO ASSIST THE SAFE AND EASY MOVEMENT OF SHIPS TO THEIR BERTHS AND OUT OF THE HARBOUR.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEARING FLOTSAM AND JETSAM FROM THE HARBOUR. LAST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT’S HARBOUR SCAVENGERS CLEARED 4 700 TONNES OF GARBAGE FROM THE WATERS OF HONG KONG. ITS OPERATIONS ARE NOW BECOMING MORE MODERNISED AND PLANS NOW CALL FOR THE USE OF PURPOSE-DESIGNED CRAFT FOR SCAVENGING OPERATIONS WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS.
ADDING RECENTLY TO THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF HARBOUR ACTIVITY HAVE BEEN THE TWO LARGE SCALE PROJECTS IN THE FORM OF POWER STATIONS AT TAP SHEK KOK AND LAMMA ISLAND, WHICH REQUIRE THE SERVICES OF LARGE FUEL VESSELS THROUGH THE WATERS OF HONG KONG. WITH THIS, AND THE INCREASED GENERAL ACTIVITY IN MIND, THE GOVERNMENT IS NOw STUDYING PROPOSALS FOR A VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH COULD UTILISE THREE TYPES OF SENSOR -RADAR, VERY HIGH FREQUENCY-DIRECTION FINDING (V.H.F./D.F.) AND LOW-LIGHT TV.
SUCH A SYSTEM WOULD PROVIDE BLANKET COVERAGE OF ALL HONG KONG WATERS USED BY OCEAN-GOING VESSELS, AND WOULD HELP ENSURE THE CONTINUED SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE PORT.
ANOTHER SAFETY FACTOR CONCERNS THE USE OF LICENSED PORT PILOTS. ALTHOUGH NOT YET REQUIRED BY LAW THE SERVICES OF LICENSED PILOTS ARE USED BY ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF ALL OCEAN-GOING SHIPS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG HARBOUR. IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION, HOWEVER, TO MAKE SUCH PILOTAGE COMPULSORY WITHIN TWO TO THREE YEARS.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDES SURVEYORS TO CARRY OUT SURVEYS ON ANY BRITISH OR FOREIGN SHIPS PRIOR TO THE ISSUE CF SAFETY CERTIFICATES WHICH ARE REQUIRED UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA 1974 AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL SAFETY CONVENTIONS. A PLAN-APPROVAL SERVICE IS ALSO PROVIDED.
NOT SO WIDELY-KNOWN IS THE FACT THAT HONG KONG HAS THE LARGEST AND TECHNICALLY MOST ADVANCED FLEET OF HYDROFOILS AND HOVERCRAFT IN THE WORLD. THESE VESSELS ARE SURVEYED AND THEIR OPERATIONS REGULATED BY THE MARINE SAFETY DIVISION.
EXAMINATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY AS MASTERS, MATES AND ENGINEERS, ARE REGULARLY HELD AND ARE RECOGNISED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND ENTITLED TO COMMONWEALTH VALIDITY.
SHIPPING CASUALTIES ARE INVESTIGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS OFFICERS PLAY A PROMINENT PART IN MARINE COURTS OF ENQUIRY.
SAFE WORKING PRACTICES IN SHIPBUILDING, SHIPREPAIRING, SHIP-BREAK ING AND CARGO HANDLING AFLOAT IN HONG KONG wATERS ARE PROMOTED AND MONITORED AND THE CAUSE OF MARINE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS INVESTIGATED.
/HSLPED BY .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 4,
- 4 - .
HELPED BY A BASICALLY +NON-1NTERVENTION IST + ECONOMIC POLICY, HONG KONG’S DEEP-WATER HARBOUR HAS PROVED TO BE A MOST VALUABLE NATURAL ASSET THAT HAS MADE UP IN SOME WAY FOR THE LACK OF NATURAL RESOURCES, OTHER THAN ITS HARD-WORKING AND ENTERPRIS ING PEOPLE.
WAREHOUSE FACILITIES FOR EXAMPLE ARE RUN BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISES, UNLIKE OTHER INTERNATIONAL PORTS WHERE THEY ARE USUALLY OPERATED BY PORT AUTHORITIES.
LIGHTERED BREAK-BULK CARGOES ARE, HOWEVER, GENERALLY wORKE. OVER WATERFRONTS CONTROLLED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS AT KWAI CHUNG FOLLOWING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE MAJORITY OF A CONSULTANTS REPORT BY GOVERNMENT WILL FUPTK-EXPAND THE KWAI-CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL, ALREADY ONE OF THE MOS' MODERN AND EFFICIENT IN THE WORLD, WITH AN AVERAGE TURNROUND RvTE PER CONTAINER VESSEL OF 15 HOURS.
------0-------
BOOM NET TO TRAP SEA-BORNE REFUSE * * * *
A PILOT SCHEME USING BOOM NETS TO TRAP REFUSE AT PUBLIC BATHING BEACHES HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TO IMPROVE THE CLEANSING SERVICE AT BEACHES.
REPEATED TRIALS OF THE HOME-MADE DEVICE HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED AT KADOORIE BEACH IN TUEN MUN AND HAVE PROVED SUCCESSFUL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE EXERCISE IS NOW BEING EXTENDED TO ALL 29 GAZETTED BEACHES THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OUTLYING ISLANDS TO FURTHER TEST ITS EFFECTIVENESS.
IT IS HOPED THAT BOOM NETS WILL BE PLACED IN POSITION AT ALL THE GAZETTED BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN JULY TO COINCIDE WITH THE BEACH CLEAN-UP PHASE OF THE CURRENT CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.
EACH BOOM NET IS ABOUT 50 METRES IN LENGTH AND THREE METRES IN WIDTH WITH 51 PLASTIC BUOYS AND 150 PLASTIC BALLS TO HOLD THE NET IN PLACE IN THE WATER. IT ALSO INVOLVES THE USE OF SOME 2.5 KILOGRAMMES OF LEAD IN THE SUSPENDED PART OF THE NET UNDER WATER AND BOTH ENDS OF THE NET ARE FASTENED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA.
ONLY ONE OR TWO NETS WILl BE PUT UP AT EACH BEACH DEPENDING ON THE PHYSICAL VIABILITY OF THE BEACH.
NORMALLY, THE NET MOUNTED WITH FLOATS WILL BE POSITIONED IN COMPARATIVELY SHALLOW1 WATER AT ONE END OF THE BEACH PROBABLY OUTSIDE THE BUOY LINES USED FOR MARKING SAFE SWIMMING AREAS FOR BATHERS WHEN LARGE QUANTITY OF DEBRIS IS SIGHTED TO BE /.ASHING II
WHEN THE TIDE EBBS, THE REFUSE WILL BE EITHER TRAPPED WITHIN THE NET OR CAUGHT BY THE NET ITSELF, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE TRAPPED DEBRIS WILL THEN BE CLEARED AWAY BY STAFF OF THE NTSD. THIS WILL STOP THE FLOTSAM FROM FLOATING ROUND TO OTHER BEACHES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----0-------- /5........................
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1982
- 5 -
PROPERTY OWNERS REQUIRED TO REPORT CHANGE * * * *
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED PROPERTY OWNERS THAT THEY SHOULD INFORM THE DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ONCE THEY STOPPED OCCUPYING THEIR PREMISES EXCLUSIVELY FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE REQUIREMENT APPLIED TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS, INCLUDING JOINT OWNERS AND OWNERS IN COMMON, WHO HAD OCCUPIED PREMISES SOLELY AND EXCLUSIVELY FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES AND FOR WHICH PROPERTY TAX HAD NOT BEEN CHARGED OR REDUCED.
♦THEY SHOULD INFORM THE DEPARTMENT IN WRITING WITHIN THREE MONTHS SHOULD THEY CEASE TO OCCUPY SUCH PREMISES EXCLUSIVELY FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS REGARDS PROPERTY OWNED BY CORPORATIONS WHERE PROPERTY TAX HAS BEEN EXEMPTED, ANY CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP OR USE WHICH MAY AFFECT SUCH EXEMPTION MUST BE REPORTED TO THE DEPARTMENT IN WRITING WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE CHANGE HAS TAKEN PLACE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
♦THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE PROVIDES HEAVY PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS,♦ HE SAID.
PROPERTY OWNERS REQUIRING FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THEIR OBLIGATIONS SHOULD CALL THE ASSESSOR-IN-CHARGE OF PROPERTY TAX ON 5-79595217 OR WRITE TO THE DEPARTMENT, GPO BOX 132, HONG KONG. PERSONAL ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE AT THE PROPERTY TAX SECTION, 17TH FLOOR, WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG.
------o-------
NEW TIMETABLE FOR TWO MAX I CAB ROUTES
* * *
KOWLOON PLB MAXICAB ROUTE 9, RUNNING CIRCULAR OPERATIONS BETWEEN UPPER PAK TIN ESTATE AND SHEK KIP MEI MTR STATION, WILL INCREASE ITS BASIC FREQUENCY FROM FOUR MINUTES TO THREE MINUTES FROM TUESDAY (APRIL 6).
AT THE SAME TIME, HONG KONG ISLAND PLB MAXICAB ROUTE 20, FROM CHAI WAN FERRY TO SAI WAN HO WILL ALTER ITS TIMETABLE BY OPERATING BETWEEN 6 AM AND 11.42 PM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS AND BETWEEN 6 AM AND 12.48 AM ON WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOL(DAYS.
-----o------
o
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1982
6
TENNIS WITHIN EASY REACH FOR TAI PO PEOPLE
*****
TENNIS HAS COME WITHIN EASY REACH FOR PEOPLE IN TAI PO SINCc THE OPENING OF TWO TEMPORARY TENNIS COURTS ON TING KOK ROAD ABOUT A WEEK AGO.
IN WELCOMING THIS NEW FACILITY, THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR NICKY LO, SAID: +FOR THE FIRST TIME, TENNIS ENTHUSIASTS IN TAI PO WILL BE ABLE TO PLAY IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT, WITHOUT THE NEED OF TRAVELLING A LONG WAY.*
HE STRESSED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT, AMIDST THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN, TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES WERE AVAILABLE TO THE LOCAL RESIDENTS.
♦THE OPENING OF THE TENNIS COURTS WILL CERTAINLY GO A LONG WAY TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR SUCH FACILITIES,* MR LO ADDED.
LOCATED NEAR THE BUS TERMINUS OPPOSITE TAI YUEN ESTATE, THE TENNIS COURTS ARE BUILT ON A SITE WHICH IS NOT REQUIRED FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THIS TEMPORARY TENNIS COMPLEX WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS DURING WHICH THE TAI PO INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WILL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
AMONG OTHER SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THE CENTRE WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF OPEN-AIR TENNIS COURTS.
THE JUST-OPENED TENNIS COURTS WERE BUILT BY THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AT A COST OF $159 000. FLOOD-LIGHTS WILL BE INSTALLED FOR EVENING ACTIVITIES, WITH FUNDS TO BE PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD.
AT PRESENT, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE IS PLANNING TO HOLD TENNIS TRAINING SESSIONS FOR INTERESTED PARTIES.
IN ADDITION, STARTING FROM MAY 14, THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION WILL ORGANISE A FIVE-WEEK TRAINING COURSE
AT A CHARGE OF $15 PER PERSON. THE COURSE WILL BE HELD TWICE A WEEK ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.
MR LO, WHO IS ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, SAID HE WOULD ENROLL AS ONE OF THE 20 PARTICIPANTS FOR THE FIRST TRAINING COURSE.
o --------
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 1982
7
NEW SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX FOR KWAI CHUNG * * *
A NEW SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WILL SOON BE BUILT IN KWAI CHUNG.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE COMPLEX, TO BE BUILT NEXT TO SHEK YAM ESTATE AT WO YI HOP ROAD, COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 7 OOO SQUARE METRES.
ON COMPLETION, IT WILL HAVE A 50M BY 25M MAIN POOL, A TEACH ING/TRAIN ING POOL, A DIVING POOL AND A PADDLING POOL.
OTHER FACILITIES SUCH AS CHANGING ROOMS AND A REFRESHMENT CAFE WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN JULY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
SALT WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREAS IN NORTH POINT WILL BE CUT OFF FOR 24 HOURS FROM 9 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 7) TO 9 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WORK ON THE SALT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM.
PREMISES AFFECTED WILL BE THOSE LOCATED IN BRAEMAR HILL ROAD, CLOUD VIEW ROAD, TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD, YEE KING ROAD, LAI TAK ESTATE, AND LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER 1981 ........................................................ 1
NEW POLICY ON GAS WATER HEATER INSTALLATION ................. 7
MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 1982 ..... 10
TENDERS FOR PLEASURE BOATS FOR HIRE AT CASTLE PEAK BEACH .... 11
HONG KONG CHALLENGES EEC MANDATE ON MFA...................... 12
VACANCIES FOR ARTISANS AND TECHNICIANS
13
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1982
1
EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER 1981 *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN DECEMBER 1981.
THESE WERE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL CONDUCTED EVERY QUARTER BY THE DEPARTMENT COVERING THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR- THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS.
A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERS BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE OVERALL FIGURES, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1980 AND SEPTEMBER 1981 ARE AS FOLLOWS!
SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY DEC. EMPLOYMENT IN DEC. 81 PERCENTAGE CHANGE
80 SEPT. , 81 DEC. 81 ON DEC. 80 DEC. 81 ON SEPT. 81
MANUFACTURING 907 500 904 600 905 900 - 0.2 ♦ 0.1
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON SITES ONLY) 90 500 82 700 88 900 - 1.8 ♦ 7.4
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 455 130 474 000 483 800 * 6.3 + 2.1
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 131 600 148 900 154 800 + 17.6 + 3.9
A COMPARISON OF THE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1981 WITH THOSE FOR THE SIMILAR PERIOD IN 1980, SHOWED THERE WERE INCREASES IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
THE RAPID GROWTH RATE IN THE FINANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR CONTINUED- EMPLOYMENT IN THIS SECTOR IN DECEMBER 1981, AT 154 830 WAS 17.6 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER l«>80.
/EMPLOYMENT IK .......
MONDAY, APRIL 5( 1982
2
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR IN DECEMBER 1981, AT 483 800, WAS 6.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1980. ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND BUILDING AND CONSTRUCT ON SITES DECREASED BY 0.2 PER CENT AND 1.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.
A COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1981 WITH THOSE FOR SEPTEMBER 1981, SHOWED THERE WERE INCREASES OF VARYING MAGNITUDE IN EACH OF THE FOUR SECTORS ABOVE. THE HIGHEST INCREASE OF 7.4 PER CENT, REGISTERED IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES, wAS DUE TO THE INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT IN PUBLIC WORKS AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT SITES. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY INCREASES OF 3.9 PER CENT AND 2.1 PER CENT IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR RESPECTIVELY. THERE wAS NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
TOGETHER WITH EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ALSO PUBLISHED VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR- THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR- AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR IN DECEMBER 1981. THESE WERE COMPILED FROM THE NUMBER OF JOB VACANCIES REPORTED BY ESTABLISHMENTS COVERED BY THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN THESE SECTORS. THE OVERALL FIGURES, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1980 AND SEPTEMBER 1981, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE
DEC. 80 SEPT. 81 DEC. 81 DEC. 81 ON DEC. 80 DEC. 81 ON SEPT. 81
MANUFACTURING 42 000 47 900 44 100 + 4.9 - 7.9
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 5 800 6 600 6 500 + 12.0 - 0.5
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 2 900 2 200 2 300 -22.8 + 1.2
THE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1981 COMPARED wITH THOSE FOR THE SAME TIME IN 1980, SHOWED INCREASES OF 4.9 PER CENT AND 12 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR RESPECTIVELY. FOR THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES DECREASED BY 22.8 PER CENT RELATIVE TO THE SAME TIME IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
FIGURES .......
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1982
THE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1981 COMPARED WITH THOSE FOR SEPTEMBER 1981, SHOWED DECREASES OF 7.9 PER CENT AND 0.5 PER CEN~ IN THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A MINOR INCREASE OF 1.2 PER CENT WAS OBSERVED IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR- THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR- AND THE FINANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN
% CHANGE
SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY 4TH QTR. 1980 3RD QTR. 1981 4TH QTR. 1981 4TH QTR.81 ON 4TH QTR.80 4TH QTR.81 ON 3RD QTR.81
HKS MN HK$ MN HK$ MN
MANUFACTURING 4 228 4 770 5 076 +20.1 ♦ 6.4
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 2 339 2 674 2 981 +27.4 + 11.5
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 1 211 1 351 1 671 ♦38.0 +23.7
RELATIVE TO THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AS WELL AS THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS INCREASED IN EACH OF THE ABOVE SECTORS. THE INCREASE WAS PARTICULARLY RAPID IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, WHICH REGISTERED INCREASES CF 23.7 PER CENT AND 38.0 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO RESPECTIVELY.
TO ADJUST FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL PAYROLL OUTLAYS ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED. TO FURTHER ALLO* FOR DIFFERENCES IN PURCHASING POWER, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS ADJUSTED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED. VALUES OF THESE TWO INDICES ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELO*:
/NOMINAL INDEX OF ........
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 19&2
SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 - 100) % CHANGE
DEC. 81 ON DEC. 80 DEC. 81 ON SEPT. 81
DEC. 80 SEPT. 81 DEC. 81
MANUFACTURING 114.8 122.5 138.4 +20.6 + 13.0
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 127.4 124.8 155.6 +22.1 +24.7
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 152.2 120.2 172.9 ♦ 13.6 +43.8
SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 - 100) % CHANGE
DEC. 81 ON DEC. 80 DEC. 81 ON SEPT. 81
DEC. 80 SEPT. 81 DEC. 81
MANUFACTURING 107.7 102.3 114.0 + 5.8 + 11.4
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 119.5 104.2 128.2 + 7.3 +23.0
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 142.8 100.3 142.4 - 0.3 +42.0
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1980, INCREASES OF 20.6 PER CENT, 22.1 PER CENT AND 13.6 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PIERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR- WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR-AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED SHOWED INCREASES OF 5.8 PER CENT AND 7.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR- AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR.
/THE FINANCE.........
5
nvnvHi, At'KJ.l. •), l^c«r
THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR RECORDED AN INSIGNIFICANT DECREASE OF 0.3 PER CENT. THE RELATIVELY MODERATE CHANGES IN THE INDICES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR INDICATE THAT THE RAPID INCREASE IN TOTAL PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THIS SECTOR WAS LARGELY DUE TO A RAPID INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1981, INCREASES OF 13 PER CENT, 24.7 PER CENT AND 43.8 PER CENT IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WERE REGISTERED RESPECTIVELY IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR- THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. THESE RAPID INCREASES WERE LARGELY DUE TO YEAR-END BONUSES MADE IN DECEMBER 1981.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE ABOVE SECTORS WERE 11.4 PER CENT, 23.0 PER CENT AND 42.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR SELECTED INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES WITHIN THE FOUR SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES FOLLOWING.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND
FROM THE EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DETAILS OF EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
I. MANUFACTURING SECTOR
INDUSTRY GROUP EMPLOYMENT IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE
DEC. 80 SEPT. 81 DEC. 81 DEC. 81 ON DEC. 80 DEC. 81 ON SEPT. 81
WEARING APPAREL (EXCLUDING KNITWEAR FROM YARN) 263 700 258 300 259 700 - 1.5 + 0.5
TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITWEAR FROM YARN) 127 600 123 400 122 600 - 3.9 - 3.6
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPL IES, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 122 130 124 100 124 800 + 2.2 ♦ 3.5
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 86 130 89 130 89 130 + 3.6 —
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 84 200 82 100 82 400 + 2.2 + 3.4
/II. BUILDING .....
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1982
6 -
CONTRACTING PARTY II. BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
(MANUAL WORKERS ON SITES ONLY)
EMPLOYMENT IN PERCENTAGE CHAISE
DEC. 80 SEPT. 81 DEC. 81 DEC. 81 ON DEC. 80 DEC. 61 ON SEPT. 81
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 16 500 16 500 20 300 +23.0 +23.0
HOUSING DEPARTMENT 16 000 15 000 16 500 + 3.1 +10.0
MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION * 3 800 1 700 2 000 -47.4 +17.6
PRIVATE SECTOR 54 200 49 500 50 000 - 7.7 + 1.0
* CONSTRUCTION SITES UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION REFER TO M.T.R. CONTRACTS FOR WHICH WORK WAS IN PROGRESS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD
III. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR
INDUSTRY GROUP EMPLOYMENT IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE
DEC. 80 SEPT. 81 DEC. 81 DEC. 81 ON DEC. 80 DEC. 81 ON SEPT. 81
WHOLESALE TRADE 50 700 52 800 53 300 + 5.2 + 1.1
RETAIL TRADE 152 800 155 900 156 500 + 2.4 + 0.4
IMPORT/EXPORT BUSINESS 113 800 119 500 124 000 + 9.0 * 3.8
RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS 118 200 125 200 128 600 + 8.8 + 2.7
HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES 19 600 20 600 21 400 ♦ 9.0 + 3.6
/IV. FINANCE.........
MONDAY, APRIL 5. 1982
7
IV. FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR
INDUSTRY GROUP DEC. EMPLOYMENT IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE
, 80 SEPT. 81 DEC. 81 ON DEC. 80 DEC. cl ON SEPT. 81
DEC. 61
MONETARY INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING BANKS 44 800 47 800 49 400 +13.3 + 3.4
REAL ESTATE COMPANIES 19 300 22 300 23 100 + 19.7 ♦ 3.7
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 20 000 24 700 26 200 +31.2 + 6.0
ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING FIRMS 5 100 5 600 5 703 + 11.0 + 1.7
ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL AND TECHNICAL SERVICES 8 300 9 800 10 300 +23.9 + 5.3
-----o------
NEW POLICY ON GAS WATER HEATER INSTALLATION MM* *
THE GAS INDUSTRY HAS TAKEN IMPORTANT DECISIONS THAT WILL ENSURE THE SAFETY OF FUTURE GAS WATER HEATER INSTALLATIONS.
IT HAS BEEN AGREED THAT NO NEW INSTALLATIONS OF OPEN FLUED WATER HEATERS, THAT IS THE TYPE WITH A ROUND FLUE PIPE GOING THROUGH THE WALL TO A TERMINAL, WILL BE MADE IN BATHROOMS. THIS IS BECAUSE IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO MAKE THIS TYPE OF INSTALLATION COMPLETELY SAFE UNLESS THERE IS A LOT OF VENTILATION IN THE BATHROOM WHEN THE HEATER IS IN OPERATION.
NEW BATH WATER HEATERS WILL BE THE ROOM SEALED TYPE. THESE REQUIRE ONLY A SHORT FLUE THROUGH THE WALL, REQUIRE NO SPECIAL ROOM VENTILATION AND THUS THERE IS NO NEED TO OPEN A WINDOW WHEN IT IS OPERATING.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CHECK THAT ANY BATH WATER HEATER THEY BOUGHT WAS THE ROOM SEALED, ALSO KNOWN AS THE BALANCED FLUED, TYPE.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN AGREED THAT THE SMALL FLUELESS SINK WATER HEATER WILL NOT BE FITTED IN BATHROOMS AND wILL BE USED ONLY TO PROVIDE WATER FOR A SINK. THIS MEANS THAT IT WILL ONLY BE WORKING FOR A SHORT TIME, CERTAINLY NOT MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES.
/IT WILL bl .....
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1982
8
IT WILL BE NECESSARY AS AN INTERIM MEASURE TO USE THE FLUELESc HEATER TO PROVIDE HOT WATER FOR A SHOWER IN SOME BUILDINGS JUST COMPLETED OR NEARING COMPLETION AS THESE MAY NOT HAVE PROVISION FDR FITTING THE ROOM SEALED TYPE. THE FLUELESS HEATERS WILL BE FITTED ONLY IN SELECTED WELL VENTILATED PLACES AND NEVER IN ROOMS WHERE THERE IS A SHOWER OR BATH.
EFFORTS ARE ALSO BEING MADE BY THE GAS INDUSTRY TO UPGRADE EXISTING OPEN FLUED AND FLUELESS HEATERS, BY REPLACING THEM WITH BALANCED FLUED UNITS OR FAN FLUED HEATERS.
THE NEW POLICY ON GAS WATER HEATER INSTALLATION WAS INTRODUCED FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND GAS INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES OF A LIAISON GROUP SET UP TO CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE GAS CONSULTANTS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT AN OVERALL STUDY OF THE SAFETY AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF TOWNGAS AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WORK WAS PROCEEDING NOW ON THE DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE SUITABLE PROVISION TO BE MADE IN EACH NEWLY-BUILT FLAT FOR A ROOM SEALED GAS WATER HEATER FOR A BATH OR SHOWER TO BE FITTED. HE DISCLOSED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING HAD ALREADY DECIDED THAT ALL FUTURE GOVERNMENT BUILT HOUSING, AND AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THOSE BEING BUILT AT PRESENT, WOULD MEET THIS REQUIREMENT.
A PRACTICE NOTE HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO ALL AUTHORISED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS URGING THEM TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION NOW IN ADVANCE OF THE LEGISLATION. THE NOTE ADVISES THAT TO ENABLE A ROOM SEALED HEATER TO BE FITTED IT IS NECESSARY AT THE DESIGN STAGE OF A BUILDING TO ALLOW FOR A PREFORMED HOLE, TO TAKE THE HEATER FLUE, TO BE PROVIDED AT A SUITABLE POSITION IN AN OUTSIDE WALL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CO-OPERATION OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS WAS ALSO BEING SOUGHT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT THE SAFETY MEASURE.
COMMENTING FURTHER ON THE PROGRESS OF FOLLOW-UP ACTION ON THE CONSULTANTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID HEADWAY WAS BEING MADE IN A NUMBER OF AREAS.
+SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND SECRETARIAT BRANCHES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN REGULAR DISCUSSIONS AS WELL AS CONSULTATIONS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR SINCE THE CONSULTANTS’ REPORT WAS PUBLISHED 10 WEEKS AGO. THE DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS AT AN EARLY STAGE AND, GIVEN THAT THE REPORT DEALS WITH THE FULL RANGE OF GAS OPERATIONS, MUCH WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE ON WHAT IS A HIGHLY TECHNICAL AND COMPLEX MATTER,+ HE EXPLAINED.
GOVERNMENT STAFF AND THE TWO GAS ENGINEERS SECONDED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM TO ADVISE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE PAID NUMEROUS SITE VISITS TO INSPECT INSTALLATIONS AND APPLIANCES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND IN PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION, BULK STORES, MANUFACTURING PLANTS, DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AND TRAINING FACILITIES, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
/AN EXERCISE
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 19&2
- 9 -
AN EXERCISE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF GAS WATER HEATERS IN EXISTENCE IN HONG KONG, BY THE INCLUSION OF RELEVANT QUESTIONS IN THE LAST GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE RETURNS ARE BEING PROCESSED NOW. A FACT-FINDING EXERCISE IS ALSO BEING CARRIED OUT AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES BY THE HOUSING AUTHOR ITY.
PLANNING IS IN HAND TO DEVISE AN EFFECTIVE METHOD OF REPORTING GAS-RELATED ACCIDENTS WITH THE AIM OF PROVIDING ACCURATE AND ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON THE CAUSES WITHOUT INTERFERING WITH RESCUE OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY REMEDIAL WORK.
A FULL EXAMINATION IS BEING CARRIED OUT ON A LARGE NUMBER CF BULK LPG INSTALLATIONS WITH A VIEW TO PRESCRIBING THE ACTION NEEDED TO BRING THEM UP TO THE STANDARD REQUIRED BY THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE.
THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING WITH BUILDING AUTHORITIES AND THE OIL COMPANIES THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF USING CYLINDERS IN MULTI-STOREY DOMESTIC APARTMENT BLOCKS. THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO LOOKING AT AND DISCUSSING WITH THE PARTIES CONCERNED THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY AN INCREASED TOWNGAS SUPPLY AND BULK LPG SUPPLY CAN BE PROVIDED.
THE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO CONSIDER THE INTRODUCTION OF FORMAL COURSES TO SUPPLEMENT THE TRAINING ALREADY PROVIDED BY THE GAS INDUSTRY. A MANPOWER SURVEY WILL BE CONDUCTED THROUGH THE CONTRACTORS OF THE OIL COMPANIES SO THAT AN ASSESSMENT OF TRAINING NEEDS CAN BE MADE. BY OBTAINING INFORMATION ON CRAFTSMEN AND OTHERS INVOLVED IN THE VARIOUS STRATA OF THE INDUSTRY IT WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE TO DRAW UP UNIFORM JOB SPECIFICATIONS FOR EACH TRADE, THEREBY ALLOWING FOR BETTER REGULATION OF STANDARDS.
ON THE SUBJECT OF PUBLICITY THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN ADDITION TO THE GAS SAFETY MESSAGES SEEN FREQUENTLY ON TELEVISION, A SPECIAL PROGRAMME ON THE PROPER USE OF GAS WATER HEATERS HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SHOWN TO AN ESTIMATED 5OO 000 SCHOOL CHILDREN THROUGH THE NORMAL ETV CHANNELS. A CIRCULAR HAS BEEN SENT TO ALL SCHOOLS ADVISING THE STAFF TO ENSURE THAT PUPILS ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE POSSIBLE DANGERS ARISING FROM THE USE OF GAS AND OF THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF INTERVIEWS WITH CANDIDATES FOR THE JOB OF GAS ADVISER AND TWO SUPPORTING POSTS OF CHIEF ENGINEER, IT IS HOPED THAT THESE POSTS WILL BE FILLED BY JULY.
-------o----------
/10........
10
MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 1982 * * * *
THE MONEY SUPPLY AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 1982 ARE PUBLISHED TODAY. THE MONETARY AGGREGATES ARE STILL AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
A REDUCTION IN THE DEMAND FOR TRANSACTION BALANCES (NOTE> AND COINS, CURRENT ACCOUNTS AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS) AFTER THE LUNAR NEw YEAR CAUSED THE MONEY SUPPLY, ON FIVE OF THE SIX DEFINITIONS, TO FALL IN FEBRUARY, BUT THERE WAS A FURTHER RIS-IN THE GROWTH OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG DURING THE MONTr. PARTLY REFLECTING THE CONTINUED DEMAND FOR CREDIT ARISING FROM THE NEED TO PAY PROFITS AND SALARIES TAXES.
MONEY SUPPLY
THE MONEY IN FEBRUARY BY INCREASING BY,
SUPPLY ON THE NARROW DEFINITION, MI-TOTAL, FELL EIGHT PER CENT AND HK$M1 BY 8.5 PER CENT, AFTER . RESPECTIVELY, 8.9 PER CENT AND 8.6 PER CENT IN JANUARY. THE FEBRUARY OUTTURN REFLECTED A REDUCTION OF 13.5 PER CENT IN NOTES AND COINS HELD BY THE PUBLIC AFTER THE LUNAR ^YEAR AND ALS0 A FALL 0F 3-7 PER CENT IN DEMAND DEPOSITS WITH BANKS.
a -a °’6 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, DOWN FROM
A 3,1 PER CENT R,SE IN JANUARY. M3-T0TAL ROSE BY 0.1 PER CENT
IN FEBRUARY, ALSO DOWN FROM AN INCREASE OF 2.3 PER CENT IN
BY1-2 PER CENT’4FTER RISING
AM IJoelce IHREE M0NTHS HK$M3 ROSE BY 3.5 PER CENT, UP FROM AN INCREASE OF 1.8 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS.
LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG
LOANS BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FOR USE IN HONG KONG ROSE IN FEBRUARY BY 3.6 PER CENT, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 2.5 PER CENT IN JANUARY. IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, TOTAL LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 10.5 PER CENT, AGAINST AN INCREASE OF 7.5 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS.
LOANS BY BANKS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ROSE IN FEBRUARY BY 3.8 PER CENT, AND SIMILAR LOANS BY DEPOSIT-TAK I NG COMPANIES BY 3.1 PER CENT, FOLLOWING THE INCREASES OF 2.5 PER CENT AND 2.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
-ORE I GN CURRENCY ASSETS
THE NET FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS OF ALL BANKS FELL IN FEBRUARY BY 82 474M., WHILE THE NET FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES OF ALl DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 3221M., INDICATING A NET OUTFLOw OF FUNDS FROM THE HONG KONG MONETARY SECTOR OF 82 695M., COMPARE; wITH A NET OUTFLOW OF S537M. IN THb PREVIOUS MONTH. IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS THE NET OUTFLOW OF FUNDS FROM THE MONETARY SECTOR AMOUNTED TO $2 580M., AFTER A NET INFLOW TO THE SECTOR OF 3398M IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS.
/'BALANCE SHEET ........
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 19fe2
11
BALANCE SHEET RATIOS
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIOS (AS DEFINED IN S. 18 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE) FOR ALL BANKS IN HONG KONG ROSE IN FEBRUARY TO 54.5 PER CENT FROM 54.2 PER CENT IN JANUARY. THE RATIO OF THEIR LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG TO THEIR DEPOSITS ROSE TO 103.1 PER CENT AT THE END OF FEBRUARY FROM 100 PER CENT AT THE END OF JANUARY.
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S. 24A OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE) FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE TO 48.1 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY FROM 46.’5 PER CENT IN JANUARY. THE RATIO OF THEIR LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG TO THEIR DEPOSITS ROSE TO 70.1 PER CENT AT THE END OF FEBRUARY FROM 69 PER CENT AT THE END OF JANUARY.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING BANKS IN FEBRUARY WAS UNCHANGED AT 121. THE NUMBER OF REPORTING DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCREASED BY ONE TO 352, COMPRISING ONE LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY AND 351 REGISTERED DEPCSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
--------0 - -
TENDERS FOR PLEASURE BOATS FOR HIRE AT CASTLE PEAK BEACH
* * * *
TENDERS ARE NOW BEING INVITED FOR THE PROVISION OF PLEASURE BOATS FOR HIRE AT CASTLE PEAK BEACH IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHERE MORE THAN 100 000 BEACH-GOERS ENJOYED THEIR PASTIME LAST YEAR.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDER CAN START OPEf&TING BUSINESS ON MAY 16 AND THE CONTRACT WILL EXPIRE ON MAY 15, 1983, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY.
TENDER FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF AUSTIN CENTRE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE THIRD FLOOR OF NTSD HEADQUARTERS BEFORE FRIDAY, MAY 7.
ENQUIRIES ON FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SECTION OF NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON TELEPHONE 3-678715.
MONDAY, APRIL 5. 1982
HONG KONG CHALLENGES EEC MANDATE ON MFA ' *****
THE LONDON OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TODAY RELEASED A SURVEY OF UK TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING COVERING THE WHOLE PERIOD OF THE SECOND MULT I-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA II - 1978-61) WHICH SHOWS THATj
* MFA I I HAS NOT BEEN A BALANCED ARRANGEMENT BECAUSE THE SHARE OF UK IMPORTS HELD BY SUPPLIERS IN LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES (LDCS) HAS DROPPED TO 30 PER CENT, WHEREAS SUPPLIERS IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES HAVE INCREASED THEIR SHARE TO 67 PER CENT.
* THE CUT-BACKS IMPOSED ON HONG KONG IN 1977 HAVE BENEFITED NEITHER THE UK INDUSTRY NOR OTHER LDC SUPPLIERS- THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES HAVE BEEN EEC SUPPLIERS, WHO HAVE INCREASED THEIR SHARE OF THE UK IMPORT MARKET FROM 38 PER CENT TO 42 PER CENT.
* THE MASSIVE DETERIORATION IN THE UK VISIBLE TRADE BALANCE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING HAS BEEN MAINLY DUE TO THE TRADE WITH DEVELOPED BOUNTRIES GOING INTO DEFICIT, COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS PRIOR TO MFA II.
* THE UK INDUSTRY'S MAIN PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE LACK OF COMPETITIVENESS WITH DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, MANY OF WHICH HAVE MUCH HIGHER WAGE RATES, AND THERE IS NO INDICATION OF ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN PRODUCTIVITY.
THE SURVEY HAS BEEN RELEASED TO COINCIDE WITH THE VISIT TO LONDON, BRUSSELS AND GENEVA, OF MR BILL DORWARD, HONG KONG’S DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS.
MR DORWARD POINTED OUT THAT THE FALLING IMPORT SHARES OF LDC SUPPLIERS GAVE NO JUSTIFICATION FOR MORE RESTRICTIVE MEASURES UNDER THE RECENTLY NEGOTIATED MFA III, AND YET IT APPEARED THAT THE EEC HAD ADOPTED A MANDATE WHICH COULD BE USED TO GIVE EFFECT TO PROTECTIONIST DEMANDS IN THE COMMUNITY, SUCH AS THOSE OF THE UK INDUSTRY.
♦IF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE LAST 23 YEARS AND MORE IS ANYTHING TO GO BY, IT IS THAT THOSE WHO LOBBY ON BEHALF OF THE UK TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES ARE NEVER SATISFIED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME NO MATTER HOW HIGH THE LEVEL OF PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT,+ SAID MR DORWARD.
+CONS(DERATION OF BRITAIN’S OVERALL NATIONAL INTEREST WOULD BE FURTHERED BY AN IMPARTIAL OFFICIAL REVIEW OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE UK TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, THE CAUSES OF THOSE PROBLEMS, AND THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF ANY MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE THEM,* HE SAID.
SIR JACK CATER, HONG KONG’S COMMISSIONER IN LONDON. HAS SENT THE SURVEY TO THOSE MPS WHO TAKE AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG AND IN TEXTILES TO SEEK THEIR SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG IN THE FORTHCOMING BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EEC.
/RECALLING THE
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1982
13
RECALLING THE SUPPORT FROM ALL SIDES IN PARLIAMENT FOR RECOGNITION OF HONG KONG’S OPEN MARKET, ESTIMATED TO BE BRITAIN’S BEST EXPORT MARKET IN ASIA, SIR JACK SAID IT WAS FEARED THAT THE EEC WOULD DEMAND FURTHER CUT-BACKS FROM HONG KONG UNDER THREAT OF MORE DRASTIC ACTION IF HONG KONG DID NOT AGREE.
+IN ACCEDING TO MFA III, HONG KONG ENTERED INTO A COMMITMENT TO SEEK MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE SOLUTIONS TO TRADE PROBLEMS WHICH THE IMPORTING COUNTRIES, SUCH AS THE EEC, MAY BE EXPERIENCING,* SIR JACK SAID.
+BUT THE EEC HAS YET TO JUSTIFY ITS DEMANDS FOR CUT-BACKS.+
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VACANCIES FOR ARTISANS AND TECHNICIANS * * *
THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS TO FILL A LARGE NUMBER OF VACANCIES FOR SENIOR ARTISANS AND ARTISANS IN THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FIELDS IN THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE EXTRA STAFF WAS REQUIRED FOR THE RAILWAY’S +ELECTRIFICATI ON PLAN*.
THE SENIOR POST CARRIED A STARTING SALARY OF $2. 845 A MONTH RISING TO $3 160, AND THE JUNIOR POST, $2 350 TO S2 770.
APPLICANTS FOR SENIOR ARTISAN SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED AN APPRENTICESHIP IN THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FIELDS OR EQUIVALENT TRAINING PLUS THREE YEARS OR MORE WORKING EXPERIENCE IN THE RELEVANT FIELD. THE ARTISAN SHOULD HAVE FOUR YEARS’ RELEVANT WORKING EXPERIENCE OR HAVE COMPLETED AN APPRENTICESHIP IN THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FIELDS OR EQUIVALENT TRAINING.
IN ADDITION, APPLICANTS FOR THE POSTS SHOULD BE OF GOOD PHYSIQUE AND BE ABLE TO SPEAK FLUENT CANTONESE AND READ AND WRITE SIMPLE CHINESE.
THE DUTIES INCLUDE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE ELECTRIC MULTIPLE UNITS. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM SHIFT DUTIES.
THOSE INTERESTED MAY APPROACH ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE IS ALSO RECRUITING ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRING TECHNICIANS FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMEN" AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONES 3-666615, 3-695525 AND 5-273276.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
METRICATION PROGRAMMES IN SULL SWING .................. 1
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLEARED PROM WONG TAI SIN .... 2
PUBLIC WARNED ABOUT ENDANGERED ANIMALS ................ 3
NEW APPROACHES FOR PRIMARY MATHS TEACHERS ............. 4
JOINT EXERCISE......................................... 4
BISHOP KWONG VISITS PENAL INSTITUTIONS ................ 5
COURSE FEE REVISION FOR INDOOR DRIVING INSTRUCTION .... 5
HOLIDAY HOURS FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT ................... 6
WATER FIGURES
6
TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1982
1
METRICATION PROGRAMMES IN FULL SWING * X * #
THE PROPER CHINESE TERMINOLOGY FOR METRIC UNITS WILL EE DISCUSSED, AMONG OTHER SUBJECTS, AT A SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN GUANGZHOU, CHINA FROM APRIL 27 TO 30, WHICH WILL BE ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM HONG KONG, SINGAPORE, MACAU AND CHINA.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), PROFESSOR S.Y. KING, CHAIRMAN OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE POINTED OUT THAT HIS COMMITTEE WAS WELL AWARE THAT THERE HAD BEEN SOME CRITICISMS OF THE PROPOSED CHINESE TERMS FOR METRIC UNITS IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID, +WE HOPE THAT BY SHARING EXPERIENCES WITH OTHER CHINESE-SPEAKING COMMUNITIES, WE WILL BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A SET OF CHINESE UNIT NAMES WHICH ARE ALTOGETHER COMMON, PRACTICABLE AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE HERE AS WELL AS IN OTHER CHINESESPEAKING COMMUNIT IES.+
PROFESSOR KING ALSO DISCLOSED THAT A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD IN EARLY 1983 TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA -THE IMPLEMENTATION STAGE OF THE METRICATION PROGRAMMES. THESE ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE A METRIC EXHIBITION AND A ♦METRIC 10 DAYS+ PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.
THE ORGANISING CHAIRMAN OF +METRIC 10 DAYS* AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER GOODS AND SERVICES SECTOR COMMITTEE OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE, MISS OPHELIA CHEUNG, ALSO SPOKE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
SHE SAID THAT THE SECTOR COMMITTEE HAD SO FAR ACHIEVED A GREAT DEAL IN PROMOTING METRICATION IN HONG KONG AND IT HAD SET THE PLANS FOR THE COMING YEAR.
MISS CHEUNG ALSO POINTED OUT THAT LOCAL CLOTHING PRODUCTS WOULD GO METRIC IN SEPTEMBER.
♦FROM THEN ON, BODY MEASUREMENTS WILL BE IN CENTIMETRES RATHER THAN INCHES, AND NEW METRIC CLOTHING SIZES WILL BE INTRODUCED,♦ MISS CHEUNG SAID.
METRICATION PROGRAMMES FOR THE PIECE GOODS, TAILORING, DAIRY AND PRE-PACKAGED FOOD INDUSTRIES ARE ALSO BEING PLANNED.
PIECE GOODS MERCHANTS AND TAILORS WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH A NEW METRE STICK AND A 50-CENTIMETRE TAILORING RULER BY THIS SEPTEMBER, JUST BE IN TIME FOR THE TRADES’ METRIC CHANGEOVER, SHE SAID.
THE DAIRY PRODUCTS INDUSTRY IS ALREADY HALFWAY INTO THE METRIC SYSTEM.
♦THE COMMITTEE HAS CALLED ON MANUFACTURERS TO CHANGE TO METRIC PACKAGING IN JANUARY. 1983.
/+THERE ARE
TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1902
- 2 -
♦THERE ARE ALSO PLANS TO PLACE METRIC WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS AT MARKETS AND HAWKER AREAS FOR USE BY CONSUMERS AND HAWKERS,+ MISS CHEUNG SAID.
IN ADDITION, HAWKERS AND STALL KEEPERS WILL BE GIVEN POSTERS AND CONVERSION CHARTS.
MISS CHEUNG ALSO DISCLOSED THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD AGREED TO STOP THE IMPORT AND MANUFACTURE OF NON-METRIC WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS AS FROM JANUARY, 1983.
EXISTING NON-METRIC WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS WILL BE MARKED WITH METRIC GRADUATIONS STARTING JANUARY 1984.
THE TYPES OF PRE-PACKAGED FOODS AND DRINKS TO GO METRIC FIRST WILL BE RICE, EDIBLE OIL, SUGAR, AND NOODLES.
MISS CHEUNG STRESSED THAT A MAJOR COMMITMENT OF THE COMMITTEE IN THE COMING YEAR WILL BE TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS ON THE BENEFITS CF PURCHASING GOODS IN METRIC UNITS.
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ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO BE CLEARED FROM WONG TAI SIN X X X X X X
FUNG WONG NEW VILLAGE IN WONG TAI SIN WILL SOON BE RID CF ALL ILLEGAL STRUCTURES FROM ITS BACK AND SIDE LANES WHICH ARE POSING SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND HYGIENE PROBLEMS TO RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL CARRY OUT THE SECOND STAGE OF A CLEARANCE OPERATION TO REMOVE ALL THE WALL STALLS AND ILLEGAL EXTENSIONS IN THE BACKLANES OF FEI FUNG STREET AND MING FUNG STREET. THE FIRST STAGE OF THE OPERATION WAS COMPLETED ON MARCH 12.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE SAIDi ♦THE BACK LANES OF THESE STREETS HAVE LONG BEEN INFESTED WITH UNLICENSED WALL STALLS, ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND EXTENSIONS, AND THE OPERATION IS AIMED AT REMOVING THEM TO JMPROVE THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION.
♦APART FROM POSING SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND HYGIENE PROBLEMS TO THE AREA, THEY ALSO CAUSED OBSTRUCTION TO FIRE ESCAPES.+
♦NOTICES AND SUFFICIENT TIME HAVE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO THE OWNERS OF THESE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES TO MOVE OUT BEFORE WE CARRY OUT OUR OPERATION.
♦AFTER THE CLEARANCE STAFF OF HIGHWAYS OFFICE WILL REPAVE THE SURFACE OF THE BACKLANE.+ HE SAID.
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TUESDAY, APRIL fc, 1982
- 3 -
PUBLIC WARNED ABOUT ENDANGERED ANIMALS
MM*
FINES TOTALLING $50 000 WERE IMPOSED LAST YEAR ON 174 PEOPLE CONVICTED OF IMPORTING ENDANGERED ANIMALS AND THEIR PARTS INTO HONG KONG.
THE 174 PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, WHICH IS THE HONG KONG LEGISLATION GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES).
THE OFFENDERS WERE MOSTLY HONG KONG RESIDENTS RETURNING FROM VISITS TO CHINA AND OTHER NEIGHBOURING SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES BETWEEN APRIL LAST YEAR AND THE END OF LAST MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT DURING MARCH ALONE, EIGHT PEOPLE WERE INTERCEPTED FOR ILLEGALLY IMPORTING PANGOLINS, SEA TURTLES AND OWLS.
DURING THE YEAR, 36 LIVE PANGOLINS AND ANOTHER 13 BODIES OF THE ANIMAL WERE SEIZED FROM THE TRAVELLERS. OTHER SEIZURES INCLUDED 32 LIVE OWLS AND 78 SEA TURTLE SPECIMENS.
THE SEIZURES WERE VALUED AT $580 000.
FORTY-THREE OTHER CASES STEMMING FROM SIMILAR SEIZURES ARE TO BE HEARD IN COURT.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED PEOPLE RETURNING TO HONG KONG AFTER VISITS TO CHINA AND OVERSEAS COUNTRIES THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BRING BACK SOUVENIRS OF LIVE OR PRESERVED ANIMALS LISTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.
SOME RESIDENTS HAD BEEN FOUND IN POSSESSION OF SOUVENIRS, SUCH AS STUFFED SEA TURTLES, CROCODILES, AND TIGER AND LEOPARD SKINS AFTER VISITS TO SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES.
ALL THESE ANIMALS AND SOME RARE PLANTS, SUCH AS WILD ORCHIDS, AND WILD AMERICAN GINSENG ARE ENDANGERED SPECIES AND AS SUCH ARE PROTECTED BY LAW.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT ANY PERSON TRYING TO IMPORT OR POSSESS THESE ENDANGERED SPECIES IS CONTRAVENING THE LAW AND IS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
THE LAW PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 FOR FIRST OFFENCES IN ADDITION TO FORFEITURE OF THE ILLEGAL IMPORTS.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON TRAVELLERS AT ENTRY POINTS IN LO WU, HUNG HOM £ ND THE AIRPORT, HE ADDED.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1982
4
NEW APPROACHES FOR PRIMARY MATHS TEACHERS ft ft ft ft
TWO SHORT COURSES ON THE TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE HELD BY THE MATHEMATICS TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FROM APRIL TO JULY*
*™ESE ™° TW0-DAY COURSES, ONE FOR LOWER PRIMARY TEACHERS AND ONE FOR UPPER PRIMARY TEACHERS, AIMED AT INTRODUCING SOME NEW APPROACHES TO MATHEMATICS TEACHING, PARTICULARLY LEARNING THROUGH ACTIVITY AND DISCOVERY ♦ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THERE WILL BE FOUR CLASSES FOR EACH COURSE, CONSISTING OF LECTURES, PRACTICAL WORK AND DISCUSSIONS.
THE COURSES ARE FREE OF CHARGE. ALL CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRES, 3/F, ROOMS 17 AND 18, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT*
BE ACCEPTED ON A
ATTENDED SIMILAR
OWING TO LIMITED FACILITIES, ONLY 40 TEACHERS CAN BE ACCOMMODATED IN EACH CLASS. APPLICATIONS WILL ^.^EPTED 0N A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. HOWEVER PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE TEACHERS WHO HAVE NEVER courses run by the centre.
NOMINATIONS
FROM SCHOOL HEADS SHOULD BE SENT BEFORE APRIL 15 TO THE INSPECTOR (PRIMARY MATHEMATICS) MATHEMATICS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ROOM 526, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY CONTACTING THE MATHEMATICS SECTION, AT 5-774001 EXT. 47.
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JOINT EXERCISE ft ft ft
A JOINT POLICE AND MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS EXERCISE WILL BE HELD BETWEEN MID-DAY WEDNESDAY (APRIL 7) AND MID-DAY THURSDAY (APRIL 8).
THE EXERCISE, DESIGNED TO PRACTICE COMMAND AND CONTROL ORGANISATIONS AND TO TEST COMMUNICATIONS WILL NOT INVOLVE THE MOVEMENT OF ANY LARGE POLICE OR MILITARY UNITS ON THE GROUND.
NO INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC IS EXPECTED.
- 0 ----------
TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 198.
5
BISHOP KWONG VISITS PENAL INSTITUTIONS * ft ft ft
THE BISHOP OF HONG KONG, THE RT REV PETER KWONG KONG-K T, TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED PIK UK PRISON AND PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, IN THE COURSE OF VISITS TO GET TO KNOW THE WORK OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE PRISONS CHAPLAINS, FATHER STEPHEN EDMON' AND REV CHUNG KA-LOK, BISHOP KWONG TOURED THE TWO INSTITUTIONS, SAW THE VARIOUS FACILITIES PROVIDED, INCLUDING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR INMATES, THE NEWLY-BUILT LAUNDRY, HOSPITALS, KITCHENS AMD WORKSHOPS. HE WAS ALSO BRIEFED BY SUPERINTENDENTS IN CHARGE OF THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES PROVIDED.
PIK UK PRISON IS A PURPOSE-BUILT MINIMUM SECURITY PRISON AND ITS NEWLY-BUILT FIVE-STOREY LAUNDRY IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING 5.5 MILLION KILOGRAMMES OF SOILED LINEN A YEAR FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION OPERATES AS A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTION WITH FACILITIES FOR A RECEPTION CENTRE, A TRAINING CENTRE AND A PRISON FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS. ITS CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS INCLUDE HALF-DAY EDUCATIONAL CLASS AND HALF-DAY VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN ONE OF THE TRADES AVAILABLE, CONDUCTED BY QUALIFIED SCHOOLMASTERS AND INSTRUCTORS.
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COURSE FEE REVISION FOR INDOOR DRIVING INSTRUCTION ft ft ft ft ft ft
FROM APRIL 15 (THURSDAY) COURSE FEES FOR INDOOR DRIVING INSTRUCTION AT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S PUI CHING ROAD CENTRE WILL BE INCREASED FROM $200 TO $250 BECAUSE OF HIGHER OPERATIONAL COSTS.
THIS IS THE FIRST FEE INCREASE SINCE THE COURSE WAS INTRODUCED IN JUNE, 1974.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE COURSE FEE REVISION WAS ENDORSED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON TRANSPORT FEES AND CHARGES.
THE CENTRE PROVIDES A 15-HOUR DRAINING PROGRAMME ON ROAD DISCIPLINE AND BASIC DRIVING TECHNIQUES 1 TH SIMULATORS AND FILMS.
THE CENTRE HAS PROVED TO BE VERY POPULAR, AND ALL CLASSES HAVE BEEN FULLY BOOKED SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION.
CLASSES ARE HELD SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM.
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/6.......
TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1982
6
HOLIDAY HOURS FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT x x x x
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT ITS MACAU FERRY TERMINAL OFFICE AND TSUEN WAN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA WILL REMAIN OPEN THROUGHOUT THE EASTER HOLIDAYS FROM FRIDAY TO MONDAY (APRIL 12).
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE HOURS FOR THE OTHER OFFICES t
* THE ENTRY AND CLEARANCE OFFICE WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM ON SUNDAY}
M THE VICTORIA MARINE OFFICE WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM ON SATURDAY AND MONDAY; AND
M THE FIVE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS IN WAN CHAI, YAU MA TEI, KWUN TONG, WESTERN DISTRICT AND RAMBLER CHANNEL WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 11 PM DURING THE HOLIDAYS.
ALL OTHER OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSED.
WATER FIGURES
MMX
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 36.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 211.116 MILLION CUBIC METRES, EQUIVALENT TO 168 DAYS’ CONSUMPTION.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 238.277 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 41.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NQ^.
400 000 REGISTERED AS URBAN DB VOTERS ......................... 1
HEALTH SERVICE FOR ELDERLY TO BE IMPROVED ..................... 3
CLOSING OF ARGENTINE CONSULATE IL HONG KONG ................... 4
REMINDER TO RATEPAYERS ........................................ 4
CO-OPERATION BRINGS BETTER LIFE FOR VILLAGERS ...............
RESULTS OF LATEST TAXI TENDERS ..............................
LISTENING COMPREHENSION EXERCISES ON TAPE ..................... 6
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN ................ 7
ROAD SURFACING AT POK FU LAM ROAD ............................. 7
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1982
1
400 000 REGISTERED AS URBAN DB VOTERS * * * *
UP TO YESTERDAY (TUESDAY), MORE THAN 400 000 PEOPLE HAD REGISTERED AS VOTERS FOR THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 23 THIS YEAR, THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KO-LOON), MR ALBERT LAM SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF LIONS CLUB OF BAY VIEW HONG KONG, MR LAM SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS AIMING AT NETTING 420 000 VOTERS DURING THE CURRENT REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN ENDING APRIL 30.
TOGETHER WITH THE 81 000 WHO HAD REGISTERED DURING THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER EXERCISE LAST YEAR, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTERS IN URBAN AREAS IS EXPECTED TO REACH HALF A MILLION.
MR LAM SAID ANYONE OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE WHO HAS LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS QUALIFIES AS A VOTER. HE ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT TWO MILLION PEOPLE IN THE URBAN AREAS ARE ELIGIBLE.
REGISTRATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS AND BRANCHES OF MAJOR BANKS.
♦THE REGISTRATION FORM IS SIMPLE TO FILL IN,* HE SAID. +ALL IT REQUIRES IS YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, ID CARD NUMBER, AND A DECLARATION THAT THE PARTICULARS ARE CORRECT AND THAT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN DISQUALIFIED FOR REG ISTRATION.+
COMPLETED FORMS CAN BE MAILED BACK DIRECTLY TO THE REGISTRATION OFFICE, AND POSTAGE IS PRE-PAID.
MR LAM STRESSED THAT NOT ONLY THE HEAD OF A HOUSEHOLD CAN REGISTER, BUT ALL QUALIFIED ADULT MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY ARE ELIGIBLE.
VOTING, TOO, IS AN EASY PROCESS, MR LAM ASSURED. A TOTAL OF 174 POLLING STATIONS WILL BE SET UP IN THE 76 CONSTITUENCIES IN URBAN AREAS, AVERAGING TWO OR THREE STATIONS IN EACH.
BUT VOTERS CAN ONLY VOTE IN THE CONSTITUENCY WHERE THEY LIVE, ffi LAM EMPHASISED.
HE SAID EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO SITE THE STATIONS AT CONVENIENT LOCATIONS SO THAT THEY COULD BE REACHED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES’ WALK.
IN URGING ALL QUALIFIED RESIDENTS TO COME FORWARD AND REGISTER, MR LAM EXPLAINED THAT DISTRICT BOARDS ARE SET UP TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE -ELL-BEING OF LOCA_ RESIDENTS AND WORKERS, THE PROVISION AND USE DF PjB^IC SERVICE: AND FACILITIES, TuE ADEQUACY AND PRIORITIES OF GOVERNMENT P-LuAAM^ES, AND Tr£ USE OF FUN-S FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT and i^MM'Y P»OjECTi.
-nLL THESE .......
2
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1982
♦ALL THESE ARE MATTERS WHICH AFFECT THE DAILY LIVES OF RESIDENTS, THAT IS TO SAY, YOUR WELL-BEING AND MINE,* HE SAID.
THE GROWING COMPLEXITY OF PRESENT-DAY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED t, -RAPID ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHANGES HAVE CALLED FOR A STRENGTHENING OF THE GOVERNMENT AT DISTRICT LEVEL, MR LAM POINTED OUT.
+A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT MACHINERY ACTING ALONE IS NO LONGER ADEQUATE,* HE SAID.
IT WAS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT A NEW DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME WAS BROUGHT INTO BEING.
THE SCHEME INVOLVES THE SETTING UP OF A DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND A DISTRICT BOARD IN EACH OF THE 10 DISTRICTS IN URBAN AREAS AND EIGHT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A DMC COMPRISES SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WORKING IN THE DISTRICT CONCERNED WHILE A DB CONSISTS OF BOTH OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
+BY INVOLVING PEOPLE WHO LIVE OR WORK IN THE DISTRICT, WE HOPE TO HAVE THE BEST ADVICE ON HOW THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DEPLOY ITS RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS WHICH PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT CONSIDER DESERVE PRIORITY ATTENTION,* MR LAM SAID.
IN THE URBAN AREAS, DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IK ALL THE 10 CITY DISTRICTS, 'BUT AT THE MOMENT THEY ONLY CONSIST OF MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, URBAN COUNCILLORS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THE ELECTED MEMBERS HAVE YET TO BE ELECTED IN SEPTEMBER.
♦THAT IS WHY WE ARE CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN A MAJOR REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN OF VOTERS,* MR LAM SAID.
♦ANY REGISTERED VOTER WHO HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR 10 YEARS OR MORE IS ABLE TO STAND FOR ELECTION,* HE ADDED.
TO DO SO, A CANDIDATE NEEDS 10 SIGNATURES ON HIS NOMINATION FORM, INCLUDING A PROPOSER AND A SECONDER, AND HE CAN RUN FOR ANY CONSTITUENCY.
THE PERIOD FOR NOMINATION WILL BE IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1982
5
HEALTH SERVICE FOR ELDERLY TO BE IMPROVED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN TAKING STEPS TO IMPROVE SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN HONG KONG WHICH WILL SEE GERIATRIC BEDS IN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED HOSPITALS MORE THAN TREBLED DURING THE DECADE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE KOWLOON REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DR LAWRENCE LAI, IN HIS OPENING REMARKS THIS AFTERNOON AT A SEMINAR TO MARK THE WORLD HEALTH DAY.
THE SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT AND WAS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL AND ALLIED PROFESSIONS.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE 365 GERIATRIC BEDS IN BOTH GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS PROVIDING ACUTE AND CONTINUING MEDICAL CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.
BY THE END OF THE DECADE ANOTHER 800 OR MORE BEDS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS PUBLIC HOSPITALS, SAID DR LAI.
HE SAID THAT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AN INTEGRATED GERIATRIC HEALTH CARE, EXPANSION IN OTHER EQUALLY IMPORTANT AREAS, SUCH AS REINFORCEMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE, COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE, GERIATRIC OUTPATIENT SERVICE AND ADDITION OF GERIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL PLACES, WAS ALSO BEING PLANNED.
DR LAI POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG IS EXPERIENCING A SERIOUS PROBLEM OF AGED POPULATION COMPELLED TO RELY MORE AND MORE ON GOVERNMENT FOR SUPPORT.
THE SIZE OF THIS SECTOR OF THE POPULATION IS GROWING DUE TO THE LONGER LIFE EXPECTANCY AND FALLING FERTILITY RATE.
ALSO, WITH INCREASING URBANISATION AND INDUSTRIALISATION, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS AND WESTERN INFLUENCES, THE TRADITIONALLY TIGHTLY KNITTED CHINESE FAMILY TIE IS GRADUALLY BREAKING DOWN, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, DR LAI POINTED OUT THE SITUATION COULD BE ALLEVIATED PARTLY BY GOVERNMENT’S EXPANSION OF GERIATRIC SERVICE AND PARTLY BY A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE HEALTH PROBLEMS OF OLD AGE.
HE FURTHER STRESSED THAT TO BE ADVANCING IN YEARS DID NOT, AS MANY PEOPLE THINK, MEAN ILLNESS AND NON-PRODUCTIVITY.
♦ONE CAN REMAIN HEALTHY AND ACTIVE IF ONE UNDERSTANDS THE COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS IN OLD AGE,+ HE ADDED.
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/ .........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1982
4
CLOSING OF ARGENTINE CONSULATE IN HONG KONG * * *
HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT HAVE INFORMED THE ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT THAT THEIR CONSULATE-GENERAL IN HONG KONG MUST CLOSE, THE ARGENTINE CONSUL-GENERAL HAS BEEN TOLD TO CLOSE HIS OFF;' AND TO LEAVE HONG KONG BY APRIL 14.
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REMINDER TO RATEPAYERS MM*
RATEPAYERS ARE REMINDED THAT RATES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER CF 1982 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 SAID RATEPAYERS SHOULD HAVE BY NOW RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES. THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES SHOULD APPLY FOR A COPY AT THE RATES SECTION OF THE TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), NINTH FLOOR, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG.
♦WHETHER OR NOT THE DEMAND NOTE IS RECEIVED, IT DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES SHOULD BE PAID BEFORE THE DUE DATE,+ HE POINTED OUT.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT RATES WERE PAYABLE ON VACANT PREMISES BUT WERE REFUNDABLE UNDER CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE RATING ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, 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 OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES, UNLESS IT IS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT.
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.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED THEIR AUTOPAY FORMS SHOULD READ THEIR DEMAND NOTES CAREFULLY TO SEE IF THEY CONTAIN THE WORDING +PAYMENT BY AUTOPAY AS AUTHORISED*. THE ABSENCE OF SUCH WORDING MEANS THEIR FORMS HAVE NOT YET BEEN PROCESSED, IN WHICH CASE THEY SHOULD CONTINUE TO PAY THEIR RATES IN THE NORMAL WAY, I.E. IN PERSON OR BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER.
Z5
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1982
5
CO-OPERATION BRINGS BETTER LIFE FOR VILLAGERS * * * *
THE EXTENSION OF THE SAI WAN C.A.R.E. VILLAGE ON CHEUNG CHAU HAS VIVIDLY DEMONSTRATED THE IMPORTANCE OF CO-OPERATION AND SELF-HELP WITHIN A COMMUNITY, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, NR RICKY FUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, HE SAID THE JOINT EFFORTS AND DETERMINATION OF THE VILLAGERS HAD ENABLED THE IMPROVEMENT OF THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
LOCATED AT THE WESTERN TIP OF CHEUNG CHAU, THE VILLAGE WAS FIRST BUILT IN 1968 WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE CO-OPERATIVE FOR AMERICAN RELIEF EVERYWHERE (C.A.R.E.) AND A LOCAL PHILANTHROPIST TO ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN 3OO FISHERMEN IN 50 SINGLE-STOREY HOUSES.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF ESTABLISHING THE C.A.R.E. VILLAGE WAS TO IMPROVE THE LIVING CONDITIONS AND TO BRING PROSPERITY AND CONTENTMENT TO ITS INHABITANTS.
HOWEVER, THE HOUSES HAD BECOME OVERCROWDED OVER THE YEARS AS THE ORIGINAL POPULATION HAD GONE UP TO NEARLY 500, AND ADDITIONAL STOREYS WERE NEEDED FOR THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
AS A RESULT, FAMILIES IN THE VILLAGE CONTRIBUTED $35 000 EACH TOWARDS THE EXTENSION PROJECT, WITH THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE PROVIDING WATER AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY INSTALLATIONS, .AND IMPROVING ACCESS ROADS, FOOTPATHS, RETAINING WALLS AND THE •DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
MR FUNG SAID THIS SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION DESERVED TO BE ENCOURAGED.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WEREt THE DIRECTOR OF CHEUNG CHAU SAI WAN DWELLERS’ DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED, MR YIU KAI-HANG- THE CHAIRMAN OF CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE, MR KWONG PING-YAU- AND ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MR FUNG CHI-KANG AND MR WONG WAI-KWAN.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1982
6
RESULTS OF LATEST TAXI TENDERS
* * *
RESULTS OF THE LATEST TAXI LICENCE TENDERING EXERCISE * ILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (THURSDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ALTHOUGH 300 URBAN TAXI LICENCES WERE PUT UP, A TOTAL OF 923 TENDERS SEEKING 1 238 LICENCES HAD BEEN RECEIVED WHEN THE OFFER CLOSED ON MARCH 5, 1982.
THE HIGHEST BID ACCEPTED WAS $191 630 AND THE LOWEST $172 589.
THIS GAVE AN AVERAGE PREMIUM OF $178 646.77 FOR THE 300
URBAN TAXI LICENCES, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 4 PER CENT OVER THE LAST TAXI TENDERS.
AS FOR THE 150 NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT 1 524 TENDERS WERE LODGED FOR 1 679 LICENCES.
SUCCESSFUL BIDS RANGED FROM $56 830 TO $45 188, GIVING AN AVERAGE PREMIUM OF $47 796.57.
THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 16.17 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS EXERCISE.
DETAILS OF SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS FOR TAXI LICENCES, AND THE AMOUNTS OFFERED, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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LISTENING COMPREHENSION EXERCISES ON TAPE
X * K
A SERIES OF 20 UNITS OF LISTENING COMPREHENSION EXERCISES ON TAPE FOR UPPER FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR DUBBING BY SCHOOLS AT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE CENTRE HAS PREPARED A LISTENING PASSAGE, A SYNOPSIS, A WORK-SHEET AND AN ANSWER KEY FOR EACH OF THE UNITS.
SCHOOLS WISHING TO OBTAIN THESE RECORDINGS AND ACCOMPANYING SCRIPTS ARE INVITED TO MAKE USE OF THE FREE DUBBING SERVICE.
TEACHERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH THE INSPECTORS THERE TO DISCUSS THE HANDLING OF THE MATERIALS WITH A CLASS.
SCHOOLS SHOULD SEND APPROPRIATE BLANK TAPES TOGETHER WITH THE APPLICATION FORMS TO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY CONTACTING THE CENTRE AT 5-482537.
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/7
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1982
- 7 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN * * * *
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SHAU KEI WAN FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 9) FOR THE RENEWAL OF TRAM TRACKS.
THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* TAI LOK STREET SECTION BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND SAI WAN HO STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
* SAI WAN HO STREET SECTION BETWEEN TAI FOO STREET AND TAI CHEONG STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
* TAI HONG STREET SECTION BETWEEN HONG CHEUNG STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
* TAI CHEONG STREET SECTION BETWEEN HONG CHEUNG STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND AND
* HONG CHEUNG STREET SECTION BETWEEN TAI HONG STREET AND TAI CHEONG STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
* THE EXISTING BUS-ONLY-LANE ON THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD BETWEEN TAI CHEONG STREET AND HOUSE NO. 39 WILL BE EXTENDED TO HOUSE NO. 49 FOR A LENGTH OF 16 METRES.
* THE EXISTING BUS-ONLY-LANE ON SHAU KEI WAN ROAD NEAR THE JUNCTION WITH TAI CHEONG STREET WILL BE SHORTENED BY A LENGTH OF 20 METRES WEST OF THAT JUNCTION.
SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- 0 -
ROAD SURFACING AT POK FU LAM ROAD 4 X X 4
SOUTHBOUND PROHIBITED FROM ON FRIDAY (APRIL
u^C?^GTP0K FU LAM R0AD WILL BE temporarily MAKING RIGHT TURNS INTO POKFIELD ROAD FROM 8 AM
9) FOR ABOUT TWO DAYS FOR ROAD SURFACING WORKS
TRAf-FIC 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
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HEAVIER FINES FOR FIRE HAZARD ................................. 1
FIRE OFFICERS TOLD TO SET GOOD EXAMPLE ........................ 2
WELFARE BODIES URGED TO SUPPORT NON-INSTITUTIONAL CHILD CARE 3
NOMINATIONS BEGIN FOR HEUNG YES KUK ELECTIONS ................. 5
AMENDMENTS TO SHA TIN ZONING PLAN ............................. 6
NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NTSD APPOINTED ...................... 7
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD ....................... 7
GETTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO READ MORE.............................. 8
TENDERS INVITED FOR FRUIT SHOP ................................ 8
LAND SURVEYORS TO ATTEND AUSTRALIAN CONGRESS .................. 9
URBAN CLEARWAY IN PO HEUNG STREET ............................. 9
SALT WATER MAINS WORK
9
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1982
1
HEAVIER FINES FOR FIRE HAZARD MM*
FACTORY OPERATORS AND OWNERS OF NON-1NDUSTRI AL PREMISES WHO IGNORE FIRE DANGER WARNINGS ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES WILL HAVE TO FACE HEAVIER FINES IF A BILL GAZETTED TODAY IS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
UNDER THIS FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982, THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR A WILFUL ACT OR DEFAULT CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD WILL BE INCREASED FROM $2 000 TO $25 000, FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE, FROM $2 000 PLUS $40 A DAY FOR A CONTINUING OFFENCE TO $25 000 PLUS $2 500 A DAY, AND FOR KNOWINGLY CONTRAVENING A FIRE HAZARD ORDER, FROM $4 000 PLUS $100 A DAY TO $50 000 PLUS $5 000 A DAY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THESE INCREASED FINES, PARTICULARLY THOSE STIPULATING A DAILY PENALTY, ARE AIMED AT SERIOUS OFFENCES WHICH INVOLVE DELIBERATE DISREGARD OF THE LAW, MAKING FIRE FIGHTING UNNECESSARILY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS AND RESULTING IN HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY.
THE LEVEL OF THE DAILY FINES IS IN LINE WITH THAT FOR CONTINUING OFFENCES OF COMPARABLE SERIOUSNESS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
THE PROPOSED FINES ARE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE FINES AND IT WILL BE FOR THE COURTS TO DETERMINE IN EACH CASE, HAVING REGARD TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENCE, WHAT ACTUAL FINES TO IMPOSE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS FOR 1981 COMPILED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, A TOTAL OF 2 563 FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES WERE ISSUED TO OCCUPANTS OF INDUSTRIAL PREMISES, OF WHICH 1 080 OR 42 PER CENT WERE PROSECUTED- AND 8 263 TO THOSE OF NON-1NDUSTRI AL PREMISES, OF WHICH 765 OR 9 PER CENT WERE PROSECUTED.
THIS SUGGESTS THAT FACTORY OPERATORS ARE GENERALLY MORE PRONE TO IGNORE FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A SAMPLE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN AUGUST 1981 ALSO SHOWED THAT THE PRACTICE OF STORING GOODS AND MATERIALS IN THE COMMON AREAS OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WAS WIDESPREAD.
THE SURVEY COVERED THREE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AREAS (KAI TAK/ SAN PO KONG, NGAU TAU KOK/KWUN TONG AND KWAI CHUNG/TSUEN WAN) IN WHICH ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF FACTORY AND STORAGE SPACE IN HONG KONG WAS SITUATED.
ON 84 PER CENT OF THE 339 FLOORS SURVEYED, OBSTRUCTIONS WERE FOUND IN THE COMMON AREAS, ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE 909 ESTABLISHMENTS HOUSED ON THE FLOORS SURVEYED HAD OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE DOORWAYS INSIDE THEIR PREMISES, AND ABOUT 9 PER CENT OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS HAD OBSTRUCTIONS IN OTHER PASSAGEWAYS INSIDE.
/THE GOVERNMENT........
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1982
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT SUCH I ND I SCR IMIN''E STORAGE OF GOODS AND MATERIALS COULD BE GREATLY REDUCED IF FACTORY OPERATORS EXERCISED GREATER CARE IN PLANNING THEIR EXPANSION AND IN PRODUCTION AND INVENTORY CONTROL.
THE CONTINUED PREVALENCE OF INDISCRIMINATE STORAGE OF GOODS AND MATERIALS IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS INDICATED CLEARLY THAT ENFORECEMENT ACTION HAS NOT ACHIEVED ITS DESIRED RESULT AND THAT THE EXISTING FINES PROVIDED FOR IN THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE, THE LEVEL OF WHICH HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE AT LEAST 1964, NO LONGER ACT AS AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT.
THE MORE REALISTIC FINES NOW BEING PROPOSED WILL BE MORE EFFECTIVE AGAINST UNSAFE AND IRRESPONSIBLE PRACTICES BY FACTORY OPERATORS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE BILL WILL EXTEND THE POWER OF A MAGISTRATE, AFTER HEARING A COMPLAINT BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, TO MAKE A CLOSING ORDER ON PREMISES WHERE A FIRE HAZARD HAS ARISEN, HE SAID.
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FIRE OFFICERS TOLD TO SET GOOD EXAMPLE * * *
NEWLY-GRADUATED FIRE STATION OFFICERS WERE TOLD TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, MR TOM GARDINER, OF THE NEED TO SET BY EXAMPLE THE STANDARDS THEY WANTED OTHERS TO FOLLOW.
♦AS AN OFFICER IN CHARGE OF MEN, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WORK PERFORMED BY YOUR TEAM AS WELL AS THEIR SAFETY AS FAR AS THIS IS POSSIBLE. TEAMWORK IS ESSENTIAL. YOU WILL LEAD YOUR TEAM AND YOU MUST SHOW BY EXAMPLE THE STANDARDS YOU REQUIRE,* THE 15 GRADUATING OFFICERS HEARD MR GARDINER SAY, AT A PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL AT PAT HEUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
MR GARDINER REMINDED THE GRADUATES THAT THERE WAS A LOT MORE TO COME IN THEIR CAREER.
♦HONG KONG IS A THRIVING AND CROWDED COMMUNITY WITH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY. NEW CONCEPTS APPEAR ALMOST DAILY.
♦SOMETIMES INNOVATIONS CREATE PROBLEMS FOR US AS MEMBERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES. NOTHING STANDS STILL AND TO DO OUR JOBS PROPERLY, WE MUST KEEP ABREAST WITH ADVANCEMENTS OF ALL KINDS.
♦GO FROM THIS SCHOOL WITH A DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED,* M? GARDINER SAID.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1982
3
WELFARE BODIES URGED TO SUPPORT NON-1NSTI TUT IONAL CHILD CARE
******
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, TODAY (THURSDAY) APPEALED TO VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES AND OTHER CHARITABLE AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS TO SUPPORT HIS DEPARTS'T' EFFORTS IN NON-1NSTI TUT IONAL CHILD CARE.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ZONTA CLUB OF KOWLOON HE SAIDi +THE TASK WE FACE MUST INVOLVE A JOINT EFFORT BY THE GOVERNMENT, BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES BUT, MOST OF ALL BY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.*
HE NOTED THAT AT PRESENT, THE MAJORITY OF CHILDREN WHO COULD NOT BE CARED FOR ADEQUATELY IN THEIR OWN HOMES WERE PLACED IN RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS.
NO MATTER HOW WELL AN INSTITUTION WAS RUN AND HOW MUCH WAS DONE TO CARE FOR AND NURTURE THE CHILDREN IN IT, IT LACKED +THE BASIC INGREDIENT OF NORMAL FAMILY LIFE WHICH IS SO ESSENTIAL TO THE BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF ANY CHILD*.
♦WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CHILD CARE, THEREFORE, WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT SOLVING A PRESENT PROBLEM, BUT ABOUT PREVENTING POSSIBLE FUTURE PROBLEMS FOR THE INDIVIDUALS CONCERNED,* MR ALLEYNE SAID.
♦THIS IS WHY I CONSIDER IT SO IMPORTANT THAT WE DO MORE TO DEVELOP NON-1NSTI TUT IONAL FORMS OF CARE FOR CHILDREN.+
THE DIRECTOR DESCRIBED FOSTER CARE AS +POTENTIALLY THE MOST SATISFACTORY FORM OF PLACEMENT FOR A CHILD BECAUSE HE IS ABSORBED INTO A NORMAL FAMILY*.
HE NOTED THAT TRADITIONALLY, IN MOST COUNTRIES, FOSTER PARENTS RECEIVED NO DIRECT REMUNERATION FOR THEIR WORK, BUT WERE MOTIVATED BY THE DESIRE TO SHARE THE COMFORT AND LOVE OF THEIR OWN HOME WITH A CHILD WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE DEPRIVED OF THESE BENEFITS.
♦FOSTERING IS COMMUNITY SERVICE IN THE REAL SENSE,♦ MR ALLEYNE SAID. +IT IS THE SAD THING, THEREFORE, THAT IN A COMMUNITY SO STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY CHINESE CULTURE AND COMMITTED TO THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE, THAT THERE EXIST ONLY SOME 35 FOSTER FAMILIES IN HONG KONG AT THE MOMENT.+
HE FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT HONG KONG MUST DEVELOP FOSTERING AS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO INSTITUTIONAL CARE AND SAID, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS LOOKING CLOSELY AT WAYS OF RECRUITING MORE FOSTER PARENTS.
IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE MAINTENANCE AND INCENTIVE ALLOWANCES PAYABLE FOR EACH CHILD PLACED WITH A FOSTER FAMILY WERE INCREASED TO $1 OOO PER MONTH.
/*! BELIKVE THAT .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1982
4
♦I BELIEVE THAT IN ADDITION TO MEETING MAINTENANCE COSTS, WE SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER WHAT FURTHER INCENTIVES ARE NEEDED TO ENCOURAGE THE FOSTER PARENT WHOSE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY IT IS TO CARE FOR THE CHILD,* MR ALLEYNE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE OTHER TYPE OF NON-INSTITUTIONAL CARE — THE SMALL GROUP HOME — WHICH HE WAS MOST ANXIOUS TO SEE RAPIDL EXPANDED, MR ALLEYNE SAID SUCH HOMES WERE STAFFED BY A MARRIED COUPLE SUPERVISED BY PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS.
THE HOUSE-MOTHER IS PAID A FULL-TIME SALARY AND THE HOUSEFATHER, WHO IS EXPECTED TO HAVE OTHER OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, RECEIVES AN INCENTIVE ALLOWANCE. THEY ALSO ENJOY RENT-FREE ACCOMMODATION, FREE MEALS AND THE ASSISTANCE OF A FULL-TIME AMAH.
♦THE GREAT ADVANTAGE OF THE SMALL GROUP HOME,+ THE DIRECTOR SAID, +IS THAT THE CHILD DOES NOT FEEL HIMSELF TO BE SEGREGATED FROM NORMAL SOCIETY OR UNNECESSARILY STIGMATISED BECAUSE HE IS NOT ABLE TO ENJOY A NORMAL FAMILY LIFE.+
MR ALLEYNE SAID THAT LIKE FOSTER SERVICE, PROGRESS IN EXPANDING THE PROVISION OF SMALL GROUP HOMES HAD BEEN ♦DISAPPOINTINGLY SLOW+.
AT PRESENT, THERE IS ONLY ONE SMALL GROUP HOME OPERATING, WHILE THE OPENING OF A SECOND HAS BEEN DELAYED FOR SOME TIME BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTY IN RECRUITING SUITABLE HOUSE-PARENTS.
MR ALLEYNE SAID THAT A STEERING COMMITTEE COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WORKING IN THE CHILD CARE FIELD, HAD BEEN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WORKING ON NEW STANDARDS FOR THE STAFFING AND THE ACCOMMODATION OF SMALL GROUP HOMES.
HE WAS HOPEFUL THAT THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD MAKE THIS SERVICE MORE ATTRACTIVE BOTH TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND TO POTENTIAL HOUSE-PARENTS.
♦OUR OBJECTIVE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS,♦ HE WENT ON, ♦IS TO TRY AND SET UP THREE SMALL GROUP HOMES EACH YEAR, WITH EACH GROUP OF THREE HOMES SUPERVISED BY A FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKER AND PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE AND RELIEF STAFFING SUPPORT.+
HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF ATTRACTING POTENTIAL HOUSEPARENTS WHO WERE PREPARED TO MAKE THE SUBSTANTIAL PERSONAL COMMITMENT REQUIRED BY THIS SERVICE.
PRIORITY MUST BE TO FIND +MATURE AND CARING COUPLES WHO FEEL THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TAKE ON A LARGE FULL-TIME FAMILY,* HE SAID.
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/5
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1982
- 5 -NOMINATIONS BEGIN FOR HEUNG YEE KUK ELECTIONS ft ft ft ft
NOMINATIONS HAVE JUST OPENED FOR THE ELECTION OF SPECIAL COUNCILLORS FOR THE 25TH TERM OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK WHICH BEGINS ON JUNE 1.
THERE ARE SEVEN SEATS EACH FOR THE THREE ELECTORAL DI STR ICTc OF TAI PO (INCLUDING SHA TIN AND NORTH), YUEN LONG (INCLUDING TUEN MUN) AND SOUTHERN (COMPRISING TSUEN WAN, ISLANDS AND SAI KUNG).
EACH CANDIDATE MUST BE NOMINATED BY AN EX-OFFICIO COUNCILLOR AND SECONDED BY ANOTHER, BOTH OF WHOM MUST BE FROM THE SAME ELECTORAL DISTRICT AS THE CANDIDATE.
NOMINATIONS WILL CLOSE ON APRIL 15. ALL NOMINATION FORMS MUST BE SENT TO LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICES BEFORE 4 PM ON THAT DATE. LATE RETURNS WILL BE CONSIDERED INVALID.
ELECTION OF THE SPECIAL COUNCILLORS WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 13 AT THE HEUNG YEE KUK OFFICE, 47 CUMBERLAND ROAD, KOWLOON TONG, AT THE FOLLOWING TIMESi
9 AM - TAI PO DISTRICT
11.30 AM - SOUTHERN DISTRICT
3 PM - YUEN LONG DISTRICT.
THE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD BY SECRET BALLOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HEUNG YEE KUK ORDINANCE. THE ELECTORS, CONSISTING OF THE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF ALL RURAL COMMITTEES AND THt NEW TERRITORIES UNOFFICIAL JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE FOR CANDIDATES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS.
BEFORE THE ELECTIONS, THE RETURNING OFFICER — THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON —WILL EXPLAIN VOTING PROCEDURES TO THE ELECTORS AND WILL ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VOTES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND COUNTED.
ELECTION OF THE KUK CHAIRMAN, THE TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN AND 15 ORDINARY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE NEW TERM WILL BE HELD ON MAY 27.
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/6........
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1982
6
AMENDMENTS TO SHA TIN ZONING PLAN * * *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY OF AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT SHA TIN
(THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED A NUMBER OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THAT THE AMENDMENTS WERE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN BALANCED DEVELOPMENT WITHIN SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND TO INCORPORATE NEW DEVELOPMENTS TO COPE WITH CHANGING NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT.
THE BOUNDARY OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND ITS ADJACENT AREA FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY, VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT AND GREEN BELT USES.
OTHER MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN INCLUDE THE REZONING OFi
X ABOUT 28 HECTARES OF LAND IN KAU TO FROM GREEN BELT AND GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USES TO RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B) PURPOSES.
M ABOUT 14 HECTARES OF RECLAIMED LAND IN AH KUNG KOK TO VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USES.
* A LARGE AREA IN HEUNG FAN LIU TOTALLING ABOUT 20 HECTARES FROM UNDETERMINED TO VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE LAND FOR VILLAGE RESITE.
IN ADDITION, THE AREA TO THE SOUTH OF SHING MUN RIVER AND WEST OF MEI LAM ESTATE HAS BEEN REZONED FOR RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B), VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT, AND GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USES BECAUSE OF ROAD REALIGNMENT.
THE AMENDED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD- THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE- AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE (SHA TIN), TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN.
THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN IS ON SALE AT THE MAP SALES SECTION OF LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AT $10 FOR AN UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 FOR A COLOURED COPY.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN MAY
SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING, ON OR BEFORE APRIL 28, TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1982
7
NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NTSD APPOINTED * * * *
n/,?SMER P”1 NCI PAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, ?oe?c^T\T0DAY (THURSDAY) SUCCEEDED MR JAMES WILSON qcdIi^SS STANT DIRECTOR (SOUTH REGION) OF THE NEW TERRITORIES wtK Y I GES«
MR DOWDING JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AUGUST 1972 AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT ocCRETARI AT.
he IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE WORK OF THE SOUTH REGION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT INCLUDING KWAI CHUNG, TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN, SAI KUNG AND THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
MR WILSON IS NOW ON LEAVE.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD * * *
THE CARRIAGEWAYS OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD OUTSIDE KAI TAK AIRPORT WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN TURNS TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES FROM 1 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 10) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE.
ROAD CLOSURESi
* BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON APRIL 10, 11 AND 12 - THE CENTRAL WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY LEADING TO KOWLOON CITY AND MONG KOK AND THE CENTRAL EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY LEADING TO KWUN TONG AND WONG TAI SIN.
* BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON APRIL 13, 14 AND 15 - THE SOUTHERNMOST WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY LEADING TO TO KWA WAN.
* BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON APRIL 17, 18 AND 19 - THE NORTHERNMOST EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY LEADING TO WONG TAI SIN AND KWUN TONG.
FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF THE SOUTHERN-MOST WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY AND THE NORTHERN-MOST EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY, CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BUS SERVICE ROUTE NO. 121 (ALL NIGHT SERVICE) WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED AS FOLLOWS I
* BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON APRIL 13, 14 AND 15 - BUSES WILL BE DIVERTED AT CHOI HUNG TERMINUS VIA HAMMER HILL ROAD, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, FUNG MO STREET, TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD, JUNCTION ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON CITY INTERCHANGE AND MA TAU CHUNG ROAD ON HONG KONG-BOUND JOURNEYS.
* BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON APRIL 17, 18 AND 19 - BUSES WILL BE DIVERTED AT MA TAU CHUNG ROAD VIA KOWLOON CITY INTERCHANGE, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, JUNCTION ROAD, TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD, SHATIN PASS ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD ON CHOI HUNG-BOUND JOURNEYS.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1982
8
SETTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO READ MORE * * * *
THREE HUNDRED SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS TOOK PART TODAY (THURSDAY) IN A SEMINAR ON BOOKS AND YOUNG READERS HELD AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
♦THE AIM OF THE SEMINAR IS TO INTRODUCE WAYS AND MEANS OF ENCOURAGING WIDE READING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE,* AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
MISS S.W. NG, PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (SPECIAL SERVICES) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT GAVE A TALK ON BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS, AND MR S.H. YUNG, SENIOR INSPECTOR (LIBRARY) SPOKE ABOUT LIBRARY BOOKS FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS.
THE GUEST SPEAKER FOR THE DAY WAS DR H.W. LEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WHO SPOKE ON ♦READING INTERESTSi A PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
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TENDERS INVITED FOR FRUIT SHOP * * *
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE OPERATION OF A SHOP SELLING FRUITS AND LIGHT REFRESHMENT IN THE KOWLOON TONG RAILWAY STATION FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
TENDERS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TENDER OPENING COMMITTEE AND PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE MAIN GATE OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, OIL STREET, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, BEFORE 9 AM ON FRIDAY, APRIL 23. LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRAFFIC DIVISION OF THE KCR ON THE MEZZANINE FLOOR OF THE KOWLOON STATION AT HUNG HOM, KOWLOON.
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/9........
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1982
9
LAND SURVEYORS TO ATTEND AUSTRALIAN CONGRESS
* * *
THREE GOVERNMENT LAND SURVEYORS WILL ATTEND THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN CONGRESS OF SURVEYING AND CARTOGRAPHY TO BE HELD IN CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, LATER THIS MONTH.
THEY ARE MR GORDON ANDREASSEND, CHIEF LAND SURVEYOR, AND W RONALD CHAN CHI-DUEN, LAND SURVEYOR, OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT AND MR JOHN KELLY, OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE FIVE-DAY CONGRESS,ORGAN ISED JOINTLY BY THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTION OF SURVEYORS AND THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CARTOGRAPHY, WILL START ON APRIL 19.
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URBAN CLEARWAY IN PO HEUNG STREET
XXIX
A SECTION OF PO HEUNG STREET IN TAI PO BETWEEN KWONG FUK ROAD AND THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF PO YICK STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 10).
WITHIN THE CLEARWAY, ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
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SALT WATER MAINS WORK * ft *
SALT
n.cto ict UnA1TELSVPPLY T0 A NUMBER 0F PREMISES IN EAST KOWLOON 0FF AT DIFFERENT TIMES BETWEEN APRIL 9
AND APRIL 14 TO FACILITATE ROUTINE CHECKS OF WATER MAINS.
AREAS AFFECTED WILL BEi
A™‘L? ” 10’ PREMISES ALONG MA TAU WEI ROAD, SHEUNG HEUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN ROAD, MOK CHEONG STREET, KING WAN STREET AND KAI MING STREET.
APRIL 11 - 12i PREMISES ALONG CHATHAM ROAD, SAN LAU STREET, MA TAU WEI ROAD, WINSLOW STREET, HUNG WAN STREET, DYER AVENUE, WUHU STREET AND SHUN YUNG STREET.
APRIL 13 - 14t PREMISES ALONG CARPENTER ROAD, NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, SOUTH WALL ROAD, LION ROCK ROAD, COLLEGE ROAD, SAU CHUK YUEN ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET, FORFAR ROAD, STIRLING ROAD, ARGYLE STREET, MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, SHING TAK STREET AND KOWLOON HOSPITAL.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC URGED TO HELP KEEP COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN.................. 1
SHATIN DB LOGO IS SYMBOL OF PROGRESS........................... 2
ROLE OF PARENTS STRESSED ...................................... 3
NET TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND SHAM SHUI PO .. 4
WATERFALL PARK IN SHEK KIP MEI COMPLETED
5
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1982
PUBLIC URGED TO HELP KEEP COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN * * * *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS STRENGTHENED ITS COUNTRY PARKS MANPOWER RESOURCES TO RID LITTER FROM HONG KONG’S SCENIC ATTRACTIONS AND HAS CALLED FOR A CONCERTED PUBLIC EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT THE PARKS REMAIN CLEAN AND TIDY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ALSO WARNED THAT LEGAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST PERSISTENT LITTERBUGS WHO IGNORE THE ADVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF.
HE POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR 107 PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED FOR LITTERING IN COUNTRY PARKS.
AT PRESENT MORE THAN 300 STAFF MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT COMPRISING MANY RANKS ARE EMPOWERED TO ISSUE PROSECUTION NOTICES AGAINST OFFENDERS.
ANYONE CAUGHT LITTERING INSIDE A COUNTRY PARK IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2 000 AND THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT ON CONVICTION.
♦WE FEEL THAT A GREAT DEAL OF PUBLIC EDUCATION HAS BEEN GIVEN IN THE PAST, AND THE TIME HAS COME FOR MORE VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
EVERY WEEKEND SINCE THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY THIS YEAR SPECIAL ANTI-LITTER TEAMS PATROL POPULAR PICNIC SPOTS ENDEAVOURING TO ENSURE THAT NOT A SHRED OF LITTER IS DISCARDED INDISCRIMINATELY BY PICNICKERS.
ATTENTION IS ALSO PAID TO THE OTHER AREAS.
LITTER, HE SAID, IS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT MANAGEMENT PROBLEM IN COUNTRY PARKS AFTER FIRE WITH ABOUT 3 000 TONNES OF LITTER COLLECTED BY THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR.
ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S MANPOWER RESOURCES ARE DEPLOYED TO KEEP THE PARKS CLEAN AT A COST OF ABOUT $3 MILLION YEARLY, HE SAID.
THE SYSTEM PROVIDES FOR ABOUT 5 000 LITTER BINS INSIDE THE PARKS WHERE LITTER IN POLYTHENE BAGS ARE CONVEYED TO COLLECTION POINTS BY AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT STAFF FOR DISPOSAL BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IN MORE REMOTE AREAS LITTER IS INCINERATED LOCALLY.
APART FROM LITTER BINS, TIMBER LITTER STOCKADES ARE ALSO PROVIDED IN SOME PARKS TO STEM THE PROBLEM OF LITTER OVERFLOWING THE BINS PROVIDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TO COINCIDE WITH THE CURRENT CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN CLEANING WORK IN COUNTRY PARKS IS BEING STEPPED UP WITH MORE CASUAL WORKERS BF NG EMPLOYED FOR SUCH WORK.
/WHILE THE .......
2
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1982
WHILE THE PARK AREAS ARE BEING CLEANED REGULARLY, SPECIAL ATTENTION IS PAID TO SPOTS WHERE LITTER IS KNOWN TO BE A PERSISTENT PROBLEM.
IN ADDITION, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING ORGANISED HIKING GROUPS Ar£ RALLYING TO THE CALL BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST IN THIS WORK BY REMOVING LITTER FROM THE PARKS.
♦UNLESS EVERYBODY DOES HIS BIT IN KEEPING THE COUNTRYSIDE CLEAN THE COUNTRY PARKS WILL BECOME AN EYESORE RATHER THAN A TRANQUIL AND SCENIC PLACE TO RELAX IN,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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SHAT IN DB LOGO IS SYMBOL OF PROGRESS
* * * M
THE HUGE LOGO OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD ERECTED IN THE KART OF THE NEW TOWN IS A SYMBOL OF PROGRESS.
IT SIGNIFIES NOT ONLY SHA TIN’S TRANSFORMATION FROM A RURAL DISTRICT INTO A MODERN NEW TOWN BUT ALSO SYMBOLISES THE SUCCESS OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS GREATLY HELPED IMPROVE THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.
STANDING FIVE METRES HIGH ON AN OPEN SPACE AT THE JUNCTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD, THE LOGO - IN THE FORM OF A SIX-SIDED CUBE - IS VISIBLE FROM A DISTANCE.
EACH SIDE OF THE CUBE CARRIES THE LOGO DESIGN IN GREEN COLOUR AND THE NAME OF SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD IS WRITTEN IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE ON THE CIRCULAR CONCRETE STAND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAIDt +THE PURPOSE OF ERECTING THE LOGO IS TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD WHICH WILL WORK TOWARDS THE BETTERMENT OF LIVING CONDITIONS IN SHA TIN.
♦IT IS HOPED THAT THE NEW PATTERN OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WILL BE ACCEPTED AND SUPPORTED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNIT IES.+
THE LOGO WAS THE WINNING ENTRY OF AN OPEN DESIGN COMPETITION HELD IN 1978, AND IT HAS SINCE BEEN USED ON ALL DISTRICT BOARD STATIONERY AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS.
THE SAME LOGO DESIGN HAS BEEN LAID ON A PATH LEADING TO A CHINESE STYLE PAVILION NEAR THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.
THE PAVILION, BUILT BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AT A COST OF $94 000, WAS OPENED LAST MONTH TO SERVE AS A RESTING PLACE FOR SHA TIN PICNICKERS AND NEARBY RESIDENTS.
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1982
- 5 -
ROLE OF PARENTS STRESSED # M * *
PARENTS PLAY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN BRINGING THEIR ADOLESCENT CHILDREN UP TO BECOME MATURE, CAPABLE AND RESPONSIBLE ADULTS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "PARENTS AND ADOLESCENTS" EXHIBITION AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE, MR ALLEYNE SAID YOUNG PEOPLE WERE IN NEED OF SUPPORT, GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT AS THEY PASSED THROUGH THE CRITICAL YEARS IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT.
♦SOCIAL FACTORS LIKE EXISTENCE OF CONFLICTING SOCIAL VALUES, THE IMPACT OF MASS MEDIA, OUR CONGESTED LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND THE INCREASING COST OF LIVING HAVE PLACED STRAINS UPON THE FAMILIES OF OUR SOCIETY,♦ HE SAID.
♦PARENTS, BECAUSE OF THEIR WORK AND OTHER PREOCCUPATIONS, MAY NEGLECT THE NEEDS OF THEIR ADOLESCENT CHILDREN OR FAIL TO UNDERSTAND HOW THEY GET ON AT SCHOOL AND WITH THEIR PEERS.+
THESE FACTORS, HE WARNED, COULD CAUSE PARENTS AND THEIR ADOLESCENT CHILDREN TO DRIFT APART FROM ONE ANOTHER ALMOST WITHOUT REALISING IT.
♦UNFORTUNATELY THE WIDENING OF THE GENERATION GAP IS OFTEN DISCOVERED ONLY WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE, OR WORSE STILL WHEN RELATIONS HAVE DETERIORATED.+
MR ALLEYNE SUGGESTED THAT THE WAYS TO HELP BRIDGE THE GAP SHOULD BE TO DEVOTE MORE TIME FOR THE FAMILY TO BE TOGETHER, KNOW ABOUT THE GROWTH OF THE ADOLESCENT, AND GIVE GUIDANCE AND SHOW CONTINUAL CONCERN FOR EACH OTHER.
THE THEME OF THE EXHIBITION, HE NOTED, COINCIDED WITH THAT OF THE CURRENT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, WHICH WAS AIMED AT AROUSING THE AWARENESS OF THE PARENTS AND OFFERING THEM PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS IN GUIDING THEIR ADOLESCENT CHILDREN.
♦THROUGH THE MEANS OF EDUCATION, AN EFFORT IS MADE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THEIR OWN GROWTH AND BEHAVIOUR, TO PLAY THEIR PART AND TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE HAPPINESS OF THEIR FAMILY,* HE ADDED.
THE FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY AND THE HONG KONG TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED, IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5 PM DAILY.
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A....
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1982
4
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND SHAM SHU I PO ft * * ft
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE GENERAL TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG CHATHAM ROAD IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 13).
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (APRIL 9), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPOR; DEPARTMENT SAID THE SCHEME WAS DESIGNED TO CONSIDERABLY REDUCE BUS JOURNEY TIMES.
♦FURTHERMORE, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY WILL ALSO BE ENHANCED,♦ HE ADDED.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH BETWEEN CHEONG WAN ROAD AND MODY ROAD AND THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CHEONG WAN ROAD BETWEEN SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH WILL BE DESIGNATED AS URBAN CLEARWAYS.
WITHIN THE 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.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING JUNCTIONS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM MAKING U-TURNS«
ft JUNCTION OF CHEONG WAN ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH FOR WESTBOUND TRAFFIC;
ft JUNCTION OF AUSTIN ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH FOR NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC? AND
ft JUNCTION OF CAMERON ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH FOR SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC.
IN ADDITION, THE BUS STOP AT CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH SERVING ROUTE NOS. 7A, 209, 211 AND 216 WILL BE CANCELLED TO ENABLE A BETTER TRAFFIC FLOW.
MEANWHILE, ALSO FROM 10 AM ON THAT DAY, A SECTION OF YU CHAU STREET IN SHAM SHU I PO BETWEEN PORTLAND STREET AND WONG CHUK STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AS AN URBAN CLEARWAY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 10 AM AND BETWEEN 4 PM AND 7 PM DAILY, WHEN ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
o--------
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1982
5
WATERFALL PARK IN SHEK KIP MEI COMPLETED
* M * *
THE WATERFALL PARK WITHIN THE SEVEN-HECTARE SHEK KIP MEI PAkK IS VIRTUALLY COMPLETED AND SHOULD BE READY BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
WORKERS OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S ARCHITECTURA OFFICE WHICH IS BUILDING THE PROJECT FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL, ARE NOW PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO THE PARK.
THE WATERFALL PARK, OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 2.5 HECTARES, FEATURES A POOL WITH FOUNTAINS ON TWO LEVELS CONNECTED BY A WATERFALL, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG.
A PAVILION CURLS AROUND THE POOL AT THE HIGH LEVEL. THERE IS ALSO A SUNKEN PLAZA FOR INFORMAL GATHERINGS AND A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A FLOATING REFRESHMENT KIOSK ON THE POOL AT THE LOWER LEVEL.
---o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
YUEN LONG SWIMMING POOL AND GARDEN .......................... 1
1982 MUSIC TOUR TO THE UNITED KINGDOM ....................... 2
SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT .............................. 3
TOWN HALL FOR SAI KUNG PEOPLE ............................... 4
YAU MA TEI CDO MOVES OFFICE ................................. 4
SLIP ROaD AT SHAM TSENG INTERCHANGE CLOSED .................. 5
FIRING PRACTICE ............................................. 5
PLB CLEARWAY IN NORTH POINT
5
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1982
1
YUEN LONG SWIMMING POOL AND GARDEN ******
CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR A PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND GARDEN COMPLEX FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS IS NOW IN FULL SWING.
THE PROJECT, EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN FOUR MONTHS’ TIME, WILL BE MANAGED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE SWIMMING POOL WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC BEFORE THE END OF THIS BATHING SEASON, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE YUEN LONG SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WILL BE THE FOURTH BATHING FACILITY SERVING THE NEW TERRITORIES PEOPLE. THE OTHERS ARE THE KWAI SHING SWIMMING POOL, FANLING SWIMMING POOL AND SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL.
IN ADDITION TO THESE, FOUR MORE PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS WILL BE BUILT AT TUEN MUN, TAI PO, SAI KUNG AND KWAI CHUNG.
THE YUEN LONG SWIMMING POOL AND GARDEN COMPLEX OCCUPIES A SITE OF 2.34 HECTARES AND IS LOCATED AT THE SOUTH OF THE YUEN LONG STADIUM.
COSTING ABOUT S3! MILLION, THE COMPLEX COMPRISES A MAIN POOL OF STANDARD OLYMPIC SIZE AND FOUR ANCILLARY POOLS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS TO CATER FOR SWIMMING COMPETITIONS, WATER-POLO MATCHES, GENERAL BATHING, TRAINING, DIVING, AND FOR USE BY CHILDREN, TODDLERS AND THEIR PARENTS.
A SPECTATOR STAND, A SWIMMER’S DECK, CHANGING ROOMS, TOILETS, CANTEEN FOR LIGHT REFRESHMENT AND OFFICE ACCOMMODATION WILL BE PROVIDED IN A TWO-STOREY BUILDING.
SPECIALLY DESIGNED CHANGING ROOMS AND OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDING RAMPS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED.
TO THE NORTH OF THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX THERE WILL BE A LANDSCAPED GARDEN WITH A SHALLOW POOL, A FOUNTAIN, AND PLANTING AND SITTING-OUT AREAS.
A TEMPORARY RECREATION GROUND WITH TWO BASKETBALL COURTS AND A SMALL REST GARDEN WILL ALSO BE LOCATED BY THE SIDE OF THE COMPLEX.
0 - -
/a .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1982
2
1982 MUSIC TOUR TO THE UNITED KINGDOM *****
THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM YOUNG MUSICIANS TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN A SERIES OF FESTIVALS TO BE HELD IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THIS SUMMER.
THESE FESTIVALS INCLUDE THE ORIENTAL MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN DURHAM FROM JULY 10 TO 23, THE 15TH INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR MUSIC EDUCATION CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN BRISTOL FROM JULY 21 TO 28, AND THE ALDEBURGH MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN ALDEBURGH, SUFFOLK FROM JULY 29 TO AUGUST 2.
SELECTED YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL FORM A CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE AND PERFORM IN A NUMBER OF CONCERTS AT THE DURHAM ORIENTAL MUSIC FESTIVAL, WHICH AIMS TO INTRODUCE AND PROMOTE TRADITIONAL ASIAN PERFORMING ARTS AMONG WESTERN AUDIENCES.
THE GROUP WILL THEN DEPART FOR BRISTOL WHERE THEY WILL DEMONSTRATE THE PLAYING OF CHINESE MUSIC AT THE 15TH INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR MUSIC EDUCATION CONFERENCE. DURING THE CONFERENCE, THEY WILL ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPRECIATE THE QUALITY AND WIDE RANGE OF MUSIC PLAYED BY PERFORMERS FROM OVER 30 COUNTRIES.
THE ENSEMBLE WILL THEN PERFORM AT THE ALDEBURGH MUSIC FESTIVAL WHICH IS A PRESTIGIOUS ANNUAL PRESENTATION ATTENDED BY LEADING ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
APPLICATIONS TO JOIN THIS OVERSEAS TOUR ARE NOW OPEN TO ALL YOUNG MUSICIANS. CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS!
(A) BE UNDER 23 BY JULY 10, 1982 AND NORMALLY NOT YOUNGER THAN 14
(B) HAVE REACHED AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD IN AT LEAST ONE CHINESE MUSIC INSTRUMENT;
(C) ATTEND AN AUDITION TO BE ARRANGED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE IN EARLY MAY 1982.
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WITH CHINESE ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE. THE MUSIC OFFICE, UNDER WHOSE AUSPICES THE SELECTED GROUP WILL TRAVEL, UNDERTAKES TO MEET THE NECESSARY EXPENSES INVOLVED. THE FINAL DECISION AS TO THE SIZE OF THE GROUP AND THE SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS RESTS WITH THE MUSIC OFFICE.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICESi-
(A) MUSIC OFFICE HEAD OFFICE, 9/F, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.
(B) EAST KOWLOON MUS J CENTRE, 100 TING FU STREET, 2/F, NGAU TAU KCX.
/(C) NEW ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1962
(C) NEW TERRITORIES MUSIC CENTRE, 167-173 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, CHEUNG YIU BUILDING, 1/F, TSUEN WAN.
THE CLOSING APRIL 26, 1982.
DATE FOR THE RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBER i 5-283257 EXT.
28.
SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT * * *
CONSTRUCTION WILL START SHORTLY ON THE SECOND STAGE OF THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ON THE RECLAMATION JUST NORTH CF THE NEW RACECOURSE TO PROVIDE FULL SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES TO SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING INVITED BY THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
WORK ON THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEWAGE AND SLUDGE TREATMENT UNITS, PUMPING STATIONS, ACCOMMODATION ELOCKS AND PIPELINES ALL ON PILED FOUNDATIONS, TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED ROADS AND OTHER APPURTENANCES.
AN NTDD SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PROJECT, WHICH HAD BEEN DESIGNED TO THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, REPRESENTED PART OF THE ONGOING COMMITMENT TO POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES FOR DISCHARGES INTO TOLO HARBOUR AND WAS COMPLEMENTED BY WORK PRESENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN AS PART OF THE TOLO HARBOUR WATER QUALITY STUDY.
MEANWHILE, CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS FOR STAGE ONE OF THE PLANT, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF PRIMARY SEDIMENTATION TANKS, AERATION TANKS, FINAL SETTLING TANKS AND AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED.
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING ELECTRICAL GENERATORS, IS NOW BEING INSTALLED.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT STAGE ONE OF THE PLANT WILL BE COMMISSIONED LATER THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦BY THAT TIME,* HE SAID, +IT WILL BE CAPABLE OF SERVING ABOUT 230 000 PEOPLE IN THE NEW TOWN.*
ADDITIONAL TREATMENT FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN STAGE TWO WILL BE ABLE TO COPE WITH A FURTHER INCREASE IN POPULATION OF ABOUT 270 000, BRINGING THE TOTAL SERVICE CAPACITY OF THE TREATMENT PLANT TO 505 000.
♦ULTIMATELY, THE PLANT CAN BE EXPANDED TO TREAT FLOWS FROM A POPULATION OF ABOUT 900 000 IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND AT MA ON SHAN WHICH IS NOW BEING DEVELOPED,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1982
4
TOWN HALL FOR SAI KUNG PEOPLE XXX
WORK ON THE SAI KUNG TOWN HALL WILL SOON BEGIN FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF A PILING CONTRACT FOR THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE PROJECT.
THE COMPLEX, COSTING $17 MILLION, IS TO BE BUILT IN TWO PHASES ON A 4 322 SQUARE-METRE SITE NEAR THE HEART OF SAI KUNG FOR THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
A MULTI-PURPOSE AUDITORIUM AND A COMMUNITY WORKERS’ OFFICE WILL FORM THE FIRST PHASE OF WORK WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED LATE NEXT YEAR.
THE ONE-STOREY AUDITORIUM, WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF 1 000 PEOPLE, CAN BE USED FOR VARIOUS THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES AND INDOOR SPORTS EVENTS.
THE PILING CONTRACT WAS RECENTLY SIGNED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHAN SUI-JEUNG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CO. LTD., MR CHUNG POON; AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PRECAST PILING AND ENGINEERING CO.LTD, MR DANNY WOO.
THE SECOND PHASE, SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1986, WILL COMPRISE A SIX-STOREY BUILDING HOUSING A LIBRARY, AN EXHIBITION HALL, A NURSERY, A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES.
THE TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE IS A CHARITABLE ORGANISATION INCORPORATED ABOUT A YEAR AGO TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL AND OTHER FACILITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED $4 MILLION TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION COST. THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE IS NOW APPLYING FOR $2 MILLION FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND AND WILL LATER RAISE FUNDS TO MEET THE BALANCE.
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YAU MA TEI CDO MOVES OFFICE MX*
THE YAU MA TEI CITY DISTRICT OFFICE WILL MOVE FROM 260-264 0NMTUESDAYE(APR?LH13)FAT C0MMERCIAL CENTRE» *90-492 NATHAN ROAD,
~ THE OFFICE OF THE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (YAU MA TEI/ W,LL ALS0 M0VE FR0M THE S,XTH FLOOR OF THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO HOP FAT COMMERCIAL CENTRE ON APRIL 26.
in L [?Y D IST}r?CTT^F ICE?M( yIS 'S^'TE I)
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SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1982
SLIP ROAD AT SHAM TSENG INTERCHANGE CLOSED * * *
A SLIP ROAD AT THE SHAM TSENG INTERCHANGE ON TUEN MUN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR 48 HOURS FROM 8 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 14) FOR ROAD WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, WEST-BOUND TRAFFIC ON TUEN MUN ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE THE SLIP ROAD TO TURN INTO CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
VEHICLES HEADING FOR SHAM TSENG AND TSI NG LUNG TAU SHOULD USE CASTLE PEAK ROAD INSTEAD OF TUEN MUN ROAD.
SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- 0 - -
FIRING PRACTICE * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN/CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 14) FROM 9 AM TO 11 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAG IS FLYING.
- - o -
PLB CLEARWAY IN NORTH POINT X X X
A SECTION OF NORTHBOUND TONG SHUI ROAD IN NORTH POINT BETWEEN JAVA ROAD AND WHARF ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 13).
WITHIN THE CLEARWAY, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE PLB CLEARWAY RESTRICTION IMPOSED ON A SECTION OF WHARF ROAD WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TONG SHUI ROAD WILL BE RESCINDED.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG'S PART TIME SOLDIERS — UNEQUALLED VALUE POR MONEY 1
MORE MODERN BUILDINGS FOR BEACH GOERS .......................... 3
YUEN CHAU TSAI ROADS NEARING COMPLETION ........................ 3
YUEN LONG TO CELEBRATE TIN HAU FESTIVAL ........................ 4
WORK OF FRENCH ART STUDENTS ON DISPLAY ......................... 5
NIGHT CLOSURE OF APPROACH ROAD TO TUNNEL ....................... 5
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN NORTH POINT
6
SUNDAY, APaTL 11, 1
1
HONG KONG’S PART TIME SOLDIERS — UNEQUALLED VALUE FOR MONEY * * * *
THERE ARE NOT MANY ARMIES IN THE WORLD, SAYS THE COMMAND t j OFFICER OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT, IN WHICH YOU CAN FIND SO MANY SOLDIERS WHO ARE PHYSICIANS, LAWYERS, ENGINEERS, ACCOUNTANTS, OFFICE MANAGERS, CIVIL SERVANTS, SHOP AND PROF i. OWNERS, OR CLERKS AND SKILLED BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS.
AND HONG KONG’S OWN LITTLE VOLUNTEER ARMY OF ABOUT 700 WO’iKI PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER PEOPLE REPRESENT +UNEQUALLED VALUE FOR MONEY* IN THE 400 HOURS OR SO OF DUTIES THAT THEY PUT IN ON AVERAGE DURING THE YEAR, EXPLAINED LIEUTENANT COLONEL MIKE BARI-;-THE COMMANDING OFFICER.
MORE RECENTLY, FOR INSTANCE, IT AMPLY DEMONSTRATED ITS WORTH WHEN CALLED OUT IN 1979 AND IN 1980 TO HELP STEM THE MASSIVE INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA.
♦THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT, ON THOSE OCCASIONS, CAPTURED ON AVERAGE MORE THAN ONE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FOR EACH VOLUNTEER IN ONE WEEK OF SERVICE,* EXPLAINED THE COMMANDING OFFICER.
IT IS ALSO USEFULLY DEPLOYED IN COUNTLESS OTHER SITUATIONS, HE ADDED. *THE AVERAGE INTELLIGENCE, ABILITY AND MOTIVATION OF THE VOLUNTEERS IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT OF THE DRAFTEE BECAUSE THEY JOIN OF THEIR OWN VOLITION, AND WE HAVE THE GOOD FORTUNE TO BE IN A POSITION TO BE EXTREMELY SELECTIVE,* SAID COLONEL BARNEBY.
FOR THE 1981-82 YEAR, THE REGIMENT HAS HAD TO OPERATE ON A BUDGET OF $11.3 MILLION, COVERING ALL EXPENSES, INCLUDING A PERMANENT STAFF OF NINE OFFICERS AND WARRANT OFFICERS FROM THE BRITISH ARMY AND A LOCAL FULL-TIME STAFF OF 52, PLUS ABOUT 650 PART-TIME SOLDIERS.
FOR HIS SERVICE, EACH MEMBER OF THE REGIMENT RECEIVES FROM $4 000 TO $6 000 A YEAR, AND THE OVERALL COST-EFFECTIVENESS ARISES MAINLY FROM THE FACT THAT HE IS NOT PROVIDED WITH QUARTERS.
THE VOLUNTEER SPREADS HIS 400 HOURS OF TRAINING A YEAR OVER ONE WEEKEND AND TWO EVENINGS A MONTH, PLUS TWO WEEK-LONG CAMPS. NEW RECRUITS ARE REQUIRED ADDITIONALLY TO ATTEND A NINE-DAY BASIC TRAINING CAMP AND ANOTHER NINE-DAY CAMP BEFORE PASSING-OUT SIX MONTHS AFTER JOINING.
APART FROM THE CHANCE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, THE VOLUNTEER ACHIEVES SELF-IMPROVEMENT FROM THE MANY BASIC MILITARY SKILLS THAT HE LEARNS, SUCH AS WEAPONS HANDLING, MAP-READING, FIRST AID, COMMUNICATIONS, DRIVING ARMY VEHICLES AND ASSAULT BOATS.
+HE ALSO GETS TO ENJOY THE HEALTHY OUTDOOR LIFE AND THE COMRADESHIP THAT COMES WITH SUCH ACTIVITIES,* COLONEL BARNEBY SAID.
/♦AND THE
SUNDAY, APHID 11,
2
♦AND THE TRAINING ALSO BUILDS UP SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE, ALL USEFUL QUALITIES IN CIVILIAN LIFE.+
KNOWN BY DIFFERENT NAMES IN ITS EARLIER DAYS, THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT HAS HAD AN ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 185* TO REPLACE THE BRITISH GARRISON WITHDRAWN FC THE CRIMEAN WAR. ITS MOST MEMORABLE CHAPTER OF SERVICE WAS DURING THE PACIFIC WAR, WHEN SERVING UNDER THE NAME OF THE HONG KONG VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS, IT LOST NEARLY 300 OF ITS 2 200 MEN IN DEFENDING HONG KONG AGAINST THE JAPANESE. MOST Of THE SURVIVORS EITHER ESCAPED OR WERE INTERNED, OR ELSE WENT UNDERGROUND TO CONTINUE THEIR RESISTANCE.
THE REGIMENT IS TRAINED MILITARILY AS A LIGHT RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT ATTACHED TO THE GURKHA FIELD FORCE, ALTHOUGH ITS MAIN CONTRIBUTION WILL BE IN HELPING WITH MAINTENANCE OF INTERNAL SECURITY IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY.
PLANS ARE UNDERWAY TO REPLACE SOME OF ITS OLDER TYPE OF EQUIPMENT, AND THESE INCLUDE ITS RADIOS.
COLONEL BARNEBY, WHO IS A TANK AND ARMOURED RECONNAISSANCE SOLDIER BY TRADE WITH THE BULK OF HIS SERVICE IN THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE RHINE AND NORTHERN IRELAND, HAS ALSO SUGGESTED RECRUITING A SMALL SQUAD OF ABOUT 30 WOMEN VOLUNTEERS.
♦UNITS IN GURKHA FIELD FORCE,♦ HE EXPLAINED, +WOULD FIND THESE LADIES, WHO WOULD HAVE TO BE FLUENT IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, INVALUABLE AS SEARCHERS AND INTERPRETERS IN AN INTERNAl SECURITY SITUATION AND ALSO ON ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DUTIES.♦
THIS PROPOSAL IS NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE REGIMENT ALREADY HAS A JUNIOR LEADERS SQUADRON OF 14 TO 18 YEAR-OLDS WHO ARE TAUGHT MANY OUTDOOR SKILLS INCLUDING DRILL, RADIO, CAMP LIFE, SWIMMING, LIFE SAVING, CANOEING AND WATER SPORTS.
THERE ARE PLANS NOW ALSO TO DOUBLE THEIR NUMBER FROM THE PRESENT 135 TO ABOUT 300 AND BASE THEIR FUTURE TRAINING ON THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME.
TRAINING FOR JUNIOR LEADERS TAKES ONE FULL SUNDAY AND ONE SUNDAY MORNING EACH MONTH, PLUS ONE EASTER CAMP LASTING FOUR DAYS, AND ANOTHER WEEK-LONG CAMP IN AUGUST.
0 --------
SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 1982
- 3 -
MORE MODERN BUILDINGS FOR BEACH GOERS ft ft ft
TWO MODERN CONCRETE BUILDINGS, PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE FACILITIES FOR BATHERS HAVE JUST BEEN CONSTRUCTED, AND WILL BE AMONG TEN SUCH STRUCTURES TO BE PROVIDED AT BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
ONE HAS BEEN BUILT AT KADOORIE BEACH AND IS ALREADY IN USE, AND THE OTHER WILL BE OPEN TO BATHERS AT LIDO BEACH AT 11.5 MILESTONE, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TOWARDS THE END OF THIS MONTH, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
FACILITIES PROVIDED AT THE BUILDINGS INCLUDE CHANGING ROOMS, TOILETS, SHOWERS AND A REFRESHMENT KIOSK AT THE TOP PLATFORM, IN ADDITION TO A FIRST AID CENTRE, OFFICE, STORE ROOM AND A CATAMARAN STORE.
SIMILAR BEACH BUILDINGS WILL BE BUILT AT MA WAN ISLAND, TING KAU AND APPROACH BEACHES IN TSUEN WAN; BUTTERFLY BEACH IN TUEN MUN' LOK WU SHA BEACH IN SHA TIN, CAMPERS’ BAY, CLEARWATER (FIRST) BAY, HAP MUN BAY, KIU TSUI AND TRIO BEACHES IN SAI KUNG; THE LO SO SHING BEACH AT LAMMA AND THE CHEUNG SHA BEACH ON LANTAU ISLAND.
WORK WILL START SOON ON BEACH BUILDINGS AT MA WAN AND TING KAU BEACHES, SUPPORTED BY A DONATION OF $2 MILLION BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
EARLIER THIS MONTH, A BUILDING WAS ALSO CONSTRUCTED AT SILVER MINE BAY, PROVIDING SUCH FACILITIES AS CHANGING ROOMS, SHOWERS AND TOILETS. AT SAI KUNG, MEANWHILE, ANOTHER NEWLY-COMPLETED BUILDING, PROVIDING SIMILAR FACILITIES WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC NEXT MONTH.
------o-------
YUEN CHAU TSAI ROADS NEARING COMPLETION ft ft ft
IN Ti^°on 2uiIuE1/.U.ENf-CHAU TSAI NETW0RK OF ROADS AND BRIDGES qmaTt PART 0F AN 1INTERCHANGE FOR THE
SHA TIN-TAI PO COASTAL TRUNK ROAD IS NOW IN THE FINAL STAGES
NEW
A SPoI?L52AFABA?LE?A^CnDnJ0 0PEN T0 TRAPP IC THIS SUMMER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TA PO DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE * TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
„„lrsl_THE AIM 0F THE PROJECT, HE SAID, WAS TO PROVIDE ^E;.SEPARATED CROSSING BETWEEN TAI PO ROAD AND THE rcUTucLJAlNnTING THE EX,STIN<5 LEVEL CROSSING FOR THE THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY’S ELECTRIFICATION AND
MODERNISATION PROGRAMME NEXT YEAR.
A
RAILWAY, IMPLEMENTATION
/+IH3I THE .......
SUNDAY, APHID 11, 1?82
- 4 -
+*HEN THE ROADS ARE COMPLETED, TRAFFIC ALONG THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD NEAR YUEN CHAU TSAI SHOULD BE CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED,* HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, WORK ON THE SHA TIN-TAI PO COASTAL TRUNK ROAD IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY.
THE COASTAL TRUNK ROAD WILL BE A SEVEN-KILOMETRE LONG HIGHWAY WITH THREE LANES IN EACH DIRECTION FROM THE NORTHERN END OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO TAI PO NEW TOWN.
IT IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1984.
------ o -----
YUEN LONG TO CELEBRATE TIN HAU FESTIVAL
* * * *
A TRADITIONAL EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY WAS HELD TODAY (SUNDAY) FOR A GOLDEN DRAGON OF WAH YAN TONG AT TAI SHUE HA, SHAP PAT HEUNG, HERALDING THE YUEN LONG TIN HAU FESTIVAL WHICH, THIS YEAR, WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY (APRIL 16).
THE FESTIVAL WHICH CELEBRATES THE BIRTHDAY OF TIN HAU, THE GODDESS OF HEAVEN, HAS SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE TO BOAT PEOPLE WHO PRAY TO HER FOR FAIR WEATHER AND GOOD FISHING ALL YEAR ROUND.
PERFORMING THE EYE-DOTTING TODAY WAS THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FUNG KWOK-KEUNG, WHO SAIDi +TIN HAU FESTIVAL IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS FOR YUEN LONG PEOPLE.
.+LHE CELEBRATIONS DATE BACK TO THE 17TH CENTURY WHEN Sim. l°c<?CueLc»C0ASTAL F,SH,NG VILLAGE AND THE RESIDENTS WERE HA IMLT r ISntRncN.
„ +ALTHOUGH YUEN LONG IS NOW DEVELOPING INTO A NEW TOWN AND e?nL1°CM*.M^LEARN/HE,R LIVING FROM THE SEA, THE TRADITION IS STILL MAINTAINED,* HE SAID.
B£!NG ORGANISED BY THE SHAP PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE, THIS YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS WILL FEATURE A TWO-HOUR PROCESSION AND A *FA PAU* DRAW.
MORE THAN 7 000 PEOPLE FROM
O.OT im ----- - 34 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WILL TAKE
PART IN THE PROCESSION WHICH WILL INCLUDE LION, DRAGON AND UNICORN DANCES, CHIU CHAU GONGS '.ND DRUMS, CLOATS, TRADITIONAL CHINESE FOLK DANCES, AND FLORAL VEHICLE PARADE.
THE PROCESSION WILL SET OFF FROM THE EASTERN BUS TERMINUS CF YUEN LONG TOWN AT 10.30 AM, ARRIVING AT THE STADIUM VIA FUNG CHEUNG, CASTLE PEAK AND TAI YUK ROADS. THE +FA PAU* DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE AT TAI SHUE HA AT 4 PM.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CELEBRATION WILL ATTRACT MORE THAN 50 000 PEOPLE THIS YEAR.
SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 1982
5
WORK OF FRENCH ART STUDENTS ON DISPLAY
* * * *
AN EXHIBITION OF DRAWINGS BY GRADUATES OF THE ECOLE NATIONAL DES BEAUX ARTS IN PARIS, ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS ART SCHOOLS IN THE WORLD, WILL BE HELD FROM APRIL 13 TO 24 AT THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE IN NORTH POINT.
♦THE EXHIBITS ON DISPLAY WILL EMPHASISE THE IMPORTANCE OF DRAWING AS A FORM OF EXPRESSION, AND ALSO THE VERY HIGH LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT BY THE STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL,* AN EDUCAT: ; DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE EXHIBITION, WHICH WOULD BE OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO ART TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, HE SAID.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEEKDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS, EXCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE VENUE IS THE EXHIBITION ROOM OF THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, FIFTH FLOOR, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE CONSULAT GENERAL DE FRANCE IN HONG KONG.
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NIGHT CLOSURE OF APPROACH ROAD TO TUNNEL
*****
THE APPROACH ROAD FROM HAPPY VALLEY AND CANAL ROAD FLYOVER TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL IN WAN CHAI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS BETWEEN 9.30 PM AND 6 AM FROM TUESDAY (APRIL 13) FOR ROAD WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES HEADING FOR THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE THE APPROACH ROAD FROM CANAL ROAD FLYOVER TO NORTH POINT, AND THEN TRAVEL VIA EASTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY FLYOVER WESTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD, AND THE UP-RAMP OF THE EASTERN APPROACH ROAD TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 1982
6
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN NORTH POINT *****
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN NORTH ■' TUESDAY (APRIL 13) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
THEY ARE AS FOLLOWSi
* WHARF ROAD BETWEEN TONG SHU I ROAD AND NORTH POINT ROA WILL BE ROUTED ONE WAY WESTBOUND.
NORTH POINT ROAD BETWEEN WHARF BE ROUTED ONE WAY SOUTHBOUND.
ROAD AND JAVA ROAD .-/ILL
* THE BAN ON MAKING RIGHT TURNS FROM NORTH POINT ROAD SCI • OF JAVA ROAD INTO THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF JAVA ROAD WILL BE LIFTED.
* THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TONG SHU I ROAD BETWEEN JAVA ROAD AND WHARF ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS CLEARWAY FROM 7.00 AM TO 12.00 MIDNIGHT DAILY WHERE PICKING UP AND SETTING DOWN OF PASSENGERS ARE PROHIBITED.
* THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS CLEARWAY ON WHARF ROAD BETWEEN A POINT 47 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TONG SHU I ROAD AND A POINT 87 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE RESCINDED.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON JAVA ROAD HEADING FOR WHARF ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TONG SHU I ROAD.
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON JAVA ROAD TRAVELLING TOWARDS WHARF ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA POWER STREET, KING’S ROAD, NORTH POINT ROAD, JAVA ROAD AND TONG SHU I ROAD.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1?82
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE AMONG MOST EFFICIENT IN WORLD ............... 1
ACTIVITIES TO HELP TEACHERS PROMOTE MORAL EDUCATION............. 4
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF AUSTIN ROAD.......................... 4
SOME TIPS FOR TIN HAU WORSHIPPERS .............................. 5
TAI PO MARKET STALLS FOR AUCTION ............................... 6
TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER ONE-THIRD COMPLETE........................ 6
OPEN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT KWUN TONG
7
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1982
1
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE AMONG MOST EFFICIENT IN WORLD
* * * *
HONG KONG EXISTS LARGELY BY INTERNATIONAL TRADE, AND THE MANY ACTIVITIES THAT THIS ENTAILS IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUIREMENT OF OUR OVERSEAS TRADING PARTNERS HAS GIVEN RISE TO ONE OF THE MOST EFFICIENT CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICES IN THE WORLD.
WHILE ITS MAJOR ACTIVITY IS STILL CONCERNED WITH FACILITATI c THE SMOOTH FLOW OF GOODS OF ALL KINDS TO AND FROM HONG KONG, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, NEVERTHELESS, STANDS HIGH IN INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT AS A DRUG-FIGHTING BODY.
ITS ANT I-NARCOTICS OPERATIONS, WHICH INVOLVE A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF ITS MANPOWER, RESULTED IN THE SEIZURE LAST YEAR OF SOME 190 KILOGRAMS OF NARCOTICS, WORTH ABOUT $60 MILLION IN THE STREETS, AND THE ARREST OF 750 PERSONS.
BUT TRADE FACILITATION REMAINS AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION, PROBABLY MORE SO IN HONG KONG THAN IN MOST OTHER COUNTRIES, SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR DOUGLAS JORDAN.
HONG KONG’S TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE LAST YEAR, FOR INSTANCE, CAME TO $260 BILLION, IN THE FORM OF ABOUT $138 BILLION IN IMPORTS, $80 BILLION WORTH OF EXPORTS AND SOME $42 BILLION OF RE-EXPORTS.
ALL OF THIS INVOLVED THOUSANDS OF AIRCRAFT AND VESSELS -(AND ABOUT NINE MILLION PASSENGERS), IN ADDITION TO THE MILLIONS OF POSTAL PACKAGES, THOUSANDS OF CONTAINERS OF MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS, AND RAW MATERIALS AND OTHER ARTICLES.
IN FACT, THE SERVICE IS NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIRECT ENFORCEMENT OF 16 ORDINANCES INVOLVING REVENUE COLLECTION, COPYRIGHT, COUNTERFEIT, AND DANGEROUS DRUGS AND OTHER CONTRABAND.
TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING COMPLEXITY AND VOLUME OF ITS WORKLOAD, THE SERVICE LAST YEAR UNDERTOOK A MAJOR REORGANISATION OF ITS ACTIVITIES, WHICH IS NOW NEARLY COMPLETED. IN DOING SO, IT HAD TO INCREASE ITS MANPOWER BY 454 PERSONS TO ITS PRESENT STRENGTH OF 2 158, WHICH IS THE MAJOR PART OF THE 3 000 STRONG CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS DEPARTMENT.
WHEN THE SERVICE BEGAN IN 1909 AS A SMALL DIVISION OF WHAT WAS THEN THE IMPORT AND EXPORT DEPARTMENT, IT HAD A STAFF OF 26, RECALLED MR JORDAN. THE WORK THEN, HOWEVER, WAS EQUALLY VERY LIMITED IN A VERY MUCH SMALLER HONG KONG.
THE PRESENT CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE NOW ORGANISED IN THE FIELD IN THREE LARGELY AUTONOMOUS REGIONS HAS THREE SPECIALISED SUPPORT BRANCHES AT HEADQUARTERS - THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION UNIT DEALING WITH STAFFING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT, A TECHNICAL BUREAU PROVIDING A +THINK-TANK+ FOR THE SERVICE AND THE CUSTOMS INVESTIGATION BUREAU (CIB).
/MR K.S. TONG.........
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1982
2
MR K.S. TONG, WHO HEADS THE CIB, SAID THE NEW ARRANGEMENT ENABLES EACH REGION TO TAKE PROMPT ACTION WITHOUT HAVING TO REFER CONSTANTLY TO HEADQUARTERS FOR INSTRUCTIONS.
+THE CIB WILL ASSIST THE REGIONAL DIVISIONS ONLY IN MAJOR AND COMPLEX CASES, UPON REQUEST, OR WHEN INTER-REGIONAL ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED,* HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION TO ITS GENERAL INVESTIGATION WORK THE CIB IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETECTING ORGANISED DRUG RUNNING AND TRAFFICKING CF A MAJOR NATURE.
DRUG TRAFFICKERS, EXPLAINED MR TONG, ARE NOW EMPLOYING EVER MORE INGENIOUS AND SOPHISTICATED WAYS TO PLY THEIR NEFARIOUS TRADE.
SOME FOR INSTANCE ARE EMPLOYING NEW METHODS OF CONCEALMENT, SUCH AS INSIDE TROPICAL FRUITS AND CANNED FOOD. OTHERS TRY TO CATCH THE CUSTOMS OFF GUARD BY DIVERTING THEIR DRUGS THROUGH PLACES KNOWN FOR THEIR TOUGH REGULATIONS AND SURVEILLANCE - SUCH AS SINGAPORE, TOKYO, TAIPEI AND BEIJING -TO DISCOURAGE CUSTOMS ATTENTION IN HONG KONG.
MASSIVE DRUG SHIPMENTS, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO BE MADE FROM SEA-GOING VESSELS. LAST YEAR A RECORD-HIGH SEIZURE OF DEHYDRATED OPIUM TOTALLING 82.7 KILOGRAMS WAS MADE ON BOARD ONE VESSEL FROM SINGAPORE. THE DRUGS WERE FOUND INSIDE A SPARE PISTON AND IN VARIOUS FALSE COMPARTMENTS OF THE SHIP. MORE RECENTLY 73 KILOGRAMS OF HEROIN BASE WAS DETECTED IN A CONSIGNMENT OF COMPRESSORS, AGAIN FROM SINGAPORE.
MR TONG EXPRESSED CONCERN AT THE REAPPEARANCE OF A QUANTITY OF HIGH QUALITY NO. 4 HEROIN LAST YEAR, AND THE INFLUX OF DRUGS AS A RESULT OF BUMPER HARVESTS IN THE NOTORIOUS GOLDEN TRIANGLE OF THAILAND, BURMA AND LAOS.
+THERE IS SIMPLY NO LETTING UP ON OUR WATCH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS, AND OUR BATTLE OF WITS WITH BIG TRAFFICKERS AND THEIR COURIERS WILL GO ON,+ HE SAID.
MR JORDAN, A SENIOR OFFICER WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM CUSTOMS AND EXCISE BEFORE HE WAS APPOINTED COMMISSIONER IN 1977, SAID, ?™L£XfANS,0N AND REORGANISATION OF THE SERVICE WERE NOT ONLY INTENDED TO IMPROVE ITS ANT I-NARCOTICS AND ANT I-COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT WORK - FOR WHICH IT IS ALREADY WELL KNOWN - BUT ALSO TO DEAL WITH OTHER VIOLATIONS DAMAGING THE ECONOMY OR TRADING INTEGRITY OF HONG KONG+,
+THE NECESSITY FOR AN ENTIRELY NEW ORGANISATION BECAME APPARENT WITH THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG, ITS INCREASING TRADE AND CHANGING TRADING PATTERNS. NOT LEAST AMONG THESE IS THE INCREASING TRADE AND TRAFFIC WITH CHINA, BOTH ACROSS THE LAND BOUNDARY AND BY SEA AND AIR+,
LAST YEAR, 41 CASES OF SMUGGLING BY SEA BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WERE INTERCEPTED, RESULTING IN 398 ARRESTS INVOLVING SMUGGLED GOODS WORTH ABOUT 16.25 MILLION DOLLARS, IN CONTRAST TO 1980 WHEN ONLY 11 CASES INVOLVING GOODS WORTH ABOUT 2.67 MILLION DOLLARS WERE INTERCEPTED, AND 66 ARRESTED.
/ONLY THREE .......
MONDAY4 APRIL 12, 1902
ONLY THREE CASES OF SMUGGLING BY LAND ACROSS THE HONG KONG-CHINA BORDER WERE DISCOVERED IN 1981 AND NONE THE PRECEDING YEAR.
THE INCREASE IN THE SERVICE’S MANPOWER IS EXPECTED TO BE MATCHED BY A COMPARABLE UPGRADING OF ITS MATERIAL RESOURCES. METAL DETECTORS AND X-RAY MACHINES WILL BE INSTALLED THIS YEAR AT ALL CUSTOMS ENTRY POINTS TO DETECT WEAPONS AND OTHER CONTRABAND.
MEANWHILE, THE SERVICE'S CURRENT FLEET OF SEVEN HARBOUR AND PATROL LAUNCHES - SOME OF THEM OVER 24 YEARS OLD -WILL BE GRADUALLY REPLACED BY A MODERN FLEET OF FAST PATROL BOATS, SEVERAL OF WHICH WILL BE CAPABLE OF OPERATING AT SEA CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST THREE DAYS. THE FIRST OF THE NEW FLEET OF 14 VESSELS IS EXPECTED TO BE COMMISSIONED LATER THIS YEAR.
THE MODERNISATION OF ITS FLEET, HAS BEEN LONG OVERDUE. MOST SMUGGLERS’ VESSELS CAN OUTRUN ANY OF THE SERVICE’S BOATS. ♦WITH 350 MILES OF COASTLINE AND 243 ISLANDS DOTTING HONG KONG’S 715 SQUARE MILES OF TERRITORIAL WATERS, ALL OF THEM POTENTIAL DRUG PICK-UP POINTS, THE NEED FOR A MUCH BIGGER AND BETTER-EQUIPPED FLEET CANNOT BE OVER-EMPHASISED,* AN OFFICER SAID.
THE SERVICE MAINTAINS REGULAR AND DIRECT CONTACT WITH OVER 40 FOREIGN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND ITS OFFICERS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO TRAIN THEIR COUNTERPARTS AND HELP ESTABLISH COMPARABLE SERVICES IN OTHER COUNTRIES. ITS OWN TRAINING SCHOOL IS AN I8-MILLI0N COMPLEX OF BUILDINGS SITUATED AT 16-MILESTONE, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, NEW TERRITORIES. LAST YEAR, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL GRADUATED 664 OFFICERS, THE LARGEST NUMBER OF GRADUATES PRODUCED IN ANY SINGLE YEAR SINCE IT WAS OPENED IN 1974.
RECENTLY, THE SERVICE HAS INTENSIFIED ITS ACTIVITIES FOR THE PROTECTION OF COPYRIGHT, AND MANY INSTANCES OF INFRINGEMENT CF TRADE MARKS WERE BROUGHT TO THE COURTS AND SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED.
IN ADDITION TO INFRINGEMENT OF PRODUCT BRANDS THERE WERE ALSO CASES OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT, CONCERNING VIDEO CASSETTES, RECORDERS, PIRATED BOOKS AND MAGAZINES, AND SOUND TAPES. PORNOGRAPHIC TAPES WERE ALSO SEIZED IN LARGE QUANTITIES, AND LED TO 25 PERSONS BEING CHARGED UNDER THE OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ORDINANCE.
EXCEPT ON GROUNDS OF SUSPICION, CARGO AND PASSENGERS ARE OTHERWISE EXAMINED ONLY ON A VERY SELECTIVE BASIS, IN LINE WITH TRADE FACILITATION POLICY AND THE FREE PORT STATUS OF HONG KONG, IT WAS EXPLAINED. BUT SUCH SELECTION IS RELATED TO A SOPHISTICATED INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM WHICH ENABLES THE CUSTOMS TO EXERCISE ITS ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES WITHOUT UNDUE INTERFERENCE WITH THE TRADE AND TOURIST TRAFFIC OF HONG KONG.
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1982
4
ACTIVITIES TO HELP TEACHERS PROMOTE MORAL EDUCATION * * * *
A +MORAL EDUCATION WEEK* WILL OPEN TOMORROW (TUESDAY^ AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO HELP TEACHERS IMPROVE Tib " CLASSROOM TEACHING AND STUDENT COUNSELLING TECHNIQUES N CONNECTION WITH MORAL EDUCATION.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR HO KAM-FAI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 9.30 AM.
DURING THE WEEK A SERIES OF SEMINARS WILL BE CONDUCTED AT r COLLEGE FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS. TOPICS INCLUDE THE WORK OF FORM TEACHERS; CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT; EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES; SOCIAL STUDIES, CHINESE AND ENGLISH SUBJECTS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL; SOCIAL STUDIES, ENGLISH AND CHINESE SUBJECTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS; AND STUDENT COUNSELLING.
A DRAMA DAY AND A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 17 AT QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL, SAI YEE STREET, KOWLOON.
A POSTER COMPETITION ON MORAL EDUCATION FOR PUPILS HAS ALSO BEEN CONDUCTED AS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE WEEK.
THE +MORAL EDUCATION WEEK* IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND THE PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS’ UNION.
NOTE TO EDITORS;
YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE +MORAL EDUCATION WEEK* TO BE HELD TOMORROW (APRIL 13) AT 9.30 AM AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.
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TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF x x x
AUSTIN ROAD
THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF AUSTIN ROAD IN TSIM SHA TSUI BETWEEN PINE TREE HILL ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY £OSED 12 JRAFF,C - EXCEPT TH0SE REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES -AM T0 4 AM 0N WEDNESDAY (APRIL 14) FOR REPAIRS TO GAS »AL. V u w «
DURING THE BE DIVERTED VIA
CLOSURE, TRAFFIC HEADING FOR COX’S ROAD AND JORDAN ROAD.
CANTON ROAD WILL
SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
0
/5........
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1982
5
SOME TIPS FOR TIN HAU WORSHIPPERS
ft ft ft M
WORSHIPPERS ATTENDING TIN HAU FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS AT JOSS HOUSE BAY ON FRIDAY (APRIL 16) ARE URGED TO USE WHEREVI POSSIBLE THE SPECIAL FERRIES BEING LAID ON FOR THEM.
THE APPEAL CAME FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SAI KUNG, bR CHAN SUI-JEUNG, WHO SAID THE FERRIES WERE A CONVENIENT WAY OF GETTING TO JOSS HOUSE BAY.
+1 WOULD ALSO LIKE TO APPEAL TO THE WORSHIPPERS TO CARRY THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS AND TAKE SPECIAL CARE WHEN GETTING ON OR OFF FERRIES.
+THIS ALSO APPLIES TO THOSE GOING BY BOAT,* HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID MARINE POLICE AND MARINE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES WOULD KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON BOATS GOING TO JOSS HOUSE BAY, AND OPERATORS WHO OVERLOADED VESSELS WERE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
♦ADEQUATE POLICE AND MEDICAL FACILITIES WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT THE SCENE SHOULD EMERGENCY ARISE,* HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, A POLICE SPOKESMAN REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS WHO ARE USUALLY ACTIVE ON SUCH FESTIVE OCCASIONS.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS AN OFFENCE TO POSSESS OR DISCHARGE FIREWORKS, AND THAT LION DANCES WERE STRICTLY PROHIBITED ON THE SHORE.
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ALSO APPEALED TO WORSHIPPERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CAUSING FIRES, AND URGED SMOKERS TO MAKE SURE THAT CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES WERE PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE DISPOSING OF THEM. A CHECK SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE LEAVING THE AREA TO ENSURE THAT CANDLES, JOSS-STICKS AND PAPERS WERE NOT STILL BURNING.
I
SALES OR DISPLAYS OF HYDROGEN-FILLED BALLOONS WERE PROHIBITED AND VENDORS OR PURCHASERS OF HELIUM GAS FILLED BALLOONS WERE WARNED TO AVOID EXPOSING THEM TO OPEN FIRE BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF AN EXPLOSION.
A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO WORSHIPPERS TO PLACE ALL LITTER IN THE LARGE CONTAINERS BEING PROVIDED IN THE AREA FOR PUBLIC USE. IN PARTICULAR, HE URGED PASSENGERS ON THE FERRY NOT TO THROW RUBBISH ONTO THE SEA.
HE WARNED THAT PEOPLE DISCARDING REFUSE INDISCRIMINATELY MIGHT BE FINED.
c ---------
/b
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1982
6
TAI PO MARKET STALLS FOR AUCTION
* * *
FIVE STALLS AT TWO TAI PO MARKETS WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC AUCTION ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 14).
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT 10 AM AT THE CONFERENCE R03 THE TAI PO URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF MEI TAK BUILDING, KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
OF THE STALLS, TWO AT TAI PO MARKET ARE FOR SELLING FRUITS AND THE OTHER TWO ARE FOR SELLING FISH, WHILE THE REMAINING ONE AT TAI PO KUK TENG MARKET IS FOR SELLING FROZEN MEAT.
THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTALS FOR THE STALLS RANGE FROM $70 TO $200.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS CAN START OPERATING BUSINESS ON MAY 1 FOR A CONTRACT PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
ONLY PERSONS AGED 21 OR ABOVE CAN TAKE PART IN THE AUCTION AND POTENTIAL BIDDERS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE AUCTION VENUE.
INTERESTED PERSONS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE TAI PO URBAN SERVICES OFFICER ON TELEPHONE 0-677111 EXT. 158 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
--------o ---------
TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER ONE-THIRD COMPLETE
* * * *
WORK ON THE $75 MILLION TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT WORK ON THE PROJECT WAS ABOUT ONE-THIRD COMPLETE.
THE TWO-WAY FLYOVER, MEASURING 550 METRES IN LENGTH, WILL RUN FROM THE LOWER END OF TAI HANG ROAD THROUGH MORETON TERRACE CROSSING CAUSEWAY ROAD TO JOIN GLOUCESTER ROAD ON THE WEST SIDE OF VICTORIA PARK.
♦THERE WILL BE CONNECTING RAMPS AT MORETON TERRACE AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI HANG ROAD AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROJECT, SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE AND AN OFF-STREET BUS TERMINUS.
THE 35-METRE COVERED FOOTBRIDGE WILL SPAN CAUSEWAY ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH SHELTER STREET. THE NEW BUS TERMINUS WILL BE LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF MORETON TERRACE AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD.
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/7.........
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1982
7
OPEN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT KWUN TONG * * * *
AN OPEN-MEETING OF THE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 14) OF DELIA MEMORIAL SCHOOL AT
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE AT 2.30 PM IN THE SCHOOL HALL
YUET WAH STREET.
FORMAT I ON'lASTEYEAR.NIN™ MEETING HELD BY THE B0ARD SINC£ ,T$
AMONG THE MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD ARE THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM POLLUTION MONITORS INSTALLED IN KWUN TONG I? 0F PARTICULATE AND SULPHUR DIOmE
AG *£1-LAS PR0GRESS REPORTS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEES ON CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS; FINANCE; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT;
SOCIAL SERVICES AND WORKS PROJECTS.
*EMBERS °F THE PUBL,C» PARTICULARLY DISTRICT RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS MEETING, AND SHOULD CONTACT MISS HELEN LEUNG KIM-LIN, EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, ON TUESDAY (APRIL 13) BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 5 PM AT TELEPHONE 3-416315 EXT. 411.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD OPEN-MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 14) AT 2.30 PM IN THE SCHOOL HALL OF DELIA MEMORIAL SCHOOL AT YUET WAH STREET, KWUN TONG.
- - 0 ---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1982
contents
PAGE NO.
URBAN VOTER REGISTRATION EXCEEDS HaLF-MILLIQN TARGET......... 1
IMMEDIATE BAN ON IMPORTS FROM ARGENTINA .....................
SALT WATER MAINS WORK .......................................
MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR FEBRUARY 1982 ................................................. 3
OFFICIALS TO REPLY AT LEGCO ................................... 5
DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS VICE PROBLEMS ....................... 6
EIGHT OFFICER CADETS PROMOTED ................................. 6
TENDERS INVITED FOR POLYCLINIC BLOCK .......................... 7
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KHUN TONG .................................. 7
WATER FIGURES ................................................. ?
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1982
1
URBAN VOTER REGISTRATION EXCEEDS HALF-MILLION TARGET * * * *
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE REGISTERING AS VOTERS FOR THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER HAS EXCEEDED THE TARGET FIGURE OF HALF A MILLION, TWO WEEKS BEFORE REGISTRATION ENDS ON APRIL 30.
UP TO 12 NOON TODAY (TUESDAY), THE TOTAL FIGURE REACHED 527 000, INCLUDING THE 81 000 PEOPLE WHO HAD REGISTERED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR AND ABOUT 30 000 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTORS WHOSL NAMES WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO THE REGISTER.
THE SECRETARY FOR CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, W DAVID AKERS-JONES, WAS GIVEN THESE FIGURES TODAY WHEN HE VISITED THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE AT MERCURY HOUSE, TO SEE HOW THE REGISTRATION FORMS WERE BEING SORTED OUT, CHECKED AND PROCESSED.
MR AKERS-JONES SAIDi +THE FIGURE REPRESENTS MORE THAN 25 PER CENT OF THE TWO MILLION ELIGIBLE VOTERS.
+BUT IT IS NOT SO MUCH A QUESTION OF TARGET FIGURE OR STATISTICS. IT INDICATES WIDESPREAD INTEREST IN, AND CONCERN FOR, ■DIE OBJECTIVES OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND THE HOPE THAT BY JOINING IN THE ELECTIONS PEOPLE MAY MAKE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF DISTRICT MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES.*
MR AKERS-JONES ALSO APPEALED TO OTHER ELIGIBLE ELECTORS WHO HAD NOT YET REGISTERED TO DO SO IN THE REMAINING TWO WEEKS.
IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS WOULD REACH 600 000 BY THE CLOSING DATE, HE SAID.
HE SAID HE WOULD BE VERY HAPPY IF HALF OF THE PEOPLE REGISTERED WOULD CAST THEIR VOTES IN THE ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER.
MR AKERS-JONES, WHO WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY, DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MRS REGINA IP, WAS BRIEFED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ELECTORAL SERVICES, MR ANTHONY WOO, AND THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, MR C.W. WONG, ON HOW THE LARGE NUMBER OF REGISTRATION FORMS WERE DEALT WITH BY ABOUT 2CX3 SPECIALLY-DEPLOYED STAFF.
MR AKERS-JONES PERSONALLY THANKED THE OFFICERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK SINCE THE CURRENT PHASE OF REGISTRATION BEGAN ON MARCH 19.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1982
2
IMMEDIATE BAN ON IMPORTS FROM ARGENTINA
* * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS MADE REGULATIONS TO BAN ALL IMPORTS OF GOODS FROM ARGENTINA IN SUPPORT OF SIMILAR ACTION BY BRITAIN.
THE IMPORT PROHIBITION (ARGENTINA) REGULATIONS 1982 WILL BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW IN AN EXTRAORDINARY ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE. THE BAN TAKES IMMEDIATE EFFECT. FROM TODAY IMPORTATION OF ALL GOODS FROM ARGENTINA WILL BE PROHIBITED UNLESS THEY WERE FOR TRANSHIPMENT OR RE-EXPORT TO CHINA.
ANYONE WHO CONTRAVENES THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $500 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH ARGENTINA ACCOUNTED FOR LESS THAN 0.2 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL TRADE IN GOODS.
IN 1981. IMPORTS FROM ARGENTINA WERE VALUED AT HKS128 MILLION, MOSTLY RAW COTTON, MEAT AND LEATHER. THESE COMMODITIES COULD BE REPLACED FROM OTHER SOURCES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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SALT WATER MAINS WORK
* * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREA IN FUNG WONG VILLAGE WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 15) TO FACILITATE MAINS REPAIRS WORK AT FUNG TAK ROAD.
AREAS AFFECTED ARE SHUNG WAH STREET, WAN FUNG STREET, LUNG FUNG STREET, SHEUNG FUNG STREET, NGAN FUNG STREET, KAM FUNG STREET, TSUI FUNG STREET, MING FUNG STREET AND FEI FUNG STREET.
0--------
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1982
- 3 - ,
MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR FEBRUARY 1982 *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY RELEASED STATISTICS FROM THE MONTHLY SURVEY OF FEBRUARY 1982. WHICH WAS CONDUCTED ON A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES (CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZE IN SEPTEMBER 1979) AS WELL AS OF THE 43 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS.
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE RESULTS ON MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, BUT SHOULD GIVE USEFUL INDICATIONS OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT RUN.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES DROPPED BECAUSE OF LABOUR TURNOVER IN SOME FACTORIES.
PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES SECTORS IN FEBRUARY WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1982, BECAUSE BONUSES AND DOUBLE PAY WERE AWARDED IN THE PRECEDING MONTH TO EMPLOYEES IN MANY COMPANIES SURVEYED.
THE OVERALL VOLUME OF ORDERS HELD BY THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN FEBRUARY 1982. THEY ROSE IN THE PLASTICS, TEXTILES, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES (WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE FOR PLASTICS), BUT DECLINED IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY AND THE +OTHERS+ CATEGORY OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT, PER CAPITA EARNINGS AND ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS ARE SHOWN IN THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 1982 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT 3-722191*'.
/rOLLOWBiu IS .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1982
FOLLOWING IS THE STATISTICAL TABLEi
A. EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS
PERSONS ENGAGED
BY THE COMPANIES PER CAPITA
SURVEYED EARNINGS
___, - _ ______ ___________ pg r CAPITA
(% CHANGE OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH) EARNINGS
FOR
INDUSTRY/SERVICE DEC. 1981 JAN. 1982 FEB. 1982 DEC. 1981 JAN. 1982 FEB. 1982 FEB. 1982 (HK5)
MANUFACTURING -1 -1 -2 14 35 -32 2 904
FOOD AND DRINKS * -1 1 8 1 5 -34 2 546
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR * * * 14 19 -26 1 733
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL * -1 15 46 -41 1 823
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -4 -1 * 26 22 -35 1 684
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS -1 -1 -3 9 42 -35 1 723
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -1 -2 -4 9 55 -32 2 001
OTHERS * -2 -2 15 26 -27 2 794
CONSTRUCTION * -1 1 4 36 -27 3 095
SERVICES * * 25 34 -36 3 535
BANKS 1 * * 57 8 -38 3 164
HOTELS * -2 1 65 43 -51 2 302
PUBLIC UTILITIES * * 9 49 -38 3 354
OTHERS * * * 10 44 -24 5 691
/B. ORDE^S-ON-HAA'D
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
- 5 -
B. ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING
INDUSTRY (% CHANGE OVER THE THE PRECEDING MONTH) ORDERS-ON-HA^ (IN TERMS Of MONTHS) FOR FEB. 1982
DEC. 1981 JAN. 1982 FEB. 1982
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT
FOOTWEAR -2 -2 -2 4.5
TEXTILES, EXCEPT
WEARING APPAREL ft 5 4 2.4
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3 6 14 4.0
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS -3 -3 3 3.2
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC
PRODUCTS * 2 2 4.9
OTHERS ft -3 3.5
ALL ABOVE INDUSTRIES -2 ft 3 4.1
ft CHANGES OF LESS THAN 0. 5%
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OFFICIALS TO REPLY AT LEGCO ft ft ft ft
ELEVEN 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.
TOMORROW’S SPEAKERS ARE THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
THE OTHER FIVE OFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO WILL SPEAK ON THURSDAY ARE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION, THE SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
THE SITTINGS ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG ON RADIC 1 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH) FROM 2.30 PM.
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/b........
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1982
6
DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS VICE PROBLEMS
*****
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS SECOND MEETING ON THURSDAY (APRIL 15) AT 4 PM AT THE YAU MA TEI CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXISTENCE OF VICE ESTABLISHMENTS AND OTHER DUBIOUS ENTERTAINMENT PLACES IN THE DISTRICT AND HOW THEY SHOULD BE TACKLED.
THE PLANNING MANAGER OF THE PLANNING AND CO-ORDINATION SECTION, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, MR S.S. CHOY WILL BRIEF THE MEMBERS ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT ON THE MONG KOK RAILWAY STATION RE-MODELLING EXERCISE.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF CULTURAL FACILITIES IN MONG KOK AND THE WEST KOWLOON REGION.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SECOND MEETING OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD ON THURSDAY (APRIL 15). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU MA TEI CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490-492, NATHAN ROAD BEFORE 3.50 PM.
------0-------
EIGHT OFFICER CADETS PROMOTED * * * *
THE ACTING ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES (OPERATIONS), MR T.A. HANDLEY TODAY (TUESDAY) PRESENTED LETTERS CF APPOINTMENT TO EIGHT OFFICER CADETS RECENTLY PROMOTED TO OFFICERS.
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY, MR HANDLEY REMINDED THE OFFICERS THAT IN DEALING WITH PRISONERS THEY HAD TO BE HUMANE, AND HAD TO ENSURE THAT THEIR SUBORDINATES CARRIED OUT THEIR JOBS EFFECTIVELY AND WITH COMPASSION.
♦YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE NOW MUCH GREATER AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS WHICH AT TIMES MAY BE VERY DIFFICULT,* HE SAID.
IT WAS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THEY BE TACTFUL, OBJECTIVE, FAIR, IMPARTIAL AND LOYAL TO THE DEPARTMENT, HE SAID.
ALL RECIPIENTS WERE MALE ASSISTANT OFFICERS.
ONE OF THE OFFICERS, MR TSANG FEI-YU, WHO JOINED THE DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER, 1975, RECEIVED THE COMMISSIONER’S COMMENDATION FOR HIS EFFORTS IN THE TRAINING OF THE GIRL PIPERS CF TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION.
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/7......
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1982
7
TENDERS INVITED FOR POLYCLINIC BLOCK
*****
WORK ON THE SECOND PHASE OF THE KOWLOON EAST POLYCLINIC AT HAMMER HILL ROAD, NGAU CHI WAN, WILL BEGIN SHORTLY.
THE PROJECT IS AN EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING POLYCLINIC WHICH HAS BEEN PROVIDING GENERAL OUT-PATIENT, CHILD HEALTH, FAMILY PLANNING AND CHEST CLINIC SERVICES.
THE EXTENSION WILL ADD SUBSTANTIALLY TO THESE BY PROVIDING SPECIALIST UNITS - MEDICAL, ORTHOPAEDIC, PAEDIATRIC, OBSTETRIC AND GYNAECOLOGY, OPHTHALMIC AND EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH MAINLY INVOLVES THE BUILDING OF A SINGLE BLOCK, ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
WORK WILL START IN MAY AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 14 MONTHS.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG * * *
THREE ROADS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED AS URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 16).
THEY AREi
* HING YIP STREET BETWEEN HOI YUEN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES TO THE EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI YUEN ROAD;
* HOW MING STREET BETWEEN HOI YUEN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES TO THE WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI YUEN ROAD s
* SHING YIP STREET BETWEEN HOI YUEN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT
50 METRES TO THE EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI YUEN ROAD.
WITHIN THESE CLEARWAYS, ALL VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
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WATER FIGURES * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 207.459 MILLION CUBIC METRES OR 35.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY, EQUIVALENT TO 165 DAYS’ CONSUMPTION.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 233.531 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 40.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETINGt
RECORD PRODUCTION OF 39 470 FLATS IN PUBLIC SECTOR........ 1
POLICY ON INTERNAL TRANSPORT IS TO MAINTAIN MOBILITY ..... 2
EXTENSIVE MONITORING OF POWER COMPANIES CARRIED OUT ...... 3
BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO BE SEP UP SOON ............ 5
ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE CASES WORKING WELL ..................................................... -|q
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY BILL 1982 ......................... 12
LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL APPEALS APPROVED.................... 14
RECIPROCAL MEDICAL ACCORD WITH BRITAIN ................... 14
TWO BILLS PASSED ......................................... 15
INCREASED SERVICES FOR FARMERS ........................... 15
AMNESTY RUMOURS +RUBBISH+, GOVERNOR SAYS ...................... 17
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO HOLD 4TH MEETING ............... 19
50 000 YUEN LONG PEOPLE TO CELEBRATE TIN HAU FESTIVAL ......... 20
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TIN HAU FESTIVAL ............. 21
EXHIBITION ON EYE CARE........................................ 23
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES RAISE FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY CHEST ........ 23
NEW PLATFORM FOR LO WU STATION ............................... 24
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG ........................ 24
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER............... 25
KOWLOON SALT WATER MAINS CHECKS .............................. 25
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ............................... 26
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
1
RECORD PRODUCTION OF 39 470 FLATS IN PUBLIC SECTOR ft ft ft ft
TOTAL HOUSING PRODUCTION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR REACHED AN ALL-TIME RECORD OF 39 470 FLATS IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR JUST COMPLETED.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR DONALD LIAO.
HE SAID THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S OUTPUT AGAIN EXCEEDED THE TARGET OF 35 000 FLATS WHILE THE HOUSING SOCIETY MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION OF A FURTHER 3 725 FLATS.
HE ADDED THAT THE AUTHORITY WAS NOW IN A POSITION TO MA INTA IA AND EVEN IMPROVE ON THIS LEVEL OF PRODUCTION FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
TURNING TO CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, HE SAID THE AUTHORITY NOW HAD 13 HOSTELS AND 35 SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE AGED ON ITS ESTATES, AND OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WOULD PROVIDE 25 MORE HOSTELS ON NEW ESTATES.
♦IN ADDITION, THE AUTHORITY HAS, SINCE 1979, ALLOCATED A QUOTA OF PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ELDERLY, WHO ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE NORMAL INCOME LIMITS, AND WHO HAVE TO WAIT ONLY ABOUT TWO YEARS,+ HE SAID.
♦MANY ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE, OF COURSE, ALSO HOUSED EACH YEAR UNDER THE COMPASSIONATE QUOTA.+
MR LIAO SAID THE AUTHORITY WOULD ALSO LOOK INTO WAYS OF GIVING SOME ENCOURAGEMENT TO FAMILIES PREPARED TO ACCOMMODATE AND CARE FOR THEIR ELDERLY MEMBERS.
TURNING TO THE SUGGESTION THAT PEOPLE WHO HAD GROWN RELATIVELY PROSPEROUS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO VACATE PUBLIC HOUSING IN FAVOUR OF THOSE IN GREATER NEED, MR LIAO SAIDi
♦THIS IS A SUGGESTION OFTEN MADE, BUT ONE WHICH WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AND COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY ADVERSE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES.
♦THE PERIODIC MEANS-TESTING OF ALL HOUSING AUTHORITY TENANTS - ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION - WOULD IN ITSELF BE A MASSIVE AND VERY COSTLY UNDERTAKING, WHICH MIGHT NOT BE COST-EFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF FLATS LIKELY TO BE RECOVERED.
♦QUITE APART FROM THIS, SUCH A POLICY COULD BE SEEN AS DISCOURAGING TENANTS FROM BETTERING THEIR LOT, AND PERHAPS LEAD TO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES TAKING ON THE STIGMA OF BEING SIMPLY SECOND-CLASS HOUSING FOR THE UNDERPRI V ILIGED.
HE ADDED HOWEVER THAT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE BETTER-OFF TENANTS TO MOVE OUT OF RENTED PUBLIC HOUSING, EITHER VOLUNTARILY OR INTO HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS.
/BY THE ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
2
BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, HE SAID, ABOUT 10 003 RENTAL FLATS WOULD HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO THE GENERAL HOUSING POOL BY FORMER TENANTS MOVING INTO HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS.
+WHEN PRODUCTION FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME INCREASES FROM 1984/85 ONWARDS, WE EXPECT AS MANY AS 5 000 FLATS TO BE RELEASED EVERY YEAR BY TENANTS BUYING THEIR CWN HOMES,+ HE SAID.
MR LIAO SAID THAT THE 35 000 FLATS AND HOUSES COMPLETED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR DURING 1981/82 ALSO SET AN ALL-TIME RECORD. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HE SAID, IT WAS HARDLY SURPRISING THAT LAST DECEMBER 30 000 FLATS WERE STILL VACANT.
HOWEVER, HE WAS +CONFIDENT THAT THE LARGE UNSATISFIED DEMAND FOR HOUSING FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY WILL LEAD TO A STEADY TAKE-UP OF VACANT FLATS, AND JUSTIFY THE CONTINUATION OF THE FASTEST POSSIBLE HOUSING PRODUCTION ON ALL AVAILABLE LAND.+
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POLICY ON INTERNAL TRANSPORT IS TO MAINTAIN MOBILITY
* * M * *
THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON INTERNAL TRANSPORT IS TO MAINTAIN MOBILITY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR SCOTT SAID THERE ARE THREE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES: IMPROVEMENT OF THE ROAD SYSTEM, EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, AND MORE ECONOMIC USE OF THE ROAD SYSTEM.
ON THE FIRST OBJECTIVE, MR SCOTT SAID IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE MAIN ARTERIAL LINKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, PLANNED AND COMMENCED OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS, ARE COMPLETED.
♦PROJECTS SUCH AS THE SHA TIN-TAI PO ROAD, THE WIDENING OF THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES ROAD AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, MUST BE PUSHED TO COMPLETION.
♦THESE WILL BE SUPPORTED BY NETWORKS OF NEW AND IMPROVED ROADS SERVING BOTH THE NEW TOWNS AND THE OLDER URBAN AREAS.+
MR SCOTT SAID THIS PROGRAMME REQUIRED THE EXPENDITURE OF fl.2 BILLION IN 1981/82, AND A SIMILAR ANuUNT IS BUDGETED FOR 1982/83.
ON THE EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, HE SAID THIS INCLUDES THE HUGE PROJECTS OF CONSTRUCTING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, AND OF REBUILDING THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
THE OBJECTIVE OF ECONOMIC USE OF THE ROAD SYSTEM, MR SCOTT SAID, MEANS GIVING PRIORITY IN GENERAL TERMS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT OVER PRIVATE TRANSPORT, AND TO MASS CARRIERS OVER PERSONAL VEHICLES.
/♦SO FAK .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1
- 3 -
♦ SO FAR BY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES, IT HAS BEEN MORE OR LtSS POSSIBLE TO ACCOMMODATE OVERALL DEMAND- AND THE PRIVATE VEHICLE, COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING, HAS NOT BEEN PENALISED.
♦ BUT PRIVATE VEHICLES ARE INCREASING AT SUCH A RATE "HAI ROAD CAPACITY IS UNABLE ADEQUATELY TO ACCOMMODATE THEM, AND CONGESTION IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY INTOLERABLE.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE POLICY WAS LAID DOWN IN THE 1979 WHITE PAPER ON INTERNAL TRANSPORT POLICY: +IF UNACCEPTABLE CONGESTION IS TO BE AVOIDED, THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT RESTRAINT ON ROAD USE BY MOTOR-CYCLES AND PRIVATE CARS WILL Bt UNAVOIDABLE.+
MR SCOTT ALSO SPOKE ON SPECIFIC POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON TRAFFIC WARDENS, THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL, PARKING POLICIES AND GOODS VEHICLES.
ON THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL, HE SAID SOME FORM OF RESTRAINT ON ITS USAGE MAY BE NECESSARY UNTIL A SECOND FIXED HARBOUR CROSSING IS IN OPERATION. HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE LATTER POINT IS BEING VIGOROUSLY PURSUED AND THE FORMER REMAINS UNDER CONS(DERATION.
ON GOODS VEHICLES, MR SCOTT SAID THEIR PROLIFERATION AND OPERATIONS ARE COMPLEX AND THEY ARE THIS YEAR TO BE THE SUBJECT OF A CONSULTANCY STUDY AS TO BOTH THEIR TRANSPORT AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS.
♦THEIR IMPORTANCE IN OUR ECONOMIC STRUCTURE IS SUCH THAT 'WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE POSITION REASONABLY FULLY BEFORE MEASURES CAN BE CONSIDERED,* HE SAID.
- 0 -
EXTENSIVE MONITORING OF POWER COMPANIES CARRIED OUT X X X X
DESP,TE THE EXTENSIVE MONITORING ROLE UNDERTAKEN BY THE ™ CREC,< THAT CONSUMERS GET A RELIABLE SERVICE BOTH THE P°*ER COMPANIES REMAIN RESPONSIBLE THEIR CONSUMERS FOR PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT SERVICE AT ^S°NABLE PR ,CES’ THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON D.G. JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
*THE GOVERNMENT’S MONITORING ROLE DOES NOT MAKE THEIR LIFE BY THPUH0NLALLANY’FrM5NnETueREr0N P°INTED 0UT> IN REPLY ™ QUESTIONS BY int HON ALLAN LEE AND THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LLNG.
MR JEAFFRESON ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO
?R'£Et0E ELECTRICITY COMPARED FAVOURABLY WITH THE
PR,C-S ELSEWHERE, AND THE RELIABILITY •> SUPPLY kAS, HE WOULD
HAVE THOUGHT, +UNPARALLELLED*. '
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 198?
4
REFERRING TO THE REQUEST FOR AN ASSURANCE THAT A FAIR PRICE WAS BEING PAID FOR ELECTRICITY AND THAT AN EFFECTIVE MONITORING MACHINE WAS IN OPERATION, MR JEAFFRESON SAID HE WAS GLAD THAT W LEE USED THE WORD +MONITORING+.
♦ FOR THERE SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD MISBELIEF THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IS TO ’SUPERVISE’ THE POWER COMPANIES,* Hh SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE WORK WERE THE +A-NAMED* FINANCIAL MONITORING UNIT AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL. GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, WHOSE JOB WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE CONSUMERS GOT A RELIABLE SERVICE BOTH NOW AID I THE FUTURE.
*THE FINANCIAL MONITORING UNIT IS CONCERNED THAT CONSUMERS SHOULD GET IT AT A REASONABLE PRICE, THAT SHAREHOLDERS GET A REASONABLE RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT AND WITH THE GENERAL FINANCIAL WELL-BEING OF THE COMPANIES. THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER IS CONCERNED WITH THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS,* HE EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THE COMPANIES, FOR THEIR PART, SUBMIT THEIR PLANS FOR EXPANSION FOR THE COMING FIVE YEARS, INCLUDING THEIR PROGRAMMES FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND FULL FINANCING PLANS, AND THESE ARE EXAMINED BY THE TWO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
♦ WHEN BOTH ARE SATISFIED AND THE SENIOR LEVEL OF THE GOVERNMENT ARE SATISFIED, THE RESULTS ARE PUT TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR ADVICE.* PR JEAFFRESON SAID.
REFERRING TO MR LEE’S QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THE MONITORING WAS EFFECTIVE, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THE ANSWER WAS +A MATTER OF JUDGEMENT.*
BUT THE TWO AGENCIES WERE STAFFED BY PEOPLE WITH PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND IF THIS WAS THOUGHT INSUFFICIENT TO COVER A PARTICULAR ASPECT, CONSULTANTS WERE CALLED TO HELP.
♦ SO AT LEAST THE MACHINERY IS THERE. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT THE PRICE OF ELECTRICITY IN HONG KONG COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH PRICES FOR ELECTRICITY ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION.
♦ AND THE RELIABILITY OF HONG KONG’S ELECTRICITY SUPPLY I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT UNPARALLELLED,+ HE SAID.
DISCUSSING MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG’S QUESTION OF THE HIGHER TARIFFS PAID FOR SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY IN CHEUNG CHAU THAN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN TACKLED FOR MANY YEARS AND HE THOUGHT THAT A SOLUTION SATISFACTORY TO CONSUMERS IN CHEUNG CHAU WAS ♦NOT FAR AWAY*.
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/5........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
5
BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO BE SET UP SOON ft * * *
A BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL BE FORMALLY SET UP
WITHIN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS TO DEAL WITH MATTERS AFF/OTING THE BUILDING INDUSTRY, THE SECRETARY FOR LARDS AND WORKS, M? DAVID MACDONALD, SAID TODAY.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEG.v COUNCIL DURING WHICH HE REPLIED TO POINTS RAISED EARLIER BY Hii' UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES.
*!PLY,NG TG THE HON F.K. HU, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT HE HAD MADE REFERENCE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH 4 BODY IN AN ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST NOVEMBER.
HE ADDED THAT HIS PROPOSALS FOR THE STRUCTURE, MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND FOR ITS VARIOUS SPECIAL SUB-COMMITTEES HAD NOW BEEN FINALISED AND WERE ABOUT TO BE CIRCULATED TO INTERESTED PARTIES FOR COMMENT.
MR MCDONALD WAS HOPEFUL THAT HIS PERMANENT NON-STATUTORY COMMITTEE WOULD BE FORMALLY ESTABLISHED AND WOULD HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING WITHIN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS.
DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, SEVERAL UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS REFERRED TO THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND TO ITS PRODUCTIVITY.
IN THE CONTEXT OF PRODUCTIVITY, THE HON. S.L. CHEN SUGGESTED THAT WHILE THE WORK OUTPUT OF MANY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WAS DIFFICULT TO ASSESS, A DIRECT COMPARISON COULD BE MADE BETWEEN PUBLIC WORKS AND SIMILAR WORKS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
HE SUBMITTED FIGURES RELATING TO THE EXPENDITURE AND PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS OF THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE AND FROM THE RESULTS OF HIS ANALYSIS HE QUESTIONED WHETHER THE WORK COULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT MORE ECONOMICALLY BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
MR CHEN WENT ON FURTHER TO SUGGEST THAT HIS COMPARATIVE FIGURES WOULD HAVE PROVED EVEN MORE UNFAVOURABLE HAD THE EXPENDITURE ON WORKS CARRIED OUT BY CONSULTANTS BEEN DEDUCTED ' FROM THE CALCULATIONS.
IN REPLY, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT WHILE HE AGREED THAT EXPENDITURE ON WORKS DONE BY CONSULTANTS SHOULD BE DEDUCTED, HE SUGGESTED THAT OTHER ELEMENTS SUCH AS EXPENDITURE ON MAINTENANCE WORKS AND THE PERSONAL EMOULMENTS OF MAINTENANCE STAFF AND SITE SUPERVISORY STAFF SHOULD ALSO BE DEDUCTED AS NONE OF THESE ELEMENTS WAS INCLUDED IN NORMAL CONSULTANCY SERVICES AND FEE SCALES.
HE SAID MR CHEN STATED THAT iN HIS ANALYSIS HE WAS INTERESTED IN ONLY A BROAD INDICATION RATHER THAN PRECISE FIGURES.
/BUT Mi? ......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 198?
- 6 -
BUT MR MCDONALD POINTED OUT THAT TO IGNORE THE VERY LARGE EXPENDITURE ON WORKS CARRIED OUT FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL THE DEFENCE WORKS PROGRAMME AND THOSE FUNDED BY OTHER AGENCIES, WHICH IN THE PAST YEAR ALONE AMOUNTED TO MORE THAN $400 MILLION WAS A RATHER SERIOUS OMISSION.
+WHEN ALL RELEVANT FACTORS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THERE IS USUALLY A LEAD TIME OF ONE TO TWO YEARS FROM INITIAL DESIGN TO CONSTRUCTION EXPENDITURE, STAFF COSTS IN ANY GIVEN FINANCIAL YEAR CANNOT DIRECTLY RELATE TO CONSTRUCTION EXPENDITURE IN THAT YEAR, THE RATIO OF PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS TO EXPENDITURE IN THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE FROM 1977/78 TO 1981/82 AVERAGES ABOUT SIX PER CENT -- WELL BELOW THE FIGURES GIVEN IN MR CHEN’S ANALYSIS AND ALSO WELL BELOW THE 10 PER CENT FIGURE FOR CONSULTANCY FEES WHICH HE CONTENDS IS RARELY EXCEEDED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR,+ HE SAID.
BUT MR MCDONALD ADMITTED THAT HIS ANALYSIS WAS ALSO INCOMPLETE AS IT IGNORED THE NOT INSIGNIFICANT, BUT DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY, AMOUNT OF STAFF TIME SPENT ON DESIGN AND PLANNING STUDIES AND ADVISING OTHER GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS ON PROJECTS AND PROPOSALS WHICH DID NOT RESULT IN ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE CONSTRUCTION EXPENDITURE.
+ IT IS CLEAR THAT IT IS NOT GENERALLY MORE ECONOMICAL TO HAVE WORK CARRIED OUT BY PRIVATE CONSULTANTS,* HE SAID.
+THERE WILL, HOWEVER, REMAIN THE NEED TO EMPLOY CONSULTANTS WHEN SPECIAL EXPERTISE IS REQUIRED OR WHEN THE EMPLOYMENT OF CONSULTANTS TO ASSIST WITH PEAKS OF WORKLOAD IS TRULY MORE ECONOMICAL THAN TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN ADDITIONAL STAFF.*
ON THE COMPLAINTS VOICED BY MR HU AND MR CHEN OVER DELAYS IN THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS LAID DOWN MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR BUILDINGS.
+THE ORDINANCE ALSO PLACES UPON AUTHORISED PERSONS THE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS.
+WHILE THE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE OF AUTHORISED PERSONS IS NOT QUESTIONED IT MUST BE REMEMBERED THAT THEIR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE MAY SOMETIMES CONFLICT WITH THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THEIR CLIENTS,* HE ADDED
ALTHOUGH HE WOULD NOT SUGGEST THAT THESE PROFESSIONAL MEN WOULD EVER ALLOW THE LATTER TO OVERRIDE THE FORMER, IT MUST BE CLEAR THAT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST THE BUILDING AUTHORITY SHOULD PLAY A BALANCING ROLE, HE SAID.
MR MCDONALD CONTINUEDi * THE SERVICE AT PRESENT GIVEN BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR THROUGH CENTRALISED PROCESSING COVERS A VERY WIDE RANGE OF MATTERS IN ADDITION TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
/♦FUrt EXAMPLE.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 19t"
- 7 -
♦FOR EXAMPLE, ON LEASE CONDITIONS, PLANNING MATTERS, NEW ROAD PROPOSALS AND ROAD WIDENING SCHEMES, RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY OPERATIONS, BY THE AIRPORT, GEOTECHNICS AND SO ON.
♦BEFORE CENTRALISED PROCESSING CAME INTO BEING, AUTHOR I ’ PERSONS HAD TO RESEARCH ALL OF THESE FACTORS THEMSELVES, WHICH THEY FOUND TIME-CONSUMING AND A CAUSE OF CONSIDERABLE DELAYS IN THE PROCESSING OF THEIR PROPOSALS.♦
MR MCDONALD FELT SURE THAT NO AUTHORISED PERSON WOULD WISH TO RETURN TO THAT SYSTEM WHICH WOULD OF COURSE RESULT IF GOVERNMENT WITHDREW ITS PRESENT PROCESSING SERVICE.
ON MR CHEN’S COMMENT THAT PROCEDURES IN HONG KONG ARE MORE COMPLICATED AND TIME-CONSUMING THAN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, MR MCDONALD REFERRED TO THE MARCH ISSUE OF THE R.I.B.A. JOURNAL IN WHICH THERE WAS AN ARTICLE ON COMPLAINTS RAISED BY ARCHITECTS OVER THE TIME TAKEN FOR PROCESSING PLANNING PERMISSIONS BY THE GREATER LONDON COUNCIL.
FROM THE EXPERIENCE QUOTED BY ONE PRACTICE, HE ADDED, THE AVERAGE TIME TAKEN FOR PROCESSING WAS 16.8 WEEKS.
♦THIS IS CONSIDERABLY LONGER THAN THE STATUTORY 60 DAYS ALLOWED FOR PROCESSING IN HONG KONG.+ MR MCDONALD SAID.
♦FURTHERMORE, I SUGGEST THAT THE NORMAL BUILDING PROPOSAL CONSIDERED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HERE TENDS TO BE A GOOD DEAL LARGER AND MORE COMPLEX THAN THE NORM ABROAD,EVEN IN LONDON.+
TURNING TO MR HU’S SUGGESTION THAT THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE WAS OVER-CAUTIOUS AND LACKING IN CLEARLY DEFINED STANDARDS, MR MCDONALD SAID THE GCO NOW WORKED TO THE STANDARDS AND PRACTICE SET OUT N THE TECHNICAL MANUAL FOR SLOPES PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER 1979.
THE MANUAL WAS PREPARED UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A STEERING COMMITTEE WHOSE MEMBERS, DRAWN FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, CONSULTING ENGINEERS AND CONTRACTORS, TOOK FULL ACCOUNT OF LOCAL CONDITIONS AND CURRENT GEOTECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND WERE WELL AWARE OF THE PRACTICAL AND COST IMPLICATIONS OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS AND OF THE NEED TO AVOID OVER-CAUTIOUS AND EXTRAVAGANTLY EXPENSIVE STANDARDS.
THE MANUAL WAS PUBLISHED AS A DRAFT DOC MENT TO PROMOTE DISCUSSION AMONG, AND COMMENTS FROM THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
IT WAS CLEARLY STATED THAT IT WOULD 3E AMENDED IN THE LIGHT OF RELEVANT COMMENTS AND OF ANY IMPROVEMENT IN OUR GEOTECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE.
♦HOWEVER, IN THE 2-1/2 YEARS SINCE ITS PUBLICATION VERY LITTLE TECHNICAL COMMENT ON THE MANUAL HAS BEEN RECEIVED,* W MCDONALD SAID.
/♦IT IS .......
rfEENESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
8
♦IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE GUIDELINES SET DOWN IN THE GEOTECHNICAL MANUAL AND THE EXPERTISE NOW AVAILABLE BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT ENSURE THAT THE STANDARDS BEING ADOPTED REPRESENT A REASONABLE BALANCE BETWEEN PUBLIC SAFETY AND COST TO THE COMMUNITY.*
IN FOLLOWING THESE STANDARDS, HE WENT ON, DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN ENGINEERS SOMETIMES OCCURRED. IN SUCH INSTANCES APPEALS MIGHT ALWAYS BE MADE TO THE HEAD OF THE OFFICE WHO WOULD CONSIDER THEM SYMPATHETICALLY.
HOWEVER, MR MCDONALD REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE CAME INTO BEING AS A DIRECT RESULT OF MAJOR DISASTERS SUCH AS THOSE AT PO SHAN ROAD AND SAU MAU PING AND HE WAS SURE THAT ALL WOULD AGREE THAT THE STANDARDS SET MUST ENSURE THAT SIMILAR TRAGIC EVENTS WOULD NOT RECUR IN FUTURE.
DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, REFERENCES WERE MADE TO LAND RELATED MATTERS SUCH AS LAND PRODUCTION AND SALE, THE ROLE OF LAND SALES REVENUE IN THE FINANCING OF CAPITAL WORKS, THE CURRENT STATE OF THE PROPERTY MARKET AND ITS FUTURE PROSPECTS.
ON LAND SALE, MR MCDONALD REJECTED THE MYTH THAT GOVERNMENT OPERATES A HIGH LAND PRICE POLICY.
+SUCH A POLICY HAS NEVER EXISTED AND DOES NOT EXIST NOW,* HE SAID. +WE INTEND TO CONTINUE TO OFFER SITES FOR SALE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLISHED PROGRAMME AND TO ALLOW THE MARKET TO DECIDE WHEN AND WHERE TO BUY AND, WITHIN REASON, HOW MUCH TO PAY.
*WE ARE LOOKING FOR CLOSER CORRELATION BETWEEN SUPPLY OF AND DEMAND FOR LAND FOR ALL USES, REASONABLE VALUES AND PRICES AND REGULAR AND RELIABLE RATHER THAN SPASMODIC AND ASTRONOMICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND. IN OTHER WORDS, STABILITY.*
REFERRING TO THE POSITION OF LETTERS B IN THE LAND ACQUISITION AND RESUMPTION PROCESSES, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT THE OFFER OF A LETTER B WAS AN OPTION.
*A CASH ALTERNATIVE IS AVAILABLE AND IN RECENT MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A TENDENCY ON THE PART OF MANY OF THESE INVOLVED TO CHOOSE CASH. WHETHER CHANGING CONDITIONS IN THE LAND MARKET AND THE RECENT RELATED ADJUSTMENTS lh LAND COMPENSATION LEVELS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL AFFECT THIS TREN. REMAINS TO BE SEEN AND THE GOVERNMENT IS KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON DEVELOPMENTS.*
MR HU SUGGESTED THAT FRESH EFFORT; IOjLD BE MADE THROUGH SPECIALLY DEVISED LAND DISPOSAL AND PRODUCTION SCHEMES TO ATTRACT THE PARTICIPATION OF HOLDERS OF _E 'TERS B.
IN REPLY, MR MCDONALD POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE PAST YEAR, LETTER B HOLDERS HAD BEEN LESS READY THAN PREVIOUSLY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SPECIAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME AIMED AT THEM AND IT WAS BY NO MEANS CLEAR WHAT CHANGES IN MARKET CONDITIONS, EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, WOULD NEED TO OCCUR BEFORE SITES OFFERED WOULD ATTRACT BIDS FROM THEM.
/COMMENTING ON
, APRIL 12*, 196?
- 9 -
COMMENTING ON MR HU’S THREE SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS, HE SAID: +THE FIRST, UNDER WHICH LETTER B HOLDERS WOULD TAKE UP A PERCENTAGE OF THE RESIDENTIAL ELEMENT AS WELL AS THE WHOLE OF THE COMMERCIAL ELEMENT IN HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEMES OR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING PROJECTS, COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED EITHER AT Twc EXPENSE OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP OR PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMMES OR BY EATING INTO THE NORMAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME.
+IN OTHER WORDS, MAKING MORE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO LETTER B HOLDERS CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION IN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES ELSEWHERE.*
AS REGARDS MR HU’S SECOND SUGGESTION, UNDER WHICH SURRENDER OF LETTERS B WOULD BE LINKED WITH RECLAMATION AND EXCAVATION PROJECTS, MR MCDONALD SAID THAT THAT WOULD BE LIKELY TO BRING IN ONLY SMALL QUANTITIES OF LETTERS B SINCE PREMIUM WOULD IN ANY CASE NORMALLY BE REDUCED CONSIDERABLY BY THE DEDUCTION OF FORMATION COSTS.
ACCEPTANCE OF LETTERS B AGAINST PREMIUM IN RESPECT OF LAND TRANSACTIONS IN THE URBAN AREAS, MR HU’S THIRD SUGGESTION, MIGHT INDEED PROVE ATTRACTIVE TO LETTER B HOLDERS, HE ADDED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, IT WOULD RESULT ONCE AGAIN IN A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION OF THE OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO OTHER WOULD-BE PURCHASERS AND COULD ATTRACT CONSIDERABLE CRITICISM IN THE PROCESS.
NEVERTHELESS, MR MCDONALD ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW THE QUESTION OF REDUCING THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF LETTERS B.
COMMENTING ON THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG’S REFERENCE TO THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, ITS DISTRICT LAND OFFICERS, LAND PRODUCTION AND ITS EFFECT ON THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND THE HERITAGE OF RESIDENTS, MR MCDONALD SAID THE INTENTION WAS THAT DISTRICT LAND OFFICERS, LIKE ALL CIVIL SERVANTS, SHOULD BE SENSITIVE TO LOCAL CONDITIONS AND NEEDS AND TAKE THEM INTO ACCOUNT IN THE COURSE OF THEIR WORK.
♦THIS IS THE AIM OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND THE LANDS DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO PLAY ITS PART FULLY AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY,* HE ADDED.
MR MCDONALD AGREED WITH MR CHEUNG THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO COMPENSATE FOR CONDITIONS NOT REMAINING AS THEY WERE, IF THAT WAS WHAT WAS MEANT BY LOSS OF HERITAGE.
BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND, HE ADDED, A GOOD DEAL WAS DONE APART FROM OFFERING LETTERS B AND CASH COMPENSATION FOR LAND ACQUIRED OR RESUMED, TO ENSURE THAT GENEROUS TERMS WERE OFFERED WHEN VILLAGE REMOVALS BECAME NECESSARY.
♦MOREOVER, A PRINCIPAL AIM OF THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IS IN A SENSE TO ENSURE THAT WHAT SPRINGS UP IN PLACE OF WHAT IS ’LOST’ OFFERS IN MODERN TERMS AT LEAST AS GOOD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUAL SELF-FULFILLMENT AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING,* SAID MR MCDONALD.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
10
ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE CASES WORKING WELL ******
PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE CASES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE WORKING WELL ON A PRACTICAL BASIS AND THERE IS NO NEED FOR A CENTRAL REGISTRY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, NR ALLEYNE SAID HIS DEPARTMENT WAS COLLECTING QUARTERLY STATISTICS OF ALL SUCH CASES WHICH WOULD PROVIDE THE INFORMATION REQUIRED.
♦ IF HOSPITALISATION IS REQUIRED, AND THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A CHILD HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF ABUSE, A CASE CONFERENCE WILL BE CALLED TO ENSURE A CO-ORDINATED TREATMENT PLAN FOR THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY,+ HE SAID.
THE CONFERENCE IS ATTENDED BY ALL THE RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL WORKERS - THE CASEWORKER, THE MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER, THE DOCTOR, THE POLICE AND A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST.
♦WHERE THE PARENTS REFUSE TO CO-OPERATE, A CARE AND PROTECTION ORDER CAN BE OBTAINED, OR THE CHILD ADMITTED TO A PLACE OF REFUGE,+ HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, MR ALLEYNE STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO WATCH THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM TO SEE IF A FORMAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WAS REQUIRED IN ADDITION TO THE CASE CONFERENCES.
HE NOTED THAT OF ABOUT 200 KNOWN CASES LAST YEAR, 108 WERE HANDLED DIRECTLY BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THAT 36 OUT OF THESE WERE THE SUBJECT OF PROSECUTIONS, RESULTING IN 29 CONVICTIONS.
ON THE SHORTFALL IN TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, MR ALLEYNE OUTLINED WAYS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.
♦TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF TRAINED PERSONNEL,+ HE SAID, ♦THE SWD HAS DEVOTED MUCH EFFORT DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS TO IDENTIFY JOBS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING.
♦THERE MAY WELL BE STILL FURTHER SCOPE TO ENLARGE THE USE OF NON-SOCIAL WORK TRAINED PERSONNEL BOTH AT THE GRADUATE AND NON-GRADUATE LEVEL FOR CERTAIN JOBS WHERE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING IS NOT ESSENTIAL.
♦INDEED THE WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE MANPOWER HAS ALSO SO RECOMMENDED, AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS COMMENCED TO EXAMINE SOME OF ITS POSTS WITH THIS IN VIEW.+ HE SAID.
/Oh THE NEED
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
11
ON THE NEED TO STOP THE DRAIN OF TRAINED PERSONNEL, MR ALLEYNE POINTED OUT THAT THIS WORKING PARTY HAD PROPOSED A REVIEW OF THE WORKING CONDITIONS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, INCLUDING SALARIES, CAREER PROSPECTS AND IN-SERVICE TRAINING, SO AS TO ACHIEVE A HIGHER RETENTION RATE, AND THIS WAS BEING PURSUED.
TURNING TO A PROPOSAL FOR A CENTRAL PROVIDENT OR PENSION SCHEME BY THE REV THE HON MCGOVERN AND THE HON ANDREW SO, MR ALLEYNE SAID 1 +AFTER DISCUSSION WITH BOTH SIDES OF INDUSTRY AND MOST CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED THAT THE SCHEME WOULD BE TOO DIFFICULT TO APPLY.+
INSTEAD, PROPOSALS WERE FORMULATED TO EXTEND ENTITLEMENT TO SICK LEAVE WITH PAY UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO A MAXIMUM OF 120 DAYS AND TO MAKE A DEATH GRANT PAYABLE TO THE FAMILY OF A WAGE EARNER AT A FLAT RATE OF $3 000 IF THE DEATH OCCURS DURING EMPLOYMENT, SUBJECT TO A QUALIFYING PERIOD OF SERVICE, MR ALLEYNE SAID.
WHERE THE DEATH GRANT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS ORDINANCE, AN EQUIVALENT GRANT WOULD BE PAYABLE WITHOUT A MEANS TEST UNDER THE SWD’S SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEME.
+ARRANGEMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THESE PROPOSALS ARE NOW IN THE COURSE OF PREPARATION,* MR ALLEYNE SAID.
REFERRING TO DR THE HON RAYSON HUANG’S COMMENT ON THE GROWTH RATE OF ELDERLY POPULATION AND ON THE FINANCIAL PROVISION FOR THEIR RETIREMENT, MR ALLEYNE SAID WELFARE PROVISIONS FOR THE ELDERLY INCLUDED BOTH CASH ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES.
FIGURES SHOW THAT 173 000 PEOPLE, OR MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION OF 70 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER, ARE RECEIVING OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND ANOTHER 31 000 RECEIVING DISABILITY ALLOWANCE.
SERVICES PLANNED FOR THE ELDERLY OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF 1 420 ADDITIONAL PLACES IN HOMES FOR THE AGED, 2 150 PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES AND 240 PLACES IN DAY CARE CENTRES.
SUPPORTING SERVICES, SUCH AS HOME HELP AND MULTISERVICE CENTRES, ARE ALSO BEING DEVELOPED TO MEET THEIR REQUIREMENTS.
ANOTHER SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT IS THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME PROVIDING HELP TO 46 000 FAMILIES.
+THE STANDARD OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IS NOW CLEARLY ABOVE THE SUBSISTENCE LEVEL AND CAN BE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE REASONABLE RATHER THAN MEAGRE,* MR ALLEYNE SAID.
THE VALUE OF THE ALLOWANCE WAS CONTINUALLY BEING WATCHED CLOSELY SO AS TO ENSURE THAT ITS PURCHASING POWER WAS MAINTAINED, AND THAT THE STANDARD KEPT PACE WITH THE GENERAL STANDARD OF LIVING OF THE COMMUNITY, HE ADDED.
/CONCERNING THE
WEDNESDAY, APRlx. in. 19o2
12 -
CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY, HE SAID THE PROPOSAL wAS STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
NOTING THERE WERE CONFLICTING VIEWS ON THIS, HE SAID +A POSSIBLE COMPROMISE MIGHT BE TO RESTRICT THE SCHEME TO DEPENDENT PARENTS ONLY, AND THIS IS BEING FURTHER CONSIDERED.*
THE PRESENT COMPASSIONATE HOUSING QUOTA WOULD, HE SAID, CONTINUALLY BE USED TO HELP FAMILIES WHO WERE PREPARED TO SUPPORT THEIR ELDERLY PARENTS.
+IN ADDITION, THE PRIORITY SCHEME FOR HOUSING THE ELDERLY WILL ALSO ENABLE GROUPS OF THREE UNRELATED ELDERLY PERSONS TO ADVANCE MORE RAPIDLY UP THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S WAITING LIST,* MR ALLEYNE SAID.
SPEAKING ON THE REHABUS SERVICE, MR ALLEYNE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE POLICY GOVERNING TRANSPORT FOR THE DISABLED WOULD BE REVIEWED THIS YEAR AND HE HOPED IT WOULD PRODUCE SOME APPROACHES TO MEETING THEIR NEEDS.
REFERRING TO THE NEW SUBVENTION SYSTEM, MR ALLEYNE GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT HE WOULD LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE FINANCING OF ANY AGENCY OR SERVICE WHICH MIGHT EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES UNDER THE NEW SCHEME.
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KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY BILL 1982 M M K
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY BILL 1982 WHICH WAS INTRODUCED TO TIE IN WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RAILWAY ELECTRIFICATION SCHEME IN MAY THIS YEAR WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
THE CHANGES WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE LEGISLATION SCRUTINY GROUP OF UNOFFICIALS HEADED BY MR PETER C. WONG.
SPEAKING DURING THE BILL’S SECOND READING DEBATE TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR WONG SAID APPROPRIATE AMENDMENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE INTRODUCED WHEN THE KCR BECOMES A PUBLIC CORPORATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
MEANWHILE, THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS WERE MADEs
* THE DEFINITION OF +LAND HELD BY THE CROWN* WAS RE-DEFINED AS +LAND THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF OCCUPATION RECOGNISED BY LAW* TO AVOID ANY AMBIGUITY THAT MIGHT ARISE.
* THE WORDS +CONVENIENT FOR* WAS SUBSTITUTED BY ♦INCIDENTAL TO*.
* THE PHRASE +AS SOON AS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE* IN THE SUB-CLAUSE WHICH REFERS TO THE HANDING OVER TO THE POLICE PERSONS ARRESTED BY RAILWAY EMPLOYEES WAS REPLACED BY THE WORD +FORTHWITH+, AS IT IS FELT THAT RAILWAY EMPLOYEES SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN MORE POWER THAN POLICE OFFICERS.
/• dORD
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, lag?
- 13 -
* THE WORD +RASHLY+ WAS REPLACED BY +RECKLESSLY+, WHICH IS A TERM MORE COMMONLY USED IN A LEGAL CONTEXT.
HE ALSO REVEALED THAT THE PROPOSED 116 REGULATIONS TO BE MADE UNDER THE NEW ORDINANCE WOULD NO DOUBT GIVE AMPLE POWER TO THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KCR TO RUN THE RAILWAY EFFICIENTLY
♦ WE HAVE MADE CERTAIN HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO RE-DRAFT SOME 25 REGULATIONS,* MR WONG SAID.
ANOTHER UNOFFICIAL, MR BENTON CHEUNG, CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE +WELL-LOCATED AND USEFUL PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, OR PERHAPS EVEN ESCALATORS* ALONG THE RAILWAY LINE.
HE SAID THAT AS FAR AS HE COULD REMEMBER, CROSSING RAILWAY TRACKS HAD BEEN A PRACTICE OF COUNTRYFOLK AND THEIR LIVESTOCK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
WHILE AGREEING THAT THE ELECTRIFIED SYSTEM WOULD MAKE THIS PRACTICE A THING OF THE PAST AND THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD NETWORKS AND SUPER HIGHWAYS WOULD ALSO CHANGE THE OLD WAY OF LIFE FOREVER, MR CHEUNG URGED THAT PENDING COMPLETION OF ALL THESE FACILITIES, +CONSIDERATION MUST BE GIVEN TO THE REALITIES OF THE ESTABLISHED PRACTICES AND WAY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.*
HE ALSO DREW MEMBERS’ ATTENTION TO A SIX-MILE-LONG LIGHT RAIL SERVICE WHICH WAS ONCE OPERATED BY THE KCR BETWEEN FANLING AND SHA TAU KOK.
THE LIGHT RAIL ROUTE HAS BEEN CONVERTED INTO A MOTORWAY BUT IT IS NOW IN NEED OF WIDENING AND REDEVELOPMENT TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH OTHER MODERN ROAD PROJECTS, HE SAID.
+A MODERNISED FANLING-SHA TAU KOK HIGHWAY WOULD BE VERY TIMELY IN THE CONTEXT OF RECENT REPORTS THAT SIU MUI SHA AND SHA YU CHUNG ACROSS THE BORDER WITH CHINA, MAY BE AREAS OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
+A MODERN HIGHWAY SYSTEM TO SHA TAU KOK COULD BE EXTENDED EVENTUALLY TO PROVIDE A THROUGH MOTOR ROUTE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE EASTERN GUANGDONG PROVINCE, AS WELL AS PLACES, ’MORE FAR’,* SAID MR CHEUNG.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, SAID MEMBERS MIGHT HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE aERE +GREAT DRAFTING BATTLES OVER THIS MODEST BILL*.
+THAT WAS NOT IN FACT THE CASE, OUT WE ARE AS ALWAYS GRATEFUL FOR THE DILIGENCE WHICH THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS’ LEGISLATION SCRUTINY GROUP AdPlIES TO ITS TASK,* HE SAID.
HE INFORMED MEMBERS THAT A SEPARATE E ILL TO PROVIDE FOR THE INCORPORATION OF ThE KOwLOON-CaNTON RAILWAY WOULD BE INTRODUCED LATER THIS YEAR.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
14
LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL APPEALS APPROVED
* * * * *
A SCHEME OF LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL APPEALS TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL, IDENTICAL TO THAT PROVIDED IN CIVIL APPEALS, WAS TODAY APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN MOVING THE MOTION FOR APPROVAL, THE LAW DRAFTSMAN, THE HON PAUL NAZARETH STRESSED THAT LEGAL AID WOULD NOT BE AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDED IN ALL CRIMINAL APPEALS.
HE SAID A MEANS TEST WOULD HAVE TO BE MET AND THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID WOULD HAVE TO BE SATISFIED THAT AN APPLICANT HAD REASONABLE LEGAL GROUNDS FOR SEEKING TO APPEAL.
MR NAZARETH SAID AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES RULES ALSO PROVIDED FOR A RIGHT OF APPEAL AGAINST REFUSAL OF LEGAL AID.
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RECIPROCAL MEDICAL ACCORD WITH BRITAIN
* UMI *
UNDER RECIPROCAL HEALTH CARE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM, WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO BRITAIN WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED WITH ALL IMMEDIATE NECESSARY MEDICAL TREATMENT UNDER THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE ON THE SAME TERMS AS PERSONS ORDINARILY RESIDENT THERE, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON ERIC HO, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR HO POINTED OUT THAT REGULATIONS CONCERNING CHARGES FOR OVERSEAS VISITORS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE BEING LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT TO COME INTO EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR. THESE REGULATIONS WILL PROVIDE FOR FREE TREATMENT IN CERTAIN TYPES OF CASES, INCLUDING ACCIDENTS, EMERGENCY AND CASUALTY CASES, BUT WILL REQUIRE CHARGES TO BE LEVIED IN OTHER CASES ON PERSONS NOT ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
AMONG THOSE EXEMPTED FROM THE NEW CHARGES ARE VISITORS (INCLUDING STUDENTS) WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR ONE YEAR, AND PEOPLE FROM COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES HAVING RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM.
UNITED KINGDOM VISITORS TO HONG KONG WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ALL IMMEDIATE NECESSARY MEDICAL TREATMENT AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS ON THE SAME BASIS AS HONG KONG RESIDENTS, W HO SAID. +THE RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENTS, HOWEVER, WILL NOT APPLY TO PERSONS WHO GO TO EACH OTHER’S TERRITORY FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF OBTAINING MEDICAL TREATMENT,* HR HO SAID.
HE SAID THAT TO ESTABLISH THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR TREATMENT, HONG KONG VISITORS WILL BE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE A VALID IDENTITY CARD, PASSPORT OR CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
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/T?......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
15
TWO BILLS PASSED * * *
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY BILL 1982 AND THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
INCREASED SERVICES FOR FARMERS * * * *
STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT MADE IX* W VISITS TO INDIVIDUAL FARMERS AND FISHERMEN LAST YEAR TO OFFER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE HON JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE INCLUDED THE PROMOTION OF MODERN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS TO MAKE THE MOST EFFICIENT USE OF AVAILABLE WATER RESOURCES AND THE CONTROL OF LIVESTOCK DISEASE.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO THESE VISITS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALWAYS MADE AVAILABLE SERVICES TO THE FARMING AND FISHING INDUSTRIES THROUGH RECOGNISED BODIES SUCH AS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
♦HOWEVER, THESE SERVICES ARE NOW BEING REORGANISED TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND GIVE EVEN GREATER COVERAGE,♦ HE SAID.
LOW-INTEREST LOANS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY WERE ALSO PROVIDED, AND LAST YEAR $13 MILLION WAS LOANED TO 1 800 FARMERS AND ANOTHER $11 MILLION TO 143 FISHERMEN FROM LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT, MR RIDDELL-SWAN ADDED.
♦RESOURCES FOR THIS PURPOSE ARE AT PRESENT SUFFICIENT BUT SHOULD AN INCREASED NEED FOR THESE LOANS ARISE THEN STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL AVAILABLE,♦ HE SAID.
THE 198 FARMING AND FISHING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES SO FAR REGISTERED ALSO PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROMOTING MODERN FARMING AND FISHING METHODS, MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID.
HE NOTED THAT INITIAL STEPS H»D ALREADY BEEN TAKEN FOR A REVIEW OF THE WHOLE CO-OPERATIVE SYSTEM TO DETERMINE ANY SPECIFIC AREAS CALLING FOR SPECIAL ATTENTION.
DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, COMMENTED THAT THE NAME OF THE DEPARTMENT NO LONGER COVERED ALL OF ITS ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY RELATE TO COUNTRY PARKS AND CONSERVATION.
/MR RIDDELL-6*Ah
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, lafc.
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MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THE PRESENT NAME OF THE DEPARTMENT wiLu CONTINUE TO BE IN USE DESPITE THE ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES THE DEPARTMENT NOW COVERS.
♦IT IS A NAME WELL KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC AND DESPITE A GRC>? DEAL OF THOUGHT BY A GREAT MANY PEOPLE, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO COME UP WITH A SIMPLE COMPREHENSIVE ALTERNATIVE WHICH TRANSLATES NICELY INTO CHINESE.
♦IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE LIKELY COSTS INVOLVED, I DO NOT PROPOSE TO RECOMMEND ANY CHANGE OF NAME AT THIS TIME BUT WILL CERTAINLY KEEP THE MATTER UNDER REVIEW.*
THE EXISTING TERMS OF REFERENCE AND PRIORITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT, HE WENT ON, +ARE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE AT PRESENT BUT ARE ALSO BEING KEPT UNDER REVIEW AND WILL BE ADJUSTED IF AND WHEh CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT CHANGE+.
ON COUNTRY PARKS, MR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS RECRUITING STAFF FOR A PARK RANGER SERVICE WHICH WOULD REGULARLY PATROL ALL COUNTRY PARKS AND GIVE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO VISITORS.
+THESE RANGERS WILL HAVE POWERS OF ARREST AND WILL COMPLEMENT ™E P°*- ICE PATROLS. THEY WILL ALSO BE IN RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH WHEN !RMfASinILL BE ABLE T° CALL F0R P0LICE ASSISTANCE
wntn I'ltltboAnT, * He SAID.
iMDOAvcS,T2n «^JkIT,ES ,NS,DE PARKS ESPECIALLY TOILETS, WERE BEING IMPROVED, MR RIDDELL-SWAN ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
17
AMNESTY RUMOURS +RUBBISH+, GOVERNOR SAYS ft ft ft ft
A>cM.JeLG?yER^0R’ SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENIi.u DISMISSED AS +RUBBISH+ RUMOURS SPREAD BY SNAKEHEADS ABOUT AN AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND WARNED PEOPLE NOT TO BE MISL" BY THEM.
*TH,S GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION WHATEVER OF DOING ANYTHIN SO SILLY AS TO RELAX OUR DEFENCES NOW THAT THEY ARE HOLDING,* HF STRESSED. AND SIR MURRAY HOPED THE MEDIA WOULD SPREAD THE WORD.
♦PEOPLE HERE ARE SICK OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND IF THEY ARE NOT CAUGHT ON THE FRONTIER WIRE, OR PICKED UP BY A POLICE LAUNCH AT SEA, THEY ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE HANDED OVER TO THE POLICE BY THE POPULATION OR SIMPLY HAVE TO GIVE THEMSELVES UP FOR LACK OF A LIVING,+ HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR GAVE THE WARNING IN A SPEECH AT A DINNER GIVEN BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES IN HIS AND LADY MACLEHOSE’S HONOUR.
SIR MURRAY SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE HUGE INFLUX OF 1978, 1979 AND 1980 HAD BEEN STOPPED BY OUR OWN MEASURES, EMPLOYERS’ COOPERATION IN DENYING ILLEGALS WORK, AND WITH THE HELP OF THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, SOME PEOPLE STILL ATTEMPTED TO COME USUALLY ENCOURAGED BY RUMOURS OF AN AMNESTY ON HIS DEPARTURE, OR THE ARRIVAL OF SIR EDWARD YOUDE, OR EVEN THE BIRTH OF THE PRINCE OF WALES’ CHILD.
♦THEY SHOULD NOT BE MISLED,+ HE SAID. +ALL THIS IS RUBBISH SPREAD BY SNAKEHEADS FOR THEIR OWN PROF IT.♦
SIR MURRAY ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE THREAT POSED BY PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENT IN EUROPE AND AMERICA.
THIS WAS A SIMPLE POLITICAL REFLEX TO THE MASSIVE UNEMPLOYMENT THERE WITH WHICH HONG KONG SINCERELY SYMPATHISES, HE SAID, ♦BUT IT IS A SHOCK THAT IT SHOULD BE AIMED AT HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND HONG KONG CONTRIBUTE LITTLE TO THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS DUE TO QUITE DIFFERENT CAUSES AND DIFFERENT COMPETITION.
♦IT IS MONSTROUS THAT IN SPITE OF THIS, THE OPPOSITE SHOULD BE ALLEGED OUT OF PURE POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY,+ HE ADDED.
HONG KONG WAS FORTUNATE, HOWEVER, IN THAT IT HAD FIRST CLASS NEGOTIATORS WHO HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THE OBVIOUS ANSWER, SIR MURRAY SAID, LAY IN BOTH DIVERSIFICATION AND IN MOVING UP MARKET, AND IN BOTH DIRECTIONS THERE HAD BEEN NOTABLE SUCCESSES.
/THE GOVERNMENT.........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
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THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID, COULD AND WOULD HELP IN TWO
PARTICULAR WAYS ~ FIRSTLY, BY PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE C; BACK-UP SERVICES AND INDUSTRIAL AND SUPPORT FACILITIES, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIMARY STANDARDS, AS WELL AS BY TRADE AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION BY THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT; AND SECONDLY, BY THE PRflOTION CF TECHNICAL AND HIGHER EDUCATION,
THE GOVERNOR PUT MUCH FAITH IN THE NEW VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE EXPANDED TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, IT WILL HELP DIRECT.
HE ALSO BELIEVED A SECOND POLYTECHNIC TO BE A MUST. +THE PRINCIPLE IS ACCEPTED. WE ARE NOW ONLY DISCUSSING THE HOW AND THE WHERE.+
SIR MURRAY ALSO REFERRED TO THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH CHINA AND TO THE NEED TO CONSTANTLY CULTIVATE THE STRONG AND GROWING ECONOMIC LINKS WITH THE UK.
IN HIS VIEW, OUR FUTURE MUST BE BASED ON TWO INTERCONNECTED ENDEAVOURS:
* TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND DEEPEN THE TRADITIONAL MEANS OF OUR PROSPERITY BASED ON EXPORT, FINANCE, TOURISM AND COMMUNICATIONS (ALL WORLDWIDE IN NATURE AND EXTERNALLY ORIENTED), AND
* AT THE SAME TIME EXPAND OUR TWO-WAY LINKS WITH GUANGDONG AND OTHER PARTS OF CHINA WHEREVER MUTUAL BENEFIT CAN BE FOUND.
THESE TWO ENDEAVOURS, THE GOVERNOR SAID, ARE INTERRELATED BECAUSE WITHOUT THE PROSPERITY AND PURCHASING POWER DERIVED FROM OUR WORLDWIDE ROLE, OUR TRADE WITH CHINA WOULD DWINDLE; AND WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF STRONG MUTUAL COOPERATION AND TRUST WITH CHINA THE CONFIDENCE ON WHICH OUR WORLDWIDE INTERESTS ARE BASED MIGHT FAIL.
+SO THESE ARE THE LINES ON WHICH I AM SURE HONG KONG SHOULD DEVELOP. WE CAN DO SO FROM A SOUND INDUSTRIAL, FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL BASE, AND EXPERIENCE ACCUMULATED IN A HARD SCHOOL.
+1 AM SURE THAT IN THIS WAY YOU MAY FACE THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE, SIR MURRAY SAID: +1 CANNOT TELL YOU HOw SAD MY WIFE AND I ARE TO LEAVE HONG KONG» THESE YEARS HERE HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION AND A PRIVILEGE. THOUGH OUR FUTURE PLANS ARE VAGUE, CERTAINLY HONG KONG WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR THOUGHTS, WE HOPE TO KEEP ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS HERE, AND IF THERE IS ANY WAY IN WHICH WE CAN HELP AT ANY TIME WE wILL DO SO.+
EARLIER IN HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE FEDERATION, SIR MURRAY SAID THAT MUCH OF THE CREDIT FOR HONG KONG’S ANNUAL AVERAGE GROwTh RATE OF 10 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER THE PAST DECADE WAS DUE T' THE ACHIEVEMENT OF OUR MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS.
Al HAVE.........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
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+l HAVE HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE AND THE EXHILARATION TO LIVE AND *ORK AT THE CENTRE DURING THIS PERIOD OF DYNAMIC GROWTH-I HAVE ALSO HAD ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY.
+FOR A JUDGEMENT ON HOw THAT RESPONSIBILITY HAS BEEN DISCHARGED, THE QUESTION IS NOT WHETHER ANYTHING WAS ACHIEVED • aITH A GROWTH OF 10 PER CENT ANNUALLY SOMETHING MUST HAVE BEE' ACHIEVED — BUT WHETHER YOUR GOVERNMENT USED THIS GROWTH IN THE RIGHT WAY, DID THE RIGHT THINGS AT THE RIGHT TIME TO ENCOURAGE IT AND PROVIDE THE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FURTHER GROWTH, AND THE STABILITY AND INTERNATIONAL RESPECT ON WHICH ALO! SECURE PROSPERITY CAN BE BUILT.
♦THE JUDGEMENT MUST BE YOURS,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
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SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD TO HOLD 4TH MEETING
M X >
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD, WILL HOLD ITS FOURTH MEETING AT THE CMA PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL ON FRIDAY (APRIL 16).
AMONG THE TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED DURING THE MEETING WILL BE THE BOARD’S STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES FOR 1982/83 AND THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THE DISTRICT IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
THE FOURTH DISTRICT BOARD MEETING IS AN OPEN MEETING AND HEADMASTERS OF SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND AS OBSERVERS.
DURING THE MEETING, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSAL FOR PUBLISHING A DISTRICT NEWSPAPER FOR SHAM SHUI PO AIMED AT AROUSING LOCAL INTERESTS AMONG THE RESIDENTS.
THEY WILL ALSO BE INVITED TO GIVE THEIR OPINION ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OF WAI MAN VILLAGE, THE SPORTS TRAINING CLASSES AND DANCE CLASSES FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT, AND THE VARIETY SHOW FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE LEI CHENG UK ESTATE.
NOTE TO EDITORS i
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELL AT THE CMA PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL, 298 NAM CHEONG STREET, SHAM SHUI ^0 ON FRIDAY (APRIL 16) AT 2.30 PM.
/20 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
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50 000 YUEN LONG PEOPLE TO CELEBRATE TIN HAU FESTIVAL * * * *
ABOUT 50 000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS IN YUEN LONG ON FRIDAY (APRIL 16).
ORGANISED BY THE SHAP PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF TIN HAU - THE GODDESS OF HEAVEN - THE EVENT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FESTIVALS FOR THE BOAT PEOPLE WHO PRAY TO HER FOR FAIR WEATHER AND GOOD FISHING.
THE PROGRAMME WILL FEATURE A TWO-HOUR PROCESSION, BEGINNING AT 10.30 AM WHEN 7 000 PEOPLE FROM 34 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WILL SET OFF FROM THE EASTERN BUS TERMINUS, ARRIVING THE YUEN LONG STADIUM VIA FUNG CHEUNG, CASTLE PEAK AND TAI YUK ROADS.
THE PROCESSION WILL INCLUDE A PARADE BY FIVE DRAGONS, FOUR UNICORNS, 26 LIONS, THREE FLOATS, TWO FLORAL VEHICLES, CHIU CHAU GONGS AND DRUMS, PUPPET SHOW, CHINESE FOLK DANCES AND MUSIC.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, AND HIS WIFE WILL BE THE GUESTS OF HONOUR AT THE FESTIVAL PROCESSION.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TRADITIONAL +FA PAU+ DRAW IN THE OPEN AREA OPPOSITE THE TAI SHU HA TEMPLE AT 3.30 PM.
THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL, WHICH FALLS ON THE 23RD DAY OF THE THIRD MONTH ON THE LUNAR CALENDAR, WILL ALSO BE CELEBRATED IN OTHER FISHING AREAS LIKE JOSS HOUSE BAY, CHEUNG CHAU AND LAMMA ISLAND.
NOTE TO EDITORS i
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL PROCESSION IN YUEN LONG ON FRIDAY (APRIL 16). A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 9 AM. STAFF OF CNTA INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
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SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TIN HAU FESTIVAL * * * *
SPECIAL TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCE . YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN ON FRIDAY (APRIL 16) FOR THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT TRAFFIC IN YUEN LONG WILL RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER THE PROCESSION IS COMPLETED IN THE AFTERNOON.
ROAD CLOSURES AND DIVERSIONS IN YUEN LONG (FROM 10 AM):
* A SECTION OF THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC LANE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAL BETWEEN FUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND TAI YUK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC. THE EXISTING EASTBOUND TRAFFIC LANE WILL THEN BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-LANE, TWO-WAY TRAFFIC, AND NO LANE CUTTING WILL BE ALLOWED;
* FUNG CHEUNG STREET, HOP YICK ROAD, A SECTION OF TAI TONG ROAD BETWEEN HOP YICK ROAD AND KAU YUK ROAD AND TAI YUK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC;
* MA MIU ROAD NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ON NING ROAD WILl BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES;
* BOTH BANKS OF THE NULLAH FROM TAI KI LING BRIDGE TO Th£ TEMPLE AT TAI SHU HA WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY FROM NORTHERN BANK ROAD TO SOUTHERN BANK ROAD.
SUSPENSION OF ON-STREET PARKING IN YUEN LONG (FROM 8 AM):
* CASTLE PEAK ROAD SECTION BETWEEN FUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND TAI YUK ROAD;
* ON NING ROAD SECTION BETWEEN KIK YEUNG ROAD AND MA MIU ROAD;
* MA MIU ROAD SECTION BETWEEN ON NING ROAD AND MA WANG ROAD;
* ON LOK ROAD SECTION BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TAI KIL ROAD;
* MA WANG ROAD;
X wANG CHAU ROAD; AND
* TA I KIU ROAD.
/BUS STCi ........
WEDNESDAY, APaIL -14, 19?"
22 -
BUS STOP RELOCATION AND BUS DIVERSION (FROM 9.30 AH):
* THE BUS TERMINUS IN FUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE TEMPOR V II * SUSPENDED 5
* KMB ROUTES 50 AND 68 WILL TERMINATE AT MA MIU ROAD. . . JOURNEYS TO YUEN LONG, THE BUSES WILL BE DIVERTED VI-CASTLE PEAK ROAD, MA WANG ROAD AND MA MIU ROAD, AND ON RETURN JOURNEYS VIA MA MIU ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK Rj.-.:
* KMB ROUTES 53, 55, 57, 58 AND 61 WILL TERMINATE AT KIK YEUNG ROAD TERMINUS. ON JOURNEYS TO YUEN LONG, THE BUSES WILL BE VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, MA WANG ROAD, MA MUI ROAD, ON NING ROAD AND KIK YEUNG ROAD AND OUTWARD JOU*J-' VIA ON NING ROAD, MA MIU ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD;
* KMB ROUTES 51, 54, 64, 76 AND 77 ON JOURNEYS TO YUEN LONG WILL BE EXTENDED BEYOND THE WESTERN ROUNDABOUT OF CASTLE. PEAK ROAD AND PROCEED VIA MA WANG ROAD, MA MIU ROAD A L. NING ROAD TO REACH KIK YEUNG ROAD TERMINUS. ON RETUR, JOURNEYS, THE BUSES WILL OPERATE DIRECTLY FROM KIK YE ROAD ONTO CASTLE PEAK ROAD J
* KMB ROUTE 56 WILL OPERATE FROM WONG NAI TUN VIA TAI TOK TO FRASER VILLAGE WHERE A TEMPORARY STOP WILL BE PROVIDE; AND
* ALL BUS STOPS ON THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PE«f ROAD (YUEN LONG) SECTION BETWEEN FUNG CHEUNG STREET AK TAI YUK ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.
AS FOR TUEN MUN, THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM.
* A SECTION OF TIN HAU ROAD ITS JUNCTION WITH TS1 NG WUN ROAD.
* A SECTION OF HUNG CHEUNG ROAD ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN HAU ROAD.
* A SECTION OF SAN ON STREET ITS JUNCTION WITH HUNG CHEUNG ROAD
* A SECTION OF HING WONG STREET ITS JUNCTION WITH HUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE CAR PARK IN SAN ON STREET AND THE CAR PARK BETWEEN HUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND SAN LtK STREET WILL BE
TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.
EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ON DUTY TO THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
GUIDE MOTORISTS,
- 0 -
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
- 23 -
EXHIBITION ON EYE CARE
* * * *
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL MOUNT AN EXHIBITION f i SATURDAY (APRIL 17) TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE CF GOOD EYE CARE.
THE FIVE-DAY EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT ADMIRALTY STATIC ADMISSION WILL BE FREE.
THROUGH VISUAL AIDS, IT WILL FEATURE THE STRUCTURE OF THE EV" AND WAYS TO PREVENT COMMON EYE DISEASES, INCLUDING CATARACT. GLAUCOMA, REFRACTIVE ERRORS, AND RATIONAL DETACHMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE EXHIBITION IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO PROTECT THEIR EYES.
+PEOPLE WHO ARE GIFTED WITH GOOD EYE SIGHT SHOULD LEARN HOW TO CONSERVE IT. THE COMMON SAYING OF PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE IS PARTICULARLY TRUE IN EYE CARE,* HE ADDED.
FOR SOME DISEASES SUCH AS CATARACT AND GLAUCOMA, EARLY DETECTION AND EARLY TREATMENT CAN PREVENT BLINDNESS.
SOME OF THE DISPLAYS FOCUS ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST INJURIES TO EYES WHICH MAY BE SUSTAINED IN INDUSTRIAL INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAI.
UNTIL WEDNESDAY (APRIL 21) AND STAFF FROM THE DEPARTMENT WILL EE AVAILABLE EVERY DAY FROM 9.30 AM TO 5 PM TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES ABOUT EYE CARE.
A BOOKLET ON EYE CARE WILL ALSO BE GIVEN FREE TO VISITORS.
- 0
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES RAISE FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY CHEST
* * * * X
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS RAISED A TOTAL OF $34 047 FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING MARCH.
THE MONEY, A RECORD SUM RAISED BY THE DEPARTMENT, CAME FROM CONTRIBUTIONS BY STAFF OF VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND A CHARITY WALK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, $33 402 WAS RAISED FOR THE CHEST.
AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT ICTORIA PRISON TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE VICE PATRON OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, MR YU LOOK-YAU, RECEIVED A CHEQUE FOR THE AMOUNT FROM SUPERINTENDENT LI TING-CHONG, WHO REPRESENTED ALL STAFF MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
- 24 -
new platform for lo wu station
I t A
WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PLATFORMS AT LO WU STATION AS PART OF THE ELECTRIFICATION AND MODERNISATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AWARDED A $47 MILLION CONTRACT TO MCCONNELL DOWELL CONSTRUCTION LIMITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESt NEW PLATFORMS.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED THIS MORNING BY MR LEUNG MIN-SUN, GOVERNMENT ENGINEER OF THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE PLATFORMS AND SUBWAYS SUPPORTED ON STEEL BEARING PILES AND PLATFORM CANOPIES.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT IS THE BUILDING OF TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION WHICH WILL HOUSE THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OPERATING AT LO WU WHEN THE NEW STATION IS BUILT TOWARDS THE cND OF THIS YEAR.
- 0
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG
* * *
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO IMPROVE BUS AND GENERAL TRAFFIC FLOW ON HOI YUEN ROAD IN KWUN TONG WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 16).
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, THE BAN ON RIGHT-TURNS
FROM SHING YIP STREET ONTO HOI YUEN ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE RESCINDED, AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE ROAD JUNCTION.
HOWEVER, NO RIGHT-TURN WILL BE PERMITTED FROM HOI YUEN ROAD SOUTHBOUND INTO HOW MING STREET WESTBOUND.
IN ADDITION, THE NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND BUS STOPS AT HOI YUEN ROAD WILL BE MOVED TO THE FOLLOWING NEW LOCATIONS!
* REVISED NORTHBOUND BUS STOP LOCATIONSi
ROUTE 43 - OUTSIDE NO. 61, HOI YUEN ROAD J
ROUTE 5B, HD, 19, 23 - OUTSIDE NO. 47/49, HOI YUEN ROAD.
4 REVISED SOUTHBOUND BUS STOP LOCATIONS:
ROUTE 19 - OUTSIDE NO. 64, HOI YUEN ROAD:
ROUTE 13C - OPPOSITE NO. 63, HOI YUEN ROAD AND
ROUTE 23 - OPPOSITE NO. 61, HOI YUEN ROAD.
THE NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGMENTS WluL BE CLOSELY MONITORED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT STRESSED..
- - 0 ------------
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
- 25 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER * * * *
TWO SECTIONS OF THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 16) FOR DRAINAGE WORKS.
they are«
* the eastbound traffic lane of the prince EDWARD road FLYOVER, LEADING FROM KOWLOON CITY INTERCHANGE NEAR THE JUNCTION OF BOUNDARY STREET AND COLLEGE ROAD ONTO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST NEAR TAK KU LING ROAD I AND
* THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC LANE OF THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER, LEADING FROM KOWLOON CITY INTERCHANGE NEAR NAM KOK ROAD ONTO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST NEAR SHORT STREET.
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FROM BOUNDARY STREET TO SAN PO KONG AND WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FROM SAN PO KONG TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST CAN PROCEED ON THE GROUND LEVEL ROADS AS USUAL, AND WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE.
-------0 -
KOWLOON SALT WATER MAINS CHECKS * * M *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF AT DIFFERENT TIMES BETWEEN APRIL 15 AND APRIL 20 TO FACILITATE ROUTINE CHECKS OF WATER MAINS.
AFFECTED DISTRICTS INCLUDE WANG TAU HOM, HO MAN TIN, WONG TAI SIN, KOWLOON CITY AND SAN PO KONG.
THE DATES AND LOCATIONS OF THE WATER CUTS AREt
APRIL 15 - PREMISES ALONG RENFREW ROAD, OXFORD ROAD AND WATERLOO 'ROAD.
APRIL 16 - WANG TAU HOM, LOK FU ESTATE AND PREMISES ALONG JUNCTION ROAD, TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD, CARPENTER ROAD, SHEK KU LUNG ROAD, KAI TAK ROAD, TAK KU LING ROAD, SOUTH WALL ROAD, LUNG KONG ROAD, NAM KOK ROAD, NGA TSIN WAI ROAD, HAU WONG ROAD AND LION ROCK ROAD.
APRIL 18 - PREMISES ALONG LOK SIN ROAD, CHOI HUNG ROAD, TUNG TAU LANE AND TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD (INCLUDING TUNG TAU ESTATE).
APRIL 19 - UPPER AND LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE AND PREMISES ALONG CHUK YUEN ROAD, MUK LUN STREET.
APRIL 20 - PREMISES ALONG SHA TIN PASS ROAD, FUNG TAK ROAD AND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD.
0
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1982
- 26 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ft * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (APRIL 17) AT 10 AM AT THE
COMMITTEE ROOM, QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
THIRTY-FIVE SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING.
THEY AREi CT1288 CS1138 CS3882 CF 100 CP 78
CS 379 CS8283 7777 CR8688 AS 888
AA 820 AY 208 CS8388 CS1789 CM 55
CS1635 CS1288 CS 118 CS 330 CT 181
AT 1 CS 732 CS8838 CS 748 CC 678
CS9616 CL 88 CS3278 CS 631 CS 378
CS 900 CS 899 CS8783 CS 328 CS1833
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY IN CASH OR I SY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THE BIDDING. A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE
VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 74TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
------o ---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
COORDINATING MACHINERY TO OVERSEE MANAGEMENT PRODUCTIVITY 1
TICD TO BE DE-FEDERALISED ................................... 2
TOTAL REVENUE EXPECTED TO BE $34 BILLION .................... 5
PURPOSE OF FISCAL SYSTEM..................................... g
DOMESTIC EXPORT GROWTH MAY NOT REACH FORECAST 7 PER CENT . 8
CONCERN FELT OVER LACK OF UNIVERSITY PLAGES ................. 9
AIDED SCHOOLS TO RETAIN FREEDOM: HAYE ASSURES............... 11
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION MOVES INTO NEW ERA..................... 14
CONFIDENCE IN EDUCATION A VITAL ISSUE........................
CONSULTATION INVOLVES PARTNERS NOT ADVERSARIES ................ 17
GOVERNOR'S DEPARTURE - PRESS ARRANGEMENTS ..................... 18
IMPRESSIVE LOCAL SUPPORT FOR BACH CHOIR FINAL CONCENT........ 18
HONG KONG/EEC TEXTILE TALKS ................................... 19
TREE PLANTING IN NT ........................................... 19
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ...................................... 20
NO SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACECOURSE........................ 20
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN CAINE ROAD ................... 21
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
1
COORDINATING MACHINERY TO OVERSEE MANAGEMENT PRODUCTIVITY ******
JOINT COORDINATING MACHINERY WILL BE SET UP IN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL OVERSEE THOSE ASPECTS OF PRODUCTIVITY PARTICULARLY AFFECTING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THIS WILL REPORT TO THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON MARTIN ROWLANDS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR ROWLANDS SAID THAT, AS FROM APRIL 1, SOME 80 MANAGEMENT SERVICES STAFF PREVIOUSLY WORKING UNDER THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION BRANCH HAD JOINED THE FINANCE BRANCH, WORKING PRINCIPALLY ON ♦VALUE-FOR-MONEY+ STUDIES, INCLUDING ESTABLISHMENT REVIEWS.
FOR ITS PART, THERE IS MUCH THAT CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH CAN DO, AND IS DOING, TO HELP IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY, HE SAID.
♦THE RIGHT RANK STRUCTURE, RECRUITMENT OF THE BEST PEOPLE, EFFECTIVE TRAINING, IMPROVED STAFF MANAGEMENT, BETTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, AND GOOD STAFF RELATIONS ALL PLAY THEIR PART.*
MR ROWLANDS SAID THE DECISION TO SET UP THE JOINT COORDINATING MACHINERY WAS MADE BECAUSE THE INTERESTS OF FINANCE BRANCH AND CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH IN PRODUCTIVITY WERE OVERLAPPING, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THE FINANCE BRANCH HAD ACQUIRED A MANAGEMENT SERVICES CAPABILITY.
RESPONDING TO COMMENTS MADE BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON THE DEPARTMENTAL ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEES, THE SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE SAIDi +THE DEC’S OCCUPY A PIVOTAL POSITION IN OUR MACHINERY FOR REGULATING THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, AND IT IS VITAL THAT THEY SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE.*
MR ROWLANDS SAID BOTH HE AND THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY TOOK A PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE WORK OF THE DEC’S AND BOTH HAD REPRESENTATIVES IN ATTENDANCE AS FULL MEMBERS AT ALL MEETINGS OF DEC’S.
♦OUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE UNDER INSTRUCTIONS TO BE CRITICAL IN EXAMINING DEPARTMENTAL PROPOSALS FOR NEW POSTS; CONSTRUCTIVE IN SUGGESTING ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS REDEPLOYMENT, REORGANISATION OF WORK AND SO FORTH; AND CONSERVATIVE IN ENDORSING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF POSTS.*
HE SAID ON THE WHOLE, DEPARTMENTAL ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEES WERE DISCHARGING THEIR DUTIES PROPERLY AND WITH A DUE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
♦I AGREE WITH THOSE MEMBERS WHO SPOKE ON THIS SUBJECT EARLIER IN THE DEBATE THAT WE DO NEED TO REVIEW AND REFINE THE ASSOCIATED PROCEDURES. THIS WE ARE DOING,* MR ROWLANDS SAID.
HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THERE WERE NO GROUNDS FOR FEARING THAT IN DEC’S THE GOVERNMENT HAD INVENTED ONE OF THOSE SCREEN MONSTERS WHICH OVERPOWERED ITS CREATOR.
/EARLIER, MH ROWLANDS ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
- 2 -
EARLIER, MR ROWLANDS ALSO SPOKE ON PAY AND FRINGE BENEFITS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, STAFF EFFICIENCY, PLANNING AND TRAINING AND THE POLICY ON LOCALISATION.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THE CONCEPT OF THE TOTAL PAY PACKAGE AND WAS NOW WORKING OUT HOW TO APPLY IT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
MR ROWLANDS SAID THE ISSUES WERE COMPLEX BUT HE WAS OPTIMISTIC THAT WITH HELP FROM THE STAFF SIDE AND WITH FURTHER ADVICE FROM THE STANDING COMMISSION, IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO REPORT BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BEFORE THE SUMMER RECESS.
ON STAFF TRAINING, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW SPENDING SOME $400 MILLION EACH YEAR ON CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING, INCLUDING LARGE SUMS DEVOTED TO OVERCOMING SHORTAGES OF PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL SKILLS.
HOWEVER, MR ROWLANDS SAID IT SHOULD BE RECOGNISED THAT IN MANY CASES THE LEAD TIME WAS EXTREMELY LONG, AND IT WOULD BE MANY YEARS BEFORE EVEN ALL BASIC REQUIREMENTS WERE MET FROM LOCAL HOME-GROWN SOURCES.
HE SAID IT REMAINED THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO RECRUIT OVERSEAS ONLY WHEN SUITABLE LOCAL CANDIDATES WERE NOT AVAILABLE IN SUFFICIENT NUMBERS, EXCEPT IN THE CASES OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS AND POLICE INSPECTORS WHERE IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO CONTINUE RECRUITING A PROPORTION OF OFFICERS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.
------o--------
TICD TO BE DE-FEDERALISED ******
THE TRADE INDUSTRY INTO THREE SEPARATE AND COMMITTEE APPROVAL, THE HADDON-CAVE, ANNOUNCED
AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT IS TO BE RESTRUCTURED INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENTS, SUBJECT TO FINANCE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP N THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE TODAY.
THE THREE NEW DEPARTMENTS WOULD BE THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, TH£ INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS DEPARTMENT --THE HEADS OF WHICH WILL BECOME CONTROLLING OFFICERS WITH THEIR OWN SEPARATE VOTES IN THE ESTIMATES.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING POST OF DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS WILL BE ABOLISHED AND A NEW PWT OF SECRETARY WILL BE CREATED TO HEAD UP A NEW BRANCH Of THE GOVERNMENT SECRETAR I AT TO WHICH WILL BE TRANSFERRED POLICY RESPONSIBILITY p0R TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND SEVERAL OTHER SUBJECTS FROM THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH.
/SIR PHILIP .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 15> 1?82
- 3 -
SIR PHILIP SAID IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO WORK OUT DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE DECISIONS. BUT THE INTENTION WAS THAT THE NEW BRANCH AND THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENTS SHOULD BE OPERATIONAL BY JULY.
NO FIRM DECISION HAD YET BEEN TAKEN AS TO WHICH BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS DEPARTMENT, BUT THE SECURITY BRANCH AND FINANCE BRANCH WERE TWO OBVIOUS CANDIDATES.
IT HAD ALSO BEEN DECIDED, SIR PHILIP SAID, THAT ALL DIRECTORATE POSTS IN THE NEW TRADE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENTS SHOULD BE CONVERTED TO STAFF GRADE POSTS IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE, WHILE DIRECTORATE POSTS IN THE CUSTOMS AND CONTROLS DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROGRESSIVELY CONVERTED TO PROFESSIONAL POSTS IN THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE.
♦ALL DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTORATE OFFICERS IN THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENTS WILL BE OFFERED TRANSFER TERMS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN RANKS EQUIVALENT TO THEIR EXISTING RANKS,* HE SAID.
THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE AND LIABLE TO POSTING TO ANY POST DESIGNATED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE POST.
EQUALLY, HE ADDED, ALL PRESENT STAFF GRADE MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE MAY BE POSTED TO DIRECTORATE POSTS IN THESE TWO NEW DEPARTMENTS.
♦THIS DECISION IS IN LINE WITH THE POLICY OF PROGRESSIVELY MAKING ALL DIRECTORATE LEVEL POSTS, WHEREVER PRACTICABLE, OPEN TO ALL SENIOR OFFICERS, BE THEY MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE OR OF DEPARTMENTAL CADRES,+ SIR PHILIP SAID.
SIR PHILIP ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT A WORKING PARTY IS TO BE SET UP TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A FULL-TIME IN-SERVICE COMMAND AND MANAGEMENT COURSE ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR MID-CAREER OFFICERS IN BOTH COMMON SERVICE AND DEPARTMENTAL CADRES AND IN THE UNIFORMED SERVICES WITH A VIEW TO PREPARING SUCH OFFICERS FOR DIRECTORATE LEVEL RESPONSIBILITIES.
THE WORKING PARTY IS TO BE CHAIRED BY MR LI FOOK-KOW, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION. DETAILS OF ITS COMPOSITION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY, SIR PHILIP SAID.
RESPONDING TO CONCERN EXPRESSED DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON THE GROWTH AND SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, SIR PHILIP ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT COMPLACENT ABOUT THE COST-EFFICIENCY OF DEPARTMENTAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
/the government .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
- 4 -
THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO TAKE A DYNAMIC VIEW OF THE ORGANISATION OF ITS INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION.
HE ALSO ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE ADDITIONAL POSTS FOR WHICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS SEEKING FUNDS IN HIS BUDGET WOULD ONLY BE CREATED IF DEPARTMENTAL ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEES (DEC’S WERE SATISFIED THAT A PROPERLY ARGUED CASE WERE MADE OUT.
+ALTHOUGH, IN THEORY, PROVISION IS BEING SOUGHT FOR AN ADDITIONAL 16 500 POSTS, I AM CONFIDENT THAT, IN PRACTICE, A LESSER NUMBER WILL BE CREATED EVEN IF SO MANY COULD BE RECRUITED AND ABSORBED,+ HE SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT DEC’S -- AND PARTICULARLY THE FINANCE BRANCH AND CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES ON THEM — WOULD BE AT PAINS TO ENSURE THAT THE SCOPE FOR THE REDEPLOYMENT OF STAFF IN EXISTING POSTS HAD BEEN FULLY EXPLORED.
AND THE ESTABLISHMENT SUB-COMMITTEE, IN ITS PROGRAMME OF REGULAR REVIEWS OF DEPARTMENTAL ESTABLISHMENTS, WOULD DOUBTLESS CHECK THAT THIS HAD BEEN DONE, HE ADDED.
REFERRING TO THE HON MISS LYDIA DUNN’S QUESTION ABOUT THE CONTINUING RELEVANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONCEPT, SIR PHILIP SAID: +RATHER THAN DISMANTLE THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN FAVOUR OF ANOTHER SET OF ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORMULATING AND DIRECTING AND COORDINATING POLICIES IN OUR VARIOUS PROGRAMME AREAS, I THINK IT IS WISER TO SEEK TO ADAPT THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS WITH A VIEW TO SPEEDING UP THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS, IMPROVING THE SERVICING OF THE NETWORK OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND DEVELOPING A MORE RESPONSIVE AND MORE COHERENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICY BRANCHES AND BETWEEN POLICY BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS.+
HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT MORE ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE WAY IN WHICH DEPARTMENTS WERE ACCOMMODATED.
+THERE ARE TOO MANY INSTANCES OF DEPARTMENTS IN AND UNSUITABLE PREMISES, WHICH UNTIDY SITUATIONS ARE CONDUCIVE TO EFFICIENCY,+ SIR PHILIP SAID.
SCATTERED NOT
THE GOVERNMENT, HE ADDED, WAS PURSUING THE SEARCH FOR SERVICES WHICH MIGHT BE CONTRACTED OUT AND FOR SUITABLE CANDIDATES FOR HIVING-OFF AS COMMERCIAL OR QUASl-COMMERCI AL VENTURES TO OPERATE AS PUBLIC CORPORATIONS.
-------o----------
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
- 5 -
TOTAL REVENUE EXPECTED TO BE $34 BILLION *****
THE GOVERNMENT’S TOTAL REVENUE FOR 1981-82, HAVING REGARD TO PERFORMANCE OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS, IS NOW EXPECTED TO BE $34 BILLION, ABOUT $800 MILLION LESS THAN THE $34.8 BILL II GIVEN IN THE REVISED ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE SAME YEAR.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, IN HIS SPEECH CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SAID THE UPDATED ASSESSMENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE, HOWEVER, FORTUITOUSLY REMAINED UNCHANGED (AT $27.1 BILLION), ALTHOUGH ITS MAKE-UP WAS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT.
ON THIS BASIS, HE SAID, LAST YEAR’S OPERATIONS WOULD RESULT IN A REDUCED SURPLUS OF $6.9 BILLION INSTEAD OF THE $7.7 BILLION INDICATED IN THE REVISED ESTIMATES.
RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WOULD BE ABOUT $129 MILLION LOWER THAN PREVIOUSLY ESTIMATED, BECAUSE THE REQUIREMENT FOR PENSION PAYMENTS WAS OVER-STATED. BUT TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WOULD BE ABOUT $134 MILLION HIGHER.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID EXPENDITURE ON LAND ACQUISITION IN PARTICULAR WAS NOW ESTIMATED AT $1.9 BILLION RATHER THAN $1.6 BILLION, BUT THERE HAD BEEN SOME OFFSETTING SAVINGS IN OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE CAPITAL ACCOUNT.
RECURRENT REVENUE WAS EXPECTED TO BE $363 MILLION LESS THAN PREVIOUSLY ESTIMATED, HE SAID, LARGELY BECAUSE OF RATHER LOWER YIELDS FROM EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAX AND FROM STAMP DUTIES AND CAPITAL REVENUE WAS EXPECTED TO BE $369 MILLION LESS, RESULTING ENTIRELY FROM A DROP IN THE YIELD FROM LAND PREMIA AS A RESULT OF LOWER PRICES BEING FETCHED BY THE SALE OF LAND.
♦THE TRANSFER OF THE 1981-82 SURPLUS, AS NOW ASSESSED, TO THE GENERAL REVENUE BALANCE WILL BRING OUR FISCAL RESERVES AT THE BEGINNING OF 1982-83 TO ABOUT $22.4 BILLION,* HE SAID.
ALLOWING (ON THE BASIS OF A GEARING OF THREE) $6.5 BILLION AS COVER FOR OUR CONTINGENT LIABILITIES, OUR *FREE+ FISCAL RESERVES AT APRIL 1, 1982 SHOULD BE ABOUT $15.9 BILLION, M? BREMRIDGE SAID.
0 --------
/6
iHURSDAY, APRIL l?t L^BZ
- 6 -
PURPOSE OF FISCAL SYSTEM * * *
THE GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FISCAL SYSTEM IS TO FINANCE EXPENDITURE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT AGREED PROGRAMMES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN HIS SPEECH CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR BREMRIDGE SAID: +THE GOVERNMENT HAS NEVER TRIED TO PURSUE SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH TAX MEASURES ANCILLARY TO OVERALL POLICY, THOUGH THERE IS CLEARLY A DEGREE OF REDISTRIBUTION IN FOR EXAMPLE THE PUP.IC HOUSING FIELD AND IN THE STRUCTURE OF THE SALARIES TAX.*
MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES WERE PROPERLY DESIGNED TO MAKE THE POOR RICHER- AND NOT THE RICH POORER.
+THEY HAVE CLEARLY DONE SO. I DO NOT INTEND TO REPEAT 'HE MANY RELEVANT PASSAGES FROM MY BUDGET SPEECH, BUT I EMPHASISE MY BELIEF THAT LESS GOVERNMENT TENDS TO BE MORE EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT,* HE SAID.
HONG KONG’S EXPERIENCE OVER RECENT YEARS PROVIDED SOME FIRM EVIDENCE OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HIS PREDECESSORS’ CONSISTENT POLICIES, MR BREMRIDGE SAID, ADDING THAT UNOFFICIALS IN THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR’S DEBATE HAD AGAIN GENERALLY ACCEPTED THE VIRTUES OF APPROPRIATE DEGREES OF THRIFT, CREATIVITY, COMMONSENSE AND ABOVE ALL PLAIN DECENCY IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE IMPROVING LIVING STANDARDS OF OUR PEOPLE AND TO THE PRUDENT FREEDOM SUCCESSFULLY ENJOYED BY OUR COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
IN HIS SPEECH, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO RESPONDED TO MORE SPECIFIC POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL DURING THE DEBATE.
ON CONTROL OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE, MR BREMRIDGE SAL THE +ASTRINGENT ADVICE* GIVEN BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN, THE HON CHARLES YEUNG, THE HON WONG LAM, DR THE HON RAYSON HUANG, THE HON WILLIAM BROWN AND THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG WAS HELPFUL.
HE SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THEY AGREED THAT THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT SHOULD REFLECT AS CLOSELY AS PRACTICABLE THE GROWTH RATE OF THE GDP.
♦NOTHING THAT I SHALL SAY .REPRESENTS NEW. POL ICY. ONLY LAST YEAR SIR PHILIP IN THIS DEBATE SAID: 'THE NEED ?OR SELF IMPOSED RESTRAINT IS SELF EVIDENT’.*
♦THE PRINCIPLE IS I AM SURE, GENERALLY ACCEPTED- BUT, ALAS, THE PRACTICE IS MORE DIFFICULT, AND IT WOULD BE DEMAGOGIC FOR ME TO PRETEND OTHERWISE,* MR BREMRIDGE SAID.
SETTING ASIDE ANY DEBATE ON COMPETING PRIORITIES, HE SAID, PROBLEMS TO BE FACED INCLUDED THE DIFFICULTY OF DECIDING REASONABLY ACCURATELY EACH YEAR WHAT THE GROWTH RATE OF THE GDP WOULD BE IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
MOREOVER IN THE YEAR 1981-82 THE ACTUAL GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE GROWTH IN REAL TERMS ON CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT WAS 21.8 PER CENT.
/+SUBSEQUENTLY FOR ....
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 198.
7
♦SUBSEQUENTLY TOR 1982-83 TO ADVOCATE AN IMMEDIATE REDUCTION TO AN EIGHT PER CENT GROWTH RATE IS QUITE UNREALISTIC WITHOUT ACCEPTING A CUT OF EXISTING PROGRAMMES,+ HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE WOULD FIND IT DIFFICULT TO JUSTIFY FURTHER CUTBACKS IN THE GROWTH RATE OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1982'-'3 ON TOP OF THE PROPOSED REDUCTION OF ELEVEN PERCENTAGE POINTS IN GROWTH ON CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT, AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF LARG RESERVES AND A CONSIDERABLE BUDGETARY SURPLUS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID HE SENSED A CONTINUED CONCERN AT THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE AND WOULD BEAR IT IN MIND. HE ADDED THAT HE WOULD WELCOME MEMBERS’ SUPPORT WHEN DIFFICULT DECISIONS HAD TO BE MADE.
ON TAXATION, MR BREMRIDGE SAID WE HAD LOW TAXATION IN HONG KONG AND IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT IT SHOULD REMAIN NEUTRAL IN EFFECT AND NOT BE UNDULY DISTORTED IN FAVOUR OF PARTICULAR CLASSES. H& WAS REFERRING TO PLEAS BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS FOR TAX RELIEF ESPECIALLY FOR HOME MORTGAGE PAYMENTS AND FOR FURTHER CONCESSIONS FOR NEW CAPITAL-INTENSIVE EQUIPMENT.
ON CAPITAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE, THE FINANCIAL
SECRETARY SAID A PLANNING UNIT MIGHT BE SET UP SOON IN FINANCE BRANCH WHICH WOULD WORK ON MODELS FOR PROJECTION OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO FUTURE BUDGETS IN THE LIGHT OF VARIED ASSUMPTIONS.
HOWEVER, MR BREMRIDGE SAID ALTHOUGH THIS SOUNDED PRETTY SIMPLE HE DOUBTED IF IT WOULD PROVE TO BE SO IN PRACTICE.
HE WAS REPLYING TO QUERIES RAISED BY MISS DUNN AND MR BROWN ON POSSIBLE FUTURE PROBLEMS WITH REGARD TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND CAPITAL REVENUE AND THE ALLIED POSSIBILITY OF FALLING REVENUE FROM LAND SALES.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THERE WAS NOT MUCH THAT HE COULD DO IN ADVANCE ABOUT SUCH HYPOTHETICAL HORRORS, BEYOND CONSTANTLY BEING ON GUARD.
ON ASSISTANCE TO INDUSTRY, MR BREMRIDGE REPEATED THAT HE WAS WELL AWARE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS THAT INDUSTRY CURRENTLY FACED ESPECIALLY AS OUR OVERSEAS MARKETS WERE CURRENTLY AFFECTED BY RECESSION.
♦BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE RIGHT WAY TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS IS BY CROSS PAYMENTS FROM OTHERS. INDUSTRIALISTS REALLY MJST STAND ON THEIR OWN FEET AND ADAPT TO CONDITIONS AS THEY ALWAYS SUCCESSFULLY HAVE DONE, WHILE LOOKING TO GOVERNMENT FOR IMPROVED BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE.4
ON RELATIONS WITH CHINA, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE HON WONG PO-YAN AND MR CHEONG UNDERLINED THE HIGHLY IMPORTANT ISSUE OF OUR TRADE LINKS WITH CHINA.
♦I ENTIRELY AGREED WITH WHAT BOTH MEN HAVE SAID, PARTICULAR-' ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECA- ECCNGMT ONES, AND I WELCOME THE CONSIDERATION THAT I INDERStANl IS BEING GIVEN TO A VISIT BY THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO CHI .A,4 HE ADDED.
/8 ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
8
DOMESTIC EXPORT GROWTH MAY NOT REACH FORECAST 7 PER CENT * * * * *
THERE IS NOW A HIGHER RISK OF THE ACTUAL GROWTH IN DOMES”"'. EXPORTS FOR 1982 AS A WHOLE NOT REACHING THE FORECAST OF S" ■ "r~
CENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID ■ w
THIS HIGHER RISK ALSO APPLIES TO THE FORECAST GROWTH RATF EIGHT PER CENT FOR THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, MR BREMRIDGE rCLE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN HIS SPEECH CONCLUDING THE DEBATE T. i'Hc SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL, 1982.
HOWEVER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT BECAUSE HE HAD CONFIDENCE IN THE ABILITY OF MANUFACTURERS TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS AND BECAUSE THE SERVICES AND FINANCIAL SECTORS WERE DOING WELL, :!£ A • D NOT INTEND FORMALLY TO REVISE HIS FORECASTS.
+BUT I AM UNDER NO ILLUSION THAT THE TASK OF OVERCOMINS THESE DIFFICULTIES WILL BE EASY. AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH VERY CLOSELY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES,+ HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE SAID DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WERE SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN EXPECTED, AND WERE PROBABLY ABOUT TWO PER CENT LESS IN REAL TERMS THAN IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1981.
FURTHERMORE THE EFFECT ON HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF THE UNITED STATES RECOVERY, WHEN IT HAPPENS, HAS BEEN COMPLICATED BY THE OUTCOME OF THE RECENT NEGOTIATIONS IN RESPECT OF RESTRAINTS ON EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING TO THE UNITED STATES.
MR BREMRIDGE ESTIMATED THAT THE NEW AGREEMENT COULD REDUCE THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES BY ABOUT ONE PERCENTAGE POINT, AND THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE 0^ DOMESTIC EXPORTS AS A WHOLE BY LESS THAN HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT.
♦THESE REDUCTIONS IN FORECAST GROWTH RATE DO NOT APPEAR TO BE VERY LARGE, AND UNTIL THE MID-YEAR REVIEW I DO NOT INTEND TO CONSIDER REVISION OF MY 1982 FORECASTS,+ HF. SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE LATEST FIGURES ALSO INDICATED THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MARKETS IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WERE IN REAL TERMS ABOUT TWO PER CENT LESS THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1981. ON THE SAME COMPARISON RETAINED IMPORTS Jr RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURERS WERE ABOUT FIVE PER CENT LESS.
EXPORT PRICES IN FOREIGN CURRENCY TERI'S, HOWEVER, HAD HARDLY INCREASED SINCE SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THAT NEGOTIATIONS ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING WITH THE EEC WERE DUE TO START SOON AND IF THE EEC COULD NOT BE SHIFTED FROM THEIR DECLARED INTENTION, WE WOULD FACE EVEN MORE RESTRICTIVE CUTBACKS IN OUR EXPORTS TO THAT MARKET.
BUT THE OUTCOME WAS UNLIKELY TO AFFECT 1982 EXPORT PROSPECTS l*R BREMRIDGE ADDED.
0-------
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1962
9
CONCERN FELT OVER LACK OF UNIVERSITY PLACES
* * * *
THE SHORTAGE OF UNIVERSITY PLACES, REFERRED TO BY THE HON PETER WONG, WAS A MATTER OF CONCERN TO THE GOVERNMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION, THE HON KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THIS CONCERN WAS PARTICULARLY FELT +AS THE GREAT EXPANSION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN RECENT YEARS WILL INCREASE THE NUMBERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ASPIRE TO HIGHER EDUCATION,* MR TOPLEY SAID.
HE ALSO SAIDi +THE INCREASE IN OVERSEAS STUDENT TUITION FEES IN BRITAIN AND IN SOME PROVINCES IN CANADA HAS REMINDED US THAT WE MUST LOOK TO OUR OWN RESOURCES IN MEETING THIS DEMAND.*
REFERRING TO MR WONG’S OBSERVATION THAT ONLY TWO PER CENT OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP GO ON TO UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, MR TOPLEY SAID IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT *WE ARE MUCH STRONGER AT NON-UNI VERSITY LEVELS OF POST-SCHOOL EDUCATION.*
THERE WAS A GOOD RANGE OF COURSES LEADING TO HIGHER DIPLOMAS AND DIPLOMAS AT THE POLYTECHNIC AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, THE DIPLOMAS OF THE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES, OR TO SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS RELATED TO TEACHING, NURSING AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS, HE POINTED OUT.
MR TOPLEY ALSO SAID THAT THE PROPORTION RECEIVING DEGREES SHOULD INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THROUGH CONTINUING EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSITIES, COUPLED WITH THE DECREASE OF NUMBERS IN THE AGE GROUP, AND THROUGH NEW MEASURED SUCH AS THE INTRODUCTION OF DEGREE PROGRAMMES AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
MR TOPLEY ALSO REFERRED TO THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT GIVEN TO THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, POINTING OUT THAT FOUR YEARS AGO IT RECEIVED NO RECURRENT ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT BUT THIS YEAR WILL RECEIVE $25 MILLION.
HE SAID IT WAS THE INTENTION THAT THE BAPTIST COLLEGE SHOULD, LIKE THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, EVENTUALLY OFFER A MIX OF DEGREE AND NON-DEGREE COURSES.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WOULD BE REQUIRED FROM THE GOVERNMENT — IN ADDITION TO TIME — FOR THE STANDARD OF THE DEGREE COURSES OFFERED TO BE COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF THE UNIVERSITIES, AND IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE RESOURCES THAT ARE DEPLOYED +TO SHOW BENEFICIAL EFFECT+, HE SAID.
MR TOPLEY SAID THAT CAREFUL ATTENTION TO PLANNING THE NEW PROFILE FOR THE DEGREE COURSES WOULD BE REQUIRED ON THE PART OF THE COLLEGE STAFF.
/AND THE .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 15. 19E2
10
AND THE COLLEGE AUTHORITIES FULLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE NEED FOR CERTAIN MEASURES TO BE TAKEN BEFORE HIGHER LEVEL COURSES WERE INTRODUCED, HE SAID.
♦I AM BOUND TO SAY THAT I BELIEVE THAT THE COLLEGE SHOULD EMBARK ON DEGREE COURSES ONLY AFTER ADEQUATE PREPARATION OF A SECURE BASIS FOR WORK AT THIS LEVEL.
+IN PRACTICAL TERMS THIS WOULD MEAN THAT PERHAPS TWO OR THREE DEGREE COURSES COULD START IN FOUR YEARS OR SO FROM NOW.
+l BELIEVE THAT THE STAFF AND STUDENTS OF THE COLLEGE SHOULD LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE WITH HOPE BUT HOPE THAT IS FULLY REALISTIC.+
THESE DEVELOPMENTS WOULD FORM AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, HE SAID.
MR TOPLEY SAID THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT QUITE RIGHTLY EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE THAT TEACHER TRAINING SHOULD ASSUME WITHIN THE EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PLANS.
+THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE PRE-SERVICE AND IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMMES WAS BROUGHT HOME TO US FORCIBLY BY THE DISTINGUISHED TEAM OF EDUCATORS FROM OVERSEAS IN THE VERY USEFUL DISCUSSION ON EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES THAT TOOK PLACE IN THIS CHAMBER AT THE END OF LAST MONTH.
+WE DO NEED TO REVIEW OUR TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMMES VERY CAREFULLY, THOUGH AS THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ARE CURRENTLY OPERATING UNDER GREAT STRAIN IN PROVIDING THE ADDITIONAL TEACHERS NEEDED TO IMPROVE STAFFING STANDARDS IN SCHOOLS, THE PRESENT MAY NOT BE THE BEST TIME FOR ANY RADICAL UPHEAVAL TO TAKE PLACE,+ HE SAID.
MR TOPLEY SAID HE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE THE COMPLETED REPORT OF THE PANEL OF VISITORS BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR AND THE CHANGES REQUIRED IN TEACHER TRAINING APPEARED LIKELY TO FEATURE PROMINENTLY IN THAT REPORT.
HE BELIEVED THAT THEN WOULD BE THE TIME TO CONSIDER THE SHAPE OF THE TEACHER TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS, INCLUDING .THE POSSIBILITY OF REDUCING THE NUMBER OF SEPARATE UNITS.
UNTIL HE HAD THE PANEL’S FINAL REPORT, IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO COMMIT HIMSELF ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, EXCEPT TO NOTE THAT MUCH HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE TO ACHIEVE BETTER CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN THE COLLEGES, THOUGH STOPPING SHORT CF THEIR FULL AMALGAMATION, HE SAID.
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
11
AIDED SCHOOLS TO RETAIN FREEDOM: HAYE ASSURES
M M M M M
THE SUGGESTION THAT AIDED SCHOOLS WERE IN DANGER OF BEING DEPRIVED OF THEIR FREEDOM WAS EMPHATICALLY REFUTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON COLVYN HAYE, IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
MR HAYE GAVE A FURTHER ASSURANCE THAT THE CODES OF AID, CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW, WOULD NOT, INDEED COULD NOT, IN THIS CLIMATE OF COOPERATION AND TRUST, BE UNILATERALLY ALTERED.
♦ AN UPDATING AND SIMPLIFICATION OF PROCEDURES IS IN MIND, AND I MUST CORRECT THE IMPRESSION THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN THAT AIDED SCHOOLS ARE BEING DEPRIVED OF THEIR FREEDOM TO INITIATE AND DEVELOP NEW PROJECTS TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE,+ HE SAID.
THE DIRECTOR WAS REPLYING TO ALLEGATIONS BY THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT THAT THE GOVERNMENT, AND IN PARTICULAR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HAD BETRAYED THE TRUST OF SCHOOL SPONSORS BY IMPOSING A NUMBER OF NEW, RESTRICTIVE REGULATIONS AND UNILATERALLY ALTERING LONG ESTABLISHED AND ACCEPTED CODES OF AID.
with Regard to miss bennett’s specific reference to the GOVERNMENT’S +RECENT ATTEMPT* TO INSPECT ALL THE ACCOUNTS OF SPONSORING BODIES, MR HAYE SAID HE WOULD ONLY COMMENT THAT THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT WAS GIVEN RIGHT OF ACCESS TO THE BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS CF AIDED SCHOOLS AND SPONSORS IN 1978, ONLY AFTER THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS COUNCILS CONCERNED HAD BEEN FULLY CONSULTED.
ON THE THEME OF CONTROL, MR HAYE SAID HE WAS PUZZLED BY MISS BENNETT’S DEMAND FOR MORE, NOT LESS, CONTROL IN THE PROFESSIONAL CURRICULAR AREA COVERED BY GUIDELINES ON REMEDIAL TEACHING.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE GUIDELINES HAD DELIBERATELY CONCENTRATED MORE ON WAYS OF ARRANGING, WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF TIME-TABLES AND FACILITIES AVAILABLE, FOR THE REMEDIAL LANGUAGE TEACHING TO TAKE PLACE.
♦AND EVEN IN THIS AREA IT WAS THOUGHT THAT DUE RECOGNITION HAD TO BE GIVEN TO THE NEED FOR INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO BE LEFT WITH SUFFICIENT FREEDOM AND FLEXIBILITY TO MEET THEIR OWN PARTICULAR NEEDS.
♦WITH REGARD TO CONTENT AND METHODS IT HAS BEEN ASSUMED THAT THE TEACHERS THEMSELVES ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO ADJUST AND ADAPT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN IN THEIR CHARGE. SPECIFIC PROBLEMS REQUIRE THEIR OWN REMEDIES AND CANNOT BE COVERED IN A CENTRALLY ISSUED SET OF GUIDELINES,+ MR HAYE SAID. +BUT LANGUAGE SECTIONS OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE ARE ABLE AND PLEASED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO MEET SPECIFIC PROBLEMS,+ HE ADDED.
. PRE DEPARTMENT’S.......
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
12 -
THE DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE WAS BEING EXPANDED TO COPE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1981 WHITE PAPER PROPOSALS. PROBABLY OF MORE SIGNIFICANCE, MR HAYE ADDED, WAS THE FACT THAT THE STRUCTURE OF THE INSPECTORATE WAS BEING REVISED WHICH SHOULD LEAD TO A STRENGTHENING AND RE-SHAPING TO ENABLE IT MORE EFFECTIVELY TO CARRY OUT ITS MANY ADVISORY TASKS.
MR HAYE FULLY AGREED WITH THE HON SELINA CHOW ON THE IMPORT-' - f OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.
+HOWEVER, I MUST CORRECT MRS CHOW’S IMPRESSION OF THE SIZE OF THE EXISTING COMMITMENT TO CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, WHICH, I CmN ASSURE HER, IS NOT LIMITED TO THE APPOINTMENT (AT A COST OF $57 000) OF A KINDERGARTEN ADVISER,* HE SAID.
+WITHIN THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE THERE IS A CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SECTION WITH A FULL-TIME STAFF OF TEN (SEVEN PROFESSIONAL AND THREE SUPPORTING STAFF). THE TASK OF THIS SECTION IS TO SERVICE AND COORDINATE THE WORK OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WHICH CONSISTS OF A MAIN COMMITTEE OF SOME 30 MEMBERS, OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL, AND A TOTAL OF 60 SUBJECT COMMITTEES. ALL INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS ARE INVOLVED, TO VARYING DEGREES, IN THE WORK OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.
+THE PRESENT CDC SYSTEM IS BEING REVIEWED TO ASSESS ITS APPROPRIATENESS AND HOW IT CAN BE IMPROVED. ALSO, BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR WILL BE THE SETTING UP OF TEAMS OF TEACHERS, SECONDED FROM THE SCHOOLS, TO WORK ON CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS,* HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE REMARKS OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ABOUT THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACEMENT AND ALLOCATION PROCEDURES AND THE JSEA SYSTEM, MR HAYE AGREED THAT THERE WAS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.
AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY WHICH REVIEWED THE SSPA AND THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON IT, WAYS WERE NOW BEING STUDIED WITHIN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO EFFECT SOME REDUCTION IN THE ABILITY RANGES FOR WHICH THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAD TO PROVIDE.
ON THE JSEA, MR FIRST FULL CYCLE AND IT DID NOT CAUSE THE SOME HAD FEARED.
HAYE SA IDi +NOW THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED THE STUDIED WHAT HAPPENED IT CAN BE SEEN THAT MAJOR UPHEAVAL AND MOVEMENT OF PUPILS THAT
+WHAT NOW NEEDS
---------------- T0 BE FURTHER EMPHASISED IS THAT THIS IS NOT W2t1L*^A^{!AL,0N* BUT THAT ,T IS a SYSTEM OF ALLOCATION BASED ^m2?I!^A^SCH00L CESSMENTS WHICH ARE SCALED TO ENSURE COMPARABILITY OF SCHOOL STANDARDS.*
«... ,0N M,SS BENNETT’S PROPOSAL THAT A NEW, CENTRALLY ORGANISED PUBLIC EXAMINATION BE INTRODUCED TO FILL THE FORM IV PLACES NOT * THE SCHOOLS THEMSELVES, MR HAYE SAID HE BELIEVED SUCH
A ^SURE WOULD NOT ONLY HAVE THE MOST UNFORTUNATE EDUCATIONAL EFFECTS BUT WOULD INTRODUCE AN UNACCEPTABLE DEGREE OF INEQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY AMONG OUR FORM III PUPILS.
/MH HAYE
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 19SL
- 13 -
nro,„ tR,HAYE also expressed doubt that the proposed system would ^sult'nanv greater cost effectiveness nor cure the so-called PROBLEM OF VACANT FORM IV PLACES.
+l SAY ’SO-CALLED’ AS THE NUMBER OF SUCH PLACES AS REPORTED SOON AFTER THE START OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR WAS ONLY ABOUT ONE PER CENT OF THE PLACES AVAILABLE IN THE SCHOOLS.
♦SOME WASTAGE, RESULTING FROM SUCH FACTORS AS EMIGRATION AND THE DECISION TO DISCONTINUE SENIOR SECONDARY STUDIES TO GO OUT TO WORK HAS TO BE EXPECTED. AND VACANT PLACES MAY BE FILLED AT THE DISCRETION OF HEADS OF SCHOOLS,* MR HAYE SAID.
THE DIRECTOR SAID NOTHING WOULD PLEASE HIM MORE THAN TO ABOLISH THE SSPA AND JSEA, WHEN THIS WAS POSSIBLE- BUT WHILE WE HAD THEM, +LET’S NOT MAKE THEM WORSE*.
♦PARENTS ARE MORE WORRIED THAN PUPILS, BUT THIS IS NOT TO ?AY ™AT WE IN EDUCATION DO NOT CARE. OF COURSE I’M WORRIED WHEN A M°THER LIKE MRS CH0W ls WORRIED- AND I AM CONCERNED WHEN TEACHERS TA!;K OF THE DISTORTION OF THE CURRICULUM BY THE SSPA ACADEMIC APTITUDE TEST AND JSEA SCALING TEST.
MUST APPEAL TO PARENTS NOT TO PASS ON THEIR FEARS TO THEIR AND REMIND TEACHERS THAT THEY ARE THE ONES DISTORTING THE CURRICULUM BY UNNECESSARY DRILLING. THIS IS NO COUNSEL OF DESPAIR BUT A MATTER OF COMMONSENSE. PARENTS AND TEACHERS CAN MAKE THINGS BETTER, NOT WORSE,* HE SAID.
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
- 14 -
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION MOVES INTO NEW ERA M * * *
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES MOVED INTO A NEW ERA TODAY WHEN THE APPOINTMENTS OF 58 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO THE EIGHT DISTRICT BOARDS WERE ANNOUNCED.
THEIR APPOINTMENTS, TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY), WILL COMPLETE THE FULL COMPOSITION OF EACH DISTRICT BOARD FOLLOWING THE FIRST ELECTIONS HELD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES LAST MONTH.
THE SECRETARY FOR CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, W DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID: +THIS COMPLETES THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROPOSALS WHICH WERE PUBLISHED IN THE WHITE PAPER IN 1981 AND FIRMLY ESTABLISHES THE AUTHORITY OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
+THE BOARDS’ ADVICE ON ALL MATTERS AND PROBLEMS AFFECTING THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE EXTREMELY VALUABLE IN DETERMINING HOW PROBLEMS ARE TO BE TACKLED.+
TODAY ALSO SAW THE FIRST MEETING OF A NEW DISTRICT BOARD, IN NORTH DISTRICT, ATTENDED BY ITS APPOINTED AND ELECTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
THE 58 UNOFFICIALS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR COMPRISED SEVEN NEW FACES AND 51 OTHERS WHO WERE REAPPOINTED.
THE EIGHT DISTRICT BOARDS ALSO INCLUDED 27 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, WHO ARE THE CHAIRMEN OF RURAL COMMITTEES, AND 62 OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
TOGETHER WITH THE 56 MEMBERS WHO WERE ELECTED LAST MONTH, THEY WILL SERVE ON THE BOARDS FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM WHICH BEGAN ON APRIL 1.
THE LARGEST DISTRICT BOARD IS IN TSUEN WAN WHICH NOW HAS 38 MEMBERS, FOLLOWED BY YUEN LONG WITH 26 MEMBERS AND SHA TIN AND NORTH, BOTH HAVING 25 MEMBERS.
THE SEVEN NEW FACES ARE MR ANTHONY YUEN TAK-TIM (NORTH), MR ALEX BLUM (SAI KUNG), MR BENJAMIN NG PING-KIN (SHA TIN), CHAN WAY (SHA TIN), MRS CHA LIU BIE-JU (TSUEN WAN), MR YAU HON-TIM (TUEN MUN) AND MR YIP HING-CHUNG (TUEN MUN).
MR ANTHONY YUEN, AGED 29, IS AN EXECUTIVE OF AN INSURANCE FIRM AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OWNERS CORPORATION OF ON KWOK VILLA WHERE HE LIVES. HE IS A CHINESE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT.
MR ALEX BLUM, 59, IS THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND A RESIDENT OF HANG HAU.
MR BENJAMIN NG PING-KIN, 31, IS CURRENTLY SERVING AS THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION.
/MH CHAN .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1?82
- 15 -
MR CHAN WAY, 53, IS A BUSINESSMAN AND THE PRESIDENT OF SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE AREA COMMITTEE AND CHIU KIU WELFARE ASSOCIATION, SHA TIN BRANCH.
MRS CHA LIU BIE-JU, 61, IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
MR YAU HON-TIM, 45, IS A BUSINESSMAN AND THE PERMANENT DIRECTOR AND GENERAL SECRETARY OF CHING CHUNG TAOIST ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
MR YIP HING-CHUNG, 61, IS AN INDUSTRIALIST AND A MEMBER OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY SUB-COMMITTEE OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE 51 RE-APPOINTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ANNOUNCED TODAYs
ISLANDS - MISS LEE WAI-FONG AND MR YOUNG WING-YAU.
NORTH - MR CHEUNG KUEN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR CHONG KAM-NING, MR KO KIM-CHING, MR LIU YUN-SUM AND DR PANG HOK-TUEN.
SAI KUNG - MR CHAN KWAI-SANG, MR LEE HOK-MING, MR LEE YUN-SAU AND MR WILLIAM WAN.
SHA TIN - MR ROGER LAU HON-KIT, MR NG CHAN-LAM, DR MARGARET NG NGOI-YEE, MR FRANKLIN SHAM TUNG-KEUNG, MR ANDREW WONG WANG-FAT AND MR WONG PO-MING.
TAI PO - MR CHEUNG CHE-FAN, MR CARLOS CHEUNG HON-KAU, MR HO YUNG-SANG, MR HUNG CHEUNG-HO, MR MICHAEL LAI KAM-CHEUNG, MR STEPHEN TANG LUNG-WAI, MR STEPHEN WONG YUEN-CHEUNG AND MR ALFRED DONALD YAP.
TSUEN WAN - MR CHAN PO-FONG, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, MRS ALICE CHONG YUK TAK-FUN, MR HO TUNG-CHING, MR HO TZE-PING, DR ALEXANDER LAI MING-WAH, MR LAM KIN-MING, MRS LAM MOK SAU-HING, MR LAM YAU-KWONG, MR TSOI YUK-WAH, MR WONG DAI-HEI AND MR WONG KAI-FU.
TUEN MUN - MR CHAN WU-CHING, MR CHAN YAT-SAN, MR CHEUNG KAM-HUNG, MR HO SUN-KUEN, MR LAU CHI-YUEN AND MR TANG TUNG-CHIU.
YUEN LONG - MR STEPHEN CHIU SHU-FAN, MADAM LEUNG SING-TAK, MR NATHAN MA NING-HEI, MR TANG NA I-MAN, MR TANG YING-KEI, MR WONG CHUNG-CHUEN AND MR CHARLES YEUNG SIU-CHO.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
16
CONFIDENCE IN EDUCATION A VITAL ISSUE * * * *
THE ISSUE OF CONFIDENCE IN EDUCATION WAS A VITAL ONE. Th' SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION, MR KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID TODAY. HE z'S SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATIONAL WORKERS’ UNIONS, ORGANISED BY THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL NON-GRADUA f TEACHERS UNION.
♦PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN EDUCATION IS CLOSELY LINKED WITH PARENTS’ CONFIDENCE IN TEACHERS. IF TEACHERS LOSE THE RESPEC" OF PARENTS AND OF CITIZENS GENERALLY THEN THE WHOLE PUBLIC SYSTEM OF EDUCATION MUST SUFFER,* MR TOPLEY SAID. +THIS MEANS THAT UNIONS OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS BEAR A RESPONSIBILITY NOT ONLY TOWARDS THEIR OWN MEMBERS BUT TOWARDS THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. WHAT IS MORE, THE UNIONS IN REGARDING THE INTERESTS OF THEIR OWN MEMBERS HAVE TO CONSIDER AT ALL TIMES THE EFFECT OF THEIR ACTIONS ON THE PUBLIC.*
MR TOPLEY POINTED OUT THAT PUBLIC CONFIDENCE HAD UNDERGONE DAMAGE FROM THE IMAGE PROJECTED BY SOME EDUCATIONAL WORKERS’ UNIONS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD WHERE THE NEEDS OF THE TEACHING SERVICE HAD BECOME CONFUSED IN THE EYES OF THE PUBLIC WITH THE INTERESTS OF TEACHERS UNIONS.
CYNICISM AND DISTRUST OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS UNIONS COULD THWART PLANS FOR QUITE GENUINE AND PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, MR TOPLEY SAID. +THIS MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN IN HONG KONG BECAUSE IT WILL NOT ONLY HINDER THE QUALITATIVE IMPROVEMENTS TO WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET ITS HAND AND MIND, IT WILL ALSO DAMAGE THE STATUS OF TEACHERS.
+IN THE LONG RUN RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR MUST BE THE BEST POLICY,* HE ADDED.
MR TOPLEY CONGRATULATED THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS UNION ON THEIR INITIATIVE IN ORGANISING THE CONFERENCE AND WELCOMED THE PARTICIPANTS. IT WAS PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE, HE SAID, THAT THIS CONFERENCE SHOULD TAKE PLACE NOW WHEN HONG KONG EDUCATION WAS UNDERGOING AN OVERALL REVIEW- THIS WAS A FIRST-CLASS OPPORTUNITY FOR EDUCATIONAL WORKERS’ UNIONS TO REVIEW THEIR OWN ROLE IN EDUCATION AND IN THE COMMUNITY.
HE WISHED THE CONFERENCE EVERY SUCCESS, SAYING THAT IT MUST REACH ITS OWN CONCLUSIONS AND HE WOULD UM IT HIS COUNSEL TO ONE ITEM. +DO NOT ALLOW YOUR THINKING TO BECOME SET ON LINES WHICH ARE TOO NARROW,* HE SAID. +TAKE A BROAD VIEW AND YOU WILL AVOID MANY PITFALLS.*
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17
CONSULTATION INVOLVES PARTNERS NOT ADVERSARIES * * * *
PARTIES ENGAGED IN CONSULTATION, WHETHER STAFF OR MANAGEMENT, ARE EQUAL PARTNERS IN DISCUSSION, NOT ADVERSARIES IN MELODRAMATIC CONFRONTATION, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING ON +CONSULTATION» RIGHT ATTITUDES AND RIGHT ARRANGEMENTS+ AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATIONAL WORKERS UNIONS, MR HAYE SAID PARTICIPANTS MUST CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONSULTATIVE PROCESS BY EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS FULLY - NOT JUST AS A SERIES OF ASSERTIONS, BUT WITH FACTS AND WITH THOROUGHLY CONSIDERED ARGUMENTS.
♦ABOVE ALL, THEY MUST BE PREPARED TO LISTEN, TO CONSIDER, TO SEE THE OTHER POINT OF VIEW.+
MR HAYE SAID THE RIGHT ATTITUDES ALONE WERE NOT SUFFICIENT WITHOUT THE RIGHT ARRANGEMENTS, THE RIGHT MACHINERY.
HE LISTED FOUR REQUIREMENTS WHICH, HE SAID, MUST BE MET BY ANY CONSULTATIVE ARRANGEMENT OF THIS KIND.
* IT MUST GIVE STAFF FULL OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON PROPOSED CHANGES WHICH AFFECT THEM;
* STAFF REPRESENTATIVES MUST BE GIVEN ALL THE INFORMATION THEY REQUIRE TO ENABLE THEM TO PARTICIPATE EFFECTIVELY IN DISCUSSIONS;
* MANAGERS MUST TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN THE DISCUSSIONS; AND
* STAFF MUST BE ABLE TO FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THEY ARE PROPERLY REPRESENTED AND THAT EVERYTHING IS REPORTED BACK TO THEM FULLY AND ACCURATELY.
MR HAYE THEN DESCRIBED IN SOME DETAIL THE CONSTITUTION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL (EDCC) WHICH, HE SAID, FULLY MET THE FOUR REQUIREMENTS.
BESIDES FORMAL CONTACTS THROUGH THE EDCC, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTORS OF EDUCATION MOST DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WORK AND WELFARE OF PARTICULAR DEPARTMENTAL GRADES NOW HOLD REGULAR AND INFORMAL MEETINGS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF STAFF ASSOCIATIONS OR UNIONS TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.
♦FORMALITIES ARE KEPT TO A MINIMUM AT THESE MEETINGS AND THEY HAVE SHOWN THEMSELVES TO BE A MOST USEFUL FORUM IN WHICH THE STAFF CAN RAISE MATTERS OF CONCERN, AND BY MEANS OF WHICH I AS DIRECTOR CAN ENSURE THAT I AM FULLY INFORMED AS TO WHAT THESE MATTERS ARE,+ MR HAYE SAID.
FOR EXCEPTIONAL PROBLEMS, HE SAID, HIS DOOR WAS ALWAYS OPEN TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS, AND IN THE PAST HIS DIALOGUE WITH STAFF HAD PROVED VERY SUCCESSFUL. +THE RIGHT SPIRIT, THE RIGHT ALTITUDES AND THE RIGHT ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD PRODUCE THE RIGHT RESULTS IN FUTURE,* HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1°82
18
GOVERNOR’S DEPARTURE - PRESS ARRANGEMENTS * * *
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DETAILS OF PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND LADY MACLEHOSE ARE CONTAINED IN COPIES OF A SUPPLEMENT TO THE DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN WHICH WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN THE GIS PRESS BOXES THIS EVENING.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR PRESS FACILITIES TO COVER THE FUNCTION ARE ATTACHED TO THE SUPPLEMENT. YOU ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE FORMS AND RETURN THEM TO THE PRESS OFFICER, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, BY 5 PM ON MONDAY, APRIL 19.
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IMPRESSIVE LOCAL SUPPORT FOR BACH CHOIR FINAL CONCERT * * *
OVER 640 PERFORMERS WILL BE ON STAGE AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM TOMORROW NIGHT (FRIDAY APRIL 16) IN THE FIRST-EVER PERFORMANCE IN HONG KONG OF THE MASSIVE +REQUIEM+ WRITTEN BY HECTOR BERLIOZ CONDUCTED BY SIR DAVID WILLCOCKS.
THIS PERFORMANCE WILL BE THE FINAL CONCERT GIVEN BY THE 150-STRONG BACH CHOIR, WHO WILL BE AUGMENTED BY SINGERS AND MUSICIANS DRAWN FROM ALL OVER HONG KONG TO APPEAR IN THIS SPECTACULAR, BUT RARELY PERFORMED WORK.
IT MARKS THE CULMINATION OF MANY MONTHS OF PREPARATION BY 'NY0LVED« WH0 HAVE BEEN REHEARSING REGULARLY SINCE LAST OCTOBER AND WHOSE 300 ADDITIONAL VOICES ARE DRAWN FROM THE HONG KONG BACH CHOIR, THE HONG KONG ORATORIO SOCIETY, CEC*!=** SINGERS, PRO MUSIC SINGERS, SILVER JUBILEE SINGERS 2 cultur£Adepartment?°0F THE MUSIC 0FF,CE 0F RECRE‘TI0N
TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF BERLIOZ’S SCORE, FOUR-BRASS BANDS WITH A TOTAL OF 72 PLAYERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM THE 1/2 GURKHA RIFLES REGIMENTAL BAND, THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (VOLUNTEERS) BAND, THE MUSIC OFFICE’S YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND AS WELL AS STUDENTS FROM THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, AND SEVERAL SCHOOL BANDS.
THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, LED BY CONCERTMASTER CARL PINI, WILL BE PLAYING AT A STRENGTH OF 117 MUSICIANS, MAKING THIS CONCERT ONE OF THE LARGEST TO HAVE BEEN STAGED IN HONG KONG.
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THURSDAY, APRIL. 15, 1962
- 19 -
HONG KONG/EEC TEXTILE TALKS * * *
A FOUR-MAN DELEGATION FROM THE EEC COMMISSION WILL SF ARRIVING IN HONG KONG OVER THE WEEKEND FOR DISCUSSIONS WITHE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE STARTING ON MONDAY (APRIL 19).
THE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE PRELIMINARY IN NATURE AND CONCENTRATE ON THE EEC’S POSITION ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES RELATING TO THE FUTURE OF THE CURRENT TEXTILES AGREEMENT GOVERNING HONG KONG’S EXPORT OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING PRODUCTS TO THE EEC. THE AGREEMENT EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR.
THE MAIN NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE IN BRUSSELS.
THE EEC TEAM, LED BY MR H. KRENZLER, THE EEC’S CHIEF TEXTILE NEGOTIATOR, WILL BE IN HONG KONG FOR ABOUT FOUR DAYS. THE TEAM WILL BE HAVING MEETINGS WITH A TEAM FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, LED BY MR LAWRENCE MILLS, COMMISSIONER OF TRADE.
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TREE PLANTING IN NT XXX
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL PLANT 200 000 TREES AND SHRUBS AT VARIOUS LOCATION THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OUTLYING ISLANDS DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO KONG^CAMPAIGN ™E ’ME’ (BEAUTIFY) PKASE 0F THE CLEAN RONG
All_ J!!E TREES AND SHRUBS WILL BE PLANTED IN PARKS, AMENITY PLOTS AND ALONG ROADSIDES, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
1U THE TREES WIL1- EVENTUALLY PRESENT A GREEN PROFILE
IN CONTRAST TO THE CUT-SLOPES AND HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS.
HEADING THE NT AREAS IN THE TREE PLANTING EXERCISE WILL BE KWAI CHUNG WHERE A TREE PLANTING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND A GROUP OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.
SOME 100 EVERGREEN TREES WILL BE PLANTED ALONG KWAI CHUNG ROAD NEAR LAI KING CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1982
20 -
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
* * *
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN CHUEN LUNG STREET AND SAN TSUEN STREET IN TSUEN WAN FROM 10 AM ON SATURL Y (APRIL 17) TO FACILITATE MAXICAB OPERATION.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT MAXICABS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING CHUEN LUNG STREET FROM SAN TSUEN STREET.
CONSEQUENTLY, THE SECTION OF SAN TSUEN STREET BETWEEN TAI UK STREET AND CHUEN LUNG STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY WESTBOUND AND THE SECTION OF CHUEN LUNG STREET BETWEEN SAN TSUEN STREET AND HO PUI STREET ONE WAY NORTHBOUND.
THE PROHIBITED SECTION OF CHUEN LUNG STREET WILL SERVE AS A NEW TERMINUS FOR MAXICABS ROUTES 83, 85 AND 86.
MEANWHILE, ON HONG KONG ISLAND VEHICLES TRAVELLING ALONG NORTHBOUND CHAI WAN ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO A KUNG NGAM ROAD FROM 6 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 17) TO 6 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 19) FOR ROAD WORKS.
THE SAME ARRANGEMENT WILL BE ENFORCED FOR PERIODS OF UP TO 24 HOURS FROM 6 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 21) AND FROM 6 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 24).
SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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NO SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACECOURSE
* * M
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL NOT RUN SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS TO THE SHA TIN RACECOURSE ON SATURDAY (APRIL 17) BECAUSE MORE TRAINS WILL BE NEEDED TO TAKE PASSENGERS BACK FROM LO WU.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KCR SAID LARGE CROWDS ARE STILL EXPECTED TO RETURN FROM CHINA ON THAT DAY, FOLLOWING THE CHING MING AND EASTER HOLIDAYS.
♦MORE SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS WILL THEREFORE BE REQUIRED TO OPERATE FROM LO WU TO KOWLOON,+ HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 15,
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN CAINE ROAD * * * * *
A TRAFF ,c LANE 0N THE SECTION OF CAINE ROAD IN THE MID-LEVFi c^I^^nNnGHELLEY STREET AND PEEL STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC 0N SATuRDAY (APRIL 17) TO 6 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 19) FOR THE LAYING OF TELEPHONE CABLES. '
ma i K.T?iM<!nG . IHL£L0SURE ’ 0NE“LANE, TWO-WAY TRAFFIC WILL BE MAINTAINED IN THE ADJACENT LANE WHICH WILL BE CONTROLLED BY SIGNALS.
IN ADDITION, THE BUS-ONLY LANE ON THE SAME ROAD SECTION WILL BE TEMPORARILY RESCINDED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATION FOR OPTICAL PROFESSION ......................... 1
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS PENAL INSTITUTIONS .................. 2
QUEER'S BIRTHDAY GARDEN PARTY .............................. 3
1981 TRAFFIC TOLL - 4?8 LIVES .............................. 4
BOARD OBJECTIVES DISCUSSED ................................. 5
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC hRNaNGEMENT IN SHA TIN ................... 5
KWAI CHUNG LAUNCHES TREE PLANTING DAY ...................... 6
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY
6
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1982
1
LEGISLATION FOR OPTICAL PROFESSION
M * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS FOR THE OPTICAL PROFESSION.
THE DECISION WAS TAKEN AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE STANDARDS OF THE PROFESSION AT PRESENT AND OF THE POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS TO THE PUBLIC POSED BY THE PRACTICES OF UNQUALIFIED OPTICIANS.
A SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO ASCERTAIN THE QUALIFICATIONS OF STAFF EMPLOYED IN THE ESTIMATED 500 OPTICAL SHOPS IN HONG KONG, ALL OF WHICH OFFER EYETESTING AND PRESCRIPTION SERVICES IN ADDITION TO SUPPLYING OPTICAL APPLIANCES.
THE SURVEY SHOWS THAT MOST EMPLOYEES IN THE OPTICAL TRADE ARE YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED AND HAVE HAD LITTLE FORMAL TRAINING.
ABOUT 49 PER CENT OF THE STAFF EMPLOYED ARE UNDER 25 YEARS OF AGE. THE EDUCATIONAL LEVEL OF 50 PER CENT IS BELOW FORM THREE. WHILE THE MAJORITY HAVE UNDERGONE SOME FORM OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, AT THE TIME THE SURVEY WAS DONE THERE WERE ONLY 18 FULLY TRAINED OPTOMETRISTS BY WESTERN STANDARDS IN THE ENTIRE OPTICAL PROFESSION.
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TWO CATEGORIES OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS WHO ARE REGISTERED UNDER THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE, f'EMBERS OF THE OPTICAL PROFESSION ARE NOT COVERED BY ANY STATUTORY CONTROLS AT PRESENT. THE EXCEPTIONS ARE OPHTHALMOLOGISTS, WHO ARE TRAINED SPECIALLY TO TREAT EYE DISEASES, AND MEDICAL REFRACT ION I STS, WHO ARE TRAINED TO TEST EYESIGHT AND TO PRESCRIBE SPECTACLES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS NECESSARY FOR LEGISLATION TO BE INTRODUCED TO ENSURE ADEQUATE STANDARDS OF PRACTICE, ESPECIALLY AS A LARGE PROPORTION OF HONG KONG’S SCHOOL CHILDREN RELIED ON SPECTACLES FOR NORMAL VISION. THIS NEED WAS HIGHLIGHTED AT THE 3RD ASIAN-PACIFIC OPTOMETRIC CONGRESS HELD IN HONG KONG IN 1983, WHERE IT WAS NOTED THAT THE INCREASING TREND TOWARDS WEARING CONTACT LENSES PREDICATED GREATER POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE EYES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID LEGISLATION WOULD BE DRAFTED TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF OPTICAL SHOPS AND TO REQUIRE SUCH PREMISES TO BE UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF REGISTERED OPTOMETRISTS, WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO TEST EYESIGHT AND TO PRESCRIBE, FIT AND SUPPLY LENSES AND OPTICAL APPLIANCES.
HE ADDED THAT PROVISIONS WOULD BE MADE FOR THOSE WITH LONG YEARS OF PROVEN WORKING EXPERIENCE WHO WERE PRACTISING OPTOMETRY AT THE TIME THE LEGISLATION CAME INTO BEING.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 19te
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THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO AIM TO IMPROVE STANDARDS THROUGH TRAINING.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AND THE NEW VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, HOW BEST TO MEET THE TRAIN' -NEEDS OF EXISTING PRACTITIONERS WHO REQUIRED THE NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AND OF NEW ENTRANTS TO THE OPTICAL PROFESSION.
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CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS PENAL INSTITUTIONS M * * * M
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED THE PIK UK PRISON AND PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION TO LOOK OVER THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORK AND PROGRAMMES AT THE TWO INSTITUTIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR THOMAS GARNER, SIR PHILIP SAW THE ACCOMMODATIONS PROVIDED FOR INMATES, THE LAUNDRY, HOSPITALS, KITCHENS AND WORKSHOPS.
THE NEWLY-BUILT $31 MILLION LAUNDRY AT PIK UK PRISON, OPERATED BY A WORKING FORCE OF MORE THAN 90 PRISONERS, IS FIVE STOREYS HIGH AND IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING 5.5 MILLION KILOGRAMMES OF SOILED LINEN A YEAR FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
SIR PHILIP WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE DIFFERENT SECTIONS IN THE LAUNDRY BUILDING WHICH INCLUDED THE FOLDING, IRONING AND DESPATCHING SECTIONS LOCATED ON DIFFERENT FLOORS.
FEATURES OP THE LAUNDRY IS THE USE OF AN EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANT — AN ANTI-POLLUTION DEVICE. DIRTY WATER FROM THE WASHING PROCESS IS KEPT IN A TANK WHERE IT IS FILTERED AND PURIFIED BEFORE DISPOSAL.
SR PHILIP ALSO VISITED PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL MAXIMUM SECURITY PENAL INSTITUTION WITH FACILITIES FOR A RECEPTION CENTRE, A TRAININ CENTRE AND A PRISON FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS.
ITS CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS INCLUDE A HALF-DAY OF EDUCATIONAL CLASSES AND A HALF-DAY OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN ONE OF THE TRADES AVAILABLE, CONDUCTED BY QUALIFIED SCHOOLMASTERS AND INSTRUCTORS.
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J
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1982
3
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY GARDEN PARTY * * * *
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE WILL HOST A GARDEN PARTY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON APRIL 21 IN CELEBRATION OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
SOME 2 OOO GUESTS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND. THEY COME FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE.
THE FUNCTION WILL ALSO AFFORD SIR MURRAY AND LADY MACLEHOSE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BID FAREWELL TO A LARGE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE THEIR DEPARTURE ON APRIL 29.
IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER THE GARDEN PARTY MAY HAVE TO BE CANCELLED. IF IT RAINS AT 12 NOON ON WEDNESDAY, GUESTS ARE ADVISED TO LISTEN TO ANNOUNCEMENTS ON RADIO AND TV CANCELLING THE FUNCTION.
APART FROM THE GARDEN PARTY, THE CELEBRATION PROGRAMME FOR THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY INCLUDES ABOUT 100 SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS. CONCERTS AND GAMES FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
TWO CONCERTS WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT TO MARK THE OCCASION.
A SPECTACULAR BAND CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, STARTING AT 3 PM ON APRIL 21, AND FEATURING MANY OF HONG KONG’S LEADING YOUTH MARCHING BANDS, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND, HONG KONG CHILDREN’S MARCHING BAND AND THE HONG KONG LUTHERAN YOUTH BAND. THE BANDS WILL PLAY A WIDE SELECTION OF POPULAR TELEVISION AND FILM MUSIC, INCLUDING THE THEME MUSIC FROM +JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR+ AND +THE KING AND l+.
MARCHING ALONG WITH THE BANDS WILL BE THE DISPLAY TEAMS OF THE DELIA MEMORIAL SCHOOL, THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CHIU CHOW SCHOOL, AND THE HO FUNG AND JU CHING CHU COLLEGE BANDS.
AT 7.30 PM IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, ALSO ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 21, A CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA WILL MARK THE SECOND MUSICAL CELEBRATION. THE PROGRAMME, JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AND THE MUSIC OFFICE. UNDER THE BATON OF TONG LEUNG-TAK, WILL FEATURE A VARIETY OF CHINESE MUSIC.
TICKETS AT $5 AND S10, ARE AVAILABLE NOW FOR BOTH CONCERTS FROM ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
TICKETS FOR THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA AT TSUEN WAN ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL BOX OFFICE.
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE TELEPHONE EITHER 3-7561328 OR 5-283257.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 198 J-
- 4 -
1981 TRAFFIC TOLL - 478 LIVES * * *
A TOTAL OF 478 PEOPLE DIED ON THE ROADS IN 1981 WHICH WAS FOUR TIMES THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS OF MURDER AND MANSLAUGHTER DURING THE YEAR.
THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY, NEW TERRITORIES, DR RICHARD BUTLER, DISCLOSED THIS FIGURE TODAY (FRIDAY) BEFORE HE PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS OF A FOOTDRILL COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION FOR ITS NT PATROLS.
HE SAID THAT PEOPLE RIGHTLY GOT ALARMED AND ANGRY AT MURDER AND MANSLAUGHTER IN THE COMMUNITY.
♦BUT DO WE GET SUFFICIENTLY ALARMED AND ANGRY ABOUT THE MUCH MORE NUMEROUS KILLINGS ON OUR ROADS? I AM NOT SURE THAT WE DO,+ HE SAID.
WITH THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE NEW TOWNS OVER THE YEARS AHEAD, DR BUTLER SAID THERE WOULD BE MORE ROADS, MORE TRAFFIC AND MORE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL ROAD SAFETY PATROLS.
♦ THE NEW TOWNS THAT ARE BEING BUILT SERVE AS A PROUD TRIBUTE TO THE INDUSTRY, INGENUITY AND PURPOSEFULNESS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.+ HE SAID.
♦SHA TIN IS AN EXEMPLAR OF OUR NEW TOWNS AND I NEVER CEASE TO ADMIRE ITS FINE LAYOUT, ITS BROAD ROADS, ITS PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT.
♦ SHA TIN HAS CYCLE TRACKS WHEREBY TO PROTECT CYCLISTS AND MOTORISTS FROM EACH OTHER AND PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS WHICH ISOLATE PEDESTRIANS FROM MOTORISTS.
♦BUT INEVITABLY PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS MUST COME INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER AND THEN THERE IS A DANGER OF CONFLICT.
♦THAT IS WHERE THE GOOD ROAD SENSE WHICH THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS INCULCATE INTO THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR CARE COMES INTO OPERATION.
♦IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST DEATH ON OUR ROADS THE PATROLS HAVE LITERALLY A VITAL FUNCTION TO PERFORM.+
DR BUTLER ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATION’S +INCREDIBLE AND UNBROKEN RECORD+ OF PROTECTING YOUNG LIVES FROM THE DANGERS ON ROADS.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 1c, '9E.' - 5 -
BOARD OBJECTIVES DISCUSSED * * * *
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD AS WELL AS ITS MAJOR ACTIVITIES FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR, WERE DISCUSSED DURING THE BOARD’S FOURTH MEETING THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
AMONG THE BOARD’S OBJECTIVES ARE THE PROMOTION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, AND A RESOLUTION TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT ADVISED ON ALL MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE DISTRICT, PARTICULARLY THOSE MATTERS CONCERNING THE PROVISION AND USE OF PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES AND THE ADEQUACY AND PRIORITY OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE DISTRICT. THE BOARD ALSO AIMS TO STRENGTHEN THE DISTRICT-BASED ORGANISATIONS.
THE DETAILS OF THE OBJECTIVES ARE DEALT WITH BY THREE SPECIAL COMMITTEES CONCERNED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING MATTERS.
THROUGH A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH IN DEALING WITH THESE MATTERS, THE DISTRICT BOARD EXPECTS TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION MORE EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY IN THE FUTURE.
OTHER MATTERS DISCUSSED CONCERNED THE INTENDED PUBLICATION OF A DISTRICT NEWSPAPER AND PLANS FOR A VARIETY SHOW FOR THE ELDERLY IN LEI CHENG UK ESTATE ON MOTHER’S DAY (MAY 9).
THE BOARD MEMBERS ALSO AGREED TO ORGANISE A JOINT SEMINAR WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THEIR EXPERIENCES SO AS TO INCREASE THEIR WORKING EFFICIENCY.
ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE ENVIRONMENT, THEY DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FACILITIES AND BEAUTIFYING THE SITTING-OUT AREA NEAR WAI MAN VILLAGE, WHICH IS FREQUENTED BY NEARBY RESIDENTS AND WORKERS.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SHA TIN
HUM
FROM SUNDAY (APRIL 18), TWO TRAFFIC LANES ON TAI PO ROAD NEAR SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR 23 CONSECUTIVE DAYS BETWEEN THE HOURS CF 8 PM AND 6 AM TO ALLOW FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE.
HOWEVER, NORMAL TRAFFIC WILL BE MAINTAINED IN THE ADJACENT LANES.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE WESTBOUND SLIP ROAD AT SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD NEAR LEK YUEN ESTATE WILL ALSO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 PM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 18) TO 6 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 10).
DURING THE CLOSURE OF THE SLIP ROAD, BUS ROUTES 70, 70A, 70M, 71, 72, 72A, 86, 87, 88, 88A, 88B, 89 AND CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL BUS - NO. 170 - WILL BE DIVERTED VIA YUEN WO ROAD AND FO TAN ROAD TO REJOIN TAI PO ROAD.
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/6......
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1982
6
KWAI CHUNG LAUNCHES TREE PLANTING DAY * ft ft ft ft
SOME 100 EVERGREEN TREES — MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON — WERE PLANTED ALONG THE ROAD SIDE OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD NEAR LAI KING CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL TODAY (FRIDAY) BY SCHOOL CHILDREN AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
THE DISTRICT-WIDE TREE PLANTING DAY IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND BEAUTIFYING BARREN SPOTS IN KWAI CHUNG IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CURRENT +MEI FA* (BEAUTIFJCATION) PHASE OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.
OFFICIATING AT THE TREE PLANTING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE, MR HO TZE-PING, SAID THE AIM IS ALSO DIRECTED AT AROUSING PUBLIC INTEREST, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER GENERATION, IN CARING FOR TREES.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF KWAI CHUNG, M? CHAN TA I-YIU, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO ALSO PLANTED A YOUNG TREE TO HIGHLIGHT THE EVENT.
-------o---------
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ft ft ft ft
YHE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS A GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY, ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS.
JHE SURVEY STARTED IN AUGUST 1981, AND IS CARRIED OUT ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS BY PERMANENT STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS CF THE POPULATION.
A RANDOM SAMPLE OF ABOUT 5 □□□ HOUSEHOLDS IS SELECTED THROUGHOUT ALL DISTRICTS IN HONG KONG FOR PARTICIPATION IN EACH SURVEY.
CCUT ™ IG’Ak LETTER» ,N BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, IS FIRST ^JJT TO THS SAMPLE HOUSEHOLDS, EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND SEEKING THEIR COOPERATION, j----------
^EIGERS. CARRY|NG OFFICIAL IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED'by'tHE"CENSUS " AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WILL THEN VISIT THE SAMPLE HOUSEHOLDS.
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY
iu TUC STRESSED THAT ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED
1!L™E SURVEY ,S TREATED AS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL NOT BE STATtsT?CS°DEPARTEES°N °R 0RGANISAT,0N OUTSIDE THE CENSUS AND
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
CAR NUMBER 7777 FETCHES $290 000 FOR CHARTTY .................. 1
PARKING METERS FOR HUNG HOM AND KOWLOON CITY................... 1
INSIGNIA PRESENTATION ON MONDAY................................ 2
REGIONAL AIRPORTS CONFERENCE .................................. 2
LONDON RECEPTION FOR HK PHAB MEMBERS........................... 3
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF KWAI YUE STREET .......................... 3
PILOT CONTRACT SCHEME FOR VILLAGE CLEANSING.................... 4
MOVING OFFICE 5
MARINE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY WORKING HOURS ....................... 5
SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1982
1
CAR NUMBER 7777 FETCHES 1290 000 FOR CHARITY ft * *
THIRTY-FIVE SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF 1596 IDO WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION HELD AT THE COMMITTEE ROOM, QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, WAN CHAI SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER 7777 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $290 000.
ANOTHER NUMBER AT 1 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $123 000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1 000 FOR CS379, CS1635, CS9616, CS1138, CS1789 AND CS631.
THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PR ICESi
CT1288 J 1 2 000 CL 88 $22 000 CS 330 1 1 5 000
CS 899 $ 2 600 CS 748 $ 3 000 AA 820 $ 3 000
CS 328 i 113 000 CS8388 $ 5 000 CP 78 1 Hl 000
CS 118 J 116 000 AS 888 $19 000 CS 900 $ 7 000
CS8838 $ 8 000 CM 55 $ 5 000 CS8283 $ 3 000
CS3278 $ 4 000 CT 181 $ 6 000 AY 208 $ 4 000
CS8783 $ 4 000 CC 678 $ 4 000 CS1288 $ 4 000
CF 100 1 110 000 CS 378 3 2 000 CS 732 $ 5 000
CR8688 $ 5 000 CS1833 $ 2 500 CS3882 $ 3 000
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH OR BY
CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
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 74TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $24 573 532.
--------o----------
PARKING METERS FOR HUNG HOM AND KOWLOON CITY ft ft ft
ON-STREET PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CHEONG HANG ROAD IN HUNG HOM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 20).
THE METERS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED ON TUNG LEI ROAD, BEHIND BLOCK 23, TUNG TAU ESTATE IN KOWLOON CITY ON FRIDAY (APRIL 23).
o
/2
SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1982
2
INSIGNIA PRESENTATION ON MONDAY M * *
EIGHTY-SEVEN PEOPLE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC WILL RECEIVE THEIR INSIGNIA FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT 6 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 19).
THE INSIGNIA TO BE PRESENTED INCLUDE FOUR CBE’S, FOUR OBE’S, THREE ISO’S, AND SEVEN MBE’S.
HEADING THE LIST OF RECIPIENTS ARE MR HENRY CHING, DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR E.l. LEE, COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, THE HON LO TAK-SHING, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, AND THE HON ALAN SCOTT, SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, ALL OF WHOM WILL RECEIVE THE CBE.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
COPIES OF A LIST OF THE RECIPIENTS AT THE PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA CEREMONY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS ROOM AT 4 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 19).
ONLY PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WITH SPECIAL PASSES WILL BE ADMITTED TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE. THEY SHOULD MEET GIS OFFICERS IN THE GUARD ROOM NOT LATER THAN 5.30 PM.
NEWSPAPERS NOT RECEIVING SUCH PASSES WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN PHOTOGRAPHS BY MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OF PRINTS WITH GOLDEN STUDIO, 460 LOCKHART ROAD 1ST FLOOR, TEL. 5-777940.
-----0-----
REGIONAL AIRPORTS CONFERENCE * * *
a THE„®!R!RAL ONAGER OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SIEGEL. WILL ATTEND THE 12TH ANNUAL ASIA-PACIFIC BASIN REGIONAL AIRPORTS CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE AIRPORT OPERATORS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL (AOCI), IN GUAM FROM APRIL 19 TO 22. FArii?T?hAIS MATTERS AS AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION,
FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS.
--------o -
/3........
SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1982
3
LONDON RECEPTION FOR HK PHAB MEMBERS
XXX
TWELVE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED ASSOCIATION (PHAB) ATTENDED A RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER, SIR JACK CATER, AT THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON ON THURSDAY (APRIL 15).
IN HIS WELCOMING SPEECH, SIR JACK SAID PHAB, WHICH CELEBRATES THIS YEAR« HAD ACHIEVED OUTSTANDING SUCCESS IN INTEGRATING THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED INTO THE COMMUNITY.
THE H0NG K0NG GOVERNMENT’S SUBVENTION TO PHAB 'CREASED TO SI.5 MILLION FROM JUST OVER B LAST YEAR« THE T0TAL SUBVENTIONS UNDER THE HEADING
dcoYp!EtL™ ^!!$,£a,*Ed* would be increased by nearly
AO PER CENT TO SOME $11.5 MILLION.
ou. ™E™ELVE MEMBERS» SIX OF WHOM ARE DISABLED, ARE LED BY
PRAB S GENERAL SECRETARY, MR CHU HUNG-CHEUNG. THEY ARRIVED cnolx 2LfAEel£R TH,S WEEK T0 TAKE PART ,N THE SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS OF PHAB IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
?F THE CELEBRATIONS WILL BE A WEEKEND IN FR0M APR,L 23 T0 25» WHEN A SERIES OF SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD. THERE WILL ALSO BE A PARADE DURING THE THREE-DAY CELEBRATIONS.
..... ?HAB ?EMBERS» INCLUDING OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVES,
WILL TAKE PART IN THE WEEKEND OF CELEBRATIONS.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF KWAI YUE STREET MI
.£WA! YUE STREET IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ™*nA2?oLTHREE H0NTHS FR0M 10 *M MONDAY (APRIL 19) FOR KUAD WUnKS*
- 0 - -
/4
SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1982
- 4 -
PILOT CONTRACT SCHEME FOR VILLAGE CLEANSING * M *
A PILOT SCHEME FOR CONTRACTING OUT CLEANSING SERVICES IN FOUR VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE PUT INTO EFFECT FROM MAY 1.
CHOSEN FOR THE NINE MONTH-LONG SCHEME ARE TAI PO TSAI VILLAGE AND HANG HAU TOWN IN SAI KUNG, LUNG KWU TAN IN TUEN MUN AND WANG TOI SHAN IN YUEN LONG.
♦THE AIM OF CONTRACTING OUT THE CLEANSING SERVICES IS TO PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE CLEANLINESS IN THEIR VILLAGES AT A REASONABLE COST,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE SCHEME IS PART OF A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECT CARRIED OUT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CURRENT CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.
THE >500 000 CONTRACT BEING OFFERED IS BASED ON PRESENT COSTS FOR THE NTSD TO PROVIDE CLEANSING SERVICES IN THE VILLAGES.
THE CONTRACTOR WILL UNDERTAKE THE DAILY COLLECTION AND REMOVAL OF REFUSE FROM DESIGNATED POINTS, AS WELL AS CLEANSING OF PUBLIC FACILITIES INCLUDING TOILETS, REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS AND PUBLIC PLACES WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF THE VILLAGE AND THE AREAS COVERED BY THE CONTRACT.
TO MONITOR PROGRESS IN THE WORK. NTSD STAFF WILL REGULARLY PATROL THE VILLAGES TO CHECK ON THE STATE OF CLEANLINESS THERE.
AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT TEAM, MADE UP OF MEMBERS OF THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT BOARDS, DISTRICT OFFICE AND NTSD WILL BE FORMED TO JUDGE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CONTRACTOR.
IF THE PILOT SCHEME PROVES SUCCESSFUL, THE NTSD WILL CONSIDER CONTRACTING OUT THE CLEANSING SERVICE IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA ON A MORE PERMANENT BASIS AS WELL AS EXTENDING THE SCHEME TO OTHER AREAS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1982
5
MOVING OFFICE ft ft ft
THE CREWS DIVISION OF MARINE DEPARTMENT, COMPRISING BOTH THE SEAMEN’S RECRUITING OFFICE NOW SITUATED AT THE CENTRAL ^CJ-AMATION, BETWEEN THE RUMSEY STREET MULTI-STOREY CARPARK THE 0LD MACAU ferry TERMINAL, AND THE MERCANTILE £*R,NE °EF,CE L0CATEB THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, WILL MOVE ON MONDAY (APRIL 19) TO LEASED ACCOMMODATION ON THE 20/F» 0F YARDLEY COMMERCIAL BUILDING, NEXT TO THE WESTERN MARKET, AT 3 CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST, HONG KONG.
THE 5-443705
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE OFFICES ARE AS FOLLOWSi-5-445091 5-446150 5-447862.
- - - - 0 ---------
MARINE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY WORKING HOURS ft ft ft
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT ITS TSUEN WAN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA AND THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL OFFICE WILL REMAIN OPEN ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 21), WHICH IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS IN WAN CHAI, YAU MA TEI, KWUN TONG, WESTERN DISTRICT AND RAMBLER CHANNEL WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 11 PM ON THAT DAY.
ALL OTHER OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSED.
MEANWHILE, THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, AND THERE WILL BE NO MAIL DELIVERY.
o - - - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STATISTICS ON THE LABOUR FORCE IN SEPTEMBER 1981 ........... 1
MULTI-STOREY SPORTS CENTRE FOR MONG LOK .................... 2
SALT WATER MAINS WORK ...................................... 2
BETTER SPORTS FACILITIES ON OUTLYING ISLANDS ............... 3
SITTING-OUT AREA IN CHA KWO LING ........................... 3
TEMPORARY MARKET AT PO HEUNG STREET ........................ 4
TSUEN WAN ICE STALL FOR AUCTION ............................
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1982
1
STATISTICS ON THE LABOUR FORCE IN SEPTEMBER 1981
*****
THE DESEASONALISED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER 1981 WAS 3.6 PER CENT WHICH COMPARES WITH 4.1 PER CENT ESTIMATED IN "'ARCH 1981, BOTH FIGURES USING THE DEFINITIONS OF THE LABOUR FORCE SURVEY, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT REPORTS.
THE DECREASE OF 0.5 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BETWEEN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER 1981 WAS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
IN COMMENTING UPON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT THERE WAS USUALLY A SUBSTANTIAL:.'. HIGHER PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) IN AUGUST TO OCTOBER THAN IN ANY OTHER PERIOD. THE DESEASONALISED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, WHICH HAS BEEN ADJUSTED FOR THIS SEASONAL INFLUENCE, IS THEREFORE USED IN MAKING COMPARISON WITH THE MARCH 1981 RATE.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURE FOR SEPTEMBER 1981 WAS OBTAINED FROM A SAMPLE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN THE PERIOD AUGUST TO OCTOBER 1981.
ACCORDING TO THE DEFINITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT USED IN THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY, THERE WERE 93 800 UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN HONG KONG IN SEPTEMBER 1981, REPRESENTING 3.7 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LABOUR FORCE. AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR SEASONAL INFLUENCE, THE DESEASONALISED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BECOMES 3.5 PER CENT.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS DREW ATTENTION TO THE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS USED IN THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY COMPARED WITH THOSE USED IN THE LABOUR FORCE SURVEY.
IN THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY, PERSONS AGED 15 AND OVER WHO WERE NOT IN EMPLOYMENT BUT WERE AVAILABLE FOR WORK AND WERE SEEKING WORK IN THE SEVEN DAYS BEFORE ENUMERATION WERE CLASSIFIED AS UNEMPLOYED. THOSE CLASSIFIED AS +UNEMPLOYED+ ALSO INCLUDED PEOPLE WHO WERE WAITING TO TAKE UP A NEW JOB: OR WHO HAD TEMPORARILY BEEN LAID OFF WORK WITHOUT PAY; OR WHO WERE AVAILABLE FOR WORK, BUT WERE NOT ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR WORK BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS NONE TO BE HAD OR BECAUSE THEY WERE TEMPORARILY SICK.
COPIES OF THE REPORT ON THE AUGUST TO OCTOBER 1981 GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ARE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING. SIMILAR INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT * ILL IE -UELISHED AT REGULAR THREE-MONTHLY INTERVALS.
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1982
2
MULTI-STOREY SPORTS CENTRE FOR MONG KOK X X X
PLANS ARE UNDERWAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULT I-STORE■ SPORTS CENTRE TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE MONG KOK DISTRICT.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE $6 MILLION PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A MULTI-PURPOSE GYMNASTICS HALL, TWO MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES HALLS, TWO SQUASH COURTS, ONE DANCE PRACTICE HALL, FOUR MUSIC ROOMS, AS WELL AS CHANGING ROOMS, A CANTEEN AND AN OFFICE FOR THE MONG KOK DISTRICT CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
A DONATION OF $3 MILLION, MAKING UP HALF OF THE ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE PROPOSED CENTRE, HAS BEEN MADE BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB (CHARITIES) LTD, AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RAISING THE REST OF THE MONEY.
PLANS ARE FOR THE CENTRE TO BE LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF IVY STREET AND BEECH STREET IN TAI KOK TSUI, AND AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE FOR A LAND GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT, AND OPTIMISM WAS EXPRESSED THAT THIS WOULD BE APPROVED SOON.
PILING WORK ON THE CENTRE WILL START AS SOON AS THE LAND HAS BEEN OBTAINED AND THE PROJECT WILL TAKE BETWEEN 18 TO 20 MONTHS TO BE COMPLETED.
THE ASSOCIATION, WHOSE EX-OFFICIO PRESIDENT IS THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER OF MONG KOK, HAS ALREADY SET UP A BUILDING PROJECT COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF FUNDS AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE CENTRE.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR LAM KIN-MING, HAS UNDERTAKEN TO RAISE $1 MILLION FOR THE PROJECT, AND THERE ARE PLANS TO HOLD A FUND-RAISING VARIETY SHOW IN JUNE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ASSOCIATION SAID.
♦THE ASSOCIATION EXPECTS THAT WITH ALL THIS EFFORT, AND THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT OF OTHER. GENEROUS PERSONS FROM THE MONG KOK DISTRICT, THE REST OF THE MONEY WILL SOON EE RAISED,+ HE SAID.
- - 0
SALT WATER MAINS WORK X * X
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREAS IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR NINE HOURS FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 20) TO FACILITATE WATER MAIMS CONNECTION.
AREAS AFFECTED WILL BE TAI HING -.STATE AND MING KUM ROAD LICENSED AREA IN TUEN MUN.
- - 0
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1982
- 3 -
BETTER SPORTS FACILITIES ON OUTLYING ISLANDS * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE POSITIVE EFFORTS IN RECENT YEARS TO IMPROVE SPORTS FACILITIES IN ISLANDS DISTRICT FOR THE PROMOTION CF RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE ANNUAL LANTAU LONG RUN, MR FUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE TUNG CHUNG SOCCER PITCH HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND WORK ON THE SECOND PHASE OF THE CHEUNG CHAU RECREATION GROUND WAS NOW NEARING COMPLETION.
♦I HOPE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WILL MAKE GOOD USE OF THESE GROUNDS TO DEVELOP THEIR INTEREST AND POTENTIAL IN SPORTS,+ HE SAID.
MR FUNG SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE LONG RUN COMPETITION WAS TO PROMOTE GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND A SENSE OF TOGETHERNESS AMONG THE LOCAL PEOPLE.
MORE THAN 200 COMPETITORS PARTICIPATED IN THE SIX-KILOMETRE RUN WHICH STARTED AT 10 AM FROM THE MUI WO POLICE STATION WITH THE COMPETITORS RUNNING ALONG LANTAU SOUTH ROAD TO THE FINISHING POINT AT THE HONG KONG YWCA YOUTH CAMP AT SAN SHEK WAN, SOUTH LANTAU.
UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, TODAY’S EVENT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFF ICE/ISLANDS DIVISION AND MUI WO YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICE GROUP.
♦THIS IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, AND I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THIS SPIRIT WILL CONTINUE, NOT ONLY IN ORGANISING SPORTS ACTIVITIES, BUT IN OTHER PURSUITS AS WELL.* ADDED MR FUNG.
- - - - 0 ----
SITTING-OUT AREA IN CHA KWO LING * * * X
A SITTING-OUT AREA WILL SOON BE BUILT AT FAN WAH STREET, CHA KWO LING.
THE SITE, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 175 SQUARE METRES, WILL HAVE RAISED FLOWER BEDS, AND ARBOURS W TH GARDEN BENCHES UNDERNEATH.
THE PLANTING AREA WILL BE PROTECTED B / ORNAMENTAL RAILINGS.
WORK WILL START IN JUNE AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE BEING IN.'ITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
0 --------
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1982
4
TEMPORARY MARKET AT PO HEUNG STREET
* * * *
A TEMPORARY MARKET WILL BE BUILT SHORTLY AT PO HEUNG STREET, TAI PO TO ACCOMMODATE HAWKERS TRADING IN THE PO YICK STREET HAWKER BAZAAR.
THE WORK FORMS PART OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME GF THE TAI PO CENTRAL AREA.
THE HAWKERS WILL EVENTUALLY BE ACCOMMODATED IN THE NEW TAI ?O CENTRAL MARKET WHEN IT IS COMPLETED IN 1983/84.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE TEMPORARY MARKET WILL INCLUDE MINI-STALLS, COOKED FOOD STALLS, A SCALDING ROOM, A STORE ROOM, PUBLIC TOILET AND OFFICE FOR USD STAFF.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MID-JUNE AND TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
----0----
TSUEN WAN ICE STALL FOR AUCTION
* X X
AN ICE STALL AT TSUEN WAN MARKET WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC AUCTION ON TUESDAY (APRIL 20).
THE ICE STALL, WHICH WILL BE LEASED TOGETHER WITH A STOREROOM, IS ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELLING ICE.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT THE TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE AT FAR EAST BANK BUILDING, 135-143 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, SECOND FLOOR, AT 10 AM, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTAL FOR THE STALL IS $2 400.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDER MAY START BUSINESS ON MAY 1, FOR A CONTRACT PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
ONLY PERSONS AGED 21 OR ABOVE ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE PART IN THE AUCTION, AND POTENTIAL BIDDERS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE AUCTION VENUE.
INTERESTED PERSONS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION Oc THE TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-444281 EXT. 361 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
0 --------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR ...................................... 1
GARDEN PARTY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE............................. 1
PRESENTATION OP INSIGNIA .................................... 2
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY 1982 6
APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES PROCESSED IN KWUN TONG ............ 9
WEATHER IN MARCH............................................. 10
DISTRICT BOARD BRINGS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO GOOD HOPE VILLAGE 12
WATER FIGURES ............................................... 12
CONTRACTS FOR VILLAGE CLEANSING AWARDED
13
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1962
1
DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, HAS BEEN APPOINTED DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
THE APPOINTMENT *AS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WHO IS RESTING AND UNDER OBSERVATION IN QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSP ITAL.
- - 0
GARDEN PARTY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE * * * *
THE GARDEN PARTY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN CELEBRATION OF THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 21).
LADY MACLEHOSE WILL BE PRESENT TO WELCOME THE 2 OOO GUESTS, WITH THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WHO WILL STAND IN FOR SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE.
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE VICINITY OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE BETWEEN 2 PM AND 7 PM ON WEDNESDAY.
METERED PARKING SPACES IN UPPER AND LOWER ALBERT ROAD AND THE OPEN-AIR CAR PARK BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED DURING THIS PERIOD.
EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ON DUTY TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1982
2
PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA * * * * *
EIGHTY-SEVEN PEOPLE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, RECEIVED THEIR INSIGNIA AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
THE DEPUTY TO The GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, PRESIDELOVER THE CEREMONY IN THE ABSENCE OF THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WHO IS IN HOSPITAL.
THE RECIPIENTS WEREi
CBE (COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
MR HENRY CHING
MR ERNEST IRFON LEE
THE HONOURABLE LO TAK-SHING
THE HONOURABLE ALAN JAMES SCOTT
OBE (OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
DR THE HONOURABLE HO KAM-FAI THE HONOURABLE DAVID KENNEDY NEWBIGGING MR JOHN HUGH PAIN PROFESSOR DAVID TODD ISO (COMPANION OF THE IMPERIAL SERVICE ORDER)
MR DAVID LIN HUO-FU
MRS CONNIE SOO MOK SAU-HA
DR WONG CHEN-TA MBE (MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
MR TSE TSUN-HIM
MR KWAN TAK-HING
MR LAM TAT-YAN
MR STEPHEN LEE KI
MR FRANCIS DE SALES OZORIO
SISTER MOIRA RIEHL
SQjN LDR JOHN GEOFFREY SHAWCROSS
/BEM (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL) ..
3
BEM (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL)
MR AU LIM MR CHAN PUI-LAM MR KU SIU-LAM MR LAU KA I-SIN MR LEE HONG-YIP MR LI KAM-TONG MRS BRENDA DOREEN MCCORMACK MR PUN MAN-HING MR BHAGAT SINGH MR SIU KIT-WAH MR WONG CHEE-MING MR WONG SUN MRS BETTY YIP TANG LOCK-YUE BEM (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL)(MILITARY)
WARRANT OFFICER CL. II MAQANKUMAR CHHETRI STAFF SERGEANT PAUL RAYMOND CURTIS WARRANT OFFICER CL. I AU I MAN GURUNG WARRANT OFFICER CL. II CHEWANG NORBHU LAMA STAFF SERGEANT LEE YUK CPM (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL)
MR AU LAM MR JOHN FRANKLIN BARNES MR CHAN KA I-WING MR CHAN KWAN-TO MR ROBERT CHENG MR CHIK TSANG MR JOHN BRIAN GOULDSMITH MR KEUNG YI-FU
/jffi LAI SHEUNG-HUNG
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1982
4
MR LAI SHEUNG"HUNG
MR LAU TO-YEE
MR LAWRENCE LEE CHUNG-FU
MR LI SUNG
MR GEOFFREY WILLIAM ROPER
MR KEITH TIDEY
MR KWAN IP
MR LEE KIN-BIU
MR MA SZE
MR SIT CHE-HUNG
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR CHAN KA-rKWUN
MR MICHAEL CHENG TAK-KIN
MRS MABEL CHOW
MR CHOW PUI-CHUN
MR JOHN HO TUNG-CHING
MR KWOK CHEONG
MR JOSEPH KWOK SHEUNG-LEUNG • a
MR DAVID LAI KAM-MAN
MR LAM HANG-FAI
MISS LUCY LEUNG CHlH-AN
MR LI HUNG-CHEONG
MR LIU CHING-LEUNG
MR LIU- KOON-SHING 1
MR LIU LIT-FOR *
MR MAK YAT-LAM
MADAM. PO WAI-CHI NG
MR POON CHEUNG
MR TAM KANG-FAT
MRS IVY WU KWOK SAU-PING
/QUEEN 3 '/ALLANTRY MEDAL .
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1982
- 5 -
QUEEN'S GALLANTRY MEDAL
MR NICHOLAS ALEXANDRE WILLIAM MCQUEEN QUEEN’S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT
MR CHAN SHU-FAI ORDER OF ST JOHN
OFFICER BROTHER
MR CHU SHIU-LUN CAPTAIN MARK TENNANT SERVING BROTHER
MR LAI PAK-LEUNG
MR WONG FAT-KEE DR PAUL Y K LAM MR CHIU SZE-HOI MR WONG KWAI THE HONOURABLE CHEUNG YAN-LUNG SERVING SISTER
MISS HO SUI-KING
MISS SIU WAI-MAN MISS LEE YUET-YAU MRS WONG TSUI YAK-YIN
------o-------
/6 .....
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1932
6 -
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY 1982 ******
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY NINE PER CENT AND THOSE OF IMPORTS BY 14 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1982 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1981, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF THE DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX) DECLINED BY FOUR PER CENT.
THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS DROPPED BY 18 PER CENT AND THAT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY TEN PER CENT.
THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 13 PER CENT, BUT VOLUME FELL BY 12 PER CENT, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES WERE UP BY TEN PER CENT AND VOLUME WAS DOWN BY 11 PER CENT.
FOR THE TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD TO JANUARY 1982 AS COMPARED WITH THE TWELVE MONTHS TO JANUARY 1981, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY NINE PER CENT, THOSE OF IMPORTS BY 12 PER CENT AND THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS BY NINE PER CENT. THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS EXPANDED BY SIX PER CENT AND THAT OF RE-EXPORTS BY 23 PER CENT, GIVING AN 11 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS AS AGAINST AN EIGHT PER CENT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED.
CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE ARE DERIVED FROM CHANGES IN TRADE VALUES, AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
THE TRADE INDEXES ARE REBASED TO 1981 (I.E. 1981 - 100) COMMENCING JANUARY 1982. TRADE INDEXES BEFORE JANUARY 1982 (1973 BASED) ARE SPLICED TO THE NEW SERIES USING THE 1981 PUBLISHED TRADE INDEXES. HOWEVER, THE TWO SERIES ARE NOT STRICTLY COMPARABLE DUE TO THE RECLASSIFICATION OF SOME ITEMS AND SLIGHT CHANGES IN ITEM COVERAGE.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN BELOW I-
/CHANGBS COMPARING ......
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1982
- 7 -
CHANGES COMPARING JANUARY 1982 WITH JANUARY 1981
EXPORT VALUE EXPORT UNIT VALUE EXPORT VOLUME
CLOTHING (EXCEPT FUR) - 8% + 9% -16%
TEXTILE FABRICS - 3% +11% “12%
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD + 7% + 3% ♦ 5%
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES INSIGNIFICANT +27% -21%
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS -28% + 1% -28%
FOOTWEAR +26% +12% +13%
METAL MANUFACTURES -22% + 5% -26%
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -42% -18% -30%
WATCHES AND CLOCKS - 7% -20% +15%
ALL COMMODITIES - 2% + 9% -10%
EXPORT PRICES OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED, FROM ONE PER CENT FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS TO 27 PER CENT FOR TEXTILE MADE-UPS. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE EXPORT PRICES OF METAL ORES AND SCRAP, AS WELL AS WATCHES AND CLOCKS, DECLINED BY 18 PER CENT AND 20 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST COMMODITIES DECLINED. CONSIDERABLE DECREASES IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR METAL MANUFACTURES (-26 PER CENT), ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-28 PER CENT) AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-30 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, MODERATE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+15 PER CENT) AND FOOTWEAR (+13 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN BELOW :-
/changes comparing ......
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1982
8
CHANGES COMPARING JANUARY 1982 WITH JANUARY 1981
IMPORT VALUE IMPORT UNIT VALUE IMPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS + 5% +16% - 9%
CONSUMER GOODS - 7% + 8% -14%
FUELS - 4% +10% -13%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES -14% +15% -25%
CAPITAL GOODS +11% +25% -11%
ALL COMMODITIES - 6% +14% -18%
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CAPITAL GOODS, THE PRICES OF WHICH JUMPED BY 25 PER CENT, THE PRICES OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY INCREASED MODERATELY, RANGING FROM EIGHT PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS TO 16 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS.
ONLY SOME MAJOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS ROSE IN VOLUME TERMS, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING LIVE POULTRY AND SUGAR. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FRUIT, RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR AS WELL AS TEA AND COFFEE DECLINED.
IN THE CONSUMER GOODS CATEGORY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR TOBACCO MANUFACTURES. THE IMPORT VOLUME OF PASSENGER MOTOR CARS AS WELL AS RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS FELL CONSIDERABLY.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 13 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECLINED, AMONG WHICH RAW COTTON, IRON AND STEEL, YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES AND MAN-MADE FIBRES DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY. THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR ROSE.
AS FOR CAPITAL GOODS, MAJOR INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT, WHEREAS SUBSTANTIAL DECREASE WAS REGISTERED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN BELOW i-
/CHANGES COMPARING _____
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1982
9
CHANGES COMPARING JANUARY 1982 WITH JANUARY 1983
RE-EXPORT VALUE RE-EXPORT UNIT VALUE RE-EXPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS +41% +13% +24%
CONSUMER GOODS INSIGNIFICANT + 7% - 6%
FUELS +172% +28% +112%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES -13% +17% -25%
CAPITAL GOODS +25% +24% + 1%
ai i rnMMnn iTirc I Meiomirif amt x« -1 pc/
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORT VOLUME VARIED AMONG THE FIVE END-USE CATEGORIES, RANGING FROM A 25 PER CENT DECREASE FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES TO A 112 PER CENT INCREASE FOR FUELS.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE JANUARY 1982 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS*, AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$2 PER COPY.
-----0------
APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES PROCESSED IN KWUN TONG * * M
FROM THURSDAY (APRIL 22), ALL APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES BY REGISTERED POST WILL BE CENTRALISED AND PROCESSED IN THE KWUN TONG LICENSING OFFICE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
ALL APPLICATIONS BY POST SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE KWUN TONG LICENSING OFFICE AT HIU KWONG COURT, 26-38 HIU KWONG STREET, 1/F, KWUN TONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN DE MADE BY CALLING 3-356835.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MORE EFFICIENT SERVICE FOR RENEWING DRIVING LICENCES, INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS, TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP, RENEWAL OF VEHICLE LICENCE, DUPLICATE REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS AND DUPLICATE VEHICLE LICENCES.
- - - - 0 ----------
/10 .......
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1982
10
WEATHER IN MARCH * * * *
THE WEATHER IN HONG KONG LAST MONTH WAS ON THE WHOLE WARMER, CLOUDIER AND MORE HUMID THAN USUAL WITH A TOTAL OF 30.6 MM OF RAINFALL RECORDED -- 24.2 MM BELOW NORMAL.
THIS BROUGHT THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 TO 69.7 MM, WHICH IS 53.9 MM BELOW AVERAGE.
DURING THE MONTH THERE WERE THREE TROPICAL CYCLONES OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND SOUTH CHINA SEA.
THE CYCLONES -- TROPICAL STORM MAMIE AND TYPHOONS NELSON AND ODESSA -- ALL DEVELOPED NEAR THE CAROLINE ISLANDS.
MAMIE FORMED ON MARCH 15 AND CROSSED MINDANAO ON MARCH 19 AND 20.
FIFTY-FOUR PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND 36 000 MADE HOMELESS IN THE PHILIPPINES. THE STORM LATER DISSIPATED NEAR HO CHI MINH CITY ON MARCH 25.
TYPHOON NELSON DEVELOPED ON MARCH 19 AND STRUCK THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES ON MARCH 26 KILLING 56 PEOPLE WHILE 165 000 WERE EVACUATED FROM DANGER AREAS.
NELSON WAS DISSIPATING NEAR NANSHA DAO AT THE END OF THE MONTH WHILE ODESSA FORMED ON MARCH 29 AND WAS CENTRED NEAR THE MARSHALL ISLANDS ON MARCH 31.
IN HONG KONG THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED EARLY ON MARCH 1 AND THE WEATHER BECAME COOLER WITH PATCHES OF RAIN ON MARCH 2.
THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 12.9 DEGREES AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WAS THE LOWEST OF THE MONTH.
COASTAL FOG DEVELOPED ON MARCH 3 AND PERSISTED UNTIL MARCH 7. DURING THIS PERIOD CONDITIONS INSIDE VICTORIA HARBOUR WERE MISTY WITH SOME DRIZZLE.
WINDS WERE SOUTHEASTERLY ON MARCH 5 AND 6 AND FOG WAS REPORTED AT THE AIRPORT EVERY MORNING BETWEEN MARCH 5 AND 7. VISIBILITY AT THE AIRPORT WAS REDUCED TO 400 METRES EARLY ON MARCH 5 AND BOTH AIR TRAFFIC AND FERRY SERVICES WERE AFFECTED.
EASTERLY WINDS FRESHENEDON MARCH 7 AND CHANGED TO NORTHERLY AFTER THE PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT ON MARCH 8. THE WEATHER BECAME COOLER AND CLOUDY WITH RAIN UNTIL MARCH 11.
COASTAL FOG WAS AGAIN REPORTED EVERY DAY FROM MARCH 11 TO 18 EXCEPT ON MARCH 16. IT SPREAD INTO THE HARBOUR ON MARCH 12 BUT THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY DURING THE DAY. FOLLOWING TWO CLOUDY DAYS ON MARCH 13 AND 14, THE WEATHER WAS MAINLY FINE BETWEEN MARCH 15 AND 18.
/IN THE .......
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1982
- 11 -
IN THE EVENING OF MARCH 18, EASTERLY WINDS FRESHENED WITH TRACES OF RAIN BUT THE FOLLOWING FIVE DAYS WERE SUNNY AND WARM.
THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE FOR THE MONTH OF 27.2 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON MARCH 21.
THERE WAS SOME RAIN DURING THE EVENINGS OF MARCH 23 AND 24. EASTERLY WINDS STRENGTHENED ON MARCH 25 AS THE CONTINENTAL ANTICYCLONE SPREAD SOUTHWARDS.
THE WEATHER BECAME COOLER AND THERE WAS MORE RAIN. IT REMAINED CLOUDY UNTIL MARCH 28 AND TURNED SUNNY AND MILD ON MARCH 29 UNTIL MARCH 31.
THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON MARCH 14, 21 AND 28.
THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ONCE DURING THE MONTH — ON MARCH 25 AT 5 AM AND LOWERED AT 4.25 PM THE SAME DAY.
THE MONTH’S WERE: FIGURES AND DEPA RTURES FROM NORMAL
SUNSHINE 100.8 HOURS ■ 0.6 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
RAINFALL 30.6 MM n 24.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
CLOUDINESS 81 PER CENT ■ 5 PER CENT MORE THAN NORMAL
RELATIVE HUMIDITY MEAN MAXIMUM 85 PER CENT ■ 3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN NORMAL
TEMPERATURE 21.7 DEG C ■ 0.4 DEG C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN TEMPERATURE MEAN MINIMUM 19.2 DEG C • 0.7 DEG C ABOVE NORMAL
TEMPERATURE 17.3 DEG C ■ 1 DEG C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 16.5 DEG C ■i 1.5 DEG C ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 91.9 MM ■ 11.6 MM BELOW NORMAL
THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 27.2 DEG C WAS RECORDED ON MARCH 21 WHILE THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 12.9 DEG C WAS RECORDED ON MARCH 2.
---------o-------------
MUNDAT, AfRIL 1?, ~IW
- 12 -
DISTRICT BOARD BRINGS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO GOOD HOPE VILLAGE ft ft ft ft
RESIDENTS OF GOOD HOPE VILLAGE IN CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WILL HAVE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ON FRIDAY (APRIL 23) AFTER A SPECIAL SWITCH-ON CEREMONY.
OFFICIATING WILL BE WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS STELLA FAN AND THE CONSUMER SERVICES ENGINEER OF THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, MR P.G. WILLIAMSON.
AT THE CEREMONY THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE WILL ALSO PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO THE HONOURABLE GUESTS IN APPRECIATION OF THEIR SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS MAKING THE SCHEME A SUCCESS.
THIS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY PROJECT REPRESENTS PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTALIMPROVEMENT EFFORTS INITIATED AND CO-ORDINATED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD TO UPGRADE THE LIVING CONDITIONS IN SQUATTER AREAS IN THE DISTRICT.
IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, GOOD HOPE VILLAGE RECEIVED $10 000 FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR THE REPAIR OF FOOT-PATHS WHICH WAS COMPLETED TWO MONTHS LATER.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE VILLAGERS ----------------------- INSTALLED AND OTHER PROJECTS, SUCH
ALSO HAD NEW PUBLIC LATRINES AS THE INSTALLATION OF WATER PROVISION OF POSTAL SERVICES SCHEME ARE NOW UNDERWAY.
STANDPIPES AND STREET LIGHTING, AND A DOOR-TO-DOOR REFUSE COLLECTION
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SWITCH-ON CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE OPEN SPACE AT THIRD GULLY, GOOD HOPE VILLAGE, CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, NEAR THE GOOD HOPE SCHOOL, AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 23).
--------0 - - - -
WATER FIGURES ft ft ft
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 204.145 MILLION CUBIC METRES OR 35.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY, EQUIVALENT TO 162 DAYS’ CONSUMPTION.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 230.236 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 39.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- 0 - -
MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1982
13
CONTRACTS FOR VILLAGE CLEANSING AWARDED
*****
FOUR AGREEMENTS TOTALLING $475 OOO WERE TODAY (MONDAY) AWARDED TO FOUR RURAL ORGANISATIONS FOR TAKING UP THE CLEANSING SERVICES AT FOUR VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE CONTRACTING OUT OF THE CLEANSING SERVICES IS A PILOT SCHEME AIMED AT ENLISTING A GREATER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND PUBLIC SUPPORT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CURRENT CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN. IT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM MAY 1 AND WILL LAST FOR NINE MONTHS.
THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JIMMY SWEETMAN, SIGNED THE AGREEMENTS TODAY WITH FOUR RURAL ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTING TAI PO TSAI VILLAGE AND HANG HAU TOWN IN SAI KUNG, LUNG KWU TAAN IN TUEN MUN AND WANG TOI SHAN IN YUEN LONG AT THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE AGREEMENT SIGNING WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LAU WONG-FAT, THE CHAIRMAN OF PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE, MR TANG TAK-KOU, AND VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES FROM RESPECTIVE AREAS TAKING PART.
ALL SELECTED VILLAGES JOINING THE EXERCISE ARE LED BY PROMINENT COMMUNITY LEADERS OR CREDIBLE ORGANISATIONS AND HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT BOARDS AND RURAL COMMITTEES.
UNDER THE AGREEMENTS, THE RURAL ORGANISATIONS WILL PERFORM THE NORMAL DUTIES OF NTSD CLEANSING STAFF.
THEY INCLUDE DAILY SWEEPINGS OF VILLAGE ROADS, PATHS AND PUBLIC AREAS, EMPTYING LITTER CONTAINERS, CLEAN-UP OF PUBLIC TOILETS, CLEARING REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS AND BIN-SITES AND REMOVING ALL COLLECTED GARBAGE TO DESIGNATED REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS FOR COLLECTION BY NTSD VEHICLES.
THE RURAL ORGANISATIONS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THE BEACHES, OPEN DITCHES, SURFACE CHANNELS, NULLAHS, STREAM AND RIVER COURSES FREE OF REFUSE.
MEANWHILE, THE NTSD WILL CONTINUE TO UNDERTAKE SPECIAL JOBS SUCH AS THE DESLUDGING OF AQUA PRIVIES AND RENOVATION OF CLEANSING FACILITIES.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BIG BOOST IN FUNDS FOR DISTRICT BOARDS ...................... 1
FULL DAY OF SPORTS AND RECREATION TOMORROW ................. 2
MORE COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES OU TSING YI ..... J
HK/EEC TEXTILE TaLKS RECESSED .............................. 4
LICENSING SYSTEM FOR ARGENTINA IMPORT BAN .................. 4
OPEN DAY AT KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ................. 5
APPOINTMENT OF TWO QUEEN'S COUNSEL ......................... 6
YAN CHAI HOSPITAL DIRECTORS VISIT SWD .............. 7
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN PING CHE
7
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1982 1
BIG BOOST IN FUNDS FOR DISTRICT BOARDS * K »
last double
ENVIR0"He"T"- '*«o»e«NT
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, &AID THE INCREASED AMOUNT WAS INTENDED TO CATER FOR THE ANTICIPATED KEEN PARTICIPATION BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, BOTH ELECTED AND APPOINTED IN THE RUNNING OF THE AFFAIRS OF THEIR DISTRICTS? ’ IMt
♦EACH BOARD HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE ITS DISTRICT UJ^ement co^’ttee ON MATTERS WITHIN ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE, WHICH INCLUDE ALL MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE LIVING AND WORKING IN THE DISTRICT, THE PROVISION AND USE OF PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES WITHIN THE DISTRICT, AND THE ADEQUACY AND PRIORITIES OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES FOR tHE DISTR ICT,♦ HE SAID.
♦IN THIS CONNECTION, IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THERE WILL BE NO E£IeULl!LP?M£F0RTS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS IN PRESSING FOR MORE EXTENSIVE ORGANISATION OF RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
♦AN INCREASED NEED FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES IS ALSO EXPECTED TO ARISE IN ORDER TO PUBLICISE THE WORK OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND TO PROMOTE A GREATER SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENT ITY•
♦DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL FIND THIS SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE MOST USEFUL IN WIDENING THE SCOPE OF THEIR WORK AND IN PROMOTING ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS TO THE BENEFIT OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE.♦
SIZE OF
MR MACPHERSON POINTED OUT THAT THE ACTUAL ALLOCATIONS WOULD VARY BETWEEN DISTRICTS ACCORDING TO THE SIZE OF differing needs and the degree of development in tAGM AREA#
♦FOR EXAMPLE
IN A DENSELY POPULATED AND
♦FOR EXAMPLE, IN A DENSELY POPULATED AND INTENSELY DEVELOPED DISTRICT IN THE U&BAN AREAS, THERE WILL BE A LIMITED SCOPE OF ^nK/i2neTcLDl!IRJ£LB0ARD F0R ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND FUNDS FOR PROJECTS ARE LIKELY TO COME FROM THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OR THE URBAN COUNCIL.
M... ALS0 EXPLAIHS WHY THE EIGHT BOARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES
WILL GET A BIGGER SHARE, TOTALLING 118.84 MILLION, THAN THE 10 URBAN DISTRICT BOARDS’ foTAL OF $9.78 MILLION.
♦THE REMAINING $1 MILLION WILL BE KEPT IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AS A RESERVE FUND FROM WHICH ALL DISTRICTS CAN BID FOR FURTHER ALLOCATION IF AND WHEN NECESSARY.♦
/IN THE NT
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1982
2
IN THE NT REGION, TSUEN WAN DISTRICT WILL GET THE BIGGEST SHARE OF |5.3 MILLION WHICH IS AN INCREASE OF 32.8 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR’S >3.99 MILLION.
YUEN LONG WILL GET >2.9 MILLION, A RISE OF 42.8 PER CENT.
FOR THE OTHER DISTRICTS, BOTH TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN WILL EACH HAVE >2.42 MILLION, WHILE ISLANDS, NORTH DISTRICT, SAI KUNG AND TAI PO WILL GET >1.45 MILLION EACH.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THE NT DISTRICT BOARDS LAST YEAR WAS >12.2 MILLION. THE ALLOCATION FOR 1980/81 WAS >6.1 MILLION, >4.5 MILLION IN 1979/80 AND >3.7 MILLION IN 1978/79.
IN THE URBAN AREAS, WONG TAI SIN AND KWUN TONG WILL RECEIVE THE BIGGEST SHARE OF >1.73 MILLION EACH.
SHAM SHUI PO AND EASTERN WILL EACH GET >1.3 MILLION; KOWLOON CITY AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT >870 000 EACH; CENTRAL AND WESTERN >650 000 ; AND WAN CHAI, MONG KOK AND YAU MA TEI >445 000 EACH.
ONLY >3.5 MILLION WERE GIVEN TO THE URBAN AREAS LAST YEAR FOUR OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS (WAN CHAI, MONG KOK, YAU MA TEI AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN) WERE NOT YET FORMED AT THE TIME OF ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.
AS
--------0 ---------
FULL DAY OF SPORTS AND RECREATION TOMORROW * * * *
De 192 SP0RTS AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE
RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT WILL BE HELD AT VARIOUS PLAYGROUNDS AND PARKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
BRASSFBANDHPERFORMANCEGTOUBE^STAGEd''I n°QUEENAEL IZABETHLSTAD IUM AT ilS ;?DTSUE“N“STToJNTSLl°“ PMH'NESE ,'outh orchestra T° B£
THE CELEBRATION WILL START AT 9 AM AT VICTORIA PARK ON wnwr KONG ISLAND, WHERE MOST OF THE ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN BREMRIDGE ACCOMPAMiFn av Tur
“??c“teNat the openi"'?ere^n™LTUR£' mr barrie WIGGH4M-
IN KOWLOON
AT MR F.K. ABOUT 4
KOWLOON, TWO MAJOR VENUES FOR THE CELEBRATIONS WILL FF PARK AND KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND E
C0UNCIL F0R RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICIATE IN THE CEREMONY AT KOWLOON PARK WHERE 000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN 20 EVENTS.
/THE CHAIRMAN .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1982
- 5 -
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, WILL START THE CELEBRATIONS AT 2.30 PM AT THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND.
IN THE EAST OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, MR CHARLES YEUNG, WILL START OFF THE CELEBRATIONS AT FANLING RECREATION GROUND AT 10 AM. AMONG THE 23 EVENTS PLANNED FOR THE REGION ARE A CROSS-COUNTRY RACE, A PARACHUTE PERFORMANCE AND A CANOEING FUN DAY.
IN THE WEST AT SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND, A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE RECREATION AND SPORT, MR HOWARD YOUNG, WILL PERFORM THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 10 AM. SOME 25 EVENTS ARE PLANNED FOR THE DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES YUEN LONG AREA.
- - 0 - -
MORE COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ON TSI NG Yl *****
™ ™'^EJ?0,!’MUN,TY and recreational facilities will be added
W TAM WINgJoNG*DSa7dTTODAYX(TUESDAY)!MS* ,TS D,STR,CT ^’CER,
cJntbe- ‘ F‘MIL* health cehtre, a post office
AND A POLICE NEIGHBOURHOOD UNIT WHICH WILL ALL BE OPERATIVE BY
the*estatesCareT4ell HALL tm * S0CCER PITCH "EAR
.eo **1™ THESE additional facilities, members of local
heSsaIdT °NS W,LL HAVE M0RE VENUES To Organise various activities,*
THE T*hI‘?|“Srh“ohSiheETTODi!??USOR*T'0" * ™E 18TH TERH V
BEGINNING this year, members of the rural committee WILL SERVE FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS, INSTEAD OF ONE AS IN THE PAST TO
COINCIDE WITH THE TERM OF OFFICE OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS
BOTH THE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN TIN-SUNG, AND VICE-CHAIRMAN MR TANG LAP-CHI. HAVE &EEN RE-ELECTED. THERE ARE SEVEN ’ EXECUTIVE MEMBERS SERVING THE COMMITTEE.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S INAUGURATION WERE THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, HEUNG YEEKUK CHAIRMAN MR LAU WONG-memeer * ™
f Hn UH Ari rv i vNb»
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1982
HK/EEC TEXTILE TALKS RECESSED ft ft ft ft
THE CURRENT TALKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND EEC COMMISSION OFFICIALS ON THE FUTURE OF THE HK/EEC TEXTILE RESTRAINT AGREEMENT HAD BEEN RECESSED, MR LAWRENCE MILLS, COMMISSIONER OF TRADE SAID IN A PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED THIS AFTERNOON (TUESDAY).
♦DURING THE COURSE OF THE DISCUSSIONS, WE EXCHANGED INFORMATION ON THE ISSUES WHICH EACH SIDE WOULD RAISE IN THE COMING NEGOTI AT IONS,♦ MR MILLS SAID.
♦THE EEC IS SEEKING A VERY RESTRICTIVE ARRANGEMENT WITH HONG KONG INCLUDING REDUCTIONS OF 10 PER CENT IN FIVE IMPORTANT CATEGORIES FOR HONG KONG. THE FIVE CATEGORIES ARE 4 (KNITTED SHIRTS); 5 (KNITTED SWEATERS); 6 (WOVEN TROUSERS AND MEN’S SHORTS); 7 (WOVEN/KNITTED BLOUSES); AND 8 (MEN’S WOVEN SHIRTS).
♦IN ADDITION THE EEC IS SEEKING EXTREMELY LOW GROWTH RATES WITH NO FLEXIBILITY IN SOME CATEGORIES AND MINIMAL FLEXIBILITY IN OTHERS.
♦HONG KONG, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS LOOKING FOR GREATER EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY AND SUFFICIENT FLEXIBILITY WITHIN ANY NEW AGREEMENT TO ALLOW IT TO FOLLOW MARKET TRENDS.
♦OUR POSITIONS ARE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED,+ MR MILLS SAID, +AND THE NEGOTIATIONS WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN BRUSSELS ON JUNE 1, WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT INDEED.♦
0 -------
LICENSING SYSTEM FOR ARGENTINA IMPORT BAN ft ft ft
le o.iI.HL2££0RT PROHIBITION (ARGENTINA) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1982 ImmED?ATEHEFFECTTHE G0VERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY and COME INTO
THESE NEW REGULATIONS LAST TUESDAY (APRIL 13)i
MODIFY THE SCOPE OF THE BAN INTRODUCED
(A)
BY EXTENDING THE TO HONG KONG VIA
BAN TO GOODS FROM ARGENTINA EXPORTED THIRD COUNTRIES- AND
(B) BY
S00DS FR0M ARGENTINA THAT WERE ALREADY ON JdLWtucT2*.ong kong before apr,l 13 To Be excluded rKOM THE BAN.
/TO GIVE
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1962
5 -
TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE BAN AS MODIFIED, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS WILL UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS INTRODUCE AN IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM. IMPORT LICENCES WILL BE ISSUED UNLESS THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS SATISFIED THAT THE GOODS FROM ARGENTINA WERE ALREADY ON THE TO HONG KONG------- ---- *
NOT IS WAY
BEFORE APRIL 13, OR THAT THEY WERE INTENDED FOR OR RE-EXPORT TO CHINA.
TRANSHIPMENT
THE NEW REGULATIONS PRESERVE THE PENALTIES ALREADY INTRODUCED. THEY PROVIDE FOR A FINE OF 1500 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
NOTICES ARE BEING CIRCULATED BY THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT TO IMPORTERS, SHIPPING COMPANIES, AIRLINES AND OTHER APPROPRIATE ORGANISATIONS INFORMING THEM OF THE IMPORT LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.
----.0-------
OPEN DAY AT KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE * * * *
THE KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WILL HOLD AN OPEN DAY ON FRIDAY (APRIL 23) FROM 12.30 TO 4.45 PM AT 20 HING SHING ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
THE INSTITUTE, OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 1975, IS ONE OF THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OPERATED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
IT HAS FOUR TEACHING DEPARTMENTS! COMMERCIAL STUDIES, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, ALL PLANNED TO MEET THE DEMAND OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES AT BOTH THE TECHNICIAN AND CRAFTSMEN LEVELS.
THE INSTITUTE OPERATES 18 FULL-TIME DAY CLASSES, 50 PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE CLASSES, 63 EVENING CLASSES AND TEN SHORT COURSES, FOR A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF ABOUT 4 600 STUDENTS.
A PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE CHEN HSONG SCHOLARSHIPS AND ANNUAL CRAFT SKILLS COMPETITION AWARDS 1981-82 WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM AT THE HALL OF THE INSTITUTE.
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (TECHNICAL EDUCATION) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, MR U.K. DEVEREUX; THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CHEN HSONG MACHINERY CO. LTD., MR CHIANG CHEN AND THE PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTITUTE, MR K.C. HO.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
THE KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OPEN DAY WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY (APRIL 23) FROM 12.30 PM TO 4.45 PM AT 20 HING SHING ROAD, KWAI CHUNG AND THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE CHEN HSONG SCHOLARSHIPS AND ANNUAL CRAFT SKILLS COMPETITION AWARD WILL START AT 2.30 PM AT THE HALL OF THE INSTITUTE. YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENTS.
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/6.......
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1982
6
APPOINTMENT OF TWO QUEEN’S COUNSEL ft ft ft
THE QUEEN HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT AND MR ARJAN SAKHRANI FOR APPOINMENT AS HER FOR HONG KONG.
OF MR NEIL KAPLAN MAJESTY'S COUNSEL
HE RECEIVED HIS
MR KAPLAN WAS BORN IN LONDON IN 1942
LEGAL EDUCATION AT KING’S COLLEGE, LONDON, WHERE HE RECEIVED AN LL.B. IN 1964. HE WAS CALLED TO THE ENGLISH BAR IN 1965 AND
TO THE HONG KONG BAR IN 1981. HE RECEIVED HIS PUPILLAGE IN THE CHAMBERS OF MR LEWIS HAWSER, Q.C., AS THE PUPIL OF MR GREVILLE JANNER, Q.C., M.P.
HE HAD PRACTISED IN LONDON FOR 15 YEARS, WHERE HE BUILT UP A SUBSTANTIAL PRACTICE AND A FINE REPUTATION. HIS PRACTICE CONTAINED BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL MATTERS, WITH SOME SPECIALISATION IN BUILDING AND COMMERCIAL CASES.
HE WAS APPOINTED A DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN THE CHAMBERS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, HONG KONG IN DECEMBER 1980 AND HIS SKILL AND EXPERIENCE HAVE MADE HIM A VALUABLE ADDITION TO THOSE CHAMBERS, UNDERTAKING THE HEAVIER CIVIL CASES IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS INVOLVED.
MR SAKHRANI WAS BORN IN HONG KONG IN 1947. HE WAS EDUCATED AT ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, KING GEORGE V SCHOOL AND LA SALLE COLLEGE, HONG KONG.
HE RECEIVED HIS LEGAL EDUCATION AT THE INNS OF COURT AND WAS CALLED TO THE ENGLISH BAR IN FEBRUARY 1968 AND TO THE HONG KONG BAR IN AUGUST 1968. HE SERVED HIS PUPILLAGE PARTLY IN LONDON .*SV,LLE TH0MAS, Q.C. AND PARTLY IN HONG KONG WITH MR HENRY LITTON, Q.C.
COMMITTEES
SAKHRANI HAS SERVED SUCCESSFULLY AS A DEPUTY DISTRICT JUDGE AND HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION BOARD SINCE 1973. HE HAS ALSO SERVED ON A NUMBER OF COMMITTEES y?.poBAR ASSOCIATION AND HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN ITS AFFAIRS -- — - w - - I Mn Q >
FOR SEVERAL
MATTERS AND
_____HE HAS BUILT UP A GOOD GENERAL PRACTICE, MAINLY In Ci ""? IS * SOUND, PERSUASIVE ADVOCATE, WHO PRESERVES COURTESY AND TOLERANCE AT ALL TIMES AND IS A CREDIT TO HIS PROFESSION.
IN CIVIL
™E CH,EF JUSTICE WILL FORMALLY CALL THE NEW SILKS TO THE INNER BAR AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE SUPREME COURT ON MAY 29•
/?........
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1982
7
YAN CHAI HOSPITAL DIRECTORS VISIT SWD *****
_ n,»r^^L!CTED MEMBERS OF THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL’S BOARD D'RE£TORS ^TERNOON (TUESDAY) PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE.
i2p?sra^'TRH^EecviiTRNE?o^u^i!EB;?:,R™£NT,sHE‘MuARTE4
aucd TueAo?elELMEfT,NG’ MRS CHA THANKED THE SWD FOR ITS SUPPORT JME PAST YEARS AND DISCUSSED THE HOSPITAL’S PLANS FOR 2ST?iEeDfSL$C?EeiT^o!l,H,?H ,NCLUDE CHILD CARE CENTRES AND HOSTSLS FOR THE ELDERLY IN TUEN MUN AND A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME IN KWAI CHUNG FOR 250 ELDERLY PEOPLE.
?? ^kEYNE COMMENDED THE HOSPITAL FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS AND
XjN‘"t?sSk‘nsi ;w.sw> would conti"ue to support the
-------o----------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN PING CHE * * * *
FROM FRIDAY TO SUNDAY (APRIL 25), NAI ROAD IN PING CHE IN FANLING WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC - EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING LOCAL ACCESS - BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM FOR A MOTOR RALLY.
SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP AND EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE THERE TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- o -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO THE QUEEN ................................ 1
URBAN VOTER REGISTRATION PASSES 600 000 wiARI- ................. 1
QUEEN' S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION ................................ 2
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TAKES A FRONT SEAT ........................... 3
KCR TO START SIMULATION RUNS TOMORROW .......................... 6
REMOVAL OF TT,LEGAL STRUCTURES IN TSZ WAN SEAN ................. 7
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT ........................ 7
I,AWA T ST. AND TO HOLD TREE PLANTING DAY ...................... 8
YAU MA TEI DB TO HOLD SECOND MEETING............................ 8
NT CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN EXHIBITION ......................... 9
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER ............... 10
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1982
1
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO THE QUEEN * * *
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, HAS SENT A MESSAGE OF BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN ON BEHALF CF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG VIA THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.
THE MESSAGE READSi
♦ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL OBSERVANCE IN HONG KONG OF THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD SUBMIT TO HER MAJESTY WITH MY HUMBLE DUTY BIRTHDAY GREETINGS FROM THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.+
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URBAN VOTER REGISTRATION PASSES 600 000 MARK * * * *
THE REGISTRATION OF VOTERS FOR THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER HAS JUST PASSED THE 600 000 MARK WHICH REPRESENTS 30 PER CENT OF THE TWO MILLION ELIGIBLE ELECTORS.
DISCLOSING THE LATEST FIGURE TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR GRAHAM BARNES, DESCRIBED THE RESPONSE AS +MOST ENCOURAGING AND BETTER THAN EXPECTED+.
HE APPEALED TO ELIGIBLE VOTERS WHO HAD NOT YET REGISTERED TO MAKE USE OF THE REMAINING 10 DAYS BEFORE THE REGISTRATION CLOSES ON APRIL 30.
♦THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS ALREADY EXCEEDED TARGET OF HALF OF A MILLION A WEEK AGO,+ MR BARNES SAID
OUR EARLIER
♦IF THE PRESENT RATE OF REGISTRATION CONTINUES, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THE OVERALL FIGURE WILL EXCEED 670 000 OR MORE THAN A THIRD OF THE ELIGIBLE ELECTORATE IN THE URBAN AREA.+
THE NUMBER OF 605 000 VOTERS WAS RECORDED AT THE END OF YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) WHICH INCLUDED THE 81 000 PEOPLE WHO HAD REGISTERED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR AND ABOUT 30 000 URBAN COUNCIL ELECTORS WHOSE NAMES WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO THE REGISTER.
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1982
2
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES CONVERGED ON VICTORIA PARK AND OTHER RECREATION GROUNDS TODAY TO TAKE PART IN A DAY OF FUN AND GAMES TO MARK THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.
ABOUT 100 SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS WERE ORGANISED FOR MASS PARTICIPATION THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY. IN ADDITION, A BAND PERFORMANCE WAS HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM IN THE AFTERNOON AND THE HONG KONG CHINESE YOUTH ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE A CONCERT AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL THIS EVENING.
THE FIRST EVENT KICKED OFF AT 9.15 AM FOLLOWING A CEREMONY AT VICTORIA PARK, PRESIDED OVER BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, W JOHN BREMRIDGE, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM.
IN HIS ADDRESS, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE SPORTS-FOR-ALL DAY, ORIGINATED SIX YEARS AGO ON THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY, WAS NOW AN ANNUAL EVENT.
♦I AM DELIGHTED PROVIDED FOR MEMBERS
TO SEE MORE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC,* HE SAID.
♦OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HAS ORGANISED SOME 22 000 PROJECTS FOR A TOTAL OF 2.5 MILLION PARTICIPANTS.
♦THE SUPPORT FROM LOCAL LEADERS AND ORGANISATIONS HAS BEEN VITAL. SOME OF THE LEADERS ARE WITH US TODAY, AND I WOULD LIKE TO PAY MY TRIBUTE TO THEIR EFFORTS AND PUBLIC SPIRIT,♦ HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM IN HIS WELCOMING ADDRESS SAID THE MAIN OBJECTIVE BEHIND THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT’S TERRITORY-WIDE PROGRAMME OF SPORTS AND RECREATION EVENTS, HELD IN 38 VENUES ALL OVER THE TERRITORY TODAY, WAS TO PROVIDE A DAY OF FUN AND ENJOYMENT FOR AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
HE ADDED THAT THROUGH EXTENSIVE PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS BY THE DEPARTMENT, MORE AND MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INSPIRED, NOT ONLY INTO BECOMING SPECTATORS, BUT ALSO INTO PARTICIPATING, EITHER IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL RECREATION, OR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE.
IN KOWLOON, THE MAJOR EVENTS WERE HELD IN KOWLOON PARK AND KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND. IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THEY TOOK PLACE IN SHA TSUI ROAD AND FANLING PLAYGROUNDS.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1982
3
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TAKES A FRONT SEAT
* * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS LEADING AN ALL-OUT CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
IN DOING SO, IT IS ARMED WITH A SET OF SAFETY REGULATIONS WHICH CARRY FINES THAT HAVE BEEN INCREASED FIVE-FOLD THROUGH RECENT AMENDMENTS.
THE REGULATIONS NOW PROVIDE FOR MAXIMUM PENALTIES OF UP TO 150 000, AND ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A GREATER DETERRENT EFFECT THAN PREVIOUSLY.
MR CHAN SHIU-LAP, CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, SAID THE INCREASE IN FINES WAS PROMPTED PARTLY BY THE FACT THAT MANY BIG MANUFACTURERS APPARENTLY FOUND IT FAR MORE ECONOMICAL TO PAY THE OLD FINES THAN TO MAKE COSTLY ADJUSTMENTS TO CONFORM WITH SAFETY REGULATIONS.
♦BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THE INCREASED FINES WILL PROVE TO HAVE AN ADEQUATE DETERRENT EFFECT ON MANUFACTURERS AND BIG CONSTRUCTORS ENGAGED IN MULT I-MILL ION-DOLLAR PROJECTS WITH CLOSE DEADLINES TO MEET.+ HE SAID.
FACTORY INSPECTORS MAKE THEIR INSPECTION VISITS NORMALLY WITHOUT PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENTS EXCEPT WHEN IN RESPONSE TO REQUEST TO CHECK ON THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT OF A PARTICULAR ESTABLISHMENT.
IN 1981 THEY MADE 59 000 VISITS AND INITIATED 3 800 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST VIOLATORS. OVER 95 PER CENT OF THE CASES RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS WHICH BROUGHT A TOTAL FINE OF $4.78 MILLION UP FROM THE $4.24 MILLION IN 1980.
IN A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF A WORKPLACE, THE INSPECTOR WOULD CHECK ON THE EFFICIENCY OF GUARDS FOR MACHINES, HOUSEKEEPING, CONDITIONS OF TOOLS, LIGHTING AND VENTILATION, PROVISIONS FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, EXIT FACILITIES, STORAGE OF DANGEROUS MATERIALS, EXCESSIVE NOISE AND CONDITIONS OF FLOORS, STAIRS AND WALKWAYS.
NORMALLY, THE INSPECTOR ADVISES THE FACTORY MANAGEMENT ON ALL BREACHES OF SAFETY REGULATIONS OBSERVED AND DISCUSSES WITH THEM ABOUT THE NECESSARY REMEDIAL MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED. LEGAL ACTION IS RESORTED TO ONLY IN CASES WHICH ARE LIKELY TO CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR WHERE THE MANAGEMENT SHOWS A TOTAL DISREGARD FOR THE REGULATIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.
TO ENABLE BETTER DEPLOYMENT OF MANPOWER RESOURCES, THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE HAS INTRODUCED A +HAZARD RATING SYSTEM* WHICH TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION THE RISK OF THE INDUSTRY, THE SIZE OF THE WORK FORCE AND FACTORY PREMISES AND RECORD OF VIOLATIONS AND ACCIDENTS.
BASED UPON A POINTS SYSTEM, THE GREATER BULK OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS INSPECTED FELL BETWEEN 60-90 POINTS WITH THE HIGHEST RISK ONES RATED UP TO 130 POINTS.
/the rating .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1982
- 4 -
THE RATING SYSTEM IS A COST-EFFICIENT TECHNIQUE IN VIEW CF THE HUGE GAP BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED INSPECTORS AND MANUFACTURING AND RELATED ESTABLISHMENTS, WHICH STOOD AT 58 OOO AS OF SEPTEMBER 1981. THE NUMBER OF FACTORY INSPECTORS, MEANWHILE, HAS JUST TOPPED THE 200-MARK.
IT TAKES ABOUT TWO TO THREE YEARS OF TRAINING BEFORE A CANDIDATE CAN SIT FOR THE INSPECTOR QUALIFICATION TESTS.
UNDER A FIVE-YEAR FACTORY INSPECTORATE EXPANSION PLAN BEGAN IN 1979/80, WHEN THERE WERE ONLY 145 INSPECTORS, STAFF STRENGTH WILL BE INCREASED TO 250 BY 1983/84.
♦WE WOULD LIKE TO STRESS, HOWEVER, THAT OUR PRIMARY OBJECT IS NOT TO TAKE PEOPLE TO COURT BUT TO RAISE THE SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES. WIELDING A BIG STICK MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO GO ABOUT IT. ENFORCEMENT MUST BE BACKED WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SPECIALISED SAFETY TRAINING COURSES,+ THE HEAD OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE ADDED.
A HOST OF PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES PROMOTING WORKER SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE IS ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S PUBLICITY UNIT AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE, WHICH IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING TRAINING COURSES IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FOR FACTORY INSPECTORS, SAFETY OFFICERS AND PERSONNEL AT SUPERVISORY LEVEL IN PRIVATE INDUSTRY.
THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE BEGAN ADOPTING A NEW APPROACH LAST YEAR BY COMBINING ENTERTAINMENT WITH INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PUBLICITY. THIS HAS GENERATED UNPRECEDENTED PUBLIC INTEREST IN A SERIES OF PUBLICITY EXERCISES, INCLUDING THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TELEMATCH (A 10-EPISODE TV SERIES), SIX INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PICTURE QUIZ CONTESTS, AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY GALA NIGHT AND OTHERS.
AND AN 11-DAY +SAFETY EXTRAVAGANZA*, A MULTI-VISION, AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATION MIXING EDUCATION ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY WITH ENTERTAINMENT AND PRIZES FOR AUDIENCES, WAS SO WELL-RECEIVED EARLY THIS YEAR THAT IT WAS DECIDED TO CARRY THE PROJECT TO FOUR OTHER INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.
THE CENTRE ALSO MAINTAINS A PERMANENT EXHIBITION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY DEVICES AND DEMONSTRATIONS BY SCALED-DOWN MODELS OF SAFE WORKING PRACTICE. IT HAS ALSO A *BLACK MUSEUM* IN WHICH ARE SHOWN THE REMAINS OF APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT WHICH CAUSED FATAL OR SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
THESE VIVID REMINDERS OF THE DIRE CONSEQUENCES OF UNSAFE WORKING PRACTICES AND THE PERMANENT EXHIBITS ARE LOCATED AT THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES. THIRD FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON (TEL. 3-688111 EXT. 347).
LAST YEAR, THE CENTRE CONDUCTED 255 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY COURSES FOR 7 900 PERSONS, INCLUDING 22 SPECIAL PURPOSE COURSES FOR APPRENTICES IN SEVEN FACTORIES, THREE GOVERNMENT WORKSHOPS, ONE SCHOOL AND TWO CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES.
/additionally, .........
WEDNESDAY, APBIL 21, 1982
- 5 -
ADDITIONALLY, 123 SAFETY TALKS WERE GIVEN TO 10 200 PERSONS FROM 38 ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING INSTITUTES OF HIGHER EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOLS, AND EMPLOYEES’ AND EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS.
ALL THESE COURSES ARE OFFERED AT NO COST TO THE PARTICIPANTS. THE ONLY CONTRIBUTION EMPLOYERS NEED TO MAKE IS TO RELEASE THEIR WORKERS TO ATTEND THE COURSES, WHICH MAY LAST FROM ONE TO THREE DAYS, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF SAFETY TRAINING REQUIRED.
AN EXTENSIVE REFERENCE LIBRARY ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IS ALSO MAINTAINED BY THE CENTRE, INCLUDING TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS, FILMS AND OTHER TEACHING AIDS. THESE ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO ATTEND THE COURSES.
MR CHAN SAID, +EMPLOYERS WILL FIND THE FEW HOURS THEY ’LOST’ IN PRODUCTIVITY WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST WORTHWHILE INSURANCE INVESTMENTS THEY CAN MAKE. WE INVITE ALL WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS INTERESTED IN OUR COURSES AND LECTURES TO APPROACH US THROUGH THE CENTRE.*
♦EDUCATION TO PROMOTE SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS, HOWEVER, MUST IDEALLY START AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT WE SPONSOR AN ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER COMPETITION OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS,+ HE ADDED.
LAST YEAR, 45 659 PERSONS WERE INJURED AND 141 OTHERS WERE KILLED IN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, DOWN FROM THE FIGURES OF 48 571 INJURED AND 120 KILLED IN 1980.
ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, A LARGE NUMBER OF THEM RESULTING FROM FALLS.
TO TIGHTEN WORK SAFETY PRACTICES AT HEIGHTS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS DRAFTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTRUCTION SITE (SAFETY) REGULATIONS AT HEIGHT WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED THIS YEAR.
SUPPLEMENTING THE WORK OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE IS THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION, WHICH PROVIDES AN ADVISORY SERVICE TO GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE HEALTH OF WORKERS AND THE HYGIENE OF THE WORKPLACE. IT ALSO HAS A SUPERVISORY FUNCTION IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH STANDARDS AND PRACTICE.
A PRIME RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DIVISION IS THE INVESTIGATION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS REPORTED BY THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE TO DETERMINE PREVENTIVE ACTION. IT ALSO MONITORS WORK PROCESSES THAT POSE ANY PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS, SUCH AS COTTON DUST IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY, CHROMIUM PLATING, USE OF MANGANESE, CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE IN GARAGES, SOLDERING AND OTHERS.
THE DIVISION ISSUES CERTIFICATES OF FITNESS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REGULATION FOR UNDERGROUND WORKERS.
/IT ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1982
- 6
IT ALSO ISSUES, UNDER OTHER ORDINANCES, LICENSES TO INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS FOR RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND MEDICAL CERTIFICATES FOR AIR CREW OR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS.
THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH OFFICERS AND NURSES OF THE DIVISION ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN THE ASSESSMENT AND REHABILITATION CF INJURED WORKERS AND STAFFING THE MEDICAL BOARDS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
--------o ----------
KCR TO START SIMULATION RUNS TOMORROW M ft * *
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL START SIMULATION RUNS OF THE NEW ELECTRIC TRAINS BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND SHA TIN AS FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO PREPARE FOR THE COMMISSIONING OF THE ELECTRIFIED INNER SUBURBAN SERVICE ON MAY 6.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A KCR SPOKESMAN SAID THE ELECTRIC TRAINS WILL RUN BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5.38 PM FROM APRIL 22 TO 26. AND BETWEEN 9 AM AND 10.18 PM ON APRIL 27, 29 AND 30. THERE WILL ONLY BE MORNING RUNS ON APRIL 28 BECAUSE OF A RACE MEETING AT SHA TIN THAT EVENING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT NORMAL TRAIN SERVICES MIGHT BE SLIGHTLY AFFECTED BY THE SIMULATION RUNS DURING THIS PERIOD AND KCR COMMUTERS ARE REMINDED NOT TO ATTEMPT TO BOARD THE ELECTRIC TRAINS STOPPING AT THE STATIONS.
HE ALSO WARNED THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY SCHOOL CHILDREN.
TO KEEP OFF THE TRACKS AT ALL TIMES BECAUSE TEST RUNS OF THE ELECTRIC TRAINS ARE FAST WITH A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 120 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
+YOU ARE PLAYING A DANGEROUS GAME IF YOU WALKED ON OUR TRACK BECAUSE WHEN YOU SEE AN ELECTRIC TRAIN APPROACHING IT WILL BE TOO LATE,+ THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED.
MEANWHILE, THE KCR ARE CONTINUING THEIR MASSIVE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN THROUGH THE MEDIA, RADIO AND TELEVISION WARNING THE PUBLIC OF THE DANGER OF THE HIGH VOLTAGE OVERHEAD WIRES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE KCR IS MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEREFORE +WE ARE STILL VISITING SCHOOLS NEAR THE RAILWAY TO GIVE SAFETY LECTURES SUPPLEMENTED BY FILMS AND SLIDE SHOWS.+
WARNING HE SAID.
POSTERS ARE ALSO PUT UP IN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS,
-----o------
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1982
7
REMOVAL OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN TSZ WAN SHAN * * *
GREAT IMPROVEMENT IS EXPECTED.IN THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT Or ~L!GAL structures and extensions are\emove& v?ACKLANE P0 KING LANE AND YUK WAH CRESCENT TOMORROW \ T HURSDA Y),
♦THIS IS THE SECOND PHASE OF A THREE-PHASE CLEARANCE OPERATION IN TSZ WAN SHAN WHICH IS INITIATED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ^RL^.1IS^AGEM£NT COMMITTEE,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE WONG
♦A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN HIRED TO DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURES.*
HE EXPLAINED THAT SUFFICIENT NOTICE HAS ALREADY BEEN TO THE OWNERS TO MOVE OUT BEFORE THE CLEARANCE.
ILLEGAL
GIVEN
THE OPERATION HAS BEEN CO-ORDINATED BY THE WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE. ASSISTED BY THE URBAN SERVICES AND FIRE SERVICES D4Pl1RCTEMENTS' CR0WN LA^DS and SURVEY OFFICE, HIGHWAYS OFFICE AND THE
AFTER THE CLEARANCE, THE SURFACE OF THE BACKLANE WILL BE REPAVED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
- - 0 - -
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT * * * *
THE SECTION OF HEALTHY STREET EAST, NORTH OF JAVA ROAD WILL BE TURNED INTO A PROHIBITED ZONE FOR ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSEs’from ID AM OH FRIDAY (APRIL 23) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
to turVih?ST^nS„^h,cles from TH,T SECTIM “ILL «ot be ALLOWED »v iunn imu java KU AU,
0 -
/8
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1982
8
LAMMA ISLAND TO HOLD TREE PLANTING DAY ft ft ft
SOME 100 STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS OF LAMMA ISLAND WILL TAKE DART IN A TREE PLANTING DAY ON FRIDAY (APRIL 23) IN SUPPORT CF THE CURRENT MEI FA PHASE OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.
THE DISTRICT-WIDE TREE PLANTING DAY, WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND SPONSORED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, WILL BE HELD AT THE LAMMA SOUTH COMMUNITY CENTRE, SOK KWU WAN, LAMMA ISLAND.
A TOTAL OF 70 ALEURITES MOLUCCANA WILL BE PLANTED DURING THE CEREMONY.
THE EXERCISE IS AIMED AT ENLISTING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO HELP MAKE THEIR ENVIRONMENT MORE ATTRACTIVE, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD.
THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JIMMY SWEETMAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY AND PLANT A YOUNG TREE TO HIGHLIGHT THE EVENT.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE TREE PLANTING ACTIVITIES WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, ISLANDS, MR RICKY FUNG, THE CHAIRMAN OF LAMMA ISLAND (SOUTH) RURAL COMMITTEE, MR CHAU YUK-TONG, AND THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER, ISLANDS, MR LAW TAK-LAU.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT TREE PLANTING DAY TO BE HELD AT THE LAMMA SOUTH COMMUNITY CENTRE, SOK KWU WAN, LAMMA ISLAND, ON FRIDAY (APRIL 23) AT 10.15 AM.
------0-------
YAU MA TEI DB TO HOLD SECOND MEETING ft ft ft ft
THE RE-ORDERING OF ON-STREET COOKED FOOD STALLS IN YAU MA TEI AND THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY ON THE LUNCH SITUATION FOR TSIM SHA TSUI WORKERS WILL BE AMONG TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE SECOND MEETING OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY (APRIL 23).
DURING THE MEETING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER A PROPOSAL TO RESITE THE COOKED FOOD STALLS TO A TEMPORARY SITE AT WOOSUNG STREET, AND SUGGESTIONS TO PROVIDE BETTER LUNCH FACILITIES IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS WAYS TO MAKE GOOD THE LOSS OF -DOOR RECREATION FACILITIES DUE TO THE IMPENDING CLOSURE OF THE i^DOOR SPORTS CENTRE AT THE HUNG HOM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK.
/ON OTHER .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1982
- 9 -
ON OTHER MATTERS, BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS TO BE INTRODUCED AT AUSTIN ROAD AND THE PROGRESS OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURAL COMPLEX PROJECT.
PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE AND THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SECOND MEETING OF THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU MA TEI CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490-492 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON ON FRIDAY (APRIL 23) AT 3.30 PM.
------o-------
NT CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN EXHIBITION ft ft ft ft
AN EXHIBITION ON THE WORK OF THE CURRENT CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE MOUNTED AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL BETWEEN FRIDAY (APRIL 23) AND MONDAY (APRIL 26).
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IS AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THROUGH AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS AT THE EXHIBITION, VISITORS WILL LEARN OF THE EFFORTS SPENT IN CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS TO CLEAR VARIOUS LITTER-RIDDEN BLACKSPOTS IN THE NEW TOWNS, RURAL AREAS, BEACHES AND HEAVILY-POLLUTED RIVER COURSES.
OTHER MATERIALS WILL INCLUDE PICTURES ON MEASURES ADOPTED TO MAKE WELL-WATER SAFE FOR DRINKING, ANTI-MOSQUITO CAMPAIGNS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECTS SUCH AS FOOD HYGIENE.
ALSO ON DISPLAY WILL BE THE PRIZE-WINNING AND OUTSTANDING ENTRIES OF THE RURAL CLEANSING DESIGN COMPETITION HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN. THESE WILL INCLUDE MODELS AND SKETCHES OF LITTER BINS, VILLAGE-TYPE PUBLIC TOILETS AND REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS.
ATTRACTIVE AND BRIGHTLY COLOURED MURAL PAINTINGS ON THE THEME OF ’CLEAN HONG KONG’ BY A GROUP OF SAI KUNG SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED.
THE OPENING HOURS OF THE FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION AT THE EXHIBITION GALLERY OF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ARE FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM DAILY. ADMISSION IS FREE.
SIMILAR EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE MAIN HALL OF YUEN LONG TOWN HALL BETWEEN MAY 7 AND 10 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE TOWN HALL.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1982
10
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER MM**
SEVERAL TRAFFIC LANES ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 23) FOR DRAINAGE WORKS.
THEY AREl
* THE EASTBOUND TRAFFIC LANE OF THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER LEADING FROM KOWLOON CITY INTERCHANGE NEAR THE JUNCTION OF ARGYLE STREET AND STIRLING ROAD ONTO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST NEAR KAI TAK ROAD-
* THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC LANE OF THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER LEADING FROM KOWLOON CITY INTERCHANGE NEAR TAK KU LING ROAD ONTO ARGYLE STREET NEAR STIRLING ROAD- AND
* THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC LANE OF THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FLYOVER LEADING FROM KOWLOON CITY INTERCHANGE NEAR TAK KU LING ROAD ONTO MA TAU CHUNG ROAD NEAR FU NING STREET.
DURING THE CLOSURE, EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FROM ARGYLE STREET FOR SAN PO KONG, WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FROM SAN PO KONG FOR ARGYLE STREET AND WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FROM SAN PO KONG FOR MA TAU CHUNG ROAD CAN PROCEED ON GROUND LEVEL ROADS AS USUAL, AND WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HEAVIER PENALTY FOR KLDNaPPING................................. 1
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES COORDINATION MEETING ..................... 1
NE# TEN-CENT COIN FROM JULY 2 ................................. 2
SIR PHILIP VISITS POST OFFICE.................................. 3
EXPERT'S REPORT DUE SHORTLY ................................... 4
HONG KONG SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS, 1970-1980 ............... 4
VIOLET PEEL CLINIC MOVES ...................................... 5
TEMPORARY CURTAILMENT OF TRAM SERVICES ........................ 6
NE# ADDRESSES FOR SOME JUDICIARY OFFICES ...................... 7
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL...................... 7
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1982
1
HEAVIER PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPING * * *
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR LINE WITH THE PUNISHMENT FOR OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSONS
KIDNAPPING WILL BE BROUGHT INTO OTHER SERIOUS CRIMES UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
A BILL SEEKING TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FROM A PRISON TERM OF FOURTEEN YEARS TO IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT SEVERAL HIGH COURT JUDGES, «HILE PASSING SENTENCE IN SEPARATE CASES OF KIDNAPPING OF JUVENILES, SUGGESTED THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY SHOULD BE RAISED. THE CALL HAS BEEN REPEATED AND SUPPORTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS AIMED AT SETTING THE RIGHT LEVEL OF PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE WHO HAD COMMITTED WHAT WAS REGARDED UNIVERSALLY AS A DESPICABLE CRIME AND THUS SHOULD PROVIDE A GREATER DETERRENT. KIDNAPPING WAS RECOGNISED TO BE A CRIME WITH THE MOST SERIOUS - AND SOMETIMES FATAL - CONSEQUENCES FOR THE VICTIMS, AND THOSE IMMEDIATELY AROUND THEM.
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DEVELOPING COUNTRIES COORDINATION MEETING *****
THE TOMORROW
COMMISSIONER OF TRADE, MR LAWRENCE MILLS, WILL BE LEAVING (FRIDAY) NIGHT FOR EUROPE TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE DEVELOPING TEXTILES EXPORTING COUNTRIES TO BE HELD IN GENEVA THROUGHOUT NEXT WEEK.
MR MILLS WILL BE JOINED BY THE COUNSELLOR FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS (GENEVA), MR T.H. CHAU AND THE COUNSELLOR FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS (BRUSSELS), MR N.C.M. YEK.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE SAID TODAY THAT AT THE MEETING THE DEVELOPING TEXTILES EXPORTING COUNTRIES WOULD DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF COORDINATING THEIR POSITIONS IN READINESS FOR THEIR FORTHCOMING BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE MAJOR TEXTILES IMPORTING COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.
THE COMMUNITY HAS ADOPTED A VERY RESTRICTIVE MANDATE FOR SUCH BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS, INCLUDING DEMANDS FOR MEASURES WHICH, IN THE VIEW OF THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, ARE NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT. THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WILL DISCUSS HOW SUCH DEMANDS CAN BE RESISTED, AND WILL ALSO CONSIDER A NUMBER OF OTHER TRADE-RELATED ISSUES.
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1982
2
NEW TEN-CENT COIN FROM JULY 2
* * * *
THE NEW TEN-CENT COIN, WHICH IS SMALLER AND LIGHTER THAN THE PRESENT COIN, WILL BE INTRODUCED IN JULY. THE GOVERNOR HAS, BY A PROCLAMATION WHICH WILL APPEAR IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW, FIXED JULY 2 AS THE DATE FROM WHICH THE COINS WILL BE LEGAL TENDER FOR ANY AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING TWO DOLLARS.
IN 1974, ON THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COINAGE REVIEW COMMITTEE SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED A PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE TEN-CENT COIN WHEN THE FIVE-CENT COIN PLAYED A LESS SIGNIFICANT PART IN THE CURRENCY SYSTEM.
THE REVERSE OF THE NEW TEN-CENT COIN WILL PROMINENTLY DISPLAY THE ARABIC NUMERAL +10+ IN THE CENTRE. THE OBVERSE WILL CARRY THE SAME PORTRAIT OF THE QUEEN AS ON ALL THE COINS INTRODUCED IN RECENT YEARS ($5, $2, $1, 50 CENT AND 20 CENT).
THE NEW ROUND COIN WILL STILL BE IN NICKEL BRASS (79 PER CENT COPPER, 20 PER CENT ZINC, 1 PER CENT NICKEL) BUT WILL HAVE A PLAIN INSTEAD OF MILLED EDGE. IT WILL HAVE A DIAMETER OF 17.50 MM, A THICKNESS OF 1.15 MM AT THE EDGE AND WEIGHT OF 1.85 GRAMS (COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT COIN’S 20.57 MM, 1.85 MM AND 4.54 GRAMS RESPECTIVELY).
THE OLD TEN-CENT COINS WILL BE WITHDRAWN AS THEY PASS THROUGH THE BANKS. THERE ARE AT PRESENT 546 MILLION TEN-CENT COINS IN CIRCULATION BUT IT IS THOUGHT THAT A LARGE PROPORTION HAVE BEEN PERMANENTLY LOST.
THE DATE AFTER WHICH THE EXISTING COINS WILL NO LONGER BE LEGAL TENDER HAS NOT YET BEEN FIXED. THIS WILL BE DONE WHEN THERE ARE SUFFICIENT NEW DESIGN TEN-CENT COINS IN CIRCULATION TO MEET PUBLIC DEMAND FOR THIS CURRENCY UNIT AND WHEN IT APPEARS THAT THE NUMBER OF OLD COINS ACTUALLY IN CIRCULATION IS NO LONGER SIGNIFICANT IN CASH TRANSACTIONS.
GOOD NOTICE OF THE DATE WHEN THE OLD COIN WILL CEASE TO BE LEGAL TENDER WILL BE GIVEN, SO THAT THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN COINS TO THE BANKS.
0--------
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1982
- 3 -
SIR PHILIP VISITS POST OFFICE
M * *
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, VISITED THE POST OFFICE THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON FOR A FIRST HAND LOOK AT THE DEPARTMENT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR A.C. HEATHCOTE, SIR PHILIP SAW THE WORK OF THE FREQUENCY MANAGEMENT AND TV MONITORING SECTIONS, COUNTER SERVICES AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND ALSO POSTAL OPERATIONS AT THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE IN HUNG HOM.
ONE OF THE MAIN FEATURES OF FREQUENCY MANAGEMENT IN HONG KONG IS TO ENSURE THAT RADIO FREQUENCIES ARE ALLOCATED, AND THE POWER OF TRANSMISSION CONTROLLED, TO AVOID MUTUAL INTERFERENCE OR TO THE SYSTEMS OPERATING IN NEIGHBOURING TERRITORIES, SIR PHILIP WAS TOLD.
THE TV MONITORING SECTION, HE LEARNED, WAS PRIMARILY TO MONITOR THE PRODUCTION AND TRANSMISSION QUALITY OF BROADCASTS BY THE TELEVISION COMPANIES. IT ALSO PROVIDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE PLANNING OF TELEVISION AND SOUND BROADCAST SYSTEMS IN HONG KONG.
SIR PHILIP VISITED THE GPO COUNTER AND THE POPULAR PHILATELIC COUNTER ON THE 1ST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE.
BUILT AT A COST OF $57.1 MILLION, THE CENTRE IS EQUIPPED WITH SOPHISTICATED MECHANISATION SYSTEMS FOR THE HANDLING OF ALL INWARD AND OUTWARD INTERNATIONAL MAIL AND COLLECTIONS FROM STREET LETTER BOXES IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES AREAS.
THE FACILITIES AT THE CENTRE ENABLE THE POST OFFICE TO MAINTAIN A HIGH STANDARD OF SERVICE AND TO COPE WITH THE EVER-INCREASING VOLUME OF MAIL WHICH HAS BEEN EXPANDING AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 13 PER CENT PER ANNUM OVER THE PAST DECADE.
LAST YEAR, SIR PHILIP WAS TOLD, THE POST OFFICE HANDLED 470 MILLION POSTAL ITEMS. A PUBLIC COUNTER WAS OPENED AT THE CENTRE ON APRIL 1 TO SERVE THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AREA.
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A ...
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1982
it
EXPERT’S REPORT DUE SHORTLY * * *
A PRELIMINARY REPORT IS EXPECTED WITHIN A FEW WEEKS WHICH COULD PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR A FULL-SCALE CONSULTANCY ON HONG KONG’S QUALITY CERTIFICATION SERVICES AND THE ACCREDITATION OF TESTING LABORATORIES, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR BILL DORWARD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE REPORT, BEING PRODUCED BY THE REGISTRAR OF THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TESTING AUTHORITIES, WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS LAST MONTH WITH REPRESENTATIVES CF TESTING LABORATORIES, INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
ADDRESSING A LUNCH MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFICATION LABORATORIES LTD. TODAY, MR DORWARD SAID, +YOUR ASSOCIATION WILL INCREASINGLY PUT ITS MARK ON THE EVOLUTION OF QUALITY CERTIFICATION - A FIELD WHERE WE LOOK FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COMING YEARS, WITH INPUTS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR GENERALLY, YOUR ASSOCIATION IN PARTICULAR, AND FROM THE GOVERNMENT.*
REFERRING TO THE WINNING DESIGN IN A LOGO COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE ASSOCIATION, MR DORWARD NOTED, + IT IS TRIANGULAR, SYMBOLISING THE TRIPARTITE RELATIONSHIP IN THIS FIELD OF GOVERNMENT, MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AND THE TESTING LABORATORIES. THE THREE SECTORS ARE INTERDEPENDENT AND WORKING TOGETHER.
+1 AM CONFIDENT THEY WILL CARRY FORWARD THIS IMPORTANT WORK SO NECESSARY AS PART OF THE CONTINUAL PROCESS OF UPGRADING ON WHICH OUR EXPORTING FUTURE MUST DEPEND,* HE ADDED.
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HONG KONG SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS, 1970-1980 * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS JUST PUBLISHED A HANDBOOK SETTING OUT IN CONCISE FORM THE MAJOR STATISTICS MOST DESCRIPTIVE OF THE MAIN TRENDS OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG OVER THE ELEVEN-YEAR PERIOD 1970-1980.
THE PUBLICATION CONTAINS 143 TABLES AND 53 GRAPHS AND CHARTS, TOGETHER WITH DETAILED EXPLANATORY NOTES ON SOURCES AND COVERAGE.
THE PRESENT EDITION IS THE FOURTH IN THE SERIES. THE LAST ONE WAS PRODUCED IN 1978 , COVERING THE YEARS 1967-1977.
A NUMBER OF CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE PRESENTATION AND CONTENT, THE MOST IMPORTANT BEING THAT STATISTICS WHICH HAVE BECOME AVAILABLE ONLY IN RECENT YEARS HAVE ALSO BEEN INCLUDED.
/EXAMPLES ARE........
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1982
5
EXAMPLES ARE THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION ON ’DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES AND SERVICES’ AND THE INCORPORATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE RECENT CENSUSES AND SURVEYS SUCH AS THE 1978 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, THE 1979 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATES SECTOR, THE 1979 SURVEY OF THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS AND THE 1981 POPULATION CENSUS.
THE PUBLICATION IS NOW ON SALE AT $30 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
-----0------
VIOLET PEEL CLINIC MOVES * * *
THE VIOLET PEEL OUTPATIENT CLINIC AND THE METHADONE CENTRE AT SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND WILL MOVE INTO TEMPORARY PREMISES EARLY NEXT MONTH AFTER MORE THAN 45 YEARS OF PROVIDING OUTPATIENT SERVICES IN WAN CHAI.
THE MOVE IS NECESSITATED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ISLAND LINE.
WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 3, THE VIOLET PEEL CLINIC WILL BE ACCOMMODATED IN A SPECIALLY BUILT STRUCTURE AT ADMIRALTY EAST IN HARCOURT ROAD, NEXT TO THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND ADMIRALTY CENTRE, OPPOSITE THE HONG KONG RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE METHADONE CLINIC AT VIOLET PEEL WILL ALSO MOVE TO A NEW ADDRESS WITH EFFECT FROM SUNDAY (APRIL 25) AT NO. 219 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST IN WAN CHAI.
BOTH CLINICS WILL BE RELOCATED AT SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND WHEN A NEW COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY COMPLEX AT THE MTR STATION CONCOURSE IS COMPLETED IN MID-1986.
THE VIOLET PEEL CLINIC, BUILT IN THE LATE 193O'S, NOW SERVES ABOUT 1 000 PATIENTS EACH DAY AND HAS PROVIDED IMPORTANT MEDICAL SERVICES TO RESIDENTS IN WAN CHAI FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES.
IN ADDITION TO GENERAL OUTPATIENT CONSULTATIONS. PROVIDES A COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE.
THE CLINIC
BOTH SERVICES WILL CONTINUE AT THE TEMPORARY CLINIC AT ADMIRALTY EAST.
THE METHADONE CLINIC, WHICH WAS SET UP IN 1975, CATERS TO ABOUT 850 PATIENTS EACH DAY.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1982
6
TEMPORARY CURTAILMENT OF TRAM SERVICES
*****
TRAM SERVICES WILL BE CURTAILED THIS SATURDAY (APRIL 24) FOR WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ISLAND LINE.
HOWEVER, TRAM SERVICES BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND HAPPY VALLEY WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
THE DEPARTURE TIME OF THE LAST TRAMS IN OTHER SECTIONS WILL BEi
WESTBOUND TRAMS
FROM
SHAU KEI WAN
NORTH POINT
NORTH POINT HAPPY VALLEY
HAPPY VALLEY
HAPPY VALLEY EASTBOUND TRAMS
FROM
KENNEDY TOWN
WHITTY STREET
WHITTY STREET WESTERN MARKET WESTERN MARKET WESTERN MARKET
TO
WESTERN MARKET WHITTY STREET WESTERN MARKET KENNEDY TOWN WHITTY STREET WESTERN MARKET
TO
HAPPY VALLEY NORTH POINT HAPPY VALLEY SHAU KEI WAN NORTH POINT HAPPY VALLEY
DEPARTURE TIME
10.50 PM
11.03 PM
11.03 PM
11.10 PM
11.10 PM
11.10 PM
DEPARTURE TIME
11.43 PM
11.38 PM
11.49 PM
11.30 PM
11.46 PM
11.57 PM
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/7 .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1982
NEW ADDRESSES FOR SOME JUDICIARY OFFICES x x x x
SEVERAL OFFICES OF THE JUDICIARY WILL OPERATE AT NEW ADDRESSES FROM MONDAY (APRIL 26).
THE SUPREME COURT’S BAILIFFS OFFICE IN MURRAY HOUSE AND THE BAILIFF SUMMONS OFFICE IN FIRE BRIGADE BUILDING WILL MOVE TO ROOM 404, HANG CHONG BUILDING, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
THE COURT INTERPRETERS OFFICE, THE OATHS OFFICE AND THE COURT TRANSLATIONS OFFICE IN MURRAY HOUSE AND THE LAW REPORTS EDITING OFFICE AND THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE IN HANG CHONG BUILDING WILL MOVE TO UNIT B3, UNITED CENTRE, NINTH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE OFFICES WILL CHANGE TO i
SUPREME COURT’S BAILIFFS OFFICE 5-233574
BAILIFF SUMMONS OFFICE 5-222801
COURT INTERPRETERS OFFICE )
OATHS OFFICE j 5-296088
COURT TRANSLATIONS OFFICE )
LAW REPORTS EDITING OFFICE 5-296139
COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE 5-296136
(SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER)
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL * * * *
THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT PLACE IN CENTRAL BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND HARBOUR VIEW STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 24) FOR PIPE LAYING WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES HEADING FOR THE PLB TERMINUS BETWEEN CONNAUGHT CENTRE AND CENTRAL BUS STATION WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HARBOUR VIEW STREET, WHICH WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY EASTBOUND.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO LAST ABOUT ONE MONTH.
- o
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NT LICENCE AND PERMIT PEES REVISED........................ 1
HONG KONG — A PLACE OP OPPORTUNITIES ..................... 3
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1982 .................... 5
INDOOR GAMES HALL FOR KWAI CHUNG ......................... 6
DB MEMBERS URGED TO SERVE DISTRICT +AS A WHOLE*- ......... 7
NEWS TRANSLATION WORKSHOP ................................ 8
TEXTILES ARE MAINSTAY OF ECONOMY, TICD CHIEF SAYS ........ 9
TV STARS TO HELP PUSH VOTING............................. 10
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE AIRPORT FLYOVER................. 10
RABIES INFECTED AxLlx REDUCED ........................... 11
ISLANDS TREE PLANTING DAY ............................... 11
RESITING OF YAU MA TEI COOKED FOOD STALLS ............... 12
MAKING THE BEST USE OF COMMUNITY AREAS .................. 13
NEV GUIDE TO PROMOTE USE OF CHINESE...................... 13
FOUR LOTS CROWN LAND TO BE OFFERED ....................... U
PERMANENT DISPLAY OF CHINESE TEACHING MATERIALS .. ,..... 14
FIRING PRACTICE WARNING ... ............................. 15
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
1
NT LICENCE AND PERMIT FEES REVISED ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED AN INCREASE OF FEES FOR A NUMBER «.D.L SEu?!.S/ND PERM,TS ISSUED IN the NEW TERRITORIES UNDER THE AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE AND PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT ORDINANCE WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 1.
REVISED FEES, WHICH APPLY TO GENERAL RESTAURANTS, LIGHT REFRESHMENT RESTAURANTS, FOOD FACTORIES AND OTHER FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, FACTORY CANTEENS, FRESH PROVISION SHOPS, SIU MEI AND LO MEI SHOPS, OFFENSIVE TRADES, SWIMMING POOLS, CINEMAS OR THEATRES, PUBLIC BOWLING ALLEYS. PUBLIC TABLE TENNIS OR BILLIARD SALOONS AND PUBLIC SKATING RINKS, ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE INCREASES BRING THE FEES IN LINE WITH THOSE IN THE URBAN AREA AND COVER MOST OF THE COST OF PROVIDING THE LICENSING SERVICES, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE MAJORITY OF LICENCE FEES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE 1976 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME RESTAURANT LICENCE FEES WHICH WERE INCREASED IN 1979 AND FACTORY CANTEEN LICENCES WHICH WERE FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1980.
THE SPOKESMAN REVEALED THAT NEW LICENCE FEES REPRESENTED A FLAT RATE CHARGE PER SQUARE METRE FOR FOOD PREMISES, TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SLIDING SCALE OF CHARGES WHICH SUBSIDISES SMALL OPERATORS AT THE EXPENSE OF LARGER BUSINESSES.
THE RATIONALE FOR THIS WAS TO STANDARDISE THE BASIS OF THE CHARGES SO THAT THE LARGER PREMISES WOULD NOT BE SUBSIDISING THE SMALLER ONES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MUCH OF THE LARGE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN FEES APPLICABLE TO SMALL FOOD PREMISES RESULTS FROM THE REMOVAL OF THIS SUBSIDY, AND THE INCREASE IN MONEY TERMS IS STILL LESS THAN FOR LARGE PREMISES.
IN RELATION TO THE ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS OF SUCH BUSINESSES, THE INCREASE IS SMALL AND IS NOT LIKELY TO CAUSE HARDSHIP TO THE OPERATORS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE REVISED AND EXISTING ANNUAL FEES OF VARIOUS LICENCES AND PERMITSi
EXISTING FEES REVISED FEES
GENERAL AND MARINE RESTAURANT $200 - $35 000 $840 - $42 000
LIGHT REFRESHMENT RESTAURANT $150 - $5 000 $600 - $30 000
FOOD FACTORY $200 - $3 000 $840 - $42 □00
/FBCZES CONFIETIC® ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
•» 2 -
FROZEN CONFECTION FACTORY 1200 - 13 000 $840 - $42 000
MILK FACTORY $200 - 13 000 $840 - $42 000
BAKERY 1150 - 11 500 $600 - $30 000
COLD STORES |1 000 - $3 000 $1 680 - $42 000
FACTORY CANTEENS 1150 - 15 000 $600 - $30 000
FRESH PROVISION SHOP
- PORK $500 $800
- BEEF $500 $800
- MUTTON $500 $800
- FISH (INCLUDING LIVE FISH) $500 $800
- POULTRY (INCLUDING LIVE POULTRY) $500 $800
- REPTILES $500 $800
- MAXIMUM FEE $2 000 $3 200
SIU MEI AND LO MEI SHOP $300 $600
PERMITS
- TO SELL FOOD BY MEANS OF A MACHINE $120 $300
- ALL OTHER PERMITS $50 $120
TRADE AND OTHER LICENCES
- SWIMMING POOL $200 $1 200
- OFFENSIVE TRADE $500 $1 125
- PUBLIC BOWLING ALLEY $300 $375 (PER LANE)
- PUBLIC TABLE TENNIS SALOON $300 $450
- PUBLIC SKATING RINK $300 $450
- PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOON $300 (PER TABLE) $750 (PER TABLE)
- PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT (EXCL. THEATRE/CINEMA) $10 - $1 000 $20 - $2 400
- THEATRE/CINEMA LICENCE $1 000 - $1 500 $2 400 - $3 600
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
3
HONG KONG — A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITIES ******
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR BILL DORWARD SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT INSTEAD OF MERELY COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SHABBY TREATMENT WE RECEIVE FROM SOME OF OUR MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, WE SHOULD MAKE GREATER EFFORT +TO BRING HOME TO THEM THE SCOPE AND SIZE OF THE BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY CAN AND DO ENJOY IN HONG KONG*.
IN THIS WAY, HE SAID, PERHAPS THE ADVANTAGES OF ENLIGHTENED SELF INTEREST OVER POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY WILL GRADUALLY SINK IN.
+WE CAN, AFTER ALL, ONLY BUY WITH WHAT WE EARN FROM WHAT WE SELL,* HE SAID.
IN AN ADDRESS TO THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE CF HONG KONG, MR DORWARD SAID THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE VIEWED BY OTHER COUNTRIES NOT AS A THREAT, BUT AS AN OPPORTUNITY WAITING AND WILLING TO BE EXPLOITED.
HE SAID, +FROM ITS BEGINNINGS, HONG KONG HAS BEEN A FACILITY FOR USE BY OTHERS. THE RECENT DRAMATIC RESURGENCE IN OUR RE-EXPORT TRADE REMINDS US FORCIBLY OF OUR ORIGINS. IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, RE-EXPORTS HAVE INCREASED OVER 400 PER CENT AND IN 1981 WERE WORTH 142 000 MILLION.
♦THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS REPRESENTED BY RE-EXPORTS REACHED MORE THAN ONE-THIRD BY 1981 WHEREAS FIVE YEARS AGO THEY WERE AROUND ABOUT ONE QUARTER.
♦THIS TRADE EMPHASISES THE VALUE OF HONG KONG TO THE MAJOR TRADING NATIONS OF THE WORLD. NO ONE CAN QUANTIFY TO WHAT EXTENT IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE ANYWAY OR TO WHAT EXTENT IT IS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE EXISTENCE OF HONG KONG. BUT IT IS SURELY BEYOND DOUBT THAT THE FACILITIES OF OUR COMMUNITY MADE IT EASIER, MORE EFFICIENT AND ALMOST CERTAINLY MORE PROFITABLE FOR ALL CONCERNED.
♦ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT AREA OF OPPORTUNITY, AND ONE WHICH STILL OFFERS CONSIDERABLE SCOPE FOR EXPANSION,♦ SAID MR DORWARD, ♦IS THE FACILITY HONG KONG OFFERS AS A MANUFACTURING BASE.*
HE OUTLINED THE PATTERN OF OVERSEAS PRESENCE IN HONG KONG INDUSTRY, REVEALED IN A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE SURVEY FOUND THAT AMERICAN OWNED FACTORIES EXPORTED ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF THEIR PRODUCTION. THE JAPANESE FACTORIES, BY CONTRAST, MADE ONLY SLIGHTLY MORE THAN HALF OF THEIR SALES OVERSEAS, THE LOCAL MARKET TAKING 45 PER CENT-AND ONLY ABOUT FIVE PER CENT OF THEIR TOTAL SALES WERE EXPORTED TO JAPAN.
♦THIS LAST FACT RATHER UNDERMINES THE THEORY WE HAD BEEN EVOLVING THAT ONE WAY TO BOOST OUR EXPORTS TO JAPAN WAS TO STIMULATE JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG INDUSTRY.♦
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT JAPANESE PARTICIPATION IN HONG KONG INDUSTRY REMAINED VERY WELCOME AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE A PRIME AIM OF HONG KONG’S PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES.
/♦THESE ACTIVITIES, .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
- 4 -
♦THESE ACTIVITIES, IN JAPAN AND ELSEWHERE, WILL, I HOPE, INCREASINGLY SPREAD AWARENESS AMONG OVERSEAS INDUSTRIALISTS OF THE OPPORTUNITIES WHICH HONG KONG OFFERS THEM.+
MR DORWARD CAUTIONED THAT AT THIS TIME OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA, WE MUST BE CONSCIOUS OF THE UNDERSTANDABLE SENSITIVITIES, AMONG BOTH BUSINESSMEN AND WORKERS, AT ANYTHING WHICH MIGHT SUGGEST THAT THEY WERE BEING INDUCED TO EXPORT SOME OF THEIR REMAINING JOBS.
♦THE ANSWER WE GIVE TO THAT ALLEGATION IS THAT WE OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCTION- FOR THE EXPANSION OF SALES IN MARKETS WHICH COULD NOT BE SERVED, FOR REASONS OF DISTANCE OR COMPETITIVENESS, FROM THE HOME BASED OPERATION-AND FOR THE INCORPORATION OF COMPONENTS FROM THE PARENT UNIT IN A NEW RANGE OF PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED HERE,* HE SAID.
HE MENTIONED THE UNITED KINGDOM AS AN EXAMPLE TO ILLUSTRATE THE OPPORTUNITIES HONG KONG OFFERED AS A MARKET IN ITS OWN RIGHT.
ON A PER CAPITA BASIS, HE SAID, THE UK PERFORMANCE IN THIS MARKET WAS REALLY QUITE REMARKABLE. IN 1980 HONG KONG TOOK 105 POUNDS STERLING WORTH OF BRITISH GOODS FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD IN THIS COMMUNITY. BY COMPARISON, THE FRG, WHICH IS BRITAIN’S BIGGEST EXPORT MARKET, TOOK ONLY 89 POUNDS STERLING PER CAPITA. AND BRITISH EXPORTS TO HONG KONG LAST YEAR WERE HIGHER THAN THOSE TO JAPAN, WHICH HAS 20 TIMES OUR POPULATION.
♦EVEN THESE REMARKABLE FIGURES DO NOT TELL THE FULL STORY. FOR EXAMPLE, SINCE 1978, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 22 SHIPS HAVE BEEN ORDERED FOR HONG KONG OWNERS IN BRITISH YARDS.+
CATHAY PACIFIC, WHICH IS THE ONLY MAJOR AIRLINE IN THE WORLD COMPLETELY USING ROLLS-ROYCE-ENG INES HAS BOUGHT 34 MAIN ENGINES, PLUS SPARES, FOR ITS 747 AND TRI-STAR FLEET.
THESE PURCHASES TAKEN TOGETHER WITH ROLLING STOCK, POWER SIGNALLING EQUIPMENT FOR THE MTR AND KCR, POWER STATION GENERATING PLANT, BUSES, FERRIES AND BUILDING EQUIPMENT HAVE BEEN WORTH SOMETHING LIKE 1 400 MILLION POUNDS STERLING OR HKS14 420 MILLION (AT THE CURRENT EXCHANGE RATE) OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, HE SAID.
♦THESE FIGURES REFLECT MUCH CREDIT ON BRITISH INDUSTRY, AND ON THE EFFORTS WHICH HAD BEEN MADE BY SOME VERY DEDICATED REPRESENTATIVES TO BOOST SALES IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD. THERE IS CLEARLY MUCH MORE TO BE DONE, NOT MERELY BY THE BRITISH, BUT BY OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE TENDED TO UNDERESTIMATE THE DIMENSIONS OF THIS MARKET.
♦THAT HONG KONG AS A MARKET SHOULD BE UNDERESTIMATED IS PERHAPS NOT SURPRISING. WITHOUT SOME SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF ITS POSSIBILITIES, IT WOULD BE EASY FOR SOMEONE IN EUROPE OR NORTH AMERICA TO BE DAZZLED BY THE RELATIVE SIZE OF OTHER MARKETS, BOTH IN TERMS OF GEOGRAPHICAL AREA AND POPULATION, RUT THE FACT IS THAT FOR MANUFACTURES HONG KONG RATES AS THE 15TH LARGEST IMPORT MARKET IN THE WORLD- THE 10TH LARGEST. IF THE EEC COUNTRIES ARE TAKEN AS ONE BLOC- AND THE FIFTH LARGEST IN THE WORLD ON A PER CAPITA BASIS.
♦THE MARKET IS NOT ONLY ILARGE, BUT FAST GROWING. IN THE FIVE YEARS 1976 TO 1980, WORLD TRADE GREW BY NEARLY 100 PER CENT. HONG KONG IMPORTS GREW BY OVER 150 PER CENT,+ MR DORWARD SAID.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
- 5 -
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1982 ******
DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBL I S
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1982. THE CONSUMER PRICE
<A> AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR MARCH 1982 WERE IL AND 126 RESPECTIVELY, EACH BEING THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE PRECED i I MONTH.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1981, CPI (A) INCREASED BY 1 POINTS OR 12.4 PER CENT AND CPI (B) BY 13 POINTS OR 11.5 PER CENT.
DURING MARCH, DECREASES IN FOOD PRICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF LIVE POULTRY, FRESH VEGETABLES AND SALT-WATER FISH, WERE OFFSET TO A LARGE EXTENT BY INCREASES IN OTHER COMMODITY PRICES AND SERVICE CHARGES.
THE CPI (A) AND CPI (B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS CF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG. WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1979/80 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. AT THAT TIME, THE CPI (A) REFERRED TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN 11 000 AND 13 499 A MONTH AND THE CPI (B) TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN S3 500 AND S6 499 A MONTH.
THE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1982 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR FEBRUARY 1982 AND MARCH 1981.
COMMODITY/ GIVEN BELOW,
(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE - 100)
SECTION MAR 81 CPI (A) CPI (B)
FEB 82 MAR 82 MAR 81 FEB 82 MAR 82
FOODSTUFFS 115 131 130 115 131 130
HOUSING 109 121 121 109 121 121
FUEL AND LIGHT 135 136 137 136 137 138
ALCOHOLIC 111 DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 123 124 110 122 122
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 111 122 123 111 122 123
DURABLE GOODS 105 108 109 105 110 110
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 107 120 120 107 117 117
/TRANSPORT AND........
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
6
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 115 137 137 116 134 134
SERVICES 114 129 130 114 129 129
ALL ITEMS 113 127 127 113 126 126
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY ONE POINT IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B). REDUCTIONS WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF LIVE POULTRY. FRESH VEGETABLES, SALT-WATER FISH AND FRESH FRUITS, AS A RESULT OF SLACKENED DEMAND FOR LIVE POULTRY AND INCREASED SUPPLY OF THE OTHERS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE CHARGES FOR MEALS BOUGHT IN RESTAURANTS WENT UP. THE EFFECT OF THE MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.
HIGHER CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY CAUSED THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT TO INCREASE BY ONE POINT IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B).
THE ONE-POINT INCREASE IN THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR IN BOTH CPI (A) AND CPI (B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR OUTERCLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN CPI (A) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND PACKAGE TOURS.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT* FOR MARCH 1982, WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE AT 13 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
--------o
INDOOR GAMES HALL FOH KWAI CHUNG
NX *
AN INDOOR GAMES HALL IS TO BE BUh.T AT WO Yl HOP ROAD KWAI CHUNG, NEXT TO A NEW SWIMMING POCi. COMPLEX BY THE SI DI OF SHEK YAM ESTATE.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BL ILDI NG DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOP. THE CAISSON FOUNDATION WORK OF THE ABOVE PROJECT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAI 5 THAT THE NEW INDOOR GAMES HALL WOULD HAVE ONE 36 METRE X 36 METRE GAMES HALL, THREE SQUASH COURTS, TWO GAMES ROOMS SPECTATOR STANDS AND CHANGING FACILITIES.
THE CAISSON FOUNDATION WORK WILL FTAh'T IN JUNE AND THE WHOLE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
- - 0
/7
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
' - 7 -
DB MEMBERS URGED TO SERVE DISTRICT +AS A WHOLE* ft ft ft ft ft
ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED TO DEVOTE THEMSELVES TO WORK FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE.
IN SO DOING, THE BOARD BY ITSELF WILL BE A GOOD EXPONENT OF A SENSE OF LOCAL IDENTITY, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING AT A DINNER MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF PENINSULA.
SPEAKING ON *COMMUNITY BUILDING IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT* HE POINTED OUT THAT A NARROW AND INSULAR OUTLOOK WAS BOUND TO PERPETUATE THE UNHEALTHY LACK OF IDENTITY, AND FULFILLING THE OBJECTIVES OF COMMUNITY BUILDING WAS MOST UNLIKELY.
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT BOARD MEMBERS WOULD NOT CLING TO THE INTEREST OF THEIR OWN RESPECTIVE ISLANDS BUT SHOULD LOOK AT MATTERS WITH A WIDER PERSPECTIVE.
♦NO DOUBT*, MR FUNG NOTED, +THE ELECTED MEMBERS ARE ANSWERABLE TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND MUST BE A GUARDIAN AND CAMPAIGNER FOR WHAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS WANT.
♦HOWEVER, AS MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT, THEY ARE OBLIGED TO ADVISE ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE ENTIRE DISTRICT. IN OTHER WORDS, THEIR CONCERTED WISDOM IS CALLED FOR TO MAKE ISLANDS DISTRICT A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN AS A WHOLE.*
HE SAID COMMUNITY BUILDING COMPRISED TWO MAJOR INTER-RELATED ELEMENTS — COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
♦COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INVOLVES PROMOTING THE ESTABLISHMENT CF CITIZENS’ ORGANISATIONS, PROVIDING PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND ANCILLARY SERVICES FOR COMMUNITY PURPOSES AND INSTILLING INTO CITIZENS CONCEPTS OF MUTUAL CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH EDUCATION, GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK, AND COUNSELLING.
♦COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IS CONCERNED WITH PROMOTING CITIZENS’ INTEREST IN AND COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY. IT INVOLVES ENCOURAGING CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES, PERSUADING CITIZENS AND THEIR ORGANISATIONS TO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT SPONSORED CAMPAIGNS AND PROMOTING RECREATION AND SPORTS.
♦THE PROCESS OF COMMUNITY BUILDING ALSO INVOLVES CONSULTING THE PUBLIC ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND MEASURES.
♦THE SETTING UP OF DISTRICT BOARDS FORMALISES THE MACHINERY AND PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT FORUM FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING.
HOWEVER, MR FUNG POINTED OUT THAT COMMUNITY BUILDING IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT WAS NOT EASY, DUE TO THE SCATTERED NATURE OF THE POPULATION AND THE PHYSICAL ALIENATION OF THE VARIOUS ISLANDS, ALTHOUGH MANY MIGHT UNDERESTIMATE THE PROBLEM IN THE DISTRICT ON THE BASIS OF ITS SMALL POPULATION AND ITS RURAL SETTING.
/ths first .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
8
THE FIRST STEP TO SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY BUILDINfi WAS TO INSTILL IN THE RESIDENTS THE SENSE OF IDENTITY OF WHICH THE DISTRICT BOARD WOULD HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY.
♦WITHOUT THIS SENSE OF IDENTITY, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO FOSTER MUTUAL CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY,* HE STRESSED.
AS FOR THE GOVERNMENT SIDE, HE SAID THE MEASURE TO TAKE WOULD BE TO PROVIDE MORE FACILITIES WHICH WERE SUITABLE FOR ORGANISING DISTRICT-WIDE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.
♦SO FAR, THE DISTRICT SWIMMING GALA AND THE DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET HAVE BEEN HELD AT THE KENNEDY TOWN SWIMMING POOL AND THE WONG CHUK HANG PLAYGROUND RESPECTIVELY. THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE HANDICAP SUFFERED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT IN THE FIELD OF COMMUNITY BUILDING,♦ MR FUNG SAID.
♦THE PROVISION OF SUCH FACILITIES IS INCORPORATED IN THE PACKAGE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, AND IT WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY CF THE DISTRICT BOARD TO SEE TO IT THAT THE PROGRAMMES DO NOT SLIP AND ARE IMPLEMENTED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE.♦
IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY BUILDING EFFORTS, MR FUNG SAID HE HOPED TO ESTABLISH AN ISLANDS DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE AND ENCOURAGE THE FORMATION OF MORE DISTRICT-WIDE ORGANISATIONS.
♦YOUTH GROUPS, IN MY OPINION,* HE ADDED, *ARE VERY ESSENTIAL UNITS IN COMMUNITY BUILDING WORK, AND ONE OF MY GOALS FOR 1982/83 IS TO WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE PARTICIPATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY SERV ICES.♦
-------o - - - -
NEWS TRANSLATION WORKSHOP ft ft ft ft
THE NEWS TRANSLATION WORKSHOP AT THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE WILL BE OPENED ON MONDAY (APRIL 26) BY DR SALLY AW SIAN, CHAIRPERSON OF SING TAO NEWSPAPERS LTD.
THE WORKSHOP IS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT OF THE BAPTIST COLLEGE AT THE REQUEST OF THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD AND WILL BE HELD UNTIL MAY 14.
ABOUT 25 WORKING JOURNALISTS FROM THE CHINESE PRESS WILL BE TAKING PART IN THE WORKSHOP.
THE WORKSHOP WILL USE THE ♦POST-MORTEM+ METHOD OF REVIEWING AND CRITICISING SELECTED SAMPLES OF PUBLISHED TRANSLATIONS.
IT IS HOPED BY THIS METHOD TO HELP RAISE THE STANDARD OF TRANSLATION WORK.
IF THE WORKSHOP PROVES SUCCESSFUL, MORE SUCH WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD IN THE FUTURE, PROBABLY TWICE A YEAR.
- - - - 0 --------------
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
9
TEXTILES ARE MAINSTAY OF ECONOMY, TICD CHIEF SAYS
KM**
THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IS GOING TO BE THE MAINSTAY OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL ECONOMY FOR A LONG TIME TO COME DESPITE THE THREAT FROM SHORT SIGHTED, SELF-DEFEATING ATTITUDES SUCH .‘3 THOSE SHOWN RECENTLY BY THE EEC, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR BILL DORWARD SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW HEADQUARTERS CF WING TAI EXPORTERS LTD AT HING YIP STREET, KWUN TONG, HR DORWARD ASSURED THE INDUSTRY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD FIGHT TO DEFEND ITS INTERESTS AGAINST PROTECTIONISM.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO MR CHRISTOPHER CHENG, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY AND HIS FAMILY FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, HE SAIDi +THE WING TAI STORY IS, IN A WAY, A LIVING PARALLEL TO THE HONG KONG STORY. EXPANSION FROM A HANDFUL OF WORKERS IN THE MID-FIFTIES, TO 8 OOO IN A MILLION SQUARE FEET OF FACTORY SPACE TODAY, IS ONLY PART OF THE STORY. IN BEING IMPRESSED BY THE QUANTITY, LET US NOT OVERLOOK THE QUALITY.
♦THE PERSISTENT MYTH OF SWEAT SHOPS AND CHEAP LABOUR - WHICH IS CYNICALLY USED TO SUPPORT CLAIMS OF UNFAIR COMPETITION FROM HONG KONG - IS A DISHONEST DENIAL OF THE TRUTH THAT BUYERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD KEEP COMING BACK IN LARGE NUMBERS BECAUSE THEY, AND EVENTUALLY THAT MOST IMPORTANT LINK IN THE CHAIN, THE CONSUMER, GET VALUE FOR MONEY. NOT CHEAPNESS, VALUE.*
MR DORWARD WAS OF THE OPINION THAT OF THE FACTORIES BEING ARTIFICIALLY PRESERVED BY PROTECTIONISM IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA TODAY, THERE WERE MORE WHICH COMPARED WITH THE WING TAI CF 1957 THAN THE WING TAI OF 1982, *AND FOR WING TAI YOU CAN t READ HONG KONG,* HE ADDED. 3
HE REFERRED TO THE COMPANY’S RECENT CAPITAL INVESTMENT WHICI?^ INCLUDED THE PURCHASE OF A COMPUTER CONTROLLED CUTTING MACHINE TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND COMPETITIVENESS. MR DORWARD SAID THAT THIS MACHINE - ONE OF FOUR EITHER OPERATING OR ABOUT TO BE INSTALLED BY LEADING GARMENT FACTORIES IN HONG KONG AT A COST OF OVER $2 MILLION EACH - SYMBOLISED THE DETERMINATION OF OUR GARMENT MANUFACTURERS TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THEIR k
PRE-EMINENCE IN WORLD MARKETS.
+1 SUBSCRIBE FULLY TO THE CONCEPT OF DIVERSIFICATION OF / HONG KONG INDUSTRY, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE SHOULD STOP -OR DISCOURAGE THE PRODUCTION OF WHAT WE MAKE BETTER THAN ANYONE ; ELSE IN THE WORLD, THE KIND OF GARMENTS CONSUMERS EVERYWHERE , / WANT TO BUY,* HE CONCLUDED.
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
10
TV STARS TO HELP PUSH VOTING * * *
POPULAR TV ARTISTES MISS LISA WANG AND MR ROMAN TAM WILL BE PRESENT AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION REGISTRATION COUNTER AT KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK AT 5.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REGISTER AS DISTRICT BOARD ELECTORS.
THE REGISTRATION WILL BE FROM 5.30 PM TO ABOUT 6.30 PM, BEFORE THE START OF THE +82-18+ SHOW SPONSORED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE. MISS WANG AND MR TAM WILL PERFORM IN THE SHOW AFTEP REG I STRAT ION.
DO
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CDO SAID, +BY REGISTERING AS AN ELECTOR, ONE CAN HAVE A SAY IN THE CHOICE OF A PERSON WHO WILL REPRESENT THEM IN THE DISTRICT BOARD AND 20 HIS PART IN THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY.*
MORE THAN 600 000 PEOPLE HAVE SO FAR REGISTERED AS ELECTORS IN THE URBAN AREA.
♦ANYONE WHO IS 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OVER, HOLDS A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND HAS LIVED HERE FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS IS ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTRATION,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
EXISTING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTORS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REGISTER AGAIN AS THEIR NAMES WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE INCLUDED IN THE REGISTER FOR DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE URBAN AREA REGISTRATION IS APRIL 30. ANYONE WHO WISHES TO VOTE IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION HELD IN SEPTEMBER MUST HAVE REGISTERED BY THE END OF APRIL.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION REGISTRATION AT 5.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK, EASTERN STREET, HONG KONG.
----0------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE AIRPORT FLYOVER ft ft ft
THE AIRPORT FLYOVER OUTSIDE BLACKDOWN BARRACKS ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 25) FOR DRAINAGE WORKS.
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/11.........
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
11
RABIES INFECTED AREA REDUCED * * *
RECENT RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON THE MOVEMENT OF DOGS INTO AND OUT OF MOST OF THE RABIES INFECTED AREA OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE CANCELLED BY AN ORDER IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
HOWEVER, THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA WILL REMAIN A RABIES-INFECTED ZONE.
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN SAID THE ORDER TO DEGAZETTE MOST OF THE AREA WAS MADE AS SIX MONTHS HAD LAPSED SINCE THE LAST RABIES CASE WAS REPORTED. IN FACT, THAT WAS THE SOLE CASE WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS.
HOWEVER, HE EMPHASISED THERE WOULD BE NO LET UP IN THE DEPARTMENT’S EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE D^EASEFROMRECURRING.AND DOG CONTROL UNITS WOULD CONTINUE TO CATCH STRAY DOGS AND INOCULATE
OTHERS.
SINCE THE FIRST RABIES CASE IN 25 YEARS WAS CONFIRMED IN OCTOBER 1980, SOME 133 261 DOGS HAVE BEEN LOCULATED AGAINST RABIES AND ANOTHER 93 544 DOGS ELIMINATED. AS A RESULT OF THESE EFFORTS, HONG KONG NOW HAS A LARGELY IMMUNE DOG POPULATION.
DOG OWNERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEIR DOGS AND INOCULATED EVERY THREE YEARS AND FAILURE THE OWNER LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5 000.
MUST BE LICENSED TO DO SO COULD RENDER
0 --------
ISLANDS TREE PLANTING DAY XXX
SOME 70 EVERGREEN TREES PLANTED AT LAMMA ISLAND TODAY WILL ADD MORE COLOUR TO THE POPULAR HOLIDAY RESORT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
THE TREES - ALEURITES MOLUCCANA - WERE PLANTED BY SOME 100 CIVIC-MINDED STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE ISLANDS DISTRICT TREE PLANTING DAY TO COINCIDE WITH THE *MEI FA* PHASE OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.
THE EVENT JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WAS HELD AT THE SOUTH LAMMA COMMUNITY CENTRE, SOK KWU WAN, LAMMA ISLAND.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JIMMY SWEETMAN, SAID THE EXERCISE WOULD AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANTING AND CARING OF TREES TO TURN THE ENVIRONMENT MORE ATTRACTIVE.
f
/noting that ..............
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
12
NOTING THAT SOME PEOPLE FROM URBAN AREA ARE INCLINED TO VANDALISE TREES WHEN THEY VISIT THE HOLIDAY RESORT, MR SWEETMAN SAID IT WOULD BE WASTED EFFORT IN PLANTING MORE TREES ON THE ISLANDS.
HE THEREFORE URGED THE HOLIDAY MAKERS TO STOP SUCH MALPRACTICE AND LEAVE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRYSIDE UNTOUCHED.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF ISLANDS, MR RICKY FUNG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF SOUTH LAMMA RURAL COMMITTEE, CHAU YUK-TONG, MR SWEETMAN THEN PLANTED A YOUNG TREE TO HIGHLIGHT THE EVENT.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE TREE PLANTING CEREMONY WERE THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF ISLANDS, MR LAW TAK-LAU, AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF SOUTH LAMMA ISLAND RURAL COMMITTEE, W KWOK CHO I-DOR.
RESITING OF YAU MA TEI COOKED FOOD STALLS *****
THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD IN ITS MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY) HAS DECIDED THAT 24 ON-STREET COOKED FOOD STALLS LOCATED IN ONE OF THE MOST BUSY PARTS OF YAU MA TEI DISTRICT WILL HAVE TO BE RESITED SHORTLY AS PART OF THE OVERALL IMPROVEMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.
THESE COOKED FOOD STALLS WHICH WILL BE REMOVED TO A TEMPORARY LOCATION AT WOOSUNG STREET HAVE LONG BEEN ON TOP PRIORITY FOR RESITING BECAUSE OF THE EXTREMELY DENSE DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR VICINITY.
♦SOME OF THESE STALLS HAVE ALSO BEEN SUBJECTS OF REGULAR COMPLAINTS,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE YAU MA TEI CITY DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
♦THEY WILL LATER BE MOVED TO A PERMANENT COOKED FOOD CENTRE PLANNED AT KWUN CHUNG MARKET WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1984/85,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ANOTHER TOPIC DISCUSSED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AT THE MEETING, THE SECOND HELD SINCE ITS INAUGURATION, WAS A SURVEY ON THE LUNCH SITUATION OF WORKERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AS A RESULT OF THE FAST INTAKE OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA WHICH HAD CAUSED THE WORKING POPULATION TO RISE.
DURING THE MEETING THE BOARD ALSO DISCUSSED A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER MATTERS, INCLUDING THE WAYS TO MAKE UP FOR THE EXPECTED DEFICIENCY OF INDOOR SPORTS AND RECREATION FACILITIES DUE TO THE IMPENDING CLOSURE OF THE INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE AT THE HUNG HOM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK.
THE BOARD ALSO APPROVED A BUDGET OF $445 000 FOR VARIOUS MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS DURING 1982/83 FINANCIAL YEAR.
-----o------
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
13
MAKING THE BEST USE OF COMMUNITY AREAS
* * * *
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED TWO SITES IN WAN CHAI TO DETERMINE HOW THEY COULD BE BEST USED FOR RECREATION AND RESTING PURPOSES.
TAKING PART IN THE VISIT WERE OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, LED BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR A.G. COOPER, THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WAN CHAI).
THEY FIRST VISITED THE SITE NEXT TO THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, WHICH WAS RECENTLY VACATED BY A CONTRACTOR AND WILL EVENTUALLY BE DEVELOPED AS LANDSCAPED OPEN SPACE.
PENDING THIS DEVELOPMENT, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE SITE BE USED AS A TRACK FOR BICYCLING. AN ACTIVITY WHICH HAS LONG CAUSED PROBLEMS IN THE 01 KWAN ROAD AREA.
THE COMMITTEE THEN VISITED THE SITE AT JUNCTION OF BOWEN ROAD AND WAN CHAI GAP ROAD, WHERE THEY DISCUSSED THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING AN URBAN PARK, SITTING-OUT AREA AND CHINESE STYLE BRIDGE TO LINK THE TWO AREAS OF OPEN SPACE IN THIS VICINITY.
MR COOPER EXPLAINED THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE BOWEN ROAD COMPREHENSIVE RECREATION SCHEME NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD.
BOTH PROJECTS, IF APPROVED, WOULD BE FINANCED WITH DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, AND CONSTRUCTION WOULD START VERY SOON, HE SAID.
----o---------
NEW GUIDE TO PROMOTE USE OF CHINESE ft ft ft *
A NEW GUIDE HAS BEEN PUBLISHED TO HELP PROMOTE THE USE OF CHINESE IN MATTERS CONNECTED WITH HOUSING AND LAND.
THE GUIDE GIVES STANDARDISED CHINESE TRANSLATIONS OF COMMON ENGLISH TERMS AND IS THE SECOND SUCH VOLUME TO BE PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
ABOUT 2 300 ENTRIES OF SPECIAL TERMS, WORDS AND PHRASES ARE CONTAINED IN +AN ENGLISH-CHINESE GLOSSARY OF TERMS COMMONLY USED IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, VOLUME TWO - HOUSING AND LAND* WHICH IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE GLOSSARY, WHICH COSTS $9, AIMS TO PROVIDE TRANSLATORS WITH AN EASY REFERENCE THAT WILL HELP STANDARDISE THE CHINESE FORMS CF TERMS IN THE HOUSING AND LAND FIELDS.
LIKE VOLUME ONE, WHICH DEALS WITH EDUCATION, THE GLOSSARY HAS BEEN COMPILED BY THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION OF THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
14
FOUR LOTS CROWN LAND TO BE OFFERED ft ft ft
FOUR LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY AUCTION BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT ON MAY 17 AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
ONE LOT, MEASURING ABOUT 4 734 SQUARE METRES TN BLACK’S LINK, IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE REMAINING THREE LOTS ARE FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
TWO OF THE SITES, MEASURING 4 710 AND 2 875 SQUARE METRES, ARE AT HO TIN STREET AND TSUN WEN ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE OTHER LOT IS IN YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL AREA AND MEASURES ABOUT 1 198 SQUARE METRES.
PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG AND AT THE DISTRICT LAND OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST), GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
- 0 - -
PERMANENT DISPLAY OF CHINESE TEACHING MATERIALS * ft *
A PERMANENT DISPLAY OF CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING MATERIALS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS HAS BEEN OPENED AT THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
♦THE EXHIBITS ARE OF TWO TYPES, THE FIRST ARE THE TEACHING MATERIALS AND AIDS OF THE VARIOUS TEACHING AREAS OF CHINESE LANGUAGE, AND THE SECOND ARE THE REFERENCE MATERIALS AND PUPILS’ EXERCISES OF SUPPLEMENTARY READING IN CHINESE,♦ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THESE TWO TYPES OF EXHIBITS ARE DISPLAYED AT THE KOWLOON CENTRE, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES. SECOND FLOOR, AND THE HONG KONG CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, FIRST FLOOR RESPECTIVELY.
THE KOWLOON CENTRE IS OPEN TO TEACHERS ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAY MORNINGS, AND THE HONG KONG CENTRE ON TUESDAY AFTERNOONS AND FRIDAYS.
NO PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS NEED BE MADE WITH THE CENTRE TO VISIT THE DISPLAYS. HOWEVER, SCHOOLS WISHING TO ARRANGE GROUP VISITS AND TO HOLD ON-THE-SPOT DISCUSSIONS WITH INSPECTORS OF THE CENTRE SHOULD CONTACT THE CENTRE IN ADVANCE AT 3-7128404 (KOWLOON CENTRE) AND 5-485348 (HONG KONG CENTRE).
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1982
- 15 -
FIRING PRACTICE WARNING * * ft
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON NINE DAYS AT THE HA TSUEN/CASTLE PEAK RANGE NEXT MONTH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING TIMES OF PRACTICE.
PRACTICE TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS I
MAY 5 (WEDNESDAY) 9 AM TO 4.30 PM
6 (THURSDAY) 9 AM TO 4 PM
7 (FRIDAY) 8 AM TO 4.30 PM
12 (WEDNESDAY) 9 AM TO 11 PM
13 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM TO 4.30 PM
14 (FRIDAY) 8 AM TO 4 PM
18 (TUESDAY) 9 AM TO 4.30 PM
20 (THURSDAY) 9 AM TO 4 PM
21 (FRIDAY) 8 AM TO 4 PM
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ACCESS FOR DISABLED AT HOUSING ESTATES IMPROVED ............. 1
STAMPS ON HK FAUNA........................................... 2
MORE COMMUNITY HaLLS FOR SHA TIN ............................ 3
BUSY WEEKEND FOR SCNTA....................................... 4
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES
5
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1982
1
ACCESS FOR DISABLED AT HOUSING ESTATES IMPROVED * * * *
™E ACCESS MEANS F0R DISABLED PEOPLE LIVING AT PUBLIC HOUSING ^IATE$'!J ®”A.T,N HAVE SREATLY IMPROVED FOLLOWING THE RECENT COMPLETION OF A NUMBER OF MODIFICATION PROJECTS AT THE ESTATES.
AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE THANKED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR ITS POSITIVE RESPONSE TO PROPOSALS BY THE DISTRICT BOARD IN CARRYING SUCH PROJECTS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A FOUR-DAY HANDICAPPED ACCESS EXHIBITION TODAY (SATURDAY), HE ALSO APPEALED TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS FOR SIMILAR SUPPORT.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY A SPECIAL SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, HIGHLIGHTS THE ACCESS PROBLEM OF THE DISABLED AND IS AIMED AT STIMULATING INTERESTS IN BETTER DESIGN OF BUILDINGS, PUBLIC AREAS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR THEIR SPECIAL NEED.
THROUGH A 2O-MINUTE CARTOON SHOW AT THE EXHIBITION, VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE SOME OF THE DAILY ACCESS PROBLEMS BEING ENCOUNTERED BY THE DISABLED. A LIFE-SIZE MODEL FLAT WITH A LIVING ROOM, A BED ROOM, A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOILET AND APPROPRIATE ACCESS MEANS WILL BE DISPLAYED.
OTHER EXHIBITS WILL INCLUDE A +REHAB BUS*> A SPECIALLY CONVERTED CAR FOR USE BY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE) AND PICTURES OF PUBLIC AREAS AT VARIOUS LOCAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, BEFORE AND AFTER THE MODIFICATIONS.
ALSO ON DISPLAY ARE THE PRIZE-WINNING AND OUTSTANDING ENTRIES CF A DESIGN AND AN ESSAY COMPETITIONS ORGANISED EARLIER BY THE DISTRICT BOARD TO STIMULATE INTERESTS IN BETTER ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE OPEN SPACE NEAR THE SHA KOK ESTATE FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM TODAY (SATURDAY) AND TOMORROW, AND AT WO CHE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM ON APRIL 27 An6 28. ADMISSION IS FREE.
SPONSORED BY THE LOTTERIES FUND AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF SHA TIN, THE EXHIBITION HAS BEEN ORGANISED AS A PRELUDE OF THE THIRD FAR EAST AND SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES TO BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
MORE THAN 500 HANDICAPPED ATHLETES FROM 30 FAR EASTERN AND SOUTH PACIFIC COUNTRIES ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SPORTS MEETING.
-------o -------
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1982
- 2
STAMPS ON HK FAUNA ft ft *
A SPECIAL ISSUE OF FOUR POSTAGE STAMPS OF 20 CENTS, $1, $1.30 AND $5 ON HONG KONG FAUNA WILL BE PLACED ON SALE ON MAY 4, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE STAMPS DEPICT FOUR OF THE ANIMALS WHICH INHABIT THE COUNTRYSIDE IN HONG KONG - FIVE-BANDED CIVET (20 CENTS), PANGOLIN (SI), CHINESE PORCUPINE ($1.30), AND BARKING DEER ($5).
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS, EACH ACCOMPANIED BY AN INSERT CARD CONTAINING INFORMATION ON HONG KONG FAUNA AND BRIEF PHILATELIC INFORMATION, WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES ON APRIL 28 AT 50 CENTS EACH.
A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF FIRST DAY COVERS HAVE BEEN PRINTED TO MEET ANTICIPATED DEMAND BUT, TO ENSURE THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE GIVEN A FAIR CHANCE TO BUY THEM, NO MORE THAN 10 COVERS MAY BE PURCHASED BY A CUSTOMER AT ANY ONE TIME.
ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICING OF FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE; KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE, NATHAN ROAD; AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, PEKING ROAD.
FOR THIS SERVICE, ADDRESSED FIRST DAY COVERS MUST BE HANDED IN WITH AN ORDER FORM TOGETHER WITH A REMITTANCE TO COVER THE COST. THE CHARGE WILL BE $8 FOR EACH COVER, INCLUDING THE COST OF THE STAMPS ($7.50) AND A SERVICE FEE OF 50 CENTS.
THE COVERS MUST BE FULLY ADDRESSED BY THE APPLICANT, AND NOT LESS THAN TEN COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED WITH EACH ORDER.
THE ORDER FORMS FOR SERVICING OF FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE ON APRIL 28.
ANY PERSON ORDERING SERVICED COVERS ADDRESSED TO A LOCAL DESTINATION MAY COLLECT THEM ON MAY 7 FROM THE POST OFFICE WHERE THE ORDER IS PLACED. COVERS ADDRESSED OVERSEAS WILL BE SENT FORWARD BY AIRMAIL. THE LATEST ACCEPTANCE DATE FOR ADVANCE ORDERS OF SERVICED COVERS WILL BE AT 5 PM ON APRIL 30.
A SERVICE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED ON MAY 4 AT ALL POST OFFICES WHERE FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATE STAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM. NO TIME TYPE WILL APPEAR IN THE POST MARK.
THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR THE SERVICE ARE i-
(A) ONLY ARTICLES BEARING AN INDICATION THAT THEY ARE ♦FIRST DAY COVER* WILL BE SO TREATED;
(B) THE ARTICLES MUST EE ADDRESSED TO A LOCAL ADDRESS;
(C) NO REGISTERED ITEMS WILL BE PROCESSED BY THIS METHOD.
/SPECIAL POSTING
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 19b
3
P0ST1NG BOXES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GENERAL S^TJ?FFICE' K0WL00N CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE ON MAY 4 FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO HAVE FIRST DAY COVERS CAREFULLY HAND-POSTMARKED BEFORE DESPATCH.
THE NEW ISSUE OF THE STAMPS ON HONG KONG FAUNA WILL BE ON DISPLAY ON THE FIRST FLOOR PUBLIC COUNTER OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, ON APRIL 29 FROM 9.30 AM TO 4.30 PM.
-----0------
MORE COMMUNITY HALLS FOR SHA TIN * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING MORE COMMUNITY HALLS FOR RESIDENTS IN THE FAST DEVELOPING SHA TIN NEW TOWN OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY MARKING THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL TODAY (SATURDAY), THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS EVELYN DOE. SAID THE NEW COMMUNITY HALLS WOULD BE LOCATED AT SUN T|fi WAI, POK HANG AND TSUN SHEK ESTATES.
MRS DOE SAID THESE HALLS WERE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE LOCAL PEOPLE WITH A VENUE FOR RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY ACT I V ITIES•
♦THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION OF RESIDENTS IN THESE ACTIVITIES,* SHE SAID, + IT IS HOPED TO PROMOTE GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS AND A GREATER SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND TO RAISE THE QUALITY OF THE COMMUNITY LIFE AS WELL.*
♦The LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL HAS, OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS PROVIDED VARIED ACTIVITIES FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS IN SHA TIN ’ WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE LOCAL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, SCHOOLS ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,* SHE ADDED. ’
A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WAS SET UP EARLY LAST YEAR TO OVERSEE THE SERVICES OFFERED BY THE COMMUNITY HALL AND TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE’S NEEDS WERE MET.
im ca22um??v RESIDENTS T0 ACTIVELY INVOLVE THEMSELVES
IM vvRNUMIit AC 1 I V I । I El S •
-----0-----
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1982
k
BUSY WEEKEND FOR SCNTA ft ft ft ft
THE SECRETARY FOR CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, HAD A BUSY WEEKEND TODAY (SATURDAY) ATTENDING SEVERAL EVENTS, INCLUDING ONE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR WHO HAS FALLEN ILL.
HE OPENED THE HONG KONG CANOE UNION TRAINING CENTRE AT CHAM CHUK WAN, SAI KUNG AT 11 AM.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE SEVENTH HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIONS WHICH BEGAN AT 3 PM AT THE CITY HALL.
ON BEHALF DAY RALLY
AFTER DELIVERING A SHORT SPEECH, THE SECRETARY IMMEDIATELY LEFT FOR THE DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL IN KOWLOON TO OFFICIATE. OF THE GOVERNOR, AT THE ANNUAL BOYS SCOUTS ST. GEORGE’S STARTING AT 4 PM.
THE LAST OFFICIAL FUNCTION OF THE DAY WAS A SCOUTS DINNER AT 7 PM AT OCEAN CITY RESTAURANT TO CELEBRATE ST. GEORGE’S DAY.
AT THE CANOE UNION TRAINING CENTRE, MR AKERS-JONES HONG KONG AS *A PLACE OF GREAT CONTRAST^ AND GREAT ACHI o? SHUT CHiME Iio greet opportunities..
DESCRIBED EVEMENTS,
IN THE PAST 10 YEARS. HE SAID, HONG KONG’S POPULATION HAD GROWN BY ONE MILLION AND THERE HAD BEEN A REVOLUTION IN THE USE OF THE REMOTE COUNTRYSIDE AND MOUNTAINS FOR RECREATION.
♦NOW THERE IS A GROWING REALISATION THAT WE MUST MAKE MORE USE OF THE SEA, OUR BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE AND SHELTERED WATER TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AND VARIED OPPORTUNITY FOR INCREASED RECREATION.
♦CANOEING, DINGHY SAILING, WINDSURFING ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR, BUT RECREATION AT SEA REQUIRES GREATER SKILL AND GREATER ATTENTION TO SAFETY, AND ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE CANOE UNION HAVE A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY NOT ONLY TO ENCOURAGE INCREASED USE OF THE SEA BUT ALSO THE SAFE USE OF THE SEA.+
AT THE ST. GEORGE’S DAY RALLY, MR AKERS-JONES TOLD THE SCOUT GATHER INGi ♦HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR HAS ASKED ME TO SAY HOW SORRY HE IS NOT TO BE PRESENT AT YOUR ANNUAL RALLY TODAY AND TO SAY TO YOU PERSONALLY WHAT A PRIVILEGE AND PLEASURE IT HAS BEEN TO HAVE BEEN YOUR CHIEF SCOUT FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS.♦
HE SAID DURING ITS 71 YEARS OF HISTORY IN HONG KONG, SCOUTING NAD GIVEN TRAINING AND ENJOYMENT TO MORE THAN 300 000 YOUNG MEN.
♦NOW AS A FULL MEMBER OF THE WORLD ORGANISATION, THERE ARE 40 000 SCOUTS IN HONG KONG AND THE MOVEMENT IS GROWING IN STRENGTH AND IS ADAPTING ITSELF TO THE CHANGES WHICH ARE TAKING PLACE IN OUR COMMUNITY.♦
/THE SCOUT .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1982
- 5 -
the scout movement had helped foster the enjoyment of open-air PURSUITS AND SUCH HEALTHY ACTIVITIES AS CAMPING, CANOEING AND EXPLORING THE COUNTRYSIDE.
♦BUT NOT ONLY THAT, IT DEVELOPS A SENSE OF LOYALTY TO AN ORGANISATION AND PURSUIT OF A SET OF IDEALS: NOT SIMPLY MEMBERSHIP FOR ENJOYMENT, BUT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND TO HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE,+ SAID MR AKERS-JONES.
♦THIS IS VITALLY IMPORTANT AT A TIME WHEN VAST NEW COMMUNITIES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE STRANGERS TO ONE ANOTHER AR£ BEING BROUGHT TOGETHER IN OUR NEW TOWNS AND HOUSING ESTATES; THE SPEEDY ESTABLISHMENT OF SCOUT TROOPS AND, OF COURSE, OTHER SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS, IN THESE AREAS IS ESSENTIAL TO THE PROCESS OF BUILDING IN THEM A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS.
♦YOUR BLUE PRINT FOR THE 80*S ESTABLISHES A STRONGER DISTRICT FOCUS TO COMPLEMENT AND SUPPORT THE GREATER EMPHASIS WHICH YOUR GOVERNMENT PLACES ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT.
♦THESE ARE TIMELY MEASURES AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO ADAPT, STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND SCOUTING TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.*
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES * * * *
A SECTION OF KO SHAN ROAD IN TO KWA WAN NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH SAN LAU STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING LOCAL ACCESS FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 26) FOR PIPE LAYING WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON KO SHAN ROAD FROM PAK KUNG STREET AND SHUN YUNG STREET HEADING FOR SHANSI STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHATHAM ROAD NORTH AND SAN LAU STREET.
THIS ARRANGEMENT IS EXPECTED TO LAST ABOUT 10 DAYS.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND THE GLOUCESTER ROAD FLYOVER IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EARLY IN THE MORNINGS FOR ABOUT IWO WEEKS FROM MONDAY (APRIL 26) FOR ROAD WORKS.
THE CLOSURE PERIOD WILL BE BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS.
TRAFFIC FROM NORTH POINT TO CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA GLOUCESTER ROAD, O’BRIAN ROAD, LOCKHART ROAD AND FLEMING ROAD.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
INTERNATIONAL REGATTA AT SHING MUN RIVER ...................... 1
CURTAILMENT OF CHAI WAN - KWUN TONG FERRY SERVICES............. 2
CIVIL AID SERVICES : A FRIEND IN NEED ......................... 3
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD............... 6
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD............. 7
SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 1982
1
INTERNATIONAL REGATTA AT SHING MUN RIVER *****
THE SHING MUN RIVER IN SHA TIN WILL BECOME THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CLASS ROWING COURSE IN HONG KONG WHEN AN INTERNATIONAL REGATTA IS TO BE HELD ON THE COMING SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (MAY 1 AND 2).
THE 1982 HONG KONG ROWING COMPETITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT A STRETCH OF 1 500 METRES WATER COURSE OF THE SHING MUN RIVER NEXT TO THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
THE INTERNATIONAL REGATTA HAS ATTRACTED ENTRIES FROM 85 VISITING OARSMEN OF 11 OVERSEAS ROWING CLUBS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE PHILIPPINES, JAPAN, SINGAPORE, AUSTRALIA AND BURMA. FORTY LOCAL ROWING ENTHUSIASTS FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB, THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE ROWING CLUB, ISLAND SCHOOL ROWING CLUB AND SOUTH ISLAND SCHOOL ROWING CLUB WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE CONTEST.
THE COMPETITION WILL CONSIST OF 11 EVENTS INCLUDING COXED FOUR, COXLESS PAIR AND SINGLE SCULL FOR THE OPEN GROUP- COXED FOUR COXED PAIR AND SINGLE SCULL FOR SENIOR GROUP- COXED FOUR ‘ SINGLE SCULL FOR JUNIOR GROUP- SINGLE SCULL FOR VETERAN-COXED FOUR AND SINGLE SCULL FOR LADIES GROUP.
AND AND
THE
HEATS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MORNING WHILE FINALS BETWEEN 1.30 PM AND 4 PM ON SUNDAY (MAY 2).
THE
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ROWING CENTRE ADJACENT
CAN WATCH THE RACES AT THE SITE OF TO THE FLOATING RESTAURANT AT SHA TIN.
THE COMPETITION IS TO OF THE WATER SPORT, SAID A
PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ADDING THAT THE WELL-KNOWN EVENT WAS HELD ANNUALLY ON THE THAMES RIVER IN LONDON.
DURING THE COURSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN, THE GOVERNMENT HAS CREATED A NEAR PERFECT ARENA FOR AN INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC STANDARD SIX-LANE AND 2 OOO-METRE ROWING COURSE AT THE LOWER FOUR KILOMETRES OF THE SHING MUN RIVER.
THE WATER COURSE OF THE RIVER IS STRAIGHT AND THE STRETCH OF THE COURSE IS LONG AND WIDE ENOUGH WHILE THE SURFACE WATcR CONDITIONS ARE EXTREMELY GOOD FOR ROWING ACTIVITIES, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
A SITE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A ROWING CENTRE HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE HONG KONG AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION AND THE BUILDING OF A CLUB HOUSE IS UNDERWAY.
/SXPLADiUiG HCT........
SUNDAY, APEIL 25, 1982
- 2 -
EXPLAINING HOW THE SPORT IS PLAYED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT EACH OARSMAN ON THE ’ROWING BOAT’ HAS ONE OAR TO HANDLE WHILE THE SCULLER ON THE ’SCULLING BOAT’ HANDLES TWO OARS.
UNLIKE A CANOE OR DRAGON BOAT WHICH USES SHORT PADDLES AND ARM AND BODY POWER ONLY, THE OARSMAN IS EQUIPPED WITH AN OA.'. WHICH IS ABOUT 3.7 METRES LONG AND WHICH IS PIVOTED OUTSIDE THE BOAT ON AN OUTRIGHTER.
IN ADDITION, THE SEAT UPON WHICH THE OARSMAN SITS SLIDES BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS, ALLOWING THE OARSMAN TO UTILISE THE POWER OF HIS LEGS IN PROPELLING THE BOAT.
♦BY THESE MEANS A LARGE AMOUNT OF LEVERAGE CAN BE APPLIED TO THE OAR, ENABLING AN EIGHT-OAR BOAT TO TRAVEL AT ABOUT 24 KILOMETRES PER HOUR - ABOUT THE SAME SPEED AS A WORLD CLASS MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER, AND ABOUT TWICE THE SPEED OF A DRAGON BOAT,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS*
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND A COCKTAIL RECEPTION FOR THE 1982 HONG KONG ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB AT KELLET ISLAND ON THURSDAY (APRIL 29) AT 6 PM. MR MIKE TANNER WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
-----o------
CURTAILMENT OF CHAI WAN - KWUN TONG FERRY SERVICES *****
STARTING SATURDAY (MAY 1), FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN CHAI WAN AND KWUN TONG WILL BE CURTAILED IN THE EVENINGS DUE TO LOW PATRONAGE.
THE LAST SAILINGS WILL BE AT 8 PM.
0 - - - -
SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 1982
- 3 -
CIVIL AID SERVICES t A FRIEND IN NEED ******
HONG KONG’S CIVIL AID SERVICES, WHICH HAS PUT IN 30 YEARS OF COMMUNITY WORK, IS NOW GEARED TO RESPOND EVEN MORE PROMPTLY TO CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE.
+WITH OUR 3 000 ADULTS AND 2 400 CADETS, WE’RE A MUCH MORE STREAMLINED OUTFIT THAN DURING OUR PEAK ’PAPER STRENGTH’ OF ID 000 IN EARLIER YEARS,* SAID ITS CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, MR JOHN FORTUNE.
MADE UP ALMOST ENTIRELY OF VOLUNTEERS, THE CAS IS LOOKING FORWARD TO FURTHER IMPROVING ITS CAPABILITIES BY READJUSTING ITS STRUCTURE AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES TO MEET CHANGING NEEDS AND BY STEPPING UP ITS RECRUITMENT DRIVE.
HAVING CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS FROM A CIVIL DEFENCE ORGANISATION TO ONE TRAINED MAINLY TO DEAL WITH CIVIL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND OTHER PEACE-TIME COUNTER-DISASTER REQUIREMENTS, THE CAS WILL RESTRUCTURE ITS RESCUE UNITS TO ENABLE THEM TO REACT MORE QUICKLY TO SITUATIONS, AND TO CALL OUT MORE SPECIALIST PERSONNEL WHO HAVE TRAINED TOGETHER.
THE RESTRUCTURED RESCUE OPERATIONS WILL BE MADE UP OF AN OPERATIONS WING, A TACTICAL FORCE AND AN EMERGENCY UNIT WHICH WILL HAVE GREATER OPERATIONAL MOBILITY AND FLEXIBILITY.
+IT IS INTENDED TO CELEBRATE OUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY BY OFFERING TO THE COMMUNITY AN EVEN HIGHER STANDARD OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL BEAUTY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, ASSISTING TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON LAND AND SEA SAFETY AND TO FULLY UTILIZE OUR OPERATIONAL SKILLS FOR RESCUE WORK IN DISASTER SITUATIONS,* MR FORTUNE SAID.
TO IMPROVE ITS INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS AND THE COORDINATION CF ITS THREE REGIONS — HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES — THE CAS WILL REARRANGE THEM INTO REGION, DISTRICT AND GROUP LEVELS CF CONTROL.
COINCIDING WITH THE REORGANISATION PROCESS, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR, THE CAS IS OFFERING AN EVER GREATER VARIETY OF GENERAL TRAINING AND SPECIALIST COURSES FOR ITS ADULT MEMBERS.
THE 81 COURSES BEING OFFERED FOR THE TRAINING YEAR 1982/83 INCLUDE JOINT EXERCISES WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON ANTI-OIL POLLUTION, WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON FIRE FIGHTING AND PREVENTION, VEHICLE DRIVING, SEARCH AND RESCUE TECHNIQUES, OUTDCOP.SMAN SKILLS AND CAMP LIFE INSTRUCTIONS AND MANY OTHER VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSES THAT COULD BE USEFUL IN CIVILIAN LIFE.
/THE CAS .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 1982
- 4 -
THE CAS AIMS TO TAKE IN 500 TO 600 ADULT RECRUITS THIS YEAR. BUT IT IS ALSO EXPECTED THAT 300 OTHERS WILL LEAVE THE SERVICE DUE TO NORMAL ATTRITION FACTORS, SUCH AS INCREASED FAMILY AND OCCUPATIONAL COMMITMENTS.
MR FORTUNE SAID i +CAS MEMBERS ARE RECRUITED FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND MOST JOIN WITH A GENUINE DESIRE TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE IN ORDER TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY DURING ANY EMERGENCY OR DISASTER AND TO ASSIST WITH IMPORTANT CIVIC FUNCTIONS.*
ALL RECRUITS MUST UNDERGO 56 HOURS OF BASIC TRAINING COVERING CAS ORGANISATION, FOOTDRILL, TYPHOON DUTY AND EMERGENCY CALL-OUT, COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT, FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE FIGHTING, ESCAPE AND RESCUE FROM DANGEROUS BUILDINGS, AND FIRST AID THEORY AND' PRACTICE.
AFTER GRADUATION, RECRUITS ARE POSTED TO DIFFERENT UNITS WHERE THEY RECEIVE MORE BASIC TRAINING AND LIGHT RESCUE EXERCISE. COURSES ON LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATIONS AND CASUALTY HANDLING ARE LATER ADDED ON TO BROADEN THEIR KNOWLEDGE.
AN EQUALLY VARIED AND CHALLENGING PROGRAMME OF TRAINING IS ALSO OFFERED TO CADETS AGED FROM 12 TO 18.
A FULL-TIME COURSE FOR CADETS INCLUDES CANOE BUILDING, EXPEDITION, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, WATER SPORTS, FIRST AID, ROCK CLIMBING, LIFE SAVING, AND ELEMENTARY LESSONS IN MECHANICAL, AUTOMOTIVE AND ELECTRICAL STUDIES.
THIS YEAR THE MINIMUM ENROLMENT AGE FOR CADETS WAS LOWERED FROM 14 TO 12 TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THIS VULNERABLE AGE GROUP A HEALTHY OUTLET TO CHANNEL THEIR ENERGIES. BY APRIL 1, OVER 250 NEW CADETS HAD APPLIED FOR ENROLMENT INTO THE SERVICE.
MR FORTUNE EXPLAINED « +YOUTHS, HAVING JUST COMPLETED THEIR PRIMARY SCHOOLING, WILL HAVE TO ADAPT THEMSELVES TO NEW SURROUNDINGS AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS.
♦THEY USUALLY HAVE MORE TIME ON THEIR HANDS. IT WOULD BE A MOST OPPORTUNE TIME TO ENROL THEM INTO WELL ORGANISED GROUPS SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE THEIR SPARE TIME GAINFULLY EMPLOYED BY TAKING PART IN POSITIVE AND CHALLENGING ACTIVITIES, ACQUIRING TECHNOLOGICAL KNOWHOW AND USEFUL SKILLS IN A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT WITH EXPERT GUIDANCE.
♦THERE IS NO DOUBT OUR CADET CORPS TRAINING PROGRAMME CAN KLP COMBAT JUVENILE CRIME, ESPECIALLY IF WE CAN GET YOUTHS INTO THE CORPS AT 12 YEARS OF AGE BEFORE THEY ARE LED ASTRAY AND GET INTO BAD HABITS,* HE SAID.
ESTABLISHED IN 1952 AS A SPECIALIST SUB-UNIT OF THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES CORPS TO HANDLE DIFFICULT CIVIL DEFENCE PROBLEMS, THE CAS QUICKLY PROVED ITS WORTH THE FOLLOWING YEAR WHEN 50 000 PEOPLE WERE MADE HOMELESS IN THE HUGE SHEK KIP MEI SQUATTER FIRE. CAS WARDENS WERE HEAVILY COMMITTED IN HELPING TO MANAGE THE DISASTER VICTIMS.
/its eescic .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 1982
- 5 -
ITS HEROIC EXPLOITS IN LIFE AND PROPERTY-SAVING OPERATIONS WERE TO BE REPEATED IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS IN OTHER NATURAL AND MAN-MADE DISASTERS.
RECRUITMENT INTO THE CAS WAS RAPID AND AS CONSCRIPTION WAS STILL IN FORCE IN THE EARLY YEARS, THE SERVICE QUICKLY ATTAINED A STRENGTH OF 10 000 PERSONS WHO COULD BE MOBILISED FOR RELIEF OPERATIONS IN DISASTERS AND FOR WAR-TIME OPERATIONS.
IN 1958, WITH THE TERMINATION OF COMPULSORY SERVICE, THE CAS BECAME A TRULY VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
THE FUTURE TASKS OF THE CAS WERE THEN BROADLY GROUPED INTO THREE MAIN FUNCTIONS I CIVIL DEFENCE IN WAR-TIME, AN EMERGENCY ORGANISATION DURING A PERIOD OF ECONOMIC UNREST BUT NOT ACCOMPANIED BY CIVIL DISTURBANCE, AND A COUNTER-DISASTER ORGANISATION IN PEACE-TIME. THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIL DEFENCE DIMINISHED UNTIL 1963 WHEN TRAINING FOR THIS ROLE WAS STOPPED ALTOGETHER.
IN RECENT YEARS, IN FACT, CAS PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN PREOCCUPIED MOSTLY WITH MAINTAINING ORDER IN MASSIVE PUBLIC GATHERINGS, RESCUING PEOPLE IN DISTRESS, OFTEN AT CONSIDERABLE RISK TO THEMSELVES, AND SUPERVISING THE REGISTRATION AND FEEDING OF THE HOMELESS FROM DISASTERS, INCLUDING THE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN TRANSIT CAMPS.
AS THE GOVERNOR SUMMED UP HIS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO THE CAS ON THE OCCASION OF ITS SILVER JUBILEE, +IN ALL THESE WAYS, THE CAS HELPS TO MAKE HONG KONG A BETTER AND SAFER PLACE TO LIVE.*
THE MOST RECENT REVIEW OF THE TASKS THAT THE CAS SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERTAKE WAS COMPLETED IN LATE 1975, RESULTING IN THE ISSUANCE OF OPERATION ORDER NO. 1.
UNDER THIS ORDER, THE CAS'S TASKS INCLUDE t CROWD AND TRAFFIC CONTROL AT PROCESSIONS AND PUBLIC FUNCTIONS WHICH ATTRACT LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE- THE RESCUE OF PEOPLE TRAPPED IN COLLAPSED BUILDINGS, CRASHED VEHICLES OR BURIED IN LANDSLIDES- THE EVACUATION OF PEOPLE FROM DANGEROUS OR THREATENED BUILDINGS-THE RECOVERY OF CASUALTIES FROM DISASTER SITES AND THEIR TRANSPORTATION TO AMBULANCE LOADING POINTS- RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS AND CLEARANCE OF ROADWAYS- CORDONING OFF DISASTER AREAS AND ASSISTING IN THE DIVERSION AND CONTROL OF TRAFFIC AND THE REGISTRATION, CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF VICTIMS MADE HOMELESS BY DISASTERS. OTHER TASKS INCLUDE THE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY RELIEF- PREVENTION AND FIGHTING OF FOREST FIRES- ASSISTING WITH CONTAINMENT OF OIL POLLUTION AT SEA AND MANY OTHER SUPPORTIVE ROLES IN COOPERATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
SOME CAS UNITS, NOTABLY ITS MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT AND HEAVY RESCUE UNIT, CAN BE FULLY MOBILISED AT VERY SHORT NOTICE.
AND, WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ELECTRONIC PAGING SYSTEM THIS YEAR, KEY PERSONNEL CAN NOW BE IMMEDIATELY ALERTED.
/THE MOUNTAIN .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 1982
6 -
THE MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT, IN SPITE OF ITS VOLUNTEER STATUS, IS THE ONLY PROFESSIONALLY-TRAINED BODY IN HONG KONG WHICH CAN PERFORM RESCUE MISSIONS IN REMOTE MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS, UNDER THE MOST ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND IN PITCH DARKNESS.
EVERY YEAR, DOZENS OF LIVES OF THE CARELESS OR UNLUCKY HANG IN PRECARIOUS BALANCE AS THE MOUNTAIN RESCUERS WEND THEIR WAY TO THEIR RESCUE.
LAST YEAR, THE UNIT WAS CALLED OUT 19 TIMES TO RESCUE OR LEAD 110 PERSONS TO SAFETY, A SHARP INCREASE FROM THE EIGHT CALL-OUTS INVOLVING 27 VICTIMS IN 1980.
A FEW MEMBERS OF THE UNIT ARE SENT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR TRAINING IN ADVANCED MOUNTAIN RESCUE EACH YEAR, WHILE THE BEST EXPERTS IN THE FIELD ARE INVITED TO MAKE REGULAR INSPECTIONS OF THE UNIT TO UPGRADE EQUIPMENT AND ADVISE ON OPERATIONS AND TECHNIQUES.
A NUMBER OF OTHER OFFICERS WILL BE SENT TO AUSTRALIA TO UNDERGO FOUR WEEKS OF COUNTER DISASTER TRAINING THIS YEAR. FOUR RECEIVED SUCH TRAINING IN 1981.
A MAJOR PART OF THE CAS EXPANSION PROGRAMME THIS YEAR WILL RESULT IN THE CREATION OF THREE NEW UNITS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE KWAI CHUNG UNIT WAS FORMALLY INAUGURATED IN KWAI CHUNG AND THE OTHER TWO UNITS WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN FANLING AND SHEUNG SHU I.
CANDIDATES FOR ITS ADULT CORPS MUST BE AGED 18 AND ABOVE. THOSE AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 18 MAY ALSO APPLY, PROVIDED THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE ENDORSED BY THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR BOTH THE ADULT AND CADET CORPS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CAS HEADQUARTERS AT 100 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, HONG KONG AND ITS KOWLOON CENTRE AT 204 ARGYLE STREET.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 5-763236.
--------0 - - - -
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD * * * * *
THE SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR TSANG TAI UK VILLAGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5.30 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 27) FOR THE DEMOLITION OF A FOOTBRIDGE.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES TRAVELLING BETWEEN SHA TIN AND KOWLOON SHOULD USE TAI PO ROAD.
HOWEVER, TRAFFIC THROUGH THE TUNNEL TO WORLDWIDE GARDENS AND KAK TUI VILLAGE WILL NOT BE A'FECTED.
-----o------
SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 1982
7
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD
M M K M M
THE TRAFFIC LANE ON EASTBOUND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD ABOUT 20 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SHAT IN PASS ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 27) FOR ROAD WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE. EASTBOUND TRAFFIC TO CHOI HUNG AREA WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE ADJACENT LANE AND VEHICLES HEADING FOR NORTHBOUND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND ITS INTERCHANGE MAY USE THE TEMPORARY ACCESS ROAD ABOUT 80 METRES EAST OF SHATIN PASS ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, A SECTION OF SOCIAL AVENUE NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL ALSO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
HOWEVER, A TEMPORARY ACCESS ROAD LINKING EASTBOUND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WITH SOCIAL AVENUE WILL BE AVAILABLE.
IN ADDITION, THE NORTHERN-MOST TRAFFIC LANE OF EASTBOUND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH SHATIN PASS ROAD WILL BE EXCLUSIVELY RESERVED FOR VEHICLES TURNING LEFT INTO SHATIN PASS ROAD.
MOTORISTS GOING TO CHOI HUNG AND KWUN TONG ARE ADVISED TO USE SHATIN PASS ROAD, FUNG TAK ROAD AND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD.
- - - - 0 ----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
HONG KONG'S TECHNICAL ROLE IN OFFSHORE OIL EXPLORATION STRESSED .................................................... 1
NEED FOR DIVERSIFICATION OF ECONOMY ......................... 2
WATER FIGURES ............................................... 3
ACADEMY FOR B-IE PERFORMING ARTS ............................ 4
BAN ON RIGHT TURN ........................................... 5
LABOUR DEPARTMENT REVIEWS ORGANISATION ...................... 6
IMPROVEMENT TO TSING YI ROADS ............................... 7
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECTS TO RECEIVE SPECIAL GRANTS . 8
COUNTRY AND COMMODITY BREAKDOWN FIGURES FOR HONG KONG'S EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1982 .................... 9
FIFTY TEAMS TO COMPETE TN TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE............ 13
LOGO CHOSEN FOR EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD ...................... 14
MONDAY, APRIL 26,
1962
1
HONG KONG’S TECHNICAL ROLE IN OFFSHORE OIL EXPLORATION STRESSED * * * *
BY SUPPLYING OIL RIGS FOR OVERSEAS COMPANIES NOW, HONG KONG IS DEMONSTRATING THAT IT IS READY AND EQUIPPED TO DO THE SPECIALIST WORK OF CONSTRUCTION, SUPPORT AND REPAIR FOR OFFSHORE OIL EXPLORATION, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID THIS MORNING IN A MESSAGE CONVEYED BY LADY MACLEHOSE.
LADY MACLEHOSE WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY IN WHICH SHE LAUNCHED THE OIL RIG EUROASIA AT TSI NG Yl.
IN HER SPEECH, LADY MACLEHOSE SAIDi
♦MR TUNG, MR KING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
♦ I AM DELIGHTED TO BE HERE TO LAUNCH THE FIRST OIL RIG TO BE BUILT IN HONG KONG.
♦ I AM SORRY MY HUSBAND IS UNABLE TO BE HERE TODAY. HE IS, HOWEVER, FEELING MUCH BETTER AND HAS ASKED ME TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONCERN AND YOUR VERY WARM MESSAGES WHICH HE GREATLY APPRECIATES. MY HUSBAND SENDS HIS BEST WISHES TO EUROASIA AND ALL CONCERNED ON THIS MEMORABLE OCCASION AND HAS ASKED ME TO DELIVER THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO YOU ALL.
♦ IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT IF AND WHEN OIL IS FOUND OFF THE SOUTH CHINA COAST, HONG KONG WILL PLAY A TERTIARY ROLE IN THE EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. WE HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED, NOT DISMAYED BY THAT TERM.
+ INDEED, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF OIL IS FOUND IN COMMERCIAL QUANTITIES OFF THE SOUTH CHINA COAST, THERE WILL BE SO MUCH TO DO THAT ALL THOSE PLACES WITH PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY ROLES WILL ALL BE KEPT BUSY PROVIDED THEY ARE READY AND EQUIPPED TO DO THE SPECIALIST WORK OF CONSTRUCTION, SUPPORT AND REPAIR.
♦ I CONGRATULATE EUROASIA IN GETTING IN FIRST AND BLAZING THE TRAIL BY SUPPLYING RIGS FOR OVERSEAS COMPANIES NOW, THUS DEMONSTRATING THAT HONG KONG CAN DO THE JOB.
♦CERTAINLY THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HELP- GOOD FACILITIES FOR TEACHING MARINE ENGINEERING HAVE RECENTLY DEEN OPENED AT THE POLYTECHNIC WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE C.Y. TUNG GROUP AND WORLDWIDE.
♦ I AM AWARE THAT YOUR COMPANY IS OPERATING ON A VERY CONGESTED SITE AND WATER-FRONT LAND IS SCARCE. YOU HAVE, HOWEVER, APPLIED FOR MORE LAND IN AN ADJOINING SITE AND I HOPE YOUR APPLICATION WILL RECEIVE A FAVOURABLE OUTCOME IN A FEW MONTHS.
♦ MY GOOD WISHES AND THANKS GO TO ALL WHO MAKE THIS NEW INDUSTRY A SUCCESS IN HONG KONG. MAY THE RIGS GIVE SATISFACTION TO ALL- TO EUROASIA WHO BUILT THEM AND TO THE SANTA FE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND THE KUWAIT OIL COMPANY WHO COMMISSIONED THEIR CONSTRUCTION.
♦ MY CONGRATULATIONS GO TO EUROASIA FOR THEIR COURAGE AND FORESIGHT IN STARTING THIS NEW INDUSTRY. MAY IT EXPAND AND PROSPER.+
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/2......
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1R82
2
NEED FOR.DIVERSIFICATION OF ECONOMY
* * * *
THE RAPID GROWTH OF HONG KONG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE IN RECENT YEARS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY DIRECT MOVE ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT DELIBERATELY TO DIVERT RESOURCES INTO THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID THIS EVENING (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 1982 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIAN-PACIFIC BANKERS' CLUB, MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY COULD BEST BE SECURED BY FURTHER DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR ECONOMY.
HOWEVER, HE SAID PRAGMATIC APPLICATION OF OUR PHILOSOPHY
OF NON-1NTERVENT ION ISM TOWARDS DIVERSIFICATION REQUIRED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ONLY ENSURE THAT THERE EXISTED NO UNNECESSARY IMPEDIMENT TO DIVERSIFICATION INTO AND WITHIN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR.
+THUS WE PAY PARTICULAR AND CONTINUOUS ATTENTION TO PROVIDING A FAVOURABLE FRAMEWORK, INSTITUTIONAL AND REGULATORY, WITHIN WHICH AN EXPANDING FINANCIAL SECTOR CAN OPERATE.
♦CONSEQUENTLY, FOR EXAMPLE, AN UNUSUALLY LARGE NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED RECENTLY TO THE BANKING ORDINANCE AND THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE.*
MR BREMRIDGE SAID THESE AMENDMENTS WERE AIMED, INTER ALIA, AT FURTHER IMPROVING OUR PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR THEREBY REINFORCING THE STANDING IN THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITY OF BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG.
ON INTEREST RATES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE OPENNESS OF OUR ECONOMY AND ITS HIGH DEGREE OF EXTERNAL DEPENDENCE MEANT THAT WE HAD RELATIVELY LITTLE SCOPE FOR MAINTAINING HONG KONG DOLLAR INTEREST RATES COMPLETELY INDEPENDENTLY OF THE LEVEL OF US DOLLAR INTEREST RATES.
HE ALSO DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A FIXED AND RIGID RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DOMESTIC DEPOSIT RATES AND EURODOLLAR DEPOSIT RATES.
HOWEVER, MR BREMRIDGE SAID HE DID RECOGNISE THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN DOMESTIC AND EURODOLLAR RATES COULD ONLY MOVE IN A RELATIVELY RESTRICTED RANGE BEFORE THE RESULTANT FLOWS INTO OR OUT OF HONG KONG, AND THE RESULTANT IMPACT ON THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR BEGAN TO PLACE AN UNACCEPTABLE STRAIN ON THE ECONOMY THROUGH THE DOMESTIC COST-PRICE STRUCTURE.
WITHIN THIS RANGE, HE SAID, HONG KONG DID HAVE SOME SCOPE FOR AN INDEPENDENT INTEREST RATE POLICY AND IT wAS AT THAT POINT THAT THERE WAS A DEFINITE NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INFLUENCE THE STRUCTURE OF DOMESTIC INTEREST RATES.
/AT PRESENT.........
MONDAY, APRIL 2b, 1982
AT PRESENT, MR EREMRIDGE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TWO POINTS AT lHICH THE GOVERNMENT COULD EXERT AN INFLUENCE ON THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF INTEREST RATES: THE REGULARLY WEEKLY CONSULTATION WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, AND AN EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME INTRODUCED LAST AUTUMN TO INFLUENCE THE LEVEL OF MONEY MARKET INTEREST RATES BY BIDDING FOR DEPOSITS THROUGH THE EXCHANGE FUND’S MAJOR BANKS AND LENDING THEM OUT AT A DIFFERENT TIME AND FOR A DIFFERENT PERIOD.
HE SAID THEORETICALLY THE SCHEME COULD BE PURSUED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THE INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT BECAME IRRELEVANT IN PROVIDING THE UNDERPINNING FOR THE INTEREST RATE STRUCTURE, AND COULD THEREFORE BE ABANDONED. THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT INTEND TO PURSUE THIS COURSE FOR TWO REASONS:
♦FIRST, EDUCATED BY THE EVENTS OF 1965 WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THE FULL - AND UNPREDICTABLE - CONSEQUENCES OF FREE AND TOTALLY UNRESTRAINED COMPETITION FOR DEPOSITS BETWEEN ALL BANKS IN HONG KONG.
♦SECOND, TO RELY SOLELY ON MONEY MARKET INTERVENTION TO IMPLEMENT OUR INTEREST RATE POLICY WOULD REQUIRE A DEGREE OF PERSISTENT AND POSITIVE INTERVENTION- THIS IS WHOLLY ALIEN TO THE PHILOSOPHY, WHICH HAS SERVED THIS ECONOMY SO WELL IN THE PAST.+ HE SAID.
IN HIS SPEECH, MR BREMRIDGE ALSO REFERRED TO HIS RECENT VISIT TO CHINA AND SAID HE WAS STRUCK BY THE READINESS OF THOSE TO WHOM HE SPOKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ROLE WHICH HONG KONG HAD PLAYED, AND wAS PLAYING, IN CHINA’S MODERNISATION PLANS, AND THEIR VERY CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACT THAT HONG KONG COULD ONLY CONTINUE TO MAKE ITS CONTRIBUTION IF IT REMAINED PROSPEROUS, AND THAT ITS PROSPERITY DEPENDED ON ITS POSITION AS A FREE PORT, AND AS A COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTRE.
♦THERE IS THUS A VERY STRONG MUTUAL INTEREST IN THE VIGOROUS DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, AND IN THE STRENGTH OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, WHICH IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR SUCCESS.
♦I SUGGEST THAT THIS PROVIDES THE BEST POSSIBLE BASIS CN WHICH TO BUILD IN THE YEARS AHEAD,+ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
-----0------
WATER FIGURES
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 35.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 207.632 MILLION CUBIC METRES, EQUIVALENT TO 166 DAYS’ CONSUMPTION.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 226.002 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 39.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 198
1+
ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS * * *
DETAILS WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) OF THE FIRST CENTRE TO BE BUILT IN HONG KONG FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN THE PERFORMING ARTS.
THE PROJECT WILL OCCUPY A WATERFRONT SITE OF 23 OOO SQUARE METRES (2.37 HECTARES) ADJACENT TO THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, AND BUILDING IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
THE ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS WILL BE BUILT BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUE, AS A PROJECT TO MARK ITS CENTENARY IN 1984. THE JOCKEY CLUB’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CAPITAL COSTS IS ESTIMATED TO BE $300 MILLION.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THE wAN CHAI SITE FOR THE ACADEMY, WILL CONTRIBUTE A FURTHER $70 MILLION TOWARDS THE PROJECT.
ON COMPLETION, THE ACADEMY WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT WHO HAVE AGREED TO MEET THE ANNUAL RECURRENT COSTS, AMOUNTING TO $33 MILLION BASED ON ESTIMATES DRAWN UP IN JANUARY 1982.
THE HON LI FOOK-WO, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SET UP TO OVERSEE THE PROJECT, ANNOUNCED THAT THE ACADEMY WAS BEING BUILT IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE GROWING NEED TO PROVIDE TERTIARY EDUCATION IN THE PERFORMING ARTS.
THIS WAS IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OBJECTIVES FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE ARTS, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ACADEMY WOULD ALSO SERVE TO ENCOURAGE AND STIMULATE INTEREST IN ARTS EDUCATION IN THE PUBLIC EYE, AND WOULD ENSURE, THROUGH THE RAISING OF HONG KONG’S OWN PERFORMERS AND TEACHERS, AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF ARTISTIC TALENT TO FULFILL FUTURE NEEDS.
♦THE ACADEMY IS EXPECTED TO INTEGRATE EXISTING ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF BALLET, CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, AS WELL AS PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED PREMISES FOR OTHER PERFORMING BODIES, SUCH AS THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC, FOR TRAINING AND REHEARSALS,♦ STATED MR LI.
MR LI ADDED THAT THE ACADEMY WILL BE MANAGED BY AN INDEPENDENT ORGANISATION, SUBVENTED BY GOVERNMENT, AND THAT A PROVISIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE ACADEMY WOULD SHORTLY BE APPOINTED.
MR ALEX S.C. WU HAS BEEN NOMINATED CHAIRMAN DESIGNATE OF THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL, WHICH, WHEN ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE, WILL ENGAGE STAFF FOR THE ACADEMY, DRAW UP PLANS FOR CURRICULA AND ESTABLISH ACCREDITATION AT AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL FOR ITS FUTURE STUDENTS.
MR LI ANNOUNCED THAT MR SIMON KWAN WILL BE FORMALLY APPOINTED BY THE JOCKEY CLUB AS THE MASTER ARCHITECT FOR THE PROJECT. HIS DESIGN WAS SELECTED BY THE PROJECT BOARD AND WILL REFLECT THE ARTISTIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACADEMY.
/MR KWAN .......
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1982
5 -
MR KWAN has adopted a sculptural approach to the complex, WHICH IS COMPOSED OF TWO TRIANGULAR SHAPED BLOCKS (THE SCHOOL BLOCK AND THE PERFORMING AREA BLOCK).
THESE ARE JOINED TOGETHER BY A CENTRAL ATRIUM, COVERED BY A GLASS SPACE FRAME, WHICH WILL SERVE AS A MEETING PLACE FOR STUDENTS, VISITORS AND THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS PROVIDING A LINK BETWEEN THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
PARTICULAR ATTENTION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ENHANCING THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ACADEMY, AND TO THIS END A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE SITE WILL BE LANDSCAPED.
A PARK AREA IS PLANNED, AND THE USE OF PONDS, AND BOTH STATIC AND MOVING WATER AROUND AND BETWEEN THE BUILDINGS WILL GIVE AN OASIS-LIKE IMPRESSION TO THE SITE.
SPECIAL EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO GIVE A TRANSPARENT EFFECT TO THE MAIN FOYER SO THAT THE BUILDING MERGES WITH THE OUTDOOR LANDSCAPED AREA.
THE ACADEMY WILL HOUSE FOUR MAJOR SCHOOLS i MUSIC, DANCE, ACTING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES, FOR BOTH CHINESE AND WESTERN ART FORMS, WITH A NOTIONAL STUDENT BODY ESTIMATED AT 600 THROUGHOUT THE FOUR SCHOOLS AT FULL DEVELOPMENT.
FACILITIES PROVIDED WITHIN THE ACADEMY WILL INCLUDE TWO MAJOR THEATRES WITH A COMBINED MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF 1 600 SEATS, CATERING FOR DANCE, DRAMA AND MUSIC PERFORMANCES, WITH AN ADDITIONAL 200-SEAT STUDIO FOR EXPERIMENTAL DRAMA.
AS WELL AS EXTENSIVE TEACHING AND PRACTICE ROOMS AND STUDIOS, AN ORCHESTRAL REHEARSAL HALL, FULLY EQUIPPED AS A RECORDING STUDIO WILL BE A MAJOR FEATURE OF THE ACADEMY.
IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE BUILDING WILL BE OPERATIONAL DURING THE 1985 SCHOLASTIC YEAR.
--------0---------
BAN ON RIGHT TURN * * *
FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 28), VEHICLES TRAVELLING ALONG THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LEE CHUNG STREET IN CHAI WAN WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CHAI WAN ROAD.
THE SAME BAN WILL ALSO BE IMPOSED ON VEHICLES TRAVELLING ALONG THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CHAI WAN ROAD WHICH WISH TO TURN RIGHT INTO THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WAN TSUI ROAD
TRAFFIC LIGHTS WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE ROAD JUNCTIONS.
--------o --------
/6 .......
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1982
6
LABOUR DEPARTMENT REVIEWS ORGANISATION
* * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING ITS ORGANISATION TO SEE HOW IT CAN BEST FIT INTO THE NEW PATTERN FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, DR JAMES HAYES, WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
DR HAYES, WHO WAS FORMERLY THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, SAID HE WAS NATURALLY INTERESTED IN DEPARTMENTAL SERVICES TO DISTRICTS, AND ASSISTANCE TO THE BOARDS.
HE WAS ALSO INTERESTED IN WHAT DISTRICTS COULD DO FOR HIS DEPARTMENT.
+THE TWO ELEMENTS, SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE SHAPING OF THE DEPARTMENT AND CHANGES TO LABOUR LEGISLATION THROUGH THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF OPINIONS AND INFORMATION, CAN COME TOGETHER AT DISTRICT LEVEL,+ HE NOTED.
DR HAYES POINTED OUT THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD 12 DIVISIONS (13 INCLUDING THE MINES DIVISION) AND ITS SERVICES WERE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED.
IT HAD 69 DIVISIONAL OFFICES OPERATING FROM 35 SUB-OFFICES, OFFERING ITS DIVISIONAL SERVICES TO THOSE DISTRICTS AND AREAS WHERE, BY ITS MANNING CRITERIA, THE NEED WAS GREATEST. NINETEEN OF THE DIVISIONAL OFFICES WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 32 IN KOWLOON AND 18 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
HOWEVER, BY SETTING UP OFFICES IN ALL THE 18 DISTRICTS WHERE DISTRICT BOARDS WERE LOCATED, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CUT ACROSS THE PRESENT ECONOMICAL METHOD OF PROVIDING SERVICES.
+IN THIS CONNECTION I HAVE TO MAKE THE POINT THAT NOT ALL OUR SERVICES ARE REQUIRED IN ALL DISTRICTS. OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS NO POINT IN HAVING A DISTRICT FACTORY INSPECTORATE IN A DISTRICT WITHOUT ANY FACTORIES,* HE NOTED.
NONETHELESS, DR HAYES CONTINUED, THERE WAS A REQUIREMENT FOR HIS STAFF TO WORK WITH AND ASSIST DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES, AND THE DEPARTMENT COULD BENEFIT FROM A CLOSER INVOLVEMENT WITH OTHER PARTIES AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
/♦I PERSONALLY .......
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1Q62
- 7 -
♦I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED MOST EFFECTIVELY 5Y HAVING SENIOR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS ON THE BOARD, BECOMING PERSONALLY KNOWN TO BOARD MEMBERS AND OTHER LOCAL LEADERS, AND TO THE SENIOR STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND OTHER CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS WORKING IN THE DISTRICTS.
♦HOWEVER, IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CASE THE TASK OF ESTABLISHING HOW BEST TO FIT INTO THE NEW PATTERN FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IS NOT STRAIGHTFORWARD, ESPECIALLY HAVING REGARD TO THE FACT THAT OUR OFFICES AND SERVICES ARE ALREADY QUITE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED, AND THAT THE EXTRA EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IN STAFF INCREASES AND EXTRA OFFICES SHOULD BE AVOIDED UNLESS IT HAS A SOLID JUSTIFICATION THROUGH DEMONSTRATED NEED AND PALPABLE RESULTS.
+wE ARE CURRENTLY REVIEWING OUR ORGANISATION FOR DISTRICT SERVICES AND CLOSER CO-OPERATION WITH DISTRICT BOARDS AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES ON THAT BASIS,* HE ADDED.
-----o------
IMPROVEMENT TO TSI NG Yl ROADS
* * *
THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) AWARDED A $^5.8 MILLION CONTRACT TO LAM CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. FOR IMPROVEMENT WORK ON TWO OF THE EXISTING ROADS ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE WIDENING OF HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD AND TSING Yl ROAD TO PROVIDE DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROUNDABOUT AT THE WEST END OF TSING Yl BRIDGE, TWO FOOTBRIDGES AT THE EAST END OF CHEUNG MEI ROAD AND A SUBWAY OUTSIDE CHEUNG CHING ESTATE.
THE WORK FORMS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN WHICH INCLUDES THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSING Yl AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
- - 0 -----------
/t .......
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1962
- 8 -ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECTS TO RECEIVE SPECIAL GRANTS ******
A SPECIAL PROJECT GRANT SCHEME HAS BEEN LAUNCHED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMITTEE TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG.
UNDER THE NEW SCHEME, A SUM OF $10 000 IS SET ASIDE FROM GOVERNMENT FUNDS FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR TO HELP FINANCE ANY WORTHY PROJECTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION UNDERTAKEN BY PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANISED GROUPS.
ANNOUNCING THE NEW SCHEME TODAY (MONDAY), THE SECRETARY OF EPCOM, MR C.E.V. HAIN-COLE SAID, +THE FUND WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT STUDIES OR WORK AIMED AT PREVENTING OR COMBATTING LAND, WATER, AIR OR NOISE POLLUTION.+
+THERE IS NO FIXED LEVEL TO THE AMOUNT ALLOCATED- IT WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE REQUIREMENTS AND MERITS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL PROJECT,* HE SAID.
+AND IF PEOPLE COME UP WITH SO MANY GOOD QUALITY PROJECTS THAT THE TOTAL SUM SHOULD PROVE INADEQUATE, WE MAY CONSIDER SEEKING EXTRA FUNDS FROM SPONSORS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR,* MR HAIN-COLE ADDED.
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS ARE ACCEPTED ALL YEAR ROUND. THEY SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF EPCOM AT ROOM 356, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE APPLICANT MUST GIVE HIS NAME, CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER. IF HE IS AFFILIATED TO ANY CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH OR OTHER RELATED ORGANISATIONS, HE SHOULD MENTION THE NAME OF THAT ORGANISATION AND ANY NECESSARY SUPPORT OR APPROVAL FROM IT.
EACH APPLICATION MUST CLEARLY STATE THE SPECIFIC PURPOSES FOR WHICH GRANT IS BEING SOUGHT, WHETHER IT IS FOR BUYING EQUIPMENT, DISPLAY MATERIAL, BOOKS, STATIONERY OR FOR PRINTING.
IT MUST ALSO CONTAIN A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT, INCLUDING THE TITLE, OBJECTIVES, DURATION, TIMETABLE AND BUDGET.
ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY EXPERTS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. RECOMMENDATIONS WILL THEN BE MADE TO EPCOM WHICH WILL DECIDE TO WHOM AND HOW MUCH THE GRANTS SHOULD BE AWARDED.
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WILL BE ASKED TO SUBMIT A SHORT REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF EPCOM ONCE THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED.
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1982
- 9 -
COUNTRY AND COMMODITY BREAKDOWN FIGURES FOR HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1982
*****
THE TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1982, VALUED AT $39 090 MILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 8 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1981.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 6 PER CENT TO $10 933 MILLION, IMPORTS BY 7 PER CENT TO 321 242 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 12 PER CENT TO 36 915 MILLION.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 8 PER CENT.
THE SLOW GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS NOT UNEXPECTED, GIVEN THE SLOW GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES IN RECENT MONTHS.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) THE RELEVANT DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS WERE AS FOLLOWS s-
JAN-FEB 1982 (HKS MN.) JAN-FEB 1981 (HK3 MN.) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
USA 3 824 3 490 ♦334 + 10
UK 964 878 + 86 + 10
FR OF GERMANY 938 1 058 -120 -11
CHINA 578 365 +213 + 58
AUSTRALIA 445 355 + 90 +25
JAPAN 406 340 + 66 + 19
CANADA 305 274 + 31 + 11
SINGAPORE 269 236 + 33 + 14
NETHERLANDS 253 240 + 13 ♦ 5
FRANCE 191 195 - 4 - 2
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE US ROSE BY 10 PER CENT.
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY 3204 MILLION OR 138 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $122 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT) AS WELL Ao TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS. AND EQUIPMENT (BY $58 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT).
/DhiCRiuritdfMj 4 ijR£ »••••••
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1962
10 -
DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $73 MILLION OR FIVE PER CENT) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $99 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT).
INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM OF PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $37 MILLION OR 142 PER CENT) AND TEXTILES (BY $18 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS DECLINED BY $13 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT.
MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY DECLINED IN VALUE, INCLUDING WATCHES AND CLOCKS (DECLINED BY $10 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT) AND CLOTHING (DECLINED BY $113 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT). DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES INCREASED STEADILY (BY $11 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT).
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $20 MILLION OR 239 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $102 MILLION OR 213 PER CENT) AND IN THE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TEXTILES TO AUSTRALIA (BY $19 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT).
AN ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS DIVISION IS PRESENTED BELOW s-
BY MAJOR COMMODITY
JAN-FEB 1982 (HK$ MN.)
JAN-FEB 1981 (HK$ MN.)
INCREASE/
DECREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ MN.) CHANGE
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 3 733
3 811 - 78 - 2
MISCELLANEOUS
MANUFACTURED
ARTICLES (MAINLY
PLASTIC TOYS
AND DOLLS) 1 834
1 380 +454 +33
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS
1 065
1 049 +16 +2
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES) 870
685 +185 +27
/TELECOMMUNICATION
MONDAI, APRIL 2b, 1962
11
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 798 684 ♦ 114 +17
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 728 689 ♦ 39 + 6
THE CHANGES IN AS FOLLOWS :- IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED
JAN-FEB 1982 (HK$ MN.) JAN-FEB 1981 (HK$ MN.) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HK$ MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
CHINA 4 793 3 712 ♦ 1 081 +29
JAPAN 4 402 4 768 - 366 - 8
USA 2 280 2 126 + 154 ♦ 7
SINGAPORE 1 754 1 501 + 253 + 17
TAIWAN 1 621 1 655 - 34 - 2
UK 928 869 ♦ 59 + 7
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) 764 850 86 -10
FR OF GERMANY 486 532 - 46 - 9
SWITZERLAND 395 425 - 30 - 7
AUSTRAL 1A 337 276 ♦ 61 +22
LOCAL DEMAND FOR IMPORTED GOODS FROM CHINA REMAINED STRONG, INCREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN TEXTILES (BY $221 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY $138 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT), PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $123 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT), AS WELL AS MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS (BY $74 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT).
AS FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, INCREASES WERE NOTED FOR TEXTILE FABRICS (BY $62 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT) AS WELL AS GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $44 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT).
DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILE YARN (BY $71 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT), ROAD VEHICLES (BY $76 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $186 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE US WERE LARGELY OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $69 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT), AS WELL AS TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $47 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT).
/ON THE OTHER .......
MONDAY. APRIL 26, 1902
12
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE IMPORTS CF OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $53 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT) AND ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (BY $96 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT).
CONSIDERABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS FROM SINGAPORE (BY $191 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT), AND OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES FROM TAIWAN (BY $52 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT).
IMPORTS OF TEXTILES FROM TAIWAN DECLINED OR FIVE PER CENT).
(BY $33 MILLION
THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECTION t-
JAN-FEB 1982 (HK$ MN.)
INCREASE/
JAN-FEB 1981 DECREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ MN.) (HK$ MN.) CHANGE
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL,AND PAPER) 6 072 5 854 ♦ 218 ♦ 4
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 4 627 4 520 ♦ 107 ♦ 2
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 3 351 3 120 ♦ 231 ♦ 7
FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 2 378 2 058 ♦ 320 ♦ 16
MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 1 986 1 499 ♦ 487 ♦ 32
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1 379 1 387 —» 8 1
SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO USA (BY $166 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT), CHINA (BY $138 MILLION OR EIGHT PER CENT), SINGAPORE ( BY $105 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT), INDONESIA (BY $67 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT), REPUBLIC OF KOREA (BY $65 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT), PHILIPPINES (BY $63 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT), MACAU (BY $52 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (BY $46 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO FRANCE (BY $41 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT) AND UK (BY $163 MILLION OR 66 PER CENT).
/MOST COMMODITIES .......
MOND;”. APRIL 2b, 1962
MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG EXHIBITED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING TEXTILES (BY $197 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $104 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT), AND CLOTHING (BY $62 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT).
DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE RE-EXPORTS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $76 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT), AND METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $223 MILLION OR 92 PER CENT).
THE FEBRUARY 1982 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS -SUMMARY*, BEING A SUMMARY REPORT ON HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN FEBRUARY 1982, WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$5 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 BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG. (TEL. NO. » 5-214375).
-----o--------
FIFTY TEAMS TO COMPETE IN TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE
* * * *
FIFTY TEAMS WILL COMPETE IN THIS YEAR’S TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE TO BE HELD AT SHUEN WAN HOI ON JUNE 25.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (MONDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID ENTHUSIASTS WOULD HAVE ONLY THREE MORE WEEKS TO APPLY TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE AND THEY SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE BEFORE THE DEADLINE ON MAY 15.
THE TRADITIONAL RACE, HELD ANNUALLY ON THE FIFTH DAY OF THE FIFTH MONTH ON THE LUNAR CALENDAR, IS TO TAKE PLACE ALONG THE MAIN DAM OF PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR FOR A DISTANCE OF 1 000 METRES.
THERE WILL BE FIVE HEATS IN THE MORNING. THE WINNER AND RUNNER-UP TEAMS IN EACH HEAT WILL COMPETE IN THE FINAL RACE IN THE AFTERNOON.
EACH TEAM WILL CONSIST OF 27 MEMBERS, COMPRISING 24 OARSMEN, A DRUMMER, A GONG BEATER AND THE COXSWAIN.
BEING ONE OF THE MOST COLOURFUL FESTIVALS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE RACE IS ORGANISED BY A COMMITTEE COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, RURAL COMMITTEE, SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
FUNDS FOR THE EVENT WILL COME FROM THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AND PRIVATE DONATIONS.
--------c - -
/V*........
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1982
14
LOGO CHOSEN FOR EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD * * * *
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD (EDB) HAS TAKEN A STEP FORWARD IN PROJECTING ITS IMAGE BY ADOPTING A LOGO FOR ITSELF.
THE LOGO WAS SELECTED FROM AMONG 127 ENTRIES TO THE EDB LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION, LAUNCHED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THE BEST DESIGN IS COMPOSED OF FOUR ’E’ LETTERS, REPRESENTING THE INITIAL LETTER FOR ’EASTERN’.
♦EACH OF THE FOUR E’S IN THE DESIGN DEPICTS A HUMAN FIGURE AND CONVEYS THE IDEA THAT THE EDB REPRESENTS THE WELL BEING OF THE PEOPLE FROM ALL QUARTERS IN THE DISTRICT*, A SPOKESMAN FOR EDB SAID TODAY.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE FOURTH EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY, APRIL 30 AT THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS BRADBURY YOUTH CENTRE, MODEL LANE, HONG KONG.
• •
AN AWARD IN THE FORM OF A GIFT COUPON AND A SOUVENIOR PLAQUE WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE AUTHORS OF THE THREE BEST ENTRIES OF THIS COMPETITION. THE FIRST PRIZE WILL BE 32 000 WITH SI 000 FOR THE SECOND AND 8500 FOR THE THIRD.
THE BEST DESIGN WILL BE USED FOR PRINTING ON LETTERHEADS AND IN PUBLICITY PROJECTS ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
AMONG THE ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE FOURTH BOARD MEETING WILL BE THE BOARD’S BUDGET FOR 1982-83, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME COVERING THE AREA AROUND LIN FA KUNG TEMPLE, THE LAUNCHING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT NEWSPAPER, AS WELL AS REPORTS FROM DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE OVERALL PROGRESS IN THE REGISTRATION OF DISTRICT BOARD VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT, AND OF THE WORK OF THE STANDING CONFERENCE ON ROAD SAFETY.
NOTES TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY APRIL 30 AT THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS BRADBURY CENTRE, MODEL LANE, NORTH POINT. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE AFTERNOON’S FULL EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ARE WELCOME TO STAY. CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN) STAFF WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE MEETING.
-------o-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REFLECTIVE LICENCE PLATES FAVOURED BY TAC ...................... 1
LEGCO TO DISCUSS LACK OF +BODY-SCANNER&4- IN GOVT HOSPITALS .. 2
655 000 REGISTER AS URBAN VOTERS................................ 2
?S LEAVES FOR ADB MEETING................................... 3
BUILDING IN DANGEROUS CONDITION ............................... 3
SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1981 ....................... 4
HISTORICAL TUNG LUNG FORT OPENED ............................... 5
NW BOY SCOUT BUILDING IN THEN MUN .............................. 6
HONG KONG CAN BE KEPT CLEAN, SaYS NTSD CHIEF ................... 7
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCESS MaRGARET ROAD FLYOVER............. 8
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS LOOK INTO TRAFFIC PROBLEMS .............. 9
PLB CLEARWAY IN UAN CHAI
9
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1982
1
REFLECTIVE LICENCE PLATES FAVOURED BY TAC *****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN ITS MEETING TODAY CONSIDERED A PROPOSAL TO SET UP A CENTRAL ISSUING AUTHORITY FOR CAR REGISTRATION NUMBER PLATES AND A SUGGESTION TO INTRODUCE REFLECTIVE NUMBER PLATES.
AFTER WEIGHING THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSAL AGAINST THE ADVANTAGES, THE COMMITTEE ADVISED AGAINST PURSUING THE IDEA OF A CENTRAL ISSUING AUTHORITY BUT WAS IN FAVOUR OF REQUIRING VEHICLES TO FIT REFLECTIVE REGISTRATION PLATES.
ADOPTION OF A CENTRALISED ISSUING AUTHORITY FOR NUMBER PLATES HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF SECURITY, ACHIEVED BY INCORPORATING A SERIAL NUMBER INTO THE PLATE, AND CONTROL OVER THE SIZE AND SPECIFICATION OF THE PLATE MATERIAL. PRODUCTION OF THESE PLATES COULD BE USEFULLY CARRIED OUT AS A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS INDUSTRY.
THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES IN PRODUCING DIFFERENT COLOUR COMBINATIONS FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF VEHICLES, AND A UNIFORM-SIZED PLATE COULD BE A PROBLEM TO FIT ONTO SOME VEHICLES.
THE CASE FOR INTRODUCTION OF REFLECTIVE NUMBER PLATES WAS RESEARCHED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S ROAD SAFETY DIVISION. AN ANALYSIS BASED ON 1980 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS SHOWED THAT ABOUT ONE PER CENT OF THESE ACCIDENTS MIGHT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED OR MADE LESS SERIOUS IF THE CARS INVOLVED HAD REFLECTIVE NUMBER PLATES.
ALTHOUGH THE DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE REDUCTION IN ACCIDENTS IS SMALL IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, THE POSSIBLE SAVINGS IN HUMAN SUFFERING AND IN COST TO THE COMMUNITY CAN BE CONSIDERABLE.
TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC, THE REQUIREMENT PROPOSED BY THE TAC WAS FOR ALL VEHICLES BEING REGISTERED FOR THE FIRST TIME TO BE FITTED WITH THE REFLECTIVE PLATES AND FOR OTHER VEHICLES TO COMPLY WITHIN A GRACE PERIOD.
THE COMMITTEE, WHICH IS GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF ROAD ACCIDENTS, ALSO RECEIVED A REPORT ON THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION OF THE ROAD SAFETY DIVISION.
THE DIVISION’S ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY SECTION HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING COMPUTER PROGRAMMES TO RETRIEVE AND ANALYSE ACCIDENT DATA AND IN ADVISING ON THE PRODUCTION OF ROAD SAFETY PROMOTION MATERIAL, INCLUDING A ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION KIT.
ITS INVESTIGATION AND REMEDY SECTION HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN INTRODUCING QUICK COUNTER-ACCI DENT MEASURES AT BLACK SPOTS WHICH THEY ARE IDENTIFYING AND IN PROVIDING A ROAD SAFETY INPUT TO PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1982
- 2 -
LEGCO TO DISCUSS LACK OF ♦BODY-SCANNERS* IN GOVT HOSPITALS
* * * »
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ASKED TO EXPLAIN AT TOMORROW’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING WHY BODY-SCANNING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND WHAT IS BEING DONE TO OVERCOME THIS DEFICIENCY.
THE QUESTION, TO BE ASKED BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN, IS ONE OF SIX TO BE RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AT TOMORROW’S SITTING.
OTHER QUESTIONS RELATE TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE ENACTED IN BECEMBER 1980 ; HOW LOCAL SEAMEN WILL BE AFFECTED BY NEW INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OF TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION DUE TO COME INTO FORCE EARLY NEXT YEAR ; PASSENGERS LUGGAGE ON KCR TRAINS ; AND FORM III AND IV VACANCIES IN GOVERNMENT, AIDED AND OTHER SCHOOLS.
DURING THE MEETING, THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1982 FOR ITS THIRD AND FINAL READING.
FOUR NEW BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THEIR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THESE AREi THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON BILL WHICH SEEKS TO RAISE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPING FROM 14 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT ; THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH TIGHTENS UP EXISTING LEGISLATION DEALING WITH DRUG OFFENCES; THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH INTRODUCES STIFF NEW PENALTIES AGAINST THOSE IGNORING FIRE DANGER WARNINGS ; AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE RELEVANT AUTHORITY TO MAKE REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPOSITION OF FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN FOOD PREMISES.
o - - - -
655 000 REGISTER AS URBAN VOTERS
* * * *
MORE THAN 655 000 PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE URBAN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AMD NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY URGED ELIGIBLE ELECTORS WHO HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED TO DO SO NOW BEFORE REGISTRATION CLOSES ON FRIDAY (APRIL 30).
REGISTRATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES, MTR STATIONS, POST OFFICES AND BRANCHES OF SEVERAL MAJOR BANKS.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1982
3
FS LEAVES FOR ADB MEETING
* * X
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN BREMRIDGE, LEAVES HONG KONG TODAY (TUESDAY) TO ATTEND THE 15TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD CF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, MANILA. PHILIPPINES FROM APRIL 28 TO APRIL 30. W BREMRIDGE IS EXPECTED TO ADDRESS THE MEETING AT A GOVERNORS’ SESSION.
ALSO IN THE HONG KONG DELEGATION ARE THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS BLYE, THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, W COLIN MARTIN, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR JOSEPH YAM AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR ANDREW WELLS.
MR BREMRIDGE IS DUE BACK IN HONG KONG ON FRIDAY (APRIL 30). DURING HIS ABSENCE, MR HENRY CHING WILL ACT AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
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BUILDING IN DANGEROUS CONDITION
X X *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED NO. 15 FIRST LANE, DIAMOND HILL, KOWLOON TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THE TWO-STOREY, PRE-WAR BUILDING CONSTRUCTED OF LOAD-BEARING STONE WALLS, TIMBER FLOORS AND ROOF, AND WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE KITCHEN AREA AND VERANDAH, WAS INSPECTED FOLLOWING A COMPLAINT.
♦INSPECTION HAS REVEALED THAT MANY OF THE TIMBER JOISTS ARE IN AN ADVANCED STATE OF DECAY AND THE REINFORCED CONCRETE ELEMENTS ARE SERIOUSLY SPALLED,♦ HE SAID.
♦THERE IS A RISK OF PARTIAL COLLAPSE AND IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THIS BUILDING,* HE ADDED.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON MAY 25 WAS POSTED TODAY.
- - - - 0-------------
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1982
- 4 -
SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1981
******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS NOW CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THE YEAR 1981.
THE SURVEY IS A FOLLOW-UP TO A SIMILAR ENQUIRY CONDUCTED FOR 1980, AND REPRESENTS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME TO COLLECT ECONOMIC STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR.
THE AIM OF THE SURVEY IS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION REQUIRED BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE IN ARRIVING AT DECISIONS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPHERES.
THE DATA TO BE COLLECTED WILL FACILITATE UPDATING ESTIMATES OF INDUSTRY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG, REVIEWING CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF OUTPUT AND TYPE CF GOODS MANUFACTURED, AND MAKING INTER-INDUSTRY COMPARISONS.
SOME 8 000 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE SECTORS CF MINING AND QUARRYING, MANUFACTURING, AND ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
ALL INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 100 OR MORE PERSONS ARE INCLUDED; FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING FEWER THAN 100 PERSONS, A RANDOM SAMPLE IS SELECTED.
INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, EMPLOYMENT, MAN-HOURS WORKED, LABOUR COST, CONTRACT AND COMMISSION WORK, MATERIAL PURCHASES, OPERATING EXPENSES. SALES AND WORK DONE, OTHER RECEIPTS, STOCKS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
THE SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION) CRDER 1981, WHICH WAS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPER 316 OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG) AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 18 IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE OF JANUARY 30, 1981.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED. MANAGEMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT PROMPTLY.
UPON REQUEST, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT MAY VISIT ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO MANAGEMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, WHO WILL BE PROVIDED WITH PROOF OF THEIR IDENTITY, IN THE COURSE OF ENUMERATION. HE EMPHASISED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL ONLY BE USED IN AN AGGREGATE FORM FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES.
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/5 .....
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1982
5
HISTORICAL TUNS LUNS FORT OPENED ft ft ft ft
THE TUNS LUNS FORT ON TUNS LUNS ISLAND WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR BRIAN WILSON.
THE CEREMONY MARKED THE COMPLETION OF THE PARTIAL RESTORATION OF THE FORT AND ITS OPEN I NS TO THE PUBLIC AS A HISTORICAL SITE.
SPEAK INS AT THE CEREMONY, MR WILSON SAID THAT THERE WAS A REFRESH I NS INTEREST IN THE HISTORY OF HONS KONS AND THERE COULD BE NO BETTER WAY OF ST IMULAT I NS THAT INTEREST THAN BY RESTORINS THE 3OO-YEAR-CLD FORT AND BY SETT I NS OUT ITS HISTORY FOR ALL TO READ.
MR WILSON TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE, DR SOLOMON BARD FROM WHOM CAME THE DRIVE AND INITIATIVE FOR THE RESTORATION. DR BARD HAD APPLIED HIMSELF FOR THREE YEARS WITH UNFLAGS I NS ENER6Y TO THE PROJECT, HE SAID.
♦ AT THE SAME TIME, WE MUSTN’T FORSET THE HELP THAT THE FORCES HAVE PROVIDED IN THE WAY OF TRANSPORT, STORES AND EXPERTISE,* MR WILSON SAID.
HE ALSO THANKED THE VOLUNTEER WORKERS. MOSTLY MEMBERS OF THE HONS KONG ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, WHO SACRIFICED MANY DAYS AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES TO WORK UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE PROJECT.
♦ I HOPE THAT, WHEN THEY HAVE DRAWN BREATH AGAIN AND DISCOVERED HOW DULL LIFE CAN BE WITHOUT A FORT TO RESTORE, THEY’LL BE READY TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE NEXT TWO PROJECTSi FAN LAU FORT AND THE FORMER IMPERIAL CUSTOMS STATION ON JUNK ISLAND,♦ MR WILSON ADDED.
THE TUNG LUNG FORT WAS BUILT DURING THE REISN OF CHING EMPEROR HONG HAI (1662-1722 AD) WITH THE OBJECT OF SUPPRESSING PIRATES AND CONTROLLING TRADE WITH THE WEST.
IT WAS LOCATED ON THE STRATEGIC POINT OVERLOOKING FAT TONS MUN THROUGH WHICH TRADING JUNKS ON THEIR WAY TO CANTON PASSED.
BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY IN PROVIDING SUPPLIES TO THE GARRISON ON A REMOTE ISLAND, IT WAS VACATED IN 1810 WHEN THE GARRISON MOVED TO KOWLOON.
IN 1979, THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DECIDED TO RESTORE THE FORT PARTIALLY.
♦ SINCE THE ORIGINAL APPEARANCE OF THE FORT CANNOT BE TRACED, A PARTIAL RESTORATION WOULD AVOID CONJECTURE AND SPECULATION,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE SAID.
RESTORATION WORK USING LABOUR AND VOLUNTEERS WAS CARRIED OUT IN FIVE STAGES. THE FIRST PHASE OF RESTORATION BEGAN IN JANUARY 1979 AND THE FINAL IN OCTOBER 1981.
A NOTABLE FEATURE OF THE FIFTH PHASE IS THE SYSTEMATIC EXCAVATION OF THE INTERIOR WHICH WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE WHOLE INTERNAL LAYOUT IS REVEALED.
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/6......
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1982
6
NEW BOY SCOUT BUILDING IN TUEN MUN M M M M
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, TODAY PRAISED THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND URGED YOUNGSTERS IN TUEN MUN TO JOIN THE SCOUT MOVEMENT.
A LARGE PROPORTION OF PEOPLE IN THE FAST EXPANDING NEW TOWN OF TUEN MUN ARE BELOW 18 YEARS OF AGE AND ARE GOOD POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS IN SCOUTING, HE SAID.
♦THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, SCOUTING HAS BEEN A HIGHLY RESPECTED MOVEMENT BECAUSE IT HELPS TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, CIVIC-MINDEDNESS AND A SENSE OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AMONGST YOUNG PEOPLE.
♦THROUGH ITS MANY AND VARIED PROGRAMMES, THIS MOVEMENT ALSO HELPS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YOUNG, THUS HELPING THEM CULTIVATE HEALTHY HOBBIES AND PURSUITS AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, DEVELOP SOUND AND UPRIGHT CHARACTERS,+ MR MACPHERSON SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF NEW OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT SCOUT ASSOCIATION WHICH IS LAUNCHING A FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A JUBILEE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING.
MR MACPHERSON SAID IT WAS MOST TIMELY THAT THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION HAD TAKEN ON THIS AMBITIOUS PROJECT TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE VENUE AND FACILITIES FOR MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES AMIDST THE EXCELLENT ENVIRONMENT OF FU TEI TSUEN IN TUEN MUN.
THE THREE-STOREY JUBILEE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, TO BE BUILT ON A 976—SQUARE-METRE SITE ALLOCATED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR, WILL INCLUDE SUCH FACILITIES AS A HALL, A CAMP FIRE SITE, A BASKETBALL COURT, AND FOUR SPECIAL ROOMS FOR TRAINING COURSES AND MEETINGS.
MR MACPHERSON THANKED THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR ITS GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION OF $300 000 TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION COST.
♦THE REST, AT LEAST AN EQUAL SUM. WILL HAVE TO COME FROM DONATIONS FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY,♦ HE ADDED.
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1982
7
HONG KONG CAN BE KEPT CLEAN, SAYS NTSD CHIEF *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MUST BE MADE MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE EFFECT OF INDISCRIMINATE LITTERING, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JIMMY SWEETMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
♦THE PLACE CAN BE KEPT CLEAN,♦ HE STRESSED.
SPEAKING AT THE MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TODAY (TUESDAY) MR SWEETMAN CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WHERE PEOPLE HAVE FROM THE START BEEN MADE CONSCIOUS OF THE ANTI-SOCIAL EFFECTS OF LITTERING.
HE SAID THAT TO IMPROVE THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE RURAL POPULATION, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD BE STARTING AN EXPERIMENT NEXT MONTH BY CONTRACTING OUT THE CLEANSING OF FOUR VILLAGES TO THE AGENTS OF THE LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEE, HE SAID.
♦IT IS HOPED WITH THIS LOCAL INVOLVEMENT, PEOPLE WILL BREAK AWAY FROM THE HABIT OF THINKING THAT IT IS THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THE PLACE CLEAN AND START THINKING ABOUT THEIR OWN COMMUNAL RESPONSIBILITY^ HE CONTINUED.
♦THIS SHOULD IMPROVE THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING AND PRIDE IN THE ENVIRONMENT,♦ MR SWEETMAN ADDED.
ON THE PART BEING PLAYED BY THE NTSD, MR SWEETMAN SAID HIS DEPARTMENT NOW HAD PLENTY OF REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. THIS HAD RAISED THE CLEANSING WORKERS’ MORALE BECAUSE THEY WERE SURE THAT A VEHICLE WOULD ARRIVE AT A CERTAIN TIME AND THEY WERE THEREFORE BETTER MOTIVATED TOWARDS DOING A GOOD JOB, HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE NTSD WAS ALSO CONDUCTING A REVIEW OF THE CLEANSING SERVICES WHICH HE HOPED WOULD NOT ONLY PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE BUT ALSO A FAR MORE ECONOMICAL ONE IN THE FUTURE.
HE SAID THAT WHEN THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN CONCLUDES TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE NTSD WOULD REVIEW ITS SUCCESSES AND FAILURES AND MODIFY THESE SUCCESSES INTO PROVIDING PERMANENT NEW SERVICES, SUCH AS THE REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE FOR BOAT SQUATTERS.
BUT RURAL POLLUTION, PARTICULARLY AGRICULTURAL WASTE, WAS A JOB NOT YET SUCCESSFULLY TACKLED, MR SWEETMAN ADMITTED, ADDING, ♦WE ARE GAINING SOME EXPERIENCE THROUGH PHYSICALLY COLLECTING PIG WASTE, BUT THIS IS EXPENS IVE.+
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WAS THEREFORE ENGAGING CONSULTANTS TO REPORT BACK BY THE END OF THIS YEAR ON HOW BEST TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM, HE SAID.
Apriority areas ......
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, rc.
- 8 -
♦PRIORITY AREAS WILL BE IN TOLO HARBOUR WHERE WE ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE WATER,+ HE SAID.
DISCUSSING RECREATION, MR SWEETMAN SAID APART FROM BUILDING A COMPETITION SWIMMING POOL IN EACH DISTRICT, THERE SHOULD BE OTHERS WHICH ARE +MORE ORIENTATED TOWARDS GIVING THE WHOLE FAMILY A PLEASANT LEISURE ACTIVITY WITH LANDSCAPED POOLS JUST FOR SPLASHING ABOUT.+
THE ELDERS OF THE FAMILIES COULD SIT IN THE SHADE ENJOYING A MEAL OR DRINK WHILE WATCHING THE YOUNGSTERS PLAYING, HE SAID.
♦WE MUST ALSO ON A LARGER SCALE TRY AND FIND SOME WAY TO DEVELOP SUCH POPULAR HOLIDAY RESORT FACILITIES AS THOSE EXISTING IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, BUT IT IS PROBABLE THAT THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE IF WE MODIFY OUR PRESENT POLICY OF GIVING A PIECE OF LAND TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER ON AUCTION,+ HE SAID.
♦TO MAKE A RESORT MORE ATTRACTIVE COSTS MONEY AND WE SHOULD THEREFORE TRY AND STRIKE THE BALANCE BETWEEN GETTING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FROM THE LAND AND BEING PROVIDED WITH THE MOST ATTRACTIVE RESORT DEVELOPMENT,♦ HE CONCLUDED.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER M * M «
THE NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC LANE ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 30) FOR DRAINAGE WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS SHOULD USE THE GROUND LEVEL ROAD AS AN ALTERNATIVE.
MEANWHILE, THE 190 PARKING SPACES ON THE PODIUM DECK OF THE HUNG HOM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK WILL BE PERMANENTLY CANCELLED FROM 8 AM ON FRIDAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INDOOR STADIUM.
- 0 -----------
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1332
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS LOOK INTO TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
*****
THE PROBABLY AND POOR
WESTERN RECLAMATION, DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN 1984, WILL BE USED FOR RESOLVING THE EXISTING TRAFFIC CONGESTION SANITARY CONDITIONS IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT.
A 0F CENTRAL and WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WHO I^RSD SAI Y,N6 PUN AND KENNEDY TOWN THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING EYED THIS PIECE OF LAND AS THEIR ONLY POSSIBLE HOPE OF AMELIORATING THE CHAOTIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE AREA CAUSED BY THE S^ZSTREET LOADING AND UNLOADING OF VEGETABLES, POULTRY, PIGS, CATTLE AND GENERAL CARGOES AROUND CADOGAN STREET, DAVI& STREET AND THE KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA.
TO AGGRAVATE THE SITUATION WHOLESALE MARKET, POULTRY STALLS LOADING PIER IN THE AREA.
THERE ARE ALSO A VEGETABLE , AN ABATTOIR AND A PUBLIC
THE GROUP, ACCOMPANIED BY CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, M? TONY CLARK, AND OFFICERS OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, CAME UP WITH THE IDEA AFTER OBTAINING A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE PIECE OF LAND FROM THE ROOF-TOP OF A MULTI-STOREY BUILDING IN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST.
THE PARTY ALSO EXPERIENCED FOR THEMSELVES SOMETHING OF THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN THE AREA WHEN THEIR COACH WAS CAUGHT IN A TRAFFIC JAM DURING THEIR TOUR TO THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE DISTRICT. THE TRAFFIC JAM WAS CAUSED BY LINES OF PARKED LORRIES AND HANDCARTS TAKING ON CARGOES FROM ANCHORED BARGES ALONG THE KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA.
ON THEIR RETURN DISTRICT OFFICERS ON
JOURNEY THE PARTY WERE BRIEFED BY CITY
PLANS TO PROVIDE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ^CfLITIFS T0 RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING ELECTRICITY AND FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO VILLAGERS OF HOI PONG VILLAGE, A SQUATTER AREA AT THE FOOT OF MOUNT DAVIS.
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PLB CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI * * *
THE SECTION OF THE EASTBOUND
S5fr!dayS(apr?lD3o)LL BE ^es'®Rate°RaI*cbWclearwayEfrom3ioAam
THIS MEANS THAT PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP ALONG THIS SECTION BETWEEN 7 AM AND 12 MIDNIGHT TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS.
- - . _ o---
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
..•SDNESD.T, APRIL 28, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL iiEETING:
SIR MURRAY'S FAREWELL TO LEGCO .............................. 1
SCANNERS FOR GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS BY END OF YEAR............. 8
CONCERN ABOUT FIRE HAZARD TO LIFE AND PROPERTY .............. 9
NEW BILL TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES IN DANGEROUS DRUGS LAW ......... 10
LIFE TERM PROPOSED FOR KIDNAPPING........................... 11
REGULATIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS' HEARING APPROVED............ 12
PLAN FOR TEMPORARY SCHOOL FOR SEAMEN ....................... 13
TIMING OF UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION RESULTS ................... 14
FOUR TRADE DESCRIPTION CASES RESULT IN JAIL TERMS.......... 15
NO LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS ON KCR TRAINS....................... 15
AUTHORITY TAKES TOUGHER STEPS aGAINST OFFENDING DRIVERS .. 16
HONG KONG - SHENZHEN AGREEMENTS ............................. 17
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTED ................................. 17
AIR CARGO COMPLEX TO BE EXPANDED............................... 18
DINNER FOR ELDERLY .......................................... 18
AGENCIES CAN APPLY FOR SUBVENTION TO RUN ADULT COURSES ........ 19
CHEUNG CHaU BUIi FESTIVAL ON SaTuRDaY........................ 20
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL IN SAI KUNG ... 21
TWO LOTS OF CROWN LaND SOLD ................................... 21
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF GLOUCESTER FLYOVER ....................... 22
DANCE PERFORMANCE CANCELLED ................................... 22
URBAN CLEARWAY AND PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IK MONG KOK............. 22
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1982
1
NOTE TO EDITORS!
8iHb
SIR MURRAY’S FAREWELL TO LEGCO * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, HAS MADE EXCELLENT RECOVERY FROM HIS RECENT ILLNESS BUT ON THE INSISTENCE OF HIS CTORS THAT HE SHOULD CONTINUE TO REST QUIETLY FOR THE TIME ING, WAS NOT ABLE TO PRESIDE OVER THIS AFTERNOON’S SITTING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
A FAREWELL SPEECH SIR MURRAY HAD PREPARED FOR THE OCCASION WAS READ OUT ON HIS BEHALF BY THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.
SPEECH BY HIS HONOUR THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR
Honourable Members,
The Governor, thankfully, has made an excellent recovery from his recent illness, but his doctors insist that he should continue to rest quietly for the time being. That is why, to his very great regret be has not been here today to preside over your proceedings. But he has asked me to read the following farewell speech which he prepared for this occasion before his illness.
/2 ........
2
FAREWELL SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE
Before the Council adjourns this afternoon, I would like to record my admiration for the way official and unofficial members make this Council the efficient and effective organ of government that it is.
Over the last 10 years there have been many changes and I think that of the original members I faced with such trepidation in 1971, only one still remains.
Since then the size of the Council has doubled and in consequence the spread of personalities, knowledge and age is much wider, and more able to speak with direct or indirect experience of the problems and wishes of the diverse elements of our community, and of the factors that govern their prosperity.
At the same time, the work of UMELCO has enormously increased and has been supported by an expanded professional staff. The net result has been that the scrutiny of government bills has become more intense, and the work of liaison with the public and the role of ombudsman has matured, and the influence exerted by members through advisory committees also greatly increased. I am certain that the work of government has greatly benefited.
During the years that we have worked together Hong Kong has had an average growth rate of 10% per year in real terms. Full marks to our workforce, entrepreneurs and bankers and those responsible for managing our economy for making this possible during worldwide economic conditions which were for the most part sluggish or recessional. But a government which could not make something out of such prolonged growth would be contemptible. The question is, did we do the right things, at the right speed, with the assets we were so fortunate to have. With the knowledge of hindsight, I think that generally speaking we did do the right things, though the emphasis and speed and details in some fields might have been varied.
/However.....
5
However that may be the Government, of which you are such a vital part, is judged a success by the world. In spite of deficiencies largely thrust upon it, Hong Kong is judged a success. What is it that has enabled this tiny and desperately overcrowded part of the land mass of China to become one of the greatest concentrations if Industrial production, finance and communications in the world9 There are other crowded communities with a harbour and little else, which have not achieved comparable growth prosperity and international respect. Obviously, in the first place the character of its people, and those who direct and man the many units of our economic, social and political life. But also, I think, Hong Kong's prosperity depends on a whole series of interrelated elements, all of which we have succeeded in guarding. We have a fine harbour, but we have kept
it a free port; we have a system of law whose practice is understood domestically and internationally, administered by a judiciary that is independent; we have a currency that is backed as to over 100% and is convertible and acceptable; we maintain a fiscal environment which is exceptionally predictable in the extraordinarily low burdens it imposes, and is free from ideological bias. We have maintained access to markets overseas through our membership, via the United Kingdom, of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade with all the safeguards that this contains; we have financial services on a scale and of an expertise that rank third in the world; we maintain freedom to invest, to work, to employ and to earn, and to do what one will with the proceeds, with the minimum of restriction necessary to prevent abuse. Our administ rat ion is efficient by world standards and its policies have been kept free from the sudden shifts and changes that affect most other governments; we have a net of social security which, though incomplete, removes from the unfortunate denial of medical treatment, education, subsistence or shelter if need is proved; and we have a
/vast scheme.....
4
vast scheme of cheap public housing. We have social and political stability and by international standards a high level of law and order. We have a free press. Of course, we have excellent relations with China and excellent Sino/British relations over Hong Kong; and a high degree and steady increase in two-way economic co-operation between Hong Kong and other parts of China have been vital links in this chain of characteristics which have produced our prosperity, links whose importance will steadily increase.
These things, and our British connection, are interrelated, and in combination they have produced a vital flame that has fired men and women to risk and work for Hong Kong’s growth, and to build up and maintain investment, employment and services in this tiny area; that vital flame is confidence, and is our most precious asset.
Honourable Members, much of our time in this Council is spent in the day-to-day business of legislation, but I have thought it right on this occasion to speak of fundamentals. They have been guarded well over the past 30 years and their effect on the lives of people in Hong Kong and on what Hong Kong can offer are there for all to see. I have every confidence that your wisdom and dedication will continue to preserve them, and with them the continued growth of the prosperity of the people of Hong Kong.
I thank Members for their advice and help over these years. I am sure that Sir Edward Youde is encouraged by the knowledge that he too will be able to count on you. and that he will be supported by one of the finest public services in the world. He is a man of massive qualifications, known to most of you. and who knows Hong Kong as well as China, London and America. Though I am sad to leave, I am glad to hand over to a successor with such massive qualifications, probably the most senior official ever to be appointed Governor.
5
VALEDICTORY SPEECH BY HON. R.H. LOBO
Sir,
My unofficial colleagues and I would like to thank Sir Murray - through you, for the very kind remarks which you have expressed on nis behalf.
It is very s d that Sir Murray is unable to be present nere this afternoon, and that he should be in any sense indisposed at this final stage of his stay.
On the other hand, it is a great relief that Sir Murray is making such excellent progress toward recovery and on behalf of the whol? community, I would like to convey to Sir Murray, through you, Sir, our sincere good wishes for his speedy return to a full and active life.
Sir, at this time, no doubt Sir Murray will nevertheless be receiving many eloquent expressions of appreciation* But I hope the sentiments which I am privileged to convey on behalf of my unofficial colleagues in this Chamber, may have a special meaning, at this time.
.although we are conscious of his high office as Governor and know Sir Murray well, as President of this Council, we have also seen him as a helpful and concerned leader, inside and outside the Chamber.
His confidence in tnis Council is amply demonstrated by the dramatic increase in our membership under his Presidency and, I trust, we have responded by the greatly increased attention which an enlarged Council has been able to give to the examination of proposed legislation; to the consideration of public policy; the scrutiny of the public finances and the implementation of Government programmes T
It is the vogue to disparage legislative bodies which are less- than fully democratic but in the real world the fully elective principle is the exception rather obar the rule and with far less reason than *'revails here.
/The more
-he more than ten years of Sir Murray's service to Hong Kong have seen the extention of principles of consultation and representation as well as the passage through this Council of a body of legislation which reflects to a marked degree his obvious concern for the welfare of the people of Hong Kong and for the development of a fair and Just society.
Sir Murray's term of office has also seen, as the Financial Secretary so ably said in concluding his Budget address, an outstanding improvement in the living standards of the average man and woman in terms of housing, health, education, social welfare, recreation, law and order, transport and many other fields.
Sir Murray's own mark is stamped clearly upon many of these programmes and they will indeed stand as his contribution to the histoxy of this territory.
It is particularly gratifying that in his new role Sir Murray will, still have the opportunity to exercise his concern for us.
We know that Sir Murray will continue to think of us as we, most surely, will not forget him and his dedication to Hong Kong.
I will therefore repeat Sir, that all of us in this Community offer our heartfelt gratitude to Sir Murray for his leadership during these memorable "MacLehose Years".
We would also like to express our thanks to Lady MacLehose for all that she has done in so many fields.
All of us here and indeed the people of Hong Kong regret that Sir Murray's tenure of office has come to an end and I would like to express our good wishes to Lady MacLehose and Sir Murray for a well-earned, long and happy retirement -the people of Hong Kong will always keep them in their hearts.
7
SPEECH BY HIS HONOUR THE DEPITY TO THE GOVERNOR
Mr Lobo:
It is my privilege to associate Official Members with your eloquent testimony to His Excellency’s governship these past 10 years and more. This privilege is mine ex-officic, so to speak, as Chief Secretary. But I also happen to be personally qualified to exercise this privilege for I, alone, among Official (and Unofficial) Members have served on this Council continuously throughout His Excellency's presidency. I would not wish to suggest that I, alone, have not fallen by the wayside, but simply that others have left earlier, or have started later, or have had broken service.
By now, in various places and on various occasions all that can be said about His Excellency's governship has been said. But I feel bound to make this observation: His Excellency's perception of the task of administering Hong Kong in the past decade has had a truly strategic quality about it which has been an inspiration to the Civil Service. That perception seems to have been based on John Galsworthy's maxim that "if you do not think about trie future you cannot have one". Certainly, that perception has wrought profound changes in the economic and social circumstances of this city which must provide for all who live here a sure foundation for the future.
The warm gratitude and admiration of the Civil Service, no less than of people of all walks of life in Hong Kong, go with Sir Murray on his retirement from his post here, together with our affectionate best wishes for his future life as Lord MacLehose in Ayrshire and Westminster. Likewise, we extend our felicitations to Lady MacLehose who has graced Government House with such distinction rnroughout these eventful years.
0 - -
/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2fe, 19&2
- e -
SCANNERS FOR GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS BY END OF YE.,.
*****
COMPUTERISED TOMOGRAPHY SCANNERS FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES WILL BE INSTALLED AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL AND THE NEW PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL BY THE END OF THE YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR THE HON K.L. THONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SUBJECT TO FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL, THE THIRD SCANNER SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL BY THE MIDDLE OF 1983 AND ANOTHER ONE IN THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL SHORTLY AFTER, HE ADDED.
DR THONG WAS SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION BY AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, MISS LYDIA DUNN.
MISS DUNN HAD ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN WHY BODY SCANNING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND WHAT IT IS DOING TO OVERCOME THIS DEFICIENCY.
DR THONG EXPLAINED THAT THE IDEA OF ACQUIRING SCANNERS FOR MAJOR GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS WAS FIRST MOOTED IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN 1977.
TO ACQUIRE FUNDS FOR THIS EQUIPMENT, AN ITEM WAS INCLUDED IN THE DEPARTMENTAL DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR 1978/79, IN THE HOPE THAT IF EVERYTHING WENT WELL, THE FIRST SCANNER COULD BE INSTALLED AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL BY LATE 1979, HE SAID.
IN THE EVENT, HOWEVER, IT HAS TAKEN MORE TIME THAN AT FIRST ENVISAGED BECAUSE OF THREE MAIN FACTORS, SAID DR THONG.
FIRSTLY, THE USUAL AND NECESSARY FINANCIAL CONTROL, TENDER AND PUBLIC WORKS PROCEDURES HAD TO BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO.
SECONDLY, DEVELOPMENT IN THIS NEW TYPE OF DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY RAPID SO THAT BY LATE 1978, THE ORIGINAL ORDER FOR A HEAD AND NECK SCANNER HAD TO BE SUBSTITUTED BY A NEW ONE FOR A WHOLE BODY SCANNER, WHICH WAS A MORE ADVANCED MODEL.
BECAUSE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, SAID DR THONG, A FRESH REQUEST WAS MADE WHICH MEANT RETRACING ALL THE STEPS AND PROCEDURES NECESSARY FOR JUSTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FINALLY AGREED TO MAKE AVAILABLE THE NECESSARY FUNDS IN JULY 1979 AND TENDER PROCEDURES WERE THEN INSTITUTED.
THE TENDER WAS AWARDED TO EMI CO. FOR A WHOLE BODY SCANNER IN FEBRUARY 1980.
UNFORTUNATELY, SAID DR THONG, AT THIS CRUCIAL STAGE, THE EM) CO. IN APRIL 1980 EXPRESSED THEIR INTENTION TO GIVE UP THEIR INTERESTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SCANNERS.
THIS UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT AT THE END OF AN EXTENDED AND SOMEWHAT STRENUOUS PROCEDURAL EXERCISE WAS TO CAUSE THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD TO CANCEL THE ORDER TO EMI IN OCTOBER i960, HE SAID.
/IN AN ATPxMPT........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2&, 1982
IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXPEDITE MATTERS, A SPECIAL APPLICATION WAS MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR RESTRICTED TENDERS TO BE ISSUED TO COMPANIES THAT WERE STILL PRODUCING SCANNERS BUT THIS WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD WHICH DECIDED TO GO FOR OPEN TENDER AGAIN, SAID DR THONG.
♦ THUS, GOOD INTENTIONS AND STRENUOUS EFFORTS NOTWITHSTANDING, A FIRM ORDER COULD ONLY BE PLACED IN NOVEMBER 1981 FOR A SCANNER FOR THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL WHICH IS NOW EXPECTED TO BE DELIVERED IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR,* HE SAID.
-----o------
CONCERN ABOUT FIRE HAZARD TO LIFE AND PROPERTY
******
THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982 WHICH SEEKS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON THOSE WHO IGNORE FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES AND ORDERS, UNDERLINED THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIME CONCERN TO PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF PROTECTION TO LIFE AND PROPERTY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER THIS BILL, THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR A WILFUL ACT OR DEFAULT CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD WILL BE INCREASED FROM $2 000 TO >25 000, FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE, FROM >2 000 PLUS >40 A DAY FOR A CONTINUOUS OFFENCE TO >25 000 PLUS >2 500 A DAY, AND FOR KNOWINGLY CONTRAVENING A FIRE HAZARD ORDER, FROM >4 000 PLUS >100 A DAY TO >50 000 PLUS >5 000 A DAY.
THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERS A MAGISTRATE, AFTER HEARING A COMPLAINT BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, TO MAKE A CLOSING ORDER ON PREMISES WHERE A FIRE HAZARD HAS ARISEN. AT PRESENT, SUCH AN ORDER CAN ONLY BE MADE IF THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAZARD IS THE STRUCTURAL NATURE OR LOCATION OF THE PREMISES CONCERNED.
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR DAVIES SAID THE PRESENT LEVEL OF FINES, WHICH HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1964 OR EVEN EARLIER, HAS CLEARLY FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR THE ACTIONS OF FIRE SERVICES STAFF IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
♦SOME IRRESPONSIBLE FACTORY OPERATORS HAVE COME TO REGARD THE PAYMENT OF SUCH RELATIVELY MODEST FINES AS A ROUTINE FACTORY OVERHEAD. THIS DISREGARD OF THE LAW AND OF THEIR REASONABLE RESPONSIBILITIES HAS AROUSED MUCH UNDERSTANDABLE PUBLIC CONCERN,* HE SAID.
♦ IT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FIRE-RELATED DEATHS OF 44 PERSONS AND THE LOSS OF >150 MILLION WORTH OF PROPERTY IN 1981. IT HAS ALSO INCREASED, QUITE UNNECESSARILY, THE HAZARDS UNDER WHICH OUR VALIANT FIRE SERVICES DAY AFTER DAY TACKLE FIRES.*
MR DAVIES SAID THAT FOR THE PENALTIES TO HAVE THE DESIRED EFFECT, THE INCREASED FINES MUST BE OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY ARD THAT DAILY FINES MUST BE ALSO INCREASED TO ENSURE THE PR0M°7 ACTION IS THEN TAKEN BY OFFENDERS.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1982
10 -
NEW BILL TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES IN DANGEROUS DRUGS LAW * * * *
A BILL DESIGNED TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES IN THE EXISTING LAW DEALING WITH TRAFFICKING AND MANUFACTURE OF DANGEROUS DRUGS WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1932, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO ALLOW PROSECUTION OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN +DILUTING+ OR +CUTTING* DANGEROUS DRUGS BY REDEFINING ‘MANUFACTURE*, TO ENSURE THAT ANY QUANTITIES OF DANGEROUS DRUGS HOWEVER SMALL, WERE REGARDED AS DANGEROUS DRUGS FOR THE PURPOSE CF THE ORDINANCE, AND TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR DEALING WITH SUSPECTED DRUG COURIERS CARRYING DRUGS IN BODY CAVITIES.
THE AMENDMENTS WERE PART OF THE CONTINUING EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY FROM SUCH CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AND TO BRING TRAFFICKERS, CHEMISTS, COURIERS AND OTHERS TO JUSTICE, HE SAID.
* IN SPITE OF THE PROGRESS MADE IN RECENT YEARS IN DEALING WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE PROBLEMS, THEY STILL REPRESENT A GREAT THREAT TO THE SOCIAL HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY, AND ESPECIALLY TO YOUNG PEOPLE.
♦ILLICIT DRUGS CONTINUE TO REACH HONG KONG, AND THE COMPETENCE AND EXPERTISE OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IS CONSTANTLY BEING CHALLENGED BY NEW TRAFFICKING METHODS AND ROUTES OF ENTRY DEVISED BY THE WELL-FINANCED CRIMINALS ENGAGED IN THIS EVIL TRADE,* MR DAVIES SAID.
ONE OF THE METHODS USED, HE SAID, WAS TO REPLACE IMPORTS CF OPIUM OR MORPHINE WITH HEROIN BASE (DI ACETYLMORPH I NE), WHICH IS OF LOWER BULK AND HIGHER VALUE.
THIS METHOD ALSO FACILITATED THE PREPARATION OF THE MOST COMMONLY USED HEROIN SALT, DI ACETYLMORPH I NE HYDROCHLORIDE, BY THE SIMPLE ADDITION OF HYDROCHLORIDE ACID TO HEROIN BASE. THIS OBVIATED THE LONG, SMELLY AND OFTEN DANGEROUS PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING HEROIN FROM MORPHINE USING ACETIC ANHYDRIDE WHICH WAS USED IN LOCAL CLANDESTINE LABORATORIES IN THE PAST.
UNDER THE EXISTING ORDINANCE THE MANUFACTURE OF DANGEROUS DRUGS BY THE +DILUTING* OR *CUTTING* PROCESS, THAT IS MIXING THE HYDROCHLORIDE SAL’ WITH ADDITIVE SUBSTANCES SUCH AS CAFFEINE, STRYCHNINE OR BARBITURATES, DID NOT APPLY TO CASES OF DILUTING OR CUTTING.
AS A RESULT A CHARGE OF MANUFACTURING DANGEROUS DRUGS COULD NOT BE LAID IN FOUR CASES IN WHICH DRUGS FOUND ON EQUIPMENT AND PARAPHERNALIA IN THE CLANDESTINE LABORATORIES CONCERNED WERE, IN THE OPINION OF THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST, REFERABLE TO THE DILUTION OR CUTTING OF DANGEROUS DRUGS RATHER THAN THEIR MANUFACTURE.
TO CLOSE THIS LOOPHOLE, THE AMENDING BILL PROPOSED THAT THE DEFINITION OF +MANUFACTURE+ UNDER THE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE WIDENED TO INCLUDE MAKING, ADULTERATING, -’URI-YING, MIXING, SEPARATING OR OTHERWISE TREATING A DANGEROUS DRUGS.
/THE SECOND
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2b, 19t2
11
THE SECOND AMENDMENT PROPOSED THAT PROSECUTIONS MIGHT BE INSTITUTED IN CASES INVOLVING MINUTE QUANTITIES OP DANGEROUS DRUGS WHETHER THEY ARE MEASURABLE OR USABLE OR NOT.
THIS WAS NECESSARY SINCE A COURT OF APPEAL RULED IN 1979 THAT A CHARGE OF POSSESSING DRUGS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY EVIDENCE THAT THE DRUGS FOUND WERE USABLE, WHICH COULD BE DIFFICULT I" THE QUANTITY INVOLVED WAS VERY SMALL.
THE THIRD PROPOSED AMENDMENT WAS DESIGNED TO EXTEND TO OFFICERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE THE POWERS ALREADY AVAILABLE TO OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE SO THAT THEY CAN CALL IN MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS TO SEARCH BODY CAVITIES OF SUSPECTED DRUG COURIERS WITH OR WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.
PROVISION WAS ALSO MADE FOR THE DETENTION OF SUSPECTED PERSONS FOR THE COMPLETION OF SUCH SEARCHES AND FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE LEGAL PROTECTION UNDER THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE ORDINANCE TO THE POLICE AND PUBLIC OFFICERS ASSISTING THEM TO CONDUCT SUCH SEARCHES UNDER THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE.
-----o ---------
LIFE TERM PROPOSED FOR KIDNAPPING ******
THE HEAVIER PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT PROPOSED FOR KIDNAPPING — INSTEAD OF THE EXISTING MAXIMUM PENALTY OF 14 YEARS — WAS PARTLY IN RESPONSE TO A CALL BY HIGH COURT JUDGES AND PARTLY INTENDED TO DETER THE COMMISSION OF THIS WICKED OFFENCE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON J.C. GRIFFITHS, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SECOND READING OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982. MR GRIFFITHS SAID THE AMENDMENT WOULD BRING THE OFFENCE INTO A HIGHER CATEGORY WITH OTHER *VERY SERIOUS MAJOR CRIMES* WHICH CARRY A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
♦THE BILL WILL ALTER THE EXISTING SITUATION BY RAISING THE OFFENCE OF KIDNAPPING FROM A THIRD GRAVITY TO A SECOND GRAVITY OFFENCE.
♦IT WILL NOW BE CLASSED WITH SUCH GRAVE OFFENCES AS MANSLAUGHTER, ATTEMPTED MURDER, OR RAPE, RATHER THAN, AS AT PRESENT WITH BURGLARY OR BLACKMAIL,* HE SAID.
THE PRESENT 14-YEAR MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPING HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1865 WHEN THE RELEVANT SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE WAS FIRST ENACTED, HE SAID.
THE DEATH PENALTY, HE SAID, IS PROVIDED FOR CRIMES OF THE +\JTMOST SERIOUSNESS*, GRADED AS CRIMES OF THE FIRST GRAVITY.
/MR GRIFFITHS .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2b, 1982
12 - "?■
MR GRIFFITHS SAID THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE MOST SERIOUS CRIMES, THE JUDGES USUALLY AWARD SENTENCES SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM, RESERVING THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR THE VERY WORST EXAMPLE OF ANY PARTICULAR CRIME.
♦SO MAXIMUM PENALTIES OF ’LIFE’ OR OF ’14 YEARS IMPRISONMENT’ ARE CLEAR INDICATIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE TO THE JUDICIARY CF THE RELATIVE SERIOUSNESS WITH WHICH SOCIETY VIEWS VARIOUS MAJOR CRIMES,* HE SAID.
MR GRIFFITHS SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT *THOSE EVIL MEN WHO ARE TEMPTED TO INDULGE IN THE WICKED OFFENCE WILL NOW BE DETERRED BY THE REALISATION OF THE NEW AND MORE SEVERE PUNISHMENT THAT IS NOW IN STORE FOR THEM ONCE THE BILL IS ENACTED*.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
REGULATIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS’ HEARING APPROVED
******
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED AMENDING REGULATIONS AIMED AT PROTECTING WORKERS’ HEARING.
THE REGULATIONS, KNOWN AS THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1982, WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR, TO GIVE PROPRIETORS SUFFICIENT TIME TO ACQUIRE EAR PROTECTORS AND TO PERSUADE THEIR EMPLOYEES TO USE THEM.
IN TABLING THE REGULATIONS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, DR THE HON JAMES HAYES SAID THAT TOE REGULATIONS WERE PROPOSED, AS A FIRST STEP, TO REQUIRE THE PROPER MAINTENANCE OF MACHINERY AND PLANT TO MINIMISE NOISE AND THE PROVISION AND WEARING OF HEARING PROTECTORS BY WORKERS EXPOSED TO A SOUND LEVEL OF 90 DB(A) OR HIGHER FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD CF EIGHT HOURS ON ANY ONE DAY.
HE SAID THAT THE REGULATIONS WERE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS BY AN INDUSTRIAL NOISE CONSULTANT INVITED TO HONG KONG IN 1979 TO ASSESS THE INDUSTRIAL NOISE PROBLEM AND TO ADVISE GOVERNMENT ON MEANS TO PROTECT THE HEARING OF WORKERS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE INDUSTRIAL NOISE.
DR HAYES SAID THAT, IN HIS REPORT, THE CONSULTANT ADVISED THAT IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT A PROPER HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAMME FOR WORKERS IN INDUSTRY IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR HONG KONG TO HAVE A SET OF HEARING PROTECTION LEGISLATION. AS AND WHEN REQUIRED, THIS COULD BE USED TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM EXCESSIVE NOISE EXPOSURE.
THE CONSULTANT FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT PROTECTION OF ',v-
HEARING WAS NECESSARY IN EVERY INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING WHERE, ON ANY DAY, ANY PERSON WAS EXPOSED CONTINUOUSLY FOR EIGHT .V
HOURS TO A SOUND LEVEL EXCEEDING 90 DB(A) OR WAS SUBJECT TO AN EQUIVALENT OR GREATER EXPOSURE TO SOUND.
/THE CONSULTANT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1982
- 15 -
THE CONSULTANT EMPHASISED THAT THE LEGISLATION SHOULD HAVE A SIMPLE FRAMEWORK WHICH WOULD BE OPERABLE IN THE PRESENT INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS AND WOULD STILL BE VIABLE IN THE FUTURE AS IMPROVEMENTS IN STANDARD BECAME NECESSARY TO FURTHER IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS.
MEANWHILE, DR HAYES CONTINUED, A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR REDUCING THE EXPOSURE OF INDUSTRIAL WORKERS TO NOISE WAS BEING PREPARED.
IT WOULD INCORPORATE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON PROTECTION OF WORKERS’ HEARING, COMPOSED OF OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND CHAIRED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CONSULTANT.
THE CODE WOULD PROVIDE A BASIS AND DIRECTION FOR THE POSSIBLE INTRODUCTION OF FURTHER LEGISLATION FOR REDUCING AND CONTROLLING INDUSTRIAL NOISE AT SOURCE TO ACHIEVE SAFE LEVELS.
DR HAYES SAID THAT CARE WOULD BE TAKEN AT THAT TIME TO ESTABLISH THE PRACTICABILITY OF ANY NEW PROPOSALS, AND TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR INDUSTRY TO MAKE THE REQUIRED CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS.
-----0------
PLAN FOR TEMPORARY * * *
SCHOOL FOR SEAMEN * *
ABOUT 5 OOO HONG KONG SEAMEN WHOSE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ARE INSUFFICIENT TO MEET THE MANDATORY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS LAID DOWN IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCH-KEEPING FOR SEAFARERS WILL FACE THE THREAT CF IMMEDIATE UNEMPLOYMENT ONCE THE CONVENTION COMES INTO EFFECT SOME TIME NEXT YEAR.
IN HIS REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON SAID THAT TO MEET THESE CRITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THE GOVERNMENT HAD PUT APPROPRIATE PROPOSALS SEEKING TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY TRAINING SCHOOL FOR SEAMEN TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
ONCE IN THIS WAY WE HAD SOLVED THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM OF KEEPING OUR SEAMEN EMPLOYABLE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER WITH THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WHAT THE PERMANENT ANSWER SHOULD BE, HE SAID.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID THERE WERE AT PRESENT SOME 87 000 SEAMEN REGISTERED WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, BUT OF THESE ONLY ABOUT 17 000 COULD BE SAID TO BE ACTIVELY EMPLOYED ON OCEAN-GOING SHIPS.
/HE SAID 0? .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1982
- 14
HE SAID OF THE 17 OOO, ABOUT 6 000 WERE OFFICERS AND THE STANDARDS OF TRAINING PROVIDED FOR OFFICERS AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS LAID DOWN IN THE CONVENTION.
+THE TRAINING OF RATINGS IN HONG KONG FALLS FAR SHORT OF THE STANDARD REQUIRED UNDER THE CONVENTION. THERE IS NO INSTITUTION IN HONG KONG THAT IS ADEQUATELY EQUIPPED AND STAFFED FOR THE FULL RANGE OF PRE-SEA TRAINING FOR RATINGS REQUIRED UNDER THE CONVENTION,* HE SAID.
MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT OF THE 11 000 SERVING NON-OFFICER SEAMEN, ABOUT A HALF HAD SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE TO QUALIFY FOR A CERTIFICATE UNDER THE TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS LAID DOWN IN THE CONVENTION.
------o-------
TIMING OF UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION RESULTS *****
A REQUEST BY DR THE HON HARRY FANG FOR THE RESULTS OF THE HIGHER AND ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATIONS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE SAME TIME COULD BE PUT TO THE EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON COLVYN HAYE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR HAYE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR FANG WHO HAD ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REQUEST THE EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY TO ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS OF THE HIGHER LEVEL AND THE ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATIONS AT THE SAME TIME.
THIS WAS SO THAT SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES IN THE A-LEVEL EXAMINATION WHO WERE UNABLE TO ENTER HONG KONG UNIVERSITY WOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT A WHOLE YEAR BEFORE APPLYING FOR ADMISSION TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WHICH CLOSED APPLICATIONS BEFORE THE A-LEVEL RESULTS WERE PUBLISHED, DR FANG HAD SAID.
THE DIRECTOR SAIDi *1 CANNOT SAY WHETHER THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WILL ACCEPT A FORTNIGHT’S DELAY - FOR THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS, WITH H-LEVEL RESULTS COMING OUT IN EARLY JULY AND A-LEVELS IN MID-JULY - BUT OF COURSE IT CAN BE ASKED.
♦AS TO CUHK CLOSING ITS ENTRY LIST BEFORE A-LEVEL RESULTS ARE PUBLISHED, THE UNIVERSITY IS THE AUTHORITY FOR ITS OWN ADMISSION POLICIES. AGAIN, WE CAN ASK FOR CONSIDERATION OF HIGHER AND ADVANCED LEVEL CANDIDATES IN THE SAME YEAR, TO MEET THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED BY DR FANG.*
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/15........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2B, 19B2
- 15 -
FOUR TRADE DESCRIPTION CASES RESULT IN JAIL TERMS ft ft ft ft
SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT WERE IMPOSED IN FOUR CASES OUT OF 96 SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS CARRIED OUT UNDER THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO FORCE IN APRIL LAST YEAR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON J.C.GRIFF ITHS SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AND THERE ARE AT PRESENT 343 CASES AWAITING TRIAL, HE SAID, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON K.C. CHAN.
OF THE CONVICTIONS, 57 RELATED TO OFFENCES INVOLVING FORGED TRADE MARKS AND THE REMAINDER RELATED TO APPLICATION OF FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTION, HE SAID.
THERE WERE FOUR UNSUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS, HE POINTED OUT.
MR GRIFFITHS SAID THAT FORFEITURE ORDERS MADE BY THE COURTS IN RESPECT OF GOODS SEIZED HAD A MARKET VALUE OF $494 000, WHILE THE GOODS SEIZED IN THE CASES AWAITING TRIAL WERE VALUED AT NEARLY $18 MILLION.
*IN DUE COURSE FORFEITURE ORDERS WILL BE APPLIED FOR IN THOSE CASES WHERE IT IS APPROPRIATE TO DO SO,* HE SAID.
WITH REGARD TO THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED WITH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORDINANCE, MR GRIFFITHS SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF BRINGING THE ORDINANCE INTO LAW, AS WAS EXPLAINED SOME TIME AGO BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, WAS TO STRENGTHEN IN VARIOUS AREAS THE LAW WITH REGARD TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.
MR GRIFFITHS SAID HE HOPED THAT THE FIGURES QUOTED DEMONSTRATED THAT THE ORDINANCE APPEARED TO BE ACHIEVING ITS OBJECTIVE.
♦GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED WITH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORDINANCE,* HE CONCLUDED.
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NO LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS ON KCR TRAINS ft ft ft
THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY DOES NOT INTEND TO IMPOSE LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS ON PASSENGERS TRAVELLING ON EXISTING DIESEL TRAINS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, SAID TODAY.
NOR DID THE KCR AT PRESENT FORESEE THE NEED FOR RESTRICTIONS ON THE ELECTRIFIED SERVICE FROM HUNG HOM TO SHA TIN — DUE TO COMMENCE ON MAY 6 — EVEN THOUGH NEW REGULATIONS, COMING INTO EFFECT ON FRIDAY (APRIL 30), WOULD EMPOWER THE GENERAL MANAGER TO LIMIT THE NUMBER AND SIZE OF PIECES OF LUGGAGE CARRIED BY PASSENGERS.
/HR SCOTT WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1982
- 16 -
MR SCOTT WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE REV THE HON JOYCE BENNETT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE EXPLAINED THAT WHILE THE KCR INNER-SUBURBAN COACHES WERE SIMILAR TO MTR COACHES, THEY HAD A DIFFERENT SEATING LAYOUT. THE OUTER-SUBURBAN COACHES ALSO HAD A DIFFERENT SEATING LAYOUT, WITH LUGGAGE RACKS AS WELL AS LAVATORIES.
MR SCOTT SAID THAT FOR REASONS OF SAFETY AND EFFICIENT OPERATION CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO THE NEED FOR RESTRICTIONS ON THE DIMENSIONS AND TYPES OF LUGGAGE CARRIED BY CHINA-BOUND PASSENGERS ON THE NEW ELECTRIC TRAINS WHICH WILL OPERATE WHEN THE ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMME HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
THE AMOUNT OF ACCOMPANYING LUGGAGE WOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE SIZE OF THE LUGGAGE PROVIDED, HE SAID, AND EXCESS LUGGAGE WOULD BE CARRIED IN SEPARATE UNITS.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONSIGNMENT OF EXCESS LUGGAGE WERE NOW BEING WORKED OUT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GUANGZHOU RAILWAY AUTHORITY.
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AUTHORITY TAKES TOUGHER STEPS AGAINST OFFENDING DRIVERS A A I *
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS TO TIGHTEN UP ON OFFENDING DRIVERS ON ROADS WITHIN ITS ESTATES.
IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, MOVED THE HOUSING (TRAFFIC)(AMENDMENT) BY-LAWS 1982, UNDER WHICH, ON REQUEST, THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF REGISTERED OWNERS AND DRIVERS OF VEHICLES USING RESTRICTED ROADS, CAR PARKS AND PARKING PLACES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES MUST BE SUPPLIED.
MR LIAO SAID THE AMENDMENTS WERE BEING INTRODUCED AS A RESULT CF DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED BY STAFF IN TAKING EFFECTIVE ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL PARKING AND OTHER TRAFFIC OFFENCES IN HOUSING ESTATES.
♦AT PRESENT, PROSECUTION ACTION AGAINST DRIVERS CANNOT BE BROUGHT IF THEY REFUSE TO GIVE THEIR NAMES AND ADDRESSES,♦ SAID W LIAO.
♦THESE BY-LAWS MAKE IT OBLIGATORY FOR THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE ON A RESTRICTED ROAD OR IN A PARKING PLACE TO GIVE HIS NAME AND ADDRESS WHEN SO REQUESTED, AND ALSO ENABLE STAFF TO OBTAIN FROM REGISTERED OWNERS THE PARTICULARS OF DRIVERS OF VEHICLES AT THE TIME OF ALLEGED OFFENCES.+
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/17........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1982
17
HONG KONG - SHENZHEN AGREEMENTS * * * *
A TEAM OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS LED BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER WILL VISIT SHENZHEN ON FRIDAY (APRIL 30) TO SIGN A DOCUMENT RECORDING THE AGREEMENTS ON VARIOUS PROJECTS REACHED DURING THE VISIT TO HONG KONG OF A SHENZHEN DELEGATION LED BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE SHENZHEN MUNICIPALITY LAST MONTH. PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE VISIT AND DOCUMENT-SIGNING CEREMONY ARE BEING MADE BY THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES.
----0----
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTED * N *
THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD WAS CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ON PRODUCT INNOVATION AND DESIGN, THE COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRY, MR PETER TSAO SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1982 NEW PRODUCT COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR TSAO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHEN THE NEED FOR INDUSTRY-WIDE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES COULD BE ESTABLISHED.
HE AGREED THAT GREATER EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON PRODUCT ^M^nPcnoTuZ2rDJVERSIFY THE RANGE 0F MANUFACTURE TO CREATE NEW
F0R KONG PRODUCTS. THIS WOULD HELP TO ENSURE THAT HONG BE IN THE BEST POSITION TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE UPSWING WHEN THE WORLD ECONOMY REGAINED ITS STRENGTH.
+THE LOCAL POPULATION IS RECEPTIVE TO NEW AND INNOVATIVE IDEAS. THEY ARE BY NATURE CREATIVE AND THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF TALENT IN HONG KONG. IN TEXTILES, FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT.
♦GIVEN ALSO THE LIBERAL ECONOMIC POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT, HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT IS CONDUCIVE TO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, AND WE HOPE THAT MORE OF OUR YOUNGER GENERATION WILL ENTER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR,♦ HE CONCLUDED.
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[This page is blank in the original document]
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1982
- 19 -
AGENCIES CAN APPLY FOR SUBVENTION TO RUN ADULT COURSES ft ft ft ft
NON-PROFIT MAKING VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION IN 1982/83 TO ASSIST THEM IN THE RUNNING OF ADULT EDUCATION COURSES AND ACTIVITIES.
THE SUBVENTION SCHEME IS ONE OF THE MEASURES CONTAINED IN THE 1978 WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION.
♦A TOTAL OF 24 PROJECTS INVOLVING 19 VOLUNTARY BODIES ARE NOW IN SESSION, AS COMPARED WITH 18 PROJECTS INVOLVING 12 VOLUNTARY BODIES WHEN THE SCHEME WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1980,♦ AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALL APPLICATIONS FOR SUBVENTION WILL BE DULY CONSIDERED BY THE DEPARTMENT, HE SAID.
THE SCHEME HAS RECENTLY BEEN REVIEWED, AND BESIDES SUBVENTION TO ASSIST IN MEETING THE COSTS OF STAFF AND BASIC EQUIPMENT, ASSISTANCE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED IN THE FOLLOWING AREASi-
(A) ANNUAL SALARY FOR CENTRE ADMINISTRATORS (EQUIVALENT TO THAT FOR AN ADULT EDUCATION PART-TIME SUPERVISOR IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT),
(B) BASIC OFFICE EQUIPMENT, WHERE APPLICABLE,
(C) A SUM OF $500 PER QUARTER TO COVER THE COST OF TELEPHONE, WATER AND ELECTRICITY CHARGES ON A SHARING BASIS, AND
(D) HIRE CHARGES FOR ACCOMMODATION AT THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT RATE.
SUITABLE COURSES FOR SUBVENTION INCLUDE THOSE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE BASIC LITERACY IN CHINESE, GENERAL EDUCATION FOR PARTICULAR GROUPS SUCH AS FACTORY WORKERS AND FISHERFOLK, RE-ORIENTATION AND CANTONESE FOR NEWCOMERS FROM OTHER PARTS OF ASIA, SOCIAL AND MORAL EDUCATION, ACTIVITIES IN GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS NOT COVERED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SERVICES, LABOUR EDUCATION, PREVOCATIONAL TRAINING, SPECIAL EDUCATION, CAREERS EDUCATION, PRE-RETIREMENT AND RETIREMENT EDUCATION, ADULT EDUCATION COURSES AND ACTIVITIES, AND JOB-ORIENTED COURSES.
INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO APPLY FOR SUBVENTION CAN OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS IN PERSON OR BY POST FROM THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, FOURTH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION NOT LATER THAN MAY 31. APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULTS IN EARLY JULY.
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, ORGANISATIONS CAN CONTACT MR H.H. WOO OF THE SECTION ON 3-7133285.
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/20 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1982
20
CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY * * * *
A GRAND PROCESSION OF LOCAL TRADITIONAL ITEMS WILL HIGHLIGHT THE ANNUAL CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY (MAY 1) WHEN ABOUT 20 000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.
THE 90-MINUTE PROCESSION WILL START AT 2.30 PM FROM PAK Tl TEMPLE, MOVE DOWN THE MAIN STREETS AND PASS THE GUEST STAND ON PRAYA STREET AT THE WATERFRONT, BEFORE RETURNING TO THE TEMPLE.
THIS YEAR MORE THAN 1 600 PEOPLE FROM SOME 20 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS WILL TAKE PART IN THE PROCESSION WHICH WILL INCLUDE A PARADE OF ALL THE SHRINES FROM THE ISLAND’S TEMPLES, THE FAMOUS +TREASURE SWORD+ OF PAK Tl TEMPLE, FLOATS, UNICORN AND LION DANCES, CHIU CHAU GONG AND DRUM PERFORMANCES AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MUSIC AND DANCES.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE MAIN PROCESSION.
ON FRIDAY (APRIL 30) THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG, WILL DOT THE EYES OF LIONS AND UNICORNS IN A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 3 PM AT THE TEMPLE, IN PREPARATION FOR SATURDAY’S PROCESSION.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE ARRANGED THE FINANCING OF CONSTRUCTION OF THREE 13.7-METRE TALL BUN TOWERS.
ACCORDING TO LEGEND THE BUNS WILL BRING LUCK TO THE RECIPIENTS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
THE BUNS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON SUNDAY, WHEN THE PROCESSION WILL BE HELD AGAIN, BUT ON A DIFFERENT ROUTE.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE GRAND PROCESSION ON SATURDAY ARE ADVISED THAT A HONG KONG AND YAU MA TEI FERRY, ♦MAN TAT+, WILL TAKE THE PRESS AND INVITED GUESTS TO CHEUNG CHAU, LEAVING QUEEN’S PIER AT 12.30 PM AND RETURNING AT 4 PM.
BADGES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PRESS ON THE FERRY BY STAFF OF THE CNTA INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT.
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i
I
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1982
21
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL IN SAI KUNG
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SAI KUNG FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY (MAY 16) FOR THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, Yl CHUN STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES.
HOWEVER, DURING THIS PERIOD, MAN NIN STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY OPEN TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
PARKING SPACES IN THE AREA WILL BE SUSPENDED, INCLUDING THE CAR PARKS ADJACENT TO THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE AND IN FRONT CF THE TIN HAU TEMPLE AS WELL AS SPACES ALONG MAN NIN STREET.
THE PLB AND TAXI STANDS WILL BE MOVED FROM Yl CHUN STREET TO THE AREA NEAR SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE.
TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND SOLD * * *
TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND WERE SOLD AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT AT THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE ARTS CENTRE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE FIRST SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 1 498 SQUARE METRES IN NAM LONG SHAN ROAD, IS FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
IT WAS SOLD TO ERISKERY CO. LTD. FOR $31 MILLION OR $20 694.26 PER SQUARE METRE.
THE OTHER LOT, ABOUT 372 SQUARE METRES, IS SITUATED AT PENG CHAU, NEW TERRITORIES, AND IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USE.
IT WAS SOLD TO HERRMANN REAL ESTATE MARKETING CO. LTD.
FOR $300 000 OR $806.45 PER SQUARE METRE.
ANOTHER LOT IN THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION FOR DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN PURPOSES WAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE AUCTION BECAUSE THERE WERE NO BIDDERS.
/22 ..
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1982
- 22 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF GLOUCESTER FLYOVER * * *
THE FLYOVER AT GLOUCESTER ROAD LEADING TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS (EXCEPT SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS), BETWEEN 12.01 AM AND 6 AM FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 30).
THE CLOSURE IS NECESSARY TO ALLOW ROAD WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC FROM NORTH POINT TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE WESTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD, O’BRIEN ROAD, LOCKHART ROAD, FLEMING ROAD TO REJOIN THE EASTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD.
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DANCE PERFORMANCE CANCELLED X * *
♦TRIPTYCH* BY THE HONG KONG DANCE COMPANY, SCHEDULED TO BE STAGED AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AUDITORIUM ON MAY 20 AT 7.30 PM HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED.
TICKET HOLDERS CAN OBTAIN THEIR REFUNDS FROM THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL BOX OFFICE FROM MAY 16 TO 22.
THE BOX OFFICE WILL BE OPENED FROM 12.30 PM TO 9.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 11.30 AM TO 9.30 PM ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.
URBAN CLEARWAY AND PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IN MONG KOK
LUEN WAN CLEARWAY FROM
STREET IN MONG KOK WILL BE DESIGNATED AS AN URBAN 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 30).
NO MOTOR VEHICLE, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND MAXICABS, WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP IN THAT STREET FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
MOREOVER, THE SAME STREET WILL BECOME A PROHIBITED ZONE FOR ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES EXCEPT MAXICABS.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK MAY NEU) ANOTHER LOAN, ADE TOLD .......................... 1
NEW RAILWAY STATIONS FOR MONG KOK AND SHA TIN ............... 2
ELECTRIC TRAIN SERVICE STARTS NEXT THURSDAY ................. 3
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF 1981 POPULATION CENSUS ............... k
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH 1982 .................... 5
1981 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS ...................................... 7
INDUSTRIALISTS URGED TO HELP SOLVE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ......... 8
POLICE CHIEF TO INSPECT CAS PARADE .......................... 9
PIANO WORKSHOP .............................................. 10
LABOUR LAW OFFENCES ......................................... 10
DISTRICT BOARDS TO HOLD JOINT SEMNAR ........................ 11
MOVING OFFICE................................................ 11
LIDO BEACH BUILDING OPENS TO THE PUBLIC...................... 12
PUBLIC DUMP IN CHEUNG SHA WAN OPENED
12
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1982
1
HK MAY NEED ANOTHER LOAN, ADB TOLD * * K *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TODAY TOLD A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK THAT HONG KONG MIGHT NEED TO SEEK AGAIN TO INVOKE ITS BORROWING RIGHTS WITH THE BANK.
IN HIS FIRST ADDRESS AS ADB GOVERNOR FOR HONG KONG, TO THE 15TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD BEING HELD IN MANILA, MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE PRICE OF LAND IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN FALLING RECENTLY, PARTLY AS A RESULT OF THE LARGE AMOUNT OF LAND SOLD BY THE GOVERNMENT IN RECENT YEARS AND PARTLY BECAUSE OF RELATIVELY HIGH INTEREST RATES.
♦THIS IS A WELCOME SHORT TERM ADJUSTMENT WHICH SHOULD FACILITATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; AND THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONTINUE TO MAKE AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT AS MUCH LAND AS POSSIBLE.
♦BUT IT ALSO MEANS THAT LAND SALES REVENUE HAS BECOME LESS BUOYANT, AND THAT WE HAVE CONSCIOUSLY BROUGHT OURSELVES NEARER TO THE POSITION IN WHICH WE MAY HAVE TO SEEK ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF FINANCE TO SUSTAIN EXPENDITURE ON OUR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME,* HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE RECALLED THAT AT THE TWO PREVIOUS ANNUAL MEETINGS, WE HAD SAID WE DID NOT PROPOSE TO SEEK ANY FURTHER LOANS FOR THE TIME BEING, BUT THAT WE RESERVED OUR POSITION AS A DEVELOPING MEMBER COUNTRY WITH BORROWING RIGHTS.
WE WERE ABLE TO SAY THIS BECAUSE BUOYANT LAND SALES REVENUE HAD IN RECENT YEARS GREATLY ASSISTED US IN FINANCING OUR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME, HE EXPLAINED.
♦BUT WE ALSO SAID THAT AS A CLOSER BALANCE BETWEEN THE DEMAND FOR AND THE SUPPLY OF LAND WAS ACHIEVED, THE SITUATION MIGHT CHANGE AND THAT WE MIGHT THEN HAVE TO LOOK TO LOAN FINANCE TO MEET THE EXPANDING COMMITMENTS ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN LEVELS OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE CONSISTENT WITH THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY.+ HE SAID.
MR BREMRIDGE EXPECTED THAT IN THE PRESENT FINANCIAL YEAR, REVENUE FROM LAND SALES AND ELSEWHERE WOULD BE ADEQUATE TO FINANCE A MAJOR PART OF OUR EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL WORKS.
♦THIS VIEW IS REINFORCED BY A SUBSTANTIAL BUDGETARY SURPLUS IN OUR LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, WHILE THIS YEAR WE ARE AGAIN SO BUDGETING.
♦BUT GIVEN THE UNFAVOURABLE CONDITIONS OF WORLD TRADE AND HONG KONG’S DEPENDENCE THEREON, THE PRESENT TREND IN LAND PRICES COULD BE PROLONGED. IN SOME AREAS INDUSTRIAL LAND PRICES HAVE ALREADY DROPPED IN THE PAST YEAR BY OVER 50 PER CENT, THUS EMPHASISING THE VIRTUES OF THE FREE MARKET PROCESS,♦ HE SAID.
/HE AJLEL .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 2$, 1^82
HE ADDED THAT UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE MIGHT NEED TO CONSIDER OTHER SOURCES OF FINANCE, AND IN THIS CONTEXT SEEK AGAIN TO INVOKE OUR BORROWING RIGHTS WITH THE BANK, WHILE BEARING IN MIND THE BANK’S OBLIGATIONS TO THE REGION AS A WHOLE.
IN HIS ADDRESS, MR BREMRIDGE RESTATED THAT HONG KONG WAS COMMITTED IN PRINCIPLE AND SUBJECT TO USUAL PROCEDURES TO SUPPORTING A THIRD CAPITAL INCREASE IN THE BANK'S CAPITAL STOCK IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN ITS LENDING CAPACITY IN THE MID 198O’S. AT THE SAME TIME, HE CONSIDERED THAT THERE WAS A CLEAR NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE BANK’S FINANCIAL POLICIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN PRIOR TO OR AT LEAST IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS INCREASE.
HE CONFIRMED THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE CONSIDERING THE POSSIBILITY OF JOINING SOME OTHER DEVELOPING MEMBER COUNTRIES IN CONTRIBUTING A TOKEN AMOUNT TO THE CURRENT ASIAN DEVELOPMENT FUND REPLENISHMENT.
SUBJECT TO THE FINAL APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATURE WE SHALL IN DUE COURSE BE OFFERING A CONTRIBUTION — IN THE ORDER OF US $1 MILLION — TO THE FUND, HE SAID
o - - - -
NEW RAILWAY STATIONS FOR MONG KOK AND SHA TIN MM
TWO NEW STATIONS WILL BE PARTIALLY OPENED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH THE START NEXT B£TWE£n\owlO0N AND SHA T™E ' SUBURBA'1 ELECTRIF IEI> SEBVI«
A KCR SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A NEW SHA TIN PARTIALLY OPENED TO THE PUBLIC TOMORROW (APRIL opened oh tond!!yW(™?G3)?'1 stati°" 15 EXRECTED T° BE f‘"T>ALLY
THE TWO STATIONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY REBUILT UNDER KCR'S CATERNFORTtwf PYDcrTcnTn!FICATI0N PR0GRAMME AND ARE DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE EXPECTED BIG INCREASE IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC. a STATION HAS A STATION MANAGER'S OFFICE, A CONTROL ROOM
Jendi^maJhin^ahd ?0™JsNG CENTRE> TICKET off,ces’ *utohatic
THERE WILL ALSO BE A RESTAURANT AT THE MONG KOK STATION.
KCR COMMUTERS TO THE SHA TIN STATION CAN USE AN ACCESS ROAD NEAR THE BUS TERMINUS AT THE SHA TIN MARKET CENTRE OR VIA AN OVERHEAD BRIDGE FROM PAI TAU VILLAGE.
ACCESS TO THE NEW MONG KOK STATION AT LUEN WAN STREET IS BY WAY OF ARGYLE STREET OR BUTE STREET.
0
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1982
- 3 -
ELECTRIC TRAIN SERVICE STARTS NEXT THURSDAY * * X X
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY INNER SUBURBAN ELECTRIFIED SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN WILL START OPERATING FROM NEXT THURSDAY (MAY 6) AFTERNOON.
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE WILL DECLARE HONG KONG’S NEW RAILWAY OPEN AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT KOWLOON STATION IN HUNG HOM, AT 10 AM, AND WILL FOLLOW THIS UP IMMEDIATELY WITH ANOTHER BRIEF CEREMONY AT THE NEW SHA TIN STATION IN THE MORNING.
THE EAGERLY-AWAITED FIRST ELECTRIC TRAIN FOR THE PUBLIC WILL START RUNNING AT 2 PM ON THAT DAY.
SIR PHILIP AND LADY HADDON-CAVE WILL BE WELCOMED ON ARRIVAL AT KOWLOON STATION BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR A.J. SCOTT AND MRS SCOTT- THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE (DESIGNATE), KCRC, MR BOBBY HOWES AND MRS HOWES AND THE KCR GENERAL MANAGER, MR U.L. WONG AND MRS WONG.
TO COMMEMORATE THE OCCASION, SIR PHILIP WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE AT KOWLOON STATION, AND WILL THEN PROCEED WITH A PARTY OF GUESTS BY ELECTRIC TRAIN TO SHA TIN STATION TO UNVEIL A SIMILAR PLAQUE.
THE BAND OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WILL PROVIDE THE MUSIC AS THE INAUGURAL TRAIN LEAVES THE STATION, BREAKING THROUGH A LARGE BANNER ON THE WAY TO SHA TIN. AS THE TRAIN ENTERS SHA TIN STATION, IT WILL DRIVE THROUGH ANOTHER BANNER AT THE PLATFORM.
AFTER UNVEILING THE PLAQUE AT SHA TIN STATION, SIR PHILIP AND THE GUEST PARTY WILL RETURN BY THE SAME ELECTRIC TRAIN TO KOWLOON STATION FOR A RECEPTION MARKING THE OCCASION.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MAY 6).
THE NEWS MEDIA ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT NAMES OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT NOT LATER THAN MAY 3 BY TELEPHONING KCR’S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION AT THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS!
MR DENNIS LEUNG - 3-697520
MRS ANNA NGA I - 3-696658
MR SIMON TAM - 3-682716
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/4
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1982
4
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF 1981 POPULATION CENSUS
* * M *
HONG KONG'S POPULATION IS BECOMING OLDER, WITH ITS MEDIAN AGE INCREASING FROM 22 IN 1971 TO 26 IN 1981.
THIS FACT IS AMONG THE BROAD FINDINGS OF THE 1981 POPULATION CENSUS CONTAINED IN A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE IN THE JANUARY ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS, WHICH IS ON SALE TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE ARTICLE PRESENTS THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION AS REVEALED BY THE CENSUS WHICH WAS CONDUCTED IN MARCH LAST YEAR.
ACCORDING TO THE 1981 CENSUS, THERE WERE 5.11 MILLION RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG IN MARCH 1981. SOME 4 986 560 PERSONS WERE ENUMERATED IN THE CENSUS, BUT THE FIGURE EXCLUDES TRANSIENTS AND VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, AND 123 252 RESIDENTS WHO WERE AWAY FROM HONG KONG ON THE REFERENCE DATE. THE POPULATION COUNT SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 1.05 MILLION PEOPLE OVER THE 1971 CENSUS COUNT, GIVING AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 2.4 PER CENT.
AS A RESULT OF CHANGES BOTH IN THE AGE-SEX STRUCTURE OF THE POPULATION AND IN THE LEVELS OF LABOUR PART ICIPATION, HONG KONG HAD A MUCH LARGER LABOUR FORCE THAN IN 1971, THE LABOUR FORCE GROWING AT AN AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF 4.5 PER CENT IN THE PERIOD FROM 1971 TO 1981.
THE CENSUS SHOWED ALSO THAT HONG KONG’S FAMILIES ARE BECOMING SMALLER, WITH THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE DECREASING STEADILY FROM 4.5 IN 1971 TO 3.9 IN 1981.
SIMPLE NUCLEAR FAMILIES WERE MOST COMMON, COMPRISING 54 PER CENT CF ALL DOMESTIC HOUSEHOLDS.
LAST YEAR 39 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION WERE IN PUBLIC AND AIDED HOUSING AS AGAINST THE 38 PER CENT IN 1971. THE PERCENTAGE IN TEMPORARY HOUSING, HOWEVER, REMAINED EFFECTIVELY UNCHANGED DURING THE 10-YEAR PERIOD.
THE 1981 CENSUS ALSO PROVIDED A GLIMPSE OF THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE CHINESE IMMIGRANT POPULATION (THOSE WHO CAME TO HONG KONG DURING THE PERIOD 1976-80). ABOUT A QUARTER OF THEM WERE LIVING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING, AS COMPARED WITH A CORRESPONDING FIGURE OF 7.5 PER CENT FOR THE LOCAL POPULATION.
IT SHOWED ALSO THAT A LARGER PROPORTION OF IMMIGRANTS THAN OF THE LOCAL POPULATION AT ALL AGES, WERE IN THE LABOUR FORCE. FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS A HIGHER PROPORTION OF MALE IMMIGRANTS AGED 20 TO 34 IN THE LABOUR FORCE (99 PER CENT) THAN IN THE CASE CF THEIR LOCAL COUNTERPARTS (95 PER CENT). THS DIFFERENCE WAS PARTICULARLY MARKED AMONG FEMALES.
THUBSDAY, APRIL 29, 1982
- 5 -
IMMIGRAKTSENSUS ALS° REVEALED THAT THERE were FEWER UNEMPLOYED
WERE DATIVELY fewer immigrants in ^M'N'STRAT1VE, MANAGERIAL, PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL, AS WELL AS CLERICAL AND SALES OCCUPATIONS.
JANUARY 1982 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF WILL SHORTLY BE ON SALE IN THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, AT CONNAUGHT PLACE.
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH 1982
* * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) PUBLISHED THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR HONG KONG’S VISIBLE TRADE IN MARCH 1982.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR MARCH WAS $10 291 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AT $6 577 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS AT $3 714 MILLION.
WITH IMPORTS AT $12 178 MILLION, THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT FOR MARCH WAS $1 887 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1981, THERE WERE THE FOLLOWING INCREASES BY VALUE: $793 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, $388 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS, $1 181 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS AND $852 MILLION OR EIGHT PER CENT FOR IMPORTS. THE VISIBLE TRADE +GAP+, THAT IS THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT 15 PER CENT IN MARCH THIS YEAR, WAS SIGNIFICANTLY NARROWER THAN IN MARCH 1981 AT 20 PER CENT.
COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE PICKED UP IN MARCH AS THE GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS IN VALUE TERMS, AT EIGHT PER CENT IN MARCH, WAS MUCH THE SAME AS IN THE PREVIOUS TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR. HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE GROWTH RATE IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN MARCH, AT 14 PER CENT, WAS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER THE SIX PER CENT RECORDED IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1982 TAKEN TOGETHER, INDICATING PROBABLY A SLOW RECOVERY FROM THE LUNAR NEW YEAR LULL.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1981, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY $2 549 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT, COMPRISING INCREASES OF $1 445 MILLION OR NINE PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND OF $1 104 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY $2 340 MILLION OR EIGHT PER CENT.
THE VISIBLE TRADE +-GAP + IN THE FIRST QUARTER Oc THIS YEAR, AT 16 PER CENT, WAS NARROWER THAN IN THE CORRESPONDING QUARTER OF 1981, AT 18 PER CENT.
THURSDAY, 1P3IL 2?,
6
TRADE FIGURES TOR MARCH, 1982
merchandise trade figure* for March:- naa reieasec the following provisional
MERCHANDISE: Domestic Exports 1 6,577 sillion
Re-exports • i 3.714 Billion
Total Exports $ 10,291 million
Imports $ 12.178 Billion
Trade balance » 1,88? mllioa (in deficit)
cokparattve figures
January-March J anuary-March Increase or
Latest J non the ^3 1981 decrease
1 Mn. 3 Mn. » Mn. %
Doneetie Export* 17.509 16,064 ♦ 1.445 ♦ 9.0
(% of Total Exports) (62.2%) (62.8%)
Re-exports 10,62$ 9,526 ♦ 1,104 ♦ H.6
Total Exporta 28.159 25,590 ♦ 2,549 ♦ 10.0
Imports 33,421 31.081 ♦ 2,X> ♦ 7.5
Trade baLance - 5,282 - 5.491 ♦ 209
Sane nonth last year March -1211 1 Mn. March 1981 » Mn. Increase or -Jgpt 1 Mn. %
Domestic Exports 6,577 5,78- ♦ 793 ♦ 13.7
(% of Total Exports) (63.9%) (65.5*)
Re-exports 3,71 4 3.326 ♦ 388 ♦ 11.7
Total Exports 10,291 9,111 ♦ 1,181 ♦ 13.0
Inporta 12,178 11,326 ♦ 852 ♦ 7.5
Trade balance - 1.887 - 2.215 ♦ 528
Last aoeth March 1982 February 1982 Increase or decrease
$ Ma. S Mn. 1 Mn. %
Domestic Exports (% of Total Exports) 6,577 (63.9%) 4,694 (56.6%) • 1,885 ♦ l<0.1
Re-exports 3.714 3.597 ♦ 118 . 5.5
Total Exports 10,291 8,290 ♦ 2,001 ♦ 24.1
Imports 12,178 11,220 ♦ 958 ♦ 8.5
Trade balance - 1,887 - 2,930 ♦ 1,043
April 1981 April 1980
Last 12 Booths to March 1962 to 1?81 Increase or
decrease
S Mb. 1 Mn. 3 Mn. %
Domestic Exports 81,86$ 70,526 ♦ 11,543 ♦ 16.1
Re-exports 42,843 33.562 ♦ 9,281 ♦ 27.7
Total Exports 124,712 104,088 ♦ 20.624 ♦ 19.3
Inports 140,715 118,519 ♦ 22,196 ♦ 18.7
Trade balance - 16,00’ - 14,431 - 1,572
0
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1982
1981 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONTINUING ITS SERIES CF ANNUAL SURVEYS Or WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS, COLLECTING ECONOMIC DATA RELATING TO 1981.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS SURVEY IS TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SECTOR AND TO ANALYSE ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN ITS STRUCTURE SINCE THE LAST SURVEY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
INFORMATION SOUGHT INCLUDES TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, WAGES AND SALARIES OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES, PURCHASES, SALES, STOCKS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
SURVEY RESULTS ARE REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE IN DECISION-MAKING, TRADE PROMOTION AND MARKET ANALYSIS. THEY WILL ALSO FORM A BASIS FOR ESTIMATING THE SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT TO SOME 6 000 WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT ESTABLISHMENTS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SELECTED FOR ENUMERATION IN THE SURVEY.
THE SURVEY COVERS ALL ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING 50 OR MORE PERSONS AND A SAMPLE OF SMALLER ESTABLISHMENTS RANDOMLY SELECTED. MANAGEMENTS OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING THE QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORMS TO THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE JULY 31, IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID REPLY ENVELOPES. CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS BEARING GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS WILL, IPON REQUEST, VISIT THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED AND ASSIST RESPONDENTS IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THE 1981 SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) ORDER 1981 MADE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 11 OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE ON JANUARY 27, 1981 AND GAZETTED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 19 OF 1981 ON JANUARY 30, 1981.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THAT ORDINANCE, INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE, AND ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL THE DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE RELEASED.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALS TO MANAGEMENTS RECEIVING THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO RETURN THE COMPLETED FORMS PROMPTLY AND TO COOPERATE WITH THE CENSUS STAFF DURING THE SURVEY ENUMERATION PERIOD.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1982
- 8 -
INDUSTRIALISTS URGED TO HELP SOLVE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS * * * *
TSUEN WAN INDUSTRIALISTS WERE TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED UPON TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND LORRY PARKING, WHICH ARE OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO LOCAL INDUSTRY.
IN A LUNCHEON SPEECH TO THE FEDERATION OF TSUEN WAN INDUSTRIES, THE TOWN MANAGER, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID HE WOULD WELCOME A CONTINUING DIALOGUE WITH THE FEDERATION, AND A WIDENING OF DISTRICT OFFICE CONTACTS TO INCLUDE MORE INDUSTRIALISTS AND BUSINESSMEN.
HE FELT THAT IT WOULD BE MOST USEFUL TO DEVELOP SUCH AN EXISTING CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION AS THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRIAL SUB-COMMITTEE.
♦WE ARE OF COURSE ALREADY AWARE OF SOME OF THE PROBLEMS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO INDUSTRY, AND ARE INVOLVED IN TRYING IN CONCERT WITH RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO RESOLVE THEM,+ HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT SOME IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS WERE ON THE WAY, EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT NOT ENTIRELY RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS.
THESE WOULD INCLUDE THE OPENING OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TSUEN WAN EXTENSION NEXT MONTH, THE THREE PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF BUSES SERVING THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR, THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND STAGE OF TSUEN WAN BY-PASS LINKING SOUTH TSUEN WAN RECLAMATION WITH THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, AND THE BUILDING OF A SECOND TSING Yl BRIDGE.
nu atmpr PROBLEMS MR MACLEOD SAlDt +WE STILL HAVE A CONSIDERABLE WAY TO GO*TO BRING UP TO STANDARD THE LEVEL 0^ Knit? paciutIEs in particular op the open space which IS SO BADLY NEEDED IN TSUEN WAN.
♦THE FACT THAT PARTS OF TSUEN WAN ARE LIKE A VAST BUILDING SITE IS A HOPEFUL SIGN OF IMPROVEMENTS TO COME, BUT MEANWHILE LIVING NEAR A BUILDING SITE IS NOT VERY COMFORTABLE.*
HF WENT ON TO SAY THAT TSUEN WAN WAS MORE HIGHLY INDUSTRIALISED TM4N StheI PARTS OF HONG KONG - THE WORKING POPULATION IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS 55 pER CENT, COMPARED WITH THE OVERALL j, 4 ocd rcwT* A KIT) AT 6 PER CENT. TSUEN WAN HAD A oL I b n IL ’ LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THAN THE OVERALL AVERAGE OF 3.7 PER CENT.
ON HOUSING, HE SAID TSUEN WAN BENEFITED FROM AN UNUSUALLY HIGH PROPORTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING -- ABOUT 70 PER CENT IN THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE, RISING TO A STAGGERING 83 FER CENT IN KWAI CHUNG.
/H3 SAID .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1?°.2
- 9 -
AND „HE7SSI,D| SPENT 0N CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT
AND 7 MILLION ON RECREATION AND SPORTS LAST YEAR FURTHERMORE ^2bE-^NG£ °F ACTIVITIES WAS BEING CARRIED OUT BY BOTH □OVERNMiNT DEPARTMENTS AND VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS AND AGENCIES.
ALL TKESE< HE SAID, TSUEN WAN WAS FACING A
CONS IDtRABLE TASK IN TAKING THOUSANDS OF NEWCOMERS INTO ITS COMMUNITY AND MAKING THEM FEEL PART OF IT.
THE TASK: THE MILLION BY THE END
♦WHILE WE WILL TACKLE THIS TASK WITH VIGOUR, WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP, AND WE SHOULD NOT UNDERESTIMATE " ~
POPULATION OF TSUEN WAN MAY WELL REACH ONE CF THIS DECADE,* HE ADDED.
- - 0 -
POLICE CHIEF TO INSPECT CAS * * * M
PARADE
JHE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR ROY HENRY, WILL INSPECT THE 25TH CIVIL AID SERVICES PASSING-OUT PARADE ON SATURDAY (MAY 1) AND PRESENT SPECIAL CERTIFICATES TO 240 NEW ADULT AND YOUNG RECRUITS•
on, WILL 3E HELD AT THE R0YAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY
POLICE FORCE HEADQUARTERS, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG, STARTING AT
7 PM •
JHE RECRUITS HAVE JUST COMPLETED THEIR BASIC TRAINING IN FIRST AID, LIGHT RESCUE, FOREST FIRE FIGHTING, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, TYPHOON DUTIES AND OTHER USEFUL SKILLS.
Tur -J^YWiLL BE POSTED TO VARIOUS CAS UNITS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT
THE TERRITORY WHERE THEIR SKILLS WILL ---------
MR HENRY WILL ALSO PRESENT CIVIL TO A NUMBER OF OTHER CAS MEMBERS.
THE CAS BAND WILL PERFORM AT THE
BE PUT TO GOOD USE.
DEFENCE LONG SERVICE CLASPS
PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 25TH CAS PASSING-OUT PARADE TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY (MAY 1) STARTING AT 7 PM, AT THE RHKAPF HEADQUARTERS, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
- ... 0 - - - -
/1C .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1982
10
PIANO WORKSHOP * * *
THE MUSIC OFFICE, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL, WILL PRESENT A PIANO WORKSHOP TO BE GIVEN BY THE SWISS PIANIST, NICOLE wICKIHALDER. THE WORKSHOP WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 6 AT 5.30 PM AT THE MUSIC OFFICE, 9TH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.
NICOLE WICKIHALDER GRADUATED FROM THE MUSIC ACADEMY OF VIENNA WHERE SHE STUDIED UNDER PROFESSOR HAUSER. HER FURTHER STUDIES WERE UNDER NICK ITA MAGALOFF, AND SHE WAS THE RECIPIENT OF MANY PRIZES IN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITIONS.
HER DISTINGUISHED CAREER AS A SOLOIST HAS TAKEN HER ALL OVER THE WORLD. ORCHESTRAS WITH WHOM SHE HAS APPEARED AS A GUEST ARTIST INCLUDE THE ORCHESTRA DE LA SUISSE ROMANDE, THE ZURICH TONHALLE, AND IN THE FAR EAST, SHE HAS PLAYED WITH THE MANILA CCP ORCHESTRA AND THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA.
DURING THE WORKSHOP, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (ADMISSION FREE), YOUNG PIANISTS WILL BE PLAYING WORKS BY BACH, CHOPIN AND DEBUSSY. ENQUIRIES REGARDING THIS EVENT MAY BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 5-296105.
-----o--------
LABOUR LAW OFFENCES * * *
SIX EMPLOYERS WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $23 100 BY THE S^RI<S. ”0NTH F0R EMPLOYING EIGHT VIETNAMESE REFUGEES NOT ALLOWED TO WORK IN HONG KONG.
THE EIGHT SUMMONSES AGAINST THE EMPLOYERS WERE AMONG A TOTAL OF 987 TAKEN OUT BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR BREACHES OF LABOUR LEGISLATION. THE FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS TOTALLED MORE THAN $922 000.
MOST OF THE CASES CONCERNED BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS VARIOUS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS.
CASES CONCERNING VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY REGULATIONS TOTALLED 292, WITH $445 950 IN FINES. THESE INCLUDED 152 CASES (WITH $218 200 IN FINES) FOR BREACH OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS AND 79 CASES
IN FINES) for BREACH OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
RELATING TO BREACHES OF THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS ACCOUNTED FOR 570 WITH $385 700 IN FINES.
cAi.nn- Z^E °I*ER RROSECUTIONS, 28 CASES WERE RELATED TO FAILURE TO KtE° RECORDS Oc EMPLOYEES, LEADING TO $21 225 IN F INES.
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1982
11
DISTRICT BOARDS TO HOLD JOINT SEMINAR * * *
THE SHAM SHU I PO AND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARDS WILL ORGANISE A JOINT SEMINAR AT THE UNITED COLLEGE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY ON SATURDAY (MAY 1) TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND THEIR EXPERIENCES ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
MR WONG LAM, A MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, AND MR K.F. CHOY, SENIOR TRAINING OFFICER CF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT’S CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING DIVISION WILL GIVE TALKS BEFORE BOARD MEMBERS GO INTO GROUP DISCUSSIONS.
MR WONG WILL SPEAK ON HIS EXPERIENCE AS A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER AND ON HOW TO DEAL WITH MEETINGS AND COMMITTEE PAPERS. NR CHOY WILL GIVE HIS OPINION ON HOW TO MAKE THE BOARD COMMITTEES MORE EFFECTIVE.
MR LEE LAP-SUN, THE KOWLOON CITY CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, WILL MAKE THE OPENING ADDRESS AT THE SEMINAR, AND MR STEPHEN IP, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, SHAM SHUI PO, WILL MAKE THE CONCLUDING ADDRESS.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO AND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT SEMINAR WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE UNITED COLLEGE STAFF COMMON ROOM OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AT 2.30 PM ON SATURDAY (MAY 1).
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MOVING OFFICE
* * *
THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE IN KWUN TONG WILL MOVE ON MONDAY (MAY 3) TO AMOY PLAZA, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, SECOND FLOOR, KOWLOON, NEAR THE KOWLOON BAY MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE 3-7554233.
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THUKSLAY, APRIL 2$, 19c-
12
LIDO BEACH BUILDING OPENS TO THE PUBLIC *****
A TWO-STOREY BEACH BUILDING OF MODERN DESIGN AT LIDO BEACH IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC THIS SATURDAY (MAY 1).
COSTING ABOUT $1 MILLION, THE BEACH BUILDING CAN ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 60 BATHERS IN TWO CHANGING ROOMS FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.
THE CHANGING FACILITIES ARE FREE OF CHARGE AND THE OPENING HOURS ARE BETWEEN 9 AM AND 6 PM.
LIFEGUARDS AND FIRST AID SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED AT THE BEACH DURING THE OPENING HOURS.
FOR THE FIRST TIME SHOWERING FACILITIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO BATHERS AT THE BEACH.
A KIOSK SELLING LIGHT REFRESHMENT, LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING, WILL SOON BE OPERATIONAL.
BEACH-GOERS ENJOYING A DIP AT NEARBY CASAM BEACH CAN ALSO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITIES AT LIDO BEACH.
DURING THE LAST BATHING SEASON, MORE THAN 1.3 MILLION LIDO BEACH-GOERS WERE RECORDED WHILE ABOUT 200 000 WERE AT CASAM BEACH.
------o - - - -
PUBLIC DUMP IN CHEUNG SHA WAN OPENED *****
A PUBLIC DUMP AT CHEUNG SHA WAN RECLAMATION STAGE II WAS OPENED TODAY (THURSDAY), THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
DUMPING MAY BE CARRIED OUT AT THE SITE BETWEEN 9 AM AND 6 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ACCESS TO THE NEW DUMP WILL BE FROM THE JUNCTION OF TUNG CHAU STREET AND FAT TSEUNG STREET.
DUMPING LICENCES MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE ON APPLICATION TO THE CHIEF ENGINEER, PORT WORKS DIVISION OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AT 8TH FLOOR. EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, KOWLOON.
HOLDERS OF IN KOWLOON WILL BUILDING DEBRIS MIXED WITH EARTH
VALID DUMPING LICENCES FOR PUBLIC DUMPS BE PERMITTED TO DISCARD APPROVED SOFT EARTH AND CERTAIN SIZES OF STONES THAT ARE WELL
A
DUMPING MUST BE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE
CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DUMP SUPERVISORS.
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL DUMPING LICENCES AT ANV TIME OR TO CLOSE THC DUMP WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, APRIL JO, 1982
CONTENTS PAGE HO.
RIDDING MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATIONS OF TRIADS .................... 1
HONG KONG-SHENZHEN AGREEMENT SIGNED ............................ 2
NEW FERRY SERVICES BILL PLANNED................................. 5
AMS TO HOLD COMPETITION ...................................... *+
TAI PO OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED ............................. 5
MAKING BEST USE OF BANKING EXPERTISE............................ 6
GUIDANCE SCHEME FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS .......................... 6
NEW KCR REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE FROM TODAY ..................... 7
CONCERN FOR THE ELDE'LY AND THE DISABLED ..................... 8
TIMETABLES FOR OLD ,UiD NEW TRAINS ........................... 9
MORE MAXICaB ROUTES IN TSUEN WAil ......................... 10
FIRST CLINIC ON TSING YI ISLAND ............................... 11
HONG KONG-FINLaND TEXTILE TALKS.......................•........ 11
BUILDINGS TO BE RESUMED FOR MTR ISLAND LINE ................... 12
SUSPENSION OF SALT WATER SUPPLY ............................. 12
FERRY SERVICES .............................................. 13
MORE HOLIDAYS FOR WORKER, PROPOSED ............................ 13
CIVIC-MINDED STUDENTS C-ET AWARDS ............................ I2*
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
1
RIDDING MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATIONS OF TRIADS
* * * *
NEW LEGISLATIVE MEASURES ARE PLANNED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PREVENT MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATIONS FROM BECOMING FRONTS FOR TRIAD SOCIETIES OR FALLING UNDER THEIR CONTROL OR INFLUENCE.
THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982 WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MANY HONOURABLE SPORTING ASSOCIATIONS FOSTER THE MARTIAL ARTS AND THAT THEY PROVIDE A HEALTHY RECREATIONAL PURSUIT AND FORM OF EXERCISE FOR MANY PEOPLE. HOWEVER, IN THE CASE OF A CERTAIN PROPORTION OF MARTIAL ARTS GROUPS, THERE WAS A CLOSE CONNECTION WITH ORGANISED CRIME, PARTICULARLY INVOLVING TRIAD ELEMENTS.
♦THE INTENTION, THEREFORE, IS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THE ELIMINATION OF THE CRIMINAL CONNECTIONS, WITHOUT DISCOURAGING BONA FIDE STUDENTS AND MARTIAL ARTS FOLLOWERS,♦ THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
AT THE MOMENT MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATIONS WHICH REGISTER AS SOCIETIES UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE ARE SUBJECT TO LEGAL PROVISIONS TO PREVENT THEIR OFFICE BEARERS, OR A GROUP OF THEIR MEMBERS, FROM BEING OFFICE BEARERS OR MEMBERS OF TRIAD SOCIETIES.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME AREAS WHERE THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES INADEQUATE CONTROLS. IN ADDITION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, SOME MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATIONS COULD EVADE THESE CONTROLS BY REGISTERING AS BUSINESSES UNDER THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
IN ORDER TO CORRECT THIS, THE BILL SEEKS TO BRING ALL THESE MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE AMBIT OF A STRENGTHENED SOCIETIES ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS TO INCREASE EXISTING PENALTIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
UNDER ONE OF THE MAIN PROPOSED AMENDMENTS IN THE BILL THE ORDINANCE WILL APPLY TO ANY SOCIETY REGISTERED UNDER THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE WHICH HAS I EE’’ SERVED A NOTICE BY THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES STATING THAT THE SOCIETY IS CONSIDERED NOT TO BE OPERATING SOLELY FOR RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, SOCIAL OR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.
THE REGISTRAR WILL BE PERMITTEA TO REFUSE TO REGISTER, OR TO REFUSE TO EXEMPT FROM REG ISTRA7 '■< I, A SOCIETY WHERE AN OFFICE BEARER HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF AN OFFE. IE T.HmT THE REGISTRAR CONSIDERS RENDERS HIM UNFIT FOR THAT OFFICE.
THE GROUNDS ON WHICH THE REGISTRAR MAY CANCEL THE REGISTRATION CR EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION OF A SOCIETY WILL BE EXTENDED TO PREVENT REGISTERED SOCIETIES FROM BEING INFILTRATED OR CONTROLLED BY TRIAD SOCIETIES, OR BEING SYNONYMOUS WITH THEM, TO PREVENT PERSONS OF BAD CHARACTER FROM FREQUENTING SOCIETY PREMISES AND TO ENSURE THAT THE PREMISES ARE NOT USED FOR TRIAD RITUALS, TRIAD INITIATION CEREMONIES OR OTHER ILLEGAL PURPOSES.
/SOCIETIES REGISTERED ......
FRIDAY, APRIL JO, 1982
- 2 -
SOCIETIES REGISTERED UNDER THE ORDINANCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO KEEP A REGISTER OF MEMBERS AND TO PROVIDE PARTICULARS OF PREMISES USED.
THE EXISTING PROVISIONS FOR DETERMINING APPEALS, WHEREBY IN SOME CASES THEY MAY BE MADE TO THE SUPREME COURT AND IN OTHER CASES TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, WILL BE SIMPLIFIED SO THAT ALL APPEALS AGAINST ANY ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION MADE UNDER THE ORDINANCE WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW REGULATORY MEASURES WOULD BE EXERCISED ONLY WHEN THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT A SOCIETY WAS UNDER UNDESIRABLE INFLUENCE OR CONTROL, OR WAS LINKED TO OTHER UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN OFFENCES WHICH HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE THE ORDINANCE WAS LAST REVIEWED IN 1964 AND WHICH ARE CONSIDERED INADEQUATE TODAY.
THE PROPOSED INCREASES ARE AS FOLLOWS*
- FAILING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE REGISTRAR OR GIVING FALSE INFORMATION, FROM A FINE OF 1500 TO $2 000;
- INDUCING OR INTIMIDATING A PERSON TO JOIN AN UNLAWFUL SOCIETY, FROM A FINE OF $1 000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT TO 15 000 AND THREE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT;
- PROCURING AID FOR AN UNLAWFUL SOCIETY, FROM A FINE OF $500 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT TO $2 000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT;
- REFUSING TO COMPLY WITH A FINGERPRINT AND PHOTOGRAPH ORDER, FROM A FINE OF $200 TO Si 000 AND THREE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT;
- FAILING TO COMPLY WITH A WINDING UP ORDER, FROM A FINE OF $1 000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT TO $2 000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT.
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HONG KONG - SHENZHEN AGREEMENT SIGNED ft ft ft ft
AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN SHENZHEN AND HONG KONG ON OPENING NEW LINKS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES WAS SIGNED TODAY IN SHENZHEN.
THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE SHENZHEN MUNICIPALITY, MR ZHEN XIPEI, AND THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBIN MACLAREN.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE AGREEMENT WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO YOU SHORTLY OVER THE FACSIMILE NETWORK.
COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE DUTY OFFICER IN THE GIS PRESS ROOM, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 6TH FLOOR.
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/3.......
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
- 3 -
NEW FERRY SERVICES BILL PLANNED * * *
THE GOVERNMENT GAVE NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE TODAY OF ITS INTENTION TO INTRODUCE A NEW FERRY SERVICES BILL 1982 INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK.
.THIS BILL IS DESIGNED TO BRING TOGETHER INTO ONE ENACTMENT ALL OF THE TRANSPORT, FRANCHISE AND LICENSING ASPECTS CF THE LAW RELATING TO FERRY OPERATIONS.'
..... !T ,S APpROvED BY THE COUNCIL, SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO REQUIRE THE FERRY OPERATORS TO DISPLAY NOTICES OF THEIR SERVICES AND TO GIVE THEM ADEQUATE POWERS TO STOP IMPROPER BEHAVIOUR OF PASSENGERS.
THE LAW GOVERNING THESE OPERATIONS IS AT PRESENT CONTAINED IN THREE SEPARATE ORDINANCESi THE FERRIES ORDINANCE. THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY (SERVICES) ORDINANCE AND THE +STAR+ FERRY COMPANY (SERVICES) ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION TO THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THESE EXISTING ORDINANCES THE NEW BILL SEEKS TO EXTEND CONTROLS OVER THE PROVISION OF A PROPER AND EFFICIENT SERVICE BY THE FRANCHISED FERRY OPERATORS, AND ALSO TO REQUIRE CONSULTATION BETWEEN THEM AND THE GOVERNMENT OVER THE FORWARD PLANNING OF THEIR ROUTES AND SERVICES.
IT ALSO SEEKS TO PROVIDE FOR NEW FRANCHISES FOR THESE
T0 C0ME ,NT0 EPPECT AFTER THE CURRENT FRANCHISES EXPIRE AT THE END OF JUNE THIS YEAR. DETAILS OF THE NEW FRANCHISES ARE NOW UNDER DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY AND THE +STAR+ FERRY COMPANY.
UNDER THE FERRY SERVICES BILL, THE TWO MAJOR FERRY COMPANIES WILL BE GIVEN FRANCHISES WHICH MAY BE EXTENDED TO 15 YEARS AT ANY ONE TIME. aiciwcu iu
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT ONE OF THE CONDITIONS TO ANY EXTENSION WOULD BE WHETHER THE COMPANY WAS CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING A PROPER AND EFFICIENT SERVICE.
THE GOVERNOR WOULD BE ABLE TO APPOINT UP TO TWO DIRECTORS TO THE BOARD OF THE COMPANY TO GIVE IT APPROPRIATE INFORMATION AND ADVICE AND TO OBTAIN FULL KNOWLEDGE OF ITS ACTIVITIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE COMPANY WILL BE REQUIRED TO PREPARE AN ANNUAL FIVE-YEAR PLAN WHICH WILL BE USED TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AND IF THE PLAN CANNOT BE AGREED BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WILL ARBITRATE.
FURTHERMORE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE EMPOWERED TO GIVE DIRECTIONS TO THE COMPANY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS NOT COVERED BY FORWARD PLANNING AND TO DEAL WITH MATTERS NOT AGREED WITH THE COMPANY.
/7.-.J com?a.’;y ...
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982'
- k -
THE COMPANY CAN OBJECT TO THESE DIRECTIONS AND IF THE OBJECTION IS ON FINANCIAL GROUNDS, IT WILL BE REFERRED TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL WILL BE ABLE TO IMPOSE A FINANCIAL PENALTY ON THE COMPANY IF IT FAILED TO COMPLY WITH ITS FRANCHISE OR THE NEW LAW, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
IN THE CASE OF THE MINOR FERRY SERVICES. INCLUDING KAI-TO TYPE OF OPERATIONS IN THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, GOVERNMENT CONTROL WILL BE EXERCISED THROUGH LICENCES GRANTED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
THE COMMISSIONER WILL HAVE POWERS TO DETERMINE FARES, TIMETABLES AND VARIATIONS OF SERVICES BUT THE EXTENT TO WHICH HE APPLIES THESE POWERS WILL VARY ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED.
THE FERRY SERVICES BILL ALSO ALLOWS FOR A SCHEME OF PROFIT CONTROL TO BE AGREED BETWEEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE GRANTEE OF A FRANCHISE, WITH THE APPPROVAL OF THE GOVERNORIN-COUNCIL.
ALL FERRY OPERATORS, INCLUDING THE TWO MAJOR COMPANIES, WILL BE ABLE TO APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL IF THEY ARE AGGRIEVED BY ANY DECISION OR REQUIREMENT BY PUBLIC OFFICERS.
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AMS TO HOLD COMPETITION * * * M
THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES WILL HOLD ITS FINAL CONTEST OF PROFICIENCY ON SUNDAY MORNING TO SELECT A CHAMPION TEAM.
THE EVENT, HELD BIENNIALLY, WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE PERTH STREET PLAYGROUND, HO MAN TIN.
THE COMPETITION IS AIMED AT RAISING THE STANDARD OF PROFICIENCY AND ENHANCING TEAM WORK.
ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE COMPETITIONS ARE INSPECTION AND TURNOUT, SQUAD DRILL, STRETCHER DRILL, NURSING, FIRST AID AND QUIZ ON CIVIL DEFENCE KNOWLEDGE, OPERATION DUTIES AND PARA-MEDICAL SUBJECTS.
ALL THE 88 SUB-UNIT TEAMS ARE TAKING PART IN THE CONTESTS HELD IN THE FOUR REGIONS. THE TEAM WITH THE BEST OVERALL PERFORMANCE WILL BE AWARDED THE COMMISSIONER’S SHIELD.
SOME EVENTS OF THE FINAL COMPETITION HAVE ALREADY BEEN HELD, AND THE REMAINING EVENTS TO BE CONTESTED ON SUNDAY WILL BE INSPECTION AND TURNOUT.
A DEMONSTRATION ON APPLICATION OF FIRST AID TECHNIQUES IPON MOCK CASUALTIES WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE FOUR REGIONAL WINNING TEAMS.
TROPHIES WILL BE PRESENTED BY DR K.L. THONG, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, WHO IS ALSO COMMISSIONER OF AMS.
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/5......
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
5
TAI PO OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED * * *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED A NUMBER CF AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT TAI PO OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THAT THE AMENDMENTS WERE PROPOSED AS A RESULT OF CONSIDERATION OF OBJECTIONS TO THE DRAFT PLAN WHICH WAS LAST GAZETTED ON DECEMBER 12, 1980.
THE AMENDMENTS INCLUDE t
* REZONING AN AREA OF ABOUT 0.65 HECTARES IN WAN TAU KOK FROM GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USE TO RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B) USE.
* REPOSITIONING A PROPOSED FUNERAL PARLOUR SITE IN KWONG FUK ROAD.
* REZONING ABOUT 31 HECTARES OF LAND IN FUNG YUEN VALLEY FROM GREEN BELT AND VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT TO OTHER SPECIFIED USE AND ANNOTATED 'COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT AREA’. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA WILL BE SUBJECT TO SPECIAL APPROVAL OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
* REZONING ABOUT 14 HECTARES OF LAND AT THE ST CHRISTOPHER’S HOME FROM GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USE TO UNDETERMINED USE IN VIEW OF THE NEED FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT INVESTIGATION IN THE AREA. IN THE INTERIM, ALL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS IN THE AREA WILL REQUIRE SPECIAL PERMISSION FROM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
* EXTENSION OF THE BOUNDARIES OF A NUMBER OF VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT AREAS TO ALLOW FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE VILLAGES.
THE HAS ALSO
SCHEDULE OF USES FOR THE OTHER SPECIFIED USES ZONE BEEN REVISED.
THE AMENDED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION. LANDS DEPARTMENT, 17TH FLOOR. MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE; AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE (TAI PO), TING KOK ROA&, TAI PO MARKET.
THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN IS ON SALE AT THE MAP SALES SECTION OF LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AT $10 FOR AN UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 FOR A COLOURED COPY.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN MAY SUBMIT AN OBJECTION IN WRITING. ON OR BEFORE MAY 13, TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
- 6 -
MAKING BEST USE OF BANKING EXPERTISE
X X X X
MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS WILL HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN NOMINATING THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IF A BILL GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) IS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE PROPOSAL, UNDER THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982, WILL ALSO ENABLE THE ASSOCIATION TO MAKE THE BEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL EXPERTISE AVAILABLE AMONG ITS MEMBERS.
MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION ARE LICENSED BANKS AND EACH MEMBER DESIGNATES A REPRESENTATIVE OR, IN HIS ABSENCE, AN ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ASSOCIATION.
THIS ARRANGEMENT HAS PROVED SOMEWHAT UNHELPFUL TO THE SMOOTH-RUNNING OF THE ASSOCIATION BECAUSE THE DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE MAY FREQUENTLY HAVE TO BE ABSENT FROM HONG KONG, SOMETIMES AT VERY SHORT NOTICE.
THE COMMITTEE OF THE ASSOCIATION HAS ALSO HAD DIFFICULTY IN SETTING UP TECHNICAL SUB-COMMITTEES ON DIFFERENT SPECIALISED SUBJECTS BECAUSE ONLY ONE INDIVIDUAL CAN BE DESIGNATED AT ANY ONE TIME TO REPRESENT A MEMBER.
UNDER THE BILL NOW PROPOSED, OTHER THAN AT GENERAL MEETINGS AND MEETINGS OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE, A MEMBER MAY BE REPRESENTED BY ANY PERSON EMPLOYED BY IT IN A MANAGERIAL CAPACITY AND NOMINATED IN A MANNER ACCEPTABLE TO THE CHAIRMAN CF THAT MEETING.
THERE WILL BE NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO MAY BE NOMINATED BY A MEMBER AT THE SAME TIME TO REPRESENT IT AT DIFFERENT MEETINGS.
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GUIDANCE SCHEME FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS
XXX
A SCHEME TO HELP PRIMARY 6 STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT SECONDARY EDUCATION WAS OPENED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN SHA TIN.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SCHEME, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS EVELYN DOE, SAID STUDENTS OR PARENTS ENCOUNTERING ANY SCHOOL PROBLEMS COULD SEEK ADVICE FROM THEIR SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT PROBLEMS SURROUNDING PRIMARY 6 STUDENTS ARE MAINLY SCHOOL WORK PRESSURE, NEW SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, HUMAN RELATIONS AND THE GENERATION GAP.
BUT SHE ASSURED STUDENTS AND PARENTS THAT SCHOOL SOCIAL MARKERS. WHO WERE PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS, COULD HELP THEM FIND A SOLUTION THROUGH PERSONAL GUIDANCE, AND GROUP AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
/+TH£ SOCIAL
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
- 7 -
+THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS PLAYED A VERY ACTIVE PA°1 IN IMPLEMENTING THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SCHEME AND IN SHA TIN ALONE. ’HERE ARE FIVE SUCH OFFICERS FROM FOUR SWD SUBVENTED VOLUNTARY AGENCIES,* SHE SAID.
♦THEY PAY REGULAR VISITS TO THE LOCAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS OFFERING HELP TO BOTH STUDENTS AND PARENTS.♦
THE SCHEME IN SHA TIN WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THREE PARTS -EXHIBITIONS AND OPEN SEMINARS AT THE DISTRICTS’ THREE COMMUNITY HALLS AND A SERIES OF SEMINARS TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE SCHOOLS.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WAS HELD AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL WERE THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (SERVICES), MRS TERESA WEI, AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE.
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NEW KCR REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE FROM TODAY *****
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY REGULATIONS 1982 DEALING WITH THE NEW ELECTRIFIED TRAIN SERVICE CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FIRST PHASE OF ELECTRIFIED SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN WILL BEGIN NEXT THURSDAY (MAY 6), FOLLOWED BY THE SECOND PHASE UP TO TAI PO MARKET IN FEBRUARY AND THE ENTIRE LINE UP TO LO WU IN THE SUMMER OF 1983.
THE NEW REGULATIONS, WHICH ARE MORE LOGICAL IN PRESENTATION AND EASIER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF A NEW RAILWAY, WERE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
COMMENTING ON THE FRESH REGULATIONS, A KCR SPOKESMAN SAID SOME SECTIONS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE AND INCORPORATED INTO THE REVISED REGULATIONS TO COPE WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ELECTRIFIED SERVICE.
HE SAID THAT SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENTS RELATING TO THE MODERNISED AND ELECTRIFIED SERVICE INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF AN AUTOMATIC REVENUE COLLECTION SYSTEM AND THE ENHANCED SAFETY OF THE RAILWAY.
THE REGULATIONS, AMONG OTHERS, PROVIDE FOR HIGHER PENALTIES OF UP TO $10 000 FINE OR TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR ANYONE CAUGHT TAMPERING WITH ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT OR INSTALLATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE RAILWAY.
FLYING KITES, BALLOONS OR MODEL AIRCRAFTS IN THE VICINITY OF THE RAILWAY IS PROHIBITED BECAUSE THIS COULD INTERFERE WITH, OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO, THE OVERHEAD WIRES AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 OR SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.
THE PENALTIES FOR TRESPASSING AND UNAUTHORISED SALES ON THE RAILWAY HAVE ALSO BEEN RAISED TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000.
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/b.......
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
8
CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED * * * *
ABOUT 2 500 ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE IN SHA TIN WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) TREATED TO A DINNER PARTY ORGANISED BY LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE PARTY, CO-ORDINATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SHA TIN COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER, IS TO SHOW CONCERN FOR UNDER-PRIVILEGED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING AT THE DINNER HELD IN THE ALICE PALACE RESTAURANT IN SHA TIN, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, URGED THE DISTRICT BOARD TO PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE YEAR-ROUND NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY, WHOM HE SAID HAD CONTRIBUTED VERY MUCH TO SOCIETY.
NOTING MORE PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE PARTY THIS YEAR, MR AKERS-JONES SAIDi +THIS SERVES AS A REMINDER TO US ALL THAT NOT ONLY IS THE NUMBER OF ELDERLY PEOPLE GROWING AS THE TOWN INCREASES IN SIZE, BUT ALSO THAT PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER THAN EVER BEFORE AND THAT THERE ARE NOW MORE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN OUR POPULATION.*
♦THIS WE MUST PLAN FOR,* HE EMPHASISED.
EARLIER, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING GROUP, MR WAI HON-LEUNG, TOLD THE ELDERLY AT THE GATHERING TO DEVELOP THEIR INDEPENDENCE, SHOW CONCERN TO THEIR YOUNGER GENERATIONS AND OFFER THEM ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A HARMONIOUS AND HAPPY FAMILY LIFE.
TO THE DISABLED. HE ADVISED THEM TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS EVELYN DOE.
OTHER PROGRAMMES FOR THE GUESTS INCLUDED CHINESE OPERATIC SINGING, AN EXHIBITION, A SEMINAR, AND A FILM AND SLIDE SHOW ON ELDERLY SERVICES AT THE WO CHE AND SHA KOK COMMUNITY HALLS.
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/9........
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
- 9 -
TIMETABLES FOR OLD AND NEW TRAINS *****
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL INTRODUCE A NEW TIMETABLE FOR THE DIESEL-HAULED PASSENGER TRAINS ON SUNDAY (MAY 2) IN ORDER TO TIE IN WITH THE INNER-SUBURBAN ELECTRIFIED SERVICE TO BE COMMISSIONED ON MAY 6.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KCR SAID TODAY THERE ARE AT PRESENT 34 TRAINS — 17 NORTHBOUND AND 17 SOUTHBOUND --RUNNING DAILY BETWEEN KOWLOON AND LOWU, INCLUDING ONE DOWN TRAIN FROM TAI PO MARKET.
WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED TIMETABLE, THE NUMBER OF TRAINS IN OPERATION REMAINS UNCHANGED BUT THE TIME SCHEDULE IS SLIGHTLY ALTERED, HE SAID.
PASSENGERS ARE REMINDED TO TAKE DIESEL-HAULED TRAINS FOR DESTINATIONS NORTH OF SHA TIN BECAUSE THE ELECTRIC TRAINS ONLY OPERATE BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN.
THE ELECTRIFIED SERVICE WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC FROM 2 PM ON MAY 6 AFTER AN OPENING CEREMONY IN THE MORNING. IT WILL RUN AT 10 MINUTES INTERVALS.
THE first electric trains WILL LEAVE KOWLOON station AT 6.12 AM AND SHA TIN STATION AT 6.10 AM, WHILE THE LAST TRAINS WILL LEAVE THE TWO STATIONS AT 12.02 AM AND 11.50 PM DAILY.
UNLIKE THE DIESEL-HAULED TRAINS, THE ELECTRIC TRAINS WILL STOP AT A NEW STATION AT KOWLOON TONG, WHICH IS AN INTERCHANGE WITH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
MEANWHILE, THE KCR IS CONTINUING THE SIMULATION RUNS OF ELECTRIC TRAINS BETWEEN MAY 2 AND MAY 5 IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEW ELECTRIFIED SERVICE.
COMMUTERS ARE REMINDED NOT TO BOARD THE ELECTRIC TRAINS STOPPING AT STATIONS DURING THIS PERIOD, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED TO KEEP AWAY FROM THE TRACKS AT ALL TIMES BECAUSE ELECTRIC TRAINS ARE SOMETIMES RUNNING AT A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 120 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
COPIES OF THE NEW TIMETABLE ARE PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED AT ALL STATIONS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF COMMUTERS.
TIME SCHEDULES FOR THE EXPRESS THROUGH TRAINS BETWEEN KOWLOON AND GUANGZHOU REMAIN UNCHANGED.
- - 0 -
/10.......
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
10
MORE MAXICAB ROUTES IN TSUEN WAN * * *
STARTING FROM SUNDAY (MAY 2), THREE NEW MAXICAB ROUTES -80, 81 AND 82 - WILL COME INTO OPERATION, LINKING TSUEN WAN WITH CHUEN LUNG, LO WAI AND SHING MUN.
ROUTE 80 WILL TRAVEL FROM TSUEN WAN TO CHUEN LUNG VIA CHUEN LUNG STREET, SHIU WO STREET, CHUNG ON STREET, TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET, TAI HO ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, SHING MUN ROAD, TEXACO ROAD EXTENSION, ROUTE TWISK AND CHUEN LUNG ACCESS ROAD.
RETURNS WILL BE VIA TEXACO ROAD, TSUEN FU STREET, TSUEN WAH STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND CHUNG ON STREET. THE OPERATING HOURS ARE FROM 5.50 AM TO 11.30 PM WITH AN EIGHT-MINUTE FREQUENCY DURING PEAK HOURS. THE FARE FOR A SINGLE JOURNEY IS Si.50.
ROUTE 81 WILL TRAVEL FROM TSUEN WAN TO LO WAI VIA SHIU WO STREET, CHUNG ON STREET, TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET, TAI HO ROAD, SHA TSUI ROAD, TEXACO ROAD AND ITS EXTENSION, SHEK WAI KOK ROAD, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND LO WAI ROAD.
RETURN TRIP WILL BE ROUTED VIA CHUEN LUNG STREET. IT WILL OPERATE FROM 6 AM TO 11.40 PM WITH A FOUR-MINUTE FREQUENCY DURING PEAK HOURS. THE FARE IS fl FOR A SINGLE JOURNEY.
ROUTE 82 WILL TRAVEL FROM TSUEN WAN TO SHING MUN VIA SHIU WO STREET, CHUNG ON STREET, TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET, TAI HO ROAD, SHA TSUI ROAD, TEXACO ROAD AND ITS EXTENSION, SHEK WAI KOK ROAD, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD EAST, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, LO WAI ROAD, SAM TUNG UK ROAD AND SHING MUN ROAD.
RETURN TRIP WILL BE VIA CHUEN LUNG STREET. IT WILL OPERATE FROM 6.05 AM TO 11.45 PM WITH A SIX-MINUTE FREQUENCY DURING PEAK HOURS. THE FLAT FARE PER SINGLE JOURNEY IS SI.
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/11 ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
11
FIRST CLINIC ON TSING Yl ISLAND
* * *
RESIDENTS OF TSING Yl ISLAND WILL ENJOY BETTER MEDICAL AND HEALTH FACILITIES WHEN A NEW GOVERNMENT CLINIC OPENS NEXT WEEK RIGHT IN THE MIDST OF THEIR HOUSING ESTATE.
THE CLINIC, OCCUPYING 1 200 SQUARE METRES ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IN CHEUNG HONG ESTATE, WILL PROVIDE GENERAL OUTPATIENT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC FROM MONDAY, AND WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL IN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME, WILL ALSO OFFER FAMILY HEALTH AND COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE SETTING UP OF THE CLINIC ON THE ISLAND WAS TO COPE WITH THE ANTICIPATED INCREASING DEMAND FOR THE SERVICE.
♦IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE POPULATION ON THE ISLAND WILL REACH 200 000 AT THE END OF THE DECADE WHEN THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IS COMPLETED AROUND THE CHEUNG HONG ESTATE,♦ HE SAID.
THE GENERAL OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF THE CLINIC, COMPRISING FOUR CONSULTATION ROOMS, WILL BE OPEN FIVE AND A HALF DAYS A WEEK.
THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES CENTRE, TO BE SET UP AT THE CLINIC, WILL PROVIDE THE USUAL RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SCHEME AND FAMILY PLANNING.
THE COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE OFFICE WILL PROVIDE THE BASE FOR ARRANGING NURSING CARE FOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
VILLAGERS ON THE NORTHERN SHORE OF THE ISLAND WILL ALSO BE REGULARLY VISITED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S THIRD FLOATING CLINIC, THE ROTARY, WHEN IT IS PUT IN SERVICE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
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HONG KONG-FINLAND TEXTILE TALKS
X X X X
NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW HONG KONG-FINLAND TEXTILE AGREEMENT UNDER THE TERMS OF THE RECENTLY EXTENDED MFA WILL COMMENCE ON MONDAY (MAY 3) IN HONG KONG.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF TRADE, MR JUSTIN YUE, WILL LEAD THE HONG KONG DELEGATION. LEADING THE FINNISH SIDE WILL BE MR RISTO RANNALI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
THE CURRENT TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR EXPORT RESTRAINT ON FIVE CATEGORIES OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND AN EXPORT AUTHORISATION ARRANGEMENT COVERING ANOTHER SIX CATEGORIES.
IT EXPIRES AT THE END 0- JULY THIS YEAR.
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/12........
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
- 12 -
BUILDINGS TO BE RESUMED FOR MTR ISLAND LINE * * * *
TWO POST-WAR SIX-STOREY BUILDINGS AT 131 AND 133 NAM ON STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE RESUMED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MTR ISLAND LINE.
THE RESUMPTION ORDER, MADE UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
ABOUT 140 PEOPLE WILL BE AFFECTED. DOMESTIC TENANTS WILL BE OFFERED REHOUSING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S POLICY AND STATUTORY COMPENSATION WILL BE PAID TO THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE.
ALSO GAZETTED TODAY IS A NOTICE IN RESPECT OF THE ALTERATIONS OF TWO STREETS IN SHAU KEI WAN TO FACILITATE THE WORK ON THE ISLAND LINE.
THE ALTERATIONS DEAL WITH THE PERMANENT CLOSURE OF A LORRY PARK AT THE NORTH-EAST CORNER OF THE JUNCTION OF TAI ON STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND THE REDUCTION IN WIDTH OF A SECTION OF SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST BETWEEN KENG SHAN LANE AND YUEN HING LANE.
THE DATE FOR THE ALTERATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED AND TRAFFIC SIGNS PUT UP.
PLANS SHOWING THE ALTERATION ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN MURRAY BUILDING, AND THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN, WAN CHAI AND EASTERN.
CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AND MUST REACH HIS OFFICE WITHIN ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF A PERMANENT CLOSURE OR WITHIN ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF RE-1NSTATEMENT OF AN ALTERATION.
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SUSPENSION OF SALT WATER SUPPLY
KM*
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO NINE AREAS WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR 24 HOURS FROM 9 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 3) TO 9 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WORK IN REPLACING A DEFECTIVE SLUICE VALVE AT THE JUNCTION OF KWUN TONG ROAD AND LAI YIP STREET.
THE AREAS AFFECTED AREi KWUN TONG, NGAU TAU KOK, JORDAN VALLEY, NGAU CHI WAN, SAN PO KONG, PING SHEK, CHOI HUNG, KOWLOON BAY AND FU SHAN ESTATE.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
13
FERRY SERVICES ft ft ft
eeOBJSf GOVERNMENT has approved an application from operators of ,N dUNK BAY T0 REVISE THEIR FARES AS A RESULT OF HIGHER OPERATIONAL COSTS.
FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) THE FROM $1 TO $1.50 FOR THE SERVICE MILL, WHILE THAT BETWEEN RENNIE’S UP FROM 70 CENTS TO $1.50.
COMPANY WILL RAISE ITS CHARGES BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN AND RENNIE’S MILL AND HANG HAU TOWN WILL GO
win nrACMon^Ar-FERRY SERV,CES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHEUNG CHAU wiLelf-r?H?.PENDED FR0M 2 PM TO 3 PM TOMORROW FOR THE CHEUNG CHAU dUN rcSTIVAL,
CHEUNGHCHAUMROUTEY suspension w,ll also apply to the CHt ma wan"
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MORE HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS PROPOSED ft ft ft
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STATUTORY HOLIDAYS FROM 10 TO 11 A YEAR BY INTRODUCING AN ADDITIONAL FLOATING HOLIDAY WITH EFFECT FROM 1983.
THE PROPOSAL IS CONTAINED IN THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982, PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
IN ORDER TO GIVE EMPLOYEES LONGER WEEKENDS, THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT IN A YEAR IN WHICH LUNAR NEW YEAR OR THE SECOND OR THIRD DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FALLS ON A SUNDAY THEN THE DAY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY WILL BE A HOLIDAY.
IN A YEAR IN WHICH THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL FALLS ON A SUNDAY, THEN THE FESTIVAL WILL BE A GENERAL HOLIDAY.
AND WHERE A HOLIDAY FALLS ON A REST DAY, AN EMPLOYEE WILL BE GRANTED A HOLIDAY ON THE NEXT DAY THEREAFTER.
IF AN EMPLOYER DOES NOT FIX ONE OR BOTH OF THE FLOATING HOLIDAYS, SUCH DAY OR DAYS WILL, AT THE REQUEST OF AN EMPLOYEE, BE ADDED TO HIS PAID ANNUAL LEAVE.
IF AN EMPLOYER DOES NOT FIX ONE OR BOTH OF THE FLOATING HOLIDAYS AND AN EMPLOYEE DOES NOT REQUEST THEY BE ADDED TO HIS ANNUAL LEAVE, THEN THE DAYS WILL BE TAKEN ON THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE LAST DAY IN JUNE AND ON THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST IF BOTH ARE NOT FIXED, OR IF ONE IS NOT FIXED ON ONE OF THOSE DAYS TO BE DETERMINED BY THE EMPLOYER.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1982
14
CIVIC-MINDED STUDENTS GET AWARDS
* * M M
A HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN STUDENTS FROM 25 SCHOOLS WERE PRESENTED WITH MERIT BADGES TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR THEIR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS.
THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED BY MRS LOUISE MOK, DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS AND FIVE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB DISTRICT COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE TUNG KOON DISTRICT SOCIETY FONG SHU CHUEN SCHOOL.
THE MERIT AWARD SCHEME WAS SET UP BY THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB FOUR YEARS AGO TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE PERSONAL INTEREST IN COMMUNITY PROBLEMS AND THE WELFARE OF SOCIETY.
AWARDS IN THE FORM OF GREEN, ORANGE AND PURPLE BADGES ARE GIVEN TO MEMBERS ACCORDING TO THE DURATION, DIFFICULTY AND EXTENT OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION.
THE RECIPIENTS ARE RECOMMENDED BY TEACHERS FOR APPROVAL BY THE CYC COMMITTEE.
AT TODAY’S PRESENTATION CEREMONY, PRIZES WERE ALSO AWARDED TO WINNERS OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CARTOON COMPETITION AND THE COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION, BOTH ORGANISED BY CYC.
MR HANDR ICK NG, PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER OF INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND MR LAI CHING-WAI, COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, BOTH ADJUDICATORS OF THE TWO COMPETITIONS, PRESENTED BOOK TOKENS VALUED AT $200, $150, $100 AND $50 TO THE WINNERS.
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