DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LOCAL MAN WINS RICS PRIZE ......................................... 1
RAIN-SHELTERS FOR MORNING WALKERS ................................................................................ 2
PARKING SPACES REDUCED ................................................................................................................... 2
LEARNER DRIVERS PROHIBITED ...................................................................................................... 2
SUNDmY, JANUARY 1, 1984
1
LOCAL MAN WINS RICS PRIZE * *
*
*
A LOCAL MAN HAS BECOME THE FIRST OVERSEAS STUDENT TO WIN THE TEST OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (QUANTITY SURVEYING) PRIZE OF T E PRESTIGIOUS ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS (RICS).
HE IS 29-YEAR-OLD MR SO CHEE-SING, WHO WORKS IN THE QUANTITY SURVEYING BRANCH OF THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE PRIZE IS AWARDED TO THE CANDIDATE WHO PREPARES THE BEST SUBMISSION TO THE PRACTICE PROBLEM FROM BOTH THE ASSESSMENTS WHICH ARE HELD IN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR.
MR SO WAS TOLD IN A RECENT LETTER FROM THE INSTITUTION THAT, IN THE JUDGEMENT OF THE ASSESSMENT PANEL, HIS ANSWER TO THE PRACTICE PROBLEM WAS OF EXCEPTIONAL MERIT.
THE ASSESSORS OF THE INSTITUTION ALSO CONSIDERED THAT THE WORK PRODUCED BY MR SO WOULD PROVIDE A HELPFUL GUIDE TO OTHERS IN THE FIELD AND REQUESTED THAT IT BE LODGED IN THE INSTITUTION’S LIBRARY AS AN EXAMPLE TO FUTURE CANDIDATES OF A GOOD APPROACH.
MR SO TOOK HIS ASSESSMENT TEST LAST MARCH (1983).
HE GRADUATED FROM HONG KONG UNIVERSITY AS A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES WITH FIRST CLASS HONOURS IN 1978 AND AS A BACHELOR OF BUILDING WITH DISTINCTION THE FOLLOWING YEAR. HE JOINED GOVERNMENT IN 1979.
MR SO HAS SINCE BEEN INVOLVED IN WORK ON A NUMBER OF MAJOR PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE NEW SUPREME COURT, PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND STAFF QUARTERS IN SHA TIN, TUEN MUN CULTURAL COMPLEX AND THE EXTENSION TO THE WEST PODIUM AND ARRIVAL HALL AT KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
MR SO, THE SECOND CHILD IN HIS FAMILY, HAS TWO BROTHERS AND TWO SISTERS.
HE HAS BEEN ELECTED A PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATE OF THE RICS.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 1984
RAIN-SHELTERS FOR MORNING WALKERS
*****
FOUR RAIN-SHELTERS WILL BE BUILT BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF VILLAGERS AND MORNING WALKERS.
THE SHELTERS. COSTING A TOTAL OF $88 500, WILL BE READY IN A FEW MONTHS. 'THEY WILL BE AT THE ENTRANCE TO NGAR CHOI HANG VILLAGE IN CAUSEWAY BAY, THE JUNCTION OF CHAI WAN ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD TO LEI YUE MUN BARRACKS, FU TAU WAT VILLAGE NEAR KAU MAN VILLAGE IN SHAU KEI WAN, AND AT NAM ON FONG VILLAGE NEAR SUN SHING STREET.
IN ADDITION, THE LIONS CLUB ZONE VII AND THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH HAVE AGREED TO SPONSOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO OTHER RAIN-SHELTERS IN FU TAU WAT VILLAGE AND IN CAPE COLLINSON ROAD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THE RAIN-SHELTERS, RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, WERE PART OF THE BOARD’S ON-GOING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
PARKING SPACES REDUCED * *
*
ABOUT 120 PARKING SPACES ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF MURRAY BARRACKS OPEN-AIR CAR PARK, MAKING UP ONE-THIRD OF ALL PARKING SPACES THERE, WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 3).
THE SITE IS REQUIRED FOR A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
LEARNER DRIVERS PROHIBITED * *
*
*
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 3), KA WING STREET IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED A LEARNER DRIVER PROHIBITED ZONE, AND ALL LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING IT.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1?84
CONTENTS. PAGE NO.
W/R1C TO.. START ON. TSING YI NORTH BRIDGE.................................................................. 1
SURVEY SEEKS UpONOMTC, SuCIAL INFORMATION .......................................................................2
VALUE 0? GOOD LABOUR TIES 'STRESSED ......................................... 2
S28M-BAID TO TRAFFIC VICTIMS............................................ -‧ ‧ -4
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES FOR AUCTION ...................................................................... 5 '
TEACHING PUPILS GOOD DENTAL HABITS ........................................ 5
FAMOUS'GROUPS FOR YUIN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL ......................................................... 6
NEW MARKET TOR NORTH KWAI CHUNG .................................................................................. (>
STUDENTS-POSTER CONTEST...................................................................................................... ‧ ‧ ‧ - 7
'TSUEN WAN-DB TO MEET. .....................-........................................................................................................... 8 ---
METHADONE CLINIC MOVING .............................................-......................e......... 8
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1984
WORK TO START ON TSI NG Yl NORTH BRIDGE * *
*
WORK ON THE NORTH TSI NG Yl BRIDGE PROJECT WILL START IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR AND TAKE THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE.
ThE DEPUTY PROJECT MANAGER TSUEN WAN. MR NORMAN TUCKER, SAID THE DETAILED DESIGN WAS BEING COMPLETED BY THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS WITH A VIEW TO INVITING TENDERS EARLY THIS YEAR.
HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN 27 APPLICATIONS TO PRE-QUALIFY TO TENDER, OF WHCIH THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAD CHOSEN 10.
MR TUCKER SAID BUILDING THE BRIDGE WAS RELATED TO THE INTAKE OF RESIDENTS INTO A HOUSING ESTATE TO BE BUILT IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TSI NG Yl ON THE RECLAIMED MOON TSAI TONG TYPHOON SHELTER SITE.
HE SAID THE POPULATION OF TSING Yl IS ABOUT 54 000, BUT WILL GROW TO MORE THAN 220 000 BY THE EARLY 1990’S.
MR TUCKER SAID THE BALANCED CANTILEVER DESIGNED BRIDGE WILL BE 1.5 KILOMETRES LONG, INCLUDING THE APPROACH ROADS. IT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED OF PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE AND THERE WILL BE A MAIN NAVIGATIONAL SPAN OF 122 METRES. IT WILL BE 20 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL.
THE BRIDGE WILL HAVE A DUAL, TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WITH CENTRAL DIVIDER AND BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING 3 000 CARS AN HOUR EACH WAY. THERE WILL BE A TWO-METRE-WIDE FOOTPATH ON THE NORTH SIDE AND A RESERVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SIMILAR WIDTH GIVING ACCESS TO UTILITY INSTALLATIONS AND FOR EMERGENCY USES.
THE TOTAL WIDTH OF THE BRIDGE IS 25.4 METRES, WHICH IS TWICE THAT OF THE EXISTING BRIDGE.
IT WILL CONNECT FROM THE TEXACO ROAD INTERSECTION ON THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS TO A NEW INTERSECTION TO BE BUILT ON NORTH TSING Yl, PASSING OVER THE SOUTH END OF NGA YING CHAU AND LANDING ON THE RECLAMATION NOW IN PROGRESS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER.
THE PROJECT WILL COST MORE THAN $300 MILLION.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1984,
2.
SURVEY SEEKS ECONOMIC, SOCIAL INFORMATION * *
*
*
*
LETTERS ARE BEING SENT BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TO SEVERAL THOUSAND HOUSEHOLDS SELECTED THROUGHOUT ALL DISTRICTS IN HONG KONG IN CONNECTION WITH A GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY.
THE PURPOSE OF THE LETTERS IS TO SEEK THE HOUSEHOLDERS*
COOPERATION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY BEING CARRIED OUT TO OBTAIN THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED TODAY.
INFORMATION BEING SOUGHT WILL INCLUDE PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION. SUCH AS AGE, SEX AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, AS WELL AS LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS, SUCH AS ACTIVITY STATUS, HOURS OF WORK, INDUSTRY, AND OCCUPATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SURVEY STARTED IN AUGUST 1981 AND IS CARRIED OUT ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS BY THE PERMANENT FIELD STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT.
A RANDOM SAMPLE OF SOME 6 OOO HOUSEHOLDS IS SELECTED THROUGHOUT ALL DISTRICTS IN HONG KONG FOR PARTICIPATION IN EACH MONTHLY SURVEY. ABOUT HALF OF THE HOUSEHOLDS WERE INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS EARLIER AND ARE SELECTED AGAIN IN ORDER TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN.
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, EACH HOLDING A DEPARTMENTAL IDENTITY CARD WILL VISIT THE SAMPLE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY WILL BE TREATED AS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL NOT BE REVEALED TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION OUTSIDE THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
VALUE OF GOOD LABOUR TIES STRESSED
*****
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN MODERN SOCIETY IS BASED ON GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MR ADOLF HSU, SAID TONIGHT (MONDAY).
HE SAID THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS WAS CLOSE ALTHOUGH THE PARTIES MIGHT HAVE CONFLICTING VIEWS DUE TO DIFFERENT INTERESTS.
.MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND COMPROMISE IS THE WAY TO SOLVE THESE CONFLICTING VIEWS.
.I BELIEVE THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD'S INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOwARDS THIS END, SO THAT TSUEN WAN WILL SET AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER NEW TOWNS IN THE PROMOTION OF GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS,+ HE SAID.
/MR HSU
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1984
MR HSU WAS ADDRESSING A GATHERING AT THE +WORKERS NIGHT*
. aHICl4 MARKED THE END OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT MODEL WORKERS AWARu SCHEME HELD AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT APART FROM BEING THE LARGEST NEW TOWN, TSUEN WAN WAS ALSO AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL TOWN WITH MORE THAN 12 OOO FACTORIES IN TSUEN WAN, EMPLOYING SOME 170 000 WORKERS.
.THIS SHOWS THAT INDUSTRY PLAYS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND SOLVING OR IMPROVING PROBLEMS FACING THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR HAS BECOME ONE OF GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES.
+IN FACT, CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN DOING A GREAT DEAL TO IMPROVE LABOUR RELATIONS AND SOLVE LABOUR DISPUTES, AND THESE EFFORTS HAVE PROVED REWARDING.*
MR HSU SAID A NUMBER OF COMPANIES AND FACTORIES HAD CLOSED LAST YEAR.
+IF THESE CASES WERE NOT DEALT WITH PROPERLY, THEY MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT INSTABILITY TO THE COMMUNITY. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT DUE TO THE TRADITIONAL GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS AND APPROPRIATE ACTION AND CONCILIATION BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, MANY DISPUTES WERE SETTLED SATISFACTORILY.
+BUT IT WAS NOT GOVERNMENT EFFORTS ALONE THAT HAD BROUGHT ABOUT SATISFACTORY SOLUTIONS TO THESE CASES. ON THE CONTRARY, THIS WAS BASICALLY DUE TO THE FRANK ATTITUDE AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS. IT IS, THEREFORE, NECESSARY FOR ALL PARTIES CONCERNED TO EXPLORE BETTER WAYS TO FURTHER PROMOTE GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS.*
MR HSU STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF, AND NEED FOR, CO-OPERATION AMONG EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYERS, WORKERS UNIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS.
HE SAID THE DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE HAD BEEN PROVIDING DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO DISCUSS LABOUR LEGISLATION, POLICIES AND RELATED MATTER.
VIEWS SO EXPRESSED WERE REFERRED TO GOVERNMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.
IN ADDITION, ACTIVITIES WERE ORGANISED TO STRENGTHEN THEIR TIES WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD, AND TO PROMOTE BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
THE +WORKERS NIGHT*
FEATURED A VARIETY SHOW BY COMMERCIAL RADIO 1.
TEN +MODEL WORKERS*
AND WINNERS OF THE INDUSTRIAL CHESS COMPETITION AND SINGING COMPETITION ALSO RECEIVED THEIR PRIZES.
THE TEN MODEL WORKERS WILL ACT AS *
WORKERS AMBASSADORS*
. PAYING GOODWILL VISITS TO A NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS LATER THIS MONTH.
0 ------------
14....................
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1984
$28M PAID TO TRAFFIC VICTIMS M K M *
MORE THAN $28 MILLION WAS PAID OUT TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS IN 5 608 CASES UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME (TAVA) BETWEEN JANUARY AND NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
.
PAYMENTS AVERAGED $5 000 A CASE.+ SAID MR SIU KING-CHIU, HEAD OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT UNIT THAT ADMINISTERS THE SCHEME.
THERE WERE 6 183 APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE SCHEME, COMPARED WITH 7 160 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1982.
MR SIU SAID THAT THE FEWER APPLICATIONS RESULTED PROBABLY FROM THE DECREASED NUMBER OF ROAD ACCIDENT CASUALTIES REPORTED.
HE NOTED HOWEVER THAT THE RATE OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS HAD INCREASED, FROM 85.2 PER CENT DURING JANUARY-NOVEMBER 1982 TO 90.7 PER CENT IN THE SIMILAR PERIOD IN 1983.
.
THE HIGHER RATE OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WAS POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF WIDER PUBLICITY CLARIFYING THE THREE-DAY MINIMUM SICK LEAVE REQUIREMENT,. HE SAID.
.
AS A RESULT, THOSE NOT MEETING THIS REQUIREMENT HAVE NOT COME FORWARD TO APPLY.+
MR SIU EXPLAINED THAT WHEN A MAJOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT OCCURS, .STAFF OF THE TAVA SECTION PROMPTLY REACH OUT TO VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS TO HELP THEM APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE.+
THE HIGHEST SINGLE PAYMENT SINCE THE SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED IN 1979 WAS $40 050, HE SAID
THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME, WHICH IS ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, PROVIDES EARLY FINANCIAL HELP TO ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS, REGARDLESS OF WHO IS AT FAULT IN THE ACCIDENT.
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‧‧‧
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1984
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES FOR AUCTION
*****
SOME 290 STALL SITES FOR THE SALE OF FLOWERS, DRY GOODS, BOTTLED DRINKS AND SNACKS AT THE FORTHCOMING LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS AT TAI PO, SHA TIN AND SHEUNG SHU I WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC AUCTION ON THREiE CONSECUTIVE DAYS STARTING WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 4).
THE THREE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS, TOGETHER WITH FOUR OTHER FAIRS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE HELD BETWEEN JANUARY 26 AND FEBRUARY 2, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
ON WEDNESDAY, 80 STALLS TO BE ERECTED AT THE FAIR SITE AT TAI PO PLAYGROUND WILL BE AUCTIONED AT THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE AT HEUNG SZE WUI STREET IN TAI PO.
AUCTIONING OF ANOTHER 100 STALLS AT THE COMING SHA TIN FAIR SITE AT THE YUEN WO ROAD PLAYGROUND WILL BE HELD AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL IN LEK YUEN ESTATE ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5).
THE FRIDAY (JANUARY 6) AUCTION OF 113 STALLS AT SHEUNG SHU I FAI*
SITE AT SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND WILL BE HELD AT THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND TOWN HALL IN SHEUNG SHU I.
ALL AUCTIONS WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM AND THE UPSET PRICE FOR EACH STALL IS $100, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TEACHING PUPILS GOOD DENTAL HABITS *****
A TOTAL OF 7 200 PRIMARY ONE SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM 76 SCHOOLS WILL TAKE PART IN A DENTAL +BRUSH-IN+ PROGRAMME STARTING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 4).
THE PROGRAMME IS ORGANISED BY THE MACLEHOSE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE AIM IS TO PROMOTE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND TO ESTABLISH GOOD ORAL HABITS AMONG CHILDREN.
THE SEVEN-MONTH PROGRAMME CONSISTS OF TALKS ON DENTAL HEALTH AND PROPER TEETH-BRUSHING DEMONSTRATIONS FOR PRIMARY ONE PUPILS AT SELECTED SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DURING THE TIME, DENTAL THERAPISTS WILL ALSO VISIT THESE SCHOOLS TO TEACH STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY HOW TO BRUSH THEIR TEETH PROPERLY. THE VISITS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE YOUNGSTERS LEARN THE UP-TO-DATE TECHNIQUE.
THE WHOLE PROGRAMME WILL END AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR,' IN JULY 1.
- 0 - -
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1984
6
FAMOUS GROUPS FOR YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL
*****
a TWO-WEEK ARTS FESTIVAL, FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY WELL KNOWN ORCHESTRA AND OPERA GROUPS, BALLET AND DANCE TROUPES, SINGERS AND A CHILDREN’S CHOIR, WILL BE HELD IN YUEN LONG NEXT MONTH.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE FOURTH YUEN LONG ARTS -ES.IVAl WILL ALSO HAVE FILM SHOWS, SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS.
THE PERFORMING GROUPS WILL INCLUDE THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, HONG KONG CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, HONG KONG ACADEMY BALLET COMPANY, SEALS THEATRE, CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY, CHOR FUNG MING CANTONESE OPERA TROUPE AND THE YUEN LONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE ADVISED LOCAL PEOPLE TO BOOK EARLY FOR THE PERFORMANCES AND SHOWS WHICH WILL BEGIN FROM FEBRUARY 17.
.DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMMES AND POSTAL ORDER FORMS FOR TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE TOWN HALL AND THE CHARTERED BANK ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD,+ HE SAID.
.THE ORDER FORMS TOGETHER WITH CHEQUES MUST BE RETURNED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE OR THE TOWN HALL BEFORE JANUARY 20.+
COUNTER BOOKING WILL BEGIN ON JANUARY 27 AT THE LUT SAU HALL.
THE FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT ARTS COMMITTEE AND THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO MEET THE DEMAND OF LOCAL PEOPLE.
.YUEN LONG IS PROUD TO HAVE ITS OWN ARTS FESTIVAL WHICH HAS BEEN HELD AS AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1981,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE FESTIVAL ALSO REPRESENTS THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. +
THE BOARD IS CONTRIBUTING $300 000 FOR THE $550 OOO-FESTIVAL.
0 - -
NEW MARKET FOR NORTH KWAI CHUNG * *
*
f FINISHING TOUCHES ARE BEING PUT TO A MODERN MARKET AT THE NORTHERN PART OF KWAI CHUNG WHICH WILL BE OPEN SOON.
THE FOUR-STOREY MARKET COMPLEX IS BUILT ON A SITE OF ABOUT 1 450 SQUARE METRES AT THE JUNCTION OF SHEK YAM ROAD AND TUNG CHI STREET.
IT WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST MULTI-PURPOSE MARKET BUILDINGS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH HOUSES A MARKET FACILITY, PUBLIC LIBRARY AND A REST GARDEN TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
/THE MABil
MONDAY, JANUAfiY 2, 1984
- 7 -
THE MARKET WILL OCCUPY THE GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS OF THE BUILDING. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL BE ON THE SECOND AND THIRD FLOOFS, AND THE SMALL REST GARDEN ON THE ROOF-TOP OF THE COMPLEX.
COSTING ABOUT $23 MILLION, THE BUILDING IS DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
ON COMPLETION, THE MARKET FACILITIES AND A SMALL REST GARDEN ON THE ROOF-TOP OF THE BUILDING WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE NTSD FOR MANAGEMENT.
THE MARKET WILL HAVE A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 3 OOO SQUARE METRES, ACCOMMODATING 225 STALLS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
OF THE STALLS, 32 ARE DESIGNATED FOR THE SALE OF FISH, MEAT AND POULTRY, WHILE THE OTHER 193 MINI-STALLS ARE FOR VEGETABLES, FRUITS, GROCERY AND HABERDASHERY.
THE MARKET HAS THREE DIRECT ENTRANCES AND A SPECIALLY BUILT FOOTBRIDGE CONNECTED TO TUNG CHI STREET.
TWO ESCALATORS ARE PROVIDED ON THE GROUND FLOOR LEADING TO 1HE FIRST FLOOR IN ADDITION TO A GOODS LIFT.
THE MARKET WILL TAKE IN ALL ELIGIBLE TRADERS CURRENTLY PLYING AT THE SHEK YAM ROAD TEMPORARY MARKET AND TAI LOONG STREET TEMPORARY MARKET IN KWAI CHUNG, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE TWO TEMPORARY MARKET STRUCTURES WILL LATER BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR A NEW SITTING OUT AREA.
- - - - 0 ------------
STUDENTS POSTER CONTEST
M M M M
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED STUDENTS TODAY (MONDAY) THAT ENTRIES FOR THE 16TH ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION SHOULD BE SENT BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH TO THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE AT THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS BETWEEN 14 AND 22 YEARS OF AGE.
ENTRIES WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO DIVISIONS - AN +A+ DIVISION FOR STUDENTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND A +B+ DIVISION FOR THOSE IN POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES AND VOCATIONAL INSTITUTES.
THE PANEL OF JUDGES WILL COMPRISE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN OF LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, CREATIVE SUB-DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
ADJUDICATION WILL TAKE PLACE IN MID-FEBRUARY, 1984.
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1984
NOTE TO EDITORS
TSUEN WAN DB TO MEET * *
*
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE HELD A" 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 6) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE .xWAI CHUNG SUB-DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 166-174, HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
THE NEW OFFICE BUILDING WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5).
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE 1983 EDITION OF THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, THE REALIGNMENT OF CONTAINER PORT ROAD - INTERIM IMPROVEMENT TO EXISTING ROAD, AND KWAI CHUNG DEVELOPMENT - COMPLETION OF KWAI TSI NG ROAD AND PILLAR ISLAND INTERCHANGE.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE MEETING.
0 - -
METHADONE CLINIC MOVING * M *
THE VIOLET PEEL METHADONE CLINIC AT 219, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES AT 21, STONE NULLAH LANE, GROUND FLOOR, WAN CHAI, ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 4).
METHADONE TREATMENT SERVICE WILL START AT THE NEW PREMISES THE NEXT MORNING.
THE CLINIC WILL BE OPEN DAILY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM, INCLUDING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TUEN MUN TO GET $$00-M REGIONAL HOSPITAL ............................................................. 1
ADMIRALTY II SITE SALE DUE FEBRUARY 15 ................................................................... 2
ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS PRODUCT EXPORTS RISE ................................................ 2
MORE TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS ...................................................................................................... 4
NEW OFFICE FOB KWAI CHUNG SUB-DISTRICT..............................................................
MINI-ROUNDABOUT IMPROVES TRAFFIC FLOW ...................................................................... 6
'SHRUG' PRESENTATION ............................................................................................................................ 7
ANTI-DRUGS DRIVE AIMS AT YOUTH .......................................................................................... 7
NO LEFT TURN HERE..................................................................................................................................... 8
WATER FIGURES
8
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1984
1
TUEN MUN TO GET S9OO-M REGIONAL HOSPITAL * *
*
*
WORK WILL BEGIN SHORTLY ON BUILDING THE REGIONAL HOSPITAL AT TUEN MUN.
THE PILING WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED AND WORK ON THE SUPERSTRUCTURE IS DUE TO START IN THE MIDDLE OF 1984 AND TAKE 42 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
CONTRACTORS WITH SPECIAL EXPERTISE HAVE BEEN INVITED TO APPLY TO BE INCLUDED ON LISTS TO PREQUALIFY TO TENDER FOR THE f!900-MILLI0N PROJECT.
THE NEW 1 6OO-BED HOSPITAL WILL BE SITUATED NEAR CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN. THE GROSS AREA OF THE BUILDING WILL BE ABOUT 116 OOO SQUARE METRES.
THE HOSPITAL WILL COMPRISE FOUR 10-STOREY MAIN WARD BLOCKS, A 10-STOREY OPERATING THEATRE BLOCK, A THREE-STOREY PATHOLOGY BLOCK AND A FOUR-STOREY BLOCK TO HOUSE VARIOUS SPECIAL FACILITIES.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A TRAINING SCHOOL FOR 400 NURSES AND STAFF QUARTERS.
THE PROJECT WAS APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN MAY 1982.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT TO COPE WITH INCREASED DEMAND FOR QUALIFIED NURSES RESULTING FROM THE GENERAL EXPANSION OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG IT WAS NECESSARY TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF TUEN MUN HOSPITAL TO INCLUDE THE TRAINING SCHOOL.
WHEN THE HOSPITAL IS COMPLETED IT WILL SERVE THE GROWING POPULATION OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AS WELL AS THE NORTH-WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TUEN MUN NOW HAS A POPULATION OF 230 000. WITH THE RAPID PACE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TOWN, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS FIGURE WILL REACH 500 000 BY THE 1990S.
AT PRESENT, YAN 01 POLYCLINIC PROVIDES OUT-PATIENT SERVICES TO RESIDENTS. IT WAS OPENED IN MARCH, 1982, AND IS PHASE I OF TUEN MUN POLYCLINIC.
FACILITIES OF THE SIX-STOREY CLINIC INCLUDE A GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT WITH SIX CONSULTATION ROOMS, A FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRE PROVIDING MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES AND FAMILY PLANNING, A DENTAL CLINIC, A CHEST SERVICE, A RADIODIAGNOSTIC CENTRE AND A LABORATORY.
MEANWHILE, WORK ON PHASE II OF TUEN MUN POLYCLINIC IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END CF APRIL THIS YEAR.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE SEVEN-STOREY BUILDING INCLUDE A MINIMAL-HELP DIALYSIS CENTRE AND DISPENSARY, PAEDIATRIC, GERIATRIC. MEDICAL, SURGERY. ORTHOPAEDIC AND OBSTETRICS-GYNAECOLOGY DEPARTMENTS, A PSYCHIATRIC DAY CENTRE AND ANCILLARY ACCOMMODATION.
------------0------------
. /2 ...................
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1984
2
ADMIRALTY II SITE SALE DUE FEBRUARY 15
* M M *
IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FROM THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ ASSOCIATION, THE SALE OF THE ADMIRALTY II SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF Q'JEENSWAY AND COTTON TREE DRIVE, WHICH WAS TO TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY 18, WILL NOW BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 15.
THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, MR JOHN TODD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE ASSOCIATION HAD REQUESTED THE POSTPONEMENT IN VIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ON DECEMBER 16 THAT THE CONDITIONS OF SALE WERE BEING AMENDED SO THAT A HOTEL COULD BE BUILT ON THE SITE.
+ THEY WANT MORE TIME TO CONSIDER IN VIEW OF THIS DEVELOPMENT,*
FE SAID. THE BASIC TERMS WOULD REMAIN THE SAME, EXCEPT THAT THE BALANCE OF THE PURCHASE PRICE WOULD BECOME PAYABLE BY MARCH 23.
THE SALE OF THE 6 312-SQUARE-METRE SITE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WAS ANNOUNCED BY GOVERNMENT ON DECEMBER 2.
MR TODD SAID THE AUCTION OF FIVE OTHER SITES WOULD STILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 18 IN THE JADE BALLROOM OF THE FURAMA HOTEL AT 2.30 PM.
THEY ARE IN KOWLOON BAY, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD NEAR WONG TAI SIN, SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN, AND ARE FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL, PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AND GODOWN DEVELOPMENT.
---------0 - - - -
ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS * *
*
*
SOME $6 709 MILLION WORTH OF
PRODUCT EXPORTS RISE M *
*
.AA, ....AAA . - -‧ ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND
APPLIANCES, INCLUDING ELECTRONICS PRODUCTS, WAS EXPORTED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. tLtAatu dt
Ml. I M,LLI0N 0R 57 PER CENT MORE THAN THE 54 280
G'?'VAR PRODUCTS EXPORTED IN THE CORRESPONDING 1982 PERIOD, AND WAS THE LARGEST INCREASE IN ABSOLUTE VALUE OF ANY INDUSTRY GROUP, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS.
auai WERE AM0NG THE DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS
ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983 BY THE DEPARTMENT.
om.ro SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED TODAY THAT THIS SERIES IS DERIVED BY REGROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT COMMODITY EXPORT ITEMS UNDER THE PRESENT EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE COMMODITY ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED.
SINCE ITS SCOPE IS CONFINED TO MERCHANDISE TRADE, TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/IN TERUS ....................
TUESDAY, JWJAitY 3, 1984
IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS WERE WEARING APPAREL, ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES (INCLUDING ELECTRONICS), TEXTILES, PLASTIC PRODUCTS, PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT, AND METAL PRODUCTS.
THEY TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 87 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983.
THE LARGEST INCREASES IN ABSOLUTE VALUE OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1982 OCCURRED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES (INCLUDING ELECTRONICS) (+$2 429 MILLION), TEXTILES (+$1 574 MILLION). WEARING APPAREL (+$877 MILLION), METAL PRODUCTS (.$539 MILLION), PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (+$415 MILLION), AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS (+$355 MILLION).
IN RELATIVE TERMS, THE MOST PROMINENT INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN MINING AND QUARRYING PRODUCTION, THE EXPORTS OF WHICH IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983 WERE ALMOST TWENTY TIMES THOSE IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1982.
EXPORTS OF THE TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND BEVERAGES INDUSTRIES ALSO ROSE SUBSTANTIALLY, BEING FIVE TIMES AND THREE TIMES RESPECTIVELY THOSE IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1982.
OTHER INDUSTRIES WITH SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE INCREASES WERE TOBACCO (+90 PER CENT), ELECTRICITY (+67 PER CENT), AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES (INCLUDING ELECTRONICS) (+57 PER CENT), METAL PRODUCTS (+53 PER CENT), AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS (+52 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR AGRICULTURAL, LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION, FOOD, RUBBER PRODUCTS, AND PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, THE DECREASES IN THESE FOUR INDUSTRY GROUPS WERE -41 PER CENT, -1 PER CENT, -7 PER CENT, AND -69 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. IN VALUE TERMS, HOWEVER, THE DECREASES WERE SMALL, FROM BELOW $1 MILLION FOR PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS TO $3 MILLION FOR LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF COMMODITY EXPORT ITEMS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN IS STRUCTURED UPON THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION OF ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES (I.S.I.C.), AS DISTINCT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (S.l.T.C.) WHICH IS ADOPTED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
WHEN INTERPRETING THESE RE-CLASSIFIED FIGURES, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE OVERALL EXPORT VALUE OF AN EXPORTED COMMODITY REQUIRING SEVERAL INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES IS WHOLLY ALLOCATED TO THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH IT IS FINALLY PRODUCED, ALTHOUGH THE INDUSTRY IS NOT REALLY THE SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE VALUE.
/besides, the..............
TUEbJAY, JANUARY 3, 1984
BESIDES, THE CLASSIFICATION OF AN EXPORTED COMMODITY TO A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE ENTIRE AMOUNT CF THE COMMODITY IS ACTUALLY PRODUCED BY ESTABLISHMENTS OF THAT INDUSTRY, SINCE SOME MAY BE SECONDARY PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES.
FURTHER DETAILS OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS STATISTICS FOR MERCHANDISE RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT TEL. NO. 3-7224504).
A TABLE ON THESE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, SEPTEMBER , 1983+.
------------0------------
MORE TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS * *
*
*
WITH MORE TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS FROM THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE FUTURE PLANNED PROVISION FROM THE NEW CITY POLYTECHNIC, IT WAS HOPED THAT THE SOCIAL WORK STAFFING SITUATION WOULD STEADILY IMPROVE, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE THIRD GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE PART- TIME DAY RELEASE DIPLOMA COURSE IN SOCIAL WORK AND THE CERTIFICATE COURSE IN CHILD CARE OF THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD RECENTLY IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF TASKS WHICH COULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY UNTRAINED STAFF AND HAD CREATED A NEW WELFARE WORKER GRADE SIMILAR TO THAT ALREADY EXISTING IN THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR.
+WE HOPE THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL FURTHER ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM BY ENSURING THAT THE BEST POSSIBLE USE IS MADE OF TRAINED MANPOWER,+ HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT THE SHORTAGE OF TRAINED SOCIAL WELFARE MANPOWER HAD BEEN WITH US IN HONG KONG FOR SOME YEARS, BUT ITS EXTENT BECAME CLEARER AFTER THE WELFARE CLASS REVIEW WAS CARRIED OUT IN 1979 AND 1981 FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR RESPECTIVELY.
.THIS REVIEW CLARIFIED THE RANKING OF THE POSTS REQUIRING TRAINED PERSONNEL, AND THE SUBSEQUENT 1981 REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE MANPOWER REVEALED THAT THE SHORTAGE OF NON-GRADUATE TRAINED SOCIAL WORKER WAS EVEN GREATER THAN THAT OF UNIVERSITY GRADUATES.+
HE SAID THAT THE POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK, THE MAJOR SOURCE OF NON-GRADUATE TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, HAD PLAYED A +KEY ROLE*
IN IMPROVING THE SITUATION.
/THE SOCIAL ...................
JU^iDAY, JANUARY 3, 1984
THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD RELIES HEAVILY ON THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK TO MEET THE NEEDS OF AN EXPANDING SERVICE. THE SCHOOL HAS RESPONDED BY PROVIDING QUALIFYING COURSES AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.
THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER WELFARE AGENCIES AS EMPLOYERS OF SOCIAL WORKERS ALSO PLAYED THEIR PART.
ON THE ONE HAND, THEY MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS TO ENABLE THEIR STAFF TO ATTEND THE COURSES, WHILE ON THE OTHER THEY PROVIDE THE FIELD WORK PLACES FOR STUDENT SUPERVISED PRACTICE, WHICH IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
.APART FROM THE PROVISION OF FIELD WORK PLACES, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE SUPERVISION FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS FROM THE TRAINING INSTITUTIONS,+ MR CHAMBERS SAID.
REFERRING TO CHILD CARE, HE SAID THAT THE ENACTMENT IN 1975 OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE WAS A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN ENSURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF GOOD QUALITY DAY CARE SERVICES FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN.
THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME, INTRODUCED FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT ADMISSION TO DAY CARE CENTRES WAS NO LONGER RESTRICTED TO THE CHILDREN OF VERY LOW INCOME FAMILIES, ALTHOUGH PRIORITY FOR ADMISSION SHOULD OBVIOUSLY CONTINUE TO BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH THE GREATEST NEED.
.PARENTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE FULL COST AND WHO HAVE A SOCIAL NEED TO PLACE THEIR CHILDREN IN DAY CARE NOW RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH THIS SCHEME,+ HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, MORE THAN 22 OOO CHILDREN ATTEND CHILD CARE CENTRES.
------------0--------------
NEW OFFICE FOR KWAI CHUNG SUB-DISTRICT * *
K K *
THE DI STR I CT DISTR ICT
NEW KWAI CHUNG SUB-DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS OF THE TSUEN wAN OFFICE, WHICH HAS THE TERRITORY’S LARGEST AND BEST EQUIPPED BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, MOVED TO THE KWAI HING GOVERNMENT
LOCATED ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF 166-174, HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5) BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. MR Q.W. LEE, AND THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON. ’
THE SHROFF’S OFFICE WILL REMAIN AT ITS PRESENT PREMISES AT KWONG FAI CIRCUIT FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK AND THEN MOVE TO THE 5TH FLOOR OF THE NEW PREMISES ON JANUARY 9.
/THE new ..............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1984
o
THE NEW SHROFF’S OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES AS PAYING OUT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND TREASURY PAYMENTS, THE COLLECTION OF WATER CHARGES, RATES, PROPERTY TAX, FIXED PENALTY TICKETS AND DEMAND NOTES ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
ALSO ON THE 5TH FLOOR OF THE NEW BUILDING WILL BE A MINI ENQUIRY COUNTER TO HANDLE SIMPLE ENQUIRIES AND DISTRIBUTE GOVERNMENT FORMS AND PAMPHLETS.
THE OLD SUB-DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS WAS OPENED IN AUGUST 1977, AT KWON FAI CIRCUIT AND WAS PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS KWAI CHUNG TOWN MANAGEMENT OFFICE.
IT WAS SET UP TO PROVIDE A FURTHER MEDIUM OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS A RESULT OF RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN TSUEN WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE NEW KWAI CHUNG SUB-DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5) AT KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1OTH FLOOR, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
------------0--------------
MINI-ROUNDABOUT IMPROVES TRAFFIC FLOW
* *
*
*
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SPENDS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON ROAD PROJECTS.
BUT, FOR A RELATIVELY SMALL SUM, IT IS SOLVING A TRAFFIC CONGESTION PROBLEM AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI HANG AND BLUE POOL ROADS.
THE SOLUTION IS TO BUILD A MINI-ROUNDABOUT TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS PREVIOUSLY THERE.
A HIGHWAYS OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID ALTHOUGH THE SCHEME WOULD COST LESS THAN $50 000 WHEN FULLY COMPLETED, IT HAD ALREADY PROVED TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE.
TRAFFIC THROUGHPUT HAD INCREASED BY UP TO 20 PER CENT AND THE LONG QUEUES OF CARS WHICH FORMED WHEN THE JUNCTION WAS LIGHT CONTROLLED HAD PRACTICALLY DISAPPEARED, EVEN AT PEAK HOURS.
THE SCHEME IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES.
THE EXPERIMENTAL, OR INITIAL, STAGE WAS SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED IN NOVEMBER.
THE PERMANENT, OR SECOND, STAGE WILL BE CARRIED OUT SHORTLY.
THE WORK INCLUDES INSTALLATION OF THE 1.5-METRE DIAMETER MINI-ROUNDABOUT AND ROAD ISLANDS AT EACH OF THE THREE APPROACHES TO THE JUNCTION. AS WELL AS PROVISION OF SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS.
------------o---------------
/7 ...................
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1984
NOTE TO EDITORS
’SHRUG’ PRESENTATION * *
*
*
A PRESENTATION ON THE CONSULTANTS’ STUDY ON HARBOUR RECLAMATIONS AND URBAN GROWTH (SHRUG) WILL BE HELD AT THE LANDS AND WORKS. BRANCH CONFERENCE ROOM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 3 PM.
IT WILL BE GIVEN BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER, W C.S. CHAU, AND MEMBERS OF THE STAFF OF THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESENTATION. PLEASE ARRIVE AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, WHICH IS ON THE 21ST FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, BY 2.50 PM.
- 0 - -
ANT I-DRUGS DRIVE AIMS AT YOUTH XXX
A 10-DAY ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN AT TUEN MUN ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5) TO PUBLICISE THE ILL EFFECTS OF DRUGS, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN ORGANISED, FEATURING AN ANTI-NARCOTICS SLOGAN COMPETITION, A CROSS-WORD PUZZLE COMPETITION, BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS. SLIDE SHOWS, A VISIT TO CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL AND A VARIETY SHOW. DETAILS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE DISTRICT BOARD IS CONTRIBUTING $15 000 TOWARDS THE CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL COST $40 000.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (TUEN MUN OFFICE), TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, TUEN MUN SPORTS ASSOCIATION, Y.W.C.A., AND TUEN MUN STAR NEWSPAPER.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL START OFF ON THURSDAY WITH AN ANTI-NARCOTICS EXHIBITION AND SEMINAR.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5) AT ON TING-YAU 01 COMMUNITY CENTRE.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1984
8
NO LEFT TURN HERE
MM*
FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 5), LEFT-TURNS BY VEHICLES FROM SHANGHAI STREET NORTHBOUND INTO MONG KOK ROAD WESTBOUND WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
WATER FIGURES * *
ft
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 90 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 527.507 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 432.729 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 73.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REPORT OUTLINES DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY UP TO 2001 ....................................... 1
GIS' OVERSEAS EFFORTS REAP PUBLICITY BENEFITS ............................................. 5
INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION HELPED BY LOWER LAND COSTS ............... 6
SIR PETER BLAKER ARRIVES ................................................................................................................ 7
GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE DICK HUGHES .......................................................... 7
DICK HUGHES GREATLY MISSED : BRAY ................................................................................... 8
TAI PO LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES AUCTIONED ....................................................... 8
FIRE RESCUE EXERCISE ............................................................................................................................ 9
BOARD TO DISCUSS SITE PRIORITIES ...................................................................................... 9
TRADES, HOTELS SURVEY REPORT PUBLISHED ................................................................... 10
TAI PO WANTS LOGO FOR IDENTITY ............................................................................................. 10
MANUAL GIVES GUIDE TO CAR REPAIR WORK ...................................................................... 11
OFFICE TO MOVE ............................................................................................................................................... 11
VILLAGE WATER MAINS WORK ................................................................................................................ 11
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1984
REPORT OUTLINES DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY UP TO 2001 ******
A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR THE MAIN URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG UP TO THE YEAR 2001 IS OUTLINED IN A RECENTLY COMP ZTED CONSULTANTS*
STUDY ON HARBOUR RECLAMATIONS AND URBAN GROWTH (’SHRUG*
FOR SHORT).
THE STUDY AREA INCLUDES HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON, NEW KOWLOON, VICTORIA HARBOUR AND LAMMA ISLAND, WHERE 72 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY’S PRESENT POPULATION LIVES AND WHERE 78 PER CENT IS EMPLOYED.
SHRUG LOOKS AT TWO STRATEGIES, ONE IN WHICH THE AIRPORT STAYS WHERE IT IS AND ANOTHER IN WHICH IT IS RELOCATED.
IT REJECTS WHAT IT TERMS ARE +WIDELY HELD VIEWS*
ABOUT THE FUTURE PROSPECTS OF THE STUDY AREA, TWO OF WHICH WERE +ESPECIALLY SIGNIFICANT*
! FIRST, THAT THERE IS NO MORE SCOPE FOR EXTENSIVE RECLAMATIONS IN THE HARBOUR; AND, SECOND, THAT THE MAIN URBAN AREAS ARE SO OVERCROWDED THAT ONLY BY DECANTING POPULATION AND JOBS TO THE NEW TOWNS CAN THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE MAIN URBAN AREAS BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED.
ON THE CONTRARY, THE STUDY SAYS EXTENSIVE RECLAMATIONS ARE FEASIBLE IN THE HARBOUR WITHOUT INCREASING TIDAL FLOWS TO AN UNACCEPTABLE LEVEL, WITHOUT CAUSING UNACCEPTABLE DETERIORATION IN THE WATER QUALITY AND WITHOUT CONSTRAINING PORT OPERATIONS TO AN UNSATISFACTORY DEGREE.
THE REPORT STATES THE PRACTICAL MAXIMUM POPULATION LEVEL IN THE STUDY AREA IS 4.55 MILLION BY THE YEAR 2001 WITH 2.45 MILLION JOBS IF THE AIRPORT REMAINS WHERE IT IS AND 4.35 MILLION PEOPLE AND 2.35 MILLION JOBS IF IT IS BUILT ELSEWHERE.
.DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDY AREA TO THESE PRACTICAL MAXIMUM LEVELS IS FUNDAMENTALLY DEPENDENT UPON THE EXPANSION OF THE EXISTING MTR SYSTEM INTO A NETWORK WHICH SERVES ADJOINING PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AS WELL AS THE STUDY AREA,*
THE REPORT STATES.
IT SAYS 30 PER CENT OF THE FUTURE STUDY AREA POPULATION WILL BE ON NEW LAND, MAINLY CREATED BY RECLAMATION IN THE HARBOUR. THE REMAINDER WILL BE IN THE EXISTING URBAN AREAS. BETTER HOUSING CONDITIONS THAN TODAY ARE ACHIEVABLE AND THE ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL ASSUMES A FULL PROVISION OF SOCIAL FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACE.
.THIS IS FEASIBLE IF NEW LAND IS CREATED IN CLOSE JUXTAPOSITION TO EXISTING DEVELOPMENT,+ SAYS THE REPORT. +IF APPROPRIATE LEGISLATIVE STEPS ARE TAKEN THEN THE THREATS TO THE QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT FROM POLLUTION OR LANDSCAPE DETERIORATION CAN BE MINIMISED OR EVEN ELIMINATED.+
THE PORT IS RECOGNISED AS +ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT GENERATORS OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY*
IN THE STUDY AREA, HANDLING IN 1981 36 MILLION TONNES OF OVERSEAS TRAFFIC.
/DEVELOPMENT....................
weenesday, January 4, 1984
- 2 -
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PORT UNDER THE STRATEGIES INCLUDES A MAJOR EXTENSION TO THE CONTAINER PORT, OVER AND ABOVE THOSE ALREADY BEING CONSIDERED FOR TERMINAL 6, TO MEET INCREASED CONTAINERISED TRADE.
UNDER THE +AIRPORT RETAINED*
STRATEGY, FIVE EXTRA BERTHS ARE PROPOSED NEXT TO TERMINAL 6 AND A FURTHER THREE ON RECLAIMED LAND ON EAST TSI NG Yl ISLAND.
* A DUPLICATION OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD FROM TSUEN WAN BYPASS TO CONNECT WITH WEST KOWLOON WAY AT LAI CHI KOK; AND CONSTRUCTION OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL TO PROVIDE A CONNECTION FROM SHA TIN INTO EAST KOWLOON.
TO DEAL WITH TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE CONTAINER PORT CONTAINER FREIGHT STATION FACILITIES ARE PROPOSED AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, CHAI WAN AND KOWLOON BAY.
THERE IS ALSO PROVISION FOR A RAIL LINK INTO THE CONTAINER PORT.
LARGE-SCALE RECLAMATION AT WEST KOWLOON UNDER THE +AIRPORT RETAINED*
STRATEGY WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF 25 HARBOUR MOORINGS - 12 OF WHICH ARE USED FOR CARGO HANDLING PURPOSES.
THE STRATEGY MAKES PROVISION FOR THE NUMBER OF MOORING BUOYS TO BE INCREASED FROM 72 IN 1981 TO 121 IN 2001 AND AS A RESULT OF THE MOVE WESTWARDS OF THE HARBOUR BECAUSE OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION 63 NEW MOORINGS COULD BE PROVIDED BY CONSTRUCTING A BREAKWATER LINKING PENG CHAU AND KAU Yl CHAU.
LARGE SCALE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS ARE PROPOSED TO DEAL WITH AN ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN CARGO HANDLED FROM FIVE MILLION TONNES IN 1981 TO OVER 18 MILLION TONNES IN 2001. TWO OF THESE AREAS WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION. THE HEAVILY UTILISED PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA AT WAN CHAI WOULD BE RETAINED.
THE MAJOR RECLAMATIONS WOULD BE WEST KOWLOON (ABSORBING STONECUTTERS ISLAND) AND GREEN ISLAND, WHICH WOULD BE JOINED TO HONG KONG ISLAND.
LIKELY FUTURE DEMAND FOR LAND WAS ABOUT 1 200 HECTARES OF WHICH 56 PER CENT WOULD BE USED FOR HOUSING, 17 PER CENT FOR THE PORT, 20 PER CENT FOR FACILITIES AND THE REMAINING SEVEN PER CENT FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
THE ROAD NETWORK FOR THE +AIRPORT RETAINED*
STRATEGY INVOLVES CONSTRUCTING 149 KILOMETRES OF NEW ROADS, OF WHICH 56 KILOMETRES WOULD BE TRUNK ROADS. THERE IS HOWEVER, THE REPORT STATES, A SHORTFALL IN ROAD CAPACITY EVEN BEFORE 1991 AND IT IS ASSUMED THAT TO MEET THIS THERE WILL BE BY THIS DATEi
* IMPROVEMENTS PUT IN HAND TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BY AN ADDITIONAL FOUR LANES;
/TO CONTROL ....................
TO CONTROL USE OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL THE TOLL CHARGE WOULD RISE TO $20, BUT THE REPORT POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS A SMALL INCREASE IN REAL TERMS FROM 1972 WHEN THE TUNNEL FIRST OPENED.
AS FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, THE REPORT SAYS UNDER THE +AIRPORT RETAINED*
STRATEGY ADDITIONS WOULD INCLUDE AN EXTENSION OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM EASTWARDS TO JUNK BAY- AND EXTENSION OF THE ISLAND LINE WESTWARDS TO GREEN ISLAND- A NEW LINE, THE KOWLOON LINE, FROM TSZ WAN SHAN TO THE VICINITY OF A STRATEGIC PARK IN THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WHERE IT WOULD LINK WITH A SECOND TSUEN WAN LINE (THIS WOULD CONNECT TSUEN WAN WITH THE KOWLOON LINE AT HO MAN TIN); AND A NEW LINE FROM SHA TIN TO ABERDEEN VIA SHEUNG WAN.
THERE WOULD BE A TOTAL 42 KILOMETRES OF NEW LINE WITHIN THE STUDY AREA AND 32 NEW STATIONS, WITH 12 STATIONS PROVIDING INTERCHANGE FACIL ITIES.
THE SYSTEM WOULD BE INTEGRATED WITH THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY AT HO MAN TIN, KWUN TONG AND HUNG HOM.
BUSES AND OTHER ROAD-BASED FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT WOULD ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MEETING THE 2001 TRAVEL DEMAND DESPITE THE EMPHASIS ON OFF-ROAD PUBLIC TRANSPORT. BUSES WOULD CARRY 25 PER CENT MORE PASSENGERS THAN AT PRESENT, BUT TRAMS HAD NO STRATEGIC PLANNING FUNCTION AND THEIR RETENTION AS PART CF TRANSPORT FACILITIES IN THE CENTRAL AREA SHOULD NOT BE JUDGED ON THAT BASIS, THE REPORT STATES.
IT SAYS THE SIZE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION AND WORKFORCE IN THE STRATEGY PRESENTS NO INSURMOUNTABLE PROBLEMS FOR THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES SUCH AS WATER, ELECTRICITY AND GAS.
IN THE +AIRPORT RELOCATED*
STRATEGY THE CONCENTRATION OF NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE WESTERN HALF OF THE STUDY AREA IS LESS PRONOUNCED, BUT IN AREA STILL EXCEEDS THAT IN THE EASTERN HALF.
THE GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION WOULD ACCOMMODATE THE SAME LEVEL OF POPULATION AS IN THE +AIRPORT RETAINED*
STRATEGY - APPROXIMATELY 280 000 PEOPLE - AND THE RECLAMATION AT WEST KOWLOON HAS A DESIGN POPULATION OF ABOUT 235 000.
THE EMPLOYMENT PATTERN IN BOTH +RETAINED+ AND +RELOCATED*
STRATEGIES IS APPROXIMATELY THE SAME - A DECLINE IN THE PERCENTAGE CF WORKERS EMPLOYED IN MANUFACTURING AND AN INCREASE IN OFFICE EMPLOYMENT - BUT THERE WOULD BE 100 000 LESS WORKERS IN THE STUDY AREA IF THE AIRPORT IS RELOCATED.
IN THE +RELOCATED+ STRATEGY, THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WOULD BE TAKEN UP LARGELY BY CONTAINER PORT EXTENSIONS. AS WITH THE +RETAINED+ STRATEGY THERE WOULD ALSO BE RECLAMATION AT THE EASTERN PART OF TSI NG Yl ISLAND TO EXPAND THE CONTAINER PORT, BUT STONECUTTERS ISLAND, WHICH WOULD BE ABSORBED IN THE .RETAINED*
STRATEGY, WOULD REMAIN LARGELY AS IT IS, ALTHOUGH THERE WOULD BE SOME RECLAMATION FOR A SEwAGE WORKS. THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THE ISLAND WOULD BE AS A STRATEGIC PARK.
/THE DEVELOPMENT....................
EDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1984
4
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROAD NETWORK AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WOULD REFLECT THE GENERALLY MORE EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION UNDER THE +RELOCATED+ STRATEGY AND THE FORMER AIRPORT RUNWAY WOULD BE USED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LINKS UNDE THE HARBOUR TO HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE ROAD NETWORK INVOLVES CONSTRUCTION OF 146 KILOMETRES OF NEW ROADS - SLIGHTLY LESS THAN IN THE +AIRPORT RETAINED*
STRATEGY - BUT THE AMOUNT OF TRUNK ROAD WOULD BE LARGER AT 71 KILOMETRES.
THERE WOULD BE 49 KILOMETRES OF NEW MTR LINE AND 39 NEW STATIONS, THE NEW LINES BEING GENERALLY SIMILAR TO THOSE PROPOSED IN THE +RETAINED+ STRATEGY EXCEPT FOR AN ADDITIONAL LINE rROM THE KOWLOON LINE VIA THE AIRPORT RUNWAY TO JOIN THE ISLAND LINE AT QUARRY BAY.
THE 52-PAGE STUDY REPORT POINTS OUT THAT REALISATION OF THE POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE GROWTH IS FINANCIALLY PRACTICABLE, AS EXPECTED LAND REVENUES WOULD EXCEED PUBLIC SECTOR COSTS BY A CONSIDERABLE MARGIN.
+THE DEVELOPMENTS INVOLVED ARE FEASIBLE IN PLANNING AND ENGINEERING TERMS, BUT DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS AND THE RESULTING PREPARATORY WORK WOULD HAVE TO BE PUT IN HAND IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS IF THE APPROPRIATE FACILITIES TO ACCOMMODATE THE PRACTICAL MAXIMUM POPULATION LEVELS ARE TO BE COMPLETED BY 2001,+ IT STATES.
THE REPORT SAYS THE +AIRPORT RELOCATED*
STRATEGY AFFORDED A GREATER CHANCE FOR COMPROMISE BETWEEN DEVELOPMENT IN EAST AND WEST KOWLOON. APART FROM THE ADVANTAGE OF COMMON ELEMENTS BETWEEN THE TWO STRATEGIES, DEVELOPMENT IN WEST KOWLOON TENDED TO BE CHEAPER, AFFORDED SAVINGS IN MAJOR WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSINGS AND FACED FEWER IMPLEMENTATION DIFFICULTIES. AGAINST THIS, DEVELOPMENT IN KOWLOON BAY FACILITATED THE USE OF AIRPORT LAND, AFFORDED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS IN EAST KOWLOON AND OPENED UP THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING. IT SAID THE MAXIMISATION OF THE NUMBER OF COMMON ELEMENTS BETWEEN THE TwO STRATEGIES WAS INCLUDED AS ONE OF THE 12 OBJECTIVES OF STRATEGY FORMULATION, THE RATIONALE BEING THAT IT WAS DESIRABLE FROi GOVERNMENT’S POINT OF VIEW FOR DEVELOPMENT TO BE ABLE TO PROCEED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE ALONG A SINGLE PATH BEFORE A MAJOR TURNING POINT WAS REACHED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE STUDY, WHICH DATES BACK TO A DECISION BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT POLICY COMMITTEE IN OCTOBER, 1980, WAS INTENDED PRIMARILY TO CONTRIBUTE TO FORMULATION CF A LARGER STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENTIRE TERRITORY. ITS FINDINGS WOULD PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK FOR DETAILED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF A WIDER STRATEGIC PLAN.
HE SAID SHRUG WAS ONE OF FIVE SUB-REGIONAL STUDIES THE GOVERNMENT WAS ANALYSING. IT WOULD BE PRESENTED TO 11 DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE STUDY AREA OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS STARTING TOMQRnt*
.
/5....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1984
<5
GIS’ OVERSEAS EFFORTS REAP PUBLICITY BENEFITS * *
*
*
GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN PROJECTING A TRUE IMAGE OF HONG KONG ABROA ARE REAPING A RICH HARVEST OF GOOD PUBLICITY, THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON WEST, MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THESE EFFORTS ARE AIMED NOT JUST AT PROMOTING GOVERNMENT POLICIES BUT ALSO AT GIVING A BALANCED OVERALL PICTURE OF THE TERRITORY’S SOCIAL SYSTEM, ITS LAISSEZ FAIRE ECONOMY, ITS BUSINESS SECTOR, AND ITS UNIQUE PLACE IN THE WORLD.
+TO GIVE JUST ONE EXAMPLE: A RECENT AND TIMELY FILM ABOUT THE CABBAGE PATCH DOLLS BEING MADE IN HONG KONG WAS SHOWN TO A WORLD-WIDE TELEVISION AUDIENCE ESTIMATED AT UP TO 2OO MILLION, A GREAT PUBLICITY BOOST FOR HONG KONG’S TOY INDUSTRY AT CHRISTMAS TIME,+ HE SAID.
THE FILM, MADE BY GIS’S OVERSEAS PUBLIC RELATIONS SUB-DIVISION AT A COST OF A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS, WAS ONLY ONE OF 15 FILM CLIPS AND 30 RADIO TAPES PRODUCED BY THE UNIT LAST YEAR.
IN 1983, THE UNIT ALSO PRODUCED 120 FEATURE ARTICLES COVERING ALL ASPECTS OF HONG KONG LIFE FROM BUSINESS TO TRANSPORT, AND FROM THE LEGAL SYSTEM TO EDUCATION, FOR THE OVERSEAS PRINT MEDIA.
.THESE HAVE APPEARED IN NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES IN AUSTRALIA, EUROPE, THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, SOUTH-EAST ASIA AND THE CARIBBEAN.+ HE SAID.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT ANY EDITOR OF ANY MEDIUM WOULD PLACE MORE CREDENCE ON REPORTS SENT IN BY HIS OWN STAFF.
.GIS HAS LONG RECOGNISED THIS AND HAS AN ACTIVE PROGRAMME OF ENCOURAGING FOREIGN JOURNALISTS TO VISIT HONG KONG TO SEE THE PLACE FOR THEMSELVES,+ HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT GIS BELIEVES IN LETTING THE FACTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, AND THAT ANY VISITING JOURNALIST GIVEN A MAXIMUM EXPOSURE TO AS MANY ASPECTS OF HONG KONG AS POSSIBLE IS BOUND TO GO AWAY WITH A FAVOURABLE IMPRESSION OF THE TERRITORY.
.THIS BELIEF HAS BEEN BORNE OUT IN PRACTICE.
.MOST OF THESE VISITING JOURNALISTS WRITE BALANCED AND IN MOST CASES FAVOURABLE ARTICLES ON THE TERRITORY.
.IN 1983 GIS OVERSEAS PUBLIC RELATIONS SUB-DIVISION HANDLED ALMOST 550 VISITORS OF WHOM ABOUT 260 WERE PRINT MEDIA JOURNALISTS, ANOTHER 260 FROM RADIO, TELEVISION AND FILM COMPANIES, WHILE THE REST INCLUDED SOCIOLOGISTS, MEDICAL GROUPS AND EVEN MISSIONARI￡S,+ HE SAID.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT ALL THESE EFFORTS WERE NECESSARY BECAUSE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HONG KONG STILL EXIST.
MR TSAO CONCLUDED BY SAYING +WE FEEL THAT OUR EFFORTS ARE PRODUCING, BIT BY BIT, A MORE BALANCED PICTURE OF WHAT HONG KONG !$,.
----------o---------
/6...........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1934
6
INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION HELPED BY * *
*
*
*
LOWER LAND COSTS *
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS NOW IN A MUCH STRONGER POSITION TO PR MOTE HONG KONG AS A MANUFACTURING BASE, AS UNLIMITED SPACE FOR INDUSTRY IS AVAILABLE AT VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES, THE DEPARTMENT’S PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, MAJOR C.G. BERNARD SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING TO THE ROTARY CLUE OF SHA TIN, HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS HAD BEEN HANDICAPPED BY THE LACK OF CHEAP LAND FOR THOSE INDUSTRIES WHICH REQUIRED lOTS OF SPACE, HEAVY FLOOR LOADINGS, HIGH CEILINGS AND LONG PRODUCTION LINES.
.
THIS IS ALL CHANGED NOW wITH THE CREATION OF THE TwO INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AT TAI PO AND YUEN LONG AND THE DRAMATIC FALLS IN LAND AND FACTORY ACCOMODATION PRICES OVER THE LAST YEAR.
.
WE NOW HAVE UNLIMITED SPACE FOR INDUSTRY AVAILABLE AT VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES,+ HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THESE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES ABOUT 800 000 SQUARE METRES OF COMPLETED INDUSTRIAL FLOOR SPACE ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE OR RENT, HE ADDED.
.
IN OTHER WORDS WE NOW HAVE A STRONG BUYERS MARKET OF WHICH A NUMBER OF EXISTING MANUFACTURING COMPANIES HAVE TAKEN AND ARE NOW TAKING ADVANTAGE, HE SAID.
*
ANOTHER ADVANTAGE WAS THE EXCELLENT PRODUCTIVE LABOUR AVAILABLl AND THE CONSISTENTLY PROVEN LOW LABOUR COST IN RELATION TO THE UNIT COST OF PRODUCTION, HE SAID..
.
I BELIEVE WE CAN HOLD OUR OWN AGAINST MOST COMPETITION IN THIS REGION PROVIDED WE AIM TO MOVE UP MARKET INTO THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH VALUE AND HIGH VALUE ADDED QUALITY PRODUCTS. THIS IS IN FACT HAPPENING NOT ONLY IN OUR ELECTRONICS AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRIE;, BUT ALSO WITH, FOR EXAMPLE DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND OUR GARMENT INDUSTRY WHICH DESPITE PROTECTIONISM IN OUR MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS CONTINUES TO HOLD ITS OWN.
.
THERE ARE ALSO.SIGNS TWAT OUR TEXTILE INDUSTRY WHICH HAS BEEN DECLINING IN RELATIVE AND REAL TERMS DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS IS STABILISING AND BEGINNING TO FOLLOW THE GARENT INDUSTRY IN MOVING UP MARKET AND INSTALLING THE MOST MODERN MACHINERY,+ HE SAID.
MAJOR BERNARD POINTED OUT THAT HIS DEPARTMENT ALSO HAD AN INCREASING ROLE IN DOMESTIC INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT.
.
IT IS A FACT THAT, ALTHOUGH OVERSEAS INVESTMENT HAS BEEN OF GREAT AND IN MANY CASES VITAL IMPORTANCE, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR ELECTRONICS AND PRINTING INDUSTRIES FOR EXAMPLE, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS, IT ACCOUNT^ FOR ONLY 10 PER CENT OF INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG. THE BULK HAS BEEN GENERATED IN HONG KONG BY HONG KONG ENTREPRENEURS AND IT IS CLEAR THAT LOCAL INVESTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A DOMINANT FEATURE OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY ALBEIT WITH VITAL TECHNOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE FROM OVERSEAS.+
/A RECENT....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY it, 1984
- 7 -
A RECENT SURVEY ON OVERSAAS COMPANIES WITH INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY FOUND THAT LOCAL SALES FORM THE LARGEST SINGLE SECTOR BY VALUE OF TOTAL SALES OF THESE COMPANIES AND ACCOUNT FOR ONE-T-IRD OF THIS TOTAL AND EVEN EXCEED THOSE TO OUR LARGEST EXPORT MARKET - THE USA.
+WE CANNOT THEREFORE IGNORE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOMESTIC MARKET AS A FACTOR IN ATTRACTING AN OVERSEAS INDUSTRY TO HONG KONG,+ HE CONCLUDED. ------------o--------
SIR PETER BLAKER ARRIVES M *
*
M
SIR PETER BLAKER, CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, ARRIVED IN HONG KONG THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING FOR AN 11-DAY VISIT.
MR BLAKER WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, DR PATRICK HASE.
DURING HIS STAY, SIR PETER WILL HAVE TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AS WELL AS UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS. HE WILL ALSO MEET URBAN COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AS WELL AS STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES.
HIS PROGRAMME WILL ALSO INCLUDE VISITS TO NEW TOWNS, COMMUNITY AND WELFARE FACILITIES, SCHOOLS, FACTORIES, A JUNIOR POLICE CALL CLUBHOUSE, THE BORDER AND VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CAMPS.
HE WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON JANUARY 14 BEFORE LEAVING HONG KONG THE SAME EVENING.
GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE DICK HUGHES KO
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, TODAY PAID THE FOLLOWING TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MR RICHARD HUGHES.
+1 WAS DEEPLY SADDENED TO HEAR OF THE DEATH OF DICK HUGHES. HIS DEATH IS A GREAT LOSS, NOT ONLY TO THE PROFESSION WHICH HE SERVED SO ILLUSTRIOUSLY FOR HALF A CENTURY, BUT TO ALL OF US IN THE COMMUNITY.
FOR 40 YEARS, DICK HUGHES WAS A FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT, AND DURING THAT TIME BECAME AN INSTITUTION IN HIMSELF. THIS IS TRIBUTE TO BOTH HIS PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY WHICH HE BLENDED WITH A UNIQUE BRAND OF HUMOUR AND A VAST STORE OF KNOWLEDGE.
HE WAS PROUD TO CALL HIMSELF A HONG KONG BELONGER. wE SHALL MISS HIM DEEPLY.
OUR CONDOLENCES GO TO HIS FAMILY.+
/8....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1984
DICK HUGHES GREATLY MISSED s BRAY *****
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY SAID TODAY HE WAS SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE DEATH OF MR RICHARD HUGHES.
+HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY THOSE OF US WHO HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO SHARE HIS BOUNDLESS WIT AND HIS GREAT WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PART OF THE WORLD.
+ HE WAS A PERCEPTIVE INTERPRETER OF THE HONG KONG SCENE FOR HE HAD MADE HONG KONG HIS HOME FOR A LARGE PART OF HIS VARIED AND COLOURFUL LIFE,*
MR BRAY SAID.
TAI PO LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES AUCTIONED
*****
SEVENTY-ONE OUT OF 80 STALL SITES FOR THE COMING TAI PO LUNAR NEw YEAR FAIR WERE SOLD AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE HIGHEST PRICE BID FOR A FLOWER STALL WAS SI 600, WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $100, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE HIGHEST PRICE FOR A DRY GOODS STALL WAS $200 AND THE LOWEST $100.
THE AUCTION, CONDUCTED BY STAFF OF THE TAI PO URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, WAS HELD AT THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE.
TRADERS WISHING TO LEASE ONE OF THE NINE UNSOLD SITES FOR THE SALE OF DRY GOODS SHOULD CONTACT THE TAI PO URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, TING KOK ROAD.
THE TAI PO LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WILL BE HELD AT TAI PO PLAYGROUND BETWEEN JANUARY 26 AND FEBRUARY 2.
TOMORROW (THURSDAY), 100 STALL SITES AT THE SHA TIN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WILL BE AUCTIONED AT LEK YUEN COMMUNITY CENTRE IN LEK YUEN ESTATE STARTING 9.30 AM.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1984
FIRE RESCUE EXERCISE
* *
*
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT wILL HOLD A RESCUE EXERCISE FEATl ING THE RESCUE PULLEY SPECIALLY DESIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO DcAL WITH EMERGENCIES ON CABLE CARS IN THE OCEAN PARK, ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 6) STARTING AT 10 AM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EXERCISE.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO USE THE SERVICE TRANSPORT TO GO TO THE OCEAN PARK SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT WAN CHAI FIRE STATION BEFORE 9.15 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 6).
BOARD TO DISCUSS SITE PRIORITIES M M M M
MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS A REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE PRIORITY OF THE THREE PROPOSED URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEXES AT THEIR NINTH MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE THREE SITES BEING EXAMINED ARE FA YUEN STREET, TAI KOK TSUI AND SAI YEE STREET UC COMPLEXES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO COMMENT ON A PROPOSAL TO TENDER THE TEMPORARY LORRY PARK AT THE JUNCTION OF BEECH STREET AND ANCHOR STREET IN TAI KOK TSUI FOR PRIVATE MANAGEMENT.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DtSCVSSftfN WILL BE THE PROPOSED.CLEARANCE CF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES'ALONG THE CHERRY STREET WATER-FRONT, AN EXHIBITION OF THE WORK OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, PUBLICATION OF A YAU MA TEI-MONG KOK DISTRICT CHRONICLE, A PROPOSED LANDMARK WITH LANDSCAPE AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD, AND REPLACEMENT OF PLANTS FOR DB BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S NINTH MEETING AT 3 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM AT TUNG PING BUILDING, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1984 ‧
TRADES, HOTELS SURVEY REPORT PUBLISHED
*****
A REPORT ON THE 1981 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT-EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE C NSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY COVERED ALL WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT-EXPORT ESTABLISHMENTS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS REGISTERED WITH THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, AND MARKET STALLS RECORDED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
THE REPORT PRESENTS THE MAJOR FINDINGS FROM THE SURVEY, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURAL AND OPERATING CHARACTER I ST I Co OF MAJOR TRADE GROUPS BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS.
BESIDES PROVIDING INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR POLICY FORMULATION, THE STATISTICS ARE USEFUL TO PRIVATE ENTERPRISES FOR DECISION MAKING, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MARKET RESEARCH, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE STATISTICS CAN BE USED FOR ASSESSING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SECTOR AND ANALYSING ITS STRUCTURAL CHANGES OVER TIME, HE ADDED.
PREVIOUS PUBLICATIONS IN THE SAME SERIES INCLUDE THE SURVEY REPORTS FOR 1977, 1979 AND 1980.
THE REPORT IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE AT S5 A COPY. ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE-RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, TEL. NO. i 3-7216024.
-----------o -------------
TAI PO WANTS LOGO FOR IDENTITY *****
ENTRIES ARE BEING INVITED FOR A TAI PO DISTRICT LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO CHINESE NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME ORGANISING COMMITTEE, THE CONTEST IS AIMED AT PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE DISTRICT’S IDENTITY AND FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING.
PEOPLE LIVING OUTSIDE TAI PO MAY ALSO TAKE PART IN THE CONTEST AND THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES, WHICH MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE BY JANUARY 31.
THE DESIGN, IN EITHER CHINESE OR ENGLISH STYLE, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED ON CARDBOARD PAPER OF 25 SQUARE CENTIMETRES, WITH THE NAME, IDENTITY CARD NUMBER, CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE PARTICIPANT ON THE BACK OF EACH ENTRY;
THE BEST SIX DESIGNS WILL BE SELECTED BY A PANEL OF JUDGES AND PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNERS ON FEBRUARY 19 - THE CLOSING DAY OF THE NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE COMPETITION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MISS MAY CHOW AT 0-6577111.
------------0-------------- /11 .......................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1984
11
MANUAL GIVES GUIDE TO CAR REPAIR WORK * *
*
*
AN UPDATED MANUAL CONTAINING 18 PRINCIPAL JOBS AND TRAINING GUIDELINES FOR THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY HAS BEEN P BLISHED.
SPECIFICATIONS ON JOBS AT TECHNOLOGIST, TECHNICIAN AND CRAFT LEVELS FOR THE INDUSTRY ARE SET OUT IN THE MANUAL PREPARED BY THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS AND SERVICING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
+THE PURPOSES OF THE MANUAL ARE TO ESTABLISH AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF SKILL FOR EACH OF THE PRINCIPAL JOBS IN THE INDUSTRY aND TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR COURSES AT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS AND TRAINING CENTRES,*
SAID MR M.J. VENABLES, CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAINING BOARD.
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT EMPLOYERS COULD USE THE MANUAL IN DRAWING UP A SYSTEMATIC ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AS WELL.
BY FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES IN THE MANUAL, EMPLOYERS COULD ALSO ASSESS HOW MUCH THEIR EMPLOYEES HAD MASTERED THE TRADE, HE ADDED.
MR VENABLES ALSO SAID THAT THE MANUAL WILL HELP TO UP-GRADE MANPOWER TRAINING WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT CF THE INDUSTRY.
THE MANUAL, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT Sil A COPY.
OFFICE TO MOVE X *
*
OFFICE WILL BE MOVING FROM
THE KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES ... .------ OT-<-r-r rr THE FOURTH FLOOR OF SHING WAH BUILDING, 31 SHING FONb STkEET, TO THE NINTH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
IT WILL OPERATE AT THE NEW OFFICE FROM FRIDAY (JANUARY 6), SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
LICENSING, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND ALL ENQUIRIES, MAY BE MADE BY TELEPHONING □-2O92O4 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
- - - - 0 ----------
VILLAGE WATER MAINS WORK
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 7) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE VILLAGES ARE THOSE ALONG KAM TIN ROAD FROM AU TAU TO SHEUNG TSUEN ; KAM SHEUNG ROAD FROM AU TAU TO SHEUNG TSUEN ; AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM AU TAU TO SAN TIN AND CHAU TAU.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
-(■DISTRICT BOARDS ACHIEVING AIM+ ............................................................................................. 1
CALL FOR MORE VOTERS ................................................................................................................................ 2
WORK STARTS ON SECOND MAN KAM TO BRIDGE ................................................................... 3
EXAM ENTRY DEADLINE — aPRIL 1 ................................................................................................ 4
REMINDER TO RATEPAYERS ......................................................................................................................... 4
ALL SHA TIN FAIR SITES SOLD ......................................................................................................... 5
EASTERN DISTRICT ATHLETES TO MEET ...................................................................................... 6
TRANSPORT SURVEY REPORT ON SALE ............................................................................................. 6
ROAD CLOSED FOR WORKS ............................................................................................................................ 7
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1984
1
.DISTRICT BOARDS ACHIEVING AIM+ * *
M
DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN ACHIEVING WHAT THEY ARE TASKED TO DO, AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MR Q.W. LEE. SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE STRESSED THAT THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME IS THE GOVERNMENT’S ANSWER TO COPING WITH THE INCREASING COMPLEXITIES OF LIFE AND URBANISATION IN HONG KONG TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW OFFICE OF THE KWAI CHUNG SUB-DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE. MR LEE SAID THAT THE RAPID GROWTH OF NEW TOWNS POINTED TO THE NEED FOR MORE RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT.
.BUT OVER THE YEARS, IT HAS BEEN FELT IN ALL QUARTERS CONCERNED THAT IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR ONE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO ADEQUATELY LOOK AFTER A TERRITORY OF OVER FIVE MILLION PEOPLE.+ HE SAID.
.DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AIMS AT ACHIEVING CONSULTATION AND CO-ORDINATED ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
.AT THE CENTRE OF THE SCHEME ARE THE DISTRICT BOARDS WHICH CONSTITUTE THE LARGEST GROUP OF LOCAL ADVISORY BODIES IN THE TERRITORY.
.THE BOARDS ARE VIRTUALLY FREE TO DISCUSS ANY SUBJECT MEMBERS CONSIDERED TO BE AFFECTING THE WELL-BEINGS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICTS, THUS PERFORMING AN ALL-EMBRACING ADVISORY FUNCTION ENSHRINED IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ORDINANCE.
.IN THE LAST 20 MONTHS OR SO SINCE THEY WERE FORMALLY ESTABLISHED, THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE PROVIDED SOME EXTREMELY USEFUL POINTERS FOR THE GOVERNMENT IN MAKING ITS IMPORTANT POLICIES. BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR THE HARD WORK OF MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THIS RESPECT.+
HE SAID CREDIT MUST ALSO BE GIVEN TO DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORT ACTIVITIES AND IN THE MANY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, AMID NUMEROUS OTHER PROJECTS OF VARIOUS NATURES.
.THUS FAR THE BOARDS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY ARE INDEED ACHIEVING WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN MANDATED TO D0.+
IN PARTICULAR, HE PRAISED THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD FOR ITS GOOD WORK IN PROMOTING SPORTS, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND IN ORGANISING ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON.
.TO SUM UP, THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME PROVIDES FOR A SYSTEM OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL AFFAIRS AND ALSO DRAWS THE ATTENTION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO THE NEEDS AND PROBLEMS OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE..
/MR LEE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 198-'*
2
MR LEE SAID HE WAS AMAZED TO HEAR THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENTS IN KWAI CHUNG TOOK IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.
HE PRAISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS +FORESIGHT, PLANNING AND HARD WORK*
, AND CONGRATULATED ALL RESIDENTS AND ENTREPRENEURS WHO HAD HELPED BUILD KWAI CHUNG.
EARLIER, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MR ADOLF HSU ALSO 'OKE ON HOW KWAI CHUNG EVOLVED FROM A SMALL VILLAGE IN THE EARLY 18TH CENTURY TO A BUSY TOWN OF THE 198O’S.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE 1961, KWAI CHUNG HAS BEEN TURNING FROM A RURAL AREA INTO AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL AREA AND A WORLD- FAMOUS CONTAINER TRANSPORT CENTRE BESIDES BEING A MAJOR NEW TOWN IN HONG KONG.
WITH ITS 440 000 PEOPLE, KWAI CHUNG IS ALSO CAPABLE OF PROVIDING A LARGE, SUITABLY TRAINED, WORKFORCE.
.ITS RAPID DEVELOPMENT HAS MADE KWAI CHUNG THE MOST FULLY- FLEDGED NEW TOWN IN HONG KONG AND SEEN BOTH ITS INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE FLOURISH. KWAI CHUNG’S PRESENT PROSPERITY REFLECTS THE JOINT EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE RESIDENTS,+ HE SAID.
MR HSU ADDED THAT THE LOCATION OF THE NEW HEADQUARTERS WAS IDEAL AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN THE VICINITY WAS MORE THAN ADEQUATE.
------------0------------
CALL FOR MORE VOTERS ft ft ft
MORE PEOPLE MUST BE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS THIS YEAR SO THAT MORE RESIDENTS CAN ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE, EITHER AS CANDIDATES OR VOTERS, IN NEXT YEAR’S TERRITORY-WIDE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER FOR KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Yl, MR TAM WING-PONG, SAID THIS TONIGHT AT A NEW YEAR DINNER PARTY ATTENDED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
.WE MUST DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ELECTORS IN ORDER TO RAISE PEOPLE’S INTEREST IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION,. HE SAID.
.THEIR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE 1985 ELECTIONS WILL HELP MAKE THE DISTRICT BOARD A LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION OF ABSOLUTE REPRESENTATIVENESS.+
STRESSING THAT THIS IS NOT AN EASY TASK, MR TAM SAID IT COULD NOT BE ACCOMPLISHED ONLY BY THE DISTRICT BOARD OR DISTRICT OFFICE.
ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS VARIOUS AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES SHOULD ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE BY SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION TO RESIDENTS IN THEIR DISTRICT.
.THIS WILL ENABLE THE TERRITORY’S ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM TO SUCCESSFULLY MARCH INTO A NEW ERA,+ HE SAID.
/MR TAM
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1984
- 3 -
MR TAM DESCRIBED 1984 AS AN IMPORTANT YEAR FOR DISTRICT BOARDS WHICH MUST PROVE THEIR WORTH WITH SOLID GOOD PERFORMANCES.
+IN SO DOING, THEY WILL STRENGTHEN PEOPLE’S CONFIDENCE IN THE BOARDS AND ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT AND DIRECTLY PAf IC I PATE IN THE WORK OF THE BOARDS.*
HE ALSO APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND COOPERATION WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD SO THAT THE GOALS OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION COULD BE FULLY ACHIEVED.
ON THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, HE SAID ITS MAIN FUNCTION WAS TO CONSOLIDATE THE GRASSROOT LEVEL OF THE COMMUNITY, TO MAINTAIN DIRECT AND CLOSE CONTACTS WITH THE PUBLIC, AND TO REFLECT THEIR VIEWS TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID THE 297 MAC'S WHICH WERE FORMED IN KWAI CHUNG WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ALSO HELPED FOSTER A COMMUNITY SPIRIT AMONG THE GRASSROOTERS BESIDES IMPROVING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NEIGHBOURS AND THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
.THE SIX AREA COMMITTEES IN KWAI CHUNG ARE ALSO FORUMS FOR LOCAL PEOPLE TO DISCUSS AREA MATTERS AND TO WORK OUT SOLUTIONS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS,+ HE ADDED.
---------o----------
WORK STARTS ON SECOND MAN KAM TO BRIDGE M *
*
X
WORK STARTED TODAY (THURSDAY) ON CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND MAN KAM TO BRIDGE PROJECT.
THE CONTRACT TO BUILD THE NEW BRIDGE ACROSS THE SHENZHEN RIVER, VALUED AT >6.58 MILLION, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO YEU SHING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THE NEW BRIDGE PROJECT IN NOVEMBER AND SAID IT HAD BECOME NECESSARY IN ORDER TO COPE WITH INCREASED CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC.
THE EXISTING MAN KAM TO BRIDGE IS THE ONLY ROAD LINK WITH CHINA AT PRESENT.
THE NEW BRIDGE WILL BE FOUR-SPAN, WITH TWO SPANS ON EACH SIDE OF THE BORDER, AND WILL HAVE A 7.5-METRE-WIDE CARRIAGEWAY.
IT WILL BE 52 METRES LONG AND HAVE A TWO-METRE-WIDE FOOTPATH ON EACH SIDE.
THE WORK ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE RIVER WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WHICH DESIGNED THE PROJECT. THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WILL CARRY OUT THE WORK ON THE NORTHERN SIDE.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICLE HOLDING AREA AND A NEW ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN MAN KAM TO ROAD AND THE NEW BRIDGE.
*
THE WORK IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED BY THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER.
------------------------------- /(,....................
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1984
EXAM ENTRY DEADLINE — APRIL 1 * *
M *
*
SCHOOLS WISHING TO ENTER CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR THE HONG KONG HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION IN 1985 ARE REMINDED THAT THEY MUST APPLY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL NOT LATER THAN APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THE SAME PROCEDURE APPLIES TO SCHOOLS WISHING TO ENTER CANDID TES FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR CERTAIN PRACTICAL SUBJECTS! SLCH BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY OR PHYSICS.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THIS PURPOSE ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1O/F, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE HANDBOOK OF THE REGULATIONS AND SYLLABUSES FOR THE 1985 EXAMINATION WILL BE PUBLISHED IN MARCH THIS YEAR AND WILL BE ON SALE AT THE PUBLICATION UNIT OF THE EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY AT 17 TSEUK LUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
QUERIES CONCERNING THE EXAMINATION CAN BE MADE AT THE EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY AT 3-688906.
REMINDER TO RATEPAYERS M K *
K
RATEPAYERS ARE REMINDED THAT RATES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984 MUST BE PAID BY 4 PM ON JANUARY 31. mUakick Ob
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT LATE PAYMENTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE AND A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT ON ACCOUNTS STILL --------- R
AFTER THE DUE DATE.
OUTSTANDING SIX
MONTHS
HE SAID RATEPAYERS SHOULD HAVE BY NOW RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES.
, rr>vH??ETue°OATy! oeI-rTET RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES SHOULD APPLY FOR SECTION OF THE TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
OFFICES (WEST WING), NINTH FLOOR, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET HONG KONG- ￡ MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD-
?? AJ IlHLn0Wo?0N CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING,
road (corner °f prince
.WHETHER OR NOT THE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE HE POINTED OUT.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER ORDINANCE.
DEMAND NOTE IS RECEIVED, IT DOES NOT ALTER RATES SHOULD BE PAID BEFORE THE DUE DATE,+
THAT RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PREMISES CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE RATING
/HOWEVER, .................
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1984
5
HOWEVER, THERE WILL 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.
— - — ‧U — — —
ALL SHA TIN FAIR SITES SOLD M *
*
ALL 100 STALL SITES AT THE FORTHCOMING SHA TIN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WERE SOLD AT ABOVE THE UPSET PRICE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE HIGHEST PRICE FOR A DRY GOODS STALL SELLING SUNDRY GOODS WAS $950, WHILE THE LOWEST WAS $450, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE HIGHEST SUM OF $700 WAS PAID FOR A FLOWER STALL. THE LOWEST SUM PAID WAS $140 AGAINST THE UPSET PRICE OF $100 EACH.
THE TWO STALLS FOR THE SALE OF BOTTLED DRINKS FETCHED $700 AND $360, WHILE THE TWO SNACKS STALLS FETCHED $680 AND $600.
TODAY’S AUCTION, CONDUCTED BY STAFF OF THE SHA TIN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, TOOK PLACE AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL AT LEK YUEN ESTATE.
THE SHA TIN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WILL BE HELD AT THE YUEN WO ROAD PLAYGROUND, WITHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE OF RESIDENTS, BETWEEN JANUARY 26 AND FEBRUARY 2.
TOMORROW (FRIDAY), ABOUT 110 STALL SITES AT THE SHEUNG SHU I LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WILL BE PUT ON AUCTION AT THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND TOWN HALL IN SHEUNG SHU I, STARTING 9.30 AM.
------------0------------
/6....................
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1984
6
EASTERN DISTRICT ATHLETES TO MEET
* *
# M M
MORE THAN 500 ATHLETES WILL COMPETE IN 65 FIELD AND TRACK EVENTS AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET ON SUNDAY (JAN,ARY 8) AT THE WAN CHAI STADIUM.
THE COMPETITIONS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SECTIONS FOR SIX AGE GROUPS.
I
T 16 WILL ALSO BE A 4X5O-METRE INVITATION RELAY RACE FOR TEAMS FROM THE DISTRICT’S 10 AREA COMMITTEES.
THE MEET IS ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, EASTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, AND EASTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET STARTING AT 9 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 8) AT THE WAN CHAI STADIUM IN HARBOUR ROAD.
-------------0------------
TRANSPORT SURVEY REPORT ON SALE M *
MX *
*
A STATISTICAL REPORT ENTITLED +1981 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES*
HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. THIS IS THE SECOND IN THE SERIES. FOLLOWING THE REPORT ON THE 1980 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS
THE REPORT CONTAINS DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BACKGROUND AND KTHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY AND PROVIDES INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE TRANSPORT SECTOR IN 1981.
ANALYTICAL TABLES ARE ALSO INCLUDED, SHOWING PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED BY GROUP-MAJOR GROUP AND ANALYSED BY NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED. TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, INCOME AND RECEIPTS AND VALUE ADDED.
.oup1ha;or'sr?uLTHE8E ARE detailed 5TAT,ST,CS classified'by J
BESIDES PROVIDING INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR POLICY FORMULATION, THE STATISTICS ARE USEFUL TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR DECISION MAKING, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MARKET RESEARCH.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $8 A COPY.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1984
7
ROAD CLOSED FOR WORKS * M M M M
FROM 1 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 7) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. TONG SHU I ROAD BETWEEN JAVA ROAD AND KING’S ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO LL VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING LOCAL ACCESS, TO FACILITATE WORK ON THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
DURING THE CLOSURE. TRAFFIC HEADING FOR KING'S ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA JAVA ROAD AND KAM HONG STREET.
VEHICLES ENTERING TONG SHU I ROAD FOR LOCAL ACCESS MAY LEAVE VIA MARBLE ROAD.
AND, FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY, A 65-METRE SECTION OF KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND NEAR THE JUNCTION WITH SHIPYARD LANE WILL BE DESIGNATED AS 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS.
NO MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE ROAD SECTION.
O
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS SOAR............................................................................................. 1
GOVERNOR LEAVES TOMORROW FOR NEW YORK ...................................................................... 3
BUSY DAY FOR SIR PETER ...................................................................................................................... 3
SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED ......................................................... 4
NEW LEGISLATION PROVIDES FOR COMPETITION ............................................................. 5
HOLIDAYS FOR 1984 AND 1985 ......................................................................................................... 6
DOOR STILL OPEN TO CAPUT SCHOOLS ......................................................................................
EK-NORWAY TEXTILE TALKS TO RESUME ................................................................................... 8
COURT TO LOOK INTO 'OSPREY' LOSS ...................................................................................... 9
NT RECREATION FACILITIES FEES REVISED ......................................................................
FIRST TIME EXAM ENTRIES MIST APPLY................................................................................ 11
ADMIRALTY II SITE AUCTION ............................................................................................................ 12
PRIVATE STREET TO BE RESUMED AND REPAIRED .......................................................... 13
SHEUNG SHUI LUNAR YEAR FAIR SITES SOLD ................................................................... 14
VEGETARIAN FEilST FOR OLD FOLK ................................................................................................ 14
ADVICE FOR YOUNG PIANISTS ............................................................................................................ 15
SURVEY ON JOBS UNDERWAY .................................................................................................................. 15
DOGS TO SHOW HOW IT'S DONE......................................................................................................... 1°
CERTIFICATES FOR OFFICERS ............................................................................................................ 16
ANTI-DRUG DRIVE I.. YAU TEI ................................................................................................ 17
TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED ......................................................................
APPRENTICESHIP BRANCH OFFICE MOVING ............................................................................. 18
SUBSTRUCTURE WORK TO START ......................................................................................................... 19
NEW REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IN NORTH POINT ....................................................... 19
KING'S ROAD FOOTBRIDGE WORK AFFECTS TRAFFIC ....................................................
EARLY MORNING CLOSURE ......................................................................................................................... 21
ROAD CLOSURE ......................................................................................................................................................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6,
1984
- <
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS SOAR * *
*
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR BY $8.6 BILLION - THE LARGEST MONTHLY INCREASE ON RECORD.
THIS IS REVEALED IN THE MONETARY STATISTICS FOR THE MONTH PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY).
PART OF THE INCREASE. WHICH COMES AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF A STABILISED EXCHANGE RATt, REFLECTED A SWITCH FROM FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WHICH, INCLUSIVE OF SWAP DEPOSITS, FELL BY ABOUT $1.7 BILLION.
THE $8.6 BILLION INCREASE WAS ENCOURAGED BY STABILITY IN THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND THE REMOVAL OF THE INTEREST WITHHOLDING TAX ON HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS.
DURING THE MONTH. TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY ON THE BROADER DEFINITIONS M2 AND M3. ROSE. IN EACH CASE, THE INCREASE WAS MADE UP OF A SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR COMPONENT, WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET A CONTRACTION IN THE FOREIGN CURRENCY COMPONENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES RECORDED ONLY A MODERATE INCREASE. THOSE FOR FINANCING VISIBLE TRADE FELL, WHILE OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ROSE, BUT NOT SUBSTANTIALLY.
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON THE BROADER DEFINITIONS, H($M2 AND HK$M3, CONTINUED TO GROW AT FAIRLY RAPID RATES, AT 4.6 PER CENT AND 5.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN OCTOBER WERE 0.9 PER CENT AND 3.1 PER CENT. H<$M1 FELL BY 0.5 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH AN INCREASE IN OCTOBER OF 0.7 PER CENT. THERE WAS SOME CONTRACTION IN THE PUBLIC’S HOLDING OF NOTES AND COIN.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER, HK$M1 GREW BY 1.1 PER CENT, H($M2 BY 5.2 PER CENT AND HK$M3 BY 8.2 PER CENT. OVER THE TWELVE MONTHS, THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 10.2 PER CENT, 13.6 PER CENT AND 10.1 PER CENT.
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY
TOTAL Ml WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED AFTER AN INCREASE OF 1.1 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. TOTAL M2 AND TOTAL M3 ROSE BY 1.2 PER CENT AND 2.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, IN CONTRAST TO THE CORRESPONDING DECLINES IN OCTOBER OF 2.5 PER CENT AND 1.7 PER CENT.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER, TOTAL Ml GREW BY TWO PER CENT. TOTAL M2 BY 2.3 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 4.4 PER CENT. OVER'THE TWELVE MONTHS, THEY GREW BY 7.9 PER CENT, 24.3 PER CENT AND 22.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/DEPOSITS ....................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
2
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE SHARPLY DURING THE MONTH, BY 6.2 PER CENT, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE IN OCTOBER OF 3.9 PER CENT. THESE INCREASES WERE NO DOUBT ENCOURAGED BY STABILITY IN THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND THE REMOVAL OF THE INTEREST WITHHOLDING TAX ON HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS.
THE INCREASE IN NOVEMBER, AMOUNTING TO $8.6 BILLION, IS THE LARGEST MONTHLY INCREASE ON RECORD. PART OF THIS INCREASE REFLECTED A SWITCH FROM FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WHICH FELL BY 1.2 PER CENT OR $1.7 BILLION.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 9.3 PER CENT, WHILE THERE WAS NO NET CHANGE IN FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 0.9 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, OFFSETTING THE DECREASE OF THE SAME ORDER IN OCTOBER. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER. THESE GREW BY 5.4 PER CENT. LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRAtlE OF HONG KONG FELL BY 0.9 PER CENT, AFTER FALLING BY 0.4 PER CENT IN OCTOBER.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER, THEY GREW BY 2.8 PER CENT. ALTHOUGH HONG KONG’S TRADE HAS BEEN EXPANDING RAPIDLY, THE ASSOCIATED BUOYANCY OF NET EXPORT EARNINGS MAY EXPLAIN THE ONLY MODEST DEMAND IN THIS CATEGORY OF LENDING. OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 0.9 PER CENT COMPARED WITH A FALL OF 0.3 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER, THE GROWTH RATE WAS 3.9 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY POSITION
THE NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES OF THE MONETARY SECTOR FELL FROM $23.2 BILLION AT THE END OF OCTOBER TO $17.8 BILLION AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAD NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES OF $13.0 BILLION AND $4.8 BILLION RESPECTIVELY AT THE END OF NOVEMBER.
STATISTICS COLLECTED (ON THE BASIS OF SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS) BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES SHOW A SIMILAR REDUCTION FROM $26.2 BILLION AT THE END OF OCTOBER TO $18.7 BILLION AT THE END OF NOVEMBER.
THEY ALSO SHOW A REDUCTION OF SIMILAR MAGNITUDE IN THE MONETARY SECTOR’S NET FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS FROM $49.1 BILLION TO $42.9 BILLION. THIS SUGGESTS THAT THE REDUCTION IN FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, REFERRED TO EARLIER, MAY HAVE LARGELY COMPRISED SWAP DEPOSITS.
/LIQUIDITY RATIOS ....................
FBIJAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
LIQUIDITY RATIOS
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S.18 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE) FOR ALL BANKS FELL TO 51.8 FROM 52.9 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S 24A OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL TO 61.7 PER CENT FROM 67.7 PER CENT IN OCTOBER.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS IN OPERATION WAS UNCHANGED AT 134. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 1 TO 31 AND THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WAS UNCHANGED AT 318.
- - - - 0------------
GOVERNOR LEAVES TOMORROW FOR NEW YORK
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE WILL LEAVE FOR NEW YORK TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO PARTICIPATE IN A SERIES OF TRADE PROMOTIONAL EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR AND LADY YOUDE WILL BE SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LEADER OF THE MISSION, MR MICHAEL SANDBERG, MISS LYDIA DUNN, MR Q.W. LEE, ALLEN LEE, MR C.H. TUNG AND DR PHILIP KWOK.
THE PARTY WILL BE LEAVING ON FLIGHT PA 22, ETD 1 PM.
A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE GROUP’S DEPARTURE. THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 11.45 AM.
GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
BUSY DAY FOR SIR PETER * *
*
*
SIR PETER BLAKER, CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP WHO IS ON AN 11-DAY VISIT HERE, HAD A BUSY DAY TODAY, BRINGING HIMSELF UP-TO-DATE ON HONG KONG AFFAIRS.
_rtD -rue ?ERAN WITH A MEETING THIS MORNING WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, MR PETER WILLIAMS, IN HIS OFFICE.
HE THEN VISITED THE UMELCO OFFICE AND HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH MEMBERS THERE,
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
4
AFTER HAVING LUNCH WITH THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE, SIR PETER HELD A MEETING WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE.
FOLLOWING THE MEETING, SIR PETER TOOK AN AERIAL TOUR OF HONG KONG AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ON BOARD AN RHKAAF HELICOPTER, ACCOMPANIED BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, DR PATRICK HASE.
SIR PETER WILL JOIN UMELCO MEMBERS AGAIN THIS EVENING FOR DINNER.
-----0-----
SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED * *
*
*
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) A FURTHER SERIES OF SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWSt-
MR CHAU CHAM-SON TO BE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT. HE HAS BEEN PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER IN THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SINCE MARCH 1978.
MR J.T. THORPE TO BE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION. HE HAS BEEN DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION SINCE MARCH 1979 AND WILL SUCCEED MR B.D. KEEP WHO IS RETIRING FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
DR RUDY KHOO KIAN-KANG TO BE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES (MEDICAL SERVICES). HE HAS BEEN A CONSULTANT SINCE MARCH 1973 AND WILL SUCCEED DR LAM SIM-FOOK WHO IS RETIRING FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
MR LEI MENG-CAN TO BE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT. HE HAS BEEN A GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT SINCE DECEMBER 1978.
MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE TO BE Utr-UTr DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES. SHE IS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING ON SECONDMENT TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
MR DAVID LAN HONG-TSUNG TO BE DEPUTY POSTMASTER GENERAL. HE HAS BEEN DEPUTY DIRECTOR, HOUSING DEPARTMENT SINCE JANUARY 1981.
MR T.H. BARMA TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE (APPOINTMENTS). HE HAS BEEN DEPUTY POSTMASTER GENERAL SINCE MARCH 1981.
MR JOHN CHAN CHO-CHAK TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES. HE HAS BEEN DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE SINCE APRIL 1983.
MR DOMINIC WONG SHING-WAH TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE (PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE). HE HAS BEEN POLICE CIVIL SECRETARY SINCE JANUARY 1981.
MR NICHOLAS YEK CHEK-MING TO BE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE. HE HAS BEEN COUNSELLOR (HONG KONG AFFAIRS) BRUSSELS SINCE JULY 1980.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
5
NEW LEGISLATION PROVIDES FOR COMPETITION N *
*
*
AS A FURTHER STEP TOWARDS PROVIDING FOR COMPETITION IN TCLEC MMUNICATION SERVICES, NEW SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION COMES INTO FORCE TODAY, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED.
HE RECALLED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE IT KNOWN IN DECEMBER 1982 THAT CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT WHICH WERE NOT PART OF THE PUBLIC TELEPHONE SERVICE, WOULD BE OPEN TO COMPETITION PROGRESSIVELY WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1983.
THE TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1984 PROVIDES INTER ALIA, FOR
M THE GRANT OF PUBLIC NON-EXCLUSIVE TELECOMMUNICATION LICENCES BY THE TELECOMMUNICATION AUTHORITY AND THE FEES PAYABLE ON THE GRANT OR RENEWAL OF THIS TYPE OF LICENCE!
* POWERS FOR THE TELECOMMUNICATION AUTHORITY TO ENSURE THAT TELECOMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT IS USED PROPERLY BY PERSONS LEGALLY IN POSSESSION OF SUCH EQUIPMENT; AND
M A LICENSEE TO OFFER A PUBLIC NON-EXCLUSIVE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE, AND TO POSSESS, USE, DEAL IN AND MAINTAIN THE REQUISITE APPARATUS FOR THE SERVICE.
THE NEW REGULATIONS DO NOT ALLOW FOR THE RENEWAL OF PUBLIC NON-EXCLUSIVE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE LICENCES BEYOND JUNE 30, 1995.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS PROVISION HAD BEEN MADE, BECAUSE. UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE, THE TELEPHONE COMPANY WAS AUTHORISED TO PROVIDE PUBLIC TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION UP TO THAT DATE.
IT WAS ANTICIPATED, HE ADDED, THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WISH TO CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW, WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE EXPIRY OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY’S FRANCHISE, OF ALL INTERNAL PUB! C TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES, IT WAS LOGICAL THEREFORE TO STIPULATE, IN THE NEW REGULATIONS, A DETERMINATION DATE FOR THE tEW CATEGORY OF LICENCE.
IT WAS ALSO REASONABLE THAT ALL PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS LIMITATION FROM THE OUTSET.
THE TELECOMMUNICATION (PUBLIC NON-EXCLUSIVE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE CUSTOMERS) (EXEMPTION FROM LICENSING) ORDER 1984, AS ITS TITLE INDICATES. EXEMPTS CUSTOMERS OF PUBLIC NON-EXCLUSIVE SERVICES FROM THE NEED TO OBTAIN THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL LICENCES.
.THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESENT POSITION IN LAW OF CUSTOMERS OF EXCLUSIVE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES WHO ARE ALREADY EXEMPTED FROM LICENSING REQUIREMENTS,*
HE SAID.
/6 ....................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984 .
6
HOLIDAYS FOR 1984 AND 1985 * *
*
*
GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR THIS YEAR AND THE NEXT ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE GAZETTE NOTICE ALSO ADVISES THAT THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WILL BE CELEBRATED THIS YEAR (1984) ON SATURDAY, JUNE 16, AS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, INSTEAD OF THE DATES PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED.
THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WILL NOW FALL ON JUNE 18.
AND, NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN THAT, IN 1985, AS CHING MING FESTIVAL AND GOOD FRIDAY FALL ON THE SAME DAY, AN ADDITIONAL GENERAL HOLIDAY FOR THE YEAR WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, AND NOTIFIED BY ORDER IN THE GAZETTE.
FOLLOWING ARE THE HOLIDAYS LISTS i
GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1984
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY
LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY
THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR
THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR
CHING MING FESTIVAL
GOOD FRIDAY
THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY
EASTER MONDAY
TUEN NG (DRAGON BOAT) FESTIVAL
THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY
THE SATURDAY PRECEDING THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST
THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST, WHICH SHALL BE LIBERATION DAY
THE DAY FOLLOWING CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL
CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL
CHRISTMAS DAY
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY
MONDAY, JANUARY 2
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
SATURDAY, APRIL 21
MONDAY, APRIL 23
MONDAY, JUNE 4
SATURDAY, JUNE 16
MONDAY, JUNE 18
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25
MONDAY, AUGUST 27
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26
/GENERAL HOLIDAYS...............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
- 7 -
GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR
THE CIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY
LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY
THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR
THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR
CHING MING FESTIVAL
GOOD FRIDAY
THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY
EASTER MONDAY
THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY
YUEN NG (DRAGON BOAT) FESTIVAL
THE SATURDAY PRECEDING THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST
THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST, WHICH SHALL BE LIBERATION DAY
THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL
CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL
CHRISTMAS DAY
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY
- - - - 0 ----------
1985
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 FRIDAY, APRIL 5 FRIDAY, APRIL 5 SATURDAY, APRIL 6 MONDAY, APRIL 8 SATURDAY, JUNE 8 MONDAY, JUNE 10 SATURDAY, JUNE 22 SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
MONDAY, AUGUST 26
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26
DOOR STILL OPEN TO CAPUT SCHOOLS * ft ft *
AN INVITATION WAS ISSUED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, TO ALL CAPUT SCHOOLS WHICH ARE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SCHOOLS RECEIVING PARTIAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE — TO BECOME FULLY-AIDED INSTITUTIONS.
SPEAKING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF MAN KIU COLLEGE,. MR HAYE SAIDt .THE DOOR INTO THE FULLY-AIDED PUBLIC SECTOR IS STILL OPEN TO MAN KIU AND THE REMAINING CAPUT SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE SO FAR ICSITATED TO ACCEPT FULL GOVERNMENT AID WITH THE MINIMAL CONTROLS THAT AID IMPLIES.*
/+! AM...............
I
FBILAY, JANUARY 6, 1964
8
.I AM NOW HAPPY TO INVITE YOUR SUPERVISOR AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO COME IN OUT OF THE COLD SO AS TO ENJOY THE WARM BENEFITS OF FULL GOVERNMENT AID,*
THE DIRECTOR SAID.
HE SAID THAT NOW WAS A PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE TIME TO RENEW HIS INVITATION, BECAUSE CAPUT SCHOOLS WITH GOVERNMENT-BOUGHT PLACES COULD TRULY BENEFIT FROM MORE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.
+MORE MONEY MEANS BETTER PAY FOR QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND MORE SCOPE F R IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES. MORE MONEY CAN MEAN MORE AND BETTER EDUCATION FOR THE STUDENTS OF THIS AND OTHER CAPUT SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE YET TO COME IN, AS SO MANY HAVE DONE, TO THE AIDED PUBLIC SECTOR.*
MR HAYE ADDED THAT ANOTHER REASON WHY IT WAS SO TIMELY TO ASK CAPUT SCHOOLS TO BECOME FULLY AIDED WAS THE IMMINENT REVIEW OF THE SENIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM AND EXAMINATIONS.
MR HAYE RECALLED HE HAD MADE A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE CURRICULUM IN FORMS FOUR AND FIVE AND THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE CF EDUCATION TO MAJOR SCHOOLS COUNCILS AND ASSOCIATIONS, THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY AND THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT.
HE ADDEDt +WITHOUT PRE-EMPTING THE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THESE PROPOSALS, I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE SHALL BE ABLE TO WORK TO A MORE RELEVANT AND MEANINGFUL CURRICULUM AND EXAMINATION IN FORMS FOUR AND FIVE - SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION THAT RECOGNISES THE ABILITY RANGE AND APTITUDE OF CHILDREN COMPLETING THEIR STUDIES IN SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.*
+ IF THIS COLLEGE IS FULLY AIDED IT WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO AFFORD TO COPE WITH ANY CHANGES MADE IN THE SENIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM AND EXAMINATIONS,*
HE SAID.
SO FAR, 59 CAPUT SCHOOLS HAVE BECOME FULLY AIDED SINCE THE GOVERNMENT FIRST OPENED THE DOOR TO A PHASED CONVERSION OF CAPUT SCHOOLS.
- - - - 0 ------------
HK-NORWAY TEXTILE TALKS TO RESUME * *
X *
CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN NORWAY AND HONG KONG REGARDING HONG KONG’S TEXTILES EXPORTS TO NORWAY WILL RESUME IN OSLO ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9).
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL BE LED BY MR HAMISH MACLEOD. DIRECTOR OF TRADE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THREE ROUNDS OF TALKS HAD BEEN HELD IN 1983 WITH A VIEW TO CONCLUDING A BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT. IN THE LAST ROUND HELD IN DECEMBER, CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE, ALTHOUGH THE TWO SIDES HAD NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT.
.IN THE MEANTIME,*
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, +THE NORWEGIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE EXTENDED THEIR IMPORT CONTROLS ON CERTAIN TEXTILE AND GARMENT ITEMS FROM HONG KONG AND OTHER COUNTRIES TO JUNE 30, 1984.+
------------°--------------- /9....................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
9
COURT TO LOOK INTO ’OSPREY’ LOSS * *
*
M *
A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ADVISED THIS MORNING THAT THE GOVERNOR. UNDER SECTION 52 OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF A MARINE COURT TO INVESTIGATE INTO THE LOSS OF THE +BARQUENTINE OSPREY+.
■--------o - - - -
NT RECREATION FACILITIES FEES REVISED * *
*
*
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED AN INCREASE OF ADMISSION FEES AND HIRING CHARGES FOR PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS, INDOOR GAMES HALL, TENNIS COURTS AND SQUASH COURTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
DETAILS OF THE REVISED CHARGES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS (NT)(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1984 AND PLEASURE GROUNDS (NT)(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
.THIS IS THE FIRST REVISION OF HIRING CHARGES FOR SQUASH COURTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SINCE 1977, WHILE THE LAST INCREASE IN ADMISSION AND HIRING CHARGES FOR PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS, INDOOR GAMES HALL AND TENNIS COURTS WAS IN 1980,*
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE l￡W TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE REVISION BRINGS CHARGES TO THE SAME LEVEL AS THOSE FOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE URBAN AREA WHICH HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE SINCE EARLY LAST YEAR (1983), THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE NEW CHARGES TAKE INTO ACCOUNT INCREASING GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON ADMINISTRATIVE AND MAINTENANCE COSTS OF PROVIDING THE FACILITIES.*
.HOWEVER, THERE WILL STILL BE A CONSIDERABLE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY FOR THESE RECREATION FACILITIES AS THE REVISION OF CHARGES IS EXPECTED TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL INCOME OF ONLY $3.3 MILLION OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS,*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
QUOTING TWO EXAMPLES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SUBSIDY FOR THE INDOOR GAMES HALL WILL STILL BE 86 PER CENT AFTER THE INCREASE OF CHARGES, AND IT WILL BE 69 PER CENT FOR PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS.
OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, SOME $6 MILLION IS EXPECTED TO BE RECOVERED THROUGH ADMISSION FEES AND HIRING CHARGES AGAINST A TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $17 MILLION. THIS REPRESENTS A DEFICIT OF $11 MILLION, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE NEW ADMISSION FEE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 14 YEARS OLD TO THE FOUR PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS AT KWAI CHUNG. YUEN LONG. FANLING AND SHA TIN IS INCREASED FROM $1 TO $2. AN ADULT BATHER WILL PAY $5 COMPARED WITH THE OLD RATE OF $2.
/TENNIS players ..............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 19S4
10 -
TENNIS PLAYERS WHO HIRE ONE OF THE 13 HARD-SURFACE COURTS AT BOTH TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN WILL PAY $9 (OLD RATE $3) FOR ONE HOUR DURING THE OFF-PEAK PERIOD AND $12 (OLD RATE $6) DURING THE NORMAL PERIOD. HIRING CHARGES FOR FLOODLIT COURT AT NIGHT ARE INCREASED FROM $12 TO $24.
TO HIRE A SQUASH COURT AT ONE OF THE 14 COURTS AT SHA TIN, YUEN LONG AND KWAI CHUNG, PLAYERS WILL PAY $6 (OLD RATE $3) FOR 30 MINU ES DURING THE CHEAP RATE PERIOD AND $8 (OLD RATE $4) DURING THE ORDINARY PERIOD.
FOR THE TWO AIR-CONDITIONED SQUASH COURTS AT FANLING, THE NEW HIRING CHARGES FOR 30 MINUTES USE WILL BE $8 AND $10 FOR THE CHEAP RATE AND ORDINARY PERIOD RESPECTIVELY COMPARED WITH THE OLD RATES OF $3 AND $4.
TO HIRE THE WHOLE MAIN ARENA OF THE ONLY INDOOR GAMES HALL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AT KWAI CHUNG - THE OSMAN RAMJU SADICK MEMORIAL GAMES HALL - WILL COST FROM $15 TO $45 FOR A SESSION DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE SESSION IS IN PEAK OR OFF-PEAK HOURS (THE OLD RATE RANGED FROM $5 TO $15).
HIRERS WHO ONLY USE PART OF THE HALL’S ARENA FOR PLAYING BADMINTON WILL BE CHARGED $12 AN HOUR FOR EACH COURT (OLD RATE $4).
TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS WILL PAY $3 PER TABLE FOR AN HOUR IN THE TABLE TENNIS ROOM OF THE HALL (OLD RATE $1).
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE REVISED AND THE OLD ADMISSION FEES AND HIRING CHARGES FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:
REVISED FEES OLD FEES
(A)
NT PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS
(1)
ADMISSION FEES
ADULT
$5
$2
CHILDREN UNDER 14
$2
$1
(2)
RESERVED USE
$14 - $216
$8 - $80
(3)
EXCLUSIVE USE
$5 - $2 016
$2 - $1 050
(4)
PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM
(1) FIRST HOUR
$50
$25
(II) ANY SUBSEQUENT HOUR OR THEREOF
$17
$13
/(B) NT T3JWIS....................
FHIJAY, JAKUA3Y 6, 1?84
11 -
(B)
NT TENNIS COURTS (PER HOUR)
NORMAL $12
OFF-PEAK <9
FLOODLIGHTING >24
(C)
NT SQUASH COURTS (30 MINUTES)
(1) NON AIR-CONDITIONED COURT ORDINARY PERIOD >8
CHEAP RATE PERIOD >6
(2) AIR-CONDITIONED COURT ORDINARY PERIOD >10
CHEAP RATE PERIOD >8
(D)
NT INDOOR GAMES HALL
(1)
USE OF WHOLE MAIN ARENA >15 - >45 (PER SESSION)
(2)
USE OF PART OF THE HALL
(I)
BADMINTON COURT (PER HOUR) >12
(II)
TABLE TENNIS (PER HOUR PER >3 TABLE)
(3)
USE OF PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM $45
(PER SESSION)
86
$3
>12
>4
>3
>4
$3
>5 - >15
$4
>1
>15
FIRST TIME EXAM ENTRIES MUST APPLY K K # #
SCHOOLS WISHING TO ENTER FORM-MIDDLE V AND +ENGLISH ONLY+ CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN 1985, MUST APPLY TO THE SECRETARY OF TOE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL NOT LATER THAN
FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE SAME PROCEDURE APPLIES TO SCHOOLS WISHING TO ENTER CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR CERTAIN PRACTICAL SUBJECTS, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/these subjects ..............
FRIDAY, JANUARY o, 1964
12 -
THESE SUBJECTS INCLUDE SHORTHAND, TYPING, PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY, POTTERY, HOME ECONOMICS, NEEDLEWORK/DRESS, DRESSMAKING, WOODWORK, METALWORK, PRACTICAL ELECTRICITY, ELECTRONICS AND ELEC ICITY. TECHNICAL DRAWING, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING SCIEhJE, HUMAN BIOLOGY, COMPUTER STUDIES AND ART PAPER 9 (COURSE WORK).
APPLICATIONS TO THE SECRETARY SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EXAM IN ONS AUTHORITY AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 11/F, 393 CAN ON ROAD, KOWLOON. APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SAME OFFICE.
HANDBOOKS OF REGULATIONS AND SYLLABUSES FOR THE 1985 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS) ARE NOW ON SALE AT THE EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY'S PUBLICATIONS UNIT AT 17 TSEUK LUK STREET, SAN PO KONG.
THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALE CENTRE, AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
-----o - - - -
ADMIRALTY II SITE AUCTION MH**
THE ADMIRALTY II SITE WILL BE AUCTIONED ON FEBRUARY 15 AT THE FURAMA HOTEL, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE 6 312-SQUARE-METRE SITE IS FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING A HOTEL.
IT WILL NOT BE SOLD FOR GODOWN, RESIDENTIAL OR CAR PARKING PURPOSES.
EARLIER THIS WEEK THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, MR JOHN TODD, SAID THE SALE HAD BEEN PUT BACK FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF JANUARY 18 IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FROM THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ ASSOCIATION. THE ASSOCIATION WANTED MORE TIME TO CONSIDER THE MATTER FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ON DECEMBER 16 THAT THE SITE COULD BE DEVELOPED AS A HOTEL AS WELL AS FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
MR TODD SAID THAT BASIC TERMS FOR THE SALE WOULD REMAIN THE SAME, EXCEPT THAT THE BALANCE OF THE PURCHASE PRICE WOULD BECOME PAYABLE BY MARCH 23, INSTEAD OF MARCH 1.
THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE PACIFICA ROOM OF THE FURAMA AT 2.30 PM.
------------0--------------
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
- 13 -
PRIVATE STREET TO BE RESUMED AND REPAIRED
******
GOVERNMENT PLANS TO RESUME AND RECONSTRUCT PART OF A PRIV FE STREET IN NORTH POINT WHICH IS IN A DILAPIDATED STATE.
THE STREET, COMFORT TERRACE, LINKS KING’S ROAD WITH TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE STREET WAS UNDER MULTIPLE SUB-DIVIDED OWNERSHIP AND WAS NOT BEING PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
AFTER RESUMING A 90-METRE-L0NG SECTION, GOVERNMENT WILL REPAIR IT AND AFTERWARDS ENSURE THAT IT IS MAINTAINED TO A PROPER STANDARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE DRAINS.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL COST $170 000 AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE STATE OF THE STREET HAD GIVEN RISE TO SERIOUS ENVIORNMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SITUATION.
HE SAID OBSTRUCTIONS HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE STREET AND AS A RESULT EMERGENCY VEHICLES HAD FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO GAIN ACCESS. THIS HAD POSED SERIOUS SAFETY RISKS.
.EFFECTIVE STREET MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS TO ALLEVIATE THESE PROBLEMS COULD NOT BE UNDERTAKEN BECAUSE OF THE STATUS OF THE STREET AS PRIVATE LAND,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE RESUMPTION IS PART OF A PILOT SCHEME TO SOLVE PROBELEMS ARISING IN STREETS WHICH ARE ON PRIVATE LAND AND WHICH ARE UNDER MULTIPLE SUB-DIVIDED OWNERSHIP. JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD BE RESUMING PART OF SAM PAN STREET IN WAN CHAI FOR THE SAME REASONS.
IT IS PLANNING TO RESUME OTHER PRIVATE STREETS AS PART OF THE SCHEME UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS AND LAND RESUMPTION CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG' AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 884-886 KING’S ROAD, GROUND FLOOR. HONG KONG. A NOTICE APPEARED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY NOT LATER THAN MARCH 6.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
14
SHEUNG SHU I LUNAR YEAR FAIR SITES SOLD * *
*
*
ALL 113 STALL SITES AT THE COMING SHEUNG SHU I LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WERE LEASED AT ABOVE THE UPSET PRICE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND TOWN HALL, SHEUNG SHU I.
THE HIGHEST PRICE FOR A FLOWER STALL WAS $1 700 AND THE LOWEST WAS $250, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $650 WAS OFFERED FOR A DRY GOODS STALL. THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $300 COMPARED WITH THE UPSET PRICE OF $100.
ALL THE STALL SITES WILL AGAIN BE ERECTED AT THE SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND BETWEEN JANUARY 26 AND FEBRUARY 2.
ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 11), 112 STALL SITES FOR THE SALE OF FLOWERS AND DRY GOODS WILL BE AUCTIONED AT THE KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL AT LAI FONG STREET IN KWAI CHUNG.
- - 0 - -
NOTE TO EDITORSi
VEGETARIAN FEAST FOR OLD FOLK ft *
ft *
ABOUT 400 OLD PEOPLE IN NORTH DISTRICT WILL BE TREATED TO A VEGETARIAN FEAST AT FUNG YIN TSIN KOON IN FANLING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE FEAST IS ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR ELDERLY ACTIVITIES.
ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO BE ENTERTAINED WITH SINGING, FOLK DANCES AND DRAMA SHOWS BY MEMBERS OF TSUNG PAK CLUB OF THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
0 - -
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
ADVICE FOR YOUNG PIANISTS * *
*
THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND
THE ' 1TISH COUNCIL WILL JOINTLY PRESENT A LECTURE ON 'HOW TO PREP E FOR AN OPEN PIANO COMPETITION’ BY MARIAN THORPE FOR YOUNG PIANISTS IN HONG KONG ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10) AT 5.30 PM AT THE RECITAL HALL, CITY HALL. THE LECTURE WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH.
MA".AN THORPE HAS BEEN INVITED TO HONG KONG AS THE GUEST ADJ 'I. OR OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG’S YOUNG PIANIST OF THE YEAR COM ETITION, 1984.
SHE IS CO-FOUNDER AND FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE LEEDS INTERNATIONAL PIANOFORTE COMPETITION, AND A MEMBER OF THE MUSIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL AND OF THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION.
FOR FREE ADMISSION TICKETS, PLEASE TELEPHONE 5-283257.
SURVEY ON JOBS UNDERWAY ft ft ft
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS THIS MONTH CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 48 000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE. RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS), THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES) AND THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS).
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS AT THE END OF DECEMBER. REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SEN! TO ESTABLISHMENTS NOT RESPONDING TO THE INITIAL QUESTIONNAIRES.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON 5TH MARCH 1982), ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID.
INFORMATION IS BEING SOUGHT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON DECEMBER 30, 1983 FROM EACH ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10 000 ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM THE SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE months During the reference period of October - December 1983.
RESPONDENTS WHO FIND DIFFICULTY IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, MAY CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE AT THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS (PRINTED AT THE BACK OF THE SURVEY FORMS)i-
5-436551
5-455661
5-444301 5-455668
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
16
DOGS TO SHOW HOW IT’S DONE * *
*
A DEMONSTRATION BY POLICE DOGS ON PROPER PEDESTRIAN PRACTICES SUCH AS USING ZEBRA CROSSINGS AND FOOTBRIDGES, WILL BE A HIGHLIGHT AT THE OPENING OF A TWO-WEEK KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 8).
TH OPENING WILL FEATURE AN EXHIBITION OF ACCIDENT PHOTOGRAPHS AND DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE SEAT BELT CONVINCER, VISION TEST VEHICLE, REACTION TEST MACHINE. A CRASHED CAR WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY.
THERE WILL ALSO BE BAND, DRAMA AND TAE-KWON-DO PERFORMANCES BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL, CAPTAIN SAFETY AND GURKHA FIELD FORCE.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE SELECTION OF MODEL PEDESTRIANS, A SLOGAN CONTEST, ASSISTANCE TO ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS AND DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS ON A ROAD SAFETY DAY.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES, AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR RICHARD LIDSTER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON SUNDAY.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN TO BE HELD AT 2.15 PM IN THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND.
CERTIFICATES FOR OFFICERS K X X
CERTIFICATES WERE PRESENTED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO 149 CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICERS, WHO HAVE COMPLETED A ONE-YEAR ORIENTATIONAL COURSE.
THE TRAINING COURSE CONDUCTED BY THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE INCLUDED SIX MONTHS TRAINING IN VARIOUS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
AT A CEREMONY HELD IN THE INSTITUTE, SUPERINTENDENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR JOHNNY WONG PRESENTED THE TRAINING CERTIFICATES TO THE OFFICERS.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
- 17 -
ANTI-DRUG DRIVE IN YAU MA TEI * *
*
*
A WEEK-LONG ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN IN YAU MA TEI, FEATURING AN EXHIBITION. A SEMINAR, A VARIETY SHOW AND A VISIT TO THE SHEK KWU CHAU TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTRE, WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, AND THE ANTI-NARCOTICS CENTRAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, THE DRIVE IS MAINLY AIMED AT PEOPLE IN THE 15 TO 24 AGE GROUP.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN YUM-TONG, SAID THE SERIES OF PREVENTIVE EDUCATIONAL EXERCISES WOULD HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF DRUGS.
.WE MUST ALSO ALERT YOUTHS AGAINST STARTING TO TAKE DRUGS,+ FE STRESSED.
TO THIS END, A SEMINAR HAS BEEN ORGANISED FOR MORE THAN 500 SECONDARY STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 11).
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE HENRY 6. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, FEATURING A DISPLAY OF VARIOUS PARAPHERNALIA FOR TAKING DRUGS AND A POLICE DOG SHOW.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, WILFRED WONG, THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER, MR LUI TING-YIU, AND MR CHAN.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE YAU MA TEI ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMF. I GN OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 3 PM AT THE HENRY G. LEON YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
- 18 -
TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED * *
*
M
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AN AMENDMENT TO P'E DRAFT TSUEN WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
UNDER THE AMENDMENT, A SITE OF ABOUT 0.5 HECTARES AT ROUTE 1WISK NEAR THE SERVICE RESERVOIR TO THE NORTH OF TSO KUNG TAM HAS BEEN REZONED FROM ’OPEN SPACE’ TO ’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B) ’, WHICH IS LOW-DENSITY DEVELOPMENT.
THE AMENDED PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD) THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE) AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE (TSUEN WAN), SECOND FLOOR, FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, BEFORE JANUARY 26.
THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN IS ON SALE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AT $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
------------o------------
APPRENTICESHIP BRANCH OFFICE MOVING
M M M
THE TSUEN WAN BRANCH OFFICE OF THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION UNDER THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9).
.THE NEW OFFICE IS AT 10/F, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES. 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, ADJACENT TO KWAI HING MTR STATION,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE TSUEN WAN BRANCH OFFICE WAS SET UP IN 1978 TO ENFORCE THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE WHICH HAD BECOME EFFECTIVE SINCE 1976.
THE ORDINANCE IS TO ENSURE THAT PROPER TRAINING IS OFFERED TO TECHNICAL WORKFORCE AT CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN LEVELS TO MEET MANPOWER DEMAND FROM THE INDUSTRY.
APART FROM TSUEN WAN BRANCH OFFICE, THERE ARE FOUR OTHER BRANCH OFFICES LOCATED AT WAN CHAI, SAN PO KONG, KWUN TONG AND TSIM SHA TSUI OFFERING THE SAME SERVICES TO EMPLOYERS AND APPRENTICES.
------------o------------
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
- 19 -
SUBSTRUCTURE WORK TO START M M M
WORK ON THE SUBSTRUCTURE OF A MULTI-STOREY URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL START NEXT MONTH.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) AWARDED A $16.8 MILLION CONTRACT TO HING WAH CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. FOR THE PROJECT.
THE COMPLEX WILL STAND ON A 3 OOO-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, MORRISON STREET AND BONHAM STRAND.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES FOUNDATION AND DRAINAGE WORK, AS WELL AS CONSTRUCTION OF THE GROUND FLOOR AND BASEMENT WHICH WILL BE USED FOR UNLOADING OF GOODS.
WORK WILL TAKE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------------0------------
NEW REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IN NORTH POINT M M M M
A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IS TO BE BUILT ON A 165-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT MANSION STREET, NORTH POINT.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING CALLED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
WORK WILL START IN MARCH AND BE COMPLETED IN SIX MONTHS.
THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING OFF-STREET REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE-STOREY REINFORCED CONCRETE ONE ON THE SAME SITE.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED WILL INCLUDE A REFUSE COLLECTION AREA, LOADING BAYS, TOILETS, AN OFFICE AND STOREROOM.
THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WILL HELP IMPROVE HYGIENIC CONDITIONS OF THE AREA.
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/20 ....................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
20
KING’S ROAD FOOTBRIDGE WORK AFFECTS TRAFFIC ft *
*
ft *
TRAM SERVICES WILL BE CURTAILED AND A SECTION OF KING’S ROAD CLOSED TOMORROW (JANUARY 7) NIGHT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE.
THE LAST TRAMS WILL DEPART FROM SHAU KEI WAN FOR HAPPY VALLEY AT 10 J PM AND FOR WESTERN MARKET AT 10.35 PM, THE LAST DEPARTURES FROM NORTH POINT FOR WHITTY STREET WILL BE AT 10.57 PM, FROM HAPPY VALLEY FOR SHAU KEI WAN AT 10 PM- FROM WESTERN MARKET FOR SHAU KEI WAN AT 9.45 PM, AND FROM WHITTY STREET FOR NORTH POINT AT 10.10 PM.
IN ADDITION, KING’S ROAD BETWEEN OIL STREET AND SHU KUK STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT TOMORROW TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY, DURING WHICH THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED i
ft JAVA ROAD BETWEEN NORTH POINT ROAD AND SHU KUK STREET WILL BE REROUTED TWO WAYS.
ft NORTH POINT ROAD BETWEEN JAVA ROAD AND KING’S ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
ft OIL STREET BETWEEN KING’S ROAD AND JAVA ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
ft ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC INCLUDING FRANCHISED BUSES ON KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHU KUK STREET, JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT ROAD TO REJOIN KING’S ROAD.
ft KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN SHU KUK STREET AND TONG SHU I ROAD WILL BE RESTRICTED TO VEHICLES REQUIRING LOCAL ACCESS.
ft ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC INCLUDING FRANCHISED BUSES ON KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR QUARRY BAY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA OIL STREET AND JAVA ROAD TO REJOIN KING’S ROAD.
ft KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN OIL STREET AND TONG SHUI ROAD WILL BE RESTRICTED TO VEHICLES REQUIRING LOCAL ACCESS.
ft ALL VEHICLES OVER 2-1/2 TONS UNLADEN ON FORTRESS HILL ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR JAVA ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KING’S ROAD AND TIN CHEONG STREET.
ft TRAFFIC FROM CAUSEWAY BAY HEADING FOR THE FORTRESS HILL AREA SHOULD USE TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD.
ft ALL PARKING METERS ON JAVA ROAD BETWEEN NORTH POINT ROAD AND TONG SHUI ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED.
------------0----
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1984
21
EARLY MORNING CLOSURE * *
*
*
THE WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM NORTHBOUND CHATHAM ROAD NORTH TO SOUTHBOUND GILLIES AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON SUNDAY, MONDAY, AND TUESDAY (JANUARY 8-10), TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK.
D ING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI, AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL PROCEEDING TO HUNG HOM ARE ADVISED TO USE EITHER CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHEONG WAN ROAD, ON WAN ROAD. CHEONG WAN ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE OR GASCOIGNE ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, PAK KUNG STREET, SHUN YUNG STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
- 0 -
ROAD CLOSURE * *
*
FROM 10 AM TO 10.30 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 8), THE SECTION OF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AND MAN KAM TO ROAD BETWEEN FUNG KAI SCHOOL AND SNAKE FENCE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES TO FACILITATE THE +1983/84 WALK FOR A MILLION IN NORTH DISTRICT*
.
DURING THIS PERIOD, KMB ROUTE NO. 73K WILL ALSO BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1984
CONTENTS TAGE NO.
HK GROUP LEAVES FOR NEW YORK PROMOTION ................................................................... 1
SIR PETER BLAKER SEES WELFARE WORK................................................................................ 1
I.D. CARD SCHEME ENTERS PHASE 8 ......................................................................................... 2
1981 SURVEY OF BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION ............................................................. 3
MEET THE PUBLIC SCHEME POPULAR............................................................................................. 3
BOARD TO HEAR ABOUT FOOTBRIDGE PLANS .......................................................................... 4
SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX FOR THEN MUN ................................................................................ 5
STUDENT RADIOGRAPHERS TO RECEIVE DIPLOMA ............................................................. 5
VIEWS OF OLD FOLK TO BE SOUGHT ............................................................................................ 6
JOINT EFFORT TO CLEAN UP YUE WAN ...................................................................................... 6
CLEAN UP FOR SQUATTER AREA ......................................................................................................... 7
LEGAL YEAR OPENING TRAFFIC PLAN ......................................................................................... 7
BEACH KIOSKS OFFERED ............................................................................................................................ 8
EMSD FUN FAIR FOR 6 OOO .................................................................................................................. 8
SLIP ROAD CLOSURE..................................................................................................................................... 9
SAI1 "AY, JANUARY 7, 1984
1 -
HK GROUP LEAVES FOR NEW YORK PROMOTION ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNOR. SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE LEFT FOR NEW YORK TODAY (SATURDAY) TO PARTICIPATE IN A SERIES OF TRADE PROMO ONAL EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
THE TRADE PROMOTION, SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN NEW YORK BETWEEN JANUARY 9 AND 11, WILL INCLUDE A MAJOR PRODUCTION EXHIBIT! . AND GALA FASHION PRESENTATION MOUNTED BY THE TRADE DEVE OP! .T COUNCIL. THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEW YORK OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR HONG KONG COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS. AND THE FORMATION AND FIRST JOINT MEETING OF THE UNITED STATES-HONG KONG ECONOMIC COOPERATION COMMITTEE. A BODY WHICH WILL HAVE AS ITS MEMBERS THE CHAIRMEN AND PRESIDENTS OF SOME OF AMERICA'S AND HONG KONG'S LARGEST CORPORATIONS.
MEETINGS WILL ALSO BE HELD BETWEEN TOP CIVIC AND BUSINESS LEADERS IN NEW YORK AND THE GOVERNOR WILL ADDRESS A LUNCHEON MEETING ORGANISED BY THE NEW YORK COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS.
ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR AND LADY YOUDE ON THE TRIP WERE SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LEADER OF THE MISSION, MR MICHAEL SANDBERG, MISS LYDIA DUNN, MR Q.W. LEE, MR ALLEN LEE, MR C.H. TUNG AND DR PHILIP KWOK.
THE GROUP WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY. SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, AND THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO.
SIR PETER BLAKER SEES WELFARE WORK ft ft ft ft
THE VISITING CHAIRMAN OF THE ANGLO-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, SIR PETER BLAKER, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY BLAKER THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING LOOKED OVER THE WELFARE SERVICES IN THE FAST-DEVELOPING SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
SIR PETER’S FIRST STOP WAS THE TING SUN HUI CHIU NURSERY AT PEI LAM ESTATE, WHICH PROVIDES CARE AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL AND GROUP ACTIVITIES FOR 120 CHILDREN BETWEEN TWO AND FOUR YEARS OF AGE. IT IS RUN BY THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON KAIFONG WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION.
f
HE THEN WENT TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SUN Tl-.i WAI COMMUNITY HALL AND WAS BRIEFED ON GROUP AND COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
/FROM THiXE, ...............
Y, JANUARY 7, 1964
FROM THERE, SIR PETER PROCEEDED TO WONG SIU CHING HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY IN SHA KOK ESTATE, WHICH CARES FOR SOME 150 ELDERLY PEOPLE. THE HOSTEL IS OPERATED BY THE CHINESE RHENISH CHURCH, HONG KONG SYNOD.
SIR PETER CONCLUDED HIS VISIT TO SHA TIN BY VISITING THE GOVERNMENT HOUSING SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY AT THE CITY ONE COMPLEX AND TALKING TO SOME RESIDENTS THERE.
Tl OUGHOUT THE VISIT, SIR PETER WAS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY THE SOCIAL ELFARE DEPARTMENT’S NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICER. MR ALFRED CHUI.
- - 0 - -
I.D. CARD SCHEME ENTERS PHASE 8 * *
*
*
MEN BORN IN 1953 AND 1952 WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED TO APPLY FOR THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS WHEN THE EIGHTH PHASE OF THE NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE SCHEME BEGINS ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID i +THESE TWO AGE GROUPS WILL BE GIVEN A FIVE-WEEK PERIOD TO HAVE THEIR OLD CARDS REPLACED BEFORE FEBRUARY 11.
.THEY SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR OLD CARDS AND CALL AT ANY OF THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES BETWEEN 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS,*
HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT ANYONE IN THIS AGE BRACKET WHO FAILS TO APPLY FOR A NEW CARD IN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS BOUND TO SUFFER INCONVENIENCE AND MAY BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION ONCE HIS OLD CARD BECOMES INVALID.
.HOWEVER, THOSE WHO ARE AWAY FROM HONG KONG AND WILL NOT BE BACK BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE MAY APPLY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THEIR RETURN,*
HE SAID.
THOSE WHO WISH TO VISIT THE ISSUE OFFICES AT A PRE-ARRANGED TIME ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THE MAIL-IN APPOINTMENT SYSTEM.
APPLICATION FORMS IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ANY DISTRICT OFFICE OR IMMIGRATION OFFICE.
.APPOINTMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR ANY NORMAL WORKING DAY, EXCEPT MONDAYS, BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5.30 PM.+
.THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM MUST REACH THE ISSUE OFFICE OF ONE'S CHOICE AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THIS PHASE,*
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
- - 0
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1984
1981 SURVEY OF BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION X *
*
*
STATISTICAL REPORT ENTITLED +1981 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONS JCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS*
HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE.
THC REPORT CONTAINS COMPREHENSIVE STATISTICAL TABLES ON THE STRl'CTl L AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING SERVICES. AND THE REAL ESTATE LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES SECTOR.
THE INFORMATION, RELATING TO THE YEAR 1981, WAS COLLECTED FROM ESTABLISHMENTS IN THESE SECTORS IN A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
BESIDES PROVIDING INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR POLICY MAKING, THE STATISTICS ARE USEFUL TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR DECISION MAKING, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MARKET RESEARCH.
THE REPORT IS ON SALE AT 19 A COPY.
ENQUIRIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-7213846.
MEET THE PUBLIC SCHEME POPULAR XXX
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S MEET THE PUBLIC SCHEME IS BECOMING MORE POPULAR.
LOCAL RESIDENTS USE THIS ADDITIONAL CHANNEL TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS, VOICE COMPLAINTS, OR SOLVE SOME OF THEIR PROBLEMS.
SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE GROWING POPULARITY OF THE SCHEME WAS E/IDENT FROM THE SHARP INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT BOARD MEMBERS DEALT WITH 163 CASES DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH 92 CASES DURING THE PRECEDING SIX-MONTH PERIOD.
MOST OF THE CASES WERE REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE, ESPECIALLY ON HOUSING MATTERS, AND THE OTHERS WERE COMPLAINTS, SUGGESTIONS, CRIME REPORTS AND ENQUIRIES.
OF THE 163 CASES HANDLED. 84 OR MORE THAN HALF WERE SUCCESSFULLY DEALT WITH, WHILE 54 WERE UNSUCCESSFUL DUE TO CONFLICT WITH EXISTING GOVERNMENT POLICIES.
/TWBJTY-FIVE CASES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1984
TWENTY-FIVE CASES ARE STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION OR INVtSTIGATION BY DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
-It SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.
THERE ARE NOW FOUR CENTRES, EACH OPENING ONCE A WEEK FROM 8 PR TO 10 PM, AT NGAU TAU KOK, SAU MAU PING, LAM TIN AND TING HONG: FOP BOARD MEMBERS TO MEET THE PUBLIC.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID BOARD MEMBERS ALSO VISITED SOME OF THEIR CLIENTS AFTER THE INTERVIEW SESSION AS PART OF THE FOLLOW-UP ACTION before referring the cases to departments for necessary ACTION.
IN ADDITION, THEY ALSO VISITED LOCAL ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS MJTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO TAKS NOTE OF DISTRICT PROBLEMS, OBTAIN LOCAL VIEWS ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PUBLICISE THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MEET BOARD MEMBERS CAN MAKE APPOINTMENTS AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES OR TELEPHONING 3-416315.
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BOARD TO HEAR ABOUT FOOTBRIDGE PLANS
MOM
WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE INFORMED ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9) OF CONSTRUCTION PLANS FOR A NEW SYSTEM OF PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGES ALONG LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THREE NEW FOOTBRIDGES IN CHUK YUEN AND MA CHAI HANG TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH BETTER ACCESS TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION, THE LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE AND THE NEW TRACK AND FIELD GROUND.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE DOLLUTION PROBLEM OF THE KAI TAK NULLAH.
ALSO TABLED WILL BE THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REVISED CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME 1983-1988 WHICH DETAILS THE PRESENT POSITION AND PRIORITY GRANTED TO PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE GAS INCIDENT IN A SAN PO KONG FACTORY LAST YEAR, WHILE A LANDS DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE WILL EXPLAIN THE EXISTING POLICY FOR THE GRANTING OF LEASE MODIFICATIONS TO PERMIT THE OPERATION OF FACTORY CANTEENS IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1984
5
SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX FOR TUEN MUN
* *
*
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AT TUEN MUN.
THE COMPLEX WILL BE BUILT ON A 3.5 HECTARE SITE CLOSE TO THE TEMPORARY HOVERFERRY PIER.
THE CONTRACT TERMS INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF A STANDARD-SIZE MAIN POOL TWO PADDLING POOLS, AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING WITH A STAND FOR SPECTATORS AND CHANGING ROOM FACILITIES, FOUR SQUASH COURTS, A TOILET BLOCK WITH PROVISION FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
WHEN COMPLETED THE COMPLEX WILL HELP EASE THE DEMAND FOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN TUEN MUN.
THE PRESENT POPULATION OF TUEN MUN IS OVER 190 000 AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT BY THE EARLY 199O’S IT WILL REACH MORE THAN 500 000.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN MARCH AND BE COMPLETED BY JUNE, 1986.
THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR MANAGEMENT UPON COMPLETION.
STUDENT RADIOGRAPHERS TO RECEIVE DIPLOMA ft ft ft ft
NINETEEN STUDENT RADIOGRAPHERS WHO HAVE PASSED THE DIPLOMA EXAMINATION OF THE U.K. COLLEGE OF RADIOGRAPHERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMAS AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9) AT 4.30 PM.
DR S.F. LAM, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY AT THE INSTITUTE OF RADIOLOGY AND l COLOGY AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL.
THE STUDENT RADIOGRAPHERS HAVE COMPLETED THREE YEARS IN-SERVICE TRAINING AT THE INSTITUTE. THE TRAINING PROGRAMME INCLUDES ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY, HOSPITAL PRACTICE, PATIENT CARE, GENERAL PHYSICS, RADIOTHERAPY TECHNIQUE AND RADIATION PHYSICS.
AFTER COMPLETING THE COURSE, THEY WILL BE DEPLOYED TO WORK IN VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE RADIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT.
CERTIFICATES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED TO FIVE STUDENT MOULD LABORATORY TECHNICIANS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THREE YEARS TRAINING AT THE INSTITUTE.
----o-----
/6 ...............
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1984
6
VIEWS OF OLD FOLK TO BE SOUGHT * *
*
ABOUT 300 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS WILL MAKE LUNAR YEAR END VISITS ND DISTRIBUTE GIFTS TO 700 SENIOR CITIZENS IN KOWLOON ITY TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
WORKING IN PAIRS, THE STUDENTS FROM 20 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL SO CONDUCT A SURVEY AMONG THE OLD PEOPLE WHO ARE AGED 70 ND ABOVE.
THEY WILL HELP THE OLD FOLK TO COMPLETE A SIMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE ABOUT THEIR FAMILY LIFE, OCCUPATION, EXPECTATION OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY RECEIVE ANY INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WILL BE PASSED ON TO RELEVANT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
BEFORE STARTING THE HOME VISITS, THE VOLUNTEERS WILL EACH RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION IN THE LOK SIN TONG PRIMARY SCHOOL.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, SAID THE VISITS WILL GIVE THE OLD PEOPLE A FEELING OF COMMUNITY GOODWILL AND SPIRIT AT THE END OF THE LUNAR YEAR.
MR GARCIA AND MR HUI IN-YING, CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE AND RECREATION OF THE ELDERLY, WILL ALSO VISIT AND PRESENT RED PACKETS TO THE THREE OLDEST PEOPLE AMONG THE 700 SENIOR CITIZENS, MADAM YUEN KAU (95), MADAM LIU MAN-CHING (93) AND MADAM WU YEE-MUI (93).
- - - - 0 ---------
JOINT EFFORT TO CLEAN UP YUE WAN * *
*
LOCAL RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL JOIN HANDS TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO CLEAN UP YUE WAN ESTATE IN CHAI WAN.
AFTER A BRIEF CEREMONY OPENING ’CLEAN-UP DAY IN YUE WAN,’ THE CFFICIATING GUESTS, INCLUDING URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, AND AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, hfi CHAN YING-LUN WILL ALSO HELP TIDY UP OPEN AREAS IN THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.
THE EFFORT IS PART OF A TWO-MONTH MULTI-PURPOSE CAMPAIGN BEGUN LAST MONTH TO GET RESIDENTS TO KEEP THE ESTATE CLEAN, TO BE ON THE ALERT FOR FIRE HAZARDS AND BURGLARY RISKS. AND NOT TO THRO*
OBJECTS FROM BUILDINGS.
/CAMPAlR activities ..............
SA" Y. JANUARY 7, 1984
CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE DISTRIBUTION OF EDUCATIONAL -MPHLETS, BROADCASTING OF CRIME PREVENTION MESSAGES BY POLICE /ANS, A SEMINAR AND CLEAN UP COMPETITIONS.
TOMORROW’S CLEAN-UP DRIVE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TOUR OF THE 3TATE Y A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS TO SELECT THE CLEANEST BLOCK AND “HE CLEANEST FLAT.
LATER IN THE DAY, FIRE SERVICES OFFICERS WILL DEMONSTRATE TO ,ESIDENTS THE PROPER USE OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENTS.
THE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE ESTATE’S MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, SCHOOLS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, AI.D VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
CLEAN UP FOR SQUATTER AREA ft ft ft ft
CHING MAN VILLAGE IN SO KON PO — WAN CHAI’S LARGEST SQUATTER AREA — WILL HAVE A FACELIFT TOMORROW (SUNDAY), WHEN MORE THAN IDO LOCAL STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS TAKE PART iN A YEAR-END CLEAN UP EXERCISE.
THE OPERATION WILL INCLUDE THE CLEANING OF PUBLIC AREAS SUCH AS PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS, STAIRCASES, AND SITTING-OUT AREAS, IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, SOLDIERS AND SAILORS CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE, AND THE WAN CHAI URBAN SERVICES OFFICE.
THERE WILL BE A BRIEF OPENING CEREMONY BY SEVERAL COMMUNITY LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT 9 AM AT THE HONG KONG STADIUM CAR PARK BEFORE THE CLEAN UP STARTS.
LEGAL YEAR OPENING TRAFFIC PLAN ft ft ft ft
EDINBURGH PLACE EAST BETWEEN HMS TAMAR AND QUEEN’S PIER WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 2.30 PM TO 8 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9) IN CONNECTION WITH THE CEREMONIAL OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR 1984.
THE RESTRICTION DOES NOT APPLY TO MAXICABS REQUIRING ACCESS TO LOCAL STANDS AND VEHICLES PROCEEDING TO AND FROM HMS TAMAR.
THE CEREMONY WILL ALSO INVOLVE CLOSURE OF CITY HALL CAR PARK FROM 3 PM TO 8 PM.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1984
-. - 8 , - ’
BEACH KIOSKS OFFERED * *
*
1-NDERS ARE INVITED FOR THE SALE OF LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AND THE ERECTION OF TENTS FOR HIRE TO THE PUBLIC AT LIDO AND CASAM BEACHES IN TSUEN WAN, AND HAP MUN BAY BEACH IN SAI KUNG.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE KIOSK AT HAP MUN BAY BEACH INCLUDES TIE PROVISION OF CHANGING FACILITIES, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS CAN START THEIR BUSINESS ON APRIL 1 UNTIL NOVEMBER 30, 1986.
TENDER FORMS FOR THE CONTRACT FOR THE KIOSKS AT LIDO AND CASAM BEACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF FAR EAST BANKING BUILDING, 135 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
TRADERS WHO WISH TO RUN THE KIOSK AT HAP MUN BAY BEACH CAN OBTAIN A TENDER FORM AT THE SAI KUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE AT FIRST FLOOR, 69 MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG.
TENDER FORMS FOR THE CONTRACTS AT LIDO AND CASAM BEACHES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON JANUARY 27 (FRIDAY) WHILE THAT OF THE HAP MUN BAY MUST BE RETURNED BEFORE NOON FEBRUARY 10 (FRIDAY).
INTERESTED BIDDERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-444281 OR THE SAI KUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 3-2813707 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
- 0 ------------
EMSD FUN FAIR FOR 6 000
* *
*
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL FUN FAIR AT CAROLINE HILL ROAD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) WHICH 6 000 STAFF AND FAMILY MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.
THE FAIR. TO BE HELD AT THE EMSD HONG KONG WORKSHOP COMPOUND, IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE EMSD STAFF CLUB.
IT WILL FEATURE 17 GAMES STALLS, A BEST STALL COMPETITION, A FLOWER SHOW COMPETITION, SINGING PERFORMANCES BY STAFF OF THE EMSD AND DISPLAYS BY THE TAI TAM GIRL PIPERS AND MARCHING TEAM.
THE GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, hfl MICHAEL HUTTON, WHO IS PRESIDENT OF THE STAFF CLUB, WILL OFFICIATE AT A RAFFLE DRAW AND PRESENT PRIZES AND SOUVENIRS TO WINNERS OF VARIOUS COMPETITIONS AND TO THOSE PARTICIPATING.
THE FAIR WILL BE HELD FROM 10.30 AM TO 4 PM.
- 0 ------------
/9 ....................
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1984
-
9 -
SLIP ROAD CLOSURE * *
M
FJOM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 9), THE SLIP ROAD OFF COTTON TREE jRIVE LEADING TO THE CAR PARK NEAR ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR 60 DAYS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON COTTON TREE DRIVE SOUTHBOUND 30CEDI TO THE CAR PARK WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KENNEDY ROAD ESTBuUNu, FROM WHICH THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO THE .LlP ROAD LEADING TO THE CAR PARK.
-
- 0 --------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR PHILIP TO OPEN SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND .......................................................... 1
WATER CONTRACTS WORTH 331OM AWARDED IN 1983 ................................................ 2
OCTOBER RETAIL SALES VALUE INDEX UP ......................................................................... b
ANTI-RAT DRIVE STEPPED UP ......................................................................................................... 7
PROJECT SPREADS HEALTH EDUCATION AMONG SCHOOLS ....................................... 8
SEAT BELT SIGNS PUT UP ................................................................................................................... 9
ROAD SAFETY ALERT IN KOWLOON CITY ................................................................................ 9
CLEAN-UP DRIVE STARTS IN SQUATTER AREAS ............................................................. 10
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR KIOSKS ......................................................................................................... 11
FISHERFOLK TO BE ALERTED AGAINST CRIME ................................................................ 11
LRS SETS UP BRANCH OFFICE ......................................................................................................... 12
TRAFFIC BAN TO BE LIFTED ............................................................................................................ 12
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
1
SIR PHILIP TO OPEN SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND * *
*
*
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE NEWLY COMPLETED SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND AT 3 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10).
THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND COMPLETES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ON AN 8.2-HECTARE STRIP OF LAND ON THE WATERFRONT OF THE NORTHERN BANK OF SHING MUN RIVER. THE FACILITIES WILL ENABLE THE RESIDENTS TO SWIM, PLAY TENNIS, SQUASH, FOOTBALL, MINI-SOCCER, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL AND TO TAKE PART IN ATHLETIC EVENTS.
THE FACILITIES ARE LOCATED ACROSS THE WAY FROM TWO LARGE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES - LEK YUEN AND WO CHE AT THE HEART OF THE NEW TOWN.
THE NEW SPORTS GROUND ITSELF COVERS 3.2 HECTARES, AND COSTS ABOUT $2.5 MILLION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE SPORTS GROUND HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE NTSD FOR MANAGEMENT.
THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE SPORTS GROUND IS A FULL-SIZE SOCCER FIELD, WITH GRASS CHOSEN TO STAND UP TO HEAVY USE.
AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT AND A SPECIALLY DESIGNED DRAINAGE SYSTEM HAVE BEEN INSTALLED THERE TO HELP MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF THE TURF.
SURROUNDING THE SOCCER PITCH IS A 400-METRE ALL-WEATHER ATHLETIC TRACK WITH EIGHT LANES. A FULL RANGE OF FACILITIES FOR SHOT PUTTING, DISCUS AND JAVELIN THROWING, HIGH JUMPING, POLE VAULTING AND LONG AND TRIPLE JUMPING ARE ALSO PROVIDED.
FLOODLIGHTING HAS ALSO BEEN INSTALLED.
THERE IS A COVERED SPECTATOR STAND FOR 3 000 PEOPLE, AS WELL AS AN OFFICE BUILDING, TOILETS AND CHANGING ROOMS WITH HOT AND COLD WATER SHOWERS.
SIR PHILIP WILL PERFORM THE OPENING CEREMONY ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10) AT 3 PM.
WITH SIR PHILIP AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES AND THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD.
/ALSO PRESSNT.................
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
2
ALSO PRESENT WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF SHA TIN, MR DONALD TSANG, THE CHAIRMAN OF RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR NG CHAN-LAM, THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR WAI HON-LEUNG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR LAU HON-KIT.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, OF THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND AT 3 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 13).
A COACH WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 2 PM ON TUESDAY. INFORMATION OFFICERS OF THE NTSD WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
- - - - 0 - -___
WATER CONTRACTS WORTH $31OM AWARDED IN 1983 ft *
*
N
FORTY-SEVEN CONTRACTS VALUED AT NEARLY 1310 MILLION WERE AWARDED BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR TO IMPROVE HONG KONG’S WATER SUPPLY.
THEY INCLUDEDi
A S56.8-MILLION CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
YAU KOM TAU TREATMENT WORKS STAGE I;
A S17.4-MILLION CONTRACT FOR A SERVICE RESERVOIR AT TABLE HILL, SHEUNG SHU I;
A S9-MILLI0N CONTRACT FOR BUILDING A SERVICE RESERVOIR AT NORTH POINT, AND
A $6—MILLION CONTRACT FOR A PUMPING STATION AND MAIN LAYING WORK AT SHEUNG SHUI.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID SEVEN NEW PROJECTS ESTIMATED TO COST $158 MILLION WERE GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD IN 1983-84.
AMONG THEM WERE STAGE I OF THE JUNK BAY WATER SUPPLY SCHEME, WATER SUPPLY TO SOUTH LANTAO, AND STAGE I OF THE PAK KONG TREATMENT WORKS AND WATER TRANSFER FACILITIES.
ALTOGETHER EIGHT CONTRACTS TOTALLING $33.64 MILLION WERE AWARDED DURING THE YEAR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE NEW PROJECTS.
A NUMBER OF MAJOR WATERWORKS SCHEMES WERE ALSO COMPLETED DURING THE YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/ONE OF...............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
3
ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WAS THE LAMMA ISLAND SCHEME, INAUGURATED IN OCTOBER.
THIS >47 MILLION PROJECT COMPRISED TWO SUBMARINE MAINS RUNNING FROM SANDY BAY AND WAH FU ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO LAMMA ISLAND, HE SAID.
WATER WAS DRAWN FROM THE MOUNT DAVIS SERVICE RESERVOIR SYSTEM VIA THE TWO SUBMARINE MAINS TO TWO SERVICE RESERVOIRS ON THE ISLAND.
AS A RESULT, FILTERED SUPPLY WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO 15 OF THE ISLAND'S 19 VILLAGES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ANOTHER PROJECT COMPLETED DURING THE YEAR WAS A THIRD CROSS-HARBOUR PIPELINE.
THE NEW TWIN 1 OOO MILLIMETRE DIAMETER SUBMARINE MAIN RUNS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI TO WAN CHAI WATERFRONT AND HAS BOOSTED TRANSFER CAPACITY FROM KOWLOON TO HONG KONG ISLAND BY 180 000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY, GIVING A COMBINED DAILY CAPACITY OF MORE THAN 500 000 CUBIC METRES.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE COMING YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID FURTHER CONTRACTS AMOUNTING TO >100 MILLION ON NEW PROJECTS WHICH HAD STARTED THIS YEAR WOULD BE AWARDED.
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, PROJECTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE RECEPTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA WERE PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY.
THE ENTIRE SCHEME, TO BE COMPLETED IN THREE STAGES, WOULD RAISE SUPPLY FROM CHINA TO 620 MILLION CUBIC METRES A YEAR OVER A 12-YEAR PERIOD UNTIL 1994, HE SAID.
WORK ON STAGE I COMPRISED 12 MAJOR CONTRACTS WORTH >724.5 MILLION, FIVE OF WHICH WERE COMPLETED DURING THE YEAR.
TWO CONTRACTS WERE COMPLETED IN PREVIOUS YEARS AND ONLY FIVE CONTRACTS REMAIN OUTSTANDING IN STAGE I.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE INCLUDE A LARGE DIAMETER AQUEDUCT SYSTEM FROM MUK WU TO TAI LAM CHUNG COSTING OVER >220 MILLION. WHEN COMPLETED IT WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CAPACITY OF 910 000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY TO THE WESTERN REGION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ANOTHER MAJOR CONTRACT FOR STAGE I WAS IN CONNECTION WITH CONSTRUCTION OF A 5 200-METRE LONG TUNNEL OF 2^5 METRES DIAMETER FROM TSING TAM TO YAU KOM TAU, AS WELL AS SITE FORMATION WORK FOR YAU KOM TAU TREATMENT WORKS.
THE TUNNEL BREAKTHROUGH WAS ACHIEVED IN NOVEMBER AND WORK ON CONCRETE LINING OF THE TUNNEL HAS STARTED. THE >105 MILLION CONTRACT WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1984.
/IN ADDITION.................
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
IN ADDITION, WORK ON STAGE II OF THE CHINA WATER SUPPLY SCHEME IS ALSO SCHEDULED TO START THIS YEAR, FOR COMPLETION IN 1987.
STAGE II OF THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST >725 MILLION. A S21.6-MILLION CONTRACT HAS ALREADY BEEN AWARDED IN 1983 FOR THE LAYING OF A PIPELINE FROM SHEUNG SHU I TO TAU PASS.
OTHER MAJOR WORKS WILL INVOLVE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUMPING STATIONS AT PLOVER COVE AND AN AQUEDUCT BETWEEN PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR AND PAK KONG. ALSO AN AQUEDUCT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED FROM TAI PO TAU TO NGAU TAM MEI.
- - 0 -
OCTOBER RETAIL SALES VALUE INDEX UP M M M M
THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES FOR THE RETAIL TRADE SECTOR IN OCTOBEk 1983 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $5 084 MILLION, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS ISSUED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AT 150, THE OVERALL RETAIL SALES VALUE INDEX INCREASED BY SIX POINTS OR FOUR PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1983, AND BY 20 POINTS OR 15 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1982.
THE OVERALL RETAIL SALES VOLUME INDEX, AT 107, WAS ONE POINT OR ONE PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT FOR SEPTEMBER 1983, AND TWO POINTS OR TWO PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT FOR OCTOBER 1982.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1983, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 21 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS AND 19 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS, WHILE THOSE OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY EIGHT PER CENT AND FIVE PER CENT, AND FUELS BY EIGHT PER CENT AND TWO PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES REMAINED UNCHANGED IN VALUE TERMS, BUT DECLINED BY SIX PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. THE VALUE AND VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO DECREASED BY SEVEN PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1982, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS ROSE BY 23 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS, THOSE OF CONSUMER DURABLES BY 19 PER CENT, OTHER CONSUMER GOODS BY 16 PER CENT, FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO BY 13 PER CENT, AND CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS BY FIVE PER CENT. IN VOLUME TERMS, FUELS AND CONSUMER DURABLES EACH INCREASED BY FOUR PER CENT AND OTHER CONSUMER GOODS BY THREE PER CENT. THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO, AND CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS EACH WENT DOWN BY TWO PER CENT.
/ANALYSED BY
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
5
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, DEPARTMENT STORE SALES INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1983. SUPERMARKETS, ON THE OTHER HAND, RECORDED SUBSTANTIAL DECREASES IN BOTH THE VALUE AND THE VOLUME OF SALES. MOTOR VEHICLES ALSO RECORDED LARGE DECREASES IN SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1982, SUPERMARKET SALES INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN VALUE TERMS BUT TO A LESSER EXTENT IN VOLUME TERMS. DEPARTMENT STORES SHOWED A LARGE INCREASE IN SALES VALUE BUT ONLY A SLIGHT RISE IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES DROPPED IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1983 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR OCTOBER 1983 OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES. TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES IN 1980 TAKEN AS 100. COMPARISONS OF THE OCTOBER RESULTS WITH THOSE OF THE PRECEDING MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1982 ARE ALSO GIVEN. ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, TEL. NO.i 3-7216024.
TABLE 1 i TOTAL RETAUT SALES
TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR OCTOBER 1983 {PROVISIONAL FIGURE) -
HKS5 084 MILLION
FOR SEPTEMBER 1983 (REVISED FIGURE)
HK$4 892 MILLION
TABLE 2 I VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 1983
INDEX OF RETAIL
(MONTHLY
SEPTEMBER
AVERAGE OF 1980 - 100)
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 1983
COMPARED WITH
OCTOBER 1983
COMPARED
W 1 Tri
ITEM
SALES
1983
1983
SEPTEMBER
1983
OCTOBER
1982
(A)
FOR ALL RETAIL
(REVISED FIGURES)
(PROVISIONAL FIGURES)
POINTS
%
POINTS
%
TRADES
VALUE
144
150
6
4
20
15
VOLUME
106
107
1
1
2
2
/(B) by ..............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
(B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS
FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC
DR INKS AND TOBACCO VALUE VOLUME
160
108
149
97
-11
-11
-7 -10
17 -2
13
-2
FUELS
VALUE
VOLUME
184
123
198
125
14
2
8 2
37
5
23 4
CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS
1
VALUE VOLUME
131
97
158
115
27
18
21
19
7 -2
5
-2
CONSUMER DURABLES
VALUE VOLUME
126
102
126
96
SAME -6
SAME -6
20
4
19
4
OTHER CONSUMER
GOODS
VALUE VOLUME
142
108
154
113
12
5
8 5
21 3
16
3
(C) BY SELECTED TRADES
SUPER-MARKETS
VALUE VOLUME
269 183
229
147
-40
-36
-15
-20
49 9
27
7
MOTOR VEHICLES
VALUE
VOLUME
65
43
59
38
-6
-5
-12
-5
-8
-19
DEPART-MENT STORES
VALUE
VOLUME
120
91
146
107
26
16
22
18
20 3
16
3
NOTES i 1.
.FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC
.SUPERMARKETS*
DRINKS AND
TOBACCO*
INCLUDES
2.
+CONSUMER DURABLES INCLUDES MOTOR VEHICLES
*
*
*
3.
+OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCLUDES +DEPARTMENT STORES
*
*
_ - O - -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
1
ANTI-RAT DRIVE STEPPED UP * *
*
*
MORE THAN 60 000 RATS WERE EXTERMINATED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS.
AND A MONTH-LONG ANTI-RAT EXERCISE IS NOW UNDERWAY, COINCIDING WITH THE YEAR-END CLEAN-UP IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID TODAY.
IT IS AIMED AT REDUCING RODENT INFESTATION SO AS TO PROVIDE A MORE PLEASANT LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE RESIDENTS AND TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH AGAINST DISEASES WHICH MAY BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH RATS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
LAST YEAR. NTSD CARRIED OUT SOME 1 800 BLOCK DISINFESTATION OR HOLE-BAITING JOBS IN THE WAR AGAINST RATS THROUGHOUT THE NEW TOWNS AND RURAL AREAS.
RATS NOT ONLY CARRY DISEASES AND CAUSE FOOD POISONING, BUT ALSO DAMAGE GOODS AND PROPERTIES, HE SAID.
NTSll OFFICERS ARE NOW INSPECTING ALL POSSIBLE RODENT BREEDING PLACES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, IN THE EFFORT TO REDUCE THE MENACE.
TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE RAT PROBLEM, POSTERS, PAMPHLETS AND LETTERS ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES. MANAGEMENT OFFICES OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, FOOD ESTABLISHMENT OPERATORS AND HOUSEHOLDERS.
WHILE IT IS RECOGNISED THAT THE RAT MENACE CANNOT BE ELIMINATED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN TO REDUCE THE PROBLEM.
THE BEST METHOD TO STOP THEM FROM BREEDING IS TO KEEP ALL FOOD IN RAT-PROOF CONTAINERS AND LEAVE NO REFUSE AROUND.
IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT NOT TO ALLOW RATS TO MAKE HOMES IN HOLES IN FLOORS, DUCTS FOR PIPES OR WIRING IN FLOORS OR WALLS, VENTILATION OPENINGS, YARDS AND GARDENS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
+A BUILDING THAT IS CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED KEEPS THE RATS AWAY,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ENCOUNTER RAT NUISANCE ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICE IN THEIR DISTRICT FOR ASSISTANCE. AND ADVICE.
-----------o-----------
/8...............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
8
PROJECT SPREADS HEALTH * *
EDUCATION AMONG SCHOOLS *
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
IT IS HOPED THAT TEACHERS WILL TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF PUPILS TO MATTERS RELATED TO PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, FOOD HYGIENE, MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISERS SAID, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS MAY FEATURE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING THEMES IN THEIR PROJECTSi
M MOSQUITO PREVENTION AND YOUR HEALTH ;
* MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING? AND
* FOOD SAFETY AND YOUR HEALTH.
APART FROM A SUBSIDY OF $200 PROVIDED FOR EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL FOR PURCHASE OF ART MATERIALS, PRIZE RANGING FROM $700 TO $1 800 AND TROPHIES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE FIRST FIVE WINNING SCHOOLS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE 10 MERIT PRIZES OF $500 EACH, PROVIDED THAT THERE ARE SUFFICIENT ENTRIES AND THAT THE JUDGES ARE OF THE OPINION THAT THE STANDARD OF THE PROJECT IS SUFFICIENTLY HIGH TO MERIT THE AWARD. A SPECIAL PRIZE FOR THE +BEST ARTWORK DESIGN+ WILL ALSO BE AWARDED IN THE FORM OF A TROPHY.
SCHOOLS WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THIS COMPETITION SHOULD SEND IN THEIR ENTRY FORMS TO THE INSPECTOR, SOCIAL STUDIES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 5/F, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG BEFORE FEBRUARY 16.
THEIR PROJECT DISPLAY SHOULD BE PUT UP IN THEIR SCHOOL BETWEEN MARCH 1 AND 9 FOR ADJUDICATION.
A JOINT EXHIBITION OF THE PRIZE-WINNING PROJECTS WILL BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL FROM MARCH 29 TO APRIL 1.
TEACHERS OR SCHOOL HEADS WHO HAVE ANY QUERIES CAN CONTACT THE INSPECTOR (SOCIAL STUDIES AND HEALTH EDUCATION) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON 5-8392497 OR THE HEALTH INSPECTOR (HEALTH EDUCATION) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON 5-729361 EXT. 35.
/9
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
SEAT BELT SIGNS PUT UP M *
*
A NUMBER OF SPECIAL SEAT BELT SIGNS HAVE RECENTLY APPEARED AT THE EXITS OF GOVERNMENT CARPARKS.
THE SIGNS HAVE BEEN PUT UP TO REMIND DRIVERS TO WEAR SEAT BELTS.
THE NEWLY DESIGNED SIGN IS DISTINGUISHED BY A SYMBOLIC WHITE SEAT BELT ON A BLUE BACKGROUND, WITH A RED ARROW POINTING AT THE BUCKLE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY COMMITTEE POINTED OUT THAT THE SIGN WHICH CLEARLY CONVEYS THE MESSAGE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT WAS SO DESIGNED THAT IT COULD BE EASILY RECOGNISED AND UNDERSTOOD BY DRIVERS.
HE SAID, +THE SHAPE AND COLOUR ARE MODELLED ON THE RECTANGULAR ROAD SIGNS USED IN HONG KONG WHICH ARE USUALLY OF AN INFORMATIVE NATURE.*
.THE SIGN IS PRODUCED IN REFLECTIVE MATERIALS SPONSORED BY THE 3M FAR EAST CO. LTD. AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE, SO THAT IT WILL BE VISIBLE EVEN IN DARK CORNERS OF THE CARPARKS,*
HE ADDED.
OVER 800 SEAT BELT SIGNS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED AND WILL BE ERECTED DURING THE COMING WEEKS AT GOVERNMENT PREMISES WITH PARKING FACILITIES, INCLUDING HOUSING ESTATES, POLICE STATIONS, PARKS, STADIA AND HOSPITALS.
ROAD SAFETY ALERT IN KOWLOON CITY XXX
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, THE MAIN THEME OF LARGE SCALE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNS DURING THE YEAR, IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN A DENSELY POPULATED DISTRICT LIKE KOWLOON CITY, THE DISTRICT OFFICER. NR GORDON JONES, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN, HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE 8 477 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN KOWLOON LAST YEAR AND THAT 1 829 OF THEM OCCURRED IN KOWLOON CITY, CAUSING 20 DEATHS.
.I THINK THAT THESE FIGURES SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES,*
HE SAID.
+THE GOVERNMENT IS CERTAINLY VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LARGE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AND WILL DO ALL IT CAN TO REDUCE THESE FIGURES.*
MR JONES SAID ROAD SAFETY WILL CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE MAIN CONSIDERATIONS WHEN TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT MATTERS ARE DISCUSSED AT DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS.
IN ADDITION, THE POLICE WILL INCREASE THEIR EFFORTS OVER THE COMING YEAR BOTH THROUGH EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT TO HELP REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, HE ADDED.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
10
TODAY’S OPENING FEATURED A DEMONSTRATION BY POLICE DOGS ON PROPER PEDESTRIAN PRACTICES, AN EXHIBITION OF ACCIDENT PHOTOGRAPHS, DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE SEAT BELT CONVINCER, VISION TEST VEHICLE AND REACTION TEST MACHINE. PERFORMANCES WERE ALSO ORGANISED BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL, CAPTAIN SAFETY AND GURKHA FIELD FORCE.
OTHER ACTIVITIES DURING THE TWO-WEEK CAMPAIGN WHICH IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL INCLUDE A ROAD SAFETY DAY, SELECTION OF MODEL PEDESTRIANS AND A SLOGAN CONTEST.
*| HOPE THAT THE PUBLICITY GIVEN DURING THE CAMPAIGN WILL ALERT RESIDENTS TO THE NEED TO BE CAREFUL AT ALL THE TIMES ON THE ROADS,+ MR JONES SAID.
.WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN GENERAL THE CAMPAIGN WILL DO MUCH TO SPREAD THE ROAD MESSAGE IN THE DISTRICT.*
-----------o-----------
CLEAN-UP DRIVE STARTS IN SQUATTER AREAS * *
M *
A MASSIVE CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN LAUNCHED IN SIX SQUATTER AREAS AT WONG TAI SIN TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR MORE THAN 30 000 RESIDENTS THERE.
ABOUT 120 LOCAL VOLUNTEERS, ASSISTED BY URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S CLEANING STAFF, STARTED THE CAMPAIGN TODAY (SUNDAY) BY CLEANING THE ALLEYS AND PUBLIC AREAS IN TAI HOM VILLAGE.
OFFICIATING AT AN OPENING CEREMONY, THE DISTRICT OFFICER PHILIP CHOK, SAID THIS YEAR’S CLEAN-UP MESSAGE WAS MAINLY DIRECTED AT SQUATTER RESIDENTS TO AROUSE THEIR AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS.
+BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL CONDITION AND RECENT POPULATION GROWTH IN SQUATTER AREAS, THERE IS A STRONG NEED TO STEP UP PUBLICITY EFFORTS TO EDUCATE RESIDENTS ON THE PROPER WAYS TO DISPOSE OF REFUSE AND JUNKS, TO MAINTAIN THE STANDARD OF HYGIENE AND CLEANLINESS THERE,*
HE ADDED.
IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS AND PUBLICITY DRIVES WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE SIX SQUATTER AREAS: TAI HOM, HA YUEN LING. MAN KUK, NGAU CHI WAN, TAI KOON AND HEUNG YEUNG VILLAGES.
RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPOSE OF THEIR UNWANTED HOUSEHOLD ITEMS SUCH AS OLD FURNITURE AND OTHER JUNKS.
LATER THIS MONTH, THERE WILL ALSO BE A PRIVATE BUILDING CLEANLINESS COMPETITION AND A YEAR-END CLEAN-UP IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AS PART OF THE WONG TAI SIN CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN WHICH IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.
------------o---------------
/11 ....................
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
11
TENDERS SOUGHT FOR KIOSKS M K M M
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE OPERATION OF LIGHT REFRESHMENTS KIOSKS AT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT SAI KUNG TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND, PAK SHA CHAU BEACH, CAMPER’S BEACH AND KIU TSUI BEACH IN SAI KUNG.
THE CONTRACTS FOR THE KIOSKS AT PAK SHA CHAU BEACH AND CAMPER’S BEACH INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF CHANGING FACILITIES, WHILE THE CONTRACT AT KIU TSUI BEACH INCLUDES THE ERECTION OF TENTS FOR HIRE TO THE PUBLIC AND PROVISION OF CHANGING FACILITIES.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MAY START BUSINESS ON APRIL 1, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
TENDER FORMS FOR THE FOUR CONTRACTS MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE SAI KUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON FIRST FLOOR, 69 MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG, AND THE COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE FEBRUARY 10 (FRIDAY).
INTERESTED PARTIES MAY ALSO CONTACT THE SAI KUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 3-2813707 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
FISHERFOLK TO BE ALERTED AGAINST CRIME M *
*
*
A PUBLICITY DRIVE, AIMED AT ALERTING FISHING FAMILIES ABOUT THE NEED FOR CRIME PREVENTION IN THE ABERDEEN TYPHOON SHELTER, WILL BE LAUNCHED DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD.
THERE IS A SPECIAL NEED FOR SUCH A CAMPAIGN AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR BECAUSE ALL FISHING BOATS WILL STAY IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, SAID THE SOUTHERN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDWARD YAU.
.SIMILAR EXERCISE HELD IN PREVIOUS YEARS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER WERE CONSIDERED USEFUL AND BY THE FISHERMEN AND ALL PARTIES CONCERNED FELT THAT IT SHOULD BE CONTINUED THIS YEAR,+ HE ADDED.
THE ANNUAL EVENT IS A JOINT EFFORT OF LOCAL FISHERMEN ORGANISATIONS, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND POLICE.
LAUNCHES WILL BE TOURING ABERDEEN HARBOUR TO BROADCAST CRIME PREVENTION MESSAGES AND PUBLICITY POSTERS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL FISHING OR DWELLING BOATS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER.
A SEMINAR WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED FOR OFFICIALS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO BRIEF FISHERMEN ON CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES AND DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT SERVICES AVAILABLE TO HELP THEM.
------------0-----------
/12.............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 1984
12
LRS SETS UP BRANCH OFFICE * ft *
THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A BRANCH OFFICE IN KWAI CHUNG TO SERVE THE AREAS OF KAU WAH KENG, HA KWAI CHUNG, TSING CHAU, THE CONTAINER TERMINAL, KWAI CHUNG, KWAI FONG, KWAI HING, KWAI SHING, SHEK LEI AND SHEK YAM.
SITUATED ON THE 6TH FLOOR OF KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, THE OFFICE WILL START OPERATION TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRIES IS 0-234496.
TRAFFIC BAN TO BE LIFTED ft ft ft
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10), THE EXISTING BUS-ONLY LANE ON SHAU KEI WAN ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN TAI HONG STREET AND TAI ON STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR ABOUT THREE AND A HALF MONTHS TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK WORK.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1984-
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
OCTOBER PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE ....................... 1
BLENDING THE OLD AND THE NEW ................................................................................................... 5
DISTRICT BOARD EFFORTS PRAISED ............................................................................................. 6
NEED FOR TRAINING STRESSED ......................................................................................................... 7
EXHIBITION ON MORAL EDUCATION ............................................... 7
NEW FIRE STATION FOR SHUN LEE ESTATE .......................................................................... 8
DIPLOMAS FOR STUDENT RADIOGRAPHERS ................................................................................ 9
YUEN LONG HOLDING LONG DISTANCE RUN ............................................................................. 9
TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND BEING BUILT ............................................................................................ 10
WATER FIGURES ....................................................................................................................................................... 10
SALT WATER MAINS WORK
10
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1984
1
OCTOBER PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE * *
*
*
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH ROSE, ON AVERAGE, BY 17 PER CENT SO THAT, FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES WERE ALSO UP BY 17 PER CENT IN OCTOBER 1983, AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1982, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MEANWHILE, THE PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 19 PER CENT.
AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF THE TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX) DROPPED BY ONE PER CENT.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 26 PER CENT AND THAT CF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 36 PER CENT SO THAT A 29 PER CENT INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS.
MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 22 PER CENT.
SINCE THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND OF RE-EXPORTS BOTH INCREASED BY EIGHT PER CENT IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1983 OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF 1982, DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH GREW BY 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
AS THE PRICES OF IMPORTS WERE 11 PER CENT HIGHER OVER THE SAME PERIOD, IMPORTS RECORDED AN EIGHT PER CENT GROWTH IN VOLUME TERMS.
COMPARISON OF THE 12 MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1983 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1982, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS ROSE, ON AVERAGE, BY SEVEN PER CENT, EIGHT PER CENT AND NINE PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT, THUS GIVING AN 11 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS.
MEANWHILE, A SEVEN PER CENT INCREASE WAS ALSO RECORDED 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 CHANGES IN THE VALUE. UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
/AS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1984
2
AS SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE EXPORT PRICES OF ALL COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED, FROM ONE PER CENT FOR FOOTWEAR TO 28 PER CENT FOR METAL ORES AND SCRAP.
DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+131 PER CENT), ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+84 PER CENT), DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+71 PER CENT) AND TEXTILE FABRICS (+57 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORT PRICES OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED, RANGING FROM 14 PER CENT FOR FUELS TO 20 PER CENT FOR BOTH RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES AND CONSUMER GOODS.
MANY OF THE MAJOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED IN VOLUME TERMS, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD, VEGETABLES, FRUIT, MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS AND TEA AND COFFEE.
HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES, LIVE POULTRY AND SUGAR DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
IN THE CONSUMER GOODS CATEGORY, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY, TOBACCO MANUFACTURES, MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS AND CLOTHING.
HOWEVER. SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR PASSENGER MOTOR CARS AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE. AMONG THEM MAN-MADE FIBRES, SILK FABRICS, THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS, PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS AND YARN OF MAN-MADE FIBRES AND TEXTILE FABRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY.
HOWEVER. THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FABRICS OF WOOL AND MIXTURES, RAW COTTON AND CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS, ETC., EXCEPT GLASS, DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY.
IMPORTS OF FUELS ROSE BY 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL COMMODITIES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, THE MORE REMARKABLE ONES BEING SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS, TEXTILE MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND OFFICE MACHINES.
/HOWEVER, ....................
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1984
3 -
HOWEVER. A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MACHINERY OTHER THAN TEXTILE AND ELECTRICAL TYPE WAS RECORDED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED, FROM EIGHT PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 87 PER CENT FOR FUELS.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE OCTOBER 1983 ISSUE OF THE ‧.HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS*
, AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$2 PER COPY.
TABLE 1 i CHANGES COMPARING OCTOBER 1983 WITH OCTOBER 1982 OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMMODITY GROUP
EXPORT
VALUE
EXPORT UNIT VALUE
EXPORT VOLUME
CLOTHING (EXCEPT FUR)
+ 41%
.20%
+ 18%
TEXTILE FABRICS
* 76%
+ 12%
+ 57%
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD
+ 68%
.12%
+ 50%
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES
+ 56%
. 18%
+ 32%
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS
+ 15%
. 7%
+ 7%
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
.104%
+11%
+ 84%
FOOTWEAR
+ 54%
. 1%
+ 52%
KTAL MANUFACTURES
. 41%
+ 9%
+ 30%
METAL ORES AND SCRAP
+197%
.28%
+131%
WATCHES AND CLOCKS
+ 26%
+19%
+ 6%
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES
+ 39%
+15%
+ 20%
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
. 85%
+ 8%
+ 71%
ALL COMMODITIES
. 48%
+17%
+ 26%
/TABLE 2 : ....................
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1984
TABLE 2 i CHANGES COMPARING OCTOBER 1983 WITH OCTOBER 1982 OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY
IMPORT VALUE
IMPORT UNIT VALUE
IMPORT
VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS
+24%
+16%
+ 7%
CONSUMER GOODS
.34%
.20%
+ 11%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES
+64%
+20%
.37%
FUELS
+28%
+14%
+ 12%
CAPITAL GOODS
.40%
. 18%
+19%
ALL COMMODITIES
.44%
.19%
+22%
TABLE 3 I CHANGES
COMPARING OCTOBER 1983 WITH OCTOBER 1982 OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY
RE-EXPORT VALUE
RE-EXPORT UNIT VALUE
RE-EXPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS
+ 29%
.20%
+ 8%
CONSUMER GOODS
+ 46%
+19%
+22%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES
+ 73%
+14%
+ 52%
FUELS
+123%
+19%
+87%
CAPITAL GOODS
. 70%
+14%
+49%
ALL COMMODITIES
+ 58%
+17%
+36%
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1984
5
BLENDING THE OLD AND THE NEW
HMM
MORE THAN 100 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN NORTH DISTRICT DURING 1984 IN AN EFFORT TO BLEND OLD AND NEW RESIDENTS INTO ONE COMMUNITY, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, W IAN WOTHERSPOON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
ADDRESSING A MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF NEW TERRITORIES, HE POINTED OUT THAT NORTH DISTRICT IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT HAS, SIDE BY SIDE, THE VERY OLD AND THE VERY NEW — VILLAGES ESTABLISHED HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO AND THE SIX-MONTH-OLD FANLING NEW TOWN.
WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS NEW TOWN AND THE POPULATION IN THE NORTH DISTRICT EXPECTED TO REACH 240 000 BY 1991, THERE WOULD BE MORE PEOPLE COMING FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY TO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT, HE SAID.
.
I CONSIDER IT OF THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE THAT WE SEEK TO BLEND THE OLD AND THE NEW TO MAKE A VITAL, UNIFIED AND CARING COMMUNITY.
*
MR WOTHERSPOON SAID THAT TO MEET THIS OBJECTIVE, THE DISTRICT OFFICE HELPED FORM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN EACH BLOCK OF FLATS, OR IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
.
THROUGH THESE MACS, RESIDENTS GET TO KNOW THEIR NEIGHBOURS AND, HOPEFULLY, BEGIN TO FEEL THAT THEY BELONG TO THE BUILDING IN WHICH THEY LIVE.
.
IF RESIDENTS RUN INTO DIFFICULTIES, THEY CAN GO TO THE MAC OFFICE BEARERS WHO CAN HELP THEM SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS.
.
IF THEY CANNOT DO THIS THEMSELVES, THE MATTER CAN BE REFERRED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE WHICH MAINTAINS VERY CLOSE CONTACT WITH MACS THROUGH MY LIAISON STAFF AND REGULAR MEETINGS WITH MAC CHAIRMEN,. HE SAID.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE ALSO RUNS A NUMBER OF PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES STRATEGICALLY LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT TO HELP RESIDENTS WITH THEIR PROBLEMS AND DIFFICULTIES.
MR WOTHERSPOON STRESSED THAT THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME HAD ADDED A NEW DIMENSION TO THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS NOT ONLY ABOUT SOLVING PROBLEMS AND AIRING COMPLAINTS.
.IT IS ALSO ABOUT MAKING THE NORTH DISTRICT A REAL COMMUNITY AND A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN. TO THIS END THE DISTRICT BOARD ORGANISES AND SPONSORS A LARGE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR,*
HE SAID.
/THESE RANGED ....................
MONDAY, JANUABY 9, 1984
6
THESE RANGED FROM FIGHTING CRIME TO KEEPING HONG KONG CLEAN, AND FROM RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES OF ALL SORTS TO THE ANNUAL DISTRICT FESTIVAL AND FLOWER SHOW.
MR WOTHERSPOON ADDED HE WAS FULLY AWARE THAT THERE WAS STILL CONSIDERABLE SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT.
.MUCH HAS BEEN DONE, BUT MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE IF THE DISTRICT IS TO DEVELOP AND FLOURISH.
.NORTH DISTRICT IS A FAST CHANGING SCENE. BUT WHEN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IS FINISHED IN YEARS TO COME I HOPE WE SHALL HAVE NOT ONLY RURAL VILLAGES, TALL BUILDINGS AND NEW ROADS, BUT A REAL COMMUNITY - ONE WHICH IS NOW IN THE MAKING.+ HE CONCLUDED.
------------o--------------
DISTRICT BOARD EFFORTS PRAISED
* *
M M
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM TODAY (MONDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS IN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND IN ORGANISING COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES.
SPEAKING AT THE BOARD’S EIGHTH MEETING THIS AFTERNOON, HE THANKED THE MEMBERS FOR THEIR PATIENT EFFORTS AND HARD WORK WHICH MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND MATURE.
.I HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU WILL VALUE THE ACHIEVEMENTS ATTAINED AND CONTINUE THE DIFFICULT AND MEANINGFUL TASKS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD,+ HE SAID.
.THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE AND WITH YOUR STRONG SUPPORT, IT WILL DEVELOP EVEN FURTHER.+
MR WIGGHAM ALSO URGED DB MEMBERS TO CONTINUE TO WORK IN CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH THE STAFF OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS, AND +TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE WONG TAI SIN A BETTER PLACE TO WORK AND LIVE IN+.
------------o--------------
/7...............
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 198*
7
NEED FOR TRAINING STRESSED * *
*
TWENTY ASSISTANT OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHO RECENTLY COMPLETED A SOCIAL WORK TRAINING COURSE, WERE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES TODAY (MONDAY).
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN CHARGE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, DR ROBERT ANDRY, OFFICIATED AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
SPEAKING ON THE OCCASION, HE SAID THAT BESIDES BASIC TRAINING AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AND FIELD STUDIES, THE OFFICERS NEEDED +FURTHER PERIODICAL TRAINING*
TO KEEP ABREAST OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CORRECTIONAL FIELD.
THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING COURSE, ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, WAS DESIGNED TO PREPARE THEM FOR PRISONERS’ WELFARE WORK AS WELL AS AFTER-CARE SERVICES TO DRUG ADDICTS AND YOUNG OFFENDERS.
THE EIGHT-WEEK PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSE COVERED GENERAL SOCIAL WORK. PENOLOGY, CRIMINOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO +CORRECTIONAL ASPECTS*
, TO HELP THE PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVE MAXIMUM WORK EFFICIENCY, DR ANDRY NOTED.
STRESSING THAT TEAM WORK WAS VERY IMPORTANT, HE REMINDED THE OFFICERS TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS, SUCH AS PSYCHOLOGISTS AND DIVISIONAL STAFF, IN THEIR JOINT EFFORTS TO HELP REDUCE AND FIGHT CRIME.
------------0-----------
EXHIBITION ON MORAL EDUCATION * *
*
*
AN EXHIBITION ON MORAL EDUCATION THROUGH SOCIAL SUBJECTS WILL BE HELD AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT GASCOIGNE ROAD, YAU MA TEI, BETWEEN THURSDAY AND SATURDAY.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 12).
THE EXHIBITION SEEKS TO PROMOTE MORAL EDUCATION, THROUGH THE TEACHING OF SOCIAL SUBJECTS - CHINESE HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, ECONOMICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, HISTORY, AND SOCIAL STUDIES.
IT WILL FEATURE DISPLAYS OF HISTORICAL EVENTS, CASE STUDIES, CURRICULUM MATERIALS, TEACHING KITS, SIMULATION GAMES, LESSON PLANS AND SLIDE SHOWS, ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN SELECTED BECAUSE OF THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN PROMOTING MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.
/ArTEH THE .
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1984
8
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY ON THURSDAY, THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL 5 PM ON THAT DAY. IT WILL THEN BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM OM FRIDAY AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAY.
NOTE TO ED I TORSs
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF AN EXHIBITION ON MORAL EDUCATION THROUGH SOCIAL SUBJECTS AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD AT 3 PM, THURSDAY (JANUARY 12). YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
------------0------------
NEW FIRE STATION FOR SHUN LEE ESTATE
*****
A SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION IS TO BE BUILT AT SHUN LEE ESTATE, NORTHEASTERN KOWLOON.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE FOUR-STOREY BUILDING WILL OCCUPY ABOUT 2 000 SQUARE METRES AND BE LOCATED AT LEE ON ROAD.
it WILL HAVE AN APPLIANCE ROOM FOR FOUR FIRE ENGINES, OFFICES, A COMMUNICATIONS ROOM, AN EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT STORE, A WORKSHOP, BARRACKS, AN EXERCISE ROOM AND OTHER FACILITIES.
A DRILL YARD AND A DRILL TOWER WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
THE FIRE STATION WILL PROVIDE COVER TO CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, PIK UK AND JORDAN VALLEY.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH AND TAKE 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
----o-----
/9....................
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1984
9
DIPLOMAS FOR STUDENT RADIOGRAPHERS
* *
*
#
A TOTAL OF 19 STUDENT RADIOGRAPHERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THREE YEARS TRAINING AT THE INSTITUTE OF RADIOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY RECEIVED THEIR DIPLOMAS AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY TODAY (MONDAY).
THE DIPLOMAS WERE PRESENTED TO THEM BY DR S.F. LAM, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, AT THE INSTITUTE AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL.
EXPLAINING THAT IT WAS HIS LAST ADDRESS AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR, AS HE WOULD BE RETIRING SOON, DR LAM THANKED HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR HELP IN THE PAST.
+ALL OF YOU IN YOUR OWN QUIET WAY, DOING YOUR JOB, DISCHARGING YOUR DUTIES AND DISPLAYING A SERVICE OF RESPONSIBILITY, HAVE PROVIDED THE CITIZENS OF HONG KONG WITH A SERVICE THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF,+ HE SAID.
DR LAM ALSO PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO FIVE STUDENT MOULD LABORATORY TECHNICIANS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THREE YEARS TRAINING AT THE INSTITUTE.
------------0--------------
YUEN LONG HOLDING LONG DISTANCE RUN
* *
*
ENTRIES ARE BEING INVITED FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE ANNUAL LONG DISTANCE RACE TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH IN YUEN LONG.
THE 9TH YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPRING FESTIVAL LONG DISTANCE RUN WILL BE HELD AT THE YUEN LONG STADIUM ON FEBRUARY 12 (SUNDAY) STARTING 9 AM, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE, THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND THE NTSD.
THE DISTRICT-WIDE ANNUAL RUN HAS BECOME A VERY POPULAR EVENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE RACE IS DIVIDED INTO FIVE SECTIONS ACCORDING TO AGE ROUPS - MEN’S SENIOR, INTERMEDIATE, AND JUNIOR, AND WOMEN’S SENIOR AND JUNIOR.
ALL RUNNERS WILL START OFF FROM YUEN LONG STADIUM, AND COVEk DISTANCES RANGING FROM 2.4 KILOMETRES TO 8.5 KILOMETRES.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE RUN MAY BE OBTAINED NOW FROM THt YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION AT TAI YUK ROAD, THE YUEN LONG OFFICE OF RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE, THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND THE YUEN LONG STADIUM.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION BEFORE MONDAY (JANUARY 16), THE SPOKESMAN oAlD.
------------0--------------- /1O....................
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1984
10
TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND BEING BUILT . *
3t
A TEMPORARY 770-SQUARE METRE PLAYGROUND IS BEING BUILT ADJACENT TO CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL IN YAU MA TEI.
IT WILL HAVE TWO BADMINTON COURTS AND SUCH FACILITIES AS PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, BENCHES, ARBOURS AND A STOREROOM AND WILL BE READY IN MAY.
A CONTRACT FOR THE PLAYGROUND, COSTING $415 000, WAS RECENTLY AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 - -
WATER FIGURES * *
*
STORAGE IN HONG KONG'S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (JANUARY 9, 1984) STOOD AT 89.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 522.637 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 431.415 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 73.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 -
SALT WATER MAINS WORK * *
*
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 10) TO 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 12) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY TAI HO ROAD, CHAI WAN KOK STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND YUEN TUN CIRCUIT, INCLUDING TSUEN WAN CENTRE, TSUEN KING CIRCUIT, ALLWAY GARDEN, ON YUK ROAD AND ON YIN STREET.
- o -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
HONG KONG IS A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY - SIR PHILIP .......................................... 1
SEPTEMBER EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS................. 2
SHA TIN IS MOST AMBITIOUS NEW TOWN ................................................................................ 6
SIR PETER VISITS SCHOOL ................................................................................................................... 8
MODEL WORKERS ON 'AMBASSADOR VISIT' ............................................................................. 8
MORE BUILDING PLANS APPROVED ................................................................................................... 9
UNHCR CONTRIBUTION FOR REFUGEE CENTRES ................................................................... 10
SIR PETER VISITS FACTORIES ......................................................................................................... 11
BEHIND-THE-SCENE WORKERS OF DB'S PRAISED ............................................................. 12
PROCEDURAL IMPROVEMENTS ON POW BENEFITS BEING CONSIDERED .... 13
LEGCO TO DEAL WITH SIX BILLS ................................................................................................... 14
MP TO ATTEND DB MEETING ................................................................................................................... 15
CLIMAX OF 1984 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS AWARDS ....................................... 15
FOOD BAZAAR FOR KWUN TONG WORKERS ................................................................................... 16
NEW OFFICES FOR LABOUR DEPARTMENT UNIT ................................................................... 16
MARKET STALLS IN TAI PO FOR BIDDING ............................................................................. 17
WATER CUT IN WESTERN NT ................................................................................................................... 17
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
1
HONG KONG IS A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY - SIR PHILIP * M *
*
HONG KONG IS A VERY DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND, SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM IS NOT THE ONLY WAY OF ACHIEVING A FREE AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY ^BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE IN HONG KONG ANYWAY.*
SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS HAD INSTITUTIONS WHICH ARE APPROPRIATE TO ITS CIRCUMSTANCES AND THESE HAVE BEEN CHANGING OVER THE YEARS.
HE SAID THAT HONG KONG HAS DEVELOPED IN RECENT YEARS A THREE- TIER SYSTEM - THE DISTRICT BOARD SYSTEM AT THE BASE, AND THE URBAN COUNCIL ABOVE THAT BASE IN THE URBAN AREA, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL- AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON TOP.
.THE GOVERNMENT DOES SEE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THESE DIFFERENT TIERS AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SEVERAL ELECTED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ON THE HIGHER COUNCILS OF GOVERNMENT.
.AND I WOULD IMAGINE THAT PROCESS WILL CONTINUE,. HE SAID.
.WE ARE PRESENTLY ENGAGED IN AN IN-DEPTH STUDY INTO THE WORKING OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME,+ HE ADDED.
ASKED BY A REPORTER TO CLARIFY WHAT HE MEANT WHEN HE SAID EARLIER IN HIS ADDRESS THAT +IT IS SO REFRESHING THESE DAYS TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF ESCAPING FROM THE FUTURE INTO THE PRESENT,. SIR PHILIP SAID, +ISN’T IT RATHER NICE TO BE CONCERNED WITH ORDINARY THINGS OCCASIONALLY AND NOT WITH SPECULATIVE MATTERS RELATING TO THE FUTURE?*
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION ON WHETHER THE GOVERNOR WILL BE DISCUSSING THE 1997 ISSUE WHILE HE IS IN NEW YORK, SIR PHILIP STRESSED THAT THE GROUP IS IN NEW YORK ON A PROMOTIONAL MISSION, COUPLED WITH AN ECONOMIC MISSION.
.THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THAT EXERCISE AND THE NEGOTIATIONS ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
. NOR WILL THE GOVERNOR BE SEEING MR ZHAO ZI YANG IN WASHINGTON,*
HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE FLYING FROM NEW YORK TO LONDON ON THURSDAY AND WILL MEET THE PRIME MINISTER, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, THE MINISTER OF STATE, AND OTHER WHITEHALL OFFICIALS BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG NEXT WEEK, HE ADDED.
-----------o--------------
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
2
SEPTEMBER EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS
******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY PUBLISHED EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN SEPTEMBER 1983.
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, AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERS BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE OVERALL FIGURES BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1982 AND JUNE 1983, ARE AS FOLLOWS i-
SELECTED MAJOR
SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY
SEPT.
(EMPLOYMENT)
. 82
JUNE 83
MANUFACTURING
856
100
903
400
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON SITES ONLY)
81
200
74
400
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
502
800
520
400
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND 167 700 163 300 BUSINESS SERVICES
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
PERSONS ENGAGED -------------------------------
IN
SEPT. 83 ON
SEPT. 82
SEPT. 83 ON
JUNE 83
SEPT. 83
865 100
. 1.0
-4.2
71 200
-12.4
-4.3
527 000
+ 4.8
+1.3
162 600
- 3.0
-0.4
* BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES
A COMPARISON OF THE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1983 WITH THOSE FOR SEPTEMBER 1982 SHOWS THAT EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 527 000, WAS 4.8 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1982. EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, AT 865 100,.WAS 1.0 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1982.
/ON THE...............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE WERE DECREASES IN EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES AND IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES DECREASED BY 12.4 PER CENT. AT 162 600, EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT.
COMPARED WITH JUNE 1983, AN INCREASE OF 1.3 PER CENT WAS RECORDED FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR.
HOWEVER. A DECREASE OF 4.3 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED FOR EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR SHOWED A DECREASE OF 4.2 PER CENT BUT THE JUNE FIGURE TENDS TO BE ON THE HIGH SIDE DUE TO SEASONAL FACTORS.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR RECORDED A MARGINAL DECREASE OF 0.4 PER CENT.
TOGETHER WITH THE EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS, THE SURVEY ALSO PROVIDED VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THESE SECTORS, OTHER THAN FOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION.
THE OVERALL FIGURES BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1982 AND JUNE 1983, ARE AS FOLLOWS i-
* BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES
SELECTED MAJOR SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY
NUMBER OF REPORTED
PERCENTAGE
. CHANGE
VACANCIES
IN
SEPT. 82
JUNE 83
SEPT. 83
SEPT. 83 ON
SEPT. 82
SEPT. 83 ON JUNE 83
MANUFACTURING
29
870
32 940
41
130
+37.7
.24.9
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
4
530
4 010
4
050
-10.7
+ 0.9
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
1
670
1 940
1
540
- 8.0
-20.8
/COMPARE) WITH....................
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1982, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES FOR SEPTEMBER 1983 INCREASED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR BUT DECREASED IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. WHILE THE INCREASE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS 37.7 PER CENT, THE DECREASES IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR WERE 10.7 PER CENT AND 8.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
RELATIVE TO JUNE 1983, HOWEVER, INCREASES OF 24.9 PER CENT AND 0.9 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR RESPECTIVELY. A DECREASE OF 20.8 PER CENT WAS RECORDED FOR THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY 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, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE i-
*
M BASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN
% CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY
3RD QTR. 1982
3RD QTR. 1983
3RD QTR. 1983 ON
3RD QTR. 1982
HKS MN
HK$ MN
MANUFACTURING
5 210
5 819
+11.7
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
3 138
3 580
.14.1
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
1 775
1 956
.10.2
RELATIVE TO THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 11.7 PER CENT, 14.1 PER CENT AND 10.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THE LARGE INCREASE IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 14.1 PER CENT, WAS IN PART DUE TO INCREASED EMPLOYMENT IN THIS SECTOR.
/BY ADJUSTMENT....................
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
BY ADJUSTMENT 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 ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED 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 BELOW 1-
/COMPAREB WIffl...............
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 - 100)
% CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY
SEPT. 82
SEPT. 83
SEPT. 83 ON SEPT. 82
MANUFACTURING
140.3
153.1
+ 9.1
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
137.7
150.0
. 8.9
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
138.9
156.2
. 12.5
REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 - 100)
% CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY
SEPT. 82
SEPT. 83
SEPT. 83 ON SEPT. 82
MANUFACTURING
107.3
105.8
-1.4
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
105.4
103.7
-1.6
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
106.3
107.9
+ 1.5
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
6
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1982, INCREASES OF 9.1 PER CENT, 8.9 PER CENT AND 12.5 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED 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 RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE SAME PERIOD. THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 1.5 PER CENT IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. ON THE OTHER HAND, SLIGHT DECREASES OF 1.4 PER CENT AND 1.6 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR RESPECTIVELY.
(TABLES GIVING EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR SELECTED INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES WITHIN THE FOUR SECTORS ARE BEING TRANSMITTED BY FACSIMILE. THE TABLES MAY ALSO BE COLLECTED FROM THE GIS PRESS BOXES.)
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS OF THE EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT! MR AU HOO-KIT ON 5-434185, MR NG KUNG- TAK ON 5-455661, AND MR CHIU FOOK-CHING ON 5-439398.
-----0-----
SHA TIN IS MOST AMBITIOUS NEW TOWN IO
SHA TIN IS THE LARGEST AND MOST AMBITIOUS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S NEW TOWNS WITH THE PROVISION OF A BETTER ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH PEOPLE tab ‧ ‧' yfiiccn*
v?RK' SA,D THE ACT,NG GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, IODat (TUESDAY). *
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TIN SPORTS GROUND, SIR PHILIP SAID SHA TIN IS LARGELY SELF-CONTAINED IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND LEISURE FACILITIES.
NEWLY COMPLETED SHA A COMMUNITY WHICH IS , TRANSPORT AND WELFARE
_ *
THE A,M 0F °UR ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS AND ADMINISTRATORS IN rluE8 WORDS, HAS BEEN TO BUILD TOWNS WITHIN WHICH A REAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY IDENTITY CAN DEVELOP,+ SIR PHILIP SAID.
IS A WITH HALF
ON LEISURE FACILITI FACILITY OF SPECIAL OTHER NEW TOWNS, IT THE RESIDENTS UNDER
ES, HE SAID THE S25-MILLI0N IMPORTANCE FOR SHA TIN FOR. HAS A VERY YOUNG POPULATION 30 YEARS OF AGE.
SPORTS GROUND IN COMMON
, WITH MORE THAN
INTO
NOTtNG THU SHA TIN HAD BEEN TRANSFORMED FROM A RURAL SETTLEMENT eillM A n'R,ART NE*
T0WN AND A MODEL OF URBAN PLANNING WITHIN A ^SLE<-2ECADE’ SIR PHIL,P SAID THE POPULATION OF THE NEW TOWN HAD GROWN FROM 30 000 TO AROUND 260 000.
+THIS GROWTH RATE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL COMPLETION OF THE TOWN Inn<-nID-1990’S WHEN THE POPULATION WILL APPROACH 850 000,+
HE ADDED‧
/COMMENTING on
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
- 7 -
COMMENTING ON THE ROLE OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME IN THE MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AT DISTRICT LEVEL, SIR PHILIP PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, WITH THEIR SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL NEEDS, FOR THEIR ADVICE ON THE DESIGN OF THE SPORTS GROUND.
.
IN PARTICULAR, THE BOARD’S SUPPORT HELPED TO OBTAIN APPROVAL FOR A UNIQUE FEATURE OF THIS SPORTS GROUND - A MODERN UNDERGROUND IRRIGATION SYSTEM USING RECYCLED WATER FROM THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
.
THIS SYSTEM ENABLES THE TURF TO GROW YEAR-ROUND EVEN IN THE DRY WEATHER WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TO OUR DISCOMFORT RECENTLY, THUS MAXIMISING THE USE OF THE GROUND,. SIR PHILIP ADDED.
TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO MAKE FULL USE OF ALL THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT THE SPORTS GROUND, WHICH INCLUDE A STANDARD TURFED SOCCER PITCH, A 400-METRE ALL-WEATHER ATHLETIC TRACK WITH EIGHT LANES AND VENUES FOR TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS, SIR PHILIP SAID MOST OF THE PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES TO BE OFFERED WOULD BE LOCALLY SPONSORED.
EARLIER. THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THE SPORTS GROUND IS THE FIRST STANDARD SPORTS VENUE IN SHA TIN, PROVIDING GOOD FACILITIES WITH THE FULL RANGE OF TRACK AND FIELD ACTIVITIES.
.
I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS SPORTS GROUND WILL BECOME A POPULAR VENUE FOR BOTH LOCAL ATHLETES AND VISITORS ALIKE,+ MR BARNES SAID.
.
ALTHOUGH THIS SPORTS GROUND IS THE LAST OF THIS PARTICULAR GROUP OF FACILITIES SITED ALONG THE SHING MUN RIVER, ELSEWHERE IN THE DISTRICT OTHER RECREATION AND CULTURAL FACILITIES ARE BEING PLANNED AND DEVELOPED,+ HE SAID.
THEY INCLUDE AN ARTIFICIAL TURF FOOTBALL PITCH, A TOWN PARK, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL AND A MAJOR CULTURAL COMPLEX WITH AUDITORIUMS AND LIBRARY.
LATER SIR PHILIP PERFORMED A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO MARK THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE SPORTS GROUND.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE CEREMONY WERE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NT, MR IAN MACPHERSON; THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD; THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF SHA TIN, MR DONALD TSANG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR NG CHAN-LAM; THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR WAI HON-LEUNG; THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR LAU HON-KIT; THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS) OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR DAVID WEEKS; AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (HEADQUARTERS) OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR HUGH BOYLE.
----o-----
/8...............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984 .
- 8 -
SIR PETER VISITS SCHOOL ft ft ft
SIR PETER BLAKER, CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, SPENT THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON MEETING THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND UNIVERSITY STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES.
SIR PETER FIRST VISITED BAPTIST LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SHA TIN WHERE HE WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SCHOOLS), MR T.L. LAM. HE LATER HAD TALKS WITH THE SCHOOL’S PRINCIPAL, MR CHAN KIN-HUNG, AND OTHER TEACHERS.
DURING THE VISIT, SIR PETEft ‘ALSO HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HEADS OF SIX OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SHA TIN.
THEY WERE MISS PEGGY CH IK OF SHA TIN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL I MR MAK MING-CHEONG OF MARDEN FOUNDATION CARITAS PRE- VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, SHA TIN; MR LO WING-KWONG OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS MRS FUNG WONG FUNG TING COLLEGE; MS LEUNG YUK- LING OF SHENG KUNG HUI TSANG SHIU TIM SECONDARY SCHOOL; MR CHOW TZE-SUM OF SHA TIN METHODIST COLLEGE; AND MR LAU HIN-KI OF BUDDHIST WONG WAN TIN COLLEGE.
SIR PETER LATER WENT TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT CAUSEWAY BAY WHERE HE WAS GIVEN A DETAILED BRIEFING ON HONG KONG’S VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL ISSUES BY MR HAYE AND HIS DIRECTORATE STAFF.
BEFORE LEAVING THE ED HEADQUARTERS, SIR PETER HAD TALKS WITH ABOUT 10 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
MODEL WORKERS ON ’AMBASSADOR VISIT’ ft ft ft ft
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MR ADOLF HSU, TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED WORKERS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS THIS YEAR SO THAT MORE WORKERS COULD ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE, EITHER AS CANDIDATES OR VOTERS, IN NEXT YEAR’S TERRITORY-WIDE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
MR HSU MADE THIS CALL AT A RECEPTION FOR THE 10 SELECTED TSUEN WAN DISTRICT MODEL WORKERS BEFORE THEY STARTED THEIR FIRST .WORKER AMBASSADORS*
VISIT TO A NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN TSUEN WAN AND THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
HE SAID THAT THE SUPPORT BY WORKERS IN EACH DISTRICT WOULD HELP MAKE THE DISTRICT BOARD A LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION OF ABSOLUTE REPRESENTATIVENESS.
/rag visit...................
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
- 9 -
THE VISIT, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE TSUEN WAN MODEL WORKERS AWARD SCHEME JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE, THE FEDERATION OF THE INDUSTRIES IN TSUEN WAN, THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL’S TSUEN WAN OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL RADIO 1, IS TO PROMOTE GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS.
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE AMBASSADORS’ VISIT WOULD BE A SUCCESSFUL AND BENEFICIAL ONE.
THE SECOND VISIT WILL BE ON JANUARY 17.
------------0------------
MORE BUILDING PLANS APPROVED * *
*
M
MORE BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED DURING NOVEMBER THAN IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE NUMBER OF APPROVALS WAS 51, COMPARED WITH 34 IN OCTOBER.
TWENTY-EIGHT APPROVALS WERE FOR BUILDINGS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, 16 FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND SEVEN FOR THOSE IN KOWLOON.
THE PLANS INCLUDED AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING FOR ST. STEPHEN’S COLLEGE AT STANLEY, A CLUBHOUSE FOR THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL CLUB, A 16-STOREY HOTEL IN YAU MA TEI, A STUDENTS’ HOSTEL AND A TRANSPORT AND SECURITY OFFICE FOR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, STAGE II OF THE MAIN POWER STATION ON LAMMA ISLAND, STAFF QUARTERS AND A NURSING SCHOOL AT THE HONG KONG ADVENTIAL HOSPITAL IN TSUEN WAN, AND A FACTORY FOR THE HONG KONG OXYGEN AND ACETYLENE COMPANY AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
IN THE SAME MONTH THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE AGREED TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK ON 53 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS.
THESE PROJECTS INCLUDED A FACTORY IN JAVA ROAD, A BUILDING FOR THE GERMAN SWISS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, TWO ELECTRICITY SUB-STATIONS, A PETROL FILLING STATION IN SHA TIN, A CLUBHOUSE AT SHA TIN FOR MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, AND A REFUSE COLLECTION FACILITY AT TAI SHANG WAI, YUEN LONG.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THESE BUILDINGS IS 307 036.6 SQUARE bETRES, OF WHICH 153 209.2 SQUARE METRES IS DOMESTIC AND THE REMAINDER NON-DOMESTIC.
TWENTY OF THE BUILDINGS ARE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, NINE IN KOWLOON AND 24 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/also in ..............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
10 -
ALSO IN NOVEMBER. OCCUPATION CERTIFICATES WERE ISSUED IN RESPECT OF 34 BUILDING PROJECTS, OF WHICH 12 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, FOUR IN KOWLOON AND 18 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE BUILDINGS INCLUDED A SLAUGHTER HOUSE AT KWAI CHUNG; A LIGHT OIL TANK, JETTY AND GUARD HOUSE FOR THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC PROJECT ON LAMMA ISLAND? A GOLF CLUB AT DISCOVERY BAY; AND AN EXTENSION TO YAN CHAI HOSPITAL IN TSUEN WAN.
THE COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS $566,852 MILLION. THE FLOOR AREA OF THE BUILDINGS WAS 68 383 v SQUARE METRES (DOMESTIC) AND 36 346 SQUARE METRES (NON-DOMESTIC).
A TOTAL OF 12 DEMOLITION ORDERS INVOLVING 21 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED DURING THE MONTH.
THE NUMBER OF BUILDING PLANS APPROVED DURING THE MONTH BRINGS THE TOTAL FOR THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1983 TO 458.
-----o-----
UNHCR CONTRIBUTION FOR REFUGEE CENTRES * *
*
*
*
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS SECURED THE AGREEMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES TO CONTINUE THE ORGANISATION’S FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN GOVERNMENT CENTRES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE NEW AGREEMENT, THE FOURTH SINCE CLOSED CENTRES WERE INTRODUCED IN MID-1982, COVERS THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1984, AND THE CONTRIBUTION PROMISED BY THE UNHCR IS IN THE REGION OF HK$9.1 MILLION.
AS IN THE PAST, THE UNHCR’S CONTRIBUTION WILL COVER EXPENDITURE ON FOOD, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, UTILITIES AND OTHER RELIEF ITEMS FOR THE 5 700 REFUGEES HELD IN GOVERNMENT CENTRES.
OF THIS FIGURE, 5 400 ARE IN THE CLOSED CENTRES AT CHI MA WAN, CAPE COLLINSON AND HEI LING CHAU AND THE REMAINDER IN THE ARGYLE STREET RECEPTION CENTRE AWAITING DEPARTURE FOR OVERSEAS resettlement.
IN ADDITION, THERE ARE OVER 7 000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN THE TWO OPEN CENTRES RUN BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES UNDER UNHCR AUSPICES.
- - - - 0 ------------
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
- 11 -
SIR PETER VISITS FACTORIES * *
*
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, SIR PETER BLAKER, TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED AN ELECTRONICS FACTORY AND A GARMENT FACTORY IN KOWLOON.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY. SIR PETER FIRST TOURED ELEC AND ELTEK CO. LTD. IN SAN PO KONG, WHERE HE WAS WELCOMED BY THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTORS, MR WILSON TAM AND MR MARCUS TSANG AND ITS DIRECTOR AND GENERAL MANAGER, MR JETT FUNG.
ELEC AND ELTEK CO. LTD. IS A LEADING ELECTRONICS FACTORY IN SOUTH EAST ASIA, ENGAGING IN THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURE OF HIGH PRECISION PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS AND TELE- COMMUNCATION EQUIPMENT WHICH IT MARKETS WORLDWIDE.
MAJOR PRODUCTS INCLUDE DOUBLE-SIZED HIGH DENSITY AND MULTI-LAYER PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS, CORDLESS PHONES, FEATURE PHONES AND MIN I-MODEMS.
THE COMPANY, INCORPORATED IN 1981, IS A CONGLOMERATION OF THREE LOCALLY-OWNED ELECTRONICS FIRMS WHICH HAD OPERATED FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS.
IT OPERATES ON A 27 870 - SQUARE METRE PREMISES WITH A WORK FORCE OF OVER 3 000.
THE PARTY THEN VISITED A SMALL-SCALE GARMENT FACTORY IN YIP ON FACTORY ESTATE AT KOWLOON BAY.
AFTER A BRIEFING ON THE GOVERNMENT’S FLATTED FACTORY ESTATES BY THE CHIEF HOUSING MANAGER OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR Y.C.SO SIR PETER TOURED NGAI FAT GARMENT FACTORY WHERE HE WAS GREETED BY THE FACTORY’S PROPRIETOR, MR S.C. LAI.
THE FACTORY OCCUPIES TWO UNITS OF THE ESTATE AND EMPLOYS ABOUT 10 WORKERS, PRODUCING TROUSERS AND JEANS MAINLY FOR EXPORT.
SPEAKING TO PRESS REPRESENTATIVES, SIR PETER SAID HE WAS VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY.
THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF THE INDUSTRY HERE MUST BE BASED ON FREE ENTERPRISE WHICH SHOULD CONTINUE AFTER 1997, SIR PETER SAID.
ASKED ABOUT HIS IMPRESSIONS ON HIS VISITS TO THE TWO FACTORIES, SIR PETER SAID THE ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS HE HAD SEEN WERE VERY IMPRESSIVE AND WOULD MATCH SIMILAR PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED ELSEWHERE.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE OWNER OF THE GARMENT FACTORY FOR STARTING HIS BUSINESS IN A SMALL WAY.
SIR PETER SAID MANY SMALL BUSINESSES HAD BECOME LARGE ONES. AS AN EXAMPLE, HE CITED THE JAGUAR MOTOR CAR COMPANY IN HIS CONSTITUENCY WHICH WAS STARTED BY ONE MAN IN A SHED.
--.-0---------
/12 ...............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
12 -
BEHIND-THE-SCENE WORKERS OF DB’S PRAISED M M M M M
AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BUT LITTLE-NOTICED ELEMENT CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS IS THE +UNFAILING AND UNSTINTING*
SUPPORT AND HARD WORK OF A GROUP OF BEHIND-THE-SCENE WORKERS - THE STAFF OF EACH DB SECRETARIAT.
THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) IN A TRIBUTE TO THE BOARD SECRETARIATS FOR THEIR INDUSTRY IN COPING WITH THEIR HEAVY WORKLOAD.
IN A LUNCHEON TALK TO THE LIONS CLUB OF SOUTH KOWLOON, HE NOTED THAT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 18 DISTRICT BOARDS HAD BEEN BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE DRIVE AND INSIGHT OF THE UNOFFICIAL DB MEMBERS WHO HAD WORKED IN CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
.IF DB MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE LIKENED TO THE FRONT-LINE TROOPS IN THE CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THEN THE DB SECRETARIATS MAY BE CONSIDERED THE ESSENTIAL SUPPLY AND ORDNANCE BACK-UP WHOSE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION HAVE SUSTAINED THE MOMENTUM OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION,*
MR LAM SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT EACH SECRETARIAT COMPRISES JUST ONE SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER WHO HEADS A WORKING UNIT OF ONE TO THREE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, TWO CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS, TWO CALL I GRAPH I STS, ONE STENORGRAPHER AND ONE OFFICE ASSISTANT.
THIS TEAM, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, SHOULDERS THE HEAVY SECRETARIAL BURDEN OF THE WHOLE BOARD.
.IN ADDITION TO THE PREPARATION OF AGENDA AND PAPERS FOR MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE SECRETARIATS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRANGING VARIOUS COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND TAKING ACTION ON THE ADVICE OF THOSE COMMITTEES,*
HE SAID.
.THE SPHERES OF ACTIVITIES OF THESE COMMITTEES ARE CONSIDERABLE- THEY COVER SUCH AREAS AS CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORT, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, AND INDUSTRIAL, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
.FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1983-84 THE PLANNED NUMBER OF WORK ITEMS ON 'COMMUNITY BUILDING’ ALONE TOTALS MORE THAN 2 300. SOME CF THESE ARE VERY LARGE-SCALE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE DISTRICT FESTIVALS, SPORTS FESTIVALS, ARTS FESTIVALS, OR REGULAR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT COURSES OF AN ARTS OR RECREATIONAL NATURE.
.ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE HEAVY WORKLOAD CAN BE SEEN IN THE 'MEET THE PUBLIC’ SCHEME WHICH WAS INTRODUCED TO HANDLE PUBLIC COMPLAINTS RELATING TO DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, AND TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH A FORUM FOR EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS,. HE SAID.
/busing ths..............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
DURING THE SIX MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, HE SAID DB MEMBERS RECEIVED OVER 1 500 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN 500 INTERVIEW SESSIONS.
AS ALL DISTRICT BOARDS PLACE CONSIDERABLE EMPHASIS ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, A ’DISTRICT MANAGEMENT’ TEAM COMPRISING AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OR A SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AND SOME EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, HAS BEEN SET UP TO CO-ORDINATE ALL ASPECTS OF THE WORK ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WITHIN EACH DISTRICT.
+IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS FALLING IN THE AREA OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT IN ALL THE DISTRICTS TOTALS MORE THAN 500..
BESIDES, THE SECRETARIATS ALSO ARRANGE VISITS AND FIELD INSPECTIONS BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AS PART OF THEIR ROUTINE DUTIES.
+INEVITABLY, ALL SUCH WORK GENERATES A CONSIDERABLE QUANTITY OF WRITTEN MATERIAL IN THE FORM OF MINUTES OF MEETINGS, REPORTS, PAMPHLETS AND PUBLICATIONS,*
HE SAID.
MR LAM ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF OTHER GROUPS OF OFFICERS, NAMELY CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS, CALLIGRAPHISTS, SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETERS AND INFORMATION OFFICERS.
HE SAID THEY +PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN AIDING THAT PART OF DISTRICT BOARD WORK CONCERNED WITH ENHANCING COMMUNICATION BOTH INTERNALLY, BETWEEN BOARD MEMBERS, AND EXTERNALLY, BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC.*
PROCEDURAL IMPROVEMENTS ON POW BENEFITS BEING CONSIDERED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING PROCEDURAL IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH BENEFITS FOR WHICH FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR ARE ELIGIBLE.
THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER DISCONTINUING THE ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICE OF INVESTIGATING THE FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF ELIGIBLE HONG KONG APPLICANTS AND THE ANNUAL REVIEW OF THEIR FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
INVESTIGATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE IN RESPECT OF BENEFICIARIES RESIDENT OVERSEAS, AS SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS VARY FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY.
/CUHRENTLY, THE....................
TUESDAY, JANUA2Y 10, 1984
CURRENTLY, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVICING THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE BUT IT IS INTENDED THAT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WILL SERVICE THE COMMITTEE IN FUTURE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNMENT’S FORMAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES OF THE FAR EASTERN RELIEF FUND WHICH IS A FUND UNDERWRITTEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
AS THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY AGREED TO UNDERWRITE THE WAR bEMORIAL FUND, FURTHER CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO WHETHER THIS ASSURANCE MIGHT BE REFLECTED IN THE LAW TOGETHER WITH AN APPEALS PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT OF AN APPLICANT BEING REFUSED A GRANT, OR WHERE AN EXISTING GRANT IS TERMINATED OR REDUCED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0
LEGCO TO DEAL WITH SIX BILLS * X X
A NEW BILL, KNOWN AS THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), WITH DEBATE TO BE ADJOURNED TO JANUARY 25.
SECTION 4 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, WHICH PROHIBITS TRAFFICKING IN DANGEROUS DRUGS, MAKES IT A DEFENCE TO A CHARGE UNDER THIS SECTION THAT THE DRUGS ARE IN TRANSIT.
THE OBJECT OF THE BILL IS TO CONFINE THIS DEFENCE TO CASES WHERE DANGEROUS DRUGS ARE IN LAWFUL TRANSIT, HAVING REGARD TO THE CONVENTIONS REGULATING SUCH TRANSIT.
THE COUNCIL WILL RESUME DEBATE TOMORROW ON FIVE BILLS i DEBTORS (ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT) BILL 1983, SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1983, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 AND CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983.
THESE BILLS WILL THEN GO THROUGH THEIR COMMITTEE STAGE AND FINAL READINGS.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE 10 QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES.
THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO DEAL WITH A NUMBER OF SESSIONAL PAPERS AND STATEMENTS.
THE STATEMENTS WILL BE MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON E.P. HO, ON THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT, AND BY THE HON CHEN SHOU-LUM ON THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 6.
- - 0 - -
/15‘
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
15
MP TO ATTEND DB MEETING M *
*
*
*
THE IMPACT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REVISED CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME 1983/84 - 1987/88 ON SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL BE DISCUSSED BY MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO REVIEW A POSTGRAMME - +MY SUGGESTION TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT*
- WHICH HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED SINCE EARLY LAST YEAR, AND THE FIRST SOUTHERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL WHICH WAS HELD IWO MONTHS AGO.
A PAPER ON LITTERING AND LITTER OFFENCE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, SIR PETER BLAKER, WHO IS ON AN 11-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG, WILL JOIN THE MEETING SHORTLY AFTER 4 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
CLIMAX OF 1984 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS AWARDS II *
K
FIFTEEN FINALISTS WILL COMPETE FOR THE 1984 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS AWARDS IN THE CHINESE AND WESTERN MUSIC SECTIONS. THE COMPETITION WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (JANUARY 14 AND 15) AT THE ACADEMY COMMUNITY HALL AT 8 PM.
THE PRELIMINARY AND SEMI-FINALS WERE HELD IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1983.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR C.K.K. WONG. WILL OFFICIATE AT BOTH THE CHINESE MUSIC FINAL ON SATURDAY AND tHE WESTERN MUSIC FINAL ON SUNDAY.
THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MR CLIVE OXLEY, WILL ALSO BE PRESENT ON THESE OCCASIONS.
THE AWARDS ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND COMPOSERS AND AUTHORS SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.
/THEIH aim..............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1984
- 16 -
THEIR AIM IS TO RAISE THE STANDARDS OF COMPOSING AND PERFORMING SERIOUS MUSIC AMONG LOCAL YOUNG AMATEUR MUSICIANS AND TO AROUSE INTEREST IN THE APPRECIATION OF SERIOUS MUSIC.
THERE ARE TWO CATEGORIES EACH IN THE CHINESE MUSIC AND WESTERN MUSIC SECTIONS, ONE FOR COMPOSITION AND THE OTHER FOR CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCE.
THE FIRST THREE WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY WILL BE AWARDED CASH PRIZES OF $3 000, Si 500 AND S500, AMOUNTING TO A TOTAL OF $20 000.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER BOTH THE CHINESE MUSIC AND WESTERN MUSIC FINALS WHICH WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 14 AND 15 AT THE ACADEMY COMMUNITY HALL AT 8 PM.
-----------0-----------
FOOD BAZAAR FOR KWUN TONG WORKERS M M M
WORKERS IN KWUN TONG ARE TO GET ADDITIONAL EATING FACILITIES.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) AWARDED A S5.5-MILLION CONTRACT TO WAH TAT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR BUILDING A TWO-STOREY COOKED FOOD BAZAAR IN THE DISTRICT.
THE BUILDING. OCCUPYING A 1 660-SQUARE METRE SITE IN TSUN YIP STREET, WILL ACCOMMODATE 56 COOKED FOOD STALLS.
OTHER FACILITIES TO BE INCLUDED ARE A REFUSE COLLECTION CHAMBER, STOREROOMS, OFFICE SPACES, A ROOF-TOP SITTING-OUT AREA AND TOILETS.
WORK WILL TAKE NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
NEW OFFICES FOR LABOUR DEPARTMENT UNIT M M M
THE KWAI CHUNG BRANCH OFFICE OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION UNIT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN MOVED FROM EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 1ST FLOOR, TEXACO ROAD, TSUEN WAN, TO KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 9TH FLOOR, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KwAI CHUNG.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRIES ARE 0-240629 AND 0-240716.
/LffiAN'.VHILE, the..............
TUESDAY, JANUAfiY 10, 1984
MEANWHILE, THE TSUEN WAN BRANCH OFFICE OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION UNIT, PREVIOUSLY SITUATED IN CHEUNG YIU BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR, 167-173 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, HAS TAKEN OVER THE PREMISES AT EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, VACATED BY THE KWAI CHUNG BRANCH OFFICE.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRIES AT THE TSUEN WAN BRANCH OFFICE ARE 0-467776, 0-467744, 0-4981001 AND 0-4980022.
- - 0 - -
MARKET STALLS IN TAI PO FOR BIDDING XXX
SIXTEEN MARKET STALLS IN TAI PO WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC BIDDING ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 13).
THEY ARE LOCATED AT TAI PO MARKET, TAI PO TEMPORARY MARKET AND TAI PO KUK TENG MARKET, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE BIDDING WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION OF THE TAI PO URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF MEI TAK BUILDING, 1-17 KWONG FUK ROAD, STARTING AT 10 AM.
THE STALLS ARE DESIGNATED FOR THE SELLING OF A VARIETY OF GOODS, WITH THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTALS RANGING FROM $500 TO $1 550 EACH.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MAY START BUSINESS ON FEBRUARY 1 ON A ■THREE-YEAR CONTRACT.
BIDDERS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION OF THE TAI PO URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON 0-6577111, EXT. 158.
WATER CUT IN WESTERN NT MMX
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREAS IN THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 13) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AREAS AFFECTED ARE ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM PUI TO ROAD TO TAI LAM CHUNG, INCLUDING AREA 20, GORDON CAMP, PEROWNE CAMP, SO KWUN WAT, PEARL ISLAND, SIU SHAU TSUEN, SIU LAM, TAI LAM CHUNG TSUEN AND TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
INCREASED TAXI CHARGES ANNOUNCED ............................................ 1
'NEW DEBTORS LAW - A TRIUMPH FOR LEGAL SYSTEM' .................................... 4
BILL DRAWS SUPPORT ALONG WITH RESERVATIONS ................................................. 8
MORE USE OF COST ACCOUNTANTS PROPOSED...................................... 10
MINOR CLAIMS PROCEDURE SIMPLE ....................................................................................... 11
NEW SAFE GAS WATER HEATERS INTRODUCED ................................................................ 1J
PUBLIC SERVICE MORALE HIGH - ROWLANDS ................................................................ 14
POLICY ON GAZETTED CEMETERIES EXPLAINED .......................................................... 15
CORPORATION STILL FACING DIFFICULTIES FRCM PAST ................................. 16
MORE MARINE REFUSE REMOVED ................................................................................................... 17
BILL STRESSED COMMITMENT TO ANTI-DRUG FIGHT .............................................. 18
MORE CYCLE TRACKS BEING PROVIDED ................................................................................ 19
NT TAXI REGISTRATION PERIOD EXTENDED ................................................................... 19
SAFETY CONDITION IMPOSED ON SHUTTERS ................................................................... 20
'CLADDING' REGULATIONS SUFFICIENT ............................................................................. 20
SCRIPTS REQUIRED BEFORE STAGE PRODUCTION ....................................................... 21
LEGCO PASSES FIVE BILLS .......................................................................................................... 21
GOVERNOR REJECTS PESSIMISM ON HONG KONG'S FUTURE .................................... 22
FIRST, SECOND CLASS HOSPITAL BED FEES REVISED .............................................. 24
NEW TOWN SCHEME SEEN AS BEST ANYWHERE....................................................................... 25
SHA TIN HAS BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.............. 26
JOINT VENTURE CONTRACT SIGNED ................................................................................................ 28
MEASURES ON TAXIS ......................... 28
FIRE HAZARDS HOTLINE ............................................................................................................................ 29
KWAI CHUNG FalS SITES LEASED ................................................................................................... 29
ANTI-DRUGS DRIVE ........................................................................................... JO
LEAKAGE TEST IN CENTRAL ................................................................................................................... JO
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
INCREASED TAXI CHARGES ANNOUNCED * *
*
*
taxi PARES ARE TO INCREASE BY 17 PER CENT AND THE ISSUE OF NEW LICENCES FOR URBAN TAXIS IS TO BE FROZEN, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HEARD TODAY.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN SCOTT, MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AS PART OF A WIDE RANGING REVIEW OF THE ROLE OF TAXIS IN THE TRANSPORT PATTERN OF HONG KONG.
HE MOVED THE SECOND READING OF TWO BILLS PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE EARLIER TODAY - THE FIRST INCREASING FIRST REGISTRATION TAX FOR TAXIS AND THE SECOND INCREASING THEIR ANNUAL LICENSING FEES. THESE BILLS ARE THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.
ON THE FARE INCREASE. MR SCOTT SAID THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD CONCLUDED THAT AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 10 PER CENT IS JUSTIFIED FOR BOTH URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS, BASED ON INCREASES IN THEIR EXPENDITURE SINCE THE LAST RISE IN OCTOBER 1982. THE INCREASE IN OPERATING EXPENDITURE ARISING FROM THE NEW TAXATION HAD ALSO TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND THEREFORE FARES WERE TO INCREASE BY A TOTAL OF 17 PER CENT FROM FEBRUARY 1.
URBAN TAXI FARES WILL GO UP FROM THE PRESENT FLAGFALL OF .5n FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES TO A FLAGFALL OF $5.30. THE ADDITIONAL DISTANCE CHARGE WILL INCREASE FROM 60 CENTS TO 70 CENTS FOR EACH 266.6 METRES.
FOR NT TAXIS THE FLAGFALL WILL INCREASE FROM $3 TO $3.50. THE ADDITIONAL DISTANCE CHARGE WILL INCREASE FROM 30 CENTS FOR EVERY 0.2 OF A KILOMETRE TO 70 CENTS FOR EVERY 0.4 OF A KILOMETRE.
WAITING TIME FOR BOTH URBAN AND NT TAXIS WILL BE SET AT 70 CENTS FOR EVERY TWO MINUTES. THE ADDITIONAL FARE FOR EACH ARTICLE OF BAGGAGE, ANIMAL OR BIRD, WHICH HAS BEEN UNCHANGED SINCE 1969, WILL BE RAISED FROM 50 CENTS TO $1.
MR SCOTT SAID HE WISHED TO SET THE MOVES IN CONTEXT. THE NUMBER OF TAXIS HAD INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN RECENT YEARS, HE SAID, AND IT WAS EXPECTED THAT DURING 1984 THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED URBAN TAXIS WOULD REACH 13 000 AND THAT OF REGISTERED NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS TO REACH 2 330.
AS RECOGNISED IN MAY 1982 WHEN PRIVATE VEHICLE RESTRAINTS WERE INTRODUCED, TAXIS WERE NEEDED IN A SUPPORTING ROLE WHILE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUED IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT, HE SAID. THESE INCLUDED THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, THE MODERNISED KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY AND A WIDE RANGE OF ROAD PROJECTS AND ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENTS. ADDITIONALLY, BUS SERVICES HAD IMPROVED ENORMOUSLY AND NOW THE TWO PRINCIPAL COMPANIES CARRY 3.5 MILLION PASSENGERS A DAY, COMPARED WITH 2.5 MILLION IN 1976.
.THE NEED FOR THE TAXI AS AN ADJUNCT TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT HAS THEREFORE DIMINISHED SIGNIFICANTLY,*
SAID MR SCOTT.
/a very ..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984 -
- 2 -
A VERY CLOSE LOOK WAS TAKEN DURING 1903, THEREFORE, AT ALL ASPECTS OF TAXI POLICY AND OPERATIONS, IN GREATER SCOPE AND DETAIL THAN EVER BEFORE. THE REPORT WAS STUDIED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THEN BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL. PARTICULAR CARE WAS TAKEN TO OBTAIN A WIDE RANGE OF OPINION AS WELL AS FACTS, AND ALL DISTRICT BOARDS WERE INVITED TO DISCUSS AN INFORMATION PAPER AND PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS. THE 14 TAXI ASSOCIATIONS WERE ALSO CONSULTED AND NOTE WAS TAKEN OF PUBLIC OPINION EXPRESSED IN THE MEDIA.
THE REVIEW SHOWED THAT TAXIS CARRIED 1 030 000 PEOPLE A DAY IN SEPTEMBER 1983 - COMPARED WITH 396 000 IN APRIL 1976. THE TWO MAJOR BUS COMPANIES, MTR, KCR AND TRAM FIGURES, FOR THE SAME DATES, TOTALLED 5 222 000 AND 2 941 000.
.THUS, TAXI PASSENGERS INCREASED BY 160 PER CENT OVER THE PERIOD, COMPARED WITH AN INCREASE OF 78 PER CENT IN PASSENGERS CARRIED ON PUBLIC LAND TRANSPORT,*
SAID MR SCOTT.
THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY SHOWED THAT ONLY SEVEN PER CENT OF TAXI TRIPS WERE URGENT.
.THIS PUTS IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE THE ROLE OF TAXIS AS ESSENTIAL CARRIERS, WHICH IS A THOUGHT SOMETIMES EXPRESSED BY THOSE WHO COMMENT ON TRANSPORT AFFAIRS,*
HE SAID.
THE NUMBER OF TAXIS HAS MORE THAN TREBLED SINCE APRIL 1976 - COMPARED WITH AN 80 PER CENT GROWTH IN PRIVATE CARS AND THE TOTAL VEHICLE FLEET OVER THE SAME PERIOD. SINCE THE MAY 1982 INCREASES IN FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AND ANNUAL LICENCES FOR PRIVATE VEHICLES, TAXIS, AS A PROPORTION OF TOTAL TRAFFIC IN ALL THE MAJOR CORRIDORS, HAVE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY. ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE DISTANCE COVERED BY THE TAXI FLEET WAS DUE TO VACANT CABS CRUISING FOR FARES. WAITING TIMES WERE NOW AT AN ALL TIME LOW OF 0.3 OF A MINUTE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND 1.2 MINUTES IN KOWLOON.
ON FARES. MR SCOTT SAID THAT THESE HAD ACTUALLY FALLEN IN REAL TERMS OVER THE PERIOD 1974-82, DESPITE MONETARY INCREASES. OF 15 CITIES SURVEYED, TAXI FARES IN HONG KONG ARE THE LOWEST.
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL. AFTER CONSIDERING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REVIEW, AND THE ADVICE OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE DECIDED*
1.
TAXIS ARE A FORM OF PERSONALISED TRANSPORT AND IN TERMS OF POLICY SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE PRIVATE CARS, NOT LIKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT, IN THE TRANSPORT HIERACHY.
2.
THE NUMBER OF TAXIS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO WHAT THE ROAD NETWORK CAN BEAR.
3.
THERE SHOULD BE A FREEZE ON THE ISSUE OF NEW URBAN TAXI LICENCES CONTINUING TO BE ISSUED BY TENDER AT THE CURRENT RATE OF 50 PER MONTH UP TO A LIMIT OF 3 000.
4.
THERE IS NO LONGER JUSTIFICATION FOR PREFERENTIAL TAXATION FOR TAXIS.
/MR SCCTT ....................
WEDNESDAY, JaNUAHY 11, 1984
3
MR SCOTT THEN MOVED THE TWO BILLS TO FOLLOW UP THE PROVISIONS CF THE TWO REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY. THEY PROVIDE THAT 1
FIRST REGISTRATION TAX
A TAXI WILL PAY THE SAME FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AS A PRIVATE CAR, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT FLAT 15 PER CENT OF COST INSURANCE AND FREIGHT VALUE. THESE AREi-
(A)
WHERE THE CIF VALUE OF THE TAXI DOES NOT 70%
EXCEED $20 000
(B)
WHERE THE CIF VALUE OF THE TAXI EXCEEDS 80%
$20 000 BUT DOES NOT EXCEED $30 000
(C)
WHERE THE CIF VALUE OF THE TAXI EXCEEDS 90%
$30 000
VIRTUALLY ALL TAXIS FALL IN CATEGORY (C), BUT IT IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CATEGORIES.
ANNUAL LICENCE FEES
RECOGNISING THAT EACH TAXI COVERS MANY TIMES THE DISTANCE THAT THE AVERAGE PRIVATE CAR DOES, THE ANNUAL LICENCE FEE FOR TAXIS WILL BE SET HIGHER THAN FOR PRIVATE CARS, NAMELY DOUBLE. THIS REPLACES THE PRESENT FLAT FEE OF $1 600 PER ANNUM. THE NEW RATES AREi-
(A)
FOR A TAXI WHERE THE CYLINDER CAPACITY OF $4 600 THE ENGINE DOES NOT EXCEED 1 500 CUBIC CENTIMETRES
(B) WHERE THE ENGINE EXCEEDS 1 500 C.C. BUT $6 800
DOES NOT EXCEED 2 500 C.C.
(C) BETWEEN 2 500 AND 3 500 C.C. $9 000
(D) BETWEEN 3 500 AND 4 500 C.C. $11 200
(E) OVER 4 500 C.C. $13 400
PRACTICALLY ALL TAXIS FALL IN CATEGORY (B), BUT IT IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CATEGORIES.
DIESEL ENGINE SURCHARGE
PRIVATE CARS WITH DIESEL ENGINES PAY AN ANNUAL SURCHARGE OF $1 000. TAXIS WITH DIESEL ENGINES WILL IN FUTURE PAY AN ANNUAL SURCHARGE OF $2 000.
THESE MEASURES WILL INCREASE THE COST OF OPERATING A TAXI BY ABOUT SEVEN PER CENT.
DEBATE ON THE BILLS WAS ADJOURNED TILL JANUARY 25. - - - - 0 - - " ' /4...........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
- 4
’NEW DEBTORS LAW - A TRIUMPH FOR LEGAL SYSTEM’
*****
THE DEBTORS (ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT) BILL 1983, IF PASSED INTO LAW WOULD BE A TRIUMPH FOR THE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM WHICH wE ALL CHERISH AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE PRESERVED, THE HON PETER C. WONG SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR WONG SAID, +WHILE PRESERVING THE RIGHTS OF THE CREDITOR, THE BILL REMOVES A GLARING INEQUITY AND ABOLISHES AN ANACHRONISM WHICH BELONGS TO ANOTHER AGE.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS SUPPORTED THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE THAT IN CIVIL CASES A COURT ORDER WAS ESSENTIAL IF A JUDGMENT CREDITOR SOUGHT TO COMMIT THE DEBTOR TO PRISON.
MR WONG IS THE CONVENER OF THE AD HOC GROUP OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ON THE BILL AND THE LEGISLATION SCRUTINY GROUP WHICH HAD MET SEVERAL TIMES TO CONSIDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL AS WELL AS THE REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED.
IN ADDITION, LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
.
AS A RESULT OF THESE MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS, SEVERAL AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN AGREED AND WILL BE MOVED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE,+ MR WONG SAID.
MR WONG THEN GAVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE MAIN CHANGES PROPOSED
BY THE BILL IN ITS AMENDED VERSION:
*
NO DEBTOR SHALL BE ARRESTED OR IMPRISONED WITHOUT AN ORDER OF THE COURT.
*
PROVISION FOR EXAMINATION OF THE DEBTOR AND FOR HIS ARREST IN CERTAIN CASES.
*
THE COURT SHALL HAVE POWER TO ORDER THE IMPRISONMENT OF THE DEBTOR IN APPROPRIATE CASES.
*
PROVISION FOR ORDERING THE PAYMENT OF THE DEBT BY INSTALMENTS. THERE IS NO SUCH PROVISION UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION.
*
THE PERIOD OF IMPRISONMENT SHALL NOT EXCEED THREE MONTHS. THE EXISTING LAW PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF ONE YEAR.
*
THE COURT MAY ORDER THE IMPRISONMENT OF A DEBTOR ON EACH OCCASION OF A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER. THE EXISTING LAW ALLOWS IMPRISONMENT ON ONE OCCASION ONLY.
*
THE COURT SHALL HAVE POWER TO MAKE AN ORDER PROHIBITING A DEBTOR FROM LEAVING HONG KONG. THIS NEW PROVISION IS MOST USEFUL AS IT WILL ALLOW A CREDITOR TO PURSUE HIS CLAIM IN COURT WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF SENDING THE DEBTOR TO PRISON.
/. 1H2 AKEKOEj..............
7/EDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
5
*
THE AMENDED VERSION GIVES THE COURT POWER TO MAKE A PROHIBITION ORDER AGAINST AN ALLEGED DEBTOR, INCLUDING A VISITOR, FROM LEAVING HONG KONG BUT THERE WILL BE NO POWER TO ORDER IMPRISONMENT. THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL WAS THAT SUCH PROCEDURE SHOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE AGAINST FOREIGNERS WHO COME TO VISIT HONG KONG.
MR WONG BELIEVED THAT THE BILL IN ITS AMENDED FORM SHOULD hEET MOST OF THE OBJECTIONS RAISED.
.
IN FACT, THE INTRODUCTION OF PROHIBITION ORDERS IS AN IMPROVEMENT UPON THE EXISTING LEGISLATION.
.
FURTHERMORE, THE PROVISION OF DETAILED RULES REGARDING THE EXAMINATION OF DEBTORS AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS WILL FACILITATE COURT PROCEEDINGS, HE SAID.
*
HE THEN ELABORATED ON THE AMENDMENTS THAT HE WOULD BE MOVING AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
ON THE EXAMINATION OF DEBTORS, THE NEW RULE 1A PROVIDES THAT WHERE THE EXAMINATION IS ADJOURNED, THE COURT MAY ORDER THAT THE DEBTOR BE IMPRISONED UNTIL THE RESUMPTION OF THE EXAMINATION.
.
IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT IMPRISONMENT SHOULD ONLY BE ORDERED IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AS THE DEBTOR MAY AT THE END OF THE EXAMINATION BE RELEASED BY THE COURT.
.UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, A PROHIBITION ORDER SHOULD BE AN ADEQUATE SAFEGUARD TO ENSURE THE DEBTOR’S APPEARANCE AT THE RESUMED HEARING OF THE EXAMINATION. AMENDMENTS TO THAT EFFECT WILL ACCORDINGLY BE MADE,*
MR WONG SAID.
HE WOULD ALSO PROPOSE AMENDMENTS TO MAKE THE FORMS MORE READILY UNDERSTANDABLE AND EASIER TO USE.
HE STRESSED THAT HE WAS OF THE VIEW THAT THE CRUX OF THE PROBLEM WAS TO DEVISE AN EFFECTIVE MACHINERY TO RECOVER MONEY FROM A DEBTOR WHO HAD EITHER ASSETS OR REGULAR EARNINGS AND THAT IMPRISONMENT WAS INADEQUATE TO MEET THIS NEED AND ITS MANY INJUSTICES AND ABUSES SHOULD BE TERMINATED.
.THE MEASURES NOW PROPOSED ARE A COMPROMISE WHICH GO FAR TO MEET THE LEGITIMATE NEEDS OF THE FINANCIAL AND TRADING COMMUNITY IN THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG WHILE RECOGNISING THE LIBERTY OF THE PERSON IS AN IMPORTANT FREEDOM WHICH ONLY THE COURTS SHOULD TAKE AWAY,+ HE SAID.
THE AIM OF THE BILL IS TO STRIKE A RIGHT BALANCE AS BETWEEN THE CLAIMANT AND THE DEFENDANT, THE HON JOHN SWA I NE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE OF THE BILL HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED THOUGH A LARGE NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS WERE TO BE MADE AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE WITH SOME OF THEM INVOLVING POINTS CF SUBSTANCE.
/+THAT PRD.'CLPLE....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
6
.THAT PRINCIPLE IS OF COURSE THAT NO PERSON SHOULD BE IMPRISONED WITHOUT AN ORDER OF THE COURT, AND JUDGMENT DEBTORS ARE NO EXCEPTION.
.IN ADDITION, THE PRESENT BILL ALSO SEEKS TO REFORM THE LAW IN THE RELATED AND IMPORTANT AREA OF ARREST OF A DEFENDANT IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS BEFORE ANY JUDGMENT IS OBTAINED AGAINST HIM,*
HE SAID.
.THIS AREA OF LAW REFORM HAS PERHAPS RECEIVED LESS PUBLICITY THAN THAT OF THE JUDGMENT DEBTOR, BUT IS AT LEAST AS DESERVING A CANDIDATE, BECAUSE THE POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE IS GREATER IN A CASE WHERE JUDGMENT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN OBTAINED,*
HE ADDED.
MR SWA I NE, WHO WOULD BE MOVING THE THEN PRESENTED THE OUTLINES OF THE BILL
BULK OF THE AMENDMENTS, AS REFORMULATED.
ON THE IMPRISONMENT OF DEBTORS, HE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 21A OF THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE, THE COURT’S JURISDICTION TO MAKE AN ORDER FOR ARREST OR IMPRISONMENT OF A DEFENDANT IN A CIVIL CASE IS LIMITED TO ENFORCING, SECURING OR PURSUING A JUDGMENT FOR THE PAYMENT OF A SPECIFIED SUM OF MONEY.
SUCH AN ORDER FOR IMPRISONMENT SHALL NOT EXCEED THREE MONTHS, BUT UNDER THE PROPOSED ORDER 49B RULE 1B(3)(B) THE COURT MAY ORDER THE IMPRISONMENT OF THE JUDGMENT DEBTOR ON EACH OCCASION OF A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER TO SATISFY THE JUDGMENT BY INSTALMENTS OR IN SUCH OTHER MANNER AS THE COURT THINKS FIT, OR MORE THAN ONCE IN RESPECT OF A CONTINUING FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SUCH AN ORDER, HE ADDED.
ON THE NEW CONCEPT OF A PROHIBITION ORDER INTRODUCED UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 21B, MR SWAINE SAID THAT THIS IS AN ORDER PROHIBITING A PERSON FROM LEAVING HONG KONG IN CERTAIN SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES.
.THESE ARE BROADLY IN TWO CATEGORIES, NAMELY WHERE THERE IS ALREADY A JUDGMENT AGAINST THAT PERSON AND WHERE THERE IS NO JUDGMENT AS YET BUT ONLY A CLAIM,*
HE SAID.
.IT IS THE LATTER CATEGORY WHICH I HAD SAID EARLIER WAS POTENTIALLY THE MOST OPEN TO ABUSE, AND THE CONCERN OF THE UNOFFICIALS WAS (AS INDEED WITH ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE BILL) TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE DESIRE TO PROTECT THE CLAIMANT’S LEGITIMATE NEEDS AND TO PREVENT INJUSTICE BEING DONE TO THE DEFENDANT,+ HE ADDED.
WHERE A JUDGMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN OBTAINED, THE PROHIBITION ORDER IS TO BE AVAILABLE NOT ONLY WHERE THE JUDGMENT IS FOR THE PAYMENT OF A SPECIFIED SUM OF MONEY, BUT ALSO WHERE THE JUDGMENT IS FOR THE PAYMENT OF AN AMOUNT TO BE ASSESSED OR FOR THE DELIVERY OF ANY PROPERTY OR PERFORMANCE OF ANY OTHER ACT.
.THIS CASTS THE NET VERY WIDE INDEED AND IS INTENDED TO PREVENT THE ABSCONDING OF JUST ABOUT EVERY CLASS OF JUDGMENT DEBTOR,+ MR SWAINE OBSERVED.
/.THS A-L ‧‧‧‧■..
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
‧ 7 -
.
THE FINAL SANCTION OF IMPRISONMENT UNDER THE BILL IS HOWEVER CONFINED TO JUDGMENT DEBTORS WHO WILFULLY REFUSE TO PAY A JUDGMENT FOR MONEY OR WHO KNOWINGLY CONTRAVENE A PROHIBITION ORDER.
*
WHERE THERE IS A CLAIM BUT AS YET NO JUDGMENT, THE ABSCONDING DEFENDANT MAY BE STOPPED WHERE THERE IS A CLAIM AGAINST HIM FOR MONEY, OR DAMAGES, OR THE DELIVERY OF ANY PROPERTY OR THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY OTHER ACT.
.
THIS REMEDY WILL BE AVAILABLE AGAINST ALL WHO ARE ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG, OR CARRY ON BUSINESS HERE, OR WHO INCURRED THE LIABILITIES IN HONG KONG WHILE PRESENT IN HONG KONG, MR SWAINE SAID.
*
.
THE AREA OF IMMUNITY HAS BEEN CUT DOWN SHARPLY FROM THAT ENVISAGED WHEN THE BILL WAS FIRST BEFORE COUNCIL, AND THE NET WILL CATCH ALL SAVE THE GENUINE VISITOR WHO DOES NOT HIMSELF ENGAGE A LIABILITY WHILE IN HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
*
THE PROHIBITION ORDER IS INITIALLY GOOD FOR ONE MONTH BUT MAY BE RENEWED FOR A TOTAL OF NOT MORE THAN THREE MONTHS.
UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, THE PERSON SO PROHIBITED MAY APPLY TO THE COURT FOR THE ORDER TO BE DISCHARGED.
IN THE CASE OF A DEFENDANT AGAINST WHOM THERE IS A CLAIM BUT AS YET NO JUDGMENT, HE MAY HAVE THE PROHIBITION ORDER DISCHARGED ON SHOWING TO THE COURT THAT HE HAS A SUBSTANTIAL DEFENCE TO THE CLAIM.
IF THE CLAIMANT APPLIES FOR A PROHIBITION ORDER ON INSUFFICIENT GROUNDS OR KEEPS IT GOING AFTER IT WAS NO LONGER REQUIRED, HE IS LIABLE TO PAY COMPENSATION TO THE AGGRIEVED DEFENDANT.
.
THIS AGAIN EXEMPLIFIES THE BILL’S AIM TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE AS BETWEEN THE CLAIMANT AND DEFENDANT, MR SWAINE SAID.
*
SIMILAR PROVISIONS ARE MADE FOR CASES WITHIN THE JURISDICTION CF THE DISTRICT COURT.
MR SWAINE THANKED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS FOR HAVING THE BILL, TOGETHER WITH ALL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS THEN CURRENT, PUBLISHED IN A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OF THE GAZETTE ON DECEMBER 23, 1983 FOR INFORMATION.
HE SAID THAT THIS HAD GREATLY ASSISTED THE UNOFFICIALS WORKING GROUP AS WELL AS INTERESTED PARTIES.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS SAID THAT THE BILL, AS AMENDED, WOULD PROVIDE A +REASONABLE AND JUST SOLUTION*
TO THE PROBLEM OF RECONCILING THE PROTECTION OF CREDITORS WITH THE AVOIDANCE OF UNJUSTIFIED IMPRISONMENT.
BuHSVS ...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
8 -
.I BELIEVE THAT THE BILL IS A CONSISTENT BOTH WITH THE REALITIES HONG KONG AND WITH ITS CONCERN FOR SAID.
BALANCED MEASURE WHICH IS OF COMMERCIAL LIFE IN MODERN INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM,*
MR THOMAS
HE THANKED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND MANY OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR TIME, EFFORT AND WISDOM IN THEIR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL.
.THIS IS A LONG OVERDUE REFORM OF THE LAW OF WHICH MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL MAY FEEL PROUD,*
HE SAID.
BILL DRAWS SUPPORT ALONG WITH RESERVATIONS * *
*
M
THE HON CHARLES YEUNG, THE HON WONG PO-YAN AND THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE DEBTORS (ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT) BILL 1983 WHILE THE HON K.C. CHAN VOICED HIS RESERVATIONS.
THEY WERE SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE UNIQUE SOCIAL, HUMAN AND GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS OF HONG KONG, MOST PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN BUSINESS, THOUGHT THAT THE PRESENT LAW ON THE IMPRISONMENT OF DEBTORS HAD NOT PRODUCED ANYTHING TOO INEQUITABLE, AND THEREFORE CONSIDERED THAT IT SHOULD BE PRESERVED.
GOING OVER THE STATISTICS ON THE IMPRISONMENT OF DEBTORS, HE OBSERVED THAT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IMPRISONED WAS NOT HIGH AND ON THE AVERAGE, A DEBTOR STAYED IN PRISON FOR ONLY ABOUT 20 DAYS.
WHEN A DEBTOR REALISED THAT THE COURT’S BAILIFF WAS GOING TO TAKE HIM TO PRISON, HE WOULD USUALLY REPAY THE DEBT IMMEDIATELY OR CAME TO TERMS WITH THE CREDITOR TO AVOID IMPRISONMENT, Nfl YEUNG SAID.
.THEREFORE IN A FREE AND TRADE-ORIENTED SOCIETY LIKE HONG KONG, IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO MAINTAIN THIS LAW OF IMPRISONMENT OF DEBTORS,*
MR YEUNG ADDED.
NOTED THAT MOST JUDGES WERE SAID TO BE IN FAVOUR OF THE PRESENT LEGAL SYSTEM OF IMPRISONING DEBTORS AND THE SPECIAL WORKING GROUP APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN 1981 WAS ALSO IN GENERAL AGREEMENT TO MAINTAIN THE PRESENT SYSTEM AFTER LONG AND CAREFUL STUDIES.
.HOWEVER, ONE POINT OPEN TO CRITICISM IN THE PRESENT LAW OF IMPRISONING DEBTORS IS THAT A DEBTOR WHO IS GENUINELY UNABLE TO PAY THE DEBT, AND BEING IGNORANT OF THE LEGAL PROCEDURE, IS DEPRIVED OF HIS LIBERTY AS HE IS PUT IN PRISON FOR A SHORT TIME. HE THUS HAS TO ENDURE THE SHAME OF BEING IMPRISONED, WHICH IS UNFAIR,. HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE BILL HAD THIS POINT AS ITS OBJECTIVE
WEDNESDAY, JaNUARY 11, 19&4
.I THINK IF ALL THE AMENDMENTS ARE ACCEPTED, THE NEW ORDINANCE WOULD BE A PIECE OF FAIR LEGISLATION WHICH WILL RECEIVE THE SUPPORT CF THE COMMUNITY,*
HE SAID.
MR WONG BELIEVED THAT THE BILL, IN ITS AMENDED FORM AFTER GOING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE, WOULD PROVIDE ESSENTIAL AND ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR BOTH CREDITORS AND DEBTORS WITH DUE CONSIDERATION TO THEIR RESPECTIVE INTERESTS.
.THE PROPOSED BILL MAKES FUNDAMENTAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE PRESENT PROCEDURE WHEREBY DEBTORS ARE PROTECTED AGAINST ARREST WITHOUT COURT HEARING AND EXAMINATION AND CREDITORS ARE AFFORDED IMPROVED MEANS OF COMPELLING DEBTORS TO FULFIL THEIR CONTRACTUAL OBL IGATIONS.+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER. HE URGED THE COURT TO EXERCISE CAUTION IN CASES WHERE AN ELEMENT OF FRAUD WAS SUSPECTED SO THAT DISHONEST DEBTORS COULD BE DETECTED AND PENALISED.
HE SAID THAT IN THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS, CREDITORS DID ACCEPT INABILITY TO PAY AS PART OF THE RISK AN ENTREPRENEUR OR BUSINESS HAD TO TAKE.
.HOWEVER, SHOULD THESE CREDITORS SUSPECT THAT THE DEBTOR IS UNABLE TO PAY BECAUSE HE HAS DISPOSED OF HIS ASSETS WITH THE INTENTION TO DEFRAUD (A SITUATION WHICH IS NOT ALL THAT INFREQUENT IN THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG), THERE BEING NO IMMEDIATE SANCTION TO COMPEL THE DISHONEST DEBTOR TO REPAY AND NOT CERTAIN OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NEW BILL, THEY WOULD BE TAKING THE ATTITUDE OF PRUDENCE BY BEING LESS WILLING TO EXTEND CREDIT,+ HE WARNED.
.SHOULD THESE TRADERS ADOPT AN OVER-CAUTIOUS AND OVER-CONSERVATIVE POLICY IN CREDIT EXTENSION, THE GROWTH OF OUR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AND CONSEQUENTIALLY, OUR OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED,. HE SAID.
MR CHEONG SAID THAT HE DID NOT SUBSCRIBE TO THE VIEW THAT NOTHING NEEDED TO BE DONE TO UPSET A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT HAD BEEN DESIGNED WITH LOCAL CONDITIONS IN MIND, TESTED AND PROVEN ACCEPTABLE.
HE ADDED THAT IN ANY CASE, THE RIGHTS OF CREDITORS TO SUE AND TO PURSUE A DEBT WOULD NOT BE DIMINISHED WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.
.FURTHERMORE, IT SHOULD BE POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE DETAILED AMENDMENTS TO BE INTRODUCED LATER THIS AFTERNOON, IN SOME RESPECTS THEIR RIGHTS HAVE EVEN BEEN ENHANCED AND STRENGTHENED,+ HE SAID.
.WE MUST ACCEPT THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS BILL IN FACT HAS CORRECTED AN ANOMALY OF OUR OTHERWISE NEAR TO PERFECT LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM,. HE SAID.
/MR CHAN ....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1964
10 -
MR CHAN ACCEPTED THAT + N0 ONE SHALL BE IMPRISONED MERELY ON THE GROUND OF INABILITY TO FULFIL A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION.*
.BUT FIRST WE MUST CONSIDER IN PRINCIPLE WHETHER HONG KONG SHOULD ALWAYS FAITHFULLY AND RELIGIOUSLY FOLLOW ALL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS WITHOUT MODIFICATIONS,*
HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CREDIT IN HONG KONG BUT CREDIT CONTROL
WAS THE LIFEBLOOD OF MANY BUSINESSES FACILITIES WERE NOT PERFECT.
*THIS CAN BE PROVEN BY THE 14 000 HIGH COURT WRITS ISSUED IN A YEAR. THE AVERAGE OF 44 DEBTORS IMPRISONED PER MONTH IS ONLY THE TP OF THE ICEBERG,*
HE SAID.
.IT IS THE USE OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM AND THE FEAR OF IMPRISONMENT WHICH KEEPS THE BULK OF CASES FROM APPEARING BEFORE A JUDGE,*
HE ADDED.
HE SAID THAT THE PRESENT BILL WOULD COMPLICATE THE EXISTING PROCEDURE FOR THE JUDGMENT CREDITOR TO RECOVER HIS LAWFUL DEBT FROM UNSCRUPULOUS DEBTORS.
.IF MOST OF THE 14 000 CASES HAVE TO BE HEARD BEFORE A JUDGE, IT WILL MEAN EITHER LONG DELAYS OR THE APPOINTMENT OF MORE JUDGES,*
SAID.
.THE INCREASED COST AND DELAY CAUSED BY THE CHANGE IN PROCEDURE MAY ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO ARE NOT SO LAW-ABIDING AND THOSE FOR WHOM THE NEW LEGAL PROCESS IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO TAKE THE SHORT CUT OF USING HIRED MUSCLE TO UNDERTAKE THE COLLECTION OF DEBTS. THE COMMUNITY WILL FEEL THE EFFECT OF INCREASED VIOLENCE,*
HE SAID.
MORE USE OF COST ACCOUNTANTS PROPOSED ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE MORE USE OF COST ACCOUNTANTS IN ITS MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE, THE HON S.L. CHEN SAID WHEN HE TABLED THE SIXTH REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE, MR CHEN MADE THE SUGGESTION THAT THE MANAGEMENT TEAM OF ALMOST ANY DEPARTMENT WHICH DEALS WITH LARGE SUMS IN TERMS OF EITHER REVENUE OR EXPENDITURE SHOULD INCLUDE A COST ACCOUNTANT SECONDED FROM THE TREASURY.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ACCOUNTANT WOULD BE TO ADVISE THE DIRECTOR OF THAT DEPARTMENT ON APPROPRIATE YARDSTICKS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF COST-BENEFIT, AND NECESSARY MEASURES TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY, HE EXPLAINED.
.I SHOULD STRESS, HOWEVER, THAT THE THINKING HERE IS NOT TO HAVE ONE MAN IN EACH DEPARTMENT WHO IS THE ONLY ONE CONCERNED WITH THESE MATTERS- BUT ONE MAN WHO CAN PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THESE CONSIDERATIONS AMONG HIS COLLEAGUES,*
HE ADDED.
/EAHLiiR r: ...................
'WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
11
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR CHEN QUOTED THE FINAL PARAGRAPH FROM THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT WHICH READS: +THE COMMITTEE IS DISAPPOINTED AND DISTRESSED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT SHOULD HAVE FOUND IT NECESSARY IN SO MANY AREAS OF HIS REPORT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO OVERSIGHTS, OMISSIONS AND FAILURES BY CIVIL SERVANTS WHICH POINT TO WHAT WE WOULD TERM INEFFICIENCIES IN THE SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION.
.SENIOR MANAGEMENT MUST ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A CONTINUOUS CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE PROCEDURES IN FORCE IN DEPARTMENTS SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THESE PROCEDURES ARE BOTH ADEQUATE IN THEIR CONCEPTION AND EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENTED.
.THE COMMITTEE WAS FRANKLY DISCOURAGED ON OCCASIONS WHEN INTERVIEWING SOME OF THE WITNESSES WHO APPEARED BEFORE IT BY THE SENSE GIVEN THAT FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS WERE OFTEN A POOR SECOND TO OTHER CONCERNS IN THE MINDS OF CONTROLLING OFFICERS.
.THERE IS ALL TOO LITTLE EVIDENCE THAT VALUE FOR MONEY CARRIES THE WEIGHT WHICH IT SHOULD WITH THOSE WHO HAVE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS,. HE SAID.
.ALTHOUGH THE COMMITTEE NEVER DOUBTED THE DILIGENCE AND DEDICATION OF CONTROLLING OFFICERS, THERE WAS MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHEN IT FELT THAT THESE OFFICERS IN GRAPPLING WITH THE VERY REAL PROBLEMS WHICH THEY FACE FELT CONSTRAINED TO PRESS ON REGARDLESS EITHER IN TERMS OF FINISHING A PROJECT OR RETAINING AN OLD AND INEFFICIENT SYSTEM BECAUSE THEIR DEPARTMENTS DID NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO INITIATE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF WHAT THEY WERE DOING,*
HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE ACCOUNTING OFFICER FOR EACH HEAD OF EXPENDITURE RECEIVES ON APPOINTMENT A LETTER WHICH LAYS DOWN HIS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND HE BELIEVED THAT THE ISSUE OF A SIMILAR LETTER WOULD BE A GOOD PRACTICE TO FOLLOW IN HONG KONG.
MINOR CLAIMS PROCEDURE SIMPLE * *
M
UNDER A RECENTLY-INTRODUCED SPECIALLY SIMPLE PROCEDURE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF COMPENSATION ASSESSMENT IN ABOUT EIGHT DAYS TO EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN GRANTED SICK LEAVE OF LESS THAN 14 DAYS FOR MINOR WORK INJURIES.
THE EMPLOYER IS THEN BOUND TO PAY ANY BALANCE OF COMPENSATION WITHIN 21 DAYS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON RON BRIDGE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, WHO ASKED HOW LONG IT USUALLY TOOK FOR A WORKER INJURED AT WORK TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION AND WHAT ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT IN THE INTERIM.
/MR BRIDGE....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
12 -
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE TIME TAKEN TO PAY COMPENSATION TO A WORKER INJURED IN THE COURSE OF HIS DUTIES DEPENDED ON THE NATURE OF HIS INJURIES.
WHATEVER THE NATURE OF HIS INJURY, HIS EMPLOYER WAS BOUND TO PAY HIM A SUM EQUIVALENT TO TWO THIRDS OF HIS MONTHLY SALARY FROM THE TIME HE WAS INJURED UNTIL HE RETURNED TO WORK OR, IN THE CASE OF PERMANENT INJURY, UNTIL HIS FINAL COMPENSATION HAD BEEN ASSESSED. THESE PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF HIS NORMAL PAY DAY.
THE SIMPLE PROCEDURE, HE CONTINUED, COVERED ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF ALL COMPENSATION CASES.
AS REGARDS THE 30 PER CENT INVOLVING MORE SERIOUS INJURIES OR PERMANENT INCAPACITY, THE POSITION WAS INEVITABLY MORE COMPLICATED.
IT WAS SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE FOR DOCTORS TO ASSESS THE DEGREE OF PERMANENT INCAPACITY UNTIL THE PATIENT HAD RECOVERED FROM ITS TEMPORARY EFFECTS. DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE INJURY, THE PERIOD OF CONVALESCENCE REQUIRED, AND THE EMPLOYEE’S OWN WILLINGNESS TO FOLLOW STRICTLY MEDICAL ADVICE, IT MIGHT TAKE SOME TIME BEFORE THE DEGREE OF PERMANENT INCAPACITY COULD BE FULLY AND FAIRLY ASSESSED.
.THIS PERIOD CAN VARY GREATLY- ON AVERAGE IT IS ABOUT TWO MONTHS, BUT WITH MORE SERIOUS INJURIES IT CAN TAKE FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS, AND IN A FEW CASES MUCH LONGER,+ HE ADDED.
ONCE THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION BOARD HAD BEEN ABLE TO ASSESS THE DEGREE OF PERMANENT INCAPACITY AND THE EMPLOYEE’S LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY, MR BRIDGE CONTINUED. THE EMPLOYER WAS REQUIRED TO MAKE A COMPENSATION AGREEMENT WITH THE EMPLOYEE WITHIN 21 DAYS AND HE MUST THEN PUT THE AGREEMENT TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WITHIN THREE DAYS.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT NORMALLY APPROVED THE AGREEMENT WITHIN NINE DAYS AND, ONCE IT HAD DONE SO, THE EMPLOYER MUST PAY THE BALANCE OF COMPENSATION WITHIN 21 DAYS.
WHEN THE EMPLOYER REFUSED TO ACCEPT LIABILITY OR DISPUTED THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION, THE DEPARTMENT TRIED TO CONCILIATE THE TWO SIDES AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO REACH A SETTLEMENT. IF THIS FAILED, THE DEPARTMENT PUT THE EMPLOYEE IN TOUCH WITH THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT, WHICH, GAVE HELP AND ADVICE AND, IF APPROPRIATE, HELPED THE EMPLOYEE PURSUE HIS CLAIM IN COURT.
IF, DESPITE PERIODIC PAYME
NTS, AN INJURED EMPLOYEE WAS
STILL IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY WHILE HIS INJURY WAS BEING ASSESSED OR WHILE HE WAS PURSUING HIS CLAIM IN COURT, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD PUT HIM IN TOUCH WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR HELP, MR BRIDGE ADDED.
- 0 ------------
/13 ...................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
NEW SAFE GAS WATER HEATERS INTRODUCED ft ft ft ft
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE SUPPLIERS OF GAS APPLIANCES, UNSAFE GAS WATER HEATERS ARE NO LONGER INSTALLED IN BATHROOMS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG, MR JACOBS SAID THAT, IN ADDITION, A NEW RANGE OF SAFE REPLACEMENT APPLIANCES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE BEEN SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN HONG KONG, ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE AND ACTIVELY PROMOTED.
MR WONG HAD ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO REPORT ON +THE PROGRESS MADE AS A RESULT OF THE APPOINTMENT OF A GAS ADVISER, THE REVISION OF RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND THE EXTENSIVE PUBLICITY ON GAS SAFETY.+
MR JACOBS ALSO SAID THAT SINCE THE GAS ADVISER’S APPOINTMENT IN 1982, MUCH PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY IN RELATION TO THE SAFE USE OF GAS FUELS AND THE EXTENSION CF A PIPED GAS SUPPLY TO DOMESTIC CONSUMERS.
HE SAID HE WOULD SHORTLY BE SUBMITTING A DETAILED PROGRESS REPORT ON GAS SAFETY TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
WITH REGARD TO LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS, HE SAID THAT AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED WITH THOSE INVOLVED IN THE GAS INDUSTRY ON A NUMBER CF SAFETY MEASURES IN RELATION TO THE FILLING, CHECKING, TRANSPORTING AND SORTING OF THE CYLINDERS. AND, TRAINING PROGRAMMES WERE BEING DRAWN UP FOR OPERATORS AND DRIVERS HANDLING LPG CYLINDERS, AND FOR LPG ROAD TANKER DRIVERS.
REAFFIRMING GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF GAS HEATERS, HE SAID THAT THE PUBLIC WERE CONTINUALLY BEING URGED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS BY ENSURING THAT THEIR BATHROOMS ARE ADEQUATELY VENTILATED WHEN GAS WATER HEATERS ARE USED.
WITH REGARD TO PIPED GAS, HE SAID IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF PIPED GAS IN DOMESTIC PREMISES.
HE SAID THAT THE GROWING DEMAND FOR TOWNGAS IS EXPECTED TO OUTSTRIP THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY’S (GASCO) PRODUCTION CAPACITY AT ITS MA TAU WAI PLANT BY THE END OF 1986.
ACCORDINGLY A SECOND GAS PRODUCTION PLANT IS REQUIRED, AND TALKS ARE TAKING PLACE BETWEEN GASCO AND THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A GAS PRODUCTION PLANT BEING LOCATED IN THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
RECOGNISING THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION IN GAS SAFETY, MR JACOBS SAID, AN AMENDMENT TO THE BUILDING (PLANNING) REGULATIONS WAS MADE IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
THE AMENDMENT PROVIDES THAT ALL NEW BUILDINGS BE CONSTRUCTED WITH SUFFICIENTLY LARGE APERTURES IN THE EXTERNAL WALLS OF BATHROOMS TO FACILITATE INSTALLATION OF SAFE GAS HEATERS.
/UNDER active ..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
- 14 -
UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION, IN ADDITION, IS A PROPOSAL THAT PLANS TO PROVIDE FOR CORRECTLY DESIGNED PIPING TO FACILITATE THE SUPPLY OF PIPED GAS INTO ALL NEW BUILDINGS, HE ADDED.
.AND WE INTEND TO INTRODUCE A MAJOR PIECE OF GAS LEGISLATION TO REGULATE THE MANUFACTURE, STORAGE, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION AND UTILISATION OF GAS FUELS,+ HE SAID.
------------0--------------
PUBLIC SERVICE MORALE HIGH - ROWLANDS
******
DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE PAST YEAR THE MORALE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE, INCLUDING THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES, REMAINS HIGH, THE HON MARTIN ROWLANDS, SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, SAID TODAY.
.INDEED I DO NOT RECALL IT HAVING BEEN HIGHER THAN IT IS NOW i THE FACT IS THAT WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING A THOROUGHLY PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND WE DO NOT ALLOW EXTRANEOUS EVENTS TO AFFECT OUR WORK,+ HE SAID.
MR ROWLANDS WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI WHO ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO STATE WHAT MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN TO ENHANCE MORALE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE, ESPECIALLY IN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES - AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF GOVERNMENT’S STATED POLICY TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, AND AT THE SAME TIME TO RESTRICT THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
MR ROWALNDS ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT RESTRICTIONS ON THE GROWTH OF THE SERVICE COULD ADD TO THE PRESSURES ON THE INDIVIDUAL CIVIL SERVANT, AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS THEREFORE TAKING CONCERTED ACTION TO COMBAT THIS.
.ALL DEPARTMENTS ARE NOW ENGAGED ON PROJECTS AIMED SPECIFICALLY AT INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY BY SUCH MEANS AS SIMPLER WORK PROCESSES, LABOUR SAVING EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVED MANNING SCHEDULES.
.STAFF ARE PARTICIPATING IN THESE PROJECTS WHEREVER POSSIBLE, SO THAT IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTIVITY ARE BEING ACHIEVED WITH THE SUPPORT OF STAFF, AND SOMETIMES ON THEIR INITIATIVE. THE RESULT IN MANY CASES IS JOB ENRICHMENT, AND THIS WE FIND IS ALMOST INVARIABLY GOOD FOR MORALE,. HE SAID.
GOOD MANAGEMENT, MR ROWLANDS SAID, BECOMES EVER MORE IMPORTANT AS WORKLOADS GROW WITHOUT ATTENDANT INCREASES IN STAFF.
.WE ARE THEREFORE PRESSING AHEAD WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO STAFF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, AND PLACING RENEWED EMPHASIS ON TRAINING IN SUPERVISORY SKILLS.
.CONSULTATION WITH STAFF IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AND WE ARE NOW MAKING FULL AND, I BELIEVE, EFFECTIVE USE OF THE CENTRAL AND DEPARTMENTAL CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY WHICH WE HAVE BUILT UP IN RECENT YEARS.
.THROUGH THIS MACHINERY WE ARE ABLE TO EXPLAIN OUR PRESENT POLICIES, TO DISCUSS WITH STAFF THEIR REACTIONS TO THEM, AND THEN TO PROCEED IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE STAFF SIDE SUPPORT.
/+AS PAST ......
WEDNSSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
15
.AS PART OF THIS PROCESS, MY SENIOR STAFF AND I ARE ENGAGED IN A CONTINUOUS ROUND OF VISITS TO DEPARTMENTS, DURING WHICH WE DISCUSS CURRENT ISSUES WITH STAFF REPRESENTATIVES,*
HE SAID.
MR ROWLANDS SAID THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WAS PERHAPS THE QUALITY OF LEADERSHIP WHICH MOST AFFECTED THE MORALE OF THE SERVICE, AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE KEY ROLE WHICH HEADS OF DEPARTMENT WERE PLAYING *
IN PROVIDING THAT RESOLUTE LEADERSHIP WHICH THE STAFF BOTH LOOK FOR AND APPRECIATE.*
POLICY ON GAZETTED CEMETERIES EXPLAINED K M M M
THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY GENERALLY IS TO ENCOURAGE CREMATION, THERE ARE GAZETTED CEMETERIES AVAILABLE ON OUTLYING ISLANDS FOR BURIAL OF RESIDENTS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR BARNES WAS REPLYING TO THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG WHO WISHED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT POLICY ON THE PROVISION OF BURIAL GROUNDS AND PUBLIC CEMETERIES ON OUTLYING ISLANDS.
BURIALS IN THESE CEMETERIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY FOR A SIX-YEAR EXHUMATION CYCLE TO PROVIDE GRAVE SPACES FOR REUSE.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT IN ADDITION, THERE ARE DESIGNATED BURIAL GROUNDS RESTRICTED TO THE BURIALS OF INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS AND LOCALLY BASED FISHERMEN WHO MAY ALSO BE BURIED IN THE GAZETTED CEMETERIES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT AS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY BURIAL TO TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE A GAZETTED PUBLIC OR PRIVATE CEMETERY UNLESS IT IS AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY A DISTRICT OFFICER.
THIS AUTHORISATION IS GIVEN ONLY IN THE CASE OF INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS AND LOCALLY BASED FISHERMEN FOR BURIALS IN DESIGNATED BURIAL GROUNDS, HE ADDED.
THERE ARE THREE PUBLIC CEMETERIES SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF OUTLYING ISLANDSt THE CHEUNG CHAU CEMETERY CATERING FOR RESIDENTS ON CHEUNG CHAU, THE TAI 0 CEMETERY ON LANTAU FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE ISLAND DISTRICT AND THE WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY IN FANLING TO SERVE THE ENTIRE TERRITORY.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 40 DESIGNATED BURIAL GROUNDS ON THE OUTLYING ISLANDS AND OTHER SITES ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION, HE SAID.
.RESTRICTING TRADITIONAL BURIALS TO DESIGNATED BURIAL GROUNDS ENSURES THAT THE GRAVES WILL BE READILY IDENTIFIABLE, THAT THEY WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH DEVELOPMENT AND WILL NOT CREATE HAPHAZARD ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS POLLUTION, SOIL EROSION, FIRE HAZARD AND SPOILING OF THE LANDSCAPE,*
MR BARNES EXPLAINED.
------------Q---------------
/16 ..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
1o
CORPORATION STILL FACING DIFFICULTIES FROM PAST * *
*
*
THE DIFFICULTIES FACING THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION IN 1982-83 WERE NOT YET A THING OF THE PAST, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON E.P. HO SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
TWO MAJOR INSOLVENCIES HAD OCCURRED IN EUROPE IN THE CURRENT YEAR, AND THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE INDEBTEDNESS OF A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WERE A LONG WAY FROM BEING RESOLVED. MR HO TOLD THE COUNCIL WHEN TABLING THE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE CORPORATION FOR 1982-83.
.IN ADDITION, THE CORPORATION’S RE-INSURER GAVE NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF THE RE-INSURANCE TREATY WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1983 UNLESS THE CONTRACT WAS RE-WRITTEN IN TERMS WHICH WERE UNACCEPTABLE.
.ACCORDINGLY, THE CORPORATION IS WITHOUT RE-INSURANCE COVER AT PRESENT, BUT ON THE ADVICE OF THE ADVISORY BOARD DISCUSSIONS ARE IN PROGRESS WITH OTHER INTERESTED RE-INSURERS,. MR HO SAID.
HE REPORTED THAT IN THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, THE LARGE CLAIMS PAYABLE WERE DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE RECESSION IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS WHICH HAD BROUGHT ABOUT BANKRUPTCIES IN ITS WAKE WHILE POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN OTHER MARKETS HAD ADDED TO THE SUBSTANTIAL CLAIMS ON THE CORPORATION.
.OVERALL, BUYER RISKS (l.E. WHERE THE OVERSEAS BUYER DEFAULTS ON PAYMENT OR BECOMES INSOLVENT OR REPUDIATES THE CONTRACT) ACCOUNTED FOR SOME 79 PER CENT OF PAYMENTS AND COUNTRY RISKS FOR 21 PER CENT.
.THE PERCENTAGES OF THESE TWO TYPES OF RISKS FOR 1981-02 WERE 84 PER CENT AND 16 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THE AREAS OF MAJOR CLAIMS IN 1982-83 WERE THE UNITED KINGDOM, LATIN AMERICA AND AFRICA.+ hR HO DISCLOSED.
IN 1982-83 THERE WAS MODERATE GROWTH IN THE CORPORATION’S BUSINESS — A NET INCREASE OF 148 POLICIES ISSUED, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 1 357, A SMALL INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL INSURED EXPORTS AT $3 919 MILLION, AND EIGHT PER CENT GROWTH IN GROSS PREMIUM INCOME TO $21 MILLION.
BUT UNFAVOURABLE MARKET CONDITIONS OVERSEAS RESULTING IN THE PAYMENT OF A NUMBER OF BIG CLAIMS AND THE WRITING OFF OF $7.8 MILLION OF THE EXPENDITURE ARISING FROM OFFICE REMOVAL, FITTING OUT OF THE NEW PREMISES AND COMPUTER HARDWARE PURCHASE, LED TO A NET DEFICIT OF $6 MILLION FOR THE YEAR.
AS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, EXPORTS INSURED WITH THE CORPORATION REPRESENTED JUST UNDER FIVE PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS, MR HO SAID.
EUROPE REMAINED THE CORPORATION’S LARGEST EXPOSURE AREA WITH A STABLE $2 463 MILLION OF INSURED EXPORTS.
/.TEILa THERE......
A" 11, 1964
WHILE THERE WAS AN ENCOURAGING GROWTH OF 18 PER CENT IN BUSINESS WITH NORTH AMERICA TO REGISTER A TOTAL OF $654 MILLION WORTH OF INSURED EXPORTS, THIS REPRESENTED ONLY TWO PER CENT OF -ONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE AREA, HE POINTED OUT.
->HOWEVER, THE PRODUCTS COVERED BY THE CORPORATION REMAINED CONSISTENT WITH THE OVERALL PATTERN OF OUR EXPORTSi TEXTILES AND CLOTHING WERE PREDOMINANT WITH 41 PER CENT OF EXPORTS INSURED, FOLLOWED BY TOYS AT 11 PER CENT.+ MR HO ADDED.
------------0------------
MORE MARINE REFUSE REMOVED * *
*
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT OPERATING A FLEET OF 29 CLEANSING VESSELS REMOVED OVER 8 000 TONNES OF REFUSE FROM HONG KONG’S WATERS LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH 4 400 TONNES IN 1980, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR BARNES WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM REV THE HON P.T. MCGOVERN ON THE SUBJECT OF WATER POLLUTION.
NOTING THAT MORE NEEDED TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, HR BARNES REPORTED THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY STUDY, COMMISSIONED AT THE END OF 1982, WOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH.
THIS STUDY WILL IDENTIFY THE SOURCES AND MOVEMENT PATTERNS OF MARINE REFUSE, INCLUDING THE SEASONAL VARIATIONS OBSERVED, AND WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MORE EFFECTIVE INTERCEPTION AND COLLECTION OF FLOATING REFUSE.
.IN THE LIGHT OF THE FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WILL REASSESS THEIR EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS AND DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES AND WILL REVIEW THE ADEQUACY OF THEIR EXPANSION PLANS,+ MR BARNES SAID.
AT PRESENT THESE PLANS INCLUDE ADDITIONAL VESSELS FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S CLEANSING FLEET AND AN EXTENSION OF ITS COVERAGE TO INCLUDE TUEN MUN, SHA TIN, SAI KUNG AND TAI PO IN ADDITION TO SERVICES PRESENTLY PROVIDED FOR VICTORIA HARBOUR, ABERDEEN AND CHEUNG CHAU.
THERE ARE ALSO PLANS TO EXTEND THE COLLECTION SERVICE IN THE TYPHOON SHELTERS TO INCLUDE CHEUNG CHAU, CHAI WAN, SAI KUNG AND SAM KA CHUEN.
BUT MR BARNES NOTED THAT DUE TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S BUDGET CONSTRAINTS FOR 1984-35, EFFORTS IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE WOULD EE DIRECTED AT ENSURING THE COLLECTING SERVICE AT ITS PRESENT LEVELS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF APPROVED RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE EPA STUDY +AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE*
.
/APART PrtOM
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 19&4
- ie -
APART FROM THE REMOVAL OF REFUSE, STEPS ARE ALSO TAKEN TO PREVENT REFUSE AND POLLUTANTS FROM ENTERING THE WATERS.
BESIDES EXISTING PREVENTIVE PROGRAMMES, ADDITIONAL STEPS
EE I NG TAKEN INCLUDE THE FOLLOWINGS
*
DEVELOPMENT OF CONTROLS UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE TO REGULATE DISCHARGES INTO WATER CONTROL ZONES.
*
A NEW WATER COURSE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
------0-------
BILL STRESSES COMMITMENT TO ANTI-DRUG FIGHT * *
ft *
THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 WILL EMPHASISE HONG KONG’S TOTAL COMMITMENT TO COMBAT INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING AND TRAFFICKING IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THE MAIN PURPOSES ARE TO CLOSE A LOOPHOLE IN THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE RELATING TO DRUGS IN TRANSIT THROUGH HONG KONG AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRESUMPTION THAT A PERSON WHO IS PROVED OR PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURING A DANGEROUS DRUG KNEW THAT SUCH A DRUG WAS A DANGEROUS DRUG.
HE SAID THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS LOOPHOLE IS THAT A PERSON BRINGING ILLICIT DRUGS INTO HONG KONG AND CHARGED WITH BEING IN POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFICKING CAN PLEAD THAT AS THE DRUGS WERE IN TRANSIT, HE WAS NOT TRAFFICKING.
.SEVERAL CASES HAVE OCCURRED IN WHICH THE PROSECUTION WAS NOT ABLE TO ESTABLISH CONCLUSIVELY THAT THE DRUGS WERE TO BE DISPOSED OF IN HONG KONG, AND THE COURT OF APPEAL QUASHED CONVICTIONS OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS UNDER SECTION 7 ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE DRUGS FOUND IN THEIR POSSESSION ON ENTRY TO HONG KONG WERE IN TRANSIT,*
HE SAID.
+IN SUCH CASES, OFFENDERS MAY BE FOUND GUILTY OF SIMPLE POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS, THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR WHICH IS IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE YEARS AND A FINE OF $10 000 WHEREAS A PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF TRAFFICKING IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5 MILLION AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE.
+ THE BILL NOW BEFORE THIS COUNCIL IS DESIGNED TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE SO THAT A DANGEROUS DRUG MAY BE HELD TO BE IN TRANSIT ONLY IF IT HAS BEEN LAWFULLY EXPORTED FROM THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOR LAWFUL IMPORTATION INTO THE COUNTRY OF DESTINATION, AND IF IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY VALID AUTHORISATIONS OR DIVERSION CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE EXPORTING COUNTRY WHICH IS A PARTY TO THE U.N. CONVENTIONS GOVERNING THE CONTROL OF DANGEROUS DRUGS,*
HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TO JANUARY 25.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
MORE CYCLE TRACKS BEING PROVIDED ft ft ft ft
EXTENSIVE CYCLE TRACKS ARE PLANNED AND BEING PROVIDED IN THE FEW TOWNS OTHER THAN TSUEN WAN AND SOME OF THE OLDER DEVELOPED AREAS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE PRESENT PROVISION TOTALS 50 KM, WITH 60 KM BEING PLANNED FOR, MR SCOTT SAID IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON WONG LAM.
HE REPORTED THERE WERE 2 252 PROSECUTIONS OF CYCLISTS FOR OFFENCES ON THE ROADS DURING THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF LAST YEAR. A 43 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1982.
OF THIS TOTAL, 1 464 WERE FOR NEGLIGENT RIDING. 722 FOR RIDING A BICYCLE WITHOUT LIGHTS AT NIGHT, 39 FOR CARRYING PASSENGERS AND 27 FOR OVERLOADING.
ALMOST ALL RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS, WITH FINES RANGING FROM $50 TO $70.
MR BRAY SAID THAT 1 610 OF THE PROSECUTIONS WERE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, 442 IN KOWLOON AND 200 ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CONTINUOUS ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS ARE BEING MAINTAINED.
THEY INCLUDE THE ROAD USERS’ CODE WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING REVISED, A FILM ON SAFE CYCLING NOW BEING MADE FOR INCLUSION IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHING KIT, REGULAR LECTURES ON ROAD SAFETY TO SCHOOLS BY POLICE OFFICERS AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS IN POPULAR RECREATIONAL CYCLING AREAS.
A WORKING PARTY ON CYCLING, ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS, WILL SHORTLY REPORT ON POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL SAFETY MEASURES, MR SCOTT SAID.
NT TAXI REGISTRATION PERIOD EXTENDED ft ft ft ft
THE PERIOD LIMITING THE NUMBER OF MOTOR VEHICLES WHICH MAY BE REGISTERED AS NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JANUARY 31, 1985.
MOVING THE MOTION AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, SAID THE EXTENSION WILL PERMIT THE NT TAXI LICENCES TO CONTINUE TO EE ISSUED AT THE RATE OF 50 PER MONTH.
MR SCOTT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL INTENDED THAT THE NUMBER OF URBAN TAXI LICE CES SHOULD EE FROZEN FOR TWO YEARS AT THE PRESENT NUMBER OF 13 COO.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 19.4
20
SAFETY CONDITION IMPOSED ON SHUTTERS * *
*
IT IS FOR SAFETY REASONS THAT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, IN ALLOWING THE INSTALLATION OF ALUMINIUM FRAMED SHUTTERS, HAS IMPOSED THE CONDITION THAT ONE-THIRD OF THE BALCONY ON PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS SHOULD BE LEFT UNENCLOSED.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID THIS TODAY IN REPLY TO THE HON PAULINE NG CHOW MAY-LIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR LIAO SAID THAT IN MOST OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS, KITCHENS AND TOILETS WERE VENTILATED THROUGH THE BALCONY AREA.
.ENCLOSURE OF THE BALCONY OPENING WOULD THUS CREATE HEALTH HAZARD AND CONTRAVENE THE BUILDING REGULATIONS, AND THEREFORE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.
.HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF UNAUTHORISED WIND SHUTTERS ALREADY EXISTING AND THE FACT THAT MANY OF THEM ARE BEING REPLACED BY ALUMINIUM FRAMED SCREENS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS FOUND IT NECESSARY TO LAY DOWN A CERTAIN MINIMUM STANDARD WITHIN WHICH SUCH INSTALLATIONS CAN BE TOLERATED..
FURTHERMORE, MR LIAO SAID, MANY TENANTS STILL USED FLUELESS GAS WATER HEATERS IN THE BALCONY AREA.
.IT IS IMPORTANT, THEREFORE, THAT THE BALCONY SHOULD BE KEPT AT LEAST PARTIALLY OPEN TO ENSURE ADEQUATE VENTILATION..
‧CLADDING’ REGULATIONS SUFFICIENT
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE BUILDING (CONSTRUCTION) REGULATIONS REQUIRED THAT CLADDING TO BUILDINGS SHOULD BE SECURELY FIXED TO THE MAIN STRUCTURE.
MR CHAN WAS ANSWERING A QUESTION FROM THE HON W.C.L. BROWN, WHO ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT THERE WERE SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARDS IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE TO ENSURE THAT GLASS OFFICE BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG WERE ABLE TO WITHSTAND TYPHOON CONDITIONS.
MR CHAN SAID THE STRENGTH, STIFFNESS, STABILITY AND DURABILITY CF ANY SUCH CLADDING SHOULD BE TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
.ALL FIXINGS USED FOR CLADDING MUST MOREOVER BE OF STAINLESS STEEL, PHOSPHOR BRONZE, ALUMINIUM BRONZE OR OTHER NON-CORRODIBLE MATERIAL TO THE SATISFACTION CF THE AUTHORITY,*
HE TOLD THE COUNCIL.
GLASS CURTAIN-WALLING OF THE TYPE MR BROWN HAD REFERRED TO WAS INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF CLADDING, AND IT WAS THE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S ESTABLISHED PRACTICE TO REQUIRE ALL SUCH CURTAIN-WALLING TO BE DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND TYPHOON CONDITIONS, HE SAID.
.I AM SATISFIED THAT THE PRESENT REGULATIONS AND THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE ORDINANCE ARE SUFFICIENT,. HE STATED.
1
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
21
SCRIPTS REQUIRED BEFORE STAGE PRODUCTION MOM
THEATRICAL SCRIPTS ARE NORMALLY REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING BEFORE THEY ARE PRODUCED ON STAGE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON DENIS BRAY SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ToflAY.
WHERE THERE ARE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES, THE COMMISSIONER IS PREPARED TO ACCEPT A SYNOPSIS, MR BRAY SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ALEX WU.
.WHEN WELL KNOWN CLASSICS ARE TO BE PERFORMED ALL THAT IS hECESSARY IS AN ASSURANCE THAT IT REALLY IS THE CLASSIC ITSELF AND NOT A SUBSTANTIALLY ALTERED VERSION THAT IS TO BE PLAYED.. HE EXPLAINED. *
.THESE SCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER BECAUSE NOBODY MAY PUT ON A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITHOUT A PERMIT FROM THE COMMISSIONER AND HE HAS TO KNOW WHAT HE IS GIVING A PERMIT FOR,+ MR BRAY ADDED.
THE COMMISSIONER HAS DRAWN UP GUIDELINES WHICH, WITHOUT FETTERING HIS DISCRETION GRANTED BY LAW, LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW FAR THEY CAN GO.
MR BRAY POINTED OUT CURRENT GUIDELINES WERE DRAWN UP WITH REFERENCE TO STANDARDS FOR FILMS AND TELEVISION SHOWS BUT ARE LESS RESTRICTIVE BECAUSE AUDIENCES ARE MORE RESTRICTED.
_ _ 0 - -
LEGCO PASSES FIVE BILLS * N M
FIVE BILLS, THE DEBTORS (ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT) BILL 1983, THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2 ) BILL 1983, THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 AND THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE FOLLOWING THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED t THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) (REGULATIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 AND THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.
- - 0 - -
/22..........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
22 -
GOVERNOR REJECTS PESSIMISM ON HONG KONG'S FUTURE
* *
*
*
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, TODAY REFUTED JEREMIAHS WHO SEE HONG KONG AS *
A STAR ABOUT TO FALL*
, SAYING THAT THE TERRITORY IS VERY MUCH A GOING CONCERN AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY IT SHOULD NOT REMAIN SO.
SIR EDWARD WAS SPEAKING IN NEW YORK WHERE HE ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS.
ON THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS HE CITED IN SUPPORT OF HIS VIEW, THE COMMON INTEREST OF CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM IN MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, THE CLOSE NATURE OF HONG KONG’S OWN RELATIONS WITH CHINA AND THE CONTRIBUTION IT COULD MAKE TO THE NATION’S MODERNISATION PROGRAMME.
.THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA ARE GOOD AND THE RELATIONSHIP IS A DEVELOPING ONE,*
SAID SIR EDWARD. HONG KONG’S OWN RELATIONS WITH CHINA ARE CLOSE. IN TOTAL TRADE TERMS, CHINA IS NOW OUR SECOND LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, THE LARGEST SOURCE CF OUR IMPORTS AND THE FOURTH LARGEST DESTINATION FOR OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
+MANY OF CHINA’S CORPORATIONS AND BANKS ARE ACTIVE IN HONG KONG AND WE HAVE A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AUTHORITIES OF NEIGHBOURING GUANGDONG ON A WIDE RANGE OF PRACTICAL MATTERS.
.THE NEWLY FORMED HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT CORPORATION WILL, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, BE CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THE NEW NUCLEAR POWER STATION TO BE BUILT BY THE CHINESE IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE CLOSE TO HONG KONG. THIS IS ONLY ONE EXAMPLE OF THE CONTRIBUTION WHICH HONG KONG SEEKS TO MAKE TO CHINA’S MODERNISATION PROGRAMME. IT IS PART OF THE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP MUCH VALUED BY BOTH SIDES.*
HE SAID THAT BOTH THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA, IN TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, HAD *
FROM THE BEGINNING STATED THEIR AIM OF MAINTAINING ITS STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, A PHRASE WHICH SOME CYNICS MAY CALL HACKNEYED BUT WHICH HAS REAL MEANING FOR ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE TALKS IN PEKING*
.
HE SAID THAT SOME RECENT COMMENT +GIVES THE IMPRESSION THAT HONG KONG IS A STAR ABOUT TO FALL. ONE U.S. REPORT WHICH I RECENTLY READ STARTED WITH THE WORDS ’THE FALL OF HONG KONG SEEMS TO HAVE BEGUN’. WHILE WE HAVE OUF DIFFICULTIES AND THERE IS UNDERSTANDABLE ANXIETY IN HONG KONG ABOUT THE FUTURE, HONG KONG IS VERY MUCH A GOING CONCERN AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY IT SHOULD NOT REMAIN SO.*
HONG KONG IS A PLACE OF GREAT INTEREST TO THE UNITED STATES, SAID SIR EDWARD. *
IT IS AN OPEN MARKET FOR U.S. GOODS WITH NO RESTRICTIONS, NO RESTRAINTS, NO LIMITS ON THE REMITTANCE OF PROFIT OR CONTROLS ON FUNDS MOVING IN AND OUT.*
LISTING THE TERRITORY’S ADVANTAGES FOR U.S. INVESTMENT, HE WENT ONi *
HONG KONG IS ALSO LIVING PROOF OF THE MESSAGE WHICH YOUR GOVERNMENT IS KEEN TO SPREAD - THAT DEVELOPING SOCIETIES CAN THRIVE IN A WORLD OF OPEN TRADE.*
/TEE governor..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT RECENT PROBLEMS WHICH HAD ARISEN IN HONG KONG STARTED IN 1982 AFTER A DECADE OF EXPANSION. THERE IS NO PLACE IN THE WORLD MORE EXPOSED TO WORLD TRADE TRENDS, HE SAID. IN ADDITION THE EFFECTS OF A SUBSTANTIAL FALL IN PROPERTY PRICES BECAME APPARENT.
.THERE ARE THOSE WHO WILL TELL YOU THAT THE COLLAPSE OF THOSE PRICES BEGAN IN THE AUTUMN OF 1982 WITH THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE TALKS IN PEK ING. IT DID NOT.*
SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THE MAIN CAUSE WAS OVERSUPPLY AND HIGHLY INFLATED PRICES. +THE BOOM WAS BOUND TO BUST,*
HE ADDED. IN ADDITION THE INTERNATIONAL BANKING COMMUNITY BECAME GENERALLY MORE CAUTIOUS ABOUT OVERSEAS EXPOSURE. THEN CAME THE NEW ELEMENT - THE REALISATION THAT 1997 WAS ONLY 15 YEARS AWAY.
THE YEAR 1983 BEGAN IN A CALMER ATMOSPHERE BUT THE SECOND HALF BROUGHT PROBLEMS. THERE WERE RUMOURS OF TROUBLE AMONG SOME FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, SOME COMPANIES WERE IN DIFFICULTY, THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DECLINED. *
BUT A GREAT DEAL WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO POLITICAL NERVOUSNESS ABOUT THE STATE OF THE TALKS IN PEKING,*
SAID SIR EDWARD.
THE FALL IN THE HK DOLLAR WAS NOT CAUSED BY ECONOMIC FACTORS ALONE AND IT WAS THEREFORE DECIDED TO LINK THE RATE OF THE CURRENCY TO THE US CURRENCY VIA THE NOTE ISSUING MECHANISM, LEAVING INTEREST RATES AND ARBITRAGE TO KEEP THE OPEN MARKET RATE CLOSE TO IT.
TURNING TO THE STRENGTHS OF HONG KONG SIR EDWARD SAIDi +THOUGH THE DIFFICULTIES HAVE BEEN AND ARE REAL, RELATIVELY THE PICTURE IS NOTHING LIKE AS BLEAK. THERE ARE MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD WHICH HAVE HAD AS DIFFICULT, IF NOT MORE DIFFICULT, TIMES THAN HONG KONG HAS HAD- AND THERE ARE FEW WHICH HAVE THE INNATE STRENGTHS OF THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG WITH WHICH TO CONFRONT THEM.*
HE CITED THE RECORD OF VERSATILITY AND POWER OF ADAPTATION WHICH HONG KONG HAD DISPLAYED OVER ITS HISTORY. BUILDING ON ITS PORT AND TRADING TRADITIONS IT HAD DEVELOPED AS A MAJOR LIGHT MANUFACTURING CENTRE - MANUFACTURING CAME TO ACCOUNT FOR AS MUCH OF A THIRD OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND STILL EMPLOYS ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE LABOUR FORCE. MANUFACTURERS HAD CONSTANTLY UPGRADED QUALITY AND THE SPEED OF REACTION OF CHANGES IN DEMAND.
NOW A NEW STRING HAD BEEN ADDED TO THE BOW - THE DEVELOPMENT CF HONG KONG AS THE WORLD’S THIRD FINANCIAL CENTRE AFTER LONDON AND NEW YORK.
NONE OF THE FACTORS WHICH LED TO HONG KONG’S PRESENT SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY HAD CHANGED, SAID SIR EDWARD.
HONG KONG’S 1983 EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS, ARE 25 PER CENT ABOVE THE 1982 FIGURE.
AT ABOUT USS22 BILLION,
AND
OF THESE, NEARLY ONE THIRD - US*
7 BILLION - WENT TO THE U.S., IMPORTS FROM THIS COUNTRY CAME TO OVER USS2.6 BILLION.
/unemployment was ..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
- 24 -
UNEMPLOYMENT WAS NOW DOWN TO ABOUT FOUR PER CENT, FROM FIVE TO SIX PER CENT.
THE CURRENCY STABILISATION MEASURES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL. +YOU WILL NOT FIND THE NAME OF HONG KONG ON THE LIST OF THOSE REQUIRING THEIR DEBTS TO BE RESCHEDULED, OR SEEKING IMF SUPPORT, NOR IS THERE ANY REASON IT SHOULD APPEAR THERE IN THE FUTURE.*
SIR EDWARD SAID THAT DESPITE THE TROUBLES OF SOME COMPANIES MOST HAD WEATHERED THE STORM. +A GDP GROWTH RATE OF SIX PER CENT IN 1983 IS NOT A SIGN OF A COLLAPSING ECONOMY.*
HE STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT REMAINED STRONGLY COMMITTED TO VIGOROUS AND CONTINUING INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY - AS DEMONSTRATED BY AMBITIOUS NEW DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES.
------------0------------
FIRST, SECOND CLASS HOSPITAL BED FEES REVISED * *
*
*
*
THE DAILY MAINTENANCE CHARGES FOR FIRST AND SECOND CLASS BEDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS WILL BE REVISED FROM JANUARY 15, 1984, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE THREE GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS WITH FIRST AND SECOND CLASS BEDS. THEY ARE QUEEN MARY, QUEEN ELIZABETH AND CASTLE PEAK HOSPITALS.
FOR A FIRST CLASS BED IN QUEEN MARY AND QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, THE DAILY RATE WILL BE REVISED FROM $240 TO $600. THE FEE FOR A SECOND CLASS BED WILL GO UP FROM $160 TO $400.
AT CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL, THE NEW RATES FOR A FIRST AND SECOND CLASS BED WILL BE $195 (PRESENT RATE $120) AND $130 (PRESENT RATE $80) RESPECTIVELY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE RATE FOR SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION IN TSAN YUK HOSPITAL WILL ALSO BE REVISED TO $250. THE PRESENT RATE IS $45.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE AIM OF THE REVISION IN FEES IS TO RECOVER COSTS FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE CF THE FIRST AND SECOND CLASS WARDS.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 49 FIRST CLASS BEDS AND 172 SECOND CLASS BEDS (INCLUDING 18 SPECIAL CLASS BEDS IN TSAN YUK HOSPITAL) IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE REVISION OF RATES WILL ONLY AFFECT A SMALL NUMBER OF PRIVATE PATIENTS WHO CHOOSE TO RECEIVE THEIR TREATMENT IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND WHO ARE WELL ABLE TO AFFORD THE NEW FEES.
/MAINTaJANCE CHARGES..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
MAINTENANCE CHARGES IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS COVER ACCOMMODATION, DRUGS, FOOD AND ROUTINE LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS.
IN ADDITION, PATIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR MEDICAL CONSULTATION, OPERATIONS, TREATMENT AND SPECIAL LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS.
MAINTENANCE RATES FOR THE GENERAL WARDS REMAIN UNCHANGED.
THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN CONSULTED AND HAS ENDORSED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW RATES.
- - 0 - -
NEW TOWN SCHEME SEEN AS BEST ANYWHERE * *
M *
HONG KONG'S NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME STANDS UNRIVALLED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, THE VISITING CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, SIR PETER BLAKER SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AFTER A TOUR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TODAY, SIR PETER SAID HE WAS MOST IMPRESSED WITH THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TOWNS AND THE IMPROVEMENTS IN FACILITIES PROVIDED.
SIR PETER ALSO PRAISED THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF HONG KONG’S PEOPLE AND SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
DURING A BUSY DAY, SIR PETER AND LADY BLAKER, ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, FIRST VISITED THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE RAILWAY’S OPERATIONS BY KCRC MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR PETER QUICK, AND THE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, MR GORDON GRAHAM.
SIR PETER THEN TRAVELLED ON AN ELECTRIC TRAIN TO SHEUNG SHU I TO SEE THE CHOI YUEN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, WHERE HE CALLED AT A MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OFFICE IN CHOI WU HOUSE AND A FAMILY THERE.
LATER, ON THE ROOF OF THE HOUSING BLOCK, SIR PETER WAS BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN FANLING NEW TOWN BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR IAN WOTHERSPOON, AND THE PROJECT MANAGER OF TAI PO AND FANLING, MR ROBERT HANNA.
HE WAS TOLD THAT EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC WORKS IN THE NEW TOWN FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD AMOUNT TO S35O MILLION.
APART FROM CHOI YUEN, THREE OTHEfl PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE NOW IN VARIOUS STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION.
THE PARTY THEN PROCEEDED TO TUEN MUN VIA YUEN LONG TO VISIT THE NEWLY COMPLETED YAN Ol TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE.
SIR PETER DESCRIBED THE CENTRE AS AN EXCELLENT FEATURE OF THE NEW TOWN, PROVIDING MANY COMMUNITY AMP SPORTING FACILITIES FOR YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE.
/the tubi
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
- 26 -
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG, AND PROJECT MANAGER, MR S.K. KWEI, ALSO BRIEFED HIM ON THE PROGRESS OF WORKS FOR A CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX, THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL AND OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS IN THE NEW TOWN.
LATER, SIR PETER WAS BRIEFED ON THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM BY SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADED BY MR MACPHERSON AND THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM.
IN THE AFTERNOON, HE ATTENDED THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD KETING FOR A CLOSE UP VIEW ON HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS AND HAD INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH BOARD MEMBERS.
------------0------------
SHA TIN HAS BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ******
PROSPECTS FOR THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN ARE BRIGHT. THE NEW TOWN’S PROJECT MANAGER, MR C.K. CHOW, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF KOWLOON WEST ROTARY CLUB, MR CHOW SAID THERE WERE 760 FACTORIES IN THE TWO MAIN INDUSTRIAL AREAS, ONE OF WHICH - FO TAN - HAD A SUPPLY OF FACTORY SPACES READILY AVAILABLE FOR LETTING OR FOR SALE AT REASONABLE PRICES.
FOR THE WHOLE NEW TOWN, HE SAID, THERE WOULD BE A TOTAL CF 57 HECTARES OF LAND FOR INDUSTRY, WITH A TARGET LABOUR FORCE CF WELL OVER 100 000.
+BY REASON OF GOOD TRANSPORT AND THE LARGE POPULATION, I AM QUITE SURE THAT THE PROSPECTS FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN ARE VERY BRIGHT,*
MR CHOW SAID.
THE NEW TOWN COVERED AN AREA OF 3 600 HECTARES, HALF OF WHICH WAS BEING DEVELOPED, WHILE THE OTHER HALF WAS RESERVED AS GREEN BELT TO LINK UP WITH THE FOUR ADJACENT COUNTRY PARKS, . SAID.
HE SAID SHA TIN WAS *
NOT BAD*
FOR TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS HAD GREATLY IMPROVED.
THE SHA TIN SECTION OF THE ROUTE I TRUNK ROAD WOULD BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR AND IT WOULD LINK UP WITH THE COASTAL ROAD TO TAI PO WHICH WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN NEXT YEAR.
ANOTHER ROUTE 5 TRUNK ROAD LINKING SHA TIN WITH TSUEN WAN WAS AT THE DESIGN STAGE.
THE ROAD NETWORK WAS ALSO BEING EXTENDED TO MA ON SHAN AND EVENTUALLY IT MIGHT REACH SAI KUNG, MR CHOW SAID.
SHA TIN HAD BEEN MOST FORTUNATE IN RESPECT OF RECREATIONAL AREAS, HE SAID.
/THE SHING ....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
- 27 -
THE SHING MUN RIVER WATER QUALITY HAD IMPROVED RAPIDLY AS A RESULT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND MEDRIM WORKS AND ONE COULD NOW SEE SMALL FISH JUMPING ON THE SURFACE.
A CENTRAL PARK WAS UNMR CONSTRUCTION AT A COST OF OVER $50 MILLION AND THERE WERE LOTS OF AMENITY SPACES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE TOWN.
ON MEDICAL SERVICES, MR CHOW SAID SHA TIN HAD SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF.
THE 1 400—BED PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WOULD OPEN IN MAY AND WOULD BE THE LARGEST HOSPITAL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. IT WOULD PROVIDE EXCELLENT FACILITIES SERVING THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
BESIDES THE TWO EXISTING CLINICS ALREADY SERVING SHA TIN, ANOTHER THREE CLINICS AND A PRIVATE HOSPITAL WERE UNDER PLANNING.
HE SAID THE TOWN CENTRE, OCCUPYING 20 HECTARES, WOULD BECOME THE FOCAL POINT OF ALL ACTIVITIES IN SHA TIN WHEN IT WAS COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS.
A GOVERNMENT BUILDING THERE HAD JUST BEEN OCCUPIED BY 19 DEPARTMENTS AND BY SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE BEING DEVELOPED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR WAS DUE FOR COMPLETION THIS YEAR AND WOULD OFFER FOR LETTING 90 000 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR SPACE.
THE WHOLE AREA WOULD BE LANDSCAPED TO MATCH WITH THE CENTRAL PARK.
MR CHOW SAID, DUE TO ITS GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, THERE WERE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS IN PLANNING SHA TIN AS A NEW TOWN.
THE SURROUNDING HILLS MADE SMOKE DISPERSION DIFFICULT AND THE LOW LYING AREAS WERE SUBJECT TO FLOODING AT TIMES.
SHA TIN COULD NOT BE PLANNED AS A PORT WITH HARBOUR FACILITIES AND GODOWNS, AND INDUSTRIES LIKELY TO INDUCE AIR POLLUTION COULD NOT BE ALLOWED.
SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE REQUIRED SPECIAL TREATMENT BEFORE BEING DISCHARGED.
THERE COULD NOT BE A POWER STATION OR INCINERATOR.
REFUSE HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED AWAY AND AN EXPENSIVE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT WAS NEEDED.
HE SAID DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS GOVERNMENT HAD SPENT $5.2 BILLION ON DEVELOPING SHA TIN AND THIS FINANCIAL YEAR AND NEXT ANNUAL EXPENDITURE WOULD REACH A PEAK OF AROUND $1.5 BILLION PER ANNUM.
THE TOTAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, ACCORDING TO CURMNT ESTIMATES, WOULD COST $16 BILLION.
.SUCH A HUGE SCHEME IS UNMATCHED ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD,. NR CHOW CONCLUDED.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
- 28 -
JOINT VENTURE CONTRACT SIGNED *****
A JAPANESE GARMENT LABEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY HAS EMBARKED ON A JOINT VENTURE WITH A LOCAL COMPANY.
YOKOHAMA TAPE CO. LTD. OF JAPAN AND PACMAN QUALITY AND SERVICE PRINTING CO. IN HONG KONG SIGNED A CONTRACT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO SET UP A JOINT VENTURE FACTORY TO MANUFACTURE GARMENT LABELS AND TAGS.
THE AGREEMENT FOLLOWS THE RECENT VISIT BY MR K. ANDO. PRESIDENT OF YOKOHAMA TAPE. MR ANDO WAS A MEMBER OF AN INDUSTRIALIST MISSION WHICH CAME TO HONG KONG LAST MONTH UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
AT TODAY’S CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY, MR ANDO THANKED THE HONG KONG INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE JAPAN TRADE CENTRE IN HONG KONG, FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE WHICH HELPED ACCELERATE THE COMPANY’S DECISION ON THE PROJECT.
THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY WILL START WITH A CAPITAL OF $1 MILLION, USING THE EXISTING PRODUCTION FACILITIES OF THE HONG KONG COMPANY WITH TECHNOLOGY AND KNOW-HOW PROVIDED BY YOKOHAMA TAPE. IT PLANS TO INSTALL ADVANCED EQUIPMENT AND MACHINES IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND TO SEND WORKERS TO JAPAN FOR TRAINING.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
MEASURES ON TAXIS * *
*
ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN MADE FOR YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO MEET THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN SCOTT AT 11 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY), WHEN HE WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE MEASURES ARISING FROM THE 1983 TAXI REVIEW ANNOUNCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR SCOTT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MRS AGNES ALLCOCK.
I
HOUSE
THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE GIS THEATRE , 5TH FLOOR, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG
BEACONSFIELD
0 ------------
/29 ...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
FIRE HAZARDS HOTLINE * *
*
A SUB-REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE FIRE PROTECTION BUREAU HAS BEEN OPENED IN KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, TO SERVE RESIDENTS OF NEARBY AREAS.
.PUBLIC WISHING TO ENQUIRE ABOUT FIRE PROTECTION MATTERS DO NOT HAVE TO TRAVEL ALL THE WAY TO SHA TIN REGIONAL OFFICE AT SHA TIN FIRE STATION,*
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE NEW OFFICE, WHICH IS HEADED BY AN ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER IS SITUATED AT KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 0-256717.
.HOWEVER,*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO REPORT FIRE HAZARDS AND ALL COMPLAINTS CAN MAKE USE OF OUR TELEPHONE HOTLINE 5-281124 WHICH OPERATES 24-HOUR DAILY.*
- - 0 - -
KWAI CHUNG FAIR SITES LEASED * *
*
*
NINETY OUT OF 112 STALL SITES AT THE FORTHCOMING KWAI CHUNG LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WERE LEASED AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SOME OF THE STALLS FETCHED ABOVE THE UPSET PRICE. THE HIGHEST PRICE FOR A WET GOODS STALL WAS $640 AND FOR A DRY GOODS STALL WAS $300.
THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $100, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE AUCTION, CONDUCTED BY STAFF OF THE KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, TOOK PLACE AT THE KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL AT LAI FONG STREET IN KWAI CHUNG.
THE STALLS WILL BE ERECTED AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND BETWEEN JANUARY 26 AND FEBRUARY 2.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
NOTE TO EDITORS i
ANT I-DRUGS DRIVE HMM
A TWO-WEEK MT I-NARCOTIC! CAMPAIM WILL BE LAUNCHED IN KWUN TONS ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 1$).
DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIM WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 3 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) III THE CONFEMNCE ROOM OF THE KWUN TONS DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING AT 6 TUNG YAH STREET.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE CAMPAIGN, DR SIU LEUNG-CHOW, WILL CHAIR THE CONFERENCE WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE CONFEREME.
- o - -
LEAKAGE TEST IN CENTRAL SIX
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED RMMISES ARE BOUNDED BY ABERDEEN STREET. CAINE ROAD, LADDER STREET AM HOLLYWOOD ROAD. INCLUDING KUI IN FONG, LADDER STREET TERRACE AMD U LAM TERRACE.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR PHILIP VISITS TV AUTHORITY ............................................................................................. 1
CIVIL SERVICE PAY EXPLAINED ...................................................................................................... 1
NEW EDUCATION APPROACH DISCUSSED ...................................................................................... 3
TEXTILES NEGOTIATIONS WITH NORWAY COMPLETED ................................................... 4
GOOD INVESTMENT ADVANTAGES IN TUEN MUN ................................................................... 5
CONSULTANTS DUE FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE...................................................................... 6
MATINEES FOR KOWLOON CITY ............................................................................................................ 6
ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN IN KWUN TONG .......................................................................................... 7
DB TO REVIEW +MEET THE PUBLIC+ SCHEME...................................................................... 8
NEW 'KAITO' SERVICE FOR TAI 0 ................................................................................................ 9
TUEN MUN SITE OFFERED FOR TENANCY................................................................................... 10
RESTRICTED ZONES IN NT ...................................................................................................................... 10
DB TO VISIT BUS COMPANY................................................................................................................... 11
NEW LINK ROAD FOR SHA TAU KOK................................................................................................ 12
ROCK CRUSHING SITE TENDERS INVITED ................................................................................ 12
SALT WATER MAINS WORK......................................................................................................................... 13
ABERDEEN TRAFFIC RESTRICTION ................................................................................................... 13
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1984
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SIR PHILIP VISITS TV AUTHORITY M *
*
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY AT CARR I AN CENTRE IN WAN CHAI.
SIR PHILIP WAS MET BY THE COMMISSIONER, MR ROBERT SUN, WHO BRIEFED HIM ON THE WORK OF THE AUTHORITY.
THE PERCENTAGE OF FILMS AND TV COMMERCIALS PASSED BY THE AUTHORITY LAST YEAR WAS HIGH, MR SUN REVEALED.
OF THE 675 FILMS SUBMITTED IN 1983, 490 WERE PASSED WITHOUT CUTS. ONLY 19 WERE BANNED FROM PUBLIC SHOWING AND THE REMAINING WERE PASSED WITH CUTS, SAID THE COMMISSIONER.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TV COMMERCIALS SUBMITTED DURING THE SAME PERIOD WAS 6 342 AND SOME 80 PER CENT OF THESE, OR 5 064 , WERE APPROVED. ONLY 37 OR LESS THAN 0.6 PER CENT WERE REJECTED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE AUTHORITY ISSUED 147 LICENCES TO OPERATE AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES OUT OF THE 276 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, HE ADDED.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR ALSO MET A NUMBER OF STAFF MEMBERS CF THE AUTHORITY AND SAW VARIOUS FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE TV AND RADIO MONITOR ROOMS, THE FILM PROJECTION STUDIOS AND THE CUTTING ROOM.
SIR PHILIP SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE LICENSING REGISTRY AND THE TV COMMERCIAL CONTROLLING UNIT.
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CIVIL SERVICE PAY EXPLAINED
III
THE CIVIL SERVICE DOES NOT DECIDE ITS OWN PAY, AND CERTAINLY DOES NOT DECIDE HOW ITS PAY SHOULD BE INCREASED. THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MICHAEL SZE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH, MR SZE SAID THE DECISION OF CIVIL SERVICE PAY RISE IS TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+BUT BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE, CERTAIN STEPS WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN,*
HE SAID.
/MR SZE ..............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1984
2 -
MR SZE OUTLINED THE PROCEDURE*
IN DECEMBER EACH YEAR, A PAY TREND SURVEY IS COMMISSIONED.
THE CONTROLLER, PAY SURVEY AND RESEARCH UNIT, WHO REPORTS TO THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, THEN COLLECTS MOVEMENTS IN PAY IN THE SURVEY COMPANIES FROM FEBRUARY 1 OF THE CURRENT YEAR TO JANUARY 31 OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE ANALYSED AND ACCEPTED BY THE PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE WHICH IS CHAIRED BY A COMMISSIONER OF THE STANDING COMMISSION IN MlD-FEBRUARY.
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY AND OTHER RELEVANT INDICATORS SUCH AS ECONOMIC AND BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS, THE ADMINISTRATION THEN TAKES A VIEW AS TO WHAT PROPOSALS SHOULD BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
THIS IS THEN FOLLOWED BY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE STAFF SIDES OF THE THREE CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS, NAMELY THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL. THE MODEL SCALE 1 STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL AND THE POLICE FORCE COUNCIL.
IF DISCUSSIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL AND ARE WITHIN THE GUIDELINES AGREED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE PROPOSED PAY AWARD IS THEN SUBMITTED TO FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE VOTING OF THE NECESSARY FUNDS.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE TOWARDS THE END OF MARCH OR EARLY APRIL WITH REVISED SALARY INCLUDED IN THE APRIL PAY PACKET.
MR SZE COMMENTED THAT THE PROCESS WAS NO EASY TASK.
.THE TIMING IS VERY TIGHT - THERE IS ONLY SIX WEEKS - FROM THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE PAY TREND SURVEY RESULTS TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A POSSIBLE PAY AWARD.
.THE PROCESS REQUIRES THE AGREEMENT OF DIFFERENT PARTIES WITH DIFFERENT ASPIRATION AND VIEWPOINTS,. HE SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE COMMISSIONING OF PAY TREND SURVEY WAS THE AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES CONCERNED TO A FACT-FINDING EXERCISE.
.IT DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO A PAY AWARD, WHICH MUST BE DETERMINED HAVING REGARD TO THE ECONOMIC AND BUDGETARY SITUATION. IN OTHER WORDS CAN GOVERNMENT PAY AND SHOULD IT PAY THAT MUCH,+ HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1984
3
NEW EDUCATION APPROACH DISCUSSED I M Mil
TODAY’S EDUCATION IS NO LONGER AN AFFAIR SIMPLY OF THE CLASSROOM IN WHICH FACTS ARE KNOCKED INTO EMPTY HEADS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 34TH SPEECH DAY OF YUEN LONG PUBLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL, MR HAYE SAID TEACHERS SHOULD BE FULLY AWARE OF THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL GROWTH OF CHILDREN NOT AS PASSIVE RECIPIENTS OF IMPARTED KNOWLEDGE BUT AS ACTIVE AND EAGER DEVELOPING MINDS.
HE NOTED THAT TEACHERS OF YESTERDAY WERE PRIMARILY INTERESTED IN PRESENTING THEIR LESSONS AND ENSURING THE ASSIMILATION OF KNOWLEDGE BY PUPILS.
.TEACHERS TODAY THINK MORE OF HOW TO MOTIVATE PUPILS AND SPUR THEM ON TO THE SPIRIT OF ENQUIRY WHICH IS THE ESSENCE OF LEARNING,*
HE SAID.
NOTING THAT FORMAL LESSONS HAD GIVEN WAY TO PUPIL-CENTRED PARTICIPATION IN THE EXCITING QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE, MR HAYE SAID LEARNING BY DOING HAD BECOME A COMMONPLACE AND THE PRESENT GENERATION OF CHILDREN COULD ATTEST TO ITS VALUE.
NEVERTHELESS, HE ADDEDi *
1 AM SORRY TO SAY THAT THERE ARE STILL A FEW CLASSROOMS IN WHICH CHALK AND TALK PREDOMINATE, BUT I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THERE ARE ONLY A FEW OF THESE OLD-FASHIONED PLACES. TOMORROW I HOPE THERE WILL BE NONE.*
MR HAYE SAID THAT THIS REVOLUTION IN EDUCATION HAD TRANSFORMED RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TEACHER AND PUPIL.
.WHILE THE AUTHORITY OF THE TEACHER IS STILL A VITAL FACTOR IN THE LEARNING PROCESS, THE TEACHER IS NOW A FRIEND AND A GUIDE WHERE ONCE HE WAS A FIGURE OF FEAR. THE MODERN TEACHER HAS DISCOVERED THAT HIS PUPILS LEARN MORE FROM HIS EXAMPLE AND INSPIRATION THAN FROM THE CANE,*
HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT NEW THINKING IN EDUCATION HAD BROUGHT A NEW CONCEPT IN THE CHARACTER TRAINING OF PUPILS.
.CHILDREN OF TODAY ARE THE CITIZENS OF TOMORROW, AND EVIDENCE CF THIS CAN BE FOUND IN MOST OF OUR SCHOOLS IN THE MANNER IN WHICH CHILDREN HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO A SPIRIT OF SERVICE WITH A STRONG SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY.
.IN ALMOST EVERY SCHOOL THERE IS A MULTIPLICITY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE CLUBS AND INTERESTS WHICH ASTONISH VISITORS ACCUSTOMED TO REGARDING SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG AS PREDOMINANTLY INTERESTED IN ACADEMIC STUDIES,. HE SAID.
/+m FACT...............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1964
.IN FACT ONE OF THE MOST DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENTS IN EDUCATION IN THE LAST 10 YEARS MUST BE THE MANNER IN WHICH OUR CHILDREN HAVE TURNED FROM THEIR BOOKS TO INTERESTS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM TO BECOME WELL-ROUNDED PERSONALITIES FIT AND ABLE TO TAKE THEIR PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY,*
HE SAID.
MR HAYE ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANT ROLE PARENTS COULD PLAY IN EDUCATION.
+S0 THE MODERN TEACHER MUST ESTABLISH CLOSE LINKS WITH PARENTS AND THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT PARENTS IF AND WHEN THERE ARE PROBLEMS THAT MUST BE DISCUSSED. IT IS VITAL THAT TEACHERS AND PARENTS JOIN HANDS IN EDUCATING CHILDREN AT SCHOOL AND IN THE HOME,*
HE SAID.
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TEXTILES NEGOTIATIONS WITH NORWAY COMPLETED ft ft ft ft
AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN NORWAY AND HONG KONG REGARDING HONG KONG’S TEXTILE EXPORTS TO NORWAY WAS INITIALLED BY THE HEADS OF THE TWO DELEGATIONS IN OSLO YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE INITIALLING TOOK PLACE AT THE END OF FOUR ROUNDS OF NEGOTIATIONS.
THE AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF NORWAY AND HONG KONG.
THE AGREEMENT, IF APPROVED BY BOTH GOVERNMENTS, WILL BE VALID FROM JULY 1, 1984 UNTIL JUNE 30, 1987.
NORWAY HAS EARLIER INITIALLED BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH SIX OTHER COUNTRIES.
THE NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE ITS FINAL POSITION ON MFA MEMBERSHIP ON THE BASIS OF ALL THESE AGREEMENTS.
WHEN APPROVED, THE AGREEMENTS WOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR NORWAY’S ENTRY INTO THE MFA AS OF JULY 1, 1984, AND BRING THAT COUNTRY’S GLOBAL QUOTA SYSTEM TO AN END.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1984
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GOOD INVESTMENT ADVANTAGES IN TUEN MUN ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM IN TUEN MUN IS TO CREATE ENOUGH WORK FOR PEOPLE WHO MOVE TO THE NEW TOWN FROM OTHER PARTS OF HONG KONG SO THAT THEY HAVE BOTH THEIR HOMES AND PLACES OF WORK IN THE DISTRICT, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS JONES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE OVER 1 400 INDUSTRIAL UNDER-TAKINGS IN TUEN MUN PROVIDING MORE THAN 22 000 JOBS, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE WORK FORCE LIVE IN TUEN MUN OR THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.
DESPITE THE DIFFICULT WORLD ECONOMIC SITUATION DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS, TUEN HUN HAS CONTINUED TO GROW IN TERMS OF POPULATION, FROM 108 000 IN JANUARY 1981 TO THE PRESENT 247 000.
SPEAKING AT THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY OF YKK’S SECOND FACTORY BUILDING IN TUEN MUN, MR AKERS-JONES DISPELLED A MISCONCEPTION THAT TUEN MUN IS IN A REMOTE CORNER OF HONG KONG AND IS UNSUITABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT.
.THIS IS FAR FROM THE TRUTH,. HE SAID.
.TUEN MUN IS ONLY A LITTLE OVER HALF AN HOUR’S DIRECT DRIVE FROM KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL, AND IS NO FURTHER AWAY THAN KWUN TONG.
.THERE ARE MANY ADVANTAGES IN SETTING UP INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS IN TUEN MUN AND I CONGRATULATE YKK FOR ITS FORESIGHT AND CONFIDENCE IN TUEN MUN BY EXPANDING ITS OPERATIONS HERE.+
YKK’S FIRST FACTORY BUILDING WAS OPENED IN 1978 WHEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN WAS JUST BEGINNING.
.YKK WAS ONE OF THE FIRST LARGE-SCALE INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CONCERNS TO SEE THE POTENTIAL OF THE NEW TOWN AND TO ESTABLISH ONE OF ITS MANY BRANCH FACTORIES HERE.*
MR AKERS-JONES EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT OTHER INDUSTRIAL CONCERNS WOULD FOLLOW YKK’S EXAMPLE IN INVESTING IN TUEN MUN.
.TUEN MUN IS A NEW TOWN AND A NEW COMMUNITY, BUT IN A YEAR OR TWO’S TIME IT WILL HAVE AN ENVIRONMENT OF WHICH ITS RESIDENTS WILL BE PROUD, WITH PARKS, SWIMMING POOLS, A TOWN HALL AND A TOWN CENTRE, AND WITH INCOMPARABLE VIEWS OF THE MOUNTAINS AND SEA,+ HE ADDED.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1984
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CONSULTANTS DUE FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE ft ft *
THE PRINCIPAL CONSULTANTS IN CHARGE OF THE FOUR OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OFFICES OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG FOR THEIR WEEK-LONG ANNUAL LIAISON CONFERENCE, STARTING NEXT MONDAY (JANUARY 16).
THIS IS THE SECOND ANNUAL MEETING BETWEEN THE OVERSEAS CONSULTANTS AND THEIR HEADQUARTERS COLLEAGUES SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT IN 1982 OF THE OVERSEAS OFFICES IN TOKYO, LONDON, STUTTGART AND SAN FRANCISCO.
AT THE MEETING TO BE CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, JOHN YAXLEY, ON MONDAY THE OVERSEAS CONSULTANTS WILL REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SITUATION IN THEIR AREAS FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSION OF THEIR PROGRESS SO FAR, THE PROSPECTS IN THEIR AREAS, AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION WORK.
DURING THEIR STAY, THE OFFICERS WILL MEET OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO UPDATE THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HONG KONG.
THEY WILL ALSO VISIT FACTORIES, AND HOLD BRIEFING SESSIONS FOR MEMBERS OF VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.
THE FOUR OVERSEAS CONSULTANTS AREi MR MICHAEL KIKUCHI (JAPAN), FR DONALD FLETCHER (UK AND NORDICS), MR JOHN WHITE (CONTINENTAL EUROPE) AND MR ROBERT ASHWORTH (NORTH AMERICA).
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MATINEES FOR KOWLOON CITY ft ft ft
STUDENTS IN KOWLOON CITY WILL STAGE CHINESE AND WESTERN FOLK SONGS IN A SERIES OF FOUR SATURDAY MATINEES BEGINNING THIS WEEKEND (JANUARY 14).
TWELVE FOLK GROUPS, TOGETHER WITH A NUMBER OF AMATEUR GUITARISTS, WILL TAKE TURNS TO PERFORM IN VARIOUS PUBLIC PLACES, INCLUDING PROMENADES, GARDENS AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
THE MATINEES ARE PART OF THE +FOLK MUSIC FROM CLASSROOM*
PROJECT, WHICH ALSO INCLUDE AUDITIONS AND A CONCERT IN THE KO SHAN THEATRE LAST MONTH, INITIATED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE COUNCIL.
/the assistant..............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1984
- 7 -
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROGER GARCIA, SAID THE PROJECT AIMED AT PROMOTING INTEREST IN FOLK MUSIC, CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY, AMONG STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS.
HE SAID THAT THE ORGANISERS WOULD ALSO LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO LOCAL MUSIC TALENTS A SELF-HELP APPROACH TOWARDS PERFORMING ARTS NOW FLOURISHING IN THE TERRITORY.
.THE YOUNG ARTISTS WILL CHOOSE THEIR OWN FAVOURITE NUMBERS, ARRANGE FOR THEIR MUSIC INSTRUMENTS AND ACCOMPANIMENT AND EVEN PLAY THE MASTER OF CEREMONY,+ HE SAID.
.THE IDEA HAS PROVED SUCCESSFUL IN THE PAST AND I AM SURE THAT THE INFORMAL RECITALS WILL ATTRACT RESIDENTS AND PASSERS-BY WHO WISH TO ENJOY A CAREFREE AND LEISURELY AFTERNOON WITH US.+
THE FOUR MATINEES WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 14 AND 21, AND FEBRUARY 11 AND 18 AT THE HUNG HOM FERRY CONCOURSE, THE OPEN SPACE OUTSIDE 01 MAN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, THE PAVILION NEAR THE ICE SKATING RINK IN KOWLOON TSAI PARK AND BLOCK H OF LOK MAN SUN CHUEN, RESPECTIVELY.
BEGINNING AT 3 PM, AND A HALF HOURS.
THE SHOWS WILL EACH LAST FOR ABOUT ONE
NOTE TO EDITORS 1
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIRST MATINEE TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14) AT 3 PM AT THE HUNG HOM FERRY CONCOURSE.
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ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN IN KWUN TONG M M M M
A TWO-WEEK ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN, FEATURING A DISCO NIGHT, A SPORTS DAY AND A CARNIVAL, WILL BE LAUNCHED IN KWUN TONG ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15).
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, DR SIU LEUNG-CHOW WHO IS ALSO A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, SAID A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WOULD BE HELD FROM JANUARY 15 TO 29 TO AROUSE YOUNG PEOPLE’S AWARENESS OF THE EVILS OF DRUGS.
THE TARGET GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 24 IN THE DISTRICT TOTALS ABOUT 150 000.
MORE THAN 10 ACTIVITIES WOULD BE ORGANISED TO SUIT THE INTEREST OF THESE YOUTHS, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS, THROUGH WHICH ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES WOULD BE WIDELY SPREAD, HE SAID.
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
/DB SIU ...............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1?8_4
8
DR SIU SAID AN OPENING CEREMONY-CUM-DISCO NIGHT WOULD BE HELD FOR 700 YOUTHS AT 7.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) AT THE KAI YIP ESTATE INDOOR GAMES HALL.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR G.L. MORTIMER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
OTHER EVENTS DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD INCLUDE VISITS TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE TRAINING SCHOOL AND THE SHEK KWU CHAU TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTRE, QUIZZES FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, SLOGAN COMPETITIONS AND CROSS-WORD PUZZLE GAMES.
IN ADDITION, A VARIETY SHOW-CUM-CARNIVAL FOR 4 000 RESIDENTS WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 29 AT YUET WAH STREET RECREATION GROUND WHERE EXHIBITIONS, GAMES STALLS, CHILDREN’S DRAWING COMPETITIONS, MAGIC SHOWS AND SINGING WILL BE STAGED.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, WHO WAS ALSO PRESENT AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE, SAID, +ANTI-NARCOTICS WORK IS A LONG-TERM ONE WHICH REQUIRES THE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS OF ALL PARTIES CONCERNED.*
HE POINTED OUT THAT SOME LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAD FORMED A GROUP OF ANTI-DRUGS ABUSE PIONEERS AFTER LAST YEAR’S CAMPAIGN HAD ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY WORK.
.THEY WILL BE AN ENERGETIC FORCE TO HELP PUBLICISING THE CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR,*
HE SAID.
MR MAK SAID HE WAS GLAD TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED KWUN TONG SCHOOLS LIAISON COMMITTEE.
THE COMMITTEE IS INVOLVED IN THE ORGANISING OF THE CAMPAIGN SO THAT ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES COULD REACH SCHOOL CHILDREN DIRECTLY AND MORE EFFECTIVELY.
DB TO REVIEW +MEET THE PUBLIC*
SCHEME M M M
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL REVIEW THE DISTRICT’S ONE-YEAR-OLD +MEET-THE-PUBLIC*
SCHEME AT THEIR NEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO COMMENT ON THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REVISED CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME 1983/64 - 1987/88 AND THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME AND POLICY.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE THE CONCORDE FLIGHT TO HONG KONG, MEDICAL FACILITIES AT THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL’S OUT-PATIENT CLINIC AND COMMERCIAL RENT INCREASES IN 01 MAN ESTATE.
/THE MEETING ...............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1?84
- 9 -
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2.15 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM CF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE SECRETARY, MR KWAN WAI-HAY, ON 3-7110171.
NOTE TO EDITORS i
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD BE HELD AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141-143 KAU PUI L_:.‘2
MEETING WHICH WILL
CONFERENCE ROAD.
ROOM OF
LUNG
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NEW ‘KAITO’ SERVICE FOR TAI 0 M *
M
A NEW ’KAITO’ SERVICE SERVING TAI 0, SHA LO WAN AND TUEN MUN WILL START OPERATING FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 16), FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL TRIAL SAILING EARLY THIS WEEK.
THE TRIAL RUN WAS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT OFFICE (ISLANDS), PORT WORKS DIVISION, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE.
IT WAS GENERALLY AGREED THAT THE SERVICE WILL INITIALLY RUN FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS, OPERATING ON MONDAYS AND SATURDAYS EXCEPT CHINESE FESTIVALS. IT WILL DEPART FROM TAI 0 FOR TUEN MUN VIA SHA LO WAN AT 7 AM. ON THE RETURN JOURNEY, IT WILL LEAVE TUEN MUN AT 3.30 PM.
THE FARES WILL BE $10 FROM TAI 0 TO TUEN MUN, $8 FROM SHA LO WAN TO TUEN MUN AND $4 FROM TAI 0 TO SHA LO WAN.
WHILE THE TAI 0 PUBLIC PIER AND SHA LO WAN PUBLIC PIER WILL BE USED FOR BOTH PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT, THE SAM SHING ESTATE LANDING STEPS (SOUTH) IN TUEN MUN WILL BE USED FOR PASSENGERS ONLY. GOODS WILL BE LOADED AND UNLOADED AT THE LANDING STEPS AT AREA 44 NEAR BUTTERFLY ESTATE.
/10 ...............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1984.
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TUEN MUN SITE OFFERED FOR TENANCY M *
M
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING
TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF CROWN LAND KEASURING 2 470 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR PURPOSES, INCLUDING MAINTENANCE
TENDERS FOR THE SHORT IN TUEN MUN. THE SITE, GENERAL OPEN STORAGE
OF CONTRACTORS’ PLANT
CONCRETE BATCHING, STORAGE NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE SITE.
AND PACKING OF CONTAINERS WILL
THE TENANCY WILL BE FOR AN RENEWABLE MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
INITIAL PERIOD OF THREE YEARS,
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS JANUARY 27.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (TUEN MUN)J THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG) AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST), KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE TENDER PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE ABOVE LOCATIONS.
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RESTRICTED ZONES IN NT M *
M
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 14), THE SERVICE ROAD AT THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE WO HOP SHEK SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
WITHIN THIS RESTRICTED ZONE, WHICH STRETCHES FROM THE HO KA YUEN ACCESS ROAD TO THE MINI-ROUNDABOUT AT WO HOP SHEK CONNECTION, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS.
FROM THE SAME DAY, THE NEW ROAD NETWORK ALONG TAI PO ROAD IN WO HOP SHEK BETWEEN THE ACCESS ROAD TO TONG HANG AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF THE ACCESS ROAD TO HO KA YUEN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THESE ZONES INCLUDE WO HOP SHEK DI CONNECTION, NORTH-EAST SLIP ROAD, NORTH-WEST LOOP ROAD, SOUTH-WEST LOOP ROAD AND THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD (WO HOP SHEK SECTION).
FROM SATURDAY, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN FANLING AND SHEUNG SHU I WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY i-
/* THE SECTION ..............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1984
11 -
*
THE SECTION OF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SAN FUNG AVENUE AND THE FANLING ROUNDABOUT.
*
THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES WEST OF THE FANLING ROUNDABOUT AND THE ACCESS ROAD TO TONG HANG.
*
THE SECTION OF SHA TAU KOK ROAD FROM FANLING ROUNDABOUT TO A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES EAST OF THE SAME ROUNDABOUT.
ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
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NOTE TO EDITORS 1
DB TO VISIT BUS COMPANY * ft *
MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL VISIT THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY ICADQUARTERS AT KWAI CHUNG TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BEGIN WITH A BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION SESSION AT THE COMPANY’S BOARD ROOM.
THE PARTY WILL THEN SEE HOW KMB’S PASSENGER ENQUIRY
SERVICE CENTRE WORKS, AND TOUR THE MAINTENANCE AND RESEARCH CENTRE, THE MAJOR UNIT OVERHAUL SECTION AND THE TECHNICAL TRAINING SCHOOL.
MRS CHAN LO YIN-BING, CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE. AND MR PAUL TANG, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, WILL LEAD THE GROUP.
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE TOUR TO KMB.
THE PARTY WILL DEPART FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE. 6TH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION AT 9.45 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY). TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12/1984
NEW LINK ROAD FOR SHA TAU KOK
WORK HAS STARTED ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VEHICULAR BORDER LINK AT SHA TAU KOK.
THE $1O-MILLION CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO KONG KEE BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LTD.
THE NEW 800-METRE-L0NG TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY IS BEING BUILT TO LINK SHA TAU KOK ROAD WITH THE NEW SHA TAU KOK BRIDGE.
THE NEW ROAD WILL HAVE TWO-METRE WIDE FOOTPATHS ON EACH SIDE.
ABOUT HALF OF ITS LENGTH WILL BE 7.3 METRES WIDE AND THE REMAINING HALF WILL WIDEN TO 70 METRES TO CATER FOR CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION FACILITIES.
IT WILL BE ENCLOSED BY A 3.5 METRES HIGH SECURITY FENCE.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF TWO PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE AND SITE FORMATION WORK.
WHEN IT IS FINISHED THE NEW ROAD WILL PROVIDE ANOTHER BORDER CROSSING FACILITY IN ADDITION TO THE MAN KAM TO CROSSING.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL TAKE ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
ROCK CRUSHING SITE TENDERS INVITED M M M
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION CF A ROCK CRUSHING SITE AT SIU LAM, TUEN MUN.
THE FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO PRODUCE AGGREGATES FROM SURPLUS ROCK RESULTING FROM EXCAVATION WORKS IN THE TUEN MUN AREA.
IN ADDITION. THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE ALLOWED TO PRODUCE READY MIXED CONCRETE AND BITUMINOUS MATERIAL ON THE SITE.
WASTE MATERIAL FROM THE ROCK CRUSHING SITE WILL BE RETAINED FOR USE AS FILL MATERIAL IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN RECLAMATION PROJECTS.
TENDERS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE 12 NOON ON JANUARY 27.
/TENDER FOitilS...............
THURSDAY, JANUARY U, 1984
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF GEOTECHNICAL ENG INEER/MATERIALS, 6TH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE LANDS AND WORKS APPROVED CONTRACTORS LIST I IN GROUPS A, B, OR C FOR SITE FORMATION WORKS OR CONTRACTORS WITH CURRENT CONTRACT QUARRY AGREEMENTS WITH THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE WILL BE PERMITTED TO TENDER.
A NOTIFICATION OF THE TENDER HAS APPEARED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
0-----------
SALT WATER MAINS WORK M M M
WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KOWLOON WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 16) FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED AREAS ARE BOUNDED BY KWUN TONG, NGAU TAU KOK, NGAU CHI WAN. SAN PO KONG, AND SAU MAU PING, INCLUDING
ESTATES IN NGAU TAU KOK, JORDAN VALLEY
ON, KAI YIP, SHUN TIN, LAM TIN
ROAD). CHOI WAN, FU SHAN, CHOI HUNG, TONG (TSUI PING ROAD).
PING SHEK
SHUN LEE, SHUN CHI, SHUN
KWUN TONG (LEI YUE MUN
SAU MAU PING, WO LOK AND KWUN
---------0 - - - -
ABERDEEN TRAFFIC RESTRICTION * M M M
FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (JANUARY 13), ABERDEEN OLD MAIN STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD TO A POINT 120 METRES NORTH CF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE PROHIBITED TO VEHICLES OVER TWO AND
A HALF TONS UNLADEN.
FROM SATURDAY (JANUARY 14), THE NEW EXTENSION OF THE CLEVERLY STREET BUS TERMINUS WILL BE PROHIBITED TO ALL VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN - SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BV GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1984
SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, TO THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS DI NEW YORK, CM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1984
Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very grateful for the opportunity to address this gathering today. From my own eight years in the United States, four of them in New York and four in Washington, I am conscious of the importance and influence of the Council on Foreign Relations# On your side many of you will know Hong Kong, some well and most of you will at least have visited it. There could be no better basis for an occasion of this kind.
Over the past eighteen months you have probably read and heard more about Hong Kong than at any previous time in its history. Almost overnight the future of the territory has become an international topic. It is not surprising that the Hong Kong press should be fixed on this issue - but the interest has spread far more widely to the informed international press; and even in provincial European and Australian newspapers speculating, often fancifully, about our future has become a new pastime. Fame has indeed been thrust upon us.
Some of that comment gives the impression that Hong Kong is a star about to fall. One U.S. report which I recently read started with the words ’"The fall of Hong Kong seems to have begun.” There is no lack of Jeremiahs predicting our demise. I hope tc convince you today that while we have our difficulties and there is understandable anxiety in Hong Kong about the future, Hong Kong is very much a going conce in and there is ho reason why it should not remain sc.
But first to our problems. After a decade of expansion punctuated by a period of recession in 15'75/76, 1982 was a difficult year. The reasons were many. There is no place in the world more exposed to world trade trends - for trade is equivalent to 147/ our gross aomestic product - and it was in 1982 that the effects of the world recession began to show. The growth in our exports declined from 13 per cent per annum to minus 2 per cent.
At the same time the effects of the substantial fall in property prices became apparent. There are tnose who will tell you that the collapse of those prices began in the autumn of 1982 with the commencement of the talks in Peking. It did not.
/The fall ....................
2
The fall from the peak started in early 1981 and its main cause was oversupply and highly inflated prices. The boom was bound to bust, as it had done in so many other places in the world when property prices had outrun the market. I will hazard a guess that in 1982 the international banking community had become generally more cautious as a result of concern about the degree of exposure to overseas risks. Then came the new element - the realisation in Hong Kong that 1997 was only.just 15 years away; and that an ever increasing number of decisions, both business and personal, would need to take that fact into account.
1983 began, oddly enough in a calmer atmosphere but the second half of the year brought new problems. In the adjustment process some well known companies had got into difficulties. There were rumours of trouble among some of the financial institutions. Above all the exchange value of the Hong Kong dollar declined substantially not only against the U.S. dollar but against the basket of currencies used for our trade weighted index. Some of that decline fas attributable to the strength of the U.S. dollar itself and some no doubt to the decline in the rate of growth of our trade. But a great deal was attributable to political nervousness about the state of the talks in Peking. I do not have to tell this audience that foreign exchange markets are sensitive creatures. In Hong Kong the omission of two words from a communique on the September round of the talks led to a substantial fall in the rate. If the fall had been due tc economic factors alone we should have left the economy to make its own adjustment. But the causes were not economic and it had become apparent that the adverse effects on the Hong Kong economy, and on our trade and financial reputation, when added to the likely consequential increase in the domestic rate of inflation, out-weighed by a substantial margin the risks of' changing the system which had served Hong Kong sc well in the previous decade. V/e therefore linked the rate of the currency to the U.S. dollar via the note issuing mechanism and left it to interest rates and arbitrage to keep the open*
market rate close to it.
Nevertheless the depreciation of the Hong Kong dollar had been substantial. It is now being reflected in price levels and will continue to show for a while. In consequence the rate of inflation in 19$3 is likely to be about 10 per cent, roughly the same as 1982.
/So much, ....................
- 3 -
So much, gentlemen for the gloom. But thougn the difficulties have been and are real, relatively the picture is nothing like as bleak. There are many places in the world which have had as difficult if not more difficult times than Hong Kong has had : and there are few which have the innate strengths of the community of Hong Kong with which to confront them.
Let me remind you of some of those strengths.
If anyone needed evidence of the resilience of the Hong Kong economy he has only to look at its record of versatility and power of adaptation. It used to be said that the Governor of Hong Kong needed ar economic adviser. If he wanted to know the state of the economy he would stand on.his terrace looking over the harbour and count the ships. Hong Kong was then just a trading port. Now he stands on the terrace and the only thing he can count is banks and business houses because they have surrounded Government House with skyscrapers and the present governor can scarcely see the harbour at all. But it is still there and its activity is growing. The Hong Kong container terminal has the third largest throughput in the world and it is about to expand further.
After rhe last war in the fifties and sixties a major light manufacturing centre grew up, first for textiles and then for toysr watches, electronics, electrical goods and many other products. ^Manufacturing for a time came to account for as much as s third of our gross domestic product and still employs about 49$ our labour
force. Our manufacturers have over the years constantly upgraded the quality of their product and the speed of their reaction to change? in market demand.
In recent years Hong Kong has added a new string to its bow in the shape of a financial centre of world standing third after London and New York in the value of business conducted. The loss of the view from Government House is perhaps a small price to pay for the addition of such a major new asset.
I recall this history, not because it will be new to you but as a reminder of the conditions which have contributed to Hong Kong’s success in the past and to emphasize that they are still there. The skill and determination of the Hong Kong businessmen and financiers,
/their adaptability ....................
4
their adaptability and speed in diversifying their activities, their concern to provide what the market demands at a fair price, the assiduity of the Hong Kong worker and his willingness to adapt to new skills and new opportunities, the prime position of the harbour and the aviation centre and the merchanting and related services which go with them, the commitment of the government and the community ro the free enterprise system, the consistency of government policy in providing essential services and basic infrastructure but intervening in the econonjy only where prudent regulation and the good name of Hong Kong requires, sound management of the public finances - none of these has changed.
If any evidence were required of the resilience which that combination of factors can generate, it can be found in the items on the credit side of our account for 1983.
Our 1983 exports and re-exports, at about US$22 billion, are over 25 per cent above the 1982 figure. Of them,-nearly one third-US$7 billion - went to the United States, and imnorts from this country came to over US$2.6 billion.
Our unemployment rate has been stable. At its peak it was between 5 and 6 per cent and is now about 4 per cent.
Our new currency stabilisation measures have been successful. We are under no illusion that we are out of the wood. But even with the new surge in the U.S. dollar rate at the end of last year the movement in the exchange value of the Hong Kong dollar was limited to 0.25 per cent. There are not many currencies around the world which can match that. ’Je have considerable reserves and no central government debt. You do not find the name of Hong Kong on the list of those requiring their debts to be rescheduled, or seeking IMF support, nor is there any reason it should appear there in the future.
You have heard much of the troubles of some of our companies. But surely what is remarkable is the number who have survived the storm. Some in the property sector may remain troubled but there has been much to cccroensate for that. A GDP growth rate of 6 per cent in 1983 is not a sign of a collapsing economy.
/As a..............‧.
5
As a government we have remained strongly committed to vigorous and continuing investment in the future of the territory, and our sights, are set far ahead. The ambitious new town development programmes which were planned as early as the 196O's and started in the 197O’s will be largely completed by the end of the present decade. In the next few months we;expect to unfold a new development strategy based on regional planning studies for the New Territories and the harbour area. We shall shortly be making decisions on an overall territorial development strategy to provide for the needs of nearly two million more people. The strategy will extend well into the 1990’s and the next century.
Finally let me remind you of what Hong Kong is. To many visitors Eong Kong is the skyscrapers, the shops, the crowded central district and the hotels, and the busy streets and the traces of old China. Many are impressed by the great wealth of the very rich, and banks and business houses. A few note the great beauty and serene grandeur of our coasts and our large country parks. But it is much more than that. It is a community of more than five million hardworking people whose home it is and will remain. Their concerns are the concern of the ordinary man and woman all over the world, their job, their family, the health and well-being of their children. They recognise the defects of the society in which they live, and I should be the first, to admit that they are there. But they recognise too what they, as a community have achieved over the last two decades. 43 per cent of the population live in public housing in standards which are constantly being improved. Our housing programmes continue steadily to meet the requirements of those still in need. Although the population has grown five or six times in the last thirty years there is'secondary education and reasonable health care for all. Tertiary education is expanding fast. Our people are free to come and go as they will. Life is not easy. Apart from the harbour and its geographical position Hong Kong is not well endowed with nature's bounty. But Hong Kong people work extremely hard because they believe they can, by so doing better themselves and the prospects for their families. Hong Kong is therefore not jusr a free 'Enterprise economy. It is a community with its own strong sense of identity and purpose.
/it is ....................
6
It is also, I venture to suggest a place of great interest to the U.S. It is an open market for U.S. goods with no restrictions, no restraints, no limits on the remittance of profit or controls on funds moving in and out. It is a base for many American investors who manufacture both for the domestic and export market. Indeed the United States continues to be the largest single source of overseas industrial investment accounting for 47 per cent of the total, ahead of Japan with 30 per cent and ahead of the United Kingdom which is traditionally lower at 6 per cent. 17 per cent of our domestic exports are produced by companies with overseas interests. It is an ideal centre for a regional headquarters with excellent connexions, communications, in the midst of the fastest growing area of the world - the Pacific basin - with business and financial services to match. Even the fall in property prices now gives ar. opportunity to establish in Hong Kong a regional office for East Asia in prime accommodation at modest cost.
I might add that Hong Kong is also a living proof.of the message which your government is keen to spread - that developing societies can thrive in a world of open trade.
A stable and cohesive community, a. resilient economy, a willingness to face change and adapt to it, these are all strengths on which the Hong Kong community can rely in facing the future, and which continue io make Hong Kong a place worth investing in and deserving of a fair deal in commercial matters.
The future of Hong Kong is now the subject of the Sin o-British talks in Peking. The two governments agreed that the content of the talks should remain confidential and it is not for me to reveal it here.
But I will put to you a few thoughts about the talks which may help to put them in perspective.
First of all the general context is a favourable one. The relations between the United Kingdom and China are good, and the relationship is a devel onIng one.
/Secondly Hong ....................
7
Secondly Hong Kong’s own relations with China are close. In total trade terms China is now our second largest trading partner, the largest source of our imports and the fourth largest destination for our domestic exports. Many of China’s corporations and banks are active in Hong Kong and we have a close working relationship with the authorities of neighbouring Guangdong on a wide range of practical matters. The newly formed Hong Kong Nuclear Investment Corporation will, with the support of the Hong Kong Government, be closely involved in the new Nuclear Power Station to be built by the Chinese in Guangdong Province close to Hong Kong. This is only one example of the contribution which Hong Kong seeks to make to China’s modernisation programme. It is part of the mutually beneficial economic relationship much valued by both sides.
Thirdly, while both sides have important principles to which they attach great weight they are very conscious of the interest and concerns of the people of Hong Kong and they have from the beginning stated their aim of maintaining its stability and prosperity, a phrase which some 0571103 may call hackneyed but which has real meaning for all those involved in the talks in Peking.
When you add to all that a determination and strong commitment to finding a satisfactory settlement and to making a success of the talks, I trust that you will agree, that the factors I have set out for you today are sound ingredients for hope and confidence in the future of Hong Kong. They scarcely support the picture of Hong Kong as a falling star.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR PETER VISITS REFUGEE CENTRES ...................................................................................... 1
SIR PETER TO MEET PRESS SATURDAY ...................................................................................... 1
RECORD AMOUNT OF DRUGS SEIZED IN 198? ...................................................................... 2
HUNG HOM OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED .................................................................. 4
GOLD MARKING ORDER STARTS NEXT YEAR .............................................................................
FIVE MORE PRIVATE STREETS TO BE TAKEN OVER..................................................... 6
FIRE SERVICES DEALS WITH RECORD CALLS ...................................................................... 7
IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR SQUATTER AREA ............................................ 8
STAFF NAMED FOR SENIOR STAFF COURSE............................................................................. 9
TENDERS CALLED FOR CONTROLLED TIP OPERATION .................................................... 9
MINI-EXHIBITIONS ON LABOUR LEGISLATION ................................................................... 10
NEW YEAR CLEAN UP DRIVE STARTS .............................................................................................
MOTOR BOATS NEEDED BY CUSTOMS ................................................................................................ 11
OLD AND YOUNG ON LONG RUN ........................................................................ 12
SOUVENIRS FOR COUNTRY PARK VISITORS ............................................................................. 12
JOINT CONCERT TREAT FOR YUEN LONG ................................................................................... 13
PRIZES FOR SPORTS WINNERS......................... 13
SPEEDPOST COVERS FRANCE..................................................................................................................
SUNDAY CHARITY WALK TRAFFIC PLAN ...................................................................................... 1**
TRAFFIC RESTRICTION
15
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1984
1
SIR PETER VISITS REFUGEE CENTRES MM
SIR PETER BLAKER, CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, TRAVELLED BY HELICOPTER THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON TO VARIOUS VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CENTRES.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, H? CLINTON LEEKS AND THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES (INSPECTORATE AND REFUGEE UNIT), MR BARRY HIGGINBOTTOM, SIR PETER FIRST VISITED THE CHI MA WAN CLOSED CENTRE ON LANTAU ISLAND.
HE WAS MET AND SHOWN AROUND BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, MR G A EBRAHIM.
SIR PETER WAS TOLD THAT THE CENTRE, ONE OF THE CLOSED CENTRES RUN BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, NOW ACCOMODATES SOME 1 900 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
THE CLOSED CENTRE POLICY WAS INTRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN JULY, 1982 WITH THE AIM OF DETERRING THOSE CONSIDERING LEAVING VIETNAM ILLEGALLY FOR HONG KONG.
AFTER THE TOUR. SIR PETER LEFT FOR THE RHKAAF BASE AT KAI TAK FROM WHERE HE PROCEEDED TO THE KAI TAK TRANSIT CENTRE.
ON ARRIVAL. SIR PETER WAS MET BY MR HENRY LOKE, CENTRE MANAGER, MR M.C. MORGAN. CHAIRMAN OF CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, W K.L. STUMPF, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, AND MR PETER MEIJER, DEPUTY CHARGE DE MISSION, UNHCR. HE WAS BRIEFED ON ITS VARIOUS FACILITIES AND PROGRAMMES WHILE TOURING THE CENTRE.
ABOUT 4 300 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ARE STAYING AT THIS TRANSIT CENTRE, WHICH IS ONE OF THE OPEN CENTRES RUN BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES UNDER UNHCR AUSPICES.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, SIR PETER MET THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR CHRISTIAN ADAMS AND HAD A BRIEFING WITH THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBIN MCLAREN.
HE ALSO HAD LUNCH WITH THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
SIR PETER TO MEET PRESS SATURDAY MN*
SIR PETER BLAKER, CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, WILL MEET THE PRESS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 10.30 AM IN THE GIS THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, FIFTH FLOOR
/2...............
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1984
2
RECORD AMOUNT OF DRUGS SEIZED IN 1983 * *
*
*
CUSTOMS AND POLICE LAST YEAR SEIZED 790 KG OF DRUGS, 48 PER CENT MORE THAN THE 1982 RECORD OF 533 KG.
.THE $138 MILLION WORTH OF DRUGS SEIZED IN 1983 COMPRISED 570 KG OF HEROIN BASE, 125 KG OF NO. 3 HEROIN, 12.5 KG OF NO. 4 .ROIN, 11 KG OF CANNABIS AND 71 KG OF OPIUM,. MR K.S. TONG, HEAD CF CUSTOMS INVESTIGATION BUREAU TOLD THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTHEAST TODAY (FRIDAY).
IN THE OPERATIONS, MORE THAN 11 000 PERSONS WERE ARRESTED, AND OVER 2 500 OF THEM PROSECUTED FOR TAKING PART IN SERIOUS DRUG OFFENCES.
THERE WERE STILL AMPLE STOCKS OF DRUGS IN THE LOCAL MARKET DESPITE STRINGENT MEASURES AND SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS BY ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. MR TONG SAID. THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE SUCCESSFUL BUMPER CROPS IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE AREA OVER THE PAST YEARS AND THE UPSURGE OF MASS SUPPLY OF ILLICIT OPIATES FROM THE ’GOLDEN CRESCENT’ REGION OF PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN.
.
IN 1983 ALONE, THE OPIUM HARVEST IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE AREA SURPASSED 700 TONS. REFINED INTO NO. 3 HEROIN, IT COULD YIELD OVER 200 TONS.
OF THE TOTAL SEIZED LAST YEAR, ONLY ABOUT FIVE PER CENT, COMPRISING 32 KG RAW OPIUM, 3.7 KG CANNABIS RESIN AND APPROXIMATELY ONE KG HEROIN, ORIGINATED FROM THIS REGION,+
TONG SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CONSTANT SUPPLY AND ABUNDANT STOCK M4DE TRAFFICKERS IN THE SOURCE COUNTRIES SELL DRUGS AT DUMPING PRICES. PRICES OF ILLICIT DRUG IN HONG KONG HAVE ALSO DROPPED TO A RECORD LOW. AT THE END OF 1982, THE RETAIL PRICE OF NO. 3 HEROIN IN HONG KONG WAS HK$110 PER GRAM, AGAINST K$80 AT THE END OF 1983,*
MR TONG SAID.
MR TONG SAID IN PREVIOUS YEARS,+ THE COMMON DRUG SMUGGLING METHOD WAS BY WAY OF HIGH FREQUENCY AND SMALL SCALE SMUGGLING INCLUDING THE USE OF INTERNAL BODY CONCEALMENT, OCEAN-GOING VESSELS AND DIVERSIONARY ROUTES.*
HE SAID THIS TREND HOWEVER CHANGED COMPLETELY LAST YEAR.
IN 1982, 14 COURIERS WERE ARRESTED USING THE INTERNAL BODY CONCEALMENT METHOD BUT LAST YEAR NONE.
.
IN 1982, THERE WERE SEVEN DRUG SEIZURES TOTALLING 172 KG ONBOARD OCEAN-GOING VESSELS, BUT LAST YEAR ONLY ONE.
.
IN 1982, WE DISCOVERED FOUR CASES OF IMPORTATION BY MEANS CF DIVERSIONARY ROUTINGS - USING TAIWAN, JAPAN AND KOREA AS STAGING POINTS, BUT LAST YEAR NONE.+ HE SAID.
/TWO MAIN ...............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 19&U
5
TWO MAIN FACTORS CAUSED THE CHANGE. - FIRSTLY, ABUNDANT SUPPLIES HAVE LOWERED PRICES, MAKING SMALL SCALE IMPORTATION NO LONGER PROFITABLE AND SECONDLY, THE STRENGTHENING OF HONG KONG’S LEGAL TEETH.
NEW LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN JANUARY LAST YEAR PROVIDED LEGAL SANCTIONS AGAINST OWNERS OF VESSELS FOUND TO BE INVOLVED IN SMUGGLING OF NARCOTICS IN EXCESSIVE QUANTITIES FOR TWO OR MORE OCCASIONS IN ANY 18-MONTH PERIOD, HE EXPLAINED.
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS LAW, THERE HAS BEEN ONLY ONE CASE OF IMPORTATION BY OCEAN-GOING VESSEL. THIS PROVED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NEW LEGISLATION, HE ADDED.
OF THE MAIN CONCERNS OF THE CUSTOMS SERVICE LAST YEAR WAS THE REVIVAL OF THAI TRAWLER TRAFFIC WHICH HAD SUSPENDED FOR A FEW YEARS FOLLOWING THE LIQUIDATION OF SOME BIG DRUG SYNDICATES IN THE MID-SEVENTIES.
MR TONG ALSO SAID THAT SINCE THE DIRECT AIR LINK BETWEEN THAILAND AND CHINA STARTED IN APRIL 1981, 36 DRUGS TRAFFICKERS WERE APPREHENDED BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AT GUANGZHOU AND BEIJING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS. A TOTAL OF 60 KG CF HEROIN AND HEROIN BASE DESTINATED FOR HONG KONG WERE SEIZED.
APART FROM AIR ROUTE, LAND TRAFFIC BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA IS ALSO BEING EXPLOITED BY TRAFFICKERS.
.IN VIEW OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION, WE HAVE STEPPED UP CONTROLS AT ALL THE ENTRY CHECK POINTS BY INSTALLING X-RAY MACHINES, METAL DETECTOR DOORS. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR MANPOWER WITH SOME 1 500 CUSTOMS OFFICERS STATION AT VARIOUS ENTRY POINTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PREVENTION CF NARCOTICS COMING INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
MR TONG POINTED OUT THAT A LIAS ION NETWORK HAD BEEN SET UP SINCE THE END OF 1982 BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES, ITS MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO FACILITATE THE EXCHANGE CF INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION. FORMAL COMMUNICATION LINK HAS BEEN SET UP BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES AND REGULAR MEETINGS HELD.
.THIS BILATERAL ARRANGEMENT ENABLED THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS TO MAKE THE FIRST DRUG SEIZURE FROM CHINA IN APRIL LAST YEAR WHEN A HONG KONG RESIDENT RETURNED FROM CHINA VIA LO WU WITH 2.5 KG OF OPIUM. FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION LED TO A FURTHER ARREST OF THREE PERSONS AND THE SEIZURE OF 10 KG OF OP I UM..
LOCALLY, MR TONG SAID, NO. 3 HEROIN CONTINUED TO BE THE MAIN DRUG OF ABUSE.
.ACCORDING TO RECENT FIGURES PROVIDED BY THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE, THE DRUG POPULATION IN HONG KONG IS AROUND 45 000 OR 0.8 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL POPULATION, AMONG WHOM MORE THAN 95 PER CENT ARE HEROIN ADDICTS AS COMPARED WITH LESS THAN 3 PER CENT OF OPIUM ADDICTS.
/LAST YSAR....................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 198*'
LAST YEAR, 9 HEROIN LABORATORIES WERE SMASHED BY THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
THE EQUIPMENT USED IS HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED ENABLING TRAFFICKERS TO PRODUCE LARGER QUANTITIES OF HEROIN IN LESS TIME.
HE CAUTIONED THAT THE ABUSE OF CANNABIS AND SYNTHETIC DRUGS IN HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH NOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN COMPARED WITH HEROIN ABUSE, WAS HOWEVER ON AN INCREASING PROPENSITY.
.ABUSE OF CANNABIS IS MOSTLY AMONGST EXPATRIATES AND THE ENTERTAINMENT CIRCLE.
.TRADITIONALLY, PAKISTAN AND NEPAL ARE SOURCES OF CANNABIS FOR HONG KONG. RECENTLY, THE PHILIPPINES HAS EMERGED TO BE ANOTHER POTENTIAL SOURCE COUNTRY.
.THE INCREASING ABUSE OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS BY TEENAGERS IS ALSO CAUSING CONCERN,. MR TONG CONCLUDED.
------------0------------
HUNG HOM OUTLINE *
ZONING PLAN AMENDED ft *
*
THE TOWN AMENDMENTS TO
PLANNING BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THREE THE OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR HUNG HOM.
ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS INVOLVES REZONING A THREE-HECTARE SITE AT THE WHAMPOA DOCKYARD FROM +INDUSTRI AL*
TO +OTHER SPECIFIED USE*
, AND EARMARKING IT AS A +COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT AREA*
.
THIS AMENDMENT WILL ALLOW PLANNING APPLICATIONS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE FOR A COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL PROJECT WITH THE NECESSARY COMMUNITY, EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WILL LIVE THERE.
A FURTHER AMENDMENT INVOLVES REZONING THE EXISTING MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUILDING AT DOCK STREET FROM +INDUSTRI AL*
TO .OTHER SPECIFIED USE*
. IT CAN THEN BE DEVELOPED TO INCLUDE GARAGES FOR MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND A PETROL FILLING STATION.
THE LAST AMENDMENT INVOLVES ADJUSTING SITE BOUNDARIES OF THE *
GOVERNMENT-INSTITUT ION-COMMUNITY*
AND *
OPEN SPACE*
SITES AND ROAD ALIGNMENT AT THE TO KWA WAN RECLAMATION AREA OFF BAILEY STREET.
THE PLANNING AREA COVERS ALMOST 104 HECTARES AND HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY DEVELOPED FOR RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
THE RECLAMATION WILL BE USED MOSTLY FOR OPEN SPACE AND FOR A NEW ROAD EXTENSION.
/IWCCrtPORATED IN
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 198A
- 5 -
INCORPORATED IN THE PLANNING AREA IS THE ALIGNMENT OF THE PROPOSED MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY EAST KOWLOON LINE INCLUDING A STATION AT THE JUNCTION OF WUHU STREET AND GILLIES AVENUE.
THE PLANNING AREA HAS A POPULATION OF 97 OOO, BUT THIS FIGURE WILL GROW to 145 000 OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
THE AMENDED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT OFFICE (KOWLOON CITY), 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, 1ST FLOOR, KOWLOON; AND THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY OBJECT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, AT $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
- - - - 0-------------
GOLD MARKING ORDER M M M
STARTS NEXT YEAR M
A GOLD AND GOLD ALLOY MARKING ORDER, GIVING CONSUMERS GREATER PROTECTION AND HELPING SAFEGUARD HONG KONG’S TRADING REPUTATION, WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL IS EMPOWERED TO REQUIRE GOODS TO BE MARKED OR ACCOMPANIED BY INFORMATION AS CONSIDERED NECESSARY.
THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKING) (GOLD AND GOLD ALLOY) ORDER 1984 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) STIPULATES THAT ALL ARTICLES OF GOLD OR GOLD ALLOY CONTAINING NOT LESS THAN 8 CARATS OR 333 PARTS PER THOUSAND GOLD CONTENT INTENDED FOR TRADE, MUST BEAR A FINENESS MARK WHICH SHOULD BEt
(A)
IN ARABIC NUMERALS INDICATING IN CARATS, BY NUMBER OR BY NUMBER AND THE LETTERS .K, .C OR +CT, THE FINENESS OF THE GOLD CONTENT; OR
*
*
*
(B)
IN ARABIC NUMERALS INDICATING IN PARTS PER THOUSAND THE FINENESS OF THE GOLD CONTENT; OR
(C)
CONSISTING OF THE CHINESE CHARACTERS (CHUK KAM), WHICH REPRESENTS A FINENESS OF NOT LESS THAN 990.
/COINS, RAW ............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 198A
6
COINS, RAW MATERIALS, ANTIQUES, VERY SMALL ARTICLES AND ARTICLES EITHER FOR MEDICAL, SCIENTIFIC OR INDUSTRIAL USE ARE EXEMPT FROM THE MARKING ORDER.
THE ORDER COVERS SUCH TECHNICAL ASPECTS AS THE USE OF SOLDER AND THE MARKING OF PARTS.
IT ALSO REQUIRES THAT AN INVOICE, SETTING OUT THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE SUPPLIER AND A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE GOODS, MUST ACCOMPANY EACH SALE AND THAT A NOTICE BE DISPLAYED AT THE POINT CF SUPPLY, GIVING SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE MARKING ORDER.
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, WITH THE ADVICE OF THE TRADING STANDARDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOLD MANUFACTURING AND RETAILING SECTORS IN PREPARING THE ORDER.
A GRACE PERIOD UNTIL DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR IS BEING ALLOWED TO ENABLE THE TRADE TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER.
.ONCE THE GRACE PERIOD IS OVER, GOLD ARTICLES MUST NOT BE TRADED UNLESS THEY ARE PROPERLY MARKED.
.CONTRAVENTION OF THE ORDER WOULD BE AN OFFENCE LIABLE, ON SUMMARY CONVICTION, TO A FINE OF >100 000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS, AND ON CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT TO A FINE OF $500 000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR FIVE YEARS UNDER THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE,. SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WILL ISSUE A NOTICE TO THE TRADE, SETTING OUT DETAILS OF THE ORDER.
ANY FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO MR H.Y. LI, SENIOR INDUSTRY OFFICER OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON THE 22ND FLOOR OF SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG, TELEPHONE 5-757265 EXT. 311.
FIVE MORE PRIVATE STREETS TO BE TAKEN OVER M M M M M
FIVE MORE PRIVATE STREETS WHICH ARE IN A DILAPIDATED STATE ARE TO BE RESUMED AND RECONSTRUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THEY ARE SHIM LUEN, TSUN FAT, YIN ON AND HOK LING STREETS IN TO KWA WAN, AND YUET YUEN STREET, NORTH POINT.
WORK WILL INVOLVE RECONSTRUCTION OF PARTS OF THE CARRIAGEWAYS AND FOOTPATHS WHICH HAVE BECOME SEVERELY DAMAGED DUE TO LACK OF ATTENTION IN THE PAST. ANCILLARY DRAINAGE WILL ALSO BE IMPROVED.
FOLLOWING THE RESUMPTIONS, GOVERNMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THE STREETS ARE MAINTAINED TO A PROPER STANDARD FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
/AT PRESQ4T...............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1984
- 7 -
AT PRESENT, THEY ARE UNDER MULTIPLE SUB-DIVIDED OWNERSHIP AND THIS HAS GIVEN RISE TO SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
OBSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE STREETS MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES TO GAIN ACCESS.
THE RESUMPTIONS FORM PART OF A PILOT SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN STREETS WHICH ARE ON PRIVATE LAND.
EIGHT STREETS IN THE URBAN AREAS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FOR THE SCHEME WHICH WILL COST $1.5 MILLION. THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED THAT IT INTENDS TO RESUME TWO PRIVATE STREETS IN WAN CHAI AND NORTH POINT.
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS AND LAND RESUMPTIONS CAN EE SEEN AT CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG; AND AT KOWLOON CITY AND EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICES.
ANYONE OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSALS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY NOT LATER THAN MARCH 13.
----------o----------
FIRE SERVICES DEALS WITH RECORD CALLS M M M M
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A RECORD NUMBER OF CALLS LAST YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
IN THE 12 MONTHS. THE DEPARTMENT DEALT WITH A TOTAL OF 327 454 CALLS, COMPARED WITH 297 493 IN 1982.
FIRES CAUSED THE DEATHS OF 42 PEOPLE AND LEFT A FURTHER 692 PEOPLE INJURED, 54 OF THEM FIREMEN.
PROMPT ACTION BY FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL LED TO 19 432 PEOPLE BEING RESCUED FROM FIRES AND MANY HUNDREDS OF OTHERS BEING LED TO SAFETY.
THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL SERVICE CALLS ALSO INCREASED - 9 426 AS COMPARED WITH 8 502 IN 1982.
CASUALTIES STOOD AT 367 PEOPLE KILLED INCLUDING A FIRE OFFICER AND 1 750 OTHER PEOPLE AND 16 FIREMEN INJURED.
THE DEPARTMENT’S AMBULANCE SERVICE ALSO HAD A BUSY YEAR - RECEIVING AN AVERAGE OF 832 CALLS A DAY - OR 10 PER CENT OVER THE 1982 FIGURE.
THERE WERE 220 242 EMERGENCY CALLS, WITH 247 843 INJURED PERSONS BEING TREATED. THERE WERE 83 281 NON-EMERGENCY CALLS, WITH 161 211 PATIENTS USING THE AMBULANCE SERVICE.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1984
8
IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR SQUATTER AREA ft ft ft ft
THE 1 OOO RESIDENTS OF NGAR CHOI HANG VILLAGE IN CAUSEWAY BAY HAVE GOOD CAUSE TO CELEBRATE IN THE COMING LUNAR NEW YEAR.
FOR LIFE IN THE SQUATTER AREA HAS BEEN MADE EASIER AND MORE CONVENIENT WITH GREATLY IMPROVED SANITARY AND OTHER PUBLIC FACILITIES, DUE TO THE EFFORTS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS DURING THE PAST YEAR.
THESE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE WATER SUPPLY TO INDIVIDUAL HUTS, PROVISION OF PUBLIC TOILETS AND BATHROOMS, INSTALLATION OF STREET LIGHTING, SETTING UP OF REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS, REPAIRS TO FOOTPATHS AND IMPROVEMENT TO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
COSTING MORE THAN >2 MILLION, THE PROJECTS WERE CARRIED OUT BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, HOUSING, WATER SUPPLIES AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS UNDER A SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.
THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1982 AND NGAR CHOI HANG IS ONE CF THE THREE HILLSIDE VILLAGES SELECTED FOR IMPROVEMENT ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE SCHEME, WHICH WILL BE EXTENDED TO OTHER SQUATTER AREAS, HAS PROVED VERY POPULAR AMONG RESIDENTS.
.CONSIDERATION IS NOW BEING GIVEN FOR THE PROVISION OF RAINSHELTERS AND POST BOXES IN NGAR CHOI HANG.+ HE ADDED.
TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, THE NGAR CHOI HANG VILLAGE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A CEREMONY AT 3 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 16) TO CELEBRATE WITH LOCAL LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY MARKING THE COMPLETION OF THE NGAR CHOI HANG SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT SCHEME AT 3 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 16) IN THE VILLAGE, CLOUDVIEW ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
-----------0-------------
/9...............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1984
9
STAFF NAMED FOR SENIOR STAFF COURSE
*****
THE GOVE NMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED STAFF APPOINTMENTS FOR ITS SENIOR STAFF COURSE.
A SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A WORKING PARTY REPORT, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP AN INDEPENDENT ORGANISATO TO RUN A SERIES OF FULL-TIME, THREE-MONTH COURSES IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT FOR SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS TO PREPARE THEM FOR DIR1JTORATE-LEVEL RESPONSIBILITIES.
AN ADVISORY OARD, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LOCAL ACADEMIC INSTITUT , PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF ' -1 FOOK-KOW, HAS ALSO BEEN ESTABLISHED TO OVERSEE THE RUNNIhc OF THE COURSES.
THE OFFICE OF THE SENIOR STAFF COURSE IS HEADED BY A DIRECTOR CF STUDIES WHO WILL BE ASSISTED BY FOUR FULL-TIME STAFF TUTORS AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE DIRECTOR OF STUDIES, MR L.M. SNEDDON, WAS APPOINTED WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1 AND THE FOUR STAFF TUTORS, MESSRS I. THOMAS, I. A. DEA R.B. GATES >.ND J.A.W. CLEAVER WILL ALL BE IN POST BY FEBRUARY 1. THE ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY IS MR W.J.K. ELLIS, AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C AND FORMERLY SECRETARY CF THE WORKING PARTY.
NOTE TO EDITORS I
MORE INFORMATION ON THE STAFF COURSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MR ELLIS ON 5-8937744.
- - o - -
TENDi'S CALLED FOR CONTROLLED TIP OPERATION * *
*
*
TENDERS ARE 'ING INVITED FOR OPERATING THE CONTROLLED TIP AT SHUEN WJN, OFF TIN' KOK ROAD, TAI PO, UNDER A NEW CONTRACT STARTING IN MARCH.
THE OIHRACT WILL INCLUDE DISPOSAL OF REFUSE BY THE SANITARY LANDFILL .CTHOD ND CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED SHORE PROTECTION AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
ABOUT 1.1 Mil LION TONNES OF REFUSE WILL BE TREATED AND ABOUT 5.5 HECTARES OF ■. AND WILL BE FORMED FOR RECREATIONAL USE OVER THE TWO—AND—A—HALF—V h CONTRACT PERIOD.
/ONLY CONTRACTORS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1984
10
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE LANDS AND WORKS APPROVED CONTRACTORS LIST I IN GROUP C FOR SITE FORMATION OR ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS OR ON THE LANDS AND WORKS APPROVED CONTRACTORS LIST II FOR SITE FORMATION OR ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS WILL BE PERMITTED TO TENDER.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER, CONSTRUCTION (LIQUID AND SOLID WASTES) DIVISION, ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
A NOTICE OF THE TENDERS IS IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FR IDAY).
- 0-------------
MINI-EXHIBITIONS ft
ON LABOUR LEGISLATION ft ft ft
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD FOUR MINI-EXHIBITIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION ABOUT CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AS WELL AS ABOUT SOME GENERAL CONCEPTS OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS.
ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION, EACH EXHIBITION WILL LAST THREE DAYS AND WILL FEATURE MAINLY PHOTOGRAPHS AND GRAPHICS.
THE FIRST EXHIBITION WILL OPEN ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE CITYPLAZA IN TAIKOO SHING AT NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY), WITH THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (EASTERN), MR H.T. LUI. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE (EASTERN), MRS ANITA CHAN LAI-LING, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR RON BRIDGE, OFFICIATING THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE SECOND EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD IN THE WONG TAI SIN MTR STATION, FROM NEXT FRIDAY, THE THIRD EXHIBITION WILL BE l€LD IN KWUN TONG FROM FEBRUARY 24 TO 26 AND THE FOURTH IN TSUEN WAN FROM MARCH 3 TO 5.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING IN THE CITYPLAZA.
------------o---------------
/11
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1984
11
NEW YEAR CLEAN UP DRIVE STARTS * *
*
M M
A LUNAR YEAR-END CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN LAUNCHED IN TUEN HJN TO HELP RESIDENTS TIDY UP THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
IT IS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES. AND TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO TAKE PART, THE EXERCISE So|1f PRIVATe’pP^mVsI AS C0MPETITI0NS AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND
A PANEL WILL TOUR THE AND PRIVATE HOUSING BLOCKS
DISTRICT TO SELECT THE CLEANEST PUBLIC AND THE CLEANEST FLATS.
THE DISTRICT BOARD IS CONTRIBUTING $25 000 TOWARDS THE TWO-WEEK CAMPAIGN BEING HELD AT SAM SHING, TAI HING. SAN FAT. . TING AND Y 01 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND 12 PRIVATE BUILDINGS.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE A VARIETY SHOW. CLEANSING DEMONSTRATION, HOME CLEANLINESS COMPETITIONS, SLOGAN AND DRAWING CONTESTS.
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN KEEP HONG KONG CLEAI CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, THE DISTRICT OFFICE, NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, ESTATES’ OFFICES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AT THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
----------o------------
MOTOR BOATS NEEDED BY CUSTOMS * K *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE FOR THE SUPPLY OF A MINIMUM'OF THREE MOTOR BOATS ON HIRE AT ONE TIME AT HOURLY RATES TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE FOR 12 MONTHS FROM APRIL 1.
THE BOATS WILL BE USED FOR CONVEYING OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERV CE FOR JOURNEYS BETWEEN THE SHORE AND SHIPS AT ANCHOR IM THE HARBOUR AND FOR PATROLS WITHIN TERRITORIAL WATERS.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE TOTAL SAILING TIME PER MONTH WILL NOT BE LESS TH;‧ 700 HOURS AND THE TOTAL WAITING TIME 500 HOURS.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SUPPLIES SECTION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, 15/F, HONG KONG ADE CENTRE, 161-167 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
----------o------------
/"‧2....................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1984
12 -
OLD AND YOUNG ON LONG RUN M *
M M
ABOUT 160 ATHLETES FROM ALL OVER THE TERRITORY AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 71 WILL TAKE PART IN THE CHEUNG CHAU LONG DISTANCE RUN ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15).
THE SIX-KILOMETRE RUN WILL BE DIVIDED INTO MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SECTIONS.
THE CONTESTANTS WILL START FROM THE CHEUNG CHAU SPORTSGROUND, RUN ALONG PEAK ROAD TO THE BASKETBALL COURT IN SAI WAN AND THEN TURN BACK ON THE SAME ROUTE FINISHING AT THE SPORTSGROUND.
THE RUN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CHEUNG CHAU SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP- RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER, MR ALBERT TAM; AMENITIES OFFICER (ISLANDS) W LAI KAM-WING] AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CHEUNG CHAU SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR KWONG KWOK-KAM; WILL OFFICIATE AT THE STARTING- OFF CEREMONY AT 11 AM AT THE CHEUNG CHAU SPORTSGROUND.
-----o
SOUVENIRS FOR COUNTRY PARK VISITORS N *
*
VISITORS TO HONG KONG COUNTRY PARKS FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) CAN EACH PICK UP TWO SOUVENIRS WITH A MESSAGE ON FIRE PREVENTION.
THE SOUVENIRS — A CALENDAR CARD FOR 1984 COMPLETE WITH LUNAR DATES AND A BOOKMARK — HAVE BEEN PRODUCED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION.
DESIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, THE CARD DEPICTS A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY ON ONE SIDE WITH A SLOGAN IN CHINESE URGING VISITORS TO PROTECT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. THE FIRE PREVENTION LOGO IS ALSO SHOWN ON THE CARD WHICH FITS NICELY INTO WALLETS AND SHIRT POCKETS.
THE BOOKMARK CONTAINS VITAL POINTS ON FIRE PREVENTION IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE.
IT SHOWS THE BEAUTIFUL FLORA IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AND CARRIES THE SAME SLOGAN ON PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
BOTH THE CALENDAR CARD AND THE BOOKMARK WILL BE GIVEN AWAY AT ALL COUNTRY PARK INFORMATION AND WARDEN POSTS AS WELL AS MANAGEMENT CENTRES, AS LONG AS SUPPLIES LAST.
- - 0 ------------
/13...............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1984
13
JOINT CONCERT TREAT FOR YUEN LONG * *
*
*
MUSIC LOVERS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE TREATED TO A JOINT CONCERT BY THE TANUNDA BAND FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 27.
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL, THE CONCERT WILL FEATURE SEPARATE AND JOINT PERFORMANCES OF SUCH NUMBERS AS i *
THE WAY WE WERE*
, +HOOKED ON CLASSICS*
, +YMCA+ AND *MY WAY*
, AS WELL AS FOLK AND JAZZ MUSIC.
FREE TICKETS TO THE 90-MINUTE CONCERT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM IN LUT SAU HALL ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST- SERVED BASIS, FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE TOWN HALL AND THE MUSIC OFFICE.
THE 35 MEMBERS OF THE TANUNDA BAND ARE AMATEURS, AND THE 65 MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND ARE STUDENTS AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 23.
NOTE TO EDITORS .
PRIZES FOR SPORTS WINNERS
* *
M *
WINNERS OF EASTERN DISTRICT’S FIRST SPORTS FESTIVAL WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT THE DR SEAKER CHAN’S MEMORIAL HALL ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15).
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY, WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A SHOW FEATURING DANCING AND SINGING PERFORMANCES.
THE FESTIVAL WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICES, THE EASTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE LION’S CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY.AT 3 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15) IN THE DR SEAKER CHAN’S MEMORIAL HALL AT 210 JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT.
- 0 - -
/14...............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1984
SPEEDPOST COVERS FRANCE
*****
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE WITH FRANCE WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE ALL DESTINATIONS IN FRANCE FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 16), THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY.
SPEEDPOST PROVIDES FOR THE URGENT TRANSMISSION OF DOCUMENTS AND SAMPLES OF NO COMMERCIAL VALUE.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU ON TELEPHONE NO. 5-2671222.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY CHARITY WALK TRAFFIC PLAN * *
M
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN KWUN TONG TO FACILITATE THE PROCESSION OF THE +KOWLOON WALK FOR MILLION*
EVENT ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 15).
THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 7 AM TO 11.30 AMi
(I)
THE SECTION OF JUNK BAY ROAD BETWEEN KAI TIN ROAD AND LEI YUE MUN ROAD.
(II)
THE SECTION OF KO CHIU ROAD BETWEEN LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE COVERED RESERVOIR.
(Ill)
THE SECTION OF KAI TIN ROAD BETWEEN PING TIN STREET AND LEI YUE MUN ROAD (EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND MAX ICABS).
PO LAM ROAD, THE UN-NAMED ROAD LINKING SAU MAU PING ROAD TO ANDERSON ROAD AND THE SECTION OF ANDERSON ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE UN-NAMED ROAD TO PO LAM ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 AM TO 3 PM.
AND KAI LIM ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 7.30 AM TO 4 PM.
KMB ROUTES NOS. 15C, 15M AND 16 TRAVELLING TO AND FROM LAM TIN ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND KAI TIN ROAD FROM 7 AM TO 11.30 AM.
KMB ROUTE NO. 14A DEPARTING AT KO CHIU ROAD BUS TERMINUS WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND KO LONG ROAD FROM 7 AM TO 11.30 AM.
/LIMITED services
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1J, 1984
15
LIMITED SERVICES OF KMB ROUTE NO. 90 WILL BE PROVIDED ON PO LAM ROAD FROM 9 AM TO 3 PM.
MAX ICAB ROUTES 10 AND 10A WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 AM TO 3 PM.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING BETWEEN LAM TIN ESTATE SHOULD USE SAU MAU PING ROAD, JUNK BAY ROAD AND KAI TIN ROAD FROM 7 AM TO 11.30 AM.
THE RIGHT TURN MOVEMENT FROM LEI YUE MUN ROAD NORTHBOUND ONTO TSUI PING ROAD WILL BE BANNED FROM 7.30 AM TO 11.30 AM.
THE SECTION OF SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LEI YUE MUN ROAD BETWEEN JUNK BAY ROAD AND KO CHIU ROAD WILL BE REDUCED FROM TWO-LANE TO ONE-LANE TRAFFIC FROM 7 AM TO 11.30 AM.
ALL ON-STREET PARKING SPACES ON KAI LIM ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM 8 PM ON SATURDAY TO 4 PM ON SUNDAY.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC RESTRICTION M *
*
FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY), THE SLIP ROAD LINKING INNER GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND WITH GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND NEAR FENWICK STREET WILL BE RESTRICTED TO FRANCHISED BUSES.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GRANTS NCR NEEDY STUDENTS ............................................... 1
UNDERSTANDING OF LABOUR LAW CAN PREVENT DISPUTES .................................... 2
parents urged to protect children from drugs ................................................ 2
SCOUTS CAN PLAY ACTIVE ROLE IN ANTI-NARCOTICS FIGHT.......................... 3
FIRE DRILLS FOR SQUATTERS ............................................................................................................ 4
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ON THE PEAK......................................................................................... 5
WINNERS OF 1984 HK YOUNG MUSICIANS' AW/JiDS ....................................................... 5
MONG KOK ROAD SAFETY DAY ................................................................................................................ 6
NEW/ MAXICAB ROUTES FOR KOWLOON AND NT ...................................................................... 7
MARKET STALLS FOR BIDDING ............................................................................................................. 8
*
LUNAR NEW YEAR RUN IN SAI KUNG ............................................................................................ 8
EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS DISCUSSED AT SEMINAR .......................................................... 9
NEW ROAD SECTION TO OPEN ................................................................................................................ 9
NEW FERRY PIER EI PENG CHAU READY ................................................................................... 9
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1984
- 1 -
GRANTS FOR NEEDY STUDENTS M *
M *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED STUDENTS PURSUING SENIOR SECONDARY OR POST-SECONDARY FULL-TIME COURSES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 1983-84 ACADEMIC YEAR THAT A LIMITED NUMBER OF GRANTHAM MAINTENANCE GRANTS ARE OPEN TO THOSE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DUE TO AN ADVERSE CHANGE IN THE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES CF THE FAMILY.
STUDENTS ATTENDING ANGLO-CHINESE SECONDARY COURSES AT FORM FOUR AND FIVE LEVEL, CHINESE MIDDLE SECONDARY COURSES AT MIDDLE FOUR AND FIVE LEVEL, ONE-YEAR OR TWO-YEAR MATRICULATION COURSES AND TECHNICAL OR VOCATIONAL COURSES AT A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE MAY APPLY.
APPLICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING INVITED FROM THOSE TAKING DIPLOMA COURSES AT THE HONG KONG SHUE YAN COLLEGE AND HONG KONG LINGNAN COLLEGE.
THE GRANTS, WHICH ARE AWARDED BY THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND COMMITTEE, WILL NOT NORMALLY BE MADE TO STUDENTS WHO HOLD ANY SCHOLARSHIP OR ARE IN RECEIPT OF ANY FORM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN INTEREST-FREE LOANS OR THE REMISSION OF FEES.
HOWEVER, UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS MAY RE-APPLY IF THEY NOW REQUIRE ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEIR FAMILIES HAVE SUFFERED ADVERSE CHANGES IN THEIR ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR GRANTHAM MAINTENANCE GRANTS CAN BE OBTAINED ON PRESENTATION OF HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS AND STUDENT IDENTITY CARDS AT THE TRUST FUNDS SECTION, HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, YARDLEY COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 6TH FLOOR, 3 CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST, HONG KONG.
APPLICANTS SHOULD RETURN THE COMPLETED FORMS TO THE SAME OFFICE THROUGH THE HEAD OF THEIR SCHOOL OR INSTITUTION BY JANUARY 28, 1984.
THE FORMS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY A SWORN STATUTORY DECLARATION OF FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES SIGNED BY THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF THE APPLICANTS.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE GRANTS SHOULD BE MADE TO THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND COMMITTEE AT TEL. NO. 5-422569.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1984
- 2 -
UNDERSTANDING OF LABOUR LAW CAN PREVENT DISPUTES * *
*
*
*
MANY UNNECESSARY DISPUTES CAN BE AVOIDED IF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF LABOUR LEGISLATION AND REALISE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR RON BRIDGE, THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING OF A MINI EXHIBITION ON LABOUR LEGISLATION IN THE CITYPLAZA OF TAIKOO SHING.
ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION, THE EXHIBITION WILL LAST THREE DAYS, FEATURING MAINLY PHOTOGRAPHS AND GRAPHICS.
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ATTACHED MUCH IMPORTANCE TO PROMOTING HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS.
.AS LONG AS EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES POSSESS CONCEPTS OF MUTUAL RELIANCE AND MUTUAL EXISTENCE, I BELIEVE EVERY ESTABLISHMENT WILL BE ABLE TO SEE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT,. HE NOTED.
MR BRIDGE EXPLAINED THAT EACH YEAR THE DEPARTMENT ORGANISED TALKS OR SEMINARS ON LABOUR RELATIONS AND LABOUR LEGISLATION, BUT BECAUSE OF RESTRICTIONS ON VENUES, ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE COULD BENEFIT FROM THESE FUNCTIONS.
.THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE HAVE STAGED A MOBILE EXHIBITION WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCING LABOUR LEGISLATION TO MORE PEOPLE.
AFTER TAIKOO SHING, THE EXHIBITION WILL BE RE-STAGED IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS OF WONG TAI SIN, KWUN TONG AND TSUEN WAN.+ ADDED.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WITH MR BRIDGE WERE THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (EASTERN), MR H.T. LUI, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE (EASTERN), MRS ANITA CHAN LAI-LING.
PARENTS URGED TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM DRUGS
*****
PARENTS WERE URGED TODAY (SATURDAY) TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN FROM DRUG ADDICTION BY MAINTAINING CLOSE CONTACT WITH THEM AND SHOWING THEM LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE CHAIRMAN OF PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, MR KARL STUMPF.
HE ALSO CALLED ON YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHOW RESPECT TO THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITY BY REFUSING TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH DRUGS.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1984
- 3 -
SPEAKING AT THE TUEN MUN ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN CLOSING CEREMONY, MR STUMPF SAID, +THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, THROUGH ITS PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES, HAS MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING IN THE COMMUNITY AN AWARENESS OF THE GRAVE DANGER OF DRUG ABUSE.*
BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE REACHING THE GOAL OF DRUG ERADICATION.
HOWEVER, HE SAID HE FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT THE GOAL COULD BE REACHED THROUGH THE COMBINED EFFORT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID, +THE EVENT TODAY NOT ONLY DEMONSTRATES THE FULL-SCALE SUPPORT GIVEN BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT COMMUNITY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS, BUT IT ALSO INDICATES THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS DO NOT REMAIN ON THE SIDELINES AND WATCH WHILE SOME (■EMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY JEOPARDISE THEIR LIVES BY TAKING DRUGS.*
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN WAS HELD BETWEEN JANUARY 5 AND 14.
THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES WERE DISSEMINATED THROUGH A SERIES CF EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL AND INTERESTING ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
SCOUTS CAN PLAY ACTIVE ROLE IN ANTI-NARCOTICS FIGHT *****
ARMED WITH ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE IN DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND LEADERSHIP, THE SCOUTS IN HONG KONG CAN PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS, THE PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, MR HANDRICK NG, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT IN PREVENTING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BECOMING DRUG ADDICTS IS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH, AND TO ACTIVELY ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE PART IN, HEALTHY AND MEANINGFUL RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, OF WHICH SCOUT MOVEMENT IS ONE OF THE BEST, HE ADDED.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE COMBINED STAFF DINNER OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG (EAST KOWLOON REGION) ON +THE NARCOTICS PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND THE ROLE OF SCOUTING IN THE FIGHT AGAINST IT*
.
HE SAID THAT DRUG ABUSE IS A SERIOUS AND LONG STANDING PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO ERADICATE THE PROBLEM BY AN OVERALL STRATEGY WHICH CONSISTS OF FOUR MAIN ELEMENTS, NAMELY LAW ENFORCEMENT, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION, PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, AND INTERNATIONAL ACTION.
/commenting on ..............
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14. 1?84
COMMENTING ON THE ROLE OF SCOUTING IN THE ANTI-NARCOTICS FIGHT, HE SAID i *
THE MAIN TARGET OF OUR PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN IS YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 24 BECAUSE THEY ARE MOST EXPOSED TO THE RISK OF BECOMING DRUG ADDICTS.*
.THE SCOUTS CAN HELP STEER THE AT-RISK-GROUP AWAY FROM DRUGS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO STRIVE FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE. BUT TO DO THIS EFFECTIVELY, THEY MUST HAVE A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE AND ITS DANGERS, OF THE WAY TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM BEING TRAPPED BY DRUG PUSHERS AND OF THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES FOR DRUG ADDICTS,*
HE SAID.
TO HELP ITS MEMBERS ACQUIRE SUCH KNOWLEDGE, THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, IS DEVISING A SPECIAL DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION BADGE SCHEME FOR THEM.
.THROUGH TRAINING COURSES PROVIDED UNDER THE BADGE SCHEME, THE SCOUTS, VENTURE SCOUTS AND ROVER SCOUTS WILL LEARN HOW TO TACKLE THE DRUG PROBLEM AND TO DISSUADE PEOPLE OF THEIR OWN AGE FROM ABUSING DRUGS,. HE SAID.
.THE BADGE SCHEME IS VERY VALUABLE AND MEANINGFUL IN THAT IT WILL ALSO HELP THE PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP A BETTER PERSONALITY AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY WELL,*
HE ADDED.
WHILE PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE SCOUTS FOR THEIR SUSTAINED CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS, MR NG WISHED THEM SUCCESS WITH THE DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION BADGE SCHEME AND HOPED THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS WORTHY CAUSE IN FUTURE.
- - 0 - -
FIRE DRILLS FOR SQUATTERS * *
M
SQUATTER AREA FIRE WATCH TEAMS IN KOWLOON CITY WILL TEST THEIR FIRE FIGHTING SKILLS DURING A SERIES OF DRILLS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING.
TAKING PART IN THE EXERCISE WILL BE TEAMS FROM HO KAR YUEN, SAI TAU VILLAGE AND MODEL VILLAGE WHICH WERE FORMED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
THEY WILL BE GIVEN FIRE EXTINGUISHERS TO PUT OUT SIMULATED FIRES DURING THE DRILL IN MODEL VILLAGE.
THE TEAM WHICH CAN EXTINGUISH THE FIRE IN THE SHORTEST TIME SHOW A PROPER USE OF THE EQUIPMENT WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES, SAID IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR SQUATTERS TO EQUIP THEMSELVES WITH BASIC FIRE FIGHTING TECHNIQUES.
/+IN THIS
SATUHDAY, JANUARY 14, 1984
- 5 -
.IN THIS DRY AND WINDY SEASON. SQUATTER HUTS, BEING BUILT MOSTLY OF WOOD AND CLOSELY TOGETHER IN THE OPEN, ARE ALWAYS PRONE TO FIRES AND COULD GENERATE A CHAIN EFFECT,. HE SAID.
.BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST, RESIDENTS THEMSELVES MUST LEARN TO OBSERVE THE CODES OF FIRE PREVENTION, SUCH AS STEPPED-UP PATROL BY TEAM MEMBERS AND INSTALLATION OF SOUND FIRE APPARATUS AND ALARM SYSTEM,. HE STRESSED.
BEFORE THE DRILLS, OFFICERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL GIVE BRIEFINGS ON THE PROPER USE OF FIRE HYDRANTS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A QUIZ ON FIRE PREVENTION KNOWLEDGE.
TWO OTHER LOCAL FIRE WATCH TEAMS IN THE HO MAN TIN AND VALLEY ROAD TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA HAD SIMILAR EXERCISES RECENTLY.
-----o-----
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ON THE PEAK M *
M M *
TREGUNTER PATH BETWEEN HOUSES NOS 3 AND 14 WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 16) FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
THE ARRANGEMENT IS TO FACILITATE SLOPE WORKS.
- - - - 0 ----------
WINNERS OF 1984 HK YOUNG MUSICIANS' AWARDS M *
*
*
THE CHINESE MUSIC FINAL OF THE 1984 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS' AWARDS WAS HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
THE WINNERS OF THE COMPOSITION CATEGORY, MISS HEVA CHAN, FR CHEUNG CHI-FAI AND MISS LAI SHEUNG-PING EACH RECEIVED CASH AWARDS OF $3 000, fl 500 AND $500 FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE COMPOSERS AND AUTHORS SOCIETY OF HONG KONG (CASH), MR WILLIE YEUNG.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR HAROLD KWOK, PRESENTED SIMILAR CASH AWARDS TO THREE VARIATIONS (MR CHOW MAN-SHEUNG), LEGEND (MR WONG SHING-HOI) AND JOYOUS PEOPLE ALONG THE BORDER (MR LEUNG CH I-CHEUNG), WINNERS IN THE MUSIC PERFORMANCE CATEGORY.
THE AWARDS ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE COMPOSERS AND AUTHORS SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.
/THE AIM ..............
I.
SATURDAY, JAKUAHY 14, 1964
- 6 -
THE AIM IS TO RAISE THE STANDARDS OF COMPOSING AND PERFORMING SERIOUS MUSIC AMONG LOCAL YOUNG AMATEUR MUSICIANS AND TO PROMOTE INTEREST IN THE APPRECIATION OF SERIOUS MUSIC.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR C.K.K. WONG, SAID THE COMPETITION PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPOSERS TO HAVE THEIR WORKS PERFORMED BEFORE AN AUDIENCE - SOMETHING WHICH ACTED AS A VERY POSITIVE STIMULUS TO THEM.
.TO INTRODUCE MORE VARIETY INTO THE PROGRAMME, THIS YEAR WE HAVE INCLUDED CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCE WHICH, WE FEEL, IS A COMPARATIVELY UNEXPLORED AREA DESERVING POSITIVE ENCOURAGEMENT,. HE POINTED OUT.
MR WONG THEN THANKED THE CO-ORGANI SERS, RTHK AND CASH, AS WELL AS THE ADJUDICATORS FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS YEAR’S HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS’ AWARDS.
THE WESTERN MUSIC FINAL OF THE AWARDS WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) NIGHT AT THE SAME VENUE.
MONG KOK ROAD SAFETY DAY MO
MONG KOK RESIDENTS WILL LEARN ABOUT ROAD SAFETY THROUGH A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THESE ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE FIRST AID AND SEAT BELT DEMONSTRATIONS, AN EXHIBITION, GAME STALLS, A ROAD SAFETY VAN AND ROAD SAFETY TOWN.
SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, THE WEEK-LONG CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND THE MONG KOK NORTH AREA COMMITTEE.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY ORGANISING COMMITTEE, ffi HO FEI—CHIj MONG KOK ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STANLEY WONG; AND DISTRICT COMMANDER, MONG KOK, MR T.A. FITZPATRICK.
OTHER RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE A SLIDE SHOW, A MODEL PEDESTRIAN AND DRIVERS COMPETITION AND A QUIZ AND CROSS WORD COMPETITION.
------------0------------
/7 ...................
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1984
7
NEW MAX I CAB ROUTES FOR KOWLOON AND NT M *
*
*
TENDERS WILL BE INVITED FOR RUNNING 20 NEW MAX I CAB ROUTES IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE NEW MAXICAB PACKAGES WILL INCLUDE ROUTES IN KOWLOON, SHA TIN, YUEN LONG, NORTH DISTRICT AND TUEN MUN.
DETAILS OF THESE ROUTES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
TENDERS MUST BE MADE ON THE APPROPRIATE APPLICATION FORM, ENTITLED ^APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS ’MAXICAB’ ROUTE PACKAGES*
.
THESE FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT GUARDIAN HOUSE, 6TH FLOOR, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI OR 56 DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON.
THEY MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE KWUN TONG LICENSING OFFICE 26-38 HIU KWONG STREET OR THE DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY REGISTERED POST TO REACH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 25TH FLOOR, 56 DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON BY 5 PM ON FEBRUARY 13.
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
.THE APPLICATIONS WILL THEN BE PROCESSED AND THE NEW ROUTES ARE EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED LATER THIS YEAR,*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID. .
A SELECTION BOARD COMPRISING UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND OFFICIALS FROM THE TRANSPORT AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL SELECT THE MOST SUITABLE APPLICANTS.
.IF THE APPLICANT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ONE OR MORE PERSONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING THE MAXICAB SERVICES, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PARTNERSHIP BE REGISTERED AS A BUSINESS AND THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE SUBMITTED WITH A BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERT IF ICATES..
.ONLY THE APPLICANT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR THE SATISFACTORY OPERATION OF ANY ROUTE GRANTED. THE REGISTRATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP IS TO ENABLE THE SELECTION BOARD TO CONSIDER ANY PROPOSED TRANSFER TO ANOTHER PARTNER IN FUTURE,. THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
------------o--------------
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1984
- 8 -
MARKET STALLS FOR BIDDING * *
*
*
FIVE STALLS AT WING FONG STREET MARKET AND ONE AT KA TING COOKED FOOD MARKET IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC BIDDING ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19).
THE BIDDING WILL BE HELD AT THE KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL AT LAI FONG STREET, STARTING AT 9.30 AM, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTALS FOR THE STALLS AT WING FONG STREET MARKET RANGE FROM $600 TO S3 000, AND THAT FOR THE STALL AT KA TING COOKED FOOD MARKET IS S3 800.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MAY START BUSINESS ON FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR ON A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT.
BIDDERS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION OF THE KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-253624.
----------o------------
LUNAR NEW YEAR RUN IN SAI KUNG M M M M
A LUNAR NEW YEAR LONG-DISTANCE RUN WILL BE HELD IN SAI KUNG ON FEBRUARY 7 (TUESDAY) AS PART OF THE SIXTH SAI KUNG FESTIVAL.
RUNNERS ARE BEING INVITED TO JOIN THE RACE WHICH WILL START AT 10 AM.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE, SAI KUNG SPORTS ASSOCIATION, THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITH THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD AS THE SPONSOR.
THE COMPETITION. DIVIDED INTO MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SECTIONS, IS OPEN TO RUNNERS AT THE AGE OF 14 OR ABOVE.
THE MEN’S SECTION WILL COVER SIX KILOMETRES AND THE WOMEN’S SECTION THREE KILOMETRES.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SAI KUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, THE SUB-OFFICE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE AT MAN NIN STREET, ANY OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE, AND THE SAI KUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SAI KUNG OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OR THE SAI KUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE BEFORE JANUARY 27 (FRIDAY).
o------------
/?....................
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1984
9
EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS DISCUSSED AT SEMINAR M M M M #
ABOUT 120 HEADMASTERS AND TEACHERS FROM SCHOOLS IN SHAM SHUI PO DISCUSSED AT A SEMINAR TODAY (SATURDAY) VARIOUS PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN SCHOOL TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATION.
THE SEMINAR WAS PART OF A SERIES OF INTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE WHICH HAS A MEMBERSHIP OF 99 SCHOOLS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THE SEMINAR AIMED AT PROVIDING A FORUM FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO EXCHANGE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND VIEWS ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LOCAL EDUCATION.
THE PARTICIPANTS CANVASSED A DIVERSITY OF TOPICS WHICH INCLUDED PROPOSALS TO STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, PRACTICAL PROBLEMS IN STUDENT COUNSELLING AND THE INFLUENCE OF MASS MEDIA ON MORAL EDUCATION.
FINDINGS AND SUGGESTIONS OF THE DISCUSSION WILL BE SUMMARISED IN A REPORT AND SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOLS, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR REFERENCE.
- - 0 - -
NEW ROAD SECTION TO OPEN M M M X
THE NEW SECTION OF TSUEN WAH STREET BETWEEN TSUEN FU STREET AND TSUEN WING STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND WHEN IT OPENS TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 16).
TEN TWO-HOUR METERED PARING SPACES WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE WEST SIDE OF THIS NEW SECTION.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ON TSUEN WING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
MOTORISTS ON TEXACO ROAD HEADING FOR THE NEW SECTION OF TSUEN WAH STREET SHOULD ENTER VIA TSUEN FU STREET AND EXIT VIA TSUEN WING STREET.
NEW FERRY PIER IN PENG CHAU READY XXX
THE NEW PENG CHAU FERRY PIER WILL BE OPEN FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 16).
ALL HONG KONG YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY SERVICES AT PRESENT OPERATING AT THE PENG CHAU PUBLIC PIER WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE NEW PIER.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WAGE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1983 ......................................................................................... 1
WALK DRAWS PEOPLE FROM ALL RANKS ...................................................................................... 4
KWUN TONG LAUNCHES ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN ...................................................................... 5
NEEDY PEOPLE TO RECEIVE 'LAI-SEE' ................................................................................... 6
PLAYGROUND TO BE OFFICIALLY OPINED ................................................................................ 7
ST JOHN AMBULANCE PRAISED FOR GOOD WORK................................................................ 8
MORE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CYCLISTS ................................................................................... 9
ARTICLE ON HOUSEHOLD SURVEY PUBLISHED ...................................................................... 10
FESTIVAL PROMOTES SENSE OF BELONGING .........................................................................
KOWLOON DISTRICT LAND OFFICES MOVING .......................................................................... 11
NEW ARRANGEMENTS AT GIS LIBRARY ............................................................ 12
NEW FERRY PIER FOR PENG CHAU ................................................................................................... 12
HELIPAD FOR Mil WO .................................................................................................................................. 13
SOCCER PITCH TO BE ARTIFICIALLY TURFED ................................................................... 13
JUDGING FOR VEGETABLE GROWING CONTEST ...................................................................... 14
YOUNG MUSICIANS' AWARDS CONTEST ENDS .......................................................................... 15
LUNCH-TIME MUSIC FOR WAN CHAI WORKERS ...................................................................... 16
TEACHERS INVITED TO BE ACTIVITIES ORGANISERS ................................................ 16
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN Mi TONG ................................................................................... 17
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CHAI WAN ...................................................................................... 17
LEAKAGE TEST IN QUARRY BAY, SHaU KEI WAN ............................................................. 17
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984
1
WAGE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1983 K M M M *
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX, AT 111 IN SEPTEMBER 1983, SHOWS INCREASES OF 1 PER CENT OVER JUNE 1983 AND OF 8 PER CENT OVER SEPTEMBER 1982, ACCORDING TO WAGE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1983 PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
WHEN SEPTEMBER 1983 IS COMPARED WITH JUNE 1983, THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR AND THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR EACH INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT, AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 5 PER CENT.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
WHEN SEPTEMBER 1983 IS COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1982, THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR EACH INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT, AND FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 7 PER CENT.
THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1982 TO SEPTEMBER 1983 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1.
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX STOOD AT 96 IN SEPTEMBER 1983, DECREASING BY 2 PER CENT OVER JUNE 1983 AND BY 3 PER CENT OVER SEPTEMBER 1982.
WHEN SEPTEMBER 1983 IS COMPARED WITH JUNE 1983, THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR AND THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR EACH DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT, BUT THAT FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT.
COMPARISON OF SEPTEMBER 1983 WITH SEPTEMBER 1982 SHOWS THAT THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECLINED BY 2 PER CENT, FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 4 PER CENT, FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 2 PER CENT. FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 3 PER CENT AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 2 PER CENT.
THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1982 TO SEPTEMBER 1983 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
/these wage ..............
SUNDAY, JANUABY 15, 1984
2
THESE WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED EVERY QUARTER BY THE DEPARTMENT COVERING BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING WORKERS AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR.
SUCH WAGE INDEXES MEASURE CHANGES IN WAGE RATES BY HOLDING THE STRUCTURAL PATTERNS OF THE LABOUR FORCE WITH RESPECT TO INDUSTRY, OCCUPATION, SEX AND MODE OF PAYMENT THE SAME AS THAT OF MARCH 1982, WHICH IS THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEXES.
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES IN WAGE RATES IN MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF WAGES (ALTHOUGH THE SAME DEFLATOR IS USED FOR EACH INDUSTRY TO DERIVE THE REAL WAGE INDEX FROM ITS NOMINAL COUNTERPART, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MOVEMENTS OF THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX AND THE REAL WAGE INDEX BETWEEN ANY TWO TIME PERIODS MAY VARY SLIGHTLY FROM INDUSTRY TO INDUSTRY DUE TO ROUNDING).
APART FROM BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, WAGE RATE IS DEFINED TO INCLUDE ALSO COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS, NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE ALSO PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
ESSENTIALLY THE WAGE INDEXES MEASURE THE RELATIVE CHANGE IN THE PRICE OF LABOUR BECAUSE WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL TIME OF WORK.
ON THE OTHER HAND, INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED ARE AFFECTED BY CHANGES IN OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS THE AMOUNT OF TIME ACTUALLY WORKED. THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE AND THE INCIDENCE OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY.
AS A RESULT, THE MOVEMENTS OF THE WAGE INDEXES DO NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THOSE OF THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NO. 5-452703.
/TABLE 1:
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984
- 3 -
TABLE 1. NOMINAL WAGE
INDEXES BY
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC
SECTORS
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 -
100)
SEPT. 1982
DEC. 1982
MAR.
1983
JUNE 1983
SEPT. 1983
MANUFACTURING
103
105
108
110
111
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
102
104
106
107
108
TRANSPORT SERVICES
110
110
114
118
119
BUSINESS SERVICES
103
103
108
109
110
PERSONAL SERVICES
103
104
107
106
111
ALL SECTORS ABOVE
103
105
108
110
111
TABLE 2t REAL WAGE INDEXES
BY SELECTED MAJOR
ECONOMIC
SECTORS
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982
- 100)
SEPT. 1982
DEC. 1982
MAR.
1983
JUNE 1983
SEPT. 1983
MANUFACTURING
98
98
97
98
96
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
97
98
96
95
93
TRANSPORT SERVICES
105
103
103
105
103
BUSINESS SERVICES
98
96
97
97
95
PERSONAL SERVICES
98
98
96
95
96
ALL SECTORS ABOVE
99
99
97
98
96
/TABLE 3s ..............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1964
TABLE 3. NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR
INDEXES (MARCH 1982
- 100)
INDUSTRY
SEPT.
DEC.
MAR.
JUNE
SEPT.
1982
1982
1983
1983
1983
GARMENTS
103
105
106
108
109
GLOVES
103
105
107
107
107
HANDBAGS
101
102
105
106
107
COTTON SP INNING/WEAVING
102
102
108
111
111
KNITTING
104
106
108
112
113
BLEACHING AND DYEING
103
103
107
109
111
PRINTING
105
106
108
113
113
PLASTIC PRODUCTS
102
105
107
110
111
METAL PRODUCTS
102
103
107
110
113
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
103
102
106
109
113
ELECTRONICS
103
105
109
110
112
WATCHES AND CLOCKS
103
106
111
112
113
MANUFACTURING
103
105
108
110
111
----------o -
. M *
* SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THAT MEMBERS OF THE SIX DISTRICT BOARDS IN KOWLLON, LED BY THEIR DISTRICT OFFICERS, GATHERED AT THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND, WHERE THE WALK BEGAN, TO SHOW THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT.
WALK DRAWS PEOPLE FROM ALL RANKS
M *
M M *
PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TODAY (SUNDAY) TOOK PART IN THE COMMUNITY CHEST’S KOWLOON WALK FOR MILLIONS.
THEY INCLUDED TEAMS FORMED BY MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS. AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND KA I FONG ASSOCIATIONS AS WELL AS VARIOUS OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
/THE ACTING...............
SUKLA.Y, JANUARY 1j, 1$c4
- 5
THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, STARTED THE WALK AT 9 AM, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN CF THIS YEAR’S KOWLOON WALK.
THE WALK COVERED A 15-KILOMETRE ROUTE VIA LEI YUE MUN ROAD, RENNIE’S MILL, PO LAM ROAD AND JUNK BAY ROAD, PASSING THROUGH SCENIC SPOTS AND AREAS UNDER DEVELOPMENT.
.APART FROM RAISING FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST, THE WALKERS THUS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE DEVELOPMENTS UNDERWAY IN JUNK BAY AND ITS VICINITY,*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
KWUN TONG LAUNCHES ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN M *
*
*
PARTICIPATION OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IS ESSENTIAL IN BUILDING UP A CARING AND DRUG-FREE COMMUNITY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY CUM DISCO NIGHT OF THE KWUN TONG ANTI-NARCO ITCS CAMPAIGN, MR WIGGHAM SAID PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS IN THE DISTRICT HAD COME TOGETHER TO FORM AN ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR THE CAMPAIGN.
HE SAID! +THEY HAVE DEVOTED MUCH TIME AND EFFORT TO PLANNING AND ORGANISING ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE MOST APPROPRIATE AND EFFECTIVE IN SPREADING THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE. TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF THE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT.*
MR WIGGHAM SAID KWUN TONG HAS A POPULATION OF 650 000, WITH A HIGHER THAN AVERAGE PROPORTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
HE CITED THE DISCO NIGHT AS AN EXAMPLE THAT THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAD CONSIDERED THE LOCAL CHARACTERISTICS WHEN ORGANISING THE CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME FOR ITS TARGET GROUP.
ALSO ADDRESSING THE 700 YOUTHS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE DISCO NIGHT AT THE KAI YIP ESTATE INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE WAS THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GORDON MORTIMER.
MR MORTIMER POINTED OUT THAT ONE MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF THE ANTI-DRUG STRATEGY WAS TO PREVENT DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST EXPOSED TO THE RISK OF BECOMING DRUG ADDICTS.
.MOST OF THEM NEED TO FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING TO A GROUP, TO FEEL A SENSE OF PURPOSE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT AND TO FEEL A SENSE OF PRESTIGE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY,. HE SAID.
/.IT 13 ......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1?￡4
6
.IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE BY PARENTS, TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY WORKERS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO DIVERT THEIR ENERGIES AND INTERESTS TO HEALTHY ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE MEANINGFUL, REALISTIC AND EASILY ATTAINABLE.
.IT IS HOPED THAT THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE WILL REACH NOT ONLY THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES OF THE CAMPAIGN BUT WILL BE FURTHER PROMULGATED BY THEM TO THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES,. HE ADDED.
THE KWUN TONG ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS HELD FROM JANUARY 15 TO 29, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
OTHER EVENTS DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD WILL INCLUDE VISITS TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL AND THE SHEK KWU CHAU TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTRE, QUIZZES FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, SLOGAN COMPETITIONS AND CROSS-WORD PUZZLE GAMES.
NEEDY PEOPLE TO RECEIVE ’LAI-SEE’ ft ft ft ft ft
MORE THAN 9 600 PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE RED PACKETS OF S10D EACH AS NEW YEAR +LAI-SEE+ FROM A LOCAL CHARITABLE FUND.
NEARLY $1 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE TANG SHIU-KIN/HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND FOR DISTRIBUTION.
THE RECIPIENTS INCLUDE 2 650 WIDOWS OR WIDOWERS WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN WHO ARE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, 6 514 RESIDENTS OF HOMES, HOSTELS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS FOR THE ELDERLY, AND 510 ELDERLY PATIENTS IN THE FIVE HOSPITALS OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP.
THE FOUNDERS OF THE FUND, SIR SHIU-KIN TANG AND MR HO TIM, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, WHO IS THE TRUSTEE OF THE FUND, WILL DISTRIBUTE THE RED PACKETS PERSONALLY TO SOME 311 WIDOWED FAMILIES FROM THE HONG KONG REGION IN THE HALL OF THE WELFARE BUILDING OF PO LEUNG KUK AT 66 LEIGHTON ROAD AT 3.30 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17).
ALSO PRESENT WILL BE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CF THE FUND.
ON HAND TO HELP WITH THE DISTRIBUTION WILL BE MOVIE ACTRESS MISS FUNG BO-BO.
WIDOWED FAMILIES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY WILL RECEIVE THEIR RED PACKETS THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES.
/RED PACKETS..............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 19fi4
- 7 -
RED PACKETS FOR RESIDENTS OF HOMES AND HOSTELS FOR THE ELDERLY AND ELDERLY PATIENTS IN THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BY THE INSTITUTIONS THEMSELVES.
THE FUND, ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, PROVIDES IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES IN COPING WITH HARDSHIPS BROUGHT ON BY UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES.
CASH GRANTS ARE PROVIDED TO MAINTAIN A CHILD THROUGH HIS EDUCATION, TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT OR TO MEET HIGH COSTS FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT OR OTHER NEEDS.
GRANTS ARE ALSO GIVEN TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS ARISING FROM PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY OR CHRONIC ILLNESS.
IN PARTICULAR, THE FUND HELPS VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS WITH URGENT NEEDS.
APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND CAN BE MADE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, PO LEUNG KUK, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT OR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
SOCIAL WORKERS OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES MAY ALSO REFER HARDSHIP CASES TO THE SECRETARY OF THE FUND OR THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
NOTE TO EDITORS t
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE DISTRIBUTION OF RED PACKETS TO WIDOWED FAMILIES IN THE HALL OF THE WELFARE BUILDING OF PO LEUNG KUK AT 66 LEIGHTON-ROAD AT 3.30 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17).
------o------
PLAYGROUND TO BE OFFICIALLY OPENED M M *
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE S6-MILLI0N PLAYGROUND AT TSUEN KING CIRCUIT IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 18).
THE 1.29-HECTARE TSUEN KING CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND, LOCATED NEXT TO A LARGE PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATE, IS THE FIRST MULTI-PURPOSE PLAYGROUND BUILT IN THE NORTH WESTERN PART OF TSUEN WAN.
THE PLAYGROUND WAS JOINTLY FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES GROUP WHICH HAD CONTRIBUTED $1 MILLION FOR THE PROJECT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. THE PLAYGROUND UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NTSD HAS BECOME POPULAR WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS SINCE ITS OPENING LAST MONTH.
/ITS FOUR ..............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1?￡4
- 8 -
ITS FOUR TENNIS COURTS, EQUIPPED WITH SHOWERS AND FLOODLIGHTS, ARE OPEN DAILY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 11 PM.
OTHER FACILITIES AT THE PLAYGROUND INCLUDE PLAY EQUIPMENT WITH SAFETY MATTINGS FOR CHILDREN, A POOL FOR MODEL BOATS AND A LANDSCAPED REST GARDEN WITH ARBOURS AND BENCHES.
THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES. MR JOHN HEYWOOD, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER OF SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES GROUP, WALTER KWOK 5 THE CHAIRMAN OF RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE CF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOW HOW-CHEN; AND THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER OF TSUEN WAN, MR ADOLF HSU.
NOTE TO EDITORS i
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TSUEN KING CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 18) AT 11 AM. A COACH WILL BE LEAVING KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI. AT 10 AM SHARP. AN INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE NTSD WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
ST JOHN AMBULANCE PRAISED FOR GOOD WORK M M M M M
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, TODAY (SUNDAY) COMMENDED THE YUEN LONG AMBULANCE DIVISION OF THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE, UPON ITS GOOD WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING AT ITS ANNUAL INSPECTION, MR WILSON SAID, THAT LAST YEAR THE DIVISION PERFORMED OVER 200 DUTIES, HELPING MORE THAN A THOUSAND PEOPLE.
HE SAID, +THE BRIGADE HAS A VERY WIDE SERVICE NETWORK. WHENEVER THERE ARE LARGE FUNCTIONS HELD IN THE DISTRICT, THEY WILL BE PRESENT.*
AS EXAMPLES, MR WILSON SAID THAT OVER THE YEARS ST JOHN AMBULANCE MEMBERS HAD OFTEN BEEN SEEN PERFORMING DUTIES AT YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN COMMUNITY CHEST WALKS, THE TIN HAU PROCESSION AND ON SPORTS DAYS OF VARIOUS SCHOOLS.
HE SAID THAT THE BRIGADE HAD CONTRIBUTED CONSIDERABLY TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BY ORGANISING, AMONG OTHER ACTIVITIES, FIRST AID COURSES AND SEMINARS FOR LOCAL PEOPLE.
BEFORE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE FORMER DIV IS I ON'PRES I DENT, M? WONG HOK-YEE, HANDED OVER THE PRESIDENCY TO HIS SUCCESSOR, DR TANG SIU-TONG.
0 - - - -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984
- 9 -
more accidents involving cyclists X X *
X
THE GROWING NUMBER OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE ON BICYCLES HAS BECOME A CONCERNED ASPECT OF ROAD SAFETY WHICH THE ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL WILL EXAMINE SHORTLY.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR PETER LEEDS, WHEN INSPECTING THE ROAD SAFETY PATROL PARADE OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND REGION AT THE VICTORIA PARK TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE SAID 1 +CYCLE RIDING IS A HEALTHY AND ENJOYABLE ACTIVITY BUT MANY ROADS ARE CROWDED AND OTHERS HAVE STEEP GRADIENTS i THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR TRICK-RIDING OR IMPROMPTU ROAD RACES.
.DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY CAN BE, AND TOO OFTEN IS, THE RESULT.+
HE SAID THAT BICYCLE RIDING MUST BE RESTRICTED TO PLACES WHERE IT IS SAFE.
THE SAFETY MESSAGE GIVEN BY THE COMMISSIONER IS +HAVE FUN, BUT TAKE CARE+.
IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE PATROL MEMBERS, MR LEEDS EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION IN PROMOTING SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS.
HE PRAISED THE MEMBERS FOR THEIR PARTICIPATIONS IN VARIOUS GOVERNMENT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNS, ROAD SAFETY ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY DISTRICT BOARDS AND IN SUCH COMMUNITY SERVICES AS WALK FOR A MILLION, THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN, THE ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN AND THE BEAT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
WHEN THE PATROL SCHEME WAS FIRST INTRODUCED, IT ATTRACTED ONLY TWO SCHOOLS WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF 48.
NOW THERE ARE OVER 10 000 PATROL MEMBERS FROM 190 SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THIRTY-THREE PATROLS COMPRISING 700 MEMBERS WERE ON PARADE TODAY.
THE SCHEME IS STILL EXPANDING, AND THE FIRST PATROL ON LANTAU ISLAND WILL SOON BE ESTABLISHED.
-------0------
/10 ......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984
10 -
ARTICLE ON HOUSEHOLD SURVEY PUBLISHED
X *
*
A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE, ENTITLED +THE SYSTEM OF THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY AND MEASUREMENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT*
, IS PUBLISHED IN THE NOVEMBER 1983 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS.
THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY HAS BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON A CONTINUOUS MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS SINCE AUGUST 1981.
ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE SURVEY IS TO COLLECT STATISTICS ON THE LABOUR FORCE, EMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT.
THE SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE SYSTEM OF THE SURVEY, COVERING SUCH ASPECTS AS CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS CF THE LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS, SAMPLE DESIGN, DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES, CONTROL OF DATA QUALITY, ESTIMATION PROCEDURES AND ACCURACY OF THE ESTIMATES, AND TYPES OF DATA PUBLISHED.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS WILL SOON BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG AT S25 PER COPY.
- - - - 0 ----
FESTIVAL PROMOTES SENSE OF BELONGING X X X X X
THE FIRST EASTERN DISTRICT SPORTS FESTIVAL CAME TO A CLOSE TODAY (SUNDAY) AFTER SIX WEEKS OF MULTIFACETED RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES. .
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, SAID THAT THE FESTIVAL HAD HELPED INSTIL IN LOCAL RESIDENTS A SENSE OF BELONGING, WHICH IS A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS COMMUNITY BUILDING.
+THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE FESTIVAL, PEOPLE HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER, AND TO FOSTER CO-OPERATION AND FRIENDSHIP,*
HE SAID.
A LARGE NUMBER OF LOCAL RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY YOUTHS, TOOK PART IN VARIOUS SPORTS COMPETITIONS INCLUDING BASKETBALL, HANDBALL, VOLLEYBALL, TABLE TENNIS AND BADMINTON.
DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD, PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ALIKE, ALSO HAD FUN IN OUTDOOR EVENTS LIKE EXCURSIONS TO THE COUNTRY PARK AND THE MACLEHOSE TRAIL, CAMPING, KITE-FLYING, ICE-SKATING AND ROLLER-SKATING.
MR LUI SAID HE HOPED THAT SIMILAR MEANINGFUL EVENTS WOULD BE ORGANISED IN FUTURE BY THE DISTRICT BOARD WHICH HAD CONTRIBUTED S43 000 TOWARDS THE SPORTS FESTIVAL.
/also speaking ..............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984
11 -
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHOY WING-ON, WHO STRESSED THAT THE FESTIVAL HAD DEMONSTRATED THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL BODIES IN ORGANISING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
THE FESTIVAL WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, THE EASTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE LION’S CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH.
TODAY’S PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY DANCING AND SINGING PERFORMANCES.
KOWLOON DISTRICT LAND OFFICES MOVING ft ft ft ft
THE TWO DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF KOWLOON WILL START OPERATING FROM NEW ACCOMMODATION TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE MOVE IS NECESSARY BECAUSE SPACE AT THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES IS NO LONGER ADEQUATE.
THE NEW OFFICE FOR THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF KOWLOON EAST AND KOWLOON WEST WILL BE AT THE YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ON LAND MATTERS CONCERNING KOWLOON DISTRICTS MAY CALL EITHER 3-311496 CR 3-311441.
ALSO, THE LEASE ENFORCEMENT UNITS OF THE TWO DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES WILL MOVE FROM THEIR PRESENT OFFICES AT HARBOUR CENTRE, WAN CHAI, TOMORROW TO TAKE UP SPACE VACATED BY THE TWO DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 9TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD. THEIR NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER WILL BE 3-884111, EXT.405.
AT THE SAME TIME, TWO SECTIONS OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT ARE ALSO MOVING.
THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SECTION CURRENTLY OPERATING AT HJRRAY BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, WILL MOVE TO A NEW OFFICE AT KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR. 405. NATHAN ROAD, ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17). THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR ENQUIRIES IS 3-884111, EXT. 476.
THE ACQUISITION SECTION WHICH IS AT PRESENT AT NEW WORLD TOWER, 5TH FLOOR, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, WILL MOVE TO MURRAY BUILDING, MEZZANINE AND FIRST FLOORS, GARDEN ROAD, ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19). ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE AT 5-26702913.
- - - - 0 ------------
/12 ..............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984
12
NOTE TO EDITORS!
NEW ARRANGEMENTS AT GIS LIBRARY * *
M
NEW ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING INTRODUCED AT THE LIBRARY CF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE WHICH IT OFFERS TO JOURNALISTS.
THE LIBRARY, ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD, CENTRAL, CARRIES SEVERAL MILLION PRESS CUTTINGS, PRESS RELEASES AND OTHER ITEMS ARRANGED IN ABOUT 1 500 FILES. THE LIBRARY RECEIVES SEVERAL IMPORTANT PAPERS FROM OVERSEAS. THERE ARE PHOTOCOPYING FACILITIES AVAILABLE.
FROM MONDAY, JANUARY 30, ACCESS WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ALL BONA FIDE JOURNALISTS. FROM THEN, OTHER USERS, SUCH AS SCHOOL CHILDREN WORKING ON PROJECTS, WILL BE ASKED TO MAKE PRIOR WRITTEN APPLICATION BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE ON THEIR REQUESTS FOR ACCESS.
.WE HAVE FOUND IN RECENT YEARS THAT THE HEAVY DEMANDS MADE UPON THE LIBRARY BY STUDENTS HAVE BEEN STEADILY GROWING. THIS HAS TENDED TO OBSCURE THE REAL PURPOSE OF THE LIBRARY - TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR OWN OFFICERS AND TO JOURNAL I STS, . SAID A GIS SPOKESMAN.
.THERE ARE MANY OTHER LIBRARIES IN HONG KONG WHICH ARE OPEN TO STUDENTS AND WE FEEL IT IS TIME THAT WE LOOK AT OUR LIBRARY TO ENSURE IT FULFILS ITS PROPER ROLE.+
HE SAID THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WOULD RUN FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF ABOUT SIX. MONTHS AND THERE WOULD THEN BE A REVIEW.
_ - 0 - -
NEW FERRY PIER FOR PENG CHAU
IKK
THE OPENING OF THE NEW PENG CHAU FERRY PIER WOULD HELP MEET THE INCREASING NEED OF PASSENGERS, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PIER, HE SAID THAT WATER TRANSPORT IS THE ESSENTIAL LINK BETWEEN PENG CHAU RESIDENTS AND THE OUTSIDE COMMUNITY.
WITH THE POPULATION GROWTH AND THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT ON THE ISLAND, FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE OLD PIER HAD BECOME INADEQUATE, HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT WHEN THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, NOW BEING CARRIED OUT ON PENG CHAU IN PHASES, WERE ALL COMPLETED, MORE COMMUNITY FACILITIES WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE RESIDENTS.
/the new
‧SUNDAY, JAXUAHY 15, 1 $84
13
THE NEW FERRY PIER WILL BE IN OPERATION FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE OFFICIATING GUESTS, INCLUDING THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK, MR TSANG LIN, TOURED THE NEW PIER TO SEE ITS FACILITIES AFTER THE CEREMONY.
-------------0------------
HELIPAD FOR MUI WO ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RECLAIM AN ADDITIONAL 7 900 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT CF MUI WO, LANTAU.
THE AREA, TO THE SOUTHEAST OF MUI WO, WILL BE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A HELIPAD FOR GOVERNMENT USE AND DURING EMERGENCIES.
A SAND DEPOT FOR OTHER RECLAMATION PROJECTS IN THE AREA WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED AS PART OF THE PROJECT.
EVENTUALLY, THE RECLAIMED AREA AROUND MUI WO WILL INCLUDE PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS, CAR PARKING FACILITIES, A BUS TERMINAL AND DEPOT, OPEN SPACES AND A SCHOOL.
A PLAN SHOWING THE AFFECTED AREA CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE; AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND AT ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, SINCERE BUILDING, 16TH FLOOR, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL AND CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM JANUARY 13.
SOCCER PITCH TO BE ARTIFICIALLY TURFED ft *
*
ft ft
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND LAYING OF ARTIFICIAL TURF FOR A SOCCER PITCH AT SHA TIN.
THE PITCH, MEASURING 64 METRES BY 100 METRES. FORMS PART OF THE FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED AT TSANG TAI UK PLAYGROUND.
THE PLAYGROUND IS NOW BEING BUILT ON A 2.5-HECTARE SITE BOUNDED BY SHA KOK ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD, FACING TSANG TAI UK.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE SIX TENNIS COURTS, THREE BASKETBALL COURTS, TOILETS AND CHANGING ROOMS, A KIOSK, A TABLE TENNIS PLAYING AREA, A SITTING AREA AND A CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA.
THE TURFING WORK WILL BEGIN IN APRIL AND TAKE ABOUT A MONTH TO COMPLETE.
....0------------ ,
/l4....................
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984
- 14 -
JUDGING FOR VEGETABLE GROWING CONTEST * *
*
*
*
THE JUDGING OF THIS YEAR'S URBAN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN VEGETABLE GROWING COMPETITION WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17) AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S TEACHING CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
A HORTICULTURIST FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, C.S. PAO, WILL HEAD A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS AT THE JUDGING.
MORE THAN 60 URBAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAVE TAKEN PART IN THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION.
AFTER RECEIVING SEEDS FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT LAST SEPTEMBER, PARTICIPATING STUDENTS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY GROWN SWEET PEPPER, BUSH BEAN, CABBAGE AND BROCCOLI IN POTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT, SAID THE COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED TO GIVE STUDENTS A CHANCE TO APPLY THEIR TEXTBOOK KNOWLEDGE AND TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE NEED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
AN EXHIBITION OF SELECTED ENTRIES WILL BE HELD AT THE TEACHING CENTRE FROM 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17) TO 5 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19), AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
NOTE TO EDITORS i
THE JUDGING OF THIS YEAR'S URBAN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN VEGETABLE GROWING COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT NOON ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17) AT THE" EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S TEACHING CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
AN EXHIBITION OF SELECTED ENTRIES WILL ALSO BE HELD FROM 2.30 PM AT THE CENTRE AFTER THE JUDGING.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE JUDGING AND THE EXHIBITION.
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/15 ....................
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984
15
YOUNG MUSICIANS*
AWARDS CONTEST ENDS M M *
*
*
THE 1984 HONG KONG YOUNG MUSICIANS*
AWARDS, AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE MUSICAL CALENDAR SINCE 1981, CONCLUDED THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING AFTER TWO CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS OF KEEN COMPETITION AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL.
THE CHINESE MUSIC FINAL WAS HELD LAST (SATURDAY) NIGHT, FOLLOWED BY THE WESTERN MUSIC FINAL TONIGHT, ALL PLAYED OR COMPOSED BY YOUNG HONG KONG MUSICIANS BEFORE LARGE AUDIENCES.
THERE WERE TWO CATEGORIES IN EACH OF THE CHINESE MUSIC AND WESTERN MUSIC SECTIONS — ONE FOR COMPOSITION AND THE OTHER FOR CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCE.
SUCCESSFUL COMPETITORS IN THE TWO SECTIONS AREi
WESTERN MUSIC FINALi
(COMPOSITION)
1.
MR MAK WAI-CHU (WOOD WIND QUINTET)
2.
MISS HEVA CHAN (MEANDERING)
3.
MISS LAI SHEUNG-PING (NIGHTMARE)
(CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCE)
1.
MR WONG SI-HANG (LEADER) - STRING QUARTET NO. 6K NR. 465 (FIRST MOVEMENT)
2.
MR DANNY WONG (LEADER) - TRIO FOR CLARINET, VIOLA AND PIANOFORTE (THIRD MOVEMENT)
3.
MR CHAN KWOK-CHIU (LEADER) - TRIO IN G MAJOR FOR FLUTE, BAFFOON AND PIANOFORTE (FIRST MOVEMENT)
THE WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY OF THE TWO SECTIONS RECEIVED CASH AWARDS OF $3 OOO, $1 500 AND $500 EACH, AMOUNTING TO A TOTAL OF $20 000.
THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR S. WILKINSONj THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR HAROLD KWOKl THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE COMPOSERS AND AUTHORS SOCIETY CF HONG KONG, MR WILLIE YEUNG? AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY, MR MALCOLM BARNETT.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR C.K.K. WONG AND THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MR CLIVE OXLEY, OFFICIATED AT BOTH THE CHINESE MUSIC AND THE WESTERN MUSIC FINALS.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE COMPOSERS AND AUTHORS SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, THE AWARDS WERE AIMED AT RAISING THE STANDARDS OF COMPOSING AND PERFORMING SERIOUS MUSIC AMONG LOCAL YOUNG AMATEUR MUSICIANS AND AROUSING INTEREST IN THE APPRECIATION OF SERIOUS MUSIC.
------------o------------
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984
16
LUNCH-TIME MUSIC FOR WAN CHAI WORKERS ft ft *
THE .LUNCH-TIME MUSIC RENDEZVOUS*
, WHICH HAS PROVED TO BE VERY POPULAR AMONG OFFICE WORKERS IN WAN CHAI, WILL START ITS THIRD ROUND ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 17).
THE SESSION WILL BE HELD AT THE SAILORS’ AND SOLDIERS’ CHILDREN
Y°2. .NTRE ‧!! cha‘ every TUESDAY BE.EEN 12.30 PM Xnd > M UNTIL MARCH
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE PROJECT WAS TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR WORKING YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT TO RELAX AND ENJOY MUSIC OVER LUNCH.
+AMATEUR SINGERS AND INSTRUMENT PLAYERS IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE INVITED TO PERFORM, WHILE MEMBERS OF AREA COMMITTEES WILL TALK ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES DURING THESE SESSIONS,*
HE SAID.
+THE COMMITTEE CHAI,*
HE
RENDEZVOUS WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING AREA MEMBERS CLOSER TO RESIDENTS AND WORKING YOUTHS IN WAN ADDED.
SPONSORED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI (EAST) AREA COMMITTEE AND THE SAILORS’ AND SOLDIERS’ CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE.
THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS, HELD IN APRIL AND OCTOBER LAST YEAR ATTRACTED MORE THAN 2 000 PEOPLE.
------------0------------
TEACHERS INVITED TO BE ACTIVITIES ORGANISERS ft ft ft ft ft
TEACHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ORGANISING EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL OR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ARE INVITED TO BECOME PART-TIME ASSISTANT ORGANISERS AT THE GOVERNMENT’S 17 ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES.
BUT BEFORE THEY ARE CONSIDERED FOR EMPLOYMENT, TEACHERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN INITIAL PART-TIME TRAINING COURSE RUN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADULT EDUCATION SECTION.
APPLICATION FORMS AND DETAILS OF THE FREE TRAINING COURSE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION AT MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 4/F, KOWLOON UNTIL JANUARY 19. AFTER WHICH THE SECTION WILL MOVE TO ASIAN HOUSE, 12/F, 1 HENNESSY ROAD. WAN CHAI.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD REACH THE SECTION BY JANUARY 25.
SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW TO BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1 AND 11.
UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY POST.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984
- 17 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG * M *
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 16), THE EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON KWUN TONG ROAD EMERGING FROM THE UNDERPASS OF KWUN TONG MTR DEPOT WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROCEED STRAIGHT AHEAD ONTO LEI YUE MUN ROAD.
IT IS HOPED THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WILL IMPROVE TRAFFIC, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID.
MOTORISTS ON THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KWUN TONG ROAD WHO INTEND TO TURN LEFT ONTO TSUI PING ROAD ARE ADVISED TO PROCEED ON GROUND LEVEL ROADS.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CHAI WAN M M M M
A 170-METRE SECTION OF NING FOO STREET, ABOUT 110 METRES FROM LEE CHUNG STREET, HAS BEEN CLOSED TO TRAFFFIC.
THE CLOSURE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY TO FACILITATE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.
DURING THE CLOSURE, A TEMPORARY VEHICULAR ACCESS LINKING WING TAI ROAD AND NING FOO STREET WILL BE PROVIDED, ENABLING MOTORISTS TO REACH NING FOO STREET FROM CHAI WAN ROAD.
LEAKAGE TEST IN QUARRY BAY, SHAU KEI WAN
Itl
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN QUARRY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 18) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG KING'S ROAD, BETWEEN MT PARKER ROAD AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, AS WELL AS THOSE ON TAI HONG STREET, TAI CHEUNG STREET, GREIG ROAD, YAU MAN STREET, SHIP YARD LANE AND NAM FUNG SUN CHUEN.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD MOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK GROUP CALLS ON PRIME MINISTER...................................................................................... 1
QUARTERLY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STABLE AT 4.1 PER CENT ............................. 1
IMPORTANCE OF DBS STRESSED ......................................................................................................... 3
MORE RECREATIONAL TIME FOR PEOPLE................................................................................... 4
SCHEME TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ...................................................................... 5
SECOND LONGEST DRY SPELL RECORDED ................................................................................... 6
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT MOVES SOME OFFICES ................................................................ 8
RECREATION AREA FOR TAI PO ......................................................................................................... 9
SPORTS INSTRUCTORS INVITED TO SAFETY SEMINAR................................................ 10
LANTAU ROADS WILL PROVIDE MORE DIRECT LINK ....................................................... 10
TRIAL SEAWALL TO BE BUILT AT TAI 0 ................................................................................ 11
BIDS CALLED FOR SHA TIN MARKET STALLS ...................................................................... 11
WATER FIGURES .................................................................................................................................................. 12
WATER MAINS TEST ......................................................................................................................................... 12
TAPS OFF FOR TIN HOURS ..................................................................................................................... 12
TUEN MUN WATER MAINS WORK............................................................................................................. 12
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984
- 1
HK GROUP CALLS ON PRIME MINISTER * *
*
X X
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF A STATEMENT RELEASED BY THE PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS OFFICE THIS (MONDAY) EVENINGi
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CALLED ON THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER. AT HER OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IN DOWNING STREET THIS MORNING.
A STATEMENT RELEASED BY THE PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS OFFICE AFTER THE MEETING SAIDi +THE PRIME MINISTER MET TRE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 16. SIR GEOFFREY HOWE AND MR RICHARD LUCE WERE ALSO PRESENT AS WERE SIR RICHARD EVANS WHO WILL SHORTLY BE TAKING UP HIS APPOINTMENT AS * AMBASSADOR IN PEKING AND SIR PERCY CRADOCK. THE PROGRAMME FOR THE GOVERNOR AND THE UNOFFICIALS ALSO INCLUDES SEPARATE CALLS ON SIR GEOFFREY AND MR LUCE.
.THIS WAS THE THIRD VISIT BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE UNOFFICIALS SINCE JULY 1983. MINISTERS REAFFIRMED HMG'S CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND TO THE SEARCH FOR A SETTLEMENT ACCEPTABLE TO PARLIAMENT, TO CHINA AND TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
.AS ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS THERE WAS A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TALKS. IT PRODUCED A CLOSE IDENTITY OF VIEWS ON MATTERS INVOLVED.
.THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY REITERATED THE IMPORTANCE WHICH THEY CONTINUE TO ATTACH TO KEEPING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FULLY INFORMED AND TO RECEIVING THEIR ADVICE. THE GOVERNOR AND UNOFFICIALS EXPRESSED THEIR APPRECIATION FOR THIS FURTHER OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE PRIME MINISTER AND HER COLLEAGUES AND FOR THEIR CONTINUING SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.^
MR RICHARD LUCE, THE FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LATER HOSTED A LUNCH FOR THE GOVERNOR AND THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
TOMORROW. THE GOVERNOR AND THE UNOFFICIALS ARE EXPECTED TO MEET MR LUCE AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE.
-----o - - - -
QUARTERLY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STABLE AT 4.1 PER CENT MOO
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION CONTINUED TO STABILISE, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1983 WAS 4.1 PER CENT, THE SAME AS THAT RECORDED FOR THE QUARTER ENDING OCTOBER.
THE RATE FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER ENDING AUGUST 1983 WAS 3.7 PER CENT, AND THAT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER 1982 WAS 3.9 PER CENT.
/1HE NUMBER
MDNDAY, JANUAHY 16, 1984
- 2
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN THE QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER 1983 WAS PROVISIONALLY ESTIMATED TO BE 105 000. AS COMPARED WITH 95 200 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING AUGUST 1983. AND 98 000 FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF 1982.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1983 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 1.6 PER CENT WHILE THAT FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1983 WAS 1.5 PER CENT. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO RATES IS NOT STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS 39 000 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER, AS COMPARED WITH 39 200 FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER ENDING AUGUST 1983.
CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION. PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE SEEKING MORE WORK OR WERE NOT SEEKING MORE WORK BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED MORE WORK WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
IN COMMENTING UPON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH. THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES WHICH HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED FOR THE VARIATION IN FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE UNADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER 1983 WAS 4.5 PER CENT.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS SURVEY COVERS A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 15 000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 55 000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTI TUT IONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER IN THE HOUSEHOLD SAMPLED.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 1983 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND MARCH 20, 1984.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984
- 3 -
IMPORTANCE OF DBS STRESSED
* M *
THE DISTRICT OFFICER PLAYS THE MAJOR ROLE IN THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER. MR WILLIAM YAP, SAID TODAY.
AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD. THE DISTRICT OFFICER HAS THE DUTY TO ENSURE THAT THE VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE WELL CONSIDERED, THROUGH THEIR ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
.IN THIS DAY AND AGE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION, THE DISTRICT BOARD SHOULD BE A USEFUL MACHINERY FOR THE PURPOSE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PUT IT TO ITS OPTIMUM EFFECT,. HE SAID.
MR YAP WAS DISCUSSING THE PRESENT ROLE OF NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICERS AT A MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE CW TERRITORIES.
.MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN TAKEN MORE AND MORE SERIOUSLY BY BOTH THEIR OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
.AS THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME MELLOWS IN FUTURE YEARS, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES IS QUITE LIKELY TO ESCALATE CORRESPOND INGLY,+ HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE TRANSFER OF SUCH RESPONSIBILITIES AS LAND ADMINISTRATION AND SQUATTER CONTROL WAS BASICALLY TO ENABLE THE DISTRICT OFFICER TO CONCENTRATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, AND ON THE CO-ORDINATION AND MONITORING OF ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
.THE DISTRICT OFFICER IS NOW ABLE TO SPARE MORE EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DEFICIENCIES AND SHORTFALLS IN THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT, TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AND PRIORITIES FOR THE DISTRICT ARE APPROPRIATE AND COMPATIBLE WITH LOCAL ASPIRATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES, TO CO-ORDINATE DEPARTMENTS*
ACTIONS IN IMPROVING THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE DISTRICT. AND, LAST BUT NOT LEAST. TO CONVERT INTO ACTIONS THE TWIN CONCEPTS OF ’COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT’ AND ’COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT’,. HE SAID
TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THESE TWIN CONCEPTS. MR YAP SAID THE FIRST STEP WAS TO INSTIL INTO THE RESIDENTS A SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY WITHOUT WHICH IT WOULD BE FUTILE TO TALK OF FOSTERING MUTUAL CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY.
AT THE SAME TIME. HE SAID THE DISTRICT OFFICER STILL CO-ORDINATES WORK WHICH INVOLVES A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS AND CHAIRS VARIOUS CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES. SUCH AS THOSE CONCERNING CLEARANCES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND STREET MANAGEMENT.
/.rais IS..............
MMDAY, J1KUW 16, 1984
- 4 -
.THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC AND THEIR LIKELY REACTIONS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE DECISIONS ARE MADE AND GOVERNMENTAL ACTIONS TAKEN, AND THAT THERE IS NO MISUNDERSTANDING AMONG EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.
.THE DISTRICT OFFICER RETAINS ALL OF HIS RESPONSIBILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, SUCH AS TSO, TONG AND SUCCESSION MATTERS.
.
HE IS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS, WHICH HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERE1 BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND HAVE PROVIDED REMOTE AND DETACHED VILLAGES WITH BASIC FACILITIES.
.
ALSO. LIAISON WITH RURAL COMMITTEES, VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES AND VILLAGERS IS STILL PART OF THE EVERYDAY WORK OF THE DISTRICT OFFICER.
.
AS FAR AS DEVELOPMENTS ARE CONCERNED, THE DISTRICT OFFICER MAINTAINS HIS POSITION AS THE CHIEF ADVISER ON THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE RESIDENTS OF HIS DISTRICT AND HENCE HAS A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY IN PLANNING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AND DETERMINING PRIORITIES.
.
THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL. RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS DUTIES IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, AND IT IS THE DISTRICT OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE IT THAT THIS OBJECTIVE IS REALISED,. HE SAID.
MORE RECREATIONAL TIME FOR PEOPLE M *
*
*
HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE PART IN MORE RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN RECENT YEARS BECAUSE OF THE REDUCTION IN WORKING HOURS AND THE IMPROVED STANDARDS OF LIVING.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM AT THE OPENING OF THE YAU MA TEI RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION PREMISES.
HE SAID THE ASSOCIATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN OCTOBER 1981 TO PROMOTE SPORTS AND RECREATION AMONG YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI RESIDENTS.
DESPITE ITS SHORT HISTORY. THE ASSOCIATION HAS ORGANISED 25 ACTIVITIES FOR ABOUT 10 000 PEOPLE, HE SAID.
THE ASSOCIATION HAS SPONSORED SUCH SPORTS EVENTS AS THE DISTRICT SPORTS FESTIVAL ANNUAL ATHLETIC MEET, SWIMMING GALA AND THE DISTRICT RACE, AND HAS CONTRIBUTED COMMUNITY BUILDING BY ORGANISING YOUTH LEADERSHIP COURSES AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS, LIKE THE MEW YEAR'S CARNIVAL, CHILDREN’S OLYMPICS AND THE LAUNCH PICNIC FOR THE ELDERLY,. HE SAID.
/ASD, THB.............
MONDAY, JANUAfiY 16, 1984
- 5 -
AND, THE ASSOCIATION HAD BEEN ABLE TO DO ALL THIS LONG BEFORE BEING PROVIDED WITH PREMISES, HE SAID.
THE PRESENT PREMISES, PREVIOUSLY OCCUPIED BY VARIOUS DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS, WAS ONLY MADE AVAILABLE FOR USE BY YTRSA ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
.WHILST THE BUILDING IS NEITHER A NEW ONE NOR OF A MODERN DESIGN, I CAN SEE THAT EFFORTS MADE BY THE ASSOCIATION AND ASSISTANCE RENDERED BY VOLUNTEERS LIKE THE SCOUTS IN REDECORATING THE PREMISES HAS MADE POSSIBLE MAXIMUM UTILISATION OF THE SITE BEFORE ITS PLANNED DEVELOPMENT BY THE URBAN COUNCIL,*
NR WIGGHAM SAID.
WITH THE PROVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND OTHER FACILITIES, THE ASSOCIATION WOULD CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE PROVISION OF MUCH NEEDED RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT, HE SAID.
- - - - 0 ------------
SCHEME TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING MUM
A SCHEME TO ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY WILL BE INTRODUCED IN POK FU LAM NEAR POK FU LAM VILLAGE FROM WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 18).
THE SCHEME WILL INVOLVE THE PROVISION OF A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE, THE CANCELLATION OF A ZEBRA CROSSING, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF VARIOUS SAFETY MEASURES.
THE SCHEME IS PROPOSED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND ENDORSED BY THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD.
UNDER THE SCHEME, THE ZEBRA CROSSING NEAR THE POK FU LAM VILLAGE WILL BE CANCELLED FROM 10 AM THAT DAY UPON COMPLETION OF A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE AT THE POK FU LAM GARDENS INTERCHANGE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING CENTRAL-BOUND BUS STOP OUTSIDE DAIRY FARM WILL BE RESITED TO A POSITION NEAR THE FOOTBRIDGE.
TO GUIDE PEDESTRIANS TO THE FOOTBRIDGE AND TO CURB JAY-WALKING, SAFETY MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN.
THEY INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF STAIRWAYS TO SHORTEN THE JOURNEY TO THE FOOTBRIDGE, THE ERECTION OF RAILINGS, THE INTRODUCTION OF CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS ALONG POK FU LAM ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH CHI FU ROAD, THE CLOSING OF THE CENTRAL DIVIDER AND THE GAPS BETWEEN THE EXISTING REFUGE ISLANDS, AND THE ERECTION OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNS TO GUIDE PEDESTRIAN TO THE FOOTBRIDGE.
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/6....................
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984
6
SECOND LONGEST DRY SPELL RECORDED
M M *
M
A PERIOD OF 62 DAYS ENDING ON DECEMBER 26, 1983 WAS THE SECOND LONGEST DRY SPELL ON RECORD, ACCORDING TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY'S MONTHLY REVIEW FOR DECEMBER JUST PUBLISHED.
NO MEASURABLE RAIN WAS RECORDED DURING THE PERIOD, AND THE MONTH'S TOTAL RAINFALL OF 7.4 MM WAS ONLY 29 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL AMOUNT.
THE LONGEST DRY SPELL ON RECORD, OF 67 DAYS, WAS FROM DECEMBER 8, 1980 TO FEBRUARY 12, 1981.
BECAUSE OF THE DRYNESS, THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 7 TO 29, THE LONGEST CONTINUOUS PERIOD FOR THIS WARNING.
AS THE FIRE RISK WAS HIGH, COUNTRY PARKS AT TAI LAM CHUNG, TAI MO SHAN. SHING MUN AND POK FU LAM TOGETHER WITH THE NATURE RESERVE AT ?AI PO KAU WERE CLOSED FROM DECEMBER 3 ONWARDS.
ACCORDING TO THE REVIEW, OVER 680 HILL FIRES WERE REPORTED LAST MONTH.
THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF THE YEAR, 6.1 DEGREE CELSIUS, AS RECORDED ON DECEMBER 30, WAS THE SIXTH LOWEST F(H THE MONTH OF DECEMBER SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1884.
THE WEATHER WAS GENERALLY FINE AND MILD FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 22.
BUT A SURGE OF WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED DURING THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 22, CAUSING TEMPERATURES TO DROP. WINDS FRESHENED FROM THE NORTH AND WERE STRONG IN EXPOSED AREAS UNTIL THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
CLOUDY WEATHER SET IN AND LASTED TILL DECEMBER 28, WHILE TEMPERATURES DROPPED FURTHER. REACHING A MINIMUM OF 10.7 DEGREE CELSIUS ON DECEMBER 25 WHEN A 60-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN SHEK KIP MEI.
WINDS BECAME FRESH TO STRONG EASTERLY ON DECEMBER 28 AND THE CLOUDY WEATHER WAS INTERRUPTED BY SUNNY PERIODS DURING THE DAY.
CLOUDS RETURNED IN THE EVENING AND THERE WERE PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN OVERNIGHT.
AN INTENSE SURGE OF WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED FROM THE NORTH EARLY ON DECEMBER 29. WITH WINDS TURNING NORTHERLY AND BECOMING STRONG IN EXPOSED AREAS. THE WEATHER REMAINED CLOUDY WITH LIGHT RAIN AND TEMPERATURES DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY.
IN THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 30, A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 6.1 DEGREE CELSIUS. THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF THE YEAR, WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. HOAR FROST WAS REPORTED AT TAI MO SHAN AND TATE’S CAIRN WHERE TEMPERATURES DROPPED TO -3.6 DEGREE CELSIUS AND >0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY.
/thb cold ..............
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984
- 7 -
THE COLD WEATHER THAT DAY CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A MAN IN A PARK AT TO KWA WAN.
THE WEATHER WAS FINE ON DECEMBER 30 BUT TURNED CLOUDY WITH LIGHT RAIN IN THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 31.
THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS ISSUED ON DECEMBER 4 TO 7 AND ON DECEMBER 31.
EXCEPT FOR A SHORT BREAK. THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 4 AfiD 7 TO 31.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWSi
DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON DEC 23, 12.10 AM DEC 23, 10.50 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON DEC 28, 10.00 AM DEC 30, 10.00 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WEREi
SUNSHINE 191.1 HOURS - 11.8 HOURS ABOVE NORMAL
RAINFALL 7.4 MM - 17.9 MM BELOW NORMAL
CLOUDINESS 43 PER CENT - 9 PER CENT LESS THAN
NORMAL
RELATIVE HUMIDITY 64 PER CENT - 5 PER CENT LOWER THAN
NORMAL
tEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 19.5 DEGREE - 1.3 DEGREE CELSIUS CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
bEAN TEMPERATURE 16.8 DEGREE - 0.9 DEGREE CELSIUS
CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
fEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 14.7 DEGREE - 0.5 DEGREE CELSIUS CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
hEAN DEW POINT 9.7 DEGREE - 1.7 DEGREE CELSIUS
CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 101.2 MM - 19.6 MM BELOW NORMAL
THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 24.3 DEGREE CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON DECEMBER 14 WHILE THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 6.1 DEGREE CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON DECEMBER 30.
---------o-----------
/8 ....................
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984
8
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT MOVES SOME OFFICES * *
M M
A NUMBER OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFICES IN KOWLOON HAVE MOVED OR WILL BE MOVING TO NEW OFFICES TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. DETAILS OF THE CHANGES ARE AS FOLLOWSi
OFFICE TO REMOVAL DATE
(A)
FROM PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, DUNDAS STREET
TSUEN WAN STUDENT 7/F.. KWAI HING 10/1/84
GUIDANCE CENTRE (MTR) GOVERNMENT
OFFICES
(B)
FROM MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING
(1)
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE
(II)
SAI KUNG DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE
(III)
ADULT EDUCATION SECTION
(IV)
ISLANDS DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE
(V)
TAI PO AND NORTH DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE
(VI)
NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICE
(VII)
TUEN MUN DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE
(VIII)
YUEN LONG DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE
7/F.. KWAI HING 11/1/84
(MTR) GOVERNMENT OFFICES
6/F., SAN PO KONG 13/1/84
GOVERNMENT OFFICES
12/F., ASIAN HOUSE 20/1/84
1 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI
ROOMS 707-709, 27/1/84
7/F., YU YUET LAI
BUILDING, 43-45 WYNDHAM STREET, CENTRAL
ROOMS 400 AND 401, 23/1/84
4/F.. KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN
9/F., TO KWA WAN 25/1/84
MARKET AND GOVERNMENT
OFFICES BUILDING, MA TAU WAI ROAD, KOWLOON
1/F., FAR EAST BANK 25/1/84
BUILDING. 135-143
CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN
/(IX) SHA TIN ...............
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984
(IX) SHA TIN DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE
6/F., SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES
25/1/84
(X) ENGLISH LANGUAGE
TEACHING CENTRE AND CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE
7/F., TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, MA TAU WAI ROAD
30/1/84
(C)
FROM KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT 8/F., TO KWA WAN MARKET 10/2/84
EDUCATION OFFICE
AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, MA TAU WAI ROAD
- - 0 - -
RECREATION AREA FOR TAI PO M M M M
A LARGE AREA OF LAND TO THE WEST OF TAI PO NEW TOWN NEAR SHUI WAI VILLAGE IS TO BE DEVELOPED FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES REALIGNMENT OF A 700 METRES LONG SECTION OF LAM TSUEN RIVER AT ITS LOWER COURSE TO REDUCE FLOODING.
SEVEN HUNDRED METRES OF SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY ACCESS ROADS WITH ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS NEAR SHUI WAI VILLAGE WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED.
IN ADDITION, 260 METRES OF CYCLE TRACKS AND A 500-SQUARE-METRE CYCLE PARK WILL BE BUILT.
THE WHOLE AREA, COVERING ABOUT 5.5 HECTARES, WILL BE LANDSCAPED.
WORK, TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WILL START IN MID-1984 AND TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORK CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING) OR AT TAI PO DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY NOT LATER THAN MARCH 13.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984 .
SPORTS INSTRUCTORS INVITED TO SAFETY SEMINAR M *
*
A SEMINAR ON SAFETY IN SPORTS ACTIVITIES FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS WILL BE HELD AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE ON JANUARY 22 (SUNDAY).
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, THE SEMINAR, WHICH IS OPEN TO INSTRUCTORS AND VOLUNTEERS, WILL INCLUDE TALKS, DISCUSSIONS, DEMONSTRATIONS AND A FILM SHOW.
THE CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, MR DAVID MAK, WILL OPEN THE SEMINAR AND SPEAK BRIEFLY ON ITS PURPOSE AND AIM.
OTHER SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE MEMBERS FROM THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES AND THE MARGARET TRENCH REHABILITATION CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS i
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL START AT 9.30 AM ON JANUARY 22.
LANTAU ROADS WILL PROVIDE MORE DIRECT LINK * *
*
A NUMBER OF ROADS AND BRIDGES ARE TO BE BUILT TO PROVIDE A MORE DIRECT LINK BETWEEN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN MUI WO ON LANTAU ISLAND.
THE WORK WILL INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE LOCAL ACCESS ROADS TOTALLING 240 METRES, EXTENSION OF AN EXISTING LOCAL ROAD EASTWARDS BY 110 METRES AND A CAR PARK FOR 34 VEHICLES.
A ROAD BRIDGE AS WELL AS A COMBINED PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE BRIDGE WILL ALSO BE BUILT ACROSS THE RIVER CHANNEL TO LINK UP NORTHERN PARTS OF MUI WO WITH SOUTHERN PARTS RAPIDLY BEING DEVELOPED.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START LATER THIS YEAR AND TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE. IT IS BEING DESIGNED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS, WHICH HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES. WEST WING ENTRANCE; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, ISLANDS, INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 4TH FLOOR, 141 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL; THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, SINCERE BUILDING, 16TH FLOOR, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL; AND THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH, 7TH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
ANYONE OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD DO SO IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY MARCH 13.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984
TRIAL SEAWALL TO BE BUILT AT TA I 0 * *
M
A TRIAL SEAWALL IS TO BE BUILT ON THE SOUTHERN BANK OF THE TAI 0 RIVER CHANNEL, LANTAU, TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FLOODING.
THE SEAWALL, MEASURING 40 METRES BY 14 METRES, WILL BE USED FOR DESIGN TESTING, PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT SEAWALL ON THE SITE.
BESIDES HELPING TO REDUCE FLOODING, THE PERMANENT SEAWALL WILL ALSO FORM PART OF GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE REMOTE RURAL TOWNSHIP’S ENVIRONMENT.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION WORK IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL AND CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
THE NOTICE (IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH) WITH A PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE. THE PLAN MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY DIVISION, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER)} AND AT ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, SINCERE BUILDING, 16TH FLOOR, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
BIDS CALLED FOR SHA TIN MARKET STALLS M M *
M M
THIRTY-EIGHT MARKET STALLS IN SHA TIN WILL BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC AUCTION ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 20).
THE STALLS ARE LOCATED AT TAI WAI TEMPORARY MARKET, SHA TIN MARKET, FO TAN EAST COOKED FOOD MARKET AND FO TAN WEST COOKED FOOD MARKET, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE BIDDING WILL BE HELD AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL, LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN, STARTING AT 10 AM.
THE STALLS ARE DESIGNATED FOR THE SELLING OF DIFFERENT GOODS, WITH UPSET MONTHLY RENTALS RANGING FROM $1 250 TO S5 000.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MAY START BUSINESS ON FEBRUARY 1 ON A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION OF THE SHA TIN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-6065745.
_ _ o - -
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984
- 12 -
WATER FIGURES
* *
M
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 88.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 516.250 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 426.418 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 72.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - - - 0 ------------
WATER MAINS TEST
* M
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE TURNED OFF AT 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JANAURY 19) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED AREAS ARE BOUNDED BY CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, POPLAR STREET, BOUNDARY STREET, NAM CHEONG STREET, WONG CHUK STREET AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD, INCLUDING TAI NAN STREET, KI LUNG STREET, YU CHAU STREET AND MAPLE STREET.
TAPS OFF FOR TEN HOURS
XXX
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 19) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF WO Yl HOP ROAD BETWEEN HO FUNG COLLEGE AND ROUTE TWISK, INCLUDING CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE, HILLTOP COUNTRY CLUB, LO WAI, TUNG PO TO, SAN TSUEN, Yl PEI CHUN, CHUK LAM SIM YUEN AND FU YUNG SHAN.
------------0------------
TUEN MUN WATER MAINS WORK M M M N
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO NOON ON -WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 18) FOR MAINS WORKS.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY THE SECTION OF LUNG MUN ROAD BETWEEN PUI TO ROAD AND TAP SHEK KOK AND ALSO BUTTERFLY ESTATE, WU KING ESTATE, MELODY GARDEN AND SECTION 44 OF WU KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE MO.
HK GROUP AT WHITEHALL MEETING ............................................................................................... 1
11-MONTH EXPORTS RISE 25 PER CENT................................................................................... 1
DB RECOMMENDS PRIORITY FACILITIES ................................................................................... 8
HONG KONG LAW ON PROPERTY SOUND .......................................................................................... 9
PROBATION SERVICE HAS HIGH SUCCESS RATE ............................................................... 10
TUEN MUN NULLAH TO BE DESILTED ............................................................................................. 11
LRS HELPS SETTLE PROBLEMS ...................................................................... ............................. 12
FLORAL ART COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS ............................................................................. 13
TUEN MUN ROAD SLOPE BEING REBUILT ................................................................................... 13
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1984
1
HK GROUP AT WHITEHALL MEETING * *
X *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CALLED ON MR RICHARD LUCE, THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE MINISTER WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, AT HIS WHITEHALL OFFICES THIS MORNING.
THE MEETING WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY SIR PERCY CRADOCK, DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND FOREIGN POLICY ADVISER TO THE PRIME MINISTER.
during their stay in the united'kingdom, sir edward and THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAD MEETINGS WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE. MR LUCE ALSO HOSTED A LUNCH FOR THE GROUP DURING THEIR STAY IN THE U.K.
THE MEETINGS FORMED PART OF THE CONTINUING PROCESS OF CONSULTATIONS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
' THE GOVERNOR AND LADY YOUDE AND SOME MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ARE EXPECTED TO LEAVE FOR HONG KONG TOMORROW.
11-MONTH EXPORTS RISE 25 PER CENT ft ft *
ft
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1983, VALUED AT $300 082 MILLION, INCREASED BY 23 PER CENT OVER THE SIMILAR PERIOD IN 1982, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 25 PER CENT TO $93 484 MILLION. IMPORTS BY 21 PER CENT TO $156 520 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 26 PER CENT TO $50 078 MILLION. DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 25 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. ROSE BY 40 PER CENT IN VALUE. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $4 224 MILLION OR 405?), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2 038 MILLION OR 1065) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY SI 672 MILLION OR 1115).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $260 MILLION OR 9%) AND TRANSISTORS AND DIODES (BY $120 MILLION OR 55%).
/INCREASED IN
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1984
2
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE REGISTERED FOR METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $619 MILLION OR 937%), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $193 MILLION OR 303%) AND TEXTILES (BY $107 MILLION OR 26%). HOWEVER. A DECREASE WAS REGISTERED FOR OFFICE AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES (BY $23 MILLION OR 57%).
MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY INCREASED IN VALUE, INCLUDING CLOTHING (BY $205 MILLION OR 6%) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $172 MILLION OR 330%). HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF DECREASED BY $17 MILLION OR 6 PER CENT.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA OF TEXTILES (BY $604 MILLION OR 73%) AND FEEDING STUFF FOR ANIMALS (BY $101 MILLION OR 170%)? AND IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN OF METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $112 MILLION OR 57%).
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 2.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM THE TEN MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
DEMAND FOR IMPORTED GOODS FROM CHINA REMAINED STRONG.
INCREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN TEXTILES (BY $2 481 MILLION CR 48%); CLOTHING (BY $1 468 MILLION OR 35%); VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $303 MILLION OR 20%); MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS (BY $286 MILLION OR 27%) ; AND CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $275 MILLION OR 38%).
AS FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, INCREASES WERE NOTED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2 055 MILLION OR 72%); AND TEXTILES (BY $1 402 MILLION OR 36%). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ROAD VEHICLES, INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES (BY $462 MILLION OR 18%), AND GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $152 MILLION OR 11%).
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. WERE MOSTLY OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1 409 MILLION OR 93%), PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $476 MILLION OR 298%) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $354 MILLION OR 28%). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS OF GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $136 MILLION OR 21%) AND PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES UNWORKED OR WORKED (BY $98 MILLION OR 13%).
/DECREASES WERE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, I98U
5
DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN OF IRON AND STEEL (BY $18 MILLION OR 5%) AND IN IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE CF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $924 MILLION OR 15%). HOWEVER, IMPORTS OF TEXTILES FROM TAIWAN INCREASED (BY $473 MILLION OR 15%); AND IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES. AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF FROM SINGAPORE ALSO INCREASED (BY $409 MILLION OR 66%).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECTIONS.
INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY $3 220 MILLION OR 45%), U.S.A. (BY $2 045 MILLION OR 40%), SINGAPORE (BY $816 MILLION OR 25%), REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) (BY $667 MILLION OR 44%), TAIWAN (BY $636 MILLION OR 26%). JAPAN (BY $498 MILLION OR 21%), SAUDI ARABIA (BY $396 MILLION OR 47%), AND THAILAND (BY $333 MILLION OR 46%). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO INDONESIA (BY $540 MILLION OR 13%) AND NIGERIA (BY $314 MILLION OR 39%). THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR MARKETS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 5.
MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG SHOWED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING CLOTHING (BY $1 343 MILLION OR 50%)- ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1 237 MILLION OR 40%)- TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $1 095 MILLION OR 19%), AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $945 MILLION OR 33%).
DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE RE-EXPORTS OF ROAD VEHICLES (INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES) (BY $379 MILLION OR 18%). METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $158 MILLION OR 55%) AND CRUDE RUBBER (INCLUDING SYNTHETIC AND RECLAIMED) (BY $16 MILLION OR 41%). THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 6.
THE NOVEMBER 1983 ISSUE OF +HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS - SUMMARY*
WILL SOON BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$5 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*
, WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER 1983 WILL BE ON SALE IN EARLY FEBRUARY, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$10 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 1 5-214375). ENQUIRIES CONCERNING TRADE STATISTICS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 1 5-444436).
/TABLE 1 ...................
Tuesday, January 17, 1984
4
TABLE 1 1 DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET
JAN.-NOV. 1983 (1 MN)
JAN.-NOV. 1982 (. MN)
INCREASE ($ MN)
PERCENTAGE.
CHANGE \ (%)
U.S.A.
39 495
28 263
411
232
.40
U.K.
7 542
6 363
+ 1
179
.19
F.R. OF GERMANY
6 969
6 115
+
854
.14
CHINA
5 501
3 389
+ 2
113
+62
JAPAN
3 510
2 912
+
598
+21
CANADA
3 381
2 350
4 1
031
+44
AUSTRALIA
2 588
2 576
+
12
INSIGNIFICANT
SINGAPORE
2 009
1 767
+
242
+14
hETHERLANDS
1 710
1 461
.
249
+17
SWITZERLAND
1 479
1 245
.
234
.19
TABLE 2 1 DOMESTIC EXPORTS
BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
JAN.-NOV. JAN.-NOV. PERCENTAGE
COMMODITY 1983 1982 INCREASE CHANGE
DIVISIONS ($ MN) ($ MN) ($ MN) (%)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSOR IES
30
594
25 637
+ 4 957
+19
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS, JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS*
AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS)
15
062
14 338
. 724
+ 5
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS
8
530
7 250
+ 1 281
+ 18
/telecommunications ..........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1?, 1984
- 5 -
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT
7 568
5 199
+ 2 369
+46
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES)
7 358
5 486
+ 1 872
+34
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS
6 316
4 476
. 1 840
+41
TABLE
3 1 IMPORTS
FROM TEN
MAJOR SOURCES
MAJOR
SOURCES
JAN.-NOV. 1983 (S MN)
JAN.-NOV. 1982 (1 MN)
INCREASE (*
MN)
PERCENTAGE CHANGE ____(%)
CHINA
37 626
29 451
.8 175
+28
JAPAN
36 060
28 388
.7 672
+27
U.S.A.
17 233
14 061
.3 172
.23
TAIWAN
11 024
9 254
+1 770
+19
SINGAPORE
9 354
9 318
+ 36
INSIGNIFICANT
U.K.
6 775
6 195
+ 579
. 9
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA)
4 479
4 046
+ 433
+11
F.R. OF GERMANY
4 197
3 154
+1 043
+33
SWITZERLAND
2 870
2 371
+ 499
+21
AUSTRALIA
2 488
2 073
. 415-
+20
/Table 4s
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1984
6
TABLE 4 i IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECTIONS
COMMODITY SECTIONS
JAN.-NOV. 1983 ($ MN)
JAN.-NOV. 1982 ($ MN)
INCREASE (S MN)
PERCENTAGE CHANGE (%)
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER)
43 973
35 850
.8 122
+23
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
35 341
29 040
+6 301
+22
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL)
28 308
22 268
+6 040
+27
FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD
16 864
14 570
+2 294
+16
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.
11 564
8 556
+3 008
.35
MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS
10 482
10 474
. 8
+ 0.1
TABLE 5 i RE-EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKETS
JAN.-NOV. 1983 (S MN)
JAN.-NOV. 1982 (S MN)
INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ MN)
PERCENTAGE CHANGE ____(%)___
CHINA
10 413
7 192
+3 220
+45
U.S.A.
7 124
5 079
+2 045
+40
SINGAPORE
4 079
3 263
. 816
+25
/INDONESIA...............
1
- 7 -
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1984
INDONESIA
3 562
4 102
—
540
-13
TAIWAN
3 069
2 432
4
636
.26
JAPAN
2 836
2 338
.
498
.21
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA)
2 198
1 531
.
667
.44
! MACAU
1 693
1 421
4
272
.19
PHILIPPINES
1 523
1 356
4
166
+12
SAUDI ARABIA
1 237
841
4
396
.47
TABLE 6 i
RE-EXPORTS
BY MAJOR
COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISIONS
JAN.-NOV. 1983 (. MN)
JAN.-NOV 1982 (S MN)
INCREASE (t MN)
PERCENTAGE CHANGE ____(%)___
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ! ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS
6 954
5 859
41
095
+19
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES
4 352
3 116
. 1
237
.40
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES
4 038
2 695
<‧1
343
+50
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS
3 779
2 834
4
945
+33
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES
2 823
2 140
+
683
.32
NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES
2 415
2 353
4
63
+ 3
- o — - -
/8........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1984
8
DB RECOMMENDS PRIORITY FACILITIES
*****
MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAVE DISCUSSED AND DRAWN UP PRIORITIES FOR A PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE VARIOUS PUBLIC FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS OF PRIORITIES COME UNDER THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES! COMMUNITY BUILDING, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, HOUSING, RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURE, SOCIAL SERVICES, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT AND URBAN COUNCIL FACILITIES.
THE MAIN POINTS OF THEIR PROPOSALS HAVE NOW BEEN SUMMARISED IN A FIVE-PAGE PAPER ENTITLED +CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT STRATEGY*
.
THE PUBLIC CAN OBTAIN COPIES OF THE PAPER, IN ENGLISH OR CHINESE, FREE OF CHARGE BY TELEPHONING THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARY AT 5-450868.
EARLIER, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS MAKING UP THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAD COMPILED A 94-PAGE DOCUMENT CALLED ‧.OUTLINE OF EXISTING AND PLANNED ACT IVITIES/PROJECTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN*
.
THE DOCUMENT, WHICH GIVES THE OBJECTIVES OF EXISTING MAJOR GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES AND PRESENTS THE SHORT AND LONG TERM PROVISIONS OF VARIOUS FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT, HAD BEEN CIRCULATED TO UNOFFICIAL BOARD MEMBERS FOR COMMENTS.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT WAS TO ENABLE THE DISTRICT BOARD TO MONITOR AND ASSESS THE PRESENT LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE, IDENTIFY SHORTFALLS, AND ADVISE ON THE PRIORITIES OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES AS WELL AS TO PROPOSE IMPROVEMENTS IN SPECIFIC AREAS.
UNOFFICIAL BOARD MEMBERS HELD A SPECIAL MEETING LAST MONTH TO DISCUSS THE DOCUMENT AND RECOMMENDED PRIORITIES ACCORDINGLY.
-----o-----
/9....................
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1984
9
HONG KONG LAW ON PROPERTY SOUND ft ft ft ft
THERE IS GROWING INTERNATIONAL CONCERN ABOUT THE ENFORCEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS, IN PARTICULAR THOSE RELATING TO TRADE MARKS AND COPYRIGHT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE. MR KEITH BROADBRIDGE, TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE ROTARY CLUB OF PENINSULA.
HONG KONG'S LAW IN THIS FIELD IS SOUND, HE SAID.
.FOR EXAMPLE. UNLIKE MANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS, TRADE MARK OFFENCES ARE A MATTER OF CRIMINAL LAW RATHER THAN CIVIL LAW. AND ON COPYRIGHT, IN HONG KONG IT IS FOR THE DEFENDANT TO PROVE THAT HE DOES NOT KNOW THAT COPYRIGHT EXISTS IN AN OFFENDING ARTICLE.
.FROM THE ENFORCERS' POINT OF VIEW, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT REVERSAL OF THE NORMAL BURDEN OF PROOF,+ HE SAID.
‧REFERRING TO THE HAWKING OF FAKE BRAND ARTICLES, .HE.SAIDj .HONG KONG HAS AN INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION TO TAKE'ACTION AGAINST SUCH COUNTERFEITERS AND THE THEFT OF A TRADE MARK IS COMPARABLE TO THE THEFT OF ANY OTHER FORM OF PROPERTY.*
AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, HE EMPHASISED. IS CAPABLE OF REACTING QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO ANY COMPLAINT ABOUT A POSSIBLE TRADE MARK, TRADE DESCRIPTION OR COPYRIGHT OFFENCE.
MR BROADBRIDGE SAID THAT IN 1983 THE TRADE CONTROLS INVESTIGATION BRANCH INVESTIGATED 913 TRADE MARK AND TRADE DESCRIPTIONS CASES, SEIZED APPROXIMATELY $21 MILLION WORTH OF GOODS AND THE COURTS IMPOSED FINES OF |2 476 130.
.THIS WAS A RECORD NUMBER OF CASES AND A RECORD VALUE OF GOODS SEIZED. MOST CASES INVOLVED FASHIONWARE OR WATCHES,. HE SAID.
.IN 1983 THE COPYRIGHT DIVISION INVESTIGATED 82 COPYRIGHT CASES, SEIZED APPROXIMATELY $1 MILLION WORTH OF GOODS AND THE COURTS IMPOSED FINES TOTALLING $126 000,+ HE SAID.
------------0--------------
/10...............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1984
10
PROBATION SERVICE HAS HIGH SUCCESS RATE
THE VALUE OF THE PROBATION SERVICE FOR OFFENDERS IS THAT THEY ARE SOCIALLY REHABILITATED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF BEING LOCKED AWAY IN PRISON, SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER (HONG KONG), MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, TODAY (TUESDAY).
IN A LUNCHEON TALK TO THE CITY LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG, SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE SUCCESS RATE IN PROBATION HAD BEEN MAINTAINED AT 80 PER CENT IN RECENT YEARS.
THE SUCCESS RATE IS DEFINED ON THE BASIS THAT PROBATIONERS DO NOT COMMIT ANY OFFENCE FOR AT LEAST A YEAR AFTER THE EXPIRY OF THE PROBATION PERIOD.
+THE SUCCESS OF THE PROBATION SERVICE,*
SHE SAID, +DEPENDS NOT ONLY ON THE JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE PROBATION OFFICER AND THE PROBATIONER, BUT ALSO ON THE CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT WHICH THE PROBATIONER’S FAMILY, SCHOOL AND SOCIETY ARE WILLING TO PROVIDE.*
SHE SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT THE COURTS’ DIRECTIVES TO PROVIDE PROBATION SUPERVISION, RESIDENTIAL TRAINING AND AFTERCARE SERVICES FOR OFFENDERS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF INTEGRATING THEM BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.
IN 1982-83, 2 337 PEOPLE WERE PLACED ON PROBATION AND OVER 90 PER CENT OF THEM WERE MALES UNDER 21. THEIR OFFENCES WERE MAINLY THEFT AND BURGLARY.
.PROBATION IS AN ALTERNATIVE SENTENCE TO IMPRISONMENT AND IS AVAILABLE FOR OFFENDERS AT ALL AGES.
.IT PERMITS THEM TO REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY UNDER THE GUIDANCE AND SUPERVISION OF A PROBATION OFFICER FOR A PERIOD CF ONE TO THREE YEARS,*
SHE SAID.
MRS GOODSTADT SAID THAT THE MAIN DUTIES OF A PROBATION OFFICER WERE TO PROVIDE THE COURTS WITH INFORMATION ON AN OFFENDER'S CHARACTER AND BACKGROUND PRIOR TO SENTENCING, AND TO OFFER SUPERVISION AND PERSONAL GUIDANCE TO PROBATIONERS THROUGH HOME VISITS AND INTERVIEWS.
.OVER THE YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A STEADY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SOCIAL INVESTIGATION REPORTS PREPARED BY PROBATION OFFICERS AS WELL AS IN THE NUMBER OF OFFENDERS PLACED ON PROBATION SUPERVISION,*
SHE ADDED.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 11 PROBATION OFFICES ATTACHED TO JUVENILE COURTS, MAGISTRACIES AND THE SUPREME COURT.
-------------0------------
/11 ...............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1984
11
TUEN MUN NULLAH TO BE DESILTED M M M
THE ENVIRONMENT IN FOUR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE IMPROVED AS THE RESULT OF A $0.55 MILLION CONTRACT WHICH HAS JUST BEEN AWARDED BY THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE CONTRACT IS FOR CLEARING THE NEW TOWN'S NULLAH OF RUBBISH AND ANIMAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE.
IT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO CHEONG HING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.
THE NULLAH RUNS BETWEEN YAU 01, TAI HING AND SAN FAT ESTATES AND SIU HONG COURT. CLOSE BY ARE SITTING-OUT AREAS AND A PLAYGROUND.
THE CONTRACT INVOLVES DREDGING 24 000 CUBIC METRES OF SILT. DEBRIS, MUD AND OTHER WASTE FROM THE NULLAH AND TRANSPORTING IT TO THE CONTROLLED TIP AT PILLAR POINT.
THE WORK, WHICH WILL COMMENCE LATER THIS WEEK AND TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO COMPLETE, WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SAID WHEN THE WORK WAS COMPLETED RESIDENTS OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, PARTICULARLY THOSE LIVING ALONG THE BANKS OF THE NULLAH, WOULD ENJOY A MUCH MORE HYGIENIC AND PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT.
MEANWHILE, SEWAGE IN THE NULLAH IS ALSO BEING PUMPED TO PILLAR POINT TREATMENT WORKS FROM A PUMPING STATION NEAR SIU HONG COURT WHICH WAS PUT INTO OPERATION TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE PRESENT DESILTING WORK, TOGETHER WITH THE OPERATION OF THE PUMPING STATION, WILL SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE ODOUR FROM THE NULLAH.
-----o-----
/12....................
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1984
12 -
LRS HELPS SETTLE PROBLEMS * *
*
*
IN 1983 THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT RECORDED AN ALL-TIME LOW FIGURE FOR WORKING DAYS LOST DUE TO WORK STOPPAGES SINCE RECORDS STARTED IN 1968.
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 11 WORK STOPPAGES RESULTING IN 2 530 WORKING DAYS LOST, WHICH REPRESENTS AN AVERAGE OF 1.15 DAYS LOST PER THOUSAND EMPLOYEES.
.THIS FIGURE IS VERY LOW BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS,*
Itt DONALD CHAN, CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
.IT IS A POSITIVE INDICATOR OF GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS IN GENERAL IN HONG KONG. IT ALSO SHOWS THAT IN HELPING EMPLOYERS OVERCOME THEIR DIFFICULT TIMES, OUR WORKERS ARE WILLING TO EXERCISE RESTRA I NT..
DURING THE YEAR, MR CHAN POINTED OUT, THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE (LRS) OF THE DEPARTMENT HANDLED 152 TRADE DISPUTES. OF THESE, 68 OR 45 PER CENT, WERE SETTLED, WHILE THE REST WERE MOSTLY INSOLVENCY CASES THAT HAD TO BE PASSED TO THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT FOR WINDING UP PROCEEDINGS.
THE LRS ALSO PROVIDED CONCILIATION FOR 17 739 CLAIMS IN CONNECTION WITH PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE OR TERMS OF CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT; SETTLED 11 658 OR 66 PER CENT OF THEM- AND REFERRED MOST OF THE REMAINDER TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL FOR JUDICIAL DECISION.
A TOTAL OF 19 633 WORKERS RECEIVED SOME 140 MILLION FROM THEIR EMPLOYERS AFTER THEIR LABOUR-MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS WERE SETTLED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE LRS.
OF THIS SUM, $8 143 243 OR 20 PER CENT WAS SEVERANCE PAYMENTS MADE TO 2 731 EMPLOYEES RENDERED REDUNDANT BY OPERATIONAL OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE REMAINING $32 416 506 WAS PAID OUT AS ARREARS OF WAGES, WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY, BONUSES AND OTHER PAYMENTS DUE TO 19 622 EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING THE 2 731 WHO RECEIVED SEVERANCE PAYMENTS.
IN THE SAME YEAR, THE LRS INVESTIGATED 197 MAJOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT ALLEGED BREACHES OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, SUCH AS FAILURE TO PROVIDE REST DAYS, HOLIDAYS WITH PAY, ANNUAL LEAVE WITH PAY AND IMPROPER DEDUCTIONS OF WORKERS' WAGES.
DURING THE YEAR, THE LRS ALSO HANDLED 302 277 ENQUIRIES AND CONSULTATIONS, COMPARED WITH 272 754 CASES IN 1982.
MOST OF THESE CONCERNED PROVISIONS IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING LABOUR RELATIONS.
.THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES AND CONSULTATIONS REFLECTS THE GROWING IMPORTANCE ATTACHED TO LABOUR RELATIONS AND EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS BY BOTH EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS,+ MR CHAN SAID.
------------o-------------- /1J...............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1984
13
FLORAL ART COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS * *
M M
STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A FLORAL ART COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL IN CONNECTION WITH ITS ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW, WHICH WILL BE HELD BETWEEN MARCH 16 AND 18.
THE COMPETITION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO CLASSES — FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12 AND THOSE BETWEEN 12 AND 16 YEARS.
THE THEME FOR THE JUNIOR CATEGORY IS, +UNDER THE SEA+, AND FOR THE SENIOR SECTION IS, +MY FAVOURITE FESTIVAL+.
ENTRY FORMS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPETITION ARE AVAILABLE AFTER JANUARY 20 FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN ICE HOUSE STREET; THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CENTRAL; ALL DISTRICT OFFICES USD’S KOWLOON PARK OFFICES AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
ENTRY FEE FOR THE COMPETITION IS $1. THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES WILL BE FEBRUARY 29, 1984.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COMPETITION CAN BE MADE AT THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE, ED ON 5-629205 OR THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON 5-95598.
TUEN MUN ROAD SLOPE BEING REBUILT M 4 M 4
WORK HAS STARTED ON REBUILDING THE AREA OF THE SLOPE AT PUN SHAN TSUEN, NEAR THE START OF TUEN MUN ROAD, WHERE A FAILURE OCCURRED LAST SEPTEMBER AS A RESULT OF HEAVY RAIN.
THE WORK INCLUDES MOVING 67 000 CUBIC METRES OF MATERIAL FROM THE SLOPE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE AND FORMING A NEW SLOPE 90 METRES HIGH.
IT ALSO INCLUDES CONSTRUCTING A LARGE NUMBER OF DRAINS TO LOWER THE HIGH LEVEL OF GROUNDWATER AND STABILISING THE FORMER SLOPE.
A CONTRACT VALUED AT $5.51 MILLION TO CARRY OUT THE WORK HAS BEEN AWARDED TO ENPACK (HONG KONG) LIMITED.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND CONSTRUCTION IS BEING SUPERVISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE WORK WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE ONSET OF THE RAINY SEASON.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUABY 18, 198*
1
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
TRIUMPH FOR THE SYSTEM, SAYS ACTING GOVERNOR .......................................... 1
STRENGTH OF CONSTITUTION DEMONSTRATED ................................................................ 1
LEGISLATION AIMED AT IMPROVEMENTS FOR EVERYONE .................................... 2
NEED FOR MODIFICATIONS AGREED .......................................................................................... 3
TAXI PROPOSALS SEEN AS UNREASONABLE BURDEN .............................................. 5
PROPOSED TAX RISES 'OUT OF STEP' ................................................................................. 7
+TAXIS SHOULD BE SEEN AS UTILITY+ ............................................................................. 7
BILLS OPPOSED ON ACCOUNT OF CONTENTS AND FORM ....................................... 9
OPPOSITION FOLLOWED CAREFUL DEBATE......................................................................... 10
TAXI TAX AND REGISTRATION FEE INCREASES UNTIMELY ............................. 11
METHOD OF DELIVERING TAXI PACKAGE CRITICISED .......................................... 13
'DIVISIVE PROPOSALS' NEED CAREFUL HANDLING ................................................. 14
DEBATE SEEN AS VICTORY FOR GOVERNMENT SYSTEM .......................................... 15
BILLS SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN hND TAXI FARE INCREASE FROZEN ... 16
LONG-TERM, GRADUAL TAXI MEASURES PROPOSED .................................................... 16
TAXI OPERATORS HAD VALID COMPLAINT .......................................................................... 17
LOGIC BEHIND TAXI MEASURES CRITICISED ................................................................ 18
RECONSIDERATION OF POLICY URGED ................................................................................... 19
+EXCESSIVE CONTROL+ OVER TAXIS CLAIMED ............................................................. 20
HAVE FAITH IN UMELCO, PEOPLE URGED .......................................................................... 21
PROPOSED INCREASES FELT 'TOO HIGH' .......................................................................... 21
/LEGCO MUST ....................
LEGCO MUST INSURE FAIRNESS OF BILLS ...................................................................... 22
ROLE OF TAXIS IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT STRESSED ................................................ 23
HARDSHIP ON TAXI OPERATORS STRESSED ...................................................................... 23
BaDLY HANDLED INCIDENT COULD PRECIPITATE CRISIS ................................. 24
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW ...................................................................................................... 25
NEW BANK OF CHINA SITE GRANT SIGNED ........................................................ 25
FIVE CROWN LAND SITES SOLD AT AUCTION ....................................................................... 26
BIG DROP IN BIRTH RATE...................................................................................................................... 2?
GOVERNOR TO INSPECT CSD ANNUAL PARADE....................................................................... 28
TSUEN KING CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND OPENED .......................................................................... 28
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IS EVOLUTIONARY ................................................................ 29
AVIATION CHIEF ATTENDS TALKS ................................................................................................... JO
PUBLIC URGED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS ................................................................................ 31
POST OFFICE NO. 95 DUE ...................................................................................................................... 31
CAUSEWAY BAY TRAFFIC CHANGES ............................................... 32
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY IS, 1984
1
TRIUMPH FOR THE SYSTEM, SAYS ACTING GOVERNOR * *
*
*
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF A STATEMENT MADE BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE THIS EVENINGi
+1 DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY, BUT THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD DAY FOR UNOFFICIALS. IN THEIR SPEECHES THIS AFTERNOON THEY’VE CONVEYED VERY EFFECTIVELY THE DEEP ANXIETIES OF THE TAXI TRADE AND OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE CASE FOR OUR PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS HAD NOT COME ACROSS WELL AND HAD, INDEED, EVEN BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD.
.BUT IF IT’S BEEN A GOOD DAY FOR UNOFFICIALS, I THINK IT’S BEEN AN EVEN BETTER DAY FOR OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, PERHAPS EVEN A TRIUMPHANT ONE. IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION FROM UNOFFICIALS THE SYSTEM HAD TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY AND IT DID.
.AFTER LISTENING CAREFULLY TO MEMBERS’ VIEWS THE GOVERNMENT SIDE ALLOWED THE BILLS ON THE TAX MEASURES TO BE VOTED OUT ON THE SECOND READING AND SO THE WHOLE PACKAGE WILL NOW HAVE TO BE RECONSTRUCTED. THAT IS HOW OUR SYSTEM OF CONSULTATIVE DEMOCRACY IS DESIGNED TO WORK WHEN GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS PROVE TO BE UNACCEPTABLE TO OUR LEGISLATIVE BODY.
.BUT LET US NOT FORGET THAT THE PROBLEM OF DEVISING AN UP- TO-DATE TAXI POLICY HAS NOT GONE AWAY. IT REMAINS WITH US. SO WE MUST NOW QUICKLY RETURN TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND PUT FORWARD FRESH PROPOSALS TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. IN DOING SO WE SHALL TAKE FULLY INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS EXPRESSED SO ROBUSTLY THIS AFTERNOON IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND, INDEED, ELSEWHERE DURING THE PAST FEW RATHER EVENTFUL DAYS.
.ONE CANNOT DIVORCE THE FARE INCREASE FROM THE QUESTION CF TAKI POLICY GENERALLY BUT, AS I HAVE JUST SAID, WE INTEND TO GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE, HOPEFULLY IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE..
- - - ‧ Q - ‧ - -
STRENGTH OF CONSTITUTION DEMONSTRATED * *
*
*
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, VOICED HIS SUPPORT TODAY FOR THE CONCLUSION BY SEVERAL UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS THAT THE FAILURE OF A LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL DEMONSTRATED THE STRENGTH, NOT THE WEAKNESS, OF THE CONSTITUTION.
.A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES (TO PICK UP MR CHARLES YEUNG’S PHRASES) IS A NECESSARY FEATURE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF A FREE SOCIETY IF IT IS TO BE WELL GOVERNED AND CAPABLE OF ABSORBING THE MAJOR SHOCKS AND PRESSURES THAT ARE BOUND TO COME ITS WAY,+ M3 THOMAS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
.WHILE THE UNOFFICIALS ARE NOT DELEGATES OF THE PUBLIC, THEY ARE APPOINTED TO INTERPRET AND EXPOUND THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC AND TO PARTICIPATE IN REACHING A FINAL JUDGEMENT UPON THE PUBLIC INTEREST,*
HE ADDED.
/he pointed..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 2 -
HE POINTED OUT THERE WOULD ALWAYS REMAIN THE FINAL OPINION CF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN WHICH THERE IS A CLEAR MAJORITY OF UNOFFICIALS.
.THIS COUNCIL IS THE ULTIMATE SAFEGUARD IF THE GOVERNMENT WERE TO MISJUDGE WHAT IS POLITICALLY ACCEPTABLE IN HONG KONG.
.FOR THESE REASONS, I THEREFORE SEE TODAY’S EVENTS NOT AS A LOSS OF FACE FOR OFFICIALS BUT RATHER AS A VINDICATION OF THE SYSTEM, ITS EFFECTIVENESS, AND ABOVE ALL ITS READY RESPONSE TO THE POLITICAL MOOD AND JUDGEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY,. MR THOMAS STRESSED.
LEGISLATION AIMED AT IMPROVEMENTS FOR EVERYONE ******
THE PROPOSED TAXI LEGISLATION WAS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EVERYONE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON DENIS BRAY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
.IN ITS IMPACT ON THE TAXI USERS IT WAS ASSESSED AS ACCEPTABLE BOTH AS TO THE STANDARD OF SERVICE AND IN THE INCREASE IN CHARGES,. K SAID. .IN ITS IMPACT ON TAXI OPERATORS IT WAS ANTICIPATED THAT INCOME GENERATED BY INCREASED FARES WOULD BOTH RESTORE PROFITABILITY TO FORMER LEVELS AND COVER INCREASED TAXATION.+
MR BRAY SAID THAT LITTLE OF WHAT HAD BEEN SAID IN THE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON HAD THROWN DOUBT ON THE WISDOM OF THESE AIMS.
ON THE EXTENT AND FORCE OF THE REACTION BY TAXI OPERATORS, H? BRAY SAID THAT IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THEY WOULD EXPRESS A GOOD DEAL OF OPPOSITION AND TAKE STRONG ACTION TO PRESS THEIR VIEWS. BUT i +IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE EXTENT OF THE TRAFFIC DISRUPTION WAS OBVIOUS FOR ALL TO SEE THAT ANYBODY BEGAN TO SAY, WITH COMMENDABLE HINDSIGHT, THAT STOPPAGE OF SERVICE WAS AN INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE CF THE MEASURES PROPOSED.+
HE SAID THAT THE MEASURES WERE BASED ON AN EXTENSIVE STUDY WHICH SHOWED THAT TAXIS WERE NOT ESSENTIAL CARRIERS IN THE CONTEXT CF A VASTLY IMPROVED TRANSPORT SYSTEM, AND WERE AN INCREASING CAUSE OF CONGESTION.
THIS DEVELOPING TREND COULD NOT CONTINUE INDEFINITELY WITHOUT UNACCEPTABLE CONSEQUENCES IN TERMS OF INCREASING CONGESTION FOR THE GREAT MASS OF USERS OF TRANSPORT FACILITIES, HE ADDED.
HE REVIEWED REACTION TO THE BILLS AND THE REASONS FOR IT BEFORE GIONG ON TO DETAIL THE PUBLIC INFORMATION EFFORT THAT HAD BEEN MADE.
FINALLY, SAID MR BRAY i .! DO THINK THAT OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT HAS A REMARKABLY GOOD RECORD OF NOT BEHAVING SO RECKLESSLY AS TO DAMAGE THOSE PROVIDING IMPORTANT SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. GIVEN THE STRENGTH OF FEELING EXPRESSED BY THE TAXI OPERATORS AND REFLECTED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE THAT THESE MEASURES SHOULD NOW BE RE-EXAM I NED..
_ ... . .............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 3 -
NEED FOR MODIFICATIONS AGREED ft ft ft ft
THE ADMINISTRATION ACCEPTS THAT THE TAXI POLICY PACKAGE NEEDS MODIFICATIONS TO RENDER IT ACCEPTABLE AND TO PLACE THE TAXI IN ITS CORRECT PLACE IN THE TRANSPORT SCENE, SAID THE HON ALAN SCOTT, SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, ALTHOUGH IT BELIEVES THAT THE PACKAGE IS BASICALLY RIGHT IN ITS APPROACH.
MR SCOTT WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHERE HE SAID THAT OFFICIAL MEMBERS WOULD NOT VOTE FOR THE TWO BILLS - THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.
.IT FOLLOWS, AS DR FANG AND MR PETER WONG AMONG OTHERS, HAVE URGED THAT THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS IN AND RELATED TO THESE BILLS AS OUTLINED IN THEIR INTRODUCTION LAST WEEK AS AN INTERRELATED PACKAGE, SHOULD BE REEXAMINED. THEY WILL HAVE TO BE RESUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AS A MATTER OF URGENCY- AND THIS WILL BE DONE. ALL CONCERNED SHOULD BE ASSURED THAT THE VIEWS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED TODAY WILL BE INCLUDED IN THAT RESUBMISSION.. SAID M? SCOTT.
HE SAIDi *
THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES THAT THE POLICY PACKAGE IS BASICALLY RIGHT IN ITS APPROACH BUT OBVIOUSLY NEEDS SUITABLE MODIFICATIONS THAT WILL IN DUE COURSE RENDER IT ACCEPTABLE AND PLACE THE TAXI IN ITS CORRECT PLACE IN THE TRANSPORT SCENE, WHILE BEARING IN MIND THE NECESSITY TO SAFEGUARD THE REASONABLE LIVELIHOOD OF TAXI OPERATORS, AND TO ENSURE A STABLE, EFFICIENT AND FAIRLY PRICED INDUSTRY.*
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR SCOTT EXPLAINED THE NEED FOR THE USE OF TWO PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS LAST WEEK. THE EXISTING REGULATIONS FOR THE ISSUE OF LICENCES PROVIDE THAT UP TO FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE DUE DATE OF EXPIRY OF A CURRENT LICENCE IT MAY BE RENEWED FOR UP TO ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF EXPIRY.
ADDITIONALLY, ANY VEHICLE OWNER CAN CANCEL HIS LICENCE AT ANY TIME, RECEIVE A PROPORTIONATE REFUND AND IMMEDIATELY TAKE OUT A NEW LICENCE FOR A FULL YEAR AT THE CURRENT RATE.
IF A REVENUE PROTECTION ORDER HAD NOT BEEN MADE, VIRTUALLY ALL PRESENT LICENSED TAXI OWNERS WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE, IN GREATER OR LESSER DEGREE, AND ENTIRELY PROPERLY WITHIN THE REGULATIONS, TO RENEW THEIR LICENCES AT THE OLD RATES FOR UP TO A YEAR OR MORE, SUBSEQUENT TO THE EVENTUAL ENACTMENT OF THE LEGISLATION, AFTER DEBATE AND AMENDMENT, SAID MR SCOTT.
A SIMILAR ORDER WAS MADE WITH REGARD TO FIRST REGISTRATION TAX TO PREVENT NEW VEHICLES BEING BROUGHT FORWARD QUICKLY IN SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS FOR REGISTRATION AT THE OLD RATES.
.THE ADMINISTRATION COMPLETELY ACCEPTS THAT USING REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS IN THIS INSTANCE HAS CAUSED ACUTE PRESENTATIONAL PROBLEMS, NOTWITHSTANDING THE VALID REASONS FOR SO DOING,. HE SAID.
/Iffl SCOTT...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 4 -
MR SCOTT REPEATED THAT THE MEASURES WERE NOT DESIGNED TO INCREASE REVENUE - BUT TO PROTECT IT. THE FREEZE ON THE ISSUE OF URBAN TAXI LICENCE FOR TWO YEARS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF REVENUE OF ABOUT $176 MILLION. THIS LOSS WAS TO BE BALANCED BY THE INCREASES IN FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AND ANNUAL LICENCE FEES. THE RESULTING INCREASE IN TAXI OPERATING COSTS WOULD BE MET BY ABOUT 7.5 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL 17 PER CENT INCREASE IN TAXI FARES.
THE 17 PER CENT INCREASE WOULD STILL LEAVE HONG KONG WITH PROBABLY THE CHEAPEST TAXI SERVICE IN THE WORLD, HE SAID.
IT IS NOT TRUE, SAID MR SCOTT, AS HAD BEEN REPORTED, THAT THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDS TAXIS AS A LUXURY. OR THAT THEY ARE NOT NECESSARY, OR THAT THEY SHOULD BE REDUCE^ IN NUMBER.
MR SCOTT SAID THAT THE TAXI TRADE WAS NOT A HOMOGENOUS GROUP. HE DETAILED THE CONSULTATION EFFORTS THAT WERE MADE IN FORMULATING POLICY - INVOLVING BOTH THE TRADE, DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHERS. REGRETTABLY, HE SAID, THE DIRECT QUESTION CF SHOULD TAXI TAX AND ANNUAL LICENCE FEES BE INCREASED COULD NOT BE POSED TO DISTRICT BOARDS AS THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE KIND OF PROBLEMS WITH REGARD TO REVENUE MENTIONED EARLIER.
THE FRAGMENTATION OF THE TRADE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO GATHER A SATISFACTORY OVERALL PICTURE OF EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE AND CLAIMS FOR FARE RISES WERE OFTEN NOT SUPPORTED WITH GREAT DETAIL BY WAY OF REPORT OR SURVEY.
ON THE USE OF THE TERM ^PERSONALISED TRANSPORT*
MR SCOTT SAID THAT THE POINT BEING MADE WAS THAT TAXIS ARE NOT IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHICH HAS CONCESSIONARY RATES OF TAXES AND LICENCES.
.THE TAXI TO A VERY LARGE EXTENT ACTS AS A SORT OF PRIVATE HIRE CAR OR SUBSTITUTE FOR PRIVATE CAR,+ HE SAID.
.I EMPHASISE THAT THIS DOES NOT DENY THEIR ROLE AS AN ADJUNCT TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT BUT IT DOES NOT PUT THEM IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS BUSES OR RAILWAYS.+
THERE HAD BEEN VERY LARGE INVESTMENT IN THE TRANSPORT hETWORK, HE SAID. +IT IS INEVITABLE THAT THE COMMUNITY’S INVESTMENT IN THE NETWORK REQUIRES, NOTWITHSTANDING THE ARGUMENTS ABOUT FREE ENTERPRISE AND UNRESTRICTED COMPETITION, A DEGREE OF ALLOCATION BY PRIORITIES.^
SUMMING UP, MR SCOTT SAID THAT THE ADMINISTRATION ACCEPTS THAT THE TIMING. LACK OF GRADUALISM, AND PRESENTATION OF THE MEASURES HAVE CAUSED GREAT CONCERN AMONG UNOFFICIALS WHO HAVE EXPLAINED FULLY THEIR REASONS FOR OPPOSING THE BILLS.
.THIS IS THE VERY REASON WHY THEY AND WE SIT IN THIS COUNCIL THAT LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS SHOULD BE EXAMINED AND DEBATED AFTER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE HEARD PUBLIC OPINION AND EXPRESSED THEIR OWN OPINIONS AND SOUGHT AMENDMENTS AS NECESSARY AND VOTED ACCORDINGLY IF NECESSARY..
. ...................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 5 -
TAXI PROPOSALS SEEN AS UNREASONABLE BURDEN
*****
IT WAS THE UNANIMOUS VIEW OF THE UNOFFICIALS THAT THE PACKAGE CF PROPOSALS TO THE TAXI TRADE AS A WHOLE REPRESENTED AN UNREASONABLE BURDEN TO MANY TAXI OPERATORS AND DID NOT TAKE ADEQUATE ACCOUNT OF THE COMPLEX POSITION AND PROBLEMS OF THE TAXI TRADE, DR THE HON HARRY FANG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR FANG HEADED A PARTY OF UNOFFICIALS WHO SPOKE AGAINST THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.
.IN THE HEAT OF THE SITUATION IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATION’S FINDINGS AND INTENTIONS HAVE BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD,. DR FANG SAID.
.BUT THERE IS MISUNDERSTANDING TOO ON THE ADMINISTRATION’S SIDE AND I BELIEVE THAT IT IS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO SHOW THAT THE PROPOSED MEASURES ARE FAIR AND REASONABLE.
.IN OUR VIEW THEY HAVE FAILED TO DO SO AND FOR THIS REASON THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS THIS AFTERNOON PROPOSE TO OPPOSE THESE BILLS,*
HE ADDED.
HE OBSERVED THAT THERE WERE VALUABLE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED.
.THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION MISJUDGED THE IMPACT OF THE PACKAGE PROPOSALS AND THEIR RECEPTION BY THE TRADE.
.CONSENSUS SUPPORT IS CONTINUALLY STRESSED, AND RIGHTLY SO, AS THE STRENGTH OF OUR GOVERNMENT. THIS HAS NEVER PROVED MORE IMPORTANT THAN NOW, GIVEN OUR PRESENT DELICATE POSITION,+ HE SAID.
HE URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO HAVE A SERIOUS RE-THINK OF THE ENTIRE PACKAGE. NOT AS A SIGN OF WEAKNESS AND CAPITULATION BUT AS AN EARNEST 'INDICATION OF AN OPEN GOVERNMENT SENSITIVE TO PUBLIC REACTION AND EVER WILLING TO SEEK JUST AND FAIR SOLUTIONS TO WHATEVER PROBLEMS MIGHT CONFRONT THE COMMUNITY.
.IT SAYS MUCH FOR OUR STYLE OF GOVERNMENT THAT THE UNOFFICIALS OF THE COUNCIL CAN, THIS AFTERNOON, HAVE A MATERIAL SAY IN THE FUTURE OF THE TWO BILLS NOW BEFORE COUNCIL AND I HOPE THAT THE VALIDITY OF OUR RESERVATIONS WILL BE CLEAR TO ALL,+ HE SAID.
DR FANG THANKED THE ACTING GOVERNOR FOR HIS PROMPT DECISION, IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST OF THE UNOFFICIALS, TO CONVENE A SPECIAL SITTING THIS AFTERNOON TO RESUME THE DEBATE ON THE TWO BILLS.
HE SAID, .THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO DISCUSS THE CIVIL DISORDER WHICH FOLLOWED IN THE WAKE OF THE TAX I-OPERATORS’ AGITATION.
.I EXPECT THERE WILL BE AN ENQUIRY AND I HOPE, IN DUE COURSE, A REPORT WILL BE MADE TO THIS COUNCIL.*
/he added..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
6
HE ADDED THAT THE HOOLIGANISM AND VIOLENCE WHICH TOOK PLACE ON JANUARY 13 WERE A SOBERING REMINDER OF THE FRAGILITY OF OUR SOCIETY.
.THE RESTRAINT AND GOOD SENSE EXERCISED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE CARRIED THE DAY AND I BELIEVE I SPEAK FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. AS WELL AS FOR THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, WHEN (EXPRESS OUR ADMIRATION AND APPRECIATION OF THEIR DISCIPLINE AND PERFORMANCE IN A VERY TRYING SITUATION,. HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS TO THE TAXI-OPERATORS, IE SAID THAT WHILE HE APPRECIATED THE NEED FOR THE REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS, HE WAS BOUND TO OBSERVE THAT NO ALLOWANCE WAS MADE FOR A NUMBER OF HARDSHIP SITUATIONS, ONE BEING TAX I-OPERATORS WHO HAD RECENTLY TENDERED SUCCESSFULLY FOR LICENCES ON THE BASIS CF THE PREVIOUS FEE LEVELS BUT WHO HAD NOT YET REGISTERED THEIR VEHICLES.
.WE ARE TOLD THERE ARE SOME 873 VEHICLES IN THIS SITUATION,. HE SAID.
.AND THE INCREASES ALSO STRUCK PARTICULARLY HARD AT OWNER-OPERATORS DUE TO REPLACE THEIR TAX IS..
.MOREOVER, THE ADMINISTRATION’S DECLARATION THAT TAXIS ARE TO BE REGARDED AS A FORM OF PERSONALISED TRANSPORT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE APPLIED CONSISTENTLY SINCE TAXIS ARE REGARDED AS PUBLIC VEHICLES FOR FARE CONTROL PURPOSES AND AS PRIVATE VEHICLES FOR TAX PURPOSES.
.FINALLY, THE 7.5 PER CENT ASSESSMENT OF THE INCREASED COST TO THE TRADE SEEMS HIGHLY QUEST IONABLE,. HE ADDED.
ON THE REACTIONS OF THE TAXI TRADE, HE SAID, +WHILE THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY CHOSE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR DISSATISFACTION IS TO BE REGRETTED, THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT OF THE SINCERITY AND DEPTH OF FEELING OF INDIVIDUAL TAXI-OPERATORS AT WHAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE THREATENING FORCES TO THEIR LIVELIHOOD.
.THEIR PREDICAMENT APPEARS TO HAVE ATTRACTED GENERAL PUBLIC SYMPATHY. MY UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES AND I COULD NOT FAIL BUT REACT TO THIS GROUNDSWELL OF PUBLIC OP IN ION,+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ALL ASPECTS OF THE PACKAGE WERE TOUCHED ON AT LONG MEETINGS WITH THE TAXI TRADE REPRESENTATIVES.
HE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED WITH APPRECIATION THE READINESS WITH WHICH THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT MADE HIMSELF AVAILABLE TO ASSIST THE UNOFFICIALS.
- - - - 0 ------------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
7
PROPOSED TAX RISES 'OUT OF STEP’ ft ft ft *
DR THE HON FRANCIS TIEN POINTED
______ OUT THAT THE PROPOSED TAX INCREASES FOR TAXIS .SEEK TO REGULATE AND REFORM THE TAXI TRADE BY FISCAL MEANS AND RUN COUNTER TO A BASIC PRINCIPLE ON WHICH OUR FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM DEPENDS*
.
.THEY DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE TAXI TRADE MUST OPERATE AND THEY ARE OUT OF STEP WITH AN IDEA WHICH WE CHERISH IN HONG KONG, NAMELY THE RIGHT TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN A STABLE ENVIRONMENT WITH A MINIMUM OF STATE INTERVENTION,*
HE SAID, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
.THE BEST GOVERNMENT IS THE LEAST GOVERNMENT AND THE PROPOSALS BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT ARE A DEPARTURE FROM OUR WELL-TRIED FREE MARKET SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE DISTURBANCE TO THE NORMAL ORDER CF EVERYDAY LIFE CAUSED BY THEIR SUDDENNESS AND SEVERITY.
.THEY OFFER A BROAD-BRUSH SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM OF GREAT COMPLEXITY,*
HE ADDED.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS NOT SURPRISED THAT PUBLIC SYMPATHY WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE TAXI TRADE IN THIS CASE.
HE DEPLORED THE INCONVENIENCE WHICH THE PUBLIC HAD SUFFERED IN THE PAST WEEK AND ABOVE ALL, THE SCENES OF VIOLENCE WHICH WE WITNESSED LAST FRIDAY.
.THE JOINT EFFORTS AND SWIFT ACTION TAKEN TO DEFUSE A POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE SITUATION MUST BE COMMENDED.
.I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE POLICE FORCE IN HANDLING THE UNRULY ELEMENTS ON THE STREETS OF KOWLOON SO EFFICIENTLY,*
HE SAID.
-------0------
.TAXIS SHOULD BE SEEN AS UTILITY*
ft ft ft ft
THE HON ALEX WU URGED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT *THE VIABILITY OF TAXIS BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AND BE GIVEN THE SAME ATTENTION AS THOSE OF OTHER PUBLIC UTILITIES SO THAT THEY MAY CONTINUE TO SERVE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHEN THEY NEED THEM*
.
HE FELT THAT THE MEASURES PROPOSED IN THE TWO BILLS WERE DEFENSIBLE ONLY IN STATISTICAL TERMS.
.IT IS ONE THING TO GATHER INFORMATION BY STATISTICAL MEANS. BUT IT IS QUITE ANOTHER TO BASE PUBLIC POLICY ON IT TO THE EXTENT OF DISMISSING AS IRRATIONAL AND THEREFORE UNACCEPTABLE, ANY OPPOSITION WHICH CLAIMS NO BETTER CREDENTIALS THAN COMMON SENSE AND EXPERIENCE,. HE SAID.
Awe are..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
8
+WE ARE IN SOME DANGER OF FALLING UNDER GOVERNMENT BY EXPERTS WHICH IS AS BAD IN ITS WAY AS GOVERNMENT BY DEMAGOGUES,*
FE ADDED.
HE DISAGREED WITH THE ARGUMENT THAT TAXIS WERE NO LONGER ESSENTIAL BECAUSE ONLY SEVEN PER CENT OF THE PEOPLE SURVEYED SAID THAT THEY USED TAXIS FOR URGENT PURPOSES.
.PLAYING ABOUT WITH NAMES DOES NOT SEEM TO ME TO BE ANY MORE CONVINCING,*
HE ADDED.
.WHETHER WE CALL IT PUBLIC TRANSPORT OR PERSONALISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WE CANNOT GET AWAY FROM THE FACT THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND DESIRABLE FOR A GREAT MANY MORE.+
HE BELIEVED THAT THE RELIANCE ON TAXIS HAD INCREASED AND WOULD BE INCREASING AS MORE AND MORE PRIVATE CARS WERE BEING TAXED OFF THE ROADS.
.WHILE I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THERE IS SCOPE FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT MIXTURE, I DO NOT THINK WE WOULD GET IT RIGHT IF WE APPROACH IT FROM THIS 'WE KNOW WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU EVEN IF YOU DON’T’ POINT OF VIEW.+ HE STRESSED.
REFERRING TO THE PUBLICATION BY A NEWSPAPER OF THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT’S SPEECH IN FULL AND THE EDITOR’S COMMENTS THAT ’IN THESE TIMES. WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN, THE SMALL PRINT TENDS TO BE IGNORED AND GUT REACTIONS WIN THE DAY*
, MR WU SAID THAT RAISED THE IMPORTANT QUESTION OF PRACTICAL GOVERNMENT.
.
IS IT SERIOUSLY SUGGESTING THAT IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT POLICY THE MAN IN THE STREET HAS GOT TO READ A 4 000 WORD SPEECH COMPLETE WITH STATISTICAL TABLES AND FOOTNOTES,. HE ASKED.
.
THE HONG KONG MAN-IN-THE-STREET IS NOT THE FIRST AND WILL NOT BE THE LAST TO IGNORE THE SMALL PRINT AND TO REACT FROM THE GUT, ESPECIALLY WHEN HIS LIVELIHOOD IS INVOLVED,. HE WARNED.
.
IT IS THE DUTY OF ADMINISTRATORS TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT WHEN THEY INTRODUCE NEW POLICIES AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY DID SO SUFFICIENTLY ON THIS OCCASION,. HE SAID.
-------0------
/9..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
9
BILLS OPPOSED ON ACCOUNT OF CONTENTS AND FORM ft ft *
ft
REV THE HON PATRICK MCGOVERN SAID THAT HIS OPPOSITION TO THE IWO BILLS WAS PROMPTED BY THE CONTENTS, AND BY THE FACT THAT THEY WERE PRESENTED IN PACKAGE FORM.
.
THE CONTENTS OF THE PACKAGE ARE NOT NECESSARILY RELATED ISSUES OTHER THAN THAT THEY ARE CONCERNED WITH TAXIS, HE SAID.
*
.
THE FACT THAT THEY WERE TIED INTO A PACKAGE, IF I MAY MIX MY METAPHORS, TURNED THEM INTO A CAN OF WORMS,. HE SAID. ‘
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROBLEMS OF TOO MANY TAXIS ON OVERCROWDED ROADS HAD BEEN SOLVED BY THE GAZETTED RESOLUTION TEMPORARILY LIMITING THE NUMBER OF URBAN LICENCES.
.
FROM THE OPERATORS PREMIUM POINT OF VIEW IT APPEARS THE SUPPLY CF TAXIS IS NOW ENOUGH TO MEET DEMAND. THAT TOO HAS BEEN SOLVED BY THE LIMITATION OF NUMBERS,. HE ADDED.
THE PROBLEM THAT THE TAXI TRADE WAS BECOMING UNPROFITABLE HAD BEEN SOLVED, OR PARTLY SOLVED, BY THE OTHER GAZETTED RESOLUTION TABLED LAST WEDNESDAY BY WHICH TAXI FARES WOULD BE INCREASED.
.
AS THE PROBLEMS OF NUMBERS HAVE BEEN SOLVED BY RESOLUTION, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY NO NEED TO INTRODUCE FISCAL MEASURES TO RESTRICT NUMBERS,. HE ARGUED.
MAINTAINING THAT A TAXI WAS A PUBLIC VEHICLE, HE SAID .IF IT IS TREATED AS SUCH, WHEN TAXI PROBLEMS ARE RE-EXAMINED IT WILL AVOID A LOT OF CONFUSION AND DISAGREEMENT.*
.
IF THE IDEA THAT A TAXI IS A PRIVATE CAR REARS ITS HEAD AGAIN, THAT IDEA SHOULD BE FIRMLY SCOTCHED,. HE STRESSED.
HE NOTED THAT THE REPORTING IN THE MEDIA OF THE PROGRESS OF THE BILL HAD BEEN SOMEWHAT DISTORTED.
.
APART FROM THE TIMING, ALL THAT IS HAPPENING TODAY IS THE ORDINARY CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS.
.
IT IS ALSO, I HOPE, A DEMONSTRATION THAT THE LIMITED DEMOCRACY OF AN APPOINTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CAN WORK.
.
THE ROLE OF LEGCO IS TO DEBATE BILLS SENT TO US BY EXCO. IF WE THINK EXCO HAS BEEN BADLY INFORMED OR IS MAKING AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT, IT IS OUR DUTY TO PUT A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW IN THE HOPE THAT IT WILL CONVINCE THE ADMINISTRATION THAT THERE IS A BETTER COURSE OF ACTION TO BE PURSUED,. HE SAID.
/1O ....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
10 -
OPPOSITION FOLLOWED CAREFUL DEBATE ft ft ft ft
THE DECISION OF THE UNOFFICIALS TO OPPOSE THE BILLS WAS NOT A HASTY OR EMOTIONAL DECISION, BUT ONE THAT WAS TAKEN AFTER CAREFUL DEBATE, RECOGNISING THAT THE OVERALL INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE THE FOREMOST CONSIDERATION, THE HON PETER C. WONG SAID.
.
IT WAS AN INDEPENDENT DECISION TAKEN WITHOUT ANY INTERVENTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION,. HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT THE WHOLE INCIDENT WAS REGRETTABLE BUT HE FELT THAT IT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT TO BLAME IT ON ONE PERSON.
.
IT WAS A GOVERNMENT DECISION AND GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS ACTION.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TAXI DISPUTE SERVED AS A TIMELY REMINDER THAT HONG KONG WAS AS SUSCEPTIBLE AS EVER TO CIVIL DISTURBANCES.
.
IT BEHOVES THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE ITS MACHINERY TO GAUGE PUBLIC SENTIMENT AND REACTION,+ HE SAID.
.IT IS TRUE THAT INDUSTRIAL ACTION WITHIN THE LAW IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT IN ANY FREE SOCIETY.
.BUT IF HONG KONG IS TO MAINTAIN ITS STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, CAUTION AND RESTRAINT MUST BE EXERCISED WHEN ANY ACTION TAKEN IS LIKELY TO AFFECT THE COMMUNITY AND MAY LEAD TO DISASTROUS AND UNFORESEEN CONSEQUENCES,. HE ADDED.
HE GAVE AN ACCOUNT OF HOW THE 12-MEMBER TEAM OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HANDLED THE TAXI DISPUTE ON FRIDAY.
.OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE REVIEWED CAREFULLY THE RAPID EVENTS THAT HAD OCCURRED - A POST-MORTEM OF AN UNPRECEDENTED EPISODE. I REMAIN CONVINCED THAT THE TEAM HAD MADE THE CORRECT DECISION,. HE SAID.
HE LISTED HIS FOLLOWING REASONS FOR OPPOSING THE BILLSi
ft THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, IN PARTICULAR THE TAXI INDUSTRY, WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE BY THE SUDDEN HEFTY INCREASES IN FEES AND CHARGES.
ft THE ARGUMENTS PUT FORTH FOR SUCH INCREASES WERE FAR FROM CONVINCING.
ft IT APPEARS THAT CONSULTATION HAD NOT GONE FAR ENOUGH.
ft ON THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS CARRIED BY TAXIS, THE MTR AND THE TWO BUS COMPANIES, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REFUTE THAT TAXIS WERE NOT PROVIDING A USEFUL PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE.
/‧ THS POINT..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 11 -
*
THE POINT THAT TAXIS WERE NOT ECONOMIC ROAD USERS WAS WELL KNOWN BUT THAT DID NOT FOLLOW THAT SWIFT AND DRASTIC INCREASES WITHOUT WARNING HAD TO BE EFFECTED AT A STROKE OF THE PEN.
*
TAXIS WERE DESCRIBED AS A FORM OF 'PERSONALISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT BUT THE FACT REMAINED THAT THEY WERE A FORM OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND SHOULD NOT BE DENIED IN TOTAL ANY PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT ACCORDED TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
*
*
ALTHOUGH A SUBSTANTIAL PERCENTAGE OF TAXI TRIPS WERE FOR SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES, IT DID NOT IN ANY WAY ALTER THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NATURE OF TAXIS.
*
THE PROPOSED INCREASES IN THEIR PRESENT FORM WERE EXCESSIVE AND INEQUITABLE AND THEREFORE UNACCEPTABLE.
HE SAID THAT JUDGED FROM WHAT WAS REPORTED IN THE MEDIA, PUBLIC OPINION WAS AGAINST THE NEW MEASURES.
.
MY ADVICE TO THE ADMINISTRATION IS TO HEED PUBLIC OPINION, RE-ASSESS THE WHOLE SITUATION IN THE LIGHT OF WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED, AND THEN COME BACK TO THIS COUNCIL WITH A MORE BALANCED AND EQUITABLE PROPOSAL AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME, HE SAID.
*
.
I WILL BE HAPPY TO SUPPORT ANY REVISED MEASURES PROVIDED THEY ARE FAIR AND REASONABLE..
HE PRAISED THE POLICE AND STRESSED THAT THE DISTURBANCES THAT ERUPTED ON FRIDAY EVENING MUST BE STRONGLY CONDEMNED AND THE CULPRITS SHOULD BE SEVERELY DEALT WITH ACCORDING TO LAW.
TAXI TAX AND REGISTRATION FEE INCREASES UNTIMELY ******
THE HON WONG GOVERNMENT SHOULD
LAM SAID WHILE TAKE EFFECTIVE
TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN HONG KONG,
HE AGREED THAT THE
STEPS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF
HE WAS OF THE OPINION BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WHEN
THAT ANY MEASURES ADOPTED HAD TO -------------
HONG KONG WAS IN A STATE OF POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY AND ITS ...............*
TO IMPROVE.
ECONOMY WAS ONLY JUST BEGINNING
.CARE MUST BE TAKEN NOT TO PEOPLE IN EVERY TRADE AND EVERY
HE CONSIDERED THE DECISION TAX AND LICENCE FEES AS UNTIMELY
GIVE TOO SERIOUS A BLOW TO THE STRATUM,*
HE STRESSED.
TO INCREASE TAXI REGISTRATION
.BECAUSE OF THE INCREASING OPERATING COST IN RECENT YEARS, TAXI OPERATORS ARE ALREADY HAVING CONFLICTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OVER THE QUESTION OF A FARE INCREASE.
/+THR INCREASE ‧‧‧‧‧‧‧
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
12 -
.
THE INCREASE IN TAX AND LICENCE FEES ONLY WORSENS THE SITUATION AND NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED,. HE SAID.
HE SAID HE PERSONALLY BELIEVED THAT THE TWO BILLS WERE INTENDED AS A MEANS TO SOLVE THE TRAFFIC PROBLEM AND NOT TO INCREASE REVENUE.
.
THE MORATORIUM ON FRESH LICENCES WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED UPON EARLIER WOULD MEAN A CONSIDERABLE LOSS AS FAR AS REVENUE IS CONCERNED, AND I WONDER IF THE TAX INCREASES PROPOSED BY THE BILLS COULD OFFSET SUCH A LOSS+ HE SAID.
.
AS FOR THE QUESTION OF CONSULTATION, WHILE IT IS'POSSIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSULT THE PUBLIC ON BROAD PRINCIPLES BEFORE INTRODUCING A BILL, I AM SURE THAT THERE WILL BE CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULTY IF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO CONDUCT PUBLIC CONSULTATION BEFORE THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF TAX INCREASE PROPOSED IS PUT BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,+ HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, HE FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT THE GOVERNMENT’S ARGUMENT THAT TAXIS WERE NOT A MEANS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
.BY CHARGING TENS OR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR EACH TAXI LICENCE ISSUED, THE AUTHORITIES HAVE APPARENTLY MADE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN TAXIS AND PRIVATE CARS AND ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR DIFFERENCES.
.OTHERWISE. NO TAXI LICENCE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED AND ALL PRIVATE CARS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO DO BUSINESS,. HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE STILL MANY WAYS WHICH TAXIS COULD JUSTIFY THEIR WORTH AS A SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
AS YET, THEY COULD NOT BE ENTIRELY REPLACED BY ANY OTHER MODE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, HE SAID.
.THE GOVERNMENT MAY ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO USE HIGH-CAPACITY MODES OF TRANSPORT, BUT THEY SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN A CHOICE,. HE STRESSED. +IF THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT THERE ARE ALREADY TOO MANY TAXIS AND THAT THESE TAXIS ON THE ROAD ARE CAUSING TRAFFIC CONGESTION, THEN THE BEST DIRECT METHOD OF DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM IS TO STOP ISSUING MORE TAXI LICENCES,. HE ADDED.
HE ALSO FELT THAT THE TAX WERE TOO LARGE.
INCREASES PROPOSED BY THE TWO BILLS
BUT HE SAID THAT HE FOUND IT HARD TO SYMPATHISE WITH THE TAXI OPERATORS WHO USED THEIR CARS TO BLOCK THE ROADS.
.NO GOVERNMENT POLICY CAN BE ONE HUNDRED PER CENT SATISFACTORY TO ALL. THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO VOICE OUR DISCONTENT., AND IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR TAXI OPERATORS TO GO ON STRIKE AND BLOCK THE ROADS,. HE SAID.
- - - - 0 ---------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
METHOD OF DELIVERING TAXI PACKAGE CRITICISED X *
*
*
THE HON CHARLES YEUNG SAID THAT EVEN IF THE PRINCIPLE UNDERLYING THE PROPOSED PACKAGE COULD NOT BE FAULTED AND STRIDENT IMPACT OF THE PACKAGE WAS DEFENSIBLE, THE METHOD OF DELIVERY LEFT A LOT TO BE DESIRED.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, HE SAID THAT HONG KONG IS GOVERNED BY CONSENSUS.
THE SYMPATHY OF THE PUBLIC, MR YEUNG SAID, WAS WITH THE TAXI TRADE MAINLY ON THE POINT OF THE ^UNPRECEDENTED AND SUDDEN MANIFOLD INCREASE IN DIRECT TAXATION ON THE TRADE.*
BUT THE PUBLIC, AS FAR AS HE COULD ASCERTAIN, DID NOT SUPPORT INDUSTRIAL ACTION TAKEN BY THE TAXI OPERATORS.
.HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC RECOGNISED THE FINANCIAL IMPACT THE MEASURES WOULD HAVE ON THE TAXI DRIVERS.*
MR YEUNG SAID THAT A FREEZE ON THE NUMBER OF TAXIS WAS JUSTIFIABLE.
.BUT TO EMPLOY FINANCIAL STRICTURE AS A MEANS OF CONSTRAINT ON TAXI OPERATION TO EASE ROAD CONGESTION WOULD NEED VERY GOOD REASONS TO SUSTAIN IT,*
HE SAID.
A TAXI LICENCE WAS A FORM OF INVESTMENT OR PROPERTY, BY VIRTUE OF THE PRICE PAID FOR IT EITHER FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR IN THE MARKET. SINCE TAXI FARES WERE CONTROLLED AND OPERATORS COULD NOT RELY ON MARKET FORCES, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE FAIR AND REASONABLE TO THEM.
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT, WITHOUT VERY COGENT REASON, DEPRIVE THE TAXI OWNERS OF JUST RETURNS ON INVESTMENT, NOR SHOULD IT LOWER THE TAXI DRIVERS LIVING STANDARD, HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THERE WAS A COMMUNICATION GAP WHICH LED TO MISUNDERSTANDING AND IRRITATION.
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/14....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
U
'DIVISIVE PROPOSALS’ NEED CAREFUL HANDLING
*****
DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI SAID THAT AT THIS MOMENT OF POLITICAL DELICACY IN HONG KONG. ANY LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS LIKELY TO BRING ABOUT A DIVISIVE EFFECT ON THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE HANDLED CAREFULLY.
.FOR THE SMOOTH AND EFFICIENT IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY DECISIONS, THOROUGH CONSULTATION WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED IS ESSENTIAL.
.IN THIS RESPECT, THE VIEWS AND REACTIONS OF THE TAXI USERS AND TAXI OPERATORS SHOULD BE INVITED NOT ONLY ON THE BROAD PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY ON THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS ARISING FROM THE POLICY PROPOSALS,. HE SAID.
.TAX AND FARE INCREASES IN TRANSPORT POLICY ARE BREAD-AND- BUTTER ISSUES, AND SHOULD WARRANT MORE WIDESPREAD PUBLIC CONSULTATION THAN THAT CONDUCTED IN THE CASE OF THESE TWO BILLS.+
DR HO SAID THAT HE DID NOT SUBSCRIBE TO THE VIEW THAT TAXIS WERE A FORM OF PERSONALISED TRANSPORT AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE TREATED AS PRIVATE CARS.
.IT IS TRUE THAT INCREASES IN PASSENGER PATRONAGE OF TAXIS BEING MORE THAN TWICE THAT OF ALL OTHER FORMS OF MASS PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN THE RECENT YEARS IS DUE TO THE LOW TAXI FARE STRUCTURE.
.BUT MORE SIGNIFICANT IS THE FACT THAT DEMAND FOR TAXIS CONTINUED TO GROW BECAUSE OTHER MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT ARE UNABLE TO MEET ALL TRAVELLING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY,+ HE SAID.
HE LISTED THE VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE TO WHOM TAXIS ARE THEIR ONLY MEANS OF TRAVELLING.
.TAXIS ARE THEREFORE NOT MERELY SUPPLEMENTING, BUT COMPLEMENTING OTHER FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN PERFORMING AN IMPORTANT ROLE OF KEEPING HONG KONG MOVING.
.IN ADDITION, IN MANY PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, TAXIS ARE RENDERING A VERY MUCH NEEDED FEEDER SERVICE IN LINKING UP MAJOR TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES,*
HE OBSERVED.
ON THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROPOSED INCREASES, DR HO SAID. .THESE BILLS IF ENACTED WILL CREATE A FINANCIAL BURDEN FAR TOO HEFTY AND FAR TOO DRASTIC FOR THE TAXI OPERATORS RESULTING IN A THREAT TO THEIR LIVELIHOOD.*
.INCREASE IN TAXATION MUST BE GRADUAL AND CONGRUENT TO THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF THE TRADE CONCERNED, SUDDEN HUGE INCREASES WILL LEAD TO RESISTANCE, AS HAPPENED IN THIS CASE,*
HE ADDED.
------------o------------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
15
DEBATE SEEN AS VICTORY FOR GOVERNMENT SYSTEM ft ft ft ft
ENDORSING THE VIEWS OF HIS UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES, THE HON BILL BROWN SAID, + IN THIS CASE, WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF THIS DEBATE, PERHAPS THE VICTORY GOES TO OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WHICH ALLOWS UNOFFICIALS TO OPPOSE BILLS THEY BELIEVE REQUIRE FURTHER CONSIDERATION BY THE ADMINISTRATION.*
.ABOVE ALL, HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THE PUBLIC WILL ENDORSE THE OUTCOME AS A VICTORY FOR COMMON SENSE,+ HE ADDED.
MR BROWN NOTED THAT THE MEASURES PROPOSED IN THE TWO BILLS WERE NOT INTENDED FOR RAISING REVENUE AS THE TAXATION ASPECTS WERE MERELY PART OF THE MEANS TO ACHIEVE TRANSPORT POLICY.
ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS MERELY GAVE IN TO PRESSURE BY ADOPTING THE STAND THEY HAD TAKEN. HE SAID, +THIS IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE, FOR WERE IT TO BE TRUE IT COULD HAVE MOST UNFORTUNATE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE CONDUCT OF OUR AFFAIRS.*
HE NOTED THAT THE EVENTS OF LAST WEEK MIGHT WELL BE VIEWED BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN THE LIGHT OF PHRASES SUCH AS ’CAVING INTO PRESSURE’, ’GIVING INTO BLACKMAIL’ AND WITH NATURAL CONCERN AS TO THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES.
+IT WAS UNFORTUNATE, BUT I ACCEPT UNAVOIDABLE, THAT THE NEED FOR REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS NECESSITATED THESE BILLS BEING INTRODUCED WITHOUT WARNING SO THAT THE CONTENTS CAME AS A SURPRISE TO BOTH THE TAXI TRADE AND TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.*
I€ SAID.
MR BROWN THEN QUOTED THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AS SAYING IN HIS SPEECH THAT THIS METHOD OF INTRODUCTION WAS NOT INTENDED TO INDICATE A FOREGONE CONCLUSION.
.IT IS A MATTER FOR REGRET THAT UNOFFICIALS WERE DENIED BY EVENTS THE USUAL PERIOD TO STUDY CAREFULLY THE BILLS BEFORE RESUMING THEIR DEBATE ON THE 25TH OF THIS MONTH.
.HAD THEY BEEN ABLE TO DO SO THEIR RESERVATIONS WOULD DOUBTLESS HAVE LED TO MUCH THE SAME RESULT AS WE ANTICIPATE TODAY WITHOUT THE TRAUMA OF THE DISGRACEFUL SCENES OUR CITIZENS WERE FORCED TO SUFFER LAST WEEK.+
HE POINTED OUT THAT DEVELOPMENTS HAD MADE THE NEED TO STUDY THESE PROPOSALS EXTREMELY URGENT AND THE UNOFFICIALS HAD DONE SO WHILE RECEIVING REPRESENTATIONS FROM THOSE AFFECTED.
.IF THERE WERE ANY 'GIVING IN’ IT WAS TO THE NEED FOR AN URGENT DECISION RATHER THAN THE CONTENT OF THE DECISION ITSELF, AND I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL GRATEFUL TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR ACCEPTING OUR SUGGESTION THAT THIS DEBATE BE ADVANCED TO TODAY,+ HE SAID.
/+IT HAS....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 16
.IT WAS, AND IT REMAINS, THE JUDGEMENT OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL THAT IT WAS THE SPEED WITH WHICH THEY REACHED THEIR AGREED POSITION ON THESE BILLS, AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT ANNOUNCEMENT TO THIS EFFECT, WHICH DEFUSED A DANGEROUS SITUATION,*
HE STRESSED.
.A DANGEROUS SITUATION, I MIGHT ADD, WHICH THREATENED THE VERY STABILITY WE ALL RECOGNISE AS HAVING SUCH SPECIAL IMPORTANCE AT THIS TIME,*
.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE POLICE FORCE *
WHO REACTED WITH SUCH COMPETENCE AND PROFESSIONALISM TO EVENTS WHICH TOOK MOST OF US BY SURPRISE*
.
-------------0------------
BILLS SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN AND TAXI FARE INCREASE FROZEN * *
*
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER WITHDRAWING THE TWO BILLS AND FREEZING THE INCREASE IN TAXI FARES, PENDING A REVIEW OF THE TAXI POLICY AND EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS, SAID THE HON ANDREW SO.
HE SAID THE SUBJECTS OF TODAY’S DEBATE WERE INOPPORTUNE.
.THE WIDE RANGES OF THE INCREASES HAVE PROVOKED RESENTMENT, WHICH IS CONTRARY TO HONG KONG’S CONSISTENT POLICY OF CARING FOR THE PEOPLE AND TRYING ITS BEST TO MAINTAIN STABILITY.*
MR SO ALSO NOTED THERE WAS A TIME GAP IN THE INCREASE OF 17 PER CENT IN TAXI FARES AND THE INCREASE IN LICENCE FEES.
HE SAID THAT SUCH A FEINT WAS UNFAIR.
LONG-TERM, GRADUAL TAXI MEASURES PROPOSED * *
*
THE CALL FOR GRADUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF A LONG-TERM TAXI POLICY WAS MADE BY THE HON F.K. HU, IN SPEAKING ON THE TWO BILLS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE PROPOSALS NOW CONTAINED IN THE TWO BILLS WERE BOTH ABRUPT AND DRASTIC, MR HU ADDED.
OPPOSING THE BILLS, MR HU SAID THAT THE ROLE OF TAXIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF OVERALL TRANSPORT POLICY.
TAXIS, HE SAID, WERE +A LUXURIOUS MODE OF TRANSPORT*
CONVENIENT TO THE USER WILLING TO PAY FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF SUCH CONVENIENCE. THE FARES. HE SAID, SHOULD BRING REASONABLE RETURN TO THE TAXI OWNERS AND DRIVERS WHOSE INVESTMENT AND EFFORT MUST BE SUITABLY REWARDED.
/+TAXIS ARE...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 17 -
.TAXIS ARE A MEANS OF TRANSPORT WHICH MUST STRICKE A BALANCE AMONG SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC WHO ARE PREPARED TO PAY SUITABLY FOR THE SERVICE, REASONABLE RETURN TO TAXI OWNERS AND DRIVERS WHOSE LIVELIHOOD AND EMPLOYMENT SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND WITH DUE CONSIDERATION TO REDUCING CONGESTION OF OUR ROAD SYSTEM.
.THIS IS A LONG-TERM TAXI POLICY WHICH I FULLY SUPPORT,. HE SAID.
THE TWO BILLS. HE SAID WERE AIMED AT FULFILMENT OF THE LONG-TERM TAXI POLICY, BUT OVERLOOKED THE IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL IMPLICATION AND BURDEN OF THE TAXI OWNERS AND DRIVERS WHO COULD NOT AFFORD THEM.
HE SAID HE WOULD WELCOME RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE BILLS IN A MORE MODERATE FORM ACCEPTABLE TO ALL PARTIES CONCERNED — WITHIN THE SPIRIT OF THE LONG-TERM TAXI POLICY, WHICH HE SUPPORTED.
------------0------------
TAXI OPERATORS HAD VALID COMPLAINT * *
*
M
IN HONG KONG’S FREE ECONOMY, THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES OF PROFITABILITY FOR ANY BUSINESS, BUT TAXI OPERATORS HAD A VALID COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE INCREASES, THE HON K.C. CHAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
.BEFORE TENDERING FOR THEIR TAXIS THEY MUST HAVE DONE THEIR COSTING ON A SET OF KNOWN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS TENDER PRICE, CAPITAL AND RECURRENT EXPENSES.
.THE SUDDEN BIG INCREASE THROWS THEIR SUMS OUT OF BALANCE THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN,+ HE SAID.
.PERHAPS, AT A GIVEN DATE ALL RECENTLY TENDERED TAXIS SHOULD BE REGISTERED AT THE OLD RATE AND THE NEXT LOT OF TAXI TENDER SHOULD BE GIVEN THE NEW RATE.
.THERE LIE THE TWO KEYS FOR A SOLUTION AND ANY AMENDMENTS OR FUTURE BILLS SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE HARDSHIPS CF THE TAXI TRADE AIRED RECENTLY,. HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE, AND ANY INDIVIDUAL, WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BILLS.
HE ALSO PRAISED THE POLICE AND OTHER DISCIPLINARY FORCES CONCERNED FOR THEIR PROFESSIONALISM IN HANDLING THE RIOTS AND THE TAXI DRIVERS FOR BEING SO SENSIBLE IN QUICK DISPERSAL OF THEIR TAXIS DURING THE RIOT.
------------0------------
/is ..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984 - 1￡ -
LOGIC BEHIND TAXI MEASURES CRITICISED * *
*
*
*
THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID HE OPPOSED THE TWO BILLS BECAUSE HE COULD NOT RECONCILE THE LOGIC BEHIND THE PROPOSED TAX AND OTHER INCREASES WITH THE LOGIC BEHIND THE PROPOSAL TO IMPOSE A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON TAXI LICENCES.
.
IN MY OPINION, THE TWO PROPOSALS, IF IMPLEMENTED TOGETHER, WILL GENERATE CONTRADICTORY EFFECTS,. HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ACCORDING TO THE TAXI REVIEW REPORT, TAXIS WERE MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO ROAD CONGESTION, AND HE FELT THAT THE PROPOSED FISCAL MEASURES WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF GENERATING EVEN GREATER CONGESTION. BECAUSE MORE EMPTY TAXIS WOULD BE CRUISING AROUND THAN AT PRESENT.
TAXIS OPERATORS WERE ALREADY OPERATING ON RELATIVELY THIN PROFIT MARGINS AND ON A KNIFE EDGE OF LIQUIDITY SO THE INCREASED CHARGES WERE UNLIKELY TO BE ABSORBED AND THE PROPOSED INCREASES WERE BOUND TO BE PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS, IN THE FORM OF INCREASES IN FARES.
AT PRESENT, ALREADY 40 PER CENT OF ALL TAXIS WERE CRUISING AROUND EMPTY, HE SAID.
.
THIS IMPLIES THAT THE CURRENT LEVEL OF FARES HAS ALREADY GIVEN RISE TO A CERTAIN LEVEL OF CONSUMER RESISTANCE.
.
IF FARES ARE TO BE FURTHER INCREASED, THE LEVEL OF PATRONAGE WILL SURELY BE REDUCED FURTHER,. HE SAID.
.
THIS MEANS MORE EMPTY TAXIS WILL CRUISE AROUND TO A GREATER EXTENT THAN AT PRESENT. THIS MUST IN TURN CAUSE EVEN GREATER CONGESTION, LEADING TO MORE TIME BEING LOST IN CONVEYING PEOPLE AND GOODS, WITH ALL THAT ENTAILS FOR THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR ECONOMY,+ HE ADDED.
HAVING ANALYSED THE STRUCTURE OF THE TAXI TRADE IN HONG KONG, l*
R CHEONG POINTED OUT THAT IN ANY INCREASE OF OPERATING COSTS, IT WAS THE TAXI DRIVER ALONE WHO SUSTAINED A REDUCTION IN REAL INCOME AND WHO SUFFERED MOST.
.IT SEEMS TO BE THAT THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY DRIVERS, WHO REPRESENT NUMERICAL MAJORITY IN THE TRADE, IS NOT READILY UNDERSTOOD BY THE ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS ONE FACET OF THE TRADE THAT I BELIEVE THE REVIEW COMMITTEE HAS NOT EXAMINED ADEQUATELY.
.GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS AND THE DIFFICULTIES UNDER WHICH TAXI DRIVERS EARN THEIR LIVING, AND HAVING REGARD TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO ORGANISATION THAT REPRESENTS THEIR INTERESTS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOULD CONSIDER WAYS AND MEANS BY WHICH THE VIEWS OF TAXI DRIVERS COULD BE TAPPED AND BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THOSE WHO FORMULATE TRANSPORT POLICY.
/+THIS IS...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUABY 18, 1984
- 19 -
.THIS IS A COMMUNICATION GAP WHICH I AM CONVINCED MUST BE CLOSED - BEFORE THIS PACKAGE CAN BE BROUGHT INTO BALANCE,*
HE SAID.
FORMULATION OF TRANSPORT POLICY WAS NOT AN EASY TASK AND REQUIRED VERY CAREFUL BALANCING AMONG VARIOUS CONFLICTING INTERESTS CF THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
MANY A TIME, PAINFUL DECISIONS HAD TO BE MADE WHICH SEEMED UNREASONABLE TO ONE PARTICULAR SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY, WHEN IN FACT THOSE DECISIONS WERE MADE IN THE INTEREST OF THE COMMON GOOD, HE SAID.
------------0------------
RECONSIDERATION OF POLICY URGED M *
M X
THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG URGED THE AUTHORITIES +TO RECONSIDER THE TAXI POLICY IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS..
.HISTORY HAS A WAY OF REPEATING ITSELF, SO I CALL HERE AND NOW FOR A VERY CAREFUL REVIEW OF THE CONSULTATION PROCESS TAKEN BEFORE FORMULATING THIS POLICY AND THE PUBLIC RELATIONS MEASURES TAKEN IN THE EVENT LEADING UP TO THE TAXI STRIKE,*
HE SAID.
.THERE IS A LESSON TO BE LEARNED HERE AND WE SHOULD PREVENT SIMILAR INCIDENTS FROM OCCURRING IN FUTURE..
.IN A STRIKE, THERE ARE NO WINNERS BUT ONLY LOSERS, THE DRIVERS LOSING THEIR WAGES, THE OPERATORS LOSING THEIR EARNINGS, AND THE PUBLIC BEING INCONVENIENCED BY LOSING ITS MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE GOVERNMENT LOSING ITS CRED IBILITY.+
TAXIS HAD AN IMPORTANT JOB OF KEEPING HONG KONG MOVING, AND l€ DISAGREED WITH THE POLICY OF TREATING TAXIS AS PERSONALISED TRANSPORT, HE SAID.
THEY WERE NOT FOR PERSONAL PLEASURE, HE SAID.
.THEREFORE THE ARGUMENT TO INCREASE THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AND LICENCE FEES FOR TAXIS BECAUSE THEY ARE PERSONALISED TRANSPORT DOES NOT HOLD, AND THE POLICY SHOULD BE GIVEN FURTHER CONS(DERATION,. HE SAID.
HE PROPOSED THAT THE BILLS BE DEFERRED +UNTIL AFTER THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY ASSESSED..
MR CHEUNG STRESSED THAT HIS OPPOSITION TO THE BILLS WAS NOT DUE TO PRESSURE OR INTIMIDATION.
.I CONDEMN THE STRIKE ACTION TAKEN BY THE TAXI TRADE, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT SHOWED COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR THE PUBLIC, BUT ALSO BECAUSE IT INDIRECTLY PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY WHICH BAD ELEMENTS EXPLOITED,+ HE ADDED.
.THE RECENT EVENTS WERE WIDELY REPORTED ALL OVER THE WORLD AND IN SUCH A SENSITIVE TIME, THIS SORT OF PUBLICITY CAN ONLY DO HONG KONG HARM,+ HE STRESSED.
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/2O ..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1934
20 .EXCESSIVE C0NTR0L+ OVER TAXIS CLAIMED ft ft ft ft
THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW CRITICISED THE ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS .EXCESSIVE CONTROL OVER THE VIABILITY OF THE TAXI TRADE+.
.ON THE ONE HAND IT SEEKS TO CONTROL SUPPLY AND DEMAND, AS WELL AS POTENTIAL REVENUE TO THE TRADE, BY REGULATING THE NUMBER CF LICENCES ISSUED AND THE FARES CHARGED,. SHE SAID.
.ON THE OTHER IT DETERMINES A SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTION OF THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE TRADE THROUGH TENDERING, REGISTRATION TAX, ANNUAL LICENCE FEE AND SURCHARGE ON DIESEL ENGINES, LEAVING LITTLE ROOM FOR OPERATORS TO MANOEUVRE.+
MRS CHOW SAID THIS WAS +CERTAINLY AN EXCEPTION TO THE OVERALL SPIRIT OF FREE ENTERPRISE ON WHICH MUCH OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IS BASED.
EARLIER IN HER SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MRS CHOW SAID THAT SHE OPPOSED THE BILLS BECAUSE THE TIMING WAS WRONG. +WHATEVER CONSULTATION HAD BEEN UNDERTAKEN HAD OBVIOUSLY NOT BEEN ADEQUATE AND THOROUGH ENOUGH TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE VIEWS OF THE TAXI TRADE AND SHE DID NOT AGREE WITH THE LOGIC ON WHICH THE PROPOSED BILLS WERE BASED,. SHE SAID.
.AS THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT STATED QUITE CLEARLY, THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE MUST BE TO KEEP HONG KONG MOVING.
.HOWEVER, APART FROM THE MORATORIUM ON URBAN TAXIS, I FAIL TO SEE HOW ANY OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS IN THE PACKAGE WOULD HELP TO KEEP HONG KONG MOVING ANY MORE SMOOTHLY THAN IT HAS DONE,+ SHE SAID.
.IN FACT THE INCREASE IN TAXI FARE MIGHT LEAD TO A DROP IN DEMAND. RESULTING NOT SO MUCH IN ADDITIONAL TAXI MOVEMENT, FOR WHETHER VACANT OR OCCUPIED THEY WOULD REMAIN ON THE ROAD ANYWAY, BUT IN MORE EMPTY TAXIS CRUISING, THEREBY PUSHING UP THE DISTANCE PRESENTLY COVERED BY VACANT TAXIS.
.IF THE PURPOSE IS TO UPGRADE THE EFFICIENCY OF TAXI TRANSPORT, THEN SURELY ANY MEASURES INTRODUCED SHOULD BE AIMED AT CUTTING DOWN THE CRUISING TIME OF VACANT TAXIS,. SHE SAID.
SHE FELT THAT TO DENY TAXIS PUBLIC TRANSPORT STATUS COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS THEY CARRIED EACH DAY (1.03 MILLION) HAD BEEN SHOWN IN A SEPTEMBER 1983 REVIEW TO BE ALMOST AS MANY AS THE MTR (1.17M), SHE SAID.
SHE MAINTAINED THAT TAXIS WERE +A MODE OF TRANSPORT WIDELY USED BY A FAIRLY MAJOR PORTION OF OUR TRAVELLING PUBLIC*
.
ON THE SURCHARGE ON DIESEL ENGINES, SHE RECALLED THAT THIS WAS INTRODUCED IN MAY 1982 BECAUSE THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN INDIRECT TAX ON PETROL AND NONE ON DIESEL FUEL.
.LAST YEAR THE INDIRECT TAX ON DIESEL WAS INTRODUCED, BUT THE SURCHARGE REMAINED.
.THIS ALREADY REPRESENTS A DOUBLE TAX ON DIESEL ENGINES. THE FACT THAT TWICE THE AMOUNT IS NOW PROPOSED FOR TAXIS SEEMS DOUBLY UNFAIR,*
SHE NOTED.
-------------□---------------- .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 21 -
HAVE FAITH IN UMELCO, PEOPLE URGED K K K M X
IF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE FAITH IN UMELCO, THEY MUST ALLOW ITS MEMBERS TO DO THEIR JOB IN GOOD TIME, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO THE TWO BILLS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SHE ADDEDi + IF WE WANT HONG KONG TO ENJOY PROSPERITY AND STABILITY, WE MUST PLAY OUR PART AS RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.+
DR IP SAID SHE OPPOSED BOTH BILLS WITHOUT AMENDMENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONSi
FIRSTLY, ONE BILL IMPOSES AN UNFAIR INCREASE IN THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX FOR THOSE 873 TAXIS TENDERED UNDER THE PREVIOUS TAX SCHEDULE WHICH HAVE YET TO BE REGISTERED,
SECONDLY, THE INCREASE IN THE ANNUAL LICENCE FEE FOR TAXIS IS +TOO HIGH, TOO SUDDEN AND WRONGLY TIMED+, AND
LASTLY, MANY POINTS IN THE BILLS NEEDED TO BE QUESTIONED.
SUGGESTING ALTERNATIVE WAYS FOR REVENUE PROTECTION, SHE SAID ONE WAY MIGHT BE BY SPECIFYING THE RETROACTIVE DATE AS THE DATE CF THE FIRST READING OF A BILL.
TWO OTHER BILLS HAD RECENTLY BEEN DEEMED TO BE EFFECTIVE ON A DATE PRECEDING THE FINAL READING, SHE RECALLED.
THE SUBSEQUENT COLLECTION OF HIGHER CHARGES WAS A TECHNICAL PROBLEM WHICH A RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT COULD MANAGE, SHE SAID.
PROPOSED INCREASES FELT ’TOO HIGH’ * *
*
THE RATES OF INCREASES PROPOSED IN THE PACKAGE WERE TOO HIGH FOR THE CURRENT TAXI TRADE, AND INADEQUATE CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE HARDSHIP ON INDIVIDUAL TAXI OWNERS, DRIVERS AND THOSE TENDERERS WHO HAD NOT YET PURCHASED THEIR TAXIS, THE HON CHAN YING-LUN SAID.
.THE BILLS ARE PARTICULARLY UNFAIR TO ALL OF THE 873 SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS FROM THE PREVIOUS TENDER EXERCISE BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT ANTICIPATED THE ADDITIONAL COST OF $32 200 FOR PURCHASING A NEW TAXI WHEN THEY SUBMITTED THEIR TENDERS,. HE SAID.
AS FOR THE ARGUMENT OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT THAT TAXIS SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE PRIVATE CARS AND NOT PUBLIC TRANSPORT, CHAN FOUND THIS DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT AS STATISTICS SHOWED THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1983 TAXIS CARRIED ALMOST AS MANY PASSENGERS AS THE MTR.
HE HOPED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE TAXI TRADE AND SOUND OUT THOSE WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSALS BEFORE COMING UP WITH A MORE ACCEPTABLE POLICY NEXT TIME.
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/22 ...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
22
LEGCO MUST ENSURE FAIRNESS OF BILLS * *
*
*
*
THE HON MRS RITA FAN SAID THAT THE INCREASES PROPOSED IN THE TWO BILLS SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
WHILE SUPPORTING THE OBSERVATION OF THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG ON THE DIFFICULTY OF A FOOL-PROOF TRANSPORT POLICY, SHE SAID, +HOWEVER, IT IS THE DUTY OF THIS COUNCIL TO ENSURE THAT BILLS PASSED ARE FAIR AND EQUITABLE, AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.+
SHE NOTED THAT THE TAXI TRADE, ESPECIALLY THE TAXI DRIVERS, HAD SEEN THE BILLS AS A DIRECT THREAT TO THEIR LIVELIHOOD.
.THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, ANNUAL LICENCE FEES AND DIESEL ENGINE SURCHARGE ARE INDEED STEEP, AND THE SYMPATHY CF THE COMMUNITY IS LARGELY TOWARDS THE TAXI TRADE ON THIS OCCASION.
.WHILE THE FIGURES QUOTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT LENT SOME GROUNDS OF SUPPORT TO THE PROPOSED PACKAGE OF MEASURES, THE QUESTION REMAINS WHETHER SUCH A LEVEL OF INCREASES, IMPLEMENTED AT ONE STROKE, IS INDEED TOO HEAVY A BURDEN FOR THE TAXI TRADE,+ SHE SAID.
MRS FAN ALSO QUERIED PROPOSED INCREASES.
THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE TIMING OF THE
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST WEDNESDAY AND WOULD HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE FROM THAT DATE IF APPROVED.
.THIS MEANS THAT A NUMBER OF TAXI OWNERS WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE PROPOSED ANNUAL LICENCE FEE AND DIESEL ENGINE SURCHARGE AT THE END CF THE LUNAR YEAR.
.AROUND THIS PERIOD, THE MAJORITY, IF NOT ALL, OF CHINESE FAMILIES INCUR ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL CUSTOM.
%
.ANY LARGE AMOUNT OF CASH OUTLAY WHICH IS NOT BUDGETED FOR DURING THE YEAR CAN CAUSE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY,+ SHE SAID.
.THERE IS, THEREFORE, GRAVE DOUBT IN MY MIND AS TO THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE TIMING OF THE PROPOSED INCREASES.*
SHE EXPRESSED REGRET THAT THE TAXI TRADE HAD REACTED WITH A STRIKE.
.WHILE THEIR SENTIMENTS AND GRIEVANCES ARE UNDERSTANDABLE, AND HAVE MY SYMPATHY. I NEVERTHELESS REGRET THAT THEY HAVE CHOSEN SUCH A DRASTIC METHOD'TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS.
.I BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE APPROPRIATE AND FAR MORE RATIONAL METHODS THAT CAN BE ADOPTED TO ACHIEVE THE SAME A IM.WITHOUT DISTURBING OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY,+ SHE STRESSED.
.THE TAXI SERVICE FULFILS A COMMUNITY NEED, BUT IF TAXIS ARE PERCEIVED AS INSTRUMENTS FOR BLOCKING TRAFFIC, PUBLIC SUPPORT AND SYMPATHY IS BOUND TO DETERIORATE VERY QUICKLY,+ SHE WARNED.
------------o---------------
‧ 3...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 23 -
ROLE OF TAXIS IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT STRESSED
* *
*
X *
THE HON MRS PAULINE NG SAID THAT SHE COULD NOT AGREE WITH THE OBSERVATION THAT TAXIS WERE A FORM OF PERSONALISED TRANSPORT AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS PRIVATE CARS AND NOT AS A MEANS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY PROVED THAT TAXIS HAD BECOME A DAILY MEANS OF TRANSPORT FOR PEOPLE.
.WE TAKE TAXIS WHENEVER WE WANT TO GO TO PLACES NOT SERVED BY BUS AND MINIBUS.
.IF WE WANT TO SEND AN AILING FAMILY MEMBER TO THE HOSPITAL OR ARE IN A HURRY TO ATTEND URGENT MATTERS, OR WHEN WE ARE GOING OUT WITH OLD PEOPLE OR YOUNG CHILDREN WHICH MAKES BOARDING A CROWDED BUS DIFFICULT, TAXIS BECOME THE NECESSARY MEANS OF TRANSPORT,+ SHE SAID.
SHE SAID SHE DOUBTED WHETHER THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND TAXI OPERATORS*
UNIONS HAD BEEN CONSULTED.
IF THEY HAD BEEN CONSULTED, THE TAXI STRIKE WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED, SHE SAID.
SHE FELT THAT THIS REFLECTED A NEED FOR A REVIEW OF +THE PROCESS AND DEPTH OF CONSULTATIONS+.
SHE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD IN FUTURE SOUND OUT PUBLIC OPINION SUFFICIENTLY, TO AVOID COMMITTING THE SAME MISTAKE.
HARDSHIP ON TAXI OPERATORS STRESSED * *
*
*
A MORE IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE FINANCIAL ASPECT OF TAXI OPERATORS AND MORE DETAILED INFORMATION FROM THOSE IN THE BUSINESS WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE GOVERNMENT A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR PROBLEMS, THE HON PETER POON SAID.
NOTING THAT THE TAXI TRADE WAS COMPLEX AND FRAGMENTED, HE SAID THE STATISTICS AND EVIDENCE COLLECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT NOT BE TOTALLY CORRECT.
MR POON SAID THAT THE REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS STRESSED THAT OF THE PROPOSED 17 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE TAXI FARE, 7.5 PER CENT WOULD NOT COVER THE ADDITIONAL LEVIES WHICH THE BILLS SOUGHT TO IMPOSE.
.IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT ONE OF THE MAIN CONSIDERATIONS CF IMPOSING A NEW TAX IS AFFORDABIL ITY,. HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 24 -
.FROM THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED TO US, IT IS EVIDENT THAT MANY TAXI OPERATORS ARE EITHER MAKING SMALL LOSSES OR JUST BREAKING EVEN AND SEVERAL TAXI FIRMS HAVE GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. THEIR PROFIT AS WELL AS TAXI DRIVERS’ INCOME HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED,*
HE SAID.
THERE WOULD THUS BE GENUINE HARDSHIP IF THE PROPOSED SHARP AND SUDDEN INCREASES WERE TO BE INTRODUCED AT THIS TIME, HOWEVER JUSTIFIED AS A TRANSPORT OBJECTIVE, MR POON STRESSED.
-------0------
BADLY HANDLED INCIDENT COULD PRECIPITATE CRISIS * X X *
*
AN INCIDENT, IF BADLY HANDLED, MIGHT LEAD TO A SOCIAL CRISIS AND GIVE PEOPLE AN UNEASY FEELING, THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE RECENT STRIKES OF THE TAXI MEN AND THE STREET DISTURBANCES WERE CITED BY MR YEUNG AS EXAMPLES FROM WHICH THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT DRAW LESSONS.
MR YEUNG CONCURRED WITH THE GROUNDS OF OBJECTION RAISED BY OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO THE TWO BILLS.
HE THEN RAISED THE FOLLOWING POINTS FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSIDERATION!
* THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED THE ’PROTECTION OF REVENUE ORDER’ IN AN EXTRA ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE TO INCREASE FEES OF TAXIS, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. THE TERM +IMMEDIATE EFFECT*
WAS ENOUGH TO PROVOKE ANXIETY AND RESENTMENT FROM THE PEOPLE.
X BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED ANYTHING, IT SHOULD CAREFULLY AND REPEATEDLY CONSIDER WHETHER THE PROPOSAL WAS ENDOWED WITH REASONS ACCEPTABLE TO THE PUBLIC, IN PARTICULAR IF THE PROPOSAL WOULD AFFECT THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF THE PEOPLE CONCERNED.
X GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SHOULD REVIEW THE REASONS FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND TAKE APPROPRIATE AND EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO COUNTER THEM. IT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD THAT ONLY TRUE DATA PLUS CORRECT ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT COULD HELP AVOID REPETITION OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS.
HE ALSO SAID THE POLICE DESERVED TO BE PRAISED FOR THEIR APPROPRIATE ACTION IN HANDLING THE STRIKES AND FOR THEIR STRONG AND EFFECTIVE METHODS IN DEALING WITH THE DISTURBANCES.
/‘-i ................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
25
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE AND LADY YOUDE WILL BE RETURNING TO HONG KONG TOMORROW (THURSDAY) WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
THEY WILL LEAVE LONDON ON FLIGHT BR 382, AND THEIR ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG IS 6.20 PM.
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WHO WILL ACCOMPANY SIR EDWARD ON HIS RETURN TRIP WILL INCLUDE SIR S.Y. CHUNG, MR ROGER LOBO, MR MICHAEL SANDBERG, MR T.S. LO, MISS LYDIA DUNN AND MISS MARIA TAM.
A PRESS FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER THE GROUP’S ARRIVAL. THEY SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL NOT LATER THAN 5.20 PM TOMORROW.
NEW BANK OF CHINA SITE GRANT SIGNED
*****
THE CONDITIONS OF GRANT FOR THE SITE IN CENTRAL ON WHICH THE NEW BANK OF CHINA BUILDING WILL BE CONSTRUCTED WERE SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHEN HUNG, SENIOR DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER, SIGNED FOR THE BANK OF CHINA, WHILE THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, MR JOHN TODD, SIGNED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
THE BANK OF CHINA AGREED TO BUY THE SITE, BOUNDED BY GARDEN ROAD, QUEENSWAY AND COTTON TREE DRIVE, IN AUGUST, 1982, FOR A PREMIUM OF #1 000 MILLION. UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT, THE BANK HAS MADE THE INITIAL DOWN PAYMENT OF $60 MILLION AND THE BALANCE WILL BE PAID IN 13 EQUAL ANNUAL INSTALMENTS.
MR CHEN SAID IT WAS HIS GREAT PLEASURE TO CONCLUDE ON BEHALF OF THE BANK OF CHINA A TREATY GRANT WITH THE LANDS DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN RESPECT OF THE NEW BANK BUILDING SITE.
.IN VIEW OF THE EXPANDING HONG KONG ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO ITS EXPECTED PROSPERITY, THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS BANK HAD LONG CONTEMPLATED - AND WENT INTO NEGOTIATION IN LATE 1981 WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT - THE PURCHASE OF A GOOD SIZE SITE IN CENTRAL ON WHICH TO ERECT A NEW BUILDING TO COPE WITH THE FUTURE NEEDS OF THIS BANK.
+T0 DO THE DESIGNING, MR I.M. PEI, THE WORLD FAMOUS UNITED STATES ARCHITECT OF CHINESE DESCENT, HAS BEEN ENGAGED. BESIDES THE BUILDING ITSELF, MR PEI HAS ALSO DEVOTED GREAT EFFORT IN DESIGNING A CIRCULATING TRAFFIC SYSTEM AND SURFACE LANDSCAPING.
/+! ',70’JLD
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 26 -
.I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS ON BEHALF OF THE BANK OF CHINA OUR APPRECIATION TO THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR CLOSE CO-OPERATION AND KIND ASSISTANCE DURING THE COURSE OF NEGOTIATION AND OUR THANKS TO ALL ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, CONSULTANTS AND TRAFFIC EXPERTS IN NEW YORK AND HONG KONG, WHO PARTICIPATED IN BRINGING ABOUT THE PRESENT RESULTS OF THE PROJECT,*
MR CHEN SAID.
MR TODD SAID HE WAS VERY PLEASED TO CLEAR THIS IMPORTANT STEP IN THE BANK OF CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. DETAILED DRAWING UP OF DEVELOPMENT PLANS WITHIN THE BASIC CONSTRAINTS OF THE SITE WHICH WERE REFLECTED IN THE CONDITIONS OF GRANT COULD NOW PROCEED.
+THE SITE IS NOT AN EASY ONE TO DEVELOP,*
MR TODD SAID, +BECAUSE OF THE SURROUNDING ELEVATED PUBLIC ROADS.*
THE GOVERNMENT HAD RESPONDED FLEXIBLY TO AN IMAGINATIVE APPROACH BY THE BANK TO AMEND THE ALIGNMENT AND IMPROVE THE ROAD LINKING GARDEN ROAD AND COTTON TREE DRIVE. THIS WOULD UPGRADE ACCESS TO THE BUILDING AND BETTER REFLECT THE QUALITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSED, HE SAID.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID SITE INVESTIGATIONS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT AND WORK ON THE BUILDING - A HIGH-RISE OFFICE TOWER ERECTED ON A PODIUM STRUCTURE CONTAINING THE MAIN BANKING HALLS WITH VEHICLE PARKING BENEATH - IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE LATER THIS YEAR.
THE MAXIMUM GROSS FLOOR AREA OF THE BUILDING PERMITTED UNDER THE GRANT CONDITIONS WAS JUST OVER 100 000 SQUARE METRES.
A PORTION OF THE SITE FRONTING GARDEN ROAD, RESERVED FOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE, WOULD BE DESIGNED AND LANDSCAPED AS PART OF THE PROJECT AND ON COMPLETION WOULD BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE UPGRADED ACCESS TO THE NEW BUILDING WOULD ALSO IMPROVE ACCESS POTENTIAL FOR THE OTHER CROWN LAND SITE IMMEDIATELY TO THE SOUTH. THIS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON REMOVAL OF THE TEMPORARY FIRE STATION NOW ON THE SITE.
------------0------------
FIVE CROWN LAND SITES SOLD AT AUCTION * M *
*
*
FIVE PIECES OF CROWN LAND WERE SOLD FOR MORE THAN $94 MILLION AT AN AUCTION AT THE FURAMA HOTEL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ONE OF THE SITES, IN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, WONG TAI SIN, WHICH IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND MEASURES 2 616 SQUARE METRES WAS BOUGHT BY OVERSKIP COMPANY LIMITED FOR $47.5 MILLION ($18 157 PER SQUARE METRE). BIDDING OPENED AT $20 MILLION.
A SITE ON THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION MEASURING 4 115 SQUARE METRES, WHICH IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND GODOWN DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS FOR CARGO HANDLING AND CONCRETE BATCHING USE, WAS SOLD FOR $17.8 MILLION ($4 326 PER SQUARE METRE), BIDDING OPENING AT $6 MILLION. THE BUYER WAS HONG TAI YUEN LTD.
/frc?>. a?. .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984
- 27 -
FROM AN OPENING BID OF $9 MILLION, A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL LOT IN TUEN MUN MEASURING 0 196 SQUARE METRES WAS EVENTUALLY BOUGHT FOR $14.5 MILLION ($1 769 PER SQUARE METRE). THE PURCHASER WAS STARLITE LAND DEVELOPMENT CO. PTE. LTD.
A SIMILAR LOT IN SHA TIN MEASURING 2 900 SQUARE METRES WAS BOUGHT BY UBC (KONG KONG) LIMITED FOR $1.5 MILLION ($517 PER SQUARE KTRE), $0.2 MILLION OVER THE OPENING BID.
THE LAST SITE, MEASURING 6 400 SQUARE METRES WAS SOLD AT ITS OPENING PRICE OF $13 MILLION ($2 031 PER SQUARE METRE). IT IS ALSO IN SHA TIN AND WAS BOUGHT BY DIGITAL EQUIPMENT INTERNATIONAL LTD. FOR INDUSTRIAL AND GODOWN DEVELOPMENT.
THE AUCTIONEER TODAY WAS GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR BOB POPE.
------------0------------
BIG DROP IN BIRTH RATE * *
*
THERE HAS BEEN A BIG DECLINE IN THE BIRTH RATE IN HONG KONG OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES, ACCORDING TO A REPORT ON DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS IN HONG KONG FROM 1971 TO 1982.
AT THE LEVEL PREVAILING BY 1982, THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF BIRTHS PER WOMAN DURING HER REPRODUCTIVE AGE (BETWEEN 15 AND 49) WAS LESS THAN TWO, THE REPORT PREPARED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOWS.
.THIS LEVEL OF FERTILITY, IF UNCHANGED, WOULD BE INSUFFICIENT FOR A GENERATION TO REPLACE ITSELF,. THE REPORT INDICATES,,
THE ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWS THAT ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF CHILDBEARING IS COMPLETED WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF MARRIAGE.
UNLIKE THE BIRTH RATE, HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN UPWARD TREND IN THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF MARRIAGES THROUGHOUT THE 1970'S, WITH THE NUMBER IN 1982 BEING ALMOST TWICE THAT OF 1971. THIS GROWTH IS A RESULT OF THE BULGE IN BIRTHS DURING THE 195O’S LEADING TO A BULGE CURRENTLY IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS IN THE MARRIAGEABLE AGE GROUPS. ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THE PEAK AGES FOR FIRST MARRIAGE IN THE CASE OF MALES ARE 30 TO 34 AND THOSE FOR FEMALES ARE 25 TO 29, WITH AN AVERAGE AGE AT FIRST MARRIAGE OF 28 FOR MEN AND 24 FOR WOMEN.
MORTALITY DECLINED STEADILY OVER THE PERIOD 1971-82. THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE FALL IN DEATH RATES DURING INFANCY, CHILDHOOD AND AT THE YOUNG ADULT AGES, BUT THE IMPROVEMENT DECREASES WITH AGE. IN GENERAL. IMPROVEMENT FOR MALES IS GREATER THAN FOR FEMALES. BY 1981 A MALE BABY COULD EXPECT TO LIVE, ON AVERAGE, 72 YEARS AND A FEMALE BABY 78 YEARS. THE CORRESPONDING EXPECTATIONS OF LIFE FOR 1971 WERE 68 AND 76 YEARS RESPECTIVELY.
THE REPORT CONTAINS MANY MORE FINDINGS AND DETAILED TABLES ON VITAL REGISTRATION STATISTICS ON BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $20 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, HONG KONG.
/28 ...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 28 -
GOVERNOR TO INSPECT CSD ANNUAL PARADE
M M M M
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL INSPECT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL PARADE ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 20) AFTERNOON AT THE PARADE GROUND OF THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
HE WILL ALSO PRESENT COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 32 OFFICERS FOR 18 YEARS’ EXEMPLARY SERVICE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL START AT 4 PM.
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 3 PM SHARP.
------------0------------
TSUEN KING CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND OPENED * *
*
M *
THE OPENING OF TSUEN KING CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND MARKED THE COMPLETION OF ANOTHER BADLY-NEEDED RECREATION FACILITY FOR THE LARGE TSUEN WAN TOWNSHIP IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING, MR HEYWOOD SAID THE 1.25-HECTARE PLAYGROUND CONTAINED FOUR TENNIS COURTS, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND WITH BOATING POOL AND REST GARDEN.
.THUS IT CATERS FOR ALL AGES AND BOTH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATION,. HE SAID.
THE PROJECT COST MORE THAN $5 MILLION, OF WHICH |1 MILLION WAS DONATED BY THE SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES GROUP, HE SAID.
HE THANKED THE COMPANY’S DIRECTOR FOR THE DONATION AND SAID TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS WOULD DERIVE THE RECREATIONAL BENEFIT FROM IT.
.AS ALWAYS, IT IS OUR PLEASURE AND OUR PRIVILEGE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO MANAGE LOCAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES SUCH AS THIS FOR THE BETTER ENJOYMENT OF LOCAL RESIDENTS,. HE SAID.
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE YOUNGER PEOPLE WOULD ENJOY THE PLAYGROUND, AND THE MORE ATHLETIC MEMBERS WOULD ENJOY THE TENNIS COURTS, AND THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY THE ELDER, WOULD ENJOY THE REST GARDEN.
JOINING MR HEYWOOD AT THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY WERE THE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER OF SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES GROUP, MR WALTER KWOKj THE CHAIRMAN OF RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHAU HOW-CHENJ AND THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER OF TSUEN WAN, MR A.H. HSU.
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/29 ....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
29
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IS EVOLUTIONARY ft *
*
*
*
THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME IN HONG KONG IS STILL IN ITS INFANCY AND WILL DEVELOP TO MEET LOCAL NEEDS AND CHANGING ENVIRONMENT, SAID MR WILFRED WONG, DISTRICT OFFICER OF YAU MA TEI AND MONG KOK.
.WE MUST TAKE HEED NOT TO DEPRIVE IT OF NORMAL GROWTH. LIKE WINE, IT SHOULD BE GIVEN SUFFICIENT TIME TO MATURE AND FELLOW.*
IN A LUNCHEON SPEECH TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON WEST, HE SAID NO SYSTEM, POLITICAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE. COULD BE ESTABLISHED OVERNIGHT AND NO SYSTEM WHICH IS IN THE PROCESS OF EVOLUTION COULD BE BRANDED AS PERFECT.
.GOVERNMENT IS WELL AWARE OF THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM CONTINUES TO EVOLVE TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
.IN THIS RESPECT, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IS NOW REVIEWING THE EXISTING SYSTEM TO SEE HOW IT CAN BE FURTHER IMPROVED.*
ALTHOUGH THE DISTRICT BOARDS DO NOT HAVE ANY EXECUTIVE FUNCTION, MR WONG SAID THEY HAD BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN HIGHLIGHTING DISTRICT PROBLEMS AND INFLUENCING THE WAY THESE PROBLEMS WERE TO BE DEALT WITH.
THE EXISTENCE OF DISTRICT BOARDS HAD ALSO BROUGHT ABOUT MORE SPEEDY RESPONSE FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
.THE CONCEPT OF ENCOURAGING GREATER LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE BEEN LOOKED UPON AS ONE OF THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE.
.THE 492 MEMBERS, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE UNOFFICIALS, HAVE ALL WORKED HARD TO UNDERSTAND AND SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF THEIR OWN DISTR ICTS,+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS PRESSURE AND ANXIETY FOR ACHIEVEMENTS FROM AMONG THE BOARD MEMBERS AND MORE SO FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
.ALSO, MANY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS OFTEN FEEL THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE POWER OR AUTHORITY TO EFFECT THE NECESSARY CHANGES TO MEET THE DEMAND AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE.
.AS A RESPONSIVE AND PROGRESSIVE GOVERNMENT, WE WELCOME SUCH EXPRESSIONS BUT AT THE SAME TIME SHOULD TRY TO ASSESS THEIR VALIDITY.+ HE SAID.
/THS GOVERN Ma.'T..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
THE GOVERNMENT HOPED TO IMPROVE ITS PERFORMANCE AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT BOARDS IN EACH OF THE 18 ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS.
REFERRING TO FREQUENT COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MACHINERIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES, MR WONG SAID THERE WAS AN INHERENT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.
FOR EXAMPLE, LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ARE NORMALLY IN CHARGE OF LOCAL TOWN PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF ROADS, PROVISION OF LOCAL HOUSING,WELFARE, EDUCATION, SOCIAL AND AMENITY SERVICES.
.DICTATED BY THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONFINES OF THE TERRITORY AND THE HIGH MOBILITY OF THE POPULATION, HONG KONG HAS A CENTRALISED FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND THE CIVIL SERVICE OPERATES MOST OF THE SERVICES WHICH IN OTHER COUNTRIES WOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES,*
HE SAID.
.THE CIVIL SERVICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES AS HOSPITALS, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES, URBAN CLEANSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THE POLICE FORCE.
.TO LAUNCH DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ALONG THE LINE OF THE UK MODEL WOULD ONLY BE UNECONOMICAL AND COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE.
.THEREFORE, INSTEAD OF SEEKING TO DE-CENTRALISE ALL THE GOVERNMENT SERVICES, ONE SHOULD PERHAPS LOOK INTO AREAS WHERE DISTRICT BOARD ADVICE CAN LEAD TO THE PROVISION OF BETTER SERVICES WITHOUT REQUIRING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
.A POSSIBLE AREA FOR INVESTIGATION WOULD BE THE MANAGEMENT CF IDENTIFIABLE DISTRICT COMMUNITY FACILITIES,. HE SAID.
-----------0 --------------
AVIATION CHIEF ATTENDS TALKS
*****
MR TREVOR THORPE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, LEFT FOR MANILA TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO REPRESENT HONG KONG AT AIR SERVICES TALKS BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENTS.
WHILE THERE, MR THORPE WILL ALSO HOLD DISCUSSIONS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL AVIATION INTEREST WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE BOARD OF AIR TRANSPORTATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY lb, 1984
31
PUBLIC URGED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS * *
*
STUDENTS WERE URGED TODAY TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT BOARDS BY ENCOURAGING THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS DURING THE REGISTRATION EXERCISE IN AUGUST.
THE CALL WAS MADE BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, AT THE SPEECH DAY OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL.
HE CALLED UPON THE GRADUATES TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND HELP MAKE THE DISTRICT MORE PROSPEROUS.
MR WILSON SAID KNOWLEDGE OBTAINED FROM TEXTBOOKS WAS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR STUDENTS TO COPE WITH ALL THE HAPPENINGS IN SOCIETY, AND HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTICIPATION AND EXPERIENCE.
TO THIS END, HE ENCOURAGED STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN MORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION.
SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION WAS ADVANCING RAPIDLY IN YUEN LONG, . SAID.
TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH MODERN FACILITIES WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN KAI TEI BY SEPTEMBER AND ANOTHER TWO, AT THE LONG PING ESTATE, WILL BE READY IN 1986.
A VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL WILL BE SET UP IN 1985 TO SYNCHRONISE WITH THE FAST DEVELOPING INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCES IN THE DISTRICT.
POST OFFICE NO. 95 DUE MMX
A NEW POST OFFICE WILL BE OPENED ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 20) ON THE GROUND FLOOR SHOP UNIT OF NO. 3. BLOCK D. TOWN CENTRE. GINKGO ROAD, FAIRVIEW PARK, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
IT WILL BE THE 95TH POST OFFICE IN HONG KONG.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, A SHORT OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 11 AM, PERFORMED BY MR MAN PING-NAM, THE FIRST VICE-CHAIRMAN CF THE SAN TIN RURAL COMMITTEE AND MR CLIFFORD C.F. WONG, DEVELOPER OF THE FAIRVIEW PARK. ALSO PRESENT WILL BE THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR HUGH ARDLEY, AND THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, YUEN LONG, MR T.F. LAM.
IN THE INTEREST OF PHILATELISTS, A SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE OCCASION WHEN UNREGISTERED +FIRST DAY*
COVERS PREPARED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AND BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER. THE COVERS WILL BE IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSONS PRESENTING THEM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY. - - - - 0 ----------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1984
- 32 -
CAUSEWAY BAY TRAFFIC CHANGES * *
*
*
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CAUSEWAY BAY FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 20).
THE EASTERN SIDE OF YUN PING ROAD BETWEEN KAI CHIU ROAD AND LAN FONG ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS URBAN CLEARWAY. NO MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP THERE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.
THE CLEARWAY HOURS AT KAI CHIU ROAD BEWEEN HOUSE NO 16 AND JARDINE’S CRESCENT, AND JARDINE’S CRESCENT BETWEEN KAI CHIU ROAD AND JARDINE’S BAZAAR, WILL BE EXTENDED TO 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
HOWEVER, THE EXISTING CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON YUN PING ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NO 54 AND KAI CHIU ROAD WILL BE LIFTED.
LAN FONG ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED TO ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.
MOREOVER, PAK SHA ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND. ACCESS TO PAK SHA ROAD WILL BE VIA YUN PING ROAD.
------------0---------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
USE PROPER CHANNEL POR PUBLIC VIEWS - GOVERNOR .......................................... 1
SIR PHILIP SEES DEVELOPMENTS DI STANLEY................................................................ 2
ORDERS-ON-HAND REMADJ AT HIGH LEVEL ............................................................................. 3
HK'S ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS RECOGNISED BY UN AGENCY .......................................... 6
MORE AND BETTER SERVICES FOR ELDERLY .......................................................................... 7
TAI PO BYPASS BRIDGE SEGMENT LAUNCHED ...................................................................... 8
INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE IN SHAM SHUI PO PROPOSED ............................................. 9
TUEN MUN TO GET ANOTHER BUS STATION ............................................................................ 10
SCIENCE FICTION WRITING COMPETITION ............................................................................. 11
MUSIC CENTRE OPENING ............................................................................................................................ 12
EXHIBITION TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ON MENTAL HEALTH ............................................. 12
EYE CLINIC MOVING ...................................................................................................................................... 13
SURVEY ON EDUCATION OF FISHERMEN'S CHILDREN ................................................... 13
NEW VILLAGE FOR FISHERMEN ............................................................................................................ 14
EMPLOYMENT SERVICE MOVING OFFICE...................................................................................... 14
BOARD MEMBERS SEE WORKS PROJECTS ...................................................................................... 15
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR SHA TIN MARATHON ................................................................................... 15
RESTRICTED ZONES ........................................................................................................................................ 16
URBAN CLEARWAY NAMED ............................................................................................................................ 16
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984
1
USE PROPER CHANNEL FOR
* *
PUBLIC VIEWS - GOVERNOR
THERE IS NO REASON AT ALL TO INTERPRET THE CHANGE OF THE LEADER OF THE CHINESE DELEGATION TO THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AS A DOWNGRADING OF THE TALKS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY.
SIR EDWARD WAS REPLYING TO A REPORTER WHO ASKED ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE REPLACEMENT OF MR YAO GUANG BY MR ZHOU NAN AS LEADER OF THE CHINESE TEAM.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT WHILE HE WAS AWAY, HE HAD BEEN KEPT FULLY INFORMED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY ABOUT THE TAXI DRIVER DISPUTE AND THE STREET DISTURBANCES ON JANUARY 13.
+1 WAS VERY CONCERNED INDEED TO HEAR OF THOSE DISTURBANCES AND I THINK THEY WILL BE CONDEMNED BY EVERYBODY WHO HAS HONG KONG’S BEST INTEREST AT HEART,+ HE SAID AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM LONDON.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HAS ALSO HEARD OF THE DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE REGISTRATION TAX AND LICENCE FEES FOR TAXIS.
.WHAT THAT HAS SHOWN IS THAT THERE IS A CHANNEL IN HONG KONG FOR THE EXPRESSION OF PUBLIC VIEWS,+ HE SAID. +AND THAT IS THE CHANNEL WHICH SHOULD BE USED.+
.
IT WILL NOW BE FOR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO REVIEW THE WHOLE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS IN THE LIGHT OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THAT DEBATE,+ HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WAS BADLY ADVISED ON THE TAXIS ISSUE, SIR EDWARD SAID, +1 THINK EXCO TOOK THE DECISION TO INTRODUCE IT INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR DEBATE, AND THAT IS WHAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DOES IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY TO DEBATE THESE ISSUES.+
ON HIS TRIP TO LONDON TOGETHER WITH THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS CF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR EDWARD SAID THEY HAD A SERIES OF INTENSIVE MEETINGS WITH THE PRIME MINISTER AND OTHER MINISTERS.
.
WE WERE ABLE TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TALKS IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT ROUND WHEN SIR RICHARD EVANS WILL BE TAKING OVER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DELEGATION.
.
THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY ONCE AGAIN REITERATED THE IMPORTANCE WHICH THEY ATTACH TO KEEPING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FULLY INFORMED AND RECEIVING THEIR ADVICE.
.
THIS VISIT GAVE US A VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT PURPOSE,. HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT HIS VISIT TO NEW YORK HAD GIVEN HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE VERY INFLUENTIAL COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS.
/.MY MESSAGE...............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1?, 1964
.MY MESSAGE TO THEM WAS THAT HONG KONG IS VERY MUCH A GOING CONCERN WITH A PROMISING FUTURE,*
HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD ADDED THAT THE TRADE MISSION TO NEW YORK WAS AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS.
.SIR S.Y. CHUNG AND MISS LYDIA DUNN AND THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED ON THE IMPACT THEY MADE WHILE THEY WERE THERE,. HE SAID.
ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR ON THE RETURN TRIP FROM LONDON WERE LADY YOUDE, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, MR ROGER LOBO, MR T.S. LO, MISS LYDIA DUNN AND MISS MARIA TAM.
THE PARTY WERE MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.
- - 0 - -
SIR PHILIP SEES DEVELOPMENTS IN STANLEY X MM X
DURING A VISIT TO STANLEY TODAY, THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE. WAS BRIEFED ON PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP STANLEY VALLEY INTO A LOW DENSITY HIGH-CLASS RESIDENTIAL AREA.
SIR PHILIP WAS TOLD THAT A DRAFT OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN HAD BEEN CIRCULATED TO RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION AND THAT, ONCE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COMMENTS ON THE PLAN HAD BEEN CONSOLIDATED, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE FIRM PROPOSALS ON THE PROJECT WERE MADE TO THE GOVERNMENT.
THE EXISTING STANLEY TOWN CENTRE IS LIKELY TO RETAIN ITS CHARACTER.
HOWEVER, AS THE PRESENT CONGESTED CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO INTENSIFY WITH FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS, THE TOWN CENTRE WILL BE EXPANDED ONTO A FUTURE RECLAMATION AREA COVERING STANLEY BAY WHERE COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED.
THE RECLAMATION WATERFRONT WILL BE USED FOR BOATING, ROWING AND OTHER WATER-BASED ACTIVITIES.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, W BARRIE WIGGHAM, AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR K.C. KWONG, SIR PHILIP ALSO SAW VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY THE DISTRICT BOARD IN THE SQUATTER VILLAGE AT MA HANG.
SEVEN PROJECTS, COSTING MORE THAN $140 000, ARE BEING UNDERTAKEN TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.
THEY INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PLAYGROUND, RE-SURFACING OF A NULLAH. PROVISION OF A PLATFORM FOR DRY LATRINES AND THE BUILDING OF A FOOtPATH.
/fflE PABTY
THUHSDAY, JANUAHY 19, 1984
THE PARTY ALSO VISITED THE BRANCH OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE LOCATED IN A BUILDING WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED A HISTORICAL MONUMENT AND THEN WALKED THROUGH THE BUSY STANLEY MAIN STREET WHICH HAS FLOURISHED AS A TOURIST SHOPPING CENTRE IN RECENT YEARS.
SIR PHILIP LATER TOURED THE CABLE AND WIRELESS EARTH-SATELLITE STATION IN STANLEY AND WAS BRIEFED ON ITS FUNCTION AND OPERATION BY THE GENERAL MANAGER (LOCAL ENGINEERING), MR FUNG HAK-MING, AND THE STATION MANAGER, MR BILLY LEUNG.
HE WAS TOLD THAT TWO NEW SATELLITE EARTH STATIONS - HK 3 AND HK 4 - HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE STANLEY STATION TO COPE WITH THE RAPID GROWTH OF INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION.
IN ADDITION, A NEW CENTRAL POWER HOUSE, WHICH HAS ADEQUATE CAPACITY FOR THE EXISTING SITE COMPLEX PLUS CAPABILITY FOR FUTURE EXPANSION FOR AT LEAST 15 YEARS, HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTED THERE.
ORDERS-ON-HAND REMAIN AT HIGH LEVEL * M *
#
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND (IN TERMS OF MONTHS) IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS UNCHANGED IN NOVEMBER 1983 COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, AND REMAINEF AT A RELATIVELY HIGH LEVEL, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
WHILE ORDERS-ON-HAND IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES INCREASED, THOSE IN THE TEXTILES, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES DECREASED, THE STATISTICS FROM THE MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND SHOW.
THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE WAS STABLE.
THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BUT SOME DECREASE IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRIES.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE SERVICES SECTOR REMAINED STABLE. IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES CONTINUED TO FALL ON COMPLETION OF SOME PROJECTS.
PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED IN THE WEARING APPAREL, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO MORE OVERTIME WORK PERFORMED DURING THE MONTH. THE CONTINUED DECLINE IN PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY WAS MAINLY DUE TO SEASONAL FACTORS.
/m THE..............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 19&4
IN THE SERVICES SECTOR, PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS OF EMPLOYEES IN THE PUBLIC UTILITIES DECREASED DUE TO THE PAYMENT OF BONUS AND BACK-PAY BY SOME FIRMS IN OCTOBER. IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS AS SOME FIRMS REPORTED MORE OVER-TIME WORK EVEN THOUGH THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES HAD DECLINED.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS ARE SHOWN IN THE ACCOMPANYING TABLES.
WHEN RELEASING THE SURVEY RESULTS, THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1983.
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT RESULTS ON MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD GIVE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 1983 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE. GENERAL POST OFFICE, AT SI.5 PER COPY. ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT 3-7212832).
A. ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING
INDUSTRY
(% CHANGE OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH)
ORDERS-ON-HAND (IN TERMS OF MONTHS) FOR NOV. 1983
SEP.
1983
OCT. 1983
NOV. 1983
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR
-2
M
1
4.93
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL
*
4
-3
2.42
PLASTIC PRODUCTS
N
-5
-3
3.64
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS
-1
3
-1
3.09
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
1
-2
1
5.31
OTHERS
8
M
4.09
ALL ABOVE INDUSTRIES
M
-1
M
4.44
/B. EMPLOpGMT AND
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984
5
B. EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS
PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/ SERVICE
(% CHANGE OVER THE SEP. OCT. NOV.
1983 1983 1983
PRECEDING MONTH) SEP. OCT. NOV.
1983 1983 1983
PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR NOV. 1983 (HK$)
MANUFACTURING
-3
1
—
*
*
■1
1
2
2
432
FOOD AND DRINKS
*
*
-3
2
-7
-3
3
129
WEARING APPAREL
EXCEPT FOOTWEAR
>
-4
M
*
-2
2
4
2
221
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEARING APPAREL
-1
*
*
-5
5
*
2
447
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -15
-1
-3
5
4
*
2
236
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS
-3
*
1
2
2
2
2
049
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
-2
3
1
*
1
3
2
269
OTHERS
*
1
-1
-1
4
-1
3
249
It*
CONSTRUCTION
-4
-2
-4
1
-1
5
3
825
SERVICES
*
*
*
6
-3
4
327
BANKS
*
*
*
*
*
*
3
954
HOTELS
*
*
1
-1
1
1
2
821
PUBLIC UTILITIES
*
*
15
-7
-5
4
398
OTHERS
*
*
*
-4
-1 ‘
*
5
344
ft CHANGES WITHIN
.0.5*
MN PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS NOT INCLUDED.
- - - - 0 ---------- /6..............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984
6
HK’S ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS RECOGNISED BY UN AGENCY ft ft ft ft
THE INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD IN ITS REPORT FOR 1983 DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY IN DRUG PREVENTIVE EDUCATION.
THE REPORT NOTES THAT THE COMMUNITY IS +COMBINING ITS RESOURCES WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO PROVIDE IMAGINATIVE CAMPAIGNS DIRECTED AT SPECIFIC VULNERABLE GROUPS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE CENTRAL REGISTRY DATA*
.
THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONG KONG IN PROVIDING TREATMENT FOR ADDICTS IS ALSO RECOGNISED.
*A WIDE RANGE OF TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES HAS BEEN DEVELOPED OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES, THE MOST EXTENSIVE OF WHICH IS THE METHADONE OUT-PATIENT PROGRAMME RUN BY THE HONG KONG MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
.IN ADDITION, A COMPULSORY TREATMENT PROGRAMME IS OPERATED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT,+ IT SAYS.
REFERRING TO THE PROGRAMMES PROVIDED BY SARDA AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS. THE REPORT NOTES THAT .VOLUNTARY IN-PATIENT PROGRAMMES AND A VARIETY OF AFTERCARE SERVICES ARE OFFERED BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS..
THE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE, RUN BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, IS ALSO MENTIONED.
THE REPORT NOTES THAT THE FINDINGS OF THE REGISTRY IN IDENTIFYING TRENDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ADDICT POPULATION ARE CONSIDERED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WHOLE ADDICT POPULATION AND HAVE PROVIDED A BASE FOR POLICY FORMULATION.
IN ANALYSING THE DRUG CONTROL SITUATION IN HONG KONG, THE REPORT SAYS, +DESPITE LARGE SEIZURES. HEROIN CONTINUES TO BE EASILY AVAILABLE AND PRICES HAVE DROPPED. HEROIN IS SMUGGLED FROM THAILAND IN BULK BY SEA, MAINLY IN THE FORM OF HEROIN BASE.
.THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT THE USE OF TRAWLERS TO SMUGGLE IN LARGE CONSIGNMENTS HAS RESUMED..
THE REPORT ALSO REFERS TO THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1983, WHICH PERMITS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ON THE EXISTENCE OF POSSIBLE BANKING ACCOUNTS, SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES OR OTHER PROPERTY HELD IN CUSTODY WHEN THERE IS REASONABLE CAUSE TO SUSPECT THAT AN INDICTABLE OFFENCE HAS BEEN COMMITTED.
THE REPORT OBSERVES THAT AMENDMENT IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A USEFUL TOOL TO IDENTIFY TRAFFICKERS’ ASSETS.
IN ITS OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT WORLD SITUATION, THE BOARD DESCRIBES THE MENACE OF DRUG ABUSE AS HAVING REACHED UNPRECEDENTED DIMENSIONS.
/it says,
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 19&4
- 7 -
IT SAYS, +DRUGS ABUSED BY VARIOUS SECTORS OF SOCIETY, INCLUDING YOUTH IN FORMATIVE YEARS, INCLUDE OPIATES, COCAINE, CANNABIS AND A VARIETY OF PSYCHOTROPIC AND OTHER DEPENDENCE-PRODUCING SUBSTANCES.
.HEALTH HAZARDS ARE AUGMENTED BY MULTIPLE USE OF THESE DRUGS AND BY THE INCREASINGLY DANGEROUS MEANS BY WHICH THEY ARE TAKEN..
IT STRESSES THAT THE MAGNITUDE OF THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY DRUG ABUSE TO INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES ON THE ONE HAND AND TO THE COUNTRIES’ SOCIAL FABRICS, ON THE OTHER, IS SUCH AS TO NECESSITATE SUSTAINED AND DETERMINED COUNTERACTION.
.ILLICIT DRUG USE AND TRAFFICKING NOT ONLY ADVERSELY AFFECTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN MANY COUNTRIES, BUT ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO THE SPREADING OF CRIME, VIOLENCE AND CORRUPTION,*
THE REPORT SAYS.
IN ITS CONCLUDING REMARKS, THE BOARD ADMITS THAT THE DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM IS COMPLEX IN THAT IT INVOLVES HUMAN BEHAVIOUR AND VARIES FROM COMMUNITY TO COMMUNITY, COUNTRY TO COUNTRY AND DRUG TO DRUG.
.EPIDEMIOLOGIC DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ARE ESSENTIAL TO IDENTIFY TRENDS AND SHIFTS IN PATTERNS OF ABUSE,. IT SAYS.
.EQUALLY ESSENTIAL IS THE POLITICAL WILL TO IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE DEMAND REDUCTION PROGRAMMES. SUCH PROGRAMMES SHOULD INCLUDE PREVENTION, TREATMENT, EDUCATION, AFTER-CARE, REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF THE PERSONS INVOLVED.
.COMMUNITY AND PARENT PARTICIPATION IN THE PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG DEPENDENT PERSONS HAS PROVEN AN EFFECTIVE FORCE IN A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES.
.THE RESULTS MERIT ORGANISED ACTION TO PROMOTE SIMILAR MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.*
MORE AND BETTER SERVICES FOR ELDERLY
* *
*
*
RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL BE INCREASED IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS BY 6 500, ALMOST DOUBLING THE EXISTING 7 000 PLACES.
THIS WAS REVEALED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, WHEN HE OPENED THE LOK SIN TONG CHU TING CHEONG HOME FOR THE AGED IN TAI PO.
BY THEN, IT WAS HOPED, THE DEMAND FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE WOULD BE FULLY MET, HE SAID.
TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING ELDERLY POPULATION, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE PROVIDING MORE AND BETTER SERVICES FOR THEM, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
SSE SERVIC ‧.‧‧‧‧‧
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 19&4
THESE SERVICES INCLUDE FINANCIAL HELP IN THE FORM OF OLD AGE ALLOWANCES. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND OLD AGE SUPPLEMENTS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES IN SOCIAL CENTRES, DAY CENTRES, HOME HELP AND MEDICAL CARE.
.FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A HOUSING PROBLEM, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OFFERS A SEPARATE QUOTA FOR ELDERLY APPLICANTS ON THE WAITING LIST FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES OPERATE HOSTELS AND HOMES,. HE SAID.
THE CHU TING CHEONG HOME HAS A CAPACITY OF 242, INCLUDING 126 PLACES FOR CARE AND ATTENTION.
ITS CAPITAL COST EXCEEDS <11 MILLION, WITH $9 MILLION BEING MET FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND AND THE BALANCE BY LOK SIN TONG ITSELF.
MR CHAMBERS THANKED MR CHU YAN-KIT FOR HIS DONATION OF A PIECE OF LAND FOR THE HOME, AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS ITS ESTABLISHMENT.
.THE DEVELOPMENT OF WELFARE SERVICES OWES A GREAT DEAL OF CO-OPERATION OF THIS KIND BETWEEN GENEROUS BENEFACTORS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THE GOVERNMENT,. HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
TAI PO BYPASS BRIDGE SEGMENT LAUNCHED * M *
*
THE PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, MR ANTHONY GAFFNEY. WHO IS VISITING HONG KONG, TODAY (THURSDAY) PULLED A LEVER TO LAUNCH INTO PLACE A SEGMENT OF ONE OF THE FIVE TAI PO BYPASS BRIDGES.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAYS ENGINEER, . HAROLD BEATON, AND THE GOVERNMENT HIGHWAYS ENGINEER (WORKS), ffi K.K. TANG, MR GAFFNEY TOURED THE PROJECT SITE BEFORE CONDUCTING THE LAUNCHING.
FOUR OF THE BYPASS BRIDGES ARE BEING BUILT BY THE .INCREMENTAL LAUNCHING TECHNIQUE*
, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN USED BEFORE IN HONG KONG.
UNDER THIS TECHNIQUE THE BRIDGES ARE BUILT IN 1O-METRE LONG SEGMENTS WHICH ARE THEN LAUNCHED IN SUCCESSIVE STAGES ACROSS PREVIOUSLY CONSTRUCTED COLUMNS.
MR GAFFNEY WAS TOLD THAT THE MAIN ADVANTAGE OF THIS METHOD IS THAT IT ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR TEMPORARY SCAFFOLDING AND SO MINIMISES ENVIRONMENTAL DISTURBANCE.
THE S200-MILLI0N TAI PO BYPASS PROJECT, WHICH IS BEING CONSTRUCTED BY KUMAGAI GUM I (HK) LTD. UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, RUNS 2.9 KILOMETRES FROM ISLAND HOUSE IN THE EAST TO NORTH TAI PO.
/IT CONNJETS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984
- 9 -
IT CONNECTS THE COASTAL ROAD FROM SHA TIN TO THE TRUNK ROAD LEADING TO WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE AND PASSES THROUGH RUGGED TERRAIN, INTERSECTING A NUMBER OF RIVERS AND VALLEYS.
THE FIVE BRIDGES VARY IN LENGTH FROM 109 METRES TO 276 METRES, WITH COLUMNS UP TO 30 METRES IN HEIGHT.
WORK STARTED IN MARCH, 1982, AND IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
MR GAFFNEY ALSO SAW THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, WORK ON THE ISLAND LINE OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, THE SHA TIN-TAI PO COASTAL ROAD AND TAI PO AND TUEN MUN NEW TOWNS.
------------o - - - -
INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE IN SHAM SHUI PO PROPOSED * *
*
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER SETTING UP AN INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE TO STRENGTHEN LIAISON WITH THE DISTRICT’S 100 000 INDUSTRIALISTS AND WORKERS AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE PROPOSED COMMITTEE WILL BE MADE UP OF BOARD MEMBERS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND INDUSTRIALISTS IN THE DISTR ICT.
ITS MAIN OBJECTIVES ARE TO GATHER PUBLIC OPINION AND ADVISE ON MATTERS RELATING TO MANAGEMENT, PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL INTEREST AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT, AND TO ENCOURAGE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO MOVE THE PRESENT LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICE (WEST KOWLOON) FROM SAN PO KONG TO SHAM SHUI PO IN LINE WITH THE REGIONALISATION PRINCIPLE.
OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE PUBLIC HOUSING RENT POLICY, AND RENTAL INCREASES FOR SHOPS AT BLOCKS 9 AND 13, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE.
TOMORROW MORNING, SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR A DISTRICT FESTIVAL AT THEIR MEETING.
AS PART OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION PROGRAMMES, THE FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD FROM FEBRUARY 6 TO 8 AT SAI KUNG TOWN AND RENNIE’S MILL, AND FROM FEBRUARY 16 TO 18 AT HANG HAU.
/at the
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984
10
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE BUILDING OF A REST GARDEN AT TAI PING VILLAGE IN PO LO CHE.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVERi
(A)
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF AMOY PLAZA, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD; AND
(B)
THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2 PM IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF HANG SHUN BUILDING, 39 TONKIN STREET.
------------o------------
TUEN MUN TO GET ANOTHER BUS STATION
* *
*
*
THE CENTRALLY-LOCATED TUEN MUN CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, IS TO INCLUDE A NEW BUS STATION.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A CONTRACT VALUED AT $21.7 MILLION FOR CARRYING OUT THE PROJECT.
THE BUS STATION, OCCUPYING ABOUT 8 250 SQUARE METRES, WILL HAVE SIX LANES.
IT WILL BE COVERED BY A LANDSCAPED PODIUM LINKED BY COVERED WALKWAYS TO BUILDINGS WITHIN THE COMPLEX, AS WELL AS TO THE TOWN PARK AND THE SURROUNDING COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS.
THE STATION, THE FIFTH IN TUEN MUN, WILL INCLUDE A BUS CREW CANTEEN AND A REGULATOR'S OFFICE.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX, WHICH IS BEING BUILT IN THREE STAGES ON A FOUR-HECTARE SITE, WILL BE A UNIQUE FEATURE OF THE NEW TOWN.
IT WILL COMPRISE AN AUDITORIUM, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LAW COURTS, A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, A LIBRARY, A POST OFFICE AND A MARRIAGE REGISTRY, ALL OF WHICH WILL SURROUND A LANDSCAPED GARDEN.
ALL OF THESE BUILDINGS ARE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.
THE COMPLEX, WHEN COMPLETED EARLY IN THE NEXT DECADE, WILL PROVIDE VENUES FOR HOLDING SOCIAL, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR TUEN MUN RESIDENTS.
------------o------------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984
11
SCIENCE FICTION WRITING COMPETITION
*****
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 20 ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A SCIENCE FICTION WRITING COMPETITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION.
THE FIRST THREE WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION, IN ADDITION TO RECEIVING BOOK COUPONS, WILL WIN A TRIP TO SINGAPORE TO TAKE PART IN THE SINGAPORE YOUTH SCIENCE FORTNIGHT 1984 TO BE HELD BETWEEN MAY 24 AND JUNE 10.
THE FORTNIGHT IS AN ANNUAL EVENT WHICH AIMS AT STIMULATING AND DEVELOPING THE IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY OF YOUTH.
IT ALSO PROVIDES THEM WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND APPRECIATE THAT SCIENCE IS A LIVING AND DYNAMIC BODY OF KNOWLEDGE.
THE SCIENCE FICTION WRITING COMPETITION, SPONSORED BY THE SHELL COMPANY OF HONG KONG, ADVOCATES THE IDEA THAT SCIENCE IS AN INTRINSIC PART OF CULTURE.
IT ALSO AIMS AT PROMOTING CREATIVE WRITING ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND FOSTERING READING INTEREST AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISERS SAID THAT ALL STORIES SUBMITTED MUST BE ORIGINAL AND IN ENGLISH. THE LENGTH SHOULD BE BETWEEN 1 500 AND 2 000 WORDS.
THEY SHOULD BE TYPEWRITTEN WITH DOUBLE SPACING ON ONLY ONE SIDE OF A4 SIZE (29-1/2 CM X 21 CM) PAPER. EACH PAGE MUST BE NUMBERED.
.THE PARTICIPANT’S FULL NAME, ADDRESS, DATE OF BIRTH AND IDENTITY CARD NUMBER AS WELL AS THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF HIS SCHOOL SHOULD BE TYPED ON THE TOP RIGHT-HAND CORNER OF THE FIRST PAGE OF THE ENTRY.
.ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE SCHOOL HEAD ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1, 1984 TOGETHER WITH THE COMPLETED ENTRY FORM TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (PHYSICS), SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
BESIDES WINNING A TRIP TO SINGAPORE, THE WINNER OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE GIVEN A $1 000 BOOK COUPON AND THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP WILL RECEIVE BOOK COUPONS WORTH $500 AND $200 RESPECTIVELY. THERE WILL ALSO BE FIVE $200 BOOK COUPONS AS CONSOLATION PRIZES.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COMPETITION CAN BE MADE WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION ON 5-8392462 OR 5-8392470.
-------------o---------------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984 ,
NOTE TO EDITORSi
MUSIC CENTRE OPENING * *
*
X
THE NEW SHA TIN MUSIC CENTRE AND RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (SHA TIN OFFICE) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AT KCR HOUSE WILL BE OPENED ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21) AFTERNOON.
LOCATED AT LEVEL FOUR OF KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, IT IS THE SEVENTH MUSIC CENTRE OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE THIRD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO BECOME OPERATIONAL.
FIVE NEW TERRITORIES DIGNITARIES. MR WAI HON-LEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE. MR NG CHAN-LAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE, SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD? MR WONG PO-MING, CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD; MR LAU HON-KIT, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION; AND MR NG PING-KIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3 PM.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 2.15 PM SHARP. AFTER THE CEREMONY AND A TOUR OF THE NEW PREMISES THEY WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO KOWLOON.
EXHIBITION TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ON MENTAL HEALTH KMX *
THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS HOLDING A SIX-MONTH MENTAL HEALTH EXHIBITION TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO STAY MENTALLY HEALTHY.
THE EXHIBITION. AT THE WAN CHAI HEALTH EDUCATION AUDIO-VISUAL CENTRE, IS OPEN DAILY FROM 9 AM TO 4.30 PM EXCEPT SATURDAY AFTERNOONS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM JANUARY TO JUNE.
THE EXHIBITION COVERS FIVE ASPECTS; WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH, WHAT CAUSES MENTAL ILLNESS, COMMON PATTERNS OF MENTAL ILLNESS, ON THE WAY TO GOOD MENTAL HEALTH, AND HOW WE FIGHT MENTAL ILLNESS.
APART FROM THE DISPLAYS, THE EXHIBITION PROVIDES SLIDE AND VIDEO PRESENTATIONS.
GROUP VIEWING AND GUIDED TOUR BY SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE WELCOMED.
INTERESTED PARTIES CAN TELEPHONE 5-720861 FOR ADVANCED BOOKING AND FURTHER ENQUIRIES.
- 0 - -
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984
- 13 -
EYE CLINIC MOVING * *
*
THE EYE CLINIC AT THE LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC WILL BE MOVING TO NEW PREMISES.
FROM FEBRUARY 1, THE CLINIC WILL BEGIN ACCEPTING PATIENTS AT THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL SPECIALIST CLINIC, GROUND FLOOR.
THE CONSULTATION HOURS WILL BE FROM 2.30 PM TO 4.15 PM EVERY WEDNESDAY AND THE SECOND AND FOURTH THURSDAYS OF EVERY MONTH.
PATIENTS WILL BE SEEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, AND NEW CASES WILL BE ACCEPTED BY REFERRAL FROM DOCTORS.
APPOINTMENTS CAN BE MADE IN ADVANCE AT THE CLINIC’S NEW ADDRESS BETWEEN 8.45 AM AND 12.45 PM AND BETWEEN 1.45 PM AND 4.45 PM.
------------o--------------
SURVEY ON EDUCATION OF FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN
*****
A TWO-DAY SURVEY ON THE EDUCATION OF FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM JANUARY 28.
VOLUNTARY WORKERS WILL VISIT ABOUT 600 FISHING FAMILIES AT CASTLE PEAK BAY TYPHOON SHELTER TO COLLECT INFORMATION AND DATA. QUESTIONNAIRES WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, LOCAL FISHERMEN’S ORGANISATIONS. AND THE MARINE AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS, THE SURVEY IS'TO UPDATE INFORMATION AND TO OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE EDUCATION NEEDS OF FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN.
ACCORDING TO THE 1981 CENSUS, THE FISHING POPULATION AT THE CASTLE PEAK BAY TYPHOON SHELTER WAS 5 607, OF WHICH 2 570 PEOPLE WERE BELOW THE AGE OF 14.
ABOUT 800, OR 32 PER CENT, OF THE 2 570 YOUNG PEOPLE RECEIVED PROPER SCHOOLING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THAT VIEWS AND DATA COLLECTED WOULD BE ANALYSED AND COMPILED, AND TABLED FOR DISCUSSION AT A DISTRICT BOARD MEETING IN LATE MARCH.
MEANWHILE, A VARIETY SHOW AND A TALK ON EDUCATION WILL BE HELD AT THE OPEN SPACE OF MOUSE ISLAND STARTING AT 6 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 22) FOR THE FISHER FOLKS.
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $10 000 FOR THE SURVEY AND THE VARIETY SHOW.
------------o------------
/14
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984
- 14 -
NOTE TO EDITORS :
NEW VILLAGE FOR FISHERMEN
*****
A NEW FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE WHICH HAS BEEN BUILT ON RECLAIMED LAND GRANTED BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT AT AH KUNG KOK, SHA TIN, WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, MR JOHN TODD, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR WAI HON-LEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE JOINTLY AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 11.30 AM.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY. A COACH WILL PICK UP MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AT THE BUS STATION NEAR FAIRVIEW RESTAURANT, LEK YUNE ESTATE, AT 10.30 AM.
- - - - 0------------
NOTE TO EDITORSi
EMPLOYMENT SERVICE MOVING OFFICE * *
*
*
FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 23), THE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL OPERATE AT NEW OFFICES ON THE 6TH FLOOR CF HENNESSY CENTRE, EAST WING, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
TO FACILITATE THE MOVE TO NEW OFFICES, THE EXISTING OFFICE IN SINCERE INSURANCE BUILDING, WAN CHAI WILL BE CLOSED FOR BUSINESS ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21).
THE SERVICE ADMINISTERS THE CONTRACTS FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH ACCORDS PROTECTION TO LOCAL MANUAL WORKERS PROCEEDING OVERSEAS FOR EMPLOYMENT.
IT ALSO ATTESTS EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS FOR DOMESTIC HELPERS RECRUITED FROM OVERSEAS AND ENFORCES LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES.
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR ENQUIRIES ARE 5-767311 AND 5-767344.
- - - - 0 ------------
/15....................
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984
- 15 -
BOARD MEMBERS SEE WORKS PROJECTS M *
*
*
TEN MEMBERS OF KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WENT ON A VISIT TODAY (THURSDAY) TO LEARN ABOUT THE WORK OF THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (UADO) KOWLOON BRANCH OFFICE.
THERE, THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT ADVISER, DR NIP KAM-FAN, AND THE CHIEF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICER OF KOWLOON CITY, DR LAI HON-WAH.
THE MEMBERS, ACCOMPANIED BY DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF, WERE TOLD THAT THE ORGANISATION COORDINATED WITH THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS ON PROJECTS REQUESTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A SITE VISIT TO CORNWALL STREET TO SEE PROGRESS ON A FLYOVER UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND TO THE HO MAN TIN SERVICE RESERVOIR PROJECT.
- - - - 0 ------------
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR SHA TIN MARATHON KO #
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SHA TIN BETWEEN 7 AM AND 1 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21) FOR THE 7TH HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL MARATHON.
THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES!
M THE SOUTHBOUND INSIDE LANE OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN THE PLB EXIT POINT FROM THE SHA TIN RACECOURSE AND SLIP ROAD J7.
*
THE SOUTHBOUND SLIP ROAD J7.
M THE EASTBOUND FO TAN ROAD BRIDGE.
*
THE ACCESS ROADS LEADING TO AND FROM THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE AND SHA TIN FLOATING RESTAURANT.
TRAFFIC HEADING FOR YUEN WO ROAD FROM TAI PO ROAD ARE ADVISED TO USE TAI PO ROAD AND SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD.
------------o--------------
/16 ...............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1984
RESTRICTED ZONES ft *
X
FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21). THE SECTION CF KAI TIN ROAD AT LAM TIN, FROM A POINT 27 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PING TIN STREET TO A POINT 170 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE. THEREAFTER, THE RESTRICTION WILL APPLY DAILY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM.
AND FROM THE SAME DAY, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY i-
* THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF NGAU TAU KOK ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NGAU TAU KOK FIRST STREET TO A POINT APPROXIMATELY 50 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
X THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE LINK ROAD BETWEEN NGAU TAU KOK ROAD AND NGAU TAU KOK FOURTH STREET.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS, OR LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
URBAN CLEARWAY NAMED ft ft ft ft
FROM 10 AM SATURDAY (JANUARY 21), A SECTION OF ABOUT 100 METRES ON THE EASTERN KERBSIDE OF POK FU LAM ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH CHI FU ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 21), THE NEW EXTENSION OF THE MACAU FERRY BUS TERMINUS WILL BE PROHIBITED TO ALL MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES.
------------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
CONTENTS RAGE NO.
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRAISED FOR PROGRESS ....................................................... 1
BILL TO STREAMLINE FINANCIAL PROCEDURES ................................................................ 3
NEW WAY TO DEAL WITH MINOR CASES PROPOSED .......................................................... 4
CHANGES PROPOSED IN RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 .................................... 5
BILL TO FACILITATE REGISTRATION OF DOCTORS ...................................................... 6
DECEMBER CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ......................................................................................... 7
DEADLY EFFECTS OF SMOKING STRESSED ................................................................................ 9
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AREAS SURVEYED ...................................................................................... 10
+MANY TODAY NOT EQUIPPED FOR PARENTHOOD!- ............................................................. 11
PART-TIME TRAINING COURSES FOR TEACHERS ................................................................ 13
FISHERMEN MOVE INTO NEW VILLAGE......................................................................................... 14
SPORTS BODIES OFFERED TECHNICAL ADVICE ................................................................... 15
TUEN MUN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED.......................................................................... 16
AIR ACCIDENT REPORT PUBLISHED ................................................................................................ 16
INTELPOST EXTENDED TO NETHERLANDS ................................................................................... 17
TRAINING COURSE ON CUSS LIBRARIES ................................................................................ 17
FREE LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTER OFFERED ................................................................................ 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR SUPPLY OF MOTOR BOATS .......................................................... 18
ELDERLY FOLK TO BENEFIT FROM CAMPAIGN ...................................................................... 19
VARIETY SHOW STRESSES ON FIRE PREVENTION............................................................. 19
NEEDS OF ELDERLY TO BE SURVEYED.......................................................................................... 20
CLEAN CANOPIES BLITZ SET TO BEGIN ................................................................................... 21
CONCERT FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS ................................................................................................ 21
ROAD SAFETY DRIVE GOES ON ............................................................................................................ 22
NEW BUS TERMINUS FOR CHAI WAN ................................................................................................ 22
EDINBURGH PUCE EAST TRAFFIC PLAN ................................................................................... 23
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
1 -
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRAISED FOR PROGRESS *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONTINUE ITS PROGRAMME OF DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT.
. IN DOING SO, IT HAS SHOWN UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEED FOR THESE PROGRAMMES TO REMAIN RESPONSIVE TO THE CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE 1980’S.+ SIR EDWARD SAID AT THE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL INSPECTION AT THE PARADE GROUND OF THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
.THIS NEED IS WELL ILLUSTRATED BY THE FACT THAT THE FIGURE OF 1 300 PRISONERS SERVING SENTENCES OF OVER SIX YEARS AT THE END OF 1983 IS ALMOST DOUBLE THE NUMBER AT THE END OF 1979.. HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT SOUND CORRECTIONAL AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES WERE NECESSARY IF THERE WAS TO BE ANY PROSPECT OF THOSE HELD IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS LEADING A LAW-ABIDING LIFE ON THEIR RELEASE. .THE SUCCESS OF YOUR EFFORTS SPEAKS FOR ITSELF,*
HE ADDED.
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HE SAID. CONTINUED TO ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL INTEREST BOTH IN THE METHODS IT USES AND IN THE RESULTS IT ACHIEVES.
SIR EDWARD ALSO CITED A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT PROJECTS COMPLETED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 1983, INCLUDING A MUCH-NEEDED EXTENSION TO THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AND THE OPENING OF THE LAI SUN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS ON HEI LING CHAU.
.IN ADDITION, PHOENIX HOUSE, WHICH WAS OPENED IN JULY. PROVIDE A HALF-WAY HOUSE FOR 120 PRISONERS. THEREBY ASSISTING THEM IN THE TRANSITION FROM INSTITUTIONAL TO COMMUNITY LIFE. WORK CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ON THE NEW TOP SECURITY PRISON AT SHEK PIK, EXPECTED TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY EASTER.. HE SAID.
IN ITS MANAGEMENT OF THE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT AND DETENTION CENTRES, THE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO REDUCE SUBSTANTIALLY THE AVERAGE STAY IN THESE CENTRES. DURING 1983 THE AVERAGE DAILY MUSTER OF PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THESE PROGRAMMES WAS REDUCED BY MORE THAN 500 TO 1950, HE SAID.
.THIS HAS NOT BEEN ACHIEVED BY REDUCING STANDARDS OR SUCCESS RATES. BOTH REMAIN HIGH BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS*
, HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD SAID. THE PAROLE AND PRE-RELEASE EMPLOYMENT SCHEMES TO BE IMPLEMENTED LATER THIS YEAR WERE FURTHER STEPS FORWARD IN CORRECTING THE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF OFFENDERS SO THAT THEY DO NOT REVERT TO CRIME AFTER THEY LEAVE PRISON.
/he noted ..............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1964
2
HE NOTED THAT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES CONTINUED TO EXPAND DURING THE PAST YEAR, AND NOW PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY GOODS AND SERVICES.
THE GOVERNOR WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO NOTE THE PROGRESS ON THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION SCHEME WHICH WILL ENABLE INMATES TO OBTAIN TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS EQUIVALENT TO THOSE OBTAINED BY STUDENTS UNDERGOING VOCATIONAL TRAINING ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG.
.
WITH THE HELP OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, PILOT SCHEMES PROVIDING TRAINING IN REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING ENGINEERING, PLUMBING AND PIPE-FITTING WILL BE STARTED IN MARCH, HE ADDED.
*
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO CONTINUED TO PERFORM WELL IN ITS DEMANDING TASK OF MANAGING CLOSED CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
.
A NEW CENTRE WAS OPENED ON HEI LING CHAU IN SEPTEMBER, AND A SECTION OF CAPE COLLINSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WAS CONVERTED TO HOUSE REFUGEES. ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION IS LIKELY TO BE REQUIRED LATER THIS YEAR AND BOWRING CAMP AT TUEN MUN WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS PURPOSE.
.
THE DEPARTMENT’S FINE RESPONSE TO THE TASK OF ADMINISTERING THESE CENTRES REFLECTS WELL ON THE ABILITY OF THE STAFF CONCERNED TO ADAPT TO A NEW PROBLEM,. HE SAID.
DURING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION, SIR EDWARD ALSO PRESENTED COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 32 CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF, MARKING 18 YEARS’ EXEMPLARY SERVICE BY THEM.
SEVEN CONTINGENTS COMPRISING 196 OFFICERS FROM VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT TOOK PART IN THE ANNUAL PARADE, COMMANDED BY THE PRINCIPAL OF THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT PI WING-LEE.
OF THEM, 84 ARE NEW RECRUITS WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED SIX MONTHS BASIC TRAINING.
LIGHT AND MARCHING MUSIC WAS PROVIDED BY THE CAPE COLLINSON MARCHING BAND. THE TAI TAM GIRLS’ PIPERS AND PRECISION MARCHING TEAM ALSO GAVE A PERFORMANCE.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
- 3 -
BILL TO STREAMLINE FINANCIAL PROCEDURES
*****
TWO PROPOSALS TO STREAMLINE THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL PROCEDURES ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY UNDER A BILL KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.
ONE PROPOSAL WILL ENABLE CERTAIN REFUNDS, OR OVER-COLLECTIONS OF DUTY, AS SPECIFIED IN SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, TO BE PAID DIRECT FROM REVENUE WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH THE MAIN ACCOUNTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE YEAR OF COLLECTION.
THIS WILL AVOID ANY ARTIFICIAL INFLATION OF THE ANNUAL EXPENDITURE FIGURES AND ANY FALSE IMPRESSION OF THE RELATIVE SIZE OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OTHER PROPOSAL WILL ALLOW CONTROLLING OFFICERS TO DELEGATE THEIR AUTHORITY FOR SIGNING ALLOCATION WARRANTS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE GENERAL PURPOSE OF THESE ALLOCATION WARRANTS IS TO ALLOW ONE DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS THE FUNDS, TO ASK ANOTHER DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS THE EXPERTISE IN BUYING GOODS OR SERVICES, TO DO SO ON ITS BEHALF.
EACH YEAR MORE THAN 10 000 ALLOCATION WARRANTS ARE ISSUED.
IT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY OF CONTROLLING OFFICERS IF THEY HAVE TO SIGN PERSONALLY EVERY WARRANT, EVEN IF THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IS SMALL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 25 AND IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ITS THIRD READING ON FEBRUARY 15.
PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SENT TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
/4..............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984 ’
NEW WAY TO DEAL WITH MINOR CASES PROPOSED * *
*
THE GOVERNMENT, ACTING ON A PROPOSAL INITIATED BY THE JUDICIARY, IS SEEKING TO INTRODUCE A NEW PROCEDURE TO IMPROVE THE WAY MINOR OFFENCES ARE DEALT WITH BY THE COURTS.
UNDER THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 PUBLISHED TODAY. A DEFENDANT WILL NOT GENERALLY BE ISSUED A SUMMONS IN THE FIRST INSTANCE FOR A MINOR OFFENCE. INSTEAD A NOTICE OF PROSECUTION WILL BE ISSUED AND SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS WILL BE DEALT WITHIN THE ABSENCE OF THE COMPLAINANT AND DEFENDANT UNLESS THE DEFENDANT WISHES TO DENY THE CHARGE OR REQUESTS A HEARING.
MINOR OFFENCES ARE THOSE WHERE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF 410 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS, WHETHER OR NOT THERE MAY BE ANY ADDITIONAL COURT ORDER RELATING TO COMPENSATION OR LICENCE DISQUALIFICATION. WHERE A MAGISTRATE CONSIDERS THAT A FINE ALONE MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE PENALTY, A SUMMONS WILL BE ISSUED TO THE DEFENDANT IN THE ORDINARY WAY.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT, IF THE BILL IS PASSED, ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF THE ONE MILLION CASES DEALT WITH BY SUMMONS EACH YEAR AT PRESENT WILL BE DEALT WITH UNDER THE NEW PROCEDURE, WITH CONSEQUENT SAVING OF TIME BY DEFENDANTS, MAGISTRATES AND PROSECUTING OFFICERS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE DESIRABILITY OF SUCH A MINOR OFFENCE NOTICE PROCEDURE WAS INVESTIGATED AND RECOMMENDED BY A WORKING PARTY SET UP BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE IN 1981.
WHERE A FINE IS IMPOSED, NOTICE OF THE FINE WILL BE SERVED BY POST ON THE DEFENDANT, AND IF THE FINE IS NOT PAID WITHIN THE TIME STIPULATED, A FURTHER NOTICE WILL BE SERVED, PERSONALLY ON THE DEFENDANT, REQUIRING HIM TO PAY THE FINE. THERE IS, THEREFORE, NO QUESTION OF AN ARREST WARRANT BEING ISSUED AGAINST A DEFENDANT FOR NON-PAYMENT WITHOUT HAVING HAD PRIOR NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
FURTHER A MAGISTRATE SHALL REVIEW HIS DECISION IF. AT ANY TIME, A DEFENDANT SATISFIES HIM THAT THE NOTICE OF PROSECUTION DID NOT COME TO HIS PERSONAL NOTICE.
WHERE A MAGISTRATE REVERSES HIS DECISION ON AN APPLICATION BY A DEFENDANT, PROCEEDINGS FOR THE OFFENCE MAY BE INSTITUTED BY THE PROSECUTION WITHIN SIX MONTHS FROM THAT REVERSAL.
THE BILL, WHICH HAS THE GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE LAW SOCIETY CF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION, WILL BE PRESENTED TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 25. ITS THIRD HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 15.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON THE BILL'S PROVISIONS MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, OR TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG. ...........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
- 5 -
CHANGES PROPOSED IN RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984
* *
M
SEVERAL CHANGES TO THE RATING ORDINANCE ARE PROPOSED IN THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
COMMENTING ON THE BILL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT ONE SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IS THE PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE RELIEF PROVISIONS TO ALL PREMISES AND NOT, AS AT PRESENT, JUST PRE-WAR RENT-CONTROLLED PREMISES.
HE RECALLED THAT THE PRESENT PROVISIONS WERE INTRODUCED IN 1977 TO COINCIDE WITH THE COMING INTO FORCE OF THE 1977-78 REVALUATION. THE EFFECT OF THE RELIEF PROVISIONS WAS TO RESTRICT THE AMOUNT OF ANY INCREASE IN RATES ONE YEAR WITH ANOTHER, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCREASE IN THE RATEABLE VALUE OR CHANGE IN THE PERCENTAGE RATES CHARGE.
IN 1977 THE MAXIMUM INCREASE WAS DETERMINED AT 33-1/3 PER CENT. UNDER THE BILL, THE MAXIMUM INCREASE WILL BE DETERMINED BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUT THE SPOKESMAN ANTICIPATED IT BEING SOMEWHAT LOWER THAN 33-1/3 PER CENT FOR 1984-85.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT AMENDMENT IS TO ENSURE THAT, IN FUTURE, ALL RATEABLE VALUES ARE ASSESSED BY REFERENCE TO A PAST COMMON REFERENCE DATE. THIS IS TO ENSURE EQUITY IN THE BASE ASSESSMENTS, ON WHICH RATES ARE CHARGED.
+THUS, NO MATTER THAT RENTALS INCREASE OR DECREASE OVER TIME, ASSESSMENTS WILL BE CALCULATED BY REFERENCE TO THE LEVEL OF VALUES ON A PRE-DETERMINED DATE. FOR THE 1984-85 REVALUATION THIS HAS BEEN DETERMINED AS JULY 1, 1983,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THE BILL WOULD ALTER THE BASIS ON WHICH RATEPAYERS OCCUPYING TENEMENTS WITHOUT NORMAL SUPPLY OF WATER ARE GRANTED CONCESSIONS.
INSTEAD OF A TWO PERCENTAGE POINT REDUCTION IN THE GENERAL PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGE WHERE NO SUPPLY EXISTS, AND A ONE PERCENTAGE POINT REDUCTION WHERE WATER SUPPLIED IS UNFILTERED, CONCESSIONS FROM APRIL 1, 1984 WILL BE MADE BY MEANS OF PERCENTAGE REDUCTIONS TO THE TOTAL RATES PAYABLE. THESE PERCENTAGES WOULD BE DETERMINED BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO DETERMINE BY RESOLUTION THE MINIMUM RATEABLE VALUE AT WHICH TENEMENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM ASSESSMENT TO RATES. THE EXISTING LEVEL, DETERMINED IN 1962, IS S200.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID HOWEVER THAT THE NEW MINIMUM LEVEL TO BE RECOMMENDED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL WOULD NOT LIKELY AFFECT TENEMENTS WHICH ARE AT PRESENT EXEMPT FROM ASSESSMENT.
/THE rating ..............
frUaY, January 20, 1984
- 6 -
THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 25 AND IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE ITS LEGISLATIVE STAGES ON FEBRUARY 15.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON ITS PROVISIONS MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, AT HENNESSY CENTRE, 530 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
- - - - 0 ------------
BILL TO FACILITATE REGISTRATION OF DOCTORS *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE LAW TO FACILITATE THE REGISTRATION, THROUGH THE LICENTIATE SCHEME, OF DOCTORS WHOSE QUALIFICATIONS CANNOT BE AUTOMATICALLY RECOGNISED FOR PRACTICE IN HONG KONG.
UNDER THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 PUBLISHED TODAY. THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO ADOPT A MORE FLEXIBLE APPROACH IN THE LICENTIATE SCHEME BY VIRTUE OF ITS POWER TO GRANT EXEMPTION TO ANY PERSON FROM ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A LICENTIATE.
THE BILL ALSO REMOVES THE RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATION FOR PERSONS TAKING PART IN THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION.
THE COMBINED EFFECT OF THESE PROVISIONS IS THAT DOCTORS SEEKING REGISTRATION THROUGH THE LICENTIATE SCHEME WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO WITHOUT HAVING FIRST RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF AT LEAST 180 DAYS OR HAVING THE RIGHT TO LAND IN HONG KONG.
SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE CONDITIONS THEY MAY ALSO BE EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PARTS OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION AND FROM THE PERIOD OF PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE BILL WOULD BE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC IN VIEW OF THE PRESENT DEMAND FOR DOCTORS.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE MEDICAL COUNCIL WOULD CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT REASONABLE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS WOULD BE MAINTAINED AND THAT DOCTORS IN POSSESSION OF APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO COME TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT AUTOMATIC RECOGNITION OF MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR PRACTICE IN HONG KONG HAD IN THE PAST BEEN CONFINED TO THOSE QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED IN HONG KONG, THE UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND AND CERTAIN COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES.
/THIS POSITION ..............
FRIDAY, JaNUAKY 20, 1^84
- 7 -
THIS POSITION WILL BE MAINTAINED UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION SO THAT IN FUTURE ONLY THE FOLLOWING THREE CATEGORIES OF DOCTORS WILL BE ALLOWED TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG i
(A)
HOLDERS OF A HONG KONG DIPLOMA;
(B)
HOLDERS OF A UNITED KINGDOM OR IRISH DIPLOMA OR A RECOGNISED COMMONWEALTH DIPLOMA; AND
(C)
LICENTIATES.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE BILL WILL HAVE ITS FIRST READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 25 AND WILL COMPLETE ITS LEGISLATIVE STAGES ON FEBRUARY 15.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON ITS PROVISIONS MAY WRITE TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE. 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, HONG KONG OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
---- o -----
DECEMBER CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES M K M M M
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR DECEMBER 1983 WERE 150 AND 149 RESPECTIVELY, THE SAME AS IN THE PRECEDING MONTH, ACCORDING TO FIGURES PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1982, CP I (A) ROSE BY 15 POINTS OR 11.1 PER CENT AND CP 1(B), BY 14 POINTS OR 10.4 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CP I(A) AND AVERAGE CP 1(B) FOR THE WHOLE OF 1983 WERE 143.3 AND 142.5 RESPECTIVELY, WHICH WERE 10.0 PER CENT AND 9.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGES FOR THE PRECEDING YEAR.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED IN DECEMBER 1983, BOTH THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CP I(A) AND CP 1(B) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 1.3 PER CENT EACH MONTH.
DURING DECEMBER. RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRESH FRUITS WERE LOWER. ON THE OTHER HAND, CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS WENT UP.
THE CP I (A) AND CP 1(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT. RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1979/80 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE CP 1(A) REFERRED TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $1 000 AND $3 499 A MONTH, AND THE CP 1(B) TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN t3 500 AND $6 499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME.
/THE INDEXES ..............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1^84
6
THE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1983 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY-SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR NOVEMBER 1983 AND DECEMBER 1982.
(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE - 100)
SECTION
DEC.82
CPI(A)
NOV.83
DEC.83
CP 1(B)
DEC.82
NOV.83
DEC.83
FOODSTUFFS
138
151
150
139
151
151
HOUSING
131
140
140
130
140
140
FUEL AND LIGHT
140
152
151
140
152
151
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION)
127
206
207
126
198
199
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR
136
149
150
136
150
151
DURABLE GOODS
108
123
123
110
126
127
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS
127
144
146
126
141
143
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES
145
159
159
146
162
162
SERVICES
141
162
163
141
160
161
ALL ITEMS
135
150
150
135
149
149
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1983, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY ONE POINT IN CP I(A). THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES WAS LOWER AS A RESULT OF ADEQUATE SUPPLY. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH FRUITS ALSO WENT DOWN DUE TO LOWER PRICES CF APPLES. BANANAS AND GRAPES. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF EGGS INCREASED. THE EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED BY ONE POINT IN BOTH CP 1(A) AND CP 1(B) DUE TO LOWER PRICES OF KEROSENE AND LOWER FUEL COST ADJUSTMENTS IN ELECTRICITY AND TOWNGAS CHARGES.
HIGHER PRICES OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS CAUSED THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) TO INCREASE BY ONE POINT IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B).
THE ONE POINT RISE IN THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR IN BOTH CP I (A) AND CP 1(B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES OF CHILDREN’S OUTERCLOTHING, CLOTHING MATERIALS AND TAILORING CHARGES.
/THE INDEX ...................
FRIDAY, JANUARY JO, 1^4
- 9 -
THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF FURNITURE AND TRAVEL AND SPORTS GOODS.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY TWO POINTS IN BOTH CP 1(A) AND CP 1(B) FOLLOWING HIGHER PRICES OF MEDICINES AND JEWELLERY.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN BOTH CP 1(A) AND CP 1(B) DUE TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND HOUSEHOLD SERVICES AS WELL AS HIGHER CHARGES FOR PACKAGE TOURS AND FOR ADMISSION TO NIGHT CLUBS AND DISCOTHEQUES AROUND CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
(FIGURES PRESENTED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED).
DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE ^CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT*
FOR DECEMBER 1983. BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS OF THIS REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT $3 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR. CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG, OR FROM THE DIRECTOR CF INFORMATION SERVICES, INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NO. 3-7216512.
----------o------------
DEADLY EFFECTS OF SMOKING STRESSED
* ft ft ft
EARLY DEATH CAN BE PREVENTED BY GIVING UP SMOKING, PROFESSOR J.W.L. KLEEVENS, READER OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE YUEN LONG ANTI-SMOKING EXHIBITION, HE SAID A SMOKER DID NOT ALLOW HIMSELF THE CHANCE OF LIVING HIS FULL LIFE SPAN.
THE TWO-DAY EXHIBITION AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL IS SPONSORED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD.
.THE EVIDENCE OF BAD EFFECTS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING HAS ACCUMULATED SINCE THE 1950’S AND WE KNOW NOW THAT CIGARETTE SMOKING IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AS MANY AS 90 PER CENT OF ALL LUNG CANCER DEATHS, 75 PER CENT OF BRONCHITIS DEATHS AND 25 PER CENT CF ISCHAEMIC HEART DEATHS.
.CIGARETTE SMOKING IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT CF MOST CASES OF CHRONIC BRONCHITIS.+ HE ADDED.
/OF THE ....................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
10 -
OF THE 25 460 DEATHS RECORDED IN 1982, PROFESSOR KLEEVENS SAID, ABOUT 4 000 DEATHS REPRESENTING 15 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY GIVING UP SMOKING.
MOST LUNG CANCER PATIENTS DIED RELATIVELY YOUNG, HE POINTED OUT.
STATISTICS SHOWED THAT IN 1982 ALMOST 20 PER CENT OF LUNG CANCER DEATHS OCCURRED IN MEN YOUNGER THAN 55 YEARS OLD, AND MORE THAN 50 PER CENT IN MEN YOUNGER THAN 65 YEARS OLD. FOR WOMEN, THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES WERE 13 AND 40 PER CENT.
.THERE IS GROWING EVIDENCE THAT SMOKERS ALSO ENDANGER THE HEALTH OF THEIR RELATIVES, FRIENDS AND WORKMATES,. HE SAID.
.NON-SMOKERS LIVING TOGETHER WITH SMOKERS ARE EXPOSED TO INVOLUNTARY OR PASSIVE SMOKING. THEY ALSO INHALE THE DISEASE-CAUSING AGENT OF CIGARETTE SMOKE AND RUN A GREATER RISK OF DEVELOPING THE RELATED DISEASES AS COMPARED TO NON-SMOKERS LIVING WITH NON-SMOKERS. THE FACTOR ADDS CONSIDERABLY TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SMOKER..
PROFESSOR KLEEVENS URGED SMOKERS AT THE EXHIBITION TO QUIT SMOKING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEMSELVES AS WELL AS FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE EXHIBITION OPENING CEREMONY WERE MR TERRY TANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE YUEN LONG ANT I-SMOKING CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, AND MR RICHARD YUEN, ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER.
------------0------------
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AREAS SURVEYED
* *
*
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO, AND
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY, ACCOMPANIED BY MR PETER KIANG. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, LOOKED OVER THE MAIN DEVELOPMENT AREAS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES BY HELICOPTER THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THEY WERE JOINED BY MR BURTON LEVIN, CONSUL-GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES AND MR HIROAKI FUJII, CONSUL-GENERAL OF JAPAN WHO HAD ACCEPTED MR YAXLEY'S INVITATION TO SEE THESE DEVELOPMENTS WHICH FORM A MAJOR PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO PROVIDE FOR BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
THE PARTY HAD A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED FOR INDUSTRY. THESE INCLUDED THE NETWORK OF HIGHWAYS LINKING THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS AND THE CONTAINER PORT WHICH IS UNDERGOING EXPANSION.
/IHE PARTY ....................
FRIDAY, JAHUABY 20, 1984
- 11
THE PARTY SAW THE EXISTING INDUSTRIAL TOWNS AT KWUN TONG, KWAI CHUNG AND TSUEN WAN AS WELL AS THE MASSIVE ON-GOING DEVELOPMENTS’IN THE NEW TOWNS AT JUNK BAY, SHA TIN, TAI PO AND TUEN MUN. THE TOUR ALSO INCLUDED VISITS TO THOSE PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS HAVING GOOD POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE PARTY MADE A BRIEF STOP AT THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WHICH ACCOMMODATES SOME OF THE BEST HIGH-TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG. THE ESTATE PROVIDES LAND FOR LOW DENSITY DEVELOPMENT WHICH AFFORDS MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS WHICH ARE UNABLE TO FIND SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG.
THE FACTORIES SET UP IN THE ESTATE EMPLOY THE MOST ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES FOUND IN HONG KONG. THE NUMBER CF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMPANIES ESTABLISHED IN THE ESTATE ARE ROUGHLY EQUALLY DIVIDED. THIS IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF OVERSEAS PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL INDUSTRY.
AMERICAN INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AMOUNTED TO OVER S3.6 BILLION AT THE END OF 1983. JAPAN CAME SECOND WITH AN INVESTMENT OF |2.3 BILLION. THEY ACCOUNTED FOR 46 PER CENT AND 29 PER CENT OF TOTAL DIRECT OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG INDUSTRY RESPECTIVELY.
------------0------------
.MANY TODAY NOT EQUIPPED FOR PARENTHOOD*
M M M
MANY PARENTS FIND THEMSELVES QUITE HELPLESS, AND TOTALLY NOT EQUIPPED FOR THEIR NEWBORN CHILDREN IN TODAY’S SOCIETY, A CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG, NORTHEAST, DR LILLIAN KO SAID, +THEY ARE OFTEN NOT PSYCHOLOGICALLY PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE ENORMOUS PATIENCE AND SACRIFICE, THE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS AND DIRTY DIAPERS..
VERY FEW PARENTS REALISE BEFOREHAND THAT CHILDREN GROW UP IN DIFFERENT STAGES, PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND THAT PARENTS MUST UNDERSTAND AND ADOPT DIFFERENT ATTITUDES TO THESE DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES, SHE SAID.
DOCTORS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS AGREE, DR KO SAID, THAT THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF A CHILD’S LIFE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY FORM THE BASIC FOUNDATION FOR PHYSICAL GROWTH, INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS PERSONALITY STRUCTURE.
/.dobing 1HIS...............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1964
- 12 -
.DURING THIS CRITICAL PERIOD, AND EVEN FOR YEARS LATER, PARENTS CARRY A VITALLY IMPORTANT ROLE AS THE FIRST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL TEACHER IN A CHILD’S LIFE,+ SHE SAID.
FOR MANY PARENTS, DR KO SAID, CHILD REARING WAS A PROCESS CF BASICALLY CARING FOR THE PHYSICAL WELL-BEING OF THEIR CHILDREN AND ENSURING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND ULTIMATELY SOCIAL STATUS.
.PHYSICALLY SPEAKING, CHILDREN ARE ENJOYING MUCH BETTER HEALTH THAN BEFORE. ADVANCES IN MEDICAL CARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH HAVE LED TO THE SHARP DECLINE OF INFANT MORTALITY RATE, AND THE CONTROL CF ACUTE ILLNESSES.
.
WE NOW UNQUESTIONABLY EXPECT SURVIVAL FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN, AND WE ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE CONCERNED WITH THE QUALITY OF THEIR SURVIVAL. CONSEQUENTLY, PARENTS AND SOCIETY HAVE MUCH HIGHER DEMANDS AND EXPECTATION OF THEIR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY ACADEMICALLY, DR KO SAID.
*
ON THE OTHER HAND, SHE SAID, MOST PARENTS WERE SPENDING FAR LESS TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, PARTLY BECAUSE MORE WOMEN WERE TAKING FULL-TIME JOBS.
.
DOCTERS ENGAGED IN THE MEDICAL CARE OF CHILDREN WERE BEING CONFRONTED MORE AND MORE BY PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDERS. FOR EXAMPLE AN ASTHMATIC ATTACK MAY BE PRECIPITATED BY PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS IN THE FAMILY.
.
THERE ARE PARENTS WHO SIMPLY IGNORE OR ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT SMALL CHILDREN ARE ALSO CAPABLE OF FEELINGS AND EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES SIMILAR TO ADULTS,+ DR KO SAID.
SHE ADDED THAT SCHOOL PHOBIA, SUICIDAL TENDANCY, AND CHILD ABUSE WERE RISING IN INCIDENCE AND CAUSING A LOT OF CONCERN RECENTLY.
IN THIS MESS OF CONFUSION, PARENTS HAD BECOME VIRTUALLY THE SOLE PILLARS OF REFERENCE AND SUPPORT IN MORAL JUDGEMENT AND PERSONALITY FORMATION.
.
OUR CHILDREN INHERIT THE FUTURE AND CONTROL THE WORLD OF TOMORROW.
.
THE MOST IMPORTANT GIFT A PARENT CAN GIVE TO THE WORLD IS A CHILD WHO HAS BEEN RAISED TO BE A HEALTHY, HAPPY AND SECURE HUMAN BEING WITH CONFIDENCE AND COMPETENCE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT.+ DR KO SAID.
0
/13
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
PART-TIME TRAINING COURSES FOR TEACHERS
******
PART-TIME IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES ARE BEING ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS.
THESE FREE COURSES WILL START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, CATERING FOR TEACHERS EMPLOYED IN AIDED OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHO ALTHOUGH SUITABLY QUALIFIED ACADEMICALLY, DO NOT POSSESS THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AS +QUALIFIED TEACHERS+.
ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSES, WHICH WILL INCLUDE LECTURES. TUTORIALS AND TEACHING SUPERVISION, PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES ACCORDING TO THEIR QUALIFIED TEACHERS STATUS.
PART-TIME, SUPPLY, KINDERGARTEN AND EVENING CLASS TEACHERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COURSES, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
THE COURSE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IS OF THREE YEARS’ DURATION AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CHINESE.
THERE WILL BE TWO TYPES OF COURSES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERSi A TWO-YEAR PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSE AND A THREE-YEAR PART-TIME EVENING COURSE, EACH BEING DIVIDED INTO THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH SECTIONS.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE FULL-TIME PERMITTED OR REGISTERED TEACHERS IN AIDED OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS, OR GRADUATES OF HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE FROM 1970 ONWARDS, HONG KONG SHUE YAN COLLEGE FROM 1976 ONWARDS, OR LINGNAN COLLEGE, HONG KONG FROM 1979 ONWARDS.
FINAL-YEAR STUDENTS OF THESE THREE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPLICANTS WISHING TO TAKE THE THREE-YEAR EVENING COURSE ARE FIVE SUBJECTS AT GRADE E OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, INCLUDING THE LANGUAGE USED AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION FOR THE COURSE.
APPLICANTS FOR THE TWO-YEAR DAY RELEASE COURSE MUST BE GRADUATES OF HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (FROM 1970). HONG KONG SHUE YAN COLLEGE (FROM 1976) OR LINGNAN COLLEGE (FROM 1979), OR FINAL-YEAR STUDENTS IN ANY OF THESE COLLEGES.
THE PRIMARY COURSE WILL BE CONDUCTED IN GRANTHAM COLLEGE CF EDUCATION WHILE THE SECONDARY (CHINESE) AND SECONDARY (ENGLISH) COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION RESPECTIVELY.
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDANCE NOTES MAY NOW BE OBTAINED FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEE GARDENS, 3/F, HYSAN AVENUE. HONG KONG, ITS KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE AT KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 6/F, 405 NATHAN ROAD, AND THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.
/COMPLETED FORMS ..............
FHEjaY, JANUAHY 20, 1984
- 14 -
COMPLETED FORMS IN DUPLICATE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE JOINT SELECTION BOARD AND FORWARDED TO THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO WHICH ADMISSION IS SOUGHT BY 5 PM ON FEBRUARY 29, 1984.
TEACHERS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR FORMS THROUGH THEIR HEADS OF SCHOOLS, AND FINAL-YEAR STUDENTS OF THE THREE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL RESIDENTS.
GRADUATES OF THE THREE COLLEGES SHOULD SUBMIT THE FORMS IN PERSON OR BY RECORDED POST, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
.INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED, AND THE VALIDITY OF APPLICATIONS SENT BY RECORDED POST WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE DATE OF THE POST-MARK,. HE SAID.
------------0------------
FISHERMEN MOVE INTO NEW VILLAGE * *
*
A TOTAL OF 65 FISHING FAMILIES, WHO HAVE MOVED HOME ON TWO OCCASIONS TO MAKE WAY FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH LAND BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT ON WHICH TO BUILD A NEW VILLAGE AT AH KUNG KOK, SHA TIN.
THE OPENING AND MOVING-IN CEREMONY OF THE NEW VILLAGE TOOK PLACE TODAY (FRIDAY), WITH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, MR JOHN TODD, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR WAI HON-LEUNG, CFFICIATING.
MR TODD SAID THE CONSTRUCTION OF AH KUNG KOK FISHERMEN’S FEW VILLAGE HAD BEEN NO ORDINARY PROJECT.
.THE MAJORITY OF THE FISHERMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES, WHOSE MOV I NG-IN WE ARE CELEBRATING TODAY, ORIGINALLY LIVED AT HO TUNG LAU VILLAGE, ACROSS THE RIVER ON THE SITE OF WHAT IS NOW SHA TIN RACE COURSE,. HE SAID.
IN 1976, RECLAMATION WORK FOR THE RACE COURSE FORCED THEM TO MOVE AND THEY WENT ACROSS TO LIVE IN THE BAY OF AH KUNG KOK AND AT YAU SHUI PANG.
THREE YEARS AGO. RECLAMATION WORK BEGAN ON THIS (THE SOUTH) SIDE OF SHING'MUN RIVER IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF MA ON SHAN, AND IT AGAIN BECAME NECESSARY FOR THE FISHERMEN TO MOVE.
.IN RECOGNITION OF THE SPECIAL PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE FISHERMEN AS THEY MOVED BEFORE THE ADVANCING DEVELOPMENT CF SHA TIN NEW TOWN, IT WAS AGREED TO MAKE A SPECIAL CASE AND GRANT THEM LAND FROM THE AREA BEING RECLAIMED TO BUILD A NEW VILLAGE TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR FAM IL IES,. MR TODD SAID.
.THE FISHERMEN HAVE A TRADITIONAL AND LONG-ESTABLISHED WAY CF LIFE IN THE TOLO HARBOUR AREA AND I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE YOUR NEW VILLAGE SO WELL COMPLETED WITH ITS SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT, TRANSFORMER COMPOUND AND OTHER SERVICE FAC IL IT IES..
/IN Y￡ARS....................
FRIDAY, JANUARY ?c, 1984
15
IN YEARS TO COME AH KUNG KOK NEW VILLAGE WOULD FIND A MODERN DEVELOPMENT ON EITHER SIDE OF IT AND THE MAIN ROAD LINK TO MA ON SHAN IN FRONT1 IT WAS IMPORTANT THEREFORE THAT ITS OWN FACILITIES WERE OF A STANDARD COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING NEW TOWN.
.BY YOUR ENTHUSIASM AND COMMITMENT TO THE BUILDING OF "THIS VILLAGE AND THE MONEY AND CARE YOU HAVE PUT INTO THE BUILDING AND DECORATION OF YOUR HOUSES, YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES HAVE SHOWN A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY FEELING.
.THIS IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT AND ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN THE CASE OF SHA TIN AS THE NEW TOWN EXPANDS,+ MR TODD CONCLUDED.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE NEW VILLAGE STARTED IN MAY, 1982.
EACH FAMILY HAS BUILT A TWO-STOREY HOUSE WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 1 OOO SQUARE FEET.
SOME HOUSES HAVE ALREADY BEEN OCCUPIED, WHILE THE FINISHING TOUCHES ARE BEING PUT TO OTHERS. HOWEVER, ALL 65 FAMILIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN THEIR NEW HOMES BY CHINESE NEW YEAR.
TODAY’S CEREMONY WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 200 GUESTS.
- - - - 0 ----------
SPORTS BODIES OFFERED TECHNICAL ADVICE * M *
*
J‘ECREAT,0N AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT IS READY TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL ADVICE TO PROMOTE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.
<FRIDAY) BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER (RECREATION AND SPORT), MR DICKEN YUNG, AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT THE WANCHAI SPORTS GROUND.
MR YUNG WAS SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL ATHLETIC MEET OF THE FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AT WHICH MORE THAN 400 STUDENTS TOOK PART.
MR YUNG SAID FUNDS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO SUBSIDISE SPORTS EVENTS.
MR YUNG ALSO SAID THAT CHILDREN SHOULD BE EDUCATED IN AN ALL-ROUND WAY.
.ATTENTION SHOULD NOT ONLY BE ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, BUT ON MORAL, PHYSICAL AND PUBLIC EDUCATION AS WELL.
.WHILE BOOK LEARNING IS ESSENTIAL TO THE ADOLESCENTS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, HEALTHY PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT MAY EXERT SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON THEIR MENTAL GROWTH, OUTLOOK ON LIFE, ABILITY TO SEE THINGS IN‘PERSPECTIVE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY,. HE SAID.
------------0---------------
/16 ..............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984 '
- 16 -
TUEN MUN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED * *
*
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AN AMENDMENT TO THE OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR TUEN MUN.
THE AMENDMENT INVOLVES REZONING AN 800 SQUARE METRE SITE ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR TSENG TAU FROM +OPEN SPACE*
TO +OTHER SPECIFIED USES*
.
THE SITE IS TO BE DEVELOPED AS A REPLACEMENT FOR A PETROL FILLING STATION 600 METRES FURTHER TO THE NORTH WHICH MUST BE MOVED TO MAKE WAY FOR A ROAD INTERCHANGE.
THERE IS A REST GARDEN IN THE AREA ON WHICH THE PETROL STATION IS TO BE BUILT. IT IS ALSO HOPED EVENTUALLY TO CONSTRUCT A MINI-SOCCER PITCH AND TO CARRY OUT LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING WORK IN ORDER TO MINIMISE ANY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
THE AMENDED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES. WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONGs THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION. MURRAY BUILDING, 4TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG | AND AT TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, 20, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TUEN MUN.
ANYONE AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT SHOULD OBJECT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING- AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382, NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, AT $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
AIR ACCIDENT REPORT PUBLISHED
M *
*
A REPORT OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ACCIDENT INVOLVING
A THAI INTERNATIONAL AIRBUS A300 WHICH OCCURRED AT HONG KONG AIRPORT ON JULY 3, 1981, HAS BEEN PUBLISHED AND COPIES ARE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE.
THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS TAKING OFF ON A SCHEDULED FLIGHT TO BANGKOK, WHEN THERE WAS AN UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE NO. 1 (PORT) ENGINE WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, ENGINE PYLON, AND NACELLE.
THE ACCIDENT WAS FULLY INVESTIGATED BY THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DIVISION OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT.
J
THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, WHILE NOT DEFINITELY ESTABLISHED, IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN A FRACTURE OF THE FIRST STAGE HIGH PRESSURE TURBINE DISC RIM WHICH LED TO SEPARATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE TURBINE SECTION OF THE ENGINE.
THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO PASSENGERS OR CREW MEMBERS.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
17 -
INTELPOST EXTENDED TO NETHERLANDS XXX
INTELPOST SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE NETHERLANDS FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 23), THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY.
INTELPOST IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, USA, FRANCE, WEST GERMANY AND SOUTH KOREA AND PROVIDES FOR HIGH SPEED FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION OF DOCUMENTS, DRAWINGS AND PERSONAL MESSAGES.
DELIVERY CAN BE ACHIEVED IN A MATTER OF HOURS WHERE SPECIAL MESSENGER DELIVERY SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE OR THROUGH THE PICK-UP SERVICE AT DESIGNATED INTELPOST OFFICES, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL SAID.
THE CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE TO THE NETHERLANDS WILL BE i
FOR THE FIRST SIDE OF AN A4 SHEET OF PAPER $65
FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT A4 SIDE SENT TO THE SAME
ADDRESSEE AT THE SAME TIME $30
DOCUMENTS MAY BE POSTED AT EITHER THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OR TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AT 10 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INTELPOST REPRESENTATIVE ON TELEPHONE 5-2671148.
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TRAINING COURSE ON CLASS LIBRARIES * *
X M
THE LIBRARY SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE WILL ORGANISE 10 IDENTICAL SEMINARS ON THE CLASS LIBRARY PILOT SCHEME BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND JUNE FOR TEACHERS OF PRIMARY THREE AND FOUR CLASSES.
THE COURSES. EACH OF WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE EXTRA-MURAL OF HONG KONG AT WING ON CENTRE,
WILL CONSIST OF EIGHT SESSIONS, TOWN CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSITY CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
THE COURSES ARE TO EQUIP TEACHERS WITH THE BASIS KNOWLEDGE OF MANAGING CLASS LIBRARIES AND TO SHOW THEM HOW TO SELECT LIBRARY BOOKS AS WELL AS DEVISE RELEVANT ACTIVITIES.
OWING TO LIMITED ACCOMMODATION, EACH PRIMARY SCHOOL IS REQUESTED TO NOMINATE ONE TEACHER TO TAKE PART IN THE COURSES. NOMINATIONS SHOULD REACH THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, LIBRARY SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 30.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE SECTION ON 5-8392258. ------------o-----------
/it ..............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
- 18 -
FREE LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTER OFFERED ft ft ft ft
A POSTER DESIGNED ALONG TRADITIONAL CHINESE LINES HAS BEEN SPECIALLY PRODUCED FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE ON PREVENTION OF HILLFIRES, THE POSTER DEPICTS TWO CHILDREN CLAD IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE COSTUME.
IT ALSO CARRIES A MESSAGE FOR A PROSPEROUS YEAR, MAKING IT IDEAL FOR HOMES DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD.
THE THEME OF THE POSTER IS ON HARMONIOUS LIVING.
DESIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, THE POSTER MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE AT THE VARIOUS MANAGEMENT CENTRES AS WELL AS INFORMATION AND WARDEN POSTS INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS WHILE STOCKS LAST.
FARMERS WHO WISH TO HAVE COPIES OF THE POSTER CAN APPROACH THE AGRICULTURAL LIAISON OFFICES OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR SUPPLY OF MOTOR BOATS ftftftftftftftft
TENDERS ARE INVITED FOR THE SUPPLY OF A MINIMUM OF THREE MOTOR BOATS ON HIRE AT ONE TIME AT HOURLY RATES TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE FOR A PERIOD OF TWELVE MONTHS STARTING APRIL 1, 1984.
THE BOATS WILL BE USED FOR CONVEYING OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE FOR JOURNEYS BETWEEN THE SHORE AND SHIPS AT ANCHOR IN THE HARBOUR AND FOR PATROLS WITHIN THE WATERS OF THE TERRITORY. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE TOTAL SAILING TIME PER MONTH WILL NOT BE LESS THAN 700 HOURS AND THE TOTAL WAITING TIME 900 HOURS.
NOTICE OF THIS IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SUPPLIES SECTION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, 15/F, HONG KONG TRADE CENTRE, 161-167 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
- 19 -
ELDERLY FOLK TO BENEFIT FROM CAMPAIGN M *
*
*
*
A SEMINAR ON +THE LIFE OF OLD PEOPLE IN BUILT-UP AREAS*
WILL MARK THE OPENING TOMORROW (SATURDAY) OF A THREE-MONTH CAMPAIGN IN MONG KOK BENEFITING ELDERLY PEOPLE.
GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF THE ST JAMES SETTLEMENT, MRS GRACE WANs SENIOR LECTURER IN SOCIAL ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR NELSON W.S. CHOW; CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, MR ADOLF K.T. TSANG; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT ELDERLY CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR CHO SHIU-CHUNG.
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILFRED WONG WILL CHAIR THE SEMINAR.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE VISITS TO ELDERLY FOLK, AND CLEANING CF FLATS FOR THEM. A SPECIAL PURCHASE SCHEME, FREE MEDICAL EXAMINATION SCHEM&, A HEALTH EXHIBITION, A VITALITY DAY AND CHINESE OPERAS.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION, THE MONG KOK DISTRICT CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE MONG KOK COUNTRYMEN AND CLANSMEN ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO THE EDITORS I
DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 2 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE FOUR SEASONS SUITE OF THE NEW WORLD HOTEL BEFORE THE START OF THE SEMINAR. YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE.
THE MONG KOK ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STANLEY WONG WILL CHAIR THE CONFERENCE.
------------o---------------
NOTE TO EDITORSi
VARIETY SHOW STRESSES ON FIRE PREVENTION * *
M
A VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD AT THE YUE WAN COMMUNITY HALL ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 22) STARTING AT 2 PM. TO SPREAD THE FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGE TO EASTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS.
THE SHOW WILL FEATURE A TELEMATCH FOR FIRE WATCH TEAM MEMBERS AND SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES BY STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
/THE ASSISTANT..............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
- 20 -
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICERS, MR FREDERICK TONG
AND MR STEPHEN NG AND THE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER (HONG KONG EAST) CF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN WAH-DING, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE TELEMATCH AND A QUIZ COMPETITION FELD EARLIER IN THE DISTRICT.
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE VARIETY SHOW IS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN WHICH STARTED IN LATE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VARIETY SHOW AND THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
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NEEDS OF ELDERLY TO BE SURVEYED M *
*
M M
A SURVEY ON THE NEEDS OF OLD PEOPLE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN WILL BE LAUNCHED TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
IT AIMS AT FINDING OUT THE ACTUAL DEMAND FOR ELDERLY SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
MORE THAN 200 VOLUNTEERS WILL BE VISITING HOMES DURING THE NEXT TEN DAYS TO COLLECT INFORMATION FROM ABOUT 1 000 PEOPLE OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE.
SIMPLE QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED ABOUT THEIR DAILY LIVES, HABITS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, FINANCIAL AND HEALTH CONDITIONS, AND FAMILY BACKGROUND.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE PROJECT IS CONDUCTED BY A WORKING GROUP RECENTLY FORMED UNDER THE BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD POINTED OUT THAT MORE THAN ONE-EIGHTH CF THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION ARE OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE.
.FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WILL GREATLY HELP PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF OUR SENIOR RESIDENTS,*
HE SAID.
ALL VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS TAKING PART IN THE SURVEY WILL CARRY AN IDENTIFICATION CARD SPECIALLY ISSUED BY THE WORKING GROUP. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE WITH THE WORKING GROUP SECRETARY, M? M.H. LAM, AT 5-450868.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
21
CLEAN CANOPIES BLITZ SET TO BEGIN * ft *
*
*
A DRIVE TO CLEAN UP ALL THE CANOPIES IN THE URBAN AREA WILL SOON BEGIN.
DURING THE BLITZ, CITY SERVICES HEALTH INSPECTORS WILL POST NOTICES IN THE COMMON PARTS OF BUILDINGS URGING RESIDENTS TO CLEAN THEIR CANOPIES.
THEY WILL LATER VISIT THOSE BUILDINGS TO SEE IF THE CANOPIES HAVE BEEN CLEANED.
IF THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS, THEY WILL ISSUE A WARNING LETTER TO THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY YET ANOTHER INSPECTION TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BE SERVED WITH A SUMMONS.
ANYONE WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THIS WILL BE LIABLE TO A
FINE
THE DRIVE IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN KWUN TONG, SHAM SHUI PO, YAU MA TEI AND MONG KOK ON JANUARY 23, TO BE FOLLOWED BY WONG TAI SIN AND EASTERN DISTRICT ON JANUARY 24 AND 25 RESPECTIVELY.
IN CENTRAL, WESTERN, WAN CHAI AND SOUTHERN. THE BLITZ WILL LAST FROM JANUARY 27 TO FEBRUARY 1.
CONCERT FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS ft ft ft ft
ABOUT 1 100 EASTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A TWO-HOUR FOLK SONG CONCERT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) NIGHT AT MAN KIU COLLEGE ON CLOUDVIEW ROAD.
STUDENTS FROM EIGHT SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT WILL PERFORM AT THE CONCERT, BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM.
ORGANISED BY THE CAUSEWAY BAY SOUTH AREA COMMITTEE AND THE LAI TAK YOUTH CENTRE, IT AIMS AT ENCOURAGING STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS TO ENGAGE MORE IN COMMUNITY WORK.
- 0 -
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
22
ROAD SAFETY DRIVE GOES ON
M M *
KOWLOON CITY'S TWO-WEEK ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN, SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, ENDS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) — BUT THE SAFETY btSSAGE WILL CONTINUE TO BE SPREAD.
OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, THE POLICE WILL BE ADVISING PEDESTRIANS ON-THE-SPOT ABOUT ROAD CROSSING.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY TWO WEEKS OF STEPPED-UP PROSECUTION ACTION AGAINST JAY WALKERS AND CARELESS DRIVERS.
AT A CLOSING CEREMONY TOMORROW, ^CHILDREN DRIVERS*
IN A ■.ROAD SAFETY TOWN*
WILL BE TAUGHT TO OBSERVE THE ROAD SAFETY CODES.
OTHER PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE A PERFORMANCE BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND PIPE AND DRUMS, AND A PARADE BY SIX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PATROL TEAMS.
EIGHT MODEL PEDESTRIANS AND WINNERS OF A SLOGAN CONTEST WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON CITY ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE MA TAU WAI PLAYGROUND ON MA TAU WAI ROAD.
------------o-----------
NEW BUS TERMINUS X *
FOR CHAI WAN *
A BUS TERMINUS IS TO BE BUILT AT ROAD AND SHEUNG ON STREET, CHAI WAN.
THE JUNCTION OF CHAI WAN
IT WILL CONSIST OF SIX BAYS VARYING IN LENGTH FROM 19 TO 43 METRES, SIX SHELTERED PASSENGER PLATFORMS, ASSOCIATED FOOTWAYS AND A KIOSK AND CANTEEN FOR BUS REGULATORS.
AFTER IT IS COMPLETED, THE BUS TERMINUS AT SAN HA STREET WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE NEW BUS TERMINUS AND CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO RELOCATING OTHERS IN THE AREA. THIS WILL MAKE AVAILABLE VALUABLE STREET SPACE AND ALSO PROVIDE COMMUTERS WITH A MORE SATISFACTORY SERVICE.
/hORK ........... .
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1984
- 23 -
WORK WILL START IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORK CAN BE SEEN AT CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, HARBOUR CENTRE, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG; AND EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 884-886, KING’S ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE MARCH 20.
EDINBURGH PLACE EAST TRAFFIC PLAN K M M .
EDINBURGH PLACE EAST BETWEEN THE EASTERN END OF URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND QUEEN’S PIER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO 11 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 22) IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1984 HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1984
CONTENTS FAGS NO.
FIRE TRAGEDY MARS HO'S LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY ............................................. 1
'WARMTH, VITALITY, PARTICIPATION1 FOR ELDERLY ............................................. 2
meter parking scheme a success ............................................................................................. 3
CONM2NDATION FOR ECONOMY................................................................................................................ 4
LUNaR new year fairs in nt ......................................................................................................... 4
SHA TIN MUSIC CENTRE AND RSS OFFICE OPINED ......................................................
NT TO LAUNCH CLEAN-UP OPERATION .........................................................................................
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN CaUSEWaY 3AY ......................................................................................... 7
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1W<
1
FIRE TRAGEDY MARS HO’S LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY M M M X
UNLIKE MOST FAMILIES PREPARING FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR OF THE RAT, THE HO FAMILY OF YAU TONG FACE A BLEAK HOLIDAY.
FOR THE FAMILY OF FATHER — A CONSTRUCTION WORKER EARNING 12 OOO A MONTH - MOTHER AND TWO-MONTH OLD SON — LOST EVERYTHING WHEN A SQUATTER FIRE IN LING NAM SAN CHUEN SPREAD TO THEIR HUT AND DESTROYED IT TOO.
THE EARLY MORNING DECEMBER 8 FIRE HAD SPREAD RAPIDLY THROUGH ELECTRICAL WIRES.
THE HO’S HAD BOUGHT THE HUT FOR $8 000 WHEN THEY MARRIED IWO YEARS AGO AND SPENT $10 000 ON EQUIPPING AND FURNISHING IT.
THE FAMILY ARE NOW STAYING WITH MRS HO’S MOTHER WHILE AWAITING REHOUSING.
LAST YEAR THERE WERE 169 SQUATTER FIRES, MAKING 3 339 PEOPLE HOMELESS.
IN KOWLOON EAST, A SQUATTER BLACK SPOT. SUCH FIRES MADE UP 80 PER CENT OF THE DISTRICT’S FIRE TOLL LAST YEAR.
MR CHAN HOI, DIVISIONAL COMMANDER (KOWLOON EAST) OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DESCRIBED THE PROBLEMS FACED IN FIGHTING SQUATTER FIRES.
MOST OF THE FLIMSY STRUCTURES ARE BUILT ON HILL SLOPES, AND MUCH TIME AND EFFORT HAS TO BE SPENT LAYING HOSES TO THE SCENE OF FIRE. AND THE FREQUENT EXPLOSIONS OF LP GAS CYLINDERS POSE ADDITIONAL THREAT TO FIREMEN, HE SAID.
FIRE SERVICES REGULARLY VISIT SQUATTER AREAS, SPREADING THE FIRE SAFETY MESSAGE TO RESIDENTS, MR CHAN STRESSED.
MRS HO SAID THAT ALTHOUGH A FIRE WATCH TEAM HAD BEEN FORMED IN HER VILLAGE WITH THE HELP OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SCHEME RECEIVED ONLY LUKEWARM SUPPORT FROM THE VILLAGERS.
SOME OF THE PEOPLE JUST DON’T PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO THE GOVERNMENT’S ADVICE. THEY SEEM TO THINK THAT FIRES ARE INEVITABLE IN SQUATTER AREAS, SHE SAID.
HOWEVER, IN SOME OTHER SQUATTER VILLAGES, FIRE PREVENTION bEASURES ARE WELL ORGANISED.
MR CHAN SAID FOR EXAMPLE THAT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF FSD, HAS ORGANISED AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME ON FIRE SAFETY FOR RESIDENTS.
.IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL IF OTHER DISTRICTS COULD DO THE SAME,*
HE SAID.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1^&4
THE SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENTS DIVISION OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT SPENT $23 MILLION THIS FINANCIAL YEAR ON IMPROVING THE OVERALL LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR URBAN SQUATTER AREAS, AND SOME OF THE MONEY WAS ALLOCATED FOR THE PROVISION OF FIRE PREVENTION FACILITIES.
THE DIVISION’S SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER, MR CHU CHAI-KUEN SAID FIRE BREAKS HAD BEEN CONSTRUCTED IN CHEUNG LUNG TIN, LAM TIN AND SAU MAU PING. SHAU KEI WAN AND DIAMOND HILL WILL BE THE NEXT IN LINE.
.FIRE BREAKS OF OCCASIONS. WE SQUATTER VILLAGES MR CHU SAID.
HAVE PROVED TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE ON A NUMBER INTEND TO EXTEND THE SCHEME TO ALL MAJOR IN THE URBAN AREA WITHIN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS,.
’WARMTH, VITALITY, PARTICIPATION*
FOR ELDERLY M *
A SPECIAL PURCHASE SCHEME, A FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UP SERVICE, A HEALTH EXHIBITION, A VITALITY DAY, VISITS AND CLEAN-UP EXERCISE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TWO-MONTH MONG KOK ELDERLY CAMPAIGN BEGINNING TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD, THE MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION, THE MONG KOK DISTRICT CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT COUNTRYMEN AND CLANSMEN ASSOCIATION.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STANLEY WONG SAID THE AIM WAS TO AROUSE THE PUBLIC’S CONCERN AND CARE FOR OLD PEOPLE.
.THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES, WE HOPE TO PROVIDE SOME RECREATIONAL AND HEALTHY PASTIME FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT,. HE SAID.
.OUR MOTTO IS ’WARMTH, VITALITY AND PARTICIPATION’..
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN’S STEERING COMMITTEE, MR CHO SHIU-CHUNG AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHOI FOOK-CHI.
MR CHO SAID VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT WERE ALSO ARRANGING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CHINESE OPERAS, DISTRIBUTION OF RED PACKETS, DINNER TREATS AND MOVIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE CAMPAIGN.
A SEMINAR ON .THE LIFE OF OLD PEOPLE IN URBAN AREA*
HELD TODAY AT THE NEW WORLD HOTEL STARTED OFF THE CAMPAIGN.
GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR WERE THE DIRECTOR OF ST. JAMES SETTLEMENT, MRS GRACE WAN; SENIOR LECTURER IN SOCIAL ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR NELSON W.S. CHOW; CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, MR ADOLF K.T. TSANG; AND THE STEERING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHO.
,oiitn:c
SATURDAY, JAKUaRY <>1, 1984
- 3 -
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, VOLUNTEERS FROM SIX VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL VISIT ABOUT 150 OLD PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT AND HELP THEM CLEAN UP THEIR FLATS BETWEEN JANUARY 23 AND FEBRUARY 1.
OTHER PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDEi
X
A VITALITY DAY AT THE MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND ON FEBRUARY 12;
X
A LUNAR NEW YEAR VARIETY SHOW AT THE CHAN HING SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE ON FEBRUARY 20;
X
A DINNER FOR THE ELDERLY ON FEBRUARY 28;
* AN EXHIBITION ON HEALTH CARE AT THE CHAN HING SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE ON MARCH 3; AND
X A TWO-WEEK FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UP SERVICE AT THE CHAN HING SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE FROM MARCH 5.
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METER PARKING SCHEME A SUCCESS X X X X X
MOTORISTS FOUND IT MUCH EASIER NOW TO PARK THEIR CARS IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON HOLIDAYS FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF A PARKING METER SCHEME LAST SEPTEMBER, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CARRIED OUT RECENTLY BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY SHOWS THAT THE TURNOVER RATE OF VEHICLES USING THE METERED PARKING SPACES HAS INCREASED BY 63 PER CENT SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME FOR SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
.THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY CLEARLY SHOW THAT THE SCHEME IS SUCCESSFUL IN DETERRING UNFAIR. LONG TERM PARKING AND IN REGULATING THE USE OF ON-STREET METERED PARKING SPACES,. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID.
BASED ON CONSULTATIONS WITH THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, THE SCHEME WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN NOVEMBER 1982 IN THE SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT AREAS OF CAUSEWAY BAY.
IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY EXTENDED TO WAN CHAI AND HAPPY VALLEY AND THEN TO TSIM SHA TSUI.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 1 187 METERS OPERATING ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS BETWEEN 10 AM AND 10 PM.
FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION, THE UPPER PARTS OF THE METER POSTS ARE PAINTED VIOLET.
IN VIEW OF ITS SUCCESS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERING EXTENDING THE SCHEME TO OTHER BUSY AREAS SUCH AS MONG KOK.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1984
COMMENDATION FOR ECONOMY lil
THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD, WILL PRESENT A COMMENDATION TO A SENIOR MANAGEMENT SERVICES OFFICER OF THE FINANCE BRANCH, MR TONY CROSS.
THE COMMENDATION IS IN RECOGNITION OF MR CROSS’S WORK IN BRINGING ABOUT AN ANNUAL SAVING OF SOME 130 MILLION IN RECURRENT COSTS AND 113 MILLION IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S CLEANSING SERVICES.
A PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 23) AT THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS, 8TH FLOOR, GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 136-138 AUSTIN ROAD, KOWLOON.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, MR HEYWOOD AND MR CROSS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW ABOUT THE SAVING AND THE NTSD’S CLEANSING SERVICES.
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS IN NT * *
*
SEVEN SPORTS GROUNDS AND PLAYGROUNDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 23) TO FACILITATE THE MARKING OF STALL SITES FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS.
THE FAIRS WILL BE HELD BETWEEN JANUARY 26 (THURSDAY) AND FEBRUARY 2, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE FAIRS WILL BE LOCATED AT THE YUEN LONG SPORTS GROUND AND THE OPEN CAR PARK OUTSIDE THE YUEN LONG STADIUM, THE TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND, THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND IN TSUEN WAN, THE TAI PO PLAYGROUND, THE YUEN WO ROAD PLAYGROUND IN SHA TIN, THE SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND IN SHEUNG SHUI AND THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND.
A TOTAL OF 922 STALLS FOR SALE OF FLOWERS, DRY GOODS, DRINKS, ICE CREAM OR SNACKS WILL BE PUT UP.
ALL THE STALL SITES, EXCEPT NINE FOR SALE OF FLOWER AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND, HAVE BEEN LET OUT.
TRADERS WHO WISH TO LEASE THE NINE VACANT SITES MAY CONTACT THE KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, DURING OFFICE HOURS.
THESE SITES WILL BE LET FOR S1OO ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
0
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1984
SHA TIN MUSIC CENTRE AND RSS OFFICE OPENED ■ _ *
*
*
RESIDENTS IN SHA TIN CAN EXPECT BETTER AND MORE CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS SERVICES WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW SHA TIN MUSIC CENTRE AND RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE (SHA TIN OFFICE) AT KCR HOUSE TODAY.
THE SHA TIN MUSIC CENTRE IS THE SEVENTH OF ITS KIND IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN DISTRICTS AND THE THIRD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SET UP BY THE MUSIC OFFICE.
LOCATED AT LEVEL FOUR OF KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, THE MUSIC CENTRE HAS A LARGE REHEARSAL ROOM AND FIVE PRACTICE ROOMS Fitted with mirrors and acoustics.
IT WILL BECOME THE BASE FOR THE RUNNING OF THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, THE ORGANISING OF DISTRICT MUSIC ACTIVITIES AND THE PROMOTION OF MUSIC IN GENERAL.
AT PRESENT, THE SHA TIN MUSIC CENTRE IS RUNNING 31 CLASSES FOR 160 TRAINEES.
IN A WELCOME SPEECH, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, EXPRESSED GRATITUDE TO THE PARENTS, SCHOOLS AND LOCAL CULTURAL AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS OF SHA TIN FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE IN HELPING THE DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH A FIRM FOOTHOLD IN THE DISTRICT.
.THE OPENING OF THE SHA TIN MUSIC CENTRE WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN OUR PRESENT LINKS WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND WITH THEIR CONTINUING SUPPORT, I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP THE STORE OF MUSICAL TALENT IN SHA TIN AND ENRICH THE LIVES OF SHA TIN RESIDENTS,. HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE’S SHA TIN OFFICE, THE COMMISSIONER SAID IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1976 FOR THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES FOR PEOPLE CF ALL AGES RESIDING IN THE DISTRICT.
.PROGRAMMES ARE VARIED AND DIVERSIFIED COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SPORTS TRAINING COURSES, COMPETITIONS IN AQUATIC SPORTS AND BALL GAMES, OUTDOOR PURSUITS INCLUDING CAMPING, HORSE-RIDING, CANOEING AND SAILING AND VARIOUS RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
.LAST YEAR, WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE SHA TIN
DISTRICT BOARD AND THE LOCAL ORANISATION, A TOTAL OF 297 ACTIVITIES WERE ORGANISED FOR 25 541 RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES.+ WILLIAMSON SAID.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR WAI HON-LEUNG, SAID THAT TO KEEP PACE WITH THE CHANGING SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND THE DEMANDS OF A GROWING POPULATION. THERE WAS AN OBVIOUS NEED FOR BETTER AND MORE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 19b4
- 6 -
.I SEE THE OPENING OF THESE OFFICES AS A STEP IN THAT DIRECTION,*
HE ADDED.
MR MAI SAID COMPARED WITH THE SITUATION IN 1976 WHEN THE
RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE FIRST SET UP DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE PREMISES OF THE SHA THERE HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT IN
THEIR SHA TIN TIN RURAL COMMITTEE BOTH THE QUALITY
AND QUANTITY OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED.
MR WAI URGED THE RSS TO FURTHER WIDEN THEIR SCOPE OF WORK AND INTRODUCE NEW SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO SHA TIN RESIDENTS.
OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE MR NG CHAN-LAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE, SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD! MR WONG PO-MING, CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD; MR LAU HON-KIT, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION; AND MR NG PING-KIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION.
THE GUESTS WERE TREATED TO AN ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME INCLUDING MUSIC AND DANCES.
- - - - 0------------
NT TO LAUNCH CLEAN-UP OPERATION
* *
*
A SIX-DAY CLEAN-UP OPERATION THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE LAUNCHED ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27) TO FURTHER IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
FROM THEN UP TO FEBRUARY 1, ALL REFUSE AND JUNK COLLECTION FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
THIS IS THE PERIOD WHEN MANY RESIDENTS WILL BE BUSY TIDYING UP THEIR HOUSES FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
IN ADDITION, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL SET ASIDE SOME 100 SITES WHERE THE PUBLIC MAY DISPOSE OF BULKY ARTICLES SUCH AS OLD TV SETS, AIR CONDITIONERS, REFRIGERATORS, WASHING MACHINES AND GAS COOKERS.
AN NTSD SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO DISCARD REFUSE AND HOUSEHOLD JUNK AT PUBLIC PLACES OR IN COMMON AREAS OF BUILDINGS.
THE OFFENCE CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF UP TO SIX MONTHS.
MEANWHILE, SHOPKEEPERS, PRIVATE REFUSE COLLECTORS AND BUILDING CONTRACTORS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THE JUNK BAY CONTROLLED TIP FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THEIR REFUSE.
--------0-----------
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1984
- 7 -
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN CAUSEWAY BAY * *
*
*
* THE SAME CLEARWAY RESTRICTION WILL BE IMPOSED ON CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH PENNINGTON STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CAUSEWAY BAY FROM 9.30 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 23).
THE MEASURES ARE;
* LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LEIGHTON ROAD BETWEEN YUN PING ROAD AND HOI PING ROAD; THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LEIGHTON ROAD BETWEEN CANAL ROAD WEST AND HOI PING ROAD; YIU WA STREET; FOO MING STREET; HOI PING ROAD! AND THE SECTION OF YUN PING ROAD BETWEEN LEIGHTON ROAD AND HYSAN AVENUE.
X THE EXISTING LEARNER DRIVER PROHIBITION IN COTTON PATH WILL BE LIFTED.
M ALL LEARNER DRIVERS IN PERCIVAL STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING LEFT INTO LEIGHTON ROAD EASTBOUND.
X EASTBOUND VEHICLES ON LEIGHTON ROAD BETWEEN SUNNING ROAD AND YUN PING ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO CAROLINE HILL ROAD.
* CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 21 AND PENNINGTON STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO WAYS, WHILE THE SECTION OF CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 21 AND COTTON PATH WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND. LEARNER DRIVERS MAY USE THIS ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO REACH EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD AND HONG KONG STADIUM.
X THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LEIGHTON ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH YUN PING ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AS URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1984
CONTENTS PaGE NO,
CULTURAL ACTIVITY, A PLEASURE OP MANY ...................................................................... 1
LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY REMINDER......................................................................................... 1
TWO-YEaR COURSES FOR KINDERGARTEN TEaCHERS ....................................................... 2
DB TO DISCUSS CHA KWO LING DEVELOPMENT ................................................................... 3
FIRE PREVENTION MESSaGE STRESSED ...................................................................................... 4
SUNDAY ROCK CONCERT AT SILVERMLNE BaY...................................................................... 4
CLEAN UP HELP FOR ELDERLY FOLK............................................................................................. 5
TWO CONTRACTS SIGNED FOR LIBRARY ...................................................................................... 5
NEW ADDRESS FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE ................................................... 6
TENDERS CALLED FOR REPaIR OF PLAYGROUND FACILITIES............................. 6
MODERN TOILET TO REPLaCE OLD ................................................................................................... 7
RESTRICTED ZONES IN YAU MA TEI ............................................................................................ 7
KENNEDY TOWN URBAN CLEARWAY...................................................................................................... 8
PEAK TAPS OFF
8
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1984
1
CULTURAL ACTIVITY, A PLEASURE OF MANY
******
CULTURAL ACTIVITY HAS DEVELOPED FROM THE LUXURY OF A FEW TO THE PLEASURE OF MANY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE TWELFTH HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THE AIM OF THE FESTIVAL WAS TO BUILD ON THE NATURAL ADVANTAGES OF HONG KONG AS A COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE AND A MEETING PLACE OF MANY CULTURES TO OFFER A MONTH-LONG PROGRAMME OF HIGH QUALITY AND RICH IN VARIETY.
+THE ARTS FESTIVAL HAS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A REGULAR FIXTURE IN OUR CULTURAL CALENDAR. IT BRINGS TO HONG KONG AN ARRAY OF DISTINGUISHED OVERSEAS ARTISTS AND PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT STAGE FOR OUR OWN TALENT.
.THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG REQUIRES THAT WE DO ALL WE CAN TO ENCOURAGE AND FOSTER THAT TALENT, AND I AM DELIGHTED THAT OBVIOUS PROGRESS IS BEING MADE,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN A COMPARATIVELY SHORT PERIOD, HONG KONG HAD WITNESSED THE GROWTH OF MANY GIFTED GROUPS WHO, WITH FREQUENT APPEARANCES BY VISITING ARTISTS, PROVIDED EVER MORE STIMULATING CULTURAL PROGRAMMES.
SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THE ARTS FESTIVAL HAD ENRICHED THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY AND DEMONSTRATED VIVIDLY THAT THERE WAS MORE TO HONG KONG THAN BUSINESS AND COMMERCE.
LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY REMINDER * *
*
*
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR — FEBRUARY 2, 3 AND 4 — ARE STATUTORY HOLIDAYS FOR ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND FOR NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN S8 5OO A MONTH.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT EMPLOYEES MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY-OFFS IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE'S EARNINGS, OTHER THAN OVERTIME PAY, ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY. WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE OF THE DAILY EARNINGS DURING A PERIOD OF 28 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAYS. PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE ON THE NORMAL PAY DAY.
/IF Ai...................
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 19.u
2
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY-OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
IF THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO BE GRANTED BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYER MUST NOTIFY THE EMPLOYEE 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY. IN THE CASE WHERE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO BE GIVEN AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE NOTIFIED OF THE ARRANGEMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE HOLIDAY.
IF BOTH EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF A STATUTORY HOLIDAY OR ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY MAY BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS AREs FOR KOWLOON EAST 3-205638; KOWLOON WEST 3-201652; KOWLOON SOUTH 3-319454; KWUN TONG 3-898520; KWAI CHUNG 0-234496 ; TSUEN WAN 0-422096; TAI PO 0-6577111 EXT. 114; TUEN MUN 0-818443; HONG KONG ISLAND (WEST) 5-268671 AND HONG KONG ISLAND (EAST) 5-282213.
------------o--------------
TWO-YEAR COURSES FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS
*****
KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL TRAINING ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR TWOW-YEAR PART-TIME IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSES, WHICH WILL START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE AWARDED THE STATUS OF +QUALIFIED KINDERGARTEN TEACHER*
AND WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S REGISTER OF TEACHERS.
THE COURSES ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO TYPES t ONE TO BE CONDUCTED IN CHINESE AND THE OTHER IN ENGLISH.
THE ENGLISH COURSE, HOWEVER, WILL ONLY BE OPERATED IF THERE ARE SUFFICIENT SUITABLE APPLICANTS.
EACH TEACHER MAY APPLY FOR ONE COURSE ONLY, A SPOKESMA FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE COURSES, WHICH ARE FREE, WILL REQUIRE PARTICIPANTS TO ATTEND TWO THREE-HOUR SESSIONS PER WEEK.
THEY WILL COVER PROFESSIONAL, CURRICULUM AND GENERAL oTUDIES PRESENTED THROUGH LECTURES, TUTORIALS, VISITS, WORKSHOPS AND SUPERVISION OF PRACTICAL TEACHING.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1984
- 3 -
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 3/F, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY,HONG KONG AND AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, 42 GASCOIGNE ROAD AND ITS ANNEXE AT 9/F, ARGYLE CENTRE, 688 NATHAN ROAD.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE CURRENTLY FULL-TIME PERMITTED TEACHERS IN A REGISTERED KINDERGARTEN AND HAVE A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS’ TEACHING EXPERIENCE AS AT SEPTEMBER 1, 1984. THEY MUST ALSO POSSESS THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS STIPULATED IN THE APPLICATION FORM.
COMPLETED FORMS, IN DUPLICATE, SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE JOINT SELECTION BOARD C/O GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ANNEXE BEFORE FEBRUARY 29, 1984.
INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
THE POST MARK DATE WILL BE TAKEN AS THE SUBMISSION DATE FOR APPLICATIONS SENT BY RECORDED POST.
------------0-----------
DB TO DISCUSS CHA KWO LING DEVELOPMENT * *
*
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS A CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF CHA KWO LING AT THEIR FETING ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24).
THE STUDY, COMMISSIONED BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 1982.
THE STUDY AREA OF ABOUT 90 HECTARES IS BOUNDED BY LEI YUE MUN ROAD, YAU TONG ROAD, CHA KWO LING ROAD AND THE WATERFRONT.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONSULTANT COMPANY WILL BRIEF BOARD MEMBERS ON THE STUDY.
AT THE MEETING, A LANDS DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL WILL TALK ON THE LEASE MODIFICATION POLICY ON FACTORY CANTEENS IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
NOTE TO EDITORS s
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24) IN THE CONFERENCE < ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KwUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 6 TUNG YAN STREET.
- 0 - -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1984
FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGE STRESSED * *
*
FIRE PREVENTION IS AN ON-GOING MEASURE, AND SHOULD BE OBSERVED ALL THE TIME, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, EASTERN, MR FREDERICK TONG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF A TWO-MONTH LONG FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN, MR TONG SAID THOUGH THE CAMPAIGN ITSELF HAD ENDED, THE RESIDENTS SHOULD THINK OF IT AS A CONTINUING EVENT.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN ALL THE TIME, BUT ESPECIALLY DURING THE DRY SEASON, HE SAID.
THROUGH THE ACTIVITIES LAUNCHED DURING THE CAMPAIGN, RESIDENTS HAD COME TO KNOW MORE ABOUT FIRE RISKS AND FIRE PREVENTION.
FROM LATE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, A SERIES OF TALKS, A QUIZ, AND REFRESHER- COURSES FOR FIRE-WATCH TEAMS HAD BEEN ORGANISED FOR RESIDENTS IN 13 HILLSIDE VILLAGES IN SHAU KEI WAN.
POSTERS AND BANNERS WITH FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES HAD BEEN PUT UP AT VANTAGE POINTS IN THESE VILLAGES.
IN NGAR CHOI HANG AND LIN FA KUNG VILLAGES, SEMINARS AND FIRE FIGHTING DEMONSTRATIONS HAD BEEN HELD FOR THE FIRE-WATCH TEAMS.
ABOUT 50 STUDENTS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN CHAI WAN HAD VISITED THE PAT HEUNG FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL EARLIER THIS MONTH.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY AT THE YUE WAN COMMUNITY HALL, A TELEMATCH WAS HELD BETWEEN THE FIRE WATCH-TEAMS, AND AN HOUR-LONG SINGING AND DANCING SHOW WAS PUT UP BY STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
ALSO PRESENT WERE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (SHAU KEI WAN/ CHAI WAN), MR STEPHEN NG, AND THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S DIVISIONAL COMMANDER (HONG KONG EAST), MR CHAN WAH-DING.
0 - -
SUNDAY ROCK CONCERT AT SILVERMINE BAY * *
# *
AN OUTDOOR ROCK CONCERT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE HELD AT THE SILVERMINE BAY BEACH ON LANTAU ISLAND ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29).
THE CONCERT, ENTITLED +A DAY IN THE SUN+, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE GUITAR JOURNAL, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE NEW TERRITORIES' SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE CONCERT WILL START AT 12 NOON AND NON-STOP MUSIC PROGRAMME WILL BE PROVIDED BY 10 WELL-KNOWN ROCK GROUPS UNTIL 6 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY YOUNGSTERS, ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE FREE CONCERT WHICH WILL FEATURE VARIOUS BANDS.
- 0 -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1984
5
NOTE TO EDITORS
CLEAN UP HELP FOR ELDERLY FOLK * *
*
*
*
VOLUNTEERS FROM SIX VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN MONG KOK WILL FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) VISIT ABOUT 150 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT AND HELP THEM CLEAN UP THEIR FLATS.
THE CLEAN-UP, WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL FEBRUARY 1, IS PART OF THE ACTIVITIES IN THE TWO-MONTH MONG KOK ELDERLY CAMPAIGN WHICH BEGAN YESTERDAY.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE VISIT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE CHAN HING SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE AT 45 FUK TSUN STREET, TAI KOK TSUI AT 4 PM SHARP TOMORROW.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED.
- - 0 - -
TWO CONTRACTS SIGNED FOR LIBRARY * *
*
*
TWO CONTRACTS VALUED AT ABOUT $4 MILLION HAVE BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR A NEW LIBRARY BEING BUILT AT PUI CHING ROAD, KOWLOON.
THEY ARE FOR FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS AND A CENTRALISED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM.
WORK ON THE CONTRACTS WILL BE COMPLETED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR, WHEN THE LIBRARY IS DUE TO OPEN.
THE 13-STOREY LIBRARY BUILDING WILL BE ON A 2 400-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF PUI CHING AND WATERLOO ROADS AND WILL COST $12.4 MILLION.
IT WILL PROVIDE 6 000 SQUARE METRES OF LIBRARY SPACE.
THE UPPER STOREYS WILL ACCOMMODATE A CENTRAL LIBRARY FOR KOWLOON AND THE DISTRICT LIBRARY WHICH WILL BE MOVED FROM LEASED PREMISES AT CAMBRIDGE COURT IN WATERLOO ROAD.
FACILITIES ON THE LOWER FLOORS WILL INCLUDE A PUBLIC TOILET, A COVERED SITTING-OUT AREA AND LIBRARY RECEPTION AREAS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE RAMPS AND LIFTS FOR THE DISABLED.
WORK ON THE SUPERSTRUCTURE STARTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS
YEAR
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1984
6
NEW ADDRESS FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
* *
*
*
THE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS MOVED FROM SINCERE INSURANCE BUILDING IN WANCHAI TO NEW OFFICES ON THE 6TH FLOOR OF HENNESSY CENTRE, EAST WING, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR ENQUIRIES ARE 5-767311 AND 5-767344.
THE OES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING THE CONTRACTS FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH ACCORDS PROTECTION TO LOCAL MANUAL WORKERS PROCEEDING OVERSEAS FOR EMPLOYMENT, ATTESTING EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS AND ENFORCING LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES.
------0--------
TENDERS CALLED FOR REPAIR OF PLAYGROUND FACILITIES
* *
*
*
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE REPAIR OF SOME 60 PLAYGROUND, SPORTS AND RELATED FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING MINI-SOCCER PITCHES, BASKETBALL COURTS, REST GARDENS AND CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS MANAGED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
TENDER FORMS FOR THE CONTRACT ARE AVAILABLE AT THE NTSD ' HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE {AUSTIN CENTREX, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
COMPLETED FORMS’JflUST BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX LOCATED IM THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR CF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE NOON ON FEBRUARY 17 (FRIDAY).
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S RECREATION AND AMENITIES SECTION ON 3-678715.
- 0 -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1984
7
MODERN TOILET TO REPLACE OLD * *
*
*
A MODERN TOILET AND BATHHOUSE WILL BE BUILT IN PLACE OF THE OLD PUBLIC TOILET BUILDING IN NELSON STREET, KOWLOON.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $1.3 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT.
BESIDES THE TOILET AND BATHHOUSE, A STANDARD REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, A HANDCART WASHING SPACE, A ROLL CALL OFFICE, AND QUARTERS FOR OPERATIONAL STAFF WILL ALSO BE BUILT ON THE SITE.
WORK HAS JUST STARTED AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER.
RESTRICTED ZONES IN YAU MA TEI * *
*
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24), THE SECTION OF WOOSUNG STREET BETWEEN KANSU STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 37 METRES TO THE SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KANSU STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, DRIVERS OF ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS, OR LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF WOOSUNG STREET BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 37 METRES TO THE SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KANSU STREET AND PAK HOI STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
WITHIN THIS RESTRICTED ZONE, DRIVERS OF ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 1984
8
KENNEDY TOWN URBAN CLEARWAY * *
*
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24), A COUPLE OF ROAD SECTIONS IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE DESIGNATED AS URBAN CLEARWAYS 24 HOURS DAILY.
THEY ARE:
THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SMITHFIELD BETWEEN KENNEDY TOWN NEW PRAYA AND CATCHICK STREET;
M THE SOUTHERN CARRIAGEWAY OF KENNEDY TOWN NEW PRAYA FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SMITHFIELD TO A POINT ABOUT 26 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO MOTOR VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
-------------o---------------
PEAK TAPS OFF * *
*
*
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO OFF FROM 9 PM ON WEDNESDAY FOR MAINS WORK.
SOME PREMISES IN THE PEAK WILL BE TURNED (JANUARY 25) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY
GAP
GAP
THE AFFECTED PREMISES
- ARE BOUNDED BY 22-50 AND 27-35 MAGAZINE AND 10-42 PEAK R0AD’ 47-53 STUBBS ROAD, 1-28 MIDDLE ROAD, 1-24 MOUNT CAMERON ROAD AND 1-27 COOMBE ROAD.
--------0--------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1984
CONTgITS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING ...................................................................................................... 1
MORE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS FOR AUCTION .................................................... 1
MANY NEW WEATHER RECORDS SET ...................................................................................................
OFFICER PRAISED FOR COST-SAVING WORK.......................................................................... 4
ADVANCE PAYMENT OF WELFARE ALLOWANCES ...................................................................... 5
FURTHER IMPROVEMENT TO ST. JOHN HOSPITAL ............................................................. 6
JURY LIST TO BE POSTED ...................................................................................................................... 6
STATISTICS DIGEST ON SALE ............................................................................................................
COMPUTER STUDIES SCHEME ................................................................................................................... 7
BOARD TO DISCUSS PROJECT ................................................................................................................ 8
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING .................................................................................................................................. 8
SALT WATER MAINS WORKS ...................................................................................................................... 8
WATER FIGURES
8
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1984
1
NOTE TO EDITORSi
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING * *
If K
A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER THE DEPARTURE OF THE GOVERNOR. SIR EDWARD YOUDE FOR PEKING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
SIR EDWARD, ACCOMPANIED BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBIN MCLAREN, WILL BE LEAVING ON FLIGHT CA 102, ETD 12.45 ￡m.
PLEASE ADVISE THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER THE DEPARTURE TO ASSEMBLE IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING NOT LATER THAN 11.30 AM TOMORROW. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
------------0------------
MORE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS FOR AUCTION
M M M
A TOTAL OF 35 VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT THIS SATURDAY (JANUARY 28) AT 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
THE NUMBERS AREi
DB 6608
BB
14
DA 8910
AL
1948
DB
288
DB 662
DB
8168
AA 22
DB
621
1997
DB 6338
DB
136
DA 6663
BU
888
DB
1638
DB 8010
CH
18
DA 7328
DB
6228
BC
8964
CY 777
DB
1698
DB 2628
DB
112
CY
7878
DB 1283
DB
4001
BX 19
DB
829
DB
638
DB 2168
DB
310
DB 729
CP
3388
2218
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT EACH VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS CF THE AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 89TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
------------o------------
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1984
2
MANY NEW WEATHER RECORDS SET * *
*
*
THE YEAR 1983 WAS ONE OF NEW RECORDS AND CONTRASTS, ACCORDING TO THE ANNUAL WEATHER REPORT JUST RELEASED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
RAINFALL WAS ABOVE NORMAL EVERY MONTH FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR, WITH THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL OF 916.4 MM FROM JANUARY TO APRIL BREAKING ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
IN CONTRAST, 1983 ENDED WITH A LONG DRY SPELL WITH NO MEASURABLE RAIN BETWEEN OCTOBER 27 AND DECEMBER 27.
THE YEAR AS A WHOLE WAS WETTER THAN NORMAL, WITH A TOTAL RAINFALL OF 2 893.8 MM RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER THE WESTERN PACIFIC UP TO ABOUT THE END OF JUNE, A RARE SITUATION WHICH LAST OCCURRED IN 1973.
BUT IN SEPTEMBER, TYPHOON ELLEN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.
HIT HONG KONG DIRECTLY, CAUSING
IN JANUARY THERE WAS 76.3 MM OF RAIN, NEARLY THREE TIMES THE AVERAGE FIGURE, BUT ONLY HALF THE NORMAL DURATION OF SUNSHINE.
THE MONTH WAS COOLER THAN USUAL, WITH TEMPERATURES FALLING BELOW 10 DEGREE CELSIUS BETWEEN JANUARY 20 AND 24. ON JANUARY 22, A MINIMUM OF 7.1 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED AND -1.0 DEGREE CELSIUS WAS REPORTED ON TAI MO SHAN THE SAME MORNING.
THE OBSERVATORY RECORDED 241.0 MM OF RAINFALL IN FEBRUARY, THE HIGHEST SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1884, AND ABOUT SIX TIMES THE AVERAGE LEVEL.
THE MONTH ALSO MARKED ANOTHER RECORD — 24 DAYS, THE HIGHEST NUMBER, OF MEASURABLE RAIN.
THE MONTH WAS COOLER THAN USUAL. FOG WAS REPORTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, RESULTING IN THE DIVERSION OF SIX AIRCRAFT FROM THE AIRPORT, AND DISRUPTIONS TO FERRY SERVICES.
ON FEBRUARY 1, A TRIPLE-DECKER FERRY WITH MORE THAN 430 PASSENGERS RAN AGROUND OFF KAU Yl CHAU.
MARCH WAS THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE MONTH WITH A RECORD RAINFALL, OF 428.0 MM, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF 54.8 MM.
MOST OF THE RAIN WAS BROUGHT BY THUNDERSTORMS ON 10 DAYS, THE HIGHEST FREQUENCY FOR THE MONTH SINCE 1947. THUNDERSTORMS ON MARCH 27 ALONE BROUGHT 98.6 MM OF RAIN, MAKING IT THE WETTEST DAY FOR THE MONTH SINCE 1884.
HAIL WAS REPORTED ON MARCH 1, 2, 12, 25 AND 26, MORE FREQUENT THAN EVER OBSERVED IN ANY SINGLE YEAR.
/WIDESPREAD coastal ..............
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1984
WIDESPREAD COASTAL FOG BETWEEN 20 AND 24 CAUSED A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AT SEA AND SERIOUSLY AFFECTED AIR AND SEA TRAFFIC.
APRIL WAS AGAIN WET WITH A TOTAL RAINFALL OF 171.1 MM, 23 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL.
HAIL WAS REPORTED ON APRIL 5 AND 7, AND HEAVY THUNDERY SHOWERS ON APRIL 8 CAUSED FLOODING IN VARIOUS PARTS OF HONG KONG. THE MONTH WAS WARMER THAN NORMAL.
MAY WAS THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH WITH AN ABOVE AVERAGE RAINFALL OF 372.5 MM. HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CAUSED FLOODING AND LANDSLIPS ON EIGHT DAYS OF THE MONTH.
JUNE RECORDED 445.8 MM OF RAINFALL, OF WHICH 346.7 MM FELL ON JUNE 17, CAUSING WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND LANDSLIPS, AND KILLING ONE MAN*
INJURING 12 OTHERS AND MAKING MORE THAN 600 PEOPLE HOMELESS.
THE MONTH’S MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 27 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS THE HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR JUNE.
JULY WAS THE FIRST MONTH IN THE YEAR WITH BELOW AVERAGE RAINFALL - 131.2 MM OR 41 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL FIGURE. WITH A MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 29.4 DEGREES CELSIUS, IT WAS THE SECOND HOTTEST JULY.
THE FIRST TROPICAL CYCLONE SIGNAL IN THE YEAR WAS DISPLAYED ON JULY 12 WHEN SEVERE TROPICAL STORM TIP APPROACHED HONG KONG.
TROPICAL CYCLONE SIGNALS WERE ALSO DISPLAYED FOR TYPHOON VERA ON JULY 15 AND TYPHOON WAYNE ON JULY 25.
AUGUST’S MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 29.0 DEGREE CELSIUS WAS THE THIRD HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH.
HURRICANE SIGNAL NO. 10 WAS HOISTED IN THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 9 FOR TYPHOON ELLEN, THE WORST TYPHOON TO STRIKE HONG KONG SINCE TYPHOON HOPE IN 1979.
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WERE RECORDED AT WAGLAN ISLAND OVER A PERIOD OF EIGHT HOURS. THE LONGEST DURATION OF HURRICANE FORCE WINDS SINCE RECORDS BEGAN AT THE STATION IN DECEMBER 1952. GUSTS EXCEEDING 100 KNOTS WERE RECORDED AT MOST METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS IN THE TERRITORY.
DURING THE PASSAGE OF TYPHOON ELLEN, 10 PEOPLE WERE KILLED, 12 MISSING, 333 OTHERS INJURED AND ABOUT 1 200 PEOPLE MADE HOMELESS.
STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 WAS HOISTED TOWARDS THE END OF SEPTEMBER WHEN SEVERE TROPICAL STORM GEORGIA CAME WITHIN 740 KILOMETRES.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT WEATHER PHENOMENA INCLUDED A TORNADO IN SAN TIN ON SEPTEMBER 9 AND A HAILSTORM ON SEPTEMBER 24.
/OCTOBER WAS ..............
Monday, January 23, 1984
- 4 -
OCTOBER WAS EXCEPTIONALLY WARM, WITH ITS MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 26 4 DEGREES CELSIUS BEING THE HIGHEST AND ITS MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 28.9 DEGREES CELSIUS THE SECOND HIGHEST FOR OCTOBER.
THE MONTHLY MEAN CLOUDINESS OF 71 PER CENT WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST FOR OCTOBER. THE TOTAL RAINFALL OF 227.4 MM WAS NEARLY 90 PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE.
ON OCTOBER 13, THE GALE OR STORM SIGNALS, NO. 8 NE AND NO. 8 SE, WERE DISPLAYED DURING THE APPROACH OF TYPHOON JOE. FIFTY-EIGHT PEOPLE WERE INJURED, BUT NO MAJOR DAMAGE WAS REPORTED.
ON OCTOBER 23, STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 WAS HOISTED FOR SEVERE TROPICAL STORM LEX.
THE FOLLOWING MONTH WITH ONLY A TRACE OF RAIN WAS THE DRIEST NOVEMBER ON RECORD. ITS MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 59 PER CENT AND MEAN CLOUDINESS OF 25 PER CENT WERE BOTH THE SECOND LOWEST FOR NOVEMBER.
THE DRY SPELL PERSISTED UNTIL RAIN FELL ON DECEMBER 28 AND 29.
AN INTENSE SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED FROM THE NORTH ON DECEMBER 29, RESULTING IN VERY COLD WEATHER ON DECEMBER 30.
A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 6.1 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WHILE HOAR FROST WAS REPORTED AT TAI MO SHAN AND TATE’S CAIRN WHERE TEMPERATURES DROPPED TO -3.6 DEGREES CELSIUS AND -0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY.
0 - - - -
OFFICER PRAISED FOR COST-SAVING WORK * M *
M
A SENIOR MANAGEMENT SERVICES OFFICER WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS TODAY (MONDAY) COMMENDED FOR BRINGING ABOUT ECONOMIES AND COST EFFECTIVE IMPROVEMENTS RESULTING IN AN ANNUAL SAVING OF SOME $30 MILLION IN RECURRENT COSTS TO THE NTSD’S CLEANSING SERVICES.
RECEIVING A COMMENDATION FROM THE DIRECTOR, NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD, AT A BRIEF CEREMONY AT THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS WAS MR TONY CROSS, WHO IS ABOUT TO LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE UP A SIMILAR ASSIGNMENT IN THE URBAN AREA FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE CLEANSING REVIEW TEAM HEADED BY MR CROSS ALSO BROUGHT ABOUT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE SAVINGS OF SOME $13 MILLION.
MR HEYWOOD SAID THE NTSD HAS GREATLY BENEFITED FROM +THE LONG, HARD AND INDEPENDENTLY MINDED STUDY OF ITS ORGANISATION AND THE OBJECTIVE STUDY OF SOME OF THE LONG-STANDING, TRADITIONAL WAYS IT WENT ABOUT ITS WORK*
.
/+THE EMD ...............
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1984
- 5 -
.THE END RESULT OF IMPLEMENTING THESE PROPOSALS WILL BE A LEANER, FITTER, MORE EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE ORGANISATION TO THE NTSD,+ HE SAID.
MR HEYWOOD SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS LONG RELIED UPON TRADITIONAL WORKING METHODS WHICH HAVE GONE WITHOUT QUESTION FOR FAR TOO LONG.
.TRADITIONALLY, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SIMPLY RELIED UPON THE ADDITION OF CHEAP LABOUR TO MEET ALL PROBLEMS WHICH IT HAS ENCOUNTERED.
.THE RESULT HAS BEEN AN INCREASINGLY OVERSTAFFED AND LESS EFFICIENT ORGANISATION,. HE SAID.
.DISTRICTS ARE NOW ENCOURAGED TO FIND NEW WAYS OF APPLYING THEIR RESOURCES TO OVERCOME THE NEED FOR EXPANDING SERVICES, FOLLOWING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWNS, AND NOT SIMPLY ADDING MORE LABOUR TO THE ALREADY LARGE LABOUR FORCE..
HE SAID MR CROSS AND HIS TEAM HAD POINTED THE WAY TO DO THIS.
IF MR CROSS HAD BEEN WORKING IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, HE WAS SURE THAT HE WOULD HAVE EARNED A HANDSOME BONUS IF HE HAD EARNED A PROFIT CF 130 MILLION FOR A PRIVATE COMPANY.
.IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, HOWEVER. WE CAN BUT COMMEND HIM FOR HIS VALUABLE WORK AND OFFER HIM A SMALL TOKEN OF OUR THANKS,. W HEYWOOD SAID.
------0-------
ADVANCE PAYMENT OF WELFARE ALLOWANCES
M HKMK
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HOLDING CASH COUPONS MAY RECEIVE THEIR ALLOWANCES EARLIER IF THEIR PAYMENT DATES FALL ON THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THOSE WHO ARE TO RECEIVE PAYMENT ON FEBRUARY 2, 3, 4 AND 5 CAN CASH THEIR COUPONS ON JANUARY 26, 27, 30 AND 31 RESPECTIVELY OR THEREAFTER AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES OR TREASURY SUB-OFFICES.
-------0-------
/6......
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1984
- 6 -
FURTHER IMPROVEMENT TO ST. JOHN HOSPITAL M M M *
A PASSENGER LIFT IS TO BE INSTALLED AT ST. JOHN HOSPITAL, CHEUNG CHAU, AS PART OF AN IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH AND TAKE ABOUT 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES BUILDING A 37-METRE LONG COVERED WALKWAY.
THE 9O-BED ST. JOHN HOSPITAL IS A DISTRICT HOSPITAL SERVING RESIDENTS OF TAI 0, PENG CHAU AND LAMMA ISLAND, AS WELL AS CHEUNG CHAU.
APART FROM GENERAL MEDICAL SERVICES AND MATERNITY CARE, IT PROVIDES VARIOUS SPECIALIST SERVICES.
A 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE IS ALSO PROVIDED FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.
JURY LIST TO BE POSTED * *
M
A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING AT JACKSON ROAD ON JANUARY 30, THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR NICHOLAS BARNETT, ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS, AND DURING WHICH PERIOD ANY PERSON MAY APPLY BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE REGISTRAR REQUIRING THAT HIS NAME OR THE NAME OF SOME OTHER PERSON BE POSTED OR REMOVED UPON CAUSE DULY ASSIGNED IN SUCH NOTICE.
THE REGISTRAR SHALL IN HIS DISCRETION, POST OR REMOVE SUCH NAME ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL IF NECESSARY ALTER THE LIST.
------------0---------------
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1984
- 7 -
STATISTICS DIGEST ON SALE * *
*
THE ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS FOR 1983, PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS NOW ON SALE AT S9O A COPY.
THIS ANNUAL PUBLICATION IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SOURCE OF OFFICIAL STATISTICS, AND BRINGS TOGETHER IN ONE VOLUME, UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CF HONG KONG.
THE REPORT COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, INCLUDING POPULATION, LABOUR, INDUSTRY, TRADE, SERVICES. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, PUBLIC FINANCE, MONEY AND BANKING, CONSUMER PRICES, FOOD SUPPLIES, TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATIONS, TOURISM, CONSTRUCTION, HOUSING, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE AS WELL AS LAW AND ORDER.
IT PROVIDES A TOTAL OF 286 TABLES AND COVERS THE PERIOD FROM 1973 TO 1982.
THE REPORT IS ON SALE AT GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, G.P.O. BUILDING, G/F, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
------------o------------
NOTE TO EDITORS*
COMPUTER STUDIES SCHEME
* *
*
*
DETAILS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO EXTEND THE COMPUTER STUDIES PILOT SCHEME IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 3 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 3/F, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR JOHN WINFIELD, WILL ATTEND THE CONFERENCE.
------------0------------
/8...............
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1984
8
NOTE TO EDITORS i
BOARD TO DISCUSS PROJECT M M M
STATION.
PROGRESS REPORTS OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE MEETING.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING K X X
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 24), TRAFFIC ON LUNG TAK STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE WAY NORTH-BOUND, AND MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO ENTER BY NGAN HON STREET AND EXIT FROM CHI KIANG STREET.
------------0-----------
SALT WATER MAINS WORKS
XXX
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF ON JANUARY 25 (WEDNESDAY) FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM FOR MAINS WORKS.
THE AFFECTED AREAS ARE PREMISES ALONG WO YIP HOP ROAD, INCLUDING LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE, SHEK YAM ESTATE AND SHEK LEI ESTATE.
------------o------------
WATER FIGURES
* *
*
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 87.0 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 510.138 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 421.553 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 71.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
----------o------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING ......................................................................................................... 1
SIR PHILIP TO OFFICIATE AT STONE-LAYING CEREMONY ................................... 1
AMENDMENTS BEING MADE TO BILL ................................................................................................
MORE ’//EDDINGS AT MARRIAGE REGISTRIES ......................................................................... 3
SCHOOL COMPUTER STUDIES SCHEME ENLARGED ................................................................ 4
LICENCE REMINDER ON EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ................................................................ 5
YUEN LONG TO PUT ON NEW YEAR GLITTER.......................................................................... 6
OFFICERS COMMENDED ................................................................................................................................... 7
PUBLIC SUPPORT NEEDED TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN ............................................. 7
CARITAS PRAISED FOR ADULT EDUCATION PROJECT ................................................... 8
CONTRACT FOR LIFT AND ESCALATOR INSTALLATIONS .............................................
ENQUIRY SERVICE MOVING UP ............................................................................................................ 9
ROCK CLIMBING COURSES OFFERED ................................................................................................ 10
SUSPENSION OF PARKING SPACES ................................................................................................... 10
ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ................................................................................................................... 11
SALT WATER MAINS WORK
11
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1984
- 1 -
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEFT FOR PEKING THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON TO CONTINUE TO TAKE PART IN THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
HE WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY. SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MR ROGER LOBO. AND THE VICE-CHIEF EDITOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR TAN GAN.
ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR WERE THE POLITICAL ADVISER. M*
ROBIN MCLAREN, AND THE GOVERNMENT CHIEF INTERPRETER, MR Y.P. CHENG.
---- 0-----
SIR PHILIP TO OFFICIATE AT STONE-LAYING CEREMONY ft ft ft ft ft
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX AT 2.45 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27).
THE TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX IS BEING BUILT BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TO PROVIDE 4 200 INDUSTRIAL TRAINING PLACES, RANGING FROM OPERATIVE TO TECHNOLOGIST LEVEL.
FIVE TRAINING CENTRES WILL BE HOUSED IN THE COMPLEX, -ELECTRONICS, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING, HOTEL, PLASTICS AND PRINTING.
THE NINE-STOREY COMPLEX WILL COST ABOUT 1110 MILLION TO BUILD AND EQUIP, AND OCCUPY 5 700 SQUARE METRES AT TAI YIP STREET.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, MR FRANCIS TIEN, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR MORRIS MORGAN, WILL ALSO BE PRESENT.
NOTE TO ED ITORSt
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY CF THE KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX AT TAI YIP STREET (OPPOSITE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE) ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27). REPORTERS SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE COMPLEX BY 2.30 PM.
------------o------------
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1984
2
AMENDMENTS BEING MADE TO BILL
* M *
*
A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WILL BE MOVED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW.
PRIOR TO THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING, DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE BILL, AND ON THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984. WHICH CLOSES A LOOPHOLE IN THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE RELATING TO DRUGS IN TRANSIT THROUGH HONG KONG.
MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE ARE PROPOSED IN THE BILL, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 9, 1983.
THE PURPOSE IS TO UPDATE AND RATIONALISE COMPANY LAW IN HONG KONG, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT BOTH DEVELOPMENTS IN BRITAIN AND ELSEWHERE AND LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND NEEDS.
THE BILL SEEKS TO BRING ABOUT BETTER PROTECTION OF SHAREHOLDERS AND OTHERS DEALING WITH COMPANIES, WITHOUT AT THE SAME TIME IMPOSING UNNECESSARY RESTRAINTS ON BONA FIDE COMMERCIAL BUSINESS.
IT INTRODUCES AMENDMENTS TO VIRTUALLY ALL PARTS OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, COVERING AREAS SUCH AS THE INCORPORATION CF COMPANIES, SHARE CAPITAL AND DEBENTURES, REGISTRATION OF CHARGES, MANAGEMENTS AND WINDING UP.
FOUR OTHER BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME, AND DEBATE ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED TO FEBRUARY 15. THEY ARE THE I
M PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, CONTAINING TWO PROPOSALS TO STREAMLINE THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL PROCEDURES,
M RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, INCLUDING PROPOSALS TO EXTEND RELIEF PROVISIONS TO ALL PREMISES,
M MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, INTRODUCING NEW PROCEDURES TO IMPROVE THE WAY MINOR OFFENCES ARE DEALT WITH, AND
* MEDICAL (REGISTRATION) AMENDMENT BILL 1984, TO FACILITATE REGISTRATION OF DOCTORS.
IN ADDITION. 11 QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, DEALING WITH SUCH MATTERS AS THE CRITERIA USED IN CONTROL OF THE SALE OF OBJECTIONABLE ARTICLES, WATER SUPPLY TO SQUATTER AREAS, POSSIBLE NUCLEAR POWER HEALTH HAZARDS, POLICE FORCE ACTION IN THE DISTURBANCES ON JANUARY 13, AND ILLEGAL HAWKING MEASURES.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1984
3
MORE WEDDINGS AT MARRIAGE REGISTRIES * *
*
X
miP Tr popui .T,nN GROWTH AND THE LARGE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE OF H.“uGE*
BLE AGES THE HUMBEROF WEDDINGS 1H HOHG KONG HAS BEEN INCREASING OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 33 384 WEDDINGS WERE HELD AT THE 11 MARRIAGE REGISTRIES ADMINISTERED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
REFLECTING THE POPULARITY OF THESE REGISTRIES, WHICH OFFER WELL-FURNISHED FACILITIES. THE NUMBER REPRESENTED 95 PER CENT OF THE WEDDINGS RECORDED IN flONG KONG FOR THE PERIOD. THE OTHER FIVE PER CENT ARE CHURCH WEDDINGS.
.NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY BUSY MONTHS FOR US AS MANY CHINESE OBSERVE THE TRADITIONAL CUSTOM OF GETTING MARRIED SHORTLY BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR,*
THE CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MRS JEAN AU-YEUNG SAID.
+DUE TO ITS CENTRAL LOCATION, THE MOST POPULAR REGISTRY IS THE CITY HALL WHERE 7 213 WEDDINGS, OR 23 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TOOK PLACE IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF LAST YEAR, AVERAGING TO MORE THAN 22 MARRIAGES A DAY,*
SHE SAID.
AS A RESULT, THE CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY, WHICH ALSO PROVIDES SERVICES ON WEEKENDS AND SUNDAYS, IS OFTEN STRETCHED TO ITS LIMITS, PARTICULARLY ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND AUSPICIOUS DAYS.
UNDER THE MARRIAGE ORDINANCE, A COUPLE PROPOSING TO GET MARRIED MUST GIVE 15 DAYS’ NOTICE, WHICH IS VALID FOR THREE MONTHS.
BESIDES THE 11 MARRIAGE REGISTRIES, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ALSO OPERATES A +MOBILE+ REGISTRATION UNIT TO SERVICE REMOTE AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. x
ONCE A WEEK, THE UNIT OPERATES IN THE RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICES IN SAI KUNG, CHEUNG CHAU, TAI 0 AND SHA TIN FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF RURAL RESIDENTS WHO MAY NOT HAVE THE TIME TO TRAVEL TO URBAN CENTRES FOR THEIR MARRIAGE REGISTRATION.
.THE SITUATION IN THE CITY HALL HAS IMPROVED SOMEWHAT FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LATEST MARRIAGE REGISTRY AT COTTON TREE DRIVE, WITHIN 10 MINUTES’ WALK FROM THE CITY HALL,*
HiS AU-YEUNG SAID.
LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF ROWLINGTON HOUSE OPPOSITE KJRRAY BUILDING. THE REGISTRY HAS ALL THE MODERN FACILITIES, INCLUDING A SPACIOUS, FULLY CARPETED WEDDING HALL WITH CHANDELIERS, AND A MAKE-UP ANTECHAMBER FOR THE BRIDE.
.THE HALL OPENS ONTO A FLOWER-BEDECKED GARDEN WITH A SUGAR PALM TREE. THE TREE, ASSOCIATED BY THE CHINESE WITH ETERNAL LOVE, HAS ALWAYS BEEN A POPULAR BACKDROP FOR WEDDING PICTURES,+ MRS AU-YEUNG EXPLAINED.
/DESPITE ITS ...............
Tuesday, January 24, 1984
- 4 -
DESPITE ITS CENTRAL LOCATION, THE PLACE IS WELL SHELTERED FROM THE NOISE AND BUSTLE OF THE CITY.
.BECAUSE OF ITS PRESTIGIOUS SET-UP, THIS REGISTRY IS GAINING POPULARITY. IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON THE CITY HALL FACILITY, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED TO PROVIDE SUNDAY WEDDING SERVICES FROM MARCH 4 BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 PM IN THE COTTON TREE DRIVE REGISTRY,*
SHE SAID.
THE MARRIAGE REGISTRIES HAVE ALSO BEEN BUSY DURING RECENT YEARS WITH +POST REGISTRATIONS*
. MANY OF THE COUPLES FILING SUCH REGISTRATIONS HAVE BEEN HUSBANDS AND WIVES FOR YEARS BUT HAVE NO OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS TO PROVE THEIR CHINESE CUSTOMARY MARRIAGES.
IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1983, THE REGISTRIES PROCESSED 4 838 SUCH REGISTRATIONS, COMPARED WITH 3 421 FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1982.
.IT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE ELDERLY COUPLES BRINGING ALONG EVEN THEIR GRANDCHILDREN TO WITNESS THEIR REGISTRATI ON,. NRS AU-YEUNG SAID.
THE REGISTRIES ALSO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE WHO INTEND TO GET MARRIED ABROAD AND NEED OFFICIAL PROOF THAT THERE IS NO MARRIAGE RECORD IN HONG KONG.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE REGISTRIES ISSUED 13 828 SUCH DOCUMENTS, KNOWN AS THE .CERTIFICATES OF ABSENCE OF MARRIAGE RECORD*
.
SCHOOL COMPUTER STUDIES SCHEME ENLARGED M M M *
K *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S COMPUTER STUDIES PILOT SCHEME WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER A FURTHER 75 PUBLIC-SECTOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE SAID THAT $9.4 MILLION IN FUNDS HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR THE PURCHASE OF ALMOST 900 MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEMS, MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS PROJECTS OF ITS KIND IN THE REGION.
THE COMPUTER STUDIES PILOT SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER 1982 IN 30 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AT FORM IV LEVEL. FORTY-FIVE OTHER SCHOOLS WERE GRANTED PERMISSION TO INTRODUCE THIS SUBJECT SINCE THEY WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE SUITABLE TEACHERS AND EQUIPMENT FROM THEIR OWN RESOURCES. AS A RESULT, ABOUT 3 000 PUPILS WILL BE SITTING THE SUBJECT IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MAY THIS YEAR.
WHEN THE SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DECLARED ITS INTENTION OF EXTENDING IT THIS YEAR TO COVER A WIDER RANGE OF SCHOOLS, DEPENDING ON PROGRESS AND AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
/MR HAYS...............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1984
- 5 -
MR HAYE SAID t *
1 AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE TODAY THAT OUR EXPECTATIONS REGARDING THE PRACTICABILITY OF THE SYLLABUS AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION HAVE BEEN REALISED AND THAT FINANCIAL APPROVAL HAS BEEN GIVEN TO EXTEND THE SCHEME TO A FURTHER 75 SCHOOLS.*
EACH OF THESE SCHOOLS WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH 11 MICROCOMPUTERS WITH VISUAL DISPLAY UNITS, 12 DISC DRIVES, ONE CASSETTE RECORDER AND TWO PRINTERS WITH INTERFACES. THE TOTAL NON-RECURRENT COST IS ESTIMATED AT $9 MILLION.
IN ADDITION THE EXISTING 30 PILOT SCHOOLS WILL EACH BE GIVEN IWO MORE MICROCOMPUTERS WITH VISUAL DISPLAY UNITS AS WELL AS TWO DISC DRIVES. THE COST OF THIS ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT SO.4 MILLION.
MR JOHN WINFIELD, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CHIEF INSPECTOR CF SCHOOLS), EXPLAINED THAT IT HAD BEEN FOUND DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION THAT THE INITIAL EQUIPMENT CONFIGURATION NEEDED TO BE SUPPLEMENTED, TO STRENGTHEN THE TEACHING OF COMPUTER STUDIES, ESPECIALLY THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS.
FOR RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN 1984/85, THE DEPARTMENT HAD SECURED A FURTHER SUM OF $1.9 MILLION FOR MAINTENANCE AND RELATED PURPOSES.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO ISSUED A GENERAL SCHOOLS CIRCULAR DRAWING PRINCIPALS’ ATTENTION TO THE EXTENSION OF THE COMPUTER STUDIES PILOT SCHEME AND INVITING APPLICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE, TO BE SUBMITTED BY FEBRUARY 22.
MR WINFIELD SAID THAT THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTING THE ADDITIONAL 75 SCHOOLS WILL BE BASED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION, TEACHERS’ QUALIFICATIONS AND ANY READILY IDENTIFIABLE INTEREST IN COMPUTER STUDIES SHOWN BY THE SCHOOL.
TO ACQUAINT INTERESTED HEADS WITH THE COMPUTER STUDIES CURRICULUM AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE SCHEME, A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 16 AT THE CLEMENTI MIDDLE SCHOOL, 30 FORTRESS HILL ROAD, HONG KONG.
LICENCE REMINDER ON EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES * *
*
*
A SPOKESMAN OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED PROSPECTIVE OPERATORS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW AND OBTAIN A LICENCE BEFORE STARTING BUSINESS. THE LICENCE FEE IS >300 A YEAR.
HE POINTED OUT THAT RECENTLY AN OPERATOR WAS CONVICTED BY A CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRATE FOR OPERATING AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WITHOUT A LICENCE.
HE REITERATED THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO OPERATE AN UNLICENSED EMPLOYMENT AGENCY AND THAT AN OFFENDER MAY BE PROSECUTED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND MAY BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000.
/THS SPOKESMAN ...............
TUESDAY, JANUARY *4, 19&4
- 6 -
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY IS AN ESTABLISHMENT WHICH FINDS EMPLOYMENT FOR A PERSON OR SUPPLIES PERSONNEL TO AN EMPLOYER BOTH WITHIN OR OUTSIDE HONG KONG, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE EMPLOYMENT IS PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO OPERATE AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY SHOULD APPLY FOR A LICENCE AT THE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF EAST WING, HENNESSY CENTRE, 5DO HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY. NO BUSINESS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED UNTIL A LICENCE HAS BEEN ISSUED.
ENQUIRIES ON THE OPERATIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, INCLUDING PROCEDURES FOR LICENCE APPLICATION, SHOULD BE MADE ON TELEPHONE NUMBERS 5-767311 AND 5-767344.
------------0-----------
YUEN LONG TO PUT ON NEW YEAR GLITTER * *
*
*
*
YUEN LONG IS TO CELEBRATE THE OF GLITTERING LIGHTS AND COLOURFUL
LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH A DISPLAY DECORATIONS.
THE DECORATIONS INCLUDE PICTURES OF FLYING FAIRIES COPIED FROM DUNHUANG MURALS, A DISPLAY OF EIGHT OCTAGONAL STRUCTURES, AND AN ARRAY OF 5 000 LIGHT BULBS ALONG MAJOR ROADS.
THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS HAVE CONTRIBUTED $80 000 FOR THE DECORATIONS.
A DISTRICT BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID PROSPERITY AND BLESSINGS TO THE RESIDENTS WERE THE THEMES OF THE DECORATIONS.
THE FAIRIES, HOLDING TWO CHINESE CHARACTERS ’KAT CHEUNG’ WHICH MEAN AUSPICIOUSNESS AND BLESSING, ARE ON DISPLAY AT THE FOOTBRIDGES NEAR SHUI BIN WAI ESTATE AND WONG UK TSUEN AS WELL AS OUTSIDE THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL.
THE EIGHT OCTAGONAL STRUCTURES, ON DISPLAY AT THE ROUNDABOUT, IMPLY PROSPERITY AND WEALTH.
A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY OF THE LIGHTING DISPLAYS WAS PERFORMED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, ON MONDAY NIGHT.
UNTIL THE THIRD DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR (FEBRUARY 4), THE LIGHTS WILL BE ON FROM 8 PM TO 11 PM AND FOR THE WHOLE NIGHT ON NEW YEAR’S EVE AND NEW YEAR’S DAY.
------------o-----------
/7 ...............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1984
OFFICERS COMMENDED K M M M
TWO ASSISTANT OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND A CLERICAL ASSISTANT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WERE AWARDED THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES’ COMMENDATION CERTIFICATES TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE ACTING ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES. JOHN ASHWORTH PRESENTED THE CERTIFICATES TO THE THREE MEN AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS.
ASSISTANT OFFICERS, MR TAM KWOK-CHAU AND MR CHEUNG HUNG-CHEONG, WERE COMMENDED FOR THEIR +OUTSTANDI NG ZEAL AND DILIGENCE*
IN THWARTING AN ATTEMPT BY A PRISONER TO INTRODUCE UNAUTHORISED ARTICLES INTO TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN NOVEMBER LAST.
AND A CLERICAL ASSISTANT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, W KWONG KA-PING, WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS PUBLIC SPIRITED ACTION AT THE SOUTH KWAI CHUNG POLYCLINIC LAST SEPTEMBER, WHEN HE HELPED CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF PREVENT A PRISONER FROM ESCAPING.
- - 0 -
PUBLIC SUPPORT NEEDED TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN M M M M M
EFFORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN AND GREEN WOULD BE FUTILE WITHOUT PUBLIC CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT, AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN. MR WILLIAM WAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR WAN MADE THIS REMARK AFTER A TWO-HOUR TOUR OF SAI KUNG TO INSPECT PLANTING PROJECTS AND CLEANSING SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
ACCOMPANYING MR WAN ON THE TOUR WERE THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (OPERATIONS) OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR ARTHUR JOHNSON, AND THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF SAI KUNG. MR CHIN YIU- CHEUNG.
THE PARTY FIRST VISITED TAI PO TSAI AND HANG HAU WHERE A SCHEME OF CONTRACTING CLEANING SERVICES TO LOCAL VILLAGERS HAD PROVED SUCCESSFUL.
MR WAN WAS BRIEFED ON AN NTSD PROJECT OF PUTTING ASIDE SITES WHERE RESIDENTS MAY DISPOSE OF THEIR REFUSE AND OLD ARTICLES WHILE CLEANING UP THEIR HOUSES FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE PARTY VISITED THE INNER PORT SHELTER TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM POSED BY FLOATING REFUSE.
/THEY next
TUESDAY, JANUARY .-4, 1984
8
THEY NEXT PROCEEDED TO NAM SHAN WHERE AN ANTI-MALARIA OPERATION IS BEING CARRIED OUT DAILY AT HILLSLOPES, STREAMS AND ABANDONED PADDY FIELDS.
THE PARTY ALSO CALLED AT FUNG ON VILLAGE TO SEE WATER COURSES BEING CLEANED UP. LAST YEAR THESE EFFORTS PREVENTED FLOODING IN THE AREA DURING THE PASSAGE OF TYPHOON ELLEN.
BEFORE LEAVING, MR WAN VISITED A NEWLY COMPLETED AMENITY PLOT WHERE TREES HAD BEEN PLANTED.
HE WAS TOLD THAT MORE THAN 25 000 TREES, SHRUBS AND OTHER PLANTS HAD BEEN GROWN IN SAI KUNG OVER THE PAST YEAR.
----------0------------
CARITAS PRAISED FOR ADULT EDUCATION PROJECT *****
THE MULTI-MEDIA ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMME, AN APPROACH TO ADULT EDUCATION PIONEERED IN HONG KONG BY CARITAS, HAS AN ENROLMENT OF 5 000 ADULTS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (FURTHER), BRIAN FRENCH, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SCHOLARSHIP AND PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY CF THE CARITAS CENTRE FOR FURTHER AND ADULT EDUCATION CAINE ROAD DAY SCHOOL, MR FRENCH SAID THE PROGRAMME, SUBVERTED BY THE GOVERNMENT UP TO FORM 3 LEVEL, AIMS AT ENABLING PEOPLE TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES OR IMPROVE UPON WHAT THEY HAD LEARNT WHILE WORKING. THE PROGRAMMES ALSO PROVIDE A REFERENCE SERVICE FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS.
.AT ITS PRESENT LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT, THE CARITAS MULTI-MEDIA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME PROVIDES SECONDARY LEVEL EDUCATION LEADING TO THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION AS WELL AS COMMERCIAL COURSES, ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE BOOKKEEPING STUDIES, LANGUAGE COURSES IN JAPANESE AND MANDARIN AND RECREATIONAL COURSES SUCH AS THE GUITAR.
+THE MEDIA USED INCLUDE RADIO, CORRESPONDENCE, CLASS TUITION, TELEPHONE TUITION AND CASSETTE TAPES,*
MR FRENCH NOTED.
THE IMPRESSIVE ENROLMENT OF 5 000 STUDENTS ENTAILING SUSTAINED EFFORT IN SELF STUDY SPOKE FOR THE PROGRAMME’S SUCCESS, HE SAID.
.THERE IS, I THINK, GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT A MULTI-MEDIA APPROACH TO STUDY IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE USE OF A SINGLE MEDIUM ON ITS OWN.
.THE GREATER THE NUMBER OF CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION EMPLOYED THE MORE THEY ARE ABLE TO COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER AND MAXIMISE THEIR INDIVIDUAL QUALITIES,+ MR FRENCH SAID.
MR FRENCH ALSO PRESENTED CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES TO THE STUDENTS TAKING THE VARIOUS COURSES.
------------0------------
/9...............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1984
- 9 -
CONTRACT FOR LIFT AND ESCALATOR INSTALLATIONS
X X K
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $4.26-MILL ION CONTRACT TO SUPPLY AND INSTALL A TOTAL OF NINE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS AT NGAU CHI WAN MARKET COMPLEX.
THE COMPLEX WILL BE BUILT ON A 4 OOO-SQUARE-METRE-SITE AT CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD ABOVE CHOI HUNG MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION. IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR SPORT, RECREATION AND CULTURE.
CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF 1986.
BESIDES THE MARKET PODIUM, THERE WILL BE A 430-SEAT AUDITORIUM BLOCK, A MAIN BUILDING AND AN INDOOR GAMES HALL.
THE MAIN BUILDING WILL HOUSE A COOKED FOOD CENTRE, A LIBRARY, OFFICES AND SPACE FOR CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
TENDERS FOR BUILDING THE COMPLEX WERE INVITED IN DECEMBER.
THE LIFT CONTRACT WILL INVOLVE INSTALLING FOUR ESCALATORS IN THE TWO-STOREY MARKET PODIUM, WHILE THE SIX-STOREY MAIN BUILDING WILL BE SERVED BY THREE PASSENGER LIFTS.
IN ADDITION, TWO GOODS LIFTS WILL BE INSTALLED FOR USE BY THE WHOLE COMPLEX.
WORK ON LIFT INSTALLATION WILL START TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
ENQUIRY SERVICE MOVING UP X X M
THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL OPERATE FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING IN 201 CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
THE COUNTER OCCUPIES A FLOOR AREA OF MORE THAN 21 SQUARE NETRES, AND IS TWICE THE SIZE OF THE PREVIOUS ONE, WHICH WAS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE BUILDING.
SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE ADMINISTERING OF DECLARATIONS, HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS, ANSWERING AND REFERRING CLIENTS SEEKING FREE LEGAL ADVICE LAWYERS.
WORKING HOURS WILL BE FROM 8.45 AM TO 5.15 AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS.
STATUTORY PUBLIC ENQUIRIES, TO THE DUTY
PM ON WEEKDAYS
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 0-813210 EXT. 210.
THERE ARE FOUR PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS SERVING RESIDENTS IN TUEN MUN.
/10 ..............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1984
- 10 -
ROCK CLIMBING COURSES OFFERED
* M K
FORTY AIDED PLACES ARE BEING OFFERED FOR TWO INTERMEDIATE ROCK CLIMBING COURSES, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL AND THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
APPLICATIONS FOR THESE SUBVENTED +SKILLS COURSES*
, WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL IN SAI KUNG IN MARCH, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED NOW, A RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
THE FIRST COURSE WILL START ON MARCH 17 AND THE OTHER ON MARCH 23.
EACH COURSE LASTS FOR THREE DAYS AND THE FEE IS $200 PER PERSON.
APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HEAD OFFICE AT WING ON CENTRE, CENTRAL, OR FROM ITS 19 DISTRICT OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
-----o-----
SUSPENSION OF PARKING SPACES M M M M
PARKING SPACES ON HO PONG STREET BETWEEN MING 01 STREET AND MING NGA I STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM ON JANUARY 26 TO 10 AM ON FEBRUARY 2 TO FACILITATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR IN TUEN MUN.
THE CAR PARK OUTSIDE YUEN LONG STADIUM WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM NOON ON JANUARY 25 TO NOON ON FEBRUARY 4 TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR THE YUEN LONG LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR.
THE 12 PARKING SPACES ON TAI YUK ROAD OPPOSITE YUEN LONG STADIUM WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 5 PM ON JANUARY 31 TO 7 AM ON FEBRUARY 3.
DURING THE FAIR PERIOD, A TEMPORARY PARKING AREA WILL BE PROVIDED NEAR THE SOUTHERN END OF TAI YU ROAD WITH ENTRANCE AND EXIT ON ROAD LIO.
------------o------------
/11 ..............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1984
11 -
ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN M *
M
BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 5.30 AM FROM THURSDAY (JANUARY 26), THE SECTION OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD NEXT TO TAI WAI KCR TEMPORARY STATION WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS OTHER THAN THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 2 TO 6.
MOTORISTS WHO WISH TO ENTER TAI WAI FROM THE SOUTH OF THE KCR BRIDGE WILL HAVE TO PROCEED TO CHE KUNG MIU ROAD, LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD.
TRAFFIC APPROACHING FROM THE NORTH WILL BE DIVERTED TO TSUEN NAM ROAD, TAI WAI ROAD. TAI PO ROAD.. LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND CHE KUNG MIU ROAD TO GO ONTO TIN SUM AND HIN TIN.
****** —
SALT WATER MAINS WORK M M M
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSUEN WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM ON THURSDAY TO 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28) FOR WATER MAINS WORKS.
THE AFFECTED AREAS ARE CHUNG ON STREET EAST BOUNDED BY MA TAU PA STREET TEXACO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD, INCLUDING TAI HO HAU ESTATE (BLOCK 1 TO 19) AND KWAI SHING ESTATE (EAST AND WEST) AND KWAI HOP STREET.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
POLICE ABILITY TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY CONFIRMED .................................... 1
SUGGESTIONS ON BILL INVALUABLE : JACOBS ....................................................... 2
UNOFFICIALS BACK COMPANY LAW REFORM COMMITTEE.................................... 4
UNOFFICIALS MOVE AMENDMENTS ............................................................................................ 6
COMPANY LAW REFORM STANDING COMMITTEE SET UP ....................................... 13
RADIATION MONITORING SCHEME PLANNED ................................................................... 14
SPECIAL HOUSING QUOTA FOR ELDERLY GROUPS .................................................... 15
+WATER SUPPLY IN SQUATTER AREAS RELIABLE- ................................................ 16
ACTION TAKEN AGAINST ILLEGAL HAWKING, FOOD STALLS ....................... 17
CONTRACTORS CAN BE SUSPENDED FOR CONTRACT BREACHES .................... 18
EMERGENCY CENTRE HOURS MAY BE EXTENDED .......................................................... 19
DECENCY STANDARD - +A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE*- .......................................... 19
DISCUSSIONS HELD ON ROAD PROJECT ............................ 20
RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 EXPLAINED .......................................................... 21
CONVENIENT WAYS OF HANDLING MINOR OFFENCES PROPOSED................. 22
STAMP THEMES CHOSEN FOR HK RELEVANCE ................................................................ 23
BILL SERVES TWO PURPOSES ...................................................................................................... 24
MORE TRAINED MANPOWER AVAILABLE SOON ................................................................ 25
BILL MAKES IT EASIER TO BE LICENTIATES .......................................................... 26
LEGCO PASSES TWO BILLS ............................................................................................................ 27
FS TO SWITCH ON FESTIVE LIGHTINGS ................................................................................... 28
EASTERN DB TO MEET TOMORROW...................................................................................................... 28
SCHOOL CHILDREN LEARN ABOUT POLLUTION CONTROL ............................................. 29
DB MEMBERS TO VISIT FIRE SERVICES ................................................................................... 30
UK SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HK STUDENTS ......................................................................................... 30
AUSTRALIAN TRAINING FOR TWO WJSICIANS ....................................................................... 31
TRADE SECRETARY VISITS SHA TIN ............................................................................................ 32
ENDANGERED ANIMALS RETURN TO CHINa................................................................................ 32
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI ................................................................................ 33
HO MAN TIN TRAFFIC CHANGE............................................................................................................ 34
RESTRICTED ZONES IN TAI PO ......................................................................................................... 35
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
- 1
POLICE ABILITY TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY CONFIRMED * K *
M *
*
THE OPERATION CARRIED OUT IN THREE PHASES AGAINST THE DISTURBANCES IN KOWLOON ON THE EVENING OF JANUARY 13 ILLUSTRATED THE RESTRAINT AND EFFICIENCY OF THE POLICE FORCE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON RITA FAN, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THE OPERATION ALSO FULLY CONFIRMED THE ABILITY OF THE POLICE TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY AGAINST ANY THREAT TO THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG.
EXPLAINING THE THREE-PHASE OPERATION, MR JEAFFRESON SAID FIRST. THERE WAS THE NEED FOR UNIFORMED OFFICERS TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING DESPITE THE SEVERE CONGESTION CAUSED BY TAXI DRIVERS ILLEGALLY PARKING THEIR TAXIS IN LARGE NUMBERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI, TAI PO AND THE CENTRAL DISTRICT.
.THIS EXERCISE CONTAINED A RISK OF CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TWO. IT WAS TO THE CREDIT OF BOTH, BUT IN PARTICULAR TO THE POLICE, THATTHERE WAS NO SERIOUS CONFRONTATION DURING THIS PHASE,. HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE POLICE TACTIC WAS TO KEEP THEIR PRESENCE LOW-KEY, DEALING EXPLICITLY ONLY WITH FLAGRANT BREACHES OF THE LAW.
IN THE SECOND PHASE, THERE WAS LARGE, HOSTILE BUT NOT VIOLENT CROWDS WHO BEGAN TO GATHER IN SOUTH KOWLOON.
TO AVOID PROVOKING ANY ESCALATION OF THE SITUATION, THE POLICE DURING THIS PHASE DEPLOYED INCREASED NUMBERS OF UNIFORMED OFFICERS IN THEIR NORMAL DRESS RATHER THAN IN EMERGENCY GEAR, JEAFFRESON EXPLAINED.
IT WAS ONLY IN THE THIRD PHASE WHEN ABOUT 1 OOO PEOPLE IN THE CROWDS OF SOME 10 000 PEOPLE BEGAN TO TURN VIOLENT AND BREACH THE LAW BLATANTLY THAT THE POLICE DECIDED OPENLY TO DEPLOY THEIR EMERGENCY UNITS, HE SAID.
THE POLICE THEN RESTORED LAW AND ORDER IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AS A RESULT OF A SWEEP CARRIED OUT THROUGH WEST KOWLOON, HE ADDED.
DURING THE OPERATION, THE POLICE SHOWED THEIR ABILITY TO ASSESS CORRECTLY WHAT WAS GOING ON AND TO DEVISE APPROPRIATE TACTICS, MR JEAFFRESON SAID.
THEY ALSO SHOWED HOW THE FORCE’S HIGH LEVEL OF TRAINING, DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO DEAL WITH INTERNAL SECURITY SITUATIONS, ENABLED THEM TO CARRY OUT THESE TACTICS EFFECTIVELY, HE POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THAT ONLY FIVE PER CENT OF THE POLICE FORCE’S EMERGENCY CAPACITY WAS EMPLOYED TO DISPERSE THE UNRULY CROWDS.
/MR J&LFFRESON .............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
- 2 ‧
MR JEAFFRESON SAID HE WAS PLEASED AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLICLY THANK THE POLICE, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY, +FOR THE MASTERLY WAY IN WHICH THEY DEALT WITH THE DISTURBANCES ON JANUARY 13..
HE ALSO EXPRESSED THE COMMUNITY’S APPRECIATION OF THE WAY IN WHICH THE POLICE SKILFULLY DEALT WITH THE PROTEST ACTION TAKEN BY TAXI DRIVERS BETWEEN JANUARY 11 AND 14.
IT WAS +A PROTEST WHICH CALLED FOR A CAREFULLY CONTROLLED LOW-KEY RESPONSE IN ORDER TO AVOID PROVOKING CONFRONTATION AT A TIME WHEN EMOTIONS WERE RUNNING HIGH,*
HE ADDED.
-SUGGESTIONS ON BILL INVALUABLE :-JACOBS X X *
X
INVALUABLE SUGGESTIONS WERE PROVIDED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS’ AD HOC GROUP WHICH CONSIDERED THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR JACOBS AGREED WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS THAT MUCH REMAINED TO BE DONE IN THE FIELD OF COMPANY LAW REFORM EVEN AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.
REPEATING REMARKS HE MADE WHEN INTRODUCING THE BILL IN THE COUNCIL ON MARCH 9 LAST YEAR, MR JACOBS SAIDi
.COMPANY LAW MUST CHANGE WITH THE EVOLUTION OF THE ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT. WE MUST IN FUTURE ENSURE THAT COMPANIES LEGISLATION IS KEPT RESPONSIVE TO OUR NEEDS.
.THE SUBJECT IS DYNAMIC AND THE LAW IN THIS AREA HAS TO BE CONSTANTLY UPDATED IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.*
MR JACOBS SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO INFORM THE COUNCIL THAT THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON LAW REFORM, HAD NOW BEEN ESTABLISHED UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE HON JUSTICE CONS, A JUSTICE OF APPEAL.
THE FIRST TASK FACING THE COMMITTEE, HE EXPLAINED. WOULD BE TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES MENTIONED BY THE HON BILL BftOWN.
.THESE HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE COMPLEX AND OFTEN CONTROVERSIAL IN NATURE,+ HE SAID.
MUCH RESEARCH AND PREPARATORY WORK WOULD HAVE TO BE UNDERTAKEN TO ASSIST THE COMMITTEE, AND, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, A FULL TIME POST OF SECRETARY TO THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE CREATED.
/referring to
wbdnesdaa, January 25, 1984
- 3 -
REFERRING TO MR BROWN’S SUGGESTION OF THE POSSIBLE NEED FOR AN ENTIRELY NEW COMPANIES BILL TO BE PRODUCED IF THE STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS SIGNIFICANT FURTHER CHANGES, hfl JACOBS SAID THIS APPROACH MIGHT WELL BE APPROPRIATE IN FUTURE AND HE GAVE ASSURANCE THAT HE WOULD +NOT LOSE SIGHT*
OF THE SUGGESTION.
HE DISCLOSED THAT ARRANGEMENTS HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE TO PRODUCE A REPRINT OF THE COMPLETE COMPANIES ORDINANCE INCORPORATING THE AMENDMENTS CONTAINED IN THE BILL.
.THIS REPRINT WILL BE PUBLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT INTO OPERATION,. HE SAID.
HE WOULD ALSO BE MOVING AN AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 46(B) (III) TO DELETE THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 80 (2)(J), HE SAID.
THIS AMENDMENT WOULD REMOVE THE PROPOSED REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER A CHARGE ON SHARES HELD BY A COMPANY IN A BODY CORPORATE WHICH IS ITS SUBSIDIARY WHEN THE CHARGE IS CREATED.
.WHILE THIS REQUIREMENT IMPLEMENTS A CLRC RECOMMENDATION AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE HIGHLY DESIRABLE IN PRINCIPLE, IT BECAME APPARENT FROM COMMENTS MADE BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS THAT IF THE NEW SECTION WERE ENACTED, THEY AND OTHER CREDITORS WOULD HAVE REAL DIFFICULTIES IN THAT THEY COULD NOT BE CERTAIN WHETHER THE SHARES TO WHICH A CHARGE RELATED WERE INDEED THOSE OF A SUBSIDIARY AS DEFINED IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
.HAVING CONSIDERED THESE COMMENTS, IT HAS BEEN AGREED THAT THE PROPOSED REQUIREMENT SHOULD BE DELETED AND THE MATTER REFERRED TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION,*
HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID ALSO THAT CONCERN HAD BEEN EXPRESSED BY THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ASSOCIATION ABOUT THE STAMP DUTY IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL BONDS IN THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 74A IN CLAUSE 41 OF THE BILL.
WHILE NO AMENDMENT WOULD BE MADE TO THIS PROPOSED SECTION, WHICH BASICALLY SERVED COMPANY LAW PURPOSES, IT WAS THE INTENTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO INTRODUCE IN DUE COURSE AN AMENDMENT TO THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE TO MEET THIS CONCERN, HE EXPLAINED.
MR JACOBS CONCLUDED BY THANKING ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO HAD TAKEN THE TROUBLE TO CONVEY THEIR VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT.
+THEIR WIDE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE HAS CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO THAT CONSULTATIVE PROCESS WHICH IS ESSENTIAL IN COMPANY LAW REFORM,*
MR JACOBS CONCLUDED.
-------------0---------------
/4...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
4
UNOFFICIALS BACK COMPANY LAW REFORM COMMITTEE ft ft ft ft ft
THE LEGCO AD-HOC GROUP ON THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WELCOMED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM, THE HON BILL BROWN SAID TODAY, AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SUPPORTING THE MOTION, MR BROWN SAID THAT PLACING THE BILL ON THE STATUTE BOOK WOULD BE A FURTHER MILESTONE ON A JOURNEY WHICH COMMENCED IN 1974 WHEN A PROGRAMME OF LEGISLATION WAS INITIATED TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMPANIES LAW REVISION COMMITTEE SECOND REPORT, PUBLISHED IN APRIL 1973.
+WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO DOWN THIS ROAD AND A NUMBER CF VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES STILL NEED TO BE ADDRESSED,+ HE ADDED.
IT WAS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS PARTICULARLY WELCOMED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SAID STANDING COMMITTEE.
MATTERS TO BE REFERRED TO THE NEW COMMITTEE INCLUDEi
ft TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE ULTRA VIRES DOCTRINE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND THE EXTENT OF PROTECTION THAT SHOULD BE AFFORDED TO THIRD PARTIES IN ULTRA VIRES TRANSACTIONS.
ft TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF RESTRICTION ON THE GIVING OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY A COMPANY FOR THE PURCHASE OF ITS OWN SHARES; IN THIS CONNECTION TO CONSIDER SIMULTANEOUSLY THE QUESTION OF WHETHER A COMPANY SHOULD BE ABLE TO PURCHASE ITS OWN SHARES WHICH IS NOW ALLOWED IN BRITAIN UNDER SECTIONS 46 - 52 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 1981.
ft TO REVIEW THE LAW ON REGISTRATION OF CHARGES IN THE LIGHT OF THE MANY SUGGESTIONS MADE BY VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR FAR-REACHING AMENDMENTS EVEN TO THE EXTENT OF DEPARTING FROM THE BRITISH SYSTEM. IN THIS CONNECTION, TO CONSIDER MATTERS ARISING FROM THE APPLICATION OF PART I I I OF THE ORDINANCE ON THE SUBJECT TO A COMPANY INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG IN THE LIGHT OF FINDINGS IN THE SLAVENBURG CASE.
? TO CONSIDER WHETHER IN THE CASE OF A PRIVATE COMPANY WHICH IS NOT A MEMBER OF A GROUP OF COMPANIES WHICH INCLUDES A LISTED COMPANY, APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY SHOULD BE REQUIRED FOR THE DISPOSAL OF ITS FIXED ASSETS BY ITS DIRECTORS.
ft TO CONSIDER THE REQUIREMENT IN THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 155D (DIRECTOR’S DUTY REGARDING INFORMATION TO SHAREHOLDERS) IN THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 AND IN PARTICULAR TO SEE WHETHER ANY FURTHER EXEMPTIONS ARE JUSTIFIED.
/* TO CONSIDER...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2j, 1984
5 -
*
TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF GENERAL FIDUCIARY DUTY OF DIRECTORS.
M TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 162 (DISCLOSURE BY DIRECTORS OF MATERIAL INTEREST IN CONTRACTS) SHOULD BE EXTENDED AS HAS BEEN DONE IN BRITAIN BY SECTION 60 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 1980.
MR BROWN NOTED THAT THESE WERE JUST A FEW OF THE INITIAL 22 ITEMS WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED TO REFER TO THE NEW STANDING COMMITTEE.
.
I FEEL IT WOULD ASSIST ALL OF US IN UNDERSTANDING OUR COMPANY LEGISLATION IF, IN THE EVENT THE STANDING COMMITTEE WERE TO RECOMMEND SIGNIFICANT FURTHER CHANGES TO OUR COMPANY LAW, WE PRODUCED AN ENTIRELY NEW BILL RATHER THAN ANOTHER VOLUMINOUS AMENDMENT BILL, HE ADDED.
*
HE SAID THAT AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS WOULD BE MOVED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHICH AS A WHOLE HAD THE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT OF THE WHOLE AD-HOC GROUP.
RECALLING THE AD-HOC GROUP’S DELIBERATIONS ON THE BILL, HE SAID, +THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS BILL IS PERHAPS SELF-EVIDENT, BUT IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE PROPOSALS WERE FIRST PUBLISHED AS A DRAFT BILL ON JULY 18, 1980. THE LEGCO AD-HOC GROUP TOOK THE UNUSUAL STEP OF DELIBERATING ON COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC AND REACHING AGREEMENT WITH THE ADMINISTRATION ON MANY CHANGES WHILE THE BILL WAS STILL IN ITS DRAFT FORM.
.
IN SHORT, THE BILL NOW BEFORE US ALREADY INCLUDES SOME 41 AMENDMENTS AND SEVEN DELETIONS PROPOSED BY THE AD-HOC GROUP, AND THESE IN TURN AFFECT MORE THAN 70 SECTIONS OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
.
I AND MY COLLEAGUES ARE GRATEFUL TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR THE HELP, ASSISTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING RECEIVED DURING THE CONSULTATIVE PROCESS AND FOR AMENDING THE DRAFT BILL TO ACCOMMODATE OUR SUGGESTION,. HE SAID.
NUMEROUS REPRESENTATIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS AND MANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL BODIES, BUT ALSO FROM ORDINARY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, HE SAID.
.
THIS, TOGETHER WITH THE FACT THAT THE AD-HOC GROUP HAS MET ON 15 OCCASIONS TO DELIBERATE ON THE BILL, WILL PERHAPS EXPLAIN THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT HAS TAKEN TO BRING MATTERS TO THIS STAGE AND COUNTER CRITICISM OF UNNECESSARY DELAY,+ HE SAID.
FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS MADE SUBSEQUENT TO THE BILL’S FIRST READING AND PUBLICATION LAST YEAR HAD BEEN CONSIDERED AND DISCUSSED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, RESULTING IN ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS OF SUBSTANCE, HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
6
UNOFFICIALS MOVE AMENDMENTS * *
AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WERE MOVED BY SEVEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES. THE HON PIERS JACOBS, AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TODAY.
THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WERE THE HON PETER C. WONG, THE HON CHARLES YEUNG, THE HON ANDREW SO, THE HON WONG PO-YAN, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, THE HON MARIA TAM AND THE HON PETER POON.
SUPPORTING THE MOTION IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL. THE UNOFFICIALS SUPPORTED MR BROWN’S REMARK THAT THE BILL WAS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
THEY ALSO JOINED HIM IN WELCOMING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM.
ON SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS, MR PETER C. WONG EXPLAINED THAT HE WOULD BE MOVING AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE 24(B) AND CLAUSE 27.
CLAUSE 24 AMENDS SECTION 45 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE REGARDING ALLOTMENT OF SHARES.
MR WONG SAID THAT THE VIEW OF THE LAW SOCIETY HAD BEEN ACCEPTED AND HE WOULD BE MOVING AMENDMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT THE ALLOTMENTS REFERRED TO IN THE NEW SUBSECTION (1A) (A) WOULD BE DESCRIBED AS +ALLOTED CREDITED*
AND NOT MERELY AS ’ALLOTED’.
CLAUSE 27 ADDS NEW SECTIONS 57A, 57B AND 57C AND MR WONG WOULD BE MOVING AMENDMENTS TO NEW SECTIONS 57A AND 57B.
SECTION 57A SUBSECTION (1) DEALS WITH SHARES WITH NO VOTING RIGHTS AND THE WORDS ’NON-VOTING*
MUST APPEAR ON SHARE CERTIFICATES AS WELL AS IN ANY PROSPECTUS OR REPORT.
AMENDMENT WOULD BE MADE TO CLARIFY THAT THE REPORT REFERRED TO WOULD BE DESCRIBED AS ’DIRECTOR’S REPORT’, MR WONG EXPLAINED.
SECTION 57A SUBSECTION (2) PROVIDES THAT SHARE CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY A COMPANY WHICH HAS ITS SHARE CAPITAL DIVIDED INTO DIFFERENT CLASSES MUST CONTAIN A STATEMENT TO THAT EFFECT AS WELL AS THE AMOUNT FIXED BY THE MEMORANDUM IN RESPECT OF THE SHARES CF EACH CLASS AND THE VOTING RIGHTS ATTACHED THERETO.
+AS THE MEMORANDUM OF A COMPANY RARELY SPECIFIES THE AMOUNT CF THE SHARES OF EACH CLASS, REFERENCE TO THE MEMORANDUM WILL BE DELETED AND THE AMENDMENT WILL MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE NOMINAL VALUE OF THE SHARES IN EACH CLASS MUST APPEAR ON THE CERTIFICATE,*
MR WONG SAID.
SECTION 57B PROVIDES THAT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A PRO-RATA ALLOTMENT OF SHARES TO MEMBERS, THE DIRECTORS OF A COMPANY MUST FIRST OBTAIN THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY IN GENERAL MEETING.
SUBSECTION (5) STIPULATES THAT ANY RESOLUTION WHEREBY AN APPROVAL IS GIVEN SHOULD BE REGISTERED AS PROVIDED BY SECTION 117 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
/+AGAIN FOR...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2jt 1984
.AGAIN FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY, AN AMENDMENT WILL BE MOVED REQUIRING ANY RESOLUTION THAT IS REVOKED OR VARIED AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (3) TO BE REGISTERED AS WELL,*
HE ADDED.
AMENDMENT WOULD ALSO BE MOVED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT SUBSCRIBERS’ SHARES WOULD NOT FALL WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THIS NEW SECTION.
IN ADDITION, MR WONG WOULD MOVE THAT ALL REFERENCES TO 1983 IN THESE TWO CLAUSES BE DELETED AND SUBSTITUTED BY 1984.
MR YEUNG SAID THAT HE WOULD PROPOSE AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSES 63, 84, 125, 134, 240 AND THE NINTH SCHEDULE.
CLAUSE 63 OF THE BILL REPLACES SECTION 99 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WITH NEW PROVISION CLARIFYING THE REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE CLOSING OF THE REGISTER OF MEMBERS AND THE REGISTER OF DEBENTURE HOLDERS DURING THE YEAR.
.SPECIALLY, A COMPANY MAY CLOSE THE REGISTERS IN QUESTION FOR NOT EXCEEDING 30 DAYS IN EACH YEAR, WITH FURTHER PROVISION FOR EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF 30 DAYS,+ MR YEUNG EXPLAINED.
HE WOULD BE MOVING AMENDMENTS TO IMPOSE AN OVERALL LIMIT ON THE POWER OF A COMPANY TO EXTEND THE CLOSURE OF SUCH REGISTER AS WELL AS TO LIMIT ANY EXTENSION OF THE CLOSING OF THE REGISTER OF MEMBERS AND THE REGISTER OF DEBENTURE HOLDERS TO A MAXIMUM OF 60 DAYS.
CLAUSE 84 AMENDS SECTION 119 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE, INTER ALIA, A COMPANY TO KEEP MINUTES OF ALL GENERAL MEETINGS, MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS AND MEETINGS OF MANAGERS.
AFTER CONSIDERING REPRESENTATIONS WHICH CONTENDED THAT THIS WOULD CAUSE INTERPRETAT IONAL PROBLEM, THE AD-HOC GROUP AND THE ADMINISTRATION AGREED TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT TO KEEP MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF MANAGERS.
CLAUSE 125 REPLACES SECTION 168 WITH NEW PROVISION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE JENKINS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS IN RESPECT OF TAKE-OVERS AND THE ACQUISITION OF MINORITY INTERESTS.
THE RIGHTS OF THE COMPANY ON THE ONE HAND AND OF THE MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS ON THE OTHER ARE SET OUT IN DETAIL IN THE NEW NINTH SCHEDULE.
MR YEUNG WOULD BE MOVING AMENDMENTS TO THE NINTH SCHEDULE SO THAT THE WORDS USED WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE IN CLAUSE 125.
CLAUSE 134 REPEALS AND REPLACES SECTION 185 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, AND PROVIDES THAT ON THE MAKING OF A WINDING-UP ORDER, A COPY OF THE ORDER BE DELIVERED BY THE COMPANY TO THE REGISTRAR.
AMENDMENT TO BE MOVED BY MR YEUNG WOULD MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE WINDING-UP ORDER IS TO BE DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR FOR THE PURPOSE OF REGISTRATION.
/CLAUSE J40 ...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2}, 1984
8
CLAUSE 240 REPLACES, INTER ALIA, SECTION 346 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHICH SPECIFIES THAT DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR ARE TO CONFORM TO CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.
IF SUCH REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH, THE REGISTRAR WILL SERVE A NOTICE TO THE PERSON WHO SUBMITS THE DOCUMENTS STATING HOW THAT PERSON HAS NOT COMPLIED WITH THE REQUIREMENTS AND THAT PERSON WILL BE GIVEN A 14-DAY GRACE PERIOD TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.
MR YEUNG WOULD BE MOVING A TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO CLARIFY THAT THE GRACE PERIOD WOULD BEGIN FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE SERVED BY REGISTERED POST.
MR WONG PO-YAN, STRESSED THAT A DIRECTOR OF A COMPANY, IN DISCHARGING HIS DUTIES, MUST ACT HONESTLY IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS POWERS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CODE OF COMMERCIAL MORALITY AND BUSINESS ETHICS VOLUNTARILY.
HE WOULD MOVE AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE 114 RELATING TO THE RESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR OR SECRETARY OF A COMPANY AND THE PROHIBITION OF LOANS TO DIRECTORS.
CLAUSE 114 ADDS NEW SECTIONS 157A TO 157J.
NEW SECTIONS 157 A TO 157F INTRODUCE NEW REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING THE POWER OF THE COURT TO MAKE DISQUALIFICATION ORDERS AGAINST FRAUDULENT PERSONS OR DIRECTORS OF INSOLVENT COMPANIES.
HE WOULD BE MOVING AN AMENDMENT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WHERE THE ARTICLES OF A COMPANY REQUIRE A DIRECTOR OR SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY TO GIVE NOTICE FOR RESIGNATION, THE NOTICE SHALL BE IN WRITING BY THE PERSON GIVING SUCH NOTICE.
TURNING TO THE PROHIBITION OF LOANS OF DIRECTORS, MR WONG SAID, .THE NEW SECTIONS 157H, 1571 AND 157J BREAK NEW GROUND IN RESPECT OF THE MAKING OF LOANS OR THE GIVING OF GUARANTEES BY COMPANIES TO DIRECTORS OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF DIRECTORS.
.UNDER NEW SECTION 157H, WHICH DOES NOT APPLY TO BANKS OR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, THE GENERAL RULE IS THAT LOANS OR GUARANTEES BY A COMPANY TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY OR OF ITS HOLDING COMPANY, OR TO A COMPANY CONTROLLED BY ANY ONE OR MORE CF ITS DIRECTORS, ARE PROHIBITED.^
THERE ARE FIVE EXCEPTIONS!
* LOANS ETC. AS BETWEEN COMPANIES IN THE SAME GROUPj
M LOANS ETC. BY PRIVATE COMPANIES (EXCEPT THOSE BELONGING TO A GROUP OF COMPANIES OF WHICH A MEMBER IS A LISTED COMPANY) IF APPROVED IN GENERAL MEETING!
* LOANS ETC. TO DEFRAY LEGITIMATE EXPENSES INCURRED WHILE ON COMPANY BUS I NESS 1
/* LOANS (NOT..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
* LOANS (NOT EXCEEDING 80 PER CENT OF THE VALUE) FOR THE PURCHASE OF A RESIDENCE; AND
M LOANS ETC. (UP TO AMOUNTS NOT EXCEEDING 1500 000) BY COMPANIES WHOSE ORDINARY BUSINESS INCLUDES THE LENDING OF MONEY OR THE GIVING OF GUARANTEES.
THE LATTER THREE EXCEPTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO A +GLOBAL*
LIMIT OF FIVE PER CENT OF NET ASSETS. AND ARE DEALT WITH UNDER SUBSECTION 157H(7).
MR CHEONG DESCRIBED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COMPANIES AMENDMENT BILL AS +TIMELY+.
.FOR, IN CONSOLIDATING OUR SUCCESS AND IN PREPARING FOR OUR NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH, IT IS NECESSARY TO CONTINUOUSLY UPDATE OUR LEGAL SYSTEM, THEREBY DEFINING MORE CLEARLY AND IN MORE DETAIL THE PARAMETERS WITHIN WHICH OUR COMPANIES CAN OR SHOULD OPERATE,*
FE SAID.
HE WOULD BE MOVING AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE 155, 158, 161 AND 209.
CLAUSE 155 REPLACES SECTION 224 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHICH EMPOWERS THE COURT TO ARREST AN ABSCONDING CONTRIBUTORY OR OFFICER.
MR CHEONG WOULD MOVE AMENDMENT TO SPECIFY THAT THE POWERS OF ARREST SHALL COVER BOTH THE PRESENT AND PAST OFFICERS OF A COMPANY SO THAT THE LATTER CANNOT EVADE RESPONSIBILITY AND THE NEW SECTION 224 SIMPLY THROUGH RESIGNATION.
CLAUSE 158 REPLACES SECTION 227 WITH NEW SECTION 226A WHICH PROVIDES FOR A SUMMARY METHOD OF DISSOLUTION, AND A NEW SECTION 227 WHICH RECASTS THE EXISTING SECTION 227 BY PROVIDING THAT A DISSOLUTION ORDER MAY BE MADE ONLY WHEN THE LIQUIDATOR MAKES APPLICATION TO THE COURT IN THAT BEHALF.
MR CHEONG WOULD PROPOSE AMENDMENT TO SPECIFY THAT THE LIQUIDATOR MUST DELIVER A COPY OF THE COURT ORDER TO THE REGISTRAR WITHIN 14 DAYS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REGISTRATION.
CLAUSE 161 ADDS NEW SECTION 228A TO INTRODUCE A SPECIAL PROCEDURE TO SPEED UP THE APPOINTMENT OF A LIQUIDATOR IN AN URGENT CASE WHERE A COMPANY CANNOT BY REASON OF ITS LIABILITIES CONTINUE IN BUSINESS.
MR CHEONG OBSERVED THAT THE CLAUSE, AS DRAFTED NEEDED TO BE CLARIFIED IN TWO AREAS.
.FIRST, NEW SUBSECTION 228A(3)(A) MAKES REFERENCE TO THE WINDING UP OF A COMPANY BEING DEEMED TO COMMENCE AT THE TIME OF THE DELIVERY TO THE REGISTRAR OF THE STATUTORY DECLARATION THAT THE COMPANY CANNOT CONTINUE ITS BUSINESS.
/+WE CONSIDER ..............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
- 10 -
.WE CONSIDER THAT THE WORDS +BE DEEMED T0+ IN THE CLAUSE ARE UNNECESSARY, AND SHOULD BE DELETED,. HE SAID.
.SECONDLY, NEW SUBSECTION 228(4)(B) PROVIDES FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR, BUT WITHOUT SPECIFYING THAT THE PUBLIC NOTICE OF SUCH AN APPOINTMENT SHOULD STATE THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR.
.WE THINK IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE THAT RELEVANT DETAILS SUCH AS NAMES AND ADDRESS OF THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR BE PUBLISHED,. HE ADDED.
CLAUSE 209 ADDS A NEW SECTION 297A TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE AND TOGETHER WITH OTHER NEW CLAUSES WHICH AMEND PART VI OF THE BILL DEALING WITH RECEIVERS AND MANAGERS, A NUMBER OF NEW PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE FUNCTIONS OF RECEIVERS AND MANAGERS WILL BE INTRODUCED.
SPECIFICALLY, NEW SECTION 297A PRESCRIBES THE PENALTIES FOR ANY PERSON WHO IS AN UNDISCHARGED BANKRUPT TO ACT AS A RECEIVER OR MANAGER.
MR CHEONG WOULD BE MOVING AMENDMENT TO CLARIFY THAT AN UNDISCHARGED BANKRUPT SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM BEING A RECEIVER OR MANAGER OF THE PROPERTY OF A COMPANY ON BEHALF OF DEBENTURE HOLDERS.
MISS TAM SAID THAT DIRECTORS IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR POWERS ARE FIDUCIARY AGENTS FOR THE COMPANY AND MUST USE THEIR POWERS FOR THE BENEFIT OR INTENDED BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY.
.SUBJECT TO THIS OVERRIDING CONSIDERATION THE DIRECTORS MAY DO WHATEVER IS FAIRLY INCIDENTAL TO THE EXERCISE OF THEIR POWER IN CARRYING OUT THE OBJECTS OF THE COMPANY, AND HENCE WHETHER THE INTEREST OF THE SHAREHOLDERS ARE PROPERLY PROTECTED DEPENDS ON THE JUDGMENT AND HONESTY OF THE COMPANY’S DIRECTORS, AND THE MORE WE KNOW OF THEIR OWN VESTED INTERESTS THE BETTER THE SHAREHOLDERS CAN PROTECT THEIR INTEREST IN THE COMPANY,+ SHE SAID.
.FOR THE SAME REASON IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO DISCLOSE THE TRUE IDENTITY OF THE DIRECTORS OF A COMPANY, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF COMPANIES WHERE GENERALLY THE SHAREHOLDERS HAVE LITTLE INSIDE OR PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF ITS DECISION MAKERS,+ SHE ADDED.
SHE WOULD BE MOVING AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSES 110 AND 112.
CALUSE 110 AMENDS THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE BY ADDING NEW SECTIONS 154A AND 154B.
THE NEW SECTION 154A PROVIDES THAT, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF CERTAIN PRIVATE COMPANIES, IT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE BODIES CORPORATE AS DIRECTORS OF COMPANIES.
.THUS THE IDENTITY OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY IS REVEALED.
/.IN ORDER...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY C), 1984
.IN ORDER TO GIVE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR ADJUSTMENT, A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS’ GRACE IS ALLOWED FOR COMPANIES TO CONFORM AFTER THE BILL COMES INTO OPERATION,*
MISS TAM SAID.
SHE WOULD BE MOVING AMENDMENT TO AVOID ANY CONFUSION OVER WHICH COMPANIES ARE TO BE REFERRED TO AND HOW AND WHEN THE DIRECTORS OF BODIES CORPORATE SHOULD VACATE THEIR OFFICES.
IN ORDER TO FURTHER PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THE SHAREHOLDERS, CLAUSE 112 ADDS NEW SECTION 155A TO 155D WHICH IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS AND OBLIGATIONS ON DIRECTORS IN THEIR MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS VIS-A- VIS BOTH THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDERS.
.THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AMENDMENT BECAUSE THESE NEW PROVISIONS DEAL WITH THE DISPOSAL BY THE DIRECTORS OF A COMPANY’S FIXED ASSETS.
. THEY IMPOSE AN OBLIGATION ON THE DIRECTORS TO INDICATE THE PURPOSE OF THE COMPANY’S RESOLUTIONS REQUIRED FOR SUCH DISPOSAL OF FIXED ASSETS, AND TO DISCLOSE ANY RELATED INTERESTS OF THE DIRECTORS OF A MATERIAL NATURE AND, ALSO, TO KEEP ALL SHAREHOLDERS EQUALLY INFORMED,*
MISS TAM OBSERVED.
SHE NOTED THAT THE CLAUSE HAD THEREFORE ATTRACTED COPIOUS COMMENTS AND STRONG REPRESENTATIONS FROM PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND MOST OF THESE COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THE NEW SECTIONS 155A AND 155D.
NEW SECTION 155A PROVIDES THAT THE DIRECTORS OF A COMPANY SHOULD SEEK THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY AT A GENERAL MEETING FOR DISPOSAL OF THE COMPANY’S FIXED ASSETS IF THE VALUE TO BE DISPOSED CF OVER A PERIOD SHOULD EXCEED 33 PER CENT OF THE COMPANY’S FIXED ASSETS.
MISS TAM WOULD BE MOVING AMENDMENTS TO SUBSECTION 155A(1), (2), (3) AND (5) TO STIPULATE THAT THE REQUIREMENT BE APPLICABLE TO ALL LISTED COMPANIES AND THEIR SUBSIDIARIES AND TO COMPANIES WHICH ARE MEMBERS OF A GROUP OF COMPANIES WHICH INCLUDES A LISTED COMPANY.
SHE WOULD ALSO PROPOSE TO DELETE A PROVISO IN SUBSECTION 155A(5) WHICH EXONERATES A DIRECTOR WHO HAS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 155(A)(1) FROM FINE AND/OR IMPRISONMENT, PROVIDED THAT THE TRANSACTION HE EXECUTED IS SUBSEQUENTLY APPROVED BY THE COMPANY IN A GENERAL MEETING.
IN ADDITION SHE WOULD MOVE TO DELETE NEW SECTION 155D WHICH DEALS WITH THE DIRECTORS’ DUTY REGARDING INFORMATION TO SHAREHOLDERS.
MR POON SAID THAT THE PROPOSED CHANGES UNDER THE BILL ^OULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF ACCOUNT REPORTING AND AUDITING STANDARDS IN HONG KONG.
.THE NEW LEGISLATION WILL ALSO PLUG MAJOR LOOPHOLES, SUCH AS ’LOANS TO DIRECTORS’ WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF A LOT OF FOCUS AND CONCERN IN RECENT COMPANY FAILURES,+ HE SAID.
/'￡￡, WOULD...............
WEDNESDAY, JaNUAKY ‧>, 1984
12
HE WOULD BE PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSES 55 AND 253.
CLAUSE 55 REPLACES SECTION 91 RELATING TO THE APPLICATION OF PART III OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO COMPANIES INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
SPECIFICALLY, NEW SUBSECTION 91(3) ALLOWS A COMPANY 21 DAYS FOR REGISTRATION OF CHARGES WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED BY A COMPANY ON ESTABLISHMENT OF A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG AND MR POON WOULD MOVE AN AMENDMENT TO EXTEND THE TIME LIMIT IN QUESTION FROM 21 DAYS TO FIVE WEEKS.
CLAUSE 253 INTRODUCES A NEW FIRST SCHEDULE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
THIS SCHEDULE PRESCRIBES REGULATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPANIES, AND PART I OF TABLE A DEALS WITH REGULATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF A COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES, AND NOT BEING A PRIVATE COMPANY.
REGULATION 86 DEALS WITH THE REQUIREMENT FOR A DIRECTOR TO DECLARE HIS INTEREST IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 162 OF THE ORDINANCE.
TO BRING REGULATION 86(1) AND (2) IN LINE WITH THE PROPOSED SECTION 162, MR POON WOULD MOVE AMENDMENT TO THE SAID REGULATION TO GIVE THE EFFECT THAT A DIRECTOR SHALL ONLY BE REQUIRED TO DECLARE HIS INTEREST OR NOT TO VOTE IN RESPECT OF A CONTRACT OR A PROPOSED CONTRACT WITH A COMPANY IF THE CONTRACT IS SIGNIFICANT IN RELATION TO THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS AND HIS INTEREST IN IT IS MATER IAL.
REGULATION 90 DEALS WITH DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS- AND SPECIFICALLY, REGULATION 90(G) PROVIDES THAT A DIRECTOR SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED IF HE FAILS TO DECLARE HIS INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 162 OF THE ORDINANCE.
AFTER CONSIDERING REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED ON THIS SUBJECT, 5 )|T HAD BEEN AGREED TO DELETE PARAGRAPH (G) OF REGULATION 90 AND THIS WOULD BE PROPOSED BY MR POON AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
REGULATIONS 124 TO 128 OF TABLE A DEALS WITH THE KEEPING CF COMPANY ACCOUNTS.
TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH SECTION 129G, MR POON WOULD MOVE TO AMEND REGULATION 128 TO ALLOW 21 DAYS, INSTEAD OF 14 DAYS, BEFORE THE DATE OF THE GENERAL MEETING FOR SENDING BALANCE SHEET AND DIRECTORS’ AND AUDITORS’ REPORTS TO MEMBERS.
MR SO OBSERVED THAT IT WAS ONLY NATURAL FOR A BILL OF THIS SIZE TO BE PUNCTUATED BY CLERICAL AND TYPING ERRORS.
HE SAID THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE MOVING MOST OF THESE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO RECTIFY THE ERRORS WHILE HE WOULD MOVE TO RECTIFY THOSE IN CLAUSES 77 AND 178.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
- 13 -
COMPANY LAW REFORM STANDING COMMITTEE SET UP * *
M M
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM, A NON-STATUTORY BODY, HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY GOVERNMENT.
ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE AS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR AREt
(A)
TO ADVISE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON AMENDMENTS
TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AS AND WHEN EXPERIENCE SHOWS THEM TO BE NECESSARY.
(B)
TO REPORT ANNUALLY THROUGH THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON THOSE AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE THAT ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE.
(C)
TO ADVISE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON AMENDMENTS REQUIRED TO THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE AND THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS ORDINANCE WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE SECURITIES COMMISSION ON ITS ROLE OF ADMINISTERING THOSE ORDINANCES.
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE CONS, A JUSTICE OF APPEAL HAS BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE AND THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN APPOINTED MEMBERS FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 1, 1984 TO JANUARY 31, 1985, BOTH DATES INCLUSIVE -
DR ANDREW CHUANG SIU-LEUNG
MR DENYS E. CONNOLLY, JP
MR KENNETH H. FANG
MR ANDREW K.N. LI
MR PETER J. PEARSON
MR R.S. SHELDON
MR C.L. WARREN-SMITH
MR MICHAEL W. WELLS
PROFESSOR P.G. WILLOUGHBY, JP
THE HON PETER C. WONG, OBE, JP
MR C.H. WONG, JP
MR FRANCIS CHARLES WRANGHAM
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES HAVE BEEN APPOINTED EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS.
NOTICE OF THE APPOINTMENT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY 27.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
14 -
RADIATION MONITORING SCHEME PLANNED * *
*
*
A RADIATION MONITORING PROGRAMME WILL BE ESTABLISHED LATER THIS YEAR, SAID THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR JACOBS WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ANDREW SO WHO ASKED WHAT ARRANGEMENTS THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE TO MONITOR AND GUARD AGAINST POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS ARISING FROM THE PROPOSED NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN GUANGDONG.
+THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HAS MADE PROPOSALS FOR A RADIATION MONITORING PROGRAMME,*
SAID MR JACOBS. +THIS PROGRAMME IS DESIGNED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO ESTABLISH DATA ON EXISTING BACKGROUND RADIATING LEVELS IN HONG KONG. THE DATA WILL THEN SERVE AS A POINT OF REFERENCE AGAINST WHICH FUTURE CHANGES IN LEVELS OF RADIATION CAN BE MEASURED.
.IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROGRAMME WILL COMMENCE LATER THIS YEAR. A REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL PROVISION AND THE NECESSARY STAFF IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION..
MR JACOBS SAID THAT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAD BEEN COOPERATIVE WITH REGARD TO RADIATION MONITORING.
ON GUARDING AGAINST POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS, HE SAID THE SITE WAS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE, AND THE DAYA BAY SITE IS AT A SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER DISTANCE THAN THE DISTANCE SEPARATING MANY SIMILAR POWER STATIONS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD FROM POPULATION CENTRES.
FURTHER PROTECTION FOR HONG KONG’S POPULATION WILL BE FOUND IN THE SAFEGUARDS BUILT INTO THE STATION ITSELF, HE SAID. THE COMPANY CHOSEN FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN HAS MUCH EXPERIENCE AND THERE IS NO REASON TO SUPPOSE THE STATION WILL BE BUILT OTHERWISE THAN TO THE HIGHEST SAFETY STANDARDS.
.HONG KONG INTERESTS WILL PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN PLANNING AND DESIGN AND, AFTER CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO SUPPLIERS, SAFETY MEASURES IMPLEMENTED IN RELATION TO SIMILAR REACTORS ELSEWHERE AND MEASURES APPROPRIATE IN RELATION TO DAYA BAY WILL BE STUD I ED.+
---------0--------------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
15
SPECIAL HOUSING QUOTA FOR ELDERLY GROUPS * *
*
*
MANY OF THE SO-CALLED +CAGED MEN*
ARE ELDERLY SINGLE PERSONS LIVING IN PRIVATE BOARDING HOUSES AND THEY CAN GET PUBLIC HOUSING THROUGH VARIOUS PRIORITY SCHEMES IF THEY CHOOSE TO APPLY.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
AMONG THESE PRIORITY SCHEMES, HE SAID, A SPECIAL QUOTA WAS ALLOCATED EACH YEAR FOR ELDERLY PERSONS APPLYING IN GROUPS OF THREE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.
.THE ANNUAL QUOTA HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM 300 FLATS IN 1980 TO 800 IN 1983.
.MANY ELDERLY PERSONS HAVE ALSO OBTAINED PUBLIC HOUSING THROUGH THE COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING QUOTA, WHICH IS CURRENTLY SET AT 800 FLATS A YEAR.+
FURTHERMORE, MR LIAO SAID, HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION FOR THE ELDERLY HAD BEEN INCREASED VERY SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS.
.SINCE 1980, ONE STANDARD HOSTEL WITH 150 PLACES HAS BEEN SET UP IN EVERY NEW LARGE ESTATE. THERE ARE NOW 26 HOSTELS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES RUN BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES PROVIDING A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 3 000 PLACES FOR THE ELDERLY.
.A FURTHER 19 HOSTELS OF THIS KIND WITH A TOTAL OF 2 800 PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS..
MR LIAO SAID HOSTELS FOR THE ELDERLY WERE ALSO AVAILABLE IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
.THERE ARE CURRENTLY SEVEN SUCH HOSTELS RUN BY HELPING HAND WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 600 PLACES, WHILE TWO MORE WITH 200 ADDITIONAL PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THA’S WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.
.IN ADDITION TO HOUSING AUTHORITY’S CONTRIBUTION AS PART OF AN OVERALL PROGRAMME FOR THE CARE OF THE ELDERLY, THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR INTRODUCED A TRIAL SCHEME OF PURCHASING FLATS IN PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE ELDERLY. OVER 100 FLATS HAVE BEEN PURCHASED TO PROVIDE SOME 600 PLACES..
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
- 1o -
.WATER SUPPLY IN SQUATTER AREAS RELIABLE+ M *
*
THE SUPPLY OF WATER FROM STANDPIPES IN SQUATTER AREAS IS GENERALLY AS RELIABLE AS CAN BE EXPECTED, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN WAS ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM THE HON CHAN YING-LUN, WHO POINTED OUT THAT WATER SUPPLY WAS A MAJOR CONCERN OF RESIDENTS IN SQUATTER AREAS. PARTICULARLY ON HILLY TERRAINS, AND ASKED WHETHER GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE UNRELIABILITY OF WATER SUPPLY FROM STANDPIPES, AND RESIDENTS’ HARDSHIP IN OBTAINING FRESH WATER TO THE EXTENT THAT MANY HAD TO OBTAIN WATER FROM STREAMS.
HE ALSO ASKED WHETHER GOVERNMENT WOULD INFORM THE COUNCIL WHAT PLANS IT HAD TO ALLEVIATE RESIDENTS’ HARDSHIP.
MR CHAN SAID GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT EXISTED, PARTICULARLY IN HIGH-UP AREAS WHERE THE WATER PRESSURE WAS BAD.
THE PRESSURE OF THE WATER IN THE TAP DEPENDED UPON THE WATER LEVEL IN THE RESERVOIR FEEDING IT, THE LENGTH AND SIZE OF THE PIPE AND THE QUANTITY OF WATER BEING DRAWN OFF.
THESE FACTORS WERE KNOWN WHEN STANDPIPES WERE INSTALLED, BUT TO TRY AND SATISFY RESIDENTS STANDPIPES HAD OCCASIONALLY BEEN PROVIDED UNDER MARGINAL CONDITIONS WHERE IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT LOW PRESSURE IN THE TAP WAS BETTER THAN HAVING NO WATER AT ALL.
CONDITIONS WERE NOT IMPROVED BY ILLEGAL TAPPING OF THE SUPPLY PIPE, WHICH IN EXTREME CASES COULD CUT OFF THE SUPPLY TO THE STANDPIPE ALTOGETHER.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT REGULARLY INSPECTED ALL STANDPIPE INSTALLATIONS TO TRY AND STOP ILLEGAL TAPPING, BUT THIS NEVERTHELESS REMAINED AN ONGOING PROBLEM, HE SAID.
.APART FROM THIS QUESTION OF WEAK PRESSURE, I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES THAT THE SUPPLY OF WATER FROM STANDPIPES IN SQUATTER AREAS IS GENERALLY AS RELIABLE AS CAN BE EXPECTED,. MR CHAN TOLD THE COUNCIL.
TAPS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND SUCH MAINTENANCE WAS CARRIED OUT AS A MATTER OF ROUTINE.
MR CHAN SAID THE WATER AUTHORITY WAS STILL COMMITTED TO A PROGRAMME OF INSTALLING STANDPIPES IN SQUATTER AREAS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH A POLICY LAID DOWN BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN 1968.
IN ADDITION, THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WAS NEARING COMPLETION OF SCHEMES TO PROVIDE METERED WATER TO 15 SQUATTER AREAS, AND PROPOSALS FOR A FURTHER 15 HIGH-LEVEL AREAS WHICH WOULD REQUIRE LOCAL PUMPING STATIONS WERE IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
WEDNESDAY, JAKUArtY 1984
- 17 -
.SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, IT IS HOPED TO IMPLEMENT THESE PROPOSALS SHORTLY,*
MR CHAN SAID.
HE SAID AS WELL AS THE PROJECTS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO CARRYING OUT A S3OO MILLION. FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME OF SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENTS. WHICH INCLUDED THE PROVISIONING OF METERED WATER SUPPLIES TO INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS.
THREE PILOT PROJECTS IN NORTH POINT, SAU MAU PING AND KWUN TONG HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED, AND IN THE CURRENT YEAR'S PROGRAMME OF IMPROVEMENTS SIX MORE AREAS,HOUSING OVER 9 OOO PEOPLE, WERE BEING DEALT WITH AT A COST OF ABOUT *
2 500 PER HEAD.
A FURTHER 18 AREAS WERE INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME FOR 1984-85 AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF S55 MILLION AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS ALREADY WORKING ON THE PLANS FOR THESE, HE SAID.
‧ 0--~-
ACTION TAKEN AGAINST ILLEGAL HAWKING, FOOD STALLS *******
LAST YEAR, OVER 73 000 ARRESTS FOR ILLEGAL HAWKING WERE MADE IN THE URBAN AREA AND OVER 7 000 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MOST OF WHICH RESULTED IN SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON HENRY CHING SAID TODAY.
AND PLANS HAVE BEEN MADE TO STRENGTHEN THE GENERAL DUTIES TEAM TO ENABLE ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO BE STEPPED UP, HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON WONG LAM.
DESPITE ENFORCEMENT ACTION, HOWEVER, THERE WERE STILL ABOUT 17 000 HABITUAL ILLEGAL HAWKERS IN THE URBAN AREA AND 2 003 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, HE ADDED.
THERE WERE ABOUT 3 200 HAWKERS TRADING ILLEGALLY IN MONG KOK AND ABOUT 950 IN THE KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE.
OPERATIONS WERE REGULARLY CARRIED OUT IN THESE DISTRICTS AND LAST MONTH, 527 ARRESTS FOR HAWKING WERE MADE IN THE KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE, AND 896 IN MONG KOK, HE SAID.
THE GENERAL DUTIES TEAMS OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ASSISTED BY POLICE, CARRY OUT THESE ARREST OPERATIONS, HE SAID.
REPLYING TO THE QUESTION ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL AND HYGIENE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY COOKED FOOD STALLS IN PRIVATE STREETS AND BACK LANES OF KWUN TONG, MR CHING SAID THAT CLEARANCE OF THESE UNDESIRABLE COOKED FOOD STALLS AND THEIR REPLACEMENT BY PROPERLY DESIGNED, PURPOSE-BUILT COOKED FOOD MARKETS WAS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE MEASURE THAT COULD BE TAKEN.
.THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS A PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE SUCH MARKETS IN KWUN TONG, AND THREE OF THEM WITH A TOTAL OF 03 STALLS WILL BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR,*
HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JAJHJn..' , -19&4
18
MR CHING ALSO SAID HE WAS INFORMED THAT A MAJOR CLEARANCE OPERATION HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT LAST YEAR AND THERE WERE NOW NO ILLEGAL COOKED FOOD STALLS IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS OF KWUN TONG.
HOWEVER, A SMALL NUMBER OF ILLEGAL OPERATORS MIGHT OCCASIONALLY TRADE AT THE RISK OF BEING PROSECUTED, HE ADDED.
A SIMILAR CLEARANCE OPERATION HAD STARTED LAST MONTH IN THE NON-INDUSTRIAL AREAS OF KWUN TONG, WHERE THERE WERE 23 ILLEGAL COOKED FOOD STALLS, HE SAID.
CONTRACTORS CAN BE SUSPENDED FOR CONTRACT BREACHES * *
*
A CONTRACTOR WHO BREACHES THE TERMS OF A CONTRACT CAN BE SUSPENDED FROM TENDERING, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, W NICKY CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ANDREW SO, CONCERNING CONTRACTORS WHO FAIL TO OBSERVE NOISE, SAFETY AND OTHER REGULATIONS AT PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION WORKS SITES.
MR CHAN SAID THE GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT USED BY THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS REQUIRED THE CONTRACTOR TO COMPLY WITH ALL ENACTMENTS AND REGULATIONS AND TO CARRY OUT THE WORKS IN STRICT ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACT.
.FAILURE TO OBSERVE REGULATIONS WOULD THEREFORE TECHNICALLY BE A BREACH OF CONTRACT.
.THE ONLY REMEDY UNDER THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT IN RESPECT OF SUCH A BREACH, HOWEVER, IS RE-ENTRY, BUT UNLESS THE RECALCITRANCE OF A CONTRACTOR IN FAILING TO OBSERVE REGULATIONS HAD BEEN EXTREME, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE SEVERE, COSTLY AND TIME-CONSUMING REMEDY CF RE-ENTRY WOULD BE INVOKED.*
HE SAID.
ADMINISTRATIVELY, HOWEVER, IT WAS POSSIBLE TO PENALISE AN OFFENDING CONTRACTOR BY SUSPENDING HIM FROM TENDERING, MR CHAN TOLD THE COUNCIL.
WITH REGARD TO BREACHES OF THE LEGISLATION ON CONSTRUCTION NOISE, ALL CONTRACTORS ON LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH APPROVED LISTS HAD BEEN WARNED THAT, IF THEY OR THEIR EMPLOYEES OR SUB-CONTRACTORS WERE CONVICTED OF AN OFFENCE MORE THAN ONCE IN 12 MONTHS ON PUBLIC WORKS OR PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRACTS, THEY WOULD BE SUSPENDED FROM TENDERING FOR A TERM TO BE DECIDED IN THE LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES. PERSISTENT OFFENCES MIGHT MERIT MORE SEVERE SANCTIONS.
A CONTRACTOR’S PAST PERFORMANCE, INCLUDING ANY KNOWN OFFENCES OF THE TYPE MR CHAN HAD MENTIONED, WAS REFLECTED IN HIS RECORDS, WHICH WERE MAINTAINED BY THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH AND CONSULTED WHEN NEW CONTRACTS WERE BEING CONSIDERED.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
- 19 -
EMERGENCY CENTRE HOURS MAY BE EXTENDED * M *
*
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING EXTENDING THE HOURS OF OPERATION CF THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SECTION OF THE CHAI WAN HEALTH CENTRE BY ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY DR THE HON K.L. THONG, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, IN HIS REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HARRY FANG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR THONG TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES, HIS DEPARTMENT INTENDED TO EXTEND THE OPERATION HOURS FROM 9.30 PM TO MIDNIGHT.
AT PRESENT THE OPERATION HOUR OF THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SECTION IN THE HEALTH CENTRE, INTRODUCED IN APRIL 1983, IS FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM EVERY DAY.
.IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE EXTENDED HOURS OF OPERATION WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR,*
HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO THE SECOND PART OF DR FANG’S QUESTION REGARDING ADDITIONAL FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE SECTION SO THAT IT CAN OPERATE AS A FULL FLEDGED ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY UNIT, DR THONG SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO OTHER PROVISIONS, AN X-RAY UNIT WOULD BE ESTABLISHED BY APRIL THIS YEAR, THUS MAKING IT A PROPERLY EQUIPPED ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CENTRE SERVING THE EASTERN DISTRICT.
THE EXISTING FACILITIES AT THE SECTION INCLUDE PROVISIONS OF PHYSICAL ACCOMMODATION, DIAGNOSTIC AND RESUSCITATION EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS AN OPERATION THEATRE.
- - - - 0 ---------
DECENCY STANDARD - +A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE*
* *
*
THE MATTER CONCERNING THE SALE OF OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS MUST BE A SUBJECTIVE ONE REFLECTING PERSONAL JUDGEMENTS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MR THOMAS CITED A COURT OF APPEAL RULING IN 1977 WHICH ENDORSED THE VIEW THAT +THE MAGISTRATE MUST EXERCISE THE COMMUNITY’S CONSCIENCE AND TREAT HIMSELF AS REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY’S FEELINGS IN THE MATTER.*
THE RULING ALSO STATED, *
IF, WITH THESE FEELINGS IN MIND THE PUBLICATION APPEARS TO HIM TO BE OFFENSIVE, THEN HE SHOULD TREAT IT AS SUCH.*
THCiun-J ...............
WEDNESDAY,
, iyb4
20 -
MR THOMAS WAS REPLYING TO THE HON PETER WONG WHO WANTED TO BE INFORMED ON THE CRITERIA IN DETERMINING WHAT WAS CONSIDERED AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF DECENCY FOR PUBLICATIONS ON SALE AND HOW SUCH CRITERIA RECONCILED THE DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL STANDARDS IN THE MULTI-RACIAL CITY OF HONG KONG.
WHILE NOTING THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL, HE SAID THAT THE JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES IN THESE CASES MUST MAKE THE EFFORT TO COME TO A CONCLUSION AS TO THE COMMUNITY’S FEELINGS AND TO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
STRESSING THAT CONSISTENCY IN APPROACH WAS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE, MR THOMAS SAID, +THE EXPERT ADVICE OF A SMALL GROUP OF EXPERIENCED PROSECUTORS IN MY CHAMBERS IS SOUGHT AND IN THE EVENT OF A PROSECUTION, SUCH CASES ARE EITHER HEARD IN WESTERN OR SAN PO KONG MAGISTRACIES, AGAIN TO ENSURE THAT SO FAR AS POSSIBLE EXPERIENCED MAGISTRATES KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THESE MATTERS CAN CONSIDER THEM CONSISTENTLY.*
----o----
DISCUSSIONS HELD ON ROAD PROJECT
* *
*
*
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED TWO LETTERS SUGGESTING AMENDMENTS TO THE CHA KWO LING ROAD CONSTRUCTION SCHEME, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON WONG LAM, WHO ASKED FOR INFORMATION ON THE PRESENT POSITION REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD.
HE SAID THE SCHEME TO CONSTRUCT THE REMAINING SECTION BETWEEN THE SHELL OIL DEPOT AND CHA KWO LING QUARRY WAS GAZETTED UNDER THE ROADS ORDINANCE IN JANUARY LAST YEAR.
+TW0 LETTERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PUBLISHED SCHEME WERE RECEIVED SUGGESTING AMENDMENTS TO MINIMISE THE EXTENT OF CLEARANCE REQUIRED, AS WELL AS REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TO BE CLEARED,*
HE SAID.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE STILL UNDER DISCUSSION THROUGH THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, BUT PHASED CLEARANCE WAS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN JUNE OR JULY THIS YEAR TO ENABLE THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE TO START WORK ON SITE.
MR CHAN SAID THE PROJECT HAD ALREADY RECEIVED THE AGREEMENT CF THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE 1984-85 FINANCIAL YEAR.
.------------0----------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
21
RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 EXPLAINED * *
*
THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN PROPERTY VALUES OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, AND THE PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGE APPLICABLE TO NEW RATEABLE VALUES WILL GENERALLY BE ADJUSTED DOWNWARDS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES, WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1984, MUST BE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE VALUES IN THE CURRENT VALUATION LISTS WHICH DATE BACK TO 1977, SIR JOHN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE BASE IN ITSELF DOES NOT DETERMINE WHAT THE RATEPAYER MUST PAY AS THE PAYMENT DEPENDS SOLELY ON THE PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGE OR POUNDAGE APPLIED TO THE VALUATION.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, SIR JOHN SAID THAT THERE WAS ALSO A NEED TO REVIEW AND REVISE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY ANY OVER SHARP IMPACT OF THE INCREASED RATEABLE VALUES MIGHT BE SOFTENED AND LIMITED.
MEETING THIS NEED IS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL, WHICH DESCRIBES THE APPROPRIATE MECHANISMS AND PROPOSES THAT THE LIMITS SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE ADDED.
WHEN THE CURRENT VALUATION LISTS CAME INTO EFFECT IN 1977, THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED A RATES RELIEF SCHEME WHICH LIMITED THE INCREASE IN RATE PAYMENTS TO MAXIMUM OF 33-1/3 PER CENT OF THAT PAYABLE THE YEAR BEFORE.
THIS SCHEME WAS APPLICABLE TO ALL TENEMENTS FOR TWO YEARS AND CONTINUED TO APPLY TO RENT-CONTROLLED TENEMENTS UNDER PART 1 OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.
SIR JOHN SAID THAT THE BILL PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE RELIEF SCHEME FOR ALL TENEMENTS WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE RATE RELIEF PERCENTAGE POINT TO BE APPLIED WILL BE DETERMINED SUBSEQUENTLY BY RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL, SO THAT IT WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE 33-1/3 PER CENT IN FUTURE.
AS CONCESSIONS, THE ORDINANCE PRESENTLY PROVIDES THAT THE GENERAL PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGE MAY BE REDUCED BY TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS FOR TENEMENTS WITH NO SUPPLY OF POTABLE WATER AND BY ONE PERCENTAGE POINT FOR THOSE SUPPLIED WITH UNFILTERED WATER ONLY.
.GIVEN THAT I HOPE TO PROPOSE DOWNWARD ADJUSTMENTS OF THE PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGE FOR 1984-85, THE CONCESSIONS AS PROVIDED IN THEIR PRESENT FORM WOULD THEN HAVE TOO GREAT AN EFFECT.
.CLAUSE 5 OF THE BILL THEREFORE PROVIDES THAT THE CONCESSIONS, WHILE REMAINING AVAILABLE, WILL IN FUTURE BE EFFECTED BY APPLYING PERCENTAGE REDUCTIONS TO THE TOTAL RATES PAYABLE,*
SIR JOHN SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JaNUAitY 2>, 19&4
22
THESE REDUCTIONS, HE ADDED, WILL ALSO BE DETERMINED BY RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL.
CLAUSE 7 OF THE BILL PROVIDES THAT TENEMENTS HAVING AN ESTIMATED RATEABLE VALUE BELOW A LEVEL DETERMINED BY RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL MAY BE EXEMPT FROM ASSESSMENT TO RATES ALTOGETHER.
NOTING THAT THE EXISTING MINIMUM RATEABLE VALUE IS S2OO, SIR JOHN SAID IT IS SENSIBLE THAT THE FIGURE SHOULD BE REVISED UPWARDS WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
TENANTS OF DOMESTIC UNITS IN HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATES REPRESENT OVER 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION OF HONG KONG.
SIR JOHN POINTED OUT THAT THEY DO NOT PAY RATES DIRECT AND WILL NOT BE AFFECTED IMMEDIATELY BY THE GENERAL REVALUATION.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THEIR RENTS, WHICH INCLUDE AN ELEMENT FOR RATES, ARE ONLY REVIEWED EVERY TWO YEARS, AND THESE REVIEWS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE TENANTS’ INCOME LEVEL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TO FEBRUARY 15.
-----------o -------------
CONVENIENT WAYS OF HANDLING MINOR OFFENCES PROPOSED M *
X X
THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 PROVIDES A CONVENIENT WAY OF DEALING WITH THE VAST NUMBER OF MINOR OFFENCES IN WHICH IN PRACTICE DEFENDANTS WANT TO HAVE THE MATTER DISPOSED OF WITH THE LEAST PERSONAL INCONVENIENCE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
AT THE SAME TIME THE BILL PRESERVES THE DEFENDANTS’ RIGHT TO BE HEARD, MR THOMAS POINTED OUT, IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
.IT IS HOPED THAT ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE ONE MILLION CASES PRESENTLY DEALT WITH EACH YEAR BY WAY OF SUMMONS WILL BE DISPOSED OF UNDER THE PROPOSED PROCEDURES WITH CONSEQUENT SAVING OF TIME AND EXPENSES TO DEFENDANTS, PROSECUTING OFFICERS AND TO THE COURTS AS WELL.+ HE SAID.
MR THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT THE NEED TO ACHIEVE THESE SAVINGS BY THE MEASURES PROPOSED HAD BEEN RECOGNISED BY THE LEGAL PROFESSION WHO HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND HAD EXPRESSED SUPPORT IN PRINCIPLE.
HE RECALLED THAT IN 1981, THE CHIEF JUSTICE SET UP A WORKING PARTY WITH REPRESENTATION FROM THE JUDICIARY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, THE POLICE AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING SUITABLE PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH MINOR OFFENCES.
THE PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING PARTY ARE NO*
SET OUT IN THE BILL.
WEEKESDaY, JANUARY 25, 1984
23
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PROCEDURES PROPOSED, MINOR OFFENCES ARE DEFINED AS THOSE WHERE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF tlO OOO AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS, WHETHER OR NOT ORDERS RELATING TO COMPENSATION OR LICENCE DISQUALIFICATION MAY ALSO BE IMPOSED.
.IN SUCH CASES, A DEFENDANT WILL GENERALLY SPEAKING NOT BE ISSUED WITH A SUMMONS TO APPEAR IN COURT AS IS PRESENTLY THE CASE.
.INSTEAD A NOTICE OF PROSECUTION WILL BE FILED IN A MAGISTRATES COURT BY THE PROSECUTING OFFICER SETTING OUT DETAILS OF THE OFFENCE, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WHICH COULD BE IMPOSED OR THE ORDERS WHICH COULD BE MADE ON CONVICTION, AND A STATEMENT OF ANY PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS THAT MAY BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
.THIS NOTICE WILL THEN BE SERVED BY POST UPON THE DEFENDANT,. MR THOMAS EXPLAINED.
IF THE DEFENDANT WISHES TO BE HEARD, HE MUST INFORM THE COURT WITHIN A SPECIFIED TIME AND STATE WHETHER HE INTENDS TO PLEAD GUILTY OR NOT.
IN THIS CASE, A SUMMONS WILL BE ISSUED AND THE PROCEEDINGS WILL CONTINUE IN THE ORDINARY WAY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE PARTIES.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TO FEBRUARY 15.
- - 0 - -
STAMP THEMES CHOSEN FOR HK RELEVANCE M .
THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMPS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE THEMES CHOSEN ARE RELEVANT TO HONG KONG, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, EXPLAINED TODAY.
THE POLICY IS ALSO TO MAINTAIN A HIGH STANDARD FOR BOTH THE DESIGN AND THE PRINTING OF THESE ISSUES, AND TO RELATE THE DENOMINATIONS USED TO POSTAL NEEDS RATHER THAN TO SEEK TO MAXIMISE REVENUE FOR ITS OWN SAKE, HE SAID.
.I BELIEVE THAT THIS POLICY HAS RESULTED IN HONG KONG DESERVEDLY EARNING THE ESTEEM, SUPPORT AND LONG-TERM INTEREST CF SERIOUS PHILATELISTS,*
HE ADDED.
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON BILL BROWN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMPS HAVE PROVED TO BE POPULAR WITH COLLECTORS BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
THE POLICY WAS ALSO TO ISSUE NO MORE THAN FIVE SETS AND, IN PRACTICE, NO MORE THAN FOUR A YEAR, WHEREAS HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE BRITISH POST OFFICE NORMALLY PRODUCED UP TO EIGHT SPECIAL ISSUES ANNUALLY, HE SAID.
EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE SUGGESTS THAT INCREASING THE NUMBER CF COMMEMORATIVE OR SPECIAL ISSUES CAN BE A SELF-DEFEATING EXERCISE, MR JACOBS SAID.
/.THE INCREASED
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY tj, 1984
- 24 -
.
THE INCREASED COST OF COLLECTING BORNE BY THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE POSSIBLE RESENTMENT FELT BY SOME PHILATELISTS, WHO ARE, CF COURSE, INTERESTED IN PRESERVING THE VALUE OF THEIR COLLECTIONS, CAN LEAD TO LESS SALES.
.
SO, WE AIM TO OPTIMISE REVENUE IN THE LONGER TERM RATHER THAN ADOPTING A SHORT-TERM POLICY OF MAXIMISING PROFITS, WHICH IN THE END COULD BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE, HE EXPLAINED.
*
MR JACOBS ALSO SAID THAT THE POSTMASTER GENERAL FULLY RECOGNISED THE REVENUE POTENTIAL OF PHILATELIC SALES.
.
ALTHOUGH, IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1983, ALMOST 40 PER CENT OF THE POST OFFICE’S PROFIT CAME FROM THIS SOURCE, HE CONSIDERS THAT THERE IS UNDOUBTED SCOPE FOR IMPROVING THE MARKETING OF PHILATELIC PRODUCTS.
.
ACCORDINGLY, HE IS ABOUT TO ENGAGE A FORMER MANAGER OF THE BRITISH POST OFFICE PHILATELIC BUREAU WITH A VIEW TO BOOSTING SALES EVEN FURTHER,. HE SAID.
-----------0--------------
BILL SERVES TWO PURPOSES * *
*
THE PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 SERVES TWO PURPOSES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE. SAID IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE FIRST PURPOSE IS TO ENABLE REFUNDS OR DRAWBACKS OF CERTAIN TYPES OF REVENUE TO BE MADE DIRECTLY FROM THE GENERAL REVENUE WITHOUT APPROPRIATION, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE YEAR OF COLLECTION.
THESE TYPES OF REVENUE ARE SPECIFIED IN ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS ISSUED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
AS EXAMPLES OF REFUNDS, SIR JOHN CITED IMPORT AND OTHER DUTIES COLLECTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE AND TAX COLLECTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE.
SIR JOHN EXPLAINED THAT THIS WOULD AVOID ARTIFICIAL INFLATION OF EXPENDITURE FIGURES AND ACCORDS WITH PRACTICE IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
THE SECOND PURPOSE IS TO ENABLE A CONTROLLING OFFICER, RESPONSIBLE FOR EXPENDITURE FROM A HEAD OR SUBHEAD IN THE ESTIMATES TO DELEGATE TO A SUBORDINATE OFFICER THE POWER TO SIGN ALLOCATION WARRANTS.
SIR JOHN SAID THAT DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF ALLOCATION WARRANTS USED FOR RELATIVELY MINOR SERVICES, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE CONTROLLING OFFICER SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO SIGN PERSONALLY IN EVERY CASE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TO FEBRUARY 15. -------------0---------
/25 ...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
25
MORE TRAINED MANPOWER AVAILABLE SOON * X *
*
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) IS UNDERTAKING SEVERAL PROJECTS WHICH WHEN COMPLETED IN A COUPLE OF YEARS WILL SUPPLY INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE WITH MUCH MORE OF THE TRAINED MANPOWER NEEDED BY HONG KONG, SAID THE HON DR. FRANCIS TIEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE VTC. DR TIEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT WITH THE RESOURCES MADE AVAILABLE BY GOVERNMENT, HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING EXPEDITIOUSLY TO FRUITION ALL THE PROJECTS CURRENTLY IN HAND.
THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEXES, THE EXPANSION OF TWO EXISTING TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE PLANNING OF ANOTHER THREE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
.THE COMPLEXES, WHEN COMPLETED NEXT YEAR, WILL ACCOMMODATE NINE TRAINING CENTRES WITH A CAPACITY OF 9 000 FULL-TIME TRAINING PLACES AT ALL SKILL LEVELS,. DR TIEN SAID.
HE SAID THAT WHEN TWO OF THE THREE NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTES BECOME OPERATIONAL IN LATE 1985, THE PROJECTED STUDENT NUMBERS WILL INCREASE TO ABOUT 8 500 FULL-TIME, 23 000 PART-TIME DAY, AND 34 000 PART-TIME EVENING STUDENTS.
HE ALSO REPORTED THAT THE SEAMEN’S TRAINING TEMPORARY CENTRE AT LITTLE SAI WAN WOULD TAKE IN ITS FIRST BATCH OF TRAINEES NEXT MONTH.
THE TRAINING OFFERED IN THE CENTRE WOULD ENABLE SEAMEN TO MEET THE MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION OF STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS.
THE CENTRE WILL HAVE A CAPACITY FOR TRAINING OF 1 920 SEAMEN A YEAR.
DR TIEN ALSO URGED EMPLOYERS TO SUPPORT THE ENGINEERING GRADUATES TRAINING SCHEME BY PROVIDING MORE TRAINING PLACES FOR FRESH ENGINEERING GRADUATES.
THE SCHEME INTRODUCED BY VTC LAST FEBRUARY IS TO ASSIST ENGINEERING GRADUATES OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC IN OBTAINING PRACTICAL TRAINING NEEDED FOR ADVANCEMENT TO PROFESSIONAL STATUS.
MEANWHILE, A SPOKESMAN FOR VTC SAID THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL LAY THE FOUNDATION STONE CF THE KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27).
/THE NINE-STOREY ...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
- 26
THE NINE-STOREY COMPLEX WILL HOUSE THE FIVE TRAINING CENTRES FOR THE ELECTRONICS, HOTEL, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING, PLASTICS AND PRINTING INDUSTRIES.
MANAGERS OF THESE TRAINING CENTRES HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPOINTED AND RECRUITMENT EXERCISES HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO ￡.ilT THE NECESSARY INSTRUCTING STAFF, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THERE ARE ALTOGETHER SOME 180 POSTS IN THE CENTRES AND VTC INVITES TECHNICAL PERSONNEL IN INDUSTRY WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PASSING ON THEIR SKILLS TO THE NEW ENTRANTS OF THEIR INDUSTRY TO APPLY FOR THESE POSTS, HE ADDED.
0 -----------
BILL MAKES IT EASIER TO BE LICENTIATES * *
*
*
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 IS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR DOCTORS HOLDING OVERSEAS KDICAL QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME LICENTIATES OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, AND THEREBY TO BE REGISTERED AS MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON HENRY CHING SA ID TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE EXPLAINED THAT DOCTORS HOLDING OVERSEAS MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS, OTHER THAN UNITED KINGDOM, IRISH OR RECOGNISED COMMONWEALTH DIPLOMAS, MUST FIRST BECOME LICENTIATES BEFORE THEY CAN SEEK REGISTRATION AS MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.
AND THEY HAVE TO PASS THE MEDICAL COUNCIL’S EXAMINATIONS AND COMPLETE A PERIOD OF ASSESSMENT TO THE COUNCIL'S SATISFACTION BEFORE BECOMING ELIGIBLE FOR A LICENCE.
.THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL NOT BE CHANGED, BUT HAVING REGARD TO THE CONTINUING NEED FOR MORE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS,THE REMOVAL OF UNNECESSARY CONDITIONS WHICH SERVE TO DISCOURAGE QUALIFIED DOCTORS FROM APPLYING FOR LICENCES WILL GENERALLY BE ACCEPTED AS BEING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST,*
HE SAID.
THE BILL SEEKS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR SUCH DOCTORS TO BECOME LICENTIATES BY REMOVING THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICANTS TO HAVE RESIDED CONTINOUSLY IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST 180 DAYS, OR TO POSSESS A RIGHT TO LAND IN HONG KONG, BEFORE THEY MAY TAKE PART IN THE EXAMINATIONS.
THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERS THE MEDICAL COUNCIL TO GRANT EXEMPTION FROM ANY OF THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A LICENTIATE, SUBJECT TO SUCH CONDITIONS AS THE COUNCIL MAY THINK FIT, HE SAID.
/+IT .'/ILL ...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
.IT WILL NOT NORMALLY BE THE INTENTION OF THE COUNCIL TO PROVIDE EXEMPTION FROM THOSE PARTS OF THE EXAMINATIONS WHICH ARE CONCERNED WITH BASIC MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE OR CLINICAL ACUMEN.
.REASONABLE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS MUST BE MAINTAINED. EXEMPTION MAY, HOWEVER, BE GRANTED FROM THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST WHERE A CANDIDATE IS ABLE IN OTHER WAYS TO DEMONSTRATE HIS PROFICIENCY IN THIS LANGUAGE, AND DEPENDING ON THE CANDIDATE'S EXAMINATION PERFORMANCE AND PREVIOUS WORKING EXPERIENCE EXEMPTION MAY BE GRANTED FROM THE WHOLE OR PART OF HIS EXTERNSHIP,*
HR CHING SAID.
THE BILL INCLUDES PROVISION FOR APPEALS IN THE EVENT OF A PERSON BEING AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION NOT TO GRANT AN EXEMPTION.
THE MEDICAL COUNCIL AND THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THESE PROPOSALS, AND THERE WAS UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSITION THAT NO PROPERLY QUALIFIED DOCTOR FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED FROM COMING TO HONG KONG TO PRACTICE. THE EXISTING EXAMINATION PROCEDURES AND THE FREQUENCY OF THE EXAMINATIONS WOULD ALSO BE CAREFULLY SCRUTINISED WITH A VIEW TO INITIATING MORE FLEXIBLE ARRANGEMENTS, SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TO FEBRUARY 15.
- - - - 0-------------
LEGCO PASSES TWO BILLS * *
*
TWO BILLS, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 AND THE DANGEROUS DRUG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE FOLLOWING FOUR BILLS WERE INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED TO FEBRUARY 15i THE PUBLIC FINANCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 AND THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.
------------0------------
/28....................
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
28
FS TO SWITCH ON FESTIVE LIGHTINGS ft ft ft ft
COLOURFUL LIGHT BULBS ENCIRCLING A +GOD OF FORTUNE*
ON A BRIDGE OVER THE SHING MUN RIVER WILL BE SWITCHED ON BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, AT A CEREMONY ON MONDAY (JANUARY 30) NIGHT.
AT THE CEREMONY, SIR JOHN AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, M? DONALD TSANG, WILL ALSO DOT THE EYES OF TWO LIONS AND A DRAGON.
THE LIGHTING DISPLAY AT THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD BRIDGE IS PART OF THE FESTIVE DECORATIONS BEING PUT UP BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
A SIMILAR DISPLAY WAS PUT UP ON THE TWO BRIDGES OVER THE SHING MUN RIVER DURING CHRISTMAS.
THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTED $400 000 FOR DECORATING THE NEW TOWN ON THE TWO OCCASIONS.
FOLLOWING MONDAY’S CEREMONY, THE LIGHTS WILL BE ON UNTIL FEBRUARY 8 WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE LUNAR CALENDAR, IS +EVERYBODY’S BIRTHDAY*
.
- 0 - -
EASTERN DB TO MEET TOMORROW
IIX
EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
A COUNTRY PARK PLANNING OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN TAI-ON, WILL TALK ON *
COUNTRY PARKS IN HONG KONG*
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ONE IN QUARRY BAY.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO RESCHEDULE REFUSE COLLECTION TIME IN TAI KOO SHING.
THEY WILL ALSO REVIEW THE +MEET-THE-PUBLIC*
SCHEME IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR, 884-886 KING’S ROAD.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
- 2& -
SCHOOL CHILDREN LEARN ABOUT POLLUTION CONTROL * *
*
*
*
NINE-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS WHO RECENTLY COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STATE OF THE RIVER INDUS VISITED THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, THIS WEEK.
THE CHILDREN, WHO ATTEND BEACON HILL SCHOOL, BECAME CONCERNED AT THE CONDITION OF THE RIVER AFTER SPENDING A WEEK CAMPING AT THE SUEN DOUGH CAMP.
THIS WEEK THE STUDENTS, ABOUT 100 IN ALL, VISITED THE EPA WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED BY OFFICERS OF THE AGENCY WHO EXPLAINED HOW AND WHY RIVERS BECAME POLLUTED AND THE MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT COULD TAKE TO PREVENT, AND REMEDY, SUCH PROBLEMS.
THEY ALSO TOURED THE AGENCY’S LABORATORY AND SAW A DEMONSTRATION OF WATER-QUALITY SAMPLING.
THE STUDENTS HEARD THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PREPARING A PLAN FOR EACH OF THE FIVE PRIORITY RIVERS SELECTED INITIALLY - INCLUDING THE RIVER INDUS.
.A RIVER PLAN INCLUDES INFORMATION SUCH AS THE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CATCHMENT, EXISTING WATER COURSE CONDITIONS, USES OF THE RIVER WATER, CONSTRAINTS, WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION REQUIRED,+ SAID AN EPA SPOKESMAN.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS THAT THE QUALITY OF A RIVER CAN BE IMPROVED, INCLUDING DIRECT CLEANSING BY CLEARING LITTER AND VEGETATION, THE DREDGING OF SLUDGE FROM THE RIVER BED, CONDUCT MAINTENANCE AND FLUSHING, AND THE CONTROL OF WASTE DISCHARGE, SEWAGE TREATMENT AND CHANNEL TRAINING.
THE GOVERNMENT IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST WITH REGARD TO POLLUTED RIVERS, SAID THE SPOKESMAN, AND AT PRESENT SEVEN SPECIAL CLEANSING TEAMS, COMPRISING 50 WORKERS FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ARE MOBILISED EACH DAY TO CLEAR LITTER AND VEGETATION FROM THREE MAIN RIVERS, INCLUDING THE INDUS, IN NORTH DISTRICT.
OTHER REMEDIAL MEASURES WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN A COST EFFECTIVE MANNER AS SOON AS RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE.
THE STUDENTS WERE THANKED FOR THEIR INTEREST IN WATER POLLUTION AND SUPPORT FOR CLEANER RIVERS.
.IF RIVER WATER QUALITY IS OF A GOOD STANDARD WE ALL BENEFITS SAID THE SPOKESMAN, +WHETHER BY USING IT FOR DRINKING, SWIMMING, IRRIGATION, CONVEYANCE OF CONTROLLED DOMESTIC OR INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES, OR AS A GENERAL AMENITY.+
HE ALSO URGED THE PUBLIC TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN KEEPING THE TERRITORY’S RIVERS CLEAN.
/30 ...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1904
30
DB MEMBERS TO VISIT FIRE SERVICES * *
*
*
A DELEGATION FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL VISIT FIRE SERVICES FACILITIES ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28) MORNING.
THE DELEGATION WILL CALL AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN FIRE STATION AND THE NEW CHEUNG SHA WAN AMBULANCE DEPOT BEFORE GOING TO THE FIRE SERVICES COMMUNICATION CENTRE AT CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE PARTY WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE WORK OF THE FIRE SERVICES BY KOWLOON DISTRICT (WEST) COMMANDER TAM YUK-FUN.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO BE AT CHEUNG SHA WAN FIRE STATION BEFORE 9.30 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28).
- - 0 -
UK SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HK STUDENTS * *
ft
HONG KONG STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY ANY OF BRITAIN'S 95 ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS FOR POST-GRADUATE STUDIES IN THE 1984-85 SCHOOL YEAR CAN NOW APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER BRITAIN'S OVERSEAS RESEARCH STUDENTS AWARD SCHEME.
THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS INCLUDE THE UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE LONDON AND MANCHESTER BUSINESS SCHOOLS, THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART AND THE CRANFIELD INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
THE OVERSEAS RESEARCH STUDENTS AWARD SCHEME WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1979 TO PROVIDE AWARDS FOR PARTIAL REMISSION OF TUITION FEES TO OVERSEAS POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS OF OUTSTANDING MERIT AND RESEARCH POTENTIAL.
THERE WILL BE 750 AWARDS IN 1984 AND EACH OF THEM WILL COVER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TUITION FEE FOR A HOME POST-GRADUATE STUDENT AND THE +FULL-COST+ FEE CHARGEABLE TO AN OVERSEAS POST-GRADUATE STUDENT.
THE ONLY CRITERIA FOR THE AWARDS ARE OUTSTANDING MERIT AND RESEARCH POTENTIAL. OTHER FACTORS. SUCH AS MEANS, NATIONALITY, PROPOSED FIELD AND INSTITUTION OF STUDY, WILL NOT BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
/applications must
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE ON THE OFFICIAL FORM (ORS/1), COPIES CF WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGISTRAR OR SECRETARY OF THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTION WHICH HAS ACCEPTED THE STUDENT.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE REGISTRAR OR SECRETARY ON OR BEFORE MAY 3, THIS YEAR. IF A SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT HAS APPLIED TO MORE THAN ONE ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, HE OR SHE IS FREE TO DECIDE FOR WHICH INSTITUTION THE AWARD WILL BE HELD.
SUBJECT TO THE SATISFACTORY PROGRESS OF THE AWARD HOLDER. AN AWARD WILL BE RENEWED FOR A SECOND AND THIRD YEAR. ACCORDING TO THE NORMAL LENGTH OF THE RESEARCH COURSE BEING UNDERTAKEN.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE 1984 AWARD SCHEME MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 15/F, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG (TEL. 1 5-7903869).
-------------0------------
AUSTRALIAN TRAINING FOR TWO MUSICIANS M *
M *
M *
TWO TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS LEFT HONG KONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO GAIN FURTHER MUSICAL EXPERIENCE AND UNDERGO ORCHESTRAL TRAINING IN AUSTRALIA FOR TWO YEARS.
THEY ARE MR CHAN WING-KIN (24) AND MISS LILY KOH (20), BOTH GRADUATES OF THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC.
THE TWO HAVE BEEN SELECTED AT OPEN AUDITION BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND OFFERED THE AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION NATIONAL TRAINING ORCHESTRA (A.B.C. SINFONIA) SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNDERGO TRAINING WITH THE ORCHESTRA FROM JANUARY 1984 TO DECEMBER 1985.
MR CHAN AND MISS KOH, WHO ARE BOTH VIOLIN PLAYERS, WERE SEEN OFF AT KAI TAK AIRPORT TODAY BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MR CLIVE OXLEY.
MISS KOH IS THE LEADER OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (A); A MEMBER OF THE 1981 HONG KONG JING YING CHAMBER ORCHESTRA AND WAS SELECTED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE 1982 INTERLOCHEN NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP.
MR CHAN IS THE SECOND VIOLIN LEADER OF THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY ORCHESTRA 1 MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (A); THE POCO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA; THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY STRING QUARTET; AND INSTRUCTOR’S SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
THE ABC SINFONIA, LOCATED AT LINDFIELD, SYDNEY, PROVIDES TRAINING AND ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE FOR INSTRUMENTALISTS AT GRADUATE OR NEAR GRADUATE LEVEL.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
TRADE SECRETARY VISITS SHA TIN * *
*
THE VISITING JOINT PERMANENT SECRETARY OF THE BRITISH DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, SIR BRIAN HAYES, THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING LOOKED AT DEVELOPMENTS IN SHA TIN.
SIR BRIAN FIRST HAD A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE NEW TOWN FROM THE LION’S PAVILION WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (DEVELOPMENT), MR PAUL TANG, AND THE SENIOR TOWN PLANNER (SHA TIN), MR S.M. LAU.
HE WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN DEVELOPMENTS AT THE TWO INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN FO TAN AND TAI WAI AND LEARNED THAT MORE THAN 20 000 JOBS WERE BEING PROVIDED BY FACTORIES THERE.
MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE CREATED UPON THE COMPLETION CF ANOTHER TWO INDUSTRIAL SITES NEAR SIU LEK YUEN VALLEY.
ACCORDING TO MR TANG, PARTICULAR ATTENTION HAD BEEN PAID TO THE DESIGN AND LAYOUTS OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES WHICH ARE LOCATED AWAY FROM THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
HE TOLD SIR BRIAN THAT OBNOXIOUS TRADES WERE NOT PERMITTED IN THE NEW TOWN, AND THAT THERE WERE STRICT POLLUTION CONTROLS ON INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT.
SPECIALISED JOBS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE JOCKEY CLUB IN SHA TIN. THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WORKSHOPS.
THE POPULATION OF SHA TIN IS EXPECTED TO GROW FROM ITS PRESENT 240 000 TO 610 000 IN THE EARLY 1990S.
SIR BRIAN ARRIVED IN HONG KONG ON JANUARY 22 AND WILL LEAVE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
- - 0 - -
ENDANGERED ANIMALS RETURN TO CHINA * *
*
*
AN UNUSUAL CONSIGNMENT OF ANIMALS, ALL ENDANGERED SPECIES, WAS TRANSPORTED TODAY ACROSS THE BORDER AT MAN KAM TO TO CHINA, DESTINED FOR THE GUANGZHOU ZOO FOR BREEDING AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
THIS EVENT WAS THE CULMINATION OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND THE CHINESE OFFICE ADMINISTERING THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS (CITES), WHEREBY THESE ANIMALS WHICH HAD COME INTO THE POSSESSION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS A RESULT OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION UNDER LOCAL LEGISLATION, WOULD BE SENT TO CHINA.
/THIS IS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
- 33 -
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE CLOSE LIAISON NOW BEING DEVELOPED BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND CHINA IN THE CONSERVATION OF INDIGENOUS WILD BIRDS AND ANIMALS SINCE CHINA BECAME A SIGNATORY CF CITES IN 1980.
THE ANIMALS INCLUDED A BROWN BEAR, SIX MONKEYS, THREE CAIMANS, ONE CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE, ONE PYTHON AND FOUR RADIATED TORTOISES.
MOST OF THESE ORIGINATED IN CHINA AND THUS WERE IN A SENSE .RETURNING HOME*
AFTER BEING ILLEGALLY IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG.
THE RADIATED TORTOISES ARE THE RAREST OF THESE ANIMALS, HOWEVER, SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN DONATED TO THE ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS AND MAY BE SEEN THERE BY THE PUBLIC.
THE BROWN BEAR WAS THE LARGEST ANIMAL. IN BOTH CASES THE PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ILLEGAL IMPORTATION AND POSSESSION OF THESE ANIMALS WERE FINED $2 000.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AFD URGED ALL HONG KONG RESIDENTS VISITING NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES TO REFRAIN FROM BUYING OR IMPORTING INTO HONG KONG ANY ANIMALS, ANIMAL PRODUCTS OR PLANTS OF PROTECTED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES.
HE WARNED THE PUBLIC THAT DISCOVERY OF SUCH ITEMS AT CUSTOMS CHECK POINTS WILL RESULT IN PROSECUTION AND FORFEITURE.
DURING THE LAST NINE MONTHS, 47 PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED AND FINED FOR THIS TYPE OF OFFENCE INVOLVING THE ILLEGAL IMPORTATION CF SEA TURTLES, CROCODILES, PYTHON SKINS, PANGOLINS, OWLS, ELEPHANT TUSKS AND WILD AMERICAN GINSENG, TO A VALUE OF SOME $300 000.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI M M M M M
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE NEAR YAU MA TEI FRUIT MARKET FROM 2 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27) TO 2 PM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 1).
THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE THATi
*
THE SECTION OF NORTHBOUND RECLAMATION STREET BETWEEN THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF SHEK LUNG STREET AND WATERLOO ROAD, AND THE SECTION OF WESTBOUND WATERLOO ROAD BETWEEN RECLAMATION STREET AND FERRY STREET WILL BE REDUCED FROM THREE-LANE TO TWO-LANE TRAFFIC.
*
THE SECTION OF CANTON ROAD BETWEEN PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND TUNG KUN STREET WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
/*
CANTON ROAD ...............
WEDNESDAY, JANUaaY 1984
- 34 -
*
CANTON ROAD BETWEEN TUNG KUN STREET AND THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF SHEK LUNG STREET WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
*
CHING PING STREET WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
*
TUNG KUN STREET BETWEEN RECLAMATION STREET AND CANTON ROAD WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND. THE LEFT-TURN FROM RECLAMATION STREET INTO TUNG KUN STREET WESTBOUND WILL BE PROHIBITED.
ft THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF SHEK LUNG STREET WILL BE REROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
ft THE SECTION OF SHEK LUNG STREET BETWEEN RECLAMATION STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND CONVERTED INTO A PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT.
ft THE METERED PARKING SPACES IN CANTON ROAD BETWEEN PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND THE UNNAMED ROAD SOUTH OF SHEK LUNG STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.
------------0-------------
HO MAN TIN TRAFFIC CHANGE ft ft ft ft ft
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27), TRAFFIC ON GOOD SHEPHERD STREET AT HO MAN TIN WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
RIGHT TURNS FROM CHUNG HAU STREET WESTBOUND INTO GOOD SHEPHERD STREET WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
MOTORISTS ON CHUNG HAU STREET WESTBOUND, HEADING FOR GOOD SHEPHERD STREET ARE ADVISED TO PROCEED VIA CHUNG HAU STREET, CARMEL VILLAGE STREET, HAU MAN STREET, CHUNG HAU STREET AND GOOD SHEPHERD STREET.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1984
35
RESTRICTED ZONES IN TAI PO * *
*
M
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27), THE FOLLOWING ROADS IN TAI PO WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILYi
* THE SECTION OF ROAD D3 BETWEEN KWONG FUK ROAD AND TING KOK ROAD
M THE SECTION OF ROAD DI BETWEEN ROAD D3 AND TING KOK
ROAD
* THE SECTION OF ROAD D4 BETWEEN ON CHEE ROAD AND KWONG FUK ROAD.
WITHIN THESE RESTRICTED ZONES, DRIVERS OF ALL MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS, AND FROM LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
FROM THE SAME DAY, THE FOLLOWING ROADS IN TA I PO WILL BE DESIGNATED PROHIBITED ZONES TO ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENTi
* THE SECTION OF ROAD D3 BETWEEN TING KOK ROAD AND
ROAD DI
M THE SECTION OF ROAD D4 BETWEEN ON CHEE ROAD AND ROAD DI.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXTERNAL TRADE VALUE SHOWS BIG GROWTH...................................................................... 1
GOVERNOR RETURNS TOMORROW ............................................................................................................ 3
LADY YOUDE OPENS TEA WARE MJSEUM...................................................................................... 4
LEGAL AID EXTENSIVE............................................................................................................................... 5
STUDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY............................................................................ 6
VICTORIA PARK LIGHTS UP .................................................................................................................. 6
FIRE CAUTION URGED AS COUNTRY PARKS REOPEN ....................................................... 7
STUDENT CAREERS CONVENTIONS ORGANISED ...................................................................... 8
FREE PERFORMANCES FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS ......................................................... 9
TECHNICAL COURSE CREDIT SYSTEM PROPOSED ................................................................ 10
YEAR-END CLEAN UP IN EASTERN ................................................................................................... 10
LABOUR DEPARTMENT DISTRICT OFFICES MOVING .......................................................... 11
SHORT TERM TENANCIES OFFERED FOR NT SITES .......................................................... 12
24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY ..................................................................................................................... 13
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1984
1
EXTERNAL TRADE VALUE SHOWS BIG GROWTH * M M M
THE TOTAL VALUE OF EXTERNAL TRADE (COMPRISING DOMESTIC EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS) EXPANDED RAPIDLY IN 1983 COMPARED WITH 1982*
ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
FOR 1983 AS A WHOLE. THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT OR $21 374 MILLION TO REACH 1104 406 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 27 PER CENT OR $11 944 MILLION TO $56 297 MILLION.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $160 703 MILLION, WAS 26 PER CENT OR $33 318 MILLION HIGHER THAN IN 1982.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS REACHED $175 444 MILLION IN 1983, AN INCREASE OF 23 PER CENT OR $32 551 MILLION. THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT FOR 1983, AT $14 741 MILLION, WAS THUS SMALLER THAN THAT IN 1982, AT $15 508 MILLION.
AS THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS HIGHER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS, THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP, THAT IS THE PROPORTION CF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS, NARROWED TO 8.4 PER CENT IN 1983, FROM 10.9 PER CENT IN 1982.
A COMPARISON OF THE DECEMBER 1983 FIGURE WITH THE DECEMBER 1982 FIGURE SHOWS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS 33 PER CENT OR $4 254 MILLION HIGHER. THIS OVERALL INCREASE WAS MADE UP OF AN INCREASE OF 30 PER CENT OR $2 531 MILLION FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND AN INCREASE OF 38 PER CENT OR $1 723 MILLION FOR RE-EXPORTS. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, ON THE OTHER HAND, WAS 35 PER CENT OR $4 880 MILLION HIGHER. AS A RESULT, THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP IN DECEMBER 1983 WAS 9.4 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 8.2 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1982.
COMMENTING ON THESE COMPARATIVE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE GROWTH RATES OF TOTAL EXPORTS AND OF IMPORTS HAD ACCELERATED SINCE THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1983 AS THE ECONOMIES OF HONG KONG’S MAIN MARKETS, IN PARTICULAR THE UNITED STATES, IMPROVED. THE DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DURING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1983 ALSO ENHANCED HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL COMPETITIVENESS. HE ADDED THAT THE SHORT-TERM EXPORT PROSPECTS REMAIN ENCOURAGING.
/ths following ..............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1984
2
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1983:-
THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE
h€RCHANDISEi
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
1
$10 922
MILLION
RE-EXPORTS
I
$ 6 219
MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS
1
$17 141
MILLION
IMPORTS
1
‧18 925
MILLION
TRADE BALANCE
1
‧ 1 784
MILLION (IN DEFICIT)
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS
OCT.-DEC.
1983
OCT.-DEC.
1982
INCREASE OR DECREASE
‧ MN.
‧ MN.
‧
MN.
%
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
31 770
22 608
+ 9
162
.40.5
RE-EXPORTS
17 682
12 038
+ 5
644
+46.9
TOTAL EXPORTS
49 452
34 646
+14
806
+42.7
IMPORTS
53 574
38 455
+15
119
+39.3
TRADE BALANCE
- 4 122
- 3 809
—
313
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR
DECEMBER
1983
DECEMBER 1982
INCREASE OR DECREASE
‧ MN.
‧ MN.
‧
MN.
%
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS)
10 922 (63.7%)
8 391 (65.1%)
. 2
531
+30.2
RE-EXPORTS
6 219
4 496
+ 1
723
+38.3
TOTAL EXPORTS
17 141
12 887
+ 4
254
.33.0
IMPORTS
18 925
14 045
+ 4
880
.34.7
TRADE BALANCE
- 1 784
- 1 158
—
626
/last month..............
THUBSDAY, JANUARY 2b, 1984
LAST MONTH
DECEMBER 1983
NOVEMBER 1983
INCREASE OR DECREASE
$ MN.
$ MN.
S MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
10 922
10 393
. 529 +5.1
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS)
(63.7%)
(64.4%)
RE-EXPORTS
6 219
5 749
. 470 + 8.2
TOTAL EXPORTS
17 141
16 142
+ 999 + 6.2
IMPORTS
18 925
17 036
. 1 889 +11.1
TRADE BALANCE
- 1 784
- 894
- 890
JAN.-DEC.
JAN.-DEC.
INCREASE OR
LAST 12 MONTHS
1983
1982
DECREASE
$ MN.
$ MN.
1 MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
104 406
83 032
+21 374 +25.7
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS)
(65.0%)
(65.2%)
RE-EXPORTS
56 297
44 353
.11 944 +26.9
TOTAL EXPORTS
160 703
127 385
+33 318 +26.2
IMPORTS
175 444
142 893
.32 551 +22.8
TRADE BALANCE
-14 741
-15 508
+ 767
‧‧ Mb r.
‧ M
‧
GOVERNOR RETURNS TOMORROW M *
*
M
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL RETURN FROM PEKING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTER ATTENDING ANOTHER TWO DAYS OF SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
HE WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT CA 103, ETA 1.55 PM.
A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS TO COVER SIR EDWARD'S RETURN. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING BY 1 PM.
GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-------------0---------------
/4 ..............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1984
LADY YOUDE OPENS TEA WARE MUSEUM * *
*
MUSEUMS IN WHICH TEA WARES FORM A PART OF THEIR DISPLAY ARE NOT UNCOMMON IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
BUT HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES WHICH CAN NOW BOAST CF A MUSEUM SPECIALISING IN TEA WARE AND ITS HISTORICAL BACKGROUND.
THIS WAS STATED BY LADY YOUDE WHEN SHE OPENED THE FLAGSTAFF HOUSE MUSEUM OF TEA WARE AT VICTORIA BARRACKS, COTTON TREE DRIVE, TODAY (THURSDAY).
LADY YOUDE POINTED OUT THAT THE OPENING OF THE MUSEUM HAS +DOUBLE SIGNIFICANCE*
.
.IT MARKS THE RESTORATION OF ONE OF THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS OF HONG KONG,*
SHE SAID.
.THE AMOUNT OF THOUGHT AND PLANNING INVOLVED IN PRESERVING THE CHARACTER OF THIS 19TH CENTURY HOUSE, AND AT THE SAME TIME CONVERTING IT INTO A MUSEUM WITH ALL NECESSARY MODERN FACILITIES, IS CONSIDERABLE, AND THE ARCHITECT AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED ON A JOB WELL DONE.
.ALSO, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUSEUM OF TEA WARE IS AN IMAGINATIVE MOVE IN PROMOTING PUBLIC INTEREST IN THIS ASPECT CF CHINESE CULTURE.*
SHE PAID TRIBUTE TO DR LO KWEE-SEONG, A FORMER URBAN COUNCILLOR, FOR HIS GENEROSITY IN DONATING TO THE URBAN COUNCIL HIS PRIVATE COLLECTION WHICH FORMS THE NUCLEUS OF THE MUSEUM’S COLLECTION.
ABOUT 500 PIECES OF TEA WARES AND RELATED ITEMS DATING FROM THE WARRING STATES PERIOD TO THE PRESENT DAY ARE ON DISPLAY.
REPRESENTATIVE PIECES INCLUDE THOSE FROM VARIOUS KILNS OF DIFFERENT PERIODS, AMONG WHICH THOSE FROM YIX ING ARE MOST NOTEWORTHY.
THE MUSEUM HAS NINE GALLERIES.
TEA UTENSILS OF VARIOUS DYNASTIES ARE HOUSED IN FOUR GALLERIES AND THE WORLD FAMOUS YIX ING TEA WARE IS SHOWN IN THREE GALLERIES. THE REMAINING TWO ARE USED AS ORIENTATION ROOMS WHERE VISITORS MAY OBTAIN INFORMATION ON CHINESE TEA, ITS GROWTH AND PREPARATION AND THE MANUFACTURE OF TEA WARE THROUGH THE DISPLAY CF REAL OBJECTS, PICTURES AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.
OLD PHOTOGRAPHS OF FLAGSTAFF HOUSE AND COPIES OF THE ORIGINAL LAYOUT PLANS DRAWN IN 1844 AND 1880 ARE ALSO ON SHOW.
ALSO ATTENDING THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR D.C. BRAY, AND COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.
/MH BRAY ...............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1984
- 5 -
MR BRAY SAID THE MUSEUM WOULD BE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE CULTURAL LIFE OF HONG KONG.
MR CHEONG-LEEN RECALLED THAT THE IDEA OF RENOVATING FLAGSTAFF HOUSE AND TURNING IT INTO A SPECIALISED MUSEUM WAS FIRST SUGGESTED IN A REPORT ABOUT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF VICTORIA BARRACKS.
FLAGSTAFF HOUSE WAS PUT UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL IN 1981, AND THE RENOVATION WORK STARTED IN FEBRUARY 1983.
THE CONVERSION OF THE BUILDING INTO A TEA WARE MUSEUM WAS CARRIED OUT WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF REINFORCING ITS STRUCTURE SO THAT IT COULD BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC, MODIFYING THE INTERIOR AND INSTALLING NECESSARY FACILITIES TO MAKE IT FUNCTION AS A MODERN MUSEUM, WHILE PRESERVING A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF WESTERN ARCHITECTURE IN A POPULAR STYLE OF THE MID-19TH CENTURY IN HONG KONG.
.TODAY WE ARE ALL HAPPY TO SEE FLAGSTAFF HOUSE RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL SPLENDOUR AND THE MUSEUM OF TEA WARE OPENED FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE PUBLIC,+ SAID MR CHEONG-LEEN.
THE FLAGSTAFF HOUSE MUSEUM OF TEA WARE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM DAILY, EXCEPT ON WEDNESDAYS.
ADMISSION IS FREE.
LEGAL AID EXTENSIVE * *
*
X
HONG KONG HAS A SOPHISTICATED AND EXTENSIVE SYSTEM OF LEGAL AID, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, HEARD TODAY, DURING A HALF-DAY VISIT TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT IN CENTRAL.
SIR PHILIP WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID, MR P.R. MOSS.
SIR PHILIP TOURED THE APPLICATIONS AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION DIVISION, THE PERSONAL INJURIES LITIGATION DIVISION. AND THE GENERAL AND MATRIMONIAL LITIGATION DIVISION. HE SPOKE WITH STAFF OF THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT, WHO EXPLAINED THE LEGAL SERVICES OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT, AND ITS WORK.
THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT HAS GROWN RAPIDLY SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1967, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS IN BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES HAS INCREASED MORE THAN TENFOLD. LEGAL AID HAS RECENTLY BEEN EXTENDED TO COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.
------------ 0 ------------
/6 ....................
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1984
6
STUDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY * *
ft *
STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS WERE TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED TO SHOW THEIR CONCERN TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT NEXT YEAR'S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER FOR TSUEN WAN, HR ADOLF HSU, WHILE SPEAKING AT AN INTER-SCHOOL SPORTS DAY AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND.
.APART FROM TRYING HARD AT THEIR STUDIES, STUDENTS SHOULD ALSO JOIN SOME VOLUNTEER WORK TO SERVE THE NEEDY IN THE COMMUNITY,. MR HSU SAID.
.THEY CAN EITHER ENROL IN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, OR RUN THEIR OWN PROJECTS.
.THEY CAN ALSO APPLY FUNDS FROM THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES.+
MR HSU ALSO APPEALED TO THE TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS FOR THEIR ACTIVE SUPPORT IN PROMOTING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
.THEY SHOULD EQUIP THEIR STUDENTS WITH KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNITY BUILDING AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS TO ENHANCE THEIR DISTRICT IDENTITY AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE REAL VALUE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE,. l￡ SAID.
.THEY SHOULD ALSO HELP PROMOTE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, THE WORK OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BY ENCOURAGING STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS.+
TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS MAY ALSO JOIN THE BOARD, ITS VARIOUS COMMITTEES, OR OTHER LOCAL COMMITTEES, JUST AS SOME OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS HAVE ALREADY DONE.
.I HOPE THAT MORE QUALIFIED PEOPLE WILL SUPPORT NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS. BY DOING SO, IT WOULD STRENGTHEN RESIDENTS’ CONFIDENCE IN THE BOARDS AND HELP MAKE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION A SUCCESS,. HE SAID.
0 - -
VICTORIA PARK LIGHTS UP ft ft ft
FESTIVE LIGHTINGS IN VICTORIA PARK WILL BE SWITCHED ON FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING UNTIL FEBRUARY 16.
FUNDED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AT 132 000, THE LIGHTING DISPLAYS FEATURE A PAIR OF CHINESE DOLLS HOLDING A NEW YEAR'S GREETING MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE LIGHTS WILL BE ON FROM 6 PM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY AND UNTIL 6 AM ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE.
/an zastehn
thubsday, January 26, 1984
- 7 -
AN EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT OWING TO THE GOOD RESPONSE TO THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTING DISPLAYS AT THE FOOTBRIDGE ON WAN TSUI ROAD, AND THE SUCCESS OF LAST YEAR’S LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVE DECORATIONS, THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD DECIDED TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR THIS AGAIN.
.THIS WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EASTERN DISTRICT ‧ RESIDENTS AND THE PUBLIC WHO VISIT THE LUNAR-NEW YEAR’S FAIR IN VICTORIA PARK TO SHARE THE FESTIVE JOY,+ HE SAID.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, WILL SWITCH ON THE LIGHTING DISPLAY AT A CEREMONY AT 6 PM TOMORROW.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE URBAN COUNCILLOR M? SHUM CHOI-SANG, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SWITCH-ON CEREMONY FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT LUNAR NEW YEAR’S LIGHTING DECORATIONS AT 6 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) OUTSIDE THE SQUASH COURT (NEAR THE HING FAT STREET ENTRANCE) IN VICTORIA PARK.
-----------0-----------
FIRE CAUTION URGED AS COUNTRY PARKS REOPEN ft ft ft ft ft
THE FOUR COUNTRY PARKS AND A NATURE RESERVE WHICH HAVE BEEN CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO HIGH FIRE RISKS WILL BE RE-OPENED FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THEY ARE THE COUNTRY PARKS AT TAI LAM, TAI MO SHAN, SHING MUN AND POK FU LAM AND THE TAI PO KAU NATURE RESERVE, WHICH HAVE BEEN CLOSED SINCE DECEMBER 3 LAST YEAR.
THE DECISION TO RE-OPEN THESE AREAS WAS MADE TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, FOLLOWING AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE RECENT WEATHER SITUATION IN RELATION TO HILL FIRES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED TODAY THAT A CHANGE IN WEATHER CONDITIONS OVER THE PAST WEEK HAD RENDERED THE WOODLANDS AND OTHER VEGETATION IN COUNTRY PARKS LESS PRONE TO FIRES.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT THERE WAS NO FIRE RISK, AND HE URGED ALL VISITORS TO BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL NOT TO CAUSE FIRES.
NO FIRES SHOULD BE LIT EXCEPT IN DESIGNATED BARBECUE SITES, HE WARNED.
THURSDAY, JANUAF 26, 1984
8
STUDENT CAREERS CONVENTIONS ORGANISED ft ft ft ft
ABOUT 25 OOO STUDENTS FROM 150 SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND A SERIES OF SEVEN REGIONAL CAREERS CONVENTIONS ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE (YEAS) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS.
THE CONVENTIONS WILL BE HELD IN DIFFERENT REGIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO THE MIDDLE OF MARCH.
EACH CONVENTION WILL LAST FOR TWO DAYS AND WILL FEATURE MAINLY A CAREER DISPLAY PREPARED BY STUDENTS OF THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND A SERIES OF TALKS ON SELECTED CAREERS GIVEN BY SPECIALISTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT IT WAS HOPED THAT STUDENTS ATTENDING THE CONVENTIONS WOULD OBTAIN A MORE THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFERENT CAREERS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO THEM.
IN PREPARING DISPLAY PROJECTS, STUDENTS WOULD ALSO BE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN COLLECTING AND PRESENTING CAREERS INFORMATION, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND SERVICES SECTORS, PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS, TRAINING INSTITUTES AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAD SUPPORTED THE FUNCTION BY SENDING REPRESENTATIVES TO GIVE CAREERS TALKS, THE TOPICS OF WHICH WOULD INCLUDE HOTEL AND TOURISM, FURTHER STUDIES, BANKING AND CIVIL SERVICE VACANCIES.
SCHOOLS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS INTERESTED IN VISITING THE CONVENTIONS MAY CONTACT MR C.K. YUEN, LABOUR OFFICER OF THE YEAS, ON TELEPHONE 5-7956212.
DETAILS OF THE CONVENTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWSi-
REGION
HONG KONG EAST
NEW TERRITORIES EAST
KOWLOON EAST
HONG KONG WEST
DATE
JAN. 27 - 28
FEB. 14 - 15
FEB. 17 - 18
FEB. 23 - 24
VENUE
SKH TANG SHIU KIN SECONDARY SCHOOL 9 01 KWAN ROAD MORRISON HILL
NT HEUNG YEE KUK TAI PO DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL TAI YUEN ESTATE TING KOK ROAD TAI PO
POOI TUN SECONDARY SCHOOL 162 HAMMER HILL ROAD
SAN WUI COMMERCIAL SOCIETY OF HONG KONG CHAN PAK SHA SCHOOL 1 SHUM WAN ROAD ABERDEEN
THURSDAY, JANUARY h, 1984
NEW TERRITORIES
FEB. 28 - 29
WEST
KOWLOON WEST MAR. 2-3
KOWLOON NORTH MAR. 9 - 10
TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL
AREA 37B, CASTLE PEAK ROAD TUEN MUN
H.K. SZE YAP C AND I ASSOCIATION WONG TAI SHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE 250 NAM CHEONG STREET SHEK KIP MEI
CARMEL ENGLISH SCHOOL 55 CHUNG HAU STREET HOMANTIN
---------0 - - - -
FREE PERFORMANCES FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS
* *
*
*
A SERIES OF CULTURAL PERFORMANCES WILL 8E OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS IN THE TWO-WEEK YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL BEGINNING ON FEBRUARY 17.
THESE PROGRAMMES INCLUDE A CONCERT BY THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL, A POP CONCERT, FOUR FILM SHOWS AND TWO CHILDREN’S PLAYS.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER, LUT SAU HALL AND THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL.
IN ADDITION, FOUR SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS ON GRAPHIC DESIGN, PAINTING AND DRAWING WILL ALSO BE STAGED AT THE TOWN HALL FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE FESTIVAL, IN ITS FOURTH YEAR, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT ARTS COMMITTEE, AND THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (NEW TERRITORIES).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FESTIVAL’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID ASIDE FROM THE FREE PROGRAMMES BEING OFFERED, THERE WOULD BE PERFORMANCES BY THE HONG KONG CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, HONG KONG ACADEMY BALLET COMPANY, SEALS THEATRE, CHOR FUNG MING CANTONESE OPERA TROUPE AND THE YUEN LONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
.POSTAL BOOKING FOR THESE PROGRAMMES, WHICH BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, HAVE BEEN FAVOURABLE,*
HE SAID.
FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), TICKETS RANGING FROM $15 TO $80 WILL BE ON SALE AT THE BOOKING COUNTER OF THE LUT SAU HALL.
A LEAFLET ON THE PROGRAMMES OF THE FESTIVAL IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER.
------------o------------
/1O ...............
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 198*
10
TECHNICAL COURSE CREDIT SYSTEM PROPOSED * *
*
*
SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS GRADUATES COULD BE GIVEN CREDITS FOR THEIR SUBJECTS WHEN THEY APPLY FOR ENTRY INTO POST-SECONDARY COURSES WITH RELATED DISCIPLINES, MR HORACE R. KNIGHT, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF THE TANG SHIU KIN VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL, MR KNIGHT SAID THAT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE TECHNICAL SUBJECTS TO BE OBJECTIVELY PLANNED AND TAUGHT SO THAT THEY DOVETAIL INTO RELATED POST-SECONDARY COURSES.
THERE WAS NO REASON WHY WITH SUITABLE RE-ORIENTATION OF THE TECHNICAL CURRICULUM, THE GRADUATES COULD NOT ALSO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE FIRST YEAR OF A TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP, HE SAID.
SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS OFFER TWO TO THREE TECHNICAL SUBJECTS INCLUDED IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
THE TOTAL TIME SPENT ON THESE SUBJECTS IN THE SENIOR FORMS ALONE IS CONSIDERABLE, AMOUNTING TO *
80 TO 720 CLASS CONTACT HOURS, REPRESENTING 20 TO 30 PER CENT OF THE CURRICULUM, HE POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THAT TECHNICAL SUBJECTS IN SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS COULD BE PLANNED AND TAUGHT IN SUCH A WAY THAT COULD MAKE THESE EXEMPTIONS VIABLE.
0 - -
YEAR-END CLEAN UP IN EASTERN M M M
A SERIES OF CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS WILL BE LAUNCHED IN EASTERN DISTRICT TO HELP RESIDENTS TIDY UP THEIR ENVIRONMENT FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28) FOLLOWING AN OPENING CEREMONY AT 10 AM IN THE LOBBY OF THE OLYMPIA THEATRE BUILDING IN NORTH POINT, 50 VOLUNTEERS WILL JOIN HANDS WITH URBAN COUNCILLORS MR SHUM CHO I-SANG AND MR KWAN LIM-HO, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO CLEAN UP THE COMMON AREAS OF THE BUILDING.
A NUMBER OF CLEAN-UP COMPETITIONS WILL ALSO BE HELD FOR BOAT DWELLERS IN THE CAUSEWAY BAY AND ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTERS AND JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY.
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICERS, MR STEPHEN NG AND MR FREDERICK TONG, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS AT TWO CEREMONIES HELD AT 1 PM THAT DAY OUTSIDE THE OFFICE OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE AND ON BOARD A FLOATING HALL AT THE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER.
/BETWEEN MONDAY
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1984
BETWEEN MONDAY (JANUARY 30) AND WEDNESDAY, VARIOUS TEMPORARY REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS WILL BE PUT UP IN THE DISTRICT FOR RESIDENTS TO DISPOSE OF THEIR UNWANTED HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AND JUNKS.
THE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT'S CLEAN HONG KONG COMMITTEE AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER 1
(A)
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT YEAR-END CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28) IN THE LOBBY OF THE OLYMPIA THEATRE BUILDING AT 243-255 KING'S ROADl AND
(B)
THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONIES AT 1 PM ON SUNDAY OUTSIDE THE OFFICE OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE AND ON BOARD A FLOATING HALL AT ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER.
A FERRY WILL LEAVE A KUNG NGAM FISH MARKET AT 12.30 PM TAKING PRESS MEMBERS TO THE FLOATING HALL AT ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER.
-------------0------------
NOTE TO EDITORS!
LABOUR DEPARTMENT DISTRICT OFFICES MOVING * *
*
*
THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF FOUR DIVISIONS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SITUATED ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF MA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES WILL MOVE TO 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD, TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
PARTICULARS OF THE NEW OFFICES ARE AS FOLLOWSt-
FLOORS OFFICES
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
7/F WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS DIVISION (KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE)
8/F FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION (K—4)
3-76OO974 (ENQUIRIES) 3-7600592 (SENIOR LABOUR INSPECTOR)
3-7151725 (DIVISIONAL FACTORY IN SPECTOR)
3-7151910 (FACTORY INSPECTOR) 3-7151907 (ENQUIRIES)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1?84
12 -
9/F FACTORY INSPECTORATE 3-7152913 (DIVISIONAL FACTORY DIVISION (K-5) INSPECTOR)
3-7153049 (FACTORY INSPECTOR) 3-7153023 (ENQUIRIES)
9/F YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY 3-7153531 (ENQUIRIES)
SERVICE AND CAREERS 3-7153635 (ENQUIRIES)
INFORMATION CENTRE 3-7153638 (LABOUR OFFICER)
3-7153760 (ASSISTANT LABOUR
OFFICER)
MEANWHILE, THE TO KWA WAN DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS DIVISION SITUATED IN SHOPS 14 AND 16, HUNG HUM BAY CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR. HUNG HOM WAN STREET WILL MOVE ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 28) TO THE NINTH FLOOR OF TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE NEW TELEPHONES WILL BE 3-7153967 (SENIOR LABOUR INSPECTOR) AND 3-7153882 (ENQUIRIES).
------------0------------
SHORT TERM TENANCIES OFFERED FOR NT SITES M M M M M
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SHORT TERM TENANCIES OF TWO PIECES OF CROWN LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST SITE MEASURES 1 471 SQUARE METRES AND IS IN SAI CHING STREET, YUEN LONG.
IT IS FOR DEVELOPMENT AS A MOTOR VEHICLE TRADING CENTRE.
THE INITIAL TENANCY OF THE SITE WILL BE FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTER THIS PERIOD.
THE OTHER SITE IS FOR USE AS A FEE PAYING CAR PARK FOR GOODS VEHICLES.
IT IS AT THE JUNCTION OF WING YIP STREET AND TAI LIN PAI ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG AND HAS AN AREA OF 1 610 SQUARE METRES.
THE INITIAL TENANCY FOR THIS SITE IS SIX MONTHS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS FOR THE TWO SITES IS FEBRUARY 10.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONGj THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET. KOWLOONl AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF TSUEN WAN AND YUEN LONG.
TENDER PLANS CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE LOCATIONS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1984
- 13 -
24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY M M *
FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), A SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD ABOUT 180 METRES LONG, NEAR THE ZEBRA CROSSING AT KWU TUNG, WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTED ZONE.
ALL VEHICLES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
AND FROM THE SAME DAY, ROAD D4 AND THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY CF ROAD DI IN TAI PO WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC. AT THE SAME TIME, KWONG FUK BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED FOR DEMOLITION. TRAFFIC GOING TO DESTINATIONS ALONG TING KOK ROAD SHOULD USE ROAD D3 TO ACCESS TING KOK ROAD. FOR TRAFFIC GOING TO DESTINATIONS NORTH OF TAI PO, THE FOLLOWING ROUTE I NG SHOULD BE OBSERVED i TAI PO ROAD j ROAD D3’ ROAD DI, TING KOK ROAD TO TAI PO ROAD.
FOR ACCESS TO AND FROM TAI PO MARKET, MOTORISTS CAN USE ROAD D4, THE NEW BRIDGE OVER THE LAM TSUEN RIVER, INSTEAD OF KWONG FUK BRIDGE.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ARRIVING SUNDAY .......................................................... 1
HIGHLY QUALIFIED LEADERS FOR TALKS ON HK'S FUTURE ................................. 1
VOCATIONAL COMPLEX IS A TRAINING MILESTONE ....................................................... 2
FERRY TERMINAL FACILITY SOUGHT BY TENDER ............................................................. 4
SCOPE OF TRUSTEE INVESTMENTS WIDENED ......................................................................... 5
STREET ALTERATION FOR MTR ISLAND LINE......................... 6
TREVOR THORPE NAMED NEW AVIATION CHIEF .................................................................... 6
ELLIOT PUMPING STATION TO BE REBUILT .......................................................................... 7
TUEN MUN SITE FOR SALE ........................................................................................... 8
CARNIVAL TO SPREAD ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE .......................................................................... 8
NEW CENTRE FOR SCOUTS AND GUIDES ...................................................................................... 9
CLINIC SERVICES DURING NEW YEaR HOLIDAYS ............................................................. 10
TSUEN WAN WILL LIGHT UP FOR HOLIDAYS.......................................................................... 10
BUILDING MANAGEMENT IS SEMINAR THEME............................................ 11
STREET SECTIONS RESTRICTED ......................................................................................................... 12
variety show tells about fire risk ................................................................................ 13
CONCERT FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS .......................................................................................... 13
OPEN DANCE CONTEST SET FOR SUNDAY ................................................................................... 14
VOLUNTEERS TO HELP IN CLEAN UP ............................................................................................. 15
HOLIDaY MAIL SERVICE
15
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1984
1
NOTE TO EDITORSi
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ARRIVING SUNDAY K M M M
A MEDIA FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER THE ARRIVAL OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA, BOB HAWKE, IN HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29).
MR HAWKE AND HIS PARTY WILL BE TRAVELLING ON A SPECIAL ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT, ETA 6 PM.
PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 5 PM. AS THE PRESS POSITION WILL BE ON THE TARMAC AND QUITE FAR AWAY FROM THE AIRCRAFT, THEY ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- o - -
HIGHLY QUALIFIED LEADERS FOR TALKS ON HK*
S FUTURE # *
M *
SIR RICHARD EVANS, BRITAIN'S NEW AMBASSADOR IN PEKING. AND MR ZHOU NAN, CHINA'S ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER, ARE BOTH HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED LEADERS HEADING THE TWO COUNTRIES*
DELEGATIONS TO THE TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, MADE THIS REMARK WHILE TALKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON UPON HIS RETURN FROM PEKING AFTER THE EIGHTH ROUND OF SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON HONG KONG.
.
SO WE WERE ABLE TO PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF IN DECEMBER AND TO CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSIONS WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, SIR EDWARD SAID.
*
HE ADDED THAT, IN CONSEQUENCE, THE LATEST ROUND OF TALKS WAS .ANOTHER VERY USEFUL SESSION*
.
SIR EDWARD SAID THAT MR ZHOU NAN HOSTED A DINNER LAST NIGHT FOR THE DELEGATES.
.
WE HAD A VERY PLEASANT DINNER. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS VERY COLDi BUT INSIDE, LET ME ASSURE YOU, IT WAS QUITE WARM, HE SAID.
*
MR YAO GUANG, THE PREVIOUS HEAD OF THE CHINESE DELEGATION TO THE TALKS, ALSO GAVE A DINNER RECEPTION FOR SIR RICHARD EARLIER IN THE WEEK, SIR EDWARD ADDED.
.
THESE ARE, OF COURSE, OCCASIONS ON WHICH THERE CAN BE INFORMAL EXCHANGES OF VIEWS.
.
OTHERWISE, INFORMAL CONTACTS BETWEEN THE TWO DELEGATIONS WILL CONTINUE,. HE SAID.
/SIB EDWARD
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2' ,
SIR EDWARD ALSO CONFIRMED THAT HE WOULD BE RETURNING TO PEKING ON FEBRUARY 21 FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS.
HE TOOK THE OCCASION TO WISH THE PRESS A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS LUNAR NEW YEAR.
MEETING THE GOVERNOR AT THE AIRPORT WERE THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE; THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG; THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO; AND THE VICE-CHIEF EDITOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR TAN GAN.
--------o--------------
VOCATIONAL COMPLEX IS A TRAINING MILESTONE
* *
*
*
*
THE GOVERNMENT LONG RECOGNISED THE CONTINUING NEED OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE FOR AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF WELL EDUCATED AND TRAINED MANPOWER AT ALL LEVELS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY.
THE EMPHASIS OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS, SIR PHILIP SAID, HAD TENDED TO BE ON EXPANDING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE TECHNICAL AND TERTIARY FIELDS.
WHILE PLANS FOR EXPANDING TECHNICAL EDUCATION FURTHER WERE IN AN ADVANCED STAGE, THE FOCUS TODAY WAS ON INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, SIR PHILIP SAID.
SIR PHILIP WAS SPEAKING THIS AFTERNOON WHEN LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX, WHICH HE SAID ^REPRESENTS A MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IN HONG KONG.*
THE NINE-STOREY COMPLEX IS BEING BUILT BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) TO HOUSE THE FIVE TRAINING CENTRES WHICH WILL PROVIDE INDUSTRIES WITH MORE TRAINED MANPOWER.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO DEVELOP, THROUGH THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL. A FULL RANGE OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FACILITIES, HE STRESSED.
HE WAS SURE, SIR PHILIP SAID, THAT ONCE THIS, AND OTHER SIMILAR PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE ARE COMPLETED, HONG KONG WILL HAVE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING FACILITIES CAPABLE CF MEETING THE CHANGING MANPOWER NEEDS OF THE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY.
.THUS OUR INDUSTRY WILL BE ABLE TO DIVERSIFY FURTHER WITH CONFIDENCE INTO MORE TECHNOLOGICALLY SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTS, AND THE LATENT TALENTS OF OUR PEOPLE CAN BE FULFILLED,*
IE SAID.
/THE BUILDING ...............
FRIDAY, JAVARY
’ogu
THE BUILDING COMPLEX, HE SAID, WOULD PROBABLY BE UNIQUE.
.NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD HAVE FIVE TRAINING CENTRES COVERING VERY DIVERSE OCCUPATIONS BEEN INCORPORATED IN ONE MULTI-STOREY BUILDING, PARTLY BECAUSE OF LIMITATION OF SPACE.
.BUT ADMIRATION FOR THE INGENUITY AND THE PROFESSIONALISM OF ALL CONCERNED WITH THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING, SHOULD NOT BE DIMINISHED,+ SIR PHILIP SAID.
HE CONGRATULATED THE VTC AND ITS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARDS AND COMMITTEES FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN FIRST IDENTIFYING HONG KONG’S MANPOWER NEEDS AND THEN IN ASSISTING THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT SCHEMES TO MEET THESE NEEDS.
.THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO RENDER THE COUNCIL ITS FULL SUPPORT, FINANCIAL AND OTHERWISE, TO ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO CARRY OUT ITS TASK,*
HE SAID.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE CHAIRMAN OF THE VTC, DR FRANCIS TIEN AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR MORRIS MORGAN.
DR TIEN THANKED THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE SUPPORT GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL AND IN PARTICULAR FOR GRANTING THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO CARRY OUT ITS FUNCTIONS.
THE KOWLOON BAY TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX IS THE FIRST OF TWO TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEXES BEING BUILT BY THE VTC WITH FUNDS PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
IT WILL HOUSE THE TRAINING CENTRES OF THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, HOTEL, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRY, PLASTICS AND PRINTING INDUSTRIES.
A TOTAL OF 18 FULL-TIME AND TWO PART-TIME COURSES WILL BE OFFERED RANGING FROM 30 HOURS TO ONE YEAR.
THE COMPLEX HAS CAPACITY FOR 4 200 TRAINEES A YEAR.
TO GIVE THE TRAINEES A FEEL OF THE INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT, THEY WILL BE TRAINED UNDER AS NEAR ACTUAL WORKING CONDITIONS AS POSSIBLE TO ARRANGE, DR TIEN SAID.
RECREATIONAL AREAS AND COMMON FACILITIES INCLUDING A CANTEEN, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, A LIBRARY, CONFERENCE ROOMS, FIRST AID ROOM ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE USE OF TRAINEES AND STAFF OF THE CENTRES.
THE COMPLEX IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED AND OPERATIONAL EARLY NEXT YEAR.
A ...............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1984
FERRY TERMINAL FACILITY SOUGHT BY TENDER
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO PUT OUT FOR PUBLIC TENDER THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CHINA PASSENGER FERRY TERMINAL TO ENSURE THE EARLY PROVISION OF THIS FACILITY.
A SITE OF ABOUT 1.5 HECTARES IN CANTON ROAD TOGETHER WITH AN AREA OF 8-800 SQUARE METRES OF SEABED, INCLUDING KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER NO 54, WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE, MOST LIKELY IN THE FIRST HALF CF THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER FOR THIS +SOUTH CAMBER*
SITE, WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT AND HAND OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT A THREE-STOREY CONCOURSE STRUCTURE OVER THE PIER, AND RELATED TERMINAL FACILITIES.
.THESE FACILITIES WILL BE INCORPORATED IN A FOUR-LEVEL PODIUM WITHIN THE SOUTH CAMBER SITE ON WHICH A MULTI-STOREY COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL TOWER BLOCK WILL BE CONSTRUCTED.
.AFTER HAVING PROVIDED THESE DEVELOPMENTS, WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE HANDED TO THE GOVERNMENT WITHIN 36 MONTHS OF THE COMPLETION OF THE CONDITIONS OF SALE, THE DEVELOPER WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP THE COMMERCIAL SPACE ON THE PODIUM LEVELS AND THE COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL TOWER BLOCK ABOVE,*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT, IN THE ABSENCE OF PROPER TERMINAL FACILITIES, PART OF THE TAI KOK TSUI PIER IS USED AS A TEMPORARY TERMINAL FOR FERRY AND HOVERFERRY SERVICES TO AND FROM CHINA.
BUILT FOR INTERNAL HARBOUR SERVICES, THE PIER HAS LIMITED BERTHING SPACE AND HAS NO PROPER IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS OR BAGGAGE HANDLING FACILITIES.
THE PURPOSE-BUILT TERMINAL NOW ENVISAGED WILL REMEDY THIS UNSATISFACTORY SITUATION AND WILL COPE WITH INCREASING FERRY AND HOVERCRAFT SERVICES TO AND FROM CHINA, HE SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN DISCUSSIONS IN THE PAST BETWEEN THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON WHARF AND GODOWN COMPANY AND THE GOVERNMENT REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF GRANTING THE SOUTH CAMBER SITE TO THE COMPANY, INCLUDING THE FERRY TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT, IN EXCHANGE FOR ITS SHARP STREET TRAM DEPOT SITE. HOWEVER, IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ACQUIRE THE SHARP STREET DEPOT SITE.
.IT IS THEREFORE CONSIDERED THAT A PUBLIC TENDER ON A JOINT VENTURE BASIS WOULD ENSURE THE COMPLETION OF THE MUCH REQUIRED TERMINAL FACILITIES WITHIN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME,*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1984
5
SCOPE OF TRUSTEE INVESTMENTS WIDENED * *
*
*
* DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
TRUSTEES HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SLIGHTLY WIDER CHOICE OF INVESTMENTS IN TH^GAZETTE TODA?DER MADE BY THE S0VERN0R IN C0unCIL AND PUBLISHED
THE CLASSES OF INVESTMENT WHICH THE ORDER NOW ADDS BY AMENDING THE SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE TRUSTEE ORDINANCE, INCLUDE ADDITIONAL HONG KONG AND UNITED KINGDOM STOCKS AND SECURITIES, AS WELL AS BILLS NOTES AND BONDS ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES TREASURY.
COMMENTING ON THE ORDER, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT SINCE TRUST INSTRUMENTS WERE GENERALLY DRAFTED TO PROVIDE WIDER INVESTMENT POWERS, PROBABLY ONLY A FEW TRUSTS WERE IN PRACTICE BOUND BY THE SECOND SCHEDULE.
THE AMENDMENTS, HE ADDED, HAD BEEN PROPOSED AFTER A THOROUGH REVIEW WHICH TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF INTERESTED PROFESSIONAL BODIES.
.THE AIM WAS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A SATISFACTORY RANGE OF INVESTMENTS BUT WITHOUT, SO FAR AS COULD REASONABLY BE EXPECTED, ALLOWING EXPOSURE TO UNDUE RISK,+ HE SAID.
THE SCHEDULE, HE INDICATED, WOULD BE REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME, AS CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRED.
HE ALSO SAID THAT IN CASES WHERE INVESTMENTS BY A GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED ORGANISATION WERE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD CONTINUE, AS A MATTER OF ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICE TO CONFINE HIS APPROVAL TO INVESTMENTS LISTED IN THE SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE TRUSTEE ORDINANCE. UNLESS THERE WERE SPECIAL AND COMPELLING REASONS FOR ACTING DIFFERENTLY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ORDER RAISES FROM 130 MILLION TO $100 MILLION THE MINIMUM SHARE CAPITAL REQUIREMENT FOR HONG KONG COMPANIES WHOSE SECURITIES MAY QUALIFY AS TRUSTEE INVESTMENTS.
ALSO, THE QUALIFYING CRITERION REQUIRING SUCH A COMPANY TO HAVE A FIVE-YEAR RECORD OF DIVIDEND PAYMENTS HAS BEEN MODIFIED BY STIPULATING THAT EACH SUCH PAYMENT MUST HAVE BEEN IN CASH, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SHAREHOLDERS MAY THEMSELVES HAVE OPTED TO ACCEPT IT OTHER THAN IN CASH.
THE CLASSES OF INVESTMENT ADDED TO THE SECOND SCHEDULE MAY BE SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWSi
M VAR I ABLE-INTEREST UK GOVERNMENT STOCKS AND CERTAIN OTHER VARIABLE-INTEREST SECURITIES IN THE UK;
* CERTAIN QUOTED UK COMPANY SECURITIES?
M BILLS, NOTES AND BONDS ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES TREASURY ;
M UNIT TRUSTS AND MUTUAL FUNDS THAT ARE AUTHORISED BY THE SECURITIES COMMISSION IN HONG KONG;
-----------0 -------------- /6...............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1984
6
STREET ALTERATION FOR MTR ISLAND LINE M *
*
*
A PERMANENT STREET ALTERATION WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ENTRANCE TO THE QUARRY BAY STATION OF THE MTR ISLAND LINE AT THE SOUTHERN END OF MODEL LANE.
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE ALTERATION INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROAD AT THE SOUTHERN END OF MODEL LANE WHICH WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO BLOCK F OF MODEL HOUSING ESTATE AND THE BRADBURY YOUTH CENTRE OPPOSITE.
THE NEW ROAD WILL HAVE A CARRIAGEWAY WIDTH OF FOUR METRES BETWEEN THE YOUTH CENTRE AND THE PROPOSED MTR ENTRANCE STRUCTURE AND 4.5 METRES BETWEEN BLOCK F OF THE MODEL HOUSING ESTATE AND THE ENTRANCE STRUCTURE. FOOTPATHS OF A MINIMUM WIDTH OF 0.5 METRE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED AT BOTH SIDES OF THE CARRIAGEWAY.
DETAILS OF THE AFFECTED AREA ARE SHOWN ON PLAN MT/G/275. COPIES CF THE PLAN AND THE GOVERNOR’S ORDER AUTHORISING THE STREET ALTERATION MAY BE INSPECTED DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS AT THE ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AT CGO WEST WING; THE DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN) AT 884-886 KING’S ROAD; OR THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION IN MURRAY BUILDING, COTTON TREE DRIVE.
CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF THE ALTERATION MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AND MUST REACH HIS OFFICE WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE ALTERATION.
TREVOR THORPE NAMED NEW AVIATION CHIEF M M M M
MR TREVOR THORPE SUCCEEDS MR BRIAN KEEP AS DIRECTOR OF AVIATION AS FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
CIVIL
,u Tf2^?E J0INED THE H0NG KONG GOVERNMENT AS A BRIEFING OFFICER IN 1956, AFTER COMMISSIONED FLYING SERVICE IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE.
n/-n.nREr.*
°RKED. !N H,S EARLY YEARS w 1TH THE CIVIL AVIATION “erStToM pMJ￡,c CMTR0L’ ahd later “"“KTR.TED on
.BE^%f^1R‘E%^s'??^:REcT0R (teckn,c,l and plann,n<5)
^MBJJEJS-rLFELL0W THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT, A NEMBcR OF THE ROYAL AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY, AND A MEMBER OF THE AOCI TECHNICAL COMMITTEE.
/MR KEEP.............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1984
7
MR KEEP JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER IN I960, AFTER COMMISSIONED SERVICE IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE.
HE MOVED FROM ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTO PLANNING, AND DEVELOPED MANY ITEMS IN THE HONG KONG AIR TRANSPORT SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY IN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AND THE PASSENGER AND CARGO TERMINAL BUILDINGS.
MR KEEP SERVED AS DIRECTOR FROM 1979.
HE WAS MADE A FELLOW OF THE ROYAL AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY AND A MEMBER OF THE AOCI BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN 1981, AND WAS AWARDED THE O.B.E. LAST YEAR.
---------o---------
ELLIOT PUMPING STATION TO BE REBUILT # K K X
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ELLIOT FRESH WATER AND SALT WATER PUMPING STATION AT POK FU LAM ROAD.
THE NEW STATION WILL BE BUILT AT THE BACK OF THE EXISTING PUMPING STATION, SITUATED OPPOSITE CHIU SHEUNG MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHICH HAS TO BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR WIDENING POK FU LAM ROAD AND RE-DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY.
IT WILL BE A TWO-STOREY, REINFORCED CONCRETE BUILDING WITH A FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 420 SQUARE METRES.
THE GROUND FLOOR WILL ACCOMMODATE FOUR ELECTRICALLY-DRIVEN FRESH WATER PUMPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 26 600 CUBIC XETRES PER DAY AND THE FIRST FLOOR WILL ACCOMMODATE TWO SALT WATER PUMPS.
AT PRESENT THE STATION PUMPS FRESH WATER FROM ONE LOCATION AND SALT WATER FROM ANOTHER.
THE PRESENT ELLIOT PUMPING STATION WHICH STARTED OPERATION IN 1904 USED TO BE CALLED POK FU LAM ROAD PUMPING STATION, BUT CHANGED ITS NAME TO AVOID CONFUSION WITH THE PUMPING STATION AT POK FU LAM RESERVOIR.
WORK ON THE NEW PUMPING IN MARCH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT
STATION IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------------0------------
/8..............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1984 ‘
8
TUEN MUN SITE FOR SALE MMX
CASH TENDERS HAVE BEEN INVITED BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT FOR A 2 829-SQUARE METRE SITE AT TUEN MUN.
THE SITE, SITUATED AT THE JUNCTION OF TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD AND HO PONG STREET, IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USE, EXCLUDING GODOWN.
THE CONDITIONS OF SALE REQUIRE THAT THE LOT SHOULD INCLUDE A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, PROVIDING NOT LESS THAN 200 SPACES, FOR PUBLIC USE.
THE PLOT RATIOS WILL VARY FROM 3.3 TO 9.5, DEPENDING ON THE HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS AND WHETHER THEY ARE FOR DOMESTIC OR NON-DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENT.
THE BUILDING COVENANT ON THE SITE IS $21.5 MILLION TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN 48 CALENDAR MONTHS.
THE DEADLINE FOR TENDERS IS 12 NOON ON FEBRUARY 24.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG 5 DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON? AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
TENDER PLANS MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE ABOVE LOCATIONS.
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CARNIVAL TO SPREAD ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE
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A SIX-HOUR CARNIVAL TO PUBLICISE THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE TO KWUN TONG RESIDENTS WILL BE HELD AT THE YUET WAH STREET PLAYGROUND ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29) STARTING 11 AM.
IN ADDITION TO A VARIETY SHOW, TEN GAME STALLS WILL BE PUT UP BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
PARTICIPANTS CAN ALSO LEARN ABOUT GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN FIGHTING DRUG TRAFFICKING AND THE REHABILITATION WORK FOR DRUG ADDICTS THROUGH A HALF-HOUR SLIDE SHOW.
AN EXHIBITION AND A DISPLAY OF DRUG SPECIMENS WILL BE MOUNTED AT THE PLAYGROUND BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION AND THE NARCOTICS BUREAU.
THE CARNIVAL MARKS THE CLOSING OF A TWO-WEEK KWUN TONG ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
/THE ASSISTANT .............
FRIDAY. JANUaRY 2n,
THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CLAYMON LAI, AND THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, hfi LAM KAM-KWONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CLOSING CEREMONY AT 2 PM.
WINNERS OF A NUMBER OF QUIZZES AND CROSS-WORD PUZZLES, AND STALLS WITH THE BEST DESIGN AND MOST MEANINGFUL GAME WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT THE CEREMONY.
OTHER ACTIVITIES HELD DURING THE CAMPAIGN INCLUDED A DISCO NIGHT, AND VISITS TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL AND THE SHEK KWU CHAU TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG ANT I-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN CLOSING CEREMONY AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29) AT THE YUET WAH STREET PLAYGROUND, KWUN TONG.
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NEW CENTRE FOR SCOUTS AND GUIDES M M W
THE SIX-STOREY TANG SHIU KIN SCOUT AND GUIDE CENTRE IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE READY EARLY NEXT YEAR.
IT WILL PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES INCLUDING A COVERED PLAYGROUND, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOMS, ACTIVITY ROOMS, LECTURE ROOMS, BADMINTON AND VOLLEY BALL COURTS AND AN ADMINISTRATION OFFICE.
SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION-STONE LAYING CEREMONY TODAY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, RECALLED THAT THE SCOUTS AND GIRL GUIDES USED TO HAVE THEIR OWN OPERATION CENTRES IN TSUEN WAN, BUT THESE HAD TO BE CLEARED IN 1979 AND 1981 FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY EXTENSION AND NORTH TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENTS.
THE NEW CENTRE WILL PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED REPLACEMENT ACCOMMODATION FOR THE SCOUTS AND GUIDES IN TSUEN WAN, AND WILL ENABLE THE TWO SCOUTS AND GUIDES ASSOCIATIONS TO EXPAND OPERATIONS IN THE GROWING NEW TOWN, HE SAID.
.BOTH THE GUIDES AND SCOUTS ASSOCIATIONS HAVE REGIONAL ISED AND LOCALISED THEIR ACTIVITIES SO THE CONCEPT OF THIS NEW CENTRE FITS IN WELL WITH THESE CHANGES AND IT ALSO ACCORDS WITH THE CONCEPTS OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.*
HE SAID AS THE RESULT OF MUCH EFFORT BY ALL PARTIES, INCLUDING THE TWO SCOUTS AND GUIDES ASSOCIATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, IT WAS NOW POSSIBLE TO MAKE A DEFINITE START ON THE PROJECT.
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/IO...............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1984
10
CLINIC SERVICES DURING NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ft ft ft ft
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THERE WILL BE NO OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINIC SERVICES FROM FEBRUARY 2 TO FEBRUARY 4, DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
HOWEVER, EIGHT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL BE OPEN ON FEBRUARY 5 (SUNDAY) FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM. THEY AREi VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB POLYCLINIC IN KOWLOON, AND THE LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE AND SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
NORMAL OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINIC SERVICES WILL RESUME ON FEBRUARY 6 (MONDAY).
- - c - -
TSUEN WAN WILL LIGHT UP FOR HOLIDAYS ft ft ft ft ft
FROM SUNDAY, THE TSUEN WAN TOWN CENTRE WILL GLITTER WITH COLOURFUL LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING DECORATIONS.
THE SWITCH-ON CEREMONY WILL BE PERFORMED BY MRS OPHELIA MACPHERSON, WIFE OF THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, AT 6 PM ON THE FIRST FLOOR PODIUM OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
THE LIGHTS WILL BE ON FROM 6 PM TO MIDNIGHT UNITL FEBRUARY 9, BUT WILL BE ON TILL 6 AM ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
THE DECORATIONS, PUT UP AT A COST OF $65 000 BY THE DISTRICT BOARD TO CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL, INCLUDE A BEAUTIFULLY-DESIGNED EIGHT-METRE-TALL HEXAGONAL PALACE LANTERN AND THREE FIVE-METRE- TALL +GODS OF FORTUNE*
, ALL ENCIRCLED WITH COLOURFUL LIGHT BULBS.
THE HEXAGONAL PALACE LANTERN IS ON DISPLAY AT THE ROUNDABOUT OUTSIDE THE TOWN HALL, AND THE THREE +GODS OF FORTUNE*
AT THE KWAI CHUNG ROUNDABOUT.
IN ADDITION, SOME 9 000 COLOURFUL LIGHT BULBS ARE BEING MOUNTED AT THE ROUNDABOUTS AND ALONG MAJOR ROADS —TAI HO ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN KWAI CHUNG ROUNDABOUT AND WO Yl HOP ROAD, AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD FROM ITS ROUNDABOUT TO THE KWAI HING MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION.
BANNERS WITH SEASON’S GREETINGS ARE ALSO BEING PUT UP AT Th￡ FOOTBRIDGE OVER KWAI CHUNG ROAD NEAR WO TONG TSUI STREET.
FRIDAY, JANUaR'? 2^.
- 11 -
A LOCAL ORGANISATION, THE YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE, HAS CONTRIBUTED TWO HUGE PIECES OF ARTWORKS WHICH FEATURE +FAIRIES CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF THE GODDESS OF HEAVEN*
AND ARE BEING PLACED AT THE FOOTBRIDGE ADJACENT TO FOU WAH CENTRE.
PROGRAMMES TO BE HELD DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON INCLUDE THE SIXTH TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL, DINNERS FOR THE ELDERLY AND CARNIVALS.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING DISPLAY SWITCH-ON CEREMONY AT 6 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29) ON THE FIRST FLOOR PODIUM OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
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BUILDING MANAGEMENT IS SEMINAR THEME o *
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A SEMINAR ON +MULTl-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT*
FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29) AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL.
GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR ARE THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILFRED WONG; THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER OF THE TAI KOO SHING MANAGEMENT LIMITED, MR JOSEPH SALAROLI; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GOOD HOPE BUILDING OWNERS’ INCORPORATION, CHOW CHUN-FAI.
THEY WILL SPEAK ON THE PILOT SCHEME ON MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE ESTATES, AND THE FUNCTIONS AND WORK OF OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS.
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, AND CHAIRMEN AND OFFICE-BEARERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS HAVE BEEN INVITED.
AFTER THE TALKS PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO 10 DISCUSSION GROUPS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS RELATED TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT MULT I-STORE*
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR STARTING AT 9.30 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29) IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL HALL, 152 SAI YEE STREET.
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/12 ...............
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1984
12
STREET SECTIONS RESTRICTED X *
X X
CF HING 7 AM TO
FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS WAH STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILYi
* THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION IN HING WAH STREET BETWEEN UN CHAU STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES TO THE EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD, WILL BE EXTENDED TO ITS JUNCTION WITH SHUN NING.
* THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HING WAH STREET BETWEEN SHUN NING ROAD AND PO ON ROAD.
X THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HING WAH STREET BETWEEN PO ON ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES TO THE EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SHUN NING ROAD.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP AND SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS, OR LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
FROM THE SAME DAY, SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO TO FACILITATE THE PEI HO STREET +YEAR-END CLEANUP OPERATION*
.
THE SECTION OF TAI NAN STREET BETWEEN KWEILIN STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET, AND THE SECTION OF PEI HO STREET BETWEEN LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND YAU CHAU STREET, WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE, LEFT TURN MOVEMENT FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD SOUTHBOUND INTO PEI HO STREET AND FROM NAM CHEONG STREET EASTBOUND INTO TAI NAN STREET WILL BE BANNED.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO OPERATE ALONG LAI CHI KOK ROAD VIA NAM CHEONG STREET OR SHEK KIP MEI STREET.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1984
13
VARIETY SHOW TELLS ABOUT FIRE RISK
* *
*
*
A FIRE PREVENTION DAY WILL BE HELD FOR TUEN MUN RESIDENTS ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29) IN THE FORM OF A VARIETY SHOW AND AN EXHIBITION.
THE EVENT IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF THE DISTRICT’S FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
OTHER ACTIVITIES BEING ORGANISED INCLUDE VISITS TO TUEN MUN FIRE STATION, TALKS, FILM SHOWS AND FIRE FIGHTING DEMONSTRATIONS TO AROUSE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS ON FIRE RISK AND FIRE PREVENTION.
POSTERS AND BANNERS WITH FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES WILL BE PUT UP AT VARIOUS VANTAGE POINTS IN THE DISTRICT, AND FIRE PREVENTION BOOKLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS THROUGH MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
AN OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIRE PREVENTION DAY AND AN INAUGURATION OF A NEWLY-FORMED FIRE WATCH TEAM WILL BE HELD AT 11.30 AM AT THE YAN 01 SQUARE.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY ARE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, NR RICKY FUNG- THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (NT), MR CHEUNG SHU-SHING- THE PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER, MRS BETTY SHUM- AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU WONG-FAT.
NOTE TO ED ITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUEN MUN FIRE PREVENTION DAY AT 11.30 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29) AT THE YAN 01 SQUARE.
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CONCERT FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS
* *
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MORE THAN 1 000 MUSIC LOVERS IN YUEN LONG WERE THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING TREATED TO A JOINT PERFORMANCE BY THE TANUNDA BAND FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND AT THE LUT SAU HALL.
FOR THE FIRST PART OF THE 90-MINUTE CONCERT, THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND PLAYED SUCH POPULAR TUNES AS +THE WAY WE .EP￡. AND +HOOKED ON CLASSICS*
, FOLLOWED BY FOLK AND JAZZ MUSIC PERFORMANCE BY THE TANUNDA BAND.
/THE ?WC ...............
Friday. January 27, ‘981*
14
THE TWO BANDS THEN TEAMED UP AND GAVE THE AUDIENCE SUCH FAVOURITE SONGS AS +YMCA+ AND +MY WAY*
.
TONIGHT’S CONCERT WAS THE ONLY PERFORMANCE BY THE TANUNDA BAND DURING ITS HONG KONG VISIT.
MEMBERS OF THE TANUNDA BAND HAD EARLIER JOINED A WORKSHOP TO SHARE THEIR PERFORMING EXPERIENCE AND MUSICAL SKILLS WITH LOCAL GROUPS.
SPEAKING BEFORE THE START OF TONIGHT’S CONCERT, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES WILSON, SAID THAT MORE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES WOULD BE STAGED IN THE DISTRICT SO THAT LOCAL MUSICIANS COULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS.
HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING AN ORCHESTRA IN THE DISTRICT SOON, HE SAID.
THE CONCERT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
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OPEN DANCE CONTEST SET FOR SUNDAY
* *
*
*
AN OPEN BALLROOM DANCE CONTEST WILL BE HELD AT THE MACPHERSON STADIUM IN MONG KOK STARTING AT 7 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 29).
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE CF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG DANCING ASSOCIATION.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE EVENT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR CATEGORIES, AND PARTICIPANTS WILL PERFORM EITHER THE MODERN BRANCH OR THE LATIN BRANCH.
OVER 80 COUPLES WILL COMPETE, AND PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNERS AND OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS OF EACH CATEGORY.
NOTE TO EDITORSi
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, J984
‘ '■ !'■ ■
VOLUNTEERS TO HELP IN CLEAN UP
* *
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ABOUT 200 VOLUNTEERS WILL HELP CLEAN UP AND BEAUTIFY A NUMBER OF SITTING-OUT AREAS IN THE EASTERN PART OF TSUEN WAN TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE VOLUNTEERS ARE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, BOY SCOUTS, GIRL GUIDES, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH COMMITTEE AND JUNIOR POLICE CALLS IN THE DISTRICT.
THEY WILL FORM TEAMS TO CLEAN AND REPAINT THE BENCHES AND RAILINGS IN THE SITTING-OUT AREAS AT TAI PEI SQUARE, Yl PEI SQUARE, SAM PEI SQUARE, SHEK PIK SUN CHUEN AND KWU HANG ROAD.
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ELAINE CHUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT A LAUNCHING CEREMONY AT 9.30 AM AT ST. FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE AT SAM PEI SQUARE.
THE EXERCISE IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AS PART OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG AND KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE CAMPAIGN BEING HELD IN THE DISTRICT.
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HOLIDAY MAIL SERVICE O #
LETTERS AND PARCELS WILL BE DELIVERED ON TWO DAYS ONLY ? FEBRUARY 3 AND 5 - DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THERE WILL BE NO DELIVERIES ON FEBRUARY 2 AND 4.
ALL POST OFFICE COUNTERS WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE HOLIDAYS, EXCEPT ON FEBRUARY 5, WHEN 36 POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI OFFICES IN KOWLOON, AND THE TSUEN WAN AND TAI PO OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 AM TO NOON.
THE POST OFFICE ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT FROM FEBRUARY 1, IT WILL NO LONGER BE NECESSARY TO PRE-REGISTER DETAILS OF THE ADDRESSEE WITH THE POST OFFICE IN SENDING PACKETS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (WEST GERMANY) IN THE ON DEMAND SPEEDPOST SERVICE.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE POST OFFICES WHICH WILL EE OPEN DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD AND ABOUT THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE *
AY OBTAINED FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU ON 5-2671222.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE PEOPLE SEEK HELP FROM TRANSPORT UNIT .......................................................... 1
VAST MAJORITY OF HK'S TRADERS ARE HONEST ............................................................. 2
I.D. CARD OFFICES TO CLOSE FOR LUNAR NEY YEAR............................................. 3
RESULTS OF MEDICAL LICENTIATE EXAM................................................................................ 4
SPECIAL CaR NUMBERS SALE................................................................................................................ 5
LOCAL FISHERMEN CATER FOR HALF OF HK'S CONSUMPTION............................. 5
KWU TUNG TO HAVE NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL ............................................................................ 6
CHEUNG CHAU RESIDENTS SHARING HK'S PROSPERITY............................................. 6
DB TO DISCUSS UNIVERSITY SITE................................................................................................ 7
WORKING CLaSS BENEFIT FROM RECREATION ACTIVITIES .................................... 8
NEW PRIVATE SCHOOL COMMENDED ................................................................................................... 9
FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS IN TAI PO TO BEGIN TOMDRROW .................................... 9
YOUTHS TO PAINT ON HOARDINGS IN CENTRAL ................................................................ 10
CLEaRWAY RESTRICTION ............................................................................................................................ 10
NEW ROAD LINK AT TSUEN WAN ......................................................................................................... 11
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT KA NING PATH.......................................................................... 11
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ................................................................................... 11
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1984
MORE PEOPLE SEEK HELP FROM TRANSPORT UNIT M M *
M
MORE PEOPLE HAVE SOUGHT THE HELP OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE’S TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT TO RESOLVE THEIR COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSPORT SERVICES.
IN ITS LATEST QUARTERLY REPORT, COVERING THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1983, THE UNIT RECORDED A TOTAL OF 1 443 DIRECT COMPLAINTS, AN INCREASE OF EIGHT PER CENT OVER THE 1 341 COMPLAINTS IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THIS FIGURE REPRESENTS SIMILAR PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER THE 1 331 COMPLAINTS IN THE SAME PERIOD OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE UNIT, MR STEPHEN PANG, NOTED THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WERE STILL THE MAIN SUBJECT OF COMPLAINTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 668 CASES OR 46 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL.
OVER THREE-FIFTHS OF THESE CASES WERE DIRECTED AGAINST CMB AND KMB.
.COMPLAINTS CONCERNING CMB SHOWED A DECLINE. 148 COMPLAINTS WERE RECORDED IN THE QUARTER AGAINST THE MORE THAN 170 COMPLAINTS IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1982. HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST CMB STAFF WAS STILL RELATIVELY HIGH. THERE WERE 62 SUCH CASES, REPRESENTING 42 PER CENT OF THE 148 CASES IN THE QUARTER,. SAID MR PANG.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS CONCERNING KMB ROSE FROM 213 IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER TO 260 IN THIS QUARTER, AN INCREASE OF 73 CASES WHEN COMPARED WITH THE 187 COMPLAINTS IN THE SAME QUARTER OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
.THE UPWARD TREND WAS MAINLY DUE TO MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT INADEQUATE KMB SERVICE IN THE NEW TOWNS. COMPLAINTS ABOUT KMB STAFF HOWEVER REMAINED LOW (26 CASES) AS IN THE LAST QUARTER <25 CASES),. SAID MR PANG.
THE SERVICES OF THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY LIMITED WERE ALSO SUBJECT TO MORE COMPLAINTS SINCE ITS SECTIONAL FARES WERE ADJUSTED AS A RESULT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF A ONE-MAN-OPERATION SYSTEM ON ITS BUSES.
A TOTAL OF 13 COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED IN THE QUARTER, COMPARED WITH ONLY 11 COMPLAINTS RECORDED IN THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON TRAFFIC ENGINEERING MATTERS CONTINUED TO GROW. OF THE 411 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN THE QUARTER, 210 WERE ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION, 110 WERE RELATED TO PARKING FACILITIES AND 84 WERE ABOUT TRAFFIC AIDS OR PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1984
2
VAST MAJORITY OF HK’S TRADERS ARE HONEST ft ft ft ft ft
MOST ALLEGATIONS AND ASSERTIONS ABOUT HONG KONG'S INVOLVEMENT IN COUNTERFEITING TRADE WERE UNFAIR, THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR DOUGLAS JORDAN, SAID IN ORLANDO, USA, ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27).
MR JORDAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE INTERNATIONAL ANTI-COUNTERFEI TING COALITION MEETING THERE.
HE TOLD THE MEETING THAT THERE HAD ALWAYS BEEN PEOPLE IN OTHER PLACES MAKING UNFAIR ASSERTIONS ABOUT VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HONG KONG'S TRADING INTEGRITY.
MR JORDAN STRESSED NOT ONLY WAS THE VAST MAJORITY OF HONG KONG'S TRADERS HONEST BUT THE TERRITORY'S COMMUNITY AT LARGE WAS HARD WORKING AND DESERVED ALL THE TRADE IT ACHIEVED.
.BUT THERE ARE A FEW ROTTEN APPLES IN ANY BARREL. AND THIS CAN BE SAID OF ANY COUNTRY WHETHER ONE IS TALKING ABOUT COUNTERFEITING OR ANY OTHER FORM OF FRAUD. UNFORTUNATELY IT IS THE ROTTEN APPLES WHO ATTRACT THE PUBLICITY, NOT THE VAST MAJORITY OF HONEST TRADERS.
.WE IN HONG KONG ENDEAVOUR TO PROVIDE THE STRONGEST LEGAL SANCTIONS AGAINST SUCH ROTTEN APPLES AND STRONG EFFICIENT LAW- ENFORCEMENT TEAMS TO ENSURE MAXIMUM APPREHENSION OF SUCH PEOPLE,. HE SAID.
MR JORDAN GAVE DETAILS OF THE DEVELOPMENTS LEADING TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE IN APRIL 1981.
UNDER THE NEW LAW, ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITY WAS PLACED ON THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, AND OPERATIONALLY ON THE DEPARTMENT'S TRADE CONTROLS INVESTIGATION BRANCH WHICH HAD 45 OFFICERS SPECIALISING IN COUNTERFEITS AND OTHER TRADE DESCRIPTION INFRINGEMENTS, HE POINTED OUT.
.BUT AS BACK-UP, THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED OFFICERS AT THE ENTRY POINTS AND IN THE HINTERLAND WHO NOT ONLY AS PART OF THEIR OVERALL DUTIES SEEK TO DETECT THE MOVEMENT OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS, BUT ARE AVAILABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO SPECIFIC TASK FORCES WHEN SUCH ARE NECESSARY FOR PARTICULAR OPERATIONS,*
MR JORDAN SAID.
TO ILLUSTRATE HONG KONG'S INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS IN ITS ANTI-COUNTERFEITING OPERATIONS, MR JORDAN POINTED OUT THAT IN 1978 THERE WERE 213 INVESTIGATIONS RESULTING IN THE SEIZURE OF SI-MILL ION WORTH OF GOODS, WHILE IN 1983, 913 CASES WERE HANDLED, WITH $21- MILL ION WORTH OF GOODS SEIZED.
.IN 1978, WE TOOK 56 CASES TO COURT. FINES TOTALLING $50 000 WERE AWARDED AND THREE PERSONS WERE COMMITTED TO PRISON.
/.LAST YEAH, ..............
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2c,
- 3 -
.LAST YEAR. WE TOOK 421 CASES TO COURT. THE FINES AGGREGATED TO *
2.5 MILLION AND AGAIN THREE PERSONS WERE COMMITTED TO PRISON,. HE ADDED.
MR JORDAN EXPLAINED THAT MANY CASES WERE INITIATED BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, WHILE OTHERS WERE MOUNTED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF TRADE COMPLAINTS.
THE DEPARTMENT WORKS CLOSELY WITH VARIOUS PRIVATE INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES AND LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE WHO SPECIALISE IN THIS FIELD.
TURNING TO COPYRIGHT, MR JORDAN SAID THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT’S COPYRIGHT PROTECTION UNIT HAD RECEIVED INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM FOR VIRTUALLY ELIMINATING COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT OF AUDIO CASSETTES IN HONG KONG.
.IT IS NOW DEALING EQUALLY VIGOROUSLY WITH VIDEO CASSETTES. ITS DETECTION AND ENFORCEMENT METHODS ARE EMULATED BY OTHER ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD,*
HE SAID.
ON COLLABORATION WITH THE UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES, MR JORDAN SAID THE TWO SIDES HAD AN EXCELLENT WORKING RELATIONSHIP IN ANTI-COUNTERFEITING AS WELL AS IN OTHER MATTERS.
HE DREW ATTENTION TO SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS IN STOPPING TRADE IN COUNTERFEIT JEANS AND FAKE COMPUTERS PRODUCTS.
IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, THERE HAD BEEN 178 SEIZURES OF GOODS BEARING FORGED US TRADE MARKS AND BRAND NAMES VALUED AT NEARLY *3 MILLION, HE POINTED OUT.
RELATED PROSECUTIONS HAD RESULTED IN FINES TOTALLING *
1.15 MILLION AND THE FORFEITURE OF GOODS VALUED AT OVER ONE MILLION HK DOLLARS, HE ADDED.
I.D. CARD OFFICES TO CLOSE FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR M *
*
*
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT
THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FROM FEBRUARY 2 TO 5 FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THEY WILL, HOWEVER, REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 9.30 PM ON NEW YEAR’S EVE (FEBRUARY 1), AND WILL RE-OPEN AT 8 AM ON FEBRUARY 6.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED MEN BORN IN 1952 AND 1953 THAT THERE ARE ONLY NINE WORKING DAYS LEFT FOR THEM TO APPLY FOR NEW I.D. CARDS.
.THE TURN-UP RATE FOR THIS PHASE HAS BEEN SATISFACTORY. SO FAR, 69 300 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, LEAVING 34 900 MORE TO COME BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE OF FEBRUARY 11,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/.THE ISSUE ..............
3AWBDAY, JANUABY 2< , 1984
4
.THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE EXPECTED TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY BUSY ON THE FIRST WORKING DAY AFTER THE HOLIDAYS. TO AVOID THE RUSH, IT IS ADVISABLE FOR PEOPLE TO APPLY NOW.+ HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG THEIR OLD I.D. CARDS WHEN THEY CALL AT ANY OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES BETWEEN 8 AM AND 9.30 PM, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS.
THOSE WHO ARE BUSY DURING WEEKDAYS MAY VISIT THE ISSUE OFFICES ON WEEKENDS. THEY MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE MAIL-IN APPOINTMENT SYSTEM TO VISIT THE ISSUE OFFICES OF THEIR CHOICE AT A PRE-ARRANGED TIME.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR APPOINTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE AT ANY DISTRICT OFFICE OR IMMIGRATION OFFICE.
.APPOINTMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR ANY TIME BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5.30 PM ON ANY NORMAL WORKING DAY, EXCEPT MONDAYS. HOWEVER, COMPLETED FORMS MUST REACH THE OFFICE AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE FEBRUARY 11,. HE SAID.
THOSE WHO ARE AWAY FROM HONG KONG AND ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE BACK BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE SHOULD APPLY FOR THEIR NEW CARDS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THEIR RETURN, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------------0------------
RESULTS OF MEDICAL LICENTIATE EXAM X *
X X
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT 127 CANDIDATES HAD PASSED PART I OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS.
DAD A 0I￡kr2r.J21.CAND,DATES SAT THE multiple-choice question PAPER ON PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE ON JANUARY 10, 1984.
PART II OF THE EXAMINATION, ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES AND MAY 1, 1984.
DESIGNED TO TEST THE .WILL TAKE PLACE ON
CANDIDATE-^' MARCH 6
.u^-ruJn .E 127 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES FOR PART I,
a.H2.H￡?,FA,LED THE PART 11 EXAMINATION IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WILL ALSO SIT THIS PART OF THE EXAMINATION.
___C*
ND!DATES MAY CHOOSE TO TAKE THE EXAMINATION ON EITHER rwKCH 6 OK MAY 1.
---------0-----------
SATURDAY JANUARY 28, 1984
5
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE ft ft ft ft
THIRTY-TWO SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $320 600 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION HELD AT RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, 8TH FLOOR, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER AA22 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $50 000.
ANOTHER NUMBER 2218 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE CF $45 000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1 000 FOR DB 2168, DB 310, DB 1698, DB 136, DA 7328, DB 729, AL 1948, DB 621, BC 8964 AND DB 6608.
THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PRICES i
DB
662
$2
200
DA
6663
$ 1
500
DB
6228
$ 2
000
DB
6338
$1
100
DB
2628
$ 1
600
DB
112
$ 3
500
CY
777
$31
000
BX
19
$19
000
DB
829
$ 2
500
DB
1283
$2
300
BU
888
$30
000
CP
3388
$20
000
BB
14
$3
500
DB
288
$ 5
000
DB
8168
$1
900
CH
18
$31
000
1997
$35
000
DB
1638
$1
500
CY
7878
$16
COO
DB
638
$ 5 000
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAMES OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 89TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $29 770 332.
------------o-----------
LOCAL FISHERMEN CATER FOR ft ft
HALF OF HK’S CONSUMPTION ft ft ft
FISHERMEN OPERATING NEARLY 5 000 FISHING VESSELS PRODUCE $1.5-BILLI0N WORTH OF FISH A YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THEIR PRODUCTION ACCOUNTS FOR HALF OF HONG KONG'S DAILY FISH CONSUMPTION OF 560 TONS, HE POINTED OUT.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION DINNER OF THE JOINT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG FISHERMEN, HE NOTED THAT THE FISHING COMMUNITY PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY’S DAILY LIVES AND ECONOMY.
/.THE ESTABLISHED..............
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2b, 1984
6
.THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JOINT ASSOCIATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM FISHERMEN ORGANISATIONS FROM ALL OVER HONG KONG WILL IN TURN CONTRIBUTE TO THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY AND THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
.IT WILL ENHANCE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG FISHERMEN- IT WILL PROMOTE THEIR WELFARE AND STRENGTHEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY..
THE JOINT ASSOCIATION IS FORMED BY EIGHT FISHERMEN'S ORGANISATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, LINKING TOGETHER THE FISHING COMMUNITY.
-----------o-----------
KWU TUNG TO HAVE NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL
* M M *
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A PRIMARY SCHOOL AT KWU TUNG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING 01 WAH SCHOOL, WHICH OCCUPIES A SITE REQUIRED FOR IMPROVEMENT WORK TO THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD BETWEEN AU TAU AND FAN KAM.
THE NEW SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT ON A 3 500-SQUARE-METRE SITE NEAR DILLS CORNER GARDEN.
THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF A NINE-CLASSROOM BUILDING, AN ASSEMBLY HALL AND ANCILLARY WORKS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TG COMMENCE TOWARDS THE END OF MARCH AND TAKE ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
------------0------------
CHEUNG CHAU RESIDENTS SHARING HK'S PROSPERITY
* *
*
A SERIES OF DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS ON CHEUNG CHAU WILL ENABLE RESIDENTS THERE TO SHARE IN THE PROSPERITY AND AMENITIES ENJOYED BY THE REST OF HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
CITING EXAMPLES, HE SAID THE TYPHOON SHELTER HAD BEEN CONSTRUCTED, THE PLAYGROUND ON THE PEAK WAS OPENED LAST YEAR AND CHEUNG CHAU RESIDENTS HAD BEGUN TO ENJOY MAINS ELECTRICITY. _
.IN APRIL, RESIDENTS WILL START TO MOVE INTO THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, WORK WILL START THIS YEAR ON IMPROVEMENTS TO ST JOHN'S HOSPITAL AND ON A SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND A NEW MARKET AND PIER ARE BEING PLANNED..
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1984
- 7 -
MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF AN EXTENSION PROJECT OF THE CHEUNG CHAU SAI WAN SELF HELP CARE (CO-OPERATIVE FOR AMERICAN RELIEF EVERYWHERE) VILLAGE.
HE NOTED THAT IN THE PAST 25 YEARS HE HAD WATCHED CHEUNG CHAU GROWING FROM A QUIET FISHING VILLAGE INTO A BUSY FISHING AND MARKET CENTRE OF OVER 20 000 PEOPLE.
.WE MAY BE SAD, TODAY, WHEN DISAPPEARANCE OF THE OLD VILLAGE BUT THERE WERE MANY IMPROVEMENTS SO THE PROCESS OF CHANGE BEGAN,.
WE REFLECT ON THE VIRTUAL WITH ITS QUIET WAY OF LIFE- NEEDED TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND HE SAID.
.SINCE THEN THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS OF WHICH THE CARE VILLAGES ARE A FINE EXAMPLE BUILT WITH HELP FROM THE USA, LOCAL GENEROSITY AND ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNMENT.
.NOW WITH THIS EXPANSION WHICH WE OPEN TODAY, THE VILLAGE WILL HOUSE 3 000 PEOPLE, THUS MAKING A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF CHEUNG CHAU.+
-------------0------------
DB TO DISCUSS UNIVERSITY SITE ft ft ft ft
A PROPOSAL TO SELECT A SITE IN TUEN MUN FOR THE THIRD UNIVERSITY WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON MONDAY (JANUARY 30) MORNING.
THE PROPOSAL WAS RAISED BY A BOARD MEMBER, MR LAU WONG-FAT.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE SETTING UP CF A NIGHT BAZAAR AT KAI MAN PATH IN THE TOWN CENTRE.
A NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WILL BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION. THESE INCLUDE SITE FORMATION AND ROADWORKS FOR VILLAGE HOUSES IN AREA 26, A RECREATION AREA NEAR BUTTERFLY BEACH, AND REVISED LAYOUT PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENTS IN AREA 16.
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO SPEAK ON THE PROPOSED ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SCHEME.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE THE SETTING UP OF COMMITTEES FOR NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, AND DISCUSSION ON THE *
1983 EDITION OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME*
.
/some seats
SATURDAY, J ANU AH Y 28, 1984
8
SOME SEATS WILL BE RESERVED FOR THE PUBLIC ON A FIRST-COME- FIRST-SERVED BASIS, AND THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND SHOULD CONTACT THE BOARD’S SECRETARIAT AT 0-843801.
NOTE TO EDITORS 1
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 30) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF FOO YICK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, SAN ON CIRCUIT.
A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE, AM 5797, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 9 AM FOR TUEN MUN.
----0----------
WORKING CLASS BENEFIT FROM RECREATION ACTIVITIES
*****
EIGHTY PER CENT OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT ARE NORMALLY OFFERED TO THE WORKING CLASS OF HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER (RECREATION AND SPORTS), MR DICKEN YUNG, AT A SPORTS SCIENCE CONFERENCE HELD AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
AND, HE SAID, THERE WAS A CONTINUING DEMAND BY THE WORKING CLASS FOR RECREATION ACTIVITIES AS BOTH THEIR LEISURE TIME AND DISPOSAL INCOME HAVE INCREASED.
SPEAKING ABOUT .CORPORATE RECREATION*
. MR YUNG SAID CORPORATIONS GENERALLY VIEW RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR EMPLOYEES AS A WISE INVESTMENT BECAUSE PREVENTION OF HEART ATTACKS, DISABILITY AND PREMATURE RETIREMENT — ALL REPRESENT COLOSSAL SAVING.
.RECREATION IS THEREFORE SEEN PRIMARILY AS AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR CREATING A BETTER WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
.RELAXING AND ENJOYING ACTIVITIES WITH OTHER WORKERS DURING REST PERIODS, MEAL TIMES AND OFF-THE-JOB HOURS ARE RECOGNISED AS BEING IMPORTANT TO IMPROVE THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL WORKER, TO INCREASE STAFF MORALE, TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS AND CARELESSNESS, AND TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION,+ HE SAID.
IN HONG KONG, MR YUNG CONTINUED, A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF WELL-ESTABLISHED CORPORATIONS WERE ALREADY PROVIDING RECREATION FOR THEIR STAFF.
f
RECREATION PROMOTES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HUMAN RELATIONS AND GROUP PARTICIPATION, HE SAID.
MR YUNG ADDED THAT IN THE WORLD OF INDUSTRY RECREATION PROGRAMMES CONTINUES TO GROW IN NUMBER AND VARIETY AND BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ACCEPT THAT INCREASED FITNESS THROUGH CORPORATE RECREATION MEANS INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY CF WORKING LIFE.
- - - - 0 ----------
/?..............
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1984
- 9 -
NEW PRIVATE SCHOOL COMMENDED ft ft ft ft
THE HONG LOK YUEN SCHOOL IN TAI PO IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF HOW LOCAL RESIDENTS CAN SUCCEED IN PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND AT THE SAME TIME ENRICH THEIR OWN COMMUNITY THROUGH SELF- .LP AND CO-OPERATION.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) WHEN HE DECLARED THE
MR IAN MACPHERSON. SCHOOL OPEN.
THE IDEA OF ESTABLISHING A SCHOOL IN THE ESTATE WAS FIRST DEVELOPED BY ENTHUSIASTIC PARENTS AND RESIDENTS IN MID-1981.
.WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, THE IDEA HAD BEEN TURNED INTO REALITY,. HE SAID.
IT IS A PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL JOINTLY MANAGED BY A NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATION AND THE ESTATE DEVELOPERS. ENROLMENT IS OPEN TO BOTH RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTS OF HONG LOK YUEN.
THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM INCORPORATES INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS. IT ALSO INCLUDES THE CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE FOR PUPILS WHOSE PARENTS WISH THEM TO STUDY THESE SUBJECTS.
MR MACPHERSON NOTED THAT THE PROBLEM OF COMMUNITY BUILDING TOOK ON A NEW DIMENSION IN TAI PO NEW TOWN WHERE A SIZABLE PROPORTION OF THE RESIDENTS ARE EXPATRIATES.
.THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL INTEGRATION BETWEEN RESIDENTS OF DIFFERENT CULTURES AND RACES IS OFTEN NOT AN EASY ONE, BUT I AM VERY PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE RESIDENTS HERE HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD TO ORGANISE THEMSELVES IN ESTABLISHING THIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL,+ . ADDED.
FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS IN TAI PO TO BEGIN TOMORROW ft ft ft
THE TOMORROW
ANNUAL TAI PO FESTIVE (SUNDAY) EVENING WITH
CELEBRATION PROGRAMME WILL BEGIN
AND UNICORN DANCES, A CHINESE ORCHESTRA
A VARIETY PERFORMANCE OF LION ORIENTAL DANCES, FOLK SONGS SINGING AND
THE VARIETY SHOW, TO WILL START AT 8 PM AND TIE NEW YEAR FAIR THERE.
BE STAGED AT THE TAI PO PLAYGROUND, IN WITH THE OPENING OF A LUNAR
FROM TOMORROW UNTIL FEBRUARY 19, MORE THAN 20 CULTURAL. RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING EVENTS WILL BE STAGED IN THE DISTRICT.
ON FEBRUARY 4 (SATURDAY), A DISCO NIGHT WILL BE HELD AT THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR MORE THAN 1 000 YOUNG PEOPLE.
/CN
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2b, 1984
ON +YAN YAT+ (EVERY BODY’S BIRTHDAY) ON FEBRUARY 8, THERE WILL BE A FEAST FOR 660 OLD PEOPLE AGED 73 AND ABOVE.
OTHER EVENTS WILL INCLUDE EXHIBITIONS OF FLOWERS, BIRDS, PHOTOGRAPHS, CALLIGRAPHY AND FINE ARTSj A COUNTRY WALK FROM HOK TOU TO FUNG YUEN’ A CLASSIC-GUITAR CONCERT! COMPETITIONS IN COOKING, SINGING AND BOWLING! A CHILDREN’S FILM SHOW AND FUN DAYS.
COSTING $300 000, THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE WITH DISTRICT BOARD SPONSORSHIP.
YOUTHS TO PAINT ON HOARDINGS IN CENTRAL M *
*
ABOUT 40 YOUNG ARTISTS WILL PAINT THEIR MASTERPIECES TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING ON THE HOARDINGS OF A CONSTRUCTION SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND GILMAN STREET.
THE ARTISTS. WHO ARE FROM LOCAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND YOUTH GROUPS, ARE MEMBERS OF THE 14 WINNING TEAMS OF A FLOWER DRAWING COMPETITION HELD IN THE DISTRICT LAST DECEMBER.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE COMMERCIAL AREA COMMITTEE, BOTH THE FLOWER DRAWING COMPETITION AND THE PAINTING OF THE HOARDINGS ARE AIMED AT INVOLVING LOCAL YOUTHS IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND FOSTERING A GREATER SENSE OF BELONGING TOWARDS THEIR DISTRICT.
THE PAINTING SESSION WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM AND A BRIEF PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT 11 AM WHEN WINNERS WILL RECEIVE CASH COUPONS, TROPHIES AND SOUVENIRS FROM THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FRANK YUE, AND A MEMBER OF THE COMMERCIAL AREA COMMITTEE, MR WONG CHUNG-YING.
- - 0 - -
CLEARWAY RESTRICTION M M M M
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 30), THE SECTION OF HOW MING STREET BETWEEN WAI YIP STREET AND HOI BUN ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS, OR LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
TRAFFIC ON THE ABOVE SECTION OF HOW MING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
- - o -
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1984
- 11 -
NEW ROAD LINK AT TSUEN WAN M M *
TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS PROPOSING TO CONSTRUCT A ROAD LINK AS PART OF THE REDEVELOPMENT OF HOI PA VILLAGE.
THE LINK WILL CONNECT EXISTING SECTIONS OF TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREA WHEN A SECTION OF YAN CHAI STREET IS CLOSED TO MAKE WAY FOR BUILDING AN EXTENSION TO YAN CHAI HOSPITAL.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORK HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY! AT TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 1OTH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK, 174-208, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN; AND AT TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY MARCH 27.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT KA NING PATH M M M
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 30), THE WESTERN END OF KA NING PATH WILL BE RESTRICTED TO VEHICLES REQUIRING LOCAL ACCESS.
MEANWHILE, THE SUSPENSION OF THE +TRAM—ONLY+ LANE ON KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 501 AND TIN CHIU STREET, WHICH HAS BEEN IN FORCE SINCE SEPTEMBER 1983, WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THE MEASURE IS TO FACILITATE WORK ON THE MTR ISLAND LINE.
-----------o-----------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN M M M
THE SECTION OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD BETWEEN YUEN WO ROAD AND TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD NEAR P5 BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 6 PM TO 7 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 30) TO FACILITATE THE SWITCH-ON CEREMONY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVE LIGHTINGS IN SHA TIN.
MOTORISTS WHO WISH TO CROSS SHING MUN RIVER MAY USE EITHER FO TAN ROAD NEAR P6 BRIDGE OR LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR P4 BRIDGE.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO-
MORE FOREIGN COMPANIES COME TO HONG KONG ................................................................ 1
HONG KONG COMMUNITY GROWING STRONGER .................................................................. 2
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY ................................................................................... 2
HOLIDAY RUSH AT HONG KONG AIRPORT ...................................................................................... 4
RESIDENTS TOLD ABOUT FIRE DANGER .................................. 5
LUNAR NEW YEAR FIRE PREVENTION ADVICE ........................................ 6
NEED FOR VENTILATION STRESSED ................................................................................................... 7
PROPER DISPOSAL OF REFUSE URGED.................................................................................. 8
SITE PREPARATION FOR NEW PLAYGROUND ................................................................................ 8
LABORATORY SAFETY SEMINAR ................................................................................................................ 9
TENDERS INVITED FOR TAI PO ROaD PROJECT ............................ 9
HANDBOOK CM TAI PO PUBLISHED ..................................................... 10
TSUEN WAN BRIGHTENING UP ................................................................................................................... 10
CHILDREN'S FORTNIGHT ENDS WITH CONCERT ...................................................................... 11
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT AT KENNEDY ROAD ................................................................................ 11
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1984
1
MORE FOREIGN COMPANIES COME TO HONG KONG * *
*
*
A TOTAL OF 257 FOREIGN COMPANIES SET UP BUSINESS IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE COMMERCIAL DIVISION OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
WITH 84 DELETIONS FROM THE REGISTRY OVER THE YEAR, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FOREIGN BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS ROSE BY 10 PER CENT FROM 1 699 TO 1 872, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, POINTED OUT.
OF THE NEW ESTABLISHMENTS, 78 COME UNDER .MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES*
, THE LARGEST SINGLE NUMBER.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY INSURANCE WITH 51 ESTABLISHMENTS, FINANCIAL TRUST AND INVESTMENT WITH 19, THE LAND AND BUILDINGS SECTOR WITH 11, ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OPERATION WITH 10 AND BANKING WITH 9.
FOUR NEW COMPANIES ARE ENGAGED IN THE TEXTILES SECTOR.
THE REST COVER A BROAD ARRAY OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS, RANGING FROM SHIPPING, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS, ADVERTISING AND NEWSPAPER PUBLISHING TO HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS, TOURISM AND TRANSPORT.
THE UNITED STATES LEADS WITH 64 NEW ESTABLISHMENTS, THE UNITED KINGDOM WITH 60, JAPAN WITH 41 AND SINGAPORE WITH 13.
OF THE 1 872 FOREIGN COMPANIES REGISTERED, THE UNITED STATES TOPS THE LIST WITH 436 COMPANIES, FOLLOWED BY THE UK WITH 279 COMPANIES, JAPAN WITH 223 AND SINGAPORE WITH 106.
THE REGISTRY SHOWS THAT THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN AND LOCAL COMPANIES COMBINED INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT LAST YEAR, FROM 108 302 TO 118 680.
EXISTING COMPANIES INCREASED THEIR NOMINAL CAPITAL BY $12,928 BILLION, COMPARED WITH AN INCREASE OF $19,451 BILLION IN 1982.
THE NOMINAL CAPITAL OF NEW COMPANIES INCORPORATED LAST YEAR TOTALLED $3,469 BILLION, COMPARED WITH $3,939 BILLION FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE AMOUNT SECURED BY CHARGES REGISTERED ON THE ASSETS OF COMPANIES INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT, FROM $46,880 BILLION TO $51,921 BILLION.
THE AMOUNT REPAID ON CHARGES, AS SHOWN BY CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION, DECREASED BY 36 PER CENT, FROM $14,729 BILLION TO $9,356 BILLION.
DURING THE YEAR, 35 PROSPECTUSES OF NEW PUBLIC COMPANIES, INCLUDING 11 FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, WERE APPROVED, AS AGAINST 28 PROSPECTUSES, INCLUDING 13 FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
DURING THE YEAR 6 206 APPLICATIONS FOR TRADE MARKS WERE RECEIVED, DOWN FROM 6 384 IN 1982.
AT 2 802, THE NUMBER OF NEW TRADE MARKS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG WAS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN IN 1982, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 40 915.
------------0 -------------- /2 ...............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1984
2
HONG KONG COMMUNITY GROWING STRONGER * *
*
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES TODAY (SUNDAY) STRESSED THAT HONG KONG WAS A STRONG COMMUNITY AND WAS GROWING STRONGER.
.HONG KONG IS NOW A MUCH MORE COMPLETE COMMUNITY THAN IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO,+ HE SAID.
BUT HE ADDED THAT THE WORK OF BUILDING THE COMMUNITY HAD NOT FINISHED.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURAL BALL OF THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR AKERS-JONES SAID HONG KONG HAD CHANGED FROM A RELATIVELY UNSOPHISTICATED MANUFACTURING CENTRE INTO A HIGHLY ORGANISED MODERN METROPOLIS.
.
WE ARE AN ARTICULATE COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE A PROVEN SYSTEM FOR MAKING OUR VIEWS KNOWN, AND THIS SYSTEM IS CAPABLE OF BEING FURTHER DEVELOPED,. HE SAID.
.
WE ARE AN EDUCATED AND HIGHLY TRAINED COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND ADVANCED TRAINING ARE BEING EXPANDED.
.
WE ARE AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE, A PLACE OF LIFE, TRAVEL AND COMMUNICATION WITH THE WORLD.
.
WE ARE A CULTURAL CROSSROADS AND THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT ARE NOW ENRICHING OUR LIVES AS NEVER BEFORE.
.
LET US RESOLVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS NEW YEAR OF 1984 THAT WE WILL BE STEADFAST IN OUR RESOLVE TO CONTINUE WITH THIS GREAT WORK,+ HE SAID.
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY * *
*
#
SPECIAL TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY (THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2) WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE DISPLAY IS TO TAKE PLACE IN VICTORIA HARBOUR. IT wILL START AT 8 PM AND LAST 30 MINUTES.
ON BOTH HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON THERE WILL BE SPECIAL PEDESTRIAN-ONLY AREAS TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO VIEW THE FIREWORKS FROM GOOD VANTAGE POINTS.
THERE WILL BE EXTRA BUS, TRAM, FERRY AND MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SERVICES TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASED PUBLIC DEMAND BEFORE AND AFTER THE DISPLAY.
TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS AMPLE SPACE FOR ALL THOSE WHO WISH TO SEE THE DISPLAY AND THAT DISRUPTION TO TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC IS KEPT TO A MINIMUM, A NUMBER OF ROAD CLOSURES AND OTHER ALTERATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ARE REQUIRED.
/A TSUNbPO?
SUNDAY, JANUARY
- 3
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GAVE DETAILS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISPLAY.
IN CENTRAL, THE SUNDAY-PUBLIC HOLIDAY PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT AT CHATER ROAD AND ICE HOUSE STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT.
IN THE PEAK AREA, UPHILL TRAFFIC EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, MAXICABS, PRIVATE OMNIBUSES AND TAXIS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE SECTION OF PEAK ROAD WEST OF MAGAZINE GAP ROAD FROM 6 PM UNTIL CROWDS HAVE DISPERSED. HOWEVER, DOWNHILL TRAFFIC WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
PEAK RESIDENTS REQUIRING EMERGENCY ACCESS TO THE AREA DURING THE CLOSURE MAY CONTACT THE PEAK POLICE STATION ON 5-96242.
A NUMBER OF ROADS IN THE WAN CHAI WATERFRONT WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 6.30 PM. MANY OTHERS ON COASTAL TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 7 PM AND 10 PM. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO WATCH TRAFFIC SIGNS.
ADDITIONAL TRIPS WILL BE OPERATED ON CMB ROUTE 15 AND ITS FREQUENCY WILL BE STRENGTHENED TO SIX MINUTES.
HYF WILL CANCEL ITS WAN CHAI-JORDAN ROAD SERVICE AFTER 7.20 PM, AND WILL RESUME NORMAL SERVICE AT 8.40 PM. AND FOR THE WAN CHAI-HUNG HOM SERVICE, SAILINGS WILL BE CANCELLED BETWEEN 7 PM AND 8.45 PM.
FROM 6 PM TO 8 PM, ALL ENTRANCES OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI MTR STATION EXCEPT THE CAMERON ROAD ENTRANCE WILL BE RESERVED FOR OUT-GOING PASSENGERS ONLY. AFTER 8 PM, ALL EXCEPT THE CARNAVON ROAD ENTRANCE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO IN-COMING PASSENGERS ONLY. THE HUMPHREYS AVENUE ENTRANCE WILL BE CLOSED THROUGHOUT THE EVENING. TO AVOID CONGESTION, PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED TO USE JORDAN STATION.
SPECIAL ENTRY AND EXIT ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED AT JORDAN STATION IN THE EVENT OF OVERCROWDING.
THE STAR FERRY BUS TERMINUS IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 7 PM AND 10 PM. TERMINAL FACILITIES WILL BE REPROV IS I ONtD AT THE KMB COACH TERMINUS AT PEKING ROAD AND THE TEMPORARY LAY-OVER AREAS AT SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD AND GRANVILLE ROAD.
ACCESS TO CAR PARKS AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL, NEW WORLD CENTRE, KOWLOON RAILWAY STATION AND MIDDLE ROAD WILL BE BANNED BETWEEN 6.30 PM AND 10 PM.
CROWDS ARE EXPECTED TO GATHER ON THE ROOFS OF THE CAR PARKS AT CITY HALL, STAR FERRY AND RUMSEY STREET TO WATCH THE DISPL.C MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO REMOVE THEIR VEHICLES FROM THESE CAR PARKS BEFORE 7 PM TO AVOID BEING DAMAGED.
ALL PARKING FACILITIES AT THE PEAK AND IN TSIM SHA TSU i COASTAL AREAS WILL BE SUSPENDED AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARc ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1934 ‧
4
HOLIDAY RUSH AT HONG KONG AIRPORT
******
THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED PEOPLE WHO w ILL BE TRAVELLING BY AIR DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY PERIOD TO OBSERVE A FEW SIMPLE GUIDELINES TO HELP EASE CONGESTION AT HONG KONG AIRPORT.
FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY), THE DEPARTING PASSENGER TRAFFIC IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY AND WILL REACH ITS PEAK ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY.
THE ARRIVING PASSENGER TRAFFIC IS EXPECTED TO BUILD UP GRADUALLY ON THE THIRD OR FOURTH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
.PASSENGERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT EARLY AND CHECK-IN EARLY,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT SAID.
HE ALSO URGED THEM TO TRAVEL TO THE AIRPORT BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT INSTEAD OF PRIVATE CARS, AND TO KEEP THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SEEING THEM OFF TO THE MINIMUM.
A SPECIAL CHECK-IN AREA FOR GUANGZHOU-BOUND PASSENGERS ON EXTRA FLIGHTS WILL BE SET UP AT THE WESTERN-END OF THE DEPARTURES HALL TO PROCESS THE LARGE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS EXPECTED.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WILL BE PLACED TO GUIDE THESE PASSENGERS TO DISEMBARK FROM VEHICLES AT THE FAR END OF THE DEPARTURE LEVEL FRONTAGE ROAD NEAREST TO THE SPECIAL CHECK-IN AREA.
THE ARRANGEMENT WILL HELP REDUCE UNNECESSARY CROSS-FLO*
OF PEOPLE AND BAGGAGE MOVEMENT IN THE DEPARTURES HALL.
.CONGESTION IS UNAVOIDABLE DURING THIS HEAVY TRAFFIC HOLIDAY PERIOD. HOWEVER, THE AIRPORT WILL BE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE IF PASSENGERS WILL ADHERE TO THE GUIDELINES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
.THE EFFICIENCY OF AIRPORT OPERATION WILL DEPEND GREATLY ON THE DEGREE OF CO-OPERATION FROM THE PUBLIC,*
HE ADDED.
c
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1984
5
RESIDENTS TOLD ABOUT FIRE DANGER * *
*
*
IN THE TWO MONTHS FROM NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE TUEN MUN FIRE STATION RESPONDED TO OVER 130 CALLS.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER CF NEW TERRITORIES FIRE COMMAND, MR CHEUNG SHU-SHING WHEN HE OFFICIALLY OPENED THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT FIRE PREVENTION DAY IN YAN 01 SQUARE, TUEN MUN.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FIRE SERVICES, TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.
THE FIRES, WHICH WERE MOSTLY CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS, RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ONE LIFE AND MUCH PROPERTY, AND IN SIX CASUALTIES, MR CHEUNG SAID.
HE REMINDED TUEN MUN RESIDENTS TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST FIRE AT ALL TIMES, AND NEVER TO SLACKEN THEIR EFFORTS, BECAUSE +A MOMENT CF CARELESSNESS COULD LEAD TO TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES*
.
.I BELIEVE THAT YOU ALL HAVE LEARNT FROM THE NEWSPAPERS ABOUT THE MAJOR FIRE CATASTROPHIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES RECENTLY. THE SHOCKING DEATH TOLL IS INDEED APPALLING AND CAN SERVE AS A CAUTION TO US,*
MR CHEUNG WARNED.
THE NEW TUEN MUN FIRE STATION WAS BUILT AND COMMISSIONED IN 1980, TO REPLACE THE OLD SAN HUI FIRE STATION. THE STATION NOW HAS 12 FIRE APPLIANCES WITH OVER 70 FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL.
IT IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH THE MOST ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT, AND AN AMBULANCE DEPOT.
LAST YEAR ALONE THE STATION HAD RESPONDED TO A TOTAL OF 444 CALLS.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG, PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, MRS BETTY SHUM, AND CHAIRMAN OF HEUNG YEE KUK AND TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU WONG-FAT.
- - 0 - -
/6 ...
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1984
6
LUNAR NEW YEAR FIRE PREVENTION ADVICE * *
*
* NEVER STORE MORE THAN ONE CONTAINER OF FUEL AT ONE TIME AND KEEP IT WELL AWAY FROM ANY SOURCE OF HEAT;
* DO NOT FILL A KEROSENE STOVE OR HEATER WHEN IT IS ALIGHT, AND
* KEEP THE CORRIDORS AND STAIRCASES FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION.
THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO ADVISED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE WHEN THEY VISIT THE COUNTRYSIDE.
THE PUBLIC WERE URGED TODAY (SUNDAY) TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO FIRE RISKS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP SAID, +PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE SPECIAL CARE AGAINST FIRE DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD WHEN HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND COOKING STOVES ARE FREQUENTLY USED, AND TRADITIONAL WORSHIPPING RITUALS HELD.+
.IF THERE IS A DROP IN HUMIDITY IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, THE RISK OF FIRE OUTBREAKS WILL BE EVEN HIGHER,. HE ADDED.
FIRES CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL FAULTS AND BY CARELESS HANDLING OF CIGARETTES, MATCHES, JOSS STICKS AND CANDLES ACCOUNTED FOR 45 PER CENT OF THE 10 585 FIRE CALLS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1983.
.MANY OF THEM COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF ONLY THE BASIC FIRE PREVENTION RULES HAD BEEN OBSERVED,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THESE RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
*
MAKE SURE ALL HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES ARE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION ?
*
AVOID OVERLOADING THE POWER POINTS;
*
ATTEND TO COOKING FACILITIES IN USE;
*
SWITCH OFF ALL ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES BEFORE LEAVING HOME;
M KEEP MATCHES AND LIGHTERS OUT OF CHILDREN’S REACH;
*
BURN JOSS-STICKS, JOSS-CANDLES, PAPER MONEY AND OTHER ITEMS IN METAL CONTAINERS AND KEEP THEM FROM ANY INFLAMMABLE material;
*
PROVIDE VISITORS WITH ENOUGH ASHTRAYS AND BEFORE YOU EMPTY AN ASHTRAY, MAKE SURE THE ASHES AND ALL CIGARETTE BUTTS ARE EXTINGUISHED;
/PICNICKERS MUST ...............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 198U
PICNICKERS MUST USE DESIGNATED AREAS FOR BARBECUE AND THEY MUST ENSURE ALL FIRES ARE COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE THEY LEAVE. BETTER STILL, THEY SHOULD BRING PRE-COOKED FOOD.
.ANYONE WHO CAUSES A FIRE IN THE COUNTRY PARK IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5 000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT. THE PENALTY FOR CAUSING A FIRE ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE IS $2 000,+ THE SPOKESMAN WARNED.
-------------0---------------
NEED FOR VENTILATION STRESSED * *
*
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, IN ITS ON-GOING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CAMPAIGNS, IS GIVING SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE PREVENTION OF POISONING BY TOXIC GASES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN WORKPLACES.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THREE SPECIAL TV API’S (ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTERESTS) NAMELY, .VENTILATION*
, +TOXIC CHEMICALS+ AND +CORROSIVE CHEMICALS*
ARE CURRENTLY BEING SCREENED ON BOTH THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE CHANNELS OF ATV AND TVB.
A SPECIAL POSTER ON +VENTILATION*
HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE TV API ON THE SAME SUBJECT.
THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE DEPARTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, CONTINUES TO ADVISE FACTORY PROPRIETORS ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADEQUATE VENTILATION OF WORKROOMS AND AT THE SAME TIME TO ENFORCE THE SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS CONCERNING GENERAL VENTILATION OF WORKROOMS AND LOCAL EXHAUST SYSTEMS FOR SPECIAL PROCESSES UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REGULATIONS.
DURING THEIR INSPECTIONS TO FACTORIES, THEY PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO PROCESSES WHICH MAY GENERATE TOXIC GASES WITHOUT ADEQUATE VENTILATION, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO ASSIST INDUSTRY IN ALL MATTERS CONCERNING SAFETY AND HEALTH.
.ANY INDUSTRIALIST WHO HAS ANY DOUBTS ON ANY SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD RELATING TO HIS PLANT OR MACHINERY IS STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WHOSE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FREE AT ALL BRANCH OFFICES OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE, LOCATED IN MOST OF THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR,*
HE ADDED.
/8.............
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1984 ‧
PROPER DISPOSAL OF REFUSE URGED * M *
*
RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE URGED TODAY TO DISPOSE OF REFUSE AND OLD ARTICLES PROPERLY WHILE CLEANING UP THEIR HOMES FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
MEANWHILE, WITH THE APPROACH OF THE LUNAR FESTIVAL, THE TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS LAUNCHED A SIX-DAY CLEAN-UP OPERATION THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE OPERATION, WHICH STARTED ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 27), WILL LAST UNTIL NEW YEAR’S EVE ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 1), A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALL REFUSE COLLECTION FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC.
IN ADDITION, THE DEPARTMENT HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN 100 SITES WHERE NT RESIDENTS MAY DISPOSE OF BULKY OLD ARTICLES.
INDUSTRIAL REFUSE AND BUILDING DEBRIS SHOULD BE DELIVERED TO THE CONTROLLED TIP AT JUNK BAY FOR DISPOSAL. NO PERMIT IS REQUIRED.
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED THERE WILL BE NO REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE BY THE DEPARTMENT ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY WHICH FALLS ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 2).
SITE PREPARATION FOR NEW PLAYGROUND KO#
THE FORMER KAI TAK AMUSEMENT PARK SITE IS TO BE DEVELOPED INTO A DISTRICT PLAYGROUND.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SITE PREPARATION WORK.
THIS WILL START IN MARCH AND BE COMPLETED IN THREE MONTHS.
A FAN-SHAPED PLAYGROUND MEASURING 20 000 SQUARE METRES WILL THEN BE BUILT IN TWO STAGES UNDER SEPARATE CONTRACTS.
IN STAGE I, A 420-METRE-L0NG JOGGING TRACK, TWO MINI-SOCCER PITCHES, A CHINESE PAVILION AND SITTING-OUT AREAS WILL BE BUILT.
WORK IN STAGE II WILL INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STOREY BUILDING WITH 82 COOKED FOOD STALLS ON THE LOWER FLOORS AND AN INDOOR GAMES HALL ON THE UPPER FLOORS. THERE WILL BE A CHILDREN’S LIBRARY AND PLAY AREAS, SIX INDOOR BADMINTON COURTS, FIVE TENNIS COURTS, TWO BASKET BALL COURTS, A VOLLEY BALL COURT, A HAND BALL PITCH AND A REST GARDEN.
LANDSCAPING WORK WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE PLAYGROUND.
THE WHOLE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END
OF 1986
THE PLAYGROUND WILL SERVE THE APPROXIMATELY 400 000 RESIDENTS CF WONG TAI SIN.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1984
9
LABORATORY SAFETY SEMINAR * *
*
*
A SEMINAR ON SCHOOL LABORATORY SAFETY WILL BE HELD FOR CHEMISTRY TEACHERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS ON MARCH 24.
THE SEMINAR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAFETY OFFICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. IT WILL BE HELD AT THE CHEMISTRY THEATRE, CHEMISTRY BUILDING, G/F, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, POKFULAM ROAD.
THE SEMINAR WILL FEATURE TALKS ON THE SAFETY MANAGEMENT OF A SCHOOL LABORATORY AND THE COMMON HAZARDS IN A CHEMISTRY LABORATORY.
OWING TO LIMITED SEATING, ONLY 250 TEACHERS WILL BE ACCEPTED TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR. APPLICATIONS WILL THEREFORE BE TREATED ON A *
FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED+ BASIS.
HEADS OF SCHOOLS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATIONS TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (CHEMISTRY), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 5/F., HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
TENDERS INVITED FOR TAI PO ROAD PROJECT X x x
THE TAI PO AND FANLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A ROAD PROJECT AT TAI PO NEW TOWN.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF 300 METRES CF DUAL CARRIAGEWAY AND A 250-METRE-LONG SINGLE ROAD TO FU SHIN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON TAI PO RECLAMATION.
ALSO TO BE PROVIDED AT THE ESTATE AS PART OF THE CONTRACT ARE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS ROADS, A TEMPORARY BUS STATION, LANDSCAPING AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE AND SEWAGE SYSTEMS.
KWONG FUK ROAD BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED AND EVENTUALLY DEMOLISHED WHEN A NEW BRIDGE FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS ACROSS LAM TSUEN RIVER IS BUILT.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES REALIGNMENT OF LAM TSUEN RIVER AND ALTERATIONS TO ROADS AT TAI PO MARKET AS PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TAI PO CENTRAL AREA TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME.
ALSO PLOVER COVE ROAD WILL BE EXTENDED AND TAI PO WHOLESALE FISH MARKET WILL BE REPROVISIONED TO A NEW SITE AT YIM TIN TSAI.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN APRIL.
- o -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1984
1C
HANDBOOK &N TAI PO PUBLISHED * *
*
M
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD HAS PUBLISHED A HANDBOOK CONTAINING INFORMATION ON SERVICES AND FACILITIES AVAILABLE IN THE NEW TOWN.
THE 44-PAGE PUBLICATION, ENTITLED +HOME IN TAI PO*
, COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS INCLUDING HOUSING, SCHOOLING, JOB OPPORTUNITIES, TRANSPORT AND PASTIME.
WRITTEN IN CHINESE AND ILLUSTRATED WITH COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS AND CHARTS, THE HANDBOOK ALSO COVERS DISTRICT’S HISTORY, POPULATION AND SCENIC SPOTS.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PUBLIC UTILITIES AND FACILITIES, WELFARE ASSOCIATIONS AND SERVICES ORGANISATIONS ARE LISTED.
.THROUGH THE HANDBOOK, RESIDENTS WILL KNOW BETTER THEIR DISTRICT WHICH HAS BEEN UNDERGOING DRAMATIC CHANGES FROM A RURAL FISHING VILLAGE INTO A MODERN COMMUNITY,*
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD SAID.
.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE PUBLICATION WILL ALSO ENABLE PEOPLE TO TAKE PART MORE ACTIVELY IN LOCAL ACTIVITIES SO THAT THE OLD AND NEW RESIDENTS CAN BLEND TOGETHER TO BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY.*
THE BOARD HAS SPENT $60 000 TO PRINT 250 000 COPIES OF THE HANDBOOK FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION TO FAMILIES IN TAI PO.
TSUEN WAN BRIGHTENING UP K *
*
THE TOWN CENTRE OF TSUEN WAN BRIGHTENED UP THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING FOLLOWING THE SWITCHING ON OF THE FESTIVE LIGHTINGS BY MRS OPHELIA MACPHERSON, WIFE OF THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FESTIVE DECORATIONS, PUT UP BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AT $65 000 ARE AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AND KWAI CHUNG ROUNDABOUTS AND ALONG MAJOR ROADS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE LIGHTINGS AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ROUNDABOUT FEATURE A HEXAGONAL CHINESE PALACE LANTERN WITH FESTIVE GREETINGS, WHILE THE DECORATIONS AT THE KWAI CHUNG ROUNDABOUT DISPLAY THE THREE +GODS OF FORTUNE*
.
ABOUT 9 000 LIGHT BULBS AND BANNERS WITH THE SEASON’S GREETINGS ARE ALSO MOUNTED AT MAJOR ROADS.
THE LIGHTS WILL BE ON BETWEEN 6 PM AND MIDNIGHT EVERY NIGHT UNTIL THE EIGHTH DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, AND UNTIL 6 AM OK NEW YEAR’S EVE AND NEW YEAR’S DAY.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 1984
11
CHILDREN’S FORTNIGHT ENDS WITH CONCERT * *
*
*
A GALA CONCERT MARKING THE CLOSE OF THE COLOURFUL +KOWLOON REGION CHILDREN’S FORTNIGHT+ WAS HELD AT THE ACADEMIC HALL TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE FORTNIGHT, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WAS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE KWUN TONG CHILDREN’S CHORUS, AND SPONSORED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD.
THE PROGRAMME WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING CHILDREN’S CHORAL MUSIC AND DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN CHOIR MEMBERS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS AS WELL AS ENHANCING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BELONGING AMONG DISTRICT RESIDENTS.
MUSIC CLASSES, LECTURES, SEMINARS AND FILM SHOWS WERE ALSO HELD DURING THE TWO-WEEK PERIOD.
COMMENTING ON TODAY’S CONCERT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE CHILDREN PERFORMED IN A CONCERT HALL FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THEIR GENERAL PERFORMANCE AND STAGE MANNER.
.MANY OF THESE CHILDREN POSSESS GREAT MUSICAL POTENTIAL AND WITH MORE PROPER TRAINING AND HARD WORK, THEY COULD BE THE MUSIC MAKERS OF TOMORROW,*
HE ADDED.
A TOTAL OF EIGHT CHILDREN’S CHOIRS FROM VARIOUS DISTRICTS TOOK PART IN TODAY'S CONCERT. THEY WERE HEEP WOH PRIMARY SCHOOL, SHAM SHUI PO CHILDREN’S CHOIR, ST. PHILIP LUTHERAN SCHOOL, YAUMATEI- TSIM SHA TSUI CHILDREN’S CHOIR, HEEP YAN PRIMARY SCHOOL, MARYKNOLL CONVENT SCHOOL AND KWUN TONG CHILDREN’S CHORUS (SENIOR AND INTERMEDIATE).
IN ADDITION, THE SYMPHONIC BAND OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE FAMOUS PRESENTERS OF TVB’S CHILDREN PROGRAMME *
430 SPACE SHUTTLE*
BROUGHT EXTRA FUN AND JOY TO THE AUDIENCE AS GUEST PERFORMERS.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT AT KENNEDY ROAD M *
M
KENNEDY ROAD FROM HOUSE NOS 4 TO 20 WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM 3 AM TO 5 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 31) FOR ROAD WORK.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CLEAR SIGNS OF PROPERTY MARKET REVIVAL : FRY ................................................ 1
$200 MILLION MA ON SHAN PROJECT DUE............................................................................. 4
FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE PRESS CONFERENCE ................................................................... 5
NEW WORK SITE SAFETY LAS EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY................................................... 5
LITTER IS A BIG COUNTRY PARKS PROBLEM...................................................................... 6
AUSTRALIAN PREMIER LEAVES TOMORROW ............................................................................... 7
RESIDENTS WARNED OF FAULTY WIRING ................................................................................... 7
REMINDER ABOUT USE OF PIERS ...................................................................................................... 8
WORKSHOP OFFERED ON NEWSPAPER USE ................................................................................... 8
TINDERS INVITED FOR TUEN MUN PROJECT ......................................................................... 9
NT SPORTS GROUNDS CLOSE TWO DAYS ......................................................................................
MAXICAB ROUTES TENDER PERIOD EXTENDED ...................................................................... 11
WATER FIGURES .............................................................................‧..................................................................
FIRING PRACTICE
12
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1984
.
CLEAR SIGNS OF PROPERTY MARKET REVIVAL i FRY * *
*
*
*
THERE ARE NOW CLEAR SIGNS OF A REVIVAL IN THE PROPERTY MARKET, THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR RAYMOND FRY, SAID TODAY.
COMMENTING ON PRELIMINARY STATISTICS AVAILABLE TO HIM, MR FRY SAID EARLY ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE TAKE-UP OF ACCOMMODATION IN ALL SECTORS WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER LAST YEAR THAN IN 1982.
MR FRY FELT THAT OF EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANCE — WITH THE NOTABLE EXCEPTION OF OFFICES AND LARGER DOMESTIC UNITS — WAS THE REDUCTION IN SPACE FOUND VACANT AT THE END OF 1983. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER.
THIS SEEMED TO INDICATE THAT END-USERS WERE TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY, IN THE PRESENT SOFT MARKET CONDITIONS TO +FULFIL THEIR ACCOMMODATION NEEDS,*
HE SAID.
.IT ALSO.+ HE ADDED, .SUGGESTS THAT DEVELOPERS SHOULD NOW BE TAKING A HARD LOOK AT FUTURE PROSPECTS SINCE, ALTHOUGH FIGURES ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE, THE INDICATORS ARE THAT REVISED FORECASTS CF SUPPLY FOR MOST SECTORS IN 1984 WILL SHOW A DOWNWARD TREND.
MR FRY WAS COMMENTING ON THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF SURVEYS UNDERTAKEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S 1984 PROPERTY REVIEW. HE SAID IT WOULD TAKE A MONTH OR SO BEFORE ALL THE COLLECTED DATA IS TABULATED.
ABOUT 28 000 DOMESTIC UNITS WERE TAKEN UP DURING 1983, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE YEARLY FIGURE OF UNDER 21 000 OVER THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS. THE OVERALL DOMESTIC VACANCY FELL FROM 31 700 UNITS AT THE END OF 1982 TO 25 500 UNITS (OR ABOUT 4.7 PER CENT OF TOTAL STOCK) AT THE END OF 1983.
HOWEVER, VACANCIES OF DOMESTIC UNITS WITH A FLOOR AREA OF DO SQUARE METRES OR MORE INCREASED IN THE FACE OF A CONTINUING HIGH LEVEL OF SUPPLY. ALTHOUGH THE TAKE-UP, AT 1 800 UNITS, WAS WELL ABOVE THE 1982 FIGURE OF 1 200 UNITS, MORE THAN 2 600 SUCH UNITS CAME ONTO THE MARKET IN 1983, HE SAID.
TAKE-UP IN RESPECT OF ALL THE MAIN NON-DOMESTIC SECTORS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN 1983, AS COMPARED WITH 1982.
RESULTING FROM THE INCREASED TAKE-UP AND SMALLER SUPPLY. VACANCIES IN FLATTED FACTORIES AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES BOTH FELL DURING THE YEAR.
THE RECORD TAKE-UP OF OFFICE SPACE AT 371 000 SQUARE METRES WAS PARTICULARLY NOTEWORTHY, BEING AN INCREASE OF ALMOST 47 PER CENT OVER THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE FOR 1982. NOTWITHSTANDING, VACANT OFFICE SPACE AT THE END OF THE YEAR STOOD AT JUST UNDER 800 000 SQUARE METRES. AN INCREASE OF 38 PER CENT OVER THE POSITION A YEAR EARLIER.
/+IT IS..............
MONDAY, JANUABY JO, 1984
2
.IT IS APPARENT,. SAID MR FRY, +THAT SUPPLY IN THIS SECTOR IS STILL AHEAD OF DEMAND..
MR FRY REPEATED THAT THE FIGURES QUOTED WERE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS ONLY. THE REVIEW WAS EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED IN APRIL, AND FURTHER DETAILS WOULD BE RELEASED WHEN THEY BECAME AVAILABLE, l￡ SAID.
A SUMMARY OF SUPPLY, TAKE-UP AND VACANCY WITHIN THE MAIN SECTORS, OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, IS ATTACHED.
QUERIES REGARDING THE FIGURES CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE SHOULD. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S TECHNICAL SECRETARY (MR M.J. WILLIAMS, TEL. 5-7957613), MR FRY POINTED OUT.
PRIVATE DOMESTIC (ALL PREMISES)
(NO. OF UNITS)
SUPPLY
TAKE-UP
VACANCY
1981
34 500
19 300
29 700
5.9
1982
23 900
19 600
31 700
6.0
1983
23 900
27 800
25 500
4.7
PRIVATE
DOMESTIC (LARGER
UNITS - FLOOR
AREA OF 100 SQ M.
AND OVER)
(NO. OF
UNITS)
SUPPLY
TAKE-UP
VACANCY
1981
2 500
1 200
2 900
7.3
1982
2 500
1 200
3 800
9.1
1983
2 600
1 800
4 400
9.9
/COMMERCIAL .............
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1984
COMMERCIAL
- 3 -
( '000 SQ M.)
VACANCY
SUPPLY
TAKE-UP
1981
315
178
423
8.9
1982
368
198
545
10.7
1983
270
243
541
10.1
OFFICES
( ’000 SQ
M.)
SUPPLY
TAKE-UP
VACANCY
1981
319
203
302
11.0
1982
546
253
573
17.6
1983
591
371
793
20.6
FLATTED FACTORIES
( ’000 SQ
M.)
SUPPLY
TAKE-UP
VACANCY
96M
1981
1 122
730
795
7.5
1982
1 041
571
1 219
10.5
1983
621
727
1 089
8.9
M VACANCY AT THE END OF THE YEAR EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL STOCK.
------------0------------
/4..............
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1984
- 4 -
$200 MILLION MA ON SHAN PROJECT DUE KO*
A CONTRACT FOR A FURTHER MASSIVE RECLAMATION PROJECT AT MA ON SHAN IS EXPECTED TO BE AWARDED IN ABOUT ONE MONTH.
UNDER THE $200-MILLI0N CONTRACT, 61 MORE HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE FORMED OVER A THREE-AND-A-HALF-YEAR PERIOD.
WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED THE LAND WILL BE USED TO BUILD THE TOWN CENTRE FOR MA ON SHAN. THE TOWN PARK, A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE FOR 20 600 PEOPLE AND A PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME (PSPS) PROJECT FOR 18 000 PEOPLE.
A FURTHER 16 HECTARES WILL BE RECLAIMED FOR FACILITIES, SUCH AS SEWAGE TREATMENT, ROADS AND DRAINS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
WORK ON THE FIRST TWO MAJOR ROAD CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE ACCESS 70 MA ON SHAN WILL START IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR AND BE READY IN TIME FOR USE BY RESIDENTS OF A NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.
70
WORK WILL START AT ABOUT THE PUMP SEWAGE FROM MA ON SHAN TO
SAME TIME ON BUILDING A STATION THE TREATMENT WORKS AT SHA TIN.
IT WILL ALSO BE READY WHEN THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS MOVE IN.
DEVELOPMENT OF MA ON SHAN, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A POPULATION OF 300 000 PEOPLE, BEGAN ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO WITH THE RECLAMATION IN PHASE I OF 12 HECTARES OF LAND FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE FOR 16 000 PEOPLE. RECLAMATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND PILING WORK FOR THE NEW ESTATE WILL BEGIN IN MARCH.
RECLAMATION OF A FURTHER 39 HECTARES IN PHASE II IS NOW PROGRESSING AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE READY BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
THIS WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING FOR 23 000 PEOPLE AND FOR A PSPS PROJECT FOR 14 500 PEOPLE.
FOUR HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRY BY THE END OF 1985.
UNDER THE FIRST STAGE OF DEVELOPING MA ON SHAN, 150 000 PEOPLE WILL BE ACCOMMODATED.
THE POSSIBILITY IS BEING CONSIDERED OF A BRANCH LINE OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY RUNNING FROM TAI WAI, SHA TIN, THROUGH MA ON SHAN.
ALTHOUGH MA ON SHAN IS BORDERED BY A COUNTRY PARK, THERE IS PROVISION IN THE DEVELOPMENT FOR A LARGE AMOUNT OF OPEN SPACE AND AREAS OF GREEN BELT.
------------0 - - - -
/5 ..............
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1984
■ )
NOTE TO EDITORS t
FISHT CRIME COMMITTEE PRESS CONFERENCE * *
*
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) ON THE RE-CONSTITUTED FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S FIRST REPORT. COVERING ITS WORK FROM MAY TO OCTOBER 1983.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY. SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE. ALSO PRESENT WILL BE MR MICHAEL THOMAS, ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO IS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF FCC, MR DAVID JEAFFRESON. SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ROY HENRY, COMMISSIONER CF POLICE AND DR. HO KAM-FAI, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT GIS CONFERENCE ROOM, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 5TH FLOOR. THEY ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 2.45 PM WHEN A BRIEF ON MATTERS COVERED BY THE FCC REPORT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FOR STUDY.
TV REPRESENTATIVES ARE URGED TO ARRIVE EARLY TO ALLOW AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
- - - - 0 ------------
NEW WORK SITE SAFETY LAW EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY * *
*
*
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ARE REMINDED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1983 WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 1).
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THESE AMENDED REGULATIONS WERE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE MORE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR WORKERS WORKING AT HEIGHT AND WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN JULY LAST YEAR.
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WAS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LARGEST NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS, HE SAID.
PROVISIONAL FIGURES SHOWED THERE WERE 42 783 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, INCLUDING 86 FATALITIES, LAST YEAR. OF THESE, 16 909 ACCIDENTS, INCLUDING 58 FATALITIES WERE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, WHILE ACCIDENTS UNDER THE HEAD, +FALL OF PERSONS*
ACCOUNTED FOR 2 774, INCLUDING 20 FATALITIES, HE SAID.
THE MAIN PURPOSES OF THE AMENDED REGULATIONS ARE TO IMPOSE SPECIFIC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, THERE MUST BE SAFE ACCESS TO AND EX I I FROM EVERY WORKPLACE AND SUITABLE SCAFFOLDS OR LADDERS FOR WORKING AT HEIGHT.
/ANOTHER REQUIREMENT..............
uoONDaY, January l, 1984
6
ANOTHER REQUIREMENT IS THAT A SCAFFOLD MUST EE INSPECTED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH BY A COMPETENT PERSON WHO SHOULD REPORT IN A PRESCRIBED FORM TO THE CONTRACTOR CONCERNED.
WHERE IT IS IMPRACTICABLE TO PROVIDE FENCING OR RAILINGS, SAFETY BELTS AND SAFETY NETS MUST BE PROVIDED.
A WORKER FAILING TO WEAR A SAFETY BELT PROVIDED AND WHO FAILS TO KEEP IT ATTACHED TO A SECURE ANCHORAGE WILL BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $10 000.
A NEW REGULATION HAS ALSO BEEN INTRODUCED TO PROHIBIT THE OPERATION OF MECHANICAL EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES BY UNTRAINED AND PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS TO SEEK ADVICE FROM THE DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTORS OF THEIR DISTRICTS ON DETAILS OF THE NEW REGULATIONS.
---------0-----------
LITTER IS A BIG COUNTRY PARKS PROBLEM * *
M *
LITTERING HAS BECOME A MAJOR MANAGEMENT PROBLEM IN HONG KONG'S COUNTRY PARKS. MR K.C. IU, SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER, OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, SAID TODAY.
LAST YEAR, HE SAID, MORE THAN 3 600 TONNES OF LITTER - ABOUT THE WEIGHT OF 10 PASSENGER FERRIES - WAS COLLECTED FROM 21 COUNTRY PARKS.
THIS WAS AN INCREASE OF 60 PER CENT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS. IN 1980, SOME 2 300 TONNES OF LITTER WAS PICKED UP, HE POINTED OUT.
OF THE LITTER COLLECTED LAST YEAR ABOUT ONE-THIRD - OR 1 230 TONNES - HAD BEEN THROWN ONTO THE GROUND-
HE SAID THAT 1 356 PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED LAST YEAR FOR LITTERING IN COUNTRY PARKS, AN OFFENCE THAT CARRIES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A $2 000 FINE AND THREE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT.
ANTICIPATING THE HUGE INFLUX INTO THE COUNTRY PARKS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, MR IU URGED ALL VISITORS ID USE THE 5 000 LITTER BINS AND STOCKADES PROVIDED.
SPEAKING AT A RECENT COUNTRY PARKS BOARD MEETING, W HOWARD YOUNG, A MEMBER OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG STEERING COMMITTEE. NOTED THAT THE MOMENTUM CF PROSECUTION OF LITTER OFFENCES HAD BEEN MAINTAINED IN THE COUNTRY PARKS.
HE EMPHASISED THAT PROSECUTION WAS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN AND SERVED TO REMIND THE PUBLIC TO BE CONSCIOUS OF LITTER PROBLEMS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VISITING THE PARKS ARE ALSO URGED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT FIRE WHICH SHOULD BE LIT ONLY IN DESIGNATED BARBECUE SITES.
MONDAY, JANUARY 33, 1984 - 7 -
NOTE TO EDITORS t
AUSTRALIAN PREMIER LEAVES TOMORROW * M *
*
A MEDIA FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER THE DEPARTURE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA, MR BOB HAWKE, TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MR HAWKE AND HIS PARTY WILL LEAVE FOR JAPAN BY A SPECIAL ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT AT 10.30 AM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 9 AM. THERE WILL BE A FIXED PRESS POSITION ON THE TARMAC AND PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
------------o -
RESIDENTS WARNED OF FAULTY WIRING M *
M X
ILLEGAL TAPPING OF ELECTRICITY OR IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC WIRES COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ELECTRIC SHOCK OR FIRE.
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S DIVISIONAL COMMANDER OF KOWLOON WEST, MR TAM YUK-FAN GAVE THIS WARNING TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT, THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.
MR TAM ALSO WARNED THAT THE USE OF FAULTY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES OR SOCKETS WAS ANOTHER COMMON CAUSE OF FIRE.
HE SAID THAT OVER THE PAST YEAR, HIS DIVISION HAD RECEIVED 1 694 REPORTS OF FIRES, AT WHICH 44 PEOPLE WERE INJURED AND 13 PEOPLE KILLED.
.THESE FREQUENCY AND CASUALTY RATES WERE HIGH COMPARED WITH THOSE IN OTHER DISTRICTS,. HE SAID.
THERE ARE THREE FIRE STATIONS IN WESTERN KOWLOON, TWO OF WHICH ARE LOCATED IN SHAM SHUI PO.
A FOURTH STATION FOR THE DISTRICT IS BEING PLANNED, FOR COMPLETION BY 1985.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TSE TAK-KAN; AND THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF KOWLOON FIRE COMMAND, MR M. KINGDOM.
- - - - 0 ----------
A ...............
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1984
8
REMINDER ABOUT USE OF PIERS ft *
tt ft
MASTERS OF FERRIES, DYNAMICALLY-SUPPORTED CRAFT AND OTHER VESSELS USING ANY PIER OR TERMINAL WERE REMINDED TODAY BY A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TO ASCERTAIN THE PROXIMITY OF OTHER VESSELS BEFORE BERTHING OR UNBERTHING.
.SHIPMASTERS, PILOTS AND COXSWAINS ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE ALL FERRY PIERS, GOVERNMENT PIERS AND PUBLIC PIERS AS WIDE A BERTH AS IS COMMENSURATE WITH OTHER NAVIGATIONAL COMMITMENTS AND WITH THE REGULATIONS OF THE PORT.+ HE SAID.
AND PERSONS IN CHARGE OF ANY VESSEL ARE REQUIRED TO PASS THESE PIERS AT A DISTANCE OF NOT LESS THAN 100 METRES.
.IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED THAT THERE IS A TENDENCY FOR ALL TYPES OF VESSELS TO NAVIGATE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO THE VARIOUS PASSENGER AND VEHICULAR PIERS IN THE HARBOUR.
.THIS PRACTICE IS BOTH IMPRUDENT AND DANGEROUS AND HAS RESULTED IN LOSS OF LIFE,*
HE SAID.
WORKSHOP OFFERED ON NEWSPAPER USE ft ft ft ft ft
A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS ON THE USE OF NEWSPAPERS AS LEARNING RESOURCES IN THE TEACHING OF SOCIAL STUDIES SUBJECT WILL BE CONDUCTED IN MARCH. TEACHERS OF THIS SUBJECT ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
THE WORKSHOPS, ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SECTION, WILL BE HELD IN DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG, BETWEEN MARCH 5 AND 9.
ONLY ONE TEACHER FROM EACH SCHOOL MAY BE NOMINATED. ACCEPTANCE WILL BE TREATED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
NOMINATIONS SHOULD REACH THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 5/F, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 20.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE INSPECTOR, PRIMARY SOCIAL STUDIES ON 5-8392498.
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1984
- 9 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR TUEN MUN PROJECT M *
*
*
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A MAIN DRAINAGE BOX CULVERT AT LEUNG TIN, WHICH IS SITUATED TO THE NORTH-WEST OF TAI HING HOUSING ESTATE, TUEN MUN.
THE BOX CULVERT WILL BE 510 METRES LONG AND CONSTRUCTED OF REINFORCED CONCRETE.
IT WILL COMPLETE DRAINAGE OF THE AREA IMMEDIATELY TO THE NORTH OF TAI HING ESTATE AND CONNECT IT TO TUEN MUN NULLAH.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES FORMING PLATFORMS FOR VILLAGE RESITE HOUSING AREAS AT TSENG TAU WAI, AS WELL AS ACCESS ROADS, CAR PARKING AREAS AND OTHER DRAINAGE TO CARRY SURFACE WATER AND SEWAGE.
PLATFORMS WILL ALSO BE FORMED AND SLOPE TREATMENT WORK CARRIED OUT IN BORROW AREAS IN THE VICINITY OF PILLAR POINT, TO THE SOUTH-WEST OF TUEN MUN.
THE FILL OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR SITE FORMATION WORK AT TSENG TAU WAI AND LEUNG TIN.
CONSTRUCTION OF THESE WORKS IS IN PREPARATION FOR FUTURE PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN APRIL AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS. FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL WAS GIVEN AT THE END OF 1981.
THE TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT'S TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE. THEY MUST BE IN BY MARCH 2.
-----------o------------
NT SPORTS GROUNDS CLOSE TWO DAYS XXX
A NUMBER OF RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE CLOSED FOR TWO DAYS DURING THE FORTHCOMING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
THE FOLLOWING FACILITIES WILL (FEBRUARY 2) AND FRIDAY (FEBRUARY TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SA
NOT BE OPENED ON THURSDAY 3). A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW ID i
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG CHAU SPORTS GROUND
/OAI CHUNG ..............
MONDAY, JA1JUAHY 30, 1984
10
KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT
KWAI SHING PUBLIC SQUASH COURTS
OSMAN RAMJU SADICK MEMORIAL GAMES HALL
KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND
NORTH DISTRICT
FANLING NEW TOWN SQUASH COURTS FANLING TEMPORARY TENNIS COURTS
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
SAI KUNG TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND
SHA TIN DISTRICT
SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SQUASH COURTS
SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC TENNIS COURTS
SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND YUEN WO PLAYGROUND TENNIS COURTS
TAI PO DISTRICT
TAI PO AREA 4 TEMPORARY SOCCER PITCH AND TENNIS COURTS
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
TUEN MUN TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND
MONDAY, JANUARY jO, l-fcj
TSUEN WAN DI STR ICT
YEUNG UK ROAD SPORTS GROUND
SHA TSUI ROAD TENNIS COURTS
TSUEN KING CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND TENNIS COURTS
YUEN LONG DISTRICT
SIR DENYS ROBERTS SQUASH COURTS
THE FANLING PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL WILL ALSO BE CLOSED FROM THURSDAY TO SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 4), THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MAXICAB ROUTES TENDER PERIOD EXTENDED
XXK
THE DEADLINE FOR TENDERING FOR THE 20 NEW MAX I CAB ROUTES IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 27, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
DETAILS OF THESE ROUTES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON FEBRUARY 1 (WEDNESDAY).
THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY REGISTERED POST TO REACH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 25TH FLOOR, DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON BY 5 PM ON FEBRUARY 27.
APPLICANTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PAY ANY DEPOSIT FOR THE APPLICATION OR OPERATION OF THESE NEW MAXICAB ROUTES.
ANY PERSON SEEKING OR SOLICITING ADVANTAGE FROM THE APPLICANT, SHOULD BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY TO THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
WATER FIGURES MMX
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY' STOOD AT 86.0 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 503.954 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 416.398 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 71.0 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1984
12 -
FIRING PRACTICE * *
*
*
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 13 DAYS IN FEBRUARY.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICES:
DATE
TIME
FEBRUARY
1
(WEDNESDAY)
8
AM
—
5
PM
FEBRUARY
6
(MONDAY)
8
AM
5
PM
FEBRUARY
7
(TUESDAY)
8
AM
—
5
PM
FEBRUARY
8
(WEDNESDAY)
8
AM
—
5
PM
FEBRUARY
9
(THURSDAY)
8
AM
*
5
PM
FEBRUARY
10
(FRIDAY)
8
AM
*
5
PM
FEBRUARY
13
(MONDAY)
8
AM
MM
5
PM
FEBRUARY
14
(TUESDAY)
8
AM
—
5
PM
FEBRUARY
15
(WEDNESDAY)
8
AM
—
5
PM
FEBRUARY
16
(THURSDAY)
8
AM
.■.
5
PM
FEBRUARY
17
(FRIDAY)
8
AM
—
5
PM
FEBRUARY
21
(TUESDAY)
8
AM
—
11
PM
FEBRUARY
25
(SATURDAY)
8
AM
—
5
PM
-----------0--------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1984
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR'S LUNAR NEV YEAR MESSAGE................................................................................... 1
FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE +051*' TO GOOD START* ........................................................ 1
CONDOLENCES FROM CHIEF SECRETARY FOR FAMILIES OF VICTIMS .... 2
TAXI FARE INCREASES START FEBRUARY 8 ..........................................................................
SAI KUNG TAXI BOUNDARY EXTENDED TO SHUN LEE TSUEN ................................. 4
SOCIAL SECURITY RATES GO UP FROM TOMORROW ......................................................... 5
RESTRICTION PERIOD FOR EXCHANGE MEMBERSHIP EXTENDED.......................... 6
SHA TIN'S 37 OOOM GROWTH PLAN DISCUSSED ................................................................ 7
SPECIAL TRAFFIC PLAN FOR FLOWER FAIR.......................................................................... 8
TWO MTR FEEDER ROUTES TO CONTINUE.................................................................................. 9
OFFICIAL RECEIVER'S OFFICE RELEASES ANNUAL FIGURES ............................. 10
DAMAGED BREAKWATER TO BE REPAIRED .................................................................................. 10
'PICK UP LITTER' CONTEST DRAWS THOUSANDS .................................................... 11
AWARDS FOR FISHERMEN ............................................................................................................................ 12
METHADONE CLINICS STAY OPEN ...................................................................................................... 12
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER LEAVES FOR JAPAN ...................................................... 12
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1984
GOVERNOR'S LUNAR NEW YEAR MESSAGE ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL DELIVER HIS NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM FANLING LODGE ON LUNAR NEW YEAR'S DAY, THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 2).
THIS WILL BE HIS SECOND NEW YEAR MESSAGE SINCE HIS ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG IN MAY 1982.
RTHK RADIO 1, 2, 3 AND 4 AND COMMERCIAL RADIO (BOTH CHANNELS) WILL BROADCAST THE MESSAGE SIMULTANEOUSLY IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE AT 6 PM.
THE MESSAGE WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST ONi
TVB JADE AT 6.15 PM
TVB PEARL AT 7.25 PM
ATV ENGLISH AT 6.55 PM AND, ATV CHINESE AT 6 PM
------------0------------
FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE +OFF TO GOOD START*
ft ft ft
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IS IN EARNEST IN ITS EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF CRIME.
SIR PHILIP. IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE. WAS SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE RE-CONSTITUTED FCC'S FIRST REPORT.
THE RE-CONSTITUTED FCC HAD GOT OFF TO A GOOD START AND HAD FOCUSED ATTENTION ON MATTERS WHICH MOST CONCERNED AND AFFECTED THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, HE SAID.
ONE OF THE FCC'S TERMS OF REFERENCE IS TO REPORT ON PROGRESS TO THE GOVERNOR TWICE YEARLY.
.THE COMMITTEE'S FIRST REPORT, COVERING MAY TO OCTOBER 1983, HAS NOW BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND HAS BEEN SEEN BY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS,. SAID SIR PHILIP.
IT WAS VERY DETAILED AND REFLECTED THE CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF GROUND WHICH HAD BEEN COVERED BY THE COMMITTEE DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF ITS EXISTENCE, HE SAID.
THE REPORT COVERS, IN MAIN. TWO ASPECTSJ FIRST, THOSE SUBJECTS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION OR RESEARCH; AND SECOND, MATTERS ON WHICH ACTION HAS BEEN WHOLLY OR PARTLY COMPLETED.
/THOSE MATTEHJ ..............
TUESDAY, JANUAHY 31, 19&4
THOSE MATTERS UNDER CONSIDERATION OR RESEARCH INCLUDE PROBLEMS RELATING TO TRIADS, USE OF FIREARMS IN CRIME, VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENTS. SECURITY OF HIGH-RISK PREMISES, USE OF FILM CENSORSHIP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, LIAISON WITH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES AND SO ON.
ACTION HAS BEEN EITHER WHOLLY OR PARTLY COMPLETED, AND IN SOME INSTANCES NEW LEGISLATION INTRODUCED, ON MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS, FIGHT YOUTH CRIME CAMPAIGN, POSSESSION OF HANDCUFFS FOR ILLEGAL USE, AND COMMERCIAL CRIME.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE MR MICHAEL THOMAS, ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO IS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF FCCJ MR DAVID JEAFFR^SON. SECRETARY FOR SECURITY} MR ROY HENRY, COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND DR HO KAM-FAI, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER.
------------0------------
CONDOLENCES FROM CHIEF SECRETARY FOR FAMILIES OF VICTIMS
* *
M
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SYR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY EXPRESSED HIS CONDOLENCES TO THE FAM KYIS OF THE VICTIMS OF SHOOTING INCIDENTS OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS.
AT THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON, SIR PHILIP SAID THAT HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES ON THE COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO RECORD THEIR PROFOUND REGRET AT THE TWO INCIDENTS.
.AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THE POLICE ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY POSSIBLY CAN TO TRACK DOWN THE VILLAINS CONCERNED,. HE SAID.
- - - - 0 ------------
TAXI FARE INCREASES START FEBRUARY 8
III
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A FARE INCREASE OF ABOUT 14 PER CENT FOR URBAN TAXIS AND ABOUT 15 PER CENT FOR NT TAXIS, TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM FEBRUARY 8.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PERCENTAGE INCREASES QUOTED ARE, AS USUAL. BASED ON THE DISTANCE TRAVELLED WITH.A S10 FARE, AND THE PRACTICABILITY OF CALIBRATION.
FOR URBAN TAXIS, THE FLAGFALL FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES WILL BE S5. INSTEAD OF 14.50, WHILE THE CHARGE FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT 0.266 KILOMETRE WILL BE 70 CENTS INSTEAD OF 60 CENTS.
/DJ the..............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 19&4
IN THE CASE OF NT TAXIS, THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES WILL COST <3.30 INSTEAD OF $3, AND INSTEAD OF 30 CENTS EVERY 0.2 KILOMETRE THEREAFTER, THE NEW CHARGE WILL BE 70 CENTS EVERY 0.4 KILOMETRE.
CHARGES FOR WAITING TIME WILL ALSO BE REVISED. IT WILL COST 70 CENTS INSTEAD OF 60 CENTS EVERY TWO MINUTES FOR URBAN TAXIS AND 73 CENTS EVERY TWO MINUTES INSTEAD OF 30 CENTS EVERY 1-1/2 MINUTE FOR NT TAXIS.
THE CHARGE FOR CARRYING EACH ARTICLE OF BAGGAGE, ANIMAL OR BIRD, WHICH HAS SINCE 1969 BEEN 50 CENTS, IS INCREASED TO $1.
A TABLE OF THE NEW FARES, SET AGAINST EXISTING FARES, WILL BE PLACED AS ADVERTISEMENTS ON FEBRUARY 6 AND 7 IN TWO ENGLISH AND FOUR CHINESE NEWSPAPERS. THIS CONVERSION TABLE CAN BE DISPLAYED IN TAXIS AND USED BY PASSENGERS, BEFORE THE METERS ARE RECALIBRATED.
IN ADDITION. A LIMITED NUMBER OF CONVERSION TABLES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TAXI OPERATORS AT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LICENSING OFFICES FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 6).
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE CASE FOR A TAXI FARE INCREASE WAS REVIEWED AS A MATTER OF URGENCY IN THE LIGHT OF FURTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED ON CURRENT OPERATING COSTS AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE LENGTH OF TIME SINCE THE LAST INCREASE IN OCTOBER, 1982.
THIS REVIEW OF FARES WAS SEPARATE FROM THE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS WHICH SOUGHT TO RATIONALISE THE ROLE OF TAXIS IN THE OVERALL TRANSPORT SYSTEM.
THE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS WILL BE RE-EXAMINED AND EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE TAXI ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE TRANSPORT BRANCH AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE BEFORE REVISED PROPOSALS ARE SUBMITTED BY THE TAC FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE DECISION ON FARES IS TAKEN IN THE CONTEXT OF PRESENT POLICY ON THE REGULATION OF TAXIS. NO CHANGE IN ANY FEATURE OF THESE POLICIES IS PROPOSED BEFORE THE WHOLE QUESTION IS EXAMINED AFRESH. IN THE MEANTIME, THEREFORE, DURING THE RE-EXAMINATION OF THE POLICY PROPOSALS, THERE WILL BE TWO FURTHER ISSUES OF URBAN TAXI LICENCES IN MARCH AND JULY, 300 LICENCES BEING OFFERED ON EACH OCCASION, AND IWO FURTHER ISSUES OF NT TAXI LICENCES. 150 OF THESE LICENCES BEING OFFERED EACH TIME. ONE MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED IN EXAMINING FURTHER PROPOSALS WILL BE WHETHER FURTHER LICENCES SHOULD BE ISSUED AFTER JULY.
0 -----------
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1984
‧ 4 -
SAI KUNG TAXI BOUNDARY EXTENDED TO SHUN LEE TSUEN *****
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE EXTENSION OF THE BOUNDARY FOR SAI KUNG-BASED NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS INTO THE URBAN AREA AS FAR AS SHUN LEE TSUEN, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (JANUARY 31).
A TAXI STAND WILL BE DESIGNATED IN LEE ON ROAD CLOSE TO THE SHUN LEE BUS TERMINUS WHICH IS CURRENTLY SERVING SEVEN BUS ROUTES AND ONE MAX ICAB ROUTE.
COMMENTING ON THE NEW SAI KUNG BOUNDARY LIMIT. THE SPOKESMAN SAID +THE TAXI STAND WILL PRESENT NO TRAFFIC PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE SECTION OF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD FROM TSENG LAN SHUE TO SHUN LEE TSUEN IS A HIGH CAPACITY ROUTE, ALLOWING NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS TO MOVE FREELY.
.THE PROPOSED ROUTING IS ALONG A CORRIDOR WITH NEWLY-COMPLETED ROADS AND RELATIVELY LIGHT TRAFFIC AND IS ACCEPTABLE FOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND ENFORCEMENT.
.THE NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED TO USE ROADS IN AND LEADING TO RENNIE'S MILL. THIS RELAXATION MIGHT NEED TO BE REVIEWED AT A LATER DATE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW TOWN AT JUNK BAY.+
THESE NEW BOUNDARY LIMITS, TOGETHER WITH THE NEW NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LIMITS APPROVED ON DECEMBER 6, ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE EFFECT BEFORE THE END OF MARCH, PENDING COMPLETION OF ALL RELATED WORKS.
UNDER THE NEW BOUNDARY EXTENSIONS, THE ROUTE TWISK AND TUEN MUN ROAD BOUNDARIES WILL BE EXTENDED TO ALLOW NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS TO ENTER THE TSUEN WAN MTR STATION.
FROM TAI PO ROAD, NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WILL BE ABLE TO GO AS FAR AS THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.
IF THE LIMITED PENETRATION INTO TSUEN WAN MTR STATION PROVE SATISFACTORY, A FURTHER EXTENSION INTO SHA TIN AS FAR AS THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WILL BE CONSIDERED WHEN IT OPENS LATER THIS YEAR.
.THIS WILL PROVIDE THE NEW TERRITORIES TAXI PASSENGERS WITH A BETTER TRANSPORT ACCESS TO THE URBAN AREA AND INTERCHANGE FACILITIES LIKE THE MTR STATIONS.+
.THESE ADDITIONAL NEW TERRITORIES TAXI ACTIVITIES ALONG THE SPECIFIC ROUTES SHOULD NOT IMPOSE SERIOUS IMPACT UPON THE URBAN TAXI TRADE AS INDICATED BY A SURVEY REPORT RECENTLY CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT,. THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/5 ..............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1984
SOCIAL SECURITY RATES GO UP FROM TOMORROW MM*
PAYMENT RATES FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, OLD AGE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES WILL GO UP BY ABOUT 13 PER CENT FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE INCREASE. ANNOUNCED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AT THE END OF DECEMBER, IS INTENDED TO MAINTAIN THE REAL VALUE OF THE BASIC RATE OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
THE NEW PAYMENT RATES PER MONTH ARE AS FOLLOWS i
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
BASIC RATES
FOR A SINGLE PERSON LIVING ALONE S51O
FOR A FAMILY i
FIRST THREE ELIGIBLE MEMBERS >370 EACH
NEXT THREE ELIGIBLE MEMBERS
>315 EACH
EACH ADDITIONAL ELIGIBLE MEMBER THEREAFTER >245 SUPPLEMENTS
OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT (FOR ANY RECIPIENT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AGED 60 AND ABOVE)
>255
DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT (FOR ANY PUBLIC
>255
ASSISTANCE RECIPIENT WHO IS PARTIALLY
DISABLED)
ANNUAL. LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT (FOR THOSE IN RECEIPT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR 12 MONTHS OR MORE)
(A) FOR A SINGLE PERSON >645
(B)
FOR A FAMILY >1 290
SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES
OLD AGE ALLOWANCE >255
DISABILITY ALLOWANCE >510
THE SAVINGS LIMIT UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WILL ALSO BE RAISED BY ABOUT 13 PER CENT. IT WILL GO UP FROM $5 700 TO >6 450 FOR A SINGLE PERSON, AND FROM >3 800 TO >4 300 FOR A PERSON IN A FAMILY.
/+THE INCREASE
TUESDAY, JANUARY JI, 1?&4
.THE INCREASE IS EXPECTED TO COST THE GOVERNMENT AN ADDITIONAL $160 MILLION FOR A FULL YEAR,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID.
UNDER THE NEW PAYMENT RATES, AN ELIGIBLE FOUR-MEMBER FAMILY WOULD RECEIVE $1 425 BASIC RATES A MONTH, AS AGAINST $1 255 THEY WOULD GET UNDER THE OLD RATES. WITH RENT, SUPPLEMENT AND OTHER ESSENTIAL EXPENSES PROVIDED SEPARATELY, A FOUR-MEMBER HOUSEHOLD ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE COULD RECEIVE UP TO ABOUT $2 540 A MONTH.
AT THE END OF DECEMBER, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS CARRYING 54 712 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CASES, 196 236 OLD AGE ALLOWANCE CASES AND 38 984 DISABILITY ALLOWANCE CASES.
- - 0 - -
RESTRICTION PERIOD FOR EXCHANGE MEMBERSHIP EXTENDED ft ft ft ft
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AN EXTENSION OF THE PERIOD CF RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LIMITED (THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE) TO DECEMBER 31, 1984, THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES, MR ROBERT FELL, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS MEANS THAT THE DATE PRIOR TO WHICH MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE CANNOT BE FREELY TRANSFERRED WILL NOW BE THE END CF 1984.
THIS DATE MAY BE VARIED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ACCORDING TO THE COMPLETION OF THE REVIEW OF MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS.
SECTION 18(1) OF THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION ORDINANCE, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON FEBRUARY 1, 1981, STATES THAT NO MEMBERSHIP OR ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE CAN BE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THREE YEARS OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE, OTHER THAN IN CERTAIN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES APPROVED BY THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE AND THE COMMISSION.
THE SECURITIES COMMISSION IS REVIEWING THE MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE.
THE CONSULTATIVE PROCESS IS CONTINUING BETWEEN THE UNIFIED EXCHANGE AND THE COMMISSION.
EARLY RESOLUTION OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT TIME TO ALLOW THE ORDERLY COMMENCEMENT OF BUSINESS ON THE NEW UNIFIED EXCHANGE IN 1985, MU FELL SAID.
- - o - -
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1984
- 7 -
SHA TIN'S $7 DOOM GROWTH PLAN DISCUSSED M *
*
*
ABOUT $7 OOO MILLION WILL BE SPENT ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN SHA TIN IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE TOLD DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT A SEMINAR THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
THE SEMINAR ON +SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 1983+. ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, WAS HELD TO ENABLE BOARD MEMBERS TO UNDERSTAND BETTER THE DISTRICT'S DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
ACCORDING TO THE PROJECT MANAGER, MR CHOW CHE-KING. MORE THAN HALF OF THE AMOUNT WOULD BE SPENT ON MA ON SHAN WHICH WOULD BE DEVELOPED INTO A TOWN CENTRE FOR 300 000.
ON MA ON SHAN, HE SAID THAT THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE DESIGNED FOR 150 000 PEOPLE ON A RECLAIMED SITE OF 95 HECTARES, WITHOUT THE PROVISION OF A RAIL-BASED TRANSPORT LINK.
.PHASE I DEVELOPMENT INVOLVES AN ADVANCE RECLAMATION CONTRACT WHICH BEGAN IN MAY 1981, AND A SITE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING FOR 30 000 PEOPLE IS READY. THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT STARTED PILING IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR AND THE FIRST RESIDENTS WILL MOVE IN BY OCTOBER 1986,+ HE SAID.
.PHASE II INVOLVES THE FORMATION, RECLAMATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO ACCOMMODATE ANOTHER 120 000 PEOPLE WHILE PHASE III PROVIDES FOR THE RECLAMATION OF THE REMAINING AREA TO ACCOMMODATE THE BALANCE OF THE DESIGNED POPULATION TOGETHER WITH THE ROAD TO NAI CHUNG IN SAI KUNG.+
MR CHOW ADDED THAT A FULL RANGE OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES, SUCH AS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, FIRE STATION, POLICE STATION, COMMUNITY CENTRE, CLINIC AND HOSPITAL WAS ALSO BEING PLANNED.
IN SHA TIN MAIN TOWN, WORK IS ABOUT TO START ON SEVERAL PROJECTS INCLUDING THE CULTURAL COMPLEX AND MAGISTRACY BUILDING IN THE TOWN CENTRE, THE CREMATORIUM AND COLUMBARIUM IN LOWER SHING MUN, AND A SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION AND AN AMBULANCE DEPOT IN TIN SUM.
AFTER THIS SEMINAR, THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WILL BE SUBMITTED TO ALL COMMITTEES OF THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR MORE DETAILED DISCUSSIONS AT THEIR COMING MEETINGS IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH.
MEMBERS*
VIEWS AND COMMENTS WOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN PREPARING THE 1984 PROGRAMME, MR CHOW SAID.
ABOUT 50 BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ATTENDED THE SEMINAR CHAIRED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG.
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/e ..............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1984
8
SPECIAL TRAFFIC PLAN FOR FLOWER FAIR
*****
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CAUSEWAY BAY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO COPE WITH THE CROWDS FLOCKING TO THE FLOWER FAIR AT VICTORIA PARK.
AT THE SAME TIME, PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS WILL EXTEND SERVICES UNTIL EARLY THE NEXT MORNING.
TRAM SERVICES BETWEEN WHITTY STREET AND NORTH POINT WILL OPERATE UNTIL 4.56 AM. THOSE BETWEEN HAPPY VALLEY AND SHAU KEI WAN AND BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND KENNEDY TOWN WILL CLOSE AT 5.24 AM AND 4.20 AM RESPECTIVELY.
MTR AND STAR FERRY SERVICES WILL RUN ALL NIGHT.
PEAK TRAM SERVICES WILL BE EXTENDED UNTIL 3 AM WHILE HYF’S JUBILEE STREET TO JORDAN ROAD AND NORTH POINT TO KWUN TONG ROUTES WILL RUN UNTIL 1 AM.
SERVICES ON CMB ROUTES 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9. 10. 11, 11M, 12, 14, 15, 19, 20, 20M, 21, 21M, 23, 25, 37, 38, 47, 48, 70, 71, 73, 81, 82, 83, 90M, 102 AND 106 WILL CLOSE ABOUT AN HOUR LATER THAN USUAL.
KMB ROUTES 37M AND 102 WILL EXTEND SERVICES BY ABOUT TWO HOURS WHILE ROUTES 1A, 2, 3A, 5, 5C, 6, 6C, 9, 11, 14, 15, 15C, 26M, 27K, 31, 32B, 34A, 35, 36, 36A, 37, 39M, 43, 46A, 61, 63 AND 73 WILL CONTINUE TO RUN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF AFTER NORMAL SERVICE SCHEDULES.
A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS NEAR VICTORIA PARK WILL BE CLOSED FROM 6 PM ON NEW YEAR’S EVE UNTIL 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THEY INCLUDE LOCKHART ROAD EAST OF PERCIVAL STREET, JAFFE ROAD EAST OF PERCIVAL STREET, KESWICK STREET (EXCEPT MAXICAB ROUTE 21), CANNON STREET, PATERSON STREET BETWEEN KINGSTON STREET AND YEE WO STREET, GREAT GEORGE STREET, SUGAR STREET, KINGSTON STREET BETWEEN GLOUCESTER ROAD AND CLEVELAND STREET, GLOUCESTER ROAD BETWEEN CAUSEWAY ROAD AND THE SOUTHERN END OF THE GLOUCESTER ROAD FLYOVER, CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN COTTON PATH AND LEIGHTON ROAD, ROXY ROUNDABOUT, TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER EXCEPT THE UP-RAMP LEADING FROM TUNG LO WAN ROAD TO TAI HANG ROAD, AND SUN WUI ROAD.
IN ADDITION, THE SECTION OF PERCIVAL STREET BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD AND THE SECTION OF TUNG LO WAN ROAD BETWEEN EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD AND TAI HANG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 PM.
FROM 6 PM ONWARDS, HYSAN AVENUE BETWEEN LEIGHTON ROAD AND YUN PING ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND. LINK ROAD BETWEEN CAROLINE HILL ROAD AND BROADWOOD ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY WESTBOUND I KESWICK STREET ONE-WAY WESTBOUND AND THE SECTION OF LAU LI STREET BETWEEN ELECTRIC ROAD AND HING FAT STREET ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1984
- 9 -
VEHICLES ON HENNESSY ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR NORTH POINT SHOULD PROCEED VIA MARSH ROAD FLYOVER AND VICTORIA PARK ROAD. THEY SHOULD USE PERCIVAL STREET, LEIGHTON ROAD, WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND BLUE POOL ROAD TO REACH TAI HANG.
WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON KING’S ROAD, NORTH POINT, HEADING FOR WAN CHAI SHOULD USE TSI NG FUNG STREET FLYOVER AND VICTORIA PARK ROAD.
PEOPLE ATTENDING THE FLOWER FAIR ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
------------o-----------
TWO MTR FEEDER ROUTES TO CONTINUE
* *
M *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS REVIEWED THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FIVE MTR BUS FEEDER ROUTES WHICH HAVE BEEN ON TRIAL FOR SIX MONTHS SINCE AUGUST 1903, AND HAS DECIDED TO RETAIN TWO OF THESE ROUTES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE KMB AND CMB HAD BEEN INVITED TO OPERATE THESE FIVE ROUTES WITH THE HOPE THAT THEY WOULD GENERATE INCREASED INTERCHANGE OF BUS PASSENGERS WITH THE MTR.
HOWEVER, RESULTS DURING THE TRIAL PERIOD HAVE BEEN MIXED, WITH SOME ROUTES SHOWING VERY LOW PATRONAGE.
.MANY PASSENGERS USING SOME OF THE FEEDER ROUTES DID NOT TRANSFER TO THE MTR. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN. THERE WERE ALSO MANY PASSENGERS USING OTHER SERVICES WHO DID TRANSFER TO THE MTR,+ THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE TWO ROUTES WHICH WILL CONTINUE OPERATION AFTER THE TRIAL PERIOD AREi 11M FROM DIAMOND HILL MTR STATION TO SAN PO KONG, AND 5M FROM TSIM SHA TSUI MTR STATION TO TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT ROUTE 11M WILL IN FUTURE BE MERGED WITH THE EXISTING ROUTE 3M.
ROUTE 23M FROM ADMIRALTY MTR STATION TO CITY GARDEN. AND 24M FROM ADMIRALTY MTR STATION TO WAN CHAI RECLAMATION WILL BE DISCONTINUED FOR THE TIME BEING.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER REINTRODUCING THESE TWO ROUTES IN SOME OTHER FORM LATER.
ROUTE 40M FROM TSUEN WAN MTR STATION TO CHAI WAN KOK WILL BE TERMINATED.
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/10 ...............
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1984
10
OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE RELEASES ANNUAL FIGURES M M M M
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE LAST YEAR HANDLED 137 BANKRUPTCIES OF INDIVIDUALS AND 280 WINDING-UP CASES OF COMPANIES. ACCORDING TO THE LATEST ANNUAL STATISTICS OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES REPRESENTED A COMBINED INCREASE OF 35.4 PER CENT OVER 1982 WITH 109 BANKRUPTCIES OF INDIVIDUALS AND 199 WINDING-UP CASES.
BY COMPARISON, THERE WAS AN 82.2 PER CENT INCREASE IN 1982 OVER 1981.
NOTABLE COMPANY FAILURES DURING 1983 INCLUDEDi DOLLAR CREDIT AND FINANCING LTD, WHITEHALL FINANCE LTD, SCOTLAND INSURANCE COMPANY LTD, EDA INVESTMENTS LTD, AMERICAN AND PANAMA FINANCE LTD, TETRA FINANCE (HK) LTD, AXONA INTERNATIONAL CREDIT AND COMMERCE LTD, CURRANT FINANCE AND THE CBG GROUP OF COMPANIES, HONG KONG DEPOSIT AND GUARANTEE COMPANY, LO’S MEE KWONG GARMENT FACTORY LTD, JOIN IN SHIRTS LTD, CARR IAN HOLDINGS LTD AND CARR IAN INVESTMENTS LTD.
CHINA UNDERWRITERS LIFE AND GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD WAS IN PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATION LAST YEAR. THE PETITION FOR WINDING UP PRESENTED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, IN HIS CAPACITY AS INSURANCE AUTHORITY WILL BE HEARD IN THE HIGH COURT ON FEBRUARY 6.
IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR A 30 PER CENT INTERIM DIVIDEND OF $40 MILLION WAS PAID TO 12 000 CREDITORS OF TSE LEE YUEN JEWELLERY LTD.
NEGOTIATIONS WERE CONTINUING WITH TWO MAJOR CREDITORS AND A FURTHER DIVIDEND WOULD BE PAID AS SOON AS THESE WERE CONCLUDED, GLEESON SAID.
DAMAGED BREAKWATER TO BE REPAIRED * *
*
B^AKWATERS AT ABERDEEN AND CHEUNG CHAU
TYPHOON SHELTERS, DAMAGED BY TYPHOON +ELLEN+ LAST SEPTEMBER
WILL START ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 6). oeriuwtK,
A 15.7 MILLION CONTRACT TO AWARDED BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING PUBLICS.
CARRY OUT THE WORK HAS BEEN OFFICE TO DRAGAGES ET TRAVAUX
‧me C?!TRA￡T PERIOD IS FOR 10 MONTHS, BUT A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE SAID MOST OF THE WORK WOULD BE COMPLETED BY JULY, IN ADVANCE OF THE TYPHOON SEASON.
HE SAID 110 METRES OF THE SOUTH BREAKWATER AT ABERDEEN HARBOUR WERE DAMAGED IN THE TYPHOON.
/AT CHEUNG ..............
tussday, January 31. 196*
AT CHEUNG CHAU, ABOUT 320 METRES OF THE MAIN 600-METRE LONG BREAKWATER WAS DAMAGED.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, RUBBLE WHICH WAS WASHED INTO THE SEA WILL BE RETRIEVED AND PUT BACK IN PLACE. NEW RUBBLE WILL BE OBTAINED FROM BORROW AREAS AT PRESENT OPERATED BY THE CONTRACTOR.
+THE CONTRACTOR HAS ASSURED US THAT HE HAS AN ADEQUATE SOURCE OF ADDITIONAL SUPPLY,*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------------0------------
’PICK UP LITTER’ CONTEST DRAWS THOUSANDS
* *
*
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, MOSTLY YOUNGSTERS, HAVE FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS BEEN HELPING TO PICK UP LITTER INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS, IN THE COURSE OF A +CLEAN AND GREEN*
PROJECT.
THE AIM OF THE PROJECT, WHICH IS IN THE FORM OF A COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, IS NOT ONLY TO KEEP THE PLACES CLEAN, BUT ALSO TO EDUCATE PEOPLE*
ON THE PRACTICAL CONSERVATION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE*
, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROJECT BEGAN LAST NOVEMBER AND WILL CONSIST OF FIVE STAGES, IN WHICH POINTS WILL BE AWARDED TO PARTICIPANTS.
IN THE FIRST STAGE, EACH PARTICIPANT IS REQUIRED TO VISIT ANY THREE OF THE TWELVE COUNTRY PARKS DESIGNATED FOR THE PROJECT ON THREE DIFFERENT DAYS.
ON EACH VISIT, EACH PARTICIPANT HAS TO HAND IN ONE BAG CF LITTER TO THE STAFF AT THESE COUNTRY PARKS AND RECORDS WILL BE KEPT OF THIS. THIS WILL LAST TILL FEBRUARY 29.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED THOSE PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED THEIR TASK TO DO SO NOW.
HE SAID THE PARTICIPANTS WERE PARTICULARLY WELCOME TO VISIT THE PARKS DURING THE BUSY LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
THE SECOND STAGE OF THE PROJECT, WHICH INVOLVES TREE PLANTING AND A SPECIAL CONTEST ON DESIGN, WILL BEGIN EARLY IN MARCH.
THE PROJECT, WHICH CARRIES A GRAND PRIZE OF A CAMPING TRIP TO AUSTRALIA FOR THE PARTICIPANT SCORING THE MOST POINTS, WILL END THIS AUTUMN.
THE SCHEME IS SPONSORED BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON EAST AS PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK IN 1983-84.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1934
12 -
NOTE TO EDITORSi
AWARDS FOR FISHERMEN * *
*
TWENTY-EIGHT FISHERMEN WHO LAST YEAR LANDED THE MOST FISH AT MARKETS OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (FMO) ARE TO RECEIVE PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED BY MRS RIDDELL-SWAN, WIFE CF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN.
DR RIDDELL-SWAN WILL PRESENT PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES TO NINE FISHERMEN WHO SAVED 77 LIVES AT SEA DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
FISHERMEN WHO COMPLETED NAVIGATION TRAINING CLASSES RUN BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO RECEIVE CERTIFICATES.
FIVE EMPLOYEES OF THE FMO WHO HAVE EACH COMPLETED 25 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE ORGANISATION WILL RECEIVE LONG-SERVICE MEDALS.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY AT THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET AT 102 SHEK PAI WAN ROAD, ABERDEEN TOMORROW (FEBRUARY 1).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE FUNCTION ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE AT THE MARKET AT 10.45 AM.
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METHADONE CLINICS STAY OPEN X ￡ X
ALL 24 METHADONE CLINICS OPERATED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED FROM FEBRUARY 2 TO FEBRUARY 4.
HOWEVER, EMERGENCY CASES WILL BE TREATED AT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS.
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AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER LEAVES FOR JAPAN * *
*
*
THE PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA, MR BOB HAWKE, LEFT HONG KONG THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING FOR JAPAN AFTER A TWO-DAY PRIVATE VISIT.
HE WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE AUSTRALIAN COMMISSIONER IN HONG KONG, MR D.J. HORNE, THE JAPANESE CONSUL-GENERAL.
Ml HIROAKI FUJII, AND THE DIRECTOR OF PROTOCOL, SIR JOHN CURLE.
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